The battle in the Cartenone Temple raged on, shadows folding, platforms shifting, and corrupted code pulsing around Brush and his team. Even with Erasure awakened, every step was a calculated risk — the temple itself seemed alive, testing them at every corner.
Then, a ripple of energy swept through the domain. The massive, cylindrical form of Crunchyroller appeared, rolling at the center of the temple. His holographic surface shimmered, displaying viral clips and compressed data from countless loops.
"I… rate everything," Crunchyroller boomed, voice distorted yet authoritative. "And… everything… is weakened."
Immediately, the team felt the effect. Miss Krita's soul-corruption fusion dimmed slightly, Frostbinder's ice constructs slowed, RobbRox's builds faltered mid-construction. Even Equinox's lances, glowing violet, flickered with less intensity.
Brush's eyes narrowed. "He… he's weakening all of his own attacks?"
Crunchyroller rolled forward, but the massive shockwaves that once threatened to obliterate the team now struck like soft vibrations. Solo Crusher and Infinity Compactor's attacks slowed in perfect sync with their master's weakened aura.
Equinox leapt onto a platform, violet hair streaming. "This is… strange. His attacks are still dangerous, but weaker than usual. It's like he's… playing with us?"
Frostbinder's ice formed faster now, cutting through shadowed remnants of guardians. "We can actually move, actually strike… this is our chance!"
Brush clenched Miss Krita. "Erasure… now, let's push back. If he's intentionally weakening himself, we can force him to overextend."
Crunchyroller's laughter rolled through the temple, a distorted echo of loops and ads. "Yes… fight, little Chosen Ones. My attacks… all weakened… but my patience… eternal."
Even as the temple quaked, the team realized that this sudden change could be their turning point. With Erasure active and Crunchyroller's attacks diminished, they had a unique opportunity: to strike decisively, push through the temple, and challenge the very core of his domain.
Equinox tapped her lance to the ground. "Brush… let's show him what true adaptation looks like."
Brush nodded, fists glowing with the pure white void of Erasure. "Then it's time… to end the endless trials. For us, for the Nexus, for every corrupted loop he's ever rolled!"
The temple trembled, data streams warping and bending, as the weakened attacks of Crunchyroller collided with the unstoppable determination of Brush and his team.
The fight was far from over — but for the first time, the Cartenone Temple felt like a battlefield they could dominate.