The morning in Teldrassil was cool, yet carried a gentle warmth that filtered through the titanic leaves of the great tree. Dew still clung to the bluish petals and twisted roots as Kaelion set off on a small journey, a wicker basket hanging from his arm. The path wound between clearings and tall grass, guiding him toward an old cabin hidden in a meadow not far from Aldrassil. Birds' songs mingled with the whisper of the wind, and in the distance, the calls of stags echoed with serene resonance. At one point along the trail, a wild nightsaber appeared. The beast, with its dark fur and silver markings, crossed the path with the dangerous grace of a born hunter. Kaelion paused for a moment, watching it with a mix of awe and melancholy. The sight of the feline stirred an unexpected memory of the Barrens.
It had been a few weeks before he met Aerion. Kaelion, Aeris, and Thalon had set out to explore the savannahs, riding kodos—sturdy, horned beasts with thick skin and powerful limbs, used as mounts for their endurance over long distances and under the searing heat. The wildlife in that territory felt drawn from an ancestral vision: zhevras with black and white stripes—wild equines, more agile and slender than common steeds—golden-maned lions, and giant flightless birds, lethal with their talons.
—Look at that —Aeris had said, astonished, upon spotting a group of antelopes with spiraled horns—. They don't look like the ones back home. If I'd never left that damned tree-island, I would've never seen any of this.
—Don't curse our home —Kaelion had replied, though there was no true reproach in his tone—. But yes... living there is like living in a bubble. I'll give you that.
They continued until they reached a hidden oasis nestled among rocky formations. The crystal-clear water shimmered under the sun, promising relief none of them dared to ignore.
—Finally, some water —exclaimed Aeris with a mischievous grin—. These beasts are parched.
—They sure are —Thalon agreed—. The poor kodos have walked a long way.
—I wasn't talking about them —Aeris laughed, shooting Kaelion a teasing glance.
—We'll see how funny you are once I catch you —grumbled Kaelion, dismounting quickly.
The young commander chased after Aeris, both laughing beneath the shadows of dry trees, while Thalon took the opportunity to fill the canteens. After a few minutes, Kaelion returned to the oasis, winded and without having caught his friend.
—I'll get you later… I need air… and water —he panted, bending down by the lagoon.
—Come on, old man —teased Aeris, approaching with a mocking smile—. I heard they're going to name you sergeant. How are you supposed to fight an orc? You can barely catch me.
—Once I'm a sergeant, I'll make you pay for that —Kaelion promised, giving him a light shove—. Right now, I just need to cool off.
—It's been a long journey —murmured Thalon, wiping the sweat from his brow.
—At least we accomplished the mission —Kaelion nodded—. This will be a good spot to set up a lookout post.
Suddenly, Aeris began unfastening his armor with an exaggerated expression of relief. He removed his gloves and let his boots fall onto the hot sand, under the incredulous gazes of his companions.
—Aeris, what exactly are you doing? —Thalon asked, raising an eyebrow.
—What am I doing? Cooling off... —replied the young elf as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He let his tunic fall, and without hesitation, stripped off his underclothes, standing as the Light brought him into the world. With a cheeky grin, he finished—: …properly.
He threw himself into the water with a laugh while Kaelion and Thalon exchanged looks of surprise and amusement.
—You're going to contaminate the water! —Kaelion shouted, unable to hold back his laughter.
—Thalon already did that just by touching it. Are you coming or what? —Aeris retorted, floating on his back in the lagoon.
Kaelion let out a laugh and began to undress as well.
—You're seriously going to —Thalon started, but Kaelion cut him off with a defiant smile.
—You're not going to let him humiliate us, are you? Let's teach him a lesson.
Eventually, Thalon gave in, and the three of them plunged into the oasis. The water was cool, sealing up the wounds of exhaustion and drawing out genuine smiles. The scuffle with Aeris quickly turned into a carefree tussle, splashing and laughing like children.
—I surrender! You win! —Aeris cried out between fits of laughter, raising his hands.
The young soldiers let themselves fall back into the water, floating with their eyes closed and lungs full of air and relief. And for a moment, between the distant birdsong and the whisper of dry leaves, the war felt as far away as the edge of the desert.
Kaelion walked down the stone path, which vanished into the wild vegetation, until he reached the small cabin in the middle of nowhere. The cabin was small and weathered, its thatched roof beginning to crumble from the wear of endless winters. The walls, made of old and cracked logs, bore the years of resisting the storm. The wind blowing from afar was cool, but the air in that small corner of the world was thick with the heavy weight of loss. He stepped forward and knocked on the wooden door. The sound echoed into the stillness of the surroundings. A few moments later, the door opened with a creak, revealing an elderly couple with tired eyes. Mr. Valandor, grey-haired and weathered of face, gave him a solemn yet not unfriendly look. Beside him, Mrs. Valandor, with silvery hair and a compassionate expression, gazed at him with misty eyes.
—Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Valandor —Kaelion said, bowing his head slightly in respect—. I am Kaelion Lir'Thalas, a comrade-in-arms of Aeris. I came to offer my condolences for the loss of your son.
Mrs. Valandor sighed, and her face softened upon seeing Kaelion's figure. The sorrow still weighed on her, but at least someone had come to share it.
—Oh, yes… —she replied with a voice cracked, though warm—. Please, come in.
Kaelion crossed the threshold with lowered head, entering the cabin. The air was thick, dense from the chimney's smoke still crackling in the corner, and from the grief that lingered in every corner. The Valandors didn't live in opulence, but warmth filled the home, visible in the simple décor that adorned the room. On the old wooden table, worn by the years, sat a steaming teapot surrounded by porcelain cups.
—Tea? —asked Mrs. Valandor, gesturing to the pot as she took her seat.
—Yes, please —Kaelion replied, his gaze never leaving the couple before him.
Mr. Valandor sat at the back of the room, watching the fire, silent. Mrs. Valandor poured the tea delicately, her hand trembling as she did. The silence filled the air until, finally, Mr. Valandor broke it with a low, deep murmur:
—Aeris… he was always a dreamer —the elder said, without looking at them, his tone heavy with sadness—. Always wanted to go beyond, to see the world for himself. He wanted to know what lay past these walls, past our village… Perhaps it was his fate to leave. But still… I cannot help but mourn him.
Kaelion, remembering his old friend, smiled wistfully, his gaze distant as though submerged in memory.
—More than you can imagine —he said softly, yet firmly.Aeris had been an elf of great desires, of borderless dreams — a free spirit. Mrs. Valandor dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. Her eyes, though full of pain, gleamed with a flicker of acceptance.
—At least I know he fulfilled his dream, even if it pains me to know he won't return —she whispered, her voice fading into a long sigh.
Mr. Valandor remained silent for a moment, as if the conversation had drained him. His face twisted in sorrow, and Kaelion could see how the weight overcame him, an unbearable burden upon his chest.
—I had an argument with Aeris —said Mr. Valandor, his voice trembling—. He left home angry… If I had known I would never see him again… I
He stopped abruptly, his fist pressed to his lips to keep the words from escaping, as the grief inside him threatened to spill over. Mrs. Valandor took his hand firmly —a gesture full of love— trying to calm her husband. Kaelion watched in silence, his heart full of understanding. There were no words to soothe such pain, only presence… only solace.
—I'm sorry… —murmured the elder, his eyes full of regret as he looked at Kaelion.
—There's nothing to apologize for —Kaelion answered gently, his voice calm.
The sorrow Mr. Valandor carried needed no excuse — it was real, and time alone might ease its weight. Mrs. Valandor looked at him with an expression full of gratitude.
—Aeris was always like that, always wanted to see what else was out there —she said, a sad smile on her lips—. It brings me peace to know that in the end, he lived his dream… even if the price was so high.
Kaelion nodded, a faint smile crossing his face, like a spark of light flickering for a moment in the midst of darkness.
—More than you could ever know —he repeated, his tone laden with emotion.
Though the pain was undeniable, he couldn't help but feel a touch of pride for Aeris —his brother-in-arms, an elf whose heart had never been confined to the shadows of home.
Mrs. Valandor smiled weakly, dabbing away the last of her tears with her handkerchief, then looked at Kaelion with a warmth that sought comfort in the company of the young elf.
—Oh, Kaelion… would you like to stay for lunch with us? —she asked, her tone softer now, though still tinged with the sadness that lingered in her voice.
Kaelion, feeling the sincerity in the offer and the weight behind the gesture, answered with a slight nod.
—It would be a great honor —he said, his voice full of gratitude and respect.
The table was modest, yet the act of sharing that moment of mourning and peace gave Kaelion a sense of solace. No matter how lonely the lives of the Valandors might be in that remote corner of the world, at least today, the company of those who shared in the sorrow of Aeris's loss was a small comfort he was willing to offer.
Kaelion returned to Dolanaar with slumped shoulders and a distant gaze. He walked slowly, as if each step weighed him down. In front of his house's courtyard, he ran into Lyara. The night elf smiled gently, with that warm and sincere expression she always offered him.
—Hello, Kaelion.
The elf seemed to snap out of his thoughts and blinked, surprised to see her there.
—Ah, hello, Lyara. Sorry, I'm a bit distracted.
—I can see you're sad —she said, tilting her head slightly.Kaelion sighed.
—I just… visited Aeris' parents, and… they moved me.
—Oh, Kaelion… —Lyara lowered her voice, gently taking one of his hands—. Come, let's talk inside.
Without protesting, Kaelion followed her into the house. The soft glow of arcane lanterns bathed the space in golden and green hues. He let himself fall into a chair and rubbed his face with both hands, wiping away the tears that still moistened his cheeks.
—What the old man said struck me the most —he confessed, his voice breaking—. He argued with his son before he left for the Barrens. And to think… Aeris never once mentioned it. He always spoke so highly of them.
Lyara sighed, sitting across from him.
—That's a heavy thing to share —she said—, but what matters is that Aeris left without resentment.
—That's true… —Kaelion gave a bitter smile—. I have to admit… this war is crap.
Lyara let out a short laugh, and seeing Kaelion's expression soften, she raised an eyebrow with a playful grin.
—I couldn't agree more.
Trying to ease the heavy air, Kaelion leaned forward.
—And you, Lyara? Any confessions of your own?
—Me? —The elf narrowed her eyes, amused—. Ha, you wouldn't want to know.
—Come on, don't you trust me?
Lyara rolled her eyes with a smile.
—Alright… just don't laugh.
Kaelion sat up, attentive.
—Well… turns out… I once fell in love with a druid.
Kaelion blinked, surprised.
—Wow… what else did you get up to while I was away?
—Nothing out of the ordinary. You talk like there's much to do around here.
They both laughed, and for a moment, the heaviness seemed to lift. Lyara looked at him with bright eyes.
—But… you were gone for a long time. Surely, you've got some confessions too.
Kaelion swallowed and tried to keep his composure. He looked away, scratching his neck with a nervous laugh.
—Nothing out of the ordinary… aside from cursing at my officer during a watch. —He smiled sideways—. Oh, and the time Thalon, Aeris and I bathed naked in an oasis.
Lyara raised both eyebrows, amused.
—Right. Shouldn't have asked. —She shook her head, laughing—. I don't want to leave so soon, but I need to get up early for priesthood duty.
They both stood, and Kaelion walked her to the door. Before Lyara stepped out, she turned to him.
—Almost forgot. High Priestess Aneliel wants to see you again.
Kaelion nodded slowly.
—Understood. Tell her I'll make time soon.
As they spoke, Lyara narrowed her eyes and spotted a gleaming book on the shelf in the distance. It was bound in red leather, with the image of a golden sun embossed along its spine. But she quickly looked away before Kaelion could notice her interest.
—Yes… yes, I'll tell her as soon as I see her. —She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, smiling faintly—. I might be in Darnassus for a few days. Please, stay alive.
Kaelion chuckled softly.
—I'll try.
Kaelion remained there in silence, watching the lights flicker among the trees of Dolanaar. He was just about to step back into his house when a deep, familiar voice called out from behind him.
—Hello, Kaelion.
He turned and smiled upon seeing Elderion, the old druid who had once warned him about the poisonous berries. His silver hair fell in soft waves, and though his gaze was tired, it held a warm, wise glow.
—Elderion —Kaelion said, genuinely pleased—. How are you?
—Well enough, boy. And you? —The druid narrowed his eyes, examining him with that scrutiny that always made Kaelion feel a bit uneasy.
Kaelion kept smiling, though it wavered slightly.
—Well… I'm all right.
Elderion let out a snort and gave him a knowing look—one that pierced right through any façade. Kaelion sighed in defeat.
—All right, I won't lie. I'm still carrying the past on my back.
The druid crossed his arms, smiling with understanding.
—Boy… —he said, placing a firm hand on Kaelion's shoulder—. Come, join me for a walk and tell me what's troubling you.
Kaelion nodded, grateful for the gesture. Together they walked along a path covered in golden and green leaves, where a gentle breeze whispered through the branches. The young elf kept his gaze low, occasionally kicking a loose stone.
—Have you ever felt the past rooted so deeply in your soul that it refuses to let you live? —Kaelion asked quietly.
Elderion smiled with the kind of infinite patience that seemed to define all druids.
—Certainly, boy. But… the past is like an old tree. Its roots run deep, yes, but its leaves must fall so that new ones may grow. Holding on to dead leaves only keeps the cycle from moving forward. Let the wind carry them away—only then can the tree blossom again.
Kaelion frowned slightly, thinking.
—But… how do I do that? —he asked, a thread of hope in his voice.
Elderion chuckled softly.
—Take a few days. Go somewhere secluded, where no one will disturb you. Sit down. Reflect. Remember every detail of what you lived. Breathe deeply and release it to the wind. After that, I promise—you'll know exactly what to do.
Kaelion fell silent, standing still in the middle of the path. The afternoon light filtered through the trees, painting golden patches across the forest floor. He clenched his fists and lowered his gaze, trying to gather his thoughts.
—Thank you… —he murmured, voice slightly cracked.
The druid smiled gently and gave him a soft pat on the back.
—Don't mention it, boy. Set off at dawn. There's no time to lose—the past has stolen enough of your life already.
Kaelion looked up and, for the first time in a long while, allowed himself a small, sincere smile. He nodded, resolute.
—I will.
They continued their walk in silence, but this time, the weight on Kaelion's shoulders felt a little less heavy.
The following morning, just as Elderion had advised, Kaelion prepared his gear with near-ritual precision: provisions, his bow, and a light cloak that fluttered like a shard of night in the wind. He borrowed a nightsaber—a majestic creature with silver fur and eyes that gleamed like liquid emeralds. Its paws glided with lethal grace over the grass, allowing Kaelion to move swiftly and silently, like a shadow among the trees. He crossed rolling meadows where the flowers bent to the passing wind, and ventured through ancient forests whose canopies whispered in a forgotten tongue. The grasslands stretched like a green ocean, their waves dancing beneath the light of a pale sun. Determination glimmered in his eyes; nothing and no one would stand in his way. At last, he reached the foot of a steep hill, crowned by a fragment of the great tree Teldrassil. Kaelion dismounted gently, tying the reins of the nightsaber to the base of a young tree. The beast let out a soft huff, its eyes glowing with an ancient intelligence. Kaelion smirked and stroked its neck.
The climb was slow but steady. Teldrassil's roots curled between the stones, and the wind smelled of salt and resin. The hill ended at a massive branch jutting out like the arm of a petrified titan. From there, the vast ocean stretched toward the horizon, where it seemed to merge with the sky. The clouds hovered both above and below, creating an impossible mirage—it was hard to tell what was sky and what was sea.
—It's perfect… —Kaelion murmured, his voice barely louder than the whisper of the breeze.
Then something caught his eye: on a higher branch, a will-o'-the-wisp floated gently, its ethereal glow pulsing like the heartbeat of a fallen star. Those tiny glowing orbs—ancient souls caught between the realm of the living and the spirits—were guardians and guides of the forests. Their bluish-green hues danced, casting flickering shadows over the bark.
Kaelion sat on the massive branch, letting his bow fall to the side. He closed his eyes, allowing the cold wind to clear his mind. The echoes of the Barrens—with its endless plains and blistering sun—murmured through his memory. He recalled the dust, the outposts, and most of all, the laughter of Aeris and Thalon beside the nightly campfires.
His chest tightened, as though Teldrassil's roots had entangled his heart when another face surfaced in his memory. Aerion.
—It's time to return to the Barrens —he whispered, his voice breaking.
The breeze brushed against his face—cold, merciful—carrying with it the first tears that fell from his closed eyes. He let the memories flow, one after another, until Elderion's words echoed in his mind: "Remember every detail… and release it to the wind."