Matrue took in a sharp breath as he instinctively raised the crystal. It was quickly becoming an extension of his body. As Isamu flew in a graceful arc, spear raised over his head, poised for a strike as vicious--as natural--as a scorpion's sting, Matrue summoned something from deep in his soul.
It was drawn by the crystal.
In the brief moment when Isamu struck, a crackle of electricity spewed from the crystal and formed a perfect orb around Matrue's body. Before the tip of the spear could find its mark, Isamu felt a great shock course through his limbs. The world went dark briefly as he felt the inertia of his leap shift violently and felt himself rolling through the air, gods knowing where. It seemed too long before he hit the ground, and when he did, he felt his body strike upon sharp rock and loose stones as he turned them up with his unexpected velocity.
Matrue spun around to face his foe, just as the electric shield dissipated, and just in time to notice Isamu's vulnerability. He pointed the crystal at Isamu just has he began to come to after having come crashing down. Incredibly, Isamu had managed to keep hold of his spear.
Matrue clenched the crystal in his hand, and his eyes rolled up into his head as the crystal flared in a bright white-blue light. The light caught Isamu's attention, and it blinded him momentarily. When the light died down, he noticed Matrue's crystal was now in the shape of a morningstar. The weapon had a chain as thick as an unusually large cobra, its head was riddled with spikes that resembled the selfsame snake's fangs--they were curved and came to impossibly sharp tips.
With a shout that echoed amongst the mountain peaks, Matrue drew back the morningstar and charged the prostrate Isamu, who lay several yards away.
Isamu's blood coursed with the adrenaline of a cat on the hunt. He quickly rose to his feet and launched the spear at Matrue's heart. Matrue could hear the dark metal spear tip whistle through the thin air as it sped toward him. He knew his error immediately. He had overcommited himself to his charge and could not avoid the attack.
The shock of the electricity had affected Isamu's judgement; his aim was off. The spear did, however, find Matrue's flesh. It dug quickly and deeply through his ribs, lancing his right lung. Matrue fell in a heap.
When he came to, Matrue could feel his chest burning. He laboured to take in enough air as his pierced lung had collapsed and no longer served him. He looked up to notice Isamu was blotting out the sun as he stood above him, spear in hand. It would take only a moment....for Isamu to best him....for his life to end--here--now.
"It ends here. And so quickly...." Isamu pursed his lips and shook his head.
Isamu appeared to be savouring his anticipated victory. He smiled as he looked down at Matrue...his prey struggling just to breathe. He was so full of pride and confidence that he didn't notice as Matrue looked to his left to see the crystal--having reverted to its original state--merely an inch from his hungry fingers....