Chapter 139 - One Conclusion

A month prior to the tournament, Daniel sat in a tree as the sounds of strikes filled the air. Gonzalez and Theodore exchanged their blows, their arms disappearing from Remy, Abraham, and Mike's vision.

Abraham: Father is most impressive!

Remy: How can they strike that fast?!

Gonzalez threw a strike towards Theodore's head with the strike seemingly going through it. Daniel perked his head up, his eyes lit up as Theodore moved around Gonzalez. Gonzalez jumped back, avoiding a quick strike from Theodore. Daniel jumped down from his tree and ran over to the two on all fours.

Daniel: Daniel want to fight too!

Gonzalez and Theodore came to a stop, watching as Daniel stopped right before them. The image of a mantis shrimp appeared around Daniel, his smile getting wide as he jumped at Theodore. His arm moved as a blur, aimed directly at Theodore's chest.

Theodore's thoughts: Lunar Graze

Theodore knocked away the strike without any difficulty. Daniel looked in shock, shaking his arm as a visible mark was now on it.

Daniel: Poopy arm thingy… How papa move faster than Daniel?!

Theodore: You should know this by now. My techniques are meant to deal with attacks like that. The Imperium Rule is a system I've adjusted to fit martial arts far better.

Daniel: So many words… But Daniel can do it too!

Daniel turned to Gonzalez, patting his chest with a look of pride. Gonzalez pulled back his fist before it shot forward. Daniel's body attempted to pull off Theodore's Phantasm. Theodore's eyebrows raised as Gonzalez's punch began to phase through Daniel before he was sent flying back. Daniel jumped back onto his feet, his face puzzled.

Daniel: How papa do it…

Theodore's thoughts: He was actually close to doing it… Daniel is starting to learn my techniques only from seeing me use it during sparring… Could Deacon be right?

…

Daniel's stance was defensive in nature, his glistening eyes watching each of Magnus' moves. Magnus' breathing began to steady as he stopped relying on his sword for balance.

Magnus' thoughts: He's able to mimic Theodore… and easily switch to his normal animalistic style… I need to change up my plans or I'll lose!

Magnus picked up his sword, sheathing it as he grabbed more throwing knives from his pockets. He chucked each of them at Daniel, the knives curving in the air as they got closer and closer. Daniel's eyes flared up as his body began to move.

Daniel's thoughts: Chimera Will – Theodore Style

Daniel moved his arms as if they were Theodore's gauntlets, aiming each movement to hit the handles and knock away the knives. Each movement of his mimicking the Imperium Rule's Lunar Graze. Daniel looked forward, his eyes opening wide as a large piece of metal swung at him. He jumped back as Magnus lunged forward. Magnus wore a determined face, moving his sword swiftly. Each swing moved wildly in the air as he put his full body's weight into the attack. Daniel slowly moved back as each swing missed him. Magnus' eyes stared deeply at Daniel as he took another step. He swung his sword directly at Daniel's head, only for the blade to phase through. Daniel mimicked Phantasm, crouching low as he looked back up at Magnus with a smile. His image changed to that of a ram, Daniel focusing all of his strength into his legs. He lunged forward, slamming his forehead into Magnus' chest. Magnus flew back, only for a cut to appear on Daniel's cheek. Another throwing knife hit the ring wall, Daniel looking back to see it fall to the ground. Magnus placed one hand on the ground, catching his breath.

Magnus' thoughts: He keeps changing quickly… But I was able to read that enough to counterattack… I need to be prepared for anything!

Magnus brought up his arm, grabbing something from his belt before charging directly at Daniel. Daniel charged at Magnus with his body preparing for another headbutt. Magnus threw his hand forward, several marbles rolling across the ground.

Zachary: What the hell?! I thought we've seen the extent of his arsenal, but Magnus just keeps bringing out more!

Zenzo: How will this play out?!

Daniel quickly changed his stance to a frog, leaping into the air and over the marbles. Magnus placed both hands on his sword and aimed for the direction of Daniel's leap. Daniel began to spin in the air, narrowly avoiding Magnus' swing. Magnus spun on his heel, throwing another throwing knife directly at Daniel. Daniel caught it as he landed on the ground, throwing it behind him.

Daniel: Haha! Stinky knife don't work!

Magnus moved his left hand behind his back, slipping something outside of a back pocket. The light glistened in his glasses as he took a large step forward. The colors of his glasses turned dark as a sparkling ball flew into the air. Daniel's eyes followed it as a large flash of light blinded everyone in the stadium.

Zachary: AAAAAH! MY EYES!

Zenzo: What did Magnus just throw?!

Daniel shut his eyes, blinded as the light shone brightly. His ears perked up like that of a dog, his body yelling at him to move. He quickly jumped to the side as he felt something cut into his side. A warmth ran down his side as Daniel stumbled back. Magnus brought his sword into the air, his face lacking emotion.

Magnus' thoughts: I knew your simple mind would have you follow the ball like a dog. I'll end this match and you with it. I'm not a fighter, so I don't care about that prideful garbage. I'll kill you if I need to.

Magnus swung his sword down, the blade aiming down to Daniel's neck. Daniel's body relaxed as he relied on everything he had seen from Theodore.

Daniel's thoughts: Chimer Will – Theodore Style: Impenetrable Abyss

Magnus sword phased through Daniel, taking him by surprise. Daniel lunged forward, punching Magnus in the face as he turned to the sword. He opened his mouth wide as his image changed from Theodore to a hippopotamus. He bit down on the sword with such strength that all the audience could hear was the sound of metal breaking. Magnus saw through the cracks of his glasses was a tiny slither of Daniel's eyes opening. They looked at him as a childish smile grew on his face. A majority of Magnus' blade hit the ground as Magnus stared in shock. His eyes trembled, stepping back to look at his opponent. The ball dropped to the ground, the harsh light letting up as the audience began to open their eyes. They let out audible gasps as they watched the sight before them. Magnus closed his eyes, thinking of his next move. Daniel rubbed his eyes, waddling around as he did so.

Daniel: Dumb ball hurt Daniel's eyes! I will kill ball!

Daniel's eyes spotted the ball, his entire body tensing up. He lunged at the ball as his arm took the shape of a gorilla's arm. It slammed on the ball, crushing it flat. The audience began to whisper amongst themselves.

Man 1: He has that type of physical strength?

Man 2: Even if that ball was made of glass, he crushed it instantly…

Man 3: That boy is even stronger than I imagined!

Magnus heard these words fill the ring as well as the crushing of the ball. His options began to run low as he held his broken sword in his hand. The longer he stood there, the more slim his options seemed.

Magnus' thoughts: Is this the hopelessness that Alexander felt in his final moments of fighting Daniel? Even after I planned all these different tools, he evolved past my expectations again… Do I have a shot at this…

Simon: Don't give up!

Magnus' head perked up, turning to his entrance. Simon stood there with his hands cupped around his mouth. He wore a face of determination that Magnus couldn't help but be focused on.

Zachary: Simon, a fellow member of the Arachna, has come to cheer on his teammate!

Zenzo: Could he be trying to tell his friend something?

Magnus stared at Simon, his eyes englamored by his teammate's visible passion. He let out a laugh as he aimed the stub of his sword at Daniel.

Magnus: I was really an idiot there for a second. I let a few failed plans crush my spirit. But I wouldn't be a member of the Arachna if a few spoiled plans were enough to stop me.

Magnus dropped the sword in front of Daniel, reaching into his pockets to pull out two brass knuckles. He put them on both hands, punching them together to send the sound of metal on metal through the room. He placed out his fists, staring down at Daniel.

Magnus: I am the last leg of the Arachna.

Magnus charged at Daniel, who took on the image of a jaguar. Daniel charged in return, brandishing his sharp teeth as the distance between himself and Magnus got shorter. Magnus focused his thoughts, his eyes filled with a new passion. Daniel swiped at Magnus, his claws just short of his opponent.

Magnus' thoughts: I read that…

Daniel swiped upward as Magnus jumped back, avoiding the attack. Magnus' eyes darted to his right.

Magnus' thoughts: There!

Magnus stepped to his right, Daniel immediately swiping in that direction. A punch ran across his face as Daniel slammed into the ground. The sound of metal connecting with flesh echoed, Magnus breathing heavily.

Magnus' thoughts: I-I hit him! I didn't even need a blade!

Daniel looked up at Magnus, unfazed by the punch to his face. Magnus furrowed his eyebrows, jumping back to open the distance.

Zachary: What's this?! Magnus is failing to open the distance!

Magnus looked with shock as Daniel lunged forward, his left hand swiping upward from the ground. Magnus smiled as he waited for this moment. He stepped back before kicking something forward. Daniel looked down as he stepped on the hilt of Magnus' broken blade. The King of Monsters tripped on the blade as Magnus swung up from the below, connecting a fierce uppercut. Daniel's head was shot up as Magnus swung with a left hook. Daniel caught the punch with his right hand. He smiled at Magnus, who wore a serious expression.

Daniel: Glasses man better than stinky toothpick fighter. Bye bye!

Daniel landed a powerful straight to Magnus' chest, sending him sliding back. Magnus grunted through the pain, holding his ground. Daniel let out a chuckle as he looked at Magnus' pained face. Magnus could do nothing but smile.

Magnus' thoughts: He's laughing, he doesn't look the slightest bit different… But there's a change here. He hasn't used his teeth against me, only my weapons. And none of his claw attacks have struck me. He's still holding himself back… As long as he's doing that, I have a chance.

Simon: You can do it, Magnus! Don't chicken out!

Daniel: Haha! Friend called you chicken!

Daniel licked his lips as he brought his sharp nailed hand up.

Daniel: Daniel love taste of chicken.

Daniel charged at Magnus with drool running down the side of his mouth. Magnus slipped his hand into his pocket once more, holding tightly to it as Daniel got closer. The distance closed as Magnus mentally counted each centimeter. His body moved, throwing dust at Daniel. Daniel instinctively shut his eyes as he breathed in the dust, starting to hysterically cough. He dropped to his knees, clenching onto his throat.

Zachary: What did Magnus just use?!

Zenzo: It must be the equivalent of pepper spray cause Daniel can't even open his eyes!

Magnus' eyes looked cold as he stared down at Daniel. The light glistened off the brass knuckles as Magnus walked forward. His passion warped in his eye as he walked towards Daniel. His goal had remained the same from the moment he entered the ring. He was well aware of his chances of winning and came to one conclusion. He must enter the match as an assassin and kill his opponent. He remained as determined as ever, preparing to kill Daniel.