To capture Drak'Tharon Keep, relying solely on Shandaral's original troops was out of the question.
Having been crushed by the Frost Trolls for years, the morale of Shandaral's army was extremely low, and their training was insufficient.
After some deliberation, Shandris decided to remain in the capital herself, while Adjutant Summer Moon would lead the expedition. Maiev also dispatched her own adjutant, Sira Moonwarden, to lead a contingent of Wardens to Northrend as support.
Combined with the Druid forces led personally by Fandral and the Moonshadow's Rest coalition forces under the command of Nawaz, the total strength reached 200,000—more than enough to take the outskirts of Zul'Drak.
Shandaral's original units headed west to meet the Cenarion Circle in Wintergrasp to establish a camp, before splitting to scout for suitable outpost locations in Sholazar Basin and the Borean Tundra.
Compared to the ungoverned Sholazar Basin, the Borean Tundra, which bordered the island of Coldarra, required more cautious development.
Andreas did not intend to expand aggressively in the Borean Tundra; he only needed a simple outpost, primarily to facilitate direct contact with the Blue Dragonflight in the future.
Just as the top brass of the Night Elf Republic was heatedly discussing the Northrend pioneering plan, a swirling arcane portal suddenly appeared in the administrative hall of the Great Moon Temple.
Sensing the unfamiliar magical fluctuations within the Temple, the Darkmoon Shadow Priests guarding the sanctuary surrounded the area warily.
Andreas calmly held back the priests. The dense arcane aura emanating from the portal gave him a good idea of what was happening.
A blue dragon claw extended from the portal and beckoned, followed by a deep, resonant voice from the other side.
"Andreas Moonshadow, do you remember our agreement? Come through. Don't make me come over there and snatch you myself."
Seeing that dragon claw, even the dullest person could guess what was happening.
"Sigh..."
Andreas scratched his head helplessly and slung the Staff of G'Hanir, which had been hanging nearby, onto his back.
"Everyone, the planning routes have been mostly settled. Proceed according to the predetermined plan. I have a 'date' to keep."
Leticia and Celeste immediately stood up and volunteered, "We also..."
Shandris pressed her hands on their shoulders and said in a low voice, "This is a meeting between Andreas and a Dragon Aspect. You would only cause trouble if you went. Sit down."
Onyxia, on the other hand, appeared relatively calm. She tossed a necklace made of miniature dragon teeth to Andreas.
"This has a mark left by my mother. If you encounter an emergency, remember to activate the spell on the necklace. My mother will feel the resonance and immediately contact Wyrmrest Temple to rescue you."
Andreas smiled and waved at Onyxia. "Thanks."
An impatient, urging voice came from the other side of the portal. "Hurry up! My patience is limited!"
Andreas smiled silently, shared a deep, lingering look with Shandris, patted his left forearm, and then stepped firmly into the portal.
As the portal vanished, a heavy silence fell over the administrative hall.
Shandris took a deep breath and pressed the pendant on her chest through her clothes.
"Everyone, let us begin our respective actions. I believe he will surely overcome this ordeal."
...
When Andreas entered the portal, the exit immediately vanished, revealing a magnificent scene before his eyes.
Solidified arcane particles floated in the air in vast drifts. Beneath bands of blue-purple halos lay a beautiful landscape resembling a blue starry sky.
Andreas stood at the edge of a cluster of floating architecture. The wondrous space, filled with a sea of arcane stars, was directly in front of him; there seemed to be no solid ground in any direction—up, down, left, or right.
A massive blue dragon wearing a crown was coiled at the center of the stars, appearing as if he were lying suspended in mid-air.
Andreas tentatively extended his foot to tap the starry sky in front of him. A floor with a strange texture blocked his toes from descending further.
"Hmph~ Welcome to the Eye of Eternity, Andreas Moonshadow."
Malygos looked with displeasure at the approaching Andreas. A sudden surge of pressure made Andreas's feet falter for a moment, but he continued to move forward as if nothing had happened.
Resisting the pressure intentionally released by the other party, Andreas smiled and bowed to the Blue Dragon. "Your Majesty Malygos, it is a pleasure to see you again."
"Hmph!"
Tyranny and reason flashed alternately in Malygos' eyes. Finally, he controlled his temper and spoke to Andreas in a deep voice, "Mortal, you should have heard from Arygos about my ban regarding Sindragosa, correct?"
Andreas's smile remained unchanged. "Yes, I have heard of it."
Malygos suddenly sat up from the ground, his eyes staring intently at the tiny Night Elf before him.
"Then how do you dare to openly defy my orders? Do you think the promise of a Dragon Aspect is a joke?"
Andreas shook his head. "Of course not. I believe that suggestion was logical."
"As Dragon Aspects empowered by the Titans, you are the final barrier defending Azeroth when the Keepers of Ulduar are unable to perform their duties."
"Of the five Aspects, Deathwing has betrayed us, Nozdormu the Timeless One is lost in time, and Ysera must reside in the Emerald Dream year-round. Relying solely on Her Majesty Alexstrasza is simply too much for one person."
"So..."
Andreas spread his hands. "I suggested that the members of Wyrmrest Temple find a way to awaken your sanity. As it turns out, the method of 'fighting fire with fire' worked, didn't it?"
"Heh heh!"
Malygos let out a cold laugh, his tone freezing. "No matter how many reasons you have, it is an indisputable fact that you broke a ban I personally established."
"As the Guardian of Arcane on Azeroth and the King of the Blue Dragons, I must uphold my authority."
Malygos looked down at Andreas. "Prepare yourself. Whether you dodge or block, if you can withstand three of my spells completely, the crime of your offense against me will be wiped clean."
So it's going to be a fight after all...
Andreas sighed inwardly. He took the Staff of G'Hanir from his back, gripped it in his hand, and took a deep breath. Striving to maintain a calm mind, he nodded. "Very well. Your Majesty Malygos, please make your move."
"Hmph~ You certainly have courage."
The corner of Malygos's mouth twitched slightly. "I heard you once clashed with Queen Azshara? Then let the first spell be a 'freebie' for you."
"Gravity."
Feeling the familiar pressure envelop his entire body, Andreas gritted his teeth, planted his staff on the ground, and cast Power Word: Shield around himself.
Freebie, my foot!
The Power Word: Shields were crushed countless times. In the instant before a shield shattered, Andreas would immediately renew it, while also buffing himself with Power Word: Fortitude and Pain Suppression.
Malygos did not move from his spot. He watched calmly as Andreas's shields broke and were replenished, seemingly not intending to increase the intensity of the gravity spell further.
Five minutes later, the multiplied gravity finally vanished, and Andreas let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"As I said, the first spell was a freebie. Do not think that was my full power."
"Get ready, Andreas Moonshadow. I will not show mercy on the next spell!"
"Arcane Singularity!"