Strife
He could hardly believe his ears when he heard her say the words, "You'll get that foul muzzle of yours out of here, I can't stand to look at you!" Never had he imagined his one true love, the only person he'd ever cared for, was telling him she hated him. That she couldn't stand to look at him. That he was a foul creature, not the man she'd loved in life. His ears twitched, almost as if they too could not believe what they had heard. He gaped, his sharp teeth bared in an almost snarl as he looked at her, her brown eyes angry, her worgen form raised on hackles, hair standing on end.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. It hadn't started like this. It couldn't be ending like this.
When he'd walked into Gilneas, it had been the first time in a long time. Since before he'd been afflicted with the Worgen curse. Since before he'd become a man. Before he'd been trapped in an endless painful maze of torture in Shadowfang Keep. He hadn't returned there, even after being freed, instead having joined the Argent Dawn.
But she'd still seen him, still wanted to see him, then. Her beautiful brown eyes gentle, conveying her druidic nature. Her soft auburn hair glinting ruby in the sunlight as she dedicated her hands to her tasks. He hadn't known then that she too had fallen prey to the Gilneas worgen attacks. She had gained control quickly, able to change herself to her human form. To hide it.
Marik was sure that Lisabeth would be willing to marry him, once he'd completed his mission in the Eastern Plaguelands.
But... he had gotten sick. Infected with the plague shortly after losing one of his comrades to the scourge. He'd insisted his camp leave him behind, he'd find a way to survive on his own. He was pained to watch his comrades leave, but he had known it was for the best.
His undeath was painful. It was as if he was suffocated by undeath, suffocated by the unholy runes that controlled his body. The light had tried not to forsake him, but he had killed so many, obeying the law of the Lich King. Soon, the Light faded away altogether, and his unholy transformation had been complete.
Sometime later, when he had regained his senses, his first response, his first instinct, was to see her. To see her beautiful face. To know that she still loved him, despite his matted fur, his cold icy eyes. Despite all the horrible things he'd done. To look past it all, in hopes that perhaps...
He didn't know what he had expected. Walking into Gilneas as he was should have been enough of a clue. The people were not prepared to welcome in a Death Knight. The scourge threat was still abundant, and that too of the Lich King. His disappearance into Icecrown Citadel had not comforted the people, rather spread unease as his previous soldiers of death shook off the control he'd bent upon them, struggling to regain some sense of self that they'd lost. As such, the gasps, the sobs, he should have known they couldn't welcome him with open arms.
And neither could she.
She hadn't really changed, in the time he'd been gone. Her hair was longer, a plait down her back, which was adorned in gentle leathers in woodsy colors. Her face was flush with the heat, and her hands dark with the earth that she was planting in. He didn't think, he just went, walking straight up to her as if nothing had changed. As if he had not been gone for years.
"Lisabeth."
When she turned, it was slowly, her shoulders tense, and the expression on her face of pure fear. He recoiled, realizing what his appearance meant to her. She was confused. Scared. Likely angry. But all he could think of in that moment was how much he wanted to touch her face.
"Mar...Marik?" She said, her voice hoarse. He went to take a step forward, but she threw out a hand, taking him aback.
"D-don't you come any closer." She barked out, beginning to sound feral. "You... You're a monster!"
The transformation was sudden, her athletic body transforming instantly, her hackles raised, her mouth in a snarl. Her pupils were dilated and her teeth were bared threateningly.
"Lisabeth... Don't you-"
"Do not speak to me as if you are the same, Marik." She spat out, her claws raised. "You reek of death. Of disease. I could smell it on you as you approached." She snarled, taking a step back cautiously.
"Come to kill me, as a cruel joke, have you?" She spoke, though not directly at Marik. "The Lich King has no end to his cruelty. Sending my dead lover to end my life." Marik recoiled, not wanting to believe her.
"Lisabeth, I am not here to ki-"
"Do not speak, creature!" She snarled angrily, her arms raised defensively. "I will not allow you to try to trick me. I've come to accept Marik's death. As far as I'm concerned, you are just a parasite inhabiting his body." She sent a disgusted look up and down his body, her hair raising on end.
"Do us all a favor, and leave this place. Now. Before I end your second life." She growled. Marik shook his head in disbelief.
"Lisabeth please-"
"Are you deaf, monster?"
"I'm not-"
"Get out of my house! Get out of my town!" She howled, her voice anguished. Marik was in shock, unsure of what to do.
"Lisabeth please!" He shouted, desperate. "I love you! This is me! The Lich King no longer controls us!" He pleaded, his eyes trained on hers. She looked at him. Hesitant.
"Please." He said, but she snarled and swiped at him, forcing him to jump backwards.
"You'll get that foul muzzle of yours out of here, I can't stand to look at you!"
It hurt, to hear those words, and he'd thought he couldn't hurt any more. Looking at her, he saw that all he was doing was causing her more pain. She would never accept him as he was. Not like this.
He cursed this form. He cursed the Lich King. In a way, he cursed her too. For being unable to see that he still loved her.
He ran for the hills, a familiar place, where he could be alone. The loneliness would keep him sane, for now. He knew that soon he would be unable to stop himself from self destruction. It was only a matter of time.
...
Alright! So I got this word prompt from a friend, so now I gave you a little more about Marik, my unholy DK baby. Prior to Haeydenne, Marik was, in a sense, betrothed to Lisabeth, a Worgen Druid. However as you can see... she was not prepared for Marik to be turned into what he is now. Anyhoo, enjoy! I hope these shorts are entertaining!