There are very few moments in life more irritating and terrifying than when inky magic slithers around your face and slides into your eyes, effectively blinding you mid battle. Especially for an archer.

"Son of a-" I hissed, wiping at my eyes out of habit, despite knowing that it wasn't going to help any. I fumbled around in my pouch hoping desperately to find just one more container of eyedrops despite the fact that I remembered only having one left last time I got hit with a blind spell. Unfortunately, I was right in my previous assessment on the contents of my pouch, there were none left. I sighed in great displeasure before summoning up the rest of my MP for a blindna so that I could get actually help in the fight against the stupid lich, which surely must be some sort of rare game with how much work it was taking us to defeat it. My vision gradually cleared and I looked around, just in time to see an arrow pierce the lich directly, felling it finally, but not before it had a chance to send one more blind my way. I cringed and cursed rather loudly as the inky blackness once again clouded my vision, dropping to the floor in frustration as we were no longer surrounded by hostiles.

"I swear to the gods- Why does this always happen to me?" I groaned pitifully. "I don't suppose anyone has any more eye drops left?"

"Unfortunately, no. I believe we've used the last of it between yourself and Vaan." Balthier replied from somewhere to my left as I checked my pouch once more, just to be safe. Empty, of course, though with plenty echo herbs, smelling salts and things to fix literally any ailment except the exact one I had. Fantastic. A warm hand landed on my arms and carefully pulled me to my feet.

"You need not fret over it. As long as we do not run into any more rare game, we can more than handle anything that should cross out path." She murmered, sliding an arm around my waist to guide me, "There should be a crystal around here somewhere, and we shall find it soon."

"If you say so. I don't understand how you and Balthier never get blinded though. How is it always just me and Vaan?" I whined, allowing my arm to slide around her, partially to keep myself upright but mostly just because the Tomb of Raithwall while not exactly freezing, was certainly a far cry from the desert heat of Rabanastre which I was used to.

"Perhaps it is because we thought to bring and equip Argyle Armlets while you and your friend took no such precautions." She teased, gently squeezing my waist as we started walking, a bit slower than usual for my sake.

"Well, la-de-friggin-da for you two." I pouted, sticking my tongue out at her. She leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"Be mindful of that tongue of your's, or I may be inclined to take it for myself." I could feel my cheeks heating up, but chose to ignore it, instead sticking my tongue out at her once more.

"Dare you." I whispered back. "You won't."

"Perhaps once we find a more... private settings, I shall prove you wrong." Not missing a step, she leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my temple. "Or perhaps here would be acceptable. Balthier could easily keep your friend distracted, and it's certainly not as if you'll need your sight any time soon regardless." Perhaps it was disrespectful to speak of such things, or entertain certain thoughts in the Dynast King's tomb, of all place, but did I honestly care? Probably not as much as I should.

End

Does the Cultsworn Lich actually cast blind? Probably not. I just looked through my rare game list and picked one that went with a setting I liked for this one. If it does, I'm gonna be very, very surprised.

As always, feedback is very much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed, my lovelies, and I will, hopefully, see you in the next update!