"Arrogant insects!"
Galen's words struck a nerve, stirring painful memories within Sargeras. Since his rebellion against the Pantheon and the creation of the Burning Legion, his goal had been the systematic destruction of all life-bearing planets, a desperate attempt to halt the Void Lords' corruption.
(bro the Void lord Amon was killed by the terran-protoss-zerg alliance, chill xd)
For millennia, the Burning Legion had swept across the cosmos, annihilating world after world, extinguishing countless "flames of life."
Even when encountering races of formidable strength, the Legion preferred to sow internal discord, using treachery and collaboration to weaken resistance. The satyrs, a twisted demonic race, were born from such betrayals on countless worlds.
But ten thousand years ago, the Legion's relentless advance was checked.
The Burning Legion had found a willing collaborator in Queen Azshara of the Highborne elves, then the dominant power on Azeroth. They opened a portal, and vast demonic armies poured into Azeroth, only to be met with fierce resistance from the combined forces of elves, Wild Gods, and other races. The demons were ultimately driven back into the Twisting Nether.
Sargeras himself had nearly stepped onto Azeroth when an orc warrior from a displaced timeline wounded him, severing his toe with an oaken great axe and collapsing the portal.
This first failed invasion of Azeroth enraged Sargeras, and he severely punished his two lieutenants, Kil'jaeden and Archimonde.
Humiliated by this defeat, the two lieutenants harbored a deep resentment towards Azeroth, adding it to their long list of targets.
Galen's words reopened these old wounds, filling Sargeras with shame.
"Silence, insignificant worm! You dare to provoke me?" Sargeras roared, his face contorted in fury. A terrifying aura erupted from him, a palpable wave of force that crashed against Galen and the others!
Galen, the primary target of Sargeras's wrath, felt as if he had been struck by a physical shockwave, and staggered backward, gasping for breath.
Lothar and the others felt the air thicken, becoming viscous. They raised their weapons, channeling their own auras to resist Sargeras's oppressive power!
The Demon King's aura was overwhelming!
Khadgar fared the worst. Caught off guard, he coughed up blood and was forced to the ground, yet he stubbornly held his head high.
Around him, everyone struggled against Sargeras's will, a force akin to that of a creator titan. Only Khadgar had been completely subdued. Lothar's eyes burned with determination, and the Great Royal Sword shone brightly.
The three high elves stood tall, their pride refusing to yield. Kael'thas drew the Sunstrider family's ancestral blade, Felo'melorn.
Felo'melorn and Quel'Delar blazed with defiance.
Aragorn, Durin, and Gandalf declared that their souls belonged to the Altar of Kings and would only submit when the Heart of Origin was destroyed.
Garona, the half-orc, subtly used Gul'dan's mind control magic, diverting some of the pressure to him along their soul connection.
Sargeras's will surged through the link, causing Gul'dan, in the midst of commanding the attack on Stone Watch, to nearly collapse.
Regaining his footing, Gul'dan quickly assessed the situation. Seeing Medivh's state, he was secretly elated. "What an opportunity!" he thought. As the Legion Lord's attention was occupied, he could attempt to establish a mental link with Medivh, seeking the secrets of his power and the location of Sargeras's physical form!
Three centuries ago, Aegwynn had slain Sargeras's avatar. Sargeras's soul had then infiltrated her body, and his physical body was sealed away. Though an avatar, it contained a portion of Sargeras's power, a terrifying amount for mortals. Gul'dan intended to seize that power!
That power was also part of the reward he had been promised for leading the orcs to Azeroth!
Galen noticed that Aegwynn, though strained, had erected a magical shield. Her eyes blazed with fury as she muttered what seemed to be an incantation.
But where was Chromie?
Had the little gnome fled?
It didn't matter. Galen hadn't expected the bronze dragon to fight Sargeras. The true battle rested with Lothar and the others!
"Is that the best you can do?"
Galen, feeling that he could withstand the pressure, tried to draw Sargeras's attention, relieving the others and creating an opening for attack!
"You call us insects, yet you inhabit the body of one of us! What does that make you?"
Galen's tone was playful. Unlike the native races of Azeroth, he felt no instinctive fear of Sargeras.
After watching the Tomb of Sargeras cinematic countless times, it was hard to be intimidated by the disheveled titan. Besides, the Heart of Origin was absorbing most of the pressure, leaving Galen relatively unaffected.
The moment Galen spoke, Sargeras's rage intensified.
The pressure surged again!
Khadgar, who had briefly managed to rise, was forced back to the floor, his face pressed against the cold stone. He glared at Galen with resentment!
"Why did you have to provoke him? Didn't you see I was the weakest one here?"
"You plotted to inhabit Ms. Aegwynn's body for centuries and spent decades corrupting Medivh. You've invested a great deal of effort in dealing with these 'insects'!"
"Outrageous!"
"Heavens! Is the Lord of Stromgarde insane? Directly provoking the Demon Lord!"
"We are insects, yet you use the body of a creature of our world. What does that make you?"
"Insolent fool!"
Boom!
Sargeras shuddered, and the liquid magic in the pool erupted, scattering in a wave of blue mist!
The pressure on Lothar and the others vanished!
Galen had successfully drawn Sargeras's ire, and his Taunt skill proficiency increased by +10!
"Now!" Lothar's eyes gleamed as he swung the Great Royal Sword, his right leg slamming into the ground. The force of his strike cracked the floor like a spiderweb!
But someone was even faster: Aegwynn. She gathered the surrounding magic and unleashed Arcane Missiles the size of washbasins at Sargeras's face!
Kael'thas followed, casting a Condensed Fireball and a Phoenix Flame!
Gandalf and Rommath launched massive Frostbolts and Arcane Blasts!
However, to Galen's dismay, a magic circle appeared before Medivh, and a huge figure emerged: the Curator, Galen's greatest fear!
Aegwynn's and the others' spells struck the Curator's chest, leaving deep indentations!
And the Curator parried Lothar's mountain-splitting blow!
"Insects! Do you think these attacks will avail you? How pathetic!"
"Destroy them, Curator!" Sargeras commanded, and a dozen Hellfire Arrows shot forth.
Galen realized he would have to face at least two or three of those deadly projectiles.
The black-red Hellfire Arrows were condensed flames, and being hit by them was not advisable!
Galen rolled, narrowly dodging three of the spells, but then his senses screamed a warning!
More danger!
Having provoked Sargeras, Galen was the primary target. While the others faced one Hellfire Arrow each, he was about to be struck by a dozen!
Desperate, Galen activated Divine Shield!
Boom boom boom boom!
The barrage of spells crashed against the barrier of Holy Light, exploding in a torrent of fire. The temperature soared, and the floor cracked further!
"Galen!"
Lothar and Kael'thas were terrified. Galen's sudden appearance had made a deep impression. He was the only son of the King of Stromgarde and heir to the throne. His premature death would devastate Thoras, and Lothar would carry the guilt for the rest of his life!
Fortunately, Galen emerged from the flames, his golden Holy Light barrier intact.
"That was close! I almost died!" Galen exclaimed, shaken. His quick reflexes had saved him.
"Oh, great Sargeras, is that all you've got?"
Galen's mouth was running again!
Lothar and Kael'thas were speechless. He had just survived a near-death experience, and now he was provoking the Demon King again!
Galen knew that Sargeras was using Medivh's spells. Had Sargeras used his own power, Galen might have been more cautious. But if Sargeras was limited to Medivh's magic, he wasn't as terrifying!
Medivh was, at best, a powerful mage, still mortal. Against so many opponents, he would eventually tire!
"We can overwhelm him!" Galen thought. But he needed to be sure!
Seeing that Galen was unharmed, the others renewed their assault. Spells flew across the dome as Lothar, Durin, and Sylvanas sought to bypass the Curator and attack Sargeras!
Galen dodged the incoming spells, searching for an opportunity!
"Dispel!"
Dispel could neutralize magical effects and deal significant damage to summoned creatures. It could also reveal invisible units and counter summoned entities.
Galen used the skill on the Curator. He had not considered this when the Curator was confined to the library, but seeing Sargeras summon him changed his mind.
To his surprise, the Curator paused!
"It works!"
"Heh, I am a genius!"
The Origin Heart's abilities were vast. Beyond training soldiers, Galen was beginning to discover its potential for personal use.
The Origin Heart was a mysterious and powerful artifact, and Galen intended to explore its full capabilities.
"Mages, keep Sargeras busy! We warriors will take down this big guy first!"
Galen shouted!
Five mages should be able to keep Sargeras occupied.
And the Curator, an arcane construct, was just a large target!
To buy time, Durin activated Avatar, his body expanding and radiating a white, lightning-like aura!
It was the first time Galen had seen Durin use this ability. In his Avatar form, the Storm Hammer and Storm Axe became enormous weapons.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Durin, in his Avatar state, engaged the Curator. The Curator, crafted from precious materials and infused with arcane energy, was a formidable opponent, wielding both magic and martial prowess.
Galen dodged a summoned electric orb and a barrage of Arcane Missiles, then used Dispel again.
The Curator paused!
"Excellent!"
"Just a couple more times, and I can finish him!"