"My people originally held this ceremony in Gilneth and we found that some people need to put in more effort to challenge themselves. Jean seemed to know what Varian had noticed, and explained to him. "It was a harsh lesson, sometimes very harsh. So when we came to Danassus, we designed such a place and have been using it ever since. ”

The werewolf leader gestured to the others. They spread out in formation in the clearing, forming a loose circle.

Varian measured how many steps he would need to take if one of the werewolves rushed at him. There was enough time for him to draw his dagger, but not too much.

"We're sitting here. Jean sat down cross-legged with fluid movements, and waited for Varian to follow suit.

"And now, I close my eyes, and it's as simple as that?"

Jean flattened his ears. "If you try, it's a no-brainer. If you've already given up...... That's hard to get to the top. ”

Varian frowned deeply, then closed his eyes. His other trained senses immediately became sensitive. Varian heard not only his own breathing, but Jean's voice. The musky scent of werewolves wafted into his nostrils. A gust of wind swept through Varian's skin, gently ruffling the ends of his hair.

"Your senses are very sharp, just like a werewolf. He heard Jean say with some surprise. Then the other king said more neutrally. "Concentrate. Water from three wells will help, but you'll have to find your own place to start. Therefore, you have to look back at the memories of the past. ”

"Looking for what?"

Jean's voice replied as if it came from a farther away. "The thing that is most relevant to your life...... and the right or wrong choice you made for it. Start with the most distant past you can recall, not just memories. I have to go through it again. You have to understand why you did that. And what does that mean to you? ”

Varian's eyes were still closed. But he moved uneasily. "There's no need to go back in time again—"

"Then there's no need to continue. Jean's voice sounded in the distance, as if it were a whisper in the wind.

Varian grunted. "Okay. I'll do it. ”

The former gladiator gritted his teeth and focused on his past, trying to summon memories that he had long wanted to recall. He remembered a distant time when he was still a son of man and his father was still reigning.

Suddenly, he was a young man again, and a sense of peace enveloped him. Varian stayed in the extra cozy atmosphere for a while.

Then. The figure of his father, the king, occupies the entire scene. Varian took King Lane by the hand and, with the help of his father, learned to ride his first horse, which was actually a bantam. But a moment later. The scene switches to Varian's initial martial arts class, with King Ryan overseeing him. Varian found himself no better at holding a sword than his son, but Ryan's motivation made Varian improve faster.

That quiet time soothed Varian's heart. Still a child, he looked up at his father.

That's when the Assassins attacked.

Ryan fell to the ground and died. His killer was a half-orc woman named Garona, who stood in front of Varian, who was only about thirteen years old, and stared at him like a sinister giant.

Young Varian screamed and burst into tears as he rushed towards the killer. It wasn't entirely the case—in reality, he had only entered the room after the orcs had assassinated his father—but they were now mixed with Varian's raging emotions.

But Garona was gone. Varian's mind was filled with King Lane's face distorted by death. Young Varian wanted to scream out to his father in pain, but he couldn't make any sound from his nervous lips.

Then the sad memories mingled with other scenes. After the death of King Lane, the capital was no longer impregnable. Orcs who invaded the kingdom four years ago ravaged this magnificent city. The capital fell, and hundreds of people died under the savage tomahawks.

All the good things of his childhood were gone. There is no more peace. There is no more tranquility.

But it's different from what happened in the past. Varian now realizes that those fond memories are always with him. Even though violence took away his childhood, it did not erase his previous life...... Unless Varian himself is willing.

And he had always been like that.

But now it's different. Despite the misfortune that befell his father and Stormwind. Varian finally accepted the past. Time and time again, it turned out that his father loved him dearly, but Varian himself left it behind.

Now that he knew everything, Varian felt peace in his heart. No matter how much tribulation he endured after his father's assassination and the fall of Stormwind, Varian will always remember his childhood. The past cannot be changed, but it is both a misfortune and a blessing.

Serenity......

The voice sounded like a mixture of him as a child and his father, and Varian was taken aback, but his eyes were still closed.

Although Varian accepts the reality that has happened, he does not want to remain nostalgic. Instead, he searched his mind for other memories, trying to squeeze out the misfortunes that had befallen his father and kingdom...... So Tiffin naturally appeared in front of his eyes.

Varian is no longer a boy, but an emotional young man who is tormented by the dual changes in his heart and the world around him. He had become adept at hiding himself from those closest to him, such as Prince Alsace of Lordaeron, and the boy's father, King Tenaris - in a way, he became Varian's second father. Overall, in front of others, the young lord of Stormwind is a sleek, intelligent, and motivated ruler with a wisdom beyond his years. However, the scars in his heart could not be hidden forever, especially as the attendants began to become familiar with his occasional outbursts of despair.

And Tiffin changed all that. He saw her again, exactly as they had seen when they first met. Serene and perfect golden soul, a stark contrast to his wild and dark interior. As she walked towards him. Varian fell in love with her at first sight again. Even when she spoke. His first instinct was to ignore it arrogantly. If it were anyone else, they would undoubtedly leave on the spot.

But Tiffin didn't. She danced with him again, laughed with him again, and channeled Wari's reassuring kindness to balance his indulgence. In a way, Varian was able to become a beloved king of the people, and Tiffin was more credited than his father.

But......

Varian tried to get rid of the memory, but he couldn't do anything.

But...... It was these people who killed her.

She was killed in a riot and fell at his feet. When everything goes crazy, she becomes an innocent victim. When this scene is re-enacted. Varian almost slipped into his dark side...... But that would be the biggest debasement of the lover. Tiffin made him a good man, a respectable leader. Varian finally realized that his actions had been desecrating his memories of Tiffin ever since. Tiffin would never do what he did. She always chooses forgiveness and always does everything she can for the people she loves.

If Varian wanted to make up for her memories, he would have to do it her way.

Varian struggled to keep himself firmly in the face of her death, and he knew what Tiffin would want him to do. He has the right to grieve, but he must also move on...... and learning. Most importantly, he will continue to learn from her life and use it as an example to face all the problems he will face as a father, as a man, and as a king.

Balance......

The voice shocked him again, because this time he heard not only himself, but also Tiffin's voice. Varian saw her again. But this time she was holding the crystallization of their love in her arms.

Anduin ......

Anduin was his only surviving family member and the one he cherished the most. for the child's mother lives in his heart. During the years he spent with Anduin before Varian's disappearance, he had tried to be a father like Ryan. The days of losing Tiffin were hard, but Varian remembers that he and Anduin used to laugh together.

He also remembers the fear he often felt when his only son was threatened. Indeed, the fear of Anduin became a major impetus for Varian's later life. Now he stood there and saw his son, who was only three years old, fall off a bantam horse and nearly break an arm. Varian then fought another Assassin, who infiltrated Stormstorm Fortress and nearly stabbed Anduin Jr. Nevertheless, the incident also reminded the king of the murder of his own father.

Fear...... Varian was reluctant to continue to give in to it. Fear only makes him frightened and helpless when his son and his country are threatened. But the thought that someone might hurt Anduin was enough to make Varian furious, as he had done so many times before. But, as his anger grew, Varian saw himself clutching Anduin's arm again...... He suddenly remembered that it was the fury and the fear that inspired it that had caused Anduin to leave him.

With this realization, Varian once again inflamed his anger. He had always been commanded by anger in the past, but now he was trying to control it in turn. His anger can be a powerful and devastating force, and Varian knows that giving in to anger won't do him much good, and will always cause more damage in the long run. Yes, it can be of great help in combat - only then can he really unleash his anger - but other than that, it is a double-edged sword.

But even though he was no longer under the command of anger, it did not dissipate. Varian felt the struggle within. He realized that if he allowed his anger to grow, he would end up with nothing, and he would still be the same person Anduin had left.

Therefore, Varian treats the anger in his heart as a fierce horse to be tamed, clinging to it and trying to conquer it. It will no longer ruin his life; Rather, it serves a clearer purpose. And Varian knows only one goal. If his anger can only bring benefits on the battlefield, he will direct that power to the battlefield. Varian will turn his anger into strength to use against the dragon Deathwing, the orcs, and their allies......

Anger surrounded his will. He has broken the grip it has on him, and now it will serve Varian, not the other way around.

Serenity...... Balance...... Wrath...... It's his voice...... and another voice he thought he should have known but didn't recognize.

Bestiality must be conquered before humanity can rise...... Anger must be at the service of humanity in order to be ...... Complete......

Varian felt his anger growing, but now it was under his guidance that became his strength rather than despair. Once again, he felt Tiffin, Anduin, his father, and other people he loved or important in his life. They never stopped trusting him, even his son. Varian now understood that Anduin had done things not only for his own ideals, but also in the hope of being accepted by his father.

His heart was filled with anger. But he gladly accepted it, because it had become a weapon, and was no longer simply a mad force. He has been able to control his anger, and no enemy is an opponent.

A smug howl rang out from somewhere. Varian responded. He finally knew who was calling him. Godring. Racashh. Ancient wolf god. Racashh beckoned him into battle. Varian's eyes flashed a series of images of enemies trying to harm those he loved, especially Anduin. In this new vision, Deathwing laughs and descends on Stormwind. The mad dragon used the power of the earth he possessed to turn Azeroth upside down, bringing destruction to Varian's home and countless other lands, and he enjoyed it. The whole world is still trying to recover from that evil influence...... But Varian knew there was always a battle going on, and a well-planned victory was taken. As for now, there is another, more pressing threat. Although in the king's mind, the image of this other enemy had not yet replaced the mad black dragon, Varian already knew the face, knew the name.

Garrosh?hell roars.

Thinking of the leader of that tribe, Varian once again summoned his anger and tested it. It grows, but it never becomes a purely destructive force again. It has been moderated, it has been transformed, it is far stronger than ever.

Racash howled again.

Varian woke up and jumped to his feet, not even noticing that he was asleep.

Gene Greymayne is no longer sitting in front of him, which is probably a good thing. As Varian rushed forward, King Gilneis, who was standing a few paces away, was able to jump back in time. Although Jean retains his werewolf form, to the King of Stormwind, his movements feel like he is sleepwalking. The whole scene seemed to slow down. Varian looked around at the other werewolves, though they quickly recovered from the shock, and to Varian's shock, they were three points slower than himself.

"Godring......" Jean whispered as he stared at him. "Racashh...... His aura ...... So completely enveloped you......"

Around them, the other werewolves all flattened their ears, but out of awe rather than fear.

"Godring does touch your heart, your soul ......," Jean whispered. "The wolf god glorifies you, and so do I, we......"

Varian didn't say anything, but he also finally sensed what Jean understood in the first place. The spirit of the wolf made him his chosen people, his own warrior.

And through Godring-Lagersh and himself, Varian knew what to do next.

"I was a reckless and rash man, enslaved by grief and fear. Grief is the loss of too many important things - too many important people. And the fear is the fear of losing what is left of your cherishes, like my son," Varian said to Jean and the other werewolves. "But now I understand. Azeroth needs us. All of you -- and I -- we became this way to save the world. We have to save it...... too."

Silence hung around him. Finally, Jean asked, "What do you want us to do?"

Varian had only one thought. "Fate brings us together...... And it leads us to the Ash Valley. (To be continued......)