[center][h1][color=6ecff6]Valishin Elias[/color][/h1]
[h2]"The Game of Gambits"[/h2]
Interaction/s:  [@Hitman], [@pkken], [@Raijinslayer] & [@Quincy][/center]
[hr]

It would seem that behind every well-thought out plan there seemed to be a constant presence of a blond celestial mage to screw it up, and a hammer-wielding child to help them see it through.

As the carriages erupted into a fiery inferno, dragging the nearby bandits into a fate of ash and bone, the sniper refused to flinch or even show any emotion as the figures he saw in the distance began their grim approach.  One of the trio sped towards them, knocking out Sara's Taurus which told tales of the woman's magical ability.  Soon, Jean Vali, the speedster of the trio, reached them and began to let loose his demands.  This brief moment of silence allowed Vali to pat himself on the back:  a few moments ago, Dame and Trixie had wanted to charge in, and if it weren't for him telling them to hold their horses, they may have been seared by the trap.  There was always merit in tactics and safe-play, and he hoped his allies would see the importance of thinking with a rational mind.

When Argus replied against their detractor, the sniper had to agree that it was incredibly stupid for these bandits to sacrifice their numbers advantage for...  an intimidating introduction?  It wasn't even scary to begin with, just senseless loss of life.  There was no honor, no valor in it, and the marksman felt his spine tingle in what seemed like fury.

However, it was also senseless for him to reveal his location and presence.  Trixie's outburst as well as Argus' display would play into his new tactic.  Valishin knew that Jean was expecting to fight four mages, not five.  If he could just get to a new vantage point, he could definitely flank them.  Vali decided to retreat quietly, steps landing on the soil without a sound as the chameleon cloak shrouded the sniper's presence to the enemy.  He had to be careful to maneuver around the wheat stocks, taking critical consideration of moving through only when the wind blew as he crouched.  As he created distance away from them, Vali made sure to stay silent and to avoid talking.  Even his breaths uttered no voice whilst he traversed crouched through the stocks.

Upon looking through his sights, observing the two individuals calmly walking towards them, the sniper recognized their confidence as anything but a bluff.  If this was any normal mission, he would drop those two without a second thought.  However, the mere fact that they could afford to incinerate their own meant that their powers bordered on B or even A-ranked.  Shooting them now would give away his location and presence; he could not afford that kind of mistake.  His eyes widened upon seeing a Clown and a tanned woman, their very visage growing tendrils of dread to strike at Vali's heart.

Strategy was really like playing chess.  You never knew how the opponent would move his own pieces to counter your tactics, and the only thing you can do is try to always think three steps ahead as well as pray that your enemy was dumber than you.  

Considering the scenario, they had the advantage in both numbers and surprises.  Jean himself was also isolated from his allies while Vali's tactics allowed his team to still be close-knit.  Both sides had no idea what the other was capable of, and Vali wanted to capitalize on that.  If anything, it would be bad to let the three work together.  Obstruct their vision of each other, separate one from the rest, and restrain one of them without revealing Dragon Heart's capabilities to the other two.  The winds were also blowing towards their enemy's direction as well.

Now, the pieces move.

The tip of the rifle's barrel crawled out from the cloak's caress as Vali peered at the approaching duo.  [i]"May the gods deliver us from evil."[/i]

Four quick clicks and shots howled through the air, and in a split second, four large emerald fogs burst out a few meters around the Clown and the Tanned Woman, effectively obstructing their path and vision to Jean.  Vali knew that he had removed most of the poison's strength and it would never be enough to stop mages of their caliber.  Thus, he had his next move.  No sooner did the wind start fanning the poison cloud towards the two, a glint of an ominous orange glow refracted from Vali's hiding spot.

A last click, and a whistling sound followed suit.  And, before anyone could be breathe, a violent explosion took place in front of Jean's allies as the emerald fog caught fire.  The flames, fanned by the wind, licked at the sickly wheat as it created a ring of searing flames around the Clown and the woman.

Vali huffed, feeling as though someone had punched him in the gut with the amount of magic he used with that last shot.  He could still move, though, but definitely, he could never do that magic again during this fight.  However, relentless, the sniper aimed down at Jean, loading one more bullet into his rifle as the cartridge glowed red.

"Choke on this,"  Vali whispered as a red bullet flew towards the Jean.  After shooting, Vali hid his rifle beneath the cloak once more, his visage shrouded as he slowly crept towards another vantage point, this time closer to his team.