Chapter Ten: Zero Vs Arthur

The Artemis Unit followed Commander Hanzo through the pristine, heavily defended corridors of Tokyo Central HQ. Mana-reinforced walls, automated turrets, and elite guards were visible at every checkpoint.

They eventually arrived at the large combat training room. The sound of steel clashing against training dummies echoed through the hall.

Zero stood in the center of the room, testing his new equipment. He wore a sleek set of dark composite plate armor with Magicyte reinforcement. In his hands was a finely crafted longsword — balanced, sharp, and far sturdier than the basic one he had broken earlier. He moved through a series of fluid practice forms, each swing precise and devastating.

Hanzo cleared his throat.

“Ah, Zero. This is Lord Arthur of the Artemis Unit.”

Zero stopped mid-swing and turned to face the newcomers. He gave a simple, respectful nod, his silver hair slightly damp with sweat.

Arthur studied him carefully, arms crossed over his golden armor.

Merlin adjusted his glasses, eyes sparkling with analytical interest as he observed Zero’s aura.

“Arthur,” he whispered, barely audible. “He’s dangerous. Raw… but I dare say his combat instincts are better than yours.”

Morgana tilted her head, her gaze lingering on Zero with open curiosity. Lancelot remained silent, gripping his massive shield a little tighter.

Arthur let out a short scoff, though there was no real arrogance in his tone — only confidence.

“He looks strong. I’ll give him that. Although I doubt he can match me in terms of pure skill.”

Zero’s gray eyes met Arthur’s evenly. A faint, almost challenging smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Hanzo watched the exchange with quiet amusement.

“Perhaps a spar would settle the matter,” he suggested. “After all, we’re all on the same side now.”

Zero rested the tip of his new sword against the floor, looking at Arthur with calm intensity.

“I wouldn’t mind,” he said simply.

The air in the training room grew thick with anticipation as the two powerful warriors sized each other up. The Artemis Unit’s arrival had just made things a lot more interesting.

Arthur stepped forward into the center of the training room. His golden armor gleamed under the bright lights as he reached over his shoulder and drew his massive bastard sword in one smooth motion. He assumed a perfect stance — balanced, disciplined, and seemingly without any openings.

Commander Hanzo stood at the edge of the training area.

“This is a simple spar,” he announced firmly. “No blood spilled.”

Both Arthur and Zero nodded in agreement.

“Begin!”

Arthur exploded forward with impressive speed for someone in full plate. His bastard sword came down in a powerful overhead strike.

Zero dodged at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the blow while carefully gauging Arthur’s reaction time and power. The sword slammed into the reinforced floor, cracking the training mat.

Arthur immediately pivoted on his heel with excellent footwork and brought the blade around in a wide, sweeping arc.

CLANG!

Zero blocked the strike with one hand on his own sword, the impact ringing loudly through the room. He then twisted his blade skillfully, using the leverage to parry Arthur’s weapon aside and create an opening.

Arthur’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he recovered instantly, pressing the attack with a series of heavy, controlled strikes. Each blow was delivered with the precision and power of a legendary knight.

Zero moved like liquid silver — dodging, parrying, and countering with efficient, almost minimal movement. His style was raw and instinctual compared to Arthur’s refined technique, yet incredibly effective.

Merlin watched with wide eyes, muttering under his breath.

“Fascinating… His muscle memory is operating on an entirely different level.”

Morgana observed quietly, while Lancelot’s grip on his shield tightened.

The two warriors continued their intense exchange, the training room filled with the sound of clashing steel. Neither had gained a clear advantage yet, but the atmosphere was electric. Zero’s faint smile never left his face. This was exactly the kind of challenge he had been craving.

The exchange intensified.

Arthur pressed forward with disciplined, powerful strikes, forcing Zero to stay on the move. Their blades sang against each other in rapid succession.

“Lancelot!” Arthur called out.

Without hesitation, Lancelot hurled his massive tower shield across the training floor. Arthur caught it seamlessly with his off-hand, bracing himself just as Zero launched a powerful overhead strike.

BOOM!

Zero’s sword smashed into the shield with tremendous force, the impact echoing through the entire room. The sheer power behind the blow drove Arthur down onto one knee, his golden armor straining under the pressure.

For a moment, the training room fell silent.

Zero stood over him, gripping his blade tightly, a wide, gleeful grin spreading across his face. His silver hair was slightly disheveled, and his gray eyes burned with excitement.

Monsters are simple, he thought. But fighting a real human… now this is a proper challenge.

Arthur looked up at Zero, breathing steadily despite being forced into a kneeling position. A spark of respect — and competitive fire — flashed in his eyes.

“Not bad,” he admitted, voice steady. “Not bad at all.”

Merlin let out a low whistle from the sidelines.

Morgana’s eyes were wide with fascination, while Lancelot remained tense, ready to step in if needed.

Commander Hanzo watched with a faint, satisfied smile.

“Enough,” he called out, raising a hand. “Well fought, both of you.”

Zero stepped back, lowering his sword. The grin on his face slowly faded into his usual calm expression, though the thrill of the fight still lingered in his eyes.

Arthur rose to his feet, slinging the massive shield back toward Lancelot, who caught it effortlessly.

“You fight with instinct rather than form,” Arthur said, sheathing his bastard sword. “It’s chaotic… but undeniably effective. I can see why the Commander took a risk on you.”

Zero gave a small nod.

“You’re strong. Clean technique. I respect that.”

The tension in the room eased slightly, though the air still crackled with the energy of their clash.

Hanzo stepped forward.

“This was a good test. Zero, you’ll be working alongside the Artemis Unit for the time being. We have much to discuss — and much to prepare for.”

Zero glanced at the group of legendary Delvers, then back at Hanzo.

“Fine by me.”

The first meeting between Zero and the Artemis Unit had ended not with hostility, but with mutual respect — and the promise of greater challenges to come.

The spar ended with both warriors breathing steadily, respect evident in their stances.

Arthur lowered his bastard sword and looked at Zero with genuine admiration.

“You’re very strong and well trained,” he said. “Perhaps you could introduce me to your sword master?”

Zero gave him a blank look.

“Sword Master? What’s that?”

Arthur blinked, clearly confused.

“Someone who trained you?”

Zero shrugged casually.

“I don’t remember anything before being chained inside that dungeon.”

The Artemis Unit members exchanged surprised glances.

Merlin adjusted his glasses, leaning forward with scholarly curiosity.

“Then how do you know how to fight so well?”

Zero paused for a moment, then gave a simple, almost tired answer.

“If I knew that, I’d probably still be in the dungeon.”

With that, he turned and began walking toward the exit of the training room, sword resting on his shoulder.

Arthur watched him go, a complex expression on his face — part respect, part unease.

Morgana spoke softly after Zero had left.

“He carries a heavy burden… and yet fights with such joy. It’s almost heartbreaking.”

Merlin muttered to himself, “Fatebreaker… No memories… Pure instinct. This is going to be very interesting.”

Hanzo, who had observed the entire exchange, simply smiled faintly.

“Welcome to Tokyo, everyone. I believe we have a lot of work ahead of us.”