The bareness of his back to the boots that overlapped his ankles brought about shameless ridiculousness. He was upholding his codes of chivalry, and would do anything for his lady. Although.. too bad it ended in his underwear and being adorned by snow, but that's besides the point.
The issue was dragging himself through the thick blocks of snow, and the wind that almost toppled him over. If it weren't for the link they shared giving him her location - he would be lost in the blizzard that drowned out all surroundings.
What a find it truly was to come across the trunks of trees toppled over another. The twigs that lay about were a bonus. Hacking away with the sword, and plucking the bits needed to make the best of fires, this was all rather.. simple. Suspiciously so. Where were the other competitors? Surely he wasn't the only one scouting?
As if he were asking the Gods to make his plight more interesting - camouflaged perfectly in the sleet - was a grumbling giant. With a face imitating that of an ape, and nostrils flaring it roared. Rose colored fists pounded its matching fuzzy thorax before striking the snow from where Diarmuid leaped away from.
Dropping his arm's contents but still squeezing his swords handle he readied to strike the massive monster towering feet above him. He would wait for an attack, as his own movements would be too hindered.
The entire mountain was on a rampage from the charge it took towards Diarmuid. The deep cushion his feet enclosed in were the only things keeping him from falling over. It grabbed for his waist at the right side and he swung the sword down to block his wide arm from nabbing him there. The Snowman's other hand came down like a hammer that Diarmuid caught under a shaking wrist.
The monster leveled his foot for his gut as anticipated and Diarmuid rode the force to the air and angled the sword in his drop dead center in the eye and parts of its azure face. His own features were sprinkled with crimson while his ears were ringing from the beastly cry accompanying his attack.
Remorse was not something he was about to entertain, and worked the edge of the blade down the snowman in a stomping fit.
When the rotund digits scraped along his exposed navel, and the behemoth threw himself forwards so hard - Diarmuid was launched, the sword being flung from his grip. Even with a split face, and gore streaming down to color the snow in red, it carried on. Fists made, it pounded for Diarmuid's head. He rolled out of the way, but his leg was caught in it's heavy grip and he was slammed every which way.
If not for the sheets of snow to absorb the shocks, his bones easily would have been shattered from the force this thing carried. With no weapon to drive into it - he mustered his strength to curl upward, mid slam, to latch onto the empty eye socket. He dug his hand as deep into the wound and when the release of his ankle came - he swung his torso up and over before the flailing hands could nab him again.
Strangling the solid neck with his legs, Diarmuid yanked it back and discharged before the monster's back sunk into the snow. He quickly nabbed the sword that was almost concealed entirely by the arena's weather. He sprang to gorge out the guts that leveled his head's hairline just as it readied to strike him again.
He stabbed at it's rock hard torso repeatedly, all the while jumping back and forward to outmaneuver its ceaseless swinging.
As the blood rained down from the slowing beast, Diarmuid readied his final strike. He would vault over the thing and work the sword down and out its head through the gash. No sooner had he thought the idea, did the mountain have other plans for his little skirmish.
Competition roared its ugly head, and of course, of course it was a triggering, maddening, former Master and his Detainer. Why not have them show their nasty faces while being accompanied by a damn thrill of their own?
This Round's rules were sung in his head, "The Detainers are the Targets if you would like a reward for the end game."
The blood that was missing in his veins pumped anyhow, and the rosebuds of rage bloomed. This was his chance to-
His heart throbbed in his chest. Diarmuid needed to get the hell out of there, and fast. A partial fuel to the curse was here and it was ready to ignite the flames and bury him in a choice that would ruin his relations with the Lady. She would never allow him in her heart if he went against his words to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. His pride as a Knight was walking on the tight rope alongside that promise.
Damn it all. Fleeing would only have the giant coupled with the Undead that reared Kayneth and his Detainer follow him straight back to Haley. He grit his teeth, dodging the crashing wave of knuckles.
Kayneth could not thank the Gods enough for this splendid opportunity before him. When his alarms went off of an enemy in his territory: He did not think these...roughians would be his opponents. A monster made of Snow, something he could work with against the Undead. He'd also be clearing some dead weight.
"Sir, that is Hal-" Kayneth's hand shot up, cutting the monkey behind his back's husk voice off,
"I know, Darius." He knew what to do with this prospect in front of him. He would keep his blasted arrangement while having his own fun. Kayneth flashed his mountain suited Detainer a wide grin. "I'll pay my little acquaintance with a spectacle he will not forget."
Inclining his fuzzy hooded head to Lord El-Melloi, Darius took a few cautious steps back, boots crunching in the snow. He lifted the black goggles that shielded him from the blizzard to view his plan in action. He wanted to witness the Magus do his handy work. He never ceases to amaze him with the mastery of crafts in his arsenal.
The Snowman was Kayneth's first obstacle. The gorilla looking thing of snow is damaged, but repairable. The Volumen Hydrargyrum manifested as hard iron along the injuries palating him with armor. The balance of water in its composition was then easily manipulated by the Great, Lord El-Melloi.
The look on the lowly former Servant's face was priceless. Clearly Diarmuid was not expecting that he'd evoke evil spirits of frozen souls that died on the permafrost to possess the zombies and snowman to bring them under his control.
Masterfully, the wake of influenced beasts, like bees, swarmed the single enemy. It was a great sight, seeing his pathetic hide struggle against his magnificent pawns.
This round of the Arena greatly complemented the skills that Kayneth possessed. That, coinciding with the great Sponsor he had giving him the viles necessary for his magic even better. He was a force to reckon with, the traitorous knight could do nothing in a domain such as this against him.
If only that were as true as he imagined. The blasted man was insistent on tackling and slicing down the Undead that circled him. He used the Giant's missed swings to cripple meek bodies.
Kayneth sucked his teeth, his aquatic eyes wandered the cloak of white coated in rolling heads. He smoothed the tight cut of blonde hair back with his fingers. Diarmuid was successfully striking down the creatures Kayneth had hoped he'd become.
He was too quick for the ice giant now weighted down in mercury. Even with the strong swings with precise accuracy weren't enough to level the stupid Diarmuid. That was fine, he would skewer him with his Volumen blades.
He shot them repeatedly. The charcoal manifestations missing vital points, but cracking the ludicrously bare arms and torso. Why was the creeten naked, again? Now that he was in a strange situation that was his absurdity, where was the damn woman, too?
Tch, the degenerate who did nothing but seduce not just one—not even two— but now three women to his side was despicable. He probably was disrobed purposefully for that reason, to further entrance her. Had he no shame at all?
It would not be his obligation to be concerned for his Detainer if not for the stakes he scuffled with. Hell was a damning place he was not about to entertain. Such a despicable place was meant for the obscene scoundrel that just wedged the sword he had deep into the jugular that was left unguarded, causing the surprised living organism to collapse in death.
Abruptly, the snowman leveled itself to a stand once more to give chase. Even dead, it's body was useful. Hefty steps ushered to the Knight that charged forward for Kayneth.
Blast that pile of trash . Kayneth brought up the membrane of mercury to create a steel shield to block the collection of metal that Diarmuid caught and flung back his way. Why the hell won't he forsake himself?!
"Scalp!" Kayneth barked, the mercury taking a blob like form so it could cut corners in its molecular state.
His hands rolled into fists when the agility performed by the wretch had him rolling in the snow. He was way too close, and kicked up the surface beneath their feet in an attempt to blind him.
"You think such tricks are enough, you vile vermin!?"
It was easy to break down the scattered bits of ice water. He was ready to impale the dishonored Knight—but as his piercing discolored eyes leveled with his own—the bloke veered right.
Kayneth was never the target in his fierce, rapid approach. A miscalculation he was not fast enough to deflect.
Diarmuid aimed for Darius whose emerald eyes widened.
He was ashamed of the impromptu decision to feint an attack on Kayneth. But when he saw the space that emitted between them when his Detainer gave him the leeway.. It became clear what he regrettably had to do.
The fortified structure he protected himself in would be impossible to penetrate given his weapon and physique. However…
Everytime the Englishman prompted the defense, it never was wide enough to protect both him and his Detainer. He left the man he was sworn to protect wide open each time. An arrogant mistake.
Diarmuid measured the distance between enemies and timed his offensive jolt to level them both with surprise. He drove the blade through the bundled man's midriff, crimson petals flowered the terrain in a spurt.
He rang his arm around the waist of the stocky man and directed the blade from his interior to level it under the throat.
He was trembling with uncertainty. Kayneth was a devastating threat that endangered his mentality while also the Lady quivering in the mountain cave. Each second that he let tick by could be her untimely end.
The man was stiff as a board against him, while Kayneth's nostrils were flaring. In his own, pounding skull, Diarmuid battled the urges to make a move with finality. The seering agenda laced with bitterness to plunge his betrayer into the pits of Hell drowned out the world.
His heart thundered in his ears. The wind was scratching at his skin, while the thick, warm coat the man wore brushed up against his exposed self. This was his chance. He could remove Kayneth from the tournament right here.
All he had to do was slice.
"Release him, filth!" Spit Kayneth, ready to upheave the foundation underneath him.
Feeling the snow melt beneath his feet, Diarmuid leaped further back into the clearing on top of the mountain, his hostage in tow. Every vile thought that crossed his mind blackened his vision.
"Re-think this— Maybe we could work something out." The man choked out against the silver that drew red from his chin.
Indeed they would not discuss such things. Not with the corpse of a Giant accompanied by an infuriated Magus that had the utensils to repeat that betrayal once again. He would never forgive nor trust that inhuman monster.
He needed to escape and thwart his enemies. Now . Kayneth drew all the power into the liquid he was gifted in pillars around him. He would find a way to break his Detainer free from his grasp before he bled to his death from the gap in his torso.
But his promise to Haley. Would this situation be justifiable enough to her and himself? Was there truly nothing else he could possibly do to thwart Kayneth enough to return to her without blood staining his hands? With his chivalry, honor and pride in tact?
That were impossible. Even though his internal rage beckoned him to break down the two here and now. End Kayneth as he deserves, it was not the way he did things. It was downright despicable to end someone through the means of a hostage. Didn't the same thought cross his mind when that heinous Kiritsugu had stolen Kayneth's Mistress?
He tossed the man like scrap into the snow and skewered Kayneth with his stare. He had no words for the male whose eyebrows lowered so far they would drop from his face entirely. Though now he had his distance, and he would find his way down the ledges to circle back to the Lady.
The mountain roared in response to Diarmuid's speedy departure. Behind him, the frozen wave of snow trampled down the trees and gravel sliding down the mountain.
An avalanche of all things— could his former Master sink any lower, or was he just this desperate to remove him from the competition? Kayneth and his Detainer only survived their encounter because he refused to finish their duel in the manner that was most available to him.
Now, the landscape warped the slopes behind him as he dragged himself down the side of the mountain to the next portion that allowed foot travel. He sprinted across the land perpendicular of the cascade to avoid its wide path.
Unfortunately for Diarmuid, his speed was not enough for the monstrous wave was much too grave. To prevent getting buried under mounds of snow along the other competitors he saw drown in it, he utilized all of his muscles to swim along with the current.
It was a battle against the descent until he was finally mounted by the thick snow and buried. Thankfully for him, the magic that enhanced his form was capable enough to excavate out.
His breath tinged the air from the emotional and physical roller coaster. He flicked the powders on his skin off, and adjusted his underwear to the correct position. He was lucky to not have sustained any detrimental injuries. Not that he didn't incur enough already.
Well, at least he had plentiful amounts of wood in the debri to bring to the cave. The dilemma was ascending without any other hiccups. He wanted not to be so distanced from the Lady, but that was deftly denied.
Master, are you safe? He asked, hoping in his debacle he hadn't set her up for disaster.
I.. there.. Was an Avalanche. I'm trapped in here. Did.. something happen? You okay?!
To be fair, that was not as problematic as he worried, unless an enemy was determined to break through the barriers to the cave. That was if they even suspected it were there, now that it is covered.
I managed to survive it. It.. might be a bit of time before I reach you… are you fairing alright despite the cold?
Kind of.. Diarmuid.. Just get back to me right away.. Okay? Her thoughts to him were dripping with distress. He best did as she asked.
He angled his head, eyes scaling the mountain. The matter was just how.
It felt like an eternity had passed before Diarmuid acknowledged he was even close to Haley's location. Her shivers were near earthquakes, and Diarmuid still had to drill his way through the thick blockade. It was like he was at an archaeological site on the hunt for treasure.
Diarmuid… I..I'm getting really tired. Her body ached in the winter weather as she clenched and unclenched her hands, trying to keep the feeling in their tips.
Just a bit more time is needed. I am breaking through as we speak. There are things you must know about this avalanche as well… Admittedly, he wanted to bury what transpired deep within the mounds of soft ice, but her being awake was imperative to prevent resigning to the cold.
It was not… the best of transgressions for me.
With the oath he pledged as a Knight strung up like a ragdoll from his encounter, and remaining honest with her, he figured telling her the tale could be lively again. Not necessarily in the best of ways, but her life was more important than his regret.
I.. don't understand..? Balancing herself on the cold ice that layered the walls of the small cavern, Haley stood upright.
She paced again, rubbing her hands up and down from her waist up.
Regrettably, my curse.. Surfaced again with the sight of Kayneth. I.. was unsure of what best to do. With you being so close, and with the enemies that he commanded, I was left no choice but to injure his Detainer.
Haley pressed her back along the wall and tilted her head to res against the rough surface,
Enemies he commanded?
Indeed. He had Undead as well as a Giant of snow were under his control. It had crossed my mind in a fit of anger to end them both there, and in a rather unhonorable way. I am ashamed.
That was Kayneth's necromancy. If she remembered correctly, Magus with that ability could do extraordinary things, especially in a pithole like this. There were other things that were noted about him in the files of the Association, but she didn't look too far into them.
It was Diarmuid's information that she even gave Lord El-Melloi's profile a skimming read. An extraordinarily multi-talented man in Magecraft, who seemed to corner Diarmuid to the point of desperation if he was targeting the Detainer…
Something he swore on his honor not to do in lines with his code as a Knight and unless the situation called for it. Even then, she wanted him to expend all options but it seemed his curse got in the way of that. Or did it? He didn't exactly finish with the details...
You… didn't.. Though, right?
I.. no. He fled instead. Whether that was cowardice or intelligent was undecided.
I remember a time when chivalry was thrown away under the rage of your curse. The person's throat was in your grasp if I recall, and it required some magic power of persuasion to stop you. Haley was actually impressed.
In the past, she was always responsible for drowning out the seething within him. If he was able to accomplish that himself, that meant he was returning to his usual self, even if he made… questionable decisions beforehand.
So… if you alone were responsible, then you did well. I can only be glad you stopped yourself.
His plowing stalled. In his previous flares of the madness inside him snuck into the beats of his heart, he was relatively uncontrollable. Just the delusion or slightest hint of doubt was adequate enough to send him spiralling into a rage filled monster.
Haley had crinkled under the brunt force of it… but not Kayneth.
His lip crept up at the corner, and he returned to his pummeling. In other moments soon after her healing, time and time again he was met with the enemies that dragged his mental state through the mud, and triggered the vulgarity.
In truth, he wanted to do vile, despicable things, but whether it be her constant loyalty and consideration for him, or his own self awareness, it drew him away each time. Against Kayneth, it was the very thought of her and what he swore that he retained his principles.
You certainly are responsible as well. Without your magic and dedication… I might not be as I am now.
Only a little.. Haley admitted, because in the end her magic alone was enough to quelm the barricades of his emotions.
If only.. If only breaking down the evils that corrupted him was enough to release the chains of the Underworld. She wrapped her arms around her chest in line with the thought. None of this mattered if it meant he was still… destined to an eternity of torment.
It was a discouraging feeling.. The wonder if any of it is worth it at all. Her biggest benefit of healing others' turmoil was the joyous melodies they sang in their happiness. They were like children on christmas, getting the biggest and best gifts on their wish lists when the curses were lifted.
To see Diarmuid finally experience that success and feel free from the dark energy eating away at him, just to slap him in the face the harsh reality his soul was to be tortured.. It was just as cruel as his wanting to not repeat his mistakes prior to just having his past life repeat again.
If all of this… was a ruse that would not end in his salvation.. Then what was all of this really for?
"Master?"
Haley's wide eyes landed on Diarmuid, who strolled into the cave, flicking droplets of snow from his arms and fingers. All the while, he adjusted the heavy wood in his arms and dropped them to his feet.
His entrance distracted her from the doubt clouding her thoughts,
"Jeez… you.. Look so silly like that." She said quietly, casting her gaze to the crystals that hung from the cave's upper walls.
"Anything for my Lady to keep warm." He said with a cheeky grin, making quick work of the logs at his knees.
She chuckled, sliding down the wall, "Just... hurry with the fire...will ya?"
His eyes flickered to her with a flashy smile and he worked his magic to finally illuminate the cave with a flame.
Finally, as she started to drift in and out of sleep. Her palms leveled before the cackling fire, absorbing the heat as her own. Their bag was lounged in the corner, and Diarmuid offered bottled water, or the bag of chips which she declined.
Despite that she should probably be famished, or dehydrated- she was too distraught over the past events that still drowned her sentiments.
Always right on the money, Diarmuid questioned her newly found silence as she vacuously studied the sparks from the fire.
"My Lady, What has been troubling you?"
If only spilling the details from the cup of despair she was sipping from was so easy to tell. She still wavered with what to tell him. Each option had their risks, the worst being resetting them to the first day they met and she omitted the reward she'd receive at the end of this.
Even so… it was not just that. She was helpless with many things in life, but never did it lead to the deaths of anyone. Never did she decide one's life was more important than the other.
She could have saved them. All she had to do was heal Egan.. She was reputable enough for sure to seal that wound enough to extend Egan's life long enough for Armenia to utilize the explosive.
It was just the thought of getting herself disqualified in the process, having Diarmuid being the collateral damage that she let good people… die. She did not have the right to make that decision, and yet it was placed in her lap.
There was cruelty in the decisions she made, however light they were. Then watching the light go out in Armenia's eyes, as she drew the love of her life close—
"Diarmuid.. I don't want to lose you." She buried her face in the knees she drew close. "Not in this place. Not to the stupid underworld. Not like how the couple I was with lost each other."
"I.. Lady Haley.." Diarmuid was stumped on what to say. This was not what he had expected to be the root of her worries.
What was he supposed to reply? Would he relay he felt the same, but there… was no guaranteeing his safety from the end that called to him. Even the tournament left no answers on what would happen to his soul should they win.
Then.. there was the matter of the couple she spoke of. He knew not of their relations until she brought it about now.
"I.. am afraid I do not know how the events transpired for you to say such things.." He murmured, his voice being carried in the cave.
"It… was awful. They.. were innocent people. Just trying to stay together, until the enemy came and stole their lives from them, and.. There was not a damn thing I could do about it that wouldn't risk me losing you." Her fist crashed against the icy ground beneath them, "I.. weighed my connection with you above the lives of other people.. And it's so messed up!"
Diarmuid changed position from being on the other side of the fire to placing himself right next to her side to draw her into his arms. She was tormenting herself over evils she could not control, and he could not allow that.
"Your heart is splendid, Lady Haley. You welcome so many into it," He said admirably, "I.. I can only tell you.. Tell you that you cannot blame yourself as you are. If.. you would have stepped in, you would not a clue what the punishment would have been...
Given the history of the Arena thus far, I dare say that if you attempted to help them, you all might have suffered.."
She threw her arms around his midriff and adjusted herself entirely into his lap. It wasn't just that.. In the pits of her guilt, she knew that listening to Egan's final wish to not heal them was the right decision in the end.. Even so..
"Still… that.. Could be us, Diarmuid. Don't you.. Get that..? We.. could be next." She refused to meet what she knew was his worried expression.
His eyes softened, and he patted the length of her hair, "Only if we allow it. We must continue our fight to the very end.. Because I.. wish for you to remain by side until then."
Unfocused, crystal eyes raised to the bewitching features of the man whose gentle ones gleamed back. It was in that moment that Haley heavily deliberated what all of their words and the kick drum beating faster in her chest.
Here, in the makeshift cave of the Arena, with the blizzard whispering to her to find out, and the fire steadily watching for the next move of either of them; she stilled. Even with the curse lingering those honey eyes, and the charming smile that probably made other women swoon, all she could muster was laying cradling herself and resting her head into his belly.
It was just the fatigue, and the strain of worry he would be gone that drew her towards him, and nothing else. Because it was anything else.. They were in more trouble than Haley refused to admit.