Chapter 162 - Path D

Over thirty years ago, Moll traveled the world to get a taste of what fighters the world had to offer. He had already fought the Dragon of this era, gaining his respect, but he truly believed that there were fighters that would give him harder fights. In hopes of growing his expertise in swordsmanship, he joined a small community in Europe. The town felt directly out of the medieval ages, but Moll enjoyed the aesthetic. The town welcomed him as he had no ill intentions, hoping for nothing more than to expand upon his craft. There was one person that had caught his interest while in this town. A man who bore a full suit of armor, a man who was never seen without it.

Moll's thoughts: They guy… He seems quite interesting.

The knight had picked up on Moll's glancing and approached him. He stuck out his hand as he stared at Moll.

Lorisian: Holla th're, valorous sir.

Moll: Uhhh, howdy knight man. Who might you be?

Lorisian: I am Ser Lorisian. One of the sw'rn protecteth'rs of this town.

Moll raised an eyebrow as he shook Lorisian's hand. He couldn't tell the man's age through the armor. He seemed large, so he had assumed he was at least in his twenties, much like himself. He looked down, feeling the strong grasp of the man before him. He smiled, returning the strong grasp.

Weeks passed by as Moll continued his training, until one day that same armored knight approached him. He unsheathed his blade, Moll smiling as he aimed his own sword toward him. The townsfolk circled the two as they began their match, their skill with the sword already being on a level above all others. As their match continued, they clashed their blades with impeccable force, sending both weapons flying from their grasp. As both ran to their weapon, the head of the Roundtable rang a bell, bringing the match to an end. Moll let out a sigh, and picked up his weapon, leaving the town.

…

Moll's thoughts: It was the first and only time I left a match without a conclusion. I lost a few times in the Eclipse matches prior to and after this, but now I have the chance to finally conclude that match.

Moll regained his composure, widening his stance and charging at Lorisian. The heel of Lorisian's steel shoes dug into the ground before he burst into a charge, an explosion of dust left behind him. Their blades clashed as they met in the center, the struggle visible in their movements. As Moll would begin to overpower Lorisian, Lorisian would begin to push forward and overpower Moll. Their struggle for power was sensed in all that viewed the match. Their feet dug into the ground as they pushed against one another, their blades sliding up and down. Moll's mind rushed as he quickly pulled back his sword and swung forward. Each of Moll's small motions slowly built up on Sharpclaw, the sword slowly chipping. Lorisian was pushed back, each of Moll's movements building up greatly. He stomped one foot on the ground firmly, his upper body tensing up. In one swing, he slammed Sharpclaw into the side of Moll's blade, using all his force to slam Moll's blade to the ground. Lorisian pulled back his blade, aiming his blade directly at Moll's head. Moll glanced at Lorisian, seeing the knight's blade shine in the light. His mind ran through hundreds of different scenarios in a split second. In each one, the position was entirely hopeless.

Hugo's jaw dropped as he witnessed the scene before him.

Hugo: That old geezer's on the ropes! How can someone that beat the mighty me be losing like that!

Li: As much as I want to ignore that comment, you're not wrong. Lorisian bested him!

Thong: Come on, Mr. Sonata! You got this!

Mike: Cheer as much as you want, that sword is connecting.

Lorisian thrust his sword forward with great weight. It cut through the air as the distance between himself and Moll shortened. Moll bit down tightly as he raised his left bare arm in defense. Sharpclaw dug its way through his arm, the audience was shocked as they saw the tip of the blade appear on the opposite side. Those that sat at an odd angle had assumed Moll had successfully parried the blade with his arm, but those hopes quickly shattered as blood dripped down the blade. A scream was let out as everyone saw as Sharpclaw had pierced its way through Moll's arm.

Lorisian: So thee has't chosen path D.

Moll: Not like there was much choice…

Zachary: M-My eyes cannot believe the sight before me! The legendary warrior Moll has had his arm successfully pierced!

Zenzo: MOLL NOOOOOOOO!

Zenzo leaned forward in fear as he saw Moll's left hand twitch. It was the first time Zenzo had felt fear for Moll, knowing that he and Lorisian had willingly allowed themselves to fight to the death.

Zenzo's thoughts: Knights usually fight to the death, as that is their greatest sign of respect for one another… Moll, please don't die!

Moll grinned through the pain as he stared down at his opponent.

Moll's thoughts: Path D was all I have left… Lorisian is a master of the sword, so he would be able to change his path no matter what. I would not be able to swing with a sword fast enough to parry it… So I needed to sacrifice…

Moll: To get an edge.

Lorisian tilted his head in confusion as Moll's grin turned into a smile. He released his grip on his sword, clenching his fist as he swung it at Lorisian's right arm. Lorisian noticed this immediately, attempting to pull Sharpclaw away from Moll's arm. He felt surprise overcome his body as Moll tightened his muscles, holding the sword in place. Moll slammed his fist into Lorisian's arm, the sound of the bone breaking reverberated in the ring. Lorisian's right arm fell limp as Moll stepped back with Sharpclaw in his arm. The crowd let out a roar of cheers and screams as both fighters stepped away from the encounter injured. Kuro's jaw dropped as he witnessed the sight before him.

Kuro: T-THAT OLD BASTARD'S ARM GOT TURNED INTO A SHISH KABAB! BUT HE BROKE THAT OTHER FUCKER'S ARM?!

Quintin: That shouldn't even be possible!

Everyone turned back, seeing Quintin roll up to them as he gave each of them death stares.

Quintin: I kicked that old knight's arm several times in my fight against him. How the FUCK does that other old geezer even manage that?!

Midori: It's because you kicked him, Quintin. You made Lorisian weaker with the intense torque of each of your attacks. Lorisian's own durability would only last so long after that, and I believe Moll was more than well aware of them. Lorisian powered through the pain, so this is the punishment for that.

Doctor A: He isn't lying, either. I scanned over the medical records of all available fighters after the last round. And Lorisian was definitely keeping low after his match with you. That's why he spent time pushing you around in that wheelchair. He couldn't afford to train too hard or else he would be in this situation at the start.

Quintin whipped his head over to the match after hearing the doctor's words. His eyes shook as he watched his uncle stand there with one arm falling limply. Despite his worries, everyone noticed that Lorisian had not screamed or reacted since his arm had broken. Moll grabbed the hilt of Sharpclaw, slowly pulling it out. As he did so, he felt small chips of the sword break into his wound. He gritted his teeth, but successfully pulled out the sword, blood trailing behind it. As he did so, he heard the sound of metal scraping against the ground. He turned to see Lorisian picking up his sword, the knight turning to face him.

Lorisian: I only deem'd t fair yond I useth yours as thee useth mineth.

Moll chuckled as he aimed Sharpclaw back at its user. He clenched his left fist, his fingers yet still intact.

Moll: You have a good eye, knight.

Lorisian: T wouldst beest a shame to leaveth thee unable to wield the blade.

Moll: I respect that. And for that, I will make sure you come to regret it.

Lorisian and Moll entered their fighting positions. The crowd went wild as Zachary placed one hand on his head as he leaned forward with an unmatched joy on his face.

Zachary: MY EYES CANNOT BELIEVE IT, FOLKS! IT LOOKS LIKE BOTH MOLL AND SER LORISIAN HAVE EXCHANGED WEAPONS! COULD THEY BE LOOKING TO SEE IF THE SWORD TRULY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE, OR ARE THEIR SKILLS BEYOND THAT OF A WEAPON?! MY BLOOD IS BEGINNING TO RUSH WATCHING THIS!

Moll: Let us continue our duel, Lorisian.

Lorisian: Agreed.

The air grew tense as the referee stepped away in fear. Every hair on his body told him to back away. His eyes grew wide as both Moll and Lorisian charged at the other, their blades colliding. From the stands, Villum and Junko watched with excited looks on their faces.

Junko: That guy could've been your predecessor. Is his fight getting you excited?

Villum: Most definitely. His skill with the sword is truly mesmerizing. Same with his opponent. If I was anything like the previous Head, I would introduce myself to this match.

Junko: Thank god you aren't. If you were, you'd be beyond insufferable.

Their voices were drowned out by the clashing of metal as both swordsmen collided with their weapons. Their arms moved faster and faster as they met the others' attack. Moll wore a large grin as he stared into the knight's helmet. It was unnaturally dark, with the eyes usually being visible from this point.

Moll's thoughts: You've always been a mystery, but your character was always shared through the sword, Lorisian. It's a shame I left before the tragedy that befell your village. I feel like that would have been a match either of us would have been delighted to take part in.

The fighters jumped back as they regained their breaths, charging forward with an increased vigor. Moll swung Sharpclaw with all his might as Lorisian decided to meet it head-on. The audience was left in shock as Sharpclaw broke in two before their very eyes. Moll smiled as he knew this moment was coming. Lorisian gripped his sword tightly with his one hand as he brought it up. Moll followed it with his eyes as Lorisian swung it down with all his might. Moll moved at the perfect moment, dodging the slice as it dug into the ground. He used his new robotic leg to push himself forward, ending up behind Lorisian as he caught his breath. Lorisian turned back to look at Moll, noticing something in his hand.

Moll: I knew you wouldn't only want to use one. You're not the type to leave your beloved blades alone.

Moll revealed the large sheath he now held in his hand. Everyone stared in shock, noticing that the sheath seemed to be that of a longsword, an unnaturally large one as well. Moll grabbed onto the sheath and handle, pulling them apart to reveal the heavy-looking sword.

Moll: What was it that you called this one again?

Lorisian: My lovely Xoldia.

Moll: Xoldia, right.

Lorisian looked down at his leg, moving it up and down as he felt the newfound freedom in it.

Lorisian's thoughts: That gent did steal Xoldia in yond did split second. Impressive, Sir Sonata.

Moll played with Xoldia in his hand. It was much, much heavier than the Sharpclaw he had been using moments prior. He placed his weaker left hand on the handle and swung it, feeling the force behind each one. He turned to Lorisian, their gazes meeting. They widened their stances as they pulled their swords back. Both jumped into the air as their swords collided, the impact being felt by the audience. The CEO of TramZone, Andy Willaims, leaned far back in his seat as he felt his bones shake.

Andy: Wha… I FELT THAT FROM HERE?!

Warrick: I wonder if that is why they jumped, to prevent the arena ground from cracking any further?

Beside him, the Head of the Kaisuto Group, Warrick Kaisuto, stroked his beard as he watched the two men fight.

Andy: What type of inhumans are you calling them?!

Warrick: I've seen Mr. Sonata fight several times before. When he has a weapon suited for him, he will give his all in a fight. Lorisian is simply a beast in his own right looking at his previous fight. I truly have no idea who I favor more in this match.

Moll and Lorisian landed back on their feet as their working arms shook. Moll's eyes seemed more lively as he widened his stance once more. He glared at the knight as he gripped Xoldia with both hands. Lorisian, with his one good arm, aimed Moll's sword at its owner, their body tensing up as they prepared their next move.