Scene #3842: For The Sake Of Pride

Owner	Pose
Nero	It was time. Time for another title defense. Though this one was...a bit different. In terms of who was challenging her. Souji Murasame. Not an individual Nero quite expected to get involved in this Deva nonsense. But so he had called her out over the moderated frequency. And Nero, being Nero, would not refuse a challenge from anyone. And so, here she was, calmly standing in the middle of the arena and already prepared. Aestus Estus was already materialized and embedded into the ground. Her hands rested atop the pommel, and her eyes her closed. This was about usual for the Servant when she was awaiting a duel. Who knew what she was thinking about while doing this. Was she meditating? Hard to tell. All that was left was to await her opponent.
Souji Murasame	Alexander Academy, like all anime schools, has a place for people to engage in duels. It's a large arena, most of the time partitioned off into smaller, contained areas for people to engage in sparring, training, or the occasional grudge match. This time, it's for real. Souji Murasame has not been involved in these battles in some time, and rumor spreads like wildfire, even without the influence of the Multiverse at work. The effect is that the stands are full of observers, looking out upon the Servant that has been told to be the guardian of the banished Hyral, against the man who was to be married to said Hyral. The effect is not dissimilar to the Coliseum of old. Perhaps Nero might not be so far from home after all, in a way. However, what does change... Is the opening. The sky rolls with thunder, crackling lightning surging amongst the racing clouds. The Ame-no-Torifune crests those clouds, riding the stormfront like a wave as it surges through the sky. The flagship of the Murasame Zaibatsu and Souji's personal transport, the powerful ship sizzles with lightning-based weaponry. Filaments of some unknown pink crystal seem to be inset into the surface of the oldstyle Japanese craft, adding a technological edge that it did not possess before. Souji himself stands at the prow, the winds whipping at his hair and suit, without forcing his haircut out of it perfectly set place. He looks down at those present, the lightning glinting from his glasses... And then he leaps, falling down into the arena and plummeting through the air, his arms stretched outwards as if to catch the sky as he falls. Moments before he strikes the ground, however, there is a telltale pulse of energy, the Float spell cushioning his fall just enough to keep him from turning into a splatter on the ground, instead allowing him to make a dramatic, graceful landing in a low crouch. He stands, his gaze solely on Nero as he straightens. "Servant." Souji states simply. "It is the appointed time. I have come to destroy your foolish pride." One hand drops to the blade at his side... and he pulls it off of its clasp at his side, sinply holding the bound weapon in its sheath.
Starbound Flotilla	The craft is at close enough range, and the area clear enough of dangerous combat energies for the moment, that six quick blinks of shining red light, six rapid flashing bolts, can appear farther behind Souji, up in the bleachers, at a reserved spot. Blip-blip-blip-blip-blip-blip. All six Captains of the Flotilla Core Fleet flash into existence, in a relaxed but professional posture, sitting quietly in what seems to be a designated side of the sparring arena. Of course, they frame Souji's position in Nero's -- and likely also Kyra's -- vision of Souji. They may not be aware of how this match reflects the ongoing situation with Ground Zeroes, but the tension is still in the air, in a way; it's unconscious, undirected, like the feeling of humid pressure before a storm. "So what be ye bets?" "Hmph. The odds favor the Saber, but I don't gamble." "Are you still salty about that, Albert? Hey, I got twenty pixels on Souji, I like that look in his eye. Guy's got something to prove today." "Baffled. You always bet against kings or emperors. I will participate, twenty for the Saber. She reminds me of great Glitch warrior-kings, and I hold a great deal of faith in her master, Kyra." "Difficult, to split faith between our employer and a servant of one of our partners. Both have made a grand display of their power in the past." "Floran think money friend win! Wanna sssee heal friend ssservant win, though... Dunno! Have feeling. Isss hunch." They seem to be muttering commentary to each other, while betting and conjecturing, and generally playing the role of Ominous Miniboss Watchers...
Sanary Rondel	Big entrance. One shot. No slip ups. Sanary's not feeling too great about the idea of jumping out of a freaking airship, but she does trust in Xiao's workmanship on the AANS. She'll have to if she doesn't want to end up with her legs pasted to the ground! Watching as both Souji and the entire Flotilla make their own grand entrances, the cleric makes sure her coat is on properly, her staff clutched in hand, and her eyepatch tightened before taking a deep breath and diving off the airship as well. On the plus side, she lands on her feet not too far from where the Flotilla appear without breaking anything thanks to the anklets slowing her descent to a manageable speed! However, her style is very lacking on that landing. The back of the coat flapped up over her head, her hair's a mess from all that freaking wind, and the hairband keeping her ponytail in check broke during the fall. That's not going to stop her from acting like nothing happened, though. "My money's on the boss. He's the one paying me, anyway."
Nero	Nero did not open her eyes. She did not shift her stance. She was perfectly still, like a statue. The murmur of the crowds, the not so subtle excitement tingling through the arena and waiting to explode. She didn't engage with any of it. She simply waited. Not even when lightning began to crackle in the skies. Not even when that ship came hovering in the clouds above. It was only when she heard the sound of someone landing before her, that Nero opened her eyes, regarding Souji before her. "Murasame boy." She managed a smirk. "Indeed it is time." She gripped the handle of Aestus Estus with one hand, pulling it up out of the ground. "We shall see if you can." And her other hand came up, holding the sword with both hands as she lowered it to her side. Her usual battle stance. "The let us not waste any more time. I will see to your defeat, and then move on. There is simply nothing more to this." Kyra would feel a now familiar pull as Nero drew on her MP reserves. There is a thrum of energy, as white prana particles gather around her, infusing her her body and tousling her outfit. And then she was gone. Though this wasn't like the fight with Sanary. Souji could probably keep his eyes on her speed. There is a glint of red and Aestus Estus comes surging in from behind and to the left side! A swing without hesitation whatsoever. The duel begins now.
Kyra Hyral	Seated amongst the sizable crowd is said disgraced Hyral. She even has a small space around her, as if people nearby are as intent on occasionally watching her as they are the duel itself. Kyra's gotten a front row seat and leans against the railing surrounding the arena. She watches her servant intently. ....she's also wearing her camera. "And here we go, my friends." she narrates, strongly suggesting that the white mage is actually Lifestreaming the duel.
Souji Murasame	Murasame /boy/. The continued appellation chips at the stoic expression of the Murasame heir. Clearly a way for Nero to needle at him, Souji's only acknowledgement of it is a faint twitch in the brow. "So sure, are you..." He says, holding the blade at his side, inverted. Is he even planning on unsheathing it? The ruffling of Nero's clothing is enough of a warning for him. Eyes narrow, and Souji is already in motion, Aestus Estus clashing along the weapon, the Servant's blade throwing up sparks as it bites into the leather scabbard... And tears it away, the tip of her weapon dipping in to leave a thin cut along his side. Souji's eyes widen at the impact, his arm shuddering as he pushes back at the powerful blow. "Ggghh... Thunder-2." He calls out, thrusting his other hand forward as it crackles in Nero's face at point-blank... And the ensuing, thunderous detonation of lightning sends him skidding back, breaking him out of a potentially disasterous clash before it can get truly started. He looks down at his blade, the shredded scabbard revealing the dire form of the Murasame Blade, and he scowls. "Well, it appears you are not /entirely/ talk." Souji acknowledged. "Murasame. It is time to feed." The ribbon binding the weapon into the ruined scabbard comes loose with a snap, almost /hungrily/, as he pulls the covering from the weapon and hurls the useless scraps of leather to the side. Now, Nero can see the blade itself: forged of some unknown black metal, a long black katana that is stamped with crimson runes of endless hunger. Even here, Nero can feel a faint pull from the weapon, an almost tangible sensation that radiates from it. "Speed is relative, Servant." Souji states, holding up his hand once more. "Haste." There is a wash of orange light about him as his personal time accelerates, the corporate heir beginning to blur in sight... A moment later, he blazes forward, striking back with several lunging strikes to retaliate against the Servant with a series of simple slashes.
Lyria Mason	Lyria Mason has come to see the fight and she had no idea who to cheerfor, so the pirate lass chose the best action she could. She didn't cheer for either as she watches the fight, she's got her spider drones here and htey are clearly recording the whole affair for later, Kyra might want it after all, she is however clearly studying how both fight as well.
Nero	Nero's blade clashes against the scabbard of Murasame, only nicking the owner's side. Suppose that was about as much as she could expect, given his skill. Ner eyes widened as Thunder-2 was called. No need to think twice. The Tservant gathered Prana into her legs and bounded off right as the electricity surged out at her. "Kh...!" She avoided the worst of it, but still, several bolts struck her body in multiple places, leaving burn marks on her dress and skin. Magic. What a nuisance. Truly and dearly. But Nero would not complain. All she would do now is act. "..." That blade, Murasame. It was no ordinary weapon. That black steel did nott look like any material she was aware of. And yet, one could say the same of her own Aestus Estus. Nero would have been disappointed if such a simple strike made Souji fold. Of course not. This was an opponent who, while she was loathe to admit it, must take completely seriously. Haste is called. And then he simply blurs. So fast that the Roman Emperor almost missed him. Immediately, her blade came up to parry the first few strikes. The next few got past, tearing cloth and cutting into skin while drawing blood. So much faster! Impressive. Nero couldn't help but smirk. "Speed is indeed relative, Murasame boy." She replies, leaping back some distance and immediately chanting. "Très Fontaine Ardent" She immediately became cloaked in an aura of red. One that channeled into Aestus Estus, giving it an ominous glow. "But so is strength." And then she dove forward in a flash, blade reared back. Once in range, Nero let loose a powerful overhead strike, aimed from shoulder and down the torso. "Rosa Icthys!"
Souji Murasame	The flash of blades, the clash of red and black is a blurred, sparking affair as the Servant meets the Samurai. The sound of ringing metal resounds through the arena as the pair test each other. But then Nero begins augmenting herself Souji holds back, his eyes narrowed. He doesn't possess Libra, so he doesn't see what the foreign magic is doing. The retort, however, is plenty telegraphed. Again, she strikes, and Souji brings up his blade to parry, taking the twisted, glowing blade on his own... but it smashes down with impressive force, the impact catching the Murasame Blade and sending it spinning through the air to impact across the arena. The moment it leaves his hands, the weapon begins falling, as if it gained an intense amount of mass. Only the incredible strength of the blow can explain how it lands so far from the heir. And yet, he is not left unharmed. A long, thin slash across his chest is made, cutting lightly across his chest as his dark suit becomes darker still with the beginnings of blood. "Tch... Pretty words." Souji says, grimacing under the pain as he backflips. He cannot allow himself to slow down from pain. To weaken here would mean utter defeat. "Is that the best a so-called Emperor can manage?" There is a flick of his hand, and... [Samurai] > [Gil Toss] > 00010000G Hundreds of Gil coins begin raining towards Nero in a blur, Souji's hands moving with incredible speed as the air resounds with the whistling projectiles. Individually, they're weak, but the sheer number of them poses a threat. and Souji can throw a /lot/ of money.
Nero	Souji is disarmed. Nero steps in for the second strike, not wasting time to stop and listen to him. "So-called? Then allow me to- BLEFgfgph!" Something hit her straight in the forehead. A coin? Wait no, there's more of them. "What manner of utter devilry is this? Are you a Currencymancer as well!?" Was that even a thing? Well, people could do weird things with Magecraft sometimes. OW THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY! Nero was forced to abandon her attack and leap back, deflecting coins at rapid speed while putting distance between the two of them. Annoying. Truly annoying. Well, nothing for it. She would have to let Souji recover. The chant from earlier was still quite present on her blade, humming a little less brightly, but there nonetheless. But tose coins did not stop coming! She had no idea how much he had thrown, but the Servant was forced to constantly stay on the run to avoid the flood. She wouldn't be able to attack for now.
Souji Murasame	Nero is put on her back foot, keeping her from assaulting Souji. This is optimal for the corporate heir, as he works his way along the arena towards where his blade is fallen to the ground. "Your ignorance of anything that has not caught your attention is astounding. Do you know nothing of your opponent?" Souji says, his voice as sharp as his blade. As the final coin leaves his hands, he leaps to the side, putting a hand on his weapon and drawing it from the ground. It moves easily, the heir holding it in one hand without issue. He then begins moving closer, his weapon held in a guard position as he steps. "You are hardly worthy of your title. Your words are empty and full of boasting. You live to satiate your ego and your overwhelming opinion of yourself." He pauses, gesturing to Nero. "Come, hollow Emperor, show me if there is a warrior under that absurd dress."
Starbound Flotilla	The Starbounders watch, and discuss the battle among themselves. Their exposition seems almost for the benefit of an unseen audience, in a way. Their pensive stares don't react too muchy, but they're clearly paying close attention. "Each combatant possesses immense speed. Their swiftness makes the truth of this battle lost upon a lesser mind, and yet..." "Shouty Kyra sssword isss faster!" "Aye, lass, ye eyes be keen. But..." "Frustrated. Dammit. I see the flaw you see as well, Pavo." "Lookit that. You two agree on something for once, but like hell can I tell what. What's going on?" "Hmph. Murasame beats her in defense." "Aye, monkey, it be true. My thought be of the Saber's offense, might outmatch him, but means naught if he be keepin' her braced for impact the whole fight, and makes sure she have not a chance for a dodge, matey."
Kyra Hyral	"Ugh, what a cheap shot." Kyra mutters, though the inflection is all wrong. 10k /was/ a cheap shot for Souji. He had way more money than that. He could bury his opponent under gil if he wanted to. "NERO! Teach him he just can't throw money at /this/ problem to make it go away!!"
Lyria Mason	Lyria Mason watches as a whole lot of money gets weaponized and sent at Nero. She must say she's not seen Souji /use/ that much before on a Gil Toss. Which leaves her wondering just how angry he is with Nero? It seems to be a lot from how much money he's launching at her. She only watches Nero drown under money, and there's a cringe from Lyria as she hears Souji. She's got a very big point about the former Roman Emperor.
Sanary Rondel	Sanary's eye is doing overtime today. Watching the fight and where both Souji and Nero have struck each other is one thing, but there's something else keeping her completely silently and focused. Several somethings, even. She just has to hope nobody else notices all that money lying around by the time the fight's over.
Nero	"Grrrr...!" Nero growled as the last coin was finally thrown. Souji got his weapon back. That was fine. What was NOT FINE were the words coming out of his mouth! "Fool! I have no need to know anything about my opponent! The means by which to deal with them are all the same. Overcome them with great strength, will and beauty!" Shut up it made perfect sense! "My words are wisdom shone down upon man from on high!" She pressed a hand against her chest to indicate herself. "There is no one greater! I am a sage and a scholar!" Wow, but wasn't she just proving Souji's point? Who asked you anyway? And then Nero completely lost it at the comment regarding her dress. "AND MY DRESS IS NOT ABSURD! IT IS A GLORIOUS CLOAK IN WHICH MY TRUE GREATNESS IS DISPLAYED!" Angrily, the Servant gripped her sword and reared back. Flames burst to life over the entirety of it, cloaking it with a burning essence. With a single step, she left an indent in the ground as she barreled towards Souji, unleashing a terrifyingly fast combination of blows. Two to form the shape of a V, and then a third to slice right through the middle. "Pari Tenu Blauserum!"
Souji Murasame	Souji knew exactly how Nero would react. He's been watching the Servant. Nero does not hide her reactions... and Souji has grown up in an environment where wearing your heart on your sleeve is a weakness. A weakness because it can be exploited. Emotions are gates to the heart. When the heart is exposed, it can override thought. And he is prepared to exploit that lack of thought. As she rants, Souji puts himself into a defensive stance. The preparations are visible, perhaps even obvious to those in the stands, but Nero's indignation and pride drive her forward. [Samurai] [Mystic Knight] [Bushido] [Spellblade] > 2: Retort Thunder Blade < He is aleady prepared by the time Nero strikes. The three blows slash out, tracing along Souji's form as he is already in motion. She can feel them catch, the impact of the blade shearing more cloth and flesh... But unable to land a critical wound as the weapons slides against a flickering, phantomlike shadow of a weapon... And suddenly Souji is beyond Nero, having exchanged places during the clash. He raises the blade, holding it vertically as he enuncuates: "Murasame Sword Arts: Sky-Rending Punishment." The assault occurs a moment later, a crackling, deadly slashing strike of lightning that cuts through the path Souji traveled... And right across Nero's torso in the process. "Ignorance is weakness! You have nothing but brute force and a loud mouth to your name, hollow Emperor." Souji steps forward, not looking back as he continues to speak. "You clothe yourself in flash and gilt, trying to distract them from the falsehoods you speak. You erect monuments to simply satisfy your ego, now, just as in your own history... Or have you forgotten? Last of your line, the emperor of a dying dynasty? You were not even of your forebear's bloodline. You leave nothing in your wake but fire and blood while extolling beauty and virtue."
Nero	There is a flash, and the two combatants exchange places. "......." 'Sky-Rending Punishment' And then there is a rip and a tear as a delayed slash of lightning explodes on Nero's torso, drawing a rather threatrical splash of blood across the ground. "What...manner of...?" And then she collapsed. Face down. And while she was down, Souji continued to lecture, saying exactly all the words she had no desire to hear. Someone did their homework. But even still, Nero stubbornly hobbled back up to her feet. "You know nothing of the true history of my life. You did not live it!" She turned around to face Souji, looking much more angry than any time before. Not even during the fight with Kojirou. "You think you can read an account written by men who did not see my life firsthand, and understand who I am and what I do? Foolishness!" With Aestus Estus gripped in reverse, Nero raised the blade, pointed to the ground. "The people loved me! I made great strides towards the future! I did everything that I could to ensure that the people of Rome would walk into the future better armed with knowledge than they were before!" And then she thrust her sword into the ground. "I will not let a fledgling tyrant such as yourself tell me who I am! I know full well who I am!" The blade was turned. And a click followed. Like a lock being opened. "Behold my glory! Bear witness to true greatness!" And then the ground began to 'break' apart. Blinding white light shining through as fragments of earth rose up. Aestus Domus Aurea! The light soon consumed everything, and after several moments, it faded. Once it had, the surroundings changed entirely. They were now in a great golden theater. The audience stands were now theater seats, and Nero and Souji stood upon the great stage, facing one another. Nero herself seemed to have gained a few additional garments, in the form of a white cape, and a golden lion pauldron and gauntlet. "I shall show you what it truly means to face me, Murasame boy! Do not speak as if you have attained victory just yet!" Pulling her blade out of the stage floor, she raised it directly upwards with both hands. And then slowly, in a clockwise motion, she brought Aestus Estus around, as flames channeled in from all around the theater. "The time is now!" And then she vanished. Imitating Souji's earlier move, Nero ghosted past him, already in post-slash posture. "Fax Caelestis!" Immediately following those words, a delayed slash followed Nero's path, ending in an overly flashy explosion of flame and. earth rising up from below the Mursame heir. Poor Kyra was getting so drained right now.
Souji Murasame	Souji pauses, looking back over his shoulder as Nero objects. "Oh? You are not finished? Very well." He turns back to Nero, and he shakes his head. "You are but a shadow, Servant. Red Saber. A ghost of the past given form though magic, and brought forth through a pact. Your history, however, is a matter of public record. Your name has been spoken, /Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus/. And names carry power." As the Domus Aurea takes form, converting the great arena into the gleaming theatre of Nero's grand victory, the Reality Marble that heralds her true force. Souji... smiles. "You might know who you are... but the question is more... What do you /deny/. What do you refuse to speak of, for fear of exposing the truth? Look about us! This place is fit for a grand show... but a show nonetheless!" And when Nero calls forth the name of her great work, the represenation of her control over fire granted from her blade, Souji inverts his own weapon, bowing his head. Nero flickers past him, the blade striking deep and true as the corporate heir is slashed with deadly force, blood spraying across the stage, an explosion engulfing him in light, sound, and fury. think But when it clears, Souji remains, fallen to his knees. One hand is clenched to his side, cauterized from the burning, incandescent force, as the other keeps his blade steady. "The people..." He hisses. "The people did not love you, tyrant. They cheered because they feared you. Your homeland /burned/ for the sake of your ego, for this very manifestation of your pride. And because of that you no longer /have/ a homeland. The Empire is fallen, hollow Emperor. Your legacy is not one of enlightenment, but /delusion/, the ravings of a madman." And then his blade strikes the ground. [Samurai] [Mystic Knight] [Bushido] [Spellblade] > 5: Dragon Osmose Blade < "Murasame Sword Arts: Fangs of the Devourer." The ground rips around Nero, dozens of crimson spikes shearing upwards in a circle to pierce into the Servant. Each one that strikes begins to drain away life force... But more than that, magical power, greedily soaking it away and channeling it back into Souji, his own wounds beginning to heal as the dark promise of his blade begins to be made manifest through his family's ancestral arts. "I had won before you even started to fight, hollow Emperor. Yield, or die."
Kyra Hyral	"Neroooo..." Kyra murmurs under her breath, gripping the railing of the arena seating. She feels the sudden draw quite fiercely though with her unusually large amount of MP, there is still a lot to be drawn upon. It'll take more flashy attacks from Nero to deplete Kyra's MP completely. "C'mon, keep it together, don't let that asshole push your buttons! He /wants/ to whip you into a frenzy! He wants to distract you!" Her eyes drift to the command seals on her hand. She knows she can burn one to give Nero a power boost...would /that/ be considered cheating, she wonders.
Nero	Fax Caelestis strikes. Souji is down to one knee. Nero relaxes her stance and turns to look at the fallen heir. And then... 'Fangs of the Devourer' "....!?" Crimson spikes tear through the stage and pierce her from all around. The effect is immediate. Life and prana drain away from her. And given her wounds, as well as having used up a TON of MP on this stunt to begin with. ...Well. It wasn't long before Nero stumbled. Reality began to stutter from all around as the prana needed to sustain this theater vanished into Souji. They were back in Alexander Academy's dueling grounds, and Nero was back to her wounded, normal self. "I....will...never....yield to..." She tried to take a step forward to continue the fight, but she instead tripped forward. "...you..." Flump. Silence ensued. Nero was... down. The duel is over.
Souji Murasame	When Nero goes down, Souji relents, the spikes retracting. The corporate heir grunts, standing with some difficulty after that battle. "You would not believe how many people have said that before ending in your same position, Servant." He hisses, before turning to salute with his blade towards the audience... And especially to Kyra. Without further ado, the corporate heir turns, allowing the Servant to be collected as he slowly walks from the field, doing his best to not show just how exhausting and painful that battle was despite the obvious cuts in his clothing and blood and fire damage across his suit. Even now, never let them see you bleed. He'll collapse in private later.
Kyra Hyral	"Damnit." Kyra growls, standing fully out of her seat now. She pushes away from the handrail and moves through the rest of the crowds, quickly pushing her way down the steps so she can make it to the arena floor itself. Sure, normally she would have just jumped over the edge, hit float, and gone but right now she finds herself in the uncomfortable position of having to /conserve MP/. Typically opponents aren't finished off in duels. But with Souji waving around the HP and MP draining Murasame, Kyra didn't want to take any chances. She quickly reaches her Servant, anger in her eyes, and moves to cast cure upon her to at least get her on her feet.
Nero	That Cure helps keep Nero around. And she opens her eyes. "...." Ah, she lost, didn't she? How shameful. How was she supposed to face Kyra now? The answer was that she didn't. Stumbling up to her feet. She turned her back to her Master and said simply. "I require time alone. Be well, Praetor." And then she vanished into magic particles, returning to spirit form. ....Well.
Sanary Rondel	So this was the level those two were on! No wonder Sanary got her ass beat so easily last time. It's not until Souji finally turns away that the cleric finally jumps out of her seat, the money she had been watching near the earlier part of the match all but ignored in favor of the injured heir lurching away. "Good work, boss. Uh..." Sanary glances back just as Nero disappears, a conflicted expression on her face even as she turns back to Souji. She doesn't initiate physical contact, instead just offering an arm for support should he take it. A green light flows from her towards him to provide steady health and magic regeneration, a second smaller regeneration cloud being sent Kyra's way as well.
Kyra Hyral	Kyra stares at the empty space that Nero was just standing in, her eyebrow twitching. "Alright." she says very quietly, her voice dry, conveying all the anger she needs with that one word. The white mage reaches up to turn off her camera and walks out of the arena in the opposite direction of Souji. She doesn't say anything to him, refusing to give him the dignity of any sort of acknowledgement. It'd only feed his behavior.
Lyria Mason	Lyria Mason sees the battle is over and she now orders her drones to call off the camer and gets up to go help Kyra and even Nero. Or Nero doesn't need it and either ways he takes a moment looks to Souji for a moment gives him a nod and then departs, hair swaying as she goes.