The literal explosion of Jaakuna's attack shook the walls, the remnants of any unfortunate books burnt. Emiri threw up a barrier around her and Shion, and as Jaakuna's magicks slammed against it, she found it to be a miracle it didn't shatter on impact. As the lightshow died down, Emiri gasped as she realized nearly everything was on fire. The ethereal flames produced from Jaakuna lingered somewhat, litterring the walls and floors. Emiri's eyes widened as she realized Jaakuna had essentially leveled the area around Rio, with the target himself on the floor. As she moved forward, Shion extended her arm to stop her, shaking her head. "[color=deepskyblue]Not yet,[/color]" She stated, narrowing her eyes. "[color=deepskyblue]But he'll know now that he has met his superior.[/color]" She stated, smirking lightly.

Slowly getting to his feet, Rio dusted himself off with a flourish. As he moved forward, his hand reached up to his exposed shoulder, the skin beneath feeling off. Looking down at it, he realized Jaakuna's magicks had left quite the mark. His corporeal body was actually affected by his power. Alarm zapped through Rio's expression for a moment, though he Scoffing lightly, he brushed the air above it off, restoring a small part of his armor. The Transcendent was certainly proving to be something of a nuisance. Rio had falsely assumed they were on even ground, but as things stood, Jaakuna had the advantage. Rubbing his chin, his blue eyes studied Jaakuna for a moment as he moved forward. He supposed he may as well push up his plans, lest he lose the hidden advantage he still had. "[color=dodgerblue]Not bad,[/color]" He admitted, opening up his palm and summoning a dark flame. "[color=dodgerblue]My turn.[/color]" He grinned, dropping the flame to the floor. It erupted, consuming the pair in a dome of pitch black darkness. From within, multiple shadow replicas of Rio each with sword in hand crawled from the darkness, each one dashing at Jaakuna.

Any of the swords that Jaakuna would dodge would zip out of the dome, and Shion and Emiri both jumped out of the way as the shadow rammed into the wall behind them. It dissipated shortly afterwards, but before Emiri could breathe, another came at them. Holding out her hand, the shadow collided with her Reflect and shattered it, forcing Emiri to take a step back. The shadow jumped back, though rather than charge, instead it held its sword like a javelin, transforming itself into Rio's actual sword, and it would throw it at Emiri. Shion threw up a barrier, but to her surprise and Emiri's, the sword sliced right through it. Her breath got caught in her throat as Rio's sword was plunged into Emiri's chest, the brunette's eyes wide with shock, and she fell back.

"[color=deepskyblue]Emiri![/color]" Shion gasped, managing to catch the girl before she hit the ground. Rio's sword pulsed as she took a hold of it, and she felt her skin burning. Emiri winced, struggling to breathe as she felt the blade pull on her mist reserves. "[color=deepskyblue]Shit![/color]" She cursed, having to put Emiri down so she could grab the handle with both hands. 

[hr]

Throwing herself behind a rack, Nadeline brought her free hand over her head as several weapons came raining down. As soon as the noise died down, she pushed herself back to her feet, breaking into a sprint as the vines continued to chase her. Reinforcing the barrier around Savayna and the Zodiac Spear, the princess skidded to a halt, kicking off a wall to get some slight altitude as she brought the Staff of the Magi over her head. As she came down, she slammed it onto the ground, the ensuing flames virtually destroying the rest of Ren's vines. The brown haired girl was unaffected, running along the wall to avoid Nadeline's fire. Snapping her fingers, the staff transformed back into her rapier in time for Ren to swipe her wazikashi at her. A few strans of Nadeline's hair fell as she dodged, though Nadeline herself charged forward, their weapons colliding in fast jabs and bouncing off one another repeatedly.

"[color=#03FF0B]Y[/color][color=#02F712]o[/color][color=#02EF19]u[/color][color=#02E721]'[/color][color=#02E028]r[/color][color=#02D82F]e[/color] [color=#02C83E]s[/color][color=#02C146]l[/color][color=#02B94D]o[/color][color=#02B154]w[/color][color=#02AA5C]i[/color][color=#01A263]n[/color][color=#019A6B]g[/color] [color=#018B79]d[/color][color=#018381]o[/color][color=#017B88]w[/color][color=#017390]n[/color][color=#016C97],[/color] [color=#015CA6]H[/color][color=#0155AD]i[/color][color=#004DB5]g[/color][color=#0045BC]h[/color] [color=#0036CB]S[/color][color=#002ED2]e[/color][color=#0026DA]r[/color][color=#001EE1]a[/color][color=#0017E8]p[/color][color=#000FF0]h[/color][color=#0007F7].[/color]" Ren said, watching Nadeline's efforts with much amusement. "[color=#03FF0B]I[/color][color=#02F117]s[/color] [color=#02D631]t[/color][color=#02C93E]h[/color][color=#02BB4B]i[/color][color=#02AE58]s[/color] [color=#019371]y[/color][color=#01867E]o[/color][color=#01788B]u[/color][color=#016B98]r[/color] [color=#0050B1]l[/color][color=#0043BE]i[/color][color=#0035CB]m[/color][color=#0028D8]i[/color][color=#001AE5]t[/color][color=#000DF2]?[/color]"

Gritting her teeth slightly, Nadeline held her ground, though she pushed her next attack, causing Ren to stumble slightly. Seizing the chance, she charged her rapier with holy magicks, and as she thrust forward, she managed to stab Ren's arm. Instead of backing off, however, the girl grinned maliciously, stabbing Nadeline's shoulder in return. The princess continued however, her Holy surging through her weapon and blasting Ren away. Falling down to one knee, her weapon fell to the ground as she gripped her shoulder, blood running freely. [color=lemonchiffon][i]You need to get back on the defensive. The more time passes, the weaker you become,[/i][/color] Ultima warned her, much to her dismay. Picking up her rapier, she forced herself to stand as she watched Ren get back to her feet, watching the girl stagger slightly. Her blow had been effective, but with her injury Nadeline no longer had the means to follow it up. As darkness seeped from Ren, Nadeline prepared herself and closed her eyes, a rapid chant whispered as Ren charged forward once again.

Stabbing her rapier into the ground, a brilliant light formed another protective barrier, and Ren's attack was halted. Rather than back away, however, she continued to slash at the barrier relentlessly. Sinking slowly to her knees, the princess used the rapier to keep herself up, eyeing Ren's attacks warily. She wasn't going to get past this anytime soon, so she simply needed to hold out for Wesley and Grant to arrive. Exhaling slowly, she released her rapier, her good arm fumbling through her bag. No more Ethers, though she did have a Hi-Potion left. Letting out a small sigh, she drank it in its entirety, though as she finished, a scratching sound surprised her. Ren's blade was somehow beginning to pierce through her barrier. But how?! 

Once the barrier was ripped apart, Ren calmly walked over to Nadeline as she made the attempt to get away. "[color=#03FF0B]I[/color][color=#02FC0D]f[/color] [color=#02F612]o[/color][color=#02F315]n[/color][color=#02F118]l[/color][color=#02EE1A]y[/color] [color=#02E820]y[/color][color=#02E622]o[/color][color=#02E325]u[/color][color=#02E028]r[/color] [color=#02DA2D]m[/color][color=#02D830]a[/color][color=#02D532]g[/color][color=#02D235]i[/color][color=#02CF38]c[/color][color=#02CD3A]k[/color][color=#02CA3D]s[/color] [color=#02C442]h[/color][color=#02C245]a[/color][color=#02BF48]d[/color][color=#02BC4A]n[/color][color=#02B94D]'[/color][color=#02B64F]t[/color] [color=#02B155]b[/color][color=#02AE57]e[/color][color=#02AB5A]e[/color][color=#01A95D]n[/color] [color=#01A362]w[/color][color=#01A065]a[/color][color=#019D67]s[/color][color=#019B6A]t[/color][color=#01986D]e[/color][color=#01956F]d[/color] [color=#019075]o[/color][color=#018D77]n[/color] [color=#01877D]T[/color][color=#01857F]h[/color][color=#018282]e[/color] [color=#017C87]C[/color][color=#01798A]o[/color][color=#01778C]r[/color][color=#01748F]r[/color][color=#017192]u[/color][color=#016E94]p[/color][color=#016C97]t[/color][color=#01699A],[/color] [color=#01639F]s[/color][color=#0161A2]u[/color][color=#015EA4]r[/color][color=#015BA7]e[/color][color=#0158AA]l[/color][color=#0155AC]y[/color] [color=#0050B2]y[/color][color=#004DB4]o[/color][color=#004AB7]u[/color] [color=#0045BC]w[/color][color=#0042BF]o[/color][color=#003FC1]u[/color][color=#003CC4]l[/color][color=#003AC7]d[/color] [color=#0034CC]h[/color][color=#0031CF]a[/color][color=#002FD1]v[/color][color=#002CD4]e[/color] [color=#0026D9]l[/color][color=#0024DC]a[/color][color=#0021DF]s[/color][color=#001EE1]t[/color][color=#001BE4]e[/color][color=#0018E7]d[/color] [color=#0013EC]l[/color][color=#0010EF]o[/color][color=#000DF1]n[/color][color=#000BF4]g[/color][color=#0008F7]e[/color][color=#0005F9]r[/color][color=#0002FC],[/color]" She commented, her vines taking Nadeline by her wrists and lifting her off her feet. "[color=#03FF0B]B[/color][color=#02FC0D]u[/color][color=#02FA0F]t[/color] [color=#02F613]I[/color] [color=#02F217]d[/color][color=#02EF19]i[/color][color=#02ED1B]g[/color][color=#02EB1D]r[/color][color=#02E91F]e[/color][color=#02E721]s[/color][color=#02E523]s[/color][color=#02E225].[/color] [color=#02DE2A]M[/color][color=#02DC2C]y[/color] [color=#02D830]m[/color][color=#02D532]a[/color][color=#02D334]s[/color][color=#02D136]t[/color][color=#02CF38]e[/color][color=#02CD3A]r[/color] [color=#02C83E]w[/color][color=#02C640]i[/color][color=#02C442]l[/color][color=#02C244]l[/color] [color=#02BE49]t[/color][color=#02BC4B]a[/color][color=#02B94D]k[/color][color=#02B74F]e[/color] [color=#02B353]c[/color][color=#02B155]a[/color][color=#02AF57]r[/color][color=#02AC59]e[/color] [color=#01A85D]o[/color][color=#01A65F]f[/color] [color=#01A263]t[/color][color=#019F65]h[/color][color=#019D68]e[/color] [color=#01996C]T[/color][color=#01976E]r[/color][color=#019570]a[/color][color=#019272]n[/color][color=#019074]s[/color][color=#018E76]c[/color][color=#018C78]e[/color][color=#018A7A]n[/color][color=#01887C]d[/color][color=#01857E]e[/color][color=#018380]n[/color][color=#018182]t[/color] [color=#017D87]a[/color][color=#017B89]n[/color][color=#01798B]d[/color] [color=#01748F]t[/color][color=#017291]h[/color][color=#017093]e[/color] [color=#016C97]S[/color][color=#016999]c[/color][color=#01679B]i[/color][color=#01659D]o[/color][color=#01639F]n[/color] [color=#015FA4]o[/color][color=#015CA6]f[/color] [color=#0158AA]T[/color][color=#0156AC]i[/color][color=#0054AE]m[/color][color=#0052B0]e[/color][color=#004FB2].[/color] [color=#004BB6]I[/color] [color=#0047BA]w[/color][color=#0045BC]i[/color][color=#0042BE]l[/color][color=#0040C0]l[/color] [color=#003CC5]g[/color][color=#003AC7]e[/color][color=#0038C9]t[/color] [color=#0033CD]r[/color][color=#0031CF]i[/color][color=#002FD1]d[/color] [color=#002BD5]o[/color][color=#0029D7]f[/color] [color=#0024DB]y[/color][color=#0022DD]o[/color][color=#0020DF]u[/color] [color=#001CE4]a[/color][color=#0019E6]n[/color][color=#0017E8]d[/color] [color=#0013EC]t[/color][color=#0011EE]h[/color][color=#000FF0]e[/color] [color=#000AF4]r[/color][color=#0008F6]e[/color][color=#0006F8]s[/color][color=#0004FA]t[/color][color=#0002FC].[/color]" Her eyes wandered over to Savayna. Nadeline's magicks remained strong, the protection much more formidable than the barrier she had used earlier. "[color=#03FF0B]Y[/color][color=#02FB0D]o[/color][color=#02F810]u[/color][color=#02F513]r[/color] [color=#02EF19]s[/color][color=#02EC1C]k[/color][color=#02E91F]i[/color][color=#02E622]l[/color][color=#02E325]l[/color][color=#02DF28]s[/color] [color=#02D92E]a[/color][color=#02D631]r[/color][color=#02D334]e[/color] [color=#02CD3A]t[/color][color=#02CA3D]r[/color][color=#02C740]u[/color][color=#02C343]l[/color][color=#02C046]y[/color] [color=#02BA4C]s[/color][color=#02B74F]o[/color][color=#02B452]m[/color][color=#02B155]e[/color][color=#02AE58]t[/color][color=#02AB5B]h[/color][color=#01A75E]i[/color][color=#01A461]n[/color][color=#01A164]g[/color] [color=#019B6A]t[/color][color=#01986D]o[/color] [color=#019273]b[/color][color=#018F76]e[/color][color=#018B79]h[/color][color=#01887C]o[/color][color=#01857F]l[/color][color=#018282]d[/color][color=#017F84].[/color] [color=#01798A]B[/color][color=#01768D]u[/color][color=#017390]t[/color] [color=#016C96]e[/color][color=#016999]v[/color][color=#01669C]e[/color][color=#01639F]r[/color][color=#0160A2]y[/color] [color=#015AA8]s[/color][color=#0157AB]p[/color][color=#0053AE]e[/color][color=#0050B1]l[/color][color=#004DB4]l[/color] [color=#0047BA]h[/color][color=#0044BD]a[/color][color=#0041C0]s[/color] [color=#003BC6]t[/color][color=#0037C9]h[/color][color=#0034CC]e[/color] [color=#002ED2]s[/color][color=#002BD5]a[/color][color=#0028D8]m[/color][color=#0025DB]e[/color] [color=#001FE1]w[/color][color=#001BE4]e[/color][color=#0018E7]a[/color][color=#0015EA]k[/color][color=#0012ED]n[/color][color=#000FF0]e[/color][color=#000CF3]s[/color][color=#0009F6]s[/color][color=#0006F9]-[/color][color=#0003FC]-[/color]" She placed a hand on Nadeline's forehead, and the princess gasped as her already low mist began to get drained from her. "[color=#03FF0B]T[/color][color=#02F811]h[/color][color=#02F118]e[/color][color=#02EA1E]r[/color][color=#02E325]e[/color] [color=#02D532]c[/color][color=#02CE39]a[/color][color=#02C73F]n[/color] [color=#02BA4C]b[/color][color=#02B353]e[/color] [color=#01A560]n[/color][color=#019E67]o[/color] [color=#019074]m[/color][color=#01897B]a[/color][color=#018281]g[/color][color=#017C88]i[/color][color=#01758E]c[/color][color=#016E95]k[/color][color=#01679C]s[/color] [color=#0159A9]w[/color][color=#0052AF]i[/color][color=#004BB6]t[/color][color=#0044BD]h[/color][color=#003EC3]o[/color][color=#0037CA]u[/color][color=#0030D0]t[/color] [color=#0022DE]m[/color][color=#001BE4]i[/color][color=#0014EB]s[/color][color=#000DF1]t[/color][color=#0006F8].[/color]" Her body became weaker by the second, the inscriptions around her protective spell illuminating and beginning to unravel. No! Struggling against her binds, Nadeline found her strength leaving her entirely, weariness and fatigue taking over in rapid succession. The protection around Savayna and the spear dissipated into the air, and Ren lifted her hand off a barely conscious Nadeline. Ren smiled gently at her, using her blade to lift the princess' chin up. "[color=#03FF0B]Y[/color][color=#02FA0F]o[/color][color=#02F514]u[/color] [color=#02EC1D]d[/color][color=#02E721]i[/color][color=#02E226]d[/color] [color=#02D92F]w[/color][color=#02D433]e[/color][color=#02CF38]l[/color][color=#02CB3C]l[/color][color=#02C641].[/color] [color=#02BC4A]R[/color][color=#02B84E]e[/color][color=#02B353]s[/color][color=#02AE57]t[/color] [color=#01A560]e[/color][color=#01A065]a[/color][color=#019B69]s[/color][color=#01976E]y[/color] [color=#018D77]k[/color][color=#01887B]n[/color][color=#018480]o[/color][color=#017F85]w[/color][color=#017A89]i[/color][color=#01768E]n[/color][color=#017192]g[/color] [color=#01679B]y[/color][color=#0163A0]o[/color][color=#015EA4]u[/color] [color=#0154AD]f[/color][color=#0050B2]o[/color][color=#004BB6]u[/color][color=#0046BB]g[/color][color=#0042BF]h[/color][color=#003DC4]t[/color] [color=#0033CD]w[/color][color=#002FD1]i[/color][color=#002AD6]t[/color][color=#0025DA]h[/color] [color=#001CE3]v[/color][color=#0017E8]a[/color][color=#0012EC]l[/color][color=#000EF1]o[/color][color=#0009F5]r[/color][color=#0004FA].[/color]"