#A death knight on a bike with a garbage can shield

[artaxlivs]

Eddie dies.

There's nothing.

Then…there's something.

He isn’t alive but he isn’t dead either.

There's a voice echoing in his head. It's raspy, chilling. Promising him everything. Life. Power. Strength. The ability to destroy everyone who ever hurt him. To kill the town that chased him to his death.

All he has to do is accept the offer.

Be his champion.

Yes.

He feels the promise in his new fangs, tastes his own blood on his lips. Feels the life rushing to his fingertips as they sharpen into claws. Feels the power in every muscle in his once weak body as he stands to take his place next to Vecna.

But as he dons the mantle of Kas, lets himself become Vecna’s champion, the place where his heart used to beat fills with noise. Other voices clamoring for a hold on him.

Never tell me the odds.

My name is Lady AppleJack.

I’m not sure if I love the idea of you driving.

Don’t try to be heroes.

Never change Henderson.

Wasn’t planning on it.

I didn’t run away this time, right?

No, no, you didn’t run.

Take care of the sheep for me.

No, you’re gonna do that yourself.

Say you’re gonna look after them.

I’m gonna look after them.

I think it’s finally my year.

I love you, man.

I love you, too.

Eddie?

Eddie?

No. Come on!

Ed—

Eddie!!

The last voice anchors something in his chest, chains itself to the last dregs of his humanity. Henderson. He hides it away from the prying mind of the Lich. Keeps it safe.

Keeps it secret.

It waits.

To be heard.

To be needed.

To be the voice, the anchor, that binds Eddie to the family he found along the way.

To be a sword when the final die is rolled.

I love you, man.

I love you, too.