"Do you know what repulses me the most about your existence?" The Nameless King would question, staring down in disgust as Artorian was thrown onto the ground in front of him by Hayato. The hybrid wasn't able to respond, as the Lord stomped his foot onto the side of his head, putting pressure down as he did. "The Taint is bad enough, but to claim the Exalted's blood, such perversion of their gifts is a sin beyond redemption."

"Shove your redemption… up your ass." Artorian grunted in pain as he winced, the combined pain from the stomp and injuries he suffered causing his focus to shift. The injuries from the Hunters alone were bad enough, but the loss of his hand and the subsequent blood loss was a serious problem. "You're just a cultist."

"I would tread carefully on your words, filth." The Nameless King stated, grinding his heel as lightning sparked across his body. "Your forces have been defeated and your death will come in moments."

As he made the claim, Oristin was finishing his remaining skirmish with Liddy, the Slayer being blasted back skidding on the ground by a bolt of lightning. With her down, none of the combat tier Slayers were still active, Emilia still struggling to regain her focus after Hayato's blow to her head. Claudia and the Hunters were still downed, and Erica was still desperately attempting to prevent further bleeding from Claire's wound.

"Fuck you… monster…"

"You are Tainted, and you claim that I'm the monster? Does irony escape you?"

"Just means I'm… better at calling them out…" Artorian coughed, digging his fingers into the dirt as he fruitlessly attempted to push against the Lord's foot. "Takes one to… pervert the dead…"

"Oh, you believe I'd allow just any Hollowed to be graced with the Exalted's blood?" The Nameless King chuckled, grinning as he looked to Hayato. "I take it you recognize Ato, which means you were near your bastard father during the Second Arrival. Quite a fine specimen he was." As the Lord continued, Artorian would turn his eyes to look up to Hayato, the human looking down to him in distaste.

"Despite his age and condition, the compatibility he had with the Exalted's blood was astonishing. The only one I've seen that could be considered better currently was your commander. A rather unfortunate loss."

"What the hell… does that mean?"

"Is it not obvious?" The Lord responded, looking back down to the Abysswalker. "Ah, I suppose it isn't to you. Tainted certainly never bother to fully grasp the Exalted's grace. All you need know is he retains most of his humanity, even after his first death. And you had abandoned him."

"Liar…"

"A denier of the truth I see, much like Artorias Abyssal no doubt." The Nameless King deduced. "Deny what you wish, you know it to be true."

"Shut up."

"A Hollow cannot produce energy, that alone serves a sign."

"Shut up!"

"I will not. You are defenseless. You are powerless. The last of you are defeated, your commander is slain, and the Akin are coming with me. And above it all, you will die here." The Lord claimed, raising his swordspear up, hovering the tip of the blade over his back. "The last of the Tainted will be slain here, in the presence of an Exalted."

"The last? Rather ill informed of you." Before the Nameless King moved his arm, a new voice spoke up, getting the Lord's attention to turn to the edge of the tree line. He saw no one present, however he could feel in his blood the source's presence. He could tell from the shift that the person was large, a Lord no question.

"And who else reveals themselves?"

"A correction to the mistakes of your father." The voice responded. "Murder, bloodshed, mutilation and manipulation. A rather telling sign of your blood ties. Like a… oh what's the human expression? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree?"

"Oristin, pulse." The Nameless King ordered, the Dragon Slayer raising his spear up with lightning building up at the blade.

"Oh, there's no need." Just before Oristin fired a blast, a nagamaki would swing seemingly out of nowhere and strike Oristin back, the Dragon Slayer planting his feet into the ground to stop himself. "Hiding is a rather pitiful tactic. I prefer to handle things more… direct. I'm sure you can understand that much." Stepping out of a physical shadow, Sir Alonne would walk into view holding his sword with one hand, appearing next to Erica and Claire despite the location of where he struck Oristin.

"And who might you be?"

"No one of importance, but someone of conflicting interest." Alonne answered, looking down to Claire as he rested the curve of his sword on his shoulder. "An attempt at taking a life without purpose, expected but rather unpleasant of you."

"The Exalted's will is the truest form of purpose, without their guidance we will all fall."

"Perhaps it's about time we did." Alonne countered before reaching in his back pouch, pulling out a glowing yellow gemstone. "You, bespectacled human." He'd speak to Erica, the girl looking to see him toss the gemstone onto the ground in front of her. "Put that in the blonde one's palm and force her hand to crush it."

"What are you-?"

"If you want her saved, you'll simply listen and do it." Alonne interrupted, stepping past the two and walking towards the Nameless King. "So tell me, Forgotten Sun, would you prefer your real name or is there something else you would prefer."

"I am a king with no name, no longer the Forgotten Sun." The Lord answered, keeping his foot on Artorian's head as Alonne approached. "And what shall I call you?"

"Sir Alonne."

"I do not recognize that name. Tell me Alonne, why come here?"

"I heard the Dark Sun would be present, along with several other Lords from Lordran. Although I wasn't expecting to find you here." Alonne would then look down, seeing Artorian pinned to the ground. "One of the rumored hybrids, I assume?"

"An abomination, Tainted."

"Such strong language, the Abyss is still feared to such a degree? I must say I'm disappointed." Alonne said, the smirk under his helmet heard as he motioned his foot back, gripping his nagamaki with both hands as he did. "Then with that in mind, I'll expect you to release the Abysswalker, Your Highness."

"You expect me to allow the Tainted to live? Few things threaten the Exalted, and I will not let such an ancient threat continue on any-!" Before the Nameless King could finish, he brought his swordspear up and blocked a downward slash from Alonne, the Lord having cleared the distance between the two in an instant.

"That wasn't a request." Moments after their blades connected, a shockwave of kinetic energy went off, the force pushing Hayato skidding back in the dirt while the Slayers shielded their eyes. Lightning then coursed around the Nameless King's weapon while a violet and black mist surrounded Alonne's nagamaki, the two's next clash causing a detonation of magic and energy.

The Nameless King jumped back short of the detonation, landing on his feet and aiming his weapon at the source of the explosion, firing a massive bolt of green lightning and increasing the pressure. Immediately after, the Lord dodged to the side as a slash of the mist came out of the resulting explosion, using his arm to parry Alonne's sword as he shot out of the dust.

"This presence, you can't be…" The Nameless King would take note of Alonne's magic, watching as the mist from the blade appeared around his entire body like an aura. "How are there more of you?"

"If you can't confirm with a body, never assume an Abysswalker's dead." Alonne stated, the two separating before slashing out, their next collision sending lightning and mist in every direction. Alonne would then stab forward, the Nameless King avoiding the tip of his blade and bringing his free arm up as lightning formed around it.

Flashing his eyes red, Alonne's mist would burst out and connect against the lightning infused punch, blasts of the elements being sent dragging across the ground past the Slayers. With the punch canceled, Alonne would swing up, with the Nameless King blocking and countering with his own attack. The eastern Lord rolled under the heavy strike, the ground where he stood shattering as he gripped his weapon with both hands and swung in a wide arc.

Just as the blade would connect, the Nameless King would bring his polearm up and block the slash, a chunk of his armor being cut through from the resulting force. Alonne would then step back and swing up again, countering a heavy blow from the Lord, his mist jolting into the ground to provide leverage as a dozen bolts of lightning were called down to aid in the blow.

Pushing the swordspear to the side, Alonne would then spin as the Nameless king attempted another lightning infused punch. The eastern Lord would then strike the end of his grip against his foes back, the Nameless king stepping forward for balance before bringing his elbow back for a devastating blow. Alonne would bring his blade up to block, but the raw energy and lightning impacted into his arm gave the Lord the advantage and sent Alonne several meters back.

Alonne managed to flip over his shoulder and land on his feet, digging his feet into the ground and gripping his sword tightly before swinging forward again, the resulting strike between the two causing a gust of wind to shoot out.

"Well, it appears you certainly inherit your father's strength." Alonne noted, pushing against the Nameless King's weapon as the intensity of his mist increased.

"My strength comes from the Exalted, not his blood." He responded, the contrast of their auras causing a power struggle that was tearing at the ground beneath them. "They gave me this strength, the strength to destroy abominations like yourself."

"It'll take more than a fancy light show in order to destroy me." Alonne would then plant and shift his feet, pushing the Nameless King's weapon over his head before dashing forward, slashing across the Nameless King's side and drawing blood. As he was going through the finished motions, the Nameless King would turn and slash across Alonne's back, a pulse of lightning causing a burst of blood to shoot out as they separated.

Alonne stumbled forward, a majority of his back blown apart by the Nameless King's magic. However he remained standing, getting into his proper posture as he then cracked his neck and held his blade to his face.

"Your blood's mutated to this extent?" Alonne spoke as he noted the bright green fluid across his blade. "Such extensive genetic rework, they were sure nothing short of obedience was coming from you."

"Says the spawn transformed to become an abomination." The Nameless King responded, pointing out Alonne's blackened blood as it freely escaped from his back. "I was improved, my mind remaining intact. The Abyss twisted you beyond recognition, turning you into a vessel of its desire."

"Well, you're right about one thing." Alonne would say, grinning under his helmet as his blood began to move rapidly. "I am a vessel of the Abyss' desire." Before everyone's eyes, Alonne's back would heal, the blood returning as the skin reshaped over the injury. His armor then reformed, the injury the Nameless King left vanishing without a trace. "Which allows me to shape and use it to my purpose."

"Artorian… Artorian…!"

'Who…?' He'd think half consciously before feeling a spike of pain on his face, his senses coming together as he was slapped.

"Ow! What the fuck was that for!?" He jolted into a sitting position, holding a hand to his cheek as the slap burned.

"That… actually worked." Liddy would say, caught off guard by his shout when he regained his focus.

"I have a cut across my collar bone, up most of my torso, and my fucking hand was cut off!" The hybrid shouted, motioning to her with the nub of an arm. "Of course a slap's gonna hurt, my nerves are already going crazy to compensate! Ah, the fuck was that for anyways?"

"I was making sure you were still alive." Liddy answered, moving to help Artorian up. "One of the Nameless King's attacks struck you, you didn't move since the fighting picked back up."

"Right… still in the middle of that…" Artorian groaned, the pain of getting lifted up numbing out as he got to his feet. "What the hell happened?"

"Another Lord showed up, I'll explain everything later but first we need to get you treated before you get attacked again."

"Might want to hold off on that." Artorian stated as he pointed to their side, the Slayers stopping as Oristin pointed his spear at the two, charging lightning as he did.

"Can you stand?" Liddy asked, looking to Artorian.

"Better, I can fight." He responded, but coughed as his chest flared in pain. "Fight enough… anyways."

"Save that strength to stay alive, Erica has medical supplies. Get to her and get the wounds completely closed, I'll hold him back." Liddy ordered, letting Artorian go as she stepped forward, throwing her variable stone to the side as she positioned herself between the Variants. "Hundred On!"

"I can keep up, I just need to get my sword and-ngh! Just give me a second and I can…"

"Artorian, you're too injured for this. You won't last in a drawn-out fight, especially without your Hundred."

"I'm not letting you fight him… I can handle it."

"You're struggling to stand and your energy is too low. I'll handle him, get to Erica now."

"Damn it, I'm not leaving you to fight by yourself, you already lost to him."

"But I can keep fighting, now move!" Liddy shouted, rushing forward to clash with the Lord.

"Liddy you stupid bi-!" Before he could finish, Artorian's eyes widened and he jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding Hayato as he slammed his sword down.

The hybrid's evasion was effective, but due to his injured state, he lost his footing and fell back down, grunting in pain as Hayato looked up from his attack. As the two's eyes met, the human's slowly shifted to turn gold, his energy returning after the short skirmish they had before.

"Hayato, you have to listen to me. This isn't like you!" Artorian spoke, pushing himself back as Hayato moved forward and slashed at him, narrowly missing him as he did. "You'd never side with Him! They did something to you, fight it!" The hybrid then picked up a rock from the ground and threw it up, knocking Hayato's blade to the side as he swung down, narrowly missing Artorian.

"Damn it Hayato! Listen to me!" Artorian screamed, rolling to the side as the Variant dug his sword through the ground, his attack grazing Artorian's back as the hybrid stopped himself. "What the hell did they do to you!?"

"…" Hayato remained silent as he looked to Artorian, the human stepping towards him as his eyes glowed brightly. "Abandoned… left… sacrificed…" Hayato would groan out, the words causing Artorian to freeze. "You… did this…"

"Hayato I… I didn't… damn it I had to protect Karen! I had to save who I could, you shouldn't have been able to survive that blast!"

"I… did…" Hayato stated, raising his blade up as he glared intensely at the hybrid. "You… won't…"

As Hayato was about to swing down, a beam of energy collided against his sword to stall his attack. As he would turn to the source, he was kicked in the side of the head by Emilia, her eyes glowing bright gold while her Arms Shroud was in the form of a martial arts type Hundred. A pulse of her energy went off at the greave before she pushed her leg out more, enhancing her attack and sending Hayato crashing into a tree.

Flipping onto her feet, Emilia would shift her right leg back behind her to give her better leverage, concentrating her energy to her limbs as she stood in a readied stance.

"You want him, you have to go through me." The white-haired girl stated, her strength mostly restored after giving herself the time to recover.

Getting up, Hayato would wipe his wrist across his face, cleaning the blood and mud off him as he looked back to Emilia. Both their eyes glowed bright with intent, the girl's narrowed in determination while the boy's was wide with rage.

"Emile don't… last time you-"

"Last time you weren't on death's door." Emilia stated, her energy spiking as she allowed the heat from the Variant Virus fester more in her. "Prez gave her all to win, and I'll do the same."

"Emilia…"

"I owe it to her, just as I do to you." Emilia would then lower her posture to place her hands on the ground, digging her fingering into the dirt as her energy built up more, doubling in size. "He's gotten tired, his energy isn't flaring nearly as much as it was before. If I can get a good hit in, it may keep him down for good."

"You can't guarantee that."

"Maybe, but I can sure as hell try!" Emilia shouted, her energy exploding out as she pushed herself forward. Hayato immediately ducked as she lunged forward, dodging her enhanced kick. He'd spin and swing up at her, but the Slayer would parry the blade with her gauntlet and land on the ground, the dirt kicking up as she reared her fist back.

The Scorned would return the punch of one of his own, energy coating his entire arm as their fists collided. He would visibly flinch at the impact, but would ignore it as he brought his sword around. Emilia would pull her arm back and block the swing with both gauntlets. The force behind Hayato's swing cracked her armor and had her skid several feet back.

Transforming her Arms Shroud, Emilia would slam a massive hammer down to stop herself. Rushing forward, the Slayer would swing down with energy building up in the blunt end, slamming the ground as Hayato dodged. As the Scorned aimed to strike at her, the energy exploded and separated the two, Hayato rolling on the ground for a second before getting back to his feet and rushing at her.

Emilia's gaze would harden as she watched him approach, blocking his swing with her polearm once he reached her. She'd then infuse her energy into the weapon and pushed him back, transforming the hammer into a set of nunchucks. Seeing the transformation, Hayato would aim to swing at her center, the Slayer narrowly avoiding the attack and swinging one of her weapons, striking his head with a pulse of energy enhancing her.

Spinning her weapons rapidly, Emilia used the speed and momentum in order to better counter Hayato's increasing strength and speed. After blocking several hits, she'd swing up with all her strength, blocking and knocking Hayato's sword up. She then empowered both her arms with energy, her eyes glowing bright before she struck at Hayato's body with a multitude of attacks.

Energy was visibly cracking around the two, the two Variants releasing more as they continued to fight. Eventually, Hayato's composure would return and he'd swing down, Emilia dodging the attack and attempting to strike at him with both her nunchucks. However Hayato immediately followed up the attack with a swift punch, striking the Slayer's stomach and sending her skidding back.

Emilia winced as she took the blow, the strength h used not near the same he used before but was still undoubtably above what she could release. Looking up to the Scorned, she'd see the dark glow to his eyes, the gold appearing stained with a dark intent that embraced the frenzy that came from the virus.

'I can't win an endurance battle against him.' Emilia thought, throwing her weapon to the side as her Hundred returned to its original state. She'd then hold her hands ahead of her as a new weapon began to form, wrapping her hands around the hilt. 'But I don't need to win, I just have to get him out of the fight!'

Flashing her energy, a greatsword similar to Artorian's Hundred was formed, and the girl would take a wide stance with both her hands on the grip. Energy would flood across her blade, the Slayer focusing her power across every inch of metal as she glared heatedly at Hayato.

The Scorned would simply take up his own stance, coursing his own energy into his sword as he held it with a single hand. The two's glares would brighten as the golden glows in their eyes matched, each shifting their right foot back as they prepared to move forward.

'That stance…' Artorian would realize, recognizing his own posture being reflected by Emilia.

The two Variants would then burst their energy out like a storm and lunged towards each other, Emilia stopping first as she brought her greatsword up. Hayato would aim lower, his feet digging into the ground as he would swing up to match her downwards slash. The moment the two's blades collided, their energy sparked violently, their energy causing a white blur to form.

The impact between the two caused both of them to recoil, however both planted a foot back to regain their balance and swing forward again. As Emilia swung, her blade would strike near the same position as it had before, the Slayer attempting to replicate Artorian's Savage killing technique. Although due to her inexperience, she wasn't able to properly time it to completely destroy Hayato's sword.

However, the spot she had struck was a match, and with the added impulse from the vibrations, her sword dug in a caused a burst of energy, blasting a chunk of the Savage metal out. Seeing his weapon break, Hayato would pull it back and jump back, avoiding Emilia's next swing. Grinding his feet to a halt, the Scorned would look to his weapon in irritation, looking back to Emilia as she swiped her sword to the side, transforming her Hundred back to its hammer form.

"Even though it's refined, its still made of Savage plating." Emilia took note of, smirking as she regarded the enemy Variant. "Which means it can be broken. And since it isn't a Hundred, you can't recover it with your energy." A low growl would escape from Hayato's throat, the Variant bending down as he held his sword back. "It'll completely shatter if you connect with my Hundred now. Really want to test your odds against me without one?"

Cracking his neck, Hayato's eyes would shine as his aura exploded in a flash. Using it as a flash bang, the Scorned would lunge out, rearing his weapon with both hands as Emilia was reeling back from the intense light. Her eyes would open just in time to see Hayato in front of her, his eyes wide as he was in the midst of his swing.

The white-haired Slayer would prep her weapon, releasing energy out from the back in hopes of being able to deflect the attack. However the Scorned variant's advantage of momentum had it that his weapon would hit first, forcing Emilia to release her energy in hopes of blocking the attack.

But just before it would connect, a beam of green energy would pierce through the blade, striking at the weakened side of the sword. Focusing on the situation, Emilia would then follow through with her own attack, striking in the chest with her enhanced blow. The Variant would cough out blood from the strike before getting sent crashing back, his body bouncing off the ground twice before he skidded to a halt on his back.

Now with the immediate threat out of the way, Emilia and Artorian both would turn to the source of the beam, their eyes widening as they saw a red blur head straight for Oristin. The Dragon Slayer was about to strike at Liddy before the blur connected against his chest, the Slayer that appeared grinding their feet in before pulsing a wave of energy, sending him skidding several meters onto a single knee.

When the Slayer landed, they would crouch for a second before standing up, six crimson red cannons flying around her as she glared heatedly at Oristin. The familiar sight of red mixed with green energy brought reactions of relief and surprise to the Slayers still standing.

"Claire!"

"You've hurt my comrades enough. I refuse to let you lay a finger on a single one of them." The blonde would announce, stomping a foot into the ground as her Full-Body Armament reactivated. A single look at the blonde revealed a linear scar underneath her variable suit, the red mark the remnant of her wound from the Nameless King.

'C-Claire? She's…' Artorian would think, looking to the blonde in shock before his eyes widened in realization. 'The Lord that appeared, he said his name was Sir Alonne. The stone he gave her must have been a lifegem, which means…' His attention would then turn to the Lord in question, watching as he traded a blow with the Nameless King that cleaved his own arm off.

The Nameless King would then bring his spear up again, slashing across the entirety of Alonne's chest before spinning on his heel, holding his swordspear to his side as he decapitated the Lord. An explosion of lightning then went off at his chest, sending the disarmed corpse back.

Before it fell however, Alonne's right foot would shift back, the body catching itself as it swung forward. The Nameless King would bring his weapon behind him, blocking the attack as the mist surrounding Alonne erupted from Alonne's dismembered segments. Only a second would go by before his head and arm reshaped, his helmet returning with his head while his gauntlet took an extra second to form.

"Sir Alonne: The Immortal Abysswalker." Artorian would mutter out, a look of fear present on his face as the Lords remained in their locked stance.

'Why did it have to be these two?' He would think, swallowing spit down his throat as he looked back to the others, seeing them battle against Oristin all together. While they were gaining traction and pushing him back, the elder Lord was far from out matched, landing a solid blow on both Liddy and Emilia before blocking a series of blasts from Claire with his spear.

Despite her previous injury, Claire was moving flawlessly, using her thrusters to rapidly approach Oristin and kick out with both her legs. The Lord would block with his forearm, lightning surrounding the limb as he enhanced his limb to better handle her momentum. Releasing a pulse of energy, the Slayer would flip over her shoulder and plant her feet into the ground, holding her hands out and firing all six of her cannons at once.

Keeping his lightning up, Oristin would swipe his arm down and fire a bolt across the ground, canceling out her energy and rushing towards her. Claire easily dodged to the side, firing three more beams at him. Oristin would rear his arm back for another lightning strike, but was interrupted as Everlasting's claw grabbed him from the back of his neck, the sudden grab putting him off balance and getting struck by the energy attacks.

The claw would then tighten its clasp on the Lord, nearly denting the armor and getting his attention. 'She's attempting to strangle me?' He'd think in amusement, smiling under his helmet as his lightning formed around his body. 'A conviction to kill for the sake of victory, perhaps there's a chance after all.' Oristin's lightning would then explode in every direction, dispersing the Slayers and freeing his neck from Erica's Hundred.

As the battles continued to rage on, Artorian would look over to Hayato, the Variant struggling to push himself up, but the strain would cause him to cough out more blood. The sight brought panic to his eyes, the hybrid struggling against his own pain to stand up on his feet. Walking slowly, he would make his way to his old friend.

Hayato would see Artorian's approach and a panic would form in his eyes, the human reaching for his broken weapon desperately. His survival instincts had now kicked in, and seeing the hybrid, bloodied and strained, walking towards him caused a fight or flight response. But both options were out of the question, the blow from Emilia having rattled his entire body and damaged him without a chance to block.

"Hayato…" Artorian would groan, pausing in the midst of his approach to cough, two drops of black blood escaping his lips as he felt a cold presence sliver in his throat. "What happened…? How did they… how are you still alive?"

"Because… you…"

"It wasn't my fault! What did they do to you!?"

"Better… than…"

"Don't bullshit me!" Artorian shouted, falling down to a knee in front of Hayato and grabbing his armor, pulling him up to look him dead in the eyes, the hybrid's slowly turning red as he felt his body tighten. "What the fuck did they do to you!?"

"We made him one of our own." Artorian's eyes would widen in shock at hearing a new voice, the Abyss shooting out as a violent mist to block an incoming greataxe from his side. However the entity was only just able to prevent another injury, as the brunt force from the axe sent Artorian crashing several meters back.

At the sound of yet another source of lightning crackle to life, the Slayers fighting would turn to see a Lord clad in hulking armor raise a large greataxe over his head. An intense bolt of lightning struck the weapon, coursing around it as Artorian struggled to his knees.

Turning on her heel, Liddy would lunge forward with energy enhancing her movements, bringing her shield up to block the downward swing just before it would strike the hybrid. However her shield was destroyed instantly, the axe cutting through her defenses and cutting deep into her arm. The following force pushed the Slayer back into the hybrid, the two skidding back before the hybrid's back hit a rock, causing the two to separate and land opposite sides from one another.

"Liddy! Artorian!" Emilia shouted.

"Damn, the bug got in the way." The armored Lord ticked, standing up straight as he regarded the Slayers. "I suppose even an insect can move quick enough if the scraps are worth it."

"Another one?" Claire spoke in concern, looking to the newest arrival.

"Sidero, you're late." The Nameless King would state, blocking Alonne's latest strike and blasting him with a bolt of lightning, separating them.

"Sorry boss, been dealing with a thorn while gathering the shards." The armored Lord stated, gripping onto his greataxe with both hands as lightning cracked around it. "Think the last hit kept it down though, shouldn't be getting up after what I did to it."

"Curious, something in these woods giving you trouble?" Alonne would speak, his posture calm as he turned to the Lord. "And I assumed your liege would only accept the strongest. All that's in here is wolves and a few human predators."

"Then you're just as in the dark as the rest of the Lords." Sidero answered. The armored Lord would then look back down to Liddy and Artorian, the former managing to push herself back up to her feet. Her arm was bleeding, a wide cut going from her shoulder to her hand. "Still getting up, what a show."

"You Lords really like… looking down on humans." Liddy winced, the blood coming from her injury clotting up already to prevent further blood loss.

"You're small and feeble, it's easy to."

"Sidero, have you gathered everything you were meant to?' The Nameless king questioned.

"Yes my liege, all of the fragments from the Exalted killed by the Lords' lightning." Sidero answered, a pouch on his waist filled with the glowing fragments of Savage cores. The same that Alonne had destroyed.

"I see, I was played." Alonne concluded.

"Made the job easier for me, but the mutt made it a challenge."

"Mutt?"

"You truly don't know about it? Then who left it?"

'They're talking about the Great Wolf.' Artorian realized, grunting in pain as he shifted into a sitting position.

"Irrelevant, our main objective here is complete." The Nameless King would say, pulling out a carved soapstone, a vibrant green glow originating at the center. "Sidero, collect Ato."

"My liege, what of Matthew?' Oristin would ask, turning to his master.

"Leave him, he is a risk to our cause. He is tainted by the belief of false idols and worthless gods. He will share the same fate as all those who would stand against us."

"I understand… my liege."

"You're… a disgrace." Matthew grunted, managing to recover enough strength to get up onto a knee, holding onto his right shoulder as it spiked in pain.

"You're right." Oristin admitted, pulling out a similar soapstone to the Nameless King. "But a disgrace to damnation is a beacon for salvation."

"Alright you whelp, time to leave." Sidero stated, grabbing onto the back of Hayato's armor and lifting him up, sheathing his weapon behind his back to pull out his own soapstone.

"You're not going anywhere!" In a burst of strength, Artorian would rise to his feet, catching the Slayers off guard at the second wind. However before he could get far, Liddy tackled him from behind, dropping down on him and holding him down as he struggled to move. "Damn it, get off me!"

"You're too injured Artorian! You won't be able to get close to him!"

"I don't give a fuck! Get the fuck off me right now!" Artorian bellowed, thrashing in Liddy's hold as he clawed at the ground towards Hayato. "Damn it! Let me go! They're taking him!"

"We'll regroup! They can't run forever and we'll beat them next time!" Liddy argued, struggling but managing to keep the weakened Lord down.

"A falsehood." The Nameless King stated, the soapstone glowing brighter as his body began to turn translucent. "You will not live past the night. The Exalted will dispose of you and take the Akin as fuel to further develop itself. This will be the last time you see of us."

"Bastard! Let! Him! GO!" Artorian's struggles became more desperate, the Nameless King and Oristin disappearing from view while Sidero and Hayato became translucent themselves. "Don't take him! Hayato! HAYATO!"

As the hybrid screamed out to Hayato one last time, the human's eyes would look down to him, the golden glow returning to the crimson red he was born with. As a final flash of magic shrouded the two, Artorian's struggles all but ceased, the Abysswalker watching helplessly as they vanished.

"No… FUCK!" He'd shout, slamming his head into the ground and causing cracks to form. He'd feel a trickle of blood go down his forehead, but ignored it to grind his forehead more into the solid ground.

'Hayato?' Liddy would think, recalling the name from somewhere. Slowly, she'd get off the hybrid, still digging his head into the dirt as he hid his face from everyone else.

"They… just disappeared?" Erica muttered, shock in her face as she witnessed the Lords vanish without a trace. She had known that Lords were shrouded in mystery, but to teleport instantly with the aid of a stone seemed impossible to her.

"We'll encounter them again at some point. For now we need to focus on the injured." Claire stated, checking her collar and seeing a blue flash to inform she was getting a signal. "I'm going to get in contact with the basecamp. Until then we need to gather up the wounded again and keep an eye on the Hunters."

"Artorian?" Emilia would speak up to the boy, both her and Liddy kneeling next to him as he kept himself planted to the ground.

"Go check on the others…" He would speak up, not looking up as he did. "I just… I need a minute."

"We still need to treat your injuries, they're still fresh and your movements going to make them worse." Liddy stated, her and Emilia helping Artorian into a sitting position. "It'd be a problem if you get an infection, so we need to patch you up."

"If I were you, I wouldn't be letting my guard down just yet." Alonne would speak up, sheathing his nagamaki behind him as he looked to the group. "The Nameless King stated the Exalted would expose of you. Which means there's Savage nearby."

"I will deal with any that come close, it'll take more than a few to take us out." Claire informed, keeping a narrowed glare at the Lord. "Who are you really, and what is your purpose here?"

"Everything I said before is true. Lying is a coward's tactic. And I stand by what I said." Alonne said, turning to the lake as he pointed out. "Surely you wouldn't assume he would leave simple Savage to kill you. Or to consume your… Variants? That would be a waste that would only spawn a Trenta at best."

"What are you talking about?"

"They can sense it, ask them."

"They?" Claire muttered, turning to see both Matthew and Artorian's eyes widen as they stared out to the lake.

"Oh… shit." Matthew whispered, seeing a vibrant glow of fluorescent energy building up at the center of the lake. The energy then began to expand, the water starting to boil hot before a pulse of the green power shot out. Next a massive figure flew out of the lake, boiling water getting sent all across the forest as the figure spread out thin membrane wings.

The figure's blackened structure would then slowly begin to glow green, the energy moving throughout the body forming the same markings as a regular Savage. The wings would then glow the same green color, and as its eyes would open up the beast would roar into the sky, its neck extending out as Savage fluid and water escaped from its open mouth.

"Oh give me a fucking break…" Artorian groaned.

"A Dragonfly Savage!"

"Attention all Slayer companies! This is Claire Harvey of Team D, everyone still active respond!" Claire would immediately go to her comms, attempting to get in contact with everyone possible.

"Team H reporting!"

"Team Q reporting in ma'am!"

"This is Team K, we're down two but we're in connection!"

"Team Z is active, awaiting orders!"

"This is Team X, we are with Teams V, J and R. Most are wounded, but we still have active Slayers!"

'Only eight teams reporting in?' Claire would think in concern. She knew that the Hunters had most likely attacked other groups, but to imagine they managed to injure so many so quickly was concerning.

"Ma'am, the Savage signature that's appeared, is it really a Dragonfly!?"

"Yes, but do not panic. All teams, I need a account of all long-range Hundred users in your squads! We need to hit this thing hard and fast!"

"We have one Long Shooter type ma'am. He's already lining his shot and awaiting further instruction!"

"Our Dragoon type is low on energy, but with our rations we can get her back up to full power in a second!"

"Both our range combatants are down, sorry ma'am but we're unable to assist."

"We have a Dragoon and Long Shooter ready, they're charging energy now!"

"We have three ranged Slayers at the ready, we'll shoot that thing down the moment you give the signal."

"Okay, everyone charge your energy, once you're at full power wait for my signal and we'll blow it out of the sky."

"Claire wait." Matthew warned, groaning as he'd push himself to his feet, leaning against a tree to give himself balance. "We don't have enough firepower to destroy its N-Barrier, if you shoot with a handful of ranged attacks it'll just piss it off. You don't have the energy to use your full power either, you can't make up for the lack of numbers."

"We have to do something Matthew. If we don't shoot it down now we're going to-"

"It isn't moving." Artorian noted, confusing the Slayers and getting a nod from Matthew. Taking a second look, all of the Slayers present would see that the Savage was just hovering in place, the markings slowly forming as the energy continued to build up. "Erica… how old is this lake?"

"Fifteen years, it was formed when debris from the Savage's meteor when it broke up in atmosphere… but that couldn't possibly be it. They would've found it by now."

"Unless it crashed with enough force to break through into the magma pool below, the resulting force and release of water sealing it in a bed of obsidian." Artorian said, recalling Claire mentioning the magma bed underneath.

"The material and magma underneath would hide the energy, and the intense heat would force it to hibernate." Matthew added on, looking to the Abysswalker. "So that means it's still waking up. Its defenses are weak…"

"Which means we can kill it before it becomes a problem." Claire concluded. "Then we have a small window of opportunity to destroy it. Then we'll have to move as quick as we can blast it with everything we can."

"Hold up…" Artorian interrupted, reaching for Emilia's shoulder with his hand and pulling himself up. "Energy can break the barrier, but what are you going to do about the core? Do you think anyone will have the energy to break it once the barrier's down?"

"We have other Slayers, we can still do this."

"But how many can get up there? You think it's going to fly down and see what's going on so we can get?" Artorian questioned.

"What are you saying Artorian?"

"Only one person can get up there and has the weapon made to kill things like this." The hybrid would say, looking to his side to see his sword laying on the ground, everyone's gaze following his to the weapon.

"Absolutely not!" Claire interjected. "You are too injured! Even if you somehow managed to draw enough energy to make that jump, one wrong move and you're dead!"

"One wrong move and we're all dead!"

"You can't possibly think you can do that, you have one hand and almost no energy! Even as a Variant you're too limited to do this!"

"This is what I was born to do! Like hell a missing hand will stop me!"

"Artorian, you can't actually think of doing that, can you?' Emilia asked, grabbing his arm to stop him. "You don't have the strength. You're too hurt."

"It doesn't matter if I have the strength now, I'll find it." He said, shaking his arm free and walking towards his sword, grabbing it and standing up. "I can kill it if I get close, but…"

"We still don't know if the barrier will break." Matthew finished. "Claire's our ace, but she doesn't have half her energy. Even if Emile uses his Variant abilities to amplify his Hundred, it might not be enough to break through it even with the extra support."

"Maybe… but I have a few ideas." Artorian would then look to the side, seeing Nesat sit up Krovanh and Nakri in cover, the two Hunters unconscious from Hayato's attack. "Oi, Eyepatch?"

"Yes?" Nesat would respond, turning to the Slayer.

"Your Hundred, it's like an Innocence type right?" He would question, motioning to his eye corresponding to her covered eye. She would nod, getting an affirmative nod from him. "Good, good. Then you can copy Claire's Dragoon type and add your own energy into this."

"You're trusting a Hunter?" Erica questioned.

"Beggars can't be choosers, and I don't assume she'll want her family to get eaten by that thing." He noted, the Hunter nodding as she looked to Claire's Alystherion before copying it, activating the Buster Cannon immediately.

'That's almost enough energy, but there's still that unknown gap.' Artorian would think racking his head as he attempted to think up a plan.

"We don't have much time Artorian, do you have a final plan or not?" Matthew questioned.

'Damn it, if she had just a bit more energy Claire could easily close this gap of power needed. If she didn't take the Nameless King's bait then we'd have this in the bag.' The Abysswalker thought, clenching his teeth as he tried to think of an idea. 'Damn it, why didn't we bring any of those stupid cookies! Then Claire would get enough energy and…'

Artorian's eyes would then widen in realization, his stare turning to Claire as she looked to him. "Fuck… that might work."

"What might work?"

"I'll explain in a second, but I need to borrow your neck for a second Claire." Artorian said, walking next to the girl and impaling his sword into the ground.

"E-Excuse you!?" The blonde would stutter, taking a step back before he tapped on her collar.

"Liu, can you hear me?"

'O-Oh, he meant… that.'

"Artorian! Finally we have a signal, what's your-"

"Later Liu! I need a link to Little garden, get me connected to Dr. Dimandias now!"

"O-Okay! Sorry just… just give me a second!" The girl would stutter, caught off guard by the tone in Artorian's voice.

"Artorian, good you've called. The disturbance blocking my data just went away and I see everything." Charlotte spoke, the sound of her feet clanking against the metal floor audible through the speaker. "Is the Dragonfly still powering up?"

"Yes, but that won't last for much longer. Look, we don't have a lot of time, I called you because I need a question answered."

"Shoot."

"You and Emile said the Variant Virus is used to tame an active strain, by transferring the calmed strain into the active one's host? Does this transfer energy as well?"

"Of course, the process to tame the virus requires energy from a Variant."

"What about people without the Variant Virus? Can a Variant transfer energy to them?"

"Theoretically, there's too few Variants to confirm any kind of testing like that. What's your plan?"

"I don't have much energy left, but I do have the Variant Virus. If I transfer my strain into Claire, would that give her energy that I can't consciously tap in to?"

"Wait what?" Both Claire and Emilia would voice out, caught off guard by the concept.

"Hmmmm… that may work actually. The virus itself carries potent energy, simply transferring it may provide the energy to give her a boost. But it may have a chance of transforming her into a Variant."

"Number?"

"On a hunch? I'd give it a 70% chance."

"Fuck… thanks Charlotte."

"You hear me; you kill this thing. And don't die doing it." Charlotte would order, getting a small chuckle from the Abysswalker.

"You got it." The connection would then cut, Artorian looking to Claire as he did. "I'm guessing you have an idea of what I'm going to ask next?"

"You want to transfer the virus to me? How would that even work?"

"Well, technically we have two that can be done now. The third would require the variable suits to come off so there isn't time for that. Way One, the gross way, is you drink some of my blood and hope the virus can spread between blood and saliva enough."

"Do I dare ask what Way Two is?"

"Oh come on!" Emilia would cry out, confusing the group as she realized what was happening. "That isn't fair!"

"Well Emile knows…" Matthew rolled his eyes, annoyed by the girl's outburst.

"Way Two, the enjoyable way, you and I have some fun and have a quick make out."

"W-What!? You must be joking!" Claire would accuse, taking a step back as her face would blush red.

"I would never… okay so I do a lot. But this is a bit too serious a moment to joke on that." Artorian said, his gaze turning to the Savage in the sky. "In all honesty, I would do any other option I could. But transferring you my virus to give you a boost in energy is the only plan I can think of. And with the chances of you turning into a Variant… well it isn't an option I'm giving lightly."

"B-But are you even sure it will transfer the energy needed?"

"Oh I'm certain you'll get the energy. But as Charlotte guessed, there's a good chance you'll also become a Variant." He responded, seeing her embarrassed expression as she looked away. "Look, I'm giving you the best option I can think of. If he was able to stand on his own, I'd give Matthew the option as well. But as it stands, you're the only ranged fighter that can benefit from the power up. But with the risks along with it, I can't do it unless you want me to."

"I-Is there really no other way?" Emilia would ask.

"You could always kiss her Emile." Artorian would say, smirking to her as he motioned to the blonde. "Transfer your strain, and then I can transfer to you and get you back to full power. Either way, it's a win in my book."

Emilia would then look between Artorian and Claire, the two girls sharing a stare. They would both flinch at the action, feeling caught in a situation that put them in uncomfortable positions. After a few seconds Emilia would close her eyes, relenting as she spoke up.

"Oh fine! Just get it over with!"

"Well, he's given the clear." Artorian would say, turning back to Claire. "What about you?"

"This is our best chance?" The blonde asked, getting a confirming nod from the hybrid, not an ounce of doubt on him. "Then… I trust your judgment."

"Thank you Claire." He'd say, his expression turning somber as he saw her conflicted face. "Hey, I know this isn't quite how you wanted your first kiss to go. I'm sorry if this makes the third "first" I've taken."

"No I… understand. Our duty comes first, no matter what."

"See, that Noblesse Oblige shit still pisses me off. Be a little selfish every once in a while." Artorian would say, gently cupping her chin with his finger and thumb to turn her face to his. "And let me finish woman, fuck you take the job seriously." He'd say, smiling to her. "We won't count this, since it'd be unfair for you to give out your first kiss purely to survive."

"I… thank you."

"But…" He'd say, lowering his face down to hover his lips over hers. "I still fully intend on stealing that first kiss. So don't be eager to give it out before then." The statement and proximity of the hybrid kept the blonde's body stiff, her cheeks turning redder as she braced herself.

Seeing her stillness, Artorian would take the initiative a connect their lips, the girl flinching at the initial contact. Knowing they didn't have time to waist, he would forgo the pleasantries and slip his tongue between her lips. Claire's body would remain tense as she closed her eyes, her face flaring even redder as she felt his tongue explore her mouth.

'This… this is…' She would think in embarrassment, her body growing more tense as he continued. But after a few seconds, she'd feel Artorian's hand move from her chin to her shoulder, the comforting expression getting her to relax slowly. Slowly, she'd feel a strange heat begin to build up, and with it her body would slowly relax. And eventually the blonde would begin to return the kiss, her tongue moving hesitantly to match Artorian's.

'This heat is… it feels like I'm burning up.' Claire thought as they made out, her embarrassment fading away as the heat built up in her. 'But it doesn't feel bad… and the coolness from feels comforting.' Cracking her eyes open, Claire would stare into Artorian's eyes as the Variant's eyes turned golden, signaling his virus was activating as he transferred her his energy.

After thirty seconds, the two would separate from the kiss, the girl panting as she felt her body still heated. She would need a few seconds to cool down, getting control of her breathing before looking back up to the hybrid.

"So, feeling ready?" He'd ask with a confident smirk, the two stepping back from each other.

Claire would tighten and loosen her hands several times, feeling the heat remain present in her body. The heat was accompanied by a surplus of energy, the Slayer's conduits glowing brighter than normal as she felt the power pulse through her. Tightening her hands one last time, her energy would flash before her cannons transformed into her Buster Cannon.

"We'll take it down in one move. Everyone charge your energy and prepare to hit it with everything you have." Claire would order, getting acknowledgements across the communication.

Once Claire had been charged, Emilia would transform her Hundred into her own Buster Cannon, her eyes turning gold as she would take aim at the Savage above. All three ranged Slayers energy would begin to build up, the raw presence shaking the ground subtly as it continued to grow. The energy from the surrounding Slayers would become visible as well, all aiming and charging all the energy they had in order to prepare for the attack on the Dragonfly.

"Looks like I'll have to follow with the light show." Artorian grinned, grabbing his sword and ripping it from the ground. Getting into a crouched position, he would feel the muscles in his legs burn, but he would force himself to remain firm as he stared up heatedly at the Savage, seeing its energy slowly build up. "On your mark Boss-in-Blonde."

"Are you sure about this Artorian?" Liddy would ask, the hybrid not turning at her question.

"I'm the only one that can make that jump. The only one still standing anyways." He answered, referencing Matthew. "My body can handle this, I was born for this kind of punishment."

"That doesn't mean you should have to go through it."

"How about this Liddy, if you feel so bad then you can catch me when I collapse." He'd say, giving a chuckle as he did.

"Are you ready Artorian?" Claire questioned. "We'll only have one shot, if you can't make this then-"

"I'll make it." He stated. "Just get that barrier down and I'll destroy the core."

"Very well." Claire nodded, looking back up to the Savage and focusing her energy. "On my mark. Three… Two….." As she counted down, the Dragonfly would visibly show signs of consciousness, its insect arms twitching as the core began to shine brighter. "One! Everyone open fire!"

Upon her order, every Slayer fired a beam of energy at the Savage. Before the beams could even come close to the beast, they struck at the N-Barrier, pushing against it from different angles to prevent it from focusing to a point. As the attack pushed at it, the Savage visibly woken to its full status, a piercing roar going off as it registered the attack on it.

"It's aware!" Matthew shouted. "It's now or never! Hit it with everything you have, now!"

"On it!" Emilia responded, her and Nesat's eyes glowing bright as they activated their viruses. The increase in energy concentration would double the size of their attacks, matching Claire's as she narrowed her eyes in determination.

As the Slayer dug her feet into the ground, she would feel the heat begin to intensify, her determination shifting to anger as her energy pulsed for a second. She would then grind her teeth together, pushing more and more of her energy into the attack, feeling her power reaching its max as she kept going. She felt the power not being enough, and in a last-ditch effort she forced whatever energy she could scrap from her body into her Hundred, the action causing her eyes to turn the same gold as Emilia and Nesat's.

"Push through!" Upon her declaration, a second beam of blue energy would fire from Claire's Buster Cannon, spiraling around her green energy before colliding against the Savage's N-Barrier. The beast would shriek in anger as it felt the increased intensity, and for the next few seconds cracks would form across the dome, spreading until the point where the barrier faltered and shattered.

As if by sheer luck, the Slayers' coordinated attack managed to last just long enough, their energy depleting just as the Savage's defenses broke apart. The Dragonfly itself was unharmed, however it no longer had the vital protection it required.

"Artorian!"

"On it!" He shouted, the hybrid growling as he closed his eyes.

'Only for a second, only an ounce. No more, don't give it any ground!' Artorian would think, feeling a cold presence go up his spine before opening his eyes, revealing crimson red eyes. 'Be my push!' Planting his feet into the ground, the Abysswalker would create enough force that the entire ground cracked, his legs pushing with all the strength he could muster.

The jump had sent him flying into the air, the Abyss' influence giving him a big enough boost to neglect his drained state and head hurdling towards the Savage. As he approached his eyes would return to normal, the Slayer then snarling as the Dragonfly detected the Abyss and turned to him, its mouth glowing as it charged its energy.

Bellowing in rage, Artorian would reach the housing of the Savage's core, just at the base of its extended neck. Swinging forward, he would strike with all the force he could muster, feeling his muscles burn as he struck the casing. The glass and armor would give way, his sword reaching the core and connecting to it. However as it did the Dragonfly would fly back, the sword only cutting into the core to make it bleed.

The Abysswalker's eyes would widen in panic as it escaped his blade, seeing the beast aim its mouth to him as the energy finished charging. He was completely defenseless in the air, with no way to avoid or defend himself with the little energy he had left. He was a sitting duck, and the Savage was planning to take full advantage of his situation.

But before the Dragonfly could fire its attack, a large bolt of lightning would fly past Artorian's shoulder and strike the Savage in its mouth. The lightning would react immediately with the energy, causing it to supercharge and detonate in the beast's mouth. A chain reaction would follow, several more explosions going off across the Dragonfly's body as the energy became too uncontrollable for it.

"Kill it!" Matthew would shout with his remaining strength, collapsing back down to a knee as the lightning spear took all of his remaining magic.

Hearing his fellow hybrid, Artorian would snarl as he looked up to the Dragonfly. Knowing he had no option; the Slayer would do the only thing his mind would register. Tossing his sword behind him, he'd bend his leg and place it at the end of the handle. And with a enhanced push he would kick himself flying forward, sending the sword impaling in the ground next to Matthew.

Feeling his body grow heated, Artorian would use the adrenaline to take a grasp of the Variant Virus, focusing energy into all four of his limbs. Kicking forward, his feet would dig into the Savage's armor, followed with his hand gripping hard enough to bend the metal to give himself a grip. With his grasp on the Savage secured, he would rear back his dismembered arm back with his energy flowing all into it.

"RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" As he swung the limb forward, a bestial roar would erupt from Artorian's throat, his eyes glowing brighter as he punched the core with everything he had. The limb would manage to punch into the core, the impact causing the Dragonfly to shriek in agony as its fluids shot out of it. Artorian's energy would then fuse with the Savage's, a bright glow of blue and green energy originating at the center before suddenly dying out.

As the glow dissipated, the energy would then react violently, a massive explosion going off at the Savage's core. The explosion caused a shockwave strong enough that everyone below had to protect themselves, each Slayer's Hundred dissipating as they all ran out of energy.

The torrent winds and rampant energy would go off for only a few seconds, going away as the Dragonfly's body fractured into pieces and was pulled down by gravity. Looking up, the Slayers would see Artorian falling among the Savage's chunks, his body unmoving as he fell head first into the lake.

"Artorian!" Emilia would shout in concern, only managing to step forward before collapsing in exhaustion. The president and Hunter would soon collapse to a single knee as well, all of their eyes returning to normal as their exhaustion took over.

Before either Claire or Emilia could speak up, Liddy had run right past the two, her eyes narrowed at the spot in the water Artorian fell in. Focusing her energy into her legs, the Slayer would jump far enough to be close enough to his position, diving head first in. Despite the darkness of the lake's water, Liddy's vision would be able to see perfectly through it, seeing Artorian moving around frantically in the water.

Swimming down, the Slayer would reach down and lock her arms under his armpits, the Abysswalker feeling her from behind him to turn and see her. With a single look from the Slayer, he would register what she would say and began to kick his feet, keeping their bodies parallel as they would attempt to swim up.

They were going slow, unable to rise fast as the two felt their breath begin to leave them. But by a stroke of luck, the two would see Erica's Everlasting pierce through the water, its momentum carrying it down enough so that Liddy could reach for it. A single tug of the chain would give the Slayer her indication, and the two would then feel themselves get pulled quickly up to the surface.

They gasped desperately for air when they reached the surface, the girl still holding onto the claw as Erica slowly pulled them to the lake's shore. When they were close enough, Liddy would drag Artorian out of the tides and drop him on his back, collapsing next to him as they panted heavily.

"Worst… lake day… ever." Artorian would gasp out, coughing out water to his side as he did. He would then feel Liddy drop her fist onto his chest, getting a groan of pain from him as she collapsed completely.

"Just… shut up please." She muttered, the two closing their eyes as they heard everyone run towards them.

"Hey…?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for catching me, AFTER I fell into the lake."

"Smartass." Liddy would grumble, although she smiled as she felt relief wash over her.

"Hehehe-blah!" The hybrid would laugh, turning to his side to cough out blood, looking back up as blood trailed down his chin. "I need a doctor."

"So, that was Artorias Abyssal's son?" Alonne would mutter to himself, cupping his chin as he watched the Slayers from the top of the cliff, having left shortly after the Dragonfly emerged. "How amusing of a specimen. I can certainly see the relation. Although he lacks the control his father had."

He would then turn away, the Abyss shadowing him as he would slowly dissipate into the night. "Only one ability? He has a long way to go if he can claim to be an Abysswalker." His eyes would then glow red, piercing through the Abyss as he dispersed. "I wonder what other talents are hidden in his strain. I look forward to his growth."

"Struggle on Wolf Knight. This is only the beginning."

(A/N): Sorry this one came out so late. I'll admit the last two chapters burned me out on fights and I needed some time to recharge my batteries. After a bit of time finalizing things and resparking my focus, I managed to sit down and get this chapter done. I'll admit, I feel I may have been able to split this chapter into two and give some moments more focused, however I felt this series of battles were beginning to draw out more than needed and wanted to clear it up the best I could.

And with this arc done, I can get ready for the building blocks for the next one. I'll admit, I'm not as excited for the next arc as I was for this one. However I still have some good plans in the groundwork already and look forward to getting it done. Although there might be a bit of a pause in my writing, mainly because there's another story idea or two I wanted to start doing. One has been in my head for months, but only recently have I finally gotten it thought up and have a plan to follow with it.

Finally, although it isn't often said I'm going to be glad to give the group some much needed R&R in the next few chapters. Especially since the past three in a row were all spent fighting near non-stop. Surprisingly I've gotten an enjoyment out of those sequences, which says a lot since my first few stories probably had more fights than regular character interactions starting out. Just kind of a small thing I wanted to say, I feel a lot of you are glad to see the group get a break after the night of hell they went through.

As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you in the next one. Peace!