A/N: Demon Slayer, criminally overrated. God-King Kawahara shall crush this diminutive author promptly. Oh and of course with fanservice...cause reasons.
NetherOrbit: Don't be so quick to assume Garr is right... :D
Doctor: Well where's your Earth 36 degree, huh? You and I both know that's where the good stuff is!
Dens3424: Honestly man, your OCs have been an absolute joy to play with. Delightful characters, love them to death...wait...
Thunderwolf: Hopefully it's not from me making it too long, thanks!
Striderm8: I'll humble myself, this is in the end an OC story...so people naturally turn away. Hope your stories are goin' great, man!
Enjoy!
"And just think, this could all just be a dream..."
- Heathcliff
November 18th, 2022 - Lisbeth
Miakane, its twisted, ugly body. Swore I could see its insides twisting in ways none should, its spells spawning tentacles out of Aigen's chest like some kind of alien horror, writhing and whipping cruelly around his neck. I couldn't bring myself to even try approaching, merely watching as others ran, retreating as their health dwindled. It even kept Kuradeel away.
Garr though, he wouldn't stop.
Wrestling against a monster who drew powers I've never seen, his fists and feet turned to clubs. I remember screaming, watching that horrible bastard bite an entire chunk out of him, looking away as my stomach yielded. Hearing something fall, I looked again. Taiyama stood next to Garr, his [Spear] stained red as he glanced back, nodding to others.
[Taiyama has slain Kosmobold Miakane!]
With a clamped throat I ran to Garr's side, rushing and falling on my knees, words failing to escape. His stomach was open, Miakane's bite bringing him to convulsions, flooring him immediately.
"Garr?" I grabbed his shoulder.
"H-Help me."
Taiyama's eyes watered a little, turning away quickly as Garr's howls rebounded off these cursed, nightmare housing walls. Asuna watched from afar, shivering softly as Kuradeel rushed beside me. His expression remained gaunt, his equipment worn as he knelt.
"Ve gotta get him healed...but how?"
Garr's eyes wouldn't stop shifting, flooding as his cries choked.
"Party wide warp." Tai said. "Hang tight, everyone. Evac's here."
"Wait!" I turned. "Garr needs hel-"
A blue aura swept over us, bringing our tired arses to a new place, just as dark as the last too. With pillars taller than buildings, thundering footsteps had me crouching, Garr groaning as he was dropped, coughing. Thick breathing, hoarse snorts. Something stood in front of us in darkness, larger than what our one torch could possibly reveal.
"At last, dead Miakane. Saved from a great threat, Taiyama."
Taiyama simply stared, his partially torn armor shaking. Kneeling down, I let Garr squeeze my arm. Whatever it was, it chuckled deeply.
"Ilioc will be informed of your great deed, the elves will know."
"Great."
Tai's voice rippled with sarcasm, saying little else. Our whole world spun, Aigen crying quietly in the background, pain reverberating from these cold walls. Something was dropped beside Tai, ingots of a bright blue-ish metal, all shiny and pretty.
"Roamed these lands, [Dragons]. [Orihalcum], hard as-s their scales. Never tried it...never planned. Know better."
Tai picked these up, stowing them away with a sigh. My whole body grew heavy, watching as events unfolded. It was hard for me to put my foot on how I should've acted. Taiyama stole Garr's kill, a classic MMO problem...but he did it for his friend. If it was one of my friends, I'd wanna do the same.
Garr's grip loosened, letting go with shaky fingers. His voice turned to gibberish, then silence, eyes shutting.
"Garr?" I knelt. "Hey, wake up!"
Kuradeel checked Garr's neck with two fingers.
"Sh, he's unconscious. Zhe body overloaded."
"Is there anything can do, I?" Tai's awarding lord said.
Tai sniffled, shaking his head. Asuna stepped up though, standing besides him.
"Illfang? Could you ask Governor Ilioc to arrange a funeral for tomorrow? Tai...lost a close friend today."
"Yes, can I."
The whole room turned cold, our loss stabbing into probably every single one of us. With our meeting concluded, we were sent back, warped in front of our tower. Garr's body fell almost limp in snow, Kuradeel and I grabbing hold of his arms as others piled in. Tai though, he stayed outside.
"Heazhcliff!" Kuradeel said.
Our knight rushed outside, almost gasping at Garr's physical state. Hauling him inside, he was quickly placed near our furnace. Looking down at him, Leopon's already red face turned away, eyes shut tight.
"He needs help!" I said. "Please, he's sufferin'!"
Pulling off a gauntlet, Heathcliff motioned us to grab Garr's arm. Using it like a hammer, Heathcliff had himself struck, every hit sealing Garr's wounds a little every time. After dozens of weak clubs, Heathcliff let his own purple arm rest.
"Thank you!" I exhaled, sitting for a moment.
"Don't count on it."
"Eh?"
"In some ways, humans are delicate. Overuse a hormone, shut down an organ temporarily. Panic's a dangerous thing."
"W-Wait, ya sayin' he could..."
Heathcliff nodded, Kuradeel's expression darkening before staring at the ground.
"Go, Lis. I'll stay here, watch over him."
My gaze dropped to Garr, who only shivered slightly. We've only known each other for a few days, a week even. Yet he treated me better in that short time than any stranger I've met in years. He was already my best mate, watching my arse and all. A hand gently gripped me shoulder, Leopon motioning me upstairs. I nodded, following quietly.
Climbing those old stone steps, a dry spell fell upon me, to drink more of that stupid, disgusting beverage. My legs wanted to extend, to bring myself to somewhere private, to dispel cravings. Marching alongside me, Heathcliff's daughter said nothing, joining me as I sat in front of my favorite spot. My little open stone window.
I loved this view, our snow dotted corner of paradise was so easy to see. Sitting quietly together, my fingers fidgeted, as if trying to pop off a cork, readying myself to drown in what was my only release. With Leopon there, however, I didn't dare bring out a bottle.
What if some of those creeps followed us here?
How could we fight them off, with us so broken?
What if Garr died? If this world's too tough for him, then we're screwed!
"I'm...sorry."
Leopon's words pulled me, our gazes meeting.
"For what?"
A brief pause led to her breaking off eye contact.
"Stupid body. Doesn't let me anything." Her eyes reddened.
"Oh." I slowed.
"I should've said something, nobody would've gotten hurt. I didn't have a choice, my body just...shut down. Guess this proves I can't escape it. Even here."
Her blonde hair was tossed, messy and broken up.
"Escape?" I blinked.
Leopon shook her head.
"It's my condition. Couldn't ever leave home, join sports teams, even hang out anywhere by myself. I thought here would be different, cause you know...my real self's in bed."
Easing against a wall of stone beside me, Leopon let off a soft sigh.
"Optimalhypoamsomnea. Everything can be fine, got all the sleep you need. All works, until it decides you need more."
"...that's terrible." I scooted closer.
Tears trickled down her smooth, porcelain face.
"Do you have any idea how trapped I feel, knowing I can never truly hang out with my friends? Knowing some chaperone's always nearby. Who'll tell Dad everything I say or do?"
"No." I brushed my hair aside.
"I hate it, I wish I could go by myself somewhere. Anywhere I can feel free, like I made a choice. To see people walking around freely, I get so..."
"Jealous?"
"Pretty much." her head lowered. "And now? I can't even be anyone in this world. I'm trapped being some half functional house maid...nothing more."
This broke Leopon down, her wails escaping out to a cold winter air. With a quick shift, I put my shoulder to hers, letting her hug me tight.
"So wait...yer...jealous of me?"
She nodded.
"Well, I thought ya hated me guts." I hesitated. "Ever since that night, I thought you didn't wanna talk to me."
"I was just protecting my dad." Leopon rested. "He's all I have left out here."
"Ooh." my gaze lowered.
"I should've apologized sooner. You're a good person, caring especially."
"Ha." I sighed. "Good people don't do what I do. Could've saved Garr if I wasn't so afraid."
"But you did, Lis. Me and him." Leopon looked out our window, grey eyes dimming. "Asuna's still out there, makes me feel bad for staying in here."
"I know." I nodded. "Tai I feel for. Lost one o' his best friends tonight."
"Aww. Maybe we should go down and check on him."
I smiled a little, dragging my knees to my chest.
"A'right, Leopie."
"Leopie? That's new."
"Don't like it? Okay, I'll-"
"No! I do!" she hugged. "I just...need a minute to calm down."
Minutes passed, a tension remaining in my chest as we sat together.
"So what's with the bottle? I always see you with one."
I blushed a little, my throat clenched.
"It's okay, I won't judge."
Taking a deep breath, I tried to uncouple talons from crushing me inside. My demon was wicked, uncaring, its poison was my drug.
"Was hopin' me perfume would hide it. I knew it was too strong, dunno why I even tried."
"Oh." her gaze softened, turning herself further to face me. "How long?"
"It's...been a few years."
"Oh no." she frowned. "Lis, you should stop."
"Wish I could, Leopie." I examined my drink. "I can't focus on anythin' without one. Used to help me feel great, now it just keeps me sane."
"How did it start? Happy people don't do this."
I spilled everything to her, this spot of perfection, rendered mortal...cursed to a condition she couldn't control. Mutsumi, where I was from, everything. It opened my eyes in some ways, things making sense the more I spoke. She was tired of living so dependently on others, like a stallion trapped in a pen. I was trapped too, stuck on what I thought would've made me okay, acceptable to everyone else. I was happy, a trickster, someone fun to be around.
Really though, I was a disaster.
"Give it to me."
"Eh?" I glanced.
"Lis, don't you see?" Leopon smiled, tears in her eyes. "You can escape this."
"I don't understand."
"The drinking, the guilt, you can end it. The drinks here, they don't actually do anything."
"How do ya know that?" I shrunk.
"If I could show you what you did in the last twenty four hours, I think you'd understand. Plus, this is the perfect time! It's a video game, you're not actually putting alcohol in yourself."
My throat caught any words about to escape, body heating around my gut.
"You can do it, Lis. Give it a chance, pass them to me."
Gazing down at my drink, I trembled.
"I'd go mad."
"You're strong though, Lis. You don't need these."
Pausing, I considered, watching her reach. Only when her fingers touched it, did I shoot to my feet, grip tight on my drink.
"I'll...think about it." I turned away. "Let's see how Asuna's doing."
Walking down again, my eyes went straight for Garr. Hadn't moved an inch, his hands still half curled. Please wake up, ya bleedin' git. Heathcliff and Kuradeel sat together, speaking quietly among each other, their voices low. Approaching our nearest cliff, Taiyama and Asuna stood, staring out at pastures below and stars above. While Aigen was present, he remained separate, distant.
"Hey Tai." I said, my voice soft, bottle tucked away.
A quick glance from him and he was turning.
"Hey Lis."
Didn't keep eye contact with him for long, lowering my head briefly with arms crossed as I approached.
"Was wonderin' where ya went. Tower's a small place."
"I know." he shrugged. "Asuna, I'm giving this game a negative nine out of ten."
Asuna said nothing, her hazel eyes distant.
"Asuna?" I said.
A twitch shook her, eyes darting to me.
"Oh, hey Lis. When'd you come by?"
"Asuna, your friend was talking to you." Leopie said softly.
"It's fine, not like she wants to hear me." Tai rolled his eyes. "Guys...I have a question for all of you."
Asuna sniffed, turning her head away quickly.
"I do though..."
"Then why won't you say anything?"
"You wouldn't understand, Tai."
"As if." he raised his chin. "Anyway, Asuna and I are setting up a funeral in Tolbana. I've informed Diavel...though apparently some religious group's coming. Was wondering if any of you wanted to come along. Raid's after tomorrow, but I'm giving time for Yuse."
"I can do that." Leopon nodded. "Besides, it looks like the week long waiting plan's a bust."
Tai's eyes focus on me, all soft and wet. My chest got tight, hands going behind my back.
"I...want to make sure Garr's okay first. When's it happening?"
I almost averted my gaze again, was if I stung Taiyama inside with the look he gave me. I didn't wanna hurt him, I was already hurting deep inside, but I had to keep boundaries.
"Tomorrow, eleven in the morning."
Sun Dancer
- Garr
"Bascogne will save us, they will not have us."
"...really is the answer..."
Opening my eyes to a crackle of fire, they filled with orange light, forcing me to squint, a stone ceiling greeting me.
"G-Gu-"
Couldn't even call out to somebody, my mind splintered like a punched mirror, lost in a series of looping reflections.
"You're awake."
My neck craned left, stomach stinging like a wasp's barb. Heathcliff sat close, looking over me, no words able to escape my mouth.
"Easy. Your body back home's still recovering."
Nothing was said, my heart beating slower than previously experienced, fingers cold. My gaze turned away, focus slipping like sand. Summoning my [Wolf Fur Blanket], I wrapped arms in it. Why'd my stomach hurt? What's happened?
"Can you hear me?"
I nodded, glancing slowly up to him.
"You don't have to speak now. I'd imagine you're a bit out of sorts for such anyway."
"B-But...it'd be...rude."
Words crept out, my gaze glazed.
"I appreciate your concern, I'm merely assuring you."
I nodded again, staring back at a wall, its graying masonry providing only a blank slate, a means of neutrality.
"A man's daughter is his whole world, any worth his salt that is."
My lips went straight, gaze steady.
"I don't know if you plan to have kids yourself. It's certainly not common where I'm from."
I nodded softly.
"Well then. As a current father speaking to a future, thank you."
When my fingers touched my belly, I lurched forward with an almost electric shock.
"Strangely stubborn..."
Images of grime, red and fingers sent me squirming, clawing at my blanket, yammering gibberish. Everything came back. Kobolds, oil traps, unholy feasting, Bascogne...Miakane. Fingers, not from his hands, no. Fingers in his jaws, acting, functioning, performing like teeth.
"Get it off me." I cried.
"Garr?"
Jerking at a hand's touch, I stopped, seeing Heathcliff again. Waving a hand down slowly, he kept an open, squat stance. My breathing slowed, shoulders dropping.
"God...what happened?" I grimaced.
"You went into shock. You're fairly robust, I must say."
Heathcliff went on about what he both saw and what he was told, skirting around our recent engagement.
"Everyone else is...okay, yes?"
"Indeed. Though Taiyama's undergoing great pain."
"Can imagine." I frowned. "So...what's with Leopon?"
He mentioned this opthamolo stuff, really long name. Hearing it though made me cringe, how crippling a condition. To wake up, basically at your own circadian rhythm's mercy.
"I'd rather be dead." I frowned. "Knowing I could never amount to basic function. My genes would be too weak to...pass on."
"I think that's a bit harsh, your opinion though."
Tears came back as I laughed weakly.
"Harsh? Heath, I'm the one who figured you'd all die in there."
Laughter kept escaping, tears pouring.
"I hated it, going in like I'd have to say goodbye, to walk out of there alone. Hated it more than listening to Tai, Aigen, all of it. Cause you're still people, Heath. I expected this tower to fill with broken minds."
Breath was lost, forcing me to pause and catch it again.
"I was wrong, cause I'm the one being a little bitch about everything."
A sigh left me simmering down, sniffling.
"I'm still sorry, really. Tai didn't deserve to lose friends, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Hell, I...kinda wish it happened to me instead. I'd only have family to apologize to. They'd understand."
Heathcliff nodded.
"The reason I sent you behind was simple. I wanted my fiercest fighter close to Lyra. I imagined the Kobolds would be too scared of you to attack her."
"And I failed there. They swarmed on us from all sides."
"If that's the case, than you performed exceptionally."
Heathcliff rose.
"When I found her with you, she had taken very few injuries. Don't be so quick to assume you did poorly, Garr. Course your swordsmanship needs improvement."
"Eh, I've got my hands." I nodded. "Thank you for trusting me."
Leaving shortly afterwards, Heathcliff went to sleep. My breathing softened, quickened. Yuse was gone, someone else's friend. Why didn't they take a psych job like me instead? Only my folks back home would've missed me. I could've told them in spirit I died honorably, fighting a threat to others...even if only terror ran through me. A coward's attribute, disgusting.
Sun Dancer
November 19th, 2022 - Lisbeth
"Judo or guitar." Tai said, "To be perfectly honest with you...I couldn't tell you which was Yuse's favorite passion. Both, however, took a backseat whenever his mother needed him."
My head hung low, a black dress blowing softly under cloud cover. I hadn't drank all of yesterday, so I was already a bit tense.
"He was..."
Tai's fingers wrapped around Yuse's tombstone briefly, face twisting, wet and pained.
"I'm sorry, I'm feeling so lost for words."
"Do not fear, ungeared."
A familiar figure rose, Cogitant Yole. Stepping forward with a big book, he bowed his shrouded, wrinkly head to Tai, whose expression took a miasma of pain, sorrow, even hate for what stood in front of him.
"I come bearing rites, to ensure comfort in his passing. I know he is kin to you, may I?"
Holding his tongue, Taiyama nodded, stepping down, a fist clenched. A few individuals came to witness and pay respects, none of them I could recognize. A stranger followed in with the Cogitant too, praying and keeping to himself in a quiet corner. Looked like some sort of religious ninja, crosses on his leather bracers and chest. I mean, he was a player so that was good, but why was he following Yole?
"His Holiness, Cel. We who are but skin ask now for a slowing of cogs...for one of our own seeks refuge within you. May your holy site slow, so that it may carry Yuse up without fail."
Yole's speech did little but draw eye rolls and expression-based ridicule from Tai's circle, only interrupted by mentions of Yuse. Was pretty clear to me, they hated having an NPC dare stand here, speaking to them about loss and salvation, when it was one who took his life. Despite this, no one interrupted, allowing rites to be recited.
Gripping my arm beside me, Asuna wept in silence. Seeing her in such dark colors wasn't something I'd call good, she looked better with flowery shades, something to match her fiery orange hair. Listening to everyone speak, a pain sprouted from behind my throat. I was a spectator in all of this, too distant to be as depressed as I wanted to be.
Was I a soulless person for not reciprocating similar feelings?
What was I supposed to say?
Where'd Kuradeel go? He vanished ever since last night, no one knows either.
"Forgive us, for our mortal minds cannot hope to even consider what equations you've derived, oh great Cel."
"This is your biggest chance to escape this."
Leopon's words kept repeating, who herself sat beside her father. I'd surely go insane without them, but she was right. The idea though, giving it away when I feel so...weak. It tore into me, like a child begging me to not let go.
"Yuse...I know I told you I don't believe in god...or anything like that." Aigen stood, barely able to speak. "What...what'm I supposed to say to your Mom?"
Dozens marched by, heading for Tolbana's interior, other people. Their laughter muted as their ears picked up Aigen's despair, my own eyes tearing up at his words.
"What am I supposed to say to that girl you had a crush on back home? What was I supposed to tell you? Yuse, no...Kuroudai...I wish I could've protected you. You'd spend so many hours, telling me your plans to become a world class chef. Your...Spanish accent fit it perfectly."
Yuse's funeral ended shortly after, leaving us all sitting and mourning. I wasn't sure what spurred me from Aigen's words, but I got up from my spot, Asuna's hand loosening.
"Lis?"
"I'll be back, Asuna." I trembled. "I...gotta do somethin'."
Taiyama was stiff as a statue, his whole aura so defensive it grew thorns as time progressed. As our ceremony ended, however, Yole made a beeline for him, speaking quietly, motioning towards his concealed assistant. While such a discussion was quick, it didn't stop captivating me for whole minutes longer than its length. What was Cogitant Yole talking about? Walking over to Leopon, I opened my menu, her second gaze on me fixating gently.
"What's going on, Lis?"
Sitting myself beside her, I passed every bottle I had. My hands shook as cold glass left them, their fermented packages unused. Cutting out cold turkey wasn't smart, but this wasn't real life. If anything, my overall stability might've been proving something. Maybe I was in a hospital, getting my fix. Or maybe I was getting drugged, something to keep me from losing it.
Her eyes widened, snatching everything I gave, her father further confused.
"Don't give 'em back, even if I plead." I shook my head. "Please promise me this?"
"S-Sure." Leopon stored away my drinks, all twenty nine of them.
"Better for me own sake." I smiled weakly, looking away. "Asuna?"
We grouped together in our own little spot, away from Heathcliff and everyone else. Individually promising to stick together, my feet bounced a little. Getting out was appealin', but I didn't wanna be rude. But cripe, this was all so depressin'. So I figured I'd head out while everyone was busy.
"Hey Lis?"
Tai's voice came out, soft and conflicted as I turned back. Rubbing his arm, his dark eyes were dilated, red too.
"I um...was wondering."
His awkward pacing laid out a map, eyes set on me.
"I mean, you're...really beautiful, Lis."
No, I had to stop this. I wasn't ready for anything, not when I'm trying to break myself from my demons.
"Tai, ya think maybe this is a bad time to ask?"
He paused, pale faced as I made my move.
"Yer hurt, it wouldn't be wise to make such a choice now."
"B-But are...are you?"
I shook my head, frowning as I watched it kill him a little more. Poor guy.
"I'm...tryin' to find me own way, mate. Why not go with Asuna?"
Yole's assistant arrived, a pull of his hood sending a head full of dirty blonde hair fluttering.
"So mister Tai, when should we expect you? The Lord's work's yet to be don-"
"I don't give a sh-." Tai sharply turned, only to exhale. "How's seven?"
"That'll do us just fine, I'm Thanatos by the way. Course, you can call me Than."
He stuck a hand out, of which Tai rushed to shake. This Thanatos had an American southern accent, his drawl longer than Garr's.
"Ya, ya, see you later."
"Cel bless you, mister Tai."
Thanatos tipped his cowl, walking over to Cogitant Yole. Looking back to me, Tai's expression softened to a frown.
"She...doesn't wanna talk to me anymore."
"She said so?" I stiffened.
"No, but she's been ignoring me ever since I stopped Miakane."
"Darn...well, be patient." I nodded, hands bound together. "I'm sure it'll get better. In case it doesn't, feel free to message me."
"Really?" Tai said.
"Aye, might help lift the mood. These days have been as depressin' as a sob story."
"I can...do that."
I smiled, nodding before turning away again, facing northwest. A little peace and quiet would've helped me deal with the fact I gave up literally every drop of liquor on me. Was gonna hate it, but this was for me. Doing this for anyone else's sake would only put it in their hands, when it's my problem. I just hoped Garr was doing okay. Least I knew I could find some peace with him.
-Garr
Teeth lingered, fingers, eyes. Tearing, biting, prying. Waking up again, my racing heart led to me touching my side again, shivering as digits stroked its mark.
"When this night comes to an end, you will wish I had remained, Slayer."
Miakane's open jaws flashed in my eyes, my legs bolting to escape a low hanging bite. His form vanished, or was it ever there? Shuddering and rubbing behind my arms, I nodded to myself.
"Miakane's gone now...calm down. Don't get pathetic now."
My words bounced against stone walls, hands clenching as I curled up. An absence of response left hairs raising, where was everyone? A stifling, dry air rubbed my face, eyes wandering to dark corners, waiting. Breathing quickened, bending forward as I stood, waiting. Nothing but a scratching wind outside. A dumbbell rested nearby, my [Strength Training] session apparently still going.
Was I doing this earlier? I couldn't remember. Wasn't in any mood to lift, however, so I stepped past it, towards our tower's door. Clammy, rusted rings chilled my fingers as I wrapped, tugging its worn hinges open. Snow lightly carpeted grass, clouds covering above. It was peaceful, quiet. Absence, however, left my heart pounding. I scoured around our outpost, seeking any pair of eyes present. None existed within proximity. My arms grew bumps, hearing my own echoes in an empty mountainside.
"Hello?" I said. "You...guys okay?"
Only wind replied, its frigid claws stealing what warmth I brought. Looking out beyond, however, forest's darkness sent me freezing in place, was something watching me? I had a defensible position inside, they were gonna have to work for their dinner!
Turning and reaching, I almost fell forward. The door, it seemed to just stretch away, its original distance expanding past what I had seen, ground stretching like rubber, even stones. Our tower folded without cracking, pulled alongside my side of the mountain away without warning, my whole body falling forward as my understanding of position crumbled, knees bent in a desperate attempt to keep grasp of place.
"What?!" I jumped, my form unchanged.
Was like all of Aincrad was folding around me, distorting and twisting in my eyes. I could only stare, wondering what I was even looking at, until an object of substantial mass wrapped around, lifting me without warning, invisible to my eyes.
"Wow, wait, God no!"
Fingers slowly formed, far taller than I was, hoisting what it had caught like a seashell. Looking back, absolutely nothing existed!
"Wow, wow, what the actual-!"
Lifted like a toy, a form slowly materialized, its anatomy completely beyond whatever I could categorize. Its limbs were beyond thin, appearing anorexic with its lack of muscle density. While a single hand had grabbed hold, three others extended past a shared elbow, extending tissues lending to reach capacities unfathomable by human limits, each wielding seven fingers, a form of cilia existing on their tips. Five major arms, encompassing its whole body, each elbow branching off to three wrists. It had no legs, possessing 'rings' of muscle, dark and throbbing for propulsion.
"Christ..." was all I could utter.
Its head resembled a sea anemone, though its base seemed to fluctuate in color, like millions of monitors, flashing, blinking, and cycling colors, sometimes going simply black. By this point, I was gibbering, this was no creature of my understanding, not even my comprehension. Standing taller than even our tower, it held me captive, its self only visible moments after grabbing me.
"G-G-G!" I shrieked.
I couldn't look at its colors, they hurt to even glance at. Fingers coiled harder around me, my squirming failing to move its digits an inch. As sunlight vanished beneath eldritch appendage, all I could do was scream.
My body threw forward, only for hands to touch stone. I was back inside, my sleeping bag beneath me. Was I dreaming? How long had I been sleeping? Curling up into myself, tears escaped into chilly air. My God, it looked awful! I couldn't identify it, it had no name, it was just there. Staring at my door, my heartrate slowed, refusing to blink.
No, it had to be a dream. I was safe here, nothing happened. Easing my then haggard breathing, I closed my eyes and calmed. Just a dream, the dumbbell was gone too. There, proved it was all some unsightly twist of imagination, my fear trying to dominate me.
Didn't stop me from hesitating to reach for those rings.
"Nothing's there...just go. Check your crops." I said.
Slamming it open, I stood for a moment, staring up. Clouds hung overhead, was gonna rain soon, good for our crops. Marching through thin snow, my breath formed with every quick huff, hands reaching to check our corn, gloved of course. Freaking corn leaves were sharp.
Looked good, so I took every cob I found, carrots too looked healthy. Plucking away, I twisted at a crackle of dead twigs. To my easement though, it was Lisbeth, wearing a cute little fur jacket. Her expression though, it looked pained.
"Hey, Garr."
"Lis?"
She stepped forward, but stopped a few feet away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get a chance to chat with ya. It's...been a rough night for me."
"Mm." I nodded with pressed lips.
"Are ya alright?"
"Y-Yes."
My stutter left her lips drooping a little, walking up and hugging me. Brushing my wound, however, I saw Miakane, biting into me. I shoved her away, gasping and scampering back a few steps. Only moments later did I see Lis again, shivering with wet eyes.
"W-Wait." I raised hands. "I'm...sorry. I, I saw him again."
Slowly her shoulders dropped, nodding with hands easing.
"It's okay, mate. I...I should've expected that, considerin' everythin'."
"No, it's not okay." I teared up. "I attacked you. I lost it, I'm losing my mind."
Instead of talking, Lisbeth stepped in again.
"Lis, stop! Wait!"
She wouldn't listen, wrapping fingers around my hand. Couldn't feel much from them, being my hand was gloved by leather. Silenced, she kept her gaze on me, warm brown eyes.
"It's scary, isn't it?"
Breathing softer, I stared back at her.
"A little."
She nodded, slow in her release.
"Ya up for some minin'? Might help calm us."
"Sure." I said.
We traveled out west, her eyes turning a bright green upon activating a [Mining] skill. Stopping by several boulders, rock cracked with every swing of her mallet, out popping sizable chunks after minutes of effort. Picking it up, Lisbeth examined closely what was extracted.
"Wee bit o' copper there."
"How can you tell?" I tilted my head, voice soft.
"Well see, when I mine stuff? I get these thin's called [Mineral Deposits]. It goes off RNG, but modified based on region. [Minin'] skill lets ya appraise 'em. Copper and zinc's what I've gotten out of these so far."
"Huh." I nodded.
Lisbeth smiled, looking back and mining out some more hunks. Glancing around, these frost coated trees swayed. Nothing reached out, nothing seeking to hurt, eat, or maim us. Conscious wandered, swirling in a pool of un-tethered abstracts, only to consolidate on a single event, yesterday. Kobolds, gnashing and biting.
"Question." I said.
"Answer." Lisbeth said, hammering away.
A little chuckle left me, a familiar, devilish grin from her present for a moment.
"Where'd you get the glass? Really stopped that Jailer."
She stopped for a moment, snapping a finger with her pickaxe shouldered, staring away.
"Oh, ya mean me marbles. Got 'em from a general store."
My eyebrows furrowed, head tilting.
"You tricked it into stepping on glass marbles?"
"Aye."
"Huh...that's actually pretty clever."
"Thanks." Lis smiled. "Way ya tricked those crazies too, was pretty barry too."
"Improvise, adapt, overcome." I grinned too.
A sudden roar stopped us, sounded close. Both of us crouched, inching myself to conceal beside a tree. Dammit.
"Keep watch, movin' up." I said.
She nodded, eyes alerted.
Crouch running north to another tree, I leaned hard against bark. Another shriek, closer to the mountain face. Glancing back to Lis, I waved her up, covering her as she ran to me.
"Anythin'?"
"Negative, investigating."
Moving further north, we stopped again. A new creature walked these snow capped plateaus, its hooves sinking deep. Bipedal, its legs had a bowed shape, rippling with muscle from the thighs to its broad, chestnut hairy shoulders. Its arms swayed much like a great ape's, carrying around a hammer as large as my [Siege Blade], scanning its environment with a head bearing rough similarity to horses. Another emerged, stumbling out of a nearby cavern, similar in equipment and anatomy. Wearing only a loin cloth, towering eight feet tall, they snorted to each other.
"This some kind of horse Minotaur?" I said
"Sh, you'll call them." Lis glanced.
A third joined them, a trio of muscled, horse-headed beings. My eyes scanned around us, Lisbeth prepping messages to someone. If I used my Zweihander like a spear, I could counter them easily using trees for cover.
"Asuna says they're Taurus'." Lisbeth closed. "But somethin's wrong. They're supposed to be in Floor Two."
"Are they hostile?"
Lisbeth stared at me for a second.
"Are they?"
"Yer not thinkin' of fightin' 'em, are ya?"
"Only if I have to."
"Well, how about this then?"
She drew carrots from her inventory, resting her back against a tree while counting.
"We distract 'em, eatin' these."
"Ya, then we could find their source." I kept hushed, nodding. "I'm green."
"Eh?"
"Good to go."
"Asuna says it may be bad for politics back in town."
"I'll toss." I motioned with a hand.
Taking the carrots Lis deployed, I paused to take trajectory. They were heading southeast, shouldering those massive hammers as they stomped past trees. First throw brought no reaction, neither second or third. Fourth, however, turned their heads, their large eyes lighting up as they spotted our orange crops against snow.
"Go." I nudged.
Lisbeth dashed forward, putting her back around the cave's mouth. My eyes veered to these Taurus things, who while distracted by bright colored veggies, didn't fight till they stumbled on their fourth carrot. Man, they rocked trees with their wrestling, bashing, snorting and neighing like horses. Readying my Zweihander, my sights set to a nice vantage point.
"Fsh!"
I veered, Lisbeth waving me over. Dammit, lost track. Stomping through inches of frigid snow, I chose an opposing lip, putting my shoulder against stone, peeking in. A straight pathway laid ahead, clearly not natural. Torches lined throughout a flat passage, no suspicion of traps to be seen. Above, however, laid out a web of stone bridges, stringy in their width. At the end of this tunnel, a light could be made out.
"That what I think it is?" I said, squinting.
"Aye, we should go and let Asuna-"
A loud neighing brought our guards up, our trio of Taurans turned. Gnashing flat, white teeth, hammers were brandished, arms flexing.
"Spotted." I said.
"Nope!"
Lis ran inside, arms waving. I wasn't far behind, racing down a tunnel we scarcely knew, boots scraping against unpolished stone. Their hoofed feet clacked quickly, they were definitely faster than us. Swerving, I lashed out with swipes of my Zweihander, zoning them out, but striking none. Something hissed above, images of Kobolds flashing in my head.
"Great."
"Garr?!"
Rocks were falling, someone was trying to close off this passage! [Hot Wave] took my weapon away, forcing me to flee, huffing behind Lis, arms thrown back and forth in a brisk sprint, stones of ungodly size falling, crackling and rumbling, shaking Earth beneath us. With persistence, however, we reached the end, tossing ourselves, landing and rolling.
Stopping with a soft pat, my eyes shot open. Warm air grazed, wind blowing over distant mountain peaks, a new vista opened before us. While prairies again took up vast swathes of our horizon, it had a drier, brighter yellow tinge. Trees stood thinner, with light and completely vertical panels of leaves. A Savannah.
"Aw cripe, cripe!" Lisbeth scrambled to her feet. "Garr, quick move that boulder!"
Sizing up what blocked off our retreat, I simply shook my head.
"Thing's a few tons on its own, I'd need a digging bar, shovel, and a lot of time. Even at our elevation." I opened my menu. "First, I wanna know where we are."
A few seconds of swiping, however, left me with a cold face.
"Well, this just got interesting."
"Eh?" she huddled with me to see.
"We're in Floor Two, southern edge."
"Yer bum's oot the windae, Aincrad's vertically built!"
"What?" I raised a brow.
"You're talkin' rubbish, right?" She examined her own menu. "Oh...bite me head off."
Great Chief Uros is the great, great, great, great, great grandson of a former king. Leading a tribe called the Sun Dancers, his ancestor's embargo on Floor three spans as long as his lineage. While his mission is not known, it is believed to lurk deep within Zumfut's tall forests.
Unlike Illfang, Uros fancies himself a strategist, deploying units of armored Taurus strike teams to locations vital to the players' efforts, cheeky cur. Commanders of our brave assault team have taken great care into utilizing whatever they can to ensure our victory.
To thou who hast chosen to read on such an opponent, do not think of Uros as a mere beast, for he bears an intelligence oddly higher than our own. Or at least, an education scores above us. Thou should be thankful we have what we do.
It is also known that he has a soft spot for giant chess pieces. Would be a fascinating evening to play.
- Godfree, The Beta Tester's Survival Guide. December 11th, 2022
A/N: And Aincrad gets stranger!
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See you next week!