*Warning: Game of Thrones spoilers ahead!*
In the third episode of Game of Thrones'final season, all of our assembled heroes finally assembled for the long-promised showdown with the Night King and his never-ending army of the dead.
Their entire plan was pretty simple: stay alive for as long as possible and kill the Night King himself, hopefully taking all of his white walkers with him.
Fortunately, they managed to do just that! One of the episode's biggest surprises, however, was who ended up dealing the Night King the fatal blow that would turn the tide for all of humanity:
Introducing Winterfell's resident assassin, Arya Stark.
Arya Stark || Not Todaywww.youtube.com
Though many were shocked when Arya, rather than Jon Snow or Dany on a dragon, flew through the shadows to kill the Night King, there have been hints as to Arya's ultimate destiny since the very first episode.
#GameofThrones S3 E6 'I see a darkness in you. And in that darkness, eyes staring back at me. Brown eyes, blue eyes… https://t.co/dP9GcNw5no— Game of Thrones Facts (@Game of Thrones Facts) 1556507634.0
Melisandre to Arya: brown eyes (Walder Frey), blue eyes (The Night Queen), green eyes (Cersei?). Eyes that you'll s… https://t.co/Ju7WFAg0Za— maría ramírez (@maría ramírez) 1556508390.0
Now that we know she was meant to kill the Night King, fans are noticing the significance in many of Arya's past interactions.
Sir Beric gave us the ending when he yelled at The Hound. TH: "We're fighting Death! They can't beat Death" SB: *p… https://t.co/MFLDASlTln— Dardin Warren (@Dardin Warren) 1556558189.0
That foreshadowing from Arya sparring with Brienne and using that same move on the Night King 👌🏾— Hushpuppy (@Hushpuppy) 1556506294.0
arya killing the night king really reminds me of the flippy flip thing she did last season. EVERYTHING IN GOT IS FO… https://t.co/REfH7sE4em— kat (@kat) 1556506846.0
The knife she used to deal the fatal blow has a storied history unto itself.
IT WAS THE FIRST LESSON #GameofThrones https://t.co/bOz7wtJYbP— ashley hufford (@ashley hufford) 1556504531.0
Bran saw this whole thing coming.
Bran was playing 4D chess against the Night King when he gave Arya the Catspaw dagger #GameofThrones #DemThrones… https://t.co/cmCTODfHog— Garrick (Key Issues) (@Garrick (Key Issues)) 1556505766.0
Also remember when Bran gave her THE DAGGER????? HE FUCKING KNEW!! AND LOOK WHERE THEY ARE omg https://t.co/PBMjHkuqGF— Rayen (@Rayen) 1556505269.0
Even joking moments from earlier this season helped to set up Arya's eventual kill.
It was the same place in Godswood where Jon asked Arya: "How did you sneak up on me?" It was a hint.— Yvonne Maxino (@Yvonne Maxino) 1556560905.0
Arya in episode 1: *sneaked up and greeted Jon near the Godswood tree* Arya in episode 3: *sneaked up behind Night… https://t.co/3vxSsqXoBs— Mohd Nabil Δfi (@Mohd Nabil Δfi) 1556552787.0
Bran: Here Aria, take this valerian steel dagger that was used during an attempt on my life. Aria: Okay, but why t… https://t.co/Mxg3OAiAy0— Bevan McCrory (@Bevan McCrory) 1556506606.0
Arya has had many teachers and protectors, ensuring she made it to her destiny alive.
They say no one could kill the night king .. and no one did #GameofThrones https://t.co/bTHQ4zfsE3— Ahmed (@Ahmed) 1556512717.0
All that Syrio Forel had taught her went racing through her head. Swift as a deer. Quiet as shadow. Quick as a snak… https://t.co/RBlADhowQa— best of arya (@best of arya) 1556505955.0
What do we say to the God of Death?
Syrio says every hurt is a lesson and every lesson makes you better. Arya, with every teacher she had, put the wo… https://t.co/O9psngRI8a— Saher Amin (@Saher Amin) 1556534357.0
I would like to take this moment to thank Syrio Forel and Faceless man.. Thank you for teaching #Arya to be a warri… https://t.co/hwiFhR4Dsf— Ismaism v3 (@Ismaism v3) 1556553475.0
The purpose always been protect Arya Stark until this last moment; Ser Beric Dondarrion, Melisandre, the hound, Tho… https://t.co/UjicBVzSEB— Re’lar Fer (@Re’lar Fer) 1556507191.0
What's next for Arya? Perhaps the Iron Throne?
One thing that has fans somewhat confused is how Arya fits into the Azor Ahai prophecy that's been teased for many seasons.
Arya: *Kills the Night King* Azor Ahai Prophecy: https://t.co/k0uDEfWaCw— Ishita🇮🇳 (@Ishita🇮🇳) 1556546831.0
Trying to connect Arya to the Azor Ahai prophecy #GameofThrones #BattleOfWinterfell https://t.co/BbDx1ULaDH— Frank Scorpio (@Frank Scorpio) 1556505034.0
Fortunately, there are still major battles to come.
Maybe the #AzorAhai prophecy will still happen and it might take place on the battle for the Iron Throne. Maybe the… https://t.co/UOqVYvtvT4— Seo Jose 🔥🐉🔥 (@Seo Jose 🔥🐉🔥) 1556535689.0
A huge thanks to everyone who died to keep Arya alive so she could save all of humanity!
This man was ressurected 9 times just to save Arya so she could kill night king and save humanity. The real Azor Ah… https://t.co/sc2nXpHkSc— Radar Targaryen (@Radar Targaryen) 1556506810.0