Argenti's Palace

[beautifulknight]

The stage is set they say;
They don their masks and shields,
Shadows creep and cover their minds;
Now, what beautiful role shall they play?

𝓜𝓮𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓵𝓮


♫

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FIRST BATTLE PHASE ROUND 3

[beautifulknight]

[ The remaining Demonic Lion is sliced at by Eli's attack, whereas Fray's attack strikes true when it comes to the Lion, damaging it rather well with the barrage, next followed up McGillis' strike aimed at the flunky and the shadow itself, the strength of the wind spell chipping a part of the statue. By this time, the Lion is snarling at the beating its taken, and as Richard's defense lowering spell takes hold on the Shadow, the sword strike he employs makes a fracture appear along one arm of said statue.

What doesn't help is Izou's follow-up light curse damage attack, more fractures appearing, even as Maika pounces on the remaining lion. Sayaka's punishing flames send the enemy flunky straight to Gehenna while the slash with her bladed weapon on the Shadow adds to the many fractures.]

You'll have to shatter this form if you believe you can drag me out!

...Then, you shall see what truly lies beneath. And decide once and for all if your efforts will result in what you truly desire.

As for you, Lady Halfwolf, that was to see if any of you can have a true appreciation for Beauty. Even if by entering in the first place you were all bound to be fighting a losing battle. But, I know perfectly well that actions speak louder than words.

You shall all have a glimpse of despair soon.

[ Is...anyone surprised at part of the answer, though. Yes? No? And then the shadow's words reach out to Sayaka next: ]

And you...young lady, your determination may lead you astray. There is still time to flee.

[ That said, with the loss of his other ally, the Shadow seems invigorated! Light trickles in after that exchange, though, and also when the statue raises the staff...

...

An oasis of light, in fact, though it lingers, brightening the room as well. But, Richard, Izou, Mafuyu, Céleste and Maika are hit with such a dazzling sight that they are inflicted with Dizzy, making it difficult to see or aim! (If your characters ends up not getting cleared, Roll with disadvantage on attacks (roll twice and take the lower roll number))

The staff does not lower and in fact, the shadow sings once more, sparkles of light appearing before everyone gloriously, charming three people. Aaron, Aerith, and Sayaka fall victim to the sweet, charming melody and spectacular show, making them stuck under the effects of Brainwash! They are now Brainwashed and willing to take an action that will benefit the enemy! It will last for two rounds if not cleared.

In Mapsiodyne, we trust. By which we mean it goes off again, missing McGillis (3), swerving Céleste (7), hitting Richard (12), and missing Falin (2)!

Then, with another swing, the staff reaches towards two people... missing Kirumi (8) and hitting Izou (19).

...Yet, one of the statues' arms suddenly cracks and falls to the ground, shattering into pieces nearby, missing Sayaka who is one of those close enough to the Shadow (1), and that remains the case for others. Though the debris does not clear. Watch your step! ]

[destage]

I've already said I won't...run...

[...Oh, what a beautiful melody...

Sayaka's eyes go dull and almost glassy as she finds herself listening in. Ah, yes. How could she hurt her friend Argenti? There were far more...appealing targets, to sate her need to fight on. How terribly ugly of her.]

All for the sake of...beauty...

[Sayaka lunges at Fray (8), out of protection for Argenti. He must be stopped. He must be slain. But she doesn't quite seem able to hit, sadly.

But she also sees Izou. Overconfident. Brash. Deeply rude to Argenti. She also lunges at him (20), aiming to hit hard.]

[beathollow]

--IZOU!

[bloodweapon]

[He manages to dodge out of the way of that attack, red eyes turning on her for a moment before they flicker out. Sayaka's in trouble, so he'll need to help her, but...

Well. She goes for Izou first. Rip in rest, buddy.]

[kandata]

[beautiful stab sayaka 👏👏👏]

[imperiosity]

[YEAH GET THAT BITCH


says a fellow brainwashee]

[goei]

[OUGH. The cosmic karma of Sayaka immediately acting on his advice but using it against him. The knife twisting in his leg muscle draws a yelp out of Izou before he buckles, unable to put weight on that leg.]

O-Oi, get yer head on straight!

[bloodweapon]

[That's a lot of debuffs!! Fray doesn't even have time to roll his eyes at Argenti's words, instead focusing on using Energy Shower to cure Sayaka, Aaron, and Aerith of Brainwash. Followed up is a Me Patra to Richard, Mafuyu, and Maika. With that bit of support out of the way...

Fray turns his attention on the shadow, eyes glowing red. Though he's primarily been focused on the lions, it's time to put an end to this. See what truly lies beneath? Yeah, like that'll ever stop him. Here's another Thunderous Rage coming your way, buddy! (15)]

[destage]

[--Ah. Sayaka's eyes finally snap out of that strange trance, and she blinks once, twice, and...why is there...blood...on the knife...

...

Oh dear god, she's horrified.]

[bloodandstars]

...Thanks.

[ What Maika is learning from this fight is that she's going to show more appreciation to her supports in the future. You're a good dude, mysterious armor man. ]

[imperiosity]

[Even after the Energy Shower, he's still shaking his head a bit like he's trying to get his bearings again, but he'll nod at Fray in thanks.]

Ugh... that bastard's asking for it now.

[beathollow]

T-thank you...

( she's a little distracted because her heroic spirit is dying- )

[gardenful]

[ Man, she still feels out of it, but she at least nods in thanks. You're a real one, Fray. ]

[ledbythewind]

[Fray gets a nod of thanks and a rare glimpse of something that might almost be a smile.

... and then he gets hit by that Mapsiodyne, but y'know. C'est la vie.]

[cirquedesang]

[If they have to shatter the form...

It already looks to be falling apart, so it makes sense to go for where cracks are already forming. Unfortunately, given he's still blinking flashes of light from his eyes and trying to regain his bearings, he barely misses both the Lunge (10) towards the statue, and as a result of being off on that one, completely goes wide on the Giant Slice (3) to follow up.]

[kandata]

[The staff missed Kirumi, but not by much! So she decides to act]

You will fall!

[And fires up Freila, to attack Argenti with his weakness! Nuclear to trump Psi!

Woah, rolled a 16!]

Re: FIRST BATTLE PHASE ROUND 3

[beathollow]

Ugh...

( oh god, her head- and then izou's taking so much damage. that- no. no! he's family, they can't- )

Snow White!

( the princess manifests, casting diarama on izou. and then- if sayaka's brainwashed, who else...? it hurts. what's everyone doing...?

argenti- he has to be stopped, but her arrow misses (4).

fray's intervention, at least, helps, even if it's tragically a bit too late. )

I...

...

( once again, snow white manifests, casting tarunda on argenti, lowering his attack. )

[goei]

[Izou gives her a thumbs up from the floor. Worry not, he's not dead!!!]

[goei]

[The extremely heavy staff smack has Izou coughing up blood, and them he's left dazed enough to make Sayaka's stab on him easy pickings, which sends him onto one knee as he's unable to stand on his stab wound leg.

So obviously first off, Medea helps him stand back up with a Dia to himself, though he's still on pretty shaky footing. He's also throwing a Rakukaja at Sayaka so she doesn't think he's mad at her.

He's then going to try and take another swing at the cracking statue but given that he's barely standing it's unsurprising that he whiffs entirely and falls flat on his face (1).]

[bloodandstars]

[ That was all just to get them to babble about beauty? Is Theirgenti for real right now?

Forget the dazzling light. Maika might be dizzy with sheer rage. Not that that's apparently going to slow her down as she charges right for the Shadow and rakes her claws like she's trying to tear its Shadowy throat out (12, 14). She's barely landed from that before the air crackles again with Anubis' appearance, bringing a Giant Slice (16, 15) down right on the Shadow's stupid head. ]

Despair? Get a hold of yourself. You think you're the first person to ever look inside yourself and hate what you saw?

[ She wobbles back from her attacks just in time for a very appreciated Me Patra to wash over her. Maika will remember this. ]

[imperiosity]

[When charm hits, Aaron feels himself getting dazed, targeting whoever happens to be closest and slashing at Mafuyu (9) for a narrow miss. He veers away almost immediately to try and stab Richard (9) but thankfully that misses too.

Good thing he sucks at attacking today!!]

[chimken]

Argenti! You have to listen to us...remember your wonderful friends here and back home!

[ Falin isn't as good as her brother when it comes to inspiring speeches...her words are a little shaky as she holds out her arm again, a ball of light showing up for Bon Appetit but failing to eat up the shadow (5). ]

You aren't alone!!

[gardenful]

[ Having been charmed by that beautiful melody, Aerith doesn't even have to think twice about sending a Diarama Argenti's way. Good thing Fray managed to cure her of it! ]

[fullmoonmutt]

All you all shadows keep muttering about how we'll feel despair or suffer or die or...! Shut it already, Tin Can! It isn't going to happen!

[ What also isn't going to happen is good hits from Eli. His Bufula misses (4), though his next Giant Slice takes a crack at that chatty bitchass statue (11). ]

[ledbythewind]

[Thanks to Fray snapping him out of his Dizzy, Richard is able to turn around and do the same with a Me Patra for Izou and Celeste.

... and then he turns to Argenti and launches a Energy Shower directly at him as well.]

Open your eyes!

[He could attack too, but he won't. Not right now, because he isn't sure that's the right tactic to be taking.]