>>5922212You take several steps forward, doing your best to resist and stand strong against the fierce winds that Bennett had called to blanket the bridge. Ingrid struggles alongside you, being the only other member of your band seemingly willing to move forward. Up ahead, you could sense that the corpse of Lysithea was casting a devastating attack. You refused to stand here like a sitting duck and accept your fate. You and Ingrid resist with all your might. Your steps forward greatly increase, and the distance between yourselves and your allies grows larger. As you near Lysithea, you can feel the raw power emanating from her, confirming your fears that this was not an attack you could survive. Nodding towards Ingrid, you both thrust forward with your spears, cutting through the gale.
Lysithea is never given the chance to launch her attack. Both you and Ingrid’s spears cut through on each side. In an instant, her spell fizzles out. Black inky blood flies into the wind, and the corpse falls forward unceremoniously with a thud.
>Lysithea: 0/90 HPAs the corpse warrior goes immobile, the fierce winds of Bennett’s spell suddenly cease. It takes a moment for everyone present to regain their bearings, but the reality of the situation once more settles in. The pilgrims, who had previously also been affected by Bennett’s spell, resumed their mad climb towards the bridge. Several of them reach their destination and begin harrying the Blackwings back line. Your comrades rush to cover their rear and a struggle soon breaks out. The Blackwings do their best to limit casualties at first, hoping to scare the pilgrims off. Even though the civilians were clearly outmatched though, they refused to stop coming. Their sheer fanaticism causes some of them to even throw themselves directly onto the swords and spears of the mercenaries, bogging them down.
You get ready to shout an order to your comrades, when a tornado drops down onto the bridge, separating you from them and throwing you and Ingrid towards the door.
“I see now.”
You turn back to the tower door. Bennett is no longer speaking from afar, his voice amplified by magic. He stands directly in front of you and Ingrid. Across his back was the same strange golden bow you saw earlier. In his hands was an open gold-tipped tome. Up close now, you could see that Bennett looked remarkably different from the last time you’d seen him at Garreg Mach. His eyes were wild and sunken, with a crazed look. His hair was messy and matted in knots, and he looked to have lost considerable weight. Despite everything though, he still stood straight and determined as he faced you.
“You have always been my trial. Put before me by Seiros herself, to test my resolve and faith. Magdred, Garreg Mach, and now here. I cannot rely on these cheap simulacrums to stop you. If I am to be reunited with the Goddess, I must do this myself!”
