Unfortunately, whatever light of hope Lunella’s efforts to save the wounded Celestial Defender might have enkindled was swiftly snuffed out by the unrelenting tide of darkness that washed over Nexustead in the wake of the Abyssal Leader’s sinister gambit. One moment reeling under the defenders’ concerted assault, the dark creatures suddenly dispersed, seeking out points of vulnerability in the defenders’ battle line and exploiting those found with terrifying rapidity.
Bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight, Lunella felt a profound sadness welling up within her as she watched the once-noble Celestial Guardians and ethereal Feyweavers succumb to the Abyssal influence, the deeply distressing sight causing the lunar maiden to press a delicate hand over her aching chest. Indeed, with each passing second, sharp pangs of anguish and dismay pierced her kind and caring heart as painfully as any blade, while her ears were nearly deafened by cacophonous cries of despair and horror.
Yet, even through the din of battle, the young Lunatic was still able to hear Marshal Elara’s voice as it echoed in her mind. Although her aching heart sank further upon learning their foe’s new target, not to mention the truly dire straights the town’s defenders now found themselves in, Lunella also felt a surge of renewed determination coursing through her.
“Agreed,” she replied with a firm nod when Orion reiterated Elara’s call to regroup and formulate a new plan of attack.
“Let us not delay a moment more!”Moving with the grace and swiftness of a shooting star as it arced across the heavens, Lunella made her way to the town square, where what remained of Nexustead’s defenders had gathered. Stepping into the center of the square, the young Lunatic took a deep breath and mustered her resolve before addressing the council of war.
“I know things look bleak, and your hope has been suffocated by shadows,” she began, her soft and tranquil voice piercing the surrounding chaos like a moonbeam though a foggy night.
“Yet, as long as we stand together, these shadows shall not prevail. Moonlight will pierce through the abyss, and by its sacred glow, it shall illuminate our path to victory.” No sooner had she finished speaking, then the moonlit maiden’s open palms began to glow. Bathed in the gentle luminescence of the Lunacy and Dreamer's Moons, Lunella began a lunar divination to unravel the threads of destiny woven into the current crisis, and gain astral insights that might help to resolve it. Closing her eyes, the young Lunatic took deep breaths, grounding herself in the elemental energies of Nexustead, while also conjoining herself to the shimmering heavens. Indeed, her connection to the Lunacy Moon, an ancient source of wisdom for her people, allowed her to navigate the ethereal realm with ease, and, as she entered a trance-like state, the astral plane unfolded before her like a celestial tapestry.
In the astral realm, she perceived the currents of energy that wove through Nexustead, the Elemental Nexus, and the corrupted forms of the once-harmonious defenders. The Abyssal Leader's influence emanated as a dark pulse, a malevolent heartbeat threatening to disrupt the delicate balance. Lunella focused on the Elemental Nexus, its essence pulsating with the combined energies of earth, fire, water, and air. Truly, this was the beating heart of the Elemental Enclave, one which stood as a stark contrast to, and a resilient pillar against, the encroaching abyss. Yet, it now bore the scars of the Abyssal Leader's insidious touch. Threads of darkness intertwined with the Nexus's elemental tapestry, threatening to unravel the very fabric of Nexustead, and the Enclave beyond.
The moonlit glow around Lunella intensified as she began her divination, seeking insights into the optimal course of action. She perceived the strengths and weaknesses of the Abyssal Leader, glimpsed the corrupted pathways through which the abyssal forces moved, and discerned the lingering traces of Nexustead's defenders trapped in the shadows. At once, a plan crystallized in Lunella's mind, a fusion of celestial insight and elemental strategy. Opening her eyes, Lunella emerged from her astral trance, a sense of purpose etched across her visage.
“We must target the corrupted ley lines converging on the Elemental Nexus,” she announced, her voice carrying the weight of celestial guidance.
“By disrupting these dark pathways, we can weaken the Abyssal Leader's influence and safeguard the Nexus.” Her gaze then turned to the corrupted defenders, and a glimmer of compassion softened her resolve.
“We will need to break the Abyssal Leader's hold on our tainted comrades,” she continued.
“By combining my lunar magic with the power of the nexus, I can cleanse the corruption, restoring their true essence. If we synchronize our efforts, Nexustead can yet emerge from this shadowed hour.”