Chapter 17

WARNING: At the end of the chapter there is an explanation that I recommend reading. It's about why? the elementals would listen to the main character until now and some other little things.

(POV Neptulon "The Tide Hunter", Water Elemental Lord)

The first thing I received from him was a "necklace". The "first piece" of the "set", he told me. I decided to try this "first piece" and the results were incredible. Just by putting it on I could already feel the improvement in my ability. Now I could also use hot water, I don't know what it would do for me, but I would surely find a use for it.

What struck me most was the ease with which my magic flowed and the strength behind all my spells. Even the weakest blast of water was easily twice as strong now. My energy recharged faster. I was impressed.

Although I understand what he did, I can't replicate it, as it requires a lot of effort and elements I don't have at my disposal. To make a better team I must enlist the help of everyone, or at least the princes of each element. But I know it won't happen, because I wouldn't do, or allow such a thing either.

Give strength to the enemy, NEVER. But that's precisely why I'm so amazed. That he did it alone, that... Fiery Stone. Even though he has Therazane's blessing and mine, he has ways of pulling it off, even if it's a lot of effort. I'll give him that, he did a good 'first piece'.

Eventually he gave me the "second piece" of the "set". It was a "belt" with a "jewel" similar to my "necklace". I liked the aesthetics that both "pieces" had.

When I "dressed" the "piece" I felt another surge of power. I began to realize that I had more elemental energy at my disposal. I could now attack and have my full energy faster than before, at least 2 times more.

Then an "armor" for my "forearm". According to him it should help me to resist blows easily, increase my amount of elemental energy and help me to circulate it more easily. With this I already had "three pieces" of the "set".

My energy recharged 3 times faster and I had 2 times more elemental energy.

Then he gave me a set of small pieces with pieces of pearls that he said were for my "tentacles". They were to help me calm down faster, and also to keep my mind clear to plan more easily. Giving me more "reserves" of elemental energy and a more fluid use of it. He also told me that I could now use my "tentacles" to cast spells if I wanted to... He said that I should use them to their full potential...

I didn't attack him at the time because I strangely felt good and I also thought they looked amazing. Partly because he then handed me some "ringed" "gloves" for my hands that were not only supposed to give my hands more defense, but also to give me more "reserves" and more fluid control of my energies.

In the end I felt 3 times more powerful. He also told me that he planned to do the same with everyone, because we had to prepare for what was coming. According to what he saw, even if we were all fully armed, we could not achieve victory... If I am already this strong, how strong are they, when we are all "equipped" and yet we are not their opponents...? Exactly what will we face...?

But though he doubted, for he could feel it, he was also confident that all would be well. That Azeroth would be free of his corruption, he knew. Still, I also knew that he was still hiding things, and I didn't like that. But I decided to trust him for the moment, for he had kept his promise, and that to me was incredible, considering he comes from a... what do you call it Therazane? Forge Earth.

The name doesn't suit him. I'll call him that from now on, as he doesn't seem to like it at all. I can only assume that he has resigned himself to his fate.

...

(POV Of a Protagonist fighting for his dream of being Hokag... Happy*)

In the midst of learning to control my elements I realized a few things. Every time I mix my flame and water in certain proportions a steam explosion occurs. But that is not the most important thing. What interests me about this fact is what I can achieve by using them.

The first time such an explosion occurred was when I was experimenting with trying to bring the two energies together. I did it little by little with the intention of seeing what would happen, and the result was explosive. My feelings went from amazement to excitement, as I had in me the next step to increase my power. I also had a glimpse of what my final form could be, but I knew I wasn't ready yet. For now I would focus on what I had at hand.

My next experiments were intended to practice water and its spells. I know that water spells are powerful in crowd control because of their ice magic. Their slows, immobilizations and stuns give them the advantage on a battlefield. So I practiced for a while getting used to using it on myself first... The result completely destroyed my stone body, so I had to remake it while keeping my elements under control. Luckily it didn't take me long to learn how to control and guide both elements in such a way that during the forging they wouldn't get close to each other.

I even managed to seal the part of my body that I would use as an oven with ice and water. It took constant adjustments, but I managed to do it and avoid almost completely consuming the mountain. I say almost, because despite generating steam, I can't control it completely. Part of the control is meant for the air, and not just the water and fire involved... But I came close. With the blessing of "Al'Akir" I should be able to fully accomplish this and partially unleash the full potential of this energy form.

Now, I know Al'Akir won't exactly be a pushover, but that's precisely why I first allied myself with Neptulon. The strategy gained Neptulon's trust, who would otherwise be suspicious, even if he knew the truth. Even more so considering, how much he wants to know what I haven't told him....

Al'Akir on the other hand, has been listening to what we have been talking about. How, the wind tells him. Rather, whenever we talk and there is wind Al'Akir will know. So much is his power over air, that in the WikiFandom they said he could sense any air spell anywhere in the "multiverse" ... how he accomplishes this escapes me. Despite understanding that it's all connected to the elemental plane....

Anyway, the point is that Al'Akir is no fool and might be the smartest of all the Elemental Lords. Too bad he is also recognized as the weakest of the 4. But that doesn't take away from the level of power he possesses over his own element... So he should already know what I'm planning and that he will be the next one to be "recruited".

I'm sure he'll accept, as I've been talking to him since I finished my talk with Neptulon. I don't think he turned down the deal I offered him and sweetened it as much as I could. hahahahaha.

I am not as clever as Al'Akir, nor as wise as Nepton. Nor am I as old as Therazane, nor do I possess the power of Ragnaros. But I will manage to obtain the blessings of the 4 Lords, for the simple fact that I have information from them, but they hardly know me. I think this way of fighting is called the "weak" style. But who needs to put unnecessary effort into anything? When a single well-planned move can do the same and even achieve better results.

I am not underestimating the Elemental Lords, I cannot. To underestimate them would be to mark the sentence of my death definitively. But I don't need to deceive them to achieve what I seek, all I need is to "guide" them. For there is no better weapon than the truth, and everything that has happened so far has proven it.

...

(POV Therazane "The Stony Mother", Elemental Mistress of the Earth)

I have been watching the Earthforge all this time. It is a reality that he desires power and to do so he is willing to give power to his potential enemies, just to make sure he gets what he wants. But I also know that he lives up to his promise and purpose.

I know that Neptulon is stronger now, and it is possible that now he thinks he can win against everyone. But I can also feel his insecurity, I know he doesn't understand the situation. He doesn't understand why I allow his power to increase. But with this he now also knows that the threat is real, for who would arm his enemy for a vain deception... if such a being exists, then he is a fool.

Al'Akir will be next. I have heard the deal the Earthforge has proposed to Al'Akir. Not that he tries to hide it either, for he said it in front of me. His confidence and certainty in what he does is unnerving... His strength grows with each blessing and element that adds to his being. And to my surprise he has managed to keep his balance even though his water is now stronger than his fire. And all thanks to my blessing?

Seeing the stars in the night sky is beautiful. The peace and tranquility I feel from the earth tonight. It's all so comforting, all of this is what we must protect. Azeroth...

The Earthforge's words were profound. He has not lied so far, even though he hides things. But his fear is genuine... I know now that we will not win this battle against the darkness, and his visions will come true. But I also know that we will win the war, I can feel it from his stone, feel his certainty.

Seeing the stars, feeling the calm, everything makes me think of home and gives me hope for the future.

...

A long time later.

(POV Of a manipulator who won't give up trying)

We were marching Therazane, Neptulon, both of their elemental armies and myself, for a while. We approached the elemental borders of Al'Akir the "Elemental Lord of Air". His territory was high in the sky, beyond the clouds. But at the same time, Al'Akir had a land territory composed of deserts, whose area was smaller than the other 3 but that didn't mean it was less defended.

As soon as we reached a point, I was surprised by what I saw. Al'Akir had played in a way that surprised me, but which I could certainly have expected. I knew that the air lord would not be someone who would be easy to deal with, and in fact I could already expect some sort of trick or trap. But what he had in store for me took me by surprise.

Al'Akir, the Lord of Air, had Ragnaros, the Elemental Lord of Fire, by his side. By doing this Al'Akir completely destroyed my plan to pressure the fire lord to agree to join and also a more advantageous negotiation for me.

We now had two groups of comparatively equal power. I could no longer pressure Ragnaros, nor could I indirectly pressure Al'Akir. But that's okay, I got played. Still, I'll have my revenge. I hope the lord of air is prepared, because I never planned on using elemental lords to deal with my battles... not that I could anyway.

But if Al'Akir thinks I have no way to pressure him, even if he's "allied", he's wrong. I have my ways of changing this situation. I originally planned to do it differently, but everything has a price and I'm willing to pay it.

As we approached, I could feel how Al'Akir seemed amused by my surprise. I also sensed Ragnaros's hesitation. But I soon pulled myself together. I will show Al'Akir, that what he did was a foolish mistake, for we weaklings, as he knows, have our ways of gaining a victory. Hahahahaha.

...

(POV Ragnaros "The Eternal Flame", Elemental Lord of Fire)

I arrived in Al'Akir's territory at his request. Apparently he had information about an alliance between Therazane and Neptulon. That the next one to be recruited was him, and that apparently one of Therazane's elementals had started all this because of some visions he had.

Al'Akir wanted us to join together in order to deal with the situation, for he believed that Neptulon still doubted this little minion and that we could together split his alliance by pushing him back, and leaving Therazane alone to confront us.

Finishing her off will make my goal easier, but Al'Akir is not to be trusted, so first I will hear why these two have joined forces. For Neptulon is not a fool who will simply leave to allow us to finish off Therazane. If it should happen he knows I will come for him, AND NOT EVEN THE DEEPEST WATERS WILL PROTECT HIM FROM MY FIRE!!!.

MEGA Author's Note: Why? I'm making this explanation is because I ran into some doubts that I thought were explained in the story. I must also tell you that this is a WOW FanFic and I hope some of you have a lot of knowledge about the "history" of this universe. I invite you to comment if there is any discrepancy or lack of logic in my next explanation ^^. I INSIST that I do this to inform and not as a form of attack... just in case.

Beginning of the explanation: Why does Therazane get upset with the protagonist if he has helped her a lot by taking care of her "children (other earth elementals)"?

Answer: Therazane knows everything that the earth has lived through and gone through. She is very sensitive to damage to the land, but what is damage to the land, to answer that we must understand how she "attacks". It is explained in the WikiFandom (where I got the more specific information on the elemental lords) that Therazane attacks by erecting large mountains and attacking them by collapsing them on her enemies, creating huge ravines to bring the enemy down and corner them. These are her methods, but she does not consider it harm to the land. It is said that she suffers when Deathwing tears the earth and destroys part of its surface, but her personality makes her apparently not care (I guess it has to do with her lack of goodwill to those "cursed by the flesh" because they killed her daughter. Source: according to herself in infralar).

Knowing that now you know that she does NOT consider land damage. But she does consider "the damage to the land on the beaches from Neptulon's water", "the winds that erode the land of Al'Akir" and "Ragnaros is a furnace that beats it savagely from the core" as damage to the land. You should know that this is an explanation within the elemental plane and not in Azeroth proper.

SUMMARY: Therazane suffers when the earth is corrupted by energies of nature that ARE NOT elemental energy of the earth.

Just because of that Therazane hates the protagonist a bit. But he was born as an earth elemental, so considering this as in the game, he was born with the race "reputation" already maxed out. His actions lowered it a bit, because we have to consider that it's not a game, but he still has Therazane's appreciation. Besides, after she accepted him back as her "son", everything was fine, only she doubts him because he was hiding things from her and because she still felt a bit of hatred towards him. I mean, no matter how much you love your children, at some point you will be upset by some of their actions. Understand, Therazane is not their mother, but she considers all elementals to be her children. SHE is still a quasi-divine being and has her own arrogance. She wouldn't mind too much to eliminate an errant "child". In her fights, many die...

I hope that part is clear.

QUESTION: Now I go with the explanation as to why it is so easy for the protagonist to talk to the elemental lords.

Answer: Consider this as 4 human kingdoms and their kings. The protagonist joined a king as he wanted to avoid further attacks from his troops. The protagonist is a strong henchman who was born from his kingdom, worth accepting as he is not supposed to be an enemy spy. He then tells the king that he has had visions of the future. This in itself increases the value of his existence, but at the same time raises doubts, is it true...? Anyway, Therazane can feel whether he is telling the truth or lying. The protagonist always told him the truth, why would he doubt...? Besides, Therazane is not stupid and knows that it is better to be safe than sorry.

The king of the land kingdom goes with the protagonist to meet the king of the water kingdom to tell him the news that his subject, (the protagonist), has told him and propose an alliance with all the kingdoms to deal with it.

The king of the water kingdom is known to be "wise" but it is better to call him "suspicious" as Neptulon will not believe things easily and it is said that he is especially wary of the games played by Al'Akir, king of the air kingdom.

Both tell him what will happen in the future and the need to unite. The king of the water kingdom "Neptulon" listens to him because he has the political support of the king of the earth kingdom, but he hesitates. He can feel his sincerity, but he knows there is more. The protagonist offers to build him powerful weapons for the confrontation to come. King Neptune doubts even more, for who would arm his enemy for a lie? Especially a lie from the king of the earth kingdom, Therazane. Whose personality and policy is a territorial and not invasive as the king of the fire kingdom. The king of the earth kingdom allows his subject to manufacture weapons for him to prepare himself, so it must be true.

SUMMARY: The protagonist is heard because Therazane wouldn't go and propose an alliance just because she's bored or wants to play games. Everyone knows her personality, so if she takes it seriously and allows them to arm themselves with HER SUBDIT (which is like her giving the order to arm them) then it can't be simple.

Now a summary of the personalities of the kings.

Ragnaros, king known for his aggressiveness and expansion policies. He constantly invades the kingdoms of other kings. His kingdom is the most powerful.

Therazane, a king known for being territorial and isolationist. He is not usually bothered by what happens outside his territory and does not meddle in other people's affairs. His kingdom is the second most powerful.

Neptulon, king known for liking to challenge the authority of the other kings and cause battles because of it. His policy is to let the other kings know that they are not as powerful as they think they are. His kingdom is the third most powerful.

Al'Akir: King known for being a master strategist. He likes to play tricks and cause chaos within the ranks of the other kings, as well as causing clashes between the other kings to take advantage of their moments of weakness. It is the weakest kingdom of the 4

This is an example of the personalities of the elemental lords.

I try to make what I do logical. Plus there are things that are not explained in wow. I have to fill in the gaps that aren't explained and that's where I can unfold the story. But I remind you, I am not creating the personalities of any of them. What I do is to analyze the information that exists about each one of them and translate it as logically, concordantly and faithfully as possible from what is known about them. I've even listened to Ragnaros' phrases in the game "Heroes of the storm", Neptulon and Al'Akir's phrases in "Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft" and the phrases that Therazane says in the game WOW (infralar location - Therazane's throne) (That's right, WOW game, but the official one. Shadowlands patch). Also, I've looked up a lot of videos and information. All of it I did while introducing them one by one. Believe me when I tell you that I've tried my best to be faithful to each one and their personalities. But this is still a fanfic so you must understand that some things are my interpretation... Not that I can do much more, if Blizzard doesn't help with the lack of more reference material.

So, finishing with all the explanations, what do you think, both the chapter and the explanation. I hope I have been clear. If you have any doubt, just ask. I also want you to know that I had already prepared this chapter yesterday, but I couldn't finish it. Today my country rewarded me by taking away my electricity for the whole morning and part of the afternoon. ^^ long live socialism and all that. I invite you to comment because every comment is a motivation for me. If 21 people comment, I can update later with another chapter. Give your opinion without fear, I will always accept your CONSTRUCTIVE thoughts, advices and criticisms without problems. Destroy we can all do it, but guide, only the wise ones. Have a great day or a good night. ^^