This town's not big enough for the two of us

When it became apparent that the tiger was not going to back down, Artorias instead shifted to try and hold the feline's focus while Briar maneuvered her way around to the big cat's side. He spun Embershard in his grasp, letting the light catch off the shiny steel blade and distract the tiger further while the two stood off against one another. The tiger bared its teeth, lithe muscles twitching and rolling while it prepared to pounce. Artorias readied himself, nerves steeled and prepared to strike. Then, just before the attack came, Briar charged at the cat's hips and drove her antlers into its flesh, making the tiger give a pained yowl and swing for the young fae instead. Artorias seized his opportunity, closing the few feet of space between them and bringing his sword up with a flourish. The blade sliced cleanly up through the tiger's neck, decapitating the predator in one fell swoop. The tiger's body collapsed to the ground, its tail twitching in its death throes while the body died.

Artorias wiped his sword clean and sheathed it before turning towards Briar. He didn't think the cat had managed to get her, but he had to be sure. "Are you okay? Did it get you?" He gently took Briar's face in his paws, turning her head this way, then that to inspect her face, neck, and chest for any wounds. She was damp from her stumble into the stream, but thankfully otherwise seemed unhurt. Breathing a sigh of relief, Artorias fixed Briar with a smile and held her face while he brought his lips to hers into a soft kiss. "Nice moves, Deer Girl," he said with a chuckle, then released her cheeks and glanced back at the tiger. "Do you wanna keep the pelt, or should we just leave it here?"

"Artorias" | "Corbin"