A Challenge | un: vainglorious (video)

[erschlagen]

Champions of foreign lands and worlds of names I have yet to know–hearken unto me!

[This video starts off with a bang! No, literally. There’s a loud explosion in the background as towering flames suddenly jut out from all corners of the arena forming an orange-red haze around the entire colosseum. For any unfortunate souls here, it’s going to feel hotter than hell but for others just watching from afar; you’re relatively safe for now. Those wild orange flames won’t scorch anyone as long as Rosen has control of them.

Oh, for those of you wondering who’s talking right now–that would be the dapper old bastard with the long flowing hair dressed in bright red and blue tunic standing at the center of the colosseum. Don’t ask how he’s managing to film the entire stunt. He’s just doing what he does best, causing a disturbance. It’s been a little too peaceful here and he’s bloody determined to change all that. If there’s one thing Rosen hates more is peace and quiet.]

Many of you proclaim to be warriors of realms I have yet to explore. Some of you even pretend to be likened to gods all for the sake of vanity and nothing else!

[It’s amazing how this crazed fellow can project his voice. He’s not talking into a microphone or anything. No, he’s literally projecting his voice throughout the entire colosseum over the roar of the fire. That actually takes talent and a lack of shame for being that damn LOUD! Then again, the colosseum has great acoustics.]

Therefore, I challenge you!

[In a flash of brilliant white light, a magical fiery red spear suddenly appears within his right hand. He dramatically points it towards the direction of the camera, making sure that this prized relic is on display for all to see. While it might come into question as of how he’s recording all this, Rosen at least knows how to put on a good show.]

I am called Rosenkrantz, and I formally challenge every capable warrior and legend here to face in armed combat! Only the strong need to apply for those without strength will be turned at the gate!

[He’s not kidding either. If he finds any of you fools lacking, he’ll toss you out of the colosseum on your ass. That is an unspoken rule here.]

With that said, if you seek a worthy challenge–then face me.

[And just like that, the footage goes black.]

Comments

[mayoninofukucho]

[Multiple fights in a row against supernaturally strong opponents would tire anyone out - and Rosen is still really giving Hijikata a very good run for his money. Still, he feels satisfied when Rosen draws back and even swaps his spear hand. This will put him at a disadvantage! (But who's to say how fast that injury may heal on such an adversary?)]

You know, I'm used to just cutting through my enemies like through paper! You're making it hard for me!

[The little success is making him more talkative, clearly, and the light-hearted complaint carries his enjoyment across. In some part of his mind he's fairly sure by now that Rosen could long have impaled him if he really wanted to, but he'll bury that awareness for the sake of his own pride.

When the butterflies appear he observes them only for a short moment before attempting to turn then green and harmless... and if that works out he'll just stay where he is and raise his sword in a challenging gesture. If it doesn't work, though... well, he'll have to think of something else then.]

[erschlagen]

[The wound Hijikata inflicted on him is already rapidly healing but the pain tends to linger longer than the wound itself. Rosen is exhausted. While he would never admit it, he honestly must be exhausted to nearly allow a mortal to disarm him. A faint chuckle escapes the old arkana as he slowly circles around the arena. Those nasty little butterflies help keep some much needed distance between him and his opponent, allowing for him to catch his breath. This is nothing more than a momentary respite, one that Rosen relishes as he watches how Hijikata wields his magic to turn those flaming butterflies green.

What an annoying ability. Rosen will have to think of ways to counteract the other pyromancers here lest he wants to fall for their tricks over and over again. A thoughtful hum escapes him as he thinks of various ways to defeat this cheeky fellow. However, all his thoughts go out the window once he sees that challenging gesture.

It’s then that Rosen darts right towards the swordsman again with his lance drawn and ready. Fuck strategy. He’s going to rely on brute strength to take this man down.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata is lucky that his summer powers extend to all kinds of fire, otherwise he'd have been in a pickle with the butterflies - he doesn't really have any shielding abilities. That's exactly what spells the end of the fight as Rosen stops their little dance and charges at him in earnest, faster and even more like a force of nature than before. This time there's no indication for Hijikata where the lance will impact, as if Rosen weren't taking the chance of him dipping out of reach in the last split second anymore.

With nowhere to swerve away to he can only broaden his stance, dig his meagre dress shoe heels in, grip his sword hilt with both hands, and block that red hot lance.

It goes about as well as could be expected: The sword blade shatters under the impact, and whether the lance goes through Hijikata's neck or just his uniform collar is probably in equal parts up to chance and Rosen's supernatural abilities.]

[erschlagen]

[At full strength, Rosen is often likened to a force of nature. He’s powerful, fast, and utterly relentless. Despite his seemingly playful and theatrical nature, Rosen is indeed a threat in every sense of the word. However, if there’s one thing that he isn’t and that is cruel. The second he realizes that Hijikata will be unable to bear the brunt of his spear, he purposely stops himself from skewering the man. Those fiery red embers lick against the collar of Hijikata’s uniform, lightly singeing the fabric but not causing any further harm.]

My, my…

[A sigh of relief escapes Rosen as he peeks at Hijikata from behind his spear.]

That’s quite unfortunate, lad! I didn’t mean to break your sword…

[Rosen gives his opponent an apologetic but tired smile as the exertion of it all washes over him. He lowers his spear and firmly stabs the fiery blade into the concrete. He’s panting a little, clearly exhausted. If he didn’t stop himself just now, Hijikata would’ve died right then and there. This oddly enough humbles him. It wasn’t his intention to put the mortal in danger and yet he did. While Hijikata indeed fought honorably, Rosen can’t help but feel like some overzealous fool.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[To his credit Hijikata doesn't stand there with vibrating irises all shaken up. He's been in near-death situations too many times, and he did sign up for this to begin with! He lets out a small sigh as well as they both relax their postures, calmly glancing at the remains of his sword. He got lucky insofar as it broke into just a few big pieces (plus some smaller shards). Perhaps he can get it reforged if he finds a skilled smith.]

Nothing to be sorry for. I shouldn't have tried to block if I'd wanted it to stay whole.

[A tiny smile appears on his face, too.]

I should've impaled you. In a real battle I would've.

[Of course that would have meant impaling each other, and unlike Rosen he wouldn't have gotten back up from that, but he has never been one to pull punches! Part of him really wonders what made him do it now. Even in a friendly duel he wants to give his everything!

But the moment he realised that Rosen wouldn't let him slip away this time and that he could already use both his hands again - nullifying the small advantage Hijikata had won for himself - his thoughts went to the children he met over the last weeks, young kids, civilians who were grateful for mundane little acts of help like getting them to their assigned apartments when they were overwhelmed by the new situation. If he goes out of commission for 3 days, will there be others to lend them a hand if they need it? Surely, a voice in his mind tells him, and in any case it definitely isn't the Shinsengumi's Demon Vice-Commander's job to look out for random kids, yet... yet here he is.

But he shakes that thought out of his head, telling himself that he simply didn't want to deal with the hassle of dying and having to trek back from the Flower Yard in the aftermath, and offers his hand to Rosen for a shake.]

[erschlagen]

[Hijikata has nerves of steel. Rosen can’t help but silently commend the man for that. Mortal or no mortal, not many would be this calm after facing Death right in the eye. It’s truly commendable and enough to make Rosen feel a little less apologetic for his little mistake.]

You would’ve impaled me right in the abdomen with that move.

[He chuckles as he rests his lance over his shoulder. The flames dwindle a bit, leaving this enchanted relic somewhat exposed to the elements. Without the bright colorful flames, this lance looks more burgundy in hue. It’s dormant for now.]

I would’ve been in real trouble there even with my regenerative abilities.

[A stomach wound is notoriously hard to heal from. It’s typically fatal for various reasons and even for an immortal like him, that would’ve hurt like hell. Even so, Rosen isn’t too sure if Hijikata would’ve stabbed him there. While the man is indeed a warrior, it doesn’t seem like Hijikata is a killer. Then again, he could be wrong. It’s not like Rosen knows the man but he’s interested in knowing more about him.

Nevertheless, he accepts the handshake with a cheerful grin. No hard feelings here, just mutual respect.]

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name earlier. My memory is a little bad at times.

[That’s an understatement…]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata takes his uniform jacket off, crouches down and starts collecting the remains of his weapon into it.]

Hijikata.

[He doesn't mind repeating it. Given the bombastic challenge Rosen issued he's probably fought more people today than one would meet at an office party, and even at the latter type of event no one can always remember everybody's names!

His comments on the trouble Hijikata would have caused him in a mutual impalement scenario do make the samurai feel good. Rosen is both right and wrong in his assessment of him - he has killed many people in his life, and without hesitation too; such is life in the service of the shogunate. But he's never killed anyone who wouldn't have killed him too, and he knows how to fight with honour... it's just very situational.]

I like your weapon. What's its name?

[Surely it has one, striking and fiery as it is!]

[erschlagen]

Ah, right! Hijikata.

[Forgive him for the mispronunciation. He’s a Celt who never practiced Japanese a day in his life. He’s quite unused to such names but give him a week and he’ll nail it.]

Hey, hey! Stop! [Rosen quickly stabs the spear into the ground next to him before kneeling down to help Hijikata pick up the shards. He’s immortal, after all. It doesn’t matter if those sharp little shards cut him up since he heals so quickly.] You’ll cut your bloody hand open doing this yourself.

[He places all of the broken shards within the folds of Hijikata’s jacket before offering the rest to him. His fingers are briefly covered in little nasty cuts before suddenly healing right before Hijikata’s eyes. The broken flesh mends together on its own without any aid. It’s almost as if Rosen isn’t entirely human, nevertheless mortal. He gives Hijikata a little smile before glancing over towards his spear.]

Oh, that old thing? It’s called the “Lúin of Celtchar”, the pride and joy of Ulster.

[Rosen hops back onto his feet and offers Hijikata a hand.]

Legends say that this famous spear once belonged to two legendary heroes hailing from Ulster. One such hero being the Hound himself, Cú Chulainn, the fiercest man to ever walk the earth!

[He reaches over towards his spear and wrenches it out of the ground with a bit of a grunt. The spear suddenly ignites, casting those orange-red flames all around it.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata is probably going to pronounce Rosen's name along the lines of 'Rosenkurantsu', so it's all good! He lets him take care of the shards for him, too wiped out to argue and fuss over such a little thing. The opportunity to observe Rosen's healing ability up close is neat, too. How handy that would be to have!

He listens to the explanation regarding the spear, letting the other man help him up, but the names and places ring no bell in his head. Back on his homeworld Ireland is currently part of the United Kingdom, and he never learned about the particulars of its states and regions. For the time being he's going to assume that Ulster is its own country on a world that's not Earth!]

Well, it looks like you're on your best way to become a legend too. Cú Chulainn would probably be proud of you.

[Rosen seriously is about the fiercest person he's met so far, and that really says a lot. He admires the reignited weapon.]

Almost makes me want to try spear-fighting, but I think I'm better off with my swords.

[Even if his main sword just broke on him.]