Synthe_
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A younger Ambriel might have felt such an extreme degree of anger as a result of disgrace, some sort of reaction to having his capabilities pushed to the point of failure. It’s only natural to push back against what could be perceived as failure, nothing more than a human response to such a distinct possibility of failure. However, Ambriel had long since overcome such self-centered thoughts. He did not feel anger at the prospect of losing to an enemy; he knew well enough by now that he would never be allowed to fail as long as His will was wholeheartedly upheld. No, the mere idea that this sinful creature was able to defy His will for any period of time was beginning to disperse the infection of doubt within his mind.
How could this be possible? Is she perhaps far more capable than I originally guessed? The only other explanation could be...
...
Could I have made a mistake?
Memories of violence flooded his mind, of a thousand bodies broken upon a mountain of corpses. Oceans worth of blood freed from their vessels, countless unique beings banished from the realm of the living. And only one regret among them.
Somehow the thoughts fighting behind his helmet only furthered his rage, as Ambriel allowed the flames from within to burn each and every one away.
He needed to focus. The enemy had said something in response, though her words had barely even touched his rather... preoccupied mind. However, one thing was certainly clear. Her response was definitely not one of surrender, corroborated by her slow approach. Mostly involuntarily, born of hatred, one last taunt escaped his mouth.
“Then your life is forfeit.”
How unfortunate that he had been disarmed, and in order to reclaim his weapon he would need to run directly through his enemy. Though, the prospect of unarmed fighting was not entirely unappealing, as he was reminded of the deep pool of liquid light currently surrounding his feet. The faint mist wafting upwards pushed away the ash filling the air, its touch banishing the pain from his head just as quickly. He raised his fists in front of his mask, allowing the prospect of combat to still his mind once more.
Father, if my hands are tainted by sin, I beg you to free me from my duties.
Ambriel stood with his right boot slightly further forward, with the intention of making a quick step forwards to put some momentum behind his first strike. The light was invigorating him, and he was certain the advantage was on his side. The both of them were starting to slow down due to injury, and the boost would hopefully catch the enemy off guard.
Alceia took one final step towards him, just barely crossing into striking distance. Immediately, Ambriel made one small advance with his left foot, raising his corresponding arm to block a possible attack. As soon as he saw she had no intention of making one, a longer step followed, this time with his right. He turned his entire body as he moved forward, changing his leading arm to correspond with his right foot. The weight of his plate armor, while more difficult to get moving than leather, really liked to keep moving once it started. The step forward combined with the slight turn put a surprising amount of force behind his already faster-than-expected attack, curving downwards directly at his opponent’s head.
Unfortunately, luck seemed to be on his adversary’s side once more as she took a step to the right just as he threw his punch. His attack was met not with a satisfying crunch, but the wanting emptiness of a near miss. Now, the momentum of his armor worked against him, the unexpected speed of his strike catching himself slightly off guard. His heavy follow-through nearly pulled him to the ground, unable to defend himself from a possible counter.
And counterattack she did, wrapping her luminous strand around his wrist that had been thrust out of position. The light taunted him, threatening to match that of the residue coating the stone beneath. However, though the strand left his right arm grappled, it certainly helped him slow it to a controllable speed. In an instant his balance had returned, and though she had begun twisting her hold on him in an attempt to pull him to the ground, it seemed he had overlooked an important detail. The force of her strand on his right happened to be the same force that turned Ambriel’s body clockwise- a movement that would bring his free hand within striking distance.
I hope you’re one of the ones that cower when you realize you’re about to perish.
A sudden wave of adrenaline filled Ambriel’s veins, reigniting the embers of his earlier rage. With the pressure of newfound hatred behind his actions, he fought against the twine binding his arm even as it began to grow uncomfortably warm. Though it wouldn’t even come close to pulling himself free, it did manage to cause his enemy to firmly stand her ground, focusing all her efforts on keeping him in place. In this small window of distraction, he thrust his left gauntlet forward- but not with the intent to attack. There was no space to wind up, no force behind his hand besides the small turn he was able to make. While it would certainly hurt, it was in no way the decisive strike he needed right now. Instead, his gauntlet made contact with her wrist, clamping down on it like the bars of a prison cell. An expression bordering on terror overcame her face, drawing a twisted grin from Ambriel’s otherwise expressionless face as the binding on his arm loosened ever so slightly.
Now with the control of the situation decisively in his favor, Ambriel’s full range of motion had returned. A rush of excitement poured over his senses, blurring his vision with a burning red as he reared his right arm as far back as it could go. With a full half-circle of windup, the Arbiter brought his fist down directly on Alceia’s face, still slightly paralyzed with fear.
A dazzling red cascade of blood erupted as his fist connected, his gauntlet and forearm gaining a color to match his boot from earlier. No sound of pain reached his ears, no matter how much he wished it had. His hearing had left some time ago, the body apparently deciding that his energy was better spent elsewhere. The sensation of shattering bone, however, did reach his senses, causing his grin to grow to a full smile. Were his face exposed, an onlooker could easily mistake conviction for complete insanity. The crimson edge to his vision only intensified as his enemy nearly collapsed from the force of his attack. A distinctly warm, comforting thought seemed to banish his pain entirely, only intensified by the flame still raging in his chest.
Now, surely you must see the truth.
The weight of his gauntlet kept him moving, spinning another quarter turn before his momentum began to vanish.
With this, my conviction may be proven once more. I pray... please let this be worthy of recognition...
Unbeknownst to Ambriel, his enemy had not fallen to the ground, her audible movements falling on deaf ears.
Without warning, her luminous strand appeared around the Arbiter’s neck, pulling taut instantly.
Every emotion that had begun to fade from his addled mind suddenly reappeared tenfold, mind screaming out in pain and the fiery red outline nearly blinding him with tunnel vision. Her strand pulled itself between his chestplate and helmet, leaving only a thin layer of cloth between it and his skin. An impossibly strong stab of pain shot through his neck, only to vanish a moment later as the nerves were incinerated. He screamed out in pain, though he only felt a futile rumble in his chest.
Thankfully, just as panic was beginning to override any sense of conviction, a brilliant light revealed itself to him at the end of the blood-red tunnel. He was still standing in a deep pool of liquid, the brilliance of which granted a single moment of clarity. His burning veins extinguished by divinity itself, even if only for a moment, granted a chance to act. A moment to carry out his duty.
To prove himself.
With one final roar of exertion, Ambriel took both his gauntleted hands and grasped as tight as he could to the section of strand connecting Alceia to his neck. Added pressure only furthered the blinding pain in his neck, but brilliant light outshined it for the moment. With the last remaining vestiges of energy inhabiting his exhausted body, he pulled at the strand, pushing his body forward and pulling his adversary with him.
The moment of reprieve ended as the light beneath him vanished, its energy depleted as it no longer bolstered his strength. However, the pressure on his neck had subsided ever so slightly, as the pull of Alceia’s arms no longer held it taut. Rather, she had been pulled off her feet, flung forward over his shoulders by her own weapon. As time seemed to halt for a moment, she held still in midair directly over him, barely keeping her grip on the now-loosened strand connecting the two of them together.
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