The Flaming Claw still burns with valor, as Taro readied another attack. He was able to deduce how his magic worked, from its fundamentals, to the smaller details that makes up both his fighting style and his methods of execution. "The more he keeps shedding, the weaker and more sensitive his body grows. Conversely, the easier he can get to that dark armor inside his body. If I can break through this armor and merely punch at his body, the sensitivity and heat behind my attack would be enough to overwhelm his senses. It would be like having your skin burnt in the sun. The slightest gesture is enough to bring him on his knees... I simply have to keepgoing." His mind was as clear as the sky above, as he'd take aim and charge ahead, aiming his claw to strike at the man's shell, burning it further with his energy in an attempt to smash through the shell itself.
Adel, anticipating this, pushed himself back with his feet, letting it curve and strike back at the Human Vritra's wrists, a well-placed kick to ensure both the attack misses and it damages his hand to ensure its output is weaker compared to what it previously had. Even with such a weakened state, the impact it left behind was enough to tear across Orochi's arena once more, claw marks imprinted onto the land, digging deep down amidst such rock and stone, a small, bottomless crevice left behind. Taro would force his wrist back into its place as he'd curve his body and take a shot at Adel whilst he was above, making more of his options limited in terms of evasion or blocking. As a result, the Serpent takes it upon his own hand to strike the Claw back, letting his venom course from his new skin through small pores of the armor, coating the Carbon, provided with just as much energy to attack back. The power between both was leagues apart, yet Adel's strike was just enough to push away once more, using Taro's force to launch him into the air. He'd break off small pieces of his armor to let it rain down as projectiles, an effort to strike him in the head, cutting through his hardened skin and ensure his poison secretes through. The Human Vritra knew very well what his intentions were, as he'd simply exhale his smog and click his teeth, a mini-explosion made to disintegrate the Carbon hail.
"If your strategy is just to poison me, I have already proven that it is ineffective!" He'd shout, mainly as a way to show the Serpent's tell, but also as bait to see if he is willing to reveal his main goal with using such menial attacks. Adel, however, kept his mouth shut. He'd keep raining down such shrapnel to attack, watching the Carbon turn to dust, its ashes spread across the wind, as the Vritra raised his Claw and swipe in erratic patterns to swat the hail away. Taro still remained confused, wondering what his attempt was for pushing such a failure of an attempt to combat.
That was until he tried to breathe.
A cough escaping from the dragon's throat, trying to have some fresh air, yet the cough only got worse. His eyes widened as he'd finally see what his plan was. He was copying him. Much like how his Smog was enough to wear down or potentially kill the Serpent's lungs, Adel is doing the exact same thing by utilizing his fire against him, burning the Carbon, scattering it into Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide, cutting off his Oxygen the longer it remained around him. If he tries to disable the Claw, he would most likely be pelted with that poisoning further, now that his body has shown visible signs of getting weaker. One path leads him to damage across his scales, a slow, yet effective strategy to crack into his vitals. Another is an equivalent to a flood, wiping out the very air in exchange to restrict and choke him while he stands, all because of the flames he made on his hand. That latter, however, is where he conducted his counterattack, blasting out that smog and inhaling it back, holding it steady as he'd click his teeth. His mouth and throat would heat up, slightly opening his jaw as he'd move the Claw away, aiming straight for the Serpent high in the sky.
"GORYNYYYYYYYYYYCH!!!!"
A beam of red hot lava, blasting a gaping hole straight through the Serpent's abdomen, just barely missing his stomach and liver. Adel would cough up blood as he'd finally descend, crashing straight back down to the earth, his claws scraping at the dirt, his wound bleeding in both sinew and soot. His Final Gambit was revealed, or at least his Dragon Magic side. An uproar was made once more, as the Announcer spoke loud and proud with such a counter. "AND HE'S DOOOOOOOOOOWN!!! THE OUTSIDER IS DOWN!!!! FELLED BY OUR GLORIOUS LEADER'S FINAL ATTACK: GORYNYCH!!! IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE END, FOLKS!! THE ONLY OPTION THE HUMAN SERPENT HAS LEFT IS TO YIELD BEFORE THE HUMAN VRITRA!!!"
Taro would laugh as he'd hear such praise, though did cough up some blood after such an attack. Setting off a small explosion to act as a breath weapon would do a number on the throat. He was thankful his heritage allowed him to survive such a self-inflicting wound, as he'd walk up towards Serpens. "You fought valiantly. I'm a bit amazed someone such as yourself hasn't been a Bounty Hunter yet. With your quick thinking, I'm sure that-" He held his tongue, watching as his opponent would start to struggle in getting up. His eyes grew wide as he can see the man's face.
It was a face of pride. He knows fully well he is on the backfoot, yet he can't help but smile. Whether it was personal achievements, or the fact he went this long enough to force out a Gambit to survive, He's never felt more proud in his entire life. Knees buckled and wound prevalent, he stood up before the Vritra once more. Such a face was recognizable to Taro. A face that he'd never thought was possible for those outside of Orochi.
Adel's eyes shined despite the damage. They were the eyes of his own people.