Chapter Summaries

Aaron and his allies defeated Helya by freezing the sea that sustained her, then escaped Helheim through a portal Kel'Thuzad reopened. Kel'Thuzad chose to remain and study Helheim’s connection to the Shadowlands, while Odyn agreed to take control of the demiplane.

• Kel'Thuzad studied Helya’s portal while Aaron and the others tried to hold her off.
• Aaron froze the seawater to draw Helya away and stop her from absorbing power, weakening her until Frostmourne froze her and she shattered into ice.
• Kel'Thuzad reopened the portal, but announced that he would stay in Helheim to research its ties to the Shadowlands.
• Odyn agreed to send his subordinates to guard Helheim and punish the Vrykul who worshipped Helya.
• Aaron and Archaedas prepared to return to Kalimdor.

After returning to the Chamber of Heart, Aaron learned that Vereesa had called from Eldre'Thalas because a crisis involving fel-absorbing elven warlocks was overwhelming Archmage Shen'dralar. Aaron flew there at once to help.

• After Helya died, Odyn sent Val'kyr and Valarjar warriors to maintain the Shadowlands region she had taken, while Kel'Thuzad stayed to study it.
• Aaron and Archaedas found Volund's modified teleporter in his vault, and Archaedas reconnected it to the main network so the Sea Giants could travel to Northrend.
• Aaron returned to the Chamber of Heart, where Mimiron said its reconstruction was nearly complete, and asked about Vereesa's delay.
• Vereesa contacted Aaron and said the fel-absorbing elven warlocks had caused trouble in Eldre'Thalas, where Archmage Shen'dralar was struggling to contain the situation.
• Aaron summoned his gryphon and flew toward Eldre'Thalas to investigate and help.

Aaron returned to Eldre'Thalas and found the recovering Shen'dralar Ancients driving the Gordunni Ogres from their territory. Vereesa explained that Garona had killed King Gordok, but the Shen'dralar Ancients still faced a severe problem with their fel-corrupted warlocks, so she took Aaron to see them.

• Aaron flew over Eldre'Thalas and found the Shen'dralar Ancients fighting the ogres, with Vereesa helping from the rear.
• Vereesa told Aaron the Shen'dralar Ancients had attacked the ogres to settle old grievances after the Tidestone eased their magic addiction and the satyrs were nearly wiped out.
• Vereesa explained that Garona had killed King Gordok, leaving the ogres disorganized and allowing the Shen'dralar Ancients to advance easily.
• Vereesa told Aaron that the Tidestone had not removed all the fel from the Shen'dralar Ancients' warlocks and had worsened their craving for fel.
• Vereesa left the battle with Aaron to show him the afflicted warlocks.

Aaron returned to Eldre'Thalas to help Mordent Evenshade with Shen'dralar Warlocks whose Fel addiction had resisted repeated attempts to purify them with the Tidestone. Aaron tried using the Holy Light on one of them, but the elf began trembling and burning, leaving him unsure whether his treatment was helping or killing them.

• Mordent used the Tidestone to treat the Shen'dralar Ancients' magic addiction, but Warlocks with lingering Fel began craving it and summoning demons.
• Mordent repeatedly activated the Tidestone on the Warlocks, but the Fel cravings returned, so he kept them near the artifact and tried again whenever they stirred.
• Vereesa contacted Aaron because she believed his Holy Light could purify Fel more effectively than the Tidestone.
• Aaron arrived, heard Mordent's account, and cautiously channeled Holy Light into a Shen'dralar Ancient who was beginning to wake.
• The Ancient briefly relaxed, then trembled and gave off a faint smell of burning, so Aaron withdrew the Holy Light, fearing he might kill them.

Aaron discovered that the Shen'dralar Ancients' fel was intertwined with their bodies, making it dangerous to remove, and promised Mordent he would seek a solution. He traveled with Vereesa toward Mount Hyjal, considering asking Illidan for advice, while Zaetar requested Druidic help restoring Desolace.

• Aaron explained that the Holy Light could not safely remove the fel from the Shen'dralar Ancient because it had become bound to the Ancient's flesh.
• Mordent worried that his kin might follow Prince Tortheldrin's path and become demons, and Aaron promised to find a way to help them.
• Aaron considered asking Illidan how he had resisted fel and decided to return to Mount Hyjal with Vereesa, though he expected he might need to revisit Eldre'Thalas.
• Aaron visited Zaetar and learned that his oasis in Desolace had grown to more than ten kilometers across but needed time before expanding further.
• Zaetar asked Aaron to find out whether the Night Elves could send Druids to help maintain and restore the woodland.

Aaron returned to Mount Hyjal with Vereesa and told Cenarius that Zaetar had been rescued and was trying to atone for his past. Cenarius agreed to send Druids to help Zaetar, while Aaron began questioning Fandral Staghelm about the Emerald Nightmare.

• Aaron learned that the Tauren of Desolace no longer needed aid from their brethren at Sun Rock Retreat and considered warning the Druids about Xavius and Fandral Staghelm.
• Aaron found Cenarius at Malorne's temple and told him about Zaetar's fate and his plan to restore Desolace.
• Cenarius accepted that Zaetar should atone and took Aaron to ask Fandral Staghelm to send Druids to help.
• Fandral Staghelm agreed to arrange Druids to assist Zaetar, though many Druids were in the Emerald Dream.
• Aaron stopped Fandral Staghelm from entering the Emerald Dream and asked whether he knew about the Emerald Nightmare, startling him and Cenarius.

Aaron told Fandral Staghelm and Cenarius that Xavius had become the Nightmare Lord and caused trouble in Eldre'Thalas, prompting Fandral to take him into the Emerald Dream to report the threat. There, they learned Malfurion Stormrage was investigating a nightmare.

• Aaron explained that Xavius had become the Nightmare Lord and had affected Zaetar and Eldre'Thalas.
• Cenarius warned that Xavius's power was extraordinary, and Fandral Staghelm decided to tell Malfurion and Ysera.
• Fandral Staghelm showed Aaron how Druids entered the Emerald Dream through meditation, and Aaron successfully crossed into it.
• Fandral Staghelm led Aaron out of the cavern and asked an ancient treant where his teacher, Malfurion Stormrage, was.
• The ancient treant said Malfurion was investigating someone's nightmare, so Fandral Staghelm flew toward him as a storm raven and Aaron followed on a griffin.

Aaron and Fandral Staghelm reached Malfurion Stormrage as the Druids fought Xavius and his corrupted creatures. Xavius escaped after Aaron struck a decoy, and Malfurion turned to question Fandral about his condition.

• Aaron followed Fandral Staghelm through the Emerald Dream for more than a day before they reached a valley where Druids had surrounded Xavius and his corrupted forces.
• Aaron recognized Malfurion Stormrage confronting Xavius, while Fandral and Aaron waited outside the Druids’ encirclement.
• Malfurion ordered the Druids to attack, and they destroyed Xavius’s corrupted creatures until only Xavius remained.
• Xavius escaped the encirclement in black smoke and taunted Malfurion before Aaron intercepted him.
• Aaron smashed Xavius’s apparent form with his warhammer, but realized that Xavius had escaped while his vines delayed the pursuing Druids.
• Malfurion told the Druids to search nearby without pursuing too far, then approached Aaron and Fandral and asked what had happened to Fandral.

Aaron purified Fandral Staghelm after Xavius’s Nightmare spell dredged up Fandral’s grief over Va'enstan’s death. Malfurion learned that Xavius’s presence in the Emerald Dream had been exposed, but the Nightmare might also have reached Shaladrassil and the Satyrs imprisoned there.

• Aaron used Holy Light to clear the Nightmare’s influence from Fandral Staghelm, who woke calling for Va'enstan.
• Malfurion comforted Fandral Staghelm and asked Aaron why he had arrived in such a hurry.
• Aaron told Malfurion that Xavius had tried to reach a World Tree in Eldre'Thalas before Prince Tortheldrin’s self-detonation forced Xavius to recover in the Emerald Dream.
• Malfurion explained that the Druids had found Xavius while he was recovering and said they needed to capture him quickly.
• Malfurion told Aaron and Fandral Staghelm that Ysera was investigating Nightmare corruption at Shaladrassil, where imprisoned Satyrs might also be affected.
• Malfurion continued searching for Xavius and instructed Fandral Staghelm to watch for the Nightmare spreading into reality.

Aaron returned from the Emerald Dream after warning the Druids about Xavius’s plan to spread the Nightmare into reality. He and Vereesa went to the Watchers’ headquarters near Illidan’s prison, where hidden guards surrounded them and demanded to know who they were.

• Malfurion sent Aaron back to the druid den on Mount Hyjal, where Vereesa’s eagle, Lightning, watched over him.
• Aaron told Vereesa that he had warned Malfurion about the Nightmare, and Fandral Staghelm said the warning would help the Druids prepare for Xavius’s plan.
• Fandral left to discuss precautions with High Priestess Whisperwind, while Aaron and Vereesa headed for the Watchers’ headquarters.
• Aaron explained to Vereesa that he had learned the location of the Watchers’ headquarters from Fandral while asking about Illidan’s prison.
• Watchers emerged from the shadows, surrounded Aaron and Vereesa, and demanded that they identify themselves.

Aaron and Vereesa were intercepted by the Watchers while trying to approach their patrol area, and their attempt to explain themselves only increased the Watchers’ suspicion. After being escorted away, Aaron realized he might be able to use a toy from his Book of Adventure to become a Watcher and returned toward Nordrassil to prepare.

• More than a dozen Watchers surrounded Aaron and Vereesa, and Vereesa tried to negotiate while concealing their search for Illidan.
• The Watcher leader used a moonlight spell so Aaron could understand her, then questioned him as the Watchers threatened them with poisoned weapons.
• Aaron claimed they were tourists, but the Watchers escorted him and Vereesa out of the area and warned them not to return.
• Aaron and Vereesa discussed how difficult it would be to gain the Watchers’ trust or sneak past them.
• After Vereesa suggested becoming Watchers, Aaron noticed a toy in his Book of Adventure had lit up and decided to return to Nordrassil to prepare.

Aaron prepared to infiltrate the Watchers’ prison to find Illidan, disguising himself as a Watcher with a transformation toy and relying on Xal'atath to speak Kaldorei. After Shandris briefed him on the Watchers, Aaron flew toward their headquarters while Vereesa stayed behind to talk with Shandris.

• Aaron asked Shandris for information about the Watchers, and she guessed he wanted to find Illidan.
• Aaron transformed into a Watcher, and Xal'atath agreed to speak for him in Kaldorei.
• Shandris shared what she knew about the Watchers’ training and organization, warning Aaron that her information might not be perfect.
• Aaron joked that he planned to free all the Watchers’ prisoners, then told Shandris to ask Vereesa about his real objective.
• Aaron summoned a gryphon and flew toward the Watchers’ headquarters while Vereesa remained with Shandris.
• Shandris asked Vereesa to tell her about the Eastern Kingdoms, and Vereesa agreed.

Aaron infiltrated the Watchers’ prison by posing as one of Maiev Shadowsong’s guards and searched its cells for Illidan. After Xal'atath taunted a bound Faceless One, Aaron finally found Illidan confined in a small, rune-lined cell.

• Aaron used Xal'atath’s help to pose as a Watcher and persuaded the guards to let him into the prison.
• Aaron explored the vault, observed its many prisoners, and encountered a chained Faceless One.
• Xal'atath told the Faceless One that C'Thun had been killed, provoking it into furious attempts to escape and insults against Aaron.
• Aaron continued searching the prison and found Illidan blindfolded in an isolated, rune-lined cell.

Aaron visited the imprisoned Illidan to ask how to help elves affected by Fel, and Illidan said they could overcome its effects by strengthening their wills and adapting to it. Aaron was left unsure whether Illidan’s simple solution was serious.

• Aaron found Illidan bound inside a heavily warded cell, with the Warglaives of Azzinoth displayed outside it.
• Illidan recognized Aaron by his scent and explained that he did not rely on his eyes to perceive him.
• Aaron asked whether Illidan could help elves whose bodies and minds had been affected by Fel.
• Aaron told Illidan about Prince Tortheldrin, the imprisoned demon, and Xavius’s death.
• Illidan said Fel affected the soul through the body, and that the elves needed to steel their wills and adapt to Fel until they could use it as a power.

Aaron learned that Illidan’s fel tattoos could weaken Fel’s influence but could not eliminate it, and Illidan said resisting corruption ultimately required willpower. Illidan asked when he would be freed, and Aaron said it would likely be in five or six years; Maiev Shadowsong then returned to the prison.

• Illidan told Aaron that willpower could resist Fel corruption and explained how his tattoos concentrated Fel in the skin, reducing its influence on the soul.
• Illidan asked Aaron how long he had been imprisoned, and Aaron estimated that he would be freed in five or six years.
• Aaron asked why Illidan had accepted imprisonment despite knowing it would last ten thousand years, and Illidan angrily blamed Aaron for not warning him before his capture.
• Illidan warned Aaron that Maiev had returned, and Aaron heard the Watchers approaching Illidan’s cage.

Aaron avoided Maiev Shadowsong by following Illidan’s directions through a passage from the Watchers’ prison to the Druids’ cavern, then returned to Vereesa with a solution from Illidan. Shandris remained wary of the solution because of her past experience with fel.

• Aaron hid from Maiev Shadowsong and followed Illidan’s directions to escape the Watchers’ underground prison.
• Aaron discovered that the passage led into the cavern where the Druids slept and asked Xal'atath to remember Illidan’s method.
• Aaron returned to Nordrassil and found Vereesa chatting with Shandris.
• Vereesa was pleased that Aaron had obtained a solution from Illidan, while Shandris had misgivings about it.

Shandris learned that Aaron’s actions had changed her understanding of Illidan’s history, then discussed her concerns about the Night Elves’ isolation with him. She decided to propose establishing Sentinel outposts beyond Night Elf territory, beginning in Desolace.

• Aaron told Shandris that the Shen'dralar affected by fel would become demons rather than Satyrs, though he kept that detail to himself.
• Shandris was surprised to hear Aaron say Illidan had nearly killed Jarod, and Aaron realized their accounts of who stopped Illidan from recreating the Well of Eternity differed.
• Vereesa and Aaron agreed to stay in Nordrassil overnight after Shandris invited them to rest at the inn.
• Shandris explained that Nordrassil protected the Night Elves but had also encouraged them to become conservative and uninformed about nearby dangers.
• Shandris told Aaron she planned to send Sentinels to establish an outpost in Desolace, with the aim of eventually creating outposts across Kalimdor beyond Night Elf control.
• Aaron wished Shandris success, and she went to find Tyrande to discuss her plan.

Aaron and Vereesa left Nordrassil, and Aaron returned to Eldre'Thalas with a way to ease the Shen'dralar warlocks' Fel problems. After the Shen'dralar Ancients stabilized the warlocks, Azeroth asked Aaron to bring her the Tidestone in Silithus.

• Shandris told Aaron and Vereesa that the sentinels had complained about her plans to establish outposts, then wished them a safe journey.
• Aaron and Vereesa departed Nordrassil, and Aaron reflected that the tree might burn during the Burning Legion's invasion.
• Aaron returned to Eldre'Thalas with Vereesa and explained Illidan's methods for addressing the warlocks' loss of control to Mordent.
• The Shen'dralar Ancients learned to create Fel tattoos, easing the warlocks' symptoms, and Mordent planned to rebuild Eldre'Thalas.
• Azeroth asked Aaron through Xal'atath to bring her the Tidestone in Silithus, so Aaron chose to return there.

Aaron’s journey to Silithus was interrupted when ogres ambushed the Dreadwake, and he landed to fight them. Garona attacked him from stealth, and the chapter ended as she struck at him again amid the ogres’ renewed assault.

• The Dreadwake shook near the Feralas-Silithus border, and Aaron spotted ogres hiding in the jungle below.
• The ogres attacked Aaron with spells, and he landed among them to fight with Frostmourne and Holy Light.
• Garona appeared behind Aaron and stabbed him, forcing him to heal himself and raise a Divine Shield.
• Aaron exposed Garona with Truthguard’s radiance, but she escaped behind a tree as the ogres and Ogre Mages closed in.
• Aaron’s Divine Shield burst under the ogres’ attacks, and Garona appeared behind him again with her dagger poised to strike.

Aaron captured Garona during Yegoda's ambush and learned that Xal'atath could take control of the spell influencing her. After the ogres fled and Yegoda was captured, Xal'atath revealed that Cho'gall seemed to have opened a hole in the Scarab Wall.

• Aaron caught Garona's dagger, seized her, and restrained her after she attacked him under Gul'dan's control.
• Xal'atath examined Garona and bound her to a tree with Holy Light shackles while Aaron faced the approaching ogres.
• Aaron's advance frightened the ogres into fleeing, and he blocked Yegoda's escape with Frostmourne.
• Xal'atath questioned Yegoda and learned that she could trigger Garona's control spell, but Aaron told Xal'atath to find another way to free Garona.
• Xal'atath told Aaron that Cho'gall seemed to have opened a hole in the Scarab Wall, and Aaron nearly lost control of the Dreadwake at the news.