He stepped along the underbrush with surprising delicacy and care for one so imposing. The forest laid out before him was a deep dark green, with the vibrant colours of flowers and plants spread throughout. It was lit with the warm glow of the sun, seeping through the canopy that sheltered the old forest.
Strong colossal trees were numerous, their thick twisting branches and searching roots making them seem even larger, weathering the tests of time easily like wind unto rock.
The noise of the forest was immense, the sounds of life everywhere. Birds singing, water flowing and insects chattering.
To the Arch druid however, it sounded of peace and home. He set a slow relaxed pace, confident of his way as if a path were laid out before him.
He breathed in the smells and drank in the sights, enjoying the moment of solitude before his troubled thoughts returned to companion him. And return they did.
He continued his steady journey through the forest, but his concentration was now drifting elsewhere. In his minds eye, he relived the memories he did most of his waking days.
The memories of his brother, and how it all began..
The field of once lush long green grass was segmented like cracked glass. Some parts were burning, others just scattered soil remained. The skies were clouded and dull.
A faint drizzle fell from above, making the ground treacherous underfoot. Elven corpses littered the field, while the living fought on around them. Screams mixed with the sounds of clashing weapons and splintering shields filled the air. They showed true bravery, but the elven warriors were too few against a foe whose numbers never seemed to dwindle, no matter how many they cut down. 'The Burning Legion' they called themselves.
The sight and situation enraged Malfurion, who was standing atop a large hill. His face contorted in anger as he began casting a spell to devastate a large group of demons, these ones sizeable creatures with cloven feet, rows of razor sharp teeth and vicious horns protruding from their heads, who were preparing to finish off a nearby cluster of warriors when he heard an urgent shout, "Brother! Duck!".
Malfurion threw his magic and dropped to the ground in an instant, tasting the wet soil that splattered onto his face.
A bolt of pure energy sailed overhead and struck something behind him. The resulting explosion was fierce and hot. He glanced behind to see one of the monstrous infernal giants, built of demonic flame and fury, blasted onto its back, fires extinguished and smouldering on the wet ground.
Malfurion turned back to see his brother Illidan smiling at him, relief quite apparent in his large amber eyes. Malfurion had always known his brothers magic was strong, but that display of power was impressive.
"Didn't know if that would work!" Illidan shouted, voice carrying over the sounds of battle.
"I'm glad it did, brother! You never fail to surprise me." replied Malfurion, a fond smile creeping onto his face.
Then he remembered the cluster of warriors he was attempting to save, and leapt to his feet, desperately scanning the field.
He found them finishing off the demons who had been wrapped in thick roots, burst forth from the ground at the command of his magic.
Illidan's brows drew together as he saw this as well and he seemed vexed that his brother could dispatch such a large group of enemies without much effort.
Malfurion noticed this with some amusement and laughed, "We are both strong brother".
Illidan waved the comment away with an offhand gesture, then pointed to an area close by, the elven warriors there faltering under the press of the demonic forces.
They both charged down the hill toward them, feet sending up sprays of wet mud and clumps of dead grass.
Illidan launched himself into the air as Malfurion cast a spell, several blue luminescent tendrils of magic extending from his outstretched arm at terrifying speed, converging all at one point and obliterating the ground in front of some elven warriors, taking a few demons with it.
Illidan landed in the crater the magic had made, steaming mists rising around him as the light drizzle evaporated from the explosion.
His arms pumped outwards repeatedly, sending bolts of magic into the enemy ranks until there was a large opening between them. There was a small period of silence during the aftermath.
Demons and elves alike were stunned and motionless by the destruction and might of the Stormrage brothers. The demons recovered first though, charging forward once more.
As they did, Malfurion burst through the elven ranks to his brothers side, who was breathing deeply from the exertion. Wisps of green energy had begun to flow from Malfurion towards the weary elven warriors, healing their wounds at a rapid rate. With Malfurion and Illidan at their head, the elven ranks reformed with renewed vigour and awaited the demons charge.
The brothers turned and smiled at each other once more as Illidan's hands began to form a ball of energy, bright as the sun, and Malfurion's muscles bunched as his hands began to change into something resembling a bears, large and clawed. Together, they truly were a force to be reckoned with.
The world began to turn to grey mist, and the memory faded.
He returned to the present, realising he had been standing still for some while. So still was he that two birds had come to rest on the antlers that grew from his head, singing to each other.
He began moving forward through the forest once more, a faint smile on his face as he reflected on that memory.
Brothers together, fighting the evil that threatened this world. But his smile faded, as that was always how the memory began.
Even as he passed a beautiful minor waterfall feeding a small crystal clear pool, a sight that would have normally brought him great joy, his face grew sorrowful.
His powerful shoulders slumped and his jaw clenched.
He knew what awaited him next as he began to drift back into remembering. He could already hear the memory, the evil whispering to his brother. He knew what was coming...