Thread: Forest of Darkness (Alvis & Hemlock)

With her eyes pinned on the hulking creature before her, Shiro had little time to notice that the wanderer had moved forwards and even less time to call out in protest. The exclamation died in her throat and she tensed, observing the man carefully as he attacked. If she were to help him now, Ibaraki would only have all the greater a chance at striking him. She could see the way the beast set his hand into the ground and flared his nostrils in her direction he was after her, not the man. Following in his footsteps in an attempt to protect him would only allow the oni to concentrate his full force on one location which was his crude forte to begin with. Damn the mortal and his honour, why couldnt he just play the coward for the sake of fighting another day? Ivory ears pinned to her head, she could only survey the mans motions. He was Far better than she expected. But that technique was not of her homeland and the fluidity of his movement was nothing like the brutality of common warriors. Perhaps Perhaps he had more than a meagre chance at survivaldare she say success? Her lips pressed together tightly and then twitched upwards in what could just barely be described as a ghost of a smile. Both his blows had hit their mark and his intelligent strategy made her own responsibilities that much lighter, paving the way for a more direct tactic. Speed was what was required now, and Shiro was well-enabled. She lunged forward, a silver streak against the inky backdrop of her masters land. Her steeled concentration faltered for a moment as another quake shuddered through the bones of the earth. The kitsune lost her footing, sprawling sideways and barely maintaining the last remnants of her balance with her hand that scraped the earth. The fall would have been less if she had not stolen a glance towards her newfound companion lying sprawled a few feet from her position. Before she could even begin to worry about his physical state, a large boulder of a fist rocketed towards her face and she was forced to roll sideways. The next blow was aimed directly at her torso and realizing there was no chance of dodging it, she raised up a temporary shield of charged energy. Shiro let slip a pained exclamation as the full force of Ibarakis power met her hastily-constructed safeguard. The pressure grew against her and finally the white fox let go of the makeshift protection and allowed the onis steel fist slam directly into A place she was no longer in. The only sound to be heard was the crushing of gravel under Ibarakis knuckles. And then a thundering roar from the creature himself. Shiro stood with one arm held against the newly-opened wound lining the beasts ribs. Bursting white flame licked and tore through the sensitive area, somehow seeming to make its way within the crimson monster. It wreaked havoc through his insides, tearing through the miasma that made up his form and driving him mad with agony. All from the inside out. I warned you, Shiro panted, the rapid surges of magic obviously straining her form. Though there seemed to be something else causing the groove between her brows. You should not have raised your hand against me. The ribbons surrounding her free hand congealed and turned sharp like a knifes edge. Before Ibaraki could strike out at her again, she had lodged the weapon directly below his chin, silencing his growls and halting his movements.