[System Status Check]
Following the death match with The Mountain, Euron took stock of his remaining strength.
Rokushiki: Soru (Shave): One use remaining. Can trigger the Lv7 effect: Nirvana Soru.
Rokushiki: Geppo (Moonwalk): One use remaining. No special effects available.
Dragon Slaying Cut & Rankyaku: Special effects are exhausted.
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The dust from the single combat had barely settled, and the cheers of victory still echoed off the high walls of Harrenhal, but the true carnival had yet to begin. The metallic scent of blood and the musk of adrenaline still hung thick in the air, yet every eye was already turning toward the deepening night.
Tonight, the grand finale of this tournament—the Seven-Sided Team Melee—would take place as scheduled. It promised to be a battle on a grander scale, with more complex tactics and far more cruelty. It was the ultimate crucible for courage, teamwork, and will.
As night fell, the massive torches of Harrenhal were lit one by one, bathing the grounds in a light as bright—and harsh—as the noonday sun.
Amidst earth-shaking roars, the final revelry began.
The stage was set. The most elite, battle-hardened warriors from every faction had gathered. They were here for the final, indisputable glory of team supremacy, ready to plunge into a brutal, chaotic slaughter.
The seven powerhouses that had fought their way to the finals were:
The Iron Islands: The Iron Legion of the Seven Islands
The Vale: The Iron Falcon Guard
The Golden Company: The Golden Supremacy
Storm's End: The Thunder's Wrath
The North: The Winter Legion
The North: The Glory of the Old Gods
King's Landing: The Army of Justice
This melee was not simply a chaotic free-for-all. Long before the official start, invisible alliances had already been forged in the undercurrents.
The two legions from the North had, without question, formed an ironclad pact. They had a tacit understanding: first, unite to purge all non-Northern teams, and only then decide the winner amongst themselves.
The Winter Legion was led by the brothers Brandon and Eddard Stark, with the main force drawn from House Stark itself.
The Glory of the Old Gods was co-led by House Bolton of the Dreadfort and House Umber of the Last Hearth. This team was comprised of Northern elites selected through a public tournament back in the North, commanded by Greatjon Umber and Domeric Bolton.
The alliance between Storm's End and the Iron Islands was born of mutual respect between Robert Baratheon and Euron Greyjoy.
The Iron Legion had seen a change in leadership. Originally led by Euron and Balon's brother, Baelor Blacktyde (or similar), the lineup shifted after Balon Greyjoy watched Euron's duel. As the heir to the Iron Islands, Balon had been barred from the first melee, but now, his blood boiling, he insisted on fighting. The team was now co-led by Balon and Euron. However, King Corren had issued a strict order to Balon before they took the field: All decisions regarding combat or retreat must follow Euron's lead.
The Thunder's Wrath was led personally by Lord Paramount Robert Baratheon. He was the only High Lord leading a team himself. Though a Duke by title, Robert was a warrior at heart. He knew the danger, but he believed dying on the battlefield was a man's greatest honor. Had the Northern teams not allied with each other, Robert's first choice would have been Brandon and Ned, his foster brothers from the Vale. His second choice was Euron—he genuinely acknowledged the Kraken's strength.
The Army of Justice from King's Landing was composed mainly of the City Watch—the "Gold Cloaks" responsible for maintaining order in the capital. They were led by two high-ranking officers: Janos Slynt and Addam Marbrand.
These soldiers from the capital carried a palpable sense of superiority. They looked at the provincial teams with the disdain city folk often reserve for country bumpkins. Their arrogance was undisguised and utterly grating. They possessed an inexplicable confidence that the City Watch was the strongest fighting force in the Seven Kingdoms, capable of winning even if it was one against six.
The Vale originally had intentions to ally with King's Landing. However, the Mad King Aerys II's public humiliation of House Arryn and his attempt to sow discord in the Vale were common knowledge. This made any form of alliance impossible.
Anyone with eyes could see that once the horn blew, the first bloodbath would likely erupt between the Vale and King's Landing.
The leader of the Vale's legion was Ser Brynden Tully, the "Blackfish." A man of fierce temperament, he already looked down on the preening Gold Cloaks with their shiny equipment and noses in the air. Now, he was holding back a fire, waiting to teach them a lesson in steel and blood.
The Golden Company was led by its current Captain-General, Harry Strickland. He was an exiled knight of House Strickland, often mockingly called "Homeless Harry." His great-grandfather had lost the family's lands for supporting Daemon Blackfyre's rebellion. Since then, for three generations, the Stricklands had been born in foreign lands and raised within the mercenary brotherhood of the Golden Company. Harry had never set foot on the land of his ancestors, yet he harbored a deep, unshakeable longing to return to Westeros.
Harry Strickland wanted to go home.
He had hoped to use the Grand Tourney at Harrenhal to showcase the Golden Company's might, win the favor of a King, and lead his brothers back to Westeros. He had even proactively offered an alliance to King's Landing.
He never expected to be rejected instantly—and with contempt.
In the eyes of the Mad King, it didn't matter who the current Captain-General was. The Golden Company was a nest of traitors! Unforgivable rebels!
Founded by Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers, a legitimized bastard of King Aegon IV, the Golden Company had stood firmly with Daemon Blackfyre during the rebellions. Since then, they had been sworn enemies of the Targaryens on the Iron Throne. To Aerys II, they were still the spawn of traitors, enemies to be purged.
Ally with historical traitors? Impossible. The Mad King would sooner burn the entire Golden Company with wildfire to demonstrate the inviolable majesty of the Crown and the iron-blooded vengeance of House Targaryen.
Thus, as the match began, King's Landing, the Vale, and the Golden Company failed to secure any pacts. They entered the dangerous arena as three independent, isolated forces.
The horn blasted.
The seven teams took their positions. The atmosphere was eerie, charged with the calm before a storm of violence.