#collei bennett barb fischl team has served me well i understand the appeal now

[voyage-inferno]

He doesn't immediately know what she just threw at the Hilichurls- or how it managed to return to her- but the familiar hue of dendro meant things were about to really heat up. And Collei's transformation from nervous to certain was impressive. It was the kind of thing that highlighted her sense of emergency, a trait that anyone in a dangerous field should feel proud to have- even if the circumstances meant he couldn't dwell on it much.

Bennett's blade caught fire a heartbeat later, and in that moment he launched himself forward with a long-used "take cover!!". On the outside, it looked horrifically reckless, and in some ways, it was. Yet, this, this was where Bennett lived. Balanced on the edge as he slashed towards their assailants.

Grass and dendro infused objects alike erupted into flames. That was enough to make half of the group flinch. There was precious little time in that moment, between the attempts of the archer to put their crossbow out, the Mita doing the same for their mane, and the scramble of the Sama to put everything out.

The grenadiers were.. less concerned. An instinct stamped out from forging actual fire beings to use as ammunition, maybe. They were almost done making new ones. Bennett pivots back to Collei-

"We've gotta shove the cart-!"

The Sama's clouds were gathering, the Mita no longer had its fur on fire.

"That's actually what they want!! I'll light whatever you tinder again, we've got this!!"

Bennett breathed in deep, directing pyro into his blade. If he timed it right-

Passion Overload glowed like a tiny sun. The Sama's hydro began to rain down on the battlefield. The archer was charging up-

And the Mita growled, low enough to rumble in a listener's chest.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ || the fire had luckily not gotten her, but she does catch a few of the stray droplets as bennett shakes the water off. collei makes a small noise of surprise, but otherwise, she's fine; again, it's better to be wet than on fire. "i'm fine!" she's quick to assure him in that brief moment of peace they have before the hilichurls make themselves fully known.

collei turns to the group with wide eyes, dread settling in her stomach. "oh no..." she and bennett are obviously outnumbered and she doesn't like how many elements the hilichurls are wielding. however, she recovers from the shock quickly, already grabbing her bow and getting into a defensive stance. it's not often she gets to stand alongside a pyro wielder, but she has a feeling this can get interesting— as long as they both stay careful.

"watch out!"

her timid attitude quickly melts away as forest ranger instincts take over. she gives bennett a quick glance before she throws her dendro-infused boomerang at the enemies, luckily hitting most of them. though it does little to no damage, it does afflict them with dendro, which is exactly what she was hoping for. dendro and pyro make for a great combination after all.

and thus, the stage has been set for bennett's attacks.