It's been a long time coming

In the aftermath of the raid, Elysium had been so kind as to host the Hallows wolves for the evening. Feasting, celebrating, sharing camaraderie, and respite after the fighting. Artorias had reveled with his wolves in their victory, drinking and being merry. He'd done the diplomacy thing of sharing words with Deimos and presenting the Elysian king with the bottle of wine he'd rightfully won. Then, once all was said and done and the night drew on towards midnight, the wolves began to turn in, weary from battle and the long road north. All except for Artorias, who was eager to spend some time catching up with one of his closest friends.

Coming up to Elysium, the azure and obsidian brute had been worried about what he'd encounter. Quill had told him Chimera had been near death and on his way out, but the monochrome brute that had pounced atop him mid-battle had been far from near his expiration! It had been a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one! Artorias was delighted to see his friend alive and well—well enough to best him in battle even! It had been the first time the Carpathian and Klein had gotten paws on with one another, but it had been a long time coming. Art had wondered how Chi would be in a fight for years, and now he had his answer. The black and white behemoth was a monster on the battlefield.

With the hour drawing late, only a few wolves remained around the crackling fires from the feast, including Artorias and Briar, Chimera and his wife. "I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you alive and well, Chi," said Art with a toothy grin to the dire brute, his bushy tail wagging eagerly behind him. "After what I'd heard... I didn't think I'd ever get to see you again—let alone get pounced on by you and thrown to the ground! Good to see you haven't lost any of your strength or vigor." The brute gave a chuckle and flashed Chimera a playful grin, then dipped his head to Aliana. "Thank you for keeping him alive. Chimera is... well, he's very important to me."

Artorias then glanced to Briar at his side, offering her an apologetic smile. "Sorry you had to watch me get manhandled like that today. Guess I was off my game a bit." Artorias had never lost his battles quite like that before, but he supposed if he was losing to anyone, losing to Chimera was a good option. Besides, it was kinda hard to fight back when a huge burly brute was on your back and grabbing your hips...

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"