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Chapter 38 - Knight's Duel

The confrontation between the formidable warriors Arash and Lancelot was nothing short of legendary, a clash that had been building up to a pivotal moment where fate would dictate the outcome. As the battle escalated in intensity, the tension in the air thickened, the very earth seeming to hold its breath in anticipation of the decisive strike that would echo through the annals of history.

 

It was then, amidst the clash of steel and the crackling energy of magic, that Lancelot unleashed his ultimate technique, the Knight's secretive manoeuvre, "Arondight... overload." This devastating move, shrouded in an invisible maelstrom of power, caught Arash off guard, a gale of razor-sharp force cutting through his defences with the precision of a surgeon's blade. In that fleeting moment of vulnerability, Arash was left reeling, his valiant spirit wounded as darkness encroached upon his consciousness.

 

The aftermath of this titanic struggle left the once-bustling village in shambles, a stark contrast to the peaceful haven it had once been. The fires of conflict had consumed the homes and hopes of its inhabitants, a brutal reminder of the costs of war and the sacrifices made in its name. Yet, amidst the devastation, a glimmer of hope emerged as Fujimaru, Mash, and their loyal companions arrived on the scene, ready to offer aid and support to those in need.

 

Cured Arm made a decisive call instructing Fujimaru and his companions to make their way to Safety, urging them to travel swiftly while he took it upon himself to scavenge for essential supplies in the nearby village to ensure their survival. Caster, flanked by the stealthy Serenity and the ever-loyal Cured Arm, skillfully confronted the soldiers from the Holy City, swiftly dispatching them with precision and finesse, leaving no room for any retaliation.

As this fierce battle unfolded, Fujimaru, accompanied by Mash and Bedivere, embarked on a mission to track down Arash, the valiant archer, only to be met with a distressing sight—Arash lay unconscious in a distressingly large pool of his own blood, sending a chilling shock through the group, rendering them momentarily speechless as they grappled with the gravity of the situation. Just as a heavy silence enveloped them, an enigmatic figure materialised before their eyes, introducing an element of mystery and uncertainty to an already tense and perplexing scenario. 

 

The mysterious figure emerged from the billowing smoke, a bow in hand, casting an aura of intrigue and uncertainty over the battlefield. Bedivere, his eyes wide with astonishment, hastened to identify the shadowy archer, and as recognition dawned upon him like a sudden revelation, he exclaimed, "Sir Tristan!" The air crackled with tension as Tristan, with his unmistakable bow held confidently before him, acknowledged Bedivere's surprise with a knowing smile and a nod of affirmation, uttering, "It appears we meet again, good Sir Bedivere."

 

The valiant knight, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and disbelief, pressed Sir Tristan for an explanation of his actions, unable to comprehend the apparent deviation from chivalrous conduct. "Have you forsaken the honour of your knighthood at the Round Table?" Bedivere's question hung heavy in the air, laden with the weight of centuries of tradition and loyalty. In response, Tristan stood proud and resolute, his gaze unwavering as he declared, "My allegiance lies unwaveringly with our majestic, the Lion King."

 

Determined lines etched upon his noble features, Tristan's unwavering resolve shone through, a glimmer of unwavering dedication amidst the chaos of battle. The clash of ideals and loyalties echoed through the windswept plains as Bedivere and Tristan stood face to face, embodiments of opposing virtues in a world teetering on the brink of uncertainty. 

 

As both knights, Sir Bedivere and Sir Tristan, prepared themselves to battle, their swords shimmering in the moonlight, the tension between them was palpable. Bedivere, with a stoic demeanour, turned towards Fujimaru and Mash, his voice firm yet filled with a sense of protectiveness, as he instructed, "Both of you, no need to interfere." With a confident grip on his sword, the valiant knight took a step forward, his resolve unwavering as he readied himself to face his former friend turned foe.

 

Sir Tristan, his bow taut with magical arrows, sent a barrage towards Bedivere, the arrows crackling with power as they sliced through the air. Unfazed, Bedivere stood his ground, his sword a gleaming barrier against the onslaught, each strike expertly deflected as he steadily advanced towards his opponent. Despite the intensity of the battle, there was a sense of melancholy in Tristan's eyes, a hint of sorrow as he remarked, "To think you can harbour so much rage inside of you, how truly sad, Sir Bedivere."

 

In response, Bedivere's gaze remained fixed on Tristan, a mixture of determination and sorrow in his eyes as he spoke, "You and I were good friends; there are things I can't forgive because we were friends." The weight of their shared history hung heavy in the air, the unspoken truth of their fractured bond adding depth to their clash on the battlefield. With a final, resolute expression, Bedivere launched himself into the fray, his heart filled with a mix of emotions, but his determination unshakable as he drove forward with the resolve of a true knight.

As the intense battle continued to unfold with relentless fury between the honourable knights, Sir Bedivere boldly proclaimed, his voice brimming with unwavering determination, If you say the king sanctioned all this, then I have no choice but to step over your bleeding corpse and face our king myself." Countering Bedivere's resolute declaration, Sir Tristan's response carried a tone of sorrowful disappointment as he questioned, "Is it true that you have ventured into our realm solely to challenge our reigning monarch? How grievous it is to witness such a path unfold before us."

In a crucial turn of events, the valiant Bedivere unleashed the full extent of his formidable "Agateram," culminating in a devastating final blow directed at Sir Tristan. However, due to a depletion in his magical energy, Sir Bedivere found himself executing this decisive strike. 

 

As the intense battle unfolded between the two knights, Sir Bedivere found himself in a perilous situation when he overextended his magical power of "Agateram," causing him to be gravely wounded and fall to his knees in pain. Sensing his vulnerability, Sir Tristan, with a sense of duty and determination, voiced his resolve to end the tragic conflict that had enveloped them, driven by the bond of their friendship.

In a decisive moment, Sir Tristan prepared his final strike against Bedivere, aiming to bring the battle to a conclusion. However, his intended blow was deftly intercepted by the swift and courageous intervention of the valiant hero Mash, who, with her shield raised in defence, shielded Sir Bedivere from harm. Despite the ferocity of Sir Tristan's attack and the chaos of the battlefield, Mash's skill and resolve shone through as she acted selflessly to protect her comrade, displaying the true spirit of a noble warrior. 

 

While Mash valiantly stood her ground, her eyes focused and her shield raised in defence against Tristan's relentless attacks, a sudden, unexpected itch crept upon the knight's face. Despite the distraction, he couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu that overcame him as he muttered, "That shield... I swear I've seen it before."

 

With each strike of Tristan's sword being expertly deflected by Mash's unwavering shield, the clang of metal against metal rang through the air, creating a symphony of battle. As the tension mounted and the heat of the confrontation rose, Fujimaru sensed the need for immediate intervention and made their way towards Sir Bedivere with a determined stride.

 

Positioning themselves next to the valiant knight, Fujimaru issued a resolute command through a command spell, his voice filled with authority and determination. "I order you with a command spell Mash Kyrielight, summon forth your luminous barrier, and shield the defenceless."

 

In response to Fujimaru's commanding words, the air crackled with energy as Mash's shield shimmered brightly, its protective aura expanding to cover them and create an impenetrable barrier against Sir Tristan's ferocious onslaught. Each strike that came crashing against the radiant wall was met with a resounding clang, signifying the unwavering strength and resilience of Mash's unwavering shield.

 

As the valiant Mash valiantly kept Sir Tristan's relentless attacks at bay with her shield, she finally created the opportunity for Sir Bedivere to step in and deliver a decisive finishing strike. With unwavering determination, the Knight boldly declared, "Devour my soul and come forth; switch on Agateram," as his will summoned forth the magnificent sword of light. Precisely at that moment, Bedivere's swift and precise attack found its mark on Sir Tristan, dealing the final blow that ultimately led to his defeat on the battlefield.

 

As the dust settled and both knights lay wounded on the ground, Sir Tristan, filled with resignation, whispered softly, "I am indeed sad." In the midst of this tense situation, Professor Romani Archaman urgently alerted Fujimaru and the others about the sudden surge of high magical energy he detected nearby. Realising the imminent danger, Romani strongly urged Fujimaru and their companions to swiftly evacuate the area before the looming threat could materialise and unleash its destructive power upon them. 

 

In a breathtaking moment of astonishment, Fujimaru and his courageous comrades gazed upward, their eyes fixed on the celestial spectacle unfolding before them. The sudden appearance of a mysterious, colossal lance, crafted from pure light, awed them as it majestically descended from the heavens and set its luminous gaze upon the mountain. The sky itself seemed to shimmer and glow with the sheer magical potency of the radiant weapon, its very presence hinting at the devastating might contained within—a power capable of laying waste to entire cities with a single, precise strike.

 

Silent and stunned, all those gathered could only watch in a mix of disbelief and wonder as Sir Tristan, standing amidst the group, solemnly proclaimed the significance of the ethereal lance. "Behold," he declared, his voice carrying a weight of both reverence and foreboding, "this is the divine judgement of the Lion King, the sacred spear known as Rhongomyniad, the Pillar of Purification." The gravity of his words hung heavy in the air, stirring emotions of both reverence and apprehension among the listeners.

 

Caught off guard by the surreal turn of events, Bedivere, with a hint of incredulity in his tone, questioned the sanity of his companions. "Tristan, have you all truly lost your minds?" he exclaimed, his disbelief palpable in the tense atmosphere. Yet, in response, the once-defeated knight maintained his resolve, his voice steady and unwavering as he explained the harsh reality that they faced. "It is not madness that drives us," he retorted, his words carrying a sombre undertone, "but the noble duty bestowed upon us by royal decree. We have shed our humanity willingly, for the purity of our sacred mission demands unclouded judgement, devoid of sentimental sway."

 

As the blinding light of the descending lance continued its inevitable descent towards the awaiting mountain, Sir Tristan, his gaze fixed on the imminent cataclysm, imparted his final words with a sense of both resignation and sorrow. "Farewell, my dearest friend," he whispered, the weight of the impending judgement casting a sombre shadow over the group, their fate now intertwined with the divine will of the Lion King.