Chapter Summaries

Nathanos led the Scourge against Kael'thas's Blood Elves near the ruins of Dalaran, where serpent-like creatures were conducting a powerful ritual. After the Scourge's feint exposed the elves' defenses, Kael'thas confronted Nathanos over Quel'delar and vowed revenge.

• Nathanos learned that serpent-like creatures were performing a ritual in Dalaran and that Blood Elves and Night Elves were also investigating it.
• Nathanos ordered the Scourge to attack the Blood Elf camp, and the elves' volleys wiped out the Undead vanguard.
• Nathanos sent armored abominations forward while gargoyles and Frost Wyrms attacked from the sky, drawing the Blood Elves into battle.
• Kael'thas challenged the Scourge commander, recognized Quel'delar as a relic of Saltherian Sunseeker, and vowed to avenge his fallen people.
• Nathanos questioned whether Kael'thas had the strength to take revenge.

Nathanos fought Kael'thas, who wielded the reforged Felo'melorn, during the battle outside Dalaran. Kael'thas escaped by magic, and Nathanos decided it was time to consider retreating.

• Nathanos taunted Kael'thas about Quel'Thalas's destruction, provoking the prince into attacking with Felo'melorn.
• Kael'thas revealed that he had reforged the ancient sword with the fires of vengeance and fought Nathanos with a blend of swordsmanship and Blink magic.
• Nathanos gained the advantage in close combat and nearly drove Quel'delar to Kael'thas's throat before Kael'thas vanished.
• Nathanos wondered whether Fel Addiction kept Kael'thas from using magic freely, then left the deadlocked battlefield.
• Nathanos surveyed the devastation outside Dalaran, saw no sign of the Blood Elves' master, and considered retreating.

After Maiev accused Illidan of killing Tyrande, Kael'thas revealed that she might still be alive, prompting Malfurion to free Illidan so they could search for her together. Meanwhile, a young Ranger told Kael'thas she knew the Undead commander, and Nathanos was summoned to deal with a powerful Night Elf found by the Arivas River.

• Malfurion sentenced Illidan to death, but Kael'thas said Tyrande might have survived after falling into the river.
• Malfurion bound Maiev with Entangling Roots and agreed to let Illidan and his Naga help search for Tyrande.
• A young Elf Ranger told Kael'thas that she knew the Undead commander he had fought.
• Nathanos learned that his troops had surrounded a powerful Night Elf near the Arivas River but could not kill her.

Malfurion and Illidan found Tyrande trapped in an Undead base beneath a moonlit sky filled with the Scourge, and Illidan set out with his naga to rescue her. At the base, Nathanos warned the demon Nakroth that Night Elves and naga were approaching, but Nakroth dismissed the threat.

• A naga guard told Malfurion and Illidan that Tyrande was fighting alone inside an Undead base and might not hold out much longer.
• Malfurion recognized Tyrande's moonlight as the source of the sudden daytime darkness and worried that the Undead air force would overwhelm her.
• Illidan volunteered to travel by water with his naga, and Malfurion agreed to trust him to bring Tyrande back.
• Nathanos arrived at the base and found demons still serving alongside the Scourge, whose leaders had concealed Archimonde's defeat from them.
• Nathanos warned Nakroth that Night Elves and naga were heading toward the base, but Nakroth laughed and ordered him to leave.

Nathanos found Illidan and persuaded him to cooperate in rescuing Tyrande and killing the Demon Lord Nakroth. Illidan also revealed that his magic had dealt the Lich King a devastating blow, leaving Nathanos eager for the Lich King’s power to wane.

• Nathanos learned that a river route led behind Nakroth’s base but was blocked by Trolls guarding a dam.
• Nathanos approached Illidan’s camp and offered to help rescue Tyrande, pointing out Nakroth’s aerial forces and Illidan’s lack of an advantage on land.
• Nathanos demonstrated the danger of his arrows and outlined a plan for his forces to eliminate the Trolls and destroy the dam while Illidan rescued Tyrande and killed Nakroth.
• Illidan accepted the plan and asked whether Nathanos had been involved in the attack in Dalaran.
• Illidan said he had failed to kill the Lich King but believed his magic had dealt him a devastating blow, and Nathanos left hoping the Lich King’s power would soon fade.

Nathanos watched Arthas return to Lordaeron and drive away the three Demon Lords, then saw the king suffer mysterious pain that weakened his power. Arthas sent Nathanos to kill the fleeing demons, leaving him alone and sensing that the Lich King's voice had gone silent.

• Nathanos reflected on retaining his will despite the Lich King's attempts to break him while he listened to the Demon Lords complain about their orders.
• Arthas arrived in the royal gardens and declared that the Burning Legion was defeated and the Scourge no longer served it.
• The three Demon Lords fled when Arthas raised Frostmourne against them.
• Arthas reunited with Kel'Thuzad and Nathanos, then suffered repeated pain and discovered that his power had weakened.
• Arthas ordered Nathanos to find and kill the three Demon Lords before setting out on a long journey to recover.
• Nathanos watched Arthas leave and noticed that he no longer heard the Lich King's voice.

Nathanos discovered the Demon Lords planned to overthrow Arthas and used the ensuing chaos to bargain with Kel'Thuzad for Medivh's Book. He left Kel'Thuzad with his undead forces to help rescue Arthas, while taking the book for himself.

• Nathanos overheard Balnazzar, Varimathras, and Deseroth agree that Arthas must die while the Lich King's power was weakened.
• Nathanos gathered undead followers in Lordaeron and waited for Kel'Thuzad and Lord Alexandros Mograine amid the coup.
• Nathanos revealed that the undead now obeyed him and demanded Medivh's Book in exchange for lending his soldiers to Kel'Thuzad.
• Kel'Thuzad gave Nathanos Medivh's Book, and Nathanos vanished into the darkness as Kel'Thuzad set out to rescue Arthas.

Nathanos struggled with his freedom and planned to seek Alleria, while Medivh warned him against placing too much hope in their bond. Meanwhile, Arthas prepared to sail for Northrend and entrusted Lordaeron to Kel'Thuzad.

• Nathanos reached Marius Farm, lamented that he remained trapped in an Undead body, and rejected the book Medivh had lent him.
• Medivh kept the book and the water from the Well of Eternity hidden, and warned Nathanos that the Blood Elves might not accept magical energy from an Undead.
• Nathanos insisted that Alleria would welcome him and declared that their hearts were connected, despite Medivh's warning that great hope could bring great disappointment.
• Arthas told Kel'Thuzad that his weakening power threatened his control over the Undead and that the Lich King had ordered him back to Northrend.
• Arthas boarded a ship and entrusted Lordaeron to Kel'Thuzad, acknowledging that he and Nathanos would be enemies from then on.

Alleria, nearly five months pregnant and grieving Nathanos’s disappearance, relied on Sylvanas to care for her while believing he could still return. Sylvanas concealed that Nathanos had been turned into an undead, and Alleria ended the chapter hoping to be a good wife and mother.

• Alleria woke in the dark cabin and remembered her life with Nathanos and the devastation wrought by the Scourge.
• Sylvanas woke when Alleria got out of bed and insisted on helping her rest safely during her pregnancy.
• Sylvanas privately recalled that Nathanos was undead and resolved to keep the truth from Alleria.
• Alleria asked Sylvanas what made a good mother and said she wanted to be a good wife.
• Sylvanas reassured Alleria that she would have the chance.

Nathanos returned to the ruined place where his mother had died, sought forgiveness, and drove off two Undead Hounds before setting out for Windrunner Tower. There, Lor'themar and Halduron’s scouting party came under attack by an unseen archer.

• Nathanos knelt among the remnants of the battle and asked his mother, Daphne, for forgiveness.
• Two Undead Hounds harassed Nathanos, but he threatened them with his bow and resumed his prayer.
• Lor'themar and Halduron led Rangers toward Windrunner Tower and argued over Vareesa’s appointment as Ranger-General.
• The Rangers reached the ruined tower and saw banshees hovering above it.
• An arrow nearly struck Halduron, and Lor'themar pulled him away before a second arrow pierced the tree.

Nathanos confronted Lor'themar and Halduron from Windrunner Tower, while the Rangers tried to locate and ambush him. Lor'themar believed he had taken Nathanos out and withdrew with the others, leaving Nathanos alive with two Undead Hounds following him.

• Nathanos detected the Rangers by their breathing and shifted to a new firing position inside Windrunner Tower.
• Lor'themar realized the enemy had heard Halduron breathing and ordered the Rangers to spread out and quiet themselves.
• As dusk fell, Lor'themar and Halduron planned to draw Nathanos's fire so they could pinpoint his position.
• Nathanos shot at a moving target, caught an arrow aimed at him, and fell noisily to fool the Rangers into thinking he had been hit.
• Lor'themar refused to enter the tower and led the Rangers back to report to General Vareesa.
• Nathanos waited until the Rangers had left, then stood up and questioned the two Undead Hounds following him.

Vareesa Windrunner organized the survivors in Silvermoon City as they struggled with injuries, Undead attacks, and the loss of the priests’ Holy Light. Lor'themar returned safely with Halduron, then learned that Liadrin had been found alive but was unresponsive and afraid of sunlight.

• Vareesa waited anxiously for Lor'themar and Halduron while Archmage Astaroth Blood Oath reported no solution to the priests’ fading power.
• Rommath returned to Silvermoon City after fighting through Undead and told the survivors that Kael'thas was seeking a new source of magic.
• Lor'themar and Halduron returned late, reporting that they had been attacked at Windrunner Tower.
• Vareesa sent Halduron and the Rangers to rest, then led Lor'themar to Liadrin in a basement refuge.
• Lor'themar found Liadrin trembling and unresponsive, and vowed to take care of her.

Nathanos encountered Zul'jin and learned that the Troll Warlord had survived a poisoned arrow by making a bargain with the death Loa Bwonsamdi. The two prepared to fight, while Nathanos realized that other beings wielded the power of death.

• Nathanos searched the abandoned command post in Silvermoon City and resolved not to enter the city or risk exposing himself to the Blood Elves.
• Nathanos went outside with his two Undead Hounds and recognized the Amani Trolls led by Zul'jin.
• Nathanos asked how Zul'jin had survived the arrow that had pierced his heart and carried poison.
• Zul'jin revealed that he had bargained with Bwonsamdi, giving up his eye, arm, and other parts of himself in exchange for life and the chance to seek revenge.
• Nathanos mocked Zul'jin's devotion to Bwonsamdi, drew Quel'delar, and prepared to fight as Zul'jin vowed to offer him to the death Loa.

Zul'jin recalled bargaining with Bwonsamdi to escape death as he fought Nathanos, who used taunts and a feigned retreat to create an opening. The chapter ended with Nathanos's two dogs closing in on Zul'jin.

• Zul'jin remembered how Bwonsamdi had offered him a chance to live in exchange for serving the god of death and bearing his mark.
• Nathanos killed Zul'jin's subordinates while Zul'jin was lost in his memories.
• Zul'jin charged Nathanos, who blocked his attacks and provoked him by insulting his people and appearance.
• Nathanos questioned Zul'jin's strength and threw him off balance, but Zul'jin landed without falling.
• Nathanos revealed that his two dogs had positioned themselves behind Zul'jin and taunted him that no one could escape death.

Nathanos and Zul'jin fought inside Bwonsamdi's barrier while the death god watched and refused to intervene. Nathanos stabbed Zul'jin with his own venom-coated dagger, and Bwonsamdi declared the Troll defeated.

• Nathanos's Undead Hounds tried to attack Zul'jin, but a shadow barrier blocked them from the duel.
• Zul'jin summoned Bwonsamdi, who trapped him and Nathanos in the barrier and declared that only the victor could leave.
• Zul'jin knocked Nathanos down and nearly stabbed him, but Nathanos kicked him away and regained the advantage.
• Nathanos threw Zul'jin to the ground, caught the falling dagger, and plunged it into Zul'jin's heart.
• Zul'jin silently begged Bwonsamdi for help, but Bwonsamdi pointed out that the dagger's Spider Queen venom was killing him.

After defeating Zul'jin, Nathanos confronted Bwonsamdi, who mocked his desire for redemption before vanishing. Sylvanas then found Nathanos and deceived him about Alleria, but he suspected the truth and sent his Undead Hounds to follow her.

• Bwonsamdi took Zul'jin's soul and spared Nathanos after he defeated the Troll, then taunted him about seeking redemption and vanished.
• Nathanos heard Sylvanas call his name and struggled with shame and fear when she saw what he had become.
• Sylvanas told Nathanos that Alleria had visited Kalimdor and said she could not meet him yet because Quel'Thalas was in danger.
• Nathanos agreed to wait for Alleria at Marius Farm, while Sylvanas left to help her sister.
• Nathanos noticed Sylvanas was carrying Alleria's weapon and ordered his Undead Hounds to follow her without being seen.

Alleria rejected Sylvanas’s plea to accept the Undead Veronalara, insisting that Vareesa must prioritize the safety of the Sin'dorei. She told Sylvanas to order Veronalara to leave and never return.

• Alleria asked Sylvanas about Vareesa and the situation in Silvermoon City after Sylvanas returned late.
• Sylvanas told Alleria that Veronalara, a fallen Ranger, had returned as an Undead who claimed to have regained her consciousness.
• Alleria refused to trust Veronalara and argued that the Sin'dorei could not be expected to live beside the Undead.
• Alleria told Sylvanas to tell Vareesa to make the safest choice and to order Veronalara to leave forever.
• Nathanos remained calm as Alleria went into the cabin.

Grand Marshal Garithos ordered Gray Maines to seek military aid from Stormwind, while Gray privately considered finding someone who could deal with Nathanos. At Hearthglen, Larein and Kasha worried about the Crimson Crusade’s direction after Uther and High General Alfred Abidis died.

• Garithos berated Gray for recruiting only a thousand soldiers and sent him to request aid from King Varian Wrynn in Stormwind.
• Gray tried to tell Garithos what he had learned about Kael'thas and Nathanos, but Garithos mistook it for a salacious story and threw him out.
• Gray recalled that Nathanos had injured Kael'thas and decided he might find someone else to deal with Nathanos.
• Larein returned to Hearthglen and reassured Kasha that he would not leave her.
• Larein and Kasha discussed how Uther's death had shaken their faith and how Brigitte Abidis claimed the Holy Light favored humans.
• Larein warned Kasha not to question the Crimson Crusade's commanders openly.

Larein and Kasha decided to flee the Crimson Crusade for Stormwind City, while Stephan learned why Stormwind maintained an assassin organization. Nathanos visited Uther’s grave and, unsure whether he was worthy to identify himself, signed the memorial Anonymous.

• Larein and Kasha discussed the Crusaders’ persecution of dissenters and decided to escape to Stormwind City.
• Aboard a ship bound for Stormwind, Harf explained to Stephan that SI:7 handled threats that could not be resolved through ordinary means.
• Nathanos traveled to Hills of Regret, avoiding both Scourge and Crimson Crusader patrols, to visit Uther’s grave.
• Finding no plaque at Uther’s grave, Nathanos carved a memorial describing Uther’s legacy.
• Nathanos hesitated to carve his own name and signed the memorial Anonymous.

King Varian Wrynn received Gray Maynes, an envoy from Lordaeron, who requested reinforcements and reported seeing the undead Nathanos Maris in Dalaran. Varian sent SI:7 to investigate the claim, while Bolvar Fortagen approved discreet surveillance of Nathanos’s cousin Stephen Maris.

• Varian consulted Katranara Prysto before meeting Gray Maynes, who delivered news from Lordaeron and requested aid.
• After Gray’s audience, Bolvar Fortagen took Varian’s assignment to SI:7 head Mathias Shaw.
• Bolvar told Shaw that Gray claimed to have seen Nathanos Maris turned undead in Dalaran, and Varian wanted SI:7 to verify the report before deciding what to do.
• Shaw agreed to send an agent north to investigate Nathanos.
• Bolvar permitted Shaw to discreetly watch Stephen Maris, Nathanos’s cousin, as long as Stephen remained unharmed and unaware.