Zephyr: Adaptation
Is it true that this tribe still exists? I thought they were entirely wiped out. And why do we know so little? Is it true that they have been excluded from scholarly work, as Lysander states? Either way, this is not the time to be thinking about that. I will have a lifetime tenfold to learn about this after I win.
I utilize my vision again while Lysander reads that mysterious book. I can see all that is happening at present. I look toward the future and see our opening moves. I play a fire core with a combination of plant supports and water attacks while leaving blank parchment to prepare for any tricks. Lysander simply summons another fire core and four plant supports. At this rate, I should win. I look further into the future, but I suddenly find it hard to see. My vision clouds up dramatically, as if something is forcibly blinding me. All I see is some sort of eye staring back at me... How can this be? Does this mean that Lysander has the ability to inhibit me? Or is there something else to blame? It seems I will have to resort to logic, just to be safe.
“Excuse me,” Lysander signs, “forgive me if I’m wrong, but did you have some way of knowing my moves? I’m not actually angry if you did, as there’s a lot riding on this duel for you, too, but I just have a favor to ask of you.”
I nod. I hope they take no issue with my answer. “I have a form of clairvoyance. I can look around just about anywhere in the present and can look into the future. However, when I look into the future, things begin getting blurry. For example, I can’t quite read what you write on your ribbons.”
Lysander bites their left hoof nervously. “I’m sorry to bother you with this but… but can you check on someone for me? A close friend of mine is getting a job interview in town right now and I just want to make sure it’s coming along well.”
Job interviews are scary, so I nod and offer to look. Lysander helps give me directions for where to look, but I notice the room I am guided to only has one individual in it. Looking around outside, I see a young moose sprinting frantically three blocks away. “Are moose common in this area of town,” I ask.
Lysander shakes their head. “No, not really. Again, we’re not really the most welcome in society. If you see a moose, that’s probably him.”
“I’m afraid your friend is running a little late,” I reply, “he’s three blocks away from the building. At this rate, it looks like he’ll be there in five minutes.” I stop using clairvoyance. Lysander looks rather unsettled. I wonder how much is riding on this? Well, no matter. We should finish up here. “I am sorry things are looking grim.”
“Thank you,” Lysander replies.
“Well, shall we begin?”
The moose lets out a deep sigh. “Yes, I think.” Good. Now I can go back to mentally preparing.
That flashy technique is no match if I simply adapt. They can use a variety of elements at will, that just means I need to prepare for every possibility. In addition, I can at least tell from their stance that they use the earth element primarily. I think it is safe to assume that they have a mastery in earth, meaning they have the essence of earth, air, and fire. They just gained plant essence, which means water is what is left. If I play enough earth to avoid that possibility, everything should play out how I want it to work. If Lysander does play something else as their core, I can just focus on that and attack it.
I prepare my brush and parchment once more. Lysander looks ready as well. We each nod and resume, commencing our second duel. Understanding the possibility of water, I make my core earth and follow up with fire supports, just like in the vision. Lysander utilizes their new ribbon, rapidly etching into it with fierce determination. I summon my elemental core and supports while watching Lysander intently. They summon one water core and four wind supports, just like the vision I had. Good, good. This means I can continue with my earth attack follow-ups. I write some unfinished sigils, waiting for the opportunities when I might need them.
Lysander twirls the ribbon to expose more air sigils and summons more air supports. This is my moment. While Lysander plays passively, I must send my earth attacks to absorb that core. I send them hurtling through the air to hit the water core, knowing victory will be in my grasp in just a moment.