Andreas never considered himself a saintly "White Lotus" who returned evil with kindness. While he could maintain a clear perspective on major issues of right and wrong, anyone who had ever been his target understood the phrase "holding a grudge" all too well.
Right in front of the Moon Guards, Andreas shot a wink at Shandris, receiving a helpless roll of the eyes in return.
Tweet!
A sharp whistle escaped Shandris' lips. The Hippogryph she had arranged to hide in the nearby woods heard its master's call and immediately beat its wings, soaring rapidly toward the mountain path.
Under the wary gaze of the Moon Guards, the two scrambled onto the Hippogryph's back. Andreas smiled, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and gave a casual wave from his forehead.
"Don't bother seeing us out. Good luck with your work as watchdogs."
Whoosh!
As the group of Moon Guards stared with eyes spitting fire, the Hippogryph took to the air, accelerating toward the floating city of Lath'elazar in the sky.
...
"Hum~ hum~"
Andreas hummed a tune contentedly, looking with great interest at the approaching floating metropolis.
Shandris turned to look at the shrinking figures of the Moon Guards below, then eyed her childhood friend with a strange expression.
"Andreas, I can't help but feel... you've changed a bit."
"Hmm? Have I?"
Andreas scratched his head, feigning a look of honest confusion. "Maybe it's the memory loss. I can't remember any of the old constraints or rules, so my behavior might be a bit more... uninhibited."
Shandris shook her head. "I don't think that's it... I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps I just haven't paid enough attention to you lately."
The original Andreas had developed romantic feelings for Shandris at some unknown point in the past.
However, because their relationship was so familiar, these feelings remained blurred. The poor fool had remained in a state of unrequited love until his final breath, while Shandris remained completely oblivious.
Having spent several hundred years apart during their respective apprenticeships, they had only recently reunited under the call of the Druids and the Sisterhood of Elune when the Burning Legion invaded. Neither truly understood the experiences or changes the other had undergone during those centuries.
As they flew, Shandris wrestled with the thought for a while, ultimately attributing the differences in Andreas to the long separation and the process of growing up.
Maybe this is actually a good thing.
Shandris peeked at Andreas from behind. The old Andreas was too honest and always got bullied by the other kids. I'd rather see him bullying others... as long as he doesn't take it too far.
...
The Seat of the Sky, Lath'elazar—as its name suggested, this city personally overseen by Queen Azshara was a literal castle in the sky.
Centered around the massive Temple of Shimmering Moonvessel at the heart of the city, countless shrines and temples of various sizes filled the urban landscape.
In Andreas' understanding, Lath'elazar was not a general-purpose city for commoners to reside in, but rather the most important pilgrimage site for followers of the Moon Goddess Elune, holding a status similar to the Vatican on Earth.
Every year, countless believers of Elune traveled vast distances to seek blessings here. The core area of the city offered no room for the Moon Guards; the Sisterhood of Elune established its own defensive forces there.
According to the intelligence they had received, Lath'elazar currently followed a "loose entry, tight exit" policy. Ordinary citizens could still enter freely for pilgrimage, but anyone attempting to leave would face rigorous inspection.
The purpose was to prevent the Priestesses of this holy city from leaving to join the frontlines of the war.
Faith in Elune permeated the entire Night Elf society. Although the arcane-wielding Highborne held a weaker devotion, it was not non-existent. Even someone as powerful as Queen Azshara dared not overtly challenge the authority of the Moon Goddess.
If these Priestesses were allowed to join the resistance in large numbers and declare the Burning Legion as invaders in the name of the Moon Goddess—calling upon the empire's citizens to rise in rebellion—the position and actions of Queen Azshara and the Highborne would surely face massive backlash and resistance from the faithful.
Every teleportation point connecting this celestial city to the outside world was guarded by Moon Guards, making it a floating island isolated from the mortal world.
Naturally, the Hippogryph was attacked by Moon Guards as it entered the city.
The tricked colleagues at the entrance must have passed the word along, as Andreas and Shandris were greeted by a volley of blue-and-white Arcane Missiles.
The sudden attack caused panic among the pilgrims in the city, who instinctively thought an enemy was invading.
In front of the Temple of Shimmering Moonvessel, built of snow-white marble, a female Night Elf dressed in a simple, moon-white gown stepped slowly through the gates. A dozen women in priestess robes followed behind her.
"High Priestess!"
"Please, save us!"
The woman addressed as High Priestess waved her hand, scattering specks of silvery-white brilliance onto the panicked crowd. The agitated emotions of the believers immediately calmed significantly.
The mature and beautiful High Priestess spoke with a warm, maternal smile. "Everyone, please do not worry. As long as you are within the Seat of the Sky, the Sisterhood of Elune will guarantee your safety."
After pacifying the uneasy followers, the High Priestess turned with a serious expression toward a stern-looking silver-haired woman behind her as they re-entered the temple.
"Maiev, go and investigate what happened. The Moon Guard would not launch an anti-air attack without reason."
The heroic-looking Priestess bowed her head respectfully. "Yes, High Priestess."
Maiev's figure gradually turned translucent under the faint moonlight, eventually vanishing into thin air.
The High Priestess gazed at the dark sky outside the temple with her silvery-white eyes, whispering under her breath, "O revered Elune, is this the turning point you spoke of?"
...
Shandris skillfully maneuvered the Hippogryph to avoid the densest areas of the barrage. Fortunately, the Moon Guard dared not go too far within this holy city and had not dared to set up an overt anti-air defensive barrier.
Thanks to the Hippogryph's agility, Andreas and Shandris finally landed successfully in front of a temple building on the eastern side.
"Who goes there!"
Since being placed under de facto house arrest, the Priestesses of the Sisterhood of Elune had remained on high alert.
As the two landed, a group of Priestesses armed with bows and triple-bladed Moonglaives immediately surrounded them.
Once inside Lath'elazar, they were in Shandris' element. As a novice priestess, she was at least a member of the faith's hierarchy.
"Sisters, please lower your weapons."
Shandris pulled a silver badge engraved with a woman in prayer from her chest and showed it to the wary priestesses.
"I am Novice Priestess Shandris Feathermoon. I have come by the order of my mentor, Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, to assist the sisters of the Moonvessel in liberating the blockaded Seat of the Sky."
Andreas also gave a lazy wave to the now-relaxing priestesses. "Hello everyone. I'm here representing Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage to assist. Unfortunately, our elite squad of over a hundred was scattered by demons. Only the two of us are left."
"Sisters, let them pass."
A distant, soft female voice drifted toward them. Upon hearing this voice, the priestesses immediately stowed their weapons.
At the same time, a figure holding a circular serrated blade—a Moonglaive—suddenly appeared behind Andreas. The sharp teeth of the blade were less than five centimeters from his neck.
"Uh..."
Feeling the chill behind him, Andreas raised his hands and said somewhat wordlessly, "Sister Priestess, could you please not point such a dangerous weapon at me?"
"Hmph! Men are supposed to be forbidden from entering the inner sanctum of the Great Temple. You had better behave yourself. If I find you have any ill intentions..."
The voice from before called out again from a distance. "Maiev, be polite to our guests."
"Yes, High Priestess Dejahna."
After the priestess behind him withdrew her weapon, Andreas rubbed the goosebumps on the back of his neck while thoughtfully turning to observe the beautiful priestess called Maiev.
Maiev? Judging by that unique weapon... she must be the one I'm thinking of.