Marianne caught up to Mr. Ghurst's side, slowing down once she was with Kai and the antlered Parili. Remember him having asked something about explosives, she decided to make it known her own powers with the Potentia Affinity. [b]"Ah, Mr. Ghurst? You had asked about explosives earlier? I apologize for a such a late response. I may not be gifted with the Ignis affinity, but my own Potentia spells can pierce and melt even stone and metal. If that helps the situation any."[/b] 

Ricard remained close behind the three uncomfortable with how close Marianne was to the others, not daring to come close himself. His ear perked, catching some noise from behind them. Stopping for a moment, the great wolf turned behind him sensing something tailing them. His enhanced night vision only served him so far, as he was unable to discern anything in the darkness only seeing vague shapes. Of course, his vision could be fooling him as he realized he was on edge and paranoid. His snout only picked up the foul odors of the tunnel and he didn't dare take a deeper whiff for fear of becoming sick.

[b][i]"Dearest Princess, I fear I may be overly suspicious but I cannot shake the feeling that we may have a pursuer."[/i][/b]
Turning forward just in time, he saw Edwin and a terrifying creature rise from the murky waters.
Marianne was distracted by Ricard's words and turned to question him.
[b]"Is that so, Ricard? Maybe you and I should drop behind and-"[/b]
Ricard's snarls cut her words off, his hackles rose and he growled, [b]"Lady Marianne, ahead of us!"[/b]
Whirling, Marianne saw the tentacled creature exhale rise from the murk and breathe a noxious cloud of some unknown toxin. Seeing Edwin attack the creature with an Ignis spell, burning it, her own 'switch' flipped and her hand shot up into the air.
Ricard saw her raise her hand and immediately protested, but his words came too late. [b][i]"Dearest Princess, d-!.."[/i][/b]
Marianne's voice boomed and echoed throughout the tunnels as she channeled her mana into her right hand. [color=fff200][b]"Lightning Javelin!"[/b][/color] With a loud crack of the air, a massive spear of electrical energy and light formed in her hand. Arcs of lightning crackled, snapped, and popped in her immediate vicinity though they mostly traced her body. Filling the tunnel with its bright light, the spear resonated, giving off an audible electrical hum. Quick to action, she reared her hand back. With a powerful throw, she shot the spear forward at the creature in the water. As the spear flew, it hissed and evaporated the humidity in the air until it slammed into the body of the tentacled creature and exploded in a cascade of wild electrical arcs and sparks. Its power amplified by the fact that the creature was wet and still immersed in water if only partially.

Panting, strands of Marianne's hair floated wildly from the residual electrical charge that flowed from her body. If Edwin's attack didn't end the creature's life, Marianne's spell should have put it in a critical state if not finish it altogether. Getting into a combat stance, she kept her eyes on the creature as she barked a command to Ricard, [b]"Ricard! Be ready to take it down should it not fall!"[/b]
Ricard snarled and got ready to pounce. [b][i]"Aye, my lady!"[/i][/b] Ricard's forehead rune glowed as he growled out two spells simultaneously , [color=00aeef][i][b]"Frost Coat! Grim Fang!"[/b][/i][/color] Slowly, his fur coat began to encase itself in spikes of ice. His fangs coating themselves in a thick layer of sharp ice also.