Dark Heart

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For other uses, see Dark Heart (disambiguation).
The Dark Heart as seen in the Dawn of the Infinite finale cinematic.

The Dark Heart is a Void artifact that plays a key role in the Worldsoul Saga. It was created by Neltharion the Earth-Warder and then taken by Iridikron, who imbued the ancient relic with the primal hunger of Galakrond. The Dark Heart has the power to absorb magical power of various types and convert it into shadow.[1] Now in the hands of Xal'atath, the Harbinger of the Void, she uses it to empower the nerubians of the kingdom of Azj-Kahet into her own army.

History

Dragonflight

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Iridikron retrieving Neltharion's unnamed relic from the Forbidden Reach.

The Dark Heart was originally a relic belonging to Neltharion, which Chromie described as resembling the Dragon Soul, but even more ancient.[2] Khadgar and the Kirin Tor believed it to be a discarded prototype for the Dragon Soul.[3] Goblins had assisted Neltharion in its creation, just as they did when they helped craft the Dragon Soul itself.[4]

Thousands of years later, Iridikron recovered the relic from the Earth-Warder's Cauldron on the Forbidden Reach, where Neltharion had hidden it, even from his fellow Aspects.[5] The vessel also contained the location of Aberrus, Neltharion’s secret laboratory, and more specifically, the molten pool of lava that powered it. Once Vyranoth deciphered its location, the Primal Incarnates dispatched Fyrakk to consume the elemental power beneath.[6]

Meanwhile, Iridikron traveled back in time with the help of the Infinite Dragonflight and attempted to siphon Galakrond's essence to reclaim a "hunger lost to the ages."[2] However, he was stopped by adventurers and Chromie, who destroyed the relic before he could complete the process.[7] While their attention was focused on Iridikron, Chrono-Lord Deios successfully corrupted the proto-dragon Nozdormu, transforming him into Murozond and drastically altering the timeline. Chromie was forced to rewind time, choosing to save her Aspect rather than defeat Iridikron.[7]

Despite the setback, Iridikron was able to infuse Galakrond's primal power into the relic, transforming it into the Dark Heart.[8][3] He then departed through a Void portal and entrusted the completed relic to a mysterious figure known only as the Harbinger.[9][10]

Khadgar searched Dalaran's libraries for information about the artifact, but found nothing. Given Malygos's history with Neltharion, Kalec offered to look through the Azure Archives in hopes of uncovering more.[10] Later, Khadgar summoned Alleria Windrunner to Dalaran and tasked her with investigating the Dark Heart and its mysterious wielder. Alleria tracked the artifact by following Void rifts it had left behind while converting magical power across Northrend, starting at Galakrond's Rest and leading to Ulduar.[1] With help from Locus-Walker, she identified the Dark Heart's owner as Xal'atath.[11]

The War Within

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Xal'atath destroys Dalaran using the Dark Heart.

After Xal'atath shed her disguise and unleashed the nerubians of Azj-Kahet upon Dalaran,[12] she started siphoning the city's power into the Dark Heart. The Dark Heart was subsequently used to destroy Dalaran, and seemingly Khadgar with it.[13] During the battle of Hallowfall, Alleria Windrunner heard Khadgar's voice leading her to Xal'atath's true target in Hallowfall, she confronted Xal'atath at the Priory of the Sacred Flame, where she was siphoning Beledar's power into the Dark Heart. In the midst of the ensuing encounter, Alleria managed to hit the Dark Heart with one of her arrows, cracking the surface and allowing its energy to leak out. Xal'atath retreated with the artifact, but as she fled, Khadgar emerged alive from the crack.[14] He later explained that upon realizing the Dark Heart was absorbing all forms of magic rather than destroying them, he transmuted himself into pure arcane energy and allowed himself to be trapped within it in order to survive Dalaran's destruction.[15]

Undermine(d)

Xal'atath brought the broken Dark Heart to Jastor Gallywix, tasking him with repairing it by infusing it with Black Blood.[16] As goblins had originally helped Neltharion forge the artifact thousands of years ago, Gallywix believed they could repair it. However, unable to do so alone, he forcibly enlisted Marin Noggenfogger by kidnapping his wife, Sprinkle. Marin devised a plan to use kaja'mite to stabilize the Black Blood’s volatile energy, making it easier to infuse into the Dark Heart.[4][17] However, Gallywix was well aware of the fate that befell to Xal'atath's previous allies and had no intention of returning the artifact to her until he had the means to protect his own interests.[16]

Because Gallywix had taken too long to deliver the Dark Heart, the Shadowguard ethereals were prompted to begin searching for it.[18][19] When he finished the repairs, Gallywix attempted to flee Undermine with the artifact, but was caught by Phase-Thief Azir and gave it to the ethereal, believing him an agent of Xal'atath.[20] Gallywix was later confronted by Xal'atath, demanding to know where the Dark Heart was. Confused, he told her that he had given it to her ethereal ally, but she revealed that the ones who had taken it had not been working for her.[21]

Sometime later, Azir was staring at a void rift with the Dark Heart in hand.[22]

Notes and trivia

Gallery

References

 
  1. ^ a b N [70] Walk a Mile in Her Shadows
  2. ^ a b Dawn of the Infinite, Iridikron dialogue
  3. ^ a b N [70] The Harbinger
  4. ^ a b First Half of Noggenfogger's Journal
  5. ^ N [70] Hidden Legacies pre-rendered cinematic
  6. ^ Opening the Way pre-rendered cinematic
  7. ^ a b Iridikron the Stonescaled post-encounter cinematic
  8. ^ N [70] Galakrond's Unrest
  9. ^ Chrono-Lord Deios post-encounter cinematic, Dawn of the Infinite
  10. ^ a b N [70] Fair Skies and Strong Winds, Kalecgos and Khadgar "Stay awhile and listen"
  11. ^ N [70] Radiant Warnings
  12. ^ N [68-70] To Khaz Algar!
  13. ^ N [68-70] Departure
  14. ^ N [80] A Light in the Dark
  15. ^ N [80] Return to Dornogal
  16. ^ a b Gallywix's Notes
  17. ^ Second Half of Noggenfogger's Journal
  18. ^ N [80] Phase Shift
  19. ^ N [80] Sour Victory
  20. ^ N [80] Nowhere Left to Hide
  21. ^ N [80] My Top Gal
  22. ^ N [80] Cashing the Check
  23. ^ A Whisper of Warning, pg. 3
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