Not the trident, though, unfortunately.Fine.He'd manage.
Back in the water, he used it to get enough momentum to kick Galehaut's legs out from under him, sending him crashing flailingpanickinginto the water.His heart hurt, the guilt making him ache, but with Galehaut distracted he could turn his attention back to Maleagant.
Once Galehaut stood up again, he'd be fine.It would be all right.He'd stop this before Galehaut was in real danger.
Another chime.Six left.
His heart raced faster than ever as he swam through the water seeking Maleagant.Who was nowhere to be seen.He must have found—
Lancelot reared back just in time to avoid being smashed by the column that came crashing down into the water.He stood up, the water halfway up his chest now, slowing slightly as the water rose high enough to deal with leaks in the wall and other obstacles.Eventually, detritus would plug those holes or slow them enough they wouldn't matter, and the water would rise quickly again, until it reached the broken windows and could go no higher.By that point, it would be high enough that Galehaut….
One problem at a time.
Galehaut drove his fists into the base of another column, over and over, until it cracked enough that he was able to knock it over as well.He then climbed on top it, which was a relief but also a problem.
The knocked over columns divided the hall into the thirds, negating his ability to swim around the whole place and get them from below until the water climbed higher.Damn it.
Maleagant climbed onto one of the pillars, looking smug and pleased with himself, as though he'd somehow regained the upper hand.Which he had, but only slightly.
Another chime.Five left.
He saw Kay climb over the pillar right behind Galehaut at the same time Maleagant did and bellowed for Galehaut to stop him.
Lancelot sent water slamming into both of them, concentrating on Galehaut, who didn't budge but was overwhelmed by the torrent slamming into him from all sides.That gave Kay a chance to get away, move to the next person, which was all that mattered.
Especially since with every second they risked drowning, now the water was nearly up to his shoulders.He dipped beneath the water, closed his eyes briefly, sent out his wishes across the water.It answered immediately, assuring him that bubbles of air would be secured around the heads of his remaining friends.
Not much of a solution, as bubbles were easily popped, especially in turbulent waters, but it would hopefully buy Kay enough time to get to them all.
Another chime.Four left.
He used the movement of the water to throw him up and out, landing on the felled column where Maleagant stood at the far end.Not slowing one bit, keeping his momentum, he ran the length of the column with water keeping pace and slammed into Maleagant with all his might, sending them both back into the water.
He raked and clawed and hit with all his might, blood filling the water, making it murkier than ever, impossible for anyone to see, enjoying the sounds of the stupid fucking bastard choking on blood and water.Lifting one clawed hand—
Lancelot screamed in agony as fire-hot pain pierced his back, taking his breath and rendering him unable to move, sending him toppling back and off to the side, sinking into the water.
His trident.Galehaut had thrown his own fucking trident into him.He could just see the prongs…
He cough up blood, choking, struggling, unable to see, everything…
Something yanked the trident out, and he coughed up more blood even as he sank to the bottom, got his feet under him.
A trio of enormous, ponderous eels were swimming off.A last one still clung to his trident."Thank you," Lancelot said, taking it back as the water healed his body.Barely.He was taking so much damage that even the water wouldn't be able to keep him alive much longer.He'd probably feel the ache of a wound that should have been fatal for the rest of his life.
He rose out of the water as shadows came out, but a swing of the trident and the arching water that followed reduced them to useless shreds.With a scream he ran across the water between the downed columns and straight for Maleagant again, trident clashing against sword in a flurry of sparks and water.
Another chime.Three left.
He managed to rake the points of the trident across Maleagant's chest, tearing his battered armor away once and for all.He slammed the end of the trident into Maleagant's face, which sent him crashing back into the water once more.
Lancelot followed him down, back into the welcoming water.He thrust the trident forward, but it was knocked away by shadows, more of them coming out of dark corners and crevices to wrap around him, drag up, out, away, tearing the trident from his hands once more and tossing it toward Maleagant—
He broke the surface even as he called up more water, tearing the shadows to shreds.Dodged just in time as his own trident nearly stabbed him again.Dove back down beneath the water, grabbed it and swung to slam his feet into Maleagant's face.
Why was the bastard still going.Howwas he still going.The venom should have slowed him down.
Then again, this was Maleagant.He'd probably thought of that.Damn it.
