When the Night King attacked Winterfell with his army of the dead, it seemed like the end was near. But suddenly, Arya Stark appeared out of nowhere and delivered the fatal blow with a Valyrian steel dagger. This moment became one of the most debated scenes in the series finale — many viewers found it hard to believe that such a powerful being was defeated so easily. But what if someone else was actually behind his death? Let’s dive deeper into the possibilities.
How Was the Night King's Death Shown in the Series?
After destroying the Wall, the Night King led his army south. At Winterfell, he was met by the united forces of humans, but even Daenerys and Jon Snow’s dragons couldn’t stop him. As all hope seemed lost, the Night King entered the godswood, where Bran Stark was waiting. Just when it looked like the leader of the White Walkers had won, Arya Stark unexpectedly attacked him. She struck him with a Valyrian steel dagger, instantly shattering him into icy dust. With his death, his entire army fell as well. But why Arya? Why didn’t Jon, Daenerys, or anyone else play the decisive role?
Why Does the Arya Theory Raise Doubts?
Arya is a skilled fighter, but Westeros had many legendary warriors. Even Jon Snow, who had faced White Walkers multiple times, wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Night King alone. So why was it her?
Moreover, Arya’s victory contradicts one of the most significant prophecies in Game of Thrones — the legend of the Prince That Was Promised. According to this prophecy, a chosen hero was destined to destroy evil and save humanity. Arya doesn’t fit this role at all.
This leads to a theory that could challenge everything we thought we knew about Episode 3 of Season 8.
Was the Night King Killed by the Faceless Men?
To understand this theory, we need to recall Arya’s training at the House of Black and White in Braavos. However, she never truly abandoned her identity, which was a key requirement to complete her training. What if the real Arya failed her final test at the temple? Perhaps the person we saw in Westeros wasn’t Arya at all, but a Faceless Man assassin who had taken her appearance.
Why Would the Faceless Men Want to Kill the Night King?
The Faceless Men worship the Many-Faced God, also known as the God of Death. However, the Night King defied the very essence of death by resurrecting the dead. In doing so, he became a threat to the Faceless Men’s beliefs.
If this theory is true, then the Night King's death was not a random act of heroism, but a calculated move by one of the most ancient and mysterious sects in Westeros. It would also explain many of the plot inconsistencies that appeared in Game of Thrones after Season 5.
