(Dialogue, Action and Metaphorical Description)
Ah. That's a writing style question.
I usually prioritize dialogue and action myself. I rarely use metaphor in fights.
But that might be because I'm usually writing contemporary/contemporary adjacent.
Even in the one fantasy story I'm writing, though, I try to keep the descriptions grounded and focused.
Example ig:
The Parasaur jumps, flying straight for me, spear cocked.
“Thunder Road!”
The Parasaur slams it’s tail against a tree, knocking itself off track. It spins downward and lands with a thud on the ground, knees crouched for another jump.
The lightning rips through the branches above and I’m pulled through. I come out above the trees in open air. Burning leaves and branches scatter around me.
I can’t see it. It could—
The Parasaur bursts from the brush nearby.
“Thunder road!”
Nothing happens. Pain explodes in the back of my head.
Wait.
I glimpse the spear for a moment before it hits me.
The lightning was previously established as a mobility spell that transports the caster to where the lightning strikes, so it may be a bit jarring out of context.
This is how I handle a fight scene. It might be considered a bit sparse for a fantasy scene, I know, but it's how I write.
Every line is moving something/asking a question/clarifying.
This scene has no dialogue beyond spellcasting but it's usually the same way.
I'll often summarize dialogue down in fight scenes, especially ones with multiple characters at play.
Maybe something like:
The soldiers barked orders, or Alana called my name as she dropped from the cliffside.
I think it reduces clutter. But having proper dialogue is also important for character/personality.
What characters choose to say in moments of crisis and combat can be revealing.
In the earlier example, Alyssa is completely silent outside of her spellcasting. That's because earlier in the scene she's effectively entered a sort of flow state at the edge of death.
That's all I can think of for now. Thanks for reading my rambling.
