This is taking too long.

Isuzu realized this with a jolt, as soon as she had taken out that minion attacking her and Rudy with her spear. In front of her, in the first party, Bianca was busy shouting out the count down. Sloth staff had a minute cool down time and she was almost in the fifties. Because Bushyashta was designated as "lazy" she most likely would not use the skill immediately after cool down, but still. It was only a matter of time before another assault happened, and the resulting shock wave would fully heal all of her surrounding minions.

They needed to eliminate them all before they wasted any more time or MP. Isuzu yelled for Rudy to head further back and then she moved on forward, catching Ken's attention. He gave her a thumbs up and she realized he was thinking the same thing. She nodded and took off, heading for the front lines. She began to twirl her spear, gracefully slashing and stabbing, moving about the battlefield with a swiftness not usually identified with the bard class.

This was her overskill, Sway of Majesty, a technique she had cultivated over time. It was a hybrid between Resonance Beat and Elegant Act. While channeling her weapon with the musical cadence unique to Resonance Beat and using the dance-like movements used in Elegant Act, she had created a new skill which greatly increased her speed and gave her a percussive explosion upon contact with the enemy.

It was very effective, especially at the front lines. She was no tank, or swashbuckler. But she would do her best, because there were people she wished to protect. It was this thought alone that had driven her to gain this skill. She never wished to see her Guildmates hurt because she was too weak to help. So she worked hard to overcome the shortcomings of her class and cultivate its strong points.

"Isuzu, give this one a shot!"

Isuzu heard a shout from behind and she moved swift as lightening into position. Whenever her spear made contact with a minion, her overskill did moderate damage but also imbued the monsters body with a melody which lasted for several seconds. During this time frame, others could attack and all hits would be buffed for significantly more damage than normal. If she moved quick enough, Isuzu could have this part of the battle done in half the usual time.

"Isuzu, look out!"

She gasped as a Guardian named Auburn stepped in front of her, taking a hard hit to the chest. She winced, as the broad metal sword clashed against his heavy armor, taking out a good chunk of his HP.

That was almost really bad.

"Thank you, Auburn-san!" She shouted gratefully and moved again.

There were still ten minions left to defeat. She continued her dance, signaling to the party nearest her when the buff was set. In a matter of twenty five seconds, they had defeated all but five.

Suddenly, Bushyashta began to stir, her staff glowing bright white. It was different this time. She was not activating Sloth Staff. It rose in the air and she swung, slashing it across her body. It was not a quick action, in fact, the two people she hit were merely knocked back several meters.

"What is that about?" She asked aloud, seeing a Guardian named Oda shrug at her.

Suddenly, Mirage and a Samurai named Genzo, the ones who had been hit, fell to their knees.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Get up!" Ken shouted.

Those two were in his party and falling out of formation. They collapsed onto the ground, and a quick glance at their status screens told Isuzu why. They had fallen asleep.

"So that's what she was..."

"We need an awakening spell!" Ken shouted through the chaos, looking toward Bianca, the Cleric in his party.

Bianca ran forward and activated a spell, then shook her head.

"It's no good. I'm going to have to cast this several times."

Ken nodded, knocking a minion back with his shield to guard her and the others.

"Then we move them back and let Asami wake them."

He signaled for their surrounding companions to help as he fought back the remaining five minions single handedly.

Bushyasta began to move once more and Ken realized this attack would be much more deadly.

"I need all but the first party to get out of range!" He shouted.

They needed to finish these last few off and they only had about fifteen seconds to do it.

Suddenly, Ken felt a flash and something blew past him like the very wind itself. A shining spear was twirling and stabbing, and he realized their bard had ignored his order.

"Isuzu-"

"Shut up and hit them. This will be over in ten seconds."

With that, she began to strike even faster, her blows resonating with a tumultuous cadence. Notes began to float from the minions bodies, just as the glow of Bushyasta's spear turned brighter. He, Mirage, Yuuta and Isuzu worked swiftly, the fifth and final minion finally crumpling to the ground.

"Everyone, get back!" Ken hollered.

Isuzu felt a hand around her waist and jerked her head up to see Yuuta, pulling her away from the battlefield with the swiftness his assassin class allowed. They got out in the nick of time, Bushyashta's staff piercing the ground with a mighty shake. Yuuta deposited Isuzu in the mid lines with her own party and then disappeared to the front lines with a flash. Now it was just a matter of keeping her support songs up and going. If she did that, the rest of this battle would be relatively easy. The first and second parties fell into position. Asami finished restoring Genzo and Mirage's wakefulness and now everyone was back in prime attacking position. Isuzu did a little inner cheer, her hand balling into a fist at her chest. She was too busy being happy, that she didn't notice her blonde Mage come up beside her.

"What the hell was that?"

Her head swung around at that. He never cursed, let alone at or around her.

"That was me getting things done."

"No, that was you trying to get yourself killed!"

He had stepped forward and grasped her by the shoulders, his eyes narrowed.

"I was conserving the party's MP, Rudy." She shouted defensively, shrugging him off of her.

"I know that's a concept you have a hard time grasping, but it's what I'm here for. If I hadn't done that, then we would have had to spend more time and energy cutting them back down again!"

"But that does not warrant recklessness, Miss Isuzu! You have a job, and you cannot do it if you die! When Ken issues an order, you need to listen!"

Isuzu let out a breath, stopping herself from saying anymore. This was not the time to argue or fight. She could kind of see his point, if she wasn't here she couldn't do anything for the group and she had ignored direction...Besides...

She gazed up at his face, alive with energy and sweat, glowing with exercise. Rudy looked so handsome when he was flustered like this. He was rarely ever truly angry with her. She smiled widely at him and activated Resonance Beat. He was staring at her agape with confusion at her switch in demeanor, but quickly responded to her new spell, chanting one of his own. A large pentagram appeared under Bushyasta's feet, barraging her with flame-like lightning and colorful musical notes. Despite this, Rudy's eyes never left Isuzu's.

"Why are you laughing?" He demanded, observing how she was giggling behind her hand.

"Umm, because...Rudy is..."

His displeased expression was making her laugh harder. It was so cute!

"I'm sorry, you're right. I was...you, know. Reckless."

She lowered her hand, still grinning widely and nodded to the raid boss.

"You are wasting my spell."

"Ah!" He gasped, realizing she was right.

Resonance Beat was an attack support spell which copied the attacks of whoever the bard attached it to. Since Isuzu specialized in fighting alongside Rudy, a Sorcerer, she had honed this particular skill. She had even upgraded it with a secret scroll. The amount of power they achieved together from it was outstanding.

He chanted many more spells before its effects wore out.

"Please, remain at my side for the remainder of this battle." He said finally.

"There is no reason for you to move up like that again."

Her face took on a more business-like composure and she nodded.

"Right. I'm sorry. We've got this."

She held up her fist and he held up his, knocking their knuckles together lightly. They moved together again as the battle raged around them. It was a long one, and Isuzu had only her ranged attack spells and resonance beat to rely on from her position, but she fought her hardest until the last of Bushyasta's HP hit zero.

That night, although everyone was weary, their excited chatter and high spirits were unmistakable. It was wonderful; they had defeated their first raid boss on the first try! Isuzu smiled to herself as she finished the last of her dinner around the campfire.

They had worked as a team and gained a lot of experience and goods from Bushyasta of the Pit. She gazed down at the small bag of items she had attained and smiled. It was only the beginning! Knowing she was able to work hard with her comrades to do such a thing filled her with joy. She understood why Rudy liked this so much.

It was these feelings of joy that spurred her to take up the dolphin shaped lute, holding it lovingly in her arms. Rudy glanced at her with a smile, all too familiar with the look in her eyes. She wanted, no, needed to play at a moment like this.

"Is Isuzu-chan taking requests?!" Richard shouted excitedly, staring back and forth between the lute laden bard and the blonde sorcerer sitting beside her.

"Uh, I guess?" She replied in surprise.

She had simply brought out her lute to pass the time, as she was inclined to do in the evenings.

"You should play "Old Endings". Someone shouted.

"No, play "Bright Summer"!"

"Nah, my favorite is-"

The room exploded into a frenzy of requests. Isuzu glanced around, overwhelmed by their shouting.

"Guys! Guys!" She shouted, putting her hands up to silence them.

"I'm sorry, but if you want to hear one of my songs you need to come see a concert."

The whole group sighed in displeasure at this announcement.

"No fair! I'll bet Rudy gets to hear any song he wants. Isn't that right?" Richard prodded, shaking Rudy by the shoulder.

Isuzu giggled.

"Rudy is my test dummy, so of course he does." She admitted happily, sending the group into a stunned silence.

"Seriously? So you get to hear all her stuff before she even puts it out?"

"Ah, sometimes." He replied sheepishly, aware of the envious looks from the others.

"Anyways, my point is I can't take requests for my own stuff. But if anyone wants to hear something else, I'm sure I would be able to play it."

"Something else?"

"You mean, music from our world?"

She smiled and nodded humbly to everyone.

"Yes. I'll try my best to play it."

Everyone's eyes lit up and people began to chime in requests for songs.

There were so many, Rudy couldn't even begin to conceive. He knew their world was strange compared to this one. He understood that music was not restricted there like it once was here. But perhaps he never quite understood the depth at which music was created in their world. Because, between the 22 other members of the group, they named over 70 song titles and it had only been two minutes.

"Gosh, so many! I'll do one each, so take your pick. Richard, you can chose first!" She smiled, turning her body toward him.

The sound of her lute and singing was the only noise in the wide expanse of the dungeon chamber. Everyone was absorbed in the melody, awed by how the notes swirled around her. Her smooth, cute-like voice hit the high notes and swung gracefully into the melody. To Rudy, this was a normal sight. But this song...it was yet another he, of course, had never heard before. The songs everyone were choosing were so diverse; he got the feeling there were as many genres of song and there were of books.

This was like was getting a tiny peek into their world. Songs of love, scorn, pain, and passion. Words and places he couldn't even comprehend. Thoughts and emotions Rudy didn't even realize could exist inside a song were pouring from her lips and her instrument. It was truly something no Person of the Land could ever achieve. He couldn't believe it. How was it every time this woman played, he was stunned?

She seemed to have no problem fulfilling everyone's song request either, switching from girly sounding love songs, to songs with intense melodies requiring a lot of finger work and even obscene lyrics. She entertained everyone for over an hour, before finally allowing the notes of the last song to fade away into the darkness. Everyone applauded and she stood, clutching the instrument to her chest and taking a small bow.

"Amazing!"

"She seriously has talent!

"I know bards who can't even come close to that!"

She smiled and thanked everyone, pulling the strap of the lute over head to put it away for the night.

"Hey, wait a minute! What about Rudy's request?" Kira shouted out, pointing at the blonde Mage.

Isuzu stopped mid-motion and shot a glance at Rudy, who looked a bit shocked.

"I want to know what Rudy-kun's favorite song is!" He trilled, giving a girly laugh.

The girls of the group echoed his feelings and they all stared impatiently at Rudy to make a choice.

"N-no that isn't necessary. I'm sure Miss Isuzu is exhausted of playing. Some other time. I think dinner is ready!" He said with a smile, trying to steer the conversation away.

There was no way he could actually make a selection. He had never been exposed to so many songs from their world before. But when it became clear Rudy's words were not working, Isuzu readjusted the strap of her lute across her shoulder.

"It's okay. I got you." She whispered to him with a playful wink.

Then she began to play a song, which Rudy hadn't heard since he was a small boy. He stared at her wide eyed, struggling to keep himself composed. How did she know this song?

His hand fisted the edge of his seat as an awed gasp escaped him. Isuzu began to sing the lyrics, the original way it was sung by the People of the Land. His gaze was drawn to her face, watching every movement and shape her lips formed. Her annunciation was good. It was as if she had been...

That's it! She must be studying the 42!

Her eyes never strayed from his direction as she played, and Rudy realized that everyone else seemed to shrink away in his mind. It was just him and Isuzu and the musical notes winding around and between them, like a ribbon tying into a bow. The song ended softly, and no one reacted for several seconds, giving the warm notes times to dissipate. Finally, cheers resounded and their companions clapped in excitement, not a single one recognizing that song.

"That was...but how did you?" He stumbled around to ask her the burning question in his mind.

She giggled a little and Rudy noticed her hand come up and grasp a chain around her neck.

"There is a girl who works at The Stage. We starting talking a lot and became friends. She's teaching me some things. I can play all 42 now."

"That is amazing! I had no idea you were working on this."

"Yes, well...I wanted to surprise you. It's everything that...that Rudy grew up knowing, so I wanted to..."

"Isuzu-chan, that was amazing!" She was interrupted by Richard.

"Yes, very good!"

"Was that an American song?

"But it seemed familiar somehow…"

"So that's Rudy's favorite huh?"

Everyone's voices melded together in a flurry of excitement and Isuzu merely smiled and nodded to them all. She cast Rundllehaus a knowing glance, one that spoke of all their precious secrets. He smiled, knowing that in this moment she understood his feelings completely.

I felt like I was on a roll this week so I'm updating again! Just to clarify a couple of things about skills, I'm taking them all from the translations we have from the Log Horizon TRPG. A lot of these weren't talked about in the novels, but I'm trying to stick to official "cannon" skills (with the exception of overskills, we can be a bit creative with those). I'm a little weak at writing battle scenes, but I am hoping to see improvement as I write more of the raid.

As always, your thoughts and comments are more than welcome (I love hearing from everyone! It makes my day like you couldn't believe!)