I can't believe this fic only has two reviews! Firstly, I think your idea is really interesting and original - I don't think I even particularly picked up on that comment from Viktor when reading the books.

I loved the ending - bittersweet is the best word I can think of to describe it.

Your use of language was what really stuck out to me, though. Your descriptions and imagery were beautiful and your dialogue perfect to illustrate all the characters.

I feel Aneta’s parting kiss on my cheek, hasty and eternal - I really loved this part, it really showed their relationship in just a few words.

So over all... great fic and beautifully written!

WOOOOWIE! This is an AMAZING one-shot! First of all, the subject is great to start with; I'd have never thought to take that one line of Viktor's and turn it into an emotion-evoking one-shot! You have a beautiful writing style. I was captivated by the time I read the first few sentences: "Still, I feel in my heart that these past months have scarred me irrevocably, made me more of a man and yet less human, stronger mentally against the mind-games we play here, yet hardened and soured in my heart. It is impossible to survive here without a cage around one’s heart. Weakness has no place in Nurmengard." This paragraph is honestly a masterpiece; the way that you expressed how this torture makes one "more of a man and yet less human" is dark and beautiful. AWESOME JOB! : )