Alaric's lack of confidence in Onyxia stemmed from underestimating the psychological shadow he had cast upon her, as well as the butterfly effects he had inadvertently caused in Azeroth.
After all, while Azeroth largely remained the same as in his past life, there were still many differences—such as transformation magic, the fates of the trolls and high elves, and... the emergence of an additional Dragon Queen, Talonixia.
Seeing Alaric's fearless, even somewhat smug expression, Onyxia became deeply convinced that this mage had undoubtedly laid yet another trap, just waiting for Deathwing to step into it.
With such a person standing on the side of the other guardian dragons, could Deathwing's plan truly succeed? Even if he managed to seize the Dragon Soul, so what?
That would only maintain the original stalemate at best.
After all, just Alexstrasza alone was already difficult for him to handle, let alone now with the addition of Alaric, a cunning and resourceful force...
Finally, Onyxia made up her mind.
She would stand with the victors. That was the choice of the wise.
"I've decided, Father," the black dragon princess, driven by both fear and courage, finally declared to her father, her voice ringing loud and clear, "I will no longer be your accomplice. I choose to stand with them!"
"Very well, my daughter has finally betrayed me to my face!"
At her words, Deathwing's expression changed dramatically.
"It seems you have also fallen, sinking into the so-called justice. I do not need a fallen daughter—destruction shall befall you!"
Deathwing's terrifying threat made Onyxia instinctively shrink back.
She unconsciously moved closer to Alaric, gripping his hand tightly. Looking at the mage's reassuring smile, she let out a bitter chuckle near his ear.
"Well, well, isn't this exactly what you wanted? Now I have no retreat, I can only stay by your side. I just hope you won't betray my trust."
"Don't worry, Onyxia." Alaric comforted her, tightening his embrace around her waist, his tone becoming more intimate. "You'll soon realize—this is the best decision of your life."
No, she didn't even need to wait.
Just as Alaric finished speaking, another voice suddenly responded to Deathwing's threat in his stead.
"It seems your madness has made you utterly callous, rendering even familial bonds meaningless to you."
It was a gentle yet commanding maternal voice. Onyxia followed the sound and saw a stunning woman with long, crimson hair standing beside Alaric.
She was clad in red battle armor, her entire being radiating the essence of life, while the golden crown atop her dragon-horned head revealed her identity.
"Alexstrasza! You dare to appear here?"
Neltharion furrowed his brows. He was first delighted, but suspicion quickly followed. The timing of the Red Dragon Queen's arrival was far too coincidental.
"When he betrayed our trust and turned against us, you should have anticipated this, sister."
The second voice belonged to a beautiful yet ethereal woman. She wore a flowing green robe, her pale lips curved into a faint smile.
Only then did Onyxia notice that her eyes were closed, yet she seemed to perceive everything—the mage before her, herself, and the entire battlefield—with absolute clarity.
"Ysera... so, you are here too!"
Neltharion growled, realizing that things were not as simple as they seemed.
And what happened next only confirmed his fears.
"He once destroyed my offspring, and now he seeks to annihilate his own!"
A male voice suddenly spoke, sharp and tinged with madness. "But before that, I will make him pay an even greater price. I will make him taste the agony of losing everything himself!"
Standing atop a massive boulder was a gaunt, blue-haired, silver-skinned figure, his appearance resembling that of a twisted monstrosity.
He wore a high-collared robe, its blue and white colors alternating, making him look like a deranged jester.
His dimly glowing eyes flickered menacingly, while his dagger-like claws clutched the stone beneath him, carving deep fissures into its surface.
"You will get your wish, Malygos," Ysera said coolly, "but you must have a little patience."
"Oh, patience... damnable patience," came a fourth voice, male as well. "We're wasting time here—valuable time."
A figure appeared from another direction, his face hidden beneath a hood, his entire body seemingly composed of sand.
His withered, skeletal visage lacked flesh to cover the bones beneath. His gemstone-like eyes scrutinized the others with growing impatience.
"Alright, can we begin now? If this 'party' drags on too long, I'm leaving! I have things to collect, records to keep—"
"And far too many words to spout! You talk too much!"
Perched high above, Malygos sneered at him.
Nozdormu raised a withered yet powerful hand, pointing at the jester-like Malygos.
The latter bared his dagger-like claws in response, the tension between them crackling with the threat of magical and physical combat.
"This must be why Deathwing always seems so sure of his victory," Onyxia heard Ysera murmur in frustration.
However, before anyone could intervene, a commanding female voice abruptly silenced them.
"Enough, you two! Now is not the time for your petty squabbles."
Her tone was that of an unquestionable queen, compelling all who heard it to submit instinctively.
"Nozdormu, once we have dealt with the thousand-year calamity, you may return to your accursed records.
And you, Malygos, stop misdirecting your anger toward your own kin. Until we have resolved this crisis, shut your damned mouths!"
The final arrival was a dazzling woman, tall and radiant, her golden hair flowing like liquid sunlight. She wore golden armor, and behind her extended wings that combined the elegance of both dragon and swan.
The sheer regality she exuded was incomparable—even kings like Terenas paled in comparison.
Clearly, her authority among the dragons was supreme, as both Malygos and Nozdormu immediately stepped back upon hearing her words.
Among the dragons, only one held such unrivaled prestige—the leader of the Six Dragon Kings, the Golden Dragon Queen, Talonixia.
"Alexstrasza, Ysera, Malygos, Nozdormu... and Talonixia..."
Onyxia's voice trembled as she looked upon the five mighty figures before her, each exuding an aura of dominance and power. She could hardly believe it.
"The five Dragon Kings have actually gathered here... Had they been lying in wait all along? Is this your trump card, Sandor?"
.
.
.
Guys, do leave some power stones and reviews.
✌patreon.com/bobthewriter✌
If you guys enjoy this story, you can support me on Patreon and get access to 30 Advance Chapters, it really helps me to work on new chapters.