That shriek wasn't a real sound, but a psychic storm.
Baston and Bruno felt as if their heads had been struck by a sledgehammer. They both let out pained grunts and collapsed to the ground.
"My head... it feels like it's splitting open..."
Baston clutched his head, his eyes bloodshot. The ethereal bliss from moments ago was gone, replaced by a splitting headache and nausea.
Bruno had it even worse, sprawled on the ground and dry-heaving.
The shriek had a significant effect on Allen too, but his Logical Barrier blocked the majority of the psychic assault. His body was still under the full control of his primary thread.
Amidst the chaos, he sharply detected a critical signal.
The Joyous Thorn's seductive aura had completely collapsed after that shriek!
'An opportunity!'
"Baston, can you still move? Get your shield!"
Allen's voice was frighteningly calm, as if the psychic storm had been nothing more than a gentle breeze to him.
