As Haruko appeared in Indieglut Lugh, Mayako dashed up and clung to him. "Thank goodness you're here! Please, help me!"
Haruko gently detached himself from her grip. "It's all right, Mayako-san. We'll protect you. But first, what happened?"
Mayako blushed and clutched her arms to her chest. "I came down here… just to relax, and try and get some ideas for my next picture." She paused. "I'm an artist- maybe you've seen some of my pieces on the Apkallu board?"
Haruko grinned. "Yeah. Say… That's the 'little project' you were telling me about, wasn't it? I'm looking forward to seeing it."
Mayako nodded. "Yes, that's right. I forgot, in all the excitement… anyway, this strange player came up to me, and started talking about someone named Morgana. I didn't understand what he was saying, but then he said something about a sacrifice, and then attacked me!" She paused. "I've never seen a character design like that before. It was covered in scales, and he had a big shield strapped to his arm."
Haruko's eyes widened. "So, another one of them has appeared, eh? Mayako-san, you'd better get out of here. The same virus that trapped everyone here can also take over a player's character and give him powers that go far beyond the game. He's not someone a normal player could handle."
Mayako shook her head. "I would, but somehow he disabled the platform."
A cruel laugh echoed around the cavern. "Indeed I have. There is no safe haven for the ones chosen as sacrifices for Lady Morganna."
Haruko's eyes narrowed. "So, you finally show yourself… Disciple of Water."
An armored, malevolent-looking PC approached them. "Indeed, Haruko, friend of Aura. I am Aquarios of the White Wave, and by order of Lady Morganna, I'll kill you!"
As the enemy approached, Mayako's description appeared more and more apt. Aquarios' bare arms were covered in scales, and his bare feet were webbed. Stringy green hair flowed over his head and down to his shoulders. Haruko snorted. "Another Xth Form… not that I'm surprised. What are you, a mer-knight or something?"
Aquarios shrugged. "A Fishman Warrior, actually, but I didn't expect you to know." He raised his weapon, a wicked-looking trident. "Now then, let's go!"
Haruko caught the trident on his blade and held Aquarios back. "Helio-kun! Take Mayako-san and keep her safe!"
Aquarios laughed and swung his shield around, striking Haruko hard in the side. "You won't beat me by fighting like that, Haruko!" he shouted gleefully.
A whirlwind of red hair and bronze blades crashed into him. Aquarios yelped and flew backwards as Alkaid whirled to a stop. "You're the one who can't win, fish-breath!" she taunted.
Haruko grinned. "Good hit, but be careful, Alkaid-chan. Like I said, he's not an ordinary player."
Alkaid nodded grimly. "Like Endrance, right?"
Haruko shook his head. "Worse than that. Endrance-san was all but completely controlled by the virus in him. And it didn't help that that virus took the form of someone very dear to him, someone he lost a long time ago. But Aquarios is still in total control. He's doing this because he chooses to."
Alkaid nodded. "So, infinitely more dangerous than Endrance. Got it." She swung up her twin blades and locked Aquarios' trident. "Still, he's no match for us, ne?"
Haruko grinned and whipped out his staff. "Lei Zas!" he shouted, blasting an orb of light energy at Aquarios.
Aquarios snorted and caught the ball on his shield, and then forced Alkaid back and cut into her. Haruko's eyes flew wide. "Alkaid-chan!" he shouted.
Alkaid got to her feet, grimacing. "Ow… that actually hurt. You punk… I'm going to make you pay for that!" She charged forward again, blades whirling.
From the other side, Haruko charged as well, katana out and blazing. Aquarios blocked Alkaid with his trident and Haruko with his shield. Both of them caught each other's eye and grinned. Raising their hands, they shouted in unison. "Zan Rom!" Aquarios was caught in a double whirlwind that made the cavern roof rain down dust on their heads.
Aquarios swore loudly, but even as he made to block, Alkaid slipped past his guard and placed a trio of devastating hits to his torso. He staggered back and hissed, then turned and ran down the tunnel with Haruko and Alkaid in hot pursuit.
At the shore of the sunken lake, Aquarios paused and gazed upon the black water, and the shining white tree that rose from the center of it. "The mighty tree that blocks the rise of the Lord of the Dead," he mused. "What would happen if it were to be destroyed?"
Alkaid shrugged. "Nothing. The game's not equipped to handle something like that happening. Besides, it can't happen in the first place."
Haruko rolled his eyes. "And even if you could, you will not. We're not going to let you."
Aquarios smiled peacefully. "Perhaps. In any case, though, I'm in my element now." His smile became suddenly malicious. "You have no chance now! You were fools to follow me!" He took a running start and dived into the black lake.
Haruko frowned. "Not good. If he's become a fish-man, then he'll be a lot more powerful down there. Not to mention, we can't pursue him because our characters can't even so much as swim."
Alkaid shrugged. "So what? He has to come up to attack us anyway. Let's just leave."
Haruko shook his head. "The platform isn't working, remember? We're stuck here until we beat Aquarios." He ground his teeth. "Damn… we don't have time for this!"
Alkaid blinked. "Swearing? That's not like you, Haruko."
Haruko sighed and shook his head. "No, it's not, but I'm really on edge right now. The whole server's been pulled into the game, everyone that I know and everyone I don't is in danger of their lives, and something's wrong with Atoli, only nobody who's seen her is willing to tell me anything. And now we're stuck here playing games with a filthy punk like Aquarios! It makes me crazy!"
Alkaid nodded. "All right, then. Let's go slaughter that guy so you can get back to the real problem!"
Haruko sighed. "Right. Thanks, Alkaid-chan. Anyway, Akiko-kun already knows what's going on- Helio-kun will have told him already- so he'll take charge of keeping order in Mac Anu." He smiled grimly. "Which leaves us to take care of this punk here. Ready, Alkaid-chan?"
Alkaid smiled. "Yeah. Let's go, Haruko! This guy's nuts if he thinks he can take out two Emperors at once!"
A loud splash echoed through the cave, and an enormous plume of water leapt up from the lake's center. "Two Emperors at once, eh? Lady Morgana will be very pleased with this offering, then. Perhaps now I'll finally be able to take over leadership of the Disciples from that pathetic Pyrrhia."
A second, smaller splash appeared in the side of the plume. Alkaid caught sight of it and gasped. No time. Oh man, I really hope I don't regret this later… She darted in front of Haruko and threw her arms out wide to shield him.
That way, when Aquarios' trident flew straight at Haruko an instant later, Alkaid was already there to intercept it. The three-pronged blade sunk deep into her body, and she gasped and fell to her knees. "Man… that really hurts," she muttered.
Haruko was at her side in an instant. "Alkaid-chan!" he shouted, his face a rictus of horror. Gently, he took hold of the trident and slid it out of her.
Alkaid laughed softly. "Don't… worry about it. Even if I black out for a minute… it's just pain. I'm not going to die from this."
From the back of the cave came Mayako's voice, clear and strong. "That's right. I won't let you die." She ran up to Alkaid's side, her staff raised. "Pha Repth!" she called out.
Alkaid winced as the energy flowed through her, and then sighed. "That's better. I… need a minute, though. Can you… handle him on your own?" Her eyes closed gently.
Haruko nodded, his face shifting from pure terror to pure rage. "Yeah. No problem."
Aquarios let out a loud, mocking laugh. "You? Defeat me? Surely you jest, Haruko of the Emerald Winds!" He swept his arms outward, and the water swirling around him exploded into a thousand slender shards. "Hyo-rasen! Ice Spiral!"
Haruko snorted, and picked up the discarded trident. "Only an idiot names his attacks, Aquarios." With almost inhuman speed, he whirled the trident around in a wide spiral, knocking away all the darts aimed at them. The darts deflected, he ground his teeth and squeezed the trident hard. It glowed golden and then shattered like glass.
Aquarios stared. "I-impossible!" he shouted. He landed gently on the surface of the lake and stood on it. As he landed, he thrust out his right arm, and a heavy glaive materialized in his hand. Black dots played around it, forming nonsense patterns in the air.
Haruko raised his own right hand. Scintillating golden energy surrounded the Twilight Bracelet, and then surged outward in the shape of a broadsword. He smiled grimly. "The ability of 'deletion'- Data Blade! I should thank you, really. I would never have learned this power if you hadn't pushed me so far. Allow me to show my gratitude- by killing you!" He howled the last part and charged forward, running effortlessly along the lake's surface.
Aquarios laughed maliciously and met him head-on. The black glaive and golden blade clashed off of each other at speeds that blurred both weapons. Mayako looked on in awe. "Is this… the power that the dot hackers were rumored to have?"
"No," replied Helio, as he walked up. "This is the power that the dot hackers had to face. But only one of them ever held the power that Haruko now wields."
Mayako shuddered. "I'd hate to be fighting him right now. He's scary."
Helio nodded. "It's not like him to be like this. It's as if he's cast off every scrap of his kindness, and become a demon of vengeance…" What's happening to you, Sora-kun? Where's the kind-hearted idiot I've known for years?
Mayako blinked. "You're pretty poetically minded, Helio. Do you write in real life?"
Helio smiled. "No. Actually, I'm a college student, like Haruko. I'm a medical student, not a writer."
Mayako touched her knuckle to her lip, deep in thought. "College, huh?" she muttered. She stood up suddenly. "Haruko! Don't kill him! You're not like that, I know it!"
Out on the water, Haruko leapt high in the air, and then crashed down, his blade striking Aquarios' glaive just below the blade. "Ryutsuisen!" he cried out.
Helio slapped his forehead. "That idiot…" he muttered, and then laughed.
Aquarios blinked. "I thought you said that only idiots named their attacks?"
Haruko grinned crazily. The usual twinkle returned to his eye. "Yes, but you see, I am an idiot, so it's perfectly fine for me to do so." He put more of his weight behind the sword, and suddenly the glaive snapped in two. Aquarios gaped. Haruko swept the blade up to his throat. "Give it up, Aquarios. Just let everyone go."
Aquarios smirked. With a quick motion, he dodged to his left, seized the broken-off blade of his glaive, and flung it at Mayako. "No. I've got sacrifices to make."
Helio saw it coming and pulled Mayako out of the way with a flying tackle. The blade flew right past them, but grazed Helio's shoulder. He grunted in pain as he landed.
For Haruko, it was the last straw. He raised his blade high. Aquarios caught the look and ducked behind his shield. "Now… take this, you bastard!" Haruko howled, and launched himself at Aquarios. The blade bit deep into the heavy shield, and cut through it like rice paper. With a bright flash, the cloven shield exploded outward.
Aquarios staggered back, clutching his arm where the explosion had left a deep gash. "How… how is this possible?" he gasped.
Haruko sneered and raised his blade. A cold light shone in his eyes, replacing the usual twinkle. "Disappear," he said softly. "Beg for mercy and never attack anyone else in this place again. Do so, and I will spare your life." His blade fizzled slightly.
Aquarios smirked. "Showing mercy to the enemy? I don't think you have what it takes to kill me, Haruko." He spread his arms. "Come on, then! Kill me, if you can!"
Haruko sneered. "If that's what you wish, then I will gladly give it to you." He leapt high into the air. "Die!"
On the shore, Alkaid stirred and opened her eyes. The first thing that she saw was Haruko flying towards Aquarios. Her eyes flew wide open. "No, Haruko! Don't do it!" she shouted.
Haruko turned in mid-flight, the insane look instantly gone from his eyes. "Alkaid-chan?" he said. The Data Blade flickered and vanished. Haruko landed behind Aquarios and spun around. "Alkaid-chan!" he shouted, relieved. "You're okay!" Even across the water, the others could see his eyes sparkling.
Alkaid grinned weakly and gave him a thumbs-up. "Of course. I told you a wussy attack like that wouldn't kill me."
Aquarios shook his head. "Very well, then. I will retreat for now. It is clear that I cannot defeat you like this." He grinned. "But it is equally clear that you do not possess the resolve to kill someone."
Haruko smiled. "Of course not. I'm nothing like you, Aquarios. Even if I fall to the brink of madness, I have friends who will always pull me back."
Aquarios smiled sadly. "Friends…" he mused. Black dots ran across the surface of the water below him, and he sank rapidly into them.
Haruko sighed and dashed across the water to Alkaid's side. "What happened to 'sticking out your neck too much is bad for you'? You idiot…"
Alkaid laughed. "You're calling me an idiot, idiot?" She got unsteadily to her feet. "All right, let's see if we can get out of here." She walked towards the platform.
Haruko caught up to her. "Careful. We're still in the game, remember."
Alkaid nodded. "Right. And who knows if Aquarios is really- ah!"
She stumbled and fell. Haruko darted forward and caught her. She sighed. "Whew. Thanks, Haruko." She smiled up at him. "You're pretty handy to have around. And pretty handsome up close, too."
Haruko blushed. "R-right. Thanks."
Alkaid laughed. "What's this? You've called me cute more times than I can count, but I call you handsome once and you turn redder than your hair? What's up?"
Haruko shrugged as he helped Alkaid back to her feet. "Honestly? I have no idea. I just feel kind of weird sometimes, around you." He shook his head and rushed off towards the platform. "It's nothing. Forget I said it. Let's get out of here, before Aquarios decides to try and finish the job." Mayako dashed forward, trying desperately to keep up.
Behind his back, Alkaid rolled her eyes. "Does he really not realize it?" she asked Helio.
Helio smiled and shook his head. "Go easy on him. He's an idiot, remember."
Alkaid shrugged. "I don't get it. What about that Shizuka girl? Isn't she his girlfriend?" She paused. "What happened to her, anyway? You mentioned that something had happened to her…"
Helio sighed. "She's in the hospital, after being badly beaten. Sora-kun is still torn up about it- especially since the one who did it was a close friend of both of them."
Alkaid's eyes went wide. "The hospital… geez. But, I mean… he loves her too, doesn't he? How do Shizuka-san and I fit into all this?"
Helio sighed. "I don't pretend to understand Sora-kun's heart. But at his core, he is a very loving person." He smiled. "I'm not sure he has a full understanding of his own heart either. He doesn't have much experience there- Shizuka-san has only been his girlfriend for a few weeks."
Alkaid laughed. "Girlfriend, huh? Can't say I've had much experience either… I can certainly give it a try, though."
Helio's eyes narrowed. "Tread carefully. Sora-kun is my best friend in real life as well, and if you break his heart I won't forgive you."
Alkaid nodded. "I was being serious. But I'm still not telling him that I'm really Chika. He's going to have to figure that out on his own."
Helio chuckled. "If he can, anyway. As I said, he is an idiot."
Alkaid grinned happily. "That he certainly is. But after all, that's part of his charm, isn't it?" The two nodded, and ran to catch up to Haruko and Mayako.
Back at Mac Anu, Haruko was immediately accosted by a group of faceless knights in yellow armor. He gave the bristling spears a cursory glance and sighed, his face impassive. "New year, new fashion. Isn't New Year's a few weeks off, though?"
One knight poked his spear at him. "Shut up, irregular. Do not insult the Goldenrod Knights!"
Haruko sighed, and tipped the spear aside with one finger. "First of all, Goldenrod? You have got to be kidding me. Second, if you think I'm afraid because you brought five knights to take down one player, then you've forgotten one crucial fact." He spread his hands and grinned. "I'm Haruko of the Emerald Winds, savvy?"
"Pirates of the Caribbean. Nice reference, although hopelessly outdated." Two knights stood back to allow Kamui to pass between them. "But you see, I wasn't there when you took down my battalion three years ago. In fact, if I recall correctly, you freely acknowledge that I would have crushed you if I hadn't been busy on that stupid Shanghai trip."
Haruko rolled his eyes. "So? I imagine all this is because my idiot Oniisan is making waves again? Has he told you about my theory?"
Adam approached, smirking. "Yes, indeed I have. In other words, there's no way you'll PK any of the people gathered here right now. Whereas I have no qualms about PKing you. It would be best, in fact, if you spent the remaining duration of this unpleasant incident in a coma. After all, we know you'll come out at the end."
Haruko snorted. "Assuming there is an end without me. For the past five months, thanks to our actions, the only comatose players have been members of the Twilight Guardians- and there were only two such casualties. But without me, we will no longer possess the capability to destroy AIDA, and from there it follows that players will become comatose in droves. The G.U. members are powerful, but there are only four of them. So you see, I will gladly raise my blade here if it means that I can continue protecting this place."
Kamui lowered her spear and approached him. "You fool." She slapped him hard across the face. "All you're doing is destabilizing things further! That's all your kind has ever done!"
Haruko didn't flinch at the slap. "My 'kind'? I would be infinitely proud if I could call myself a dot hacker, Kamui-san."
"Then go ahead and do so. You've earned that right a dozen times over." Helio walked up calmly to the group. "And don't dare raise a hand against him again, Kamui. He's done more for this world than anyone in your little Daisy Brigade."
A muscle twitched in Kamui's neck. "That's 'Goldenrod Knights'!" she shouted.
Haruko took advantage of the momentary distraction and ripped Kamui's spear out of her grasp. "Again… that is a really stupid name. Who came up with that, your mom?" He grinned teasingly.
Kamui spun around. "My Spear of Voltan… give that back! And don't you dare insult my family, you filthy gaijin!"
Haruko's smile evaporated. "Fine. I was only kidding, but if that's how you want it, then no more playing around." He raised the spear. "Your treasure… right? Let's see how well you fare when someone deletes something precious to you."
Kamui stared in disbelief. "You… wouldn't!"
A blur shot by her and whacked Haruko over the head. "He'd better not!" shouted Alkaid.
Haruko blinked, dazed from the sudden blow. "Alkaid-chan? Wha happen?"
Alkaid glared at him. "Are you stupid or something? You're about to confirm every single bad thought these idiots have ever had about you."
Haruko stepped to one side of her and glared at Kamui. "She called me a gaijin. I'm not. I've worked hard for years to earn the right to no longer be an outsider in Japan." He looked back at Alkaid. "Only Zefie-chan is allowed to call me a gaijin. Anyone else is asking for a serious beatdown."
Alkaid grinned. "So give it to her, then. Don't delete her weapon. Only a punk American would do something like that, ne?"
Haruko blinked, grinned, and tossed the spear gently back to Kamui. "Good point, Alkaid-chan. And thanks. I almost did something that would have been stupid even for me."
Alkaid laughed. "Any time, you big idiot."
Mayako ran up. "Wait, everyone! Something's happening!"
Haruko stared up at the dome. "What the…" he muttered. A wide circle appeared in the sky, with many other circles bubbling off of it.
Kamui stared. "The operations folder? Who could access that?"
Haruko snorted. "Yata-sama is an administrator too, Kamui-san. I'm sure he would know about something like… whatever you just said." He grinned. "Looks like this nightmare is about to end."
A wave of power swept throughout Mac Anu. Every player it touched disintegrated into a stream of data and vanished.
A moment later, everyone appeared once again in Mac Anu. Mayako blinked and looked around. "I- I'm back!"
Haruko blinked, and raised his hand, twisting it in the light. He touched the side of his head. "She's right! We're not in the game anymore!" He broke into a wide grin. "All right! Kuhn and the others did it!"
Kamui pointed her spear at him. "We're not finished here, Haruko!"
Haruko laughed. "Didn't you hear me, Kamui-san? We're not trapped in 'The World' anymore. In other words, if it comes to blows, I can defeat you without having to hold back." He raised his blade. "Well, if you insist, then come and get me- if you can!"
Alkaid grinned and slid out her twin blades. "Hey, save some for me, Haruko!"
Mayako nodded firmly. "Count me in, too. I can't do much damage, but I'll heal whatever damage you take!
Kamui grit her teeth. "Fine, then. We'll retreat for now. But you can expect consequences for your little rebellion!"
A calm, steady beat echoed through the square- approaching footsteps. Yata came into view as the five Goldenrod Knights parted to let him past. "Consequences, Kamui? As usual, Haruko has acted only to benefit 'The World'. His guildmates helped to keep the peace in Mac Anu, while collaborating with Moon Tree to control the Kestrel PKers. Meanwhile, Haruko himself confronted and repelled a dangerous AIDA user, and in the process saved this young girl from possibly being put into a coma." He motioned to Mayako. "In simple terms, Kamui, the only 'consequences' that Haruko faces are commendations for both him and his guild."
Kamui snorted. "You're commending that hacker? I just lost what little respect I had left for you, Yata." She spun on her heel. "Goldenrod Knights! Move out!"
The five knights saluted. "Ma'am!" Kamui huffed, and warped out along with her squad.
Haruko rolled his eyes. "Like I care what she thinks of me."
"Oniichan!" came a yell. Haruko's eyes lit up as he spun around to see Atoli running towards him. "Atoli!" he called. "Are you okay?"
As she approached, Haruko saw that her right arm was hanging limp beside her. Small white fragments trailed from it as she ran. Atoli followed his eyes and bowed her head. "I'm sorry. You were worried about me, all because I acted like an idiot."
Sakaki walked calmly up beside her. "You shouldn't run off like that, Atoli," he began.
Haruko waved a hand at him. "The crisis is over, Sakaki-san. I'm more worried about Atoli herself right now." He pointed. "What happened to your hand?"
Atoli looked down at it. "I… I don't really know. But shortly after Kuhn brought me to Raven, my character's hand cracked open. And now I can't move it."
Haruko gently took the damaged hand and examined it. He inhaled sharply. "This… And your hand's paralyzed in real life, too?" Unconsciously, his grip tightened. "I'm sorry… I should have been there. I should have stopped that filth from ever laying so much as a finger on you!"
Atoli shook her head firmly. "No. This is my fault, Oniichan. I went wandering off on my own, too far from the others. It's my own fault that nobody could get to me in time."
Haruko shook his head. "When you are praised, take only the credit due to you. Likewise, take only the blame that you truly own. Don't be greedy, Atoli."
Atoli sighed. "I know. But don't be greedy either, Oniichan. You have absolutely no blame in this."
Haruko punched the wall, hard. "I should have been there! How can I call you my sister and then let something keep me from protecting you? I…"
Atoli grabbed his arm. "You are not a failure as my Oniichan. Don't even think that. You did come to help me, after all."
Haruko blinked. "You saw…?"
Atoli nodded. "Yes. I saw what you did for me while Kuhn was bringing me back to Raven." Her eyes sharpened. "And Helio told me about what happened to Shizuka-san. You came for me, even though your girlfriend was in the hospital. Only a true brother would do that for someone."
Alkaid walked up to the two of them. "I still don't get what's going on, but if what happened to Atoli is anything like what Aquarios hit me with, I do know what it feels like."
Atoli blinked. "You…"
Haruko nodded. "Yeah. Some jerk called Aquarios threw a big trident at me, but I didn't see it coming. Alkaid-chan saw it, though, and she got in the way and blocked it."
Alkaid grinned weakly. "Yeah. It really stung, too. I'm going to log out and take a rest, okay? Atoli, you should too."
Atoli nodded. "Right. Thank you… for protecting my Oniichan."
Alkaid gave one last grin and vanished in a flurry of blue. Haruko sighed. "I'm going to take a rest, too. This has been a wild day. Atoli, don't hang around too long, okay?"
Atoli nodded, smiling. "Right. Have a good sleep, Oniichan."
Haruko grinned and raised his staff. "Ja, ne!" he called, and logged out.
Author's Notes: Looking back on this... I wonder if it would have been better as two chapters. Anyway, so there goes the AIDA server. Not much to say about this one, except that I do love Aquarios as a villain... for reasons that will become clear in time... and that I enjoyed a chance to bring Kamui back. She'll show up again later on, too... look forward to it! :)
