The next morning I woke to the sound of birds chirping loudly right outside my window. I cracked open my eyes and saw a blue macaw sitting on my window ledge. It made a caw right at me before flying off. I sat up and rubbed my face then stretched before getting up and changing. Everyone else looked like they had just gotten up as well so I took my seat at the table as some food was served.
" Good morning Kirito," I said as he sat down.
" Morning," he replied and yawned.
" Is Asuna coming?"
" She'll be here any minute now. I heard she's going to help guide a group over so we'll have more people heading into the jungle."
" Has anyone tried the other roads?"
" Another group went west yesterday. They ended up at this mountain with houses carved into the side and fought a firebird. They won but it was only a mini boss."
" I see. Is everyone ready for today?"
" The NPC's are saying to beware the monkeys. What do you think of that?"
" Then I guess we better watch the monkeys. What else?"
" They call the jungle Zomana and supposedly no one who goes in comes out alive. A few snakes have come out, smaller but faster than the ones from yesterday. We've also seen a few giant birds flying around and at least one tiger."
" Sounds great," I said and continued on with breakfast. As soon as we had all finished eating Asuna and a group of about 20 arrived. We all packed up some food given to us by the town NPC's and prepared to enter the rainforest. I finally met back up with the members of my guild and everyone stared between Klein and I as I stepped next to him. " Can we talk?"
Klein nodded after he finished filling his canteen up. " I want to go first. I'm sorry I distracted you it was wrong to do. I was trying to do the right thing."
I nodded and smiled. " I understand. Today I'll stay towards the back of the group. Just to try it out ok?"
Klein smiled widely and hugged me to him tightly making me laugh. He leaned down and kissed me deeply and out of nowhere making my chest feel like it would burst with light. " Oi cool it down," Kunimittz demanded coolly.
I giggled and pulled away, much happier again. As I pulled away I looked towards the forest and saw a flash as something moved back into the forest. Dale and Issin grabbed my shoulder and I turned away and moved back with my friends towards the group. At the front were Asuna, Kirito, and Kuradeel from yesterday who was feeling better today. In fact, he looked even more pissed today than yesterday, probably since the group that brought him back just dropped him in the streets and left. Behind them was our guild, with me in the back as a favor to Klein, and finally the last 20 or so people that just came.
" Is everyone ready?" Asuna called out and everyone responded with a cheer. And so Asuna lead the charge and we delved into the forest. I looked back and saw the town's people staring at us sadly. Several had their heads down and were holding what looked like rosaries as we entered the forest. There was no path in the rain forest so all we did was fumble along our way. I can't tell you how many times I tripped on a root or how much time was spent swatting bugs away. It was also hot in here but unlike yesterday it was the humidity. The air was so dense it felt like I was wearing a blanket even though I was still going cloak free and sleeveless. Though birds and monkeys made calls in the distance it was relatively quiet around here and we only ran into a few enemies here and there.
I loved looking up at the scenery as birds flew overhead and monkeys jumped across the tree limbs. But every once in a while I saw a monkey or two watching us as we made our way through the forest. Finally we seemed to be making some progress as we finally arrived at a river. Kirito grabbed a stick and stuck it into the water. " It's not too deep, only about waist high. We can walk across as long as everyone is willing to get a little wet."
" Maybe we should make a boat?" I asked tapping a tree.
" It looks safe. Besides we don't want to be here at nighttime," Klein said patting my shoulder.
I bit my lip but sighed. " Asuna you decide," I said.
Asuna tapped her chin in thought for a few moments. " It's been quiet so far so I think we can risk it!" she replied all too cheerily.
Everyone put their items away and slowly everyone got into the water. " Want to get on my shoulders?" Klein asked smirking.
I gave him a nudge and he laughed as I got in the water. Inferno whined at the river and eventually I had to shove him then jumped in after. The water was nice and cool and felt amazing now that we were back in the sun again. For me, the water stopped just beneath my breasts. I kept my sword out and raised it over my head with both hands as we crossed. At about halfway across everyone was in the river and that was when things went bad. "Ouch!" I shouted and jumped on one foot.
" What's up?" Klein asked.
" I think something bit me," I said.
" You ok?"
I looked at my health bar and saw I had already healed after the miniscule damage done. " Ya I'm fine. Maybe I just stepped on something."
And then at the back there was screaming. I turned and saw a couple in the back we're being attacked by fish but not just any fish. They had rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth and I saw one dig those chompers into one guy's neck. Just then a hundred or so of the little buggers jumped out of the water and baring their teeth. " Piranhas!" Klein shouted.
I pulled out my blade and attempted to block any and all that jumped towards me. " Everyone get to shore!" Asuna shouted.
We all did our best to 'run' in this current and across to the other side. I smacked as many of the little buggers away from around me as I could while striding through the water. Everyone moved as fast as possible but the two who were attacked first got piled on with piranhas and tugged under the water, never to be seen again. I jumped out of the water and panted once on shore for a moment then reached over and helped the others up with me. Once everyone was safe we all sat in silence with nothing but our panting to comfort us. I looked up at my health and saw it decreasing steadily but did not feel any pain. I then looked down and saw what it was. " Leeches!" a girl screamed and swatted at them.
" Use salt," I said calmly and went into my inventory pulling a jar out. I used my jar on my own team while everyone else helped their own people. Inferno whimpered, already upset from being in the water and now covered in leeches, and was at the saddest I've seen him before. This fueled my already building anger.
" You ok?" Klein asked me while pulling off some leeches.
" Fine," I replied tersely.
" What's wrong?"
I sighed angrily. " I said we should play it safe and now two people are dead!" I hissed.
" How were we supposed to know that would happen?"
" This game is designed to be challenging to make you think! Every thing in here is trying to kill you whether it's the just a cactus on the road or a simple river! We should never think that when Kayaba Akihiko was making this prison he thought to himself, 'I should make this easier for them'. No, we should never think at any point in this game we are safe," I hissed angrily.
" Why are you mad at me?" Klein asked angry now as well.
" I said we should wait and you said we should go ahead!"
" Well I'm sorry ok?"
" Sorry doesn't make up for those people that just died!"
It was quiet and I noticed everyone was staring. Without thinking I ran ahead and out of the awkwardness. " Megumi!" Klein shouted but I didn't want to deal with it right now.
I knew where I was going and was sure of myself for once. After a few minutes I ended up at a very small waterfall designed for characters to safely refill their water. I cupped some of the water in my hand then splashed my face and sighed. This was never supposed to happen I never wanted this. I made games so that people could have fun, connect with others, and discover something new about the world or themselves. How could I have known that it would turn into this? None of the others could understand the pain I felt every time I saw another person die, that it meant because if my actions another person lost their life. I sat back and shut my eyes tightly as faces of fear flashed before my eyes. All the faces, the eyes, that stared and bored into my soul, engraving onto my soul. These deaths were my fault. I built the guillotine then Kayaba let the rope go.
I covered my ears and felt myself shake as the screams got louder and louder. Finally, I dunked my head in the water and screamed in the anger, frustration, and sadness that finally decided to build up and boil over now. I coughed and rose up again, breathing in and out heavily. Just then Inferno ran over, finally catching up to me, and whined while rubbing himself against me. " It's ok boy I'm sorry I ran off," I said patting him.
He whined and yipped though, attempting to nudge me forward from behind. Inferno was never like this something must be wrong. I went into my friends list and saw the others had converged towards the edge of the forest, not much movement. This wasn't the time to sit around moping I had to go help the others. Just as I stood Inferno knelt down, making it easier to get on his back, and I hopped on. As soon as I touched his back he jumped up and leaped forward, towards where everyone else was. While we rode on, a few enemies attempted to attack us and block our way but with my bow and sword they were hardly a problem. But as we got closer the enemies increased more and more until finally we arrived at where the group was and I saw what was holding them up.
Monkeys of all shapes and sizes had swarmed the group and were attacking. Like the piranhas, though their damage was light alone, in great numbers they were a major problem. But that was not the only problem as I saw the forest boss at the edge of the forest blocking the way out. Over his head read 'Mapinguari', a mythical monster in some ways like a giant ape but more like a beast than anything. It was a red furred ape, towering over us like King Kong, with a single eye watching the battlefield as he swiped at players with sloth-like claws. He picked one player up and dragged him to his stomach where a second mouth was placed and swallowed him up in one bite. " Inferno flamethrower!" I shouted.
A burst of fire roared from his mouth hitting a wave of monkeys attempting to attack us and striking the Mapinguari in the back and drawing his attention to us. I carefully got up on Inferno's back as he made the last leap towards the battlefield and balanced myself before jumping off of him and up into the air. I drew my blade as I began to fall back down and the ape roared up at me. " Megumi!" Klein shouted but I ignored him this time.
The power attack charged up and I shouted at the ape as slice him right down the center, narrowly avoiding those clawed hands. Once on the ground I did quick swiped at the ankles before running between them and jumping up on his back. Midair I did a series of swipes on his back before finally digging my sword into him as deep as I could. The beast rapidly turned in circles several times before realizing he could not reach me from the position I was attached to on his back. His health was draining quickly from this spot and I intended to remain attached for as long as I could.
Mapinguari roared and suddenly all the monkeys silenced and I heard their scurrying as they ran towards him, us. " Protect Megumi!" Kirito shouted and I heard blades clash again.
The first monkey that got on my back bit and scratched at me as if his life depended on it. I winced but held on as I saw his health slowly dip into the red. Then another monkey hopped on and another until I was covered in the buggers. One bit my wrist and I let go with my right hand, my hand twitching and unable to hold on. Just as I thought I would have to let go Inferno howled and suddenly all the monkeys on my back screeched and let go of me along with the boss who began to flail around. I saw a flash of fire and realized Inferno used flame cloak to protect me. When I saw Mapinguari's health drop into the lowest red zone I dug my feet deep into his back and dragged the blade the rest of the way through his back until I fell to the ground.
The Mapinguari roared and then burst to bits, giving me a load of XP helping me to level up. I sighed in relief as the monkeys ran off and the group relaxed with me. Inferno came over and lapped at my face making me laugh. My health increased as he did so and I realized he was healing me as I hit 100% again. The guys ran over and picked me off the ground giving me a tight hug. " Where were you? Tigers right attacked us after you left and we thought you might have been eaten! We've been running since," Dale said exhausted.
" No I just had to cool down," I said happily.
Klein strode over angrily and I held my ground as he stood a centimeter away. " Where were you?" he asked pissed off.
" I needed a break from you guys ok?"
" I told you not to go to the front lines!"
" Well you guys looked like you needed help alright?"
" I'd rather keep you safe!"
I groaned and walked for the edge of the forest then into the clearing. " This is it then," I muttered looking ahead.
" What?" Kirito asked stepping out right behind me.
" If that doesn't look like it holds a floor boss then I don't know what does," I replied pointing to the massive pyramid. It was made of a dark gray stone and looked very similar to a Mayan pyramid with smaller building surrounding the pyramid. I saw movement in one of the smaller buildings and put my hand on my sword.
" If we clear out the smaller buildings then we should be able to use this as a checkpoint," Kirito said drawing his blade again.
" I'm down for that," I said smirking and drawing my blade.
" Megumi let's head home for today Kirito and the others can handle it," Klein said softly to me but still stern.
He just doesn't understand! " I can't take that chance!" I shouted and ran forward.
Klein may think I need protecting but I don't! I ran into the first house and found two tigers holed up inside. Both of them jumped at me and I slashed each of them with a power stroke, killing each of them in one blow before running to the next house. I fought tigers, monkeys, apes, and snakes but none of them stopped me from plowing through and killing everything in my path. After the last house I came out panting and saw the grounds had livened up, flowers fully grown and a circle of light now surrounded the clearing. This was officially a safe zone. " Let's take a break for today everyone," Asuna said smiling happily though everyone stared at me.
I walked back over, finishing up my canteen, and past the others. This day was too much, too much death, too much emotion, and I was done with it. I grabbed my teleport crystal and headed for home. Once back on my home level I went for the café, stopping at a meat stand for Inferno, before grabbing a bite for myself. The table was filled with all my favorite foods but suddenly I wasn't hungry. On the one hand, I wanted, no needed, to fight to make up for my mistakes. Fight to save everyone. On the other hand, I loved Klein and I didn't want to do anything to hurt him. I genuinely wanted to do as he asked but at what cost? How could I let the man I love fight for me, risk his life for me, while sitting back doing nothing?
I nibbled on my food for a while before I heard the chair across from me get pulled out. " I know these are all your favorite foods but did you need to order them all?" Klein asked laughing then picking up a fry.
" Klein?" I asked surprised.
" It's not that hard to find you, you know that right? This is one of your favorite places to eat. Well, that and you're also on my friends list."
" Klein… I'm sorry. About my behavior today. I overacted and-"
" Everyone has a bad day ok? I understand," he said calmly while devouring my plate of fries. He sighed and patted his stomach after the plate was empty then turned serious again. " It's hard seeing so many people die. I may act aloof and Kirito uncaring but everyone hates death, is scared by it. We all just handle it differently. But some days you just can't handle it anymore."
Klein's face remained serious as he stared out the café window while the sun set. " Klein," I said drawing his attention back to me, " I'll stay at the back from now on. I'll only go forward when it's absolutely necessary."
Klein smiled widely and took my hand previously resting on the table. " I'll make sure you never have to fight on the front lines again ok? You'll stay back and shoot the bad guys down while I do whatever it takes to defend you. You won't need to worry ever again as long as I'm around."
I smiled back and nodded just as the rest of the team came in. My table full of food was soon emptied as everyone dug in to my meals. It was much nicer eating among friends then by yourself. We ordered three more tables of food before everyone was full then headed back to the house. The rest of the group went in for early bed given the long day we had but Inferno was still wide-awake as he ran after a crab on the beach. " Come on boy let's go for a walk," I said heading for the back of the island.
I grabbed a piece of stray driftwood and threw it, playing fetch with Inferno, as we walked along the beach. On the backside of the island there was a hammock and fire pit area that I built for fun in my spare time here. I sat on the hammock and watched Inferno run around the backside of the island chasing a lizard as the sun set. " I've never been back here before," Klein said.
I turned and saw him coming from the opposite direction of the beach. " Were you looking for me?" I asked scooting over and Klein sat beside me.
" Ya Kirito messaged me. He said Asuna gave us all the week off for our work another team will go in and map out the temple."
" Nice there are a couple things I've been meaning to do."
" Oh? And what is that?"
" Well I can work on the area back here a bit. I wanted to put a freshwater pool in for days you don't want sand on you. Plus there are a few islands I haven't visited yet that I would like to see."
" I think we all could use a week off after the past few days. Personally, I'm going to do nothing. I'll be lying out on the beach and you'll bring me my pina colada."
" Oh really?" I asked and punched him in the arm. Both Klein and I laughed at that. Just then Inferno came over and coughed onto the fire pit, lighting it up, before curling in front of it and closing his eyes. " Ok come on boy let's go," I said trying to get Inferno up.
But in the second it took for him to curl up he was already asleep it seems. " Let him sleep he's had a long day too."
" I know but I can't leave him out here," I said looking for some way to pick him up. " Looks like I'll just stay out here with him."
" Then I'll stay out here too," Klein said snuggling into the hammock.
I sighed and grabbed some more firewood. " Just for a few hours ok? You should sleep in your own bed it will be comfier."
" I got it I got it," Klein said then scooted over to make room for me. We stared up at the starry night sky and spent the next few hours talking about the game and life in the real world. Things haven't felt this normal in a long time and it was nice being so relaxed. It was around 2 in the morning when I found myself so tired I was about to fall asleep.
" Klein you should go to bed," I muttered and softly swatted his arm.
" 5 more minutes," he groaned back and rolled over.
I poked him a few times but it was obvious he was asleep. I guess since Klein's here he can watch after Inferno in the morning and make sure he doesn't do anything to crazy. But I could also just go to sleep here. I stared at Klein and saw his calm, sleeping face. Carefully, I snuggled up to him and shut my eyes. We both fell asleep at the same time right? That's what I'll tell him in the morning. Until then, I'll just enjoy being this close with Klein and the relaxing week ahead.
