Point of View: Lyriana
We followed the Guardian across the suspended plaza.
With every step, the surroundings seemed to subtly distort. It wasn't an obvious illusion, but a faint warping of the air—as if the city itself were breathing, adjusting to its own will.
As we advanced, I began to understand Dalaran's structure more clearly.
The city was not a single floating landmass. It was a constellation of enormous islands suspended in the sky, all slowly revolving around a much larger central island. Bridges of solid light stretched between them—delicate to the eye, yet firm beneath our feet.
At the center rose a colossal tower, taller than any other structure. Even from afar, it was clear that it was no ordinary building.
When we reached the edge of the plaza, the Guardian stepped into the void.
A path of light formed beneath his foot.
There was no dramatic gesture. No visible surge of energy. It simply appeared. With each step he took, the bridge extended forward, tracing a luminous line across the open sky.
Then he turned to us.
"Come."
For a brief moment, some of the soldiers hesitated.
Below us, the clouds drifted slowly, a silent reminder that there was no ground beneath our feet.
But no one broke formation.
One by one, we stepped forward.
When my feet touched the bridge, I felt a faint vibration—as if it recognized my presence. What was even stranger was that although hundreds of us walked upon it, the bridge did not widen.
It did not expand.
It did not narrow.
And yet… we all fit.
I glanced to the sides. The space felt compressed.
Or perhaps folded.
The Guardian spoke without turning around.
"To the Hall of Portals."
The bridge suddenly lengthened, drawing us toward the central island. It wasn't us moving forward.
It was the city receiving us.
I quickened my pace slightly to walk closer to him.
"Do you always move through the city like this?"
He looked at me calmly.
"There are two ways. You can walk normally and enjoy the scenery… or, if you wish to arrive quickly, the city recognizes your intent and folds space to shorten the distance."
He gestured toward a distant bridge connecting two islands.
"You may cross it step by step… or allow Dalaran to guide you."
I looked at the horizon.
It was beautiful. The towers, the floating symbols circling them, the clear sky…
For a moment, I forgot we were heading to war.
"It's incredible… Did you build it?"
He remained silent for a few seconds.
When he answered, his voice carried a different tone.
"No. This city is the greatest treasure of our planet's most glorious era."
His eyes shifted toward the central tower.
"Dalaran was once known as the most famous trade city in the universe. At its peak, it was common to see beings of every race walking these islands."
He paused.
"What you see now… is only a shadow of what it once was. Many functions are sealed or lost. Only the essential ones remain."
A mixture of awe and sadness stirred within me.
Then I remembered something that had been troubling me.
"Guardian… is killing the only way to obtain FD points?"
He looked at me directly.
"No."
That single word eased the tightness in my chest.
"Not everyone is made for war," he continued. "Some, like you, would struggle if that were the only path."
He spread his arms slightly.
"I intend to open Dalaran's gates to all Ascended of this planet. Those unfit for combat may offer services here. They will sign fair contracts and receive FD points in return."
Sylvanas, walking beside me, asked,
"When will that happen?"
"When our campaign ends. I need time to prepare the city to receive them. Anyone who has passed their first Tribulation may come."
I looked around again.
"And what can be done here?"
A faint smile crossed his face.
"What remains of Dalaran still surpasses imagination. When we return, I will show you. For now… there is no point in distraction."
I wanted to ask more.
But we had already arrived.
Point of View: Kael
The central island was imposing.
We headed toward the main tower. Its doors stood open—massive, carved from a dark crystalline material.
But what lay inside was far more astonishing.
From the outside, the tower was enormous.
From the inside… it was overwhelming.
The space felt multiplied. Towering pillars of luminous crystal supported a ceiling so high I could not see its end. Metallic humanoid beings patrolled in absolute silence.
Their faces were expressionless.
No emotion.
No blinking.
Some cleaned the floor with precise, mechanical movements. Others stood motionless, yet I could feel the restrained power within them.
They did not seem alive.
Along one side of the vast hall, multiple portals stood aligned.
Each was a stone circle engraved with symbols. Beside each floated a luminous sphere, slowly rotating. At the top of every circle, a white gem shimmered with faint light.
Above us, suspended high within the interior, three additional floating islands hovered.
Each radiated a distinct energy.
One felt similar to the abominations.
Another carried a completely opposite energy—strange, difficult to define.
The one at the center… contained pure Origin energy.
The Guardian called us forward.
The leaders approached.
"This is a portal," he said. "It will take us to the target planet."
He pointed to the floating sphere.
"This is the star map. Known planets are recorded here. It is outdated—but sufficient."
Then he indicated the white gem.
"This gem determines the safety of entry. When you place FD points into it, it will display a required amount."
He paused to ensure we understood.
"If it requests points, it means it can guide you to a safe and suitable environment. Once paid, the gem will turn golden, and the portal will activate."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"If it does not request points… or if the gem turns red… do not enter."
A heavy silence filled the hall.
"That means the destination is not safe. Or not suitable for you."
Rangar spoke.
"What if we decide to enter without paying FD points?"
The Guardian shrugged.
"You may. If you channel Origin energy, the portal will open like any other. But do not blame me if you appear inside a volcano… thousands of meters in the air… or in the middle of a hostile city."
Several soldiers stiffened.
Now the war felt real.
It was no longer theory.
No longer training.
It was absolute uncertainty.
The Guardian continued,
"This time, I will pay for you. I will also accompany you and guide you."
Then he added firmly,
"But this will be the last time I intervene directly or use my own resources to support a campaign."
That changed everything.
There would be no safety net.
He divided us into groups and activated the portals one by one. The gems turned golden as he invested FD points.
Energy began swirling within the stone circles as the portals slowly opened.
Before the first group stepped through, he said,
"Eliminate at least one being from that planet. When you do, the system will update, and we will be able to communicate normally."
I didn't fully understand what he meant.
But I nodded.
The portal before us opened completely, revealing an unknown light on the other side.
The air grew heavier.
This time, no one spoke.
And one by one…
We stepped through.