Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           TherewasonlyArthas,Frostmourne,allbutsingingathavingclaimedthefinalpieceofArthas’ssoul,andtheorc,whoseskull-facewassplitwithtriumphantlaughter.

           "Yes!"theorcexhilarated,laughingalmostmaniacally."Iknewyouwouldmakethischoice.Forsolongyouhavewrestledwiththelastdregsofgoodness,ofhumanityinyou,butnolonger.Theboyheldyouback,andnowyouarefree."Henowgottohisfeet,hisbodystillthatofanoldorc,butmovingwiththeeaseandfluidityoftheyoung.

           "Weareone,Arthas.Together,wearetheLichKing.NomoreNer’zhul,nomoreArthas—onlythisonegloriousbeing.Withmyknowledge,wecan—"

           Hiseyesbulgedastheswordimpaledhim.

           Arthassteppedforward,plungingtheglittering,hungeringFrostmourneeverdeeperintothedream-beingthathadoncebeenNer’zhul,thentheLichKing,andwassoontobenothing,nothingatall.Heslippedhisotherarmaroundthebody,pressinghislipssoclosetothegreenearthatthegesturewasalmostintimate,asintimateastheactoftakingalifealwayswasandalwayswouldbe.

           "No,"Arthaswhispered."Nowe.Noonetellsmewhattodo.I’vegoteverythingIneedfromyou—nowthepowerismineandminealone.NowthereisonlyI.IamtheLichKing.AndIamready."

           Theorcshudderedinhisarms,stunnedbythebetrayal,andvanished.

           TheteacupshatteredasitfellfromJaina’ssuddenlynervelesshands.