In SD, you can just sneak past him and sorta turn off his powers, while in this you just have to wiggle your way past him by luring him out, and then you can just seize and poof! He's apparently not a threat anymore.
Chapter 23 - Dark Pontifex Lives: Finished.
Base: There are two conversations for this stop at the base. First is Wolf and Lyra (3), where Lyra asks about Wolf's motherland, and he describes to her the land of Aurelis. Fittingly enough, he wishes to show her the Lea of Aurelis, where the army of archers first came into being. Next is Sheema and Lyra (3), where Lyra explains why Sheema needn't feel weak for cherishing her memento; her soldiers, and the people of Gra, all rally behind her for who she is. How's Everyone yields a bamboo sword and a skill and res boost for Warren. After what happened last chapter, I give everyone a vulnerary so they can keep healthy, and then we set out.
Party: Pushed forwards, dealing with all foes in the way without much issue. They stopped before the staircase to deal with some annoying sorcerers off to the side, but aside from that, it was basically a straightforward lure-push all the way to the end, drawing out the foes one by one until we defeated them in their entirety. Once the party reached the final staircase, there was a rather tricky situation to deal with; Gharnef was guarding the throne, and we had no mages, what with the whole "bow" run thing we have going.
Tag with Gharnef: First, Lyra, Gordin, and Ryan lured out Gharnef and his entourage, with Lyra taking an Imhullu blast. Gordin and Ryan wait beside the stairway, and attack the sorcerers accompanying Gharnef, while Lyra runs to heal, and everyone else runs as well. Gharnef attacks Sheema next, and Marth sprints for all he's worth towards the stairs leading to the throne. Jeorge, Warren, and Robert encircle Gharnef, who is next to a wall, and hold him in place, while Gordin and Ryan run up the stairs to dispatch the meteor sorcerers atop them. With them dead, and the dragon reinforcements slain by Horace, Wolf, Norne, and Jake, Marth seizes on the following turn, ending the chapter.
Afterward: We climb some stairs to where Medeus awaits us...
Up Next: Light and Shadow, where we battle Medeus and slay him for the final time!
