The battle between Xander, the Black Shogun, and Philly, the past version of himself depicting the extreme speed that comes with his combat skills, was a clash of experience and raw velocity. As the two warriors faced off, the atmosphere thickened with tension, the air crackling with anticipation. As the duel began, Xander made the first move, executing his signature “Death’s Bypass.” In a heartbeat, he vanished from sight, leaving nothing but a whisper of shadow behind him. His katana flickered like lightning as it sliced through the space where Philly once stood. But Philly was no ordinary fighter; he was already on the move, his instincts guiding him as he activated his “Blurred Blade." In an instant, he was upon Xander, a blur of slashing motion, delivering a rapid series of strikes that flickered like fireflies in the twilight. As the two collided, Xander barely managed to parry the incoming slashes using “Glint,” the force of Philly's relentless barrage showed no signs of slowing down. Though Xander's guard was sturdy, he could feel the mounting pressure. He activated “Phantom Swerve,” slipping into the shadows to evade a particularly vicious strike. Here, he tried to create distance, attempting to gather his bearings and pick his next move. But Philly, sensing the shift, was relentless. He executed "Twin Barrage," creating two afterimages that struck alongside him, overwhelming the Shogun with three separate attacking fronts. The precision of each strike was impressive, and Xander found himself on the back foot. The crowd gasped as Philly’s speed showcased an elegant dance of destruction. Each slash was not just an attack but a message; he was outmaneuvering and outsmarting his opponent with ease. The Black Shogun, no stranger to combat, began to feel the weight of fatigue settle in as he struggled to keep his guard up against Philly's blistering pace. Realizing that he would need to up his game, Xander channeled the fury of his “Wraith's Wrath,” launching himself in a desperate bid for dominance. With his katana brandished, he unleashed a flurry of “Binary Harm,” utilizing both blades and shurikens to counter Philly's assault. The glittering projectiles cut through the air, forcing Philly to dodge momentarily. Yet, Xander's resolve remained strong, even as he felt the odds slipping away. However, Philly, seizing the opportunity, activated “The End,” conjuring up a legendary attack that created twenty afterimages of himself, each striking towards Xander in perfect unison. The illusion was bewildering as the strikes seemed to come from every angle, attuned perfectly to the Shogun’s movements. No amount of skill or experience could fully account for the sheer insanity of speed Philly brought to the battlefield. It was at this moment that the cold mask of Xander fell just slightly; he felt his heart beat faster, his cold demeanor on the verge of breaking. As the flurry of strikes rained upon him, any hope of a counterattack faded. Xander’s guard faltered; he was caught in a perfect storm of dexterity and power. The inevitability of his defeat began to sink in, and with a final desperate slash attempted, he realized the emptiness of the space around him. As Philly's attacks finally ceased, the echoes of his barrages faded, and it was clear who stood victorious. Xander fell to one knee, panting, the ferocity and skill of the past Philly overpowering the dark, anguishing aura he had attempted to cultivate. In the end, it was Philly’s unyielding speed, agility, and the overwhelming presence of his afterimages that secured his victory—an unstoppable wave of momentum crashing through the stalwart defenses of the Black Shogun.