Death

The biting wind howled like a tormented child. The grizzly bear cubs huddled together for warmth—their thick fur could withstand even the harshest storms. But this storm seemed far from simple; they had to keep their eyes tightly shut to withstand the howling wind and snow, huddled in their dens, waiting for the storm to subside. No matter how hungry they were, they could not venture out to forage for food unless the mournful howling wind ceased its lamentations.

A biting wind swept in from the ocean, tearing at Nathanos on the snow-covered ground. He stood silent like a stone statue, having witnessed such storms many times before. But he knew this was no ordinary storm, not even a natural one. He glanced around, and a shiver involuntarily ran through him, not from the cold, but from fear—there was nothing here but him!

'Am I dreaming?' Nathanos murmured, his eyes gleaming. He should be on Mount Hyjal, not here. He fell silent again, the only sounds around him the howling and wailing of the wind and snow.

A chant arose from the clamor of the cold wind, Nathanos couldn't make out what it was saying, nor did he want to. It sounded like a cultist's hoarse incantation, driving the dead and urging him forward, the howling wind acting as an accompaniment, blending into the silent chant.

Nathanos's legs were moving in a certain direction, not by his own will, but it didn't matter. He really couldn't find anything here anyway, and he would be happy if he could see any color other than white.

The silvery-white world was restless and turbulent. Nathanos had walked for a long time, having given up hope. He figured the dream would eventually end; he just needed to wait. But surprises always come unexpectedly. There really was something else in the storm, a faint light. Nathanos wanted to investigate, and his feet moved forward, following his heart.

A heavy, intricately carved long table lay before him. To his surprise, the table was surrounded by snow, like the eye of the storm. There was no food on the table, but three candles burned—the flames were not extinguished. The atmosphere seemed both gentle and eerie. It was a large table, enough to entertain twenty people, but now there were only three figures around it: a man, an Orcs, and a child.

"Arthas!" Nathanos's rage was fueled by hatred. His dazed mind jolted awake, but when he opened his eyes again, the scene was different. The dilapidated eaves were entangled in branches and vines, and there was the sound of dripping water. He pressed his fingers down, confirming that he was lying on a wooden bed.

"Where is this?" he asked, looking at the rooftop with a puzzled expression, and someone immediately answered him.

"As you can see, it's a dilapidated house. But the outside offers a fantastic view of the site."

Upon hearing the voice, he felt a surge of strength coursing through his body. He struggled to his feet and called out the other person's name before even seeing them.

"Medivh!"

"I don't think I've ever introduced myself to you, yet you know me," Medivh said to him with a smile.

For some reason, Nathanos really wanted to answer his question, "I've seen your staff, the same staff as Khadgar's."

"Not everyone in this world can piece together the whole thing after discovering parts like you. You're smart, but too stubborn," Medivh, praising him while also pointing out his flaws.

Nathanos did not accept all of this. Medivh said he was stubborn, and not only did he say so, but others also described him that way.

"Stubborn?" He forced a bitter smile, his dry lips parting slightly as he glared angrily at Medivh. "Are you feeling smug? Are you thinking, 'I should have listened to you, otherwise things wouldn't have turned out this way?'"

Nathanos had guessed part of Medivh's thoughts, but the Guardian showed no weakness. "Some things cannot be stopped by a prophecy alone."

"Prophecy?" Nathanos gritted his teeth at the word. "Yes, I remember now, your doomsday prophecy. You said that if I didn't go to Kalimdor, I would die, I would lose everything, and even... be betrayed."

"Very good, everything is as I said, isn't it?"

"But you didn't tell me this would happen!" Nathanos angrily pointed at his dead face. "Why... is death not the end? And... what did I do?" His voice trailed off as a horrifying image flashed through his mind: he was swinging his sword at an unarmed old woman, barely clinging to life.

Nathanos's head trembled slightly, a gesture usually made when a person cries, but now... he had no tears left.

"Because the world needs you, Nathanos." Medivh sighed, guessing that the Undead before him hadn't taken his words to heart.

"It needs you," he repeated, "But you haven't proven your strength to it yet, so it will use death as a test for you."

Nathanos slowly turned his head towards Medivh. The Guardian stared directly at him, his eyes chillingly clear. For a moment, Nathanos felt a deep tremor within him. Having endured so much, Medivh was still alive—the two were so alike.

This means...

The mage beneath the cloak smiled slightly, and as Nathanos struggled to search for the words, his sorrow temporarily subsided.

"We've all experienced death. For most people, death means the end, but for us it's not like that, is it?" His voice was soft yet tinged with surprise. "Have you ever wondered why? It's not a conspiracy or a coincidence."

Nathanos's crimson eyes brightened, casting a strange glance at Medivh. He seemed to regain some color, and his pale skin lessened somewhat. Of course, this was merely an effect of the light.

"Why?" His voice was stronger than before, but trembled with emotion. "Why can't I lie peacefully in the earth? I should have... disappeared long ago."

"No!" Medivh asserted. "Death is just another beginning for you."

"The beginning of suffering?" Nathanos looked strangely at Medivh, who was rambling on in front of him. Medivh fell silent, perhaps acknowledging his statement. "And you? What are you? A messenger of this world?"

Nathanos was mocking Medivh rambling on like a charlatan, but Medivh answered him seriously.

"Before this, I was the guardian of this world. But I brought destruction, and now I am correcting my mistakes." He smiled. "I have succeeded."