dreamcrystals | journal ⚔️ a warning

They're in control of their own actions, but so are you if you're still talking to me right now. You choose what you do, and do you think you can live with what might happen, because they don't understand? [Words wouldn't work with how deep Kazuma was, and he figured that- but it wasn't going to stop his attempt at it. Using it to try and gauge just how deep this was dug in.

Pretty damn deep with some of him still there. Was he riding the high of all f this, or was he in less control that he thought?] Can you live with hurting other people just to get at one man? People that see themselves trying to stop what they see as a danger to others?

[That was definitely a jog, not letting him leave as 76 took a deep breath, a few shadows spreading out like foot traps.]

If you want to do it this way? Show me you got what it takes. [A challenge set.] Show me you're willing to have that weight on your shoulders to do this!

[Fight him.]

[Jokes on 76, he has no plan or expectations after he's taken care of Barok. His soul has long since been tainted. Once he's completes his mission, he could care less what happens to him.

So at this moment, 76 is just an obstacle he needs to get through.] So be it! [He gathers at this point that shadows bad, avoid shadows. Taking note of where the shadow puddles are, he'll rush at 76 once he had a set path, coming toward the side. He leaves a trail of flames and as he comes in to swipe with his claws, his hands are covered in flames.

The feeling of rage and hate is even stronger now that 76 has gotten him even more riled up.]

[The shadows do work for covering a large area, far deeper than they look while others still curl around forearms and fingers like clawed armor for his hands.

Amidst the heat of flames was a sudden sort of scent in the air, ozone and a different sort of oppression that caused hair to stand on end. Across those shadows on his arms crackled electricity as he lunged forwards to meet Kazuma rather than standing his ground. Taking a fiery swipe and giving a shocking one in turn.

76 won't much care to dodge what he knows he can take, more so if it means getting him in closer. Just how he was.]

[Ah, that's new. Well, he can't learn anything without taking a hit. As expected, it hurt a lot. His whole body is circulating electricity and in response, he yells and suddenly his whole body is covered in flames, as if to shield himself and force 76 to back off.

If he doesn't, then he'll get a grip on the old man and aim a knee to the stomach.]

[It was enough to have 76 fall back, shaking out his own hand that had delivered the hit for a moment, a bit of shadow working along skin and body as just brief shields from the flames to keep him from severe burns. Didn't shield against the heat, but he was made to go through hostile environments. He could take the fire just enough.

Dug his heels in, keeping in mind at most this was likely going to fall towards stalling for time. Knocking some sense back in to Kazuma? A bonus that wasn't hoped for, knowing how consuming anger was, more so when it felt so justified and deserved.]

That all you've got? Know you can do better.

[Kazuma wasn't the enemy, not even like this.]

[He snarls, hearing the old man taunt him. The flames concentrate into his hands, extending pass them to form flaming swords. Much more suitable weapons for how tall he is now. With a wave of his blade, flames extend from the sword like a shockwave towards 76.

He'll follow behind the shockwave, swords ready to strike 76 with a downward slice into a horizontal slice.]

[He went low, shadow claws digging in to the ground as he sunk down in to a pull of shadows, not completely being missed but at the very least it kept him in one piece rather than flame broiled.

Didn't stop him there as electricity arced upwards from every shadow scattered across the ground and trees. Cutting through flames and crisscrossing like a hellish sort of grid. All of it was still aiming and toned down to not electrocute Kazuma, more hurt like hell and attempt to drive him backwards.

76 was gasping as he pulled himself out of shadow, as if he'd taken a plunge in to some exceedingly cold pool of water. Fuck, that wasn't pleasant, whatever the hell that desperate move was. All the same, he was taunting, coaxing and taking jabs with all of this. Maybe he could tire him out a bit of nothing else-]

Keep your head on straight! Whatever hell you think is waiting for you isn't going to be what you expect!

Shut up!!! [He may not being trying to electrocute him and get him all crispy, but they still aren't pleasant to deal with. And he's about had it as he creates his own flame shield against the electricity, minimizing most of the damage.

He looks around trying to locate where 76 had disappeared to. There are corpses of fallen hellbeast littering the hellscape, most that lost their minds and couldn't really run from the chaos. As if willed by something else, he starts to gather the creatures into himself. Their corrupt energy strengthen him, that much he can make sense of. He wanted more of it. The flames surrounding him become more intense. They spark, on and off burning blue in a flicker. It seems like he's ignoring 76 for now, driven by this strange hunger for more of this nightmare energy.]

A part of you already knows it, no matter what you might be accepting! [Else he wouldn't care what was said.

At least he could take a brief breather, claws sunk in to a burning tree coating with shadow. Take a look at what was going on once the electric current had run through. Dying down as shadows still scattered about, more swallowing flames and whatever else they ran under. didn't much care where they went.

Eyes narrowed a little before he was moving again, taking the height advantage and the fact he was being ignored to his advantage for a moment. Flung himself out of the trees then. Shadow claws catching whatever he could as he jumped, aiming to catch hold of Kazuma's back and work an arm around his neck; not to choke, but get some hold. Shadows flaring over him, a startlingly cold weight due to them, fending some fire away from himself. 76 hanging on more than tryin to get in some hit despite the claws digging-]

Good as the anger feels, do you remember what I've told you before?

[A little out of breath, but it was as loud as he could get himself to speak. Making sense of what he was seeing a little too late? Maybe, but hell if he wasn't going to file it away in to everything else he was noting in his head about things.]

[Just as 76 lands on his back, he's going to get a surprise attack from what appears to be a flaming tail. If that doesn't knock him off, his whole body bursting into flames might. The heat was enough to cause some serious burns just from being within close range of him. As strong as the rage that has become so oppressive, that it feels like you have the weight the of the world on you.

The flames don't die down, shifting and morphing his appearance. Flaming horns and tail, whatever is underneath those flames, it's more monstrous than before. It's hard to know if any of the old man's words reached him this time.]

[The shadows gave him something of a shield from the burns, even if that meant he suddenly felt like he was both freezing and in dangers of burning all at the same time. Claws sinking in deeper as he took the brunt of that tail's impact. Refusing to let go at the moment despite the hellish sort of conditions. Eyes closed tightly against the light of the flames as well.

Yeah, bitten off a hell of a lot more than he could chew, and taunting the bear was not a great decision. Lesson learned.]

Don't let it swallow you too deep, Kazuma! [If it wasn't for the ice cold shadows wrapped around him he'd be done for. The little bit of protection from them was at least keeping him from catching fire, but there would be burns felt later, he knew it.

He didn't care, swallowing down the anger as he held on for however much longer he could. The shadows were oddly calming, cooling it down for him. Digging deep through those flames-]

You are still in there, and when you claw out of this, if you're not too deep you can't hear me?! [He could only hope whatever the hell he could get these shadows to do could pierce through deep enough to be heard. That would have to be enough, if anything was at all.] Better hear from you, kid!

Should know damn well enough if I'm stubborn enough to keep at it with this shit, I'm not letting go of you after!

[76 only response is a deafening yell, creating another burning shockwave. Having failed to smack him off his back, he falls backwards, slamming him into the ground. If he doesn't want to let go, he'll sandwich him between his flames and the ground. He starts grinding him against the ground, like trying to get an itch.

His claws reach back a few times to slice at him if he still refuses to let go.] I don't care. I don't care. I don't care what comes after! The only thing that matters-my one purpose, is to take down the one who took everything from me! [Another intense burst of flames comes from him.] Nothing else matters!

[Claws dug in deeper, taking the entire brunt of the fall back, shadows still helping him at least withstand a good bit of the flames and heat. Head ducked as much against that flaming body to avoid claws. Thank god for the shadows or he'd have lost what bit of hair he did have left-]

You matter, dumbass! [Holding on and yelling, willing himself to be heard over and through whatever it was he had to be up against.] You matter, you've paid so much for all of this already. Do you really need to keep paying for it like this? Reduce yourself over and over again?

[He didn't know how much longer he could keep himself going, but 76 damn well was going to fight to hang on as long as what was still in him—]

You keep taking everything from yourself, that's what this is! You're more than this, and you damn well matter to me!

[Well that had gone unsaid before, but there it was out loud. That soft spot Kazuma had managed to dig in to him.]

[Yes, yes he will 76, especially when he's this close to achieving his goal, his mission. The moment he knew what he had to do, he do anything to complete his mission. Accept an assassin exchange, betrayal, and now murder. No one and nothing mattered to him after he lost both his parents, when he received that letter. Even when the Mikotobas took him in, and when he met Ryunosuke, he was still empty inside. He was just a weapon, ever searching for prey to cut down. That's how little he values himself, and how much more it means to him when someone is screaming he's someone to them.] -!!

[The grinding stops, the claws move away. The fire starts to the recede and the oppressive rage starts to turn into calm. The smell of ash is in the air, and all that can be heard is Kazuma breathing heavily. Dark wisps are still seeping from him, but his form was now back to his normal self, maybe a bit singed and his clothes slightly torn thanks to 76.]

[There was still an arm over Kazuma's shoulder, but it was much -much- looser around the front of his neck. 76 could at least breathe a little easier as well as the weight went down, when the other's size went down, and shadows still curled to fight away what bit of fire still did burn, the bit that was armoring him cracking bit by bit when there wasn't so much to guard against.

Christ-]

You matter to me. [Repeated firmly, even if a little bit of a wheeze at the relief 76's chest was getting. Other arm moving around and just. Well.

Kazuma was there, may as well keep a hold of him for the moment. Not letting go in two different ways.] You are more than this, and it's why I'll chase after you and do shit like this.

[He was willing to fight, literally.]

. . . [A hand slowly reaches up, grasping onto the arm around him. He closes his eyes, letting this moment sink in. It hasn't been that long since the old man embraced him, but each time is a new reassurance for him. He's not leaving him.]

Let go of me. [He finally manages to say something in a hoarse voice. This is nice, but his mind is catching up with him, becoming very much aware 76 is not ok after all that.]

[He gave that hold as it was needed, that reassurance that he was here not because of the possible danger to others -wow. maybe it should have been?- but because of what he had seen before. What he had gotten from Kazuma before. That he was damned willing to sink down deep after.

Even if it took a bit of nearly fucking up completely. Could admit to that one.]

Give me a minute. [There was a squeeze of a finally non-shadow clawed hand. Some brief bit of reassurance he could offer, 76 catching his breath. Cracked ribbed? More like bruised, but he'd suffered worse before and not even just when he was younger.] That shadow shit takes the feeling out of my fingers.

[So did the electricity but hey. Voice was more amused, even if tired.]

[...Damn, did he really need to put in that extra squeeze? Now he really doesn't want to move. His hand manages to find the old man's, squeezing it gently.]

You stubborn fool. [He's no better, but he's not the one trying to act like his injuries aren't a big deal right now.]

[He did, so he had. At least his breathing was evening out with only a hint of the wheezing that had been there. 76 was going to be feeling this stunt for a while, but it was worth it in the end. Very worth it.

Kept that hold with a curl of fingers, digits warming and getting feeling back.]

Not going to argue that one, but it's gotten me through a lot. [That stubbornness.] Result here seems pretty good to me.

[Which of course meant, well, Kazuma.]

[He groans, a cross between a grumble and a laugh.] Nearly got you killed, old man. [That's pretty good to him? He'll finally will himself to roll off of him, still gripping his hand. He can sit up and take in the extent of the damage. It's a literal death zone, everything burned to ash. And then there's 76, a worried frown.]

Can you even move? [He's tired himself, but no where near as bad as 76's got it. He probably has enough strength left to at least get 76 back into town and get some help.]

Not the first time. [And not the last-] Probably not a reassuring statement, but I've got a bad habit.

[His mask had fallen off at some point, but he'd spotted it close enough he wasn't worried. Could breathe, a bit of blood matted up his beard -and he was lucky he still had his hair with all the fire- and there were burns on his skin from hat despite the protection of iced shadows.

Could be a hell of a lot worse. Another squeeze of hands, grip a bit stronger with how he could feel his hands again.]

Think so. Can still feel everything, too. [He was going to lay there a moment longer, before using his free hand to push himself up. A slight popping of joints, a little hiss because yep bruised ribs, and with an adjustment of legs he was mostly sitting up. Propped up on the hand not still holding on—] You doing good, kid?

You really shouldn't be so casual about it. [It's not like he wants you to get hurt, old man! Those joints popping didn't sound like he's doing ok at all, his free hand now moving to rest on his back for the support.]

I'm more well off than you right now. [Maybe he shouldn't be moved at all. He looks around at the desolate area. Whatever, they deal with the headaches of someone seeing this later.] Should I get someone out here?

[76 still chuckled, the sound rough but that was at least normal. He didn't laugh that much these days.] Maybe I shouldn't, but my life's just been like that.

[At least he took the offered support, shoulders rolling a little as he got more of a feel for himself. Could breathe, definitely nothing broken anywhere that he could tell. Worked his jaw briefly before his head tilted.]

No, be more trouble than anything. I should have- there's a strap on my left arm. There's three biotic emitters, one will do. Just set it down and press the button on top.

[He may have found out he could recharge them with a little Oomph, otherwise he wouldn't have them on him. Just... took a bit. They were cylindrical, yellow and silver metal.]

You're not getting any younger, you know. [He knows he's not going to convince him to stop, but he's still going to nag anyway. He's going to have to let go of his hand now so he can search for this biotic emitters thing. Sounds like futuristic stuff, so he's going to just grab the first futuristic looking thing he finds and hope that's what he meant.

He locates a device with a button and sets it down as instructed.] Here? [He'll go ahead and push the button.]

Not getting any younger, but a old soldier is hard to kill. [Taking a slow and deep breath, letting himself lean forwards enough to snag his mask off the ground once that hand was freed. Visor was fine, miraculously no cracks anywhere. Didn't put it on just yet, however.

It was fine leaving it off in the barren ash of what happened. No one else was around and Kazuma had seen him without it often enough now.]

Yeah, there. [Little 'legs' for balance kicked out at the bottom, and their was a field of golden light that grew from it. Enough to catch the both of them. It was warm, soothing. Slow healing, mostly would heal minor things and help along burns and bruising. Anything more and it would just, well. Help it feel better for a little while.] Keep them on hand for reasons like this.

[It was weird not having the healing potions from the other world, used them the same way.]

journal ⚔️ a warning

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