Teacher VS Student (End)

Archer was quick to get up. Other than a slight discomfort, he did not suffer much. 'That just now...his Authority over Trickery? It must have been when he blocked my punch.'

For a brief moment, Thutmose looked at Seth's eyes. He theorized it was there when his teacher used it. As his student, he was aware of how it worked, more or less. Once you exchanged gazes with him, you are pretty much doomed unless you have a powerful mind. Even if you went blind for some reason, you would not be safe.

He remembered him saying something about it being able to affect reality if it was used at its full potential together with something else, but he had not done that yet, so it was safe to assume he was not able to do it.

Looking at Seth, it was clear to see he did not go out of that unscratched. There was some blood running down his torso, most likely caused by one of the lasers. "Hmph. Who do you think I learned all this from, Teacher?"

"I can't argue with that. So, do you still have more tricks up your sleeve? This time I am going to be aiming for your life for real." Seth's hands soon got covered in flames, but instead of the usual black ones, they were a shining gold in color.

"...One more. I can not have you playing with my mind if I want to win." Archer removed his helmet before throwing it away. He then proceeded to use his sharp nails to gouge out his own eyes and crush them. 'I offer my sight to the Sky God Horus. Please, grant me the power to see that which cannot be seen.'

A light coming from the sky soon enveloped him, stopping the bleeding. Seth watched, aware of what was happening, as a symbol resembling a strange eye manifested on his forehead. The Eye of Wisdom, the Eye of Ra.

"You would go that far just to make one of my many Authorities useless?" It was not like he didn't know the benefits of having that damn eye, but his distaste for it was too much to consider it as a good thing.

"Yes. Besides, it is a plus. I can see better than I did before." The pupil in the symbol moved from left to right, as if trying to get used to the new change. When it focused on Seth, though, it shook for a second. 'What...is that?'

If it were not for the Eye of Ra that prevented his mind from becoming unstable, he would have gone insane. Was it an illusion, or was it real? He did not know how to classify what he was seeing. There he was, his teacher. However, four...entities covered in shadows were standing behind his back. Each one of them instilling more fear than the last.

One he recognized. It was the same that appeared when he tried to steal his first Skill. As for the others, one had a humanoid shape, another a serpent-like one, in regards to the last of those entities...describing it was impossible. It had an ever-changing form, but it was the one who gave him the most chills. There was one thing he was sure about, though. That thing must never manifest itself into the world.

As he was trying to understand what the hell was going on, he received a punch on the face, throwing him backward onto a crumbled building.

"Don't get distracted, I told you I was aiming for your life, and I meant it." It was easy for him to say that when he was not the one who saw that damned vision-like thing.

The dark-skinned man soon got up, spitting some blood in the process. There were some burn marks on his cheek, thanks to the flames on Seth's fists, but other than that, he was fine. He had to admit it, though. That punch hurt. Still, his teacher was right. From the beginning, he had been using his Magical Energy and not Blackbeard's to fight. And, as much as he wanted it to be, it was not infinite. Not to mention that keeping his armor manifested required to supply it with more constantly.

So, without replying to him, Thutmose launched himself at Seth. The Egyptian God didn't stay still, also charging at his student. Both men threw their fists forward, quickly colliding and sending a shockwave in all directions.

They didn't stop there. Instead, the two kept unleashing a flurry of blows without holding anything back. Punch against punch kick against kick elbow against elbow and headbutt against headbutt. It was like a synchronized fight. If looked from the outside, it would seem as if someone was fighting their reflection on a mirror.

It was only thanks to the unique properties of Archer's Reality Marble that space here hadn't collapsed yet. That was the reason why they could fight without worrying about the environment. Of course, that also had a limit, as it would disappear the moment Thutmose decided it was not worth keeping it up anymore.

The dark-skinned man was also aware that he could not hope to win this through exhaustion. Seth could replenish his reserves just by fighting and absorbing something as imaginary as Disorder and Violence. Honestly, the one who created him must have been drunk. Why could he not be the God of Flowers or something? Talk about unfairness.

As much as he wanted to complain to someone who probably does not exist, he needed to concentrate on using the powers of the armor, Skills, and his Noble Phantasms.

Winning by one-shooting him was the only way, and he had something prepared for that. For now, he had to inflict as much damage as possible, because he knew his regeneration activated without his control. That meant that sometimes it would not do so at all. To accomplish that, he had a trump card. He had to time it well, though, as all rested in the surprise factor.

──────────────────────────────

How long has it been? Minutes? Hours? Days? They did not know. It did not matter. The only thing in their minds was to land one more hit. Their breath was a bit hurried, but even so, a smile of contentment covered their face.

They did not even bother to block or dodge anymore. Also, the two decided to lose speed to gain power in their blows. In essence, Thutmose and Seth were speaking through their fists.

Their fight had started to have repercussions on the landscape. That went to prove how Archer was nearing his limits in the Magical Energy department. He wasn't the only one to be in a tight spot as Seth's body was covered in injuries and some holes from those objects that fired lasers arbitrarily. There was also his Kingslayer Skill playing against him now. Being the user himself, he knew how much of an advantage it brought.

As the fight went by, he realized Mose's armor had Anti-Evil properties. The places where Archer hit him took longer to regenerate than the others, and he felt some pain when he punched it. The good thing was that he had already destroyed one of his wings and some other random parts as well, revealing the skin underneath.

Even with some pieces of his armor cracked or outright broken, the dark-skinned man still proved to be a worthy adversary. Contrary to what others might think, his blows did nothing but increase in strength.

No matter what happened, it seemed the Pharaoh wouldn't disappoint him. After exchanging hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands of hits, he kept going all the same. That was because, even though he was having the time of his life fighting against his teacher, he still remembered his number one priority.

If he had to name a motivation to keep fighting, it would be that. Being honest, he was pretty tired. He wanted nothing more than to fall on the ground and take a good rest, but he could not do so, not now that he was so close to victory.

Both seemed to sense the end was near, proven by how intense their combat had become. In tandem, the two Egyptians pulled their arms back before striking forward with as much as they could muster. The result was a situation similar to a cross counter, with their fists frozen in the opponent's face.

"Why do you not give up, Old Man? You should quietly let me put you to rest." Archer jokingly said while trying to move his head and arm forward to get the advantage in their little confrontation.

"What are you saying? My bones can still go another round or two!" Seth also tried to the same. He might not care much about losing or winning as long as there was a next time, but for some reason, he didn't feel like losing today.

Yes. This way is how it should be. No hard feelings, just two people who had not met each other for so long, enjoying some time together. That one of them had to die in the end? So what? They didn't fight for something as trivial as living. They did so because there was something more substantial.

One of them had already accomplished what he came here for, and that person was Seth. He wanted to see the man Mose had turned into, and he was not disappointed. Twenty-two years might seem short for someone his age, but those few years were something he treasured dearly.

However, even though the red-haired man already got what he desired, he couldn't and wouldn't stop fighting. Until the end, he would humor his student. He would give him the chance to fulfill the promise he sacrificed so much for once Mose died. Besides, it was not like he didn't enjoy fighting him.

Both shared a grin before separating. Instinctively, the duo knew this attack would be the last. "Bring it on! Without regrets!" Archer's words were not only for Seth to do his best but for himself too. He needed the confidence he would succeed.

"Yeah...you've got it." The two were tired, but that didn't mean they would not try their best and go out with a bang.

Thutmose gained some distance before elevating himself to the skies. It was all or nothing now. Archer's Reality Marble shook for a moment before being suctioned onto the palm of his hand, creating a ball of light and returning them to the outside world.

Everything seemed much calmer than it was before, but there was nothing they could use as a clue about how much time they spend inside the fictional space. Not that it was necessary now, though.

As their Magical Energy started spiking, student and teacher shared a look for what it might be the last time.

The dark-skinned man raised his hand, making the ball of light float a little above his head. Said sphere started to slowly move on its own, drawing some sort of hexagonal shape with its light. Once it was done, from its vertexes to the center, six additional lines were drawn. Solar energy plus the rest of his Magical Energy was then absorbed into it little by little.

Just by how it made the very air tremble, one could tell its power was no joke. That went to show just how decided Thutmose was to kill Seth.

The man in question didn't want to fall behind. So, he made sure to pour as much of his reserves on his next attack as possible, making sure to leave some for emergencies.

Pointing his finger at Archer, a small black energy ball with red outlines began to form. Little bolts of lightning of the same colors circled it, giving it a more powerful vibe. The reason for the small size was to compress it to its absolute limit and so create a more destructive force. Seth tried to input as many of his Authorities as possible on it, but sadly he didn't have many attack-related.

'Regardless of what happens...it was good to see you again.' As their final moves were finishing powering up, that thought went by their minds at the same time.

It only took a second in the real world, but as the closing moment drew near, both remember all the times they spent together. It might have seemed all hardships. However, there were good parts to them, and those were the ones they remembered fondly.

'Thank you, Seth. Although almost impossible. If there is a next time, please let me fight by your side.' At the final moment, he called him by his name. This message was not from a King, nor a student, but from a little kid who was able to grow up successfully thanks to him.

'Even though we had our differences at first, I am glad you were my first student, and the only one I would ever have.' Seth also dedicated him some silent words.

There was no point in delaying the inevitable, so after a few seconds, they released their attacks at one another. "Sun God's Cannon!" "Dark Cosmos!"

Two beams with tremendous force behind them charged ahead, trying to devour everything in their wake. Their speed was such that not even a second after both men fired them, they clashed.

Other than a shockwave due to the impact, there was no outward change in their surroundings, no flashiness. That was because they weren't meant to explode, but to keep going endlessly and overpower the other.

The two attacks fought a battle of dominance. Sometimes Seth's one would gain the advantage and get closer to Archer. Other times it would be Mose's the one that got closer to Seth.

Like that, they kept going for some time, with no one being the clear winner. That was until the dark-skinned man decided to use his final trump card. A Skill he forcefully added to his repertory as a last resort in case everything else failed. The effects...they did not matter. What was important was the help it would provide.

'At that moment, I did not say anything. How much I wished to have done so. I just went along with it because it was your wish, the wish of the man who had raised me. However, I was not happy. The reason you mean so much to me is that I went from hating you to appreciating you like my own family. How could I bear to kill you, then? But...in all the time we spent together...that was the only favor you asked of me. I knew that every challenge you gave me was just to keep me distracted; you did not care if I overcame them or not. The only thing which I knew was from the bottom of your heart was your desire for you to die. So, I did the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I put your happiness over mine. That is why...that is why please...just this time, please...!!!'

"PLEASE FALL!!!" With a shout containing all his feelings, every ounce of willpower. Thutmose activated Transcendental Promise. A Skill without a Rank, because it did not need one, because the value of their promise could not be ranked.

The previous standstill between the two attacks, which had been pretty much even until now, quickly turned entirely in Archer's favor. The previously golden beam suddenly got boosted by a bluer force, devouring Seth's without any complications.

The Egyptian God tried to stop his student's attack without much success. The only thing he managed to do was slow down the rate at which his beam was getting overcome.

As the light in his field of vision was becoming more prominent, Seth couldn't help but smile proudly. 'Well done, Mose. You truly outdid yourself this time.'

Archer watched as the little resistance his teacher was providing was becoming less and less. However, he would not stop until he was sure Seth was utterly dead. Even so, a slight glimmer of hope appeared on his face, hope that he finally accomplished the goal he set his mind on all those years ago.

Hope, sadly, is not something one should have in front of despair itself. He could only manage to hear "First" before his attack that was about to reach his teacher suddenly got absorbed by Seth's own and continued its way unimpeded back to him and farther back into the sky.

Like a bird without wings, Archer fell, not having the strength to keep himself in the air any longer. The only solace was that he was alive.

Sure, he was able to cover his vitals just in time, but at the cost of his right arm and left leg. That was it, he lost. Strangely, what accompanied the frustration was also happiness.

An arm caught him before he sunk into the ocean, though. "Teacher...? Is that you?" The effects of the Eye of Ra had disappeared. After all, it was a power reserved just for the living. Now, he was nothing more than a blind man nearing his death.

"Yes. How do you feel?" Seth asked calmly.

"Horrible, can you not see? Different from me, you still have your eyes." He was done for already, so using his remaining energy to talk to him was not a bad idea.

"Hm...I guess so. I got used to having my limbs cut off, so common sense eludes me sometimes."

A painful sigh was the only thing Mose could do now. "I do not know if it is because you are a God, or it is just simply your way of life, but you have some problems."

"Maybe both?" He asked as his lips faintly curved upward.

Archer chuckled slightly, something that caused him to enter a coughing fit. "...It seems I do not have much time left. I must truly look pathetic, right?"

Seth shook his head, fully aware that his student couldn't see him. "That's not true. I only see a warrior that gave his all and made his teacher proud."

"Even if I could not fulfill my promise? Even if I could not win? Even if all I did was for nothing?" His voice broke more each time with each word he said until tears were streaming down from his empty sockets where his eyes used to be.

"That's right. Even while you were aware that I did not wish to die anymore as I did before, you still did everything in your power to accomplish it. I find that tenacity admirable." He was speaking from the bottom of his heart, something he rarely did.

"...I see...I am glad. I was afraid you would be disappointed in me; I feared that the most, but now...I can finally go with peace of mind." Particles of light were already coming out of Archer's body, signifying his time was up.

'Also...I know you will not devour me. You are sometimes too kind for your own good. That is why I will leave you with a gift. I hope you use it well.' He decided not to say this aloud, though. He was sure he would object to it if he did. The initial plan was to find someone else worthy of it to use it against Seth in case he were to perish, but sadly that was not the case. There were only thieves. Well, at least one of them was not that bad.

"Good grief, go already. You deserve a good rest in the afterlife, stop wasting my time here." He talked too much for a dying man.

"Heh. I know when you are not honest...I did not spend half of my life with you for nothing. That reminds me...that girl joined our family, didn't she? Should I call her step-sister or something?" With a sincere, genuine smile, Archer of Lightning, Thutmose III, disappeared from this world, leaving a man on the verge of collapse.

*Cough* *Cough*

Seth fell to his knees, coughing blood, his vision all blurry and wounds covering his whole body. Archer might not have been able to see it, but the Egyptian God didn't get out unscratched from his attack.

"Idiot...if only you had been born way before, or even now. I might have considered calling you my son. Honestly...I don't know why you were feeling sorry. You won, blockhead. This...is my loss."

Without any strength left to keep floating above the surface, Seth fainted, falling into the waters and sinking deeper and deeper into the ocean.

In the end, Thutmose, even after death, was the one who claimed victory.

God...had been brought down!