Post by ulvendagoth on May 23, 2022 3:38:50 GMT -5
Felix is kneeling in the middle of his dojo’s training room, upper body held stiff with his hands on his knees. He opens his eyes, looking into the viewer’s.
Hello again Sexton, I hope you’ve been thinking about the offer I made last time. I know people likely thought I was being silly last time despite my assurances otherwise, so this time I thought I’d be a little more obvious.
He shakes his head, frowning slightly as he thinks about his words before exhaling.
If there is anything my life has shown me, it is that I possess one skill above all others. Something that’s been with me since birth and has driven my actions and interests, and that is...
CRACK
A kendo stick slams into Felix’s back, but he doesn’t even flinch at the impact.
Endurance
The camera pulls back a little, showing Maxwell walking back and forth with the kendo stick in hand as he frowns intently.
Even from the very beginning of my life, I was built to survive. My birth was difficult, and I was later told that my mother and I had nearly died several times. Stubbornness, determination, endurance — whatever you want to call it's why we both survived. Throughout my whole life, even in the worst times, I could rely on one thing.
CRACK
Maxwell swung the kendo stick across Felix’s chest, leaving a line of red to show just how hard he was swinging. But Felix still didn’t flinch.
I could rely on the fact that I could weather the storm and come out the other side better than when I went in. All of these things you’ve been pulling, Sexton? All the little DQs and draws? It’s just water rolling down a granite wall. I’ll admit, you attacking Maxwell got to me, but the rest? You’d bother me more by spitting at me.
CRACK
This time, Felix doesn’t even stop talking as the Kendo stick slams down on his shoulder and cracks enough for the tip to arch down and hit his chest.
In our fight at Hostile Intent, I’m not going to use weapons on you. I’m not going to use the more brutal methods my training has gifted me with. After all, if you stop breathing after a strike to the throat, I think I might actually feel bad. I certainly would if I took one of your eyes from your skull.
CRACK
Instead, I’ll let you come at me with all that you have, and I’ll do what I am best at. I’ll endure the storm, weather the pain, and then strike back when you leave an opening. It wouldn’t take much, in the grand scheme of things. A strike to your jaw, twisting your neck and rattling your brain enough to knock you out...
CRACK
This time the Kendo stick fully breaks off on Felix’s body, leaving cuts on his chest. Felix reaches up and wipes the blood off as Maxwell gets another kendo stick from a stand.
One lock in the middle of the ring when you overextend. One decapitating strike to the back of your neck. I don’t need to be more brutal to you than that to handle you. I’m not underestimating you. After all, you lasted with me at Open Fight Night, but I don’t think I need to break your legs and arms to keep you down. I think you are smarter than to let it get to that.
Maxwell tests the weight of the Kendo stick, then slams it into Felix’s arm and side.
CRACK
Felix, covered in red lines of pain, still doesn’t flinch even when the strikes start to overlap. Maxwell goes back to circling Felix, looking for the right angle to strike at.
I’ll show you that I can beat you while holding onto my honor. I’ll show you that a code of honor is more important than earthly pleasures and vanity. You need to learn that because of everything I said last time and more. You will have true confidence then, and not this arrogant posturing meant to convince yourself and others that you matter.
CRACK
I know you won’t understand my motivations, Sexton. I know that you can’t allow yourself to think of others because if you do, you’ll start comparing yourself to them. You’ll beat yourself down and reflexively start bragging or something similar to convince yourself that the little dark voices in your head aren’t right.
CRACK
After all, you weren’t born with this innate skill to endure and push on despite what others think. You cling to people’s opinions and demand they praise you. Even when they boo you, you think they are just jealous. Because if you allowed yourself for one moment to think less of yourself, you’d spiral into despair. It won’t last, Sexton. It’s too precarious, it’s too fragile. So, I’ll save you from yourself... violently if I have to.
CRACK
I’ll show you what happens when you keep pushing, when you endure. I’ll show you a true warrior, an example that maybe you will take to heart. When I take that belt from you, while staying on my path and enduring your violence, maybe that will be the shock that sets you back on a sustainable path. If not, I will feel I have done everything that I can, that my honor has been fulfilled, and it will be up to you where you go from there. As for me? I’ll do what I've always done.
Felix turns and smiles at Maxwell, who is still looking worried.
One more, Maxwell. I’ll be alright. Trust me.
You are crazy, my love.
Felix holds still as Maxwell swings in one more time with the kendo stick, cracking it in half off Felix’s forehead, causing blood to leak down his face as he stares forward, deadpan and stoic.
I will endure.
Hello again Sexton, I hope you’ve been thinking about the offer I made last time. I know people likely thought I was being silly last time despite my assurances otherwise, so this time I thought I’d be a little more obvious.
He shakes his head, frowning slightly as he thinks about his words before exhaling.
If there is anything my life has shown me, it is that I possess one skill above all others. Something that’s been with me since birth and has driven my actions and interests, and that is...
CRACK
A kendo stick slams into Felix’s back, but he doesn’t even flinch at the impact.
Endurance
The camera pulls back a little, showing Maxwell walking back and forth with the kendo stick in hand as he frowns intently.
Even from the very beginning of my life, I was built to survive. My birth was difficult, and I was later told that my mother and I had nearly died several times. Stubbornness, determination, endurance — whatever you want to call it's why we both survived. Throughout my whole life, even in the worst times, I could rely on one thing.
CRACK
Maxwell swung the kendo stick across Felix’s chest, leaving a line of red to show just how hard he was swinging. But Felix still didn’t flinch.
I could rely on the fact that I could weather the storm and come out the other side better than when I went in. All of these things you’ve been pulling, Sexton? All the little DQs and draws? It’s just water rolling down a granite wall. I’ll admit, you attacking Maxwell got to me, but the rest? You’d bother me more by spitting at me.
CRACK
This time, Felix doesn’t even stop talking as the Kendo stick slams down on his shoulder and cracks enough for the tip to arch down and hit his chest.
In our fight at Hostile Intent, I’m not going to use weapons on you. I’m not going to use the more brutal methods my training has gifted me with. After all, if you stop breathing after a strike to the throat, I think I might actually feel bad. I certainly would if I took one of your eyes from your skull.
CRACK
Instead, I’ll let you come at me with all that you have, and I’ll do what I am best at. I’ll endure the storm, weather the pain, and then strike back when you leave an opening. It wouldn’t take much, in the grand scheme of things. A strike to your jaw, twisting your neck and rattling your brain enough to knock you out...
CRACK
This time the Kendo stick fully breaks off on Felix’s body, leaving cuts on his chest. Felix reaches up and wipes the blood off as Maxwell gets another kendo stick from a stand.
One lock in the middle of the ring when you overextend. One decapitating strike to the back of your neck. I don’t need to be more brutal to you than that to handle you. I’m not underestimating you. After all, you lasted with me at Open Fight Night, but I don’t think I need to break your legs and arms to keep you down. I think you are smarter than to let it get to that.
Maxwell tests the weight of the Kendo stick, then slams it into Felix’s arm and side.
CRACK
Felix, covered in red lines of pain, still doesn’t flinch even when the strikes start to overlap. Maxwell goes back to circling Felix, looking for the right angle to strike at.
I’ll show you that I can beat you while holding onto my honor. I’ll show you that a code of honor is more important than earthly pleasures and vanity. You need to learn that because of everything I said last time and more. You will have true confidence then, and not this arrogant posturing meant to convince yourself and others that you matter.
CRACK
I know you won’t understand my motivations, Sexton. I know that you can’t allow yourself to think of others because if you do, you’ll start comparing yourself to them. You’ll beat yourself down and reflexively start bragging or something similar to convince yourself that the little dark voices in your head aren’t right.
CRACK
After all, you weren’t born with this innate skill to endure and push on despite what others think. You cling to people’s opinions and demand they praise you. Even when they boo you, you think they are just jealous. Because if you allowed yourself for one moment to think less of yourself, you’d spiral into despair. It won’t last, Sexton. It’s too precarious, it’s too fragile. So, I’ll save you from yourself... violently if I have to.
CRACK
I’ll show you what happens when you keep pushing, when you endure. I’ll show you a true warrior, an example that maybe you will take to heart. When I take that belt from you, while staying on my path and enduring your violence, maybe that will be the shock that sets you back on a sustainable path. If not, I will feel I have done everything that I can, that my honor has been fulfilled, and it will be up to you where you go from there. As for me? I’ll do what I've always done.
Felix turns and smiles at Maxwell, who is still looking worried.
One more, Maxwell. I’ll be alright. Trust me.
You are crazy, my love.
Felix holds still as Maxwell swings in one more time with the kendo stick, cracking it in half off Felix’s forehead, causing blood to leak down his face as he stares forward, deadpan and stoic.
I will endure.
