[center][h2][i][color=mediumpurple]Elise[/color] & [color=darkgoldenrod]Vladimir[/color][/i][/h2][/center]
[Color=mediumpurple]"Vlad?"[/color] Elise called out as she sat up, confusion still evident in her voice and face. But as an arrow whizzed past and barely missed her cheek, she jumped to her feet. 

[color=darkgoldenrod]"I need you focused, Elise. I need you to get yourself to safety,"[/color] came Vlad's tensed voice as he blocked off more arrows that came from the trees. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Here they come,"[/color] he said just as swordsmen came charging at him. He slashed at them with his twin swords and brought several of them down. 

Elise's confusion faded. She no longer thought of unfamiliar memories, strange faces, a forgotten name and long lost lovers. A blank, emotionless look settled over her face as she stared at the trees. She had no idea how many archers were there but she focused her mind to as much as she can reach. Immediately, the arrows began changing directions towards the swordsmen that were now pouring towards them. But Vladimir didn't seem like he was tiring as he continuously swung his sword around. Even when an arrow tip opened a wound on his cheek and another found its mark on his leg. He merely brushed them off and continued to face the sudden onslaught.

An arrow sheathed itself into Elise's shoulder even as most of them were directed to the men that were locked in a sword battle with the Templar. She made a soft sound of pain as she struggled backwards both by the weight of the spell that was slowly draining her of her life energy and from the arrow on her shoulder. Vladimir glanced towards her and roared out in fury. A mighty swing of his sword cleaved off three heads. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Elise, don't. There's too many of them."[/color] A dagger flew through the air aimed for Elise's head. Vladimir turned and blocked it with a sword. The momentary distraction was enough to give the enemy a slight upper hand. But his movements left him open and a sword came down on him from the back. The Templar fell down on his knees, a surprised look on his face as his blood splattered on the ground.

[color=mediumpurple]"No!"[/color] Elise immediately released her hold on the minds of the archers. Trying to control several at a time was not enough to completely alter their minds and the effect was only momentary. It only took several minutes before arrows began raining from the trees again. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Another arrow sheathed itself in Elise's shoulder right beside the first one. Another one hit its mark on her abdomen. She staggered forward just in time to reach Vladimir.

[color=darkgoldenrod]"No. My wound is not fatal Elise. Save your strength for yourself,"[/color] a panicked look was in his eyes when he realized that Elise meant to heal him even in her weakened and injured state. But he was too late as he saw her lips move to form the spell. He felt instantaneous relief from the pain. And then Elise fell down onto the ground, exhausted, unconscious and bleeding.  

"Heh. You're immortal when your little girlfriend is with you, huh?" a hoarse voice said as the cold tip of a blade rested dangerously close to Vladimir's jugular. "I sincerely hope she's not dead. To your feet." the voice ordered. 

One of the bandits stepped forward and lifted Elise's limp body in his arms.

A few minutes later, Vladimir was led to the others who were similarly injured. He was pushed to the ground while Elise's unconscious body was unceremoniously dumped by his side. Vladimir, still held at blade point, could only glance at Elise. But he was able to breathe a sigh of relief when he noted that Elise had managed to at least heal a bit of herself even though the arrows were still jutting out of her body. Her breathing was fast and shallow but she was still alive.

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