Lute

**Lute** is the player character in Soulstice, also known as Shade. She is the sister of Briar, the warrior she is bound with. Lute can magically protect Briar in battle.

## Powers and traits

Lute's Powers are divided into four branches, each one focusing on a specific approach to battle.

Lute's Powers are many and diverse, making her an invaluable ally in battle. Traits change and enhance the effect of a Power. Spend your Cobalt Tear Residue to acquire a Trait, or reset a Trait you unlocked to recover the corresponding amount of Residue.

### Counter

Lute is able to defend Briar from most enemy attacks. <cf><cf>When you see the target #Witch\_Target , press @WitchAction to react to the incoming blow.<cf>The most basic Counter that Lute can perform is a Slow Counter: this action briefly freezes time around the enemy, allowing Briar to move away and avoid the attack. <cf><cf>Over the course of her journey, Lute will become able to slow down stronger enemies as well.

Timing is crucial! Your reflexes influence the outcome of Lute's defensive actions. If your reaction is too slow, you will miss the Counter opportunity and Briar will be exposed to the attack. If your reaction is quick enough, you will achieve a Perfect Counter. Be careful not to press @WitchAction when no enemy is attacking you, or Lute will be distracted when you need her the most.

General upgrades
* **Protection**: Lute defends Briar against incoming attacks. When a Counter opportunity arises, Lute can react according to the type of enemy.

Counter Types

* **Barrier**: Most melee attacks can be countered by a Barrier. A Barrier Counter blocks one close-range attack from a Low Class enemy right before Briar is hit. Over the course of her journey, Lute will become able to block attacks from stronger enemies as well.
* **Deflection**: Most ranged attacks can be countered with a Deflection Counter. A Deflection Counter diverts projectiles thrown by a Low Class enemy before Briar is hit. Over the course of her journey, Lute will learn how to divert ranged attacks from stronger enemies as well.
* **Disruption**: Certain attacks can be prevented from being executed at all. A Disruption Counter interrupts a Low Class enemy before it can act.ver the course of her journey, Lute will learn how to disrupt stronger enemies as well.

### Special abilities

* **Blast**: A powerful attack against a single target.
* **Synergy**: Lute channels her energy to unleash a special attack in unison with Briar.
* **Fields**: In order to fight Wraiths and Possessed, Lute must activate either the Evocation Field or the Banishment Field. Fields are also necessary to interact with certain elements of the environment.

### Rapture branches

Bound to Unity, it consists in an empowered state that affects both Briar and Lute. Once Rapture is activated, Briar dashes at the enemy and unleashes more powerful attacks. Meanwhile, Lute takes an offensive stance. The sisters' attacks now harm all enemies, including Wraiths and Possessed. Note that you can't change weapon nor use consumable items as long as Rapture is active.

There are different Rapture Branches, which are based on Lute's alignment. Each Aspect unleashes a unique Finisher. Rapture Branch upgrades are acquired automatically whenever a Cobalt Tear Crystal is acquired from Layton.