Celeste's despondent state was truly worrying. In a rare move, Andreas ended his work early and brought her home along with Shandris, Leticia, and the others.
Tyrande and Maiev made no attempt to stop him. Tyrande, who usually looked for reasons to trouble Andreas, was surprisingly cooperative this time; they too had heard the news brought by the messenger.
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death..."
After Andreas and the others left, Tyrande remarked with some emotion, "Once we lose the blessing of Nordrassil, we are, in the end, just members of the mortal masses."
For once, Maiev did not contradict Tyrande. She merely offered a silent "Mm." The news of Dath'Remar's critical illness left his old acquaintances feeling a sense of shared mortality.
Even after leaving Nordrassil, elves remained a long-lived species, theoretically possessing a lifespan of at least 3,000 years. Dath'Remar's physical collapse had happened far too quickly, catching many by surprise.
Andreas, however, had long guessed this day would come. Dath'Remar's sense of responsibility was too strong; he preferred to take everything upon his own shoulders.
Back when he was still in Astranaar, Andreas had repeatedly warned him to watch his work pace. At the time, emboldened by the blessing of Nordrassil, Dath'Remar hadn't taken the words to heart.
After leaving Kalimdor for the East, Dath'Remar's work habits hadn't changed at all. During Andreas's several visits to the Eastern Continent to see the High Elves, he could feel his old friend's body weakening year by year.
Half an hour later, Onyxia returned to Astranaar through a portal, accompanied by a blue dragon who had not taken a humanoid form.
The blue dragon stepped through the portal and looked around, ignoring the surprised stares of the night elf citizens. In a deep, resonant voice, he asked, "Onyxia, where to next?"
Onyxia rolled her eyes helplessly. "Wait here for a moment."
After a quick inquiry at the Great Temple of the Moon, the blue dragon took flight with her, heading toward the former High Elf settlement—now the upscale residential district of Astranaar.
Looking at this blue dragon who seemingly had no intention of transforming into a human, Andreas turned to Onyxia, speechless.
"And this is? Where is Arygos?"
Onyxia waved her hand weakly. "Arygos is currently undergoing a trial by the Spellweaver and won't be back for a long time. This is Malygos's advisor, Elegos, the current Blue Dragon Ambassador to Wyrmrest Temple."
"Advisor..."
Andreas tilted his head, looking at this "straightforward" blue dragon who insisted on remaining in dragon form, many thoughts crossing his mind.
Seeing the look in Andreas's eyes, Onyxia guessed what he was thinking. She smiled wryly and said, "Don't overthink it. Elegos is a veteran with plenty of seniority, but his strength isn't particularly great—nowhere near the level of a rising star like Arygos."
Through the Black Dragon Princess's brief explanation, Andreas learned of Elegos's background.
Like Arygos, Elegos had stayed behind at the Nexus and did not participate in the War of the Ancients. He was one of the veteran blue dragons who had luckily escaped Deathwing's massacre.
However, seniority did not necessarily equate to great power.
After the War of the Ancients, the Blue Dragonflight was decimated. Surviving dragons like Azuregos and Senegos mostly disliked Malygos's madness and took the opportunity to move out of the Nexus to find their own habitats.
Elegos, being somewhat more rigid, had stayed behind, guarding the Nexus year after year and assisting Saragosa and Arygos in managing the remaining blue dragons with his seasoned experience.
After Malygos's return, this loyal old minister of the previous era was given significant responsibilities, appointed as an advisor by the Spellweaver, and doubled as the ambassador to Wyrmrest Temple during Arygos's absence.
Leaving Elegos, who refused to transform, to wait at the manor entrance, Andreas whispered to Onyxia as they entered the house, "Can he take us directly to the Eastern Continent?"
Onyxia nodded. "No problem. Though his strength is average compared to his more exceptional kin, Elegos is still a member of the Blue Dragonflight—masters of magic. He at least meets the average standard for an adult dragon."
Speaking of adult dragons, Onyxia's mood had been somewhat irritable over the last few decades.
Andreas and the others could see that her whelp appearance was changing. Her body was growing larger, and two small protrusions—dragon horns that hadn't yet broken through the skin—had appeared on her head.
The growth of horns meant Onyxia was officially reaching adulthood, but the process seemed unpleasant. Over the last dozen years, Onyxia frequently reverted to her true form to rub her head against cliff walls.
Shandris and Leticia helped the dazed Celeste outside. Andreas sighed softly and spoke to Elegos, who was crouching nearby in a trance. "Mr. Advisor, we're ready to trouble you."
Elegos seemed to be spacing out; his eyes were vacant, and it took several seconds for him to react.
"Hmm? Oh, right. No problem. Let's head out."
Andreas's lip twitched. Is this old dragon suffering from senile dementia?
Of course, that was a joke. Immortal dragons didn't suffer from dementia; their life forms remained at their peak. It could only be said that this blue dragon was quite prone to daydreaming.
Through the stable portal opened by Elegos, Andreas and the others stepped through. In the next second, they were in Eversong Woods, where the air was thick with potent arcane magic.
"Inhale~"
Elegos took a comfortable breath. "Rich and pure arcane energy. Though there is still a vast gap compared to the Nexus, it is quite rare for a mortal kingdom."
Andreas had no time for Elegos's condescending appraisal. The group mounted Onyxia—who was several sizes larger than before—and flew toward Silvermoon City.
By this time, Silvermoon City already had the prototype of a city, with the exquisite architectural style of the High Elves beginning to manifest.
Unlike the purple veils commonly used by the Night Elves, the High Elves—to signify a complete break from their past and their transition to sun worship—had decorated their city in vibrant red tones.
However, the new nation that should have been full of vitality now seemed incredibly somber. The news of the legendary first Sunstrider's critical illness was known to all the people. Many were silently praying toward the Sunstrider Spire at the northernmost point of Silvermoon City.
The arrival of a blue and a black dragon caused quite a stir, but the city guards, who had already been notified, did not intercept them. Instead, they dispatched a small squad of newly minted Dragonhawk Riders to escort the group to the Royal Court.
No one paid attention to the lavish layout and furnishings of the palace. Led by a heavy-faced royal guard, the group arrived before the royal bedchamber.
"Your Majesty, Speaker Andreas and General Shandris have arrived, along with Princess Celeste, whom you have been waiting for."
Surrounded by numerous handmaidens, Dath'Remar's figure was hidden behind the bed curtains. A withered hand reached out from the blankets, beckoning toward the door.
"Ah... you're finally here. My dear daughter, come closer."
The voice was weak and raspy. Celeste could not control her grief and hurried to the bedside.
"Dad... Father?"
Andreas and the others following behind bypassed the crowd and finally saw Dath'Remar's current appearance. Leticia couldn't help but gasp.
His eyes were sunken, his skin had lost its luster, and his once-brilliant golden hair was scattered like yellow seaweed. His entire person had become completely gaunt.
"Heh heh~"
Dath'Remar pulled the corners of his mouth into a difficult smile. "I'm sorry to let you see me in such a pathetic state. Andreas, it seems I really should have listened to your advice after all."