A/N: Had enough Demon Slayer? No? Well here's your fix, folks!
NetherOrbit: Lisbeth's under serious pressure, people are counting on her.
Den3424: Gotcha something new to read right here, fam x3
Doctor: Travel got you down? Drink some holy water!
bitchbot: Romance? I don't know what you're talking about!
Thunderwolf: Sounds like someone's joined Team PoH x3!
Awesomess: It's been too long fam, I'm psyched you're back :D
Special thanks to Spectrumjapan for following, hope I can earn a favorite from you someday!
Edit: Forgot that Ithe is actually Korean, some speech may be modified!
Enjoy!
[Ares] is a [Unique Skill] stemmed in some debate throughout Aincrad, mostly for its questionable origins. It's sort of a give and take deal, with being able to gain HP from melee attacks, but also unable to heal with respective items. With its prerequisites unknown, and only Garr openly discussing it, we're mostly left to simply take it.
That being said, the name [Ares] does seem to affect vampires and werewolves, resulting in either brief pauses in their actions, questioning, or angered responses. Not so subtle in its likeness to a Greek god of war, it grows in power as the user harms living things, indiscriminately.
Oh and these guys hate arrows, so don't shoot them please?
-Argo, The Beta Tester's Survival Guide. November 24th, 2022
November 22nd, 2022
Under a mid-day sun, two pairs of boots danced, blades crossing, shrieking lightly as their owners trained. On an open corner of Starting Town's streets, Yuuki dashed about, grinning wide as she rebound off walls, hopping off props to try and outflank her instructor, whose shield had yet failed.
Dammit Ithe, let your guard down for just one minute!
Yuuki's dark hair fluttered as her sword bounced off its rectangular surface, reminiscent of a Roman Scutum, a concave pattern lending to her derailment. Landing, she was swiftly caught with a abdominal stab, Ithe's gladius patterned [Shortsword] harmlessly driving forward.
"I'm telling you," he shook his head, yanking it out, "You can't be trying the fancy stuff without mastering the basics."
"But they're so fun!" Yuuki jumped back, "Your method's lame, Ith. Or was it eye-th?"
"It's pronounced eye-th," he waved his weapon, "My technique doesn't get me killed, so quit playing."
Resting against whitened stone bricks, Wick watched beside Yuuki's friends. With arms crossed, his expression remained blank, eye consistent in tracking erratic movement. When relieved by inactivity, they set back on Yuuki, a slight smile peeping momentarily.
Ithe's too serious with her, she clearly wants to just have fun. I'd definitely give her that.
Yuuki paused, her red eyes setting on a passing sight. A pot of flowers, bright with blue, yellow, and white petals, bobbing as its transporter hauled.
"Hey," Ithe leaned on one side, "You gonna stay focused?"
Yuuki looked at him from across her shoulder, enlarging her eyes.
"Why? Would you rather have me looking at you?"
Ithe simply rolled his eyes.
"Girl, I'm not touching a thing unless I see some ID."
"But I'm eighteen," she grinned, hands on her hips.
"That's great, where's your license?"
"I...don't have one?"
"Then guess my answer," Ithe grinned.
"Dammit," Yuuki frowned, "Wanted to get your hopes up."
"What?!"
Wick giggled a bit, a groan from Ithe getting Yuuki to dance.
"Don't take her too seriously sir," Siune waved from beside Wick, "She's the biggest flirt in Japan."
"I can tell!" Ithe rolled his shoulders, "Sheesh."
"Hey, you're just mad cause I'm cute!" Yuuki pointed, "Siune!"
"Get good!" Jun called out, "This ain't a romance!"
"Don't be so quick to assume," Nori nudged, "Those two be gettin' spicy."
Wick's laugh ended, eyes trailing to Nori, who paced around ceaselessly. Yuuki returned to her duel, dashing, jabbing, and evading Ithe, sometimes reaching around his shield to pull a sleeve, or hair strand, much to her instructor's chagrin.
"Stop that," Ithe swatted her.
She ignored him, going atop a pillar's lower lip before turning. Leaping high for a downward stab, a spark brought Yuuki's initial grin down, Ithe's hourglass shaped [Shortsword] deflecting her bronze [Arming Sword]. Potted flowers swayed, bright against light stone brick as she returned to Earth.
"Too slow," Ithe swept aside her weapon, Yuuki's body flashing yellow, "[Riposte]," stabbing her through the gut, only protected by [Training Mode].
Yuuki sighed, brushing back her long hair before pulling away, raising her sword again.
How do I get past his defense? This is so frustrating, losing every single time!
Ithe's shield continued to block, deflect, parry, and even bash her, his training merciless. He kicked, punched, grabbed, and sometimes body slammed her, Yuuki's excitement dipping.
"Be nice!" Tecchi clumsily worded, shaking his head wildly.
"Sh," Siune patted his shoulder, "Ithe's just trying to help."
"But he's being mean," Tecchi threw hands down.
"I'm being real with her," Ithe slammed Yuuki with his shield, "If I'm too easy, she'll be unprepared to deal with anyone fighting for their life."
While Tecchi was pacified, Wick glared nonetheless, watching as his friend was sent rolling on pavement, forced to get up over and over.
He doesn't even soften his hits, give breaks, or offer openings. How can she possibly win?
Stopping to catch her breath, Yuuki wiped her brow, her sword drooping with a shaking wrist.
"I...still don't see how this helps me beat Allston," Yuuki shrugged, "He doesn't use a shield."
"Facing a shielded opponent is way harder than facing a dual wielder," Ithe swiped his weapon near Yuuki's chest, forcing her to jump away, "Cause while they've got two weapons, blocking is awkward. Therefore, if you overcome my defense? You'll beat his easy."
"Bit sure of yourself, are you?" Jun said, "Assuming you're better than another?"
"Boy," Ithe chuckled, "It's called education."
"Ooh," Nori moaned, "You just got told, Jun!"
Yuuki sighed, but nodded as she tiredly raised her sword again.
Is this even worth it? All of this's just to get back something I could replace later, I don't know how easy. I've been training like this everyday, without a single win either.
Looking left, she caught Wick with some canvas, a paintbrush nestled between fingers.
"Wicky," she giggled, "I swear if you're drawing Ithe's glorious butt, I'm slapping you."
While her friends laughed, Wick himself turned a brighter color. Burying his face into his painting.
She thinks I'd draw him? No, I'm just...ah forget it.
"No flirting," Ithe dove for another stab, "It's improper to-"
Without a breath in between, Yuuki swept her [Arming Sword] wide, slapping his weapon aside. Spotting her instructor flash yellow, she lunged, sending a swift cut towards his arm, only for his shield to glance it aside.
"Aww!" Yuuki frowned, "So close!"
"No, no!" Ithe smiled, "That was good!"
She stopped, ruby eyes glinting.
"You predicted my attack and made a counter. That is your first real step to swordsmanship, planning your attack. Not by the current swing, but of after. You must guide your opponent to follow your tune."
"Ooh," Yuuki's lips rose to a proud grin, "But I wanted a stabby!"
"You will, when you get good," Ithe backed away.
"How cocky are you!?" Yuuki rushed Ithe.
Both fighters quickly returned to their dance, clashing and bashing, Ithe keeping on his toes as Yuuki jumped between offense and defense.
She's getting better, amazing how quick people learn when their lives are on the line.
"See Tecchi?" Siune said, "Ithe's just teaching her."
Tecchi grunted, his square head motionless in its viewing of Yuuki's training. Yuuki flicked her weapon, only to draw back, feinting in an effort to evade Ithe's shield, to draw him out. At one point, however, her instructor struck at an off-angle, sending her bronze [Arming Sword] flipping out towards a street corner, clanging as it rested on open ground.
"And [Riposte]," Ithe stabbed her stomach again.
"Oh dammit, one sec!" Yuuki ran, Ithe's weapon sliding out without visible wounds.
Crowds stood about, speaking among themselves.
"The Assault team failed, what're we gonna do?"
"Don't worry about it man, have some more of that [Holy Water]. It tastes great!"
"How'd they get it to taste this good?"
Passing by them, Yuuki stooped low to grab its leather handle.
Saw this bakery over on the east side of town, think I'll treat my friends to it after practice.
Gripping and lifting her weapon, however, a boot pressed down, a worn leather surface stopping Yuuki's rise. Her red eyes shot up, an elf in plain attire stood over. While its yellow eyes were fairly standard among its race, a second glance hitched Yuuki's breath. This elf of male anatomy lacked a shadow. Meanwhile, Wick watched, waiting impatiently for Yuuki to re-emerge out of a dense crowd moving by.
"Hey Ithe? Where'd they all come from?"
"Hell if I know," Ithe shrugged, "Guess it's break time for some workers."
A passive smile remained, a power emanating from the lips of Yuuki's interceptor. A loss of words was present, lacking an immediate object tangible or otherwise to warrant it, leaving her guts twisting in question. Without any outstanding physical feature, his shade-less form froze her in place.
"W-Wait," she glanced down at his feet, "Where's your..."
He simply stayed on her blade, blinking as he towered over her kneeling frame. Yuuki herself was turning pale, finding herself incapable of viewing his gaze directly. A sort of strength or will wholly unrelated or known resonated, inhuman in its distance and power.
"Who?"
Yuuki paused, her voice unheard by her own faculties. Without warning, sound ended all around her, chatter from others sinking. The songs of birds was drowned, wind and bells dying. Her own heartbeat's thump was lost, leaving her dropping her weapon, its rattle lost.
"What're you doing?!" she shrieked, drowning in an auditory void.
It didn't smile, its gaze unfazed as she writhed in soundlessness.
What's happening?! Why don't I hear anything!? Somebody do something, anything, talking, anything!
"Hearing ghosts?"
Her eyes darted to his, but only for a second. Whatever lurked behind its occipital windows was not human, nor of any construct she knew. What stood before her held no shadow, bore physical presence, breaking laws fundamental to objects of our known universe without subtlety, nor care. An icy cold gripped Yuuki, mind scrambling for any new noise.
"Ears are much harder to fool, you would know that wouldn't you, Yuuki?"
She inched back, pulling away slowly. Despite voluntary efforts to pull away, however, distance wasn't changing.
"How?!" she stammered, "What're you!? Fuck you!"
"Two thrones stand apart, seating two kings,
A king of Bones, whose word is fire,
A king of Song, whose word is honey,
Whose voice you choose to hear,
Is whose word you shall take."
Without another word, he who killed sound walked away, Yuuki's whole world of sound restoring without buildup as he tread open streets. Her arms shook violently, eyes wide and staring blankly, a bitter cold running through, even with a mid-day sun's rays.
What is going on? What happened? Who was that? Kings, words, voices, what's it all mean?
"Yuuki?"
Her gaze snapped back, Ithe walking over to her, the crowd dissipating.
He...controls sound, how?
"How far did your sword go? I only tossed it a few feet."
"Ithe, oh thank god!" Yuuki lunged, grabbing him, "T-This guy! He, he, he made sound stop!"
"What?" Ithe leaned back.
"Everything went quiet, it was crazy!" she tightened her grip, "He talked to me without lips, casting no shadow!"
"Um, you sure?" Ithe stayed still.
"Yes, I am!" she looked behind herself, "We gotta find him! He was standing on my sword, didn't you see?"
Ithe stared with raised eyebrows, shaking his head as Yuuki paced about, searching hastily.
"Yuuki, I have no idea what you're talking about. I saw no one standing over you, least not anyone of normal height."
"Seriously?" her shoulders dropped, "What about the sound?"
A lack of response, along with a fruitless pursuit left Yuuki's heart bobbing in her shoes.
"It was weird though," she slowed to a stop, "King of bones, king of voice, a word to take."
"Maybe you were lagging," Ithe looked behind himself, "Where's your sword?"
Yuuki jumped to look over people's heads, hoping to spot he who killed sound. No one of his profile roamed, despite his tactless path of choice.
Who the hell was he?! How'd he know what sense I relied on most? How'd he know my name?
"Oh there it is," Ithe stooped, picking it off the floor, "Here."
Her eyes shot to it, hesitant to grab with shaking fingers.
"T-Thanks," she sheathed it.
"How about we have a break?" his gaze softened, "You've clearly been through something unusual."
Yuuki nodded, following his lead with widened red eyes.
A king of bones, whose word is fire. To hear his voice is to steal his word. Who are the kings? Is it Ilioc? Illfang?
A loud noise erupted, sending her fragmented thought string crumpling. Screams and shouts, rows of polearms marching tall behind a growing mob of people. Their mouths were agape, eyes swollen as they ran, [Town Guards] yelling.
"Out of our city!"
"No more humans!"
Weapons were drawn, a few players rushing by Yuuki, yelling and cursing, others silent in their advance. While metal clashed, Ilioc's forces struck down vigilantes with [Halberd] and [Spear], the shattering of glass exciting others into retreat. Yuuki's friends joined her as she fell away, hundreds of thousands progressively shoved out of Starting Town by weapons of pointed and curved bronze. Some fought back, only to be cut down where they stood, their resulting deaths compelling others to keep moving.
Pottery and stonework was no longer seen, pavement bloated as people evacuated. Crying louder than most, Tecchi broke free of Siune's hand holding, yelling incoherently and throwing his arms at the collective despair rippling through them.
"Why they doing this?" Tecchi stumbled with words, "Hurting people!"
"Tecchi don't slow down!" Siune pleaded, tugging him by the shoulder, coaxing him to speed up.
"No! Elves mean!"
He barely received her message, watching as others were crushed, stabbed, and trampled over by Ilioc's security. Tears formed, a huge frown growing as his pace slowed to a stop.
"Why so mean?"
"Hey!" A guard grabbed Siune, "Move faster!"
Just as he grabbed her, Tecchi swung wide, bashing his face with the edge of his shield, resulting in a launch, the guard's body flung like a tennis ball, crashing into others.
"Nobody touch sister!" Tecchi cried, "You're all meanies!"
"Tecchi, stop!" Siune yanked him, "You're angering them!"
"That one!" a guard pointed.
[Town Guards] swarmed over them, prying Siune away as they attacked Tecchi from all sides, his square head whipping as weapons flew, digging through gambeson and leather with thick cuts. Others among Yuuki's group turned, witnessing their friend get skewered without question, Nori and Jun racing up, Siune's bald head seen closing in with Tecchi, hurriedly grabbing.
"Stop!" Ithe tried snatching, "They'll kill you too!"
Yuuki's eyes froze, watching as Siune and Jun were countered with blades, their efforts to defend Tecchi met with wounds of not only their own, but other people unlucky to be within their radius. From where Yuuki stood, explosions of blue left her shoes scraping, trying to join them.
"Nori! Guys!" Yuuki threw herself forward, heart racing as weapons clacked on reddening pavement.
Ithe without a word grabbed her, as did Wick, dragging her away from it all as she tugged and kicked.
"No, let go!" Yuuki thrashed, "My friends! No!"
"You're gonna die if you stay!" Ithe tugged harder, "They made their choice!"
"Please, I gotta find them!" Yuuki reached out, sight vanishing as scores of people flooded behind her.
Yuuki's shrieks echoed throughout Starting Town, mixing with others as they were forcibly removed. Like a snared bull she kicked and thrashed, leaning and clinging to anything, hoping to move a mere inch closer to her friends. Wick and Ithe with their combined strength struggled, Wick struggling to remain stoic as lines of elves guided them away. Thrown out into fields of green, among pigs, outside walls once protecting became obstacles beyond approach.
"Good riddance!" guards cursed, "You're lucky we're not closing the gates!"
Poured out like water, players were dispersed along an old road, crying and panicking as their shelter evicted them by the thousands. As distance grew, Yuuki's feet slumped, dragging as her mind spaced out, staring without direction. Inspecting her expression, Wick grimaced.
"Ithe," Wick shook his head, "We gotta stop, she's done."
Easing her down, Ithe was left pacing, nearly stomping on dances strands of green.
Goddammit.
Yuuki's face remained blank, staring out to light blue skies without glint or color.
Siune...Tecchi...Jun...
"Yuuki!"
Nori sprinted up to her, diving on knees before hugging.
"You're okay! Oh god, what're we gonna do?! I lost Talken halfway, he couldn't take it! He, he just stopped!"
Wick's temperature fell, Yuuki's catatonic state fading, into laughter..
"Yuuki?" Nori glanced again.
It got louder, her fists ripping out grass, tossing it about like confetti. Wick watched with a blood drained face, Yuuki grabbing Nori by her shoulders.
"What's wrong?" Yuuki smiled, "You knew this would happen, you knew it would all end, but you still worry!"
Nori leaned away, trying to ease herself out of her friend's grasp.
"But Yuuki, they were our friends. Doesn't it," Nori gulped, "bother you?"
Yuuki giggled, putting her nose up to Nori's, whispering.
"I'm gonna find Allston...I'm done with this, it plays with my ears."
"B-But you're not," Nori stopped, "No, you're losing it!"
Having heard Nori's cry, Ithe stepped up, prying Yuuki off her. Fingernails clawed, Yuuki turning to Ithe, Wick inching away slowly.
The hell's going on?
Ithe himself grimaced, watching her slowly rise to full height, trying to grab him by his arms.
"You'll help me with Allston, won't you handsome?"
Ithe softly pushed, sitting her back down while stepping away.
God, I thought she was nuts already.
"Kazuto!?" another woman called out, "Where are you?"
Ithe's gaze shifted, her voice offering an exit.
"Keep an eye on her," he nodded to Wick, going towards the caller.
Wick guts twisted, looking down at a smiling Yuuki, whose friend Nori fled from without word.
"You're not lying, are you?" Yuuki turned, "Wick, I know when someone's lying."
Wick clamped his mouth shut, looking over to see Ithe conversing with two strangers, both clad in green.
Lying? What's she going on about? Best keep my distance, poor girl's delirious.
"Wicky," she grabbed his wrist, "There're sounds I've never heard before. Pure, free."
Waving over, Ithe led both questioners back, prying off his Roman-themed helmet as Wick gently pried off Yuuki's hand.
"Gonna have to team up with these two," Ithe motioned to Wick, "This is Leafa, and he's..."
"Recon," the boy said, eyes trained on Yuuki, "What's going on with-"
"Sh," Ithe put a finger to his own lips, "She needs time."
Wick and Leafa looked to each other, neither of them smiling. A girl of short stature, Leafa's bosom was of an almost unnatural size, her physique a more muscular tone than most, with legs thick beneath pants. With ebony hair barely passing ear lobes in length, a foggy gaze displayed from her eyes. Wick nodded, shoulders easing down.
Oh thank god, someone sane.
"Hello," she straightened her back, arms dropped to her sides.
Wick bowed his head slightly, Leafa quickly repeating his motion.
"Hi."
"So," Recon stepped up to Wick, "Suppose we're working together, for now."
A figure of bony frame stood, barely measuring up to Wick's chest. With eyes black like Leafa's their widely differing physiques led Wick to second glances.
"Um yea," Wick nodded, "Sorry,"
His slipping Brooklyn accent left Recon pausing.
Why does the Chinese dude sound like an Italian? What kind of circus crew is this? An ugly Korean, a girl straight out of an asylum, and this guy!?
Wick noted a curved sheath at Leafa's hip, bearing resemblance to a Japanese [Katana]. People from all around shifted, moving as a herd northeast, towards Tolbana, Ithe pacing as Yuuki continued babbling about new noises, of kings no one knew.
Should we follow them? I don't know, I wasn't prepared for this sort of madness. No, better to move than do nothing.
"Yuuki, we gotta go," Ithe said in a deep voice.
"Yes," she giggled, "We gotta find Allston."
Recon raised a brow, steady in his steps to Wick's side, whispering.
"I'm Recon," he offered a hand, "Everything stable-ish with her?"
"I'm...afraid not," Wick shook his hand, "Her friends all died leaving town, I'd rather not talk about it."
"Sheesh," Recon's eyes widened.
More and more left Starting Town's gates. But these stragglers were quick to join the rest, moving north, away from coastal sights, away from chattering seagulls and raging elves.
"Leafa," Ithe crossed arms, "we should go to Tolbana."
"But Ilioc probably has it under control," Recon leaned, "and another thing?" he shook his head, "Groups of emotional people do stupid things. I'll pass on that."
"But Kazuto might be there," Leafa said.
"I'm just saying," Recon splayed raised hands, "Got a hunch telling me this's a bad idea."
"M-My friends," Yuuki shivered, "I should find them."
Wick frowned, looking down at Yuuki. He too watched them fall, their bodies vanishing in bright crescendos of glass.
Gonna have to carry her around till she gets her bearings. Least Recon seems reasonable, I agree with him.
"I still say we go to Tolbana," Ithe glanced around, "It's better to stick together than solo this."
"Ah true," Recon shrugged.
"Leafa?" Wick motioned, "Could you help me with Yuuki?"
"Sure," she bent over, Wick blinking as he watched her haul Yuuki up with notable ease.
Wow, she's pretty strong despite being so short.
"While we're out here, I wanna know your skills," Ithe marched, "Hopefully I'm not the only one trained on how to use a sword. Wouldn't surprise me though."
"Well," Leafa coaxed a whispering Yuuki forward, "I've trained in Kendo for a while."
"How long?"
"I'd say, fifteen years?"
"Dang," Ithe perked, "okay never mind, you're in. Recon?"
"Anything requiring finesse," Recon said calmly, "lock-picking, sneaking, debunking stupid ideas."
"Hm," Ithe nodded, "You two close?"
"Yea, since we started school," Leafa smiled.
Yuuki's red eyes lost their shine, her hair messy as she walked with Leafa. With hands in pockets, Recon kept beside Wick.
"He your friend?"
"Huh?" Wick glanced, "Oh...yea."
"Hm," Recon's brow raised for a moment.
"What?" Wick turned head.
"Just figuring out who everyone is."
Wick blinked, slowly turning his head away.
Oh boy, one of those guys. Better not let him get behind me.
Sun Dancer
Following a discarded population, Yuuki stared forward, mute as energy faded.
They're gone...everyone except Nori, and she ran away. They're gone...and I never told them the truth. Why was I left to live?
Only a brief glance off their shared stone road brought Leafa to speak, breaking a silence otherwise unanimously shared, even by any trees.
"Think she's doing okay?"
Recon viewed her target first, only to shrug. A woman in a ruined black cloak wandered slightly north of them, aimlessly dragging herself along, changing direction almost randomly.
"Good enough to wander around by herself," Recon said, "Keep moving."
Ithe's head quickly turned, Recon's words barely reaching his ears.
"Hang on," he jogged off, intercepting the cloaked figure's position.
Recon snorted, smug as he shook his head.
"Why're you laughing?" Leafa said softly, a blank look in her eyes.
"Same old," Recon smirked.
"Ooh," Leafa nodded, giggling a little herself.
Upon reaching the wandering loner, Ithe slowed his approach.
"Excuse me?"
She stumbled, her head drooping, bobbing with every step. Wheeling to stand in front, Ithe repeated himself, a pair of hazel eyes craning up to him, strands of orange hair swaying.
"Oh, did I bump into you?" her lips pressed, "I'm sorry, I'm not well."
"No?" Ithe raised an eyebrow, watching her pass again, "Were you poisoned? Injured?"
She stopped, but refused to turn around.
"No," her cloak's tips rippled, "Why're you asking?"
"Was informed," Ithe leaned, "You see the girl in green back there?"
Asuna turned to look, her gaze distant.
"Yea, she noticed you during our walk, figured you might need help. Wanna come with?"
Asuna shrugged, saying nothing otherwise.
"Name's Ithe, yours?"
"Asuna," she mumbled as she turned, "Long as I'm not making decisions, it'll be okay."
She walked to regroup, Ithe splaying his hands.
Was I talking to a woman, or a bottle of bleach? Feels like everyone's losing their mind.
Upon return, Wick watched Asuna joined, removing her cloak. Long orange hair flowed down to her lower back, wild and messy. White and red clothing, sharp beside Leafa's green and Yuuki's purple. An hourglass frame, a gem flicked in Wick's eye as she passed.
Wow, lot of beautiful women in this game. Why here, there had to be better places to be.
Recon remained smug, gazing past them as he watched Ithe take point, eye set on another figure, a male wandering alone in similarly ragged attire.
"Ithe, how about him?" Recon nodded, pacing closely behind their armored leader.
"Nope," Ithe shook his head.
Already got two crazies to deal with, don't want another.
"Hm."
Recon slowed down, running fingers through his bowl haircut.
Just as I predicted, Ithe's only saving them for pussy's sake. Next thing I know, he's gonna start saying "my lady".
Stone walls of white were spotted, a crowd building along Tolbana's southern gatehouse. Its portcullis was lowered already, leaving no immediate entry for Starting Town's weary rejects. Guards mounted behind battlements, one taking position center of all.
"Humans, this is property of his Governorship Ilioc. Turn back now or we shall resort to lethal force."
Chatter ended, with many parties racing back to avoid conflict.
"Your transgressions have gotten out of hand. Polluting our streets, burning our farms, murdering respectable members of society," he raised hands, "We must defend ourselves, begone."
"But sir," one shouted, "It's getting late, we need shelter!"
"No, I believe you need manners. You and the rest of your coven can waddle off elsewhere. Like the boar."
Members cursed loudly, backing away as guards readied bows.
"It's the westerners you want! They cause trouble!"
Ithe said nothing, being the only member of his group of non-Asian lineage. Wick rolled his eyes, Recon scanning Tolbana's wall as Leafa huddled beside him. Looking with broken eyes, Yuuki and Asuna made contact as others panicked.
"Hi?" Asuna squeaked.
"Hi," Yuuki bowed her head softly, "When did you join us? I'm Yuuki."
"Asuna," she reciprocated Yuuki's gesture, "a few minutes ago."
"This is your last warning!" Tolbana's leading official called, "unless of course you're willing to offer us something."
A hungry chuckle rippled from behind battlements, a cold air sweeping through the crowd outside.
"In fact, change of plan. Offer to us your women and we will protect them."
Gnashing teeth and exchanged glances of rage led Ithe to step away.
"Never mind then. Yuuki, where's Allston located?"
Her head perked up, gaze redirected.
"T-Towards Harunka."
"Wait a second," Leafa lifted a hand, "What about a place to rest?"
"Think the guards made themselves clear," Recon shrugged, "Only rest we're gonna get now is away from these idiots."
Wick said nothing, his eyes watching as at least a dozen people voluntarily followed Ilioc's troops inside, mixed in their expressions. Some demonstrated relief while others showed joy, all vanishing behind Tolbana's stone perimeter.
Why would they sign up for this? Don't they realize what this means for them?
"The assault team's camp is our safest spot though," Leafa frowned, "I'm sure Kazuto's there. There's no way he'd just be wandering."
"Allston," Yuuki chanted, walking northeast without pause, red eyes honed.
"Uh, Yuuki?" Asuna watched, "wait up!"
Leafa, however, stuck beside Recon, who himself looked disinterested.
"Leafa listen," Ithe moved quickly in front of her, "We've got loose ends to tie off and I really could use your help."
"Hm," she stroked her cheek, "What do you think, Re?"
"Mean," Recon glanced towards a previously flooded gate, "long as it doesn't get too nasty."
Ithe looked further east, towards a forest further apart. Scratching his neck, his throat tensed slightly.
Leafa would surely leave as soon as she finds her cousin...this Kazuto Kirigaya. If we're taking on a bandit group, I need her help above everyone else here! Freaking hell, all Wick's been doing this whole time was staring at booty!
"It won't be," Ithe said hurriedly, "But it'll be a lot slower unless you join us."
"Yea?" Recon crossed arms, "Well what's in it for us? I'm not risking my friend here cause yours has issues. I'm guessing this isn't for shaking hands either."
"No," Ithe sighed, "what do you want?"
"Either immediate compensation...or a promised favor," Recon raised his chin, "I'd prefer the latter."
"Then so would I," Ithe's hands clenched, "What kind of favor?"
"Oh just in case something comes up that requires your skill set. You look like you know what you're doing by how you discussed sword training."
"Yea, was competitive before this," Ithe glanced, Wick staring at them both, "Okay, I'll promise you one favor. Can we go now?"
"Two," Recon leaned forward, "And I want the hat."
"Seriously?!"
Recon extended a hand.
"Dude, this isn't just something I can order again," Ithe spoke up, "I got it for helping a war vet. It's an [Evolving] gear!"
"Thus ensuring you don't run away," Recon rapped fingers, "Hm?"
With Yuuki and Asuna quickly progressing northeast, Ithe groaned before passing on his helmet. It was of bronze construction, with cheek protection, full head, even a crest composed of yellow colored horse hair. Taking it with both hands, Recon grinned wider.
Gorgeous headpiece...but who the hell is Drescarrie Hans?
Harunka's path laid desolate, trade to its devastated destination unceremoniously cut. Yuuki moved quickly to familiar hills, unrestrained from drawing her weapon, Asuna hesitant as she followed.
"So who're we looking for?" Asuna tilted her head, "Never met this Allston before."
Yuuki shivered briefly, eyes scanning a valley, empty of inhabitants both man and beast.
"An elf...stole my [Anneal Blade]. Bandit leader's getting it today."
"Wow wait," Asuna froze, "Bandit leader?"
Yuuki replied no further, her focus fixated as she found her only clue to habitation, a ring of rocks, surrounding a pile of ash.
I'm, I'm seriously gonna fight again? I don't know, someone might die cause of me again!
"He was here," Yuuki scoped out her surroundings, "Where did you go..."
"Yuuki, why does he have to go?"
"My friends would've wanted it," Yuuki swerved around, searching, "Where are they?"
Yuuki's soft answer left Asuna shivering, blinking at what seemed like a mirror.
The way she said that implies she lost someone.
Arriving minutes after, Recon overheard, briskly approaching their location, eyes glowing green as [Tracking] activated.
"Let me," his eyes scanned.
"It's nice to know you trained too," Leafa smiled as she walked with Ithe, "Most people come to Kendo without any real motivation, well besides turning it into a chat room."
"Great," Ithe spun his stubby [Shortsword], "Sure it made for wonderful training partners."
"Oh no," Leafa laughed, "Kazuto would've been if he wanted to, but he just wasn't interested."
Wick adjusted his brightly colored clothes, orbiting the group without much attachment, shuffling about in isolation. After minutes of searching, Recon shook his head.
"What?" Yuuki tilted.
"Left here too long ago," Recon's eyes returned to their normal color, "skill's not high enough to find footprints that old."
"Maybe they got attacked," Wick shifted, "If I wanted to hide, the forest further ahead would be it."
Efforts were made, despite Recon's desire to steer clear of such dense, sightless groves. Grass receded before arms of trees, great in their twisted girth, holding up a ceiling of bark and sap. Light barely passed them, what few strobes offering no real option for saplings to grow on their own. Dead trees raised gnarled limbs, their hollow husks held by the living too long.
Nonetheless, Yuuki pursued, almost oblivious to anyone's presence, hearing only the whispers of a being she barely met. Her sword never sheathed, its sharpened mass tested repeatedly on columns of bark, its owner's dark cravings unquenched.
"Bascogne, Lthgna ng'miya!"
Asuna almost tripped, a familiar prayer, a den without light clawing from memory's shackled cell. While she immediately drew a [Rapier], she turned back.
"Guys, run!" Asuna cried, "Kobolds!"
While Leafa and Recon both stopped, Ithe raised his shield, Yuuki unresponsive, marching closer and closer.
"Yuuki, turn back!"
"Run?" Yuuki giggled, grinning widely, "I already did!"
"Find the demon!"
New sounds ricocheted off trees, of clashing weapons, pained bellows, and zealous cries.
"Uh," Recon slowed, "Yea fuck, that sounds like a battle."
"Perfect," Yuuki tensed, "If Allston's busy, I can get him there."
"That'd be unsporting," Ithe readied a defensive stance, "Don't do that."
"Yuuki," Wick called, "Please, we're worried about you."
Like a predator drawn in by wounded prey, Yuuki approached without pity, and with boiling eyes she emerged between trunks, witnessing what foul exchange had unfolded in darkness. A large band of elves swung on all sides, a swarming tide of tails and flesh descending like a plague. Stragglers were mauled by dozens climbing over, consuming what was unprotected by leather or linen.
Her red eyes focused halfway across their arena, a slim figure wielding twin axes, dancing and hacking, taking hands with every caught blade, chopping wooden poles drawn too close.
"Kill the demon!"
Her gaze shifted, Kobolds uttering their directive, one rushing her on all hairy fours, thrashing with a shining bronze axe in its mangled hands. Yuuki swept back, using a tree for cover as it swung wide, chips of bark bouncing off cloth and tree, its thud barely echoed.
Wick was quick to hide, him and Recon slipping behind stone cover. Leafa and Ithe rushed forward, Asuna standing there. While her weapon was drawn, her eyes were all over, awash with unbridled, primal carnage.
I wanted to get away from these, it's like they're following me. I shouldn't have joined this group, now they're going to suffer!
Veering back around her local obstacle, Yuuki outstretched, her [Arming Sword] arcing like a scorpion's tail. Desperate in its desire to live, the rodent swatted wide, missing her weapon completely, watching it dive straight through its ribs like fish steak, red gushing as she stabbed.
It shrieked loudly, its agony forcing Yuuki back from its volume, shambling as its chest sunk inward, writhing as another rushed her from behind. With acute ears, however, she heard their approach, whirling and chopping, her blade swiping chest high.
Leafa's bronze katana slashed wide, its design slicing open her smaller, unarmored opponents to whole slabs of meat. Swiftly moving from stance to strike, both hands guided swiftly, air whirring as both Kobold and bandit struck back. Wick watched her with great fixation, eyes sparking.
Wow, she really knows her stuff.
"Wick, right?" Recon lobbed a [Throwing Knife], catching a Kobold in the gut.
"Oh um, yes?" Wick shook his head.
"Great, you mind lending a hand?"
Wick's face turned cold.
"Hello? What're you waiting for, move!"
"I...don't know how," Wick frowned.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Recon ducked, an arrow flying by.
Asuna continued to stare, disconnected from everyone's struggles, left spinning as events unfolded around her.
If I did something, Yuse would be alive...Tai wouldn't be so sad. I brought us out there, thinking we could handle this. If I walk away, they won't lose anyone.
"Um, help!?" Wick shouted, "Somebody?!"
Asuna stirred before looking, a larger, [Battleaxe] wielding elf subjecting Recon to constant retreat, Wick outright fleeing, whipping his head around wildly, hands open and forward. Recon's pursuer carved openings out of trees, sending chunks scattering with every crackling hit. Watching him dash away in controlled panic, her foggy eyes cleared.
No, I have to do something. I'll leave after, but this cannot stand.
Racing forward, Asuna swept for the bandit's flank, her [Rapier] slashing him around the knee. Caught off-guard by her swift, precise blow he staggered hard, shouldering against a tree as he howled.
"Hey!" Asuna called, "He's open!"
Her newest opponent glared and growled, whaling wide with his two handed arm, forcing her to duck behind trunks. Recon scrambled out from behind a rock, jumping straight on the axeman's back, [Dagger] in hand driving down. Across the forested field, Yuuki continued to fend off [Crazed Kobolds], catching them with nicking blows to limbs.
"Hey Allston, your girlfriend's back!" someone laughed, "You gonna say hi?"
Yuuki wanted to look, but her hasty cut left only a wounded [Crazed Kobold] angry, its spear driving her into retreating behind trees. A whir brought her foe, however, to a crashing fall, a [Tomahawk] jammed across its skull.
"Of course!" a familiar voice called, drawing closer every second, "How could I not!"
Yuuki whipped her head, ducking as a man rushed her with twin hatchets, spinning and hopping a familiar form, an elf of strong jawline, stocky stature rolling shoulders.
"Been a while, hasn't it?" Allston grinned, pointing an axe, "Was hoping you'd wait a bit, my boys and I were cleaning up."
Yuuki growled, rushing him with an feinting stab, Allston sidestepping. Lurching in a flash, he whipped an edge towards her face, diving his other down as she tried stabbing again, catching her sword with an axe's bottom lip.
"We need to talk more," Allston leaned over Yuuki, throwing back and kicking her straight into a tree.
Yuuki squealed, crashing back first, sword clattering in her hands as her opponent rushed forth, readying a flurry of bronze. Scooping dirt in an open hand, she lobbed it in his face, rolling away as he cursed, wiping his eyes. Shot to her feet, Allston smiled before throwing a tool, Yuuki flinching.
His axe dug deep in her chest, [Bleed] draining her of health as she stumbled, Allston drawing another from his belt.
"Should've started a fan club," Allston charged again, "You're plenty jumpy!"
Yuuki fell back, tugging an axe out of herself, crying as she watched him approach. There was no physical pain in her, defeat's looming shadow had already taken her mind. Out from her right, Ithe bashed Allston, sending the bandit back with his shield.
"Ho boy," Allston pointed, "Interrupting our fight? Not happenin', chump!"
Ithe raised his barrier high, Allston's axe's striking it with loud thumps, Yuuki drinking [Holy Water] to mend. Whipping and weaving, Allston caught an edge, yanking Ithe's shield aside, exposing his front.
"Ithe, move!" Leafa shrieked.
Ithe leaned back, but not quick enough to avoid an axe's flat face. Like a hammer, Allston's tool knocked Ithe off his feet, dazed from blunt force, Yuuki again alone as he turned.
"White knights, right?"
Yuuki glared, charging again with diagonal chops, her sword skimming trees, Allston retreating and whirring axes. Catching her sword with an encompassing spin of one axe, she attempted to kick his front leg off balance, only to find his stance disciplined, solid.
"Tsk, tsk," he shook his head, "It's called balan-"
Yuuki threw her head forward, butting a forehead to his nose, sending him teetering forward as essence gushed from his nostrils.
"Gah!" he winced, "You little-!"
Yuuki dove behind Allston, arcing a swing with both hands, cutting deep across his back, causing him to fall forward. Rolling away, he howled in grief, back bent over as he forced her away.
"Good one," he choked, limping slightly, "By Cel, I don't remember the last time I hurt that bad. Mama hit good too."
With shaking hands, Yuuki breathed haggardly, hair messy with chips and leaf bits. Eyeing him with a sweating face, her muscles tensed.
"Jun would've loved to see this," she charged.
"Who?" Allston coughed.
Seeing her frontal attack, Allston threw an axe, catching Yuuki straight in the thigh. Balance failed, body skidding as her leg faltered, focus unbroken as she leaped forward with sword outstretched.
Do thine eyes deceive thee? Nay, it is indeed a macabre affair. Civil war hast taken what was once floor three (now north of "Urabia" ((real creative, naves)) ) and turned it into a trap filled war zone. To the west reside the Dark Elves, who I'd rather refer to as talking calamari. To the east lie the Forest Elves, tail-less geckos!
Both have once lived together, though such a time hast become distant past. When asked on Fallen Elves, however, neither bears with them a keen understanding, only that they inhabit a fortress hidden near "the depths", unseen for some time.
A most curious war, seeing as both factions bear a facility for noble names, but not of their own.
-Godfree, December 12th, 2022
A/N: And cliffhanger! Please wait on your torches and pitchforks for a few minutes. Reviews, reviews, reviews, help me make stuff worthy of being number one!
See you later guys, got a date with a torch!