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The sun had just set. As the full moon began to rise, casting its silver light throughout the darkened world, it revealed the remnants of a horrible battle. Bodies of fallen foes littered the ground, and it seemed every inch of the grass had been stained with blood. Fire still glowed from burning wooden structures, and holes from TNT explosions made navigating the gruesome battleground quite difficult.
As Martyn carefully picked his way through the area, he could hardly believe that this had once indeed been the little, friendly settlement of Renchanting. So much had changed since then, and those days felt like million years ago. Now, it was in ruins, a constant reminder of the fight that had taken place here. The Red Army had emerged victorious with their lives, albeit all red. But there had been no celebration. Though the corpses had once been their enemies, even before that they had all been friends. The deaths seemed far more like losses than wins.
What Martyn wondered now, as he made his way over to the others gathered at the broken altar, was what happened next. He knew what was supposed to happen, much as it hurt him to think about. But the rules had been bent quite a bit already, so who was he to believe his friends would follow them now, particularly one so painful and gruesome?
"It's been a long day, laddies," Ren sighed. "Long and painful. The Red Army emerged victorious from a terrible battle, but not without a cost. Much blood was shed today, including our own. We are truly the Red Army now."
Ren paused, and Martyn began to hope that was all he had to say. It was false hope, however, as Ren took a breath before continuing with the dreaded words.
"Unfortunately, the fight is far from over."
Martyn swallowed hard as Ren's gaze swept over the small group, lingering momentarily on Martyn. They'd been through so much. The war was won! There was no clear reason to keep fighting, besides that position of the last standing. Were they really going to turn on each other now?
"Much as I hate to say it, there can be only one winner, one person left alive, in this cruel game. The others must be eliminated." Ren bowed his head slightly, his eyes closing to hide the pain beginning to show in his gaze. "The time has come for Red Army to break, and reveal the true winner."
A tense silence followed his words. Martyn glanced at the others, wondering how they felt about this. BigB looked sad but determined, while Etho's mismatched eyes were cold as ice. That worried Martyn a little, but he trusted his abilities in PVP. He would be fine. Right?
After a moment, Etho and BigB exchanged a glance, then just walked away. Martyn stayed where he was, but let his gaze trail after Etho. If he had to do this, Etho was his first target. Ren raised his head and met Martyn's eyes. Emotions flickered in his gaze, and a long moment passed of neither moving before finally Ren stepped back and disappeared into the shadows. So they were splitting up first. Martyn wasn't sure if he was happy about it or not, but there was nothing he could do now except run with it.
He took a moment to get his bearings and the makings of a plan before heading in the direction Etho had gone. Several times, the thought of what he'd be doing made him slow and even pause, but he continued on. His heart was pounding as he searched every shadow for the ninja. Where would Etho have gone?
The wool castle popped into Martyn's mind. It seemed a bit obvious for someone who might be trying to hide, but it was worth a look. Still keeping an eye out for any sign of Etho or other dangers, Martyn began to make his way to the castle. His heart twisted a bit when he spotted the Crastle along the way and thought of its former inhabitants, now all dead. With a deep breath, he did his best to ignore any more memories as he continued.
The white fortress was still and silent when Martyn arrived. It was still in ruins after its last burning, seeing as Etho hadn't had time for repairs. Martyn gazed up at the castle, imagining it in its former glory, and the easier times it had been in.
"It was nice once."
The voice made Martyn jump slightly. He turned to face Etho, a shiver running down his spine at how cold and dark the ninja's eyes were. "I know," he murmured, aware of his sword if he needed it.
"Everything was nice once," Etho sighed. "And now look at us. Friends, about to fight to the death, and for what?"
"I hate this as much as anyone," Martyn replied. "But there's nothing we can do, except go with it."
"You know you'll have to kill Ren," Etho said after a pause. Martyn knew he was probably stalling, but he was more worried about what Etho said being true. If he beat Etho and BigB, Ren would be next. And Martyn didn't know if he could bear to take his king's life again, knowing he wouldn't come back this time.
"I'll cross that bridge if and when I come to it," Martyn said after a moment.
Etho shrugged, locking eyes with Martyn. Both knew what was coming, and both were unwilling to start it. After several heartbeats, Martyn couldn't stand it. Letting his remaining bloodlust consume his mind, he drew his sword and attacked. Etho's sword rose up to block, and the sound of the clashing blades split the silence.
The fight lasted several minutes. They were fairly matched in wit and skill, and neither gave in. Both were soon covered in cuts and blood, and Etho was beginning to weaken from a bad stab wound Martyn had managed to slip in. Quickly, Martyn took advantage and overpowered him.
"I guess this is it, then," Etho rasped as he collapsed, blood soaking the wool bridge under them. "Just do it. Get it over with."
Martyn took one last look at Etho before taking a deep breath and drawing his sword across Etho's throat. He tried to ignore the sick feeling in his stomach at seeing Etho fatally wounded because of him. Closed his eyes so he didn't accidentally meet Etho's gaze and see the pain as he took his final breath. His mind was jumbled, mixed with agony, regret, and even a trace of remaining bloodlust. He wanted to end everything now, join Etho in death if just to end this prolonging grief and agony.
Could he do this two more times?
Feeling choked, Martyn turned away from Etho and started his search for BigB next. The process was similar, but it passed in a blur. Before Martyn even realized it he was turning away from another corpse, headed back to the one place he now dreaded: Dogwarts.
The hilltop fortress was silent as well. Martyn hated it, and a part of him hoped he wouldn't see Ren. He wasn't sure he could kill the one who he'd been with since the beginning, the one who had given him everything, his king, his best friend. But... he'd have to, wouldn't he? Maybe he could just let Ren win. After killing the others, though...Martyn wasn't sure.
"So you've returned, Hand."
The familiar voice caught Martyn off guard. He took a breath and turned, tears pricking his eyes as he saw Ren, standing on the Black Altar. Martyn stepped up in front of him, his breath hitching as Ren gave a soft smile.
"I...never thought this day would come. I never thought we would get this far. But here we are, Hand, atop the altar on which your king rose to power. On which the next king will rise."
"N-next king?" Martyn stammered, confused.
Ren lifted his crown off his head and set it on Martyn's. He gave another smile, proud but sad. "I can't fight ye, laddy. Besides...I think it's my time. You'll be a far better king than I ever was."
Ren kneeled in front of Martyn, bowing his head to expose his neck. Martyn shook his head, fighting tears. "No. No, I can't do it. It's not like last time. I'll never see you again..."
"Of course ye will," Ren said quietly. "I can't make ye king of nothing after all." Martyn opened his mouth then closed it, trying to process what he'd said. "Do it now, me Hand. There's no point in trying to stop it."
Shaking, Martyn raised his sword. He did his best to make the death quick. His eyes closed as the blood splashed his feet, and he felt sick. Turning away, he opened his eyes again and looked around at the ruins. He gasped as he realized he could see Ren, and Etho, BigB...all the ghosts were there. Waiting. Waiting for him to join them.
Martyn ran a hand over the crown on his head to make sure it was there. He glanced at Ren, who smiled reassuringly. Taking his sword one last time, Martyn stabbed himself before he could hesitate. Moments later, his arms wrapped around Ren as he reunited with his former king.