Moll and Lorisian charged at each other with all their might. The clinking of Lorisian's armor and Moll's metal foot against the ground was heard as both fighters pulled their swords back. They unleashed a mighty clash against the other, blood spurting from the wound in Moll's arm. They entered a struggle as they stood firm. Moll's eyes squinted as he changed the movement of their weapons, sending both swords from the fighters' hands onto the ground. Lorisian raised his fist into the air as he stared down his opponent.
Lorisian: I seeth thee wisheth to square bare-hand'd.
Moll: Yeah, I might as well see if you got better in all regards. Just because you're strong and good with a sword doesn't mean you're that good of a fighter. So show me what you got, Lorry.
Lorisian let out a laugh as he pulled his working arm back. Moll grinned as entered his own fighting stance, allowing his left arm to fall limp. The blood flow slowed as both fighters slowly inched towards each other. Then, without a moment of hesitation, both Lorisian and Moll charged at each other. Lorisian swung large, Moll leaning back as he dodged the attack. The moment was small, but the knight had left himself open. Moll swung several times with his one arm, leaving dents all over the armor. Lorisian stumbled back as he regained his composure. Moll ran at his opponent, his eyes focused more than ever. Lorisian bided his time, the voids of his helmet staring down Moll. Lorisian threw a straight punch which was faster than someone in his position would normally be able to swing. However, the strike hit nothing but air. Moll appeared from below as he slammed his fist into the knight's chestplate, denting it even further. The audience gasped as they watched the exchange. Quintin bit his lip as he saw his uncle lose the trade of blows.
Quintin's thoughts: How the fuck…? He was able to react and strike me several times, how can't he hit Moll in the slightest?!
Midori: Are you boys confused on why Moll is so successful in being able to avoid Lorisian when his previous opponents could not?
Hamadeen: Yeah… Bro doesn't even seem the slightest bit concerned…
Kuro: What the fuck is up with that?!
Midori: That's where experience makes all the difference. Moll has fought so many opponents, an opponent with one less arm and a damaged body would be nothing to him.
Doctor A: Are you sure it isn't just because of my addition?
Midori: Your cybernetics are only as good as its wielder. He would do just as well if he was left with only a pegleg.
Moll landed blow after blow on Lorisian, the knight's armor revealing the power of each blow. The audience began to let out roars of excitement as Moll continued to overpower his opponent. Cero nodded his head as Bruna and Kammy watched in awe.
Bruna: H-He's so strong…
Kammy: Is this even the same old guy as the previous round?
Cero: Isn't it obvious? Moll is a beast in his own right. The moment he got over his weakness of the missing foot and now his damaged arm, he continues to show his fangs. If Deacon did not become Head when he did, Moll would be undisputed.
Mason: Now hold on! When I fought that knight, I couldn't even manage to do half of what he's doing!
Vector: I think this is where we see a very obvious gap in the potential you both have.
Tico: Potential isn't really the right word here. It's more like Moll has perfected his art while Mason is still growing.
Cero: A good way to place it. Moll is on another level entirely, and all his years of experience truly make him dangerous at such an old age.
Moll continued to dodge blow after blow from Lorisian as he landed several across the knight's body. He smiled as he focused on the next attack. Lorisian swung his arm wide once more, Moll dodging it perfectly as he ran into range. As he did so, a slam reverberated in the ring as the audience's jaws dropped. Lorisian slammed his helmet into the top of Moll's head, dropping him back to the ground. Moll lifted himself up as blood dripped from the top of his head.
Zachary: WHAT THE?! MOLL WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD!
Zenzo: That… How did Lorisian manage that?
Moll's body shook as he rolled out of the way, Lorisian's foot slamming into the ground, forming a small crater. Moll pushed himself back up as Lorisian charged directly at him. Moll's eyes grew wide as he took a full shoulder bash from the large knight, sending him flying backwards. Moll pushed himself onto his feet once more, seeing the knight crack his neck.
Lorisian: Thee very much knoweth how to putteth the pressure. Thee continueth to hoyday me, Sir Moll.
Moll: Yeah… you sure know how to get me too…
Moll's mind was racing as he felt the blood trickle from the top of his head. He clenched his left fist as blood began to flow down the gash in his arm. Lorisian, with one arm entirely disabled, raised his fist once more. Moll let out an exhausted laugh as he examined the field before him. His eyes took in all they could as the knight took one large stomp forward. Despite how slow the first step was, Lorisian moved like a cannonball afterwards. He pulled his fist back as the distance between himself and Moll was closed in an instant. Moll immediately jumped to the side as Lorisian's fist collided with the ground, the look of shock enveloping Moll's face. He broke into a dash away from the knight as Lorisian turned and chased after him.
Zachary: MY EYES CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! IS MOLL RUNNING?!
Zenzo: THIS HAS TO BE SOME SICK JOKE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MOLL?!
A shadow grew over Moll's eyes as he ran, with blood and a knight chasing after him. The audience yelled his name as he ran, some with looks of desperation, and others with looks of contempt.
Zenzo's thoughts: No… No… Moll, don't tell me… You can't beat him?
Lorisian's thoughts: Where is thy honor? Square me, Moll!
Moll came to a stop as Lorisian continued his charge. The knight's helmet perked up as he used his heels to come to a stop. A realization had hit Lorisian as he stopped mere moments from Moll. A shiver crept down his back as he stood before the man that was running mere moments earlier. An unsightly vision of his death flashed in his mind as he clenched his fist. He let out a hearty laugh as he stared down his opponent.
Lorisian: I seeth! Thee've been leading me on!
Moll tilted his head back with a wide smile. He kicked the ground beside him, the two swords flying into the air. With his damaged arm, he grabbed his own sword, and with the other, he grabbed Xoldia. He threw Xoldia at Lorisian, who caught it successfully with his working arm.
Moll: As good of a martial artist as I am, I forget how annoyingly resilient you are. Winning against you unarmed doesn't sound like a proper knight fight to me either way. So, Lorisian, let's fight our hearts out. Show me how far you've come.
Lorisian: Same to thee, Sir Moll!
Moll switched his sword to his functioning arm, feeling the return of familiarity. Both fighters felt something course through their bodies as they held onto their respective weapons. In their minds, they had become whole once more. They ran at full force against one another, swinging their swords with all their might. The clash sent excitement across the ring as everyone shouted their names. Quintin bit his lower lip as he watched the fight unfold.
Quintin's thoughts: C'mon, Lorisian… Win… Win if you mean everything you told me!
Hamadeen: You got this, Moll! Show them the might of the Collective!
Kuro: Kill each other! Go for blood!
Midori: Kuro, please tame yourself.
Kuro: AS IF! THIS IS TOO EXCITING OF A MATCH TO IGNORE!
Moll and Lorisian stood their ground as they clashed time and time again. Sparks flew from their swords as they continued to swing into each other. They stood firm as they entered a struggle for power as their faces moved closer. From the stands, Jason entered with Alexia and Tolman beside him.
Alexia: Jason, who do you think will win?
Jason: If I allowed myself to choose my friends, I'd say Lorisian. But, he is up against Moll, so it could go either way. It's all about who can out play the other. And Lorisian is well known for his tricks.
Tolman: I'd believe so! That knight continues to surprise at each turn!
Alexia: Yeah, he's stronger than I'd ever imagined. He fought Mason, Quintin, and is now holding his ground against Moll. He's in a different league…
Jason: As much as I like Lorisian, I can assure you that his fight will be nothing compared to mine.
Alexia: Because your victory is assured?
Jason: Nah, because my opponent is one hell of a dude.
Gonzalez, who walked through the halls, turned to a monitor as he watched the match unfold. He tilted his head to the side as he heard something he had not expected.
Zachary: What's this?! Is Moll… losing this struggle?
The audience leaned forward as they watched on. Moll gritted his teeth as Lorisian pushed forward. The weight of the knight began to overpower the old fighter, pushing his sword back. Ever so slowly, Moll's sword was pushed further and further back, digging into his skin. Moll's eyes flared as he kicked forward with his cybernetic leg, sending the knight back. Lorisian widened his stance as he prepared for his next strike. However, he was not prepared for the sight before him. Moll, who had already closed the gap, had raised his sword above his head. Lorisian, now feeling trapped, knew the one thing he had to do. Without a moment of hesitation, he raised his disabled arm into the air, meeting Moll's downward strike. Moll's blade cut cleanly through the arm as Quintin's face dropped. Lifelessly, Lorisian's arm fell to the ground as Moll pulled his sword back. He blinked wildly as all he could do was stare. As he stared, he began to laugh.
Moll: He… HAHAHA! Dude, are you good?
Lorisian, amused by Moll's reaction, met him with a laugh as well.
Lorisian: HA HA HA! Worry not, tis but a flesh wound! I seeth thou art someone not to beest trifled with! Thee hath left me in a position wh're I hadst nay hath chosen but to loseth something to survive!
Moll: Now you know how it feels, don't ya? Man, you are one crazy bastard.
Lorisian: And thou art nay diff'rent.
Moll and Lorisian exchanged stares as they gripped onto their swords. Blood dripped from one arm each, with Moll's head continuing to leak blood. A pool of blood began to form at both fighters' feet.
Quintin: WHOOP HIS ASS, UNCLE!
Jason: Come on, Lorisian. Show that old man that you're the better fighter, I'm betting on you.
Hamandeen: Show him how the Collective does it, Moll!
Kuro: Whoop his ass, old man!
The audience continued their chants as both fighters heaved. Their injuries had finally caught up to them as they hesitated. Their injuries were severe, but despite that, they stood tall. Moll blinked, and as he did so, an image formed before him. The time he had originally fought Lorisian. Despite both fighters being nowhere near as skilled as they are now, they left that fight battered and bruised. Moll blinked once more, meeting his opponent before him.
Moll's thoughts: Heh… I guess we finally get to settle it.
Lorisian's thoughts: Alloweth us decideth the bett'r knight
Moll gripped onto his sword with both hands, entering the ox guard stance. Lorisian gripped his sword tightly with one arm, entering a close stance. Their weapons glistened as they were soaked in the blood of the other. A voice moved through Lorisian's mind as he stared down his opponent.
???: Show him that you hold the pride of us Shadows of the Round Table, brother. Show him that you won't back down until the very end.
Lorisian's thoughts: Certainly, Laurence.