"Lythas!"
It took only a moment to arise from under my blankets and see my companion, Elveryth, in the moonlight. A look of urgency was upon her face, and I wasted no time in grabbing my sack of books and setting off towards her. Whatever had caused this worry in my ancient companion was obviously significant, and I yielded to her quieting hand when I began to speak.
She did not look at me, but to the hills with such intensity that I began to grow uneasy in her midst. I did not shuffle, however, and remained motionless in the moonlight. As my eyes cleared of sleep, something troubling had entered my once hazed view. The moon! With great sharpness and clarity it shone across the grasslands of Kalimdor, bright as the sun. I had to shield my eyes to maintain any vision at all of the distance, and dared not look directly into the circle of the Gods. I opened my mouth as to inquire why this was not brought to my attention earlier, but as if to answer me, the lunar light's intensity amplified, as if daylight had come early. The grasslands had become white and celestial, with no trace of their former brown and muddy colors.
Elveryth had not spoken as of yet, but turned with great speed and shrieked a whistle across the plains. Almost at once, a saddled Nightsaber with black fur appeared from its hiding spot, and ran faithfully to Elveryth, who immediately mounted. Without warning, I was pulled off the ground in a less than majestic manner and onto the Saber's back by Elveryth's powerful arms.
"What is it?" I begged.
She paid no heed to my question, and was breathing heavy as if in fear or panic.
"The…Corruption…" she muttered in between breaths.
Before I could inquire more, a terrible trembling overtook the ground, and our mount stumbled, throwing us to the ground. I flew over Elveryth and landed hard on my front. The pain was blinding, and helpless I lay there, my head askew and my jaw broken and bleeding freely. Elveryth fared no better. It appeared her legs were broken, and she hoisted herself onto her hip, staring out to the land.
It was then, as I looked behind us, I discovered what the source of such haste had been.
The light was focused over a part of the plains, as if a cloud of snow hovered above, and it was spreading. I made it to my knees, barely, and saw only an outline.
It was a hand, painted black against the fluorescent plains. It had broken through the ground, and was attempting to tear apart the surrounding area, as if to free more of itself.
It's tearing this world apart.
At that thought, I groped for my sack of books on the ground. It had split open and the covers were impossible to read in the light and pain, but still I grasped one and held it close to me, hoping for some arcane protection of the gods.
Elveryth spoke. Clearly and calmly her voice carried across the plains, with no panic, only but a genuine sadness.
Elune has failed us. The Corruption has come.
And with that, a terrible roar broke from the hand, and there was a great implosion of light. I know not what fared Elveryth, but for myself, a moment of wonder and an enormous concussion seemed to wipe life away from the land.
And there I lay, clutching my book, huddling on my knees, shielding my eyes from the light. From there, I can remember no more.