I'm not dead. I swear I'm not dead!
Sorry guys, I know this update took forever. I'm going to try to get several new chapters out by the end of this month, that's my goal! I'm waaay behind where I was planning to be. So, on with the story!
They managed to clear out several rooms of the first floor that day. After hours of traveling the winding corridors, the raid group finally found a major chamber, which spread out into three possible routes. When Isuzu scouted ahead down one of the routes, she wound up identifying the location of the first raid boss. Not bad for a first day!
After spending the rest of the day mapping the area, the group decided to call it a day in the largest chamber. Isuzu sank into a seat near the warm fire a monk named Souta had built, happy to give her feet a rest. She had just finished up a strategy meeting with Ken, Yuuta, and the other two party leaders, Zeeke and Kyoko. They were busy relaying all their plans to the rest of the group, but Isuzu was hardly listening.
She was thinking of tomorrow, when they would give the first raid boss a try. Tactics and plans were replaying in her head over and over. From what Ken had told her, Bushyashta was relatively easy compared to the others they would face in the Pit. She was slow, so virtually everything they threw at her would hit. The problem they would run into was her immensely high HP. Ken had informed her that this boss had the highest HP of any in the Yamato server. This next battle would be a test of stamina. All 24 Adventurers against Bushyasta of the Pit.
It was Isuzu's job to make sure they didn't run out of steam. Without status buffs, Bushyashta's HP was guaranteed to last out over the MP of all 24 Adventurers combined. If there was no more MP to expend, then they would have no chance of defeating her. Isuzu would really have to be at the top of her game.
She wasn't completely alone, since there were two Enchanters in the group. Kyoko being the first. Then there was the creepy looking fellow named Zolten. But even with their help, the only one who could provide that kind of support indefinitely, was only Isuzu.
She felt the presence of someone sitting beside her and mentally prepared for a long bout of small talk and dodged questions, when she realized it was only Rundllehaus. Her dog Prince.
"Rudy." She greeted happily, please to have his presence so near.
"Miss Isuzu. Have you eaten?" He asked, handing her a ration of bread.
"No. Thank you." She responded gratefully as she took it.
She munched it down and scooted closer to him as a Swashbuckler name Mirage approached with a huge grin and obvious intent to sit next to her.
"Hi, again!" Mirage said happily.
He was a bubbly guy who duel wielded the chunkiest set of swords Isuzu had ever seen. She was fairly certain one usually wasn't supposed to be able to duel wield those kind of swords, but he had happily professed that it was his overskill.
"Hello, Mirage-kun." She smiled politely, while simultaneously reaching toward Rudy.
She had finished off her roll of bread and was attempting to nonchalantly pinch off a piece from his.
"How are you this evening?" She continued, realizing Rudy was thwarting her attempts.
"Ah, I'm...fine..." Mirage responded slowly, observing as she and Rudy went back and forth grabbing at the roll.
Rudy laughed and raised the bread above his head, well out of her range. Instead of reaching for it, she leaned over and flicked his nose. He gasped and covered it, lowering the hand with the roll at the same time.
"Ha!" She shouted in victory as she swiped it from him quick as a flash.
"No fair, Miss Isuzu distracted me."
"You're just mad you were too slow for my skills." She smiled, taking a nice bite from his half eaten roll.
He pouted at that, and she giggled, taking in how cute his puppy pout was.
"Here." She said, holding the last of the bread up to his face.
He parted his lips to say something back, but was unable to as she stuffed the bread roll into his mouth.
"Sorry, what were you saying?" Isuzu asked, tilting her head back to Mirage who was now staring intently at the duo.
"Oh uh, just remarking on the atmosphere..." He said with a smirk.
"Isn't this place creepy!" She responded obliviously, gesturing around.
Mirage looked at her with her carefree smile, swinging her feet back and forth.
"At least having good companions really lightens the mood though, don't you think." He answered, wagging his eyebrows at her.
Her eyes brightened at that thought.
"You're right, it does!" She giggled happily.
Mirage smiled back and chuckled with her infectious laughter. They continued the evening in peaceful conversation, which steadily grew as more of the group congregated around Isuzu. Rudy retained his seat beside her, but there was hardly a way to get in a word with her. Her popularity with the group was overwhelming.
Eventually Ken broke it up with some in depth strategy talk and afterwards everyone went their separate ways for the night. Rudy waved to Isuzu as she retired to her tent, feeling anxious about the next day's battle.
It would be their real first go in the hardest raid dungeon in the whole of Yamato. And it had been quite some time since he last worked with Isuzu during any kind of serious battle. The excitement roused his spirit. Tomorrow would be a good day. Rudy wouldn't be surprised if they were able to beat the first boss on the first try with Isuzu on board.
He was brought out of his musing by an approaching Ken, who waved his hand before Rudy's face.
"Earth to Rudy." Ken called, chuckling at the flustered look on his face.
"Ah, y-yes?!" He answered, sitting up straighter.
"It's too early in the raid for you to space out."
"I was not spacing out. I was getting fired up for tomorrow." Rudy shot back with a nod, making a fist near his face.
"Right." Ken raised his eyebrows skeptically.
"Well on that note, I've been going around to all the party leaders but I thought I would speak to you about this too, since you know her so well."
"Something about Miss Isuzu?" Rudy questioned, suddenly alarmed.
"Yeah. She's a strong one, isn't she?" Ken noted, asking if only for confirmation of his observation.
"She is." Rudy replied evenly.
"I decided not to announce this in front of her, because I didn't think she would like it."
"Okay..."
"But she's our only bard. We are going to be relying on her heavily. She's the priority. I'm making sure the party leaders pass this on. If she is in any immediate danger, we get her out of it. I know I don't have to tell you this, but I don't care if there's a scorching ball of fire headed at her, you push her out of the way and take the fall."
Rudy smiled.
"I understand. Do not worry, if it is a matter of saving my life or hers, it will always be hers."
Ken nodded at this, highly satisfied with Rudy's answer.
"I knew I could count on you. I can see that you two work well together. That's why I placed her in your party."
"Yes we...she and I... We have always worked well together."
Rudy grew quiet, his mind wandering to their first memories together in Ragrandia Forest. Ken was nodding, realizing his friend had slipped back off into space. He chuckled and rolled his eyes, sneaking away without saying anything further.
The next morning everyone awoke early and in high spirits. Isuzu quickly changed into her gear, doing her best to be both physically and mentally prepared for today.
She was nervous. Everyone was counting on her. She couldn't let them down!
Moving from the confines of her tent, she was greeted by the "good morning" shouts of her companions. She smiled and waved back, walking to the center of the camp where most of the group was eating breakfast.
"Good morning everyone." She addressed the ones following her approach.
Scanning the crowd, she saw Rudy sitting on the other side of the campfire, with Richard and Nami on either side of him. She sighed in disappointment and sat next to Ken and Zeeke, who were busy chuckling about something.
"Morning Isuzu-chan!" Zeeke waved.
"Good morning Pop Idol. Ready for today?" Ken teased.
She giggled into her hand and nodded.
"I was born ready." She smiled, deliberately sounding overly confident.
They both laughed and the conversation shifted to the day's strategy. The battle scenario seemed simple enough. It was her job to keep up everyone's MP for the long duration of battle. Scouts had verified that there was hardly an overwhelming number of other monsters in the chamber, so it seemed they could really focus on Bushyashta for most of the battle. Another important attribute of this raid boss, was her title of "Lazy". Isuzu has also been informed that, due to this, hate would not be less of a factor in this battle.
They finished off breakfast and Ken stood to address the group.
"Everyone ready for today?"
Several 'whoops' and 'yeahs' were echoed around the chamber.
"Alright. Everyone remember your positions. Let's do this."
The rowdy group stood and cheered, individuals falling into party positions. Ken made his way for the corridor Isuzu had scouted yesterday, leading the teams toward Bushyashta's chamber.
"Are you ready, Miss Isuzu?"
Isuzu's eyes darted to her left to see Rundellhaus, who had stealthily fallen into place beside her.
"Yes. Are you?"
"Most certainly." He replied with a flourish.
She laughed at his sparkly, self confident aura. Boy, had she missed this.
"Just be sure you do not get in my way." He continued, flipping his hair back with a hand. His cocky smirk made Isuzu face palm.
Ah, maybe not…
He laughed loudly at Isuzu's exasperation and lightly bumped shoulders with her, making her laugh again.
Damn, maybe so…
Suddenly Isuzu was aware that the parties ahead of them were coming to a halt. A large, ominous doorway was before them and Ken was approaching it.
"Get ready." Zeeke shouted from the front of their party's formation.
Isuzu felt everyone go tense and quiet down, as the doors began to open and the group began filing into the large chamber. She walked lightly, ready to spring into action at any given moment. In the farthest end of the room, an immense and elaborate spear stuck up out of the ground. It sat upon a high mound and began to shine, filling the room with an ominous light. The Adventurers fanned out slightly as Bushyashta appeared before them, materializing with at least a dozen minions at her side. A shout was heard, and spells began to fly. The minions split up and began defending Bushyashta from all sides.
After several minutes of battle it was clear that their planned formation was sturdy and the tanks seemed to be holding the front lines well. From their decent knowledge of Bushyashta's attack patterns, Isuzu knew she would begin with Sloth Staff, an attack that sent a shockwave of energy outward. If you were within range, it meant certain death. Fortunately, it had an outrageously long cast time so it should be easy to avoid.
She nodded, knowing exactly how she wanted to play this. Blue colored notes began to swirl around her as she activated Meditation Nocturne. Isuzu was expecting a particularly lengthy battle, so this skill would be vital to their success. The second song she chose was Prelude Onslaught, which would reduce the cool down times of everyone's skills.
She felt Rudy's presence beside her but did not look up. Instead she kept her eyes trained on Bushyashta of the Pit and her small horde of minions. They still circled her but they began to fan, out moving sluggishly. Even if they were slow, they were level 93 and not to be taken lightly. One was approaching Zeeke and he set to work at taunting it. There was a sudden pale blue glow and Isuzu instinctively knew Rudy was casting frost spear.
It shot straight at the minion, impaling it in the chest. It screamed in pain and began to thrash, Isuzu took a protective step in front of Rudy. Zeeke hit it several more times and then gave everyone a nod. It was hit with another blast, this time by Nami who stood several meters behind Isuzu and Rudy. Haru ran forward and began to knock at it with his sword, his movements so fast they were hard to follow. The minion's HP hit zero and it vanished.
"Three more on their way!" Zeeke shouted.
But Isuzu was not paying attention to the minions anymore. She was watching Bushyashta, who had finally begun to stir. She raised her staff into the air and it began to charge with magical energy.
"Fall back!" Isuzu shouted.
Her party responded to her words quickly, jumping, running, and teleporting themselves out of range of the coming attack.
Bushyashta's staff crashed onto the ground, sending a tremor beneath their feet.
"Ah!" Isuzu shouted, struggling to stay upright.
Rudy caught her in the nick of time, since directly after the tremor came a forceful gust, the remnants of the shockwave she had created. They had pushed back far enough to avoid taking any damage from it, but what was left knocked several of them onto the ground. It would have surely knocked Isuzu completely off of her feet.
"They can regenerate!" Genzo, a warrior in the first party shouted.
"What? Seriously?" Nami gasped behind them.
"Then we take them out, then we can focus on her!" Rudy hollered, releasing Isuzu and extending the length of his mage's cane out.
"Right." Isuzu nodded.
Then they moved together, striking the nearest minion with combined power and finesse. It swung a sword in retaliation. They each moved in an opposite direction and dodged, Rudy to the left and Isuzu to the right. Rudy spun and blasted the minion with a jolt of electricity. Two beats later Isuzu was upon it, slicing at its torso with her spear.
It attacked again and they dodged once more, twirling and switching positions with one another.
Now Rudy attacked it from the right and two beats later came Isuzu's follow up.
Nami watched their complicated dance of weaving, twirling, attacking, and switching in awe. They moved about constantly, keeping the enemy confused and unable to predict where the next attack would come from.
Nami was a sorceress, content to stay at the back of the pack and shoot off her spells from rear vanguard. The odd occasion she had to melee, she felt rather clumsy and inadequate. Rudy was much better at it than she, this was a fact she had come to know. She was aware that Rudy liked the spotlight and was never content to stand in the back for an entire battle. But she had never seen Rudy move like this.
Nami shot off a ball of fire toward the minion attacking Zeeke and watched them some more. Their team work was impeccable. They were using Duet, a bard skill that required two people within melee range in order to be useful. She had never seen a bard use it with a Mage. Mage's were not supposed to be within Melee range. But then again, this was Rudy were talking about.
"Rudy!" Isuzu yelled, realizing he wasn't moving quick enough.
She spun and impaled the minion with her spear, draining the last of its HP. It screeched and oozed from its wound, before bursting into the air.
"Rudy, fall back." She ordered, ignoring the way he narrowed his eyes in annoyance.
Regardless, he moved back several meters, coming to stand next to Nami who looked "peachy keen" to his "sweaty and out of breath".
"That was amazing, Rudy-kun!" She said, happily shooting off another ball of fire.
"But of course!" He laughed haughtily, following suit and shooting his orb of lava.
It hit the same minion Nami had just attacked and then jumped out to scorch the third minion, the one Haru was busy working on. It was then that Rudy realized Isuzu was no longer in their party's designated area.
"Miss Isuzu?!" He shouted, searching for her frantically.
She was their only bard. Ken had made it quite clear that it was the priority of the group to protect her. Not to mention the fact that Rudy would never forgive himself if he allowed her to die.
"She's over there!" Nami pointed helpfully.
Rudy followed her gaze and saw that she had moved herself up in formation.
"Miss Isuzu!" He shouted again, moving forward to follow her.
"Rudy-kun no! Look, Ken clearly has a plan!"
Rudy took another look and grit his teeth. Nami was right. Ken was signaling to Isuzu and she was moving about the battlefield as swift as lightning.
Please drop me a review and let me know what you think! I really appreciate the feedback and support I'm receiving from everyone so please keep it up! That's what motivates me to put out more chapters!