Chapter 12: Yule Tide Alliances
The days moved by like single frames of a movie in fast-forward and before we could even grasp how fast time was getting away from us, several months had passed and it was now December. The frontlines had reached floor 49, otherwise known as Myugen, but most of the major guilds had returned to floor 35 for the rumored event boss. It was quiet on floor 49 because of this, but none of us were complaining as we enjoyed some relaxation on this quiet Christmas Eve. The Reapers of Aincrad had become a well-known guild as I had predicted, however, what I hadn't predicted was the volume of requests to either join or hire our guild.
We gained not only a higher amount of respect, but also a great level of fame and admiration from the players. Lucifer was rolling in glee of course, and Caine and I didn't mind the attention. It was a nice change, having our skills and abilities recognized, and it also made us high profile targets for our prey. Months may have passed, but the three of us have still continued to hunt the criminal guilds of Aincrad, and have even received a few threats, though none have amounted to anything, yet. Our hunting has been a secret and no one besides the criminal guilds themselves have been made aware of our secondary agenda.
We have only existed as the smallest frontline guild and nothing more. This was our objective and as long as no one else was made aware of our ulterior motives, everyone would be happy. The more pressing issue was the appearance of Christmas, and the prospect of whether or not to purchase gifts. Such a normal and ordinary issue was something that I welcomed since it allowed me to think as I had in the real world, for once. I was determined to bring some normality to our lives for a small time, and this was exactly how.
"Hey Lisbeth?"
"What is it Abaddon?"
"Tell me, do you know any skilled armorers?"
"Why? Your armor is perfectly fine and you couldn't find anything stronger if you wanted to."
"There's something that I want to get for Lucifer, and probably Caine as well. It is Christmas after all."
"I see. Didn't peg you for the sentimental type Abaddon. You feeling okay?"
"Yes, now stop making me sound like a heartless bastard and answer my question please."
"Okay. I do actually know someone you could go see. I believe he is on floor 38 right now. His name is Arsol."
"Okay. I'll head there now and see if he has what I'm after. Thanks Lisbeth."
"Sure thing. Tell him I sent you."
"Got it."
I teleported to floor 38 and soon found an armor shop. I entered the shop and looked around at the array of different types of armor on the walls of the shop.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Welcome to my shop, what can I help you with?"
"Are you Arsol?"
"That's me."
"Lisbeth sent me. She said that you might be able to assist me."
"Aw Lisbeth. Haven't talked with her recently, but a friend of hers is a friend of mine. What would you be looking for?"
"Well my brother was interested in a gauntlet, similar to my own."
"That makes sense. I couldn't believe that you were looking for anything for yourself since your boss drop armor is something else. A gauntlet huh?"
"Yeah, and if you had another one, not necessarily the same type, my other brother could use one as well."
"Your other brother. Say, your name wouldn't happen to be Abaddon, would it?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"No reason, I just realized who I was talking to. You're the leader of the Reapers of Aincrad. Your brothers are Lucifer and Caine, correct?"
"I see you've heard of us."
"Of course. No one in all of Aincrad hasn't heard of you three. It's because of how much I respect your guild that I say, I can't help you."
"Say…what?"
"I don't have the equipment that could suit any of you, so I wouldn't think of wasting your time with less than satisfactory armor."
"I see. You wouldn't happen to know of where I could find such things, would you?"
"That I do know. Like most of your other equipment, it'll be a boss drop. If you go to floor 45, you'll find a side boss which is quite weak, but he's not who you'll be after. He has two flunkies that attack those who challenge the boss. They are superbly strong and most people simply avoid fighting the duo altogether. They are said to drop rare gauntlet style equipment when slayed, but like I said, they're really strong."
"Well, looks like I'll be busy tonight. Where on floor 45 are they?"
"You aren't going to go alone are you?"
"Of course. Can't very well bring the people I'm getting these items for, now can I? That'd ruin the surprise."
"That's insane. You can't take them alone."
"For someone who knows about my guild, you seem to be lacking in faith. You do know that we've taken on fights with odds stacked against us far worse than this. We often fight solo now a days anyway. I'll be fine, but thanks for your concern. Where was it again?"
"You'll find them in a field in the northwest corner of the map on floor 45."
"Thanks. I'll let Lisbeth know that you were a great help. I'll see you around."
I waved over my shoulder as I strolled out of his shop and toward the teleporter. My coat was swirling around me as the wind picked up. All of Aincrad was covered in snow, and the winds cut right through my thin clothing. I didn't mind the cold, but I was taken off guard by the suddenness of these gusts. It was as my coat flapped that I noticed the figure creeping toward my back. My detection skill alerted me as my eye caught them, but I acted normal as they approached. I heard a crunch, then dodged the assailant's attack. As the person sailed past me, I caught their arm and tugged it upward. The person was thrown off balance and lost their footing.
"What do you want?"
"Let me go."
"Who are you? Why are you trying to attack me in a safe zone?"
The shock on the girl's face almost made me laugh and drop her. It looked like she had only just realized that she was in a safe zone and couldn't hurt me.
"I…uh. You can't go fight Zarte. He's mine."
"Zarte? Who's that?"
"Don't play stupid. You were just talking about going to fight him with that armor shop guy. I know what you're planning to do, so playing stupid won't work."
"Oh, I didn't think to ask the boss's name, thanks. That helps."
"I wasn't trying to help you!"
"Well, regardless you did. Now why can't I fight him?"
"I said why. He's mine, no one else can fight him."
"Why is he yours?"
"He killed my best friend, and now I have to be the one to beat him. No one else can beat him, otherwise I won't be able to avenge my friend."
"I see. Well I'm sorry, but that boss has something that I need, and I can't afford to wait to collect it."
"No please. I've been training to fight it, but I haven't become strong enough to fight the two guards and Zarte."
"Hm, well we seem to have an issue here. I have an idea. Are you strong enough to take Zarte alone? I heard he was weak."
"Yeah. Without his guards, I could take Zarte."
"Well, we may be able to come to an agreement then. The items I'm after come from the guards, so I could take them on and you could take Zarte all by your lonesome. How does that sound to you? Consider it a Christmas present from me, considering I don't work with others outside of my guild."
The girl thought hard and seemed to be warring with herself internally as I waited for her response. I began to look her equipment over and, though I didn't know the exact strength of Zarte, I was skeptical of whether she could actually take a boss on by herself.
"Fine. I'll let you help me."
"Good to know that you grasp the actual circumstances of this situation. Now then, I can't very well fight alongside a stranger, so what's your name girl?"
"My name is Riza, so you can stop calling me girl."
"Sure thing. My name is Abaddon, now let's get going."
I turned and walked toward the teleporter. As I turned to face Riza and call out for the teleport, I saw the surprise on her face. I simply ignored it and called out for floor 45. If she was coming, then her shock would fade eventually. As I left the dais of the teleporter, I directed my attention to the northwest ad began to head toward the boss. I got a little ways away when I finally heard Riza's shouts from the teleporter.
"Wait for me!"
"Carry your ass already. I don't have time to dawdle."
"Is your name really Abaddon?"
"Nope, I lied. Did you only hear part of the conversation you eavesdropped on, or what?"
"I didn't hear the beginning. So you're the one they're all talking about then."
"I guess. I wouldn't know, now would I?"
"No, you wouldn't. So you're the leader of the Reapers of Aincrad?"
"Yep. That's me."
"Wow."
"Are you star struck or something? I'm not special, just another player."
"It's not that. It's just that you're exactly like she described you."
"Like who described me, and how did she describe me?"
"A narcissistic ass, with only one redeeming quality."
"And what quality would that be?"
"There's only one of you."
"So, that means that 'she' is…"
"What are you doing with that girl Abaddon?"
As if summoned from the depths of hell, the devil appeared behind me. Riza had to have met her and brought it up so that she'd appear and ruin my perfectly good day. I didn't even have to turn around to know who was behind me, and likely giving me a death stare.
"That would be none of your business, same as always, Lady Second."
"It's almost like you go out of your way to piss me off Abaddon. Tell me, do you treat everyone that way?"
"Nope. Just you. You're the special lady for whom I make the exception of my otherwise gentlemen persona. Though it appears you've decided to spread lies about me to ignorant players. For shame Lady Second."
It took every ounce of my skills to dodge her attack. I barely managed to avoid getting hit, but considering she was the Lightning Flash, that was no easy feat.
"Stop calling me that. Damn it."
"How about we make a deal? You stop wearing your position like a badge and using it to assert your nose into others' business, and I'll stop calling you Lady Second. Sound fair?"
I could see the frustration in Asuna's face as she considered my offer. Riza was frozen in fear as our argument continued.
"Fine. I'll stop being as bossy as long as you stop calling me that."
"Okay. We have a deal, Asuna."
I put my hand out to shake and she took it, rather forcefully. I was grinning like a mad man attempting to hold back my laughter.
"Now may I ask what you're doing, please?"
I could hear the word stick to her tongue as it was forced out. It was all I could do to keep myself from laughing aloud.
"We're heading over to fight Zarte. His goons have something that I want, and Riza here wants to fight the big guy herself. We have ourselves an accord and that's that."
"Yeah, like he said."
"I see. Can you really take that boss on alone? I know that Abaddon can take care of himself, but are you certain that you can?"
Riza looked like she was mixed between anger and fear toward Asuna's question. Something told me that she wasn't certain of her abilities.
"How about this? I can't believe I'm saying this. How about Asuna accompanies us and lends you a hand, if you need it, that way I can focus on my task? She won't kill Zarte, but she'll help you if need be. Sound okay with you?"
"He has a point, and though I have no interest in helping him, I wouldn't mind helping you Riza. What do you say?"
She was conflicted, but I could tell that the prospect of having assistance from Asuna was something that made her feel better.
"Okay, but you only help me. I get to kill Zarte myself."
"Deal. Shall we go then?"
She nodded and the three of us moved forward, toward the northwest. The map was relatively large, so we had to travel for a while. The trip was quiet and calm, but the serenity of the quiet mixed with the whiteness of the scenery brought on a peace in my mind as we walked along. I offered no object of conversation and could tell that the girls grew ever more bored with each passing minute.
"Abaddon?"
"What is it?"
"You said that you don't work with others outside of your guild, but you're allowing me to fight alongside you. Why?"
"Well let's see. You and I have overlapping, but non-intersecting objectives, so working with you seemed like it wouldn't cost me anything. Nothing special or emotionally deep about my decision."
"Oh. Okay. Thank you for helping me."
"Sure thing Riza. Would you mind telling us about what happened the last time you fought Zarte?"
"Oh…yeah I can. It happened two weeks ago. My best friend, Toya, and I were looking to get stronger and get some money for better equipment. We heard about the side boss on this floor and decided that we could handle it with just the two of us. We went to fight Zarte with teleport crystals ready in case. The fight wasn't too bad, but the guards were relentless and it took everything we had to keep them from killing us while we fought Zarte. We were slowly being overpowered and we decided to teleport out and save ourselves, but Toya was killed as she was calling the teleport. I had already activated the teleport and watched as she was struck down by Zarte. That's why I have to kill him myself, I have to avenge Toya's death."
"That's horrible. I'm sorry Riza."
"Don't worry Riza. No one will be dying today. That's not just a promise, it's a guarantee. You got it?"
"Yeah. Thanks Abaddon. Thank you Asuna."
"Of course."
"We're here. The field opens up just ahead, and I can detect enemies ahead of us. Prepare yourselves. Remember, the guards are mine and you two can focus on Zarte. Teleport out if it gets hairy, got it?"
"Yeah, let's go."
I allowed the calm of the area to sink into my mind and I drew my staff. As my focus narrowed and my mind readied itself, I sprinted forward, leaving the girls behind. I leapt out into the open field and attracted the attention of the sentinels. They were big, but I could see what I was after on their arms. They each wore a gauntlet on opposite arms, and they appeared to be mirrored images of each other, like Siamese twins.
"Let's do this!"
My first attack was below their initial strike and took down their legs. They fell heavily on their faces as Riza and Asuna charged past and toward Zarte. I began to rotate my staff in my hand as the sentinels regained their footing. It was rotating at maximum speed as they charged me. I released my attack and slammed my staff into the first sentinel's head, sending it into the second. As they fell over themselves once again, I leapt after them and unleashed a barrage of jabs on the first sentinel. The second one caught me off guard with an attack from around the first one's body.
"Looks like you do have some tricks up your sleeve. It's about time you guys got serious. Bring it on!"
It appeared that they decided to listen to me and began attacking in complex and seemingly erratic sequences. I could see why they were a pain for those who came to fight Zarte before. It was so much fun that I couldn't stop smiling as I fought them. I was slowly chiseling their health away while dodging their continued assault. When the health finally reached the red, I swept their legs out from under them once more and leapt up for my power attack.
"Here comes the Meteor Strike!"
My staff spun so rapidly in my hands that it was invisible. My attack charged and I unleashed it just above them, bringing my staff down with the force of a meteor. The attack destroyed the twins simultaneously and scattered them into small shards. As I finished the twins, I turned to look at how Riza and Asuna were doing. As I got a good look, I noticed that tears were streaming down Riza's eyes as she aggressively attacked Zarte over and over again. I saw Asuna standing by, but she was just as shocked by the scene as I was.
"Now die for Toya!"
Riza unleashed what I assumed to be her strongest attack on Zarte and he fizzled before exploding into millions of shards. The 'Congratulations!' filled the air, but Asuna noticed what I had as the shards disappeared. Riza was losing it and going crazy. Before Asuna could react, I sprinted forward and grabbed Riza to stop her from attacking the spot where Zarte had been. She was sobbing and thrashing in my embrace as her rage flared uncontrollably.
"Let it out Riza. I am here to hold you up, so you can let it all out. You've done it, and now Toya can rest knowing that you destroyed her killer. Let it all out, I'm here."
Her thrashing subsided and she dropped her weapon before hugging me back and sobbing into my chest. I held her head and rubbed her back as she sobbed and cried. Asuna walked toward us and put her hand on my shoulder. Her eyes spoke her gratitude louder than she could have ever shouted it. I could tell that she was holding back her own tears and allowed Riza to cry until she was done. She eventually grew quiet and still. It took a little for me to realize that she had cried herself to sleep and Asuna nearly died trying not to laugh at me carrying the unconscious girl back to town.
I rented a room at the inn and Asuna and I sat at the table in the room as Riza slept on the bed. I opened up my menu and checked my new items. Sure enough, I had each of the gauntlets from the twins that I had defeated and the stats were similar to those of my own. It was perfect.
"Did you get what you were after?"
"Yep. Exactly what I was after. It's perfect."
"That's good. As for Riza, thank you."
"I did what was required and nothing more. Thanks isn't necessary."
"You seemed to be used to doing that sort of thing. It was pretty amazing of you Abaddon. I never would have guessed that of you."
"People often have a knack for surprises, especially people you barely know. Isn't that right Asuna?"
"Yeah. Say Abaddon, what are you and your brothers doing tomorrow?"
"Well its Christmas, so we'll be relaxing and eating most of the day. I hate to brag, but my cooking skill is a force to be reckoned with."
"Your cooking skill? You actually worked on it?"
"Yeah. Wait let me guess, you're surprised?"
"Yeah. Anyone would be. I've never met a frontliner who has worked on their cooking skill."
"Well I was tired of buying meals, and not to mention my brothers and I have spent months out in the fields training and hardly ever saw a town, so cooking was kind of necessary for us to have food. Why are you so interested in our plans for tomorrow?"
"Well, it's just that…I had no plans, but a good friend of mine wanted to get together and I thought that we could all get together and I could cook something as a token of my gratitude for you helping Riza."
"Color me surprised. I couldn't possibly pass up an offer for food from the Asuna, now could I? Sure, come on over to our place tomorrow and bring your friend too if they don't mind. I'll have Riza join us too so I can keep an eye on her. What's your friend's name by the way?"
"Oh, she's a blacksmith, and her name is Lisbeth. She told me you guys haven't met, so I thought it would be a good time for you guys to meet."
"Oh yeah? Well great, bring her along and we'll all have a big feast."
"Great."
I could feel my heart racing in my chest as my mind attempted to find a way to avoid the wrath of Asuna the Lightning Flash when she found out just how well Lisbeth and I knew one another. It was going to be a colorful Christmas indeed.
(A/N): Here it is guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I've been all over the place recently, so I only just got around to writing this chapter, sorry for the wait. Regardless, let me know what you're all thinking and review on how you think the story is going. I'm hoping to keep things exciting as we move forward, so let me know how I'm doing. Until next time, see ya!
