Chapter 25 Chapter 24 Summoning the Brave

Tyrande, Lucan, and Sora find themselves in a valley of dark raptors.All around them were the innocents who had either been governed by Harveys' will or had been killed by him.Nightmarish worms of darkness crawled on the ground. "Look what I brought you..." Lethorne said to the mist. Most of the mist merged into Emeris's fallen body.The other dragons also laughed mockingly at the captive in front of them. "So strong...without any injuries..." she murmured softly, "it would be fun to torture them, right?" "You know what the master wants."

Emilys didn't show much displeasure at the reprimand she received. "Of course I know!" Tyrande grew more and more astonished at what she had heard.However, she was more worried about the others and Malfurion, since he was there now.She was sure he was now in a battle against the nightmare, and even though his opponent was Alexstrasza, one of Harveys' slaves, it was almost impossible to win. Or has the Life-Binder really been enslaved?Tyrande reflected on his appearance and the cunning of the nightmare.Her mind shifted quickly.Why is the red dragon hidden?Why was Alexstrasza's figure hidden from their sight so quickly?

unless…… If the red dragon has also been imprisoned, then even the illusion of hope for her and others is completely shattered. The high priestess clenched her fists.This is not the first time, she does not want to become a slave to the nightmare. "Ax first," Elthorne ordered. What the fallen dragon said caught Tyrande's attention.She has always wondered why this weapon has been kept in the hands of the orcs for so long.More importantly, he wants to wrest the ax from Sora.After all, he's the Nightmare Lord now, and he no doubt doesn't want any enemy to come close to him with a tomahawk one day.

Tyrande thought again of Alexstrasza's appearance.It's been such a disappointment for the Defender... perhaps a large part of it is because of this weapon. Emeris kept staring at the orc.Sora gripped the battle ax tightly, not wanting it to leave him.Suddenly she swung her ax and slashed at the dragon, which was now standing at a distance that ensured that the opponent could not attack, and was focusing on Tyrande's actions. Only done!The High Priestess decides. "This little toy won't help you!" Emorys hissed.The dragon then looked at Sora whose hands were trembling.

"This tomahawk is mine!" the warrior yelled angrily. "It's not anymore..." Laithorn interjected while looking at Sola as well. The orc closed her eyes, bent her knee tremblingly, and shook her hands violently, but she still didn't put down her tomahawk. The High Priestess knew exactly what they were doing to Sora.They attacked Sora's dream.As a result, Sora was tormented by her own nightmares again and again.And all they did was try to get her to lay down her arms. This weapon... "Lucan...that battle ax..." Tyrande emphasized calmly. He watched her, saw the order in her eyes, and followed her cues even though they were not clear.

Tyrande prayed to the goddess of the moon, Elune, with her own heart song, and for the first time felt that she was so eager to be the assistant of the goddess of the moon.She will think of the soft and beautiful moonlight pouring on her, she is so clear that if she has it, she may be able to help everyone. A silver light appeared above her. "Not stupid!" Emorys hissed at her.Lethorn snarled and turned to the night elf. Luken took the opportunity to grab Sora, and the orc immediately understood the human's intention. Luken dragged the orc away from the dragon until they faded away.However, just before they could act, a shadow passed them.No one, not even the High Priestess, noticed it.

Tyrande remained where she was.It never occurred to her to run away with everyone.Because she needed to stay and distract the enemy so they could escape.The two dragons were too confident in their mana, and too focused on stealing Sora's axe.This was exactly what she wanted, and finally gave her the opportunity to free the orc and Luken. But a terrible force suddenly attacked her.Tyrande fell to the worm-infested ground, and the worms swarmed over her immediately.She kept knocking off the bugs, but she didn't expect Emory's pus-covered head to approach her eeriely. "Thank you for everything..." the gigantic monster chuckled softly.

Lethorn also came to join her in the vicious romp.As Tyrande staggered to her feet, she saw that her companions had managed to escape, but had left something behind. "Your efforts are worthwhile!" Lythorne mocked. "You wanted to distract us, but you distracted the orc, and at that point she let go...and at the exact moment the two of them teleported..." The ax that once belonged to Brox was now a few yards from Tyrande, half covered by the bugs. And above it twined the branches of the shadow tree. No one objected to Malfurion's decision.Everyone trusts him very much.But they do not fully trust that which came before them, which was limited by their ignorance.

A portal appeared behind Fandral's den.It's not as large and complex as other portals to the Emerald Dream, but it's surrounded by magical energies.Malfurion saw a glimmer of hope. "How did he do it alone without us knowing?" asked a druid. "This is such a distraction," Malfurion said apologetically, thinking it was all because he was searching for the Emerald Dream. "But there is one thing to be thankful for: its entrance is still open..." Blore looked at it cautiously: "But will it be on all the time for you?" "I'll - guard - it, keep it open."

Even Malfurion was taken aback when the Life-Binder said so.Even more amazed at how the Alexstrasza limit came about here.In her own way, she stalked among the druids, little flames flashing from her braids.When she passed in front of those druids, she was like a queen and like a mother, looking at each druid with trusting and confident eyes.Although Ysera was their mentor, Malfurion and the others did not hesitate to pay their respects to Alexstrasza. "Great Life-Binder, this is not—" Malfurion said. "Don't ask me about my life." The irritable dragon walked towards the entrance. "Even the restriction, Nightmare has just realized that his secret entrance has been discovered."

Alexstrasza walked on until he came to the place where the lingering energy came to a halt.The Life-Binder stared at the entrance for a moment. The burning red light wrapped around his body gradually intensified, and then sprayed into the entrance.A new burst of fire burst in, and it was clear to all that if there was a creature on the other side of the entrance, it would be completely incinerated. "No one can pass through this entrance, but no one can seal the final entrance." She said in an irresistible tone. "Malfurion Stormrage, this portal will remain open...I will guard it. This is very important." The archdruid nodded resolutely. "Then, look no further! Hamuul! I think I'm going to need—yours and Blore's—help! As for the rest of you, you know what you're going to do..." The druids immediately began to act on the grave.Some clustered near the entrance.Others began to change shape and quickly left the territory. Malfurion sat in the middle of the druid forest, with Hamuul and Broll kneeling on either side of him.He closed his eyes, but before he began to meditate, he said to the two men, "I need strength and caution from both of you. I'm sorry I might have to put you both in danger." The tauren snorted softly, and Blore said angrily. "I've fought as a fighter all these years, but I'd rather fight for you!" Thank them for their loyalty and sacrifice.Malfurion stayed by himself, as he needed to investigate those who might be on their side—guessing who was going away.That would require another huge sacrifice, which, if lost, would likely allow the Nightmare to claim an even bigger victory. But now there is no choice. Despite Malfurion's stress, it was not difficult for him to investigate the city-state he needed.The archdruid sensed a subtle connection between his dreams and his body.But when his body becomes the dream form while allowing the body to rise above Bloor and Hamuul, that connection is a little stronger. Although they couldn't see him, they intuitively stared up at the same time.Malfurion felt his thoughts, telling them each step of his plan, and following the directions they gave him about certain aspects of things. Then Malfurion set out to try something he had never done before.This is his best hope of finding all the beings who can help Azeroth.The archdruid came to Teldrassil, passed into Azeroth through Teldrassil, and actually wherever he found the creature he needed, it was part of the world. Teldrassil and Azeroth could give him what he was looking for. Malfurion took a deep breath as he suddenly saw every corner of the world at the same time.This is really too much.If anyone else besides Malfurion saw this, then he could only understand that he must be out of his mind, because they had a million or more fragments stored in their heads. There are some things he has never known, and some peripheral things scare him. The ancient demons are tightly locked up. Although there are rumors of their appearance in the world, he has no energy to worry about it, because There are other important things for him to worry about. Through the World Tree and Azeroth, he regained his power.Those old dangers were gone forever.Malfurion looked at the world around him, looking for those he had been looking for. While there aren't as many of them as he'd like, finding them is essential to his plan. Varian looked at the enemies besieging him.He knew in his heart that there were invading enemies everywhere, but they retreated quickly.What happened next didn't surprise him at all, because he knew those weapons were useless.He and his people must flee if necessary, though it is a shameful way out. The raging flames held back the terrified crowd—at least in part.A new wave of fear—sleepwalkers—emerges on the other side, causing even greater panic. They are enemies that can be touched with physical weapons.The only concern was whether to strike at these innocents, an inherent indecision that would hurt him and his troops. Despair crippled Varian, their weapons stained red with blood, and he himself struck back fiercely. Varian... King of Stormwind... Just from the calm and soothing tone of his voice, Varian knew he wasn't falling into the grip of the nightmare.But the nightmare is still frightening: it seems to plunge its victims instantly into an infinite abyss of horror. Varian... Broll Bearskin's ally... I am Malfurion Stormrage... He straightened up immediately.Although Varian, like many other Alliance and Horde leaders, had never met the famous archdruid, he knew that Malfurion was the leader of the druids.The influence of the druids was greatly demonstrated in the War of the Ancients and later the Battle of Mount Hyjal.Although Varian was not in Kalimdor at the time, he had heard the story. Now the archdruid is speaking to the chief.However, Varian has no extra time to welcome and respect Malfurion's arrival.Because the war has become more hopeless. "Whatever you want, you better speak fast..." the Stormwind lord whispered, lest his warriors suspect he was speaking to the shadow. Varian, I need you to lead these warriors and attack the Nightmare where it is weakest...in the Emerald Dream... "I will not abandon Stormwind City!" Varian raised his voice before realizing anything.Some soldiers looked at him, then threw themselves into the chaotic battle again. Everyone has to give up what they hold dear if they want to protect it... Varian gritted his teeth. "Damn it...but even if I promise you, how are we going to get out of here and where are we going?" No need to leave...you just have to follow my instructions... A screaming body suddenly threw itself on the chief.This is one of his exclusive servants.He closed his eyes, and with such a terrified expression on his face, he let out a cry of terror, as if his jaw had dropped.Varian paid no attention to what he was screaming about.The sleepwalkers, all tormented by their own nightmares, tried again and again to fight back against their tormentors—but all the while they remained passive and defensive. Varian drew her flat blade and slashed at his head.Although he made more than one attack, the sleepwalker dodged in the same way. Then the attendant suddenly changed his position, the blade did not fall on him, only the edge of the knife cut him. Blood gushed from the wound.The attacked sleepwalker fell at the lord's feet.A soldier rushed from Varian's face to the dying man's side, but the Lord of Stormwind didn't notice.All he knew was that he ended up killing one of his subjects, only to have another Nightmare minion join him in the fight. "Whatever you want to do, do it!" he whispered to Malfurion, out of sight. "Do it quickly!" The archdruid told him what to do.Varian seemed skeptical, but finally accepted Malfurion's offer. "Put down your weapons!" he yelled at everyone. "Obey me, stop fighting!" I will use some power... Malfurion said.I need to start with you so you can help others... "I hope you understand what you're doing! We need a lot of troops to stop the enemy—" will be fine.My abilities are greater than all others. The lord murmured under his breath.Because his supporters were all surprised to see all this, he reluctantly closed his eyes... Then immediately fell asleep. The highest point in northern Mulgore—on the high cliffs near Thunder Mountain—is the main city of the tauren.Before Thunder Bluff was built, all tauren lived a nomadic life.Only recently, due to the expansion of the centaur invaders in their lands, the people of Hamuul decided to settle and build their own main cities, just like Orgrimmar, Stormwind City, and other main cities in Azeroth. city. Built on four hilltop platforms, Thunder Bluff is the largest and most popular national center.Above the building stands the great totem of the tauren, which describes the long nomadic history of their people.Even if some large elongated wooden structures were built, they were only used by various tribes in winter. However, some fashionable small houses surrounded these magnificent buildings, but before they were mostly used conspicuously. Tents made of wood or animal fur are a custom handed down from generation to generation by their nomads. The tauren chose to settle down for strategic reasons, because the flat-topped mountains can help them defend well against foreign invasions.But now, the cliff can't play the role of defending the enemy at all... Baine Bloodhoof, son of the great tauren leader Cairne, knew this well too... He held an ax in one hand and a spear in the other, standing at the head of a line of warriors blocking the road to the Central Highlands. The rope bridge, where the business district used to be so prosperous.The Central Highlands are defended as the north and east sides of Thunder Bluff.Fear has gripped what remains, although there are a few small strongholds of resistance scattered throughout. The Son of Cain hurled his spear at the shambling figure a few paces away, trying to fend him off rather than kill him.Bane knew where another tauren was, the former leader known as Gamma.Together they had resisted the centaur invasion.And at this moment, Gamma, with her eyes closed, was muttering about the four-legged bandit trying to kill the Son of Kane as if she were a centaur. Gamma continued to walk forward.Ultimately, Bane had no choice.Despite the armor on his shoulders, back, and arms, his dark brown fur and black mane were covered with blood.Bane thrust the spear into Gamma's chest. With a grunt, the sleeping walking tauren dropped his weapon and fell to the bridge.His body fell straight down to the plain below.Disappearing in the cursed mists also saved Bane from seeing the body of his shattered friend. It's not far from the lift, but there's no sign of a descent in sight.The scouts that Bane excluded earlier did not return, and they should have come back to report long ago.This may indicate that they have been captured and are now part of the enemy. The bridge began to shake as more sleepwalkers approached. "What should we do?" asked a soldier.The tauren are strong by nature, but this battle left them all anxious and frightened... Their eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. Bain thought, Father, can you stop everything for me?But Kaine the Elder was already among the first sleepers, and Bane couldn't help but wonder how it all happened.Most tauren can't imagine their lives without their beloved leader, especially Baine. Kane's son took a deep breath and made a decision.Although the time left for him was very tight, he really had no choice.He prayed silently for the innocents he was about to kill. "Cut the rope!" Bane ordered. "Rope?" Another tauren looked at him in astonishment. "Cut 'em!" Bane repeated, raising his ax to strike at the ropes beside him. At this moment, he suddenly heard a voice. Baine Bloodhoof...I am Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, friend of Hamuul Runetotem...I am here to help...for us... Bane was so grateful to his ancestors at this time.But without considering what others might think of him, he blurted out "Tell me...quick..." One question that has plagued Malfurion, but one that can be answered in faraway Azeroth, is the question of what happened in Dalaran.He was very surprised when he first saw the mage's land, because Dalaran was not where it should be.Instead, it floats in the sky. Night elves don't have much connection to mages in general, but Malfurion understands that mages are better than many of his kind, and he's been trying to gain their trust in the past.Motivated by their incredible abilities, he had been looking for them—especially Rhonin, whom Malfurion had known for ten thousand years—but unexpectedly discovered that Dalaran had also fallen to A victim at the hands of nightmares. In fact, Dalaran has long since fallen.When Malfurion saw the land for the first time, the city was flying, and the streets were illuminated by magic lights, empty but surrounded by horrible smoke.He entered various strange buildings, and found the first sleepers.They were all lying down, some in beds, others where they had fallen from exhaustion. On another bed, he found not only Rhonin, but also the archmage's wife—Vereesa.Though Malfurion had never seen her, he recognized her from talking to Rhonin, and they had been asleep the whole time.Even the expression of their faces now is closely related to their dreams, like all the other victims. Although Malfurion could feel that many of the victims were struggling on the edge of dreams, there was not a single sleepwalker among them.Some shouts foreshadowed where they were... finally leading him to the source at the castle. A magnificent building stands tall.Its basic form is a huge tower flanked by conical buildings at the base.Far from the rest of the city, there is a distinctly pointed building surrounded by a series of powerful magics. Not counting this, Malfurion also saw countless purple spiers.At this time, he suddenly remembered a name, the name of an old female magician-Modelan.A short man with gray hair and a frail body, always frowning, appeared in his vision and walked towards him.Her clothes are not exquisite blue, but a purple robe, which shows that she is a member of the Kirin Tor Council, but she does not have gray and blue equipment. Archdruid... she replied feebly.So not all of Azeroth has fallen... Malfurion admired how instantly she recognized him.But the admiration waned the second she spoke.All the mages in the room lost contact with the outside world. All of this cost us most of our people...we almost didn't make it in time...we lost a few more brothers when the first sleepwalkers showed up... She answered before he even had time to ask her.The mages leaving Dalaran were not in his plans.They have been working hard to strengthen their camp, and some of the most powerful people in their camp have joined the dark army of nightmares. Malfurion wanted Mordran to know that Varian had joined him.Although Modran didn't appear too confident with him, she nodded.Has he spoken to other mages besides Dalaran? Said. She nodded.Like the other wizards with her or elsewhere in the castle, Modran was visibly exhausted.Hope they can give you some help...good luck...I'm afraid your plan will be our last straw... Malfurion interrupted her.Because he hoped he hadn't betrayed himself.Had Mordran known his true purpose in finding them magicians and why he was so anxious about the others, she might have doubted his current confidence. As Malfurion had told Varian, Baine, and Mordran, so had he told the others.He told Zor Lonetree, the orc shaman in Orgrimmar, King Magni's advisor in Ironforge, Lokhan the troll scout -- and now he's forced to lead his people to protect the orcs The safety of the main city - wait a lot, just like the trolls (1), some races have always been hostile to Malfurion's race, even so, he has been looking for opportunities to convince them.Some of these races were persuaded by him, but others remained hostile to them. He could not blame those lords who were unwilling to accept his help.Because he was the one who asked them not to fortify before the nightmare appeared. And a lot of them did what it said and he was worried about that...knowing that he found a lot of people thinking they were just on the spiritual plane and not another realm where their dream form came out among them, so that most of them cannot even grasp the status quo. Emerald Dream. What is this place?Varian asked everyone. It is also a dream.Malfurion explained.It is a place where dreams and reality meet... It used to be so beautiful, but the status quo has also been eroded by the power of nightmares... So... what is the purpose of bringing us here?At least we should gather in our field, shouldn't we?Many people agree with this view. Because only here will you be different... and only here will you be useful... This is exactly the encouragement they need.However, despite this, many of them began to divide because of racial conflicts and differences of opinion.can not do this.What Malfurion needs is for them to be united, not scattered. You will be led by Varian... he said flatly. But the king looked at these incomes with angry eyes.I will not lead these disgusting fellows!Let the nightmare consume them, send them to hell— Like devouring your son and the rest of Stormwind?As long as the nightmare is defeated, there is hope for Anduin to come back... As long as we are united, this will happen... I—Varian was clearly torn between love and hate. Love finally triumphed over hate.Well... let's make it all happen... Now, while many of the Horde seemed reluctant to join Varian's leadership, the tauren leader, Bane, wisely stepped aside.I trust in this friend of humanity, the leader we choose will lead us in a fight for honor... The tauren leader's statement put the others to rest.Malfurion thanked him, then regretted his preoccupation.He found that the people he was looking for in the first place could indeed curb nightmares.What he cared about, however, was that there were not enough of them.He came to Zaetar, wanting to know what he was thinking. "Malfurion Stormrage?" Remulos' brother replied curiously, as if this was his last hope.The night elves helped him retrieve his memory, and immediately told him everything he wanted to know.Zaetar kept hoping, and then was disappointed again and again. "Where's my brother?" I don't know what's going on with him. Obviously this displeased him, but Zaetar didn't press further.He agreed to Malfurion's plan, but problems arose. "These people, all these people you've brought to us . . . won't they be suspicious of your true intentions?" No... if they don't suspect... neither will the Nightmare Lord... Zaetar said nothing more about it.But he came to Varian.When he felt that Zaetar wanted you near, the king was curious about it, but his curiosity was well hidden. "We will win," he assured Remulos' brother. The King of Stormwind raised his sword—which was actually part of his dream—and led his army forward. The archdruid stared at Varian, watching the king advance.After a while, his facial expression seemed to change. "A wolf." He suddenly thought of a name, which was a deity revered by many races, including night elves. "Grid, the wolf god..." Malfurion thought, recalling an ancient legend.In the ancient war, the white wolf killed hundreds of demons, but was later killed by a more powerful demon.But there are also legends that his spirit is still alive, guarding the things he loves. "Hope you're one of them," said the archdruid, suddenly realizing that he was probably simply wishing the triumph of what he'd seen. "I hope that the wolf god Garrett will protect you, and all our troops can defeat the enemy..." As the armies of the dream marched toward the nightmare, Malfurion led others to support the other druids who began to join them.Through his multi-dimensional perspective, Malfurion saw that the coming war was not like that of their ancestors, but a war involving all other races.There are as many races as there are trees in Azeroth, and though most of them are guideposts, they are the most powerful defenders of the natural world.Some have wings, while others have claws, and although there are not many of them, each has enormous power. They do not operate independently.They were accompanied by Treants.Even the other similar forest plants they defended, although the treants had become smaller and weaker compared to ancient times, they were definitely not flimsy decorations.There are far more of them than in ancient times, and they are united into one force, which is exactly what Malfurion wants to see, because they are the dryads(2), the guardians of the forest and the mighty Remulos who disappeared offspring. The flying Hippogryph also arrives, joining the air battles with other aerial creatures, including Griffins, Giant Moths, Carrion Birds, Dragonhawks and the main force is still red, green, and even blue. colored dragon.Although they are led by someone other than the queen they look up to, these wyverns are ready to fight hard.They also have huge mouths and claws.The blue one has incredible magical powers, the red one can breathe out flames through its nose, and of course the green one has the ability to control other people's dreams. Kobolds and other creatures joined the crusade with their great hatred.Far more free in the ranks of the wild than they were in the armies of Varian, the fearsome furbolgs let out a primal howl before the final battle.Huge panthers, tusked wild boars, fearsome monitor lizards, crocodiles, hyenas and other animals, most of which become more sensitive in herds, and amphibious raptors are also part of the main force.Druids and others lead the beasts, and even though the beasts don't know the root cause of their battles, they understand that their survival and their offspring are at stake. Malfurion expressed his gratitude to all those who fought, and he became more and more aware of the important role each of them played in the war, because he needed them as much as they needed him. Even though the Forsaken are weaker than before, they've unleashed their astounding power without hesitation.In the Horde, they stand with their allies, waiting for an opportunity to strike back at the enemy. Malfurion watched all this, grateful and sympathetic.Only Zaetar understands why.Only Zaetar understood that all of this would mean nothing if the Archdruid finally failed. Thinking about the spiritual world made the night elf think about Remulos as well.The son of Cenarius is nowhere to be found.Malfurion hoped to find Remulos during this time, but in fact he had no clue.The Archdruid has been alone all along against the nightmares of the Emerald Dream...if Remulos was there— No matter how much Malfurion's mana might improve their chances, he would not actively worry about the missing leader.Indeed, Cenarius' son was not the first person he had worried about.The person he worried about the most had always been Tyrande, a woman who made him completely desperate. Tyrande... Every time he thinks of her, her image is fleeting in his mind.But at this moment, he immediately recognized that it was her, and it could only be her.Just like ten thousand years ago, Tyrande was always by his side.Even if he abandoned his love for his son and daughter for the sake of becoming a Druid, she still supported him as always.If she died now... the years would consume them, and reduce his soul to ashes.He himself was the main—he thought, the only—reason for their separation. Malfurion couldn't help but shudder at his thought, because he also knew that she was standing under that tree, and this was also his retribution... At the same time, it was also bestowed upon her by the Moon Goddess.But that's not why he was able to get in touch briefly with him. This is the temptation of the Nightmare King to him. He used his will to drive his soul back to his body.Blore and Hamuul breathed a sigh of relief at his return. He also sensed another person near them...someone who wasn't there. Malfurion suddenly raised his feet.Blore and the tauren startled. "Are you all right? Did something happen?" And Malfurion didn't answer them, but faced the unexpected danger among them crystallized. This man was in the shadow of the three of them.Instead of smiling, he nodded grimly at Malfurion.He held a single spear in one hand, and in the other— 他的另一只手——拿着一个很引人注目的东西——是一个弯曲的、枯萎的东西，类似一根堕落的树枝。 雷姆洛斯站在他们面前，树林的守护者，塞纳留斯之子，用它那四只鹿蹄一样的脚向前走着。以前他走到哪儿都给人带来春天的感觉，但是现在他就好像是寒冷的冬天覆盖了整个森林。他的皮肤苍白，头发上的叶子也变得枯黄。 “很高兴我在这儿找到你了，玛法里奥。”雷姆洛斯展现出他那残缺不全的枝叶，然后低声道“我的心已经感觉到了噩梦在哪儿……如果你有足够的力量和精神，你就应该跟我马上去找他……否则大家都得死……” Remark: (1)原书中这两句话的翻译与原文有多处不符，均为翻译错误，于是补上本人自行完成的渣翻译。 (2)原书中为“森林之神”，为了避免引起读者的误解，遂将原文直译为“树精”并予以替换。