The night had been going successfully for the silver knights that held their district border. They had managed to repel the human forces without excessive effort, and had sent them limping back to lick their wounds.
And then she had appeared.
She was larger than the humans, even the largest Berenike, and strode towards them with deadly purpose. Shadows congealed around her, and the moon cast no light upon her armor.
It had been a matter of seconds before she had breached the wall and led a band of six Berenike knights inside. The knights were facing this bravely, leaping into the fray, but Velka's chosen fought like a tongue of lightning.
That was when she was forced to turn and slice a large projectile out of the air.
Before the two halves of the greatarrow had hit the ground, another was coming. She deftly sliced that one as well, and her armor pulled her away as an actual bolt of lightning pierced the air.
Dodging projectiles from two sources, Velka could manage. The problem for her and Serafina was that without them helping the Berenikes, there was no one to stop the silver knights from ringing the alarm bells.
Then again, if the Four knew what was afoot, what did it really matter?
"LET THEM HEAR YOUR FEEBLE CRIES, THEIR JUDGEMENT IS NIGH!" proclaimed Velka in a tone that rang off the stones in a manner not dissimilar from the sounding bells.
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"Is that really her?" Artorias lowered his binoculars and Sif whimpered. Pain and confusion revealed themselves in lines around his eyes.
The night was ringing with the sound of bells, but a scream pierced through the sound as Serafina—or Velka—or whatever was on the battlefield, sliced open the abdomen of a silver knight.
Artorias's eyes widened, then hardened into blue steel. "Everyone converge." He drew his hood up, seating his helm atop it. "I do not know that woman."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
It was odd. No great number had answered the alarm bells. Only two figures sprinted to the wall. The larger raised their voice and issued an order "Fall back to defensive positions!"
Serafina's hands shook, but Velka's were strong.
This seemed like a bad situation.
The armor emitted a high-pitched toll in a repeating pattern, and the extra garrison of troops began their assault through the hole she had punched. Regardless of the obvious threat, the larger figure still waved what were obviously his troops backwards.
Unfortunate, as part of the goal tonight had been to thin the numbers of the silver knights. She set her jaw and readied her rapier. The Berenikes formed up around her, having only lost one man of six.
Ciaran seemed to appear amidst them, prompting one to swing his massive mace at her. She was gone as quickly as she had appeared and the mace simply connected with his comrade's chest, sending him stumbling backwards. She was there too, reaching around to slice his throat open and vanishing without a trace.
As those assembled tried to see where she had gone, Ornstein dashed into the mix. He flicked aside a mace with his spear contemptuously and brought his speed and weight to bear by striking the knight in the face with the heel of his palm.
Velka wasn't about to let the pattern continue however, and brought her blade down in a shining arc. Ornstein intercepted it with the shaft of his spear, grasping it in two hands. He pushed the dark steel away and went for a swift jab to the stomach, only managing to scratch the armor as it twisted away. He backed away from a counterattack, impaling the downed knight as he did so to end his struggling.
Velka was very aware that her six had been halved. She kept her blade firmly aimed at the Captain, aim unwavering as he circled her and her men. They began to creep forward, shields raised, to flank him. The one in the center had clearly forgotten about Gough, whom had been patiently biding his time for such an opportunity. His stomach quickly housed three massive metal spikes. He fell to the ground, writhing sluggishly for a moment before becoming still.
One…two…three…
That meant—
Artorias leapt the storey and a half up to the wall, slamming into one of the remaining knights with his shield. The armor made for a swift strike in retaliation, but Velka had been surprised and distracted. Artorias planted a foot solidly in the middle of her chest before the strike fell, throwing her to the ground. He spun, decapitating the original knight. Sif leapt up from the opposite side, decapitating the other from behind.
Ciaran materialized nearby, and Velka was quite aware she was surrounded. She began to rise, but Artorias pressed her back down with his boot, hard. His greatsword pressed against her neck, his words were issued from behind clenched teeth.
"Give up."
The armor seemed to twitch, then fall limp. Gough arrived nearby, bow drawn and aimed directly at the dark figure.
There was sobbing coming from the motionless armor, echoing inside the helmet.
Artorias had frozen, but recovered, tipping the helmet off with the end of his blade.
He had a momentary pang of heartbreak to see Serafina like this. Her eyes were welled up with tears, raven hair spread out on the floor.
"Y-you ha-have to help me."
Artorias was disturbed. "What?"
Her face contorted with fear and tears rolled down her face. "I'm trapped in here! Velka won't let me go!"
Artorias flinched as if struck, taking his boot off of her. "You're trapped?"
"I couldn't stop her! She's too strong!" more tears joined the first, and she broke down.
He got down and set aside his sword and shield, fingers searching for the straps of the armor.
He wasn't prepared for the knife.
But Ciaran was.
She had shakily blocked it, her brilliant gold tracer casting shadows across her porcelain mask.
Gough calmly stepped forward with a sad sigh and knelt down to where the Lord's Blade struggled against the dark dagger. He looked at Serafina, whose face was twisted with rage. "You know, you had me convinced. You really did." He took the knife from her in his enormous hands and tossed it over the wall.
Artorias just stared at her like she was a ghost. Then he set his jaw, raising his fist above her.
She bared her teeth. "You swore to me that you would never strike me in anger, Artorias!" An ugly laugh came from her throat. "Tonight you become your father!" She stared madly up into his eyes. "Tonight, you doom the—"
He didn't listen any more.
He brought his fist hammering down into her temple, knocking her out cold.
"You swore to be honest with me."
He stood over her, staring at his hands.
He flinched out of his trance when Ciaran laid a hand on his side. She really hadn't recovered yet, and had pushed herself too hard tonight.
She didn't say anything to him. There was nothing to say.
His hands slowly clenched into fists, squeezing until the knuckles cracked.
Ornstein stood upon the wall a short ways away, staring out at the captured district. "Tonight we pull this weed out by its bloody roots."
Gough frowned. "Captain. Perhaps we should wait until dawn…?"
"I'm afraid I have not the time nor patience to do so, greatarcher." He stepped down, walking toward them. "But we have an important prisoner to deal with, so I will need you—"
His order was cut off as a fine arrow zipped between them and penetrated Serafina's neck.
It was a light arrow, and it had been a long shot, but the danger was apparently more than physical. Her eyes shot open again, incredibly bloodshot, and she took a deep rasping breath. When she exhaled, she coughed red globs onto the floor, body spasming.
They looked on in stunned silence for the most part, Gough drawing an arrow back and pulverizing the assassin.
Artorias simply retrieved his sword and shield and vaulted over the wall, dropping into the no-man's-land below. He shouted over his shoulder. "Sif! Bring Ciaran back to the Citadel! I don't go to take prisoners." His stride was steady and purposeful.
The Captain looked at the other two. "He's right." Ciaran began to protest, but he spoke over her. "You're in no shape for an assault." As if to punctuate his statement, Artorias roared in the distance, and a crumbling sound followed it. He turned back to Gough. "You stay here and help take care of this godsforsaken horde." He strode to the edge and vaulted after Artorias.