After the mission Heroes in Disguise

[no99]

As the mission ended, Suma took an interest in a certain person by the name of Genjurou. Rather than head back directly to the UG base, she got him to agree to a sparring match, fist to fist, not to be satisfied until she stood triumphant or lacked the strength to stand at all.

Which is why when she did come back, it was several hours late, and she looked like someone had run her over with a train made out of fists. As she limped back to the housing area, she stopped occasionally to catch her breath or laugh like a maniac.

"Oh, what an era to be living in, with warriors such as these!"

Comments

[modern_ancient]

Njall looked at her with a vague look of concern and offered no help whatsoever.

"You look like shit."

[no99]

"Don't let anyone tell you that the modern age lacks the old warrior spirit, Njall. I can't remember the last time I lost a fight so decisively."

[modern_ancient]

"I wouldn't dream of suggesting that."

After a moment's pondering, he added on "Though you have to admit, no one gnaws on their shield in rage or charges into battle naked any more."

[no99]

Snort. "I expect most people inclined to do the latter died before they could sire children."

[modern_ancient]

"A berserker only needed to survive one battle. After that he could generally sire as many children as he had the stamina for while celebrating the victory. It was a noble and respected art of war."

[no99]

"Surviving that one battle of charging naked at the enemy army became a lot harder once the automatic rifle was invented."

[modern_ancient]

Cough.

"Well. Yes. That's largely why no one does it anymore. I've never REALLY liked guns."

[no99]

"Aye, they make everything too easy. War should be left to those who have the resolve to skewer a man's heart face to face."

[modern_ancient]

"Modern wars are too anonymous.

Of course, mechs are making brutal melees popular again. You can't look them in the eyes, but at least when someone kills you you can tell who it was."

[dolorous_sensei]

You seem happy for someone who looked like a train ran over you.

[no99]

"A fine invention, they are. For all that they surround us in cages of steel, they are bringing the people back into warfare."

[abugslife]

Someone seems to stay in good morale.

[no99]

I survived. From defeat, one learns the height of the next wall to climb.

[no99]

I am not in the habit of wallowing in despair. Nothing good comes of it.

[modern_ancient]

"They also make my trick stand out a little less. It was hard to use before, like, the mid 20th century without getting more attention than I like."

[abugslife]

Keeping an optimistic view on life is good, as long as it does not cloud your judgement on the situation. I would like to remind you that you are covered in bruises, by the way.

[no99]

Indeed I am! Reminders of the great distance between myself and the pinnacle of strength.

[no99]

"I have to wonder how many myths have been started by people who saw you fight during the middle ages."

[modern_ancient]

"A few. I couldn't manage getting quite so big back then."

He gave a snort at a memory, "On the other hand, did you hear that they discovered some old Chinese writings about ancient myths and such that featured a one eyed sword goddess?"

[no99]

Suma gives a burst of loud laughter. "Hey, that could be anyone, you know!"

[abugslife]

Do you aspire to reach the pinnacle of strength?

[no99]

I desire strength, but not for its own sake. Strength is a gateway to greater battles.

[abugslife]

Is that what you desire, then? Fighting in greater and greater battles forever, for no other purpose than glory of the fight itself, until one day the fight turns out to be too great even for you and you perish in it?

[no99]

Yes! That, exactly. Marvelously put.

[genericbiggerbrother]

Yancy runs across Suma while taking an evening constitutional, and then gapes.

"Christ lady! Did a Kaiju try and use you as catnip?"