Elden's magic has a specific feel to it. Even if Vanitas hadn't experienced it before, he would know it was foreign when it hit him. The clench in his head is familiar, familiar like his Master's magic, but burns like the midday sun in the desert. He's trained for things like this, but he is inherently weak to the Light, and with his complete and utter focus on the Keyblade wielder across from him, it catches him off guard.

He staggers sideways into a table mid-lunge, his legs catching under the paralysis before Vanitas can really get them under himself. One hand hits the countertop, but the other goes to his head. Vanitas shakes it like an animal, like he could shake the spell off with that gesture alone. When it doesn't catch, he pushes off the table, something in the gesture suggesting he's trying to run away from it, or get out of the area of effect. With his equilibrium off balance, he staggers right into the person he'd been intent on causing physical harm just seconds before.