Sharp Exit

[innatelunacy]

They'd managed to avoid the worst of the trouble on their exit from Midgar's ruins, much to Saix's quiet disappointment. They ran into a couple of relatively weak Hollows, new and of low concern, which were quickly dispatched. Saix had hoped for a bigger challenge, but it was probably for the best when they were followed by a shellshocked flock of refugees.

The Turks left for Edge once they'd cleared the rubble, a silent, mutual understanding having been reached with them that it would help no one, now, to continue whatever unfinished business was on the cards. Some of the refugees went too, claiming family, or friends who could help them, but the largest number stayed with the party until they reached Palumpolum. This was, it was reasoned, as far as they could safely take them. Word would be spreading around Edge by now that there had been survivors, and that increased the risks. Rumour travelled faster than feet, and neither Axel nor Saix wanted to run headlong into a welcoming committee that might recognise them for Ryoka.

Aerith, fortunately, agreed. She'd been nervous when they first came out of the shadow of what had once been Midgar, but once they'd travelled further out, to where the wilds of nature shaped the land, instead of the technology of men, she'd seemed to relax and take it in stride.

"Do you want to bring her back to Rabanastre, or do you have somewhere else in mind?" Saix asked of Axel, once the city of Palumpolum was part of the horizon again, instead of breathing down their necks. He was, grudgingly, impressed; Aerith was a city girl, but she hadn't made a single grumble when they'd travelled, which was more than could be said for the refugees that had stayed with them.

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[jawmask]

Grimmjow, about to release, had this process cut short as, despite himself, he stared at Saix's attack on Luppi. He knew Saix was damned powerful when he was limit broken, but with what he did to Luppi... he couldn't help but watch in near-horror at the ease in which he smashed him around.

And then he failed to react when Saix hurled the now-unconscious Luppi at him. The weight of the smaller Arrancar thrown at such speed knocked him off his feet and he only barely managed to avoid accidentally cutting his own ally with his ready blade. He lay there, momentarily winded.

[gotitmemorised]

Axel watched in mild horror at the way Saix dealt with the smallest of their enemies as Ulquiorra backed off him. That was brutal, even for Saix and ... the form. He only had chance now to really see what he'd become and ...

He stopped thinking about it. He couldn't get distracted. He needed to get his mind back on his fight.

He caught both chakrams as Ulquiorra's fingersnap attack hit him. He grimaced as he took the damage dealt and wilted very slightly as he felt the buffs lift. Haste left his system like adrenaline in the wake of a rush and he felt momentarily empty and open while he processed the new lack of strength and defense boosting aids that Aerith had bestowed him with.

With one enemy out of the fight, it was three on three and the green haired ... goat? ... girl had already joined the fray since the little one had been taken out of commission. Aerith would have no time to reapply what Ulquiorra had removed, so Axel decided to switch tactics.

He grasped both chakrams in one hand and raised the other skyward.

"SAIX!" He called out, hoping that his ally had all of his faculties in that form and the ability to tear himself away from an opponent. When he - thankfully - turned, Axel held up his chakrams and indicated Aerith. "Cover her! NOW!"

The sky darkened to a stormy black as he concentrated his chakra. Moments later a salvo of Dark Elemental magic not unlike rain cascaded onto the battlefield and all of those on it.

[jawmask]

Grimmjow had just managed to regain control of his breathing as Axel initiated Black Sky. He gritted his teeth as the powerful Dark Elemental attack caused the damage intended and took a deep breath as he pushed Luppi off him while the rain fell.

He dragged himself to his feet, not bothering to check if his ally was even alive, and gripped his sword tightly in hand, getting ready for a second attempt at release.

"Grind," he snarled, dragging his fingernails down the length of his blade to initiate his bankai.

[innatelunacy]

Saix turned when his name was called, Axel's voice penetrating his focus. He turned to look at Aerith when Axel pointed to her, and somewhere between the command, and the sense of Axel's chakra massing, Saix responded.

He raced over to Aerith, picking her up in one hand like she weighed nothing, and holding her securely against him while he braced himself over her, sheltering her. He wouldn't have been able to do anything like it if he was smaller.

He weathered the dark attack with a growl and gritted teeth, making sure Aerith wasn't touched by any of it. He only put her down again once it was over.

[hearstheplanet]

Aerith had heard the shout, but she'd yelped with a small shriek as Saix bounded over and picked her up. The claws on his paws were huge, and sharp, but Saix had enough presence of mind to be holding her gently. She relaxed a little, letting him shield her. Being towered over by a big, blue, furry canine-looking beast was strange, but Saix felt warm, and the fur was surprisingly soft.

She felt the dark magic all around as Axel did... whatever he was doing. Saix wasn't holding her in a position where she could see. Once it was over, he placed her feet back on the ground.

"Thank you," she said, quietly, and then cast a dose of curaga his way, as well as Axel's.

[declaregamuza]

Nel wasn't so lucky, and when the dark rain fell, it hurt, hard. She was holy elemental, and took massive damage from such an attack.

She gritted her teeth, doing her best to weather it, and cured herself the moment it was over, but she still felt weak and off balance.

[tozasemurcielago]

Ulquiorra endured the attack with his head bowed, like someone waiting for a shower to pass. It hurt more than he was letting on, but he was, at least, in a better position than Nel.

He could also see that Grimmjow was taking the opportunity to release in the aftermath. Ulquiorra didn't see the need to join in; two fully released Arrancar against them would be overkill.

Instead he took the opportunity to fire off a quick couple of bala rounds at Axel.

[jawmask]

Grimmjow's release went uninterrupted. He roared as the power surge he received from the process coursed through him and he turned his attention to Saix once again.

This was better. They were both in their powerful upgraded state now, both more animal than man, and both still standing. He ran at him claws first and teeth bared.

[gotitmemorised]

Axel, the only one undamaged by his attack other than Aerith, was ready for a counterattack before the sky had cleared.

With his fire put out by shower of Dark Elemental magic, he dodged the volley of bala blasts that Ulquiorra fired at him without having a wall of flame to hide behind.

While swerving to avoid them, he transferred his other chakram back to his free hand. Having ascertained that they could only travel in straight lines, he danced backwards, finding it easier to avoid the blasts when he had more opportunity to move due to distance.

When far enough away, he raised his right-hand chakram, preparing to throw it at Ulquiorra again.

[innatelunacy]

Saix spotted Grimmjow, and snarled, leaving Aerith behind as he bounded forward to meet Grimmjow, swiping at him with long claws.

He punched the ground, sending familiar blue flames arcing out from the impact, or he tried to claw, bite, grab, anything he could to gain the upper hand.

[declaregamuza]

Nel pulled herself together, standing up straight and hoisting her lance up into a throwing position. They couldn't afford to let this fight go on much longer. All three of their enemies were more formidable than they'd given credit. She focused her chakra, channelling it into the weapon with eerie calm.

"Lanzador Verde."

When she threw it, she threw it at Axel, and the lance spun like a drill, aiming straight for him.

[jawmask]

Grimmjow reacted in kind, minus the addition of flames. He leapt out of the way of those and clawed at him as viciously as he could.

He was faster like this, but no less savage. Saix's teeth and claws cut him, but his bit into Saix's in feral retaliation.

[gotitmemorised]

Axel was caught off guard by the attack from Nel. He hadn't anticipated her interfering in his battle against Ulquiorra. He only barely managed to stall his impending attack fast enough to re-adjust his position to make an attempt at blocking the lance by using his chakrams as shields.

It was a devastatingly fast and powerful throw.

"Not ... like ... this..." He bit the words out through clenched teeth and he skidded backwards as he attempted to deflect it.

He didn't succeed.

He yelled wordlessly as he struggled against it. Ultimately, the steel gave under the force and velocity of Nel's attack and broke, allowing the lance to penetrate both the frame and his flesh behind.

It bored into his shoulder and sent him backwards. He lay bloody, breathing raggedly and with one of his weapons broken and twisted. He tried to turn over to get up before the numbing shock gave way to pain and put him out.

[innatelunacy]

Saix saw the attack on Axel, and he snarled, pushing back hard against Grimmjow and striking the ground to send a pulse of blue flames at Nel.

His attacks against Grimmjow became furious. He wanted to be done with him so he could go and tear her apart.

[hearstheplanet]

"Axel!" Aerith shouted for him as she saw him struck, trying to hold the attack off, and unable. She could feel how powerful the attack was, and how much damage it could do.

She couldn't cry. She had to keep it together, or they'd suffer worse than injuries.

She could access her limit abilities now, at least.

She breathed out, calmly, and knelt down to pray. Chakra flooded the field, and above her, and her allies, the sky clouded over, and then broke into rain.

When the rain stopped, the sun shone for a moment, and then Aerith stood up again as the effects took hold.

[declaregamuza]

Nel avoided the blast from Saix, barely, but when Aerith reacted, Nel froze and watched her.

It was familiar. Worryingly so, and when the rain fell, Nel suffered the nastiest suspicion that she might know what this was.

[jawmask]

Grimmjow didn't let up. He took more damage from Saix's increased attacks, but didn't stop his own. He barely noticed Aerith's performance.

[gotitmemorised]

Axel winced at the rainfall -- that was all he needed -- and wheezed as he pulled himself up. The rain didn't have any negative effect on him, though. That was odd. Usually it put a damper on his abilities and inhibited his chakra flow somewhat, but he felt oddly light and recharged by the time he was on his knees.

His shoulder was slick with blood from the attack, but the pain was suddenly gone. He touched his skin where his clothes had been torn and scowled in confusion at the total lack of wound. He looked over and saw Aerith stand. Had she done something..?

He didn't stop to think. Ulquiorra was still a realistic danger. He got to his feet, intact chakram in one hand and the broken one at his feet. He bent to retrieve it.

[tozasemurcielago]

Ulquiorra considered the brief burst of rain curious, but of no real concern. He saw an opening, and used sonido to step into range and strike, aiming to put his hand through Axel's heart and end this once and for all.

When he struck, all he got was a a sharp pain through the joints of his fingers. It was like striking against solid rock.

Except Ulquiorra could do that against solid rock and punch a hole through it.

He pulled back, quickly, not wanting to remain in range for a retaliatory blow.

[innatelunacy]

Saix noticed the difference as well. He felt better, and suddenly, nothing Grimmjow did hurt him. He bared his teeth in an approximation of a terrible grin, and launched a no-holds-barred attack, taking full advantage of whatever had just happened.

[declaregamuza]

Nel looked in horror. She did know that limit, but it was impossible, or should be impossible, for anyone still living to use it.

Except her.

"Grimmjow, Ulquiorra!" She shouted for them, picking up Luppi's unconscious body with one hand and carrying him as she opened a garganta.

[jawmask]

Grimmjow didn't hesitate to leave. Prior to Nel's shout, he had been biting and clawing at Saix but not doing him any damage. Ever since the rain fell, he'd been invulnerable and Grimmjow wasn't so fuelled by blood and carnage as to not notice that fact.

He suffered Saix's attack for as long as it took him to get away, which he did, rather promptly.

There'd be a next time.

[gotitmemorised]

Axel's eyed widened as Ulquiorra came in for the attack he had so desperately fended off earlier on, but blinked when nothing happened when he actually struck. It had less effect than he'd expect of a regular person doing it, let alone someone as dangerous as him. Ulquiorra seemed shocked when it apparently didn't go to plan, too.

He swung at Ulquiorra as he retreated nonetheless.

He found it strange that he hadn't been hurt by the attack. It had seemed so dangerous earlier that he would have done anything to avoid it. He was jolted from his thoughts by the voice of the woman they had with them.

He looked over when Nel called for her comrades. He wasn't sure which one was which, but given that the more vicious of the two left when called, he tentatively lowered his own weapons halfway while waiting for his own opponent to do the same.

Axel knew when a fight was over.

[tozasemurcielago]

Ulquiorra reacted to the call of his name in his own time. Nel, at least, seemed concerned enough about whatever the girl had done to instruct a withdraw, and, having witnessed his new found inability to hurt Axel, decided it was their best option.

He walked over towards Nel, and entered the garganta behind the others, watching as it closed and took the Ryoka from view.

[hearstheplanet]

As soon as the others had left, Aerith raced forward and tackled Axel in a tight hug.

"Are you all right?" She asked.