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Etho had done well to make it all the way to the end. Gem was proud of him for it. He looked so nervous standing there with his sword in his shaking hands, ready for one last fight. She knew how scared of her he was, but it wasn't like he had many other options. The others were all dead. There was only one thing left to do.
The funny thing was that he didn't need to be scared of her, not this time. Gem had no intention of killing him. She'd put up a bit of a fight, let him think that he earned it, but in the end she was happy to let him win.
Or at least she had been. Gem had been oh-so-content to hand him the victory on a silver platter, but Etho just had to open his stupid mouth, didn't he? And do you know what was the first thing he said to her when he walked up?
"This is for Pearl."
And that? Well that changed everything. Because how dare he say that to her? How dare he even say her name? Acting like knew her, like he was the one on her side. Gem's blood boiled at it, and any thoughts of mercy or pity for him vanished from her mind.
"What did you say?" She spat, and he could no doubt hear the venom in her voice.
It didn't seem to phase him though. His grip on his sword tightened. "I'm doing this for Pearl. She deserved better teammates."
"Etho..." Gem pulled her own sword from it's sheath, blade still stained red with her vengeance. "I'm gonna kill you."
She didn't waste any time. Gem charged him with a rabid screech and swung her diamond sword like a bat at his head, but blade met shield. "Is that what you said to Pearl?" He taunted as he shoved her back.
"You don't know what you're talking about!" She swung again, nearly grazing his shoulder as he jumped to the side.
"I saw enough."
"Just shut up and fight!" His own attempt was pathetic. A weak thrust towards her ribs, batted aside like it was nothing.
He took a few steps back. "Why? You don't wanna talk about it?"
*THUD*
That one took a chunk out of his shield and sent splinters flying at them both. "It's important to process your feelings, Gem."
She didn't say anything. She just kept on swinging like nothing else mattered, each strike more forceful than the last and each one pushing him farther and farther back.
"You know she hated you, right?"
"That's not true."
Etho scoffed. "Oh come on, you think she didn't notice the way you treated her? Always leaving her behind, mocking her, questioning her loyalty even though she did everything you asked."
"Stop."
"Just be honest, Gem. We both know you never really cared about her."
"I- "
"You treated her like a dog and then you sent her out to die."
Tears started falling, and they flew off into the wind as she ran at him. Etho swung fast, nearly caught her off guard, but she blocked it. Just. "I- "
"You killed her." He swung again. Their blades met with a clang as they pushed against each other.
Gem's tears didn't stop. "I loved her..."
There was a flash of something in his eyes. Sadness? But who it was for Gem didn't know. "Then maybe you should've acted like it."
It was all over so quickly that she didn't even notice. He pushed her sword down and to the side and then in one swift motion ran his own through her gut. And that was the game. Etho had played her and he'd won it fair and square, even with her going all out. Gem fell into the dirt with the rest of them, and she couldn't help but wonder if she deserved it.
She looked up at the cool night sky, struggling to speak as the life left her body. The moon was full, and it shone bright like a beacon calling out to her, welcoming her, and it was beautiful.
In her mind she was back there, back on that camel with her arms around Pearl. Back when she felt happy and free. And with her very last gasp of breath she whispered to the moon.
"I'm sorry..."