Because the other shadow is cackling and the ground fills his vision, pain pulses at the back of his legs. Adrenaline. Glee.
Kazuya wasn't all bark. He teleports. That's new - he's never seen a shadow do that, but that's part of what would make him a king.
Loki fills his chest - heart unbound, soul fraying at wild edges. It would be so easy to unleash it now - let that sword slam into Kazuya's chest, flay him with bursts of energy.
But he doesn't.
Can't let it out. Won't let him win. Turns with rapid force that may have snapped a lessor person's spine, a knife pulled from his side with a flick of his arm.
He hates Kazuya and that laugh -
Vile. Cruel. Mocking. A King -
Infuriates.
And he laughs too with a bitter maliciousness, a tone hardened.]
You're nothing but trash.
[And that knife? Oh it's heading for any part of Kazuya he can reach, as he moves to tackle him to the ground.]
cw: violence & blood!!!! but its from a demon so its not Real Blood (TM)
[Akechi really is a treat amongst treats. These feelings of his, he hasn't even gotten a proper taste yet, but from the scent of them alone, he knows that they're going to be good. It almost feels bad though, seeing him so furious and hateful.
His hand starts to close to detonate the spell when he's lunged at, and it's surprising enough that it fizzles out into nothing as their bodies connect, Kazuya not braced for it as he's effectively tackled to the ground with a searing, sharp pain deep just under the upward curve of his ribcage.
A second surprise. One that he just sort of blinks at Akechi for. It hurts, obviously, and there's a sticky wet feeling as blood pools in the little indent. That's-
A shame. It's the same spot Loki had shoved his entire hand through. Akechi has the nerve to hide the demon from him, but it's probably whispering in his ear all the same. At least he has more of his mind about him this time. Though it's not- It's not a good thing either, is it? Because he wants to drive the point home even further now. Twist Akechi's emotions further.
A hand comes to Akechi's where he has the knife lodged in him.
And forces him to twist it. It's excruciating, but the fact remains: He'll live through it easily.
Kazuya grins.]
I told you. A human prince is nothing to a Demon King.
[At the other teens back- a pitchfork held by a demon that pushes it uncomfortably against him. Belial hasn't disappeared, the other Bel demon is very much present, and all too eager to push the two on one advantage.]
cw: more violence, more blood, everyone's a little mmm
Kazuya's something else. The King twists the blade deeper into his own chest in a fit of glee, Akechi obliges by forcing his body down further. Far be it from him to deny someone the pain they desperately want. What they deserve.
He laughs and-
Prongs press against his spine, digging into flesh and threatening to pierce him through.
Akechi goads it on by ignoring it. Letting it. Concentrating on the fight with a boy trapped under his body.]
And yet, you still need that pathetic shadow to stab from behind. You're no goddamn King.
[But-
He wants to see Loki. Akechi wants to unleash it - wants to run wild, feels the thrum of a fight in his fingers and spine. A mind splintering, slamming, welcoming the sensation of ripping another apart.
And he's ripping him apart - he doesn't relinquish. Lets Kazuya deepen the blow, but forces all his weight into blade, until-
He's sick of that prickle against his back and-
With a wild, manic sort of glee, his voice resonates - loud and confident across the shitty patch of land they're fighting in.]
[This close, he could really reach out and bite him and take all that negativity for himself and let it fuel him. Akechi is a feast laid out for a King, and as the king, it's hard to not want to partake, but Kazuya draws the line, barely, at outright biting someone.
For now.
The knife is eagerly twisted in his chest. Does extensive damage for it. More blood pools, and his body keeps up by constantly trying to close the wound around it as the thick, viscous liquid dissipates into billowy smoke where it makes contact with air.
But he's being called out for his help, how silly is that? Akechi has Robin Hood, and obviously Loki, but Kazuya is the one who isn't allowed help? Fine.
Loki's name rings in his ears just in time as the tower of red blinds him, forcing him to look away for the split second that it takes for him to appear.
Loki.
But it isn't, either. This isn't the Loki he knows. There's no malicious playful mocking, no smarmy grin. There's nothing from him, from the Loki he knows. It's confusing enough to keep him there, rooted in place as Riot Gun pelts him, Belial, Akechi himself with a flurry of bullets.
Pain ricochets in his body, and Kazuya grunts while Belial once more laughs. It doesn't seem to do as much damage to Belial as Akechi might like, but it does serve to cause the demon to relent with the pitchfork, opting to attempt to slam it into the attacking demon with a Power Hit instead.
Kazuya opts to cast Gigajama, this time not directed at Loki, but at Akechi himself. He knows the other teen likely has skills he can use, and he'd rather he not, now that Loki is finally out and Kazuya needs to figure it out. The less he has to contend with, the better.]
Akechi doesn't give a shit about the sharp, violent hits that pound into everything within eyesight. The temporary agony from it worthwhile because it gets that piece of shit off his back, a boy under him to react. The demon tries to attack Loki and-
Nothing happens. Akechi needs to be the target, something Kazuya seems to learn with-
That.
That.
That barrier between him and his own will, his own powers, his own goddamn soul. ]
You'll pay for that, you piece of shit.
[Because Loki is incapacitated the second it appears. Call of Chaos even locked away, deep in his own heart. Akechi can feel it. Knows it's there. Knows it's present.
The persona floats behind him still as Akechi tugs into the deepest recesses of his heart to unbind the chains affixed by a false king.
It doesn't work.
He's furious.
It doesn't work.
So he attacks.
With his own hands, blade pressed deep into Kazuya's chest - a fist curls and he moves to punch Kazuya right in the face.]
You think an ailment will stop me?
cw: me breaking my rule of not tagging anyone until my tag ins are done also VIOLENCE!!!!!!!!
The moment Belial's attack moves through him, his connection to the other demon tells him as much. This Loki may as well be a phantom, intangible and untouchable and for a moment his own rage simmers in response to that fact.
He wants to tear Loki apart. He can't.
At the same time, his spell on Akechi was enough to hinder the demon; it's attacks cease, and the dots connect. To attack Loki, he has to attack Akechi. It's a moral conundrum. He doesn't want to attack a human, and Loki is really his only goal. Darkness and fire creep into his veins, and he can hear the almost unintelligible call to do it. To drive his fist into Akechi's chest the way Akechi has driven his knife into his.
He doesn't want to. There are those who would be sad.
He wants to. The call of vengeance burns in his blood.
A fist connects with the side of his face, the force of if it making him turn his head with it.
The call of vengeance wins, momentarily. Kazuya grits his teeth, and both of his hands come up to grip Akechi, practically still pristine, if a little coated by Kazuya's own blood, by his shirt. Another spell. Diajama, to make sure the hurt he inflicts stays, to make sure that there will be no reprieve from what Kazuya's about to do next. That what he does will linger and make him regret ever attacking him in the first place.]
This might.
[He reaches deep into the primordial darkness that simmers and burns and boils in his chest until a great well of magic springs up, unleashing the entirety of the Calamity of Babylon directly into Akechi's body at such a close range, and just barely restrained enough to not kill him outright.]
Akechi's assault temporarily halted by Kazuya's own hands - Loki forever present, forever watching, forever brewing against his ribs, even as it hovers waiting for the second skills return. That sword is fucking useless. Every ailment hitting. Robin Hood could negate them all, and Akechi-
Refuses to switch. Unease coating him - he doesn't know what that is. Navigator instincts useless with unfamiliar abilities. An aversion to healing beyond Akechi's own desire to not be coddled. It makes him nauseous to think about and-
He tries to rip the knife out of Kazuya's chest, an attempt to grip once, twice, three times before he gives up, gloves coated in slippery blood. He wants to slice it against his throat - says as much with every vicious word falling from his lips in an unstoppable rage-
It hits.
It hurts.
And it's yet another display of power that shadows over years of work with Loki - causes him to double over, until his forehead presses against Kazuya's chest. An explosion of violent energy - almighty - ripping Loki from his soul, out of the air, back into his heart to recover. To hide behind barbs. To keep Akechi steady through grit teeth, the inside of his cheek ripped to shreds from how hard he bit down.
It fucking hurts and-
He's thrilled, for a moment. Energy seeping out of his body as if Kazuya is tugging at every single thread, unraveling him in full.
He hates it. Hates Kazuya. Hates this weakened state that happens from a single goddamn attack from
A demon King.
And he opens his mouth to say anything, but-
Nothing comes out. Muted.
Muted.
And Akechi Goro is strongest backed into a corner, with nothing left, and so-
He lunges for Kazuya's neck with both hands.]
cw: murder thoughts..... violence but restrained, this time
So long as Akechi lives, he's not doing anything bad.
So long as Akechi lives, then he hasn't really hurt anyone, has he?
Kazuya only grunts once as the other teen attempts to wrest the knife out of his chest and fails more than he's entirely comfortable with. Mostly because being stabbed still fucking hurts, especially when a sloppy attempt is being made to pull it back out. He watches as Akechi moves to speak- can't. Watches as he realizes this and grows even more furious, more enraged. Watches as he lunges for him with outstretched with intent to strangle.
A Deathcall is on the tip of his tongue as he feels warm, wet hands grip around his throat. He could kill Akechi now. He's muted. Vulnerable. It wouldn't be hard.
Fingers squeeze, obstructing his airway. He doesn't bother pretending to even need to breathe, won't give Akechi the satisfaction of an attempt at a gasp.
His own hand comes up, pulled back, and he swings it at Akechi's head. A Weak Kill instead of the Deathcall he'd nearly decided on. He doesn't want Akechi dead, he just wants him down, to knock him out and leave him there on the ground as he shuffles off to regenerate.]
It slams into his body and reverberates. His whole being jolts from the sudden assault that continues long past Kazuya connecting against his head. Navigator instincts useless - fucking useless. So goddamn useless.
His fingers clench tighter out of pure petulance and willpower, then lessen. Fall finger by finger into mud that coats his bloodied gloves.
He's flagging. It fucking hurt. Knocked him almost unconcious with only a thread left keeping him aware and awake. Any second it might snap. Another attack will end it. The ailments aren't helping and impossible to shake off. A coat of lead over bone and muscle. Kazuya will kill him. Could. Akechi won't stop until his mind is knocked out cold, but -
This is close.
He needs to get some distance if he can't finish the job. Peels himself off Kazuya's body to lay on his side in the dirt - Loki drained. Gone.
If Kazuya tries to reach for him, Akechi won't hesitate to act. Silent and still, 1 meter away, laying on his side and watching the king with an unwavering fury.]
[The moment Akechi peels himself from him, drops into the dirt, the fight is over. He's won. He can take his- prize.
It'll be the last attack he makes, the last one he needs to. Akechi is down but still awake. Not for long, though.
That fury that Akechi has, the hate and rage that burn in his chest. The malicious intent and sweet negativity. He doesn't need to reach out to him to physically attack him again. With a clench of his hand, he'll yank those emotions out of him in a bloody crimson Vampiric Mist to absorb and feast on them.
It fuels him. Strengthens him further as he pulls the knife from his chest with a grunt. For a moment, Kazuya contemplates dropping it back next to him. It would be polite to return it, wouldn't it?
But it's also a trophy of his win, the petty part of him argues. He glances to Akechi, and then to the knife in his hand.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cw: violent thoughts, violent actions!
Two seconds.
Because the other shadow is cackling and the ground fills his vision, pain pulses at the back of his legs. Adrenaline. Glee.Kazuya wasn't all bark. He teleports. That's new - he's never seen a shadow do that, but that's part of what would make him a king.
Loki fills his chest - heart unbound, soul fraying at wild edges. It would be so easy to unleash it now - let that sword slam into Kazuya's chest, flay him with bursts of energy.
But he doesn't.
Can't let it out. Won't let him win. Turns with rapid force that may have snapped a lessor person's spine, a knife pulled from his side with a flick of his arm.
He hates Kazuya and that laugh -
Vile. Cruel. Mocking. A King -
Infuriates.
And he laughs too with a bitter maliciousness, a tone hardened.]You're nothing but trash.
[And that knife? Oh it's heading for any part of Kazuya he can reach, as he moves to tackle him to the ground.]
cw: violence & blood!!!! but its from a demon so its not Real Blood (TM)
His hand starts to close to detonate the spell when he's lunged at, and it's surprising enough that it fizzles out into nothing as their bodies connect, Kazuya not braced for it as he's effectively tackled to the ground with a searing, sharp pain deep just under the upward curve of his ribcage.
A second surprise. One that he just sort of blinks at Akechi for. It hurts, obviously, and there's a sticky wet feeling as blood pools in the little indent. That's-
A shame. It's the same spot Loki had shoved his entire hand through. Akechi has the nerve to hide the demon from him, but it's probably whispering in his ear all the same. At least he has more of his mind about him this time. Though it's not- It's not a good thing either, is it? Because he wants to drive the point home even further now. Twist Akechi's emotions further.
A hand comes to Akechi's where he has the knife lodged in him.
And forces him to twist it. It's excruciating, but the fact remains: He'll live through it easily.
Kazuya grins.]
I told you. A human prince is nothing to a Demon King.
[At the other teens back- a pitchfork held by a demon that pushes it uncomfortably against him. Belial hasn't disappeared, the other Bel demon is very much present, and all too eager to push the two on one advantage.]
cw: more violence, more blood, everyone's a little mmm
Kazuya's something else. The King twists the blade deeper into his own chest in a fit of glee, Akechi obliges by forcing his body down further. Far be it from him to deny someone the pain they desperately want. What they deserve.
He laughs and-
Prongs press against his spine, digging into flesh and threatening to pierce him through.
Akechi goads it on by ignoring it. Letting it. Concentrating on the fight with a boy trapped under his body.]
And yet, you still need that pathetic shadow to stab from behind. You're no goddamn King.
[But-
He wants to see Loki. Akechi wants to unleash it - wants to run wild, feels the thrum of a fight in his fingers and spine. A mind splintering, slamming, welcoming the sensation of ripping another apart.
And he's ripping him apart - he doesn't relinquish. Lets Kazuya deepen the blow, but forces all his weight into blade, until-
He's sick of that prickle against his back and-
With a wild, manic sort of glee, his voice resonates - loud and confident across the shitty patch of land they're fighting in.]
Manifest, Loki!
[A column of blinding, towering red consumes him - a creature appearing behind that Bel shadow in turn.
Akechi wastes no time in letting Riot Gun talk - attacking the shadow, Kazuya and himself. He doesn't give a shit.]
cw: violence, haha! violence, haha! and i guess vore thoughts ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
For now.
The knife is eagerly twisted in his chest. Does extensive damage for it. More blood pools, and his body keeps up by constantly trying to close the wound around it as the thick, viscous liquid dissipates into billowy smoke where it makes contact with air.
But he's being called out for his help, how silly is that? Akechi has Robin Hood, and obviously Loki, but Kazuya is the one who isn't allowed help? Fine.
Loki's name rings in his ears just in time as the tower of red blinds him, forcing him to look away for the split second that it takes for him to appear.
Loki.
But it isn't, either. This isn't the Loki he knows. There's no malicious playful mocking, no smarmy grin. There's nothing from him, from the Loki he knows. It's confusing enough to keep him there, rooted in place as Riot Gun pelts him, Belial, Akechi himself with a flurry of bullets.
Pain ricochets in his body, and Kazuya grunts while Belial once more laughs. It doesn't seem to do as much damage to Belial as Akechi might like, but it does serve to cause the demon to relent with the pitchfork, opting to attempt to slam it into the attacking demon with a Power Hit instead.
Kazuya opts to cast Gigajama, this time not directed at Loki, but at Akechi himself. He knows the other teen likely has skills he can use, and he'd rather he not, now that Loki is finally out and Kazuya needs to figure it out. The less he has to contend with, the better.]
cw: VIOLENCE, HAHA
Akechi doesn't give a shit about the sharp, violent hits that pound into everything within eyesight. The temporary agony from it worthwhile because it gets that piece of shit off his back, a boy under him to react. The demon tries to attack Loki and-
Nothing happens. Akechi needs to be the target, something Kazuya seems to learn with-
That.
That.
That barrier between him and his own will, his own powers, his own goddamn soul. ]You'll pay for that, you piece of shit.
[Because Loki is incapacitated the second it appears. Call of Chaos even locked away, deep in his own heart. Akechi can feel it. Knows it's there. Knows it's present.
The persona floats behind him still as Akechi tugs into the deepest recesses of his heart to unbind the chains affixed by a false king.
It doesn't work.
He's furious.
It doesn't work.So he attacks.
With his own hands, blade pressed deep into Kazuya's chest - a fist curls and he moves to punch Kazuya right in the face.]
You think an ailment will stop me?
cw: me breaking my rule of not tagging anyone until my tag ins are done also VIOLENCE!!!!!!!!
The moment Belial's attack moves through him, his connection to the other demon tells him as much. This Loki may as well be a phantom, intangible and untouchable and for a moment his own rage simmers in response to that fact.
He wants to tear Loki apart. He can't.
At the same time, his spell on Akechi was enough to hinder the demon; it's attacks cease, and the dots connect. To attack Loki, he has to attack Akechi. It's a moral conundrum. He doesn't want to attack a human, and Loki is really his only goal. Darkness and fire creep into his veins, and he can hear the almost unintelligible call to do it. To drive his fist into Akechi's chest the way Akechi has driven his knife into his.
He doesn't want to. There are those who would be sad.
He wants to. The call of vengeance burns in his blood.
A fist connects with the side of his face, the force of if it making him turn his head with it.
The call of vengeance wins, momentarily. Kazuya grits his teeth, and both of his hands come up to grip Akechi, practically still pristine, if a little coated by Kazuya's own blood, by his shirt. Another spell. Diajama, to make sure the hurt he inflicts stays, to make sure that there will be no reprieve from what Kazuya's about to do next. That what he does will linger and make him regret ever attacking him in the first place.]
This might.
[He reaches deep into the primordial darkness that simmers and burns and boils in his chest until a great well of magic springs up, unleashing the entirety of the Calamity of Babylon directly into Akechi's body at such a close range, and just barely restrained enough to not kill him outright.]
cw: VIOLENCE, VIOLENT THOUGHTS, ATTEMPTED STRANGULATION OH KAZUYA
Akechi's assault temporarily halted by Kazuya's own hands - Loki forever present, forever watching, forever brewing against his ribs, even as it hovers waiting for the second skills return. That sword is fucking useless. Every ailment hitting. Robin Hood could negate them all, and Akechi-
Refuses to switch. Unease coating him - he doesn't know what that is. Navigator instincts useless with unfamiliar abilities. An aversion to healing beyond Akechi's own desire to not be coddled. It makes him nauseous to think about and-
He tries to rip the knife out of Kazuya's chest, an attempt to grip once, twice, three times before he gives up, gloves coated in slippery blood. He wants to slice it against his throat - says as much with every vicious word falling from his lips in an unstoppable rage-
It hits.
It hurts.
And it's yet another display of power that shadows over years of work with Loki - causes him to double over, until his forehead presses against Kazuya's chest. An explosion of violent energy - almighty - ripping Loki from his soul, out of the air, back into his heart to recover. To hide behind barbs. To keep Akechi steady through grit teeth, the inside of his cheek ripped to shreds from how hard he bit down.
It fucking hurts and-
He's thrilled, for a moment. Energy seeping out of his body as if Kazuya is tugging at every single thread, unraveling him in full.
He hates it. Hates Kazuya. Hates this weakened state that happens from a single goddamn attack from
A demon King.
And he opens his mouth to say anything, but-Nothing comes out. Muted.
Muted.
And Akechi Goro is strongest backed into a corner, with nothing left, and so-
He lunges for Kazuya's neck with both hands.]
cw: murder thoughts..... violence but restrained, this time
From not hurting any humans to self defense only.
From Self-defense only to making a point.
So long as Akechi lives, he's not doing anything bad.
So long as Akechi lives, then he hasn't really hurt anyone, has he?
Kazuya only grunts once as the other teen attempts to wrest the knife out of his chest and fails more than he's entirely comfortable with. Mostly because being stabbed still fucking hurts, especially when a sloppy attempt is being made to pull it back out. He watches as Akechi moves to speak- can't. Watches as he realizes this and grows even more furious, more enraged. Watches as he lunges for him with outstretched with intent to strangle.
A Deathcall is on the tip of his tongue as he feels warm, wet hands grip around his throat. He could kill Akechi now. He's muted. Vulnerable. It wouldn't be hard.
Fingers squeeze, obstructing his airway. He doesn't bother pretending to even need to breathe, won't give Akechi the satisfaction of an attempt at a gasp.
His own hand comes up, pulled back, and he swings it at Akechi's head. A Weak Kill instead of the Deathcall he'd nearly decided on. He doesn't want Akechi dead, he just wants him down, to knock him out and leave him there on the ground as he shuffles off to regenerate.]
cw: violence, murderous INTENT
But that isn't a punch.
It slams into his body and reverberates. His whole being jolts from the sudden assault that continues long past Kazuya connecting against his head. Navigator instincts useless - fucking useless. So goddamn useless.
His fingers clench tighter out of pure petulance and willpower, then lessen. Fall finger by finger into mud that coats his bloodied gloves.
He's flagging. It fucking hurt. Knocked him almost unconcious with only a thread left keeping him aware and awake. Any second it might snap. Another attack will end it. The ailments aren't helping and impossible to shake off. A coat of lead over bone and muscle. Kazuya will kill him. Could. Akechi won't stop until his mind is knocked out cold, but -
This is close.
He needs to get some distance if he can't finish the job. Peels himself off Kazuya's body to lay on his side in the dirt - Loki drained. Gone.
If Kazuya tries to reach for him, Akechi won't hesitate to act. Silent and still, 1 meter away, laying on his side and watching the king with an unwavering fury.]
cw: what lexy said but also thats a wrap, folks
It'll be the last attack he makes, the last one he needs to. Akechi is down but still awake. Not for long, though.
That fury that Akechi has, the hate and rage that burn in his chest. The malicious intent and sweet negativity. He doesn't need to reach out to him to physically attack him again. With a clench of his hand, he'll yank those emotions out of him in a bloody crimson Vampiric Mist to absorb and feast on them.
It fuels him. Strengthens him further as he pulls the knife from his chest with a grunt. For a moment, Kazuya contemplates dropping it back next to him. It would be polite to return it, wouldn't it?
But it's also a trophy of his win, the petty part of him argues. He glances to Akechi, and then to the knife in his hand.
And takes his leave.]