Under The Curtain

The unmasked knight and Star exchanged blow after blow, with Star growing increasingly tired. He sensed a draining sensation, as if something was sucking his energy out, from the moment he first got closer to the cave while fighting with the saber. Meanwhile, Bazett struggled to carry the young master away from the battlefield as he attempted to break free from her grasp. Despite his inability to even speak properly, he displayed remarkable strength as he tried to break free.

Then, in the amidst of everything loud crackling sounds came from deep inside the cave, accompanied by a massive beam of dark red light bursting from within and shattering the cave's ceiling, unleashing a colossal shockwave. This made Star get distracted and allowed the knight to land a successful hit on Star. Just as the saber's blade was about to connect with him, he attempted to dodge, but it was too late. The impact sent him crashing to the ground as the blade has slashed him through his torso;

"GAHH-!"

It was obvious that he was in serious pain and couldn't get back up. The impact was so immense that it formed a small, shallow crater where he collided after sabers attack. Bazett quickly dropped off and hid the boy just a little away from the battle scene and immediately rushed near Star as the saber readied his sword to make an attack again;

"Star!"

Bazett immediately channeled her mana to all of her limbs, and ran straight at the servant before her. Just as the knight prepared to swing his sword again, Bazett intervened with a swift right jab to his arm, causing him to lose his grip on the sword handle. Before he could react, she followed up with a kick to his leg, slightly throwing him off balance. But then the saber stomped his feet on the ground with a roar, conjuring a powerful magic force around him. The force pushed Bazett away, sending her tumbling to the ground;

"Nngh!.. Such a powerful force."

Bazett quickly got up from the ground taking her battle stance once more, while Star still was trying to recover from the blow he got from the saber. As Bazett prepared to charge at the servant, her focus shattered when four towering golems emerged from the cave, mirroring the ones she had encountered before. Overwhelmed, she hesitated, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Her servant was practically neutralized and powerless, unable to attack;

"Come on! GET UP! We need to do something! Star!"

Bazett said while looking back at her servant laying flat on the ground, all silent barely staying conscious... Bazett took a deep breath, her mind racing to think of a plan as the golems closed in while the saber was staring down at both her and Star with emotionless and menacing eyes, not attacking just watching their pitifulness. Then in a flash the same injured master shows up sprinting back in the battle from where Bazett hid him, throwing a battle cry;

"AAAAAAAA!!"

His eyes filled with determination despite the pain his body was in. He wasn't holding the same machetes he held while fighting with the knight this time. He was carrying an long sword, its shape was almost identical to the one that dark knight was carrying. The only difference, this sword gleamed with a radiant aura of pure gold light, setting it apart from its ominous counterpart.

The boy raised his sword to the air holding it with both hands as it started to only glow brighter while he was panting. The knights dull expression quickly changed to an one of surprise and shock. As the young master prepared to strike at the golems and the knight, he announced the name of his attack before swinging his sword;

"EX- CALIBUR!!!"

Grunting, with a mighty blow, he unleashed an immensely large wave of pure light, sending it crashing toward them. Everything happened so quick, the saber didn't have time to react so got caught up in the wave of light too along with the golems. After the attack was done, all of the golems were vanished to thin air and an big portion of the cave's entrance was destroyed as the young master fell on his knees heavily, rashly breathing while holding his arm in pain. The sword he was holding turned into dust as he was on the ground. Bazett was left speechless. She didn't anticipate such a display of power from this master, especially considering his age and current state. She was thoroughly shocked...

The saber, also panting heavily, struggled to rise from the ground. Bazett quickly saw that the knight was still not defeated so quickly rushed at the fallen servant to finish the job and do the final blow. As she ran, suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her stomach, forcing her to halt. Her eyes became wide open, and she looked down at her stomach. She was stabbed without even realizing; a sharp black object had pierced through her. Causing her to fall and puke blood. As she lay on the ground, her vision blurred, she saw someone coming out from the cave. They had striking white hair and wore a black gown with crimson linings on. They had a feminine figure. The heavily wounded young master spoke upon seeing the figure;

"...Sakura..."

Then his head got chopped off by the very same object that impaled Bazett, seemingly an extension of that person's attire, who the boy recognized as Sakura. This person, Sakura. Was overflowing with mana, even Bazett could feel it. Just staring at her sent shivers down her spine... She tries to force her eyes to stay open as Sakura slowly walks closer to her.