The Metal bends and shifts as the smolders of the flames were flowing across the ashy winds. The blade breaks and parts in two, stilts that slowly formed legs, shrinking itself down and converting the metal to become the extra parts of his body. Horns, tail, even taking upon itself to create massive bat-like wings to signify the difference. The red jewel that hangs on its hilt moved to be its eye, the sides parting to hands. No mouth was visible, and yet it was not needed, as Eustace was quick on getting back up and letting his body regenerate from the injuries, the metal melting off slowly creeping back up and patching any holes and wounds left behind. Even the shadow would start to expel out such leggings when it was discarded, thanks to the bright light from their assault.
To say they were ill-prepared was an understatement.
"Your coordination is valuable... and yet you underestimated me." It spoke, its voice as valiant as it was malicious, no doubt in anger for such bombardment. "Now, I shall test you five to truly see how committed you are in taking such a life. Your dirty tricks will act as your judgement. I hope you're ready to face against-"
"WAIT! WAIT WAIT! Before you say anything!" Harvard shouted, immediately casting Lemegeton to ensure neither moved a muscle, setting up a Monster for a bullet, fusing it and letting it emit a red hot flare of heat. "Who and what ARE you? Furthermore... Why did you attack Koina? And what the heck even is that?!" His questions fell on deaf ears to the Construct, instead choosing to take a step forward in defiance. Harvard would shoot at it in response, showcasing a lava-like blast in efforts to melt and coat the creation in Magma. It, however, chose to detach its wings and cleave it in one swipe, the lava parting, scattering away, leaving it to simmer and boil the earth down.
"Have you no eyes? You are looking at the Knight of Shadows, Eustace! The Soldier that weaponized the Dark Arts in my voyage overseas! You are currently bearing witness to those very Arts..." The Knight bellowed, as if its pride was insulted, especially in such an abrupt shot.
"To make copies of people?"
"To JUDGE them! When your assassin you called 'Koina' tried to usurp such knowledge, I did the same thing to know of their intentions. To take on the King is to take on the mantle of killing a Generation. You do not know this now, but my purpose is to act as its key. That man has done crimes unimaginable, and I am one of the few to serve as its witness!"
"...Ok, you lost me. The heck do you mean by a Generation??"
The Knight went silent as he'd recall his time, standing up and fully healed, taking in deep breaths. "Before time had a name-"
"AJBUABABAHAMA- Nevermind, actually. If you're gonna do backstory time, do it AFTER we're done beating you up."
"...Very well then." He'd snap his fingers, and immediately the Demon's Metallic Copy sprang to life, compelled to go forward and slash into Harvard's arm, assuming him as the biggest threat. As it did, however, once more would Eligos attack, quickly invading up and snatching the living blade, pulling it down and ingraining the steel within the clay ground. It was able to break free from the 'earth' with no issues, but the living markings themselves were of another story. Furthermore, Stolas would be quick on getting close, aiming for a swift straight into the jewel to try and break it, watching as it would shape around and send it elsewhere, the attack missing its direct target as it sinks into its stomach region. He'd try to aim for a knee and set up a grab to rip him off of Eligos to expose it if it tried to escape elswhere, but such movements would be countered by the Jewel sinking lower, whilst the body sharpened and closed in like an Iron Maiden, attempting to catch and pierce through his whole body. Solomon was quick to send in Shady and use him to teleport from the latched grip, summoning him out from the Shadows to ensure he's safe. This, however, is also countered, as Eustace was quick on his own Shadow Magic to keep Stolas trapped, forever sinking in the black.
In such a desperate measure, Stolas would try to cast a Star and illuminate the area, forcing the Darkness to expel in the realm, and to an extent, shoot his body back up. He would most likely come out in a random spot, but such was not an issue, as he intends to close the gap and guarantee a hit with Sagittarius. As he was flung upwards and be far, far outside the combat entirely, one shot was made alongside a tether in the nebulae from the constellation, yanking him to the other side. Eustace would try to take advantage at their lack of a proper powerhouse by having the copy attack Solomon in his distracted position, letting it get close and land a heavy chop, the mere physical brush having such a sharp edge to slash down at his shoulder, quickly changing forms once again, copying the Biblical Sorcerer's body as a result. It was being somewhat clear how the duplicate works, a theory he wanted to test by setting up a plague of hail, a barrage of fiery frost, to see if it can use one of his own spells against him.
To their shock, they weren't able to. The Duplicate was forced to retreat back after blocking the hailstorm out of Solomon's hands. "...It can't copy our Magic? What kind of duplicate is that??" The Biblical Sorcerer asked, stunned as to how it was supposed to be a threat if it can't use other styles properly. That was, until, he'd notice the Jewel trailing straight back towards where it would act as the eyes. It was shining, it was studying, the Gem going to different directions and trying to learn as much as it possibly can.
It was preparing something.