Tyrande's Wildflower
The magical glow within the secret chamber gradually subsided, but the energy fluctuations of the Eternal Well Water still lingered in the air.
Aegwynn, Jaina, and Deren sat around the third treasure chest, their gazes all falling on the seemingly ordinary white wildflower.
The blue light cast by the crystal chandelier gave it a dreamlike quality, but it couldn't hide its incongruity with the surrounding Arcane Energy.
"No," Jaina said thoughtfully, gently stroking her slightly protruding belly, "Illidan kept the water from the Eternal Well hidden for ten thousand years, yet he placed a wildflower with it? That doesn't make sense."
Her slender fingers unconsciously traced circles along the edge of the treasure chest; her mage instincts made her curious about anything unusual.
Aegwynn crossed her arms, her fingertips tapping rhythmically on her arms. "Unless this flower is more precious to him than the Eternal Well Water." Her voice held a hint of amusement, her newly regained youth making her tone light and cheerful.
Deren's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
He reached out and gently touched the ancient runes on the treasure chest, feeling the magic flowing within. "Do you know the story of Illidan and Tyrande?"
Jaina blinked her deep blue eyes, her heightened awareness during pregnancy immediately picking up on the implication in Deren's words. "You mean... this flower is related to Tyrande?"
Her voice unconsciously softened, as if afraid of disturbing a dream that had been sleeping for thousands of years.
Deren nodded, tracing the patterns on the treasure chest with his finger. "Legend has it that Illidan Tyrande since childhood, but Tyrande ultimately chose his Malfurion."
His voice softened, as if he were telling an ancient fairy tale, "This wildflower, it is said, was picked by Tyrande and given to Illidan when the three of them were playing in the forest as children."
Aegwynn raised an eyebrow, her long, silvery hair swaying gently with her movement. "No way, Illidan preserved this flower for ten thousand years?"
Her tone was incredulous, yet she had to admit the validity of the explanation.
"Not only that," Deren shrugged, his fingers lightly tracing the lock on the chest, "He also kept it with the Eternal Well Water, protecting it with the most powerful magic. Even after being imprisoned in the dungeon for ten thousand years, he didn't let anyone touch it."
His gaze deepened, as if he had traveled through time and seen the lonely the Betrayer longing for that flower in the dungeon.
Jaina sighed softly, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of hair. "I never imagined that this loser, Illidan, would be such a devoted lover."
Her voice carried complex emotions; her heartstrings, which had become increasingly sensitive since becoming pregnant, were gently plucked by this story.
Aegwynn shook her head and chuckled, a rare gentleness appearing on her newly restored youthful face. "Many ancient legends, each one tormented by love." She recited softly, her gaze lingering on the distance.
"Malfurion slumbers in the Emerald Dream, Tyrande stands tall in the Night Elf society, while Illidan... remains imprisoned in the dungeon. The three are separated by vast distances; how ironic is their fate."
Deren reached out and gently closed the treasure chest, the ancient mechanism making a soft clicking sound, "Since this is Illidan's obsession, let's leave it alone. Let it continue to be protected by magic."
His movements were extremely careful, as if he were handling a fragile treasure.
Jaina suddenly chuckled, "I never imagined our journey to find the Eternal Well Water would end with a love story." She winked playfully, her mood swings during pregnancy making her sometimes sentimental and sometimes mischievous.
Aegwynn laughed along, her laughter clear and melodious. "Compared to the Eternal Well Water, this flower might be the real 'unexpected gain'."
She straightened her robes and turned to Deren, "Let's go, I'll take you back. Jaina needs to rest."
After the distribution of the Eternal Well Water was completed, Aegwynn offered to escort Deren home. She gently waved her staff, and an Arcane glow flowed from her fingertips. Deren nodded to her, and the two were instantly teleported from Jaina's Mage Tower to Deren's living room.
"We're back--" Before Deren could finish speaking, everyone in the living room turned around in unison, and then froze in surprise.
Onyxia was lounging lazily on the sofa, her long legs casually draped over the coffee table.
The moment she saw Aegwynn, she sat bolt upright, the black leather armor making a slight rustling sound. "Wait, you are... Aegwynn?" Her dragon eyes narrowed slightly as she stared incredulously at the transformed former Guardian before her.
Chromie rubbed her eyes dramatically, sitting cross-legged on the carpet with a half-eaten cookie in her hand. "Impossible! How did you get younger again?!" Cookie crumbs fell from her mouth, but she didn't even notice.
At this moment, Aegwynn was truly stunning. Her long, silvery-white hair flowed like moonlight, her skin was as smooth and delicate as the finest silk, her figure was more upright and elegant than before, and she exuded youthful vitality and mature charm.
She raised her chin slightly, a smug smile playing on her lips, "What, Chromie, you have a problem with my new look?" Her voice remained steady, but with a touch of lightness and rhythm.
Chromie looked down at her hard-won growth spurt—thanks to the Star Soul's blessing, she had transformed from Gnome into a tall and beautiful woman.
But now, compared to Aegwynn, she insecurely touched her once-confident chest, her lips pouting. "This isn't fair! I finally grew taller, and you—"
She gestured angrily, "Becoming even more famous than me..."
Onyxia rolled her eyes, her long black hair swaying gently with her movement. "Alright, Chromie, stop acting like a child."
Although she said that, the Black Dragon Princess's gaze lingered on Aegwynn for a few more seconds.
"I'm still a child!" Chromie instinctively retorted, but then realized that she now looked like a mature woman and was actually much older Aegwynn, which made her even more depressed. She grabbed a cushion in a huff, hugged it to her chest, and buried her face in it.
Deren couldn't help but chuckle, walking over to Chromie and ruffling her hair—a habitual gesture that now seemed a little odd, since Chromie was almost as tall as him. "Alright, stop fooling around. Teacher Aegwynn has regained her strength, that's a good thing."
Aegwynn gently patted Deren's shoulder, a simple gesture now imbued with an elegant rhythm. "Alright, I won't bother you any longer. See you tomorrow."
Her gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Onyxia, where she smiled meaningfully.
With a soft Arcane glow, Aegwynn gracefully turned and vanished, leaving only a faint lingering magical aura in the air.
Third update! Please vote and subscribe! If we reach 1000 monthly votes, I'll add even more chapters! Thank you all for your support. The story gets even more exciting from here on out.