[There's a minimal expectation of success and Maruki is set up to fail without knowing. These monsters are difficult even with Akechi's experience and it's a blood pounding, erratic, manic sensation that drives him into the flesh of every creature they can't navigate around.
He expects nothing - braces himself and the gnawing pressure of Robin Hood to act. Subdues it. Holds back. Does his part in distracting the beast and-
Maruki goes for it. Doesn't withhold any power or fall to hesitation. It's a beginners mistake that enrages the creature and Akechi doesn't warn on purpose. All of them are the same - a desire to live overriding reason, cornered and trapped in twisting streets. The man needs to learn - this is a make or break moment.
A curdling screech and a blow to his shoulder that blooms red against exposed skin. A desire to yell 'Heal yourself genius' tempered by their reality - no items, no healing skills and only a basic first aid kit picked up from some shitty rural marketplace.
An injury would stop a weaker person - one of that magnitude would paralyze a normal person. Earlier lies forced aside as he moves to finish the monster himself - the only expected outcome from this and-
Maruki isn't normal.
Not one bit.
A bitter realization that he had underestimated yet another person in his life as the writhing suffering creature takes its final breath. Maruki did it and-
That wild look is met with something manic in Akechi's own vision. A blood drenched altruist - a pacifist, the traditional hero who wants to heal, to save, to create new life in healed minds-
Ripping life from something else. Falling down, down, down into the trenches with him. Willingly.
Akechi laughs - frayed and free. A hand weaving through his own disgusting hair to tug, reframe, redirect, get back and-
He smiles - a semblance of genuine on the edges as his hand drops.]
Nice one. I'm impressed - you did well, despite your inability to dodge.
[A soul dissipates into dust to settle deep in his chest and-
It's his turn to assess the damage. A creature dead - distant rumbles the sound of reprieve. A man alive, ripped free from the last stand of another.
The damage is rough - he can't see how deep the wound is and knows it's a miracle it didn't rip through his body. If he died, Akechi wouldn't have batted an eye.
He tries to ignore the way his head pounds when he thinks about it two seconds longer. Grips Maruki's forearm to steady him because he knows adrenaline overrides only for a short time and then-]
There's a department store to the right - let's go. We're taking a break.
no subject
He expects nothing - braces himself and the gnawing pressure of Robin Hood to act. Subdues it. Holds back. Does his part in distracting the beast and-
Maruki goes for it. Doesn't withhold any power or fall to hesitation. It's a beginners mistake that enrages the creature and Akechi doesn't warn on purpose. All of them are the same - a desire to live overriding reason, cornered and trapped in twisting streets. The man needs to learn - this is a make or break moment.
A curdling screech and a blow to his shoulder that blooms red against exposed skin. A desire to yell 'Heal yourself genius' tempered by their reality - no items, no healing skills and only a basic first aid kit picked up from some shitty rural marketplace.
An injury would stop a weaker person - one of that magnitude would paralyze a normal person. Earlier lies forced aside as he moves to finish the monster himself - the only expected outcome from this and-
Maruki isn't normal.
Not one bit.
A bitter realization that he had underestimated yet another person in his life as the writhing suffering creature takes its final breath. Maruki did it and-
That wild look is met with something manic in Akechi's own vision. A blood drenched altruist - a pacifist, the traditional hero who wants to heal, to save, to create new life in healed minds-
Ripping life from something else. Falling down, down, down into the trenches with him. Willingly.
Akechi laughs - frayed and free. A hand weaving through his own disgusting hair to tug, reframe, redirect, get back and-
He smiles - a semblance of genuine on the edges as his hand drops.]
Nice one. I'm impressed - you did well, despite your inability to dodge.
[A soul dissipates into dust to settle deep in his chest and-
It's his turn to assess the damage. A creature dead - distant rumbles the sound of reprieve. A man alive, ripped free from the last stand of another.
The damage is rough - he can't see how deep the wound is and knows it's a miracle it didn't rip through his body. If he died, Akechi wouldn't have batted an eye.
He tries to ignore the way his head pounds when he thinks about it two seconds longer. Grips Maruki's forearm to steady him because he knows adrenaline overrides only for a short time and then-]
There's a department store to the right - let's go. We're taking a break.