Disclaimer: Ok, I don't own .hack or anything from it save the characters
I have created. Bandai owns the rest.
PG-13: I could probably get away with PG, but not sure just how violent it might get later, so better to be safe.
** Normally I wouldn't do this, but given the subject of the comment I am going to reply to one of the reviews from last chapter here. In the review a comment was made by Someone2003 that not every woman builds up their guy as their great knight, as if I myself was of that opinion. What I want to point out is simply to remember that whether I agree with something or not, anything I have a character say or think is merely what that character thinks, not me. What I think personally often comes out in the third person narrative pieces that are more abstract from the characters themselves, but not always. Thank you, and I hope this clears that up.**
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Trudging across the frozen white expanse of snow, avoiding several strange statues of what he could only assume were snakes, Kite made his way towards the dungeon. After the initial surprise that had been thrown on him by his fan club, Kite had made it a point to check the message boards more often, especially since the recent... event. Now one of the fan club members had left a message on the Lord Kite Fan Club thread asking for him to come to ï Expansive Passionate Arctic, no explanation given, and to be honest none needed.
Slashing through a Headhunter without so much as pausing, Kite continued on through the falling snowflakes, cutting down two more Headhunters before he reached the sprawling gates of the dungeon entrance. One nice thing about snow areas was the lack of living dungeons, or at least for the most part. These towering stone dungeons at least seemed more like a dungeon, more natural, or at least as natural as cold hard, inanimate stone in an online world could be.
Moving through the threshold into the main hall, Kite observed the columns moving down each side of the hallway, old mildewed flags hanging between the second and third pairs of columns and the second to last columns all the way down at the other end. No one else seemed to be in the room though, and this was where the message had said to meet.
Glancing around the room one more time, Kite began to slowly walk down the worn red carpet, eyes glancing from left to right and back as he passed each set of columns. Gripping his Two Towers firmly as he reached the halfway point of the room, Kite began to wonder if this was some sort of ambush. There were always reports and rumors of groups of players that ambushed medium and high level players and threatened to PK them if valuable items weren't turned over. At level 70 he wasn't exactly worried, but one never really knew for sure.
Then Kite froze as out from behind the flag at the far end to his left another player emerged. The tall, lean Long Arm made his way calmly onto the carpet, then turned to face Kite, his Fairy Spear slashing down sharply through the air until it pointed at the ground. Pausing for a moment, the Long Arm then raised the spear until it pointed straight at Kite, then said, "It's time for us to settle this."
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Off on a side alley of Mac Anu near the docks, a trio of players sat, letting their legs dangle over the edge about the clear, calm water. A fourth sat up against a crate, his Raijin resting against his shoulder. Despite the seemingly friendly picture, none were laughing or even smiling, the one sitting between the other two at the docks intent on adding salt- filled water to the river below.
"Please My," the Twin Blade on her left urged as she placed a hand on Mycinity's shoulder, "Stop crying. We all feel for you, Barricade was our friend too, but you've been crying nonstop for over a week now. You need to come up for air."
Face buried in her hands as the sobs continued unabated, Mycinity muttered back, "I already told you, he may have been your friend, but he was my BROTHER! How can you understand? I was there, right next to him but I... and he..." The rest was lost in wails that seemed to find new life.
KenRyu's body had shivered slightly when Mycinity's voice had risen to a shout, but even as her hand hesitated on whether or not to release, it stayed firm on Mycinity's shoulder. Looking around Mycinity to where Elnon sat, KenRyu pleaded with her eyes for him to say something, anything that might comfort her, but Elnon just stared back and shrugged, causing a tear to form in KenRyu's eye now as desperation began to sink in.
Elnon meanwhile just turned to stare back into the water, kicking his legs lazily as they dangled. He wanted to say something, but what was there really that he could say that could make any impact. He'd never lost a sibling, never even had one for that matter. Besides, as far as he could see, Barricade had fallen in battle protecting his sister, and he couldn't see why that needed to be cried over. Honored yes, missed, but Mycinity was beginning to go overboard. Not that telling her that would help, unless he wanted KenRyu to send him for a bath in the river.
Looking over to her left where Wakizashi sat with eyes closed and head lowered, KenRyu debated whether to ask him for help. For one it was hard to tell whether he was meditating or just asleep, and the other Wakizashi seemed to pull out strange poems for stuff like this that were funny, and sometimes deep if you thought about them, but neither were things that Mycinity needed. Still, she was running out of options. "Wakizashi, do you have any new haiku, or anything that can help?"
Without lifting his head or opening his eyes Wakizashi replied in a solemn voice, "This is not the time for haiku. Poetry, while a reflection of life, is something that can only enlighten if the mind is open to accept it. Fear not though, for before this is over there will come a time for poetry, whether in the form of haiku, or in something more... tangible. After all, such things are a reaction to an experience, and before we can react, we must first finish the experience to its fullest lest we leave a piece of it behind to weigh us down."
Blinking at that statement, KenRyu just stared back at the Samurai as Mycinity continued to sob. "But then what are we-?"
"For now we mourn, we bond, and we grow stronger from it, and that will be reached only by comforting each other, even if words fail us."
Smiling now as another tear ran down her cheek to join the pond that Mycinity was attempting to form, KenRyu turned back to face Mycinity, and leaning in wrapped her arms around the young Heavy Blade tightly, holding her close. Sniffling at the embrace, Mycinity gave for the first time since the incident a shadow of a smile and returned the embrace, crying instead into KenRyu's shoulder. Leaving the two males stationary where they sat, a slight look of concern appearing on Elnon's face as Wakizashi's words began to sink in on him, and a slight smile crossing Wakizashi's as he continued to lean against the crate.
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Tensing slightly without any outward signs of it, Kite watched the Long Arm before him as he tried to place his face. As he did so Kite stole a quick glance off to either side of him, searching for more hidden players who might be waiting in ambush.
"I assure you that we are quite alone here."
Returning his gaze completely to the person before him, once more taking in his full form, Kite frowned. "Who are you?"
With a completely focused and overly serious expression, the Long Arm replied, "My name is StarMan Slayer, and you Kite have a lot to explain."
StarMan Slayer. Wasn't that... one of Mycinity's friends? If that was the case, then Kite had a fairly good idea what this was about. Still, it was best to be sure. "And just what is it you want with me, StarMan Slayer?"
SM Slayer's eyes narrowed. "I want to many things, but right now I want to know just what it is you are? The ability you used to defeat that unbeatable monster, it is not natural, nor is the bracelet you used to activate it."
Now this was interesting. Obviously he had already talked to the other two players that had brought him, BlackRose, and Balmung to the seen too late. Still, how exactly could he explain it all to this guy without making him involved more than he was? Perhaps just the basics. "I'm a player, just like you and the others in 'The World' who play. The bracelet was a gift from Aura."
"And just who is this Aura?"
"She's..." Kite paused. To be honest he wasn't really sure just what Aura was. He'd never really asked Helba, and she wasn't forthcoming with information like that. Still, from the pieces of Harold's Notes that he had read, he had a slight idea. "She's that girl people were talking about earlier on the message board. I'm not completely sure, but I think she's some sort of AI, something Harold put in the game."
If it was possible, SM Slayer's eyes narrowed even further to the point of mere slits. "Harold? As in the creator of this world, Harold Hoerwick? He put an AI into the system that runs around giving out illegal items? I find that hard to believe."
"No" Kite shot back forcefully, "that's not it at all. She's... the bracelet is... it's a great force, the power it holds can bring either salvation or destruction at the whim of the user. That's what she told me."
Cocking his eyebrow slightly, SM Slayer continued to gaze suspiciously at Kite. "At the whim of the user huh? So just what is your whim today? Or tomorrow, or the day after that? Such power is not meant to be controlled by a mere player." Pausing a moment, his spear lowering slightly as he thought, SM Slayer then added, "Is that bracelet the Key of the Twilight?"
"The... Key of the Twilight?"
Grinning now as he took a step forward, SM Slayer went on, "If it's not, then you are not a god in this world, and can be dealt with."
Confusion plastered Kite's face. "Dealt with?"
"Your skill makes you just like the virus, and on top of that you conspire with hackers do you not?"
The confusion continued to grow. "Hackers? You mean Helba?"
At the mention of that name, SM Slayer's expression seemed to flare in rage. "So you admit to it? You are helping them to spread this virus, to destroy this world!"
Shock at the accusation nearly blew Kite back a step, but he managed to bear it. "No, that's not true at all. I'm trying to stop the spread of the virus, to protect this world."
"You're LYING! Everything you've said has been a lie! I won't stand this!"
Swinging his Fairy Spear back in preparation, SM Slayer charged, letting out a battle cry that seemed to mirror his own rage. As he reached Kite he stabbed in hard, but Kite knocked the spear off to the side at the last moment and dancing off to the side. As he did so he said, "Stop this! I don't want to fight you!"
Swinging his spear in at Kite who once more parried, SM Slayer lashed in as he answered, "What you or I want is irrelevant. I have to do this for the protection of 'The World' and to protect Mycinity!"
Ducking another high slash and then back flipping out of the return low slash, Kite bounced to his feet and brought both of his twin blades together to repulse the overhead chop, now reinforced by the Ap Corv spell SM Slayer had just cast. "Protect Mycinity? What are you protecting her from?"
Answering as he flipped the back end of his spear up to knock Kite's arms up as the spear spun back around to its proper place, SM Slayer said, "From illegal players like YOU!" As he finished SM Slayer activated a Speed Charm and thrust in at Kite with lightning quick speed aimed for his gut.
At first SM Slayer was certain he had connected home, as Kite had been there even as the spear point entered into the space Kite occupied, but then there was nothing, just empty air. Glancing to his right and left, SM Slayer felt a shiver run down his spine as he spun around, seeing Kite Standing there motionless, a look of anger beginning to grow on his face. Then their eyes met and SM Slayer took a step back as Kite stated as if it was the most casual thing in the world, "You're too slow."
Sweat began to appear across SM Slayer's face as he stared back at his opponent. Though the tone had been calm, he was certain there had been a hint of malice in Kite's voice. This wasn't going to be very easy, but he had to win, he was the good guy after all. Taking a few steps to the side as he began to maneuver around his foe, SM Slayer watched for any sign of an opening in Kite's defense. Unfortunately with such speed it would be hard to estimate just what those defenses were. "Do you still refuse to fight?"
Turning to follow SM Slayer's movements, Kite replied, "Will you stop this and let me explain?"
"I've heard enough of your 'explaining'. But if you can beat me then I'll listen. Otherwise you had best never go near Mycinity or her friends again." With that SM Slayer thrust in hard.
As he did so Kite answered, "Then I'm sorry." In a flash Kite vanished and SM Slayer caught a glimpse of a blur ducking under the spear before it suddenly came up hard and to the right as Kite's left blade struck up and out, followed at what seemed like instantly with a flying round kick to the middle of spear sending the weapon flying out of his hands and off over the railing between to columns behind the fence.
As SM Slayer's eyes moved to follow the path for a moment, he felt a sharp pain as another kick landed squarely in his gut with such force that he doubled over. Before he could fully register it all though he felt himself go airborne as his feet left the ground from the force of another blow, and then nearly as quickly a sudden shock to his back smashing him down with even greater force into the cold stone floor.
Ignoring the damage, SM Slayer tried to lash out a kick at the now stationary Kite that missed miserably as he attempted to activate the reserve spear in his inventory. Before he could do so however a sharp uppercut lifted him again just up off the ground long enough for a round house kick to slam into his chest. If it was possible he would have spat blood as the force of the blow launched him across the hall and smack into one of the stone columns. A sharp crack echoed in SM Slayer's ears as he made contact, and he wasn't sure whether the sound had been from his body or from the stone column cracking. Neither sounded promising though.
As he fell to the floor, barely able to move, hit points nearly gone, SM Slayer finally got a chance to glance up and see Kite clearly as he walked slowly towards him. That's when he saw that Kite's weapons were gone. He'd un-equiped his weapons so as not to PK him. It didn't make sense though, why would a player who spread a virus causing suffering and problems for those across 'The World' care about not Pking someone that had attacked him?
He tried to get up, but his body didn't seem to agree with the idea. It didn't matter much though because Kite was now lifting him up off the floor and pressing him up against the column his body had become so intimate with a moment before. "W-why..."
"Listen to me Starman Slayer, protecting people, especially those you care about, it's a good thing to do, but you can only do that if they truly want you to. When you extend that protection out to protect someone before they're in danger though, you cross the line and are no longer protecting, but become the aggressor." Kite then released SM Slayer letting his body drop to the floor. "I'm sure you mean well, but someone once told me that there is an order that you desire, and then there's an order that 'The World' desires. Which one should it take? I'm sorry what happened to Barricade, and if I could have prevented it I would have. I understand how it is, I watched the same thing happen to my friend, and it still haunts me."
Kite then reactivated his Two Towers blades and turned to walk towards the exit. As he did so he added, "I am not your enemy StarMan Slayer, and I'm sorry for what happened. Phal Repth." Kite then walked out of the dungeon and gated out, leaving SM Slayer sitting there fully healed but emotionally a total mess.
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In the lowest level of ï Dazzling Sage's Artic, Wiseman waited for Nightstar's arrival. This had been the same place he'd met Kite for the first time, and that had certainly been a turning point in his experience within 'The World'. Of course it was possible that Nightstar wouldn't be able to get to him here, as the area level was rather high for her. Still, most things worth having required some risk.
"I'm here Wiseman."
Turning his attention to the entrance, Wiseman smiled as Nightstar moved towards him. "Indeed you are. So, what is it that I can do for you Nightstar?"
Stopping a few meters shy of him, Nightstar took a deep breath then said, "I'm sure you already know why I'm here, so why don't we just skip the formalities and get down to business. I don't have all day, someone at home needs me."
"I see. Very well then, let's get down to business.
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Author's Notes:
Sorry that this took so long, but I do have college after all, and something of a life. It would have been out yesterday if fanfiction.net had let me access. Oh well. I actually have three different projects all due at the same time next week, and I've been trying to finish them all for some time. Technically I shouldn't have taken the time to write this, but I decided it would be unfair to you guys. I don't do this often though.
As a result, I'm delaying the end of the Nightstar/Wiseman confrontation, but than it's not really as explosive as the one with Kite and SM Slayer was, so I guess it's ok.
Since there is no time in the game that I'm aware of where Kite actually fights another player, I had to improvise on how he would react. The only time he came close was against Balmung, and BlackRose put that to a stop quite easily.
We're winding down on chapters, but there's still a few to go. Expect to see some more Mycinity with less tears, and her own conclusions on what Kite is. Plus maybe a little BlackRose too. R&R. It does after all inspire me to write more.
PG-13: I could probably get away with PG, but not sure just how violent it might get later, so better to be safe.
** Normally I wouldn't do this, but given the subject of the comment I am going to reply to one of the reviews from last chapter here. In the review a comment was made by Someone2003 that not every woman builds up their guy as their great knight, as if I myself was of that opinion. What I want to point out is simply to remember that whether I agree with something or not, anything I have a character say or think is merely what that character thinks, not me. What I think personally often comes out in the third person narrative pieces that are more abstract from the characters themselves, but not always. Thank you, and I hope this clears that up.**
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Trudging across the frozen white expanse of snow, avoiding several strange statues of what he could only assume were snakes, Kite made his way towards the dungeon. After the initial surprise that had been thrown on him by his fan club, Kite had made it a point to check the message boards more often, especially since the recent... event. Now one of the fan club members had left a message on the Lord Kite Fan Club thread asking for him to come to ï Expansive Passionate Arctic, no explanation given, and to be honest none needed.
Slashing through a Headhunter without so much as pausing, Kite continued on through the falling snowflakes, cutting down two more Headhunters before he reached the sprawling gates of the dungeon entrance. One nice thing about snow areas was the lack of living dungeons, or at least for the most part. These towering stone dungeons at least seemed more like a dungeon, more natural, or at least as natural as cold hard, inanimate stone in an online world could be.
Moving through the threshold into the main hall, Kite observed the columns moving down each side of the hallway, old mildewed flags hanging between the second and third pairs of columns and the second to last columns all the way down at the other end. No one else seemed to be in the room though, and this was where the message had said to meet.
Glancing around the room one more time, Kite began to slowly walk down the worn red carpet, eyes glancing from left to right and back as he passed each set of columns. Gripping his Two Towers firmly as he reached the halfway point of the room, Kite began to wonder if this was some sort of ambush. There were always reports and rumors of groups of players that ambushed medium and high level players and threatened to PK them if valuable items weren't turned over. At level 70 he wasn't exactly worried, but one never really knew for sure.
Then Kite froze as out from behind the flag at the far end to his left another player emerged. The tall, lean Long Arm made his way calmly onto the carpet, then turned to face Kite, his Fairy Spear slashing down sharply through the air until it pointed at the ground. Pausing for a moment, the Long Arm then raised the spear until it pointed straight at Kite, then said, "It's time for us to settle this."
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Off on a side alley of Mac Anu near the docks, a trio of players sat, letting their legs dangle over the edge about the clear, calm water. A fourth sat up against a crate, his Raijin resting against his shoulder. Despite the seemingly friendly picture, none were laughing or even smiling, the one sitting between the other two at the docks intent on adding salt- filled water to the river below.
"Please My," the Twin Blade on her left urged as she placed a hand on Mycinity's shoulder, "Stop crying. We all feel for you, Barricade was our friend too, but you've been crying nonstop for over a week now. You need to come up for air."
Face buried in her hands as the sobs continued unabated, Mycinity muttered back, "I already told you, he may have been your friend, but he was my BROTHER! How can you understand? I was there, right next to him but I... and he..." The rest was lost in wails that seemed to find new life.
KenRyu's body had shivered slightly when Mycinity's voice had risen to a shout, but even as her hand hesitated on whether or not to release, it stayed firm on Mycinity's shoulder. Looking around Mycinity to where Elnon sat, KenRyu pleaded with her eyes for him to say something, anything that might comfort her, but Elnon just stared back and shrugged, causing a tear to form in KenRyu's eye now as desperation began to sink in.
Elnon meanwhile just turned to stare back into the water, kicking his legs lazily as they dangled. He wanted to say something, but what was there really that he could say that could make any impact. He'd never lost a sibling, never even had one for that matter. Besides, as far as he could see, Barricade had fallen in battle protecting his sister, and he couldn't see why that needed to be cried over. Honored yes, missed, but Mycinity was beginning to go overboard. Not that telling her that would help, unless he wanted KenRyu to send him for a bath in the river.
Looking over to her left where Wakizashi sat with eyes closed and head lowered, KenRyu debated whether to ask him for help. For one it was hard to tell whether he was meditating or just asleep, and the other Wakizashi seemed to pull out strange poems for stuff like this that were funny, and sometimes deep if you thought about them, but neither were things that Mycinity needed. Still, she was running out of options. "Wakizashi, do you have any new haiku, or anything that can help?"
Without lifting his head or opening his eyes Wakizashi replied in a solemn voice, "This is not the time for haiku. Poetry, while a reflection of life, is something that can only enlighten if the mind is open to accept it. Fear not though, for before this is over there will come a time for poetry, whether in the form of haiku, or in something more... tangible. After all, such things are a reaction to an experience, and before we can react, we must first finish the experience to its fullest lest we leave a piece of it behind to weigh us down."
Blinking at that statement, KenRyu just stared back at the Samurai as Mycinity continued to sob. "But then what are we-?"
"For now we mourn, we bond, and we grow stronger from it, and that will be reached only by comforting each other, even if words fail us."
Smiling now as another tear ran down her cheek to join the pond that Mycinity was attempting to form, KenRyu turned back to face Mycinity, and leaning in wrapped her arms around the young Heavy Blade tightly, holding her close. Sniffling at the embrace, Mycinity gave for the first time since the incident a shadow of a smile and returned the embrace, crying instead into KenRyu's shoulder. Leaving the two males stationary where they sat, a slight look of concern appearing on Elnon's face as Wakizashi's words began to sink in on him, and a slight smile crossing Wakizashi's as he continued to lean against the crate.
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Tensing slightly without any outward signs of it, Kite watched the Long Arm before him as he tried to place his face. As he did so Kite stole a quick glance off to either side of him, searching for more hidden players who might be waiting in ambush.
"I assure you that we are quite alone here."
Returning his gaze completely to the person before him, once more taking in his full form, Kite frowned. "Who are you?"
With a completely focused and overly serious expression, the Long Arm replied, "My name is StarMan Slayer, and you Kite have a lot to explain."
StarMan Slayer. Wasn't that... one of Mycinity's friends? If that was the case, then Kite had a fairly good idea what this was about. Still, it was best to be sure. "And just what is it you want with me, StarMan Slayer?"
SM Slayer's eyes narrowed. "I want to many things, but right now I want to know just what it is you are? The ability you used to defeat that unbeatable monster, it is not natural, nor is the bracelet you used to activate it."
Now this was interesting. Obviously he had already talked to the other two players that had brought him, BlackRose, and Balmung to the seen too late. Still, how exactly could he explain it all to this guy without making him involved more than he was? Perhaps just the basics. "I'm a player, just like you and the others in 'The World' who play. The bracelet was a gift from Aura."
"And just who is this Aura?"
"She's..." Kite paused. To be honest he wasn't really sure just what Aura was. He'd never really asked Helba, and she wasn't forthcoming with information like that. Still, from the pieces of Harold's Notes that he had read, he had a slight idea. "She's that girl people were talking about earlier on the message board. I'm not completely sure, but I think she's some sort of AI, something Harold put in the game."
If it was possible, SM Slayer's eyes narrowed even further to the point of mere slits. "Harold? As in the creator of this world, Harold Hoerwick? He put an AI into the system that runs around giving out illegal items? I find that hard to believe."
"No" Kite shot back forcefully, "that's not it at all. She's... the bracelet is... it's a great force, the power it holds can bring either salvation or destruction at the whim of the user. That's what she told me."
Cocking his eyebrow slightly, SM Slayer continued to gaze suspiciously at Kite. "At the whim of the user huh? So just what is your whim today? Or tomorrow, or the day after that? Such power is not meant to be controlled by a mere player." Pausing a moment, his spear lowering slightly as he thought, SM Slayer then added, "Is that bracelet the Key of the Twilight?"
"The... Key of the Twilight?"
Grinning now as he took a step forward, SM Slayer went on, "If it's not, then you are not a god in this world, and can be dealt with."
Confusion plastered Kite's face. "Dealt with?"
"Your skill makes you just like the virus, and on top of that you conspire with hackers do you not?"
The confusion continued to grow. "Hackers? You mean Helba?"
At the mention of that name, SM Slayer's expression seemed to flare in rage. "So you admit to it? You are helping them to spread this virus, to destroy this world!"
Shock at the accusation nearly blew Kite back a step, but he managed to bear it. "No, that's not true at all. I'm trying to stop the spread of the virus, to protect this world."
"You're LYING! Everything you've said has been a lie! I won't stand this!"
Swinging his Fairy Spear back in preparation, SM Slayer charged, letting out a battle cry that seemed to mirror his own rage. As he reached Kite he stabbed in hard, but Kite knocked the spear off to the side at the last moment and dancing off to the side. As he did so he said, "Stop this! I don't want to fight you!"
Swinging his spear in at Kite who once more parried, SM Slayer lashed in as he answered, "What you or I want is irrelevant. I have to do this for the protection of 'The World' and to protect Mycinity!"
Ducking another high slash and then back flipping out of the return low slash, Kite bounced to his feet and brought both of his twin blades together to repulse the overhead chop, now reinforced by the Ap Corv spell SM Slayer had just cast. "Protect Mycinity? What are you protecting her from?"
Answering as he flipped the back end of his spear up to knock Kite's arms up as the spear spun back around to its proper place, SM Slayer said, "From illegal players like YOU!" As he finished SM Slayer activated a Speed Charm and thrust in at Kite with lightning quick speed aimed for his gut.
At first SM Slayer was certain he had connected home, as Kite had been there even as the spear point entered into the space Kite occupied, but then there was nothing, just empty air. Glancing to his right and left, SM Slayer felt a shiver run down his spine as he spun around, seeing Kite Standing there motionless, a look of anger beginning to grow on his face. Then their eyes met and SM Slayer took a step back as Kite stated as if it was the most casual thing in the world, "You're too slow."
Sweat began to appear across SM Slayer's face as he stared back at his opponent. Though the tone had been calm, he was certain there had been a hint of malice in Kite's voice. This wasn't going to be very easy, but he had to win, he was the good guy after all. Taking a few steps to the side as he began to maneuver around his foe, SM Slayer watched for any sign of an opening in Kite's defense. Unfortunately with such speed it would be hard to estimate just what those defenses were. "Do you still refuse to fight?"
Turning to follow SM Slayer's movements, Kite replied, "Will you stop this and let me explain?"
"I've heard enough of your 'explaining'. But if you can beat me then I'll listen. Otherwise you had best never go near Mycinity or her friends again." With that SM Slayer thrust in hard.
As he did so Kite answered, "Then I'm sorry." In a flash Kite vanished and SM Slayer caught a glimpse of a blur ducking under the spear before it suddenly came up hard and to the right as Kite's left blade struck up and out, followed at what seemed like instantly with a flying round kick to the middle of spear sending the weapon flying out of his hands and off over the railing between to columns behind the fence.
As SM Slayer's eyes moved to follow the path for a moment, he felt a sharp pain as another kick landed squarely in his gut with such force that he doubled over. Before he could fully register it all though he felt himself go airborne as his feet left the ground from the force of another blow, and then nearly as quickly a sudden shock to his back smashing him down with even greater force into the cold stone floor.
Ignoring the damage, SM Slayer tried to lash out a kick at the now stationary Kite that missed miserably as he attempted to activate the reserve spear in his inventory. Before he could do so however a sharp uppercut lifted him again just up off the ground long enough for a round house kick to slam into his chest. If it was possible he would have spat blood as the force of the blow launched him across the hall and smack into one of the stone columns. A sharp crack echoed in SM Slayer's ears as he made contact, and he wasn't sure whether the sound had been from his body or from the stone column cracking. Neither sounded promising though.
As he fell to the floor, barely able to move, hit points nearly gone, SM Slayer finally got a chance to glance up and see Kite clearly as he walked slowly towards him. That's when he saw that Kite's weapons were gone. He'd un-equiped his weapons so as not to PK him. It didn't make sense though, why would a player who spread a virus causing suffering and problems for those across 'The World' care about not Pking someone that had attacked him?
He tried to get up, but his body didn't seem to agree with the idea. It didn't matter much though because Kite was now lifting him up off the floor and pressing him up against the column his body had become so intimate with a moment before. "W-why..."
"Listen to me Starman Slayer, protecting people, especially those you care about, it's a good thing to do, but you can only do that if they truly want you to. When you extend that protection out to protect someone before they're in danger though, you cross the line and are no longer protecting, but become the aggressor." Kite then released SM Slayer letting his body drop to the floor. "I'm sure you mean well, but someone once told me that there is an order that you desire, and then there's an order that 'The World' desires. Which one should it take? I'm sorry what happened to Barricade, and if I could have prevented it I would have. I understand how it is, I watched the same thing happen to my friend, and it still haunts me."
Kite then reactivated his Two Towers blades and turned to walk towards the exit. As he did so he added, "I am not your enemy StarMan Slayer, and I'm sorry for what happened. Phal Repth." Kite then walked out of the dungeon and gated out, leaving SM Slayer sitting there fully healed but emotionally a total mess.
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In the lowest level of ï Dazzling Sage's Artic, Wiseman waited for Nightstar's arrival. This had been the same place he'd met Kite for the first time, and that had certainly been a turning point in his experience within 'The World'. Of course it was possible that Nightstar wouldn't be able to get to him here, as the area level was rather high for her. Still, most things worth having required some risk.
"I'm here Wiseman."
Turning his attention to the entrance, Wiseman smiled as Nightstar moved towards him. "Indeed you are. So, what is it that I can do for you Nightstar?"
Stopping a few meters shy of him, Nightstar took a deep breath then said, "I'm sure you already know why I'm here, so why don't we just skip the formalities and get down to business. I don't have all day, someone at home needs me."
"I see. Very well then, let's get down to business.
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Author's Notes:
Sorry that this took so long, but I do have college after all, and something of a life. It would have been out yesterday if fanfiction.net had let me access. Oh well. I actually have three different projects all due at the same time next week, and I've been trying to finish them all for some time. Technically I shouldn't have taken the time to write this, but I decided it would be unfair to you guys. I don't do this often though.
As a result, I'm delaying the end of the Nightstar/Wiseman confrontation, but than it's not really as explosive as the one with Kite and SM Slayer was, so I guess it's ok.
Since there is no time in the game that I'm aware of where Kite actually fights another player, I had to improvise on how he would react. The only time he came close was against Balmung, and BlackRose put that to a stop quite easily.
We're winding down on chapters, but there's still a few to go. Expect to see some more Mycinity with less tears, and her own conclusions on what Kite is. Plus maybe a little BlackRose too. R&R. It does after all inspire me to write more.