*Another update. It's more of a dialogue this time, mainly to lay the plot out. *
"So," Arthas spoke impatiently, "just what is your plan Caleb? Why did you bring me back?"
Caleb eyed Arthas, then Usara, who also spoke timidly, "That's what I want to know, too…"
"Very well." Caleb spoke coolly, "The reason I am holding the both of you here is because I need your help. You see…", and here, Caleb stopped to look at both the human and the night elf in a thoughtful manner before finishing, "I plan to destroy my former master, Kil'jaeden."
Both of his companions now looked at him with disbelief. Even Arthas was unprepared for this. Usara was completely taken by surprise. How could a human be part of the Legion? Why was he a part of the Legion? She would find these things out soon enough.
"That's rather foolish." Arthas spoke indifferently, "Besides, why should I help you? Why don't I just kill you and your little elf?"
Usara's eyes widened when Arthas said this, but Caleb quickly retaliated. "To answer your first question, my dear Arthas: because you simply have nothing left. You are no longer the mighty Lich King and you cannot even fathom of returning to the world of the living; not after the atrocities you committed against the Alliance and the Horde."
Arthas grinded his teeth in anger, but realized that what Caleb spoke was true. He then remembered dying in his father's arms on the top of Icecrown Citadel. Back then, he was glad that it was finally over; that he was free from Frostmourne. But now he realized the reality of his situation. It would never be over. Not in this life or the next.
"And to answer your second question:" Caleb continued, "You can't. You would do well to remember that I trained with demons from the Burning Legion in the arts of necromancy and demonology. Plus, I was actually born several centuries before the First War," here, Usara's eyes widened again, as did Arthas', "so I have more experience than either of you. I may not look that old, but I truly am. Now, I don't wish to resort to violence all the time, since I grow weary of it, but I will if I deem it necessary."
"Alright." Arthas replied with a heavy, but exasperated sigh, "But how can I help you in my weakened state? I can't even feel my powers as a Death Knight anymore…" here, he trailed off.
Suddenly, Caleb noticed something different about Arthas; something that even he found unnerving.
"Wow, Arthas," Caleb replied, observing the fallen prince, "You're looking a little…pink lately."
Usara, who was listening intently now glanced at Arthas and noticed something strange about him. His snow white hair wasn't completely white. In fact…there were some blond strands among the white ones. His skin wasn't as pale as before either, it was actually regaining its color. Usara realized what was happening, but it was Caleb who stated the obvious.
"What…" Arthas whispered hoarsely as he dropped to his knees, "What's…happening?"
"It looks like my resurrection spell worked too well." Caleb explained, "It bonded your soul to your body in such a manner that it reconfigured it to be stronger than before. That is its main effect, anyway. The side effect is that the host of the body, even if undead, will eventually reach a state where it could be considered living. In other words, you're reverting back to your former self…before you became attached to Frostmourne."
"Damn you…Caleb." Arthas regained himself, flushing with hatred, "This is…not what…I w-wanted."
"You should be thanking me." Caleb spoke coldly, "I gave you your old life back. Besides, you were once a paladin, were you not? So I suppose your skills are not completely lost to you. Don't you agree, Usara?"
Usara, glancing over at Caleb, spoke "Yes. I guess you're right." This whole ordeal was growing weirder by the minute.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Caleb spoke, changing the subject, "I have to get some things. I trust you'll like them."
Arthas and Usara glanced at each other briefly before looking back at Caleb as he was descending a flight of stairs. As they waited for him to arrive, Arthas decided to make some small talk with the night elf.
"So," Arthas began, "I can't believe that Caleb has a fetish for night elves; he must really be desperate!" And here, Arthas laughed.
Usara gave a cold glance at the fallen prince, "You filthy pig;" she muttered through clenched teeth, "You think I'm afraid of you? You're nothing more than a coward; one who betrayed his people and himself. You, who are just a twisted version of your former self…" She wanted to say more. The act of speaking up to such a menacing person was exhilarating. However, she couldn't get the chance, as Arthas' hand was now upon her neck.
"You'd be best to watch your tongue, bitch." Arthas hissed, "I may not be the Lich King anymore, but I can still crush an insect like you."
"Ah," Usara clasped Arthas' wrist with her hands as she tried to free herself, to no avail, "let me g-go…"
Arthas was tightening his grip as Usara was preparing a bolt of arcane energy. The two were about to fight when Caleb reemerged. With a flash of his eyes, the two were immediately separated.
"Enough." Caleb spoke lazily, "I don't want you two fighting all the time. Besides, I've brought some things that might be of use to you."
He tossed the bag he was carrying on the floor and its contents spilled out. Among the trinkets and gold, there were several pieces of armor and some robes. Arthas, glancing at some of the armor, soon realized that it was meant for a paladin. Upon further inspection, the truth dawned upon him. It was Uther's old armor, before he perished. The irony was stunning, and Arthas was raging inside because of it. He somehow managed to suppress it.
"Where," Arthas began, pointing to the armor, "did you get that?"
"Oh, you know." Caleb replied, "After all, you were the one who killed him. Finding all of the pieces though was a pain in the ass; and assembling them an even bigger pain. Touching holy items isn't good for my skin, if you know what I mean." Here, he grinned.
"Um, Caleb?" Usara chipped in, holding a majestic robe decorated with many symbols and colors, and, what Usara assumed, were powerful artifacts, in her hands, "Is this for me?"
"Yes." Caleb replied soothingly, "If you're going to quest with me, you're going to need proper gear. And speaking of gear…" Here, he tossed another bag onto the ground.
"I'm offering you more than help, Arthas and Usara." Caleb spoke, "I'm offering you power."
Arthas gripped the massive sword lying on the ground and examined it with awe. He immediately felt a massive power surge as the blade started to glow blue.
"For you, Arthas," Caleb began, "I'm offering you the Angelic Alliance. This powerful artifact, forged many millennia ago by the Eredar, now the draenei, is a testament to their great strength, having slain many demons. I was supposed to destroy it, but then I sensed its purpose and hid it here, waiting for the right time to use it. I guess that time is now…"
Arthas slowly nodded, observing the blade, feeling its holy energy fill his body. He welcomed it, for this was a high unlike any other. Not even Frostmourne made him feel this way; this powerful; this majestic.
Caleb now turned to Usara, who was holding am ornate staff. "For you, Usara," Caleb continued, "I'm offering you Scion's Rod of Ancients. A mighty staff forged by a now long dead race. It holds power that that the races of Azeroth have only begun to understand. I found it when I was campaigning with the Legion and hid it from there sight. I now bestow this staff upon you…"
Usara was mesmerized by the feel this staff had. She could feel her spell power growing exponentially. The night elf began experiencing a high similar to that which Arthas was experiencing. She never felt like this before: so powerful.
"Know this, my friends;" Caleb concluded, "these weapons were not forged by mortal hands."
Arthas looked away from the blade and towards Caleb. "Why do you aide us, Caleb?" he questioned.
Caleb's face took on a somber expression as he spoke, "Because Kil'jaeden must be stopped, Arthas." Here, he motioned them to sit down somewhere, indicating that he was about to tell them as story.
Once both were seated, mere inches away from each other, Caleb began, "I want to tell my part of the story. It's not something that I'm proud of, but it must be stated nonetheless. It's a weakness of mine, you see; I want people to understand me." He eyed both the human and the night elf before continuing, "I already told you I was born several centuries before the First war between the Humans and the Orcs. It was a peaceful era, I will admit. I was once a powerful wizard in training, crafting spells and items of great power. I even remember my mother bragging about my talent to the neighbors." Caleb smiled slightly before continuing, "Like you Usara, I was studying the arcane. It fascinated me at first, and the more I delved into it, the hungrier I became for it. It wasn't long before I started delving into the forbidden arts, much to my master's dismay. I was soon contacted by demons from the Legion, although I didn't know it at the time. I didn't wish to betray my people, but at that point I was so consumed by the need for power that, to me, it was worth any price, even my soul. I pledged allegiance to Kil'jaeden, gained immortality and was on the path of destruction." Here, Caleb's voice took on a darker tone, "But my foolish mistake ended up damning my people and my family; for the Legion soon returned to Azeroth with dreams of conquest. The Third War, in short." Usara's face darkened, while Arthas' remained stoic, "It was I who suggested the Scourge was to be created as a more than suitable replacement for the Orcs. It was I who developed the first strain of the plague and sealed the fate of Lordaeron. It was I who slew my parents, friends, wife, children, and everybody else that I ever cared about, tearing my soul and my humanity to shreds. It was I who took down whole races and watched them burn. It is I, in short, who is responsible for much of the evil that has happened here on Azeroth. And Kil'jaeden must pay for what he has done." Caleb opened his arms before stating, "Behold, friends, the true face of evil."
Usara's face twisted in horror as her mouth remained gaped. Arthas' stoic expression soon matched that of Usara's. Neither of them could believe what they were hearing.
"Caleb…" Usara slowly started, "Is this true?"
"All of it." Caleb replied indifferently.
"I was wrong." She began, "You are not a monster…" Here, her face twisted into that of pure rage, before screaming, "YOU'RE EVIL INCARNATE!"
"I already told you I'm not proud of what I did. I wish to change that by slaying Kil'jaeden and stopping the Legion, if only for a little while. I can't do it alone, and I will accept whatever punishment lies in store for me after this is over. But for now, I wish to…atone for my sins, if only you will find it in your heart to forgive me." Caleb spoke as gently as he could.
Usara's features softened slightly. She knew she had to give him the opportunity. No matter how far one has fallen, they should always have a second chance at life and at redemption.
"Fine…" Usara whispered.
Caleb now turned to Arthas who was watching intently. "What about you, Arthas?" Caleb spoke, "Do you think this new stream of power will ease your pain? Or that you can safely wield the Light again, with anger in your heart?"
"Anger is all I have left, Caleb;" Arthas piped, "anger and revenge…But somewhere in this now living heart, I will promise that I will try."
"Good." Caleb almost whispered, "At least now we can finally start working together. I hope that our alliance will see us through in the end."
Usara, though pain-stricken, managed a small smile. "I am glad." She spoke.
*That's another chapter. Any feedback is appreciated.*