OK, let me put something straight. The "diary" thing. My fault I didn't explain it clearly enough... I named it a diary, because these are Illidan's memories, but at first (before I had the title) I meant it to be Illy's monologue to us, humans. So please forgive me for that.


Remar and I were starting to worry about Queen Azshara. She changed, changed much. We were being seperated from the druids more and more, every day. I had less chances of seeing my brother, about what I didn't care much, and Tyrande, what still hurt me. Still, at one point, before we even noticed - we were in two different worlds.

Azshara was spending more time by the Well, chanting and saying words none of us understood. The waters of the Well formed a whirl that never stopped. The strange power we felt was getting stronger, the bigger the whirl was. I could swear that when I went past it, I heard voices.

One day, when I somehow managed to sneak out of the palace, I met Furion and Cenarius. They put it straight - demons were trying to reach us through the Well, they said. They were certain that something or someone - probably one of the demons - is using Azshara to open a portal. No, I told myself. I knew they told the truth, yet I also trusted my queen... and mostly my lover. Furion knew that.

Our paths went different ways.

Furion said that it's all my choice, wether I stay or leave. I told him I stay. Cenarius seemed to be ready to curse me with something, but my brother silenced him. Amazing is that even a demi-god listened to the one, who calls himself Shan'do. They left me with my choice.

I was somewhat happy of my decision. I felt free, released from my brother's complainings. Remar assured me that I did right.

But my happiness did not last long. Something finally came through the portal that formed over the Well of Eternity. That something seemed humanoidal, yet it wasn't anything similar to human. White skin, horns, wings and hooves like mine... The stranger introduced himself as Tichondrius. Yes, a dreadlord, one of the first demons that came. After him joined more, at least one regiment. Two or three hundrets...

Instantly they spread in Azshara's whole palace. The one named Tichondrius shouted something when they still heard him. The demonic troops raged, damaged everything and everyone they saw. Before I and Remar reached the throne room, there were at least twenty elven bodies lying at our feet. I was shocket, yet we rushed further, afraid about our queen.

Much to our relief, Azshara was safe. And laughing. She told us that finally we shall get rid of the druid betrayers, once and for all. The demons answered her summons. She didn't answer Remar's question about what are they doing to us. We had to leave her in her insane laughter.

The demons were not our allies.

I took Remar to what remained of my chamber. I needed to talk to him, to decide what to do. We both knew that it can't go this way. Whatever has forced Queen Azshara to do this, must be stopped, I told him. No. Remar said that he's staying by her side, no matter what. And that I can go, if that's my wish. I tried to convince him, to take him with me... he disagreed. He seemed to be mad at me for not accepting his decision.

I ran out of the chamber in floods of tears, and it's nothing funny, if you wish to know. So stop laughing. You there, want me to get that smirk off of your face? Very well. Changed your mind? Strange.

Anyway, when I was sitting all alone with my own problems and losses, Furion came. He saw me crying, and I didn't even care what he was about to say. It wasn't what I expected. He told me how sorry he is, that he never wanted this to happen to me, but only I can choose my path... He knew that this would come, if we kept on using the Well. And now the demons were raging free and there was only one way to fight them.

We must unite, said Cenarius, who joined us with Tyrande. We must fight them together. I was totally down, I had no will for anything. I agreed to aid them only when the priestess asked me. I had a sentiment for her. It's hard to admit, but I sometimes wondered if she was going to take Remar's place again...

Anyway, I promised to help. I was just one more person by their side, but at that point every warrior was priceless. The war was very hard, we did what we could, but more of our troops fell then the demons. We were forced to hide, assassinate. Our assassins are now in the Watchers - the guards under Maiev's command. Some of them were chasing me. But back then, we all were equal warriors. Our spies reported that Azshara's under command of a demon named Archimonde - and she didn't even mind it.

The situation was getting critical hour by hour. We divided into small groups and spread over Ashenvale to avoid being killed. Still the demons had spotted some of our hideouts and murdered everyone there, a warrior or not.

Furion and Cenarius were getting more and more desperate. I did not know about their plan, for we were in different groups. I was certain that they will try everything. Before they managed to do anything with a visible effect, there came another idea.

In my group there was a young elf. He's name was Fenmer Silverwing. A nice boy he was... It was him, who told me about the desperate and risky plan. Some of those I was leading found out that it's possible to embrace and fully control the same powers the demonic Burning Legion uses. We'd fight our enemies with their own weapon... just no one has tried. No one had the finest idea what consequences this may bring. And furthermore, this required a ritual blinding...

Yes, you're right. I sent a messenger to Furion, knowing he'd never like me gaining demonic powers. But we needed a new weapon, something to prevent further bloodshed.

And this seemed a good way.

I had no time to wait for my brother's answer. My companions had the ritual ready in just a few minutes, but the process itself took at least few hours. I'm not sure, I totally lost myself back then. I was a one big trembling nerve.

At first I was tattoed with a special paint. As you see, it's still on me after ten thousand years. To be hnest, I don't know exactly what do these ornaments mean. Back then, they explained it as a sort of barricade, which allows to control the power's level and lower the rick as much as possible. Nowadays the mages of the Kirin Tor named it a "matrix", a filter that forms the forces the way we want.

After that, the worst part came. In secrecy my companions have stolen some water from Elune's shrine and a few artifacts that belonged to demons. They were filled with an amazing power of their former owners, but gaining them was very hard. They told me that my good friend Vemanor died for it. If only I knew...

But nevermind. I knelt before Fenmer. The youth took the waters, the very same priestesses used in naming children and blessing lovers. Quit laughing, those rituals have nothing to do with this one! Those waters were blessed by Elune herself, that's what mattered! Fenmar used them to water my eyes and forehead. With his finger, he drew a rune on my forehead, which meant "demon".

Then he took one of the demonic artifacts. It was a knife, variously carved, with a dark violet handle. Fenmar told me to focus on it and whispered a spell. The blade burst with bright light. I could hardly look at it, and as I noticed - only I. For a few seconds the light filled my whole vision, then began to fade.

Endless darkness fell.

It didn't hurt my eyes, to be honest. At first, when I stood up, I regreted my decision and wished to turn time back. But what's done, is done. Fenmar explained that thanks to this I will be able to see any demon.

Only demon.

Thus I became the first demon hunter. The rest of my group joined me and within a day, we were all blind. We still had time before my brother arrived, to we spent it on practicing with our newly gained powers, fencing techniques... and a new way of life.

Before my brother, Tyrande and Cenarius arrived, we changed much. The darkness still felt uneasy, but now we were able to go on by ourselves. Though all blind, we needed no help. When Furion saw us, he fell to his kness and begged Elune to forgive us. Cenarius' attitude was the worst...

We tried to explain everything and assure them that they need us. No one denied that, but Furion could not accept the fact that I gave up my eyes... and what remained of my soul.

There was no time to grieve after our deed. Like I said, what's done is done. Everyone knew that the end od this war was drawing near...

Cenarius already felt more demons incoming and prepared for them. When the Well portal is used, it is also weakened. If we gather enough forces and strike in a suitable moment, we should be able to shatter the Burning Legion and maybe even destroy the Well once and for all.

I had no idea they didn't tell me everything.

The end of the Well of Eternity would mean no more magic. No magic would mean no demons, but also hunger. A great, painful hunger I could not resist. Doubts and visions kept hunting me, until I made up my mind.

I went back to the palace. Azshara barely recognised me. Well, she never noticed me as more than a warrior, so not much changed. I was only surprised tha Remar was not there. I explained to my queen what the druids plan, about the attack and when will it take place. I didn't tell exactly how will they strike or what forces will they use. I only wished to balance the scales, for my heart was tearing between hunger and bounds of blood...

I tried to stay a bit behind everyone, in shadows. When the fateful moment came, Azshara was ready. I wasn't surprised when, in the back, Furion told me he was expecting this. But he said no more and fought further.

Victory was slowly moving towards the Quel'dorei. Then I realized what my brother has hidden from me, so I wouldn't tell Azshara.

They called dragons.

All the four Aspects came: Alextrasza the Life-Binder, Ysera the Dreamer, Malygos the Hand of Magic and Nozdormu the Lord of Time. The Highbourne were no less taken aback then I was. The battle was bloody and violent. I never, ever participated in anything worse. It was a day nightmare... blood, tears, death. I wished it to end as fast as possible.

It felt longer than it really lasted. Things were getting worse and worse for us, when another demon arrived. Between shouts and strikes, he appeared. The newcomer's force struck us all. I saw him, the sinister smile, could and drilling eyes.

Sargeras.

dd>The new troops he brought joined the battle. Thanks to them and the dragons, the scales were balanced. I had no time to worry about who will win. I didn't sympathise with any of sides. I had a plan...

In the bloodlust and rage, no one noticed me approach the Well of Eternity. In secrecy before all, I had prepared myself two special vials. I made them hold powers and features of whatever they would contain. I filled both with waters from the Well, so - whatever would happen - we'd have a new source of magic. I hid them well...

When I returned to the battlefield, things were getting critical for the Quel'dorei. I heard Queen Azshara yell in agony, as my brother mortally struck her straight in the heart. Her warriors were close to panic, but Sargeras had taken Azshara's place. He had led what remained of her troops.

Heads and limbs kept falling down, gods and warriors kept raging. Cenarius did well to summon dragons, for their magic was better than the Highbourne's. Finally, after a very long time, Alextrasza the Life-Binder approached the Well and struck it with a very powerful spell. No one noticed her, until the bright light of an explosion lit the morning sky.

The Well was no more.

Furion, Tyrande and Cenarius would dance of joy, but something strange happened to the land. The ground was shaking and began to quickly descend into the ocean. Everyone alive rushed southwards to solid ground. Some didn't make it and died either crushed by the land or sunken. The dragons had helped the wounded, Quel'dorei or not. While retreating, I turned back to see anything about the demons.

Sargeras, Archimonde, Tichondrius and Mannoroth had fled.

A huge part of our beloved Kalimdor was sunken by the Well's explosion, cutting off our connection with the land we now call Lordaeron and creating a huge maelstrom between our two lands. The whirl was formed exactly were the Well once was.

The war was over. Azshara died, the Well was no more. Peace would come, but the driuds didn't want to accept a truce with the Highbourne, and mostly didn't want us - the demon hunters. They said we betrayed Elune and our laws by embracing demonic powers. Cenarius managed to convince them to the truce, but my blind brethren weren't welcome. We had to remain in shadows to be able to call ourselves night elves.

Two days later, I sneaked out of the grove and went north. I had no particular path, I just needed anything that contained water... I reached a mountain. Once named Mt. Hyjal, it was the highest point in whole Ashenvale forest. There was a lake up there, surrounded by trees. I remember, when I once went there with Furion. So beautiful...

Now everything was veiled in darkness, still there was no time to grieve or mourn. I bent over the calm lake and unplugged one of my vials. Its containings had the strong smell of magic. Grinning, I poured them into the lake and within a quarter, Mt. Hyjal was the place of my new Well of Eternity. I sat by it, enjoying the marvellous scents of forest and magic and feeding my hunger. I was wondering wether I should tell the rest of Quel'dorei about it, but I didn't want to move away. I stayed there most of the night, wide awake and happy, yet alert.

Finally, at one moment, I heard silent footsteps. Fortuneatly, it was my Remar, whom I was so worried about. He wasn't even injured, more of it, he barely participated in the battle. As he saw me and what I did to myself, he cried. Now you shut up, or this will be the last laugh of your life. Remar asked me why, how could I do it... I explained everything, but my voice was also slowly breaking down. Soon, I could not speak a word.

We spent the rest of the night together. Both of us knew this may be the last time, the last moment all alone. If anyone found out of what I did, they'd surely punish me. I didn't want to think of how. When dawn broke, I gave Remar the vial I still had and told him to keep it deeply hidden. It may come in handy...

When my lover hid it in his robes, few driuds and other led by Furion noticed us. They felt the new power appear here and came to check it. Before they reached us, Remar fled and silently descended from the hill. I was left alone on the lake's coast, ready for whatever would come. My brother was desperate and sad. He said he doesn't want it, but my betrayal can't be left unseen. After everything he, Tyrande and Cenarius did for me, I still warned Azshara and once again threated the world of Azeroth by creating a new Well. A beast, a monster he called me through single tears. I remained still, but his words hurt me. I know, I earned it. If only I could turn time back...

Furion ordered one of the girls he brought with him to watch over me. I was to be imprisoned for the rest of my life... that is an eternity. The girl, Maiev Shadowsong, was to keep me in my cell forever. I didn't oppose when, the day after, she and few archdriuds were leading me down to the tunnels inside Mt. Hyjal. The entrance was sealed behind us and I was locked up, guarded by driuds and Maiev's new Watchers.

When I was being taken to the prison, I heard Remar behind me. He was calling - yelling my name and struggling, he wanted to reach me and get me out. He cried. I felt like I would weep along, yet my eyes were unable to do so. What hurt me most is knowing that I was being forever parted with my love... and that my brother did this to me.

A second before the entrance was sealed, I heard Furion's last words. "From now on, Mt. Hyjal is the prison of the beast, Illidan the Betrayer...

Betrayer...

End of chapter II.