He concentrates his aura to absorb the blast, and he starts to punch JJ in the stomach, cracks forming under the ground from the hits.

While Zane punches, ash flows into JJ's open wounds from hitting the cauldron wall, attempting to piece together whatever internal damage was done, and form a weak wall over where Zane's hitting. While he's doing that, JJ gathers himself, and grabs Zane's head with his open hand. He then hits the barrel of his shotgun against Zane's forehead, holding it there. He then fires the slug at point blank while attempting to squirm free of the blows.

He flys back from the blast, blood dripping from his head as he gets up and rips the sword out of his side. "Man, you're a stubborn bastard....Reminds me of when I fought cobalt long ago. He was the first one to push me to my limits, and forced me to break them.