Disclaimer: I don't own the WarCraft universe or Blizzard.
≶The Call of the Lich King: Seven Days of Torment≶
≶Day Four≶
Arthas woke to the bitter cold that was now all too familiar in Northrend. The sun was far past its zenith and was beating down on him, attempting to blind his eyes and burn his skin. Could he no longer find comfort in the light of day?
The dead bear was decaying slowly, its wounded head now frozen solid. Arthas slowly lifted his head from the fur, which had long since lost its warmth. Blinking away the dreariness, the first thing he noticed was the throbbing in his ankle. Quickly glancing, he was shocked to find that his ankle was not broken. It looked like it was never broken.
Like my handy work? The voice came back.
"How did you…?" Arthas asked.
Through Frostmourne, my powers are yours, the voice replied. Arthas shook his head in amazement. Then he paused.
You have many questions, don't you? The voice asked.
"Of course I do," Arthas growled.
Your race is so inquisitive, the voice sighed in exasperation.
"Who are you?" Arthas asked harshly.
You know the answer to that, the voice said. Arthas sighed and stood up, gripping the sword tightly. He began to walk. In no particular direction, he just stretched out his newly healed leg.
"You're the Lich King," Arthas said. "Leader of the Undead Scourge."
That I am. Next question, the Lich King told him.
"Why did you attack Azeroth?" Arthas asked.
I am the emissary for the Burning Legion, the Lich King answered. I was to pave the way for the Burning Legion to invade and destroy this planet. I was using the undead plague to accomplish this goal. But that is not the question you wish to ask.
"What makes you say that?" Arthas dared to ask.
You are not the slightest bit interested in the Burning Legion or the Undead Plague, the Lich King answered. Arthas stopped in his tracks.
"I want to know how to destroy them," Arthas told the Lich King.
No you don't, the Lich King. You don't care at all about the Burning Legion or the Undead Scourge. You don't care about any of that.
"You're right. I care about one thing," Arthas said. "Saving my people."
Why do humans continually lie to themselves? The Lich King asked.
"Are you saying I'm lying?" Arthas asked angrily.
Yes, I am, the Lich King stated.
"Why might that be?" Arthas asked.
Because you don't care about your people anymore, the Lich King stated. You care about only one thing. Power. Arthas stared at the cold ground as the Lich King and Northrend waited patiently for his answer.
"What makes you say that?" Arthas whispered.
All beings strive for power, the Lich King stated. The power to change whatever they want to. Everyone wants to change something about life. They all envy power and they all want power. As did I. You want power as well. You yearn for it.
"You don't even know me," Arthas scowled.
Oh, but I do, the Lich King told him. I can see into your mind. I can see every thought that passes through that head of yours. Through Frostmourne, I know you better than you know yourself. So when I say that you want power more than anything else, you'll know that I am right.
"I think you don't know what you're talking about," Arthas shot at the voice.
Don't I? The Lich King asked. He paused, seemingly in thought. I know why you won't talk about Stratholme.
"Shut up!" Arthas exclaimed before he could stop himself.
Do you see how fast you reacted when I touched the subject? The Lich King asked. I know exactly why you don't want to talk about it. I could tell you, but I won't. I wish to hear you say it. And you will, before the end.
"So now you're a seer? A prophet?" Arthas asked angrily.
No, that would be Medivh's job, The Lich King said. But I can tell you that it will happen. I'll make sure of it.
Arthas scowled and continued to walk on.
So tell me, good prince, The Lich King said in a playful tone. Why did you seek me out? It was my understanding that our contract was terminated when you tossed me out.
"If you claim to know me so well, why don't you tell me?" Arthas said, smiling triumphantly.
Humor me.
That was all the Lich King said before he stayed silent. Arthas' smile faded just as quickly as the voice did. He continued to walk on the cold and barren wasteland that was Northrend. The silence would have been maddening, but Arthas did not seem to mind it. With Frostmourne at his side, he was content to just walk in silence. Soon, however, Arthas felt…pulled to say something.
"Human beings desire the company of others," Arthas began. "It is our nature. We cannot be alone for too long. It drives us mad. So, we openly look for other who will share our company. We search for another human to bring us back to the world."
Do you consider yourself human? The Lich King asked simply.
Arthas stopped dead in his tracks.
"What did you ask?" Arthas forced the words out slowly.
I asked you if you still consider yourself human, The Lich King repeated. But that's not what you want to ask me.
"Why do you ask?" Arthas forced even harder these words.
Humans seek out the company of other humans, The Lich King explained slowly, each word a nail in Arthas' chest. Demons seek out the company of other demons. A human does not seek out the company of a demon unless he does not consider himself to be human. So, good prince, do you consider yourself human?
Arthas didn't answer.
You don't know, do you? The Lich King surmised.
Arthas didn't answer.
Shall we find the answer? The Lich King asked.
"No," Arthas said angrily. "We're done talking."
Well, that's just fine, The Lich King said. You don't have to talk to me. I have other things to attend to, anyways. But I know just the person you will talk to. I think you know him very well.
The snow in front of Arthas began to churn. Like a whirlpool, it spun in a tight circle, gathering more and more snow as it did. Then slowly, the snow began to rise in front of Arthas' eyes and slowly began to take on the shape of…someone.
As the form began to condense, Arthas' eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He nearly lost his grip on Frostmourne.
Have fun.
And with that, the Lich King left, leaving Arthas with the figure before his eyes.
The person made from the snow opened his eyes, revealing blue eyes.
The same blue eyes as Arthas'. For they were Arthas' eyes.
As the day began to close, Arthas the paladin, with his blond hair and golden armor, stared into the eyes of Arthas the death knight, with his white hair and grey armor.
"Hello there," the Death Knight spoke with the same voice as Arthas.
The Paladin was too shocked for words.
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God, this is taking longer than I want it to. I want to work on Mass Effect more, but I want to finish this!
ARGH!!!!!
New blog BTW, check it out.
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