(ooc: Right, I think this battle's gone almost for long enough, eh? Let's make this the beginning of the end, shall we? Time for everyone to work together, stop pulling their punches and do some real damage to Naraka.)

Soul Reaver stands back as the massive explosion rocks the battlefield. Sharp pieces of metal shrapnel whistle disconcertingly close past his head. Soul Reaver does not seem too surprised to see Naraka step from the flames.

"It's time to end this."

Soul Reaver speaks multiple complex words for a spell. He gestures with his left hand, threads of white magic spinning and weaving around his fingers. His hand begins to glow a bright white, until a ball of power completely covers it. With a final shout of effort, he punches his fist upwards, sending the ball of power hurtling upwards into the sky. In moments, it is out of sight...

Naraka has already responded and is heading for Soul Reaver. Immediately after completing the spell, Soul Reaver is forced to whip Blooddrinker upwards to meet a scything blow from Naraka. The sword clangs loudly against Naraka's claws. The two stay locked in position for a few moments, their weapons scraping against each other as they both strain to throw their opponent to the ground.

Soul Reaver, his face a mask of hate, his eyes burning red as blood, glares threateningly straight into Naraka's own heartless eyes. Naraka suddenly dives backwards, kicking upwards with his right foot, slamming it into the side of Soul Reaver's leg. Soul Reaver loses his balance momentarily, but catches himself before Naraka can strike another successful blow.

Arcs of crimson lightning still playing over his body, Soul Reaver renews his assault, fighting so ferociously that he drives Naraka back several steps, though Blooddrinker has yet to inflict any real wounds on his body. Naraka fights with deceptive ease and a deadly grace.

Then suddenly, Soul Reaver feints a wide sideways slash, sending Naraka dodging back. To Naraka's surprise, Soul Reaver, instead of attacking, leaps backwards into the air, a twisted grin on his face...

Above Naraka, a massive burst of white light sears the clouds from the sky. Naraka looks up to see a sphere of white energy hurtling down towards him at incredible speed, burning the air around it as it falls.

Naraka leaps to the side as the Sky Flare smashes into where he had been standing a moment ago. A huge spherical shockwave of white energy blasts out of the point of impact, whooshing over Naraka's form.

In the blinking of an eye, the light fades, leaving Naraka slightly scorched and disoriented, his arm held over his eyes.

He looks up to see Soul Reaver just in front of him, running at full speed, Blooddrinker clutched in both hands, already in the middle of a massive arcing swing. Naraka attempts to avoid the attack, but this time he is too slow. Blooddrinker, its blade sharp enough to cleave solid steel, slices through the side of his torso. Dark blood spatters over Naraka's fine clothes and leaves a gory trail behind Blooddrinker's swing.

Soul Reaver carries through, running right past Naraka. His right shoulder receives deep, parallel cuts from Naraka's enraged counter-attack. Red blood glistening on his muscles, he whirls around to face Naraka again.

Naraka feels a dull, chilling, draining pain slowly seeping from the wound into his body.

Though Naraka could heal this wound through a few moments of careful concentration, hopefully the other warriors will ensure he does not get that chance...