A/N: Hello everyone! Welcome to Souls of Fire, the second book of the Demon Slayer series :D. To those who're new to this series and still left scratching their heads by the end of this chapter, I recommend reading Sun Dancer, it's the first book!
Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara (who loves making Sues), I've got my OCs, plot, and new gimmicks, those are mine!
Special shout out to my loving and supporting readers! RiptideZ, Agent 94, Theawesomess1, Thunderwolf, blazepanzer24, Recklessgirl56, Vampi, and John904? Amazing support, hope to hear from you all very soon!
Enjoy! May the carnage begin!
The hot jungle sun blared, its rays blinding us as we emerged from our stone prison. The wide space of the arena opened, the sandy pit of the stadium floor shining a pale yellow.
"This'll be a cake walk," I smiled.
"Yup," Rika cheered, brushing back her pink hair.
Our armor shined in the light, especially hers. Standing equal in height to me, layers of plated steel guarded her from the head down. Her red skirt waved in the breeze, brushing just above the knees as she marched beside me.
"Remember," I directed, "we'll trade off hits. Anything gets near your flank's gonna deal with me."
"And when the boss shows up," she winks, "we both go heavy."
"We'll see," I smiled, "unless it's got a one handed tool."
"Oooo," Rika smirked, "then it'll be parry time."
Trumpets blared, echoing across the arena stands. The crowds above roared to life, whistling and cheering, awaiting the promised spectacle.
"I find it a bit unnerving," Rika looked to me, "you know, people being so excited about this?"
"I understand," I nodded, "though to be fair, I enjoy a good fight. Can't say much."
"Well you're you," she smiled, "I'm just...unused to this. Back home, violence was heavily censored."
"Being unfamiliar may be for the best," I blinked, "in some ways, I'm glad you're new to this."
Up on a podium rose the announcer, the two of us standing in the center of the dusty arena.
"Got those machines ready?" I nudged her hand.
"More than ready." Rika stated confidently.
The cheering died down, the proclaimer raising both hands.
"People of Aincrad," he shouted, "we've gathered to bring you blood! Our brave contestants promised it, let us fulfill our claims!"
"Be it the blood of their foes...or their own."
The audience shrieked, hollering in excitement as the ground below us rumbled.
"Ready?" I gently grabbed her shoulder.
"Yea!" she nodded, "I've got your back!"
I nodded, watching my blacksmith draw her [Abyssteel Mace]. Dense and unbending, the flanges of dark metal stuck out on all sides, perfect for cracking armor. For a man who could feel pain, I feared her club more than most.
The floor of the arena vanished in square panels, leaving a colorless abyss where there was once Earth. Seconds after, the void was replaced with new matter, forming the scenery of a fortified encampment.
Walls made of pointed logs lined patches of space. Stilted watchtowers stood, hidden among trees. The ground was covered in grass, littered with patches of dirt. As the environment set, we assessed.
"I see two ways of approach behind us," Rika mused.
"Three in front," I muttered, "got any ideas?"
"Yea," she nudged, pointing west, "there's a choke point over there...and a convenient tree."
Looking, there were several props. From ruined stage coaches to barriers of sharp wooden stakes, it left little room for mobility, only two ways of approach. Ha, we could cover that ground ourselves.
"We gain points based on collateral damage," I noted, "that...however, looks more practical."
We positioned ourselves between the generated obstacles. Looking up at the tree, I saw a perfect crossfire point, Rika was looking at it too.
"You're thinking it too?" I smiled.
"Reading my mind again?" the pink haired smith elbowed.
"Yes, forgive me!" I laughed.
Rushing to the plant, I hoisted Lisbeth over my shoulder. Grabbing a branch, she climbed before deploying one of her newest measures. A [CAB ], perfect. The cocoon shaped automaton clung to the bark, its [Light Repeating Crossbow] ready to fire.
An iron gate opened in the distance, a fog horn blowing. The cries of [Crazed Barbarians] were heard, the bashing of shields and axes filling the air.
Guarding the left, Lisbeth readied her buckler and mace. Facing right, I shouldered Ironback. Back to back, we bent knees as the stomping of dozens, maybe hundreds approached.
"There's one plus already," I mused.
"What's that?" She nudged.
"No running away."
"True." she chuckled, "Hate it when that happens."
The racing stomps of warriors grew louder, encircling us like wolves in the woods. Compared to PoH and Nobel, this was nothing, it might as well been training day.
A great bearded NPC reached the right flank, shield and axe in front as he lunged!
"Right flank!" I called, dashing forward to meet my foe!
I slammed Ironback forward with a [Mass Driver], propelling the blade like a spear! The [Ultra Greatsword] glowed a bright yellow, diving through!
The leather shield proved ineffective. The tip of the sword punched through, crashing through the barrier AND its wielder with a resounding crack! The NPC screamed, gored on the spot.
Tossing him off the weapon, my ears filled with the clang of axe against buckler! Glancing back, Lis had just used [Parry], swiping the sharp tool of another aside with her shield!
The axe wielding barbarian stumbled back, stunned by the strike! Just as her foe flinched, she dove with the buckler, ramming her assailant in the throat with an [Ascending Clamp]!
The barbarian flew back, crashing into his comrades behind him as his jaw snapped! Some bounced, impaling themselves on the walls of stakes, parting like bowling pins in the tight passage. Oh come on, was at least a double kill!
"You trying to show me up!?" I teased, "Getting fancy on me!"
"Trying?!" Rika squeaked, "you saying I'm not winning?!"
I laughed, twisting back to my side. Two [Crazed Barbarians], dual wielding axes. They yelled as they stormed towards me, readying their weapons in rage!
One swung high, their hooked axe gleaming in the sun! I swung up, slapping away the strike. Stepping forward, I pivoted with Ironback, charging a [Bisecting Blow]!
The gormless idiots kept closing in, typical AI. Swinging the massive weapon, the red glowing blade shoved the very air aside in its wake! Gritting my teeth, my body pitched with the strike, the price of wielding such heavy tools.
The bodies of both broke before me, their divorced halves scattering along the field! The carnage was all there, displayed for the masses to observe. Crashing past them, the blade chinked as it struck a tree!
The cries filled the air. Whether it was them or the audience's, I couldn't tell.
"Garr! Heavy!"
I spun back, swinging with a [Cleave] to protect Rika! Swerving back, a heavily armored poleaxe wielder laid siege, crashing down on my partner. She ducked, letting the poleaxe fall on her shield.
The [Ultra Greatsword] whirred, flying wide to her assailant! As I swung, Rika jumped behind me, blocking an unseen attack! The bang of steel was met with the shattering of bone, the usual of her watching my ass.
The sword met the poleaxe, splitting the thick wooden beam with a single swipe! The NPC stood there, stunned by the display. The steel broke through, cleaving through its user's neck with a loud snap!
The headless form shook, spasming with the loss of brain. Roaring in delight, I rose the heavy sword, slamming the corpse with a [Down Chop]! the thick blade pierced through armor and ragged remains, into the body of the comrade behind him!
"Yea!" I shouted, using [Incite] with the passion in my breath!
Rika's attack damage spiked, the fire spreading between us! A squad of lightly armored scouts approached, funneling down the tight passage.
"Rika! Scouts!"
Stepping aside, my fellow knight took over, switching places with me. She slapped one's arm away with her shield, ending him with a [Crack Down]! The mace met bone, the man cracking like an egg.
Her assailants funneled in, unfazed by the consequence of their fallen. Pushing further, she drew back, readying a [Stone Cyclone]!
Racing forward at high speed, she spun her mace, sucking unlucky foes into a maw of club and steel! As clumsy as the maneuver was, the tight space left no room for them to escape.
Turning back, I swatted aside an incoming sword with my left gauntlet! [Parry] activated, opening him for a [Riposte]! Shouldering the Ultra, I slammed both him and the man behind him with a [Dissecting Blow]!
The [CAB ] rained fire upon the backs of [Crazed Barbarians], weakening before they reached us. Crossbow bolts kept firing, the weapon sure to run dry soon...if it wasn't for video game logic. As the crowd cleared on my side, I glanced back to Rika.
Damn, had to be like a dozen she swept aside! Slowing to a dropped knee, I raced to cover her! Diving in with a [Reverse Cleave], I aimed for the remaining scouts.
Such lightly armored units posed a problem, capable and smart enough to dodge such slow weapons like mine. Ironback forced them back, Rika's temporary [Stun] ending. She nodded to me, rising back to join me.
A duet of steel followed, dancing between each other as foe met fury. The cries of our artificial prey echoed, only rivaled by the yells of the onlooking audience! Made a wonderful mess of things together.
Seconds melted away, losing ourselves in the flow of sword and mace. War drums beat in the background, egging me on to greater acts of strength, shattering some with my bare hands!
Just as the last barbarian fell, the field went silent. Something shook the ground, walking to our position.
"There's the prize," I growled merrily, "how's the new mace workin?"
"Hits like a boulder," Rika cheered, "great work by the way."
"Likewise," I smiled, "just one boss now."
A great shadow loomed over us, towering over the trees. A low growl, gurgling as our new foe approached. Rika swiped her left hand, [Hot Wave] swapping her buckler for a Greatshield.
Backing her up, Ironback was rested atop the shield. Resting her mace hand back, Rika reached for my open hand, gripping it as we stepped forward.
"So how many did you score?" she asked.
"I think like...fifteen?"
"Mm," she nodded, "sucks to know you're losing, doesn't it?"
"What?!" I decried, "I ain't letting you win that easy!"
"kidding," the blacksmith laughed, "I mean...does twenty five count?"
I playfully growled.
Souls of Fire
December 21st 2022
The trees above shielded us, shading us with a vast ceiling of yellow leaves. Following alongside a convoy of Forest Elves, an ambush was inevitable.
PoH lurked in this place, somewhere behind the walls of trees.
According to my informants in Graye Sight, he's been using the event maps of the [Elf War] campaign to hide. One mission. Get the damn quests done, find him, get the Malishard, and end this.
Lisbeth scribbled away at her handbook, glancing from the paper to the trees surrounding us. Brushing back her brown curly hair, her mahogany eyes shot back and forth, focused almost entirely on her current task.
Riding on the backs of wolves, our NPC allies kept hold of spears. The fog of Floor Three ran thick today, obscuring all but our immediate spot.
Glancing over to Rika's drawing, I smiled. She was such a blessing to have around. With her, the days following the incident were easier. She had trees, as well as some notes on random things.
"So any word from Argo on rare ore here?"
Rika glanced to me, smiling a little.
"No," her head shook, "but I was thinking. Could we have another run through the Spider Queen dungeon after this?"
"No issue there," I shrugged, "just wish this stupid escort mission would end sooner. This is the second one in the campaign."
Out of nowhere something snapped in the treeline. I stopped, turning wildly, where the freak was that?
Rika drew her mace and buckler, moving right beside me.
The convoy kept moving, forcing us to follow. Something's out here, stalking us. Slowing our steps, the cool air seemed stagnant. The wolves the Forest elves rode kept growling, they had to know too.
Suddenly, the convoy stopped.
"Dammit," the Elf leading us growled, "they already found him."
"Who?" I called back, "we shouldn't st-"
The second I spoke, I was slammed to the ground! Rika screamed, a throbbing pain bursting from my shoulder. An arrow had been jammed into me, curse it all. Groaning, the scampering of several paws were heard.
"Ambush!" a wolf rider cried out.
Lisbeth grabbed me, trying to pull me up! My left hand started burning...PoH was here.
"He's here," I growled, helped back to my feet.
More arrows flew by, forcing me to duck! Rika raised her buckler, twitching as rounds deflected off the metal surface. The air filled with soft chants, wolves bursting from the fog!
"Garr!" something shrieked, "Your time has come!"
The voice was twisted, inhuman in pitch. Tackling right into Lis, a wolf forced her to the ground!
I leaped at it, a [Down Chop] bearing down on its twisted form! It barely looked like a canine, molded and rotten, its serrated teeth were stained and sickly.
The rider raised a lance, blocking the sword's hard slam! Feeling the arrowhead bob in my shoulder, I had to hold back my cries. The Dark Elven knight's eyes glowed blue, laughing at my grief.
"Repay your debt!" it shrieked.
Rebounding from the hit, Rika rushed back, cracking her mace down on the mangled wolf with a [Rock Breaker]!
She scored a critical, shattering the beast's skull like glass all over the dirt path! The overwhelming force broke the knight's guard, sending him toppling over.
I bit my tongue, grabbing the lodged arrow. Closing my eyes tight, I yanked the missile. God did I scream, feeling the barbs on the back catch as I tugged it out. 70% HP, bad start.
The fallen knight dropped the lance, drawing a scimitar on Rika as I winced. Diving for her assailant, I drove a [Cleave] with Ironback!
[Ultra Greatswords] were among the heaviest weapons in the game. Only the strongest could consider wielding such, at the cost of speed. The weapon whirred by, scoring a grazing hit on the plated fiend.
Even a grazing hit proved devastating, tearing the arm off the elf in a single swing! The possessed warrior fell aside, gripping his stubbed limb. Upon wounding, [Ares] gifted me with health.
A Unique Skill of...mixed gifts, such brought me life from wounding others. I must wound them within melee range, or I would gain nothing. As a price, potions and crystals cannot heal me.
Three of the four allied wolf riders fell, cut down by arrow fire. The rest of the unit scrambled around, trying to protect their commander as archers readied another volley!
"Fall back!" I screamed at the NPCs, "fall back to the keep!"
The remaining members fled, leaving us to handle the demonically possessed beasts! Arrows whizzed past me, forcing me back down to dodge!
"Take cover, Garr!" Rika shouted, jumping in front of me.
For her sacrifice, she was struck with three arrows! The blacksmith collapsed, falling back first on the dirt from recoil. I wasn't losing her, never in my life! Grabbing her, I lifted her, carrying her with me behind a tree.
Arrows kept flying, we were getting pinned down fast! Resting Rika down, I crouched beside her, keeping an eye out for any flankers!
"I'm sorry," Rika shook her head, "I-"
"No time for that," I patted her shoulder, "PoH's got us pinned, here!"
Passing her a healing potion, I watched the arrows leave her body without suffering. Man, wished getting arrows out was that easy for me. Glancing past cover, the fog cleared, revealing a band of at least twelve archers.
The glowing blue of their eyes indicated their faction. More rounds flew by, suppressing us. PoH must've remembered my weakness to arrows, cheap bastard's gonna spam these at me for sure.
"Rika," I peeked down, "we should consider our options. I want you to fall back."
"Not happening," she growled, "I'm not leaving."
For God's sake, if she stayed I was going to lose her!
"Come out, Garr..."
The ghastly voices called to me, PoH projecting his will through his puppets. They were closing in, circling around us. I had to think, I couldn't just charge, or I'd be shot dead! I shot my gaze back to my partner.
"Got a Teleport Crystal?"
"Yea!" she drew one, "fall back?!"
"No glory in pointless defeat," I gasped, another arrow zooming past me, "come on!"
Raising Crystals, we were forced to retreat back. Spheres of blue consumed us, whisking us back to town. Retreat, there's a word I'd vomit over. It disgusted me, the idea that I had to admit defeat.
Zumfut's gargantuan trio of trees surrounded us. Each of the three had to be thousands of feet high, bypassing even the clouds. hollowed out, the leviathans of bark served as the foundation for the town's many buildings.
I sighed, stepping out of the Teleport Gate. Lisbeth stepped beside me, sighing with relief.
"You okay?" she squeaked, "you look upset."
"It's just," I looked to the distance, past the rails of the walkway, "I hate the idea of retreating."
"Hey," she jabbed me in the side, "You were right about your assessment. At least we're in one piece."
"Come on," she took my hand, "we can still relax, right?"
I wasn't certain of it. Heck, I shouldn't even be taking any breaks, I should be out there getting stuff done! In the end though, she was probably right. PoH's out there somewhere, but personal health still needed to be managed.
Detaching her [Falling Buffe], Rika brushed her hair back. Her freckles showed prominently in the scarce rays of sunlight that reached through the net of leaves.
"So you haven't mentioned Tesla," I smiled softly to her.
"Ooo interested?" she beamed impishly.
"Seems to be a hero for you," I nodded, "so that makes him important."
Rika gave quite an earful on the Serbian fellow. The more she spoke of his accomplishments, the more I admired him. This guy? He made Thomas Edison look like a chump in his day, a true lord of lightning.
"So he basically invented the concepts of everything we're using today..." I blinked in wonder.
"That," Rika raised a finger, "and he would've made free electricity a reality for the whole world."
She sighed.
"That makes him a hero in my eyes," she grinned, "willing to give so much for the world. I hope I can help the world like that, once we're out of here."
"Can see why," I raised eyebrows, "seriously! He created a weapon akin to an atom bomb with just some voltage!"
"Shows what a mind's capable of," Rika rested her head on me, "I just...don't think I'll ever amount."
"What?" I looked to her.
"Nothing," she shook her head, "wanna have lunch?"
"It can't be nothing if it bugs you," I tried coaxing.
"I'll tell you later," Rika lifted her head off me, "don't like dragging you down with that."
I really wish she'd tell me what bothers her, I want to see her smile.
We took an hour long break, enjoying the sights of the forest town together. Eventually though, we had to keep going. Reporting back to the NPC in charge of the [Elf War] quest was imperative.
Wandering down the northern path, we managed to snag a few lone mobs down the road.
"Ha," I cheered, picking up some strange looking ore off the ground. "Think this'll serve?"
The prospective blacksmith gingerly took the rock, examining it closely. After a few seconds of item appraisal, she smiled.
"Wow, this is apparently...Hikore," Rika looked, "have no idea what it does."
"Sweet," I grinned, "means something to check out when we're back."
"Ugh," Rika stretched, "I don't wanna wait!"
Just like that, Rika bolted! Racing down the pathway, the woman was like a friggin sprinter, clearing the dirt path with almost a dust trail at her heels! I was losing track of the pocket sized bundle of energy, so I started running.
How she moved so damn fast in armor was absolutely beyond me. Then again, an empty stomach would do the trick for me. Despite my best efforts, I was failing to keep up, my armor and weapon slowing me down.
She was wearing more armor than me for Pete's sake, how could I not keep up!? I sent Ironback to item storage with [Hot Wave]. The second the hotkey function of SAO worked, I charged forward, hoping to catch up to my faster companion.
Slowing back to match my pace, an impish expression was plastered over her face. So smug, so cute.
"Slowpoooooke," she teased.
"How do you move so freaking fast?" I laughed, "can barely move my fat ass."
"You see," she giggled, "I don't have two tons of muscle to lug around. Sooo-"
"I'm done," I shook my head playfully, "so done."
Rika's cockiness was the cutest. Heaven knew though, it wouldn't be long till her mischief killed me. In a world of being chased by demons, betting that'll be what ended me first!
Further north, we came across a shallow stream. The water moved quickly, foaming white as it crashed against a multitude of rocks. the river provided a gap in the woods, letting the sun shine across the bank.
Rika quickly moved to the water, pulling out a grated pan as she went on her knees.
"Checking for minerals?" I joined.
"Yep," she nodded, "been here with Asuna once. Sometimes you can find ore dust from sifting these."
"Dust?" I questioned, crouching beside her.
"You heard right," she scooped some sediment, shaking the pan. "With enough dust, you can make ingots of normally pretty rare materials. Stuff like...this!"
She drew her pan, showing me a tiny, shining yellow metal, gold!
"Cool!" I exclaimed, reaching out for the glimmering dust.
"Mine," she smiled, stuffing it away.
"Dammit," I grumbled playfully, "so wait, how much of that would you need to make an ingot?"
"Errr, around fifty?"
"Fifty?!" my eyes widened.
"To be fair," she shrugged, "those are mere specks. Even if I gathered enough, it'd only produce a low-concentrated ingot."
A childish smile crept on her face.
"So to make a true 24-Karat gold ingot? I'd need like...roughly 1,000 pieces."
"Jeez!" I blasted, "better be worth a ton though."
"I actually haven't checked that yet. We'll have to see what it's used for."
I stuck my hand in the river, sighing as the cold water rushed past my fingers. Memories trickled in, oh yes. I looked back to her, a soft smile on my face. Could barely contain my giggle.
The second she looked, her eyes widened. Her eyebrows furrowed, looking right at me.
"Splash me," she challenged, "and I'll dunk you."
My fingers steadily formed a cup.
"Aiden," she addressed calmly.
Souls of Fire
We marched down the path, both of us soaking wet. Holding up a smile, all I had to say was...winning's nice.
"You haaad to splash me," Rika growled, "I mean really?!"
"Yes!" I chattered, "you sound too cute when you're mad!"
"Well now we're both wet, happy?!"
"Yep!" I laughed as I pulled a spare cloth, "worth it!"
"Brat," she grumbled as I dried her hair.
Was the first time I got to feel her hair. Man, it had to be the softest I ever touched! All curly and frazzled after getting wet. The look she gave me could probably score a critical hit. I brushed her bangs to one side, ugh I've always wanted to do that!
"Having fun, are we?"
Oh God, that question! I froze, her eyes flaring with energy. Okay, okay, what to do when dealing with an wild grizzly bear...just walk away, right?
"Maybe?" I smiled sheepishly.
Snatching the towel, Rika proceeded to rub my face! Rubbing the soft cloth across my cheeks, eyebrows, and lips, she was fairly rough with it.
"Ow," I squeaked, "hey! Easy!"
"This is for splashing me!"
If I had anything to say for the following minutes? My face wasn't wet anymore. Mm, wanted to stroke her hair more though.
We soon reached a fortress, home of the great exposition dump himself! Think they called him a king or something. God, the lectures he gave us went on forever! Rika had to keep me awake half the time.
The very walls were made up of vines, each as thick as trees! Vivid yellow and blue glass stood out, breaking up the otherwise monotonous tone of green. With the hippie barrier being several feet high, climbing wasn't a practical solution.
Standing before the entrance were two spear wielding guards. Forest elves, both of whom looking just as twiggy and pathetic as the last we had to escort. Out of all the hundreds of years spent living, none of them ever thought of hitting the gym? Did they even know what a gym was?!
After a brief chat with the 'guards', Rika and I were warped inside, straight to the throne room. Great windows of oval shapes stood, the entire room looking carved from an ancient tree.
The floor was made of pale blue tile, each of the sickle shaped pieces glowing momentarily after being stepped on. Giant pointed crystals floated atop pillars, metal rings spinning around them. Small lily laden ponds lined parts of the floor, reflecting the glow.
"Reminds me of those dance games in arcades," I commented, looking to Rika.
"I love the glow effect!" she cheered, "though I'm unfamiliar with dancing."
"What?"
"Let's just say," she lowered her head, "the best dancing I do is involving circuit boards."
"That changes soon," I nudged her.
"How goes the patrol," an armored stick questioned, sitting rather comfortably on his throne, adjusting his spiky golden crown.
"Your highness," I exaggerated as I knelt, "the scout's dead. We were ambushed upon finding him."
Lis bowed beside me. It bugged me to no end, going on one knee to some madman's scripted program. Should've gone with the third option of this campaign, burn both of them and the Dark Elves! If PoH's hiding in either one, it wouldn't matter, because both would capitulate!
"That's...troubling," the Forest Elf Lord nodded, "we'll have to gather flowers in memory of him."
"Alright," the aristocrat groaned, "We're losing ground in this conflict, human. We've been pushed back to solitary strongholds throughout this area."
"To think. Ever since the Schism," the lord explained, "our once united empire split, leaving us elders to pick up the pieces. The members you see serving me are of a new generation, unknowing of what came before...only what's told to them by rote."
"I'm sure you're familiar with the old empire," he leaned on one arm of the throne, "many underground fortresses were formed before the crumbling of our society."
My God, the one thing Kayaba forgot to put in this RPG of his...a skip button. We've had to stand there for whole minutes letting this NPC yammer on about how "oh the dark elves are bad." I found myself droning out the conversation, staring blankly at the wooden throne.
I suddenly felt a jab in my side.
"He's giving the mission," she glanced.
"Your job," the Forest Elf commander addressed, "is to get us enough flowers to honor the sacrifice of our scout."
Yes, exposition scene over! Wait...collection mission? Piss off, it's not like we've got lives or anything! Looking to the king with a glazed expression, I calculated a more...appropriate response.
"Thank you, your highness," Rika bowed slightly.
Oh snap, forgot he's a king. I followed her lead, repeating the gratitude. Just after the discussion was over, however, I noticed another quest indicator. Looking at it, I realized it involved that Wyvern mother!
Selecting it, I displayed the [Ancient Wyvern Scale].
"Ah," the lord blinked, "this is what remains of Grand Minister Netec...shame what became of her. No, I don't know where her offspring might be, the process was carried out by the bureacracy."
"With the destruction of our libraries," he shrugged, "I cannot produce any real leads. Know this. If either side had a Wyvern assisting them, it would've ended this war long ago."
I nodded, ignoring this as I followed Rika out the door. The collection quest...I had to collect...
Two hundred and forty nine flowers?! That guy looked like my age for God's sake!
Moments later, we were out of the exposition zone, the weight of such worthless conversations dropping off my shoulders like loose bricks.
"So how much did you hear?" she leaned her head, "was barely listening to half of it myself."
"Something about some flowers," I laughed, apparently I'm the only guy they can send to gather 249 flowers."
"Ugh," she nudged me, "we'll have to plan that out, somehow..."
"The only question on my mind," she turned her gaze back to the path, "is where we find this Queen Spider's lair."
"Well it's randomly generated," I glanced around, "gonna have to find it ourselves. Just like last time"
"Hopefully soon," Rika looked up, "last time we went to drop a dead Dark Elf, quest stuff from our king."
"Plus," she sighed, "it's getting dark."
"We'll get there in time," I assured, "I have a good hunch!"
She nodded, smiling with the statement.
"That item," Rika splayed hands, "the [Queen Spider Fang]. Been thinking about it all day."
"It'll be yours," I smiled as we marched on.
She nodded, stretching her arms as we traversed the road.
"That last Sapling we killed had some of my favorite metal!"
"What's that?" I looked.
"Copper," she smiled, "its such a pretty color...like your eyes."
I smiled bright, my face heated like a furnace.
"Thank you," I grasped one of her hands, "and the ebony of yours suits you too."
Seeing Rika blush had to be a hobby at this point. Ever since we first met, it's been the cutest thing. Holding hands, she shook her head in embarrassment.
"Thanks," she spoke, "you sweet talker."
"Any current orders today?"
"Some shields," she listed, "helmet, more longswords. Someone wants a kukri the size of a standard sword too!""
Her eyes lit up, excited by the prospect.
"You know," she smiled, "I can't wait to try building something like that when we're back."
"Don't see why not," I nodded, "Once the dungeon's cleared, we'll head back."
"Yay!" she pumped a fist in the air, "I can feel it, fresh top grade loot!"
The sound of her cheer was such a gift. Waking up in the aftermath of a massacre, I wanted all the positive, happy and silly outlooks I could find...anything to get that out of my head.
Again, Rika was such a gift for me. Being alone out here, could only imagine the thoughts I'd have. I needed to get over it myself, but she made it easier.
We wandered through the woods for hours, searching for the elusive Queen's hiding spot.
"So they mentioned an empire," I glanced to Lis, "am I missing something?"
"Yea," she nodded, "apparently they're the reason for some of those underground dungeons, like that one we visited when we first met?"
"Ha," I chuckled, "can't wait to see more of those!"
"Hey," she snapped, "no getting yourself hurt. I won't allow it."
"The only one getting hurt will be the monsters," I nudged, "especially with the new sword you made me."
"Besides," I explained, "you've got my back."
I felt her soft fingers lock around mine.
"And I can trust that," I smiled.
"You," she stroked my knuckles.
Roaming east, we started to notice webs...big ones. The smallest of these looked as large as soccer goal nets. While Rika smiled, I could see the discomfort in her eyes. She never liked sticky things, it'd mess with the electronics she loved making.
At that moment, I passed her one of my two hatchets.
"What's this for?" she looked up at me.
"In case you find yourself trapped in something like this," I noted the webs, "you should have options."
"Thanks," Rika nodded, "these webs..."
She paused, looking at them with discomfort. Holstering the shared item in her leather belt, I felt some relief.
The webs grew in size the further we went, some looking like they're two stories tall! With the increase of size, came greater thickness. Some of these strands looked as thick as the rope found in shipyards.
I drew my second hatchet, I had to be sure it worked.
Chopping at the main strands, the web's rigidity proved to be its downfall. The hatchet dug through the white fabric like worn bed sheets. Good, this wasn't an immortal object.
"Glad to see it works," Lis commented, "kinda figured that I'd wanna aim for the tension lines."
"Had to be sure," I glanced, "think we're getting close."
The forest around us seemed to be consumed into a world of web. Nets of web hung off strings, holding leftovers. Varying in sizes, I could only guess what creatures were unfortunate enough to get caught.
"So how's lunch sounding," I smirked, "feeling in the mood for some burgers."
Rika swerved, homing her gaze right at me, curly brown hair spinning. Her expression, oh man...it was absolutely priceless.
"Seriously?!" she brushed her bangs back.
Her voice squeaked, sounding even cuter! This, plus the face she made further hampered my ability to hold back any laughter. The two pronged attack was too great, I ended up lurching over, bursting into guffaws as she stared.
"Ahhh," she sighed, "very funny."
"But Lis," I choked, "dat face!"
"You're lucky there's a criminal system," Lis growled, "this mace isn't just for looks!"
"You're right," I cheered, "that's what you've got a face for!"
"Ughhhh," Lis shook her head, nudging me, "no laughin at me."
I eventually simmered down, moving forward with her through the mess of webs.
"Fine," I smiled, putting a free hand over her shoulder.
Just past the next bastion of web, came a fresh sight. Not only was there a hole in the ground the friggin size of a parking garage, but a very familiar face. Standing tall around the entrance was a man, dressed in attire fit for a Samurai...with that same red bandanna.
"Klein?" I called out.
The warrior turned, smiling brightly as he saw me. Him and his crew looked very pleased to meet us.
"Garr!" Klein exclaimed, "been a while, man! How ya doin?"
I reached a hand out for the man, grinning like an idiot as we shook. Man, I haven't seen him since the first days of this death game. Judging by how tough his comrades looked, Klein was in good hands.
"Been doin well," I nodded, "you? Oh, lemmie introduce you to my partner..."
"Partner?"
His smile turned devious...oh god.
"Was gonna ask how close you two were," Klein smiled at Lis, "there's a sweet tavern up in the higher North Tree levels."
"Taken," Lis leaned on me, "but thanks."
"It's cool," Klein thumbed up, "Garr's chill, right?"
I admit, I may have felt a bit jealous there...but Lisbeth's response cleared that faster than a deletion key. Not proud of that part of myself, makes me rather childish.
"Definitely," I nodded, feeling her head on my shoulder.
Glancing back to the mouth of that massive cave, I felt a bit nervous. Just how big were the creatures that lurked down there? Last time we visited this, it was strictly to drop off a prop for a quest.
"Hey Klein," I asked, "heading down there?"
"Yea," he grinned, "gonna be killing the Queen Spider. Wanna come with?"
"Heck yea," I rose a fist, "Lis and I are after a rare drop, if you don't mind."
"Nah," Klein waved, "we're mostly after the XP. Would love the extra help."
I glanced to Lis, making sure she looked alright with it. Judging by the confident smile on her face, I could only assume. Klein sent us a party invite, merging our two member team with his six, a total of eight members.
Klein's team consisted of a good variety of members. One of two spearmen, a warhammer wielder, his katana and even an archer. The job was clear; push through, kill everything, and get the item. We descended into the darkness below, soil and rock grinding on our shoes.
A/N: Forgot to delete stuff below this! XD embarrassin! Hey guys, hope you're getting the stuff going on here, feel free to let me know if you're left confused with reviews! :D
Hopefully I'll hear from you all soon!