By some miracle, it appeared he hadn't actually caused any damage to the horses around him. Despite the recklessly uncontrolled explosion and his own injuries, the only real damage done was to the leg of the giant that collided with the detonating sun - much to the pain-riddled astonishment of the downed grullo.
It wasn't without its dangers, however, he realized that as soon as he opened the eyes to review the situation. Gilded orbs widened as he as though in slow motion took in the rupturing leg, the cascade of water that erupted like sizzling blood - acid, scorching, poisonous... And Lace lay sprawled on the ground mere feet away, directly in the path of gushing liquid and scattering debris.
There was no time to think. Instinct took over and overruled the pain that burned in the legs, made him roll all the way around and force the skinned and oozing feet in beneath him. With a half scream, half grunt from pain and fear and effort he heaved himself up and forward, stumbling away with the back to the giant. It wasn't about cowardice, defeat or resignation. It was far deeper than that; a will to continue living that flared up along with the heat of the broken magic, stronger than Lace had ever felt before. It carried him forward even as his back was pelleted with rocks and flying acid, so strong that it quickly burned deep holes in the flesh and made him scream horribly in agony.
He wanted to live. Even if it hurt, even though the world was a shitty place filled with tiring people and a never ending stream of problems, even though he would never get the one thing he desired above everything else. Just being able to breathe, feel air fill the lungs and elate the senses was enough.
"It's what I've been telling you all along" the dragon commented smugly at the back of his mind, decidedly pleased with him as she wrapped her mind around his, effectively forming a shield between the stallion and the pain of the body. She had fallen back upon facing the beast, realizing that without her fire it would be foolish beyond measure to try and battle. She would only loose her life and, as she related to her bonded through feelings and pictures, that would have defeated the entire purpose in participating in all of this.
Snorting, steadied by the comfort of her presence and mental aid, the soldier-turned-crafter-turned-warrior straightened himself up once he was out of reach of the monster once more. Taking a moment to catch his breath and overlook the situation, he noticed how the two hybrids and the gryphon went for it's back and head while two of the unicorns, Deimos and a somewhat familiar bay stallion joined forces and pummeled the remaining intact leg. Narrowing eyes searched for weak spots, a deep breath was taken as once again the surge of heat in his blood allowed the magic to alter reality, flames now beginning to form just in front of the giants neck, below the chin. This time too he was aware of the slippery feeling of the magic, as though the fire had been mixed with some kind of oil that his mind wasn't able to grasp. The attempt at forming a ball failed again and again, as though something was interfering with his intent... Cursing under his breath Lace finally just shoved the glowing mass of unstable fire as close to the chest of the target as he could, hollered a loud, half panicked "Fire in the hole!" to warn the brave battlers who were close enough to get hit by the shrapnel and let go.
Holding his breath the equine hurriedly backed away, teeth gritted and eyes fixed on the battle up ahead. He saw the blindingly bright ball expand, growing larger and larger until suddenly... it shrank to a tiny, glowing spot not larger than the stars up above. The hear it emanated was intense, so much so that it could be felt from where he was standing...
Then, with a faint 'pop' it went out, leaving nothing but a puff of smoke and white dots dancing before his eyes. Lace gaped speechless at the point where it had disappeared, mind filling with disappointment, disbelief and a faint, gnawing feeling of humiliation.
"Underwhelming" Fajira commented dryly and swooped down to circle around him, her gaze glowing and bloodthirsty as she watched the struggle continue.
"You don't say..." Lace said, sarcasm swiftly giving in to the wave of dizziness as pain made itself noticed once more. A dreadful weakness was spreading through the body from where the acid had sprayed his back, poison slowly working its way throughout the system. A quick glance at the gilded skin showed a horrific sight of deep pits gouged into the flesh, meat melting and sizzling still. It blackened before his eyes, the night turning darker still as the head spun... But he didn't pass out. Instead he found that the burns on the legs and underbelly were shrinking, slowly but surely decreasing in severity. Shuddering at the sight of the rapid healing the warrior wasn't sure whether he was happy or repulsed - even so, he spared a quick glance up towards the glowing moon, whom he was certain must have a feather in on this accursed gift that was regeneration.
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