Death and Tide

[VisAnastasis]

The demon seemed to feel at loss suddenly with mention of that.
" I've... been so focused packing as much food as I could, " he admitted, feeling quilty abruptly as if he messed up and wanted to apologize. " I... forgot to pack the bandages and medical supplies... It's a little unsettling, I admit, but demon hunters usually don't go unprepared so, um... if we defeat this one, maybe we can, you know... " he blushed a little as if ashamed to admit that intention. " Rob his body of supplies and things should he have some... It's an opportunity one shouldn't dismiss lightly...  Plus, if he has a weapon that can be used by others, a sword or something, we can *borrow* that as well, so you can use it to defend yourself from others later. Something is better than nothing. "

[Mirach]

"They are not skipping through layers, so they must be carrying weapons and maybe supplies as well. I wonder if they thought of bandages though, I used to heal them if they got hurt... But if you can control water, you should be able to clear some to wash the wound at least, and wash and dry the one bandage you have too. It's better than nothing for now."

[VisAnastasis]

" I'll wash the wound with water and bandage as well while you eat, so we don't lose any time... " Tide whispered, and he indeed proceeded to do that, while Death ate, doing so as quickly as he could, as they didn't have much time.

[Mirach]

Death also ate quickly the first thing he found when he reached into the bag. "What's the plan, if the hunter nears the lake?"

[VisAnastasis]

" First of all, I'll give you my cloak and mask. It should protect your identity, and that's a most important thing. I was actually thinking.. maybe we could set a trap. We used to set traps often, but I'm not sure which kind should work best. Usually, in my and my friend's traps, one of us would be a bait to get caught or stabbed while the other one attacks unexpectedly. " he said slowly, and he seemed to struggle to come up with anything from his experience that could be equivalent, as it was all different, having fought with a different partner. " We shouldn't scare him enough to think he should call reinforcements, so we should give him an easy target. We shouldn't separate generally, but... separating me a little further could work better, " he gulped. " I am tall, but I look thin and unsightly - I don't look like someone sturdy at first glance, especially, with my wounded hand. If I stand by the shore, washing my palm or trying to catch fishes for meal or something, I'd appear a rather convenient target. That is, I could be the good bait, I think... No demon hunter would miss a chance to slay a weakened demon that's just standing there. Or... " he looked uncertain as he added. " If someone could create an illusion of me being on the shore, while I am actually a few feet away in the water. instead... I maybe can be the one to attack by surprise and drag him into the water... Kicking him in the head and them drowning him may be a least bloody way to do it. "

[Mirach]

"As long as the moment of surprise is on our side, we could manage to deal with him fast and clean. It shouldn't be so difficult to make the illusion, if you would act the role. I would just shift your picture a little, that's all. You just need to count with the fact that when you move to attack, the illusion moves in the same way. You need to calculare it so that the hunter gets where you want him as he reacts to the illusion."

[VisAnastasis]

" Pity that if we do want to surprise him we can't waste any time to practice. So I have to go out right away and motivate myself for my first glorious role, I guess. " Tide chuckled a little nervously, as he stood up. " Only to take care of this... " he said, knowing he can delay it no longer, he hesitantly took off his long soft cloak, and he offered it to Spirit for the first time.

[Mirach]

Death took it, and dressed in it a bit hesitantly. "Just remember that if he approaches from the side, or gets between you and the illusion, you need to aim your attack further then he is, as he will see the illusion fleeing and pursue it. But if the illusion stands between you abd him as he approaches, he will see the illusion attacking him and will defend himself, just miscalculate your position."

[VisAnastasis]

It was the first time Death used Tide's cloak, and despite his distress, there was soothingness of demon's presence to it - and it was very warm.  

" I was more thinking about maybe letting him hit the illusion, and then surprising him by attack when he thinks he's already stabbed me. But it'd be best if I could get him to enter the water. Even if he but enters up to the ancles - I could use water around him to drag him in then. My chances are much better if I face him underwater, but we have to get there first. Maybe I could pretend to be scared and run in the shallows hoping he'd follow me... Not that it would be a pretense, anyway... " He explained thoughtfully while hesitantly taking his mask now, and offering it to Death too to complete the deception.

[Mirach]

"Just remember that the illusion is a mirror image of yourself, and does what you do. If you have control over water, either make him enter it, or send it towards him and pull him down with it," Death said, adjusting the cloak.

[VisAnastasis]

" If I send it toward him, if he's one of the fast ones, he might be fast enough to dodge... I'll try to have him enter it by avoiding his attacks until he steps in, and use water bending then. I don't want to reveal my power to him right away if I can help it... By the way, the illussion is just an image, right?" He asked to confirm." It will look like me, but it'll not have any matter to it that would interact with objects around it, right? Or will it be more material and be able to pick up objects around it, like pick stones or splash water?"

[Mirach]

"I can make it more material, but the cost is bigger. I would rather make it immaterial first, and add power to it if you need it to interact with material objects. Just give me a sign when you do."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... I'll try to avoid it if I can then. If I do need it... I'll say something along the lines of *please, don't*. It would look to the attacker as if I'm pleading for mercy, but you'll know. I hope it doesn't come to it. " he said, and hesitate, but he turned away to the wall then, ready to leave. " I'll go now. Put on the mask when I go. And you... You two stay here, on distance. If I win, I'll return here to pick you up, but... if it's someone more powerful and I die... " he paused, before adding. "... try to remain quiet and hide until he leaves, before proceeding further, alright? If I die, my soul will be within you... which will be a good... bargaining tool for you. " he managed to say words over his will. " In case you meet some of my men and need protection or hiding. They wouldn't kill someone holding my soul... so if I die and you manage to slip by, if you head south, you might still have... some chance... After all, Xia knows the way home, as she's already been there. "

[Mirach]

"If that happens, I will return your soul soon and you can bargain yourself. We just need to avoid him noticing us. So, do not risk unnecessarily, but if it seems worth it, don't be afraid to take some risk."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide was almost on the way out, but the words stopped him. It seemed he was considering them, weighing them out, as if trying to coax himself into trusting them, even though it was a big leap of fate he just couldn't take so unexpectedly.
" I've... never died before, " he admitted, and asked only one, short question, knowing he has no time for discussing doubts. " I don't feel like I particularly require a long time to get in peace with myself or whatnot, as I'm already in peace with myself, so... If I'd die... how long would it take me to return? "

[Mirach]

Death looked at him carefully. "Without the hand, I would say a few hours at most. With healing it, about three days."

[VisAnastasis]

" Without healing it, of course... Three days would be too long for us to afford right now. " Tide shook his head lightly - and then he made a little hole in the ice, and not to reveal his water bending, he swam out to the shore, closing the ice hole tightly behind him to keep his companions as concealed and hidden as possible - in case of the worst.

[Mirach]

Death followed him through the ice, and started to create the illusion right away, taking some time to form it properly. By the time Tide got to his place, a mirror image of him was already standing on the shore.

[VisAnastasis]

Despite the looming danger and fear that made his heart beat faster, Tide had to admire the detail and mastery of the work, as it looked really good. He felt a little bare, without his mask and cloak, and it filled him with unrest. He knew he is the only one standing between the hunter and Death, Xia and the little pup, so he knew he can't let fear overpower him.
In the darkness, as the rain began to fall, he decided he might as well take his position, and he forced himself to sit down by the shore, so he could be seen best by the Spirit that comes after them, no longer trying to do anything to hide his presence, letting it flow around freely, and watching the waters before him quietly, preparing for the inevitable.

[Mirach]

The demon hunter was flying over the lake when he spotted the lonely demon. He stopped on his way and circled the lake, suspecting a trap,

[VisAnastasis]

Tide knew he must be close, but it was too dark to discern, and he feared if he looked up he'd revealed he knows the hunter is there. He knew he had to put more truth to the display, something that can't be faked  - an injury and show of weakness. Despite the danger, he slowly removed his bandage again and folded it carefully on the shore, and began washing his burn in the water, gritting his teeth as he did it- as it did hurt to do so, appearing less like a monster waiting for the prey to fall into the trap, and more like creature that came to the clean water to take care of a hurt hand.

[Mirach]

The demon hunter retreated a bit, as if to not alarm the demon once he saw he is injured. Then suddenly, he descended from the air like a bird of prey in a fast and deadly attack, aiming at the illusion.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide looked around with the sound, as if he was trying to find direction of it's source, alarmed. His opponent was a flyer and most important was to have him come as close as possible though, so Tide took a leap of faith, hoping illussion is as convincing as Death promised -and he braced for impact, that either was going to slice no existent illussion in half, or hurt him badly if Hunter notices the ruse. He played the part - he staggered in fear that was not a lie when he realized attack is so near, and he fell back and covered his face and chest with arms, as if in meager attempt to protect himself, but also to hide his eyes and not reveal his nature with it.

[Mirach]

The hunter was fooled by the illusion, as demons usually did not have such powers. He attacked it with full force, and for a split of second he was confused when his sword only hit the shore.

[VisAnastasis]

He was finally close enough. The same moment that sword began piercing the illussion, with a great power and might to it great streams of water run to the Spirit, like chains grasping his limbs and pulling him to the lake.