Preparations

Snyder told Dath'Remar everything he knew about the place, but Dath'Remar paid no heed. The glory of the Ancient Kaldorei Empire had instilled in them arrogance, and it was this arrogance that made them disregard the native inhabitants. A defeat was approaching them.

"Thank you for the map and intelligence, my friend," Dath'Remar said to Snyder.

"No need for thanks, let's eat something together. I can feel how tired you are." Snyder waved his hand, indicating that Dath'Remar didn't need to thank him, and also gestured for Dath'Remar to join in the meal.

"I ate before you arrived, and time is precious; I can't waste it on eating." With that, Dath'Remar stood up.

"Once you have a goal, you must strive to achieve it; that's what you taught me. Besides, when I became the leader of the remaining Highborne, an invisible shackle was placed upon me, and this shackle constantly reminded me as I enjoyed power and their adoration."

"Alright, my friends, continue to enjoy this banquet. This was prepared especially for you." With that, he walked towards the banquet hall door.

"Dath'Remar!" Snyder suddenly called out as he watched Dath'Remar leave.

Dath'Remar turned to look at Snyder when he heard him call out.

"Sometimes it's better for Dath'Remar to stop and rest for a while." Snyder said something to Dath'Remar that left Dath'Remar puzzled.

Dath'Remar nodded to Snyder, indicating that he had heard, and then went out to investigate the area.

The Elemental Spirits of Azeroth gave him a warning: a defeat was about to befall the Highborne.

After Dath'Remar emerged, he ordered his rogue scouts to conduct reconnaissance in the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms. This reconnaissance would lay the foundation for the migration of the Highborne.

The Highborne scouts began reconnaissance towards the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms.

After assigning scout tasks, Dath'Remar headed to the barracks to select an elite force as the vanguard.

Dath'Remar walked into the military camp, where the Highborne troops were training.

"Greetings, sir." Daren Theron, who was directing army training, spotted the approaching Dath'Remar.

"How are the Warrior doing, General?" Dath'Remar asked, looking at the Warrior sweating profusely on the training field.

"Everything is fine, sir. We are ready to strike and eliminate any invading enemy at any time," Daren Theron said, his posture upright. But only he knew how exhausted he and his soldiers had been lately.

"Very good. Take a good rest recently. You have an important mission ahead of you." Dath'Remar was so pleased with Harun Theron's reply that he did not see the general's serious fatigue.

Dath'Remar asked Harun Theron to accompany him to check on the soldiers' training.

On the training ground, the Highborne soldiers were honing their combat skills. Thanks to the long lifespan of the elves, each of their Warrior possessed powerful combat skills and strength; the passage of time had made them incredibly formidable.

Dath'Remar was very satisfied with the soldiers' fighting ability. He selected two thousand men from them, and he also planned to select some skilled mages to form an vanguard to clear the way for the main force.

After the visit, Dath'Remar left the barracks to prepare for recruiting some mages.

On his way to recruit the mage, he encountered Jarod, who had just come out of a banquet.

"Why did you come out?" Dath'Remar asked, puzzled that Jarod hadn't stayed at the banquet.

"I came out for some fresh air, and also to find you," Jarod explained.

"Looking for me? What do you want?" Dath'Remar asked.

"I'd like to ask where you found that communication stone."

"This stone?" Dath'Remar took the stone out of his magical pouch.

"I dug this stone under a giant tree next to a lake."

"A ghost named Apophis also dwells in that giant tree."

I'm just about to make the arrangements and then I'll call you to go together.

"Since you're here, please give him my regards." With that, Dath'Remar handed the communication stone to Jarod.

"Okay, I'll say hello to him for you," Jarod said, taking the communication stone from Dath'Remar.

"You know the location, right? After all, you lived here for a while," Dath'Remar joked.

"Of course, I know the terrain here very well," Jarod said.

"Then I wish you good luck," Dath'Remar said, then bid farewell to Jarod and continued on his way to recruit mages.

Jarod also gripped the communication stone in his hand and began to head towards the lake above Tyr's Tomb, relying on the map he remembered.

Looking at the drastically changed Eastern Kingdoms, Jarod sighed at how time could truly alter so many things.

Jarod walked and stopped frequently, marveling at the passage of time along the way.

Finally, Snyder arrived at his destination, beneath the giant tree by the lake above Tyr's Tomb.

"Dath'Remar was referring to this place, but Apophis's soul isn't here," Jarod said, walking to the giant tree and stroking it.

"Hey! Brother, long time no see!" Apophis's spirit suddenly emerged from the giant tree.

"What brings you out all of a sudden, old brother?" Jarod was startled by Apophis's sudden appearance.

"Looks like you're doing well, old buddy," Apophis said, looking at Jarod.

"You are still as radiant as ever, while I am now an old ghost."

"You look good too, much more energetic than before," Jarod said, glancing at Apophis.

"How could I not be energetic? Right now, all I feel is my soul." Apophis directly admitted his current state.

"But it's so good to see you again, old friend," Apophis said to Jarod.

"I'm an old friend too."

"How have you been these past few years?" Apophis asked.

"I'm doing fine." Jarod and Apophis began to talk to each other about how they had been doing over the years.

The two chatted for a long time, until the sun began to set and dusk arrived.

"It's so good to see you in the last moments, my old friend," Apophis said.

"Are you leaving, old friend?" Jarod asked.

"Yes, my wish has been fulfilled, it's time for me to leave."

"Aren't you curious about how your tribe is doing now?" Jarod tried to give Apophis a new obsession, a reason to keep existing.

"Children and grandchildren have their own destinies; I've done what I should do, and the rest is up to them."

"My journey has ended, but yours continues, my old friend." With that, Apophis's soul began to dissipate.

"What a wonderful experience." After saying this, Apophis's soul began to dissipate into particles of light in the air.

As Jarod watched his old brother's soul dissipate into particles of light in the air, he was filled with emotion.