Despite their raggle-taggle appearance the Chosen's group fought ferociously. I hadn't been wrong when I predicted that the taller man would be the most dangerous. He fought with skill that must have been acquired and honed through many years of practice. More often than not, I would be kept in a corner, defending myself from his and Lloyd's attacks while the youngest boy cast spell after spell to torment me. The older woman constantly healed my opponents as I injured them. It was a losing battle.
I tried, however, to beat them. "Pyre seal," I commanded my cards and the seals knocked the tall man over. I leapt at him, slicing with my weapons and calling out commands. "Mirage seal!" "Power seal pinion!" Finally, I was on the offense, forcing them to block my attacks, even breaking through their guards. Adrenaline rushed through me. I might be able to succeed!
Lloyd came at me from behind and I whirled around to face him. "Pyre Seal!"
As he panted for breath, about to get up, I hit him once more and then focused on the magic user. A moment later, when three were getting up from the ground, I ran a ways off, ready to summon Corrine.
Summoning was an ancient art; those with the ability were few and far between. Somewhere, an elf must have been my ancestry for I had been able to learn the technique.
"I summon thee... Corrine!" The little animal popped out of seemingly nowhere, and then rushed forward, ready to defend me at the cost of his life. The healer gasped out in pain, striking out with her staff at my friend. While he had her occupied, I focused on the most immediate danger; Lloyd and the older man.
I tried my hardest to defend myself against them, but all was lost when a fireball rammed into my chest.
"Damn, " I fell to my knees, cursing myself. I had been defeated.
Again.
"Ugh..." How could I let this happen? I glared at the Chosen one and her group. "Just you wait! I swear I will kill you all next time!" Using the gifts I had been given by my village, I disappeared, a cloud of smoke taking my place.
"Sheena," Corrine nudged me gently, he was in pain as well. "Heal yourself, Sheena."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, still seething from my defeat. "I can't believe that I lost."
"You will win next time," Corrine said with all his naivety.
"They're just too strong," I said, my voice scaling higher. "I hate that I'm so weak and stupid!"
"You're not. You're strong and determined."
"Heh... Thanks Corrine, but I'm an idiot."
Corrine nuzzled me again, but even his kindness didn't bring me out of my mood.
It's like before. I'll fail again.