The sound of two blades clashing rings out, and the sun gets split from side to side, causing it to rise in half before the sun energy swirls around and falls into the normal Amaterasu. Arthur is now donning a fantastical set of golden armor, all but a helmet included.

--- Chapter 143 ---

The two brothers stare down the golden armored king, who stares back at them utterly unamused. Soles body swells with muscle and raw power, and Elias wields his weapons with scorn. Sole retrieves his sword from his chest, and Elias throws Amaterasu. Amaterasu disappears and reappears behind Arthur. Arthur angles the sword behind his back, blocking the weapon. Sole and Elias anticipate this, moving in perfect sync. They run in, striking from all angles with his guard down. Swords form and launch right at them, but they bob and weave through them. Elias stabs Tsukuyomi inward, but Arthur disappears and reappears above him. Arthur brings his boot into Elias’s back, pinning him to the ground. Sole swings and Arthur jumps back. They clash blades, sending shockwaves through the arena. Despite Soles’s strength, Arthur seems to match him. They continue to trade blows before a single cloud in the sky begins to reveal the sun. In a burst, Sole zooms in at an almost imperceptible second. He swings his sword, but Arthur leans back, with his knees and body forming a ninety-degree angle. Arthur seems completely unfazed, as he springs back into a flip to his feet.

Arthur: You’re fast. It seems your power is directly related to the sun.

Sole: That’s correct. The sun that shines over everyone each and every day is my direct source of power.

Arthur: I see, your radiance almost matches my own. But when it comes to power, we aren’t even in the same league, hell, not even the same game.

Elias Walks up behind Sole. Arthur lifts his left arm, creating several blades that launch at them. They jump in opposite directions, and Arthur smirks. The blades continue to separate them, and Arthur lifts his sword to Sole.

Arthur: Gates, of CAMELOT!

Rising from behind him is a large golden archway with incandescent light in it. Mounted on top of the gate is a golden dragon head ornament. Several chains of Gleipnir pour out, ensnaring Sole, and begin dragging him in. Arthur stops the torrent of blades and turns his attention to Elias.

Arthur: Now, all I have to do is finish this one up, and this silly game can finally end.

Elias: You underestimate us still, despite us pushing you this far.

Arthur: Indeed. You are strong, and you made me utilize some of my strength. However, it’s that very reason I know this is over. By me utilizing Pakio, this Armor, and even the gates of Camelot, my victory is assured. Even one of these would mean victory. I would use the analogy of you being a lonely king on a chessboard, and each weapon being a queen, but putting you on the level of a king is disrespectful to the game.

Elias: I don’t like my brother. However, when we are forced to fight together, our power is far greater than you think.

Elias looks at Sole, struggling to not be pulled into the gate.

Elias: Sole… Amaterasu, sun incarnate!

Elias throws Amaterasu at Sole, and it flies right into his chest, seeping into his master seal. Elias makes a hand motion-

Elias: Release.

Soles master seal begins to glow a bright yellow, his muscle growing into an amalgamation of strength. His hair begins to grow, and he breaks the chains with ease and runs at Arthur on all fours.

Arthur: Mongrel.

Arthur lifts his blade at Sole, and a large gate opens behind him. Eight staffs begin to form.

Arthur: Seven of these staffs stand for each elemental force, and the eighth, well, it is capable of fusing magical force.

Each of the seven staff begins to form colored energy at its tip, and it all swirls and centers on the eighth staff.

Arthur: Winds of creation.

A glowing white hurricane of power releases at Sole. Sole reals back, and grabs the blast like it’s holding back the power.

Arthur: Impressive, mongrel.

Arthur lifts his left hand to his head. A single ring forms on his middle finger, and he snaps them.The base of the beam doubles in size, sending a wave of double force down it. When it hits Sole, he holds it momentarily, being pushed back slightly, before getting flung into the Gate of Camelot. The gates doors close, and thick chains of Gleipnir surround and tighten. Arthur turns his head to face Elias.

Arthur: Was that your big combo?

Elias recoils, unable to comprehend what just happened.

Arthur: Give up mongrel. You can hardly stand, and your panting like a rabid dog.

The eight staffs reposition themselves, aiming at Elias.

Arthur: And I don’t think you can dodge or take this next one.

Elias grits his teeth, knowing he’s lost, but won’t accept it. He grips his only sword, and runs in, and is instantly met with several blades through him, pinning him to the cold earth. Arthur walks over to Elias who is now unconscious.

Arthur: He wasn’t bad.

Arthur notices running in his peripheral, and looks to see a bloody Red running toward him. Swords form and impale him, but as they do, he hears a loud crash. Arthur’s eyes widen, not looking but still sensing the overwhelming amount of mana behind him. A ring with a watch-like dial forms on his finger and begins counting down from sixty as he turns around. Frozen in a world time has stopped, Sole hovers inches away with the Gates of Camelot exploded behind him. Arthur sighs.

Arthur: This one’s power is extraordinary. These two are ones I need to keep an eye on. Not in fear, but out of fascination. This Sole kid takes in power from the sun and turns it directly into mana and power. Gleipnir was created to contain a god, and the Gates of Camelot was created to protect from any enemy force, and both were destroyed. Either way, I only have 30 seconds left. I better wrap this up.

Arthur creates a small cut on Sole’s chest with Pakio, then causes blades to stab into him. Now Sole looks like a makeshift pin cusion. Arthur grabs Sole’s watch and twists the dial.

Arthur: I believe this has something to do with his power, as he turns it whenever he changes forms.

The ring counts to 0 and shatters. Sole launches backward, and shrinks to normal size. The watch restricted his power to his normal state, and Pakio forced all the mana to vacate his body. Sole lies on the floor with several holes through his body. Arthur snaps his fingers, causing daggers to form and stab into every one of the fighters, and when they do, they absorb into their skin and perform basic healing.