debonairmonk (debonairmonk) wrote in emillion, |
With every sprinted step in the armor she felt her body screaming in response, feeling as though it was seconds from giving out. However, she couldn’t stop now, nor too soon. They need to assure it continued on after them. The only time she’d even remotely slow would be to turn to face the beast, still jogging backwards - with much difficulty - to sling a new insult at the monster to keep it focused on her. “Is your stupidity painful to you too?!” A little further. “Your mother must have the loudest bark in all of Ivalice!” Ari’s song had faded in the distance, the bard no longer able to be heard over the din of battle and destruction - or maybe her body was finally starting to shut down... Aspel’s vision was starting to give, but she couldn’t stop, not quite yet. “If you manage anything intelligent, beast, I may drop dead from a heart attack!” And she stumbled, nearly sprawling on the ground below her feet, but somehow she barely managed to remain standing, hammer difficult to hold as her chest heaved, eyes trying to see how far out they were, but blackness was beginning to seep in. “Drake.” Aspel gasped, trying to upright her posture, failing, trying to heft her hammer aloft to stand for her final offense, and not fully managing it, but at least her weapon was raised. The Aura Bolt he’d aimed at the beast bounced harmlessly off of its shell, but it did its job - whatever it was they were fighting had forgotten about the other two women that he and Aspel had left behind. Skidding to a stop beside Aspel - beautiful, brave, foolish Aspel - he smiled. It was sadder this time, not the bright one he’d given to Ari, but just as real. “Right here,” he told her, moving in closer. If he could get her out of here, too, he would, but he didn’t have the strength - not to push her out of the way, or to fight against her. He was tired, so very tired. One last Aura Bolt to keep its attention on them, and he was ready. “Then our final stand.” Her voice cracked, another sorrowful smile crossed her face, this time offered to him, and only him. Dropping one hand away from the hammer, a spell began to swirl to life around her fingertips - the other arm didn’t have the strength left in it to hold the hammer alone and it fell down to her side, the head of the hammer sliding down to rest on the ground - before with a languid jerk of one arm - a movement that caused a whimper of pain to leap forth - Watera was flung at the beast with no effect as her hand fell back down to her side. “You are proof that evolution can go in reverse!” She couldn’t fight anymore, no matter how hard she tried, but she could still keep it here just a little longer if she tried. There wasn’t anything for him to add - instead, he stayed standing by Aspel, watching as the monster reared back on two legs. He knew what was coming before it came, and when it did, he didn’t close his eyes. The blow hit them hard, tossing them back. His back hit the ground; Aspel landed not far from him. Darkness crept into the edges of his vision and breathing hurt. He could feel the steady decline of his heartbeat, the heavy exhaustion enveloping him, taking him under. With what little strength he had left, he reached his hand out for hers. And then there was nothing at all. |