freedom's flame, burn bright!

Not in a creepy, sinister, or stalker way, of course. He’s hard to miss. He’s loud, and talkative, and perhaps a bit of a braggart. It’s an energy that Cynthia can get behind. That isn’t the only thing that catches her attention, though he’s hard not to pay attention to.

He talks a lot about home. The weird part is that she understands him, in a sense. She doesn’t know what a lahgooz is, or whatever else he’s talking about, but she gets what he’s saying. He fought too young in a war he shouldn’t have had to fight. She gets that. And she likes his energy. Really, there’s only one thing to do.

“Tormod!” she shouts right as class ends. “Hey, we gotta talk.”

She leads the way out of the classroom, leading him somewhere quiet. It might not be a big secret but, eh, this is a much cooler way of doing things. There’s an air of mystery to it, rather than yelling at him directly.

“So. I wanted to talk to you, because I think you’re great.” She stops for a second, and realises exactly how this must look. “Not in any way beyond, you know, potential-friend-to-potential-friend! No, scratch that, friend-to-friend.” They’ve exchanged exactly no words so far, but that doesn’t matter; she’s had friendships with people who downright despite her before.

“Have you ever thought about joining the fight for justice?”

Ooooh, and she’s got something to say that necessitates a new setting. Now he’s definitely intrigued.

“Woah! Well you know what, right back atcha!” Cynthia’s pretty forward, huh? She’s speeding through all the stuff Tormod would say! Wait, she’s even beat him to the friendship punch? Damn, his instincts really were on the money. “There’s no going back now, our friendship is forged!”

And then she says something so perfect that he guffaws, then backs up a little to make sure she knows he’s taking it seriously. He’s heard some of the things she’s said in class—they’re the same, in a lot of different ways.

The randomized pairs had left Sophia paired with a student from the Golden Deer and a fake baby. Sophia had dolls when she was a young child, much like any other girl her age, but this... is far beyond the kind of crude handmade dolls she'd had. To begin with, it looks and feels frighteningly real, magically enchanted to make it feel as warm as a real human baby. It also moves and cries on its own which is both a marvel of magic and also incredibly disconcerting to watch. The phrase 'uncanny valley' was surely created for something like this.

Despite it all, Sophia thinks it's a little cute, in a janky, inhuman kind of way.

Her partner, however, does not seem to feel the same way. Holding out the doll with stiff arms, it looks less like he's holding a baby and more like he's dangling a kitten in the air.

"Um... if you're uncomfortable... I can hold it." Sophia says hesitantly, holding out her hands. "I've... taken care... of young children before, so..."

(He likes to think he did pretty good aside from that! He worked well with Byleth, he cooperated with Maria and Lyon swimmingly and didn't leave Azama totally to the wolves, and he and Marni had safely and consensually beaten each other into the ground.)

None of that is enough to get him out of this assignment, though. And for what it's worth, this Sophia doesn't seem like a bad gal! It's just, well, he really isn't built for this kind of thing. The baby, that is, not the teamwork, he's awesome at teamwork over seventy percent of the time!

"I mean, I have too! They just...liked to be in a shape that's not like this." Tormod's usually been the youngest in the Emancipation Army, but there's been a few times where they liberated a particularly small kid, or even an infant with their parent. Muarim had tried to teach him some things, but laguz babies tended to shift back and forth unpredictably, and Tormod put the most effort into when they were in the easier form, AKA not humanoid. Kind of biting him in the ass, here. "See, I dunno how much you've heard about Tellius, but my dad's not a beorc and most of the babies I cared for weren't either. I mean, sometimes they looked like this, but...agh."

Tormod hates backing down from a challenge, but this baby doll is freaking him out and he doesn't know how to calm it down and he can't scruff it or anything (and he knows to save scruffing for when he needs it and)--

Ah. Well, transferring the baby to Sophia is a rather painless thing to do, it turns out.

"Beorc--sorry, human--" the word tastes bitter on his tongue, still, but that is the parlance of a laguz-free continent "--babies are so much simpler but harder at the same time! I dunno how my dad dealt with me..."

no, kevin—the placeholder name she had given it for ease—is quite occupied with gnawing on bernadetta’s outstretched arm. another few wolf pups from the litter have taken to doing the same, just dangling from different parts of her stiffened body like an avant-garde windchime. (wolf-chime…?)

bernadetta admittedly knows not what to do, say, nor even think. the pups are as round and tiny as can be, the bone white nubs of their teeth barely poking out from softer pink gums. she cannot bring herself to pry them off, though moreover she lacks the freedom to.

The way they’ve chosen Bernadetta as their chew toy is certainly typical puppy behavior, at least. Tormod can’t help but laugh at her predicament, ruffling the head of one and trying to redirect it onto himself. 

“They aren’t trying to eat you, don’t worry! They can’t even do that at this age.” The pup, deemed Kevin, takes a chomp of Tormod’s arm, gumming rather ferociously. It’s kinda pleasant. “They’re teething. They like to figure out the world around them by putting their mouth on it. Which means they think you’re super interesting!”

They really do seem to like her. It’s probably the way she reacts to them. Tormod’s jealous, he’s gotta step up his puppy-attracting game. Though, he should also be responsible…sigh. He shuffles around, finding a teething ring, and offers it for one of the pups to clamp their jaws around.

“We should teach them to chew on things other than people, though. So these toys will help…they also like to play! Watch this!”

Tormod flips on his back, writhing around. Several of the puppies, a gray one and a fawn-and-white one, detach their horrid jaws from Bernie and instead body slam directly into him, slobbering all over his face and pressing their paws into him. He laughs, pretending to struggle as they play-fight with him and each other.

It's not that Sothe is trying to sound exasperated, really - it's just that he's not trying to not sound that way, either. Tormod's hounding footsteps have always been a light in the darkness, for both the warmth and danger that such a light brings.

He remembers, with fondness and annoyance both, the way Tormod had never been able to stick to the shadows. He'd always been far too loud and buoyant to ever sneak past anyone. And now, well.. apparently he had focused too many efforts into tomes and friendship and not enough into rudimentary self-defense.

( "What are you going to do if you can't," and here Sothe had wriggled his fingers as he posed the question, an attempt at mimicking the actions of casting. "Or run away? By now, you should've found another option."

He didn't know what had happened on that island, but he knows about what he saw, and if Tormod had come back even half as haunted as he had - no, best not to think about it.)

Actually, if he's not quick enough, Tormod is liable to cut himself - and Sothe keeps even his wood carving knives plenty sharp. He flicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth and steps behind the shorter boy.

"Be careful where you point that! Geez."

Sothe had flipped out when Tormod told him he’d gotten stabbed at Happyland. Which he probably should’ve expected, honestly, and the lecture on self-defense was just as predictable. So, here he is, holding one of Sothe’s daggers and trying to figure out exactly how to handle it.

“Man, maybe you should’ve given me one that won’t poke out an eye then!” Tormod rolls his eyes, adjusting his grip. Fat chance that Sothe has one like that, but wait! Tormod has just the thing. “Hang on…”

From his satchel, Tormod produces a still-sharp but less-so dagger. He twirls it and doesn’t even cut himself! Pretty snazzy.

( there is something about bookends here, and though Duessel is not one to care all too much about echoes and neat little bows, slotting puzzle pieces together, he appreciates when things line up this way. )

"Miasmaw, back to me!"

(Seiros Shield Activates! Duessel recovers one tick of HP) Duessel switches out Miasmaw for Warwolf at J7. (Poison Activates! Duessel loses one tick of HP).

The weakened Warwolf comes forth, scratching behind his ear as he looks between Duessel and the Museon. He tilts his head huffs, as if asking what Duessel wants.

"Warwolf, you need --"

In answer, the beast looks away, making a bored sound as his head thumps down on the ground. Duessel watches, unable to do anything else for the moment.

"Attack, before it attacks you," he commands, and that seems like enough to get a response.

Warwolf uses Bite on Museon! (d20=10 ∴ 2d6+8+16 = 31) Museon takes 23 damage!

As it happens, Duessel feels a weight on his shoulders -- the solid connection between man and earth. Warwolf whines as Museon retreats and Duessel realizes that this little creature desperately just wants to play.

He raises his lance but can only stand there. With a look towards the battle in front of them, Warwolf lunges forward and gets into a position, tail wagging just a little.

( Duessel remembers something essential: praise is just as important as structure, and being seen is more important than either. )

"Gerry," he says, the name coming to him then and there. A nod to Gerome, wherever he might be. "Do your best."

Warwolf moves 2 to H6 and attacks Museon with Icicle Spear! (d20=12, d8=4 ∴  3d10+10+16=47) Museon takes 39 damage! Museon is defeated!

Museon uses Fairy Lock on Duessel and Warwolf! Duessel and Warwolf are inflicted with Slowed and Trapped until Museon leaves the encounter. (Poison activates! Museon loses one tick of HP) Museon moves 5 to D6.

"Easy, easy girl." Maggie clearly doesn't want to fight anymore, which is contrary to Tormod's instinct of going down swinging, but what's he going to do, force her back out there? Ugh...! "Hey, Duessel, I--"

Oh, it's too late. Gerry, despite his new limitations, bounds just close enough forward and releases a flurry of icicles. Tormod does the only thing he can do--he shields Maggie with his own body. It doesn't protect her from all of them, and she's too battered to fight even if she wanted to, but she acknowledges his selflessness with a little lick on his scuffed cheek as the two lay in the dirt.

"Well...you win! We'll have to fight again...when we're on equal...footing..."

Duessel uses Backswing on Vanitarch! (d20=7 ∴ 2d6+8+10=23) Vanitarch takes 16 damage!

His strike is quick and true, and while he stands before his foe he keeps his lance's weight balanced properly in his hand. In tandem, Miasmaw calls out and aims its attack, almost acting protective of Duessel.

Miasmaw moves 1 to I7 and uses Acid Spray! (d20=10 ∴ 2d6+8+16=31) Vanitarch takes 17 damage! Vanitarch is defeated!

Museon moves 5 to I6 and uses Uproar on Duessel and Miasmaw.

Without warning, Maggie dashes up from Tormod's side, nuzzling her fainted comrade. She shakes for a moment, and then a terrible scream begins to emanate from her.

Duessel takes 16 damage. Miasmaw takes 27 damage. (Poison activates! Museon loses one tick of HP)

It hurts even from where Tormod stands, and it sure wakes Fuego up. He can't battle or anything, but hey, he's not dead! No one is dying here, this is Happyland.

(Seiros Shield Activates! Duessel recovers one tick of HP). Duessel moves 4 to J6 and uses Backswing against Museon! (d20 = 9 ∴ 2d6+8+10 = 27)

The hit connects, and he feels bad for just a moment. What was the name that Tormod called out? Maggie?

"Apologies, Maggie," he says in a low tone of voice. He had not considered naming these little creatures; this alliance is one that is temporary, not permanent, so he wouldn't want to become too attached. "I don't mean to harm you..."

Museon takes 19 damage! (Poison Activates! Duessel loses one tick of HP).

He does, however, intend to win. He feels the poison seep into his skin and he grimaces, turning his head away from his opponent and back towards Tormod.

He's going to open his mouth and say something snappy, but Maggie beats him to the punch, letting out an ear-piercing shriek that drowns out everything else and leaves even Tormod's hearing ringing.

Museon misses Supersonic against Duessel! Duessel receives -2 to accuracy rolls for one full round. (Poison activates! Museon loses one tick of HP) Museon moves 5 to D6.

She runs back to Tormod's side, clearly tired of this whole "battle" thing. It's frustrating, but he can't bring himself to be mad at her. Instead, he turns his attention to Fuego, who...is actually approaching both enemies?

"Go for it!"

Vanitarch moves 4 to I5 and misses Struggle Bug against Duessel and Miasmaw.

If he were to lose here, he would feel proud of what he'd done. He's only just started to train these little beasts, and they're (for the most part) respecting him.

Warwolf, of course, rests in the bushes somewhere. He rolls his eyes at the thought.

"Miasmaw, use acid spray!"

Miasmaw moves 2 to I7 and misses Acid Spray against Museon!

The miss causes the creature to chitter, and Duessel almost laughs with amusement. It seems neither can land a hit, and the battle remains lighthearted.

(Seiros Shield Activates! Duessel recovers one tick of HP). Duessel moves 3 to M7.

"Alright, Maggie! Uproar that Miasmaw!"

Museon moves 2 to I7 and uses Uproar on Miasmaw!

Though, he's still playing to win! Maggie moves right up into the shrunken bug's face, and yells her lungs off. It seems like it went well to Tormod at first, but Maggie's wails suddenly cut off with a yelp, and she backs up, limping on one foot.

Miasmaw interrupts with Baneful Bunker! Miasmaw is not hit by the attack.  Museon is Poisoned!

"Oh, be careful Maggie! Fuego, can you back her up?"

Vanitarch moves 2 to G8 and uses Defend Order! +1 Def/Res CS

No. Fuego keeps his distance, hardening his shell further. Ugh, Tormod gets that battle can be scary, but you've gotta pull your weight!

"Come on, dude! Go help Maggie--woah!"

(Seiros Shield Activates! Duessel recovers one tick of HP). Duessel moves 4 to J6 and uses Backswing against Museon! Museon takes 19 damage!

Duessel lumbers up, surprisingly quick for his age and armored status. He brings his loaned axe down, and lands a hearty blow on the Museon.

(Poison Activates! Duessel loses one tick of HP).

He doesn't take offense, though. It's almost charming.

"Show me what you can do, Tormod!" he calls out, letting the one fiend he hasn't met yet -- Miasmaw -- out to join the cause. It chitters and looks around, ready to follow all of Duessel's commands.

Warwolf certainly could have learned from this beast.

(Seiros Shield Activates! Duessel recovers one tick of HP). Duessel moves 2 to N5.

He steps forward just a little so he can get a better view of the creatures -- they both look formidable, and he hopes he can at least gain some points for team snake.

How is Marni doing, he wonders?

"Miasmaw, use your abilities to protect yourself!"

Miasmaw moves 3 to K6 and uses Minimize! +4 Evasion.

"Maggie, Supersonic that beast!"

Museon moves 3 to G7 and misses Supersonic against Miasmaw! Miasmaw receives -2 to accuracy rolls for one full round

Miasmaw is intimidating as hell, and it's shrinking, which should be helpful but now he can barely keep track of it! Unfortunately, neither can Maggie, the Museon's attempts at a confusing screech aimed in the wrong direction. It still jars everyone's ears, though.

Vantiarch moves 4 to E7.

Fuego trots up behind Maggie, using the cover to get closer. Not too close, but close enough to maybe ready an attack soon? Hopefully. The Vanitarch is a fickle fiend, that's for sure.

"Hey, old man!" Tormod tried to convince the judges that he could still fight, but both them and his body said otherwise. A shame. "Looks like we both did well in our first round, huh?"

Well is an overstatement for him, and he sure does hope it is for Duessel, too.

"Let's have a good match, 'kay? And maybe we can spar properly when we get back to the monastery!"

Okay, enough pleasantries. It's time to battle!

"Go, Maggie and Fuego!"

Tormod's two faithful (mostly) partners from his original excursion with Byleth take the field. Maggie is way more ready for battle this time, and Fuego poses, but seems pretty ready as well. Silly fiends, he thinks fondly.

Museon uses Lucky Chant! Any crit may be converted to a hit by any ally, up to three times per battle.

Museon begins a strange, invigorating chant, and the music seems to echo through the battlefield. Tormod should probably be giving his guys more direction, but they seem to know what they're doing.

Vanitarch uses Defend Order! +1 Def/Res CS Vanitarch moves 3 to A6.

Fuego's carapace seems to harden, which is good. She (he thinks) runs away behind Maggie, though. Which...is fine, he guesses? Maybe?

Kankersaur moves 2 to Space I7 and uses Rock Throw against Tormod. Tormod takes 25 damage!

And throw that rock it does! Right at poor Tormod. If he wasn't having a good day, taking a rock to the chest certainly won't help make it much better.

Oh, remember what was said earlier about not being a Brodian? Yeah, it turns out two on one is totally fine in Marni's book as long as she's on the side with two.

"Nil," Marni commands the fox. "Get him before it comes back for him!"

Kitsunoh is no longer inflicted with a damage penalty! Kitsunoh moves 3 to Space F8 and uses Pursuit against Tormod.  Tormod takes 39 damage! Tormod is knocked out!

The fox chases after Tormod and leaps at him from behind, knocking him flat to the ground. Peering at him with a masked face, it removes its paws from his back when it's confident that he won't get up. It wags its tail twice and looks over at Marni.

"Good job!" She can't pet it from this distance, but she can clap for it. "Two kills! That's why you're the best!"

Tormod sends out Museon at E8.

"Alright, Maggie! Up and at 'em!" Tormod releases the fox-dog-cat-guy, and she scratches her ear before looking at the chaos of the scene.

Museon uses Uproar against Kitsunoh!

Fittingly, she screams. The cat(?) is screaming. You would scream too, if you knew what was good for you.

Kitsunoh takes 17 damage. Museon moves to A10.

She promptly runs off, sequestering herself away as safely as she can. Oh, man...

Before Tormod can try and direct Fuego to double up on Kitsunoh through the dreadful yowling, an even more shrill whistle sounds. He's being shifted to another opponent. No fair! They're not done yet.

"I totally won this!"

"Hey! Stop trying to kill my fiend and die already!"

Luckily, Marni still has two definitely-not-vulneraries left on her. How does she get it over to Kitsunoh, you may be asking yourself?

Marni uses a Potion on Kitsunoh! Kitsunoh recovers 50% of its HP. Kitsunoh's next action is forfeit!

By chucking the potion across the field like one would throw a bone to a dog, of course.

The Kitsunoh crunches (?!) the potion in its masked mouth, which makes for an odd and viscerally upsetting image as liquid spills out of the sides of the mask. Still, it seems to do the job and Nil perks up, no longer limping. It isn't quite ready to start attacking again, needing another second or two to just breathe.

...But who's that?

With the clump of rocks gathered in its clawed fingers? It's everyone favorite fiend, come to finally rejoin the action after going on a long solo journey! It's Wyrmy!

Kankersaur moves 1 to Space I9 and uses Rock Throw against Vanitarch. Vanitarch takes 34 damage!

"GRAAAAAAAAH!!"

"Hey!" Time to focus down the worm who's been on the field since the start, it seems. While it wasn't that threatening at first, it's really bulked up and the projectiles it throws have gotten bigger and hurtier. "Eat this!"

(Prayer Ring activates! Tormod recovers 1 Tick of HP.) Tormod moves 6 to F7 and uses Salvo against Kankersaur.  Kankersaur takes 15 damage!

It does. Quite comfortably. Not the ideal situation, but damage is indeed damage.

Meanwhile, Fuego has regained its bearings and is positively pissed off at its beautiful furnishings being scuffed. It takes this out on the fiend in front of it rather than the perpetrator.

Vantiarch uses Struggle Bug against Kitsunoh. It's super effective! Kitsunoh takes 18 damage! -1 MAG CS. Vantiarch moves 5 to A6.

Is this really all there is to life? Where should it go from here? Will it ever see combat again?

Kankersaur moves 2 to Space J8 and does nothing.

"No more running? Alright, then."

(Prayer Ring activates! Tormod recovers 1 Tick of HP.) Tormod uses Salvo against Kitsunoh! Kitsunoh takes 16 damage.

Tormod blasts the fox point blank, only wincing a little at the recoil. It's not quite enough to take the thing out, but...

"C'mon, Fuego! Finish it with a Trop Kick!"

Vantiarch moves 1 to D9.

Fuego seems excited to strut its stuff, moving in with a bit more swagger than necessary as it finally lands a resounding blow.

Vantiarch uses Trop Kick against Kitsunoh! It’s super effective! Kitsunoh takes 37 damage and receives a -5 damage penalty for one full round.

(This is a tropical island and it's too hot to actually wear sleeves, you see.)

A masked fox that looks like it's made of shadows slinks into view. It steps lightly, tendrils of smoky darkness trailing off its paws.

Her team had impressed upon her that this fiend in particular already had a name. She doesn't really get why they'd give such a lame and unfitting name to such a cool looking beast. She'd rename it something cooler, but wouldn't it get confused if she changed its name now? It'd be like if someone randomly started calling her something lame like Madeline out of nowhere.

"Nil, chase them down!"

Kitsunoh is switched in! Kitsunoh moves 4 to Space F8. Kitsunoh uses Pursuit against Noperajina.  Noperajina takes 26 damage!

Swishing its fluffy tail, the Kitsunoh takes a running leap into the Noperajina, slamming into it at full force. It flips off the other fiend, landing softly on its feet.

(Wyrmy the Kankersaur, once again far from the action, curls in on itself. Flourishing in its own lane.)

Kankersaur moves 2 to Space K6. Kankersaur uses Coil on self. (Strength and Defense raised by +1 CS and Accuracy +1.)

After seeing Nil in action, Marni begins to laugh again. She points a commanding finger at Tormod (again, from her spot on the ground).

"Hahaha! I'll teach you to run from me! Nil, get Tormod next!"

Kitsunoh moves 3 to Space D10. Kitsunoh uses Pursuit against Tormod.  Tormod takes 38 damage!

"Urgh!" It hits like a damn tiger, barreling into him and shoving him to the ground. It's a miracle he can get up, and he applies his last remaining potion in an attempt to get himself back in fighting shape.

Noperajina moves 1 to D9.

Shroud lumbers over, growling as it raises a fist to defend Tormod...

Kitsunoh interrupts Noperajina with Sucker Punch. Noperajina takes 27 damage! Noperajina is knocked out.

...and yelps as Kitsunoh spins on its heels faster than it can react, viciously tearing into it and leaving it unable to battle.

Unfortunately for everyone else involved, her mouth still works just fine.

"Hey, Kraken!" Marni shouts from the ground. "Get out here!"

Fight fair? What is she, a Brodian?

A tentacled fiend peeks its head out, blowing bubbles from its beak. It glances at Marni on the ground and the tall badger-like fiend next to her and waves a tentacle in what could generously be interpreted as a throat-slitting gesture.

"No, no," Marni furiously shakes her head. "Wyrmy will deal with it! Just get rid of him!"

Slightly disappointed, the creatively named Kraken spits a barb in Tormod's direction. Marni does not take the time to wonder about the inner mechanisms of a creature that can spit out sometimes poisoned quills, because she is currently lying on the ground.

Kalmalord is switched in! Kalmalord uses Poison Sting against Tormod. Tormod takes 21 damage! 

"Wyrmy, attack his... thing while he's distracted!"

Just as before, Kankersaur throws a mound of dirt and rocks through the air with impressive accuracy for what it is. Whatever it did when it was steeling itself seemed to have helped it tremendously.

Kankersaur moves 1 to Space K4. Kankersaur uses Rock Throw against Noperajina. Noperajina takes 11 damage!

This new guy has a bunch of tentacles and looks super regal. It also looks directly in Tormod's direction, and shoots a barb at him. Uh oh. It knocks him flat, but he barely, barely manages to pull himself to his feet. Okay. Okay.

(Prayer Ring activates! Tormod recovers 1 Tick of HP.) Tormod uses a Potion on himself! Tormod recovers 50% of his HP.

"Nope! Not quite!" Tormod shakily applies a potion, feeling strength return to his limbs. He's still got fight left in him! "Alright! Shroud, punch that fool!"

Noperajina uses Shadow Punch against Kalmalord! Kalmalord takes [49] damage! Kalmalord is knocked out.

Punch he does, and the squealing mass of tentacles goes down in a heap. Jeez, that was brutal.

Noperajina moves 4 to E8.

The two of them are even kind enough to position themselves right next to each other!

"Hahahaha!" Laughter bubbles up in her throat in her throat as she winds up her axe. "How's that for catching up?!"

Marni heals +5 HP with Seiros Shield! Marni moves 5 to Space F4 and uses Backswing against Tormod and Noperajina. (Glory Hound activates!) Tormod takes 23 damage! Noperajina takes 14 damage!

The strike lands on both man and fiend, paying back the damage she just took herself. It probably would've been a lot cooler move if she had her old Hurricane Axe back, but hey, a dinky little iron one works in a pinch.

Poor Wyrmy slowly toddles after Marni, shaking off the magic. It seems hesitant to just jump into the fray like she had, giving the Noperajina a wary eye.

"Ugh, fine, just attack from back there!" Marni shouts over her shoulder. "Just as long as you hit him!"

It's not as if she's unused to being the only one fighting at close range. If anything, it's what she's most comfortable with.

The Kankersaur, seeming relieved over the instruction, digs out a mound of dirt and lobs it over at Tormod. The mound of dirt and rocks soars through the air, covering the distance faster than it ever would just by walking.

Kankersaur moves 2 to Space K5 and uses Rock Throw against Tormod.  Tormod takes 24 damage!

"Hahahaha! Take that!"

"Gah! Nice one, but it'll take more than tha--"

Bonk!

Tormod gets a faceful of soil and rocks, courtesy of dear slow Wyrmy. He hadn't been counting on it being able to attack from that far...

"Ptooey! That's it!" She wants a fair, real fight? Well okay! "Okay, Shroud, you can handle the worm, Marni's mine!"

Noperajina uses Shadow Sneak against Marni. Marni takes 18 damage!

Unfortunately, Shroud seems more focused on getting revenge than listening to Tormod, and it smacks into Marni with all the force of its considerably large body. Her shield only does so much.

"Ugh, fine! She attacked me with her fiend anyway, whatever!" Tormod turns to face Marni, spitting blood from a split lip. "No more running! Let's settle this."

(Prayer Ring activates! Tormod recovers 1 Tick of HP.) Tormod uses Salvo against Marni.

Tormod stays right in her face, magic tingling at his fingers, and suddenly rushes her. She's already wobbly from the previous hit, and before she can react he hits her with a quick blast of point-blank magic.

Marni takes 14 damage! Marni is knocked out. Tormod moves 6 to Space C10.