"Arthas."
Said Prince turned away from glaring at the Barbarian King in the distance to face Alicia as she rode up next to him. The Princess Knight narrowed her eyes at the barbarian and grimaced at seeing the Barbarian King.
"So this is him?"
"It is."
In the distance, their adversary returned the glare as he walked to the front of his army of filthy savages. A large, muscular man, built like an Orc, with skin nearly white as snow and a myriad of red markings running across his body all the way to his arms. Despite the cold winter wind raging around them, the barbarian wore less than the other barbarians around him. His head was covered by a skull of some horned beast and in his right hand was a large axe while a demonic looking sword was held in his left. Just by looking at it, Alicia could feel the power emanating from the weapon. This man, no, monster is Gallix, the Barbarian King. Surrounding the barbarian king was thousands of Grells of the Frostborn and other tribes who had decided to stay loyal to him. Alicia noticed something different about the Frostborn. They were different than the others because their eyes glow blue while their bodies were paler than a corpse. She didn't remember Braun looking like that when they defeated him in Blüdreik Field nor any of his brothers they killed on their way here.
"You dare bring the heads of my sons to my home? I will enjoy peeling the skin off of your fucking head, Lordaeronian!"
Their time in Kühlschrank had changed them. Changed Arthas. Outposts all over the regions were attacked by the Frostborn and only gruesome carnage was left in their wake. Good soldiers dead or consumed. Innocent Grellians under the Alliance's protection slaughtered. Menn, Women and Children. None were spared. After that, something within the Prince cried to be released. Retribution.
Arthas had enough of the Frostborn and made sure to make a statement for every skirmish the Alliance won against them. The dead barbarians were hung or impaled and left outside of forts or battlefields as food for the crows and warnings for Gallix and his ilk. When the time came for Arthas to confront Gallix once and for all, he mustered a force of six thousand Alliance soldiers. An additional three thousand came from Eostia per his request along with seven hundred Auxiliaries from the Seven Shields Alliance. On their way to Dauðafjöll, they encountered seven sons of Gallix who tried to stop them from advancing further to their father's kingdom. Each met their end in the form of Arthas' sword, Light's Wrath. And Arthas couldn't deny the satisfaction he felt as he watched their heads roll off their shoulders and into the ground.
By the time they reached Dauðafjöll, Gallix and his army were there waiting for them. Then Arthas gave him a gift in the form of the heads of Gallix's sons. An act that evidently enraged the barbarian king.
"No more words from you, barbarian!" Arthas replied before raising his sword above his head "Death to the Barbarian King!"
"DEATH TO THE BARBARIAN KING!!"
The soldiers of the Alliance, at the top of their lungs, yelled before Arthas lowered hi sword so it was pointing at Gallix and his army.
"Charge!"
The Prince spurned his steed forward and led the charge. Alicia and her Knights following soon after, forming a flying wedge with Arthas at the tip while the rest of their infantry followed behind. Other cavalry units among their ranks formed a flying wedge as well as they tried to match the pace of their Prince. Sword raised as Light illuminated him, Arthas let out a roar as he drew closer and closer to the ranks of the Frostborn. Gallix let out a roar of his own and signalled his own army's charge.
"Kill them all!"
Behind the Alliance lines, eight large onagers launched large pots of oil that was lit up with a torch and sent them sailing through the air before crashing behind or into the Frostborn ranks. Despite this, it didn't deter them from their charge as the armies drew closer.
"For the Alliance!"
"FOR THE ALLIANCE!!"
"For Lordaeron."
The Prince muttered before letting out a battle cry as his steed trampled right into the ranks of the Frostborn as the two armies clashed. The flying wedge proved effective in breaking into the Frostborn's ranks. When both forces clashed, there were no formations. No shield-walls or spear walls. It was just a bloody and chaotic battle.
A Knight beheaded a barbarian she passed by only for a thrown spear impale her right in the neck and throw her off her horse. A Footman blocked a sword with his own before slamming his helmeted head against his opponent then used his shield to push the barbarian down before burying his sword on the barbarian's neck. Another barbarian struck the back of the Footman's leg and forced him on one knee. The barbarian then pulled the Footman's helmet off and swung his axe down the soldier's exposed neck. He didn't have time to pull the weapon out when a Knight ran him through with his lance and dragged his body across the field.
A blood soaked Alicia, who was thrown off her horse as a spear struck it in the head, fought off two of her attackers while fighting back to back with Eve as the Princess Knight parried the strike on her left and thrust her sword into the barbarian on the right's chest before pulling her weapon free and blocking her other opponent's strike. The blonde blocked each strike the barbarian sent her way until she saw him tire out. Seeing her opportunity, she bashed her shoulder into the barbarian's chest and let out a yell as she brought her sword down on the man. The blade went down through his collar and all the way to his chest. The barbarian fell to his knees and looked up at Alicia before the Princess Knight wretched her weapon free and beheaded the man. Alicia barely had time to recover when a shrill scream came from her right and she was tackled by another barbarian. The woman yelled obscenities at Alicia as she tried to stab her with a knife made of bone.
"I'll carve out your fucking heart and eat it!"
"Screw you, you crazy bitch!"
The Princess Knight decked the barbarian across the face before reaching for the dagger on her belt. She took the small weapon from it's sheath before stabbing the barbarian in the eye. The woman screamed but Alicia silenced her once and for all by driving the dagger deep into the barbarian's skull. The woman fell limp on top of the Princess Knight before Alicia pushed the body off of her.
Breathing heavily, Alicia slowly got to her feet and looked around to see the bloody carnage surrounding her. Bodies from both sides were starting to pile up while the once white snow was now red from the blood of the dead. She saw a helmetless Footman scream as a barbarian bit off his ear before proceeding to stab him in the face with a knife. A fallen barbarian was crawling away to reach for a discarded sword on the ground but a boot stomped on her back before the owner of the limb pulled her by the hair then proceeded to slit the barbarian woman's throat. A Seven Shields Swordswoman killed off one barbarian before a spear was ran through her chest by a Frostborn. The barbarian lifted the body up and beat his chest as he roared before a Footman stabbed him in the abdomen. The Frostborn grunted in pain and retaliated by backhanding the Footman and pulling the sword off his gut before throwing it right back to it's owner. The Footman raised his shield just in time to block the sword and retrieve it before running towards the pale barbarian who ran towards the Footman only to be run over by Arthas and his steed. The Prince of Lordaeron barrelled through the Frostborn and barbarians, trampling those who were unfortunate enough to stand between him and the Barbarian King.
Gallix swung his axe wide and cut the Footmen surrounding him in half, adding more bodies to the corpses that surrounded him. With a roar, the Barbarian King raised his demonic sword before slamming it hard to the ground. Blue flames erupted from the blade and burned those who were within the Barbarian King's vicinity. Soldiers of the Alliance and barbarians who were caught in the flames screamed in agony as the flames burnt their skin. Pulling the demonic blade off the ground, Gallix turned around to face his adversary as he ran over his Frostborn. Growling at the sight of the Prince ashe drew closer, the Barbarian King raised his axe before throwing horizontally towards Arthas, cutting down any who stood in the way of the weapon. Be it friend or foe.
Arthas spurned his horse faster until he was a few feet away from Gallix before the Barbarian King's axe cut down his horse and threw the Prince forward into a pile of corpses. Quickly getting back to his feet, Arthas pushed past the barbarians swarming him. Elbowing the one on his left on the head to the point the barbarian was sent flying. He punched another in the gut before slamming his fists down on the Frostborn's head and sent him jaw first into the ground. Arthas didn't hear the crack that followed as he took Light's Wrath off the sheath on his back and leaped into the air, spinning while holding out his blade to cut down three barbarians that rushed him before bringing it down on Gallix who blocked the sword with ease. The two glared at each before the Barbarian King pushed Arthas back and the Prince quickly recovered before charging once more.
"Is that the best you can do, princeling?"
Arthas roared as he sent blow after blow at the Barbarian King with Light's Wrath but Gallix matched every blow with a block of his own before their blades locked once more.
"I told you. No more words from you, barbarian."
The Prince kicked Gallix back before thrusting his blade forward and running the Barbarian King through the gut. To his surprise, the Barbarian King didn't seem to mind it much. Simply showing annoyance at getting stabbed. Despite the sword going halfway through, Gallix simply sneered and punched the shocked Arthas across the face before kicking him with a surprising amount of strength. The Prince fell on his back with a groan before getting up to his feet and looked towards Gallix to see the Barbarian King slowly approach. Light's Wrath still buried halfway through his abdomen.
"Pathetic weakling."
Gallix raised his demonic sword and brought it down, sending a wave of blue flames that slammed right into the Prince. Had he not cast Divine Shield on himself at the last second, the blue flames would've caused a significant amount of damage to Arthas but thanks to the spell, it only managed to blast him back. But one thing bothered him. It shouldn't have hurt when the attack hit him but for some reason it did. Every time he had Divine Shield up, the blows from his opponents simply bounced off of him. This one, however, hurt. And it hurt a lot.
Arthas sailed through the air and dropped to the ground in a roll before stopping on his front. The Prince held his abdomen as he tried to get up but he could hear the Barbarian King's footsteps as Gallix's shadow loomed over him. Arthas glared up defiantly at the Barbarian King who raised his demonic sword to deliver the killing blow.
"RRAAGHH!"
Gallix turned around just in time to jump back to avoid Alicia's blade from driving down his back. The Barbarian King laughed as he looked down at the Princess Knight who still gripping her sword that was buried in the snow while on one knee.
"Is that all?"
"Nope."
The Barbarian King raised an eyebrow at the smirk Alicia gave him before the blonde's eyes glowed bright. The clouds parted and a ray of light shined down on the two before a gigantic sword made of Light fell from the heavens and struck the Barbarian King down. The impact had forced the Barbarian King on his back and left glowing cracks through the snowy ground which dimmed as Alicia let out an exhausted breath before rising to her feet and removing her blade ftom the ground. The Princess Knight made her way over to Arthas and walked past the unmoving form of the Barbarian King. She opened her mouth to speak only to stop as she felt a tremendous amount of pain on her back and her chest. A pair of purpled orbs looked down to see the bloody tip of the demonic blade protruding from her chest. Penetrating past armor and chainmail. Alicia looked away from the blade into the shocked eyes of Arthas.
"A-Arthas... "
Gallix, who was now sitting up after he had thrust the demonic blade into the Princess Knight's back, slowly stood up without removing the blade from the Knight before grabbing her by the head then roughly pulled the sword free from her body. The Barbarian King lifted Alicia off the ground and gave Arthas a manic grin.
"I'm not that easy to kill, boy. Unlike this pathetic little whore."
The Barbarian King carelessly threw the body to the side and it rolled to a stop a few feet away. Arthas' eyes never left Alicia's form as it stared blankly into the sky, not seeing the Barbarian King raise his demonic blade as it glowed brightly. The cold winds around them blew harsher than before but the Prince didn't notice. Still staring at the motionless Princess Knight.
~Line Break~
Captain Falric breathed heavily as he stood atop the pile of bodies. His armor was covered with blood as were his shield and sword. His tattered cape flowing harshly behind him as the blizzard worsened. The Captain looked to his left and saw a Frostborn running towards him, unfeeling to the raging storm. Falric raised his shield and blocked an upward swing of the Frostborn's glowing axe but the blow was so strong that it threw Falric off the pile and into the corpse filled ground. The Captain groaned and looked up to see the Frostborn jump into the air with it's axe raised, intent on bringing it down on Falric for the killing blow but the Captain raised his shield to block the attack. The glowing axe met the shield and penetrated the Steel Forged shield, cutting into Falric's bracers and into his forearm.
"Rraagh!"
The Captain screamed in pain before glaring up at the Frostborn and swung his sword above the barbarian's knee. His blade cut through meat and bone and the Frostborn fell with a scream of pain, dropping his weapon as well. Falric rose to his feet and dropped his shield before flipping his sword into a reverse grip and slamming it down into the Frostborn's head. He wrenched the blade free before looking at the damage in his left arm, grimacing as it hurt every time he tried to move it.
"Damn it."
"Captain Falric!"
Falric turned to the speaker to see Knight Eve running towards him, covered nearly head to toe with blood. He imagined he didn't fair any better.
"Who's winning?"
"I don't know." Eve answered as she shook her head "There are so many bodies piling up that it's making it hard to fight. The Archers and Crossbowwomen just joined the fight. They left some behind to guard the onagers but the rest charged in to battle. Their commander said they might as well be taking shits back there."
The two looked around them as the battlefield changed from a snow covered ground to one covered with corpses. Falric spotted one Footman was kneeling on the ground. His entire form frozen as snow began to cover him up. The number of warriors fighting from both sides were diminishing as more joined the corpses on the ground.
"If the barbarians haven't killed us yet then the cold will."
The purple haired Knight stated as she noticed the frozen bodies of the Footmen and Swordswomen.
"Have you seen Prince Arthas and Lady Alicia?"
"Not Lady Alicia." Falric shook his head "But the Prince? I saw him charging towards Gallix. He ran over any rabid bastard that stood in his way last I saw."
"What about Brünnhilde?"
Before he could answer, the two heard a blood curdling scream and turned to see a barbarian screaming as he desperately tried to keep his innards from falling. He was silenced when Brünnhilde severed his head with one swing from her long axe. The Stormwolf Chieftain quickly turned around and caught another barbarian that was charging at her by the throat. Brünnhilde easily lifted the shorter woman off the ground before slamming her hard on the ground. She raised her leg then crushed the barbarian's skull with her boot. A Frostborn saw the The Stormwolf Chieftain with her back turned and charged. He slashed Brünnhilde's back and the Stormwolf Chieftain grunted before glaring at the pale barbarian. Grabbing one of her throwing axes from her belt, she threw the weapon and it slammed into the Frostborn's chest. She didn't give him the time to recover and swung her long axe upwards, hitting the Frostborn right in the groin. The pale barbarian screamed in agony before Brünnhilde wrapped one arm around his head and snapped his neck. The Stormwolf Chieftain pulled her weapon off the corpse then beat her chest while raising her long axe in the air before letting out a guttural war cry.
"There's your answer." Falric deadpanned.
Eve hummed before feeling herself shiver as the blizzard grew stronger. What is going on with this weather? The Knight didn't have time to ponder as she jumped back to avoid getting her head crushed by a massive club from a tall Frostborn. Eve regained her footing before charging the Frostborn with a battle cry.
~Line Break~
Alicia didn't know where she was. All she could 'see' was darkness. The last thing she remembered was a tremendous pain on her chest and the last thing she said was Arthas' name as her vision slowly narrowed. She didn't know what followed after because by then, everything went black. Hell, even now she could still feel the pain in her chest. Alicia was shaken from her thoughts by a voice.
"You're time is not done yet, Arcturus."
"Who's there!?"
"You need not to worry, child." The voice replied "For I come to you with a gift."
Before she could say anything else, Alicia was engulfed by a bright light. The Princess Knight felt something inside her. She couldn't describe it.
"Arise, champion. Smite the wicked. Protect the weak. Bring justice upon this cruel world. For you are the Champion of Rena Iusticia. Lady of Justice!"
~Line Break~
Arthas charge his opponent with a roar only for him to be blown back by a torrent of blue flames. The Prince rolled to a stop before trying to get back up only for his opponent to stomp on his back and force him back to the ground.
"Did you really think you can defeat me? Gallix, the Barbarian King!"
No matter how many wounds he had inflicted upon the Barbarian King, Gallix proved to be very durable. Fighting with the same ferocity from the beginning. Gallix raised his leg before stomping it back down on Arthas' back, eliciting a pain-filled scream from the Prince. Arthas tried to reach for his sword, Light's Wrath, but Gallix removed his foot from the Prince's back only to crush Arthas' hand as he reached for the weapon. The Prince screaming once more.
"You may have beaten my army, my sons and daughters but you are nothing more but a weak ant when you and your pathetic pet foolishly faced me alone. Leaving your men to the mercy of the cold." Gallix knelt down and grabbed Arthas by the hair before forcing the Prince to look at him. Arthas could only glare defiantly at the larger man "And what did you achieve in doing so, hm? Nothing but the little one's death. If she were stronger, I would've made her bear the next generation of my children and feed your flesh to make them strong."
Gallix shoved Arthas' head into the snow and rose to his feet. The Barbarian King raised his demonic sword, prepared to end the Prince's life.
"But I can't wait for another strong woman to bear me sons. Besides, I never liked sharing my meal."
The Barbarian King laughed as he moved to bring the sword down on the Prince's back but was stopped as a wave of light slammed into his abdomen and sent him flying off of the Prince. Arthas rolled to his side and looked to his savior and couldn't help but gape at the sight.
Standing tall, wearing a new set of armor and holding a Greatsword with the blade's edge glowing an ethereal light, was a very much alive Alicia. She wore a silver cuirass and a set of large pauldrons that reflected the golden glow of the light. Over the cuirass was a blue stole with the ends reaching just above her knee and a matching set of long blue capes that were attached to the large belt around her waist with a shield for a buckle. Underneath the cuirass was a blue gambeson. She wore a pair of brown, fingerless gloves along with a set of bracers that matched the rest of her armor.
The Princess Knight's eyes glowed like the sun while a translucent angel that wore the same armor Alicia wore appeared behind the Princess Knight. It was then Arthas noticed that the blizzard had stopped and the sky cleared. The sounds of battle were silenced in his ear despite still going on in the background.
"Alicia?"
The Princess Knight turned her head to Arthas and made her way towards him. The Prince got to his feet and looked down at the young woman he saw die in front of him. Alicia, meanwhile, was looking down at Arthas' crushed hand and gently placed her own over it. The Prince winced and closed his eyes as a blinding light engulfed his broken hand. When the younger blonde let go, Arthas lifted his hand in front of his face and gave it a few experimental squeeze after looking it over. The Prince looked down on her once more before wrapping her in a big hug.
"I thought you were dead."
"I was but it wasn't my time yet." Alicia pulled away and looked up at Arthas with a grin. Her eyes turned back to the purple ones he was familiar with "Besides, I'm gonna pay that bastard for literally stabbing me in the back."
"Well. Since you're so eager."
Arthas turned around and picked up Light's Wrath from the ground before pointing it at the Barbarian King.
"I'll let you deal the first blow."
The Princess Knight's grin grew bigger and turned more vicious as she planted her Greatsword on the ground before cracking her knuckles.
"Don't mind if I do."
~Line Break~
Alicia gripped the handle of her Greatsword, Lucis, and pulled it off the ground as she set her sights on the recovering Barbarian King. Gallix glared back as he hefted Bláidjöfullinn.
"You're tougher than I thought but a bigger blade won't save you from my hand. Nothing can kill me. Not even a sword from the heavens can kill me. But you? You are soft, fragile and weak! What chance do you have!?"
"Ooh. I didn't know a savage like you understood, let alone even know, a single word you just said. Bravo to you." Alicia joked before charging towards the Barbarian King.
Once she was close enough, Alicia began spinning on her heel and struck the demonic blade as Gallix brought it down. The sword bounced off and the tip of Lucis managed to hit the Barbarian King across the chest and leaving a bleeding gash, adding another wound to the other number of wounds Arthas gave him before. Gallix barely had time to raise his weapon and block the Prince's own sword when said Prince had leapt over Alicia and swung downwards with the intent of splitting the Barbarian King's head in the middle.
Gallix pushed Arthas off but Alicia was quick to engage the Barbarian King once more. She might move slower due to the weight of the weapon but her attacks had more power and imbued with something 'Holy'. Rena said it would greatly help in battling Bláidjöfullinn. The Princess Knight brought the Greatsword down and Gallix blocked it. A bright spark flashed as the two blades made contact.
In Gallix's thoughts, something felt wrong. Like he's not a strong as he's supposed to be. Especially whenever this bitch got too close. Specifically, the weapon. Like it was negating the strength and power that Bláidjöfullinn gave to whoever wields it.
Suddenly, half of Light's Wrath protruded from Gallix's chest, dripping with blood.
'That's... not possible.'
The Barbarian King looked over his shoulder to glare back at the Prince of Lordaeron before pushing Alicia back and decked her across the face then swung wide. Bláidjöfullinn glowed blue and cut across Arthas' armor while the blow threw the Prince back. Gallix then screamed as he felt the Greatsword bury itself between his neck and shoulder.
When he turned away from the Princess Knight to deal with Arthas, Alicia had recovered from the punch and leaped into the air, the glowing Greatsword raised high before bringing it down on the Barbarian King. The Princess Knight sneered at the Barbarian King before pulling the blade free and kicked the back of Gallix's leg hard, forcing him on one knee.
Then a recovered Arthas ran towards the Barbarian King and leaped into the air, fist reared back before delivering a strong punch across the Barbarian King's cheek. The force of the blow was enough to throw Gallix into the ground on his side. The Prince then pulled Light's Wrath out of the Barbarian King's chest before placing his foot on Gallix's abdomen to keep him from getting up while Alicia raised her weapon high and brought it down on the Barbarian King's wrist, severing the hand holding the Bláidjöfullinn from the rest of his body.
"RRAAGHH!"
"Not so tough without your demon sword, huh?"
Alicia kicked the sword away before grinning smugly down at the Barbarian King.
"You won't be so smug when I shove my cock in your fucking mouth."
"Coming from a guy who's old enough to be my ancestor. Ew." Alicia gagged and shivered at the thought before raising Lucis above her head "But you won't have to worry about that anymore, buddy."
Wordlessly, Arthas kicked the Barbarian King to his front before forcing him to his knees.
"Any last words?"
Gallix looked up at the Princess Knight and glared before spitting blood at her boot.
"Fuck you!"
"No you won't."
With a yell, Alicia brought Lucis down and freed Gallix's head from his shoulders. The head rolled to the ground and Arthas picked it up. Captain Falric, Knight Eve and Brünnhilde soon joined them and the Prince showed the newcomers the head.
The Stormwolf Chieftain was looking at the severed head in awe. These foreigners did it. They actually killed this monster. Brünnhilde looked at the large axe in her hand, the one wielded by Gallix before he threw it at Arthas.
'Guess this is mine now.'
It was definitely not going to any of his sons or daughters that's for sure. If there are any left that is. She had heard that Arthas made a specific order that not a single one of the Frostborn will be spared. There will be no one to take the Barbarian King's place and bring another horrible rule on the country of Kühlschrank. The Stormwolf Clan, however, are friends of the Alliance. Along with the other clans that decided to conceed to Alliance rule.
Captain Falric let out a sigh of relief once his eyes landed on the head. It was over. Kühlschrank was theirs. Soon, the Alliance would send someone else to deal with this shit. The Prince and his company would return to Feoh and the Capital and he had no doubt that Lady Proudmoore and Lady Prim would give them a very royal welcome.
"It's over." Arthas muttered before dropping the head unceremoniously on the ground.
"We can all go home."
"But what about Kühlschrank?" Alicia asked as her glow dimmed and the angel behind her vanished.
"We'll convene on this when we get out of this frozen wasteland."
The Prince ran a hand through his hair and sighed. They can finally get off this frozen rock and go home. Back to Feoh. Back to the Capital. Back to Jaina.
"What about this thing?"
Arthas looked to Alicia and saw the younger blonde poking the severed hand of Gallix, which was still gripping the demonic sword, with her toe. The Prince looked down at the blade and found himself feeling uncomfortable. There was something about picking up glowing swords that didn't sit well with him. Especially ones that glowed blue and had a skull for a guard. He had the same feeling about vampires. With their bat-like wings, sharp fangs, corpse-like complexion and long claws. It also didn't help that they raise the dead and turn them into mindless, cannibalistic slaves. Turn them into something 'unholy'.
In the end, the demonic sword was destroyed by Alicia. But none of them expected to be blown away by the massive explosion that followed after. None of them were hurt but all that was left of the Barbarian King's corpse was a set of bones and a skull which was oddly frozen over. The five made their way down to the battlefield and saw the corpses that piled into small hills. Disturbing really. Seeing a mix of corpses piled up to form a hill. One would be wondering if their friend is among them. They have won but at what cost?
The purple haired Knight was looking down at the face of her late comrade, Vera, a green haired Knight. Her head was the only thing that was sticking out from underneath the corpse pile and Eve knew that shade of green anywhere.
"Goddess light your path. Be at peace, my friend."
Alicia watched this from Arthas' side as the two made their way past the bodies and shook her head. She knew that everyone will die eventually. Warriors like them faster than the average person. But it still hurt to see one of her Knights die. They weren't just fellow Knights. They were her friends too. And seeing them dead, she felt a little piece of her die as well. They'll never experience anything anymore. They'll never smile, laugh or cry again. They're just gone. Arthas might've brought them back but resurrecting the dead while fighting wasn't really ideal for the Prince. He'd be too exhausted to fight anymore. Besides, he was more of a fighter than a healer anyway and it's been too long for the dead to be brought back.
"How many casualties?"
The Princess Knight was shaken from her thoughts and turned her head to see Arthas talking to Captain Falric and the other Captains or Sergeants.
"We don't know yet, my Lord." Falric replied "We're still looking for wounded or anyone who can be saved. Physicians and what Priests we have are doing all they can, Prince Arthas. Unfortunately, many are too far gone to bring back."
Arthas stared at the piles and piles of corpses on the battlefield. He knew that the majority of their losses were by the Frostborn's doing. The demonic sword did something to them. Gallix did something to them. Made them inhuman. More powerful, durable, manic and also unbothered by the blizzard. Death came for them in the end and for every Alliance soldier slain was paid back ten fold. But the Prince still couldn't bring back the ones who have been dead for too long. Perhaps if he had more power, then maybe he could've saved them. Arthas shook his head. No point dwelling on 'what ifs'.
Wordlessly, Arthas began helping by picking up the bodies of his men and gently laying them on a row, praying for the Light to guide their souls. The bodies of the Frostborn and barbarians, however, were unceremoniously dumped someplace and burnt. Burnt to ashes and forgotten. Alicia followed the Prince's example and began helping. Even Brünnhilde joined in while sending prayers to her Gods in her native tongue as she laid down a dead Footman next to a dead Swordswoman and Knight.
Victory. They have victory albeit a costly one. They should've been used to it by now but it still hurt in some ways. They will honor the dead but carrying the bodies back was problematic. Especially if they were to be buried in the Capital. If they wished to do so, then they have to preserve each bodies before bringing them back to Feoh but considering the number of their dead... They'll have to bury them here in Kühlschrank.
"Once the bodies are retrieved, we make for Fort Lightbringer."
"It will take us a week and a half to reach your fort, Prince." Brünnhilde stated "You can stay in the Wolf's Den for now. It is much closer."
"You have our thanks, Chieftain."
~Line Break~
When they returned to their camp, the Alliance decided to bury their dead there instead. It took them nearly the whole day before they were done and by then everyone was exhausted. Out of the seven thousand force they had mustered, three thousand remained. Four thousand brave men and women died to bring an end to this campaign once and for all. So much death but at least they can go home. But for tonight, they rest.
Two days later, the Alliance marched to the Wolf's Den. The massive grave they left would be plotted to the map of Kühlschrank. The burial ground of thousands. They didn't even gave the location a name but they will always remember where they laid the bodies of their comrades to rest. Give them a map and they'll point it out easily if you ask. Besides, no one would miss the massive amount of gravestones sticking out from the ground.
When they finally arrived at Wolf's Den, the first thing that Brünnhilde did was hold a feast to honor the dead. The Great Hall was abuzz with activity. Everyone was either drinking or conversing amongst themselves, trying to lift up their spirits. Wasn't that the point of having the feast in the first place?
Meanwhile, Arthas wasn't inside the Great Hall. The Prince of Lordaeron stood just outside of the building and was looking out into the horizon. He still wore his armor as well as a cloak lined with fur to keep him warm from the cold. In his mind, he wondered if this country would be at peace without the Frostborn in the picture. He was thinking of giving Brünnhilde the position of Governor of Kühlschrank. She can keep the place in line and safe. Of that, he was certain. Then there were also the garrisons and forts around the country. They'll have to start recruiting but will anyone from Kühlschrank even want to join them? Only time will tell.
"Arthas."
The Prince looked over his shoulder to see Alicia holding two mugs of ale as she exited the Great Hall. She walked over to the Prince and stood next to him as she handed Arthas the other mug.
"You look like you could use a drink."
"Thank you."
Arthas took the offered drink but kept his eyes on the young girl before him. He had lost her. He had failed to protect her. In his mind, he has led her to her death. Light, he watched the life leave her eyes as she bled to death. Powerless and overcome with rage, he had attacked Gallix with no reservation nor concern for his own well-being. He had managed to do some damage but even then it wasn't enough. He wasn't strong enough. But Alicia came back to life, stronger than before and empowered by a power he knew not. Frankly, he didn't care. All he cared about was that the girl before him died and had come back to life. He had dreaded to think of what he would say to Jaina. To Prim.
The blonde Prince shook his head and drank the mug of ale in his hand. It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that Alicia's alive and well and they can go home. Leave this frozen wasteland and return to somewhere warmer and with less cannibals and whatnot.
~Line Break~
The Capital, Feoh
"Well this is certainly a change of pace from Port Haven. It doesn't smell like a fishwife or the fish she sells."
"Port Haven didn't smell that bad. Just the docks and the market."
"Of course you don't smell it. You're always in the bake- "
Marion winced. Right. The bakery, which was also their house, was destroyed by the fire. She looked up at Aedan and inwardly sighed in relief when the Grey Warden smiled at her.
"Don't worry about it, Marion. It's just a building. Besides, who says I can't open up a bakery here?"
"Does that mean you'll make more cookies?"
Aedan looked away from the raven-haired Mage and looked up to meet the eyes of one Eleanor Belmont who was riding on Aedan's shoulders. When things settled down on Port Haven, Aedan scoured the port city for any sign of the girl's relatives. He did find them but unfortunately, they were already placed by the church where all the victims of the attack were placed. Seeing that no one else would take care of the young girl, Aedan decided to take in young Eleanor as his own. But unfortunately, their house was destroyed during the attack.
After Lady Proudmoore and Lady Prim saw the state of their house in Port Haven, Prim convinced them to move to the Capital where they can raise Eleanor in a house that wasn't burnt down. While Aedan was all too happy to accept, Marion had a sneaking suspicion that the other reason why the pinkette wanted the Grey Warden here was so she had a supply of Aedan's cookies close by. Smart girl.
"For you, pup? Certainly."
Marion couldn't help but chuckle as the girl cheered. She swore she would kill anyone who would try to harm the little lady. They will die in a slow, burning and painful way.
"What about you, Marion?" The Mage was snapped out from her thoughts by the Warden "Any luck finding us a house? As much as I appreciate Lady Prim's hospitality, I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Actually, I talked to Lady Pinky about that and she was nice enough to give us a house close to the castle. She insisted that we open up the bakery there and even gave a large donation to help us with the bakery."
"Oh. How thoughtful of her. Perhaps I can thank her if she ever comes by the bakery."
"Oh I've no doubt she will." Marion muttered. Honestly, the pinkette was addicted to Aedan's baking. From cookies to cake even a simple bread, Prim couldn't get enough of it.
"I just remembered. What did Lady Jaina asked of you?"
"Oh that. She offered me a job as a teacher at the Magi Academy. Turned her down, of course. I'm pretty sure I'll just blow the classroom up. At least she didn't sic Templars at me or people of that sort when I refused. She's actually really nice."
"So what will you do?" Aedan asked. Ignoring the way Eleanor was using his hair as reigns "I know you get bored easily. You can't stand not doing something."
"I can always do you."
Marion smirked as the Grey Warden's face reddened. Oh, he was just too easy.
"Not... what I had in mind." Aedan looked away.
"It definitely was."
"Can we not talk about this in front of Eleanor, please?"
Said girl was too distracted with looking at the pretty blue butterfly that landed on her nose.
"Oh boo." Marion let out a mock pout "You're no fun."
Aedan shook his head before settling on a stone bench. He set Eleanor down and ruffled the child's head before watching her chase after the butterfly but not before reminding her not to stray too far from them. Marion watched the child go with a small smile before taking a seat next to the Grey Warden.
"Anyone else looks at her, they wouldn't even know the girl lost her family." Marion began.
"She's blocking it out." Aedan replied "I asked her about Port Haven but she wouldn't acknowledge any of it. All she sees is that I'm the only family she has. WE are the only family she has. I fear for her mind, Marion. I really do. Someday, she will have to face the harsh truth and I'm afraid of what will happen."
Marion remained silent as she too looked to the child with concern. She hoped it wouldn't come to that but it was inevitable and so she hoped that it would come when Eleanor was at least older.
~Line Break~
Jaina sighed as she read the report before setting it down and rubbing her eyes. The letter contained a report of the situation in Ur and the Skaven. So far, the Ratmen were contained and they blocked out any way for the Skaven to escape the city but that doesn't mean they were off the hook. The Skaven were always trying to escape the city either through brute force or cunning. Rat Ogres were tough but they can be killed but there were other Skaven that use the cover of night and attempt to scale the walls. Nightly patrols were always on guard for any escape attempt and quickly stopped before any rats reach the top of the wall.
There was also the matter of the Skaven's numbers. No matter how many they kill, the Skaven can quickly replenish their numbers. It was expected, of course, considering they're rats. Any attempts at retaking the city was met with casualties and with little to no ground taken. The only places they can hold were the areas close to the gates of the city and even then, they were hard pressed in keeping it in Alliance hands.
The blonde mage looked to her right at the second letter. It was a request by Valerius to send a battalion of Siege Tanks to take back the city. The only problem was that they didn't have enough Siege Tanks to do that but perhaps they can use what they do have to bolster the perimeter defenses on the city's gates. She'll have to bring it up with Valerius and the Engineers first though.
She was shaken from her thoughts by a knock on the the door.
"My Lady. A letter from Prince Arthas."
Jaina rose from her seat and made her way over before opening the door. The castle servant bowed his head before holding out the rolled up parchment for her to take. The blonde mage did so before dismissing the young lad and closed the door before unfurling the scroll. Jaina walked back to her chair and read the contents before sighing in relief as she finished.
Arthas and his forces are going home and Kühlschrank, at least the majority of it, was now part of the Alliance. Though she was saddened by the number of casualties they received in the final battle against the Barbarian King, she was also glad to hear that they were safe. With Arthas's return, she can finally hand the city affairs back to him and she can focus back on the Magi Academy and her students. Of course she still had to oversee the welcome they would receive once they return to Feoh. No doubt Prim would've done so herself even if she didn't. But all that matters is that they're back safe and sound.
~Roughly A Month Later~
Arthas could hear the roar of the people of Feoh as he and the army neared the Capital's gates. On his right was Alicia, still clad in her new armor, and on his left was Falric who had his helmet off. The trio were on horseback and marching behind them on a steady pace was the column of Alliance soldiers. Though many remained in Kühlschrank as it is their duty to hold the forts and garrisons of the Alliance until they were rotated out and return to Eostia.
The gates of the city opened and the crowd seemed to cheer louder at the sight of them. All around them, the people were cheering and waving.
"The city's... bigger than I remember."
Arthas found himself nodding in agreement to the Captain's comment. He remembered seeing fewer buildings in this area of the Capital but a lot can change in a year and by the looks of it, Jaina had been busy.
"It's so... different." Alicia began "It changed after you guys showed up and started rebuilding this place but you can still see a lot of the city of Feoh in it but now? I barely recognize any of this. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing though."
The Prince hummed as they continued on their way to Castle Feoh. Maybe he'll see what's changed in the city tomorrow. See what's new around. But that's after he makes up for lost time with Jaina and Prim, of course.
It wasn't long until they reached the gates of Castle Feoh. Arthas held out his hand and let a small, pink petal land on his palm before looking up at the wall surrounding Castle Feoh then at the roofs of the buildings close to the castle and smiled as the people, even a few soldiers, dropped petals down on them. Some even threw flowers at Alicia and Falric.
The large doors opened and standing there to greet them were Jaina and Prim. Arthas smiled and climbed down his mount before making his way over to them. Followed closely by Alicia. The Prince stood in front of Jaina and moved a strand of hair away from her smiling face.
"Welcome back, Arthas."
"Glad to be back."
Without another word, the Prince enveloped the mage before him in a loving embrace as he while Alicia was nearly tackled to the ground by her pink-haired cousin.
"Welcome home, Alicia."
"It's so good to see you again, Prim."
From atop his mount, Falric watched them with a small smile on his face before his eyes roamed around in search of a certain Ranger-General but alas, she was nowhere to be seen.
"Falric!"
The Captain looked to the voice to see his fellow Footman, Valerius, strode over to him with a big grin. Falric climbed down his horse and the two firmly shook forearms.
"Good to have you back, my friend."
"I'm just glad to be alive after all that. Too many close calls."
"And not enough pay."
The two men let out hearty laughs before Falric spotted Sylvanas leaning on the Keep's doors where it was crowded by soldiers and castle servants who wanted to see and greet the Prince. Valerius saw where his friend was looking at and smirked.
"You might as well seize the day, my friend. Tomorrow? We'll be back on the job. Enjoy your vacation while at lasts, Falric. As always, I'll be where the ale is. Good luck."
And with that, Valerius left Falric alone as the Captain made his way over to the Ranger-General. Squeezing past the bodies before finally reaching the keep and Sylvanas who looked at Falric with an amused look.
"Miss me?"
Sylvanas scoffed and rolled her eyes in reply to which Falric chuckled in return.
"I'll take that as a maybe."
Back to Arthas, the Prince slightly loosened his grip around Jaina before touching his forehead against hers.
"I missed this." Arthas muttered "I missed you."
"You have a lot to make up for, Arthas. I'll be waiting." Jaina winked.
The blonde mage left his embrace and Arthas watched her leave for the keep. Noting the extra sway on her hips as she walked away. The Prince smirked before shaking his head and turned to the side to pull Prim into a hug. It really is good to be back.