Whoom-!
The Territory shuddered as it faced the two attacks. The contradiction in rules made the green hue swirl violently. How was it to keep Ryolu out while not preventing Opportunity from leaving? Due to the simplicity of the Territory there was no backup in place for this very conflict of rules. Thus, the absolute rule of 'anyone is allowed to leave' overwrote the 'none shall enter' and created a hole. Its size was no larger than Ryolu's breath attack or the punch from Opportunity. Moreover the hole was already beginning to close, but not before the two Dragons slipped through.
Kan'na snapped her fingers and a magic circle entered the closing gap before it closed entirely. It spun rapidly as mana swirled from either side of the territory. With a smile she informed Yielya, "I got it."
It was a spacial swap magic spell, constantly switching the space inside and outside of the Territory to abuse the 'none shall enter and all can leave' rule. She couldn't widen the hole any larger, but it provided a weakness in the once impenetrable Territory. With this hole remaining Kan'na could lock onto coordinates and repair the lost communication.
The appearance of the Territory had made Kan'na toss aside the previous restrictions of mass teleport. With no clear entrance, she was forced to figure out other means.
Akiol was the first to notice the magic circle on his ear get repaired. Additionally he felt the link presence of Givale and Mira approaching his location. As he expected, he couldn't have fought this battle alone! Deflecting an attack from the Dulluhan his footwork sped up as he began to retreat. Placing a hand on the newly reformed magic circle he spoke, "Do not enter just yet! Wait until the signal!"
"Waiting on you.", Yielya replied as she organized the next assault.
All her plans were being tossed out the window one at a time, yet regardless she continued to strategize. Utilizing the hole in the Territory Kan'na was able to utilize several custom made magic circles to map out the current situation within. Yielya was pointing out various locations on the map to the remaining Guild Leaders and forces. Kan'na began to prepare a mass teleport spell to spread everyone to the locations. Until Tilia pointed to a spot in particular, "This must be the Guild flag right? What exactly is the signal Akiol is referring to?"
Kan'na formed magic circles at her fingertips as she responded, "Not entirely sure, but I reckon it has something to do with the massive ball he made in the middle of the undead horde."
"Send me in at the flag, just in case Akiol's signal ends up destroying it."
Raising an eyebrow Yielya asked, "You confident in taking on whatever that is?"
Tilia smiled in response. Which was more than enough for Yielya. With a sigh Kan'na swiped her hand and a smaller magic circle spun away from the Magic Concatenation, "You know last minute adjustments to a magic spell aren't reliable right?"
"If it was an ordinary magic user who was doing it.", Tilia answered.
"Good answer."
"Jarvis! You ready?!", Yielya hollered.
Snapping his book shut Jarvis turned to nod, "Anytime!"
"It's time Mister!", Kiro placed her palms behind her back and stood by his side.
"Be careful."
"Like a ghost.", Kiro answered in a cryptic manner.
Krrrck-
Akiol grit his teeth as his grip on Stars weakened. The Dulluhan was slowly growing stronger as the fight went on. That, or the occasional soul that Akiol was forced to receive was sapping away his strength. Without his surplus of Aura to dispel the souls he was slowly being pushed against. However he just needed a few more moments, the Supergiant Star was nearing completion!
Another pulse ran across the undead army, this one stronger. Orothus looked up at it as he noticed the steady increase in power and was stunned to see it rotating at an increased pace. From his bone fingertips he sent an army of souls screeching towards it, but upon making contact with the Supergiant Star he noticed they were shred apart and he could not recall them. Turning to Akiol he hissed, "What did you do?"
Not answering this question Akiol slammed his foot against the Dulluhan's chest to push it back. A bit of its chest hadn't fully recovered from Stars repulse ability. This sort of permanent damage despite the rules of the Territory had given Akiol a shining star of hope that the situation could be turned around. He just needed to give the rest of his army force an edge in the battle.
Givale and Mira arrived above Akiol. Her mighty wings caused the wind to bellow violently as they pumped. With a smile Akiol pushed against the ground and lifted himself high into the air, landing upon her back. Gripping a handhold he commanded, "Now Givale!"
Space warped and the three vanished from sight much to the alarm of Orothus and Harreth. The Dulluhan screeched with a rage but his voice did not reach Akiol. A bit of distance away Tilia winced at the screech, "Powerful taunt."
She had been teleported ahead of time. Raising her hand the semi-translucent bronze energy expanded and formed into a mountain. Covering the remaining forces of Raven Thread. Akiol spotted the energy from a distance and smiled. Despite the party not completely adjusted to their newfound abilities, their inherent understanding of each other's style hadn't faded! The Supergiant Star had reached a critical point! Spinning so rapidly that the pulse of aura happened at an increased pace.
{Way of the Galaxy: . . .}
"Stand clear of the fireworks.", Akiol placed a palm against his ear and spoke.
{Hyperburst}!
A high piercing whine could be heard by all who were within the Territory. The Supergiant Star expanded as it exploded encompassing the undead army entirely. Tilia felt her War Sight shudder at its force yet it remained strong and did not fail. Witnessing the explosion from the safety of her War Sight she spoke with a tang of shock, "What have you become Akiol?"
Aura swirled as the explosion took on the entirety of the army, expanded and reaching the top of the Territory dome. Orothus and Harreth's roars were drowned out by the sound of the Hyperburst explosion. Givale and Mira watched almost in silence. The shockwave from the explosion interrupted their silent stares and forced Givale to adjust herself to not be blown away.
Kan'na whistled as she watched it unfold from her magic viewpoint. Incredibly impressive, and would have most likely wiped the entire army out. Placing a hand by the magic circle on her ear she asked, "So what did you need our help with again?"
"Excluding the fact that the Third Stages will survive this, the Territory itself will ensure that this technique doesn't cause any losses on the Undead's side.", Akiol's voice crackled in response.
"So why did you do it?"
"The Territory cannot return what is entirely erased. This will significantly weaken any who are within it. Leaving the rest up to you all."
"This is one incredible opportunity you've given us.", Reverence's voice spoke with a grateful tone.
"It's not going to be easy. They're undoubtedly going to send more forces once they realize just how many more of you are coming. I just made your entrance smoother."
The Hyperburst began to fade and revealed the undead struggling to rise up. Many of the lesser undead were missing too much of their bodies to become whole again, and were just piles of bones and rotted flesh. The Dulluhan and Lich seemed worn down, the Lich's robe had been erased and he now stood with just his skeleton. Gritting his teeth he roared, "Who do you think you are?!"
Magic circle after magic circle appeared inside of the domain, lights began to descend around the undead army. The Guild members, the recruited teams, and Torch's mechanical army came into view. Orothus' head became a swivel as he watched. His undead army struggling to place themselves back together. Although his skeleton face was devoid of any features to showcase his emotions, his voice did no justice to hide his fury, "You think this is enough?!?!"
Raising a palm thousands of souls screeched as they flew free. Extended across the undead army and howling as they moved towards the various players. Tilia rose a hand, but she stopped. Descending from the sky was Kan'na, donning a cloak made of pure Magic Concatenations. The cloak was larger than what was realistically possible for her to wear normally. It floated as she stepped down on steps made of simplistic magic circles. Suppressing a snort Tilia commented, "Dramatic entrance."
Extending a palm outwards Kan'na summoned a magic circle and each of the souls stopped in their tracks. They squirmed violently as if they were trapped in a jar. Twisting her wrist she snapped and each of the souls dissipated into dust, sprinkles of mana provided the visual effect of the dust.
Orothus spoke in a grave tone, "It's you. . . you've come to face me again?"
"Not intentionally, it just worked out that way."
"So, you researched a method to counter my souls I reckon?"
"Oh please, don't hold yourself so high. I just happened to have a few encounters with things related the World's life cycle. Your simplistic method of controlling souls fails to hold a candle to what I've witnessed."
With her palm still pointing upwards she extended a finger towards the Lich and gave playful smirk, "Freeing them is incredibly easy."
A burst of mana shot off the Lich's back. Mana swirled before happily vanishing from sight. Orothus looked behind him at this dissipating mana and felt his shoulders drop, "You. . ."
The souls he had carefully curated over centuries had been whisked away before he could react. His life and afterlife's work had gone just like that. Staring down Kan'na he spoke again, "What have you become?"
< Unparalleled Dimensional Magician makes her presence known! >
Holding a hand to her ear Kan'na gave a simple order, "The rest is yours everyone."
Yielya spoke, "You heard her! The biggest threat has been handled, take down the remaining undead! You know your jobs!"
Raven Thread respawned at their Guild Flag and now the undead army was entirely surrounded. Normally Yielya wouldn't corner her enemies like this, however they had their route of escape through the Territory's effect keeping them alive. Not that it mattered much now.
Yielya gripped her staff and looked towards the undead castle, "Now for their response. . ."