#s:eliwood

[delicatevalentine]

blank space » team flood (finale)

Blank had been worrying her for what felt like days now, although the unusual circadian flow in this realm made it difficult to judge. It began with just a few offhand comments about the dangers of the living world. Then came the guilt-tripping remarks about how everybody left them, in the end. Then, the casual questions about whether they might consider staying. And finally, it became an insistence. 

“I, Perses, will protect you.” 

And with that, Hilda knew there was no reasoning to be done. 

Because Blank’s -- Perses’? -- protection looked a lot like brute force. 

Hilda didn’t want to hurt him. In their time here, she had grown fond of the peculiar amnesiac. She would have even considered bringing him with them, if that was what he wanted. But if he was the only thing standing between her and finally returning home... Well, she had no choice. 

She swung. 

[ Hilda attacks Perses using Freikugel. Roll: 13 — Hit! -4HP ] [ Perses HP:  50 → 46 ]

And as she suspected, Blank didn’t seem to have any reservations against hitting them back. 

[ Perses counterattacks using Again the Martyr. Roll: 17 — Crit! -4HP ] [ Hilda HP: 10 → 6 ] [ Hilda is inflicted with -4 dexterity and -2 avoid until Round 3 - Player Phase. ]

A wave of magic engulfed her before she could escape from its range. A jagged knife of ice was born from the ground. The force of its emergence sent Hilda stumbling to the ground. She looked up in despair, just in time to catch a glimpse of the frozen shard that was headed straight for her. It sliced into her forehead and sent waves of pain through her whole body. Blood dripped down into her eyes, obscuring her vision. 

“Blank... Perses...” she said weakly. “Please...”

@pheraean

[delicatevalentine]

The Lion looked to be on her last legs. One more hit, and Hilda would be free to collapse in the medical tent (if she even made it that far)... She looked to her ally and nodded in weak encouragement as he raised his tome.

The blast soared straight over Minerva's left shoulder.

Hilda sighed.

If you wanted something done right, and all that...

With gritted teeth, pushing through the pain of her wounds, the heaviness of her muscles and the pounding in her head, she raised her axe and put all of her weight behind -- what she hoped was -- the final blow.

Hilda 2/5HP hits Minerva 0.5/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 16 - 2 = 14, -3HP] Minerva 0/6HP Minerva has been defeated!

And at last, it seemed, she had her wish.

The momentum carried her weapon into a solid connection with Minerva's abdomen, knocking her to the ground. When it became clear that the redhead would not raise her weapon again, Hilda dropped hers to the ground and promptly followed, too exhausted to despair about the mud.

"This," she announced to nobody in particular, "is the worst day of my life."

Golden Deer win!

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

it’s a piece of cake to make a pretty base » team flood

Welp! Whatever the case, your first priority should probably be to finagle some manner of base camp, as well as rations, right?

1 Post = 1% of Progress (Max 20%)  Requires 1 Plank or 1 Sheet of Cloth per post

As Hilda wandered back towards camp, she saw that they had made little progress with the actual base construction. It appeared that some of the group had already split off to investigate other aspects of the landscape and had yet to return with the necessary materials. 

“Hm! Well, not to worry. Felix and I had a little luck over there.” She tugged on the piece of sturdy cloth that was still sticking out of his pocket and held it up to the present team members triumphantly. With a flourish, she laid it down on the ground, then stared at it with a thoughtful expression as though she expected it to pop up into a fully-formed tent. It did not. 

“Well, every little helps!” she said cheerfully, her eyes already wandering for another excuse to avoid work.

-1 piece of cloth +1% camp construction — 1% @pheraean @artificidel @aegisshieded @nagargent @disgracedvessel @cursedbluebird @ninocence @etoilerrante @shadoll @nabataprophet @grimstalkr

[delicatevalentine]

As she dragged her feet towards Minerva, a wave of murky vapour erupted from her teammate's fingers. It looked as though it might swallow the girl in fog, but at the last moment, it swerved to avoid her like oil meeting water. It hung in the air, impairing the visibility. Hilda squinted into the murk...

... And saw the arc of flame a split second too late.

Minerva 3.5/6HP hits Hilda 2.5/5HP with Flaming Axe [Roll: 8  - 2 = 6, -1.5HP]  Hilda 1/5HP

Apparently, that reluctance to strike had not lasted long.

She couldn't be certain whether the pain was from burns or cuts by this stage; it all blurred into one. With a groan of desperation, she hoisted her axe once again and counterattacked.

Hilda 1/5HP heals 0.5HP from Fairy Dust Hilda 1.5/5HP hits Minerva 3.5/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 18 - 2 = 16, -3HP] Minerva 0.5/6HP

Her axe blade drew blood in its wake, not deep enough to maim, but perhaps to scar.

"How can you think about training right now?!"

Her axe dropped to her side again, her muscles too fatigued to settle into a defensive stance.

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

As Diamant gracefully exited the battlefield, Hilda was devastated to find that their team was still expected to defeat the one remaining Lion. The past few minutes alone had drained her energy reserves to the dregs.

Whilst she and the swordsman had been exchanging blows -- with her focus narrowed into staying on her feet -- she'd had little idea of what the other two were up to. But from the look of their injuries -- or rather, lack thereof -- she suspected... not much.

Hilda, on the other hand, bore an array of cuts and bruises from her sparring and was more than ready to collapse in the medical tent. Part of her wanted to sit down on the ground and wait it out. But her one remaining opponent had so far seemed reluctant to hit her, and if that hesitancy continued, she supposed the battle might conclude quicker if she made one final push.

"Come on then," she said grimly to her lavender-haired ally. "Let's finish this... One way or another."

Hilda 2.5/5HP heals 0.5HP from Fairy Dust Hilda 3/5HP rotates the Golden Deer to the left!

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

She was tired. She was injured. Her muscles screamed from the weight of her axe and shield, her body ached from the tension of resisting hit after hit of heavy steel, her vision swam with overexertion. They say that in the midst of battle, the most skilled warriors enter a state of tranquil calm. Hilda could not have been further from serenity. This battle may be staged, but her pain was not. His words roared in her head.

Fight back and defend yourself.

She aceeded.

All of that pain, exhaustion and frustration, she harnessed it --- and unleashed it into one powerful, deadly accurate swing.

Hilda 2.5/5HP hits Diamant 1/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 18, -3.5HP - 1def = -2.5HP]  Diamant 0/6HP

It hit true.

With the flat of her axe and more strength than she knew she possessed, she smacked him backwards, forcing him to release his weapon -- which clattered harmlessly to the mud-soaked ground.

The axe dropped to her side, the heat leaving her as soon as the strike had landed. Heavy fatigue settled back into her bones. She could hardly recognise the person she had been just moments ago, the person who had defeated one of the strongest adversaries on the battlefield.

"Would you... believe me..." she said weakly, "if I said that was an accident?"

Diamant has been defeated!

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

Hilda sensed that she had made a mistake as soon as she drew back: the redhead examined the wound, looked up at her --- and smiled.

It wasn't the wild-eyed look of masochism; she might have preferred it if it was. No, his approving gaze was filled with... intrigue. As though he had been toying with her, trying to provoke her into action, to see what she could do. The lecturing that followed only supported her theory. Even worse, she felt like she'd impressed him.

She filled with dread.

And that was even before he launched his counterattack.

If he had been holding anything back before, he certainly was not now.

Diamant 2.5/6HP crits Hilda 4/5HP with Repelling Sword [Roll: 20-2 = 18, -4HP - 1.5def = -2.5HP] (Seal Defense activates!) Hilda 1.5/5HP

Try as she might to hold her shield in position, his brute strength was too much for her to bear. In that split-second before she could recover, he struck like a whip, surprisingly fast for his size. The edge of his sword smacked the breath out of her body. It was all she could do to remain on her feet.

Thrown off-balance, her strike -- whilst somewhat more skilled than some of her previous attempts -- was imprecise.

Hilda 1.5/5HP heals 0.5HP from Fairy Dust!  Hilda 2/5HP barely hits Diamant 2.5/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 7, -1.5HP]  Diamant 1/6HP

She caught the edge of his arm, inflicting a mere scratch.

Her breaths were laboured as she reoriented herself. "If this is what taking me seriously looks like, then I don't want it!"

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

How could this battle still possibly be ongoing?

That was the only thought whirling around Hilda's head as either side took turns in swiping at each other, with limited success. From looks alone, the Lions side should have taken them out quickly and easily. But either fortune was smiling upon the Golden Deer, or she and her one remaining teammate were exceptionally good at dodging.

She was no longer unscathed, however. Despite her complaints, they had not let up their assault on her. Her sparkling pouch of fairy dust was working overtime on her wounds, dulling the pain enough to stay upright.

Hilda 3.5/5HP heals 0.5 HP from Fairy Dust!

Enough was enough! Her gaze narrowed in on the target in front of her; an onlooker might notice the visible sharpening of her focus. For once in her life, she listened to the voice in her head that sounded much like her axe instructor. She corrected her form, positioned her feet, and swung.

Hilda 4/5HP hits Diamant 4.5/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 9, -2HP] Diamant 2.5/6HP

The resulting strike was powerful, her weight carrying it through, but precise.

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

Once again, she was startled to find that her request had been heeded as the Lion left her unharmed. Clearly, her influence was greater than even she had imagined...!

... That was her train of thought, at least, before Knoll urged her back towards the muscular redhead and she discovered that his patience only extended so far.

That intimidating blade swung towards her ...

Diamant 4.5/6HP barely hits Hilda 5/5HP with Repelling Sword [Roll: 5-2 = 3, -1HP - 1.5def = -0HP] (Seal Defense activates!) Hilda 5/5HP

... Only to graze her lightly on the arm.

"Oh!" She examines the lack of wound with a visible relaxation of her guard. "That wasn't so bad---"

She didn't even see the flaming strike coming.

Minerva 6/6HP hits Hilda 5/5HP with Flaming Axe [Roll: 16-2 = 14, -1.5HP]  Hilda 3.5/5HP

"Oof!"

This one knocked her back. Dazed, she stumbled.

Before she could even attempt to retaliate, her gaze was drawn to a soft glow emanating from her pack. The fairy dust, which she had brought along primarily as a lucky charm, cast a faint shine that was steadily washing over her wound. Where the light touched, it felt pleasantly warm. The pain faded ever so slightly in its wake.

Hilda 3.5/5HP heals 0.5 HP from Fairy Dust! Hilda 4/5HP

"Ganging up on little old me! That doesn't seem fair," she complained as she swung her axe haphazardly once again.

Hilda 4/5HP misses Diamant 4.5/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 3, -0HP] Diamant 4.5/6HP

As expected, the lack of effort on her part manifested into a lazy, wide swing that failed to even stir the air around Diamant's looming figure.

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

One of her teammates down, and still Hilda did not bear a scratch. This was the true testament of her unsuitability for the battlefield; she would gladly watch others fall before she put herself in harm's way. She told herself this did not make her a bad person. Unfortunately, she was not a very good liar.

As the footwork of the opposing team moved the fight away from her, she sighed in resignation. This would be the perfect opportunity to hide herself behind her shield and pray the battle did not return to her. But perhaps it was that tiny glimmer of guilt that had her rejoining the fray.

Hilda 5/5HP rotates Golden Deer to the left!

It was only afterwards that she realised she had put herself directly in the eyeline of the well-built Lions instructor.

"Ah!"

She swung clumsily, driven more by panic than strategy. The sharp edge only succeeded in grazing his arm.

Hilda 5/5HP barely hits Diamant 3.5/6HP with Vengeance [Roll: 7, -1HP] Diamant 2.5/6HP

"... Would you spare me if I told you that was an accident...?"

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

Hilda glanced down at the weapon in her hands as though she were surprised to find it there. "You're surely mistaken---"

But she was saved from pleading her case by the throes of battle pulling Diamant from her vicinity; she loosed a breath of relief. She had not been looking forward to being on the receiving end of that sword, had she not been able to convince him otherwise.

Another redheaded Lion now faced her, akin to the last in foreboding presence but female this time. She decided she did not feel much safer after all. Though perhaps her honeyed words would have more luck this time around...?

She glanced warily at her opponent's fiery axe. "Wow! I just love the red theme you have going on. Even your axe! Very chic."

Flattery, or distraction --- whichever it was, it worked.

Minerva 6/6HP misses Hilda 5/5HP with Flaming Axe [Roll: 6 - 2 = 4, -0HP] Hilda 5/5HP

She ducked under the arc of fire and parried.

Hilda 5/5HP misses Minerva 6/6HP with Vengeance with Smash [Roll: 4 - 2 = 2, -0HP] Minerva 6/6HP

... Only for her own swing to carry her off-balance. She wasn't used to lugging this heavy old shield around!

"Call it even?" she suggested sweetly.

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24

[delicatevalentine]

Somehow, Hilda found herself to be one of few still standing on the battlefield once more. At this stage, she couldn't confidently say whether she would prefer to be out here, or knocked out cold in the medical tent --- the problem, she mused, with making it to Round 3... was that the remaining opponents were incredibly strong and evidently out for blood.

The red-headed Deer to her left began to introduce himself but was quickly silenced by a one-two strike from the Lion directly facing him. No time for pleasantries, then; it appeared her concerns for her safety were not unfounded.

"A pleasure to meet you, Eli-ah!" she sang as she dived behind him, forcing the team to shuffle to accommodate her.

Hilda 5/5HP rotates the Golden Deer to the right!

"I can assure you there will be all the time in the world for introductions afterwards --- once you get me out of this alive!"

A smidge dramatic, perhaps. Then again, appraising the broad-shouldered man facing her, wielding a sword as though he had born with it in his hand, perhaps not.

Time to try a different tack, then.

She blinked slowly at Diamant with wide eyes. "Surely, you would not hit a lady?"

the battle of the deer and lion — boel round 3, battle 24