Facing Rhodes's inquiry, the two blue dragons looked at each other, and Kalecgos was the first to speak.
"We have identified the ultimate source of the magic, and it possesses enough power to protect itself. I will return to the Blue Dragonflight to report this situation to my father, the Spell-Weaver."
There was no longer any business here for the blue dragons. Although the Sunwell possessed immense power, it belonged to Quel'Thalas—to the High Elves, or rather, the Blood Elves. Now that the girl named Anveena had taken Sunstrider as her surname and could shift forms freely like a dragon, she had essentially joined the Blood Elf camp. They had no further reason to interfere.
Thus, Kalecgos intended to return to his flight immediately to report to his father. Although the Spell-Weaver's mind wavered between clarity and madness, as the Aspect of the Blue Dragonflight, Malygos still watched over Azeroth.
Rhodes nodded upon hearing this. You "battle-rank five" weakling, hurry home and train harder. With those amateur skills of yours, wandering around out here is a death wish. Currently, his enchanted weapons were starting to sell across the continent. Given the nature of goblins, these things would undoubtedly be sold to the Horde, and the Alliance certainly wouldn't lack such mage-breaking armaments. In the future, it would only become more dangerous for this blue dragon to loiter outside.
To Rhodes's surprise, however, the other blue dragon girl didn't seem to intend on leaving.
"Kalec, you go back and report to the Great Spell-Weaver first. I intend to travel abroad for a while," Tyrygosa said.
As a member of the younger generation of blue dragons, she hadn't yet explored the continent. Having finally left her home, she naturally wanted to stay out a bit longer. She had a premonition that if she followed this human named Rhodes, she would encounter many interesting things.
"As you wish, Tyri, but be careful," Kalec said. He didn't say much more, simply nodding to his nominal fiancée before soaring into the sky, vanishing into the horizon as a blue dragon.
To be honest, it might be a good thing that Tyri wasn't returning with him. Although they were betrothed in name, he didn't actually love her, and she didn't have much affection for him either. According to the Flight's rules, they were supposed to investigate together, but for certain reasons, he had chosen to go alone. Though she had caught up eventually, her staying behind to travel was fine by him.
Furthermore, the Dragonflights knew of Rhodes. Rhodes had used disguise magic earlier, so Kalecgos hadn't realized who he was at first, but seeing him again, he recognized him. A legendary hero of the War of the Ancients who had interacted with his father and the other Dragon Aspects—staying by his side was perfectly safe.
After Kalecgos left, Tyrygosa smiled at Rhodes.
"Great disciple of the demigod Cenarius, may I temporarily join your party? I wish to travel the human world for a time."
"If the Lady Blue Dragon wishes, then of course," Rhodes replied.
In front of the common mortal races, his titles were Regent of Lordaeron, Grand Marshal of the Alliance, and Vice-Commander of the Silver Hand. But before these legendary Guardians of Azeroth, the identity of "Cenarius's disciple" clearly carried more weight.
This girl was a key figure in driving the plot. If she and the Paladin Jorad hadn't meddled, the Nether Dragons would never have been brought to Azeroth. The Blue Dragon King wouldn't have absorbed them to regain his senses—only to go completely insane—which eventually led Dalaran to declare war on the Blue Dragonflight, sparking the Nexus War. Perhaps he would have stayed asleep until the future Dragonflight era.
Keeping her close might change many things.
"Lady Blue Dragon, we are heading toward Stormwind next. There may be a place where we need your help," Rhodes said, looking at her.
In going to Stormwind, Rhodes had another goal: to drag the Countess out of hiding. Rather than dealing with her years later, it was better to finish her off now so the Stormwind Kingdom's strength wouldn't be sapped too much. As a member of the Blue Dragonflight, if this girl appeared in Stormwind, a certain Black Dragon Princess would likely be terrified—it might even lure out the Prince of Blackrock Mountain, Nefarian.
Taking everything into account, Rhodes decided to take her with them.
"To Stormwind? That's fine. I can change into a human appearance, or a High Elf," Tyrygosa said. "Personally, I prefer the form of a High Elf. By our draconic standards, elves are much more beautiful."
"That's for the best. To be honest, I may need your help with something specific in Stormwind," Rhodes said.
"Oh? May I ask what it is?"
"I have received reliable intelligence that the Princess of the Black Dragonflight, Onyxia, is hiding in the Kingdom of Stormwind, posing as a human to subvert the government," Rhodes said, getting straight to the point.
The moment these words left his mouth, the expressions of Jaina and Finnall, who were standing nearby, changed drastically. No way? Had Rhodes's Holy Light prophecies seen another terrifying vision? A Black Dragon Princess in Stormwind? How could that be?
"Rhodes, you're not joking, are you? There's really a black dragon in Stormwind?" Jaina looked shocked.
"That's right, Jaina. There is indeed a black dragon there. In fact, our negotiations with King Varian are secondary; the primary goal is to deal with that dragon," Rhodes said, nodding.
"You aren't joking, are you, Mr. Rhodes? Are you sure the Black Dragon Princess is in Stormwind? This is no laughing matter," Tyrygosa's expression shifted violently, her voice filled with a teeth-gritting edge.
The Blue Dragonflight hated the Black Dragonflight with a passion that reached their very bones. Before the War of the Ancients, the Black and Blue Aspects were the best of friends, like brothers. It was even said they were close friends back when they were merely proto-dragons, before being granted Titan power.
But everything changed that day. Neltharion, the Earth-Warden, deceived the other Aspects into creating the Dragon Soul, then used that powerful artifact to betray the other flights. The Blue Dragonflight suffered the most; massive numbers of their kin were slaughtered, and even after ten thousand years, they had never truly recovered. Her parents, and even some of her uncles, had been brutally killed by black dragons.
If any blue dragon encountered a black dragon in the wild, it was an immediate fight to the death. Those creatures had sided with the evil Old Gods and were corrupted by Shadow energy.
"I am certain. The Holy Light has prophesied this to me. There is a Black Dragon Princess in Stormwind. Although I haven't confirmed her exact identity yet, if Lady Tyri is willing to come with me, I believe someone of your caliber should be able to recognize her," Rhodes said.
"Of course! I can certainly recognize them. As long as those wretched black dragons appear within our range, I can smell the stench of rot on them from a mile away. We should perhaps notify the Blue Dragonflight; the Great Spell-Weaver would be more than happy to tear a Black Dragon Princess to pieces," Tyrygosa stated.
If there was one thing on this continent that could make the Blue Dragon King snap to attention just by hearing its name, it was the Black Dragonflight.
"Don't be in such a hurry. Now isn't the time; we haven't confirmed it yet. Once we identify her true persona, it won't be too late to strike," Rhodes said. "I understand, Lord Rhodes. What do you plan to do? How shall we arrange this? I will cooperate fully."
Rhodes smiled but didn't say a word. Instead, he walked to a nearby clearing and waved his hand, summoning four pitch-black dragons. They were roughly 20 meters long, 10 meters tall, and possessed a staggering 30-meter wingspan, their bodies covered in dark scales.
Upon seeing these dragons, everyone's face turned pale. They stared at Rhodes in total disbelief, their expressions screaming: What the hell are you doing? Why do you have black dragons? Where did they come from?
"You... Mr. Rhodes, what is the meaning of this? These black dragons... these black dragons..." The blue dragon girl's expression immediately turned hostile, but then she frowned. These black dragons seemed a bit... off.
First, they didn't possess the power of the Earth. Second, there was no trace of Shadow energy on them. The Black Dragonflight had sided with the Old Gods, so they usually carried at least a hint of that ancient stench. Most importantly, these dragons' eyes were completely hollow. Although they were alive, Tyri could tell they were nothing more than puppets.
"Rhodes, since when did you have black dragons? What are these?" Jaina asked. Blue and Black flights were sworn enemies—what did he mean by summoning them now?
"Lord Rhodes, these black dragons seem very similar to your elemental units. I feel their life force is much like the Holy Angels and Phoenixes. Although they are living beings, they lack an independent self-consciousness. They are more like a specific type of Titan construct," Anveena noted from the side.
"Correct. Their bodies may be black, but they are not 'Black Dragons'—at least, not the ones I am familiar with," Tyrygosa added.
"We will ride these black dragons to Stormwind and loudly announce that four black dragons have submitted to me. I imagine the Black Dragon Princess's expression will be quite a sight to behold," Rhodes said. "As for their true identity—the Great Titans told me that Azeroth needs a new Black Dragonflight."