Truthguard, a shield forged by the Titan Keepers Tyr and Archaedas after the fall of their companion Loken, was entrusted to a Vrykul warrior named Ygramul, thus exposing Loken's conspiracy.
Tyr and his companions later successfully stole the Discs of Norgannon. While covering their retreat, the Vrykul warrior held off many of Loken's servants. Enraged, Loken sent terrifying monsters to pursue Tyr and his group, leading to Tyr's death in battle.
Later, this Vrykul warrior migrated to Stormheim in the Broken Isles, and the shield was eventually buried on the Path of Kings upon its master's death.
Scale of the Earth-Warder, made from a scale of the black dragon Neltharion, before he was corrupted by the Old Gods. The scale contained pure earth power, making the resulting shield indestructible.
The valiant Vrykul King Magna Icefathom stole a scale from the black dragon's lair and forged it into a sword and shield. Wielding this shield, he charged into battle, achieving victory after victory despite being outnumbered.
This shield is now buried with King Magna, also on the Path of Kings in Stormheim.
Val'anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings, a weapon created by the Titan Keeper Odyn, was given to his most powerful Valarjar champion, Ingvar the Plunderer.
However, the traitor Helya later obtained this weapon and infused it with a portion of her own rage. She gave the hammer to her champions to hunt down the greatest heroes and drag their souls into the Maw for eternal servitude.
This weapon could stimulate the wielder's mind, making their attacks swift and unmatched, instantly shattering the enemy's defenses without leaving any openings for retaliation.
These are the origins of the three artifacts in the Dire Maul treasure vault. Two shields were brought back by Galen, disguised as Gallywix, who acted as a grave robber in the Vrykul tombs on Shield's Rest in Stormheim, also obtaining the heroic spirits of the two Vrykul warriors Ygramul and Magna.
As for Val'anyr, Prince Tortheldrin and Prince Farondis cooperated to steal this weapon from Nastrond, for which the two night elves were chased all the way by Helya, fleeing Stormheim in a sorry state.
"Then what about this book?"
Galen asked. What made this book worthy of being placed in this core treasure vault alongside the three artifacts?
"Highborne, this book is the 'Compendium of Draconic Destruction', passed down from ancient times! It is an epic-level dragon slaying guide! It lists all the vital points of dragons."
"But we have a friendly relationship with the blue dragons. Eight thousand years ago, you explicitly forbade us from circulating it, so it has always been locked in the treasure vault. Have you forgotten?"
"..."
The order issued by Ancagalon eight thousand years ago has nothing to do with me.
But Galen had to acknowledge it.
"It's been too long, I did forget."
"Alright, I am very satisfied with the development of Dire Maul. You two have done well. I will lift the restrictions of the Moonwells on you later, allowing you to practice magic to the fullest extent!"
Tortheldrin and Jess were overjoyed.
Over the past ten thousand years, in order to integrate Dire Maul into the mainstream society of the night elves, Tortheldrin led the members of the Shen'dralar organization who guarded the library in the past to switch to the path of druidism. However, apart from a very few talented spellcasters who could calm down and study the natural path of the druids, most of the Shen'dralar mages were still full of nostalgia for the arcane arts.
Just like Illidan, who gave up the path of druidism in the first place, they were nostalgic for the powerful spells brought by the original Well of Eternity. They relied on spells like the high elves who crossed the sea, and the power of the arcane also flowed in their bodies.
For the past ten thousand years, they had been surviving on the Moonwell water distributed every month, but the distributed well water was like a salary, gone every month!
If they could get more, then they could take another step forward in the arcane arts!
"Thank you, Highborne!"
"Alright, let's go out. Later, help me contact Mount Hyjal. I want to see Malfurion and Tyrande." Galen took the lead and walked out of the treasure vault. As for those artifacts and gold, they would not be needed at this stage and could only be stored here temporarily.
"Highborne, aren't you going to see Shandris at Feathermoon Stronghold to the west?" Jess asked in a low voice.
As a member who escaped from the former night elf empire's capital, Zin-Azshari, Jess and hundreds of thousands of refugees had always treated little Shandris as a little princess.
If it weren't for her meeting Galen and establishing a deep friendship, perhaps Prince Galen would not have prioritized rescuing their district when the demons slaughtered the city!
"Oh? Little Shandris is at the stronghold in the west?" Galen was a little surprised. Now the overlord of Feralas is Dire Maul. This city, which belongs to the night elf territory, has a strong military force and should be able to resist the naga who are harassing the coastline without additional support. Why is Shandris still stationed here?
However, Tortheldrin obviously misunderstood Galen's meaning. He thought that Galen was not familiar with the internal army of the night elves. After all, that was a reform that Tyrande carried out some time after the end of the War of the Ancients. At that time, Galen had already entered the Emerald Dream.
"General Shandris is a direct disciple of the priestess of the moon, Tyrande Whisperwind. She is the commander of the sentinel army. Not only will she be stationed at Feathermoon Stronghold, but she is also responsible for monitoring the Silithus region to the south."
Galen nodded, "Next time, I have important matters that need to be discussed with Tyrande and Malfurion first."
"As you command, Highborne."
Mount Hyjal is the holy mountain of the night elf race. When the Well of Eternity exploded ten thousand years ago, the continent was torn apart, but Mount Hyjal survived. The night elves rebuilt their society here.
When Galen came to the top of the mountain, he immediately saw the World Tree blessed by the Dragon Aspects—Nordrassil.
They have experienced ten thousand years, but for me, it was just a blink of an eye. The scene of the Dragon Aspects planting trees and blessing the night elves is still vivid in my mind.
Along the way, many Elune priests recognized this legendary figure of the night elf race and respectfully saluted Galen. Galen returned the salute one by one, and his humble appearance received a lot of goodwill.
Tyrande heard that Galen had returned from the Emerald Dream and hurriedly ended today's prayer, coming from the temple at the foot of the mountain to the top.
"Galen, old friend! Ten thousand years have passed, and you have finally returned again!"
Galen turned around and saw Tyrande in a white priestess robe. Compared to the young night elf girl ten thousand years ago, the current Tyrande has a more mature and noble temperament.
"Tyrande, I need you to wake up Malfurion! The Burning Legion is about to make a comeback!"
"What did you say!"
The joy of seeing an old friend was instantly shattered by Galen's words, replaced by a wave of tension!
The Burning Legion was simply too terrifying for the Night Elf race. It represented disaster, a disaster that could lead to extinction.
Ten thousand years ago, they did achieve victory, but the Kalimdor alliance suffered heavy losses. The Night Elf race, in particular, lost a large portion of its population. Although they benefited from this and were blessed by the Dragon Aspects to become an immortal race, their population never recovered to the peak of the Night Elf Empire era.
Of course, this population count certainly doesn't include Galen's full force stationed in Un'Goro Crater.
Seeing Tyrande's incredulous and somewhat flustered appearance, Galen could only patiently repeat himself: "I received a revelation in the Emerald Dream that the Burning Legion will invade Azeroth again soon, and this time, the commander of the demon army will still be the Burning Legion commander from ten thousand years ago: Archimonde!"
"Do you know when it will happen, Galen?"
Tyrande didn't doubt the truth of Galen's message. After all, Galen was also a disciple of Cenarius. Back then, Malfurion received a revelation in the Emerald Dream, discovering the anomalies within Zin-Azshari, and then uncovered the Queen's conspiracy to summon demons during his investigation!
As a great druid comparable to Malfurion, Galen's green dragon horns were the best proof of his talent. It was only natural for him to receive a revelation in the Emerald Dream.
"Half a year! At most half a year!"
Arthas has been in Northrend for more than half a month. Soon, he will pull out Frostmourne, and then he will return to Lordaeron with the undead army. When he stabs his own father, the Scourge will erupt on a large scale again. Soon after, Dalaran will be destroyed, and Archimonde will be summoned to this world!
"Half a year!"
Tyrande's expression changed again. Time was running out. It would be difficult for her to assemble an alliance again, and the demigods who died back then have not been resurrected. Apart from Cenarius, Tyrande couldn't even find other demigods!
The high-end combat power was severely lacking!
What could they use to resist Archimonde?
"We need to awaken the sleeping druids as soon as possible, and then invite the intelligent races in Azeroth to unite and fight against the Burning Legion together!"
"Other races? Furbolgs, tauren? And earthen?" Tyrande said.
"I heard that a human force called the Scarlet Crusade has risen in the eastern Gold Road!" Galen said casually.
"You heard? When these humans landed in Kalimdor, your good disciple Fandral suggested that they should be driven away. No matter how barren the Gold Road is, it still belongs to the former territory of the Night Elf Empire!"
Hey!
Traitorous disciple!
Looking for a beating!
Almost ruined my important matter!
I'll beat you black and blue!
"This matter even alarmed you, who was in the Emerald Dream. You sent a letter scolding Fandral and then suggested letting them develop freely."
"What happened later?"
Galen became interested. He didn't expect that this move he made would be so profitable. Ancagalon was truly a great contributor.
"I agreed with your suggestion. After all, that land has already been abandoned by us, and only quillboar live there."
"Later, I discovered that their commander was actually Aegwynn, and they were just honestly staying in that barren land, without continuing north to try to develop Ashenvale."
Galen was stunned. Tyrande actually knew Aegwynn?
However, he didn't interrupt Tyrande, but let her continue.
"Not only that, after these humans allied with the tauren, they conquered a large number of quillboar and educated them. Later, they began to govern that land, restoring it to the lush greenery of ten thousand years ago. Because of this, many archdruids were attracted by the Scarlet Crusade's tree-planting feat and went to observe and learn!"
Galen nodded. It seemed that he was right not to rush to establish contact with the Night Elves. Proving his friendliness by planting trees was indeed effective for them.
"I have to say, Galen, your vision is unique. Your casual action back then gave us an alliance partner at this critical moment!"
"I just thought that Fandral's behavior was too domineering, violating the druidic way of natural balance, and would also damage the reputation of our Night Elf race." Galen suppressed the rising corners of his mouth: "That's great! The Scarlet Crusade and the tauren are allied, then let's invite the tauren and the Scarlet Crusade to fight against the Burning Legion together!"
"I mean the same thing. The tauren fought with us ten thousand years ago. Although this branch in Mulgore is not the one led by Huln, they must also be brave and powerful warriors!"
"Huln... Ten thousand years have passed, and the tauren don't have such a long lifespan. It's a pity for an old friend." Galen left a soulstone when he left, but he didn't know if Huln carried it with him. If there were no accidents, Galen would still be able to see this comrade again.
"How about this, Tyrande, I know the whereabouts of Huln's tribe. I will go find them, and then the Scarlet Crusade and the tauren of Mulgore will also be handed over to me to form an alliance!"
"Then I will go awaken Malfurion and the druids in the Emerald Dream, and then gather the army as soon as possible to prepare for the arrival of the Burning Legion!"
"Then we'll split up!"
After Galen finished speaking, he transformed into a green dragon and flew away directly.
For this, he paid a price of ten thousand gold coins...
However, he didn't go to Thunder Totem in the Broken Isles or Thunder Bluff in Mulgore immediately, but came to the Night Elf city at the foot of Mount Hyjal and found Fandral Staghelm's mansion.
Galen located Fandral's position, and after landing, he beat him up!
This scene naturally shocked the Staghelm family. Fortunately, Fandral's son, Vastan, recognized him from Galen's appearance, which was exactly the same as the Galen portrait his father worshiped.
And the green dragon body just now, and the dragon horns on his head now, all proved that the person beating his father was his ancestor, the legendary hero of the Night Elf race: Galen'Remar.
In order not to damage his father's prestige, Vastan even pulled his wife away and carried away his daughter.
"Don't hit my grandpa... grandpa..."
Fandral Staghelm heard his little granddaughter's voice getting farther and farther away, but he felt that his mentor's fists were getting denser and denser, and he could only continue to cower and run away.
"Teacher... ah!"
"Teacher! Why are you hitting me? Did I do something wrong?"
"Ah..."
After the display of teacherly benevolence and filial piety, Fandral brought out his family, and the whole family respectfully paid their respects to Galen, their mentor.
When it was Vastan's turn, the son of Staghelm, Fandral kicked him in the back of the knee when his son wasn't expecting it.
Vastan prostrated himself before Galen in a full-body bow.
Hiss!
Galen felt that this disciple of his was taking the opportunity to vent his anger…
Whatever, he's not my son, I don't care.
"Teacher, this is my good-for-nothing son, Vastan. He has been following me to learn the way of the Druid, and after thousands of years, he has finally broken through to the legendary rank."
"Quick, pay respects to your grandmaster!"
Galen watched Vastan perform the ceremony, his thoughts wandering.
Galen knew that Fandral was obsessed with his son. His wife died in childbirth, and his son became his only emotional bond.
After Vastan was born, Fandral cared for him deeply and doted on him. Even after Vastan married and had children, Fandral still cared about everything about him.
And as a son, Vastan often wanted to please his father. He and his father fought side by side in the War of the Shifting Sands, fighting against the Qiraji and their master, eventually Vastan was ambushed and died.
The death of his son made Fandral unusually sad and painful. From then on, a flaw appeared in his mental defenses, giving the Old Gods a chance to corrupt him. In the end, he chose to be infused with the power of fire by Ragnaros, becoming the new manager of the Firelands, and also served as the leader of the Flame Druids who betrayed the Cenarion Circle.
Now, more than a thousand years have passed since the War of the Shifting Sands. Vastan, who should have died, is still alive and well, all thanks to the Scroll of Return that Galen left behind when he left.
But in the future, Fandral can't continue to be so obsessed with his son…
The son is grown, he should let go. Moreover, Vastan has also been under great pressure. He is an enthusiastic and brave new generation of Night Elves who should be trained.
Thinking of this, Galen made up his mind.
"Vastan has good talent, Fandral. You have done a good job as a Druid mentor. Well, I am currently short of manpower. Vastan will go to Eldre'Thalas to take office in the future and help me lead the Druid forces there."
"Teacher… This!"
Fandral was a little reluctant to let his son leave his sight.
"Hmm?"
Galen's stern gaze made Fandral's body tremble: "I have no objection! Teacher!"
Over the past ten thousand years, Fandral has grown into a well-known Night Elf, and he was already a very prominent member of the Cenarion Circle when he was young.
But along with his prestige, his fiery temper has also grown, which has made him a difficult and powerful Druid in the eyes of the clan. He also often confronted Malfurion, the leader of the Night Elf Druid Order, because of this.
How could Galen indulge his temper?
You have a fiery temper?
I'm even more fiery than you. If we disagree, I'll just beat you up. I don't believe you can beat me?
You need to be taught a lesson, and you still want to drive the Argent Crusade out of the Barrens, huh? Your teacher is giving you face!
In such a situation, Vastan's eyes lit up, and he was secretly delighted in his heart that someone could finally sanction his old father!
Yay!
Galen's expression softened a lot, and he said earnestly: "Fandral, you must know that my return from the Emerald Dream this time is a sign that the Burning Legion will invade our world again. As those who have defeated them, we will be their primary target."
"Vastan will be safer under my command than under yours!"
"Burning Legion?"
Fandral was shocked and said with a solemn expression: "Teacher, is the news reliable?"
"This is the revelation I got from the Emerald Dream. In less than half a year, Archimonde will descend on Azeroth, and his target is likely to be the World Tree, Nordrassil, on Mount Hyjal!"
"Teacher, do we need to awaken Malfurion? There are not many Wild Gods alive now. This time, we Night Elves need to get through it ourselves!"
"Get through it ourselves?" Galen snorted, "How to get through it? I have already notified Tyrande, and she will go to awaken Malfurion, and I will go to unite the Tauren and Humans in the south."
After Galen finished speaking, he glared at Fandral: "Look at your bad temper. The way of nature lies in balance. The Argent Crusade has entered the Barrens, a land that we abandoned long ago, and you actually publicly said to drive them away!"
After saying this, Galen might have felt that he was too harsh, and in Fandral's eyes, he had disappeared for ten thousand years. Even if Ancagalon occasionally appeared with the Galen Remar title, it was just a hurried rescue, and there was no time to teach Fandral at all.
To be honest, my current age is not even a fraction of my disciple's…
Thinking of this, Galen's nameless fire also dissipated, and he continued in a softer tone:
"Fandral, the Night Elves are indeed the overlords among the mortals of Azeroth, but Azeroth is not without other powerful races. You must know that there is the Burning Legion outside the sky, and besides us, there are dragons and High Elves…"
"To be honest, our people have experienced too much peace, and I am even afraid that they have forgotten how to fight."
"We are now even inferior to the descendants of Dath'Remar. Although they have fewer people than us, they and their allies have experienced a series of major battles ten years ago, and they are not lacking in combat experience!"
Galen's sermon reminded Fandral of the time he spent with Galen as a teacher and disciple ten thousand years ago. At the same time, he also felt that he had been floating these years.
After becoming the second most important figure among the Druids besides Malfurion, he not only openly confronted his teacher's senior brother, but also often quarreled with Tyrande because of political differences.
Fandral began to reflect on himself and lowered his head in shame: "Teacher, I understand!"
Galen stepped forward and patted Fandral on the shoulder: "Of course, I am not telling you not to have your own ideas. On the road of managing the people, as long as it is right, you must stick to yourself, and I will always stand behind you to support you."
After Galen finished speaking, he wanted to leave.
"Thank you, Teacher! Teacher, won't you stay and have dinner with us?"
"No, the Burning Legion is about to descend, and I need to unite the Tauren and Humans." Galen glanced at Fandral's family, "This time after I come back, I won't enter the Emerald Dream again in a short time. We will have time to be together!"
"I'm taking Vastan away. I don't think Malfurion will wake up for a while, so the defense of Mount Hyjal is all up to you."
"Yes! Teacher!"