Death and Tide

[Mirach]

The spirit didn't understant yet that he attacked an illusion, but he understood there must be another demon in the water, and he didn't try to resist the pull of the water, but went with it, gaining force for attack from it as he dove under the surface with a thrust of his sword.

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: I thought it'd be unfair to just say Tide evaded it, so I rolled dice for his defence so it's random, and it said 2, so I'll go with Tide being hurt but not deadly. )

As Tide didn't direct the water stream directed toward him but to the side, the main force of the blow didn't hit straight at him , but as he tried to avoid it, it did slice through the side of his stomach quite badly, though he managed to avoid vital damage, however, in avoiding it he also got his arm almost sliced in half through the elbow. The lake water drenched in his blood with it, but he gritted his teeth, clutching the hanging hand, and using waterbending to in the same time get himself further away from the Spirit and get the creature further away from him, using the weight of the water to confine him and immobilize him, pulling him beneath the surface where he couldn't breathe.

[Mirach]

(OOC: I also we should use the dice from now on, to make it more interesting and unpredictable. The attack was 3, defence from the water 5.)

The spirit understood that he is facing a waterbender, and tried to get out of the water quickly, using his wings to paddle to the shore.

[VisAnastasis]

Spirit was very strong and so Tide knew he can't be mild, but it was hard as he had to divide his attention into three different things - on one side, on keeping the snow dome as hidden as possible, another on bending his own blood to ease the damage from his wound, and third, on containing the spirit.

Because of all of that, he couldn't fight as well as he normally would, fearing he could betray the location of his companions if Spirit looks too much under water. He couldn't let him go out, though. So, he let Spirit breathe out, and pulled as strong as he could with the water to tire him out and not let him reach the shore ( dice: 5 ). It didn't leave him to focus for much else - and he reached with his one hand to try to take away the sharp sword from his enemy, but he was clumsy in the attempt (dice: 2 )

[Mirach]

The spirit struggled (3), but he was pulled deeper into the water. He breathed out and knew he can't breathe in water, so he held his breath. He held on to his sword firmly though (5) and swung it against the enemy, although weakly (2). Death saw it's not going smoothly and moved the illusion into water, so the spirit would think there are two enemies.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide got scratched a little at the leg, although shallowly ( 1)

When illussion appeared he got an idea and then moved in a way that illussion would be in front of the hunter, while he was behind. He knew biggest danger would be if Spirit got out of water and flew away, so since he didn't manage to steal his weapon, instead he tried to sneak in from behind, and with one sudden turn tried to use his palm to crush the bone of one of his wings. ( 4)

[Mirach]

(3) The spirit attacked the illusion and noticed him only too late. With a broken wing, he stopped trying to get out of the water, and focused on trying his opponent instead, realizing it's his only way to escape. He lashed out with his sword at Tide, as he felt him just behind (5).

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's hurts slowed him down too much to evade, and he got slashed again, this time at a hurt hand, not too deeply, but barely avoiding the worse injury ( 3). Now that wing was broken, though, he suddenly realized he already got slashed up too much to risk further injury, and he should use the water instead. He didn't hit again, instead he tried to swim further away, and he used water instead to try to drag the Spirit deeper, but it was weak effort, because he was still dazed getting used to the new pain. ( 2).

[Mirach]

(1) The spirit felt he hit his opponent, and was not prepared for a new attack though. The water pulled him deeper under the surface, and one enemy got out of his reach, so he tried to attack the other, closer one - but it was just an illusion.

[VisAnastasis]

Despite it was a good sign  to him personally, Tide felt a sudden pang of guilt for the Spirit - for he fought for his life so hard, against mere shadow he could do nothing to. He knew it was not wise, but he couldn't find it in his heart to pretend he's being attaked just to make the creatute think he is fighting a real deal. He did not move himself, he just kept the water pressing him down ( 3).

He let the hunter hit the illussion without trying to pretend he evades it. He felt his eyes fill with tears, and despite he couldn't touch him personally, he still reached with his hand, and the illussion laid it's hand on Spirit's shoulder, unfazed, as it couldn't be hit no matter how many times creature tried to hit it.
" I am sorry..." He mouthed sadly, although he knew the demon Hunter probably wouldn't understand.

[Mirach]

The hunter suddenly understood it was an illusion, and he connected the facts. His eyes widened as he understood that Death must be nearby, and he lured him into this trap, as Death was able to create such illusions. He struggled for a while longer, but he was getting weaker against the constant pressure of the water. He was resilient, though, and it didn't seem he would drown that easily.

"Let me out," Tide could hear Death, speaking to him directly through the cloak.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide understood this is something Death wanted to do by the firm decisive statement and tone, and as he was feeling rather grieved by the slow process and couldn't think clearly. He obeyed, almost as if hoping for some help, for advice, for anything that would stop him from having to drown living creature like a bug. The ice cracked and the path parted before Death - as water shifted before him, allowing him to walk through the bottom of the lake.

[Mirach]

Death knew he was revealed by his illusions, and he didn't try to hide. He just relied on Tide to hold the weakened spirit by the power of water and pulled down the hood of the cloak as he walked towards the spirit. "I'm sorry," he said sadly. "You will understand soon, and be healed and reborn. Don't be afraid..." He drew his sword and ended the hunter's struggle and suffering... and then he embraced him as he was dying, soothing his soul.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide felt at a loss, gasping as Death drew out his sword. He fought hard to try to get the blunt part of the fight, hoping he'd spare Death from having to dirty his hands like this, and he lovered his head in shame as he realized he failed. He let him embrace and tend to the wounded Spirit without a word. He couldn't do much without consent, but he did decide to at least make the last moments less scary, even though it required effort from him. He used his power to warm the area around the two of them and dry them up through the soothing air - so at the very least, it won't be a death in the moist, bitter cold of the night.

[Mirach]

With Death's guidance, it was fast and painless. Death's face was pale but calm, hiding the pain inside as he was used to. He stood up and looked at Tide. "You fought well. Let's get back to Xia so I can heal your wounds..."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide didn't move, though. He looked ashamed.
" You don't need to placate me... I fought badly. " He whispered bitterly, looking down." If I fought well, you'd not have to come out and do... this... "

[Mirach]

"If you wouldn't have fought well, we would be dead," Death said. "The hunters are trained warriors, you can't expect defeating one smoothly without a huge part of luck. Let's just get back and hide, then we can talk. Can you walk?"

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded quiet, avoiding his look. He stepped forth, but it did seem to hurt him to walk, and he limbed heavily, as, while demons generally heal fast, the sword of a demon hunter was, naturally, made so wounds from it would last longer. He didn't leave the body behind, but he was too hurt to carry it - so as they were retreating, he used water to transport it toward the little protective dome, where Xia and Eight patiently waited.

[Mirach]

Death walked next to him to support him, if needed. Then he helped him sit down, and laid the body on the opposite side of the done, covering it with the hunter's cloak. "How about you close the dome, light the fire, and lie down so I can do tge rest?" he suggested to Tide.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide was quiet, and he appeared rather withdrawn and unsure, probably more sensitive to touch due to the numerous injuries. He didn't move not to hurt himself further, and he looked at hole and ice was cracking as he mended it. Then he sighed, and staggered as he knelt by the firewood, laying unhurt back of the palm so he could focus to lit the fire anew.

[Mirach]

When the fire was lit, Death helped him to lie down right next to it, leaning on Xia. "Okay, please try to relax now, if you can. I will mend the hand first, as soon as you are ready. It won't hurt..."

[VisAnastasis]

Demon was lying down, but he appeared rather tense, like a spring.
" I.. am not ready. I am sorry, but I... Just can't relax when you speak like that." He whispered, and asked suddenly." Tell me - are you angry with me?"

[Mirach]

"Yes, if you keep thinking you did something wrong and don't let me help you," Death frowned, but he was speaking softly. "It is my mess that you got involved in, and it was my right and duty to give the blow of mercy. You kept us all alive, there is no reason to berate yourself."

[VisAnastasis]

" But there is. If there wasn't, I wouldn't be doing it. " Tide protested fervently. " I messed up. I wasn't thinking with my head, but with my heart. I was selfish... I wasn't thinking about what's best for you or him. I just let the pity overwhelm me. " he shook his head, evading creature's look still. " It was most important to keep you hidden, but I revealed you with careless use of your illusion... I shouldn't have touched him. I should have tired him out enough, I should have not been a coward and I should have gone for the sword, so I could at least end him quickly. I didn't... I just cared about how sorry I am, not what would really be easier for him. I did a stupid, thoughtless thing, you *should* be angry with me. I am angry at me... " he sighed. " I always do the stupid things... "

[Mirach]

"Like not letting me see to your wounds?" Death asked tiredly. "If you think you could have done something better, take a note of it for future, but do not worry about what you can't change."