Chapter 3: Gessler's Death

## Chapter Chronology

**Gessler's Death** is the 3rd chapter of **Armageddon: Death of a King** and also the 3rd chapter in the Armageddon Series. **Gessler's Death** continues the storyline established in the previous two chapters, likely focusing on Tell's journey as well as the death of Gessler. The chapter may also delve into themes such as loss, sacrifice, and the consequences of one's actions.

## Summary

#### ***Where Peace Began***

William Tell can be seen sitting on top of a hill and having a meeting with three figures who are revealed to be the Three Eidgenossen, **Arnold von Melchtal**, **Werner Stauffacher**, and **Walter Fürst**. *"Should I take the offer?"* Tell asked. *"We have thought pretty hard about the offer and I think it's better for our people if you accept this deal,"* replied Fürst. *"Please promise us that you will uphold the will of our people,"* said Melchtal, while Stauffacher and Fürst nodded. *"I promise,"* replied Tell.

###### ***Spring of 1275***

William Tell was born into the world during the Bloody Spring Massacre of 1275. He was born to two farmers who died not very long after his birth. Tell's mother told his father to sprint and never look back. If he had he would have seen her get raped, murdered, and mutilated. Tell's father ran for miles and miles before collapsing due to the injuries he endured. A wandering knight found the crying Tell and the lifeless body of his father. The knight pitied Tell and took him in while burying his father.

###### ***Budding Justice***

The knight trained him how to fend for himself in the wild. During this time he picked up the hobby of hunting. But just like his biological parents, his new father figure would soon be killed in battle when he was just twelve years old. A saddened Tell ran into the woods and came across a Will, the soul of a legendary, mythological, or historical figure. The Will introduced itself as the soul of the Dreadful Huntsman, **Türst**. The Will of Türst offered a soul bind with Tell. Tell decided to accept so he can get stronger and get vengeance for his family.

Tell trained in the woods with the guidance of Türst for a decade. He then re-entered the world and found out that it was more chaotic than when he left it. A group of three men calling themselves the Three Eidgenossen approached him and explained everything. The three men took a blood oath of brotherhood and formed a force that fights against the Habsburgs. They asked him if he wanted to join their cause but he rejected them by saying, *"I have unfinished business, I'll think about it when I deal with it."* The three men accepted the answer and wished him the best of luck.

#### ***Gessler's Death***

Tell settled down for the time being and had a son, **Walter Tell**. On 18 November 1307, Tell decided to visit Altdorf with Walter. Altdorf was run by **Albrecht Gessler** who had decided to raise a pole under the **Gerichtslinde**, hung his hat on top of it, and demanded that all the townsfolk bow before it. Tell refused to bow to it and got arrested. Gessler was intrigued by Tell's famed marksmanship, but resentful of his defiance, so he devised a cruel punishment. *"You two are to be executed! Unless you can shoot an apple off your son's head in one try,"* said Gessler.

Tell split the apple with a bolt from his crossbow. Gessler then noticed that Tell had removed two crossbow bolts from his quiver. Gessler asked, *"Why did you remove two bolts from your quiver, Tell?"* Tell was reluctant to answer, but Gessler promised that he would not kill him. Tell then replied, "*Had I killed my son, I would've killed you with the second bolt."* A furious Gessler yelled, *"Guards! Look him up!"* Gessler had promised to spare Tell's life but would imprison him for the remainder of his life.

Tell was being carried in Gessler's boat to the dungeon in the castle at **Küssnacht** when a storm broke on Lake Lucerne, and the guards were afraid that their boat would sink. *"Lord, can we please get these shackles off of the prisoner so that he can help us,"* pleaded one of the guards. Gessler gave in and told his guards, *"Get these shackles off of him."* Tell then steered the boat to a rocky place and leapt out. Tell then ran to Küssnacht with Gessler and his men in pursuit. As they reached the **Hohle Gasse**, Tell turned around and with his second crossbow bolt assassinated Gessler.

#### ***Battle of Morgarten***

Tell then met with the Three Eidgenossen and accepted their offer. In 1315, Tell would participate in the Battle of Morgarten. Tell saved a young soldier going by the name of Arnold von Winkelried during the battle and he later adopted him. Tell then started training both Walter and Winkelried for a decade before returning to lead as a Swiss revolutionary leader. In 1354, Tell died while trying to save a child from drowning in the Schächental River in Uri. Both Winkelried and Walter would honor their father's legacy by becoming heroes of the Swiss themselves, the Hero of Sempach and the Lord of the Forest Cantons respectively.