Chapter Two-Hundred-and-Eighteen
Adam’s fireball died in his hand as the judge activated her closed eye talisman. The effect was like a dark ripple through the air moving at the speed of sound.
KNEEL!
Adam was forced to his knees by an overwhelming pressure on his shoulders, and next to him Natalia and Seo-Yoon folded as well.
Only Chien was left untouched by the dark power, and before harm could come to Adam or the two women, he roared, “I am the First Light’s Chosen!”
The shout triggered his taunting cape and drew all of the enemies’ attention to him. He rushed up the steps to the castle’s door, barrelling through the soldiers with swings of his hammer, and doing his best to side-step the arrows whistling through the air to get him.
Adam pulled on his raiment to uncurl his body, though he felt his tight muscles protest against the armour, accompanied by tearing sounds produced by his own skin and flesh.
[You have taken 50 points of damage from self-inflicted mutilation. Self-harm is not negated by your Defence rating.]
Before he could hurt himself more, he eased off on his control of the raiment, dropping his body back to the ground. But he didn’t give up trying to fight, firing his gauntlet fingers from his hands to assist Chien, sending them flying up from where he knelt to explode the heads of several archers before they could hurt him.
As the Lightbringer finally reached the forlorn judge at the top of the steps, his opening swing was blocked by a casual flick of the boss’ flanged mace. However, the distraction was enough to break the spell of the talisman, releasing them from their humiliating prostration.