"Alta... Ughkkk"
A fire hit him square, sending him backward. Hot. But where was Altaris? - BRACK - a press knocked him back
"Achkk"
Wood splintered, charcoal splashing around. His hand strained, the shield almost slipped from his grip. But it held
"Stop Hiding"
Tiernan Roared, took his sword and joined it with the shield, until he glanced... that pink hair - His grip faltered
SWOOSH
"Aghkkk"
Flame charred his back, in reflex he creates a construct of soil - a pillar - as he retreated, once again raised his shield.
He fought to raise, yet his feet ware heavy, Why?
A hand halted his step, palm-sized ache strained his ankle - a dainty hand was there, then with force swung him hard... his shield... he needed to hold the shield
Next, he was sent flying... smashed into a wall of trees like a ragdoll
The smoke...the fire
He couldn't see... he couldn't feel
Despair clawed, trying to rule him, but it was shadowed by the heat rising from his chest.
"AGHKKKK..."
He whacked his feet, planting it to the ground
"ENOUGH"
A wave of soil crushing down... like a tsunami, clearing his surrounding from ash and timbers. It spawned time and again... until a wide grinned plastering Tiernan's face
No more hiding...come here you demon scum
"Tiernan... you actually tried to hurt me? Our friendship? Our memories?"
That sound...
Tiernan tilted, staring at Altaris as he teased - hovered just inch from the ground... pass the wave of soil that Tiernan so chaotically create
"WE HAVE NO... MEMORIES"
He lifted his Arm, more wave of soil... and a giant clay made hand - dashed fast, punching at Altaris
Then came the pink streak, Tiernan forced to follow the trail
Where?
No...
'NO'
Violet stood in front of Altaris
BOOM
A fireball, collapsed into him, just as Tiernan lowered his arm, denouncing his magic... the heat... Violet...
What should he do? What can he do?
In that instant, it struck him
Nothing
He can do nothing
That demon...
and Violet...
What can he do...
Violet... that demon... What can he... Violet...
"Tiernan, are you broken?"
The sneer jolted him back to the battle
"Hello?, Violet... do something... try kissing him - maybe that would do the trick"
He dares...
"ALTARIS"
Tiernan nose flared, the fire... the smoke... he supposed to choke, but no - he couldn't feel a single thing. His mind locked, to one thing and one thing only.
"I'LL KILL YOU"
He couldn't hold it any longer, the heat... it broke free, the dam couldn't hold it. So he acted.
Pillar after pillar, soil after soil... emerged like flare. The flat lands... becoming a castle of disorder and rocks, but does he care?
He doesn't care
Even if the whole forest turning into grave of stone, he would continued his rampage
Just to hit Altaris... just once... one strike and he could save her from his clutch.
Yes... he has a sword
Tiernan grabbed the sword, bend his back - making a throwing like stance - just like how Arthur would do. Next, he send as must force into his muscle... to whipped his hand, send the sword flying to the air
It missed, Altaris still standing
"DAMN YOU...."
He could make Rock Javelin
Why didn't he thought about it
"YOU CAN DODGE THAT... BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS"
He imagined, A soil-made javelin appeared vivid in his mind - it was long, sleek, complete with three spread out tip.. almost like the spear that Arthur always bring with a little tweak, his own image of how it would stab right through Altaris - crushing every flesh that hinder it's duty.
This... would bring him victory... his own creation of demon hunter kit
He could almost felt it... hovering around him ready to be launched
He just need to send it, give them command
"AHAHAHAHA"
Tiernan laugh echoed, thumbling around the burning forest... A yell of victory
His victory
Yet the ground... sat still - inanimate
Nothing was happening
"AHAHA... What? What did you do to my magic"
"Oh... My friend Tiernan - the foolest of them all. Did you forget?"
Altaris finger tapped his head, it stings... for Tiernan. He could feel the mockery
"That was never... your magic. Seems that little mind of yours forget about mana. Poor friend"
"AKHHHHH"
Tiernan screamed... out all the smoke from his lungs. His throat itched, begging his mouth to cough... but he couldn't
His mind couldn't
What can he do now... his psyche... was too tainted.
It hurts, it's hot, His injuries finally catch up to him.
He was slumped, beaten and broken. He lose in all front.
"Violet...Ughk..."
That last words... he even struggled.
'Arthur... Arthur... can somebody save me?'
Only echoes, that was left of him
"TIERNAN"
!!!
Arthur? By gods did where did he come from?
With strength, he pulled his conciousness back, he wanted, No, he needed to see it. He clenched his fist, trying his best to pry open both his eyelids - to clear his vision, to see the purge.
To see Violet safe from Altaris presence
"TIERNAN"
BOOM
An explosion, with binding light chaos unleashed in the moment. A pillar light strike true, hitting a dark coat of someone. And the charred plane, it deepens, as to anger for whoever strike their master.
A huge gap emerge from the forest of flame - the sign of destruction
And his power
The glowing armor, the golden hair, and both spear made of light in hand. Like a pure being made of hope.
Arthur has joined the fray.
Tiernan wept his eyes, the scene... as if God sends his personal
Salvation - in his lowest moment
A glorious tale just like Arthur hope
Well, that would be if not for the person stood between him and Tiernan
"Arrived at last... Crown Prince"
Claremont's hand swayed, brushing the ash from his coat. Beside him, a girl landed, her shoulder almost touching his. That pink hair, the fit body with leather armor charred with black. It was burned in few parts, around the tip of her trousers and near her arm.
'Claremont and Violet'
Arthur thought, glance pass both into the near death Tiernan. He was not sure if the guy can even become a meat shield. He was done, a burden perhaps - one he doesn't need
He had done his job, to try to save Tiernan, that counted as one point. But more?
He was not sure