After Chiaki's Curaga in his direction, and once the lodged arrow had fallen free, Sephiroth had spent much of his time this turn reaching for the handle of Masamune and dragging himself back to his feet. The heat from all the flames was starting to make breathing heavier, the resultant sweat and smoke making it ever harder to keep focused on the fight. Masamume still gleamed with the ethereal effect of Deathblow which somehow still hadn't faded off yet.

Yet the same custom Job that had enhanced him so well for this fight, came with it's own Achilles heel; it made obtaining a limit break that much more difficult and so despite all of the damage taken and dealt Sephiroth's had not yet reached that level. A part of him was glad for that, given what he now knew for it to be.

He waited until there was a gap and then, after a cast to renew ShinRa Guard, Sephiroth held a breath and charged again for Arthur. He drew as much of that mako-enhanced energy as he could into the final leap which would see him reach height enough to turn Masamune down towards the King like a great pincer.

The hot air ripped at his already sore face and chest as Deathblow: Hellsgate was brought to bear from directly above Arthur.