His previous assessments seemed to fall through in an instant, the battlefield descending into chaos on both sides. First, it was the mention of Bronya that stirred him to listen in, despite their dire predicament.
Silverwolf hadn’t taken the comparison too kindly, it seemed—firing blanks in every direction. “Would you stop that!” Gepard shouted, doing his best to gather the attention of the girl with an attitude. “I urge you, Bro—Silverwolf... I urge you to keep your cool for the moment.”
A dangerous slip of the tongue. But now that he’d seen her more clearly... she really did look like Bronya in her younger years. The resemblance was almost endearing. Though, Bronya would never have thrown a tantrum like this.
The familiar pressure of danger interrupted his trip down memory lane. The mages had found their rhythm, and it was clear they planned to exploit their synergy again and again. Even if Gepard couldn’t stop them entirely, he could at least take on the cold for his allies. If anyone could withstand it, it would be him. He was born and raised in a never-ending winter. This was no different.
Cryo Abyss Mage 23/30 HP targets Gepard: 6.5/10 HPCryo Abyss Mage 23/30 HP CRITICALLY HITS
Gepard: 6.5/10 HP with Special Attack: Rite of Rimestorm [Rolls: 20, -5HP, GEPARD RESISTS 0.5 DAMAGE; -4.5HP]: Gepard: 2/10 HP, Gepard: 2/10 HP is FROZENCryo Abyss Mage 23/30 HP recovers Cryo Shield: Cryo Abyss Mage 23/30 HP 13/13SP
That isn’t to say it didn’t hurt. The pain would’ve dropped him to his knees, were it not for the icy chains that bound him upright. That familiar, hollow ache returned to his chest—the one that whispered his body was nearing its limit. Yet two enemies still loomed, and they wouldn’t wait for him to catch his breath.
Gepard would simply have to lend every ounce of strength he had left to ensure his allies' victory. If his defeat was inevitable, then he’d face it standing.
Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP is no longer FROZEN
Gepard rolls 5 Energy!
Now wasn’t the time for corrections or idle reminiscence about his home. It was time to be a Captain—to mitigate risk, to protect those who still stood behind him. These moments would be his last stand.
“Promise me you’ll all keep your heads from now on,” he called out over to his group of survivors. “You’ll need each other to pass this gauntlet standing.”
He took one final look back at the mismatched crew he’d been thrust alongside. Despite their differences, each one had proven themselves—outstanding in their own right. Surely, they’d be fine without him.
His gaze lingered on Silverwolf just a moment longer. He debated whether to say more, then settled on:
“You’ll need everyone in this room before this is over. Don’t go firing at them like you’ve got something to prove. This place won’t reward that kind of behavior.” It was a soft scolding—far gentler than the lectures he used to give back in Belobog. He couldn’t bring himself to unleash the full force of a Silvermane reprimand.
“Right, back to business,” he muttered, squaring his shoulders. He selected his target carefully—once again, the hydro mage. With luck, he could freeze it solid like before and break its defenses once and for all. Venti and Silverwolf had done a fine job weakening it. Now it just needed a push.
[-1 Energy] Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP HITS Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 3.5/13SP [Rolls: 13, -2HP] Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 1.5/13SP
Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 1.5/13SP is Frozen! Cannot Counterattack[-1 Energy]
Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP MISSES Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 1.5/13SP [Rolls: 2]
Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 1.5/13SP is Frozen! Cannot Counterattack
[-1 Energy] Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP HITS Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 1.5/13SP [Rolls: 18, -2HP] Hydro Abyss Mage 27/30 HP
Hydro Abyss Mage 27.5/30 HP / 1.5/13SP is Frozen! Cannot Counterattack
[-1 Energy] Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP MISSES Hydro Abyss Mage 25/30 HP
[Rolls:5]
Hydro Abyss Mage 25/30 HP is Frozen! Cannot Counterattack
[-1 Energy] Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP HITS Hydro Abyss Mage 25/30 HP [Rolls: 18, -2HP] Hydro Abyss Mage 23/30 HP
Hydro Abyss Mage 23/30 HP is Frozen! Cannot Counterattack
A flurry of cold fury slammed into the mage, desperation giving strength to his blows. There wasn’t much time left—not for him, at least. Some strikes skidded harmlessly off the shield, but others hit home, ice forming where knuckles met magical resistance. Slowly, steadily, cracks began to spiderweb across its defenses. Once more, the shield shattered.
Each side was fighting with everything they had, but it was clear who held the upper hand. Those pesky magical barriers had allowed them to outlast their best efforts tenfold.
Cryo Abyss Mage 23/30 HP 10/13SP is taunted by Gepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP [Rolls: 1]
Cryo Abyss Mage 23/30 HP 10/13SP HITSGepard: 2/10HP 1/1SP with Normal Attack: Cryo Thorns [Rolls: 3, -2HP, GEPARD RESISTS 0.5DMG; -1.5HP] Gepard: 0.5/10HP
Gepard braced Earthwork tightly against himself, preparing for the inevitable retaliation. Dagger-sharp waves of frost slammed into his armor, biting through every seam and crack. Each one took its toll. But his will to endure was stronger.
Gepard: 0.5/10HP COUNTERS with Normal Attack: Fist of Conviction [Rolls:14, -2HP, Cryo Abyss Mage is IMMUNE; 0HP]
With strength that defied the state of his body, Gepard lifted Earthwork overhead, ready to bring it down in a final, decisive blow. Alas, the strength he summoned wasn’t enough—his strike ricocheted off the creature’s defenses, and he swore he saw it snicker. How frustrating... "Mister Kaslana, would you take it from here?"