Articuno's Shadow-fuelled power flowed out of them, darkening the battlefield – their all-consuming horror did not discriminate between targets as it traveled outwards in diffuse charcoal wisps that seeped into the tiles, the ground, the skin. To feel its touch was to feel the Saint's creeping dread, whispers in the dark that said
there is only a fool's hope now, that said
no-one is incorruptible, that said
we must do this no matter the cost. Even through warding shields, the Shadow sapped at the Wayfarers' fighting spirit, with a chill that would surely be worse otherwise.
Boss Attack: Articuno's Void Sanction targeted everyone! The -2 offenses debuff was halved by Protect. Embargo was nullified by Protect.
The rime-spirits that drifted in Articuno's orbit continued to levy brief, ghostly attacks. When one turned on Gladion with a mesmeric stare, he turned his gaze away and shook his head clear – only to hear a
thwip of some high-velocity projectile and the
krak of impact against the ice-construct. The snow shade's form flickered and failed as the frost that comprised it struggled to stay intact.
S Snow Shade moved to Rooftop W.
S Snow Shade used Hypnosis on Isidora! Dodged!
W Snow Shade used Icy Wind on Dave and Mhynt! Dodged!
E Snow Shade used Hypnosis on Gladion! Dodged!
E Snow Shade took 138 damage from ???
Even in the whiteout, Articuno seemed to know exactly where the Wayfarers were, and how to aim for them in the skin-scouring icestorm. Perhaps it was their keen and Radiance-enhanced eyesight, perhaps it was their calculating mind and psychic power. In any case, the missiles of comet-like like that fired from over their head continued to rain down accurately even at range...
Once the bird was in proximity of enough foes at once, they beat their wings abruptly, and a wave of Shadowy force thumped into Dave and Mhynt with a sensation like the blast of heat from an oven opened too hastily. Only, rather than warmth, the sensation was of a pitiless and arid coldness, as much the chill of despair as that of snow. No confrontation seemed possible, no hope of victory could be imagined. Those hit would tumble like scraps of paper caught in a gale...
But the feeling was temporary, and the fight was not over.
Get up, heroic spirits! There is still hope for victory.
Blacklight Lord's Shadow Ball dealt a CRITICAL 52 damage to Gladion! Covert Cloak blocked the debuff.
Legendary Action: Sure Crit!
Blacklight Lord's Freezing Glare dealt a CRITICAL 68 damage to Gladion! Couldn't freeze.
Blacklight Lord agile dashed to Courtyard!
Blacklight Lord's AGILE Shining Intervention dealt a grazing 35 + 77 damage to Isidora! It's ultra effective! -1 Spd
Blacklight Lord's Shining Intervention dealt 90 + a CRITICAL 123 damage to Isidora! It's ultra effective! Isidora endured at 1 HP!
Blacklight Lord's Umbral Mandate forced Dave and Mhynt into Rooftop West!
Dave: 90
Mhynt: 48
Blacklight Lord moved to Rooftop E!
Just as Gladion shook off another bone-chilling attack from Articuno, he might get the sense that there was another enemy nearby... watching him. Preparing.
Interact: ??? tackled Gladion off the roof and into the Courtyard!
The body that impacted his flank was smaller than his, and lighter, but no less powerful. There was Blacklight behind the force of the charge, and Blacklight had concealed its presence and movement. But no longer; he would know who it was in an instant.
The Zoroark stood up slowly, limbs dragging, like some kind of
creature from a horror-thriller B-movie. The smile on its face was joyless, mirthless, and deeply bitter. There were no other entities in the courtyard. There would be none. This was
their place now – snow settled on the flagstones as if on headstones and tombs. There had never been anyone else.
Only him.
"Hey there, buddy," growled Gladius Mohn.
"Will you tell me how you did it? How you made it here, like me, but without making so many fucking mistakes?"
Gladius's Isolated Soul trapped Gladion in Courtyard! The MC to enter or exit the zone was raised by 4.
Boss Attack: Blacklight Lord is preparing Shining Intervention!
Target: Rooftop W
Gladion and Isidora's Rhythm activated!
Dave and Mhynt were hurt by the hail!
The Blacklight Veto expired! Focusing was reenabled.
Articuno's Blacklight Veto! Calling out was disabled.
Sam and Aster were freed from Blacklight Coup.
