Takuma was the first to attack. He broke forward with great speed and agility, tearing down the conduits that had been attached to his body. As he did, a whirlwind of sparks flew out of them, crackling in the air and then gradually dissipating away. As for the conduits, some of them ripped loose entirely, while others remained fixed into his back, still pulsing black fluid into him. The sound of it filled the surroundings like a sort of mechanical heartbeat that gave rhythm to every motion Takuma made.
Ren barely had time to brace at all. As their blades met, more sparks flew into the air, and the impact of it rang sharply across the hall.
Takuma pushed hard in his attack. His strength had doubled by whatever fed him through those conduits, driving Ren back with each strike. After the third and fourth clash, Ren managed to twist out of line, avoiding a fifth encounter. Takuma's blade carved deep into the floor instead, cracking the stone deeply through.
