Shuts down movement

Carefully, Deuce and Tres lowered me back to the ground. Bakuda squirmed as I kneeled over her, and with one shaking hand, I reached up to the top edge of her mask, where the runestone I’d made from a quarter was still wedged against her forehead, and pressed my thumb against it.

“Tosaigh.”

There was a flash and a crackle as the runes ignited and burned and activated, and immediately, Bakuda’s constant spewing of vitriol cut off as the binding spell locked her voluntary muscle groups. She breathed, her heart beat, she could probably even move her eyes and make basic vocalizations. However, she no longer had any control over things like her tongue or her vocal cords or her arms and legs.

She was completely and utterly helpless.

I pushed myself backwards and stumbled as I tried to stand, but Tres and Deuce were there to catch me, again, and they half-carried me towards the wall on the other side of the alley, where they carefully helped me sit down. I sighed and let my head fall back to rest against the cool brickwork.

It wasn’t quite over, yet, but the big part was done. I’d captured Bakuda. She couldn’t threaten me or Dad anymore.

“…Apocrypha?” Miss Militia ventured tentatively.

When I opened my eyes, she was crouched in front of me, far enough away not to crowd me, but close enough to offer her help if I asked for it.

“Yeah?” I croaked.

God, I felt weak, though. The worst of it was starting to pass, but it was still an effort and a half to do anything.

“What did you do to her?” she asked. “To Bakuda?”

“B-bound her. Locked…volun…voluntary movements.”

“Is it…permanent?”

“N-no.” I gave a slight shake of my head. “Should last…a-about an hour…or two.”