Sorry this chapter took so long to get out! Lots of stuff has been happening. My sister-in-law had a heart attack and a collapsed lung, my mother was hospitalized for a pinched spinal nerve, my brother got fired from his job, and I've had to juggle all that with holiday responsibilities and babysitting my six nieces and nephews. So chapters might be a little slow for a bit! Sorry!
Zami struggled not to close his empty eye socket. It was hard to deny the instinct. Having a gaping hole in his face felt weird, especially when the breeze caught it. Regardless, he kept his eye open as Malfurion peered down curiously.
"Interesting," The night elf mumbled, mostly to himself, "It just disappeared? Just like that?"
"More or less," Zami shrugged lightly.
"I was by his side the entire time," Mythene added, "No one touched his eye. It was simply missing when he awoke."
"But you say you dreamt of the removal?" Malfurion perked an eyebrow, leaning away to stroke his beard, "Most curious…"
"I don't think it's such a big deal," Zami shrugged again, "The Loa can do all sorts of things. Taking my eye in a dream… is it that weird?"
"Hmm, possibly," Malfurion nodded, continuing to stroke his beard, "What did you name this being who stole it again?"
"Bwonsamdi, Loa of the Grave."
"I see. And this is the one you have spoken to in dreams before?"
"No, no," Zami quickly shook his head, "That's Gonk, Loa of the Hunt."
"Ah, right, right," Malfurion nodded again, looking slightly perplexed.
The poor guy was probably doing his best to understand the nature of the Loa, and Zami was being as patient as he could. It was a greater effort than most Night Elves would bother, after all.
"Oh, who cares for such names," Tyrande suddenly spoke up, sounding rather annoyed, "They are all just Wild Gods the same."
Zami furrowed his brow, looking over to her. He went to say something, but Mythene spoke first.
"Shan'do, I have been thinking something for a while," She began, setting a slender hand on her own chin, "Do you think that eye could be the work of Ysera somehow?"
"Who?" Zami interjected quickly.
"Ah, surely it must," Malfurion nodded, "She is the guardian of the Emerald Dream, after all."
"Wait, who?" Zami asked again, looking between the two, "Who's Ysera?"
Malfurion perked an eyebrow at him curiously, before turning towards Mythene.
"I wonder…" He began, "Archdruid Moonshadow, has he ever been to the Emerald Dream?"
"Well, his eye could see into it," Mythene furrowed her brow, "I sort of assumed it was like Dreaming while awake."
"Hmm, I don't think it worked so completely," Malfurion said with a quick shake of his head, "I wonder if perhaps what he needs is a stronger connection to the Dream."
Mythene blinked in surprise, as if caught off guard by the suggestion. Zami perked an eyebrow as he watched them. He still really only knew tidbits about the Emerald Dream.
Mythene had finally given him a bit of an explanation, but the details were still foggy. She said it was basically another world where everything was saturated with the untainted essence of nature. Druids would often go there to study, streamlining the process a lot quicker than he had. He still didn't know where this other world was, or how one got there. Maybe it was like Draenor? Another world in the Great Dark Beyond? But one only druids could reach?
Honestly, he still had more questions than answers.
"What do you suggest, Shan'do?" Mythene asked cautiously, her tone sounding like she already knew the answer.
"I think he should Dream," Malfurion said with a brief gesture in Zami's direction.
Mythene bit her lip nervously, glancing aside for a moment.
"But, Shan'do," She began quietly, "I don't know if he's ready."
"You said he has already gained the abilities to shapeshift and heal? Even resurrect the dead?" Malfurion perked an eyebrow.
Mythene looked back at Malfurion, nodding.
"Then he is ready," Malfurion nodded back.
"But what of his injuries?" Mythene asked, "Is he recovered enough?"
At this, Malfurion's expression changed slightly. It was subtle, blink and you miss it. But it changed. Ever-so-slightly becoming more serious, more authoritative.
"I know you are concerned, Archdruid," He began, his tone firm, "However, it is one of the duties of a teacher to have faith in their student. The greatest lessons often come through failure, and you do your students a disservice by denying them this."
Mythene nodded her head, looking down.
"Yes, Shan'do," She said quietly, "I understand."
"Besides," Malfurion added, his expression softening, "The process of sleeping is hardly taxing on the body. Dreaming is a trial of the mind and, to some extents, the soul."
Mythene nodded again, looking slightly comforted by his words. Zami cocked his head to the side curiously, still not really following the conversation.
"Uhh, so…" He cleared his throat, "What exactly is Dreaming?"
"It's rather literal," Malfurion chuckled, "However, it is done with an intent. Think of it similarly to meditation."
"Druids can project themselves to the Emerald Dream," Mythene explained, "It's sort of like a copy of their consciousness, the part of them that can interact with the essence of nature."
"Ah, the essence of nature," Malfurion repeated with a nostalgic chuckle, "It's been quite some time since I've heard that particular phrase. And how is Caserion doing?"
"Quite well," Mythene answered, "He seems to be seeking greater wisdom in his life of late."
"Ah? Is that so?" Malfurion smiled, "It's about time that he-"
"My love," Tyrande interrupted impatiently, "Perhaps the two of you might catch up later? I believe you have more pressing matters to attend at the moment."
She gave a nod of her head towards Zami.
"Ah, right you are," Malfurion admitted sheepishly, "We should continue this discussion in Moonglade, as the troll is prepared to enter the Dream-"
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold up!"
All of them paused, looking down at the goblin beside them. He'd been previously sitting on one of the Temple of the Moon's many benches, stewing in his own boredom. But now he was standing right beside them, looking wide-eyed and excited.
"Did you just say Moonglade?" Jazax perked an eyebrow.
"Of course," Malfurion nodded, "It is often best for a druid to Dream within the Barrow Dens."
"Yeah, yeah, that's great," Jazax waved a hand flippantly, "But this is Moonglade, right?"
Malfurion perked an eyebrow but nodded again.
"Great! Then let's go!" Jazax nodded back eagerly, "C'mon, people! Chop chop!"
Tyrande rolled her eyes, clearly biting her tongue.
"Well, I suppose we have no time to lose, Shan'do," Mythene suggested, looking a bit embarrassed by Jazax's antics.
Zami smiled slightly, knowing that feeling full well. He supposed that made it official. Mythene and Jazax were now friends.
"Very well, then," Malfurion nodded, "I shall meet you there."
He turned to Tyrande, pulling her aside to discuss something with her.
"Hey, where's the old guy goin'?" Jazax asked, immediately getting his ear pulled by Mythene.
"Shush, you!" She hissed, her other hand moving to set gently on Zami's shoulder.
Zami recognized the tingling feeling that began to overtake his body, recalling from when Khail did it back then. They were teleporting.
"Whoa, hey! What're y-"
Before Jazax was able to even finish his sentence, they appeared in the midst of Moonglade's forests. Zami smiled, recognizing the hazy purple sky. But then he looked over towards Nighthaven, and his smile dropped at once.
The village was in ruins.
