Flame flashed behind Or'do's eyes as he advanced, yet I knew it would not be enough. His hate was immense, yet all the hate in this entire blighted world would not vanquish Gehrman. I realized that I had fallen perhaps fifty paces behind, and could only watch in horror as a smile crossed the Old Hunter's features, revealed in patches through the fraying curtain of his swaying hair. Or'do stood defiant, his Cainhurst armour burning with black flame that crept along the carved grooves and ornate patterns laid into his plates; yet his defiance would be his doom.

***

Or'do fell into a low stance, his Beast Claws glinting dully in the sickly, fitful radiance of a distant Sun and seething flames to his back, his elaborately engraved armour of pale grey turned waxen beneath the light's wavering touch.

Aleorn weeping when he thought Or'do's eyes averted, his heart heavy as steel, brittle as mouldering timber. Or'do clenches a fist, yet does not speak. Any words that cross his lips now would only deepen his comrade's suffering. 

A roar pealed from his lips like the bellowing of thunder ringing from tempestuous heavens. With the blinding speed of striking lightning, Or'do sprang forth, dust exploding from beneath his trailing foot, pluming in a mournful nebula around his calf. Lightning traced the edge of his craggy blades as he swung, an arching slash that came whistling in from below, poised to spear the Old Hunter, to shatter his ribs and feast upon the softness beneath.

Yet those ravenous claws never sated their thirst, merely grated against the Hunter's gauntlet as he parried Or'do's strike with contemptuous ease. He gave ground readily, yet the grace of his pivoting, the deftness of his guarding blows belied his strength. Even now the Hunter merely toyed with Or'do, and this infuriated him.

Sparks scorched the earth, and the wind of Or'do's tempestuous passing filled the air with drifting scraps of withered grass that writhed in harmony with his curving blows, following his smiting hands, clinging to his striding legs with servile desperation. Dark flame swelled and curled along him, surging from deep within. Shadow burned from his heart and leaked into his veins, filling his body with their icy fire. Dipping low, allowing the Old Hunter's fist to pass overhead, he twisted back, driving his own knuckles against Gehrman's armpit, nearly toppling his foe with the immense force of his titanic blow. Thunder rang out as his fist connected, and the Hunter's armour crumpled, bowed beneath his fury, yet the strike left him open, left him in a low crouch when his foe still loomed above.

Gehrman's smile deepened. He twisted nimbly aside, a swift motion fluid as splattering blood, drawing his blunderbuss from its sheath and pressing its cold muzzle against Or'do's stomach.

It is too late. Or'do realized. I have once more sowed despair in the heart of one I wished only to protect. Forgive me, Aleorn. You will be once and forevermore alone.