Deep into Naxxramas

Tirion offered Nathanos a piece of dry bread. He glanced at it, then turned his head away. He really wanted to eat it, but that would just be another form of waste; he couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten. He'd asked other Forsaken if they still ate. The answer was, of course, yes. Some Forsaken told him they couldn't taste food normally, but they still retained the sensation of chewing; they felt a strange sense of peace as their jaws opened and closed.

But he didn't feel that way.

"I don't like bread either." Tirion's sudden remark surprised Nathanos. Then the former Highlord of Hearthglen explained, "The Scourge spread the plague in the grains. When those grains were baked into bread, the kingdom was destroyed."

The two sat by the Thondroril River, which originates from distant Wetlands. Even if some unclean things from the Plaguelands flowed into the river, they would soon be washed away by the current. Therefore, the Thondroril River remained clear.

"Clean food is a precious commodity in the Plaguelands." Nathanos looked at his reflection in the river and felt a sense of relief. "Eat it while it's hot."

Tirion smiled silently, took a bite of dry bread, and said, "Getting back to the point, you want to ask about Nathos Abraham, right?"

"If you want to ask me why I'm inquiring about him, I can only tell you that I want him to become a weapon of revenge against the Lich King, just like me."

Tirion was silent for a moment, carefully considering Nathanos's words. Before he knew it, he had almost finished the bread. "More than that, I'm curious why you thought of coming to me?"

"Because you no longer represent any power, and you are a man of honor," The Witherer replied. Tirion had once rebelled against the entire kingdom for the sake of an Orcs. In life and in death, he was a man Nathanos respected.

"Maybe I don't know anything at all."

"I've seen your horse." Nathanos's gaze swept over Tirion's mount—a brown steed Mirador. "Your horse is very strong, which means you must ride it often. Although I don't know what you do, I think someone who goes out often would find out something."

"I just went to see my son Taelan. He became a Paladin. I'm so proud. I watched his ascension ceremony." A smile instantly spread across the father's face, but it quickly disappeared.

"But he seems to be serving the Crimson Crusade now," Nathanos pointed out a fact Tirion didn't want to admit. "And I've heard that he voluntarily gave up Hearthglen, providing the Crimson Crusade with a fortified stronghold."

"In any case, he is still alive."

"You should know very well what kind of organization the Crimson Crusade is," Nathanos said. "Aren't you afraid that Isilien will destroy him? I've heard that the Crusaders' madness is largely related to him."

"Isilien is still a highly respected leader. Even if he has his flaws, he's better than me. I can't even use the Holy Light." Tirion said, head bowed, looking much like he did when he was sentenced in Stratholme. Nathanos was surprised to find that although he looked dejected, he showed no regret whatsoever.

"You're projecting your own views onto your son?" Nathanos's voice pierced Tirion's heart like a sword. "Have you considered what Taelan thinks? Have you asked him... if he still remembers his family?"

Do you have one?

"Don't ask me that question." Nathanos turned his head away, touching the bloody scar on his left cheek. He had already paid the price; just when he thought Alleria would accept him, the Female Elf wanted to send him to his grave. But Nathanos knew Tirion's situation was different from his own; he was at least alive, just unable to use the Holy Light.

"Then what makes you so sure that Taelan won't despise me?"

"Because he is Paladin!" Nathanos pointed out, his eyes fixed intently on Tirion. "Taelan follows in your footsteps, Fordring. Just as you secretly watched his ascension ceremony, doesn't he also wish that when he becomes Paladin, you would appear before him with a proud smile on your face?"

Having said all that, Tirion no longer questioned the topic, and Nathanos would never say anything more. However, the leader of the Forsaken suddenly thought of his father. He missed him dearly and wondered how his father was doing in Theramore.

It seems that after dealing with things here, he must quickly plant spies in Theramore to keep abreast of his father's life.

"Nathos Abraham, what do you know about him?"

"The infamous Plaguebringer." Tirion's tone was somewhat sarcastic, but Nathanos, sitting beside him, could already feel the rage. "He and another necromancer Heigan, are the culprits who turned Lordaeron into Plaguelands."

Was the evil sown in the Plaguelands the work of Nathos and Heigan? Nathanos already felt the rich rewards of this trip. "Why did Nathos become the Lich King's lackey in the first place?"

"Because of a woman named Farina." At the mention of that name, Tirion's anger turned to disgust and revulsion. "She was once a noblewoman of Lordaeron, and a botanist, but many secrets surround her. I once saw her; she was beautiful, but... but there was something unsettling about her, as if her beauty..." He paused, unable to articulate his feelings, but Nathanos had already guessed what he meant. "Her appearance was frozen, frozen at twenty years old?"

"Yes, you're absolutely right." Fordring finally realized something suspicious. "She always looks like she's in her youth, but I've investigated, and she should be a frail old woman."

Nathanos scoffed. "Farina's greed is insatiable. A woman's true enemy is the passage of time, and possessing eternal beauty is her ultimate goal. It seems she joined the Scourge quite some time ago."

"It doesn't matter anymore." Tirion stood up. "Lordaeron has fallen and is still in the hands of two Demon Lords."

"I remember there was a Paladin in the Crusaders who wielded a divine weapon. Why, even with him there, were they unable to reclaim Lordaeron?"

"The Ashbringer has fallen; he has become a Death Knight under the Lich King." Tirion's words reminded Nathanos of Arthas. "His son defeated him and brought the sword to me, and all I felt from it was rage. If the Scourge reclaims that sword, I fear... they will attack Light's Hope Chapel."

"What do you mean?" Nathanos stood up and looked at Tirion in surprise, even though the other man had his back to him.

"I didn't say anything." Tirion Fordring turned and smiled. In an instant, Nathanos understood. If Fordring was telling the truth, then now was the perfect time to raid Naxxramas. The Scourge, in order to reclaim Ashbringer, would undoubtedly launch a massive invasion of Light's Hope Chapel, and perhaps... even Kel'Thuzad, the Lich, would personally be present. His fortress would inevitably be vulnerable.

"Thank you, Tirion."

"No need to thank me. I only hope you remember what you said when you came, Nathanos. I also hope you remember that you are a child of Lordaeron, and that you will always have the ability to harm this land."

"Why did you do this?" Kel'Thuzad's terrifying voice echoed through the Plague Quarter of Naxxramas, and even carried further. The Lich, whose entire body was devoid of flesh, was furious, his eyes blazing with boundless rage, for he hated betrayal. He didn't want the Lich King to awaken and find a disloyal Scourge within Naxxramas, under his jurisdiction.

The Plaguebringer Nathos was being whipped in the soul by six acolytes using dark magic. He hung his head, his whole body swaying as if he were about to collapse at any moment.

"Nathos, I originally thought you were a true servant of the Lich King, but I never expected you to dare to betray me right under my nose. Did you really think your petty cleverness could fool me?"

Death and destruction. When Nathos witnessed the Scourge claiming countless innocent lives in the Third War, he began to doubt his decision to follow Kel'Thuzad. A growing sense of compassion terrified Nathos; the Scourge had no compassion, nor could they have one. Yet he knew this was the truth about him. To avoid Kel'Thuzad's wrath, Nathos carefully hid until Darion Mograine arrived in search of his father. Nathos secretly cut off the power to the flesh giant Thaddius, allowing Darion to successfully find the leader of the Four Horsemen. He succeeded, but this also exposed Nathos.

"I...only saw...death." The Plaguebringer's pale lips stammered, "Only death, so many...innocent...so much...suffering. I...I am guilty!"

"The Scourge's mission is sacred, how dare you question it!" Kel'Thuzad's chains clanged and clattered. "Answer me, Nathos. To whom do you serve? To whom do you serve!"

The Death Knight beneath the Lich's gaze struggled to raise his head, his eyes terrifyingly ferocious. However, his clenched teeth and furious expression greatly displeased Kel'Thuzad. "I pledge allegiance to... His Majesty the King!"

Your Majesty the King? Is it His Majesty Arthas? Kel'Thuzad's eyes grew colder. No! If Nathos was referring to Arthas, he should have used the title "Lich King," not "Your Majesty the King."

"You mean Terenas? That incompetent old fool! You actually pledge allegiance to him!"

The Plaguebringer could no longer utter a word; all his strength was used to resist the torment inflicted upon him by the acolytes. If he were not careful, Nathos would collapse, and he could not die, he could not die like this.

"Enough!" Kel'Thuzad commanded, and the executioner acolytes stopped chanting in terror.

"Very well, Nathos. You've successfully angered me." The Lich's sinister voice echoed in Nathos's mind. The Plaguebringer knew that the master of Naxxramas wouldn't let him off so easily. "Hand him over to Farina to lock him up! I'll deal with you after I reclaim Ashbringer!"

"This operation seems even more dangerous than the attack on Maraudon." Belmont felt a sense of fear as he faced Naxxramas, which blotted out half the sky.

"The Witherer said that the Forsaken are always testing the limits of danger."

"But the master has been across the teleportation node for some time now, why is there still no movement from him?"

At this point, Belmont's words caused Lilian some concern, and Nathanos, disregarding their objections, entered Naxxramas first.

So much time has passed, and there's still no movement.

"Let's go in too," Lilian said.

"Have you forgotten our master's orders? He ordered us to stay put," Belmont retorted.

"I think you've forgotten about Lord the Witherer resurrecting Rassuvios two years ago." Lilian's words successfully drew Belmont's attention from Naxxramas. "Do you remember what happened after that? The Witherer doesn't know necromancy; he forcibly brought Rassuvios back to the world of the living using his precious soul power. This made him very weak, even unable to recover his strength!"

"I know that," Belmont roared, "But I trust my master. He's not just being reckless. He knows his own strength. If we disobey his orders and enter the floating fortress, it could disrupt his plans and even hinder him!"

Lilian stood frozen in place. Belmont had said that on the surface, but he was actually quite worried about Nathanos's situation. Lilian suddenly understood why Nathanos had made Belmont the leader of the Shadow District, in charge of intelligence. His trust in the Forsaken leader outweighed his loyalty.

"The Alchemy District will soon have an outstanding alchemy master, won't it?"

Yes, it definitely will.

The fortress was almost half empty.

When Nathanos stepped into Naxxramas, he was shocked by its vastness and finally understood why the Lich King had Kel'Thuzad guard this floating fortress.

This place can accommodate an entire army corps, several thousand people.

"The Lich King's power is now beyond my ability to contend with," The Witherer sighed, the difference between the Forsaken and the Scourge being clearly demonstrated at this moment.

The fortress has four entrances and is divided into four areas. Nathanos doesn't know which area Nathos is in, but one person does.

"Black Widow! The vicious black rose?" Nathanos stood at the entrance to the Arachnid Quarter, recalling Farina's name. He could already see the black figure weaving through the spider webs, and pools of deadly green venom beneath them.

He went inside.