The challenge.

Sonic has just reached the City gates before he slowed down.

Sonic: I don't want to be in that awkward situation ever again..sighs I hope Tails has the machine or whatever build by now, it has literally been one accident after another here. First Sonica and now percieval. I would personally just fight Arthur instead.

???: Oh you will?

Sonic gets startled and turns around hastily to see the same corrupted Arthur sitting on his horse, one knee over the other, sharpening his broadsword while the scabbard hang at his waist.

Arthur: Didn't know you were the fight loving type. I was just about to go find you myself.

Sonic: How? You are not supposed to be back so soon.

???: Did you really think the scabbard can only recharge on its own?

Sonic turns to the side again and sees a wierd looking abyssal sitting in air while a bunch of abyssal soldier surrounded Sonic. The abyssal has same black crystal skin but also has a furry tail, looks similar to a wolf and has a pulsing Gem in the chest that Sonic knows very well.

Sonic: The Ruby... *Points his blade towards the figure* Who are you?

Infinite: Name's infinite, a bounty hunter. 2 years ago I volunteered to become one of the test subjects for robotnik in exchange for power..

???: But never did I think that the great merge will begin during my turn.

Another Infinite forms out of nothing behind Sonic.

Infinite clone: The merge,tore and broke me apart to pieces beyond recognition... But I lived*comes closer to Sonic and passes through his attack* My compatibility with the fake ruby took what was left of me into the real ruby, the abyssals found me, they worshiped Ruby like a God. Eventually they begin supplying energy to me, their emotions became the driving force of Ruby's power. I rebuilt my body bit by bit till I could survive on my own.

The world begins changing in front of Sonic, the scene turns to a cave with bunch of abyssal fighting against one creature 'infinite'. Another Infinite forms in front of Sonic as they together look at the slaughter.

Sonic: And you ruined the very worshippers that held you high.

Infinite: No. I assimilated them, all of them into the Ruby, turned into a endless immortal army that fuels the ruby, they fight for me,they kill for me.. they live for me.

Sonic: Stop this nonsense.What do you want? I know very well this is just a illusion.

Infinite: hahaahaa I like it, straight to the point then. I want to fight, a battle to the death with our lives on the line with no interference.

Sonic: For what? If it is k-

Infinite: *snaps and the scene returns to city gate* Not the kingdom, I want you and your soul. A soul with such limitless Conviction that you seal it in your heart... If you had used even a bit of that Conviction to fight Arthur, he would have shredded to pieces in one strike. Yet you seal it away.

A person comes out of the gate but keeps moving as if arthur,Sonic and infinite don't exist.

Arthur: They won't see us, nobody will.

Sonic: The cost of that power is not something I want to pay. Mere 30 mins of being strong in return for losing all the effort is not worth it.

Infinite: Ah I see. You turn your conviction to power and without the seal.. you will just destroy your body the moment it is unleashed, even if you recreate it you would have begin your journey from the first stage right.

Sonic: So you are reading my memories now? *The power of Sonic's ruby erupts and pushes away the mind reading influence of infinite* My ruby is stronger.

Infinite: But limited without the souls and your conviction.

They both stare at each other in the eyes.

Sonic: What if I don't want to fight you alone?

Infinite: Then even if it cost me everything.... I would destroy this whole kingdom to make sure you... Don't have any benefits.

Sonic: Will it be a one verses one fight?

Infinite: Indeed. Master of deception I may be but my self respect as a hunter still remains.

Sonic: What if I win?

Infinite: then the ruby and my soul be yours to keep.

Sonic: What about him then?*looks at Arthur* Why is he here?

Arthur: To end this all.. my subordinates are all gone already, there are no other abyssals remaining in this world. Maybe all these years as the king has affected me but I must have a battle worth remembering atleast. I thought of using merlin's granddaughter as a new vessel but she rejected me before I could control her.

Sonic: So basically you want to fight and leave behind a legacy as the last king of abyssals?

Arthur: Quite the opposite actually, if I shall lose, then I will become one of your weapons but should you lose, you body is mine. Also *grabs the scabbard and throws it at Sonic*

Sonic: *grabs the scabbard and smirks* Bored of this?

Arthur: That thing will only be a hindrance to my true form. I would rather fight at my peak then be confined to this pathetic human body. The moment you bind yourself with it will be the moment I escape this pathetic curse of rotting flesh...*grabs the horse's leash* The valley of Abyss shall be our battlefield... I will be waiting.

Arthur rides away on his Phantom stead.

Infinite: And so will I.

Infinite fades away in nothingness and leaves the area, the illusion surrounding Sonic shatters under lack of Ruby's power.

Sonic:sighs Things just keep getting more complicated by the seconds. *Clenched the scabbard* But atleast I won't have to deal with proving my worthiness to the people.

Sonic enters the house to see Garith and augus sitting opposite tails while they make plans to gather support for sonic as a king.

Tails°: Just on time Sonic, i j- what's that?

Garith: *shocked* The scabbard? But King Arthur is still... *Turns serious* What happened?

Sonic: I challenge, to fight him not as King Arthur but the king of the Abyss.*sits and puts the scabbard on the table* this will make convincing people easier.

Augus: Is this the real scabbard? I can see all the enchants and magic runes the lady put on it.

???: Did somebody say enchants?

Sonica comes downstairs and stares at the scabbard with keen interest.

Sonica: *turns to Sonic* Can I analyse it? It will help understand higher tier magics. *Telepathically communicates* 'give it to me or I am telling others what happened on the volcano'

Sonic: *expressionless face but annoyed inside* Sure but I want it back. *Hands her the scabbard*

Sonica thanks him and Runs up to her room giggling at the excitement of understanding the runes, making her closer to completing sonic's challenge.

Tails°: are sure it is fine?

Augus: She may be willful and humorous but when it comes to magic research only merlina could match her. Let her have it.

Garith: I agree about that, she might become a good asset after getting to 6th circle atleast.

Augus: But she is still at 4th.

Argus: *turns into his sword form* Don't underestimate the treasury of knowledge put into the scabbard by the 9th tier enchantress.

The group made plans like who will gather the knights, how they gonna gather the people,etc and then all went their ways to get some sleep.