Hannibal: I gave you a rare gift, but you didn't want it.

Will: Didn't I?

- Hannibal (Season 2, "Mizumono")

Restless beneath the full moon's spell, the stag pawed at the forest floor; unearthing bits of dirt with its powerful front hooves. Light emanated from the center of the clearing where it stood. Snorting, the beast reared its glossy head around to face its adversary. The challenge in its body language was implicit.

Reaching out, Will grasped the stag's stiff antlers with both hands. Instead of rebuking his touch, the beast let out a whispery sigh, and leaned into him. Will trembled, but not from fear. The long-awaited moment of reckoning was finally upon him.

Behind him, a familiar voice whispered, "Look at me."

Will whipped around to view the speaker. Before him was not the macabre visage of the Hannibal-stag hybrid who often haunted his nightmares of late, but the murderous doctor himself. Without having to turn around, Will sensed that the stag had vanished. He stared into Hannibal's face, allowing himself to feel the full force of the rage he had suppressed during his incarceration.

Hannibal squared his shoulders; eyes brimming with dark suggestion.

"What are you waiting for?" he challenged. "Kill me."

Will's hands automatically clenched into fists. Lunging, he pushed Hannibal to the ground and straddled him. Hannibal didn't attempt to fight back. Instead, he relaxed his muscles; never tearing his eyes away from Will's. Hannibal's body was firm and warm beneath his weight. Will grunted in appreciation. Without hesitating, he wrapped his hands around his enemy's throat. He squeezed, hard and fast; until Hannibal's windpipe collapsed. Will could feel their two heartbeats at once: his own raced, as Hannibal's decelerated. Through a curtain of black and red, Will increased the pressure of his grip. Hannibal's face purpled. Breathing fast, Will pressed closer, and strangled him with all of his strength.

As his heart slowed to a stop, Hannibal seemed to smile. Will grinned back. Hannibal's eyes glazed over; Will felt a potent release when his nemesis succumbed to his mortality. For the last time, they were as one.

Panting, Will rolled to the side and pressed his ear against Hannibal's slack mouth. He stayed in that position until he was sure all the breath had left his prey. Hannibal's eyes, still half-open, stared without sight. Will sat up and carefully observed his handiwork; captivated by the fitting balance of composition Hannibal's moon-bathed corpse imbued to the idyllic forest scenery. Lunar light bathed the land in an eerie juxtaposition of brightness and shadow. The wind moaned softly through the trees, inviting the darkness to stay.

Will's predator's heart rejoiced at the feeling of power taking Hannibal's life gave him. His evil delight was shameless; without remorse. By murdering his closest enemy, Will's design had finally taken shape.