Chapter 10:- We Meet Again
"Well I'm glad that you're leaving Kaine.. It only means I don't have to dismiss you later.. Saves me the hassle" Waves off Vincent as Kaine looks at him stunned. "So you're going to just let me go?" "You? Yes.. But.." "But what Vincent?" "Know that you will forever be an outcast, never will you be allowed back into the guild.. I, personally will make sure of it.. And anyone who helps an outcast will be branded a traitor. You, Kaine, of course being such an honoured member know these are the conditions of leaving" "Yes and I accept them fully" Retorted Kaine, now turning to the group of players surrounding her and Vincent. "Now.. I have to ask.. How many of you can follow this man? Knowing full well what he is capable of.. You all know how he got to his possi-" Kaine's word fell short as the back of Vincent's hand found her cheek. Gasps and a few low growls could be heard coming from some of the players, while others just stood and watched. "Vincent! You go too far!" Exclaims a voice as a player steps forward. "How dare you tell me how far I can go!" Retorts Vincent as he turns to look at the player before him. What he thought would be only one player turned out to be around twenty-or-so, with one man stood at the front of them. The man's messy brown hair fell across his blue eyes, his lips curled into a forced smile. "Me.. Vincent.. I say that you have gone to far.." Spoke the man as he walked past the angered lancer, kneeling down next to Kaine. ".. Kaine?.. Are you okay?" Questions the man as he extends his hand to help her. "I'm fine! I don't need your sympathy.." "Kaine, pull your head outta your ass before it gets stuck in there, then shut up and just let me help you up" States the man as he lets out a sigh. "I told you I don't need your hel-" "I'm sorry to disturb your domestic! But we were discussing the terms of her leaving the guild, so if you'd be so kind as to move!" Shouts Vincent as his leg pulls back, ready to kick the brown haired man. Before Vincent can put any force behind his strike, four blades are pressed against soft spots in his armour, instantly making the four player's indicators turn yellow. Yellow, the first colour in the criminal detection system, after green, meaning that a player has done something that can be taken as an aggressive move towards another player. From yellow there is orange indicating that a player has physically attacked another, then red. Red, in this game would mean that the person is a murderer, as the only way to turn red is by killing another player and in this game killing someone, would, if everything Kayaba Akihiko had said was true, die if their avatar does. "Guys put your weapons away" The man's voice sounded through the tension. "But Nowe he.." Began one of the four. "Put them down" Nowe turned his head to look at the four before returning his attention to Kaine. The four men complied with the request and backed down, sheathing their weapons. "N-Nowe.. What the hell are you doing here!?.. You aren't part of the transfer force!" Blurted out Vincent as he turns to Nowe. "No, you're entirely right Vincent.. I wasn't part of the original transfer force.. But something told me that you'd let power go to your head.. Call it a gut instinct if you'd like, but I knew you couldn't be trusted.. And this proves my gut right.. Now seeing as overall within the guild I outrank you.. But in this game you are GM.. I Nowe, honourably discharge Kaine, myself, those twenty-three players.. Kaine, I assume you're taking Salvadore with you, by the look on his face anyway.. And any and all who wish to leave" Spoke Nowe with authority over every single one of the players stood around him. Some were too shocked to see one of the guilds very first founders to say anything, most simply shook their heads, opting to stay under Vincent's command. A small few of seven or so nodded as they moved to one side, gaining sour looks from people two seconds ago were friends. "If that's how he's going to treat us I guess I'll take you up on that offer too Nowe" Stated a large Roegadyn man as he walked towards the group. "Well Urick.. You're on your own.. There's no way in hell we're leaving the Archangels.. Who in their right mind would give up a position within one of the strongest guilds across the whole gaming community?" Spoke a female with scarlet hair. "Anyone with a conscious Titania!" Replied the purple haired Roegadyn. "So you all wish to leave.. Hah.. Go ahead, all this means is that there are less mouths to feed!" Spat Vincent as he continued. "I agree to these terms Nowe.. But know that no aid will come for you from us when you call" "I'm sure we can aid ourselves Vincent.. But seeing as everything is sorted now.. I'd like you to leave.. I'm sure the city guard will put you in jail for awhile if they catch a glimpse of your orange indicator.. Especially since its the second time it's turn that colour in the last week" Nowe spoke as he lifted Kaine up, after she finally gave in and took his hand. "Archangels.. Leave these scum.. Move out!" Ordered Vincent as he and his group walked towards one of the exits of the city. "Thank you Nowe.. Thank you.. All of you.." Whimpered Kaine as she rubbed her cheek. To her words each player saluted, then knelt with their heads bowed, even Nowe was on one knee. "Kaine.. I believe that I speak for everyone here, including myself, when I say that we would gladly follow you, to see the end of this game" Nowe now spoke softly. Taken aback Kaine looked over the players bowing down in front of her, opening her mouth to find her words stolen from her.
"S'ilica? Is that you?" Stated a familiar looking Roegadyn with blue hair. "Vic.. Vic.. Viktor?!" Exclaims the Miqo'te as the large man's lips curl into a huge smile.. Much like the one he smiled when they had first met. "Aye.. It's good to see you again little arcanist.. Found the strength to fight then eh?" Spoke Viktor as his axe cut through another Goobbue. "I.. I.. I think.. I found something.. To give me the strength to fight.." Mumbled the Miqo'te as her cheeks began to warm. "Sorry to disrupt the whole reunion but we do have a hell of a lot of these things to deal with.. Can we skip the chit chat for now and just focus on the whole 'not dying' idea please?" Complained Axcel as he swung for the next creature activating a [Whirlwind Slash] skill and sending a shock-wave, pushing the monsters back enough. "Vik! Switch with me!" "Right!" Replied Viktor as Axcel jumps back. Viktor quickly unleashes skill after skill, cutting through the monsters, seemingly with ease. Within a moment Viktor's movements slow, only for the Lalafell to cast the spell [Esuna], removing the detrimental effect that one of the Goobbue's placed upon him. "Axcel! You okay to switch back in? Viktor seems to be running on fumes" Asks the tall Elezen as he releases another arrow into one of the monsters at the rear of the horde. "Nah, my TP's only at 400 I'm going to need another minute.. Girl, you're up! Get in there and hold them back for a moment so I can finish regaining my TP!" Orders Axcel as he looks over at Lisbeth. "O-Okay.. Here I go!" Screams Liz as she draws her axe, charging her [Furious Charge] skill while running towards Viktor. The Roegadyn activates a [Whirlwind Slash] to gain the distance to get out of the way. It worked. Liz's skill made contact and the next two Goobbues exploded into hollow fragments of light, the next one caught her with a swing of it's thin arm sending her into the side of the bridge. Suddenly two spells encased her in healing magics, the Lalafell had casted [Cure] and S'ilica too had casted [Physick], with both spells her HP nearly instantly filled as two arrows found their marks on the Goobbue that had slung her into the wall. S'ilica seeing Lisbeth hurt let out a scream as she charges a [Greater Ruin] spell, shocking the Lalafell and his group. The eight orbs of aether flew out of the Miqo'te's spell book before anyone could say a word. Normally the skill [Ruin] would only be available to a low level arcanist such as S'ilica, not a hight level skill like [Greater Ruin] which dealt nearly quadruple the amount of damage and consumed a lot more MP than someone of her level would have. The goobbue unlucky enough to be hit with them shattered and covered Liz in a shower of light fragments as she stood up, watching as Axcel returned to his frontal position. The group stayed together for nearly an hour battling the goobbue assault before the end was in sight, by this time Liz and S'ilica had both levelled up numerous times, even some of the members of Viktor's group had levelled once or twice. "Come on! You've gotta be kidding me right?" Complains Axcel as he cuts through the last goobbue on the bridge only to see a much larger monster heading towards them. "What is it Axcel?" Questions the Lalafell, revealed as Kaizer at some point in the battle. "Well the good news is that was the last goobbue.." Started the Hyur as he steps out of the way so everyone can see past him. ".. And that's the bad news" Finishes the man as he points out towards the giant cat-like creature charging towards them. "What the hell is a [Coeurl] doing here?" "It must have been drawn in by all of the goobbues" "Wait.. But.. This is a game.. Surely there are scripts that these monsters follow?" Stated Liz, unable to believe it had been drawn to the 'scent' of goobbue dying. "Well yeah.. That would be if this 'game' was a ordinary one.. But the monsters here all have AI controllers, that simulate actual hunting instincts, hunger and the urge to hunt.. So, if you think about it.." ".. The big cat is here for dinner?" Finishes Liz for Axcel as he nods. "Guys we can't take on this thing at our levels not even together.. Plans would be great right now!" Shouts Axcel as he begins to panic, while the coeurl closes in. "Umm.. If I may?" Mumbles S'ilica as she puts her hand in the air. "What is it little arcanist?" Asks Viktor as he readies himself for the battle. "If.. Well.. If it's here to eat.. Can't we just give it the food items we got from those goobbues.. I mean, if what you say it true.. Surely those items are giving off the scent that's making it hungry.." "What a dumb idea.. I like it" States Axcel as he smiles. "S'ilica, he's right.. It's crazy.. The kind of crazy that might just work" Praises Liz as she softly rubs the Miqo'te's hair. "Aye, you might be onto something there little arcanist" Agrees Viktor. "Well everyone seems to think it might work.. I guess there's no harm in trying.. At least the beast won't be hungry when it kills us" Grumbles Kaizer as he signals everyone to trade the food items to S'ilica.
"Su-" Kirito's words were cut short as an elbow pushes against his ribs. "Sorry.. Leafa" Corrects the black haired Hyur as he takes another sip from his mug. "I'm only here for a day, before I need to get back to Limsa Lominsa.. But after that I'm free to use the airships at my own will, so once that's sorted I'll be right back then I can go with you.. I just need you to stay here for the next day or so.. Just until I get back.. I.. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you" The boy's voice trembled as thoughts ran around in his mind. "Nothings going to happen to me Kirito, I'll be fine.. Just be quick.. I.. I lov-" "I love you too sister.. And don't worry I'll be back before you wake up tomorrow.. I'll sleep on the airship, once you've seen the flight once you've seen it a million times" Kirito let out a small laugh at his own joke.. "In old games, you'd just skip a cut-scene or something as equally as quick.. I heard a rumour back in betas that they were going to put in sky pirates and airborne quests.. But well.. I guess that probably wont happen now" grumbled Kirito with a chuckle. "I guess not.. Brother?" "Yes?" "Are we going to be okay?" "Of course, I won't let anything happen to you" "No I mean are our bodies going to be okay?.. I mean if we're all in a full dive state.. For.. For however long it takes to end this nightmare.. I don't want to wake up as a walking corpse.." "Leafa.. Listen, I'm sure there are people out there helping us, I mean he said that the world knows about it and once the world knows about an issue.. They normally sort out aid.. I bet we're all linked up to support machines that are feeding us and keeping our bodies as healthy as they can.. I'm sure they won't just leave us to die" Replied Kirito as his hand softly squeezes his sister's shoulder. "I'm really scared Kirito" "We all are.. But we can't just give up, we have to keep going if not for ourselves then for everyone who won't make it, for everyone who can't make it.. This isn't just about me, or you, it's about every single one of the people trapped in this world" "I know you're right.. But it doesn't stop me being scared" "Think of it this way.. It shows you're still alive, being scared to die is something someone who's living would do.. So never forget that feeling, not until we're back in our world" Leafa replied with a small nod as she rubbed her eyes. A trade message pooped up as Leafa was just about to say something, instead her eyes fell upon her brother in confusion. "Take this, rent one of the large rooms.. Trust me, you won't mind staying here for a week when you feel how good the baths are here" Stated Kirito as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Guys!.. This.. Is.. Amazing!" Klein's voice breaks through the sound of the wind howling. "What?!" "I think he said, 'it's amazing'!" Repeats Raz'a to Loke. "Rhotano Sea waves coming up!" Shouts the pilot as the vessel descends closer to the waves. Klein quickly regretted his decision of looking over the edge to see the waves, with Raz'a and Loke having to pull him back from the sea's grasp. "That was close!" Shouts Raz'a as he tries to calm down a very panicked Klein. "Limsa Lominsa ho!" Shouts the pilot again. The sound of waves crashing against the airship drowned out all other sound, even the wind seemed to be overpowered by the roar of the sea. "She's a wee bit rowdy today ain't she?" Mumbles the only Roegadyn, his voice louder than everyone else's without even trying. "Born of these waves me.. I can tell ye'r not of these parts, only fools lean over the edge when she's this full o' rage." The Roe speaks again, as he points through the storm. "The sea-state, not even a storm this bad can tarnish it's beauty" Bellows the green haired giant. "Raz'a.. Yeul doesn't look too good.." Mumbles Loke in the Miqo'te's ear, as he points to the girl curled up in a corner of the airship. "I thought she loved flying?" Replies Raz'a. "Yeah, maybe when she was a [White Mage] so she could cast [Esuna] on herself" States Loke as he laughs, earning a punch in the arm from Klein. Just as Loke moves to land a punch on his red-head companion, the airship comes to a stop making him jolt forwards, into a female player, his hand falling in an inappropriate region. This action gained him two things, firstly was a message warning him not to harass other players, the second, was a slap across his face. "Okay!.. Get off and don't forget your crap, anything that's left once I'm gone is mine!" Stated the pilot rather loudly. "Oh ground! Solid ground!" Shouts Yeul as she rushes off the airship, hugging a nearby tower of stone, unfazed by all the weird looks from every player on the airship. "Ahh! Get a load of that salty air, let it fill ya' lungs" Booms the Roe, his voice significantly louder without the background of crushing waves. Once everyone was off the airship, the pilot flicked his hat as new passengers boarded the vessel. "So what's our first port o' call, cap'in?" Questions Klein as he puts on a pirate accent. "First, please tell me that you're not going to keep that voice up?" "Arg, aye aye, cap'in" Replies the red haired Hyur as he limps around, making Yeul giggle behind her hands. "You're only encouraging the man Yeul" Complains Loke as he nurses the red hand print across his cheek. "Anyway, first we rest.. I'm sure [Baderon] will sort us all out with a room" "Baderon?! But he's that sleazy innkeeper NPC that flirts with female characters.. But.. But.." "No 'buts' Yeul" Interrupts Raz'a. "But he drools!" Retorts Yeul. "Yeah but he still gives female characters a discount on paid rooms" Reminds Loke as he laughs at Yeul's discomfort. "Well anyway, we have to sleep.. So lets go"
"We weren't spying on you!" Retorts one of the three characters in front of the blue haired Miqo'te. "We promise.. We were just passing through when we saw the light of a fire.. We were just making sure it wasn't a group of [PK'ers] or a mob" Explains the girl of the group. "What do you mean PK'ers?" Questions the blue haired bow-woman, a skill still charged and aiming at the black haired girl and her group. "Haven't you heard?.. There's a group of players travelling around stealing from other players, and if you refuse.." Mumbles the girl. "They kill" Finishes the brown haired boy next to her, taking a step across to cover the girl from the archer's attack. "So how do I know that you guys aren't them?" Asks the archer with a look cold enough to freeze hell over. "We haven't killed you yet?" Replies the second boy with black hair, his hand extended. "The name's Tetsuo, he's Keita and that is my sister" "Hi, I'm Sachi" The black haired girl peaks her head from around Keita as she speaks. "Yeah, well get out of here.. I don't want to draw attention t-" Began the blue haired Miqo'te, before a twig snap in the distance caused her whole body to move on instinct alone. S'inon's [Hunter Instincts] snapped into effect, her whole focus on the source of the disturbance, in the distance not far off stood a shadow, only it's burning red eyes visible at the top of it's form. As the dark figure moved closer the archer's grip on her bow tightened. "I'm giving you one chance to reveal yourself, before I put a arrow between those eyes of yours!" Shouted the archer as she pulled the bowstring back, fully prepared to release the arrow at the approaching shadow. "Who are you?" Asked the Sachi, begging the figure to speak before the archer fired. "Who?.. Am.. I?" The shadow's voice was hollow and empty of emotion. "I.. Am.. Shi.. I am.. Death.. I am the end.. I am everything, yet nothing all at once.. I am.. Death.. I am Shi.." Muttered the figure as it closed in on the group slowly, swaying side from side but none the less getting closer and closer. S'inon and the others blinked in unison, and in that split second, S'inon felt a hand wrap around her throat. 'What?!.. How did it move so fast!?' The pain forced the girl's eyes closed, as the grip tightened. 'Is this it?.. Is this my end?' Thought the blue haired girl as she tried to think of her family.. A thought that only ever brought tears to her eyes.. 'No.. I'm not her here.. Here I'm S'inon..' The girls thoughts interrupted by a horrid voice whispering in her ear. "I'm going to tear you apart.. Piece by piece.. I'm going to rip out your very soul.. Then before you shatter into a million fragments of light.. I'm going to consume you.. I'm so very hungry.. So very, very hungry.. Only killing can sate my appetite.." The words were like slime running into her ears, each word heavier than the previous, carrying more lust and hunger. The grip lessened enough to let the Miqo'te gasp a breath, before tightening again, crushing the hope of a second. "You're going t-" Before the sentence was finished, the grip vanished and S'inon felt her body hit the floor, the sound of the other three players behind her panting for air just like her. "A-are you a-all o-kay?" Asked S'inon as she sat up rubbing her throat with one hand and the tears away with the other. "Y-yeah.. We're f-fine" Replied one of the boys. "Hey! Someone's over here!" Exclaimed a new voice, making the four jump up and draw their weapons.
"These are pretty rare right?" Questions J'enova as she opens a trade window with the NPC shopkeeper. "I'll give you 1,000gil per shell" Replies the Lalafell NPC. "If I were you, I'd wait until the player economy starts to sort itself out.. Then sell or trade them with another player, those [Gil Turtle Shell]'s are worth a lot more than one kay.. Think of them as an investment, you'll get ten times that if you just wait" "And who are you to tell me what to do with my items, for all I know you want me to keep them on me so you can mug me when I leave the city" Retorted J'enova. "Woah, okay.. The names Agil.. I'm one of the people who like to establish their own shop in games, buy, trade, sell.. So trust me when I say that those are worth a lot more than that NPC makes out, seeing as if you sell them to him, he'll only re-sell them in a day or two at about twelve kay" To this J'enova turned to see a very tall dark skinned Hyur, the only hair on his head being a well groomed beard. "Well, when you say it like that.. I guess you're right, maybe I'll keep a hold of them for awhile.. Thanks" "Just doing my best to help" Stated Agil as he smiled. "Well.. I guess I'll see you when, how did you say it, the economy sorts itself out" Replied J'enova as she bowed slightly to the man before turning to leave. "I look forward to it"
A/N: Oh, hello there everyone!.. Here's an update for all you lovely readers!
Okay, right, well.. Old habits die.. Really, really hard.. Seeing as it's 2AM and I'm writing.. So yeah, short AN will suck like the others did.. One of these days I will designate some time to actually sorting out my AN's.. When that will be is a real question.. But I don't know, so let's just see how everything pans out. Please remember that if you want a character of your own in the story, just send me a PM and I'll reply to you with the layout, that way you don't have to try and copy it from my other chapter.. Seeing as you can't copy and paste from here.. I would love to see some of your characters running around Eorzea with our heroes or villains (it's up to you).. But anywho, if you like my story don't forget to follow or even favourite! I love hearing from my readers so please feel free to write a review or send me a PM if you like/love/hate my story.. More so if you like/love than hate.. Because everyone hates hate-mail, please save that for cheaters on COD ect.
Well I guess that's me out for another chapter!
As per usual, I wish you all the best as we go forever onward!
Much Love
01L