Work Text:
Her scrolls danced as the beasts in front of her fell down one by one. It was such a shame to take down horrendous monsters like these, but they were here in droves and Rhajat couldn't safely take them for study and also keep her allies safe.
She was a big fan of monsters, but a bigger fan of keeping people alive enough to see another night.
This damn forest was one of the only paths to where they needed to go. Her scrolls danced again, and another Faceless crumbled. Her hair danced from the scroll's magical wind. She heard the pull of bows and arrows, followed by the slashing of swords. Mitama danced behind her, rod reaching ranges even Dwyer couldn't reach to keep them up.
Rhajat started another spell, focusing on a Faceless in front of her.
Loud footsteps thudded behind her, and Rhajat's breath held. As her spell landed against its target, the footsteps grew closer, and Mitama let out a scream.
Rhajat turned around, trying to form another spell as fast as she could, but her spells took time to form and the Faceless was already on them. She couldn't form it fast enough.
The monster that was above Mitama stopped, letting out a guttural wail. It then fell, narrowly avoiding landing on Mitama. Her shrine maiden friend stepped back, holding tightly onto her rod. On the back of the Faceless, the cause of its defeat, was a red-haired woman wearing her hair up in two long pigtails. The pigtails danced around her as she pulled her sword out.
"Thanks." Rhajat said, trying to breathe.
The woman's eyes darted in her direction, and the frown on her face twisted a little bit further as her eyes landed on the two of them. After a moment, she merely said, "Uh, no problem, I guess. Just what I do."
With that, she turned her head back. "Hey! Laslow! Odin! They're here! Help us drive them off!"
Then she put her sword by her side, looking around. Rhajat heard the footsteps, so she turned around and swung out her scrolls, sending her magic crashing into the Faceless' side. The woman launched herself from the Faceless' body, darting in the direction of the other magic user in the group.
Rhajat continued to fight. Perhaps those three joining didn't truly sway things, but the additional bodies were helpful nontheless. The Faceless eventually dwindled into nothing.
Rhajat stared at the bodies, considering what she could do with them while they stayed here. There was suddenly a pressure on her shoulder, and Rhajat's gaze darted over to a familiar sight— Mitama, drowsy as she leaned on Rhajat.
"I'm sure we will have..." Mitama yawned. "Much time to disect these beasts later."
Rhajat nodded, eyes going back to the group behind them. Her friend's savior was there, finger up and cranky voice drifting across the clearing. Her ire seemed aimed at that red-haired dark mage that had been a thorn in Rhajat's side ever since the crown prince of Nohr joined them. Rhajat hummed, staring in that direction.
The mage that had joined with the woman stepped up, posturing in such a manner that made Rhajat's nose twist. There was someone else like Ophelia?
"Hey."
Rhajat blinked at the new voice, looking over at the dancer that had joined them as well. He had a sword on his hip, of Nohrian make. He glanced at the general group, then back to Rhajat and Mitama. "Are you two alright?"
"Course I am. I've dealt with way worse Faceless." Rhajat stated, resisting the urge to bite on her thumbnail. "Many of my own creation."
The man's face twisted a bit, and Rhajat anticipated a response akin to judgement. But he took a deep breath and simply nodded. "Yes. Well, we should get out of here before more Faceless take us by surprise, hm?"
"I... agree." Mitama mumbled.
Rhajat pointed at the group, with her enemy in magic and the two other adults that had joined them. "What's with them?"
"Selena wanted to know when her daughter left, and, ah... it seems you guys all departed without a whisper to us!" The dancer laughed, folding his hands behind his back. "It's natural to worry about your kids in a place like this, no?"
"...She's related to that freak?" Rhajat mumbled, glancing back to the red-haired woman. Selena sighed, leaning onto the other dark mage's shoulder. Ophelia was saying something excitedly, and Rhajat huffed. "She doesn't deserve to be the mother to that girl."
The man made a face. "Uh... I'm... sure she loves her daughter very much."
Rhajat huffed. "Whatever. Let's just get out of here."