Description: Tabitha draws nearer to the wormhole at the Ise Shrine with the Time Sphere, hoping to unravel the storm that reverberates throughout the world-- but other parties have their eyes fixed on the key she carries, and seek it for their own nefarious ends. Will Tabitha's unexpected allies be enough to save her, themselves, and their prize from one of the world's most lethal killers? (SPOILER: Kinda)
The Ise Grand Shrine, like just about everywhere else on the planet, has seen better days. Ise Jingu is a shrine complex composed of a large number of smaller shrines, centered around two larger ones and a region not open to the public. More recently, with the disasters, it has been blocked off and barricaded for several reasons.
A month ago, there were photos of Ise and proof (or 'proof', depending on who you ask) that a literal dinosaur came out of it, only to be forced back in; there was a wormhole in Ise, they said, and it was growing.
More recently, Howard Rust said that 'weird shit' (not a direct quote) was also happening in and around Ise, and it was related to the disasters everywhere else. Some people believed him, some people didn't, but it was enough to get at least a few people looking.
One of those people is Tabitha Coren, who was in the literal eye of the storm of one of those disasters. She wasn't able to save Metro City before its destruction and reconstruction - she didn't even realize that was on the table, she'd only been trying to help the citizens. Times of crisis bring out the worst in some people and the best in others, and Tabitha leans strongly toward the latter.
This may explain why she is trying to get in past the military barricades to approach Ise Shrine directly - or, more accurately, the distortion inside Ise. She wants to feel for herself if it has anything to do with all this - and she is at least partially qualified, she figures, by virtue of carrying the Sphere. Right now she is /literally/ carrying it, though not visibly so; she has a hiking backpack, and it's in there.
Of course, she's not there yet. Right now she's still some distance away. There is a river that goes around, forming the border of some of the shrine territory, the Isuzu. Tabitha is currently on the wrong side of the Isuzu and trying to get closer without being spotted, but she's an urban dweller; most of the territory near the Isuzu on both sides is heavily forested, and Tabitha hasn't exactly been able to get this far without being noticed. It's just that it may not be the military that noticed her first.
Mimiru hardly believed she might have been able to do anything or help with this whole situation. Her brother, on the other hand, might have something to do with all this, and his sheer desires to help forced Mimiru to follow him up here. Once a Kasagi has his mind set on something, there's no way to stop him.
Thanks to a series of fortunate (or unfortunate) events, Daniel ended up joining Mimiru in this whole ordeal and trip to the Ise Grand Shrine. With a lead on ahead from the rest of her group, Mimiru managed to get some information from Rust and dragged Daniel along to get a closer look at the Grand Shrine with her brother.
Currently, Daniel and Mimiru are waiting on the other side of the bridge. It had been a long walk and... Well, Jiro definately -had- to pee. And... It seems he felt somehow uneasy with his 'older' sister being able to see him pee.
So Jiro ventured deeper in the woods to have some peace, while Daniel and Mimiru both waited on the road...
Mimiru groans and she stretches, yawning, "Man! What's taking him so long? No like he got to wipe himself or something," Mimiru complains. She heaves a sigh, "Urg..." She lifts her hand up to her forehead, "The more time I spend with him, the more I remember all those little annoying things about him..." She comments half-teasingly.
Daniel was nearly done with the world at this point.
Everything about the world was falling apart. Everything, except for himself and Todoh-Ryuu, was gone from his travels. And when he finally made it home to Southtown, he had nothing left. But Mimiru reached out to him again. And for some reason, Daniel couldn't say no to her. Maybe it was from all the help he gave to the Kasagis. Maybe it was something deeper. But despite the world nearly burning him out, he felt a new purpose to help the world still.
And that's why he had to tag along to the Ise Grand Shrine.
"Maybe he got distracted." The detective responds, still garbed in that T-shirt and worn jeans. He did not have his sleuthing wear anymore, those were long destroyed in the aftermath of the world going insane. Leaning across a tree, he was looking around warily. These were troubling times, and he tries to keep alert. "Maybe he got in trouble. We'll give him 5 more minutes, and if he still is missing, I'll look for him." The detective was being a bit serious, in contrast to Mimiru's cutsie comment. The stern glower fades as he cracks a smirk.
"Unless you don't want me to look for him..."
The forests of Japan may not be his home turf-- but they're home to ancient ninja traditions aplenty. They may not be his favored fighting forum-- but they're devilishly suited to the assassin's purposes. It's unclear how long the masked killer has been stalking Tabitha, moving silently from bough to bough, from shadow to shadow amongst the woodland paths, but it's fortuitous that she has potential allies so near.. because the Balrog is upon her, now. Shadaloo operatives have fanned out throughout the forested approach, the force showing little interest in engaging the Japanese military, or breaching the shrine; at least, so far. They're looking for those trying to get to the wormhole, trying to influence this strange confluence of destruction and creation-- it should come as no surprise that the murderous matador commanding them proves the most adept at this venture.
When Shadaloo's foremost assassin comes into the boxer's view, it's almost as if he's been waiting for her. It's a short, short span from their path to the bridge, then the shrine beyond-- but it's a span that Tabitha would likely never cover on her own. This is a thing that the blonde man crouched nimble as can be upon a rather sturdy limb not only knows, but /savors/ judging from the smile on his face-- a cold thing, utterly mirthless, ruthless, deadly. It touches his eyes, their vivid, beautiful depths akin to looking into a particularly malevolent glacier, and a tremor of anticipation shifts lithe musculature on the man's bare torso, tattooed with twining serpents; Balrog licks his lips, eyeing Tabitha from over the razors that adorn his left fist in triplicate.
There are only moments to take in the alarming, utterly inappropriate excitement before the white mask with the stylized serpents ornately etched into it is slipped over his features, rendering them notable more placid.. but no less malevolent. "I'm here only for the sphere." He assures you, his voice a melodic, accented incantation. Too sweet for the situation. "A woman like you is wasted on such a burden; I can ease it." He leaps towards the tree beside him, and vaults off it, with perfect, fluid grace-- it would be impressive, a view to savor, if he were not immediately twirling about himself in a momentum-building somersault, hitting the ground beside Tabitha rolling and coming up in a flurry of clawswipes, ending in one brutal, merciless stab for the young woman's midsection. Perhaps he doesn't expect her to give way to words alone; perhaps whatever else happens, her blood calls to him.
COMBATSYS: Balrog has started a fight here on the right meter side.
> //////////////////////////////]
|=------\-------\0 Balrog
COMBATSYS: Tabitha has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Tabitha 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Balrog
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Tabitha with Rolling Crystal Flash.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Balrog
Tabitha is not using the bridge, because she figured that the bridge was most likely to be part of the barricade - she had been intending to swim the river, though she hadn't gotten quite to that stage yet. Of course, she's not /that/ far from the bridge, because she needs to use it as a reference point; she is just, from that position, lost in the forest.
Of course, she might not be lost that much longer.
Tabitha was wary for her whole trip. She knew she could be stopped; there are any number of people looking for her, trying to get her to not come to Ise or to acquire the Sphere for themselves. She'd just been good (or, probably more accurately, lucky) enough to have not run into any before now.
But now there's someone that looks like a horrible masked killer in the trees. Tabitha sees him, of course. He's trying to be seen. It gets her to freeze for just that one moment. "I'm not interested in handing it out," Tabitha says, "if I even had one." The fact that it is bundled in her backpack along with some other odds and ends means that it's a bluff, and bluffs can be called.
And she was right! He is a horrible masked killer. Tabitha is just an instant too slow to block the flurry; she yells out in surprise as Balrog tears at her, slashing. She's tough, and she knows it, but that doesn't mean she's invincible and Tabitha has actually never fought anyone armed with claws; knives yes, pipes yes, a wrench sure, but claws are new and she simply doesn't know what to do with them. Her attempts at parrying mostly mean she gets the meat of one hand torn up, too. She's ... bleeding. She's not used to that.
But an injury to the inside of her hand does not stop her from balling it up into a fist. It'll hurt when she hits someone with it, but she swings anyway - a sweeping hook punch, Balrog has almost certainly seen them before because he knows Bison. What Balrog might be less experienced with is the sudden aurora of light around Tabitha's hand, dancing with the Northern lights as her chi manifests in a sudden surge of cold. "Get back!"
The flash of multihued light is visible, just as a flicker, from the bridge - not that far away, something dancing in the trees.
Mimiru's expression grows stern as she hears Daniel's intonation. A bit of worries cross her features, but they fade away as she bursts into laughter at Daniel's last sentence and its implications. "You like to live dangerously, don't you?"
Mimiru leans in, stretching her legs some in the process after she had been idle for so long. She tilts her head and stares thoughtfully at Daniel, as if studying him. A soft hum escapes her throat and she pokes her lips thoughtfully, musing out loud, "Then again, if that was enough to bring him back to consciousness, I bet it would make him come out of the woods in no time... But I doubt your neck would enjoy it" Mimiru says.
Mimiru arches a brow, taking a step closer to Daniel, "Willing to take the risk?" She asks mischievously. Just as she leans in a bit closer though, a glint of light catches her attention on the other side of the bridge. Mimiru straightens herself up, her gaze drifting off to the forest, "Did you see that?"
Something was definately amiss here, "Something's wrong, I get a bad feeling about this," She thought she had heard something but she can't say for certain.
Mimiru takes a sprint across the bridge. Anything'll be more exciting than waiting for Jiro... Beside, Mimiru's body felt sore from all the waiting, might as well move some!
It may become obvious why Daniel was so eager to help the Kasagis.
As the suggestion of leaving Jiro to fend for himself while taking a leak, Daniel Jack pushes himself off the tree. As Mimiru approaches, he tries to look like he isn't too interested. And yet, that smirk doesn't go away. As she steps in closer, the detective reaches out, holding her by her arms. "I think it is a risk worth taking, if that's what you're asking..."
But passion was, for a moment denied.
Daniel Jack recovers quickly, as Mimiru mentions a sight. Keeping his hold on her, he looks towards the distance. "I didn't just see that. I heard it too. And..." The detective narrows his eyes, releasing Mimiru as she runs. "And I sense that kind of trouble too. Someone is attacking someone. And... hey!"
Daniel Jack quickly follows after Mimiru, rushing towards the site where Balrog and Tabitha are fighting.
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Tabitha's Arctic Blow.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Balrog
She's bleeding. Balrog is very used to that. His eyes dart to the side within his mask, drawn inexorably away from the boxer for a moment, and to her crimson lifeblood dripping from and coating his claw. The wicked smile is, perhaps mercifully, hidden by the placid white facemask. The Serpent draws a deep, too indulgent breath, accompanied by the kind of sound one might make in response to a lover's touch-- Gasp! It's so very beautiful. Even with, or perhaps /because/ of his peculiar emotional investment in the violence, the masked mass murderer is in perfect synch with the followup. The brutal hook holds little back, but its quarry is just as quick. The blossom of frosted, sky-touched energy tickles at and flash-frosts his long and luxurious blonde hair as Balrog weaves to the side, dropping low beneath the assault.
The assassin twists in the same motion, coming around one full rotation in the flash of an eye and seeking a second, cruel jab in at Tabitha's flank, below her bustline, as he attempts to dart right past her carried onward the momentum of that swift, singular stroke. It's not as deep as he might have made it, not as harsh or as lethal; to the pain-- further confirmation that the brutal confrontation is, in fact, also quite an enjoyable game to the Spaniard. At least, thus far. "Please." The plea has no politesse or pleasantry to it, just disdain. "Lord Vega's eyes are /everywhere/." If she doesn't know Shadaloo already, well-- Balrog intends to instill that terror. Whether he hears the charging approach of Tabitha's would-be saviors is something of a mystery, but they're pursued in turn-- a large, Thai man in a shirtless uniform charges along the woodline down the riverbank towards the confrontation as well, just behind Daniel Jack and Mimiru by default.
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Balrog
> //////////////////////////////]
|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Mimiru has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Tabitha blocks Balrog's Random Strike.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Tabitha 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Daniel has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0 Balrog
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-======|
Tabitha doesn't have gloves, doesn't even have her hand-wraps that she prefers to do street fights with on. She's fighting pretty much unprepared against someone who clearly knows what they're doing, is willing to badly hurt her to get what they want, and is entirely ready to do it. Also, from what she can tell, they're better than she is - more experienced, at least. Tabitha is gifted, but she's young; she simply hasn't been doing it as long as some people, Balrog included.
This is pretty much the worst-case scenario for her.
Still, Tabitha is not going to give up if she can help it. Balrog jabs again, sweeping the claw into her midsection - or that's the goal. What actually happens is that she interposes her hand and moves forward into the blow; it's jarring for her to press against Balrog's inner arm, just enough to keep the claw from her flesh, but it still means she's been effectively punched in her already-bleeding hand. She lets out a hiss through her teeth.
"He can keep them to himself," Tabitha snaps back. She doesn't know Shadaloo well, if at all, but she's distracted for a moment... are those footsteps? Someone running? Is it someone on Balrog's side, or hers? Probably Balrog's, she decides, before changing her mind - Balrog must have been sneaking around earlier to get into position. Would he be using someone who is now running toward her position?
(Yes - he's just chasing someone who isn't her.)
Tabitha's entire body tenses. That's the only sign Balrog has before she suddenly rushes. She's put her entire body into the short sharp movement, firing a straight punch with immense power directly toward him, a single blow that could drop a lesser fighter (and has done so, in the past). If Balrog doesn't take it, she's going to hit a tree - it's hard to /stop/ once she gets going. "Like I said, back off!"
The noises of battle in the woods... More footsteps as well. Mimiru is already wary of her surrounding and she notices that someone, out of the corner of her eyes, running after them, pursuing them.
Mimiru might be wrong, but her instinct tells her he's after them. And if he isn't? Well Mimiru can always apologize later.
"Looks like someone's after us!" Mimiru takes a sharp turn on her heels to halt herself, quickly shifting into her combat stance, "Keep on going, I'll catchup with you in a few moments!" Mimiru calls out to Daniel.
She dashes off and leaps into the woodline to intercept him, hand clenching into a fist as she tries to punch him in the face. Hopefully, her sudden turn and rush at him might catch him by surprise!
Daniel was... not land fast.
Oh, he could run. But on the great list of Daniel Jack's pro skills, 'running fast' was not one of them. If anything, people would say he was sometimes slow. But as Mimiru widens the gap between himself and her, he struggles to speed up. As she rounds the corner, she decides the detour over with the Thai guy chasing after them. "Uh, wait, no, I can-" He begins, as she stops short to unleash a punch right towards him. Daniel Jack scratches the back of his neck as he runs past.
"Right!"
Charging past the Mimiru and the mook, he manages to catches up the pair of Tabitha and- oh no. Daniel Jack just -rolls- his eyes. "God -dammit-" He seethes. He knew that person. It was Balrog. And if it was Balrog?
That meant Shadaloo was involved.
As Tabitha is roaring past the detective with a megaton punch, Daniel Jack latches down his footing. Horse stance, legs apart, hands out. Letting the woman rip past him, he moves with a slowly, steadier apart. Letting the human rocket shoot straight at the masked assassin, the detective positions himself. If she became the main focus, that would give Daniel the opening he needs. He would dip down, lifting up a fallen log, and with a heave, spike it straight for that mask.
Truly Todoh-Ryuu is the most majestic of martial arts.
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Tabitha's Impact Knuckle.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Balrog
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Daniel's Large Thrown Object.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Balrog
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-======|
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper blocks Mimiru's Strong Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Balrog
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-======|
It's a little bit disappointing that he doesn't get to cut her a second time-- yet-- but Balrog's dismay is balanced by the realization that this may be a bit more of a fight than he initially anticipated amidst his devastating ambush. The timely arrival of backup has something to do with that equation, but it's Tabitha's capable defense that draws a darkly amused chuckle from the masked killer, "Perhaps you'd like to tell him so." Balrog suggests, the singsong snark suggesting anything but a happy meeting; Vega doesn't tend to take advice on his operations /real/ happily. The assassin is slippery, one might say almost serpentine, as he back flips with much aplomb out of the path of the torpedo made of Tabitha and imparts all of its impact on the poor, ancient tree.
The CRACK of its trunk is resounding, the shockwave that throws up splinters of bark and tree tangible for a rather spectacular span all around them-- ninja, she is not. Balrog, on the other hand, flips forward no later than he lands out of the initial evasion, dancing along that airborne log on gentle footfalls, before launching it into the ground as surely as he himself is rocketed skyward. The hurtling hunk of wood crashes harshly into the earth, and for a moment, the Spaniard disappears into the trees. He descends just as abruptly, as if launched from some overhanging cloud, diving like a kamikaze jet in at Daniel. He has no immediate words for the detective, instead seeking to snap powerful legs about the interloper's neck, and express his displeasure by way of an abrupt, punishing twist, intent on flipping Daniel headfirst into the dirt. "This... is a private affair." Balrog observes, coldly-- Daniel Jack is just not his type.
The soldier that Mimiru intercepts is indeed an adversary, charging in to provide backup to his commander on thunderous footfalls-- at least until a little girl /slams/ into his guard with that forceful punch. Hardened limbs absorb much of the bruising impact, but it still forces the enforced back a short span, booted feet digging destructively into the grass and dirt. The Thai native spits, growls at Mimiru, and answers her assault with a rising knee, potent enough to carry him off the ground as he launches the kick towards the center of the Kasagi's solar plexus.
Tabitha shatters part of a tree with a single blow. This is something she's done before - in training, to practice targets, not to living trees. Her hand can take it - it's not bleeding any more than it was before - but it certainly is loud. And obvious. If they didn't know where she was before, they know /exactly/ where she is now.
They seem to have figured it out anyway, or at least Daniel has. Tabitha sees a chunk of log go by and automatically weaves out of its way; it wasn't aimed at her, but throwing big things into a melee gets everybody's attention. She turns, as if judging whether he's with Balrog or not.
Apparently not, which is actually kind of relieving for Tabitha. She spins, facing the new combat zone - Balrog going after Daniel. Tab could take this opportunity to run... but she doesn't really feel like abandoning someone who stepped in to give her a break to a crazy guy with a claw. That seems like it would end poorly.
So instead Tabitha hangs back without fleeing. She adjusts the straps of her backpack, making sure everything is firmly attached (it is) and does what she can to stop her bleeding. She doesn't have time to get the whole handwrap on, but she does yank on a pair of fingerless gloves from her pockets, which are at least better than nothing. "Thanks!" she calls to Daniel. "This guy's crazed, watch yourself!"
COMBATSYS: Tabitha gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Balrog
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Mimiru dodges Shadaloo Trooper's Shadaloo Smash.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0 Balrog
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
Mimiru quickly switches her fighting stance to a more defensive one, leaping back to avoid the rising knee to her chest. It was a close call though, since the man had put enough power in this blow to lunch himself up the ground.
While she's at disadvantage to counter, Mimiru crouches down and tries and quickly perform a leg sweep with her right leg, attempting to trip him and knock him down just as his feet touch the ground after his knee shot.
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Daniel with Stardust Drop.
~~ Alluring Hit! ~~
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
Oh, that's fast.
The man is dancing on top of the log, moving almost faster than the detective's eyes can track. And with that, he is gone. Shifting his attention back towards the girl he is rescuing, he listens to her, back away from the tree. "Eh? I'm Daniel Jack!" He responds, looking around the tree tops, guard up. "And of course he is crazed. He's Shadaloo. How much more crazy can he-"
"MMPH!"
That is the response that Daniel has as Balrog pounces from the trees. Legs wrapped firmly around his neck, he earns a mouthful of Spanaird before getting smashed straight to the dust. He might not be Balrog's type, as Daniel is getting full sensory experience on. But one thing was for certain.
"God dammit."
That is what Daniel Jack says as he struggles back up. The actual slam itself was fast, if not as lethal as it might be. Of course, if Balrog wanted to be lethal, he would have brought in those claws. To the detective, this looked like a warning.
And possibly sexual assault.
"Okay. THAT crazed." He mutters to himself, regaining his footing. "Yeah, yeah. Look I was trying to have a private moment myself, scuzzy." He growls, as he thrusts forward a palm strike straight for Balrog's chest, trying to get back his momentum. "Real cute girl too. That's just my style!"
I don't generally get my kicks from fey mexicans leaping from trees, you dig?"
COMBATSYS: Mimiru successfully hits Shadaloo Trooper with Light Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Daniel's Quick Punch.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
No, no, they're not to sexual assault-- at least, not as far as anyone but Balrog is concerned. He's having quite the time. As Daniel Jack tumbles away, the Spaniard pauses to delicately remove his mask and draw the tip of his tongue along the back of an outside claw, taking a lingering taste of the boxer's blood; along with a slow, deep inhalation. Tabitha is freely granted those moments to gather her breath, while the Serpent of Shadaloo twirls like an expert dancer out of the path of Daniel's palm. It reaves air, and nearly in tandem, the assassin's bladed gauntlet rips a vicious backhand across at eye level with the detective, intent on tearing the entire trio viciously across the interloper's face.
It's the kind of blow that might kill a lesser man, but Balrog will be satisfied if Daniel remembers him for awhile, every time he looks into the mirror. "Don't worry, I'll see to them both, my cretinous friend." If there was any doubt, the venom dripping from every lovely note intimates the total lack of kinship Balrog feels for the mouthy investigator. "They will know sensation as never before." Another promise laced with deadly undercurrents.
To say that the Shadaloo enforcer is surprised by Mimiru's tenacity would be putting it mildly. The man lands out of his kneestrike with blinking eyes-- he hasn't been with the company long enough to realize just how formidable these slight ladies tend to be. He pays for it when his legs are knocked abruptly out from under him, and he crashes to the ground, hard. "What the FUCK!" is uttered in agitation, as the trooper rises in a swift, elbow led uppercut meant to clock Mimiru squarely in the chin, with force enough to buy him a moment's breathing room.
Tabitha finishes tugging her gloves on, straightening them out. There, she thinks, the dull pain in her hand ignorable now that she can't see the blood. It also gives her enough time to maneuver - there's trees everywhere here, and Tabitha has to move around them. She's certainly not going to go up. Up is where Balrog is strong.
She definitely isn't going to leave Daniel at this point, but she hears more combat - she doesn't know who /that/ is. "Hey!" she calls, in Mimiru's general direction. "Over here!" Maybe they can all meet up, whoever the other combatants are. It sounds like Daniel was with someone else, from his words.
Of course, she kind of expects the other person to need a hand, not to be soundly fighting the trooper.
Tabitha considers her options. Most of them are bad, but she suddenly takes one anyway, not leaving Daniel alone and fleeing. Running through a forest with Balrog on her tail is not something she looks forward to, and she's going to skip it as long as she can. Instead she moves in while he looks busy with Daniel.
Tabitha's attack is faster than her last, and sudden. She makes it only with her left hand, a painful jab to the midsection (from the back); her right is raised, already in a warding position as if expecting to be hit immediately after provoking the foreign ninja. (Not that Tabitha isn't any less foreign here: she's a blonde American in Japan.)
COMBATSYS: Mimiru counters Medium Punch from Shadaloo Trooper with Ippon Seoi Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
It appears Mimiru is a lot tougher than she looks and she's not going to let anyone step on her toes here. Her successful leg sweep gives Mimiru just enough time to straighten herself up and prepares herself for the incoming attack.
When he leaps at her to strike her with his elbow to her chin, Mimiru swiftly steps aside, her hands going up to get a hold of the man's arm. She uses his momentum against him, quickly turning spinning on her heels to press her back against him, throwing him off over her and slamming him down to the ground. "Guess you should start taking me seriously," Mimiru says with a grin.
COMBATSYS: Daniel dodges Balrog's Fierce Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
Daniel Jack looks utterly disgusted at the second act of the freakshow.
In the brief moment before the palm strike comes, he spies the man's exposed face. He was handsome, for certain. And in the brief moment, he could see... a scar. But as The palm strike is hurled out, the fighter was on the move, elegantly evading the strike. With the same motion, the man lashes out with the claw, trying to exploit the opening that the detective might have left open.
And Daniel catches the man's arm.
Pushing his other palm across, he gracefully shoves aside the clawed attack away from his face. He had fought Decapre before, so he had some experience with clawed fighters. And while the detective was slow, he was steady. And dilligent too, as his footwork comes around. Backing away from the agile predator, he keeps his guard up. He was watching him, studying him. Playing it safe... and cautious.
At least in action, not in words.
"At least Juri was cute, Scarface!" The man barks, glancing over to the boxing dame coming in the flanks. A blonde in Japan wasn't too odd for the detective. It takes all kinds, especially in Southtown. The dark skinned man kept taunting the man, keeping his footing stable as he watches, observing.
"You're just a creep molesting girls out in the woods!"
COMBATSYS: Daniel kicks it up a notch! BAM!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---====|
COMBATSYS: Balrog blocks Tabitha's Guard Knuckle.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|
The trooper is drawn out of his harsh strike and into.. well, the ground. He slams down hard, the burly man skidding as air leaves his lungs and a hiss sounds from his lips. He's taking the operation seriously... more for his superiors than Mimiru Kasagi.. but so far, she's definitely got his number. He skids several feet before kicking back to a ready stance, circling the skilled girl with a sneer, dark eyes narrowing on her. He's not done yet-- but neither does he seem to have a particularly good feel for the adversary he faces off against. Apparently, a moment's study is ordained to change that.
"I thought -you- were having a private moment?" Balrog sneers, utterly unphased by the implication of a flaw to his impeccable beauty-- the Spaniard simply knows better! "But I'll be sure to convey your... admiration." Juri will -love- that. That ominous mask is firmly replaced in one smooth motion afterwards, and it's with a seeming sixth-- perhaps even /seventh/ sense that the masked matador twists and intercepts that slipping jab with a braced forearm. He's smiling coldly beneath the mask, and it's evident in the vibrant green eyes that lock with Tabitha's for a moment as he twists to peer over one shoulder.
"I knew you could not stay away." Balrog teases in low tones that, in other circumstances, might actually be seductive... and then vaults off that point of contact, kicking his legs upwards and inverting suddenly, smoothly. It's a graceful arc that his upside-down form makes over the boxer's head, arms slashing outwards to the side with a flourish-- the left carrying the cruel, razor edges of that triple-claw upwards, intent on raking the warrioress from shoulderblades to skull as he passes above her, momentum intended to carry him to a delicate landing, complete with a bow, on her far side.
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Tabitha just-defends Balrog's Flying Barcelona Attack!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|
It might be seductive... if it didn't involve getting battered and slashed up. Tabitha doesn't swing toward that kind of encounter, and her face shows disgust as she reflexively recoils away from Balrog.
"Better than being chased down," is Tabitha's response. "I'll get no rest from you until you're down and out, I'm pretty sure - but you're not going to get anything from me, so don't bother asking again."
Balrog comes in towards Tabitha... and Tabitha reacts. She turns that first flicker of disgust and recoil into a more practiced defense, and just for a moment, she has a flash of insight, a flicker of her skills as they could develop into if the world wasn't ending and she didn't get into fights with people trying to kill her for a magic item she doesn't know how to use or really understand.
Tabitha ducks under the first leap, pops up again and presses into the attack; this time she doesn't hurt her hand doing it thanks to the glove, pressing against the inside of Balrog's arm sufficiently angled and strong enough to keep the raking claws away from her face. Balrog continues his arc over her as physics take over; a body in motion tends to stay in motion, and she's done nothing to interrupt his flight - only perhaps rotate him a little bit.
No, it's the rapid flurry of punches that Tabitha tries to land before he can get away and touch down again that do that - if she can hit him before he lands, she figures, there's much less he can do to evade. Flurrying isn't normally her strategy, and even her fast attacks are measured, surprisingly powerful, and a little less rapid than they count be. But sometimes you need someone with a lead punch to lay someone out (or, at least, bruise them a little bit).
"You good?" she asks Daniel, as she moves. He still looks okay. "What are you helping me for? I wasn't expecting to get ambushed, but I wasn't expecting help either!"
Mimiru prepares herself for her next attack, giving the man the opportunity to get back on his feet. Time was a luxury she could not afford and she had to take care of him as fast as possible to catch up with Daniel. "Time to get serious now," Mimiru mutters under her breath.
While the Thai man studies her, Mimiru focuses on her inner chi. She switches her combat style, passing from her passive and defensive jujitsu to a more aggressive brawling one. She quickly dashes at the man, closing the distance between her and him and once she draws close she lifts her knee up to hit the man's guts. Just as she swings her leg at him, flames erupt from it to empower her strike.
Mimiru puts enough strength into that particular knee shot to actually leap up at the same time and, should it connect, she follows up by bringing both of her hands up over the man's hand, attempting to give him a double fisted smash above his head.
Of course, each blow comes with the proper screaming. Shouting always empowers your attacks.
Shit did he just invite Juri on his ass again.
Daniel Jack sweats a bit on his brow. A romantic evening with Juri was NOT something he wanted right now. Especially Juri's ideas of romance would likely leave just enough of him to be identified with dental records. He watches wordlessly as Balrog and Tabitha go at it. He was agile, for sure, but the boxer was agile. She is able to carefully block the assault, keeping the momentum going as she picks up with a fast combination of counter-punches. As she calls out to the detective, Daniel Jack smirks.
"Good?"
"I'm Fantastic.
Daniel Jack flares to life, orange chi bursting over his body. Exploding with speed, the detective suddenly gets that vague hint of 'land speed' he had suggested. A sprint, almost, but a steady one. He wasn't over reaching his momentum as he dives upon Balrog. "FANTASTIC.... TODOH...." He begins, rumbling as the burning aura condenses to his drawn back palm. With an explosion of force, he hurls out his burning palm, letting it explode with a flash of spirit energy.
"PAAAAUNCH!"
COMBATSYS: Tabitha successfully hits Balrog with Rapid Combo.
- Power hit! -
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Balrog with Fantastic Todoh Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-------|=======\===----\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper interrupts Heaven's Diminisher from Mimiru with Dead Stop.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|
The flames lick over the burly Thai kickboxer's midsection, and that soldier's grin is devilish-- he can feel it coming. The foot cleaves off rock hard abs as the trooper twists, launching heel first into a brutal spinkick that cleaves solidly into Mimiru's temple, one burly limb proving sufficient to send the slighter Kasagi hurtling back the way she came, a forceful kiai sounding from deep in the determined grunt's guts. Teeth clinched, muscles flexed, he cracks his neck and stalks right after her-- there's no breaks in Shadaloo boot camp, and there's no respite here.
Balrog's situation, however, turns from bad to worse. While he seems to be completely able to reorient himself mid-flight, throwing one arm back in prelude to the evasion he needs, he instead gets what most would argue he deserves-- the flurry drives the assassin back, peppering his torso and stomach repeatedly with the swift, stinging impacts. By itself it's enough to force a sizable chunk of the air from his lungs, to raise red welts and the beginnings of bruises on his fair, smooth skin-- but then there's the rocketlike impact of Daniel Jack. That chi-imbued fist launches the ninja clear, hurtling end over end through the forested ground, skidding across the stoney bulwark at the river's bank, and finally launching himself into a backwards roll after the second skip off the unforgiving rocks. He kicks off the second rotation to launch himself backwards-- deceptively, away from the combat.
It doesn't last. The masked matador lands in a tight crouch against the nearest, sturdy tree trunk, and launches himself back off the vertical surface towards Tabitha. Should he intersect her at the intended point, he concedes one of her points-- he doesn't ask. Muscular arms would seek to wrap around her, but it's no embrace they seek. Instead, he seeks to flip about with the boxer in tow, and piledrive her not once, not twice, but thriceover in a building series of flip-driven catastrophes that would batter her bloody headfirst into the dirt, time and time again. There's no flippant comment, no promise of pain-- he simply acts on it, with brutal efficiency and ire.
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Tabitha with Hari Tsuki Rolling Izuna Drop.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|
"If you're sure," Tabitha calls back to Daniel. She still doesn't know why she's getting help, or why Mimiru is fighting the Shadaloo trooper for her, but she can't really /complain/...
Tabitha is a good boxer. She is perhaps not as experienced with street fighting as a lot of the fighters here, but she knows how to box; she can take a hit or deliver one, she has good technical skills, she's faster on her feet than her powerful hits tend to suggest.
She does not know how to wrestle.
Balrog hikes her up, and Tabitha's attempt to slip out of his grasp come to not much at all. She twists in an uncomfortable-looking manner, trying to raise her knee and use it as a lever to push her away from him again, but all this manages to do is get her into a slightly different position that she still can't escape from.
The first hit gets a muffled grunt. The second causes something to crack (it's one of Tabitha's fingers, when she tried to absorb the impact of the blow with her hand). The third gets a pained yell, and this time she gets free, though it's possibly by Balrog letting her go than anything she did. She rolls, thumping into a tree, and she doesn't get up.
For a moment, it looks like that's all.
And then Tabitha starts to pull herself up. It's a slow, painful process. She can't vault to her feet because her feet won't take it; she can only basically pry herself upwards, running on something halfway between sheer defiant grit and willpower.
Tabitha clenches one fist. It's the one without the broken finger. Where before she tensed her muscles, now they become like iron, her entire body focusing her power into one point - her fist. Tabitha shifts her weight, just a hair, feeling the forest ground under her. She gets one chance - another one like that and she won't be unconcious, she'll be dead.
And then she releases. It's not really a wild charge; it's simply a step forward, then another, and then Tabitha's arm pistons out. She only strikes once, but she only really needs to; there is damn near an explosion in the air from how powerful her blow is as she strikes with the force of a jackhammer - if Balrog is there to meet it, anyway. "No," she grunts. She's still a little dazed. Making her words work is hard; making her body work is reflexive.
So close! Mimiru loses her balance momentarily as the Thai man steps back in time, her knee barely grazing him. This gives him just the time to counter and catch Mimiru off guard. She barely saw it coming and did not expect him to be able to pull off such a reaction and retaliation to her.
His leg smashes right into her face and his pure, brute strength sends her flying a good distance away. The impact against her head made Mimiru sees a bunch of stars, blacking out partially as her body hits some branches as she goes through the air and ends up rolling on the ground like some rag doll.
Thankfully, this painful landing afterward allowed her to regain consciousness, but she's obviously still dizzy.. She slowly tries to get back to her feet, her instinct forcing her to get back as she hears the man's footsteps drawing closer to her.
When he finally comes into view, Mimiru's still haunched back some trying to recover but when he comes into her sight it gives her a second breath -- a reason to react, knowing that if she doesn't, he will take the advantage over her.
She quickly lunges at him, kicking his midsection with her right leg while she tries to get a hold of his arm. She then quickly throws herself backward (if she managed to get a hold of his arms), rolling on her back and using her foot to throw him off over her.
Why was Daniel helping her?
For all Daniel knew, this was another criminal. A murderer. Another Shadaloo agent, being punished. There was no reason for Daniel to help. So why was he and Mimiru helping? Mimiru was defending herself, that much was clear. But Daniel started the fight with Balrog? The detective knew why he was helping, as he lands that staggering blow into the lithe assassin.
Because it was the right thing to do.
Instantly recovering from the strike, Daniel Jack was on the move. He was energized now, and was keeping up the strong momentum without losing his footing. But Balrog was faster than him, and flying around like a falcon. As the Spainard dives through the air, he is too far away to stop him as he dives on the boxer. Wincing, the detective tries to move in. As she is sent hurtling to ground, Daniel Jack manages to close in on the duo as the third piledriver comes. He couldn't undo the damage that the masked man unleashed.
But he could give her space.
Driving forward, the detective tries to catch Balrog before he recovers. A palm strike with the left, a hand chop with the right shows what was to begin. Each blow is met with a step, the detective walking steadily into the man. After the hand chop comes, he draws back in his hand, thrusting in a fast jab with his right elbow. Another step. The assault finishes with his final step: A rising palm strike with this left, thrusting upwards. A simple combination, and a steady one. If he couldn't catch him, however?
At least he would give Tabitha space before he pounces again.
COMBATSYS: Tabitha successfully hits Balrog with Final Impact.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---<<<<|
COMBATSYS: Daniel successfully hits Balrog with Zoot Suit Riot.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---<<<<|
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper blocks Mimiru's Tomoe Nage.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|=======\===----\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/---<<<<|
Mimiru's recovery is swift, her technique strong-- but at this point, the Muay Thai soldier has some idea what to expect from the unassuming, deceptively dangerous Kasagi. He rolls with the toss, hurled long, but twists about in midair and comes down in a three-point crouch that rumbles the ground beneath his feet, dark eyes snapping back up to lock on his assailant. He may still be fighting an uphill battle against her, but there's no hesitation in charging back into that fray. After all... nothing Mimiru can do to him compares to Vega's dissatisfaction. As he lands on the opposite side of the young Kasagi, one meaty fist snaps back to grab her by throat or collar, hammering forward with an ironclad forehead in a brutal headbutt, then another, and another.
Speaking of decidedly bad spots: the rhythm of the bout with the other pair of heroes has turned decisively against Balrog. The assassin is caught between the proverbial rock and a larger rock, unable to find his footing as Daniel comes in fully charged with the power of TODOH-- or perhaps justice, righteous vengeance, or some combination of the above. The strikes crack into him one after the next, the final palmstrike /shattering/ the murderous matador's facemask outright, splintering it outwards in a spray of white as a spatter of blood is loosed from the Serpent's mouth and nose. Reeling backwards, he only catches the explosive rejoinder Tabitha offers out of the corner of his eye-- but it's unlikely he could have done anything about /that/ in the first place. The shockwave cracks like thunder, air rushing outwards from the point of impact as ribs buckle and crack in protest under the force of the impact, and Balrog is launched back towards the treeline-- it's his turn to crack bark, far less voluntarily than Tabitha's fist did, earlier.
Green eyes a mask of vibrant rage, Balrog isn't even looking at the boxer now, however: his glare is purely for Daniel Jack. He doesn't even really charge: he slides, he launches, he pirouettes through the air. For a moment, he appears to be intent on giving the detective the same ride that he took Tabitha on moments before: instead, if he can get his hands on Daniel? Up, up, and away goes the investigator in a spray of blood courtesy of slashing claw that descends as he's hurtled skyward. Balrog hardly intends to let his skilled adversary land unharassed, however: that triple claw, its deadly, curved tips leading, lashes upwards in a singular, mighty stroke.
It's meant to not only impale Daniel, but to skewer him to the very extent the footlong claws are capable of, at which point Balrog would tumble sidelong, /wrenching/ the stroke out of his adversary in a twisting blender of gorey viscera, a cackle of mania, somewhere between laughter and rage, cried forth from his lips.
Tabitha almost collapses after delivering her single mighty blow. If this was a tournament, she probably would tap out to protect herself; at least one of her fingers is broken, she's not real sure about her off-hand's wrist, she's still bleeding from exertion and the wounds across her stomach, and her head has hit the ground so many times she can't quite focus on Balrog no matter how hard she tries; the images just won't quite line up and her ears are ringing.
But she can't. He's trying to kill Daniel, whose only crime as best Tabitha can tell is trying to help her. Mimiru - she sees the edge of that fight, though it's no easier for her to focus on that either, with as wobbly as her vision is right now.
"No," she repeats, finding herself unharassed for a moment. That's good; it means she can actually do something without being constantly pressed from all angles. She doesn't have time to fully recover herself, or even mostly recover herself and wait for things to stop spinning, but she does get enough time that her strike is not completely wild.
Tabitha zips across the forest floor. If the last attack was power, this one is speed; she moves in low, keeping her core protected as Balrog tries to heft Daniel up and strike upwards. At the last moment she rises to her normal height, bringing her arm up in a rushing uppercut; she doesn't leave the ground like she does on her more wild strikes, but does use the momentum of uncrouching to lend speed and force to her blow. If nothing else, maybe she can stop him from getting a solid hit on Daniel. She hopes. Maybe.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru endures Shadaloo Trooper's Head Bomber.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-======|>>>>---\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-----==|
No time to actually move out of the way, the Thai Soldier manages to get a hold of Mimiru, his hand wrapped around her throat. The Kasagi recklessly lets her get a hold of her though, her hands reaching out for his arm to hold on to him and keep him close to her.
This allows him to brutal smack his forehead against Mimiru, dazing her even more so as he repeats the process, but so long as she manages to lock on close to her, she endures this treatment so she can try to unleash her next attack at an advantage and hinder him in his reaction. Despite the head banging, Mimiru manages to find the focus to manifest her chi aruond of her, a whirlpool of white flames quickly swirling around of her and erupting from the ground. Hopefully, if she manages to hold on to him long enough she'll engulf him in those flames long enough before he can go or at least prevent him from fully defending himself against this burst of whtie flames.
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Daniel with Red Impact.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-======|>>>>---\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Daniel 2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-----==|
That was too flawless.
It was the world's greatest hand chop, but as a combination strike. A world's greatest riot. The final blow comes, and Balrog is sent hurtling away. The detective wears a smirk on his face, as Tabitha lunges in to clean up. There was no way the man could rise after that. But then there was a problem.
He wasn't down.
And now he was mad.
It happens like a flash. The blur comes at Daniel Jack. He throws up a hand, trying to deflect the oncoming grab. But it is all too fast. He watches his hand come in too slow, as he takes to the sky. And when he comes down, he can feel the blade go into him, before he can see it. He feels the blades go inside him, cutting and worming his innards, the pain spreading across his very body When he is hurled away, it is cruel mercy; a release from the pain of the moment.
But an invitation on new sufferings.
It takes a moment before Daniel rises again. Needless to say, Tabitha was too slow to stop the agony. Bleeding out into the earth, the detective jolts back to life. "G-gah!" He grunts, grabbing his torso. He feels... slits. So many slits. And things coming out of them. Trembling, he shudders. He... one more slash like that, and his entire torso would come pouring out. Daniel Jack places a hand upon the trunk of a tree. Steadying himself. Easing himself. And he begins to take a deep breath in. He exhales.
And his body ignites with burning energy.
Turning back towards the tree, he begins to slam his hand into it, a chopping motion. The plant shudders, as branches and pinecones begin to fall. Another chop comes. And then, another. The tree begins to splinter by the assault, as Daniel unleashes both hands into the trunk. He was tearing it apart with his bare hands, an otherwise useless looking expression of anger.
And then he begins to hurl the pieces away.
Logs, branches, and pine cones begin to fly from where the tree once stood. Ripping apart the tree, he flows his energy into the remains, as he hurls piece after piece towards Balrog. A frantic frenzy of debris, he just keeps throwing them, advancing towards the agile Spainard slowly, rotating around the tree, until the stump is all that is left. And with the remains scattered around him, he rips the stump free, and with a running start, heaves the burning stump straight towards Balrog's face.
Before falling to his knees, gripping his oozing torso.
COMBATSYS: Balrog parries Daniel's Mean Business!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\-------\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/<<<<<<<|=======\====---\1 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Tabitha successfully hits Balrog with Blue Streak.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>------\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/<<<<<<<|=======\====---\1 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper interrupts Defiance from Mimiru with Don't Mess With Shadaloo.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 1/----===/=======|>>>>>>>\>------\1 Balrog
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > /////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|
The soldier of Shadaloo may not be hurting like his commander, but he's feeling the strain of facing off against Mimiru-- not that a little bit of white-hot flame is going to get him to turn tail and run. The kickboxer doesn't give up the proximity provided by the clinch any more willingly than she does-- and while that gout of fiery chi erupts all around him, flash-sears skin, stings his legs and shreads his uniform where its fury is most intense, the only immediate response Mimiru gets is a knee to the ribs amidst an angry growl. The elbow follows up, square to the face, and then he all but charges -through- the reeling girl, led by the pistoning power of a singular, wrapped fist. That punch is leveled at her skull as well, all of the enforcer's weight behind it as his breath begins to come heavier still.
Enraged is certainly a good word for Balrog's current state.. perhaps a bit of an understatement: he is indeed trying to kill Daniel, and suddenly doing a remarkable job of it once more. He attempts to dart away from Tabitha's charge into a sidelong lunge, the side of his skull instead soundly rattled by that blow. He reels to the side, he drops to one knee... for a moment, it looks as though it may all be over. But the motion does not stop, the Spaniard does not stall as the one-man firing squad seeks to end him. Instead, the bleeding investigator's flurry of wood and fire meets precision cutlery-- no shortage of shrapnel is shredded with alarming accuracy by strokes of that claw. Back and forth, it flashes faster than the eyes of a typical human could follow, its wielder darting the opposite directions. He flits to, fro, he cuts uncountable debris out of the air, sending splinters scattering harmlessly to the sides, above and below.
The deadly assassin moves like a man possessed, seemingly appearing in one place, and then the next, heavy breath and flexed shoulders alongside the bloodied hair fallen over his face combining to give him a visage, a stance, a grace of motion like an otherworldly demon from a truly horrific and terrifying film. The attempt to mash his face, to burn him, to smash and sear him with that fiery stump is met with a snarl, a defiant snap of his right bracer to backhand the item away-- and it leaves Daniel landing right before the Serpent.
Blood-spattered teeth show with no warmth, only malice, jaw clenched as the flame reflects in irate green eyes... and it could be the last thing that the detective sees, just this moment. What looked like a sudden, overwhelming victory suddenly turns the corner, as Balrog does not slow, does not stop. The masked marauder's claw lashes upwards, intent on carrying Daniel Jack towards the trees, the assassin windmilling after him in what could be a truly spectacular spray of crimson; and bits that were never meant to be removed.
Time and again he whirls about, each rotation bringing a slashing arc across Daniel's chest, face, the already shredded remnants of his abdomen. Many of the world's most brutal fighters may be neutral about the death or maiming of their adversaries... but in this instance, that death is actively sought, coaxed, drawn forth in wordless cackles and roars-- as if Daniel Jack fought a beast, not a man. A beast that meant to devour him in gnashing, unrelenting fangs.
Tabitha's eyes finally start working properly again. She mostly focuses on Balrog. (Mostly, because one of them is starting to swell closed, but at least the one she still has works.)
He's trying to kill him. He's trying to /kill/ him. Tabitha's experience does not really include people trying to kill her, or people she's in a fight with. Half of her wants to freeze up at Balrog's sheer brutality - she should never have come here! Another part wants to stop him. A much smaller part just wants to go somewhere else and run away.
But, this is Tabitha. Sometimes she's stupid. This is one of those times.
"Get away from him!" she yells. "You want something from me; what did he ever do to you, really? Get - the hell - away!!" Tabitha has limited time to act. Normally she likes to hold something back, in case there's more to come, so she can withstand whatever gets thrown at her. Here she doesn't have this luxury; she throws herself at Balrog, actually leaping into the air in a rushing overhand punch, her fist trailing rainbow-coloured auroras as she tries to pound him straight into the ground with every ounce of force in her body, every bit of her body weight, and every bit of the multicoloured freezing chi.
Chi which clings, and digs in, like stepping out into a blizzard; a multicoloured haze that just doesn't fade immediately, bitterly cold and biting.
"Help me!" she yells at Mimiru, still seeing her fighting the goon out of the corner of her eye. She doesn't know how powerful that man is, but she knows Daniel's in trouble, and she thinks they came together.
Mimiru definately did not expect this fight to take this turn -- it was meant to be a simple and momentary set back, but it seems he's got a much better combat training than she first expected. Even her burst of flames aren't enough to stop him from smacking her around and Mimiru had hoped this would have been enough to fend him off, but alas, not without him managing to smack her more.
The knee to her midsection knocks the wind out of Mimiru, who barely manages to keep up her blaze of flames to eat least scorch him up some while he hits her. She coughs up a bit of blood on his chest, before the elbow to her face knocks her back a few steps, but the punch that follows up causes Mimiru to stagger back a few steps before she actually crumbles to the ground.
She was a tenacious one though, and Mimiru forces herself back to her knees. The shouts for help got her attention though... Not Daniel but a woman's voice... A bit of panic comes to her. What happened to Daniel?
She thought she would have been able to deal with this man before she could go help Daniel, but she might be needed before that it seems. Mimiru forces herself back to her feet and she dashes off, ignoring the man Thai fighter for now. With what little bit of strength she had left in her, she had to offer her assistance to Daniel and Tabitha.
Mimiru arrives just in time to witness the slaughter and beating Daniel was receiving by Balrog. She was battered and weak from her own fight, but nothing compared to those two. "Daniel!" She shouts.
She knows she has to act fast, before the other fighter catches up with her and prevents her from getting into the fight.
Mimiru leaps into the fight and she attempts to get a hold of the clawed man before it's too late, knocking him off his feet with a rapid leg sweep and throwing him back.
COMBATSYS: Balrog successfully hits Daniel with Scarlet Mirage EX.
-+- CALCULATED HIT -+-
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\ < > /////////// ]
Daniel 0/-------/<<<<<<<|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
[ \\\\ <
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|
"Uh oh."
That is what Daniel says as the final stump is hurled out. Balrog was enraged. But he wasn't mistaking mistakes. No, he was making anti-mistakes. He was moving as a master, cutting apart the onslaught with desperate speed. He was moving closer, and closer, and closer. Not even Tabitha could stop him with a blow to the head. Daniel sees exactly what is happening.
He was trying to kill him.
Daniel is used to people trying to kill him. He's survived a few attempts. So when he comes in, the detective... crosses his arms. He takes a breath in. And he stares down the murderer as he strikes. The detective's body was tense. He throws up am arm, trying to deflect the incoming claw. But he does not look into the man's eyes. No. He glances aside, to look at Mimiru. He looks into her eyes, as his guard comes too slow.
And he is prey.
The slashes to the face and chest aren't the bad things. He would have stayed standing, if it was just that. But when the cut to the abdomen comes, there is a loud squishing sound. Daniel brings his hands to his gut, to hold in his guts. This was it. He was eviserated. This was the end. The slashing frenzy hammers the man down, as he falls. Arms are torn into, as feebly, Daniel comes to one knee. And he chokes. "K... K-k-ktch.... K...."
"KASANE ATE!"
Those are what Daniel shouts, as he raises up a single arm, the other holding his intestines in. There, Daniel Jack unleashes a final blow: A cascade of energy from his finger tips. Hurtling the energy wave forth, he unleashes the blast straight for his attacker... before collapsing into a heap of his own organs, unconscious.
And he begins dying.
COMBATSYS: Daniel can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\ < > /////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Daniel's Kasane Ate.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\ < > /////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Balrog blocks Mimiru's Sasae Tsuri Komi Ashi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\ < > /////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Tabitha's Glacier Shock.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \\\\ < > /////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
Tabitha's words draw a smile out of half of Balrog's mouth. It's an obscene gesture, covered in his own blood.. and now so very much of Daniel's. Two guesses which liquid satisfies the Serpent. He lands out of the ascending onslaught well ahead of his mutilated quarry, his intent, burning eyes darting aside to Tabitha's charge. Then, he rolls. It's understating the point, really-- the masked murderer is a blur of sinewy grace in motion, tumbling with the alacrity of an expert acrobat away from the impact, that eruption of frost biting into the ground, chilling and shattering foliage in an impressive radius.. one which Balrog no longer occupies. The maniacal laugh returns full force, less growl and more malevolent mockery. "I offered you a fair deal; you chose this price." He taunts Tabitha, darkly.
The soldier of Shadaloo eyes Mimiru as she tears off away from him, back towards the fray. There's a grin of triumph at this-- the man simply doesn't understand just how touch and go the battle -is-... even for Balrog. The Muay Thai trooper charges after her, but as the young Kasagi engages point blank with the assassin, he pauses-- just a beat. As soon as Balrog goes springing free, dropping into the sweep and seemingly using Mimiru's toss as a springboard, the enforcer is being flung by one knee-- all the while cursing just how spread out the rest of the squad is, through the forest. THen again... they did intercept their quarry; in the same way two trains intercept one another. One more collision is planned, that aerial kneestrike aligned with Kasagi's skull once more, body flexed in pitch perfect execution.
It's not to say Mimiru's sudden assault doesn't hurt, it my even surprise the assassin, bloodied and beleagured as he is. That doesn't slow his reactions, however. He comes low, hard on one knee, ahead of the sweep. He smiles at her, eye to eye, as she launches him clear. He kicks into that ascent, carrying him clear of the onrushing chi that proves Daniel Jack's last ditch effort, landing a short span from the two women as his eyes dart from one, to the next. "Aren't you just... so beautiful when you're angry." The mockery continues, and it's unclear how much Balrog believes it... and how much he simply wants to drive them further into that outrage. He breathes in the emotion, he breathes out his hate, the wicked smile sticks on his bloody features, tongue running over his lips. "You had your chance." He tells them, paradoxically hot and icy in the same breath, shoulders still heaving, hair wild in his face.
"Now... /I/ decide when the toll is paid." If he's bluffing, it doesn't show-- Daniel's sacrifice seems to be only the beginning, in the Serpent's ledger. He wheels through the air, crossing the distance to Tabitha in a single, arcing leap, twisting about to bring that lethal claw high to low, angled from shoulder to hip. It's a cross cut that continues into a horizontal slice, stabbing forward for the boxer's midsection with a sneering snarl.
COMBATSYS: Tabitha blocks Balrog's Crushing Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
[ \ < > /////////// ]
Tabitha 0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
As Mimiru arrives in response to Tabitha's desperate yell, Daniel goes down. Bloody. If he's not dead, he needs to go to a hospital /right now/, and Tabitha doesn't exactly have a car with her.
There's really only one term to describe what this does to Tabitha: she goes berserk.
Tabitha's fist clenches so hard that, in the fingerless glove, every visible knuckle turns white. Balrog is - enjoying what he's done. She doesn't understand it. The joy of the fight is one thing; the joy of slaughter is something completely different.
When Balrog comes in for her, she blocks - aggressively. The claw catches on Tabitha's arm, ripping it, leaving a long slash down her arm. She doesn't seem to feel it, at least for a moment, though it's something that can't last; no matter /how/ tough she is, you can't ignore a wound like that even on adrenaline and righteous fury.
Tabitha uses her other hand, the good hand, to drive a fist at Balrog's face in a sharp motion with an accompanying yell. It might be considered a jab; it's a fast movement that lacks the power of her entire body. But even lacking the whole-body power, it is still a crushing blow, at least by the standards of the kind of punch it is - Tabitha is turning her defense into offense, repositioning herself to move with the claw that just raked down her arm.
And then - possibly blood loss, possibly sheer stunning injury - she starts to weave on her feet. She tries a second punch, but it's much more awkward than the first; she probably shouldn't have bothered. It looks like, whether she wants to or not, she's going to go down, giving Balrog a clear shot at the backpack she still has. Unless, of course, things go horribly right for her - but even that's probably a temporary state of affairs...
COMBATSYS: Tabitha can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
> /////////// ]
|======-\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Mimiru counters Aggressive Strike from Shadaloo Trooper with Mawashi Geri Gaeshi.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Shadaloo Trooper
With all of this Mimiru had almost forgotten about the Muay Thai fighter that was right after her. Unfortunately his sudden reappearance forces her to chance her focus momentarly from Balrog and right back to him so she can defend herself probably.
Mimiru manages to catch him in might-flight, a quick sidestep toward him to position herself both to avoid arm but also get a good grip of him. One hand reaches for his neck, the other for his knee and with a quick twist of her hips she throws him off balance and swings him over her to slam him down to the ground.
Mimiru had just arrived here and she has no idea who was this man or what they wanted to Tabitha but... Odds are they're going to get what they wanted.
COMBATSYS: Balrog dodges Tabitha's Jab Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Shadaloo Trooper
The joy of slaughter-- it's something Balrog knows well. Since he was just a young lad, living in a fine and luxurious villa on the Spanish coast. Injured as he is, winded as he is, he just keeps indulging, refusing to slow in the blood feast. So it is that he's simply not there for that swift triphammer of a blow, that final and defiant strike at his face. He weaves backwards, he sways to the side, he backsteps once, twice, thrice. At first, it looks like he might redouble his assault against Tabitha-- but in the end he lets her fall forward, drop bleeding and exhausted to the ground. This prompts a chill chuckle, touched with a glee that has absolutely nothing to do with good humor. He paces to the boxer, slicing one strap of her backpack with his claw and wrenching it free, throwing it over his shoulder as he whistles an ominous, creeping melody.
True to his nefarious promise, Balrog does not turn to walk off... nor call off his enforcer. Instead, he sways into an easy stride, wandering towards the collapsed, broken form of Daniel Jack. He needs medical attention. He needs immediate surgery. The Serpent intends to give it to him. "Run, girl. Run, and you live." Somehow, it seems to amused Balrog even -more- than lashing out at the pink-haired woman next. A single digit extends from his right hand, "Only. chance." The laughter that shakes his chest now makes no sound, nor does it reach those deadly eyes that hold steady to the still-standing fighter like emerald torches, unrelenting and merciless.
"Let us share our ~moment~." The smile, more of a smirk, continues unabated; widens devilishly. For that passing moment, he seems all but fascinated by the Kasagi girl-- and her fiendishly branching path forward. The Shadaloo enforcer rises from where he fell, pushing back to his feet with a low groan, and laughs in turn; it only sounds less malevolent by comparison. He spits to the side, cracks his knuckles, and eyes his surprisingly canny adversary. "Come on, don't leave now. We're just getting started." Balrog just keeps sauntering towards the crumpled detective, resuming his whistling, gathering his breath... eyeing Mimiru squarely.
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper focuses on his next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0 Balrog
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Balrog gains composure.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Shadaloo Trooper
Fatigue was taking its toll on Mimiru, it was easy to see. The way both man didn't retaliate gave her the opportunity to take a breather, but alo, assess the situation she was into. Her friend, Daniel, was unconscious and bleeding dangerously and the stranger they tried to help was also lying on the ground.
The pink haired woman pants and prepares herself for the worst, lifting her fists up, ready to defend herself. She'd have to do more than just that, she'd probably have to fight for both of them. Experience taught her one thing though : if both Daniel and Tabitha lost to this man, he was definately a strong fighter.
Perhaps too much for Mimiru to take in her current state...
Yet he offers her a chance to flee. She blinks, but doesn't even seem to consider it, "You really think I'm going to leave and let them to die?" Mimiru asks, bemuddled. The thought seems outrageous, even if it might be the only wise decision to take. She just couldn't live with the thought.
"I won't let them," She adds, gritting her teeth, "You've got what you've come, didn't you?" She says, gesturing with her head toward Tabitha's packback, "So why don't you leave us alone for now...? You've put my friend in a bad enough shape that if nothing's done for him and quick, he's done for... "
Mimiru had nothing of value to offer, and she doubts her life as any meaning for either of them, and as of sort, she braces herself and prepares herself for the next part.
She adds, on a side note, "I mean, I've got no idea who you guys are and what you've come for anyway, or what's in that backpack.."
COMBATSYS: Mimiru focuses on her next action.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Balrog
> //////// ]
|=======\-------\1 Shadaloo Trooper
"Mmn." The sound is somewhere between displeasure and dull surprise, touched with a mild undertone of intrigue that Mimiru does -not- choose to flee. Balrog just eyes her, and the smile spreads back across his face, features touched with crimson spatter that is largely not his own... though there are no shortage of rising welts, bruises, and cuts on the Serpent's form, now. This fact is integral to his current demeanor, the outright hostility that replaces the derisive charisma exhibited in their first exchanges. The irrepressible Mr. Little made quite the impression on Shadaloo's foremost assassin, and while the young Kasagi may not consider his offer, Balrog -does- consider her counter.
The (un)masked marauder's green eyes travel from the girl to the bloodied investigator, studying the mangled, barely breathing Daniel Jack for a long moment as he heaves a sigh. "I offered this bargain at the onset." the killer confides in dulcet tones. "But your spirit moves me." From the malevolent, mirthless smile that spreads anew across the assassin's features? It doesn't move him -that- far, however. A motion of his hand urges his minion forward, as Balrog offers into a miniaturized radio on his bracer, "Mission successful. Extraction point in fifteen minutes." Vega simply wouldn't have him risk the sphere for further vengance, and that is one of the few terrors that the Spaniard knows intimately. "Destroy her. Bring both to me." He instructs the Thai soldier, who grits his teeth, smashes his fists together, and charges at Mimiru anew.
It's a brutal, breakneck rush, led by one wrapped fist meant to further pulverize the girl's already battered face, and intent on leading a combination flurry of blows even more violent and vicious than the previous set. A roar comes in tandem with a lashing elbow, which would subsequently devote a knee to the Kasagi's ribcage, a snap kick to further devastate that same point of injury, and a whirling heel kick meant to drop her, unceremoniously, to the dirt. As compromises go, Balrog's deal is only marginally better than facing down the assassin himself, as well; but it's a chance to at least delay the detective's devastating debt. One way or another, in that initial, furied clash, Balrog is gone, vanished amidst the trees... taking the Sphere with him.
COMBATSYS: Balrog has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
COMBATSYS: Mimiru easily escapes Shadaloo Trooper's Don't Mess With Shadaloo!
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|-------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
Focusing on simply one opponent will give Mimiru a chance to save Daniel. She knows the other Thai fighter is in a bad shape, just as much as Mimiru was. This was her chance to swiftly get rid of him and patch up Daniel before it was too late.
Loss was not a luxury she could affort, she had to win this, no matter the cost. A sudden surge of insight, Mimiru turns her attention to the brutal man, following his motions and dodging the flurry of blows, fists, elbows and knees. She lets him wear himself out that way, remaining on the defensive, waiting for the good opportunity to strike, to counter..
And Mimiru finally sees this opportunity as she dodges the last whirling heel kick, stepping foward and to get behind him. She lunges at his back and wraps her arm around his neck to try and strangle him, to keep him in an headlock.
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper blocks Mimiru's Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
The Shadaloo soldier doesn't have a lot left to give. He anticipated finishing Mimiru swiftly, in one fell swoop; or at least a flurry of final fell swoops. It's a sporting chance, dark as it may be: double or nothing for Balrog. Playing with the life and wellbeing of his underline? Well, it's unlikely that consideration even entered the assassin's mind. As it is, the agility that Mimiru displays proves more than sufficient to stymie the Thai boxer's efforts to take her down-- and there's worry etched into the agitation when each stroke strikes only air, eyes narrowing dangerously on the Kasagi girl.
The enforce is not done yet, though-- the girl finds her purchase, prevents him from drawing immediate breath, but he's no pushover. His neck tenses, his body lunges, and he tries to throw her side to side, delaying the tighter choke and fighting its impact, even as he throws one elbow, and then the other behind him, trying to hammer her ribcage -that- way and force her off his damn back. "Killl... YOU!!" he chokes out, angrily.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru blocks Shadaloo Trooper's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Mimiru 0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0 Shadaloo Trooper
Her slender arms aren't enough to restrain him and his squirming manages to get him out of her headlock. Mimiru had hoped to quickly finish this off that way, but he still had a bit too much of a fight in left in him. He's not quite in a good position to hit her with his full power. It's enough to get her off from his back though and push her away.
Mimiru takes a few steps back and she glares at the man, "I won't be defeated by you! Not when someone depends on me!" Mimiru shouts. She takes a step foward, chi flaring up from her leg and manifesting in fierce white flames. She then swings her feet at him, attempting to give him a powerful rising kick empowered with her chi flames.
She follows up by leaping up, attempting to catch him as she knocks him up to smack him down with a double-fisted smash.
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper fails to interrupt Heaven's Diminisher from Mimiru with Chin Music.
[ \\\\\\\ <
Mimiru 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Shadaloo Trooper can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\ <
Mimiru 0/-------/--=====|
The soldier scoffs at Mimiru's declaration, even as he catches his breath and turns to face his adversary anew. So what if she's coming back at him? It's exactly what he wants her to do. Well, what he -wanted- her to do was to keel over bloodied and broken... but Mimiru doesn't seem particularly inclined to take that route. A wad of bloody spittle is expectorated to the side as fists are raised in a ready position to meet the young Kasagi's charge-- he's ready for her. "THAT'S RIGHT B--" he -thought- he was ready for her.
The flames erupt around him, and he's launched upwards. The sizzling rush skyward doesn't last, however-- that hammer blow drops him, hard, into the dirt, the soldier's hefty body skipping across the dirt and skidding to a rest against one of the stonework bulwarks along the riverbank. At least, if one wants to define the impact that cracks stone and costs him his consciousness as 'rest'... which /may/ be a bit of a stretch.
With no apparent threat rising anew to challenge Mimiru, it seems the gamble for her comrades has paid off... which now begs the question how she's supposed to get them -out- of here, away from the ravaging wormhole so near, to medical attention in time. It's a good thing Tabitha wasn't as brutally injured as Daniel Jack... it's entirely likely the boxer now has an opportunity to repay her rescuers for the high toll charged during their intervention.
When Mimiru finally lands after the final blow, she takes a moment to stare at the man, making sure he's finally done for. Fortunately, the one who had injuried Daniel left, or Mimiru might have not been able to overcome them both and save her friends.
She quickly turns her attention to Daniel now and hurries herself at his side. She moves her hands to check for his injuries... To see if she can at least do something to help him out. "Jiro!!" She shouts. Alone, she'd have quite the trouble to help Daniel but if he eventually showed up, maybe she had a chance...
Mimiru tries to hold on to his wound, to stop the bleeding.. Anything to try and slow it down and give him a chance. Mimiru's never been so grateful she had dated a nurse in her life, if only because she had a general idea of what to do, but she can only hope it will be enough..
Log created on 14:55:50 10/18/2014 by GLaDOS, and last modified on 14:56:19 10/18/2014.