Crim and Will stand at the edge of the town's outskirts. A small crowd stands behind them, some holding guns ready to fire at a moment's notice with all being on edge. Second by second the people become more tense as the promised three days comes to an end. Just as the atmosphere reaches it's peak a lone knight appears beyond the horizon. With heavy steps he grows closer, greatsword in hand ready to draw blood.
Step.
The people begin to take aim, waiting for him to get within firing range.
Step.
Sweat drops from Crim's brow as the illusion of death becomes more and more real.
Step.
He's within firing range!
Instantly Crim and Will throw themselves onto the ground as a barrage of bullets flies out from behind them. Sparks fly as they clash with Harold's armor, blood blossoms blooming violently as burst of flesh explode from the pierced parts of Harold's exposed body. Yet, no matter the damage, he heals near instantly, the fragments of his splattered head piecing back together again and again as a hailstorm of lead hits him.
Silence.
The crowd runs out of bullets right as Harold is only five steps away from Crim. As he raises his goliath of a blade a great shadow is overcast over the crowd. Suddenly, right as Harold moves to cleave Crim straight in half a familiar playful voice appears, a door of light appearing and vanishing as soon as he speaks. With eyes burning a bright silver Harry glares at Harold, a calm rage filling his voice as he walks to Harold slowly.
"I told you, don't touch the kid."
Right as the last word leaves his lips a giant pike explodes out from below Harold, piercing through his armor and spearing him from crotch to wide open mouth. Even when held up by a pike through his body his eyes remain calm. Without hesitation he takes his greatsword and cuts himself in half, pulling out the remains of the pike from his bubbling and bloody body. As soon as he can speak he does, a deep chill filling his somber voice.
"I'm truly sorry for what I'm about to do ,but, I promise, when everything is over you will be okay."
At his final word fog violently burst from his feet, instantly consuming Harry, Crim, Will, and Harold. In an instant they go from the ruins of a city to verdant plain. Iris flowers bloom and wilt among the sea of grass as the blue moon shines a gentle light from the purple and black watercolor sky.
Finding the area familiar Harry raises a brow, speaking immediately after. "Really? Of all the places you decide here." Harold nods, taking a seat and putting his greatsword aside. "What better place to end it than where it all began." Seeing Harold so relaxed Crim and Will don't know how to react, Crim choosing to take out a sword to use with his good arm just in case while Will takes a seat.
For a few brief moments silence overtakes, at least until Harold decides to break it.
"I know you hate me."
Harry raises a brow yet again, staring at Harold while wondering how best to go for the kill, choosing to let him continue his one-sided conversation. Harold, ignoring this puts on a nostalgic smile.
"I was born a whore's son, destined to live the life of a merchant. Even in knighthood I bear that stain. I was rather delusional, thinking becoming a knight would somehow bring me to better people. A fool's ambition, still, I regret naught for its thanks to this ambition I met you."
He pauses, looking to the moon with a wide grin.
"You are genuine, you don't care and speak your mind. No mask and no lies. None above or below."
Bored, Harry takes the time to say a few words.
"Thanks, it's the autism. Does wonders for my personality."
"And what a wonderful one it is."
For a second the two smile together, the illusion of brotherhood appearing for a split second. Unfortunately, despite Harold being the first person Harry met in this new world, the first time someone remembered and didn't outright forget about his existence a few moments later, before he figured out how to exist in this world. His first friend…unfortunately.
Harold has to die.
Harry has to die.
Standing up the duo prepare to fight. Harold grabs the handle of his greatsword and walks forward, Harry matching his steps, thick metal gauntlets start to form as light pours from his eyes to his hands. Inch by inch they grow closer, the bloodlust in their eyes growing more and more intense with every step.
BANG!
Harold immediately opens with a downward slash, aiming to cut Harry clean in half from head to crotch. Unfortunately for him, Harry dodges, twisting his hips and sending the momentum crashing into the flat side of the blade as he slams his fist onto it. For a second Harold loses control of the blade as it gets sent towards the left, instead of panicking though the takes advantage of the change in momentum to instead slam the flat slide of the now tilted blade onto Harry. With one hand he guides the greatsword and with the other he grabs the fist Harry already sent flying towards his face. For a few seconds they clash, blade to fist and armor to gauntlet, a violent cacophony of metal clashing. Even despite the intensity, the duo manage to squeeze out a few words.
Dashing to Harold's side Harry aims a left hook towards his spleen. "So, is it honorable for a knight to kill the victims of their own mistake?" Stone faced, Harold releases one hand from the blades handle, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him in while he slams the sharp end of his blade down, aiming to cut off Harry's arm. Harry, in response, moves behind Harold and grabs his head, poking his fingers into his eye sockets and slamming down, causing his blade to miss and instead cut a deep pit into the ground.
Ignoring the hand deep in his skull, Harold simply slams his body forward and sends a backwards kick to Harry, growing back his freshly ripped off head in two seconds. Right as his mouth grows back he speaks. "No but there is honor in trying to correct said mistake." Sent back by Harold's kick Harry can only watch as Harold grabs his blade and swings, launching himself forward as he sends a wind cutting vertical slash towards his waist.
And while all this is happening Crim and Will can only watch, unable to intervene in the savage fight happening in front of them. While Will watches on coldly, Crim cheers for Harry. "Ya got this! Kill that dumb sack a russets good!" Harry, hearing this smiles, taking in the moment. Harold doesn't let him though, appearing near instantly in front of him. Now sweating Harold just barely dodges by a hair's width by ducking below, immediately punching both of Harold's knees, instantly dislocating them.
Even as he falls he continues twisting his hips, letting the momentum of the blade's swing guide him into a downwards vertical slash. Again, Harry only barely manages to dodge, this time by ducking down and sliding to the opposite side. As the battle becomes more intense words fade, leaving only pure unbridled violence. Swing by swing blow by blow more and more silver starlight gushes out from Harry's eyes.
Suddenly, "she" appears.
The illusionary sky breaks open as a massive iris flower capable of devouring planets appears from a new tear in this false reality. The silver lights dim, Harold's gauntlet vanishing mid-swing as he's about to parry away Harold's sword one more time. Just as suddenly as the flower appeared an expression of pure unbridled rage fills Harold's face. Roaring out he stops his blade mid swing, instantly breaking his arms. Even so, he doesn't care, the only thing on his mind being the severed head blooming out from it.
"YOU WILL NOT INTERFERE! THIS IS MY FIGHT!"
Right at the peak of his roar the illusion of a moon split open to reveal an eye appears for a split second, only being visible to the severed head. In that moment, despite running on pure instinct, it can't command Harold. For now, he truly is a free knight. Everyone else on the other hand…they aren't as lucky.
"Fuck me sideways that 'urts!"
Suddenly all fall forward, Crim landing to grip his stomach while Harry places his hands on his eyes with Will being the only one to be knocked unconscious. The iris flowers bloom as motes of white light sprout from their petals. Looking up the same rage that fills Harold runs through Harry. Looking up he lets out a roar of pure unbridled anger.
"I REFUSE TO DIE JUST TO PUT YOU BACK TOGETHER, I DON'T GIVE A SHIT IF YOU'LL BRING ME BACK AFTER."
Gripping his eyes he focuses as hard as he can. As his anger and frustration reaches its peak a vibrant scarlet light starts to pour out from his eyes. He feels "her" trying to command him. To get him to rip out Crim's stomach and offer it up to her and pry his eyes out only to offer them too. As the light from his eyes grows brighter he starts to slowly stand up. Inch by inch he rises, Harold following suit, both looking to the head and screaming out at the same time.
"I'M NOT SOME TOOL!"
"I'M NOT A TOOL FOR YOU TO USE!"
Again the moon appears for a split second, weakening her, separating her from her domain. With Harry's last word a scarlet explosion pours out from his eyes, becoming free from her influence and becoming truly his eyes, even if only for this moment. Seeing that it can no longer control the chaos it has no choice but to back away.
Silence.
Suddenly, Harry and Harold are the only ones left conscious. The iris flowers continue to bloom, "her" head still watching. Looking at each other, they know, despite the temporary peace the fight must continue, it can't end until one of them dies. With his eyes glimmering he looks to Crim, trying to summon a door to send him out of the maze, before he can do anything Harold walks up to him and speaks, dropping his sword to swing his fist towards his jaw.
"Focus, we're still not done!"
And so the fight continues, as it will until one meets their fate.