Andorhal

"His name is Abomination!" Kel'Thuzad pointed his bone staff at the towering monster; in terms of size, his opponent had already lost.

"A fitting name," Nathanos scoffed, though he was nervous, unsure if there were other enemies around. He took two steps back and gestured with his left hand to the two Elf Priest, signaling them to retreat immediately.

When he turned his head, he found that Jaina was also looking at him.

"Is everything alright?"

"Uh... of course!"

Fear is hard to hide, and Nathanos didn't expose it. This monster called Abomination truly gave people nightmares at night.

"Kill them!" Kel'Thuzad commanded. The white monster growled and charged forward with a gait disproportionate to its size. Before it even stopped, its massive weapon came crashing down. The parched, corroded earth cracked open. The Abomination blinked and realized the two humans were gone.

"Idiot, they're over there!"

The Abomination turned its head upon hearing its master's curses, and saw a female mage wielding a fireball. Drawn by the flames, it was struck. Jaina's fireball exploded, striking the creature. The stench was instantly replaced by the smell of burnt flesh.

Its thinking is sluggish. Nathanos squinted at Kel'Thuzad, "You should give your creations a brain."

"Oh, that's a very novel idea. I'll consider it."

Whether it was because it heard Nathanos's words or was under Kel'Thuzad's control, Abomination did not seek revenge after being attacked by Jaina's magic. Instead, it charged directly at Nathanos, its weapon making a piercing sound as it swung through the air.

Nathanos leaped away from its path as before, nimbly rolling behind it before soaring into the air. His sword sliced open the stitched seam on the Abomination's left hind leg. With the rise and fall of its muscles, he could clearly see various biological tissues mixed together beneath the white skin—it wasn't stitches at all, but rather filler. Nathanos was curious about how they moved. But he'd have to kill it first before he could study it.

The Abomination was furious and desperate to find Nathanos, but for some reason, it would only look around in one direction, completely ignoring what was behind it.

"Understood. He won't turn around unless he hears a sound or is attacked." Nathanos sneered, turning his head to look at Kel'Thuzad, who was still watching. Kel'Thuzad noticed his gaze and quickly realized what he was about to do. A faint glow emanated from his staff, accompanied by a buzzing sound, and several zombies sprang from the ground beneath his feet.

"They can't save you." Nathanos cleaved the foremost Undead with a single blow, but to his horror, the fallen corpse didn't stop moving; instead, it rose again with a twisting motion and the sound of bones snapping back into place. Kel'Thuzad's mocking voice came from behind that decaying face. Nathanos realized he couldn't kill them.

"Jaina, quickly use fire to take down that guy."

"I need some time," Jaina replied, gritting her teeth and staring intently at the massive creature that had regained its target. The flames burned steadily in her slender hands, and the two vibrant flowers slowly closed, merging into a fireball as scorching as the sun, then gradually growing larger...

"How much longer?" Nathanos dodged the Abomination's slashes, still keeping an eye on Kel'Thuzad's movements out of the corner of his eye amidst the fierce battle. He discovered that no matter whether he chopped off the Undead's heads or limbs, they wouldn't fall; instead, they seemed even more agile than before.

"Get out of the way, Nathanos!" Jaina had already cast her spell. A fireball as tall as a person flew towards the Abomination, exploding upon impact and scattering countless fire serpents in all directions. Nathanos was thrown back by the impact, forced to shield his face from the scorching blast. Several nearby undead were caught in the explosion. Moments later, all the Undead creatures had vanished.

The thick smoke made Kel'Thuzad cough a few times, but he smiled and remained completely unaffected by the destruction of Abomination.

"Antonidas has taught a good apprentice."

"Surrender, Kel'Thuzad. This time, the Kirin Tor will show you no mercy."

"Surrender? No, the real show is just beginning." Kel'Thuzad narrowed his eyes, his gaze bypassing Jaina and looking at a spot not far behind her.

Similarly, Nathanos also sensed the commotion after standing up, and heard the sound of orderly footsteps, clearly the sound of an army—it was Arthas!

"There they are!" The Prince of Lordaeron noticed them, along with the wizard whose appearance was similar to the black-robed man he had encountered before. A sizable army followed behind him, including Dwarf.

"Jaina? Nathanos? You're here too?"

"You shouldn't have come here, Prince Highness." Nathanos approached, not yet noticing the wound on his arm from the impact.

Arthas was confused by his words. Why couldn't he come here?

"We have finally met, Prince Arthas Menethil."

"Who are you?" He looked up and noticed the wizard who was speaking, pointing his warhammer at him.

"My name is Kel'Thuzad, and as you can see, I am the one who spread this plague." He pointed to the ears of wheat burning nearby, which were also affected by the flames, and also told Arthas how the plague was spread.

"You're behind this plague?" Arthas shouted angrily, his eyes wide. "What exactly do you want?"

Kel'Thuzad's eyes gleamed coldly beneath his hood. "I commanded the cultists of the Cult of the Damned to scatter plague-laden grains everywhere, but I am not the one in control."

Arthas spoke again, his voice sharp as he demanded, "What do you mean?"

"I pledge allegiance to the Demon Lord Mal'Ganis. His Scourge will purify this continent and establish an eternal dark paradise."

Before Arthas could ask any further questions, Jaina spoke up, "Purify? Purify what?"

"All living beings!" Kel'Thuzad's snow-white beard twisted into a cruel smile once more. "His plan has begun. If you want more answers, come to Andorhal."

Arthas had had enough of Nathanos's mocking guidance. Completely ignoring Nathanos's warning, he charged forward. Just as his warhammer was about to strike Kel'Thuzad, the space around him began to warp, ripple, and then vanish!

"He got away?" Jaina said softly. Although everyone knew this fact, Arthas refused to accept it. He still looked around, trying to find the guy.

"Arthas?"

He put down his warhammer only when Nathanos approached him, to listen to what the other had to say.

"Now that things are clear, you must return to Lordaeron immediately and explain this to your father in person."

"Go back?" He whirled around, glaring angrily at Nathanos. "Didn't you hear what that guy said? You actually told me to leave? No! I'm going to Andorhal. I'm going to find that guy and bring him to justice myself."

"That's precisely why I didn't let you go to him," Nathanos roared even louder. "He wouldn't tell the truth when he saw Jaina and me, wouldn't mention this 'Demon Lord' or the Scourge, but he poured out everything after you arrived here, vowing to 'purify' this land. Doesn't that say it all?"

"What does that mean? Are you saying this is a trap, a deliberate attempt to lure me to Andorhal? Ha! Even so, I will not leave. Whatever conspiracy there may be, I will crush it all!"

Nathanos clenched his fists. "Why are you so stubborn? The enemy was prepared! Are you going to lead your soldiers to their deaths?"

"Enough!" Arthas shouted, pointing to the side. "Look for yourself!" Nathanos looked in that direction; it was the lifeless street of a small town. "Do you see clearly? This place used to be so peaceful, so many people lived here. And now? Where are they? Don't you know where they went? They were all turned into Undead by that guy who called himself a necromancer. Even Andorhal ..." Arthas's agitated tone suddenly turned somber, a sense of despair creeping into his heart. Andorhal had far more civilians than this place; if Kel'Thuzad went there...

No! He wouldn't let that happen. He would protect his people, even if it meant giving his life.

"Let's go."

"Arthas, you can't..."

"I hate hearing people tell me what I can or can't do!" The angry words slipped out, startling Nathanos. Everyone else was surprised to see such fierce anger erupt from such a kind and gentle Prince.

Nathanos's body trembled uncontrollably; he was completely unable to utter a single word. Nothing could stop the impulsive Prince from leaving now, not even Terenas.

"If you're afraid, stay here, Nathanos. The same goes for everyone else. If you want to save our people, follow me!" He seemed possessed, spurring his warhorse toward Andorhal, with everyone else except Jaina following behind.

The female mage looked at Nathanos, whose face was as pale as moonlight, an expression that could only appear when utterly helpless.

Nathanos?

"I have to go," he said, his eyes still fixed on the departing crowd.

"No! You can't stop him at all, it's no use you going."

"I know that, Jaina. But I think Kel'Thuzad's purpose is not that simple. If we leave Arthas alone, he will definitely be plotted against. I have to help him."

"You're right, then I'll go with you!"

Nathanos turned around in surprise. "No, you should go back to Dalaran and report to your mentor what Kel'Thuzad has done."

"But..."

"There are no buts, Jaina. You've seen what this plague has brought. Those Undead creatures are impossible to kill with my sword alone, but your magic can. I'm sure Kel'Thuzad must have used some kind of magic to control these Undead creatures as well. And dealing with evil magic is Dalaran's forte, please!"

Jaina's face turned deathly pale, her eyes sunken deep in their sockets. "I understand, I'll go back now." She took a few steps back, chanted a teleportation spell, her body gradually becoming transparent, and then disappeared.

Nathanos took a breath, tended to his wounds, and ran towards Andorhal.