#【 thread ⁎ beloboggling the mind 】

[freedomarrow]

He did not want them to fret over him - and yet, they do. He sees the cracks on Denning's skin, akin to damaged clay; somehow, the revelation that he is not a normal human neither surprises nor phases him. Whether this is because he has plenty experience with creatures of other species, or it is simply yet another drop drowned in the sea of the everything happening around and overwhelming him, he is not sure, nor does he give it much thought.

Veyle comes to him, and her healing washes over him. He wants to thank her just as much as he does apologize - but manages neither before she recoils violently, shot by the Heritor of Flame when she was distracted by healing Leonardo. Why - why is it always that he has to be a problem?! Of course, it is only natural for the enemy to exploit their weaknesses - he would do the same - but why must this weakness be him?!

Magma Pillar attacks with Fiery Blast: 1d4-1=1. Leonardo HP: 10 → 9

There is no time to overthink his weaknesses again - doing so, in itself, is a show of weakness. The erupting flame burns his skin, but also awakens his senses as it reminds him that this is far from over. When he looks to Denning again, his eyes are calmer, devoid of that moment of despair he had displayed; he signs quickly - "I'll be fine" - before drawing the bowstring again.

Leonardo uses Rally Speed. Denning gains +6 Spd for one round Leonardo attacks Supreme Infernal Mistress with Rienfleche: 2d20=12, 3. Hit, Miss Leonardo deals 2.5 damage. Supreme Infernal Mistress HP: 6 → 3.5 Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 10 → 8

One shot flies into the shoulder; she manages to dodge out of the way of the second - but just then, as though fully prepared for exactly this move, Denning comes in and finishes what Leonardo had started, finally taking the fiery woman out for good. She crumples into dust, until there is nothing but thin smoke disappearing into the air, the echo of her final scream fading away.

Only the other, summoned woman remains - the blond feels inclined to think of her as the first enemy's daughter, though he could not explain where that feeling had come from. She dodges Veyle's attack before firing at her again, then misses a shot against Denning - before finally looking to him.

Heritor of Flame attacks Leonardo with Mountainscaling Shot: 1d20-2=3. Miss

Instinct taking over, he moves the upper part of his body sharply to the right, avoiding a shot aimed squarely at his face. Her weapon is bizarre, but it is not entirely unlike avoiding another archer. Then, he quickly draws two arrows.

Leonardo counterattacks with Rienfleche: 2d20(-1)=14, 8. Hit, Hit Leonardo deals 10 damage. Heritor of Flame HP: 11.5 → 1.5 Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 8 → 6

Both fly into her with devastating power, dropping her to her knees. Their battle is almost done - they can finish her off any moment now. Leif, Professor, your efforts will not be in vain...

Magma Pillar attacks with Fiery Blast: 1d4-1=2. Leonardo HP: 6 → 4

More rain of fire falls upon him, and he groans as he covers his face. Fresh burns line his arms and back - but it is not long before a wave of healing washes over him again, soothing the pain and mending his wounds. He raises his head again to look - Denning; Veyle had taken care of their injuries, and now they have come to fix him up. He nods in thanks, before turning again to face the enemy, who had by now gotten back up -

Leonardo attacks Heritor of Flame with Rienfleche: 2d20(-1)=4, 2. Miss, Miss Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 10 → 8

... But she has by now figured out his pattern, and sidesteps quickly to avoid his strikes, his arrows flying past her into empty air -

Heritor of Flame attacks Leonardo with Restraining Stone: 1d20-2=17. Hit Heritor of Flame deals 2 damage. Leonardo HP: 8 → 6 Leonardo is broken and cannot counterattack

- before firing at his shoulder, prompting a scream of both surprise and pain as he recoils and his hand lets go of the bow, which falls to the ground.

Oh no, he needs to get it back -

> @beholdenning

Beloboggling the Mind || Team Four Silver Round

[freedomarrow]

When the world returns to where it once was as his eyes flutter open, the shadows of Micaiah, Hector and the others are no more - neither are those of the badly weighed bow and healing staff that were by his side what feels like only a moment ago. Were it not for how his whole body protests and aches as he gets up, he would be inclined to think that this was yet another of his bad dreams, but no - this was real.

Well, as real as a Church battle simulation could be, anyway. (Where on earth did they get those ideas?...)

His injuries closed though still aching, he is back up - as are his allies. (It takes him a moment to process the clothes some of them are wearing... but he does not ask questions. He doubts it was their choice.) For his part, there is a horse under him, to which he offers a friendly pat, a request for cooperation; he knows it will vanish once this is over, but even a momentary bond is an important one. A new bow sits in his hand, one that feels a lot more comfortable to wield - straight away he can feel its fine quality, and the great power it possesses. Immediately he cannot help but wonder if he can handle it, before silencing the thought. It is far too early for him to start doubting himself again.

Before them, a new enemy appears - the shape of a demonic woman of some sort, her silhouette surrounded by flames. His grip on the bow tightens - he will not be weak anymore. He eyes the scorching spear in the enemy's hand, before his eyes wander to his allies again - though everyone is still a little aching, it would seem they are ready.

He stops on Denning, and once their eyes meet, he nods, before putting the bow on his knees for a moment in order to sign, as he had seen the enigmatic one do earlier.

"You and I, we have advantage. Let's strike first."

Leonardo uses Rally Speed. Denning gains +6 Spd for one round

He then spurs his horse forward, the mount prepared for this role and nothing else knowing exactly what to do. For a brief moment, Leonardo wonders if perhaps - just maybe - one day he could continue his father's legacy of knighthood after all.

But first, he most prove himself worthy - also to himself as well. Two arrows are drawn, and he fires them in quick succession into the opponent from a safe distance.

Leonardo attacks Supreme Infernal Mistress with Rienfleche: 1d20(+2)=18, 9. Crit, Hit Leonardo deals 7.5 damage. Supreme Infernal Mistress HP: 10 → 2.5 Shield BP: 5 → 3 Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 5 → 3

The bow takes some strength and energy to fire properly, the blond unable to stop himself from gritting his teeth in pain as he shoots - but he cannot stop, he cannot falter, not again. I will become stronger, I will grow strong enough to protect them...

The enemy's silhouette steps back in pain, a groan that almost sounds human in response to the powerful attack - vulnerable and open for Denning to strike.

> @beholdenning

Beloboggling the Mind || Team Four Silver Round

[freedomarrow]

"Leif— Professor!—"

Something within Leonardo snaps - breaks - locks up in place at the sight before his eyes, filling his heart and mind alike with a freezing chill, a frigid abyss full of a whole lot of nothing.

There is place for nothing in him, nothing but a soldier who marches on, silent, ignorant, unfazed by the carnage around him, who walks right past the corpses of his allies to find a better vantage point, who takes advantage of the distraction as a Tiger tears open his fellow knight's chest and takes down another enemy, and who then walks away, satisfied in a job well done, uncaring for everything else that occurred.

A soldier who feels nothing, who knows nothing, only how to kill and how to die.

Who only knows how to load up an arrow, draw the bowstring and fire.

Leonardo attacks Magma Pillar A with Rienfleche: 2d20(+2)=14, 5. Hit, Barely Hit Leonardo deals 7.5 damage. Magma Pillar A HP: 15 → 7.5 Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 5 → 3

It is not until a sudden string shoots through his shoulder and arm and forces a groan out of him as he recoils that he snaps out of it, forced awake by the pain. His left hand, holding the bow, hangs by his side, his fingers clutching it desperately after nearly letting go of it; his right arm leans on the back of his horse's neck and he bends forward, his forehead resting on his palm for a moment as he breathes heavily.

You, grow strong to protect everyone? How do you expect to do that when all you know is how to kill and turn away?

He raises his head, looking at Denning and Veyle. They are still there. That display just now probably worried them. He shakes his head - his smile is gone and his breathing is still labored, but he cannot have them worry for him at a time like this. This still is not over.

"I'm— fine... I'm fine!" That hint of desperation is back in his voice, noticeable, but not quite the same as it was - not please help me, not I'm so sorry - but rather please ignore me, do not waste your time—

"Get them... Go!..."

Leonardo uses Rally Speed. Denning gains +6 Spd for one round

> @beholdenning

Beloboggling the Mind || Team Four Silver Round

[freedomarrow]

The way he fumbled those shots, the way he had become too predictable and allowed her to get out of the way - it was nothing short of embarrassing for an archer. And yet, they say nothing to criticize him - they stick by him, healing their wounds, healing his wounds, cheering him on in spite of everything.

What is it... What is it about them that makes them so easily forgive him for it all?

Veyle comes to his rescue, picking up the bow he had dropped for him before mending his wounds; relief comes over him as the injury in his shoulder vanishes, healthy skin covering the hole and bruise that were there just a moment ago, limiting his ability to shoot. His first thought is to apologize to her for being a nuisance - but she spurs him on instead, smiling before she backs off to allow him to aim more comfortably. so he refrains from dragging the mood down, and instead, simply smiles back.

"Thank you. I'll finish it this time."

And finally, he looks to the enemy again, the smile faded as he draws an arrow. He will finish it. He will not allow her to dodge his shot again.

Spurring his horse forward, he trots, then gallops. He circles around the opponent; she aims at him, and right then, he sharply changes direction. She lowers her weapon as he does another semicircle, picks it back up, aims - but he swerves again. He is the one losing her this time, not the other way around. Before she can realize it, he is behind her back -

Leonardo attacks Heritor of Flame with Rienfleche: 1d20-1=18. Crit Leonardo deals 10 damage. Heritor of Flame HP: 1.5 → 0 Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 10 → 9

... before planting a devastating shot right between her shoulder blades, strong enough for the arrow to pierce right through her. She is not even given the chance to scream before crumpling into flame, then smoke, then nothing but dust, until nothing is left.

Leonardo stops his horse in place, staring blankly at where the enemies used to be. This is over now. They won.

He then raises his eyes, looking towards where Leif and Professor Lukas were before they vanished.

It would have been a better victory if he had not allowed that to happen. His training must go on. Which it will. They are not done yet.

— Thread End

Beloboggling the Mind || Team Four Silver Round

[freedomarrow]

Labored breaths accompany him as he lowers his arm after shooting, watching Denning take charge swiftly and decisively. They strike at the woman's silhouette with no mercy and hesitation, showing no fear for her fiery form, and knock her to the ground. The command is given - regroup - and he follows, tugging on the reins to prompt his mount to safety.

Soon after he does, a healing wave soothes his body, closing his wounds fully and refreshing him from the exhaustion. Their hands meet, so do their eyes; he can feel the warmth and support from her, and his first thought is to apologize again for the concern he had caused - but perhaps they should be past that, now.

Instead, he does his best to return her smile. "Thank you, Veyle. I'm alright. I'm here for you as well, alright? You can count on me."

Indeed, they are a team. He is not alone, and neither are they.

His body refreshed, he gets ready for another attack, before Professor Lukas approaches him on a mount of his own. Leonardo nods, hearing him out with the utmost attention, soaking up both the advice and the support he provides. The expression with which he nods is a smile full of determination. "Yes, sir. Thank you."

The supportive spell then comes over him. Anew - as though he was never tired to begin with, his energy comes back full force, and his grip on the bow tightens. He looks at the enemy - she has summoned a new aide to her side to support her - then back at Lukas, nodding one more time before spurring his mount forward.

He charges, drawing a semicircle around the scorching embers emanated by her power, drawing quickly two arrows just as he signals to stop. Then aims, and fires. One, then another.

Leonardo attacks Supreme Infernal Mistress with Rienfleche: 2d20=11, 11. Hit, Hit Leonardo deals 5 damage. Supreme Infernal Mistress HP: 10 → 5 Shield BP: 5 → 3 Leonardo takes recoil damage. Leonardo HP: 10 → 8

Both strike true once more. She takes a step back, unsteady, the arrows embedded in her side and chest already catching on fire. This is their chance - they cannot let her recover, cannot give her aide the time to react and pull her own tricks out -

"Now's your chance, Leif! You can do it!"

Leonardo uses Rally Speed. Leif gains +6 Spd for one round

> @diadic

Beloboggling the Mind || Team Four Silver Round