Post by Tala Selao on Dec 11, 2023 13:51:26 GMT -5
Tala was caught off guard by the sudden assault. Hoshi's arm crashed into his side, sending a jolt of pain through his body. The molten slag from the overheated rebars splattered across his shihakusho, burning through the fabric and searing his skin even as he'd continued to step back a release the wave of heat from Hāsu. Unaware that the waves of heat were still having no effect, Tala kept his hand up to shield his eyes and stood his ground while Hoshi pressed on the attack.
Yet the intense heat and the unexpected attack left Tala momentarily disoriented. The pain was sharp, but Tala gritted his teeth and focused on the task at hand. Feeling Hoshi closing in, Tala couldn't afford to waste any time. Despite the pain and the heat, he tightened his grip on his staff. As Hoshi grabbed for the blade, Tala resisted the urge to pull away. Instead, he let himself be pulled in closer, the blade locking against Hoshi's ribcage. The sinister tone of Hoshi's voice echoed in Tala's ears, and he braced himself for what was coming.
"Shinei!"
The word resonated with power, and Tala's eyes widened with realization. In that split second, he had to react. Drawing upon the heat energy stored within Hāsu, Tala pushed it out in a burst of intense heat, attempting to create a protective barrier around himself. The shard of reiatsu shot out, and the clash of forces created a blinding display of light. The intense heat radiating from Tala's hastily summoned barrier mixed with the superheated shard. The clash of energies created a chaotic spectacle, sparks flying as the two opposing forces collide. Tala strained against the force, his shihakusho further disintegrating from the extreme temperatures. The pain was excruciating, and he felt his strength waning. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, the superheated shard searing through his chest. A chunk of his chest was taken out, exposing the raw and burnt flesh beneath.
Despite the excruciating agony, Tala continued with his plan. He channeled the remaining heat energy and activated Shunpo, creating enough distance between himself and the danger. The fading remnants of his barrier and the remnants of his burnt shihakusho stood testament to the intensity of the clash. He was panting heavily, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he assessed the damage. The serious injury was evident, and his exposed chest showed signs of severe burns.
Tala, overwhelmed by the pain and the severity of his injuries, felt his strength give out. His legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground, his body unable to withstand the torment. The chunk taken out of his chest left a gruesome wound, and the burns from the clash with Hoshi's attack marred his once-intact form. As he lay there, panting heavily, the ground beneath him started to fade away. Tala was no longer supported by solid footing; instead, he found himself suspended in the air, high above the ground. The realization struck him just as the last shreds of his strength gave way.
Unable to maintain his position in the air, Tala began to descend rapidly. The agony from his injuries intensified as he fell, the wind rushing past him, and the world spinning around him. He plummeted towards the ground below, his vision blurred with pain. The impact with the earth was brutal, sending shockwaves through his battered body. Tala lay sprawled on the ground, his body broken and battered from the fall.
The pain was overwhelming, and he struggled to move as the world around him spun in a disorienting blur. His breathing was erratic and a laborious effort, as each one he took was even more painful than the last. In the aftermath of the intense clash, Tala found himself defeated and grounded, the once proud and composed shinigami reduced to a broken figure on the battlefield. The battle had taken its toll, and Tala's fate now hung in Hoshi's hand.
If Hoshi did bother to follow Tala down to the ground, either to finish him off or otherwise, Tala would at least give him some final words before he'd lose consciousness, "Whatever...pain you were...caused...I'm...sorry." Each word he spoke took effort but he was at least determined to get them out before he faded into the lull of a painful sleep.
{ Reiatsu - 4,100/6,000}-150 for Hearth's Shelter
-50 for Hearth's Warmth
-50 for Hearth's Warmth