Chapter 173

Kel’Thuzad sensed it immediately. 

The sudden deactivation of Stratholme's shields, the resounding impacts of the Arcane Towers upon the land. 

Every second that ticked by, he felt the connection to a ghoul cut. Every minute, one of his prided ziggurats-technological terrors dreamed up in his youth-became ruined beyond repair. 

Kel’Thuzad's empty sockets stared at a projection within the throne room of Naxxramas. The baleful blue fires emanating from his skull stilled as he viewed the destruction the Elves had wrought. 

His pride and joy, his impregnable fortress, the Heroes, Elites, and vast army of minions. They were all served on a platter for the Elves to enjoy! 

Kel’Thuzad had had his world shattered just 3 days ago when his lord and savior, the Lich King had perished. Yet he had persisted. He had thought himself a capable, rational man. 

In these 3 days, Kel’Thuzad had meticulously reviewed his forces, gathered warlords, and planned on launching a crusade against the Elves who harmed his lord. 

Yet the cunning, hated Elves had made the first move. Their act of sabotage tipped him over the edge of his-barely holding on-sanity. 

His only hope now for the Scourge, was that His Majesty, Arthas somehow carried on the Lich King's will. 

Kel’Thuzad could sense the young King was on the continent-perhaps to the south west-yet had no means to communicate with him. 

Retreating to his side would only invite trouble. Fortunately, his phylactery was located somewhere safe. 

Which meant that before this body perished, Kel’Thuzad would do everything in his power to kill, cripple and maim the Elven force as much as possible. 

The more time he could buy for Arthas, and the more he could blunt this offensive, then the better it would be for the Scourge. 

Focusing on this one thought with a single minded focus so intense, several nearby Undead burst in an explosion of gore, Kel’Thuzad set his course. 

Suddenly, Naxxramas shook as it moved toward the floating Elven city. Along with the dreaded temple of doom, all the other floating Necropolises acted as a screen, and advanced ahead of Naxxramas. 

Heavy fire from Arcane Towers shook the temple, and a Necropolis had already crashed into the city down below. The fiery mess exploded spectacularly, yet Kel’Thuzad paid it no mind. 

If he was to bloody the Elves, no price was too steep. 

It was during this advance, that Kel’Thuzad witnessed something spectacular. 

The central tower of the Elven city…it too was an Arcane Tower! 

Brimming with energy, the 50 story tall tower released a massive ball of pure Arcane at one of his Necropolises. As soon as the super heated white orb collided with the temple, a bright flash occurred, then the Necropolis was gone! 

Kel’Thuzad did not feel or experience any kind of panic, and as he did not possess lungs, he most certainly did not suck in a cold breath! 

‘Increase speed! Close the gap, and fly In from a lower altitude!’ Kel’Thuzad mentally commanded his forces. 

As the Scourge fleet of floating buildings lowered their altitude, they were met by the Elves own floating towers. 

Thick bursts of magical power exploded upon both sides as the levitating buildings passed and circled one another exchanging broadsides. 

Kel’Thuzad coldly analyzed the situation, and noted that he outnumbered the enemy, yet they were giving as good as they got. 

For every one Elven construct that was demolished, Kel’Thuzad would lose one as well. 

His initial flight group of 18 had dwindled down to a paltry 8 within minutes. 

This could not stand! 

Pulling upon the Death magic permeating Azeroth, Kel’Thuzad began the chant to a spell. 

“Ash'Naz Ker'Duhl. Ash'Naz Vi-Lo-KU!!!” 

Icy wind and the souls of the damned howled as they left the halls of Naxxramas, and gushed out into the sky like a never ending torrent. 

All moisture in the air seemed to freeze, and a never ending snow storm bursted out onto the scene backed up by gale force winds. 

The Elven constructs shook and shuddered like kites out in a bad storm. 

One after another, they became targeted by Kel’Tuzad's spell. 

At the helm of the icy wind, a massive skull made of snow, and necrotic ice flew through the sky, and struck these off balance floating buildings with great crackling power. 

Kel’Thuzad watched on in petty pleasure as the fanciful Elven toys crumbled under the weight of his magic, or were forced to land. 

Next came the hurdle of actually crossing the barrier created by the Elves. 

This would be the hard part. 

As to pass through a magical shield, one must do so slowly, otherwise, if one was moving too quickly, they might splatter on it. 

Calculating the odds, Kel’Thuzad imagined he would lose 90% of his Necropolises making this landing, but it would be worth it so long as even 2 made it. 

Each temple-Naxxramas included-acted as a beacon, and magical hub for the Undead. It could be used by necromancers, and Lich's alike as a focus, to channel the vast energies of Undeath and transform even the most mediocre of Death mages into proven Elites. 

However, what really made these flying fortresses so dangerous was that they could act as teleportation hubs. 

Once Kel’Thuzad landed his flying buildings within the Elven base, he could then bring his millions of troops to bear!  

Proud of his plan to eliminate the Elves, Kel’Thuzad began the operation.

Directing his fleet into the treacherous close range fire of the Arcane Towers, Kel’Thuzad used all his focus to maneuver them so he lost as little as possible. Yet despite his best efforts, and expert spell casting, his Necropolises fell one after another. 

Twisting his fingers, and muttering another incantation, the powerful wind, and icy blizzard no longer served as an offensive tool, but instead clung to his floating temples. The ice had formed giant shields around them, protecting them from the worst the Elves had to offer! 

It was a bitter sweet spell, because afterwards, Kel’Thuzad experienced not one more loss to his fleet. 

Finally, after experiencing many sacrifices, Kel’Thuzad finally saw success. 

If he had lips, he would be grinning right now. 

He was in! 

Three Necropolises, and Naxxramas had pressed through against all the odds, and had made it past the barrier! 

‘Necropolises, land in the north, east, and west corridors. Deposit all your troops, and replenish your forces from Stratholme via teleportation!’ Kel’Thuzad ordered his troops. 

Meanwhile, back in the throne room, a ruckus was developing which caused Kel’Thuzad to become distracted during the most critical phase of his invasion. 

“Kel’Thuzad, what is the meaning of this?! Why have you dragged us to our assured destruction?! Why have you damned us?! Why not flee Stratholme, and regroup elsewhere?” One of the subordinate Death Knights stepped forward, and questioned. Desperation and fear colored his voice. 

Quite a few murmurs backed up this man’s series of questions, yet none were brave enough to speak any louder than a whisper. 

“Pathetic.” Kel’Thuzad said in scorn. “Do none of you realize? Am I the only one who sees that we were cornered? That without the barrier, offense is the only option in which we can secure victory? I do not expect much from the imbecilic, feeble minded anyhow. Do as you are commanded Death Knight, for you are already damned. Do what the Scourge has need of you to do. OBEY.” 

Casting a powerful geas over the assembled Undead, Kel’Thuzad briefly wrested control over even the most powerful of wills. 

His will, and voice then boomed across the halls of Naxxramas. 

“The time of reckoning is upon us. The treacherous Elves have seen to the demise of our master, and undone the protections of our city. The flesh, blood, and souls of the enemy lies beyond these walls, ripe for the picking.

Minions of the Scourge, heed my command! 

Alonsus Faol, take command of the northern Necropolis. Counter their Paladins, and Priests with your shadowed tongue! 

Lady Deathwhisper, you and your 8 assassins are to act within the shadows. Deliver killing blows to mages, priests and other rogues only. Ignore Paladins and Warriors. Kill, then retreat. Yours is a most crucial job! 

Ras Frostwhisper, you and your students of Scholomance shall take the eastern Necropolis. Focus on holding the line above all else. Use your reinforcements liberally, then repair them as they break. Teach these self assured, smug vermin the enduring ingenuity, breathtaking intelligence, and endless miasma of malice that is Humanity! 

Professor Putricide, teleport your experiments onto the western Necropolis. Share with the Highborn the meanings of pain & misery. Let all of Azeroth bask in your depravity. Let the unknown become known! Let the science of magic reign supreme! 

Antiok, Marrowgore, your monstrous forms shall serve as the vanguard alongside Thassarian and his Death Knights here in the south. Your overwhelming might is necessary to create a beachhead, to secure a forward advance so that the overwhelming numbers of the Scourge can clog these streets. Your responsibility is not an easy one, but it must be done. 

FOR THE GLORY OF THE SCOURGE!” 

“For the glory of the Scourge!” The assembled Heroes and Elites droned back. 

Upon their shout, each of the named units went about their assignments, and teleported to their respective Necropolises. 

“What of us, Lord Kel’Thuzad, what would you have us do?” Baron Rivendare, chief Death Knight, and leader of the Four Horsemen questioned. 

The otherworldly pale man clad in armor had asked Kel’Thuzad with a hungry expression, one that promised to inflict maximum pain. 

Unlike the Warlords who had gathered under Kel'Thuzad's banner out of curiosity, or survival instincts, Rivendare was a true convert. One who-much like Kel’Thuzad-had wholeheartedly believed in the Lich King's vision. 

“Soon, Baron, soon. Your time will come, but I cannot risk you against lesser threats. As of yet, I require your protection whilst I cast spells, and relocate the troops.” Kel’Thuzad patiently explained. 

“Upon your command, Lord Kel’Thuzad.” Rivendare saluted, then backed away. 

Kel’Thuzad ignored the man, and turned his attention elsewhere. 

A thousand things were happening at once, and his focus was required to address them all. 

Upon pressing his will upon Naxxramas, and using it as a focus, Kel’Thuzad worked his teleportation magic to its maximum effect. 

Straining against the blockage of Elven Rune Stones, Kel’Thuzad-with great difficulty-spent about 5 minutes working against the damned magicks, and managed to bring 20,000 various Undead up to the floating city. 

At the same time that this was happening, he took the ice that had been coating his Necropolises, and repurposed it in one big, multi pronged attack. 

Four streams of ice beams rose up at once, and struck the 50 story tall Arcane Tower at its crest, damaging its ability to shoot out Arcane Blasts. 

Suddenly, Kel’Thuzad began to experience an optimistic outlook. 

‘Perhaps I need not sacrifice myself for His Majesty afterall.’ Kel’Thuzad thought to himself.

There was a chance! 

However, as soon as those 20,000 Undead came pouring out of Naxxramas, they were clogged up in a choke point, and seemingly unable to get past no matter what. 

Kel’Thuzad wanted to open the way so that they could advance, however, he had something much more urgent to deal with. 

The power of a Demigod began to radiate from the Elven tower! 

Turning to his 100 Lich students, Kel’Thuzad spoke to them in a solemn voice. 

“Prepare the ritual spell. Today, we shall show the Elves what it means to be damned!” 

“For the Scourge!” The Liches cheered as they began pooling their power and expertise for a ritual spell the likes of which Azeroth had never seen before.