It is unknown when, but Winter Veil became the most important festival for many intelligent beings in Azeroth.
Trolls would offer sacrifices to their loa during Winter Veil, and Kaldorei would hold rituals for Elune during this period. Malorne, who had an ambiguous relationship with Elune, naturally also celebrated this festival.
For the past three years, Gale needed his help, so Malorne had stayed in the Emerald Dream. This time, upon emerging, he rushed non-stop to Cenarius Grove to reunite with his son, Cenarius, and celebrate the festival together.
So, when Gale found Malorne, he also saw Cenarius.
Cenarius was not as tall and mighty as Malorne, but his height still far exceeded that of the Kaldorei, comparable to the Tauren.
"Gale? Why are you here? Is there a problem with the Reaver's Scythe?" Malorne asked in surprise.
Gale shook his head, "The Reaver's Scythe is fine. Although it hasn't received Elune's enchantment, it still strengthens my soul and makes me feel a bit better. I came to you this time not for the curse, but concerning the Tauren war."
Malorne was stunned for a moment, "You and the Tauren are at war?"
Gale said helplessly, "Lord Malorne, please don't think too badly of the Kaldorei; we are civilized beings."
"Perhaps others are," Malorne scoffed.
Gale was unfazed, "A group of spiders of unknown origin attacked the Tauren, and we provided the Tauren with food and weapons. But those spiders are too numerous, and they have a supremely powerful leader; the Tauren are no match for them at all."
Spiders?
Malorne and Cenarius exchanged glances, both seemingly thinking of something.
Cenarius elegantly walked in front of Gale, "Father told me about your deeds, Gale. Although you act casually, your purpose is very clear."
"Thank you for the compliment!"
Gale was also observing Cenarius; this demigod's strength was incredibly powerful, even surpassing his father, Malorne. Wherever he went, flowers bloomed.
Cenarius continued, "You usually personally get involved in things that benefit you. You've killed many loa stronger than you, even if this leader is strong, it would be difficult to break through Aggramar's Shield's defenses, wouldn't it?"
Seeing his plan seen through by Cenarius, Gale wasn't embarrassed at all.
"Am I not recovered yet? You might not know, but I've only temporarily suppressed the curse, and I'll soon enter the Emerald Dream. Only there can I be free from the torment of the curse."
Cenarius laughed, "Father, you were right; he truly is a cunning fellow."
Malorne tilted his head, a smile in his eyes: "He's different from all the other elves you've met, isn't he?"
"Indeed, he is different," Cenarius said, "He is an elf who won't get up early without profit."
He said to Gale, "Although I don't know what your purpose is, don't think you can get out of this. Bring out the Reaver's Scythe; I will help you suppress the curse."
Gale was dumbfounded; this wasn't part of his plan!
He chuckled, "Actually, I'm not in a hurry to lift the curse."
"You're overthinking it!" Cenarius said, "I don't have the ability to help you lift the curse. It's just to temporarily suppress it, so you have time to go with us to deal with those spiders."
Gale: Can I refuse?
Cenarius: No!
As the saying goes, evil needs evil to grind it down. This also reminded Gale that there are many wise people in this world. This wasn't the first time he had stumbled; Shimruk's curse hadn't been lifted yet!
If you often stand by the river, how can your shoes not get wet? Schemes are indeed good, but one's own strength is the foundation.
Gale made up his mind to continue improving his strength. If he were powerful enough to kill Yogg-Saron, why would he need to ask Malorne for help?
He took out the Reaver's Scythe, and Cenarius waved his hands, bestowing a blessing upon it.
"This blessing can only temporarily increase its power. With it, you can suppress the curse for several years," Cenarius said with a smile, "Now, tell me about those spiders."
Gale felt the condition of the Reaver's Scythe, and his heart stirred.
He temporarily suppressed his thoughts, took out an intelligence report, and handed it to Cenarius.
"My subordinate had close contact with these spiders and their leader, then drew their appearance. According to him, as long as one can withstand the magic projectiles of those spiders, they can be easily killed. But that leader is very difficult to deal with; he can use powerful dark magic. Just one glance from him sealed my subordinate's memory..."
As Gale recounted, Cenarius opened the intelligence. Seeing the appearance of the Crypt Fiends and Faceless Ones, Cenarius nodded to Malorne, "As you thought, it's Ahn'Qiraj."
Ahn'Qiraj is the racial name of the Faceless Ones; they are important assistants to the Old Gods. Many speculate that they split off from the Old Gods' tentacles, otherwise, they wouldn't possess such powerful strength.
Malorne: "It seems those prisoners are getting restless again!"
Cenarius, on the other hand, was full of worry, "If it's just one Ahn'Qiraj, it's manageable. But if Ahn'Qiraj appear in other places as well, then it will be troublesome."
Malorne thought for a moment, "I will notify the other demigods to investigate various regions. This so-called Dark Lord will be left to you to deal with."
Cenarius reminded, "If the situation is dire, then call upon the Guardian Dragon."
Malorne nodded, then quickly walked out of the grove, running towards the northwest.
Gale frowned, they even needed to mobilize other demigods? Could a Tauren war really trigger a global crisis?
Cenarius said, "Now we can only rely on ourselves. The Tauren are a group of powerful warriors. As long as they are protected, those spiders will pose no threat."
Gale: "I have already recruited a group of rangers and sent them to provide support."
"Then it's just this Dark Lord left. Do you have any way to deal with him?"
Gale looked at the Reaver's Scythe in his hand, "I have a rough idea, but it still needs to be verified. If successful, perhaps Ulgineis can be killed."
"Do you need my help?"
Gale shook his head, "I'll handle it myself. You should go to Highmountain first. With you stationed there, Ulgineis's offensive can be contained."
Cenarius thought for a moment, then asked cautiously, "You wouldn't desert, would you?"
Gale stamped his foot: "Am I that kind of person?"
"Hopefully not!"
Cenarius smiled, then turned and left. Wherever he passed, flowers still bloomed.
Gale looked at the trail of flowers on the ground and grumbled, "What a show-off."
In the distance, Cenarius's figure paused. But soon, he was back on his way, only the flowers beneath his feet had disappeared.