The Paladin lords exchanged bewildered looks, unable to understand why demons would help Prince Arthas fight the assassins from Kul Tiras.
As the demons attacked, the Undead Mages joined forces to defend Arthas, surrounding him on every side.
Enemies became allies in an instant, and the Throne descended into utter chaos.
Among the Paladin lords, however, there were still clearheaded fighters who performed their best under pressure.
Tirion acted swiftly. Raising the Holy Hammer, he activated Ancient Kings' Protection and Holy Light Crusade, then charged at the Scourge Bodyguards.
An enemy's friend was an enemy. Whatever the reason the Scourge and demons were protecting Prince Arthas, there was clearly something wrong with the black helmet in his hands.
If Tirion had seen correctly, that helmet belonged to the skeletal monster inside the ice coffin. Its origin alone marked it as an unholy object.
Mograine and Dathrohan moved at the same time, joining Tirion to strike down one of their own for the greater good.
"Put down the helmet, Arthas!" Uther's deep voice, amplified by the holy light, rang across the summit.
Arthas blocked Number Zero's attack with Frostmourne and drove the assassin back. He remained where he stood, holding the Helm of Domination in a momentary daze.
His mentor Uther's warning dragged Arthas out of the Lich King's whispered words, restoring calm to his confused mind.
The cold, sky-blue glow in Arthas's eyes gradually dimmed as he set aside Ner'zhul's offer for the moment.
I can't... I'm the prince of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, its future king.
At this final moment, Ner'zhul saw Arthas hesitate. Rather than growing impatient or anxious, he waited like a spectator for Arthas to make his final choice.
As Ner'zhul's finest student had demonstrated, no one would refuse power. Gul'dan had not refused it, nor