[Bracing himself against the nostilium takes all of Joshua's focus. Even if his faculties weren't preoccupied, there just isn't enough distance between the two for him to avoid the oncoming attack.]
[His first instinct is to throw up a barrier. A simple affair, even if the situation itself isn't. He taps into the pool of this world's aether equivalent that he knows is present inside his very being--]
[--and receives nothing in return.]
[This isn't new. Not entirely. He's been having trouble with his magic for a little bit, now, but at least he was always able to tap into it. Briefly, he surmises that this latest bout of absorption could have a role to play, but there isn't time to entertain thoughts and theories.]
[There's barely enough time to brace himself against the way his head cracks against the wall and stars suddenly flash across his vision. Barely enough time to try to push against Ryu, only to cry out when those claws cut into him.]
no subject
[His first instinct is to throw up a barrier. A simple affair, even if the situation itself isn't. He taps into the pool of this world's aether equivalent that he knows is present inside his very being--]
[--and receives nothing in return.]
[This isn't new. Not entirely. He's been having trouble with his magic for a little bit, now, but at least he was always able to tap into it. Briefly, he surmises that this latest bout of absorption could have a role to play, but there isn't time to entertain thoughts and theories.]
[There's barely enough time to brace himself against the way his head cracks against the wall and stars suddenly flash across his vision. Barely enough time to try to push against Ryu, only to cry out when those claws cut into him.]
Aaagh!