Meanwhile in the Hyperion, Johnny collapsed and was unconscious suddenly. "Get him to the med bay, now," Matt Horner ordered as the crew took the young man to the med bay.
After the medics examined him, a breather and devices monitoring heart beats were placed in the unconscious Johnny. "Admiral, we can't make out about Johnny's condition."
"What's going on in Johnny?"
"This is strange. It has nothing to do with any diseases or poisoning, but his health condition is deteriorating. It'll only be a matter of time before he dies of an unexpected cause."
Sarah Kerrigan, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli went on the Dimholt road. "What kind of army would linger in such a place?" the dwarf raised a question.
"One that is cursed. Long ago, the Men of the Mountains swore an oath to the last king of Gondor to come to his aid to fight. But when the time came when Gondor's need was dire, they fled vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the grey twilight? The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the north shall he come, need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead," Legolas gave out what he knew.
"Sounds more like an army of the dead," Kerrigan muttered.
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli dismounted as the small group was closing in to the entrance of some cave. "The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away," the dwarf whispered.
"Aren't your people miners? Caves shouldn't be a problem for you," said Kerrigan.
"Not this one."
"The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it. The way is shut," Legolas seemed read the symbols on the frame above the entrance.
"Did you hear that?" Kerrigan asked as there was an unknown sound that scared the horses away.
"Brego!" Aragorn shouted but was useless. "I do not fear death," he was the first to enter followed by Legolas.
"Well, this is a thing un-heard-of. An Elf will go underground where a Dwarf dare not? Oh. Oh, I'd never hear the end of it," Gimli muttered.
"What's the matter, Gimli? Are you afraid?" the Queen of Blades asked. The dwarf only glared at her for a few seconds before entering followed by her.
Aragorn lit a torch as the small group progressed throughout the cave's interior and there was a huge pile of skulls. "What is it? What do you see?" Gimli asked.
"I see shapes of men. And of horses," Legolas replied.
"Where?"
"Pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist. The Dead are following. They have been summoned."
"The Dead? Summoned? I knew that. Very good. Very good. Legolas!" Gimli then realized he lost track of the group. Nevertheless, he managed to catch up.
"We got company," said Kerrigan as there were ghostly hands touching her, Aragorn, and Legolas. Gimli attempted to blow a ghostly hand away, but more came.
"Do not look down," said Aragorn but the dwarf realized that he was stepping on another massive pile of skulls.
The small group went to a place where a man-made structure was near. "Who enters my domain?" a ghostly king appeared.
"One who will have your allegiance," Aragorn replied in a bold tone.
"The Dead do not suffer the living to pass."
"You will suffer me."
A ghostly city appeared when the ghost king laughed, "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it."
"We're surrounded," said Kerrigan as a tremendous number of ghosts gathered and encircled around the small group.
"The way is shut. Now you must die," said the king of the Dead.
Legolas released an arrow but the projectile flew past the king of the Dead.
"I summon you to fulfill your oath," Aragorn spoke boldly displaying Anduril.
"None but the king of Gondor may command me," the king of the Dead readied his sword. Aragorn parried the ghostly blade with Anduril and twisted it. "That line was broken."
The heir to Gondor's throne grabbed the ghostly king's throat and had Anduril near it, "It has been remade." The king of the Dead backed off and Aragorn said, "Fight for us and regain your honor. What say you?" the Dunedain looked around the dead men. "What say you?"
"You waste your time, Aragorn. They had no honor in life, they have none now in death," said Gimli.
"Watch what you say, Gimli. The army of Dead is not affected by anything we hit them with except for the elvish sword," said Kerrigan.
"I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I will hold your oaths fulfilled. What say you?" said Aragorn. The king of the dead laughed and the army of dead disappeared. "You have my word! Fight, and I will release you from this living death! What say you?!"
"Stand, you traitors!" Gimli shouted.
"Ah, hell," Kerrigan muttered.
"Out!" Aragorn shouted as the structure collapsed and millions of skulls began rolling into the chasm. "Run!"
After the small group got out of the cave, Aragorn was horrified to see a fleet of Corsair ships was sailing in the river and fell to his knees. Legolas and Kerrigan placed their hands on the Dunedain's shoulders.
"Is that the Dead?" Kerrigan asked as there was sound of a wind's gust. The small group turned to the king of the Dead. "Have you all changed your mind?"
"We fight," the king of the Dead confirmed and the army of the Dead began backing them.
Author's Note
The upcoming full-scale battle will be divided into five chapters and anything related to the battle will be included in the upcoming chapters.
Warning. The next chapter might contain bad language.