Chapter 71

The fight between Kael'Thas and Rommath had progressed to its final stages. 

Obscure spells were slung between one another, such that it would put most archmages to shame. 

Kael'Thas for example, had reversed gravity, as well as the XYZ axis within an area of 1500ft, or about the size of four football fields. The very concept of forward was backward, up was down, left was right, etc. In essence, whichever way someone caught in this spell intended to move, they would move in the opposite direction. 

At the same time, due to the gravity reversal, both Kael and Rommath were standing upside down, with their feet in the clouds, and their heads pointed towards the ground. 

Unaccustomed to this form of battle, Rommath's spells were delayed by 0.5 to 1.8 seconds. Which may not seem like much, but in a high intensity duel, every second counted! 

Even so, Rommath wasn't to be outdone by this outlandish magic, as he had a unique brand of magic too. 

Numerous inscriptions flashed along his body. His high collared robe had been ripped away at some point during their fierce duel, revealing a body absolutely covered in tattoos. 

Unlike the Trolls, which had inscriptions upon their body depicting animals, skulls, or gruesome scenes, Rommath's were interlinked geometric patterns. 

Each and everyone of them a link in a chain imbued with the concept of Order. The corners of these shapes acted as the vehicle that bound specific elements, which resided in the center. 

An octagon on his elbow, for example, glowed a menacing umbra-purple/blue in the center, indicating a Void enhanced inscription, whereas the lines holding it together were blazing white, showcasing the binding properties of Arcane. 

While Rommath was trapped in this reversal zone, the tattoos on his body acted as a 3 in 1 mana source, offensive weapon, and defensive tool. 

Kael'Thas breathed heavily as a net of Void energy coated in the trappings of Arcane blasted towards him. 

The nonstop combat of the last few minutes had left him spent, and his collection of Mana Stones was running desperately low. 

Bringing some energy to his fingers, Kael repositioned his XYZ coordinates, and 'teleported' out of the way of the net. 

The net phased through a cloud, and instead of destroying it, corrupted it. Tiny umbra-blue raindrops began to fall upwards towards the atmosphere due to the zone reversal, crystallizing into tiny Ice Elementals, which began to shoot at Kael with Frost Bolts. 

Al'ar, who had returned to his egg during the fight to heal, had prematurely hatched, and was the size of a small chicken. Hiding in Kael's chest pocket, he stuck his head out, and breathed a jetstream of Life infused fire, obliterating the elemental voidspawn. 

However, the net was not yet dealt with, as it seemed to have a homing feature, and turned around, quick as a switch. 

Kael grumbled to himself, as due to the concept of Order binding the net together, he couldn't simply reposition it to attack Rommath. Nor could he move Rommath into the net, as his former instructor had protections all around his body. 

Fine, if he couldn't dispel the net through clever means, he would resort to brutality. 

Holding on to Al'ar, and using his phoenix companion as an anchor, Kael tapped into the part of the Elemental Plane that phoenixes called home, and began to cast Phoenix Fire. 

A portal opened up above Kael, and from it, the cries of innumerable phoenixes sang forth. The heat and flame spilling forth like an ocean threatened to consume Kael, however, Al'ar harmonized with the Phoenix Song, soothing the raging fire, and placing it firmly under Kael's control. 

Roiling forth, this sea of flame ebbed and flowed like water. It did not simply disappear, nor did it require any continued supply of mana on Kael's part or physical substance such as wood to burn. So long as the phoenix song was maintained, this portal to the Elemental Plane would continue indefinitely. 

Seconds after Kael summoned this literal lake's worth of liquid fire, the net of Void closed in. 

When Life attuned Elemental fire met Void bound in Order, and massive conflict of conceptual magics met. 

Tiny phoenixes, no larger than lap dogs emerged from the sea of flames, and pecked at the net, eating away at its strings like a bird swallowing a worm. 

Similarly, gaseous looking voidlings of a similarly small size came out of the air that the net had corrupted, and began to battle the tiny phoenixes. 

Seeing that the corrupted Air Elementals were not protected by the concept of Order, Kael was quick to readjust their XYZ coordinates, and held them in place. Leaving them helpless for the phoenixes to feast upon. 

If before, these summons residing within the sea of flame were the size of lap dogs, they had graduated to becoming the size of a beagle due to the rich mana they had devoured. 

The Phoenix Song cried in triumph, and bestowed an aura to Kael in thanks for providing a sumptuous meal. 

Bright orange waves of light constantly flowed around Kael, making him completely immune to the Phoenix Fire, as well as allowing him to tap into it directly to supplement his own mana reserves. 

Kael felt his father's broken sword, the ancient family heirloom of his ancestors, Felo'melorn, rattle in its scabbard, reacting to the acknowledgement of the Phoenix Song. 

Focused on countering Rommath's next spell, he tried to ignore it, as even the smallest distraction could spell doom. 

Kael felt vindicated in his action, as an unholy storm of Arcane, Holy, and Void was coalescing on the horizon. 

All of Rommath's tattoos were ablaze, and the sheer amount of mana radiating from his former instructor was enough to rival the Voidling demigod they had faced at the beach! However, it gave off an unstable feeling, as if Rommath was on the verge of catastrophe every second that he fought. Clearly, the merging of these differing magics was extremely powerful, yet also, very dangerous! 

Rommath seemed uncaring to the possible self-harm, and was preparing for a devastating, ultimate attack, and Kael had to prepare in kind! 

However, as Kael wracked his brains for a solution to this crisis, the rattling in his scabbard intensified. 

"Kieeer!" Al'ar cried, to get his attention. 

Kael frowned. Stressed due to the upcoming storm, he looked down at Al'ar in admonishment, only to see that his broken sword had come free from his scabbard, and was floating in front of him. 

Preparing himself for a sneak attack, Kael took no chances, and bathed Felo'melorn in an intense wave of Phoenix Fire. 

However, all he was greeted with was a chuckle, and a blinding light that he could not see through. 

"Who are you, to wield the blade of my ancestors?! Show yourself!" Kael demanded in anger and fury. 

"Come now, we both know who I am." The familiar voice spoke out. 

"It cannot be. They said you had sacrificed yourself. That you are dead!" Kael said in denial. 

"Kieer!" Al'ar cried out besides Kael. 

"Your phoenix friend is correct, Kael, son. I am, yet cannot be." The ghost of Anasterian Sunstrider softly spoke as he seemed to look through Kael, and deep into his soul. 

"Why now!? Why haven't you spoken to me earlier? Given me guidance on how to rule the kingdom?!" Kael closed his eyes, and fell to his knees due to the emotional upheaval in his heart. 

"Trials and tribulations are the hallmark of every great king. For some, it is their scars that define them. We are not 'some,' we are Sunstriders! Ever striving for what is Just, what is Right. I have seen that in you, Prince Kael'Thas. Through your doubt, self loathing, acceptance, and determination, you mirror our people's journey after the Well of Eternity was destroyed, and shattered this world." Anasterian held Kael by the shoulder, and pulled him up to his feet. 

Kael bit back tears, and took in the warmth of his father's smile, replying with one of his own. 

Anasterian squeezed Kael on the shoulder, and began to slowly fade out of existence. 

"Wait! You're not leaving me again so soon? I have so many questions!" Kael held out a hand, yet gripped nothing. 

"I will be with you Kael, always. Never forget that." Anastarian spoke with warmth, as he completely faded away. 

Kael blinked back a tear as his father disappeared, yet the sword, Felo'melorn, still floated in midair where he had left it. 

Slowly reaching his hand out, Kael found himself drawn to the blade as if he were in a trance. His breath sped up, and his heart felt like it was thrumming like a stampede. 

Grasping Felo'melorn by the hilt, a stinging sensation passed throughout his body, and the aura cast by the Phoenix Flame around his body seemed to burn and blister his skin, and internal organs. 

A fog of 5 shadowed figures surrounded him in a circle, and spoke a singular word, each packed full with intent, carrying conceptual weight on a metaphysical scale. 

Unworthy. 

Weak. 

Emotional. 

Useless. 

Pathetic! 

The voices assaulted his mindscape. Each word spoken was like a blow to his psyche, driving him into a dark corner, and driving the mana in his body out of order. 

Kael gasped, almost falling to his knees, the broken blade of Felo'melorn turned backwards, and hesitated at his own throat. 

"Goldilocks!" One voice pierced through the brain fog, bringing him back to reality. 

"I am Kael'Thas Sunstrider! Last of his name! Who are you to judge me!? Who are you?!" Kael shouted his defiance out into the ether, and pointed his blade up at the sky. 

Cracks formed in the walls of this mental prison, and the shadowed figures took on the form of his father, as well as 4 other ancestors. 

Generous. 

Kind. 

Strong. 

Merciful. 

Worthy! 

The five spirits of his ancestors spoke one after another. The same weight of metaphysical magic this time uplifted Kael's soul, empowering it to a newfound level. 

The five voices then chanted as one: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrNwVkpuJ7s) 

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be King.

Arise, Kael'Thas Sunstrider, the Phoenix King!" 

A thousand phoenix cries heralded Kael's ascension, and the sun rose over the darkness of night, heralding dawn. 

A crown of five stars fell from his ancestors, and gently rested upon Kael's head. 

All throughout Quel'Thalas, the very land itself breathed a sigh of relief. Flowers blossomed, frost fell off, and the advancing rot of decay halted in its tracks. The plague and darkness coating the island of Quel'Danas fled like water receding from the beach at low tide. 

A fire within the Chapel of Light, unlit since the sacking of Silvermoon, suddenly blazed forth, heralding the return of the King. 

All throughout the city, people came awake, and clamored in excitement as they heard the Phoenix Song echoing over the horizon. 

No longer was vengeance the sole motivator for these people, or for the Sunfury army that was mustering at the city gates. 

There was a new element kindled within the hearts of the Sin'dorei. 

Hope. 

Back on the isle of Quel'Danas, Felo'melorn shone brightly in Kael's grasp, its blade broken no more. 

Sunlight reflected off his golden blade, and what Kael saw in that reflection was the sight of his father, the image of a King. 

The Phoenix Song, which had felt like the worst curse a moment ago, now triumphed his name to the heavens, healing his body, as well as the land around the former Sunwell. 

Rommath's storm of Holy Void, bound in a cage of Order, had twisted and roiled long enough, and finally gushed forth, moving at Kael's sea of Phoenix Fire. 

The blackened storm clouds rumbled with thunder as lightning began to tear away at the Phoenix Fire. Corrupted rain ate at its heat, and billowing gusts of wind suffocated the fires of Life. 

Slowly, but surely, Kael's fire was being snuffed out. 

Despite this development, Kael felt no panic, no fear. That even should he meet his demise at this moment, his life would be fulfilled. 

However, he trusted that the death of the phoenix was only temporary. That the advance of Rommath's storm was merely a setback. 

He was proven right, when a spell from Felo'melorn materialized his mind. 

Instinctually absorbing this new magic, Kael felt his harmonization between Al'ar, and the Elemental Plane home to phoenixes intensify. 

With the sun at his back, Kael experienced a connection between Nature, Life, Arcane, and Elemental fire unique to the Sunstrider lineage. 

Relishing this feeling of peace and freedom, Kael completed his spell. 

A moment later all of the Phoenix Fire remaining coalesced, and was directed into Al'ar. 

His phoenix companion that he hatched as a boy, and had been a constant friend all his life took to the flame like a duck to water. 

Al'ar joined the Phoenix Song with his own voice, and a chorus of unimaginable power joined him. 

The phoenix swiftly ballooned in size. Every flap of his wings blew away the storm clouds, turning them into pure water. Wherever this Life infused water fell, a plant was quick to spring up. 

When lightning crashed down, Al'ar would meet it with his claws, and crush it like a twig. 

All the while, Kael was mounted upon Al'ar's back, and held Felo'melorn aloft. The blade harmonized with the Phoenix Song, and constantly released an unending bath of Arcane and Light barrier around him. 

Adjusting his XYZ coordinates, Kael teleported in front of his former instructor, only to look at him in astonishment. 

The once stoic, and most learned individual within Quel'Thalas had had his contradicting inscriptions go awry, and lost the source of his power. As a result of this mana deprivation, he had become a hunchbacked, pale, gremlin looking creature. One lost to all reason. 

Rommath had spent all the mana he had on hand, and regressed into a Wretched. Such was the fate of all Elves, should they run out of mana. 

Dismounting Al'ar, Kael held out a hand, taking pity on this one time father-figure. 

However, Rommath howled unintelligibly at Kael as he came closer, and reached at him with claws. Hands glowing with the ability to absorb mana, the deranged former Grand Magister came within a foot of the King, yet received a foot of steel through the chest for his troubles. 

"I am sorry, master." Kael'Thas closed his eyes in sadness, yet no tears sprang forth as he gently let Rommath's corpse down. 

"Goldilocks!" Jan'alai flew to Kael's side, yet when she saw him, she halted in her tracks. All of her exuberance, and overtly brash nature seemed to become transfixed by Kael's lofty, golden form. 

Kael gently smiled at her, and at his friend Vandercross as he too, stopped with an astonished expression. 

"Greetings, my King." Varrus bowed, yet Kael caught a smirk at the corner of his lips. 

"First Seat." Kael replied sternly. 

A beat later, both Kael and Varrus laughed uproariously. 

Glancing at the slowly rising sun, Kael held on to his blade. This time, instead of burning his hands so that he could see if he could still feel anymore, he felt a cool warmth. His father, and his father's before him were there. One day, his son would wield Felo'melorn, but that day was long off still. 

Today, he would set out with the Sunfury, and reclaim the lands lost to their enemies. 

A new dawn had risen over Quel'Thalas, and with it, the return of the king. 

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