Recover

Galen approached the colossal form of Eonar, who, much to his amusement, was currently being subjected to a rather enthusiastic sales pitch from Thorim and Hodir, the Titans' grandest (and most over-dramatic) 'subordinates.' The two Keepers, practically beaming, presented their meticulously detailed reports on the drastic evolutions of Azeroth's mortal Guardians and, more importantly, the frankly unprecedented connection between the human, Galen, and the very fabric of the Titans themselves. Eonar, the ancient Life-Binder, absorbed it all, a pleased hum rumbling deep within her colossal form.

As a truly awakened Titan, she knew the cosmic truth: the more vibrant a planet's civilizations, the faster its nascent star-soul blossomed. This wasn't some other universe's aloof deities; here, the star-soul and its vibrant, messy, life-giving children nourished each other. Take Argus, for instance: its brilliant Eredar civilization had practically turbocharged its star-soul's awakening, prompting Argus to bless its devoted children with unnaturally long lives as a cosmic 'thank you.' With a final, resonating sigh, Eonar gracefully shed her battle-primed, hundred-meter stature, shrinking until she stood (relatively) human-sized, on par with Thorim and the rest of the gang. Every step she took left a swirling tapestry of impossibly vibrant, alien flora blooming in her wake – the raw, untamed power of Life, radiating from her, was frankly dizzying.

The Mother of Life then fixed her gaze on Galen, her ancient eyes gleaming with genuine warmth. "Thank you for your aid, child of Azeroth," she intoned, her voice like a symphony of growing things. "And thank you, Azeroth. We have long watched for the growth of this little sister, eager for her to breathe new vitality and hope into this beleaguered universe."

But, as Eonar's voice filled the cavern, Galen's mind had already drifted light-years away. Not so long ago, he'd actually had a cozy little chat with Azeroth's very own Titan Soul – affectionately dubbed 'Ai-chan' by the universe's most unlikely human hero – in the secret depths of the Heart Chamber in Silithus. He'd arrived via the diamond-skinned, perpetually grumpy, Viking Ymiron, no less. From the moment he'd first stumbled into this world, a terrified stranger, to now, with his Heart of Origin artifact humming at a formidable Level Five, Galen had shed his 'clinging-newbie' phase. He now faced bona fide cosmic entities with an almost casual swagger, practically ready to fist-bump a God.

But… was it just him? Or did Ai-chan always give him that look? It was… contradictory. A strange blend of friendly warmth, almost clingy dependence, and yet, a distinct flicker of what felt like… resistance? What in the Blasted Lands was that about? He'd only met the Titan Soul two, maybe three, times in total, despite saving the world on several occasions. Why the sudden, complex emotional baggage, Ai-chan? What was going on in that colossal, slumbering head of hers?

Shaking his head, Galen forcibly yanked his thoughts back to the cosmic present. His reason for seeking out Ai-chan, after all, was for some inter-cosmic intel-sharing. Specifically, he wanted to know her unvarnished opinion on the Titans and their grand Pantheon. The expression on the humanoid light-and-shadow construct that was the Star Soul's avatar had been priceless.

"Galen," Ai-chan's ethereal voice had resonated through the echoing, secret chamber, "do you understand the six cosmic forces?"

"The six forces?" Galen had parroted, snapping his fingers. "You mean… Light, Order, Life, Chaos, Void, and Death? Those six?" Now, Galen's knowledge of these grand cosmic schematics was… limited. He'd transmigrated during the Shadowlands expansion's lifecycle, but frankly, he'd barely dipped his toes in after launch, quickly hitting max level before a friend lured him back to the nostalgic servers. He'd literally been questing in the Arathi Highlands when the whole 'transmigration' thing kicked off. So, some of the newer, cosmic-level lore was still a bit hazy around the edges of his memory.

"Precisely," Ai-chan's shimmering form had affirmed. "A certain supreme being violently forced the two primordial forces of Light and Shadow into collision. The Big Bang resulted, not just in the birth of the physical universe, but also in the four major magical forces: Nature, Death, Arcane, and Fel. Together with Light and Shadow, they form the six cosmic forces."

Ai-chan had then poured ancient knowledge, etched into her very soul since birth, directly into Galen's mind: "Among these six, Light and Shadow are absolute opposites. The life force of Nature stands against the death force of Necromancy. And the ordered Arcane is the eternal antithesis to the chaotic Fel energy."

Galen had nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. He mostly knew this. "Right, right, get to the good stuff!" he'd mentally urged her.

"And then," Ai-chan continued, "races attuned to these forces gradually emerged across the cosmos. You know this too, yes?"

Another eager nod from Galen.

The Naaru of Light. The Void Lords of Shadow. The Eternals of Death. The Nature Demigods of Life. The Demons of Chaos. And the Titan Pantheon of Order.

"These six forces," Ai-chan had explained, "are locked in an eternal opposition, maintaining a precarious balance. But each seeks ultimate supremacy, to overwhelm the others entirely."

At this point, Galen, feeling like a model student who absolutely knew the answer, couldn't help but practically leap up, his hand shooting into the air. "Let me guess! They all want to recruit you!"

"Yes," Ai-chan had confirmed, her voice gaining a surprising resonance. "I feel that upon my full awakening, I will be incredibly powerful. But… so far, I haven't truly embraced any specific Force attribute!"

Aha! Galen had finally slapped his forehead. It all clicked into place! The Void slinging its slimy Old Gods to corrupt her. The Burning Legion trying to either incinerate her or twist her very soul to their chaotic will. And the straight-laced Titan Pantheon? They'd gone and built the Furnace of Will specifically to gently re-engineer Azeroth's star-soul, nudging her into a natural alignment with Order! Every grand cosmic boss, in their own unique, terrifying way, was trying to forcibly drag Azeroth into their camp, all to shatter the delicate balance of the six forces and seize ultimate, universal supremacy!

"You asked me what I thought of the Titans…" Ai-chan had mused, her light-and-shadow form shimmering with renewed vibrancy. "They are my elder brothers and sisters, awakened long before me. They constructed their Temples of Order, drawing strength to battle the encroaching Void and the raging Fel." Her form had brightened further, almost blazing. "But know this, Galen: I despise the Old Gods for the torment they inflicted upon me. I loathe the encroaching darkness of Death. And I am utterly hostile to Sargeras, who seeks my demise!"

"As a fellow Titan," Ai-chan had continued, her voice softening, "the Titans have certainly aided me, and I naturally lean towards them. But every Titan has the innate right to choose their own Force attributes."

The shimmering light-figure had then drifted closer to Galen, two pinpricks of light illuminating its featureless face like curious eyes. "I encountered you, Galen. And what you have accomplished on the ground, these past years… it has shown me more possibilities than I ever imagined."

With a final, almost imperceptible whisper, the light-form stretched, becoming a single, thin line of pure energy that flowed directly into Galen's neck – right where his Heart of Azeroth necklace pulsed. Ai-chan had, once again, poured her nascent power into the artifact, deepening her already profound connection with him.

So… Galen had thought, his mind reeling. Ai-chan, are you just… giving me the keys to the cosmic car? Are you really that chill about who drives? Or do you just know that no matter what I pick, she'll ultimately be the strongest anyway?

Armed with this wild, self-serving guess, Galen, almost without thinking, reached out a hand, intent on literally grabbing Eonar. The Life-Binder, vast and ancient, paused, a flicker of surprise gracing her immense features. But then, a wave of profound, almost maternal affection for the curious little mortal washed over her. With gentle grace, Eonar extended her colossal right hand, allowing Galen's palm to make contact.

"Perhaps this is your first true glimpse of a living Titan?" Eonar murmured, a soft smile playing on her lips, "A touch of… curiosity?" She chuckled to herself, finding the mortal's earnestness rather charming.

But Galen barely registered the warmth, the sheer, unfathomable power humming beneath Eonar's skin – the very essence of a True God Titan, capable of manifesting a solid form even in soul-state. His mind had locked onto something else, something far more pressing.

His Heart of Origin had just screamed a notification into his brain!

[ORIGINAL HEROIC SPIRIT DETECTED. COMMENCE RECOVERY?]

Original Heroic Spirit? Recover? Galen's jaw practically hit the cavern floor. This wasn't just a new tip; it was a cosmic bombshell, unlike anything his system had blared at him in decades! Could it be connected to the Titans themselves? But wait—he'd personally clobbered Sargeras, obliterated Medivh, and not once had that prompt popped up! Could it be linked to his Heart of Origin finally hitting Level Five?

"RECOVER!!!" he mentally shrieked, his voice practically cracking with a mixture of terror and unholy glee.