Chapter 127 - Insurrection

Daymond's vision began to blur, his head slightly pounding. The apparition of the deceased previous head standing behind Theodore, seemingly being there only to mock him.

Daymond's thoughts: Using Release for something as simple as pain ignorance is causing me great pain. I really can't rely on it any further. Meaning I'm left with everything else at my disposal. The time to be reckless is over, I've learned what I needed to.

Daymond charged at Theodore using Flash, covering the distance between them in a moment. Theodore overcame the impact of Daymond's kick, preparing his guard once more. Daymond got closer and closer, clenching his fists as tight as he could. Theodore threw out a quick right, timing for the exact moment Daymond would enter his range. By using his swift reaction speed and his foresight in tandem. Theodore calculated the strike to be thrown without any room for error. But once the punch connected with Daymond's face, it only seemed to slowly sink in. Theodore's eyes quickly widened, noticing that his punch had only phased through Daymond. Daymond had just inched back from the punch using nothing but his toes. 

Daymond's thoughts: Lightning Kata - Fade Out

He quickly crouched down, noticing the king's slight shock. Daymond put on a small grin as he forcibly shot upward, knocking Theodore's head back with a lightning-fast uppercut. Zenzo slammed his hands on the table, his eyes shaking. Zachary turned to him in surprise.

Zachary: What happened?

Zenzo: Daymond's technique there was something else! 

Zachary: Isn't it basically what they did at the beginning of the match?

Zenzo: It isn't… He timed his footwork perfectly. He moved on only his toes, running in the most obvious path to his opponent. Then, on nothing but his toes, he moved back to dodge Theodore's attack and made all of us think it landed! 

Zachary: What?! You noticed all that?!

Zenzo: I've worked alongside fighters like Moll, Joseph, and Hamadeen for years. I picked up on this stuff. But I never would've thought I'd see it myself! 

Zenzo's thoughts: But even then… Theodore has shown to be able to react to some really fast attacks. Daymond's timing truly is on another level…

Theodore staggered back, the blow to his jaw causing a small delay. Daymond refused to have this opportunity pass him by. He unleashed a flurry of strikes to Theodore's abdomen, his hair blowing back from the speed he threw them. Blood flew from the punches, Theodore's expression full of pain.

Simon: Boss is beating that king's ass! Hell yeah! 

Nupan: You were just waiting for that, weren't you?

Carrie: How is that possible? Theodore should be able to react to all of this…

Shizu: It's simple. Daymond played around Theodore's reaction speed and foresight. He refuses to give him even a moment to recover. 

Ziyad: It makes sense. You need to attack your opponent when you're aware you have the upper hand.

Yussuf: Take him down, boss!

Theodore's mind raced with several ways to counter Daymond's attacks, yet the attacks seemed neverending. The king felt a worry he had not felt in a long time, but he refused to let that emotion hamper him. He brought his arm up, walking back as he lured Daymond along. With one swift motion, he brought his elbow up, forcing it back down to Daymond's head.

Theodore's thoughts: Fallen Star.

Daymond jumped back, Theodore's elbow hitting nothing but air. Daymond ran around Theodore, charging at him as he formed a spear hand. Using Theodore's moment of reluctance, he intended to take down the king right then and there. But the king refused to go down. Theodore spun on his heel, swinging his gauntlets directly at Daymond. Daymond quickly brought his arms up in defense before being launched back, his forearms beginning to bruise. Daymond gritted his teeth, now noticing the pain he had made himself numb to before.

Daymond's thoughts: Release was able to nullify this much pain? Had I continued using it, he really would've shut down my body long ago. 

Daymond looked up in shock, noticing that Theodore had become airborne with his fist cocked back. The king's stare was intense, turning his entire body in tandem. Daymond felt every fiber of his body tense up.

Deacon: Use it.

Daymond's body began to move instinctively, dodging from the area of impact. Theodore's fist collided with the ground, cracks forming around it. Daymond's eyes shifted, closing when he reached a safe distance from Theodore. 

Theodore's thoughts: He reacted quickly, quicker than I possibly gave him time for... Something isn't right here…

Daymond's eyes shot open, his feet flying from their previous position. Theodore refused to stand still, charging at Daymond. They entered the others' range, their fists moving at extreme speeds.

Daymond's thoughts: Thunder Kata - Castle Siege

Theodore's thoughts: Raging Tempest

Their fists flew faster and faster, their faces filled with nothing short of pure determination. Daymond couldn't help but grow a smile on his face.

Daymond's thoughts: This was everything I could've asked for. I was afraid the previous tournament would be the end of my life. A life without struggle and tribulations is a life not fit for me. You were exactly what I needed, Theodore! 

Daymond's fist flew past Theodore's, connecting with the king's side. The blow carried its power through Theodore's tough exterior, shaking his liver. The king had fallen to his knee, Daymond following with an elbow across the face. The audience began to shout, noticing how Daymond had fully taken control of the battle. 

Carrie: He's losing?!

Angel: How did Daymond get past his blows?!

Mike and Veronica looked at the match wide-eyed. Theresa put a hand over her mouth, Shizu's face growing a menacing smile.

Shizu's thoughts: Daymond has finally entered his element. When he's been pushed to the brink, he enters the place he is the happiest. This is the end, Theodore Oneiroi.

Theodore brought his gauntlets up, enduring the flurry of blows that Daymond rained upon him. Down on one knee, forced on the defensive. It was clear to everyone in the audience that the King of the Virtus Imperium was at every disadvantage. Each member of the Imperium looked at the match in shock, noticing how the tables had turned entirely. Everyone was shocked except for one man: Ziyad Mostafa. 

Ziyad's thoughts: You've made a mistake there, head spider. You've pushed a man that's dealt with far, far worse.

Theodore's gaze intensified, watching between the gap in his gauntlets to stare directly at Daymond. 

Theodore's thoughts: Surge Piercer

Both of Theodore's fists launched out, the positioning of his gauntlets directly in line with Daymond's strikes. Blood flew into the air as the gauntlets flew past Daymond's strikes and deep into his chest. Daymond let out a painful gasp as he flew back. Theodore stood back up, his stance wobbly as he attempted to recover from his earlier damage. He stared at Daymond, whose arms dripped with blood. Before giving Daymond time to recover, Theodore launched himself forward, grabbing onto both of Daymond's shoulders. He pulled the head spider down, landing powerful knee after powerful knee.

Theodore's thoughts: I don't care if I'm connecting with your book. I won't give you a chance to use Release to ignore this pain.

Zachary: WHAT A TURNAROUND! AT FIRST DAYMOND WAS UTTERLY DOMINATING THIS FIGHT, BUT NOW THEODORE HAS TURNED IT AROUND!

Zenzo: WHO THE HELL IS GOING TO WIN?!

Yussuf: What the hell?!

Simon: How did that happen?!

Arthur: Somethin' ain't right here.

Shizu: And it's decided.

Theodore's onslaught of knees came to a stop, blood flying from both of his sides. Everyone looked closely, shock filling their bodies. Daymond held his arms around Theodore, jabbing two of his blades into Theodore's side. Theodore released his grasp, feeling himself weaken from the stabs. Daymond pulled out yet one more blade, swinging it upward. Theodore jumped back, just avoiding the blade from stabbing into him. He breathed heavily, exhaustion visible on his face. Despite his exhaustion and damage, the king continued to wear pride in his eyes.

Ziyad's thoughts: It doesn't matter how far ahead you come, Daymond. This is a man that's faced the worst and has evolved to become the best he can be. He's the one that brought the Virtus Imperium out of its darkest hour…

…

Nearly three decades ago, Theodore was one of the two princes of the Virtus Imperium. The then king and queen of the country, Daren and Sophia Oneiroi, were great leaders. Daren was said to have ushered in a new era for the country, bringing it to the main stage of the world. Sophia was a diligent queen, making vast connections, and had captured the hearts of the people. Their children, Theodore and Elliott Oneiroi, were famous due to their desire to follow their parents into the political sphere. To the public, this family was the ideal family. Their relationships were strong and their love for one another was even stronger.

Elliott: Hey Theo. I'm totally going to become the next king of Virtus.

Theodore: Nuh uh! I'm older and I've studied more! I'm going to become the next king! 

Theodore and Elliott bumped heads, glaring at each other. A young-looking maid came between the two boys, pulling them apart. Daren came from around the corner waving the maid away.

Daren: Don't worry about them, Veronica. Boys, both of you will have equal chances to become king in the future.

Sophia put on her long white gloves and walked up to her boys. 

Sophia: You should understand how becoming king works by now. I know your father will choose who will best be able to inherit the throne.

Daren: Exactly. I've met some strong men in my time, so I'll know who'll be the best to lead our country.

A soldier seeming to be in his fifties walked into the room, saluting the family.

Daren: Ah, Ziyad.

Ziyad: The group is all here, sir. Prepared for your stroll through the park.

Despite the positive impact of the Oneiroi family, it was still far from perfect. There had been an increase in intensive groups that grew disdain for the family, forcing them to be more secure on their daily leisures. The Oneiroi family, along with Ziyad, Veronica, and a group of guards walked through the park. Young Theodore held onto his mother's right hand while Daren held Elliott in his left. The couple held hands, enjoying the lovely weather. 

Daren: Those nerve gas attacks in Tokyo are very concerning. Our proximity to Japan makes me wary of if those same groups have entered our grounds.

Ziyad: Yes, we made sure to increase security around the capital and the nation to aid in preventing any attack. 

Sophia: I truly hope these attacks are able to end soon. 

Ziyad looked forward, noticing a sad-looking man walking in their direction. His hands dug deep inside his pockets, looking down at the ground. Ziyad tensed up, shaking his hands at the other guards. 

Ziyad: Sir! Please step away from here. This area has been cut off from civilians.

The man looked up, anger flaring deep within his eyes. Ziyad immediately jumped in front of the family, reaching for his gun as the man pulled out a pistol on them, shooting several shots at the family. Ziyad had taken one bullet up the face, tearing into his left eye as he and the other guards began shooting. Hitting the man in the legs and arms until he dropped his gun, falling limp to the ground. Ziyad fell to one knee, covering his bleeding eye as he heard a horrifying scream behind him. He turned to be met by where the screams came from, Sophia.

Sophia: Elliott!? Daren!? NOOOOOOOO!

Daren and Elliott lay on the ground, several bullet holes littering their bodies. Theodore couldn't do anything but stared at the corpses of his father and brother before him.

Ziyad: Veronica! Take Sophia and Theodore out of here! Guards! Take that man away!

Veronica wrapped one arm around Theodore, pulling him back. He reached his arm out towards them, seeing Ziyad crouch down next to his brother and father. His father's head turned a slight bit, staring directly at Theodore. He let out a weak nod as a tear fell down his cheek, sending Theodore into a hysteric cry. 

The man, later identified as Andre Silva, led to one of the darkest ages of the Virtus Imperium's history. Theodore and Sophia fell into a deep depression, the realization of those deaths weighing heavy on them. Ziyad entered Theodore's room one day, an eyepatch over his left eye.

Ziyad: Theodore…

Theodore: I appreciate your concern, Mr. Mostafa. But I just can't… I can't forget them…

Ziyad: You don't need to forget them.

Theodore turned to face the man, who wore a proud expression despite the tears at the corner of his eyes.

Ziyad: Don't ever forget them. I could not protect this country's future properly, but I know you can. Fight for us and show us that this country can recover. Become the light this country needs!

Theodore's eyes filled with tears, a flame being ignited within his heart.