Alright everyone, enjoy.
The familiar feeling of stepping through a Boomtube washed over him as he left the Plague lands. He needed to get the others out of there, that he knew without a doubt. If he and the others stayed there for longer then a full battle would have taken place between the Scarlet Crusade and the freed Death Knights. Something that Kal couldn't let happen, he needed the fighting to stop, not continue.
Stepped free of the white tunnel that the Boomtube creates, his feet landed on the solid floor of his home. He took a moment to enjoy his home atrium before he continued to walk forward and looked over his shoulder. The Boomtube remained open and one by one, all the Death Knights started to come through. Kal kept walking backwards to allow them all room to walk forward and soon enough. His entrance hall was full of Death Knights and the Horsemen before the Boomtube closed behind them, sealing them off from whoever may peruse them.
Kal stopped at the far end of the hall, just under the large statue of both his birth and adoptive parents, each rising a hand that helped to hold up a planet. He could see that many of the Death Knights, sixty-two of them in total, were looking around and no doubt taking in the scenery that the atrium provided. Kal did admit in the back of his head that he had an impressive force in front of him. The question now was what he was going to do with them, there were a handful of options.
It was possible that they could remain here for a time and act as a type of security force for himself. He was aware that it would cause some political tension with both the Horde and the Alliance... but he was sure he's done enough to collect some favours from the world's governments. Besides, it didn't matter what the others thought or felt about the situation, these Death Knights were victims, perhaps more so than anyone else. Kal would do what he can to help them.
"What is this place?" a voice broke him out of his thoughts and he looked at the sound it came from Fila, who was a couple of steps ahead of the Horsemen who were still at the front of the force.
"This is my home" he said though it was loud enough for all to hear him. Many heads turned to look at him as he spoke "Right now, you are all at the top of Mount Hyjal. Rest assured you are all safe here. I brought you all here because the mission was completed. Naxxramas has fallen, the prisoners have been saved, the Plague lands have been purged of the Lich King's forces and Kel'thuzad has been captured!" he shouted as he spread his arms. Many of the Death Knights, still feeling the effects of their last battle. Began banging their fists on their armour and their weapons on the ground in a war-hungry glee "This was a well-earned victory, now enjoy your respite. This place is open to you all. You may go about your business as you see fit until a more solid plan on what to do is made. There are only a small number of off-limits places, for now. Take a moment to rest" With that said, Kal turned and made his way out.
Kal relished in the weightlessness he felt as he floated calmly in high orbit around the planet. Moving the final satellite into place, it took a couple of hours to move them all and place them into the right positions. He stopped his movements and the large machines moved only a couple of inches before he could tell that it was now moving in direct sync with all fourteen of the others.
Staying still as it floated away, he brought up his wrist and flipped it. Pressing a small piece of fabric with his finger, a holographic display came to life in front of it. Typing away at the controls in front of him, the screen made of light showed an image of the satellite coming into view. Directly under it was a button with the text 'Launch' in large text, waiting a moment he pressed it.
There was only a moment of pause before he looked to the closest machine, and he could hear the Powercore turning on. He could hear the twisting of camera lenses as they began the function of taking detailed pictures and scans. When he used one of the many powers of his eyes, he could see the signals and electromagnetic waves which looked like thin blue beams connect to each and every one of them together, perfectly in sync with each other.
A small smirk appeared on his face before he quickly turned around and flew away from the planet. It only took him a couple of seconds before he was far enough away. Near enough the surface of Azeroth's moon before he turned around, the planet was a beautiful sight but to Kal it was even more so when he could see the blue lines that formed a dodecahedron shape planet around the entire planet. Keeping it safe from all angles.
Even from the outside.
A small and calculating frown came onto his face as he thought about that, he knew it was wrong, in pretty much every sense of the word. He should have told them all what his plans were or at the very least what the network was capable of, but he felt it best if he didn't. Flying back forward towards the machines, he brought up his wrist and typed away again.
Though unlike before, the machines simply didn't turn on. Looking closely, the large bulbous area of the back of the satellite faced the void of space. Many parts of it broke apart and started to peel away like a flower head, revealing a pointed pyramid-like shape. It didn't do anything after that of course, why would it? It didn't have a target to fire upon. But each satellite was capable of returning fire from any force that would seek to invade the planet. They would have a much harder time of it now, Kal did briefly contemplate the idea of building a full orbital defence platform that was capable of doing some real damage to any invading host.
Though he stopped before he could try and convince himself, these weapons are one thing but something that could be as devastating are an ODP was too much, with that he would be able to hold this planet hostage and force all the inhabitants to kneel before him. Needless to say, that was something he didn't want, and he very much doubted that they would want something like this built if he asked them. Besides, he was content with this. At least for now "hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"
He paused mid-movement as he heard the gentle hum all around him. How? How could he hear it here?! This was the vacuum of space, sound was practically non-existent here, while it was possible for him to hear some things. He needs to actively listen for it, but he wasn't trying to hear anything right now. Which confirms beyond belief that it was all going on in his head ''Am I going mad?' he asked himself.
He quickly decided that he had other things he needed to worry about before he tried to deal with his trauma.
"Our forces have now begun the march through the dark portal and are attempting to create a foothold on the other side" Mathias Shaw spoke to his king as he leaned over the war table.
King Varian looked at the detailed maps closely, the spymaster knew the king wanted to be on the front lines with his troops or at the very least at some forward fortifications but thankfully both he, Bolvar and Valeera were able to convince him otherwise. Using a combination of both cold hard logic and some emotional blackmail. The two big points among others were the threat of the undead Scourge looming and he would be needed to encase an attack was launched against them unexpectedly, the second was his son. Say what you will of the king, that he was a warmonger, a tyrant, etc but he was a good father, he loved his son. That was where the emotional blackmail came from, convincing him that he needed to stay here for his child.
While he put on a brave face, all of those present knew that Anduin has yet to recover from his entrapment with Onyxia. It was a well-known secret that the prince woke up from his sleep with screams due to night terrors, they've each tried to help as best as they are able but so far Varian is the only one who can calm him down when he starts to panic.
"What do we have on the enemy numbers?" he asked him back quickly, looking away from the map as he did so.
"They outnumber us for the moment, the reason for our heavy defensive stance so far" he began to explain "Based on the reports the Warcheif has sent, the numbers he's sending should thankfully place us on an even playing field with the enemy" something he was grateful for, ever since the conclave on mount Hyjal inside the crystal fortress. Communication between the Horde and Alliance has increased dramatically, which was how he so easily knows the numbers that were being sent to reinforce their own. The only problem was Horde forces and that of both the Night Elves and Draenei, meaning it's taking much longer for them to arrive.
"Will our forces hold out?" the question was quick.
"Assuming the enemy doesn't have an overwhelming advantage over us, we should be able to hold the line until the rest of the forces get there. Though thankfully, it seems the enemy wasn't as united as we originally thought. It seems those the leadership of Illidan Stormrage are fighting the legion loyalists. It's too early to tell if this is a full-scale revolt or a simple isolated skirmish, but it is worth looking into" the mission of the possible infighting came in a handful of different reports so it was far too early to be certain.
Varian turned to face Valeera and the two had a small talk about the possible enemy units and methods to use against them. He listened in for the most part but stopped when one of his servants came into the meeting room and immediately came up to him with a sealed scroll. The man gave him a salute before turning to leave, breaking the seal to open the scroll and starting to read. With every word his eyebrows started to rise higher the until it looked like it disappeared into his hairline. When it was all done, he read it again and again.
"Shaw!" the loud voice of his king was able to snap him out of the stupor he found himself in "What is it?" he asked with a small frown as he looked down at the scroll in his hand.
With the question he was able to centre himself, his back straightened before he spoke "It seems we have a more active alley in Kal-El than originally thought" he started before he handed the scroll to the king before he continued "The scouts in the Plague lands have reported a counterattack against Naxxramas, the necropolis has been knocked out of the sky and his now a ruin" Valeera's mouth dropped slightly at the news before she turned to face the king who read the report with narrowed eyes "when some very brave souls tried to get a closer look they made out what seemed to be Death Knights fighting amongst their kind. From what they saw, Kal-El was leading them"
The implications of what was being said were very powerful things, Varian tossed the scroll onto the table and leaned on it with both hands. Shaw had a good feeling that all thoughts on the Dark Portal were forgotten for a now "I thought it was impossible for the Death Knights to regain their free will?" he said to the two of them.
He wasn't wrong, while the Windrunner and the rest of the Forsaken broke free, from what they've been able to discover they were just used as mindless undead. Not true Death Knights. Shaw said the only thing he could "Well, Kal-El seems to be breaking many beliefs on what is possible and what isn't"
At that, the king seemed to be able to do nothing more than look down at the table with another sigh. He didn't doubt that he was going over all the different possibilities now that one of the enemies' greatest weapons, namely the flying fortress full of powerful magical artillery. That was a huge win for them, before they could discuss the possible ramifications of what that would mean for them, the sound of heavy footsteps caught the attention of all present and they looked to the door just in time to see it open and a group of four guards entered the room "your majesty" the one in the front said with a salute "forgive this interruption but Kal-El has arrived with some... equipment" he hesitated on that last part.
The action caused the others to all look at each other for a moment before the king let out a sigh before stepping away from the table and walking towards the exit "Take me to him" he ordered.
Kal was looking at the empty throne as he waited for the guards to get the king, thankfully he wasn't attacked when he arrived as it seemed that word of him as spread pretty wide now, so the guards had a better idea of what to do with him if he arrived. Though it was possible that they were warned about his arrival, he gave a mental shrug, deciding not to give it much more thought.
There were many different guards still scattered around the room, while being professional he could tell that they were unsure about him, that was to be expected and it didn't bother him. Kal was very used to people being unsure of the situation when around him, though he had a feeling he wasn't helping the situation. He glanced at his side and at the very large piece of metal machinery that was going to be used to connect to the satellites.
"Remember, you must always take your studies seriously" a voice caught his attention.
Turning his attention to the sound of the voice. Down the corridor on the right, he looked to see an older man leave a room and following him closely was a small child, it only took him a moment to realize that it was Anduin. The young prince gave the man a tired smile "I understand, it's just that..." he started before he turned his head and spotted him standing there in the throne room "KAL!" he shouted with a bright smile as he ran towards him.
Despite the surprise at hearing and seeing how happy he was to see him; Kal had a small smile on his face at seeing him "Hey kid, it's good to see you too" he said as the prince wrapped his small arms around his waist. He placed his free hand around the kid's shoulders "How have you been?" he asked.
"Good, my foot doesn't hurt anymore" he said back as he let go of the larger man and looked at him with a smile "What's that? It looks heavy" he asked as he looked at the equipment "Is it a machine? Is it like your crystal house? No, it's not glowing. Is it like those flying... thingies?"
He had to admit, there was something oddly calm about just being around a kid again. It's been a while after all, kids didn't have a lot to smile about during the war and the last time he saw Anduin he just survived a near-death experience, something a kid should never have to go through "It's not too heavy and it's a very smart machine that connects with the satellites" he answered.
"What's a satellite?" he asked back quickly with a tilt of the head.
"It's a machine that's up in space" he started pointing at the ceiling "They go around the world and look down at the ground, with this" he gestured to the one on his shoulder "You'll be able to connect to them and use to see all the world at once"
Anduin's eyes widened "The whole world all at once?!" he asked with a loud shocked voice.
"Yeah" he smiled back "It's cool right?" he asked.
"So cool!" he almost shouted back.
"Anduin, you are supposed to be in lessons" another far sterner voice caught his attention. The two turned to the sight of the king moving towards them with Valeera behind him, Bolvar was next to her and there was a third man that Kal didn't recognize.
"But..." he started, turning to look back at Kal who only gave him a pitiful smile.
"Anduin" his father warned him as he reached the two.
The young prince looked down and sighed before he nodded "Yes father" he said turning back to the older man he left the room who gave a half satisfied half sad smile as the young man slowly headed towards him.
"This is an unexpected visit" Bolvar started as he looked at the alien "We have just received word of what happened in the Plaguelands" he said eyeing the equipment.
"Word travels quickly" he commented "Do you have anywhere for me to set this up?" he asked quickly "I trust you found the individuals that you wanted to monitor the satellites" Kal added, letting them all know what he was doing here.
"So, you've set everything up?" Varian asked as he looked at the machine "You work quickly, follow me. A spot in the palace was set up for you and the personal are on standby" the king said as they started to lead the alien to where they needed to go.
Kal stood slightly behind the station and three individuals sat in front of the terminal that was now completely set up and connected to the network. It took him around thirty minutes to teach these people how it all works and what to do to both look for certain things or create alerts that others can see. At the moment, Kelex was doing the same for all the rest of the races as it seemed much quicker doing it all himself. What seemed to be going well on the primary screen was the largest, in the middle of the others above the terminal and nailed into the wall.
It showed a large 3D image of the planet that had certain points highlighted, more could be added with time but at the moment it was the dodecahedron shape around the globe, the second being a point on the ground where they were right now. Highlighting this terminal, which was now completely online, over the last couple of minutes two more points on the ground lit up, indicating that two more terminals were set up. Those points are Orgimmar and Ironforge. He didn't doubt that it wouldn't be long now before the rest was set up.
Throughout most of the process, the King stood silent and watched. Kal did not doubt that he was taking everything in as well, preparing for the day when he might need to know how to use this as well "Is it true? Your recent actions in the Plaugelands" he specified.
"I went there and cleaned house" he started "but if you want to know the specifics, you're going to need to ask about something more specific" he added.
The king frowned at being addressed in such a way but he moved past it quickly "My scouts have informed me that you were somehow able to bring down Naxxramas. But they were unable to confirm some things, such as you seeming to lead the Death Knights against the others" the question went un-asked.
"Yes, that was true" he patted the lasso on his waist "Thankfully the control that the Lich king has over his troops isn't absolute"
"What did you do with them?" he asked back quickly.
Kal turned his head and looked at him "I took them away when the fighting was done and before they could massacre the Scarlet Crusade. They're currently at my home" he said.
"What?" the older man quickly turned to look at the alien "You mean to tell me that at this very moment, an army of the Scourge's best soldiers is on top of Mount Hyjal?" the anger in his voice was plain to hear.
Though Kal himself was completely nonplussed by it "I wouldn't call it army, there's only sixty-two of them. Including the Horsemen of course. They've been instructed to remain in my home until a more permeant plan can be put into place" he reasoned.
"There is only one permeant plan for the undead" The king's eyes narrowed as he looked at Kal and this time, the alien felt his emotions rise at the words.
"I don't believe that" he said back with his firm voice "Everyone can be saved and I'm not giving up on them" With that Kal turned his back and made his way out of the palace. The intent of informing a certain someone of recent events.
He walked down the halls of his home with a singular purpose. Beside him, Jaina Proudmore walked at the same pace, the frown was visible on her face. He went from Stormwind straight to Theromore and told the mage about the most recent captive. She didn't even let him finish before asking him to take her there.
Normally Kal wouldn't like the idea of being commanded to do something but there was a certain type of desperation in her voice that he found difficult to ignore. She didn't wait for her to finish telling her what happened so when they entered his home he had to quickly tell her about his new guests.
The Death Knights hadn't done much since he felt them here, not that he expected them to. Sure, they explored the place and did things to pass the time but from what he's been informed of by Kelex, most of them spent most of their time in the training simulation chamber. Though from what he's seeing with his own eyes since coming back, many of them have taken to guarding certain points. Standing in pairs, on either side of certain doors.
There were four on either side of the entrance to the detention centre. The two stopped on either side of the door, which looked much like the walls, a way to throw intruders off and further evidence that Kelex told the Death Knights where to stand as they shouldn't have known where the detention centre was "one moment" he said as he took a couple of steps forward. Placed his hand flat on the wall, and after a moment, a small part of the blue crystal wall just behind his hand glowed slightly brighter than the rest of it.
Then much like before, the wall simply faded from place and he walked through it into the familiar corridor. He turned around and looked at her, Jaina's body was giving off tension like he's never seen before as she stood still. The grip she had on her staff was trembling slightly and her eyes were hardening in real time.
He could hear her take in a deep breath before walking forward to join him. They walked side by side for a couple of moments before they came to a stop. On his left, Onyxia was sitting at the desk doing the same thing she was when he left her. Though her red eyes narrowed even more when she met the gaze of the mage "Onyxia, so... good to see you again" Jaina droned in a heavily sarcastic voice.
"Lady Proudmore, I had a feeling if you had anything to do with our most recent neighbour" the brood mother said as she looked in between the two. Jaina turned around to see what she was gesturing towards. Kal on the other hand took a couple of extra forward and looked at the cell directly connected to the dragons.
Staghelm was sitting against the back wall of his cell, he had a look of complete defeat on his face as he stared at the ground. By now he was most likely going through a new case of mourning for his son, no doubt realizing that his plan failed, and his master has now abandoned him. He would need to talk to him at some point but now would not be the best time for that, he would no doubt be very emotional.
"You cruel manipulative bastard!" he heard Jaina shout and quickly turned around to see.
Directly opposite Onyxia was another cell. It was very similar in design to the other with a couple of differences. The main being that it was larger, not unexpected given the larger size of the prisoner. Though it was also fair to say that there were other differences as well. Namely the lack of space, it may sound weird that it was smaller given that it was bigger than the others.
The reason is that one wouldn't be wrong in saying that what was currently containing Kel-Thuzad, wasn't a cell in the same way that Onyxia and Staghelm had cells, but this was more of a restrainer. Kal walked to step beside Jaina and looked at the lich, both of them lifting their heads to gaze in the empty sockets where the eyes use to be "Lady Proudmore" The snarling voice of the skeleton came through with a lot of hatred but also a hint of sarcasm as well "Yet again, you prove unable to face me yourself so you get your boy toy to do so" he nodded towards Kal who's eyes narrowed back.
"I don't know about that" Kal said as he crossed his arms, deciding not to notice the way Jaina's body was reacting to him being called boy toy. Honestly, he spent a moment being surprised that this world even had the term boy toy "I'd say the Horsemen did most of the work when it came to knocking you down a peg or two"
Even though he couldn't even move his head, Kal couldn't help but feel that the eyes... or whatever he used to see turned to look at him "You should have killed me when you had the chance. The pain you feel, will be eterAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH" he was interrupted as large sparks of electricity flew over the body.
'Magical use detected; countermeasures deployed' Kelex's voice came through the speaker system.
"I'm sorry what?" Kal asked him "I couldn't make out that last part. Something about pain?" he asked, not even trying to hide the smirk coming onto his face.
The mage beside him didn't even flinch upon hearing the screams, but she did turn to look at him "What is this?" she asked, the grip on her staff not loosening for a moment.
Though she did not indicate what she meant, he knew exactly what she was asking "It's a containment sarcophagus" he answered, looking intently at his new prisoner.
Kel-Thuzad was stuck in T-pose as he was encrusted into the wall. He didn't have a cell; it was like a hole perfectly shaped for his body was carved into the wall and he was forced into it. He couldn't move his body an inch in any direction, the pieces of his body that were not covered in orange clothing were full of metal and leather straps connected to wires "Since he's a lot more magically... entuned? Dependant? than those two" he pointed over his shoulder towards the other prisoners "we can't use the same way of monitoring him as we can them, so he gets even fewer rights than the others"
With that said, Kal's feet left the ground and he floated up into the air. His eyes now level with the Lich "But you get the same chances they do; you make my life easier than I return to the favour" he added.
"You can't be serious?!" Jaina's loud and angry voice caught him off guard and he lowered himself to the ground "You'll let him go?"
"Of course not" he said quickly "Just like the other two, he's here for life. No matter how long it might be but that doesn't mean I can't make it more comfortable if they do the same" he kept an eye contact the entire time "you said you wanted some time with him. You've got ten minutes, don't try anything because despite it all he's my prisoner now, my responsibility. I'll be outside" with that he turned to leave, giving Jaina the chance to have a moment alone with her old enemy.
He didn't even make it to the door before the yelling and cursing started.
He started to think about what the plan should be now. There were a handful of different options that he could take going forward now. He could stay here and continue his work trying to find a cure for undeath, or a loophole for it at the very least. He could dedicate himself to the research of the Titan. Both had pros and cons, no doubt about that. But he didn't like the idea of letting the Death Knights just wander around on his own without real purpose.
Turning his head slightly, he glanced at the two guards. Standing ready for an attack encase anyone would dare try it. It was good that they stood there and in truth he was grateful for the attempt at repaying him for what he did, not that he felt they had to do that of course. But he also knew the danger of it, due to the albeit brief discussions he's had about the undead Death Knights. He knows that they are slaved by something called 'warriors madness' From what he can tell it's a type of neurological condition that makes them even more powerful fighters. If they don't give in to the urge to kill others or battle, they will go into a frenzy and slaughter everything around them.
It did explain why so many of them were in the training hall. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the door open behind him and the mage step out until she was right behind him. Turning around to face her, he could tell that she must have just gotten a lot off her chest "Come on" he said turning around to leave, and she followed soon after.
The cup of tea that was placed in front of her was more comforting than any other has been before. When Kal came to Theromore and told her that he brought down Naxxramas and captured Kel-Thuzad. She didn't even say a reason or an excuse to those present around the meeting table. Jaina just stood up and practically demanded that she be taken to the fortress to speak to that bastard herself.
What she didn't expect was the many Death Knights scattered around the place, walking around without any type of purpose but at the same time, clearly welcome. Of all the things to expect, she never would have guessed that they could have been freed from Arthas's control. It unnerved her, more than she cares to admit. Something she feels no small amount of shame for, she knows full well that these people are not to blame for what happened to them but she couldn't help it, every time she saw them. She saw his face the last time he saw him.
Placing her staff to the side of her, it standing up without any assistance from anything else, she reached forward and grabbed her cup, taking a small sip of the liquid as Kal sat opposite her. They were in one of his many studies, it was different from the last one she saw. It seemed more homely than the rest of the place. The walls were no longer the bright crystal and instead, they seemed to be a bright wood, the lights seemed to come from a type of... bulb? She saw a desk and some bookcases; they were near the wall sitting on either side of a small table.
"Are you ok?" he asked her, pouring himself a drink as well.
"No" her response came back quickly, and she was surprised by truthful she was. Her eyes were cast down and had a solum look on her face "That monster has done so much evil, me yelling at him isn't going to change anything"
"No, it won't" he agreed, giving her a small smile himself "but you can take a breath and relax now. His body is in the most secure prison on the planet and his Phylactery is somewhere even safer" Her eyes looked up to stare at his own as he spoke "he's not getting out and I have many methods to extract information. He's going to spend the rest of his existence telling me how to make life better for others" he said before taking another drink, though unlike her he took a large gulp, not feeling the burn from the hot drink.
"Are you any closer to finding a cure for the undead?" she asked him, hoping to change the topic.
"Not much has changed since last time, though I was planning on seeing Prophet Velen soon and asking for his assistance in that" he answered "What about you? Do the mages have anything on the Titan?" he asked.
She briefly thought about the idea of not telling him as it the information was technically classified by the council, but she was quick to shake the thought from her head "We've confirmed your words on magic seeming to come from her body" she admitted "we sent mages into the deepest mines that we could find and ran the test, magic was proven to be much easier to cast from down there for all levels of skill. When that was confirmed the council commissioned the dwarfs of Iron Forge to build a chamber for us. The deeper the better, we're going to use it to cast important spells and rituals for research" She didn't need to tell him that but she also felt that there would be no harm.
"Good to know I'm right about something" he smirked at her, something she smiled back at, though it was a small one and strained "Jaina, what is the alliance's plan in dealing with Northrend?"
The question was so sudden that she nearly choked on her drink "What?" she asked quickly, trying her best not to cough.
"This Dark portal's opened, I could hear Varian talking about his plans for it before I arrived at Stormwind to help set up the satellite network. I don't think they have any plans for the Lich King, at least not immediate ones. Thrall is sending most of his forces over there as well so he won't be able to help. Is there any plan to deal with the Scourge?" he asked. Jaina listened intently as he spoke and took everything in.
She knew that most were taking a more active interest in the Dark Portal than they were in the undead something that she could understand though she didn't agree with it "I don't know what my king is planning I do know that the mages of Dalaran are much more interested in Northrend then they are the Dark Portal. The plans for attack are still being worked on" when she started to explain the situation, she started to shrink into herself slightly, realizing just how little that would mean to someone who doesn't know the exact plans. But that was something she had no intention of telling him, these were classified as well but even more so as they were much more immediate.
"I see" he said placing his cup down and leaning back in his seat "Can I ask you a personal question?" that question in of itself caught her off guard.
She was about to say no but stopped herself, she didn't know what he wanted but he hasn't done anything malicious yet and she didn't think he would use any information about her in a bad way "ok" she said.
Upon getting permission he leaned forward and looked her in the eye, the kind smile on his face was something that she found comforting "What's the story?" he asked.
She frowned in confusion "What?" she asked back with a tilt of her head.
"The Lich king. Arthas. You had some type of relationship with him. I'd like to know the story. What happened?" he asked.
Despite the comfort she felt when looking at him, the walls around her built back up immediately and she leaned back in her chair. Crossing her arms and frowning at him "Why?" she asked, the anger clear in her tone.
Despite that, he didn't let up "I like to subscribe to the idea that no one is just born evil and I do believe that anyone can be saved. I don't know much about Arthas but from what I know, in the span of one war, he went from a skilled, powerful but most of all loving Paladan to what some would say the incarnate of evil. It doesn't sound right does it?" he asked her "I'm going to fight him, I'd like to know how he went from what he was to what he is now. If it's not too much trouble that is?" he added.
The frown never left her face as he spoke but at the same time it lost its intensity, she was quiet for a few moments before she looked down and let out a sigh "ok, I'll tell you"
And she did, she told him everything she knew. About how the two of them grew up, and fell in love, how she and Arthas worked together to fight the Scourge when it first appeared, about how she and Uther both left him before he could start the culling of Stratholme. From there she could only tell him what she knows from the reports, he was pursued by the enemy to Northrend and contact was lost. When he came back he was no longer Arthas but a Death Knight.
He didn't say anything throughout the story and listened carefully. It wasn't until she was done that he spoke "So... no one knows how he came to be how he is now?" he asked.
She took a moment before she shook her head "The only person I can think of would be your new prisoner but he's not going to give anything up so soon"
This was true, his methods would take time as he didn't want to rely too much on the lasso. He needed time to test his methods as he needed to prepare for the possibility that he might lose the Lasso of Truth at some point, he doesn't like to use it unless he has to "Thank you Jaina" he said before standing up "you've helped me out a lot with this" he made his way around her and started to head to the exit.
She was so shocked by the sudden action that she just sat there stunned for a moment "What?" she asked, turning around in her chair to look at him.
"If the Alliance and the Horde aren't able or willing to deal with the enemy then I'll just do it myself" he turned around before leaving and smiled at her "Thankfully, I just acquired a large force of the undead that have nothing to do and probably would jump at the chance to fight back against the one responsible for their undead state" with that said he turned to leave.
Not even an hour later, Kal was standing at the base of the large statue at the back of the main atrium. In front of him, every single one of the Death Knights stood silently, even the ones that stood guard in certain places were brought forward with the others "I know that you have all suffered, I know that you are in pain" he started as they listened "But I also know that every single one of you was much before this great crime was committed against you, you were all fighters, warriors... heroes, to both the Horde and the Alliance. Before they cast you out and I very much doubt you would be welcomed back, even now" The sadness in his voice as he said that last part was true and easy for all to hear "But just because you have been freed now, doesn't mean there are not many others suffering like you where"
Kal's feet left the ground and he started to hover above the ground all the heads turned up to look at him "The rest of Azeroth is currently occupied with the opening of the Dark Portal, they're taking the inaction of the Lich King as a blessing. I will not allow that monster the time to bolster his power while everyone is distracted. If the Horde and the Alliance are unable to send a force to fight then I will do it myself" As he spoke, many of the Death Knights began to calm down and take in his words, knowing exactly where he was going with this, and they were interested in what he was saying "if you will join me, then we shall march on Northrend together, we will free the rest of the enslaved Death Knights, we will take the fight to this would be dark lord and we will end his reign of terror. I know our numbers are low, but we have an advantage that the Lich King will never be able to counter"
As he finished these words, small holes in the ceiling opened many more drones flew in, on the ground, two more Boomtubes opened and both Sköll and Hati stepped out with their weapons raised "If you choose to follow me in this endeavour, you shall be given new armour, new weapons, new tactics and most the advanced technology on the planet!"
He lowered turned and lowered himself back onto the ground and faced all those that are in front of them "I know that I have no right to ask this of any of you. All of you present fought for your freedom, all I did was provide the spark that broke you free. If you desire to leave this place and seek your path, I will not stop nor shame you for doing so. But I will ask you this here and now" he grabbed the Trident from his back and tapped the ground next to him, holding it tightly "Will you follow me and help me destroy this evil that seeks to claim your world?" he asked.
There was a tense silence among all those present, every single one of them taking the time to think about what was just asked. Something he was grateful for, if they all immediately said yes then he would have questioned it. After a minute, Fila was the first to move.
She reached behind her back and grabbed his sword, jammed it into the ground and kneeling onto one knee she looked up at him "I will follow you" she announced.
There was another moment of silence as some present stared at her, and then it was Demian was among the front row of the Death Knights who all looked at him, without stepping forward, he took out his weapon as well and knelt "I will also follow"
Then one by one all those present began to kneel before him, each one pledging themselves to his command while they battle the Lich King. Soon every one of them knelt before him except for the Horsemen. There was another moment of silence as they each glanced at each other, it was Blaumenux who stepped forward and pulled out her staff, kneeling "I won't pledge myself, I won't ever do that again" she said with certainty "But if you mean to take the fight to the Lich King, then you have my staff" she admitted.
It was something Call could accept, his eyes glanced at the others. Then without prompting. Both Sir Zeliek and Thane Korth'azz knelt as well. Everyone in the atrium was kneeing except for Mograine, the leader of the Horsemen looked to Kal and their eyes locked for a moment before he reached behind him and grabbed his great sword "I may no longer be able to wield the holy power of the light" he started "but just because the light has abandoned me does not mean I will forsake the oath I made when I became a paladin" he knelt with all the rest "I will do all that I can to safeguard our world and I will pay any price if it means defending the innocent from harm. Kal-El. You have my sword" he said as he bowed his head.
As everyone bowed before him, Kal raised his trident into the air and saluted every one of them.
And we are ending it there, I hope that you all enjoyed and taking notice of me knew upload schedule. Meaning that I try to do it on Sundays. Let me know what you all think of Superman taking his Death Knights and marching on Northrend solo.
Just letting you all know there's going to be a week delay as I've got a small holiday this week.
Next story update: A New Guardian