Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Giant Tree

The pain tormented him non-stop... He felt his body being twisted slowly and horribly. His arms are long twisted over his head, while his fingers are spread out in all directions.His legs are now a stump, and it looks like his legs were joined together like this before he was born. How long had he stood there stiff and motionless?How long had he been imprisoned by the Nightmare Lord?What happened in the real world? What happened to Tyrande now? Malfurion tried as usual to break free from the torment.If it weren't for his current appearance, he who had lost his mouth would have screamed out of the pain caused by the struggle.Now all he has left is his eyes, which have not been corroded.And it was only because the demon was enjoying the pain Malfurion felt when he saw the mutation in himself and couldn't save himself.

The night elf Malfurion Stormrage is dead.Malfurion is now a twisted, filthy dead tree.From what had been his arms and fingers protruded countless stinging branches.The place where his body meets his hip has now become a strangely curved tree trunk.And his legs stretched out into many curved roots. Trying to forget the pain he was suffering at this time, Malfurion tried to remember Tyrande's face, and how she chose him over his ambitious brother Illidan when they became aware of their mutual love.He had privately thought that Tyrande would prefer his twin brother for his superior magical gifts.What's more, Illidan's performance against the Burning Legion made him considered a savior by many night elves, even Malfurion himself.But Tyrande, who was still just an ordinary priestess, saw something more special in this fledgling druid.But what it was, he still didn't understand.

Malfurion regained his strength from those memories, but also felt guilty for Tyrande.He left Tyrande alone to guard Azeroth, while he roamed the Emerald Dream with the other druids.Such a choice is to protect their world, and time has proved the correctness of his choice, but none of this can change the fact that he abandoned her. The archdruid suddenly wanted to roar hysterically.Was such a thought caused by himself or the person who imprisoned him here?Such thoughts eroded his memory again and again, disturbing the night elf's memories and thoughts.The effects were more terrifying to him than the torments his body suffered.

It shouldn't be painful.After all, he entered the Emerald Dream in a spirit form, not a physical body.Such pain should not exist under such circumstances. As if to mock him, his body twisted even more.At this moment, he was unable to growl again. Malfurion? The sound pierced through his pain.Malfurion seemed to see a glimmer of life.It sounded far away...just a whisper...but it sounded so much like— Malfurion? That's... Tyrande... is that you... Tyrande!If he had a mouth, the cry could be heard for miles.Tyrande! Malfurion?The sound is getting louder.Malfurion's confidence surged.They have been in love for thousands of years.Ordinary people have long been resentful for leaving without saying goodbye many times in ten thousand years, but Tyrande did not.Now, once again, Tyrande proved that nothing could separate the two of them.

Malfurion?Her voice grew stronger, closer.As if she was nearby— A dark shadow appeared before him.His painful feelings were gone now.Seeing her approaching figure, Malfurion almost burst into tears. Those radiances on Tyrande marked the difference between her and Malfurion and the other sleepwalkers.It was the pale silver radiance of Elune's power.There should be a smile on his original mouth now, right?How did she get here?He didn't know...but she was there. Tyrande spoke, but the words took a long time to force out of her mouth.Malfurion... is that you? He wanted to answer her, but Tyrande's next reaction completely stunned him.Tyrande stepped back with a disgusted expression.

It's...disgusting!The arch druid's ears were filled with such words. Tyrande stepped back further while shaking her head. Tyrande...Tyrande...but his cries were ignored as if they could not be heard.To his surprise, she even tried to push him away with her hands. No... she finally spoke, I thought you'd be better than this... Druid was confused.Just before he tried to speak to her, another person slowly stepped into his line of sight from behind her. I warned you, my dear, that second, taller figure swayed.I warned you he wasn't the one I wanted... Malfurion was speechless.He recognized the voice.He was afraid of that voice.The sound reminded him of another big mistake he'd made in his life, perhaps, the biggest one.

Illidan stepped into his sight, but that was no longer Malfurion's twin brother, he had become a demon. Illidan Stormrage is a demon.A pair of huge ram-shaped horns grew on his head, and a pair of huge leather wings protruded from between his shoulder blades.Illidan's expression twisted, his jaw protruding further, and his mouth full of sharp teeth.Tousled swaths of dark blue hair obscured his exaggerated cheekbones. A cloth covered where his eyes should have been.Those eyes were burned by the dark titan Sargeras during the War of the Ancients - a symbol of his loyalty to the master of the Burning Legion.In the place of his eyes, a fiend's fire burns, allowing him to see the surface of the world and its mysterious and unknown inner.

Illidan, Tyrande whispers love.Her gaze was still on Malfurion—and still with contempt—Illidan, look at him... Illidan's hooves stomped forward with a heavy roar.He was far taller now than he had been when he was a night elf.His pectoral muscles were unusually strong, in fact, far larger than normal.Illidan's naked upper body is covered with a sinister green glowing mystic tattoo.His only clothing is a pair of ragged trousers, which indicate that he was once mortal. Calm down, dear, Illidan responded, but his lips were out of sync with the sound.To Malfurion's horror, his twin wrapped a strong arm around Tyrande's shoulders and wrapped his clawed hands around her tightly.

What surprised the Archdruid even more was that Tyrande fell into Illidan's arms happily. I can't stand the way he looks anymore, he's not the man I want at all! Illidan smiled smugly at his brother.This is not your fault, Tyrande!He is the one to blame...he abandoned you...he betrayed me...he demanded absolute obedience from his companions even if it meant death for them...he was always so selfish... lie!Malfurion insisted, but the two ignored him.Instead, Tyrande turned her back on Malfurion and fell eagerly into Illidan's arms. I have wasted so many centuries on him!the priestess said bitterly.He has been enjoying the pleasure of letting me wait in pain... His own desires are always higher than my status in his heart...

The demon looked down at her, and lifted her chin with his claws.I will never do that to you, darling... the two of us will be together... Their eyes crossed.she said with a smile. "bring it on!" Darling... he reached for her shoulders with those claws. His eyes burned with excitement.The flames spewed forward, surrounding Tyrande.Malfurion screamed, but no sound came out.The priestess was completely engulfed in the flames. Then... Tyrande changed. A pair of horns sprouted from her forehead, they first slowly protruded upwards, and then their tips began to bend.A pair of protrusions grew on her back and then extended rapidly.Finally, a pair of webbed wings stretched out.The slender hands that caressed Illidan's face stretched and darkened.

No!Malfurion tried to scream again.No! Tyrande turned to the archdruid again...a pair of burning green eyeballs.She frowned at the helpless Malfurion. It's all your fault... she said.you…… The archdruid begged her forgiveness silently, and then - he woke up. He still maintains his sleepwalking form.He is imprisoned, twisted.But he realized that the heart-wrenching pain he had just suffered wasn't real—at least, not yet. But Malfurion couldn't be relieved by this.This was not the first time he had such a nightmare, and it was becoming more and more difficult for him to distinguish between dreaming and waking.His pain was playing a wicked game with him, and the Archdruid, he had lost. Even though he knew it was just a nightmare, he felt powerless and confused. Tyrande... Malfurion thought, sorry... Perhaps she has completely forgotten about you, said a voice in Malfurion's head.After so long, after being abandoned so often, after you hid in dreams to escape your world and your responsibilities to her and leave that burden on her, perhaps she has completely forgotten about you ... Malfurion wanted to shake his head, but his head was no longer on him. The voice rang in his head again, like a little snake gliding through his soul.Just as you abandoned that person...betray him, imprison him, curse him... Malfurion once tried to help his twin brother Illidan, but Illidan's ambition turned him into their enemy in the end.demon.Maybe, if Malfurion hadn't done that, maybe Malfurion should have tried to save him instead of imprisoning him... maybe he could have saved Illidan's fate.No!The trapped archdruid tried to refute the other idea.I tried to help him too!I have visited him in prison time and time again, trying to change his mind... But you didn't succeed...you never succeeded...you failed yourself, and therefore you will fail Azeroth... In the Emerald Dream, or rather, in the Nightmare, Malfurion became even more twisted.He had lost the bright green glow he had with him when he first entered the dream.All that loomed over him now was a dark green shadow of evil. A vague figure emerged from the shadows, the existence that claimed to be the King of Nightmare, and was approaching the imprisoned Archdruid step by step.Countless vines spewed out from that filthy and dark corner, got into the archdruid's current body, and further tried to invade his thinking, making him gradually turn into a tree. A tree suffering unimaginable pain. Malfurion's den is exactly as it appeared in Tyrande Whisperwind's visions and her previous visits.Only a handful of people have been lucky enough to meet the legendary figure who is here.There are countless unseen tunnels interspersed in the animal den.But the night elves are not only a race born in darkness, they also possess unique mysterious powers.The hall was illuminated by the crisp, soft light of the moon, a gift from the pious priestesses. In a way, the archdruid was indeed asleep.Only his open eyes tell people that things are far from that simple. The priestesses on duty stepped aside.One by one, everyone walked from the crowd to the still figure, and the druids bowed in honor of the founder of their sect, while the newly joined priestesses bowed instead. .Such a scene reminded Blore of a funeral, or at least of a family gathering at the bedside of their dying loved one, but he dared not do it in front of Malfurion's beloved. Speak your thoughts. When it was the priestess' turn, Tyrande pressed her body so close to Malfurion that at first one thought she was about to kiss her lover.Of course, this is not surprising to most people around.But finally she stood up and brushed his forehead lightly with her hand. "It's too cold..." she murmured. "It's too cold..." "We've been faithful to our duty," Miranda responded quickly, acting as though she had panicked. "This is impossible……" Tyrande responded to the priestess calmly, "I know... But his body is too cold... The illusion that Elune gave me is indeed real..." She looked at his eyes. "The golden light in his eyes is also gradually fading, as if he is gradually losing contact with Azeroth..." When she finally backed away from the crowd for the leader of the druids to step forward.Fandral spent more time watching Malfurion than the priestess.He tasted Malfurion's breath and checked his whole body with his hands.Blore saw him sprinkle a pinch of the powder on Malfurion's chest.Blore was curious about Fandral's intentions.Priestesses and druids have cast countless spells on Malfurion to keep him alive and try to save his life. The elder archdruid wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye, and retreated into the crowd.Blore prayed to the spirits of the forest that whatever Fandral did would help his mentor.They need Malfurion now more than ever, especially when they have nothing to do with Teldrassil's disease. "My sisters will work harder at their duties," Tyrande said after speaking briefly with Miranda and the other two caretakers. "Elune will certainly help us keep his body alive...at least for a while...but this problem must be resolved as soon as possible." "There's nothing we can do here," Fandral said after glancing respectfully at Malfurion's body. "Let's go out first..." The druid and the others obeyed Fandral's orders, but Blore noticed Tyrande turning back to Malfurion and stroking his cheek.Then she strode towards Fandral as if she were rushing into battle. After bidding farewell to the dark and oppressive cave where Malfurion was, replaced by the beauty of the land - countless hills are covered with this rolling forest area, and the sanctuary of other druids is located at the foot of the mountain. Down.The stone or wood-carved arches covered with vines stand between the dens, and the vibrant plants make Moonglade so magical. But Moonglade is not just named for its appearance.As a druid, Blore could feel the inner peace of this place differently.There is no doubt that this place is regarded as a holy place by the druids. "How peaceful it is here," said the High Priestess. "The spirit of Cenarius protects this place," Fandral said, seemingly satisfied with the High Priestess' compliment. "And it is still the case today, his heir..." "I wish I were my father." There is spring in this sentence. "Wish I were..." The druids hadn't noticed the guest's arrival from his silent footsteps before, and they immediately knelt down to show respect for the visitor, and even the priestesses bowed in response to Remulos' appearance.But the newcomer didn't seem to appreciate the welcome. "Get up!" At the same time he ordered the druids, the fragrance of flowers filled his surroundings, and the plants under his four hooves also grew more lushly. "I don't need your pity," said Remulos sternly, and the lush leaves on his body trembled. "I'm just a mediocre person!" Fandral raised one hand in protest. "My lord? Such rhetoric should not be imposed on the master of Moonglade!" The man whose upper body was similar to that of a night elf stepped into the crowd, his rapid breathing showed the anger of this mighty stag.His eyes flicked to Blore, who dropped his head quickly, and then Remulos turned to Fandral. "What I said is true. All my attempts to save Malfurion have failed. He is still sleeping... and now, I think things seem to be worse. So many of you come to the moonlight Woodland sightseeing?" "He... is dying," the High Priestess admitted. Remulos looked shocked, and walked back silently, and bright flowers grew where he passed. "No... that's fine." The expression on his face was replaced by something more somber now. "Yeah... Now the speed of nightmare erosion is faster than ever before, and its madness has spread to almost every corner of the Emerald Dream! What's worse, this erosion is still accelerating, more and more The Guardian of Dreams has been physically and mentally defiled by it before he realizes it..." Remulos' words made Blore, Tyrande and others more worried.Blore couldn't help clenching his fists, wishing, if only for a moment, that he had had the courage of a warrior. Although Blore didn't move much, that or something else about him got Remulos' attention.However, Remulos turned to Fandral, "Is the idol still in your hand, Archdruid?" "Yes, my lord." Remulos stared at Fandral and said, "Don't use it, hide it. Don't let its power touch Azeroth...at least not now..." Several druids including Blore looked at their leader.Fandral didn't mention the choice he just made, but just nodded in response to Remulos, "The idol is safely kept in my apartment and will always be kept there." "Please take to heart what I have said. I am convinced of the need for such a choice... for even I am afraid of its power..." "I promise you." Fandral swore. The demigod recognized his oath and stepped back.His figure gradually merged into the scene around him as he receded. "As dire as this news is, it gives new direction. High Priestess, I regret..." The priestess blinked her lowered eyelids in response.At this time, Remulos was completely integrated into the branches and leaves of the forest. But his voice still echoed. "Final advice, friends... There have been rumors... that sleepwalkers of different races appear in various places one after another... It is said that no matter how hard those who love them try, they cannot be awakened... Listen to them It's a legend... this may be very important..." Then, he left. "A sleepwalker who cannot be awakened..." Tyrande murmured. "What does it mean?" "His language probably doesn't mean much," Fandral pointed out. "As Remulos said, these are nothing more than rumors. Hamuul grumbled, "I heard from an orc I trust...there are five warriors in one of their villages who cannot be awakened." But the archdruid was unmoved at all. "A word from an orc—" The tauren shrugged, "There's no need for him to lie to me." "Malfurion is now trapped in the Emerald Dream..." Tyrande said thoughtfully. "Is there no connection between this?" After bowing deeply to her, Fandral shook his head. "Your mistake is understandable, High Priestess. Although we call it the Emerald Dream—or, rather, the nightmare these days—the druid's sleep is quite different from the sleep of a mortal." "Yes... maybe you are right." A trace of pain returned to her face again. "He shouldn't have gone alone at all. At least he should have warned you about the changes in the Emerald Dream." Blore saw the priestess' eyes squeeze shut, and the anger on her face turned to sadness in an instant. "There were rumors at the time that some druids were trapped in a dream like him now." Tyrande continued. "After leaving their bodies, they lost the strength and will to keep their bodies alive." The Priestess' knowledge of all this did not come as a surprise to anyone.She has been by their mentor's side since their initial training.Of course he will share that information with his lover. "He has done his best, Tyrande Whisperwind, just as we will do our best," replied the arch druid in charge.Van Dahl came across as more confident. "Because Teldrassil is still our best plan to save him." Although the High Priestess did not express much confidence in his statement, she nodded in agreement.She looked at Blore, the druid she was most familiar with.His expression testified to the archdruid's commitment to the priestess. While Fandral was talking to the priestess, a voice distracted Blore from the conversation. The former gladiator recognized the voice, and he felt his neck freeze.His sight was fixed on the surrounding trees and plants, their branches and leaves shaking wildly as if in a strong wind.As in Teldrassil, the leaves of trees and shrubs flew into the air, leaving only dead and naked branches.The blades rose into the air one after another...then precisely smashed towards the crowd below. The leaves change shape as they fall—a silhouette that resembles a creature with many feet and long hooves. It is different from the previous phantom.Between the night elves and those monstrous raiders stood a figure that shone with the light of the Emerald Dream.Blore subconsciously regarded him as Malfurion, but the size of this image was much smaller than Malfurion's body, and even, that image was completely different from his clansmen.That looks like a... "Blore!" a whisper whispered in his ear. "Blore Bearskin!" The night elf was awakened.The fiends in the vision turned back into leaves, back where they were. Blore noticed Hamuul's concerned look.Only then did he realize that only he and the tauren were still here, and the others had already left far away. "Blore Bearskin, is something bothering you?" Hamuul looked at him in confusion. "No one else was paying attention. When I saw you standing there stiffly, I stood next to you to make others think you were talking to me. Luckily my disguise wasn't caught. You look— — like a mentor to us.” Blore felt his legs go limp for a while, and he could only hold Hamuul's arm to support his body.He responded subconsciously, but was startled by the harsh voice. "No... I am not worthy to be compared with Malfurion. I... I just saw a vision..." "Phantom? How could this be?" The night elf thought for a while and said, "No. It can't be said to be an illusion either. It seems to be Azeroth...or something else...trying to warn me of something..." Blore then told the tauren what he had experienced.Hamuul's breath also rises and falls as the story progresses, and he gasps more and more. "We should tell others about this," suggested the tauren. Blore shook his head. "Fandral would just see that as anxiety, madness... he's only focused on Teldrassil right now... and he's probably right." "But the vision... as you say, has appeared twice... It's not for nothing, Blore Bearskin." "I don't know...whether what I'm seeing is real...Why is it that only I can see the illusion?" The tauren was silent, and then he said: "Maybe only you are the most suitable..." "What is the best fit?" "As a druid, I feel ashamed that I can't understand all the mysteries and unknowns in Azeroth. I'm afraid the answer to this question can only be found by you, just like what Azeroth expects..." The night elf frowned, then nodded in response to his friend.The two knew it well, so they strode towards the crowd.The night elf glanced furtively at the tauren, and guilt washed over him. He didn't tell his friends... at least not that.The moment Hamuul awakened him from the vision, Blore finally realized that the glowing figure of the vision was... Statue of Remulos.