Raked Over the Coals [Lukas/Kokuto]

THE CITY OF LIGHT
Enough know-how. But slow. Dumbasses always circle around, always from behind. Thoughts springing to life at Kokuto's reflex, giving no time or curiosity to the 'how' or 'what' of his abilities. Hell, if everything went right, he wouldn't have them any more.

Lukas' eyes glittered in the light, the demon's hand grabbing at his wrist. It would be a bad habit to form, but this time? Ah, where was the harm; he'd play with his food.

Relaxing his muscles, Lukas let himself be lifted, flying through the air with a whistle in his ears. The spiritual pressure that poured off him restricting as he'd attempt to focus it, shattering with his concentration on impact. Sharp pain shot across his back, but muscle nor mind did submit, his eyes glaringly open as Kokuto continued coming at him. Ahnengeist had faded into nothing as he flew through the air, the hilt once again shining in his palm.

Swinging down, the blade shifted into reality, forming as chains slammed towards him. Metal wrapped around the weapon, Lukas digging his heels into the floor, its surface cracking, buckling worse for wear moment by moment. Strength, toughness, skill. The demon had enough of it in spades. If he was going to tire him out, maybe it was a tug of war they needed.

Nah. Relaxing again, he was pulled up, into the air - disengaging as he faded the blade through the chains, turning with the guiding hand of reishi underheel above Kokuto. Ahnengeist formed in whole again as he pointed it down, a flash of blue erupting into a rain of arrows.

Lukas' response was notably simple, a rain of arrows. His first instinct was to incinerate them all, but, instead, orange flames erupted from Kokuto's back, the surge of energy from Immolation swiftly pushing him forward. Despite his general lack of quick movement, it didn't stop him from utilizing his powers creatively to forcibly propel himself forward.

However, it was far from enough to keep him from being unharmed. Several arrows nicked him in the advance, though they still crashed hard against the shield of energy, forming visible cracks as he surged forward.

The chains that he had used to throw Lukas around quickly unwound from the man, retreating to the broken links at his wrists. Immediately after, one of them snaked back out, attaching itself to his sword.

As he closed in on Lukas to continue a string of pressure, a burst of silver flame erupted from behind his right leg, his body suddenly erupting in speed to swiftly kick Lukas in the stomach, intent on sending him flying backwards.

Regardless of whether it hit him or not, the entire building would creak and groan, every instance of strength released by Kokuto acting as a test for the architecture and the ground itself.

THE CITY OF LIGHT
The demon retaliated, erupting from the haze of Lukas' attack with his own display of ability. Catching the edge his sight, Lukas shifted his blade through the encroached chain, turning the flat of it against his chest. As he did, the window of opportunity closed, slammed shut by the kick that rocked the quincy towards the ceiling.

Lo! The ground beneath rattled; and above, the cry of a sky burdened, the metal rafters of the roof bending under Lukas' stance. His feet pressed deep into the metal, a ringing pain from the center of his chest. Upside down he stood, not giving himself the time to refocus. No - the symphony of a dying building demanded instinct.

Plenty of which he would provide.

The air tugged and shifted, lines forming to net against the buckling structure, a gust of reishi allowing Lukas to sling shot back at Kokuto. Ahnengeist aimed for the demon, a reverse grip as his opposite hand gripped the pommel, aiming to reciprocate the force delivered unto him. The blade itself dulled, the edge widening into a flat, almost rebar structure. A blunt spear raised from above, crashing down.

Even as he sent Lukas up toward the ceiling, Kokuto had no intention of giving him much, if any breathing room. Gathering energy once again, he turned his head up, an eruption of silver sending him upward toward Lukas. Upon seeing the man's weapon, his eyes narrowed. Really? A reverse grip? Swapping his sword to the opposing hand, Kokuto swung hard, intending on either knocking the weapon out of his hand or, at the very least, out of the way.

But, he continued to soar. As the length of both men's blades were closed between the two, Kokuto reached out with his free hand, intent on grabbing Lukas, whether it be by the face, throat, clothes, arm, whatever he could get as the two met halfway. Readjusting at the peak of their height, should Kokuto have grabbed him, the devil intended to hold him in front, another burning eruption releasing from his back to increase their speed and slam Lukas into the ground.

Even if he wasn't able to grab him, Kokuto would still readjust, using his flames to carry him back down to try and attack from above. He intended to keep on the pressure, even if it meant using every ounce of his strength, and even if it meant bringing the building crumbling down.