Chapter 101

(Kael'Thas POV slightly before Varrus's opening attack on Valanar) 

Kael had led the Sunfury into the city with little resistance, thanks to the covering fire from the cannons, and Varrus's army paving the way. 

As a result, he mostly faced the dregs of the treant forces, and served more as a relief force, acting to take pressure off of Varrus as he spearheaded his way towards the city's summit. 

In the past, Kael would have heavily suggested, nay, demanded he take the vanguard. His sense of vengeance used to be so keen, he would rush forward at every opportunity to violently meete out some righteous retribution. 

But even though a mere 3 months had passed, he was a changed man. 

The weight of leadership, and the expectations of his ancestors put things into a new perspective. He did not have to be the first one to step foot onto the battlefield. 

In fact, he found the slow and steady pace of the left flank to be comforting. 

With the luxury of acting in a supporting role, Kael was free to rotate his forces so as to prevent exhaustion and conserve both stamina and mana amongst his troops. 

Constant war had taught both him and the soldiers when to substitute amongst themselves, when was the most optimal time to consume a potion, and when to turn back to the priests. 

Kael was proud of the men and women who followed his banner. They had transformed from a rowdy rabble hell-bent on revenge, and had transformed into a well lubricated war machine. 

Even now, as Wretched Darkfallen sprang up from the soil, and blood rain threatened to melt one if it so much as made contact with the skin, the Sunfury remained composed. 

They reacted to the sudden ambush with professionalism and efficiency. The slobbering enemy was no match for his army, and Kael had lost less than a dozen people to the overwhelming onslaught. 

Each death was like a dagger to Kael's heart, but unlike Prince Kael'Thas, King Kael'Thas did not sit around and mope when he witnessed such tragedy. 

With a snap of his finger, and a quick incantation, Kael summoned a tornado of flame, and sent it amongst the Wretched Darkfallen. 

Al'ar screeched alongside him, and repeatedly dive bombed the tightly packed Darkfallen. Flame and talon tore into the densely packed mob of Undead, ripping them asunder, and scorching them into ash. 

Kael smiled graciously as several Highborn turned to him with looks of gratitude at his well-timed attack. 

His small contribution to the battle opened a gap, and the Sunfury exploited it, coming down upon the Wretched Darkfallen like a wave crashing down upon the shore 

Among his forces Heroes like Aethas Sunreaver, and Astalor Bloodsworn competed neck and neck to claim the most kills.

It was public knowledge now that Rommath was a traitor, and the two archmages were in a race to prove themselves. 

Kael was lacking a cabinet member, and the position of Grand Magister was a coveted position that carried with it vast duties, responsibilities, and prestige. 

Sunreaver exploded upon the enemy with hundreds of flaming spears. The direct impact of his actions were worth a hundred Elites. 

Whereas Bloodsworn conjured many collars using Arcane energy, and subordinated the Wretched Darkfallen to fight for him. 

Kael was interested in the two, but had yet to make a decision. Sunreaver had experience in Dalaran, and had been a sort of a mentor to Kael regarding Human affairs. He was knowledgeable in fire magic, and was an all-rounder. As a high ranking member of the Kirin Tor, he was largely divorced from Elven politics, and was able to resolve interspecies conflicts. Kael had a high opinion of Sunreaver not only for his skill as a mage, but as a leader too. 

As for Bloodsworn, he had a unique perspective on magic that intrigued Kael. His research regarding binding magic was revolutionary, and in fact, he had been credited with inventing bound weapons. Now, it would seem he was pushing the edge of this knowledge, and could even control the enemy directly. Bloodsworn was a widely respected figure amongst academics, and would be a more favorable pick amongst the general population. Furthermore, while his brand of magic made Kael sick, as King, he could not discount its usefulness to his people. 

Personally, he found Sunreaver to be agreeable, a great leader of men, and an all-rounder mage. On the other hand, Bloodsworn was well respected by the populace, and had innovated society with his achievements. 

It was a tough call, and he would base his decision on who performed better in this war. 

Whilst Kael was busy assessing his pick for Grand Magister, Jan'alai flew down, and transformed back into her Troll form. 

"Come on Goldilocks, we have to go faster! Otherwise they'll out pace us!" Jan'alai gripped Kael by the forearm with urgency. 

"Did you place a wager with Syra?" Kael said in amusement as he repulsed Jan'alai's hand with a small burst of mana. 

"They're almost at the summit!" Jan'alai continued, confirming Kael's suspicion. 

"Hmm, well we can't have that, can we?" Kael rubbed his chin, and replied in a faux conspiratorial tone. 

"Then I'll take the front!" Jan'alai excitedly turned around, only to be held back by Kael. 

"Patience, Green Beak, we'll have our chance. Our role is to reinforce Varrus, and relieve any pressure. Our very presence has already soaked up tens of thousands of Wretched Darkfallen. Should we abandon our position, and rush forward, we would leave his left flank exposed." Kael explained with some levity in his voice, but was firm in his denial. 

Kael allowed himself to smile-something he found himself doing more and more these days-and watched as his muscular maiden worked through the logic. 

She was big and strong, but she wasn't slow. Jan'alai had a different perspective than most, and was ignorant to the finer intricacies of combat. 

While Kael still considered himself a novice, that didn't mean he couldn't educate her, or that she couldn't learn. 

In fact, he was glad she was taking such a vested interest in Syra. With the two women bonding over war of all things, it made his life that much easier. 

As King, he had to look towards the future, and the future he foresaw required unity and strength from within. He had experienced the demerits of a house divided. After he ended this civil war, Kael wanted to strengthen his bonds with his people, and maintain his friendship with Varrus. 

The fact that their women had become friends could only be a good thing in Kael's book. 

"I understand, but how am I supposed to keep up when her husband is cheating?" Jan'alai complained, and pointed at a giant, 8-story tower forming up, some ways off. 

"Impressive." Dranarus commented as he approached from the side. In his hand, a scrying orb took a quick picture of the tower. 

"He doesn't do things by half measures, does he?" Kael muttered to himself when he saw the tower for the first time. 

Kael had received reports about the Battle of Tranquillien, and had heard rumors of Varrus's 'Tower of Jenga' but it was one thing to hear about something, and another to see it in real life. 

Honestly? It made Kael a little jealous. 

His true passion was pursuing the study of magic. That was half the reason he went to Dalaran, so he could remove himself from Silvermoon's petty politics, and devoted himself to his studies. 

For the last 3-4 months, he had gloomily sequestered himself in his quarters, ignoring everything. It was only when he became King that his passion was reignited, yet he had been on campaign for over an entire month. 

Between leading an army, a nation, and the matters of love, he found he had very little time to practice his hobby. 

"Come on, we can't fall behind now!" Jan'alai excitedly urged Kael once more. 

The way she looked at him was like a puppy begging for a treat. 

Kael wanted to say no, but a moment later, Varrus began to toss out spells as if mana wasn't a resource, and absolutely obliterated half the castle on the hill, and most of the Darkfallen surrounding his army. 

Whatever Varrus didn't blast, his House Guard took care of the rest as he began to engage the enemy Heroes. 

Furthermore, Kael also witnessed a retaliatory assassination attempt that left Kael wondering if Varrus was okay or not! 

"Sunreaver, Bloodsworn, you two secure our rear, and eliminate the remaining threats. Dranarus assemble the Spellbreakers, and follow me, we are ending this threat!" Kael spoke with power and authority. 

No one threatened his best friend and lived to tell the tale! 

"Ahh, kick ass! Let's crump those gray-skinned wrinkly Undead losers!" Jan'alai punched her fist into an open palm repeatedly, and with great enthusiasm. 

Kael nodded at Jan'alai, then set his eyes on an otherworldly beautiful being floating in the sky above the ruined castle. Besides her was a giant meatball made from the agonized, stitched faces of hundreds, if not thousands of Elves. 

It was the evil witch who had orchestrated this rebellion, and saw to kill him as a boy. It was his father's official wife, and the one responsible for the blood storm raining down upon them. 

It was Queen Lana'thel. 

The amount of mana radiating off of her was astounding, and gave Kael cause for concern. 

Ever since his ancestors had crowned him, he had a connection with the Elemental Plane home to all Phoenixes. 

However, they did not agree to be called upon often, and would only show in the most dire of circumstances. 

Kael could still summon their flames, but he was not currently in a position to draw limitlessly upon their domain like he had with his fight against Rommath. 

Fortunately, he had Jan'alai and Dranarus by his side, along with a few hundred Elites. 

Lana'thel wasn't sitting idle during Kael's advance, and she began to wield the blood rain with such dexterity, it was like it was a limb or extension of her body. 

The corrosive substance turned sharp, needling into Light shields, and putting his troops at serious risk. She also formed the rain into thick lances, which were only narrowly dodged, blocked, or magically countered by his forces. Fortunately, the Soellbreakers leading from the front were able to diminish most of the damage by dispersing the attack. 

Dranarus then led the Royal Guard in a mass spell that regurgitated the magical energy they had absorbed from the rain, and generated a channeled beam of energy at the mutilated meatball. 

The many-faced monster screeched from every mouth, and created a sonic frequency that disrupted the beam, causing it to fall apart. 

As for Lana'thel, she twisted her fingers, causing pools of blood to swarm up the hill, and hit the Sunfury from behind. Within seconds, his forces were enveloped in the corrosive liquid, and would be at risk of having their shields bursting! 

Jan'alai flew at Lana'thel with the intent of interrupting the spell, but the former Queen merely scoffed before merging with the rain, and disappearing into the downpour! 

Kael couldn't focus on Jan'alai as she raged and breathed green flames into the blood, he had to rescue his people! 

Muttering the incantation to a spell, Kael altered the XYZ coordinates of everything within a wide zone. 

Up was down, left was right, and any who intended to move in a certain direction went in the opposite path. 

The Sunfury paused for a second, then adjusted on the fly. Thanks to numerous battles and training, they had learned to adapt to Kael's change upon the environment! 

Kael then began to actively channel the spell so that he could direct the deluge of blood elsewhere. 

He began to accumulate all the blood he could find, and started to form a river of sanguine. 

"Now, Al'ar!" Kael shouted. Sweat was dampening his brow as moving so much mana rich materials was taxing on his psyche. 

"Kieer!" Al'ar screeched, and began to breathe Life infused fire upon the foul blood. 

Entire swaths of the sanguine substance were permanently erased as his Phoenix companion went to town. 

Supporting this effort, Jan'alai added her own flame, and the Spellbreakers were actively sapping the mana from within, then repurposing it for Arcane attacks. Then, the entire Sunfury army that wasn't tied down by the remaining Darkfallen joined in, and blasted the constrained river of blood with everything they had! 

Fire, Arcane Explosions, and Divine Hammers crashed upon the red liquid containing everything that the Highborn had to give. 

The ground shook, and lights flashed, yet Kael put in all he could to gather as much rain as possible, and hold it still. 

Sweat accumulated over his brow, and down his back as if he had run a marathon. As actively moving mana rich material was extremely straining, yet he saw that this was their moment to seize victory! 

As a result of his actions, the blood clouds began to diminish, and the sky became somewhat balanced between blue and red! 

"Watch out, Goldilocks!" Jan'alai's voice cried. 

Kael turned to the side, weary from such heavy concentration, and saw the monstrous meatball barreling down atop him. 

Sonic frequencies messed with the magic shield he had around his body, causing it to shift and waver, then ultimately, pop as it neared. 

At that moment, the blood river escaped his grasp as he lost his concentration, and a giant wave of toxic sludge-one so large it put tsunamis to shame-came crashing down towards Kael's head. 

Kael thought to swap himself somewhere else with his XYZ magic, but the continued screeching discombobulated him once again, momentarily paralyzing the flow of his mana! 

He looked on, almost in slow motion as Al'ar flew down in an attempt to cover him with his wings, as Jan'alai lot her form on fire, and crashed into the meatball to stop it, or as Dranarus and his Spellbreakers ran in front of the blood tsunami with their shields up. 

Yet each and every one of them, despite their best efforts, was too late. 

Kael tightly gripped onto the hilt of Felo'melorn, prepared to call upon the realm of Phoenixes in their entirety once more.

He could only ask for their aid a limited amount of times in his life, and did not want to waste one here…but he refused to let his story end when there was so much more to accomplish! 

Holding his blade aloft, Kael raised his voice, and pumped mana into the ancient sword. 

"In the name of Sunstrider, I call upon the Phoenix friends to renew our ancient pact, and come for-" 

"Apocalypse." A familiar voice interrupted Kael. 

A moment later, jets of flame, ice and lighting descended from the sky, and mercilessly ate into the tsunami from all angles. 

Kael shook his head. It slowed the tsunami, but it wasn't enough. He would have to call upon the Phoenixes after all. 

"I said. APOCALYPSE!" Varrus's voice boomed out, and five more iterations of Varrus's spell came into existence one after another. 

The world shook, and a woman's voice screeched in outrage from within the massive blood pool. 

Lana'thel's face formed from the tsunami, and she snarled at both Kael and Varrus with extreme rage. 

"You boys have ruined everything. Everything!!! So I will leave you with nothing." 

Following her words, the very city began to shake, and jets of blood began to explode from the sewers in quantities that Kael found almost unimaginable. 

It was so much blood, it resembled an ocean. 

Kael turned to Varrus, and gestured towards his sword as if to say 'are you going to stop me again this time?'

"We'll be fiiiine. Probably. Besides, at least the rain has stopped, and the sky is clear." Varrus pointed out. 

"Always the comedian. And such impeccable timing too." Kael sarcastically muttered. 

"Thank you, thank you. I'm here all night. Please, after you." Varrus mock bowed, and gestured towards Kael's sword. 

Kael smiled at his friend for bringing some much needed levity, then completed his spell. 

The former Queen was truly terrifying in her new magic, but he would show her why he was King. Why the Sunstriders could rule a nation of immortals for 8,000 years! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Read 25 chapters ahead at: patreon.com/KarpQQ