In addition, his opponent was not one - but two
'Ughkk'
Even swinging his arm was a chore, he couldn't even throw his spear like usual
First thing first, lets just talk to them.
"Move... Claremont"
Arthur threatened, voice hoarse. Every word was raw - scraping against his throat
"Or else..."
"You seem to be okay... Crown Prince"
Altaris said, feet stepping back. That notion, he needed to stop him. For a mage like Altaris, just one inch of space between them could lessen his chance to win. But his muscle, his joint - a lift of a finger was enough to crack them.
Even his armor was no longer pristine, filled with dents
He has no weapon, no armor, and only so much magic he can muster... This game of flame, it's hard for him to win. Plus Tiernan... how can he cut off the weight?
Ah.... one way, a gamble... still with the risk he's willing to take
"I warned you... step back, Claremont. Or I'll kill Violet here and now"
She seems to be his weakness
"Interesting... Crown Prince. Very Interesting... so you would bet i choose Violet over Tiernan?"
His lips held, silent
"BUT..."
Altaris smirked
"There was one thing you wrong here... My prince. You seem to assume that i can't kill Tiernan fast enough. Well... it make sense. He still alive after all - But..."
He clicked his finger, A loud clack... and a scream. Just like the Other.
"ART....AGHKKKKKKK"
Tiernan chest began to flare, his golden carapace glowed and redden - flame emerged from every pore. It trembled with vigor as Tiernan was burned, locked in the prison of Inferno, until it ended with a thud - falling, claimed by the soil. Only echo remained
'Just like wind'
Arthur thought, heart thumping
Tiernan was dead, just like that
Ternan Burgundy... Death by Burning
The dome chimed, confirming the kill
What a cruel game he was in
Yet, an Advantage. Small, however - it was enough
He could go all out
"See... Crown Prince, Tiernan are neve..."
Before Altaris finished, He ought to take the first move
So he lifted his spear... muscle begging - yet he endures, threw it as strong as he can right to Altaris, it grazed his cheek. Good.
He could hit him
"Rude..."
As answer, A fireball hurled to him, he veered. The heat grazed his cheeks, yet, his eyes strike true... focused at Altaris. The guy doesn't move
Yet, something wrong
Violet, where is she?
A second, a punch thrown into his shoulder, dainty hand - there she is
His instinct kicked, hands hurled - punching the ground with crack, he was tossed
Still, he landed. Perfectly. Feet planting the ground
'Ughkk'
A fracture - he dodge the fist, but the ache still lingers.
Power and time, two thing he lack at the moment.
'Should I end it'
The thought pass his head, tempting - just risky. Too risky
Still what option he got? what magic in his arsenal that he could spawn with only a thought
Oh... some...
A punch was thrown, for the second time. His right ribs. He needed to dodge, left side? But there was Altaris, the guy hand was ready to chant
Behind then
So he kicked, body launched as he spawned a light pillar. The easiest.
It should blind them for a second
A second... it was enough for him
What he needed right now, was to separate them
Altaris stayed and Violet chased, a pattern?
He could use this
So he dashed, into the burning trees. It's hot, vision thinned by smoke, yet he persist... sound of wood crashing was following him,
Violet was tailing
Good
He wanted another step, far... the farther, the better. His feet spasmed just to enact his plan
Still, it was not that easy
A pillar of fire halted him, His breastplate crimsoned just by closing in. He couldn't brave it. Or else his fate would be like Tiernan.
Damn it, Claremont.
He must chose, Violet getting close
How about another gamble?
He imagined, a giant block with cavity, a cage made of pure white... meant to blind. Then, he dropped it - right in front. With a bang it collided with something
Crossed fingers, he dashed back to Altaris
Let's hope the girl stayed there, for just a moment. He needed to get close, close enough to detonate
Even if his own flesh betrayed him, he forced it to work... just once, close enough
There he was... black hair, coat - Claremont was hovering, past the pillar of trees in flames
Was this close enough?
It would work, What about closer? could he do it?
Just an inch... more... his plan was simple
To kill the head...he needed to use another head
So he bolted, with a crack - he sent himself in to the air. Then, a light-made cover enveloped him. He twisted - becoming a comet embraced by his own magic. It spun along with his body.
He would take the risk, everything for this one move
To aim Altaris
SLASH
He passed straight, right where Altaris last spotted. He could feel the fabric of his coat tucked between his fingers, Yet no flesh? Did he succeed? or was it one of Claremont trick?
Well, there was no time to think... the move, was not over
He soared to the ground, losing momentum. Hundreds of branches slammed into his head and body, clawing a cut across it. He left a deep gash, staining the forest floor. Ash and splinters gathering around him.
That marked the ending, and It was suicide.
He got no choice, he could buy time... but power
The longer the fight, the less he had
He sighed, next he searched the surrounding, nothing. No sign of him. However, one thing he noticed, the inferno - it dimmed. The heat no longer scorching
A fire left by its master
He still alive after all, that Claremont. Even that move couldn't kill him.
Even so one thing was sure...
The dome was silent. That part... his little victory.
He just needed to wait for the rescue, they bound to notice the destruction he caused here.