' = Internal dialogue
ยจ= Normal speech
* = Sounds / Etc
-Chapter 43 Start-
As soon as the meeting was over, I went to find Lanira, hoping she knew of a way to contact Cenarius.
She was found in the kitchen, of course, minding her own business while humming to herself as I came through the teleporter in the room, which spooked her out of her thoughts as she turned toward me, holding a large backpack containing something that looked suspiciously like hamburgers.
"Oh, sorry, this is for the children at the new orphanage down the street." She explained regretfully, looking at me with slight remorse, no doubt thinking I was hungry already, even if it had only been one hour since she made Jaina and me dinner.
"No, it isn't that. I was going to ask you for a favor. I need to contact Cenarius, but I can go to your sisters instead to see if they can help me if you're busy." I told her with a smile.
"No! Don't worry, just give me a few minutes, and I'll be back! She replied as she flew past me in a sprint toward the door.
I heard a yawn behind Lanira's pillow as she exited the tower. A hooded figure popped her head up to look around the room and yawned again, "Valeera, have you slept there all afternoon?" I asked while scrutinizing her hood, who hid her face perfectly. She kept wearing it lately, not even revealing her face to anyone.
"Jepp, except when I heard odd moaning sounds an hour ago that stirred me awake for a little bit..." Valeera said in a tired tone.
That was odd because I couldn't sense anything except Lanira, Jaina, and myself when we had eaten dinner earlier. I just shrugged that thought away.
"Me, Jaina, and grandmother are leaving to deal with some doomsday scenario. Can you watch over the hydras and everyone while we're gone? This is one of the rare times I would prefer you to stay behind, and from what I can tell... You visiting Bluey every night to protect him is helping him immensely after what happened." I said soothingly, as she started wanting to interrupt me while I spoke.
"But! I'm... Your... protector, isn't it wrong of me to stay behind while your fighting and having fu- Ehm, having fulfilling adventure? Yes... Sure, Dad, I'll keep our home safe until your return." She said with a yawn toward the end of her sentence.
"But first, I'm borrowing your bed while you are gone... Starting... now!" Then she rushed to the teleporter and said, "Good luck!"
I just shook my head at her antics and went to the hatchery to prepare for a long journey. Aegwynn had taught me how to conjure mana gems, and we found a way to utilize that as a short-term solution if I had to leave the fourteen hundred dragon eggs behind without being able to give them my mana every day.
The only reason it wasn't a long-term solution was the fact it wasn't as effective, so when I was done making a basketball-sized mana gem and put it inside the center of the square, it would take a long time to turn to dust as all the mana inside would be absorbed much slower if I wasn't doing this directly.
When I finished this, I made my way toward my workshop.
I decided to test my prototype gauntlets, though I had doubts they would last, as they were only a shell of arcanite and thorium. While both had been enchanted, they weren't at the level to be able to handle any long fight against a being like Malygos.
What they were suitable for was the conductivity. My lightning got empowered slightly when I used them. Still, I figured it was better than nothing, as I picked up one of the enchanted bags and put the gauntlets into them.
Done in my workshop, I used the teleporter back to the first floor just in time to see Lanira sprint through the door.* Huff* *Cough* "I'm here!" *Huff*
After a few minutes, she had managed to recover her breath. I gave her an ice-cold mug of water while she sat on the floor.
"So! You wanted me to get in contact with Uncle?" Lanira said with a smile.
"Yes, I'm on a tight schedule at the moment, and there are a few things I need him to clarify, or rather update me regarding the demons approaching Mount Hyjal. Think you can do that for me?"
"Hmm, I think I can do better, father. Since my change, I have felt a strong pull from the dream..." She said as her eyes became glossy, and she looked behind me as if she was looking at something I couldn't see or grasp.
Then she looked back at me and continued, "Father... I believe I can take you with me... Into the dream..." This news was interesting. Bringing someone like me into the Emerald Dream was both scary and fascinating at the same time.
It was intimidating because of the fact that if she could pull me in, someone else might be able to do the same, and that would leave my body vulnerable.
As far as I knew, only druids and the like could access it, and they were leaning toward nature's side of things.
"If you think that is the best way to do this, I will leave it up to you Lanira." I told her calmly.
With an excited nod, she motioned with her hand to me to take a seat in front of her, which I obliged and sat down.
She then put her hands forward and grasped mine, and I felt the air shift around us.
Lanira started glowing purple, with a green sheen coming from the thin purple layer.
The room around us started shifting and twisting. Soon, the walls became as dark as the void, and I looked up.
The ceiling had disappeared, and a sea of green covered to the brim with beautiful shining stars appeared.
Brilliant giant lush trees suddenly started shifting and appearing in the distance. Soon, other dryads, whisps, and different kinds of creatures had shown up. Many gazed at us with curiosity before continuing with whatever they were doing.
Lanira shuddered for a moment as she held my hands. I noticed she was sweating and looked fatigued. The process of bringing us both here obviously was new to her, and her inexperience had cost her. Luckily, it wasn't anything more than slight exhaustion.
"Are you alright?" I asked gently as I rose to my feet while lifting Lanira up on hers.
*Huff* "Yes... i'm... just out... of mana..." She said as she unsteadily managed to stand by herself, and I let go.
I then channeled my mana toward my hand to make a mana gem but was surprised that instead of blue, it was a brilliant green regardless. I handed it over to Lanira, who seemed to know what to do with it. She breathed a sigh of relief as the small green stone turned to dust.
Before she could thank me, however, a large ghostly face of an elf was taking shape in front of us. First, the eyes became visible, pure white with a tint of blue, then the rest became visible. The motherly face of an elf looked at Lanira with warmth, then turned to me, almost as if it was studying my features before the floating head bobbing up and down as if nodding at something.
"Welcome to the Emerald Dream. My name is Aessina, I feel as if I have seen you before, young dryad, but with your odd features, it eludes me..." The floating face said to Lanira.
Then she looked back at me and continued, "As for how a being like you has gotten here... It is surprising but a welcome one. I feel as if you have come here with an important purpose. May I know of whom I speak to?"
"My name is Medan. As for how I came here, I assume it is my connection to Lanira here. We are here to see Cenarius for some important matters. It's in regards to the situation about the demons." I told her as the... Whisp listened while the entire head bobbed up and down as if nodding again.
"Come with me then. The Forest Lord awaits you within the heart of the forest, near the Emerald Dreamway." Then Aessina started floating away. I looked at Lanira while she looked back and nodded. Then we both followed after the ghostly being hovering above the ground.
As we followed the whisp through the lush and green forest, I saw life in many forms: large living trees gently stepped between areas of deer and other wildlife, blue-furred bears taking care of their cubs, tiger-sized cats prowling their own while playing around like normal house cats would do.
Then we reached a large circular gate covered in moss, inscribed with intricate runes which glowed blue. The entire gate hummed in with magic as we passed it, as we headed further along the path, which led us to a crossroads of paths, where Cenarius was lying down in a meditative pose.
The demigod noticed the three beings approaching. His eyes opened slowly as he remained seated.
When he saw the whisp, he smiled gently, and then the demigod turned toward Lanira and was going to say something but froze when he saw me.
"How did you access the dream, Lord Medan? That's not supposed to be possible for someone without the druidic nature..." Cenarius said... Or asked. Regardless, he shook his head, then looked back to Lanira. The Forest Lord pondered while saying, "I see you have changed greatly since the last time I saw you, little Lanira. I am glad to see that you are well, consider me intrigued by the change within your. Your... Magic seems to have connected to Lord Medan somehow... How peculiar."
Cenarius knew what had first happened when he gave me the acorns containing the dryads some time ago. I doubt he would have guessed that Lanira would become almost a separate race of dryad compared to his other daughters.
So when he finally looked toward me, he asked, "Lord Medan, I presume there is a reason for you to come here in the dream and talk to me in person?"
Then I talked to Cenarius about my suspicions after the Bronze dragonflight had given me a time limit of one week and Chromie's little slip-up about that something would happen within one week regarding Mount Hyjal and the demons.
Cenarius listened with rapt attention and kept asking questions, especially regarding the aspect of magic, Malygos.
Half an hour later, when I was done explaining and answering Cenarius' questions, he closed his eyes while processing what I told him. Soon after, he sighed after I asked what had happened.
"Yes... There have been several complications. Dens have been cleared out by the demons. They butchered the druids as they slept in the dream. Defenseless and vulnerable, they offered no resistance.
The priestess has managed to defend most of the Dens. However, thanks to her mate Malfurion, she rescued most of the slumbering ones."
Cenarius said as he looked sorrowfully toward the distance, clearly sad about the loss of druids thanks to the demons.
"The undead have brought their disease, resulting in many slumbering druids succumbing to the fate of being newly risen undead. Their powers are not what they used to be, but beware if you find them that they will utilize nature around them to a certain extent." Cenarius continued while looking full of regret.
"So, you are telling me that the undead are getting a foothold within Northern Ashenvale? How?" I asked incredulously.
"A bat-like demon with the name of Anetheron leads them. He has achieved much since we last spoke. Even now, our forces are trying to thin out the numbers of undead.
I do not see how they could achieve anything within one week alone. Still, I will tell you if there is any change in that regard, as I understand you and your strongest forces will take on these so-called End Time events. If so, I will task a dryad within your city regarding any significant changes. Even if you are not there, we might seek the aid of your city." Cenarius calmly said as he thought deeply about what I had told him about the unfolding situation.
Shortly after our talk, we were ready to leave through Lanira's magic again. But Cenarius interrupted us, "Little Lanira, I hope to see you more often. Some of your sisters have been worried about you." He said. Lanira froze for a moment before nodding with a slight smile. She turned back to me, gently gripped my hands, and channeled her magic as the world around us dimmed and twisted around itself as we suddenly woke up in my tower.
Finally done with my preparations, I approached the teleporter after saying goodbye to Lanira, who hugged me and mumbled something about getting more ingredients.
I was met by Belmont just as I approached the teleporter as he appeared on the platform, "Sorry to say this, but I have no time to deal with these kinds of things. The city has too much to deal with as it is, so I hope you don't mind me stepping aside while you and your fellow mages deal with a problem of this magnitude? Because I always end up on the losing side whenever mages of Dalaran are involved." He said with his typical grin, and I could respect that. Belmont wasn't exactly as magical as the ordinary person.
He was basically what I would define as an Anti-mage in how mana acted around the man. Magic tended to deal significantly less damage against him. As a result, he was a perfect assassin against necromancers, warlocks, and the like.
And if we encounter a being like Malygos who cannot die in a simple ambush... Then, assassination would lose its purpose.
This did not mean Belmont was useless by any means of the word no. If you gave the man time to plan and set up the field, prepare his poisons, make his traps, and given his rogue abilities, he was an absolute nightmare to fight, especially if you were unaware you were being stalked.
"Sure thing, Belmont, if we all leave, there won't be anyone watching the city while we're gone. Just be sure to lock down the town for the rest of the week, just in case." I told him as he approached me, and we shook hands.
"Don't die on me, you tall piece of shit," Belmont said with his trademark grin.
"I don't plan to elf-lover, take care of Pained while we're gone, alright?" I told him, reflecting his grin as his own widened, and with a subtle nod, he went toward the door. And I activated the teleporter.
Appearing inside the room where Chromie sat in the middle of the table, Aegwynn and Jaina had geared up. They were ready, while the three Archmages seemed equipped with new combat-oriented robes. They had been back to Dalaran, and Rhonin had to leave Arathor for obvious reasons.
Chromie perked up and said with a smile, "Ready?" I nodded as she spread her hands, and the room lit up in bronze light as a triangular portal appeared before me.
The portal stabilized, and Chromie motioned for us to go through. As soon as I entered, I saw a gigantic hallway. The ceiling had old buildings that appeared to stick out as part of a bad portrait.
Some small constructs were visibly aged, yet some were very modern as if they had been stolen from their own time and displayed here. Small glimpses of what was behind them were visible. It was a red-illustrated sky, bright light coming from what looked like a sun. It had luminous, colorful lights lighting up in the background where the innumerable stars lit up as comet-like rocks flew around us in a circular pattern.
Meanwhile, I was studying what was in front of me; all the people on the opposite side of the portal had come through, looking around in awe at the sight. Yet, the one who looked most out of place was Chromie, who stood by with a wide smirk of pride after everyone saw the scene before them.
*Cough* As I coughed into my hand to get her attention, she lost her smirk momentarily, "It's still a little while until we reach our destination, so I will transform into my dragon form and fly you down. I hope that is fine." She asked though it wasn't as much of a question compared to a fact.
She did not wait for others to accept or reply as she instantly stepped away from us and turned into a fifteen-meter-tall dragon.
The three Archmages calmly walked up her wing after she bent down on her side to let them get up. Aegwynn, Jaina, and I just stood by and waited, and with a voice that changed completely, Chromie looked at us and said, "Are you not getting on?" I just shook my head and levitated off the ground. At the same time, Aegwynn reached for something inside her bag, one of the magical carpets I could recall from somewhere, and then she let it float to the ground slowly.
Then she stepped on it and gestured for Jaina to do the same, which she did without hesitation.
"We have it covered, Bronze Dragon." Said Aegwynn simply while Jaina nodded. Chromie sighed loudly in her dragon form as she lifted off the ground, and we all started flying down the magical pathway displaying the wonders of time.
I swore I saw an ethereal form waving at me when I gazed through one of the gaps in the wall. The figure was a behemoth just casually floating there, and it disappeared just as quick as it came, leaving me slightly baffled.
For a moment, I was trying to glimpse through that gap again. This time, it was covered up by the appearance of a sudden new construct, which looked very much like a wardrobe meant for giants.
I shook my head and kept pace behind Chromie while Aegwynn's magic carpet flew beside me.
When we finally arrived at the bottom, there was a gigantic see-through hourglass with smooth sand running down on one side while the other side had sand going upwards, looking like it was attempting to balance how much sand was in the bottom and the top, however, the bottom was winning ever so slightly.
And for some reason, I instinctively felt that was an ominous sign. Still, I shrugged that off as Chromie turned to the left, where a sizeable blue-looking entrance was, looking very out of place.
Several bronze dragons gave us all a short glance. Still, they returned to whatever they were doing shortly after, realizing we were here with Chromie.
I felt the magic around me when we finally reached the blue entrance. It was... unnaturally weak, almost as if it sought something beyond its reach.
Aegwynn had considered the same when I gazed in her direction. She looked right back and nodded. Jaina looked puzzled and wary of the strange sensation.
Then Chromie stopped, "This is where Malygos resides, but let me warn you, who ends up taking the task of stopping him in there may encounter... Resistance from some of the other flights in that timeline's version, long story short... An Aspect has been forcibly enslaved. This is the change the Infinite dragonflight had changed, or at least that is the change we are currently aware of. Be warned that other complications will likely have occurred since the last time we checked."
Then she continued after a brief pause, "Though this is around... eight years in the future where all attempts of bringing Malygos down failed; as a result, he was left alone while the champions of Azeroth put their efforts elsewhere.
Usually, this would be just an area you'd enter, buuuut, this scenario extended as far as the entirety of Northrend."
Then she looked at me with slight regret and said, "Just to make it up to you for attempting to lure you away from the current conflict you are dealing with, I ensured that two days inside the End Point is one day in our world. Effectively increasing our time limit by an additional week."
After a brief moment, she added, "I had originally intended it to be the opposite, but I have come to realize that... It's a bad idea..."
Then she looked slightly disturbed as her gaze turned to the distance as if she was looking at something we could not.
"Glad you realized that, and I mean no offense when I say this, Chromie, but currently, my trust in you hangs by a thin thread. Had you actually gone through with whatever you had in motion, we would be enemies by the end of our current situation. I don't like being fucked with, especially by the one I'm supposed to help." I said while facing the direction of the blue-looking gate as Chromie was standing behind me.
The air around us became extremely tense momentarily before Aegwynn interrupted, "Grandson, do you not think it's time we go? The faster we deal with the situation, the better, no?"
"Yeah, probably. By the way, I think the three of us can deal with this End Time event. Can you three see if you can deal with the black dragon while we deal with Malygos? I suppose that would be fair, wouldn't it?"
The three archmages in the background shift uncomfortably on Chromie's back for a moment before Rhonin says with a forced smile, "Yes, I have prior experiences with a black dragon I encountered before, so we should be able to handle it." The red-haired mage said. If they took too long, we would undoubtedly go there ourselves.
I nod and start going through the dazzling blue gate as Jaina and Aegwynn follow. Chromie had taken off and headed deeper into the cavern.
When we walked further inward as the blue gate kept extending in the distance, we finally reached a thin blue wavering layer of mana, which I assumed was the entrance to this End Time event. Still, before we entered, Aegwynn held my shoulder for a moment and handed me a small white tablet where three markers lit up on the surface and said,
"I have had some bad experiences walking through temporal portals in the past. Just in case we get separated, take this. It's something that will broadcast your location to us, as well as it will point you toward both me and Jaina." She looked at Jaina as she took a small, similar-looking tablet and showed me.
"Good idea. Let's hope it doesn't get to that point, though. Ready to face off against the aspect of magic?" I said with a slight grin, which Aegwynn reflected, while Jaina shook her head with a smile.
'Can't wait to let loose once more. It has been way too long.' I thought right before I entered the portal.
-Chapter 43 End-