On the screen, before the only path through Sovngarde—the "Whalebone Bridge"—the shield-guardian Tsun, servant of Shor, stood waiting for the Dragonborn. He told the group that since they were not dead, any living being seeking entry into the Hall of Valor had to pass his trial.
Rainier and the others looked at Wayne. Wayne, having fought this NPC countless times, suggested that Rainier represent the four of them in a duel against Tsun.
Tsun, wielding a Nord battle-axe, was a formidable melee combatant in both offense and defense. However, Wayne was surprised to see that Rainier's combat prowess had improved by leaps and bounds. Between playing Street Fighter and observing the army maneuvers, Rainier had clearly evolved.
As a net cafe owner, Wayne spotted the details immediately. Rainier's attacks and dodges bore the distinct marks of Monster Hunter, while his footwork and quick adjustments reflected the influence of Street Fighter. Even as a warrior, he had learned Restoration spells in-game. When he took a hit, he would perform a Street Fighter-style block and retreat, follow up with two Monster Hunter backrolls, and then heal himself. He was truly integrating the best of every world.
Rainier fought with intense focus. With two subordinates watching in-game and two others watching the screen outside, plus Wayne observing from behind, he couldn't afford to lose face. He wanted to show off his skills before both his men and the expert net cafe owner. After several heavy strikes successfully pushed Tsun back, the guardian acknowledged the Dragonborn's strength and allowed them to pass.
Watching the livestream, Tirion Fordring nodded in approval. Since he hadn't played much besides Uncharted Waters IV, he didn't recognize where the techniques came from. He thought to himself: Are there truly such outstanding young officers in Stormwind's army now? His moves follow patterns I've never seen. Has the world changed so much during my seclusion that I am completely out of touch?
Inside the magnificent Hall of Valor, just as the legends described, endless long tables were lined with chairs and overflowing with food. No matter how much was taken, the plates replenished instantly—a truly inexhaustible feast. It was here that the most famous Nord heroes of Skyrim resided after death. Rainier and his team, who had spent their journey reading about these legends, looked upon the figures with reverence.
The three heroes who had once used the Elder Scroll to banish Alduin approached, telling the party they had been waiting. The final battle was about to begin.
North of the Eastern Plaguelands, Stratholme.
In the ruins of this once-thriving northern hub of Lordaeron, only the stench of death and rot remained. The cracked stone tiles were covered in a viscous, dark brown liquid that smelled of blood and something foul. Buildings still stood, but restless spirits seemed to wander within the shattered rooms. Day and night were indistinguishable here; the sky was a permanent, gloomy crimson, as if stained by blood that could never be washed away.
Shadowbreaker had visited this city long before it became a ghost town. Relying on his memory, he took the rear position, guiding Chen who led the front. Occasionally, small groups of Scourge undead crossed their path, only to be swiftly eliminated by the five-man team.
The three youths felt very differently about the environment. Arator was tense. Although his Holy Light was the perfect counter to the undead, this was his first time facing them in person. Shadowbreaker was genuinely worried about the boy getting hurt; if the son of Turalyon were permanently scarred or disabled, he would never be able to face Rhonin or Vereesa again. Consequently, before leaving Light's Hope Chapel, Shadowbreaker had borrowed a holy hammer and a sturdy shield, assigning Arator the role of a "Holy Paladin" to focus on healing.
However, Chen didn't seem to need much healing. The powerful Pandaren monk utilized his "Brewmaster" talents expertly, mitigating damage while converting energy into mist. As he fought, floating orbs of green Chi surrounded him, slowly healing his minor wounds.
Amy was fully concentrated, her top-tier magical talent on full display. When enemies bypassed Chen to charge the group, she would immediately freeze them with Frost Nova.
If a lone Scarlet Crusade mage tried to cast necromancy, she would either Counterspell or polymorph them into a sheep. Between casting Blizzards, slowing groups with Cone of Cold, or unleashing Arcane Explosions, she was a force to be reckoned with. Both Chen and Shadowbreaker agreed that the girl had a limitless future.
Li Li, on the other hand, was ecstatic. She didn't act like she was in a life-or-death struggle; she hopped and skipped, shouting that this was just as exciting as playing a game in the cafe. Old Chen had to warn her multiple times to keep quiet so as not to attract more enemies.
With their growing chemistry, the group reached the bastion and headed toward the chapel as Duke Shelenehoff had instructed. Along the way, they dealt with Scarlet Crusade patrols with surgical precision, ensuring no one could raise an alarm.
But reaching the archives proved difficult. Looking from a corner, they saw Archivist Galford directing his subordinates to search through several rooms. On the other end of the corridor, several guards stood outside the chapel. The numbers were too high to take out silently.
"What now, Uncle?" Li Li whispered.
Chen looked at Shadowbreaker. "Old Shadow, how about this?"
Shadowbreaker still found the nickname strange, but it wasn't the time to argue.
"In a moment, Li Li and I will climb the wall," Chen continued. "Amy, stay at this corner and polymorph whichever Scarlet lackey looks the strongest into a sheep. They will definitely investigate. Amy, you Blink to the other side to hide, while Old Shadow and Arator draw their attention. Li Li and I will rush in to find the painting and then come back to support you!"
Arator couldn't believe such a risky plan—especially since he was the bait.
Shadowbreaker asked, "Is it too risky for Amy to bait them? Should I go?"
Chen replied, "Old Shadow, you're too short. How will you pull it off?"
Shadowbreaker: "I... you motherf—"
Arator: "Huh?" Li Li: "Huh?" Amy: "Huh?"
The three "huhs" meant different things: one was confused by the phrasing, one was confused by the reaction, and Amy simply thought, Paladin attack range IS short, why are they making weird faces?
"It's settled! Li Li, get on the wall!" Chen ordered. "You got it, Uncle!!"
Shadowbreaker watched the two round Pandaren leap nimbly onto the wall. He gripped his hammer tightly, swearing to himself that next time he would bring his biggest, longest greatsword so no one would dare call him "short" again.
"Baa!"
A sheep's bleat rang out. Seven or eight Scarlet soldiers froze. Archivist Galford roared, "Dispel him immediately! And follow me to see what's going on over there!"
The soldiers snapped to attention. The polymorphed warrior was dispelled and charged toward the corner with the others. Amy blinked to safety. As Shadowbreaker and Arator stepped out, Shadowbreaker shoved Arator forward. "You first!"
"Mentor, are you sending me to my—" Arator didn't finish.
"Use Consecration! Then cast Divine Shield, you silly boy! Then use your Hearthstone!"
Arator finally understood. His mentor wanted him to tank the first wave and then escape using the "Bubble-Hearth" technique.
Within moments, nearly ten soldiers surrounded Arator. Inside his golden Divine Shield, Arator began channeling his Hearthstone.
Simultaneously, inside the archive room, the trio scanned the walls for paintings. Two moons... two moons...
"Uncle, found it!" Li Li shouted.
Chen and Amy turned to see a painting of two moons. But the shout drew two more guards. Chen charged the door to block them. "Take the painting and go! Quick!"
Amy nodded, snatched the painting, and began her Hearthstone chant. Li Li refused to leave. "Uncle! I'll stay and kill a few more mobs—I mean, people! Wa-ka-ka!"
"What 'wa-ka-ka'?! Go! This isn't a game!" Chen yelled.
"What about Uncle Sha and Arator?" Li Li asked.
"They're Paladins! They have Divine Shield! You have nothing! If you don't leave, I can't leave either!"
Li Li finally began her chant, green magical light surrounding her. Chen used "Fists of Fury" to heavily wound a guard, then followed up with a Guile-style Flash Kick to the jaw. The man's skull shattered, and he died instantly.
Behind him, Li Li vanished in a flash of blue light. Across the way, Shadowbreaker's Hearthstone was nearly finished. The two men locked eyes across twenty meters. Shadowbreaker looked hesitant and worried; he knew that once he left, the Scarlet zealots would swarm Chen, who had no invulnerability skills.
But Chen's gaze was unwavering. A red glow appeared on his right palm. He struck the remaining Scarlet guard's neck with a heavy palm-strike. The guard, who hadn't been touched by Chen before, suddenly went limp and died on the spot. In that instant, Chen realized these soldiers were actually resurrected undead!
Shadowbreaker vanished in a flash of green light. Now, the enraged soldiers and Archivist Galford turned toward Chen. From the chapel, Saidan Dathrohan stepped out, his voice booming, "Who dares trespass here?!"
Chen's Hearthstone was channeling. He counted the seconds in his mind.
Ten... nine... The soldiers drew closer. Dathrohan: "Seize this low-born mongrel!" Five... four... A distant mage reached their position and began casting a knockback spell. If it hit, the Hearthstone would be interrupted. Three... two... A "Risen Cavalier" lunged with a longsword! One...
Chen twisted his hips. The blade tip sliced a few white hairs off his belly, and in a burst of blue light, he vanished. He reappeared at Light's Hope Chapel to the sound of several ringing echoes.
"Uncle! Oh yeah!" Li Li rushed up and hugged him.
Chen patted her head and laughed heartily. Shadowbreaker let out a long breath. "Chen, that was a close one."
Amy smiled. "Everyone coordinated perfectly!"
Arator panted, "Mother of... that scared me to death."
Shadowbreaker asked, "Chen, what was that move you used at the end?"
Chen rubbed his nose proudly. "That is the secret technique of the monks that can take a life in an instant—the Touch of Death!"
"Anyway! I... I need to go pee!" Chen's rhythm suddenly changed, and he ran off to find a bathroom.
"Now that we have all three items, it's time to take out that silk pouch Miller gave me and see what it says!"