this bitter heart of mine { Ansgar vs Jenoah }

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

In the sky that night he found out why one of his allies hadn't returned to him. Bolts' face against the night was a reminder of the fragility of all of their lives. Ripred had welcomed four into his lands yesterday. The face of the district nine boy stared down at the ground, lifeless now as he had been hours before. In a matter of hours, he might be dead too. This trial was slowly coming to a close and each day brought him closer to fulfilling his promise to Ripred. Soon Ripred would call his name, either in summons or in celebration. Not yet, though, he still had too many to save.

Ripred, I fear today spells the end to more lives. My own might potentially come to close. I ask you open your heart and arms to those who have perished so far and who will fall in the coming hours. I can sense the drawing near of my final achievement, though I do not know yet what that might be. Guide me, O Father, as you have thus far, in discovering the true nature of my future. The rising sun blazed high in the sky, signalling the start of what would be some people's final day, perhaps his own. Without thinking, he gathered his things and began walking toward the sun. Climbing the walls of the valley, he continued to pray to Ripred until the sight at the top drove all thought from his mind.

Gray clouds cluttered the sky, dark and heavy, backlit by the brilliant sun rise. The sky was a smokey pink and orange, but a burning crimson gathered at the farther reaches of the clouds. The view was awe inspiring, and a greater sign from Ripred he had never seen. Today would be the day he would make his accomplishment, be it the first of many or the last he would ever do. Ripred was showing him the splendor that was within him, the splendor that would be released today. Blood, of course, was signaled in the scarlet clouds in the far distance, but the brilliant pinks and oranges signified bravery and peace, with a tinge of regret and longing swirling in the grey mass of clouds.

He dropped to his knees, fervently pressing hands together and touching his head to his fingers as he muttered prayer to Ripred. Ripred, your love and greatness shines through even on the darkest days. I take heart from your gift. With your guidance, love, and strength I will be able to face whatever this day brings. With this gift, I am content to die in this day. I am your vessel, I am your servant. O Father, if only my love were enough to match your own for you deserve nothing less. I give my life to you, as I have done a thousand times over.

His shaking hands fumbled at the neck of his shirt until he found the chain hidden underneath. Retrieving the rat skull pendant, still not opening his eyes, he touched it to his lips. Opening his eyes only now, he raised the pendant as far as he could, toward the sky. He then bared his left palm, using his right hand to press the fangs of the rat skull into the meat of his hand. There is no expression of pain on his face despite the blood that begins to rise around the teeth. Pulling the rat skull from his hand, he watched as two perfect bubbles of crimson rose from the tiny wound. Letting the pendant fall to his chest, he touched the first two fingers of his right hand to the puncture marks. Pressing hard, he stopped the bleeding, smearing what had risen already in the process.

As though none of that had happened, he immediately stood and continued in the direction he had been walking. The seeming endless expanse of granite spread out before him, welcoming him into a place of openness and freedom. For some time he walked alone with only his rat companion for company. His utter faith in Ripred at that moment kept him from questioning why there was no one else around. Someone would show soon, someone who would challenge him and his belief. It was his task to prove that they would not shake him. While they might slay him, they would not break him or his faith.

When his challenger was revealed he understood everything. Jenoah, the only other tribute of any faith, stood a ways off. Ripred would not ask him to kill someone who was faithful. Jenoah had sinned, being the killer of Mordecai and perhaps others. In this moment, Jenoah would atone for the things he had done, and he, he would deliver Ripred's judgement. This was sure, this was what Ripred wanted.

There was no time for words, no time for courtesies. If he were to be the spear of Ripred, he could not afford unfounded and unearned sentiments. The image of Mordecai's face as his life fell away rose in his mind. In his pocket, the rat stirred. She knew a fight was imminent and was preparing. Together, they would mark this sinner so that the world would know him for what he was: denounced by Ripred.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
xGCj9m0Ospear
Deep Gash on Left Thigh -- 8.0 damage

spear

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

j e n o a h

It is probably a surprising union for those watching, me, Hyacinth and Pillar, all sat around a fire. It is as if we are friends, camping out in the woods although I can’t call them friends. One of my friends is dead and the two that come close to friends are not here. The cannons that have sounded today were probably due to their demise, only will the projection in the sky tonight will help answer that question.

For the first time, I feel some comfort in the arena. Hyacinth’s cat warms up to me so I am courteous to it, returning a soft pat on its head. I do not question the bizarre presence of the cat in the arena, I am sure the gamemakers are just having a bit of fun. It reminds me of the litter of cats back home, although their shaggy appearance contrasts that of the feline that I am petting. Just being near the animal floods my mind with the memories of home, the sly tomcat that always found its way into my bed at night, waking me up to by licking my cheek with its rough tongue. I would give so much just to relive those simple moments.

I must have nodded off; I awake to a smouldering fire, the heat from its flames no longer attacking my skin. The others are gone. I am back to being alone. They had to depart at some point and I am thankful that they didn’t drive a weapon into my heart while I was recklessly asleep. My eyes feel heavy; the sleepless nights are slowly creeping up to me, despite passing out for a good fifteen hours the night before. I yearn for the comfort of my own bed but a reunion is unlikely to ever happen.

Reese’s face ignites the sky; the ritual of announcing the dead begins. I still cannot identify the monster that drove the glaive into the District Seven boy’s eye, it wasn’t me, it wasn’t a part of me that I have met before. Is this some sort of survival beast? Is this how I am going to pursue through the games? By slaughtering and ending every life that steps in my way? That is the strategy that my father would put forth, I am not going to follow his ways, even if my life is on the line. I can do this by myself; I can do this my own way.

The boy from Three follows Reese, the aroma of his burning flesh still floats in the air, it is probably stuck to my clothes and I’ll be unlikely to ever shake it off. Then it is Rolf Parks, the boy who I spent a moment with in the dining hall. He seemed like a genuine boy, someone that just wanted to survive; I just hope he went quickly.

There is just one more face.

Desimae Warble. Another that I called a friend, taken away and sent to wherever Mitchell has gone. The girl with fiery hair and a personality that matched, I witnessed her transform in the arena and I discovered a part of her that she wanted to hide. That strong persona contained a fragile girl, a fragile part that everyone must have…unless they are a monster. A part of me wants to grieve her death however I am somewhat relieved, I won’t have to kill her in my journey to get home.

My body clock wakes me, last night’s sleep feeling somewhat refreshing. I look to the sky, waiting a moment to watch the darkness of the night surrender to the light of day. But the sun would not be out in full bloom, grey clouds lingered heavily in the sky, containing the great amber orb. I long to see the rays of the sun, the magnificent beauty of the great light bulb that lives in the sky, I’ll probably never be able to witness one of nature’s fine giants again. Instead I will fall to my demise in the abyss of a grey dullness.

Gathering up my belongings, I begin the day like every other. Being alone still feels foreign to me, I have to stop myself from trying to wake the others. They are not there Jenoah, two of them are dead anyway, the other one will probably be sniffing out your scent. The familiar voice of danger awakes in my mind, setting up at its post to torment me through the day.

And the voice of danger brings along a real threat. Across the great expanse of granite, a familiar figure greets me in the distance, a red alert flashes through my mind. Ansgar, the boy consumed by the false god of Ripred. I had the opportunity to speak to him before but I was ignored, after all I did take the life of his ally.

Ansgar’s spear takes a bite at my thigh, a stinging pain retreats up my body as I take a glance to the red liquid that slowly begins to flee from my wound.

”I asked you this before, but do you feel Ripred’s presence in here? Because I don’t.” I don’t because he is not real, his presence is nowhere in this world and certainly not in this arena. ”He is not helping. But I don’t need anyone’s help. The only person that is going to get me home… is me.”

Attacks Ansgar | Glaive

H5YyZnN6glaive

13082 -- Deep Gash on Left Thigh -- 8.0 damage

glaive

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

His spear sinks into the flesh of the other boy's leg, rending a gash down the side of it. He knows this is only the first blow in this fight, and he knows to expect wounds in return. This will not be a quick fight, no single stab to end one or the other of them. This would be long, be drawn out. This was a trial for the both of them, and lessons do not come from easy victories. With Ripred behind him, he would succeed.

Success was not a straightforward definition, though. Winning and success were not synonymous in this instance. Finding peace, giving peace, and defending the name of Ripred were all he aimed to achieve. He did not have to win this fight to prove himself, instead he would not let himself be beaten. The breaking of his spirit or his belief would be more horrible than dying. For in death he would be able to see Ripred. If he were to abandon the god, he would be cast out of his family, shunned by Ripred himself, and never see anyone he cared for ever again.

The test began with words. "I asked you this before, but do you feel Ripred’s presence in here? Because I don’t." There is a pause, a drawing of breath. He can feel this as the moment that Jenoah damns himself. "He is not helping. But I don’t need anyone’s help. The only person that is going to get me home… is me." There is no shock that comes with his words, only a complete understanding of the big picture. Ripred had known, Ripred had felt the slipping of this boy's belief, then the breaking of it. His abandonment had hurt the god. He could not stand for it, could not move aside in the face of someone who had wounded Ripred. He had sworn to protect and uphold Ripred in the face of everything, and so he shall.

"Ripred is everywhere. He is watching always. It is you who abandoned him, not the other way around." As the pole weapon's blade gave him a matching wound, more knowledge fell into place. Ripred was showing him what he might have become. Had he been without the strength of heart and faith he would have been this boy standing before him now. While they had both gone so far in this challenge, only one of them still had a pure spirit. He was facing a mirror, the mirror to his alternate self, his alternate path. This was not a fight against Jenoah, this was a fight against himself. He would have to defeat himself.

"He has guided me here, he has given me the challenge of fighting you. I will defend him. I am everything you might have been. It is such a waste." He can not feel mercy for someone he has been sent to fight, but pity freely flows through him. Such waste, Ripred was as disappointed as he was betrayed. Jenoah could have been so much more.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
rn5L5Y83spear
Stabbed in Stomach -- 9.5 damage

spear

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

j e n o a h

It is like a déjà vu, my glaive immediately sinks into Ansgar’s left thigh, the blade taking revenge on the wound that he inflicted onto me. I don’t even think I am truly controlling this weapon; it has a life of its own. It knows how hard to hit and where to hit, I have to admit, this is the one thing that has gotten me this far through the games. An object that I have never lifted before, a deadly blade that has blood stains of the many. And now Ansgar’s blood mixes in with the others, maybe reconnecting with the blood of Mordecai.

I am going to have to kill him if I truly wish to return home. I can’t keep denying it now; this is the reality that I am going to have to accept. This god worshipping manic is not going to allow me to walk away from this; his spear is going to be the thing that finally swipes away my life. I just need to get answers from his first, answers of the false god that I was forced to follow for the majority of my life. The false god that quickly abandoned me as soon as he threw me into this pit of despair.

"Ripred is everywhere. He is watching always. It is you who abandoned him, not the other way around." Oh he is so blind, so consumed by a fairy tale. Even if by a small chance that this god is real, it is not I who abandoned it but the other way around. My name would have not been pulled from that glass bowl if he truly exists, he would not have put two of his followers into the same arena, unless he is the cruel monster in this story. Ripred may very well be the devil that torches this world with a never ending inferno of suffering.

"He has guided me here, he has given me the challenge of fighting you. I will defend him. I am everything you might have been. It is such a waste." His words torture me and pain from the tip of his spear as it sinks into my stomach adds to the torment that he is filling my mind with. He may as well be the demon’s voice that lives in my mind.

That damn foolish Ripred follower is going to be the end of you Jenoah, try harder dammit!

My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I try to ignore it, I cannot let it distract me, not in this pinnacle moment. ”It wasn’t me who abandoned Ripred. He betrayed me as soon as I stepped onto that train.” That train journey signified the end of many things. I was suddenly alone, such a foreign concept to me, being alone. Although somehow I found new friends, allies to stand alongside like my family and the men back home in the business. But just as before, those friends are gone and I am alone. If Ripred is real, he is punishing me in the worse way possible: forcing me to spend an eternity of loneliness.

”I prayed for him. I begged for his help but he just returned with silence. He abandoned me like he will likely abandon you.”

Attacks Ansgar | Glaive

lijAjOirglaive

13092 -- Shallow Cut on Neck -- 4.0 damage

glaive

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

The bite of the spear into Jenoah's abdomen reverberates up his arm. With a small sucking sound he retracted the weapon from the wound, allowing the blood to begin to stream forth. In this battle he knew that he must drain his opponent - his mirror - of energy so that he would have the upper hand later on. As he attempted to block and parry, or even strike, he must make sure Jenoah was using more energy than he was.

The other boy slashed forward, aiming to tear his throat open. Having been on the receiving end of a yeti's teeth at his throat he instinctively moved back to avoid the blow. However, he hadn't moved far enough to avoid the blow completely and yet another line was scrawled across his neck. It was as though the next person who went to remove his head would now have a guiding mark, like a glassmaker scores the glass before breaking it cleanly down the line. Eventually it would seem as though his head had been snapped from his body, left as two separate sculptures of devotion.

"It wasn’t me who abandoned Ripred. He betrayed me as soon as I stepped onto that train." Jenoah was in denial. He wanted to disbelieve in Ripred since so many terrible things had happened but he couldn't see that it was Ripred's grace that had allowed him to live this long. He blamed Ripred for his own failures when Ripred only tried to give him challenges to better himself. "I prayed for him. I begged for his help but he just returned with silence. He abandoned me like he will likely abandon you." Jenoah didn't understand. He was not the son of Ripred, he could not feel the touch of the god in his shoulder, in his every action. Divine blood did not flow through his veins. He knew, though, he was the son of Ripred and he knew from before he was born that Ripred had granted him a small bit of insight into what it was like to be a god.

There was no way to make Jenoah see, now. The boy was past the point of remembering, past the point of listening and understanding. Ripred was the enemy to him, and thus he was now an enemy of Ripred. The spear of Ripred would sink into his flesh, draw out blood and poisoned knowledge and cast him into the vast emptiness that resided outside of Ripred's domain. If he were to then, naked and alone, find his way to Ripred's gate, perhaps then he could seek forgiveness. It would certainly not come from him, and not now.

"Ripred knows I am faithful, Ripred knows I serve only him. He does not abandon me for I will never abandon him." He readied himself for another go, the spear itching to bite once more, a live snake in his hands. In his pocket, the rat quivers. She knows something, but she does not elaborate. He waits, listening, searching, for any sign. "You are lost Jenoah, but you have strayed too far. You have become a rogue, a scourge on those who believe. I can not allow that."

He and the rat move at the same time, both sensing the same thing. Now was the time to move.

Now.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
tv|jZFtospear
Stabbed in Stomach -- 9.5 damage

spear

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

j e n o a h

Ansgar’s spear chews at my stomach again, drawing more blood and inflicting a greater pain, it is hard not to yell. All I want to do is scream but some energy is containing the eruption that is brewing inside of me, I’ll have to chance to let it out as soon as this fight Is over. There is no point in worrying about pain now, not when I am likely to experience more, certainly if I don’t pick up my game anytime soon. The ivory fancy dress tunic is unrecognisable, now that my own blood has washed away the pure white of the cloth. I didn’t know I had so much blood inside of me.

It was such a stupid idea, aiming the glaive towards his neck; I have only been able to print a scratch onto the District Ten boy. A scratch is not going to help you get home Jenoah. it is my father who resides in my head, the personal coach, trying to motivate me to go on. He is the one man who I have not missed, yet his presence still lingers around me. No matter where I go, even in death, I will never be able to shake away that man.

"Ripred knows I am faithful, Ripred knows I serve only him. He does not abandon me for I will never abandon him." My father would very much like Ansgar, he has the same faith and is currently beating his son in a fight. Ansgar is likely the boy that he had hoped I would grow into. Oh what a sorrowful existence that would be. Throwing my life away, just to devote it to some make belief tale. I can pray, I can pray to survive this fight and walk away from this arena with my life but no power and certainly no god is going to help me.

Agony tries it best to cripple me; I am fighting two battles right now, one with Ansgar and one with my body. Oh you’re such a wet sock Jenoah. Oh and a third with my mind. I can never get it easy. Life isn’t easy. When one shit storm comes rolling in, a whole lot more come rolling in after it. All I have to do is get out of this storm, free myself from it, cleansed and healthy. You’re missing two fingers Jenoah. At times I keep forgetting about the moment that furry beast tore my digits from my hand, but my body likes to remind me with a ghostly itch in the area where they were once attached.

"You are lost Jenoah, but you have strayed too far. You have become a rogue, a scourge on those who believe. I cannot allow that." He doesn’t know me; his so called god certainly does not know me. He is spitting out false words, all he wants to do is kill me for his make belief character but I have a realistic goal.

”I am not lost. I have not strayed too far Ansgar. I know where I am going and that place is home. I just want to go home.”

Just one good strike Jenoah, like you did before.

Just one good strike and I will be going home.

Attacks Ansgar | Glaive

i5ljmsNxglaive

[13131 -- Deep Gash on Cheek -- 8.5 damage]

glaive

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

The attacks went back and forth, slashes and stabs exchanged with words as direct as the jab of his spear. For a second time, the tip of his weapon jammed into the stomach of Jenoah. This time the wound looked far worse as it had ripped the existing gash open farther to seep even more blood. He was slowly eviscerating the other boy, if only to bleed off the poisoned thinking that lead to Jenoah calling the name of Ripred into question. Ultimate faith was as much his weapon as the spear he bore. His utter belief was showing in the way his attacks landed well and without fail.

Belief battled with disbelief as the boys faced each other. The illusion of a mirror had not completely shattered away, but even so there was a clear difference to them now. Both bled from wounds, but Ansgar was stiff and upright still. Even as the other boy's glaive scored a deep line across his cheek he remained stable and unflinching. In contrast, the small body of the rat in his pocket reacted to the blow as though she had been the one struck by it.

"I am not lost. I have not strayed too far, Ansgar. I know where I am going and that place is home. I just want to go home." Once more Jenoah was denying that which was so plain to him. It was not knowledge of his location that he was referring to, but the location of his belief and his heart. Both had fled, both had gone somewhere that Ripred could not retrieve them from. Cast away, Ripred had no other option than to send Ansgar to destroy them.

"Your home could have been with Ripred, but now you have ruined that honour for yourself. Ripred has sentenced you to the vast emptiness, Jenoah, and I am here to act as the executioner." There was only a touch of pride in his voice, not from having the power to potentially defeat this boy, but from the fact that Ripred trusted him with such an important task as this. He had not forgotten his own mortality, reminded to him over and over with each blow he received. There was still every chance that Jenoah, or any of the others that still lived, might kill him. Even so, he felt now that he had upheld his promise to Ripred and been rewarded with his trust. That was more than he had ever dared to ask for, and he would treasure that gift always.

With each blow he attempted, he showed Ripred his gratefulness. He would defend the trust of Ripred unto his dying breath and beyond, whenever that may come.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
OHbmtNz|spear
Shallow Cut on Chest -- 4.0 damage

spear

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

j e n o a h

I don’t know how I am doing it, maybe its instinct or the flood of adrenaline that is guiding me through this fight but somehow the glaive is easily aimed towards my component. The blade slices through Ansgar’s cheek and it is not a scratch this time. I need to stay consistent. I need to fight to urge to collapse to the floor and curl up in a ball. The agony that is beating up my body is masked by my determination. I won’t have to imagine home, as long as I survive this fight and rest to come, I can relive it properly.

Slowly I am losing the energy to communicate with Ansgar, but h is poisonous words are causing a wave of fury to wash over me. Ripred, Ripred, Ripred. I would give so much to go deaf at the very moment that name is mentioned. A name that has followed me around since birth and if I do not defeat Ansgar, it will likely be the last name I will ever hear. Religion caused conflict in my family; my mother’s side had the right idea. The idea to have realistic beliefs and ideologies, if only I followed their ideals sooner…

"Your home could have been with Ripred, but now you have ruined that honour for yourself. Ripred has sentenced you to the vast emptiness, Jenoah, and I am here to act as the executioner." His words are riddled with nonsense. They’re made up; just like the god he is following. He does not know me; he does not know what my home is like. Death could bring anything, it could be like sleep. Darkness. The lucky few are blessed with dreams and well my mind is always filled with such things. If I die, I will be living my dream and that dream will not contain the name of Ripred.

”Ripred has always a part of my life at home. I was just too blind to realise that he doesn’t exist. He never did anything for me, because he isn’t real. I just pity that you believe in such nonsense and you’re probably going to die still believing it.” The pain that marches through my body is pictured in my words. My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I can feel the eruption slowly becoming uncontrollable. Not long now Jenoah…

All I want to do is prayer that I survive this fight but nobody will listen. Nobody is there to answer my questions. I just need to do this myself. The only person I need to believe in is me.

Attacks Ansgar | Glaive

eMtn1Bw8glaive

[13180 -- Block -- 0.0 damage]

Accuracy Reroll

glaive
13048 -- Miss -- 0.0 damage
rip

glaive�glaive

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

There is no getting through to someone who has shut out the world. He knew just by looking at Jenoah that there was no way to convince him now. His own faith was not shaken by Jenoah's traitorous words, if anything it was more enforced. He would not end up like this boy, he would not toss away all of his potential by giving up on Ripred. This poor boy could not see the gift that Ripred brought to the world, and thus he had been blinded to the grace that surrounded the pair of them now. In his pocket, the rat was in tune with each movement and word. She could sense a finality rising at the backs of both boys, however, she could not express to either of them what she felt.

He only knew that Jenoah was weakening before him. His own breath was starting to come harder now, and he bled from a few wounds, but the strength of Ripred held him steady while the other boy shook. "Ripred has always a part of my life at home. I was just too blind to realise that he doesn’t exist. He never did anything for me, because he isn’t real. I just pity that you believe in such nonsense and you’re probably going to die still believing it." Jenoah was much too far gone to call back now. Ripred had banished him, so now it was his turn to abandon the other boy. He wouldn't waste any more energy on someone who didn't wish to be saved, who couldn't be saved.

He turned his eyes skyward, casting his regret and sorrow to Ripred. Father, I have failed this boy. I could have brought him back to you earlier had I seen the signs. Now it is too late and we must punish him for something that could have been prevented. He knows that this path has been set out and he would see it to its end, but it did not hurt him any less. There were two kinds of failure in this situation, and he had already failed on one part of this challenge. He would have to make sure to succeed on the other part.

I am your servant, Ripred. Guide me. Answering him almost immediately, he got an instant vision of what Jenoah's next attack would be. With a flick of his weapon and a side step he knocked the pole weapon away from his body. Filled with the knowledge that Ripred didn't blame him for losing Jenoah, he gathered himself to attack once more.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
bnJW0gYXspear
Deep Gash on Left Thigh -- 8.0 damage

spear

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

j e n o a h

You’re weak Jenoah, you have always been weak..

I don’t even have the energy to fight the voice in my head. I don’t even have the energy to defeat Ansgar. Optimism is something that I pride myself in, but right now, I am being realistic. I am not going home. My life is going to be taken in this damned arena and all my family will get in return, is my battered and wounded body. I certainly won’t come back to them in one piece, as I promised. Only a miracle will get me out of this and well, miracles are slowly becoming as fake as Ripred.

Not even my glaive can save me now. He is right in front of me and the blade misses by miles, the blood loss is quickly impacting my body. Ansgar’s spear plants itself into my thigh, widening the wound that is already there. I just want to collapse, fall to my knees in a pool of my own blood and just go, go quickly.

He is ignoring you again.

Maybe he agrees with my words or maybe he is filling his mind with pointless prayers. He doesn’t deserve to kill me, not when he is ignoring my words. He will not be the one. It will be so degrading if he is the one. I can’t get slayed by a worshipper of Ripred.

”Oh just fucking talk to me.”

I need them. I am so lonely. I need my family’s warmth. I need to hear the atrocious laughs from the men back home. I need to relive all of that again. You can if you do what you did with that District Seven boy.

Everything explodes. The eruption bursts from me, along with the scream that was so hard to contain. Ansgar will think of me as a fool due to that, he will think that he has me defeated. You’re so weak Jenoah.

The glaive goes limp in my hand, my vision masked by a red fury, an after effect of the eruption. ” I am going home Ansgar, alive. And your fairy tale character has no say in the matter.” My next attack plays out in my mind, the voice being my coach, guiding the glaive towards the District Ten tribute. It mirrors my attack from the day before, the blade slowly crawling through his skull. If I was imagining this two days earlier, I’d be screaming to get the vision out of my head. But all I see now is red and I don’t want this fight to end with me dead…

Attacks Ansgar | Glaive

UzOMGYPyglaive

[13110 -- Shallow Cut on Left Calf -- 3.5 damage]

glaive

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

Once more the spear dips into rent flesh and enlarges the wound. This time, the weapon pulls at Jenoah's leg, further marring the other boy's thigh. There is a giving and weakening that occurs in that moment. Both boys feel the impact, but it isn't he who nearly slumps forward. The amount of blood oozing from Jenoah's battered body is steadily growing to be more and more. Eventually, he would collapse. He admired how he held on even so, forcing himself to continue fighting despite the overwhelming evidence of Ripred's influence.

"Oh just fucking talk to me." There is a bitterness to Jenoah's voice, a level of disdain that he felt rising in his own chest. They had once understood each other, at least somewhat, but now they were foes with opposing views. Where they had originally both looked to Ripred, one had now cast the god aside. It was time for that one to pay the price of treachery. "I am going home Ansgar, alive. And your fairy tale character has no say in the matter."

He watches as Jenoah surges forward with a last burst of energy. There isn't enough time to avoid the attack completely but he was able to shift so that his shin guards caught the blow. The strike was weak, not even breaking the armor before it skidded off. This didn't feel like a victory, though, it was not final yet.

The rat in his pocket poked her head out to gaze at the surroundings. She lifted her head, looking up at him and giving a soft squeak. It is time. Do what you must. Ducking back down into safety, she nestled against him as a small source of comfort.

He had been successful, but now he had to show he had won as well. There was only one way to do that in the Hunger Games.

By Ripred's will.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
X_xGjxCLspear
Deep Gash on Left Calf -- 8.0 damage

spear

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

j e n o a h

How am I still standing?

Ansgar’s spear claws at my legs, tearing away the armour and leaving another trail of blood behind on the leg. I can feel the tremors beginning to pulsate up my left leg, it is going to give way, it is going to give way at any moment. But the flush of energy still remains; the power of adrenaline is doing overwork, controlling every fibre of my body to push on. Don’t give up, don’t give up until the very end. Now the voice in my head shares positives words. My mind and body are finally working together at this pinnacle, but is there any point?

”Why are you ignoring me? If you are going to be the one to kill me, I at least deserve to hear some final words from you. Even if they contain the poisonous values of that false god.” I am wasting my energy on my words but there is nothing much else I can do now. The dark red liquid has consumed my body, I am basically a dead man walking and I must accept that. This god worshipping fool is going to end me, he is going to end me…I might as well leave a mark in the process. Not many tributes get remembered, especially those from my District. For the sake of my family, I need to engrave my name into the minds of the citizens of Panem, I can’t just be a forgotten name on the list of the thousands who have fallen in the games before me. Will anyone remember Jenoah Rasoio is fifty years? I need to make sure of it.

The world begins to spin around me, my vision barely understandable as I look to Ansgar and see two of him. I scan his body, a small movement catching my eye. ”Is that a rat or am I hallucinating?” The glaive drags me forwards, the blade eager to get its last taste of blood, before it likely falls into the hands of Ansgar. I wonder if it’ll do just as well for him as it has done for me, because in this fight it has betrayed me, it must have known of my weakness…

All I can do now is imagine home in these last moments, the reality of ever returning alive has faded, I just hope the coffin they put me in is comfy.

Attacks Ansgar | Glaive

r72Ed92Rglaive

[13038 -- Block -- 0.0 damage]

glaive

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

He does not kill Jenoah with that blow. Though death is upon the other boy he does not steal the life from him just yet. Let him breathe for one more moment, let him suffer that extra second in knowing that Ripred had asked for his head. Jenoah is still standing, barely, in this moment but in the next he will have flickered away like a blown out candle. He would snuff that fire at the moment Ripred asked, and not before.

For now there was a pause, an exhale of breath followed by no inhale. It was not Jenoah's chest that did not rise but his own. As he did in prayer, he now sent out his soul with his breath to mingle with the vastness of Ripred's presence. Here, he was safe, here he knew what to do. "Why are you ignoring me? If you are going to be the one to kill me, I at least deserve to hear some final words from you. Even if they contain the poisonous values of that false god." The air returns to his lungs again, filled with words of pity, compassion, and utter fury.

He could understand the fear that came with silence, for without Ripred he would be surrounded by the emptiness. However, Ripred filled that space, easing the moments of quiet with a gentle sense of love and support. Even in the darkest, loneliest times he did not worry. Jenoah, however, had given all that up. He, now, was faced with the thought of passing into the unknown, alone and in the dark. Would Ripred grudge the boy words of comfort and a bit of companionship before the end truly came? A feeling of deep seated approval rose from somewhere in his gut, spreading and warming his entire form.

Ripred, I understand now. You placed me on opposite sides from him to show me what I could have become had I left your side. You also did this to see what I would do to someone who had fallen to such misfortune. You have bestowed in me a goodness and forgiveness that I wouldn't have found or held onto in times such as these. With each day and each challenge you make me better. I can never express the level of gratitude and love I feel for you. I can only offer myself to you as I have offered so many times before.

Jenoah breaks into his conversation with Ripred, sounding startled. "Is that a rat or am I hallucinating?" Knowing she was being referred to, the rat pokes her head out of his pocket again. She squeaked in affirmation, denying the idea of a hallucination with the truth of her presence. He felt her tense against him as Jenoah moved, but saw the path of the weapon easily and knocked it aside once more with his spear. Settling, the rat stared at the dying boy before her. He could tell she felt the same thing he did. Even so, he would still have to serve some sort of justice here. Pity and comfort could come later.

Attacks Jenoah Rasoio with Spear
Uexst4Udspear
Miss -- 0.0 damage

Accuracy Reroll
spear
Shallow Cut on Cheek -- 3.5 damage

He went to stand right before Jenoah, knocking him to his knees like a man before the chopping block. Lifting his spear, he swung it as though to stab Jenoah through the heart. In the last moment, he shifted the weapon to the side. That would be too quick, too painless. Pity had nearly commanded him, but he had to master that. He would have to bring the fear of Ripred into Jenoah once more.

"Jenoah, you stand before Ripred. He has judged you, as have I. You are defiant, but brave. You are a traitor, but strong." He brought the point of the spear to touch just below Jenoah's left eye. "Perhaps you can go home, but at a price." The weapon pressed into the flesh of the boy's cheek, drawing a thin line under the eye. "I could take your eye, but I will not steal that from you. You deserve to return to your family whole." His own eyes look at the missing fingers on Jenoah's right hand before flicking up to the sky. He looks back at the other boy. "Ripred will grant you your fingers back."

Reaching down, he grabs the mutilated hand in between his two whole ones. Letting go of one to grab at the chain around his neck, he retrieves the rat skull pendant. Without another word, he pulls Jenoah's hand closer and sinks the teeth of the skull into the partially healed stump of one finger. He grips the hand hard so the other boy can't pull it from his grasp. Removing the rat skull, he let the pendant dangle free around his neck. He touched two of his own fingers to the missing ones then touched his forehead. Ripred, this boy is unwhole as he is now. In granting him that which he is missing, he might then regain that which he has cast away. Heal one wound to heal all wounds.

When he opened his eyes, he could see immediately that Ripred had indeed returned Jenoah's fingers. The ghostly grey shape of two fingers now extended from the stumps of the old. A contented smile broke across his face as he looked at them. Jenoah's soul was now whole once more. Perhaps his heart could be as well.

"Ripred will welcome you back, Jenoah."

"You just have to go to him."

spear�spear

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

He waits with Jenoah until the breath fades from the body of the other boy. The vacant eyes dully reflect the setting sun overhead. Birds call in the distance, soft sounds of life and living. In contrast, a shuddering BOOM rocks the ground beneath his feet. The cannon for the life he had taken. Other BOOMs echoed around the arena, signalling more deaths. There were not many of them left now, soon there would be even fewer. Not long now before one of them would leave here crowned with the false title victor.

There was no victory in a place like this. Ripred's love, given to him unconditionally, was all he needed in life. A crown, a title, even his life, these were not things he needed. If he were to die tomorrow then so be it. He had served Ripred well up until now, and he had learned the lessons set before him. If there were more to learn he would gladly take up the challenge, but if Ripred deemed it was his time then he would go easily into the sky knowing his brother and mother had watched him serve his Father as faithfully as ever.

The twinge in his gut that could be mistaken for hunger was really longing, though hunger still clawed deep into his stomach and attempted to flip it inside out. He needed food, and rather desperately at this point. There was nothing he could do but turn to Ripred for aid, as he always had. Ripred, I am in need. I have not eaten for days now. I would not ask if it were not imminent but I fear I won't be able to continue if I do not find something. Please, I ask in my selfish need that I might be provided with something to eat.

The rat in his pocket peered around, letting a small squeak out as the sound of small wings reached her ears. His own eventually picked up the sound and he turned his head toward the source. A small bird fluttered down nearby, as it had done yesterday. Perhaps this time he would have more luck with catching it.

Ansgar attempts to catch a Word
GsmgbbUC1-4
:eyes:

1-4

[Kire]

Ansgar Todd

The bird leaps away from his grasp as he goes to reach for it. In his pocket, the rat tsks. He shows no sign of annoyance, instead retreating slightly to regroup himself. Once more, he turned his gaze and mind skyward. Father, I would not ask you this out of greed. I desperately need to eat. This bird might be my last chance to eat. Please, guide my hand in catching it.

Calmed, he readied himself to quickly wrap his fingers around the bird's neck. At a signal from the rat in his pocket, he moved.

Ansgar attempts to catch a Word
oivKFsR11-4
Caught!

1-4