Heartless

Was the body already cold?

Arthas was breathing heavily. He stared at Nathanos's body for a long time, and several times he mistakenly thought that the human would open his eyes, would wake up, and that would make him very happy...

He quickly shook his head, clearing his absurd thoughts. Nathanos was dead; he lay there, in a pool of blood. No one needed to prove it.

"Master, this woman is about to die!"

The Death Knight's eyes fell on Daphne on the cross. Pain washed over Arthas; he felt the pain. What would this mother do if she awoke, if she saw her son fall beneath his sword? Would she curse him as a traitor, accusing him of betraying Nathanos, of failing Nathanos? That was something he absolutely did not want to see.

'Now, he's awake. The Scourge will welcome a powerful warrior.'

Arthas swallowed hard. This scene reminded him of Uther. Strangely, after Uther's death, the Lich King hadn't demanded his resurrection of the powerful Paladin, yet now, facing Nathanos, he was issuing the order. Why was that...?

"Nathanos," he murmured, the name that filled him with both excitement and terror. "By the Lich King's command, rise once more, become Warrior of the Scourge. Azeroth will fall into chaos and destruction in your hands!"

Frostmourne lifted Nathanos; his wounds were healing, but the new flesh was pale, and broken bones and damaged tissue were repairing themselves. Other parts of his body were also transforming, his healthy wheat-colored skin turning ashen. Scars appeared above and below his eyes. Only his hair and eyebrows remained unchanged.

The ceremony proceeded swiftly and smoothly, undisturbed. Nathanos stood on the ground again, just as before, but now, instead of his final desperate resistance, he was resurrected. To Arthas, it felt like an eternity.

The newly formed face remained silent, its eyes still closed. It stood there, as if accepting the transformation, or perhaps the Lich King was conquering its Will. Whatever the reason, Arthas did not disturb Nathanos. He trusted that the human would respond.

At the perfect moment, as a gentle breeze ruffled the hair on Nathanos's forehead, his eyes opened. Unlike the empty eyes of ordinary Ghoul, unlike the green eyes of acolytes, and even unlike Arthas's own blue eyes, Nathanos's eyes were crimson, as if burning with flames of rage.

Arthas gripped Frostmourne.

"At your service, Prince Highness." The resurrected human before him knelt on one knee. Arthas was stunned; the familiarity was strikingly similar to the time he spent with Nathanos in his previous life.

Excitement and elation overwhelmed Arthas, who couldn't contain his smile. "Stand up, Nathanos. We are the same now."

"It is my honor, Master."

Prince, master, whatever you want to call him. Arthas only cared whether Nathanos would obey his commands. He asked the Lich King about Nathanos's eyes. The Lich King hesitated for a moment, then replied that the transformation varied from person to person—was he implying that Nathanos was special?

That's true.

"Nathanos!" the Lich King said. Just as before, Arthas could hear his voice, but this time it wasn't a command to the Death Knight.

The reborn Nathanos heard the whispers.

'Cut off that woman's head.'

"What? No! Stop!" Arthas cried out in his mind for a split second, just a split second. He was shocked by the order. The Lich King wanted Nathanos to kill his mother? Why let him hear all this? This was an order to test Nathanos's loyalty, not his.

"A woman?" Nathanos looked at the pale-faced old woman with a puzzled expression. She seemed familiar, and yet... comforting.

'Give me her soul.'

"Yes, Lich King." He murmured, his tone exactly the same as when Arthas killed him!

He dragged his slow steps toward the woman, the Undead creature blocking his path discreetly stepping aside. He seemed to be adjusting to his "new body," hence his slow pace, but his eyes betrayed him. Those fiery eyes even held a hint of curiosity. He wondered who this woman was? Why did the Lich King order him to kill her? Why couldn't he bring himself to do it?

But he was moving, and eventually he came to the woman, almost touching her. He had no reason not to act, but he didn't make any move, still sizing up the woman.

'Order him to do it.'

Arthas trembled all over, and this time he believed that the Lich King was giving him an order to kill Daphne Marius.

'Quickly, make him kill his own family, just like you did, like you killed your own father, kill your own mother. Don't hesitate any longer, make him obey you.'

These whispers were driving Arthas mad. The Lich King was recounting his crimes, his indelible mark. Now, he intended to brand Nathanos with the same mark, and he wanted the Death Knight to issue the order himself.

"Kill her! Nathanos!" Arthas roared.

Blood gushed out, only a few drops splashing on his face, the majority raining down on Nathanos. The Death Knight was speechless with astonishment. This new servant had done as he was told; he obeyed his command. In an instant, the command had been uttered, and he had carried it out swiftly and decisively. Daphne's eyes remained closed as her head fell to the ground. She must have closed her eyes forever without any pain.

Did he know who he had killed?

Nathanos felt a sudden, profound loss—something important. Helpless and stiff, he turned his head, seeking answers from Arthas. Arthas, however, couldn't discern whether it was from his trembling or something else; he only knew that the blood stood out starkly against his ashen face.

"As you wish, Your Prince."

His voice trembled, filled with fear and confusion.

'Nathanos did not obey,' Arthas thought to himself.

'No, he obeyed.' The Lich King retorted, 'He carried out your orders with such decisiveness, showing no mercy even to his own family.'

'But he...'

'He is yours, Arthas. Just as you are mine.'

The Death Knight was speechless, looking at Nathanos with a complicated expression.

"What else do you need me to do, Your Highness?"

'Order him to lead you to capture the Sunwell. Too much time has been wasted; act now!'

"The Sunwell, Nathanos!" Arthas mustered his courage and gritted his teeth. "I want the Sunwell!"

"Yes, sir!"