Warcraft IV: War of Legends

Chapter 10: Upon a Flying Dream

Day after day, Tyrande wished for Malfurion's return. Her love was able to send the occasional message, but few reached her. She had spoken to Remulos, who had also received these sorts of visions. Malfurion watched over Illidan, and told her that the Dream spread farther than ever before. The very fabric that divided Azeroth from Outland was torn during the human's second war. This was only part of the reason her love was unable to leave the Emerald Dream.

With the help of Ysera, Tyrande hoped to find her lover. However, those who were most loyal to She of Dreaming also began to become corrupted by whatever evil remained beyond the mortal realm. Ysera, to escape the evil, began to stay more and more corporeal in the mortal realm. Cenarius, her son, was completely trapped in the realm, however, and she was concerned at all times. She came and went whenever she pleased, and this day was no different.

"High priestess, your general Istraz did not reach the coast in time. Remulos escaped, but the entire base, along with almost the entire order of the Druids of the Pack, fell. The remainder of that order has vanished, and the Undead continue their march north. Contact with Maligns has all but faded, and North rend is lost to death. All of this must have something to do with their strike in Theramoore."

Tyrande took this news in stride. Istraz, who she had finally begun to trust, had now fled! Of all the druids to do such a thing, it had to be the one who commanded such respect from his fellows! Of the Storm rage brothers, she saw the difference between both tactics and allies. Malfurion used the earth and the living creatures to aid him as they saw fit. Illidan, on the other hand, delved into the darkest reaches of magic to use it against the Legion and his other enemies. His Nag and Blood Elves would occasionally raid a Night Elf village, and they would soon be turned away.

Istraz, however, was quite odd. The other Druids of the Pack respected him, though he seemed more youthful than the others. His disappearance could only mean great difficulty in the times to come. "Thank you, Great Aspect."

"She of Dreaming, I have a request of you. I wish to end the Scourge," said a Night Elf who came from nowhere, "And a friend of mine believes he has found the way. I need but a drop of your pure blood to fill the rune in this blade," and at this he showed his blade. The first rune glowed a bright crimson, though the others retained the metallic look of the blade. Ysera turned to him in surprise.

"I refuse my blood, which can put even the most vigilant of guards to sleep. Now leave me and the High Priestess, foolish youth." He turned and left without another word. "You Night Elves are now a mortal race. But, as we have lived as allies for these many years, I would like our kin to join. I came today to ask your alliance. My Flight is falling in the Dream to a dark enemy, and so I wish for your assistance."

The two spoke for hours. At the end of their conversation, they agreed to join together their forces. Ysera left and reached the woods before the Night Elf who had intruded once again appeared before the Aspect of the Emerald Dream.

"Ysera, She of Dreaming, the Green Dragon Aspect, sister to the Queen of Life… Once more I ask for your blood, which will indeed put any mortal being into a near eternal slumber… Even the Scourge will sleep… However, the Life within the blade will let one survive their slumber. Its power could let you watch over the dream, untainted by any darkness. Just a drop of your blood will grant this power to the blade…"

Ysera thought of his words. Few could learn such magic, and even fewer could actually command it. Despite this, the blade remained intact through the power of some unseen force.

"Alright. Take my blood to the blade, and command the power of slumber…" She returned to her true form, a massive green dragon. The Night Elf took a blood-stained dagger out and plunged it beneath the Green Aspect's scales. Blood trickled out, less than Alexstrasza's, but still quite a bit. It filled the rune next to the Red one, charging the blade with the power of a second Aspect. He then took the blade and stabbed it into She of Dreaming. The wound not only healed, but Ysera closed her eyes. She began to slip into the Dream, her physical body becoming ethereal flesh. She had no more power than before, but now the darkness which tainted her realm could not infest her.

Once more, a Blue Dragon flew from the forest, headed south this time. An eternal slumber could pass in an instant only under special circumstances…

AN: Ysera visits every place in disguise, and I am aware of slight continuity issues. The blade nears completion…