Meryl Dongfeng

Dusty Swamp, true to its name, is a stinking swamp. The entire region is a low-lying transitional zone, connecting the Great Sea to the east and the Barrens to the northwest. The Barrens Dusty Swamp, but a small mountain range runs through it, making direct access difficult. Grasslands, reeds, and weeping willows make up the local vegetation. The weather is humid and sweltering. Needless to say, no one likes a swamp. Theramore, in comparison, is much better, with firm ground covered in grass. Because of the legends of black dragons lurking in the south, it's unlikely that one will have the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna there for an extended period; choosing the north is the more sensible route.

The perpetually muddy environment is home to creatures that thrive in damp conditions. Countless stagnant mudflats, algae-infested waterways, and slippery mud paths between them make the Dust Marsh a traveler's nightmare. The paths through the swamp are muddy and dangerous, and the surrounding marshes are even more difficult to traverse. Those who mistake the mud for land will sink, floating vegetation growing on them and sealing them forever in the saline water. The Dusty Swamp also harbors numerous predators lurking beneath the surface or hidden in the bushes.

This dangerous environment is under the control of the Alliance, yet most of it is uninhabitable for humans. A main road cuts through the middle of the swamp and leads to the Barrens, with many stone watchtowers standing along the way to maintain vigilance.

Although Jaina and Thrall formed an alliance at the end of the Third War, subsequent events and the eventual death of Jaina's father placed immense pressure on their partnership. Many Theramore forces loyal to the Admiral openly turned against the Horde, even questioning Jaina's rule over Theramore. Jaina struggled to maintain the fragile peace that hung by a thread, preserving the Alliance's sole control over middle Kalimdor.

Generally, the forests of Dusty Swamp are deserted, but if you block out the chirping of insects or the sound of the wind, you can hear faint footsteps. The newcomer moves with unhurried ease, traversing the treacherous swamp with effortless grace. This strange creature conceals every inch of its body under a wide, black cloak, attracting the attention of many creatures. Freshwater crocodiles surface from the puddles, spiders in the trees sense the approaching prey through the hairs on their limbs... but none of them launch a surprise attack, because the person walks along the swamp's paths, bypassing their territory. Only one creature understands the principle of taking the initiative: the terrifying beasts of Dusty Swamp — the Wind Serpent. No one knows how these winged, deformed creatures came to be, but their greed and cunning are well-known; the Wind Serpent never give up on prey that appears in their sight.

As the man entered the attack range, a Wind Serpent hidden in a tree bared its fangs and, using the elasticity of the branches and its waist, flew out, rushing towards the "unlucky guy" under the cloak.

For a hunter, the greatest taboo is to hunt unfamiliar prey. The person under the cloak opened their coat, revealing a fleshless hand to the Wind Serpent.

The attacking "hunter" was suspended in mid-air, unable to move. No matter how much it struggled, it was futile. The Wind Serpent tried one last time to let out a piercing scream. But its cry would only alert other creatures to the danger, not summon its companions to rescue it...

The man clenched his fist, then withdrew it and continued on his way. The sound of his footsteps, like the gentle flapping of wings, faded into the distance, while carrion ravens emitted mournful cries...

Having received Aegwynn's message, he traveled for two days before arriving in Theramore. Only a handful of guards stood at the city gates, each a veteran of Kul Tiras. He didn't want to disturb them. Aegwynn had said it was best not to let anyone see him.

Darkness began to swirl overhead, accompanied by the hungry cawing of crows. Some ravens seemed to be following him, hoping to snag a delicious meal of Wind Serpent.

Night fell quickly, and he slipped inside unnoticed. When he appeared before Aegwynn, the Guardian's mother was tending to a potted plant.

"You've come?" Aegwynn wasn't surprised to see the person suddenly standing in front of her. Instead, she smiled and said, "Long time no see, Meryl."

When his name was no longer a secret, he pulled down his hood, exposing his face to the room's light. His hairline was streaked with gray, and his hands were tightly tucked into his sleeves. His pale skin suggested he wasn't alive. Surprisingly, magic flickered between his fingers from time to time.

"It has indeed been a long time!" Meryl said. "I didn't even expect to see you here."

"This is my new life."

"Then I'm happy for you, Aegwynn," Meryl teased with a smile. "When I heard you were working for a little girl, I thought you were training a new Guardian."

"Even if I wanted to, Jaina would have to agree." Aegwynn didn't offer her old friend a cup of tea or a snack as usual, because Meryl didn't need those things.

"Don't take it seriously, I was just kidding. So... why did you call me here?"

Looking at him, one could sense an inexplicable mystery, which Aegwynn couldn't discern no matter how carefully she observed him. For a moment, Aegwynn felt that Meryl possessed the aura of a guardian, but the power of her old friend was more important than any aura.

"Indeed, there is something very important, Eastwind."

"Tell me about it." Meryl was no longer as easygoing as before; Aegwynn would only use his surname in urgent situations.

Have you ever heard of the Undead?

"Isn't that the one standing right in front of you?"

"No!" Aegwynn shook his head. "I wasn't talking about you, nor about Lordaeron or the Lich King."

"As far as I know, there are no other Undead besides the one you mentioned."

Upon hearing this, Aegwynn stood up. "It seems he's hidden himself very well."

Meryl frowned; the old man's words seemed to be an indirect mockery of his ignorance. "Are there other Undead forces?"

"Yes, there is, and it's in Kalimdor."

Eastwind noticed that when Aegwynn said this, his tone became very low, so low that only the two of them could hear him. "This sounds like a secret, so you called me here hoping I would find them?"

"I want you to join them!"

Meryl's ears tingled; he thought he'd misheard. "What?"

"I want you to join them," Aegwynn repeated, her eyes filled with expectation. Meryl's expression grew even more serious. He began to secretly cast spells on Aegwynn to check if she was being controlled or if there was some unspeakable reason for her to say those words.

After a series of events, he discovered that Aegwynn was perfectly normal, except that she no longer possessed powerful magic.

"My trusted Aegwynn," Eastwind finally spoke, his voice ringing out like a sword being drawn from its sheath. He paused briefly, as if giving Aegwynn time to adjust to the sharp edge of his blade. "Why do you want me to do this?"

"Then I must tell you the story of the Forsaken Leader."

When the meeting was convened, Gizzlok did not attend because Nathanos told him that from now on, nothing was more important to him than establishing a Goblins company.

"Let's begin," Nathanos said, scanning the group one by one. "Currently, the number of Forsaken has reached over a thousand, and there will be more in the future, but Maraudon has limited space, so we must find our next target."

"My trained Terror Guard are ready, Master. They are ready to join the battle at any time." Rassuvios never lagged behind anyone, and his attitude earned him a nod of approval from Nathanos.

Veronalara noticed that Belmont was not present at this council meeting. The Shadowblade leader usually sat next to Nathanos, but this time it was a Forsaken in charge of taking notes.

"The Dark Ranger will be the vanguard of this operation." Nathanos had already spoken before Veronalara could even react, catching her off guard. "Is everything alright?" The Witherer asked the furrowed brow of the Ranger.

Veronalara blinked and asked, "The Witherer, you haven't said where we're going to attack yet?"

Suddenly, a question arose at the conference table; everyone else wanted to know as well.

"We are going to another tomb, the tomb of an ancient demigod," Nathanos continued. "Agamaggan, the boar god. One of the wild gods who fell in the War of the Ancients. He fell near the Barrens. Now, that is the home of the Wildkin."

"Please wait a moment, my lady." Veronalara stood up excitedly. "While you were away in Lordaeron, we explored the entire Middle Kalimdor." She paused. "A group of the Barrens Tauren; they are members of the Horde. What if we... what if we are discovered? You once said that the Forsaken's actions are based on being unseen by others."

"It seems you're a reasonable person," Nathanos chuckled, smoothing the wrinkles on his gauntlets. "The Tauren won't find out." This statement sparked even more doubts. "After Agamaggan died, his massive body merged into the earth, forming a black thorn forest called Razor Ridge." Nathanos wore a cruel smile. "I know you will all have some suspicions about this operation."

Rassuvios raised his left hand. He had been the most enthusiastic at first, but now, as Nathanos had said, he too had doubts. "I don't understand, Master. The Forsaken's mission should be to avenge the Lich King. Even if we want to expand our power, we should attack the Scourge's territory, not invade the Wildkin's lairs."

Those present, including Nathos, supported Rassuvios's opinion.

"In fact, I did this to deal with the Scourge. Razor Ridge is ostensibly the home of the Wildkin, but it has actually been infiltrated by the Scourge."

Christalyssa, the Red Dragon (note: this Red Dragon is not the final boss of the Nexus, but an NPC in Razor Ridge), rarely comes to Kalimdor. She prefers to stay at the Crimson Bastion, serving the Queen. But duty dictates that the Red Dragon must always protect life in this world. Alexstrasza always senses when life is about to be extinguished.

"I heard the sound of a flame of life in Kalimdor going out."

These are Alexstrasza's own words. As the Queen of Dragons's right-hand woman, Christalyssa traveled a great distance to the Western Continent to investigate what had happened. Compared to the lush greenery of the Eastern Kingdoms, Christalyssa was more curious about the desolate central Kalimdor. The geography there was unpredictable; as she traversed the wasteland, she saw thick, black thorns, resembling twisted teeth or the skeletons of giant creatures. In short, the environment was very abnormal, always reminding her of evil magic.

Christalyssa was eager to investigate, but her destination was not there. According to the Queen's instructions, she was to go to the western coastal region of Kalimdor.

After traversing towering mountains and serene jungles, the Wailing Caverns welcomed a new guest. However, upon seeing that it was a desert, Christalyssa couldn't help but wonder if life could truly exist here, and if its extinction was related to the harsh environment.

The scorching sun beat down on her, forcing the Red Dragon to rest on a mountain ridge. She saw nothing but herds of Kodo Beast, but soon discovered an abandoned village. The houses were all built of leather and timber, but no one was there; it was deathly silent. Christalyssa even tried to use her Red Dragon powers to communicate with the spirits there, but received no response.

"What exactly happened?" Christalyssa asked, completely bewildered. Her gaze turned to the southwest of the Wailing Caverns, the last area she hadn't yet investigated.

Maraudon

"The King Ayalnar, this Lich was also present when the Burning Legion invaded Mount Hyjal a few years ago, though many didn't notice him. After Archimonde's defeat, Amnennar remained in Kalimdor and enslaved the Wildkin of Razor Ridge." Belmont put down the intelligence report in his hand; now it was the others' turn to speak.

"A Lich? I never imagined the Scourge had already reached out to us," Veronalara murmured.

Nathanos stood up, drawing everyone's attention to himself, and said, "When we were searching for a place for the Forsaken to settle, Razor Ridge was the first place that came to mind. It's very close to Ratchet and has the exact same geographical conditions as Maraudon. However, because our forces were too weak at the time, and because of Amnennar's presence, this idea was temporarily shelved."

"And now we must go and kill that Lich." Rassuvios clenched his fist and slammed it on his knee. "I request to join this battle."

"Even if you don't ask, I need your strength." Nathanos finished speaking and then saw Rassuvios laugh. "There are many Wildkin in Razor Ridge. Our battle plan is simple. I will raid Amnennar's lair with the Dark Ranger, while Rassuvios and the Terror Guard will wipe out all the Wildkin in Stranglethorn Forest. We must not let a single one escape."