{"id":2957,"date":"2024-12-31T09:07:57","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T14:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?p=2957"},"modified":"2026-01-23T12:50:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:50:16","slug":"dbx-izetta-vs-tanya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?p=2957","title":{"rendered":"DBX: Izetta vs Tanya"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DBX-Title-Izetta-vs-Tanya.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Death Battle Exhibitions!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Where all the fights are settled in just a few chapters!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>No Rules!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>No Research!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">No Mercy!<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>PROLOGUE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R9NsL70l1oE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>This Episode&#8217;s Players:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Emily Elvis (Player 1)<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2449\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2449\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Emily Elvis #2 Scottish Flag\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2449 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Emily-Elvis-2-Scottish-Flag.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Liliana Ladrona (Player 2)<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1244\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=1244\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,720\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Lily Ladrona\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1244 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Lily-Ladrona.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Thank you for inviting me to play <em>DBX<\/em>, Ms. Lily!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lily: (Smiles) <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a1De nada, hermanita!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It&#8217;s the least I could do after you helped me through our first episode together.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Honestly, it&#8217;s nice to have another girl in this organization. Whenever my brother Edward and Mr. Louis play, they start arguing and accusing each other of cheating.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lily: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Scoffs)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Guys are always like that. They can&#8217;t stand the thought of someone beating them at something. Some of the girls I fight with on <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WWE 2K<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are just as bad.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Well last time, Mr. Louis and Hiro were playing as Black Widow and Ada Wong. Louis won, and the two almost drew guns on each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lily: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Groans)<\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!Esos jodidos idiotas!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They didn&#8217;t actually shoot up the place did they?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: I managed to calm them down by casting a spell of friendship&#8230;..but I might&#8217;ve overdone it. They ended up hugging saying how much they love each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: (Laughs hysterically) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! No way! Seriously!? Wow, if only I&#8217;d been there! <em>(Continues laughing)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: <em>(Blushes)<\/em> I&#8211;I had to do something! I&#8217;ve treated far too many soldiers with gunshot wounds in World War One!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: Don&#8217;t worry about it, mija. I&#8217;m just glad you stopped it before it got out of hand. Anyway&#8230;..<em>(picks up controller)<\/em>&#8230;.shall we begin?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Right! Off we go! <em>(Does the same)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">(Emily selects Versus; Player vs Player; One round per fight; One character; 100% Health)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: <em>(Curiously)<\/em> Hmm? What&#8217;s this?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: <em>(Excited)<\/em> Oh, splendid! The new DLC just came out!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: What the&#8211;I didn&#8217;t know this game got DLC. Who the hell are these girls?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: That&#8217;s Izetta, Tanya and Akko. They&#8217;re characters from three different anime, but they&#8217;re all witches like me! I watch each of their shows religiously!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: Heh. Well, since you&#8217;re here, how bout we each play as one of these new girls?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Aye! Let&#8217;s do it then! <em>(Scrolls around and picks Izetta)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2962\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2962\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-3.jpg?fit=210%2C240&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"210,240\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta #3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-3.jpg?fit=210%2C240&amp;ssl=1\" class=\" wp-image-2962 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-3.jpg?resize=227%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"260\" \/><br \/>\nName: Izetta<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age: 15<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex: Female<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appearance: Izetta the Last Witch<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The last survivor of a race of witches who were once the guardians of a small country called Eylstadt. Loyal and courageous, she dedicates her life to protecting the person most precious to her: The Princess Fin\u00e9 von Eylstadt.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: I have a confession&#8230;I&#8217;m really not good at this game. I usually set the difficulty on Easy when I fight the computer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: Ah, don&#8217;t beat yourself up, chica. I&#8217;m not that great myself. Hell, even Lulu isn&#8217;t that good, although he&#8217;s too proud to admit it. I can&#8217;t tell you how many times I beat him by spamming fireballs in Street Fighter!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Spamming moves? That&#8217;s cheating, Ms. Lily!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lily: Hey, we Ladrones have a family motto: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;\u00a1Si funcion, hazlo!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: &#8220;If it works, do it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lily: Bingo! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Scrolls around and picks Tanya)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2964\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2964\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.png?fit=563%2C596&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"563,596\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tanya #5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.png?fit=563%2C596&amp;ssl=1\" class=\" wp-image-2964 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.png?resize=223%2C236&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.png?resize=283%2C300&amp;ssl=1 283w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.png?resize=257%2C272&amp;ssl=1 257w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.png?w=563&amp;ssl=1 563w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><br \/>\nName: Tanya Degurechaff<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age: 12<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sex: Female<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appearance: Youjo Senki\/Saga of Tanya the Evil<br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A ruthless child soldier who leads the legendary 203rd Imperial Air Mages. Sadistic, cunning, and psychotic, she scored more victories than any other commander in the Fatherland&#8217;s army.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: That is one creepy-ass kid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emily: That&#8217;s Tanya Degurechaff from <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Youjo Senki.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> And yes, she&#8217;s a tad&#8230;&#8230;..unstable.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: You&#8217;re telling me. Her evil stare reminds me of a teacher I had back in Catholic school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: You went to Catholic school?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lily: Si. Me and my friends hated that teacher. I once got in trouble for saying she had <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;una cara como un culo de vaca.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emily: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>&#8220;A face like a cow&#8217;s arse!?&#8221;<\/em> You said that to a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teacher!?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Lily: <em>(Smirks)<\/em> Yep. My friends thought I was a hero for telling her that. The bitch made me recite the Catechism 20 times, but it was worth it. Anyway, you ready to rock!?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Emily: Aye! Let&#8217;s fight!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>LET&#8217;S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!<br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>&#8212;&#8212;&gt; HELL YEAH!!!<br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>I&#8217;M NOT READY YET!<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">(Emily picks &#8220;Hell yeah!!!&#8221; and the game goes into a loading screen)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Loading. Loading. Loading. Loading.)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;\">OPENING MOVIE:<\/span><\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7GvwKs2xSgc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2971\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2971\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Airship L30 #1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2971 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-1.png?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/d5X7D-m0DTA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 1: KIDNAPPED<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><i>May, 1940<br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><i>8:15AM<br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><i>Eylstadt, Somewhere in the Alps<br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><i>40 miles from the northern border<br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><i>Aboard a Fatherland zeppelin<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Far above the northern Alpine mountains of Eylstadt, a massive L30 Airship drifted slowly across the sky. Though it was a clear, Spring morning with plenty of sunlight, the floating fortress cast an almost sinister shadow that eclipsed the sun to anyone standing below. The monstrous vehicle was kept aloft using hydrogen, itself contained by the huge, torpedo-shaped cloth that made up the bulk of the zeppelin. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2972\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2972\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Airship L30 #2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2972 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-2.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Located beneath the airship&#8217;s belly were four gondolas that served as propellers, steering, and housing compartments all in one. Each gondola was manned by crews of at least five soldiers, whose duties ranged from maintaining the engines to manning the machine guns. At the very front of the L30 was the main gondola, where the bridge was located.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2973\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2973\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Airship L30 #3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2973 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Airship-L30-3.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Almost like a page ripped out of a steampunk novel, the zeppelin&#8217;s bridge was built of hard steel, with various gadgets strewn around. Metal lamps with orange light bulbs hung overhead in several spots. The walls were covered with long rubber pipes that looked like fire hoses, but were actually used for communication. At the nose of the bridge was a steering wheel like one would see on a pirate ship, where the helmsman kept the zeppelin on her predetermined course.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Aside from the usual crew, the airship carried two very important passengers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first was a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl with blonde hair and purple eyes. She wore a simple, yet elegant green dress and carried herself in a dignified way befitting a member of royalty. Rightly so, since she was the last surviving Princess of Eylstadt. Her name was <\/span><b>Ortfin\u00e9 Fredericka von Eylstadt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, known simply as <\/span><b>Fin\u00e9<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2977\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2977\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Princess-Fine-1.png?fit=305%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"305,512\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Princess Fine #1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Princess-Fine-1.png?fit=305%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2977 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Princess-Fine-1.png?resize=305%2C512&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"305\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Princess-Fine-1.png?w=305&amp;ssl=1 305w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Princess-Fine-1.png?resize=179%2C300&amp;ssl=1 179w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Princess-Fine-1.png?resize=162%2C272&amp;ssl=1 162w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 was sitting at a wooden table with an empty chair on the other side. A tea set was prepared for her, as if to give the illusion that this was a simple pleasure flight. It wasn&#8217;t. Standing at the door behind her were two vicious-looking guards carrying MP40 submachine guns. The Airship was flying north in the direction of the Germanian Empire, also known as the Fatherland. It was obvious that Fin\u00e9 wasn&#8217;t taken on a cruise&#8211;she was kidnapped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The hatch above the captive girl opened. Climbing down the ladder an even younger girl with matching blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. She was no taller than four feet, yet she walked with the same militaristic pride as any adult. She wore a pristine green uniform whose most distinguishing features were an officer&#8217;s cap and a round red crystal located at the collar. The girl was armed with a Luger P08 pistol which she kept secure in a holster on her right hip. She sat down at the opposite end of the table, meeting Fin\u00e9 face-to-face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><i><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">&#8220;Guten Morgen, Prinzessin Fin\u00e9.&#8221;<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2978\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2978\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-11.jpg?fit=288%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"288,512\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tanya #11\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-11.jpg?fit=288%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2978 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-11.jpg?resize=288%2C512&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-11.jpg?w=288&amp;ssl=1 288w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-11.jpg?resize=169%2C300&amp;ssl=1 169w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-11.jpg?resize=153%2C272&amp;ssl=1 153w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px\" \/><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I trust you&#8217;ve heard of me, based on my reputation?&#8221; The girl in the officer&#8217;s uniform asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><b>Tanya von Degurechaff<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221; Fin\u00e9 remembered her kidnapper&#8217;s name. &#8220;Leader of the Imperial 203rd Air Mage Battalion.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Splendid! So glad we could get introductions out of the way quickly.&#8221; Tanya said. &#8220;It&#8217;s quite an honor to be in the presence of royalty. Though I regret we&#8217;d have to meet on this miserable zeppelin.&#8221; The child soldier lifted the kettle and poured some tea into hers and Fin\u00e9&#8217;s cups. &#8220;Care for some tea? It&#8217;s Germanian chamomile with honey.&#8221; Tanya politely offered to Fin\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess carefully took the teacup given to her, giving it a suspicious look.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I know what you&#8217;re thinking.&#8221; Tanya said. &#8220;I assure you, it isn&#8217;t poisoned.&#8221; As if to prove it, she took a long gulp of the drink with an exaggerated sigh at the end.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 decided to play along and allowed just a tiny sip past her lips. &#8220;Thank you. It&#8217;s quite delicious.&#8221; She said, trying to sound as polite as she could. &#8220;You speak Eylstadtian quite well, though I can hear your Germanian accent.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dankesch\u00f6n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221; Tanya thanked her. &#8220;Our languages are similar enough for me to get the gist.&#8221; She took a relaxed pose in her chair, while Fin\u00e9 remained as tense as ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Do all Germanians treat their guests this way, or is it just protocol? I&#8217;m not exactly keen on being trapped hundreds of feet in the air with two armed guards behind me.&#8221; Fin\u00e9 complained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;If the accommodations aren&#8217;t to your liking, you&#8217;re welcome to leave anytime.&#8221; Tanya said coyly. &#8220;Just don&#8217;t expect us to provide a parachute.&#8221; The two guards chuckled slightly at Tanya&#8217;s comment. Fin\u00e9 didn&#8217;t join in. Tanya was correct though. Right now, there was no way to escape. Best thing to do was to stay calm and let the conversation take its course.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;But enough small talk! Onto business.&#8221; The child officer straightened her pose in the chair. &#8220;So, I assume you know why I&#8217;ve invited you to this&#8230;&#8230;&#8217;interview?'&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Invited? Interview? Try &#8216;kidnapped&#8217; and &#8216;interrogation!'&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Princess hissed mentally. &#8220;Please, enlighten me.&#8221; She replied, trying not to sound angry.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;As you already know, our two nations are at war.&#8221; Tanya began. &#8220;The Principality of Eylstadt has continually resisted our efforts to establish a link with our allies to the south, the Kingdom of Romulus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Eylstadt is a neutral country.&#8221; Fin\u00e9 replied. &#8220;My people want nothing to do with the Empire or its genocidal conquest. You&#8217;ve already taken Livonia and Thermidor.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Despite your claims of neutrality, you didn&#8217;t hesitate to conspire for an alliance with the Brittanian ambassador.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I was working to protect my country! Eylstadt needs powerful allies to help us hold off the Germanian invasion!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Make whatever excuses you want, Your Highness. But by making secret dealings with the Empire&#8217;s enemies, you essentially declared war.&#8221; Tanya leaned back in her chair, a condescending smile growing on her face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The ruler of Eylstadt went red in the face. Not only was she captured by a smug little girl no older than a 6th Grader, but the same girl had the audacity to treat her like a criminal! Fin\u00e9 took another sip from her tea, hoping to hide her anger. &#8220;So, what is it that you want with me?&#8221; She asked Tanya.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Fatherland soldier&#8217;s grin became wider. &#8220;I thought you&#8217;d never ask! As you already know, this airship is en route towards Germania, past this country&#8217;s northern border. My orders are to deliver you to the capital Neu-Berlin, before the throne of the Kaiser himself.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Do you expect me to kneel and beg him to call off the invasion?&#8221; Fin\u00e9 said dryly as she took another sip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Not exactly. We believe what we&#8217;re planning will benefit both our countries in the long run.&#8221; Tanya paused. &#8220;All you have to do&#8230;is surrender.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Princess nearly spat out her drink. She shot an outraged look at Tanya as if to say, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;WHAT!?&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I understand you&#8217;re less than thrilled with our proposal.&#8221; Said Tanya with an intended understatement. &#8220;But please, Your Highness, try to see reason.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Reason!? How would surrendering possibly be beneficial to my country!?&#8221; Fin\u00e9 roared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Think of it as a business arrangement.&#8221; Tanya explained. &#8220;Eylstadt capitulates, allowing the Empire to take the capital without any bloodshed. The kingdom then becomes a protectorate of Germania. We get safe passage with our allies, and you avoid being blown to oblivion. Everybody wins.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;And I lose my power as the Princess. Is that it?&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;You needn&#8217;t worry about your power. You&#8217;ll still be allowed to rule your petty little kingdom. However, you&#8217;d be required to answer to the Kaiser from then on.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Every word uttered by Tanya was like sharp needles stabbing all over Fin\u00e9&#8217;s body. It took her everything she had to control herself. &#8220;And if I refuse to agree to this &#8216;business arrangement?'&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya went from an arrogant smile to a serious glare. &#8220;Then you will be a political prisoner for the rest of the war.&#8221; She said coldly. &#8220;That is, unless we decide to execute you. With you out of the way, the Empire simply takes Eylstadt by force. Either way, we win.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">That was the last straw! The Princess stood up from her chair and slammed her hands on the table. &#8220;How dare you! I will NOT be used as a bargaining chip to blackmail my kingdom!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the guards standing behind Fin\u00e9 pointed his submachine gun at her. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Geh zur\u00fcck zu deinem Platz, Prinzessin, oder ich erschie\u00dfe dich!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> He threatened her in his native language.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya rose out of her seat and aimed her Luger pistol at the soldier. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Bleib stehen, Sergeant! Oder ich werfe dich vom Zeppelin!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Almost robotically, the obedient sergeant lowered his MP40. Tanya motioned her hand to allow Fin\u00e9 to continue speaking. The Princess took a breath to recover from the fear of nearly being shot.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;This is unacceptable!&#8221; She protested. &#8220;Do you seriously expect me to go along with this!? Sell out my people? Reduce myself to a puppet ruler? I would rather die than betray my country to monsters like you! The people of Eylstadt are loyal and proud, and will never be brought down by such cowardly tactics!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Even with Fin\u00e9 screaming at her in the face, Tanya remained as cool and professional as ever. &#8220;Your Highness.&#8221; She said, &#8220;I truly admire your passion and dedication to your homeland. You&#8217;re more than worthy to bear your title.&#8221; Tanya closed her eyes and went back to her seat. &#8220;But let&#8217;s be realistic. Let&#8217;s say that you reject all our demands and continue the war against the Empire. What would be the outcome of a protracted war against us?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;We&#8217;ll stand and fight for however long it takes to drive you out!&#8221; Fin\u00e9 proclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;And how do you hope to achieve that?&#8221; Tanya replied. &#8220;Eylstadt is a landlocked country with a small population, a weak army, and obsolete weapons left from the Great War. Meanwhile, the Empire&#8217;s already conquered two of the major Allied powers through Blitzkrieg attacks, which are only made possible through coordinated tactics, modern technology, and well-trained soldiers. In other words, Eylstadt has no hope of defeating us. This isn&#8217;t arrogance, it&#8217;s just fact.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;That&#8217;s where you&#8217;re wrong.&#8221; Said the Princess with a confident face. &#8220;While Eylstadt may be weaker in terms of its military strength, we have one weapon that&#8217;s more powerful than any army.&#8221; Fin\u00e9 smiled ever so slightly. &#8220;I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ve heard of a local legend? <\/span><b>The White Witch of Eylstadt?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya laughed derisively. &#8220;Ha! The White Witch? Yes, I&#8217;m well aware. An ancient fairy tale from a forgotten era. Sorry, Princess. I only deal with facts, not folklore.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I promise you, she&#8217;s no fairy tale. I know her personally. She saved my life multiple times!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;And then you woke up.&#8221; The child soldier said. &#8220;Putting your faith in a children&#8217;s story is no different than praying to some nonexistent God. Pointless, worthless, and utterly useless.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;How can you deny her existence when you have weapons that involve the use of magic!?&#8221; The Princess spat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Fair point.&#8221; Tanya smirked as she touched the crimson orb on her uniform. &#8220;The Eilinium crystal I wear amplifies the mana stored in my body, allowing me to perform all kinds of supernatural feats in battle. The difference however, is our magic technology is the product of painstaking research done by the Empire&#8217;s most brilliant scientists. The kind of magic you&#8217;re describing is something that only exists in myths and bedtime stories!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Fatherland soldier walked to Fin\u00e9&#8217;s side of the table and put her face just inches away from hers. &#8220;You can hold on to your childish delusions if it makes you comfortable, Princess. But let me be clear: no one is coming to save you. By tomorrow, you&#8217;ll be negotiating your surrender in Neu-Berlin, and no witches or Gods will swoop in to rescue you. Think about that while you&#8217;re here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 didn&#8217;t say anything else, but her anger and determination were palpable. No matter what Tanya said, the Princess would never lose hope that her closest friend would come and save her! The child soldier decided there was no more point in this conversation. She walked to the set of windows on the right, sipping her tea as she enjoyed the view of the Eylstadtian mountains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 closed her eyes and said a silent prayer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><\/i><b><i>Izetta<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! Please!&#8230;..Please find me soon!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2979\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2979\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?fit=1280%2C633&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,633\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta #7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?fit=660%2C326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2979 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548-768x380.jpg?resize=660%2C327&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?resize=768%2C380&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?resize=300%2C148&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?resize=1024%2C506&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?resize=1200%2C593&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?resize=550%2C272&amp;ssl=1 550w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-7-e1676133776548.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MALE_gv2gE0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 2: THE WHITE WITCH<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><em><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Meanwhile&#8230;..<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Hold on, Princess! I&#8217;m coming!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta raced through the clouds, desperately searching for the captured Princess. She was flying astride a modified Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle as if it were a broomstick. Flying alongside the girl was a group of medieval lances&#8211;four on each side&#8211;all levitated by Izetta&#8217;s magic. The young witch had short ruby red hair and eyes, which sharply contrasted with her silky white dress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The wind whipped through Izetta&#8217;s hair as she dashed through the cerulean sky and white clouds. The icy air chilled her body and stung her eyes, but she was too focused on her goal to notice it. Izetta looked up and down, side-to-side for the giant airship that her kidnapped friend Fin\u00e9 was on board. When she&#8217;d just about given up hope, Izetta caught a glimpse of the airship floating through a narrow mountain trench to her lower left.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Yes! I found it!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta&#8217;s heart pounded with excitement! The White Witch rolled into a nosedive towards the zeppelin, ready to attack. Izetta zoomed past every gondola beneath the airship&#8217;s belly until she found Fin\u00e9 trapped in the frontmost one.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The Princess! Thank God she&#8217;s okay!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta thought with relief. Fin\u00e9 almost shouted with joy when she saw her dearest friend come to her rescue. Tanya choked and spat out her tea in sheer disbelief, while the two guards looked on in confusion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">With no time to lose, Fin\u00e9 rose and swung her chair to knock out the two guards behind her. She then grabbed the tea kettle and smashed it into Tanya&#8217;s face! The Germanian girl dropped to the floor like a rock, unconscious and covered in broken porcelain and warm tea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;By the way, your tea tastes like dishwater!&#8221; Fin\u00e9 spat at the knocked-out girl.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess stole Tanya&#8217;s Luger pistol and an MP40 from one of the guards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2982\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2982\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?fit=1004%2C932&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1004,932\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Luger P08\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?fit=660%2C613&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2982 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?resize=379%2C352&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"379\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?resize=768%2C713&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?resize=300%2C278&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?resize=293%2C272&amp;ssl=1 293w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Luger-P08.jpg?w=1004&amp;ssl=1 1004w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" \/> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2985\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2985\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?fit=1538%2C801&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1538,801\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MP40\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?fit=660%2C344&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2985 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=660%2C344&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=768%2C400&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=300%2C156&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=1024%2C533&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=1536%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=1200%2C625&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?resize=522%2C272&amp;ssl=1 522w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?w=1538&amp;ssl=1 1538w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MP40.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Okay, no doubt the whole airship would&#8217;ve seen Izetta by now.&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Princess thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;I need to get topside!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 climbed the ladder leading to the inside of the airship&#8217;s interior. And sure enough, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> soldier in the damn balloon was rushing to their weapons!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A shrieking alarm blared as a male PA voice accompanied it: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Alarm! Die wei\u00dfe Hexe wurde entdeckt! Sie startet einen Angriff auf den Zeppelin! Alle Truppen zu Kampfstationen! Den Feind sofort abwehren!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 couldn&#8217;t understand all of it, but it must have meant the soldiers were about to attack Izetta. She had to hurry! The Princess ran across the wooden catwalks, avoiding or gunning down any enemy soldiers along the way. As she neared the exit, Fin\u00e9 spotted a rack holding parachutes and decided to take one just in case. She <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> several hundred feet in the air after all.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Outside, the furious Germanian soldiers shot at Izetta with rifles and machine guns, but she was too fast for them to hit. The explosive shells exploded all around, leaving puffs of gray smoke like a fireworks show. The White Witch shot back by throwing some of her lances, piercing the zeppelin&#8217;s hull and some of its gondolas. She flew upwards and above the airship, where an AA-gunner was taking potshots at her from below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Meanwhile, Fin\u00e9 came to the exterior of the airship and saw that Izetta was in danger! The anti-aircraft gunner hadn&#8217;t noticed Fin\u00e9 was behind him because he was too frustrated trying to take out the White Witch. The Princess sprayed what was left in her MP40 into the soldier&#8217;s back, and he fell over dead.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">When the gun clicked empty, Fin\u00e9 threw it away and took the gunner&#8217;s Kar98k rifle and some ammo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2987\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2987\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?fit=1697%2C925&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1697,925\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Kar98k Rifle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?fit=660%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2987 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=660%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=768%2C419&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=1024%2C558&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=1536%2C837&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=1200%2C654&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?resize=499%2C272&amp;ssl=1 499w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?w=1697&amp;ssl=1 1697w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kar98k-Rifle.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess then stood and looked up at Izetta, hovering about 40 feet above on her rifle. From that height, it was almost like looking at an angel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 cupped her hands to her mouth and called out: &#8220;HEEEEEEY! IZETTAAAAAAA! DO YOU SEE ME!? IT&#8217;S FIN\u00c9!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta was so joyful she nearly cried.\u00a0 She was so close now! She was going to save Fin\u00e9! &#8220;I SEE YOU, YOUR HIGHNESS! I&#8217;M COMING TO GET YOU!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch soared a few yards forward and immediately U-turned. She flew back to the zeppelin upside-down, arms outstretched to catch the Princess. The Princess knew what Izetta was planning and opened her arms too. Finally the two girls met, and Fin\u00e9 was scooped into the air, safely in Izetta&#8217;s arms. The White White turned right-side up and placed the Princess on the aft end of the gun. They were reunited at last.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 wept with joy and hugged her old friend tightly. &#8220;Thank you, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thank you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Izetta! I knew you&#8217;d come rescue me!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The red haired witch replied sweetly, &#8220;I&#8217;d die before I abandon you to those awful people, Your Highness! C&#8217;mon, let&#8217;s get you back to Eylsta&#8211;&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Their celebration was cut short by some explosive rounds that popped in the air. Down below, Tanya was manning the AA gun left by the dead soldier! The two Eylstadtians quickly flew in the opposite direction of the airship, avoiding any projectiles till they were safely out of range. Thankfully, neither of them was hit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya stopped firing when she realized it was useless. She stared at the clear blue sky, eyes wide in shock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;It can&#8217;t be! There&#8217;s no way!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Air Mage thought.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8220;The White Witch is <\/span><\/i><b><i>real<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? She&#8217;s <\/span><\/i><b><i>REAL!?<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> That ridiculous fairy tale creature is a <\/span><\/i><b><i>real person!?&#8221;<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Behind Tanya, a taller brunette girl in the same uniform approached her. Visha was out of breath, both from running and the terror and confusion she was feeling . &lt;&#8220;Major Degurechaff, what in the world&#8217;s going on!? Our airship&#8217;s under attack, the Princess has escaped, and several of our men are dead!&#8221;&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">At that moment Tanya&#8217;s horror turned into rage. She turned around and ordered, &lt;&#8220;Assemble the Air Mages! Get my flight suit ready!&#8221;&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2990\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2990\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Swiss-Alps.jpg?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Swiss Alps\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Swiss-Alps.jpg?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2990 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Swiss-Alps.jpg?resize=583%2C328&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"583\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Swiss-Alps.jpg?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Swiss-Alps.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Swiss-Alps.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TDe_Tjj1U-U?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 3: FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta and Fin\u00e9 flew far away from the zeppelin, safely out of range.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The blonde felt it was a good time to ask: &#8220;Hey, Izetta? How did you know where to find me?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Bianca and the Royal Guard secretly followed you after you were kidnapped. They tracked you to the Northern Alps, where you were brought aboard that big, ugly balloon!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 smiled. The Royal Guard were just as dependable as ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;When they told me where you were, I volunteered to go rescue you!&#8221; Izetta finished.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;By yourself!?&#8221; Fin\u00e9 shouted louder than she&#8217;d meant. &#8220;You knowingly went alone and took on an entire <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">airship<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> just to save me!? Did you even stop to think of the kind of danger you put yourself in!?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t care about the danger!&#8221; Izetta replied. &#8220;As long as you&#8217;re safe, that&#8217;s all that matters to me. Besides, I&#8217;m not alone. Bianca and some royal troops are waiting for us at a small village near Coenenberg. They&#8217;re about 400 kilometers south of here.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">400 kilos? That&#8217;s a long ways off, but they should be able to reach it in about an hour if they keep flying at this pace. Fin\u00e9 held on tight for the long trip, but kept her rifle ready if she needed it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Meanwhile, Tanya departed from the zeppelin and flew in the direction of the two Eylstadtians. She wore a thick flight jacket that kept her warm in the cold air. Her weapon was a semi-automatic Mondrag\u00f3n rifle that held 10 magic-charged explosive rounds. The child major kept herself flying with an Elinium crystal, which powered the Air Mage gear attached to her left leg. Following Tanya was a flight of three other members of her famed 203rd Battalion, each dressed in equipment identical to her own. Four in total, they raced through the skies in search of the escaped Princess and her rescuer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya was still shocked by the events just a few minutes ago. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;How did this mission get derailed so quickly!? We were so close to the Germanian border, and all of sudden we got ambushed by a witch out of some bedtime story!? Is this another one of Your tricks, <\/span><\/i><b><i>Being X<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Being X. The petty, sanctimonious &#8220;god&#8221; who forced Tanya into this miserable life as a child soldier. This had to be another one of his harebrained attempts to turn Tanya into a believer. Whoever this &#8220;White Witch&#8221; thought she was, she was probably nothing more than one of Being X&#8217;s deranged pawns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Well, it won&#8217;t work!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya hissed mentally. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;I won\u2019t be undermined by a couple of superstitious children!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Achtung, Soldaten!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The child Major shouted to her comrades behind.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;&#8220;We&#8217;re going on a witch hunt! Princess Fin\u00e9 believes that her friend can save her from us! The witch may have helped her escape, but they&#8217;ll never make it back to the capital! We&#8217;ll make this rescuer of hers regret that she came to ruin my morning! As for the Princess, she just bumped her execution <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">way <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">up the schedule! <\/span><b>I want them both dead and buried in the same grave! Understand!?&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;&#8220;Roger that! Those two won&#8217;t escape us!&#8221;&gt; Replied Matheus Weiss, Vice Commander of the 203rd.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;&#8220;Hell yeah! Let&#8217;s burn this witch at the stake!&#8221;&gt; Roared 2nd Lieutenant Warren Grantz.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Viktoriya, the only other female besides Tanya, was more cautious. &lt;&#8220;Uh, Major? With respect ma&#8217;am, our orders are to take the Princess alive&#8211;&#8220;&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;&#8220;Are you questioning <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">my<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> orders, Lieutenant?&#8221;&gt; Tanya replied with an icy glare.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;&#8220;Eeep! N-no ma&#8217;am! Kill them both! Got it!&#8221;&gt; Visha squeaked and shut her mouth in fear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;&#8220;Very good.&#8221;&gt; Tanya looked ahead with violent determination in her eyes. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Those bitches are gonna pay for making a fool of me!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further ahead, Izetta and Fin\u00e9 continued their flight towards Coenenberg. At one point, the blonde Princess turned around and saw four black figures in the distance. The silhouettes came closer with each second, until Fin\u00e9 realized they were being chased by the 203rd Air Mages! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Crap! They&#8217;re after us already!?&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Izetta, look behind you!&#8221; The Witch&#8217;s attention was drawn to the four flying Air Mages behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;What the&#8211;who are those four?&#8221; She asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Tanya Degurechaff and three of her Air Mages. They&#8217;re from the airship I was on! The little girl in front is the one in charge.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">little girl is the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leader?&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Izetta said in surprise.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Yeah, but don&#8217;t underestimate her&#8211;she&#8217;s a ruthless psychopath! She probably wants to either take me back to the zeppelin, or kill us both!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Either way, we&#8217;re not gonna let it happen!&#8221; The girls readied themselves for the inevitable fight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;How&#8217;s your magic? Can you fight here?&#8221; The Princess asked while loading her bolt-action rifle. Izetta opened her hand, and a green, pulsating orb appeared just above her palm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Yes! There&#8217;s enough magic here for me to work with!&#8221; Izetta cheered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3866\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3866\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-Checks-Her-Palm.gif?fit=320%2C240&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"320,240\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta Checks Her Palm\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-Checks-Her-Palm.gif?fit=320%2C240&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3866 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-Checks-Her-Palm.gif?resize=483%2C362&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"483\" height=\"362\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 smiled courageously. &#8220;Then let&#8217;s show these fascists we&#8217;re a lot tougher than we look!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The redhead smiled and nodded with similar confidence. They were ready to fight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eventually, Tanya and her squadron flew up right behind the two Eylstadtians. The child soldier shouted her orders to her men: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Feinde entdeckt! Lass sie uns in Flammen zu Boden schicken! ANGRIFF!!!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2993\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2993\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fine-vs-Tanya-Fight-pic.png?fit=512%2C260&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,260\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta and Fine vs Tanya Fight pic\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fine-vs-Tanya-Fight-pic.png?fit=512%2C260&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2993 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fine-vs-Tanya-Fight-pic.png?resize=620%2C315&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fine-vs-Tanya-Fight-pic.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fine-vs-Tanya-Fight-pic.png?resize=300%2C152&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/>(Fight pic commission by HypeVoiceActing.)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L6o9VlfnfXM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 4: CAT AND MOUSE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\"><b>MISSION START<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Air Mages opened fire! Dozens of cyan-colored bullets darted through the sky like a swarm of hornets! Izetta skillfully swung her rifle left and right to dodge the deadly bullets. The magic rounds created tiny explosions so loud and close, the girls were nearly scorched by the puffs of flame and smoke.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cDon\u2019t fly in a straight line! Try to shake them off!\u201d Fin\u00e9 shouted to Izetta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch swerved downwards to the left to shake off her pursuers. The gravity from flying down gave them a boost in speed, which helped them get some distance. The high wind speeds threatened to blow them both off of their ride. The two Eylstadtians braced themselves as hard as they could to avoid falling off. When they dropped closer to the ground, Izetta repositioned her flying rifle forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAlright! Hold this speed! Gimme a chance to fire back!\u201d Fin\u00e9 said as she took aim with her bolt-action rifle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She aimed and fired at Tanya, who was leading the Air Mages from the front. The bullet reached her, only to be harmlessly deflected by a bluish green barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHa! A bolt-action rifle? And it doesn\u2019t even fire magic rounds? Pathetic!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tanya snorted arrogantly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cDammit!\u201d Fin\u00e9 scowled in frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Did you miss?\u201d Izetta asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNo, I hit her. But something got in my bullet\u2019s path! She must have some kind of shield protecting her! Shooting her won\u2019t do any good!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIn that case, all we can do is outrun them!\u201d Izetta cried with worry. \u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The red-haired witch looked down. They were flying over a vast mountain range with a narrow trench running for miles. The trench was barely wide enough for an aircraft, but more than wide enough for two girls flying on a rifle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2994\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2994\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Rocky-Trench.png?fit=512%2C294&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,294\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Rocky Trench\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Rocky-Trench.png?fit=512%2C294&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2994 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Rocky-Trench.png?resize=556%2C319&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"556\" height=\"319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Rocky-Trench.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Rocky-Trench.png?resize=300%2C172&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Rocky-Trench.png?resize=474%2C272&amp;ssl=1 474w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHang on! We might get more cover if I take us into that trench!\u201d Izetta shouted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta and Fin\u00e9 dove sharply into the rocky crevice, as Tanya and her subordinates continued the chase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSo, they think flying into that trench will throw us off their trail? What a foolish strategy!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya thought.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She ordered her men, &lt;\u201cI\u2019ll fly ahead and chase them down! The rest of you stay here! Create a perimeter above so they can\u2019t escape!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya flew into the trench after the two Eylstadtians. The pathway was barely thirty feet wide, and covered with pillars and walls of sharp rocks and ice. Even a tiny piloting error could lead to a fatal crash or serious injury. But Tanya was too experienced a pilot to let that stop her. She dodged every obstacle and closed in on her prey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta also managed to avoid crashing, though with some difficulty. Her passenger Fin\u00e9 looked behind and\u2013to her horror\u2013found Tanya closing in behind them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cOh, no! She\u2019s gaining on us! Izetta, pick up the pace!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The witch poured more magic into her rifle and sped up, but it failed to shake off their pursuer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Hurry up!&#8221; Fin\u00e9 cried. &#8220;Any closer and she&#8217;ll kill us!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Any faster and we might crash!&#8221; Izetta replied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Air Mage charged her artillery spell and fired at them. Blue explosive rounds streaked by and slammed into the trench walls, causing huge splashes of rock and ice around them. Tanya was enjoying this like a cat chasing a canary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A small piece of ice cut Izetta&#8217;s upper arm. She winced and covered her bleeding wound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Izetta! Are you okay!?&#8221; The Princess shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m okay, it&#8217;s just a scratch. She then looked at her hand that was stained red with her blood. That gave her a plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I have an idea! I think I can slow her down!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta slowed down slightly and dragged her bloody hand along the walls and floor of the trench. When Tanya got close, huge sharp spikes of ice emerged from the wall, nearly impaling her!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;W-what the&#8211;!?&#8221; She shouted in surprise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A whole trail of ice spikes was in front of her, all started by the White Witch. Izetta&#8217;s idea worked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 and Izetta smiled. &#8220;Nice work! You bought us some more distance!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya&#8217;s shock turned into anger. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Well played, <\/span><\/i><b><i>witch. <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But as long as my men are above, you can&#8217;t escape!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Meanwhile, Izetta and Fin\u00e9 raced further down the trench. They managed to gain some distance, but they were far from safe. As long as Tanya\u2019s men were hovering above, the two were trapped inside the trench. They could only hope that the exit was close by.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta\u2019s actions had slowed her down considerably, but Tanya maneuvered her way through the ice spikes and resumed the chase. She contacted one of her troops, Visha, via the radio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cLieutenant!\u201d&gt; She barked. &lt;\u201cFly ahead to see if there\u2019s anything at the end of this trench!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cRoger that!\u201d&gt; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The brunette replied. The older girl flew several clicks ahead and scouted the terrain. She found that the trench split into two paths. The left path led towards an exit, while the right led further deep into the ravine. Visha reported what she had found to Tanya.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cUse your artillery rounds and destroy both paths!\u201d&gt;<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya ordered the Lieutenant.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cWe\u2019ll trap them at the end of this trench!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cUnderstood!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Visha charged her rifle with artillery rounds and fired at the fork in the path. Her rounds impacted the ground with explosive force, causing stone and ice to cave in on both sides. The escape route became a dead end.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">By the time Izetta and Fine reached the end, it was too late. They were boxed in, with a psychopath chasing them and her lackeys flying above. The two Eylstadtians looked behind with terror as Tanya closed the distance on them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Germanian smiled with murderous glee as she charged like a ravenous wolf towards two helpless sheep. She focused her magic on her bayonet, ready to slice the two bitches\u2019 heads from their necks!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 closed her eyes and held Izetta tightly as she awaited her death. But the White Witch wouldn\u2019t give up so easily, although she was just as scared. She focused on the distance between herself and Tanya and devised a plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cPrincess!\u201d Izetta called out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat!?\u201d Fin\u00e9 replied with terror in her voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI\u2019ve got a plan! I don\u2019t know if it\u2019ll work, but it\u2019s better than just waiting to die! Do you trust me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 trusted her friend and suppressed her fear. &#8220;Always!&#8221; She replied. &#8220;What&#8217;s your plan?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;I&#8217;m gonna fly straight and try to get behind her!&#8221; Izetta instructed. &#8220;When I say &#8216;duck&#8217;, lower your head! Okay?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Got it!&#8221; Said the Princess as she kept a firm grip on her gun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta prepared herself and charged forward towards Tanya. The move surprised the Germanian, but she was more delighted than scared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Well, this is an interesting surprise.&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I suppose even a cornered rat will fight back, but it&#8217;s futile!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya raised her magic-charged rifle and prepared to attack.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two witches closed in like knights in a jousting match. Right before they were within striking range, Izetta cried, &#8220;Duck!&#8221; Fin\u00e9 lowered her head as Izetta sharply dove <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">underneath <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya! The Air Mage&#8217;s bayonet sliced nothing but air, while Izetta and Fine were safely behind Tanya.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The White Witch made a 180-degree turn and pointed her broomstick-rifle right at Tanya. The Germanian looked back and scowled. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Scheisse!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta fired! The anti-tank round narrowly missed Tanya and slammed into the canyon wall beside her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The impact weakened the canyon wall, causing several pounds of snow and rock to avalanche right onto Tanya! The girl was buried under the huge white heap. Her battalion was alarmed and rushed down to rescue their commander.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta and Fin\u00e9 wasted no time escaping the canyon while Tanya&#8217;s men were busy digging her out of the snow. The two Eylstadtians flew away from the mountains and left their pursuers far behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 thanked Izetta with a kiss on the cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2996\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2996\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Battlefield-1-Soissons-aerial.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 Soissons aerial\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Battlefield-1-Soissons-aerial.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2996 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Battlefield-1-Soissons-aerial.png?resize=642%2C361&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"642\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Battlefield-1-Soissons-aerial.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Battlefield-1-Soissons-aerial.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Battlefield-1-Soissons-aerial.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sUa4B-Wkm68?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 5: LOST<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">About fifteen minutes passed. By that point, Izetta and Fin\u00e9 had left the mountains far behind. The Princess constantly looked behind every few minutes to see if they were still being followed. After the fifth look, she was satisfied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAre we still being followed?\u201d Izetta asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNo, I don\u2019t see anyone behind us.\u201d The Princess replied.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThank God.\u201d Izetta sighed with relief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 gasped when she remembered that Izetta\u2019s upper left arm was still bleeding. \u201cHow\u2019s your wound feeling, Izetta?\u201d She asked with concern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cOh, this? It\u2019s not so\u2013\u201d The White Witch hissed and grabbed her wound in pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The scratch was only skin deep, but it needed to be treated before it got infected. Fin\u00e9 searched in a side pocket of her parachute and found a small first aid kit with bandages and a bottle of peroxide. The Princess poured the chemical onto a cloth and gently rubbed it on Izetta\u2019s cut. The peroxide burned Izetta\u2019s sensitive skin, but she grinned and bore it. The Princess finished her treatment by wrapping a clean bandage around the treated area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThere. How do you feel now?\u201d Fin\u00e9 asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cBetter now. Thanks.\u201d The redhead replied. \u201cHopefully now we\u2019ll be safe for the rest of this journey.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Unfortunately, the Princess wasn\u2019t feeling so optimistic. \u201cI wish I could agree with you, Izetta. But somehow, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s the last we\u2019ll see of that crazy girl or her soldiers. You bought us a lot of time when you trapped her in that ravine, but we can\u2019t afford to let our guard down. The only way for us to be safe is to get to Coenenberg as soon as possible!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">That last statement made Izetta stutter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cUm, about that\u2026\u201d the White Witch said nervously. She was unsuccessfully trying to make her next statement sound less unpleasant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI was supposed to follow a very specific route back to Coenenberg. That chase from earlier threw me way off course, and now I have no idea where we are. I don\u2019t even have a map or compass to guide me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 turned her eyes downcast. \u201cSo in other words, we\u2019re lost. Is that what you\u2019re telling me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cBasically.\u201d Izetta replied. \u201cAnd worse, I don\u2019t even know the paths of the ley lines here. Right now I can draw enough magic to keep us flying. But if we stray too far from the lines, we\u2019ll fall to our deaths.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIf that\u2019s the case, our only choice is to find a place where we can lay low as soon as possible.\u201d Fin\u00e9 said. \u201cLet\u2019s fly low and see what we can find.\u201d Izetta gently lowered her broomstick-rifle beneath the clouds and midway towards the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The blonde and redhead scanned the surface with their eyes, only to find\u2026..nothing. No villages, no farms, no old churches or abandoned castles. Nothing they could use to take shelter from the Germanian forces. There was nothing surrounding them except several miles of empty green grassland.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIt\u2019s no use. There\u2019s nothing around here for miles.\u201d Izetta sighed, looking defeated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess was about to give up herself, until she caught something in her peripheral vision. About thirty meters to the right below was a lone railroad that cut a long trail through the verdant plains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2997\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2997\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Train-Tracks.png?fit=512%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,340\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Train Tracks\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Train-Tracks.png?fit=512%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2997 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Train-Tracks.png?resize=607%2C403&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"607\" height=\"403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Train-Tracks.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Train-Tracks.png?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Train-Tracks.png?resize=410%2C272&amp;ssl=1 410w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 lightly shook Izetta by the shoulder. \u201cHey! Take a look at those train tracks below!\u201d She asked her and pointed at the object in question.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch looked in the direction her friend was pointing. \u201cYeah, I see it. What about it?\u201d Izetta asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThose tracks don\u2019t look very old, so they must have been traveled on recently.\u201d Fin\u00e9 answered. \u201cThey could be what we need to find a safe place!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cBut if we follow the tracks, we\u2019d have no idea if they lead to Coenenberg!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBut we <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> know that they lead <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">somewhere!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d The Princess implored. \u201cThere\u2019s a good chance we can find a town or a train station\u2013somewhere where people can help us. If they know that I\u2019m the Princess, they\u2019ll be obligated to offer food and shelter.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">That plan made Izetta smile. \u201cThat\u2019s a great idea! There might also be a telephone or radio we can use to call the Royal Guard. If we\u2019re lucky, we might even hitch a ride on a train!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cPrecisely!\u201d Fin\u00e9 shouted happily. \u201cBy the way, how are you doing on magic? Are we still within the ley lines?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta checked her palm again. The floating green orb was pulsing as strongly as it did before. The redhead nodded firmly. \u201cStill good!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThen full speed ahead, Miss Izetta! Take us in the direction of the train tracks!\u201d Fin\u00e9 puffed her chest and pointed her finger like a pirate ship captain!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAye aye, Your Highness!\u201d The White Witch saluted and rocketed her flying rifle in the path pointed for her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">With any luck, they would be safe and sound by nightfall.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2998\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=2998\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Snow-Pile.png?fit=458%2C374&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"458,374\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Snow Pile\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Snow-Pile.png?fit=458%2C374&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2998 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Snow-Pile.png?resize=551%2C450&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"551\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Snow-Pile.png?w=458&amp;ssl=1 458w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Snow-Pile.png?resize=300%2C245&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Snow-Pile.png?resize=333%2C272&amp;ssl=1 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ii9nFsjFong?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 6: STAY ON MISSION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cKeep digging! We need to get Major Degurechaff out before she suffocates!\u201d&gt; Vice Commander Weiss shouted. He and the other three Air Mages frantically dug into the pile of snow and rocks that fell onto their leader.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They dug into the snow using handheld trench shovels, while pushing away the rocks with their hands. After a minute of digging, the soldiers placed stick grenades in several parts of the mound and cooked them before getting to a safe distance. The grenades detonated, sending huge chunks of snow, ice, and rock scattering in all directions. At the bottom of the pile lay Tanya, her small body safely shielded from the blast. She lay motionless on the snow, unconscious and still.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Weiss grabbed Tanya out of the crater, hoping she hadn\u2019t asphyxiated from being buried. &lt;\u201cMajor? Major! Are you alright!?\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">After a few suspenseful seconds, Tanya inhaled loudly and shot her eyes open. She looked at Weiss\u2019s face above, and the three other Air Mages surrounding them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cV\u2013Vice Commander Weiss? Yeah, I\u2019m fine.\u201d&gt; Tanya responded. Despite some mild pain and a chilling body temperature, Tanya was fine. Weiss and her other comrades sighed in relief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cThank God.\u201d&gt; Weiss smiled. &lt;\u201cHappy to see that you\u2019re still with us, Major Degurechaff.\u201d&gt; He turned to his remaining men and shouted. &lt;\u201cListen up! Everyone fall back to the zeppelin! This mission is aborted!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya couldn\u2019t believe what she just heard! &lt;\u201c<em>Aborted!?<\/em> What are you talking about!?\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cWith respect, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mein Major<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the target\u2019s long gone!\u201d&gt; Weiss answered. &lt;\u201cThey left this area almost fifteen minutes ago! There\u2019s no prize to win here!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya jerked herself out of the ditch and brushed the snow off of her person. She gave her battalion an icy glare that demanded their attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cIs that so, Vice Commander?\u201d&gt; Tanya asked rhetorically. &lt;\u201cAllow me if you will to present a counterargument.\u201d&gt; She said, &lt;\u201cLet\u2019s assume we abort the mission and return to Germania without the Princess. Would any of you be brave enough to stand in the Imperial Palace and explain our failure to the Kaiser?\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya put on a cutesy face with fake tears and a childish accent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>&lt;\u201cSowwy, <\/b><b><i>Mein Kaiser!<\/i><\/b><\/span><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> We had the Pwincess wid us, but this mean girl on a magic fwying bwoomstick took her fwom us!\u201d&gt;<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3000\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3000\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,360\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tanya #5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.gif?fit=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3000 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Tanya-5.gif?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cNow, how do you think he would take the news?\u201d&gt; Tanya continued in her normal voice. &lt;\u201cThat the 203rd Air Mages Battalion\u2013the pride of Germania herself\u2013was so inept that they couldn\u2019t keep one simple-minded girl secure? Our military\u2013no, our entire <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">country <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">would become the laughingstock of Europe! But more importantly, other countries could be inspired to resist us because they\u2019ll interpret our failure as proof of our weakness!&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The child Major raised her voice into a commanding roar. &lt;\u201cEvery Germanian soldier who dies in battle will have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to thank! Their blood will be on <\/span><b>your <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hands because your incompetence put them there! Would you be able to sleep at night with a heavy conscience? How long before the guilt drives you so mad that you end it all with a bullet?\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Air Mages froze in terrified silence as they imagined the consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&lt;\u201cReally? None of you?\u201d&gt; Tanya asked knowingly. &lt;\u201cThen I suggest we take Option 2: We stay on mission. I don\u2019t care how you do it. I don\u2019t care how long it takes. I don\u2019t care if you have to burn down half of Eylstadt! <\/span><b>Find the Princess! Find the Witch! Kill them both!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cJAWOHL, MAJOR!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four Air Mages saluted and shouted. They, along with Tanya, levitated themselves out of the trench and into the sky. &lt;\u201cWe\u2019ll split up in five directions and cover 20 kilometers each way! If you get lost, radio me or the zeppelin!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Three of them followed their orders and dashed away, but Viktoriya stayed behind. &lt;\u201cUm, Tanya?\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cWhat is it, Lieutenant?\u201d&gt; The blond asked in a gruff voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cT-the last time I saw the Princess, she flew somewhere west of this area.\u201d&gt; She pointed in the general area she saw them go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&lt;\u201cWell, why didn\u2019t you tell me to begin with?\u201d&gt; Tanya sniped. &lt;\u201cIn that case, we\u2019ll cover all areas west of here. You take the southwest while I take the north!\u201d&gt;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The two girls saluted and flew in their separate ways. Tanya braced the cold air in her face and lungs as she flew northwest. She was alone without her backup now. But, somehow, this way felt right to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThose impudent bitches haven\u2019t seen the last of me! I\u2019ll take care of them myself!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3002\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3002\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?fit=512%2C384&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,384\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mountain, River, and Tracks\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?fit=512%2C384&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3002 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?resize=573%2C430&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"573\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Mountain-River-and-Tracks.png?resize=363%2C272&amp;ssl=1 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 573px) 100vw, 573px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6BSdb9186QI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 7: MEMORIES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Along the railroad tracks<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta and Fin\u00e9 had been following the railroad tracks for a little over 30 minutes now. Their flying rifle was hovering only a few feet from the ground. They flew at a safe medium speed in case they would stray too far from the ley lines. Which fortunately, hadn\u2019t happened yet. The Germanians still hadn\u2019t caught up, and had likely given up at this point. At long last, their daring escape had become a peaceful cruise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta focused on the course and never looked away from the railway below her. Fin\u00e9 however basked in the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. On her left, a long wall of verdant trees and bushes shaded the pathway before her. On her right was a wide, sparkling river whose waters reflected the sky and sun far above. Fin\u00e9 stared at the river almost nostalgically. For some reason, looking at it reminded her of when she and Izetta had first met.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3003\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3003\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fines-Childhood.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"480,270\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta and Fine&amp;#8217;s Childhood\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fines-Childhood.gif?fit=480%2C270&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3003 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Izetta-and-Fines-Childhood.gif?resize=587%2C330&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"587\" height=\"330\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They were both about nine years old at the time. Fin\u00e9 was exploring the forest not far from her palace when her dog Dorte was drawn by a mysterious voice. She followed her dog to a nearby lake, where they found Izetta hovering over the water on a broomstick. Izetta looked at them with surprise and fell to the water as Fin\u00e9 tried to catch her and splashed in with her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">At first, Izetta was embarrassed to let someone see she was a witch. But Fin\u00e9 wasn\u2019t bothered in the least. If anything, she found it fascinating. As a child, she was told that witches were either creatures of folklore, or evil women who served the Devil. But Fin\u00e9 not only believed that the White Witch was real, but that she was a kind woman who used her magic for good. She could tell from the start that Izetta was exactly that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou looked so beautiful floating like that!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She told Izetta. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSomebody who can do amazing things like that has to be a good witch!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta was shocked that someone would say such kind things to her. But it was also the first time she felt truly happy. For years, Izetta and her grandmother survived as lonely wanderers around Eylstadt. Her grandma had warned her never to reveal her powers to anyone, as people tend to fear or hate what they don\u2019t understand. But Fin\u00e9 was the first person who loved Izetta and found her powers beautiful. Their friendship only blossomed ever since. They hung out almost every day, which helped Izetta grow more confident in her ability to control her magic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">But one day, a terrible accident caused a village barn to be burned down. Izetta was surrounded by angry villagers who blamed her for the fire. One farmer tried to attack her with a pitchfork, but Fin\u00e9 dived in and took the blow herself. Wounded and bleeding, Fin\u00e9 used her status as the Princess to vouch for Izetta\u2019s innocence. Ashamed by their actions, the villagers dropped their tools and walked away in silence. Ever since then, Fin\u00e9 would always be there to defend Izetta when she was in trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Which is why it was so strange how Izetta was acting today. She\u2019d never been so\u2026..brave before. Just an hour ago, Izetta took on an entire airship full of soldiers and Germania\u2019s most feared Air Mages just to rescue her best friend! No longer was Izetta the shy, fragile kid who feared her own powers. Now she was every bit the White Witch she was destined to be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 started to blush the more she thought of it. Something about this was almost romantic. She\u2013the Princess of Eylstadt\u2013being rescued by her knight in shining armor. It was like something out of the fairy tales she read as a kid before bedtime. The Princess hugged her savior tighter and rested her head against her back. Izetta noticed, and started to blush herself. But somehow she was enjoying it, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHey, Princess?\u201d Izetta asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYes, Izetta?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhen this is all over and we get back to the palace, would you maybe want us to go to the pie shop together, like last time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThat sounds wonderful, Izetta. I\u2019d love to\u2013\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Stop Music)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">BOOOOM!!!<\/span><br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eiw7SHw4vog?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A piece of land exploded just a few feet ahead! Pieces of wood, grass, and steel flew in all directions! Izetta bucked her rifle and braked to a stop. Fin\u00e9 held on tight enough to avoid being thrown off by the momentum. Luckily, neither of them was injured.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWh-what the hell was that!?\u201d Izetta cried. \u201cA landmine!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWe couldn\u2019t have triggered any if we\u2019re flying! That blast could only have been a shot meant for us!\u201d The Princess frantically searched the skies for the source of the missed shot. Eventually, she noticed Tanya was flying high above, pointing her gun down at them! \u201cIt\u2019s Tanya again! She followed us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAgain!? That girl seriously doesn\u2019t know when to give up!\u201d Izetta cried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI told you she was a psycho! Get us out of here now before she kills us!\u201d Fine reloaded her Kar98k as Izetta zoomed forward like she did before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHere we go again!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MXkw6YTaJpM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 8: CLOSE CALL<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya fired three more artillery shots at the girls far below her. Izetta was barely able to dodge the explosive rounds as they impacted around her. Two of them slammed into the ground, kicking up bits of grass, dirt, and metal, while another one splashed into the river on her right. Neither her nor Fin\u00e9 were hurt aside from some mildly sore eardrums.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya descended down to the ground and closed in behind the target. She was being much more pragmatic this time, keeping a distance of about 15 meters\u2013close enough to shoot at them without passing them. The child soldier smirked and looked down her crosshairs and fired again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta swerved and jerked all around as the shots whizzed past her. Fin\u00e9 fired back with her bolt-action rifle, but each bullet was easily dodged by Tanya. The arrogant Germanian just smiled at them, which irritated Fin\u00e9 even more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is pathetic.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThey\u2019re like two rabbits chased by a fox. It\u2019s only a matter of time before they wind up roadkill.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cGoddammit, she\u2019s toying with us!\u201d The Princess cried as she locked in another bullet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat did you do to piss her off so much?\u201d Izetta asked her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">might<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have something to do with me smashing a teapot in her face!\u201d Fin\u00e9 answered.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Wait, you did <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what!?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">&#8220;Nevermind! She&#8217;s gaining on us!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta focused her magic and accelerated, but it hardly made a difference since Tanya was easily able to match her flying speed. Tanya noticed her rifle was running low. Instead of reloading, she slung the gun over her shoulder and pulled her submachine gun from her flight pouch. Her two fleeing prey up ahead were still doing their best to escape. Suddenly, they heard a noise like rattling metal, followed by the deafening shriek of a train horn!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3018\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3018\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1950s-Train.png?fit=512%2C379&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,379\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1950&amp;#8217;s Train\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1950s-Train.png?fit=512%2C379&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3018 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1950s-Train.png?resize=571%2C423&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"571\" height=\"423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1950s-Train.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1950s-Train.png?resize=300%2C222&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1950s-Train.png?resize=367%2C272&amp;ssl=1 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/><\/b><\/span><b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UnA9FfkgwLA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">All three girls looked in shock as a huge train was barreling right towards them! Izetta jerked her broomstick to the right side of the vehicle while Tanya twisted her body to the left. They ended up on opposite sides, narrowly avoiding being splattered like bugs on the front of the train. The windows on either side flashed like pictures on a film reel, as passengers marveled at the sight of three girls flying past them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya took aim with her machine gun and fired through the windows, uncaring of the civilians in her way. Izetta ducked below as blazing rounds and bits of glass rained over her and Fin\u00e9. The girls heard the terrified screams of dying passengers through the shattered windows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat heartless bitch!\u201d Izetta roared. \u201cShe\u2019s cruel enough to fire through a train full of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">innocent people<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cCivilians mean nothing to her!\u201d Fin\u00e9 replied. \u201cTanya doesn\u2019t give a damn about anyone but herself!\u201d They needed to carry this fight away from more innocent people. Fin\u00e9 looked to her right and pointed to the vast river beside them. \u201cOver there! Take us over the water!\u201d She ordered Izetta.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta banked right and took herself and the Princess over the azure river. Fortunately, Tanya hadn\u2019t noticed they were escaping because the train was in her line of vision. When the last train car cleared, Tanya paused when she noticed her targets were flying to the left downriver. The Air Mage grunted in frustration and resumed her chase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3011\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3011\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Riverside-and-Trail.jpg?fit=512%2C342&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,342\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Riverside and Trail\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Riverside-and-Trail.jpg?fit=512%2C342&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3011 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Riverside-and-Trail.jpg?resize=570%2C381&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Riverside-and-Trail.jpg?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Riverside-and-Trail.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Riverside-and-Trail.jpg?resize=407%2C272&amp;ssl=1 407w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Before long, the magical dogfight started all over again. Izetta and Fin\u00e9 were several yards ahead with Tanya pursuing them from behind. Tanya sighed as she reloaded her machine gun. She was getting bored of this cat-and-mouse game. The Air Mage opened fire again. Just like before, Izetta dodged and rolled her rifle to avoid the magic rounds that splashed in the water or exploded in mid-air.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They hovered so closely above the river that they left wind trails along the surface. Farther ahead, they passed by a boy and his dog fishing in a wooden rowboat. The dog barked loudly with surprise and the boy fishing almost fell out of the boat in shock. He turned around and was amazed at the beautiful sight of two real witches flying past him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Of course, the White Witch herself didn\u2019t share the kid\u2019s excitement. For Izetta and her Princess, this was a desperate fight for survival. Tanya closed the gap between them with each second. If she caught up to them, it was all over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThis is ridiculous!\u201d Izetta shouted. \u201cWe\u2019re not getting anywhere just running away like this!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI know! But the problem is I can\u2019t shoot her because of her damn shield!\u201d Fin\u00e9 replied. She knew Izetta was right\u2013simply running away was pointless. There had to be some way to throw Tanya off their tail. After all, they outwitted Tanya when they buried her in that avalanche\u2013<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWait a minute! That\u2019s it!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe snow! The shield didn\u2019t protect her then! Maybe it doesn\u2019t work on large objects!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta, listen! I\u2019ve got an idea!\u201d The Princess said. \u201cThis might sound weird, but it should work: shoot the water a few meters ahead! After that, brake hard and use your magic to make an ice wall!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cFin\u00e9, how\u2019s that even gonna\u2013\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><b>Do it now or we die, Izetta!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta aimed her broomstick-rifle at the water and fired. The fast, heavy round splashed in the water like a meteorite, creating a tall pillar of water. Izetta used the recoil of the shot to decelerate and extended her left hand. She channeled her magic into the rising water, freezing it into solid ice. Tanya gasped in shock and horror! She was flying straight to the ice wall, unable to dodge or stop herself. All she could do was raise her arms and brace for the inevitable crash.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">SMASH!!!<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IDWza6ZFU2U?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya <\/span><b>crashed <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">through the ice structure like a cannonball! The structure shattered and splintered into thousands of pieces that rained into the water. Tanya\u2019s body fell and skipped across the river until it landed on a sandy shoreline, right next to a boat dock. The Princess laughed and hugged Izetta from behind.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYou were right! Your plan worked flawlessly!\u201d Izetta laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOnly because <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pulled it off!\u201d Fin\u00e9 returned! \u201cNice work, Izetta!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The duo hovered over the edge of the river, where Tanya crashed. She was unconscious and still, and there was no way to determine if she was alive or dead. Izetta had a gnawing feeling in her stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cPrincess, do you think she\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><b>Don\u2019t.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Don\u2019t think about that.\u201d Fin\u00e9 replied sternly. \u201cShe was trying to <\/span><b>kill <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">us. You only did what you had to. Remember that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta sighed deeply. \u201cYou\u2019re right. The only thing that matters is keeping ourselves alive. Let\u2019s get out of here.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch ascended her rifle high above the river bank. She and the Princess looked down, scanning for the train tracks. They found a right turn in the railway that led through a wide, grassy area. The two girls continued their journey in the direction of the tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3012\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3012\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?fit=1800%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Boat Dock\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?fit=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3012 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=660%2C440&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?resize=408%2C272&amp;ssl=1 408w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Boat-Dock.jpeg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5MG8pgbL52I?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 9: PAUL &amp; WALTER<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fifteen minutes later\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cARF! ARF!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya was awoken by the obnoxious sound of a dog barking and licking her face.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cUgh, what the\u2013get the hell off me!\u201d She pushed away the annoying mutt before cleaning off her face. Tanya always hated dogs. Being covered in one\u2019s saliva and smelly breath was enough to make her shoot it. But before she could, Tanya was met by another sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHey! You\u2019re finally awake!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Tanya looked in the direction of the voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The stranger was some bratty kid in fisherman\u2019s clothing who was probably the dog\u2019s owner. The boy looked like he hadn\u2019t washed in days, and had a wide, goofy smile that revealed a missing tooth. A wooden rowboat was tied to the dock right behind him. \u201cTell me, are you a witch?\u201d The boy inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI said, are you a witch? Me and my dog Walter were fishing on the river when you and another girl flew right above us! Then that big ice thing shot out of the water and you crashed right through it! It was so cool! My name\u2019s Paul, by the way. What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya groaned. After all the fiascos she suffered this morning, the last thing she needed was to deal with some simple-minded bumpkin. Right now, dealing with him was giving her headache, along with the multiple bruises and scars she already got.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cMy name is \u2018Go Fuck Yourself.\u2019\u201d She answered rudely. \u201cNow leave me alone, kid. I\u2019m busy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWell, Miss Gofuckyourself, I think you\u2019re awesome!\u201d Paul answered, which made Tanya even more annoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cClearly, this child isn\u2019t old enough to understand <\/span><\/i><b><i>sarcasm<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. Tanya decided to ignore him and inspect her equipment. The dog started barking again, as if to alert her to something.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHey. Are you okay?\u201d Paul queried. \u201cYour forehead looks like it\u2019s bleeding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya drew her fingers across her forehead and noticed she was in fact bleeding. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat explains the headache.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She realized. Yet another annoyance to deal with. Thankfully, her first aid kit had survived the crash. She tied a bandage around her forehead and injected a vial of morphine to relieve the pain. Her rifle was still functional, but her submachine gun was sadly nowhere to be found. Tanya had probably dropped in the river when she crashed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWow! You even have guns!?\u201d Paul asked with excitement. \u201cAre you some kind of soldier-witch?\u201d The boy asked. \u201cMy mom told me stories about the White Witch every night! All the amazing powers she had; how they always protect people they love, and\u2013\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cKid. Listen.\u201d The Germanian halted him as she raised her hand. \u201cIn case you haven\u2019t noticed, I\u2019m having a <\/span><b>very, very <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bad day right now. And the last thing I need is for someone\u2013specifically <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013to make it even worse. So, for the last time, <\/span><b>leave me the fuck alone!\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She said the last words so intensely that Walter whimpered in fear.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Gofuckyourself.\u201d Paul apologized. \u201cAre you having a bad day \u2018cuz you lost your friends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cMy \u2018friends\u2019?\u201d Tanya asked back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYeah. Those other two witch girls you were playing with? They were riding some metal thing that looked like a gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That caught Tanya\u2019s attention. \u201cYou <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">saw<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> them? You know where they went?\u201d Tanya asked with genuine interest.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYeah! I can point the way for you!\u201d Paul said with a smile. Walter barked in agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Germanian soldier began to smile. Finally, this idiot kid had a use. All Tanya needed to do was work her charm. After all, it shouldn\u2019t be hard to lie to a child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHey! I was actually kidding earlier. My name is actually\u2026\u2026\u2018Helga.\u2019\u201d Tanya felt that was a suitable fake name. \u201cAnd yes, I actually am looking for the White Witch!\u201d She said with a falsely innocent smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paul dropped his jaw so wide it nearly fell from his mouth. \u201cWOAH!!! You really <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">know <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the White Witch!?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSure do! We got separated while playing a pretend soldiers game that got really wild. If you could tell me where they went, I\u2019d really appreciate it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSure! I think I saw them go this way along the train tracks.\u201d Paul pointed to his right, towards the grassy area up ahead. \u201cUh, but I should warn you.\u201d He said. \u201cThere\u2019s monsters over there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cMonsters?\u201d Tanya asked, more with curiosity than fear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYeah. Big, rusty, metal monsters from some old war years ago. My dad was a soldier in that war, and he told me never to go there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI see. Don\u2019t worry, it\u2019ll be our secret.\u201d \u201cHelga\u201d said with a wink. \u201cAnd besides, I\u2019m way stronger than whatever \u2018monsters\u2019 are over there! I\u2019ll be just fine!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cReally? That\u2019s so cool, Miss Helga! I wish I could be as strong and brave as you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Paul. I\u2019m sure you will someday.\u201d Tanya replied, not that she actually believed that. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYeah, don\u2019t count on it, dumbass.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The child soldier activated her Elenium crystal and levited from the ground. Paul and Walter marveled as they saw her rise higher than the trees below. The boy happily waved goodbye while his dog barked joyfully.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNice to meet you, Miss Helga!\u201d Paul cheered. \u201cI hope you find the White Witch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNice to meet you too, Paul! Thanks again!\u201d Tanya shouted back before she took off. She headed in the direction of the train tracks pointed to her. When she got to a safe distance, the Air Mage looked back with an impish smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSucker.\u201d She chuckled. \u201cTricking that stupid kid was even easier than I\u2013\u201d Tanya\u2019s magic suddenly cut off without warning! She plummeted to the ground like a falling anvil! Tanya\u2019s magic started up again, saving her from a nasty end on the ground. But even then, her magic was behaving like a car engine struggling to start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cJust what the hell\u2019s the problem this time!?\u201d Tanya snarled. She looked at her Elenium crystal. \u201cShit! My Elenium crystal! It\u2019s damaged!\u201d The ruby-colored orb had a massive diagonal crack the length of a pencil. As long as her orb was broken like this, Tanya would have a much harder time channeling her magic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cJust one problem after another.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya groaned internally. She landed herself gently on the grass and pulled a spare crystal from her weapons kit. It was an older model with the same ruby color, but more rectangular. It was far more fragile and prone to failure, but Tanya had no choice but to use it for the time being. She placed the spare crystal on herself and took flight once more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Farther in the distance, Tanya could see a wide, grassy area of what seemed to be the site of an old battlefield. She could make out a few concrete pillboxes and a few rusted metal husks of what used to be tanks. No doubt the \u201cmonsters\u201d that kid Paul had mentioned earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs good a place to hide as any, I guess.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not that it\u2019ll save them for long.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3118\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3118\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-1.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-1.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3118 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-1.png?resize=627%2C353&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"627\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-1.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-1.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-1.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gZEw4ebFuk0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 10: TANK GRAVEYARD<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile\u2026.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta and Fin\u00e9 had barely cheated death twice in one day. They still continued their flight path along the train tracks for several more miles, but with no town or station in sight. The constant flying and battling was taking a heavy toll on Izetta. The Princess didn\u2019t fail to notice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta? Are you okay?\u201d Fin\u00e9 asked with concern. \u201cYou look tired. Do you want us to stop flying for a while?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cN\u2013no, it\u2019s alright, Princess. I can keep going!\u201d Izetta didn\u2019t sound convincing. Her fatigued eyes and tired voice betrayed her. \u201cWho am I kidding?\u201d She admitted. \u201cI do need a rest, or I won\u2019t have enough strength to channel my magic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThen let\u2019s go on foot and find a place to catch our breath.\u201d Fin\u00e9 responded. She looked down to get a view of their current position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They happened to fly over the ruins of what seemed like an old battlefield. The area was marked by rolling grassy hills dotted by patches of red poppy flowers. Numerous husks of rusted metal were rotting on the ground, serving as homes for rats and birds. A complex network of trenches was dug into the ground, cutting through the field like a waterless river. Small concrete bunkers were placed in several areas of the trench, no doubt serving as cover for the soldiers who once used them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Most of them were too damaged to serve as good shelter, but Fin\u00e9 spotted one that was relatively intact. She and Izetta landed at the mouth of the trench, just a few meters away from the bunker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3121\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3121\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-2.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-2.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3121 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-2.png?resize=641%2C361&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"641\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-2.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-2.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-2.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The girls walked through the wooden walls of the narrow trench. To their horror, the path ahead them was littered with skeletons of long-dead soldiers. The skeletons were dressed in rotted uniforms of two different armies, and many held old weapons in their arms. No one had bothered to bury these poor men or even search for their bodies. Their corpses were eaten away by rats, worms, and vultures until only their dry bones were left.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Each skeleton laid on the ground in gruesome poses. One had a rifle bayonet violently thrust through its ribcage. Another had a sizable dent in its helmet, which covered bits of its shattered skill. A third one was clutching at its throat with its jaw wide open, as if choking on some toxic gas. Two more sat against the wall with multiple bullet holes in their shirts, and several others had their remains scattered all over in what could only be described as an explosion. More and more soldiers were killed in ways too horrid to imagine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta and Fin\u00e9 felt like they were walking through a cemetery, except none of the corpses were underground. As they turned a corner on the right side, the girls passed by a strange-looking vehicle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3127\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3127\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?fit=803%2C441&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"803,441\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Dead Tank #1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?fit=660%2C362&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3127 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?resize=660%2C363&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?resize=768%2C422&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?resize=300%2C165&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?resize=800%2C441&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?resize=495%2C272&amp;ssl=1 495w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-1.jpg?w=803&amp;ssl=1 803w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat is that?\u201d Izetta asked. \u201cIt looks like a tank, but not like the Panzers the Germanians use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIt isn\u2019t one of theirs.\u201d Fin\u00e9 replied, as if she knew. \u201cThis was one of Thermidor\u2019s tanks during the Great War.\u201d\u00a0 The Princess looked to her right and pointed in the same direction. \u201cLook! There\u2019s more tanks like it down the valley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3167\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3167\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?fit=3840%2C2160&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3840,2160\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;PlayStation(R)5&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Battlefield\\u2122 1_20230510180910&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1683742150&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Battlefield\\u2122 1_20230510180910&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3167 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510180910.jpg?w=1980&amp;ssl=1 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">True to Fine\u2019s word, there were indeed more long-dead tanks piled on the red fields. Some were fully above ground, while others were half-buried in mud. Their metal hulls were scarred, rusted, and overgrown with wildflowers. Dozens of tanks were spread all over the field like metal tombs for the dead crews who once drove them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cMy father and I once passed here on a train.\u201d Fin\u00e9 explained. \u201cHe called it the \u2018Tank Graveyard.\u2019 Apparently this was the site of an old battle fought during the Great War.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat? Eylstadt fought in the Great War!?\u201d Izetta asked with fright.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess nodded solemnly. \u201cYeah, we did. Eylstadt and Thermidor fought for four long years. Thousands of people on both sides were killed, including those skeletons we just passed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta was chilled to her core. What sort of demonic force could drive these men\u2013complete strangers who must have had families and loved ones at home\u2013to kill each other in such a brutal and senseless fashion?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The duo moved away from the gruesome scene and walked to the back of the concrete pillbox. They went through the doorless entrance into the small, dark building.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3168\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3168\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?fit=3840%2C2160&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3840,2160\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;PlayStation(R)5&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Battlefield\\u2122 1_20230510181744&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1683742664&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Battlefield\\u2122 1_20230510181744&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3168 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181744.jpg?w=1980&amp;ssl=1 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The inside had no features except a few more old skeletons and some worn-out machine gun emplacements.\u00a0 As miserable as the place was, it at least provided some adequate shade and shelter. Izetta and Fin\u00e9 chose a spot as far from the skeletons as possible. They rested their weapons on the floor and sat together with their backs against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3169\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3169\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?fit=3840%2C2160&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3840,2160\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;PlayStation(R)5&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Battlefield\\u2122 1_20230510181542&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1683742542&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Battlefield\\u2122 1_20230510181542&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3169 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=660%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Battlefield%E2%84%A2-1_20230510181542.jpg?w=1980&amp;ssl=1 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta sat in a fetal position with her arms wrapped around her legs, while the Princess gently hugged her friend\u2019s shoulder from the back. The girls sat quietly for a while, taking comfort in each other\u2019s warmth. After about ten minutes of silence, Izetta finally found the energy to speak up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSo\u2026..Fin\u00e9?\u201d The witch said. \u201cYou said that Eylstadt fought in the Great War. What exactly was that war, and why did we get involved?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI only know what my father taught me.\u201d Fin\u00e9 sighed. \u201cBasically, it was a terrible war fought between all the major powers of Europe. It all began because the former Archduke\u2013my father\u2019s uncle\u2013was murdered by assassins in another country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, my God!\u201d Izetta said in shock. \u201cSomeone in your family was <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">killed<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYep.\u201d The Princess said. \u201cNaturally, Eylstadt wanted revenge for my grand-uncle\u2019s death. But going to war with that country also meant going to war with their neighbor, the Volga Empire, because of their shared treaty. It was the same deal between Germania and Eylstadt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHold on. So you mean that Eylstadt and Germania were once allies?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cMm-hmm.\u201d Fin\u00e9 nodded her head. \u201cWe were two of the Central Powers that ruled half the continent. Because of our alliance, Germania declared war on Volga to protect Eylstadt. And then Thermidor and Brittania got involved to protect Volga. Pretty soon, the Kingdom of Romulus, the Osman Sultanate, and even the United States of Atlanta got involved.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><i><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cThis war was like a giant maelstrom that grew wider and wider, pulling down everything in its reach.\u201d<\/span><br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8ec08Zre-a0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 leaned forward and held her head, as if she was suffering a migraine. Izetta felt like a thunderstorm was brewing inside her own head. The more she learned about this war, the greater her disbelief at the stupidity of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSo, all <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026..\u201d The White Witch extended her arm, pointing at the ruins surrounding them. \u201cBecause <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one man<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> died? All for a country that has nothing to do with any of ours? It\u2019s stupid! It doesn\u2019t make any sense!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWar rarely makes sense, Izetta.\u201d Fin\u00e9 replied. \u201cWhat sense is there in firing cruel weapons at strangers in different uniforms in countries that belong to none of us? It\u2019s sheer madness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta paused to let that last sentence sink in before she spoke again. \u201cAnd you said that Germania and Eylstadt were once allies, right? So why do they want to destroy us now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s all because of that <\/span><b>bastard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Kaiser of theirs.\u201d Fin\u00e9 said with a scoff. \u201cThe Central Powers lost the war in 1918. As part of the treaty, Germania was forced to pay the brunt of the war reparations, which ravaged their economy. Kaiser Otto blamed his country\u2019s defeat on us for becoming a neutral nation. He even said that my father secretly conspired with the Allies against Germania.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat!? That\u2019s insane!\u201d Izetta spat. \u201cEylstadt had <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nothing<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to do with Germania&#8217;s defeat! And even if we did, your father would\u2019ve only acted in our best interests!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cOf course we had nothing to do with it!\u201d Fin\u00e9 responded. \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t matter to them. Those bastards want to bring Germania back to her former glory before the war started. That\u2019s why they kidnapped me. They wanted to bring me to Neu-Berlin to surrender to the Kaiser and let him annex Eylstadt. If I refused, they would have killed me and taken it by force.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 leaned closer and held her best friend tighter. \u201cIzetta. If you hadn\u2019t saved me, I would be dead, and our kingdom would be lost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suddenly, the storm that raged in Izetta\u2019s mind had parted. She finally understood <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everything<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This was about more than rescuing Fin\u00e9 or protecting Eylstadt. This was about stopping the next war before it begins.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The girls\u2019 conversation was over. A few minutes passed, and they slowly gave into the urge to nap. Izetta went to sleep first, as she closed her eyes and rested her head against her knees. Fin\u00e9 had almost fallen asleep next, before she looked through the bunker\u2019s MG window on her left. She noticed a small, flying object in the sky. The Princess looked harder for a few seconds longer, until she realized in horror what was flying above them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cShit!\u201d Fin\u00e9 cried. \u201cAre you kidding me!?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Her panicked voice woke Izetta up with a fright. \u201cPrincess!? What\u2019s wrong now!?\u201d She demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 shushed Izetta and spoke with a whisper. \u201cIt\u2019s Tanya! She\u2019s right above us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Her<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> again!? I thought she was dead, already! How could she still be following us?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI don\u2019t know. Somehow she survived crashing through that ice wall we made.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The two girls looked through the window and saw that Tanya was indeed flying several meters above them. The Air Mage was carefully looking over the Tank Graveyard, oblivious to the fact that her targets were cowering in an old bunker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIt looks like she doesn\u2019t know we&#8217;re here.\u201d Fin\u00e9 said. \u201cLet\u2019s wait here until she moves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">As hard as she looked, Tanya saw no sign of her two prey. Bored and frustrated, the Germanian continued her search further ahead. Fin\u00e9 gushed a sigh of relief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThank God.\u201d The blonde said. \u201cShe hasn\u2019t seen us. We\u2019ll just sit here and hope she&#8217;ll go away soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta gave no response. The White Witch picked up her broomstick-rifle and walked out of the bunker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta? Izetta!?\u201d Fin\u00e9 called out to her friend and followed her outside. She caught Izetta preparing to go flying without her. \u201cWait, Izetta! What the hell do you think you\u2019re doing!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta looked at her with cold, fearless resolve\u2013the look of a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soldier<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cI\u2019m going after Tanya.\u201d She growled.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cBy yourself!?\u201d Fin\u00e9 protested. \u201cOut of the question! That psycho is too dangerous for you to\u2013\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><b>Princess!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Izetta shouted harder than she intended. Fin\u00e9 was shut up by shock alone. \u201cHow much longer can we keep this up? Can we really survive by just running and hiding underground like frightened rabbits? We were lucky the first two times, but we might not get a third! The only way to end this once and for all is to fight!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThen let me come with you!\u201d Fin\u00e9 pleaded. \u201cWe\u2019ll fight her together! You don\u2019t have to do this on your own!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta grabbed Fin\u00e9 by the shoulders and looked her dead in the face. \u201cFin\u00e9, listen to me!<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019re <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the one Tanya\u2019s after, not me! That bitch is never gonna stop chasing us until either you\u2019re dead or she is! It\u2019s like you said\u2013she needs you because you\u2019re the Princess! You carry the future of our country! Without you, Eylstadt is lost.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta\u2019s voice started to break. \u201cThat\u2019s why I have to go alone, don\u2019t you understand? If one of us should die, it has to be me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MezTyh3-gxk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tears rose from Izetta\u2019s throat into her eyes. It broke her heart to know that this might be the last time she ever sees her dearest friend. Fin\u00e9 was also about to break down, but she managed to suck in her tears for now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta\u2026.You\u2019re right.\u201d She nodded, putting on a brave face. \u201cBut wait for just a moment.\u201d The Princess went back inside the bunker and retrieved her Kar98k rifle. She gave the weapon and some spare ammo to Izetta and taught her how to load and fire it. She also gave Izetta the parachute she stole from the zeppelin. \u201cIf you end up falling, pull the cord on your left shoulder and the chute will open.\u201d She said, \u201cMake sure you\u2019re falling face-down before you open it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cOkay!\u201d Izetta grunted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cOne last thing.\u201d Fin\u00e9 responded. \u201cTanya\u2019s power\u2013It comes from a crystal. It\u2019s red and orb-shaped, and she wears it on her neck.\u201d The Princess pointed at her own next to illustrate her point. \u201cIt allows her to channel the mana stored inside her body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI see. So without that crystal, she\u2019s basically powerless?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cExactly! You\u2019ve got to find some way to remove or destroy that crystal!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAll right! Thank you, Princess. At least now I\u2019ll know how to fight her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">And with that, Izetta was ready for what was potentially her suicide mission. She got back on her vehicle, with the gun and parachute slung over her back. The White Witch channeled her magic into her broomstick and started to levitate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The two girls looked into each other\u2019s eyes. They each saw their own sadness and love reflected back to them. This could very well be the last time they ever see each other. Without thinking, Fin\u00e9 pulled Izetta\u2019s face in and kissed her deeply. Izetta was surprised at first, but quickly relaxed and returned the kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4394\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4394\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?fit=2400%2C3000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2400,3000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_5119\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?fit=660%2C825&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4394 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=660%2C825&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"825\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=768%2C960&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=819%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 819w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=1229%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1229w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=1638%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1638w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?resize=218%2C272&amp;ssl=1 218w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_5119.jpg?w=1980&amp;ssl=1 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em>(Artwork done by Artlovish)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They held their kiss for a few sweet seconds, until it was finally broken when Izetta lifted herself off the ground. They took one final look at each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI love you, Izetta.\u201d Fin\u00e9 wept. \u201cAnd I always will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI know, Princess. I know.\u201d Izetta said. \u201cThank you. And goodbye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta rose several stories high above the trenches. The entire length of the Tank Graveyard lay before her eyes. Out in the distance, she saw a tiny speck of a human all the way on the other side. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was her.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta brushed away her tears and put her soldier\u2019s face back on. It was now or never! She soared across the sky like a rocket, leaving a trail of yellow-green magic behind her. Tanya\u2019s silhouette grew bigger with each second, until her whole body was in perfect view. Izetta put two fingers in her mouth and whistled, grabbing Tanya\u2019s attention. The Germanian soldier turned around and saw her nemesis, the White Witch, closing in on her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The two magical soldiers halted in place, several hundred feet above the ground. Each woman pointed her rifle at the other, ready to pull the trigger at any moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4147\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4147\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?fit=778%2C437&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"778,437\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?fit=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4147 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?resize=660%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-8.jpg?w=778&amp;ssl=1 778w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iKBVXX8Vh7g?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 11: STANDOFF<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A few seconds passed, yet not a word was spoken. Izetta and Tanya quietly stared at one another\u2013the former with determination, and the other with hatred.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSo, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you\u2019re<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tanya.\u201d Izetta spoke first. \u201cAfter all this, we meet face-to-face.\u201d She took a closer look at the red crystal hanging from Tanya\u2019s collar. It was ruby-colored as Fin\u00e9 described, yet strangely more rectangular than orb-shaped. Maybe this one was a replacement?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWell, look who it is.\u201d Tanya replied, her voice dripping with barely-contained rage. \u201cThe famous White Witch, protector of Eylstadt. Or more accurately, the meddling <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saumensch <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who ruined my perfect morning!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI have a name! It\u2019s Izetta!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI don\u2019t give a <\/span><b>damn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who you are!\u201d Tanya spat back. \u201cDo you have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">any<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> idea of all the setbacks you caused me today!? Allow me to recap\u2026\u201d She said as she counted on her fingers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWithin the past three hours, you raided my airship, stole away the Princess, buried me under an avalanche, crashed me through a wall of ice, and worst of all, you caused me to get licked by a filthy mutt! Oh, and this head wound\u2013I have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to thank for that as well!\u201d Tanya pointed her thumb at the blood-soaked bandages wrapped around her forehead.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat all happened because <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> wouldn\u2019t leave us alone!\u201d Izetta retorted. \u201cWhy do you keep following us!? I was doing everything I could to keep you away!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Of course, Tanya didn\u2019t care less. \u201cAnd why? Was this Being X\u2019s idea? Did He put you up to this? Tell me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta looked profoundly confused. \u201cWho\u2019s \u2018Being X?\u2019 I have no idea who or what you\u2019re talking about! Nobody told me to do anything! I went on my own to rescue Fin\u00e9 because I love her!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWell, isn\u2019t that sweet?\u201d Tanya hissed with obvious sarcasm. \u201cThe valiant knight comes to rescue her fair maiden? If you love her so much, then why isn\u2019t she with you? Where the hell is she!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThe Royal Guard found us, and Fin\u00e9 went with them.\u201d Izetta lied as best as she could. \u201cI chose to stay behind to stop you! The Princess could be anywhere in Eylstadt. I have no idea where she\u2019s going. It\u2019s just you and me now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cShut up! You\u2019re lying to me\u2013I can tell!\u201d What little composure Tanya had left was breaking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta, however, maintained her cool. \u201cIf you think I\u2019m lying, then shoot me now.\u201d She dared her nemesis. \u201cBut even if you kill me, you\u2019ve already lost!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya <\/span><b>screamed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in frustration as she ran her hands through her wild blond hair. Her rifle swung wildly by the sling on her right shoulder. The Air Mage\u2019s face twisted into a demented snarl more befitting of a savage beast than a little girl. She felt like her hands would strangle Izetta\u2019s neck on their own will.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou absolute <\/span><b>BITCH!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Tanya roared at Izetta. \u201cThis is all your fault! I was this close\u2013<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this close\u2013<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to completing my mission!&#8221; She held her index finger and thumb close together with the tips almost touching. \u201cAnd at the last second, you had to swoop in and fuck it all up for me!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYour mission is over, already! Just go home!\u201d Izetta pleaded. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing left for you here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><b>I will NOT go back to the Kaiser empty-handed!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Tanya\u2019s rage exploded with each word. \u201cHis Majesty personally sent me on this assignment! He promised me a promotion high enough to keep me out of frontline duty if I brought the Princess to him! But thanks to you, my chances of that are shot.\u201d Tanya\u2019s eyes suddenly widened, as if she devised a new plan. \u201c&#8230;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I bring him a substitute!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cA substitute? What\u2013me!?\u201d Izetta cried in disbelief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYes, <\/span><b>you! <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll make a fine second-place trophy! The Kaiser won\u2019t care if I fail to bring the Princess if I drag your carcass in front of him! I can just see the headlines: \u2018<\/span><b><i>EYLSTADTIAN TERRORIST \u2018THE WHITE WITCH\u2019 SLAIN BY GERMANIA\u2019S GREATEST AIR MAGE!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow petty are you!?\u201d The White Witch spat. \u201cWhat will killing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">me<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> accomplish!?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWith you out of the picture, I\u2019ll have both my promotion <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> my revenge, and the Fatherland will drown Eylstadt in a sea of flames! As for your beloved Princess\u2026\u201d Tanya gave a gleeful, malicious smile. \u201cI\u2019ll have her imprisoned, starved, and tortured for the next year or so. And when I&#8217;m bored of her, I\u2019ll burn her alive in front of the entire country! I wonder what the Princess will think when her loyal pet doesn&#8217;t come to rescue her? Will she die screaming your name?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cSHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta fired a bullet that passed right over Tanya\u2019s head!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat was a warning shot! If you ever joke about hurting Fin\u00e9 again, I <\/span><b>will <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">kill you!\u201d She cycled the bolt and loaded the next round in her gun.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya was more amused than anything. \u201cAww, the little white terrier thinks she\u2019s a doberman. How adorable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cListen to yourself! How can you joke about something so horrific!?\u201d Izetta shouted. \u201cWhy is a little girl like you even a soldier? Don\u2019t you have a family? A close friend? Someone at home who misses you? Why get yourself involved in all this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI have no family. At least not one that matters.\u201d Tanya answered coldly. \u201cAnd I have no need for friends. From the day I was born, I\u2019ve had no one but myself to rely on. I lived in a miserable orphanage where you were lucky to reach the age of five. My only escape was by enlisting into the Germanian Army. Ever since I graduated, my life has been nothing but an endless nightmare of war! I don&#8217;t even remember the number of men that I killed or the atrocities I committed. But all of the evil I\u2019ve done was for the sole purpose of taking back the peaceful life that was stolen from me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cJust because you\u2019ve had a terrible life means you can force it onto others?\u201d Izetta asked. \u201cNot long ago, I walked through the trenches on the hill behind us! Do you know what I saw? Nothing but dead soldiers and ruined tanks, all killed in ways too horrible to imagine! All of those men had friends and loved ones who\u2019ll never see them again! And for what\u2013a stupid war we didn\u2019t even win!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta paused for a moment before she spoke again. \u201cDid you ever stop to think what might happen if Eylstadt falls? Would it really end there? Other countries would begin to see Germania as a threat and declare war! Soldiers from all over Europe would die defending their homes, and Germanians like you would die defending yours!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><i><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cIt\u2019ll be another Great War, just like the last one!\u201d<\/span><br \/>\n<\/i><\/b><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZUy9mcWoFjU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><i>\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNo, it\u2019ll be much worse than that!\u201d Izetta continued. \u201cThere\u2019ll be no real winners, and millions will perish! Eylstadt and Germania will both be destroyed, along with numerous other countries! In the end, you\u2019ll only make a generation of orphans with the same horrible life you had!\u201d Izetta paused and softened her voice. \u201cPlease, Tanya, just ask yourself\u2013<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is this really worth it?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya was actually silent for a moment. She was surprised that Izetta could make such a reasonable argument. The Germanian hovered in place, picturing the possibility of another World War. Izetta gave a slight, yet hopeful smile. Had she gotten through to her nemesis after all? Her smile quickly faded when Tanya gave her answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><b>It\u2019s worth it.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Tanya said with a cold-blooded stare. \u201cI\u2019ll admit that you give a compelling argument. But frankly, I don\u2019t give a damn what happens to the world. I\u2019ll drown this whole world in blood if I have to, if it means getting closer to the life that I want! If all of Europe is in flames, I\u2019ll watch down from above laughing as it burns. It\u2019s futile trying to appeal to the humanity of someone who has none left. All I am now is a devil\u2013cold, twisted, and evil.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta\u2019s heart sank. Her tiny hope was replaced by bitter disappointment. There really was no way to break Tanya\u2019s delusions or greed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you really won\u2019t give this up\u2026\u201d Izetta said. \u201c&#8230;Then you\u2019ve left me with no other choice.\u201d Izetta raised her rifle butt against her shoulder and stared down at the sight. \u201cAs the White Witch, I cannot allow you to threaten my country any more! For the Princess, for Eylstadt, and for all of Europe, I <\/span><b>will<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stop you! Even if we both have to die!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya smiled at the challenge. \u201cI admire your courage, <\/span><b>witch.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d The Germanian said with a scoff. \u201cUnfortunately, a wannabe soldier like you doesn\u2019t stand a chance against a professional! But don\u2019t worry\u2013I\u2019ll make sure your name survives after your death. You\u2019ll be remembered as my greatest victory!\u201d She mirrored Izetta by aiming her Mondragon rifle at her.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The air filled with quiet tension as both women prepared to fire. Whether in fear or excitement, droplets of sweat began to drop down each of their faces. Their fingers twitched against the triggers of their respective weapons. There was no turning back once the first shot was fired.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch or the Devil of the Rhine?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The future of Eylstadt rested upon whoever wins this dogfight.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3854\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3854\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?fit=1061%2C606&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1061,606\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta vs Tanya Final Confrontation #1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?fit=660%2C377&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3854 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?resize=660%2C377&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?resize=768%2C439&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?resize=300%2C171&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?resize=1024%2C585&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?resize=476%2C272&amp;ssl=1 476w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Izetta-vs-Tanya-Final-Confrontation-1.png?w=1061&amp;ssl=1 1061w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m5B72oCnOvc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 12: THE WITCH AND THE DEVIL<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta fired the first shot! Tanya quickly dodged underneath the bullet and returned fire at Izetta, who also avoided the shot by jerking to the right. The two women backed away from each other and began flying in circles like a pair of vultures. They continued trading shots with their rifles, neither scoring a hit on the other. Before long, they both realized that this was a waste of time and ammo. Tanya broke the circle and zoomed in a southward direction as Izetta gave chase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">As fast as she was, Izetta couldn\u2019t match the speed of the smaller, lighter Air Mage. Using the anti-tank rifle would do no good either as the tremendous recoil would only make her slower. Her Kar98k would have to do for now. Izetta carefully aimed down her iron sights at the shrinking black target several yards ahead. She fired twice, only for both shots to go way off target. The frustrated witch recycled her bolt, only to realize in horror that she\u2019d run out of bullets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cShit! Gotta reload!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">As one would notice by now, a bolt-action rifle was a difficult weapon, and one ill-suited for dogfights. The rifle had only five rounds per clip, and required careful precision to get a kill with. The constant rolling, wheeling, and diving really hindered Izetta\u2019s accuracy. It also didn\u2019t help that Izetta wasn\u2019t a great shot to begin with, since she had little experience with guns. And with only three extra clips of ammo to use, every shot had to count. She opened her rifle\u2019s empty chamber and fished a spare clip from her dress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">But the sly Tanya noticed the break in shooting and fired back. Two furious streaks of blue launched from Tanya\u2019s rifle. Izetta yelped in fear and strafed below the two projectiles. The White Witch managed to keep herself from falling off her ride and loaded her fresh clip into her gun. But before she could shoot, Tanya kept her at bay by shooting more magic-infused bullets at her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta jerked her rifle left and right, up and down to dodge the deadly blue projectiles. Each bullet that missed her impacted the surface, blasting small, but deep craters in the dirt. The thundering explosions gave Izetta a gruesome idea of what would happen to her if she got hit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">And unlike Tanya, Izetta had no magic barrier to protect her\u2013all she had was her speed. Her only hope now was to keep her distance and force Tanya to run out of ammo. The exhausting cycle continued, with Izetta dodging more shots and returning fire, only for her shots to miss or clash against Tanya\u2019s shield. Just like before, neither girl was getting anywhere like this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Dammit, this isn\u2019t working!&#8221; <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta thought. She decided it was time to change tactics. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Well, if I can&#8217;t get to her, I&#8217;ll make her come to me!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch zoomed several yards high above Tanya, avoiding three more stray shots from the latter. Luckily for Izetta, Tanya was running out of ammo herself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The annoyed Air Mage flew after Izetta and charged her bayonet with magic. Izetta angled down with her anti-tank rifle, infusing her own magic into it. The redhead fired a deadly 14mm round straight at her target!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya banked clockwise to avoid the bullet, only for it to glance off of her magic barrier. It wasn\u2019t a direct hit, but the kinetic impact was enough to make Tanya stagger for a bit. Izetta took the chance to aim her Kar98k again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She fired a round that went through Tanya\u2019s left thigh. The Germanian cried out in pain and held her leg, feeling the warm blood spill into her hands. Tanya looked at her gloves stained red with her own blood. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat <\/span><\/i><b><i>bitch!<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cShe shot me! She actually <\/span><\/i><b><i>shot me! <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How did she get through my shield!?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta smiled with pride! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI did it! Tanya\u2019s definitely hurt! That means now I can go on the offensive!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The White Witch rushed forward towards Tanya, only for the latter to retreat towards the sky. The Air Mage left a trail of blood from her leg which made it easy for Izetta to keep track of her. The White Witch continued her pursuit, closing the distance to her target with each second.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">This was a problem. Tanya\u2019s wound was not only painful\u2013it slowed her down! And she couldn\u2019t rely on her shield anymore since now that bitch Izetta could shoot right through it! Tanya needed to find some other way to throw her off. The Germanian noticed that the sun was just a few degrees to her right. That gave her an idea\u2013one that would solve her problem instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya closed her eyes and flew in the direction of the sun. Izetta followed her, only to be suddenly blinded by the harsh sunlight. She tried to raise a hand to block out the sun, but it was useless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Far ahead, Tanya turned around and opened her eyes. She laughed as she saw that her pursuer was too blind to keep moving. The experienced Air Mage used an old dogfighting trick: she placed herself right in front of the sun. And Izetta easily fell for it like the amateur she was! Tanya waved her right arm and opened a holographic targeting computer in front of her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3588\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3588\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tanya-Targetic-Computer.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,281\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tanya Targetic Computer\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tanya-Targetic-Computer.gif?fit=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3588 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tanya-Targetic-Computer.gif?resize=500%2C281&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She immediately locked onto Izetta and prepared her rifle. Tanya uttered a small prayer to magically charge her next bullet. As she chanted, the rifle glowed with an unnatural yellow light that gave off a heat so intense that Izetta even felt it yards away!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although she was blinded, the White Witch could tell something was wrong. It was a sunny day, but not a particularly hot one. Was the sun getting brighter? <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Izetta realized. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s not the sun. It\u2019s Tanya! What the hell is she doing up there!?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3589\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3589\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tanya-Prayer-Magic.gif?fit=498%2C280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"498,280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tanya Prayer Magic\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tanya-Prayer-Magic.gif?fit=498%2C280&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3589 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Tanya-Prayer-Magic.gif?resize=498%2C280&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"498\" height=\"280\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">With her spell complete, Tanya fired a round that left a blazing white trail! About halfway to Izetta, the bullet split into four white beams of light that all homed in on Izetta!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, <\/span><b>SHIT!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d The White Witch sped away right before Tanya\u2019s lasers reached her! Just before she thought she was safe, Izetta looked behind and saw that the projectiles had actually <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">changed course<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and followed<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">her!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cOh, come on! That\u2019s cheating, you bitch!\u201d Izetta swore at Tanya, who was probably too far above to hear her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta rolled and weaved, climbed and dived in all directions, but they stayed on her tail like a swarm of angry hornets. Tanya laughed with glee as watched the chase play out on her targeting computer. It wouldn\u2019t matter what Izetta tried. In mere moments, she\u2019ll get hit by one of Tanya\u2019s magic missiles, and the explosion will vaporize her from existence! Tanya\u2019s victory was assured!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta needed to get these damn things off her tail, <\/span><b>now! <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She jerked hard to the right to avoid one coming on her left. The missile overshot and passed her. It went a few yards ahead before it slowly curved to the right back on target. Apparently these things don\u2019t have a fast turning speed. Izetta had an idea that would either save her or get her killed. The White Witch exhaled and focused on the missile ahead of her, while the three others closed in from behind.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">At the last second, Izetta dove sharply to the ground! The magic missile didn\u2019t have time to change course and collided with one of its brethren. The impact created a huge explosion of flashing white and yellow! The remaining missiles continued chasing Izetta downwards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The redhead smirked. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYes! Two down, two to go!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya couldn\u2019t <\/span><b>believe <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what she just saw! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow the hell did she <\/span><\/i><b><i>do <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that!?\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNo matter\u2013just a fluke. One of the other two missiles will kill her.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta continued her descent, using gravity to accelerate. As she got close to the ground, she pulled her broomstick-rifle with all her might to slow her fall. She stopped just about ten feet above ground and continued moving forward. One of the missiles failed to turn in time and ended its chase with a meteoric crash. Only one missile left!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3875\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=3875\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-3.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-3.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3875 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-3.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-3.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-3.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-3.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The chase brought them to a shallow creek with ancient tanks and fallen trees strewn about. Izetta flew over the debris as the vengeful white missile continued pursuing her. Slowly but surely, Izetta widened the distance between herself and the projectile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At that moment, Izetta realized something: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHold on. This thing follows me wherever I go. In other words\u2026<\/span><\/i><b><i>I\u2019m<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in control of it!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The witch smiled as another idea formed in her head. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat if I use this thing to my advantage? And give Tanya a taste of her own medicine!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was a gamble, sure. But one that could win her this battle!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta curved right along the creek and passed underneath a bridge. She pulled up and rocketed towards the sky, resisting the crushing G-force that pushed down on her. The magic missile followed her, not knowing that it was being led on by its prey. The White Witch looked up, and saw that Tanya hadn\u2019t left her position. Izetta was in a perfect position to ambush her!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya was confused at first, until she realized what her enemy was planning! The panicked Air Mage fired and missed her Mondragon&#8217;s last three shots. She threw away her empty rifle and pulled out a Mauser C96 pistol, only to be met with the same result. Izetta was closing in, ready to send Tanya\u2019s own missile back to her!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVerdammt!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya tried to flee, but the wound in her leg made her too slow to get any distance. She was totally cornered, and Izetta was mere feet away from her! Izetta almost laughed! Her next blow would be the one that ends it! She only had to time it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just right<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHey, Tanya!\u201d She called out with one hand to her mouth. \u201cThanks for the \u2018gift\u2019, but you can have it back!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">At the last second, Izetta dove below Tanya, allowing the magic missile to fly right back into its sender! The Germanian had no time to scream, move, or even flinch before she got hit!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The impact created a deafening white and yellow burst that looked and felt like an exploding star up close. Izetta was barely able to keep herself from falling from the shockwaves that bombarded her. In mere seconds, it was already over. The radiant light vanished, and the air went silent.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lrp9tzKlnaA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 13: FIN\u00c9 STRIKES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta opened her eyes and ears and looked above. There was nothing left of Tanya\u2019s last position except a cloud of black smoke where she was blown up. Izetta\u2019s heart nearly stopped. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDid I do it?\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought with hope. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIs it over? Is she finally gone?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She had to be! There\u2019s no way Tanya could have survived such a huge blast! The White Witch flew closer to the source of impact just to be sure. She hovered in place for several seconds, waiting for the smoke to clear. As morbid as it was, she\u2019d hoped that Tanya\u2019s body was vaporized in the explosion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cClose, but no cigar\u2026..<\/span><b>witch!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta couldn\u2019t believe her ears! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat!? You gotta be kidding me!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Before she could process that, a bullet grazed against her dress, drawing a bloody scar across her left abdomen. Izetta cried in pain and lost balance. She almost fell, but managed to catch herself on her broomstick, focusing her magic on it for dear life. The witch used one hand to hold on, while pressing the other against the bullet wound in her side. Thankfully it wasn\u2019t fatal, but that didn\u2019t make it less painful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To Izetta\u2019s shock, Tanya was <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">still alive! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wounded and exhausted, but alive nonetheless. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cShe survived even <\/span><\/i><b><i>that<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!? What is this girl made of!?\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta thought desperately.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">In truth, Tanya\u2019s survival was sheer luck. Her magic barrier had projected itself in time, saving her from the brunt of the explosion. She was left with several 2nd degree burns and lacerations around her body. Her flight suit was severely damaged, and her equipment box was coming loose. A streak of blood ran from her forehead down her left eye, forcing her to go half-blind. She weakly aimed her Mauser C96 with one hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">It was impossible to miss at this range, even in the state Tanya was in. She pointed the pistol right at Izetta\u2019s forehead. The Air Mage stared at her enemy with pure hatred in her one open eye. One last shot, and it was all over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAuf Wiedersehen, <\/span><\/i><b><i>Saumensch!<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya\u2019s finger readied itself on the trigger.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta\u2019s luck had run out. She closed her eyes and awaited her death. The sound of Tanya\u2019s pistol would be the last thing she\u2019d ever hear. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m so sorry Princess! I&#8217;ve failed you!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Neither of them saw what was coming next.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Skip to 1:15)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>POM-POM-POM-POM!!!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>What!?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Out of nowhere, four puffs of smoke just popped right around Tanya! Several more just appeared in the same medium-slow pace as the others! Even when she tried to evade them, more small explosions just followed right behind her!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat the fuck!? Anti-aircraft fire!?\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWho\u2019s shooting at me from the ground!?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whoever it was, they\u2019d saved Izetta\u2019s life in the nick of time. Somehow, she knew it could only be one person. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, God!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She worried. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPlease, Princess! Not you!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Both girls looked down to see where the AA shells were coming from. Izetta\u2019s fears were confirmed. Far below on the ground, Princess Fin\u00e9 was operating a QF1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, also known as a \u201cPom-Pom\u201d for its distinct firing noise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4126\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4126\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pom-Pom-AA-Gun.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Pom-Pom AA Gun\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pom-Pom-AA-Gun.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4126 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pom-Pom-AA-Gun.png?resize=638%2C359&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pom-Pom-AA-Gun.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pom-Pom-AA-Gun.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Pom-Pom-AA-Gun.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The stationary weapon was controlled by two hand cranks that turned its X and Y axes. The firing button was on the top of the right-hand crank. A large circular crosshair was placed right beside the Pom-Pom\u2019s nose to help the user&#8217;s aim. Despite being decades old, the weapon was in remarkably good condition and still had plenty of ammo. It was a good thing Fin\u00e9 found this weapon in time\u2013a half-second too late and she would have lost Izetta forever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">With a furious roar, the Princess kept firing the AA gun at Tanya. The beleaguered Air Mage was forced to retreat as the shells exploded close behind her. One unlucky shot blew a hole in Tanya\u2019s equipment box!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNo, no, no!\u201d Tanya watched helplessly as her ammo, first aid, and damaged crystal plummeted to earth!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta was in the clear. Biting her lip against the pain, she guided herself slowly and safely to the ground. She dropped to her knees, covering her stinging bullet wound in her side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta! Are you okay!?\u201d Fin\u00e9 rushed to Izetta and held her in her arms. She found in horror that Izetta\u2019s hand and the left side of her dress were stained with blood. \u201cOh, God!\u201d The Princess gasped. \u201cDid Tanya shoot you!?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIt\u2013It\u2019s nothing bad, Fin\u00e9. Just a scratch.\u201d Izetta replied. \u201cI don\u2019t think she hit any of my vitals.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Not that it was going to change Fin\u00e9\u2019s mind. She got the First-Aid kit out of Izetta\u2019s parachute kit and placed some peroxide and bandages on it. She also injected a syrette of morphine into Izetta\u2019s arm to dull the pain. \u201cThat should hold at least \u2018til we get you to a doctor.\u201d Fin\u00e9 said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta didn\u2019t respond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta? Izetta, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Fin\u00e9 shook her friend to get a reaction from her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYou were right, Princess.\u201d Izetta said in a weak voice. She had a tired, defeated look in her eyes, and the bravado that inspired her to fight was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat\u2019re you talking about?\u201d The Princess replied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYou were right. About me going alone to fight Tanya. I\u2019m such an idiot!\u201d Izetta cried, with tears pooling in her eyes. \u201cWhat the hell was I thinking!? I was arrogant and stupid, and it almost got me killed! I\u2019m so sorry\u2013\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIzetta, stop it! <\/span><b>Stop it!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Fin\u00e9 grabbed Izetta by the shoulders and looked at her in the eyes. \u201cStop beating yourself up! I saw everything that happened up there. Even though Tanya had all the advantages, you fought hard and brave, and even came close to killing her! She survived because she\u2019s lucky, nothing more!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 softened her voice a bit, but maintained her stern face. \u201cYou did nothing wrong, do you understand me?\u201d She said, \u201cYou\u2019re not weak, or stupid, or arrogant. You are the White Witch. You have all the magic in Eylstadt, and you have me. All Tanya has is a crystal!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta focused on that last word. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCrystal\u2026Crystal!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now it was her turn to grab Fin\u00e9\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThat\u2019s it!\u201d Izetta said as her look of defeat vanished. \u201cThat\u2019s how we\u2019ll beat her!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cHuh? What do you mean?\u201d The Princess asked in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cTanya\u2019s crystal! I saw her drop it while you were shooting at her! She\u2019s flying using a spare one! If I find the other one, I might do the same thing I did before: <\/span><b>I\u2019ll use her own magic against her!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Izetta\u2019s hope and confidence returned, as shown by the smile on her face.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNow that\u2019s the Izetta I know!\u201d Fin\u00e9 cheered. \u201cIf I hold her off, can you go find that crystal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYes, Your Majesty!\u201d They shared one more kiss, before Izetta got back on her rifle and took off. Fin\u00e9 took her position on the Pom-Pom again. After a few seconds, she noticed Tanya coming back from the right, holding what looked to be a submachine gun. Fin\u00e9 didn\u2019t need to get her attention\u2013Tanya had fully intended to kill her!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cPrincess Fin\u00e9! You\u2019ve gotten in my way for the last time!\u201d Tanya roared. \u201cAfter I kill you and your precious witch, I swear I\u2019ll bring both of your heads to the Kaiser!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWrong again!\u201d Fin\u00e9 fired back. \u201cYou\u2019ll either die here, or you\u2019ll go home a failure with nothing to show for it! Either way, you already lost!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cBut if you still wanna kill me\u2026\u201d Fin\u00e9 primed the next round in her AA gun. \u201cThen come and get me, bitch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4544\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4544\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?fit=1001%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1001,667\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Fine vs Tanya\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?fit=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4544 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?resize=660%2C440&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?resize=408%2C272&amp;ssl=1 408w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Fine-vs-Tanya.jpg?w=1001&amp;ssl=1 1001w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>(Artwork by <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/morgancreator.bsky.social\">Alexa Morgan<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-AlGE2aipD4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Alternate Music:<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cOyTkxRmWDY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>CHAPTER 14: TRENCH WARFARE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 fired another salvo of AA shells from her weapon! Tanya dodged to the right and fired back with her machine gun. The weapon in question was a bizarre-looking weapon called a Villar-Perosa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4128\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4128\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Villar-Perosa-SMG.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Villar-Perosa SMG\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Villar-Perosa-SMG.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4128 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Villar-Perosa-SMG.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Villar-Perosa-SMG.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Villar-Perosa-SMG.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Villar-Perosa-SMG.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A prototype SMG designed for dogfighting, Tanya scavenged it from a fallen airplane she found. The Villar-Persoa was double-barreled and had two tall magazines that were loaded from the top. The weapon had a high rate of fire, but terrible accuracy. This meant that the only reliable way to get a hit was up close\u2013something that was extra difficult with the constant explosions around Tanya.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Of course, Fin\u00e9 hardly had an easier time herself. While the Pom-Pom was powerful, it was clumsy to aim and the shells were slow-moving. The AA gun was designed to shoot down airplanes, not a fast, small child like Tanya. On top of that, the fact that it was a stationary weapon meant that Fin\u00e9 couldn\u2019t run for cover while using it. Her only hope was to keep Tanya at bay for as long as she could.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fortunately, it was working. The constant exploding shells surrounding Tanya made it damn near impossible for her to get close. All she could do was hold back and wait for a break in the firing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9\u2019s Pom-Pom fired a few more shots until suddenly\u2013it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stopped<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! The weapon made a metallic hissing sound, and the barrel was red-hot like a heated stove.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cWhat the\u2013!? Dammit, what happened!?\u201d Fin\u00e9 shouted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She found out too late that the Pom-Pom had one more flaw: once overheated, the weapon would shut down for a few seconds, leaving the user vulnerable. Obviously, this was the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">last <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thing she needed! \u201cShit!\u201d The Princess cursed. \u201cThis is no time for you to quit on me!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Sticking around wasn\u2019t an option! Fin\u00e9 needed to run before Tanya closed in on her! The Princess climbed over the wall and sprinted towards the trench a few yards ahead. Tanya saw her chance and followed the Princess from above. The Air Mage sprayed a storm of burning lead at the Princess.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 shrieked and covered her head as the bullets dotted the ground around her feet. By some miracle, she didn\u2019t get hit. Fin\u00e9 performed a slide like a baseball player and landed safely into the trench.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4129\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4129\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-5.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-5.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4129 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-5.png?resize=649%2C365&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"649\" height=\"365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-5.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-5.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-5.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 649px) 100vw, 649px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess took a few seconds to catch her breath. Her lungs and heart felt like they were about to explode. At least now she was in a place that offered some concealment. The trench was nine feet deep and had plenty of underground bunkers to hide in. As long as Fin\u00e9 kept moving, she was okay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">As for Tanya, she was irritated! \u201cUseless gun! What idiot designed this piece of shit!?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She tossed the Villar-Perosa away and scanned the ground for her target. Not only was she out of ammo, but now she had to waste her time playing hide-and-seek! Worst of all, her spare crystal was reaching its breaking point. And if she lost that, Tanya was finished.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOne problem at a time.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya spoke to herself. She lowered herself to the ground, only to feel a sharp pain in her left leg when she landed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s right\u2013the White Witch shot me!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya remembered.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She wrapped some bandages around her bleeding leg and took morphine to kill the pain. Tanya looked to her right and noticed fresh footprints leading further down the trench. She followed the footprints while taking a mud-stained Chauchat machine gun from a dead soldier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4130\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4130\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chauchat-LMG.png?fit=512%2C128&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,128\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Chauchat LMG\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chauchat-LMG.png?fit=512%2C128&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4130 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chauchat-LMG.png?resize=616%2C154&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"616\" height=\"154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chauchat-LMG.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Chauchat-LMG.png?resize=300%2C75&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Farther ahead, Fin\u00e9 turned a corner to the left and ran into a bunker dug into the wall. She hid inside the dark space and used the moment to rest. She quickly took off her dirty boots after realizing that they were leaving footprints. But going barefoot was pointless if she didn\u2019t have a plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAll this running isn\u2019t gonna keep me alive forever.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Princess thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI need weapons!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 remembered the Luger pistol she stole from Tanya earlier. She took it out of her dress and inspected the magazine. A Luger P08 only held eight rounds, which wouldn\u2019t do Fin\u00e9 much good. She needed something bigger that had more ammo. Her right foot tapped a long box right next to her. Fin\u00e9 opened the box, finding a strange machine gun she\u2019d never seen before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4131\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4131\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/MP-18-SMG.png?fit=512%2C197&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,197\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MP-18 SMG\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/MP-18-SMG.png?fit=512%2C197&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4131 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/MP-18-SMG.png?resize=637%2C245&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"637\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/MP-18-SMG.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/MP-18-SMG.png?resize=300%2C115&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 held the gun in both hands, wondering just what the hell she\u2019d picked up. It was actually a Maschinenpistole 18, a submachine gun used by Germanian troops during the Great War. It was fully automatic with a 32-round snail magazine, making it excellent for use in trench combat. After a few seconds, Fin\u00e9 figured out how to load and chamber the MP18, and she took an extra magazine just in case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Now she was ready to fight! Fin\u00e9 ran out of the bunker and took cover behind the corner. She peeked around and saw Tanya approaching from the distance. The Princess looked to her left and noticed a ladder leading to the surface. On the ground above was an abandoned St. Chamond tank that would be perfect for setting a trap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cInstead of fighting her up front,\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 planned, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019ll ambush her!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 climbed out of the trench and took cover inside the long-dead vehicle. She peeked through the door as Tanya reached her last position. The Germanian\u2019s back was turned, which meant she was wide open! Fin\u00e9 opened fire with her MP18! The rapid-firing bullets were blocked by Tanya\u2019s barrier, which was actually getting weaker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The frustrated Tanya turned around and fired back with her Chauchat. Fin\u00e9 went back into cover as the hostile bullets clashed against the tank\u2019s hull. Tanya took flight and continued firing until her machine gun suddenly went dead!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cUgh, what is it this time!?\u201d She groaned as she checked the antique weapon. Unfortunately for Tanya, Chauchats were infamous for jamming when exposed to too much dirt and mud.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAgain with this!? Is it too much to ask to have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">working gun!?\u201d Tanya angrily threw away the useless Chauchat. Clearly she wasn\u2019t going to win this with firepower alone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 used her few seconds of time to reload her MP18. She got a lucky break, but how long could she really keep fighting like this!? <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI can\u2019t keep this up forever! Has Izetta found that damn crystal yet?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4132\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4132\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-2.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Dead Tank #2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-2.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4132 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-2.png?resize=636%2C358&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-2.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-2.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Dead-Tank-2.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta was in a red poppy field farther west in the Tank Graveyard. She saw Tanya\u2019s crystal fall out somewhere in this area. Unfortunately for her, this was just about the worst place it could\u2019ve ended up. The small red orb blended in perfectly with the hundreds of tiny flowers surrounding it. Worse than that, the area was surrounded by all sorts of debris and corpses left from the Great War. Finding this thing would be like finding a needle in a field of haystacks\u2013if those haystacks were filled with old guns, bayonets, helmets, and artillery fragments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCome on! Come on! Come on!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta said as she dug through the flowers and debris. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhere is that stupid crystal!? If I don\u2019t find it, Fin\u00e9 will die!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She flew between tank after tank, looking as hard as she could to no success. Just when she\u2019d given up hope, Izetta saw something shining in the mud pit behind the last tank. She lowered herself down and saw a gold pendant that was half-buried in mud. Izetta dug out the item, and her heart pounded with joy!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYes! Tanya\u2019s crystal! I found it!\u201d Izetta cheered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4133\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4133\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Type-95-Crystal.png?fit=268%2C345&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"268,345\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Type 95 Crystal\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Type-95-Crystal.png?fit=268%2C345&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4133 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Type-95-Crystal.png?resize=325%2C418&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Type-95-Crystal.png?w=268&amp;ssl=1 268w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Type-95-Crystal.png?resize=233%2C300&amp;ssl=1 233w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Type-95-Crystal.png?resize=211%2C272&amp;ssl=1 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Finally, a lucky break! The crystal wasn\u2019t in the best shape\u2013it was slathered in mud, a small bit of the cross was chipped off, and it had a large scratch across its diameter. But it should still at least be in usable condition. Now it was a question of how to use the damn thing. Izetta noticed a pair of silk strands hanging from each side on the back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s right. Tanya wore this thing like a necklace.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. Izetta tied the loose strands around her neck. The Elenium crystal hung just right between her neck and her sternum. At first, nothing seemed to happen. But after a few seconds, the orb shone with a brilliant crimson energy in reaction to its wearer! Izetta\u2019s body radiated with intense magical energy\u2013first yellow-green, then fiery red! She\u2019d never experienced such a tremendous surge of her magic before!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta cried out like her whole body was on fire! But she was actually smiling. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt hurts so much! But it\u2019s working! It\u2019s <\/span><\/i><b><i>working!<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. Now she had to find a way to put this power to use. Izetta placed her palms on the mud and channeled every ounce of her magic through the surface. Biting her lips, she felt her power connecting to the numerous tanks and debris across the battlefield.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Every second intensified the strain on Izetta\u2019s body, but she never gave up! She poured in more and more of her power until everything within 50 yards glowed with a lime green light! This was working!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s it! Just a little more!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta thought to herself. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDon\u2019t give up now! Come on, Izetta! Come on\u2026.<\/span><\/i><b><i>White Witch!<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Against her increasing pain, she kept her beloved Princess and her country in her mind. With a final roar, Izetta gave one last push of her magic deep into the ground! At last, the earth began to rumble and quake. The rusted debris from the Great War lifted free from the grass. Izetta looked up at what she\u2019d done and smiled courageously.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cYES!!! I did it!\u201d She shouted. \u201cThis is going to work!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHang on, Princess!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4135\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4135\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-6.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"512,288\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #6\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-6.png?fit=512%2C288&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4135 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-6.png?resize=638%2C359&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-6.png?w=512&amp;ssl=1 512w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-6.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-6.png?resize=484%2C272&amp;ssl=1 484w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Back to the trenches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 felt the earth suddenly quake beneath her feet. Had Izetta done it? Did she manage to find Tanya\u2019s crystal? Whatever the case, there was no time to find out. Not while Tanya was still out hunting for her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Princess cautiously stepped out of the Saint-Chamond tank holding her MP18. No sign of Tanya, but that didn\u2019t mean Fin\u00e9 could let her guard down. She scanned the area in front of her as she walked. Without warning, something wrapped itself around Fin\u00e9\u2019s neck, choking her like a snake! Her oxygen was cut off so suddenly that Fin\u00e9 didn\u2019t have time to scream! She dropped her gun and tried to pry off whatever\u2019s choking her, but it was no use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya\u2019s plan worked perfectly. She hid on the roof of Fin\u00e9\u2019s tank and just waited to ambush her. She strangled her with a raggedy scarf she took from a dead pilot. Now she could enjoy watching the Princess struggle uselessly as she chokes to death! \u201cHow do you like your new scarf, Princess?\u201d Tanya mocked. \u201cYou wear it nicely!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 wanted to utter a curse, but it was no good since she couldn\u2019t breathe. She shook and thrashed violently to get Tanya off her back to little success. In her aimless walk, she tripped off the edge of a trench wall and fell into a muddy pit!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4136\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4136\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?fit=776%2C434&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"776,434\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Battlefield 1 &amp;#8211; Rupture #7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?fit=660%2C369&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4136 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?resize=660%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?resize=486%2C272&amp;ssl=1 486w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Battlefield-1-Rupture-7.jpg?w=776&amp;ssl=1 776w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They both fell into what looked like a dining or meeting room. The sudden drop had separated the two girls. Fin\u00e9 landed hard on her right arm, though the mud cushioned her fall somewhat. Tanya fell flat on her back, but the scarf was still in her right hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Before the Princess had time to stand up, Tanya resumed choking her. Like before, Fin\u00e9 jerked and punched furiously around as she looked for something to get herself free. Right before consciousness faded, Fin\u00e9 remembered the Luger pistol in her dress. She slowly pulled the gun and pointed it right at the edge of Tanya\u2019s left side. She fired, forcing Tanya to release her!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 gasped loudly, relieved that she was able to breathe again! Tanya screamed and held her wound in pain! This was the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">second time <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">she\u2019d been shot today! Luckily for her, the bullet went through cleanly without hitting any organs.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Before she could retaliate, Fin\u00e9 grabbed Tanya by the jacket and thrust her against the table behind her! She pistol-whipped Tanya\u2019s face twice and aimed at her head, only for the latter to misdirect the gun and shoot the table instead. With her other hand, Tanya grabbed a butcher knife standing on the table by its blade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4137\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4137\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/French-Butcher-Knife-e1735652418539.jpg?fit=612%2C134&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"612,134\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"French Butcher Knife\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/French-Butcher-Knife-e1735652418539.jpg?fit=612%2C134&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4137 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/French-Butcher-Knife-e1735652418539.jpg?resize=635%2C139&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"635\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/French-Butcher-Knife-e1735652418539.jpg?w=612&amp;ssl=1 612w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/French-Butcher-Knife-e1735652418539.jpg?resize=300%2C66&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She then headbutted Fin\u00e9 and kicked her away. The Princess fell hard on her back, dropping the Luger as she fell. Dazed and exhausted, Tanya knelt down and thrust the knife downwards into Fin\u00e9\u2019s face, but the latter caught it just in time. The blade was mere inches away from Fin\u00e9, and she used all of her strength to push it back. The Princess looked to her right and saw a small handheld shovel sticking out of the ground. With a violent swing, she smacked the shovel right into Tanya\u2019s face and kicked her off!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4138\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4138\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Trench-Shovel.jpg?fit=654%2C194&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"654,194\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Trench Shovel\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Trench-Shovel.jpg?fit=654%2C194&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4138 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Trench-Shovel.jpg?resize=641%2C190&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"641\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Trench-Shovel.jpg?w=654&amp;ssl=1 654w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Trench-Shovel.jpg?resize=300%2C89&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">There was a brief pause in combat. Both girls were on the ground\u2013tired, wounded, and angry. Mud and dirt had stained their clothes and their hair, but they were too lost in the fight to notice. Despite the pain they both felt, Fin\u00e9 and Tanya found the strength to stand ready to fight\u2013Fin\u00e9 with her shovel, Tanya with her knife. Each gave a seething, hateful stare at the other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDu wertlose Hure!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya cursed at Fin\u00e9. \u201cI should\u2019ve killed you on the airship!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSomething we both should have done!\u201d Fin\u00e9 spat back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIn any case, there\u2019s still time for one of us to correct our mistake.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAre you really gonna throw away your life for this, Tanya!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIf I die, I die. But I\u2019ll make sure you die with me!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya lunged at Fin\u00e9, who parried the knife with her shovel. Fin\u00e9 got behind and slashed Tanya\u2019s back with the sharp end of the shovel blade. Tanya cried out before she slashed the knife at Fin\u00e9\u2019s midsection. The blade cut through her dress, drawing a shallow, but painful cut on the Princess\u2019s stomach. Fin\u00e9 grabbed her belly and blocked a downward strike before countering with another blow at Tanya\u2019s mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">As she reeled back, the Air Mage felt something rattle in her mouth. She spat it out, and was shocked to see that she\u2019d lost a tooth! Fin\u00e9 noticed and gave a satisfied smirk, while Tanya just looked even more pissed off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The fight went on like this. There was no strategy anymore\u2013just pure survival instinct. Fin\u00e9 and Tanya matched each other blow for blow, driven by deep, murderous hatred. The same hatred that drove millions of soldiers of the Great War to kill each other. Either one would die, or they both would.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Finally, both women had reached their breaking points. Fin\u00e9 gave one last tired swing that missed, allowing Tanya to slash at her left side. Hurt and off-balance, Fin\u00e9 was pushed into the dirt and her shovel was kicked out of her hands. Tanya pressed her boot onto the wound she made on Fin\u00e9\u2019s belly, eliciting an ear-piercing scream of pain from her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Stop Music)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The fight was all but over. Fin\u00e9 was too hurt and exhausted to stand up. Tanya looked down on the Princess with an icy stare. \u201cYour pet witch isn\u2019t here to save you this time, Your Majesty.\u201d She said to her. Tanya threw away the knife and grabbed the gun that was used to shoot her earlier. \u201cBut don\u2019t worry. Once she\u2019s dead, I\u2019ll bury the two of you together!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 couldn\u2019t fight back. Her only weapons now were her words. \u201cLook at what you\u2019re doing, Tanya!\u201d She cried. \u201cThis is exactly how the last war started! One person\u2019s death followed by the deaths of millions! If you kill me, the whole thing starts all over again! Is that what you wanna be known for!? Is that gonna be your legacy!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya stomped even harder on Fin\u00e9\u2019s chest. \u201cI don\u2019t fucking care what happens to the world! I will be remembered as the soldier who brought the Fatherland back to its former glory! Eylstadt will be nothing more than a page in the history books!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cDo you think\u2026\u201d Fin\u00e9 said with desperate, angry tears. \u201cThat Eylstadt will surrender just because I\u2019m dead? They didn\u2019t surrender when my grand-uncle was murdered! All it did was rile them up and make them go to war for revenge! Even if I\u2019m gone, my people will never cower to a bunch of thugs like you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBut you are <\/span><b>SO! WRONG!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Tanya roared. \u201cBecause once I\u2019ve slaughtered you and your little girlfriend, your people will have lost their leadership. Without you, they have no hope.\u201d Tanya knelt down and stared at Fin\u00e9 in her eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cA monster is coming to Eylstadt.\u201d She said, \u201cA monster of blood and iron, bullets and bombs, Panzers and Stukas! And this monster will never stop until it\u2019s consumed every last inch of your pathetic country! If your people try to resist, they\u2019ll end up dead and forgotten.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAnd what happens then?\u201d The Princess asked. \u201cWhat\u2019ll be left for you to rule when everyone\u2019s dead!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya smirked arrogantly. \u201cWith your people gone, Germania\u2019s forces will simply take over and repopulate. And I will rule over the new territory that I\u2019ve gained for the Empire. It\u2019s a pity that you won\u2019t be alive to see it, Princess! As for the White Witch, I\u2019ll have her imprisoned and executed like the terrorist she is.\u201d Tanya checked the pistol and pointed it at Fin\u00e9\u2019s head. <\/span><b><i>\u201cDie Legende der Wei\u00dfen Hexe stirbt heute Nacht!\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q7ItbDGtO10?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b><i>\u201cIF YOU SHOOT HER, I\u2019LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A thunderous voice boomed from the skies! It came from directly behind Tanya. She turned around and saw a sight that shocked her to her core. Fin\u00e9 looked in the same way, but with joy and relief instead of terror.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta\u2026thank God.\u201d Fin\u00e9 whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThe witch!\u201d Tanya shouted. But that alone isn\u2019t what frightened her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta hovered high above on her broomstick-rifle. Flying beside her on each side was a row of six Saint-Chamond tanks, all suspended by Izetta\u2019s magic. Several dozen machine guns, rifles, grenades, and artillery shells were also with Izetta\u2013all fully armed and ready for action. Izetta glowed with a powerful crimson energy that made her appear like a red star from a distance. The White Witch looked down at Tanya like a goddess of wrath ready to serve divine punishment. And that\u2019s exactly what she was about to do!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cLike I said\u2026\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta shouted. <\/span><b>\u201cI won\u2019t hesitate to kill anyone who hurts the Princess!\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b><i><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cIF YOU WANT A WAR, TANYA\u2026I\u2019LL GIVE YOU A WAR!!!\u201d<\/span><br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4139\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4139\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?fit=776%2C484&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"776,484\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta Attacks With a Tank\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?fit=660%2C412&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4139 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?resize=660%2C412&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?resize=768%2C479&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?resize=300%2C187&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?resize=436%2C272&amp;ssl=1 436w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Attacks-With-a-Tank.jpg?w=776&amp;ssl=1 776w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/i><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Fight pic commission by HypeVoiceActing.)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fE6OpWk-wqY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Alternate Music:<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g-FKCbeGLc8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>FINAL CHAPTER: TO THE DEATH<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cFin\u00e9! Get out of there, now!\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Fin\u00e9 wasted no time heeding Izetta\u2019s warning. She kicked Tanya in the back of the knee before climbing out of the trench and back up to higher ground. The Princess ran a few yards away to a safe distance. \u201cI\u2019m clear! She\u2019s all yours, Izetta!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">With a powerful cry, the White Witch threw her arm forward and threw the massive St. Chamond behind her at Tanya! The ancient vehicle flipped over Izetta and plummeted upside-down! The panicked Tanya flew out of the trench just seconds before she could be crushed under the tank\u2019s roof!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She hovered in the air with her damaged Elenium crystal, panting heavily in terror. But she wasn\u2019t given any chance to rest when another St. Chamond flew in from her left! The Air Mage dived below as the flying tank soared past her and spun like a frisbee until it crashed into a hill several yards away. Izetta threw down her left arm, and a third tank rocketed down towards Tanya, just missing her by inches. The falling tank crashed nose-first into the one that Fin\u00e9 used for cover just minutes ago.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHo\u2013how could\u2013\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya couldn\u2019t even think straight, she was so terrified. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cShe just threw three goddamn <\/span><\/i><b><i>tanks <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">like they were softballs!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She looked up at Izetta with fear and confusion, while the latter looked down at her with deep anger and loathing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow are you this powerful!? Who\u2026just who the hell <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you!?\u201d Tanya shouted.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI already told you. I am the White Witch, protector of this country and its ruler!\u201d Izetta answered. \u201cAnd <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are <\/span><b>not<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> welcome here! No matter what you do now, you cannot win this fight! If you want to live, then this is your last warning: <\/span><b>Leave Eylstadt now, and never come back!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow dare you\u2026\u201d Tanya snarled. \u201cLike hell I\u2019ll be intimidated by a pathetic girl like you! Even if my mission is hopeless, I will go down in glory! To the death!<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you hear me? <\/span><b>To the death, witch!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cGood! I was hoping you\u2019d say that!\u201d Izetta thrust her right arm directly at Tanya. She used her magic to aim the dozens of mortars, grenades, and artillery shells surrounding her. <\/span><b>\u201cARTILLERY! STRIKE!\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">All at once, the bombs launched themselves at Tanya, who immediately dodged out of the way just before they landed. The combined explosions blew a massive crater that dug out a sizable portion of the trenches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya flew away towards the east. Izetta was far behind, but this time she was able to catch up to her. They were both several hundred feet above ground, probably because Tanya was counting on Izetta\u2019s bombs not detonating in midair. She would soon learn how wrong she was.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta launched more artillery shells and forced them to explode around Tanya! Each explosive lit up the sky like lethal fireworks! Tanya was violently knocked around as flames and bits of shrapnel pelted her barrier. Each explosion chipped away her magic barrier bit by bit. Tanya managed to reorient herself after the last explosion, but she would be given no time to recover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta extended her hand for her next attack! She focused her magic into the twenty-or-so machine guns orbiting her: Lewis Guns, Benet-Mercies, MG-08s, and a few Chauchats that were actually functional. Each weapon locked its ammo and pointed itself straight at Tanya!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cMACHINE GUNS! FIRE!\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Izetta\u2019s command, the machine guns roared at once and covered the sky in bullets! Tanya dodged and evaded as best as she could as the bullets flew towards her. She used what little room she had to dive back to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta sent some of her MGs to chase Tanya below. In a complete role reversal of before, Tanya was now the one being pursued! The Air Mage swerved side-to-side to avoid getting shot. Tanya couldn\u2019t even fight back now that she was unarmed!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cNot so fun when <\/b><b><i>you&#8217;re<\/i><\/b><b> the one getting shot to pieces, is it!?\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta roared.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cGo to hell, witch!\u201d Was all Tanya could think of as a comeback. This fight was getting more desperate by the second. She wasn\u2019t prepared to deal with this sudden surge in power from Izetta! And with all the wounds she\u2019d suffered today, Tanya was almost at her breaking point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m losing this! Badly!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf I don\u2019t turn this around, I\u2019m finished!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta threw more grenades and shells at Tanya, each one blasting piles of dirt and debris several feet high. The last explosive fell right behind Tanya, throwing her off-balance and tumbling across the ground. She came to a painful stop right in front of a bunker, as Izetta closed in on her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4140\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4140\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?fit=777%2C435&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"777,435\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Concrete Bunker\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?fit=660%2C369&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4140 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?resize=660%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?resize=768%2C430&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?resize=486%2C272&amp;ssl=1 486w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Concrete-Bunker.jpg?w=777&amp;ssl=1 777w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Gripped with fear, Tanya rose to her feet and limped inside the bunker, closing the heavy metal door behind her. The Germanian nearly tumbled down the stairs into the dark underground armory at the bottom. The ground around Tanya was covered in dozens of skeletons of fallen soldiers, all probably killed by suffocation or poison gas. She took a Madsen light machine gun from one of the dead soldiers and hid next to a set of crates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4141\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4141\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?fit=776%2C435&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"776,435\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Madsen LMG\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?fit=660%2C370&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4141 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?resize=660%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?resize=485%2C272&amp;ssl=1 485w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Madsen-LMG.jpg?w=776&amp;ssl=1 776w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Suddenly, a tremendous metallic crash erupted as the entire bunker shook violently. The noise repeated again and again, like a gigantic hammer striking an anvil. Each strike impacted the building like it was caught in a miniature earthquake. Boxes and bunk beds fell to the ground, and a dent in the ceiling began to cave inward. Just what the hell was going on up there!?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Outside, Izetta repeatedly threw her last tank at the bunker, hoping to pierce the ceiling. With each strike, she made a crack into the roof that became wider and wider. With one final thrust, Izetta fully penetrated the tank into the fortress. The damaged vehicle landed nose-first into the floor and nearly crushed Tanya.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The terrified Germanian watched as the tank was magically lifted out of the hole in the ceiling it just made. Izetta was high above, seeing her target cowering underground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cThere you are, you coward!\u201d Izetta shouted. \u201cYou think you\u2019re safe, hiding down there!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cFuck you!\u201d Tanya fired back with her Madsen MG!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta flinched and closed her eyes! But strangely, she didn\u2019t feel any bullets pierce her skin. Izetta opened her eyes, and to her surprise, a magic barrier had protected her!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya reacted with a look of shock and anger. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat!? A defense matrix!? How does she\u2013\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before she finished her thought, Izetta bombarded Tanya&#8217;s position with dozens of grenades! The small explosives went through the hole in the ceiling, each with enough firepower to blast a small squad of soldiers! Tanya took flight and escaped right before the grenades went off! A thunderous boom and a fiery cloud of red and orange erupted below Tanya, painfully scorching her back with second-degree burns.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The explosion propelled Tanya upwards to Izetta&#8217;s height. The two women were roughly 50 feet away from each other, but could still see each other clearly. Izetta was still shrouded in a bright red aura, but something seemed off with her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The White Witch clutched her chest like she was suffering a heart attack. She started to groan, writhe, and scream like she was burned by an invisible fire! Izetta&#8217;s red aura started to waver\u2013she struggled to maintain her power.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat the&#8211;the witch is in pain?\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya thought.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cDid she overexert herself?\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Air Mage looked more closely, and noticed that Izetta was wearing her lost Elenium crystal!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou thieving bitch!\u201d Tanya shouted. \u201cSo, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that&#8217;s <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why you\u2019ve gotten so powerful! You&#8217;re using my own crystal against me!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cShit! She figured me out!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Izetta thought in panic!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cBut it looks like my magic&#8217;s a bit too hot for you to handle.\u201d Tanya taunted. \u201cYou look like you&#8217;re ready to collapse any minute! All I have to do is outlast you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDammit. She\u2019s right! I can&#8217;t keep this up forever! Still, Tanya&#8217;s in just as bad shape as I am. I can&#8217;t give up now!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta fought off the pain in her body and regained some amount of control of her magic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSo you found out my strategy.\u201d Izetta replied. \u201cYou&#8217;re barely holding on yourself, and I only need one more good hit to finish you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat only matters if you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hit me, witch!\u201d Tanya laughed. She aimed her Madsen at Izetta, who pointed back with her magically-charged weapons.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSo then, you feel ready to play one more time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta estimated that she has about one minute left before she passes out. This was her last chance!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is it!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s now or never! No second chances! I have to end this once and for all!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The redhead gripped the handles of her broomstick-rifle tightly. She looked at Tanya with fearless, furious eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><b>Let&#8217;s do this!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>FINAL ROUND!<br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><b>FINISH IN SIXTY SECONDS!<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>1:00<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta charged straight in, firing her machine guns at Tanya as she closed the distance. The Air Mage dodged to the side and fired back with her Madsen. The bullets clashed uselessly against Izetta\u2019s shield, adding to Tanya\u2019s frustration. The Air Mage retreated and fired again, only for her rounds to hit <\/span><b>absolutely nothing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! Because somehow, Izetta <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vanished <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from her spot!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWait\u2013<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what!? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She can <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teleport<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now!?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta reappeared and returned fire from below and behind Tanya. The bullets actually penetrated Tanya\u2019s shield this time, giving her shallow, but painful wounds in her arms and legs. The Germanian shot at the Witch again, but to no success. Izetta kept disappearing and reappearing like a ghost every time Tanya fired. This was nothing but a waste of bullets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><\/i><b><i>How <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is she doing this!? Why\u2013can\u2019t\u2013I\u2013hit her!?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>0:50<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The truth was, Izetta wasn\u2019t teleporting. She was simply using her speed to make it look like she was. From her perspective, Tanya\u2019s gunfire was like watching a slow-moving film. All Izetta had to do was keep this pace and force Tanya to waste all her bullets. Still, Izetta was burning a lot of her energy with this tactic. Not only that, but needed to counterattack soon before Tanya catches on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She finally found her opening when Tanya\u2019s machine gun clicked empty. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cScheisse!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The desperate Air Mage cursed as she was forced to reload.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s it! Now\u2019s my chance!\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The White Witch \u201cdisappeared\u201d thousands of feet above while she prepared her next attack.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cBAYONETS! CUT HER TO PIECES!\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">A metal rainstorm of knives and bayonets rained down towards an unsuspecting Tanya!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>0:40<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Meanwhile, Tanya yanked out the top-loaded magazine out of the Madsen and jammed a fresh clip in. Right after she pulled the charging handle, Tanya screamed in pain when a bayonet sliced through her left hand! She looked at her hand, and was horrified to see three red, bleeding stumps where her pinky, ring, and middle fingers used to be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Losing her fingers was obviously a huge problem. Not only was it painful, but it meant that Tanya could no longer aim properly! Tanya\u2019s problems were only compounded when more bayonets charged into her. Her barrier couldn\u2019t deflect anything other than bullets, so Tanya was forced to evade. She flew upwards to avoid the flying knives, which curved upwards to chase after her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Farther above, Izetta waved her arms around like a puppet master, remotely controlling her bayonets with her magic. She laughed a little when she realized, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis is ironic. Isn\u2019t this sort of like what Tanya tried to do to me 20 minutes ago?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>0:30<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">It was, except Tanya had no way of countering it! The bayonets chasing her were faster and smaller than her magic missiles. And with three of her fingers cut, she was forced to carry her machine gun one-handed. She flew up and down in every direction possible, but couldn&#8217;t shake off the bayonets following her. In desperation, the Air Mage even tried shooting down some of them with her Madsen, but it was too heavy and clumsy to aim one-handed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Most of the flying knives missed her, but three found their marks. The first one tore through Tanya\u2019s left shoulder. The second slashed a wide scar along her right cheek. The last one stabbed through her chest, right where her liver would be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya was in so much pain that she couldn\u2019t even <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scream<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. She was losing blood rapidly, especially from the wound in her chest. It would only be minutes before she goes into shock and falls into unconsciousness\u2013and thus falls five hundred feet to her death.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta looked down at Tanya\u2013not with anger, but almost with pity. She couldn\u2019t imagine the agony that her nemesis was experiencing right now. But at least she wouldn\u2019t be suffering for long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Tanya looked around for any sign of the witch. Through half-closed eyes, she saw a small white speck just several thousand feet above her. Even through semi-consciousness, Tanya\u2019s hatred and fury returned!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou\u2026I\u2019ll kill you! I\u2019ll kill you if it\u2019s the <\/span><\/i><b><i>last thing I do!<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>0:20<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The Air Mage uttered one more prayer to Being X. Her body radiated with a shining, golden light. She rocketed to the sky and made one final charge at Izetta! The White Witch simply stood her ground and fired her last few artillery pieces at her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">With Being X\u2019s power guiding her, Tanya fired her Madsen one-handed and shot down the explosives before they could reach her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When her machine gun ran out, she simply dropped it and actually <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pulled out <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the knife that stabbed her chest! Of course, doing so only accelerated her blood loss, but she no longer cared. She would die piercing that witch\u2019s black heart with her own blade!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta responded by firing more bullets from her machine guns, which Tanya was able to dodge even in her failing condition. They were only 200 feet apart now! With an animalistic roar, Tanya prepared to give one fatal strike with her knife! Izetta had only one option left.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She poured her magic into her broomstick-rifle and carefully aimed her shot. If she missed, she would plummet to her death just like Tanya. The White Witch charged her rifle and waited until Tanya was at a close distance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSteady\u2026.steady\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">150 feet. 100 feet. 75 feet. <\/span><b>50 feet!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cNOW!\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Izetta fired a magical anti-tank round! The gigantic bullet obliterated Tanya\u2019s right arm, taking the knife with it! The Germanian\u2019s golden aura vanished, and her magic stopped. Without even screaming, Tanya began to fall, only to be suddenly suspended in the air again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>0:10<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">They were four miles high in the lower edge of the stratosphere\u2013higher than the tallest mountains in Eylstadt. To anyone on the ground, they might as well have been invisible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta extended her arm like she was grabbing an\u00a0 object. She wanted to see if Tanya was still alive. Remarkably, she still was, although just barely. The one-armed Air Mage looked at her with tired, defeated eyes that still burned with hatred.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIt\u2019s over, Tanya. I\u2019m holding you in place with my magic. Even if I let go, you\u2019ve lost so much blood that you\u2019ll die before you hit the ground.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou\u2026.Damn you, <\/span><b>witch<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d Tanya hissed with a weak voice. \u201cYou can kill me\u2026but you haven&#8217;t won! My death will rally the Germanian people to the imperial cause! The Kaiser will burn your pathetic kingdom to ashes! You and your pretty little princess will be dead and forgotten!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAre you kidding?\u201d Izetta said with disgust. \u201cAre you <\/span><b>fucking <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">kidding me!? Even after all this, you still haven&#8217;t learned <em>anything<\/em>!?\u201d Izetta tightened her grip and squeezed Tanya\u2019s body harder!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAll you understand is violence!\u201d Izetta continued. \u201cYou\u2019re just a cruel, hateful girl who doesn\u2019t give a damn about anybody but herself! I don\u2019t care how many men the Kaiser sends to invade us! Even if I\u2019m all alone, I will defend my country and princess to my dying breath! And I\u2019ll die happily knowing that millions of people will live to see a new day! You on the other hand\u2013you\u2019ll die the way you lived: a <\/span><b>vile, pathetic loser!\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIf I\u2019m so pathetic, then finish me, witch! Send me to hell! But just know\u2026I\u2019ll be waiting for you down there.\u201d Tanya gave one final angry look at Izetta as she dared her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cNo\u2026You\u2019ll be there all alone!\u201d Izetta lowered her last Lewis Gun beside her. The MG snapped itself right towards Tanya\u2019s position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cThis is for Fin\u00e9!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d Izetta fired the machine gun, its bullets tearing right through Tanya\u2019s vital organs! When the last bullet was spent, Izetta dropped the weapon and raised her last few bayonets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cThis is for Eylstadt!\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She thrust her arm forward and pierced her knives into more of Tanya\u2019s body.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cAnd this\u2026\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The White Witch loaded and charged her flying rifle one last time. She charged all the magical energy she had left in this one final shot!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b>\u201cThis is for YOU!!! Goodbye, Tanya!\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The magical AT round exploded from her rifle! The bullet pierced Tanya\u2019s midsection, cutting her in half from the bottom! The impact from the shot also shattered Tanya\u2019s Elenium crystal, creating a chain reaction that even Izetta didn\u2019t expect.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">BOOOOOOM!!!<\/span><br \/>\n<\/b><b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HTXiJpCDiH4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat the <\/span><b>fuck<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was that!?\u201d Down on the ground, Fin\u00e9 heard a tremendous explosion like a whole ammo depot just blew up! She was taking cover in a bunker while Izetta and Tanya fought. The princess ran outside to see what had happened.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">She looked and gasped when she saw a massive ball of fire in the sky!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, God, no! Please, Izetta! Please tell me you didn\u2019t blow yourself up!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The princess began to cry, thinking that Izetta was dead. But after a few seconds, she saw something appear out of the bottom of the fireball. The figure was too high up to make out, but it was a vaguely humanoid shape that was mostly white. At that moment, Fin\u00e9 knew exactly who it was! With tears in her eyes, Fin\u00e9 cried out her friend\u2019s name. <\/span><b>\u201cIZETTAAAAA!!!\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta opened her eyes! She had blacked out for a second or two. The last thing she remembered was a huge boom and a ball of flames at Tanya\u2019s position. Thankfully, Izetta was just far away enough to not get caught in the blast.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cH8wqNpTuVQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">When Izetta looked around, she was\u2026upside-down? The sky and earth seemed to have switched places, and Izetta was flying in the latter direction. It only took a half second to realize what was happening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh, my God! I\u2019m <\/span><b>falling!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d The White Witch tumbled and rolled wildly through the air as she plummeted! Where was her rifle!? The explosion must have thrown her off of it! What was she going to do now!? She didn\u2019t want to survive everything today just to fall to her death!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta remembered the parachute that Fin\u00e9 gave to her earlier. She calmed herself and rotated herself facedown to the ground. The White Witch extended her arms and legs to control her fall. Finally, she pulled the cord and opened her parachute! The white, mushroom-shaped cloth yanked Izetta\u2019s body upright and slowed her fall to a safe speed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta gasped loudly, and her heartbeats slowed to a normal pace. Her fast, deadly fall was now slow and graceful. Fin\u00e9 saw the successful deployment, and was ready to cry with joy. She waved her arms wildly and called out Izetta\u2019s name again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta noticed her and pulled on the parachute\u2019s strings to guide her fall. She passed over trees, tanks, and other debris of the battlefield until she finally landed on the ground. Izetta unclipped her parachute and let it be carried away by the wind. Suddenly, she heard Fin\u00e9\u2019s voice calling out to her from the left.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta! Izetta, I\u2019m over here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OZ8C2wxUbh0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The two girls ran towards each other, arms wide. They hugged and laughed as if they hadn\u2019t met in ten years! They both fell to the ground and assaulted each other with kisses. On the lips, the cheeks, the necks\u2013anywhere they could reach. The girls raised to their knees and hugged each other again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cIzetta! My beautiful witch, you\u2019re alive! Thank God!\u201d The princess cheered. \u201cYou\u2019re amazing!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI\u2019m happy that you\u2019re alive too, Princess!\u201d Izetta said. \u201cNothing makes me happier!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cAnd Tanya? What happened to her?\u201d Fin\u00e9 asked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">Izetta shook her head. \u201cGone. She\u2019s gone for good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She couldn\u2019t be more right. The explosion completely vaporized Tanya\u2019s body. Even her ashes dissipated in the air, and whatever parts of her survived fell to earth in pieces. In short, Tanya was not only dead\u2013she was truly <\/span><b>gone.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cFinally. Now we can just worry about getting home.\u201d Fin\u00e9 stood up and helped Izetta up on her feet. But the witch had trouble staying on her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cSorry! Are you okay?\u201d The princess grabbed Izetta to prevent her from falling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\">\u201cI\u2013I think I\u2019m just tired.\u201d Izetta wheezed. \u201cUsing the crystal took so much magic out of me. I don\u2019t think I can use it again for a while. So, what do we do now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fin\u00e9 smiled and carried her friend\u2019s arm over her shoulder. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe walk.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\">MISSION COMPLETE<\/span><br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"4142\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?attachment_id=4142\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Victory-Picture-Temporary.jpg?fit=308%2C302&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"308,302\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Izetta Victory Picture (Temporary)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Victory-Picture-Temporary.jpg?fit=308%2C302&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4142\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Victory-Picture-Temporary.jpg?resize=300%2C294&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Victory-Picture-Temporary.jpg?resize=300%2C294&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Victory-Picture-Temporary.jpg?resize=277%2C272&amp;ssl=1 277w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Izetta-Victory-Picture-Temporary.jpg?w=308&amp;ssl=1 308w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>EPILOGUE COMING SOON!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Death Battle Exhibitions! Where all the fights are settled in just a few chapters! No Rules! No Research! No Mercy! PROLOGUE This Episode&#8217;s Players: Emily Elvis (Player 1) Liliana Ladrona (Player 2) Emily: Thank you for inviting me to play DBX, Ms. Lily! Lily: (Smiles) \u00a1De nada, hermanita! It&#8217;s the least I could do after &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/?p=2957\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">DBX: Izetta vs Tanya<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186469920,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[699998193,699998195],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dbx-fights","category-home-page"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc1qxe-LH","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/186469920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2957"}],"version-history":[{"count":100,"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4915,"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2957\/revisions\/4915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arkhamdeathbattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}