Tenth Game

[break_the_nine]

1)
[Leos was on Star Rose again, apparently he managed to sneak up into the room that held the locked up Doombas Cleaning Robots he reprogrammed and was sitting amongst them. While they were not exactly living creatures, it seemed sitting among them and having them bump into him occasionally was good enough for him as he rested his hand on one.]

[He doesn't seem to be screaming or raging at all, so that was a plus. But he seemed to be horrifically silent and for the past two days missed his appointments with his psychiatrist.]

2)
[You're watching TV somewhere, in Asagi's room or one of the lounges in one of the bases when a breaking news report comes up.]

"ESUN officials have been reported to be in heated talks with various members of the Russian Government in regards to the latest flagarant violation to the bill of human rights that had occured just two weeks ago. Video Evidence along with eye-witness testimonials reveal that the mechanized combat of the Raven's Nest Arena had taken a turn into intense bloodsport... with approval from the crowds. Please be warned that the footage about to be shown may be somewhat graphic."

[The recording was a bit blurry, crowds, lots of noise, and down below there were a pair Armored Cores duking it out. One a stranger, the other very familiar. It was Pale Rider and within moments it was brutally savaging the opposing AC, removing limbs and weapons in vicious strikes... before repeatedly smashing its blade into the cockpit. There was a massive amount of cheering.]

"This was apparently just one of many such battles featuring this particular machine. The Russian Government however has denied the occurrence of any such violations within their borders and states that as the Raven's Nest Arenas are in areas not under the jurisdiction of any government or nation, they are not within the purview of the Earth Sphere Bill of Human Rig-"

[The TV suddenly switches channels, a very nervous looking Leos responsible.]

Aha.. ahahahaha... so.. uh...My show's on... do you think I can have the TV for a while?

Comments

[break_the_nine]

...Someone told me... that killing people like that... that if I kept it quiet... it was alright to enjoy it... and it looked like a lot of people watching enjoyed it too...

[Dear god that's creepy, who would tell Leos that?]

Your ninja grandparents? What were they like?

[tiger_ken]

We're talking centuries back, back when the family were ninja in profession as well as tradition. You know, assassins. And they used to fight a lot, the Toraos and the Kohakuryus. Often enough because contractors saw them as each other's natural foils, but...

Honestly, it became far too personal. There are records of unofficial rites of passage that involved hunting down and 'shaming' members of the opposite clan. Each kill celebrated with a feast and a song of the weakness of the foe. They made a living as assassins, but they enjoyed killing each other. Even my mother was sent after my father, not because of a contract, but because the Kohakuryu leaders felt like it.

She came around.

[break_the_nine]

...So their families were as bad as the Nest then...

[Leos shakes his head.]

I can't imagine you being like either of those guys.

[tiger_ken]

And yet, I can't necessarily say the same of you. Because that kind of behaviour, in the arena, is what my ancestors got up to. You fighting Nineball, at least, is about vengeance. There's a reason to that you can move on from once done.

But if that becomes your MO, you won't move on. It'll become the norm. And if that's the kind of person you become...

[break_the_nine]

... I'd end up having a descendant as awesome as you?...

[Leos lets out a soft chuckle.]

Doesn't sound too bad...

[Still, Leos knows what Ken was getting at.]

[tiger_ken]

Thank you for the compliment, but that's beside the point. Besides, I'm pretty sure you won't have descendants, if you keep up that behaviour.

[...A quick glance.]

...Assuming you still have the function after your upgrades.

[break_the_nine]

...

[Leos lowers his head, letting out a bitter laugh.]

I don't know... I really don't...

I mean they cut me apart so much I don't even know how much meat I actually have left in me!

[He keeps laughing, almost hysterically.]

Its... its not like I'd be able to... or... find someone again.. or...

[tiger_ken]

I would... check, with one of the Doctors...

[break_the_nine]

...Does it really matter...?