The walls of the chamber trembled violently, sending fine streams of dust cascading from the ceiling. The rune-etched walls flared and dimmed erratically, their glow pulsing in rhythm with the deep, guttural growls reverberating through the space. A tremor rippled underfoot, followed by a deafening roar that seemed to crack the very air.
From the shadows, a massive figure emerged, its sheer size commanding an oppressive presence. Adula, the Glintstone Dragon, stepped into the dim light, her towering form framed by shimmering, crystalline wings. Each shift of her body refracted light into dazzling beams, creating a surreal and blindingly beautiful aura around her. But beneath the splendor was a sense of menace—a predator poised to destroy.
The Tarnished tightened his grip on his greatsword, his stance instinctively lowering into a defensive posture. His voice was dry but tinged with resignation. "Of course. A dragon. Because why wouldn't there be?"
Adula's roar echoed again, an almost melodic mix of fury and raw power that rattled the chamber. Without hesitation, she opened her maw, unleashing a torrent of glintstone breath. The azure inferno surged forward, consuming everything in its path.
"Move!" the Tarnished shouted, diving to one side as the flames obliterated the ground where he had stood. 2B flipped backward in an acrobatic arc, the heat licking at her heels as she landed in a low crouch, katana drawn.
As the flames subsided, leaving molten streaks on the platform, the Tarnished pushed himself to his feet. His greatsword glimmered faintly, a golden aura beginning to envelop its edge as he summoned his power. "Team up?" he called over the din of Adula's guttural growls.
2B's gaze flicked to him, her visor obscuring her expression, but her faint smirk was audible in her voice. "For now."
They moved in unison without another word, their earlier hostility dissolving into mutual purpose. The Tarnished charged directly at Adula, his greatsword glowing brighter as he channeled his faith into the blade. He swung at her outstretched claw, the impact reverberating like a bell toll. Sparks flew, and while the strike failed to pierce her crystalline armor, it forced her to recoil momentarily.
Meanwhile, 2B darted to the dragon's flank, her movements a blur of precision and speed. Her katana sliced through the air, aiming for the joints in Adula's massive legs. Each strike was surgical, aimed at weakening the dragon's mobility.
Adula retaliated with a ferocity that shook the chamber. She lashed out with her crystalline claws, raking the ground in wide arcs, forcing 2B to flip and roll away. Her tail followed in a sweeping motion, a crystalline whip that shattered the stone floor as it swept across the battlefield.
The Tarnished raised his shield against the tail's strike, the impact jarring his entire body and sending him skidding back several feet. "Damn it, she hits like a fortress!" he grunted, shaking off the ringing in his ears.
2B launched herself into the air, her katana aimed at the dragon's back. Adula twisted with shocking agility for her size, her wings flaring wide. A burst of glintstone energy erupted from her body, forcing 2B to veer off course and land heavily on her feet, skidding to a stop.
"I'll keep her busy!" the Tarnished shouted, rushing forward with his greatsword raised.
"Try not to get yourself killed," 2B replied flatly, though her tone carried a note of wry amusement.
The Tarnished swung his sword in a massive overhead arc, aiming for the base of Adula's wing. The blade clanged against her scales, leaving a faint crack but failing to penetrate fully. She snarled and turned her attention to him, her claws slashing downward.
At that moment, 2B seized the opportunity, rushing in from the dragon's blind spot. Her katana struck at the joint of Adula's hind leg, sparks flying as the blade found a weak point. Adula roared, her balance faltering slightly as the combined assault began to take its toll.
The two fighters weaved in and out of the dragon's attacks, their movements synchronized by necessity rather than intent. The Tarnished's brute strength and resilience complemented 2B's agility and precision, their strikes chipping away at the dragon's defenses bit by bit.
Adula roared once more, her wings unfurling as she leaped into the air, sending a shockwave through the chamber. Shards of glintstone rained down, forcing the Tarnished to raise his shield while 2B darted through the falling debris, her katana gleaming as she prepared for another strike.
"Keep her grounded!" 2B shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
The Tarnished nodded grimly, gripping his greatsword tightly. "Easier said than done!"
Adula's massive wings beat against the air, creating gusts strong enough to stagger the Tarnished and scatter loose debris across the chamber. The dragon ascended only briefly, her crystalline body shimmering ominously as she prepared another burst of glintstone breath.
2B didn't respond, but her actions spoke louder than words. She darted in and out of the dragon's reach, her katana a blur as she struck at its limbs and underbelly. Her movements were surprisingly fast, each attack landing with surgical precision.
Adula retaliated with a burst of glintstone breath, the destructive weapon sweeping across the platform in a blinding wave. The Tarnished dove behind a fallen pillar, using it as cover, while 2B dashed sideways, her sleek form weaving through the torrent of azure flames.
The Tarnished gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "If she gets too high, we're done for. I create a path; you get on her back." he muttered. He threw all of his daggers onto the wall to create a ledge.
On the ground, 2B was already in motion. Her boots barely touched the dagger, using it as a springboard to launch herself toward Adula's back. Her katana gleamed in the shifting light as she spun in midair, aiming her strike at the dragon's wing joint.
The blade bit deep, severing a key tendon with a sickening crunch. Adula's roar of pain shook the chamber as her flight wavered. She plummeted back to the ground, her enormous form crashing into the platform and shattering more of its surface.
Adula twisted, her massive wings creating a vortex of air that sent debris flying. The Tarnished struggled to stay on his feet, planting his sword in the ground to steady himself.
The dragon reared up, her maw glowing with the visible energy of another breath attack. "Move!" the Tarnished bellowed, sprinting toward the dragon's flank.
2B leaped off Adula's back just as the dragon unleashed a devastating beam of glintstone energy, the attack carving a molten scar into the chamber floor. Landing gracefully beside the Tarnished, she glanced at him briefly.
"Do you have a plan?" she asked, her tone clipped.
"You bet." he said, gripping his greatsword tightly. "Hit her until she stops moving."
She sighed in sarcasm. "How brilliant."
Adula's tail whipped toward her, a crystalline blur of deadly force. 2B slid under it at the last second, her katana flashing as she struck the exposed joint at its base. Sparks erupted as her blade connected, and Adula's tail sagged slightly, her movements growing slower.
"Keep at it!" The Tarnished shouted, circling back to attack the dragon's injured wing.
Adula, however, was far from finished. Her eyes glowed brighter, and a pulse of magical energy rippled through the chamber. The runes along the walls flared to life, their chaotic glow reflecting the dragon's fury.
The Tarnished barely had time to raise his shield before Adula unleashed another torrent of glintstone breath, the azure flames sweeping across the platform. 2B vaulted over a fallen chunk of debris, narrowly avoiding the blazing breath.
Adula's deafening roar echoed through the chamber as 2B and the Tarnished launched their assault in perfect unison. Despite their contrasting styles, they moved like seasoned partners, their attacks timed to exploit every opening.
The Tarnished swung his greatsword in wide, brutal arcs, each strike sending tremors through the ground and further splintering Adula's crystalline armor. His strength was relentless, every blow a calculated effort to break through the dragon's defenses.
Meanwhile, 2B was a blur of motion, her katana flashing like streaks of light. She weaved through Adula's thrashing limbs with uncanny precision, each slash targeting weak points where the crystalline plating was thin. Her blade struck with surgical accuracy, leaving deep gashes that glowed faintly with magical energy.
Adula snarled in fury, raising her massive claws and slamming them into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the platform, the force strong enough to crack stone. The Tarnished stumbled, his footing momentarily lost, but he quickly recovered. Using the momentum, he surged forward and delivered a devastating overhead strike, cleaving through one of Adula's claws with a sickening crunch.
The dragon recoiled, shrieking in pain. Seizing the moment, 2B dashed beneath the dragon's neck, her movements fluid and precise. With a powerful leap, she vaulted upward, her katana cutting through the fragile plating that shielded Adula's throat. The blade bit deep, causing the dragon to rear back, exposing the vulnerable expanse of her chest.
"Now!" 2B's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
The Tarnished didn't hesitate. He charged forward, his greatsword raised high, but instead of striking with the blade, he drove his gauntleted fist against the hilt of 2B's katana, hammering it deeper into the dragon's neck. The blade sliced further, nearly severing Adula's throat. The dragon let out an earth-shaking roar, her massive form writhing in agony.
Desperation flared in Adula's eyes. With a heaving gasp, she unleashed a torrent of glintstone breath, the azure flames surging toward her attackers in a deadly wave. The Tarnished reacted instantly, grabbing 2B by the scruff of her clothes and throwing her clear of the blast.
He planted his feet and raised a massive tower shield from pocket dimension, chanting an incantation under his breath. A blue light shimmered across the shield's surface, bolstering its resistance against the magical onslaught. The glintstone breath crashed into him like a tidal wave, but he held firm, gritting his teeth as the searing heat pushed him to his limits.
When the breath subsided, Adula stumbled back, the wounds on her neck partially sealed by the residual energy. The dragon's wings unfurled, creating a powerful gust that swept across the platform and forced her enemies to halt their advance.
Adula's eyes burned with resentment as she glared at them, her pride wounded. With a final, guttural snarl, she flapped her wings and began to fade, her massive form dissolving into shimmering magic. In moments, she was gone.
"Did she just… run away?" 2B asked incredulously, gesturing toward the empty space where Adula had vanished.
The Tarnished lowered his shield with a heavy sigh of relief, his muscles aching from the effort. "Looks like it. Can't say I'm complaining."
2B tilted her head, watching the empty air for a moment longer before turning to him. "Nice teamwork." she said, her tone neutral but carrying a faint undercurrent of approval.
He smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The tension in the room dissipated as they turned toward the chamber's exit. Though they said little, the shared silence was steeped in the unspoken understanding of a hard-fought victory.
As they reached the threshold, 2B sheathed her katana with practiced ease. Her posture relaxed slightly, though her tone remained sharp. "You're not as useless as I thought."
The Tarnished chuckled, his exhaustion evident in his voice. "So… where were we before the big lizard interrupted?"
Her visor tilted toward him for a beat before she turned away, her voice softer this time. "Maybe another time."
He watched her walk ahead, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Are you shy?"
"Shut up." 2B muttered at his teasing.
______
"You were totally cool back there." 2B said as she snuggled up in the Tarnished tight embrace. She quite liked this warm feeling and perhaps was already addicted to it.
The Tarnished chuckled softly, still a bit bashful as he adjusted 2B on his lap. "Cool? I don't know about that. Pretty sure I was just trying not to get cut in half."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression neutral but her tone playful. "Don't downplay it. You had me pinned, didn't you? That was… impressive."
His grin widened, though he tried to keep his tone modest. "Well, maybe a little impressive. But I think you let me win."
2B blinked, feigning surprise. "Let you win? I don't think I'm programmed for that."
"Could've fooled anyone but me." he teased, his hand gently brushing a stray strand of her silver hair away from her face. "You're kind of scary with those katanas, you know. If Adula hadn't shown up, I'd probably be in pieces."
She shrugged, her weight relaxing further into his hold. "Maybe. But you held your own. For someone who looks like they haven't maintained their armor in months."
He let out an exaggerated gasp, his free hand going to his chest in a dramatic posture as though he was insulted. "Now that's uncalled for! My armor is perfectly fine, thank you."
Her lips curved into the faintest smile, and she rested her forehead lightly against his. "I suppose it's not bad. For a human."
The Tarnished chuckled, wrapping his arms more securely around her. "And you're not bad either. For a machine."
She nudged him playfully, her tone softening. "I guess we made a decent team back then, huh?"
"Yeah, we do." he said, his voice quieter now. "Wait, did you mean we don't make a good team now?" He sprang up and looked at her with his eyes widened in bewilderment.
"Remember what you did today!" 2B slammed her fist into his chest playfully and pouted. Her puffy cheek made him want to tease her a little more, but he decided not to ruin the mood.
Without saying anything, the two of them locked their lips in a passionate kiss, their eyes slightly close to savour this sweetness contrary to the harshness of the Lands Between.
He held her head gently, letting the silver hair flow between his fingers. As he stroked her back in a slow and deliberate manner, he could feel the slight shiver causing through her system like shockwaves.
Their breath hitched as they parted their lips, leaving a strand of saliva dangling midair before 2B took the initiative as she wrapped her hands around his neck in the attempt to deepen their kiss.
Her plump thighs adorned in the black stocking locked him in place. She wanted to experience this a little longer, indulging in his embrace like a contented cat.
In the heat of the moment, he grabbed her thigh and slowly moved up to the part where the stocking couldn't reach. The arm around her waist tightened, pulling her body closer to his.
The thought of him wanting to monopolize her for himself made 2B genuinely happy as she let his hands roam throughout her body. The two finally became one at that moment, lost in their love and passion as if the world around them no longer existed.
No one was there to interrupt them, as it was the special place made for the Tarnished and the Android, who found solace in each other's arms.
2B let out a small sigh, closing her eyes briefly as she leaned into him. "I think I could get used to this." she murmured.
________
(A/N: So this is the end of the oneshot, 13k+ words but I split it so that it's easier to read. Quite a number and a hassle to edit this. Depend on the readers that this idea could go to waste but I have a fun time too.
Also, fuck that one guy who wants fluff in an Elden Ring fic. I despise you.)