Ehhh, not quite? The heart of the sepulcher, which is where the Heart of Eternity is located, is basically at the very core of the Universes ether (You can see the cosmic influences in their most basic state from there VIA the skybox). However, based off the implications of the lore, there are seemingly other cosmic hearts akin to the Heart of Eternity, which serve as core engines within their respective cosmic inner sanctum (and are likely located elsewhere within the universal ether core).
Zereth Mortis, and other cosmic Zereths aren't really located in the cosmic domains themselves. They have their own specific location that starts off as "being linked to the domain itself" (Which is why Zovaal was able to claim a piece of it during patch 9.1), and as you go further in there, the realm gets further separated from the domain, all the way until you reach the core of the universal ether, where the cosmic engines are completely separated from the domains.
- - - Updated - - -
Unless it gets retconned, SL lore will most likely extend itself into the Worldsoul Saga.
If it were Yogg, it would look like Yogg.
The mural is a detailed depiction, not some abstract piece of art.
and the Nerubians, again, are descendent from the Aqir.
Evolved past BE days.
Yogg and co. were sitting in their titan prison puddles while the Nerubians, Mantid and Qiraji started popping up.
As for the crystal being Xal, or a vessel for Xal, i dunno.
I think its more likely she is the depicted Old God and the crystal is another weapon/tool sent by Dimensius.
Formerly known as Arafal
“But this isn’t the end. I promise you, this is not the end, and we have to regroup and we have to continue to fight and continue to work day in and day out to create the better society for our children, for this world, for this country, that we know is possible.” ~~Jon Stewart
I think Xal isn't the fifth Old God. However she is very tied to roots like the mystery OG was in Chronicles and we don't have a name or hint towards the fifth besides possibly the Ancient One from Hearthstone.
Per Blizz not being subtle, she is probably the fifth OG, but I would rather her just be a very skilled and powerful agent of the Void Lords who got stuffed into the dagger by the OGs so that she couldn't report back to the Lords about the Black Empire.
Maybe because Azeroth inspires freedom, the Black Empire became a rebel kingdom that was going against the wishes of the Void Lords? This could set up a potential N'zoth (remnant) vs Xal story in Midnight.
Theres solid theories for both. But hard to tell what is going on exactly. I personally think it looks more like its some sort of ritualistic sacrifice, but thats just me.
The key to understanding whats going on is that crystal, but we have no clues what it could be other than the beledar. And this honestly doesn't help us speculate much.
I think thats the most prominent theory right now. Alleria mentions that xal isn't an old god (stupid to imply she knows what she is, but chooses not to tell us btw). So most likely its either the fifth old god or her.
By the way, maybe we will be getting an AR for each cosmic force?
Order- Earthen
Life- Harronir
Then there are others around that fit the pattern:
Light- Arathi
Void- Ascended Nerubians
Death- Kobyss (necromancy powers)
Fel is the one that's a bit of a tossup, but thought it was interesting there is a race that slots into each category.
Formerly known as Arafal
Sometimes, the light of the moon is a key to other spaces. I've found a place where, for a night or two, the streets curve in unfamiliar ways. If I walk here, I might find insight, or I might be touched by madness.
Blizz isn't ignoring SL like fans wanted, but the Titan Conspiracy plotline will probably "retcon" or "fix" (I have a feeling some of the ideas were planned, ie Eternal Ones being fake/scam) some things about SL people didn't like.
Eternal Ones will be tied to the Titans in some way. Nathrezim will be distanced from Zovaal. The "7th force" will probably be walked back on.
Dragonflight didn't stray from mentioning the Shadowlands. Why would the Worldsoul Saga be any different?
Also, I think an Automa Spider was datamined during TWW beta?
- - - Updated - - -
What makes you think that?
- - - Updated - - -
"The Eternal Ones are a fake/scam"
Why do you think this?
- - - Updated - - -
That's silly
If that is the 5th old god I'm gonna be so disappointed because it looks so much like N'Zoth(with some "artistic freedom" of course). All the other old gods have looked very different from each other. For now I'm just gonna tell myself it's a very powerful minion of N'Zoth and not an old god.