Hello everyone! Here I have for you part 1 of the raid! This will be a minor bit to start everything. I wanted to get you all something, I'm sorry if it looks a tad rushed or isn't all that good, I promise that the next chapter will be the full raid battle and will be out again ASAP! Anyway, you who want to submit OC's still have until the next chapter is released to post it via review or by PM, if you don't you'll have to talk to me about it first before giving it to me, anyway do enjoy everyone!
(Tolbana Town - Tavern - 1:00 PM)
It's been 3 hours sense the raid against the first floor boss, Illfang the Kobold Lord, had commenced, and within a few hours, the boss had been defeated and the next floor opened with only a single casualty. The Raid leader, Diavel was the only one to have died, and the decisive winning blow was by a one handed sword user named Kirito, but in a following confusion by another player, Kirito gained the name Beater, a term that would represent a Cheating Beta Tester that withheld any useful information needed to complete the game. Now with the 1st floor cleared, players have started moving on to the 2nd floor ready to further progress in the game and be able to get closer to getting free from Sword Art Online.
"Beater..." Aaron said looking over the paper with the cleared news.
"What do you think Aaron? Think we can do it without losing anyone?" Hero asked.
"We can try... that's all I can say..." Aaron said laying the paper down. "Where's Celina and Luna?"
"I saw them on the way here, they went to the 2nd floor to scope it out," Lilika said calmly.
"Why'd they go ahead?" Hero asked.
"Probably to scout the equipment like I asked them too," Aaron said standing.
"Why have them do that?" Lilika asked.
"I asked so that we can gauge our gear, I'm gonna go give my rally call," Aaron said.
"Do you think we can really get people to join our small group of 5? They left with several people in groups of 6, we'll need one more at least..." Hero said.
"Having doubts?" Aaron asked.
"No it's just... I'm kinda worried about the whole Beater thing... Yeah Kirito's the only known one... but what happens if our party starts calling out for Betas...?" Hero asked.
"We did promise to keep Luna and Celina's cover..." Lilika said.
"And we will," Aaron said. "I'll make sure everyone knows that if they're a Beta, then they have to make their knowledge known to build trust and support amongst the group..."
"Will everyone really let themselves be known so easily...?" Hero asked.
"Hell if I know..." Aaron said giving a shrug. "There were 1000 Betas, 2000 players are already dead, at least a few were Betas, one is already on the 2nd floor, we have 2 halves of one, and there's a pretty decent change that most of the remaining Beta's are gonna go forward to the next floor anyway,"
"True..." Hero said calmly. "Lilika and I are gonna prepare and go over everything in the book."
"It'd be a good idea. Make sure there isn't anything changed, the paper did note that the boss used a different tactic contrary to the books notice," Aaron said. "I believe it said he pulled a Nōdachi in place of the originally documented Talwar."
"That's right, and it also said he used Katana skills because of it..." Lilika said putting her hand on her Katana. "I can probably give my best against him but my boosted skill only lets me do so much as I am,"
"So see if you can get some practice in, I'll see you both and the girls tonight at the Inn."
"Alright Aaron," Hero said as he left with Lilika while Aaron started for the center area of town.
(Tolbana Center)
"Not a lot of people here... and the transport gate looks crowded..." Aaron said walking to a fountain. "Best give it my shot."
Stepping up onto one of the fountain's ledges Aaron did his best to get the crowd of people's attention.
"Excuse me, everyone, my name is Aaron and I'd like your attention!" Aaron called out getting what attention he could. "I know most of you are eager to move onto the next floor, or have no such plans at all, but I wish to ask for your help in aiding me in taking the 1st floor boss on again tomorrow morning at the exact same time as the last raid group!"
"Why should we, the boss was already beaten," a player called out.
"I know, but I also know that the boss does respawn after a single day has passed from the original clearing, and I aim to attack him again to show that it doesn't matter who takes the bosses on, and that we all as players can beat this game and win our freedom, a small group attacked the boss and did it because they were brave and strong, but why didn't we all just do it then? We were the same level area, what stopped us?" Aaron called out. "In my time of being here I have met many strong players, but none of you helped in the raid, I think it's time we take a strong stand and all work together as a single powerful force to show this game's crazed creator that he cannot keep us all down and corralled at each floor as we wait for the people to work up courage to attempt the floor boss!"
"What would still be the point? For all you know we're walking into a slaughter this time!" A player yelled.
Letting out a sigh, Aaron gave a simple nod. "I understand your worries and concerns, I'm not saying that all of you here join me in this attack, but I ask that those of you who wish to test their might and agree with me or want to prove their own power. The standard rules that the last raid group used are what we'll use, if you wish to join, tomorrow morning meet my group at the entrance to the dungeon if you do wish to join us, max of at least 6 players per team, I hope you'll at least think about my plan." Aaron looked at everyone seeing several people just talking with most just blatantly ignoring him. "My goal is to complete this raid assault with no casualties." Letting out a sigh Aaron stepped down from the fountain. "Go to the 2nd floor and prepare even if you still wish to join, I don't care how you prepare, just do so at your best."
After finishing his speech he walked off not looking back. Unknown to him a large group had soon followed. Over time of him walking back to the inn he was staying at the large group slowly divided into smaller groups going all around town.
Back at the inn...
"Hey Aaron, How'd it go?" Celina asked meeting Aaron with Luna at the bar in the Inn.
"As well as it could." Aaron said with a sigh looking to the girls seeing them in touched up armor. "Find anything good?"
"Yeah, we stepped up our armor a little, and got a new weapon to practice with before the raid tomorrow, we're gonna go train deep in that canyon again, wanna join us?" Luna asked resting her hand on the but of her sword.
"Sure, I could use the practice," Aaron said stretching out and standing.
"Oh, I got these for you," Celina said as she opened her menu and sent a few weapons to Aaron with some armor. "Their the heaviest they had for your specifications."
"Thanks," Aaron said accepting the armor and weapons. Taking a moment Aaron equipped armor which was a new chest plate with spaulders, a new set of gauntlets and boot guards set to his. Across his back formed a large 2 handed sword. "Good weight," Stretching his body out Aaron noticed a small group of people being led to him by Zero and Katalina.
"Hey Aaron," Zero said coming to a stop with the group. "This is him,"
"It's been a bit, figured you and Katalina would have gone to the 2nd floor with the others." Aaron said.
"We said we'd help you, we want to prove ourselves like you were saying in your announcement," Katalina said calmly.
"I wasn't trying to say prove yourself to others, more so to yourself, this is still a game no matter how we look at it, but if just cower and wait for someone to hold our hands and do it for us what's the point in trying to go to the end? If we're just gonna wait until someone does it for us, then I'd rather go ahead and try and solo everything then sit here waiting for the game to be cleared." Aaron said with a sigh. "Now, who're all of you?"
"Oh, right, we all heard your speech and wanted to talk with you about participating in the assault with you." a man said stepping between Zero and Katalina. "My name is Issac,"
the man was large standing at 6'2", he had short black hair and green eyes, he was in dark grey clothes with standard armor all black, across his back was a large dark grey sword.
"Hi, I'm Finyui," another man said walking forward.
the man was thin with a slight female figure standing at 5'6", he had a scar going from the middle of his forehead going through is left eye to the middle of his left cheek, his hair was a dark grey going to the middle of his back, his right eye was a forest green color with the left being a pale green. He was wearing a white leather chest plate, a black belt, grey leather pants and boots, he had a short sword at his side looking like it hadn't ever been drawn yet.
"Alina... Alina Ismael," A female said calmly standing forward.
She stood at about 5'8ft, with an hourglass figure and a D-cup bust, se had a lovely and a confident face that sowed she was serious and ready to anything with a lovely and soft look, she had shining sky blue eyes with slight red markings around then, she had long blue hair with black highlights that reaches down to her ankles with the end tied in a ponytail, she has very light brown skin.
she was in a simple black kimono, it lacked a right sleeve and exposing her right leg, it was also decorated with beautiful autumn leaves, it was held by a red obi. On her right arm she had a detached sleeve that goes from her wrist to her mid-biceps. She was also wearing fishnet stockings and black high-heel boots that reach just below the knee. Underneath her clothes were light black-colored chainmail that looked to cover most of her body. She had a scimitar style weapon at her side.
"That accent...? Russian maybe...?" Celina asked to herself.
"Armor must be uniquely found or crafted by a small side mission..." Aaron said to himself as a man with a mask on stepped forward.
"Hello, I'm Kashina," The man said as he grabbed the mask and moved it to the side of his head showing his face.
The man had slightly long black hair on the front with a shades of white, it was long behind, which was tied in a short ponytail. His left eyes was green with the right being a bit dark. He was about 5'7", he also had a horizontal scar on his nose. He was in a dark green chest armor with black outlines over his light green shirt and dark green armguards and dark green leg guards over his black pants. He was also wearing a dark green cape that had a hood.
The next that stood forward was a man standing at about 6'1", he looked to have weighed 162lbs, he had a medium build with some muscle, has piercing emerald eyes with a "dead fish style", he had longish jet black hair with some white highlights combed and going down to the back of his neck, brown skin, he was also wearing a simple pair of glasses, he was wearing a grey hooded shirt with silver and black linings, he had light steel chainmail underneath, he was also wearing black pants, and brown boots. "Hey, I'm Luis."
"You can call me Spectra," another man said walking forward.
The man had about shoulder length teal green hair. It was slimmed back, yet still somewhat on the messy side. His eyes were narrowed out into slits not letting their color be shown. He appeared to be an early to mid twenty-year old person, he is unusually thin and tall with very sharp features, which gave him a skeletal appearance. He had his face set in a wide mocking smile, which he only wipes off on rare occasions of annoyance, surprise, confusion, or even sadness. He was wearing the simple starting clothes and armor, at his side was a small katana style curved sword.
"A-And I'm... F-Flara..." A girl said softly and shyly standing mostly to the back of the group.
The girl had darkish ginger hair, which fades to a much duller color at the tips so it looks more like a sandy brunette by the end. It was lightly poofy but mostly straight, and held back by a black bandana to keep it from her face and reaching down to her mid back. She had blueish green eyes. She stood at a little over 5'1" in height, she had a fairly average body for her height thought it was nicely covered in freckles at different areas. She was wearing mostly red and black clothes with her standard armor being dark grey and black, her weapon was a standard one handed longsword. She also seemed to give off a calm warm feeling.
"Nice to meet you all," Celina said with a smile.
"Listen everyone," Aaron said with a sigh. "I am happy and do appreciate you joining us in this battle, but before we go into anything you must prepare yourselves, go out to the field and grind well, and when nightfall comes return to Tolbana town and get some rest, go to the store and stock up, prepare yourselves here and now, I meant what I said, I want to tackle this raid with no casualties..."
"Don't worry, we will," Issac said calmly.
"What about Beaters?" Alina asked.
"Anyone and everyone are welcome, and we will not discriminate, if you are a beta or know a beta that joins, know we all fight as one, we do not fight each other, I don't want a situation like with the original raid and the branding of Beater being thrown around, am I understood?" Aaron said calmly but sternly.
"Crystal," Alina said calmly.
"Also, groups are minimum of 6, so if you all make one or make up separate groups all go for it, just prepare your teams," Aaron said calmly.
They all gave a nod before turning and leaving the inn.
"They all were certainly an interesting group," Luna said calmly.
"Quite," Zero said. "Issac came to us and asked us to take them all to you,"
"I see," Giving a shrug Aaron turned back to the twins. "Ready to hit the canyon?"
"Canyon?" Katalina asked.
"It's a place near the dungeon that we all train together at," Luna said calmly. "Wanna come?"
"Could we?" Zero asked.
"I supposed," Aaron said calmly as he opened his menu and sent invites to Luna, Celina, Zero, and Katalina all who accepted. "Looks like Hero and Lilika are there now,"
"Lets go join them, see if we can't find a good spawn or rare item for you both," Celina said with a smile as everyone started out of the Inn.
(Floor one Canyon - Deep Canyon area)
Deep within the Canyon Hero and Lilika are talking with another player they found who seems to have been blessed with incredible luck at the game, but in this game can any luck be good to the best extent?
The player was a female in her late teens. She had brunette with an A-line hairstyle that is a little bit shorter than shoulder length. Her eye color were green. she was wearing a standard form armor all in black, she had a black metal one handed longsword at her side with a medium sized wide shield at her back.
"So you really feel you character data is corrupt?" Lilika asked the girl.
"Sadly yes..." the girl said giving a sigh.
"Well from what I can say your stats seem normal, but to have gathered high level based equipment relative to the floor's capabilities and to have your stats boosted at various moments is very odd..." Hero said calmly. "So Kat, what brought you out here?"
"Trying to break my characters system to get rid of this stupid bug in my stats..." Kat said with a sigh. "It bites... I tried giving some things away and the people who got them said they were complete and utter crap... but they were top notch..."
"It sucks when you're getting a bad rep at the beginning..." Lilika said calmly.
"Yeah..." Kat said letting out a sigh looking down. "I just... I got this stupid game as a random gift out of the blue and thought I'd have fun...I never expected I'd ended up stuck and with a bugged character program..."
"Must be a virus in the Nervegear... couldn't be in the game itself..." Hero said thinking.
"Yeah, and cheer up Kat, it'll be okay, take this bum occurrence and make the best of it, boosted stats, you'll be able to last a long time here I can see you making it all the way to 100 Kat." Lilika said with a smile.
"Thanks Lilika, I appreciate it," Kat said smiling. "So, shall we work together here?"
"Yeah, we're gonna go exploring and find more things to grind through," Hero said standing.
"Hero! Lilika!" Celina could be heard calling from down a path that lead to the clearing.
"Celina?" Hero said turning to see her, Luna, Aaron, Zero and Katalina all walking over. "Hey guys, what's up?"
"Here to do the same as you are," Aaron said calmly. "Who's your friend,"
"This is Kat," Lilika said calmly. "We met her here and partied together, who're the new two?"
"These are Zero and Katalina, the two I told you about." Aaron said.
"Ah, it's nice to meet you both." Hero said calmly.
"Yes it is, you must be Hero, and you're Lilika," Zero said.
"Hello," Katalina said calmly.
"Hey, why don't we unite our parties?" Kat asked. "8 Players should be able to survive anything around here,"
"Sounds good to me," Hero said sending a notification to Aaron.
"Unify parties," Aaron said nodding accepting the message as his party gained three more names while Hero's party gained 5. "Alright, lets explore deeper."
The group of 8 easily breezed through the whole area. For most they took the time to build up to solid levels and to clean up their battle techniques to improve their strategies.
Later that night...
"What time is it?" Zero asked giving a yawn.
"Almost midnight," Hero said looking through the guide book. "So there was only a single change in the attack pattern of Illfang?"
"Yeah, he pulled a Nōdachi instead of the Talwar, and started using katana based skills." Aaron said calmly.
"So we're gonna use Lilika's boosted curved sword stat and her own katana skills to match him in case he pulls the Nōdachi again?" Kat asked.
"That's the plan," Lilika said as she looked over her Katana. "And if he goes back to his proper attack pattern we'll go as the main group was supposed too."
"There's no moon out tonight..." Celina said with a sigh as she watched the sky.
"Could be a New Moon," Luna said with a smile.
"Yeah," Katalina said calmly.
Everyone there took time to rest and relax. As it crept closer to midnight everyone prepared a crystal to teleport to Tolbana Town, but before they could a bright white ring shined around them all. As they all looked up they saw a white ring in the sky. While they studied the ring in the sky, the ring that surrounded them slowly grew and the sound of a howl was let out along the sound of the wind.
"That howl... a wolves...?" Aaron muttered.
"Is this an event...?" Lilika asked.
"Just like with the full moon..." Celina said calmly.
"Aaron, Hero, Celina, pull out the weapons... I think they're linked to this, lets split into 4 teams of two." Luna said as she changed her weapon to the Fenrir's Fang and pulled Zero into a party.
"Right," Hero said as he equipped his Crescent Edge and set a party with Lilika.
"Kat you're with me," Aaron said as he pulled his Eclipse Breaker and Kat into a party with him.
"Katalina we're together," Celina said as she drew her Luna Tear.
"Where did you guys get those?" Kat asked as the four others all stood by their partner.
"Special even that we found at random, stay ready," Aaron said as pitch black wolves began to surround all of them with a large one slowly stepping forward.
"Revenge?" Hero asked.
"Is that possible?" Lilika asked. "This game is still just data, something like this isn't really possible."
"Regardless, these look like tougher monsters than earlier, and that wolf is up to floor boss grade, so prepare yourselves, if I'm right on this we got an hour, clear the base wolves then we'll all go together at the pack leader." Aaron said as the other four pulled their weapons.
"Alright everyone, lets use this as practice in teamwork, keep your health above 25%, if it falls to that call out and fall back we'll rearrange and attack." Hero said as everyone got ready while the wolves began their attack.
Everyone with their swords started a basic attack assault taking down the easier wolves with ease, but once the stronger monsters pushed forward they started chaining their Sword Skills with each other. Everyone's health stayed high ad kept strong.
Compared to the full moon battle, this one went through much faster. Once they got ready for the final wolf they were only down to 60% of their health and still had a full 30 minutes left.
"Okay everyone, we got 30 minutes max, Hero's and my team will push this wolf to a point where it's open for powerful attacks, Luna, Celina, your teams are good with speed and hitting those preside points it's on you 4 to beat it down!" Aaron said as they prepared at the head of the group.
"Understood," Luna and Celina said together as they prepared their weapons standing in a symmetrical stance.
After everyone got in position the wolf let out a loud ear splitting howl and roar pushing everyone off their stance before it rushed into the center of the group. Before everyone could regain their footing the large wolf started to bite and claw at everyone.
"Damnit, this damn wolf is throwing us off!" Zero cursed as he tried to deflect a swipe of the wolf's claw.
"This game isn't stupid... maybe it watches and learns and adjusts, we cleared the whole pack in a short time, this wolf must've adjusted for our style of combat," Kat said with a curse. As she prepared her shield she was able to block a swipe of the claws and parry it back with a quick sword skill pushing it off balance. "I got it, Lilika, Zero, Katalina, we keep the plan! If it attacks you do your best to block then parry or evade and go for a deflecting hit! Aaron, Luna, Celina, Hero, use those weapons and go for a simultaneous strike!"
"Got it!" Hero, Aaron, Celina and Luna all called out as they readied and let out a powerful Horizontal Sword Skill right at the wolf knocking it around into each other.
After suffering the powerful blow the wolf howled out before spinning around pushing everyone back and away.
"That thing's strong..." Zero said slowly standing. "If we can't beat this thing, we won't stand a chance against Illfang..."
"I hate to say it but you're right..." Aaron coughed straightening out and taking hold of his sword with both hands. "Next time, we keep the same strategy, but when we do everyone hit him! keep bouncing him! Second attack go with Vertical, we'll maintain Horizontal!"
Giving a nod everyone prepared once again for an attack. This time Aaron used his large sword to block and parry the wolf throwing off his balance, before his team attacked with their Horizontal Sword Skill. After they bounced the wolf back into the center, the second team all used a Vertical Sword Skill to knock the wolf into the air before performing a second one driving it back into the ground staggering it and pushing it to it's last bar of health.
"Think... we can beat it doing that again...?" Luna asked panting.
"Maybe... Everyone go defensive now..." Hero said panting preparing his sword to block just as everyone does the same.
After recovering the wolf let out another loud roar before starting several quick and hard attacks on each player. The speed of each attack was faster than they could fully set so they were pushed to their limit holding their defense.
"If this thing keeps this up we're gonna lose our weapons!" Zero cursed keeping as steady as he can.
Once the attack ended the wolf crouched down. Taking this sudden opening which no once knew how long it would last they all engaged their assault on the wolf. But this time, they all hit it hard with constant Horizontal attacks to bounce it around before going with a simultaneous Vertical strike that all of them used with a downward force driving the wolf into the ground. With the single attacks to the wolf and driving it into the ground the wolf's life completely depleted and disappeared in a bright flash.
"Is... Is it over...?" Katalina asked panting collapsing onto the ground.
"Yeah... we won..." Zero said panting sitting by her as a screen appeared to all of them showing the rewards they earned.
"Anything good...?" Hero called out from he spot on the ground he was laying on. "I got some armor..."
"Same," Aaron called sitting up.
"Ditto," Celina and Luna said resting against each other.
"Weapon shield combo," Kat called.
"Armor and weapon," Lilika called.
"Weapons over here," Zero said looking at Katalina's after seeing her asleep.
"So the same kind of event...?" Aaron said looking to Hero.
"Who knows anymore..." Hero sighed. "I thought I had an idea how this game is supposed to go but I don't know anymore... either way, lets get back to Tolbana, hey Zero, can you get Katalina back?"
"Sure," Zero said carefully pulling Katalina onto his back.
"Save your crystals, we split into off groups but we're still all in a party, I got this ass transport crystal, I'll get us to Tolbana, just gather together," Kat said calmly as everyone gathered together. "Teleport, whole group to Tolbana,"
After raising the large crystal into the air everyone teleported out of the canyon. A moment later they all appeared at the teleport station in Tolbana.
"Thank you Kat, I'm take Katalina to her room, see you all tomorrow." Zero said as he started towards the inn.
"It was nice meeting you all, see you at the raid," Kat said with a yawn as she went to the inn.
"Think Kat will be the 6th in our team?" Hero asked.
"Maybe," Aaron said with a shrug as he watched Luna and Celina head towards the inn. "Night girls,"
"Good night boys," Luna and Celina said together as they waved goodbye.
"So leader, think we're ready for tomorrow?" Aaron asked.
"As much as I can be," Hero said with a sigh. "See you tomorrow Aaron."
"See ya Hero," Aaron said with a yawn as he watched Hero walk off. "Tomorrow is gonna be hell,"
A long and tiresome day as people continue to progress forward more and more into this life or death game. More players aim now to make their stand in the world of Aincrad, but now a new day will shine upon everyone still on the first floor as everyone begins and prepares for the next raid assault on Illfang the Kobold Lord. But will this attempt go as smoothly as everyone thinks it will...? Only time will tell.
There you have it everyone! I hope that you all enjoyed this update. I am sorry for it taking as long as it did, do forgive me. Anyway, please do continue to read, review, share and continue to enjoy! if there's anything you'd like to see happen for figure an idea that could be interesting feel free to pitch it out to me!