The Ark Of New Arena, New Rules

"You better hope this works, small fry," said Mordred as she fully suited up again.

"Here goes then... Fourth Frame; Tortures Of The Abyss!" shouted Duncan, as the whole place plunged into darkness just before the fighters could clash.

Mordred cursed as everywhere was littered with gravestones and was misty. The scent of death and despair was draped over the entire arena, making Mordred sick in the stomach. Only the skies could be seen as the area morphed into Duncan's territory.

Speaking about the boy, he stood tall with his scythe stuck into the ground. Meanwhile, Lancelot was still struggling with the filmstrip somewhere in the dark. Or so, Mordred thought.

"Oi! Are you alright there?! Why are you standing there like a statue?" asked Mordred, running towards Duncan.

"Imbecile! Don't take your eyes away from the enemy!" shouted Duncan as he saw Lancelot looming over Mordred, ready to strike.

"Eh?" was all Modred could muster before she squeezed her eyes shut to brace for the impact.

But the attack never came as a black flower shield with five petals appeared in front of Mordred and Lancelot. Instead, something sparked within the flower's heart as Arondight touched the guard, provoking another layer of protection.

The floating shield was strong enough to backfire on the Knight, causing him to stumble backward while Mordred snapped back into reality and charged toward him. The Knight of Rebellion stabbed Lancelot in the abdomen and ran forwards, trying to get away from Duncan.

As she did so, Lancelot held up Arondight and tried to slash Mordred's shoulder. However, he was halted by her wristguard.

"There's no way I'm letting you strike me that easily again, Adulterous Knight!" shouted Mordred as she turned the handle of her blade.

Duncan could hear a click before Mordred's blade burst into a red beam of light that shot out to the perimeters of the spell. Then, with the monster's stomach exploding into a million pieces, Mordred punched away the standing Knight, causing him to fly away.

Mordred clicked her tongue again as she vanished from her spot and appeared at several points of the monster's body. Bright red cuts appeared on Lancelot's body done by Mordred, making him spill out blood like a deflated balloon leaking air. He fell limp while Mordred went to Duncan.

"I don't know whose shield was that, but we better find that Mage before he becomes our enemy next..." mentioned Duncan as Mordred stood by his side with a lowered sword.

Mordred may have boasted about killing Lancelot or keeping him at bay, but the truth is that the poor Knight was slowly running out of Elemental Energy. And Duncan knew something was up because he had never seen the Knight of Rebellion lower her blade.

Without the essence of rebellion or the thrill of having any progress in the fight, Mordred can't get any more Elemental Energy to power herself.

"No need to... That shield was from Mav, that Valkyrie that is your leader. It was a defense mechanism in case either one of you were going to be struck at the back," explained Mordred.

"Mordred... Why are you getting so weak?" asked Duncan, not knowing the consequences of his question.

The Ankou was shocked that his lord would dare ask a question so degrading towards the person who brought down a kingdom via a rebellion. Both ladies were also shocked, but only Mordred's surprise turned into fury as Midori tried her best to calm her Spirit down.

"Remember! He doesn't know that he is hurting your feelings!" pleaded Midori.

"After this battle is done, I'm going to turn your throat into my sheath! What makes you think I'm getting worn down?!" yelled Mordred, swinging her blade at Duncan, who was unfazed about the angry Knight.

"Well, because you lowered your blade and kept taking big gulps of air... An honest question, no need to be so violent about it..." replied Duncan, shrugging his shoulders.

"Tch... For your bright information, I'm not using Midori's Elemental Energy; I'm relying on my supply. If I use her Elemental Energy, I may take too much since my fighting style is called Berserking," explained Mordred, narrowing her eyes at the rising enemy.

"Berserking? Isn't that when you convert Elemental Energy into physical attacks?"

"Correct; I deplete my Elemental Energy by either enhancing my punches or kicking or channeling it into my sword to shoot out a red beam like before. I need the thrill of battle or stormclouds to recuperate my Elemental Energy now. But, with this battle being stale, I can't do much..."

"Are you sure that we are still at a stalemate? Take a good look at your ex-Knight over there, " Duncan said, pointing at Lancelot.

Mordred widened her eyes as she saw Lancelot's figure ripping out his armor.