Criollo could barely keep up with this new creation, hearing such joyous roars as Harvard went all over the place once again. He'd see the smoke being grown and would try to set up his aroma's along with it, feeding his senses once again with the fragrance to stunt his performance. Because such aroma is mingled with the smoke, its reach extends further, a perfect trap to wear down the child's mind. As he'd back himself away, however, he'd see the child bolting straight for the Guard, a swipe that nearly cleaved off the cookie's neck, decimating the trees that were growing. Each swipe that Harvard does would result in more of such flora being cut down, the thorns brought out as whips as he cleaves away the mass arson left behind, the fire's might getting bigger with each piece of wood or grass thrown into it. Something was being off. Criollo swore that Harvard had such effects beforehand, and based on his observation regarding Tomberry's ability, it should've began to backfire on him.
Yet those flames stared back at the Guard, prideful in overcoming such challenge.
It hits him as soon as he'd see the flames beginning to spread, his body acting as their reach. "He doesn't have nerves anymore. He doesn't have any traditional senses. He can feel. He can see. He's just doing it somewhere else..." The Guard's hypothesis was correct as soon as he saw the fire grow hands to try and grab him. Tomberry has converted that very energy into an outright force, a part of nature that follows the path of life. It created, so now it must destroy. The House was starting to melt faster, yet it doesn't matter what answer Criollo could've provided. The flames were too high, and in such a compact space, melting is inevitable.
The Guard dodged as much as he could, swinging his axe at the falling debris and the flailing whips that nearly pushed him into such sinful treachery, watching the fire stoke further and further. He'd try to channel his energy again but would always be cut off by Harvard's swoops, nearly cutting through the man by an inch, seeing the body change color as he'd keep speeding past, slowly approaching speeds that would make him into a mere streak of color. The Guard's eyes darted as much as it can, tracking the child as he went faster and faster, seeing the rooftops break and fall atop, a strike to shatter it apart, watching the structure melt as the Card Magician scooped up such frosting and chucked it at Criollo. Another dodge, but he was starting to be at his limit again. The smoke was cutting out too much oxygen. The air he breathes is nothing short of poison at this point. A chance for Harvard to finally tag him, as he'd watch Criollo scream his style, his energy spiking for such a last ditch effort.
"CANDY MAGIC!!!! SUTTUNGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!"
A Bellow that made the House break even more, the floorings unfortunately giving way, as a beam of light emerged and blasted down the child, aiming directly for the very soul that was empowering the combination. At a glance, it worked, a chance to finally escape and breathe back that very air he needs. It wasn't until he looked up that he saw it. An eye amidst the sky, an Illusion planted upon him. He watched as the smoke surrounded him, the house being rebuilt, the fires being stoked, the boy charging ahead, the blast of light coming at him in full force. When was he caught under such a spell? He tried to retrace as much as he could, yet his mind felt disconnected to his own sight, only plagued by what he wished rather than what he needed. All he could recall after being downed was casting a spell to evolve both sides of his body, charging across the forest as it was catching alight, trying to get close...
Right there. When the boy made a near miss. His fire was stretching from his head to his arms, connected through his chest. Every inch of such fire was laced with the gemstone, the spell hidden within it. He wasn't aiming to destroy the entire House, rather to spread his illusion and catch the cookie before he could have a chance to react. He closed his eyes, knowing full well his body is under autopilot. He braces for the impact, his dough-like body properly melting underneath the gaze of such blaze.
THWACKK!!!!
"AS! I! SAID! GOTCHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" A deafening roar from the child, the illusion breaking, his body melting, as Harvard carried the flames over from the area and blasted Criollo with it all, letting his axe be dropped, his other arm and legs scattered away, a meteorite that flew across the entire area, carrying that heat over and bursting the roof away. It was aimed directly for the Castle, right towards the very gates, yet Criollo would rather die on his own than let someone harm the very home he was in.
"SPIDER MAGIC!!!" His shout came, yet he was interrupted. Envy would swoop in, enhanced with the sigil of Focalor to hose down Criollo before making proper impact, the sludge acting like foam as the flames were put to rest. When the others watched over, they'd see that Harvard has already removed the forest that warped the structure of the house in such a hellish manner, as he'd arrive in front of the gates once again, his fifth tag now set.
"Oh I am DEFINITELY using this more often!" Harvard would compliment, his body hopping to and fro, his legs kicking like a donkey as he gets used to such a bizarre centaur-like look. He'd see the Guard, burned and beaten, before throwing the thorns to wrap around and carefully pull him in, slowly de-casting the spell that was immolating himself, returning back to normal, albeit his legs now burnt to cinders. He'd cast a potion, letting the melted parts of his body come back, slowly regaining his missing limbs and solidifying his anatomy to normal. Criollo would be stunted at such a second chance, before seeing Harvard offer his hand. "Hey! That was a good game! I win though, so you have to show us the Goddess now!" A cheeky grin on his face, and yet the Guard can't help but smile back and accept his hand.
"I suppose that would be the case. You're a bit of a sore loser, aren't you?" Criollo teased back, prompting a laugh out of the child.
"Probably. Especially with a lot of stuff on the line. Maybe next time, I'll be more fair."
"I doubt it. I'd rather see you at your best than take me on at an easier pace."