We Fight Together

Briar's plan was simple and sound, and he had no better ideas himself. Artorias nodded in agreement to her strategy, matching her grin with a smirk as he got himself into the battle mindset. He returned Briar's quick kiss that made his pulse spike, then slunk back to the edge of the bushes. He waited a minute to give Briar enough time to get into position, then gripped the hilt of his sword and drew his weapon as he stepped out into the open. He gave a little bark from behind the saber cat, watching the massive feline's back bristle in surprise while it turned its giant head his way to fix him with poisonous yellow eyes. The cat bared its bloody fangs with a threatening roar, abandoning its kill to square up with the wolf staring it down. Narrowed amber eyes burned into the cat's slitted optics, growling in response while the blade of his sword gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting off the beautifully intricate metalwork. The saber cat snarled again and took a slow step towards him. Artorias tensed, waiting, waiting, waiting...

He saw Briar's form leap through the air and land perfectly on the cat's back. The sabertooth gave a startled yowl and immediately began trying to buck and throw the young fae from its back, but Briar had her claws in their opponent and nothing was dislodging her. Artorias skirted and danced around the flailing feline, keeping his eyes alert and muscles tensed for the right opening. All the while, he made sure Briar was safely out of the saber cat's reach, her safety still paramount in his mind, but not to the point where he was trying to keep her out of the fight again. After a few moments of struggle, Briar managed to grab the cat's neck and cheeks enough to yank its head back, exposing its vulnerable throat for a moment. That moment was all he needed.

Artorias lunged forward, turning quickly on his heels to bring his sword around in a diagonal slash that cut straight across the saber cat's exposed throat, carefully keeping his aim well and truly clear of Briar. The blade cut neatly through flesh and muscle, a spray of crimson following the silver blade as it arced. Just like that, the fight was over. The saber cat gave a gargled yowl while blood poured like a red waterfall from its severed throat, rent arteries gushing the contents of the feline's veins out across the ground and down its own body with each beat of its heart. The massive beast collapsed to the ground, paws flailing weakly at the bloodstained grass while it bled out. Artorias watched the dying creature, knowing it would be dead in a matter of moments. The saber cat gave one final gurgle of a death rattle, and then with a bloody exhale it expired, yellow eyes staring blankly into oblivion.

Artorias wiped the bloody edge of his sword off on the cat's fur, then slid Embershard back into its sheath. He glanced up at Briar still atop the sabertooth's back and gave her a proud nod and a grin. "Nice teamwork, partner!" he said, feeling even more foolish for treating her like a damsel in distress instead of a battle buddy the last time. "Want any trophies or anything to take home?" He looked over the dead predator. Its pelt, while covered in blood, was in nearly pristine condition and could be cleaned and turned into bedding or a rug easily. Those fangs could also be quite handy.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"