When the consciousness of Rhodes and Cenarius reconnected with the physical world, they found themselves standing beneath the ancient Tree of Life at the Grove of the Dreamer.
The ancient forest surrounding them seemed unchanged from the moment they left, but Rhodes could clearly feel the transformation within himself. That vast life energy pulsed at the core of his existence like a second heart; he had shifted from a mere mortal to a powerful Wild God.
From this day forward, Rhodes no longer had to worry about the constraints of a mortal lifespan. The life of a Wild God is infinite—or rather, tied to Azeroth itself. As long as this world exists, they are eternal.
"Lord Rhodes! Lord Cenarius!"
Tyrande's voice drifted from the edge of the woods. Rhodes turned to see the Priestess of the Moon walking quickly toward them alongside a tall male Night Elf—Malfurion Stormrage, the future Archdruid. At this moment, Malfurion's eyes sparkled with a pure love for nature and intense curiosity toward Rhodes.
The life essence radiating from this traveler from another world was so dense that it even rivaled that of his teacher, Cenarius.
"Teacher Cenarius, Lord Rhodes—you have finally returned!" Malfurion was the first to speak.
"So it is you, my apprentice Malfurion, and Tyrande. It seems we have been away for some time. How long has passed since Rhodes and I entered the Emerald Dream?" Cenarius asked as he turned his head. The Forest Lord could sense that their absence had not been brief; the infusion of life energy had taken a significant amount of time.
Malfurion bowed respectfully. "Honored Teacher, since you and Lord Rhodes entered the Emerald Dream, a full month has passed. The Blue Child has completed three cycles of waxing and waning."
Cenarius nodded and looked at Rhodes. "The flow of time at the heart of the Dream is difficult to measure. Rhodes, how do you feel?"
"The Life Origin has completely fused," Rhodes said, clenching his fist.
Malfurion observed Rhodes closely. "Lord Rhodes, the way natural forces flow around you has completely changed. You are... essentially a true Wild God."
During this month of reunion with Tyrande, she had told him much about Rhodes—his miraculous spells, the golden energy, and the summons from Azeroth herself.
"Malfurion, my apprentice, you can remove the word 'essentially,'" Cenarius said. "Rhodes has indeed completed his sublimation and become one of our kin, a Wild God."
"What? My heavens! That is... that is incredible. Wild Gods are the physical manifestation of Azeroth's life force. How can one be formed... after the fact?" Malfurion asked, his face a mask of shock.
In his understanding and his teacher's lessons, ordinary beings could absorb natural power to become Druids, casting various nature and life spells. They could gain the power to shapeshift into animals and connect with the Emerald Dream while their bodies slept. But for a physical body to enter the Dream, receive the blessing of Azeroth, and become a Wild God was a concept beyond his wildest imagination.
"You still have much to learn, my disciple. There are many things in this world that you cannot understand—things even I struggle to grasp. I, too, stepped into the core of the Emerald Dream for the first time and beheld the Great Azeroth herself, the supreme World-Soul," Cenarius said with visible pride.
This was a supreme honor. Even his father, Malorne—the most ancient and powerful of the demigods—had not received such a distinction. Actually, while his father might still be the most ancient, he was perhaps no longer the most powerful. Having been gifted such immense energy by Azeroth, Rhodes's life-tier and energy levels were at least double those of other Wild Gods. Rhodes was now the most powerful among them, and since he was technically a student of Cenarius, the Forest Lord was all the more pleased.
Tyrande stepped forward. "The Temple of the Moon has sent inquiries three times. Lord Rhodes, what are your plans now?"
Elune's will had been fulfilled. Rhodes could now choose to stay, travel to other regions, or return to Queen Azshara's palace.
"I need time to familiarize myself with this newly acquired power. I hope to remain here and study under Teacher Cenarius," Rhodes replied. He planned to use this time to master the control of life energy and make it his own. In the coming War of the Ancients, he intended to deal a lethal blow to Archimonde and perhaps even give Sargeras a "parting gift" to remember.
Cenarius nodded. "A wise choice. I will teach you well, Rhodes. You can keep Malfurion company; though his life energy does not match yours, his insight into life spells and the essence of life may be of help to you."
"I look forward to your guidance, Senior Brother Malfurion," Rhodes said with a smile. In the original timeline, his relationship with Malfurion had been good. The Archdruid had even traveled to the Eastern Kingdoms, leading many Druids to selflessly help the reconstruction of Lordaeron. Without the Archdruid, it would have taken a very long time for those lands to yield crops again; the death energy there was a wound that simple rest could not heal.
Malfurion immediately bowed to Rhodes. Although they were technically fellow disciples, the other was now a Wild God; he had to maintain proper respect.
"You flatter me, Lord Rhodes. I do not deserve the title of 'Senior Brother' from you."
"It is a matter of etiquette. My people place great importance on respecting teachers and seniority. Since you were the first to apprentice under Teacher Cenarius, you are my Senior Brother. Do not decline. No matter what happens in the future, this remains true. My blessings to you and Lady Tyrande," Rhodes said.
Rhodes planned to find a way during this war to ensure his "Senior Brother" wouldn't sleep away ten thousand years. Spend some time with your lonely wife, man! Women can go crazy if left alone for too long. It was a good thing he hadn't had too much personal involvement with Tyrande during this trip to the past.
"Since Rhodes has said so, you may accept the title, Malfurion. You are hundreds of years old, after all. Rhodes is much younger than you; he just happens to be more powerful. Study hard, and perhaps one day you too shall receive Azeroth's blessing," Cenarius added.
Previously, no one imagined a common lifeform could become a Wild God, but now it seemed possible if one received the blessing of Azeroth. If there was a first, there could be a second, and Cenarius hoped that second one would be his disciple.
"Then, Junior Brother Rhodes, I hope we get along well as we explore the spells and the true meaning of Life and the Way of Nature together," Malfurion said, bowing once more without further protest.
After chatting for a while, Tyrande indicated she had to return to the Temple of the Moon to report Rhodes's status to the High Priestess. The young couple had barely reunited before they had to part again.
"Wait, we have guests," Cenarius said, sensing something. At the same time, Rhodes clearly felt a spatial fluctuation—the aura of the Emerald Dream and spatial magic.
Suddenly, the air in the forest vibrated. An emerald portal opened in the sky. Ysera the Dreamer stepped out first, followed by a succession of Wild Gods and several powerful Green Dragons.
There was Malorne the White Stag; the twin bear brothers, Ursoc and Ursol; Goldrinn the Wolf; Agamaggan the Great Boar; Aviana the Mistress of Birds; Tortolla the Wise Turtle; and even the August Celestials of Pandaria: Yu'lon, Xuen, Chi-Ji, and Niuzao. The four Celestials corresponded to the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise of Earth's legends. Rhodes's dragon form was somewhat similar to Yu'lon, the Jade Serpent, though his size was vastly greater.
"Father, and my brothers and sisters—welcome to my domain," Cenarius spoke first, greeting the visitors.
Malorne the White Stag nodded elegantly. "I sensed a new pulse of life, Cenarius, my son. That roar from the depths of the Dream, carrying such ancient authority—I assume it pertains to this new face?" He turned to Rhodes with curiosity and scrutiny. The aura of life and nature was incredibly dense. This was a Wild God, undoubtedly, yet a total stranger.
"My greetings, Brother Cenarius. We sensed the birth of a new brother, which is why we have come to your dwelling," Ursoc the Bear said.
Ysera's gaze fell upon Rhodes. "Cenarius, my child, a new pulse has vibrated from the depths of the Dream. A new Wild brother has been born—and his aura carries the echoes of a Progenitor Dragon."
The other Wild Gods and the Green Dragon Queen all looked at Rhodes with curiosity. They wanted to understand how they had suddenly gained a new brother out of nowhere.
"Indeed, Father," Cenarius stepped aside, formally introducing Rhodes to the gathered demigods. "Allow me to introduce Rhodes. A traveler from a distant realm, and a new brother who has just been personally blessed and elevated by the Great World-Soul, Azeroth. Our new Dragon-God brother, Rhodes."
"Blessed by Azeroth herself?"
"Brother Cenarius, do not jest with us," Agamaggan the Boar questioned. "Wild Gods are the condensation and manifestation of the world's life essence. We are born of it, raised in it. Since when have we heard of someone being 'elevated' after the fact?"