Archivist's Horn
The Archivist's Horn is one of five ancient artifacts wielded by the Archivist in the final imperial battle. Representing Aterium's age of dominant beasts, it weaponizes a world-shaking drone to disperse attacks and reinforce the Archivist's defenses against Shang.
History
Defense against the Child of Calamity
The Archivist summons the Horn beside four artifacts representing other eras of Aterium. It is a round horn from a mystical beast and carries an overwhelming sense of domination. When Shang sends remote cuts toward the Archivist, the Horn's drone vibrates reality strongly enough to disperse them before they touch the Mana Shield. It also scatters Shang's remote Domain of Entropy, though doing so gives Shang a severe headache rather than permanently removing his ability. (Chapter 1007)
As the duel escalates, the Horn shakes the world around the Archivist and substantially increases his defense. Shang eventually penetrates that protection far enough to make the Archivist's Mana Shield vibrate, proving the artifact is formidable but not absolute. Isis Neweston later supports the Horn's defense while five Emperors join the assault, turning its protective field into part of a larger combined formation. (Chapters 1008–1009)
When Shang detonates a combat body, the Archivist forces far more Mana through the Horn. Cracks spread across it, and the artifact turns to dust as it redirects the explosion toward Aterium's southern edge. The sacrifice prevents the blast from erasing nearly one-fifth of the world. Its destruction leaves the Archivist's defense sharply weakened when Shang reveals that the destroyed body was only one of several puppets. (Chapters 1010–1011)
Abilities and properties
- Its droning sound vibrates and distorts the surrounding world, dispersing remote cuts before they reach the Archivist's Mana Shield. (Chapter 1007)
- The Horn can scatter a remotely projected Domain of Entropy and, at greater output, reinforce a defensive area against sustained attacks. These effects are powerful but can still be penetrated. (Chapters 1007–1009)
- It can divert an explosion that would otherwise destroy an enormous portion of Aterium, but channeling that force exceeds its durability and reduces it to dust. (Chapter 1010)
- The artifact contains the power of the strongest beast the text says ever lived, but the exact beast, construction method, and prior custodial history are not supplied. (Chapter 1010)