Arthur scoffed and looked at her. The time around them had once again been paused, not a single color, except for the ones of their bodies.
"Have you only come here to mock me? It would be useful if I could utilize that power you supposedly gave to me."
Verita laughed. A softer chuckle, not so much a mocking one.
"I didn't mean that, little pup…"
Arthur twitched at the nickname, he wasn't particularly fond of being referred to in such a manner.
"…besides, I can't exactly just give you instructions. That would be no fun, wouldn't it? The best way to get stronger is to learn. Through trial and error."
"And if I die?"
Arthur grit his teeth. And Verita's smile only grew wider.
"Then you aren't worthy of it…though, I will give you a hint of advice."
Arthur's patience was running out. Though his curiosity was piqued by the statement.
"Spit it out then."
She sighed.
"Beware Thanatos. And watch your back. I understand you've been with him longer than I. But the shadows always scheme while you aren't looking."
And just like that she was gone. And Arthur was staring blank as the emperor finished throwing around Uther, Morgus, and Mordred. The emperor turned around and stared at Arthur.
"Is this entertaining for you, boy? Do you think you are clever?
Arthur grit his teeth. He was still feeling a bit of pain from the swords lodged into his back. And the regeneration of his arm was slowing down. Though he didn't know why. The moonlight blade was lying across the floor between the two. Still emanating a bit of blue light. Arthur's shadow started to stir. And it suddenly burst forward. And once again, Arthur smiled. A veil of shadow covered him. Revan and Thanatos kneeled next to him. As Lancelot and Laura burst from the cover.
"Father! I wont let you do this!"
"My liege…"
Laura summoned Athena while they both clashed with the emperor. Two walls of mana manifesting at his side. Lancelot broke through it quickly. Manifesting two blades and slicing clean through. While Laura came from behind. Six blades combined from the two hit the emperor at the same time. Revan was kneeling next to Arthur. Using magic to slowly melt the chains. Despite them being made of mana, they had the same properties as gold would. Therefore would be very easy to melt. Arthur looked at Thanatos. And remained wary. Not a single word was exchanged between the three.
Lancelot and Laura moved in deadly synergy. Their blades collided with the emperor, as he moved to summon his own. Deflecting them with shields of light. He dashed backwards and conjured a spear. He threw it in the air and instantly made it gain maximum rotation. Shooting at Lancelot like a railgun. Laura used Athena to shove him out of the way. Narrowly avoiding the spear. But her spirit took the hit instead. She immediately felt an ache in her chest and lurched backwards. She made Athena dissipate.
There was something odd about the encounter. Her augment should've made it so she had gained an advantage. She didn't think it was possible, but the gap of power between the two was so large, her augment didn't even work on him. Lancelot retaliated. Shooting several spears of his own back. But they were deflected with relative ease. Even after becoming a master, Lancelot couldn't handle the difference in power.
But he continued with the constant onslaught, his energy was draining quickly, as he was constantly creating and destroying spears against his father. His father sliced him across the chest. And Lancelot dashed backwards. Clutching the wound. Lancelot looked to his right. Where Arthur's sword should've been. But it wasn't there. He felt a hand on his back. White flame spreading across his wound. Arthur's left arm was still half made of white flames as it slowly regenerated. There were runes running down the right side of his body. From his eye down to his hand.
He had plenty of time to analyze the spell on the walls of the labyrinth. And made an imitation. Not nearly as strong. But with 10s of layers of protections spells weaved onto his body, he would certainly be a formidable foe now.
"Let's go. Lancelot. I'll support you."
Lancelot grumbled, he thought he had closed the distance between their power. But even as a master. He felt weaker than Arthur. It didn't make sense.
Arthur burst forward, handling his blade perfectly with only one arm. Concentrating on only the emperor's arms and legs. Paying no mind to his face, only on his weapons. His blade was precise and fast. Leaving only trails of blue light behind it.