( video ) un: achilles

[heelies]

[As when storm-bruised clouds cast their dark pall over the sky, a harbinger of the torrent and tempest to come, so appears the countenance of Peleus' son. He is harnessed in the glorious armor that lame-foot Hephaestus did forge for him, and upon his head fiercely glints the golden helmet which once served as a beacon to the Myrmidons and all of the vast host of war-loving Argives. Like the thunder that is hurled by almighty Zeus who bears the aegis, his voice roars out over the network.]

Koltira, you whose heart is blackened with vile hatred! Hear now the son of Peleus, Achilles, best of all the Achaeans - I whose pride was rent by your blade when you did raise arms without first issuing a proper challenge as is honorable between warriors. I demand that you meet me in single combat, that I may avenge myself and slake my spear upon your blood. Meet me then to the east of the town ere the sun touches the far horizon, where it settles for the night into the couch of the desert - unless the worm of cowardice burrows deep within your breast to weaken your fighting spirit!

It is for this reason that I give my challenge in this public forum, that others may bear witness and hold you accountable to this duel. What say you, Koltira? Recoil not from the bloodshed you so take pleasure in! Long has my anger rankled in my breast, and long has my pride festered without salve potent enough to soothe it, for the cure lies only in victory by dint of my spear. Thus, today I wait no more!

[In the colloquialisms of the locals: This town ain't big enough for the both of us.]

Comments

[twinkle_toes]

[ :( :( :(

It's not that he hasn't seen people kill in front of him before - Lucina had taken that honor his first week here, cutting down Deemers in order to keep the both of them safe, and the town safe. To an extent, he knows the necessity of it, but it seems so much different when it's a possibility facing two people he considers friends.]

Isn't beating him in a fair fight enough of a victory?

[Zuko's told him a little about the Agni Kai, and how much honor's at stake during every single one of those battles. Those had never involved killing anyone though, he's pretty sure.]

I mean, wouldn't it be more honorable to let Koltira live? Y'know, be the more forgiving one?

[respired]

That will not be an issue.

[ Scoff. ]

[twinkle_toes]

[ oh hey, speak of the devil—

Aang brightens a brief moment upon seeing Koltira, then immediately deflates when he remembers the exact nature of the conversation at hand. ]

Oh. Hey Koltira. Uh.....what won't be an issue?

[respired]

Sparing me.

[twinkle_toes]

[...................]

Dooooes that mean you're going to kill him?

[respired]

I have no wish to do so. I have no wish to fight him at all.

[ But it's probably gonna happen anyway. ]

[twinkle_toes]

[That seems more like the Koltira he knows, though the answer doesn't do much to set his small heart at least.]

Then how come he won't take that for an answer?

[Maybe that's a question better asked of Achilles, but Aang's always had trouble deciphering his particular turns of phrase.]

sorry for the wait!

[heelies]

I can see plainly how this matter upsets you, Aang, beloved of Aeolus who rules over the four winds. Yet for all that I wish not to cause sorrow within your gentle heart, in this matter I must speak outright: at present there is little room for forgiveness in my heart, so full i the rage which I bear for murderous Koltira.

you're perfect kath, kisses you gently

[twinkle_toes]

["Little room for forgiveness"....the words ripple through his own heart, fracturing part of it. He bites his lip, unsure of what to do or say.]

But what if.....what if you don't win? What if Koltira beats you? Are you going to be happy then?

[He doesn't see how this can end well for anyone.]

uwu

[heelies]

If even in the height of my strength I cannot lay Koltira low, then I shall accept defeat - for what more can I do? Even the gods must accept the limits of their will, carrying Fate's intentions upon their shoulders as they do, and thus so too must I. And should the fiend determines to hurl me through death's gates, should Fate aid him in this purpose - then this too I cannot stop. I can scarce imagine a country more miserable than death, that endless land over which rules Hades. I once ached for that far shore, where waited the shade of my dearest companion whose limbs were robbed of life - yet no longer does he languish there, and now that he is returned to my side I am loath to leave his.

Nevertheless, I cannot quell this shame that scorches my chest unless I take up arms and end it myself.

[twinkle_toes]

[Okay, he knows this is a really serious discussion and honestly he's trying his best to follow along with his chickpea-sized brain but it's really hard and so when Achilles starts bringing in fate of all things - and with a capital F no less - Aang throws up his (metaphorical) hands in confusion.]

Wait, what does Twisted Fate have to do with this? Is he fighting you guys too?

[?????]

[heelies]

What is this you are saying? Fate is no mortal man but that which reigns over all, for such is the inescapable reach of those three sisters who spin for each man his destiny.

[twinkle_toes]

[still confused, still running with it, sorry bro]

Really? He never told me any of that. [rude as heck tbqh] Does that mean he's like a king or something?

[heelies]

[Run with it for 26.2 miles, why don't you...]

You mean to say that the Fates have whispered directly in your ear? Why, only the gods know all that Fate designs, although Phoebus Apollo may reveal the truth to those gifted in birdlore and godcraft. Yet even then the archer god cannot reveal all at once.

[twinkle_toes]

Uhh.....it was more like I talked to him like I'm talking to you now. He doesn't really whisper. And I'm not sure what he's supposed to be designing but I don't think he's very creative. He says that all he does when he goes to the beach is sunbathe!

Where's the fun in that?

[heelies]

[He pauses a moment, his brow folded in confusion until realization comes over him as rosy-fingered dawn creeps over the horizon.]

It seems to me that each of us is carrying quite a different conversation, young Aang. Of what do you speak?

[twinkle_toes]

[Oh. That would make a lot of sense.

Aang backtracks, expression cracking a little in uncertainty.]

Twisted Fate. One of the guys here. Who were you talking about?

[heelies]

Such a man as this, who bears so strange a name, I've not yet met.

[But they shall shortly...as if it were...fated.]

I speak instead of that which governs the course of all upon the earth, and to it all mortal men are bound as are the gods: what lot Fate determines for each man, almighty Zeus wills that it shall be carried out. Do the Airbenders not teach their sons and daughters such lessons?

[twinkle_toes]

[oh my god]

Monk Gyatso never told me about an 'almighty Zeus'. But he did say that everything happens for a reason. I'm not sure if that's the same as this Fate or whatever.

[heelies]

It seems to me that they are indeed one and the same. All that comes to pass in a man's life is steered by Fate, and we are as passengers in its mighty beaked ship.

[twinkle_toes]

So....

[He gives the matter some thought, rolls this new information around in his head a bit.]

Does that mean this fight between you and Koltira is fate too?

[heelies]

Perhaps this course was set since first we spoke - even then it was certain that we would raise weapons one against the other, so potent is the enmity that brews between us. It must be for this reason that I cannot turn my heart away from this duel.

[twinkle_toes]

[He doesn't much like that explanation - fighting of any kind doesn't seem like the sort of thing that ought to be 'fated' or unavoidable - but the look on Achilles face makes it clear that nothing he says will be able to convince the older man otherwise.

So he deflates, eyes falling forlornly to the ground.]

Okay. Please don't get hurt too badly, or hurt Koltira too badly.