317

Dragon Trace Reappearance

Forseti pondered briefly before entering Magni Bronzebeard's experience space.

As expected, the scene unfolded in Ironforge Palace. Magni Bronzebeard, the bearded dwarf king, stood solemnly in front of his throne, wielding a hammer and axe.

"Warrior, you have challenged me," Magni Bronzebeard announced, his beard quivering.

Forseti tightened his grip on his weapons, studying the elderly king intently.

Magni Bronzebeard, faction leader and an eighth-level character, was clearly not a foe to underestimate. Forseti had entered to gauge the gap between them.

With a resounding shout, the old king, despite his short stature, displayed remarkable speed, closing the distance with surprising agility and swinging his hammer.

"Boom!" Forseti parried with his two swords, but the impact sent him flying, crashing into a nearby wall.

Formidable, as expected of a faction leader!

Undeterred, the old king pressed on, his robust form resembling a cannonball in motion.

Without hesitation, Forseti empowered himself with the King's Blessing and the Wrath of Revenge, holy light enveloping him as he dodged and countered Magni Bronzebeard's attacks with swift sword strikes.

Judgment!

Magni Bronzebeard's expression remained stoic as he met Forseti's assault with his axe, simultaneously slamming his warhammer into the ground.

"Boom!"

The resulting shockwave rattled the palace, accompanied by a thunderous roar that erupted from the point of impact, engulfing Forseti.

Thunder Clap!

Paralyzed momentarily by the thunderous assault, even the Wrath of Revenge couldn't fully mitigate the effects on Forseti's body.

Magni Bronzebeard charged again, leaving Forseti little choice but to stand his ground and defend against the onslaught.

"Boom boom boom!"

Each clash reverberated through the palace halls as Forseti and Magni Bronzebeard engaged in fierce combat.

In a previous encounter, Forseti would have been swiftly defeated. However, his second awakening had significantly enhanced his abilities, granting him the strength to contend with the old king.

Perhaps with a few more attempts, victory could be within reach. Forseti wondered what treasures a hero-type character like Magni Bronzebeard might drop upon defeat.

Unexpectedly, Magni Bronzebeard bellowed, a surge of wind and thunder enveloping his stout frame as he suddenly grew in size.

Avatar!

Witnessing the transformation, Forseti couldn't conceal his surprise.

Similar to Emperor Thaurissan's berserk state, Magni Bronzebeard's avatar form vastly amplified his power within a short span. As a faction leader, his enraged state far surpassed that of Emperor Thaurissan.

Despite Forseti's precautions, he found himself unable to counter the old king's relentless assault, being forcefully thrown back by the hammer's impact.

"Boom!"

The relentless onslaught continued as Magni Bronzebeard swung his battle axe towards Forseti's face.

Yet, just as the axe was about to strike, the old king halted, the blade stopping just short of Forseti's skin.

Forseti was taken aback.

Magni Bronzebeard withdrew his weapon, reverting to his normal size with a casual remark, "It's over, young man. You are not my match."

With that, he returned to his throne and vanished.

Taking a few deep breaths, Forseti reflected on his duel with Magni Bronzebeard.

Though an eighth-level character, the old king's avatar form had proven insurmountable for Forseti in his current state. Nonetheless, the experience had provided valuable insights into his own capabilities and those of other Azerothian characters.

Magni Bronzebeard, an eighth-level faction leader, likely placed him on par with other faction leaders in terms of strength.

Ragnaros the Firelord was probably level 9, while Archimonde the Defiler might be level 10. Sargeras, if he existed, might be as powerful as level 11 or 12.

Reflecting further, Sargeras' existence seemed doubtful. Defeating a character of such magnitude would likely necessitate the gathering of all Infinity Stones and a decisive snap of the fingers.

Exiting the experience space, Forseti returned to the moon, docked his spacecraft, and contacted Heimdall to arrange transport back to Asgard.

"Have you undergone your second awakening?" Heimdall inquired upon their reunion.

"Indeed. I recall a lingering sensation during my previous awakening," Forseti remarked, reminiscing.

"Previous awakening?" Heimdall queried in surprise. "That's impossible. You know I would never engage in such behavior. Your aura has evidently undergone significant changes, leading me to conclude you've completed your second awakening."

"Understood."

Forseti then inquired, "Any word from Princess Hela?"

"None," Heimdall replied, shaking his head before shifting the conversation. "However, I've traced Goch's whereabouts. It's confirmed that Goch is currently in Midgard."

"Goch, the formidable dragon?"

"Indeed," Hermond confirmed. "Despite maintaining a low profile, it's evidently retained its ferocity, leaving traces that led to my discovery."

Pausing momentarily, he continued, "I'm preparing to report to King Odin. In all likelihood, Asgard will assemble a dragon-hunting expedition to pursue Goch. Would you consider leading the charge this time?"

Forseti considered briefly before nodding in agreement without hesitation. "Certainly."

Although vexed by Goch's escape through the spatial rift, Forseti found solace in the assurance that without such a means of escape, coupled with his second awakening, he stood a fair chance against the malevolent dragon.

Golden Palace.

Following Odin, Thor trailed behind, grumbling, "Father, I've grown weary of battling the Skrinths. They're feeble and offer no challenge."

"Where would you prefer to go?" Odin inquired.

Thor responded impulsively, "Jotunheim. I crave confrontation with the Frost Giants. That would be a worthy endeavor!"

"Asgard has long since ratified a peace accord with Jotunheim, Thor. You're well aware of this," Odin remarked, a hint of concern etched across his brow.

Evidently, he recognized Thor's impetuous nature as a significant concern. Nevertheless, he refrained from harsh rebuke, a trait he rarely exhibited.

The father and son exchanged a few more words.

Suddenly, Thor broached the subject, "Father, my Iron Bear Battle Axe has developed a slight curve, and..."

"Are you requesting Mjölnir?" Odin discerned Thor's intent with a single glance.