Rina didn't wait for a countdown.
She crossed the sanctum with four powerful strokes, ducking under the Tidecaller's guard to wrap her arms around his torso from behind.
With her hands locked across his chest and her feet braced against the base of his tail, she funnelled every ounce of her succubus-enhanced strength into the hold.
The guardian's reaction was immediate.
He reached back, trying to grab her, swinging his trident around at an angle that couldn't quite reach. His tail coiled and thrashed, the displacement wave rolling through the water hard enough to push Akira back two feet.
Rina held.
"Do it," she said through gritted teeth. "Now, while I have him."
Akira looked at Ayaka. "How long do you need?"
"Thirty seconds to build the charge. Another ten to release it." She was already moving toward the outer wall of the sanctum, putting distance between herself and the guardian. "Get clear. Both of you."
"Rina can't get clear and hold him at the same time."
