Crownless Cup: Haru vs Rizadoman

A fine day to have a battle here in Shibuya. The weather is partly cloudly with a side of violence. The stands are filling out as spectators are finding the best place to watch as Haru faces off against Rizadoman. Riz has already bested Shiruba, the other NWA rep, in combat. To advance he will need to get past Haru, who has crashed through the fashion tank Gwen and mighty mare of dark, Kau.

As expected from the man with the monocle, Haru looks like grumpy cat as he steps out. Resting disappointment face with thin, muted lips and a gaze down the pitch that says 'the sooner I destroy you, the sooner I can get back to grumping at the clouds above'. Very little fanfare to his arrival. He looks pretty tiny in comparsion to the larger than life contestants that grace the Crownless Cup. Tall, yes, but a slim build and a white cloak over a Victorian vest and slacks. The breeze gives the cloak a nice 'oooh, magic caster' vibe. It also tuffs around his white hair in anime style.

"Get whatever it is in your system, out of your system," Haru says as he pushes his monocle up on his face in a half-Shiroe. The light glints off of the amethyst lens as he doesn't even seem to notice the crowd. Just Riz. "I'm not much for trash talk. I'm for results." Hands go out to either side of him as four orbs the size of golf balls float out. One for each element in blue, red, cyan, and yellow.

    Rizadoman once again enters the field of the arena wearing very little, just his shield on his back and his token of challenge that accompanied him into the battle with Shiruba. The token originally was a staff about six feet tall and decorated with rudimentary symbols carved into it. However it appears to have been added to since the battle with Shiruba, now containing several of Shiruba's broken arrows stabbed into the top of the staff. Drawing his shield he looks at the man across the field from him. "I am Rizadoman, Representative of Moon , Naga warrior of the swamp lizards, and acolyte of the Church of law. I here by accept your challenge, Haru of the Silver Swords. "

     As the chalenge is accepted Rizadoman does not hesitate to start things off. The lizardman charges straight at the spellcaster, closing the distant as fast as he can and charges straight in with a shoulder charge. This is followed by some rather dirty fighting as the lizardman hocks up some rather disgusting gunk from his throat and sprays it at Haru.

Haru presses a hand outwards, palm flattening against an invisible barrier. From it, a series of magical shields appear in the form of panes of glass. Cathedral stained glass. They make wonderful sound of glass shattering as Riza crashes through them to reach Haru, making way for 'gunk' to be all over his 'junk'. "Keep the blows above the belt, Riz," he says as his pants sizzle. "If you can manage it," he deadpan, one of his orbs throwing a singular bolt-slap in his direction for the fashion faus pas. Those things are expensive and no one wants to see shredded clothing battles. Not with these two, at least.

    Rizadoman grins, "Apologies, I was aiming for your eyes. " The response comes as he raises his shield to protect himself from the magic ball of energy by one of Haru's orbs. As the magic strikes it Rizadoman pushes back into it as he casts his own magic infront of the bolt of magic, and uses his shield to push the two orbs of magic together to result in a blinding light. Rizadoman expected this and was able to cover his eyes, but it did mean some of his defense was penetrated. Still the blinding light is something he can't let go to waste as his shield splits apart into the twin swords, and Rizadoman rushes in to slash at Haru multiple times.

If one thinks that Haru is defenseless in melee range, they would be mistaken. The orbs that surround him begin to spin fast around his forearms, creating two elemental shields that he uses to block up and against the oncoming blows. This is the self same technique used to break crowns, with bright, enchanting sparkes flying with each deflect within the assault. He is not as fast or strong as Riz, being blasted backwards by the final strike. "Then I'll do the same. Prepare yourself, Rizadoman. I don't want to send you to the Church."

The two circular shields roll of his hands and become two lens of which he focuses his magic through. "Terra. Magna. Fortis. Trabem. Conuenerunt. Tenebris. . . Annihilatio!"

A beam of intense magical energy rips through the air towards Rizadoman. As strong as any elemental machine has managed. Leave it to an Artificer to create a death ray.

    Rizadoman is disarmed due to the floating stones of Haru when he goes in for the attack, the damage is done but his weapon is knocked away to. The Naga fangs end up a considerable distant from Rizadoman and a quick glance is cast to them. There is a bit of a stunned expression on the Lizardman's face before he hears the comment from Haru about being sent to a church which is enough to snap him out of it. As the beam approaches him, Rizadoman's scales turn from their teal color to a deep blood red before Rizadoman crosses his arms across his face and he tanks the blast. As the beam fades he stands there smoldering but then looks over his arms, "Got any more?"

     It would appear that the question is rhetorical though as Rizadoman runs forward and using his claws slashes out at a vital point of anatomy. Something that would bleed if decently nicked, a distraction if nothing else to allow the lizardman to retrieve his weapon.

Haru is destined to bleed throughout this entire battle, if the red damage lines are any indicator. The Artificer shows great resolve during the most recent gash, a sadistic grin starting to pull upon his muted face. Something. Darker. Like a mask is starting to tear away from that doll-like face of his. "I was hoping you would say that." There is the self-same sound from the start of the match. Glass breaking. Again. Again. It becomes a chorus without any visual indicator of /what/ is exactly going to happen until a whirlwind descends upon the battlefield like so much glass in a hurricane. If he is going to bleed, so shall Riz.

    Rizadoman is making a mad dash for his weapon as Haru retaliates, diving and rolling as he grabs his twinblades. This gives the lizardman enough time to toss up a blue bubble shield that is quite blue, like a blueberry around him in anticipation. You see, Rizadoman had experienced whirlwinds before, Shiruba used them often but they were just wind and could be blocked. Of course he did not expect the whirlwind to suck so bad that the air it self was pulled away. On top of that the damn bubble shield was popped by the glass shards that were mixed into the whirlwind, giving Haru what he wanted, a bleeding lizardman. Still he wasn't done yet as he charges back towards Haru slashing outward with his blades attempting to once again get through the defenses of his opponent and maybe end this quickly.

    They aren't late! Honest! Not at all. Asuna wouldn't miss a chance to support her dance instructor! And so the Flash is here, with daughter in lap and cloth dolls hugged close. Throughout the course of the event Yui has collected pretty much the entire set!

    "Let's go Shibuya Shuffler!" calls out Asuna loudly.

    Her daughter's focus is on the fight with the occasional tensing up in reaction to attacks, then relief when the result passes. She's always excited (and nervous!) when watching the duels.

The glass storm 'rage's onward with the glass itself becoming colored by elemental energy. Enchanted. It begins to rain down like so many anime fights to add the sense of 'will he dodge' and 'will he block'. All while Haru is keeping his one blue eye on Riza. The purple monocle on his eye seems to fade a darker color when Riz gets closer. That Naga dance. This time...

... Haru pulls out a sword of ice, similar to his Angel in Angelic Layer, Fou-Lu. A crash of blades as Haru matches blades with Riz, each strike causing the blades to shatter and reform with his mana. Then he sees it. The monocle lights up with several circles of white etched upon their lens. A lock in as much as a machina completing its targeting routeen. And... a deft stab as graceful as any fencer's.

    Rizadoman charges in once again slashing out and once again his blades are repelled away from him to land somewhere in the arena. There is once again that stunned look in his face as he tries to figure out what happened before he notices the incoming stab, such grace, such poise, it is readable. Rizadoman throughs up a red magical shield around him as the blade is stabbed into the shield and Rizadoman grins as he releases the energy of the shield to force some distance from him. Unfortunately he is pretty sure a part of that shattering blade of ice ended up embedded in him in the process. Fortunately it is ice and will fade eventually, until then it hurts.

Haru has taken a steady amount of blood loss from the battle already. His legs, torso, and arms are all decorated with the red damage lines that are slow to close due to the debuffing effects of bleeding or poison. Distance becomes the cue for Haru to begin chanting quick Wave Artes. Hands raising up as whole swaths of earth raise from the ground and come crashing back down in the Law Lzrd's direction. A wild grin on his face with a red line cut right down behind it. Quite villainous look there Haru. Think of the children watching!

    Rizadoman once again brings up the red bubble shield which he uses to catch the incoming earth, and is holding it for a moment before the lizard starts to feel some give in his magic. All the poor guy can do is make use of what is coming as he releases the shield slowly to catch the chunks of earth in a way that shoves him back to his weapon. Of course it seems to have also replaced that piece of ice with dirt and sand and whatever else is in 'earth'. A deep breath is given as he looks at his opponent. After all that in a way they are right back where they started and he can only draw strength from this as he stares at Haru sticks his tongue out for a moment to taste the air about him before he asks the monocled man, " Having fun?"

All that struggle and they are right back where they started. Haru and Riz know that. Yet there /are/ children watching and all these red lines. The glass? With a wave of the hand Haru dismisses both glass and lines. If people started walking in now it would be the same as if they were at the start, only with their health closer to at half each. "Fun?" asks Haru. He sends two of his ioun stones over towards Riza as they charge up, ready to unleash arcane lasers as he talks. "I played Angelic Layer in the past. It was similar to this here. Small fighters connected with a neural link. If we are still out there, somewhere, is it not the same?" Of course he remembers that Riz is a very srs roleplayer. So he shakes his head. "So little has changed," as his eye drifts out to the stands. To a place where no one is. "There are winners and there are losers. What place does -fun- reside in such a world where that is the Law?" he snaps as if overcome by angsty teenage (20-something) rage, unleashing the ioun blast. We begin anew!

    Rizadoman dives, ducks, and rolls grabbing his fangs as he reverts them to his shield and holds them up to deflect the incoming arcane lasers, and even manages a classic video game trick of reflecting some of them back towards Haru. Rizadoman , well truthfully he never really had any heart to hearts with Haru, so when the angst appears the lizardman has to queestion if this is the real Haru, combat does bring out the truth of one's very being after all. " The law of nature may mean there is those that win and those that lose. However one faces those challenges every day, the fun is all in how you face those challenges. Now then here I come."

     Rizadoman gave fair warning but even that may not be enough as he charges straight at Haru again, almost like the first attack he did at the beginning of the fight but instead of a shoulder charge at the last moment it becomes an uppercut with Rizado's claws trying to dig deep into his opponent. He really wanted to actually manage to feel Haru's gut.

Haru stands like typical trope with his white cloak waving from all of the wind whipping around in the fight. His purple monocle has since sunk darker in tone. A deeper purple, bordering black now. "How you face it," Haru repeats back as if he was told a basic truth of accountability that he holds close to his heart. Perhaps tragically so. "How you face the people you love when you have stained your hands with their blood," he says as he doesn't block the attack. He should have. His moves so far showed great agility. Taking the claws to his gut is a choice and it through sheer resolve that he isn't skewered. For all his wallowing in pity, there lies an authentic pain and burden that keeps driving him on. Enough that the noodly armed Artificer grabs Riza's forearms, as if forcing him there as he looks him dead in the face. "And no amount of goodwill will wipe it clean. Tattooed upon the skin and upon the soul. In this life, the next, and all others." The monocle has reached pitch black, fading away any color. Just then a red light snaps on. "To have 'fun' dishonors the suffering they have endured, invalidates their memory," he says his relic humms. And, yes, he does unleash an eye laser at point blank range into Riz.

    This duel is taking on a rather intense tone as it moves slowly forward. Asuna may have nothing in common with the styles she's seeing others use, but she appreciates the opportunity to see their strengths and weaknesses.

    "Mama, what are they talking about?" asks Yui curiously. She is hearing some of the conversation, certainly, and it is likely a bit much for a six year old to understand. "They seem angry with each other. Are they angry?"

    Asuna, who really hasn't been paying attention to Haru and Rizadoman's conversation has to do one of those 'replay' things in her head to try and pick up what is actualy going on down there. The Flash doesn't know the context, and her little replay is a bit shy of perfect.

    "I... don't think they are really angry, honey. I'm sure it'll be okay in the end. When you fight someone you know, sometimes things come up. Plus I think they are trying to add a bit of a show to the battle."

    It's Asuna's best guess, and it is the explanation that helps Yui relax. The Flash can't have her little girl worrying that things are going to get scary.

    Rizadoman's arms are grappled as he is locked in place and tries to free himself from the grasp as his own vision begins to blur while Haru's monocle goes pitch black. The lizardman is slowly being cut off from the ability to see and move, and yet Rizadoman is not worried. In fact Rizadoman would be meeting Haru's gaze, as best he can, with a look of enjoyment on his face. As the laser hits Rizadoman's scales they turn back to that color of blood red. "Dragons live long and bloody lives, and their impact on this world is felt even longer then that. Those who wish to be a dragon and take flight must not be weighed down by the past events but rise up and carry those you love with you to a better place. I choose to not shackle myself to the ground Haru. " Then Rizadoman takes advantage of the entanglement he lunges right to where he can feel Haru's arm is holding his forearm and bites into it, perhaps taking a bite out of that angst.

Haru's body covers with the self-same darkness of his monocle, like a living shadow covering him from head to toe. The only color left being the brilliant, sky blue left eye. Like a gem of hope in an abyss of darkness. Barely noticible compared to the burning red of the right. "Then I will bring their pain to you," he says, the dark cloak taking the wind out of the lunge as if he was clawing and mawing at tar. "So you can -show- me the authenticity of your empty words," he growls out. The muted, soft spoken Artificer, exposed publically as the four ioun stones drift above the two. Enough raw arcane force crackles through the arena that things start floating upwards due to the Dark gravitational distortion. And then, in an instant, the power is released like a lance from the heavens itself. No. From the earth below reaching up to crack the sky.

    Rizadoman is no long attached to Haru, Rizardman is attempting to use his shield to block the giant beam that erupted from underneath him, layering shield ontop of shield. Still though, there is an end to everything and the energy behind the blast fades and drops Rizadoman to the ground. There is a thud and Rizadoman lays there for a minute or so unmoving. That really hurt afterall. Still he stands up slowly gathering himself as best he can as he coughs a little. "That hurt a bit, but I will accept the pain. The fight is still going after all. " The grin is weak but is still there as Rizadoman brushes some dirt of his snout and raises his shield. "Got any more?"

Haru's darkness fades away from his avatar, retreating to only cover his forearms in large, draconic claws. His appearance has changed to Fou-Lu, dragon of the Eternals, bringer of the End. For those following Angelic Layer, Haru Himekawa, a regional player, used this Angel to fight with. Now, he uses it to launch forward in a relentless rage that closely mirrors the Naga Dance that Riz has been using on him. Only with Haru-Lu, it is with large, dark claw attacks. "Raaaaaaggghhhh," he roars out, not satisfied, intent bordering murderous. Which, for those that recall obscure trivia...

Haru had a tendancy to rip apart other angels beyond repair when 'defeating' them was enough. Ender's Game style tactics. He was not well respected in the community. If his family did not have money or influence, he would have been banned much earlier than the regionals.

    Rizadoman sees the intensity of the attack coming at him, and the darkness take shape of Fou-lu as they charge in towards Rizadoman. The lizardman tries to will his wounds to start closing but the damage seems to be a bit worse then originally thought. Still it doesn't stop Rizadoman as he charges in his shield breaking apart into it's blades and he works to strike out to catch Haru's attacks head on before dealing his own, sure that darkness hits him a few times, sure he is walking out of those with more red marks then not. Still though he moves to fight on.

Haru is surprisingly fast. Faster than he should be with his current stats as those techniques shouldn't be accessible to him as an Artificer. Victory. By any means. There are winners. There are losers. Its a throbbing pain in his heart and behind his eye. Like a migraine that seeps into the skull, down the spine, and refuses to relent. It manifests in rending strikes from Haru-Lu, every bit martially capable, if just for a short while. Until the health is low. Dangerously low. A red eye that glares at Riz. It speaks volumes with no words to 'show me' this resolve. This power to soar. To be unshackled from this anguish. This self-appointed burden. That the chains can break. That he can be set free like a caged bird. Or. Is it too late and the cage is all that he knows.

But he can't beat the spirit out of Riz. Only his body. And it infuriates him further. Claw raising to remove Riz's head clean from his shoulders.

Stopped. By a halo over Riz's head. Made of four elements. Of hope. The thing that darkness cannot banish. Shattering the dark claw like so much tinted glass. Haru's ragged breathing slows, gulping down air, sweat beading down his brow. Ability to actually 'hold' or grapple with Riz relinquishing to the Laws. "I..." he starts, but knows he has done too much already. Said too much. He should have stayed quiet. The box is open now, even if the match has ended. This is who Haru really is.

    Rizadoman does not stop, even when he feels like he can't do anymore he still pushes in. Every bit of oomph he can give but it isn't enough. Still he carries on and endures. Slowly though any attempt to defend is ripped apart, his vision is all but gone, replaced by blurred vision of red pixels covering his eyes. In the end when it is all stopped there is Haru, holding up Rizadoman ready for the end, that grin still on his face. A lizardman faces the end with a smile.

     The duel ends and once again the System saves his life, the duel ending and the ability to grapple Rizadoman is loss and he crumples to the ground. He lays there for a long moment.

A

Very

Long

Moment.


     Finally he seems to regain consciousness enough to get himself to his feet and wave to the crowd to show he is still ok. Now then he can open his inventory and pull a healing potion tossing it back like a shot before he shrudders and coughs. Still though he looks to the crowd and gives another wave before he looks to Haru, "Thanks for today. It was a great fun and I look forward to seeing you continue on, I hope you win it for the alliance. " Rizadoman then would begin to move himself off the field, slowly , obviously in pain, but still having had fun. Perhaps the true winners were those that had fun along the way.

    Asuna and Yui both cheer. The Shibuya Shuffler has won the day! But as is the tradition, the celebration is for both the competitors. Those who fight to the last throw deserve to be recognized. And of course it makes Yui feel better about the idea of a duel.

    "Well, it looks like there's quite a challenging match shaping up here," Asuna says to Yui. Her loyalties are clear, though. Friends are wonderful, but family comes first, without question or hesitation.

    "I wonder who is going to win, Uncle Soujiro or Haru?" murmurs Yui. The prospect of having to see them both fight is clearly a hard one for her to wrestle with.

    "We will see," says Asuna softly. "But either way, we're going to have someone important to us in the finals. That's a pretty great thing, don't you think? And the duels have been amazing!"