Chapter 463: Frozen Road (End)

Did someone attack him? Arthas looked around. Those suicide bombers were still fighting the Undead Scourge in front of the gate. Could it be a long-range attack? That would be bad...

"You have to hurry, my warrior. Kil'jaeden, the Lord of Demons, created me, and the attack just now actually contained the power of demons! They are going to kill me! If they get to the Frozen Throne before you, everything will be over. Scourge will no longer exist. Quick! I will give you all the power I can."

Suddenly, a cold feeling penetrated Arthas' body, calming his anger and pain, and settling his mind. This energy is vast and intoxicating. It is more powerful than any power he has ever known. This is why he came to this place. Drinking in this icy energy, he took advantage of the Lich King's power. Arthas opened his eyes and saw clearly. The runes on Frostmourne shone as if reborn, and a layer of cold mist seeped out from the blade. Arthas suddenly grinned, and he held the rune sword high in his hand. The sound was clear and loud, echoing in the cold air.

"The Lich King showed me another scene. He restored my strength! Now I know what to do." Arthas pointed Frostmourne at the toy-sized figure in the distance.

"Those clay figures actually dared to attack us without knowing their own strength. This is the end. They are doomed to fail! Now is the time to let their masters also have a taste of the fear of death. It is time to end this game, attack!"

"Fight for the Lich King!" Arthas shouted, and just as he was about to rush down to his enemy, he was stopped by Anub'arak.

"Death Knight, the Lich King needs you more now, leave this to me, and you rush to the Frozen Throne immediately. There is a secret passage below that can enter Icecrown Citadel." Anub'arak did not give Arthas a chance to refuse, and rushed forward with his soldiers.

Arthas stared blankly at the dark hole, and the uncomfortable energy before reappeared in front of him. He swallowed hard, non-existent saliva. Arthas took a deep breath, closed his eyes and lowered his head as he walked into the cave.

Arthas walked down the spiral tunnel almost in a trance, step by step into the depths of the underground, as if some force was pulling his legs forward. It was silent here, and no one would stand up to stop him from going deeper, but rather than hearing it, he felt the heavy sound of some force. He continued to go down, feeling that the call of that force was leading him step by step closer to his fate.

Ahead was a cold, pale blue light. Arthas walked towards it, almost running. At the end of the tunnel was a huge cave, which Arthas could only describe as a throne hall, and he couldn't help holding his breath when he saw the world inside.

It was a blue-green spire, like ice but not ice, rising in a spiral as if to pierce the dome of the cave. At the top of the tower was the icy prison of the Lich King. A narrow path wound around the spire, leading him up. Until this moment, the energy given by the Lich King was still filling his body, making him tireless, but as he climbed higher and higher, those unpleasant memories came back like mosquitoes and flies. Fragments of words and scenes seemed to be before his eyes.

"Remember, Arthas. We are paladins. We must not take revenge. If we allow our anger to turn into bloodlust, we will become no different from orcs."

"Don't deny me, Jaina. Never deny me."

"We know too little to slaughter them like animals out of fear."

"My child, this is a big problem. Let's go and leave this rune sword here to its fate... We will find another way to save your people. Let's go and think of a solution when we return."

"I will give you one final prophecy. Remember, the more you rush to destroy your enemies, the sooner you will deliver your people into their clutches."

The memories of the past tugged at him, fighting for his mind, but there was another sight, another voice whispering, stronger and more convincing than the others, encouraging him to keep going.

"My warrior, the closer you come, the closer my moment of freedom will be... and with it you will rise in true power."

He climbed, his eyes fixed on the peak, on the huge block of deep blue ice. There, imprisoned was the man who had first led Arthas on this path. It got closer and closer, and when it was only a few steps away, Arthas stopped. He looked at the vague figure for a long time, and the mist rising from the huge ice block made it even more blurred.

Frostmourne shone in his hand, and Arthas saw two barely discernible blue lights flashing deep in the ice as a response.

"Return the sword to the sheath," the low and harsh voice shouted deafeningly in Arthas's mind. "To the end. Let me out of jail!"

Arthas took a step forward, followed by a second step, and finally he ran, holding Frostmourne high in both hands. Everything was for this moment. He let out a roar unconsciously from his throat, and then slashed with his sword with all his strength. Frostmourne fell with a bang, and a huge cracking sound echoed in the cave. The ice broke in response, and huge fragments flew everywhere. Arthas raised his hands to protect himself, but the flying fragments did not hurt him at all. Fragments of the imprisoned body fell, and the Lich King let out a roar and raised his hands high. Painful sighs and crackling sounds echoed in unison, and it was unclear whether they came from him or the cave. The sound was like thunder, causing Arthas to cover his ears and step back. It seemed that the whole world was falling apart. Suddenly, the armored figure of the Lich King broke free like an icy prison, and scattered to the ground under Arthas's shocked gaze.

There was nothing inside, no one.

Only the armor, cold and dark, clanged one by one. The empty helmet slid all the way to Arthas' feet before stopping. He looked down at it for a long time, and a shudder came from deep in his heart.

All this time... he has been chasing a ghost. Does the Lich King really exist? If not, who pushed Frostmourne out of the ice? Who wants to be freed? Could it be that he, Arthas. Menethil is the one who has been imprisoned in the Frozen Throne from beginning to end?

Could it be that the ghost he has been chasing all this time... is himself?

These questions may never be answered. But one thing is certain, since Frostmourne was forged for him, so is this armor. He grasped the spiked helmet with his armored fingers and lifted it up slowly and firmly. Then, Arthas closed his eyes and put the helmet on his pale head.

He was suddenly startled, his whole body tensed up, and he felt the spirit of the Lich King entering his body. Cold and powerful, it swept through his body like a wave, penetrating his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe and his blood trembling. He closed his eyes, yet he saw, so much. Arthas saw the orc tharman Ner'zhul, what he knew, what he saw, and what he did. For a moment, Arthas was afraid, worried that he would be completely overwhelmed by this power. After all, the Lich King had tricked him into coming here to find a living soul for his soul. Arthas tried his best to cheer up, ready to fight desperately for control of his body.

However, there was no struggle, only inclusion and fusion. All around him, the cave continued to collapse and collapse, but Arthas did not notice it at all. His eyes moved rapidly under his eyelids.

He moved his lips and spoke.

They... spoke.

"Now, you and I become one."

At the same time, in the shadow dome in the north, Richard opened his eyes: "Onyxia, let's go, it's our turn now!"