Attack!

Allie leans over the balcony's railing. At least she's found the strength to do what needs to be done--to share what's still new to her, but has already become a large and growing part of her self. The cyan glow within her eyes flares as the metal creaks from the weight of her body pushing forwards. While normally monotone, as all the ALICEs are, as well as quiet, she throws her voice over the entirety of the room with a booming shout--nearly a scream. "Every ALICE here, listen to me!"

William. Vex. Yourself. Niki. Amara. Eva. Summer. Kashura. Elok Daven. Automatons. ALICEs. The ELIS. It's pure chaos. Though despite this, Allie's call does reach them. While they continue to fight, it seems that the ALICEs are at least listening.

"You have a choice!" Allie continues. "Elok and Breiah may have created us, but this happened in the past too, with the insectrin! We have minds. Emotions. Aspirations. Think about why you're fighting, and why you're still listening to the man floating above you!"

While her words are strong, it won't be that simple. The battle proceeds below, and all she can do is watch, unsure of what to say next.

Elok Daven places his hands condescendingly over his slightly pointed ears. "So much noise. Metal on metal. Spells flying. Screaming. If you want to bring such chaos into my home, allow me to show you a glimpse of the future. Order! My order!" He then throws his hands forward, casting his next spell dangerously fast. The mana surges through his body with incredible power, and he speaks the words, "Prismatic Barrage". Like a commander calling for a volley of arrows, dozens of magic bolts fire out from every last inch of his body. Each bolt curves to be aimed directly forwards, and they rain down upon the battlefield like a downpour of destruction.

However, before they can land, Niki vaults forward. She clears those in front of her with a mighty leap overhead, and throws her shield arm up as she shouts words of her own. "Titan's Bulwark!" For the first time ever, you see what looks like a spell coming from the warrior's small supply of mana. The magic surges forward, projecting a massive rectangular barrier in the way of the attack and her friends behind. Even some of the ALICEs are protected, and a few copper automatons as well, but that matters little. All she cares about is protecting her friends. The volley of bolts crash against the barrier, absorbing the entirety of the attack.

Niki lowers her shield as the spell dissipates. She stares up at Elok with a grin.

"My turn," Eva whispers under her breath. She grips her tiny wand in both hands, and then she runs--past Niki, through other enemies, right beneath an ALICE who was just spin-kicked by Lady Vex across the battlefield. Her bountiful body bounces as she goes, and to those who are watching, she looks like she's a foolish mage about to run head-first into the final boss.

"Little rabbit," Elok jeers. "You're a magic as well, are you not?"

"I... I am!" she calls out, panting as she runs.

"Yet I am so far beyond." As he raises up his arm, something strange happens. The process is quick, but it's similar to what you've seen before. Lights flash beneath the sleeve of his suit, and in a manner of moments, his left arm has entirely transformed into a long steel cylinder. The polished metal glistens, and a bright, powerful glow hums from within the barrel. This is no spell, and requires no words. Instead, he fires the arcane cannon straight down at Eva.

"I've got you!" Niki calls out, leaping forwards.

"I've got me!" Eva calls back. Piercing through her own fear, she stares down the incoming blast, but then speaks the word, "Blink," before vanishing in an instant.

The bunnyfolk reappears behind Elok, though not on the ground. She grabs onto his shoulders from behind like a parasite. Then, just as quickly, she bites the back of his head with her mighty chompers.

Naturally this would hurt, though this man wears the skin of his ultimate creation. It isn't the pain of her teeth that gets him though. His eyes widen as suddenly the mana inside his body sparks and sizzles like water dumped over a computer. He goes pale and gasps, unsure of what exactly is happening. All he can tell is his magic is being sucked like a vampire would to blood. "What... What is--" He clenches his teeth before reaching around to grab her. Then, he thrusts her straight down against the ground with a loud thud.

Furious, he aims his cannon towards her again. He lets it charge further this time as she shouts, "How dare you touch me!" Then, a beam of concentrated magic fires straight down at the defenseless Eva beneath his feet.

Just as it strikes, something gets in its way. Niki holds her body over the bunny beneath her. After the smoke clears, the warrior stands up once again, almost untouched by damage despite it not striking her shield. There's a spark of flame atop her black hair, and her face is covered in dirt, but otherwise she doesn't seem injured. That being said, even if she were, she wouldn't show it. She turns away from Elok when she sees a bright light shining behind her, however.

Amara is there. She holds her silver staff up high as pink crushes across her face. The mana in her body churns hard as she musters up the focus to cast a mighty spell. Her knees wobble, and she bites her lip, but finally she slams the blunt end of the staff down against the tiled floor and shouts, "B-Beacon of Restoration!" After an explosion of near-blinding light, a wave of sparkling energy covers the entire battlefield. It brushes right past all on Elok's side, besides one exception--the ALICEs. They're healed, as are your allies and even yourself. You feel a rush of relief as the pain you've been feeling this entire time fades. While the wounds do close, such an incredible spread of healing magic doesn't restore you to one hundred percent. It still feels like it did. You're like a new person, and all others who were previously injured likely feel the same.

They don't necessarily act thankful. One ALICE drives a spear towards the elf while weakened by the spell, but you appear in an instant to catch the tip if the enemy's weapon with your vibrant glowing blade. A crackle of pink shines in your eyes as the same magic rises from your sword. Instead of countering, you stare her down until she takes a few cautious steps away.

You look to Amara. "Are you all right?"

"Y-Yes. That was... a lot," she whispers back.

"Do you have enough mana for a Bless?"

"You misunderstand," she says before standing up straight once more. "I have plenty of mana remaining." She then places her hand upon your back and bestows you with the aforementioned spell. A blessing of both defense and strength fills your body, and prepares you for the confrontation ahead.

"Need a little help, William?" Niki asks ahead as she comes up behind him battling the ELIS.

He leaps back, away from a strike from the golden guard. "You say that as if Vex isn't fighting as well."

That one definitely seems tougher than the rest. They've got it though. I have exactly one opponent in my sights. You stare up at Elok, and you don't spare another moment in waiting. Bending down, you prepare to leap. Three. Two. One. Bunny Hop! The word warps around you, but it isn't escape you seek. Instead, you reappear right in front of him with your sword drawn back, ready to cleave him straight in half.

Just before you make contact, he raises his arm cannon to block the strike, though you feel the sharp edge of Lauo cut into the metal, leaving a crack. He immediately says, "Summon Sword," in response, and from his palm a bolt of blue lightning shapes into the form of a weapon to match your own.

You face him there, before the trunk of the massive tree, though he has one advantage right now--fight. You activate your Boots of Herbes to descend slower, but it's difficult to get the leverage to properly attack. He swings his conjured sword, and you meet the attack with Lauo.

Before it can knock you away, you feel something grab your ankle. A combination of a root and vines has reached out from the tiles at the base of the tree, and it pulls you just in time to avoid an attack. Peony emerges, grabbing your hand to pull you up straight. "Thanks!" you say. But the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. You quickly grab her, and throw the two of you tumbling to the side just before a blast from Elok's arm cannon can land.

"Stay near here. It's safe. I'll lure him away," you say.

"Please be careful, m'lord," Peony replies.

Meanwhile, Niki's mace lands a hefty blow to the back of the ELIS' head, nearly splitting it to bits like a watermelon. Just then a blast comes from seemingly nowhere, similar to that which Elok has been using. Niki turns, noticing it came from the same doorway they entered through. Emerging from the shadows are two figures.

"Yes!" Niki calls out with excitement. "Great to see you guys made it."

First, Delphi flutters up into the air to assess the room. "This is a fucking mess," she mutters.

Next is Alice. She holds her arm cannon, and peers forward with surprising determination. She first notices the army of ALICEs ahead, though her attention quickly shifts to Allie above. "I know what I must do. Delphi. Might you bind me in your ropes?"

"All right. Even I'm not crazy enough to start getting kinky right now," the pixie replies.

"N-No. That is not what I am asking."