Andreas had no good solution for this kind of "cheating" environmental attack.
While he could transform into a flight form to avoid the boiling magma on the ground, the "floor-bound" Tauren and Drogbar could not.
Currently, Huln and the Tauren warriors were temporarily taking shelter in a small sanctuary constructed by Igrul using the earth element. However, Igrul's mastery over the power of the earth was worlds apart from Neltharion's; even Igrul himself could not guarantee how long this small barrier would hold against the onslaught of molten rock.
As Neltharion exerted the full extent of his Titan-given power as the Earth-Warder, the entirety of Highmountain began to tremble violently. Frightened beasts and birds fled through the forests in a panic, their instincts driving them to escape their homeland in the face of this sudden cataclysm.
In Rivermane Village, the Tauren lowered their postures in terror, pressing themselves against the ground to maintain balance. Jale Rivermane muttered under her breath, "I knew it... our actions must have angered the Earth Mother..."
"Shut up! You spineless coward!"
Priton Bloodtotem roared in anger. "Neltharion is the Earth-Warder; what does a tremor of this magnitude matter? Lift your heads! The Earth Mother will surely protect us!"
In a cave in central Highmountain, dozens of kilometers away from Neltharion's lair, a black dragon's head peeked out sneakily from the entrance to scout the surroundings.
A childish, high-pitched voice came from deep within the cave. "Brother, did you find anything?"
"Shh!"
The timid-looking black dragon quickly retracted his head. "I don't know who is so audacious, but Father must be out of his mind with rage. In his current state, rashly calling upon the power of the Earth-Warder will cause his body to collapse."
"Hmph~"
Before the adolescent black dragon stood a plump, young whelp who let out a dismissive snort.
"Father is becoming more and more neurotic. He drove Mother away and forced our kin to obey his commands and honor some so-called 'new master.' Compared to the steady and gentle Father of the past, it's as if he's a completely different person."
At the mention of this topic, the black dragon siblings fell into silence simultaneously. After several seconds, the older black dragon shook his head helplessly.
"Don't speak of what has already happened. We cannot resist Father's orders. Perhaps in the future, we will continue to be forced by him to do many things we are unwilling to do."
The young black dragon hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Onyxia, when you grow up, would you do things you dislike—or even utterly loathe—just to survive?"
"Who knows," the whelp replied, flapping her wings indifferently. "It will be at least several hundred years before I reach adulthood. Who can say for sure what will happen in the future?"
Nefarian let out a soft sigh. "True. But... is our future really just a one-way street leading to a path of no return?"
...
"Lord Moonshadow, please think of something!"
Sweat poured down Igrul's forehead like rain. He was pushing his limits just to barely maintain the earth barrier from being swallowed by the lava.
Andreas, flying near the ceiling of the cave, was also struggling. The extreme heat radiating from the magma turned the cavern into an intensified version of a giant sauna; anyone inside risked being roasted unconscious by the scalding air at any moment.
Though reluctant, Andreas could only place his hopes on Huln now.
"High Chieftain Huln, it's down to your decision. If we give up now, Igrul should still be able to send us out."
Huln took the Hammer of Khaz'goroth from his back and held it before him, staring at its surface for a brief moment.
"No need. Leave it to me."
Adjusting his already firm resolve, Huln raised the Hammer of Khaz'goroth high above his head.
"Neltharion! Your reign over Highmountain ends now!"
As Huln channeled his Rage into the Holy Hammer, the earthy yellow glow on its surface grew increasingly brilliant.
"I, Huln Highmountain, representing the will of the Highmountain tribes and the myriad spirits of this land..."
After his Rage was drained, the Hammer of Khaz'goroth began to sap Huln's very life force. Enduring the agony of his life draining away, Huln's face contorted as he swung the Holy Hammer downward with all his might.
"...Exile you from this ancient land!"
The moment the Holy Hammer struck the ground, the earthquake covering all of Highmountain ceased abruptly. The boiling magma in the cave cooled rapidly, and Neltharion discovered to his horror that he had lost control over the power of the earth.
"The Hammer of Khaz'goroth? How is that possible!"
Boom!
Colossal stone pillars erupted from the ground, surrounding the flying Neltharion. Under the terrifying energy of the Holy Hammer, these blunt stone pillars pierced through the Black Dragon King without any resistance.
"ROAR!!"
A sky-shaking howl of agony echoed throughout Highmountain. Having already strained his fractured body to use his Aspect powers, only to suffer such severe wounds and have his connection to the earth forcibly severed, Neltharion finally felt the terror of approaching death.
Seeing Huln slowly raise the hammer once more, Neltharion mustered his remaining strength to sweep his tail, breaking the stone pillars impaling him. He fled through a hidden rear exit, spraying blood all along the way.
"Ugh!"
Clang!
As soon as Neltharion disappeared, Huln's stance broke, and the hammer slipped from his hands, clattering to the floor. The mighty Tauren chieftain fell to his knees, his entire body trembling.
"High Chieftain Huln!"
Igrul rushed forward to support Huln, feeling the once-powerful frame grow soft and weak. As the lava settled, Andreas descended from the air. Looking at the now-quiet Hammer of Khaz'goroth with a complex expression, Andreas sighed inwardly.
The Pillars of Creation... for mortals, they are truly double-edged swords that harm both the enemy and the wielder.
...
The sight of Neltharion howling in pain as he fled in disgrace caused the Tauren waiting anxiously in Rivermane Village to break into wild cheers. To them, Neltharion's flight signaled the end of their days of suffering; the Highmountain tribes could finally welcome a period of peaceful development.
Jale Rivermane whispered in disbelief, "Impossible. How on earth did Huln and the others do it?"
Gawin Skyhorn patted Jale on the shoulder. "Regardless of how it happened, we succeeded. Don't think too much for now; let us cheer for a bright future."
Jale turned back to see her tribespeople dancing and singing in joy. She shook her head with a smile of relief. "You're right. Whatever hidden dangers may come later, at least for now, let our people relax."
The sight of Neltharion's pathetic retreat left the black dragons scattered throughout Highmountain dumbfounded. They could not believe their invincible patriarch had been defeated by mortals.
"...Onyxia, give me a hit. I think I haven't woken up yet."
"Hmm? You sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright then."
The dragon whelp, puzzled by her brother's strange request, spat a small fireball at him.
"Hot, hot, hot! It really isn't a dream." Rubbing his stiff face with a claw, the shock on Nefarian's face refused to fade. "Are mortals... such terrifying creatures?"
The whelp Onyxia rolled her eyes. "While I don't know what kind of wild conclusions you're jumping to, I can guarantee it's definitely not what you think."
"The mortals must have borrowed some kind of power to achieve such a feat. Do you remember that seal we found in Father's lair when we were little?"
"Ah..." Nefarian's face immediately lit up with realization. "I see. But... while mortals can use a Pillar of Creation, the backlash from such an artifact must be incredibly severe, right?"
Onyxia let out a yawn, looking quite sleepy. "Who knows. Perhaps the wielder was prepared for it long ago."
"Regardless, until Father recovers, we should have a period of peace."
"I plan to find a place to sleep for a few decades first. Don't bother me unless it's important."