Chapter 7 Chapter 6 Dragons and Deceit

Malfurion sensed a shadow approaching him.He knew what that meant...another torture. Black emerald veins spread around his body.At first it was a jagged withered finger, but the outline became like a tall, eerie tree... just like Malfurion's now, and even... even bigger.Even though the field of vision became narrower and narrower, the night elves knew it was just a shadow... There were no trees here. "Look at their dreams!" the Nightmare Lord taunted Malfurion. "Taste their fear! Even your beloved cannot escape from this..." Malfurion said nothing—though he knew, the monster could still sense his thoughts.At least, the archdruid is still fighting in his heart—the calmer he is, the more hopeful the others will be.

Fortunately, the Nightmare Lord is unaware of his efforts.The monster was so confident in the spell he had cast on the night elf that Malfurion couldn't, and couldn't, reach out to his love, Tyrande, or anyone else.Despite this, the Archdruid's efforts over the past ten thousand years have not prevented him from being completely defeated.However, he couldn't, and didn't dare to do anything to Tyrande, or anyone else....Although there is still a fragile and complicated connection between them, if the Nightmare Lord has even the slightest suspicion of him... then Malfurion, and everyone else, will be completely defeated by him.

The shadow grew larger and became more distorted, like a wicked tree spreading its branches to better see its prey.Malfurion became even more twisted, and the Tree of Pain, which he himself had become, was renewed and more sinister.And many dark flowers began to sprout on his branches and leaves... Each flower was born like a sharp needle, piercing deeply into the night elf's eyes.The enthusiasm of these flowers blooming quickly covered his upper body. In an instant, each flower turned into an emerald egg.Malfurion wanted to scream, but obviously, he couldn't. One egg cracked, and out of it crawled a thing with wings and tentacles.Emanating from its steps is the purest fear.

A second demon was born, a third, a fourth... They paced around Malfurion, biting each other. Eventually, these terrible monsters left the Archdruids.They gathered in a small area within his field of vision, seemingly awaiting some order. The shadows approached like a caress for them. "They were born of your fears, aroused by my desires...Look how cute they are..." As if they had sensed some kind of call, these things quickly dispersed in different directions, drilling into the eerie green mist.Everything except Malfurion's surroundings was covered by this mist. Countless people sleep here, my friend... More and more people will be affected by these 'children'... Yours, theirs, everyone's nightmares, will be my best food... …

Malfurion tried not to believe it as much as possible—he was doing all he could to spread the nightmare in the Emerald Dream?Unfortunately, this thought did not escape the perception of the Nightmare Lord. Yes, my friend...you betrayed your people...your world, and your love...you understand, all of this... The figure of the archdruid was even more distorted.Another muffled roar rang through his head, but it didn't lessen his pain.Malfurion tried his best to restrain the torture even a little bit, but it was all in vain. Sink, Malfurion Stormrage... Sink...Even so, I will not let you go...I know...you have nowhere to hide...I am here, waiting for you at any time...

Although the Shadow of the Foul Tree had disappeared from Malfurion's sight, the archdruid was well aware that it still lingered around.Now, more twisted branches have begun to grow on Malfurion's former arms... At the same time, he also realized that the use of him by the Nightmare Lord has just begun-he is the link between Azeroth and this world. A strong link in the domain naturally became a key link in this monster's huge plan. But he was probably not the only link, and Malfurion knew that well.The evil called Nightmare is harming others in a way worse than Malfurion... However, it is not only this night elf who suffers this terrible fate, others are also being "served" attentively "On.Numerous servants of darkness spread the nightmare, eager to see the mortal plane devoured.

The ambition of the Nightmare Lord will be fulfilled by the dragon.Green Dragon…… "Something unspeakable is plotting to rule this world." The hooded weirdo said in his heart as he concentrated on observing the many spheres floating in the air.Sitting in a carved stalagmite chair, the haggard... um... elf, poring over the images projected from these orbs--spheres that project whatever he wants across Azeroth. corner. He wears the Violet Robe of the Kirin Tor, though all his actions now follow only his own will.In fact, the Kirin Tor knew very little about his actions - not even their leader, the one-time stunner who knew his true identity.The man who had watched the young race so many times from above must now focus his energies on the dragons... After centuries of unity, these great winged creatures are facing a great crisis catastrophe.

No matter what, he will always be one of them. He is thin and thin, with a face like a goshawk, and there are three long and glaring scars on the right side of his face.He has silver hair with a few red and black hairs dotted in it.Even so, his hair color does not reveal his exact age... To understand this, one has to take a closer look at his black pupils that are always shining - a pair of extraordinary eyes... Looking at the whole body, the only one is There are his scars and eyes that hint at his true identity - the great dragon, Kryostrasz. He is also the companion of Alexstrasza, the Red Dragon Queen, the glorious life-giver, and also serves as an important mouthpiece for her to protect Azeroth.

And his task now is to find a link.A bond to connect Azeroth and his kind.Evil isn't limited to the mortal world, it's even ravaging the Emerald Dream.He also tried to contact Ysera, but in vain.Truth be told, he was unable to communicate with any green dragons... and as "Krasus" he was powerless to do so now. He didn't need to bother to find out who was behind this matter.He knew that no matter who he asked, it was impossible to get an accurate answer.He knew very well what the evil behind that dragon soul was. "I know you well, Destroyer..." he murmured, looking at the other sphere. "We call you, 'Deathwing'..."

The one with this name can only be the already crazy guardian of the earth—the black dragon Neltharion.Krasus stood up, and he had to do it immediately— A familiar laugh echoed in his mountain sanctuary, a secluded abode not far from where the glorious mage city of Dalaran used to be.Now, however, there is only a huge hole left by Calamity's spell.For Krasus, he had to believe—one of the most powerful catastrophe spells in the world created this big hole.The destruction of Dalaran means that no one will bother to visit this desolate land... unless, they are looking for the red dragon mage.

Crassus was taken aback and jumped up.He instinctively waved his hands indiscriminately to scatter the images in these spheres... All these horrors came from one image—that was an eye, the burning eye of the Destroyer... "Deathwing—" As he called out the black dragon's name, the sphere exploded.Fragments flew like crazy throughout the room, hitting the stone walls and the stones on the ground, and...or, most of the targets...Krasus.Apparently, the defensive spells Krasus cast had no effect, and the attack from the swarm of shards threw Krasus hard onto the stone chair. Although he now looks like any other mortal, his physique is still much stronger than that of an elf or human.The stone chair shattered into several pieces, and Krasus rolled with the stones.Obviously, Krasus was unprepared for this sudden attack, and the pain caused by the countless fragments almost went deep into his bone marrow—— Krasus struggled to his feet, ready to fight back.Although not as powerful as the Aspects, Krasus is still worthy of being one of the wisest and most powerful members of his kind.Furthermore, Deathwing attacked Krasus in his mountain sanctum - a place where countless elements swirl in loyalty to the Red Dragon Queen's mate. However, just as he was summoning the energy needed to cast the spell, countless fragments began to burst out with dazzling light.A shock ran through his body. The shards roared to tear apart the rest of the room.This made the painful Krasus choose to curl up... His body began to swell, and his limbs became twisted, like a poor reptile.On his back, two strong wings full of traces of time burst out. Deathwing's manic laughter filled his mountain sanctuary.The shards burst out with a strong light again.Then... Krasus's red dragon transformation was forcibly stopped halfway. Other fragments flew towards him.However, they changed their rampant attack method before, and began to forcibly attach to his body.Krasus tried his best to burn them or shake them off, but it was useless. . Then, the pressure from the fragments attached to him intensified, making the dragon mage unable to move at all.What frightened him even more was that these fragments were gradually compressing him!They were crushing him smaller and smaller, like he was just a hollow shell. When he was wrapped three times inside and three outside, Krasus discovered that he was not trapped in his sphere... but a glittering golden disc. His eyes widened. "My God..." A horrified face stared at him from outside.It was Deathwing's burn-scarred face. "Cleostrasz..." The dragon mage responded with a full-force attack on his prison.However, not only did his attack not cause the slightest damage to the disk, but it made its light even more dazzling. "That's right..." Deathwing let out a mocking laugh. "Glory to my creation, this is the only justice! It was you who destroyed it..." Krasus shook his head violently. "This is impossible……" "That's the truth..." The giant black beast responded, showing more teeth and grinning triumphantly. "You will forever feed my creation... as the beating heart of 'Demon Souls'..." The daemon's disc glows.Krasus cried out in pain—— At that moment, Krasus saw himself—or rather, his true self, Kleusstrasz—sleeping in his mountain sanctum for a brief moment.Even though the scene was torn apart in an instant by the immense pain, it was enough for Krasus... He was worried just now, and he almost never thought about how to face a confrontation like this.What's more, he was worried that Deathwing would really reforge the filthy creation in this way. Krasus knew all about it. Because he is sleeping. His true body was the sleeping dragon... He was caught in a nightmare he had never experienced before. With his current knowledge, Krasus struggled with all this.His prison wasn't real, and neither was Deathwing.Everything is just an illusion. But nothing happened. Deathwing laughed wildly, his face contorted through the disc. "I will conquer your queen and make her my mate! My son will rule the skies, and all of Azeroth will be burned to the ground! Those short-lived bugs you love will all die!" "It's just a dream! A nightmare!" Krasus tried his best to restrain himself. "A nightmare!" Now, even though he understands, even though he has begun to understand the reason for this, Krasus just can't wake up... Hippogryphs waited impatiently on the shore. These winged beasts were unfamiliar with the terrain in this area... They were only used to flying above Auberdine, but the severe situation meant that the group had to fly in Landing on the perimeter of Moonglade. One of them, a male ruffled hippogryph covered in blue-green plumage, stood up on its horse-like hind legs.Named after the highlands from which they were born, these beasts are experts in flight.The priestess standing next to the Hippogryph noticed the strangeness and immediately whispered something to it to calm it down.The male bird returned to its original posture, burying the paws of its forelimbs deeply into the soil.Its horned head, like a raptor's, bowed to receive gentle caresses. The sisters of Luna acted alone, and the druids had already flown away before them by relying on their incredible shape-shifting abilities.Tyrande didn't force them to stay, because she knew Fandral was desperate to leave.This certainly suited her. She surveyed Moonglade a little, and then said to her faithful guards, "I want to walk alone, and wait here for me." They didn't quite understand the unexpected order, but they obeyed it honestly.Tyrande turned around and walked back into the woods they had just left.She walked slowly, remembering the previous ruler of the night elves who were blessed by the moonlight - the one who made her people die for what she called "glory"...anyone can do it because of her likes or dislikes. And fly to the top or die in the underworld. "But I'm not Azshara... I'll never be like her..." Apparently, it wasn't the first time the High Priestess had been so aggrieved. "You never will, mistress...you are a far greater ruler than she is." Tyrande turned around with a dissatisfied expression on his face. "You say 'far better'? Her determined lackeys probably say the same thing as you, Shandris." The new night elf was almost entirely armored from the neck—a form-fitting breastplate and shoulder plate, metal and leather padded leg armor from the lower body to her well-fitting combat boots.Most of her armor is based in green, though some are adorned with violet, the same shade of night elf skin. "At least you deserve the flattery." Shandris Feathermoon took off her gloves.She addressed the High Priestess unarmed, as was the custom in Darnassus...a custom that the general of the night elf forces followed with all his might.She has a pair of eyes that never slack off, she looks smarter than other clansmen, and there is almost fanatical loyalty written on her face.Tyrande understood that her loyalty was only to herself, and in many ways Shandris... felt like she existed only to serve herself. Tyrande recalled how she had rescued the child from the Burning Legion in that terrible war ten thousand years ago... and now those innocent eyes filled with fear were long gone.Shandris was almost like her own daughter... Maybe even Tyrande didn't realize it. Shandris stretched her neck, encased in metal and leather.The facial lines under her eyes were clearly the marks of a coming-of-age ceremony—though now they seemed more like a mockery of Tyrande, a beautiful elf who had ruined her face.The high priestess had never intended to turn the traumatized child into her killing machine, but now it seemed... that was it. "Cut it off, Shandris," the high priestess snapped. Her little general thought too highly of her. "Well, I'm right anyway." For all her respect for her benefactor in every way, Shandris was the only one who could talk to Tyrande bluntly.The general changed the subject and asked: "I came here alone according to your order before I left the island. Of course, I didn't tell anyone. Now, can you tell me the reason? I guess we are approaching Moonglade. Because I have something to do with the druids?" The night elf said as she paced, her light steps reminiscent of night sabers - these big cats with sharp teeth and claws are not only fast mounts, but also night. The deadly weapon of the Sentinels. "That's right, it's about druids...especially Malfurion." Shandris nodded, but her thoughts were not revealed between her brows. "We have to find a way to get him back, Shandris. There are many reasons, and whatever happened to the Emerald Dream, it's not just druids involved, something is touching Teldrassil! I'm afraid Ai The rest of Xerath... as well." The General's eyes narrowed. "There are some unreliable reports from the land of humans and dwarves... well... most of the news is scattered... and the accuracy is also questionable. Some mentioned some people who can't wake up... just Like Malfurion... God, I remember..." Tyrande looked up at the moon, seeking some comfort.Then she put her hand on another elf's shoulder and murmured. "Luna told me that Malfurion is in danger now. You already knew that, didn't you?" The general met her eyes. "Yes. I'm sad... so sorry." Tyrande smiled, slightly sadly. "Thank you. However, Elune also told me that this matter has gone far beyond the scope of my 'housework'... Now, for the sake of Azeroth, I must do whatever it takes... This is also my The reason for calling you here." Shandris Feathermoon immediately dropped to one knee. "Order me as you please, mistress! I will go up and down for you! My life is yours! Forever..." "I have a gracious request...a request rather than an order..." the older man answered her. "Say it!" "Blore Bearskin . . . you know him." "He's more of a warrior... mistress than a druid," Shandris replied. "Blore is on his way to Ashenvale. He has hope of saving Malfurion. Do you understand?  …" Shandris certainly hopes for the best as a commander—she's already created an intelligence network that stretches beyond Darnassus and the rest of the night elf realm.Naturally, the small area of ​​Gray Valley couldn't escape her eyes.Her face was tense, showing a slight look of approval. "It's too risky. It's dangerous there... But, I'm afraid this is the only way now." "I don't want him to go alone." "I think you must have planned something long ago, so I have already prepared for a long march." A trace of expectation flashed in the elf's eyes.Shandris stood up, resting her fists on her chest. "I'm ready! Even though this journey is full of dangers, I know it is very important! Not everyone is qualified for this—" "Exactly." Tyrande straightened up and said firmly in the tone of a ruler. "That's why I'm going..." Her words were like a bolt from the blue.Shandris stepped back, staring blankly at the high priest. "You? But...but Darnassus needs you! It's up to me—" "Elune has already revealed that I, as her high priest...is the most suitable candidate. This matter still depends on the teachings of the Luna Sisters, and other people cannot replace me... Besides, no one else is more suitable than me. I know Malfurion now... His soul and I have already been closely connected. If...if he is really still in the dream, then the only one who can find him is me." Her eyes were very firm. "Saving Malfurion is my greatest wish...but he is also the hope of the entire Azeroth. Since I am the priest of Luna, I have an obligation to assist Blore..." Shandris finally nodded.Even so, she still has a lot of questions. "What does Fandral think of this?" "I didn't ask him." "Sometimes it's like he doesn't understand anything." A smile flickered in Shandris' eyes.She was one of the few who realized that Fandral and Tyrande were often at odds.The two clashed, especially when Tyrande's decisions affected the druids and Fandral's turf.Then, the atmosphere became solemn again.Shandris continued, "And what about Darnassus?" "Only you can defend Darnassus, Shandris, as I did when I left Darnassus for political reasons." "This is different..." The warrior knelt down on one knee towards the priestess again. "But I will swear to the death to defend our city and land until your triumphant return!" When she uttered the last word, she emphasized her tone visibly... as if ordering Tyrande to come back properly.The ruler of the night elves reached out and stroked Shandris' face. "my daughter……" Hearing this, the always steadfast warrior threw himself into the arms of the high priest, hugging her tightly.Shandris buried her cheek deep between Tyrande's neck. "Mother..." she whispered, like the timid orphan so long ago. Shandris let go quickly.After wiping away the tears on her face, she turned back into the old battle-tested Sentinel General.She saluted Tyrande. "I have a mount for you," Shandris said. "As I said before, he is already ready for a long march. There is no one more suitable than him... He is not far from here, please follow me." Shandris turned away and led Tyrande deeper into the woods.Both were lost in their own thoughts, without saying a word. About five minutes later, Tyrande heard the sound of a huge figure shuffling.Looking at Shandris again, she seemed indifferent to this, and the priestess continued to follow her. After a while, they saw a huge male hippogryph chained to an oak tree.This magnificent bird of prey is a sight to behold—his plumage is darker and more beautiful than other hippogryphs, and its wings are interlaced red and black with a touch of blue and green at the upper edge.Red feathers also ran across its dark black head.This hippogryph is also equipped with a defensive helmet and armor... Although the hippogryph itself is very powerful, this already battle-hardened raptor is very different in comparison. "He has been in and out of the battlefield with me countless times. You can trust him as much as you trust me." The general said quietly. "His name is...Jielette." "'The Magnificent Sword of Luna,'" Tyrande translated. "What a catchy name." The hippogryph hung its head.These winged creatures are not mere beasts...they have considerable intelligence, so they are considered allies rather than servants.They try their best to allow others to ride on them. "It is an honor to fly with you," Tyrande said to the hippogryph. Shandris unleashed the tree's bridle and handed it to Tyrande. "He's got a nickname 'Little Jay'. Fly over the woods and no one will notice you. I'll find your old party soon, and delay them a little longer." Tyrande took the reins and nodded. "Thank you, Shandris." Tyrande seemed to remember something, and continued. "Santis...be vigilant." The general narrowed her eyes. "Watch out for what?" How would one describe what she was struggling with? "Those that cannot be illuminated by the light of the moon god..." Shandris frowned, but she didn't say anything.She saluted again, then turned around and left in the direction of the other priests. The High Priestess wiped the tears from her eyes and began to think about the journey she was about to embark on... At least, the trusty Blore would take her to Ashenvale. . The world tree is waiting. The gateway to the Emerald Dream awaits.