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


♫

Comments

FINAL BATTLE PHASE: ROUND 2

[beautifulknight]

[ Sayaka's words seem not to reach the Shadow, much less the flames that do not make their mark.

Though Fray's attack sure does, with that extraordinarily powerful electrical elemental slash striking at one side of the beasts' leg. There is hardly no reaction, not because it is ineffective, but rather it is so large, yet there is darkness that weaves outwards albeit briefly from where the strong strike laid into that very spot, traces of electricity even remaining until it dissipates.

And, there is a response. ]

...promise...

[ Aerith's hit is also true, Bless magic colliding with the creature with relative ease - earning a hiss from the exploitation of the creature's weakness. She gets a glance, but that is all when next is McGillis' strike, which hits right after, gale force winds cutting into the creature. Tit for tat, it seems. Eli's ice attack also manages to land on the Omen of Evil, even if it doesn't so much as flinch, it is not an insubstantial strike.

Richard and Celeste have chosen an intriguing point of attack, which seems to capture the attention of the creature intensely, eyes glancing to look at them. Uh-oh!

But first, their strikes are true, loosening its grip on the spear and distracting it. Whatever plans it might have had could have been diverted, though it is hard to tell which ones those were.

The monster still manages to lash out with a strong Heat Wave, hitting Mafuyu (19), Sayaka (13), missing McGillis (3), and missing Aaron (4.

...But, even if Richard and Céleste have struck too, they've unfortunately caught the attention of the Omen of Evil.

So, suddenly it tries to grab both of them in its free hand! Céleste (18) seems to manage to avoid getting caught in that, but Richard (7) is scooped up into its hand. The creature applies a tight pressure in its Monstrous Grip! (14, 5) and Richard will receive physical and medium-level curse damage! Fortunately, if two people strike the hand, it will let him go (6) If not, Richard will be stuck and unable to act for this round. ]

[destage]

Ack--

[Sayaka feels it all. The pain in her leg that's been growing throughout this entire trip, her growing fatigue from being nothing but an Agilao machine, and the hit manage to send Sayaka careening to the ground, and it's a genuine struggle to get up. Sayaka has to use that bloody kitchen knife as a support as she barely manages to make it up, and then she sees Richard is in danger.

First thing's first--have a Dia, Mafuyu, and Atropos attempts to throw another Agilao out but misses (10).

It's the word that gets uttered that gets Sayaka's attention, and she does her best to look to the monstrous form of her friend, resolve tightened as ever.]

We promise--we promise that we're going to get you out of this, Argenti. And we're...going to get you out alive...!

[kandata]

You will let go right now!

[With the power of a 16 roll, Kirumi comes and intends to cleave the hand that's holding Richard captive! Time to hit!]

[beautifulknight]

[ Thanks to both Kirumi and Mafuyu's efforts, Richard is free! ]

[bloodweapon]

[The first order of business is to heal those who have been hurt, because keeping everyone standing is extremely important. Here's a Media on Mafuyu, Sayaka, and Richard.

But Argenti is still in there somewhere, and he's still listening, even if his response is not very promising (pun intended). It's something, so Fray has to keep trying.]

Do you remember, Argenti? You gave me something before we parted. I need to return it to you. I won't let it end like this. I'll drag you back with us, no matter what. You've my word - we're leaving here together!

[The Fallen sends out a Mazio, aiming for the beast's head to try to grab its attention as a makeshift Provoke... but it misses so good job, guys.]

[destage]

[+1 Commendation. Thank you, Fray! Sayaka will shoot him a quick smile.]

[bloodweapon]

[A nod!! He is always here to help (when he isn't throwing down)!!]

[gardenful]

[ First things first, Aerith sends a Media out for Mafuyu, Sayaka, and Richard. Hopefully her healing spell can reach Richard all the way up in the Shadow's hand... but she figures that she may as well try to get that spell out there anyway.

She tries to attack that hand with a Makouha, but it misses (9). ]

Remember the things you have to go back to, Argenti. There's lots that you still have to do, right?

[ After all, she did catch that bit about Fray making a promise to him. May as well help to drive that little point home. ]

[destage]

[Thank you, Aerith!! Sayaka will shoot her a quick smile, and she'll at least be able to stand up properly.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Hands... off!

[ Eli turns his attention to the hand slowly crushing Richard, but his attack is for naught as it moves out of his way (5). Sad days, just out of doggy striking distance. ]

Wh?! Oh, c'mon!

[imperiosity]

...

[It's a good sign that the Shadow is responding, but the others all have far more sentimental words to deliver than him, so Aaron will keep focusing on offense. He debates aiming at the legs to try and get it to stumble, but he sees the way those eyes moved before it made grabs at Richard and Céleste, so...

He aims a Giant Slice (20) at the eyes, his Persona flying high so it can execute the attack.]

Re: FINAL BATTLE PHASE: ROUND 2

[beathollow]

( mafuyu cries out- any stoicism is out the window after the whole stabbing fiasco, but quick heals from the others helps her recover quickly enough. with one of her few remaining arrows, she pulls the string back back, aiming for the hand holding the richard- 18. )

And then... Snow White!

( which results in marakakuja for herself, sayaka, fray and celeste, raising their defense. admittedly the last two were randomized. )

[beautifulknight]

[ And thanks to both Kirumi and Mafuyu's efforts, Richard is free! ]

[destage]

Thank you, Mafuyu-san!

[Sayaka beams a bit; worried as she is for Mafuyu, the kindness is appreciated and shall be repaid.]

[goei]

[Well a lot of shit is happening! Izou also tries to free Richard, but is unable (10).]

Augh, drop him already you creepy fuck!

[At least he can sling a Dia at Mafuyu to make his turn not completely useless.]

[bloodandstars]

[ Like that stupid shadow has the right to use that word to her, after reminding her of all the promises she's not keeping right now. She narrows her eyes at its reaction to the incursions on its spear and takes a swing at it with Giant Slice (10). It's a miss, but she'll take a distraction right now. ]

If you have something you need to say, then say it. I know you can still hear us.

[cirquedesang]

[Considering being up on the monster is, apparently, annoying to it, Celeste will take full advantage of that and aim a normal attack at its eyes (11)!]

[beathollow]

( while he's up there, she's going to try and signal him- distract him! seems she has an idea for the next round... provided that things go well. )</small.

[cirquedesang]

[Signal received! If attacking its eyes isn't distraction enough, he'll sure do his best to keep its attention!]

[ledbythewind]

[Even with the two Medias, Richard can feel at least one rib crack, and he tries to suck in a sharp, pained breath-- only he can't get the air in with that hand crushing him, and with his arms pinned to his sides, he can't try to attack with his blade either. This is definitely bad. He can't concentrate enough between the pain and the inability to breathe to attempt even a heal for himself; all he can do is hang there as his vision grows more and more fuzzy around the edges, his field of view growing narrower and narrower.

Until suddenly there's the sensation of falling, the ground rushing up at him with unexpected speed. The impact knocks what little air was left from his lungs, his rapier hitting the ground a few feet away. He's in no shape to attack right now, though he at least has the presence of mind to attempt a Tarunda on the beast.

Diarama? What's that?]

[beathollow]

( she's out of actions but don't mind her hovering nearby, worried... )

You'll be okay, I've got you.

[ledbythewind]

... I'm all right.

[He's not, but the instincts of a wounded animal don't fade away that easily.]