@ERodeIRIS RECORD, 3F, CATHEDRAL
The fight within the conjured cathedral, beheld only through Otis' screen, continued on. The orb of gravity gained in speed, but not fast enough to pursue its intended target with the haste it needed. Nicole raised a brow towards the Umbralist, staff trained on him, taking up a firm stance as if anticipating recoil on her next cast. Beforehand, however, a scoff escaped her. "Surely the upkeep on that spell is not worth what it now offers you. Why continue it?"
The Umbralist's head turned to the side, and then towards the orb. With a severing motion of his hand, the orb dissipated, and the remaining lead trapped within slammed into the cathedral ground as useless, discarded rubble. The haze under the hood prevented any estimation of a facial expression, but that void simply stared towards the Undermage with a lingering that could only be assumed to be wrath. Even still, he didn't respond, apart from to tighten the shaky grip around his dagger as Iraleth's light suppressed the encroaching dark.
"I can only imagine the chain of command you had to slither up to plan this, such that it would align with the chaos of an arena bout. And for what?" Nicole would question this while flames began gathering at the end of her staff. "The death of one boy? No true Umbralist remnant would reveal themselves for such a trivial thing, even were it for an Ethos user. Either it was for some grander purpose, or... you are not quite who you assert yourself to be."
Fire spiraled in a crackling sphere around the staff in her right hand. The Umbralist crouched low in an instant, extending his free hand as multiple blasts of shadow hurtled towards Nicole. In response, the pages of the tome in her left hand fluttered as she simply uttered, "Shield Array," and a wall of phantasmal heater shields materialized in front of her. Not one bolt pierced the defense as she smirked, her face painted with condescension. The Umbralist took a stomping step backwards in hesitation, fear coursing through his body. "A twincaster?!"
Nicole's left eye opened as her grin spread ear to ear. It was an unremarkable grey, but in the next blink, a flash of gold spread across the cathedral emanating from it. It was as if a sun resided in that eye for a moment, and it stared right through the cultist before her. "A mystery that you will perish with. Rebound nearly reached, yes? I suppose that means your essence was not saved purely for this battle. A shame."
It was as if the Umbralist had slowed after the flash of gold, and the flames circulating around Nicole's staff had reached a blinding high. "Ms. Kyrios informed me that conventional assault will not work, and judging by the Revolver Shadow at your feet, that is true. Though that is
only true so long as the shadows remain."
The Umbralist dropped his dagger and desperately raised his arms in a cross guard, his Personal Barrier becoming reinforced beyond reasonable limits, as if realizing something. But he'd only realized it too late as Nicole circled her staff and opened her mouth to speak the incantation.
"Fireball."
Wrath incarnate shot from the staff towards the Umbralist, flames potent enough to turn the target to ash. However, it became apparent quickly that the fireball wasn't heading towards the cultist - rather, it was shot at an angle such that it was curving and spiraling upwards towards the light that Iraleth had created within the cathedral. As this happened, Nicole dashed towards the Umbralist, two more fireballs conjuring rapidly atop her staff and tome respectively. At the midway point towards him, the initial fireball impacted with Iraleth's light; and the Undermage's expression once more returned to a place of cold neutrality.
"I will end you instantly in a world without shadows."
As flame and light met, the view of the camera went entirely blank, engulfed in an explosion of light so blinding as to paralyze any who relied on sight. Soon after, the feed would cut entirely on Nicole's side; and by extension, Otis' perspective on the remainder of the fight.
@AThousandCurses@Estylwen@Psyker Landshark@ERodeIRIS RECORD 3F
The darkness of the halls was beginning to fade. If it was brought upon by the Umbralist's pull over this place through the cathedral, it was a clear sign as any that said pull was loosening. The fluorescent lighting of the ceiling continued to remain off, and the cameras continued to malfunction, but the dark was not so oppressive any longer, and one might move at a normal pace through it now without struggle; apart from, of course, the struggle of battle. As that was noted by those present, footsteps could be heard stomping from further down, and the shouting of various people. "Advance," some of them would shout, pushing through their own fear, some clearly out for blood. They had their targets, and were they to run across them, there would be no mercy nor words. As the blood of allies stained the walls and floor of the Iris Record, it was only blood in return that would satisfy the masses who guarded this place. Terror and trauma had given way to rage, and it would soon be upon the third floor.
The hatred was almost tangible. Davil stabilized as he was worked upon, though he had fully lost consciousness by now. He wouldn't last for very long without proper treatment, but it was enough to ensure he'd make it through the next five minutes at least, assuming he were treated with care while moved. In a mutter before his eyes fully closed, mind cloudy from drugs and magic, he had simply uttered, "S-Sorry..."
Were Otis to check in about the state of the clinic, he would see a few students within the waiting room, huddling in corners or readying weapons in defense. The receptionist tapped away desperately at the establishment's Adapa, and mannekin stood on guard - presumably out into the halls and exterior of the building as well, but definitely at attention in the waiting room and near the entrance most prominently. It was clear that warnings had been sent out by now, and even cafeteria and transporter mannekin were being armed with some level of consideration for the situation. They were clearly given their orders, and now moved and scanned with mechanical efficiency.
It wasn't likely that these mannekin would attack suddenly if registered students entered, even via teleportation; unless, of course, one of those students was their target. Their usual crossbows, spears and cooking equipment were replaced by clockwork rifles, and they would wield those against designated threats with ruthless efficiency.