Chapter 128 - Long Live the King

Theodore and Daymond stood across from one another, breathing heavily as the damage of their battle slowly caught up to them. Blood dripped from their bodies, bruises riddled them both. The audience was left wide-eyed as they watched the two pillars refusing to go down.

Zachary: Despite the two blades sticking out his sides, Theodore refuses to go down!

Zenzo: And Daymond has taken quite the beating, it's a miracle he's still standing!

Zachary: This is still anyone's game!

Shizu: As much as I hate to say it, they're right.

Theresa: Doubling down?

Shizu: Not quite. Theodore has taken considerable damage, but looking at Daymond, he's no longer relying on Release.

Simon: Wasn't that Kuro's thing? The boss is just that good at using abilities.

Mike: Yeah, real good at stealing them.

Yussuf: Hey! He doesn't steal them! He uses them fair and square!

Nupan: I think he has a point, Yussuf.

Yussuf: Does he?

Shizu: That's the nature of a Replicator. I'd be really careful underestimating him at this point, Queen.

Theresa: We'll have to see.

Theodore grabbed the two blades from his side and yanked them out, blood seeping from the wounds.

Theodore's thoughts: They weren't too deep since I was still able to clench my muscles, but this will surely hinder my strength…

Daymond took that moment to charge at Theodore, clenching his fists. Theodore whipped around, raising his gauntlets.

Daymond's thoughts: Thunder Kata - Castle Siege

Daymond threw out a flurry of strikes, Theodore blocking each one away with Lunar Graze. Daymond's fists began to bleed as his fists connected with the gauntlets, but he didn't care. All he could see in front of him was a victory. Theodore realized this, an idea brewing in his mind.

Theodore's thoughts: Surge Piercer

Theodore punched forward, aiming to collide with Daymond's own strike. But the head spider had predicted for this moment would come.

Daymond's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Void Form - North Star

Daymond moved around Theodore's attack at the last second, pushing Theodore's punch away. Theodore lost his balance, leaning forward with the strike as Daymond launched a kick into Theodore's face. Sending the king's head back, Daymond used this moment and got to the ground to wrap his arms and legs around Theodore's right arm.

Ryan: No way!

Mason: He's going for a cross-armbar!

Vector: What doesn't he know at this point?!

Daymond fiercely pulled on Theodore's arm, aiming to break it instantly. However, the king's arm stayed strong. Daymond could feel the arm begin to clench, Theodore slowly pulling it away from Daymond's hold.

Daymond's thoughts: These gauntlets are way too heavy. Breaking his arm is more trouble than I gave it worth…

Theodore's arm broke free of Daymond's grasp, Daymond aiming a kick directly at his head. Theodore blocked the incoming kick with his gauntlet, quickly getting to his feet before raising his guard. Daymond jumped to his feet, feeling his body beginning to fatigue.

Daymond's thoughts: The quick succession of using Release, boxing, and the fighting styles of other fighters in this tournament truly is putting a strain on my body… I can't rely on Release anymore and Theodore is slowly adjusting to all these other styles. What's left to even use?

Deacon: USE IT!

At that moment, Daymond's eyes had faded out. Theodore charged forward with a powerful strike, attempting to put this match to an end. But as the strike was thrown, Daymond had dodged instinctively. His brain hardly noticed what had just occurred.

Cero: There it is!

Bruna: Y-You don't m-mean…!

Tico: He's finally using Automatic!

Villum: Never would I believe I'd see this technique again.

Junko: Even when he's dead, he finds a way to be around.

Theodore's thoughts: No… Is that…?

Theodore unleashed a flurry of blows, with no concern for the power behind them. Daymond evaded each one without fail, confirming what the king had in mind.

Theodore's thoughts: So he truly did copy it. Deacon wasn't lying!

Blood began to drip down Daymond's nose and eyes. Despite having access to the Automatic, his body was not built for the strain it would place on him. Daymond was well aware of the risks, but the hallucination of Deacon had finally tipped him over the edge.

Daymond's thoughts: I must win! I don't want this match to end, but I'll win no matter what!

Daymond moved on the offensive, throwing strikes faster than before across Theodore's body. Blood sprayed out of Theodore's mask as the blows connected. The speed and power behind each punch were unlike anything Daymond had used before. Theodore's eyes were all that could help keep up with the blows. His hands shot out, quickly grabbing both of Daymond's wrists. Color had returned to Daymond's eyes as he struggled to free himself of Theodore's hold.

Theodore: I'll end this fight here. You've fought well, Daymond Theraphosa.

Theodore winds his legs back, blood leaking from the wounds on his sides.

Theodore's thoughts: Axe of Virtue

Theodore tensed his leg muscles before releasing his grasp, throwing a powerful roundhouse kick to Daymond's side. Daymond felt each moment of pain that the kick brought. Daymond tensed up his muscles to prevent his liver from rupturing, but the pain still forced him to drop to his knees. Theodore grabbed both sides of Daymond's head and connected his knee with Daymond's chin. Daymond clenched his jaw, blood seeping between his teeth as his head shot back. Theodore stepped back, feeling exhaustion finally falling onto him.

Theodore's thoughts: I tried to knock him out with those strikes, but these wounds are hindering my strength. However, Daymond was able to prevent his liver from rupturing and didn't knock out from the knee… He's a stubborn one…

Daymond slowly lifted his head, meeting Theodore's tired gaze. Pain riddled his body, but he refused to stop. A smile came to his face, knowing this pain all too well.

Daymond's thoughts: Thank you, Theodore Oneiroi. You've given me the match I've always longed for. This truly is the most excited I've ever been. I have never felt the fear of defeat until I met both you and him. But now, this is where I win, even if I must kill you as well.

Daymond slowly raised to his feet, panting as he attempted to overcome the pain.

Daymond's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Life Form - Days of Grace

Daymond changed his breathing, feeling a new wave of strength flow into him. He lifted his fists, meeting Theodore's gaze with new life in his eyes. Theodore closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. Daymond charged forward, using Flash to increase his speed further and further. He threw his fastest punch of the match yet, the color of his eyes fading out. Yet, Theodore continued to stand still with his eyes shut. He listened closely, feeling everything around him.

Theodore's thoughts: Impenetrable Abyss

Theodore's eyes shot open, deflecting Daymond's punch with his right gauntlet. He refused to give Daymond even a moment to rest, reaching out with his left arm and seizing him by the throat. Theodore held up Daymond at eye level, pulling back his right arm. Daymond grabbed onto Theodore's arm, winding up his next kick.

Theodore's thoughts: Blooming Flame

Before Daymond could launch a kick, Theodore landed a powerful elbow across his face. His forearm continued to move, slamming into the other side of Daymond's face with the outer side of the forearm. Theodore's arm moved quickly, knocking Daymond's head left and right. Everyone in the audience watched wide-eyed, screaming as they witnessed the match. Each fighter was left speechless, watching the match in front of them near to an end. Daymond refused to stay still, however, throwing punches aimed at the king's torso. Neither fighter gave an inch, taking the onslaught of attacks as they both began to let out a shout. The flames of their passion burned deep inside them, their will to win stronger than ever before. Daymond formed a spear hand, digging it into Theodore's abdomen. Blood seeped from the stab, but that didn't stop the king. Theodore landed a powerful blow with the side of his forearm, sending Daymond flying to Theodore's right. Theodore cocked back his right arm once more, tensing it with all the strength he could give.

Theodore's thoughts: KING'S MALICE!!

Theodore swung his arm with all his strength, slamming it into the left side of Daymond's skull. Daymond's eyes lost color, moving with the blow. The world seemed to move slowly, the crushing sound of the impact being all Theodore could hear.

Theodore's thoughts: It's ov-

Theodore's eyes quickly darted to the right, catching something moving quickly. He was unable to react to it, it was faster than he could even make out. The attack connected with the side of Theodore's jaw, slowly moving to the throat. Theodore's brain rattled in his head, throwing him entirely off-balance. The loss of air and the sudden rattling of his brain made his thoughts shut down. Theodore's own eyes faded, and both men crashing into the ground.

Daymond and Theodore lay on the floor, unresponsive. No one could do anything but watch. Theresa and Shizu stared at the match wide-eyed. The men and women around them stared with their mouths agape. Cero gritted his teeth, watching the monitor with his shocked groupmates. Everyone broke into a cold sweat, unable to understand the sight before them. Zachary and Zenzo weren't able to utter a single word, their eyes glued to the match. The only man who would move was the referee, who inched closer and closer. Silence overcame the ring. The once rowdy audience was left speechless.

Man 1's thoughts: Who won?

Man 2's thoughts: Did they die?

Woman: Theodore was the last standing, so does he win?

Junko and Villum closed their eyes, letting out a soft chuckle.

Movement came from the fighters, having the referee jump back. He watched with shaky eyes. One man rose from the two that laid on the floor. The man with the stronger will to win. The man with the strength to stand. The man raised his fist into the air, his hair blown back by the breeze that entered the stadium. Zachary grabbed his mic, sucking in all the air he could.

Zachary: WE HAVE A WIIIINNEERRRRRRRR!!!! AND THAT WINNER IS…!!!

Daymond, with his face deeply battered and one of his eyes half-closed, smiled with his fist in the air.

Zachary: DAYMOONDDDDDD THERAPHOSAAAAAAAA!!!!

The audience broke out into a cheer, the screams overcame Zachary's own. The members of the Arachna threw their fists in the air, matching the pose of their leader.

Daymond turned to Theodore, bringing his fist down.

Daymond: Thank you, Theodore Oneiroi. You've brought me the best match I've had in a long time. Being the closest ever to defeating me, you truly bring me the greatest honor.

Daymond spat out some blood to the side. After defeating his strongest opponent yet, there was nothing for him to do now except soak in the cheers of the audience.