World of Warcraft

by Steve Danuser

  “Indeed?” Her demeanor shifted, her posture becoming more relaxed. But whether from genuine interest or mere bemusement, the young dragon couldn’t guess. “Go on.”

  “Heed my wisdom, little one: you are a dragon, a hunter, with claws for tearing and teeth for killing. No visage will change that.”

  Chronormu drew in a breath. He had prepared a long explanation punctuated with deference and humor, but even with Onyxia’s seeming benevolence, he didn’t want to linger in these sepulchral caverns any longer than he had to. “My Visage Day approaches, and I’m uncertain what form to take. I hoped to learn how you came to your own decision.”

  The black dragon remained still for several uncomfortable moments, then broke the silence with a question. “Why do we choose a visage?” she asked.

  “To better relate to the mortal races,” the bronze replied. “To be approachable, and to commune with their kind.”

  Onyxia scoffed, a plume of dark smoke rising from her nostrils. “That sounds like something Nozdormu would teach his whelps. No, little dragon. We choose a visage that allows us to control them.”

  The massive black dragon stretched her wings wide and reared up on her hind legs. Chronormu’s mouth fell agape as Onyxia’s form seemed to fill the entirety of the massive chamber. She held her pose a moment, then drew her wings in with such force that a cloud of ash came rushing toward Chronormu. The bronze dragon coughed and gasped, eyes burning from the soot. When he finally blinked the tears away, Onyxia was no longer in her dragon form, but in the guise of a raven-haired human woman dressed in fine robes.

  “Of all the mortal races, it is humans who pose the greatest threat to dragonkind,” she said. “They are neither the strongest nor the smartest, but they are the most relentless. Yet for all their cleverness, they are vain creatures bent by flattery. I chose a form that would quicken their heartbeats and allow me to seize all that I desire from them. Heed my wisdom, little one: you are a dragon, a hunter, with claws for tearing and teeth for killing. No visage will change that. And just like your other gifts, your visage will be a means to take what you want.”

  Chronormu felt as though his breath had been punched from his lungs, and he didn’t quite know what to say. “That … that is not how I want mortals to see me.”

  The faintest hint of a smile formed on Onyxia’s human lips. She drew closer to Chronormu, reaching out her porcelain hand to stroke the bronze’s neck. She spoke slowly, softly. “You cannot change your nature, little dragon. If you stay here at my side, I will teach you all you need to know about mortals. With my training, and by choosing the ideal form, you will become the greatest of your flight. Even the Timeless One will one day kneel before you.”

  As her cruel words twisted in Chronormu’s belly, the young dragon realized she was merely toying with him. He stepped backward, recoiling from her cloying touch. “Your offer is most … kind, Lady Onyxia. I have learned much from you already, I think. But I must be going.”

  The woman laughed, her voice booming like the dragon she was. “A pity you lack the spine to embrace the truth, little one. You will always be small and insignificant. Befriend mortals, and one day they will be the death of you.”

  Chronormu didn’t wait for an escort. He turned and fled, hoping with all his heart that he remembered which tunnel would lead him back to the open air. Behind him, peals of laughter echoed through the chamber. The sound pursued him as he raced through passages of dark stone, only relenting when he finally escaped the clutches of the caverns and could breathe the cold night air once more.

  He collapsed upon a deep drift of fresh powdery snow that cleaned the soot from his scales. Tears filled his eyes, an outpouring of sorrow and fear and relief. He had never felt so horrible to be a dragon as he had in that cave. But whatever Lady Onyxia’s intent, Chronormu had learned something from her.

  “I know what I want to be,” he said aloud. And though the words trembled from his lips, Chronormu’s heart was strong and determined.

  Stand still. Don’t you fidget! Don’t you pace! The ceremony will begin soon!

  Chronormu’s head was a blur of thoughts and feelings. His tummy felt like it was packed with anxious whelplings playing a game of ringchase. It was here at last. His Visage Day.

  Tradition dictated that the ceremony be held at the summit of Wyrmrest Temple, the enormous tower of pale gray stone from which the Aspects could look out upon all Dragonblight. He had expected Nozdormu’s presence, as was befitting members of his flight. But when Chronormu was told that the Dragon Queen herself would be officiating, he nearly fainted on the spot.

  Alexstrasza! At my Visage Day! The thought did nothing to quiet the tummy whelplings.

  So instead, he looked around at those gathered. Dear Zidormi had arrived early, of course, and had done her best to settle his nerves. The bronze flight was most heavily represented, including many friendly faces that Chronormu had known all his life. Each flight had sent emissaries, as was customary. There were red dragons, green dragons, and blue dragons. Even Lady Onyxia had come, along with an entourage, though her flight was clearly out of favor with the others. Nozdormu stared off into the distance, unmoving, awaiting the intended moment to begin.

  “Hello again, Chronormu.”

  The young bronze had been so consumed by his own thoughts that he hadn’t noticed the friendly blue dragon walk up to his side.

  “Kalecgos! It’s wonderful to see you again! Thank you for coming.” Joy and relief washed over Chronormu, and he wrapped the blue in a big, happy hug. It wasn’t traditional, but it soothed his fretting mind just a bit.

  The dragon smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of missing it. I look forward to your proclamation.”

  My proclamation. Chronormu had recited the words aloud to himself a hundred times over, not to mention the particulars of the visage spell, but he was still certain he’d blunder them in front of everyone, including the Dragon Queen. He managed a grin and an awkward chuckle as he fought the urge to flee.

  “It is time,” Nozdormu announced simply and plainly, yet the words rang out over the small talk of those gathered.

  The other dragons fanned out around the periphery of the open-air chamber, while Chronormu stood at the center, facing the Timeless One. All was silent, and the young bronze felt a sudden rush of panic. Are they waiting for me to say something? What happens next?

  As if in response, a sprawling shadow blocked the shimmering green light radiating from above as slowly, gracefully, the Dragon Queen descended from the sky and took her place at Nozdormu’s side. Chronormu had seen Alexstrasza from a distance many times. Up close, the Life-Binder was a vision in her crimson scales and sweeping horns adorned with gold, but it was her warmth and compassion that the young dragon truly admired.

  “Come forth, Chronormu the Bronze,” she said, her voice a gentle song.

  The young dragon walked forward at a measured pace. The cool stone was a comfort against his nervous claws. He stopped just before reaching the two Aspects.

  Alexstrasza leaned in close, speaking softly so that only Chronormu could hear. “I am told you had doubts regarding your decision, young one. If you would like, I can postpone the ceremony for another time.” She smiled warmly. “Know that I only desire what is best for you, my child.”

  Chronormu wasn’t sure he had ever felt so understood, so loved. He nodded. “I am ready, my queen. And it would be the greatest honor of my life if you would proceed with the ceremony.”

  Alexstrasza nodded to him, then spoke aloud to all the guests. “Many ages have passed since we dragons first peered down from our roosts and watched the young mortal races begin to spread across Azeroth. As we saw their villages grow into cities, and their cities become kingdoms, the timeways told us that we must find a way to live alongside them. And so it was decided that we would each assume a form that would allow us to walk freely among their kind and see this world as they do.”

  The Life-Binder turned back to the small dragon before her.
“And now, Chronormu the Bronze, in honor of your Visage Day, those of us who have chosen a form will assume it now.”

  With those words she gestured, and many of those in attendance, the queen included, transformed into their mortal guises. Alexstrasza was a beautiful high elf with scarlet hair and gold adorning her horns. Nozdormu stood once more in his austere elven form. And as Chronormu looked around, he saw the smiling faces of humans, night elves, tauren, and other mortal races. It was wondrous. It was breathtaking.

  The queen’s words reclaimed his attention. “The hour is at hand, Chronormu. Face your kin and make your proclamation.”

  He swallowed hard, bowing his head to Alexstrasza in thanks. Then he turned toward those who had joined him on this special day and began to speak the words he had practiced.

  “Dear friends, honored kin, it warms my heart to look around and see all those who have supported me throughout my life. Who have guided me through trials and shared my joys and sorrows. I know it may not always have been easy”—he gave Zidormi a sheepish glance—“but you stood by me all the same. And for that, I thank you. Many of you know that this has not been … it has not been …” Chronormu stammered, his mind racing with doubt.

  He looked at Nozdormu and expected a stern glare. He saw only pride. He looked at Alexstrasza and expected to see pity. He saw only caring. His gaze turned from one dragon to another, and in all their eyes, he saw only warmth and love.

  Chronormu put aside his practiced speech and spoke from his heart.

  “This hasn’t been an easy choice to make. For a long time, I thought something must be wrong with me, because for everyone else the decision seemed to come naturally. So I sought counsel from friends, my honored teachers, and some …” He looked straight into Lady Onyxia’s eyes without flinching. “Well, some who maybe weren’t my friends but taught me lessons all the same. And at last I understood what this choice truly meant.

  “It’s not just about how we wish for others to perceive us—it’s about how we see ourselves and how we experience this world alongside those we share it with. And I realized I don’t want to look upon Azeroth or the mortals that inhabit her through the eyes of a hero or a conqueror. I want to see it as the smallest among them, but also the most optimistic. I want to be someone who could do her best to build a brighter future—while respecting the laws of the timeways, of course!” He gave Nozdormu a quick nod, which the Timeless One returned with a smile.

  “And so my proclamation is …” Chronormu closed his eyes and whispered the words of the incantation that would define his mortal form. Bronze magic shimmered all about him, enveloping him, until his dragon form disappeared within the glittering cloud.

  Then all at once it faded, and there, before two Aspects and a crowd of beloved friends, stood a tiny gnome woman in a white robe trimmed with gold.

  “Hi there! You can call me Chromie!” she said.

  A cheer arose from all those gathered, and the little gnome basked in the smile of the Dragon Queen.

  “It is good to meet you, Chromie,” Alexstrasza said. “Welcome home.”

  Zidormi was the first to embrace her dear friend, taking great care not to bruise Chromie’s tiny form. Nozdormu told her that she had made a wise choice, though he refused to say if he had known all along what her decision would be. Lady Onyxia said nothing, but before departing the festivities, she offered the young bronze the slightest of nods, which Chromie chose to take as a sign of acceptance.

  Kalec, his half-elven visage still adorned in his humble attire, walked up to Chromie and offered a stately bow. “You came to me, as well as others, for advice. So why is it I feel that we are the ones who were taught a lesson?”

  She chuckled. “Perhaps we all have things to learn from one another.”

  The blue dragon nodded. “I believe I understand why you chose to take the form of a gnome. But if I may ask, why did you choose to become female as well?”

  Chromie smiled. “It suits me,” she said, and shared with Kalec a long, happy hug.

  And with that, a glorious day unfolded into a glorious evening. The dragons danced and feasted and sang the songs of old, and the young bronze went to bed that night feeling more whole, and more joyful, than she ever had before.

  The next morning, Chromie stirred with the first glimmer of the rising sun. She yawned and stretched and smiled upon the wonders of the waking world.

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  L. L. MCKINNEY

  Named one of The Root’s and BET’s 100 most influential African Americans of 2020, Leatrice “Elle” McKinney, writing as L.L. McKinney, is an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, and the creator of the hashtags #PublishingPaidMe and #WhatWoCWritersHear. A gamer and Blerd, her works include the Nightmare-Verse books, Nubia: Real One through DC, Marvel’s Black Widow: Bad Blood, and more.

  GARTH NIX

  Garth Nix has been a full-time writer since 2001, but he has also worked as a literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller, and part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve. Garth’s books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series; the science fiction novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; a Regency romance with magic, Newt’s Emerald; and sixty short-fiction works for adults and children.

  More than six million copies of Garth’s books have been sold around the world, in forty-two languages. They have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and The Bookseller. He has won multiple Aurealis Awards, the Ditmar Award, the Mythopoeic Award, and the CBCA Honour Book, and he has been shortlisted for the Locus Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and others.

  ALYSSA WONG

  Alyssa Wong writes fiction, comics, and games. Her stories have won the Nebula Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the Locus Award. She was a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and her fiction has been shortlisted for the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and Shirley Jackson Awards. Her comics credits include Marvel, Star Wars, and Adventure Time. She has also written for Overwatch.

  KAMI GARCIA

  Kami Garcia is a number one New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of novels and comic books. Her best-known works include Beautiful Creatures; the Bram Stoker–nominated novels Unbreakable and Unmarked; The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos; Teen Titans: Raven and Teen Titans: Beast Boy, the first two titles in her bestselling graphic novel series; and the DC Black Label comic book series Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity. Kami is also a cofounder of Creators 4 Comics and YALLFest, one of the largest KidLit book festivals in the United States.

  CATHERYNNE M. VALENTE

  Catherynne M. Valente is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty books of fantasy and science fiction, including Space Opera, the Fairyland series, Deathless, and The Orphan’s Tales. She lives on a small island off the coast of Maine with her partner, one medium-size dog, one very enormous cat, and a baby son slightly less enormous than the cat (for now).

  MADELEINE ROUX

  Madeleine Roux is the New York Times bestselling author of the Asylum series, which has sold in eleven countries around the world. She is also the author of the House of Furies series, Salvaged, Traveler: The Shining Blade, and Allison Hewitt Is Trapped, and she has contributed to anthologies such as Resist, Scary Out There, and Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View.

  E. C. MYERS

  E. C. Myers was assembled in the United States from Korean and German parts and raised by a single mother and the public library in Yonkers, New York. His books include the Andre Norton Award–winning Fair Coin, The Silence of Six, RWBY: After the Fall, and RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant. His short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies such as A Thousand Beginnings and Endings and Mother of Invention, and he cowrites several series for Serial Box, including Orphan Black: The Next Chapter and Alternis. E. C. lives with his wife, son, and three doofy pets in Pennsylvania.

  MOLLY KNOX OSTERTAG
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  Molly Knox Ostertag is an award-winning graphic novelist known for the middle-grade trilogy The Witch Boy. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and several spoiled pets, and she writes for animation when she’s not drawing comics or hobbit art.

  CHRISTIE GOLDEN

  In her thirty-year career, grand master and New York Times bestselling author Christie Golden has written fifty-five books in over a dozen IPs, including Star Wars and many World of Warcraft and StarCraft projects. Her most recent titles are World of Warcraft: Before the Storm and Exploring Azeroth: Eastern Kingdoms. She currently works for Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Development team, writing cinematics, short stories, and the occasional set of lyrics.

  TAMSYN MUIR

  Tamsyn Muir is the bestselling author of the Locked Tomb trilogy, which begins with Gideon the Ninth, continues with Harrow the Ninth, and concludes with Alecto the Ninth. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Nebula Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the Eugie Foster Memorial Award. A Kiwi, she has spent most of her life in Howick, New Zealand, with time living in Waiuku and central Wellington. She currently lives and works in Oxford, in the United Kingdom.

  ALLISON IRONS

  Allison Irons is an editor at Blizzard Entertainment by day and a writer by night. With several smash hits under their editorial belt, they are translating their skill in refining prose to creating it. Allison earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in English from California State University, Fullerton. They live in Southern California with their partner, Kris, and a little gray cat, where they spend most of their free time painting wargaming miniatures and playing games where you can be nice to the NPCs.

  STEVE DANUSER

  A veteran of nearly two decades in game development, Steve Danuser leads narrative design on the World of Warcraft team. He develops a wide variety of story-driven content, working with the game’s quest and dungeon designers, Blizzard’s cinematics group, and the company’s Story and Franchise Development team on the characters and story lines that drive the game.