stone hearts [gingersnaps vs kristof vs sk] day 2 / 9:45am

I’m still trying to decide if what happened last night was a dream or not. I was expecting to dream about my family, yet instead I remember the warmth of the fire in hearth of the Throne Room. Metal glinting in the light as voices softly carried across. An armored figure knelt in front a king in a pristine version of the room, not the ruins we fought in yesterday. The knight was saying that the others have met the same fate as everyone else.

Was the knight talking about our deaths?

The knight urged the king to leave, and lamented when the king denied. The scene was a dream, but it felt all too real. The scene faded as we woke up into the ruined room. The beauty of the room still seared into my vision. Other tributes already left the location, but Cynder was stirring as well, so at least I didn’t have to drag her with me. We decided to head to the ponds, and I lead the way, following the path I traversed yesterday, grateful that I used the adrenaline yesterday to scout.

The walk feels longer today than it did yesterday though, and without a proper breakfast, I can’t help but feel lethargic. We make our way through the thicket Cynder makes a comment about turning bag, trying to find a bag for her.

“It’s a good idea.” I agree. “I also found a water source yesterday, we should get a drink and try to wash off first.” She didn’t reply as we broke into the area of the pools. The water is still clear as it was yesterday, yet im still hesitant about trying to go into it. We need water to survive, but what happens if we go too deep? What monsters are going to try and take our limbs if probe too much?

We’re not the only ones who arrived at the pond. The boy from Nine is there, dressed in ethereal garments and barefoot. I’m unsure what to make of the outfit. Some of the uniforms sent clear messages, dressing tributes up like court jesters or peasants. Yet he’s dressed as n almost royal garb. Does District Nine hold such such honor with the Capitol?

“Izzabel” I hear Cynder scream at. I look just in time to see the same knight from my waking dream charging at me, only this time he’s made of stone. I do my best to jump out of the way while grabbing one of the silver daggers from yesterday.

“Thanks for the assistance,” I call back as I turn into my throw, flicking my wrist straight at the knight. I doubt any kind of blades will be effective but I need to at least try..

_[DARS]

Just as the sun must always set, the knight is inevitable. It's spear and sword dig into the moss as his opponents slip away from him, but this does not deter it. No matter where they try to run to, he will follow. Always at that steady, ceaseless pace.

One screams, another throws things at him and yet a third appears from the underbrush, spear swinging wildly. The only result of their reaction is a thin line scratched into the stone of the knight's leg. It does nothing to slow him, nothing to cause him to pause as he turns back to face the trio standing before him.

He only charges back towards them all, spear and sword at his side. Water sloshes up the banks of the pool as he runs, his heavy stone feet sink into the moss but it doesn't slow him. The stone knight is not alive, he does not know weariness. There is only the task at hand, the thing that drives him and keeps him ticking, like a Gollum's scroll sealed inside of him.

protect the kingdom.

When he looks ahead, the knight does not see three children, playing dress-up in an adult world. It sees three of the enemy, three invaders comes to destroy all the it holds dear.

There can be no mercy here.

And so the knight shows none.

Filler because I just woke up and I’m running late for work. Will fill in on my lunch.

_[DARS]

The knight did not fall, he did not falter.

As his opponents’ attack, he throws up his own weapon, blocking the feeble attempts of attacks with ease. If he could laugh, one would have escaped his lips. He was built to protect, built to defend until death. These three made it much too easy.

He takes joy in tearing down his enemies, he thrives on their failures, on their deaths. Screams and blood and weapons fly, but there is still no fallen. Not yet at least. The knight has one again been left unharmed as his opponents’ blood stains the cold, hard ground.

And he planned to make a river that runs red.

He lifts his weapons again, ready to strike. No remorse, no regrets, no mercy, just his duty.

And his honor.

So, he attacks.

My knife arcs wide around the stone knight, the sight of him tingling something int he back of my head. The three of us remain quiet as the knight continues to lash out against us, managing to create a deep gash on Cynder's leg and a shallow cut an the boy's arm. The strength of knight leave much to be desired, as I am able to block the thrust of its spear. Blood starts to seep into the emerald green moss, tainting it to a muddled shade of brown, and making the surface slick against the grips of my boots. I must be better, I must do better. I grab the third knife from my belt when the realization hits me though.

"Wait, you're the knight from the dream!" I call out towards him. "Please let us be! We're not here to hurt you or your people." I hope my petition doesn't fall on deaf ears, but there's only so much you can do when talking to a creature made out of stone.

Cynder manages to throw the knight to the ground, and I can’t but feel like I have an easy target. I throw out my knife, hoping that it will be enough to leave us alone

_[DARS]

Filler for now. Look back in a few hours.

The stone knight knows only to endure.