Chapter 1
A call for aid
With the destruction of the world tree, Nordrassil, the Circle of Ancients along with a large group of Druids, undertook the task of creating another world tree, Teldrassil; where my journey began. Unlike Nordrassil, the Aspects of Life, Dreaming, and Time refused their blessing. Nozdormu the Timeless One called Staghelm's request to restore the Night Elves immortality, 'arrogant'. Without the Aspect's blessing Teldrassil was plagued with corruption from an unseen force, it still however managed to flourish due to the Night Elves efforts to purge the corruption. The battle to sustain life regardless of the Aspect's blessing impressed Alexstrasza enough that she later blessed the new World Tree. Later at the wedding of Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind, Alexstrasza renewed her blessing along with Ysera the Dreamer.
Within the boughs of Teldrassil they built the city Darnassus, which then became the Night Elf capital. In Darnassus they built the Temple of Elune, which was home to the one I sought.
Unseen, I passed through Darnassus' streets, working my way toward the temples' entrance. As I crossed the temples' steps the light of Elune fell upon me. Elune of course knows of our kind, I brushed my consciousness close to hers, though she knew better than to ask for details from one such as me, we communicated and I shared with her the urgency of my task, and the horror of failure.
Elune agreed to aid me. Guided by her moonlight I was quickly shown to the one I sought.
I believe Elune had warned the priestess of my arrival. She did not seem surprised when she sensed me at the entrance of her room. A Spartan like chamber, its roof opened to the heavens allowing Elune's light to fill it. This was a place of contemplation, where the priestesses could go to reflect upon Elune's teachings, and be closer with her Goddess.
Thanking Elune, I entered the chamber, summoning the sands of time to create my physical form. Though the priestess remained still, I could sense her body tense as she prepared to respond to any kind of threat; her eyes absorbed the spectacle taking place in front of her filling with awe and at the same time searched for any hint of danger.
I can only imagine what it would have seemed like to her. Looking at it with hindsight I can see how alien my arrival was. I can see it so differently from her point of view.
A storm of golden sand suddenly erupted into life before he, Lightning crackling within it, as thunder shook the foundations of the temple. She stared, wide eyed, unwilling to miss a single moment of what was happening before her. In a split moment she caught sight of a figure within the storms centre. She watched it in fascination; though she knew it could not be true, the figure seemed to be made small by a great distance, as if she watched it from miles away as it made its way toward her. With each step the figure grew in size, seemingly travelling miles with each step. So fascinated by it she was caught by surprise when she realized the storm had almost subsided. Like a statue before her, the figure now stood the same colour as the golden sand. While she watched she saw the last pieces of the sandstorm being sucked into this statue. Its eyes opened, orbs of sparkling emerald, snared her own.
How these beings see us is strange to me, I have watched them for so long yet I underestimate just how much my presence can affect them. I can see now that I had conducted my entrance poorly, but time was not a luxury I had. While I worked to find those who could save the shattering of time, the strain of keeping everything together was overwhelming. My introduction was blunt.
"Tyrande Whisperwind.' I said. "I require your aid."
For the first time her control broke, her eyes unfocused as she stumbled at my words. I was unaware of the effect my communication had on others not of my calling; time is a part of me, such is my nature, at my words the past is relived and the future is glimpsed. My greeting caused Tyrande to relive every similar moment in her time in one breath. Throughout her history Tyrande had seen and met many beings who would appear to be Gods, Demi-Gods, or those with great importance to the world, and my greeting made her relive them all in one instance.
Mastering herself, she returned my greeting in kind. "Greetings elder one, as I aid my goddess, I shall aid you." Elune surely must have told Tyrande of my coming, and shared with her the importance of my undertaking. To offer the same aid she would give her Goddess was beyond my expectations. Though I knew it was beyond her to know what I truly asked. I would not lead her blindly to the fate I offered, I would share everything with her.
With time shattered, the Prime timeline, that which all others followed, was lost. Using the shattered shards, I was piecing together a new Prime timeline, but to do so I needed to make it as stable as possible. I could not affect it directly. As you know, time is flexible; the variables can be different as long as the overall outcome is the same, though with the shattering I could change a few major events. Once Tyrande Whisperwind had done what I needed within the new Prime Time, I would start time once more, events would shift themselves accordingly, and if successful I would have created a new path for time to follow. Tyrande Whisperwind would merge with the other Tyrande Whisperwind of that time, her memories of what she had done in another timeline would be forgotten, and only her actions within the Prime timeline would remain. Whilst our encounter would be forgotten by her, she would remember what she had done as if she had decided to undertake the task herself.
Although I knew it would take a while for her to get used to the way I communicated, it would also help me convince her that what I asked was necessary. As I explained to her she would live the history of what I told her, as if she had been there herself as an observer. Only by living and seeing the past would I be able to convince her of what needed to be done.
"The future has been shattered; the one who should have been its protector, betrayed the trust placed upon him. I have seen what will be, and what must be done to undo the past. The path of war that Azeroth led must be changed; only through redemption can the world avoid the fate I have seen, and only united can you hope to confront the shadow that will fall upon your world."
"Illidan Stormrage must be saved; with his death a chain of events will be set in motion that will strip your world of its greatest protectors and leave it unable to defend itself from the horrors to come. See now the shadow that has crossed the cosmos to devour your world."
I knew that she saw what I spoke of. The war waged upon an alien world, only to find the undead threatening their own upon their return. While beings of chaotic evil bid their power, until they could unleash their designs upon the world. Their plan would scar the world itself in an event known as the cataclysm, an event the likes of which had not happened since the Sundering. Even after they recover from this, the world finds a wonder long lost, an island hidden in mystical mist with places that were once lost to time itself. This event should have been joyous, but was yet another prelude to war between the Alliance and Horde. A war that would once more cost the life of Azeroth's heroes. Even the new found allies discovered upon this mystical island could not replace those that were lost or undo the mistrust between the Alliance and Horde. While Tyrande watched her world rage in warfare she failed to notice the shadow until it was too late. With the world still burning after their latest war, Tyrande like the rest of the world, failed to see the shadow until it covered their world. Looking to the sky Tyrande cowered in fear and despair as she watched the Black Sun rising.
Tyrande shook; her body was covered in sweat from what my words had shown her. She had seen what I had seen, and did not fear the wars that were coming; it was the Black Sun she feared, its shadow could not be held back. Tyrande knew Azeroth could not afford to face another battle and then still survive the Black Suns coming. Its' coming would not be war it would be slaughter, a massacre the likes of which she had not seen in ten thousand years.
"Illidan Stormrage must be saved." I repeated. Tyrande's eyes remained unfocused as the memories of her childhood friend were renewed with crystal clarity. I watched her face as she relived it all in an instant. The smile that touched her lips soon vanished, as her eyes filled with sadness. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and I knew she had come to the memory within this timeline of his passing.
Within this timeline Illidan had already died. I hoped that having known of his death, and now with a chance to prevent it, Tyrande would gain the resolve to see my task through.
"Illidan." She whispered. As if her words could bring back the childhood friend she now saw so clearly in her mind.
With Illidan in her mind I told her of my plan to save him. That she must travel to the Black Temple and save Illidan from his fate.
"No." She said, shaking her head. "He is too dangerous. He would betray you" I knew what she feared. What I asked of her reminded her too closely of when she had freed Illidan from his imprisonment. She blamed herself for what he had become after he was freed and also as a result, his death.
"Betray? Is that what you believe priestess? You think that Illidan betrayed you? Let me show you his path Tyrande, and judge for yourself if Illidan Stormrage was this 'Betrayer'."
"Ten millennia ago Illidan Stormrage fought against the demons, with you and the rest of the traitors." Her eyes widened at the words. "Yes, Tyrande Whisperwind, you were all traitors, you betrayed your Queen. Though I do not fault you for rebelling against her, nonetheless your people went against her wishes. The Queen had looked for a way to perfect her people, and when the Highborne discovered the Burning Legion, through their manipulation of the Well of Eternity. It was she who wished for them to 'perfect' this world, though I cannot say if she truly knew of that which she asked."
"Illidan fought alongside his brother, Malfurion at the end of that rebellion. Together they helped defeat the Burning Legion. And while the rest of your race was recovering, Illidan attempted to create another Well of Eternity, not to summon the demons once more, but for his people."
"He believed, and rightly so, that the Well of Eternity had brought prosperity to your people. Illidan believed that in remaking the well he was doing a great deed for them. At the top of mount Hyjal was a lake. Illidan took the vials of the Well of Eternity's water he had taken earlier and poured them into the lakes waters. With each vial he added the lakes turned darker and if he had succeeded the lake would have become a second Well of Eternity. Illidan's plan was interrupted however by night elf soldiers that tried to stop him. Seeing them as a threat Illidan struck out without thinking, slaying some and knocking out the others. It was then that Malfurion came and witnessed what Illidan had done. He restrained Illidan and brought him to trial.
"It was then that Malfurion sentenced Illidan to imprisonment within the Barrow Dens for eternity, he was imprisoned for the crime of attempting to create a second Well of Eternity, and the murder of those who had attempted to stop him."
"But who was Malfurion to judge his brother? Did you know that a second Well of Eternity was created anyway? The Highborne that survived the Sundering founded the city of Quel'Thalas, and called themselves high elves. It was in the city of Quel'Thalas that they used a vial of the Well of Eternity's waters to create the Sunwell."
"The high elves were the ones that had summoned the Burning Legion in the first place, not only that but they had created a second well, though not as powerful as the original. Yet you now call them your allies.
"That aside, when you found Illidan's prison within the Barrow Dens and you choose to free him, the Wardens refused to give up their charge. You yourself ordered your Sentinels to break into the prison, killing many of the Wardens who choose to confront you. Can you truly believe that Illidan's imprisonment was justified after all that?
"I tell you these things only so that you can judge Illidan clearly and in the light of actions you yourself have taken when the need has called for them. I do not judge you priestess.
"After you freed Illidan Stormrage from his prison he fought to destroy the corruption affecting the forest now known as Felwood. Within that forest the undead horde known as the Scourge ravaged the land, led by the Dreadlord, Tichondrius. Tichondrius used an artefact known as the Skull of Gul'dan to corrupt the land."
"Illidan battled through the Scourge with his forces to the Skull of Gul'dan. His original plan was to destroy the artefact but faced with the powerful energies within the Skull of Gul'dan, Illidan instead chose to absorb its energies. With the power of the artefact he was able to destroy the rest of the Scourge and he vanquished the Dreadlord known as Tichondrius along with the demon portal. This he could not have done without the Skull's power."
The memory of Illidan after he had absorbed the Skull of Gul'dan must have greatly distressed Tyrande. I believe that she blamed herself; it was she who had released Illidan and asked for his aid in destroying the demons. With my recounting of the past it was clear that if she had not broken him out of his prison he would still be alive within the Barrow Dens and without the demonic influence of the Skull of Gul'dan.
"I made him a monster." She whispered.
"Did a monster risk itself to save you from the Scourge Tyrande, when the Warden Maiev left you for dead? When Illidan rescued you, it cost him more then you knew. No demon would every place itself before another as Illidan did that day."
"The rest of Illidan's past must wait until we have freed Malfurion from the Emerald Dream. Will you assist me with this?"
Tyrande looked at me with eyes full of regret, but there was now a spark of hope too at the memory of Illidan risking himself to save her, even after he had become something so close to demonic.
With Tyrande's assistance I would be able to pull Malfurion from the Emerald Dream. I needed the aid of Malfurion, one from a timeline where he had seen what his brother had become and his fate. It was my hope that once I showed him the truth he would be more than willing to help save his brother.
When we arrived at the timeline I had chosen I was able to use Tyrande's link to Malfurion, along with my own power to pull Malfurion from the nightmare within the Emerald Dream. His awakening was just as I expected. Outraged at being taken from his master's side at the battle that was raging within the Emerald Dream, Malfurion demanded to be go back. Slowly his anger abated as his senses, dulled by sleep, came back into focus and he felt the fullness of my presence. This along with Tyrande's reassurance Malfurion calmed enough for me to explain myself. I feel like this has happened very quickly with no explanation of how he chose the timeline or got there etc…
"Tyrande I have told you enough to convince you to assist me, but now with Malfurion present I will share with both of you the critical points from Illidan history.
"At the moment of his birth, Illidan was marked for greatness by hid golden colour of his eyes. As you are well aware at the time those with amber eyes, so different from the common silver ones, were said to be marked with a great destiny. In his younger years the burden of this destiny weighed heavy up on his shoulders. Illidan eagerly sought opportunities to prove himself in the eyes of his people, even attempting to learn the ways of Druidism, in the hope of making himself stand out among his people. In the end it was through night elves use of arcane magic that Illidan believed he found his true path.
"During this time Illidan discovered his feelings for you Tyrande. Slowly his need to prove himself to his people was replaced by the need to prove himself worthy of you. Knowing his heart, Illidan focused himself on proving he was worthy to be your mate, yet fate would have your heart fall into the hands of Malfurion.
"Illidan was stricken when he discovered this. He believed that he had not only lost you, but that Malfurion had not even realised that he had won. Illidan knew that Malfurion was still confused by his own feelings. To lose you to him, Tyrande was more than could Illidan bear. Illidan could not accept being defeated by an opponent that didn't even know they were competing."
"He could not, and would not accept it. Neither could he blame you Tyrande, or you, Malfurion who was unaware of what you had gained. Instead he laid the fault at his own feet. Believing he was unworthy of you and that if he could make himself worthy if he could win your heart. A void formed inside Illidan, formed by losing you and one he hoped he could fill with magic. Illidan was never addicted to magic itself Tyrande, he was addicted to winning your heart."
"Tragically it was this very determination to win your heart that drove you further into the arms of Malfurion and ultimately fixed the void in Illidan's heart. With each failure to win you back Illidan became more willing to discover and use any and all paths to obtain power."
"When Illidan first learned of your love for Malfurion, his grief attracted the attention of the one called Xavius. Drawn to his suffering, the newly formed Satyr was able to peer into Illidan's mind, while it vulnerable because of his emotions. Xavius attempted to manipulate him. Hoping to use Illidan's pain to turn him against Malfurion, he tried to convince Illidan that killing you, would make Tyrande his own. Fortunately the sibling bond Illidan had with you, Malfurion, was stronger than the pain he felt at losing Tyrande, to him harming you would be like harming himself. While he did entertain the thought for a moment, Illidan quickly chastised himself for allow the thought to even enter his mind. With Illidan's emotions confused and Xavius' manipulation, Illidan became reckless and even more emotionally unstable. During the coming battle Illidan's recklessness lead to him casting a spell that not only hit the demons, but also the Night Elves fighting them. Seeing the recklessness of Illidan's spell casting, the army's commander decided to relieve Illidan of his command. Feeling cheated Illidan left after the battle in an attempt to end the war by himself. While Illidan's mind was unstable it only tempered his magic abilities. Illidan was able to easily subdue the Fel Hounds that had plagued the magical Night Elf people and even caused the demons guarding the palace not to interfere with his journey to the palace of Azshara."
"Illidan, as you know, was able to enter the palace. Once inside he was brought before the portal they had constructed and the Night Elf Queen, Azshara. Brought before the Night Elf Queen, Illidan was tasked with proving his defection and loyalty. The leader of the Highborne, Xavius was naturally suspicious of Illidan. Xavius directed him to look within the portal that the Highborne had summoned, where within the dark Titan, Sargeras waited. Xavius believed that his God would know instantly of any deceit from Illidan. Looking into the portal Illidan's will was snared by Sargeras' own. Illidan was powerless to resist as his very being was laid bare for Sargeras to see. However Illidan somehow managed to keep his plan of defeating demons secret. To my knowledge he is the only Night Elf to have looked within that portal and not fallen under the influence of Sargeras' will. Pleased with the potential of the young Night Elf, Sargeras chose to give him a 'gift' for his service."
"Sargeras burned demonic runes into Illidan's skin, which enhanced his ability to control magical energies, as well as burning out Illidan's amber eyes, replacing them with demonic hell fire that allowed him to see the very fabric of magic. Illidan, having earned the trust of his 'allies' learned much about the portal during his time as a double agent within the palace. He devised a plan to reverse the portal, instead of summoning demons; it would draw them from the world, banishing them.
"It was during this time that he found you, Tyrande, as you tried to escape from the palace. Illidan hoped to show you that he could save the world. You attempted to stop him, believing his use of the Well of Eternity's waters was beyond reckless. You trying to convince him that he needed Malfurion and your disbelief in his plan is what hurt Illidan's pride most of all. Silencing you magically with a wave of his hand, Illidan prepared his ritual determined to prove himself to you. By achieving this he hoped to prove that it was he, and not Malfurion, who would save Azeroth. What you did not know at the time was that there was another force at play. The Old God's had engineered this whole scenario, they hoped to use the Well of Eternity and the portal that the Night Elves had created to free themselves from their prison. They had been manipulating Illidan's thoughts and secretly influencing his spell casting, his ritual towards their own ends without his knowledge."
"During Illidan's spell casting demons dropped down from the sky. You arrived just in time Malfurion. Together with the Demon Soul, you and Illidan worked together to defend yourselves and fight the demons. Facing death at from the demons attack the two of you put aside your differences and re-forged the bond you had shared since birth. With a unity only twins shared and together with the magic granted by the Demon Soul you and Illidan battled against the demon. For a short time the two of you worked together, your magic's complementing each others as you vanquished your, would be assassins. After your victory the Old Gods once more tried to manipulate the two of you, it was only through your words, Malfurion, that Illidan was able to resist their temptation."
"You and your allies were able to defeat the Burning Legion, but the strain that was placed up on Well of Eternity caused it to explode in a terrible event called the Sundering, which split Azeroth's continent of Kalimdor apart."
"Unknown to you both Illidan was distraught over the loss of the Well of Eternity. As I told you, Tyrande, he did it for your people, that was only partly true. To lose the Well of Eternity, the source of all arcane magic on Azeroth was unthinkable to Illidan, without it all hope of being worthy of your love perished. He was terrified at the thought, and this is why he lashed out with such reckless abandon at those who tried to stop him."
"During Illidan's imprisonment he was able to reflect on his past. He was able to come to terms with your decision, Tyrande. He focused his time on training with the Warglaives he had taken from a Doom Guard commander, which he could summon and dismiss at will. He was also able to study the demon tattoos burned into his body with his new eyes, in time he was able to discover much about the Fel magic. He was also able to master the Warglaives and their secrets. It was with this mastery of fighting with the Warglaives along with his study of the Fel demonic magic that allowed him to become so proficient at sensing demons and how to destroy them."
"Though he was able to come to terms with you choosing Malfurion above himself, Tyrande, his feelings for you never lessened.
"Do you know what it was like for him? Imprisoned for ten millennia in darkness and without a single word spoken to him in all that time, to hear your voice was euphoric. You brought to him his freedom and the feel of the moon on his skin. At your plea for help, how could he refuse? And though he still was pained by the sentence you issued to him, Malfurion. He hoped to prove that he was no demons pawn, and so he decided to free Felwood of the demonic magic corrupting it. No longer believing himself a part of the Night Elf society you had formed since his imprisonment, Illidan's loyalty was only to himself and you, Tyrande."
"Do you know what he did within Felwood forest? He absorbed the Skull of Gul'dan. Without its power he would have been unable to slay the Dreadlord known as Tichondrius and destroy the Demon portal. With the absorption of the artefacts energies he became something other than Night Elf or Demon."
The two Night Elves had been reliving old memories, which had been dulled by time and were now being brought back to the fore of their minds with my telling. Malfurion began to speak, distraught as he relived the actions of his brother. He once more saw the soulless demon he believed his brother had become when he came to assistance Illidan in Felwood. I silenced him with my hand and a look that made it clear I would not accept any interruption during my recounting of the past.
"Malfurion, do you know what Demons are or where they come from?"
Malfurion was taken aback by my question, he simply shook his head. Like many on Azeroth, he had never wondered about the Demons origins. They were simply 'Demons', part of the Burning Legion. Knowing they are Demons is enough for many of the people of Azeroth; most of them did not care to think about them once having been beings of their own races who were twisted and turned into servants that Sargeras deemed worthy to serve him. Many did not even consider that the fate of these races had almost become the fate of many of those upon Azeroth. In fact many of the Night Elves that had served Queen Azshara had become Demons, though they now called themselves 'Satyrs'. Such is the way of the Burning Legion; it is made up of many races from many worlds which Sargeras has twisted to his own ends. Even less realise that Sargeras is in fact a Titan, one of those who helped shape Azeroth, and as such his power is of the Titans, and therefore only turned to ending life instead of creating it.
"From Titan magic, their master, Sargeras created them from many worlds. You would recognise their original form as much as you recognise that the Satyr were once Night Elves. Sargeras changes their body and minds to best serve him, binding them to his will. The same magic that created life on Azeroth is the same force used to create the Demons. Magic is neither good nor evil, it is simply a tool with which one can achieve such acts. The nature of magic is in truth far more complex than that and as such it is not that which I wish to discuss with you. What you must know is that while Illidan transformed when he absorbed the Skull of Gul'dan, his soul was very much his own. Illidan did not become a mindless Demon of the legion.
"When you banished Illidan from Azeroth for what he had become, it was he who felt betrayed. He had once more done that which you had asked of him, only for you to then curse all that he had achieved. Angered by your actions Illidan set out to rediscover a world he no longer knew. During this time he was tracked down by Kil'Jaeden. Kil'Jaeden tasked Illidan with destroying the Lich King, a creation of Kil'Jaeden's own making that had betrayed him. He offered Illidan power in exchange for this service, though in truth Illidan had little say in the matter. Kil'Jaeden is the right hand of Sargeras; his power surpasses that of even the late Archimonde. Illidan knew that he could not hope to survive his wrath and so was forced into Kil'Jaeden's service.
"Illidan knew of the Eye of Sargeras from memories stored within the Skull of Gul'dan; the memories of Gul'dan himself. Illidan used the Eye of Sargeras to perform a ritual that would have, if it had been successful, shattered the roof of the world, destroying the Frozen Throne, and the Lich King along with it. However you, Malfurion stopped the ritual. You knew nothing of Illidan's plans, only the destruction it was causing the World. You believed you were stopping a great evil, but have you ever stopped to think how much life could have been saved if the Lich King was destroyed that day?"
"With the ritual stopped, Illidan fled. You and the Warden, Maiev, worked together to track down Illidan, and to imprison him once more .It was during this time that Maiev left Tyrande for dead, telling you that she had seen the Priestess ripped apart before her very eyes, hoping to use your anger to focus your efforts on finding Illidan. It was only because of Kael'thas Sunstrider that you learned the truth of Tyrande's fate. Enraged at Maiev's deception you restrained the Warden, and set out to save Tyrande. Illidan, learning of the priestess' fate through his Naga, came to Malfurion offering his help and to have peace between them. Illidan knew that because of the river that cut Tyrande off from your forces Malfurion, only his Naga would be able to reach her in time. Wise enough to know you would not make it in time before the Scourge forces got to her you accepted your brother's alliance, reluctantly."
"Although Illidan was successful in saving Tyrande, he had failed Kil'Jaeden. Not only had he failed, because you disrupted his ritual, he also sacrificed what little time he had left to save Tyrande. Knowing the wrath of Kil'Jaeden would be swift, Illidan decided to flee to Outland, but before he left he wished peace between the two of you."
"Even travelling to Outland however was not enough for Illidan to escape Kil'Jaeden's wrath for long. However after seeing the Naga and Blood Elves that had joined Illidan, Kil'Jaeden decided to give him one more chance to destroy the Lich King.
"Illidan amassed his army and began his siege of the Ice Crown Citadel. It was during his siege that he confronted the Lich King's champion, Arthas Menethil. Illidan faced Arthas in battle and he was defeated. Most of this is commonly known, but what none seem to have realized is the price of his defeat. Arthas earned his victory when he cut across Illidan's chest with the Runeblade Frostmourne, and as the blade ravaged his flesh it also devoured his soul."
"Illidan was found defeated and broken by his allies after Arthas left him for dead. Illidan would have surely died there if he was still but a Night Elf. But the Demon part of him lived on. With his body robbed of its soul, the Demon part of him gained dominance."
"This cannot be!" Malfurion roared, the vision of Illidan's battle against Arthas, fresh in his mind. "Illidan…" Malfurion stared, his eyes wide. He could see the broken form of his brother within the snow and ice of Northrend and knew it to be true. Tyrande whispered prayers to Elune, as she managed her grief. I believe she knew that if she had not set Illidan free from his prison, he would have escaped this fate.
"It is. Do you not think it odd how your brother behaved upon his return to Outland after his defeat at Arthas' hands? Those he once called allies, who he had freed, he now enslaved. The blood of the Pit lord, Magtheridon, he used to create an army of Fel Orcs. Illidan even enslaving Demons to his will. None of this is would have been done by the Illidan you knew. These are things only befitting a Demon and without his soul it is what he had become. But there is still time to stop this, to save him. Will you assist me?"
"It began with Illidan, he is the catalyst. His death will bring only greater suffering to the world, but his survival? I have seen the destiny his golden orbs ordained and it starts here, with the both of you. Will you help me?"
My words hung heavy on their minds. My words had made them relive much of their pasts, and shown them many things they had not realized at the time. Malfurion knew of the suffering the world had endured because of the Lich King's Scourge and Tyrande knew that it was because of her that Illidan had the chance to absorb the Skull of Gul'dan.
Tyrande was the first to rouse herself from her thoughts, she looked at me and I could see the resolve in her eyes. As she stepped forward, Malfurion placed his hand upon her shoulder. "Together." He said to her. They stared into each other's eyes, and I could sense the unspoken words they shared. Finally they both nodded to each other, their hands outstretched to me.
I took their hands in my own, and the world faded away.
These children of ours do not see the battle we rage amongst the stars. That to confront Sargeras, would only become a second tragedy, like the one we faced when we confronted the Old Gods. To destroy what another makes and claim our way to be right, would be no different than what he is doing.
No, they cannot see what is at stake. That they, our creations, must stand against this alone, to prove that our way is right through their actions alone is the only true way to obtain victory. That our children will flourish within the universe and that not even his Burning Legion can snuff out the life we created.
I only pushed them down another path, one that was always there. I stand before you to be judged. But do not judge me on my actions, but what they lead to. You now know what I started, now watch it unfold, a shattered path made whole.