21st Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd's face is pale, panicked, when the video feed turns on.]

Guys, we have a problem. Cruxis is here.

[He swallows.]

And so is Kratos. He's taken over. It isn't Yggdrasill anymore, it's him. He's-

[His eyes abruptly widen, no longer looking at the Dreamberry but something off screen.]

Damn it, they're back!

[There's a flash of steel as he pulls a sword out, then the feed abruptly turns off.]


[ooc: Backdated to after this.]

Comments

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[It's a good thing for Emil that he raised his sword just then, because that's exactly where Lloyd's next strike would have landed. Steel crashes on steel, and Lloyd continues to glare.]

No friend of mine would try to kill me just to get to Colette.

[He strikes again.]

No friend of mine would want to see Colette hurt in the first place at all!

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Thankful indeed as he puts in all of his strenght into stopping that blade]

B-But I've never done something like that! Please, just stop attacking me!

[His voice started to shake as he tries to convince the other of who he was while trying not to get killed]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

Angels already took Colette from me once. I won't let it happen again!

[There's no getting through to him. He shoves back hard, trying to break Emil's guard, give him just a moment to prepare his next attack. All he needs is a moment, already gathering his mana.]

I'll die before I surrender my best friend's soul!

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[The shove is enough to make him stumble, almost falling down in the process.]

B-But I-! I don't-!... Please just stop! I'm Emil! Emil Castagnier, y-your friend not anyone else that you're seeing!

[His last attempt of convincing him to stop if by the way he's holding his head with his free hand. He didn't know what to do and it was taking almost all he had not to fight back-]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

No, you're not! Stop lying to me!

[As soon as Emil stumbles, Lloyd slashes up, then brings his swords down in a powerful, single strike. The mana he'd gathered follows its path, lunging, roaring from his blade with a visible trail of light.]

Hunting Beast!

[And all of it aimed at Emil.]

[Action] 1/3

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[He barely managed to escape that swipe so it was obvious that he wouldn't be able to avoid this attack... He really--]

[Action] 2/4 i lied

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[He trusted Lloyd. He wanted to believe in him but he... doesn't trust him back-- Even though he said he was his friend!]

[Action] 3/4

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[It was with that thought that Emil had finally given up. Eyes quickly turn to red as he adopts a more threaten posture, sword at the ready.]

... It's about time.

[Action] 4/4

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Ratatosk Mode Emil quickly dodges the attack and fights back with one of his own as he jumps]

Havoc Strike!

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd's been fighting attacks like this all day (even if it's only been in his own mind). He's ready when Emil attacks, jumping back to avoid the devastating aerial assault. Once the blond's feet touch the ground, though, he lunges forward, launching into a flurry of strikes.

Unlike any other time they've fought, this time he's not holding back.]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Not holding back is more than fine with him. His 'conscience' has finally given up for the time being, and he's taking full advantage of it.

Emil manages to fend off the flurry of strikes with his blade, returning with a few of his own soon after-]

Blade Fury!

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Even with two swords, it's difficult to keep up with Emil's every strike. A few of them manage to cut into his skin. Nothing bad, but still painful, emphasizing the deadly seriousness of this fight. Gritting his teeth, he ignores the pain as he tries to sweep Emil's blade out of the way. With his other sword, he thrusts forward, pushing mana behind it.]

Sonic Thrust!

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[The sudden charge attack managed to nick him on his arm as he dodged to the side. It hurt, yeah, but if there's one thing he's good at, it's fighting while ignoring pain. And like hell he was going to be defensive.

Emil rushes him with an attack of his own, striking full force]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd's eyes widen - damn it, he's fast! But there's no time to think. He acts.]

Guardian!

[The protective shell forms within a breath of Emil's attack, barely dulling the blade's speed in time. It still hits, it still hurts, but it doesn't slice his chest open.

And now Emil is too close to hopefully dodge this. Lloyd pulls out of his stagger into a backhanded attack, hurling mana again.]

Beast!

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[The impact of the Beast definitely reached as he didn't have time to back off. Emil jumps back a few steps to recover his ground. This was definitely different from the last time they fought here. However, it was still nothing compared to when he first fought Lloyd in the ruins. He could do this-!

Emil doesn't waste anytime before rushing forward again, blade forming what looks like an uppercut]

Savage Reaper!

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd crosses his blades, catching Emil's sword in a downward parry. Unfortunately, he forgot to factor in the mana in that attack, so the block only partly works. Emil's sword slides up, forcing his blades apart, the tip of the weapon catching and tearing through his shirt. Cold steel slides across his ribs.]

Nngh!

[With a strangled cry of pain, he shoves his swords down, then jumps back defensively. He needs time to recover. Damn it, he needs Emil to stay back!]

Demon Fang!

[It's shoddy and hastily formed, but hopefully it'll do the trick.]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Well, that worked better than he thought it would. Sees him readying a hastily put together attack in return but scoffs.]

Is that the best you can do Lloyd Irving?!

[Going to tumble out of the way, wincing as he does from his own wounds but not stopping. Emil's blade is at the ready once again-]

Demon Fang!

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[That brief tumble and the time it takes for the mana to hurl across the ground is barely enough time to breathe, but one breath is all he needs. He snaps his blades up, crossed in the front.]

Guardian!

[But he isn't just standing. He's moving, jumping, mana gathering even as the Demon Fang rushes past.

You tried an aerial assault once already, Emil. Now it's his turn. He focuses, glaring, trying not to acknowledge the pain flaring across his ribs. Then as gravity pulls, he hurtles down with swords out. His mana propels him faster and at an angle.]

Rising Falcon!

[Try to dodge this!]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Emil tried to rush him again after he used Guardian but didn't make it in him as his opponet had already taken to the air like he had. He frowns and tries to dodge out of the way but all of the footwork and moving around was finally starting to agitate his wounds. It was to the point where he had to pause a short moment instead of just reacting. He manages to escape, but just barely, his shoulder starting to bleed from his new wound. Thankfully it was with his free arm and not his sword one.

Rushing and wincing through the pain once again, he readies another attack as soon as turns to meet Lloyd. He can't allow himself to stop his offense!]

Blade Fury!

Re: [Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Rising Falcon is one of his most powerful attacks, but the biggest problem with it is that it takes a moment to recover after he hits the ground. He's always counting on his opponent being in too much pain to take advantage, or having his friends nearby to cover him.

This, as it turns out, isn't such a good plan when he's fighting one-on-one with someone as good as Emil. He's turning, swords coming up to deflect the attack, but he's too slow. There's no time. Emil's sword slashes into his side and-

Pain. For one stark moment, the world is nothing but pain. Pain and a sense of falling.

No. He can't let it end like this!]

G-guardian!

[He hits the ground, holding his side - when did he drop his sword? But the green shell of mana forms around him, and he holds it, desperately. His mana drains away with each ragged breath, but he doesn't dare drop it. It's the only thing standing between him and death until he can think of a plan.]

[Action] /totally not late you're seeing things

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Looks like the pain was finally catching up with Lloyd. Now is his chance to take advantage of that, while he still can. Pushing his own pain away, Ratatosk Mode Emil goes in for another flurry of strikes, not stopping or slowing for a second. He couldn't allow himself to stop moving after all...]

[Action] /yup, totally seeing things, just like Lloyd

[redcladidealist]

[Guardian shivers, barely holding up under the onslaught. It won't hold much longer, and Lloyd knows it. Taking the opportunity while it's there, he grabs his fallen sword, then waits until Emil strikes again before letting Guardian go, twisting to the side. Hopefully the "angel" isn't prepared for the sudden lack of resistance.

Anticipating the brief opening, Lloyd slashes his blade up to try to catch him in the ribs.]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[In his offense, he didn't really think to kick the sword away and now that came back to haunt him a bit. Emil jumps back at the swing but wasn't able to dodge it entirely. The blade sliced through his shirt but luckily only just scraped his chest.

Driven by a sudden idea, he rushes forward blade swinging at full force to the side, not to cause damage but to hopefully disarm him ]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[It nearly works. Lloyd yelps when the blade catches with his, jerking his arm wide, and he barely manages to keep his sword in his hand. His grip is ruined to the point of almost dropping it, though, and he fumbles to try to keep hold.

But there's a hole in his guard now a mile wide. Panicking, he pulls his other sword in to defend it. Too slow too slow too slow!]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[And that opening was just the one he needed. Emil aims his sword back at Lloyd, targeting his side as fast as he could. He wasn't going to waste this--]