Malzeno/Grand Order

Brutish Saint [2]

Malzeno held his Duke Impaler with one hand, twirling it a few times as he prepared to fight Saint Martha. The stench of a Dragon was what kept Malzeno's curiosity about her high. Was she a Dragon? If so, he was excited by that prospect.

Saint Martha's eyes were dull. Dull in an insanity sense thanks to the [Madness Enchantment]. Yet, despite that, she struggled to keep her mind rational, a testament to her iron spirit.

"I hope you're ready," Martha warned confidently, but Malzeno responded with a lazy nod.

With speed akin to a lightning strike, Malzeno charged in. Dust and debris immediately flooded the vision of the audience. The wind was so strong that the knights and Gilles flew away.

The sound of metal reverberated through the air. Malzeno blinked as he saw that Martha's cross-staff was blocking his Impaler. She wasn't even struggling! Malzeno was the one whose weapon was shaking from how hard he was trying to stab her.

Martha's lips curved into a satisfying smirk, catching Malzeno off guard. Appearing above Malzeno was a small flickering light, catching his attention before looking back at Martha. His vision went blank as the light exploded, sending him flying back.

Malzeno dug his Impaler into the ground, creating a miniature fissure. Malzeno felt weak in the presence of the flickering light that exploded. His crimson irises locked onto Martha's dazed cerulean eyes.

They were both studying each other's movements. Martha knew she was slower than Malzeno, so she would wait for him to make the first strike. It was a sound strategy but something she couldn't keep doing. She witnessed firsthand the draconic form that Malzeno used against Vlad III.

To say she wasn't fearful of it would be a lie. Despite her beating a Dragon with a prayer (Read: Fists), this wasn't an ordinary Dragon.

The fight began again, with Malzeno conjuring a bow and jumping in the air. He was going for the same attack he used against Vlad. Shooting his Impaler at Martha, it immediately traveled at the speed of sound. However, Martha was prepared. A large black shell popped up from the ground to surround Martha, acting as a protective barrier.

The explosion was meteoric, with the flames creating a ring of fire surrounding Malzeno and Martha.

"Malzeno!" Jeanne called out worriedly, her eyes shining due to the flames. This scene was fresh in her mind when she was burned at the stake. She knew Malzeno wouldn't be bothered by such flames, but worrying was in her nature.
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Within the ring of fire, Malzeno looked at the turtle shell of a barrier, which slowly disappeared into particles of blue light.
"Using the same attack won't help you win, Ruler."

Malzeno lazily scratched the back of his head. He knew the Saintess was correct, but it never hurt to try. If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
"Well, forgive me for trying to finish this battle quickly."

"I believe crossing weapons won't work here. I normally like to hide such barbaric behavior, but I'll make an exception here."

Malzeno watched as Martha stabbed her weapon into the ground. She continued to crack her fingers before balling them into fists. At this moment, Malzeno knew what the plum-haired Saint was asking.

A battle of fists.

"Ha...no wonder you're riling up my instincts. You beat a Dragon with your bare hands?"

Martha nodded with no hesitation. "Yes, and if you're a Dragon, I'm in my element here."
Malzeno withdrew his weapons, wanting to respect Saint Martha's wishes for a hand-to-hand fight. It seems lately he was giving his opponents gratification despite being enemies.
It seems there are some things he can't let go.

"Take it easy on me, yeah? I'm older than I look," Malzeno lazily asked, getting Saint Martha to glance at Malzeno, this time with anger flashing through her eyes.

What did he do?

Age, even if you're talking about your age, women seem to take offense!

Without any further words, the two Servants rushed at each other. The winds howled like wolves, and the flames crackled like small sparks of electricity.

Throwing a right hook, Martha went straight for Malzeno's face, but he acted swiftly, using his left palm to slap at Martha's wrist, allowing him to follow up with a strong right cross punch.

The punch connected, but Martha remained unfazed, most likely due to the [Madness Enchantment]. Malzeno felt pain on his chin, courtesy of Martha recovering from her short daze and landing a strong rear uppercut.
The two continued to exchange blows, but it was clear that Malzeno lacked the proper knowledge as this was his first time doing hand-to-hand and not tail-to-tail.
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He thought he should change this up a bit. Malzeno and Martha were locked hand to hand, struggling to overpower one another, but then Martha's legs began to tremble, not out of fear, but because something from below was moving.

Martha's instincts told her to move, and she listened, having let one of her prayers explode between her and Malzeno. She landed 3 meters away, and a tail came from below the ground on her previous spot.

It was a pristine white tail with three steel-like blades that seemed to be used for grappling. Martha was thankful for her battle instincts kicking in, allowing her to avoid sudden death.

"Keen instincts, a strong, steel spirit, and a Dragon Slayer. You're worthy of such a title and praise."

The tail disappeared into blue particles before the sound of fingers cracking flowed through the air.

"I appreciate the compliments, but they're wasted on me in such a state. I would truly enjoy this battle if I were summoned normally without the Berserker traits."

Malzeno nodded, his crimson eyes shining as bright as the sun.

"I will free you from these shackles, so I hope you don't mind me using my Noble Phantasm!"
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