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The L’Manberg-Dream SMP War has been at a stalemate for almost four months, and there hasn’t been a casualty for at least twice that. They all thank the gods for it, although it had come close more than once as tension rose between the two sides.
It takes a long moment for Tommy to find the proper words to issue a formal duel proposal, and another for him to gather his courage. Wilbur looks on, silent and grim, as Tommy clears his throat, stepping forward.
(He has been stuck between this duel and Wilbur's downfall for months. He refuses to let the cycle continue. This time, he will go forward with better aim and less anger. He will calmly challenge and he will shoot to kill. He cannot afford to do anything less.)
“I, TommyInnit, formally challenge Dream, leader of the Dream SMP server, to a duel for the independence of L’Manberg.”
“The terms?” Dream asks, and Tommy internally curses at his slip up. He’d forgotten.
“The proposed terms!” he calls, scanning frantically for the right words. “If I win, L’Manberg will be recognised by Dream as a proper nation in its own right, independent from Dream SMP lands. If Dream wins, then L’Manberg will cease all their attempts at revolution against the SMP, and I will give you both of the two discs in my possession, Cat and Mellohi.”
The silence stretches out between them, like time itself has become an elastic band, pulled taut, on the verge of snapping, one wrong move from releasing the frozen moment between the challenge and the downfall.
“I accept,” Dream says, quietly enough that Tommy almost missed it. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Wilbur tense, hands fisting in the fabric of his uniform’s sleeves.
“The duel shall commence at sunset tonight on neutral grounds if you accept such terms.”
“I do. Sunset by the lake?” Dream offers.
Tommy nods. “That area is unclaimed, and therefore is recognised as a neutral third party, not affiliated with either L’Manberg or the SMP. I accept. Do you have any further demands?”
“I do not.”
“Sunset, then,” Tommy says, trying to hide the tremor in his voice.
Dream nods, and turns on his heel, stalking back towards the other SMP members.
George stares over Dream’s shoulder, eyes boring into Tommy’s, burning with conflicted emotion.
Then, something flickers in his gaze, and he turns away.
Wilbur shakily counts down from 10, eyes locked onto Tommy. He can feel his brother's gaze, though he does not look away from the ground as he steps forward.
The countdown ends.
Tommy spins, bow gliding up to his shoulder in one swift, fluid motion.
Dream is a mere moment behind.
It is enough.
Tommy's arrow hits its mark perfectly.
Technical independence, at the cost of a life.
(Tommy doesn't know why he feels like he's done the wrong thing.)
The war is over.