All pretense of being able to block Jiyu's attacks was cast aside the moment the first struck. Her eyes and mind couldn't keep up with him. If they could, she wouldn't be fast enough to raise her guard. If she was, she wasn't strong enough for it to make a difference.

Each blow was like getting hit squarely by a massive hammer. Metal bones cracked, joints snapped, her frame barely holding together. By the time he was ready to deliver the final blow, she could hardly stand.

If she didn't act now, she never would.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Stacia extended the arm that could still move properly. As she did, a perfectly straight ray of pale white light erupted forth, aimed at Jiyu's chest. It was a feeble attack, not even an above-average execution of it by Stacia's own standards, and something Jiyu could almost just ignore, if he wanted to.

But when she hit the ground, white soulflame still burned faintly around her right hand.