For all of the showy dodges that the Scorpion had been using to keep from being hit by the group of crystal warriors, he was not expecting pillars to rise from the ground. As he bent low to let a crystal axe pass overhead, one of Dycedarg's pillars shot up and caught the samurai square in the chest, sending him flying.

The blow got Kwanchai coughing hard as he landed, but the damage wasn't enough to do more than knock the wind out of him. Even so, the green mist spread over him as he got to his feet, and his coughing became sputtering.

"Poisoning a Scorpion? You insult me..."

The group of crystal figures that he had been fighting rushed at him, and Makoto could feel that the movements of Kwanchai were slowing down. His swings were not cutting as deeply, and as he brought down a crystal figure with effort, Makoto saw a crystal version of himself approaching the Scorpion with his hand already drawing his sword.

Your swords are out of position, he's going to behead you! It's too late!

Kwanchai's sword clattered to the ground as he brought his arm up, and the crystal Crane's katana buried itself deep in the Scorpion's wrist. Makoto screamed in terror and pain in Kwanchai's mind, feeling the hand become useless and watching it spasm. The Scorpion only laughed through his teeth, and brought his other blade across the chest of the surprised Makoto double.

"So much for your technique only needing one movement... Crane!"

Makoto could feel the lungs of Kwanchai working harder and harder for air. Perhaps if he could be cured he may have a chance at stopping the mad noble, but without the use of his other hand...

Idiot, if you want to die so badly, at least kill Dycedarg first!