The Rift
of Aln is a vast, deep fissure in a small corner located deep within
the Emerald Dream, from which is thought by
the druids that
the Dream itself originated from.
The druids also believe that it bleeds into
the Twisting Nether and
the Great Dark Beyond.
Gazing into it, Malfurion Stormrage saw it as a bottomless chasm which radiated with primeval energies that even he dared not investigate. Indeed,
the very rift itself seemed half-dreamed, for it had a surreal quality to its expanse and to
the archdruid now and then seemed to ripple as if ready to fade or change.
Curiously, only then did Malfurion truly sense that
the ancient evil, though it fought to keep its grip there, did so from somewhere deep in
the depths
of Azeroth's own seas.
Malfurion and Tyrande Whisperwind cleansed
the Emerald Dream everywhere, except in
the rift where
the Nightmare stubbornly held firm. There was no point to keep pushing, as
the people
of Azeroth still needed
the couple's help. Thus, Malfurion sealed off
the vicinity around
the rift, he and Tyrande silently agreeing that
the day had been saved, and this was another war that would have to wait for a better time.
The rift mentioned in
the novel appears to be connected to
the Rift in
the Maelstrom. It may even be
the same location, only as seen inside
the Emerald Dream.