The moment Malygos unleashed his spell, a powerful sense of crisis washed over Andreas.
Without time to think, and following his body's survival instincts, Andreas activated Dispersion the exact moment Malygos's spell materialized.
Transforming into a being of pure energy, Andreas virtually ignored all physical limitations and damage from the material world. A blue orb of light about half a meter in diameter appeared roughly five meters in front of him.
In his dispersed state, Andreas resisted the immense gravitational pull emanating from the light orb and, instead of being drawn in, moved back several dozen meters.
The floating arcane particles and bands of light in the vicinity were all pulled toward this unassuming little point of light, uncannily compressed and sucked into a nearly invisible hole at its center.
A miniature black hole? You've got to be kidding me...
Fortunately, Andreas' reaction speed was fast enough. Had he been dragged into that black hole, he likely would have been compressed into a two-dimensional shadow.
Andreas's strange energy form caused Malygos to raise an eyebrow, but he didn't comment. He simply said flatly, "I'll count the second spell as a dodge. Now for the last one."
The Arcane Singularity vanished. Malygos flapped his wings and hovered in mid-air. The surrounding arcane particles seemed to be affected by some form of activation; they suddenly began to move rapidly, spinning in a circular motion.
Exiting his dispersed state, Andreas watched the rotating arcane particles with a solemn expression. Their speed increased until they formed a zone similar to the eye of an arcane cyclone.
The sheer power before me is terrifying enough, but the true attack probably hasn't arrived yet, has it?
Malygos, who usually cast spells instantaneously, was rarely seen charging up power. Andreas felt slightly dizzy as the arcane particles flashed back and forth before his eyes.
As the rotational acceleration continued to climb, all Andreas could see was a pale blue curtain of light. The arcane energy within that space was activated to an astonishing degree.
At that moment, Malygos calmly uttered a single word: "Starlight Extinction."
Not good!
"Power Word: Barrier!"
Sensing the activated arcane particles suddenly become unstable, Andreas slammed his staff onto the ground to construct a defensive barrier, while simultaneously opening a temporary passage to the Shadowlands in front of him in the shortest time possible.
BOOM!
Just as he slipped into the Shadowlands, the massive magical explosion in the material world took effect. Even hiding within the sub-space, Andreas could still feel the violent tremors from outside.
After the shockwave shattered the barrier of the Power Word, it even began to breach the dimensional walls, affecting the Shadowlands within the sub-space.
Andreas couldn't completely withstand the impact of the blast. He sustained internal injuries, and crimson blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Unable to see external creatures while in the Shadowlands, Andreas immediately left that realm—which felt as if he were being watched by countless eyes—the moment he felt the explosion fully subside.
The arcane particles that had previously gathered in the Eye of Eternity had all vanished, leaving the entire space shrouded in pitch-black darkness.
Fortunately, as a Night Elf with night vision, he could still pinpoint Malygos's position.
The expression on the Blue Dragon King's face was somewhat peculiar. Clearly, he hadn't expected Andreas to survive this round of spells.
"...I'll consider that a pass. To think you'd come up with the idea of hiding in a sub-space."
Andreas clutched his aching chest and gave a bitter smile. "It was just luck. If it had lasted a few seconds longer, I wouldn't have been able to maintain the sub-space."
"Three moves have passed." Malygos lay down again. "I will keep my promise. The matter of Sindragosa is settled. However..."
Malygos looked up at Andreas with a meaningful gaze. "Arygos told me you want the authority to adjust the Ley Line nodes?"
Andreas wiped the blood from his mouth. Hearing Malygos bring up this topic, he quickly straightened his expression.
"Yes. For the continuation of our race and the future of Azeroth, I must make certain preparations and arrangements in advance."
"The future... is it?"
Malygos's gaze turned somewhat vacant for a moment, then he returned to himself and asked solemnly, "I heard you had a confrontation with Soridormi, and that you don't approve of the Bronze Dragonflight's way of protecting time?"
Andreas nodded slowly. "Your Majesty Malygos should have heard my statements through Arygos; I won't repeat them here."
"I indeed do not agree with the Bronze Dragons' perspective and methods. They place too much importance on the direction of branch timelines. Even Nozdormu has lost himself among countless timelines because of it."
Malygos remained noncommittal. He spoke as if casually, "When you were refuting Soridormi's points, you seemed to offer some interesting metaphors."
"Does my future not seem very optimistic?"
Those big-mouthed dragons...
Andreas gritted his teeth inwardly. "Your Majesty Malygos need not be deceived by the future of a branch timeline. That is only one of infinite possibilities for your future."
"What happens on the main timeline inevitably affects the branch timelines, but the reverse is not true. It only represents one possible path you might take among countless choices."
Malygos chuckled softly. "Heh~ Slain by the hand of a sister due to ideological differences? What a truly ironic ending."
After a moment of silence, Malygos flicked out a small orb of light with his claw.
The orb passed through Andreas's torn robes and attached itself to his right arm, which was holding the staff. A miniature icon of a blue dragon's head gradually emerged.
"I have always been a man who settles his scores clearly. You violated my ban and deserved punishment. But your suggestion allowed Sindragosa to return to the Dragonblight to rest; I will not forget this favor."
Malygos rested his head on his crossed forepaws, looking as if he wanted to sleep.
"The Ley Line node adjustment authority you requested has been granted to you. In the future, you may also use this mark to request assistance from a portion of the Blue Dragonflight."
Andreas was stunned for a long time. He had originally thought that even if he survived today, he was destined to return empty-handed. He hadn't expected Malygos to give him such a grand gift at the end.
"Thank you, Your Majesty Malygos. I shall take my leave then."
"Mm."
With a slight twitch of Malygos's smallest claw, a portal leading to Astranaar appeared before Andreas.
"By the way."
As Andreas stepped through the portal, Malygos's airy voice drifted through from the other side.
"If you truly possess the ability to peer into the future, should you discover Neltharion's whereabouts, remember to tell me immediately."
Before Andreas could respond, the portal exit vanished from before him.
"Phew~"
Exhaling a long breath, Andreas still felt a lingering fear.
Aside from the first "freebie," Malygos's other two spells showed absolutely no intention of holding back.
Had he not devised a way to escape, let alone the reward, he certainly wouldn't have left the Eye of Eternity in one piece today.
Lifting his right arm to look at the engraved miniature blue dragon head, Andreas remarked with some emotion, "A blessing in disguise, I suppose... Cough, cough!"
Internal injuries were more troublesome than external ones. Distracted, Andreas coughed up a few more drops of blood. The injuries he had suppressed earlier with Pain Suppression began to flare up again.
Ignoring the surprised looks of passersby, Andreas wiped the blood from his mouth and walked slowly toward the Great Moon Temple.
With the authority to adjust the Ley Line nodes, the problem of Shandaral should have a relatively proper solution. Moreover, future strategic layouts are now guaranteed. This trip to the Eye of Eternity was not in vain.