undyingcrow | personavelvetroomdr IC Inbox

[Damn it all. He's a sitting duck, no matter what he does.

Screw it. Rebellion Blade it is. He might as well at least try to land a hit.]

[And Ren grins, everything in his expression sharp, rushing forwards to meet Akechi's attack head-on. With a mere thought, Metatron comes to the forefront of his mind, catching the Rebellion Blade to lessen its impact- it still hurts, but with the Thermopylae...]

Checkmate.

[Metatron lifts its hand, and a devastating Megidolaon flies Akechi's way.]

[The Megidolaon deals a devastating blow, knocking Akechi down on his hands and knees.

Grunting through his teeth, he rummages for something to heal with. A Soma... That ought to do it.]

I'm not through with you, Joker!

[Ren's grin sharpens.]

Good. Because I'm not done with you either, Crow.

[There's an intensity to his voice that Akechi may realize is less to do with his eagerness for the duel, and more with... something else. Regardless, he calls forth Maria- and casts Salvation on himself, destroying any progress Akechi had made damaging him.]

[Whatever. Whatever.

Debuffing will get him in a deadlock. Obviously, that's less than ideal, so with a feral howl, he screams:]

Laevateinn!

[If he can just get a critical hit...]

[The Laevateinn manages to land, but misses out on the crit, leaving Ren damaged, but standing. With Akechi this nearby...

His mask changes once more, and Yoshitsune appears, sword at the ready.]

Hassou Tobi.

[And, having seen Yoshitsune in action, Akechi should know exactly what a Charge boosted Hassou Tobi from this particular Yoshitsune is capable of.]

Edited 2025-02-02 22:15 (UTC)

[Shit.

It comes way too fast, the volley of brutal attacks, knocking him down with a critical hit and bombarding him further.]

[And something about watching Akechi get pulverized so easily sparks something in Ren.

Something angry. Something... he doesn't know how to name. His fists clench.]

Is that all, Crow?

[He starts stepping forward, slowly at first.]

Is that seriously all you have? After everything? After trying to protect me from- yourself?

Get up.

[But then, his speed increases, teeth grit as he rushes forwards at Akechi. There's a blaze in his eyes, leaping with his dagger at the ready, aimed Akechi's way.]

Get up!

[Damn it all.

He hobbles back on his feet, despite the pain from all those slashes.]

Fine.

[Damn Ren and his tricks. So many Personas So many ways to outdo him.

It doesn't matter. Despite the wounds to his body, he sends Hereward out for another Rebellion Blade.

Any of his physical or gun skills would do him in, and downing another healing item would take too much time and leave him vulnerable.]

[The Rebellion Blade hits him headon, but with his buffed defenses, he takes it with a growl, slowed to a halt. No matter, Akechi's up again, and Ren's not done with him.]

Satanael!

[Dammit, dammit, how could he? How could he just assume Ren didn't want him in his life? That he'd be better off? That, even if it was temporary, he wouldn't want to know Akechi's alive? Or not tell him he was potentially dead until Maruki had to tell him to his face? For your own benefit- fuck that shit. Ren is so, so very done with people trying to 'protect' him without consulting him if he actually wants to be protected.

The date, their fight, it's all coming to the surface so quickly that Ren can't stop the anger from rising.]

Pillage him.

[Satanael obliges, and a wicked Wild Thunder crashes down.]

[It comes too fast for Akechi to dodge, and he cries out as the electricity tears through his body.

Already winded from the last attack, he falls to his hands and knees once more.]

[And Ren approaches, every inch Joker, but not Joker, the good-natured, daredevil leader of the Phantom Thieves.

This is Joker, the godslayer, determined and angry. Once close enough, he pushes his feet into Akechi's side, practically kicking him to the ground.]

Get up, [he commands, voice low and dangerous, but there's something... hurt in it, too.]

[Grunting, Akechi wobbles back on his feet, only to punch back.]

What is the point of this? You've already won...

[The punch is barely a punch at all, honestly; Akechi's been thorougly thrashed, and it only takes a step to the side to avoid it. Ren stares at Akechi, before sighing.]

Why'd you never tell me you thought you were dead? In Maruki's reality.

[His fists clench.]

Why'd I have to hear on the last day possible, from Maruki himself?

[So that's what this is about.

Damn it all. Akechi rubs at his side, where Ren landed that kick.]

I wasn't entirely certain. Moreover, I knew there was the risk of it hindering your resolve.

[Ren exhales through his nose.]

But it didn't. It didn't. And then- Crow- you just went ahead and did the same goddamn thing. Again!

I was going to contact you. I just needed time, damn it!

[But it's a shitty excuse. He knows it. His protest is feeble and hoarse.]

You said that- I know but- for fuck's sake- do you know how hard that was? How much both of those things hurt, and you- you just-

[His fists clench harder, the material of his gloves creaking. He steps forwards, danger in his eyes.]

You just act so aloof, like it doesn't matter but it does, it does, and-

[He exhales. Maria appears, and a Salvation washes over them both, all wounds on both sides healing in a matter of seconds. Ren brandishes his dagger, pointing it at Akechi.]

Do you think I'm too weak to handle hardship, Crow? Disappointment? Do you think I wouldn't fucking try, anyway?

[He growls, taking an offensive stance.]

Come at me again. No Personas, this time. Show me why you think I can't handle you.

Fine.

[Akechi lunges, fully intending to tackle Ren to the ground. He wants a fight so badly? Bring it.]

[Ren braces himself, grappling the Akechi the moment he makes contact, sending them both flying, and using the momentum to twist them around until Akechi's back is the one on the ground, rather than his own. With a snarl, he grasps onto the beak part of Akechi's helmet and mask, intent on wrenching it open to expose Akechi's face to his fists.]

[Akechi thrashes, even attempting a headbutt. He refuses to just lie there and take it. Not when his pride's been so thoroughly shattered already.]

[Ren's forced back with a hiss, lest he lose an eye to that sharp, beaklike mask. He tries to keep Akechi down, his eyes intense behind his own.]

What do you hope to accomplish?

[He spits his words, attempting his own punch in retaliation.]

[Honestly? He doesn't know. He's just- hurt. Why won't Akechi fucking trust him with- him? It's such a selfish thing, Ren knows, but he thought- he really thought they'd reached an understanding, that Ren wanted-

His head snaps back as Akechi's punch lands, forcing a grunt out of him, and briefly stunning him, loosening his grip.]

You want your fucking answer so bad?

[He swings another punch.]

I was scared, damn it! I didn't want to get too close. I didn't want regrets.

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