[His eyes follow the movement of her head even as he presses down further, trying to slice her bow in half in their struggle, but it's so tantalizing how she holds her lips so close to his. Even in this fight, she's trying to draw him into her, as if she has the power to overwhelm him and push the siren's control out of his mind. He'll have to give her credit, it's pretty bold of her to be so forward knowing that his blade could pierce her chest at any second. He'll have to play her at her own game, because it's proving to make this so much more interesting and fun for him, wanting her to give him what she's promising- a fight that he'll remember in the months and years to come.
So he hopes that she finds a way out of this situation he's put her in, where her body is forced to use all of its strength to keep him from ending her existence right here. His eyebrows raise as his glaive is pushed back by mere inches, intrigue covering his expression.
A taste of what, he wonders?
The answer comes swiftly, and his mask goes flying off of his face and floats a short distance away in the water. The sirens, who had been getting more and more agitated by the second, watching their slave do whatever he wants in how he was going to execute their will, screech when they see exactly what Yoimiya's plan was here. One moment, Yoimiya is about to be cleaved in two, the next, Tartaglia feels himself get pushed backwards as his arms go upwards above his head, moving through the water until his back hits a coral reef. It's a whirlwind of emotions that flows through him as his lips connect forcefully with her own, that sharp pain exciting him as her tongue tussles with his as he kisses her back with a fervor that even he was unaware lay within him.
The electro glaive dissipates into nothingness, giving his hands and arms the freedom he seeks, letting one slip into her hair as the other wraps around her waist as he fights now with his tongue instead of his weapon. What a devious, creative trick she's pulled on him, moaning loudly as the two violently kiss each other in some sort of battle of the wills to see who'd succumb to who, and neither of them want to give up the fight. He has no idea what's happening to him, with every flick of her tongue in his mouth, moving arduously against his own, he doesn't know if he's under the control of Yoimiya or the monsters behind them. It drives the sirens mad with rage, to see this fight turn from one to the death to this couple's perverted and lewd makeout session with each other, right in front of their faces.
Ajax!!!!!!!! One screams, but he's too busy pulling Yoimiya into this kiss further and further to bother to address her. He's only received the order to kill her, but when and how is up to him as far as he's concerned. Right now, this reinforces that Yoimiya truly does belong to him and no one else, no one can touch her, look at her, even think about her if he doesn't want them to. She's his, all his, darkened feelings of possessiveness bubbling up and taking hold of his already twisted, addled mind.
Kill her, kill her now! What are you doing????]
Hahaha...
[He laughs, tone low and filled with insanity, giving Yoimiya's lips one last pass before he finally answers.]
I'm getting to it. Now...
[As quickly as his hands had wrapped around Yoimiya's body, the one in her hair comes down to form a small electro blade that he presses against her throat.]
Kissing me last time worked like a charm, but did you really think such a move would work twice? It was bold, I'll give you that, but now I think I'll kill you just for myself. They'll never let me have you alive, and if I can't have you, then no one can. You've won one battle, I feel as if I've fallen deeply in love with you all over again, smitten by your unending beauty, but you haven't won the war.
[The look in his eyes is crazed, like his mind is being invaded by both a terrible dark force that craves for her and the charm magic of the evil monsters that still have a grip on his mind.]
Hold still, so I can remember you exactly as you are now, extravagant and beautiful, as radiant as the very sun that gives us life. Have anything to say before I slay you here?
[ There's no doubt that dropping her defenses to engage in a lewd makeout session is truly and utterly insane. It would be so easy for him to take advantage of her twisted possessiveness for him. In one fell swoop, he could easily plunge that glaive right into her chest to fulfill his master's orders. But as they kiss so fully, while fighting for dominance with their tongues, Yoimiya is so happy she initiated this. If she were to die by his hands, this kiss is the perfect send-off, she lets him know with every needy, filthy moan that spills out of her lips. Should he kill her, she would have no regrets about going out in the throes of their sick, twisted passion for one another.
In an even more dangerous stunt, she lets go of her bow, allowing it to float off in a bubble within grabbing reach while her eager hands roam all over his chest and abs. Since he's without a weapon, it's only fair she parts with hers, only needing her tongue to engage in this particular warfare. She's beside herself with a crazed joy as he brings his strong arms around her waist, happy to be held in his arms once again even just for a short moment. Oh, how good the heat of his lips feel as she kisses him so thoroughly with intense fervor, sliding her tongue in deep to enjoy every crevice of his delicious mouth. He's putting up such a good fight, refusing to succumb to her with every pass of his tongue that stokes a greedy heat building within her.
Although not as delectable as Ajax's lips, the siren's growing rage at the situation is still quite delightful. One of them screams and it just entices Yoimiya to kiss him even more deeply, purposely amping up the wet sounds of their mouths clashing to tick them off even further. She happily relishes in their anger, inwardly laughing at her beloved not bothering to address them in favor of their battle of tongues. He's mind-controlled but still shows signs of being his usual, rebellious self, a feat she couldn't be any prouder of. For that, she rewards him by shamelessly pressing her body up against him while circling a finger around his chest.
Unbeknownst to him, that little sneaky finger is working its magic on him. A tiny light shines at the tip of her finger, secretly embedding an all too familiar goldfish mark on his chest.
Once they draw away from each other, euphoria courses through her system, feeling as though she's on cloud nine even as he's holding a blade against her throat. She looks up at him, chest visibly heaving up and down while panting, her glossy eyes clouded with both pleasure and love. He's finally preparing to kill her but his crazed declaration of love is so satisfying to listen to, filling her heart with so much love to the point of bursting. With a look that's equally just as crazed, she lovingly stares at him, as if she's fully embracing death. It's an honor to be all his, to die by his hand as he stakes his eternal claim on her. After all, she belongs to Ajax. She's Ajax's alone. Her body was meant to only be enjoyed by Ajax.
Maybe on any other day, she might have let him finish the deed, to prove her stalwart devotion to him. But as it stands, she can't let those awful sirens win. ]
Mm... I love you so much, Ajax. I couldn't be any happier to hear you've fallen in love with me all over again. That's so kind of you to let me say a few final words before I go. So if you don't mind me saying this...
[ Soft and gentle, her hand comes up to cup the side of his face, tenderly brushing his cheek with her thumb. Slowly, she moves her hand downwards, dragging her finger from his jawline to his neck before stopping dead center at his chest. ]
Three... two... one. Boom.
[ Right on cue, the heat that's been building up in goldfish mark blows up into a vaporizing explosion of pyro. It's an insane, crazy stunt that also put her in harm's way but it's also the Naganohara Yoimiya way of dealing way things, ending things off in a dazzling display is her speciality. She just barely manages to grab her bow, caught up in the blast that sends her flying out to the water a good distance away from him. The sirens watch in horror and anger, any hope that she might have died from the explosion is quickly ruled out by the sounds of her maniacal laughter echoing through the waters. ]
Hahahaha! Oh Ajax, how terrible of you to let your guard down. I hope I didn't harm that perfect, handsome face of yours but it had to be done. And now... you'll see what happens when you underestimate me.
[ Bow drawn and aimed at him once more, this time, she doesn't let up. A sparkling ring takes shape around her as tugs on the strings, releasing a rapid fire of blazing arrows heading right for him. Totally not on purpose or anything, a stray arrow loops around, veering towards one of the unsuspecting sirens, puncturing her in the back and exploding on impact. As she screams in pain, the other two quickly swim away to avoid being caught in the blast. All they can do is witness the horrifying scene of their sister-in-arms burning up from within as the explosion takes her out. What remains of her body slowly falls down into the depths below.
AJAX YOU USELESS SLAVE! Because of you, we lost one of our comrades. DO SOMETHING! Hurry up and kill her! ]
[He could let himself get addicted to the loyal, heated, insane look of love Yoimiya gives him as he threatens her life. For as willing as he is right now to end her, she looks just as willing to let him do it, utterly devoted to him and no one else. This is exactly what he wants, what he deserves, to have a woman so faithful to him that she'd let him kill her just so no other soul could possibly fathom having a chance with her. She's truly perfect, and it's in this moment that he falls to the darkest reaches of his own depravity, as if the power of the siren's control is mixing with the dark abyssal corruption that's been made worse by their connection, and there's nothing he can do to stop it.
He's not even trying to stop it.
But in this moment, he's let his guard down too. He doesn't think that Yoimiya will try to kill him, it doesn't appear as if she's interested in that, so every brush and touch she makes to his body isn't checked or hampered as she cradles his face and traces her finger down to the mark she's left on his chest. Even now, she's managed to cut through the layers of control to get him to stop and admire her, through the madness that grips him so fully. Which is why when she begins to countdown, his eyes don't widen with realization until she says boom.
The explosion sends him hurtling into the coral reef with a terrible force, his body ripping through and breaking portions of it off until he finally settles somewhere inside of it. Dust floats off in every direction along with portions of the reef, and all he can hear is the sound of her laughing. She'd fooled him, right out in the open like that, putting herself at a major risk just to get that shot in at him. He'd be mad, but she hadn't made it a secret whatsoever in her movements, falling for it fair and square. Lying there, he has to admit to himself that he really shouldn't of underestimated her, eyes closed as he replays the entire thing back in his mind. What a devil, it's no wonder he finds her so alluring, why she's the one who belongs to him.]
Hahahaha...not bad.
[Picking himself up from the wreckage, he gets a glimpse of the arrow she's loosed flying straight towards him, laughing himself as he charges forward. Tartaglia spots the one that veers off, but makes no move to stop it- he's not being asked to protect them, and from the screeching they're doing, it's pretty clear to him that the main directive is to kill Yoimiya. The subsequent explosion doesn't surprise him a bit, glancing over and watches her die terribly to the homing arrow that hits her. But she died because she was weak, and that's not his problem.]
Looks like I'm going to have to take this a little more seriously. Killing one of my masters makes you even more of a danger. Their patience has run out, and unfortunately for you, that means so has mine.
[His electro blades snap into his hands from nowhere, approaching her as he readies his attack.]
You've fought well, but you still weren't able to shake me from under their spell. So goodbye, my love, please rest knowing you died honorably in combat.
[And on that note, he leaps at her, his blades aimed straight for her neck and chest, going for the kill this time.]
[ Out he emerges from the carnage, still perfect and handsome as ever. Any normal person might have gotten incapacitated or even fatally injured from that fierce explosion but not her incredible Ajax, she knew the love of her life would make it out unscathed. Smiling in the face of danger, a delightful sigh passes out of her mouth as he comes charging at her with his electrifying blades. He's heading straight for her, armed to kill and make her all his for eternity. Just thinking about it sends a pleasurable shiver down her spine. Her mind has been so rotted by the dark abyssal powers, she doesn't even consider her death by his hands to be a bad thing. More than anything, she's overjoyed he loves her so much that he's not willing to share her with anyone.
But he's not the only one whose patience has run out. Every second he spends devoting his servitude to those sirens makes her sick. He belongs to her, no one else, and she's still determined to get him back at all costs. As she's contemplating her next counterattack, a pleasant, calming voice rings inside of her head.
The time has come. Draw your weapon and save your beloved.
Ah, yes. She knows what to do now, it's time to bring out their shared powers that have been lying dormant inside of him. ]
Sorry, my love, I need you to take a nap for a short moment. But don't worry, while you get some well-deserved rest... I'll make sure to destroy those who wronged us. I'll get revenge on our behalf, hehehehe.
[ In a confident display, she brazenly ditches her bow, choosing to stand proudly in her spot as he inches closer and closer to her. Just as she feels the sharp end of his blade mere centimeters away from her throat, Yoimiya is within reach to place the palm of her hand on his chest to draw out their bond weapon inside of him. Unlike before, the once colorless gray gemstone is now lit up, shimmering with shades of purple and black and tiny, speckled stars floating about as if the little jewel holds a piece of the galaxy itself. But before he's knocked out cold, she leans in close to his face, pressing their foreheads together. ]
Please sleep well, my sweet Ajax. Dream of glorious conquests and the love we have for one another.
[ And with those sweet words, she slots their lips together for a gentle, good night kiss. In one fluid motion, she pulls the rest of the sword out while breaking the kiss so he can finally rest and be free of the siren's mind control. It truly is stunning, the most marvelous sword she's ever come across. Yoimiya is in awe as she inspects it from all angles, the diamond-like blade is an ombre of deep purples and blues, while the hilt of the sword is painted with more delicate shades of white and blue connecting to the blade itself with sharp, winged edges resembling Tartaglia's Polar Star. ]
Oh, how splendid. It's beautiful... a perfect representation of our bond.
[Tartaglia watches as she ditches her bow, to stand ready and waiting for him, ignoring her words as they mean nothing now. Whatever nap or rest she's talking about doesn't exist until after she's dead, when he can follow his new siren masters down to the depths of their kingdom to serve them for as long as he draws breath. No revenge would come, as his blade is about to decapitate her and end the fight.
But just as he's about to connect, the electricity making the water around them buzz and thrum with power, he finds himself suddenly stopping. The hand on his chest sends a warmth through him that he hasn't felt for some time, flooding all his senses and dazing him as he hangs in the water in front of her. Ajax's expression changes in accordance to what the power of their bond does in sequence.
First, it's confusion, not understanding why he's suddenly halted his assault. Second, as that heat fills his body from the power that's beginning to coalesce at the point where her hand lies, there's understanding as his mind suddenly begins to regain clarity. No longer does he feel the need to be some lackey to those monsters, but instead his head feels full of thoughts of his trust and love of Yoimiya. Comfort washes over him in waves, calming and sure, his body relaxing as he begins to fall into that same trance he'd been put in once before when she'd tried to extract the sword from his chest. She tells him to sleep well, as his eyes lid heavily, a drunken smile on his face as she captures his lips in a sweet embrace.
The last thing he remembers before she breaks their kiss to draw her sword and free his mind is how lovely her essence inside of him feels, how warm and strong their bond is, and how he knows he can rest even amidst the danger of the remaining two monsters. Tartaglia's body hangs limp in the water as he passes out from the sheer amount of power that surges through him, expelling the magic wrapped around his mind, mouth agape as he falls into a deep trance for the next few moments.
When his eyes open, all he'll see is Yoimiya's revenge, of her wreaking havoc and leaving carnage in her wake. Those sirens really never stood a chance against her, for what they'd done.]
[ Now that she can feel at ease with her beloved getting some much-needed rest, Yoimiya turns her attention to the remaining sirens, deviously smiling at them like she's found her prey. The pair are visibly frightened by the scent of danger emanating from her, not only did this girl manage to knock out their slave, she also procured a terrifying new weapon aimed right at them.
We need to retreat and call for backup! You saw what she did to our sister.
Nonsense! We made the mistake of turning her lover into our slave. He would have been able to kill her if he wasn't such a weakling for her. We need to team up, it's the only way to finish her off for good.
YOU FOOL! ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED?!
Blinded by rage, the reckless siren takes her trident and charges straight for the pesky human. With her new weapon in hand, Yoimiya narrowly dodges the thunder beam, plunging the blade downwards directly at her target. Without a moment to spare, the monster is barely able to prop up her staff, using all of her strength to shield herself from the blonde who is hellbent on slicing her weapon clean in half. The powers of the abyssal sword along with her tainted mind are perfectly in sync and with one final swing, she conjures up the dark powers from within, cutting through the trident and her opponent. Brutally and without any remorse, the siren is nearly split into two, left with a large gash oozing out a purple residue patterned with stars as her corpse lifelessly falls into the dark sea below. Two done, one to go. ]
Should have listened to your companion's advice. But, I do applaud her for standing up to me like a true warrior... [ Slowly, she turns her head in the direction of the remaining siren with a crazed look painting her features. ] unlike you.
[ Y-you... you monster!
This one values her life, swimming away as fast as possible in a desperate bid to get away from this psycho. ]
Oh? You want to play hide-and-seek? Hahaha, I should warn you I'm an expert at this game. But I'll give you a headstart. But just be careful to not utter any noises okay~? [ Wickedly giggling in almost childlike glee, she turns her back to the fleeing monster to act as the "seeker". ] Ten... nine... eight...
[ Bloodthirst at an all-time high, Yoimiya is clearly playing around with her enemy, wanting to make this creature suffer in the final moments of her pathetic life. She carefully runs two fingers across the shimmering fuller of the sword, conjuring up a mini galaxy-colored goldfish and narwhal. On her command, the two familiars hone in and quickly follow the fleeing siren, and as soon as they're within range, they charge at her, erupting onto her body in a magnificent explosion that paints the sea with black, blue, and purple stars. But even with her blood-curdling screams, her opponent is still alive, Yoimiya made sure that little blast wouldn't kill her. ]
One. Found ya~ What did I tell you? Shouldn't have made a peep. Hahahaha...!
[ Yoimiya swims over to the siren who is unable to move due to her injuries, humming a haunting tune that strikes pure terror in the monster's heart as she inches closer and closer. ]
This is your punishment for not only trying to take my beloved Ajax away but also calling him useless.
[ Such an awful, evil creature only deserves death. All of her hard work, all of her training with Tartaglia has come to fruition in this blissful moment of revenge. Laughing maniacally, she brings the blade down in a two-handed swing, piercing this vile thing's heart and ending its miserable existence. As if she's taking out garbage, Yoimiya callously frees their precious bond weapon from the siren's chest, satisfied while watching yet another corpse sink to the bottom of the ocean.
Finally, they're all dead. Good. An outcome that Yoimiya couldn't be happier with. If any more of them come back, she will gladly dish out even more punishment. ]
[As he comes to, the first thing he notices is how much his body hurts. Like he'd been thrown through something of sorts, or like a bomb went off on him and he'd been able to survive it. His muscles ache and his head kind of hurts, as he moves himself and begins to stretch his limbs. There's also the faint lingering of a warm tingle on his lips, one that reminds him of cold nights when he's kissed Yoimiya to sleep. From within him, a different kind of warmth still keeps him warm, acting almost as a lullaby to keep him from fully regaining consciousness, soothing his weary mind as if she were all around him to comfort him. Still, he manages to open his eyes, vision blurry but focusing as the sounds of battle reach his ears.
It all comes back to him once he sees the sight in front of him, of the battle he'd been missing while he was asleep. A trail of blood spirals downward from where the siren had met its end to Yoimiya's blade, a strange purple ooze diluting in the water around it with no sign of the body. The faint sound of Yoimiya counting down reaches him, her fingers trailing across the surface of a blade that he's never seen before in his entire life, eyes snapping open fully to watch her conjure two abyssal familiars from it that chase down a siren and explode on it in a dazzling sight of color that takes him right back to his teenage years in that dark, lightless place. His breath catches in his throat at the sight, before his gaze falls onto the back of his girlfriend who laughs at her opponent, brandishing her sword at it as she declares this last action as punishment.
The maniacal laughter rings in his ears as she kills it mercilessly, blinking a few times in disbelief. Is this really his Yoimiya? He doesn't remember her being so exceptionally merciless, so utterly enthralled by cutting down her enemies. But that seeded corruption tells him that this is incredible, a wonderful development to really see her in action after her pledges to him the night before. Plus, it looks like she's been able to extract the sword from him, something she wasn't able to do before. He feels as if he's watching her grow before his very eyes, becoming a formidable warrior that he'd always wished for her to be. It's a gorgeous sight to see her swing it down and defeat her enemy, his heart beating hard in his chest with admiration as the siren dies horribly while Yoimiya reclaims her weapon and it sinks down to the bottom of the ocean. He swims over, albeit slowly, his eyes shining with pride at her work.]
Yoimiya. I knew I could trust you to have my back.
[She'd freed him, and he knows now that the pact made back at the guild when she drew that sword from the stone was the right decision to make. Joining her, he slips his arms around her as he presses his weight against her in the water, slotting his lips with hers in a deep, appreciative kiss. That twisted love hasn't subsided, in fact it's only grown deeper and darker for her. She's his, only his, and vice versa. This is a testament to it, this dangerous encounter that they almost lost each other to, and yet...he couldn't be happier for it.
When he breaks from her, his hand comes up to trail along her cheek, infatuation and obsession swirling in his eyes as he looks over his newly-minted warrior-girlfriend.]
You've become so strong, I can't believe you actually managed to beat me.
[ Yoimiya could be completely far gone in the trenches of the abyssal influence and the sounds of Ajax's wonderful voice will always pull her back to reality. The effect he has on her is immeasurable, she's overjoyed to see him, a flood of happiness spills into every last crevice of her heart. He's back, the love of her life is back in her arms right where he belongs. Truly, from the bottom of her heart, she never once doubted him even when their battle reached a dire state. Yoimiya's faith in him will always remain stalwart, even if a bit of tough love is required, she will always be assured he'll return to his sweet, loving self once more.
The warmth of his strong arms lulls her into a demeanor shift, unlike the girl who just mercilessly slaughtered three sirens, she melts into his hold, like putty in his hands. She duly kisses him back, fully, as if she needs their connection like air to breathe. His mouth is warm, delightful and oh does it feel so incredible to lock lips with him so tenderly. Bloodlust and an urge to kill more of those awful monsters still courses through her veins but in this blissful moment, she's a maiden in love with a heart that flutters and beats so profoundly for her one and only, Ajax. ]
Hehe. Better watch out or I might end up conquering this world before you even get a chance to.
[ She says jokingly with a soft giggle, her voice back to her sweet chirpiness instead of the wicked, maniacal cackling she did mere moments ago. If it wasn't for the aftereffects of the bond weapon knocking him out cold, Yoimiya isn't so sure she would have been able to defeat him otherwise. Had their battle waged on, there's no doubt in her mind she would have been the corpse falling into the bottomless depths of the ocean. Thinking about such a fate fuels her dark desire to grow strong enough to stand beside him so they can truly have an all-out battle one day.
But first thing's first: his condition. Ajax might be a fearsome Harbinger but he still took a barrage of several arrows and an explosion to his chest. He'll be fine, Yoimiya knows this but she still can't help but check on him. As they break from the kiss, she tenderly places her hand on the side of his face, brushing his cheek with her fingers. ]
[Her lighthearted challenge gets him to grin, relishing the idea of Yoimiya actually gaining the strength to beat him to his own goal. Deep down, he'd really enjoy that if she did, and enjoy the thrill of fighting alongside her while they both defeat each challenge this world presents to them. Because eventually, that is what will happen, they've already said their vows to each other on the matter, and there's nothing he's looking forward to more than having the satisfaction of standing atop the world with her by his side.
Nuzzling his head into her hand, he enjoys the touch before answering her question, closing his eyes momentarily as her fingers make his skin tingle with warmth.]
I'm alright, just a little sore is all. That was quite the stunt you pulled off there, seducing me through their control and planting a sigil on me like that. But that explosion hit us both...are you alright?
[His eyes reflect a deep concern for her, as her safety means more to him than anything right now. It was her own power, so surely she has her own resistances to it, but it was still an explosion either way. That and his blade had come so close to killing her so many times, from the way he fought against her without holding back...he could have easily injured her in the process and the adrenaline of the fight kept her from noticing. He looks apologetic in his asking, as if there was any real way to say sorry for what had happened.]
Edited (i added stuff on the end nps) 2023-12-09 03:27 (UTC)
[ He's so cute nuzzling into her hand like a fox pup craving attention. So precious, so endearing... she swears to never take him for granted, loving every little trait of his, even the side that seeks to conquer the universe, she loves that strong, ambitious aspect of him so much. ]
I'm a little sore as well but I'll be okay. I've been in my fair share of accidents involving fireworks.
[ Next day Yoimiya will probably be more sore from getting flown back by the explosion and being on the receiving end of a few electric jolts but in the end, they are both alive so that's what matters. The eyes truly are the window to the soul, one look tells her everything: he's riddled guilt. It's understandable, if the positions were reversed, she would never forgive herself for killing her beloved while mind-controlled. But from the bottom of her heart, he needs to know that she'll never hold this against him. ]
Hey. Don't worry about what happened, it wasn't your fault. We made it out safely and at the end of the day, I'm just so happy to have you back.
[He feels reassured by her words, sighing with relief knowing that she was okay and that no real damage had been done to her. He would've never forgave himself if he had really hurt her in the state that he was in, and he's glad that those sirens were dead and rotting at the bottom of the ocean. It bothers him that he still wasn't able to resist them, but again it was three against one...hardly fair. He'll rack his brains later on how to gain more mental protections, but for now he'll just have to accept that he doesn't have enough of it to take on more than one siren.]
However...it's still a vulnerability I need to minimize as much as I can. I can't allow myself to always be controlled like that, so no matter what, I'll find a way to keep it from happening again.
[Sighing, he pulls her into a quick, tight embrace. To think he almost could have lost her, to his own hand nonetheless. It's disturbing, and in his current state, he can't protect her. It makes him so much more appreciative that she's able to protect not only herself, but him as well. Yoimiya is so strong, and it flatters him that she chose him out of everyone else.]
But let's not dwell on such matters for long. This is it, huh?
[He gestures to the sword, now being able to see the whole thing up close and personal. It's dazzling, the blade so strangely forged, reminding him of some kind of digital shape, a texture he's only come to be recently acquainted with due to the technology advancements of this world. The colors are mesmerizing to him, the same as the Abyss itself...there's no doubt that this sword manifested from his soul, just for her to use.]
I believe in you. I've seen your strength first hand and it seems like every day, you continue to grow stronger. With all of my heart, I truly believe there will be a day you crush a whole army of them with your might.
[ Ajax will always have her support. She'll stand beside him as they train, fight tooth and nail with him as they hone their craft until one day, he's able to wreck carnage against the ones who have wronged him. A blissful sigh slips out of her mouth as she snuggles into his arms, nuzzling her face into his chest to indulge in his warmth. Ah, how she can't wait for the day to see his awe-aspiring revenge with her very own eyes.
Watching him spill the blood of those dreadful sirens will be one of the most beautiful sights to witness. ]
It's beautiful, isn't it? The hilt of your blade reminds me of your bow.
[ Carefully, she holds up the shimmering weapon for him to get a closer look. Now that she isn't piercing hearts and cutting down monsters with it, she can truly admire it's intricate design. A reminder of the time he spent in that dark, depthless place far away from the stars, a blade forged from the depths of Ajax's soul... out all the people in the world, she's the lucky one with the opprotunity to wield it. She'll always admire him for overcoming such a harrowing time in his life to become the warrior that he is today. And now, together, they will be able to use the power of their love to cut down their adversaries. ]
[It really is beautiful, taking it from her to examine it himself. Tartaglia's fingers trail down the blade, letting it pass through his vision inch by inch. He can tell just by holding it that the sword is perfectly balanced, and a thrumming power emits from it that's as dark as the Abyss itself. It reminds him of a far distant, otherworldly power, one that originates from beyond the stars itself. That familiar sensation sends a shudder down his spine, finding it breathtaking and dangerous.
Too dangerous, in his opinion, for anyone to be wielding. Especially Yoimiya.
But from what witnessed, she handled it just fine, and managed to use it in an especially creative way to defeat her enemies. It was an incredible sight to behold, and the doubt that had managed to claw itself out of the pool of corruption gets pulled back down beneath the surface, erased from his mind. How silly of him, to think that Yoimiya shouldn't be handling such power. This power suited her perfectly, just as his own dark transformation suits him. He tries to do more with the sword, to test it, but he finds he can't- and remembers why.]
Ah. There's a magical force keeping me from using this weapon, I'd nearly forgotten. Only the true wielder of the weapon can use it. Here.
[He hands it back to her, still confused as to the design of it. Could it be connected to Master Skirk somehow...?]
Even after seeing it with my own eyes, I'm still not sure why it looks the way it does. Yoimiya, where did you learn to use abyssal power like that? That attack you used to defeat that last siren...I've never seen anything like it.
[ Yoimiya, where did you learn to use abyssal power like that?
... Huh. How was she able to use the powers of the abyss so effortlessly?
It's then, a sudden burst of realization hits her, the question plays in her mind on repeat. Her eyebrows furrow in confusion as she glances down at her palms stained with blood. As if listening to Ajax's words is like drinking a clarity potion, it starts to dawn on her that she acted like a monster and killed those sirens in a brutal fashion that's uncharacteristic of her. Of course, nothing was going to stop her from bringing Ajax back at all costs and the battle would have ended in their deaths anyway but maybe she took it a bit too far.
What happened to her out there? As several more questions stir about in her head, a faint expression of concern settles on her features. ]
I...
[ Archons, something has gone terribly awry with her. Yoimiya is not sure what's going on but she needs to do something quick before—
This is what you wanted, to stand by your beloved's side and grow strong with him.
... That's right. If wasn't for this unknown power and their weapon, she would have never been able to bring Ajax back to her. If she was her usual, weak, ordinary self, Ajax would still be under the control of those sirens. What she needs to do is fully embrace these dark thoughts. The only person that matters is Ajax, no one else. And if she wants to be with him, she needs to grow stronger.
Shaking those intrusive thoughts out of her head, Yoimiya goes back to a more neutral expression, as if nothing happened. She glances at him with a soft smile made for his eyes only, delicately taking back the sword. ]
Truth be told, I don't really know. I was so determined to get you back at all costs, it kind of just happened on the spot. I sort of just... applied my usual firepower to the sword and it kind of just worked out.
[Tartaglia is a man of many skills, and one of them is the ability to read a person in the moment. Which is why when Yoimiya's sudden distress comes into play, he notices immediately. How she looks at her hands, how she hesitates in her response, it's like a giant red flag that even the corruption can't hide from him. He waits for her answer, and the way she answers doesn't match her reaction from the start. There's a hint of worry that seeps into him, wondering what's up with her, but he's reassured by his own corruption that it'll be okay in the end.
Just keep an eye on it, but believe in her, believe in her strength. Yoimiya is his beloved, blossoming into a powerful warrior. She just needs to work through her new powers, ones that he's unintentionally provided to her through his own soul, ones that she's managed to take hold of and make her own. Be proud, these thoughts tell him, and support her in her on her road to glory. Together, they'd conquer the world.
Yes, that sounds right to him. So he returns the soft smile, nodding and accepting the answer. It makes sense to him, in this twisted mindset he's found himself in. Yoimiya is just growing into it, and her natural talent as a warrior led her here.]
Honestly, I'm impressed. You've showcased that you're far more than just a simple country girl, [he says with a wink,] and I'm excited to see how far you can go. After our work here is done, when we return home, I'll begin to teach you more advanced techniques.
[He grins, letting his arm wrap around her middle to pull her back into him by the small of her back, his hand gently brushing her cheek as he admires her.]
[ Any lingering concerns she might have had are washed away with his praise. The tiny speck of logic is snuffed out, her addled, corrupted mind drunk on his love. She's swept up by his affectionate words, her golden eyes shimmering and swirling with a warped devotion she holds only for him. Ajax praised her... she's more than just a simple, ordinary country girl in his eyes. Ahhh, it's so wonderful, so delightful, the highest form of flattery she could ever receive. She can feel her chest swelling with warmth as the roots of corruption sink their vines deeper into her heart, amplifying her desire to be a strong, a girlfriend he can be proud to call a true warrior.
She wants to make him proud, she needs to make him proud. Her sole purpose in life is to fill Ajax's life with happiness and if it involves cutting down monsters, people, or gods, she'll do just that. ]
Yes...! Yes, of course. Oh, Ajax. I'm so happy you're willing to train with me. I couldn't ask for a better teacher.
[ Like an affectionate kitten, she snuggles into his body, letting out soft purrs from the warmth of his fingertips brushing her cheek. She's craving his touch, allowing the sword in her hands to dissipate back into his chest in specks of gold, all so she can bring her arms around him for a tender embrace. ]
I promise I'll work hard for you. Forging this bond weapon with you has been one of the happiest moments of my life and I want nothing more than to cut down adversaries with the power of our love.
[That's the answer he wants to hear, chuckling quietly as she snuggles against him. Only Yoimiya would go from being a merciless killer to a cute little kitten in his arms in the blink of an eye, soaking in her presence and the warmth that comes when the sword returns to its sheathe inside of him. He can't wait to see her grow into her skills, looking forward to her future accomplishments and happy that he gets to be there to witness it all. It's an honor to be the one to nurture her growing thirst for bloodshed.]
I know you'll keep that promise. Come, there's more adversaries to cut down, more blood to be spilled. I want to see more of your new abilities, and fight alongside you as we decimate their forces and emerge victorious. We'll show them that our love isn't to be trifled with, haha. Keep that sword drawn- it seems that it's able to counteract their charm magic, and it should ensure I never leave your side.
[His smile turns wicked, filled with confidence and the need to slay everything in their path. Holding Yoimiya close, he cranes his neck to press his forehead to the top of her head, closing his eyes as he allows images of the carnage they'd leave in their wake play across the backs of his eyelids.]
Today marks the first day of your path as a true warrior. Let's go.
[And then they killed all the sirens like a couple of psychos looool]
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So he hopes that she finds a way out of this situation he's put her in, where her body is forced to use all of its strength to keep him from ending her existence right here. His eyebrows raise as his glaive is pushed back by mere inches, intrigue covering his expression.
A taste of what, he wonders?
The answer comes swiftly, and his mask goes flying off of his face and floats a short distance away in the water. The sirens, who had been getting more and more agitated by the second, watching their slave do whatever he wants in how he was going to execute their will, screech when they see exactly what Yoimiya's plan was here. One moment, Yoimiya is about to be cleaved in two, the next, Tartaglia feels himself get pushed backwards as his arms go upwards above his head, moving through the water until his back hits a coral reef. It's a whirlwind of emotions that flows through him as his lips connect forcefully with her own, that sharp pain exciting him as her tongue tussles with his as he kisses her back with a fervor that even he was unaware lay within him.
The electro glaive dissipates into nothingness, giving his hands and arms the freedom he seeks, letting one slip into her hair as the other wraps around her waist as he fights now with his tongue instead of his weapon. What a devious, creative trick she's pulled on him, moaning loudly as the two violently kiss each other in some sort of battle of the wills to see who'd succumb to who, and neither of them want to give up the fight. He has no idea what's happening to him, with every flick of her tongue in his mouth, moving arduously against his own, he doesn't know if he's under the control of Yoimiya or the monsters behind them. It drives the sirens mad with rage, to see this fight turn from one to the death to this couple's perverted and lewd makeout session with each other, right in front of their faces.
Ajax!!!!!!!! One screams, but he's too busy pulling Yoimiya into this kiss further and further to bother to address her. He's only received the order to kill her, but when and how is up to him as far as he's concerned. Right now, this reinforces that Yoimiya truly does belong to him and no one else, no one can touch her, look at her, even think about her if he doesn't want them to. She's his, all his, darkened feelings of possessiveness bubbling up and taking hold of his already twisted, addled mind.
Kill her, kill her now! What are you doing????]
Hahaha...
[He laughs, tone low and filled with insanity, giving Yoimiya's lips one last pass before he finally answers.]
I'm getting to it. Now...
[As quickly as his hands had wrapped around Yoimiya's body, the one in her hair comes down to form a small electro blade that he presses against her throat.]
Kissing me last time worked like a charm, but did you really think such a move would work twice? It was bold, I'll give you that, but now I think I'll kill you just for myself. They'll never let me have you alive, and if I can't have you, then no one can. You've won one battle, I feel as if I've fallen deeply in love with you all over again, smitten by your unending beauty, but you haven't won the war.
[The look in his eyes is crazed, like his mind is being invaded by both a terrible dark force that craves for her and the charm magic of the evil monsters that still have a grip on his mind.]
Hold still, so I can remember you exactly as you are now, extravagant and beautiful, as radiant as the very sun that gives us life. Have anything to say before I slay you here?
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In an even more dangerous stunt, she lets go of her bow, allowing it to float off in a bubble within grabbing reach while her eager hands roam all over his chest and abs. Since he's without a weapon, it's only fair she parts with hers, only needing her tongue to engage in this particular warfare. She's beside herself with a crazed joy as he brings his strong arms around her waist, happy to be held in his arms once again even just for a short moment. Oh, how good the heat of his lips feel as she kisses him so thoroughly with intense fervor, sliding her tongue in deep to enjoy every crevice of his delicious mouth. He's putting up such a good fight, refusing to succumb to her with every pass of his tongue that stokes a greedy heat building within her.
Although not as delectable as Ajax's lips, the siren's growing rage at the situation is still quite delightful. One of them screams and it just entices Yoimiya to kiss him even more deeply, purposely amping up the wet sounds of their mouths clashing to tick them off even further. She happily relishes in their anger, inwardly laughing at her beloved not bothering to address them in favor of their battle of tongues. He's mind-controlled but still shows signs of being his usual, rebellious self, a feat she couldn't be any prouder of. For that, she rewards him by shamelessly pressing her body up against him while circling a finger around his chest.
Unbeknownst to him, that little sneaky finger is working its magic on him. A tiny light shines at the tip of her finger, secretly embedding an all too familiar goldfish mark on his chest.
Once they draw away from each other, euphoria courses through her system, feeling as though she's on cloud nine even as he's holding a blade against her throat. She looks up at him, chest visibly heaving up and down while panting, her glossy eyes clouded with both pleasure and love. He's finally preparing to kill her but his crazed declaration of love is so satisfying to listen to, filling her heart with so much love to the point of bursting. With a look that's equally just as crazed, she lovingly stares at him, as if she's fully embracing death. It's an honor to be all his, to die by his hand as he stakes his eternal claim on her. After all, she belongs to Ajax. She's Ajax's alone. Her body was meant to only be enjoyed by Ajax.
Maybe on any other day, she might have let him finish the deed, to prove her stalwart devotion to him. But as it stands, she can't let those awful sirens win. ]
Mm... I love you so much, Ajax. I couldn't be any happier to hear you've fallen in love with me all over again. That's so kind of you to let me say a few final words before I go. So if you don't mind me saying this...
[ Soft and gentle, her hand comes up to cup the side of his face, tenderly brushing his cheek with her thumb. Slowly, she moves her hand downwards, dragging her finger from his jawline to his neck before stopping dead center at his chest. ]
Three... two... one. Boom.
[ Right on cue, the heat that's been building up in goldfish mark blows up into a vaporizing explosion of pyro. It's an insane, crazy stunt that also put her in harm's way but it's also the Naganohara Yoimiya way of dealing way things, ending things off in a dazzling display is her speciality. She just barely manages to grab her bow, caught up in the blast that sends her flying out to the water a good distance away from him. The sirens watch in horror and anger, any hope that she might have died from the explosion is quickly ruled out by the sounds of her maniacal laughter echoing through the waters. ]
Hahahaha! Oh Ajax, how terrible of you to let your guard down. I hope I didn't harm that perfect, handsome face of yours but it had to be done. And now... you'll see what happens when you underestimate me.
[ Bow drawn and aimed at him once more, this time, she doesn't let up. A sparkling ring takes shape around her as tugs on the strings, releasing a rapid fire of blazing arrows heading right for him. Totally not on purpose or anything, a stray arrow loops around, veering towards one of the unsuspecting sirens, puncturing her in the back and exploding on impact. As she screams in pain, the other two quickly swim away to avoid being caught in the blast. All they can do is witness the horrifying scene of their sister-in-arms burning up from within as the explosion takes her out. What remains of her body slowly falls down into the depths below.
AJAX YOU USELESS SLAVE! Because of you, we lost one of our comrades. DO SOMETHING! Hurry up and kill her! ]
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He's not even trying to stop it.
But in this moment, he's let his guard down too. He doesn't think that Yoimiya will try to kill him, it doesn't appear as if she's interested in that, so every brush and touch she makes to his body isn't checked or hampered as she cradles his face and traces her finger down to the mark she's left on his chest. Even now, she's managed to cut through the layers of control to get him to stop and admire her, through the madness that grips him so fully. Which is why when she begins to countdown, his eyes don't widen with realization until she says boom.
The explosion sends him hurtling into the coral reef with a terrible force, his body ripping through and breaking portions of it off until he finally settles somewhere inside of it. Dust floats off in every direction along with portions of the reef, and all he can hear is the sound of her laughing. She'd fooled him, right out in the open like that, putting herself at a major risk just to get that shot in at him. He'd be mad, but she hadn't made it a secret whatsoever in her movements, falling for it fair and square. Lying there, he has to admit to himself that he really shouldn't of underestimated her, eyes closed as he replays the entire thing back in his mind. What a devil, it's no wonder he finds her so alluring, why she's the one who belongs to him.]
Hahahaha...not bad.
[Picking himself up from the wreckage, he gets a glimpse of the arrow she's loosed flying straight towards him, laughing himself as he charges forward. Tartaglia spots the one that veers off, but makes no move to stop it- he's not being asked to protect them, and from the screeching they're doing, it's pretty clear to him that the main directive is to kill Yoimiya. The subsequent explosion doesn't surprise him a bit, glancing over and watches her die terribly to the homing arrow that hits her. But she died because she was weak, and that's not his problem.]
Looks like I'm going to have to take this a little more seriously. Killing one of my masters makes you even more of a danger. Their patience has run out, and unfortunately for you, that means so has mine.
[His electro blades snap into his hands from nowhere, approaching her as he readies his attack.]
You've fought well, but you still weren't able to shake me from under their spell. So goodbye, my love, please rest knowing you died honorably in combat.
[And on that note, he leaps at her, his blades aimed straight for her neck and chest, going for the kill this time.]
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But he's not the only one whose patience has run out. Every second he spends devoting his servitude to those sirens makes her sick. He belongs to her, no one else, and she's still determined to get him back at all costs. As she's contemplating her next counterattack, a pleasant, calming voice rings inside of her head.
The time has come. Draw your weapon and save your beloved.
Ah, yes. She knows what to do now, it's time to bring out their shared powers that have been lying dormant inside of him. ]
Sorry, my love, I need you to take a nap for a short moment. But don't worry, while you get some well-deserved rest... I'll make sure to destroy those who wronged us. I'll get revenge on our behalf, hehehehe.
[ In a confident display, she brazenly ditches her bow, choosing to stand proudly in her spot as he inches closer and closer to her. Just as she feels the sharp end of his blade mere centimeters away from her throat, Yoimiya is within reach to place the palm of her hand on his chest to draw out their bond weapon inside of him. Unlike before, the once colorless gray gemstone is now lit up, shimmering with shades of purple and black and tiny, speckled stars floating about as if the little jewel holds a piece of the galaxy itself. But before he's knocked out cold, she leans in close to his face, pressing their foreheads together. ]
Please sleep well, my sweet Ajax. Dream of glorious conquests and the love we have for one another.
[ And with those sweet words, she slots their lips together for a gentle, good night kiss. In one fluid motion, she pulls the rest of the sword out while breaking the kiss so he can finally rest and be free of the siren's mind control. It truly is stunning, the most marvelous sword she's ever come across. Yoimiya is in awe as she inspects it from all angles, the diamond-like blade is an ombre of deep purples and blues, while the hilt of the sword is painted with more delicate shades of white and blue connecting to the blade itself with sharp, winged edges resembling Tartaglia's Polar Star. ]
Oh, how splendid. It's beautiful... a perfect representation of our bond.
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But just as he's about to connect, the electricity making the water around them buzz and thrum with power, he finds himself suddenly stopping. The hand on his chest sends a warmth through him that he hasn't felt for some time, flooding all his senses and dazing him as he hangs in the water in front of her. Ajax's expression changes in accordance to what the power of their bond does in sequence.
First, it's confusion, not understanding why he's suddenly halted his assault. Second, as that heat fills his body from the power that's beginning to coalesce at the point where her hand lies, there's understanding as his mind suddenly begins to regain clarity. No longer does he feel the need to be some lackey to those monsters, but instead his head feels full of thoughts of his trust and love of Yoimiya. Comfort washes over him in waves, calming and sure, his body relaxing as he begins to fall into that same trance he'd been put in once before when she'd tried to extract the sword from his chest. She tells him to sleep well, as his eyes lid heavily, a drunken smile on his face as she captures his lips in a sweet embrace.
The last thing he remembers before she breaks their kiss to draw her sword and free his mind is how lovely her essence inside of him feels, how warm and strong their bond is, and how he knows he can rest even amidst the danger of the remaining two monsters. Tartaglia's body hangs limp in the water as he passes out from the sheer amount of power that surges through him, expelling the magic wrapped around his mind, mouth agape as he falls into a deep trance for the next few moments.
When his eyes open, all he'll see is Yoimiya's revenge, of her wreaking havoc and leaving carnage in her wake. Those sirens really never stood a chance against her, for what they'd done.]
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We need to retreat and call for backup! You saw what she did to our sister.
Nonsense! We made the mistake of turning her lover into our slave. He would have been able to kill her if he wasn't such a weakling for her. We need to team up, it's the only way to finish her off for good.
YOU FOOL! ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED?!
Blinded by rage, the reckless siren takes her trident and charges straight for the pesky human. With her new weapon in hand, Yoimiya narrowly dodges the thunder beam, plunging the blade downwards directly at her target. Without a moment to spare, the monster is barely able to prop up her staff, using all of her strength to shield herself from the blonde who is hellbent on slicing her weapon clean in half. The powers of the abyssal sword along with her tainted mind are perfectly in sync and with one final swing, she conjures up the dark powers from within, cutting through the trident and her opponent. Brutally and without any remorse, the siren is nearly split into two, left with a large gash oozing out a purple residue patterned with stars as her corpse lifelessly falls into the dark sea below. Two done, one to go. ]
Should have listened to your companion's advice. But, I do applaud her for standing up to me like a true warrior... [ Slowly, she turns her head in the direction of the remaining siren with a crazed look painting her features. ] unlike you.
[ Y-you... you monster!
This one values her life, swimming away as fast as possible in a desperate bid to get away from this psycho. ]
Oh? You want to play hide-and-seek? Hahaha, I should warn you I'm an expert at this game. But I'll give you a headstart. But just be careful to not utter any noises okay~? [ Wickedly giggling in almost childlike glee, she turns her back to the fleeing monster to act as the "seeker". ] Ten... nine... eight...
[ Bloodthirst at an all-time high, Yoimiya is clearly playing around with her enemy, wanting to make this creature suffer in the final moments of her pathetic life. She carefully runs two fingers across the shimmering fuller of the sword, conjuring up a mini galaxy-colored goldfish and narwhal. On her command, the two familiars hone in and quickly follow the fleeing siren, and as soon as they're within range, they charge at her, erupting onto her body in a magnificent explosion that paints the sea with black, blue, and purple stars. But even with her blood-curdling screams, her opponent is still alive, Yoimiya made sure that little blast wouldn't kill her. ]
One. Found ya~ What did I tell you? Shouldn't have made a peep. Hahahaha...!
[ Yoimiya swims over to the siren who is unable to move due to her injuries, humming a haunting tune that strikes pure terror in the monster's heart as she inches closer and closer. ]
This is your punishment for not only trying to take my beloved Ajax away but also calling him useless.
[ Such an awful, evil creature only deserves death. All of her hard work, all of her training with Tartaglia has come to fruition in this blissful moment of revenge. Laughing maniacally, she brings the blade down in a two-handed swing, piercing this vile thing's heart and ending its miserable existence. As if she's taking out garbage, Yoimiya callously frees their precious bond weapon from the siren's chest, satisfied while watching yet another corpse sink to the bottom of the ocean.
Finally, they're all dead. Good. An outcome that Yoimiya couldn't be happier with. If any more of them come back, she will gladly dish out even more punishment. ]
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[As he comes to, the first thing he notices is how much his body hurts. Like he'd been thrown through something of sorts, or like a bomb went off on him and he'd been able to survive it. His muscles ache and his head kind of hurts, as he moves himself and begins to stretch his limbs. There's also the faint lingering of a warm tingle on his lips, one that reminds him of cold nights when he's kissed Yoimiya to sleep. From within him, a different kind of warmth still keeps him warm, acting almost as a lullaby to keep him from fully regaining consciousness, soothing his weary mind as if she were all around him to comfort him. Still, he manages to open his eyes, vision blurry but focusing as the sounds of battle reach his ears.
It all comes back to him once he sees the sight in front of him, of the battle he'd been missing while he was asleep. A trail of blood spirals downward from where the siren had met its end to Yoimiya's blade, a strange purple ooze diluting in the water around it with no sign of the body. The faint sound of Yoimiya counting down reaches him, her fingers trailing across the surface of a blade that he's never seen before in his entire life, eyes snapping open fully to watch her conjure two abyssal familiars from it that chase down a siren and explode on it in a dazzling sight of color that takes him right back to his teenage years in that dark, lightless place. His breath catches in his throat at the sight, before his gaze falls onto the back of his girlfriend who laughs at her opponent, brandishing her sword at it as she declares this last action as punishment.
The maniacal laughter rings in his ears as she kills it mercilessly, blinking a few times in disbelief. Is this really his Yoimiya? He doesn't remember her being so exceptionally merciless, so utterly enthralled by cutting down her enemies. But that seeded corruption tells him that this is incredible, a wonderful development to really see her in action after her pledges to him the night before. Plus, it looks like she's been able to extract the sword from him, something she wasn't able to do before. He feels as if he's watching her grow before his very eyes, becoming a formidable warrior that he'd always wished for her to be. It's a gorgeous sight to see her swing it down and defeat her enemy, his heart beating hard in his chest with admiration as the siren dies horribly while Yoimiya reclaims her weapon and it sinks down to the bottom of the ocean. He swims over, albeit slowly, his eyes shining with pride at her work.]
Yoimiya. I knew I could trust you to have my back.
[She'd freed him, and he knows now that the pact made back at the guild when she drew that sword from the stone was the right decision to make. Joining her, he slips his arms around her as he presses his weight against her in the water, slotting his lips with hers in a deep, appreciative kiss. That twisted love hasn't subsided, in fact it's only grown deeper and darker for her. She's his, only his, and vice versa. This is a testament to it, this dangerous encounter that they almost lost each other to, and yet...he couldn't be happier for it.
When he breaks from her, his hand comes up to trail along her cheek, infatuation and obsession swirling in his eyes as he looks over his newly-minted warrior-girlfriend.]
You've become so strong, I can't believe you actually managed to beat me.
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The warmth of his strong arms lulls her into a demeanor shift, unlike the girl who just mercilessly slaughtered three sirens, she melts into his hold, like putty in his hands. She duly kisses him back, fully, as if she needs their connection like air to breathe. His mouth is warm, delightful and oh does it feel so incredible to lock lips with him so tenderly. Bloodlust and an urge to kill more of those awful monsters still courses through her veins but in this blissful moment, she's a maiden in love with a heart that flutters and beats so profoundly for her one and only, Ajax. ]
Hehe. Better watch out or I might end up conquering this world before you even get a chance to.
[ She says jokingly with a soft giggle, her voice back to her sweet chirpiness instead of the wicked, maniacal cackling she did mere moments ago. If it wasn't for the aftereffects of the bond weapon knocking him out cold, Yoimiya isn't so sure she would have been able to defeat him otherwise. Had their battle waged on, there's no doubt in her mind she would have been the corpse falling into the bottomless depths of the ocean. Thinking about such a fate fuels her dark desire to grow strong enough to stand beside him so they can truly have an all-out battle one day.
But first thing's first: his condition. Ajax might be a fearsome Harbinger but he still took a barrage of several arrows and an explosion to his chest. He'll be fine, Yoimiya knows this but she still can't help but check on him. As they break from the kiss, she tenderly places her hand on the side of his face, brushing his cheek with her fingers. ]
How are you feeling?
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Nuzzling his head into her hand, he enjoys the touch before answering her question, closing his eyes momentarily as her fingers make his skin tingle with warmth.]
I'm alright, just a little sore is all. That was quite the stunt you pulled off there, seducing me through their control and planting a sigil on me like that. But that explosion hit us both...are you alright?
[His eyes reflect a deep concern for her, as her safety means more to him than anything right now. It was her own power, so surely she has her own resistances to it, but it was still an explosion either way. That and his blade had come so close to killing her so many times, from the way he fought against her without holding back...he could have easily injured her in the process and the adrenaline of the fight kept her from noticing. He looks apologetic in his asking, as if there was any real way to say sorry for what had happened.]
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I'm a little sore as well but I'll be okay. I've been in my fair share of accidents involving fireworks.
[ Next day Yoimiya will probably be more sore from getting flown back by the explosion and being on the receiving end of a few electric jolts but in the end, they are both alive so that's what matters. The eyes truly are the window to the soul, one look tells her everything: he's riddled guilt. It's understandable, if the positions were reversed, she would never forgive herself for killing her beloved while mind-controlled. But from the bottom of her heart, he needs to know that she'll never hold this against him. ]
Hey. Don't worry about what happened, it wasn't your fault. We made it out safely and at the end of the day, I'm just so happy to have you back.
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[He feels reassured by her words, sighing with relief knowing that she was okay and that no real damage had been done to her. He would've never forgave himself if he had really hurt her in the state that he was in, and he's glad that those sirens were dead and rotting at the bottom of the ocean. It bothers him that he still wasn't able to resist them, but again it was three against one...hardly fair. He'll rack his brains later on how to gain more mental protections, but for now he'll just have to accept that he doesn't have enough of it to take on more than one siren.]
However...it's still a vulnerability I need to minimize as much as I can. I can't allow myself to always be controlled like that, so no matter what, I'll find a way to keep it from happening again.
[Sighing, he pulls her into a quick, tight embrace. To think he almost could have lost her, to his own hand nonetheless. It's disturbing, and in his current state, he can't protect her. It makes him so much more appreciative that she's able to protect not only herself, but him as well. Yoimiya is so strong, and it flatters him that she chose him out of everyone else.]
But let's not dwell on such matters for long. This is it, huh?
[He gestures to the sword, now being able to see the whole thing up close and personal. It's dazzling, the blade so strangely forged, reminding him of some kind of digital shape, a texture he's only come to be recently acquainted with due to the technology advancements of this world. The colors are mesmerizing to him, the same as the Abyss itself...there's no doubt that this sword manifested from his soul, just for her to use.]
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[ Ajax will always have her support. She'll stand beside him as they train, fight tooth and nail with him as they hone their craft until one day, he's able to wreck carnage against the ones who have wronged him. A blissful sigh slips out of her mouth as she snuggles into his arms, nuzzling her face into his chest to indulge in his warmth. Ah, how she can't wait for the day to see his awe-aspiring revenge with her very own eyes.
Watching him spill the blood of those dreadful sirens will be one of the most beautiful sights to witness. ]
It's beautiful, isn't it? The hilt of your blade reminds me of your bow.
[ Carefully, she holds up the shimmering weapon for him to get a closer look. Now that she isn't piercing hearts and cutting down monsters with it, she can truly admire it's intricate design. A reminder of the time he spent in that dark, depthless place far away from the stars, a blade forged from the depths of Ajax's soul... out all the people in the world, she's the lucky one with the opprotunity to wield it. She'll always admire him for overcoming such a harrowing time in his life to become the warrior that he is today. And now, together, they will be able to use the power of their love to cut down their adversaries. ]
Would you like to hold onto it?
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[It really is beautiful, taking it from her to examine it himself. Tartaglia's fingers trail down the blade, letting it pass through his vision inch by inch. He can tell just by holding it that the sword is perfectly balanced, and a thrumming power emits from it that's as dark as the Abyss itself. It reminds him of a far distant, otherworldly power, one that originates from beyond the stars itself. That familiar sensation sends a shudder down his spine, finding it breathtaking and dangerous.
Too dangerous, in his opinion, for anyone to be wielding. Especially Yoimiya.
But from what witnessed, she handled it just fine, and managed to use it in an especially creative way to defeat her enemies. It was an incredible sight to behold, and the doubt that had managed to claw itself out of the pool of corruption gets pulled back down beneath the surface, erased from his mind. How silly of him, to think that Yoimiya shouldn't be handling such power. This power suited her perfectly, just as his own dark transformation suits him. He tries to do more with the sword, to test it, but he finds he can't- and remembers why.]
Ah. There's a magical force keeping me from using this weapon, I'd nearly forgotten. Only the true wielder of the weapon can use it. Here.
[He hands it back to her, still confused as to the design of it. Could it be connected to Master Skirk somehow...?]
Even after seeing it with my own eyes, I'm still not sure why it looks the way it does. Yoimiya, where did you learn to use abyssal power like that? That attack you used to defeat that last siren...I've never seen anything like it.
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... Huh. How was she able to use the powers of the abyss so effortlessly?
It's then, a sudden burst of realization hits her, the question plays in her mind on repeat. Her eyebrows furrow in confusion as she glances down at her palms stained with blood. As if listening to Ajax's words is like drinking a clarity potion, it starts to dawn on her that she acted like a monster and killed those sirens in a brutal fashion that's uncharacteristic of her. Of course, nothing was going to stop her from bringing Ajax back at all costs and the battle would have ended in their deaths anyway but maybe she took it a bit too far.
What happened to her out there? As several more questions stir about in her head, a faint expression of concern settles on her features. ]
I...
[ Archons, something has gone terribly awry with her. Yoimiya is not sure what's going on but she needs to do something quick before—
This is what you wanted, to stand by your beloved's side and grow strong with him.
... That's right. If wasn't for this unknown power and their weapon, she would have never been able to bring Ajax back to her. If she was her usual, weak, ordinary self, Ajax would still be under the control of those sirens. What she needs to do is fully embrace these dark thoughts. The only person that matters is Ajax, no one else. And if she wants to be with him, she needs to grow stronger.
Shaking those intrusive thoughts out of her head, Yoimiya goes back to a more neutral expression, as if nothing happened. She glances at him with a soft smile made for his eyes only, delicately taking back the sword. ]
Truth be told, I don't really know. I was so determined to get you back at all costs, it kind of just happened on the spot. I sort of just... applied my usual firepower to the sword and it kind of just worked out.
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Just keep an eye on it, but believe in her, believe in her strength. Yoimiya is his beloved, blossoming into a powerful warrior. She just needs to work through her new powers, ones that he's unintentionally provided to her through his own soul, ones that she's managed to take hold of and make her own. Be proud, these thoughts tell him, and support her in her on her road to glory. Together, they'd conquer the world.
Yes, that sounds right to him. So he returns the soft smile, nodding and accepting the answer. It makes sense to him, in this twisted mindset he's found himself in. Yoimiya is just growing into it, and her natural talent as a warrior led her here.]
Honestly, I'm impressed. You've showcased that you're far more than just a simple country girl, [he says with a wink,] and I'm excited to see how far you can go. After our work here is done, when we return home, I'll begin to teach you more advanced techniques.
[He grins, letting his arm wrap around her middle to pull her back into him by the small of her back, his hand gently brushing her cheek as he admires her.]
I assume you'll be alright with that?
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She wants to make him proud, she needs to make him proud. Her sole purpose in life is to fill Ajax's life with happiness and if it involves cutting down monsters, people, or gods, she'll do just that. ]
Yes...! Yes, of course. Oh, Ajax. I'm so happy you're willing to train with me. I couldn't ask for a better teacher.
[ Like an affectionate kitten, she snuggles into his body, letting out soft purrs from the warmth of his fingertips brushing her cheek. She's craving his touch, allowing the sword in her hands to dissipate back into his chest in specks of gold, all so she can bring her arms around him for a tender embrace. ]
I promise I'll work hard for you. Forging this bond weapon with you has been one of the happiest moments of my life and I want nothing more than to cut down adversaries with the power of our love.
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I know you'll keep that promise. Come, there's more adversaries to cut down, more blood to be spilled. I want to see more of your new abilities, and fight alongside you as we decimate their forces and emerge victorious. We'll show them that our love isn't to be trifled with, haha. Keep that sword drawn- it seems that it's able to counteract their charm magic, and it should ensure I never leave your side.
[His smile turns wicked, filled with confidence and the need to slay everything in their path. Holding Yoimiya close, he cranes his neck to press his forehead to the top of her head, closing his eyes as he allows images of the carnage they'd leave in their wake play across the backs of his eyelids.]
Today marks the first day of your path as a true warrior. Let's go.
[And then they killed all the sirens like a couple of psychos looool]