The Rags's Battle

Memories of a tragic day...

Kisetsu 36, 10th Genme - Araukaria, Berugamotto's neutral arena

Backstage in the arena, a conversation takes place between experience and talent.

— Nervous, newbie?

— Very, Master Gabiru! — says the young Kosuta excitedly — But I'm not such a rookie anymore, since I reached the final of this tournament on my debut. I have everything to deserve to be your permanent replacement!

— It's always good to be excited, Kosuta. But be careful to not underestimate your opponent. I once paid the price when I was in your place for being overconfident, which meant that I failed to win the tournament. This happens even to great Kyapen like Perdt, Raiseni, Kujiru...

— Okay... — interrupts Kosuta — I get it, master. You don't have to keep repeating it to me. Besides, my excitement goes beyond being in the Guretofue final. It's also because I have two finalist kyapens from our region! I want to show our people that I can be part of history, just like my honorable opponent.

— Yes, it's a day of celebration. Either way, we'll have a victory. Which hasn't happened since the 10th Guretofue. But there wasn't much to celebrate then, since it took place in the same Kisetsu as the tragedy with the legendaries...

At this point, Gabiru became silent and thoughtful, as if he were remembering the time mentioned.

— What now, master? Any more advice that i should follow? You should have more confidence in me, especially being a chimara like you.

— It's not that, Kosuta. Listen carefully...

Just as he was about to say something, Gabiru was interrupted by the sound of a call from the arena, telling the fighters to come to the arena for the big fight.

— Never mind. We'll talk about it later. Now go, respect your opponent, and do your best!

— Right. I see no reason to disrespect the last of the legendary musketeers. But I want to show him what a chimara can do. Here I go!

Reflecting on his student's confidence, Gabiru changes his worried look to one of relief, confident that there was nothing to worry about. He sees Kosuta disappearing into the light of the arena at the end of the corridor.

Kisetsu 61, 4th Genme — Araukaria, Dō no Mori

Returning to the iron arena, the triplet of musketeers set out to attack Kosuta in synchronized fashion, as if they had been training for this fight for a long time. However, Kosuta, like a good Chimara, moves with agility and dodges his opponents' rapier blows with ease, without needing to use his weapon. Seeing a gap, he lunges forward and hits Tulbs and Rioth with the handle of his scythe, while at the same time kicking the remaining musketeer, Wierd. The three of them fall back, a little bewildered, but quickly recover.

— I'm disappointed, Renāto... — says Kosuta, yawning — I thought these guys would be as challenging as you. But it seems they're just another rags for my collection!

The triplet attack again with their rapiers, but just as Kosuta is about to dodge, they shoot him with their muskets at the same time, and one of the shots grazes Kosuta's torso. After being hit, the chimara wraps his hand in a red aura and punches Tulbs, who was the one who fired the shot, and blocks the other two rapiers with his scythe.

— It looks like you know how to use something other than thin swords. That's what I'm talking about. Let's dance, rags!

And then, the counter-attack finally happens. Like a scarlet wind, the kyapen punches his opponents several times while holding the scythe. In the end, he slams the handle of his weapon into the ground, causing a huge impact wave that throws them both against the steel railing. Before they hit the wall of swords, the musketeers shoot back with a thrust, balancing themselves and both standing up.

The three soldiers begin to move around the arena. They move quickly and in coordination until they manage to surround Kosuta. The three of them stand equidistant from each other, as if ready for the next blow. Then, in unison, they shout:

— Seisan tākoizu!

Then a wave of blue auras begins to emerge from the uniforms lined on the arena floor. They join together and begin to circle the kyapen, until they become an extensive blue triangle, the apexes of which are the musketeers themselves. This changes Kosuta's mood, and for the first time, he begins to seriously analyze the situation.

— This is new... — whispers the chimara. 

And then Tulbs, Rioth and Wierd begin to speak synchronously, as if they had merged their bodies.

— Your confidence has led you into a trap, chimara. Now, feel the pain of the rags!

Girudo in unity!