Marvelous misadventure

Spire by spire, Artorias leaped across the frozen maelstrom. It was a dangerous and reckless move, but one that had to be done to gain their freedom. The ice chilled his paw pads, numbing and stinging at his toes, but he could not stop. They had to escape! After one jump, Artorias saw a small bag hanging from the shard of ice and reached for it. He snagged the bag, but felt his paw slip on the ice; thankfully he managed to regain his footing long enough to spring to the next icicle. With grit and determination he made it across, and when the Aegis glanced back, he was stunned to see his partner leaping after him with such grace! She must have been a nimble navigator as well.

Now closer than ever to the exit, Artorias ran for the sunlight—only for a tremor to shake the ice cave and shatter the ground they were on away from the exit. Now left on a floating stage of ice surrounded by frigid water, Artorias found himself gazing up in awe at the massive blue frost worm that had emerged from the depths to stop their escape. It screeched an unholy sound, and in it, a name echoed in the brute's mind like a battlecry. Edward. Art stared at the giant worm, stunned by its shimmering beauty as ice crystals fell around it. An intimidating beast, as if he could outrun it, as if he could fight it off. But he would have to try his best to keep himself and his nameless partner alive. That meant it was time for Edward culling.

Baring his fangs in a snarl meant to intimidate the shrieking worm back, Artorias took note of the shards of ice sticking out of the arena from where the worm had burst forth. Perhaps if he could use those as cover, he could get in closer to attack. "Try to get its attention!" Art called back to his guide, and then he broke off from her, running to the ice shards to use as cover and sneak his way around to the worm, seeking to get close enough that he might be able to attack it without notice. Gods, he wished he had his sword with him now!

CHOICE MADE: DEXTERITY

"Artorias Carpathius"