The battle between The White Crusader and Forbidden Power intensified, echoing through the air. It was evident that Forbidden Power had seamlessly adapted to The White Crusader's distinctive fighting style. Each strike, parry, and counter Power was quick to respond to each.
The White Crusader unleashed a Spirit Technique, the Aethereal Slash, at level zero. With each swing of his katana, he carved through the air, releasing razor-sharp waves of ethereal energy that surged toward Forbidden Power.
Forbidden Power effortlessly evaded each ethereal slash, seamlessly weaving through each one . Closing the distance with remarkable speed, he approached The White Crusader with precision, ready to counter the next move.
"Spirit Technique, light slash, level zero!" This technique empowered his next three attacks to move at the maximum speed his body could muster. Each slash cut through the air with blinding speed, leaving shimmering trails of energy in their wake as he sought to gain an upper hand in the intense battle.
Forbidden Power using his arms engulfed in void energy to intercept and block every precise strike unleashed by The White Crusader's katana. He soon found and an opening and unleashed, "Forbidden Attribute: Weakening Strikes!" As the punches landed on The White Crusader, a subtle effect took hold—each blow sapped away the hero's strength, gradually slowing his movements.
"A lot more slower, are you, White Crusader?" Seizing the advantage gained from the weakening effect of his strikes, Power intensified his assault, delivering a flurry of punches and kicks exploiting the gradual decline in The White Crusader's speed and strength.
Struggling to maintain a proper defense, The White Crusader exerted every ounce of strength to block Forbidden Power's relentless onslaught. Despite his best efforts, the continuous weakening effect took its toll, leaving openings that prevented him from parrying every incoming attack.
"Ornament, Beush'd," without warning, Power found himself on the receiving end of a forceful blow, the impact of a massive warhammer colliding with his face, launching him through the air until he collided with a sturdy tree nearby. Leaving Power momentarily dazed and vulnerable.
"Looks like I came just in time, White Crusader. You don't want to ruin the record of the victorious ten, do you?" As the White Crusader looked up, he saw his old ally.
"Sidgroth..." The White Crusader slowly poised himself once again.
"I'm surprised you remember me, White Crusader. Honestly, considering your reserved nature back then, I had half expected for you to erase me from your memory. But here we are, still etched in each other's stories." Sidgroth chuckled heartily.
The White Crusader sighed, "Don't be foolish. As if I'd forget my allies of the victorious ten. More importantly, if you're here, I'm assuming that servant, beast, and witch are here too, right?"
"Hmm? I suppose it slipped my mind to mention, but I live here in Calla Lily. When I heard there was trouble going on, my instinctive response was to come and investigate myself. Little did I expect the Forbidden again, a bunch of bothersome roaches, wouldn't you agree?" Sidgroth chuckled.
"Hmph, well said, Sidgroth," The White Crusader said as he shifted his gaze towards Forbidden Power, who was getting back on his feet.
"Hey, before we go all out on Power, what's the deal with those kids? Are they like, under your wing or something?" Sidgroth gestured with a nod toward Eve, Vulcan, and Eliza, currently holding their own against Wrath.
"Apprentices? You know, I've always preferred working alone, Sidgroth. Hmph, however, we should go assist them after dealing with Power."
"Oh? Don't tell me all ten of you are here..." Forbidden Power yelled out.
"Hmph, if you didn't use your dirty tricks, White Crusader would be enough." Both Sidgroth and The White Crusader approached Power.
"Wait, you're the one with the hammer? Oh dear, how quickly you humans deteriorate. I wonder how the other eight look like." Power poised himself for another battle, eyeing his opponents cautiously.
"Say, Power, do you remember my ornament?" Sidgroth asked.
"Can't say I cared much to remember about your useless power." Power taunted.
"Allow me to explain it to you; I don't want to have an unfair advantage, do I?" Sidgroth began to speak, but before he could finish, The White Crusader swiftly made his way towards Power.
"Spirit Technique, light slash, level zero!" Using the element of surprise, The White Crusader executed a swift sword slash. However, Power, with his quick reactions, he narrowly dodged the initial strike.
"This is where I come in." Sidgroth using the head of his warhammer, skillfully hooked onto Power's heel, causing him to trip and momentarily lose his balance.
As Power was falling, The White Crusader unleashed his last two lightning-quick slashes, striking him across the chest. "What the, I didn't see you— arrghh!?" Power exclaimed.
"You see, 'Beush'd' significantly boosts both my speed and strength. The longer I refrain from using it, the more prolonged its effects become, making my ornament even more stronger. And guess when was the last time I fought seriously." Sidgroth raised his hammer, a confident and experienced glint in his eyes, ready to unleash the full force of his power.
"Spiritual technique, Renka, level zero!" The White Crusader, channeling spirit energy into his legs, executed a swift kick that sent Power into the air before he could make contact with the ground.
"I don't have any fancy techniques like that; I'm much more simple. Hit hard and hope they fall!" Sidgroth, with the raw power of his warhammer, hooked Power while he was in the air, forcefully slamming him into the ground. The impact caused Power to bounce off the ground.
"I ain't done with you yet!" Sidgroth repeatedly hooked Power with his warhammer and ruthlessly slammed him into the ground, each impact echoing throughout the area.
"Now, time for you to sleep!" Sidgroth skillfully flipped Power in mid-air to face him. Gathering all his strength, he delivered a powerful blow to Power's face upon his descent, leaving a noticeable crater upon impact on the ground.
"Hmph, no different from a caveman, although I'll admit, it is effective, Sidgroth," The White Crusader complimented.
Sidgroth heartily laughed, "Sometimes, simplicity is the key to victory. Now, let's make sure Power is truly out of commission for real this time."
As they prepared to face Power, an ominous surge of void energy surrounded the area. "You bastards, how dare you..." Power's tone was with a mixture of anger and malevolence. Slowly rising from the ground, his shadowy form began to unveil itself, but remains behind the facade of his human appearance.
Forbidden Power, fueled by rage, lunged aggressively at Sidgroth, targeting his vital spots with deadly intent. "After me, huh?" Sidgroth tossed his warhammer into the air, and began blocking and parrying each of Forbidden Power's deadly attacks. As the void energy clashed with Sidgroth's skin, it left burned marks.
"I'm done playing around. Spirit Technique, universal spirit!" The surroundings were bathed in a radiant cyan glow as the cosmic energy engulfed The White Crusader.
"Forbidden attribute, phantom force!" Forbidden Power swiftly shifted his focus to The White Crusader, vanishing from sight only to reappear behind him. The void energy transformed into menacing claws, aiming with precision for The White Crusader's vulnerable back.
"What child's play..." The White Crusader sighed, then, unexpectedly, Power dropped to his knees, two cuts manifesting seemingly out of thin air on the joints.
"You didn't plan any of this out, have you? Were you hoping to come here and comfortably continue with your invasion?" The White Crusader pointed his katana at Power's throat.
"Hmph..." Sidgroth's warhammer descended with a great force, and in a calculated move, The White Crusader grabbed it mid-air. He aimed the weapon at Power's chest, resulting in a cough that expelled what appeared to be blood, revealing itself to be nothing but void energy.
Weak and battered, Power uttered, "Forbidden attribute, spatial retreat..." Void energy surrounded him entirely, transporting him far away from the battle.
"Leaving his ally like that, what a coward..." The radiant cosmic energy that shrouded The White Crusader gradually faded.
"Here's your hammer, Sidgroth," The White Crusader returned the hefty weapon to its owner.
"Thank you, White Crusader. However, I believe we have more problems on our hands. It looks like the battle between Wrath and those kids is going on elsewhere. They aren't here anymore," Sidgroth pointed towards the supermarket parking lot with his hammer.
"And Lust is also off her leash, she went after Wildflower." The White Crusader sighed.
"Forbidden Lust decided to join the party too, huh? You're gonna have to explain everything later. Right now, our priority is dealing with Wrath." Sidgroth said, as he prepared to confront Wrath.
"Master Sidgroth, that was amazing! And this must be The White Crusader, 'the merciless samurai' of the Victorious Ten, isn't he?" Maxwell, riding his monstrous mount Larvash, approached with a sense of awe in his eyes. His voice echoed with admiration as he extended a respectful greeting to the formidable duo.
"Who is this boy, Sidgroth?" The White Crusader asked.
Maxwell, with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, responded, "I'm Maxwell, Master Sidgroth's apprentice. Quite the pleasure to meet a legend like you, White Crusader!"
Sidgroth reassured, "Don't worry; I'll ensure the boy stays at a safe distance from the fight. Besides, this beast is quite powerful, so he's relatively safe." Petting Gladiolus.
"As long as he doesn't get in our way, we'd better start moving," The White Crusader advised.
In the distance, the battle between Wrath, Eve, Vulcan, and Eliza grew ever more deadly...