After Dal'Khan followed orders and went to Gilneas, the Lich King Arthas became the actual commander of the Scourge in the Ghostlands. He and the Burning Legion demons led by the Dreadlord Anetheron were fiercely attacking Zul'Aman.
Before they spread the flames of war here, the Black Witch Faelina and the filthy Heigan had already brought a lot of trouble to the forest trolls.
Faelina stole some medicinal herbs needed by Heigan from the troll witch doctors, and this undead scholar refined them into a plague poison. The two sneaked and poured the plague venom into the trolls' drinking water. A few days later, thousands of trolls were infected and turned into ghouls.
The two secretly commanded these servants to cause trouble everywhere, making the trolls very headachey. The ruler Zul'jin was furious, ordering the suppression of the chaos while searching for these hateful rats.
Heigan and Faerlina carefully hid themselves, playing hide-and-seek with the trolls. Except for the first poisoning, subsequent actions did not cause much loss to the trolls, but they made the trolls paranoid and fearful, afraid of eating unclean things.
Zul'jin ordered the priests to summon animal gods – a lynx god with a keen sense of smell and a giant eagle god with extraordinary vision. With the help of the two animal gods, after a round of encirclement and suppression by the troll warriors, the two poisoners were finally cornered. Zul'jin was finally able to catch them!
But at this time, the Burning Legion had already destroyed the Eversong Woods and turned the flames of war here. Overnight, the Ghostlands were filled with arsonist demons.
Not only do the elves love the forest, but the forest trolls also live by it. Burning the forest was a behavior that the trolls could not tolerate at all. The angry Zul'jin ordered his warlock lord Malacrass to lead a large army to kill these demons and undead. But before they could go and find trouble with the demons, the other side took the initiative to attack. The undead and demon army directly marched into Zul'Aman's territory.
As soon as the battle began, the forest trolls immediately realized the power of the Burning Legion. The agile and cruel troll warriors were originally jungle killers and the best warriors, but they were completely stunned by the Burning Legion's minions. Countless undead armies, doomguards descending from the sky, blood-sucking Nathrezim, strong abyss demons… each was a deadly enemy, each they had never seen before, and had no experience in dealing with.
On the first day alone, the trolls defending behind the gate suffered thousands of heavy casualties. The priests of Zul'Aman had to summon more animal gods to help them.
Arthas personally led the army to fight on the front lines. He chose a giant lynx as his opponent – this beast god was agile and cruel, and had killed hundreds of Scourge under its claws.
After a fierce battle, Arthas still won. He stepped on the still twitching body of the giant lynx, and pulled out the sword inserted into the beast's chest.
This lynx was the lynx god Har'koa summoned by the trolls. The trolls' beliefs are very complex and strange. They often worship the souls of some dead troll ancestors or the souls of strong beasts. Those souls they worship may become gods (Loa) who protect them after absorbing their power of faith. These guardian gods absorb incense and naturally have the obligation to protect the troll believers who worship them. When the trolls encounter a crisis, they can summon these gods.
But gods are not necessarily powerful and invincible. In fact, the strength of many Loa is not even comparable to ordinary heroes. However, there are still some powerful ones among them. For example, the lynx god Har'koa is not weak in strength, but unfortunately, it met the stronger Arthas.
"Not so great after all," Arthas sneered contemptuously, kicking away the curled-up corpse of the lynx god. The forest trolls in the distance watched him in fear, sadness, and despair. Their patron god was killed before their eyes!
"Kill them all!" Arthas shouted with his greatsword.
Countless undead and demons pounced on the gates of Zul'Aman. The troll fortress, which the high elves and the Alliance had failed to break through for thousands of years, was crumbling under the Burning Legion's offensive.
At this moment, Arthas suddenly felt that his control over the Scourge was weakening. These undead… seemed a little irritable, and some even started attacking the demons around them, regardless of friend or foe.
"It's Dal'Khan. He… is dead?" Arthas immediately guessed the answer.
Only when the Lich King dies will the undead become out of control. Arthas, after all, came from another world, and was able to control part of the Scourge entirely because of Dal'Khan's authorization. The Scourge in this world nominally belongs to the real Lich King Dal'Khan. Moreover, the Helm of Domination on Dal'Khan's head did not lose most of its power. The one Arthas wore himself had been damaged by Illidan and could not compare to the original.
So after sensing this irritable emotion, Arthas immediately guessed the answer.
---
Dar'Khan's spirit could sense the power of this sword. If he wasn't hooked by Thresh's iron chain, he would have many ways to avoid this sword.
But the reality is that he was being tightly entangled by Thresh's hook sickle, and he couldn't even lift his hand.
"Death Sentence", Thresh gave this hook a cold name. Being hooked means death!
Aiden felt that his spirit, energy, and essence were highly unified. This sword erupted with unprecedented power, and a blue flame streaked across Dar'Khan's neck, drawing a beautiful arc.
"Pounce!"
The Lich King's head left his body, and the soul fire in his eyes, which was once extremely strong, became dim, as if it would be extinguished at any time.
The skull wearing the Lich King's crown fell to the ground, and Aiden also fell to the ground.
"Clang!"
The Helm of Domination collided with the ground, and the skull wrapped inside rolled out. Aiden came to Dar'Khan's skull, and the other party conveyed a thought, containing infinite regret. He ignored it, held the sword handle with both hands, and stabbed straight down.
The silver-white judgment broke through the skull. The skull trembled for a while, and then the soul fire inside was completely extinguished.
Karthus opened the Scroll of Souls, and a powerful soul floated in. A shining name appeared on the page:
Dar'Khan!
The Lich King – has fallen!
The heroes returned to the ground and cheered. But now is not the time to be happy. The out-of-control undead fell into chaos and rushed towards the living on the front lines in a disorganized manner. They became even more crazy and bloodthirsty, and even at this moment, the pressure on the Alliance and Horde front lines was greater than just now!
Grom almost died under Broxigar's axe due to the influence of the mental storm power. It was Varok Saurfang who endured the pain of his head exploding and rushed up to save him. But even the two of them could not contend with Broxigar's power just now. Under Broxigar's violent attack, the two orc warriors were covered in blood. Even though they tried their best to resist and dodge, several deep wounds were still cut on their bodies by the rune axe, and blood was gushing out.
The situation is very critical, and they may completely fall at any time!
It was not until Dar'Khan's head was chopped off that the power of the mental storm disappeared. Grom and Saurfang were able to breathe again.
And when Aiden completely killed the Lich King, the Scourge fell into chaos, and Broxigar was also greatly affected. He lost contact with the Lich King, and his spirit suddenly fell into emptiness. But it was also at this time that he discovered that he already possessed an independent will! He no longer fought for the Lich King, but for himself!
Seeing this, Grom fiercely split Broxigar's rune axe with an axe and shouted: "Broxigar, your master is dead! Now is your time!"
"I am free." Broxigar grinned, revealing a cruel smile, "Without the Lich King, do you think I will be weak? No, let my axe tell you, I am now even stronger!"
He roared, and the power of frost condensed on the rune axe, and it slashed over at a faster speed than before, and the fierce attack even tore the air!
"Broxigar, you won't succeed!" Saurfang rushed up with Grom.
---
Aiden picked up the Helm of Domination, and the sapphire on the front of the helmet bloomed with a dazzling light. The person who wears it will have the power of the Lich King and become the supreme commander of the Scourge!
"The Scourge has fallen into chaos." Varian, who was rescued, walked up. Now he still felt his heart beating a little too fast. It was the sequelae just now - he almost died. It was the head of the Valoran Federation in front of him who led his heroes to save him, as well as several others.
"Yes, the Lich King is dead. The Scourge has lost its master, and now they will only attack all living things more frantically. Only the Lich King could control their behavior," Aiden said in a deep voice.
"There are more than 200,000 Scourge here, and I don't know how many there are in the entire Azeroth. If they lose control—" Thoras gasped, and his heart ached faintly again. He looked up and saw the gargoyles and frost dragons that were originally assembled in formation to attack were flying around. Some had already left the battlefield and didn't know where they would fly.
"The person who puts on this helmet can regain control of them." Aiden raised the black iron helmet in his hand. "But do we need a new Lich King? There is Ner'zhul's will in it, and no one knows whether the new Lich King will continue to fight against us."
Aiden was inclined to destroy it. As long as the army blocked the exit of the Ashwood Village front line, when a large-scale army arrived, these Scourge remnants would eventually be cleared. This is the only way to fundamentally solve the Scourge problem.
The other leaders were also silent. No one knew what would happen if someone put on this helmet. Maybe he would control the Scourge, or maybe he would be controlled by the Scourge. The outcome was full of risks.
At this moment, "Death Singer" Karthus floated up. In the great battle just now, the only thing he did was take away the soul of Dar'Khan. Everyone else seemed to have played an irreplaceable role, and only he was just making soy sauce.
"Let me do it, Commander." Karthus said, "My destiny is in your hands. As long as you are willing, you can end me at any time—if I become your enemy after putting it on."
"Karthus, you—" Aiden looked at this Lich from the Shadow Isles in surprise.
"If I succeed, these 200,000 undead troops will be used by us. Maybe there are more. I think this is a worthwhile adventure. And," Karthus paused. He recalled the result when the Dark Titan tried to occupy his body in the Tomb of Sargeras, "I believe Ner'zhul will not be able to control me."
Even Sargeras would fail, so could Ner'zhul be stronger than Sargeras?
Aiden was in a dilemma, not knowing whether to agree or not. Reason told him that what the other party said was right. But if Karthus's will was dominated by Ner'zhul, would he really have to kill his capable hero?
"Agree to him, Commander." At this time, Kayle spoke, "His words are trustworthy."
Kayle believed this was a sacrifice, and Karthus's performance made her start to not hate liches so much.
"Hurry up, Commander." Karthus handed his staff and spell book to Kassadin. "Every second you hesitate, warriors are dying. I hear the cries of their souls."
Aiden took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "The people of Valoran will be grateful for your sacrifice."
"I don't need gratitude." Karthus still looked very relaxed, making people think that he was just putting on an ordinary helmet.
Aiden looked at Kayle. The Judicator understood and stepped forward to reach out and take off Karthus's original helmet. Under this hat was also a skull similar to Dar'Khan's, with the same vigorous soul fire burning in its eyes. As a lich, Karthus had been fighting against evil forces under the banner of the Valoran Federation.
Aiden felt heavy. He slowly walked up to Karthus. The lich lowered his head, waiting for his commander to crown him.
Aiden held the Helm of Domination and gently placed it on Karthus's head.
He withdrew his hand and saw a dazzling blue light blooming from the ice-blue gem inlaid on the front of the Helm of Domination.
As soon as the helmet was put on his head, Karthus heard a voice: We will become one!
Ner'zhul's memories and power poured in, trying to take control of this new body. However, Karthus himself was powerful and an expert in soul power. In addition, he had a master-servant contract with Aiden, so this foreign spirit could not suppress him at all, but was suppressed by him.
He accepted all of Ner'zhul's memories and also sensed the unwillingness in the soul of this former orc.
Ner'zhul's voice shouted: 'Now that you have accepted my power, you must inherit my will! Quickly, kill these living people!'
'No!' Karthus replied.
As the fusion was completed, the soul fire in Karthus's eye sockets was dyed with a layer of ice-blue flame. The restless Scourge around them quieted down and no longer attacked the Alliance and Horde troops.
The newborn Karthus knelt on one knee in front of Aiden and made a new voice: "Now, the Scourge will act according to your will. Summoner!"
After Karthus became the Lich King, he sensed the connection between him and all the Scourge undead in Northrend and Lordaeron. A group of Scourge was in the Ghostlands, and he sensed it. But when Karthus tried to control them to attack the demons around him, another will began to compete with him for control of these Scourge.
—
It's Arthas!
The undead in the Ghostlands fell into chaos, attacking the demons around them for a while, attacking the trolls for a while, and then stopping and not moving.
Anatheron was furious. He rushed to Arthas and roared, "Look at what your minions are doing! How dare these lowly guys attack our people!"
Arthas was concentrating his will to fight against the new Lich King Karthus and had no time to answer.
"Banshee Queen" Sylvanas stood up and explained: "The Scourge has lost control—it seems Dar'Khan is dead."
"What!" Anatheron was shocked. "That skeleton, you said he's dead?"
"Otherwise, he betrayed the Burning Legion." Sylvanas's voice had a hint of schadenfreude. Even after becoming a banshee, she still retained her memories of her previous life. Sylvanas would not forget who made her look like this today. Even if she succumbed to the power of the Burning Legion, she still hated her current master, even all objects—including those tribesmen she once loved deeply.
Her master was the Lich King, and only when the Lich King died could she gain freedom. Just now, she had tasted the taste of freedom for a moment. But it was quickly taken back. It was Arthas who regained control of her.
Seeing Arthas in trouble, she felt extremely happy.
When Anatheron heard that it was the Scourge's internal strife, he immediately said with hatred: "Since it's your own mess, you stay and solve it yourself! We'll retreat first. When will you solve the internal strife? We'll discuss the matter of occupying Zul'Aman! I'm going back to protect my master from being disturbed by you chaotic skeletons. Otherwise…"
The Dreadlord's words were threatening. After formulating the strategy, Archimonde asked them to act according to the plan. He himself was going to communicate with his brothers in the Twisting Nether. Now the Burning Legion's forces were seriously insufficient. Archimonde could not destroy the world alone. He needed more minions to complete the task of destroying the world for him!
After the demons of the Burning Legion retreated, Zul'Aman, which was about to be breached, miraculously persisted. Zul'jin and the other trolls were all confused and didn't know what conspiracy the enemy was playing.
But no matter what, Zul'jin breathed a sigh of relief. At least he temporarily saved the Amani Empire.
"It is our god who has blessed us and helped us repel the enemy!" Zul'jin had a flash of inspiration and shouted to the bewildered troll soldiers beside him, "This is our land, the land of the trolls! We will drive out all the enemies and protect our homeland! For Zul'Aman!"
"Long live!"
"Long live!"
Zul'jin's words successfully boosted everyone's morale, causing the originally desperate trolls to regain confidence. He quickly dispatched more troops to repair the fortress while clearing out the remaining enemies.
But after all, the enemy was powerful. How could Zul'Aman survive the invasion of the Burning Legion?
Zul'jin had to start considering their retreat.