[He's about to move when Joshua throws up a barrier - and then suddenly cries out. The creature reacts too quickly for him to intervene, and Joshua is sent sprawling across the cave floor. It's clear that this isn't going to end peacefully in any capacity, and Protect is definitely not going to be enough to defend against whatever this thing is.]
[He smells blood in the air and he's brought back to the last time he smelled blood. He blinks and he swears he hears Rasso's laughter. What is he going to do? He can't protect Joshua as he is. Not in this form - but the last time he used his hybrid form he lost control. Can he risk losing control again?]
[Can he risk not transforming?]
[He can't. He can't risk losing Joshua - who's already become a dear friend and a person he wants to protect. He can't lose him - he won't! Ryu interposes himself between the creature and Joshua's body, a red-orange column of energy engulfing him as he cries out a primal scream at the top of his lungs. The energy disperses, leaving him transformed. He growls, floating there as the creature pauses at this new threat.]
[Ryu takes advantage of the situation, practically disappearing from sight as he moves all too quickly towards the insectoid monster. Fire engulfs his hands as he pummels it with increased strength of body and of magic. There's little left in him but anger as he pushes the creature back, slamming his fists into it with no mercy. What little of his rational mind is left makes sure that he's pushed the creature back far enough before he starts really letting loose. It scratches at him, catching his arms in its mandibles for a moment - but Ryu doesn't seem to care, slamming clawed feet against its throat until it lets him go.]
[He flips backwards and holds out a hand. He's done playing. A sphere of darkness engulfs him, before something else breaks out of it like a chick hatching from an egg. The creature draws its head back and fires a beam of white light, slamming into the creature and burning holes into it. It screeches and twitches, but ultimately the damage is too much. Something plinks to the ground, but the creature Ryu has become has lost interest. Instead it turns back towards Joshua, nearly reaching the ceiling as it hovers. It shimmers for a moment before Ryu is returned to his hybrid form. He lifts a hand and casts a healing spell to close his friend's wounds - and then turns back into Ryu.]
[A Ryu who tumbles to the ground in a heap, silently crying and breathing hard in the sudden darkness and silence of the tunnel.]
no subject
[He smells blood in the air and he's brought back to the last time he smelled blood. He blinks and he swears he hears Rasso's laughter. What is he going to do? He can't protect Joshua as he is. Not in this form - but the last time he used his hybrid form he lost control. Can he risk losing control again?]
[Can he risk not transforming?]
[He can't. He can't risk losing Joshua - who's already become a dear friend and a person he wants to protect. He can't lose him - he won't! Ryu interposes himself between the creature and Joshua's body, a red-orange column of energy engulfing him as he cries out a primal scream at the top of his lungs. The energy disperses, leaving him transformed. He growls, floating there as the creature pauses at this new threat.]
[Ryu takes advantage of the situation, practically disappearing from sight as he moves all too quickly towards the insectoid monster. Fire engulfs his hands as he pummels it with increased strength of body and of magic. There's little left in him but anger as he pushes the creature back, slamming his fists into it with no mercy. What little of his rational mind is left makes sure that he's pushed the creature back far enough before he starts really letting loose. It scratches at him, catching his arms in its mandibles for a moment - but Ryu doesn't seem to care, slamming clawed feet against its throat until it lets him go.]
[He flips backwards and holds out a hand. He's done playing. A sphere of darkness engulfs him, before something else breaks out of it like a chick hatching from an egg. The creature draws its head back and fires a beam of white light, slamming into the creature and burning holes into it. It screeches and twitches, but ultimately the damage is too much. Something plinks to the ground, but the creature Ryu has become has lost interest. Instead it turns back towards Joshua, nearly reaching the ceiling as it hovers. It shimmers for a moment before Ryu is returned to his hybrid form. He lifts a hand and casts a healing spell to close his friend's wounds - and then turns back into Ryu.]
[A Ryu who tumbles to the ground in a heap, silently crying and breathing hard in the sudden darkness and silence of the tunnel.]