D E S T I N E D

unprompted | @alispun

    He can’t help that he still flinches back when she approaches, even if she isn’t threatening to get too close or touch him. But after fighting a battle against her, it’s at least slightly easier to not jump away at her greeting. 

    His mouth is pressed into a hard line, hardly welcoming. But he doesn’t shout at her to go away like he might have once done in the past. He gives her a deep nod of acknowledgment. After all, she had not been an easy opponent to beat. Loathe as he is to admit it, he questioned his chances of victory for some time during the fight. 

ANNA: “Welcome back to the beach here at the scenic Eastern Palace for Round 2 of the Tourney of Shells! Starting us off today is longtime champion Lon’qu and Isolde of Ylisse in the swords bracket! Will Lon’qu move on to the finals to defend his title, or will he be bested by this lovely lady? I, for one, am eager to find out.”

EMM: “I always feel so proud whenever we have two of our own fighting in a match. A Shepherd and native Ylissean! This should be a very good fight, I’m sure.”

CHROM: “It’s not a tournament unless Lon’qu faces an unknown woman… Wait. I think I heard someone say that before. Did I just plagarise the man himself, or was it somebody else?”

Lon’qu First Strike: 14

Isolde Defense: 16

Lon’qu darts forward as soon as the match begins but falters at the last second, grimacing as he peers at Isolde’s face. Old phobias coming to light?

Isolde First Strike: 7

Lon’qu Defense: NAT 1

FAVOR BONUS: 3

Isolde has no such feelings in return and jabs her sword at his side. Lon’qu finally manages to steel himself enough to move so that she can’t get a second attack in.

Lon’qu: 0

Isolde: 1

EMM: “Well, Sir Lon’qu has definitely been getting better at fighting women since the first tourney. He didn’t flinch as much as he used to!”

Lon’qu Second Strike: 11

Isolde Defense: 5

Ashamed of letting his weakness win Isolde a point, Lon’qu spins around on his foot, disgusing where his next blow will be aimed at, scoring a point on the arm as his opponent attempts to block.

Isolde Second Strike: 16

Lon’qu Defense: 2

The feroxi warrior needs a moment to catch his breath from that display, which is also Isolde needs to smack him against the head with the flat of her blade.

Lon’qu: 1

Isolde: 2

CHROM: “Lon’qu’s trying to catch up, but Isolde is formidable in her own right, taking that lead right back. Our Feroxi swordsman is going to need to build up his defence.”

Lon’qu Third Strike: 9

Isolde Defense: 4

LION’S PAW Bonus: 10

Head a blur from the unusual strike, Lon’qu lunges in but trips to the side, dizzy.

Isolde Third Strike: 4

Lon’qu Defense: 5

Isolde believes that she sees an opening, but Lon’qu has enough battle experience to be able to recover quickly; he brings his blade parralel to his body, blocking the blow.

Lon’qu: 1

Isolde: 2

EMM: “Isolde has the lead for now, but I wonder if she’ll keep it. Lon’qu is notorious for managing unlikely victories.”

Lon’qu Fourth Strike: 17

Isolde Defense: 6

Rather than sweep, Lon’qu pushes his blade towards Isolde, making it nigh impossible to block his next blow when her own sword is practically against her chest. He steps past her, weapon slashing the arm.

Isolde Fourth Strike: 19

Lon’qu Defense: 15

Having overextended, Lon’qu is in a bad position; Isolde tags his back with little difficulty.

Lon’qu: 2

Isolde: 3

CHROM: “Another point to Isolde… Has Lon’qu’s tournament luck finally ran out?”

Lon’qu Fifth Strike: 12

Isolde Defense: 4

Sweat drops from Lon’qu’s brow; likely he has realised time is nearly up, and he is behind. He ducks down, and slashes across Isolde’s thighs.

Isolde Fifth Strike: 6

Lon’qu Defense: 17

Isolde had swung her blade in that exact moment however, did not seem to expect the height change and merely skims a strand of Lon’qu’s hair; not enough for a point.

Lon’qu Coral Bonus Strike: 11

Isolde Defense: 6

Putting all of his strength into his back foot, Lon’qu jumps up and passes forward, placing his blade flat against Isolde’s collar bones and pushing her back.

Lon’qu: 4

Isolde: 3

CHROM: “What a match! Isolde kept the lead nearly the entire time, only to have it stolen at the end.”

EMM: “Part of me is surprised, but Lon’qu always does so well in the tourneys, that I should have expected this. Congratulations, Lon’qu!”

ANNA: “The last axe match of the day! The hours are flying by so quickly, I can hardly keep up with it all! Lady Yvette of Rosanne will be facing off against Princess Lachesis of Nordion… Despite their delicate appearances, it seems these two have some skill with an axe– I’m looking forward to seeing a graceful display!”

EMM: “A Rosannean competitor, how wonderful. I’m sure Sir Virion and Lady Cherche are cheering them on in the crowd.”

CHROM: “And for Lachesis, Nanna and… Ah. I did learn her brother’s name once but… Diarmuid! That was it! I’m sure they’ll be cheering her on. Perhaps Eldigan is lurking around as well?”

Yvette First Strike: 13

Lachesis Defense: 12

Yvette makes the first move of the match, rushing forward and swinging her ax in a long, upward motion. She catches Lachesis on the shoulder, scoring the first hit of the match.

Lachesis First Strike: NAT 20

Yvette Defense: 3

BONUS STRIKE: 3

Yvette Defense: 19

Lachesis retaliates with a huge swing, catching Yvette with the flat of his ax and sending her stumbling back. He swings again, nearly catching her for a second time, but Yvette dodges out of the way.

Yvette: 1 Lachesis: 1

EMM: “A strong beginning for them both!”

Yvette Second Strike: 11

Lachesis Defense: 11

Axes clash with equal force, pushing both competitors back with a grunt.

Lachesis Second Strike: 4

LION’S PAW Bonus: NAT 20

Yvette Defense: 2

Bonus Strike: 14

Yvette Defense: 6

Lachesis is quicker to recover, and manages an upward cut on her opponent. She refuses to give Yvette room to get away, and brings it back down again with gravity assisting, smashing into the Rosannean’s shoulder.

Yvette: 1 Lachesis: 3

CHROM: “I get the feeling Yvette’s going to be sore tomorrow… Let’s hope she can push past it for now though.”

Yvette Third Strike: 19

Lachesis Defense: NAT 1

FAVOR BONUS: 2

Thankfully it wasn’t Yvette’s weapon arm that took the brunt of the previous blow. Having been forced low by her assault on Yvette, Lachesis leaves herself open to a vicious strike at her side, conceding a point.

Lachesis Third Strike: 6

Yvette Defense: 11

Lachesis attempts to stop the gap from closing but unfortunately, she is still reeling from the last blow. Her grip falters, and she misses.

Yvette: 2 Lachesis: 3

CHROM: “I know the weapons are blunted, but this still looks terrifying to an outsider. Remind me not to pick a fight with either of them if it isn’t necessary.”

Yvette Fourth Strike: 15

Lachesis Defense: 3

Yvette backs off slightly, seeming to go on the defensive. At the last second however, when she is just about to be out of range, her axe is suddenly swung in the direction of Lachesis’ other side. Her opponent is too slow to react, and has now been tagged harshly on several parts of her body.

Lachesis Fourth Strike: 4

Yvette Defense: 15

Lachesis is forced to keel over and catch her breath, not getting very far in her swing. Soon after, she looks up with a new determination.

Yvette: 3 Lachesis: 3

CHROM: “Lachesis had such a great lead, but Yvette is taking the slow and steady approach in catching up. The consistancy seems to be doing her well, but can she secure that final point?”

Yvette Fifth Strike: 9

Lachesis Defense: 11

Yvette feints up, but really swings for her opponent’s stomach. Lachesis is too focused to fall for it however, and deflects her blade to the side.

Lachesis Fifth Strike: 17

Yvette Defense: 15

Axe briefly out of the way, Yvette is open to Lachesis’ next blow. After a few false attempts earlier in the match, she has finally recovered enough to surge forwards and slash her opponent’s chest.

Yvette CORAL Bonus Strike: 7

Lachesis Defense: 17

Yvette seems well aware that she has one chance to bring this to a tiebreaker. With all her strength, she goes for a wide swing but Lachesis steps back, out of range.

Yvette: 3 Lachesis: 4

EMM: “This was such a close one, but it is Lady Lachesis who wins!”

CHROM: “Lachesis was right to secure such a lead at the beginning. Yvette did well in catching up, and our Nordion princess really did need that safety net. We’ll be seeing the latter in the next round.”