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Chapter Text
Before finally facing Jahad, Phantaminum gave Bam time to talk with his loved ones, which Bam appreciated.
Bam hugged Aguero as Aguero swore that he would lead their friends and allies to victory, so Bam had better came out victorious, which Bam promised to. Hatz admitted Bam was a warrior unlike any other, retaining the strongest heart and mind he ever know, vowing to survive and serve him in the future, before they hugged and Bam thanked him for his dedication.
Shibisu and Wangnan wished Bam well, and Bam expressed his gratitude for their loyalty and perserverance despite their initial weakness. Hockney also promised Bam a painting depicting the fight between him and Jahad, and Bam merely smiled as he promised to give his best. Goseng thanked Bam for always being there for her and supporting her and her child, and Bam merely assured her he did what any good friend would do to honor the deceased.
Of course, his shared a few moments with his lovers, too, patting Endorsi and Anaak in the head, Anaak telling him to "Slit that bastard King's throat! And come back for some pregnant sex, you hear!?", hugging Aria, Elaine, Garam, Miseng, and Repellista, Miseng standing out as she said "Wish you luck, Bam! I'll do my best and be great" and Repellista in her telling Bam to make sure to remember every inch of the fight for her to make a brand new game for, ruffling the hairs of Tiara, Irure and Soo-Oh, Soo-Oh quite touchingly telling him to "Come back alive, and I'll be whatever you want", getting kissed by both Sophia Tan and Hwa Ryun as Hwa Ryun boldly stated she had absolute faith in him, and having his head placed on Yuri's boobs as she asked him to just come back alive.
And finally, Bam went towards his "godly allies". Urek patted Bam in the shoulder as he assured him he had absolute faith in his ability to win, while Enryu simply and kindly wished him the best of luck. Baek Ryun expressed his admiration of everything Bam had accomplished, stating Bam was a great man, and Bam should face everything that came next with confidence and pride. Gustang was a bit stiff, but he did wish Bam luck, stating Bam had surpassed even his mother as a person, and as such, Gustang had true faith in him.
That left only Yurin, Hana, Enne, and Blossom. Yurin kept a small grin on her face as she stated she would believe that Bam could win and defeat Jahad, as he had other things than just a throne to come back to, and a Tower to rebuild, before she then pressed her boobs on his face and kissed him on the cheek. Hana was a bit teary as she prayed for Bam's safety and hugged him one last time while kissing him, and Enne was giving a solemn smile as she told Bam she had faith in him. Blossom was a bit more subdued, but eventually asked Bam to live so he could build a real family with her and the others.
Giving all the people who had supported and stood by him one more huge wave and a confident smile, Bam turned forward and looked at Jahad, recognizing the subtly bitter smile on the King's face, before he told Phantaminum that he was ready to fight. The Axis merely let out a small grin as he raised his hand, and in a flash of light, Bam and Jahad were instantly teleported to a throne room.
As soon as Bam was warped away by Phantaminum alongside Jahad, the Axis didn't waste time in warping away Bam's friends into the silver-gray castle, taking them inside it with a casual wave of his hand. The "Castle of Normality" opened it's gates and immediately sucked Bam's friends inside before closing itself. Next, Phantaminum turned towards Enryu, Urek, Baek Ryun, Enne, and the Family Heads who chose Bam's side, and warped all of them except for Gustang into the rainbow-like castle.
This left only Poe Bidau Gustang, eyeing Phantaminum calmly as he waited to be transported. Phantaminum questioned if Gustang truly had faith in Bam or not, and Gustang stated Bam had "proven himself" without elaborating. Phantaminum merely shrugged as he warped Gustang towards his castle, before he turned his attention towards the pitch black and gold castle.
Ah, the story will soon end. It's been a good show from both of you, Jahad, Twenty-Fifth Bam. Even the more supporting characters had proven themselves worth watching. I actually feel honored to be the one responsible for this magnificent tale's end.
The first impression Bam had as soon as he arrived was that the place was a dark, eerily silent hall, with a throne behind the spot where Jahad was standing. The surroundings weren't decorated with any elaborate symbols, just a cold, lonely place, bearing witness to the two men destined to fight to the death today. Bam eyed Jahad coolly, staring at the man who had been his shadow for such a long time.
This was it, his ultimate moment of the truth, the last fight that would end all those years of war. Right now, he was the only one capable of definitively ending Jahad's life. If he fell now, then all would be lost. He had to win this, for the sake of everyone who died having faith in him and also for his loved ones who survived to this day.
Bam was about to manifest his Arms Inventory when Jahad's hand raised out, stopping Bam. Jahad asked Bam if he wanted to know the truth as to why he stopped on the 134th Floor, stating he had proven he was worthy of that, as the winner of their fight would decide the future of the Tower. Bam wasn't about to get himself distracted, but Jahad just continued on with his story.
Jahad stated that there was a time he thought of a world where everyone could be happy was possible, a time where he was determined to finish the climb, but those times were long gone for a good reason. Bam was skeptical, but Jahad's next words stunned him. If there's nothing left to climb for, why climb? When what lies ahead is oblivion? When the end of the climb would bring about the end of the Tower?
Jahad then confessed that the day before he announced there would be no more adventures for the Great Warriors, he was given an epiphany by the Tower Administrator, the true god of the Tower, revealing that completing the 135th Floor's Test would mean automatically ending the Tower and causing everyone in it to vanish, as the Tower was meant to allow only Irregulars to leave alive with their new powers.
Jahad despaired, as he wanted to rule the Tower and it's people, not to sacrifice them for his own glory, and so the Tower Administrator offered him the only solution there was: Become the King and serve as the wall to stop the Tower from ever being completed. That was when Jahad decided to shoulder everything for himself, taking up the burden of making sure the 135th Floor was never challenged. He sacrificed everything for the sake of everyone in the Tower.
However, things fell apart when Arlene and V betrayed him. Jahad needed a failsafe to ensure the 135th Floor remained forever sealed, and for that, he wanted a son with Arlene. Jahad then revealed the sad truth: He didn't came there to kill Bam, he came there that night to kidnap him, to mold him into becoming the Prince of the Tower, to eventually learn the secret. However, during the fight with Arlene and V, Jahad was cornered and accidentally struck the killing blow on Bam.
Bam could tell Jahad wasn't lying, but still, that wasn't going to soften him. Bam demanded to know, if so, why did he not just admit the truth? If he admitted the truth, wouldn't the other Great Warriors have remained firmly on his side? Jahad's response was a surprisingly blunt, yet somewhat believable, one, asking if Bam thought having the Tower erased would matter to Arlene. She wanted to bring all the people to the Outside, without caring for their will, an extreme form of "love", and so she could wish for them all to be reincarnated and lead by them once the Tower ended.
Jahad then asked Bam if he believed he had the right to demand such a decisive and life-changing decision from the people of the Tower, and Bam... couldn't answer that. His friends might have understood and had faith in him, but Bam understood he had no real right to force such a change upon everyone in the Tower. Faced with such an impossible decision, Bam supposed he could understand part of why Jahad went as far as he did.
Jahad then stated that the terms of the duel between him and Bam were simple: Jahad believed the people of the Tower shouldn't bother with the Outside at all, that they should be ruled over with a staunch hand, while Bam believed in ruling with compassion and diplomacy and wanted to promote free will. The victor of the fight would get to exact their will on the Tower. Phantaminum would grant the wish of the victor and then leave the Tower to be managed by the winner in any way they wished.
Before the battle could begin, Jahad asked Bam if he would also desire the return of his loved ones and the undoing of his regrets, and Bam denied the notion, stating he had grown to understand that the dead deserved their peace and his regrets had just as big of a part in making him the man he was now as it was with his successes. Over the years, Bam had understood that while he couldn't save everyone nor could he avoid mistakes or struggles, that didn't mean he should give up on doing as best as he could for all those who needed it or moving forward, honoring the fallen and looking forward to the future.
Jahad had a small, bitter smirk on his face as he then questioned if Bam desired to see the Outside. That was a question that Urek had asked him before in their first meeting, and now Bam's response was only altered, but ultimately the same.
I don't need any real stars, skies, or the Outside World. The Tower is the world where I met my friends, where I formed true bonds and discovered true happiness, and it's worth preserving. I'll watch over the Tower for the rest of eternity, and look over those who trust me to rule over them with a benevolent hand. I will rule not from a single throne, but alongside the people who I could trust to have my back, to bring me back should I start being wrong, and I will give the people the free will to live under my rule or to experience the Outside World.
After a while, Jahad only had this to say. Then I assume we have little left to say to each other. All I wish to say before we begin is that over the years, I've come to respect you for your resilience, for your ability to remain true to "your justice", and your seemingly endless capacity for new things. Let it be known even should you die, I will make a good grave for you and pray for your soul, Twenty-Fifth Bam.
Likewise, Bam only had a few words left to say. Indeed. Perhaps, we could have been friends on another life, if we had met each other sooner. We both used to be so similar, but it wasn't as though you were a complete failure. You did your best. Now, let us end this sad story once and for all, King Jahad. Likewise, when I defeat you, you will be buried properly and have your soul prayed to.
With that, Bam and Jahad both gave one another a respectful bow, just as Phantaminum appeared. He apologized for "being late", stating he had just took all the others to their respective castles, and now he was here to see the ultimate fight. Without any further ado, Phantaminum proceeded to propose that their fight be divided into a few segments, in order for both of them to properly warm up before finally fighting each other.
To put it simply, Phantaminum would have Bam and Jahad fight in five rounds, four of which limit their skillset to only that which Phantaminum allowed of them. The first one would be Fisherman, the second round would be Wave Controller, the third round would be Light Bearer, and the fourth round would be Spear Bearer. The fifth round would allow both of them to fight all out. For each round, they would be healed of any injuries they took, so the fight would be fair and would also allow them to get a feel of each other's skillset.
It was an overly dramatic way of finishing things, sure, but one Bam decided to accept in the end. He should feel Jahad's skills before they get to an all-out dead match, after all, and this would provide him that opportunity, and Jahad obviously thought the same as he agreed. With a gleeful clap, Phantaminum proceeded to limit each round to 30 minutes, and also added the rule that required them to bow before one another during the subsequent rounds.
Aguero was the first one to summon his lighthouse along with Sophia, illuminating the admittedly dim-litted castle around them, just as Phantaminum also appeared, greeting them and making the castle suddenly became bright, as he addressed them about the games ahead. Phantaminum revealed the Castle of Normality had three games in it, the first being "Due to the Dead", the second being "Support for the Future", and the third being "Army Decimators".
Phantaminum revealed that for "Due to the Dead", he had brought back the souls of Arie Haghiperione, Kallavan, Khun Maschenny, White, Poe Bidau Lyborick, and 2 combinations of Division Commanders into a single opponent. The "Support for the Future" would require "players" to solve well-made challenges of different kinds, while the "Army Decimators" would have groups or single individuals take on platoons of Jahad's Army coupled with their weapons.
Phantaminum also stated that those who have completed the challenges of "Due to the Dead" might also take on the other challenges to help ensure their completion, and anyone who had felt they had done enough could go to the "reception point", AKA the glowing mystical circles on each 3 floors, to receive treatment for any injuries. Phantaminum also revealed another feature in that each of them could summon other allies to be players for each Floor, but the summons are limited to 7 people and there might be "surprises" if they used the feature too much.
Aguero demanded to know what happened if they lose a challenge, and Phantaminum stated leaving aside "Due to the Dead", they could all leave the challenge and try again after recovering without exiting the castle. However, those who fail "Due to the Dead" will just die. Also, they could communicate with each other only outside of the challenges using their Pockets as normal. That was all Phantaminum had to say as he wished them all luck, stating further details of "Support for the Future" and "Army Decimators" was inscribed into the walls of their respective floors.
So, guess this is it? Never imagined the final battle would be a game of all things, but guess this does help make things more interesting. I think I'll do "Support for the Future", since I'm not strong as a fighter, but I could still do some good things on the long run."
You're free to choose that as you wish, Shibisu, but before that we should all plan things out. By the end of the day, ALL of us will be getting out of here alive, for Bam's sake. Any personal grievances must be put aside, do you understand?
Quite the speech, Khun Aguero Agnis. I suppose we could all agree that we are here for a common cause, so let us play our roles in this endgame. I, Poe Bidau Tiara, shall naturally participate in both "Due to the Dead" and "Support for the Future", and not bring shame to the Poe Bidau Family as one of Bam's future wives.
You said it, alright. We'll cover each other's backs, be it the strong to the weaker, and win this! For the future!
I suppose in the end I wasn't meant to be the King of the Tower, but I support Bam. I'll help Bam make the world where everyone could be happy, and bring about the paradise we all hoped for!
That's right, Wangnan. I myself have been preparing for when I have to fight, and now I could. For my child.
Alright, let's band up and decide the initial roster as well as who we may have to summon!
For the Grace Family!
For Bam!
For a better future!!!
Meanwhile on the "Castle of Divinity", Phantaminum had created an astral projection of himself to elaborate the assembled top Rankers as soon as possible. Urek sarcastically stated that was "awfully considerate" of the Axis, and Phantaminum had dismissed the snide comment. Yurin naturally asked Phantaminum to hurry up so they could do their part, and Phantaminum mused on how Yurin's fiery nature was as present as ever despite centuries of tempering.
Without any further ado, Phantaminum revealed that the first floor only had two doors because that was where Adori and Molic One resided. Without any further ado, Phantaminum stated he had already chosen Enne and Baek Ryun to be the one to fight them, which made Blossom and Urek narrow their eyes, but neither Enne or Baek Ryun complained as they agreed.
Enne assured Blossom she would settle things with Adori, and they shared a hug before Blossom agreed, telling her to do her best. Baek Ryun and Urek merely clapped each other's hands as they promised to fulfill Wolhaiksong's dreams of finally getting to go outside the Tower. And so Phantaminum directed Enne to the golden door, and Baek Ryun to the red door.
With that, Phantaminum merely asked the remaining "god warriors" to ascend to the next floor, at which he revealed that the rules were simple: At the other side of the 4 doors before them lay the souls of the Family Heads, indicated by the symbol of their respective Families. Before they could each challenge their respective opponents, however, they would be given a chance to "warm up" through certain games, unique to each of them.
Phantaminum had also prepared "something special" for Enryu and Urek, although he assured them the difficulty of their challenges wouldn't be that extreme. Phantaminum just disappeared after saying that, telling them to do their best.
Heh, guess I'll be taking on Arie Hon. That was how Wolhaiksong started, so I suppose I'll fight him again. What about you, Yurin?
I'll take Edahn. I owe him a PERSONAL fight, after all. I had to leave him to Bam before, but now, I can finally slug him in the face. Besides, I have to see this through before I start the new chapter of my eternal life.
With what Bam had said about Traumerei, I'll be the one to fight him, since he classified him as being at my level before. Guess I just got to grit my teeth and work myself hard for once.
Thank you, Blossom. And I'll finish Bloodmadder off. That man must be erased from the Tower. He is nothing but a corruption to the world my beloved will bring. What about you, Enryu?
... I'll take the last door. I have a particular omen about it. Let's get this over with.
Hell, yeah! Alright, my fellow gentleman and ladies, ready to rumble for one last time!?
Heh, been hoping to get a chance to use my fists for some time. I'm all in!
If my daughter is currently fighting, then I'll have to do my best too.
It's finally time for the final battle. Let us all give our best.
Good luck, all of you. That's all I have to say. May your respective battles be a spectacle to behold. I got a book to finish writing. Gustang's currently helping out with that, too.
So how is it, Gustang? Enjoying the special castle you were afforded?
Huh, the books and technologies sure appear to be new, but I'm confident I could master it. That said, as far as I remember, I'm supposed to be recording the fight, am I not? This castle will still be affordable until I have all that I need, I assume, Phantaminum?
Go ahead. As long as you do your job in this game, I don't mind.
... Ha, guess I'll help you write that book of yours, Enryu. After this, you better acknowledge me as co-author.
Chapter Text
As soon as Phantaminum announced the terms of the fight, he casually manifested what seemed to be a timer of sorts on the air, stating that as soon as he left, the timer would start. Phantaminum stated he would only return when the time had came for the all-out duel between them, stating he would still be able to see everything from afar, so he would rather give them as much of privacy as he could. Jahad merely sarcastically thanked the Axis for his "favor", which caused Phantaminum to simply wave as he vanished.
True to word, as soon as Phantaminum disappeared, the timer, which had started on "30:00", started to ring. Jahad immediately charged forward, Bam managing to block his punch using both hands as he didn't want to take any chances. Jahad was infamous for his sublime hand-to-hand combat, after all. Jahad swiftly launched his next attacks, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks from various angles with astonishing intensity, even pushing Bam back and nearly hitting him more than twice.
Composing himself, Bam fell back a bit but Jahad proved fast enough that he couldn't get some distance from him at all as the King of the Tower managed to force him up close and keep Bam mostly on the defensive. Even compared to when he fought Urek, despite having grown stronger and more adept in martial arts than before, Bam still had a harder time than he ever had when fighting with martial arts against Jahad as it took his all to just properly mount an efficient defense against the King's arms and legs.
Only 3 minutes passed, and Bam actually started considering using Reinforcement as Jahad continued to push him back with how Jahad just seemed to be able to both parry his attempted attacks and simultaneously launch his own. Not only his skill level, but his strength was also greater than Bam, pushing Bam back a bit even when he managed to defend himself and actually coming only a bit short of overpowering his guard, and so was his speed. He was even faster than Edahn and Urek, too, and able to switch from acrobatic to grounded styles with seamless ease.
By 5 minutes, Bam finally failed to stop Jahad from landing a single hit on him. Jahad grabbed Bam's hand as he made to try and punch the King, forced him back more harshly with an elbow to the jaw that Bam just parried with his right hand, and then landed a roundhouse kick that threw Bam to a nearby wall and made him spat up blood, even breaking his nose. He just narrowly managed to avoid the punch from Jahad to his head and then used Reinforcement to land a rather strong punch to the face that knocked Jahad back but the King had the luxury to voluntarily spit out his blood and casually wipe it off his mouth.
Jahad merely hummed as he admitted Bam was a remarkably accomplished hand-to-hand fighter, but both his skill and physical abilities still fell short compared to him, even stating Bam actually was still a bit weaker than Urek in pure hand-to-hand. Jahad told Bam he was free to use Reinforcement and Piercing Techniques, as this was a fight to the death, and he would not be showing Bam any mercy, only praise whenever he had "earned it". To get the point home, Jahad casually unleashed his own Reinforcement, which, of course, forced Bam to activate his own.
Despite the fact they both were using Reinforcement, Bam found out quickly enough Jahad was doubtlessly ahead of him in Reinforcement. In fact, the King of the Tower was even better than Yurin herself, as he casually focused on certain parts of his body whenever he aimed for particular hits while keeping the rest of his body still more than a match for Bam, allowing him to land more focused strikes with strength that actually would rival even some of Lady Yurin's lesser Piercing Techniques through sheer skillful enhancement without needing any techniques.
He was fast enough that Bam had to resort to some of his dirtier tactics and techniques to fight him off, and that only worked for a while until Jahad swiftly adapted. At times, Jahad toughened his body up whenever Bam tried to land a particularly strong strike, which meant Bam's attacks only knocked him back, and the trick Lady Yurin used on him was applied more liberally by Jahad as he managed to either avoid taking damage or minimize the output of Bam's Piercing Techniques.
Eventually, once 15 minutes had passed, Jahad had Bam by the neck, looking only somewhat battered while Bam was already feeling his body ache from Jahad's attacks. He had landed only 5 compared to Jahad's solid 9 hits. Bam narrowly managed to break free, unleashing strong enough of a hit through reinforcing his arm so much that he actually felt it would have exploded with how much shinsu he put in it to knock a teeth off of Jahad, taking a few bone damage that Bam hastily healed as he took a distance from Jahad.
Jahad merely shook his head as he casually armed himself with the same needle he used when he fought Enryu. Bam immediately armed himself with his dual blades as Jahad charged at him. Bam was thankful, to be honest, that Urek and Enryu had him spar with them using their respective weapons until he could just beat them when dual-wielding, as while the effort to train his skills in dual-blade combat was rigorous, it was surely paying off now as Bam was able to meet Jahad's bladework evenly with his own.
He made sure to employ graceful fencing and tight defensive moves as Jahad was still physically stronger than him, and it worked off as Bam was able to adequately fend off Jahad's lethal needle strikes and even managed to land a couple of hits on his own, turning some of Jahad's momentum against him and attempting to slowly "cut him up". It was playing the long game, but as there was still 15 minutes, Bam supposed he had to do this.
Eventually, 30 minutes finally passed, allowing Bam to get some much needed reprieve as he focused on regaining back his strength and healing the wounds he took. As expected, Jahad healed faster than him due to his physically superior body, so while Bam needed 3 minutes, Jahad was already ready to go within just 2. Nevertheless, they no longer had to fight as Fisherman, but now had to duel as Wave Controller. Obviously, Bam took full advantage of this as he allowed his mind to recall all the shinsu training he went through, as he allowed his body to channel the god-levels of shinsu he was always able to muster.
They started out by dueling with baangs, throwing about 9000 baangs at one another again and again, Bam even reaching up to 9520, 20 more than the utmost limit Enryu could create, with Bam edging Jahad out just by 30 baangs. Still, Jahad merely responded by deflecting the baangs that managed to make it through his own straight back at him with pinpoint precision and superb skill, making it a fairly even match despite Bam's slight superiority.
In terms of power, they seemed to be even as their baangs, when colliding, cancelled each other out, causing explosions that left craters and scars, but Phantaminum having made the castle meant that it swiftly repaired itself. Bam managed to strike Jahad with 20 baangs, while Jahad struck Bam with 15, and it didn't injure them all that much with all the shinsu resistance they had, although Jahad was still ahead of him in terms of durability, meaning Bam edging Jahad out by 5 baangs only allowed them to be equally injured.
Jahad created dozens upon dozens of Shinwonryu spheres next that Bam dealt with using his own Shinwonryu Orb, using a particular form of shinsu control that allowed him to suck in opposing shinsu. Bam proceeded to unleash one of his stronger techniques, Bam-Style Shinwonryu: Roar of the Moon, creating a moderate-sized moon-shape that quickly exploded into a massive torrent of shinsu.
Jahad's response was Jahad-Style Shinsu Control Skill - 10 Cosmos, a massively upgraded version of the Cosmos skill that once almost broke through his Orb's defenses, creating about 1000 stars and satelites as well as 2000 planets, which stopped the torrent about 30 meters away from him, causing the King to hum in approval.
Jahad retaliated by creating a massive sphere of Shinwonryu that contained about thousands of needles and swords. It was easily more numerous and stronger than any of the Shinwonryu blade-like bullets Hon threw at him. Bam didn't rest on his laundrels either and immediately created an equally massive sphere of Shinwonryu containing needles and arrows. His Bam-Style Shinwonryu: Throws of the Moon collided with Jahad-Style Shinwonryu: Festival of Blades, 3000 spear-bearer projectiles vs 3000 blades.
As soon as the attacks cancelled each other, Jahad teleported so fast Bam only noticed the King launching a beam of fire on his back just quick enough to block the attack with a shield of water. Focusing his shinsu control, Bam lifted his arm as he both blocked Jahad's attack while preparing his own. As soon as he was close enough, Bam launched a condensed ball of electric shinsu that Jahad easily avoided through skillful teleportation. Bam avoided the jet of wind and retaliated by making the earth at Jahad's direction spawn blades that the King simply side-stepped.
Bam slammed his palm to the ground and Jahad flew away as Bam caused explosions to occur by manipulating the shinsu to combust the ground beneath Jahad. Jahad sported a small grin as he fired a beam of shinsu at Bam from above that Bam retaliated with a similar move, black and golden beams colliding with each other. Jahad almost pushed his beam to overcome Bam's, but Bam gritted his teeth and pushed back, steadily pushing the beam over to Jahad, but Jahad merely disengaged the connection rather than continuing to fight what he seemed to be losing.
Golden fire emerged from Jahad's hand as he created 5 huge dragons of flame that immediately charged at Bam. Bam created a Shinsu Loop in front of him and quickly threw 5 dragons of pure shinsu to counter Jahad's own dragons, the techniques colliding and cancelling each other out. Bam focused shadow shinsu into his hand before he threw it in the form of a massive cyclone of darkness, but Jahad merely focused light into his palms and just as the cyclone was about to hit, he unleashed a massive beam that managed to combust the cyclone in a shockwave of both light and darkness cancelling each other out.
In a manner even superior to Urek's style, Bam used telekinesis to crush the ground beneath them, raising huge chunks of earth until it rivaled a moderate-sized island, before he then compressed it to where it became only slightly larger than a soccer ball. It was already about 50 times denser and thicker than even A+Rank spears, but Bam channeled explosive shinsu into it, making it strong enough to be a challenge to even S+Rank weapons. Bam threw the ball at Jahad, who closed his eyes and raised both hands at the ball as it steadily approached him.
Jahad-Style Piercing: Duron. A massive, huge duron of pure shinsu collided with the ball, causing a huge explosion that even forced both Bam and Jahad a step back. Jahad made his next move, creating 5 baangs for fire, lightning, wind, and ice that quickly fused to form 4 huge elemental baangs that fired massive streams. Bam immediately created a similarly huge series of 4 elemental baangs that unleashed streams of power, fire vs ice, lightning vs wind, cancelling each other and causing a huge misty cloud to cover them.
Undeterred, Bam made his next move, gathering all the clouds and using them to form a massive lightning bolt that he quickly fired at Jahad, who had already prepared an equally massive fire ball amplified by wind. Again, their attacks cancelled each other out. Jahad casually exploded the top of his castle and used the debris to form a cyclone of some sort, the instant repair of the damage caused to the castle thanks to Phantaminum's power making it easy, and then he slammed down the cyclone at Bam, who merely flicked his hand and telekinetically deflected the collective telekinesis move.
Suddenly, however, the bell rang, signifying that the Wave Controller round was over. Bam supposed the duel ended in a technical stalemate, but from what he could see, his shinsu control exceeded Jahad's by a few margins. Not needing much time to rest, the next round was of course Light Bearer. Bam didn't dare underestimate Jahad, so he took out the Opera Repellista had given him. Jahad simply smirked as he manifested what Bam recognized to be also an Opera, and the King stated Tperie had made one for him before his death in case he would ever need it, making sure their lighthouses were even and needing pure skill to resolve this.
Bam made sure to maintain Magnus Core constantly, spreading the Opera into the maximum division of 50 sides, each side having the power of 50 lighthouses, but to his surprise, Jahad activated not a variant, but the exact same technique Bam had created, the King merely smirking as he reminded Bam he had watched some of his battles just as Bam had witness records of Jahad's own fights. Jahad then reminded Bam that just as he had based his fighting skills on what he had learned, Jahad too could learn new things as well.
They were equally matched this time, Bam being more proficient at defense and Jahad being better at aggressively using Magnus Core. They both threw about thousands of compressed lighthouses with the force of a meteor capable of destroying 20% of a Floor, and as a further testament to Jahad's aggression, he even created a small but formidable pillar of hundreds of sharp lights that injured him. Jahad created sun-like disks in contrast to Bam's moon-like, but Jahad's were sharper and more destructively explosive, and his defenses were still good enough to repel Bam's lighthouse techniques without faltering.
Bam needed to be careful, but fortunately for him, it seemed that just like Bam, Jahad was also not used to constantly fighting using just lighthouses, making the fight ultimately end in a stalemate as Bam was able to fend off Jahad without being pushed back or injured to any noteworthy degree, even if he couldn't damage Jahad much either.
Bam found himself relieved when the round finally ended, allowing him to shift to a form of combat Bam was more adept at, Spear Bearer. From what Bam had seen, most opponents on the level of Top 50 were all capable at every Position, and the Irregular High Rankers he faced, from all-out death matches with the Family Heads and sparring sessions with Enryu and Urek, all had top-level mastery over every Position around. However, they each had their own area of expertise, so fights with another opponent of equal battle prowess could have their less adept areas exploited.
Bam had been thoroughly trained until he became the closest Spear Bearer to rivaling Enryu over the course of his uncle's rigorious training by being able to be a shade more skillful than Edahn, the God of Spears, making him about 85% of the Spear Bearer Enryu was and allowing Bam to establish a more visible dominance. As his uncle predicted, being superior as a Spear Bearer proved to be advantageous right now.
They started off by fighting with spears in close-range. Jahad, being such a melee specialist, was able to keep up with him evenly when they fought in close-range using spears, the two of them twirling, thrusting and manipulating their respective spears to block each other's attacks, but when Bam started to fight using a bow, his unorthodox technique allowed him to actually overwhelm Jahad for the first time in close-range as he dual-wielded a spear and a bow, seamlessly switching from one offense to defense as he efficiently clocked Jahad's assault and retaliated proficiently.
When it came to long-range, Bam also surpassed Jahad's accuracy and was able to deflect Jahad's throws with his own. It also helped that Jahad wasn't using a bow, meaning he apparently didn't see any point in it, or he wasn't exactly that good with one. Jahad played defensively, but Bam was able to land a relatively decent amount of hits compared to their previous exchanges until the bell rang to signify the end of the round, which meant that they were now finally free to fight with all of their skills rather than just sticking to a particular skillset.
Bam and Jahad both healed any injuries they took, Jahad healing as quickly as Bam this time despite his stronger physical body due to Bam having wounded Jahad more. While they both healed, Bam took the liberty to think about what their four rounds of combat allowed him to judge. It happened that the bell hadn't rang yet, so Bam had enough time to think quickly. He was thankful for Gustang's tests of having him put his intelligence through various simulations, allowing him to develop such sharp quick-thinking skills.
One, Jahad was obviously physically stronger than him, more skilled at hand-to-hand combat, and with a single needle, Jahad was equally matched with him in terms of bladework. Bam anticipated Jahad would most likely be capable of dual-wielding, which would mean Jahad could have dominated him, but had reserved that for the all-rounded match. Not only that, Jahad wasn't using Reels or Hooks, although Bam could safely assure Jahad was at least equal or superior to him considering Jahad being the greatest Fisherman in the Tower.
Still, Bam thanked Urek and Yurin above all else, while also reserving some gratitude for Master Jinsung. For Urek, Bam thanked his "big brother" for thoroughly turning him into as equally skilled in fast-paced as he was in normal-paced, considering Jahad's agression, and when it came to technical skill, Bam was especially grateful to Lady Yurin ahead of his master. She had always instilled in him the importance of being fluidly aggressive and was responsible for teaching him a decent amount of his hand-to-hand combat and weapon skills.
Second, in terms of pure shinsu control, Jahad was still a formidable threat to him. Their Light Bearer was also evenly matched, and what Bam edged Jahad out more at would be Spear Bearer. Bam made sure to thank Enryu for that. His uncle was the most efficient teacher when it came to overall, the best at Spear Bearer and Wave Controller, but also having quite a few tricks to teach him even in Light Bearer, Scout, and Fisherman. Enryu also taught him a few ways for "cool, methodical thinking", which helped him further in his quick-thinking.
I haven't seen Jahad's skills at being a Scout, so I can't exactly determine exactly how, overall, we would fare. There's also the fact that Jahad hasn't exactly been allowed to use spells. I'll have to determined it when the final round starts, and leaving that aside, this battle is going to be a delicate battle of balance. Whoever can take utmost advantage of their strengths would win, while even our weaknesses would have to be covered while also used to the best of our mastery of combat.
Despite everything, Bam allowed himself to smile a little bit. Oh well... Isn't that kind of battle exactly what I've been doing things for more than half the time? Against the Family Heads, I fought against them at the height of their strength while I myself wasn't, so regardless of my superior power, I had to fight using my best suits while watching out for my weaker ones. This might be on another scale, but in fundamentals, it's quite similar. This time, both me and my opponent are at the height of our abilities. From what I've learned from Yurin and Blossom, Jahad always dominated, so he wouldn't be as used to this fight as me. That's my advantage.
So we are agreed? Yuri, Sophia, Albeda, Tiara, Repellista, Hatz and Miseng would go ahead into the "Due to the Dead". Pick any opponent you want. The rest of you, follow me to the "Army Decimators" for our first try. We don't know exactly what Phantaminum may have in store for us in "Support for the Future", so it's best to have everyone there when we challenge that part of this whole game. Aguero reasoned out as everyone else nodded.
Good. Then, I guess I only have this to say. It's been one hell of a ride for us all, but we're almost there. Just one more step, and we can do this. We can make the Tower the way it was always meant to be. Bam will defeat Jahad, so it's up to us to take care of the lesser guys. We might not be gods like him, the Family Heads, Urek Mazino, Eurasia Enne, and Enryu, but what we do have is loyalty, a duty to see things through after all that our friends and the people who we command have sacrificed believing in us, and decades of blood, sweat, and tears while fighting in a war and training. Remember that, and to ALL of you, even the ones I don't particularly like, good luck.
And with that, they all separated. The first specialized group, the strongest of those assembled here, went to the next floor upstairs where the "Due to the Dead" was, while the others entered the lower floors, where the "Army Decimators" and the "Support for the Future" challenges lay ahead.
Okay... So who's taking on who? Yuri asked casually as she looked at her fellow High Rankers, all but the man named Hatz being fellow lovers of Bam. She had to admit she wasn't expecting Phantaminum of all people to so generously create the stage for the final battle. As Yuri had always said, Phantaminum made it clear he was a "dirty one", but to think he had been planning this all along? Did he spare her because he knew how she would be there for Bam?
Oh well, if Phantaminum wanted to play this game, then Yuri wasn't going to refuse him. A part of her almost wondered if she would get the chance to laugh at him for winning his "game", but then she realized he probably wouldn't mind. He designed this game so it would give them all a fair chance, so he would just smirk back and tell her she won fair and square.
I think I shall take Khun Maschenny. You have already killed her once, Ha Yuri, so now it's my turn. The Poe Bidau and the Khun have some rivalry, so I wish to challenge the Princess of the Khun Family, being the Princess of the Poe Bidau as well. Yuri merely scoffed, but didn't argue. Poe Bidau Tiara was always known to be the Psycopathic Princess, but it seemed being around Bam softened her up. Yuri was always wary of the girl, though. Even now, she had to admit she wasn't sure she would win a fight with the girl. They didn't often interact, and never fought, but Yuri had an instinct that Tiara was someone amazingly strong.
And I shall take on Poe Bidau Lyborick. I didn't get to fight him back when I participated in ending the Fourth Squadron during the Attack on the Lo Po Bia due to being too focused on destroying the Empire's special weapons, so I would like to challenge that Squadron Commander. I would like to see how we would fare against each other. Sophia Tan declared as no one bothered to comment on her choice of an opponent. Yuri didn't know her all that well either.
Then how about I take on Arie Haghiperione, and Yuri take on Kallavan? Repellista suggested casually as Yuri shook her head. She and Repellista got along well, but Repellista was one of those people that she could never get a proper read on. She was always mischevious, but Yuri knew she was extremely powerful. She was much older, and despite not climbing the Tower, her aura felt like it would be easily a match for a Top 100 High Ranker. She had considered fighting Haghiperione, but then again, she had some beef with Kallavan for what happened on the Last Station.
I'll be taking on White, then. Good luck, Mister Hatz, on your chosen opponent. You wield your sword well. I have faith you would be able to engage your opponent, a fusion of two Division Commanders well. Albeda said as she headed towards the door where White was, a door with the symbol of a white-red crown. Sophia also headed towards the door with a lightning spear covered in bubbles, while Tiara headed towards the door with a lightning-ice spear symbol on it. A bright light emerged once they opened the door, but quickly vanished once they entered it, slamming shut.
Miss Yuri? I- I am a bit nervous. Yuri smiled a bit at Miseng. She really had grown to see her as a surrogate little sister, and unlike Endorsi or Anaak, one that isn't too hard to deal with. I've been training hard for so long, but I- I am among the few girls who love Bam who still hasn't achieved any particularly great deeds. Yuri merely shook her head as she gently ruffled Miseng's hair.
Listen to me, Miseng. You are one of the strongest woman I've ever known, and trust me, that's saying a lot. You're even stronger than Endorsi now at your peak. You're very close to a Top 100 in terms of combat strength, and you can still grow some more. Have faith, be confident, and remember those you love. You can do it. You just have to believe in yourself. With that, Yuri calmly went towards the door with the symbol of Kallavan in it, and watched as Miseng smiled and gently waved at her as she entered one of those "hollow" doors.
When Miseng had already entered her door, Yuri opened her own without hesitation and calmly went into the light as she got ready to fight.
As soon as Enryu entered the last door, it was to be surrounded in what seemed to be a galaxy-like surrounding. He wasn't even surprised when a dark cloud cleared to reveal Arlene and V together, their eyes empty and their face expressionless. Huh, been expecting that. So I am to face the two of you, huh? It sounds somewhat fitting, bitterly albeit, that you would look that way. You died full of despair, anger, and misery, and now, in death, your souls were collected for this purpose, empty and to be freed from your misery.
Enryu manifested his Arms Inventory as he clutched his spear. V is said to be nearly Jahad's equal in the past, while Arlene rivals Tperie... Huh, well, I guess that means it's time for me to go all-out. Back when I fought Jahad, we ended up drawing with each other, but had I used this, my true power, who knew how the fight could have ended. He didn't use his true power as well, but... Red markings covered Enryu's body as he prepared to tap into his truest strength. Well, let's just say I decided to give the honor of beating him to my dear nephew, even if I could.
Enne entered the golden door with the red-eye symbol to find none other but Adori waiting for her. You came. That was all Adori had to say, having already manifested her Carrier and held her Golden November and Angurvadal in her hands. Enne took a deep breath as she too manifested her Arms Inventory, revealing her array of weapons she had and arming herself especially with the Colorless December. Yeah. I am right here, Adori. Ready to end all this.
Adori's face remained hard, but there was some sentiment when she spoke again. I guess in the end, you did not truly wish to forsake the title of a Princess of Jahad, could you? You could have chosen to fight Lord Molic and had Baek Ryun fight me instead, but you chose to confront me. What's the matter, old friend? Wanting to decide who is truly the strongest Princess of Jahad in history? Enne shook her head at Adori's fanatical loyalty to Jahad. They had gotten along quite well, but Adori always believed that what Jahad was doing was right.
Does it matter? Enne replied back, looking resigned. We're both here, facing each other. There's no way out of it, even though we might not really want to kill each other. All we can do is fight for the side we have both chosen. No holding back, Adoru. Adori nodded curtly at that, and with nothing left to say, they both gripped their blades and charged.
Yurin stood facing Edahn on what seemed to be a mix of red and blue colors inside a palace. Clearly, Phantaminum had knew from the start she would be challenging Edahn. So this is it, huh? Should you die here, you'll be sent to see V and Arlene on the afterlife, and if I die, I'll be the one sent to the afterlife. Edahn said calmly as Yurin said nothing in return, simply readying her Arms Inventory after seeing Edahn had already left his opened out. We never quite determined who was really the better amongst us, did we? Time to settle this once and for all.
Yurin laughed at that, and she wouldn't lie that the laugh was somewhat melancholic. Indeed. It's time to end this between us. I still got things to live for, people to love, but you don't have those things anymore, do you Edahn? Before, things were better, but now, you've changed among the most drastically compared to the rest of us. I won't bother asking if there's a way out of this without fighting because we both know there isn't.
Edahn merely laughed back, and it was just as melancholic as her own laugh. Yeah... We sure had some pretty good times once... But we can never go back to those days, no matter how much we want to. Yurin said nothing to that as she launched a huge blast of her red shinsu that Edahn repelled easily using his own blue shinsu.
Today... Everything ends.
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