Point of View: Sylvanas
I stood over the corpse of the tribe's chief.
A colossal war mammoth. Even for a Level 1 Ascended (peak), it was absurdly resilient. Its thick hide had absorbed my first arrows without yielding, its strength enough to take down several primordials at once.
But me…
I was no longer Level 1.
I was a Level 2 Ascended (initial).
The difference was overwhelming.
Its massive body lay motionless beneath my feet, the snow around it stained red. I exhaled slowly as the system notified me.
[The Guardian wishes to initiate a meeting] [Do you accept?]
—Yes.
Floating screens appeared before me. The faces of the other leaders were projected on them, along with the figure of the Guardian.
He smiled.
—It has been some time. I am glad to see you still alive.
He paused briefly, then his expression turned serious.
—The conquest is in its final stage. To complete it, you must take the planet's core. Do not worry… I will assist you.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Kael spoke first.
—As you told us, the core is at the center of the planet. How do we get there?
It was the same question crossing my mind. From the looks of the others, I wasn't the only one.
The Guardian responded calmly.
—The missions you received not only weakened the core's barrier. They also allowed us to locate it.
Xyra frowned.
—Locate it? Shouldn't we already know where it is?
—The barrier not only protects —he explained—, it also conceals. Without the Genesis Records collecting information through you, finding it would have been… problematic.
Ragnar growled.
—And how does that help us?
—Now you can reach it through the portal. Return to your bases. Withdraw your armies. When ready, tell the system to go to the core. The portal will alter your destination.
I stared at him.
—Will you be waiting there?
—Yes. In two days.
The transmission ended.
I looked at my soldiers.
—We return to Arcadia.
At first, they didn't react. Then they understood.
—The campaign is over. We have conquered the planet.
A roar of celebration erupted among them.
I missed my home too.
Two days later
I was alone in the camp.
—System, send me to the core.
[Affirmative.]
The portal opened before me.
I took a deep breath and stepped through.
On the other side, I found the other leaders floating in an impossible space.
Xyra glared at me.
—You're late.
I tilted my head.
—My apologies.
The Guardian softly applauded.
—Congratulations. You have conquered a planet.
Behind him floated the core.
It was an emerald green sphere, pulsating slowly. There was no ground, no sky. No air.
And yet…
We could breathe.
We could move.
The space itself seemed to hold us.
Life energy was more concentrated.
—This place is special —the Guardian explained—. The core's space allows the existence of all life. In case of catastrophe, the strongest beings can take refuge here and defend it.
—This place is similar to Dalaran —I commented—. There, the Atlanteans could move as if underwater.
—Dalaran only imitates this phenomenon —he replied—. This is the original source.
Then it happened.
Two white circles emerged beneath the Guardian.
His presence became overwhelming.
Space itself vibrated.
My instincts screamed at me to step back.
Ragnar tensed. Kael narrowed his eyes. Even Xyra remained silent.
Was that his true power?
The Guardian did not change physically… yet the weight of his existence increased.
He approached the translucent barrier surrounding the core.
And struck.
The impact resonated like thunder.
The barrier cracked.
Fissures spread across its surface like green lightning.
Without turning to us, he said:
—Now tell the system to take the core.
Symbols emerged from his body, beginning to circle the sphere.
—I recommend having Origin Energy Crystals. This consumes my energy constantly.
The pressure in the space intensified.
—When ready, say: System, take the core.
A portal opened in front of the sphere. The core's energy began to flow into it, violent, unstable.
—Do not enter that portal. You will die if you do. To retreat, tell the system to send you to Dalaran.
A second portal appeared.
Then the space trembled.
A crack ran through the void.
—Hurry —ordered the Guardian—. This place will collapse soon.
Without waiting for a response, he stepped through the portal and vanished.
We were silent for barely a moment.
Then the tremor increased.
The core began to crack.
Space itself began to fragment.
—Move! —Ragnar growled.
We ran toward the portal as the energy exploded behind us.
And just as we crossed it…
The heart of the planet shattered.