Nightmare

Something startled Sylvanas from her slumber. She lay motionless in her bed in the dim light, a faint crackling sound echoing around her. Suddenly, a strange fear gripped her, for she recognized that sound... the sound of flames burning wood.

The Female Elf cautiously moved to the door, pressing her ear against the smooth oak—utter silence. There was no movement, no footsteps. What other sound could there be at night besides the crashing waves? Sylvanas, her mind reeling, covered her face, blaming herself for being too sensitive. She was barefoot, but she hadn't removed her breastplate and leg guards while sleeping, fearing someone might harm her in her sleep.

Just then, the strange crackling sound rang out again, this time echoing clearly and vividly from the cold floor. Sylvanas slowly pushed open the door and gazed out. The corridor before her was dark and silent, the torches on the walls casting ever-changing shadows and light. As a Ranger adept at controlling her emotions, Sylvanas felt something surging within her—an unforgettable guilt.

She tried many times, but still couldn't shake off the primal unease and self-reproach that permeated her entire being. After leaving her dwelling, Sylvanas discovered that not a single guard on night watch was on duty.

Sylvanas walked cautiously through the city, following the sound. But something felt off; the towering walls of Theramore seemed different—taller and darker. She looked up at Jaina's Mage Tower, where the Alliance's blue banners flew.

In the darkness, Sylvanas heard a muffled wail and the sudden sounds of fighting. Her gaze swept quickly around the corner ahead, and a clear trail of blood caught her eye. The Female Elf rushed forward; under the dark night sky, a two-story house was ablaze, the flames dazzling. There were many people, but she could only make out two. Once Sylvanas's eyes adjusted, she saw a woman standing before the flames, her cloak billowing in the swirling spray of fire.

Sylvanas recognized the figure; its silhouette revealed a resemblance to her own. Alleria Windrunner, her sister, the regent of the Blood Elf.

This unbelievable scene nearly stunned Sylvanas; fresh blood slid down Alleria's blade, dripping from the sharp tip...

"No!" Sylvanas nearly jumped out of her chair, the scene still replaying in her mind. She found herself asleep on the ship bound for Stormwind City. Warm sunlight streamed in through the window, and she could vaguely hear shouts from the deck.

"Are we almost there?" Sylvanas wondered.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and Jaina's voice came from outside. "Sylvanas, we're almost there."

The Female Elf stood up quickly. "Yes, I'll be right there." She took out a mirror, straightened her armor, brushed a strand of hair from her tired eyes, and reached for the bow and weapons hanging on the wall. Sylvanas hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lo'gresh and Quel'delar. Sylvanas had taken Nathanos's relics with her when she left Silvermoon City. These two items saddened her, but she didn't want them in Alleria's hands even more.

After calming down a bit, Sylvanas stepped out of the cabin and onto the deck. A gust of cold wind hit her, making her shiver.

Jaina was giving instructions to the captain when she saw Sylvanas approaching. She smiled and said, "I was wondering if I had disturbed your sweet dream."

Sylvanas sighed and immediately shook her head, "Not at all. I want to thank you, Jaina, for pulling me out of those nightmarish memories."

The female mage blinked, observing the elf's expression. Only after confirming that the Female Elf was telling the truth did she feel relieved. She even dared to guess what nightmare Sylvanas had been having. "Don't worry, Varian won't make things difficult for you, and I'm here for you."

Sylvanas tried her best to conceal her true feelings. She saw Stormwind City Harbor teeming with people, flags and ribbons fluttering in the wind. They were almost there.

"I am not afraid of the Ghost Wolf. I have faced beings that are more terrifying and more powerful than him."

Jaina nodded after hearing this, and then said, "Actually, I didn't expect you to come to Stormwind City with me, which may not be in your best interest."

"I can't run away." Sylvanas stretched her hand out of the ship, the sea breeze comforting her palm. "If I don't go, the nobles of Stormwind City will make fun of you and embarrass you. If I go, I can teach those politicians a lesson for you."

Jaina shook off her chaotic thoughts and tidied her disheveled hair, though it would become a mess again in three seconds. "I'm used to it, and I can handle the nobles' oppression perfectly well." The sorceress had heard that Sylvanas had injured two humans a week ago; one was bedridden, wrapped in bandages, and the other was still unconscious. The Female Elf had offered to teach those nobles a lesson, but Jaina had little faith in her methods.

"If it were him, he wouldn't care about the other person's identity when dealing with them."

"What?"

"It's nothing," Sylvanas replied, glancing at the tall city walls above Stormwind City Harbor. The reconstruction of Stormwind City was so successful that it was difficult to find any trace of the kingdom's destruction.

Jaina's bodyguard, Baine, approached. This Night Elf was a seasoned Warrior. She said, "We are about to reach the shore, madam, but it seems a little late."

"As expected, Baine," Jaina nodded in reply, trying her best not to laugh. The mage didn't value the concept of agreements much; she was often late, as those who knew her well knew. "I do hope that Varian and his politicians have already discussed how to deal with the reopening of the Dark Portal. We just need to listen. After all, Theramore isn't in the Eastern Kingdoms; we don't need to get involved in the Blasted Lands."

The Ranger-General of the Silver Covenant felt a little comforted, relieved to hear Jaina's optimistic outlook on what was to come. She said, "Can Varian keep you out of it?"

"His Majesty the King only issues orders, he does not coerce others." Jaina stretched lazily, looking relaxed, and took a deep breath of the sea breeze, a final consolation before the war of words.

Sylvanas took a breath, recalling the economic standoff she had previously faced with Varian King Wrynn; perhaps it would happen again.