Round One: Ember vs Ullr (D11)

[hesper hart 🐺 d9f]

The tribute stands with bare feet in loose dirt and mud below the dark, damp arena. If they look up, they see light and dust pouring in from the cracks in the wooden flooring. And already, they can hear the cheers, the calls for death. A man-sized bird cage comes to a stop at the ground in front of them and if they aren't wise enough to step in on their own, the peacekeepers will shove them inside. Once the gates are locked behind them, they'll know for sure though: this is officially it. No amount of hope will save them now. Only sharpened steel.

As they rise into the arena, the crowd's applause grows overwhelming in its noise, bleeding into a force of sound like a wall, pushing the tributes further into their cages.

"What an exciting show we have planned for you all today!" A voice the tributes may or may not recognize as belonging to Harlan Godfrey booms over any other voice to be heard.

The tributes will notice that they are standing in a courtyard, with a lush green carpet of grass, and they're surrounded on all sides by a gigantic hedge maze. If the tribute bothers counting, they'll also notice 12 different gates encircling the area, each with a bulky padlock the tributes will be able to make out with ease. As if calling to them, the key ring at their hips grows heavy.

They also notice another cage like their own on the other side of the courtyard, occupied with their own district partner. At the same time, both cages will open. As both tributes climb out of their cages and into the arena, they'll both notice a table nearby, full of rather basic-looking swords of all sorts of different shapes and sizes, though some are obviously missing. They'll also notice a few of those swords have been left lying in random places on the grass, undeniably covered in blood.

"Up next to fight, our District Eleven tributes: Ember Hadley versus Ullr Snow!"

---

Weapon: Sword

Ember Initiative - 78.1
Ullr Initiative - 49.16

Retro Engine Link: Here

Reminder that tributes have not been granted any stations for this games including weapon modifiers, accuracy, first aid, or even stealth. As a result, both tributes will need to make non-attack intro posts before they begin attacking. If tributes refuse to fight each other, please let me (Dars) know asap so that I can schedule mutts for your fight. As always, 24 hour posting rules are in effect and will be enforced.

This fight will conclude once either tribute has died, and you both have until Friday, 28th of April at 6 pm pst to finish them yourselves, or mutts will be deployed to finish the job.

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Every breath catches in the back of her throat. After realizing the depth of this game, Ember wants nothing more than to wake up in her own bed. This is just a nightmare, something holding her back from succeeding in the world. Becoming a haler was important to her, but now she knows those days are over. Ullr explained it all to her, and everything makes sense. The faces of those watching when her name was chosen, the look in her family's eyes, everything is falling into place.

But how can I escape?

It's hard, standing in the dirt barefoot, listening to the crowd overhead chanting and cheering as though they're already excited for whatever is planned. A frantic heart tugs at her chest, and Ember knows running away is futile. Any attempt won't succeed because she's outnumbered. This isn't real, it can't be happening.

Why must I die?

She thinks of her family back home hoping for some sort of miracle, but deep inside they have to know she stands absolutely no chance in this godforsaken game. Fear only grows worse as she feels the cage rising into the arena. The chants and cheers grow louder and louder, and she tries covering her ears. Thinking is impossible, and all she can do is look around at the people watching wondering what is wrong with them. Why root for this? Why celebrate that innocent lives are about to be taken? It isn't worth it.

For the last couple of years, Ember had high expectations for the Capitol and every other district, but this is worse than she ever imagined possible. They don't suffer, they don't struggle to rest or eat or any of that, and they enjoy watching a show. It's sickening, but nothing will ever change it.

"What an exciting show we have planned for you all today!"

Her heart leaps into the back of her throat as she looks around trying to take it all in. That's when her eyes land on Ullr in his own cage, and she wants to run over to him and ask for help, to maybe make a plan, to escape this madness together if it's even possible. Yet she feels as though he won't give her anything to go off of. He made it clear on the train that he's only in this for himself.

It's possible to change though.

The cages swing open, and Ember starts running towards Ullr unsure of what's about to happen. All she wants is for his assistance, they can make it out alive, they can work together for the time being, right?

Looking around at the different swords makes her wonder what's about to happen. Why is this all here? What's happening? What's going on? They're covered in blood, and they're strung about with no rhyme or reason.

"Ullr!"

Thinking of the future isn't easy, and she wants his help, he promised, and Ember always believes everyone will keep their promise.

"You're here." It's almost comforting despite everything that's going on. "I...I...Ullr, I'm scared."

Nothing can change what's about to happen, but she hopes he'll stay true to himself and keep the promise he made. Yet in reality, she knows every promise has the chance of being broken.

Credit to Rave <3

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

I'm not the least bit surprised to hear the crowd cheering as I stand below them waiting to rise into the arena. Don't get me wrong, I am afraid because I don't know what they have in store for me, but I do know that I am strong, and that I am capable of succeeding in something like this. I've taken care of myself for so many years now, and I will do that here. I can provide for myself, I can give people what they need, I can fend for myself. It'll certainly be difficult. I step into the cage, and I take a deep breath. I have to keep myself calm because I know that if I don't keep myself calm, I will make a mistake and it'll cost me my life. I take another deep breath as I slowly rise into the arena, and I'm deafened by the roaring of the crowd. It's overstimulating, but I can't change what's going on. I look around, and in the cage across from me, I see Ember, and for a moment my heart drops. Without hearing a word, I know what's going to happen. It's obvious, but I doubt she's smart enough to figure it out.

I look at the swords laying across the ground and, on the table, and I know I have to hurry and grab one of them so I can get the first blow in this battle, but maybe I'll give Ember her shot. See what she's made of. The cages open, and I exit my cage, and that's when I see the blood covered swords lying on the ground as though they've just been used. A heavy sigh leaves my chest, but in this moment nothing else matters. We're here to fight, I heard the words, and it doesn't matter how many times she pleads and begs, I'm not going to let her live. I cross my arms as she runs over and tells me she's afraid. Of course, she is, I know I would be if I was her age, but she doesn't need to know that. I did make a promise to her, and I told her I would help her. Can't do that now, though.

"Ember, we have to fight until one of us die." I can't explain it any other way to her. This is the truth, and she has to know that. Not that I care. I don't owe her anything. It's still hard knowing she's so young, but at the same time, I don't care. I made it clear on the train that I am here for myself, and she's just standing in my way. I walk over to the table and pick up a sword that isn't covered in blood. It feels awkward in my hands, and I know for a fact that I don't know how to swing it yet. It's impossible to know how to since I've never held one in my life before. I swing it around a couple of times, and then I make my way back over to Ember, and I kneel down on the ground in front of her. "Go ahead, take the first shot. I'll make it easy for you. Cut off my head if you can. Prove you aren't afraid. Go on, Ember, the first chance is yours." Taunting is often considered mean, but I'm not taunting her, I'm telling the higher ups that I'm not afraid of their game, and that at the end of the day, they should be afraid of me.

credit to Rave

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

"Ember, we have to fight until one of us die."

Her eyes are wide, unable to focus on anything other than the roaring of the crowd around her. Nothing makes sense, and yet Ember locks her gaze on Ullr. This is the worse thing imaginable. She looks around at the different swords lying on the ground around her, and she finds one sitting on the table -

I can't even lift these.

But she doesn't even have a chance too because before she can do anything else, Ullr is walking over telling her to take a shot.

Fear courses through her veins and all she wants to do is run away and pretend like everything is okay, but everything is wrong. She shakes her head and starts backing away knowing it'll make her look like a coward. It doesn't matter though. It never will matter.

"No." She keeps backing away raising her hands in front of her. "I won't do it." Ullr is so foolish for acting this way, yet he has to know Ember wouldn't have done it. She's just a kid, and right now the only thing on her mind is accepting that she's going to probably die here.

"I can't do it. I won't do it. I'm not attacking you, Ullr. I'm not doing it." Life or death, it doesn't matter. Ember knows what she's capable of, and killing someone older than her is going to be almost impossible.

Credit to Rave <3

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

I figured the offer to her is easy, and I stand there just waiting for her to strike. This is her chance, it's something she can use to prove herself. I keep my eyes on the ground until I hear her speaking. I knew she wouldn't do it. She's a coward, and now I look like the strong and brave tribute from district eleven. I take a step back and I sigh. She mentions that she won't do it, and again I feel my heart dropping, but I can't let that hold me back. We made a promise, but in the arena, promises are made to be broken. I can't save her now, and she should know that. I know that.

"I knew you couldn't do it." A smile spreads across my face as I move around holding the sword close to my body. "You should've taken your chance, Ember. I gave you a clear shot, and you backed away." I turn around holding the sword in my hand, and while it feels awkward, a couple more swings makes me feel more at ease holding it. I move towards her holding the sword high above my head. "We both can't live, Ember. I gave you a chance, and you didn't take it." I move closer holding the sword tight in my hands. "I hope for your sake, this ends quickly."

credit to Rave

Ullr attacks Ember | Sword

U7QVBWRQHXsword
1175 -- Severed Left Ear -- 8.0 damagesword

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Her eyes widen as Ullr draws closer. His words are haunting, cutting straight to the bone. He promised to help her, but in a game of life and death, even the simplest promises can be broken. But the taunting, it hurts. She's just a kid thrown into a horrific game, but aren't they all kids? She keeps backing away hoping to find a way to escape. It's so difficult, yet her mind is racing just listening to his words.

"Ullr, you -"

The sword comes down, and she tries to duck out from under the upcoming blow. But she doesn't succeed. A loud, blood curdling screech escapes her lips filling the air around her. Tears leak from her eyes, and all she wants to do is curl up in a ball in the corner and sob violently. Being chosen wasn't an honor, and Ullr is taking his role very seriously.

"You never cared!"

A broken heart tries mending itself together as she sprints towards the table and grabs the tiniest sword possible. It's still hard to lift, and she doesn't know how she's going to manage to swing it.

"You never cared! You lied!"

Her words are filled with sorrow as she lifts the sword the best she can. In all reality, she hopes he wins because she'll never succeed.

But I have to try.

Credit to Rave <3

Ember attacks Ullr
iqqLQ_K6TNsword

Miss sword

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

She tries getting away from me, but it doesn't work. I watch the blood gush from the wound, and then I hear her cries. It almost makes me feel bad, it almost brings me to my knees, it almost breaks my heart, but I didn't come here to babysit her. She's smart enough to know that I will make it out of this alive. She calls me out for lying to her, and it's about time. The games are cruel, and we're trapped in a harsh reality. It's kill or be killed, and I need to make sure that I stay alive. It doesn't even really bother me that she says I broke my promise. I knew I would have to eventually. Just didn't know it would happen this early.

I move out of the way as she swings the sword. It seems I have the advantage here. Being able to lift it high is important. If this was a different situation, I may offer her advice, but the more of a disadvantage she has the better. "You do not have what it takes to survive." I want to keep bringing her down. I want her to struggle and get in her own head. But I am doing her a favor. I'm doing you a kindness by trying to kill you quickly. Others may draw out your suffering." I lift the sword high and I move over towards her. I try to get closer, I try to make her realize that if she stands still, I can end her life much faster. "Stand still, I'll make this quick." I stand in front of her and swing again showing her that I will do what I have to even at her expense.

credit to Rave

Ullr attacks Ember | Sword

84TIV1oHy9sword
1076 -- Shallow Cut on Left Bicep -- 3.5 damagesword

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

It's a swing and a miss, and Ember feels her time is slowly running out. All it takes is one wrong move, and she's made several. It doesn't help that Ullr continues to taunt her by pretending he's doing her a favor. Everyone else would make her suffer, and that's exactly what he's doing. He could easily turn around and walk away and not fight at all. It's that simple, yet he doesn't care.

"Why do you have to be so mean for, Ullr?" She pauses for a moment while looking around. "Are you even capable of being a gentleman? Why taunt me?" These are genuine questions, and she wants to know the answers. As she keeps looking around, she tries wiping her tears away. Crying isn't going to save her now, but she has no chance to survive anyway. Not with Ullr actively trying to kill her.

He's greedy and wants to win.

He tells her to stop moving and let him kill her, and in that moment, Ember does the exact opposite. Turning away, she runs as far away from him as possible trying to think of her next move, yet he comes closer and closer.

"No! I won't let you!"

And thankfully she moved when she did allowing the tip of his sword to barely graze her.

"Get away from me!" She shouts as she runs towards him with the sword pointed outwards. Maybe this is what she needs, but Ember knows winning against him is highly unlikely.

Credit to Rave <3

Ember attacks Ullr
wTxLAK2BAGsword
1099 -- 8 damage sword

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

I curse at myself for the small amount of damage I've done to her this time, but any damage is good right now. It keeps me ahead of her, it gives me the extra time to make sure I plan for everything. I glare at her as she speaks to me. Is she dumb? I literally just tried to lay down my life and give her a free killing blow and she didn't take it. Is that not gentleman enough for her? What does she want? Not that it matters because she'll be dead soon, and I won't have to answer her stupid little questions. I simply shake my head, and then I move away trying to think of my next move, and she starts running towards me refusing to just lay down and die. I can feel the frustration growing, and I'm halfway excited to see what she can do. I feel the blade slice deep into my skin, but I do not scream. Not at first anyway, yet I have a new plan.

"I'm so sorry, Ember! Pretty please drop your weapon?" I cower a little in the corner because I want her to think I'm afraid. I want her to think that she did something amazing, but her dropping her weapon would only benefit me. I think crack a smile, and I move over towards her again. "I knew you had it in you." I take a step to the side thinking about how I'm going to move, how I'm going to attack. Taunting her did good, and I partially want to keep going, but she's shown me she's capable of fighting. I didn't think she could do it. "More hits like that." I pivot around on my toes bringing the sword to attention. She may have struck hard, but she doesn't know that I'm done toying around with her.

credit to Rave

Ullr attacks Ember | Sword

9rQii1zmzjsword
1004 -- Shallow Cut on Forehead -- 4.5 damagesword

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

She watches him bleed, and it takes every fiber of her being to prevent her from throwing up in front of everyone. He doesn't react how she did, though. Instead, he starts taunting her once more, and she feels her heart dropping into the pits of her stomach. Ember turns her head and faces away from him. Ullr isn't polite, but why did she even think otherwise? He doesn't care, and yet she foolishly believed he did for just a bit before they got here. The broken promise hurts, but Ember doesn't hold it against him since he's trying to keep himself alive.

"More hits like that."

Ember scratches her head and looks back at Ullr wondering what he's even talking about. Why ask for more hits like that? Why ask for something horrible to happen? He should be rooting against her.

"Why try to encourage me?"

She looks at the sword, and then she looks at him, and she knows what she has to do. But she runs away for a moment. Apparently running full spread worked before, and maybe it'll work again.

"Just leave me alone. I don't want to hurt you! But you're leaving me no choice!"

She runs towards him again holding the sword out with the tip facing him. Ullr left her with no options, but it doesn't stop it from hurting.

Credit to Rave <3

Ember attacks Ullr
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0
sword

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

I shake my head as her words fill my ears. She hasn't learned anything, and clearly she doesn't even really know me. Maybe I don't even know me. My life hasn't been the same since my dad died. Everything changed, and sometimes I don't even like who I've become. Ember reminds me of myself when I was her age. She reminds me of how I saw the world. That's why it almost hurts to do what I have to do, but it doesn't hurt since I know that I must kill her because I want to live. "I encourage you because I know you can do better than what you're doing."

And then she charges, and I raise my own sword knocking hers out of the way. She doesn't want to hurt me, and I can see it in her eyes. I can tell she really doesn't have this in her. A heavy sigh leaves my chest. "You had one good attack. Come on. Make more hits like that." I'm wanting her to have a chance, but I don't want her to do too well. The less damage I have the better because it means I'll have a better chance of making it home and having my own life. "Now please stop moving so I can make it quick." I raise my sword and move towards her. It's time to bring this closer to an end.

credit to Rave

Ullr attacks Ember | Sword

hCGDyA6UFKsword
1187 -- Deep Gash on Left Thigh -- 8.0 damagesword

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

A sigh of relief escapes her lips as Ullr blocks her attack completely, yet it brings her close to death. It's hard to fight against someone who is stronger, someone who is older, but Ember is trying. A steady stream of tears flow down her cheeks. The pain is unreal, and for someone saying they're making it quick, Ullr is sure doing a terrible job at it.

"You said you'd make it quick! Why are you drawing it out?"

She screams as the blade cuts into her skin once more, and it's impossible to move and think.

"Please! Stop!" She pleads and begs as she limps away from him. It's not going to do any good. The sword is heavy, and Ember isn't sure how to even hold it anymore. "Please, Ullr. Please." Begging never gets anyone anywhere, but she has to try. It's the only thing she knows how to do.

"Leave me alone. Please. There has to be another way. Please, Ullr."

Ember takes a deep breath as she starts charging at him once more. Maybe this one will cause him to back away, but deep inside, she knows it's probably just going to provoke him even more.

Credit to Rave <3

Ember attacks Ullr
3GsnroK919sword
0sword

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

"If you quit moving around, I would make it much quicker." I sigh as I move around, but she screams again, and she's crying. It's hard. It's hard to hear her, hard knowing that I'm doing it, but I don't feel bad for her. I can't. I pushed those feelings away the moment my name was called because I can't feel bad for her. It sucks, but I will not let myself feel any sort of emotion at the moment. It just becomes even harder when she starts pleading with me, begging me to stop. She says there's another way, but it's a lie. There isn't any other way, and she has to know it.

"There isn't another way, Ember. There isn't any other way." I keep my voice firm as I try to look as though I have no emotions, but it's almost insulting that she'd even suggest trying a different way. If that isn't bad enough, she starts charging towards me without even aiming, and all it takes is a simple step to the side to move out of the way. "Come on, Ember! You can do better than that!" Maybe she takes the encouragement the wrong way, and I need her to. I need her to understand that she's never going to kill me because I'm going to kill her. "You know begging isn't going to help you. It never will."

credit to Rave

Ullr attacks Ember | Sword

Q|EDTXPauRsword
1046 -- Stabbed in Back -- 9.0 damagesword

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Spots flicker before her eyes. Everything is hurting, the pain is almost unreal, and yet Ember isn't sure what's going to happen. Part of her wants to give up fighting because it's impossible to keep herself alive, but the other part is terrified of dying. Begging has gotten her nowhere, and Ullr continues to try to bring her down to her knees before sending the final blow.

It's hard to focus as she tries getting away, but the pain, it's unbearable. Running does no good as her legs give out sending her crashing down to the ground. Tears roll down her face as she tries rolling over. On the train ride here, Ember wanted to care, she wanted to believe that Ullr had her best interest in mind, but now she knows how gullible she's been. Nobody has her best interest in mind but herself, and she can't even properly defend herself.

"I can't do better than that, Ullr. I can't." Her voice cracks with every word mixing with the loud sobs echoing from deep within. "I can't."

Can't never got her far in life, and while she wants to believe Ullr means well by trying to help her find the motivation to keep going and fight, Ember knows it's impossible. She's slow getting back on her feet, and she nearly topples over again.

"But I want to say I forgive you, and I have no ill will towards you." She readies herself once more and starts moving for an attack. "You're clearly just playing the game."

It's a horrible game, and Ember can't wait for when her soul is finally released.

Credit to Rave <3

Ember attacks Ullr
j|Ha_cQCRSsword
1025 - 9 damage sword

[Malachor Erso D2 (Cato)]

Ember is on the ground, and this is my chance to make the final blow so I can move on further into the games, but I pause because her cries are destroying my heart. She's so young, and she doesn't deserve to go through what I'm putting her through. She doesn't' even deserve to be here, and to see her innocence slowly fading away, to see the pureness of her soul, the gentleness, the kindness, it's all so disheartening to know what's going on what. And then she says she can't do it, and I genuinely want to believe her, but I know that sometimes people say these things, and then they're very capable of doing things. The body is strange when it's tossed into fight or flight mode. Nobody wants to die.

"But I forgive you." She's on her feet now, and she's telling me she forgives me for what I have to do, and I don't even know what to do. To know that someone so young is capable of forgiving someone for this. It's not my fault that we both were chosen, and it's not my fault. It is, but it isn't, and it just shows that she's far more caring that I ever will be. And then she attacks, and this time I don't move out of the way as quickly as I want to, and I almost feel sick to my stomach, yet I don't scream, and I don't let her see what she's done to me. "For someone who says they can't, you've done an amazing job." I smile as I adjust my grip on the sword, and I move towards her. She's close to dead, and I want to finish it. "And you're playing the game too, Ember, and you clearly are doing a fine job at it."

As soon as the sword touches her, she falls to the ground one last time. She's fought so hard, so bravely, but it wasn't enough. It hasn't been enough. When her cannon sounds, I walk over towards her, and I drop my sword to the ground. "Be free, Ember." I close her eyes, and then I place her sword on her chest and wrap her hands around it.

credit to Rave

Ullr attacks Ember | Sword

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1010 -- Severed Left Calf at Knee -- 9.0 damagesword