Chapter 6: Chapter 6
"He's bandaged," Kay said as he frowned. "At this point, there's nothing else we can do for him."
Arturia bowed her head and fumbled with the hem of her bloody tunic. She had yet to change from it since returning from the forest.
Kay pulled out a stool, placed it in front of Arturia, and sat down. "So," He began tentatively. "What happened?"
Arturia shook her head and bit her bottom lip, she wasn't ready to speak yet. She needed to calm down, organize her thoughts, otherwise...
Kay sighed and flicked Arturia on the head. "I know you Arturia, don't try to hole up everything inside you. It never works. Sir Ector knows it, I know it, and you know it."
Arturia turned her head to the side, bangs casting a shadow over her eyes.
"Fine then." Kay huffed and crossed his arms. "If you think you can handle this situation yourself then-"
"No! I-Its j-just," tears were running down Arturia's cheeks as she was uselessly trying to wipe them away. "I-I couldn't do anything, and-and, Shirou he..." Arturia trailed off, the echos of her sniffling reverberating within the room.
Kay said nothing as he stood up and pulled Arturia into a hug. His warmth spread into her, and it was like a damn was suddenly released. All her tension, all her weariness abruptly spewed from within her. She cried, arms pulling her face into the fabric of Kay's shirt. In turn, Kay continued to pat her back till she reduced her crying to sniffles.
"You carried him all the way here, and he didn't die of blood loss?" Kay said after a moment. His eyes glanced outside to the trail of blood leading to his house. "Very smart," he finished, partly to lift the mood, and partly to vocalize his own disbelief.
Still though, Kay focused on a more prompting aspect of Arturia's tale. Gently, he pulled away from Arturia and grasped her hand to inspect it; running a finger along the palm to make sure it was okay. "I thought you said you were wounded?"
Arturia paused in her sniffling and turned to look at her own hand. She had not inspected it in the chaos of the night. Instead of finding pierced and damaged skin layered with bruises, she found nothing aside from dried blood.
Arturia had no words. Kay however turned a calculative eye on Shirou's prone form. A King must have his allies. Kay nodded his head and made up his mind. This beast should not be left for children to hunt. Hell, look where it has gotten them. Look what its done to Arturia's first friend.
Kay would not allow anymore pain to befall his little King. It was his duty as the older brother. "Arturia," he began as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to need you stay here."
"Why?" Arturia asked as she got control of her tears.
"Just promise me. Whatever happens outside, don't come out." Kay walked away from Arturia and fitted his gear, his armour. His sword fell easily by his side, tucked firmly within its sheath.
"K-Kay, what are you going to do?" Arturia asked, her eyes wide and dialated.
Kay opened the front door and stepped out. "A brother's duty," he replied back. He brought a hand to his chin and clicked his tongue. He would have to make a trip to the Town Hall, inform Sir Ector and rally any able men.
Arturia simply stared at Kay's fading back for as long as she could before the door slowly swung back closed.
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Sir Ector stood at a council of village elders. Some were young, and some were old, only the most experieced were on the council. He was tired and bored out of his mind. Why was a Knight required to attend meetings in regards to economics and town management? He would never know, but perhaps the young men of the council see him as role model of sorts. Although he was simply a minor noble in the town of Bristol, he held prominence with the Serfs and peasants. It was why other nobles held him in low regard. Why associate with the rabble? His response, why associate with the petty?
"Sir Ector, what do you think?" Greyars, the town elder asked.
Surprised by the sudden question, Sir Ector coughed into his hand to buy himself some time. What were they discussing again? Ah, he remembered. It was the broken fences and pastures by the old trade's shop. "I believe it would be in our best interests to scout out the area first. What did the old shopkeeper see exactly?"
A young woman, the only one in the building tentively rose her hand.
"Goodness young lady, just speak yer mind. A daughter of David shouldn't feel so reserved, despite filling in for em," Greyars said.
"Y-Yes," Emily stuttered out. "The Shopkeeper said it was a beasty."
Charles, the announcer of the archers competition smirked "Then he is out of his mind."
"Couldn't agree more Lord Deadsacs," Gerrard responded. "But we can't simply write it off."
"Lord Deadsacs!" Charles narrowed his eyes. "Is that any way to address your superior?" Charles made to pull on Gerrard's tunic, but an audible thump stopped him in his tracks.
"There will be no fighting in this house," Greyars said as he eased the grip on his old walking cane. He looked nothing more than the frail old man he was, greying, reddish hair and rounded nose. Now if only the distinct puncture mark on the floor didn't counteract the image. "And Gerrard, there is a time and place for such conduct."
"My apologies, it was done in goo-" Greyars glared. Gerrard sighed. "-Bad faith and will not be done again," Gerrard concluded.
"Good. I do not believe I raised you to be that kind of man." Greyars turned his attention back to Sir Ector. "Your thoughts?"
Sir Ector cleared his throat and straightened his back. Just as Gerrard had said, speculations shouldn't be so easily dismissed. Perhaps it wasn't a beast, but an abnormally sized wolf, or fox? In the end, no one in the room truly knew. Which was why, "Sending a scout is still our best option at the moment." Beast or no beast, they had to know exactly what they were up against.
The door of the town hall suddenly burst open as Kay briskly walked in. "We've got trouble Sir Ector," he said before realizing he'd forgotten to acknowledge the others in the room. With a few hasty bows for cordiance sake, he turned his attention back to Sir Ector. "There is a beast in the woods."
Sir Ector blinked. How would Kay know there's a beast in the woods? His eyes widened. "What happened?" He asked.
"Arthur and the Ashton kid happened," Kay said with a huff. "We're going to have to thank the Ashton later. Not only did he save Arthur, but he healed his injuries before his own." It was an act worthy of a Knight's chivalry.
"The Ashton kid?" Charles asked. The Ashton's were dead. He clicked his tongue, this may pose a problem.
Kay raised a brow. "You might have seen him. His red hair, and piercing eyes are hard to forget."
Emily gasped. They couldn't mean him could they? Her father had asked her to thank him once again for what he'd done, and she was more than willing to.
"Oh, yer talking about the bowman, Red," Gerrard said. "I knew he was nobility, but I didn't think he was an Ashton."
Sir Ector interrupted as he raised a hand to silence the others. Greyars nodded to Sir Ector's actions. Bickering and speculation would not help the matter at hand.
"Explain," Sir Ector said.
Kay opened his mouth and told what Arturia had conveyed to him.
Greyars frowned. "You're sure it wasn't just a wolf?"
Kay answered back without pause. "I trust my family." He turned to Sir Ector. "I'm going to hunt the beast. We just can't let it roam free."
Sir Ector nodded "Notify the women and children to stay in-doors, and that includes you young lady." He gazed at Emily who couldn't seem to formulate a response. Finally, she frowned and looked away from him. He rubbed at his head before he turned to Greyars. "Any able men would be helpful."
Greyar scratched his beard as his gaze fell on Gerrard. The meaning was not lost.
"Me? A bowman in the dark of the woods?" Gerrard said exasperated. Greyar's gaze did not relent. "Fine. Sign me a death wish will you."
Greyars nodded before he turned his attention to the occupants of the room. "I will gather what men I can. The rest of you may go."
Everyone left without a word, each taking with them their individual feelings. Whether it be determination, trepidation, or reluctance, they had their goal. This wasn't a time for words, but action.
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Curse you stray.
The beast lumbered as it moved towards Bristol. One of its arms was missing, constantly eaten away by flames that refused to extinguish; the effects of its regeneration obsolete. Still though, It smiled. At least the stray was dealt with.
It sniffed the night air. Trouble was brewing.
Bristol was alive with activity, a consequence of its earlier cowardice. But the beast remembered, the boy was injured. Its thoughts drifted back to that horrid blade. It shivered before its goals cemented in its mind. It didn't even matter anymore about reporting a living Ashton to the Blood Packs. The boy had to die. Before he could become something else, something far more troublesome- Another hero sung by the bards.
An Ashton and a descendant of Beowulf?
The beast shook its head. It should have all been a damnable legend. A story made up to frighten the younglings, a mere fabled beast hunter.
But Grendel was real.
Its hairs stood on end. Beowulf must have existed, that horrid blade was proof enough. Hell, the sheer force off its presence was enough to deter it from attacking further. That kind of blood lust- it was unimaginable. It glanced downward, eyes focusing on a dried blood trail.
Soon, soon it would find him.
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Sir Ector travelled in silence as he and the others followed after Kay. He didn't know what to make of the beast, but he wasn't in the best state of mind. He was worried about the children. About the horrors they had faced tonight.
"Get yer head out of the clouds," Gerrard said without tact. Then again, it was more for Sir Ector's benefit. They were hunting a beast, not strolling in the night.
If Sir Ector was offended, he didn't say anything. Kay however had given a pointed glare in his stead, but spoke nothing on the matter.
A small group of armed Knights and voluntary men walked behind them. All of the Knights were armoured with steel plate, but the other men simply wore their garments and leathers for protection. Fear was evident in ther eyes, but that didn't stop them from taking the next step forward. None of them wanted their families in danger. To them, all that mattered in life was their work, and keeping their women and children happy. It was part of their vows of marriage.
"You're sure it would go this way?" A knight asked.
Kay nodded. "We hunt a beast, therefore we follow the blood."
"And the blood leads home," Sir Ector said softly. He glared at Kay. "You left the children alone."
"Not before hiding them away, and taking this." Kay untied the pouch on his belt to reveal blood stained cloth. "Beast's hunt by sent. I have the sent."
The men behind Kay gulped.
Gerrard frowned from the information. "What's to stop it from smellin, little Red?"
Kay smiled wryly. "Herbs."
"Herbs?"
"No time to explain, but they make well for clotting wounds, and smelling like rats ass on a good day." Although admittedly, there were some herbs that had a pleasant smell.
"Fine fine," Gerrard waved off. "Then why are we still goin to yer home. Wouldn't it be better for the beast to come to us?"
"You forget," Sir Ector said before Kay. "That beasts are intelligent, and have eyes. They can differentiate abnormalities between sight and scent just as we do." Why would it veer away from the obvious blood trail without investigation?
The men walked in silence after the response, their torches illuminating the path ahead to Sir Ector's home, and the beast that stood in front of it. The men blinked, faces set aghast.
One of the beast's arms was constantly on fire, reduced to a dull glowing stump. Its eyes were trained on them, teeth bared and body tensed. It had sensed their arrival; nothing could truly mute the sound and vibrations of a group of marching men.
"Ready yourselves!" Sir Ector yelled, relying on experience. "Knights to the front, townsmen to the center, and Gerrard at the back!"
The Beast charged, lifting itself up on two legs.
"Raise your shields!" The Knights complied, grimacing beneath their helms. "Gerrard take aim at the legs!"
"Aie!" Gerrard answered as he proped his bow. He signaled with his eyes to Sir Ector who motioned towards Kay.
"On my mark," Kay said as he eased his way to the forefront of the Knights. Kay's eyes narrowed. "Fire Gerrard!"
Don't rush me. Gerrard traced the path of the beast with his eyes. He had to make his shots count. He drew from his carved quiver, the blessings of the god of huntsmen etched into the wood of his arrows. Ancient hunters called them beannachdan. His ancestors called them runes. "Àirde na gaoithe." Wind. Fierce wind propelled the arrows forward.
The men braced themselves for impact as two arrows pierced the beasts knees. The beast yelped as it tumbled forward, kicking up dirt and gravel as it fell along with its momentum.
"Swords!" Kay took the initiative and braced himself, his shield out front, and his sword pointed forward like a barb. The Knights followed his example, creating a spiked wall of shields.
"Brace yourselves!" Sir Ector yelled as the beast crashed into the wall of barbed steel.
The Kights were blown away like ragdolls, their swords snapping as they failed to pierce the beast's hide. However, their armour protected them. Some were sprawled up on the ground breathing heavily, while most fell unconscious after a blow to their helms. Meanwhile, the voluntary men stood petrified at the scene, unable to decide if they should run, or fight.
"Our swords are useless!" Kay yelled as he forced himself off the ground. He turned towards Gerrard. "Your arrows are the only things that work!"
Disoriented, the beast kicked at the ground. Its legs flailing uselessly as Gerrard's arrows severed the tendons of the joints.
"Well sucks te be us then; I only got two more of ma specialty arrows left," Gerrard paused, eyes glazing over. "Yeah, bloody hell we're fucked."
The beast had stopped flailing and simply tore its legs off. The men stared in horror as the beast simply regenerated its damage. What were they supposed to do now?!
"Do not let fear blind you." Sir Ector's voice resounded throughout the chaos. "Observe it. The beast is wary, no doubt under strain from such regeneration." Sir Ector motioned towards Gerrard. "Save your arrows until you can make them count."
Gerrard nodded, and drew an arrow from his regular quiver. The beast reacted instantly and roared at Gerrard. It knew who had damaged it. It knew who it had to kill first.
"Reform the line!" Sir Ector yelled before the beast disappeared into the ground. This wasn't good, not good at all.
The earth trembled beneath them, fissures forming along the soil. Sir Ector's mind raced as it quickly put together what was about to happen. "Stand on your shields!"
And the world erupted.
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Arturia could hear the commotion outside, could even see the dull flickering of torch flames, but she held still.
"Don't go outside."
Arturia was resting on a chair, her hands clasped in front of her. What should she do? She berated herself. Surely it wasn't what she was doing now. She was being utterly useless, but whenever she thought back to it- she shivered. In the end, she had been helpless throughout the night, unable to even help Shirou.
She drew in on herself, breathing slowly to ease her heart. She wasn't a coward. Shouldn't be a coward.
Only a king can save a ruined country headed for death.
She knew that, she had said so to Kay and Sir Ector after all.
Warily, she stood up on her feet and began to glance around her dimly lit house. It didn't matter if she was scared or felt useless, she needed to do something. A Knight must never allow fear to over take his mind.
Arturia steeled herself. Despite her trembling hands and legs, she walked over to Sir Ector's pile of long wood. He would often use them for fishing, but today Arturia had other ideas. She grabbed one and proceeded to make her way towards the kitchen, all the while her mind continued to fight against her.
You are a child, unfit to fight beasts. You are a liability.
She clenched her fists.
She shook her head to rid herself of such thoughts. It didn't matter, not anymore. She stared down at the piece of long wood in her hand, and quickly decided to notch a knife at the very end with thick leather and a layer of twine. It wasn't a spear, but it could work well to hide the true weapon. Her enchanted sword. Merlin had once said that only magic can defeat magic, therefore, only magic could defeat magical beast. She wasn't an idiot, albeit it took her a while to determine what Kay planned to do.
Promise me Arturia.
She shook her head, that was one promise she had never sworn too; not when she alone may have the only weapon able to kill the beast since Shirou was unable. Walking towards the door, she felt the cold air press against her. She shivered, but she took one long glance at Shirou, and quickly hurried on. She couldn't let the beast hurt anymore of her precious people.
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His head was wringing, an annoying dinging that refused to give him peace. He planted his hands on the ground and forced himself up.
Blood trickled down Sir Ector's face as he worked his way onto his feet. Grimacing, he blinked his eyes and quickly assessed his damage. His right wrist was useless; his sword hand now incapacitated, but he still had his dented shield. He turned and sighed in relief. "I knew I raised my boy tough."
"Laugh it up old man," Kay coughed out. "This is only a flesh wound." His chest-plate was dented, and a large gash travelled down his exposed leg. Still though, he stood tall, his mind progressing towards other matters.
Kay turned his attention on Gerrard's sprawled form. He was face down in the dirt, body motionless. Kay frowned. "Get up you fool," he said. "I blocked that blow with my shield." Gone now, he thought absently. No matter, the best defense was a good offense.
"Ya think it you'd be ignored if ya were playin dead, but obviously not. Slave drivers." Gerrard worked his way onto his feet. "At least my bows not broken - just like every other damn person in the area - but you know specifics and all."
"Oh shut up," Kay replied. His expression turned grim. Gerrard was right. Everyone who had come with them was either dead, or wounded with the exception of the voluntary town folk - much good they would do anyway, sticks and hoes may go far in a farm, but not a beast's pelt.
Kay turned his gaze to Sir Ector. Why was he being so quiet?
Sir Ector was staring at the beast, face paling as his eyes drifted to the little blond sneaking behind it from the door of his house. Nononono, No child no! He motioned towards Kay.
Kay saw and he acted, charging toward the beast with sword raised, and catching Arturia's eyes. Why are you here? The message was conveyed.
Arturia paced forward ever so slowly, makeshift spear held in front of her. Guilt ate away at her as soon she made eye contact with Kay, but she had prepared herself before hand. She needed to fight. For Shirou, for her family, she had to protect them. An image of her friend's bloodied body flashed across her mind, and her eyes began to sting from tears. He was alive; he wouldn't die. She didn't want him to leave her. The uncertainty was killing her inside, but all the more reason to protect him now. He had a chance at recovering, but no chance if he was eaten.
The grip on her spear tightened, but Kay struck first. His sword sent sparks flying as it grated against the beast's pelt.
Amused the beast watched as Kay grew frustrated with his lack of progress. Stupid things these humans were. It raised its lone arm and extended its claws.
Kay gulped as his eyes widened in recognition. He had no shield. His sword utterly useless. He was going to die. He knew it, Sir Ector knew it, and Arturia knew it.
"No!" Arturia yelled as she stabbed out with her spear into the beast's eye. It growled out in irritation as its eye began to bleed. The spear had given her enough reach, but it didn't seem to do enough damage to the beast.
Unperturbed, the beast swung its arm down on Kay, merciless and unrelenting.
No! Stop please! Arturia tossed aside the spear and pulled out her wooden sword, but the motion was to slow.
"Àirde na gaoithe."
The arrow flew in a flash, and the beast smiled. Foolish human. It moved its head - a minor motion - and let the arrow fly uselessly by. It turned its attention back to the fool who dared attack it. The fool was going to die, then the petty bowman. But first, it needed information.
The beast stopped its arm before it could smash against Kay, and instead clasped Kay's helm. It reveled in the looks of panic that flashed across the vermin's faces. Fear me mortals. It pulled, dragging the fool into the air by the head and dangling him in front of the blond child. Oh it definitely remembered this child. Jogging its memory, it put together the few words it knew in mortal language. "Where is the boy?"
Arturia's breath hitched. She didn't want Kay to die, but she didn't want Shirou to either. She was shivering, stuck in indecision.
"Where is the boy," the beast repeated.
Sir Ector clenched his fist. He had to make a decison. "Arturia run!" He yelled. He would save Kay by himself somehow, and he also had Gerrard. He couldn't let any harm come to Arturia.
Arturia didn't move, her face pale, and breaths coming out ragged. What was she supposed to do! Listen to Sir Ector? The beast? Damn it damn it, she just didn't know.
"So be it," the beast said as it clenched its hand.
Arturia could hear the crunching of Kay's helm and the pit in her stomach became a bottomless chasm. "S-Stop!" She yelled, but the beast ignored her.
Suffer for your choices human, the beast idly thought before it furrowed its brow. It could feel tremors traveling through the ground. Strange, the beast lightened its grip on the fool to focus its senses. The tremors were coming from -
Bam!
"L-Lamrei!" Arturia called in relief as her mount barreled into the beast. Kay fell on the ground in a heap, but he was still breathing.
The beat righted itself after the impact. "What the hell," it spoke in beast tongue.
"Stay away from the master," was the immediate reply from Llamrei.
"The tongue of beasts?" Another phantasmal beast? The beast thought. How absurd. Still though, it appeared to be fairly young, easy killings. And yet, it would give it a choice as a fellow beast. "Leave," The beast spoke.
Llamrei did not move.
"Then so be it." The beast tensed its muscles for battle. Unexpectedly, it wasn't with Llamrei.
Arturia charged, frightened, but resolute, and wooden sword in hand. So many different emotions were raging within her mind. Fear, anxiety, anger. So many things had gone wrong tonight and it was this beast's fault.
Familiar glowing interface patterns travelled through the sword and up Arturia's arms. Power filtered through her from her sword, making her faster and stronger.
Kick.
She ducked beneath the beast's retaliatory strike and kicked out with her reinforced leg. The blow caused the beast to grunt and expose its chest, but she wasn't fooled.
Dive left.
She followed what her sword and mind relayed for her, barely dodging the snap of serrated teeth.
The beast's eyes widened.
Strike.
Neck exposed, Atruria's eyes frosted over as she thrusted her sword forward. There was no hesitation from her as the sword pierced into the beast's hide, but the slightest of initial resistance was enough for the beast to divert the blow to its chest.
The beast roared, catching Arturia by surprise as the motion caused her sword to wedge itself into the beast's thick hide. Oh no.
The beast seemed to grasp the situation despite its pain, and swiftly disarmed Arturia, sending the sword flying from its wound. It barked in satisfaction before back-handing Arturia away.
"Arthur!" Sir Ector yelled as he watched Arturia sail across the air. Rolling across the ground, she skidded to a stop after striking her back against a tree. "Gerrard!"
"Don't rush me!" Gerrard yelled back. He had a single shot left; he had to make it count.
Arturia coughed out blood from her mouth. She hurt. Everywhere. She was aware enough however to realize the blue interface patterns that had travelled across her body were fading. And with it, whatever superhuman feats it granted. She thanked the stars that they didn't instantly disappear as soon as she lost contact with her sword. It was probably why she was still bruised, but alive.
The beast lumbered towards her. Move! Move! She urged herself, but her body was still recovering from the blow.
Sir Ector stood in front of her, dented shield raised. She could see from her position that his right wrist was sprained and unusable. He was old and wounded, there was no way he could take on the beast by himself. "S-Sir Ector," she forced out. "Please." Leave me.
Sir Ector didn't even give her a glance. There was no way he would allow this beast to get any closer to Arturia.
The beast smiled at the vermin's struggles. It loved it when its prey came to the understanding that they were powerless. Who did this old man think he was to stand up to it? He worse than a fool. No matter, it was simply more blood spilled.
It marched forward, but a voice suddenly took it by surprise.
"Hey beasty, you remember me?" Kay smirked beneath his bloodied helm as he grasped Arturia's wooden sword, power rushing through him in the form of blue interface patterns. "Pay backs going to be a bitch," he muttered with a ferocious smile.
He could cut the beast now, and if it bleeds...
Kay roared as he charged forward, breaking through the distance towards the beast in mere seconds.
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He could remember it vividly. That day atop a distant hill overlooking the horizon.
The child like innocence of her smile.
Her regrets.
Her motivations.
Her child like happiness.
He remembered how much it hurt just to keep his mouth from uttering the simplest of words. Please, don't go.
For surely, they would have been enough to utterly crush her convictions. To ruin her. To forsake her. And he could never do that to her.
He loved her. More than words could ever convey in their simplicity.
It did not matter if he would sacrifice his happiness for the sake of the woman he loved. No matter the pain, no matter the suffering of his own being, so long as she was happy.
A recollection.
A moments precious beauty.
"Shirou," teal eyes softened as they stared into bronze. "I love you."
A distant memory forever portrayed in time. A single wish left unspoken even as the coming of the new dawn took her away.
Hardship after hardship.
Step after step.
Road after road.
His heart wrenched, dying and withering away under the brunt of his ideals. Yet he would not fall, and would never surrender despite his difficulties. He made a promise, an oath. He was a sword seeking his cherished wielder.
He would search, and search, and search, searching endlessly, never resting.
Year.
After year.
After year.
Yet still he persisted.
And when all hope was gone, she appeared, his single speck of light.
"State thy name."
It was a chance meeting, something that should have been impossible in his life time. Yet there she was, her presence healing his fractured heart. How many years had it been? How long had he suffered? He couldn't stop himself from staring as if she would disappear in the next second. He struggled to voice his feelings, and it had showed in his posture.
I love you.
Yet he couldn't say it; not now with the way she was.
She was different from before, smaller and lacking in feminine features; even acting as a man as expected of her.
She was less dignified.
Less sophisticated.
Less articulate.
But all the same, it was her. From her tresses of blond hair, to the way she walked, and to the way she spoke and dressed. It was her.
And this time, he wouldn't lose her.
Never again.
He reached out a hand, and bronze eyes flickered open.
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Kay breathed in deeply as the movement stung his wounds, but he was on an adrenaline high and didn't care much for it. He could feel strength flowing through his body from his connection to Arturia's sword. What a marvel it was.
His sword made contact with the beast just as Llamrei tackled it to the side, sending them all flying away from Sir Ector and Arturia. Good.
"Welcome to hell!" Kay roared from atop the beast, stabbing down with his sword.
The beast growled as it felt the sword penetrate its back, glaring at Llamrei who was pinning it down under its weight. "Get off of me traitor!" The beast yelled.
Llamrei didn't respond.
Damn it damn it, if only I had my other arm. The beast cursed the strays name. After a decade and still it causes so many problems. The beast pulled back its only arm to strike at Llamrei, but its arm was stabbed and pinned to the earth by Kay. The god damn vermin!
"Gerrard now!" Kay yelled.
"Àirde na gaoithe!" Gerrard released his arow and bore into the beast's skull and vertically through his body.
The beast went limp as it was separated into two halves.
"Bloody hell - We did it!" Gerrard yelled, mouth open in shock.
There was nothing left of the beast's skull, and its body was severed.
Sir Ector sighed in relief, the night was over. He turned his attention towards Arturia. She buckled under his gaze. Words were not needed to transmit the amount of anger he was feeling at his youngest charge. The amount of danger she had put herself in, the way she refused to listen to his instruction. Make no mistake, he saw the way she glanced away from him when she was approaching behind the beast. She ignored his warning.
He helped Arturia up onto her feet despite the anger swelling inside him. There was a time and place for such actions. Tonight, tonight everyone needed rest. The beast was taken care of, and all that was left was to inform Greyars of the matter and Gerrard should have no trouble reporting.
Kay swallowed and let his tension fade. He was beyond tired, he wsa exhausted. He turned towards Llamrei, a mutual consensus transferred between the two. There was no need for thanks, neither of the two liked each other anyway.
Kay and Llamrei relaxed as they both allowed themselves to fall across the ground. It was a mistake.
The beast's flesh writhed and crumpled together in a heap as the beast reformed. All to quickly, Kay realized he had left Arturia's sword stabbed into the beast's flesh, and he made to grab for it. However, it was to late. It was only thanks to Llamrei who shoved him out of the way of a reforming bone that he didn't get skewered. Llamrei was a different story. The reformed bone, though not hard enough to pierce Llamrei's skin had enough force behind it to send Llamrei flying unconscious.
The beast formed once again, breathing heavily and eyes unfocused. Arturia's wooden sword was still stuck in its side, jutting out from the beast's back. Though Kay had lost possession of the sword, it inhibited the beast's movements.
Still though, Gerrard was out of arrows, and they had just lost the only other means of damaging the beast. They were utterly out of options.
Stupid Kay, stupid, Kay berated himself. He shouldn't have let go of the sword. If he hadn't, maybe Llamrei wouldn't have been knocked out. The interface pattern running across his body began to fade, but not before he used it to position himself in front of Sir Ector and Arturia.
Gerrard hid within the cover of the trees just as the beast's eyes reformed.
The beast's brow twitched in irritation as it felt the massive dip in its magical reserves. It was done playing. No more would it suffer. No more would it be made a fool. Everything was going to die.
The beast lunged clumsily forward, but still managed to knock both Kay and Sir Ector to the side with its arm. Arturia's eyes widened as the beast's maw descended on her.
"No!" Kay yelled. It was his fault. It was all his fault!
Arturia was frozen, she couldn't move -
"Ah damn it - I hate playin the hero!" Gerrard yelled as he came out of hiding and grabbed Arturia by the waist before the beast could maul her to death. "Stop struggling ya brat, you're heavy."
Arturia cared little for the comment, where before she might have been indignant about it. However, both her luck and Gerrard's were running out.
Gerrard couldn't maintain his speed while carrying Arturia and the beast was gaining on them quickly. Damn it old man, this is why I said I didn't want to go. Gerrard wheezed before he felt the sharpness of the wind behind him and promptly turned around to see the beast's claw about to strike. Mother of -
The beast faltered.
Wretched filth.
A shiver travelled down the beast's spine, the granule of the voice sparking its primal fear. Its gaze snapped over to the right, and at the entrance of the house. There, a bare-chested warrior stood grinning viciously - rough brownish hair, and tribal tattoos travelling down the length of his scarred arms. Most of all was the presence of that cursed sword.
KILL KILLL KILL KILLL!
The sword conveyed in its blood lust. The beast took one step back, then two.
Noticing the beast's odd behaviour, everyone looked in the direction of its gaze.
"Shirou!" Arturia was the first to call as she struggled against Gerrard's grip. She turned towards him and glared. "Let go!" She yelled. Shirou was standing before her, bandaged, and wearing his red coat, but still bleeding from his wounds. He shouldn't be fighting in his condition regardless of him being armed.
The beast shook its head and the image of the warrior faded into the boy. Descendant of Beowulf, its mind spoke. Too dangerous to be kept alive. It quelled its primal fear under the strength of its will. The boy must die.
Shirou staggered as he surveyed the carnage outside. bodies littered the yard, dead? Unconscious? He didn't know until he could get a better look. Still though, his eyes focused on the form of the approaching beast. Good, he thought idly; it was leaving Arturia and Gerrard alone.
Still though, where was Efret? The question was left unanswered.
He brought a hand to his face in an effort to stop the dull pain in his head. It wasn't working.
Use me! Use me!
He could hear a voice, urging him to lash out with his sword. He complied, allowing the sword to draw his body taught into a ready form, sword held forward.
Hrunting, the Beast Hound of the Red Plains, the red sword of seeking annihilation. It didn't even require any prana for him to trace; it simply popped into his mind and insisted to be used.
He waited for the beast to approach.
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The beast was hesitating, its slow movement reflecting its inner turmoil, but still it pushed on.
Do you fear me beast?
The image of the warrior faded in and out of the beast's vision. It had to get a hold of itself. It wasn't facing a hardened warrior, but a mere child. All it had to do was step in, and strike quick before the boy could even lift so much as a finger. Its back twitched in pain and the idea was quickly discarded.
The sword stuck in the beast's back was causing it problems, but it was difficult to remove without the use of a second hand. It just couldn't reach for the sword with the arm it had left. It reassessed its plan. Step in, obscure visibility, and then maul the boy to death.
Do you really think that would work?
"Shut up!" The beast growled at the apparition before it attacked.
The warrior tensed as the beast lunged at him, Hrunting thrumming in his hands.
As the beast clawed tufts of dirt into the air with its arm, the warrior moved despite the low visibility. Dust matted his body and irritated his eyes, but he made sure to react upon seeing the figure of the beast.
Hrunting flew up in a red arc that severed the beast's remaining arm.
The beast screamed, clenching its teeth to bare the pain.
Does it hurt? The warrior goaded before his expression hardened. How many men and women have you killed? Children left to die unattended?
The beast's arm was not regenerating, a thick mist stemming from the site of severance. Why wasn't it healing?! It ignored the warrior's questioning and struggled to come back to reality. This wasn't a warrior, it was a boy -Just a boy!
Its eyes flickered to the warrior's, and nothing seemed to matter anymore. It would have to return to the blood packs and beg for mercy. Perhaps then, the Lord would - no. The Lord would never help kill the blood of Ashton's as written in the pact of old. Where the hell was the youngling it had coerced into accompanying him to the damn village! The youngling was only instructed to hunt fair game - so where the hell was he? It could have used the help.
It doesn't matter, it needed to buy time. To find a window of opportunity to escape.
The beast slowly backed away from the warrior, posture bent to spring into action.
You're frightened, the warrior spoke slowly, scowling in irritation.
The beast said nothing, still waiting. However the warrior had had enough.
There will be no mercy. The warrior raised his sword.
"No!" The beast lashed out in a panic that proved ineffective without hitting its target. However, the warrior flinched when an unexpected mound of sharp rock punctured his elbow.
The beast didn't notice the injury in its fear and decided to flee. It had its opportunity.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shirou winced from the injury on his elbow, but it was more than enough time for the beast to run away.
He glanced at Hrunting, feeling the odd hum present within the sword. It was rare for him to be unable to distinguish any irregularities in his projections - even more so a Noble Phantasm - but it had just never happened before. Did it have something to do with his subsiding headache? Or was it simply the difference in era? Regardless, Hrunting was acting strangely.
He furrowed his brows in sudden thought. The beast had been acting abnormally, its eyes glazed and unfocused, was it the fault of the sword? Either way, he would have to answer his questions later. For now he had to focus on putting down the beast before it could kill another innocent life.
He traced his bow, eyes gauging the distance the beast had travelled. It would be close, but he could probably make the shot before the beast could reach the tree line.
However, his injuries were preventing him from taking action. The wound on his stomach aside, the one sustained on his elbow was more problematic. He couldn't draw his bow let alone steady it to fire.
He signaled with his eyes. He needed help, anyone would do. Quickly, traced the outline of his black bow in hand and altered it to allow more room to secure the bow.
Kay came running despite his injuries. "What do you need me to do?" He asked promptly.
"Help me prop my bow."
Kay nodded, but was unsure with how to proceed. Sure he could hold the bow steady, but what was Shirou going to fire? Let alone if he could even draw the bow string. Still though, Kay held the bow steady with both of his arms and waited for Shirou to proceed.
Shirou clicked his tongue as his arm wouldn't cooperate with him; Not with his joint torn at the elbow. Running out of options, it was Arturia who solved his problems.
Her eyes said it all as she and Gerrard approached.
There was a growing red bruise on Gerrard's face, but Shirou pretended he didn't see that Arturia had slapped him to get herself free. He knew first hand how stubborn Arturia could be, and how commendable Gerrard was to hold onto her for so long. Granted, he would have to buy the man a drink for his efforts, perhaps a meal even.
Arturia didn't waste any time as she ran up to Shirou. She had spent enough time with him to discern his intentions, and right now she knew the source of his struggles.
"I'll help," she said as she knelt beside Shirou to help him draw the bow string. She didn't have much experience firing a bow, but with Shirou there to guide her, she wouldn't fail.
"Thanks," Shirou said before he turned his attention on Hrunting. He closed his eyes, and altered the blade filling it with prana beyond its limits. "I am the bone of my sword."
Kay and Arturia said nothing, but their expressions conveyed their disbelief as the sword that so easily dealt with the beast morphed into a spiral that crackled with latent energy. With what they've seen tonight, neither of them could really find it in themselves to react any more than they have. Gerrard simply whistled as he rubbed at his face, wincing slightly from the feeling, but regardless chose to support Sir Ector who was having difficulty standing.
Setting the arrow, Shirou and Arturia pulled the bow string as Kay kept the bow firm. Arturia's hands were shaking from the strain, but a glance at Shirou renewed her resolve. Steady, steady,
"Hrunting!" Shirou yelled.
The beast didn't even see it coming. Not when it pierced its back and sent Arturia's sword flying, and certainly not when its body tore apart in blazing smolders that were quickly reduced to ashes.
Rest in pieces, kin of Grendel.
Startled by a sudden voice, Shirou noticed the image of a man standing before him. Bare-chested and scarred face grinning at him in approval. "A fine hunt young one," The warrior said as his body began to fade along with the remains of Hrunting. He looked thoughtful for a moment before next he spoke. "The bird did commendably well to injure such a beast."
Shirou blinked as the warrior disappeared. What did he mean? Efret was fine, he had to be. Doubt entered his mind, but he trusted Efret.
"Finally!" Gerrard yelled as he approached Shirou with Sir Ector hanging over his shoulder. "Red, you do not how long I've tried killin that thing, it took me all my specialty arrows."
Kay frowned at Gerrard. "Careful with him," he motioned towards Sir Ector. "He's getting old."
"Not old enough," Sir Ector said with a grunt as he eased himself away from Gerrard and towards the children. "We will have words tomorrow," he said to Arturia who was remaining oddly silent.
Behind the group, the voluntary men stood awkwardly. They had contributed little to the battle, and simply hid behind the shields of the knights. "Ugh, what would you like us to do sir?" They asked Sir Ector.
Sir Ector didn't waste a moment. "Gather the wounded and the dead, they do not deserve to remain here on the field of battle. Home is where the heart lies, and their families must be worried just as much as all of yours."
The voluntary men nodded. They were mostly peasants with wives and children waiting for them. Sharing a grateful look with Sir Ector, the men soon cleared the area along with the deceased and wounded. No doubt, all had seen something beyond their wildest imaginations tonight. Magic, it was real. And the boy who could utilize it, and the other child and man who shot magic arrows - Oh god they really did have a lot to talk about. About the Beast Hunter, The Blond Sword Child, and the exploits of Sir Kay.
"Gerrard," Sir Ector called. Gerrard focused his gaze on Sir Ector. "Go with them, no doubt Greyars wants a report to turn into Barron Wolfred."
Gerrard nodded his acceptance. He was done with the night, and he wished to go home and stock up on his arrows.
Shirou, Arturia, Sir Ector, and Kay were left alone at the front of the house.
"Come children, lets turn in for the night," Sir Ector said.
"I'm a child no longer," Kay argued, but didn't deny he wanted to turn in for the night. Where the hell did that bloody horse go, he thought absently as he looked around. Well whatever.
Shirou agreed with Sir Ector. He really did need to go home and check up on Efret, but when he turned to leave, a a hand on his sleeve prevented him from doing so.
Arturia refused to meet his gaze, eyes leveled on the ground. The message however, was clear: don't go.
Shirou's gaze softened. Saber had acted similarly before when she was worried about him, but that was only when he was acting stupid. Then again, he might have had done something stupid tonight. He changed his plans to stay with Arturia till she was ready to let him go. He remembered the lengths Saber was willing to go to protect him, and decided he should do the same.
The four of them walked quietly to the house, but Sir Ector continued to glance at his youngest charge. He knew that face. He knew it very well. Should he warn the boy? No, he'd rather watch. Besides, he had already warned Arturia not to bottle up her emotions. There was always a breaking point.
The door clicked closed.
"You idiot!" Arturia slapped Shirou in the face, and buried her own face into his chest. "I-I thought that you were...I thought that-"
Shirou's face stung, but he ignored it since he could feel his shirt dampening. "Y-Your an idiot!" He wrapped his arms around Arturia, trying to soothe her while looking to Sir Ector, or Kay for help. Conveniently, they were occupied with their wounds.
"Idiot idiot idiot," Arturia continued to mutter.
Shirou sighed. Tentatively, he cupped the back of Arturia's head and gently ran a hand through her hair. Lilacs and daises, the scent wafted into his nose. He cleared his thoughts, he could feel Arturia sobbing. He was guilty, but he had no regrets. No matter the cost to himself, Arturia would always be priority. "I'm sorry Arthu-"
"Arturia."
Shirou glanced at Sir Ector and Kay. Arturia's statement had grabbed their attention. Sir Ector said nothing, but he could see the surprise on Kay's face.
"Arthu-"
Arturia pulled her face away from Shirou and glared at him. Her cheeks were puffy and red, tears still evident from the moisture of her eyes. "It's Arturia! I'm not a boy so stop with that name!"
Shirou quailed under the pressure of her gaze; he couldn't say anything. What could he possibly do in this sort of situation? He slowly raised a hand, and brushed away the dried blood creasing Arturia's forehead. She twitched, but didn't shy away from his touch. She had fought for him just as much he had fought for her. His eyes softened before pulling Arturia close and whispering into her ear, "I know."
He could feel her body tense from his words, but it was expected. What he didn't expect was the way she wrapped her arms around him and once again pressed her face against his chest. "A thousand lunches." Her voice came out muffled. "Enough to feed a kingdom."
Shirou smiled wryly as he hugged her back, resting a hand on the back of her head. "On my honour."
Arturia peered up at Shirou with her eyes. "Promise?"
"Promise."
In the ensuing silence that followed next, Sir Ector quietly slipped out of the room followed by a reluctant Kay.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Quit thinking about it," Sir Ector said evenly to Kay.
"But was it the correct thing to do?" Kay asked.
"It shouldn't matter. Friends and allies shouldn't be keeping secrets, and that includes you as well." Sir Ector stared at Kay, waiting for his response.
"I understand," Kay replied a moment later, but was confused when Sir Ector's gaze didn't relent.
"Well?" Sir Ector asked. "Do you not have something to tell me?"
"No sir, I don't," Kay replied confused. What could he possibly have to inform Sir Ector off? Unless he found out about Ellisa! He began to sweat under Sir Ector's gaze. It wasn't even his fault, she came onto him. But he didn't refuse either - Oh god, Sir Ector knew, he knew.
Sir Ector sighed before pulling Kay in close by the scruff of his grey tunic. "Kay," Sir Ector began slowly. "Did I not properly teach you the Knight's Code of Honour?"
"O-Of course you did," Kay stuttered, eyes glancing away from Sir Ector's. "W-What are you getting on about."
"It's cowardly to poison your blade." Sir Ector pointed out.
Kay stilled. What the hell? His blade was probably lost outside somewhere when he had discarded it to use Arturia's.
"Of course," Kay readily agreed. "No respectable knight would do such a thing."
"Then why coat your blade in..." Sir Ector gestured with his hands to Kay's blade which somehow ended up propped by the barn stalls.
Kay followed Sir Ector's gaze, and blanked.
Sir Kay, Knight of the Foul End.
"I'm going to kill that horse!"
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