Chapter 124 - The Imperium Rule

???: Use it.

Daymond and Theodore continued their exchange. Their hands moved faster and faster as they read their opponents further and further. Daymond unleashed a quick right straight, which Theodore swiftly dodged. Theodore's head shifted back a bit as he felt a strike hit his right cheek. Daymond had changed his stance to match a boxer's low-hand guard. His left hand shot up, throwing several quick punches at Theodore. Theodore regained his focus, dodging each of Daymond's strikes easily. His newly gained composure was quickly lost as Daymond changed his stance once more to go for a low grapple. Theodore shot his knee upward, Daymond blocking with his right forearm. Theodore brought down a left hammer arm, Daymond jumping back and avoiding the strike entirely.

Zachary: These guys are insane! Not a single clean hit has landed yet!

Theodore's thoughts: His one punch was nothing more than a graze. I haven't lost yet.

Daymond slid back, placing one hand on the ground. He assessed Theodore closely, watching the king take his more guarding stance. Both fighters charged at one another, each throwing a series of rapid punches that only seemed to multiply as they got closer.

Daymond's thoughts: It's far too early to go for a grapple. His reaction time is something to watch out for. Even if he can't predict with his foresight, he'll catch me if I'm not smart enough.

Daymond could feel his veins pulse, his muscles twitch. His strikes moved faster and faster. A change became clear to the audience: Daymond had taken the lead in blows. Theodore parried each strike with his gauntlets, not sending a single one back. Despite his defensive position, he didn't seem the slightest bit stirred.

Theodore's thoughts: He isn't an opponent that will remain with just a straightforward approach. What are you planning, Daymond?

Daymond's eyes began to waver as something formed behind Theodore. Taking this one moment of hesitation, Theodore threw out a right straight. Daymond recognizes the blow, changing to a boxing high guard and weaving past Theodore's attack. Hamadeen and Kuro, who had now walked into the audience seating area, watched the match with wide eyes.

Hamadeen: He's using those stances like he's a pro!

Kuro: What the fuck… This is nothing like how he fought me!

Daymond went low, keeping his fists close to his head. He charged at Theodore, his muscles tensing. He shot up, aiming for an uppercut to the king's chin. The fist only cut through the air as Theodore moved to Daymond's left and aimed for a right hook. Daymond dropped to the ground, his feet shooting up. Theodore leaned back, avoiding the head's airborne leg.

Zachary: As expected of the Head of the Eclipse! He's showing exactly why he's so terrifying! It's nearly impossible to lock him down to one style!

Zenzo: Boxing, grappling, and kicking! What else is he capable of?!

Daymond hopped back onto his feet, throwing several quick punches at Theodore.

Theodore's thoughts: Lunar Graze.

His gauntlets shot up, parrying each of Daymond's strikes as they reached him. Not a single strike could get through his guard. Daymond noticed this, feeling a fire burn in him. He threw forward a far faster and more powerful punch, aiming right beyond Theodore's guard. Yet the king predicted this.

Theodore's thoughts: Clash.

Theodore took a mighty step forward, moving his gauntlet directly in Daymond's attack's path. The strike connected for less than a moment before opening up to latch onto Theodore's gauntlet. Daymond pushed the arm down, throwing a left straight directly at Theodore's face. Theodore's right arm grabbed onto Daymond's fist, locking both of the fighters in place. Their faces got close, both fighters showing their grins to the other.

Zenzo: Amazing! Despite the standstill, they're still smiling!

Zachary: That's only to be expected! These two are among the most skilled in the Eclipse and probably the world! There is no doubt that something like this is nothing more than a warm-up!

Yussuf: What the hell…

Yussuf moved closer to the glass, staring down at the match with utter shock. Nupan and Arthur moved closer, Simon rubbing the back of his head.

Simon: Something surprising?

Yussuf: It's about Theodore's fighting style. It feels even broader than when I fought against it.

Arthur: Makes sense, he made quick work of you.

Yussuf: It's not that part! Just there, I saw he tried to use Daymond's own strength against him! What was that?!

Theresa: The Imperium Rule.

Everyone turned to the queen, even the members of her group.

Ziyad: Queen, I don't think it's a good idea to simply tell them about that.

Carrie: Yeah, ain't that supposed to be top secret?

Theresa: What I'm going to tell is simply what is shown by Theodore here. There is nothing to worry about.

Shizu's thoughts: As I expected, there's more to it than the matches show.

…

The Imperium Rule is a system built by the leaders of the Virtus Imperium. Each exalted royal creates a system that best fits them, and eventually writes it down for future generations to learn from it. Theodore built his own Imperium Rule which he uses publicly in the matches of the Eclipse. His Imperium Rule is built on two separate rules, known as the White Imperium Rule and the Black Imperium Rule. The White Imperium Rule focuses on direct combat and offense. Moves such as his ace-in-the-hole King's Malice belong under this rule. The Black Imperium Rule focuses on defense and counters. Moves such as Lunar Graze and Clash would fall under this category.

He had mastered this art during his time as king. His fighting proficiency, despite keeping up his daily duties, makes him one of the most powerful kings the nation has seen to date.

…

Theodore and Daymond unleashed their grasp, only for Theodore to aim a low kick at Daymond's leg. Daymond leaped back, avoiding Theodore's follow-up right hook. He ensured his landing was stable, only to see Theodore place both gauntlets together in front of his face.

Theodore's thoughts: Storm Rush.

Theodore shot forward with immense speed. He looked like a speeding van aimed directly at Daymond. Daymond's thoughts overwhelmed him as the figure formed next to Theodore once more.

???: Use it!

Daymond's thoughts: No.

Daymond disappeared in a flash. Theodore came to a stop, noticing that Daymond had left his spot.

Theodore's thoughts: I was moving fast enough that he shouldn't have been able to dodge. What happened?

Daymond appeared once again at Theodore's side, landing a right elbow. Theodore slid with the attack, tensing his body to endure the blow. Magnus and Shun watched the screen with wide grins. Hiroto let out a laugh that Sudu looked at in shock.

Sudu: Did he just…

Hiroto: That's right! He just used the Raijin Style's Flash.

Sudu: How does he know it?!

Shun: Isn't it obvious? He copied it from us.

Magnus: That is his scariest aspect. There seems to be nothing that he can't copy.

Cero gritted his teeth, watching the screen closely. Tico's eyebrows furrowed, noticing the similarities of that speed.

Tico: That's Shun's Flash!

Kammy: Daymond can use Flash? I thought it was something meant just for Shun and Yussuf!

Cero: That's because of Daymond's status as a Replicator.

Bruna: You and D-D-Deacon k-keep mentioning that! What's a Replicator anyway?!

Bruna wore unimaginable confusion on her face. Tico placed a hand on her shoulder, attempting to comfort her.

Cero: Replicators are almost like a rare breed of human. They have this curse that they are destined to copy and eventually master anything they get their hands on. To people that hold their own gifts in high regard, Replicators are the bane of their existence. Daymond is one of those people that can copy others.

Kammy: Copy others? How is that possible?

Cero: I can't exactly say. Deacon used to say it was an advanced version of photographic memory that these people have. It goes beyond just their memory, it can even affect their body. While Replicators can't copy mutations on par with Gonzalez's eyes or Gary's joints, they are able to mimic anything that can be learned. Even things that may seem unique to a specifically bred person. Daymond would be able to learn Gonzalez's martial arts, but will never be able to use it to the same proficiency as him. But styles like the Raijin Style and any existing martial arts are fair game.

Tico: So what you're saying is…

Cero: Exactly. It seems that Daymond's goal isn't to copy everything in the world. It's to copy and become the pinnacle of martial arts itself.

Daymond's thoughts: Thunder Kata, Emperor Siege.

Daymond unleashed a flurry of quick blows aimed at different parts of Theodore's body. But the king could see each strike. His gauntlets moved out, parrying each of Daymond's strikes away. Despite their increased speed, it hardly seemed to matter to Theodore. Each one was blocked all the same.

Yussuf: He's using Emperor Siege! How is he being blocked?!

Mike: Isn't that obvious? Theodore's reaction speed lets him keep up with the speed. There's almost no speed that he can't keep up with.

Theresa: Almost true, Michael. Of every speed shown so far, Theodore would truly only have trouble with Shun's Godspeed. But that's nothing a little bit of foresight can't fix.

Shizu: You seem to know an awful lot about martial arts, Oneiroi.

Theresa: Oh, of course. I have gotten to witness my husband's training closely.

Shizu: I wouldn't put his Lunar Graze at perfection status just yet. Watch closely.

Everyone turned to the match, noticing that something had changed. Daymond moved closer and closer to Theodore, keeping his barrage up.

Daymond's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Earth Form - Falling Sky

Daymond pushed past Theodore's guard, locking his right leg between Theodore's and pulling. Theodore attempted to retaliate, only for Daymond's hand to grab his face and complete the throw. Daymond's eyes shot open, feeling intense pain in his guts. He looked down, noticing that Theodore had thrown a punch in midair. Both fighters fell to the ground. They quickly pushed away from the other, getting back up to their feet. Everyone in the audience was left shocked, watching both fighters get back up.

Zachary: Are my eyes playing tricks on me?! Wasn't that Cero's own move?! What is Daymond doing using it?!

Theodore's thoughts: Could what Deacon said be true?

Daymond clutched his stomach, noticing that he had come out unscathed. The book he had placed there had absorbed most of the blow. He looked up, noticing the figure next to Theodore had fully formed. Deacon's face looked as crazed as it did the night before.

Daymond's thoughts: I refuse to use your technique. This match is only now getting fun.

Daymond widened his stance, his front left foot standing only on its toes. He took on a karate neko-ashi-dachi stance. A slight grin came to his face.