The Plague Doctor

Rumble (Part 3)

Celeste landed back down on the arena once more, panting harder than earlier. She coughed up blood, purely from pushing herself so much against Atlas.

"Just how much... damage can you... take...?" she grumbled, spitting on the ground and wiping her mouth. "Hurry, everyone... I can't... do this for much longer..."

The stone giant let out a growl that shook the area, staring down at her with that familiar emerald hue. It's clear that these two were going all out, despite their injuries. Cracks and cuts, bruises and gashes- they were both on the ropes. Nonetheless, they charged forward once again, clashing their fists with all their might, making a shockwave that shook everything once more.

Back to the nosebleeds, Terra and Fren stood side by side, staring down Basilis with a calm aggro. Basilis on the other hand, looked back at them with a nonchalant attitude, keeping his hands clenched by his sides, and his eyes darting over to look at his weapon, then back at the Plague Doctors over and over again. He knew his objective in this battle, and so did they.

They were silent... until the deafening roar of the colossus acted as though a signal to start their battle, Basilis immediately running over to his gunblade and lunging forward, before spinning on his heel and blocking the duo's combined attack, causing him to stagger back.

"Rrgh... Dammit!!" he grunted out, rushing towards Terra and Fren, clashing fists with them.

As if like a dance, their style was apparent as they collided blows. Kicks, jabs, hooks, dodging, blocking- they went on and on. In the distance however, a familiar Afflicted man got up with a wheeze, limping his way over to the Afflicted controlling Atlas, and picking them up, evacuating from the area as fast he can while in so much pain.

A grin peered from Basilis' face, catching both of the Plague Doctors' fists and pulling them together, making them collide their heads roughly.

"Ack-!!" Terra grunted out, blood going down his eye from a popped vessel on his forehead. Fren on the other hand, stumbled slightly from the impact, causing him to catch himself from falling just barely by keeping his feet shoulder width apart. By the time they could look back up to prepare to attack once more, Basilis stepped forward, grabbing them both by the neck and lifting them up, suddenly slamming them into the ground with a heavy slam.

A cry of pain escaped them both, gripping on to one of the Rat's hands each as they tried to break free from his hold.

"Maybe I don't need her against you two." he said, smiling sadistically. "It's a shame... You're starting to succumb to your wounds and pass out!"

That much was true, Terra's eyes fading out slightly from the loss of consciousness, whereas Fren clinged on weakly, holding on for as long as possible. Just as all hope seemed lost, Fren got a surge of energy course through his body, suddenly pulling back into the ground more to launch his legs up, kicking Basilis on the back of the head with a hard thud.

"G-aagh!" he grunted out, finally letting go and hopping back while running the spot he was kicked. Without any time to waste, Fren got a murderous intent forming around his Pressure, making it seemingly heavier. Basilis' eyes widened as the Plague Doctor, fighting off of a killer instinct, ran towards him and flying knee'd him in the chest, into a left and right seven-hit combo, causing the Rat to barely hold on to his guard to reduce the impact.

Fren's eyes were cold, and narrowed. Such a sight was disorienting, compared to his usual carefree demeanor. Despite this, Basilis, weaved his next barrage, striking back whenever there was an opening. They were seemingly even in their combat abilities, trading strikes equally with each jab, each hook, each kick.

Terra slowly regained consciousness, shakily looking around behind him to see that the Atlas Afflicted was gone. Such a sight made him snap wide awake again, terrified. His head snapped over to look at Celeste, fighting for dear life against the living statue- no, a living mountain of a creature.