Expelled

The Cardinal could feel the strain. His bones, so solid moments before, now felt like they might shatter with every movement. His body quaked with fatigue, his breath coming in shallow gasps. I can't... hold on much longer, he realized, but still, he pushed forward, the golden chain glowing brighter as it pulled more energy from the Yokai.

Suddenly, the Yokai's claw shot toward him, faster than before. The Cardinal tried to dodge, his body responding slower than he expected. His foot slipped, and he faltered. The claw raked across his side, and a spray of blood erupted from the wound. His eyes widened, his hand instinctively flying to his side as pain surged through him.

The Yokai snarled triumphantly, its skeletal grin widening as it sensed weakness. It lunged forward, jaws gaping, its once-mighty form now fading but still intent on one final attack.

"Not... like this," the Cardinal muttered through clenched teeth, trying to steady himself, but the strength was leaving him. His knees buckled as he staggered back, the Yokai closing in. Its claws had begun to lose their tangibility, phasing in and out, but its deadly intent was clear.

Jiang, watching the scene unfold from his prone position, forced himself to move. His muscles screamed in protest, but something inside him refused to let the Yokai take everything. No… not yet, he thought, his broken fin twitching as he fought to rise. He could feel his energy returning, just enough to act. "I have to..." He staggered to his feet, the pain blurring his vision.

The Yokai loomed over the Cardinal, jaws wide, ready to strike.

Jiang's breath came out in ragged gasps, but his mind was clear. Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, he jumped as high as he could, his broken fin trailing behind him. With a roar that was more of a rasping growl, he unleashed a dozen ice missiles. The sharp, glittering spikes flew through the air with deadly accuracy, embedding themselves into the Yokai's body.

the creature screamed, its form flickering violently, black mist pouring from the wounds as the ice took hold. The Yokai recoiled, thrashing as the cold spread, freezing parts of its essence.

The Cardinal, struggling to remain upright, placed a trembling hand over his bleeding side. He winced, his breath ragged, but there was no time to falter. The Yokai was still dangerous, and its form, though weakening, still held menace. The Cardinal's hand gripped the cross around his neck, and through gritted teeth, he began to chant, his voice shaking but filled with resolve.

"In nomine Dei nostri, sancta luce, te condemno!"

The room vibrated with the power of his words, the air thickening as divine energy filled the space. The golden chain tightened around the Yokai, glowing brighter, and the creature let out a shriek of agony. The Cardinal staggered, the toll on his body immense, but his faith never wavered. He spoke again, louder this time, as though each word was a hammer blow to the creature's core.

"Adversus tenebras, luce divina, vincere te oportet!"

The light surged, the chain burning brighter as a final pulse of energy shot through it, piercing the Yokai's chest. The dark mist poured from the creature's wounds, its form beginning to break apart.

The Yokai twisted, its claws scraping at the ground, desperate for one last move. "You think you've won?" it hissed, voice cracking as its essence unraveled.

With one last desperate lunge, the Yokai swiped at the Cardinal, its claws losing tangibility as they grazed him. The Cardinal gasped, staggering back as blood sprayed from his side. The Yokai opened its maw, ready to deliver the killing blow.

But it never got the chance.

Jiang, watching from the ground, summoned the last of his strength. His broken fin trembled, but he forced himself up, ignoring the pain searing through his body. "Not... today," he whispered, his eyes narrowing as he focused. With a burst of effort, he leaped into the air, higher than seemed possible in his battered state.

A dozen ice missiles formed in the air around him, gleaming like shards of glass, and with a roar, he unleashed them. The missiles struck the Yokai in quick succession, embedding themselves deep within its shadowy form. The creature screamed as its body began to disintegrate.

The Cardinal, barely able to stand, clasped his hands together, eyes squeezed shut as he called out one last prayer. His voice, weak but resolute, rang through the Church. "Fiat lux!"