Death's Redemption

Chapter 2: First Steps

Chapter 2: First Steps

You hate them, don't you Earth-Warder?

They are the reason you had to make the Dragon Soul,

You should put them in their place and end them.

While you're at it, end that wretched Life-Binder and show your power to all!

"No, the mortals are not the reason I failed Azeroth, a-and Alex cares about me!"

So naive Deathwing.

She doesn't care about you,

She only cares about your knowledge and your strength,

Your usefulness to her; so why not take back your place as king?

"NO! She cares about me. I may be useful to her, but she has to deal with everyone questioning her about why she let Deathwing live and deal with the massive fallout of my return. She cares, now begone!"

It's not that easy Deathwing.

We are a part of you, now and forever.

Pull the strings—show Death over Life.

Free yourself, don't deny yourse—

Neltharion's head pounded as he heard a voice cut through the cursed whispers.

"Nel. Nel! Are you alright?" he heard Alexstrasza say.

She's using you...

Neltharion stirred into consciousness, seeing her at his side. "I heard you yelling, is everything okay?"

"Yes, it was just a n-nightmare, no need to worry, not now at least," he responded, letting a slight chuckle leave his mouth as she left where he was. He wouldn't admit it, but what the Old Gods had said made him start thinking about his sister's motives. Why did she want to save him? Thrall could have been the new Earth-Warder, one without all the baggage that came with Neltharion. Letting him live only brought difficulty to her already delicate life. With the loss of a flight, an Aspect, and many dragons, ruling over all dragonkin was a tedious task, and adding an infamous and unstable dragon to it would only further complicate things. He was the oldest Aspect and was also considered the wisest of them all. Being the Earth-Warder gave him the answers to many questions mortals couldn't even think of yet. Either way, he wanted to learn why Alexstrasza saved him and why she was spending so much time tending to him, and he was going to find out in time. Neltharion put his arms on the edges of his pool as he lifted himself out from his healing area. He climbed out and stood up while lava dripped off of his obsidian scales.

Almost a full three months had passed since he first went into the lava, and he had healed greatly. He finally returned to his normal size and his wounds had closed. His strength had fully returned, but he still needed one thing in order to be fully operational again. His wounds had closed, yes, but they only stayed closed because of the lava that healed the microtears in his skin before they turned into full ruptures. If he wanted to be able to move freely without the lava he would need a new set of plates for his scales. He wanted to see his own flight again, but he needed those plates to appear strong when he makes first contact with them since he was Deathwing before, a tyrant who ruled in fear.

"What are you doing?! You need to stay in the lava or else you might start to tear apart again!" Alexstrasza scolded as she returned to the main hall of the lair.

"Yes, yes, but it's time; I must seek out my flight and unite them, but I need plating first."

"Don't worry Nel, I already had some made for you out of the same metal as your old plates. But remember, you don't have to face your flight unless you're ready," the Queen responded while moving next to Neltharion.