Ursoc the Bear sniffed the air deeply, his voice a low rumble. "The scent... does not lie. Powerful, pure, carrying the breath of life—it is undoubtedly the Life Origin. And... it is very ancient, very strong."
His brother Ursol nodded slowly in agreement. A great bear's nose is incredibly keen; in this regard, Ursoc surpassed most other demigods—even the Wolf God couldn't compete with them. (Fun fact: a bear's sense of smell is far superior to a dog's.)
Goldrinn the Wolf remained silent but nodded, clearly identifying the unmistakable aura of a Wild God.
Aviana the Avian Goddess fluttered her shimmering starlight wings, her voice ethereal. "I can sense the fluctuations of wind and sky harmonizing around him. It is not just life... there are other rhythms, very complex." She turned to Ysera. "Guardian of the Emerald Dream, what do you perceive?"
"Cenarius speaks the truth," Ysera replied, her gaze fixed on Rhodes with unprecedented gravity. "That pulse—new, yet carrying an ancient authority like that of a Progenitor Dragon—does indeed originate from the very core of the Emerald Dream. That is... the dwelling place of the Great World-Soul. Even I do not have the right to step there. This is a supreme honor."
"Cenarius, my son," Malorne the White Stag spoke, "perhaps you could tell us exactly what has happened? Could you explain the origins of this situation?"
"Certainly, Father," Cenarius stepped forward. "Rhodes is an astral traveler and a chronomancer. He arrived in the Night Elf kingdom not long ago... was summoned by the Moon Goddess... and finally, Great Azeroth herself specifically commanded me to assist him. I was honored to enter that core domain and behold Great Azeroth in person, witnessing Rhodes's transformation with my own eyes."
Cenarius hid nothing from his father and the other Wild Gods.
"Lord Rhodes," Malorne addressed him, "Azeroth... the World-Soul herself received you and granted you this... logic-defying power. I hope you use it wisely."
"Welcome to the ranks of the Wild Gods, our new brother."
The demigods largely accepted Rhodes's status. Although the event was miraculous, the fact that Cenarius had participated throughout made it undeniable. Most importantly, his aura couldn't be faked. It was the scent of a true Wild God. It seemed the Great World-Soul possessed power beyond imagination—able to manually elevate and transform other lifeforms. To mortals, these Wild Gods were true deities, but before the World-Soul, they were merely slightly stronger individuals she could create at will.
Tortolla the Turtle moved a slow step forward. "That which breaks common logic often portends great change. New brother, is your appearance an omen?"
Rhodes opened his mouth but hesitated. If news of the Burning Legion's invasion leaked now, these Wild Gods might march collectively to Azshara's palace and destroy the Legion portal prematurely. If that happened, history might be irrevocably altered, and the timeline might never recover. Rhodes shuddered to think what weirdness he'd return to.
"There is no need for further questions, my brothers," Cenarius interjected. "Rhodes's appearance is the will of Azeroth. No one knows the full scope. However, Rhodes has accepted two tasks from her. These tasks are of vital importance, and I cannot reveal them to anyone."
As a witness to the ritual, Cenarius knew of the deal regarding the Six Primal Forces. But the idea was too preposterous for his companions to grasp—that Azeroth intended to master Fel, or that she already controlled Shadow and Death. To the Wild Gods, Azeroth was a miracle of life, the supreme Goddess of the Life side.
The others nodded, though the Green Dragon Queen looked pensive. Unlike the Wild Gods, who were manifestations of the world's life essence, Ysera was a Progenitor Dragon empowered by the Titan Watchers. While she could frequent the Dream, her soul wasn't as deeply bound to its cycle of rebirth; if she died, she couldn't simply return unless someone took her place in the realm of death.
Furthermore, she was still puzzled: why did Rhodes carry such a thick, draconic scent?
"Everyone, please take note of our new brother's external form and aura," said one of the four newcomers. It was Yu'lon the Jade Serpent, her body seemingly carved from emerald, radiating vitality and auspicious energy. Beside her stood Xuen the White Tiger, Chi-Ji the Red Crane, and Niuzao the Black Ox—the August Celestials of Pandaria.
"I... feel a form within him quite similar to my own," Yu'lon said. "Brother Cenarius, what form did Azeroth craft for our new brother?"
Ysera nodded; this was what she wanted to know too. What was Rhodes's Wild God form? Surely not just a giant?
Cenarius's eyes flashed with pride. "A golden-emerald divine dragon never seen before, Mother. Based on the totem deep within Rhodes's heart, his physique is... exceptionally majestic."
"A dragon?" The other Wild Gods were surprised.
Ysera looked vindicated. No wonder he smelled like a Progenitor Dragon. Azeroth must have used something special during his creation, giving him an authority that far exceeded the Dragon Aspects.
"Logic-defying? Ha! That means he has logic-defying strength!" Agamaggan the Boar snorted. "New brother, I, Agamaggan, greet you! But I want to know how strong this power is. My tusks crave a contest that can shake the earth!"
Goldrinn added in a raspy voice, "Strength must be proven. The law of the wild is simple and direct. Fight us, brother."
The two most warlike demigods challenged him simultaneously. It was a chance for the others to see his true form and for Rhodes to test his new body. The bear brothers, Ursoc and Ursol, let out low growls of excitement as well.
"Let us see your strength, brother."
Cenarius moved to stop them, but Rhodes held up a hand. "If the four of you are interested, I'd be happy to play." Having just gained this body, he was itching for a fight that only other demigods could provide.
"This place is too small," Rhodes said. "To the plains."
Malorne nodded. "Witnessing a new brother's form and power is a way of understanding him."
Ysera's emerald eyes sparkled with interest. Let us see what a hand-crafted creation of Azeroth is truly like.
The host of demigods, dragons, and celestials moved to a vast, open plain. Rhodes walked to the center and looked at the four eager challengers. "Then, I shall begin."
With a thought, a massive surge of life energy and brilliant gold-green light erupted from him. Under their watchful eyes, his body expanded and stretched—
When his 300-meter-long dragon form fully unfurled, the shadow it cast covered a significant portion of the plain. A mix of ancient authority and newborn power radiated outward, causing the watching green dragons to bow their heads instinctively.
Even Ysera's eyes lit up. Such a potent male dragon aura—stronger than any Aspect. If we had offspring, they would be incredibly powerful...
"Whoa!" Agamaggan looked up at the behemoth. Far from being afraid, his fighting spirit flared. He dug his front hooves into the earth, muscles bulging and thorn-like bristles standing on end, and initiated a charge! He was a thundering hill of tusks and spikes, aiming to crush everything in his path.
Simultaneously, Goldrinn moved—a silver-grey blur of incredible speed, circling Rhodes to find a weakness, claws and teeth glinting.
Facing Agamaggan's mountain-shattering charge, Rhodes's dragon eyes flashed with gold. His massive tail swept out like a moving mountain range! No spells—just pure physical power and Life energy.
BOOM!!!
The dragon tail slammed into Agamaggan's thick hide and tusks. A visible shockwave exploded in a ring, cracking the ground and sending turf and soil flying.
Agamaggan's momentum was halted instantly. With a roar of mixed pain and excitement, he was sent sliding backward for thousands of meters, plowing deep grooves into the earth.
Rhodes's tail merely trembled. He remained rooted to the spot, the difference in their raw power immediately apparent.