Yasuke, Chapter 24 : Self-Inflictions

*A FEW MINUTES EARLIER*

King Leonidas was teleported to the entrance of the Kingdom of Namunda.

"Logias' Lacuna Breach has improved." Leonidas thought. "He always tries to downplay his ability, but it's one of the most developed of all the young spartans."

As Leondias began to walk towards it, he felt a certain energy that spiked his senses. This made him curious, but also very defensive.

"King Leonidas." He heard a voice say.

He looked up to see King Nobunaga jump from the top and land just a few feet away from him.

"I know you're here for Yasuke, but I have a few things I need to tell you." He revealed. "Despite how it may look, our wishes for Yasuke aren't that different. Yes, there are a few things I want to use his powers to accomplish. But, I don't view him as some lifeless object. I sincerely want him to be happy and prosperous as well."

"That's good." Leondias vaguely replied.

"I also care about his safety." King Nobunaga continued. "And that's why I'd like to challenge you."

"Challenge?" King Leondias asked.

"I'm not going to interfere with King Agasga's wishes. But, that doesn't mean no one else will. I want to make sure that you're capable of protecting him by yourself." He explained. "If you can't even defend yourself properly, then you surely cannot defend him as well. I know you Spartans have duels where no one gets hurt, and I believe that is perfect for this situation."

"I understand." King Leondias replied. "We can begin whenever you're ready."

"I'm always ready." Nobunaga quickly remarked.

His chi created a small and narrow blade that extended off his arm. He rose it in the direction of King Leonidas. King Leondias replied by building a slight aura as he crossed his arms.

"You think you'll be able to defend without using your real power." Nobunaga thought. "You better be as good as they say."

King Nobunaga rushed towards Leondias with a side step to the right. At the angle he took, his blade was soon to meet the tip of Leondias's elbow. Leondias didn't move at all, instead he extended his lowered arms as if he was offering a hug.

"I wonder about you, young king." Leondias thought. "It's clear you're very different than your father. But, the reasoning behind it is a mystery. Why do you abandon the virtues he worked hard to imbue in you? What do you seek? Is that actually worth attaining? I'm glad you challenged me to this duel. Soon, the dark sky will lose a few glooming clouds."

A square composed of chi energy formed a few feet away from where King Leondias faced off against King Nobunaga. In the square, you could see the faces of King Musa, Domitia, and the rest of the Spartans as they spectated their duel. Leondias was quick to notice it, but he didn't relinquish any of his focus on Nobunaga. As Leondias stood motionless waiting for a clash with Nobunaga, his aura formed a spear above his head that was pointing in Nobunaga's direction.

"The Judgement Spear..." Hercules uttered.

Domitia turned and looked at him.

"The Judgement Spear...?"

"It's not my place to tell." Hercules replied. "But, it's clear King Leondias is taking this opportunity to learn about King Nobunaga instead of just beating him."

"If you're reluctant to explain how the Judgement Spear works because I'm here, don't worry. King Leondias and i have showcased a few of our high level skills to each other a number of times." King Musa explained.

"No, it's not that." Hercules responded. "As a Spartan, permission to speak freely about another Spartan's ability is granted only after that Spartan showcases it to you."

"This is a rule we all abide by." Logias explained.

"Yeah, it wouldn't matter even if it was King Leonidas himself." Domitia added.

"The rules you govern yourselves with are very different." King Musa announced. "Please excuse my ignorance in regards to them."

"Don't worry, it's fine." Kratos assured.

As Nobunaga neared King Leondias, his eyes gravitated towards the spear hovering above him.

"What are you thinking?" Nobunaga thought. "Are you going to block my attack? Maybe you plan to intercept my strike with one of your own...good luck with that. I'll change course at the last second and make it seem like I missed. But, the tip of my blade will have sunk into your heart. You'll get Yasuke and escort him to King Agasga, return home and drop dead after a few days. I'll kill you without leaving a trace!"

Just as Nobunaga reached Leonidas, he leaped into the air diagonally. He gently brushed past the spear above Leondias and swung his blade into the center of his back.

"I underated my own speed." Nobunaga thought as he landed on the group behind Leondias with a grin. "He wasn't able to react at all. Now, let's put some distance between us and make it seem lik-"

*SWOOSH*

Nobunaga fell to his knees as he felt a sharp pain. Reactively, his chi blade disappeared as he placed both his hands on his chest. His eyes widened as he felt a rugged gash as blood dripped from between his fingers.

The memory of the actions Nobunaga committed within the last few seconds faded from reality as his mind corrected the illusions with visions of what actually occurred.

Leondias' Judgement Spear pierced through Nobunaga chest to reveal the intentions in his heart. The wound being dealt to him was a figment of his own imagination but also happened to reveal what he planned to do. He planned to stab Leondias in his heart so that's the experience Judgement Spear made him go through. Nobunaga realized this after the blood-dripping wound he felt magically disappeared.

The Spartans and King Musa watched the events unfold in awe. Nobody expected this duel to play out as it did.

"I see." King Musa thought. "The Judgement Chain revealed King Nobunaga's true intentions by inflicting them on himself. This makes me wonder. King Leondias learned about my Sphere of Promise and Luck Share long before I showed those abilities to him. He must have used a power very similar to this one."