goddess .

Nasir doesn't imagine that she will be able to stop types like these though. A little too determined to make a quick buck, doing anything they had to to get there in the end.

A shame. She would have liked to get out of this whole thing a little more peacefully if there was no potion to be found. She does so hope that they do not try any further to provoke her, or she fears what may happen to them in the end. Easy money they may want, but it certainly won't be what they find.

She moves to stand in the doorway, blocking the men from entering as she leans casually against it.

Ishtar watches, half in horror, as the men crowd before her companion. The doorway is small, easily filled and without much room to slip past, but there is only one body between it and three more. She doesn't want to strike first, and certainly not with them so near to someone she would prefer go unharmed.

"It don't matter what the last guy needed it for, just that he had it. Gonna stand in our way forever?"

What would be perhaps worse than allowing these men to defile the home of the dead would be for them to fight before it. One wrong move and the place is ash, or even less than that. Ishtar shifts her weight, draws her arms around herself, and clear her throat.

She looks to her partner in the doorway.

"Let's show them what we found, then."

There's not time to communicate her plan, or even to declare that she has one. Her gaze has to be enough, where it can be seen beyond the smirking men. With a thick swallow, she pushes her way between them and towards the door herself.

He had assumed, unkindly, that this would be no different, and as they were led through the halls he found this assumption strengthening into a resolve with every echoing, vainglorious footstep.

And then he saw the portrait.

Of its original intent, it would not have looked out of place in any noble's manse, and certainly not in the imperial palace. He thought, vacantly, that perhaps if there had been time, if there had been a future, he might have called upon the favored portaiteer to paint Rinea in such a style, with such lavish ermines and fine silks and rows upon rows of fresh flowers that she might have looked as resplendent as he held her in his heart.

Their host inclined her head in thanks at the lady's dismissal, scurrying off back the way they came as though the gaping, bloody maw where there had once been eyes might have judged her every motion. Berkut had not noticed until she was well away the weight that her presence had settled in his gut, a sickly sweet bezoar of infectious sorrow.

The lady Ishtar turned to him, imploring, as she had been during their trial what had seemed like so long ago, and although he hated to deny her anything, he shook his head.

"Not versed. Victim, but not versed." It felt strange to admit aloud, though his chest puffed out a bit in defiance of the statement. "I daresay you are the more educated in these matters, of we two. But...it does bear a passing...familiarity that I have the misfortune of understanding."

He cocked his head, making defiant eye contact with the ghastly figure in the portrait, as though a predator that might have been frightened off by the display of confidence.

"My own expertise is much more honed in the way of violence than..." She looks once more to the painting, presses her lips into a line. "Cruelty."

It is perhaps his manner of speaking that inclines her to anticipate his understanding, but she does not elaborate in the case that he doesn't. Hers was never the language of curses, the art of a fate worse than death. Once, she may have lived long enough to be an instrument in exactly that-- perhaps she already has, but she is not fluent in such on her own.

Hands are drawn to either of her shoulders, arms curled around herself as Ishtar steps carefully forward.

"We would have an easier time finding answers in the hearts of the women themselves than the magic itself." She is thinking aloud, brows furrowed as eyes trace smears of oil like blood that muddy what should have been the soft ivory of a lady's smile. Privately, Ishtar wishes she did not understand so easily how someone could still love a thing so unsightly.

Without looking to Berkut, she raises her voice just so that she might address him.

"I worry that may not work, however."

She is certain without having seen the painting in its prime that it was beautiful, that its likeness is still. She believes, without question, that there is a love for it like nothing else.

There are fresh dark marks around newly singed edges of Legault's clothing. They streak across the fabric as he brushes it with debris-scraped hands.

"The others up ahead—they took a blast too. Why don't we head over and ask them your question?"

The construct in the distance looms, its limbs whirling back into place at a mechanical ticking pace after thrusting its weapon at them.

"...I'd also prefer a little more distance for a moment. Just in case that thing has another one of those javelins up its sleeve."

Unit 1 moves one node Right, landing on the same node as Unit 13.

The thief sets off into the valley, already set on his path. He wasn't lying about owing the others up ahead, after all.

Nothing happens!

And so it happens, (or, more likely, by the will of those he follows) they approach another group in the mountains.

[Chatplay Interlude]

"I doubt we'll have the privilege of distance for too long," she does not look to any one of her allies as she speaks, "it is only right we take advantage of it, then."

Unit 1 unleashes Ranged on Unit 6: Towering Golem.  Unit 6: Towering Golem takes -1HP [2/3HP] Unit 1 now has 0/2 Ranged uses.

Familiar heat snakes from her veins to the tips of her fingers, cracks across the broken world before them in a streak of brilliant white.

"Let us pray it does not take much more."

linhardt follows, staying closer to the blond than the other two. he's never been a front line sort of person.

then, though, the group is beset upon by harsh magics. first, it's lightning, and for the first time since this ordeal has started, linhardt is glad their best friend is missing. then, it's something a little worse - an impossibly cold wave hits them like a fireball, but sinks into their skin like frostbite.

Unit 4: White Beast unleashes Siege on Unit 1! Unit 1 takes -1HP [3/4 HP] Unit 4: White Beast now has 0/2 Siege uses Unit 7: Mage Artillery uses a Ranged attack on Unit 1! Unit 1 takes -1HP [2/4 HP]

it's unpleasant, it's uncomfortable, but it's manageable. he looks around. everyone's standing. good.

"let's be a little more careful, shall we?" they request, voice embittered by the situation. as harsh as it may sound - they're actually glad. everyone seems okay, and certainly, if they need to employ their gift from maria, they can handle it.

Turning his attention away from their opponents, he gestures towards a lesser used path towards the side. “There’s a path over there- shall we?”

Unit 1 moves one node Left and claims a node.

Waiting for the others to catch up, he gestures to further up. “Once we’ve rested, we should also check if there is anything hidden up ahead.”

Once we've rested, as though there is such a thing as rest for them in all of this. When it ends, perhaps. If it does.

Enemy Phase: Nothing happens :D

“Ah- wait!” He calls to the healer first, then their fighters, bringing them back to a central location.

“It would be best for us to stick together for the moment, before we choose to do anything…”

Enemy Phase: Nothing happens!

“...Is everyone alright?” Checking, now that they were closer, for injuries- major mostly, minor ones being more of a concern for later. Thankfully, it seemed they were free of them for the moment.

To the north, there's a great rumbling of the earth. Trails of fire streak through the sky amongst enormous rocks and slabs of rubble, crashing down up further along the river where some of the others had advanced.

"...Seems some of our allies may not be so lucky. Perhaps we should advance?"

Unit 1 moves one node Up

Despite its phrasing as a suggestion, the thief already motions to take point. His eyes scan for movement amongst the trees and the hills.

The silver haired man suggests, and so they move to follow. Her own eyes dart one way, the other, then halt.

Unit 1: Towering Golem moves one node Right, ending above Unit 1

"There."

It scrapes in her dry throat, the word. She doesn't have to gesture-- they all see it. There is hardly anything else to see anymore. "...we would be best to brace ourselves."

"Perhaps, but until they arrive here, I think you're fine to rest a moment. Wounds will be treated first, and unless they are severe, they won't need this until that has been finished," he assures her, casting about for a moment before finding what he was looking for. He bends down to grab a water skin that had been left within reach, and kneels to offer it to her.

Still, she drinks only as much as she needs. The waterskin is sealed again, sat upon the cot for Lukas to take for himself or perhaps whoever else may pass by. "Then I must thank you again, Lukas."

Hands fold in her lap, tired eyes returned to he who kneels before her. It's familiar, this sort of care. For as much as she may feel herself undeserving, this stranger does not budge. He does not treat her with kindness for a father he does not know, a name that means nothing to him. He is simply kind to her, as she is to assume he would be to anyone else.

Until what actually appeared in sight was the stone that had been there all along, something he had not known to pay attention to until it had begun to turn, to shift slowly to face him, and to advance.

The sword hadn't even left his hand from his previous bouts, and neither had his doubts, but he rallied regardless and charged forward, the tip of the blade skimming along the rock-hide, catching the crevasse of a seam which under normal circumstances might have been a crack easy to ignore, but in the here and now engulfed him in the sound of the echoing snap that brought his heart into his gut.

Raven [6/10 HP] barely hits Golem [6/6HP] with Brave Sword [Rolls: 5 - 2 = 3] 2.5 - 2= 0.5, Golem [5.5/6HP] Golem [5.5/6HP] critically hits Raven [6/10HP] with Stone [Roll: 18 - 8 = 10] -5HP, Raven [1/10HP] BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 0/20 RAVEN AP 2/3 Brave Sword broke!

No - !

He barely had the time to register that the stone sentinel had begun to pick up its momentum, to come to life in a way at first rigid and clunky, then with more purpose and intent, bringing the section of the cavern where he had ventured down upon his head.

It took the breath from him, at first, gasping and aching and familiar too familiar no no nonononono - ! But the cool damp of the cavern air continued to collect on his cheeks and the walls of his lungs and he still clung to life, saw, vaguely, the blinkering magical light that the greenhorn had brought with her as she placed her body in front of his to shield him from whatever else might have lurked in the cavern.

He didn't want to die here, he realized belatedly, uncertain of the echoing sensation of stone against his chest, feeling the familiarity of the cracking of his ribs before he grit his teeth and forced himself upright, to one knee.

Cavern walls echo the falling of her footsteps and thrumming of her heart in raucous cacophony with the sounds of fighting just up ahead. She cannot stop to think anything other than how hard it would be-- to return, to find bodies.

Fortunately, they are plenty easy to find alive.

She skids to a halt, hardly a few yards behind two towering, horrid creatures, two women, and-

For a moment, her heart stops.

She is lightning then, indistinguishable from the magic that swells and burns through her veins. Hers are hands untrained in the kinder means of aid, and so they resort to the first lesson they were ever taught.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP,  Ishtar 6.5/10HP Ishtar [6.5/10HP] misses Beastmaster [4.5/6HP] with Mjolnir [Roll: 2, -0], Beastmaster [4.5/6HP] Beastmaster [4.5/6HP] misses Ishtar [6.5/10HP]  with Berserking Whip [Roll: 7 - 2 = 5], Ishtar [6.5/10HP]  MJOLNIR DURABILITY: 3/10 ISHTAR AP: 2/3 Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP,  Ishtar 5.5/10HP Ishtar [5.5/10HP] hits Beastmaster [4.5/6HP] with Mjolnir [Roll: 9, -3.5], Beastmaster [1/6HP] Lifetaker activates, ishtar heals 1HP,  Ishtar 6.5/10HP Beastmaster [1/6HP] hits Ishtar [6.5/10HP]  with Berserking Whip [Roll: 9 - 2 = 7], Ishtar [6.5/10HP] Ishtar is affected by Berserk.  MJOLNIR DURABILITY: 2/10 ISHTAR AP: 1/3

Bolts of electricity turn endless dark to brilliant white, send sparks scattering this way and that. Ishtar's chest heaves, all exhaustion forgotten for adrenaline. Had it been anything but instinct before, it certainly is not now. Light hasn't even a moment to fade before it's flickering in her palm again.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP,  Ishtar 5.5/10HP Ishtar [5.5/10HP] is berserked and critically hits Golem [5.5/6HP] with Superior Jolt [Roll: 15 + 4 = 19, -2HP], Golem [3.5/6HP]  Lifetaker activates, ishtar heals 1HP,  Ishtar 6.5/10HP Golem [3.5/6HP] misses Ishtar [6.5/10HP] with Stone [Roll: 8 - 2 - 4 = 2, -0HP] SUPERIOR JOLT DURABILITY: 10/25 ISHTAR AP: 0/3

Her thunder is the crack of wild magic meeting its target, the sound of stone crumbling where it might have thought to hit her. It snaps her mind back to the moment, sends her stumbling towards him. If her skirt had not been ruined before, there's hope for little else as she sinks to her knees.

Silver eyes flash to the woman before them, to the other some few paces away. "They're weak now," she grits, her throat dry. She'll thank the nearest one later, when they are not in danger so immediate. "Hurry, we mustn't stay here."

And then, without bothering to ensure her order is understood, she's reaching for him. Hands to steady, to help him rise, to reassure herself of his breathing.

"You're alright," she breathes, unsure of whom she's reassuring.

As before, they spring into action at the sight of the beasts, and Andrei follow the movements of the others, gaze lingering a fraction of a second longer on Ishtar's movements, on the arc of thunder magic dancing and striking at her command.

(A monocled face, a smile that hid a threat. A choice that was never a choice at all. For Yngvi. For Yngvi.)

The next opening spurs him into action, wild thoughts forcibly shoved away to the back of his mind.

ANDREI 9/10HP hits and hits CREST BEAST (AMALGAM) 3.5/6HP with Brave Bow (Roll: 14+4=18, 10+4=14; -4HP, CREST BEAST (AMALGAM) 0/6HP) CREST BEAST (AMALGAM) has been defeated! Andrei 9/10HP has 2/3 AP left. Brave Bow: 4/20. Obligate Heir activates!

A horrid screech assaults his senses the moment the first enemy falls, the shambling shape emerging from the woods more familiar than Andrei would've liked, but he is not worried. His allies' attacks give him plenty of time to maneuver into position, and arrow after arrow fells each in turn.

ANDREI 9/10HP hits and hits HALF-FORMED HORROR 4.5/6HP with Brave Bow (Roll: 3+6=9, 3+6=9; -5HP, HALF-FORMED HORROR 0/6HP) HALF-FORMED HORROR has been defeated! Andrei 9/10HP has 1/3 AP left. Brave Bow: 2/20. Obligate Heir does not activate!

His bow gives an ominous creak with the final attack, and Andrei's movements slow on the follow through, looking down at it in alarm. It's true his weapons have seen better days, given the battle and subsequent hasty retreat from the monastery, but this is worse than he expected, and he isn't even certain there will be a chance in the near future to obtain the resources necessary to fully repair them.

(If he could not, and if he failed to find any replacement in time...)

He couldn't think about that now. Still, when the beating of leathery wings signified the arrival of the next foe, he still swings the newly re-stringed Rienfleche around, notching an arrow.

ANDREI 9/10HP barely hits and auto-crits CREST BEAST (BIRD) 6/6HP with Rienfleche (Roll: 1+4=5, 15+4=19; -8HP, CREST BEAST (BIRD) 0/6HP) CREST BEAST (BIRD) has been defeated! ANDREI 9/10HP takes 2HP damage from Rienfleche’s recoil. ANDREI 7/10HP Andrei 7/10HP has 0/3 AP left. Rienfleche: 4/20. Obligate Heir activates!

The first attack barely grazes its side, but the second hits true, the beast falling to the ground with one last, keening cry. Andrei's shoulder burns with exertion, but he still looks over at their final enemy, a behemoth of stone that seems nearly impenetrable at a glance.

But perhaps it isn't. His allies had defeated one of the same earlier. They had defeated even the Titanus, after all.

"It's the final one here," he calls to the others, "We'll end this, and quickly!"

So he doesn't balk.

AL 9/10HP hits GOLEM 6/6HP with Champion’s Sword (Roll: 9+1=10, -2 HP, GOLEM 4/6HP) Pursuit activates (Roll: 7)

Bigger, isn't stronger, isn't better. The creature swipes a lumbering and massive arm like a soldier might swipe a lance if it weighed half they did—that is to say, too slow. He hops atop it, jabbing the tip of his blade into a fault line-like joint for purchase until its motion slows. With a swing of his hips, he throws himself up to the base of its broad and sturdy neck. He doesn't know if this thing has a heart, or a throat, or a brain,

but he doesn't know too many creatures that can survive without their head intact.

AL 9/10HP hits GOLEM 4/6HP with Champion’s Sword (Roll: 3+1=4, -2 HP, GOLEM 2/6HP) GOLEM 2/6HP misses AL 9/10HP with Stone (Roll: 1-1=0, -0 HP, AL 9/10HP) AL 9/10HP has 1/3 AP left. Champion’s Sword 2/10. AL 9/10HP hits GOLEM 2/6HP with Champion’s Sword (Roll: 12+1=13, -2 HP, GOLEM 0/6HP) GOLEM has been defeated! AL 9/10HP has 0/3 AP left. Champion’s Sword 1/10.

A hand reaches up in a last-ditch attempt to swat him off. Too slow again. Like a hot knife through butter, the Champion's Blade loses it several digits. It doesn't scream, it doesn't flinch, but it does stall, and that moment is enough. With a rallying cry, the boy brings his sword skyward, then digs it into the base of his foe's skull.

For a moment, nothing happens. Then, with a creaking moan, the colossus buckles beneath him. "Whoa—here it comes!!" He shouts in the closest thing he can manage to a warning as he scrambles to hop off in the right direction. He tumbles onto his side, shoulder-checking loamy dirt. Better than landing on his head, he figures.

He only lays there for a heartbeat before he hoists himself up into a sit, rubbing dirt off his face with a grin.

Flayn makes for his side when she sees him fall, though the boy takes it all in stride, a smile streaked across his face as he pulls himself up again. Still, she takes care to memorize the details of his face, keeping in mind his features for when they inevitably find themselves in combat once more.

They don't take too long to do so. 

When they emerge into a clearing from the canopy of the forest, two beasts greet them, circling about them like a hungry pack of vultures. Their claws flatten the tall grass thickets as they prowl. There is no doubt that the things they may do to the human body are atrocious. But Flayn has seen these people tear through such foes before—she has every faith that they may do so again. 

As they step into the plainlands, she speaks to the blue-haired boy from before, lending him whispered instruction.

"You fight tremendously well, but you are often in dangerous positions when you do so," she can still see some smudges of forest dirt on his face, "I can offer you some leverage of safety. When your foe retaliates from your attack, I shall pull you back using my magic, that you may remain unharmed."

A flash of magic sparks through the air, and Flayn sees the ladymage already within the heart of combat. Her enemy's retaliation lashes across her skin like a magical whip, and the cleric cannot help but call out to her as well.

"Be careful!" Flayn glances at them, "I shall endeavor watch over you both, so please continue to fight with confidence and faith. I only ask that you call for me, that I may know when to help you."

Would that she could save all of them from their pursuers—alas, there is only so much White magic she can wring from her body at a time before it grows deficient in mana and energy. She will not exhaust herself attempting to rescue everyone. Of course, she would still like to return to the monastery. There is an old man who worries for her, and a crumbling Cathedral that she wants to see. So those she can save, she does so with the fullness of her effort. When next the two engage with their foes, Flayn does as she promised, and pulls them from the incoming claws.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP, Ishtar 9/10HP  AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP hits Ishtar with Siphon (Roll: 18+2=20; -2.5 HP, Ishtar 6.5/10HP) AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP recovers +1 HP (AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP) Ishtar 6.5/10HP hits AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP with Superior Jolt (Roll: 4+2+2=8; -1.5+1 = -2.5 HP, AUTONOMOUS HUSK 3.5/6HP) Lifetaker activates! Ishtar heals 1HP, Ishtar 7.5/10HP Ishtar 7.5/10HP has 2/3 AP left. Superior Jolt 12/25.

She's begun to feel it now, the wear of battle. It takes little more than the girl's encouragement, the promise of safety, for Ishtar to swallow the risk of recklessness. They have no option but fight, in any case. She may as well do so for as long as she is protected.

"Thank you," she says, to the girl and all her concern. "You are the most noble of us all."

And it is true, even if that bight-eyed boy certainly makes for tough competition. Ishtar dips her chin, a final expression of gratitude before her eyes alight upon the monster once more.

"Let us finish this now, then," she inhales, narrows her focus on the white heat that crackles through her veins.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP, Ishtar 6.5/10HP   Rescue activates! Ishtar is protected from the counterattack. Ishtar 6.5/10HP hits AUTONOMOUS HUSK 3.5/6HP with Superior Jolt (Roll: 11+2+2=15; -1.5+1 = -2.5 HP, AUTONOMOUS HUSK 1/6HP) Lifetaker activates! Ishtar heals 1HP, Ishtar 7.5/10HP Ishtar 7.5/10HP has 1/3 AP left. Superior Jolt 11/25.

Lightning cracks at her command, streaks across their battlefield and engulfs its prey. The beast makes a miserable rattling sound, sparks bouncing on its gnarled skin. To the boy, she raises her voice.

"Now then, it's in your hands."

Perhaps this was her heart's way of yearning for the monastery, but Flayn would like to think it's a natural inclination. With each patrol, they grow closer to returning to Garreg Mach—and grow closer to that feeling of normalcy. The terrain shifts to more familiar sights the further they head out, with the front of this cave looking rather similar to the surface of the Oghma mountains. Her teammates, too, bring her relief. The way they spoke, the way they moved, the way they moved into the flow of battle like a river breaking into the sea—it reminds her of the sort of rapport a group of housemates might have after moons of studying.  

Caduceus Staff activates! Flayn heals 2HP. Flayn 10/10HP Flayn 10/10HP critically hits CREST BEAST (AMALGAM) 4.5/6HP with Aura (Roll: 19+2=21, -5 HP, CREST BEAST (AMALGAM) 0/6HP) CREST BEAST (AMALGAM) has been defeated! Flayn 10/10HP has 2/3 AP left. Aura 10/20.

This make-believe of hers inspires her magic. When she casts Aura, it rends through the beast's flesh as easily as fingers might pull apart a piece of bread, sending its body toward the ground. Flayn, by instinct, almost wants to ask about her own performance, to seek a compliment or good mark.

But of course, this is only her imagination. However close they may get to Garreg Mach, it will never truly be the same as being there. Reality is too far from that point. The foe that emerges from the shadows serves as her reminder, its whip reflecting dim light off its leather surface. There is real risk here, one that the Knights or their professors cannot save them from. They can only save themselves.

Flayn, sobered from her fantasy, becomes cautious. She sees the ladymage stand within the range of their enemy, and makes the decision to pull her into a better position.

 Flayn 10/10HP uses Rescue on Ishtar 10/10HP (Roll: 18) Ishtar 10/10HP is protected from the next two counterattacks! Flayn 10/10HP has 1/3 AP left. Rescue 7/10.

"Please, stay here!" she says, casting a Rescue spell and bringing her to her side. "If you attack from this distance, you shall remain safe."

The soft voice of the petal-haired girl, the barely-there quirk of their bowman's lips, the confidence of the boy and his blade, the kind that is hard not to put faith in.

The girl beside her-- who Ishtar peers down at, eyes only momentarily wide in surprise at the relocation-- who appears a ray of light second only to the sun itself. There is no personal means for her concern, there doesn't need to be in war, where your ally's life means a second chance at your own, and yet Ishtar finds herself charmed by it no less. She dips her chin in a nod. "Of course."

If that is what is wished of her, it is what she will do.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP, Ishtar 9/10HP  Ishtar 9/10HP hits BEASTMASTER 6/6HP with Mjolnir (Roll: 12+4=16; -3.5HP, BEASTMASTER 2.5/6HP) Rescue activates! Ishtar is protected from the counterattack. Lifetaker activates! Ishtar heals 1.5 HP. Ishtar 10/10HP Ishtar 10/10HP has 2/3 AP left. Mjolnir 1/10.

From her position of safety, she narrows her focus on their newest foe. Bolts of lightning snake out and strike, the misshapen shadow of a man spasming unnaturally. She hopes he might crumble, but he does not. A sigh through her nose.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP, Ishtar 9/10HP  Ishtar 9/10HP barely hits BEASTMASTER 2.5/6HP with Superior Jolt (Roll: 7; -1.5HP, BEASTMASTER 1/6HP) Rescue activates! Ishtar is protected from the counterattack. Lifetaker activates! Ishtar heals 0.5 HP. Ishtar 9.5/10HP  Ishtar 9.5/10HP has 1/3 AP left. Superior Jolt 14/25.

Another burst of brilliant light, which snakes just a hair too wide of its target and fizzles out somewhere behind it. Ishtar's lips press together. She is safe, at the very least.

An arrow flies just as she thinks this, and she watches as it makes a home in the figure, stealing its last breath. Ishtar will have to thank its wielder, though before she can think to do so now, something groans from behind her and Flayn.

Ishtar whirls, fingertips alight in an instant.

Resonance activates! Ishtar takes -1HP, Ishtar 8.5/10HP  Ishtar 8.5/10HP misses AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP with Superior Jolt (Roll: 6; -0HP, AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP) AUTONOMOUS HUSK 6/6HP counters with Siphon (Roll: 4-2=2, -0HP, Ishtar 8.5/10HP) Ishtar 8.5/10HP has 0/3 AP left.

Bolts of light scatter in frantic, clumsy directions. Not one finds its target, which staggers from the shadows only closer still.

"With me," she urges, reaching for the girl's wrist and not asking anything further before pulling her along, away from the monster. "The cave's end should not be far now, let us not linger any longer than we have to!"