[i][h3]Empty Hallway/Room in the Arena of Gurata[/h3][/i]
[b]"Complicated? What do you mean?"[/b] As the Prince asked his question, he saw how the Wanderer seemed nervous in a way and almost out of sorts, as if he had an especially bad headache. The short man's hand came up, scratching at the bandages on his cheek as he looked back and forth, more often than not towards the door. He seemed to be thinking how to answer, before he sighed and hung his head.

When he looked up his gaze passed from the Prince entirely, looking towards the door with a glare that was surprising on the soft face of the man. [b]"Enough of this."[/b] Suddenly his foot came up, kicking the door in and off its hinges before he stepped through. Cyril had yelled at this sudden display, before quickly following after the Wanderer and into the room, more worried than before. Something was very, very wrong with the situation.

The room was conspicuously devoid of decoration and furniture, even for Gurata; it was completely emptied, possibly cleared out earlier in the day. It was a large but simple room, square and with stone floors and walls, as expected from rooms within the Arena. It seemed to be carefully lit by torches, so that the center and sides were fairly lit but the corners were dark. One man stood at the end of the room opposite the door, smoking a cigarette calmly: The Direwolf, Alsius Argentum.

When the Wanderer kicked open the door and stormed inside and the Prince followed, Lora really had no choice. She rushed after the two of them and then froze in the doorway at the sight of who was inside. She lingered behind the Prince, still out of sight but just close enough if he needed help.

[b]"Well, it seems like you had some trouble finding me. You're not what you were, are you?"[/b] Slowly, the tall, armored man rose from where he sat against the wall, having waited for the door to open. Slowly, he took a few steps forwards, before stopping a fair distance across the room from the Wanderer, whose body was somewhat tense. He exhaled, blowing the smoke out gently before he spoke. [b]"The last time we fought was just before you returned West. That makes it... About ten years, perhaps eleven..."[/b]

[b]"Wanderer..."[/b] Cyril asked quietly, slowly looking over to the shorter man. The Prince was tensed slightly, clearly sensing the massive amounts of tension between the two men in front of him. The Wanderer only briefly looked to the Prince out of the corner of his eye, though he never took his gaze away from the Direwolf entirely.

[b]"He knows the Direwolf Argentum... From the war that ended ten years ago, from when he hid in Kyora during the time the Gifted went into hiding."[/b]

Cyril's eyes widened with shock, physically reeling as he took a step back. [b]"What?!"[/b]

Slowly, Alsius pulled in another full inhale of smoke, before letting it out in one long sigh. [b]"Ten years... When said, it's only two words... But to live it is quite awhile..."[/b]

[b]"... Yes. It seems enough to make a man rot."[/b] At the Wanderer's words, the Direwolf's eyes narrowed slightly, but the Wanderer simply continued: [b]"Many of those that he fought were crazy to begin with... But that wasn't you. There were twists to you that he couldn't begin to fathom, but in battle you were honorable and came straight at your opponent. Skulking around, luring him along... You never used such petty tricks then. The Alsius Argentum of the past... He was impressive."[/b]

[b]"... Huh. Huh-huh-huh. Huh-huh-hah-hah! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH!"[/b] Head tilted back as he burst out in loud, full laughter, Alsius' reaction made the Prince pale; Cyril had barely ever seen the man smile before, much less laugh like this. The Direwolf began to take steps forwards. [b]"Ah... How humorous. I figured your sword had gone dull, but I never expected your head as well! We who have fought the Fearsome Phantasm know his strength greater than any other, but to see this.... This refusal to kill that I've heard so much about, from the rumors that have been left behind in your travels... Clearly, it's made you [i]weak."[/i][/b] At those words, his face turned into a sneer. Having taken steps back in response to Alsius' steps forwards automatically, as the sheer aura of the man was palpable, Cyril had paled even more at the revelation.

The Wanderer... The Fearsome Phantasm...?!

The name itself was enough to inspire fear... One of the so called "Gifted," one who was known for how the amount of men he had killed numbered in the thousands, maybe the tens of thousands... The man who lurked in the shadows and was never seen before all before him was cut to pieces... And the one Gifted who was known to have come to the West in the time of the war. In hindsight later, the revelation would seem quite obvious, but in the moment to the Prince the thought of the Fearsome Phantasm himself in Barcea seemed almost unthinkable.

Lora barely heard the plot twists—all her attention directed at the Prince. She watched him tense and talk and reel from the shock, with little reaction of her own. Tension was boiling between the Direwolf and the Wanderer, tension she could pick apart and piece together later on. Now, her only desire was to make sure Cyril wasn’t burned in the steam.

The Wanderer's gaze remained forward, his expression emotionless. There was no physical reaction to the Direwolf’s approach, unlike that given by the Prince. Instead, he just reached up to those bandages over his right cheek and neck, tearing them away to reveal a strange, wavy sort of scar that curved down from his cheek all the way to his neck. [b]"It's enough to have a Wanderer's strength to protect those who require it. The Phantasm's strength is no longer required in this world."[/b]

[b]"A Wanderer's strength, eh?"[/b] Alsius reached up then, unfastening the cloak around his armor, allowing it to fall heavily to the floor as he continued to walk forwards. [b]"That strength is pathetic. Look at how they so easily trusted you. What if someone with true negative intent were to do the same, H'kelan or otherwise? You would not be able to stop that person before it was far too late. They could be killed at any time."[/b] He tossed the cigarette to the side, before his hand went down. He brought his blade up from his side, slowly unsheathing it only to toss the sheath to the side. [b]"It will always be like this. That danger will always be present. You can do nothing to prevent it as you are. Unused strength is the same as none. Your hypocrisy disgusts me."[/b]

The Wanderer didn't say anything, gaze only narrowing slightly as the Direwolf continued. [b]"As you put it, ten years is long enough to make a man rot. Drowning in self-satisfaction and phony righteousness, how can the Fearsome Phantasm protect people without killing? Have you forgotten...?"[/b] He brought his blade up, holding it vertically in front of him, so that it blocked out part of the left side of his face. [b]“Swift, relentless death to anything evil. That is what I live by, and it is what you lived by. I can't stand seeing you like this.”[/b]

The Wanderer was silent for a few more moments, before saying, [b]"No matter what you say, he refuses to take more life."[/b]

[b]"... Is that so...? Then come."[/b] Alsius slowly slid into a stance, sliding his left foot back and turning his body with the movement, sword held in his left hand as he pulled it back, held almost horizontal to the ground as his other hand was held forward and hovered above the end of his sword. [b]“Let me show you your futility.”[/b]

Everything was quiet, everything was still.

[b]"... What's wrong? Will you just stand there and let them all be caught in my attack?"[/b]

The Wanderer's eyes narrowed slightly at the implicit threat from the Direwolf before he stepped forwards, but Cyril did as well. The Prince’s hand came up, going to grab the short man’s sleeve to try and stop him.

[b]"Wanderer-!"

“Cyril!”[/b]

Lora surged forward, grabbing the Prince’s sleeve as he had grabbed the Wanderer’s. Her fingers twisted tightly in the fabric as the Prince jumped in surprise, finally alerted to her presence. The Wanderer stopped, before looking back to the Prince, and then to Lora as well. [b]"... It will be fine. Now, he is after life. This fight cannot be avoided... But afterwards, he will explain all that he can."[/b]

And then he continued stepping forwards, shrugging the Prince away. Lora grabbed Cyril’s arm and pulled him back, out of the way of the two men. Only once they were far enough to be safe did she let go of him. The Wanderer, meanwhile, moved to the side as Alsius relaxed his stance to just watch him, so that they stood perpendicular to how they did before.

[center][url=https://youtu.be/7LpnUfnNqm8]Theme of Joachim vs. Alsius: Kodoku - Alex Roe[/url][/center]

[b]"Come."

"Aren't you the challenger, Direwolf?"

"Heh."[/b] Once more, Alsius slid into his stance. [b]"Fair enough. I'LL BEGIN!"[/b] With the shout, suddenly he charged forwards, tip of his sword dropping towards the ground a little as he leaned forwards before suddenly thrusting-

Into the empty air, as the Wanderer had leapt, beginning to draw his blade, eyes narrowed more-

[b]"Do you think you can dodge like that, Phantasm?!"[/b] Suddenly, Alsius lifted his blade upward, thrusting upwards as a continuation of the first moment. With the tip of the blade coming close to impaling the Wanderer in the torso, the man turned in the air slightly so that he was only cut, eyes widened in surprised.

[b]"Not enough!"[/b] Suddenly turning his blade, Alsius cut deeper into the Wanderer, swinging the blade to slash and send the Wanderer down slightly as the man leapt upwards to meet him, rise above him, and then kick him down to the ground, the Wanderer crashing heavily while Alsius landed solidly on his feet. The movements had been so fast that it was hard for the Prince to keep track of them.

[b]"Do you not remember, Phantasm?!"[/b] Alsius' blade was already dripping blood at the upper half. Beginning to take the same stance as before, the Direwolf said, [b]"There is no escape, and that is not even the full form!"[/b]

Alsius charged forwards, still in the same stance as before. To Cyril, this didn't come as a suprise; the thrust was Alsius' mastered move, and what he was known for. The Wanderer moved forward that time to meet Alsius's thrust, trying to deflect it with his a slash from his own blade.

[b]"WASTE OF TIME!"[/b] Suddenly, the Direwolf swung his blade upwards, the force of the clash sending the smaller man back to crash against the wall easily. From where he hit, the Wanderer slumped down afterwards. Alsius began to step forwards, asking with a sneer on his face, [b]"Is that all...?"[/b]

And, slowly, while breathing heavily, the Wanderer brought his head up slightly. His eyes were narrowed into a deadly glare, black cracks beginning to appear throughout the whites. There was a subtle glow to his scar, brightening and darkening in slow pulses. Cyril's eyes widened as he stepped forwards, trying to block the way quickly as he called out, [b]"Alsius, that's enough!"[/b]

The sneer faded from the Direwolf’s face, replaced by a look of vague irritation. [b]"... Move out of the way, Prince Serio."[/b] Cyril opened his mouth to speak again, but stopped when a hand landed on his shoulder, the Wanderer gently pushing him to the side and out of the way. Lora had stepped forward when Cyril rushed in again, but Wanderer reached him first this time and pushed him back towards her. Though the short man was still glaring, it was much calmer now, and the black cracks were gone.

[b]"Let's go..."[/b]

For a while, both were still. Alsius watched his opponent carefully, eyes narrowed as he thought, recognizing how with each moment of combat, and probably with each fight the Wanderer had experienced in the last ten years, his opponent was slowly but surely returning to his former self. It was something he was intent on continuing to draw out, until the process was complete.

Suddenly, the Wanderer was on the attack, shooting forward with his blade at the ready. He dashed with his left hand down and in front of him, his right holding his blade behind him. He was much faster than before, and Alsius quickly slid back into his stance to thrust forwards, directly into the Wanderer's head... But the man suddenly disappeared with a strange black and purple shimmer, Cyril yelling out in shock as Alsius' eyes widened. The Direwolf's eyes dropped down, to where the Wanderer had suddenly appeared to the side slightly, low to the ground, slashing upwards towards the Direwolf’s armpit.

Barely in time, Alsius' foot shot out as he yelled, kicking the Wanderer across the head and sending him back against the wall he had crashed against before. Slowly but surely, he began to rise, stance weak and breathing harsh...

But, with each breath, it was brought under control, his stance solidifying as he slowly looked back up with that deadly glare from before, but now there were purple cracks along with the black ones, and much more than before. The scar had a stronger glow, one that remained constant and didn't pulse. As the Prince paled even further, Alsius’ eyes just narrowed slightly.

[i]'Could it be...?'[/i]

The Wanderer began to step forwards, each step deliberate, slowly swaying as he did so. Had he returned to the Phantasm, or had he simply gone insane? This was the question Alsius asked himself, and he intended to find that out the only way possible. His left hand came back, still holding the blade, but now he held it high, over his head, his other hand hovering along the end to the side. It was his full stance. [b]"There will be no holding back."[/b]

Suddenly, Alsius charged forwards, to the still slowly approaching Wanderer. The thrust was quick, the deadly blade stabbed forwards in a blur that was impossible to truly see for the Prince… And yet the Wanderer still leaned to the side just enough to avoid the blade. That was enough to make Alsius think he had simply lost his mind, however. After all, he had the side slash, and he went into it without hesitation-

And, suddenly, Alsius' eyes widened as the Wanderer moved, spinning around him in multiple steps, yelling as he swung his blade, bringing it against his back in a sudden, terrible blow… Yet there was no real blood save that which left Alsius's mouth along with saliva in the instant of impact, as the Wanderer had flipped his blade around to use the blunt back. Alsius was launched forwards by the swing, crashing through the wall that the Wanderer had been sent against easily. The stone crumbled away from the wall, ceiling, and floor after the Direwolf went through it. There was no movement in the dark afterwards initially, the Wanderer slowly straightening and looking towards the damage.

[b]"However strong your attack may be, when it's shown four times in a few minutes, any idiot can come up with a few ways to counter it. It doesn't matter if the move is mastered or not if it doesn't kill one's opponent. Get up, Direwolf. A ten year duel can't end this quietly."[/b]

There was a slight scuffing sound, and slowly Alsius emerged from the hole, stepping through as the gaping edge crumbled slightly as he brushed by. He was bleeding heavily from the forehead as more blood leaked from his lips, a deeper glare on his face even as he smiled, his features becoming much more feral in the process. [b]"Very well then... I was considering the wishes of the Prince, but right now I don't care. I will kill you now."

"That's [i]my[/i] line."[/b]

Suddenly, the two charged towards each other. Metal clashed against metal as they stabbed and swung, Alsius a little more stationary than the Wanderer as the smaller man leapt around, extremely agile. There were points where he leapt from ceiling, to wall, to shoot past Alsius and strike only to kick off the other wall to pass by and strike, blades often locking for brief moments only for things to become mobile once again-

With his attacks, the Wanderer often sheathed his blade, only to draw it again to unleash a chain of strikes. Any moment he could do this he did, it clearly a fundamental part of his style. As he moved, it was as if he left a trail of strange embers of black and purple in his wake, his body seeming to burn along the edges with these colors and his scar continued to blaze.

There was a point where Alsius did move, suddenly shoving the Wanderer against the wall as their blades locked, threatening to twist the blades around to slice the Wanderer deeply across the throat. However, the smaller man elbowed the Direwolf away, hard in the face, before leaping over him back towards the center of the room. Slowly, Alsius turned, wiping his mouth as he stepped forwards, spitting to the side.

A tooth bounced across the floor, sliding and spinning before coming to a stop.

Both yelled and once more charged each other. There was a snap as their blades clashed once again, both passing one another... Lora saw the blades clash and lunged, catching Cyril at the shoulders and knocking him to the floor as the end of Alsius’ blade buried into the wall right where his head had just been. They rolled off the side and once more to safety, where Lora held him against the ground and turned to keep an eye on the fight.   The Direwolf slowly brought his now broken blade up to look at it, before looking over his shoulder towards the Wanderer who did the same behind him.

[b]"The next time it will be your head."[/b]

When she was sure the men had no intent to harm him, she let Cyril up and moved between him and the battle, determined not to let him into danger any more. The Prince, meanwhile, quickly got to his feet, making no move to push Lora aside but instead just continuing to watch in a mix of fascination and horror.

Both turned to face one another again. Even with his broken blade, Alsius took his stance once more. There was another moment of stillness before he suddenly rushed forwards, the Wanderer's eyes narrowing.

[b]"You never knew when to withdraw."

"THERE IS NO RETREAT! FLEEING AN ENEMY PROVES YOUR LACK OF DETERMINATION!"[/b] With his shout Alsius thrust his broken blade forwards, even though he was nowhere near the Wanderer. It sent the blade flying forward as a projectile, the Wanderer's bare hand flying up to knock it to the side, getting sliced in the process. He would not create an opening by blocking with his blade.

[b]"You choose your pride over your life. Works for [i]me."[/i][/b]

Alsius reached the Wanderer at that point, swinging with his hand... And suddenly the belt he had pulled from himself whipped around, having been hidden in his grip. The Wanderer's eyes widened as the clasp struck his hand and cracked several of his bones, forcing his blade to drop.

[b]"I HAVE YOU!"[/b] With a flurry of fists, Alsius forced the Wanderer to stagger back in a series of vicious blows, blood flying from the smaller man's lips from the sudden and severe blunt damage. Alsius wasn't done with that, suddenly kicking up his cloak from the ground, picking it up as he got around and behind the Wanderer. [b]"THIS IS THE END!"[/b] He wrapped it around the Wanderer's throat, easily lifting the smaller man into the air. He was pulling the cloak too tight to simply try and strangle the Wanderer. He was trying to snap his neck.

The Wanderer struggled, eyes widened, before suddenly his hand went down to smack the end of his sheath, sending the other end upwards under the Direwolf’s chin. It forced the other man to get knocked back against the wall, the Wanderer leaping forwards to land and slide, slowly turning to face his opponent.

Both were breathing heavily, bleeding and bruised. It looked like the fight was coming to the end. Alsius brought up his hands, cracking his knuckles. [b]"Shall we escalate this?"[/b]

The Wanderer, in return, brought up his sheath. Around it the air seemed to shimmer slightly, before a strange dark purple energy erupted into existence, forming a sharp looking blade that roared deeply. [b]"Why not?"[/b]

And, suddenly, both were once more yelling as they charged forwards. However, one word was shouted louder than either of their yells, coming from behind both Lora and the Prince:

[b]"ENOUGH!"[/b] The massive form of the Divine Paladin filled the doorway as he stepped through. Both the Direwolf and the Wanderer froze in place, their only movement being as they slowly looked towards Dubois as he continued to speak. [b]"Enough with this pitiful display. Leave the past in the past. You are both in the service of Barcea now; act like it!"[/b]

There was a moment of silence as it looked like, very briefly, that both the Direwolf and the Wanderer might turn on the Paladin together... and then the tension almost completely released as Alsius left out a scoff, turning around to pick up his cloak. [b]"Best duel I've had in ten years, and Ambrosia's attack dog ruins the mood. Typical."[/b] Cloak in hand he turned, walking past the Wanderer calmly as he said, [b]"We'll just have to wait for the next opportunity."[/b]

[b]"Don't die before then."[/b] The blade made around the sheath disappeared.

Alsius gave the Wanderer a brief smirk as he kept walking. [b]"I'd be more worried about yourself."[/b] As Alsius approached, the Paladin stepped out of the way so that he could leave, but the Direwolf stopped just before the doorway. He looked to Cyril, calmly saying, [b]"The Wanderer is useless to your cause... But Joachim Raizen, the Fearsome Phantasm, may have some use yet."[/b] With that, he kept walking forwards, turning and disappearing down the hallway.

The Prince didn't say anything to Alsius in return, only watching the man as he left before he looked towards the Wanderer. The short man still had that terrifying look on his face, his scar glowing brightly as the cracks in his eyes seemed to continue to deepen... and then, suddenly, the Wanderer drove his fist into his own face heavily twice, staggering with the second blow on himself with his head tilted back. When it came back forwards his gaze was still serious, but it was much softer with the cracks in his eyes gone and the glow completely missing from his scar.

[b]"He apologizes for that display, Prince, Ms. Lora. It was probably inevitable."[/b]

[b]"It's... alright."[/b] It took a moment for the Prince to speak, and when he did so he let out a heavy exhale. [b]"So... you're really him, though?"[/b]

Joachim slowly nodded. [b]"Yes, he was known as the Phantasm during the God King War... and he knows that he fought against the forces of Barcea more than once."[/b] He walked forwards slowly, taking a few steps before he knelt, bowing his head as he did so. [b]"He understands if there is some punishment to pay for his deeds, and he will accept them. However, he asks you to spare his companion, as he believes affairs may get a little... messy if you attempt otherwise."[/b]

[b]"So she's-"[/b]

[b]"Chikako Momomiya, the Bone Thief."[/b]

[b]"Makes sense in hindsight..."[/b] The Prince thought for a moment, before looking to the Paladin and giving a nod. The Paladin returned the gesture before he turned, beginning to leave as well while Cyril said, [b]"I'll leave the decision to my sister, Kori. Until then, I ask you to stay with us and continue to offer your services."[/b]

The Wanderer rose, giving a nod as well. [b]"He understands, and will comply. If you will excuse him for now, though, he must go attend his wounds."[/b] With that, the Wanderer turned to pick up his blade, sheathing it and placing it at his side as he quickly walked past the two with his head down. The Prince watched him go, before looking towards Lora and gesturing slightly towards the door as he too turned to make his exit.

[b]"Let's go. And, uh, thanks for saving my head."[/b]