Baph, one of Brandon's trusted generals, felt a familiar adrenaline spike as he assumed his position at the apex of the reverse V formation.
The buzz of anticipation from his soldiers, their bodies a barrier of spectral steel for Brandon's procession, swirled around him like a forcefield of its own.
"Baph Squad! Prepare for battle!"
He thundered, his own heartbeat pounding in rhythm to his battle cry.
A shroud of multi-colored, ethereal armor materialized around him.
Its manifestation was always a strange, almost ticklish sensation against his skin, an intimate whisper of the power he was about to unleash.
As Baph surveyed the battlefield, the stats hovering in the corner of his mind caught his attention.
'Eclipse Phase,' he noted, a glimmer of pride rising as he registered the 'Divine Awakening Progress' at a promising 10%.
He'd reach 20% soon.
As for his God Artifact, it was still locked, a challenge he vowed to overcome.
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[ Baph Evermore | Eclipse Phase ]
— Divine Awakening Progress: 10% ( Reach 20% to Upgrade )
— Divinity Aspect: Grand Celestial Jester ( Tier 1 )
— Divine Skill:
[ Trickster's Gambit ( Tier 1 ) ]
Baph conjures a shield composed of unpredictable illusionary elements. This shield not only blocks attacks but also releases unpredictable bursts of energy, disorienting and bewildering enemies with unpredictable effects.
[ Mirthful Burst ( Tier 1 ) ]
Channels Baph's playful energy into a concentrated beam of magical energy. When released, it explodes upon impact, creating a burst of colorful confetti-like energy that damages enemies in an area of effect.
— Pantheon Rank: Celestial Noble
— Cosmic Vortexes : 7
— Potential: 7,200
— God Artifact: Not Unlocked
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Behind him, seven colorful vortexes rotated like spinning tops, each resembling a mid-explosion firework.
His contingent of one hundred enlightened warriors, each bedecked in their own spectral armors, interlocked their massive shields, their spears poised for the offensive.
Beyond Baph's battalion, the vast expanse of the battlefield stretched out, a patchwork of churned earth, smoky haze, and the opposing forces: dark silhouettes that hinted at their monstrous origins.
[ Incantation of Constellations ( Tier 1 ) ] !!!
Baph Initiated.
A glow, the hue of a clear summer sky, traced a path between his soldiers. It forged an unseen bond, a tangible connection that hummed in their hearts, thrummed through their veins.
Baph's lips curled into a feral grin as he murmured to himself,
"Time to put on a show!"
Without a moment's hesitation, he summoned his divine skill.
[ Trickster's Gambit ( Tier 1 ) ] !!!
A spectral shield, thick and robust, shimmered before him.
Its surface danced with jesters and clowns, their spectral laughter echoing amidst groans and roars of the horde of mutated beasts.
A canvas of scenes from an otherworldly carnival spun a mesmerizing illusion around these eerie figures.
Their wild merriment had always mirrored his own spirit — a spirit that reveled in unpredictability and chaos.
Then, A mystical scene occurred!
Almost as if to be guided by the light blue energy of the [ Incantation of Constellations ( Tier 1 ) ], the spectral shield fragmented, rippling down the line, phasing into the shields of his warriors.
It morphed into a hundred thinner, more flexible versions of itself, augmenting the defenses of everyone in its wake.
"Forward!"
The word left Baph's lips like a clarion call, thundering across the battlefield.
His heart pounded in exhilaration as the battlefield descended into glorious pandemonium.
The battlefield erupted into a maelstrom as Baph's battalion, armed with augmented spears shimmering with latent energy, clashed against the monstrous horde.
Spears thrust and twisted in swift, rhythmic motions. With each precise strike, energies burst forth, tearing through the horde like a tempest.
The battlefield became a painting, its canvas splattered with the vibrant hues of combat, a symphony of destruction composed by the Grand Celestial Jester himself.
Swathed in his multi-colored ethereal armor, Baph, with a devilish grin etched onto his face, reveled in the eye of the storm, relishing the comedic pandemonium his divine skill had set into motion.
As the otherworldly energy emanated from his spectral shield, it danced with every sinew of the reality around them, the Trickster's Gambit causing a symphony of unpredictability to erupt across the battlefield.
At the forefront of the formation, a monstrous lizard reared, grotesque muscles rippling under its rough hide, a roar erupting from its snarled jaws.
With a swift, powerful stroke, it swung at the nearest shield, intent on cleaving through the soldier holding it.
However, the moment its serrated claws struck the spectral shield, a rush of energy burst forth, engulfing the beast in a cacophony of sparkling lights.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOM*
There was a beat, the battlefield falling into a momentary hush.
*POOF!!!*
Then, in the place of the monstrosity, a fluffy rabbit sat, bewildered, nose twitching as it took in its transformation.
A collective gasp went up from the battalion, followed by a ripple of laughter that laced the battlefield, lightening the grim countenance of war.
"Hahahahahah~"
However, the Trickster's Gambit had more up its sleeve.
Another mutated rodent, this one smaller and less menacing than its predecessor, but fearsome nonetheless.
It lunged toward the formation, roaring its challenge.
*CLAAAAAANNGGGGG*
It too was met by the formation of spectral shields, but Baph's divine skill had a different trick to play this time.
In place of the fearsome beast was an explosion of colorful confetti that filled the air, like a celebration uncalled for amidst the grim spectacle of war.
Soldiers flinched, caught off guard by the sudden spectacle, and then a surge of adrenaline rushed through their veins.
The sight was so absurd, so unexpected, that it brought a moment of mirth even amidst the heat of battle.
"Hahaha with General Baph's Divine Skill, clearing a path will take no time!!!"
One soldier cheered.
At the heart of this orchestrated chaos, Baph stood unflappable, his grin undimmed.
His divine shield served as the epicenter of the unfolding pandemonium, each unpredictable reaction spurred by his Trickster's Gambit only fueling the thrill of the encounter.
All around him, the battlefield rang with the clash of spears against monstrous hides, the primal roars of the beasts, the resonant battle cries of the warriors.
Yet threaded within the cacophony of battle was an undercurrent of excitement, of soldiers brought together by a shared sense of camaraderie and the ridiculous spectacle that unfolded before them.
From her vantage point, Poki's eyes darted across the chaos, capturing every vital moment.
Perched on the window of the military vehicle housing Brandon, she felt the vehicle's vibrations with every explosion and roar.
With every unexpected outcome from Baph's divine skill, she let out a genuine gasp or cheer, making her audience feel as if they were right there with her.
Her eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement as Baph's [ Trickster's Gambit ( Tier 1 ) ] unfurled its parade of unpredictability.
Her streaming setup was buzzing with energy, the live chat fluttering with comments, the camera lens drinking in the surreal panorama.
"Look at this, ma' babies!"
Poki's voice was a vibrant blend of awe and fervor, as she swung her camera to capture Baph, the architect of the pandemonium, bathed in the mystical light of his own power.
"Witness the might of our City of Void's own, the magnificent General Baph!"