A former knight's punishment

[ Artoria pov ]

"Go." said my husband as we arrived at the mansion. Giorno had already left to confront Berserker's master, and now it was my turn to get rid of my former knight... the bug that dared to betray me.

Upon hearing my husbands words, I launched myself forward and directly attacked Berserker, going for his neck immediately while ignoring Archer.

As soon as our blades clashed, Berserker roared and tried to hit me.

Jumping back to avoid the attack, I stood in a stance ready for his next attack, however this first clash made one thing perfectly clear for me... he recognised who I am.

Rage grew inside me as I understood what this meant. "You know who I am..." I muttered while gritting my teeth. "And you still dare attack me instead of accepting your punishment?! Have you not done enough to me already?!"

Ignoring my words, he launched forward and pointed his sword at me, which I blocked with my own. Even in his Berserker state, controlled by madness, his swordsmanship skills were amazing. Perhaps even worthy of praise, expect of course for the fact that he was a filthy traitor who would die right now under my blade.

Our clashes continued and in the process my annoyance grew. "Just drop dead already!" I said, waving my sword against him over and over again.

It had been a few days since I met my husband and I was already getting used to seeing him, so having him out of my sight during something as dangerous as fighting the king of heroes was annoying.

"Arghhhhh!" roared Berserker, launching himself forward once again and meeting my sword with his own.

"Unacceptable..." I muttered, an angry scowl growing on my forehead as I looked closely at Lancelot. "You being alive is utterly unacceptable!"

As i slightly got lost in my angry thoughts, I felt his sword slash my cheek, leaving a mark on my face from which blood slowly poured out.

"Roooaaaaar!"

Jumping back to create more distance, I moved my hand to my cheek and saw the red painting my gauntlet. My eyes widened for an instant as I stared at my won blood before I felt Avalon heal my wound.

"You dare cut my face?!" I say loudly, however the anger that clouded my thoughts seconds ago vanished. "You would have my husband see me bleeding, you filthy traitor?!"

Getting into a stance, I focused all my attention on Lancelot as he once again launched himself at me, this time however I could feel my instincts move not just in anger but rather with the single purpose of separating his head from his body.

I would hate having my husband see me wounded, especially when I told him that I would defeat this bastard in an instant.

As Lancelot got closer, I readied my sword to strike him before he could hit me, however just before I could, he changed course and ran in his master's direction.

"You dare turn your back on me?" I muttered while greeting my teeth before noticing that he was going in Giorno's direction. "As if I would let you hurt someone important to my husband!"

Slightly crouching, I launched myself at Lancelot and began my pursuit, going in his direction. I saw him hit Giorno, who had not been expecting him, and then continue to go after him.

Giorno noticed my presence right behind Lancelot and smiled slightly before launching himself forward, right into Lancelot's sword, and proceeding to grab him, preventing his escape.

Understanding of what he was planning dawned on me as I realised this man was truly fearless, a perfect subject for my king I suppose.

"Do it now!" he screamed, tightening his grip on Berserker. "I will hold him, you use your sword!"

Without a second thought I moved forward, my sword piercing Lancelot's armour and Giorno's body as well.

After a few seconds of Berserker thrashing around, Giorno released his grip and his wounds healed. I too took my sword out and nodded to Giorno as he went away, most likely to finish off Berserker's master.

"Now..." I muttered, pointing my sword at Lancelot as blood came out of his chest. "I don't want to waste time with you, so I will have to think of the most painful death possible while also making it fast."

For a moment it looked as if Berserker regained his sanity, however it was quickly replaced by his usual rage as he focused on Giorno's back, aiming to go after him once again. "So you where ordered to finish off Giorno huh?" I asked, though I wasn't expecting an answer. "Very well then, I will just kill you before you get another chance to get close to him!"

Berserker jumped in Giorno's direction, however I intercepted him, mid air. Now that he was wounded, his actual physical capabilities were greatly reduced, meaning I wouldn't have any trouble whatsoever finishing him off.

As he tried to shake my attacks off and go to Giorno, Lancelot ignored any sort of logic and turned his back on me, jumping after Giorno and ignoring how stupid he was being.

Having the freedom to attack unimpeded, I jumped after him and quickly closed the distance before stabbing him in the back, my sword piercing once again his armour and breaking it while simultaneously claiming his life.

"You have changed..." muttered Lancelot as he regained his sanity, his body turning to particles and vanishing.

"Yes." I replied, moving my sword deeper and hopefully causing him more pain even though he was already going to die. "I am free now."

Turning around, Lancelot looked at me and opened his mouth, but before he could say his last words I pulled my sword out of his body and slashed his throats. "I have no interest in your last words, traitor." I said while watching him vanish. "I just came to severe any ties with my past and get some revenge along the way, not to hear whatever nonsense you want to say."

As he disappeared I looked one last time at his expression, however I couldn't make out what it was supposed to mean. Pity? Anger? Regret? Relief? So many emotions flashed through his eyes, however none of them interested me.

After finishing him off, I went to Giorno's side and watched him as he finished off Berserker's master. Most of my interest however was on the ongoing battle between my husband and Archer.

Watching the golden bastard through weapons at my husband was annoying, incredibly annoying. Unconsciously, I tightened the hold on my sword as it began to slightly glow.

"You know you aren't supposed to interrupt them, right?" said Giorno, pulling me to of my thoughts.

"I know." I replied. I am perfectly aware of what the plan is and, while I may not like seeing my husband in danger, I know that he isn't in any real danger.

That's right... my husband has already won this war, what is happening right now is nothing more than an act, a chessboard for him to continue fooling the pieces.

"I hate it too, however this is supposed to be a moment of growth for young master Dio, so just stay here in case things don't go according to plan." said Giorno while standing up. "I will go and check on Caster, perhaps she requires assistance with setting up something."

I nodded at his words and remained in place.

I am here just in case something goes wrong, just in case the plan fails. Diarmuid is also here in case my husband needs help, so there is no way anything could possibly go wrong...