Relic of the Future: Chapter 31

Wildly, he leapt for the limb before it could disappear into the coat – if he could grab it- A knee drove up into his gut, his hands missing as he buckled over. Ashari drew out a large, blinking grenade and Jaune barely managed to shout a warning before it was sent spinning toward Nora and Ren.

They weren't blind and made distance before it exploded, tearing down a section of wall, but that was time enough for Ashari to grab Jaune by the hair, yank him up and deliver a powerful headbutt to his nose. Stars exploded before his vision and his hands weakly flailed against the older man's. Without another arm, Ashari couldn't stab him, but he kicked Jaune's legs out from under him and kicked him again on the way down, sending them rolling away gasping for air.

"Jaune-" Ren called.

"I'm fine! Keep the pressure on! Don't let him dictate the fight!"

If Ashari started controlling this again it'd be a repeat of the docks fight. Their only hope was to keep him on the back foot, keep him busy, and trust in Pyrrha to do what she did best. Ashari might be far beyond their level, but Emerald Sustrai was not. You're all better versions of me but you come with weaknesses too, he thought grimly. I don't disappear if my anchor is dealt with. He trusted Pyrrha implicitly to beat her, which meant all he had to do was bite back on the pain, push himself up and charge back in. He did so, bleeding slightly from his nose but determined to keep fighting.

[...]

A fist caught his jaw and knocked him back. "Eyes on me," Ashari said.

—Arc Royale: Chapter 31