(OOC Trigger Warning: Graphic Violence)
After the encounter with Vee, someone he allegedly was once engaged to, Stitches finds himself staring down the very man who started it all. With the demented mask on and his purple garb, he is the mysterious Mahnik, the person who painted his face forever. The man who took his memories from him. Without the mask, now at the end, he is someone named Jaec, someone from Woodhurst, a man who shared his childhood, even if he can’t possibly remember. It doesn’t matter, Stitches doesn’t want to remember it. His fingers tighten around the handle of his estoc until his knuckles are pale as the moon, and he sneers angrily, his heart pounding with rage. The man stands at the ready with his axe, an equally angry visage across his face. There, under a large oak tree, this would be the end.
Jaec lifts his chin and calls out to Stitches, “Did you kill Vee?”
Stitches shakes his head and takes a cautious step forward, “She insisted that Dru and her deal with each other while you and I finish this.”
Jaec lowers himself and beams with his blue eyes at Stitches, “Stupid girl. She always had a thing for theatrics. It’s going to get her killed someday. Not that you’d remember or appreciate that about her. I never did understand why she doted on you so hard. You were just this stupid, quiet, sometimes really fuckin’ scary kid.” He nearly shouts, his blood boiling, “So how did you know to find us here, then, Kakeraen?”
Stitches seems immune to his former name, and simply answers without taking his eyes off the other man, “Selvius. He’s been informing us about you.”
Jaec seems even more angry now, but somehow remains composed and at the ready, “That snake…I should have known he had something to do with this. I suppose he told the guards last time I nearly killed you. Probably saved your bloody life. Not sure why, considering what happened. Considering what you did to him.”
Stitches stares down his nemesis, his estoc raised to block anything that might come his way, “So is this it? Is this where you tell me what happened when we were younger? Who I was and why I deserved all the ridiculous things you and that woman put me through?”
Jaec shakes his head, “No. You don’t get that. Not from me. It won’t matter anymore. If you really think this will end any differently from the last time, you’re mistaken. The only difference is that you don’t have some slithery, dark robe wearing, big nosed idiot to help you. This time…Stitches…” He says the name with venom in his voice, “You die. Then Dru dies. That’s how this ends.”
Stitches has no more words for Jaec, and won’t be caught letting his opponent make the first move. After their banter, he immediately moves into a thrust with his estoc, aiming the tip for Jaec’s heart, lung, whatever he could pierce or impale on the left side of the chest. Jaec nearly yelps at the quick and sudden movement, stepping to the side and batting the thin blade down with his axe, before bringing it backhandedly towards his enemy. Stitches deftly bends his back and steps back, letting the axe pass his face and repositioning himself to the left of Jaec with a step to the right. He brings his fist close to try and stun the man in purple to get a cleaner chance for a hit. Jaec retaliates, bringing his right hand to catch the fist, while using his other hand with his weapon to try and cleave downwards on Stitches. Stitches raises his full arm to block the attack, his forearm impacted by the bottom of the other man’s arm. For a moment they are locked, staring enraged at each other, until Stitches yanks his fist away from Jaec’s hand, and grabs the estoc with his now freed left hand as he blocks with his right arm, swiftly in the same motion trying to stab at the man and do as much damage as possible. The estoc penetrates through the clothing, and the flesh and out the back end of Jaec’s stomach. The sudden unexpected pain causes him to drop his ax and stagger backwards. Stitches does not let up, now murderous in intent. He brings the estoc in a swing with the sharp point of the blade towards Jaec’s throat.
It goes downhill from here. Jaec staggers into the tree, slamming into it with his back as the thrusting sword’s tip leaves a gash in his throat, and it begins to pour out of his neck. The crimson starts to mix with the purple and gold fabrics as it travels down, and before he can move his hand to try and stop the bleeding, another swing connects with the throat from a distance. Jaec gurgles and tries to lift his hands, but his garb is grabbed and he is shoved into the tree harshly, this time with the blade at his throat. Without pause, Stitches drags the sword edge back across the throat again, deeply cutting another nick into the man’s neck, certainly causing demise. Still, in the last moment of Jaec’s life, Stitches stands back and with a terrifying scream of anger and finality, plunges the estoc through his tormentor’s heart. Jaec slumps to the ground, punctured and destroyed, lifeless.
Stitches pants as the ringing in his head gets softer, the murder leaving his eyes as he steps back and lowers his weapon, standing back to look at what he had done. So many emotions, rage, relief, sadness, and even joy. The blood drops from his sword, and Drubainbess arrives shortly after to witness what had transpired.
