This is my first Warcraft story and I hope it is not the last. I have background alias pieces done for the characters so you have a general idea on some appearance as well as how they are under my WMV section of my gallery. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did writing it. ~ Firefly

Chapter 1 - Vicente

The evening sun began its decent into the horizon, a cool autumn breeze dancing through the grass fields, drying the sweat off a lone miner's brow. The muscled man leaned back from the mineral deposit he was working on, stretching slightly to ease the tension from the day's work. Walking back to his tool cart, he leaned his pick axe against it, dusting off his black slacks, and grabbed his red, button-down shirt, putting it on.

"Vicente!" a female voice called. Vicente turned his attention to the young woman who was approaching him, a smile crossing his face. The woman returned his smile with her own, brushing her long, black hair behind her ear. She had long, black hair reaching about her waist and dark emerald eyes which glittered upon making contact with his gaze. "Vicente, dinner is ready, my love," she said, walking beside him, her hands cradling her slightly bulged stomach. She straightened her dark green dress, the torso being like a black vest stitched to it with a criss-cross design of black lace going down the front with a low cut neckline. Her long sleeves billowed out, covering her from the evening breeze.

"Oh yeah?" he replied, kneeling down before her, placing his own hands gently on her tummy. "Little one being feisty at all today?" She giggled, her green eyes sparkling.

"Vicente, it's only been three months, hehe. This little one isn't going to be moving for awhile. I am a bit weary though," she responded. He peered up at her before climbing to his feet, his blue eyes meeting her emerald ones.

"Aw, poor Rozetta," he said brushing his hand against her cheek. Then, in one careful motion, he scooped her up and off her feet, gently cradling her in his arms.

"Vicente!" she gasped, clutching at his still open shirt, making a pouty face upon hearing him chuckle.

"You said you were tired. I will carry you in," he replied. The dark haired girl snuggled into his chest, smiling. Kissing her forehead, Vicente started walking towards their home, the sun disappearing into the horizon.

The warm light of the fireplace illuminated the small house, giving it an orange glow to it. In front of it was a plush carpet with four pillows in a small semi-circle with Rozetta resting against them. Her husband came up next to her, pulling a strand of her hair from her face before kissing her.

"Dinner was amazing as always, dear," he said. She smiled wearily, glancing at him before returning her gaze to the fireplace. "Does something trouble you, my love?" She could hear concern lacing his voice. She placed her hand over his in reassurance, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"No, darling, I am just tired. Also, this warmth comforts me so. It has a soothing effect on me," she replied. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her protectively while kissing the top of her head. "I cannot wait until this little one is born. I wonder if it is a girl or a boy."

"Whatever it is, it will be our precious child that I will protect along with you for as long as I am able," he replied, giving her a squeeze as they continued to stare into the flames.

Evening fell, the orange hue of the sun disappearing over the horizon, clouds covering the remaining rays of the sun. Dark, billowing clouds towered over the small village, thunder cracking in the distance. The wind began picking up, whipping though the trees and howling mercilessly. Vicente ran around the back, grabbing his bag filled with minerals he recently mined.

"Vicente? Vicente, where are you?"

"Rozetta, get back inside!" he yelled, running up. She backed away, giving him room to run in. He placed the bag inside near the doorway and as he turned to close the door, behind him, he heard a male voice shout over the storm.

"Someone please help me!" the blonde man yelled, staggering near the center of town. Vicente shot a glance over at his wife before rushing out to assist the man. Pulling him arm over his shoulder, Vicente guided him to his home as fast as he could with Rozetta closing the door behind them. Vicente set the man down, brushing his jet black bangs from his eyes, water dripping down his face and torso.

"Oh it's Robert, you poor thing," Rozetta said, running to grab a blanket.

"Don't rush, honey. Please be careful," Vicente warned, nervous for his wife. He turned to Robert, looking down to see his head downcast, his blonde hair matted down from the rain and it was clear that he was breathing rather heavily. "Hey, are you ok?" He crouched down near the blonde, moving to touch his arm. Just before he made contact, Robert's head shot up, his skin showing a layer of sweat and it was becoming slightly gray. His blue eyes began changing into a rusty red, a look of intense pain showing through them.

"Vi-Vicente, it hurts… so m-much... help... please," Robert moaned, curling into a ball. He moved to get his hair out of his eyes only to find a handful of his blonde stands easily fall out. The dark haired male jumped back in surprise. The blonde stared at his lost hair in horror; his gaze meeting Vicente's finally, pleading.

"W-what's happening to you, Robert? When did this start?"

"I h-heard that J-John was ill but people thought it w-was just a f-flu. However, s-several others began catching it and I heard John passed away," Robert stuttered.

"Why didn't we hear anything about this!?" Vicente demanded, anger swelling.

"This just happened over the past three days, sir," Robert sobbed. Outside, the wind howled and the rain began to pound hard against the ground. Thunder rumbled low in the distance and lightening etched through the ominous sky. Vicente stared down at the man at his feet, trying to make sense of what he just learned and what it meant for him and his wife. Rozetta emerged from the other room with a heavy blanket, about to bring it to the man until her husband's gaze stopped her.

"Sweetheart?" she murmured. He again glanced at Robert, beginning to back away from him slowly. "What's wrong?"

"We're leaving."

"What? Vicente, what is wrong?" the dark haired woman demanded. He walked up to her, taking the blanket she was holding and placed it on her shoulders

"We need to leave. It isn't safe here. Please don't ask: Just do it." Their eyes locked as if they had their own silent language and with that her eyes went downcast, frowning as she nodded in compliance. Suddenly from outside, there was a loud shriek of people crying out in fear. Vicente moved to the window peering out to see a lone man on horseback, raising his sword towards the fleeing villages as his silvery blonde hair danced in the crazed wind. The rain had died down for the time being, lightening crackling in the dark sky. The rogue's eyes widened, fear gripping him tighter. "Arthas…" He watched in horror as Arthas rode down the stone path, slashing at the defenseless people.

"I shall cleanse this disease from the world! Your blood with purify this village!" To Vicente's shock, some of the people he saw the prince slash down had similar symptoms as Robert. A scream cut Vicente's train of thought short as he turned to see Rozetta backing away from the diseased blonde as he crawled towards her. His skin had become slimy and more hair fell out as he dragged himself across the floor. The pregnant girl pressed her back against the wall, horror fixed in her emerald eyes. The rogue ran over to her, grabbing his swords from the mantle on the wall above the fireplace.

"What's wrong with him!? What is going on? Vicente?" The rogue glared at the creature at his feet that used to be a fellow friend, thoughts of what was happening plaguing him. A creature. That is what Robert had become in front of their eyes. Something changed him and was spreading throughout the village, and now, even worse, Arthas from the Silver Hand was now killing everyone to cleanse them. Vicente's eyes widened as a terrible realization gripped him, his gaze going to his young bride then falling to her slightly bulged stomach. His face grew stern as he drew back his swords.

"Get out of here. Go out the back. I will follow in a moment," he ordered, pulling her toward the back room and away from the diseased creature. "I need you safe. Please," he whispered. He could see it in her eyes, the look of terror from the thought of being separated from him. "Look, I know you're scared but please, please think of the baby. I would rather die than lose you two." He planted a kiss on her forehead as she began crying.

"V-Vicente, I-I…." she stuttered as she dried her eyes. The zombie behind them moaned, the sound of his rotting body slowly dragging against the floor. Vicente brushed his hand down the side of her face lovingly, kissing her forehead once more. "No…. No, no, no…" The rogue grabbed a black shawl, replacing the large blanket with it over her shoulders.

"Run and don't look back. I'll distract Arthas. I can't let anything happen to you or our child," he said, looking back at the creature moaning. It had stopped for a moment, its ragged breathing making its body shake and it growled low. "Rozetta," he murmured gently, grabbing her chin, "I will meet you at Blackwood Lake, ok?" She looked at him, her eyes glossy with fresh tears. "Everything will be alright. I love you so much," he whispered, closing in and taking her lips with his in a passionate kiss. The screams outside grew louder and now the crackling of fire broke out as one of the houses were set ablaze.

"My people! I will cleanse your souls of this filth that Mal'Ganis has cast upon you. I will deliver you salvation! May your souls rest in peace and find their way to the Promised Land!" Arthas yelled as he lit the next house on fire. Men and women ran in terror as the smoke and ash consumed the air. A lot were asking why he was doing this and what was wrong with them. Most were merely screaming and crying, tending to wounds while trying to get away. The corrupted prince made his way towards Vicente's house.

"Where's my baby!?" a woman screamed, running through the town and through the scattering people. Arthas turned his attention towards her for a moment, trotting after her.

"Now is your chance, my love. Get out of here."

"I-I… Vicente…" she stuttered, grasping at his hands, "I don't want to leave you. I just can't." Outside, the high shrill of a woman signaled that the possessed prince found his prey, continuing his path to the rogue's home. The rogue peered out the window for a second before looking back at his panicked wife as she nervously ran her hands through her long, black hair that she pulled over her shoulder. Her brow knotted in sorrow as she looked up at him, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

"You must. I love you, Rozetta," with one last kiss, he opened the door for her, waiting. "Take the horse." She took in a deep, shaky breath, knowing full well she couldn't argue with him. He was terribly stubborn and always believed that everything he thought of was best. She knew in her heart this was a bad idea. That something terrible was waiting to happen. She peered up at him, hugging him as tightly as she could, her stomach bumping him.

"I love you, Vicente. You better not die on me," she cried, kissing him once more. Reluctantly and carefully, Rozetta hurried outside to fetch the steed which had not been startled yet, glancing back occasionally at him as she ran. Vicente turned back inside to what was once Robert on his floor, eyeing it in anger. Walking around it to a cabinet, Vicente opened the double door revealing a full set of Bonescythe armor on display. The zombie let out a loud moan, causing the rogue to glance over.

"That's right, Robert," he said, beginning to grab the pieces of armor, "It's show time."

Arthas trotted over to the next house, hearing the sudden roar of one of the undead from the dwelling before him. Dismounting from his horse, the prince drew his sword before storming right up to the door and opening it. The only source of light for the house was the glow from the flames outside as Arthas walked into the structure, his eyes falling on the zombie squirming on the ground. It writhed in what looked like pain as Arthas then noticed a small throwing knife in the creature's arm, effectively pinning it to the ground. Without even thinking, the corrupted prince waltzed up and sank his blade into it, silencing its cries.

"Another soul cleansed. Now, why don't you show yourself and let me help you while you still have your mind," the blonde prince murmured, glancing around the dark room. He heard a man scoff in disgust from the shadows.

"You call this 'help?' This is madness. This slaughter is wrong. You should be looking for ways to cure them, not murder them," Vicente said sternly. From outside behind the house, a horse bellowed, the sound of its hooves pounding the ground caught Arthas' attention to which Vicente noticed. He knew it was his wife and that he couldn't have the prince running after her. Quickly with the flick of his wrist, the rogue threw distracting powder, the sharp noise causing Arthas' attention to shift once more. 'Easily distracted. Something is very wrong. It's like he is possessed. Like it's not really him,' the rogue thought to himself.

"Come out, you fool! I've no time for nonsense," Arthas growled out. After a very short pause, Arthas grabbed his cloak, sweeping it around himself as he moved to leave. "Very well, I was going to burn it all anyway." An orange glow swarmed his body as he used the seal to blast the door off its hinges, splinters showering the ground. As he walked away from the house he was suddenly stopped as a throwing knife caught his cloak, pinning it to the ground. Arthas turned in time to see the Bonescythe clad rogue land and charge at him, swords drawn and ready to strike. The prince brought his own sword up, blocking the frontal assault and parrying, knocking Vicente back. As the dark haired man regained his footing, Arthas freed himself from the dagger and charged up another seal. "So, you wish to fight me? This is what I get for saving you from the clutches of the Dreadlord?"

"This isn't saving! Have you lost all sense!?"

"You dare speak to me like that, knave? Defying me will cost you dearly," Arthas growled. Fire crackled in the air, ashes softly raining down upon them as the thunder roared above, the darkening sky threatening to open up and give rain once again. The wind picked up, growing harsher and spreading the fire, pushing the hungry flames to Vicente's home, the smell of sulfur and burning wood filling the air. "This place is now saved. You are all that is left now. It will be up to you whether you suffer or if it's quick."

"I will not die here. That is not in your power. You are supposed to be protecting your people," Vicente said, firming his stance. Arthas merely stared at him, his gaze sending a chill through the rogue. Thunder roared and a crack of lightening flashed as the two charged at one another, their blades colliding, Vicente's crossing over in an 'X' in front of him to block Arthas' downward blow. The sound of steel grinding and sparks flew as the two pushed against each other to break defenses. Suddenly, the blonde leaned back slightly before pushing forward, breaking Vicente's block and causing him to lose his footing and stumble back.

"Now you're mine," Arthas hissed, charging up a Seal of Command and using it to throw Vicente in the smoldering remains of one of the houses. Upon collision, the brittle frame crumbled inward, some of the planks trapping the rogue. Blood oozed from the gash that now graced the dark haired man's forehead above his right eye, making him dizzy. Rain started falling, softly at first but it quickly became harsher, causing Arthas' hair to mat to his head and face. Firming his grip on the hilt of his sword, the prince waltzed up to the wreck and grabbed the fallen rogue by the throat, yanking him up.

'This is it. I'm so sorry, Rozetta, my love. Please be safe,' he thought. The corrupted paladin raised his sword, lightening crackling through the dark sky.

"I have the power," Arthas whispered, "I also have the power to make use of you and have you suffer for your defiance. Now, you shall serve me." With that, he plunged his sword to the hilt through Vicente's chest, hearing him cry out in pain. Another sharp cry escaped as the sword was pulled out, blood pouring from the wound. Vicente collapsed to the ground, Arthas' words plaguing and confusing him. He looked up at the paladin prince as blood came up through his mouth, finding a bright blue flame forming in this palm. "Welcome… to my kingdom."

The horse's hooves pounded the ground, dodging trees and jumping logs and small streams. Rozetta held tightly to the reins, being sure her stomach was not bumped or crushed as she rode on. The rain started pouring as thunder and lightening continued rumbling on. As she finally reached Blackwood Lake, Rozetta dismounted from the steed keeping a firm grasp on the reins. Her long, black hair was now soaked and matted to her head looking like thin strands. Also her eyes were red, streaks of tears staining her face, mingling with the harsh rainfall.

"You better be safe or I don't know what I'd do, Vicente," she sobbed to herself as she clutched the reins. Her glossy green eyes scanned the lake, looking for a safe place for shelter.

Hotaru Shidosha ~