The kick knocks Takuto back, the hit making it impossible to bear weight on the limb for more than a few stumbling steps. But he did get a nice slice into Ling--almost a mortal blow considering the blade's proximity to the boy's jugular vein.

But the leg hurts, and he's lost a good part of his mobility. He places a sword-clenching fist against a wall--and the kick had sent him falling back towards one--to steady himself. He doesn't like the position he's in, though.

So he's going to change tactics. He's already goaded Ling into the fight--the words about Ran Fan did the trick quite well--so perhaps it's time to lead the boy on a merry chase. There's no way Ling knows the dark tunnels like Takuto does, and he's confident that with his knowledge he can outmaneuver Ling even with a hurting leg.

He grins as he continues his limping retreat.