>>5409465You do your best to run through the thick brush ahead of you. Being able to finally see doesn’t make traversing the tough terrain any easier unfortunately. You duck branches, jump over logs, and plow through thickets as you get closer to the noise. Odesse seems to have teleported you and Dolofonos about a 10-minute run away from where the fighting was occurring. As you smell the smoke and the residue of magic in the air, you can tell that you’re getting closer. You see a light ahead and emerge from the thicket, surveying the scene in front of you.
Your assumptions had been correct. The Blackwings are embroiled in a chaotic battle with the Crusaders. Judging by the absolute chaos and lack of proper formation, it looks as though both groups ran into each other unexpectedly once Anemone’s fog and maze wall went down. The ongoing battle isn’t the only thing that catches your eye though. The fight is taking place in front of a large, wooden palisade, surrounding several straw huts and homes. The gate to the inside is sealed shut, but several Crusaders with axes are in the midst of trying to change that. This must be Arcadia.
While all of your mercenaries seem to be in the heat of battle, you can see at least three ongoing fights in front of you. Directly in your path, Elizabeth is kneeling on the ground hurt. Clay is somehow holding off three Crusaders from reaching her by himself. The man is a fierce, yet strange fighter. A cut that he suffered across the chest instantly closes as his sword strikes the enemy in front of him. The weapon, glowing blue, parries the other two men as he strikes back at them with blinding speed.
To your north, Diana and Shelley are engaged with two Crusaders each. Diana dances and slashes at the spearman she’s engaged with, while Shelley grits her teeth attempting to fight off a Swordmaster that is getting the best of her. She’s bleeding and holding her Shamshir out defensively.
To your south, Roxanne is trading blows with an armored general, while Yara does her best to hold off a mage trying to roast the Great Knight alive in her armor.
Further ahead, you can make out a Paladin overseeing the battle from the front of Arcadia’s gate. Judging by his armor and air of authority, this must be Ivan. Clutching your spear, you move to act and join the battle.
>A): Assist Clay with his opponents>B): Back up Shelley and Diana>C): Assist Roxanne>D): Make a beeline for Ivan>E): Heal yourself before joining the battle>F): Write-in 