Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (story arc)

Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (タルカスと黒騎士ブラフォード) is the seventh story arc in Phantom Blood.

Summary
After Jonathan comes to Zeppeli's defense against Dio, the two attempt to take him out together with their Ripple. But the plan backfires with Dio overpowering them as Zeppeli manages to divert his attention to take a hit that would have crippled Jonathan. Dio then tosses his two opponents off the rock and mocks them while summoning his two strongest zombies, Bruford the Dark Knight and Tarkus, to attack Joseph. Zeppelli curses himself for putting Jonathan at a severe disadvantage as Speedwagon attempts to return circulation to Zeppeli's frozen arm by placing it on his chest under his coat.

As Jonathan is overwhelmed by Bruford's blood-sucking hair and Tarkus's superhuman strength, Dio explains that the zombies were once the retainers of Mary Stuart and fought for her freedom when she was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth I. Concluding that Elizabeth tricked the knights into surrendering and that they died learning that Mary was executed, Dio explains that he resurrected Bruford and Tarkus so they can act on their undying hated.

After Bruford kills a zombie for interfering in the fight, he requests Dio to allow him to face Jonathan in a duel. Dio, noticing that Bruford is motivated by his own knightly pride, allows it. Bruford proceeds to fight Jonathan as he draws his sword, impressed that the human dodged an attack he once used in life during the trial of the 77 Rings. Bruford then knocks Jonathan into the lake and dives in after him, Dio taking his leave while allowing Tarkus to kill the others. Bruford gives Jonathan a sporting chance to reach the surface since both are equally handicapped, but the human's childhood memory convinces him to the bottom of the lake where he finds an air pocket and takes in enough oxygen to replenish his Ripple, using a subsequent Overdrive to force Bruford out of the water.

The two then resume their fight on even footing before Bruford ensnares Jonathan and attempts to deal the deathblow. But Jonathan uses Bruford's sword to channel Ripple energy into the zombie's right arm, melting it before breaking free to deliver consecutive Ripple-infused blows on his opponent.

Chapters

 * 026. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (1)
 * 027. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (2)
 * 028. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (3)
 * 029. Tarkus and the Dark Knight Bruford (4)

Volumes

 * 03. The Dark Knights
 * 04. Chamber of the Two-Headed Dragon

Anime Episodes

 * 05. The Dark Knights
 * 06. Tomorrow's Courage