[center][h2][color=#b3ccff]Esben Mathiassen[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr]

A few more quiet words passed between Esben and Éliane, before the moment was over and they got the puzzle-locked door to open. While his expression was as guarded as ever, everything but his weapons carefully stowed back within his cloak, he was glad that he'd had his back to the others and that none of them had a clear view to whatever went on between the Skaeller pair. With that, there was nothing further to impede their progress—and he was glad that there [i]wasn't[/i] some new assailant immediately behind the puzzle.

Miina's Nulfrost was joined by the pair of fairies that flitted around the group, bestowing their own small aid without any orders necessary. Heightened speed and reactions from Selene, and from Eos, despite none of the Kirins being wounded and needing healing—just enough of a boost to restore strength to aching limbs, clarity to tired minds. Esben almost had to smile at that; while she clearly wasn't the brightest of their fairies, she at least understood the group and her own magic well enough to prepare them for battle in her own way.

Sometimes it was just as important to be able to take a hit in the first place as to have the care available after it landed, and even if they didn't know all the details or the importance of the Kirins' quest, both of the fey creatures would strive to make sure they could [i]complete[/i] it.

Now, how to deal with the spirit in front of them. That it was water aspected akin to Leviathan was expected; if it was akin in [i]other[/i] ways, it was bound to be a long battle. She hadn't been difficult to harm, but despite however much damage they'd done it didn't seem to slow her down. If Famfrit could take anything approaching a similar level of punishment, then even if they [i]could[/i] get back up from anything it could dish out they'd be at it for some time.

Somehow, he doubted it would be quite as easy to deal with as Adrammelech.

[color=#b3ccff]"Spread out! Éliane, Chisato, break its concentration!"[/color] he commanded just after Miina, Selene, and Eos's spells settled over the group, feet already carrying him away from where they were all clumped together. [color=#b3ccff]"Galahad, Izayoi, try and knock it off its feet!"[/color]