Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 258, Section 15. Rexxar found Misha! Wait, perhaps Misha found Rexxar.

In Cenarion Hold, Old Staghelm is receiving the last reinforcements from the Cenarion Order, because the Black Raven King and the Troll Empire have reached a "secret agreement of eye contact," which means that the Kaldorei will not have to mobilize a large army to deal with the "Second War of the Shifting Sands."

The Troll Empire sent the Sandfury Clan to assist in the battle. They might suffer heavy casualties while being responsible for the ground advance, but given the elves' attitude towards the trolls, the Kaldorei were already showing great restraint by not standing on the sidelines to cheer on the Qiraji.

Even if the elves did provide support, the trolls wouldn't trust them. Therefore, the current battle model, where the trolls are responsible for positional warfare while the powerful elves follow Saint Diakum in launching a decapitation strike against the insectoid high command, is honestly friendly to both sides.

The problem is that both the Highborne and High Elves have sent people, and Silithus is Kaldorei territory, so the Black Raven King must also show some sincerity. This is why there has been a steady stream of elite elves arriving at Cenarion Hold in the past few days.

"Master Broll Bearskin, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and help."

Old Deer Helmet bowed to a tall, bare-chested fellow soldier wielding a giant bear-shaped blade, and asked:

"What's the situation at Mount Hyjal?"

"The seeds created by the Forest Spirit Sages are very effective. The warriors of the Holy Land have recovered their health. Master Malfurion is organizing the Archdruids to observe and learn, striving to learn how to manipulate the Degenerate Spores in the shortest possible time."

The great druid replied:
"There are also forest spirit sages active in Ashenvale and Darkshore. Although they cannot catalyze enough seeds to eradicate the plague, the alchemical medicine made by soaking the seeds in water can greatly alleviate the weakness caused by the plague."

Order is being restored in the kingdom, but the situation in Felwood is bad, actually very bad.

Broll Bearskin lowered his voice and said to Old Deerhelm:

"The demons opened several rifts there, they occupied an ancient beast lair, and created an evil axis called 'Shadow Keep'. Many satyr demons were also summoned there, and in the mountains near Frostwhisper Valley, which connects Mount Hyjal and Winterspring, a large number of demons are spying on the holy site."

High Priestess Maiev received an oracle from Elune: the demonic invasion is imminent, and we don't have much time left.

"Wait! The beast den in Felwood?"

Old Deer Helmet exclaimed:

"Aren't many ancient druids sleeping there? Some of them even fell into slumber after the War of the Ancients and haven't awakened since. If the demons occupy that place, what about our brethren?"

The bear-skinned druid shook his head, his face grim, and said:
"Their fate is unknown, but some druids escaped. The Emerald Council faction in the forest took them in, saying that they saw the Plague Druids under the Corruptor's command and feared that they would corrupt our brethren through forced enchanting and then use them for their own purposes."

As the two conversed, the nearby dream gate trembled once more, and a tall minotaur dressed in a robe made of animal hide adorned with forest emblems emerged, carrying a "flowering staff." It swished its tail, looked around, and then strode quickly toward Old Deerhelm, bowing respectfully and saying:

"Senior Brother Fandral, I've arrived."

"Huh? Rune totems? What are you doing here?"

Old Deer Helmet looked at his "junior brother" with surprise and said:
"Shouldn't you be settling your people in Mulgore? I've heard that your tribe has suffered in the Desolace."

"It's not just a simple disaster. Fortunately, the Bloodhoof Clan had the help of their friends in Draenor, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to escape so easily."

Archdruid Hamuul Runetotem was the first druid among the Tauren and a disciple of Malfurion, the "Emerald Heart." He was also a fellow disciple of Staghelm. Because Malfurion also served as the spiritual leader of the Kaldorei elves, Hamuul's druidic spells were basically taught to him by Staghelm himself.

The two had a good relationship, and Hamuul Runetotem had been active in the Kaldorei kingdom for many years as the Tauren's diplomatic ambassador.

The large black bull, dressed in druid robes, sighed dejectedly and said:
"A demonic calamity has also broken out in the Desolace. I just reported to my mentor about the mass corruption that occurred in the Centaur Sanctuary. You are also aware of the delicate relationship between centaurs and the corrupted. It is probably out of desperation that they sought help from fel energy under the coercion of the suddenly appearing dead centaurs."

"So, before the demons even invaded, our kingdom had already lost two pieces of land?"

Old Deer Helmet's face visibly darkened. He stamped his foot and couldn't help but scold:

"These demon bastards are truly vicious and insane. Their arrogance suggests they've forgotten the humiliating defeat in the ancient war. They're like hateful troublemakers. Let them stir things up. If they really provoke us, we'll just break the seal on the Night Oath!"

Let's all die together!

"Be careful!"

The bear skin was startled.

Thinking to myself, Brother Lu Kui, you truly live up to your reputation for having a fiery temper throughout the entire country; you really dare to say such things.

The Night Oath's breaking of the seal could indeed solve all the problems in a short time, but we'd probably be treated as a "problem" and eliminated as well. That's something only done in desperation, when there's absolutely no other way. Who plans to launch a nuclear missile before the war even begins?

“My people said they were guided by Anshe and wanted to help our Magham brothers, so they came to Silithus to support that foreign saint. I settled the old, weak, women and children, but I was really worried, so I came to check on them.”

Hamuul glanced at the overcrowded Cenarion Hold, scratched his head with the憨厚 (honest and simple) demeanor of a Tauren, and said with a smile:
"But judging from the gathering of heroes here, it seems that there is not much need for a half-baked druid like me. Look, there are more than a dozen Priests of the Moon."

"He's a legendary figure after all; he can contribute if he comes."

Old Deer Helmet didn't care.

My junior brother came here out of kindness, how can I tell him what kind of food he is and then send him away?

That would chill the hearts of the righteous warriors, even though with the fortress's current high-end strength, which is full of demigods, it certainly doesn't lack a legendary druid.

"Even if it's just to broaden your horizons, come on, I'll show you around."

He personally led his junior brother out of the dream gate, and whispered to his junior brother, who was participating in such a high-level battle for the first time:

"The southwest side of the fortress is an area where the High Elves and High Elves are temporarily stationed. Don't go there to join the fun. Those guys are really bad. They've been obsessed with arcane magic for over ten thousand years."

To the east lies the territory of that alien saint and his followers. The forest spirit sage also cultivated a small garden called "Heart of the Wild" there. You can go and say hello whenever you have time. Their path of nature is different from ours. The way of life they uphold is very aggressive, but it's good to learn from each other.

Also, don't wander around the northern part of the fortress.

That's the temporary encampment of the Quicksand Guards. They've recently closed their doors to visitors and don't welcome anyone else.

"Ok?"

Hamuer, flicking his cow's tail, asked in confusion:
"I remember your son is a general of the Quicksand Guard, right, Senior Brother? He's your pride and joy. Why are you refusing to see your father when he comes? Has something happened?"

"Don't overthink it! My son is perfectly fine. He just... well, he's infected with the plague and can't see people easily, you know?"

Old Deer Helmet waved his hand and said:
"Just don't go over there!"
We're about to head to the Scarab Wall. The troll's golden fleet is approaching the coast of Silithus right now; they're setting up camp there. They'll be responsible for the assault, while we'll handle the covert operations.

It's good that the two don't interfere with each other, so that they don't start fighting each other as soon as they meet.

I heard that several Loa gods have arrived from the trolls, including some noble royal Loa. We can pay them a visit after we finish the battle.

Although I hate trolls, the Loa are, after all, symbols of the Way of Life.

“Yes, that makes sense. The Wild God also taught us that the Loa must be respected, even though they don’t often appear in the Emerald Dream.”

Runetotem nodded, about to subtly inquire about what had happened with the Sand Guardians that made him so anxious, but before he could speak, the two Archdruids turned around almost simultaneously.

They sensed a strange fluctuation emanating from the dream.

"Oh no! An apprentice is stuck in a dream rift."

Hamuer exclaimed in surprise, stood up, transformed into a storm raven with long bull horns, and rushed towards the direction of the fluctuations.

Old Staghelm followed closely behind, but as a demigod druid, his Storm Raven form was incredibly cool. Not only did it have emerald green antlers on its head, but it was also clad in sacred wooden armor made from Nordrassil branches, and even its claws were covered with sharp claw blades.

That was quite a show!
This kind of decoration not only enhances a druid's combat power, but is also a gift and blessing of life force. Not every archdruid is qualified or capable of creating this "wild incarnation armor" that perfectly matches their own life force.

The emerald green antlers on Old Deer Helmet's head reveal that he follows the nature demigod Malorne on the path of life.

Hamuul Runetotem, though possessing great potential and a profound affinity with nature, has only been in the field for a short time and has not yet reached the point where he needs to form a symbiotic pact with the Wilderness Demigods and choose the path of a demigod.

As for Malfurion, the leader of the Druids, known as "The Emerald Heart," he's awesome!

Malfurion received the natural blessings of almost all the Wilderness demigods. His path to demigodhood was unique, just like his brother, who was a genius in his respective profession. Currently, no other druid can imitate Malfurion's path of "unity of the gods."

However, when the two brothers arrived at the place of the dream fluctuations, Hamuul was surprised to find a big guy lying in front of him after he transformed into a human.

"Is that a Maghar orc? How can it be so big!"

The Black Bull Druid stepped forward to help, but as soon as he reached out his hand, the Dire Wolf Halasa guarding Rexxar nearly bit off his palm. Meanwhile, the even larger Sunfire Raven Rukran flapped its fiery wings and kept threatening him.

They didn't know what was wrong with Rex, but they wouldn't allow strangers to approach it.

"What's wrong with this orc?" The minotaur was shocked. It looked at its senior brother and exclaimed:
"He has his own hunting companions, so he must be a ranger. But why can he enter the dream world? Is he also a druid?"

"Yes, Rexxar Remar is the guardian chosen by the will of life in Draenor. Their rules are different from ours, but one thing is for sure: this guy is definitely a natural beast speaker, just like our mentor."

Old Deer Helmet explained:

"I taught him the technique of walking through dreams a few days ago. Rexxar is very curious about the ecology of the Emerald Dream. He spends most of his time exploring the dream except when he is preparing for battle, just like when we first became druids."

Everyone has been through this stage, and it's only natural to linger in the dreamlike world of jade. But it seems he's unlucky tonight, having stumbled into a rift in the dream.

"You two, be quiet!"

Old Staghelm glared at the two beasts, silencing Harassa and Rukran, before stepping forward to check on Rexxar. The large orc seemed to be asleep, but could not be woken up.

“I will enter his dream to bring him back. Junior brother, you will protect me.”

He said something, and Hamuul pulled out his flowering staff, scattered a few seeds, nodded, and followed Old Staghelm into Rexxar's dream. The big black bull swung its tail, wary of its surroundings while curiously observing the magical creature, Rukran.

It had never seen a creature in Azeroth that could be so perfectly combined with fire, and Rukran clearly possessed the blessing of a demigod, but he was definitely not from the world of Azeroth; perhaps he was a demigod from the wilderness of Draenor.

Wow, that's really amazing! I really want to go and see that magical world.

"What? Is the honest black bull amazed by my wife's creation? Ribbit, so you Azeroth may have many demigods, but none of you are very creative. How can you compare to my Rukhmar, who is so gifted?"

Just as Hamuul Runetotem was admiring the Sunfire Raven, a strange sound rang out in the wind, startling the big black bull. He then looked around warily and saw a small black raven standing on the railing beside him, elegantly preening its feathers with its beak.

"you are."

Hamuul was a druid.

It immediately realized that the little crow carried the will of a wilderness demigod, but it had never seen a wilderness demigod so noisy.

Just as it was about to ask, it heard the noisy crow say to it:

"Since you admire Ruklan's Fire Raptor Way so much, why don't you try to add some 'fun' to your otherwise unremarkable druid career?"

That guy bewitched me:

"It seems you and I are destined to meet, quack. I've been worried that my wife will be unable to return home because of the destruction of the weak Draenor by war. I even asked Bwonsamdi, that thief, for information."

It told the goddess that as long as Rukhmar had new followers in Azeroth, she could be reborn in Azeroth as a Loa even if Draenor were gone.

I feel I should leave a way out for my beloved, so I'm searching everywhere for my 'soulmate'.

The way of life is all about 'fate'. I find you, this big black bull, quite pleasing to the eye. So let me ask you, Hamuul Runetotem, are you willing to become a follower of 'Spirit of the Sun' Rukhmar in Azeroth?

Are you willing to embark on the path of the 'Sun Druid'?

Believe me, quack, this is much more suitable for you than any Great Bear Way or Cheetah Way. After all, I just overheard, cough cough, I just had a brilliant calculation and know that you minotaurs also have a belief in the sun god.

Tsk, you guys were born to be my wife's followers, and there are even cooler lighting effects too!
My good brother Diakum told me that being strong is a temporary thing, but being handsome is a lifelong thing. Big Black Bull, think it over carefully.

"I'm rooting for you!"

------

"Where have you been, Rexxar! I've never even been to this rift before. I've been wandering in the Emerald Dream for ten thousand years! You've got real 'talent'!"

In the dream, Old Staghelm, transformed into a ferocious, armored white stag, trampled and rammed through a herd of nightmare minions, barely managing to carve a path through the dark and chaotic rift. He called upon Malorne's name, summoning stars to fall like specks of light, violently bombarding the indescribable nightmare creations around him. Then, turning back to the wounded Rexxar, he shouted:
"Quick, rush out with me! You seem to have discovered something incredible. This rift is hidden so deep, perhaps because we've approached the territory of the Old Gods. C'Thun is watching me."

“Wait a moment, Master Staghelm! A noble beast is trapped here, and I have been trying to rescue it.”

"what?"

Hearing Rexxar's shout, Staghelm paused for a moment.

How could a beast of the dream survive if it wandered into such a deep rift in the nightmare?
"do not go!"

Staghelm warned:
"Watch out, C'Thun might be lying in ambush! That could be a trap, you silly boy, come back!"

But the Nightmarelands also follow the unpredictable changes of dreams. At Old Staghelm's warning, the dream before him quickly shifted, separating him and Rexxar into two different places. The whispers of the Old Gods echoed here, seemingly targeting Staghelm who had entered.

However, although C'Thun is an Old God, it is not good at dream attacks.

That thing is the domain of Yogg-Saron and N'Zoth; C'Thun, the Thousand-Eyed Demon, is more adept at creating illusions and flesh-based catalysis.

"You want to defeat me in a dream? You want to challenge the Lost Watcher in a dream?"

Old Deer Helmet roared:

"You've chosen the wrong opponent! Thousand-Eyed Demon, your nightmares cannot obscure the path to hope. We are about to execute you! The war of a thousand years ago will soon be over. Malorne, guardian of the lost, guide my way."

At his call, the phantom of his master, the great white stag Malorne, howled and came, its spirit blessed by Elune trampling the Nightmare Land, swiftly purifying the place of its filth, leaving C'Thun roaring helplessly.

Its divine power was sealed behind the beetle wall, making it impossible to unleash its full power in the outside world. Moreover, the opponent was a demigod whose spirit was so strong that it was difficult to break through in a short time.

"Rexxar! Don't delay, you fool, let's go!"

Old Deer Helmet called out.

Soon, the heavily wounded Rexxar was seen transforming into an armored thorn beast and fighting fiercely. This was a unique and powerful transformation bestowed upon him by the Heart of Draenor, a path that was indeed different from that of the druids of Azeroth.

But behind Rexar, there really was a large, badly injured brown bear.

The latter cried out and followed Rexxar as they charged outwards, eventually leaping out of the Nightmare Lands with the help of Old Staghelm.

"vomit"

Rexxar opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of black blood, a result of the mental damage caused by the nightmare invading his mind.

Staghelm opened his eyes and quickly cast Rejuvenation to heal Rexxar, but as Hamuul watched in astonishment, a weary brown bear rushed out of the dream rift and lay down beside Rexxar, howling mournfully.

It was so tired that it finally fell asleep against Rexxar.

A few minutes later, Old Staghelm left with Hamuul, protected by Rexxar's beast companions, but the two druids had strange expressions.

The big black ox looked around and whispered:
"Senior brother, that 'brown bear' we just saw, if I'm not mistaken, it should be a human."

"Shhh."

Staghelm made a shushing gesture.

He glanced back at the room with mixed emotions and said in a low voice:
"That must be a druid warrior captured during the War of the Shifting Sands a thousand years ago. She has been trapped in the Nightmare Lands for a thousand years but has not been corrupted. It must be because Elune has taken pity on her and she is being cared for. It may also be related to the protection of the great god Ursol."

However, the mental torment she suffered for a thousand years made it difficult for her to regain normal thinking in a short period of time.

She's a brown bear now!
She's no different from a wild beast and completely incapable of communicating with us, and she only trusts Rexxar.

That's it.

Let's do this first.

We'll try treatment again once her condition stabilizes.

"The way of life truly does depend on fate."

Hamuer sighed, then swished his cow's tail and whispered:

"Um, senior brother, I just received an invitation saying that the path of the 'Sun Druid' has been opened for me, but I really have no experience in this area. So, could you please give me some advice on whether I should respond to this path?"

"What?! Flames? Say it again, I think I just heard something incredible."

(End of this chapter)