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Clarissa’s confidence was never a charade and she was quickly proved correct as the Professors’ experience brought a shield up against a barrage that would have caught the rest of them unaware and unprepared. She moved past the moment―no need to dwell on a situation dealt with―and she eyed their enemies critically as Professor Malathice cleared the fog momentarily. It wasn’t a pretty sight, the enemy neatly tucked out of range of most of their forces, but Clarissa wouldn’t dwell on the sharp disadvantage they found themselves at. There were still villagers who needed help and any wavering of their conviction could spell their deaths. 

[color=FF650E]"The Goddess has placed us here together, Kellen. Keep your faith in us as you would her, and we will not fail you."[/color] Clarissa offered Kellen before returning to consider their situation.

The mages and pegusi were firmly out of her magic’s reach at the moment so they were deprioritized, a threat to keep in mind and be ready to react to but nothing more, and instead focused on the foot soldiers taking shots at them from the frontlines. Kayden moved first and, despite her fears, quickly dispatched one without overextending himself. She was glad to see he wasn't foolhardy enough to charge off into the fog; hopefully, that would translate into a visible battlefield. 

Albrecht stepped forward to deal with the next enemy and Clarissa kept her healing runes in the forefront of her mind. However, it seemed unnecessary as the newcomer handled his opponent with a skill and experience that Clarissa found herself admiring. Perhaps he'd been a willing sparring partner, though he clearly outclassed her in skill. A thought for another time when magic wasn't flying at their archers and they weren't fighting halfway to blind. 

Clarissa cast around for their unit, and realized quickly they were down someone. A dull recognition of him saying something and then slipping away flashed in front of her eyes and she swore under her breath. Of all the people she was concerned about, he was as low on the list as she could imagine. How dare this excuse of a man complain about being here and then wander off to disappear or die while they scrambled to keep themselves in position and protected? Goddess help him. Ruldoph was getting a stern lecture when she got her hands on him. 

[color=FF650E]"Does anyone have eyes on Rudolph?"[/color] She asked, straining to see into the mist but she couldn't find him with just a quick scan. She couldn't afford anything more with the pressing danger of swords at their throats and she turned to face the nearest silhouette in the fog, the frustration at their missing mage redirected towards a more convenient target. 

[color=FF650E]"Repent your ways in the name of the Goddess. There is still hope for your soul. Lower your blade and stand aside. Allow us to save those you've captured and put in harm's way, offer yourself to judgement, and you may find mercy at the Goddess's feet."[/color] Clarissa demanded, the runes of Nosferatu glowing golden in front of her. [color=FF650E]"Or stand your ground so I may render judgement on your flesh and send your blackened soul to burn."[/color]

She took the bandits silence as answer enough and sent her spell flying in a blaze of holy indignation. They stumbled as her spell burst up, the flash of pain pulling a yelp from them, but she clicked her tongue in irritation and snatched the lingering magic in the air, weaving it into another pulse, and sent him flying back into the fog.