Malfurion tried many methods to soothe the Worgen's rage, but none of them proved effective.
Andreas also attempted his own approach, using Shadow magic to try and control or pacify the Worgen's minds, but the sheer fury reflected back from their souls left even him at a loss.
Nearly 3,000 Night Elves had been transformed into Worgen. Although this number was but a drop in the ocean compared to the Night Elves' total population of tens of millions, Malfurion dared not relax in the slightest due to the new virus carried by this species.
Every Night Elf bitten by a Worgen underwent a mutation without exception. Depending on an individual's resistance, the onset time varied, but it occurred within three days at the latest, with a mutation rate of 100%.
If the Worgen virus were allowed to spread unchecked, the order of the entire Night Elf society would be severely impacted.
Andreas agreed deeply with this concern. Much like the zombie viruses popular in various films and television shows, the destructive power of the virus itself wasn't strong, but its infectiousness was terrifying. Furthermore, Worgen were not comparable to slow-moving, low-intelligence zombies; their running speed far exceeded that of a Druid in their normal form.
Through Andreas's repeated verifications, it was clear that these Worgen's intellect was not low either. They were merely blinded by rage, following their instincts most of the time. However, once they fell into a crisis, their brains would temporarily regain a degree of clarity, allowing them to form packs with an intelligence approaching or even exceeding that of a Night Elf, acting in perfect coordination.
Days of continuous discussion failed to yield a stable solution, leaving Malfurion with no choice but to place his hopes on Cenarius and Goldrinn.
Andreas happened to know exactly where Cenarius was. The forest demigod had recently wandered to the Mashan'she Grasslands to live among the Tauren. After sending scouts to establish contact, a group of high-ranking Druids, including Andreas, prepared to enter the Emerald Dream together.
As the group of Druids drifted into slumber, Tyrande watched the sleeping Andreas with a face that flickered between different emotions. She wasn't planning to seize the opportunity to kill him; such an act would cause Malfurion to break with her completely once he learned the truth, and Tyrande herself wasn't so base as to sink to that level.
Should I take this chance to gather the Sisterhood and work together to seal his power? Without his personal strength to rely on, I doubt this fellow would dare to interfere so recklessly in the clan's internal affairs.
"Sigh~"
A sudden sigh echoing in her mind made Tyrande jump in fright. Although she hadn't received a response in a long time, as a devout believer in Elune, she recognized the voice immediately.
"Merciful Elune?"
Elune's tone was not merciful. "Tyrande, while I have maintained a permissive attitude toward your actions for a long time, it seems it is now time to make some changes."
...
When Andreas came to his senses from a state of deep meditation, what appeared before his eyes was a landscape of primal nature as beautiful as a painting.
"Is this the Emerald Dream?"
"Yes," Fandral's voice rang out beside him. "This is the entrance to the Emerald Dream, the intersection of dream and reality—the Hills of Slumber. Everyone entering the Emerald Dream for the first time begins their journey here."
Patting Andreas on the shoulder, Fandral offered a smiling invitation. "Follow me. The mentor and the others are waiting for us at the Emerald Sanctum in the center of the Dream."
As Andreas walked with Fandral, he tried to sense the differences between the Dream world and the physical world. The conclusion surprised him greatly.
Although Andreas knew he was currently moving as a spiritual entity, there seemed to be no distinction between flesh and soul in the unique world of the Emerald Dream. Things felt in the physical world were present in the Dream world as well.
The birdsong and the fragrance of flowers from the forest made it difficult for Andreas to distinguish between dream and reality for a moment. The hyper-realistic sensory feedback filled him with wonder during his first visit.
As an experienced traveler of the Dream, Fandral understood Andreas's current mindset. Seeing his friend touching and looking at everything, he offered a reminder.
"The ability to freely enter and exit the Emerald Dream is a privilege granted to us Night Elves by the Green Dragonflight. If you are curious about this world, you can experiment slowly within your own territory later. For now, let's focus on the business at hand."
The Emerald Dream reflected the primal scenery of Azeroth as it was when life first formed. In that era, there were no parasitic Old Gods and no Well of Eternity existing as a scar on the world; the entire world appeared peaceful and harmonious.
As the entrance to the Dream world, the Green Dragons managing the Dream had opened numerous portals at the Hills of Slumber leading to various important regions.
When Andreas followed Fandral out of a green spatial gate, the surrounding scenery underwent a massive transformation. They were now standing halfway up a high peak. Against the backdrop of a majestic natural landscape, Green Dragons of all life stages flew freely in the sky.
"That is the Emerald Sanctum," Fandral explained, pointing to a natural grotto not far from the portal. "This peak is called the Pillar of Heaven. It was discovered and modified by the Green Dragons and is located at the very center of the entire Dream world. The dens of all Wild Gods are centered around this mountain."
Most of the passing Night Elves were surrounded by lively and active Green Dragon whelps. Initially, Andreas thought these people were Druids of his own race, but seeing the slit pupils in their eyes, he realized these "Night Elves" were actually Green Dragons in humanoid form.
Following Fandral into the massive grotto, a Green Dragon wearing a crown—the largest of them all—first caught Andreas's eye.
This majestic Green Dragon lay in the depths of the grotto, her wise eyes fixed on Malfurion as she patiently listened to his report on the Worgen. Cenarius, the forest demigod, stood right beside her.
The Green Dragon Queen, Ysera the Dreamer.
After Malfurion finished speaking, Ysera sighed softly. "I did not expect such a thing to happen. An incomplete wolf form..."
After a moment of contemplation, Ysera nodded in agreement with Malfurion's plan. "The one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. With Cenarius acting as your introducer, go and ask Goldrinn directly for a solution."
Although the Wild Gods had different personalities, as the ultimate evolutionary forms of animals, they all possessed a very strong sense of territoriality. Bursting into a Wild God's territory unannounced would be seen as a provocation; only Cenarius, who was exceptionally well-liked, could move between the territories of various demigods without hindrance.
While Ysera, Cenarius, and Malfurion conversed, Andreas and Fandral stood at the grotto's entrance awaiting further instructions.
Silently observing the soft-spoken Ysera, Andreas noticed a hidden sense of anxiety and fatigue in the Green Dragon Queen's eyes.
Has something happened within the Dragonflight again?