Kassius runs towards Arnold. He starts throwing punches and Arnold blocks. Arnold attempts to attack back but Kassius blocks his punches as well. They trade blows and both block each other quite well. Kassius tries to kick Arnold in the head but Arnold leaps backwards and lands on his arms. He spins on the ground, sweeping Kassius by his feet. As Kassius blocks, Arnold kicks Kassius in the chest and sends him into a nearby tree. Arnold kicks back up and runs towards Kassius. Arnold kicks at Kassius but he dodges, and it connects with the tree. Kassius stands up and grabs Arnold's leg as he tries to kick him. Arnold tries kicking Kassius with his other leg but Kassius catches it too. He spins Arnold around and hits him into the tree. He tries spinning again the other way but Arnold grabs his arm and twists it. Arnold kicks off of Kassius and gains distance.
After they catch their breath, Kassius runs up to Arnold. Arnold kicks at Kassius but Kassius jumps up and grabs a branch nearby. He swings on it and kicks Arnold back. Arnold hits the ground and Kassius lands back on the floor. Arnold kicks back up and Kassius throws a punch. Arnold leans back and evades it, grabbing his arm after. He flips Kassius to the floor and tries to punch him. Kassius blocks his punch and kicks at Arnold's head. Arnold jumps back to avoid the kick and both stand up.
Kassius: "You have more, so show it."
Arnold: "..."
Arnold starts walking slowly to Kassius. Kassius takes a stance. Arnold suddenly disappears.
Kassius (in head): "Where did he go?"
Arnold kicks Kassius from behind and sends him rolling on the floor. Kassius turns around to see Arnold behind him. Kassius blocks and Arnold hits him with a spin kick, sending him back even further.
Kassius (in head): "Urgh! That hurt a lot."
Arnold starts walking towards Kassius again. Kassius takes up a fighting stance. Arnold disappears again. Kassius looks behind himself and spots Arnold. He blocks but Arnold disappears again. Arnold appears behind him a second time and kicks him into a nearby tree. Kassius turns around and jumps away as Arnold throws a punch.
Arnold: "Smarter to dodge. You're really skilled."
Kassius looks at the tree, as Arnold moves his hand, showing heavy damage to the trunk.
Arnold: "You have more too."
Kassius: "Heh."
Arnold walks slowly towards Kassius once more and vanishes. Kassius, standing still, inhales and exhales sharply. Arnold appears behind him and throws a punch. Kassius dodges down and lands on his hands. He kicks Arnold with both his feet, sending him back.
Kassius (in head): "Time to change it up."
Kassius runs towards Arnold without a second thought. Arnold throws a punch and Kassius throws one back directly to his fist. Both of their punches collide. Both of their knuckles hurt. Arnold tries to throw another punch but Kassius slips to the side and spin kicks. Arnold manages to block, but is sent back a distance.
Arnold (in head): "His whole demeanour changed. It's like I'm fighting a different person."
Arnold stands up. He starts slowly walking to Kassius.
Kassius (in head): "I think I get what's happening."
Arnold disappears. Kassius starts walking forward slowly. As Arnold appears behind him and throws a punch, Kassius disappears. Arnold looks behind him but Kassius appears above him and kicks downwards, hitting him in the head. Kassius lands on the ground and jumps back as Arnold falls to the ground.
Kassius: "The more focus given to the technique, the faster and stronger your body gets. But it's very tiring."
Arnold: "You know how to use The Level Step too?"
Kassius: "Not as frequently as you do. But yes."
Arnold stands up and Kassius gets in a stance again.
Arnold: "Let's see if you can catch this then."
Arnold runs towards Kassius. Kassius throws a punch but Arnold slides under it. Arnold hits Kassius's arm multiple times and kicks him back. Arnold kicks up and Kassius stands up.
Kassius (in head): "What the hell? My arm... I can't move it."
Arnold (in head): "I didn't think I'd be pushed to this extreme so soon."
Arnold goes back at Kassius. Kassius goes on the defensive as Arnold throws a flurry of punches. Kassius dodges him and keeps distance. Arnold tries kicking Kassius but is dodged. He pivots and spins again, landing the kick on Kassius's arm, sending him to the side tumbling. Kassius, back up on his feet immediately, watches as Arnold walks slowly towards him again.
Kassius (in head): "Again."
Arnold vanishes once again. Before Kassius can do the same, he is swept off his feet and punched directly in the gut. Kassius spits out blood and goes flying into a nearby tree. He hits it and falls to the ground. At the north side of the forest, Hermes arrives where Jinsoku and Marcus lie.
Hermes (in head): "What happened here?"
Hermes looks at the group around, all bloody. He turns to Marcus.
Hermes (in head): "He's the only one alive..."
Hermes finally turns to Jinsoku with a face of disappointment.
Hermes (in head): "This is a failing system."
Back on the south west side, Arnold looks at Kassius.
Arnold: "We're probably one of the few remaining. You'll probably pass even if you lose this."
Kassius: "Not... happening."
Arnold: "You are really strong."
Kassius: "And you're almost gassed out."
Arnold (in head): "He's right. I'm at my limit."
Arnold: "This is it."
Kassius (in head): "I have to use it now."
Earlier in the day, after the first part. Kassius was on the roof. He had fallen on the floor again.
Kassius: "Shit! Why the hell am I even doing this?!"
Kassius looks up to the sky.
"Fighting can be fun too, haha!"
Kassius smiles and sits up.
Kassius (in head): "If he can do it, I can too."
Back in present time, Kassius closes his eyes. He takes a deep breath and exhales deeply as well.
Kassius (in head): "I'll use the level phase one last time. With the move..."
Arnold (in head): "His guard is weak. If he can't evade, I can finish this."
Arnold walks up to him slowly and disappears. Kassius opens his eyes. The woods go completely silent. Kassius walks forwards slowly and Arnold appears behind him.
Arnold (in head): "He won't defend, so this is my chance."
As Arnold attempts to sweep his legs, Kassius disappears. Arnold looks around.
Arnold (in head): "He'll get tired and that's when he'll appear-"
Kassius appears in front of Arnold.
Arnold (in head): "In front?!"
Arnold throws a punch ahead. Kassius dodges to the side and jumps up. Kassius spins and hits Arnold with two kicks to the face. Arnold spits out blood and flips onto the floor. Kassius lands on the floor on his butt.
Kassius: "Oww!"
Arnold (in head): "He... got me."
Kassius: "Argh... my back."
They both lie on the ground.
Arnold: "I didn't see that coming. What was that?"
Kassius: "Hehe... a ridiculous circus trick."
Arnold: "Heh... you... got me. I've lost."
A red flash lights up the sky, catching both of their attention.
Kassius (in head): "A flare? That means-"
Romulus (on speaker): "TIME IS UP! THE SECOND PART HAS CONCLUDED!"