Shadow Trails in Azeroth

One hundred and ten years of the Dark Portal, winter.

A week before the Winter Curtain Festival, a far-reaching event happened in the northern border of the eastern continent.

The Grand Duchess of the Northern Territory of the Human Empire, Lady Calia Menethil, Duke of Lordaeron, contracted a cold when she went out to patrol the borders. She fell ill after returning to the court in Lordaeron. There are rumors that the Church of the Holy Light His Majesty Pope Patrick therefore urgently returned from the front line of the eternal bloody battle to personally diagnose the illness of the Grand Duchess, and the conclusion he reached was really not optimistic.

The Archduchess, who is one hundred and twenty-four years old this year, once again rejected the church's request for a light casting ceremony. She longed to welcome the moment of her death calmly like a dying mortal.

The entire city of Lordaeron, even Northern Xinjiang, and even the Human Empire have fallen into a sad situation. In the past few days, dignitaries from all walks of life have appeared in an endless stream in the capital of Northern Xinjiang. People who visit the Grand Duchess, but only those with the most distinguished status among them are eligible to be invited to the palace.

This is not only because the Grand Duchess is a sincere believer who does not like the extravagant court interactions and has always maintained a simple and people-friendly style throughout her life, but also because the Grand Duchess's physical condition is deteriorating.

She really doesn't have that much energy to receive so many guests.

And this constant stream of visits continued until His Majesty the Emperor Varian Wrynn brought his first heir, Ms. Myasas Menethil Proudmoore, from the expedition to the Fel Kingdom. It reaches its peak when returning from the battlefield.

No one in the human empire does not know how close the personal relationship between His Majesty the Emperor and Grand Duchess Calia is. His Majesty the Emperor regards the Grand Duchess as his eldest sister whether in public or in private, and the Emperor's eldest sister He also clearly stood by his younger brother in the political storm that pushed the imperial power to its peak when the Seven Kingdoms were reduced to imperial dominions.

It can be said that these two almost legendary figures are perfect examples of the real existence of royal family ties.

Although the political storm that almost triggered civil war in various countries was already an old thing seventy years ago, it would only appear in the occasional chats of the old men. Young people did not care about these old things at all. They just read them in history textbooks. Having learned this knowledge, they now just fanatically worship His Majesty the Emperor who is about to abdicate and take over the power of natural disasters.

But in these years, whenever His Majesty the Emperor went on an expedition, the Grand Duchess Calia and several other Grand Dukes would jointly govern to maintain the internal affairs of the empire. Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor officially announced fifteen years ago that the Grand Duchess’s only son would be the heir to the Empire. It is enough to show that heavy politics has not affected this family relationship that is not connected by blood.

However, people often know only the minutiae of the real history. For these legendary figures, there are always some details that are ignored or deliberately concealed behind these generally correct stories.

Her Excellency Jaina Proudmoore, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Fleet and Grand Duchess of Kul Tiras, has arrived!

Amid the solemn chant-like voice of the palace attendant, Lady Jaina, wearing a blue and white navy commander's robe, strode with a sea-blue cloak, accompanied by her husband Arthas Menethil Walked into this ancient palace.

The little princess back then was no longer young.

One hundred years have passed in a blink of an eye. The little girl who once followed her brother and witnessed the changes in the world now has white hair, but there is a playful blond hair in the white hair, which represents her identity and bloodline.

But as one of the most powerful spellcasters in Azeroth and even in the stars, her appearance still maintains the most beautiful charm of the mature era, and besides her beauty, there is also a heavy aura that people dare not look directly at. momentum.

Even though she is already a 113-year-old grandma, Ms. Gianna is still on the list every year in the Empire Beauty Ranking that is selected by the public every year.

However, for ancient blood descendants like the Proudmoore family, their pure ancient human blood allows them to easily live to about 150 years old. Coupled with the magical blessing of being a near-god spellcaster, Jaina Today's age is basically considered in the prime of life. Just like her husband, a swordsman who also has gray hair but is still upright, they still have a lot of time to enjoy life.

Well, in fact, these two famous fairy couples in Azeroth have just returned from a vacation in the world of Draenor, and they plan to have another child in the next few years.

Although they already have seven sons and three daughters, what should I say? The relationship between the two of them is probably still full of the passion of young people.

aunt.

When Jaina held the staff and walked into the outer hall of Grand Duchess Calia's palace, a blonde girl sat on the sofa with her back straight like the best knight, and was unwilling to take off her armor even when resting. He stood up and bowed his head to Jaina solemnly.

Mia Saas.

Jaina and her husband looked at each other.

She stepped forward quickly and looked at the face of the female knight in front of her. This was a face that would make everyone in the Proudmoore family feel amazing.

Especially Jaina and Arthas, every time they see this face they will think of the guy who has become a myth.

And this girl named Miathas indeed combines all the advantages of the Menethil family and the Proudmoore family. She not only has the beautiful facial contours of the Grand Duchess Calia, but also has a pair of iconic sea blue. Her eyes are as gentle as a lover's, especially her blond hair, which is like casting of gold.

The girl in front of me is already a hundred years old.

But time left no trace on her body at all.

Everyone who sees her will be infected by the perfect temperament of this imperial heir. However, the most attractive thing about her is not her face or eyes, or her indescribably exaggerated perfect figure, but her backside. unique decoration.

A pair of wings folded behind the special armor like a cloak.

Well, the real wings are not twisted creations of alienated life forms, nor are they weird beings created by crazy magicians or druids.

When this child was born in this palace on a stormy night a hundred years ago, he had such a pair of white, wide and impressive wings.

As a result, she was enthusiastically called Angel Princess by the people of the empire.

But only those closest to Mia Saas know that this noble-born girl actually doesn't like these unique things about herself.

Your Majesty is talking to mother, you may have to wait a moment.

Mia Sas's face was expressionless, with a hint of worry and exhaustion, and he said to his aunt and uncle:

Uncle Tanred was painting the last portrait of my mother there. My mother said that she hoped she could have her last painting left in this palace. In addition, my mother also told me that she would let my uncle come back and inherit this palace when he comes.

What do I need this palace for?

Alsace, who had white hair and a beard and was as imposing as a sword in a sheath, curled his lips and said:

It smells of decay. After my sister passes away, I will open this place to the public, or donate it to become a school for orphans in the empire. Speaking of which, it's already this time, hasn't your father come back yet?

As soon as Alsace finished speaking, his wife used her magic hand to pinch her lower back hard, causing the Imperial Sword Master to grin in pain.

You're over a hundred years old, but you still can't learn not to talk nonsense, right?

Sure enough, when Alsace said the word father, Mia Sas's face, which was originally expressionless, turned even more ugly. She clenched her fists, and even the white wings behind her back were slightly opened in anger. Open some.

She gritted her teeth and whispered:

That damn man had better never come back, otherwise I will stab him to death with a sword!

Mia Sass! Shut up!

Jaina's expression changed slightly, and she scolded:

The person you claim to stab to death with a sword is your father, the love of your mother's life, my brother, the founder of the empire, and the protector of countless civilizations in Azeroth.

His followers are spread all over this world and even among the stars.

Your words will trigger an unnecessary storm in an instant. Countless people will lose their lives because of your unintentional words, and even the eternal bloody war that has just settled down will stir up trouble again.

You don't have to like him!

But you have to respect him.

What Grand Duke Jaina said is absolutely correct, Your Highness.

A cold voice appeared like a ghost beside the three nobles. In the entanglement of the shadows, an old man with white hair hunched over, wearing an assassin's robe and covering his face quietly appeared.

In a tone of typical respect and persuasion, he said to the angry heir to the empire:

That adult has an open mind. He may not care that his favorite daughter is so hostile to him, but as the future emperor of the empire, you should learn to control this uncontrolled anger.

After all, as the Minister of Intelligence, I am also a believer in that Lord. I want to be loyal to you, but I must also be loyal to my faith.

You shouldn't say such disrespectful things on such occasions.

Master Xiaoer, just think of me as asking you not to interfere, okay?

Jaina rubbed her forehead and said with an annoyed look:

This is a family matter, don't elevate it to the level of an empire.

I understand, Your Excellency.

The old man Xiao, who looked as if he could be knocked down by a gust of wind, grinned, showing that he had lost several teeth. He said meaningfully:

“It can be a family conflict.

But His Highness must realize her problem. Her father has never left her, but she stubbornly believes that her father is a loser.

Why can't I say that?

Miassas has always been a steady successor and an extremely talented paladin. She has become a legend at the age of twenty, and entered the realm of demigods at the age of forty. Now before her 100th birthday is approaching, she has touched Come to the concept of godhead.

After Her Majesty the current emperor abdicates, the rule started by her will inevitably bring the human empire, which has now begun to set foot in the stars, to a new peak of civilization.

And it is foreseeable that this rule will last at least three hundred years.

She was perfect in every sense of the word.

But her mythical father was her biggest weakness. At this moment, under the complicated gazes of her aunt and uncle, the highness who had never lost her composure in front of outsiders screamed with a red face. :

He didn't show up when I was born! He didn't show up when my grandfather was buried either! Grandpa and grandma's ship disappeared on the River Styx. The whole world was looking for my relatives, but he still didn't show up!

I thought it was a test from my god-like father, and I tried my best to do my best. When I killed the first big demon with my own hands, I almost died in a pool of my own blood.

At that time, I just hoped that my father would give me a word of approval, but until I woke up in my mother's arms, I never saw his shadow.

When Anduin and I got engaged, the whole world and even the stars sent us blessings, but he just let his despicable lover send him a pair of armor and a sword.

Where was he when my first child was born?

Now my mother is about to leave me and pass away from this world, but my dearest mother will never forget the man who has almost never been with her in a hundred years.

I hate him!

I have enough reason to hate him, don't I?

Miazas took a few steps back. In the wind with her wings spread out, she looked at the relatives in front of her with red eyes. Perhaps it was the pressure of her mother's impending death that made this perfect princess almost collapse.

She shouted uncontrollably:

He is the perfect brother, the perfect leader, the perfect god, the perfect savior and protector for you. Everywhere in this world there are exaggerated and magical stories he left behind.

But so what?

In my eyes, he is an unqualified father! A failed husband, I still don’t know how to tell my children stories about their grandpa!

They can only piece together the impression of their great and perfect grandfather from books.

I can't even tell my kids that their grandpa is an amorous bastard!

My mother loved him so much that she dedicated her whole life to lonely waiting, but how did he respond to my mother?

Was it wrong for me to say that I should kill him?

There was dead silence in the entire palace.

Jaina bit her lip, as if she was disappointed with her niece and wanted to tell some truth, but Arthas reached out to stop her. The Empire's Minister of Intelligence, His Excellency Xiao, sighed, shook his head and disappeared into the shadows.

In Miathas's gasping anger, the door of the palace was pushed open, and Tanred Proudmoore strolled out with a drawing board under his arm.

Compared with his sister, who is still very handsome, Tanred, who is the same age as Jaina, has truly aged.

Throughout his life, he was just an ordinary person who had not dabbled in power. Now he has entered the twilight years of his life. However, as a lifelong honorary professor of Nathalas College and a world-renowned artist, he has the protection of various magical potions and healing magic. , allowing Tanred to still live for several more decades.

However, this casual and chic great artist probably doesn’t want to live anymore. It’s also possible that he just broke up with his hot and passionate fifty-third Delaney girlfriend last month, which caused him to be a little depressed.

In short, this handsome guy did not notice the strange atmosphere in the palace.

He looked back at Varian Wrynn, who had white hair behind him and had begun to show the same Mediterranean strongman hairstyle as Lothar, and said:

Leave the last time to my brother and sister-in-law. Maybe they want to say something? What are you doing? Is this going to fight?

Mia Saas, put down the Salamani in your hand!

My brother sent you a perfect replica of his sword specifically not to let you point it at your relatives! Don't you even listen to your uncle?

Who did you just say was in there!

Mia Saas no longer cares about this.

She stared at Tanred with red eyes. The somewhat off-kilter great artist blinked and said:

Who else could it be? My brother, um, your father, wait! You can't enter! Silly boy, your time hasn't come yet, you can't meet him now!

quick!

Stop her!

But it's too late.

No matter how quickly Jaina reacted and threw the ice storm that froze the entire palace, no matter how Arthas turned around and turned into dozens of continuous mirror images to block the angel princess, no matter how Varian opened his arms and erupted with a terrifying Holy Spirit. Light Fury tried to stop him, but they all underestimated the swiftness of an angel blood descendant who had touched the godhead and accelerated in an instant.

Just like a flash of golden light, Mia Sasi, who had been protected by everyone for a hundred years, entered the place she shouldn't have entered.

What appeared in front of her was a scene of her mother, who was wearing a nightgown and kissing an old man with a white beard beside the bed, as if she were a young man, but still maintained her youthful appearance even though she was old and on the verge of death.

The old man was dressed like a sailor.

Those exaggerated, weird, and sultry tattoos can be seen on the rolled-up sleeves of the blouse. He looks very old, but he still stands upright, and there is a black pirate hat thrown on the bed beside him.

well

A sigh echoed in the warm palace. Lord Black supported his weak wife and gently stroked her long hair that had not faded in time. Grand Duchess Calia Menethil was about to return to the cycle of life and death. At the end of my life, I have no idea to interfere more.

She just wants to leave this world quietly in her husband's gentle arms.

The only thing that changed was Princess Miasas. The moment she saw her father's eyes with her own eyes, the memory from her previous life burst out of her shell at this moment.

The memories belonging to the eldest daughter Gristia pierced into her mind like red-hot iron needles, causing the angel princess to scream and fall to the ground, and was hugged tightly by Jaina and Tanred who rushed over. .

This is the only thing I leave you!

Blake hugged his wife who had her eyes closed. Her appearance and state looked very much like the old Dai Lin. He scolded dissatisfiedly:

I will let my little sister and my little brother protect my daughter, let her not come close to me, let her not think of the memories of those damn eternal beings that were sealed, and let her be happy according to the will of a mortal. Have the time of your life!

For this reason, every month when I come back to have sex with my wife, I have to be sneaky and act like a thief. This life has lasted for a full hundred years!

Although this has a different flavor, this poor little guy is my daughter after all.

Look at her in pain now, this is not what I want to see.

Can you blame us?

Grand Duchess Gianna, who was full of majesty and dignity in front of outsiders, immediately returned to her role as the naughty and doted sister when she saw her brother.

She gritted her teeth and cursed:

Isn't it that you and your female boss are unreliable in their work? They have said that it is the reincarnation of the cycle of life and death! Why are there still memories of the Eternal Ones?

This is your daughter and my niece!

I love her and care about her as much as you do.

You bastard brother.

Oh, it's too late to say all this now. Take my precious daughter out first and let her calm down.

Blake waved his hands, hugged Caliyah, who was already crumbling in his arms, and said:

I'll send my wife off for the last time first, and then I'll go see her. It'll be fine. I've been preparing for this. Oh my God, let's leave the last time to a loving couple who are about to be separated forever. ?

Even if I beg you.

Amidst Lord Evil God's complaints, the chaotic palace quickly returned to calm.

He gently picked up Jalia and put her back on the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to caress Jalia's blessed face that had not aged.

The Grand Duchess lying on the bed also opened her eyes, as shy and tender as she was when she was young, looking at her husband who had grown old in time. Of course, this was just a little trick of the gods, but it still made Caliya look weak. laughter.

She said softly:

I suddenly regretted it.

Um?

Blake helped her push her hair away from her eyes and said:

Do you want to give up your stubbornness and stay with me forever?

Yes, I can help you light-forge it now, so that we can travel in the endless world together. You know, I, an old sailor, will always have a cabin on the ship for you.

No, not this.

Caliya shook her head and said:

You have to come back once a month. No matter how tired or hard it is, I just regret it. Maybe I should have given birth to a few more children for you when I was still young, so that Mia Sasi wouldn't be so lonely all the time.

Sorry, my dear.

I failed to teach our child well enough to make her resent you.

Well, I'm used to this kind of thing.

Blake touched his white beard and sighed sadly:

Miathas is already a very good child. At least he gave me a sword when we didn't meet him. You should go to Quel'Thalas and see the demon kings Fenner used to create.

I don't even dare to put them in Azeroth, I can only let them hang out in other worlds.

There are also several blood descendants of Xal'atath's evil god. They are almost overthrowing the Sunless Sea. I have no regrets in this life. Calia, I really want to say two.

The evil god leaned down and whispered in the ear of his wife who closed her eyes:

The first is that Maiev is still unwilling to break her stubborn thinking and doesn't want her child to destroy our world of two. The second is you. How can I convince you not to leave me?

Please don't leave me, Caliya.

Please.

late.

The Grand Duchess showed her last smile.

She used her last strength to kiss her husband on the corner of the mouth and said:

This way you will always remember me. I never need eternity, my god. I just want to be with you in this life. If there is another life, remember to leave me a place on your ship.

next time.

I promise, I'll stick with you, just like them.

Forever.

Blake's cry sounded at this moment.

It seemed that the whole world was sad, and Calia Menethil was lying on her favorite bed. This bed was the bed she moved back from the inn in Goldshire. It was the first time in her life that Lying with a man.

One night, nothing was done.

But that kind of heartbeat is still unforgettable.

She is dead.

Then amidst Blake's weird laughter, she opened her eyes again, looking at everything in front of her blankly, and then she was held in the arms of her husband amidst the dizzying changes.

While her hair was dancing, she heard Blake say in her ear:

You know, the words of the gods are powerful. You have been stubborn all your life and finally made a promise to me. If there is another life, congratulations to you, this will be your next life.

Ah, I have been waiting for you for a hundred years, and finally at this moment, the little white rabbit fell into the trap of the big bad wolf! Don't ever think of leaving me!

Welcome aboard, my princess.