[Vivi/Altair/Merri/Wil/Open]
She heard Merri's shout over the din - both around her and in her head. At that very moment, she wanted nothing more than to go home and lock herself in her room, but that was no longer an option. She was here, and she could not leave; her personal issues would need to be placed aside for the good everyone else. Though she was not much help, she was some, and so long as she remained that, she would remain here.
The ghost - for that was all she could focus on any longer - was fast approaching and she readied Cure. It took some time, and it did not take the first or second cast, but finally caught on the third. She sent it into the ghost, who staggered. Faram above, she thought, swallowing her fear and guilt, help me.
She was no holy knight, but she fervently believed in prayer. She had just sent the second Cure at the ghost - she refused to call it by the name it had in life, even in her own thoughts - when a cloud of smoke erupted around them, and someone walked through it, calling out to Merrion.
That, apparently, was all the distraction it too for the ghost to cast on her. Magic wound around her, darkening the edges of her vision and seeping into her soul. This was magic she had never come across, had never felt or heard described. She fell to her knees with a cry, trying desperately to keep herself conscious. By the time the spell released her, she was panting, but ready.
She sent another Cure at the ghost, and apparently, it was enough. The creature dissipated, and as it did, it held her gaze.
She was going to need something harder than wine after this.