Days continued to pass in peace on Kalimdor. I spent most of my free time talking with Ysera and Alexstrasza, listening to more interesting events that took place during my absence.
At the same time, I absorbed the origin of the Emerald Dream, making me ruler of the realm, similar to how Winter was Queen of Ardenweald. Thanks to my work in expanding Emerald Dream before, it became so stable that it could exist on its own without being connected to Azeroth.
This was something I wanted as I started planning for my eventual leaving this world, and not wanting to leave those who wished to follow me behind, I needed Emerald Dream to take them with me.
Similar to how I told Elune and Winter to slowly remove their realms from the rest of the world, I started doing the same with Emerald Dream. Slowly severing the connection from Azeroth while binding it to myself.
While I was at it, all the leaders of Elves approached me as they decided on the matter of following me.
-"Your Excellency."
~"Tyrande, I can see that you came to the decision."
-"Yes. After asking people, the majority expressed their will to follow you, even if that means leaving the Azeroth."
~"Good. Then I want you to move into Emerald Dream. I'll prepare the place for you."
-"This... Can we truly live in the Emerald Dream?"
~"Yes, but this would mean that you become my followers, as I'm now the ruler of Emerald Dream."
-"We will follow your world, Your Excellency."
~"You don't have to rush migration into Emerald Dream, but try to do it in at most five years. I believe that Scourge that appeared before was just preparation for another Invasion of Burning Legion, and by moving to Emerald Dream, you can escape from their reach."
-"Are we going to let the Azeroth fall into the hands of the Legion?"
~"No, if Azeroth were to fall, this entire world would be fated to destruction. I will require you to fight against the Legion, but we'll no longer be on defense."
-"Do Your Excellency want to defeat the Legion?"
~"While the total defeat of Legion is rather improbable, I plan to release the Titans, as Winter told me where they were sealed by Sargeras. By having Titans return, they will be able to keep Legion in check."
As we were talking, Ysera and Alextrasa approached us and joined in the conversation.
-"So they also decided to follow you, Yue?"
~"Indeed, Elves will migrate into Emerald Dream like your dragonflights."
-"Well, we will be neighbors from now on."
-"Yes, lady Alextrasa, please continue taking care of us."
~"How are Malygos and Nozdormu doing with locating Argus?"
-"They succeded. We came here to inform you about this."
~"Tell them to prepare to create a rift between Azeroth and Argus. When the time comes, we will strike the Legion where they don't expect."
-"We will pass that on to them."
~"Thank you."
-"What are your plans for now, Yue?"
~"Prepare Emerald Dream for the future, and cooperate with Winter and Elune."
-"You won't mind me tagging along?"
~"You are welcome to accompany me, Ysera."
The next months were spent on making a place for Elves to live in the Emerald Dream. The first dragons also arrived and started to make their own nests.
I also assisted the Aspect in renouncing their Titan-given powers, replacing it with what they cultivated over the years. While this made them a bit weaker, losing the bindings that kept them bound to Azeroth was worth the sacrifice.
When most of the pressing matters were dealt with, I traveled to Ardenweald, where Winter was waiting for me.
~"Took you long enough. You promised to visit often yet over a year passed."
~"Sorry for that, Winter."
~"Don't apologize. Just do better."
~"I wanted to consult you on something concerning the Jailer."
~"Zovaal? He is sealed in the Maw. Why do you want to talk about him?"
~"He is sealed no more. Long before he was able to contact me, meaning that he loosened his binding over then thousand years before."
~"Then why he didn't make any movements for all those years?"
~"Because his target is something much bigger than revenge. He wants to rewrite the reality."
~"How can he do it? Even if the whole Pantheon of Death used whole power, we still wouldn't be able to achieve such a feat."
~"Zereth Mortis."
~"You mean he intends to use the Sepulcher?! This is presumptuous! He is a lunatic!"
~"When he contacted me, he wanted to incite me to take revenge, but in the end, I exchanged knowledge of cosmic forces for his information about Zereth Mortis."
~"From just his agreement to this trade, we can infer that he truly plans to use the Sepulcher. I have to contact rets of the Eternal Ones."
~"Calm down, Winter. I believe that his plans are more far-reaching than you think. There was an undead plague on Azeroth some time ago, and the leader of it wielded a weapon that showed nature similar to the domination of Primus."
~"You think that Primus joined the Jailer?"
~"No, I believe that we were able to capture and somehow force Primus to work for him. This would mean that he has not only eyes and ears in the remaining realms but can make others act in his name."
~"There is a traitor among us?"
~"Most likely. For now, the best way is to prepare quietly to be ready when he strikes."
~"Ardenweald alone won't be able to defeat Jailer and the Traitor."
~"You are not alone. But we can contact those who are surely not turnedcoats to the side of Zovaal."
~"Kyrestia will never work with him, as well as Arbiter."
~"Then start with informing the Arbiter. Kyrestia might want to confront Zovaal the moment you inform her of his escape."
~"You are probably right. I'll try to make sure she doesn't waste our advantage by doing something stupid."
~"Zovaal first action would most likely be to take back the power of Arbiter. We can use that to prepare an ambush for him before he can act or lure him to a false sense of security while biding our time to strike."
~"He will prepare various contingencies on his first strike, so catching him off guard there would be hard. And I believe you want to enter Zereth Mortis. If Zovaal doesn't open a way for you, you might not get a chance."
~"I had some backup plans, but he making a way for me would be much appreciated. Remember to focus on keeping yourself safe."
~"You don't have to worry."
~"Give me your Sigil."
~"What are you planning to do?"
~"Zovaal would have to get your Sigil, so I plan to take advantage of him by trading it before he is aware of our cooperation."
~"You plan to act as a spy?"
~"I wouldn't take this so far, but I'll act sympathetic to his cause. That way, I can shield Ardenweald from his attacks while getting some advantage in the process."
~"And what price do you plan to ask him for my Sigil?"
~"Artifact that would grant total freedom to Darkfallen. While no longer under the influence of the Lich King, nothing is stopping them from once again being bound by his domination over the undead."
~"You are known for caring for Elves, so he will believe that this is your purpose and gain some of his goodwill along the way."
~"Then I go and contact him."
~"Go. Just return faster this time."
~"I will."
Having agreed on the plan of action, I went to an isolated place where no one would spy on my conversation with Zovaal. Casting a spell that would be felt by him, I waited for a response.
~"Hou? To think you would try to speak with me."
~"I have something that might interest you."
~"I'm all ears."
~"I'm aware you are behind Scourge on Azeroth, and Frostmourne was created on your order. Some Elves become undead because of the Lich King attack. I want you to create an artifact that would grant the freedom from the dominance of Primus."
~"For something like that, you must have prepared a good price."
~"Sigil of the Night Fae, but you will not attack the Ardenweald in addition to the artifact."
~"You wish to trade the Sigil despite knowing what I want to achieve."
~"As long as those important to me are fine, I don't care."
~"Heh, I can respect that. You have my word. As long as no Night Fae stands in my way, I will not move against Ardenweald."
~"Then prepare the artifact, and I will exchange the Sigil then."
~"It'll be ready in two months. I'll send someone to meet you on Azeroth."
~"Good, I'll wait for him near the Malestorm in two months."
~"It's always a pleasure to work with you."
Severing the connection between us, I looked at the spell I was casting. In between Arcane power used in this spell, small Spirit Runes were flickering.
When Zovaal's presence appeared here, those runes attached themself to him, allowing me to trace his movements and listen to his speech. While not impossible to be discovered, similar power does not exist in this world, so I had confidence that Zovaal wouldn't notice their presence.
After creating a tool that would allow Winter to use those runes and giving it to her, I returned to Emerald Dream, continuing to help where my assistance was needed.
Time passed as quickly as always. The exchange near the Maelstrom was just around the corner. I teleported there with Sylvanas, who I chose to accompany me as leader of the Darkfallen.
The moment we arrived, I felt another portal appearing, this one from Shadowlands. Soon, a Venthyr emerged, having an aura rivaling mine.
~"To think Zovaal will send one of his ace cards to this meeting."
~"While he believes in your words, the exchange of this value needs to be secure."
~"Indeed. Show me the artifact, Denathrius."
He passed me a crystal that emanated the energy of Death. Taking it into my hands, I checked its power, and after confirming there was no trap, I used it on Sylvanas.
~"How do you feel?"
-"I no longer feel the connection with Helm of Domination, Your Excellency."
~"Did you finish checking the goods?"
~"Yes. Here, your payment."
I gave the Sigil of Night Fae to Denathrius and returned to Emerald Dream with Sylvanas. She instantly started gathering the Darkfallen to let them escape the influence of domination. Thanks to assistance from some Sentinels in organizing the crowd, we were able to complete this matter in a day.
After this, the loyalty of not only Darkfallen but also the remaining Elven races rose to the point beyond that of belief. Even Elune told me in exasperation that prayers to her more often asked for blessings for me than the person who was praying.
Deciding to ignore this for now, I continued to help relocate Elven cities to Emerald Dream, and thanks to the cooperation of everyone, in not even three years since we started, the whole Kalimdor was now void of living. Be it Elf, Dryad, or animal, every last of them was moved to Emerald Dream, leaving the continent to monsters and rases such as Murlocs.
The same situation could be seen on Dragon Isles. While some dragons were still moving items from there to the Dream, all dragons were already living inside.
The tranquil Emerald Dream became quite lively, but it hadn't lost its natural feel because of it. Elven cities could be found under the World Trees growing here, while Dragons build their nests on floating islands over the endless forest.
As my form was no longer that of Stag, under the persuasion of Elven leaders, I agreed for them to build me a home. Finding a place on the lake in the center point between six major cities, they build a castle blending nature and quasi-eastern style of buildings.
Dragon Aspects also helped in creating this place, bringing their abilities to create a true paradise. Even Elune and Winter joined in on the project, not wanting to be left out. In the end, a large complex of multiple buildings was created that Elune named Moon Palace.
Starting from the entrance, you would find yourself on the big plaza, around which were portals to different cities. Walking up the stairs and through the entrance, one would enter the main hall, at the end of which were three chairs for me, Elune, and Winter. The hall itself was made with holding court sessions in mind, as Winter planned to join all our forces together in the future.
Behind us, as well as from one side of a hall, there was an entrance to the inner part of the palace, where rooms for residents were kept, along with some workshops and ateliers. There were much fewer of those rooms compared to Hold, but some were still needed if this was to act as home.
This whole palace was built around and into a steep mountain, atop which a mage tower was built, the joint creation of Aspects utilizing all at their disposal.
This tower acted as a Nexus for other towers in different cities and dragon nests, strengthening the realm even more with the formation they created. A massive library was also inside, as I asked for this, with connecting it to [Grand Library] after I returned.
The right wing of the palace was reserved for the palace guard, whose role was taken by Watchers and Wardens as they were no longer required to guard many locations over Azeroth. Maiev herself took the position of commander of the guard, still keeping the position of Lunara's deputy.
The left wing was much bigger and included multiple buildings as well as a garden. This place was designed to be for relaxation, having hot springs and other such installations. Elune suggested this idea, and I approved it, as I planned to treat this as my second, if not even vacation home, compared to Palace in Hold.
There was also a bridge connecting to another island there, where there was nothing for now, but after I connected Emerald Dream to my world outside, I would root my tree on that second island.
While it was much smaller compared to Hold's High Grounds, Moon Palace had a much more natural feel to it, being homely and serene. I could see girls spending their free time here rather than in Hold's Palace, but everything could be sorted out after my return.
For now, days of peace were approaching their end, as when I was spying on the surface, I found how certain Ork warlock was in the process of unsealing the avatar of Sargeras, planning to use that power to open an old portal left there.
Knowing that the third invasion was afoot, I gathered all forces loyal or affiliated to me, starting our last meeting before the war.