The Beginning of Chaos

"My name is Arluin, an elf living in Suramar's slums."

"Ever since that damned magic addiction appeared, my life has gotten harder and harder. Every day, I see the nobles enjoying an abundance of magic crystals, while lower-class elves get only a small piece a day to meet their basic needs."

"Growing up in the slums, I learned how to pick locks. I often slipped into minor nobles' homes and stole the magic crystals they had left over after feeding on them, so my sister and I could get by."

"My sister is my reason for living, but that damned magic addiction has come for her too."

"I need a lot of magic crystals. I have to save her! I can't let her become a Withered."

"I've seen with my own eyes what happens to the Withered. Those nobles never obeyed Lady Elisande's orders."

"They killed all the Withered!"

"Today, I learned a secret. A chance to save my sister."

"I have to try, even if it costs me my life."

Looking at the place where she had lived as a child, Maiev found herself flooded with memories.

"Lady Maiev, we'll go to Darkmoon Stronghold next."

Elisande's words pulled Maiev out of her memories.

"Lead the way." Maiev shook off her memories and became the woman general who had swept across the battlefield once more, her powerful presence intimidating everyone around her.

As Elisande led the way, she told Maiev about everything around them.

"Please stop! Put my brother down! He hasn't become a Withered yet!"

"Please let go, or we'll have to use force."

A squad of soldiers pushed their way out of a house beside the street. Two of them were holding up a gaunt, emaciated male elf.

The sound of a fierce argument came from up ahead, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"What's going on, Elisande?" Maiev asked, looking displeased.

Elisande's expression changed. "The Well of Eternity's explosion left them without enough magic to replenish themselves, turning them into Withered. But they can be cured as long as they receive more magic."

"Is the supply of magic crystals insufficient?" Maiev waved to the Hand of the Bright Moon members behind her, ordering them to stop the guards ahead.

"The supply was sufficient at first, but the nobles took more than their share, leaving commoners with only a little each day."

More and more elves had begun to notice what was happening. They had expected a great battle to break out, but it proved one-sided. The Hand of the Bright Moon members took down Suramar's city guards in no time.

On one side were battle-hardened soldiers who had won every battle; on the other were ordinary troops. It was obvious at a glance which side was stronger.

A Hand of the Bright Moon member tossed out a magic crystal, then cast a spell. Under the powerful spell's effect, the crystal turned into magical energy.

A beam of energy shone on the Half-Withered slumped on the ground. (Withered are divided into three levels here.) He gradually recovered at a visible rate, and his eyes slowly opened.

"I... what happened to me?" The male elf had regained consciousness.

"Thank goodness, brother, you're all right!" A female elf squeezed her way to his side and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, my honored lady." The male elf stood and bowed.

The elves around them also dropped to their knees, begging Maiev to grant them enough magical energy as well.

Maiev promised to give them enough magical energy.

The first thing she did upon reaching Darkmoon Stronghold was transfer the guards originally stationed there elsewhere, replacing all the troops in the stronghold with members of the Hand of the Bright Moon and her own trusted followers.

"You've followed me for so long. Isn't it time you came out?" Maiev said, looking into the shadows.

A figure stepped out of the shadows. It was Arluin, who had followed Maiev from the moment she entered Suramar City.

"What do you want with me?" Maiev gripped her weapon. If he had any ill intentions, she could capture him in an instant, and the guards outside the room would also leap in.

"Lady Maiev, my name is Arluin. I'm a Night Elf who lives in the slums. I came here to tell you a secret and offer you my loyalty. I only hope you'll save my sister, who is suffering from severe magic addiction."

With that, Arluin knelt on the ground and waited for Maiev's answer.

Maiev was skeptical of what Arluin had said, but she still took out a magic crystal and tossed it onto the ground.

Thud.

The crystal fell to the ground. Seeing it there, Arluin knew he was already more than halfway to accomplishing his goal.

"Go on. I hope this secret of yours is useful to me."

Arluin clutched the crystal tightly in his hand, unable to contain the excitement on his face.

"Thank you, Lady Maiev. The nobles of Eldre'Thalas are joining forces with the nobles of Suramar to stage a rebellion. It seems to be for something, but I didn't hear exactly what."

Arluin restrained his excitement as he told Maiev, but he also held something back. He knew the nobles' goal was water from the Well of Eternity.

But his status was low, and knowing too much could easily get him killed by those above him to keep him quiet.

Hearing Arluin's words, Maiev was instantly furious. At a critical moment like this, those nobles actually dared to do such a thing.

"Very good, Arluin. Your information is useful. I need you to do something for me. Take this insignia to Moon Guard Stronghold and call up the Moon Guard there."

The Moon Guard was a force Snyder had once led. Strictly speaking, Snyder was still its former general. But at the time, Snyder had no interest in power, and he had stepped down as general after the war ended.

"As you command, my lady."

Arluin entered the shadows and disappeared. (Arluin's class is a rogue.)

"Someone!"

The door was pushed open, and a Hand of the Bright Moon member entered.

"Go see how the relocation to Darnassus is going, and summon Naisha and Elisande."

"Your will."

"Are we really supposed to live here?"

"What's that place? Why can't we go there?"

"That's where Prince Tortheldrin is storing the books brought over from Eldre'Thalas to curry favor with his new master."

"Hmph, aren't we worth more than those books?"

Several nobles from Eldre'Thalas had gathered together to complain. They looked at Prince Tortheldrin in the distance, where he was directing elves carrying books, their eyes full of disgust.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my master requests your presence."

A rogue emerged from the shadows and spoke to them.

The nobles exchanged glances, excitement appearing on their faces, and headed for the appointed place.

"My lord, the fish have taken the bait. Should we draw in the net?" The rogue spy assigned to watch the nobles reported to Prince Tortheldrin.

"Not yet. How is the task I gave you coming along?"

"It's succeeded. Those young nobles are all willing to contribute the magic crystals their families have stockpiled. The Withered of Eldre'Thalas have now received help."

"Very good. Continue according to plan. Go tell the captain of the guard to get the troops ready. I'm going to see Lady Maiev now."

On the surface, all of Suramar City was flourishing, while behind the scenes, the various forces were struggling against one another.