Return of the Abysswalker
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story
Chapter 1: New Enemies, New Allies
P.O.V. Artorias
The scent of wet dirt filled Artorias' nose as he slowly got up and examined his new surroundings. Tree's far more massive than anything he had seen in Lordran or Oolacile towered above. As Artoria's took note of his surroundings another scent began to mix with the damp of the forest. The scent of death. Somewhere near his current area a town was being either ransacked or slaughtered, or both. Spotting (and grabbing) his sword in the nearby earth Artorias set off, following the unpleasant smell to its source. What he could never have possibly imagined was that this action would introduce him to a scourge that (in some ways) made fighting the creatures of the Abyss far more pleasant.
He soon reached a clearing where upon exiting he found a fairly large camp that would suit at least 15 people. However just from the stench alone it was clear what had happened to the people, either someone or something had killed them. He soon found one of the bodies of the victims, had he not seen what the Darkwraith's did with their victims, Artorias may very well have lost (what little remained of) his last meal. The body had been desecrated beyond recognition and on top of that he could make out teeth marks on the corpse as well.
"I pray that thou hast found rest with the gods thou worshiped." he offered in silent prayer for the souls of these victims. Whatever had done this must still have been close as the bodies were still fairly fresh. While the village was empty Artorias could feel the eyes of whatever did this watching him. As far as he was concerned he didn't like the feelings he was sensing from wherever it was watching. Artorias sorely wished to find who or whatever was responible for this massacre. In truth he was morally divided on that thought. Physically he was nowhere near his prime and while his inner knight was screaming for retribution, he was not a tactless brute like many thought he was.
Artorias soon sensed movement behind him but made no indication that he had noticed. He crouched as if he was getting closer to inspect the body, his sword touching the earth as a makeshift cane. Sure enough whoever was behind him began to move closer, he could hear its breathing and smell the scent of death on it. Just as he felt one of its arms close in he struck! With a mighty swing his sword went up and cleaved its arm from its shoulder. The creature howled in pain and dashed back out into the entrance of the camp.
P.O.V. Miria, Helen, Deneve.
Unfortunately for him three figures blocked his only route of escape. These figures wore tight fitting silver grey leotards with gleaming silver shoulderpads and boots. On their backs were the weapons from which their name was given, three claymores stood blocking his path. They all had platinum blonde hair and the characteristic silver eyes, their hair was all different lengths though. The one in the middle had long hair that stopped at her neck, it spiked away at the sides. She had a serious expression on her face. The one on the left had short hair and a serious expression practically stuck on her face. The last one was on the left and had jaw length hair and a relaxed carefree expression. "Well guess we found the yoma responsible for the disappearing camps Deneve." the one on the far left said eyeing the yoma with an indefferent look. "So it would seem Helen." Deneve replied from the far left. "Looks like the organization's information was wrong, this yoma's power is barely above that of an average one." she finished. "Huh?" Helen said confused from the far right, "Oh yeah, you're right." she said.
"What do you want to do Miria?" Deneve asked the one in the lead. Miria took a closer look at the yoma in question and spotted its severed arm. "Oh, it seems this one has also been injured." she stated earning a shocked look from Helen and a raised eyebrow from Deneve. "Whoa!" Helen exlcaimed upon finding his arm (or lack thereof). "Who gave you that injury?" Miria demanded of the yoma, who only laughed in response before saying, "And what guarantee do I have that you Claymore's won't kill me anyway?" he said his left arm hovering over the stump of his former right arm.
"You don't." was all Miria said. The yoma began to laugh, that crazy last moments kind of laugh. Soon however it died down as the sound armored footsteps began to reverberate through the clearing. Behind the yoma and a few feet to the left in front of a small cabin a man in silver armor stepped out into the clearing, his armor while still shining defiantly in the sun, was covered in black. The blue cloth that was wrapped around his neck was frayed at the edges and also had black splotches across it. The chainmail that hung from his back was broken in places and his armor was rent in places. His right hand held the largest Great Sword any of them had seen, it's blade shone in the sun despite the wear and tear that was plain for all to see.
The yoma started turning his head between the three claymore's and the mysterious warrior, his face clearly showed fear at having been trapped. Then the yoma turned and charged towards the mysterious warrior screaming with all the air in his lungs. The warrior then crouched down and the movement made his left arm plainly visible to the three claymore's. It was clearly broken, the odd angle at which it was hanging was evidence enough. What happened next shocked all three of them (even Deneve though she would never admit it).
At just the right moment the warrior spun and swung his greatsword cleaving the yoma's other arm off cleanly. Then taking a small step backward he lunged forward putting the sword clean through the yoma's lower torso. "Hahahahahaha! Nothing vital down there you bastard! Now, you die!" the yoma cried out in victory. "Then thou dost not consider thine head valuable?!"the warrior said. With that the warrior shoved the sword straight up and cleaved the yoma's upper torso and head in two. Being in close proximity to the yoma made the warrior end up getting drenched in its blood.
He then collapsed next to the very creature he had just slain.