ellipsanet | A Challenge | un: vainglorious (video)

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A Challenge | un: vainglorious (video)

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.]

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[ ...he could have just said he wants to fight. But Saya can appreciate a good show, even if she thinks it's a little unnecessary. She hesitates, only for a beat. Fighting someone who can actually handle her is worth her while. ]

[ She doesn't bother answering the video, what's the point? She says she's in, he boasts and/or mildly insults her, they end up at the colosseum anyway. ]

[ When she arrives, she looks like -- not much, frankly. A lovely, petite woman in a purple leather jacket and skirt with matching boots, not a scar on her. The only thing that seems promising is the sword she carries which dwarfs her small frame, yet she carries it as if it weighted nothing. ]

Impressive weapon. [ That's "hi, nice to meet you" in Fight-y Vampire Queen. ]

Edited 2023-03-12 20:00 (UTC)

[On one hand, Phoenix doesn't know this guy, and she knows what she is whether or not he calls it vanity.

On the other hand, she was born of a cosmos spanning conflict that could not be resolved even unto the death of the universe. It had created something that did not like backing down from a challenge.]

For stakes, or just for pride?

I'm pretty sure I'd die if I got involved in this, so I'll pass, but are you taking spectators? This sounds like a blast to watch. You could even charge people.

[A woman? Well now, that’s rather interesting. While Rosen didn’t expect his first opponent to be a woman, a warrior is a warrior. Gender doesn’t matter here. The only thing that matters is one’s prowess on the battlefield. That's it. So excuse him if he doesn't pay her compliment any heed. The second she speaks, he grabs ahold of the flames before him and literally hurls it right towards her.

He’s not trying to be rude or anything but he doesn’t for any of the preamble here.]

Yes, yes! It’s quite lovely but FIGHT ME!

[He yells before chucking another fireball in hopes she gets the message. All he wants is to exchange blows right now, not some needless pleasantries. He wants to see what this little lady can do. If she’s going to step up towards the metaphorical plate, then she better know how to bat.]

Issuing a challenge of fists rather than drinks?

Ehehe, that's good. I'd hate for you to stumble home too drunk to see straight. Again.

[ LITTLE MAN WITH NO SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCTS ]

[ Oh, well then. No preliminaries at all suits her mood, actually, and however she might appear, she's never caught flat-footed. ]

[ Her eyes glow a vibrant red as he throws his fire her way, and her katana rings as she yanks it from its sheath. Those glowing eyes and a small, pleased smile is the last impression he'll get before she -- vanishes. ]

[ She hasn't vanished, but she moves faster than human eyes can follow. Eyes that are more than human will see more, a blurred trail of movement that conveys where she was moments ago much better than where she currently is. Needless to say, at this speed she has no trouble easily dodging his fire. ]

[ He said he wanted strong opponents, and she's had quite enough of those who talk a big game only to go down in a heap. So when she strikes at him at her nearly-impossible speed -- from above him, to whatever side he wasn't using to throw that fire -- her sword strike could stop a truck dead in its tracks. Whether he dodges or he doesn't, she immediately pivots (in midair, it almost appears) and vanishes once more. ]

Is there a difference? [He answers with a bit of a smirk.] Is one person’s pride not worthy enough here?

[He’s not looking to harm anyone besides his would-be opponents but even so, there’s no malice on his part. Rosen just wants to cause some havoc and give people a show they won’t forget. That’s about it. He’s as straightforward as they come.]

If not, must I raze the city in order for you and others to take me seriously?

[He’s joking, of course. However, he puts the question out there to see what answer he’ll receive.]

[VENTI, DO YOU WANT TO DIE?! For a second there, Rosen's right eye actually burns gold. He's not amused.]

I WASN'T STUMBLING!

[Yes, he was. Poor Rosen was literally dragging himself home after their little contest. It was rather hilarious but at least he didn't throw up.]

I was just a tad dazed at best! Nothing to brag about.

Edited 2023-03-13 00:18 (UTC)

But of course! I wouldn't mind having a crowd cheer me on as I battle the realm's best and brightest.

[He's such a ham. Rosen is really treating this like some grand performance.]

Jeez, isn't there anything else you guys feel like doing?

[Maybe this is a little bit silly of him to comment but; come on? Haven't any of these people heard of peace?]

And do what, exactly!? Just sit around twiddling our thumbs and drinking ourselves into oblivion?

[Listen, he's not the type to sit around and do nothing all day. He likes sparring but he loves fighting.]

There's only so much "peace" I can stomach!

There's a lot to explore... Plenty to learn about. I don't think I'll manage to find every part of the city. There's lots to do that isn't fighting or drinking.

[He exhales a long breath. He should have kept his mouth shut!!!]

Edited 2023-03-12 22:19 (UTC)

Exploration is fun and all. Enlightening, even. But what's the best way to test out mankind's resolve outside of combat?

[He's genuinely curious here.]

Edited 2023-03-12 22:23 (UTC)

Great! I'll see you there, but please don't fight me, I'd lose.

If you watch, humans can prove themselves in a lot of interesting ways. I don't think there's a best way, but if there is, it's not fighting.

[It's pretty innovative (??) that this group of humans managed to create something that brings people in to help their world, for one? Not like, great in execution but still.]

I think that would be a problem for the people who live here.

[Understatement of the year.]

But it won't be necessary. That was a reasonably impressive display, and I'd like to see how you actually measure up, if you're taking any challengers.

[To the naked eye, it truly does look as if his opponent simply vanished before the fireballs could collide. However, Rosen has two different eyes. His green eye sees nothing while the gold one sees everything. He watches as the woman nimbly weaves her way in between the two fireballs with relative ease. It’s like watching poetry in motion. Every step she takes is fast and calculated with a feline-like grace that he seldom sees in his fellow warriors.

His grin widens as he reaches towards the flames again. Unlike earlier, the flames swarm around him temporarily before suddenly transforming into what seems to be a fiery red spear. It’s the same weapon he displayed from his address earlier, the Lúin of Celtchar. Rosen assumed he wouldn't need it yet but the woman quickly closed the distance between them. He holds up his spear high above his head in hopes of parrying the blow and when he does, he can feel the ground beneath his feet give away a little. Little hairline cracks appear within the stone as Rosen blocks that incoming strike with all his might until she vanishes again.

He glances around the arena quickly, his gold eye shining just as brightly as the orange flames around them.]

She’s good…

[He whispers with unspoken glee. As fun as this duel is, Rosen is on high alert. If this woman can do all that, then just imagine what else she can do.]

[Can humanity prove its worth beyond combat? Maybe.

Violence is a commonality that all people unfortunately face one way or another. However, there's other means of weighing one's strength and virtue outside of violence. Rosen knows this all too well but he's being stubborn. After all, love and hope are both commonalities that everyone shares.]

Not everything is forged in conflict, I know. It's just...I suppose easier this way?

[Oof, he doesn't how to approach this subject but he's trying.]

Oh, come now! I'm not some feckless destroyer. I don't harm those who cannot defend themselves.

[Surprisingly enough, he has morals.]

I would be nothing more than common brute if I did.

[Alright, unlike some other calls to fighting action that Hijikata has seen on the network Rosenkrantz doesn't seem to want to outright eviscerate or be eviscerated, which is a bit of a relief (who knew that there were so many people with a super S/M inclination around?!). He likes to fight, too, but in a friendly spar he prefers all limbs staying attached to both opponents! As such he turns up at the colosseum. Rosenkrantz isn't hard to spot, so he walks up to him and raises a hand in a casual greeting.]

I'm here for the challenge. Hijikata.

[His statistics: Human, 177cm/5'10'', 65kg/141lbs. His weapons: 1 longsword, 2 shortswords. Does he even make the cut? He clearly thinks he belongs here!]

[ When he defends and holds up under her inhuman strength, Saya feels herself stretching awake, her awareness and instincts flaring to life. It's been too long since she faced someone she couldn't fight while half-focused -- it makes her miss Childe both more and less. She pauses a short distance away, a distinctly approving grin on her face, red-glowing eyes burning into him. ]

Likewise. [ Since he can clearly see her with that gold eye, she doesn't need to worry about bantering while they fight. But it's just as likely she'll need her breath to try and beat him, and isn't that a very pleasant prospect? ]

[ Then she's off again, pelting toward him at her top speed, switchbacking her way across the colosseum floor, rapid-fire, her speed increasing with every direction change. Her charge on him is direct, for now, because there's no point in trying to hide her movements, and to satisfy a curiosity. With a ready eye for any fire or either end of his spear, she unleashes a fury of blinding fast attacks, with her sword in one hand and her scabbard in the other, being ambidextrous she's equally effective with both. Her strength is up a notch from a moment ago, and she hasn't hit her top gear yet. Her strikes come from all sides, taking advantage of her ability to dual-wield when he (so far) has one weapon to defend with. Seeing if she can get him on his back heel, if only for a moment. She deftly pivots around him as she seeks that opening, ready to dodge if necessary. ]

[When she darts towards him again, Rosen decides to greet her with fire. He thrusts his fiery spear towards Saya in hopes of striking her down before she gets too close. Fire is a great deterrent, after all. Not even someone as powerful as her would want to get burned. However, he instead ends up parrying her sword blow for blow in a deadly dance for dominance. She’s fast, probably faster than him but with that magical eye, he can see her coming. That’s why he was able to kick her scabbard out of the way when she tried to land a hit on him. It seems that the dear woman is ambidextrous. How charming. He lets out a jovial chuckle as her sword narrowly misses his head. That would’ve been a rather close shave otherwise. Saya is coming at him with the same ferocity he would expect of a wild beast. It’s quite refreshing but Rosen decides it’s time to put some much needed distance between them.

That’s why when he ducks low, he attempts to sweep the little miss off her feet with his spear. Whether or not she falls doesn’t matter here. What does matter is that he’s given enough time to weave his special brand of sorcery. The flames surrounding them suddenly explode into thousands of little butterflies with fiery red wings. It’s a call back to the power he demonstrated before but a much deadlier version of that little spell. The butterflies effortlessly swarm Saya, their fiery red wings terribly hot to the touch. It would be unwise to let any of these little menaces land on her, especially since the second they do—they’ll explode.

This is a nasty little spell, isn’t it?]

[Rosen is definitely not hard to spot. He’s the only psycho standing here in the middle of this fiery arena. Most of the other warriors here have either left for the sauna or taken to the stands. Some of the regulars here were a little miffed with Rosen for hijacking colosseum but they knew better than to say anything. It seems the bastard with the rose eyepatch is a legitimate threat.

As he waits, Rosen can’t help but look a bit surprised when he sees his next opponent. Saya is a tough act to follow. The little miss definitely gave him a run for his money and then some. Hell, he has some fresh scars on his arms and shoulders to prove it. While his regenerative skills are pretty impressive, scarring is still something he has to worry about. Nevertheless, he greets Hijikata with a cheerful wave before summoning his magical lance once more. That’s the only greeting he gets because within a second, Rosen is already charging at him spear first.

Good luck Hijikata! It seems the old bastard isn’t one for conversation right now.]

[Only reasonably impressive? Yowch! That hurts his ego a little. It seems Rosen has his work cut out for him. He’s going to find a way to impress this little lady one way or another. He might talk a good talk but unlike most folks, he can actually back it up.]

Of course I’m taking challengers! That’s the point of this whole little message but do you have what it takes to impress me?

[He asks with his usual telltale smirk.]

Enough pussyfooting around already! FIGHT ME!

Alright.

[Phoenix hangs up to go to the coliseum.

It takes her a while to find it and she gets lost twice, but fortunately Rosenkrantz kept on shitting fireballs all over the place, and the combined light and smoke gives her a beacon to home in on.

Almost a full fuckin' hour later she finally jogged in to the coliseum.]

...I'm not too late am I?

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A Challenge | un: vainglorious (video)

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