[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 685 (+1 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]6[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 39/60
[b]Location:[/b] Edge of the Blue: The Bismarck[/color][/center]
It was a sound strategy, and the only one they had at the moment. Going on the defensive was just about all they could do while magic was being flung at them from every direction. [color=salmon]"Got it,"[/color] the Cadet said, giving a quick nod of his head while he fended off as many orbs as he could. He sped his swings up, forgoing the traditional techniques of using a long sword in order to just strike out as many times as possible, slicing and dispelling orbs - but still, more came. He held fast, gritting his teeth when the sorceress' dark magic made it past his blade and struck him. The hunter covered for Link as he set up their impromptu barrier,  As soon as he and Frog were behind it Cadet made one final swing of his blade, then let it slip quickly back into it's holster, the sheathe clinking against his hip as he jumped behind the table to join them. 

[color=salmon]"If we're gonna focus on defense then we gotta keep our health up,"[/color] the Cadet informed, dropping to his knees and already digging into his pack as soon as he was behind cover. He had his potions, and the healing grenade Kamek had gifted him, but in this situation? Lifepowders were really a hunter's best friend. He didn't know how injured Hat Kid or the swordsman might be, but in this small of an area the spores would reach them either way. 

[color=salmon]"Here—"[/color] he'd just produced the powder from his bag when Link's scream sent a chill down his spine. Ace Cadet whipped his head around, getting a good view of someone trying to run his friend through. [i]Argh, that shadow?! I thought he was done for![/i] He'd certainly looked defeated after taking an axe straight on, but that was decidedly not the case - and now the shadow's sword was aiming for [i]him[/i].

With no time to bring a weapon about, Cadet groped blindly through his possessions and grabbed something sturdy, bringing it up to block. Dark steel collided with the [url=https://www.ssbwiki.com/images/c/c8/TrophyStand.jpg]object[/url], making a harsh metallic [i]clank[/i]. Weary, the Cadet only just managed to stay the shadow's blade, the both of them in a deadlock pushing weapon against makeshift shield. The hunter's eyes flickered between Dark Link and the item he had in hand, struggling to remember what the heck it even was. Then, Dark Link disengaged, somersaulting backwards and already preparing to leap in and strike again. A perfect mimicry of their own Link's acrobatics. It dawned on Cadet just what he was holding, the memory of their first meeting with Link and the battle that ensued flooding his mind. 

The shadow moved with a mighty jump, it's sword raised high over it's head ready to bring down on his counterpart. The Cadet rose to one knee and pulled his arm back, throwing the golden disc with all the force he could muster, all the strength he used to fight giant beasts propelling the trophy base through the air until it struck the shadow square in the chest. There was a brilliant flash of light, and when it dissipated Dark Link was gone, and [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/zelda_gamepedia_en/images/0/08/SSBfN3DS_Link_%28Alt.%29_Trophy_Model.png]something smaller[/url] clattered to the ground.

[color=salmon]"Ha - it actually worked?!"[/color] Cadet was relieved, but it was only one enemy down. There were still four Cias to take care of. 

An explosion shook the area, nearly robbing the Cadet of his already shaky footing. After it, the barrage of magic seemed to stop. Now they could move more freely while they had the chance - and it looked like Link was right, the green colored Cia already having closed in on Frog while Dark Link had engaged them from the other side. Taking advantage of the moment to breathe, the Cadet sprang up and waved the lifepowder in the air. It's soothing spores spread through the Bismarck quickly, healing all of their allies slightly. With their actual healer trapped outside of the magic barrier, it would have to do. 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img]
[color=FFC6C6]Word Count: 595 (+1 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]3[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 9/30
[b]Location[/b]: Sandswept Sky: Crown of Sand[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=2E2C2C]D34C25[/color][/center][i]There, not so bad.[/i] Primrose lowered her spell casting arm, watching Fox finish off the roaders, and the rest of the group swiftly deal with the remaining enemies. All were turned to ash now, save one. Hearing the lamia speak was surprising, but then she did have the upper half of a human. If they could speak the whole time, why did the lamias jump right into attacking them? Or, perhaps, the snake woman's demeanor had only changed thanks to that strange energy coming from the Thieves' leader? Really, the Phantom Thieves had this strange mystery surrounding them, Primrose had felt it in the Pyramid and she felt it again now. That the group had some information they didn't feel like sharing. A bond they didn't feel like sharing either, considering they were about to strike off on their own again.

It was a little disappointing to see after their stint in the pharaoh's tomb, but Primrose had been like that herself not too long ago. Wanting to do everything on her own. Not trusting anyone, after she'd lost everyone. Even now, she had some trouble with it. She could trust the people here with some things, sure, but where it counted? With her life...? No, not yet anyway. She was willing to try though, her adventure as part of a certain group of eight taught her anything was possible after all. Including having putting her trust in other people again. Primrose's hand drifted inside her cloak, her fingers dancing along the hilt of her dagger, it's blade inscribed with the words she tried to live by.

While Fox talked with the teenagers and the newest stranger introduced himself, Primrose took it upon herself to collect the fallen spirits, doing her best to avoid stepping in the sand. This meant some awkward jumps from stone patch to toppled pillar, but with some effort she brought them back in time to hear the end of the conversation between two headstrong personalities. Honestly, being volunteered for something without so much as her input irked the young woman, but she would have helped Anne out anyway, so she kept her thoughts to herself. Well, verbally at least. She did give Fox a particularly pointed stare. It only lasted until the Phantom Thieves left, and with a sigh and a small wave Primrose saw them off.

[color=D34C25]"Try to stay out of trouble,"[/color] she said after them, though it was unlikely they'd hear it from this distance. She stayed put to watched them go on ahead for a little while, but soon enough she rejoined the rest of the group, which had dwindled even more with Sectonia and Poppi descending the barrier again. The dancer stepped close to it herself, joining Fox and peering over it. It was hard to make out any real details, but if the "dragon" hunting group was in any danger, surely Midna would have flown up to them.

A moment passed and Primrose looked between her few companions, suddenly realizing that the atmosphere was a bit... tense. Fox, in the short time she'd known him, seemed all business - the serious type. However, Tora seemed the opposite. Something bothering him though, maybe the conversation they'd been privy to just a few moments ago? The others too seemed to be at a loss, milling around the area or making forced conversation with each other.

[color=D34C25]"..."[/color] Unfortunately, Primrose wasn't the kind of person to try and lighten the mood. And so the people already above the area waited awkwardly for the rest of their team to be ferried up.