Opportunity

Two weeks later

He was no longer truly alive, and he was powerless to resist the Death Knight who had transformed him. Yet Nathanos Marius retained his Will. For some reason, the Lich King had attempted to destroy him. The Scourge's master had done so to all the other Undead, yet he seemed to be the only one who hadn't completely succumbed. This was due to his own strength, and also because his disguise was so perfect that the Lich King mistakenly believed he had yielded. But this Undead knew that he would be the one laughing last.

He made a vow to himself—never to yield.

Not long after, Nathanos sensed that time was passing swiftly in the world of the living. Since Arthas led the Scourge to sweep across Lordaeron, many things had happened.

The Lich King refused to be treated as a mere pawn. He secretly plotted numerous schemes against the Burning Legion, and the demons remained completely unaware.

'Those menacing creatures never seem to use their brains,' Nathanos thought with amusement. He only needed to keep a close eye on them now, not just the Burning Legion, but also the Scourge.

Then someone mentioned Archimonde, the demon lord who died on Mount Hyjal and was left unmourned, pulling Nathanos's attention back to reality from his reverie.

"The last time I heard from Lord Archimonde was a few months ago. I can't stand watching over these stinking Undead anymore! What are we doing here?" The Demon Lord Deseroth sounded very impatient, with two other Demon Lord beside him who looked exactly alike.

If the Demon Lord standing in the very center hadn't spoken the name Deseroth, Nathanos probably would never have known what this grumbling demon was called.

They stood in what was once the royal gardens, a place from which they could still see the council chambers of Lordaeron. Nathanos remembered many momentous events that had taken place there, such as the founding of the Alliance and Arthas's murder of his own father, bringing doom to his people. It seemed like only yesterday, yet it felt like an eternity. Now, the gardens, like the kingdom itself, were decaying and decaying.

"Our duty is to monitor this land, Deseroth. So we must remain here to ensure the Scourge is ready at any time," said the Demon Lord Balnazzar.

"That's true." The last Demon Lord, Varimathras, seemed just as impatient as Deseroth. "However, we should also receive new instructions."

New orders? Nathanos suppressed a laugh. The Burning Legion's attempt to conquer the world had long since failed, yet the three of them were still waiting in vain. He turned to Kel'Thuzad, the Lich who was utterly loyal to Arthas. "The Burning Legion was defeated months ago; they'll probably never receive any orders."

"That being said, they still retain control of this land," the Lich replied. "However, if left to their own devices, the Scourge will only get worse."

His words were interrupted by the sudden collapse of the gate. The two Undead turned towards the source of the sound, and the demons immediately spread their membranous wings in alarm.

Arthas himself emerged from the gate, his Invincible steed rearing up. Nathanos couldn't help but slightly widen his glowing, ghostly eyes. The Fallen Prince looked extremely smug, letting his white hair fall beside his pale face.

The Death Knight's voice was loud and invigorating. "Long time no see, Demon Lord," he said. The demons stared at him, surprised by the Death Knight's dismissive attitude. "Thank you for looking after my kingdom while I was away. But from now on, I have no need of your service."

"Prince Arthas!" Varimathras stared at him, speechless.

Balnazzar, realizing what was happening, retorted, "This land belongs to us. The Scourge is nothing but slaves of the Burning Legion!"

Arthas's laughter grew even more smug, his voice brimming with genuine joy. "No longer, demons. Your masters have been defeated. The Legion is finished. Now all that's left is to send you to your deaths."

He grinned and raised Frostmourne, the runes on the sword flashing and dancing, pointing it at the three Demon Lords.

"Absolutely not!" Deseroth shouted defiantly. "We'll see, humans!"

The Demon Lord fled swiftly, Frostmourne wailed in disappointment at missing out on their delicious meal. Arthas, however, wore a pleased expression. He had driven them away, and their deaths were only a matter of time.

He looked up and spotted the servants hiding in the shadows, watching everything. Kel'Thuzad floated to his master's side first, followed closely by Nathanos.

"You've really returned, Prince Arthas!" the Lich exclaimed excitedly.

Arthas glanced at his loyal servant. "Yes, I'm back." He made a gesture of enjoying the fresh air, then fixed his gaze on another Undead. "I'm glad to see you're still here, Nathanos."

"This is all thanks to you, Prince Arthas," Nathanos said coldly. It was true! Back on the Kalimdor, after Nathanos found Illidan, the Lich King intended to leave him to fend for himself on that perilous land. But Arthas refused. The Death Knight explained Nathanos's power to his master, stating that keeping him with the Scourge would only benefit him. Thus, he was spared exile.

But Nathanos would not be grateful to Arthas for this; he would rather be exiled.

"Indeed, but now you must call me King. After all, this is my land. I was born to rule it. As long as—"

He stopped abruptly, his eyes wide, his face contorted in pain. He collapsed toward the invincible bone neck, his armored hands gripping the reins, before letting out a scream of agony.

"Ugh...!!"

Nathanos and Kel'Thuzad watched, shocked by Arthas's unusual reaction.

Arthas groaned and raised his head. His eyes were fixed on something ethereal, and he reached out a hand towards it, trying to grasp something! "This excruciating pain!" he said hoarsely through gritted teeth. "What's wrong with me?"

"Your Majesty!" Kel'Thuzad cried. "Do you need my help?"

Arthas didn't answer immediately. He seemed to be listening to something, as if a voice no one else could hear was speaking to him. After a while, he slowly sat up, clearly struggling to stay upright from falling off his horse.

"No need. The pain has passed, but my strength... has weakened. There must be something fishy about this." His voice was filled with surprise and confusion. If Nathanos still had a human heart, it would surely pound wildly at those words.

Could this be the opportunity I've been waiting for?

"Ugh... it's happening again!" Arthas's face contorted in pain. Even though his pale face was bloodless, Kel'Thuzad could tell something was wrong with him.

"Your Majesty, you look... not well."

Just like before, Arthas kept his head down and remained silent for a while. "I need to catch my breath, Kel'Thuzad! And then... I have to embark on a long journey."

"What do you need me to do, Your King?" Nathanos, who rarely spoke, took the initiative to seek instructions from Arthas for the first time, and the Death Knight gave him a new task without even thinking.

"Nathanos, go find the whereabouts of those three Demon Lords, and then... kill them."

Arthas's order instantly dispelled Nathanos's worries. He had been concerned that if the Death Knight kept him by his side, he might not have the freedom to move around.

"As you wish."

Nathanos watched as Arthas, weakly clinging to Invincible's back, departed. Kel'Thuzad followed, leaving Nathanos alone. The Undead left behind let a smile creep onto his lips...

... At the same time, his fingers trembled for a moment, then clenched into an angry fist. This time, however, he did not hear the Lich King's voice.