Chapter 55

Chapter 55

You know, I wasnt quite expecting this much walking, said Krivax as he chugged down another stamina potion and recast the ward protecting him and his guards from the desert heat of the Badlands.

Blame yourself for being too big to ride the rams! Trixie called out from atop a large pink mechanostrider, the ostrich-shaped machine easily keeping pace with the dwarven rams. Wed be making better time if you hadnt brought so many guards.

Yeah, well, Azjol-Nerub cant just let me run around without any guards, Krivax grumbled as he stepped over debris from a broken orcish catapult. Especially not when there might be Horde running around and Im about to enter a potentially dangerous Titan facility.

Wheres your sense of adventure, Krivax? Werent you excited to get away from all your diplomatic stuff? Trixie asked teasingly.

My sense of adventure died when I realized we would have to walk through several miles of desert, Krivax deadpanned.

Ha! You best get used to it, lad. The life of an Explorer isnt glamorous, chuckled Brann Bronzebeard from the front of the caravan. Along with Krivaxs eight guards, Brann had brought along several Explorers League researchers and wagons carrying important surveying equipment. Since much of the equipment had very sensitive enchantments, they couldnt be carried along in a spatial bag. Besides, its not like youll be here for long. Im sure you need to get back to your important business. What with the trials goin on and all that.

Krivax groaned at the reminder. The summit had lasted an entire week as they hashed out the details of their agreements and the so-called Dalaran Trials began. One by one, the Horde leadership was being pulled out in chains from the Violet Hold and brought before an Alliance tribunal to answer for their actions. It was a necessary process, but it had already been a month since they started and Krivax wasnt interested in sitting through the rest of them.

Do you know how much farther we have to go, Brann? asked Krivax, hoping that he didnt sound like an impatient kid. If I have to keep drinking these potions, Im going to end up with alchemical poisoning.

Shouldnt be too much longer now, said Brann, retrieving the map to Uldaman from his saddlebag. Accordin to the goblins you hired, we just need to head west as soon as we enter the Badlands from Loch Modan and look for a cave.

Krivax hoped that he was right. Have you been to many locations left behind by the Titans before?

A few times, but only a few of them had anythin we could work out, Brann admitted. One of them was why my brothers and I started the Explorers League! We found some hints that the Titans were related to our peoples origins.

I see. Well, Im glad to be traveling with someone with your experience, Krivax said, genuinely relieved. Considering how dangerous Titan facilities could be, Uldaman was one location in which he didnt fully trust his metaknowledge.

Aye, lad. Theres no need to worry, Ive brought a lot of useful gadgets to make sure we dont get done in by any nasty surprises, said Brann, gesturing toward the wagon hauling the equipment. Plus weve got those scary guards of yours. I hear you nerubians are really good fighters underground, so we should all be safe.

That was true enough. Azjol-Nerub took his safety very seriously and decided to send some very capable warriors to escort Krivax. If he had not argued that he needed to be part of the expedition due to his experience with sensing and countering Void magic, Krivax wasnt sure the council would have allowed him to go at all.

So, what are those gadgets actually for? Krivax asked curiously.

Oh, its just a wee collection o contraptions our pals in Gnomeregan whipped up, Brann explained, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Last time we stumbled into a Titan-related site, we face some terrifyin defenses. They really didnt want folks diggin into their secrets. These gadgets ought to help us detect them early on and deal with them when needed.

I made this one so that we can monitor our path back to the camp, Dulink, one of the gnome tinkers who had joined the expedition, said as he pulled out a gnome artifact that looked like a cross between a camera and a ray gun. This one detects any motion and automatically freezes them solid.

Krivax glanced dubiously over at the wagon filled with strange machines. Warcraft was a setting that frequently delved into things that would be more fitting in a sci-fi novel, which often made things very confusing. He had already given up on figuring out how gnomish technology worked a long time ago, but he knew it tended to be unpredictable at best.

The less said about goblin technology the better.

Well, I hope they work the way that you expect them to. If this place is anything like the facility in Northrend, then well be needing them, said Krivax, knowing full well that Uldaman contained many potential dangers.

Hey! Are you doubting gnomish technology? Trixie protested indignantly.

Yes, was his deadpan reply.

Trixie huffed at Krivaxs response, while Brann just laughed. Oh, dont be so hard on the lad, Trixie. Hell learn to appreciate gnomish inventions soon enough.The roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.

The two of them continued to bicker until they finally closed in on their destination. When they did, Krivax was surprised by how unremarkable the entrance to the Titan facility actually was. If not for the enchanted marker left behind by the goblins, he wouldnt be able to distinguish it from any other hole in the side of a rocky cliff.

Deciding that it would be a good idea to scout ahead before running blindly into a dark cave, Krivax established control over one of the skitterers he had brought for this exact purpose. After casting the spell that would allow him to look through its eyes, Krivax slowly sent the skitterer forward into the cavern entrance in search of any dangers.

Well? Spotted anythin yet? asked Brann after waiting for several minutes.

Youre going to need to give me a little more time than that. The caverns are expansive and Im taking things slowly, Krivax replied, his voice distant as he focused on the skitterers vision. He could already tell that this place was different from what his metaknowledge suggested, as these caverns only had a single path in Warcraft. However, Ive already passed by a few dangerous beasts down here. A lot of giant bats, and even a pack of basilisks.

The skitterer was lucky that it was too fast for the six-legged lizard creatures to catch, or it would already be sitting in one of their stomachs.

Basilisks? Dont they need to eat a lot? Whatre they doing just sitting in an uninhabited cave? asked Trixie, her voice filled with confusion.

Notice anythin odd about those beasties, lad? Brann asked, concerned. Basilisks in particular are prone to being changed by magic.

Krivax quickly directed his skitterer to the closest pack of the beasts and checked. Most of them have giant stone spikes growing out of their backs. One of them looks like its mostly made of jade.

Aye, we can be certain weve found the right spot. Ysee, critters like those tend to sustain themselves on magic and stick close to spots filled with it, Brann said excitedly.

The other researchers from the Explorers League were just as excited and began eagerly talking among themselves, but Krivax didnt allow it to distract him. He knew that they were about to walk into somewhere incredibly dangerous, and he intended to scout every nook and cranny so they didnt stumble onto anything they couldnt handle.

The caverns were mostly empty and quiet, but Krivax felt his caution had been proven warranted when he spotted a half dozen goblin skeletons in one of the tunnels. He had enough experience with fire spells that he could tell that they had all died by a concentrated gout of flame. After repeating his findings to the rest of the expedition, the mood among the group quickly sobered.

Any sign of what killed them? Trixie asked, her expression solemn.

Instead of answering, Krivax directed the skitterer down the tunnel where the goblin remains were found. As the skitterer advanced, it came upon a large cavern containing two crumbling and worn-down statues carved in such a way that they appeared to be holding up the ceiling. In between the two statues stood a gate made of a material that resembled marble. Strange arcane runes covered the front of the gate, but only half of them still glowed with any magic; their light flickering weakly. The rest had long since faded, leaving the runes barely legible.

Krivax couldn't help but wonder what the gate to the Titan facility had looked like when it was still in a state of good repair.

In the heart of the cavern stood an unmoving figure, a large humanoid golem made of stone and metal. It stood at around eight feet tall, had proportions far bulkier than any human, and had rune-covered arms. Krivax recognized several of the runes as being related to fire. It was clear to him that the golem was the one responsible for killing the goblins and would likely attack anyone who tried to enter Uldaman.

Krivax reported his findings back to Brann, who seemed torn between excitement and solemnity.

Everyone exchanged worried glances, but they trusted Krivaxs judgment and followed his instructions. As they entered the room, they were met with a sight that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The chamber was vast and circular with numerous doors and passageways branching off in every direction. The most striking feature of the room, however, was the seemingly endless amounts of unmoving malformed creatures being held behind barriers of arcane magic. They were humanoid and about the same size as a dwarf, but far more bestial in appearance.

What are these things? Trixie whispered as if she were afraid to awaken the creatures surrounding them.

I dont know, lass, but I think wed be better off avoiding them, said Brann, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.

I think youre right. We should leave this place and move on, Krivax agreed.

He knew exactly what these creatures were, and his companions were right to fear them. Uldaman was created for the express purpose of containing the troggs, which were the Keepers first attempt at creating sentient life. In the original timeline, the group that first discovered Uldaman inadvertently released the troggs, who then poured out of the facility and launched an attack on Gnomeregan. This would start a chain of events that resulted in Gnomeregan being completely irradiated and a large portion of the gnomish population being killed.

As they ventured deeper, they came upon several more rooms dedicated exclusively to storing the troggs. It wasnt until they stumbled into a cavern with a large model map of Uldaman in all its former glory embedded in the floor that Krivax finally found what he was looking for. His true purpose for going to Uldaman was always so that they could, hopefully, make peaceful contact with the Keeper inside, and this model map was the key to doing so if his metaknowledge was accurate.

While the rest of the group was gushing over the map and discussing amongst themselves, Krivax walked over to one of the model structures and gestured toward the keystone embedded into it. Brann, I think this might be some kind of key. Its shaped exactly like the staff we found earlier.

Trixie and Brann quickly made their way over and saw that he was right.

Theres a good chance that it opens that gate, said Trixie, glancing nervously toward the forty-foot-tall gate on the other side of the cavern. It looked exactly like the one at the entrance to Uldaman, except the runes carved into its surface were still glowing brightly with magic. Are you sure its a good idea to open it, though? We have no idea whats on the other side.

If Krivax actually had no idea what was on the other side, then he would be the first to agree with Trixie. However, this was crucial to making peaceful contact with the Keeper, so he quickly moved to soothe her fears.

I know its a risk, Krivax acknowledged. But this is also our best chance to learn more about the Titans and this facility. We need to know more about where those creatures came from and what kind of danger they are. Weve been able to handle everything that weve come across so far, so Im sure itll be fine.

The lad has a point, Brann agreed, stroking his bushy beard thoughtfully. This place is the grandest archaeological find in our peoples history. Weve come this far, and we cant let fear hold us back now. If theres a chance that openin this gate will give us the answers we seek, then we have to take it.

Trixie hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded in agreement. Alright, lets do it. Just be ready for anything, okay?

Krivax nodded, gripping the staff tightly. Hed been preparing for this from the moment that he learned that Deathwing had escaped, and the time had finally come. As long as he succeeded here today, Azeroth would be saved from one of the most devastating events in its history. Krivax directed Rahtep and his guards to take up defensive positions before pushing the staff into the keystone with a click.

The model map of Uldaman immediately lit up as streams of magic flowed into the staff. After a few moments, it emitted a beam of magic into the nearby gate. Just like at the gate at Uldamans entrance, the runes glowed brightly before suddenly dissipating altogether. As the gates swung open, Krivax felt the ground shake from the footsteps of the being that emerged.

Unlike the Titanic Watcher that they had come across before, this one was very much active. She stood at an imposing thirty feet tall and looked like a beautifully carved marble statue of antiquity. She carried a large maul and wore a robe of seemingly flowing bronze robe and metal greaves.

None may steal the secrets of the Makers! Who dares disturb these halls?! said the Titanic Watcher, her voice reverberating strangely as she swept her gaze over the expedition.

Her eyes softened minutely when landing on the dwarves and gnomes present but immediately turned hostile the second she noticed Krivax and his fellow nerubians. Aqir! Disgusting spawn of the Old Gods! You dare befoul Uldaman with your presence?!

Before anyone could react, the Titanic Watcher was already charging toward them with its weapon raised. Krivax was barely able to conjure a barrier of ice around them before it swung down with murderous intent. Although he had grown much stronger since he first came to the Eastern Kingdoms, Krivax still felt as if his barrier was stuck by an angry Spiderlord.

Retrieving a flask from his spatial bag, he quickly threw it onto the ground and watched as a living, silvery liquid surrounded the expedition and formed a secondary shield between them and the Titanic Watcher. Krivax was extremely glad that he had purchased the flask from Archmage Karlain because his wall of ice shattered completely from the next attack.

Brann! Try talking to her! She seems to think were her enemy but she might listen to you! Krivax yelled over the noise of their barrier being literally hammered.

Brann hesitated for a moment, but soon stepped forward and raised his hands in a placating gesture. Wait! Please, listen to us! Were just explorers here to learn about our history!

Silence, traitor! Ill not listen to one corrupted by the Curse of Flesh as they consort with the aqir!

Brann continued trying to plead his case and Krivax tried to explain that they werent aqir, but the Titanic Watcher didnt seem interested in listening. Eventually, Krivax realized that this wasnt going anywhere and he decided to move on to his contingency plan. As he reached into his spatial bag Krivax could tell that she was watching him warily, which made his next actions much easier.

Channeling his magic into the Light-infused scepter that he had borrowed from the Church of the Holy Light, Krivax watched as the Titanic Watcher suddenly reeled back in surprise as she faced the entirely unexpected action. He had known there was a chance that the Keeper and the Titanic Watchers would associate him with the Old Gods, so Krivax had made sure to bring something that could prove otherwise.

Krivax heavily favored arcane magic and only had limited experience channeling the Light from practicing with Anubrekhan. Without such a powerful object of Light, he probably wouldnt have been able to do so at all. That meant that it basically did nothing to the Titanic Watcher, but that wasnt his intention. A true aqir would never be able to even hold an object of Light, let alone use it. That was why when he unleashed its power before the Watcher and stood unharmed, it gave her pause. One which he didnt hesitate to make use of.

I am a nerubian of the kingdom of Azjol-Nerub to the far north! It is true we are descended from the ancient aqir, but we are not them! Krivax shouted out. We have abandoned our ancestors ways and freed ourselves from the Old Gods and the Voids influence! We are not here to harm the legacy and works of the Titans, but to learn from it alongside its descendants!

Krivax stepped forward with his arms raised beseechingly, hoping dearly that his plan would work out.

The Titanic Watcher stared down at him searchingly, studying Krivax and the other nerubians with a critical eye that seemed to see through them. After several terrifying moments, she stepped back and lowered her weapon, the anger in her expression replaced by curiosity.

I believe your words, creature, she said slowly. The Void clings not to your forms and no aqir I have ever known has spoken to me with such resolve, nor have they channeled the Light without sustaining great injury. Explain to me why you have come to Uldaman and how you have bypassed the facility's defenses.

Krivax took a deep breath, grateful for the reprieve. Thank you. My name is Krivax, and we are part of an expedition led by Brann Bronzebeard. Weve come from Ironforge and Gnomeregan to learn more about the Titans and the ancient history of the dwarves. We have no intention of causing harm or taking anything without permission.

They had already picked up several items during their exploration, but it was obviously better to leave them behind than get squashed by an angry stone giant.

The Titanic Watcher considered his words, her gaze shifting between the members of the expedition. Your intentions appear to be genuine, but know that I am Ironaya and I am responsible for protecting these halls and all they contain. You have not explained to me how you managed to bypass our defenses. A party of your strength should not have been able to get past them.

Well, we fought or deactivated what defenses we came across, but the things seem to be in a state of disrepair, Brann explained with a grimace. Sorry to tell you, your ladyship, but I think youve been asleep for a really long time. We also used this little contraption to get past the front gate.

Ironaya bent forward as Brann presented her with the Arcane Magic Disruptor and carefully picked up the device between her thumb and pointer finger, before bringing it close to her face and examining it.

Still so clever he heard her mutter to herself in amazement before looking back down at them. Afterward, Ironaya finally turned her gaze away from them and took in her surroundings, especially the poor state of the whole map chamber. How long have I been in stasis?

Theres no way to know, but I imagine youve been in stasis from at least before the Sundering, Krivax explained.

The what? Ironaya responded with obvious bewilderment.

This might take a while, Krivax thought to himself as prepared for a long conversation.