At Last, Kel'Thuzad
After almost a day of getting ready, Isabow believed it was now time. The raid was now fully equipped and fully armed. Two different trips to Dalaran gave them all the items they needed for the last, and possibly, the hardest of their trip into Naxxramas.
Isabow was now geared entirely with the Valorous Scourgeborne Battlegear. Kysstal was completely geared in Valorous Frostfire garb. Vanthu completed his set of Valorous Cryptstalker battlegear. Vexiba had the Valorous Regalia of Faith. Asmain had the full Hero's Bonescythe Battlegear. Punnah acquired the full set of Hero's Plagueheart Garb. Pymetera had completed her set of Hero's Eathshatter Battlegear. Dryanna acquired the complete set of Valorous Dreamwalker Battlegear. Zaraak completed the set of Hero's Redemption Regalia, while Troystar completed the Hero's Redemption Plate.
As far as weapons, everyone had a special one at least. Isabow continued using her newly acquired Two handed Battlesword Armageddon. Kysstal had the Sulfur Staff from Loatheb. Vanthu had created a Nessingwary 4000 gun. Vexiba had the Sword Life and Death. Asmain had acquired two daggers called Fury and Malice. Punnah had acquired a Staff known as Balor's Bane. Pymetera had an axe, called Elemental Doom, and a Mace known only as Fairlon. Dryanna had a two handed mace known as Backlash, which she used only to enhance her protection skills. Zaraak wielded a Staff called Mystic Spellbinder. Troystar had procured a sword, Broken Promise, which he acquired from the Four Horsemen.
We are all well armed, buffed, and armored, Isabow thought. For what good will it do us here?
Once they were in the corridor leading to all the cleared wings, Asmain asked. "so how do we get to the last area?"
Kysstal pointed at a ramp heading up, that ended at the center of the opening. Everyone went up the ramp, where there was a large orb glowing at the base. One by one, each person touched the orb and were instantly teleported to the heart of Naxxramas. The group gathered together near the beginning of a long corridor which led to another room. The room was unnaturally cold, colder even than Dragonblight.
"That chamber is the lair of Kel'thuzad's guardian." Kysstal said. "We managed to trick it to get the key to the Focusing Iris. But I haven't seen Sapphiron yet."
Sapphiron, Isabow thought. She remembered Commander Dawnbringer's lecture on the "guard dog" of Kel'Thuzad. Once a noble blue dragon within the mountains of Northrend, Sapphiron was slain by Arthas during his campaign through the frozen north. Resurrected to serve him, Sapphiron guards Kel'Thuzad's lair eternally, awaiting those who would dare trespass upon his master.
There were many legends on the great Blue dragon Sapphiron. An ancient servant of Malygos, Hand of Magic, Sapphiron was a blue dragon who lived with a powerful brood in Northrend by the Dragonblight, where he communed with the ancient spirits of the dead dragons. Sapphiron was magnificently powerful, and protected the lands of Northrend as best he could. Though Ner'Zhul's malevolent influence defiled the Dragonblight, Sapphiron and his brood continued to guard his hoard of treasure from any and all intruders.
Sapphiron and his brood lived in relative peace until Prince Arthas, champion of the Lich King, was suddenly called back to Northrend to save his weakening master, Ner'zhul. After three weeks at sea, the Death Knight landed on the shores of Northrend near Sapphiron's frozen lair, and was greeted almost immediately by the Crypt Lord Anub'Barak, King of Azjol-Nerub, another powerful servant of Ner'zhul. Anub'arak had sensed Sapphiron nearby and suggested to the young Death Knight that perhaps by equipping themselves with the ancient blue wyrm's treasures, he and Arthas might be better prepared for the perilous journey through the underground kingdom of Azjol-Nerub to Icecrown Glacier. Arthas agreed, and boldly journeyed into Sapphiron's lair with Anub'arak.
The two servants of the Lich King fought their way through Sapphiron's minions till they finally reached the great blue dragon himself. Sapphiron confronted the undead as they approached him. He found Arthas's honesty about killing him and stealing his treasure quite "refreshing". Sapphiron and his fellow dragons attacked with all their might, unleashing their strange, cold frost magic upon them. In the end, despite all odds, Arthas was victorious, and Sapphiron was defeated. As a final, clinching victory, however, Arthas used what remained of his dwindling necromantic power to recreate Sapphiron as a Frost Wyrm to serve the Scourge.
No one knew more about frost wyrms than Isabow, and she explained how to deal with them. At one time, she used to ride them, back when she served the Lich King. Troystar listened intently, for it was his responsibility to keep Sapphiron's focus. Everyone knew where to safely attack dragons, and frost wyrms are similar in their attacks. Only one person….the main tank, should be in front of a dragon. Everything else should not be anywhere near the front, for dragons have in addition to a damaging breath, but a lethal cleave which only one who is well armored can withstand. The room's biting cold would affect everyone, so the raid buffed on cold resistance as well.
Once everyone was ready, Isabow nodded to Troystar, who walked to the entrance to the coldest room the raid had ever entered. The room was white and blue, and very cold. It was large, and in the middle of the cold chamber was a huge skeleton of a dragon. Troystar halted everyone behind him. Isabow looked at him inquiry. Then she heard a sound, and then saw it. The bones were floating in mid-air, soon swirling around until they perfectly formed the great frost wyrm. As soon as he was formed, Troystar took over. He engaged the great frost wyrm and turned him towards the corridor at the other side of the room. Once Troystar got him in position, the melee (Pymetera, Isabow, Asmain, and Dryanna in cat form) struck at the left rear leg area of Sapphiron. This was two fold reasoning; it kept them out of his cleave range, and away from his tail swipes. Meanwhile Vanthu, Punnah, and Kysstal rained their most powerful spells and afflictions on Sapphiron. The biting cold was hitting the raid, and a small but intense blizzard began circling the group. Seeing where the Chill blizzard was, Vanthu began kiting the assault away, making sure that everyone was alerted of it. Sapphiron suddenly cast Life Drain, hitting Vexiba and Punnah. However, both deceased themselves before Sapphiron could benefit from it. A cleave once staggered Troystar, but both Zaraak and Vexiba kept him healed. Isabow summoned her Gargoyle to help with damage.
Sapphiron suddenly roared and leaped into the air.
"Spread out!" Isabow said. No one needed to be told twice… While Sapphiron was in the air, the raid was at least ten yards away from each other. Sapphiron cast ice bolts, when one hit Kysstal and one hit Asmain. Both were suddenly frozen in blocks of ice. Then Sapphiron took a deep breath.
"Don't free them yet!" Isabow warned. "get behind them, out of Sapphiron's line of sight!" The group piled up behind the frozen members, just in time as a blast of frost breath hit. Being behind the frozen members protected them, as the Great frost wyrm landed again. Troystar went back to reengaging Sapphiron as the others freed Asmain and Kysstal. Soon the group went back to assaulting Sapphiron. The strategy that Isabow implemented was working, Sapphiron was being damaged, as bone fragments were littering the area. Vanthu continued to kite the chill effect, preventing anyone from being hit by it (Though Broshki was hit by it once, taking enough damage to dispel him). Punnah summoned her fel hound, named Baalze, who teamed with Mufar in striking Sapphiron.
Sapphiron took to the air again, this time hitting Troystar and Vanthu with the ice bolts. This complicated matters due to Troystar not being able to agro Sapphiron. Isabow thought about this as she went behind his frozen body. She didn't realize until she saw, that Asmain almost didn't make it behind Vanthu. Frowning, Isabow immediately went to work on freeing Troystar, realizing in horror that she was the only one close enough to free Troystar, and the chill was rapidly coming towards her. She had to abandon Troystar to avoid the chill, and she saw Dryanna in her bear form roar and lead the grounded Sapphiron back into the original area. Once the chill passed Troystar, Isabow attacked the ice block with renewed fury, aided now b Pymetera and Vanthu. Soon Troystar was freed, and Vexiba cast sacred shield and penance on him as he headed back to his duty in protecting the raid.
Just in time, as Sapphiron's cleave did heavy damage on Dryanna. Troystar used Hand of Reckoning, consecration, and exorcism on Sapphiron, which not only caused him to focus on Troystar, but did considerable damage on him. So much, in fact, that Sapphiron could not leap into the air again. This was it, Isabow thought as she brought Armageddon into the flank of Sapphiron, causing the beast to roar. Troystar then swung his sword, cleaving off the head. Two more blasts of a chaos bolt and arcane blast, and Sapphiron, the guard dog of Kel' Thuzad, was defeated.
The group looked around warily. It was not too much as of caution, but a dark foreboding surrounded them right after Sapphiron had fallen. Once they felt the foreboding gone, they began the unpleasant task of preparing for the final battle. Sapphiron was defeated, but Kel'Thuzad awaited.
As they exited the chamber of Sapphiron, the party felt a growing sense of evil and a heavy air of malice. Isabow knew that Kel'Thuzad, the master of Naxxramas, was at the end of this foreboding corridor.
Isabow recited the last lecture of Commander Elgin Dawnbringer on Naxxramas:
The lich, Kel'Thuzad. He serves the Lich King without question, a necromancer of great prowess in life, turned into a master of necromancy after his death. It is said he is the most loyal of the Lich King's subjects. Kel'Thuzad has survived trials that would have long since shattered the souls of even the greatest of the Brotherhood. He readily gave his life at Arthas' hand, later to be brought back - reborn in the power of the Sunwell. In the Plaguelands, Kel'Thuzad was again defeated by the agents of the Argent Dawn. However, his phylactery was delivered to a false agent of the Brotherhood. We have yet to discover who stole his phylactery or why."
The group continued, feeling of foreboding stronger, and the group soon set up all their buffs and enhancements, for they knew, the final battle was coming. As they were at the edge of the corridor, before they could see the room, they heard the voices. Two distinct voices were heard, and one of them sent a shiver in Isabow.
Kel'Thuzad yells: Your forces are nearly marshaled to strike back against your enemies, my liege.
The Lich King yells: Soon we will eradicate the Alliance and Horde, then the rest of Azeroth will fall before the might of my army.
Kel'Thuzad yells: Yes, Master. The time of their ultimate demise grows close...What is this?
The Lich King yells: Invaders...here?! DESTROY them, Kel'Thuzad! Naxxramas must not fall!
Kel'Thuzad yells: As you command, Master!
The Lich King, the true master of the Scourge, was ordering Kel' Thuzad to strike at the group. The group was prepared, and was about to face Kel Thuzad. Boldly, the raid walked into the chamber, and beheld an awesome sight.
The chamber of Kel'Thuzad was richly appointed, as the former high ranking Dalaran wizard loved his comforts. Surrounding the huge room were six alcoves, which were more like slightly carved out rooms. Everywhere in these alcoves were a variety of scourge; abominations, banshees, and skeletal warriors. In the exact center of the room was a large circular area slightly lower than the floor. Standing behind that depression was the focus of Naxxramas. For the first time, the raid beheld the real Kel'Thuzad, not the hologram Dawnbringer had. Once again, Isabow thought bitterly, the hologram could not show the impressiveness of the actual leader.
Kel'Thuzad stood majestically, despite the fact that he looked the same as other lichs that the group had ran into. Kel'Thuzad looked special for two reasons; he was sixteen feet tall, and much of his bones and skull were glowing an icy blue. The lich that held the reigns of the dreaded Cult of the Damned looked idle, though everyone knew, he knew they were there.
"Everyone in that circle in front of him!" Isabow yelled. The entire group ran to the circular depression.
As soon as everyone got there, Kel'Thuzad yelled " Minions, servants, soldiers of the cold dark, obey the call of Kel'Thuzad!"
An Abomination suddenly trundled forward, entering the circle, it soon fell to the combined melee of all there. A skeletal nightmare approached, and was a one shot kill for Vanthu. Another abomination headed in, and another. Soon the group was seeing several abominations and skeletal heading in. The melee split themselves evenly and took out the abominations while the ranged struck down the skeletal. Suddenly a banshee began heading in, and was the target of all ranged. It fell before it got to the circle, but several skeletal and abominations arrived, soon causing the group to concentrate more on all that entered the circle. About three minutes later, only one banshee was left, and the ranged were attacking it when Kel'Thuzad moved surprisingly fast into the circle, saying "Scream your dying breath!"
Here Troystar was just able to strike at him and lead him into the center of the circle. Isabow went to the West side of Kel'Thuzad, and Pymetera went to the East side. To the North side was Asmain, and since he was behind Kel Thuzad, his blows were the lethal backstabs and ambushes. When the fighting got established, the ranged spread out all around and then assaulted Kel Thuzad with their spells and weapons. Dryanna was the only one not attack, as she using her ranged spells to finish off the last Banshee and then strike with her spells. Dryanna chose her less than sturdy Elemental druid spells because here, she was needed more for ranged, as the highest melee damagers were more of use here.
Kel'Thuzad, however, was very powerful still. Though Kysstal was able to counter some frost bolts, and all were interrupting his frost bolt strike, they could not stop his frostbolt volley, which did considerable raid damage. Zaraak was using his Area heals to some effect, but once he almost missed seeing the void circle forming below him… he jumped away just in time. A frost blast hit Kysstal, freezing her. Zaraak got beacon of light on her, and Vexiba hit her with prayer of mending, and she just survived the attack. Though weak, Kysstal was able to cast counter and block another frost bolt, and started to use evocation, which healed her in addition to restoring her mana.
Kel'Thuzad, however, perceived her correctly as the hero with the most mana.
Yelling out his taunt, "Your petty magics are no challenge to the might of the Scourge!"
He cast mana detonation on her. Realizing this, Kysstal blinked as far away from everyone as she could before the mana inside her exploded. When the mana exploded, Kysstal was depleted of mana, and seriously hurt. Zaraak's Beacon of light saved her when another frost volley struck. Kysstal had no choice, she popped a potion and drank it down. It didn't do much, but it helped heal her and restored some of her mana. Using one of her mana gems, Kysstal was able to gain a little more mana, then had to run back because Kel'Thuzad had placed a void zone underneath her.
Isabow was busy using mind freeze to prevent the dreaded frost bolt from hitting Troystar, and she also continued to rain damage onto Kel Thuzad. Armageddon was an effective weapon, but she realized it wasn't enough….Isabow paused to set up her Ghoul army. The army struck, but suddenly Isabow did not foresee the folly of summoning them until it was too late.
The Ghoul army did much damage to Kel' Thuzad, but one was too close to Troystar, and when Kel'Thuzad cast frost blast, the spell chained on all the ghouls and also hit Troystar and Pymetera. This was very bad, because Troystar could not keep focus on Kel' Thuzad. Vexiba and Zaraak poured all their healing onto Pymetera and Troystar, and Isabow had no choice, she had to distract Kel'Thuzad before he focused on someone lighter armed.
An organized strategy turned into a desperate one. With no one to block him, Kel'Thuzad was able to hit Isabow with a frost bolt that staggered her and greatly hurt her. Asmain had no choice, he had to distract Kel'Thuzad before he killed Isabow. But before he could act, Dryanna roared. Seeing what had happened, Dryanna dragged Kel Thuzad to her, And she and Asmain continued the assault while the healers used as much healing as they could to keep Troystar and Pymetera up.
Though he was badly hurt, Troystar once again took over. Dryanna cast rejuvenate on him, while Pymetera casts healing stream totems. Once again the group was able to block the frost bolts, and The healers were able to conserve some of their mana. Vexiba was able to keep sacred shield on Troystar, and though it was a powerful heal, it helped while she worked on restoring her mana.
Kel' Thuzad suddenly yelled "Master! I require aid!"
The dreaded Lich King replied…." Very well... warriors of the frozen wastes, rise up! I command you to fight, kill, and die for your master. Let none survive.."
Suddenly, two Nerubian beetles came in, heading directly for Kysstal…only to be distracted by a sudden roar from the bear-Dryanna. Dryanna caused the two beetles to focus on her, and she drew them far away from everyone.
Seeing this, Pymetera suddenly cast heroism. The entire party felt the growing power of the spell, and everyone except Dryanna struck at Kel'Thuzad with the best of their abilities.
For Kel' Thuzad, this was not foreseen; The group was striking him with all the fury and might of the Alliance based guild. He was staggered by bolts of Arcane magic. Arrows of utmost prowess was striking him in the vital areas. A very crippling poison was affecting him from the backstabs of the rogue. The totems thrown down were slowing his spell casting, and weakening his spells. The persistent Paladin in front of him was smashing his sword upon his body, draining him of health. The cursed Death Knight was using an aura that was constantly irritating him, and the diseases and damages were also hurting. The Fel hound was distracting his spell casting. The wolf was tearing into his rattling bones, more brittle than ever. The little gnome warlock was hitting him with incineration with lethal accuracy, and her chaos bolt was very damaging. Worse of all, the guards sent to aid him were dragged away by a bear. Kel'Thuzad tried to desperately counter, but each move he did, the group countered and hurt him. The void zones, usually lethal, were easily being dodged. His frost volley was the only thing working, but he was not able to cast enough of them to defeat this group.
A bone shattering blow was struck upon him by the paladin. This blow was so bad that Kel'Thuzad felt many of his bones shatter. His right arm was shattered off his body. So distracted by this that Kel' Thuzad did not realize that he had dropped to level of the group, and only heard a whistling through the air. He turned to the noise, just in time to see a mace wielded by a Draenai female in front of his face. The blow shattered his skull head; the light that burned in his eyes, the light that provided him with awareness and life in his undead body, was dimming. Before the light in his eyes diminished entirely, he said one last voice of defiance… " Arrrrgh! . Do... not... rejoice! Your victory is a hollow one, for I shall return with powers beyond your imagining!"
Isabow looked down at the bones and body that was once the leader of the Cult of the Damned. The last vestiges of the most powerful ally to the Lich King was defeated. But to Isabow, the victory seemed hollow…Why was it that? And what did he mean that he will return with even more power?
Troystar looked up at Isabow, who looked at him. Troystar looked like hell, he was exhausted, and blood caked his forehead. His sword was limply in his left hand, and his shield weighted down his right hand. Isabow saw the look of concern in his face. But she smiled, a genuine smile, at him. Though it startled him, Troystar was happy to see her do that. Isabow realized that her first step at redemption was complete. Naxxramas was no longer a threat to the world. In addition to defeating Kel'Thuzad, The guild personal had relived a portion of Northrend of the Lich King's control.
Kysstal looked around in concern, then spoke. "We better get out of here. Without Kel' Thuzad's control, this Necropolis will fall."
Isabow nodded. They had one last thing to do before they left Naxxramas. The last thing they did was easily finished, and they all boarded their mounts and left the citadel….the victory over Naxxramas and Kel'Thuzad was complete…
Epilogue one.
Several people had heard about the destruction and the fall of Naxxramas. King Varian Wrynn called for a celebration and commemorated the Magic Dragon for their exploits at destroying the feared scourge necropolis. The actions of this group was a tremendous morale boost for all factions of the alliance, and many people from other alliance guilds came by to personally congratulate them.
Even the Horde honored them, and Thrall, the Warchief of the Horde, personally congratulated the members in Dalaran. It was a shock to some, but Thrall had made it clear that both he and the Alliance share a common enemy, and a blow like this would definitely be beneficial to both factions.
One powerful faction took special notice of the exploits of the Magic Dragon. The leader of this faction met with a mysterious cloaked individual in an area few venture in; an area not far from the Lich King's main base of operation, Icecrown Citadel. This strange meeting would ensure both that no one, Scourge, Alliance or Horde, would hear them.
The mysterious cloaked man was the first to speak…. "You really think this plan of yours will succeed?"
The other man, a well armed older man with long grey hair and beard, wearing gleaming armor, answered patiently. "That I do. We already have scored a telling blow against Arthas. This guild, the Magic Dragon, will be perfect for the test. If they succeed, then they will be the ones I think will spell the final blow against the Scourge, and Arthas. The grounds are almost ready, and the training, though in a place near him, will show Arthas that our goals at ridding Azeroth of him, will be as serious and as sure as he is evil."
The cloaked figure snorted in derision. "These could be considered nothing more than carnival games, or games to celebrate a King's birthday. The Lich King may not take them seriously."
"Rather if he takes them seriously or not. I will continue to work with training everyone here in the Argent Tournament. I will send a call to the Magic Dragon, and let them know that the Argent Crusade is requesting their presence in the Argent tournament grounds. They can be the champions of the Argent Crusade. They can survive the Trial of the Crusader. Even now, Varian is calling them Champions of the Frozen Wastes"
"I too, will call the Magic Dragon, Tirion." Said the cloaked man. "I feel that the Magic Dragon can also be of some use to the Knights of the Ebon Blade. After all, their leader is one of us."
The armored man turned to cloaked man. Tirion Fordring, the leader of the Argent Crusade, looked at his ally in concern. "I hope, Darion, what you plan for them will not cause problems."
"They will not, Tirion. At least, not to us." Darion Morgraine, leader of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, didn't elaborate further.
One last person was also noting the destruction of Naxxramas. The necropolis was always a source of terror and destruction, a mechanism that would bring fear to both the Alliance and the Horde, and aided in keeping both forces in check. Its fall and the subsequent fall of Kel'Thuzad only irritated him. A valuable ally was lost; and now the forces arrayed against him would use that victory to press their attack on him. Even now, The foolish Tirion Fordring was gathering forces for a training tournament to make a push against him. But Tirion would have to wait.
As he observed the actions of the Magic Dragon, this heavily armored man stared hard into the Mirror that set in the middle of his personal chamber. Hovering above the mirror was the massive sword that was his undoing, and rebirth. He stared hard at his runesword. It would be close to the time, where he would face this guild. But he will face it on his own terms, not dictated by the events that are now unfolding around him.
Reaching out and grabbing the hilt of Frostmourne, Arthas, the Lich King smiled evilly and said to no one…. "Let the Magic Dragon come, Frostmourne hungers."
Epilogue 2
"Wake up! Troy! Wake up!"
I jerked awake. I looked around in confusion first, my eyes clouded. For a second, I thought I was still in Dragonblight. Then I realized, I was asleep on my desk. I looked up, finally focusing on the person who just woke me up. Long red hair and green eyes stared at me, in irritation.
"You should have told me you were going to fall asleep here, I wondered where you were."
I looked at Krystal, my mouth gaping.
"You ok?" she said, exasperated. "You look punch drunk."
I shook my head, clearing cobwebs. I finally answered. "I must have fallen asleep while I was brain storming."
My wife snorted. She then looked at the computer. She started scrolling looking in amazement. "This was what you were working on? The fall of Naxxramas?"
My mouth dropped again. Apparently, I spent the last six hours writing this entire short story. I was shocked. I never remember typing one word. Krystal looked at a couple of pages, looking impressed.
"This looks like your best work yet. I will read it tomorrow. Right now." She looked at me sternly. "There is a big, empty, cold spot that my husband should be at. You need to get to bed with me." She kissed me gingerly. I smiled at her.
"Go ahead Hun, I will be there in a minute. I need to save my work and then I will meet you."
She looked at me with that one look that means more than sleeping in bed was on her mind. "Don't keep me waiting. I will read that tomorrow." She pointed at the writing.
Once she left, I stretched, yawn, and saved the story. I will read it too tomorrow. As I was about to turn off the computer, I was considerably startled when, on the screen, was Isabow's face. I stared in shock. She smiled and winked at me, then said, in her strange echo voice…. "good job." Then she disappeared.
I stared at the screen for about another minute. Then I turned off the computer and went to the bedroom. I will post this story soon, for everyone to enjoy…
