frelian starlight;

ashenprofessor​:

They had apparently succeeded in making it through to the final round of the Arena although Byleth wasn’t entirely sure that was something to be wholely celebrated. Their opponents in the last battle had been fearsome enough, she dreaded to think what the Academy would throw at them next. 

Ferdinand charged straight into the fray following a rallying cry, heading straight for the illusion hiding behind the towering metal giants. Could you hit an illusion? Guess she was about to find out. 

Byleth darted between the giants guarding her target, drawing her gloved fists back to strike the Void Heart with a couple of quick hits. 

Byleth heals 1 HP     [Byleth: 10/10 HP] Roll: 18 (+6) = 24!     Hit!   Damage: 4HP      [Void Heart: 19/38 HP] Roll: 15 (+6) = 21!     Hit!  Damage: 4HP       [Void Heart: 15/38 HP]

Her fists connected with the illusion, giving her the strangest feeling. Both of making contact yet at the same time not. Either way she could see that her opponent was hurting more now than it had been before she’d punched it. Byleth backed up as she spotted the Void heart waving it’s arms in a complicated pattern. 

Roll: 2!      Byleth takes -2 magic debuff

No pain came but the Mercenary still felt something wash over her. Similar to when Marianne cast healing magic on her but slimier. Not put off, Byleth felt like she had a second wind as moved in close to punch the illusion again, aiming for it’s face this time. 

Roll: 9 (+6) = 15!     Hit!  Damage: 4HP      [ Void Heart: 11/38 HP] Roll: 7 (+6) = 13!     Hit!  Damage: 4HP       [Void Heart: 7/38 HP]

The hook connected with the side of its head which she followed up with a decent uppercut to the chin, forcing it’s head back to give her a window to escape. As she moved back towards her team she felt the grimy feel of it’s magic on her skin again followed by the string of the lingering poison from the previous round. Byleth relayed her assessment of the enemy to her waiting teammates. “I think that illusion is almost down. Couple more attacks should do it” 

Roll: 5!      Byleth takes -4 speed debuff Byleth takes 1 HP damage from Poison     [Byleth: 9/10 HP]

@freliana​ @cruelsfate​

Goodness, whoever was choosing their equipment and outfits sure had a funny sense of humour. Tana holds the candlestick up, wondering how exactly she’s supposed to fight with this thing. Is it a lance? A staff? Well, the best way to find out is to actually try using it.

She gathers up the skirts of the wedding gown in her spare hand, so as to not trip on it’s lacy hem, and charges forward. She stands just behind Byleth, lifting the candle and willing it do something. Anything, really.

Tana attacks Void Heart with Candlelight! Roll d20+6: 24! Hit. Deals 2.5 damage. Void Heart and other enemies cannot counter once.

Galeforce activates.

The flame, dancing above the wick, explodes in a burst of bright, sparkling light. It leaves their foes stunned for a moment, giving them the perfect opportunity to land some cheapshots.

“Professor, watch me dance!” Tana speaks with a grin, as she steps to the left. Taking a couple of steps back, she hops twice, waiting for Byleth to get into the mood. “You know you want to join in! Or better yet, finish off the weird heart thingy.”

premiersoleil​:

The ground tremors when the accursed enemy leader rains down lethal wrath, though Ferdinand finds to his relief that all of their little party have managed to avoid what no doubt would have been agonizing deaths; in fact, none of them appear to have been struck by the attack. While Byleth takes on the axe-wielding recruit, the ginger returns to the other one and rushes to finish him off.

Prayer Ring activates! Health restored: 1. Ferdie: 9/10 HP

Roll Brave Lance: 22. Hit! Damage dealt: 9. Recruit: 0/95 HP

Recruit B has been defeated!

Ferdie is poisoned! Damage dealt: 1. Ferdie: 8/10 HP

One blistering strike later, and the phantom is no more, having dissolved into nothingness. The heir of Aegir grins at his companions. “It will not be long now before we can defeat the other one, will it? And then we can fell this horrid ‘Accused’ projection and be that much closer to rescuing our comrades!” They have made it quite far, now that he thinks about it, and the end must be in sight. It has to be after all that they have fought through. Everyone has done admirably, in his opinion, and he is not ashamed to admit that all together they make a splendid team.

Just a bit more, and then everyone else will be freed! We can do this! We merely need to keep going!

@freliana​

With graceful, delicate movements, Tana approaches The Accused and swings the blade in her hands. Her strikes aren’t terribly accurate but she puts all her strength behind them. It’s just enough to push the beast away from them, leaving it wounded in her wake.

Tana attacks The Accused with Brave Sword. Roll 2d20+4: 7, 11! Two hits. The Accused takes 9 damage.

Then she saunters over to Ferdinand once more, intending to dance for him. She huffs slightly, he hadn’t appreciated her last dance.

“I’m not trying to seduce you, silly! I’m trying to encourage you!” Tana insists quite sternly. She hardly knows the young nobleman, why on earth would she be trying to entice him? The pegasus knight had merely attempted to copy some of Tethys’ moves, as she knew no better dance in the world. “Well, let me try something different this time.”

Stretching out her limbs, she makes slow exaggerated movements, attempting to portray a lovelorn ghostly woman. Whilst she doesn’t wail aloud her face contorts in sorrow and pain as Tana spins  in tight circles on the balls of her feet.

“That any better? Get out there! You can do it!”

premiersoleil​:

Once again Ferdinand finds himself atop a steed for this new round with a lovely lance and another Prayer Ring. Their foes appear quite tough, as the professor, despite her vicious pummeling of one of the enemy recruits, does little apparent damage to him. Ferdinand tsks and twirls his lance before charging towards the pesky opponent. “Fear not, Professor, I shall have it crumbling before me in no time!”

Roll Brave Lance: 14, 15. Hit and hit! Damage dealt: 18. Recruit: 71/95 HP

Roll counter: 19. Hit! Damage dealt: 3.

Inspiration activates! -2 to damage dealt. Ferdinand: 9/10 HP

Poison Strike activates! Damage dealt: 0.5. Ferdinand: 8.5/10 HP

Roll Darting Blow: 7, 16. Hit and hit! Damage dealt: 18. Recruit: 53/95 HP

The young heir engages in a flurry of strikes and blows with the recruit, and though he comes away with a scratch that burns with poison, the phantasm fares far worse. Ferdinand smirks as he eyes his lance. This must be a Brave Lance if his memory serves him right, and some boon must have been bestowed upon him for him to rain down so many attacks in such a short time. I know not what it is, but I admit, I quite like this combination!

next: @freliana

Her new outfit is far more fashionable than anything else she’s ever worn on the battlefield. It’s easy to move in, too, although it does leave her feeling a little exposed. The lack of armour leaves her feeling a little vulnerable. Tana tries not to let it show though, shooting her teammates a bright and cheerful smile.

“I’m gonna aim at the big guy! I bet he’ll be really scary when he attacks,” her voice rings out as she points towards... whatever that skeletal thing really is. Tana decides not to think about it too hard. “I think I can weaken it a little, maybe you’ll thank me later!”

With that she sticks her tongue out at her new friends and dances across the arena. Each step is a graceful leap forward and she holds her sword the way she has seen her beloved Eirika do countless times before. Tana can only hope she’s half as graceful as her best friend is.

Roll 2d20+4: 9, 10! Two hits. The Accused takes 9 damage. Strength and Magic reduced by 2 for one round. The Accused has 181/190 HP remaining.

Pirouetting away completely unscathed, Tana still has energy to spare. Bouncing into Ferdinand’s field of view, she gives him a teasing wink and places a finger to her lips.

“This is our little secret, okay?” She says, swinging her hips in slow, gentle circles. Tana gazes up at him through her eyelashes but her composure breaks the moment she sees the colour rising to his cheeks. Doubling over with laughter, she slaps a friendly hand against Ferdinand’s shoulder. “Go on, Nandino! Smash our foes into next week!”

cruelsfate​:

A choked cry catches in her throat, a breathtaking blow delivered to her stomach before it can escape, a second not too far behind. The air quite literally knocked from her body, her lungs struggle for air, but find no recourse. Yet a trembling hand raises to cast, even as she feels she might fold over, and an icy wind breezes through the illusory realm, a herald of the magic building at her fingertips.

Jagged spikes of ice burst forth from the ground where she aims, but none strike the mechanical beast that stands as their foe. Marianne steadies her aim, wills the ice to follow her half-hearted command, but the spell falters before long, leaving her with a lingering sense of cold that always takes far too long to shake off.

[ ROLL 2D20: 3, 15, HIT, HIT! ]   Haukritos attacks Marianne for 3 damage.  ( Marianne: 6.5/10 HP ) [ ROLL D20: 4, MISS! ]   Marianne attacks Haukritos and misses.  ( Haukritos: 51/51 HP ) Marianne takes 1 damage from Trample after combat.  ( Marianne: 5.5/10 HP )

The retreat feels embarrassing after such a pitiful display of her magic, but Marianne trusts the steady glow of a healing spell to answer her call, if nothing else shall. She stumbles a step, perhaps two, as she returns to her companions, beckoning the spell forth as she clasps her hands together at Tana’s side, washing both the student and her equine companion in its light.

[ ROLL D20: 7, +6 HP! ]   Marianne heals Tana for 6HP.  ( Tana: 10/10 HP )

She knows not if whatever prayers she whispers here will reach the goddess from this illusory cage, but she prays them all the same under her breath. Tried and true prayers for safety and protection—for if she can do little more than keep them standing with her faith, perhaps the goddess might instead deliver the salvation that she wishes she could offer them.

TAG! @premiersoleil​

Tana’s horse refuses to move or work with her after the onslaught of arrows. No matter how encouraging she is, it takes an extended period of time before her mount is ready to enter the fray one more. Her arm had barely been grazed by their foes arrows but it had been enough to leave her steed stunned and terrified.

It takes a second attack, this time from the giant hawk... thing, to jolt her equine friend back into action. Tana weathers the assault by the beasts talons but gets clipped by it’s wings as it retreats.

Haukritos attacks Tana with Gale Talons. Roll 2d20: 7. 10. Hit. Damage nullified by Inspiration’s buff. Tana counters with Hades. Roll d20: 7. Barely Hit. Haukritos takes 3 damage. Tana takes 1 damage from Trample.

She takes the initiative this time, charging forward and calling dark magic to her fingertips. She’ll have revenge this time. Power flows through her as she strikes. The underworld’s might answers her calls for aid and her spell strikes precise and true. The beast tries to counter but Tana feels no pain when it attempts to sink in it’s talons. It does throw her aim off slightly though as her second spell just manages to land against it’s chest.

Tana attacks with Hades. Roll d20+6: 24 Hit. Haukritos takes 5 damage. Haukritos counters with Gale Talons. Roll d20: 5! Hit. Damage nullified by Inspiration buff. Tana attacks with Hades. Roll d20+6: 8! Hit. Haukritos takes 5 damage. Tana takes 1 damage after combat.

Tana has 8/10 HP remaining Haukritos has 34/51 HP remaining.

“We’re getting somewhere! Let’s keep up the pace--” Tana tries to encourage her teammates on but finds herself silenced by the veil of umbra that blankets the four of them.

ashenprofessor​:

Byleth took to the sky on her new mount. It would be tricky to manoeuvre in close to hit the enemy but given the size of their next opponents, she was glad to be able to put some distance between them. “We should try and take out the minion first before focusing on the big guy” She suggested to the rest of the team having assessed the situation. She felt the soothing wave of healing emanate from her prayer ring as the fighting started.

Byleth heals 1HP     [Byleth: 9/10 HP]

Ferdinand’s arrow brushed past her ear as it shot towards the minion. Following up his attack she readied the Meteor spell she’d just learnt for this combat round. Making what she thought was the correct hand motions, Byleth fired the spell at the Minion. 

Roll: 20-4 = 0!     Miss!      Damage: 0HP      [Haukritos Minion: 12/17 HP]

The minion flapped it’s wings and dodges to the side, her spell flying wide. Muttering a curse under her breath, Byleth flew higher to avoid any counterattack from the creature. Despite the spell missing, she sensed the Minion would not be a sturdy going forward.

Haukritos Minion takes -4 Defense after combat for 1 round 

@cruelsfate​ @freliana​

Another round begins in the arena and Tana finds herself on horseback. So used to riding pegasi, it feels quite unusual but not unpleasant. Idly, she finds herself scratching her horse behind it’s ears as she follows behind her professor, aloft on a wyvern. Her weapon this time? Dark magic.

It has an awful reputation in her homeland, for how dangerous and difficult to master it is. Her hands tremble slightly as she lifts her hands in preparation to cast her spell. Tana tries to swallows down her nerves as she aims at the minion, desperate to strike it down from the skies above.

Tana attacks with Hades. Roll d20+2: 21! Hit. Haukritos Minion takes 5 damage. Haukritos Minion counters with Longbow. Roll d20: 2! Miss. Tana follows up with Hades. Roll d20+2: 18! Hit. Haukritos Minion takes 5 damage

Tana has 7.5/10 HP remaining. Haukritos Minion has 2/17 HP remaining

She would never admit this, not to him at least, but she pictures her brother in her mind. The way he holds his bow steady and his gaze never wavers. Casting a spell is rather different to pulling a bowstring back but the principle was similar. Keep your eyes on the enemy without a hint of hesitation or distraction if you wish to strike true. It works out well for her, as a morbid, dark purple skull floats through the air and assaults the monster’s minion on her behalf. When it fires an arrow at her, she’s as quick to react is she normally is in the skies, darting out of the way in an instant. Then she focuses once more, deft and agile enough to make a follow up attack.

“It’s almost down! Next time for sure,” Tana addresses her teammates. She tries to remain upbeat and cheerful, in spite of the giant bird thing they have yet to go head to head with. It casts an ominous shadow over the four of them and a downer on her mood. To lift her own spirits, she places a hand on Ferdinand’s shoulder with a bright grin. “That was pretty great, wasn’t it? You can say it, we make a great team.” Her gaze softens just slightly as she takes in the sight of all three of her teammates. The smile she wears begins to feel more sincere.

“We all do! I believe we can take anything they throw at us.”

ashenprofessor​:

The enemy team step forward already one member down, determination in their eyes to get their revenge. The Tactician begins their round by buffing the Pegasus Knight. 

Tactician casts Rally on Pegasus Knight.

The formidable looking Armoured Knight rattles ominously as they plod forward, confident in their armour to repel any blows from her team’s fighters. Once within stabbing range of their short spear, the Knight takes aim and jabs it towards Byleth.

Roll: 20-8 = 10!      Hit!     Damage: -3-1(poison) = -4HP     [Byleth: 4/10 HP]

Byleth attempts to counter but a dull clang rings out through the arena as her fist bounces harmlessly off his metal armour. 

 Roll: 20-4 = 6!  Hit!     Damage: -1(+3) = 0HP     [Armoured Knight: 9/9 HP]

The healing from Marianne felt so long ago as blood sluggishly dripped from the new wound she’d just gained. Sensing weakness the rallied Pegasus Knight darts forwards swinging their spear at her. 

Roll: 20-4 = 15!     Hit!       Damage: -1.5HP      [Byleth: 2.5/10 HP] Roll: 20-8 = -6!     Miss!    Damage: 0HP           [Pegasus Knight: 9/9 HP] Roll: 20-4 = 7!      Hit!       Damage: -1.5HP       [Byleth: 1/10 HP]

They exchange blows, wounds opening up on both of them. However, once they break apart it is clear that Byleth came off worse in their clash. 

“They don’t hold back do they?” She says to her team wearily as they rally together for their next attack. Marianne heals her up again ready for combat again aided by the Prayer ring she’d decided to wear after her experience in the previous round. 

Byleth heals 1HP      [Byleth: 10/10 HP]

The Tactician was obviously a valuable asset to the enemy team. They needed to go. Byleth runs over to them, fist pulled back ready to punch their lights out. 

Roll:  20!     Critical Hit!    Damage: -4HP           [Tactician: 5/9 HP] Roll:  1!       Hit!    Damage: -2HP           [Tactician: 3/9 HP]

Frustrated by her recent beating, the Mercenary took out some of her limited feelings into her attacks. The Tactician suffering the brunt of this as they were reduced to a bruised mess. They remained standing but were on their last legs and hit back with a punch aimed to her chest. 

Roll: 13-8 = 13!     Critical Hit!       Damage: -2HP      [Byleth: 8/10 HP]

“We’re close to finishing them off. Next attack should do it”

@freliana @premiersoleil​

The enemy tactician is on his knees. Just one more push and they should be able send him packing. Riding aloft, Tana leaves the professor in Marianne’s capable hands to square off again the enemy gauntlet wielder. She grips her lance, barrelling towards them with as much speed as her pegasus can muster.

“Here I come,” Tana mutters between clenched teeth as she soars in to land the first blow. It leaves the tactician winded but still fighting. Not quite good enough. “No! I have to protect the others!” Disappointed as she is, Tana is left feeling even worse for wear when her opponent lands a fierce blow to her side. Her eyes widen in surprise and pain, but she has just enough to time to spot an opening.

Lance gripped tightly in her palm, Tana pulls back in a feinting manoeuvre she practiced with Frelia’s best pegasus knights. It works perfectly, tricking her opponent into think they’re safe for now. Not a chance. Tana surges forward, jabbing her lance between what would be the phantoms ribs in a show of skill and grace. The illusion fizzles away in an instant, leaving nothing but the point of her lance raised.

Tana attacks Tactician A with Killer Lance. Roll d20: 7! Hit. Tactician A takes 2 damage. Tactician counters with Killer Knucles. Roll d20: 17! Critcal hit. Tana takes 2 damage. Tana attacks Tactican A with Killer Lance. Roll d20: 20! Critical hit. Tactician A takes 4 damage.

Tana has 7.5 HP remaining. Tactician A has been defeated.

ashenprofessor​:

”Thank you Marianne” Byleth was grateful for the wave of healing magic which washed over her, emanating from her teammate. The wounds from the previous round closed up before her eyes and the Mercenary found herself standing a bit straighter. Facing down the new set of enemies, she immediately clocked the presence of the Archer tucked behind their team. A problem for their own Peagus Knight making them the prime candidate to be taken out first.

Following on from Ferdinand’s strike, Byleth jumped into close quarter range to deliver a couple of blows. She aimed the first one to their stomach to wind them before going for the solar plexus.

Roll: 9!  Hit!   Damage: -2 HP   [Archer A: 5.5/9 HP] Roll: 14!   Critical Hit!  Damage: -4 HP   [Archer A: 1.5/9 HP]

Thanks to being healed to full strength again, Byleth was able to put the majority of her power into the second hit and the Archer let out a cry of pain as she made contact, doubling in pain. Respect to her opponent, they wasted little time in swinging their bow up, arrow notched to fire at her as she retreated.

Roll: 7 + 4 - 8 = 3!   Hit!     Damage: -2 HP     [Byleth: 8/10 HP]

The Archer was looking rough. Byleth retreated to join her team. “Get them Tana” She muttered to the mounted knight.

@freliana​

“Lady Lindgren!? Lord Aegir!?” Tana scoffs as the words leave her mouth. Ferdinand sounds too much like her brother for comfort. “How pretentious! I’m hurt, too Ferdie. You make it sound like we’re not friends. You simply can’t battle phantoms with someone and not gain a sense of camraderie and companionship!”

“Thank you though, for weakening that archer for me. Despite my other complaints, I really do appreciate your concern.”

With their professor healed up, Tana flies behind her, keeping just out of the bowman’s range. It’s clear they’re very skilled, even after Byleth’s onslaught leaves them battered and bruised, they draw an arrow back. For her. Even at close range, a talented archer can do a lot of damage to an airbound knight. Not prepared to take a risk, Tana approaches with great care, gripping her lance tightly until her knuckles turn white.

One sure strike should be enough to finish them off. It had to be swift and precise though, lest she leave herself open to crashing to the ground. With a deep breath, Tana gathered her courage and urged her pegasus forwards.

Tana uses Hit and Run against Archer A. Roll d20: 11! Hit. Archer A takes 2.5 damage

Archer A has been defeated.

She does not have to dart wildly to safety. The archer, the biggest threat to her, falls to her lance, dissipating into the aether. With a calescent grin she returns to her allies, chest puffed out with a sense of accomplishment.

ashenprofessor​:

Having witnessed the rest of her team switch tactic to attack the Monk, Byleth followed suit. Taking out the enemy team’s healer was the smartest move. Slipping in close, she delivered two sharp blows to the heavily beaten Monk’s body.

Roll: 16 + 2 = 18!  Hit!   Damage: -1.5 HP   [Monk B: 0.5/8 HP] Roll: 15 + 2 = 17!   Hit!  Damage: -1.5 HP   [Monk B: 0/8 HP]

The final blow to the temple knocked the Monk clean out and their body fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes. The rest of the her team let out a small cheer whilst the enemy team groaned. Still, the Professor remained on guard as it was now the other side’s turn to attack and they didn’t seem too happy to be down one teammate. 

And she was correct. 

Both the Recruit and Myridon came towards her as a pair, their steel weapons flashing under the lights of the arena. Despite being unable to block the attacks completely, Byleth made sure to retaliate with strikes of her own.

Roll: 11!   Hit!   Damage: -2 HP    [Byleth: 4.5/10 HP] Roll: 15 + 2 = 7! Hit!   Damage: -1.5 HP   [Recruit A: 3.5/8 HP]

Roll: 5!   Hit!   Damage: -1.5 HP    [Byleth: 3/10 HP] Roll: 19 + 2 = 21!  Critial Hit!   Damage: -3 HP   [Myrmidon: 3.5/8 HP]

She was particularly proud of the hit she landed against the Myrmidon, managing to slip her enclosed metal fist round his flashing sword to catch the break in their armour above the hip. A wince of pain crossed their face. Satisfied though starting to feel the pain of her own wounds, Byleth rejoined where the rest of her team, ready for when she would be needed for combat again. 

@freliana​ @premiersoleil​

“Professor, are you okay?” Tana rushes over to Byelth, an arm gently placed around her shoulders. The older woman is clearly a little unsteady on her feet after such an onslaught but she fought so valiantly that all Tana can do is grin at her with pride. “They have no idea what hit them! You were so cool, totally incredible even. Marianne? Riri?” Tana calls out for her shy classmate. “Could you heal her up for me? I’ll be fine but I’m worried about our professor.”

With a cheerful wave back at the pair, Tana skips forwards, clapping Ferdinand between the shoulders a little harder than intended. Excitement bubbles up in her chest - they’re so close! They’ve definitely got this.

“Ferdie! Nando! Whoops... sorry! Check out the myrmidon over there though,” Frelia’s princess points at the swordsman, an illusion now swirling with purple and black clouds of miasma around him. Something is definitely up, it’s so obvious even to her. What a fool these phantoms are to be so brazen, showing their hand early. Tana looks over her shoulder at Byleth and Marianne; her resolve to protect them strengthens. “Think that means he’s gonna try a special attack? Why don’t you and I team up and put a stop to him before he gets the chance, huh? Last one over there is a rotten egg!”

The pegasus knight dashes forward, cornering the myrmidon whilst he prepares to make his move. Whatever he has planned is about to come to sudden end, however. Keeping just out of reach so he can’t swing his sword at her, Tana tries magic for the first time in her life. It’s exhilirating, really. Light rushes to her hands, coalescing as she takes aim. Nosferatu is released and hits her target square in the chest.

Tana attacks Myrmidon A with Nosferatu from range. Roll d20: 20! Critical hit! Myrmidon A takes 3 damage. Tana is healed for 3 HP

Tana’s remaining HP: 9.510 Myrmidon A’s remaining HP: 0.5/8 HP

“Whoo! Even I didn’t know I could do that. Nandino, he’s all yours now. Wipe him out!”

ashenprofessor​:

Byleth surveys the rest of her team as they prepare their weapons for the first round of this year’s arena. Marianne she was familiar with and she offers a small nod in said student’s direction but Ferdinand and Tana were new allies. She hoped that they would all work well together and become a tight knit combat unit. The steel gauntlets on her arms felt strange and her fingers itched for the comfort of a sword but she clenched her hands, determined to try out some different weapons in the Academy’s ‘fun’ competition. 

Her allies proved themselves formidable during the inital attack as they all ganged up on the Recruit enemy. Following up Marianne’s spell, Byleth dashed in close to land a flurry of blows to the Recruit’s body.

Roll: 15 + 2 = 17!   Hit!   Damage: -1.5 HP   [Recruit A: 2.5/8 HP] Roll: 14 + 2 = 16!   Hit!   Damage: -1.5 HP   [Recruit A: 1/8 HP]

Both strikes were clean hits, an initial stun to the Recruit’s helmet forcing their head back with the follow up punch aiming direct to the chest to cause them to take a step back. Byleth returns her fists to a guard, awaiting the enemy’s counter attack.

Roll: 17!   Hit!   Damage: -2 HP    [Byleth: 8/10 HP]

The Recruit came in swinging with their sword and despite her guard, they twirled their wrist in a fancy motion, slipping it past to land a hit to the side of her ribs. Byleth let’s out a small grunt of pain but weather’s the strike without retreating. She’d taken worse in training spars.

With their attacks concluded, Byleth and the rest of her team retreated a few paces as they waited for the other team to make their moves. Despite their injuries, the Recruit was muttering under the breath and a shimmer appeared around the monk as they cast a buff on them.

Recruit A cast Rally luck on Monk B

The monk mouths “thank you” to their companion and waves their hand in that direction to heal the Recruit some of their wounds, the skin knitting itself back together allowing the Recruit to stand a little straighter.

Roll: 12!    Standard heal: + 4 HP    [Recruit A: 5/8 HP]

The myrmidon has locked their gaze on the professor and once their allies are in better condition, the sword user rushes forwards to attack. Byleth attempts to block and manages to knock the sword to the side with one gauntlet but the blade changes direction to catch her arm, opening up a wound along her forearm. In response, she aims a punch to the Myrmidon’s ribs in retaliation.

Roll: 8!    Hit!   Damage: -1.5 HP  [Byleth: 6.5/10 HP] Roll: 5 + 2 = 7!    Hit!    Damage: -1.5 HP    [Myrmidon: 6.5/8 HP]

Following the attack, Byleth goes to stand behind the rest of her team in order to check and recover form her wounds as her allies resume their assault on the enemies. @freliana​

The monk wastes his rally healing but Tana can’t help but cringe when he brings the almost routed Recruit back into the fray. She can practically hear Innes’ voice ringing in her ears, scolding her for such an obvious strategic misstep. The commoner rushes over to her though and she can’t drop her guard too much. She had made an error of judgement but that wouldn’t happen again. When he attacks her she replies back in kind, making it very clear she is not to be trifled with.

Commoner A attacks Tana with Iron Sword. Roll d20: 14! Hit. Tana takes 1 damage. Tana counters with Steel Axe. Roll d20: 12! Hit. Commoner A takes 2.5 damage.

Commoner A has 5.5/8 HP remaining. Tana has 8/10 HP remaining.

Tana tries to gather her allies attention as discreetly as possible - letting their enemies know their plans was an amateur mistake. Sadly, subtletly has never really been her strength. Clever enough to at least wait until they gather to discuss her idea, their foes do turn their attention to her when she shouts for the others.

“Hey! Over here, I have an idea!” The pegasus knight’s voice has always been loud enough to carry over a crowd or cacophony of chaos. At least it captures the attention of her team too. Tana lowers her voice to a whisper when they rally around her. “The monk! I think we should focus on them first. We should try and defend Marianne too as they’ll probably try the same thing. If we can defeat them swiftly, the others won’t stand a chance!”

Bubbling over with excitement, Tana speeds forth with her axe raised high. Swinging it in an arc above her head, she brings it crashing down upon the Monk. Their knees buckle under the weight of Tana’s strike, yet they find the strength to attempt a strike of their own. Tana overpowers her foe considerably though, their blow is far too weak to wipe the confident grin from her face.

Tana attacks Monk B with Steel Axe. Roll d20: 15! Hit. Monk takes 2.5 damage. Monk B counters with Training Gauntlets. Roll d20: 14! Hit. Tana takes 0.5 damage.

Tana has 7.5/10 HP remaining Monk B has 5.5/8 HP remaining

“Ferdie, you’re up next! Give them hell from me, buddy!” Tana calls out as she takes a step back, proud and bright with courage. They have nothing to fear from these silly projections. Not if they work together. “The monk is a weakling so no need to hold back! He won’t be able to touch you!”

Her vision grows dark for several minutes before it brightens again. She finds herself in what appears to be a crowded arena. There is an immediate rush to gather equipment and introduce herself to her teammates. A quiet, polite professor, friendly young gentleman and a timid blue haired girl she’d seen in class join her and Tana has no idea what to expect.

The projectionists work is impeccable. She freezes for a moment, unable to move. Their opponents look so real she has to remind herself this is merely an illusion.

One that might just save them from this complicated tale.

Tana acts first, hefting the axe up to her shoulders and giving it a practice swing before approaching the recruit. She takes a deep breath and prepares to fight her way out of this mess and back to the monastery. Tana intends to make an impression, prove herself and rally her allies too.

rd20: 12! hit! tana deals 2.5 damage to recruit a rd20: 11! hit! recruit a counters for 1 damage to tana

recruit a: 5.5/8 HP tana: 9/10 HP

Her guard is let down though and she takes a jab from the lance to her side. It smarts slightly but Tana doesn’t lose the cheerful grin on her face. She imagines Eirika and Ephraim, her dear friends, and how they would never give up so easily. Tana won’t fall here too and retreats back to the others with her hands raised, ready to high five the next challenger.

Being approached by Limstella in and of itself is surprising and worthy of note, but Tana does her best to respond warmly. There’s something about Limstella’s demeanour that leaves her a little uneasy; they seem to be like frost gathering on the pine needles of Walles Forest. Icy, sharp and clear in a way that seems unnatural, what with people being as messy and chaotic as they are.

Tana has been given no reason to dislike her classmate though - they’ve had little in the way of interaction but Limstella has always been perfectly civil. So she makes a point of ignoring her own disquiet and instead follows the raven haired mystery as they lead her across the beach. With no idea what to expect, Tana still finds herself caught off guard by what Limstella wanted to show her.

Seashells! It’s rather endearing really, how carefully spaced out and organised the shells are. It’s immediately apparent they have been handled with delicate care and attention. Deliberately selected too. Each shell is perfectly symmetrical and well formed.

Discomfort creeps into her bones the moment he joins her in the boat. It feels as if she’s already drowning, a ship torn asunder. The man does not lift his hood or take off his cloak, despite the intense heat of the tropical sunshine. He is hiding something and Tana does not think she wants to know what horrors lie just beneath the grey waves.

Yet he points at the fish with an almost boyish excitement. It’s jarring. Leaves her dizzy and feeling as though she’s falling off into an immeasurable abyss. Only to crash at the end, shattered into pieces of tiny glass.

Over the edge the waters are clear, warm and deep azure. It’s not so deep or far from shore she could not swim. A dazzling array of colourful fish swim in spirals, inviting her to dive right in and join them. A kaleidoscope glittering in the sunlight, irresistible and alluring.

"I want to swim with them!” Tana says nothing more before diving over the edge of their wooden boat and into the briny waters. Unable to resist the ocean’s siren song any longer. It’s like a homecoming, plunging in with her breath held. Fish greet her like and old friend, circling around her. An urge, a yearning in her chest begs her to stay below. Lest she becomes another princess turned to foam.

Eventually she surfaces, knowing that no matter her whims her body craved oxygen. The air fills her lungs and her senses sharpen as if the world is painted in technicolour. The sea still calls for her though.

What one earth had gotten into her?

"The powers of light are not to be trifled with. You ought to protect yourself from being burnt!"

"Hmm, sorry my darling? I was lost in the pages," Tana places a bookmark between the pages of the riveting romance she was reading. She closes the book, turning her attention to the resplendent princess of light and joy. Or something like that, it was hard to keep up with L’Arachel’s grand titles and epithets. It hardly matters, not when the woman by her side should not be compared to the sun. L’Arachel was the sun, and like a flower Tana leans towards her. “Oh yes, of course! We need sunscreen! Thank you for reminding me.”

She carefully rubs the cream into her limbs face and neck, taking extra care not to leave her skin exposed. In this respect, Rausten’s princess not only outshines the sun but is far sweeter. Tana’s gaze is fond as she taps L’Arachel’s shoulder to get her extension.

“Chel, could you do my back? I can’t quite reach?” Tana hands over the bottle, stifling a ywan with her spare hand. The tropical sun and all the joys of the beach left her comfortably warm. Cozy and ever so relaxed. She sighs when she feels L’Arachel’s cool palms against her back. Vacations truly were a blessing. “I’ll do you next, the beautiful princess of peerless beauty can’t walk around sunburnt now, can she?”

Tana sits up straight and presses a light, whimsical kiss on her friend’s nose. Ah, L’Arachel really is adorable when blush paints it’s way across her pretty face.

Tana catches the beach ball sent flying her way, ready to parry it back to her opponent. The water on her skin glistens in the summer sunlight as she basks in the gentle ocean breeze. There’s no where else in the world she’d rather be than this little slice of paradise they found. Or so she thought.

Something grabs her legs from beneath the waves, pulling her under. A high pitched shriek escapes her throat before she’s caught underwater. Tana thrashes aimlessly until whatever, or more aptly whoever, decides to let her go. Thankfully, the woman does not try to actually drown her and soon she is coughing and spluttering, navy hair plastered across her face.

Letizia - Tana is sure that was her name, laughs derisively at her and she feels her blood boil. Her face burns red with indignation and her hands ball into fists but Tana wills herself to take a long, deep breath. Then she smiles and although it’s forced, she does her best to laugh as she untangles the seaweed caught around her ankles.

“Haha, good one Letizia! You really caught me there,” Tana wades over to the Emblian, careful not to break the act. She’s sure Letizia won’t appreciate it but Tana slings and arm around her shoulder, as if they’re old friends. “Would you like to join our little game?”

Then she shoves the seaweed down Letizia’s bathing suit, another thing the Emblian is unlikely to enjoy. Revenge is sweet though and Tana sprints away, cackling with laughter.

Tana surfaces from her underwater lap, letting the sun dry her face languidly as she catches her breath back. She stretches her arms high above her head, trying to release the tension built up in her limbs. That is until a surprise challenger approaches.

“You... want to see if you can hold your breath longer than I can?” Frelia’s princess sighs and has to fight the urge to roll her eyes. Men could be so ridiculous at times, turning everything into a foolish competition. Her brother is just the same as Ephraim is in that regard. However, Ephraim treats her warmly, speaks to her as an ally and equal. Encourages her to keep trying, even when she hits obstacles that seem insurmountable, all with a roguish smile that makes her heart feel as though it could melt.

A smirk paints Tana’s face. Oh, Ephraim might be a strategic genius but he could be so slow on the uptake at times. It wasn’t as if she hid away her feelings in shame. Perhaps she could use this to her advantage though.

“Oh, alright then. Only because it’s you though!” With that she swiflt moves to splash him with water. The sight of his face screwed up as the water gets in his eyes tickles her pink. “Three, two, one!” Tana inhales deeply before pinching her nose and submerging herself into the pool.

His cheeks are puffed out, she notes to herself. Round and adorable, like a chipmunk. If she weren’t underwater - and preoccupied with her mission, Tana would probably have to giggle at how boyish it makes Ephraim look. Determined as ever, she swims over to him and smiles as innocently as she can. Tana can hear her own heartbeat but there is no turning back now.

Reaching out for him is simple and easy. As natural as simply being is. Tana takes his hand under the water, pulling closer towards Ephraim. Drawn to him like a magnet and pulled so entirely into his gravity. It’s infuriating in a way, that he almost certainly has no idea the effect he has on her.

Summoning her courage, Tana leans in and tentatively places a kiss on his lips. The butterflies in her stomach only seem to become more erratic. Part of her expects him to pull away in horror and scold her but... that doesn’t actually happen. If anything he kisses her back, with a tenderness she could not have anticipated. His lips are chapped slightly but they move against hers fluidly, with such care. A sweetness that races through her veins, leaves her giddy and whimsical.

Kissing Ephraim is like a sugar rush. Delightful at first, like honey lingering on her tongue. The crash soon follows though as they pull apart, floating back up for air. Tana thinks to herself it tastes almost bitter in comparison.

She finds herself left wanting more - so much more. Caught by one of Eros’ arrows, all she can think about is kissing him again and again. What need did she have for breath or sustenance, compared to the yearning she feels for him? Tana’s wine dark eyes gaze up at him through her eyelashes, both of them breathing heavily as if the weight of being apart was crushing. So she does the only thing she can.

"Here ya go, Tana! Nothin' like some cool treats on a hot summer day, eh?" Inigo hands over one of his ice cream cones. "Enjoy!"

"Inigo! Well aren't you a sweetheart," Tana shoots him a coquettish wink as she takes the ice cream cone offered to her. Strawberry, her favourite! "Mmm, it's delicious. Consider me charmed, sir!"

She laughs loudly, without care for the heads that may turn her way. The azure sky and ocean are a perfect backdrop to a wonderful summer vacation. From where she stands, on the hot sands, she can see their friends enjoying themselves just as much as she has today. It makes her heart feel warm and full.

Tana elbows him in the ribs - gently of course, with a mischievious grin on her face. It seems she’s not the only one captivated by the beautiful smiles the others students wear so beautifully.