Icecrown Citadel (VIII)
Arthas wasn't a powerful mage, but his casting speed was far faster than anyone Nathanos had ever encountered. Just how powerful was Frostmourne?
Nathanos jumped backward to create distance, successfully dodging the first wave of ice blades. He must find a place to hide before the second wave arrives.
Fate seemed to be playing a cruel joke on him at that moment—there was absolutely nothing around to cover him.
Is that why I was brought here?
In this terrain, he had nowhere to hide. The only way was to return to the frozen tunnel he had come through. However, Arthas's control over the ice and snow had clearly told Nathanos that if he retreated, the Lich King would use the entire tunnel against him.
That would be tantamount to suicide.
He barely managed to raise Sulfuras, deploying a magical barrier to defend against the second wave of ice blades. This could only mitigate some of the damage, as the Lich King's power far surpassed his own.
As soon as the ice blade attack ended, Arthas extended his left hand, and a black sphere swirling with red energy appeared in his outstretched palm. It then shot towards Nathanos like an arrow. The attack was incredibly fast. Nathanos couldn't react in time, staggering backward, clutching his chest as he felt some energy dissipate from his body.
"You seem completely helpless, Nathanos, just like when you faced my endless army alone in Quel'Thalas, desperate and helpless."
"At least back then I... still had a reason to fight." Nathanos sneered. For some reason, his sneer made Arthas feel extremely uncomfortable. "At least, I fought and died bravely on the battlefield for my mother, to protect my loved ones. And you? Arthas Menethil, you seem to have a knack for killing the elderly. That unsuspecting old man on the throne simply stretched out his arms, wanting to embrace his son!"
Arthas charged forward, closing the distance to Nathanos in a few steps. Frostmourne slashed down fiercely. In the blink of an eye, Nathanos had already dodged to the side. He believed he was no less capable than Arthas in terms of reaction and anticipation of attacks, so when the Lich King's Frostmourne swept horizontally afterward, he leaned back, performed a somersault, and successfully blocked Arthas's attack.
He had heard everything that happened at the Lich Gate. A single strike from the Rune Sword had cost Saurfang's son his life, simply because Orcs had clashed head-on with the Lich King. Nathanos wasn't sure if Sulfuras could withstand even one attack from Frostmourne. Perhaps, but how many?
Nathanos began to circle around to Arthas's side and rear, searching for any possible weaknesses of the Lich King.
"You want to deny what I said? But it's the truth!" The Witherer tried to provoke Arthas, and he had unintentionally succeeded just now. If the Lich King were controlled by anger, he might reveal a weakness in the future.
Arthas laughed, leading Nathanos to believe he hadn't fallen for the trap. The attack struck suddenly the moment Nathanos thought this. Nathanos, who had been taunting from a distance, was now forced to fight for his life in the next instant. Frostmourne struck Sulfuras. Both were astonished; this strangely shaped weapon had actually blocked the Rune Sword's strike without sustaining any damage. What made it so resilient?
Nathanos feigned a retreat to create space, then swung his weapon and unleashed a powerful slash. Arthas was taken aback and was forced to step back.
After the two separated, the Witherer stared at Sulfuras with great surprise, wondering if it was the sword's power that amplified it, or if his own strength had given it a significant boost. If so, he couldn't fear the Lich King; doubting his own power would lead to his defeat. Nathanos opened and closed his eyes, instantly casting aside his fear of the Lich King. He also realized that his previous fear wasn't of Arthas, but only of Frostmourne. Now that the Rune Sword could no longer inflict a fatal blow, it meant there was still room for maneuver in this battle. His confidence surged, and he gripped his sword tightly.
Arthas glanced hesitantly at Frostmourne. The situation just now shouldn't have happened; was it an accident? He continued his charge, using a ferocious and powerful attack to suppress Nathanos's moves. Each block surprised him immensely. He wasn't surprised that Nathanos was a master swordsman, but what about that sword? Frostmourne couldn't destroy it.
Anger burned in Arthas's eyes. He had no doubt about his own power, but Nathanos was more skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and if he couldn't destroy his sword...
The attack was launched again, Nathanos kept a close eye on Frostmourne's movements. When Arthas was three steps away from him, he suddenly changed the direction of the Rune Sword's attack, and it fell irresistibly towards Nathanos's bare throat.
The Witherer's eyes widened, and he strained to control his body to react. He was forced to take a sharp step back. Suddenly, he slipped. Arthas roared and lunged forward, intending to kill Nathanos in one fell swoop.
"Don't even think about it!" Nathanos extended his legs and kicked Arthas with all his might. The Lich King snorted and retreated.
"Do you remember the moves Muradin taught you? You never paid attention in class. Oh, right! He was one of the elders you harmed too!"
The frustration of defeat was a hundred times more painful than being kicked by Nathanos, but what tormented Arthas most was that he still remembered Muradin's training from long ago, and the battlefield tricks the Dwarf liked to use immediately filled his mind. And just now, he had been used as a test subject by Nathanos.
Arthas roared. His rage suddenly blurred his vision. With all his might, he swung his sword at Nathanos. Frostmourne pierced the ground.
Nathanos has disappeared!
"Who is it!" Arthas roared. He then heard the sound of propellers and saw what had taken Nathanos away— the Skybreaker, the Alliance's scourge sent to Icecrown Glacier.
"Fire! Fire!" A roar erupted on the airship's deck as several cannons simultaneously aimed at it. Shells rained down on the platform, and thick smoke obscured everyone's vision.
Nathanos felt a wave of dizziness, a sign that someone is not ready to be teleported.
Are you alright?
The Witherer was surprised to hear this deep voice. He opened his eyes and saw Saurfang, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, standing in front of him. He had also arrived in a completely unfamiliar place.