Post by Hadrian J. Ryan Ⅻ on Jun 10, 2016 15:15:09 GMT -5
Izanami had made an error. She had underestimated the holy power of Vollstandig - the form which allowed any Quincy, with the blessing of the Emperor, to become an angel. She had assumed that Hadrian was the same sluggish, slow-witted fighter that he had been before. If she had truly understood the extent to which he had transformed, the would have never attempted a flashy manoeuvre that was so full of openings. She probably assumed that Hadrian’s speed would be too much for him to process, that by bending down she would simply avoid the thrust aimed at her throat.
But Hadrian was faster than her now - he had both his enhanced speed and gravity on his side. In order to dodge the attack, she had to start moving when the blade was still some distance away from its intended target. This meant that there was a window of opportunity Hadrian could exploit to change his actions. With his heightened instincts and senses, he didn’t have any difficulty mentally adjusting to the situation, and his enhanced speed meant he could physically react to it too. Unfortunately, her prediction was somewhat correct - Hadrian’s current momentum meant he would have to “fly-by”, so to speak, but that didn’t make this attack any less lethal.
As the muscles in her legs tensed, preparing to lower her upper body, Hadrian slashed downwards with the blade that was originally aimed at Izanami’s throat. The attack was simple, but vicious. The blade would connect with her skull if it landed - the edge of the blade and Hadrian’s enhanced strength meant the attack was easily capable of splitting her skull if it landed. Even if she had a defensive technique, it would not matter at this stage - Hadrian’s reiatsu strength and Class were beyond any technique Izanami would be capable of using. The power of his Vollstandig had ensured that. Dodging - in the sense of avoiding all of the damage - would be impossible, given how awkward her position was, but she may be able to come up with a manoeuvre that would save her head.
With this adjusted attack, the swing with his left arm seemed redundant, so instead Hadrian swooped over her, before pulling himself to a stop a little distance behind her with his wings. He turned back slowly, ensuring that his wings were protecting him from any last-ditch attacks. Izanami had proved that her ability to fight through pain, so if she had somehow survived the attack, he had no doubt that she would have yet another trick up her sleeve. She had demonstrated that she had a mastery over Soul Dominance, a technique which could deal considerable damage to Hadrian if he was caught unawares.
I let it happen to me again…
Hadrian felt himself consumed by guilt. The light given off by the blades and gauntlets of his Vollstandig turned from warm gold to blinding white in his eyes, as if affirming what he had just thought. Hadrian did appreciate Vollstandig, and the power it allowed him, but appreciation and love were two very different things. The ability was beautiful, and fitted its purpose beautifully, but there was something inherently… terrible about it. It was all consuming - it fed on your very soul, converting it into raw power that had no purpose but to destroy its enemies. It was a necessary evil in this cruel world.
If an arrow of Quincifiaction was the guiding light at the end of a tunnel, the light of Vollstandig was the lamps of a train, chasing you relentlessly until it finally ran you over. And as a driver of that train, it was difficult to wield that power without being intoxicated by it. You, theoretically, had absolute power over life and death, you were an arbiter of God. And Hadrian had abused that power. He had become arrogant, had failed to properly consider the circumstances in which he had used this holy power - Izanami did not deserve to be defeated this way.
I’m not sure… if I’m worthy to wield this power properly yet…. Forgive me, your Majesty.
And then Hadrian did something which would surely shock Izanami, if she were still alive or conscious to witness it.
He voluntarily ended his Vollstandig. The wings, armour and swords all shattered like glass, and the gold fragments hung in the air like fireflies before slowly disappearing. Of course, this would have serious repercussions. Vollstandig had drained Hadrian of all his reiatsu, and had locked him out of using his Quincy Cross. Even if he could have drawn in Reiatsu, his Sanrei Glove would have quickly dispersed it again, making even attempting it futile. Indeed, if Izanami had successfully avoided, it was her win. Hadrian slumped to the ground, all of his energy drained. He had neither the will or means to fight any more.
And fear gripped his heart, ever so slightly. Would Izanami kill him? He had not even checked if she was alive or dead. He had a feeling she would not hesitate to end his life though, if she were capable of doing so. But Hadrian dispelled the fear with a smile. There were, most definitely, some things worth dying for. He had abused the power which had been given him in good grace - perhaps he was not the man the Emperor had hoped he would be. He deserved death, and would accept it peacefully. He had tried hard to do good, and while he had regrets, they were things he felt he could eventually come to terms with. And so, with his vision slowly blacking out, Hadrian closed his eye, unsure if he would ever open them again.
”Forgive me, Miss Midorikawa. I seem to have misjudged you.”
[OOC: My apologies for finishing so suddenly, but I felt it was in character for Hadrian to end it this way. If Izanami can avoid this attack, I’m happy to give the win to you.]
Reiatsu: 0/2200
Timer: 8/12
Vollstandig: 2/15
But Hadrian was faster than her now - he had both his enhanced speed and gravity on his side. In order to dodge the attack, she had to start moving when the blade was still some distance away from its intended target. This meant that there was a window of opportunity Hadrian could exploit to change his actions. With his heightened instincts and senses, he didn’t have any difficulty mentally adjusting to the situation, and his enhanced speed meant he could physically react to it too. Unfortunately, her prediction was somewhat correct - Hadrian’s current momentum meant he would have to “fly-by”, so to speak, but that didn’t make this attack any less lethal.
As the muscles in her legs tensed, preparing to lower her upper body, Hadrian slashed downwards with the blade that was originally aimed at Izanami’s throat. The attack was simple, but vicious. The blade would connect with her skull if it landed - the edge of the blade and Hadrian’s enhanced strength meant the attack was easily capable of splitting her skull if it landed. Even if she had a defensive technique, it would not matter at this stage - Hadrian’s reiatsu strength and Class were beyond any technique Izanami would be capable of using. The power of his Vollstandig had ensured that. Dodging - in the sense of avoiding all of the damage - would be impossible, given how awkward her position was, but she may be able to come up with a manoeuvre that would save her head.
With this adjusted attack, the swing with his left arm seemed redundant, so instead Hadrian swooped over her, before pulling himself to a stop a little distance behind her with his wings. He turned back slowly, ensuring that his wings were protecting him from any last-ditch attacks. Izanami had proved that her ability to fight through pain, so if she had somehow survived the attack, he had no doubt that she would have yet another trick up her sleeve. She had demonstrated that she had a mastery over Soul Dominance, a technique which could deal considerable damage to Hadrian if he was caught unawares.
I let it happen to me again…
Hadrian felt himself consumed by guilt. The light given off by the blades and gauntlets of his Vollstandig turned from warm gold to blinding white in his eyes, as if affirming what he had just thought. Hadrian did appreciate Vollstandig, and the power it allowed him, but appreciation and love were two very different things. The ability was beautiful, and fitted its purpose beautifully, but there was something inherently… terrible about it. It was all consuming - it fed on your very soul, converting it into raw power that had no purpose but to destroy its enemies. It was a necessary evil in this cruel world.
If an arrow of Quincifiaction was the guiding light at the end of a tunnel, the light of Vollstandig was the lamps of a train, chasing you relentlessly until it finally ran you over. And as a driver of that train, it was difficult to wield that power without being intoxicated by it. You, theoretically, had absolute power over life and death, you were an arbiter of God. And Hadrian had abused that power. He had become arrogant, had failed to properly consider the circumstances in which he had used this holy power - Izanami did not deserve to be defeated this way.
I’m not sure… if I’m worthy to wield this power properly yet…. Forgive me, your Majesty.
And then Hadrian did something which would surely shock Izanami, if she were still alive or conscious to witness it.
He voluntarily ended his Vollstandig. The wings, armour and swords all shattered like glass, and the gold fragments hung in the air like fireflies before slowly disappearing. Of course, this would have serious repercussions. Vollstandig had drained Hadrian of all his reiatsu, and had locked him out of using his Quincy Cross. Even if he could have drawn in Reiatsu, his Sanrei Glove would have quickly dispersed it again, making even attempting it futile. Indeed, if Izanami had successfully avoided, it was her win. Hadrian slumped to the ground, all of his energy drained. He had neither the will or means to fight any more.
And fear gripped his heart, ever so slightly. Would Izanami kill him? He had not even checked if she was alive or dead. He had a feeling she would not hesitate to end his life though, if she were capable of doing so. But Hadrian dispelled the fear with a smile. There were, most definitely, some things worth dying for. He had abused the power which had been given him in good grace - perhaps he was not the man the Emperor had hoped he would be. He deserved death, and would accept it peacefully. He had tried hard to do good, and while he had regrets, they were things he felt he could eventually come to terms with. And so, with his vision slowly blacking out, Hadrian closed his eye, unsure if he would ever open them again.
”Forgive me, Miss Midorikawa. I seem to have misjudged you.”
[OOC: My apologies for finishing so suddenly, but I felt it was in character for Hadrian to end it this way. If Izanami can avoid this attack, I’m happy to give the win to you.]
Reiatsu: 0/2200
Timer: 8/12
Vollstandig: 2/15
