Six months later

Violet stood on a small hillock, gazing across the plains for signs of undead. Since the death of Viktor, she had devoted her life to fulfilling the promise they had made when they realized that they would be fighting undead: to kill him and bring him true death. The first horrible days after learning of her brother's death, she simply laid in bed, starting at the roof of the infirmary tent. She refused all food and spoke to no one. However, she didn't shed a single tear. The priests were beginning to whisper to one another about sending her back to Stormwind for more extensive care when she sat up and began dressing wordlessly. She tucked her pendant under her tunic, gathered her weapons, and walked to the commanding officer.

She volunteered to act as a forward scout: the most dangerous assignment and one that no one was eager to perform. The commanding officer guessed at her intentions, and agreed to reassign her if she spent a day or two eating and recovering her strength. Ever since then, she had been skirting the very edge of Forsaken territory, sometimes hiding within spitting distance of their encampments, always looking for that familiar face, listening for that familiar voice. She did her duties, always sending reports on Forsaken activity, but her personal agenda was foremost in her mind. For six months now, she had been hunting her brother.

Night was rapidly falling as a chill wind howled across the plains. She shivered and pulled her cloak tighter to her body. Today had again been fruitless, and she thought of returning to her small camp and lighting a fire to keep out the cold. After a few moments' contemplation, she decided to stay on guard for another hour or so, then she could return to the warmth of her camp. She walked slowly along the grass, not particularly afraid of being spotted by an enemy. She hadn't seen a single undead today. Even so, her senses were alert.

After about twenty minutes into her patrol, she thought she heard soft footfalls behind her. She spun around, but there was nothing behind her save rippling grass. She stood, alert. She could have sworn she heard footsteps...

"Hello Vi," said a quiet, familiar voice from behind her. Violet froze completely for three full seconds, then spun around in time to see someone emerge from the twilight shadows. No, not just anyone... him.

"Vik," Violet said in a strangled voice, raspy from disuse. "Vik..." she said again before giving a hollow sob. He stood only a few feet from her, dressed in the same black armor all forsaken scouts wore. His skin was white, his face gaunt and his limbs thinner than she remembered. Worst of all were the glowing yellow eyes that now looked at her. How she missed his beautiful hazel eyes! She stood, undecided for a few moments, the shock of seeing him so suddenly had her brain swirling. However, after only a few moments, she remembered her mission, and brought her bow up, pointing the deadly arrow at one of Viktor's glowing eyes.

Viktor shrugged, holding his hands out. "Do it, Vi. I've been followin' you for days, trying to work up the courage to talk to you. I... didn't want you to see me like this. But I knew you wouldn't be able to rest till I was... and I want you to. I hate this. Go ahead, I'm not gonna hold a grudge against my big sis."

Violet stared at him, her entire body trembling. In her mind, she had always sneaked up to a Forsaken camp, cleanly killed him with an arrow while his back was turned, and escaped back to safety. Having him here, in front of her, looking at her with that peaceful expression, it was entirely different. She couldn't see the dead skin, the withering limbs, the glowing eyes. In her mind she was seeing his bright smile, feeling his strong arms pulling her into a bear hug, hearing his laugh when she told one of her ever-lame jokes. The tears that she had been holding back for six long months now began coursing down her face. "I CAN'T!" she screamed, throwing her bow and quiver to the ground. "I can't kill my brother! I'm sorry, Vik, I'm so sorry! I just can't!" she said between sobs. She covered her face with her hands, ashamed of her weakness as she sobbed. She didn't even hear Viktor approach, but she soon found herself once again held in his embrace. It was unnatural, his cold body only increasing the chill she felt, rather than warming her. But he was her brother, no matter what he may have become, he would always be her brother. She leaned into his chest, her body wracked with sobs as she finally allowed herself to mourn him.

Viktor laid his cheek on the top of her head, a small smile curling his lips. "It's alright, Vi. I knew you wouldn't be able to do it, you're too kind-hearted. I just wanted to be with you again. Remember what I said before I left? You're my everything. You always have been, and you always will be." As he finished speaking, he tightened his hold on Violet, pressing her into his chest with one cold steel arm.

Vik, you're hurting me-" Violet began, only to be cut off by her own surprised gasp as she felt a razor sharp blade thrust into her back. Viktor pulled it out, then plunged it into her back again, this time eliciting a shriek of pain from his sister. "Shhh, Vi. It's alright, I'm here," he said quietly, removing the dagger again. Violet wrenched herself out of his grip, staggering backward, staring at him in horror. She now saw him as he was, a dagger dripping her own blood clutched in one white hand. She felt her own blood begin to run down her back, if she didn't staunch the flow...

"Why, Vik?" she croaked, aghast.

"Vi, we're meant to be together! Us against the world, remember that? Those are bonds that go beyond distance, beyond oceans and mountains, beyond death!" Viktor replied. Violet stepped backward again, already feeling the effects of blood loss. She shook her head once before turning and sprinting away. She didn't make it far. A shrill whistle was her only warning as Viktor's knife sliced through the air, burying itself between her shoulder blades. Violet screamed as she toppled forward. She lay face down in the grass, wallowing in the despair Viktor's betrayal brought. She stayed like that until Viktor caught up to her and pulled the blade from her back again. He wiped it clean on the grass next to her and sat down. He reached forward, rolling her over and pulling her into his lap, oblivious to the sticky blood that got on his hands and clothes. He positioned her sideways across his legs, holding her head to his chest. By now, Violet was too weak from blood loss and too numb from the horrifying turn of events to protest much.

"Shh, don't cry, Vi," he said soothingly, patting her cheek and leaving a smear of blood. "It won't be long, and you've got me here. My death was horrible, but I've got you safe. It'll just be like goin' to sleep." In his lap, Violet could do little more than give a few weak sobs now and then. She knew he was right, already her limbs were like lead weights, and her body felt colder than she thought possible. Her eyes threatened to close as she struggled against the inevitable.

Viktor continued to murmur his macabre comforts as she felt her life leeching away. "Vik," she mumbled with the last of her strength. "Yes?" he replied sweetly. Violet took a few shuddering breaths, trying to gather the remaining strength. What could she possibly say? That she would never forgive him for this? That he was a demon for putting her through this? That his idea of mercy was twisted and perverse? That she hated him?

No, as betrayed and angry as she was, she didn't hate him. A few last tears fell as she realized that she still loved him. No matter what he did to her, he would always be her beloved little brother: the boy who probably spent all of his savings on one crummy silver pendant for his big sister. It WAS she and him against the world, and nothing would change that. Despite this disgusting scene, she felt nothing but love for her brother. She took one more breath and said weakly, "I'm cold, Vik."

Viktor smiled and tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, then kissed her softly on her forehead. "Go to sleep, Vi. When you wake up, you'll never be bothered by the cold again."

Violet closed her eyes and exhaled one last warm breath. She slept.