dev 1 - ruthless pursuit

They could know about the ones who took his brother. This motivates him to be more.. so much more than he's been before- for he remembers how he was a mere child back then, when he almost lost everything - and yet, this would be the time for retribution, one in which he would be able to find out answers, perhaps.

Answers he so desperately needs.

Unfortunately for Deceit, one of the bone blades launched outward lands against his cloak, piercing through and pinning it down against the ground- albeit briefly, just enough for Nerin to catch up; there's something about the way this Cadet runs, something about the way how he stares at the Syndicate ahead of himself.

There's not a hint of hesitation.
Only his gaze darkening.

If only when he finally catches him, the stride of Nerin turns to that of a slower one, understanding that there's no space for him to flee anymore- that for all intents and purposes, the Blazing Lion had him cornered, even if for a bit. Countless blades spring out all over his body, the eyes a reflection of intent he had on his mind.

"You know.."

"It's a long way down when your head is in the clouds." Even now, the bone-blades shape out of their way, becoming far more menacing than they were initially- it almost looks like the man isn't quite a man anymore, but a living weapon.

And it's aimed right at Deceit.

"I've heard about your people before, that they're like family to some of you - despite the way it's treated." A pause, and a roll of his shoulders occurs. "But you know.. my family is everything to me as well."

"Some of you hurt my family. That I cannot forgive." At that point, his gaze directly shifts at Deceit.

"Last chance. Ice magic user, sound magic user, the two among you - names, descriptions."
(Nerin)

A suddenl bolt flies through the air and ruptures their cloak. The figure is stopped suddenly and pulled backwards as they fall on their ass with a dizzying sense of nausea. With blinking eyes beneath their masked facade, they stare over their shoulder towards Nerin.

Ah- caught.

Across the figure's hood a set of long green hair forms. For dramatic effect, the figure blows up at some of their bangs as they are forced to listen. And listen they did - for what felt like an eternity, the figure simply sat there like a spoiled child with their arms folded in protest.

"Are ya' done?"

Hmphing, they pull their weight forward and stand up, tearing their cloak further by the attempt. "You know, this whole 'waaaah the syndicate hurt my family' drabble is really boring and generic. You ever think about all the people who die of starvation while some nobles stuff their mouths and actually -- ACTUALLY -- vomit it all out just to eat more?" They shake their head.

Nerin's display of bone mutilation seems to be ignored. "Your kin probably deserved it, honestly. Stars know you all are the most apathetic bunch. At least we wear black on our sleeves." Their mask grins. Hey - If they can have a monologue, then why not Deceit?

Let the struggle to get away begin.
(Deceit)

This alone..
This enraged Nerin beyond measure.

No words were spoken at first, right after the moment Deceit uttered such words; instead, the furious assault of the bone-blades and the constant strikes against their posterior has proved itself to be formidable. This was no common occurrence for him- but a patient, kind man pushed over the edge. The beating of his heart was a testament to the adrenaline cocktail in his veins, of the passion with which Deceit was attacked.

Thud.. thud.. thud..

A slash after slash, a hit after hit- unrelenting in its nature, yet strangely calculated in how it works, Nerin was no doubt a dangerous opponent to face off against - but so was Deceit, with the slashing winds and assaults upon his mind. But.. despite enduring these cuts against his flesh?

He perseveres. He fights like there's no tomorrow.
Like his life depends on it.

"You don't know ANYTHING!" Steady slashes delivered from bone-blades were beginning to take their toll, pressuring Deceit to back away from the Blazing Lion. "I am FROM the places like these!" Rage and brutality were his make up that day- the make up which was stained with Deceit's blood after each slash delivered upon his frame.

"You conniving-- deceitful-- ignorant--!"

A heavy strike against their gut. One that's followed by a sudden uppercut, a knee, then elbow, then a sudden kick.. and another, and another.. and another. Had the fate decided it to be this way, perhaps, one could almost feel the sheer lethal intent behind his every single hit.

It's rare to see Nerin do this.
To just wail on his enemy like this.

"YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE STRUGGLE YOU CLAIM TO STAND FOR!!" That was the Lion's roar. Even now.. there's nothing that would speak of 'nobility' about Nerin- for all that they know, he's just a simple man, someone who's been naught but a young boy all these years ago. Perhaps, Deceit is no different.. and perhaps, they even have similar origins.

But they fight on different sides.

"I cared about everyone! I gave them as much help as you could! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY ANY OF THIS!"

These words stung him. Rightfully so.. for Nerin often was told to wear his heart on a sleeve, someone to take such notion rather seriously. Even now, the sheer brutality of each strike reveals the fact that Deceit is pushed closer and closer to the brink of unconsciousness- except, one ends up knocking them too far.

A chance to escape..

Lest it's not taken - for Nerin nears.
(Nerin)

Perhaps antagonizing the deranged, emotionally upset man with dagger-like bones jutting out of his body was not the best idea in the world. Deceit quickly learned this as a flurry of attacks were sent their way through rage and grief, they became the target of both. "E-ehhem..." The figure speaks up, cornered against the imaginary boundaries of this cage. "M-maybe I was wrong! W-who knows!" They laugh nervously and turn around quickly.

Deceit bangs on the transparent walls with desperation to escape. Though most would just see the figure punching the air for seemingly no reason. After a moment though, they turn back around. Nerin was upon them. Attack after attack collided against their being and regardless of how long Deceit tried to run across these invisible barriers, eventually Nerin caught up to them.

Bloodied and hurt, the figure takes a step to the side and glances to what was now a duplicate of themselves.

The copy stares back at them, seemingly expecting what was about to happen and none too fond of it. Nerin, simpleton as he was, proceeded to batter and beat the doppelgänger viciously as Deceit stood there, staring at the whole display with a few blinks. It looked like the clone was pleading for help as the figure kicked, punched and stabbed them to no end.

Whistling quietly to themselves, Deceit starts to slip away from the scene. One side shuffle at a time.
(Deceit)

In truth.. in the moments such as these, perhaps he was almost impossible to reason with; if anything, had Deceit stayed behind, then only gods could know what exactly would be up on Nerin's mind to do with the Syndicate member- perhaps, for all intents and purposes, it would be the end to them.

Yet, the apology?

Even during times such as these, he realizes that there's nothing genuine about it, and the assault continues- time and time again, there's a flicker that may bring him to reality, a slow realization that he's been put under illusory spells in order for Deceit to avoid this ruthless pursuit.

"It's a long way down when your head is in the clouds."

An ushered whisper when he feels his bone-blades pierce Deceit's flesh; for he began to notice particular differences between what's 'real' and what isn't. The blood would be used for him to mark the true Deceit amidst the crowd of duplicates, his hues so steadily narrowing..

Drip.. drip.. drip..

Until he lashes out for a brutal assault upon one of the duplicates. A strike after strike, a slash after slash, cut after cut.. but the pleading isn't necessary taken into account. If anything, he wanted to ensure that Deceit stays down, but..

He disappears.

"..A clone?" It has to be. But.. when illusion wears off? He notices the blood on his blades stay, still. This makes him realize that he's likely put an injury upon Deceit, but didn't manage to bring him down.

"Tch.."

It was far too late. These bone-blades shifted back into his body, his gaze peering about- he has to re-group with the rest.
(Nerin)