Sunward Sun's Rest Mystery Dungeon

[Namohysip]

Mhynt grunted. That one hurt. couldn't dodge it well enough. Clutching at her side, she tried to burst for a counterattack, but stumbled when she felt a tug on her shadow.

Wait! Not now!

"What? She's still fighting, we can't--"

No, look! The Dungeon's collapsing!

And... if what Leaf had noticed earlier was anything to go by... in fact, now that she thought about it, was Amida really the enemy to fight here? If they could just convince her to ally with them, if only temporarily...

A thought occurred to her. In her mind, she did sense that their goal was to defeat The Sun. But was this truly The Sun anymore? It felt different. The target had shifted--before them was not The Sun, but Amida. Perhaps she could trust that.

She faintly chuckled as she regained her footing. "Thank you, Owen," she muttered. "Perhaps your silly platitudes about friendship might hold weight here."

She vanished... and reappeared right next to their hopefully-former foe.

"Amida!" she shouted. "We can talk later... Right now, an organization is here to... probably harvest your power. To burn you like firewood! The Dungeon that sealed you away is collapsing. Please--work with us so your power doesn't fall into the wrong hands! Let us help you be free!"

Against her better interests, she spread her arms out in earnest. She felt like an idiot. A fool to let her guard down. But... sometimes, trust in tense situations was earned with risky investments. Just this once, she had to try.

"The sun is back," Owen urged, appearing beside Amida with his back to her. He was facing the incoming reality--preparing to block anything that may come her way. "In the real world, darkness and light are working together against all kinds of foes!"

"We'll answer your questions when we have the time to breathe," Mhynt said. "Can you defend yourself?"

Spoiler: Turn 4

Mhynt (117 STM, 22 TMP, +2 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 10 RAD)
- Teleport (-20 STM, +2 TMP)
- Umbral Specter (-40 STM, +2 TMP, +32 SHD)
- Interact @ Owen&Mhynt Guard Amida from the Coven's antics outside! Try to win her over! (-3 TMP)
- Surrender [Owen: "The sun is back. In the real world, darkness and light are working together against all kinds of foes!"]
Net change: -53 STM, +1 TMP, +32 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 64 STM (121 after regen), 23 TMP, 32 SHD, 10 RAD

 

[Ambyssin]

"Amida... I am her. I am... light."

"...Who... are you...?"

"I'm Nova," he replied, the light seeping in enough to give Nova's voice that ethereal buzz to it. "This is Mhynt, Archie, and Leaf." He gestured to the others. "We're like Lorrel. Offworlders... brought to Forlas in a time of need."

He shook his head. "Auriga didn't summon us. Someone else did. But I've seen what happened to you and Lorrel. The meteor. Sorrel's blazing strike... and the great leviathans that awoke in the aftermath. You provided light through the smog and ash, but it's gone now." He bowed his head. "It's been gone for a while now. And you'll see that for yourself in just a short while.

"But the person that summoned us... though he means well, the people who built him do not." Nova gazed into the volcarona's eyes. "They want to harness your Light... and use it to impose their will on the world. Use your Light... and summon as many offworlders as they want to this world. But none of us want that. We want you to be free. To help you find Lorrel again, so you can live the lives you want to live."

He squared up his stance, reactivating his shields. "I know we just met. Maybe you won't believe me. But we are pokémon. So, strike me! As many times as you need to! I'll show you my heart... just before we see what's on the other side."

Spoiler: Nova Turn 4

Nova (159 STM, 27 TMP, +1 SPD, +0 ACC, 12 SHD, 20 RAD)
- Wide Guard (-24.75 STM, +2 TMP)
- Follow Me (-16 STM, +2 TMP) [2 layers]
- Follow Me (-24 STM, +2 TMP) [3rd and 4th layer]
- **Act:** Item (Leppa Berry) (+40 STM)
- **Act:** Call @ Amida
- Surrender ["We wish to fight alongside you... against the ones who seek to twist your Light for their own purposes. Strike me as many times as you need to see what's in my heart!"]
Net change: -21 STM, +3 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 138 STM (190 after regen), 30 TMP, 12 SHD, 20 RAD

Spoiler: Turn order

1) Mhynt
2) Nova
3) Leaf
4) Archie

 

[Phoenixsong]

Everything around them was swimming, and Leaf might've been willing to pass it off as heat haze but at this point the whole mesa might well've been melting for real. They had to hold on just a little longer. (Could they hold on much longer?)

She's distracted. Slowing down. Either get out of here while you still can, or finish this before she gets a second wind—

"Do you... know where he is...??"

Even through the heat and blinding light, there was still a voice. A real voice. Confused. Lonely. The desire to run for the shade keep battling still burned in Leaf's chest, but... if Amida really was waking up—if the person in there was someone just trying to understand what was going on—then this wasn't where she ought to be aiming it.

"We don't know yet. I'm sorry." Leaf hung her head. "But we do know he's out there somewhere! We might be able to ask the Voice, the one who brought him here, if she can find him. Even if she doesn't know, we can look for him together." She looked up again, tried to meet the volcarona's eyes in spite of the blinding light. "But if we're gonna find him together, then we need you to be you. Not the Living Sun, not Surekhi, just Amida. I think... I think he'd want to see you again as yourself, too."

...

Then she moved, not to strike, but back the way they came. She gave Amida one more hopeful look, then swung her horn and leveled it at what was left of the portal.

"Just gotta get through Professor Bitch first."

Spoiler: Leaf, Turn 4

Leaf (119 STM, 11 TMP, +1 SPD, +4 ACC, 27 SHD, 20 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Swords Dance (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Surrender ["We can help you find Lorrel, but we need *you* for that."]
- Walk to South Flats
Net change: -17 STM, +7 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD
Net totals: 102 STM (165 after regen), 18 TMP, 7 SHD, 0 RAD

Over the network:

[How's it going out there? I don't think we can keep Amida in here much longer. She might be okay now? Maybe??? But you've gotta be ready in case she's not...]

 

[Weazel]

They were... Stopping? What!?

No, no that was probably for the best. This was just a friendly bout, to bring the Volcarona back to her senses. Not a fight to the end. This wasn't like back then.

"The Day is already saved, but these people," he gestured to the prone forms of the Covenant agents, "want to use your power to upset the peace you fought so hard to preserve. Don't let them take advantage of you like that."

Spoiler: Archie Turn 4

Archie (163 STM, 12 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 10 SHD, 38 RAD)
- Walk to South Flats
- Swords Dance (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- **Act:** Call @ Amida
- Surrender
Net change: -18 STM, +7 TMP, -10 SHD, -20 RAD
Net totals: 145 STM (188 after regen), 19 TMP, 0 SHD, 18 RAD

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 4
Player Phase​

burn you like firewood

please--work with us

be free

in the real world

working together

defend yourself

Offworlders in a time of need

Auriga

Lorrel

the meteor

the smog and ash

gone now

use your Light

be free

believe me

strike me!

I'll show you my heart

he's out there somewhere

we can look for him together

we need you

to see you again as yourself

the Day is already saved

use your power

you fought so hard

don't let them take you

She could hear them.

"...i don't know if I can...!"​

Just barely.

"...i am burning inside...!"​

But she could hear them.

Mhynt's Umbral Specter let Owen join the fight!
Mhynt surrendered.
Amida's RAD fell a little!

Nova's Wide Guard and Follow Me are guarding the party!
Nova called out to Amida!
Nova surrendered.
Amida's RAD fell somewhat!

Leaf called out to Amida!
Leaf surrendered.
Amida's RAD fell significantly!

Archie called out to Amida!
Archie surrendered.
Amida's RAD fell dramatically!

The blazing apparition of Volcarona Amida strained and quivered in the air. Fiery, golden, holy Infinity Energy sloughed off her body in endless waves, like moulting skins, shedding endlessly. There was seemingly no limit to the Radiance...

Amida's defenses fell dramatically!

And yet, she was no longer fighting the Wayfarers, but herself.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 4
Enemy Phase​

Amida Focused...

So, strike me! As many times as you need to!

"—I will! I let it go...! All my power... my light..." ​

Amida Focused with all her will...!​

"Take it from me!"​

Amida released her Radiance unto Nova!

Even as the Volcarona let loose upon Nova at his invitation, a great tower of light fired from her into the heavens, splitting the sky apart. The dungeon itself was being torn asunder.

She is shedding as much Radiance as she can! But there is so much of it... and it must go somewhere!
If she is not weakened further still, her return to realspace will surely scour the Soja!

Amida's AGILE RADIANT Fiery Dance dealt 15 damage to Nova!
Amida's RADIANT Fiery Dance dealt 24 damage to Nova!
Amida's RADIANT Air Slash dealt 24 damage to Nova!
Amida's Blinding Daybreak dealt a CRITICAL 92 damage to Nova! Nova's Guardian was destroyed!

The space and time in the dungeon had thinned – faint, hazy outlines of objects and 'mon in the surface world could be seen, superimposed on the dungeon's half-real air. Their ghostly outlines stuttered from one false-moment to the next. Their voices could be heard like echoes, or words spoken through water.

The divine moth coruscated with light, her movements stilled as she awaited a counterattack.

"I beg you... to strike me down!"​

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt glanced at Owen, who this time conceded with a nod.

"If that's your wish," Mhynt replied quietly. "I will humor it..."

But she was not without mercy. She was trying to calm down. She tried to configure her Enervation to drain her power, even if that meant pulling some of it herself to neutralize her shadows. Perhaps that would ease her Radiance.

At the very least, it would weaken the damage. She could already sense that the Radiant power inside was no longer some incomprehensible amount. Just a little more...

Owen mirrored her moves, filled with that same guiding, calming compassion, using Shadows to douse Radiant flames. Perhaps they could still save what burned inside.

Accept your dusk.

Spoiler: Turn 5

Mhynt (114 STM, 23 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 32 SHD, 10 RAD)
- Toxic @ Amida (-20 STM, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG CRITICAL SHADOW Leaf Blade @ Amida (-31.5 STM, -10 TMP, +6 TMP, +16 SHD) [Agile Owen echo]
- Interact @ Amida (-3 TMP) [Apply her Enervation/Toxic like a sedative, weakening strength so the outgoing Radiance has less of a blast]
- Soul Enervation @ Amida (-30 STM, +4 TMP) [Agile Owen echo]
Net change: -82 STM, +4 TMP, +16 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 32 STM (89 after regen), 27 TMP, 48 SHD, 10 RAD

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova felt nothing from the blows. The Guardian took everything, before a brilliant radiant strike finally broke through it. Nova shuffled back, digging gold talons into the dirt.

"Haah... okay." He took a deep breath. "I'll try. I'll try... to bring you back."

He lunged for Amida. Fiery talons struck the volcarona. He knew it wouldn't do much, but that was just the preamble. Shadows gathered around his forelegs.

"Let's watch the sunset together, shall we?"

Spoiler: Nova Turn 5

Nova (190 STM, 30 TMP, +1 SPD, +0 ACC, 12 SHD, 20 RAD)
- AGILE CRITICAL Multi-Attack @ Amida (-54 STM, -15 TMP, +2 TMP) [Uses Defense]
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- CRITICAL SHADOW Multi-Attack @ Amida (-36 STM, -15 TMP, +2 TMP, +28 SHD) [Uses Defense, remove Heal Block]
- Follow Me (-12 STM, +2 TMP) [2 layers]
- Wide Guard (-33 STM, +2 TMP)
Net change: -127 STM, -17 TMP, +28 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 63 STM (120 after regen), 13 TMP, 40 SHD, 20 RAD

Spoiler: Turn order

1) Archie
2) Leaf
3) Mhynt
4) Nova

 

[Phoenixsong]

There's still too much light...

But not as much.

"Almost there, Amida. You're almost back home."

Leaf glanced at the portal again, then turned away. Didn't matter now; the whole place was coming down around their ears. She charged, allowed herself a couple seconds' satisfaction imagining that she was smashing through the ghosts of machines flickering in and out of sight in her path, and swung.

Spoiler: Leaf, Turn 5

Leaf (165 STM, 18 TMP, +1 SPD, +3 ACC, 7 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to North Flats
- CRITICAL Tenacious Soul @ Amida (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-30 STM, -13 TMP, +8 TMP) [Effect: -1 Eva]
- Quick Attack @ Amida (-6 STM, +7 TMP)
- Quick Attack @ Amida (-9 STM, +7 TMP)
- AGILE CRITICAL Psycho Cut @ Amida (-19.5 STM, -11 TMP, +7 TMP)
- CRITICAL Psycho Cut @ Amida (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +7 TMP)
- CRITICAL Zen Headbutt @ Amida (-17 STM, -16 TMP, +6 TMP)
Net change: -89 STM, -9 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 76 STM (76 after regen), 9 TMP, 7 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Weazel]

So, it was going to come to this after all. Strike down The Sun. The Dewott gripped his scalchops tighter. So be it.

Archie charged in, pouring Shadow into his veins, as much as he could take. Enough to snuff out the light. He swung, cutting through whatever feeble defenses Amida’s natural instincts were forcing her to put up. And then he swung again. And again. And again. Until his arms sang with the effort, as cloying Shadow seeped through his system. Until finally he was forced to stop.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

Spoiler: Archie Turn 5

Archie (188 STM, 19 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 18 RAD)
- Walk to North Flats
- Razor Shell @ Amida (ACTIVATE: effect) (-16 STM, -5 TMP, +4 TMP)
- CRITICAL Umbral Injury @ Amida (-40 STM, -11 TMP, +5 TMP, +40 SHD)
- AGILE Night Slash @ Amida (-19.5 STM, +5 TMP)
- CRITICAL Night Slash @ Amida (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +5 TMP)
- CRITICAL Slash @ Amida (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +5 TMP)
Net change: -102 STM, -14 TMP, +40 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 86 STM (86 after regen), 5 TMP, 40 SHD, 18 RAD