Like a bull, Ordwight attacked without thinking. He swung his fist when there was a perfectly good halberd in hand against me.
"|Empower|!" [Ordwight]
His fist shone red, allowing me to feel great force when I caught it with one hand.
"Wow. I'm very impressed." [Solace]
Or so I said in a sarcastic tone. I looked at his face to gauge his emotions, in which I could see… glee?
"You don't seem surprised." [Solace]
"It wouldn't be fun otherwise." [Ordwight]
Without another word, he swung the halberd. As much as I would have liked to counter it, the children were still close to me. Thus, I prioritized their safety and pulled them away with me.
"You're running?! Come back here!" [Ordwight]
As he began to give chase, I released the children before charging in.
"You don't have to worry, I won't be running." [Solace]
Ordwight swung the halberd again, this time infusing it with a greenish hue.
"|Swift Blade|!" [Ordwight]
Cutting through the air, it moved almost three times as fast. However, I was still able to catch it.
"Using speed as a weapon rather than strength? That's something unbefitting of your build." [Solace]
Whilst holding onto the halberd, I slammed my palm into his chest in order to push him away. This ended in him sliding back a bit and causing the halberd to tear in two with a loud sound resembling a high pitched screech.
"..." [Solace]
I stared at the halberd head left in my hand, then glanced at the halberd handle in Ordwight's possession.
("...Sorry, Misa. I'll need to get her a new one.") [Solace]
Seeing that his weapon was now a piece of scrap metal, Ordwight tossed it aside.
"So you also specialize in strength." [Ordwight]
"You could say that." [Solace]
Ordwight motioned for his men.
"Bring it to me." [Ordwight]
Like before, one of them approached and handed him something.
"...Gauntlets?" [Solace]
The piece of equipment looked like it was a mix between leather and white fur. Rather than for combat, it looked to be something to keep someone warm.
"Gloves made from frenzied Fulganthropes." [Ordwight]
Slamming his fists together, lightning crackled around it.
"I see." [Solace]
I then put on my Vermillion Eclipse in turn.
"It was said that you use a spear. Are you looking down on me?" [Ordwight]
"To tell you the truth, I'm more proficient with my fists. Besides, I should be asking you about using a weapon. Are you sure you won't need it?" [Solace]
"My body is the greatest weapon." [Ordwight]
I scoffed.
"Sure it is." [Solace]
Ordwight didn't take too kindly to that.
"|Seven Paths To Life: The First Step|!" [Ordwight]
He charged at me, the first strike accompanied by fierce lightning.
"|Enchant Flame|." [Solace]
Flames wrapped around my arms, clashing with Ordwight's lightning as I blocked.
"Only a fool would block this!" [Ordwight]
I felt the electric current run through my arm, but it only tingled.
"You overestimate yourself." [Solace]
I returned a strike, forcing the towering man to block it.
"Urgh!" [Ordwight]
I could see his arm trembling from the blow, yet he smiled at the pain.
"|Second Step To Life|!" [Ordwight]
His strength and speed increased as he tried to re-engage.
"I'm not very interested in seeing the other steps." [Solace]
Evading his next strike, I grabbed Ordwight by the neck before slamming him into the ground.
"Ack!" [Ordwight]
Utilizing the shock of him getting thrown, I placed my knee on his chest in advance of pummeling him.
"How did you- Agh!" [Ordwight]
He was either confused as to how I was able to throw him down, or how I was able to pin him down. Pinning him down was easy. I just summoned a small |Earthen Shield| that I could use as leverage around my foot so I could press down with my knee. As for how I threw him down, I'm simply that strong.
"|Bright Burst|!" [Ordwight]
In an attempt to make an opening, Ordwight released an explosive charge of lightning in my face. Sadly for him, I didn't bat an eye. I just continued to beat him into the dirt. Whenever he tried to block with his arms, I'd swat it away. If he tried to use some kind of skill, I'd hit his biceps to make them convulse. It wasn't until he couldn't raise his arms that I relented.
"So? Had enough yet?" [Solace]
Ordwight was silent for the moment. Well, that silence was immediately broken as he began to chuckle.
"...What's so funny?" [Solace]
"I just realized… I won't die from this." [Ordwight]
His chuckles erupted into hysterical laughter, causing me to feel confusion.
"You're the merciful sinner! You won't kill me! You CAN'T!" [Ordwight]
"Ah…" [Solace]
It was then that it dawned on me. My feelings of not wanting to step over the line and sparing foes had actually enabled more people like him to come for me.
("If so… I have to come to a final decision.") [Solace]
It was time to draw the line.
"...You know what, Ordwight? You're right." [Solace]
Ordwight's laughter halted.
"Huh?" [Ordwight]
"...You're absolutely right. I won't kill you." [Solace]
I stood up, fully releasing him. Except that he was too injured to really move.
"|Vortex Arts|." [Solace]
Brandishing the sharp fingers of my gauntlets, I tore into his torso.
"A-argh! What are you doing?!" [Ordwight]
Ignoring his words, I continued to carve away.
"Y-You! You're going to kill me! Stop!" [Ordwight]
Blood splattered everywhere as I moved onto his limbs, completely severing any tendons I could find.
"P-Please! I'm sorry! Please spare me!" [Ordwight]
"Don't worry, I said I "won't" kill you." [Solace]
Horror, fear, and tears of agony made itself known on his face. I think he understood where I was going with this.
"S-somebody! Help! D-do something!" [Ordwight]
He cried out to the men he brought with him, but they were petrified at the sight. None dared come forward. They waited until I had finished, leaving Ordwight on the brink of death and my yard colored crimson.
("...I feel disgusted.") [Solace]
Besides the smell and the feeling of blood covering nearly every inch of my body, I was disgusted that I had to go this far.
("In the end… I had to push my line far back.") [Solace]
I looked at the men Ordwight brought, causing them to flinch.
"You may take him. I'm done here." [Solace]