Puppet Strings

"Puppet Strings" is the Season 2 finale, taking place on November 25-26, 2015. 
== Summary ==
== Full Text ==
=== The Duel ===
==== Part 1 ====
Dust: The mortal is aware only at the last moment of a bright flash of silver and unbearable pain.
Then her body crumples. Black smoke spews from her eyes and mouth. Shadows ooze from the stab wound in place of blood.
The black, writhing mass slams into Nix with the force of a hurricane. She doubles over, screaming in agony, darkness obscuring her vision.
And then complete clarity is achieved.
Dust straightens in her new body and surveys the pure shadow running through her veins.
Akkey Black: When she woke up, she found herself in hazy darkness and ankle deep in cold water.
"Hello?" she called out hesitantly, "Dust? Are you there?"
Where am I? The last thing she remembered was feeling extreme pain all over her body and hearing herself scream before blacking out. What is going on?
From her left, something suddenly glinted and she turned to look. A small, weak light peeked through the shadows. This is… familiar… ugh, why does everything feel like deja vu?
Instinctively, she started walking towards the light. Might as well, there was nothing for her where she was. The water sloshed around her ankles, rising as she got closer until it had almost reached her knees. 
The closer she got, the brighter the light became. It got stronger and stronger, until she could no longer see. She squinted, and shielded her eyes with her arm, “Hello?” A final surge of light, then it cleared. She opened her eyes and she could finally see.
What in the world…?
==== Part 2 ====
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Haddock and Stonegit stepped out of the fortress and into the cobble stone courtyard. Mist curled around the edges of the square shaped area as the two men saw their enemy across from them. Stonegit let out his breath, rolling his shoulders, and hefting up his pike. The stone dagger was safely tucked in his belt and he swallowed, doing his best to stifle the dread inside his gut. He glanced at Haddock once more, mentally recognized the Warden, and then stepped forward.
He got right up to Akkey, his lips tight. “Just one thing before we do this.” he said grimly. There was a moments hesitation, and then he reached forward, gently stroking Akkey’s cheek once, before he backed up, breathing deeply. “Ok…I’m ready.” 
Dust: Dust smiled. The smoke grew heavier and darker. 
"None may enter the ring while the match continues or the duel is forfeit," she said coolly. A pair of silver knives sprang into her hands. "That means you, Gareth."
Nix’s eyes changed color like a kaleidoscope. Something writhed within them, something furious and dark and ancient. Green fire filled them, then black smoke, and then smoldering red coals.
"I’ll admit, Stonegit," she continued, "that I would rather keep you alive. I understand your motives, of course. Wanting to protect the one you love…but of course neither of us will back down, will we?" She shook her head sadly. "This is goodbye, then, to both of you. The king and the cripple. What a beautifully tragic tale." 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: "The only thing tragic here…" Stonegit said grimly. "Is the fact that you think you’re justified in trying to take away somebody’s loved one just because that’s what happened to you." He shifted into a defensive stance, ready for his opponent. 
Dust: Her smile froze into brittle ice. “Stonegit, you should know by now that I have no grudge against you. This affair is not what I am here for, though it has been wonderfully entertaining to watch. All your hopeless pursuits, and Gareth’s wife, for Odin’s sake.” She chuckled softly, her eyes turning the color of brick as she relived a memory from long ago. “He really loves her, doesn’t he? Would do anything for her, just like you would do anything for…” Her chuckle turned into a sharp laugh. “Well, I hardly need to complete that sentence, Stonegit. You’d travel to Hel and back for him. Already have, in fact.” 
Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second: A trembling hand, ignited by anger, reached down toward his side. Haddock quietly, very quietly, slipped out a sword - one he had procured from his other guards during the three hour interim. This monster couldnot target him as such in her insults! They hit on too many tender points - additionally points little known to anyone. What all did their adversary know? His first name, clearly the time he spent spent together with Stonegit… 
Hopefully Stonegit’s plans and preparations for this duel did not also fall within the realm of their opponent’s knowledge.
We’ll see whether or not it’s a fight restricted to two, he thought, fuming. I might stand here on the sidelines for now, but if I have an opportunity to strike…
No… no… but I can’t.
He struggled.
It was not often the king stood unmoving upon the sidelines of a fight, uninvolved. Less often did he stand and watch one about whom cared so much face an intimidating adversary.
But though Haddock could not fight - kept reminding himself over and over again - he could not fight this one - he could speak, and so he snapped out, “Is this your duel? Stooping low to petty insults?” 
The Warden: Stonegit glanced over at the king’s words, the control shifting again, swinging like a pendulum. "The less you interrupt, Your Highness," the Warden growled, "the quicker this is over with."  
And drawing that sword in this circle will only result in your death, she added nonverbally, whispering into Haddock’s ear, not prodding his thoughts extensively but getting a general feel of his mood and future actions. And disliking what she saw. Do nothing that will endanger this duel. Understood? 
Without waiting for an answer, she turned back to Stonegit and let the energy flow once more, pulling out all of the stops. I hope you are prepared, dark-eyes. This may not end well for either of us. 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: "Woodchuck…thanks," he said. He banged the tip of his weapon on the ground once, and then dashed forward. He felt the Warden’s power in him and he swung the pike around, hoping, praying, but still doubting that the her power would cause Dust any harm.  
Akkey Black: [HAS A COMIC] When she touched the light, an intense warmth washed over her. Images flashed through her mind at light speed, her true memories flooding in all at once. Her real family, the real Haddock, the real Rebellion, her real friends….  
In that instant, she knew how wrong she was. How she was tricked with all these lies, how she was used. How she was so easily manipulated. How she let herself be manipulated.
In that instant, she knew her friends… her family… would die because of her.
Unless she got rid of Dust.  
Dust: The pike flew from hands and spun in midair. She made a slight flourish with her fingers and sent it hurtling straight back toward him. “Now, Stonegit, I don’t blame you for your theatrics. I too indulge in some measure of drama.” A tendril of shadow wound around his neck. 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit caught the pike, using the Warden’s strength to keep it from running him through. “Akkey!” he yelled. “You have to wake up in there!” He dropped the pike, darting forward. Letting the Warden’s power run through his arms, he hit Dust’s vessel hard in the stomach, swinging his other fist around to smack her across the face as a quick one two! “Fight her! We can win if you push her out!” 
Dust: Dust tilted her head back slightly as a third fist came whistling her way, then fell to a crouch. The blades flashed in quick succession, scoring three thin gashes through his leather armor. She slid back as his fist came down again. 
"Akkey is gone, Elmiss." The tendril pulled tighter against his throat. "You can’t hurt me without hurting her, and either way, you’ll most likely only be accomplishing the latter." 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit inhaled raggedly as he felt the punctures, thanking Odin they weren’t fatal. He gripped at the tendril around his neck, pulling it away slightly, his arm shaking with the effort. “Come on Akkey!” he yelled, picking up his pike again and pushing himself forward. “Please! Just…push…back!” he heaved. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry for everything I did to you! But you need to get back to your father! You need to be our chief again! We need you! AND YOU JUST CAN’T GIVE UP!” he knocked a blade away from Dust, kicking it aside. “SO COME ON!”  
Akkey Black: I need to get out of here… where is Dust? Where am I? I must to get to the courtyard quickly…
 She scanned her surroundings anxiously, looking for a way out. She found nothing but endless darkness. She shouted, hoping for someone to hear her, but no reply came.
Except… what was that? It came from behind me.
She whirled around, squinting into the shadows. “Dust? Is that you?”
"…wake up …I’m sorry …your father …our chief …can’t …give up!”
She gasped, “S… Stonegit?” She ran towards the voice, splashing through the waters, “Stonegit!”
She kept running, chasing… until she was gasping for air. Damn this… I’m getting nowhere. I need to get out!
She kicked the ground in frustration, and the water sprayed all over her.
Wait a minute… water… 
Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second: THOR DAMN IT!Haddock, shaking, screeched out, "Let him alone! Akkey! What are you doing? Akkey! We’re here for you, not against you!” 
If he had to take watching this any more, any more at all, he would have to do something. He was aware he was already shouting out desperately like a fool… but he always had been a man of action, not words.
May shouting out her name be enough of an action to make a difference.
All he knew is he could not let Stonegit choke and die. He felt his left foot step forward. 
Akkey Black: Alright, Akkey, breathe. Slowly, slowly. Relax your body, you can do this. You managed once… you can do this again.
 She closed her eyes and concentrated. She raised her arms, slightly bending her knees to get into a more solid stance, and took deep breath. Slowly… she moved.
The water nudged around her knees.
She flinched a little and lost control. No, you almost had it. Again.
Once more. She shifted her weight and glided her hands over the water. It followed her slightly then still. No. Again.Back and forth. Forward. Back. It moved with her.
Yes!
Again. Stronger, faster. She was making waves now. They grew bigger and bigger, until finally…
"Good." she opened her eyes and let her arms drop. She stared down at her feet, where a circle of water glowed faintly.
"Well, here goes nothing." And she touched the water. 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: A fire blast shot from Stonegit’s hand, hitting the knife mid air and sending it off to the side. He turned to Dust, his face livid with anger, and grabbed her by her back, and other blast erupting from his hand, throwing her backwards. He gasped, staggering back and grunting in pain, the wounds in his hip and stomach agonizing. He turned, limping towards Haddock. 
"Don’t…move!" he said, practically tackling him. He grabbed up his King’s hand, pressing the back of his to the King’s, the contract sigil beginning to transfer over to Haddock. "Sorry Woodchuck." he grimaced. "But there was one other reason I needed full control…" he looked up, facing Haddock. "Change of plans…" he said sadly. "You live."   
Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second: Haddock struggled. He fought against Stonegit’s firm grip as the sigil began to transfer, staring simultaneously at his hand and the young man in baffled horror. Though he could not understand everything, he did remember a conversation with Stonegit explained the purpose of the sigil on his own chest. This… this magic object Stonegit was forcing onto him - it looked too similar. Too similar. And it burned.
 The last time magic had been forced upon him… with Jokul Frosti… he had almost died…
"What are you doing?" Haddock screamed frantically, full of rage, attempting to whirl around the young man back into the duel before Dust could recover and retaliate. He knew how vulnerable of a position Stonegit was in now… if Dust struck now, then both of them would perish. And as he kicked futiley, yet still abashedly remained pinned down beneath the younger man, he screamed out, "You fool! You fool! This will not be a repeat of the lake!"
I can’t lose you. I can’t lose you twice.
"Stand and fight! I am not part of this battle! You’re going to kill both of us with this stupidity!"
He felt… something… some change… beginning to take effect… just a small tingling on his fingers. Something in his chest.
Or was it his imagination?
Was it just the familiar traumatic burning of a frozen heart?
He gritted his teeth and growled at Stonegit one last time.
"Don’t send yourself to Hel a second time! Live! If Dust attacks me again, better I go to Hel than the both of us." 
The Warden: YOU IDIOT!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!
 The Warden dug her essence into him as though sinking her claws into his mind but it was too late; the deed was already done. The transfer was in progress. Where the boy’s thoughts and feelings had mixed and meshed with her own, there now began to be empty gaps, sucked out painfully and replaced with…others. Years of memory, images, feelings, faces, all beginning to flood inside of her like scalding water filling a pitcher. She was literally being ripped from Stonegit’s mind by the ancient magic that bound the contract. 
You wanted to protect your king! she screeched desperately. How is inserting a demon like myself under his skin protecting him!?Something began to coalesce beside the two, an indistinct, vaguely human form, kneeling on the ground as though in pain. But instead of it merely being inside Stonegit’s head, this was as close to a physical manifestation as she had ever gotten. How is bringing this curse upon him keeping him safe!? The…the contract…your sight… 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit shook his head, straighten, one teat falling from his eye. “It doesn’t matter,” he said, his voice strained, but a smile on his face. “If your bound to him you’ll keep him from dying.” he sigil vanished from his hand. The glyph pulsing at the heart of the ethereal form of the Warden. “Because I will do my job, again, and again, and again…until I finally stop coming back from the dead.” he brushed a bit of the King’s hair. “You’ll be ok…” 
The contract was off him, the Warden was no longer bound to anybody. Now all that had to happen, was that sigil burning the rest of the way into Haddock. Then he’d be safe… 
Dust: Dust bared her teeth in a near-animal grin.”You foolish, foolish boy.” Another knife had made its way into her hand. “Your king dies either way. I am a hundred times stronger than that demon-child.”  
The noose around his neck tightened, pulling him toward her. Stonegit staggered back into the ring, grasping frantically at the shadowy tendril as it began to choke him. Dust stepped forward and slowly, leisurely sliced a long gash down the length of his forearm. The garrote tightened, and he fell to his knees.
The knife flicked in the opposite direction, carving a chunk of flesh out of his other arm. Dust paused, appearing to consider something.
He was rapidly running out of air. His vision began to darken, and then….
And then Dust released him.
"You’re so very lucky I have further use of you."
The shadow-wreathed blade flashed again, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. Blood leaked from the deep cut in Stonegit’s cheek. 
Shocked gasps came from the spectators around the ring.
The blood wasn’t red.
A dark, bubbling mass of shadow oozed from the burning wound. Dust reached two fingers in and slowly pulled apart the skin.
An agonized scream tore from Stonegit’s throat. Darkness flooded his veins, clouding his sight, turning his skin darker than night. He doubled over, clutching at his face as if trying to claw out his eyes.
Dust couldn’t blame him, of course.The visions that flashed through his head were enough to make anyone want to stab themself in the heart.
Then there was a blinding flash of light. Stonegit straightened, eyes blank and dark with smoke.
"Now, Stonegit," said Dust casually, her voice emanating from two mortal mouthpieces, "why don’t you go {{kill the king?}}" 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit staggered back, shaking his head violently, his hands reaching up to grip at his head as blood spilled down his arms. He gnashed his teeth, his neck straining as his eyes blinked rapidly, and then the pupils shrank to slits. 
His shoulders hunched, Stonegit slowly turned around, his mouth gaping as he breathed heavily. He started to walk towards Haddock, his footsteps solid as he got closer. A fire blast started to form in his hand, his arm jerking from the pain it was in. The fire grew in intensity, getting denser.  
Akkey Black: The water rushed around her head, pulling and pushing her. She tumbled through the warmth, and finally came up to the surface, blinking streams from her eyes and gasping for air. She pulled herself to solid ground coughing.  
Finally she caught her breath, and she looked up towards her surroundings. 
"Damn this!" she grounded her teeth and stood shakily, "Why am I still here?!"
It was the same hazy darkness that enveloped her, the same endless shadows the stretched around, the same pools of water around her ankles.
"Why!" she screamed in frustration, kicking the ground, "Why can’t I escape this place! Where am I, even?!"
Suddenly the darkness moved. It bent and quivered around her, then rushed towards her right.
What the Hel…?
She followed the shadows, and saw them disappearing into some sort of glowing ring. Faster and faster they went, never ending, and it roared around her. Then everything stood still.
A hazy image appeared through the ring, and she stepped closer. She could almost see it properly. It finally cleared. Is that…?
"Your Majesty! And Stonegit!" she cried out in relief, running up to the light, "You’re alright! Oh thank the gods…I’m so sorry! I… I was a fool, I was an idiot… ugh, this is all my fault!"
She dropped to her knees, clenching her fists in shame, “I shouldn’t have let her get into my mind. I shouldn’t have believed her. I’m sorry…” she looked up and noticed something wrong. Stonegit was rigid and tense, his mouth gaping and shadows flickering across his eyes. “Stonegit…?”
Suddenly, a harsh voice boomed around her, “Now, Stonegit. Why don’t you go kill the King?”  
Then he moved towards Haddock.
She gasped and ran forward, “No! No! You can’t!” She beat her fists on the image, trying to break through, but to no avail. She cried out in anguish.
"You idiot! Stop!"  
Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second: A sword couldn’t help him now. 
All his years, learning to fight, blade against blade, steel against steel, had rendered King Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second a powerful adversary in many fights. He learned to deflect attacks from all sides, to gain his own offensive, to win seemingly impossible battles.
But none of that could not work against fire magic.
Against this horrid possession he faced now.
Even further, his blade was not in his hand anymore. It had fallen aside when Stonegit first tackled him and began transferring the sigil. Haddock only had a few knives tucked away on his person.
Wait.
A few knives.
He could throw them. Not to kill - he could not, not when he saw Stonegit and Akkey before him - but…
but…
…he could harm.
Could distract Dust.
Try to release Stonegit from this monster. Render him incapable of attacking while still sparing his life.
It was a slim chance, but he had to take it.
Defiantly Haddock stood. It was a stagger onto two feet, and he had to be light on the weight of his right leg, but he stood nonetheless, tall as he could. Proud as he could. His cloak swirled behind him amongst the shadows of the courtyard as he reached to his belt and pulled out the nearest knives strapped on either side of his hips. He tested the weight, preparing to throw.
Stonegit was nearing. There was not much time.
With a belligerent sneer Haddock shouted out, “You monster! I would say ‘see you in Valhalla’, but I don’t think you’ll be going there!”
And desperately he raised his hand up to throw the blades straight at his attackers. 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit barely flinched as the knife sunk into his leg, joining his other wounds. If anything, his possessed eyes flared and the fire blast sizzled, the heat and power in it now quite dense, and very potent. He raised it up to the King’s chest. 
In Stonegit’s mind, memories of first coming to Haddock, showing him his credentials, offering to stay when the Warden first escaped. ”Thank you…” Haddock’s words came back to him. The words that started it all. Memories continued to flood in - Apologizing for not being their when Frosti attacked, breaking down when it happened again, melting that frozen heart with what was that again?
An act of true love? 
He still wasn’t sure how that had worked.
Fire arrows into the tree, Haddock asking him to come to the lake…the lake. Finding him again, the terrible, terrible talk…and then the very, very good one.
…the kiss…
The fire blast shot into Haddock’s chest.  
Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second: There was one enormous bloodcurdling scream as the fire made impact. 
And then he was silenced.
Forever.
The king lay crumpled on the cold stone of the courtyard, smoke rising upward from the burning hole in his chest. 
Akkey Black: Everything froze. All she could see was the smoke and the king’s motionless figure on the ground. 
She didn’t even notice herself screaming. She didn’t notice her arms moving behind her, she didn’t notice the water vibrating beneath her. She didn’t notice herself attacking the image, praying, begging for it to break. For it to open. For it to let her through.
"Open, you stubborn, annoying little… thing!" she choked on her tears, hitting it again and again with water tendrils, "Stonegit! You damn idiot! Stonegit! What have you done!"
She stepped back and flung herself onto the glowing ring, putting all her strength into destroying it.
"Dust! Let me go this instant!”
Then it cracked. 
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit panted heavily, a bit of smoke curling from his hand. He blinked, his eyes coming to. He touched his head, and then blinked again. His vision…why was it still here? He inhaled, seeing his outstretched arm. Following it with his gaze, he saw Haddock’s fallen form. He ran over, falling to his knees next to him. “Haddock? HADDOCK!?” he screamed, grabbing his shoulders and rolling him over, blood still oozing from his arms. He starred down at him in dumb horror. He slowly reached down, picking up the King’s limp hand and touching it to his face, his breathing becoming panicked.  
He dropped it, pressing his head to his chest, waiting…praying for a heartbeat…but he heard none. He raised his head, then his mind connected the dots. He held is hand up to his face, seeing the last bit of smoke dissipating from it. His eyes widened and he began screaming. It was loud, and harsh, and heart broken…and he did all while starring at his hand as if it was a horrifying abomination. 
His arms lowered, starring across the courtyard, Haddock laying in front of him, and screamed, tears flowing down his face.  
The Warden: The Warden had been submerged in the Rebels’ memories since the first time she had slid into the young cat-child’s mind. The king had been at the forefront of everyone’s experiences, their beacon, their hope, their inspiration, their leader. 
To be perfectly honest, the Warden didn’t care much for that inflamed, arrogant royal with severe rage complications. She’d much rather he end up dead or possessed, hopefully by her. It had been a goal of hers from the beginning, the ultimate prize: the king’s life in her ever-changing hands. She had gotten so close several times, but always drew back. Something held her back. Until now, she had no idea what that was.
But as she looked up from her agonized fetal position, trembling, still painfully manifesting, to see the man’s smoking corpse on the cold stone floor of the courtyard…the combined memories of Treepelt, Stonegit, and everyone in the rebellion she had ever possessed assaulted came crashing down on her in a tidal wave of emotion. As a demon, it nearly killed her; she gave a wailing scream both aloud and mentally, piercing everyone’s ears and minds, as her very soul seemed to be ripped apart. Then something snapped.
Her form was complete. The glyph that had been carving itself into her core flickered and began to die. She whirled around, essence billowing like a thunderhead, black eyes burning with coal-red centers as her half-changed body solidified. 
.
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.
Rushing forward, she bared her hooked claws and sank them into the fallen Valkyrie, fueled by utter rage and compelled by the emotions and ties of all of her past vessels. She yanked and dragged her out of the rabbit-kind’s body, tearing her like a piece of parchment, clawing her, shaking her, wanting her tosuffer, wanting her to die, demons below how she wanted her to die how she wanted her to feel pain feel agony feel DEATH—
Akkey Black: The image broke into a million tiny pieces and she was surrounded by rushing wind. Through the ring came a claw and grabbed the darkness, pulling it out into the light. It roared and almost deafened her. Her whole body was on fire, it felt like her insides were being ripped apart portion by portion.
She screamed, begging it to stop. It came all at once, it didn’t rest. Didn’t give her time to think, to breathe. It pulled and pulled and pulled, until finally, with a loud pop, all the shadows disappeared.
The last thing she saw was Stonegit cradling the King in his arms, tears streaming down his face. Then everything went dark.
Dust: Dust snarled as her ties to Nix snapped and tore away, leaving the girl prone on the ground. Black fluid oozing from her wounds, she bared her fangs and snapped at the demon. Her shadow grew, revealing dark, skeletal wings pulling them higher into the air. 
Her sharp teeth closed around the Warden’s ear. She bit harder, tearing skin and bone and muscle and tasting blood. Dust pulled back momentarily and spit out the ear. Then she was on her again, wings buffeting the demons, knives flashing. 
The Warden’s claws closed around her waist and tore out a chunk of flesh. Dust’s knives whirled and sliced a deep cut in her chest. The demon growled and aimed a fist toward her stomach, which she caught and twisted sharply to the right with a jarring snap.
The valkyrie pulled her closer, squeezing the Warden’s wrist harder and harder. “Your name,” she hissed into her mangled ear, breath hot and ragged. “Give me your NAME!”
A burning cold spike of force drove into the demon’s mind, ramming closer and closer to the center with each push. “GIVE ME YOUR NAME.”
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit continued to kneel by Haddock’s fallen form, barely even registering the Warden’s screams. "Woodchuck?" he thought groggily. The reality of this situation continued to weigh on him, compressing him, changing him. He felt the stone dagger in his pocket. "I can’t live…yet I can’t kill myself. I wouldn’t go to Valhalla." his jaw tightened. "I don’t deserve to go to Valhalla! I killed Haddock!" his gazed, his mysteriously present gaze, looked at the King, then to Akkey, then the spectators, then over at Dust and Warden. 
"Dust!"
Suddenly a hatred and fear unlike any other welled up inside the boy. “No…not mine!” he growled. “NOT MINE!” he stood, grabbing up his pike. “IT’S YOURS!” he roared, running forward. His injuries screamed for him to stop but he payed them not mind, not this time. He jumped into the air, hooking it into Dust’s side and hurling her down with a sudden jerk. It was just enough for him to jump again, scrambling up the demon like form. He hauled the knife out of his pocket, and stabbed it into her forehead.
Everything froze, there was a click, and then a ear splitting shattering sound. Pure magic and energy exploded from Dust’s form, blowing Stonegit back and practically vaporizing the Warden. They formed into cyclones, sucking themselves away into nothingness. The wind roared around them as all of the sudden one of the earths most powerful beings had it’s power broken. Stonegit blinked rapidly, dazed, and then he gasped, seeing the cyclone pulling at Haddock’s body. “NO!” he screamed desperately, lunging forward and grabbing the man’s limp wrist. “No! Don’t leave me!” his other hand reached up, grabbing a fistful of his shirt. “Pleeeease!”
With a hiss, the energy pulled away Haddocks form, his body dissolving into tiny particles, and getting sucked away into the core of the twister. With a sonic boom the cyclones dissipated, leaving Stonegit kneeling there, shell shocked, a torn piece of Haddock’s top in his hand. "Even in victory…" he thought, looking over and seeing Akkey and Dust’s form still present, laying on the cobble stone. "She took the last part of him away from me."
Stonegit’s last tear fell from his eye.
He stood up, turning to Dust. Her magic was gone, now…she was just a mortal with a freaks body in Stonegit’s mind. He stooped down, picking up the pike again standing over her. “Look at me…” he said, his face lined with bitterness. “I’m you now. You did…what Sturgeon did to you…to me.”
"So tell me me Dust…do you really feel like you did your loved one justice?" his face curled. "What shame you must bring them."
Hurling the weapon over his head, he let out a long angry yell…and then proceeded to start vaginally beating the helpless Dust. The iron fisherman’s pike smacked into her again and again, in an effort that was nothing short of wanting to reduce her to a bloodily, crushed heap on the ground. Even to the spectators, the sight was horrifying.
Eventually the man stopped, backing up a pace, and then cried out one more time, slamming the hook into Dust’s skull, puncturing it. He hauled back, dragging the Valkyrie a foot or two by her head before the barb finally dislodged. The pike dropped to the ground with a clatter. Stonegit starred down at the beaten form, his face now emotionless.
Then he turned, beginning to walk out of the fading circle of smoke.  
Dust: Through a mouthful of blood, darkness dragging down her sight, she let out one last wheezing laugh. “You’re too late!” she croaked, trickles of red dribbling from her mouth. “He’s doomed, Stonegit…Brotchum Elmiss. Forever will he burn in the fires of Hel. And as for you…I’ll make sure…with the last of my light…” Her body shook with one last racking cough.  
"You will never make it to him in time."
Svipul’s eyes, drenched in deep red blood, gazed emptily into the heavens.  
Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss: Stonegit stopped as he heard Dust’s words, turning around. He listened to her, slowly walking back over. He watched as her eyes glazed over, knowing she could’t hear him, but speaking away. “You were cast from Valhalla for failing your job…the gods would never let the likes of you dictate where a soul as noble as Haddock’s would go…but you can’t hear me anymore…can you?” his eyes filled with rage, grabbing the body by the throat and screaming in its face. “Then make me too late! Send us both to Hel! Just see where it gets you! Because today! TODAY! A mortal man killed a god with a stone and a iron rod!”  
He threw the body down, storming over and picking up Akkey, laying her on a bench. He turned to the spectators, and the up at the sky. He took a deep breath, and then stepped forward, addressing the heavens -
“May the Valkyries welcome you and lead you through Odin’s great battle field.
May they sing your name with love and fury, so that we might hear it rise from the depths of Valhalla.
And know that you’ve taken your rightful place at the table of Kings.
For a great man has fallen: A warrior. A chieftain. A father. A friend.”   
=== The SpectatorsCategory:Season 2Category:Events ===
==== Part 1 ====
Grey Bergman: After Grey, Warren, and Shadow finished eating at the dining hall, they walked outside to see if there was anyone around the camp. Grey was starting to consider whether or not they should go for a morning flight on Shadow. She was just about to suggest it to Warren when they heard their names called.  
Treepelt Halfpaw: "Warren…Grey."
Treepelt approached them from behind, face a mask of fear and worry. “Didn’t you hear? The duel’s starting. Between…” She gulped. “Between Hemlock…or, Akkey…and Stonegit—erm, the Warden.” She shook her head tiredly. I don’t know who’s who any more.
Warren: "The-" Oh. Oh. Everything that had happened, the bits and pieces, it had all led up to this while she wasn’t paying attention, and now, there was a duel?She forces her thoughts to cut off before they can run away with her worries. She meets Tree’s eyes with solemn urgency. ”Where.”
Treepelt Halfpaw: "Th-the courtyard." She passed another hand over her face shakily, dropping the eye contact. "I don’t want to go near her, but…I need to know what’s happening…" Tree looked at both of them again, eyes darting back and forth between them. "Will you come with me?"
Grey Bergman: Grey stared at Tree in shock and then looked at Warren and then back at Tree. So many questions ran through her head again. Tree just mentioned something that sounded like Stonegit and the Warden were involved in a dual with Hemlock and…Akkey? Wait, did that mean…? There was only one way to find out. “Of course, we will. Let’s go right now!”
Warren: Hesitating just enough to make sure the other two were in tow, Warren ran for the courtyard. Be safe, be safe, everyone, please…
==== Part 2 ====
Treepelt Halfpaw: Treepelt instinctively grabbed for Warren’s arm when she saw the fighting figures in the courtyard. The sight of Akkey being so cold and violent scared her to no end, and Stonegit…he shouldn’t have been that strong, not the biggest man in the rebellion. And yet he was handling that pike as he would a toothpick. Can’t be her can’t be her can’t be her—
Warren: The look on Tree’s face was indescribable. In that moment, Warren realized that there was nothing she could do to help her comrades, there was nothing she could say that could possibly comfort Tree. How, how could anything make this better, right as it was happening in front of them? All she can do is stand there. Warren stared briefly at the hand on her arm before moving closer to the half-cat, bringing her hand up to cover the trembling fingers. She looked out at the two figures in the ring.
Please be safe, please be safe, please be safe….
Toshioka Kiri: Kiri had heard the commotion.  It made sense… the cat would’ve taken advantage of any disturbance to make its presence known.
She drags Clover with her, speaking under her breath about the importance of duty to the Rebellion.  She freezes as she enters the courtyard, seeing everything.
Akkey - Stonegit - what?!  This is - something is very wrong here!
She listens in to the murmurs around her, trying to observe and glean what she and Clover have missed. 
Grey Bergman: Grey furrowed her eyebrows together watching Akkey and Stonegit fight. She didn’t know much about what was between Akkey, Stonegit, and King Haddock, but it was easy to see that they were close. So, why were Akkey and Stonegit dueling? How did Stonegit even get these powers?  
"I…I don’t understand," she said turning to Tree and Warren. "Why are the chief and Stonegit fighting? What happened?" 
Warren: The way that both of them moved. Warren couldn’t bare to look at anything, freezing her eyes on a spot above the heads of the spectators and duelists, face tight. No one had told her. But it was obvious. She closed her eyes. “They’re not… themselves.” 
Toshioka Kiri: As Haddock is pulled into the ring by Akkey - no, Dust, according to the murmurs and shouts - Kiri sees everything and screams. 
Oh gods - this isn’t happening, do not let this duel end badly, no no no no no - 
Grey Bergman: Completely unaware of the Viking ninja, Grey turned to her friend with confusion. “What do you mean, Warren?” she asked. 
Warren: Warren finally broke her gaze, frantic with helplessness. “Yesterday, when you were telling me what happened—Skye said…” a nearly imperceptible glance in Tree’s direction and she lowered her voice.  ”Skye said, she was possessing another. It’s her, Grey. 
Grey Bergman: Grey widened her brown eyes in shock as she turned to look at the duel. Of course, why didn’t she see it sooner? Skye was right! The Warden was possessing someone else, and it was looking to be either Akkey…or…Stonegit… 
==== Part 3 ====
Grey Bergman: Grey felt as though she was about to pass out as she watched the fireball head straight towards…. The scream….Oh that scream….she wanted to cover her ears and eyes but she couldn’t. All she could do was watch as King Haddock fell to the ground. 
"KING HADDOCK!" she shouted. "Come on, guys, we have to help him!" She was about to run but suddenly stopped when somebody held her back.
Asha: "Don’t!" cried Asha, who had come from who knows where. "It could be dangerous!"
Warren: No.
No, no…. Trembling fingers come up to cover her mouth, ice cold against her too-hot face, her eyes are stinging, and why can’t she look away, why can’t she look away— Warren’s vision swims as tears leave tracks across her cheeks. Her chest and throat are so tight, she couldn’t make a sound if she wanted to, and she closes her eyes as the cries of horror and sorrow fill the air.
The king is dead.
Toshioka Kiri: Kiri feels everything in her freeze.  The world is distant.  The only thing in it that is even possibly real is the body of the king.
He is dead.
The King is dead.
She sinks to the ground, unable to comprehend.
Svied Jora Maer: Svie∂ stares at the sight in front of her.
“Odin help us,” are the only words she could think of. 
Category:Hemlock
Category:Akkey Black
Category:Stonegit Brotchurn Elmiss
Category:Gareth Ragnar Haddock the Second
Category:The Warden
Category:Grey Bergman
Category:Warren
Category:Toshioka Kiri
Category:Svie∂ Jóra Mær
Category:Treepelt Halfpaw
Category:BOTGD
Category:Asha Stenberg