A rogue line of web diverted to gold leading him down a path away from where his Master was located. Was the plan to keep them further apart? What exactly was this truce that his Master agreed to?
If I wind up being in danger, I will use the command seal to summon you. But.. I think they can be trusted.
Following the guide left for him, Diarmuid had faith in her instincts. Behind him, it proved to be worthwhile. The webs dropped from the trees and sliced away at the trail of werewolves. He slowed, and released a breath. Whimpering faded into the trees, and whoever controlled the web's efforts had saved him.
He knelt down on one knee to examine the holes in his heel, and was glad it didn't puncture the artery. Sure, he wouldn't bleed out, but the effects would be the same. The abrasions on the left side of his ribs weren't too bad, either. They were deep, but not threatening.
Peering at the threads above, they began crossing different directions, as if a spider was spinning the web and almost barricaded him in. He thought that to be an attack, until the Master assured him her allies were boxing him in so nothing could attack him from outside it.
Was it really safe leaving her in their grasps? Well, trying to break through would indeed end with the severing of his limbs. At least his Master's position had not changed.
Diarmuid took this moment of stillness and inspected the sword's blade. He estimated it would last only a couple of slashes. Were all the weaponry in the Arena so shallow, or was the enemies it broke apart that strong? It was hard for him to tell.
It was so eerily quiet, he concluded. Aside from the groans of the Undead in the distance, or the chirping of crickets, he had expected to hear the screams of others as they faced the monsters of the Arena. Maybe he would bump into others as his Master did, or the forest was filled with so much web that others avoided it. Regardless, he appreciated the peace.
If only it would be this way for the rest of the eight... or seven days left. Although, that would be asking for too much, as the next challenge approached with disastrous consequences.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Cold wetness from a drop of water on Haley's nose disrupted her sleep. Sitting up from the silk beneath her, she rubbed her eyes and looked around the surrounding trees. Egan was still sound asleep, while his wife was... Where was Armenia?
Haley stood, patting the back of her jeans and folded her arm across her chest. Stepping away from the little camp they had, she looked along the layers of trees and came up empty. She felt a chill, as her arms began to quiver. Was it always this cold? Or was it another effect of the Arena?
Haley spotted the orange suited woman finely inspecting the webs with dainty hands. There was this magnificence in the aura surrounding the ethereal succubus. Her bright optics and long lashes appeared to be unsettled, nudging her inspector's curiosity.
Joining Armenia, Haley bent in close to see her handiwork. Ginger finger twittered with the laces maneuvering in different directions across the bushes and treeline. They shined a bright silver under the woman's touch, and radiated a warm magic that was almost alluring.
"The threads... they are cold," She said in a low, heedful tone. Gold eyes met crystal blue ones, "Do you know what could cause this?"
Haley shook her head, and cast the Arena an inquisitive, fleeting look, "Maybe it gets colder at night to freeze the participants that aren't prepared for it."
Not dismissing the strangeness Armenia nodded, accepting her assumption. She scrutinized the lanky girl, who had her own, distinct beauty. Nice cheekbones, exquisitely large and bright sapphire eyes. The brunette colored hair reached above the young woman's hips and she had side bangs that barely reached her eyelashes.
The female was observant, sweetly engrossed in her adjustment of the webs. If Armenia were not mistaken, she was not a troublesome character.
"So... you're a Succubus... does that mean you...?" Haley wondered allowed, and the woman shook her head once to the side.
"I do not care for feeding off the energy of humans... as I am half mortal as well." She pulled down some strings from above her and caressed the wires, "In life, I only wished to embrace that part of myself, but people still resented me."
Putting a thoughtful hand on the woman's hunched shoulder, Haley gave her a reassuring smile, "Egan seems to favor you."
Letting the wire go back above them, her sorrow was immediately replaced with an affectionate devotion. Her heart skipped a beat, thinking of how determined Egan was to take her out on a date. How persistent, despite her numerous rejections until she finally gave in, "Yes, Egan loves me, not for the lure of the Succubus, but for me. He was always the light in the darkness that surrounded me."
Whenever Armenia talked about Egan, her face lit, her posture was reassured, and it was like her elegance kicked up a notch. Haley was almost jealous of it.
"Tell me.. is your wish really only to save your Forsaken?" Armenia asked, a bit intrigued. She was remaining cautious around this girl, but the way she carried herself brought upon wonder. It could also be beneficial to attempt to get knowledge from her.
A kind blanket covered her face, and Haley rocked on her heels, "Yeah. He's.." She cast her glance to the detailed crossing of the webs above her. "He's.. a good person, who just got stabbed by fate...so I aim to save him."
If that were even possible, now that she had the doubts they planted in her mind. Purposeful or not, the seeds sprouted way too fast that maybe.. just maybe, there was no true way to save Diarmuid. Her stomach twisted like a pretzel at the thought.
Armenia nodded in understanding, "Fate can be.. cruel sometimes."
Haley almost chuckled, she wasn't kidding. Armenia reminded her of Diarmuid. Strung up by fate, and left to be a victim of it. She still couldn't wrap her thoughts around how the world could create her and then send her to Hell for it.
"You know I don't even call him Forsaken? It... feels insulting to you all.. you know?" Haley said with a bit of distaste lingering.
Armenia did notice, and felt a tinge of guilt for following the terminology herself, "You care for him."
"Too much, sometimes." She laughed, scratching at the back of her head in embarrassment, "I do stupid things when it comes to him. I don't get it."
The way Haley's cheeks deepened, and the shine that cast over her eyes when speaking of her friend brought about a chuckle from Armenia. She seemed almost an innocent girl, unaware of her feelings. The care she spoke of was exactly how her fondness of Egan grew.
Maybe this maiden could be trusted. Armenia reflected within herself. If she were correct on her character—and the mutterings she sputtered about her friend true— could guiding her friend to join them be that problematic? If she wanted to contemplate it more, maybe learning more of her partner was ideal...
"So.. What did your friend do to end up here..?"
The temperature dropped another level that would only feel unnatural to Armenia rather than a normal human. Something was..
She grabbed the collar of Haley's shirt and leaped with her as the threads broke apart. Shards in the sudden commotion aimed for the girl's heart. If someone were attacking them here the... "Egan!"
The woman darted to the camp, while Haley covered her head from the domino effect of breaking threads. She pushed off the ground to follow Armenia. There was nothing she could do if they were under attack. In fact, with the barriers broken, she should run to Diarmuid. Get as far from them as possible.. But..
The enemy just saved her. Whether it was a reflex or pure idiocy, she protected her from gems scattered directly for her. So she followed, and prayed there was something she could do.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The lacework blinked away, and in that instant Diarmuid spun the sword to deflect a bullet. He whipped to his left to angle his sword towards the steaming gun aimed for him that dropped to the enemy's side.
"Well, I wasn't expecting you to sense my presence so quickly. I guess there is a reason you're in the top running too." The sly smirk on the muscular man's rectangular face, and double chin found a way to piss him off, however steady Diarmuid remained.
Fighting a weapon like that with a sword felt almost pointless, but he would try. Especially since the energy from the webs almost completely dissipated. What was happening on his Master's end?
He matched the curly haired man's grin with his own, "Apparently, I bring about a lot of attention." The menacing grin across the bastard in front grew. Diarmuid shook his head with disgust, "If only my opponent's held a lick of honor. There has been no glory in fighting any of you pests."
The guy belted his weapon and drew his own sword from the sheath around his jumpsuit, "Don't care for what you're mumbling to yourself about there, but eliminating you is going to be a treat. No use wasting my bullets, eh?"
The sword play of this character was so out of place. His strikes were random and easily deflected, but he was confident with each blow he gave. He was damaging his skills purposely. He must have had something that he hid under his snared orange sleeves.
Parrying his strike, the guffawing man swiped his foot to kick at Diarmuid's broken skin at his heel. How did he notice the blemish? It was not large enough to spot unless... was he responsible for the wolves attack?
A stretch of a thought, but not impossible. Leaping out of his strike, Diarmuid brought the blade down —feigning a strike for the back of his nape— but actually aimed to turn and strike his foot into his gut.
He caught each blow, and swung him like a toy in his massive grip. He felt the tree split from his back against it and grit his teeth. He pushed off the bark and clashed against the man's blade to send sparks flying. His enemy's swinging intensified, accompanied by his own strength.
Bending at the back to avoid the swing for his throat, he caught the approach of more beasts. So, he was in command of some of the creatures here. Another pain for the dull blade, unless...
"Aahh.. your stamina is to be applauded... its great, it's wonderful!" His teeth bared in a fabulous smile, until the underhanded jab he blocked opened his side to have the weapon he clutched in his hand flung in the air.
Diarmuid caught the handle of his blade and crossed the sword for his chest- but the surprise was gone and the enjoyment turned to rage in the man's blackened eyes. "Bastard, I will have your head!"
He practically belched and creatures appeared from his back, eyes glowing lunged for Diarmuid. He swiped the newly found, thick blade across the throats, splattering blood among other vital things. He jumped far back, the city and rising warmth of the sun at his back.
Another mass of vermin roaring for him but he would not waste his efforts on them. Defeating the manipulator would end their pursuit, that much was clear.. but..
The timing.. was much too perfect.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Armenia's hair swatted the air like a fly, crossing sharp threads across the ice manipulator. The movement between the two was too quick for Haley's eyes to follow. The man darted across the sky, land shot diamond's of ice her way, and she easily deflected it with the wire.
Laughter accompanied the assassin darting through the leaves of trees. Armenia stayed directly in front Egan, blocking any way for the cackling lurch to strike him. If only she could catch their assailant. She was only able to repel the scattered ice because of her instincts and thread's guidance. That was the extent of her power against the foe that easily froze and shattered her webs when their feet touched them.
Her beating heart banged against her chest begging Armenia to leave. Walls of ice cornered thr group in, trapping them like mice in a cage. She whipped her strings to collapse the thick brick wall of ice, their tumbling revealing the taunting stretch of smile across the eemy Forsaken's face. She shot her thickest wire to pierce him but-
He was much quicker than her, and his ice clad hand fist struck her intestines first. Right as the man ejected from her, a strand of hair unloaded and tangled itself along his body. He grunted in the net that effortlessly began to freeze over.
All while, Armenia healed the gaping hole. How is he able to freeze her threads? No.. they weren't just freezing it - he was hardening it as well, so much it would break apart.
"Armenia, we should run while we have the chance!" Egan instructed, grabbing her wrist and turning her away from the enemy about to break free.
"He's right, come on." Haley encouraged, wishing she could do something to assist them.
"What... what about your friend?" Egan asked from behind his wife's back, "Can he help?"
The crazy laughter hounding them was so distracting, and the collapsing of webs behind them worrying Haley beyond belief. The magic this guy possessed, how would Diarmuid counter? Maybe use his speed and his Knights stuff that could give him at least a 1% chance of survival.. but still even that...
No, he would find a way, he always did -
"He... will not be of use." Armenia grounded out, filled with shame. Letting her friend in earlier might have... "I detected my webs break apart where he was protected by them.. I.." She side eyed the girl, whose face painted with worry, "Fear he is in battle as well."
Haley looked to the back of her hand. Was this the moment to call for the command seal? He could appear to them in an instant...
The Assassin blocked their path of retreat, dropping from the canopy. He snickered, patting his bare chest, "Man, you lot runnin' has been... tedious. But finally, I have you cornered!"
In their pause, the air cooled so low Haley's breath could be seen. Around them the forest crystallized and collapsed leaving the area wide open. Well, shit they were in trouble.
There was nothing for her to snare her webs across, Armenia could only aim the fibers straight for him. His dash across the field he created was easier for her aim, but still his speed- he dashed over the strings, spun through them.. he even snared himself purposely against them to close the distance.. How? Why?
Where was his Detainer? Even if it were against their wishes... If Armenia could target them-
Haley dodged the angled glass that aimed for her, only getting the side of her arm grazed from the attack. She almost tumbled in the dirt and practically fought back before her eyes caught on the two before her.
The enemy's ice stretched across the distance and stabbed through Armenia's stomach to snare the center of Egan's chest. A string escaped Armenia's hair and sliced upward, severing the blade of cold that dripped in Egan's blood. In that split second, she sent a cluster of web to tangle the man readying his next attack in.
He struggled in the sticky barbs that could do nothing but hold his position for a short amount of time. He spewed senseless curses at the lot, threatening to break loose. The grimy threads were harder for him to freeze. Bladed webs shot at his rampaging frame but.. the man's wall of ice blocked her hit and Egan.. he was...
More hairs released and attempted to heal them both.. but.. the wounds were sealing slower than usual... if at all.. "Why will they not heal?!"
The man let out a curt laugh, "My wounds take much longer to heal!"
Desperate, she turned her distraught gaze to the girl with wide eyes and a trembling lip and pleaded, "Please... I cannot hold him..." she felt tears swell in her eyes. "Please... take Egan far away... I beg of you. I will do whatever you wish.. so please..!"
Haley blinked away her fear and nodded. Locks of hair plucked from Armenia's gorgeous features to swallow Haley's right figure.. She felt the warmth heal every injury she had and snatched the man bandaged in Armenia's webs over her shoulder.
Immediately Haley ran into the woods, and paused to dare a glance over her shoulder as Egen whispered a broken command.
With red light beaming from the back of Egan's hand and engulfing Armenia, she struck apart his blockade of ice and charged.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
This man was a thorn in his side. Haley called out to him, needing him near. Her situation must be dire if she questioned using a command seal. No, he would not force her hand, they may need that seal for much later in the game. He would get to her- he had to.
Still, he must have been pressuring the man to use his control of the beasts, he would not have called them forward if he weren't. The muscle man was in a tree, and however foolish it might be, Diarmuid drove his legs forward. Right through the mesh of creatures, he hacked away taking the bites and clawing that came with it.
He ducked, and slid underneath the charge of the beasts and sliced upward, opening their belly's. Blood rained on him, but still, he went forward. Dodging the flash of bullets, he knew he was backing the man in a corner. He dodged his onward slicing, hiding further into the trees. Diarmuid flung the sword and it spun, flaying the branches behind the forsaken, causing him to misstep backwards into a fall.
He drove the sword's edge into his chest with his increased speed he saved just for this moment. The light in the man's eyes flickered out, and he yanked the blade from him. The wolves that gave chase died out with him. In those few seconds Diarmuid assured Haley.. he was coming.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Why? Why did they keep circling back? Haley was panting like a dog, getting tired from the ceaseless running. Every which way they went— they ended up at the same, stupid tree. They were only meters away from Armenia's weakening control of their situation.
And Egan's wounds.. they weren't healing fast enough! Behind her, prints of blood marked their endless lapping. She grit her teeth and lightly dragged Egan off her shoulder.
The rules said she couldn't use magic to aid her Forsaken in saving her... what about.. someone else? Would she really risk it...? Damn it all.. She hovered her palms over the hole in his chest when he slapped them away,
"Shit... this really.. turned out for the worst..." Egan said, "Don't heal me.. you'll... be disqualified."
"But the rules stated-" She tried to argue, but he shook his head,
"The Forsaken is responsible for keeping their Detainer safe... if you.." he coughed, and iron filled his throat, "Impede on that... they'll punish you."
"Then... then what am I supposed to do?! The enemy has a magic that keeps bringing us right back... and you..!"
"Tch... me? I... am a coward..." He hacked, his gaze turned to the mud that drank his blood, "I was too afraid... to let your friend in... if I did.. maybe.."
Haley listened to his rambling in bewilderment. No, she would have done the same thing. Letting her go might have had her coming back to get them, letting Diarmuid come in could have them betraying them. Sure, they wouldn't have.. but how were they supposed to know that? "Stop... you need to let her magic heal you…!"
The air around them swirled, as a line in the Arena split open. It dropped a canister that rolled next to Egan's ear. He turned over, and lifted the vile. A sponsor.. finally.. they earned... a sponsor..
He unraveled the paper attached to the metal, and read it. Was it instruction on a way to heal him, maybe? Or a way to-
He laughed, so... that's... that's how it is . He chuckled again, and felt the confusion from the girl above him.
"What is that? How does it help?" Haley questioned, as he crumpled the paper in his hands and tossed it like trash. She followed the paper then cocked her head to Egan.. "Egan...?"
Egan shoved the canister into Haley's hand. She needed this more than he did. He sent a loving thought to his beloved fighting bravely on the battlefield. "A... bomb..give... it to.."
"Egan! EGAN!" Haley shook the feeble man at the shoulders, and his eyes flickered. No... he was... Shit. Shit. SHIT!
Haley pushed off the ground and sprinted to Armenia. She broke through the remaining trees and called to the woman who was being struck from all sides. Her golden eyes widened, not understanding her return for sure. But still... in the instant her scream brought their assailant's attention off Armenia and to her: she threw the explosive to the Succubus.
Armenia caught the shell in hand and spun to the enemy. With all her strength, her hair engulfed the man in the stickiness of her webs and she tossed him and the grenade together as far as she could muster.
The Arena erupted. The round iron brandished everyone in a deep light and wave of air. Not close enough to strike them down, a smile spread across Armenia's face... as the wind swayed past her. Ready to thank the woman for her help she turned - and then stiffened.
The sun's rays snapped through the cracks of the buildings. Clouds broke apart from the bright shines, and glowing blue of the sky. The beautiful, golden eyed woman was dressed in the brilliant gleam, as the breeze swayed her silver hair.
Haley's lip quivered, when Armenia fell to her knees then collapsed with her arms at the side of her limp figure. She went back for Egan, and drew all of her ability to sling his stiff figure over her shoulder. There was little time left... before…
She gently laid the man in front of his woman. Taking Armenia's left arm, she draped it over her lover's back. A warm smile never left Armenia's tear stained beauty, as she strained to lean her scalp against Egan's.
"I.. sincerely.. Thank... you.." she whispered, as her eyes slowly closed.
Haley nodded, trying so hard, so immeasurably hard, to keep her trembling lips in a smile. Droplets stung her eyes, hollering at her for not letting them spill. Her fists clenched at her side, as she blinked her eyes shut and hung her head.
In the end... there was nothing she could do. She couldn't save them...
The air whistled, and a chill ran down her spine. The Shadows.. they were coming for Armenia.. She kept her eyes squeezed shut and turned back to the forest and ran.
Haley slowed to a stop... where Egan's blood stained the earth. The little note given to them by their sponsor a few feet away. Her body was still surrendering to her emotional rampage, as she turned to face the couple in front of her.
She refused to look away. It was all she could do for their kindness, but watch on and remember every moment they existed - even this terrible one. Even as the Shadow hummed, and pulled Armenia's golden hue'd soul from her body. While the second vacuumed her disintegrating flesh into it and they puffed away. Even as Egan's corpse shimmered away.
She swallowed and gripped her arms across her chest. Armenia...Egan...
Feet slapped the dirt behind her and she whirled to face her ene- Her entire tension slacked, her hands falling to her sides. Diarmuid... Diarmuid...
"My lady... That explosion! Are you alright?!" His panic stricken voice was.. angels singing in her ears. He took a couple of steps toward her, eyes sucking information in from the destruction behind her, "Where are.. your allies?"
Her lips quivered upward at the corners while she slowly shook her head no.
Realization struck Diarmuid like a weapon in the gut. They didn't make it , he presumed. His expression softened for the broken woman before him. He dropped his weapon and closed the gap between them.
This must have been the first time she had experienced death so close. He had not known what transpired between them while they were separated, but he could tell it meant something grave to her and he would attempt to understand. Somehow, in this short time, she had just suffered a loss, and he would be her gain. "Come here.."
Promptly, Haley buried herself in Diarmuid's embrace and finally let the bawling start. They.. were innocent in all of this . A woman who desperately wanted to live life as her human self, while the other was fighting for his love. Together, they sought the end that would bring them together, that was all. They... were good people... so why...? Why were they fated to suffer so badly?
"They're gone.. Diarmuid... I couldn't help them..." She whimpered, pushing further into his chest while he stroked the back of her head, and drifted his hand up and down her back.
Egan and Armenia... it came crashing down like the bomb that ended their enemy. This was the first time the people she sought to help... that she failed to do so. All she ever did in life since escaping her father was cure curses, and try to bring the happiness she could never have until her bounty was gone to others..
How would she save them... anyway? This... this tournament only allowed a single team victory... but still...
Diarmuid pulled away just enough to leave room for him to plant a light kiss on her forehead. He paused against her soft skin and then returned his chin to the top of her head, "You have my deepest condolences, Lady Haley."
Haley clutched him tighter at the gentle dabbing of his lips and the empathy in his light voice. That intimate gesture was heartrending. She couldn't help but be transfixed by how greatly those few words affected her. She became straightly aware of how her affairs began to mirror that of Armenia and Egan's.
Diarmuid and me... we.. could be next. That thought: it was terrifying. If she lost Diarmuid the way that Egan and Armenia lost one another... she couldn't handle it. He was... was everything to her. In their companionship he had been her light in the darkness…
Haley barely registered what that meant, but assumed she was beginning to understand. Determination jarred her strength to not let this tournament take her Knight like it did Armenia.
What the hell was fate, anyway? It was a bullshit construct. She would deny it. Whether or not Diarmuid could really be saved by the panel, she would find a way to save him. He could count on it.
oooooooooooooooo
Here come the water works... I teared up writing this chapter. They became such likeable characters... but in the end...this is a tournament to death and well... death happens even among allies. WHO PUT THESE ONIONS HERE?!