Illusions manifested from one's subconscious captivate in a way that make the one responsible for them vulnerable. Somnus, effected as such, perhaps having entirely underestimated-- or outright denied-- the visions' power over him, is not at all prepared.

Steel slices through the thick wool of his cloak and robes to pierce into flesh before he can defend, and it's by the countless years of practice of phasing and evading that he just barely manages to prevent a more lethal cut. Nevertheless, tossed from the arc of Ardyn's blade, blood splatters onto the red petals of the sylleblossoms, and Somnus stumbles back, dropping the Oracle's body between them.

"Brother--"

There's a bid to stop in his tone.