Dream Queen

Christalyssa first came to Grizzly Hills, or more precisely, to a plane within the Emerald Dream world.

In the physical world of Azeroth, Grizzly Hills is a pleasant region located in the northern part of Howling Fjord in Northrend. It is rich in natural resources and home to Furbolg and many wild animals, making it one of the most habitable areas in Northrend.

The Red Dragon was stunned when she first arrived, but she had no time to appreciate it. Krasus had warned her that the native Vrykul seemed unfriendly, Christalyssa must be careful. Her purpose in coming here was to find a portal to the Dream World. The Queen of Dragons Alexstrasza and Ysera were sisters, and they knew each other well. Once, during a meeting between the two queens, Christalyssa overheard Ysera mentioning a portal to the Dream World in Grizzly Hills. And indeed, she found it.

When Christalyssa entered the Emerald Dream, she could no longer distinguish between reality and a dream.

The initial images were blurry. However, they quickly followed with distinctly different, clear images: lush vegetation, many winged creatures, dragons, and other beings. Christalyssa's appearance sent them scattering in panic.

In the midst of the chaos, a gentle yet authoritative voice spoke to the uninvited guest.

"You really look a lot like your mother, Chris."

"Queen Ysera, are you there? I've come to request the Green Dragonflight's assistance..."

"Poor, loyal Christalyssa."

At that moment, a gigantic figure appeared and disappeared in the lake not far away. It swayed with Christalyssa's breath.

"Not everyone can enter my world, child."

A graceful dragon appeared, seemingly both real and an illusion. She spread her wings, as if just awakened. Her scales were tinged with the pale green of the forest. Christalyssa looked up, only to find her eyes half-asleep.

"It is an honor to meet you, great Ysera..."

"You have always been so polite, Chris. Your mother has praised you to me many times."

"Green Dragon Queen, please help my mother and end the nightmare of the Dragonmaw Clan. Calygros has sought the help of the Green Dragons many times, but your offspring have refused him in your name. But I believe that the Green Dragons simply do not fully understand the situation."

"You mean I didn't understand the situation?" Ysera floated backward, ripples appearing on her neck and wings like water being stirred up. Christalyssa then realized that what was in front of her was just an illusion.

Ysera's eyes were closed, yet her face never left the intruder in her dream.

"Rescuing my beloved Alexstrasza is not so simple, and I don't even know if the price is worth it. But if the Lifebinder is destined to be rescued, then what is destined will happen sooner or later."

"How can you be so cold-hearted..." Christalyssa felt utterly despairing upon hearing her answer. "Don't you know Deathwing is still alive?"

The dragon folded its wings and landed gently on the lake below, without even creating a ripple. "Don't mention him!" Although her eyes remained closed, Christalyssa knew they were filled with terror.

It's all because of the Demon Soul; they are no longer as powerful as they once were, though the three Guardian Dragons still possess astonishing strength. But Ysera, Nozdormu, and the mad Malygos declared many years ago that the age of dragons was over. And even if the future might change, it wouldn't be worth them breaking free from their self-deception.

"Queen Ysera, I know you still care about the beings of the real world. I also know you still influence those humans, Elf, and..."

"I also have my limits..."

"But you haven't completely abandoned this world, have you? You haven't been inactive like the other two Dragon Kings."

"But I did not stop the former Obsidian Warden. Deathwing's determination to destroy this world has never wavered. We are powerless against him."

"Ysera!" Kristastha cried out in despair, then sighed. The Dream Queen hadn't even truly appeared before her; how could she possibly grant her request? Finally, Christalyssa said, "Whether or not I receive your help, I will not give up. This is my mission!"

"If you really want to do that, then go ahead..." The form of the dream dragon swayed.

Christalyssa spread her wings, ready to leave.

Poor Christalyssa.

The Red Dragon turned around and found that the dragon's reflection had left, replaced by a slender woman with fair skin. She was beautiful, yet as ethereal as air—it was Ysera!

"You really are willing to do anything for your mother."

Red Dragon didn't understand why she would reveal a fact that everyone already knew.

"It's nothing, Your Majesty Ysera. If you were in danger, your people would risk their lives to save you."

Ysera's eyes opened wide at that moment, and she stared at the Red Dragon.

Christalyssa was stunned, her gaze irresistibly drawn to those eyes.

"I will consider what you just said."

She simply couldn't believe it. "Really? You would..."

Ysera raised a hand, gesturing for her to remain silent. "I will consider what you have said. Just consider it."

Christalyssa felt a glimmer of hope rekindle within her, however faint, but joy still filled her mind.

"I... thank you."

Grim Batol

The fortress was far more complex than Nathanos had imagined. In a corner, he studied the map Groth had sent Grot, using the dim light.

Nathanos glanced at it once and put it away; he memorized it. And Grot was clever; he even marked Nathanos's location on the map.

For the past few days Nathanos had been recalling the routes on the map. Every time Grot brought him food, he would tell him some inside information about Grim Batol. For example, how the defenses were, how the Orcs patrols were, and so on.

This time, Grot delivered food to Nathanos on time again. Half a month had passed since he was imprisoned here. During this time, Deathwing hadn't appeared again, which only added to his anxiety. Although Nathanos never completely trusted the black dragon, he knew that Deathwing Orcs from harming him. What could have distracted the black dragon now?

Nathanos shook his head; that wasn't what he needed to think about right now. He'd recently started paying attention to something else: every time the Orcs Grot placed food in front of him, he'd scrutinize it carefully—not to check for poison, but to see if it was plentiful or if it had improved.

"Wait a minute!" Nathanos stopped Grot from doing so.

"What's wrong?"

"What's with this bear paw?" Nathanos asked. A unique and delicious dish had suddenly appeared among the food, something they'd never seen before.

Grot smiled and replied in a low voice, "Ner'zhul asked me to give it to you. I was also surprised, but he seemed to be in a good mood today and came to the kitchen in person to tell me that he had prepared this for you earlier."

He thought the humans would be delighted to see this meat, after all, it was a delicacy that even other Orcs could not taste. But Nathanos's face slowly turned pale.

"No, no!"

"What's wrong with you?"

"Grot, I have something very important that I need you to investigate."

The Orcs blinked. "What is it?"

"Go investigate the Queen of Dragons's situation. Do your best to investigate. I need to know everything about her."

"Ha, it seems you're still reminiscing about that night. You must miss her a lot."

Nathanos glared angrily at the Orcs wore a mocking expression. "I don't have time for jokes!"

The Orcs snorted coldly, "I know, but you'd better hurry up and get moving. Don't forget our agreement."

"I have never forgotten."

Grot nodded and left the prison.

"Damn it, damn it!" Nathanos cursed, grabbing the cooked bear paw and slamming it against the wall. He was now very worried, worried that the Queen of Dragons might really be pregnant; otherwise, why would Ner'zhul value him more? Grot was right; he'd better act quickly...

What humanity didn't know was that what happened on the other side proved his fears true.

"Ha, you're right." Zuluhed patted Ner'zhul on the shoulder, staring excitedly at Alexstrasza's slightly protruding belly, which became more and more apparent with each breath of the Red Dragon, even though the two Orcs were standing far away from the Queen of Dragons.

"She will give birth soon, no more than three days."

"She'd better lay a few more Dragon Egg, and we'll need even more Dragon Egg next."

Ner'zhul. "Of course, I'll make sure that human is prepared."

Then the two Orcs laughed and left, their voices echoing through the hall until they disappeared. The Queen of Dragons opened her eyes, struggling to raise her hand to touch her belly; each movement caused the heavy iron chains to clang shrilly. Alexstrasza sensed it; three more lives were about to be born, though each carried the blood of a mere mortal. It was unbelievable, even to her. From the moment Ner'zhul demanded she transform into human form and mate with that human, she had seen through the Orcs' intentions. One of her companions had previously escaped Grim Batol in mortal form. It was then that Ner'zhul learned of the Dragons' abilities, which was why he had devised such a ridiculous plan. Alexstrasza had thought it impossible; she couldn't possibly conceive a mortal's child, but reality had struck her like a ton of bricks. Now, the Lifebinder couldn't help but ask herself what to do.

She murmured, "Should I have let these three children be born?"