Bewitching Beauty

🧃"Great job out there darling! Don't forget to go cheer for your classmates soon!"

“You’re really handing these out every year, aren’t you?” Though last time it seemed like she had gotten some help with that, considering a red-haired boy had been the one to give him the juice box instead. “Thank you.”

    “ It's hard not to be when you experience loss. I'm afraid I've been humiliated yet again, ”  Pelleas laughs self-deprecatingly before he ultimately sighs.  “ It appears as if I always am. I don't remember the last time I've been particularly impressive, try as I might... ”

Still, even with the curtain of depression hanging over him, he still takes the juice box. It's a symbol of defeat to him, but he knows Camilla has only kind intentions (he's pretty sure?) each year she hands them out, remembering even the time she tried to make something of him when enlisting him to help.

He likes to think he's at least a little physically stronger since that time, even if it never makes it to the Battle of the Eagle and Lion.

"Do I look like I need someone's mommy? Piss off, woman." ...

Elise stirred and Camilla froze, her needle midpull. Elise stirred again and Camilla set the sewing aside, quick to lean over Elise, greeting her with a warm smile.

"Hello Elise." Camilla felt a weight lift from her chest when Elise opened her eyes. "How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"

The library was a mess, and she found him on the second floor with the group trying to clean up, familiar frown on his face.

"Leo!" She climbed the stairs two at a time and the hug she gave him was almost more of a tackle. She held him close, relieved. A part of her nagged that he would be embarrassed by the affection and would whine about it, but embarrassment be damned she just wanted to hold her family close and never let go again.

One day, as the sun began to sink and the melancholy of twilight began to blanket the world, she finally spotted a familiar horse and rider. Her heart raced, the wind tore at her hair as Barbie dove down, and the rider quickly took note of the wyvern about to land.

Barbie barely landed as Camilla dismounted, approaching her older brother with tears threatening to spill over. She took a deep breath as she closed the distance. It wouldn't do to cry now, as much as she wanted to.

"Xander!" Just seeing his face was enough to lift the world off of her shoulders. She smiled in relief. "I'm glad to see you're alright." She wanted to embrace him, for him to hold her tight like when they were children. She restrained herself, keeping her arms at her side. Her fingers fidgeted with the claws on her hips.

He's not exactly the type to feel anything particularly harmful to the mission, but a healthy dose of paranoia keeps a soldier alive. He is all for leaving to handle any remaining area left unattended by their dash to aid the other teams. He is ready to move out at once.

Player Unit 3 moves 1 node right, landing on a claimed node.

Player Unit 3 moves 1 node right, landing on an unclaimed node.

And then, it hears them approaching. A simple creature or perhaps a creature noting their disheveled nature, takes steps towards them.

Enemy Unit 3: Towering Golem moves up.

He stands before his teammates and although he wishes to finish off the creature, it's best he stand before them to take any head-on attacks. He is not rash, and he is not out for the kill any longer as he hears the sounds of battle quieting in their area. He'd rather preserve their safety.

But he can tell their counselor was ready in his place. "Counselor Camilla." He acquiesces the kill to her.

This whole battle, Barbie had once again been far away. The fighting was too close and there were too many threats in the skies.

The golem creaked as it raised it's fists in jerky motions, ready to slam Camilla down. Camilla did not move.

A black and violet blur struck the golem in the head. It staggered for a moment, headless, before collapsing like a rag doll.

The wind seemed to pick up, blowing dust and rubble everywhere. The wind swirled around Camilla as Barbie landed, standing triumphantly with the golem's head in one claw. Camilla smiled. "Good girl Barbie." She patted her beloved wyvern's neck affectionately as Barbie chirped happily.

Player Unit 3 used 1 Ranged Charge! Enemy Unit 3: Towering Golem 0.5/3HP takes -1HP Enemy Unit 3: Towering Golem is Defeated!

He never would have thought the monastery could be so empty when it's usually full of life.

Player Unit 3 moves 1 node up, landing on an unclaimed node.

He gives his name, nonchalant and curt, the same tone you'd hear any good day from him. "Dedue. And we're getting close."

He couldn't tell via magic or omnipotent visages where or why an enemy would be where, but when they crested the middle of the hallway, they are besieged by the attacks of a foe unseen. Truly, the aggressive attack was safe for themselves, but even if they fell the final foe, they are still victorious.

Enemy Unit 3: Towering Golem uses Siege (0/2) on Player Unit 3

"This way!" Camilla pointed towards some rubble. "For a moment."

Player Unit 3 moves 1 node up, landing on an unclaimed node.

"Now that we're in a safe spot," She flashed a smile at the three students. "Camilla, one of the school counselors."

She took stock of their situation. In the middle of the field, a hulking golem lumbered, moving farther south. There was rubble, and remains of battle everywhere, but as far as she could tell there were no more enemy reinforcements.

From atop his horse, Seliph tries to ascertain the current situation. There are some enemies ahead. Mages if he has to guess, which will be trickier to deal with.

"Before we advance, we ought to take care of the enemies in front of us," Seliph muses as he unsheathes his sword. "It will help our allies as well."

Player Unit 3 attacks Enemy Unit 4: Mage Artillery Player Unit 3 roll: 27 Enemy Unit 4 roll: 17 Difference: 10; Enemy Unit 4 loses -2HP (0/3 HP) Enemy Unit 4 has been defeated!

He gently nudges Tirna forward. His holy sword glints in the daylight as its blade is brought down upon a mage before they can raise their arms to cast.

"Is anyone hurt?" Seliph calls over his shoulder.

The first enemy unit falls to their might, but another one is quickly approaching.

Enemy Unit 6: Pale Invaders moves 1 node down.

But unlike last time, where they were split up and taken by surprise, they have another group nearby to help them take the enemy down.

When he last fought, he did all he could to show that he was capable. Many wounds he shrugged off, or hide, or both. He had to prove to his employer that he had his money's worth - that he didn't invest in the wrong guy. But even before all that, the request to tend to his wounds was unthinkable. So, to find himself once more being told to do so was…

Well, Yuzu wasn't trying to apply the bandages herself, so he takes it as an opportunity to quickly swipe the bandages, turning heel shortly after. "Yeah, I know how to do that!" He stumbles out, as he unfurls the roll and wraps a generous amount around one of his arms. "Honestly, you're worrying way too much." A silent thanks, in a roundabout way.

Glancing towards the woods, he brings out his staff, the warm glow of the torch illuminating the foes who lurked within. With the way they snarl, Hugh's able to tell - they're the ones scared.

"Only four left." He confirms to the others. And though unsaid, Hugh's confident - this time, it's the monsters who will turn tail and run.

He turns back to the campsite. Looking over at Hugh and Camilla, he’s confident they can handle the rest. 

Thank goodness, this night is nearly over.

The light from Forde's lance fades, and soon the light of Hugh's torch is dwarfed by the breaking dawn. Camilla never thought she would have been so grateful to see the rising sun.

"Alright." She sighs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "We made it through the night. I think we've all earned a nap."

And a hot bath. She thinks bitterly to herself. The hot bath would have to wait for now unfortunately.

They've gotten quite smart, if so.

But Hugh recalls how a number of these new ones operate. He casts a flare for Yuzu to aim her bow towards, and in turn, another one of those damn wyverns come soaring in, intent on sinking its talons into him once more. This time, however, magic connects with the wyvern's body, and Hugh's able to weather the injury.

Hugh looks to the source - to Camilla, who's own wyvern puts an end to the wild wyvern's attack. He directs a nod of thanks before they continue on.

One masked man remains, fleeing once he realizes he is the last enemy.

Camilla strikes hard and fast. She has a brief thought of capturing the man and questioning him, but the spell leaves her hand before she can pull any punches and the man collapses to the ground with a hole in his chest.

"Oops." She shrugs. He was going to die anyways.