Chapter 95: The Effigy
For a passing moment, the entire island was completely still. There were no palm fronds left on the remaining trees to rustle in the gentle breeze and even the calm waves seemed hesitant to disturb the peace. The resolute defenders were collectively holding their breath as they watched Coop slowly back toward the fort. Seeing the Champion engage the boss had rid them of any of their own lingering hesitation in fighting the unknown enemy. They were just waiting for a window of opportunity to get some attacks in after the monster finally moved into the edge of their range.
Instead of getting closer, the boss momentarily stopped, shifting slightly to face Coop directly, begrudgingly halting its previously uninterrupted approach toward the main gate after the ethereal sword disconnected a weapon from one of the oversized effigy limbs. The dismembered Construct limbs, attached to its war banner effigy, had writhed the entire time that it trudged across the island, but when the Siege Boss ceased its movement, to essentially glare at Coop, they stopped as well. It was like the boss was finally paying respect to the individual challenger that harried it as soon as it arrived on Ghost Reef.
Coop returned the stare until he felt a tickle in the back of his head that almost itched beneath his scalp. A deep voice that seemed to come from every direction, but also from nowhere at all, broke the stillness that had temporarily blanketed the island. “Die.” It whispered, thick with gravel, directly into his mind like an uncalled-for memory.
A smokey pulse of miasma spread from the monster, passing through Coop and onward to the fort without even a whisper of pressure. When the dark energy crossed the moat, it buoyed up the walls before quickly evaporating after reaching the broken ramparts and the defenders on top.
[You resisted Pronouncement: Death]
Coop grunted as he acknowledged the sinister attack, recognizing that these Siege level bosses would have more abilities than regular monsters, or even elites. From his peripheral vision, flashes of light drew his attention and he spared a quick glance to the fort’s walls.
Madison was fully alight with her angel wings extended and halo blazing, floating in the air above the main gate. The chiming of her summoned celestial bell rang across Rock Key, as it emerged from the clouds in all of its heavenly glory. Coop wasn’t affected by the boss’s affliction, but Madison was already forced to cleanse the defenders with her ultimate ability.
Coop shook his head and furrowed his brows, realizing he needed to end the fight soon, regardless of the rest of the monster’s abilities. He swapped weapons once again, dismissing his sword, still dripping in black ichor, and threw his spear at the boss, resuming the battle with a quick toss and half a windup.
The shield arm slammed into the ground, taking his spear throw seriously despite the decreased velocity, but Coop mistjumped to the spear instead of continuing his probing attacks. He obviously needed to redouble his efforts to occupy the monster or it would be free to cast afflictions. The residents were far more susceptible than he was, and he wasn’t sure how consistently Madison could cleanse them.
When he exited the misty, monochromatic realm, catching the spear in his outstretched hand before it collided with the monster’s protective shield. He twisted around the shield arm, swapping his weapon while using the wide rectangular forearm to obstruct the monster’s vision, not that it even had recognizable eyes. When he emerged around the edge of the shield, suddenly in melee range, hopefully catching the Icon by surprise, he sliced at its body with his sword, reaching high and seeking the monster’s heart. The blade cut a long slice through the monster’s chest that oozed ichor, covering its torso in blackness, but Coop was immediately forced to back away despite his successful attack.