2024/25, Stage1 Slytherin vs Gryffindor: Match 1

Meenauh's Shield Charm wasn't prepared for the onslaught of explosions from all directions—the Wizard Crackers were filling the air and shooting everywhere, including back at Ruby. It was a small price to pay, though, for the victory it brought them in the form of a downed opponent—the first to fall.

Doing as strategized

As if a messenger arrow shot from its bow, Astrea's traditional wind jinx was merely a prelude to the greater danger Slytherin posed. Cunning to their cores, the Vipers had taken advantage of Gryffindor's faltering resolve to ricochet destruction along enemy lines. Within seconds, the piste was terrorised not by standard smokescreens and knockback jinxes, but by a veritable cacophony of miniature explosions. Both thinly spread and perhaps considering recovery and incapacitation as a greater priority, Gryffindor met their onslaught with extraordinarily little vengeance, if not uncharacteristic timidity. Evidently, rumoured character traits meant little in response to a literal bombardment. Barring her own braced nerves, Astrea could not publically admit to the same exceptionalism.

Beyond the ringing in her ears and quickly dissipating clouds of after-imaged blue smoke lay the greatest gift a duellist’s exploding cracker had to offer-- momentary success. Mid-duel recovery times always seemed sweeter after ensuring their advantage. Yet it also begged the question: "By disrupting the first of many, how quickly would a line of dominos fall in succession?"

Action: Doing as strategised.

It was back. Twice in a duel. Galton had never stood on a piste and felt so powerless. We'd lit himself of fire, wrapped himself in his own ventus and even blindfolded himself by accident on this piste, yet he had never felt like this. His hesitation from earlier seemed to take on a new life as he watched both his spells miss wildly and his teammate go down.

Truly, Mr. Wand had never felt so heavy. He turned to his side to see how Evelynn was feeling. She seemed to be similarly out of sorts, beating him to the vocalization of it. He would add his agreement to the mix. "I will retract my last statement. It does seem like our time has come." He would give a small smile to Evelynn the Exceptional. Not feeling quite as glorious as he had at the start he would add in an extra "I guess we owe you all some drinks then... when Meenauh wakes up?" Hopefully she wouldn't be too disappointed by their quick retreat after her defeat.

Action: Forfeiting

Round 6

Evelynn Decipio

Reducio

No post in time limit: Missed posts/actions: x2

Galton Lansdale

Reducio

No post in time limit: Missed posts/actions: x1

Meenauh's fall had certainly changed the mood of this duel, and everyone knew it. The Slytherin onslaught had been immense, and even a team of some of the most formidable duelists Gryffindor (or Hogwarts in general!) had to offer could not stand up to it. Jake, quite frankly, was wowed. Astrea, Bridget, and Ruby were truly amazing duelists - even more so because Galton, Meenauh, and Evelynn were so skilled themselves.

So perhaps Jake shouldn't have been surprised when Galton and Evelynn saw where this was going too. He knew that duels could always change at any point, but sometimes you just knew when you time had come. Still he couldn't help but be shocked when they admitted it...when they stood up and simply...gave up. They said that Gryffindors were the bravest students in the school, Jake was SURE they would fight to the end...except....maybe what they were showing WAS bravery. Maybe it did take bravery and courage to know when you had been beaten. To know when you just had to lick your wounds and live to fight another day. Maybe in some ways it was even MORE brave. Had those times when Jake stood fighting even when all was lost actually been cowardly? Had he done it because he thought he could win? Or had he done it because he was afraid of what people would say if he didn't? Perhaps he had simply grown to fear more what others would think of him, than he feared the spells themselves.

But Galton and Evelynn didn't fall in to that. They knew that they couldn't win the fight. And they admitted it. Jake had to respect that, especially for duelists as talented as they were. And with that, the Slytherins had won the day, taking control of the battle from the jump and never letting up the pressure on their opponents.

"That's it then! Slytherin wins!!" Jake said, raising his arms and pointing to the Slytherin team. He nodded at both teams, impressed by what they had shown today. Surely the Slytherins would be proud of this dominant victory for a long time.

Gryffindors forfeit, Slytherin Wins!!

[Spectator Thread: Morning]

Eligible for Rewards:
To be eligible for rewards, your team should have won the duel and you shouldn't be disqualified.

@Ruby Cazares
@Bridget Collins
@Astrea Soleil Neptune

Please link to this post in the trunk updates if you are eligible for rewards and wish to claim your +1 stat point from this duel.