Code Horizon
The characters of Code Geass become trap in the world of an online game Elder Tale.
Weak in my English so I hope you can forgive my grammars errors and all.
Please note if you notice a sentence that sound familiar, it mostly because I copy/paste most from the novel, wiki, anime, so on and change them that suit the story. So please don't flame me for that. I did this mostly out of fun and curious how CG and LH crossover will play out.
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.
() – thought
"" – speaking
** - call
In the middle of the night the place was Herbary of Small Stone it was a small zone but as it held ancient entertainment facilities, it was different from the ruins around it. There were great variations in its terrain and combat was difficult. During the night there is a sound of battle and sound of monster.
Electrical Fuzz!
Lelouch's voice shout out at the mist of battle, lighting the dark sky giving a visual of the field where a three tag team was facing a pack of weasels with vine attach to their tales.
"I see them! Confirming seven briar weasels!"
"Chiba pays attention to the right!"
A tall slightly slimmer figure wearing a black cloak under it is an ordinary tunic shirt and a pair of trousers and holding a magical staff that around two meters long, longer than the owner's height giving the command.
"Right, leave it to me!"
Chiba a Guardian wearing a grey armor with a shield and sword to match replied to Lelouch's warning with a yell, raised her grey shield and takes on the Briar Weasels. Chiba quickly calls out her other member of the party.
"Sayako!"
"I know"
Dashing to intercept the few weasels manage to pass Chiba defends, wearing a ninja garb with a maid headband. Her class was the Assassin. It was a resourceful class that wielded one-hit-kill skills. It boasted of having the strongest physical attack among the 12 classes.
"My Lord"
Sayako quickly halted the weasel track from the left and right, she lured those monsters away from Lelouch position to protect her Lord.
"Bring it!"
Chiba taking the hits from Briar Weasels projector attack and holding but even her class was Guardian. Among the 3 warrior classes that could single-handedly draw in and tank the enemies' assault, they boasted the greatest defensive abilities and, in Elder Tale, the nickname of the Unbreakable doesn't change the fact she needs to take offensive or she will be in dangerous position.
"Th-This is no good..."
"I'll have to use Shield Smash..."
Through Chiba's vision as she sees those weasels attack, her status screen pop up with the command system in place.
"What the..."
Before she even have the chance to use it more screen pop up in her vision and soon cover her sight against those monster unable to use the status screen during battle.
"I can't use the controls!"
"Chiba! Two from the left"
Chiba quickly responding from Lelouch, spot the Briar Weasels going over her shield.
"Get off!"
Chiba swings her shield and throws the Briar Weasels off her shield.
(It's hard to grasp a situation when the field of vision is reality.)
Lelouch asset the battle
"Sayako!"
"Same here My Lord. It's all I can do to hold them off."
Sayako can't use the command system just the same as she fence off and hold against Brier Weasels not giving a chance to use the command system. Due to this, Lelouch make a tactical retreat.
"Chiba…Sayako…fall back for now!"
"Roger!"
"Understand"
"I can't believe we are being push back by a mere game..."
Chiba comment as they prepared to retreat.
"It isn't a game. This is our new reality"
Lelouch remark
"They're coming..."
"My lord"
Chiba and Sayako inform Lelouch as the reinforcement of Brier Weasels comes to the party.
"Hold on… I'll use a nightmare sphere"
Lelouch look for the status screen and search the command system for Nightmare Sphere that will stop the Briar Weasel spur suit but didn't get the chance as he gets caught by a plant vines as he being drag on the ground, Lelouch at the root and see the plant monster.
"…a truffles? No... Where did it come from?"
The Truffles got a hold on Lelouch as Lelouch watch his status screen HP bar dropping. Lelouch's being class Enchanter. Amongst the three magician classes, it was a 100% support class type, specializing in support magic and battle status magic. Common for a magician class, its defense wasn't something reliable. Leaving out Chiba's reliable full-plated armor, it couldn't even equip Adventurer's leather armors like the one Sayako was wearing. Which right now, Lelouch is in trouble defending himself against Truffles.
"Lelouch!"
"My Lord!"
Lelouch seeing his MP bar dropping he recounted the chain of events that happened the day The Apocalypse occurred.
UNKNOWN AREA
"Where am I?"
The first thing Lelouch sees when he opened his eyes he found being surrounding with ruin buildings that entwined thoroughly by giant olden trees. The ground was full of moss that you can get a glimpse of the asphalt road from the past in a few places.
"The smell of moisture in the air, and the bright sunlight…"
Lelouch was walking around observing the forest ruin area until he spots out on the open field…
"The Silver-leaf Tree…could this be…Akihabara?"
As he ahead the Silver-leaf Tree which led him at Akiba making the conclusion where he is, no matter how improbably it is. He heard people voice and sprinted through the familiar scenery he was seeing for the first time.
Adventure01: "What's going on?!
Adventure02: "Is this Akihabara?"
Adventure03: "This can't be happening…"
Adventure04: "Why am I dressed like this?"
Just around the market there were silhouettes of people curled up on the streets are moans and screams while other panicked players are questions themselves what is going on as one of the adventure that Lelouch spot frenetic want to speak the GM by asking NPC but have no idea what they are speaking about.
Adventure05: "What's going on? Get me the GM! Are you listening?!"
People of the Land: "I-I don't…"
These should be Adventurers in the same situation as Lelouch. Their moans and screams made Lelouch suppress the feeling of fear, it might sound humiliating, but this helped Lelouch regain his composure but mostly…
Adventure06: "Akiba? Ridiculous! Something is wrong with my head! Can anyone tell me, is there anyone?!"
A man curled up in a ball shouted.
(I don't want to scream like that.)
Lelouch watch the man drop in despair.
Not realizing Lelouch's body has changed, one of them being a bit taller, he accidentally fell and status screen popped in front of his vision.
"Ow…Wh-What?Wait, this is a status screen, isn't it?"
Reaching out the status screen and reacting by his touch, realizes he can access his HUD like a hologram computer user interface.
"Does that mean…I can control it…?"
Once he found a clear area to sit on, Lelouch takes a look what he stumble upon. While checking his items at status screen he noticed log out but when he try pressing it.
Log Out DENIES
"No good… it won't work."
"What's this?"
Right beside the Log Out there is the Friend List
"My friend list…Let's see…"
After seeing the log out didn't work, he checked his Friend List and scroll down the list noting some the names were lit.
"If their names are lit up, does that mean they're here? Even Nunnally and Rolo are here?"
After seeing the log out didn't work, he checked his Friend List and scroll down the list until he stop on the name that is lit No Guild Chiba.
"Chiba…"
"I know, voice chat! If I can talk to her via telepathy then…"
Lelouch quickly makes voice chat to Chiba…
*Lelouch…? Is that you, Lelouch?*
…and they set the meeting.
Silver-leaf Tree
The summer sunlight shrouded the entire city. The giant ancient trees and huge half destroyed ruins buildings that being blanket by the forest left a shadow that covered the streets, the contrast of light and shadow was beautiful.
The scene that was expanding before Lelouch's eyes was something that he had witnessed countless time, the main city of the game world... Akiba.
But this impressive visage that was impossible to feel from the game surrounds Lelouch's entire body.
The feel from the moss on the ground as he walk, the smell of the forest fresh air, the sunlight on his skin this was an undeniable reality.
There Chiba sitting on the giant root of Silver-leaf Tree.
Chiba looked pale, but she still putting a professional soldier attitude.
Her height was a bit lower than Lelouch with a strong yet slim female body with boyish clean short hair, wearing a dull but horribly strong steel armor. Chiba had a shield on her back and looked like an ancient hero warrior pretty boy in her getup if she was a boy.
"Chiba!"
"Lelouch"
"Chiba…"
"What is it Lelouch?"
"Oh, it's just you look the way I imagine in that getup…"
Nagisa Chiba
If anyone asked Lelouch who was the most reliable person in the game, she would be among the first few choices that came to mind.
She was an old friend and like Lelouch she was drag by the green hair witch the unofficial leader of Debauchery Pizza Party in one of their quests, it how they both met.
The Debauchery Pizza Party was not a guild, just a coalition of players who simply just hang around.
The Debauchery Pizza Party went on for 2 years, which was the most fulfilling and joyful period in Lelouch's time in Elder Tales. But after some incidents, the Debauchery Pizza Party which created many legends came to an end.
One of the reasons was Chiba taking a break away from the game because of her duty in the military.
Since it was not a guild, they did not have any obligatory relationships. Although everyone has grown up are too embarrassment to admitted it, but this group... treasured their friendship very much.
Some thought to invite new friend s to carry their legacy but that would be a different adventure and story. It won't be the same. It saddens them but they enjoyed many more adventures than most people that were reward enough.
"You too Lelouch, a smartass pretty boy."
Back when they first met Chiba didn't get along with Lelouch as she has a strong urge to distrust him but overtime as they take many quests with Debauchery Pizza Party they become close friend.
"If you're back in the game, the military must have calmed down."
"Yes, after two years mission I finally return home. I heard the Novasphere Pioneers and decide to log in."
"I see I know this isn't what you expected, but welcome back to Elder Tale, Chiba."
"Yeah but what is going on? Tell me what the plan and I will do what I can."
"You actually willing to follow my plan…my usually I have to give a few sentence just for you to listen to the plan. You must be more dare than I thought you were or you finally starting to like me."
"Don't get me wrong I still don't like you but I'm willing to admit you're the team strategic and analytical. And the best chance to deal whatever this is."
Lelouch was not convince not with Chiba's cheek slightly blushing but keep his silent. Lelouch did enjoy Chiba acting Tsundere.
"Personally I want to know myself. The last I remember before I end in this world was playing Elder Tales. It was showing the advertisement video of Novasphere Pioneers in the screen and next I knew darkness then light, here I was. I presume that what happen to you."
She nods as yes, Lelouch continue.
"Then…It appears we're in the world of Elder Tale a real fantasy world in Akihabara."
"You think we can get home?"
Lelouch look up at the vast sky to give a moment thought and say.
"I don't know. We don't know how did we get here in the first place?"
Chiba made a silent nod.
"We may not be able to return soon. Or worst case scenario… We should be ready."
"What do we do?"
"Let's gather information. We have to know more about this world."
"Make sense."
Chiba comment as she stand and equip her gear.
"Still see as cold and calculate as ever,Strategist"
"I do what is necessary."
Both walk around Akiba street discussion their situation and gather information about the expansion.
To play it safe, Chiba and Lelouch formed a party.
Parties are a way for people to interact, it meant a battle team. Unlike guilds, parties were temporary groups allowing you to check each other's HP and status if you were in it together. They could tell each other's distance and direction when in the same zone.
"The scenery around Akiba is just like I remember. In other words, just like the game. Like the game we can use items, magic, and skills in the status screen but unfortunately can't log out."
"Same here"
As Chiba and Lelouch stop near the bridge that lead outside the zone. Where the monsters lay and wait.
"Do we scout the outside zone?"
"No, not yet"
Lelouch look away and continue to walk another direction.
"Right"
Chiba follows.
In front of the city square where NPC would set up shop and sell things to other players however at least a few hundred players that Lelouch could see was full of confusion, chaos and a complicated sense of frustration now.
Most likely Lelouch estimate about 30,000 people in Japan alone not including American, Europe, or China server for the release of the new expansion pack the Novasphere Pioneers are the same state.
Everyone must be here hoping for some form of savior.
(... This is irritating.)
Lelouch pay attention the crowd gathered in clusters all over the place and some threw worried glances around, some would sob while others would vent by cursing out loud.
Adventure01: "I'm sure monsters are out there!
Adventure02: "No way!"
Adventure01: "You go check it out!"
Adventure02: "Hell, no… you go."
Adventure03: "What's going to happen to us?"
Adventure04: "Shut up!"
Adventure05: "Help me! Someone, help me!"
Lelouch look straight to the pair of sorrowful eyes looked at him pleading for help. Just squatting there not doing anything yet still complaining just like the many other players, this irritated Lelouch. He could empathize with them, but the sight of a few hundred players looking crestfallen was not good for their psychological health.
"Do you have a friend list?"
"Wh-What…?"
"Do you have a friend list?"
Finally getting what he meant he replies.
"Yes I-"
"Focused in your forehead and there should be a status screen appearing in your mind."
"Wha-"
"Just do it."
He did what he was told and he was surprise in his face once he did, taking the sign the status screen just appear in his mind Lelouch continue.
"Check the friend list the one that the name is highlighted you can contact them. Use telepathic call to get together and figure out what to do."
"Yes… thank you thank… where did he go?"
The player looks around trying to find the person who just gave him a hopeful advice.
"There you go again, giving the same bored expression you always wears. What is it about you that go through your head? Is helping that person really that pointless do you."
Chiba remark as they walk passes the crow at more deserted area.
"Because the bigger picture it probably is."
"What bigger picture?"
"Akiba and likely all around the world there three scenario mostly likely heading. One a tyrant would take over the city and rule it like an iron fist. Two the people of the city will lose their vitality like a walking dead without a purpose. Or three there will be an all-out war with the guilds.
"How can you be so sure?"
"At the rate how the people are handling it likely it will become the worse-case scenario, beside since when I every wrong."
"There will be a first time for everything. Really, it's because your perspective and behavior you gotten the nickname Black Heart Enchanter."
Chiba retort but deep down she know he right. She frowns not able to make a good comeback until Lelouch not use to his new height stumble and Chiba give some concern.
"What's wrong?"
"How tall are you, in real life?"
"I'm the same height."
"My character is a bit taller than I really am. So this body doesn't feel quite right."
"Oh isn't this what you get for showing off."
Acting high as Chiba has something retort over Lelouch even if it is small she will take it what she can but…
Plock
It was a short moment as the rock catch Lelouch and Chiba attention as they were chatting leisurely.
"Anyway…"
"To some degree, your game character reflects your real self."
As both of them become more alert a rock the size of a head drop near them.
"You looking for a fight then show yourself!"
Chiba takes out her shield and grips her hilt ready to draw her sword out. Lelouch looks up and sees a three story building on the verge of collapse that used to be a shop house. At the entrance is a tall man.
"You're…Saya."
Black hair and dark clothes with fine facial features, the man did not remove the mask covering his mouth as he acknowledged Lelouch with his eyes.
"What? An acquaintance of your?"
"Yeah, this is Saya, an assassin."
Saya gestured with his chin and enters the run down building.
Lelouch seeing Saya's invitation went alone follow by Chiba.
"What is he like Lelouch?"
"We were in a party together. Not much of a talker, but a good a role player who is very competent in the game."
Chiba asks quietly and Lelouch replies in an equally soft tone. As they enter the morning sun shines through the gaps of the partially destroyed walls and the small windows illuminating the spotted Saya in the shade. Lelouch walks towards Saya as he introduces him to Chiba.
"So you're also here, Saya."
Saya turns around and look at Chiba part troubled and part accusatory.
"Saya, she is Chiba, a guardian and my reliable old friend that can be trusted."
"Hello."
Lelouch introduce Chiba to Saya after seeing his gaze.
Chiba greets with soldier like tone. Even though Lelouch thinks she give more a friendlier manner and tone down military behavior 24/7, but Saya seems too melancholic to bother with Chiba greeting.
(Was Saya so tense before...?)
Lelouch notice Saya odd behavior and know in her eyes she was complicating something.
"I have been looking for you. I want you to sell me a potion…an appearance-changing potion."
Saya remove his mask said in a barely audible feminine voice after a short silence.
Hearing Saya's feminine voice and request of appearance-changing potion Lelouch instantly figure out.
"That voice… Saya, you're a girl?"
Saya nods straightforwardly contrary to his/her professional hitman looks.
"That was a surprise."
"Well that explain why you never spoke much."
Chiba standing besides Lelouch is also stiff from the shock.
"Appearance-Changing potions, if I remember correct those are rare item that only distributed them once."
Chiba has mention.
"I remembered Lelouch had one."
Saya said behind the screen that separates the room as she drinks the potion that Lelouch provide.
"Hnng!"
"What wrong?"
Lelouch ask he heard Saya voice behind the screen.
"Don't worry about... Hnng!"
"Hey... Are you fine...?"
"This potion causes a lot of pain."
Soon Lelouch can see orange light the same color as the potion shining through the screen. Saya seems to be in agony as she replies worrying Lelouch, but his face turns white the next moment.
He can hear the sound of several disposable chopsticks snapped in 2 by brute force. A scream so horrible that you don't want to know how it is made came from behind the screen.
Lelouch wants to go check on her out of concern but he dare not open the screen to avoid seeing her undressed state. Listening to the moans of Saya confirms that she is a woman, definitely a young girl, to Lelouch though her voices sound quite familiar. That concern for another time.
"Chiba checks her condition."
Lelouch turn around behind the screen to avoid accidently peeking Saya's body as Chiba begins to move.
"It's fine now... you have my gratitude."
A young lady in average height with hair flow down to the shoulder walks out from behind the screen. As he imagined from listening to her voice, she is a beautiful young lady.
Her clothing is loose since her body shape differently than her male counterpart. Her white ankles and slender fingers are visible from the pants and sleeves she rolled up, giving off a cute feeling.
Anyway guy would say she is a beauty and Lelouch feels the same but Lelouch shocking face isn't how she look but a past he long remember. He quickly recovers then replies.
"I-It's fine… So, Saya, did you adjust your character to be closer to your real size?"
"Yes."
Saya gently smile from her answer while Chiba frowns from Saya answer.
"You should have done that in the first place, Saya."
Chiba continues.
"Anyhow you look bit unwell, take this."
Chiba tosses a canteen full of well water over.
"Thank you for your concern and call me Sayako."
Sayako took the bottle gratefully and finished the relatively full canteen as she seems to be really thirsty.
"Games are fun because you can do things you couldn't in real life, right? But once I was stuck here, it was very inconvenient."
Lelouch agree as she made her point as for latter he already figure what she meant inconvenient.
The three of them relax, settle in their most comfortable position and chat amongst each other in the slightly humid ruin building.
"Inconvenient?"
Chiba asked.
"Bathroom…"
Sayako looks at the floor and answers vaguely.
"Oh! Oh…"
Chiba looks at the floor and gives a slight blush.
"Anyway, how much do I owe you?"
Sayako change the conversation from the embarrassing subject. Sayako stares as usual at Lelouch with her focused eyes and says these shocking words.
"I only have about 30,000...forgive my lack of funds."
"No need, don't worry about this."
"That won't do. That potion was an event limited item, a rare treasure that cannot be found again. It must be priceless, 30,000 shouldn't be enough."
That is right in theory.
Even though it was just gathering dust in the warehouse, but it isn't surprising to charge a big premium on it now.
"That, ah... can you just treat it as a gift?"
"I don't want anyone saying I wouldn't repay a favor."
From Lelouch's perspective these pair of pleading and glaring eyes are making him uncomfortable. Sayako is a beautiful young lady, he sense within her a strong destructive powers that only match her sense of integrity he deduce.
It didn't help that Chiba also giving him that stare as well, Chiba can understand Sayako refuses to budge having the same sense of pride independent women.
Lelouch knowing his and their past life even though the women don't know it, understand nothing he can say would change her mind seeing that there only one way to do.
"I see, Sayako…Didn't you refuse to join a guild?"
"Assassins are loner."
These confuse Sayako into why Lelouch ask.
Hearing Sayako answer Lelouch gently smile gave a proposal.
"I thought why don't we form a party?"
"...Ah?"
This seems to surprise Sayako and Chiba.
Ladies seems to freeze for a moment.
"Let me explain, the important thing is Miss Sayako is not in a guild. If you have plans to join a guild then its fine... But people will bother you if you are not in one right? The big guilds want to increase their battle powers so they will invite anyone they see. They will put in even more effort to scout if it is a female player. Same goes with you Chiba."
"Is that so...?"
"To secure a base and exchange information... I think it will be good to have some connections."
Sayako and Chiba nods in agreement.
Since Sayako is such a beauty same with Chiba, it could spark off some serious problems.
"Wouldn't you agree Chiba, as an Assassins they are excellent on taking either people or monsters, as they can sneak around to deliver a killing blow as a tactician point of aren't part of the guild either. But current situation, I think it's better to stay in a group than go out alone."
"Yes, in the military there is strength in number and having variety skill set gives a better chance of surviving."
Chiba says her thought as a soldier.
"Eh, would you mind ?"
"We'd be happy to have you. No matter what obstacles we face, it will be safer with the 3 of us working together."
Abruptly, Sayoko stood up and moved to Lelouch's sat. Lelouch regarded her warily as she faced him then jerked in surprise as she knelt on one knee, right arm crossed over her chest and her head bowed.
"I see, then as a ninja. I shall revere you as my have saved me from the dire fate of being transformed into a man. Thus, I must work to repay you. That is what requiting a debt means."
"Wasn't she an assassin?"
Chiba asks.
"I, Sayoko Shinozaki, 37th Heir to the Shinozaki School of Taijutsu, hereby swear my life, loyalty and honor to Lelouch. I am your sword and shield, your watcher in the shadows and keeper of your secrets. Do you accept this oath, Goshujin-sama?"
Sayoko intoned formally, her words soft and 's word made Sayako hesitate a while there something inside her telling a strong feeling that compel to be with her lord.
Lelouch simply take her act and gently smile as he reminiscing almost he expects it will happen.
Lelouch stood himself and reached down to touch Sayoko's shoulder. When she looked up with unique piercing yet gently eyes that seem to be forever focused, she saw the small, kind smile on his face and heard his reply.
"I, Lelouch, do hereby accept your oath, Sayoko Shinozaki. You have my word that you shall never regret swearing yourself to me, as I swear to honor your loyalty with my own."
Sayoko beamed at this, the proof that the one she chose as her Master was indeed worthy of her oath.
Chiba was surprise with Lelouch act at it was the first time she saw Lelouch's express a sense of happiness helping other instead the usual bore expressing.
"Then we're a team… right Chiba."
Chiba shook her thought out and quickly agreeing.
"Yes we're a team now."
The trio gives a quick handshake like a toasting the formation of their team.
"We are a unique three man team, please treat me well."
Next morning, Lelouch, Chiba, and Sayako brought their food to the abandoned building where they met earlier to enjoy their unhealthy 'supper and breakfast'... It concluded in a painful experience.
Their meal look extravagant, but the trio of them were level 90 players, wealthy enough to buy as many of these player crafted meals in the market as they wished. It looked like a bright, fresh, luxurious and sumptuous meal. It should have been a delicious meal...
"What?"
Chiba question after taking a bit of her meal.
"This…"
Sayako look perplex at the sumptuous meal doesn't match the flavor even the tea she drank is off.
…But the key word SHOULD for it all taste-
"The foods and the drinks all taste the same."
It tastes of soggy cracker, without all the drinks taste like tap water.
It was not disgusting nor poisonous it just give a sense of emptiness when eating such a plain taste meal even you felt full after eating so it was indeed food, but it was an experience they could do without.
Lelouch experiment by biting variety of food by player crafted their food and buying the ingredients. They confirm the product made using these materials all tasted like 'tasteless soggy crackers'.
This process was enforced in this game world and they couldn't do anything to change that. They could not temper with the ingredients as well, if they tried to boil, cook, fry, and so on, the ingredients turned into a weird paste.
Fruit, vegetable, fish, salt and sugar all purchased from NPCs tasted respectively the same.
With no other choice, they bought salt and sugar, fruit, and vegetable along with their food, sprinkling the food with salt or sugar as they ate. It was still a helpless meal, but at least it was better than chewing wax.
After finish Lelouch dishearten food experiment, Lelouch heard a ding sound which means someone called Lelouch. Looking at his status screen Lelouch find out the caller was Milly.
Guild Hall
"From Milly?"
Chiba asks.
"Yeah, she's the guild leader of the Ashford Alliance."
Lelouch answer as they headed to the Guild Building. As they walked in the building Chiba observes the guild hall and found it unusually. The guild halls in Akiba guild building had a basic retro design. Even though it was a basic design, it was just because of the floor and wallpaper that gave off this feeling.
"It's odd how the guild hall is nothing but doors, though."
"Each guild's hall is its own zone."
Lelouch again answer as Chiba nod in understanding.
Guild halls were independent mid-sized zones, ranging from 3 to 10 rooms of living space that doubled as an office.
That's how guild halls came about, a zone that was specially made for guilds to rent. A guild that had a large enough scale would rent a guild hall in the guild building. This way, the items, ingredients or crafted items could be stored here, it also allowed members to gather and interact.
You could decorate the zone you rented or bought anyway you wanted to. The guild hall of Ashford Alliance had been cleaned thoroughly by its members, making it a comfortable place.
The walls were wooden veneer, giving it a warm familial feeling.
After entering a room deep within the guild hall, they entered Milly's room.
Pink pillows, teddy bears, a princess bed, a painting of a noble looking dog, curtains with yellow laces. For a guy like Lelouch, he felt distraught staying in a place like this.
"This is quite a feminine room."
Sayako comment the room.
"How Cute"
Chiba adding her thought with Sayako.
"Lelouch!"
Out of blue, the party turns their head from the loud greeting. Milly, who was smiling so warmly, was a Cleric. One of the 3 healer classes, Cleric had the strongest healing abilities.
Wearing a long white robe for healers and a head of long blonde hair, she was an elf which usually has a beauty appearance with an hourglass figure with a large breast. She looked just like she did in Elder Tales. Because it was a game world, all the players were hunks and beauties, but some players just had the charms to attract the goodwill of others.
Milly is bossy in a good nature way that like to drag her friends to find fun way to spend the time. When there trouble or challenge that come by she would say loudly with the word gut and move full speed ahead. That quality of her is why many people admired was a veteran player so he knew a lot of people. But Milly was different from Lelouch, a player who enjoyed helping others with a smile and had a wide network of friends.
She was the guild master of the Ashford Alliance which had nineteen members. She would hold parties in the pub in Akiba frequently, which the main reason why she as well known in Elder Tales that trouble the other member with outrages parties and sometime drag Lelouch much to his demise.
"Milly."
Lelouch smile saying her name, then Milly pounced with her style of greeting hugging Lelouch life out.
"Are you okay? You must be hungry! Want to eat something...Not that it has any flavor!
"Calm down, Milly..."
Lelouch trying futilely stop Milly before she squeezes him out.
Chiba and Sayako seeing Lelouch and Milly hug give a sense of envy that they don't really understand themselves why.
However, Milly quickly hug Sayako and bombardment with question.
"Are you Lelouch's girlfriend?"
"You must be his fourth girl from his harem?"
"Did he take your virginity?"
"What is your measurement?"
Sayako couldn't defend herself let alone reply as question become more embarrassing one after another.
"Lelouch, what is your relationship with her? You better not did any shameless act with her. What is this about you having a harem?"
Chiba eye Lelouch in a threating manner as she interrogates him.
"She is joking. You may want to imply that to her and worry about yourself first."
"What?"
While Milly reputation known as the sunflower smile, she has another standing she is known for.
"Who's this?"
Milly was done with Sayako who her face turns red and steam coming out her head.
"My name is Chiba guardian class ma'am."
Chiba stands in a soldier posture.
Until Milly cup a fell on Chiba's rear and wiggle her other arm under Chiba's armor to fondle her breast.
"Ah!"
It surprise Lelouch that Chiba can make such a girlish squeal with her soldier attitude of her.
Milly other reputation is known to merciless and gently teases her friends about random things mostly sexuality and love life as a dirty old man.
"Nicely tone and shape just right judging what I've felt. You're a ten."
Milly give her thumb up.
"Wh-Wha-?"
"The tone of your body means you must have worked out! You play sports?"
"Yes, um…I mean…"
"You do play sport what kind?"
"No, I'm a soldier...wait I mean why you touching…"
"You want to touch my breast then?"
(What is her problem? She's scaring me.)
Chiba's mind would never admit out loud but Lelouch and Sayako can already read in her face.
Chiba struggle her hand under Milly's breast, but Milly ignored her and squeeze her hand under her breast tight.
"Milly, stop it."
A lady wearing spectacles knocked as she enters, she had an awkward expression as she looked at Milly and Chiba.
"Sorry to intrude Miss Henrietta."
Henrietta was a core member of the Crescent Moon Alliance and on good terms with Lelouch.
She was a bard in charge of the guild's finances, a competent character.
Blonde wavy hair, an oval face and sharp chestnut eyes, she had a beautiful style like a secretary. She was wearing office clothing that showed off her mature and graceful beauty, which suited her very well.
"Hello ... I apologize for summoning you here and having Milly causing trouble again."
"It no problem if you could."
"On ...Milly! Don't act in such a shameful manner!Now is a crucial period, consider the situation!"
She pulled Milly back by her shoulders and lectured her while they didn't realize that other guild members are watching them from outside the door as they sign at their guild leader ecstatic behavior.
Looking at the blushing and exhausted Chiba and the interaction between Milly and Henrietta, Lelouch laughed quietly.
"There they go again..."
Rivalz sign at their usually antic sight whereas other members nod in an agreement.
After Henrietta and Rivalz joined in, the 6 of them talked about their experiences so far and summarized their situation... But it had only been half a dayand they still didn't really understand what happened.
"How are the guild members doing then?"
"Nineteen are online, myself included. Eighteen are in Akihabara."
(Eighteen out of nineteen in Akiba, meaning 1 of them was in another zone.)
Lelouch found out after asking Milly, that member was must likely on an errand in another city.
"I've been told that along with Akihabara, the other four major cities on the Japanese server, Shibuya, Minami, Susukino, and Nakasu are all in the same shape. And the inter-city transport gates are offline. In other words, teleporting elsewhere is impossible."
Rivalz had report.
"The Akihabara adventurers are all meeting with their guilds, just like we are. Some guilds are also looking to recruit."
Henrietta brings other news in the current situation.
"At a time like this, the more people on your side the better."
Milly added.
"But even if this isn't the real world, we're all very familiar with Elder Tale."
"Not necessarily."
Lelouch word counter Chiba remake and got the group concern.
"You remember the new expansion? The Novasphere Pioneers."
After Lelouch mention the Novasphere Pioneers it dawn to them the meaning behind it.
"Of course…If they've added a new expansion, monsters, items, and quests could all be different."
"This world may not be the Elder Tale we know."
The 6 of them then proceeded to write note in their current situation centered around Akiba based on what they still remember. Once finish comparing note, Milly give a look of uncertainty on Lelouch and begin to ask.
"H-Hey, Lelouch...I know you aren't a big fan of guilds. But...Would you like to join ours?"
Milly said this hesitantly unlike her nature.
"Milly?"
Henrietta looks at Milly while Lelouch simply look down in silent thought.
"The Debauchery Tea Party is gone, right? And right now –"
Her troubled expression evolved into a face that wanted to convince them.
From her voice, she didn't want to strengthen her guild by making use of Lelouch, Chiba, and Sayako, but out of her pure kindness and concern in Lelouch's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Milly. But I can't yet."
Milly had an expression of regret for an instance but smiled as usual straight after. Her smile was as cheerful as a sunflower, giving Lelouch a sensation of salvation.
"So that's how it is... yeah, it can't be helped , Chiba,Sayako thank you all. Contact me if you need anything as well."
Trio waved goodbye to them and hoped to be as strong as Milly himself.
That's a great guild master. It's all she can do to stay in control, but she's still acting so friendly.
"That's guild master got strength. It's all she can do to stay in control, but she's still acting so friendly although her prevention she can do without."
Chiba comments still have the lingering feeling of being violated by Milly touch.
Milly only can watch Lelouch and his group move away from the guild building.
"Wasn't Debauchery Tea Party a legendary guild that disbanded?"
Rivalz ask.
"No, no...The Tea Party wasn't a guild."
Milly shook her head and correct Rivalz.
"It was small group that never formed a guild, but managed to complete several large-scale raids anyway. And Lelouch was their strategist."
Henrietta gives the correct answer to Rivalz.
Lelouch, Chiba, and Sayako continue walking on the street and litter around are player too depress to do anything.
"This is pathetic are they planning to just sit around this place? Or are they hoping if they die and can escape this world."
Chiba shows resentment at the player on the street.
"And sometimes, if you die in the game, you die in real of those command things in the everybody have the some type of strength to overcome this since it's not your average mill of a problem."
Lelouch give a sense of perspective from the player point of view.
"When it was just a game, you'd revive at the Cathedral."
Sayako join discussing their fate if they dead in the game; whether they can escape or also died in real life.
"We can't exactly just experiment and even if you do revive, what about your penalty?"
Chiba brings out her point Lelouch stop walking.
"What's wrong, master?"
Sayako and Chiba halt as they notice Lelouch sudden pause.
"Let's try this."
The Archive Tower Forests
"The Archive Tower Forests?"
Chiba asks as they are into the field zones in Akiba. They are in the adjacent zone that is just beside the area outside the city gate, the Archives tower forest.
"We're level 90. That's the level cap. Normally, low-level monsters would just ignore us. But in this area, the monsters will attack on sight."
"So it's the perfect place to test it, master."
Sayako understand Lelouch plan as they walk in the middle of the forest.
This is a typical ruins field zone with monsters about level 20 roaming around. Similar to the abandoned buildings in Akiba, they are covered in vines and parasitic plants.
As its name suggests, Archives tower forest is a zone with many bookshops, libraries and a research lab that is connected to several dungeon zones. The enemies are weak, they their drop item includes 'secret level skill scrolls', so it is popular among novice adventurers.
As Lelouch said they are level 90 they won't gain anything against low level monster not even EXP point because of the difference in reason why they come to the novice zone is to experience battle in Elder Tales in a relatively safe environment.
"Hmmm?"
"Strategist what wrong?"
"Chiba and Sayako check you mini-map."
Doing what they were told they open their status screen and look their mini-map but once they look at it they can't view it.
"It seems we can't use our mini-map in the overworld."
Lelouch confirm his suspicion on the mini-map.
Suddenly, they heard noise from behind and spots small creatures appeared to make an ambushed.
"Briar Weasels."
Sayako identify their enemy.
"Level 28..."
Lelouch check Briar Weasels level.
"They won't post a problem."
Chiba gives a sense of confident against their enemy until she try using her status screen on command skill against weasels.
"Huh? W-Wait..."
"Chiba…"
Lelouch asking what is wrong.
"It's difficult to use commands while monster are running at you!"
Chiba comes to realize that as Briar Weasels charge while she trying multitasks using her weapon in her hand and not able to use her command skill in the screen as her hand being occupied.
"(As expected there's a difference between using in a game and mastering in reality.) Get into formation, as discussed!"
Lelouch directs Sayako and Chiba into fighting position.
Electrical Fuzz!
Lelouch's voice shout out at the mist of battle, lighting the dark sky giving a visual of the field where a three tag team was facing a pack of weasels with vine attach to their tales.
"I see them! Confirming seven briar weasels!Chiba pays attention to the right!"
"Right, leave it to me!"
Chiba replied to Lelouch's warning with a yell, raised her grey shield and takes on the Briar Weasels. Chiba quickly calls out her other member of the party.
"Sayako!"
"I know"
It knowledge Chiba warning, dashing to intercept the few weasels manage to pass Chiba defends.
"My Lord"
Sayako quickly halted the weasel track from the left and right, she lured those monsters away from Lelouch position to protect her Lord.
"Bring it!"
Chiba taking the hits from Briar Weasels projector attack and holding but even her class was Guardian. That doesn't change the fact she needs to take offensive or she will be in dangerous position.
"Th-This is no good...I'll have to use Shield Smash..."
Through Chiba's vision as she sees those weasels attack, her status screen pop up with the command system in place.
"What the..."
Before she even have the chance to use it more screen pop up in her vision and soon cover her sight against those monster unable to use the status screen during battle.
"I can't use the controls!"
"Chiba! Two from the left"
Chiba quickly responding from Lelouch, spot the Briar Weasels going over her shield.
"Get off!"
Chiba swings her shield and throws the Briar Weasels off her shield.
(It's hard to grasp a situation when the field of vision is reality. It doesn't hurt as much as I expected. But unlike when you play the game, trying to fight monsters infront, while keeping an eye on your party and overall situation...)
Lelouch asset the battle
"Sayako"
"Same here my lord it's all I can do to hold them off."
Sayako can't use the command system just the same as she fence off and hold against Brier Weasels not giving a chance to use the command system. Due to this, Lelouch make a tactical retreat.
"Chiba…Sayako…fall back for now!"
"Roger!"
"Understand"
"I can't believe we are being push back by a mere game..."
Chiba comment as they prepared to retreat.
"It isn't a game. This is our new reality"
Lelouch remark the current situation.
"They're coming..."
"My lord"
Chiba and Sayako inform Lelouch as the reinforcement of Brier Weasels comes to the party.
"Hold on… I'll use a nightmare sphere"
Lelouch look for the status screen and search the command system for Nightmare Sphere that will stop the Briar Weasels pursuit but didn't get the chance as he gets caught by a plant vines as he being drag on the ground, Lelouch at the root and see the plant monster.
"…a truffles? No... Where did it come from?"
The Truffles got a hold on Lelouch as Lelouch watch his status screen HP bar dropping. Lelouch being an enchanter is in trouble defending himself against Truffles.
"This is more dangerous than I thought."
Chiba state as her and Sayako trying to retreat the battle zone as the Briar Weasels pin them down.
Chiba and Sayako heard Lelouch's voice and they glances his whereabouts. Seeing Lelouch is being attack by a plant monster Truffles.
"Lelouch!"
"My lord!"
Truffles hold it tentacles on Lelouch then throw into the old bricks wall as Lelouch try to recover being roll on the floor his thought continue to essence the situation.
(To survive in this world, we must hurry and learn its rules, and how to fight. But what do we do?)
Lelouch manage to stop himself from rolling and prepare himself to defend against Truffles only to see Sayako swiftly use Skill and kill the Truffles leaving the coin and items behind.
"Sayako? How did you do that?"
"I don't know... My body just moved on its own."
Sayako confess just as confuse he was in how she able to use skill accidently without the states screen.
Lelouch taking what Sayako's has said and figured out the trick how she did it. Quickly Lelouch look where Chiba is and found she still shielding those Brier Weasels red projector.
"Chiba! Don't use your commands. Try to use your body to feel the motion!"
"What are you talking about?"
Brier Weasels decide to stop firing and charge head on attack against Chiba who still baffle what Lelouch is talking about.
"Just do it!"
"I don't get it, but fine..."
Weasel got close to her they strike while Chiba begins charging her shield without realizing the shield is glowing use her skill to counter.
Shield Swing!
Just like the Truffles that Sayako kill the Brier Weasels disperse leaving only coins.
"What?"
Chiba become surprise what she achieve.
"My lord, this is..."
"Worry about it later; focus on finish those monsters first. And remember use your body to feel the motion."
"Yes my lord."
After some initial difficulty, they are able to overcome the ambush by naturally moving their bodies to attack rather than relying on their preset attack commands.
Nightmare Sphere!
Calling the spell without using the status screen feeling the motion how the spell work Lelouch bring out a violet light of sphere and release at the pack of monster, halting their movement.
Sayako and Chiba using the opportunity that Lelouch give assault the monsters and mowing it down.
Cross Slash!
Assassinate!
After their last attack the remains monsters are gone, they won by using their new found knowledge of skill.
The night end the estimated thirty thousand players trapped in Elder Tale world would later call this day…The Apocalypse.
*Nina, what's wrong? Nina…says something!*
Elsewhere, in city of Susukino a young girl panicking and weeping in the corner ally make a call to Milly.
*Milly, I…*
Adventurer01: "We found her!"
Adventurer02: "Over here!"
*Nina!*
As the players found Nina hiding place, she make a run while being chased by two male players as a mysterious cat-guy figure hiding in the shade watch Nina on.
To be continued
Author notes
Now for the bad news, there is a strong chance I will not continue this story and even if I did it would probably be one chapter every two months or more and stop around the round table is form.
Right now I still having trouble which character in CG should I replace. I plan Gina to be west brigade leader guild and Anya as his side. Ryo Sayama in Isaac. Any idea you guy can give in which CG character should replace LH, put in the post review or PM. I will be thankful for the advise but it doesn't mean I might use it or not nor it will go faster getting the next chapter.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!