I recruited Jill with Mist since the Greil Mercenaries get way more experience than the Dawn Brigade, and Aran and Laura need that experience for themselves.
Chapter 7-3 - Rivals Collide: Finished.
Ike: Was really busy this chapter, he waited at the beginning to recruit Janaff and Ulki when they came, and then got ferried down by Haar to help the others with the huge groups of enemies, before he cut his way to the Black Knight and got the fun little side conversation with him. Haar then ferried him to safety as the final turn counted down.
Mist: Fought along with Soren and Mordecai to cut a path through the Daein forces. She hid behind them, and kept them health when they got wounded. Once the group reached the bottom island in the river, she recruited Jill after Mordecai drew her out, and after a couple more turns with a couple more fights, the battle ended.
Mist Recruiting Jill: "Jill! I can't believe it! It is you!"
"Oh, Mist..."
"I'm so glad to see you!"
"Wh-what?"
"Well, I was wondering about what to do if I saw you here with the Daein army. I had it all worked out, you see? And, well, here you are! It's great!"
"Mist. We're enemies now."
"No, you have to listen, Jill. Let's not fight. There's a really easy solution to this whole mess!"
"But...what?"
"Just listen! It's so simple! Since Daein shouldn't be in this war, they shouldn't be here right now, right? And you and I are friends, right? So, we can each pretend that the other one of us isn't here! Isn't that great?"
"Mist, that makes absolutely no sense. Besides, that's not the issues here! You're mercenary. You know how th—"
"We're not fighting. That's final."
"Mist?!"
"Jill, you'd never turn your weapon against me. I just know it. I trusted you, because you're my friend."
"Oh, Mist... All right, that's it. I've had enough of this."
"Jill?"
"You made my last doubts fade away. I've made my decision. I'm not fighting in the Daein army anymore. I'm joining back up with you."
"Jill! I knew you'd come around!"
"I feel bad for my comrades in Daein, but I'm going to stand by what I believe. I will not be ashamed anymore."
"That's the Jill I know and love!"
"Thank you, Mist!"
Mordecai: Guarded Mist and Soren, as he tore through dozens of foes. He suffered some issues when a couple of mages blasted him and his gauge ran low, but Mist patched him up and a bite of Olivi grass let him continue to take down the enemies. After Ike began rampaging on his way to a conversation with the BK, he lured out Jill for Mist to talk to, standing just within range of her Javelin and then letting Mist do the rest.
Soren: Blasted his way across the river from behind Mordecai. He was unstoppable as he struck down the foes, any damage he received being regained with Flare, although a couple of archers did some nasty damage to him that Mist needed to heal before he and Mordecai dealt with them. After they reached the final island, Ike went about his business, and while Mist and Mordy drew out Jill, Soren went to fight Aran as he approached the group.
Aran: Fought with Soren, he began the fight and not only hit, but also Canceled Soren's attack. Soren was pretty badly hurt by this, but he simply stepped back, and ended the fight with two blasts of Elfire, the first one activating Corrosion.
Soren Vs Aran: As Aran and his fellow soldiers trudged through the swamp to flank the enemies that were currently approaching, they were greeted by a tower of fire that consumed the man in the lead before he could even scream. Aran waited, allowing the spell to weaken, and then leaped through the dying spire of flames, spear raised as momentum carried him towards their assailant. He saw a young boy in white robes holding a fire tome, and aimed for his arm, the speed of the strike not seeming to surprise the boy, though he wasn't able to avoid the attack. Aran's spear dug into the mages arm, and he followed up by driving the butt of his lance towards his throat, forcing his opponent to jump back and abort the counterattack he had planned on launching.
Alright then, I've got him on the ropes, now I just need to close the distance again, and I should be able to end this before he can attack anyone else.
—-
So it appears that the reports from the laguz forces were accurate. This is likely the lanceman that had given them trouble, the other two noted foes being the currently allied Jill and a bishop who is likely waiting on the opposite river bank. It appears that this "Maiden of Dawn" has some interesting allies of her own...
Soren ignored the wound on his arm, though taking the time to shift the Elfire tome to his other hand so as to avoid soiling the pages with blood. He had to admit, this foe was fairly skilled, having made use of the spell to create an opening and then preventing him from countering. The distance was too great now however, and without the element of surprise, this fight was over. Soren began incanting the spell...
—-
The water splashed as his feet pushed through the river, running as swiftly as he could towards the mage. Aran readied his spear and shield, preparing for whatever spell his foe could muster. As he charged, he suddenly felt a burning sensation in his hands, and turned to see a thin stream of flame flying straight through his own lance from the tip of it to the butt, reducing the weapon to ash. Aran only had time to let out a gasp of surprise before he saw another ball of flame begin falling upon him. He brought his shield up to block it while also leaping back, and just barely made it out of the way of the flames, the blast sending him flying. He picked himself off the muddy river ground, his shield and armor burnt an even deeper shade of black, but he himself still clinging to life.
Up Next: The Kauku caves, where we get to deal with the obligatory flame trap level!
