Under a Virtual Sky [Online]
Full Synopsis:
Sakura Nanase is the daughter of a scientist, Innocenti, that dabbled in the creation of a virtual reality game. He along with two others, Koenig and Verde, completed the first ever under the ideas and help of the appointed GM, Byakuran. She had always been involved with her father's work, constantly testing for them whenever it was safe and reporting back for improvement. Not like she minded, at least not at first. She had always hated her world anyways, found nothing interesting about it. She wished for an escape. Until escape was no longer escapable. Until logging out was impossible and people who died did not respawn. Apparently Byakuran had very different ideas for this world that came to be.
Suicides. Player killing. Careless deaths. The end of a long battle. People were starting to drop like flies. All hope seems to lie within the strongest guild, Vongola. But now it was everyone's fight, it was inevitable. It had always been Sakura's dream to be part of that guild, to fight alongside them. Although, it wasn't all fun and games as she used to imagine it to be. There was nothing 'game' about any of this at all. This was reality now. Lives are at risk. And so is sanity. But what is sane? Is it sane or insane to consider this as a reality?
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Friendship, Family, Hurt/Comfort, (some) Angst, (some) Tragedy.
Pairings: Sakura x Hibari. The rest are to be determined. And I won't pair everyone with OCs (most won't be) because I can tell how annoying that'd be. WARNING: There might be (hints of) yuri/yaoi pairings. Because that's real life too. So if you don't like it, please don't read it. Though I'm still not sure.
Characters: 10th generation Vongola members, 1st generation Vongola members, Vongola alliances, Byakuran, Six real funeral wreaths and the 'fakes'. Millefiore. Acrobalenos. Side characters. And minor OCs. I will try my very best to keep them from being OOC.
IMPORTANT Note: This is an AU. Please mind what I write about characters. The ages are almost all different. I'm still not sure on what I'd like it to be. But this is a 12+ age game. I will be incorporating almost all KHR characters with a lot of OCs (this was a game after all and the player community is pretty large). There wil be Lambo, I-Pin, and Fuuta but they will be at a different age (I'm thinking 15). I'm probably going to increase the ages of the other mains a bit too.
A/N: Inspired by Sword Art Online (idea, concept) with a small mix of Fairy Tail (guild, not much) and an incorporation of the League of Legends' tier system with one small change. Welcome, to the virtual reality game!
The OC in this story is Sakura Nanase, a character I've used in my other stories aka Spring Wind and Shards of a Broken Mirror. I like the idea of her being in many different "parallel" worlds.
Also, I need help with making OCs. :) They will be minor characters though unless otherwise stated (I will message you if so). If you're interested in submitting an OC, I'll post the form and more information at the bottom of this chapter. I'd appreciate it a lot! ^_^
I do not own characters (except my own OC) or the picture I used as my cover photo.
CHAPTER ONE
The aquamarine sky was blanketed by the pure white of cotton like clouds. I uncurled my fingers several times before raising up my arm, stretching my fingers apart against the familiar light blue infinity above me.
Smiling to myself as I muttered, "I'm home."
{ ... }
Beam!
"Shit!" I bent backwards, dodging the gigantic energy beam that nearly blasted off my head. Geez! I whirled my head around towards the red haired player, feeling a twinge of neck pain from the previous action. "Look, if you want me to support you-"
"Sorry, sorry! That one was a bit out of my control," he chuckled nervously, gripping his two handed sword tighter.
Incoming! I flipped backwards and the world spun upside down, blurring the light blue sky/lake with the lush green grass. I pressed my palm onto the slightly damp ground and gave it another push, landing back onto my feet a distance away from the last. "And that one?!" I asked frustratingly with a higher voice level.
"That one… I'm just bad, okay. Sorry!" Sorry?! Sorry for being bad?! If you have time to be sorry for that- One more!
I threw myself flat onto the ground, the beam barely missing me by a strand of pink hair. I could feel the faint trace of heat above me for what I suppose was for the purpose of realism.
I sighed exasperatedly as I got up, quickly dusting off my red kimono styled shirt. Either way, this is too much for us to handle in one map. I turned my fan flat and covered half my face with it as I started the next incantation, keeping an eye on the gigantic bullfrog. "...Lift upon the forgotten ground, dance along the currents like feathers of a swift Spring Wind."
The glowing words swiveled around me before turning into green particles, glittering down on me until it lit me up in a temporary light green. At the corner of my vision, I saw the symbol of a flower for my agility and attack speed boost. I felt lighter. I'm ready. I smirked.
"Come at me, big guy."
The bullfrog opened its mouth, the tongue darted out an incredible pace. Disgusting. I jumped to my side, dodging it. Lifting off a foot, I dashed forward quickly thanks to the Spring Wind buff.
I turned my fans to a more comfortable position. Finish this!
"Take my resolve. Turn it to strength. Witness my determination, forge it into the sharpest blades. Cut. Slice through the darkness and within it, my enemy." The fans glowed with a purple flame and I jumped up towards the frog. With a slice from my left fan, I spun around, angling myself so that the second fan can cut it in a wide arc.
The cuts left bright pink slashes on its head as it gave out some sort of cry. I fell back down, landing on my feet, one in front of the other with my back facing it. I let go of a breath as I turned back around, watching the depleting HP. Yellow...Red...Zero- No.
I miscalculated? It got lucky? It cried again, opening its mouth. Fuck. The tongue darted out and I tried to sidestep it but it was wider than I interpreted it to be.
Ew.
It was sticky and damp. And it wrapped itself around me, constricting me. Ah damnit.
It lifted me up as I struggled to kick around. It was pulling me closer, it was going to swallow me soon. I really did not want to be enveloped in frog stomach acid.
"Sakura!"
With several quick cuts, almost too fast for me to witness, the frog was covered in thin white slashes. And I was free.
"Jazmin," I whispered as I fell down to the ground. "You're late," I teased.
"Well sorry, Miss Support. I didn't think you were going to take it on yourself," she smiled as she tucked the rapier back at her side after the blue flame from her weapon dissolved.
I shrugged, standing up slowly. "No one was in the position to." My eyes widened.
The beam.
"Jazmin!"
Fuck.
That hurt a bit. Thank god my pain tolerance was at 90.
"Tcht." How could I have forgotten there was one more by the lake?
I looked into her widened bright purple eyes and laughed slightly.
"H-Heal yourself!"
"I can't do that," I frowned. My HP bar was going down rapidly.
"Why?" Her eyebrows knitted in worry and I don't think she was asking why I couldn't.
"I'm a support. It's my job," I smiled. "It's okay. Kick ass for me. See you outside!"
Ah. Zero.
{ ... }
I rose up on my seat out of reflex. "A-Amazing," I muttered, hands still pressed against the dark wooden table of a dimly lit bar that would probably still reek of alcohol even though it was a bit more high class than the others.
I heard a chuckle beside me and I immediately felt embarrassed. I took my seat quickly and took a sip of the replication of a Shirley's temple, feeling the faint fizziness to it and the duller taste of cherry tones.
"You're really into it," she remarked. Her purple eyes glowed as she smiled. Her avatar's chin rested on her hand, her elbow propped up against the bar's table. In the darker bar, her usual pony tailed light lavender hair almost looked white.
"S-sorry," I mumbled, taking another sip of the drink. Frowning when I could barely taste it due to the reduced intakes of our sensory organs. They were still working on making it better. I remember the days when I was one of their test subject and everything tasted like water or cardboard. Not like I really KNEW what cardboard tasted like.
"It's fine. You're a big fan of him, right?" Her eyes danced with amusement as she did a head tilt towards the screen and my own blue orbs glanced away.
"Fan? Ah. I suppose," I laughed awkwardly. How far does 'fan' go? I'm not crazy or obsessed, I wouldn't think so at least. But he's super strong and that amazes me. "You don't find him amazing?"
She pursed her lips and hummed. "He's good, I'll give him that. But… Hm. If we're talking about high ranking pvp stars… I guess my type would be Dino."
"Dino?! Cavallone's guild master?" I widened my eyes. A charming, charismatic tall blonde that wields a whip as a weapon..and should be older than us by maybe six years or more. He was the guild master in alliance to the strongest. There was nothing wrong with that, I was just shocked. "You never mentioned that."
She giggled. "I'm not really into it though. Just like if I had to pick." I nodded slowly and returned my attention back to the screen before it was over. We came here to take a break and we happened to catch the stream that was airing here.
The man on the screen landed back down with ease, arms relaxing down by his side as the jacket on his shoulders cascaded down his back. His infamous tonfas still tightly gripped as a smirk appeared on his lips. But soon after the smirk disappeared as if this tournament was no big deal. Well probably to him. Since he won a lot.
The words flashed onto the screen and most probably on the air behind of him. He didn't even bother to turn around to glance at it.
"The winner is Vongola's HIBARI!" The announcer's voice boomed around the entire lounge. Screams. Mostly girls but there were some male cheers as well. Among them was me of course. Well why not? It was a great match...For him anyways. For his opponent...Not so much. Hibari did leave without a scratch after all.
But that was to be expected of a Titanium tier player, especially the number one guild, Vongola's, strongest guardian.
As most cloud attributed characters, Hibari was originally and practically still a solo player. Despite the big guild tournaments, Hibari doesn't participate with anyone else. Even then, he does things his own way and probably only participates for the legendary prizes or to fight strong people. And even THEN, it was separate branches so it's not like the members actually fought side by side or Hibari wouldn't take part in those either way.
He was one of the highest ranking Titanium tier players and had his foot in the door of Challenger, the highest possible tier. Although only a very select few were deemed with that title, such as Vongola's current guild master, Tsuna, and their previous masters... the Acrobalenos, seven rebirthed Guardians of UVSO themselves... the GM Byakuran... and other unknowns, making it less than 1% of the community.
"Must be nice being a Titanium tier player," I mused out loud. Which was only made up 1% of the community.
"You'll get there eventually!" She joked.
"You mean after a century maybe," I mumbled with fake disappointment. "You're one step closer, Miss Platinum." She laughed at the name and I knew she liked it. Jazmin just upped one rank to Platinum, joining the 10%, leaving me at Gold by myself and 19% of UVSO players. At least I was above the other half, which was 34% silver and 30% bronze.
"It'd be faster if you joined a guild too, you know," Jazmin stated. "Why not join mine? SCL, Sword Crossed Lovers." Very romantic.
"I'm not very dedicated to grinding exp," I smiled weakly. "Plus I'm not interested in competitive events like tournaments or rankings."
"I suppose. As long as you have a good party," she mused. "And since you're a support, it's not hard to find one."
I nodded. "People need buffs, shields, and heals. It's a bit boring though," I frowned.
"You're one hell of a support though. I don't think I've seen supports front line."
I opened my mouth to retort but she wasn't exactly wrong. "I don't see why not," I mumbled. "Plus I don't do it often."
"Yes, yes. You mention it often. How we should take advantage of the custom skills system," she quoted me. It was true though. UVSO has a unique custom skills system where you can combine tons of factors to make up your own. Although it takes quite some time and some money, it's worth it in my opinion. Not like I'm the one that suggested that to father. Not at all.
Well she probably just thinks I'm some nerd or fan because no one really knows my father was one out of the three to make this game possible.
"You're smiling to yourself like a weirdo," she smiled and my mouth opened in a speechless response. "Why don't you just have your fans leech you?" She teased.
"Hey," I mumbled, hoping she'd stop just there.
"Like that one," she pointed over to the corner of a few guys staring and laughing at us. Something about that scene annoyed me. They seemed annoying. She's completely teasing me because they were obviously gawking at her too. And I don't blame them. She was beautiful. Graceful, charismatic, feminine, charming. I think she commands attention wherever she goes but she doesn't believe me (and she's commanding literally but that she knows).
I rolled my eyes. "They're probably interested in you too, you know. We did enter that stream and article together." The article was a monthly thing on the website for avatars, kind of like a Miss UVSO kind of thing. Either way, I wasn't really interested at all. But when the owner of the stream came up to us and offered a lot of gold for it… Let's just say Jazmin was convinced. And I got dragged into it.
"No way, they've been mumbling 'Primavaira' and 'Persephone' this whole time," she smirked teasingly.
"Please don't call me that," I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips.
"I'm not the one doing it."
I sighed. I hated those titles, nicknames, whatever. I mean it wasn't bad. It was embarrassing. In UVSO, we entered our full information. It prevented people who were too young from playing or people who were just making spam accounts. Also to maybe avoid the ridiculous usernames. Like we don't need no xXx_iC3pr1nc3ssF41ryG4ngsta72urmom_Xxxx, okay. (A/N: I'm just playing around. If your UN is like that please don't take offense LOL)
So as a safe filter, character names, or well, our names were hidden. There wasn't really a username system. The player needs to willingly show their name or tell them but if not there was really no way of knowing. However, there are nicknames and titles that spread around.
When I entered that stream, I was dressed in a black cherry blossom designed kimono. I suppose that wasn't too different than what I was wearing now, which was a red kimono styled shirt with cherry blossoms over black shorts that are barely visible under the shirt. Anyways, I suppose they decided to call me anything along the lines of Spring. So there was Primavera, Primavaira, Spring, April, Persephone, and others I don't bother to take note of.
"Anyways, I'm not in a rush for exp." The only thing exp is really for would be to purchase skills and raise ability points. UVSO doesn't rank on levels, it ranks on performance.
"Don't you want to get stronger? I don't think Hibari likes weaklings," she joked. It was true though. We all know his famous lines too well, calling people 'herbivore' which was basically calling them weak precedented by a 'I'll bite you to death'.
"I- I don't- If I did, I don't want to get stronger for his sake!" What a thing to say. I don't even know the guy. Although….
"Didn't you agree to do the article so that maybe he'd notice you?" Wha- Well. That wasn't completely false… But 90% false. Not like he would. Not like he cared.
"I did it because you made me!...Mostly."
She laughed and I found myself joining her. "I still think you should join a guild though. It's like a more permanent form of a party. Not to mention bigger and more reliable." She tucked a strand of lavender hair behind her ear, her light purple sleeve fell down to reveal a guild symbol, two crossed swords, on her arm. "Also you can go on those quests offered only to guilds. They make good amounts of gold, you know."
I shook my head. "There would only be one guild I'd like to join," I said half heartedly as my eyes trailed over to one of the posters pinned onto the wall. Only because I knew it was impossible.
The Vongola guild. Number one, strongest guild since UVSO started. Most alliances. Most feared, most known. Almost all of the highest ranking and well known players belong in that guild. What it'd be like to have the Vongola seal though…
Once you join a guild, you receive a seal to be placed on your avatar in a location of your choice. I think I'd like mine on my inner wrist-
"I said. Why don't you buy us a drink or two?" A man snickered loudly. Jazmin and I scanned the bar and found the source in the middle. A bulk, darker skinned man was gripping a much paler, scrawny one. Said scrawny one had messy reddish orange hair and glasses.
"I don't.. I don't even know you," the smaller one mumbled nervously.
"I'm not going to ask you again," the bigger one held up a gigantic fist above the small one's face and his friends all laughed mockingly.
"Hey, isn't this bad?" I rose up out of my seat. Everyone in the bar was just watching, no one did anything. You couldn't PK, player kill, in the town which includes this bar. But you could get into fights without your HP going down. And yes, there's still pain.
I felt a tug on the end of my wide sleeves. "Sit down, Sakura! What can you do?" she whispered sharply.
"The least I can do is report him," I mumbled, pulling down the screen.
"I..Okay, okay. I got it, I got it. Just please don't hurt me," the reddish orange haired guy put his hands up and yelped a bit when the guy tugged harder on the collar of his shirt, hauling him up more.
"My, my. What do we have here? Are you picking on Sho-chan?" A voice came out of no where and everyone scanned the room before a light glow materialized into a form in front of the two men.
"Byakuran," I muttered disbelievingly along with everyone else. Shouldn't he have other work to do? I frowned.
Spiky white hair, haunting light purple eyes. He was dressed with a black coat, a white shirt, and black pants.
"It's the GM," some whispered.
"Why would he come? Did someone report?" Jazmin wondered out loud. My idle hand was still hovering by the transparent screen. I didn't even press it yet.
"Byakuran!" The scrawny guy exclaimed in disbelief as well.
"Ma, Sho-chan. Why are you letting people pick on you?"
"It's not really my choice," 'Sho-chan' mumbled.
Byakuran chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement as it trailed over to the bulker man who had no long forgotten his grip on 'Sho-chan'. The man let go quickly and backed up.
"Do we have a problem?" Byakuran tilted his head with daunting smile, almost daring him for an answer.
"N..No." He grumbled before turning around and walking away, his buddies trailing behind him like a pack of animals. I rolled my eyes.
Byakuran and 'Sho-chan' talked for a bit which resulted in a pretty flustered smaller man. The white haired GM turned to our direction and I met the pair of lavender eyes. He smiled at me and then…
Ah! Right, I almost forgot.
The report! I don't believe that he was here to specifically tell me but…At least he reminded me. I think. Well either way, I have to log out and report to my father how the game is going. I do this every week.
I looked up at the clock on the brick wall of the bar and sighed exasperatedly. "Ah well. It's getting late."
Jazmin glanced up as well and nodded. "Are you logging off now?"
"Hmm.. yeah." I said as I got up. Not like I wanted to. Sliding my hand down, the transparent 'options' screen dropped down in the air in front of me. "Then, I'll see you on tomorrow!"
She smiled. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," I replied as my finger hovered over the 'log out' button.
Ah.
I blinked as the vision came back to me. It was blurry at first, as it's always, but slowly my eyes adjust. I pulled off the uncomfortable half-helmet and set it on the nightstand. I groaned and placed my forearm over my eyes.
Back to this world, huh.
"Sucks," I muttered.
I wish…
I wish…...
SUBMITTING AN OC
I will fully credit you and post the description of your OC at the end of the chapters they are presented.
Idea inspired by 27tunafiamma72!
*Extends a hand out* Join me in my world!
*If you message me, I will copy and paste this over to you and you don't have to type it up yourself. :)
Name ; (if any) Nicknames, Titles: (I may or may not use the nicknames and titles).
Gender, Age:
Hair color, hair style:
Eye color:
Nationality: (Keep in mind that this is a Japanese server. But you can be creative.)
Family: (Might be mentioned. Please note if they are playing the game.)
Flame Attribute: (No sky please. Reserved for guild masters and I'll message if you if I think your OC should be one :o Also no night flame either. I will take secondaries. Also keep in mind that UVSO recommends attributes based on personality types, it's up to the person to accept it. 2 flames = uneven power in them, not as strong as having one main one.)
Job/Class: (You can be creative here but nothing too crazy. Keep along the lines of.. Mage/Support/DPS/Tank/Warrior/Mechanic/Assassin/Archer..)
Weapon of choice: (You can also be creative here but basic. Nothing too OP or unreasonable. Aka no fancy gold sword that kills people with one slice and has wings of flames or w/e LOL)
Normal clothes & Equip: (Could be the same)
Personality: (At least five traits please. Descriptive would be great)
-May not be revealed just for plot twist and other purposes-
Others: Romantic Interest? (May not be taken into account :c) Likes? Dislikes? Weaknesses? Strengths?
Background: OPTIONAL. If it's a simple and normal one, ignore this. If you think it'll affect their performance/speech, please do specify. :o
Are you okay with character death? (IMPORTANT, please answer.)
Are you fine with me bending their story/involving them in plot twists?
Is it okay if I put them into awkward, embarrassing, sad, or romantic situations?
Would you mind if I end up making them an antagonist? (Also important!)
*Keep in mind that these are mostly minor characters. I don't know how many I'll get it but the roles will depend on the number. I need about 4-8 people for Sakura's usual party members. I might add some into Vongola, alliance guilds, or antagonists. If I do make them an antagonist, it's not like I hate your character or something. Sometimes it seems like a good fit. And keep in mind that everyone has a story, a reason. :)
I will determine: Tier. Box weapon. Guild. Role. Relationships with other characters. Background unless otherwise specified.
Please review. It would be super helpful if you can tell me if there's something I'm doing wrong (though please keep to constructive criticism). If something's not making sense or if it's a good idea and that I should keep it. I'm also having a hard time deciding if Diamond or Titanium should be the higher rank. This is a huge AU and it's difficult for me to keep in mind everything. So I'd absolutely love suggestions. :)
You're all wonderful readers and I know you have a lot of opinions so I'd be more than happy to read them. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you'll continue to do so! ^_^