Reunion

That night, the bright moon hung high overhead, and the stars twinkled brilliantly. Under their approving light, a dead person gained the approval of the living. I couldn't believe it. In fact, even now, I find it hard to believe. From the moment I embarked on my destined path, I was constantly drawn into contradictions. Death devoured me, revealing many distortions of humanity. I had long since given up the idea of gaining the approval of the living, because even without the living, I believed that beings like myself could still contribute to this world. Ironically, when I saw the happy expression on Saurfang's face, I realized I had never forgotten.

That night, I witnessed the reunion of a separated family, and that scene still haunts me to this day.

That night, my heart was filled with joy. I had finally found the answer I had been searching for all this time.

Can the living truly accept the dead? Many experiences have told me it's impossible, but I was still shocked when my perspective was challenged. Saurfang has a good sister; he's lucky. I advised him not to leave his family, but his hatred for the Lich King kept him on his course, and whatever choice he made was right.

I believe he is living a good life with his sister now.

The walls here are almost as tall as the Gilneas Walls. As Nathanos and Saurfang stood outside En'kilah Holy City, they shared the same sentiment. The Death Knight also told Nathanos that Angrathar, the Lich Gate guarding Icecrown Citadel, was much taller than these walls. It was the first and most fortified gate of Icecrown Citadel, guarded by countless Undead armies dispatched by the Lich King.

Before the expedition to Northrend began, Nathanos warned all the Forsaken commanders participating in the expedition: Our enemy is a villain who has lurked in Northrend for many years, and who has already established a terrible kingdom on that continent before he was even known to the world. Whatever we see afterward should not be surprising.

"Just how deep is the Lich King's scourge upon this land?"

"We should ask him how deeply he has corrupted this world," Saurfang reminded him from the side.

"No one knows the answer to this question, not even the Lich King himself." Nathanos gestured for his Blight Hounds to lead the way.

They encountered Undead creatures composed of Abomination and Ghoul guarding the city gates. Fortunately, the Lich King did not grant his creations intelligent minds; they only knew how to kill and did not know how to warn others in the city of an invasion.

"To be honest..." Saurfang killed the charging Ghoul with his sword, and despite the battle, he smiled. "This is the first time I've acted on my own Will, not someone else's. No one gave me orders, no one could command me."

"However, you have long since broken free from the Lich King's control." Nathanos replied to the Death Knight with a smile as well. He admired the Death Knight of Acherus' Ebon Hold, thinking that the Forsaken must have much in common with them. "The Lich King has turned us into this; it's time to let him see what his 'masterpiece' has done!"

Using the teleportation device, they arrived in Naxxramas. The instantaneous movement left them slightly disoriented for a few seconds. When they regained their senses, they encountered even more of the familiar Scourge: gargoyles, Crypt Lord, and Undead of undead. After several twists and turns, they found themselves at the top level of the floating fortress. Nathanos knew they were ascending vertically, but he hadn't expected to reach the very top of the fortress.

There was nothing on the platform. Nathanos and Saurfang exchanged a puzzled look.

A biting wind swept across the platform... but the chill in the air was far more than just low temperature. Even their dead bodies felt the cold.

The Witherer gritted his teeth and realized something. Saurfang said he had been tricked, but he didn't expect that his superior was right about one thing.

"Quick, hide!" Nathanos grabbed the Death Knight's right shoulder and pulled him behind a stone pillar, revealing only half his face to observe the changes occurring on the platform.

Even though it was just an image, the blood of hatred for the Lich King in their veins still boiled! A Dark Portal opened, and the phantom of the Lich King walked out from it. He was shrouded in skeletal armor, and the Helm of Domination on his head made it impossible for others to see his face. Frostmourne emitted a cold light in his hands.

This is the opportunity Nathanos has been waiting for, and it's right there!

However, the Witherer did not rush out immediately; he held tightly to Saurfang to prevent the Death Knight from losing control of his impulse.

The Lich King doesn't appear without reason; there must be something that warrants his arrival.

Nathanos noticed three figures slowly approaching from the other end of the platform: a High Elf Undead, whom, according to the Forsaken's intelligence, was Vampyr.

"I am very impressed with your progress in this region, Valanar. I am very pleased..." The Lich King's terrifying echo made Nathanos feel his soul tremble.

"The power you have bestowed upon me allows me to transcend the human spirit and exert a tremendous influence on their minds, Master." Vanara said, spreading his hands. Behind him, two humans stumbled out: one looked like a high-ranking official of the Alliance, and the other was a simply dressed young girl.

"As a result of the progress, I bring you these 'gifts'."

Just as Nathanos was preparing to observe what they were planning, Saurfang began to stir restlessly. He tried to remind the Death Knight to calm down, but the Death Knight had already charged out.

All his composure and calmness vanished like dust in the cold wind when he saw the girl.

"Lylessa!" Saurfang roared, pointing his sword at Valanar in a rage. "You beast! What have you done to my sister? I'll rip your heart out!"

Upon recognizing the face, the Lich King erupted in deafening laughter. "Vanara, it seems a rat has appeared in your fortress. Saurfang, where are the rest of the Ebon Hold? Where's Mograine? Are you all in such a hurry to come back and die?"

"You'll die first, monster!" Saurfang roared. "I'll make you pay for Lordaeron, for everything I've done, I swear!"

"You ignorant and arrogant insect," said the Lich King. "Now that you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, there's no one who can save you."

"He's not alone!"

The Lich King's eyes, gleaming with a cold blue light, immediately shifted behind Saurfang. He could hardly believe it.

That person is still alive!

Their eyes met, expressionless. Many memories flooded Arthas's mind; he had many questions for Nathanos, but the hatred in Nathanos's eyes was even greater than that for Saurfang. Arthas recalled Kel'Thuzad mentioning that Nathanos had broken free from the Scourge's control.

It seems that all of this is true.

Yes, he can no longer command the other party through mind control.

"This is quite unexpected, Nathanos. I haven't heard from you in years. I suppose you're here to rejoin the Scourge, aren't you?"

Nathanos replied furiously, "I'd rather kill myself first, Arthas. You've become a monster! When you abandoned me to die in Hearthglen, when I saw the tragedy in Stratholme, you were already on the path of no return. I will correct the mistakes of the past. I, and all the Forsaken, will carry out our vengeance."

"The Forsaken? I heard from Kel'Thuzad that while I slumbered these past years, countless Undead broke free from the Scourge's control. Was that your doing? Is that what those wandering ghosts call their names?" Arthas laughed, pointing Frostmourne at his former friend with an air of regal authority. "Since you refuse to return to my side, then I'll have no choice but to destroy you!" He glanced at Blood Prince Vanara and commanded, "Send their corpses to Icecrown Citadel. Don't disappoint me, Vampyr, or else don't come back!"

The Lich King's image vanished into the cold wind along with his voice. With his disappearance, the chill in the air instantly dissipated considerably.

"So, I'm facing a Death Knight and a Forsaken?" Valanar conjured a black orb in each hand. "Whether your souls belong to Arthas or not, they should taste quite good!"

"You're in close combat and still have time for empty talk!" Saurfang charged Valanar, his right sword aimed straight for the Blood Prince's heart.

"No time? Then you might as well die!"

Saurfang was repelled by the magic, but the Death Knight preemptively threw the weapon in his other hand, striking Valanar squarely in the heart.

The blade pierced him, but Valanar showed no sign of pain. Instead, Saurfang clutched his chest and lay prostrate on the ground.

"What kind of spell is this?" Nathanos exclaimed in surprise. "That sword looks like it's stuck in Saurfang's body." The Witherer hadn't made a move yet because the Death Knight had whispered to him when he launched his attack that this battle belonged to him.

"It's an illusion!" Nathanos reminded Saurfang, confident that the Death Knight would understand him.

Saurfang struggled on the ground in agony, trembling as he slowly rose to his feet. His eyes were fixed on Valanar ... yes, it was an illusion. The Death Knight slowly approached Valanar, enduring the pain, but the sword was with the Blood Prince. If he could just hold on a little longer... he could kill Valanar! Saurfang finally grasped the hilt of the sword, pulling it out with force, blood splattering onto his face.

Valanar fell to the ground...

"What... what happened?" The magic controlling Lylessa vanished. "Saurfang, you're alive!"

"Are you... hurt?" Saurfang hugged the girl who rushed towards him.

"No, I'm fine." Lylessa's eyes glistened with tears. "But Saurfang, look at you. I thought you were dead. Look at you, what happened to your skin? And your eyes! Oh, no!" She realized her brother was really dead.

"I'm sorry, Lylessa. But I can't see you right now. I still have some scores to settle with the Scourge."

"No, Saurfang, don't leave me again. Even though you've become..." Lylessa choked back a sob in the cold wind, "...something else, but you're still my brother."

"I'm sorry, sister. It was fate."

While the brother and sister were still confiding in each other, Nathanos was busy with his own affairs. Lylessa had regained her senses, as had Alos, although the Alliance commander had been knocked unconscious by him earlier.

Nathanos had a new plan in mind, but at the moment his attention was focused on Saurfang.

"Did he really gain... recognition?"