Emblem

When Nathanos's footsteps once again touched the land of Marius Farm, he finally felt the world open up—elsewhere, the world was gray, he was restricted everywhere, and every step he took was difficult. Though he couldn't breathe the clean, fragrant air of the night, nor exhale, he knew it had never truly left him. He was still here. This was his land, not the land of the Crimson Crusade.

This is the fifth attack. Nathanos made another stroke on the broken door panel, then wrote a number next to it, representing Warrior Crusaders who came to Marius Farm to die this time.

The attack began a week ago when a Crusaders patrol from Haven County discovered the place and him. Without exchanging a word, they began fighting. Those guys were truly insane, shouting "The Holy Light above!" as they charged at the Undead they had discovered, brandishing Greatsword and heavy hammers.

Nathanos didn't understand what kind of force the Crusaders were; he assumed they were resistance fighters from Lordaeron. So initially, he didn't kill them, only wounding them before letting them go. But the next day, even more humans in blood-red robes arrived. Nathanos had spotted them early on, and using the farm's higher ground, he repelled them with his bow and arrows. Just like the first time, he didn't kill a single one. He thought this would make them back down, but those humans were more persistent than he expected.

The saying goes, "Third time's the charm." To prevent further disturbances, he unleashed a massacre during his fourth attack the day before yesterday, then burned the fallen corpses. Today, before dawn, he arrived at the spot where the Crusaders had appeared each time, dug traps, set ambushes, and annihilated them all.

The Undead Hound that had followed him from Quel'Thalas were waiting for him. Their wagging tails seemed to say, "It's so good to see you home." They were farm hounds given to him by his father, and Nathanos hadn't recognized them at first, which wasn't his fault; their appearance had changed so drastically.

"It's so good to be home, even if it's only for a short time. Why don't those Crusaders learn their lesson?" he muttered to himself, and soon realized something.

Nathanos nodded. Yes, those humans certainly hated the Undead. Now, plague and corpses roamed the crimson ground. Who had destroyed their homes? Nathanos felt guilt. Marius Farm had become a transitional space between his present and past lives. He couldn't end his own life, because the Lich King still existed, and he couldn't carry out his hatred to destroy all those who opposed him. Now, he only wanted to hide himself away, away from the world's gaze.

On the red earth of the farm, a small campfire flickered, bringing light and warmth to the gloomy and damp place.

Fire? Nathanos turned to look at the campfire. He thought of the Warrior 'Crusaders bodies he had burned; now there was nothing left to be incinerated. Once the wood was gone, only ashes would remain. Even those ashes would be carried away by the wind and scattered in all directions. While most humans buried their dead, some of the most noble were cremated, like King Terenas. They used this funeral to show the world that their souls would be free in the wind and fire. If they wished, even in death, they could still walk the earth.

It was a quiet night, but now, Nathanos felt a gentle breeze ruffling his fur. He turned his head, and at least for the moment, he could almost hear soft footsteps. The night wasn't just silent; the sigh of the wind added a noisy tranquility to the darkness. But all of this was interrupted by several people watching over the area.

"Another group coming to their deaths?" Nathanos leaped onto the roof and saw the intruders. Ranger Veronalara, and Enya. Why were they there? Had the Lich King sent his own minions to eliminate traitors?

No! Nathanos shook his head slightly. The Undead forces currently in control of this continent are Kel'Thuzad and the Demon Lord Varimathras and Deseroth, who recently conquered Lordaeron. What's puzzling is, where is Balnazzar?

"Whoever you are, don't even think about getting close here."

Day 1

Veronalara and Enya kept looking this way, and for a moment Nathanos and they stared at each other.

The next day

The two twisted Elf vanished, their whereabouts unknown. But after they left, Nathanos discovered human traces near the farm—not the Crimson Crusade, but a group of scouts on a reconnaissance mission.

Day 3

Elf have been spotted near the Thondroril River.

Day 4

Nothing happened.

Day 5

Veronalara and Enya, who had disappeared, reappeared, boldly venturing directly into Nathanos's territory. Since they were alone, Nathanos did not immediately attack. Whoever sent them, letting the two of them cause him trouble was certainly not a wise move.

"It's been a long time, Nathanos," Enya greeted first.

"It's best we don't meet!" Nathanos jumped down from the roof. "You are not welcome here. Whatever your purpose is, now... please leave." He turned and walked back into the house.

Veronalara did not back down because of his cold attitude. "What if we're here to save you?"

Nathanos stopped and turned to face her, gesturing for her to continue.

"We've noticed a significant number of humans appearing in the Eastern Plaguelands recently..."

"The Eastern Plaguelands," Nathanos murmured, his back still turned to them. "A fitting name."

"That's not important." Veronalara waved her hand, as if to tell Nathanos not to interrupt her. "Those humans were all assassins. It's obvious they meant no good."

"Recently, quite a few Crusaders have come to Marius Farm to die; I've gotten used to their harassment."

"They are not Crusaders." Veronalara suddenly stopped speaking, and somehow, she was holding a dirty white handkerchief in her palm. Nathanos turned around and watched as Veronalara silently opened the handkerchief.

Wrapped in the handkerchief was a bloodstained blue emblem, somewhat damaged. In the center of the emblem was a dagger, and below it was a "VII".

Nathanos glanced at Enya with a puzzled look, raising an eyebrow in question. He found the two Ranger's behavior odd, but the insignia was even stranger. Whatever they were up to, Nathanos had to remain vigilant. He Veronalara.

The emblem landed in Nathanos's hand. He recognized it almost immediately.

"Military Intelligence... Seventh Division?"