A/N: Hey everyone! Just gonna say, thanks a ton for your constant support for the series :D. Your reviews, favorites and follows encourage me to keep going. Special shout out to awesomess blazeking24 and RiptideZ, your feedback has been really helpful.
November 22nd 2022
Consciousness slipped back, the smell of food cooking in the air. Opening my eyes slightly, I found Lisbeth crouched over. Watching her messing with something in a bowl, I pretended to stay asleep. Excitement crept in, seeing her again. The odor of breakfast made this notion of pretending all the more difficult.
Ever since Lis helped me discover [Ares], I've trained nonstop. Carving Boar, plant, and bug alike, the ability to heal from wounding's changed everything. I had reached level ten, double digits in such short time. In the two days that passed, I accumulated more than two thousand Cor from the dead. With a balance of five thousand, I finally felt a sense of hope.
It was snowing again last night, the puffy white droplets resting in clumps. It came with the recent cloud cover, no signs of stopping any time soon. Small gusts of wind blew over the tower, scratching against the brick and mortar. With the crackle of the fireplace, however, it was almost decent living.
Gazing at her, I considered my current mission. I wondered if she could come with me, accompany me in finding the thief. She's so pleasant to work with, always smiling. She's got real strength too, nothing like the wet paper bags that made up the rest. She was like a Valkyrie, brave and fierce.
I wondered, how did she see me? I stopped myself, feeling a familiar, soft nausea. The need to keep focused was present, I've got a mission to train for. I yawned, hiding my face inside my cloak.
"So I did wake you," Lis commented, glancing over to me. She swept her hand, brushing aside a few stray bangs.
"Mm," I stretched, "I'd argue it was the food. You were quiet enough."
"Figured the smell would do the trick," she smiled softly, "how'd you sleep?"
"Pretty well," I grinned, "yourself?"
"Mm," Lis shrugged, "won't lie. Had trouble sleeping. Got so excited for the cave trip today, spent only like...five hours sleeping?"
"Five hours?" I frowned, "when did you get here?"
"Couple of hours ago," she answered, yawning. "Got some bird eggs on my way here. Figured you probably eat a dozen of these a day."
Noticing it's already nine in the morning, I stumbled to my feet. Watching the egg yolks boil in the pan raised my appetite. "One sec," I said, "some things I need to do first."
"Like what?"
Dropping on all fours, I began my exercise routine. Doing a push up, I was greeted right away with that minigame. I had already planned for today, the focus was on abs, back, and arms. Starting with the back, a cable machine materialized in a bright flash of red.
The clack of metal, the winding of cables, the rowing. Back exercises were among my least favorite, due to the extra caution needed. Passing the threshold took longer than expected, but feeling the rearward muscles bulge felt great!
"You doing that gives me ideas," warned Lis, a sinister smile on her lips.
"Like what?" I looked nervously. Whenever the word 'idea' or 'thought' came from her, stuff turned dangerous.
"Oh nothing," she said, looking back to the cooking eggs.
That made me all the more nervous, like she had discovered something to tease me with further. "That's not helping."
"Oh?" Lisbeth's eyes locked, lowering her face. As her eye shadow darkened, she smiled. "How about this?"
The borderline sadistic expression from her excited me. "Nope!" I cheered, playing along with the role of coward. "I'll stop talking now!"
I completed the rest of my exercises. From weighted ab crunches, to dumbbell assisted curls, the iron tore my body anew. Ironically, breaking the threshold on the biceps was the hardest, despite their size. I grunted loudly, tugging up the weight chosen with each arm. Twenty two kilograms, why did the metric system always make me sound so weak?!
Completing the thresholds for what must've been twelve exercises, I felt the muscles swell heartily. The machinery used to train vanished into a puff of blue, warping to who knows where. Plopping back down, I took the plate Lis offered, smiling as the steam caressed my face.
"You do that regularly, don't you?" Lis smirked.
"Have been," I nodded, taking bites, "been about six years now since I started...thanks for the food by the way," I nodded, "you didn't have to cook."
"You saying you don't like my cooking?" Lis smiled, her tone soft. While her message was sweet, it fired off warnings from all fronts!
I said nothing, cramming the egg in my mouth. The fine taste of well cooked egg satisfied me to no end. From that point onward, I knew that no bird nest would be safe out here.
"Hey," Lis shouted playfully, "I'm talking to you mister!"
I looked up, my mouth stuffed with food. The instant she saw me, her face turned red, bursting with laughter! She hunched over, covering herself as she chuckled away.
"Jeez Garr!"
Her light hearted mirth proved infectious. I buried my face in the bowl, trying not to laugh, forcing myself to chew. The fluffy egg contents tasted great, but I needed to clear! Finishing what remained in my mouth, I jumped between laughter and fits of coughing.
"Dammit Lis," I pleaded, "I was eating! Please don't do that."
"Hey now," Lis argued, "you looked like a chipmunk! It's hard not to laugh."
Shaking my head, I eased myself. Her laugh was the best, the way it ebbed between snorting and chuckling. Even if I was the butt of the joke, the sound usually made up for it.
Wolfing down the rest of the egg, satisfaction was reached. Giving her the scoured plate, I bowed my head slightly. Lisbeth happily took the plate, taking time to enjoy her portions. With her finished, the plates were put away.
"So," Lis proposed, "ready to go? Been thinking about that cave we found all night."
"I was actually gonna ask," I smiled, "how was town? Been busy up here for a couple of days."
Lisbeth paused for a moment. Her eyes dimmed slightly, the room filling with an awkward silence. "Lis?"
"Crying's stopped for the most part," Lisbeth answered suddenly, "still no progress on finding the Floor Boss. People are getting all uppity about Beta Testers."
The sudden answer struck me off. Was there something bugging her? "Why Beta Testers?" I inquired, "I mean, wouldn't they know how to get us out?"
"Yes," Lis shrugged, "but apparently some think they're taking advantage of other players."
"Even if they were," I argued, "the idea of pissing off the most informed people here sounds...intelligent. Are you alright by the way?"
Suddenly, Lisbeth's expression turned sunny again. "Yea! Was just agreeing with you. Ready, Garr?"
"Sure am!" I said as I rose to my feet. "Thanks again, Lis!"
Heading out, I held open the door for her. As sunlight leaked through, Lisbeth paused, looking surprised about something. Glancing up at me, she looked confused before heading out. Minutes later, we hit the road.
Trudging through the snow, the once green forest gleamed an almost pure white in the sun. The branches surrounding us held up piles of snow, bending from the weight. Clumps fell occasionally, making a dull thud as they joined the collective below.
The birds above tweeted their morning tune. With every step, my boots sank in through the puffy surface. The snow piled high around the open ground, some clumps falling to the Earth as branches give in. Despite the beauty of the place, Lisbeth was silent. I stopped, looking back. Not only was she quiet, but she vanished!
My eyes widened, feeling immediate concern. Where the hell'd she go?! I stumbled back, searching behind trees, gazing around the white forest path for any sign of pink. Despite walking for only a few minutes, I had lost track of her, agitating me.
"Lis?!" I called out, "where'd you go?!"
No answer. A slight breeze blew by, not a sound to be heard. I paced back and forth, unsure what happened. Maybe I messed up? What if she's lost? What if a wolf pack found her? I started marching back, listening for any signs of Dire Wolves.
Only the songs of birds reached my ears, I stopped again. Opening the menu, I prepared a message as I continued falling back. I wrote quickly, asking where she went. As I filled it out, I heard the snap of a twig.
Glancing back around, the pine trees remained motionless, the birds as cheerful as always. Readying the Zweihander, I finished the message. With the note ready, I looked back, ready to hit 'Send'.
The second I reached...I heard a voice, her voice.
"Hey, Garr!"
I turned to the source. The second I did, a snowball splashed on me! I yelled in surprise, more icy particles crashing into my face, arms and body. Shielding my head, I backed away with surprise.
I tripped, slipping on the snow! Grunting, the soft surface gave way like a mattress. The cold of winter pressed against my back, the laughter of a familiar trouble maker reaching my ears.
"Ambush!" Lis shouted, "victory is mine!"
That insolence, that nerve. "Oh it's on!" I shouted, rolling back to my feet.
"You already lost!" cheered Lis, "give it up!"
Tossing more my direction, I gasped as several struck me. My cloak was quickly caked with snow, resembling a Christmas cookie in a matter of seconds!
"Not a chance!" I jeered, jumping to the side. Hiding behind a tree, I shoveled mounds of snow around me, readying a stockpile! My heart raced, my hands scrambling as I packed snowballs of my own.
The tree proved too thin, Lis continuing to nail me in the arms as I prepared!
"Dammit Lis, you've got me pinned! Let me get one shot, dammit!"
"Quit hiding you big sissy!" Lis teased, tossing more as I shouted.
I accepted her challenge, leaping out with handfuls of snow! Taking one arm, I lobbed ice cold chunks at her, watching as they swept by her! Lisbeth squealed, ducking to gather more. My aim sucked, most of the snowballs missing her.
Seeing her drop, I threw more, desperate to land even one hit! My aim continued to fail, none so much as grazing her. Just as I threw one of my last, I finally scored a hit! This victory, was short lived. While my missile did hit, it landed in the last place I wanted, below her lower back.
The snow splashed, Lisbeth gasping. Seeing the snow cover the seat of her trousers, I grimaced. She looked up slowly, her face red...her eyes blazing with rage.
At that moment I knew, I screwed up. I ran back, going for cover as fast as my legs could carry me! I was not ready, unprepared to face the unholy wrath of a flustered Lisbeth. I could hear her yell, but couldn't make sense of it. All I knew, was to get down.
Dashing behind the thickest tree I could find, I quickly gathered another pile of snow. Packing a few balls, I tossed for dear life, hoping to distract! I bent down, packing another, my hands numbing. Splash, I felt a sudden slap in the ear! Cold snow trickled off, causing me to stumble to my back.
"Headshot!" Lis cheered. Looking back, she was raising an arm for victory.
Two could play at this game. Playing dead, I laid on my back, letting my body sink. Beneath my hands, I clumped snow, waiting for her to close in. My left ear was freezing from the last shot. If I ever taught her how to use a gun, I'd be in trouble.
"Oh no," she noted, "did I...are you okay?"
I heard her approach, her boots parting the snow. It was impossible to hide my grin, my face as red as fruit as she closed in. The second I saw her boots, I leaped to my feet! Armed with twin handfuls of snow, I lobbed both at once, flinging at high speed.
My aim proved folly, drifting straight past her from both sides. I froze, my ambush had failed. Lis narrowed her eyes, her expression was smug. At that moment, at that distance, it just became a standoff...and I was completely unarmed. She raised her right hand, slowly. Like a catapult, she slowly cranked it back, staring at me the whole time.
I dived back, hoping to avoid such a humiliating defeat! As my back hit the snow, I turned to roll, only to take a face full of snow. I paused, taking in what just happened. Lis raced back, laughing the whole way.
"Disrespect!" she whooped, "you just got served!"
I laughed, loving the attitude. Wiping the snow off my face, the heat of the moment was all I could feel. "That's it," I yelled, "time for Plan B!"
Tossing a few her way, I heard her squeal as she retreated. The snowballs crashed around her, but none hitting.
"You plan?!" she challenged, a exaggerated expression of shock on her face.
"I think so," I joked, "can't be too sure though!"
I chuckled, gathering snow as usual. The plan was to draw her in, feign retreat. When she's in range, that's when I shake the branch above me! I snickered, eyeing two low hanging snow banks. My heart raced, the smile on my face irreversible. My hands burned as Lis continued pelting away, relentless in her assault.
Playing reclusive, I ducked away. "Hiding from me?!" Lis challenged, "you're not fooling me this time!"
Just as she said this, I lobbed another! The snowball crashed to the tree beside her, missing completely. I tossed another, desperate to make even a single hit.
By luck, I succeeded! Landing a successful hit, Lis took the snowball straight to the chest. She squealed, the snow trickling off her leather vest. "You!"
I laughed, her face as red as a cherry as she glared at me. Just to mock her, I tossed another hardened ball. My luck won out once more, striking her again, this time right in her hair!
Lisbeth shrieked, her bangs flying out! Seeing her hair freed felt surreal, like I had just seen a lioness emerge. This moment left, with her running straight at me.
"I'll kill you for that!" She roared, stomping through the snow towards me.
Lis lunged forward, a devious smile on her face. Her brown hair caked with snow. I raced to my feet, the rush of excitement getting the better of me. I reached for the branch, yanking it down!
The plan worked, in fact it worked too well. The second one branch sank, it ruptured the balance of other branches. Seconds later, a blinding shower of snow fell upon us! Buried knee deep, our faces and bodies were covered in snow. Lisbeth scowled at me, looking ready to strangle me.
"You clever little," she shook her head, throwing a blanket of snow!
The fight went on for a few minutes longer. As the excitement died down, we regrouped on the road. I sighed, feeling as jovial as a child. Lisbeth stood beside me, with a smile extending from ear to ear. We were a mess, but it was a glorious mess.
"Hey Garr," Lis noted, "look at the mess we made."
Glancing back, I couldn't help but chuckle. Where the area surrounding us was smooth and clean, our battlefield was littered with piles and craters. Looking like something straight out of a war.
"What can I say? You ambushed me," I smiled, "well played."
"we both did," she admitted, "you're smarter than you claim. Your aim isn't bad either."
I laughed hearing her compliment my aim. "You kidding? I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!" I argued playfully.
"Not true," Lis replied, "you could hit the broad side of a barn...from about the distance of a ruler. Maybe."
"True," I beamed, "but man, you were easy to push."
"Not true!" Lis squeaked, nudging me in the shoulder. "You just know how to piss me off!"
I nudged her back teasingly. Sadly, I forgot the massive physical differences. The second I pushed, it knocked Lis straight into the snow! I looked down, trying to hold back a chuckle. This resulted in getting snow to the face, again.
As we ventured further down the road, I looked back to Lis.
"So you never explained that whole prosthetic arm project," I smiled, "mind telling?"
Lis nodded, brushing some loose pieces of snow from her hair. "It was hollow, because I intended to wire an artificial nervous system inside it."
"Jeez, that sounds advanced as hell," I looked at her. "How's that supposed to work?"
"Don't get the wrong idea," Lis waved her hands, "it's not like you're going to get sensory input like touch. That's another matter entirely. What I'm talking about is interconnecting the electronics that move the arm and individual fingers with the brain."
"That makes me wonder then," I tilted my head, "how'd you even get it to connect?"
"Simple," she moved her hands, "just gotta have the nodes give feedback to your radial and ulnar nerves."
"Oh the nerves in both sides of the arm?" I cheered, recalling the material taught as a Kinesiology major.
"Exactly," Lis nodded, "sadly, that project didn't make first place."
"Ridiculous," I jeered, "I mean, designing all this takes passion!"
"I built that arm from the ground up," Lis continued, "from designing it on a computer, to the hardware. Every piece of it was my own."
The topic irritated her, looking back up to me with a depressed gaze. Seeing her in such a state, I couldn't help but empathize. Here she was, preaching stuff that I couldn't see myself doing with such ease, yet didn't get praise.
"Lis?" I coaxed, looking for her focus. She nodded to me.
"I'd still call you the real winner of that contest. You're really smart, dedicated too."
"I didn't win though," Lis rebutted, "my parents were so disappointed." She gazed at the ground, her voice filled with shame.
"Well I'm not," I argued, "I think the work you did is amazing! Reminds me all the time about my father."
Lisbeth looked up at me, frowning still, but her eyes wavering. "Unlike the other guy," I inspired, "all you had was plastic and copper. Sure, I might not comprehend everything that goes into that...but he required someone else's tech to perform."
She kept staring at me, like I was hitting a nerve. We remained quiet as we marched down the snowy path. "I'm upset that no one else appreciates what you do." I growled, "really, I have the highest respect for craftsmen and inventors. It's the job of a warrior to protect them."
I saw a smile, a very soft smile. While her face was subtle in expression, her eyes spoke volumes. She said nothing, but the look her brown eyes gave was all I needed. I looked back down the road, content with boosting her confidence.
"We should be close to the cave," I reminded, "got a light source?"
"Oh um," Lis opened her menu, "yes! Got some glow rock pieces and a torch."
"Awesome," I smiled, flicking my wrist. My greatsword formed, thanks to 'Hot Wave'. My arm muscles bulged as I shouldered the weapon, from the deltoids to the forearms.
"So Garr, what about that military deal you said you had going?" Lis questioned, "kinda hard to believe someone like you got trapped in here. There's no chopper here far as I know."
Her teasing made me giggle. Man, if only I could get to the chopper! The reminder of that dream, however, stung nonetheless. My smile faded, the years I've spent pursuing that goal returning. "Garr?" Lis looked.
"Disqualified," I answered abruptly, "my eyesight. It ended my dream of being a warrior from the start." I smiled, trying to hide the shame.
"I can tell it still bothers you," Lis softened, "was that the only reason?"
"Pretty much," I shrugged. "Physical tests were as easy as you could imagine. In the ASVAB, their mental tests, I scored in the top twenty percent too."
"Then they're the losers here," Lis argued, "listen. Just because they said no, doesn't mean you're not a warrior. I mean, you did confront Kayaba, doesn't that say enough?"
"Not for me," I admitted, "I'm like you that way. I'm not content with just 'passing', I love to excel at what I do."
"True," Lis noted, "funny, we look nothing alike. Yet..."
She paused again, snapping back to focus. "Really though, thanks for cheering me up, it means a lot to me."
"You too," I bowed lightly, "glad I could help."
She stopped, pointing to the area right of us. There stood the mouth of the cave. While its roof and entrance packed with snow, the interior looked untouched. I smiled, approaching the entrance.
Unlike Nishida's cave, no light sources were in sight. With only darkness ahead of us, I looked to Lis. "I'll carry the light source," I stated, opening my inventory.
She shook her head. Drawing a glow rock from her menu, she held it up for us both. "Can't let you do everything for me, we're a team."
I smiled, though realizing an issue. The cave walls were narrow, forcing me to use my greatsword by its secondary handle. "Won't lie, Lisbeth-san. The path's a little tight for my sword."
She looked back at me, raising an eyebrow. "Did you just call me Lisbeth-san?"
"Yea?" I replied, looking at her, "is it wrong? I just...remember something about that being a thing in your culture."
Lisbeth laughed, shaking her head. "Ugh...well then, Garr-chan, I appreciate the title. You just called me by Miss."
"Chan? What's that mean?" I asked, looking sheepishly at her.
She blushed, holding back laughter. "I'll tell you when the time is right."
"Oh come on," I coddled, "tell me!"
"Nope!" Lis walked ahead of me, wielding her mace and glow rock as she marched down the chasm. I sighed, following closely behind her. What the hell does chan mean? I only knew 'san' because a friend told me about it years ago!
As the light of the surface world faded behind us, the glow of Lisbeth's rock took over. The path narrowed further, forcing me to hold my sword at a higher angle. Darkness filled the crevices, the rounded smooth walls lit by the pale green glow of our rock. Suddenly the path opened, revealing a great cavern.
A tall chasm formed a natural stone bridge, leading upwards. Surrounding the bridge, a reservoir of sparkling water resided. Shallow, the water surrounding us rested roughly three, maybe four feet deep. Past our platform, the pool got notably deeper.
Stalagmites and their vertically inclined counterparts hung from all sides of the cave, filling the rim of the subterranean pond like rows of teeth. Lis stopped, pointing to something along the back.
"You see that?" Lis asked, looking eagerly back at me.
I squinted. From where I stood, some reddish stone could be seen from across the pond. "The red stuff?"
"Yea," Lis nodded, "that's iron, well the naturally produced stuff."
Sensing importance, I set my focus. "Got that hammer still?" I looked at her, readying myself.
"Um, yes?" Lis stared at me, "you wanna get it?"
"It matters to you, doesn't it?" I smiled, "besides, my arms could use the exercise."
"Psh," Lis smirked, "yea...I mean it's not like they're the size of watermelons or anything."
Passing me the blacksmith hammer we found a few days ago, I nodded to her. "Wait," she alerted, "what if there's something in there?"
"Then we've got dinner tonight, don't we?" I boasted, "don't worry, be back in a sec."
Gripping the tool, I hopped down into the water below. The second my legs pushed through the surface, a wave of frigid cold ran through me! I gasped, sighing as the warmth from my lower extremities left.
"You okay?" Lis questioned, alarmed by my expression.
"I'm fine," I exclaimed, "just got another wake up call."
Dragging my legs, I moved steadily through the dark pond. Drawing my own glow rock, I glanced back at the water. Nothing moved in the depths, nothing that I could see. Looking back, I propelled my legs forward, the limbs quickly going numb. Minutes later, I reached the red patch.
Standing a bit higher than me, I lifted one foot over the edge. Balancing, I placed the glow rock between the wall and a stalagmite. As my soaked belt line lifted, the surrounding air worsened the chill.
"Be careful!" Lis called out, "Garr, I think something's moving!"
Looking like a coward once, I paid no heed. I wanted to show her that I'm capable of fulfilling her wishes. Taking the hammer, I began chipping away at the surface. With every strike, the wall rattled. Material crumbled, falling into the pond beneath me. I grimaced, the loss of her ore was unacceptable.
To improvise, I pulled out the bowl I took from Nishida's dungeon. Holding it up with my knees, I started chipping again. I conserved my blows, not wanting to break the ore too harshly. As more iron dropped in fragments, I stopped to catch my breath. With the potato chip sized pieces lining the bowl, I realized I was wasting ore.
Just as I realized this, I felt something brush against my leg. Looking back, a large, black shape moved through. Snake-like, the elongated dweller circled around. Sleek, the creature made no ripples as it glided. From the glow of the rock, I could see long white fangs poking out from the fish's mouth.
Its teeth were curved and long, its eyes lacking color. I sighed, frightened by the limbless beast. Slowing my breathing, I put the hammer away. Readying the Zweihander, I turned steadily. The eel encircled me as I raised the sword, pointing it down like a spear.
"Garr?!" Lis fretted.
I said nothing, focusing entirely on the predator below. Raising the blade, I drove it down. The second I moved, the creature thrashed to life! In the space of seconds, rows of hooked teeth bit into my shin, punching through the meat of my shins like tissue!
I gritted my teeth, the daggers burrowing. Before I could say a word, the fish yanked, pulling me down! My boots slipped, water rushing to my chest, my body flying into a panic.
I gasped, flailing as I'm dragged under. The sound and light of the world faded, replaced by the dark silence of the pool. The creature was revealed to be a [Shade Snatcher]. The numbing cold of the pond was pierced, the fangs of my captor tearing at my legs. I couldn't scream, only bubbles coming out as I squirmed. Fear turned to outright terror, strength to helplessness.
Reaching back, I gripped the blackened fish! The beast's skin was slick, slimy. As it dragged me further, the light of the glow rock faded. My lungs began to burst, tearing from the lack of air. My HP meter flashed, warning. I punched and kicked, hoping to ward it off!
No success. The black of the pool was all I could see, with only the tearing of limbs to feel. Weakness turned to desperation. Gripping the sword, I took a wild swing! The sword bumped into rocks, forcing it back. I was running out of time.
I swung again and again, each catching onto another stone. My grip weakened, my energy fading. Taking the sword one last time, I pulled it close to myself, driving it like a pike, down!
The beast squirmed, releasing me as the sword punched through! The damage the abyssal fish took energized me, coaxing me to stab it again! Punching the sword straight through its body, I swam up, dragging the creature with me!
Seconds later, I felt the air on my face. I gasped, greedily sucking in the cruel, but blessed air. My lungs burned, my body shaking from the ordeal. My left leg stung, worse than a hundred stings.
"Garr!" Lis cried out. I turned, noticing her in the water, swimming towards me.
"What happened!? I lost sight of you!"
I coughed, gripping a nearby stalagmite. I nodded to the sword, where a [Shade Snatcher] squirmed. Looking back, I cursed the creature, calling it every obscenity under the moon. I shook, shivering from the experience.
"Hang on," Lis assured, "I'll help you."
"You kidding?" I cheered weakly, "I...just got us dinner tonight! Looks like eel's our treat, eh?"
Lis sighed, her eyes filled with panic. Punching me in the shoulder, she turned away. "I got all wet because of you!"
I grinned, the creature exploding from the wounds. Upon death, I received five pieces of [Delicate Snatcher Meat]. Despite the smile and bravado, I felt utterly terrified inside. Shaking, I put the sword back with the flick of my arm. The desire to get that iron was rivaled then with the urge to leave.
I winced, the sting of the creature's bite still lurking. That combined, with the cold of the water only convinced me to finish the job. Sadly, the fall caused all of the ore I collected to spill from the bowl, drifting to the depths.
Readying Lisbeth's hammer again, I changed tactics. This time, I aimed for the rock surrounding the iron ore. I listened as Lis climbed out, worrying about her getting cold.
"Lis?" I called back, "when I'm done, I'll make sure you get warm."
I heard nothing but shivers. Knowing she's in distress, I cracked the stone with full force! The hammer rung as stone shattered, exploding from the force of my blows. I smiled a little, knowing my strength gave me a huge advantage. Within minutes, I successfully separated the ore from the rest of the cave.
The huge hunks of ferrous metal fell between my knees, barely held by the small silver bowl. Forced to grip the stalagmites for support, I collected. Gathering each piece in my inventory, I felt the weight on my legs grow. I beamed with pride, knowing I fulfilled my promise. With all eight pieces, I returned to Lis.
Holding up a torch, Lis tried warming herself. With her clothes soaking wet, however, this proved insufficient. I climbed out of the pool, shaking just like her. I smiled at her, "boy aren't we a merry looking bunch?"
"S-S-Shut up," Lis growled, looking quite uncomfortable.
I scooted her to the flattest point of the walkway. Piling up sticks on the ground, I turned towards the cave exit. "Where are you going?" Lis asked, fumbling at her words.
My teeth chattered. "Just wait here a second," I trailed off, reaching the snow patched mountain tops. The cold wind dug into my bones, my hands aching from the strain. My HP meter flashed, indicating 'Minor Hypothermia' taking effect. Shaking like a leaf, I searched for the biggest rock I could find.
Luckily, one happened to be just nearby. weighing probably around seventy to eighty pounds, I lugged the small boulder over my shoulder. The rough surface scraped against my skin as I hauled it back. Just as I reached the wood pile, I dropped the stone beside it.
On the spot, I dropped the yellow tunic and brown trousers from my early days before Lis. "Put those on," I ordered, activating a camp fire. "Put your clothes on the rock, it'll absorb the heat...drying them out."
Lisbeth nodded, taking the clothes with shivering hands. Huddling close to the fire, she snapped her eyes back to me. I nodded, turning my back as I left the immediate area. Standing with my back to a wall, I rubbed my arms.
"I'm s-sorry for scaring you," I chattered, "I-I should've been m-more cautious."
"N-No," Lis assured, "it's f-f-fine."
After a few seconds, she called out. "It's safe to look now."
With her pink top and trousers laid on the rock, she wore the slightly torn beginner clothing. I huddled around the flame, gathering whatever warmth remained. Minutes passed, her body and clothes quickly drying off. I turned away again, letting her change back.
"Alright Garr," Lis instructed, "gonna let you do the same."
I smiled, waiting for her to leave. The minute she left, I placed everything on the rock. Exposing myself to the warmth, I sighed with relief, my body shaking with the embrace of the nearby flame. "God this feels good," I mumbled to myself, twisting around back and forth.
Soon, my lower garments were ready. Re-equipped, my shirt and cloak were next. What if I hadn't been quick enough. I was being reckless and it nearly costed my life. My chest and shoulders dried, their striations popping out in the lighting. I felt terrible, putting Lis under that grief.
Hearing footsteps I glanced up, only to see Lis standing there, staring. Her eyes wandered, her pale face blushing brightly. Seeing her with my shirt off, it felt as if I was examining a fireplace. Heat rushed over my cheeks, I checked my shirt and cloak. Not only were they long dry, they were very warm. I cringed, knowing I got distracted.
"Don't mind me," I stammered, "was just noticing an issue."
"What's that?" Lis questioned, looking away from me. Keeping her hands behind her back, her right foot twisted back and forth.
"My chest muscles," I joked, "they're not exactly at their prime."
She suddenly wheezed. "Excuse me, but..." she stopped herself.
"What?" I asked softly.
"Just put your shirt on," she commanded sternly.
I shrugged, putting the rest of my gear on. Fully clothed, I walked over to her. Passing her the hammer, "gonna hold on to the iron for you, least till we're back."
Lis suddenly seemed a bit distant. Glancing back to me for a second, she simply nodded. Taking her hammer, we continued on our way up the stone incline. Noticing the absence of her smile, questions emerged.
The wide stone tunnels dripped from the stalactites above. Seeing Lis shiver from stray drops landing on her, I removed my cloak. Putting it over her, she resisted. In response, I tossed the cloak over her, frustrated by her reluctance.
I walked ahead of her. Inspecting every wall for unusual material. Biting my cheek, I tried hiding the discomfort. I spotted another patch of red to an alcove left of the path. "Found some iron, Lisbeth-san!"
She came around the corner, checking out my discovery. "Ah, thank you," she mumbled, keeping her gaze away from mine. She rushed forward, brushing me off as she start mining away. She struck the surrounding rock pretty hard, looking like she's venting. I backed away slightly, her figure hidden by my cloak.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked, cautious with my question. Having a frustrated woman with a hammer, it's best to tread lightly.
She stopped, grasping the hammer with both hands. "It's fine, I'm just...frustrated."
"About?"
She kept her eyes on the ore. "The whole eel thing. Just standing there, watching you vanish like that and all I did was stand there, I didn't help."
"Lis," I said, keeping eyes open for danger, "don't worry about that. We as a team should be able to hold our own, right?"
Lis remained silent for a few minutes. Seeing the passion fade from her, was like watching a fire go dim. Like a spice going flat, I couldn't stand it.
"Thank you, Lis."
"For what?" Lis grumbled, "last I checked, you almost died."
"It wasn't that bad," I argued, "trust me. Considering the week before, a little love bite from a fish is the least of my worries. Thank you for diving in for me. It's not something I'm used to."
"Sure," Lis grunted, "...I'm not happy. Don't put me through that again."
I opened my mouth, eager to promise. I stopped, remembering my mission. I nodded, standing guard as she continued mining.
The rest of the trip went quietly. I'd keep trying to comfort Lisbeth, but nothing seemed to work. In the hours that passed, we reached the end of the cavern. Eager to turn back, she didn't seem interested in inspecting further.
"Let's go," Lis dismissed, "it's been a long day."
The lack of reward at the end of this cavern left me curious. "Lis? Mind if I take that hammer for a minute?"
She passed it without question. "I'd like that back when you're done," she said, "I'll be waiting outside the cave for you. Hurry up, please?"
"I will," I assured her, watching as the brown haired maiden left. As she vanished into the dark, I felt uneasy, the burn in my leg still present. I turned to the walls around me, searching for anything in the cavern.
Searching high and low, nothing could be seen past the wall of gray that stood. I didn't know why, but I felt like it's me she's bothered with. I frowned, displeased with this notion. I raised the hammer, hoping to find anything hidden behind the rock.
Bits of stone burst with each strike. Gritting my teeth, I vented my frustration. Slamming it over and over, chunks fell to my feet. After minutes of grinding away at solid Earth, I was forced to stop. Not only was I exhausted, but the hammer was losing durability.
The debris cleared, dust forming clouds. Wiping off jagged rock, I noticed a small green glint. Seeing an unusual form in the remnants, I hammered away. Soon, out came a strange green chunk. Pulling it up, the material was bigger than my hand. [Raw Jade] it read, [Class B gemstone - Can be used for jewelry.]
Holding the light green material, I smiled. Maybe this will cheer her up? Pocketing the item, I hurried out of the cave. Marching out, I found Lis standing, facing the sunset. I stepped forward loudly, not wanting to catch her by surprise. Standing next to her, I smiled as the celestial light dipped.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" I asked, glancing back at her.
"It is," Lisbeth remarked. She tilted her head again, refusing to look at me.
"I found something, think you might like it."
She looked back at me. Her brown eyes wavered, her freckles showing in the golden rays. I found myself entranced for a moment, seeing just how beautiful she really looked.
"So what'd you find?" Lis asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I revealed the [Raw Jade] to her, as well as her hammer. Taking the gemstone with both hands, she inspected the material. Her eyes sparked for a moment, sending a wave of relief through me. She then looked at the hammer, that impish smile creeping up.
"I can't tell who's more stubborn," she shook her head, "you or the tool."
"I'd argue the tool," I smiled, "it has to put up with me."
She laughed, shaking her head. "I suppose you're right. Thanks Garr, ready to head back?"
Seeing joy on her face again hit me like a ray of sunshine. "Hell yea," I boasted, "gonna try the new cuisine. Got toothpaste?"
"Actually I do," Lis commented, a devious grin on her lips, "you really are a weirdo."
"Well excuse me princess," I laughed, "last I checked, you were the one to suggest-"
Lis bumped me, "and you were the one to eat it! You're unbelievable."
Soon huddled together back in the watchtower, Lis snuggled in the green cloak as I cooked. The eel meat cooked quickly, forcing me to limit its time on the flame to less than five minutes!
Lis smiled, gazing at the fireplace, her eyes brightened by its glow. The eel turned from a nocturnal black to a flaming red. Taking a knife, I sliced the thick slab to smaller pieces, finding the meat surprisingly soft. Lis drew her plate, easing it to me.
"Hang on," I warned, "I won't let you eat until I'm sure it's safe."
I picked up a piece. Lifting the bright red specimen, I chewed away, testing for whether it's under cooked. As I ate the soft meat, my tongue was overwhelmed! The sweet flavor of an otherwise repulsive creature left me craving for more. The flavor was like a well cooked fish, mixed with the flavors of crustaceans. Swallowing, I waited a few moments.
In the real world, such things would take minutes or even hours to find out. Thankfully, SAO peeled such back to mere seconds, with such wonderful notices like [poison] status effects. After several seconds, I confirmed the food to be safe. Passing Lis six pieces, I kept the remaining five.
The meal received great approval. Lis moaned softly as she tasted the fine delicacy, a sound I found exquisite. She looked up at me, tilting her head like she's got a question.
"Something?"
"Yea, I was wondering where's your spice?"
"Oh," I drew the big red bottle, "this is a special meal, thanks for reminding me."
Lis blushed softly, the orange glow of the fireplace radiating the reddening of her cheeks. "Want some?"
"No thanks, not a fan of spice."
"Really? Can't get enough of it myself," I said, looking specifically at her. She's like a fine spice. Feisty enough to fight back, sweet enough to keep wanting more.
Her face turned almost pink, she must've known exactly what I meant. "Getting a bit bold are we?"
"Only a little," I smiled lightly, feeling doubt creep in, "anyway, I was wondering. You and I have fought together for some time now."
The way her eyes focused on me, I stumbled slightly.
"I...was wondering if you'd like to stay with me?"
Lisbeth paused, looking unsure. "sorry if I'm being pushy," I receded, "I just...yea."
An awkward silence took over. Why did I ask that stupid question, I already know the answer!
"I'd like that," Lisbeth spoke, looking me right in the eyes, "a lot actually."
The second I heard those words, I felt an explosion in my chest. My imagination swept over me, my mind racing with the possibilities. Together, we'd crush anything in our path. I believe it! I beamed with joy at her response.
Our plates were soon emptied. I stared at the fire, a strange warm feeling in my chest. I stopped, frowning for a second. What about the monsters? Am I willing to put her at risk against creatures I could only barely think of confronting? I sighed, feeling sudden concern for her safety.
Just as I exhaled, I heard shuffling. I glanced back, seeing Lis scoot towards me. Her big brown eyes sparked, looking straight into mine. My heart beat slower, heat radiating off my face as she closed in. Our arms touched, then our shoulders.
"Lis, I-"
"Sh," she whispered, "no words..."
With that, the brunette rested her head on my shoulder. Her hair felt as soft as silk, the curls pressing against the muscle. I was silenced, scooting myself closer to her. All of my fears and concerns vanished into thin air, replaced by the simplicity of the moment.
Looking down, I saw how close our hands were. My hands felt as hot as burning coals as I crept one towards hers. I tapped her finger with mine, testing the waters. The second they touched, Lis pounced. Her fingers locked with mine, her soft digits tied with mine.
"Garr," Lis uttered softly, tightening her grip.
"Yes?" I asked tenderly, enthralled by the sweet sound.
"Remember when you held the door for me? This morning?"
I smiled. "I do. Was wondering why you looked the way you did."
Lisbeth lifted her head off my shoulder, looking deeply at me. "Thing is, it caught me by surprise. I wasn't sure what to make of it."
I looked back, her bright mahogany eyes glowing from the fire. Having her face so close to mine, the dosage of that substance rose. Despite the euphoric feeling, I had no idea what to say. I couldn't tell what she was trying to tell me. My mind scrambled, looking frantically for an answer.
"It's my code," I addressed, "chivalry."
She smiled, as if she could sense my uncertainty. "Silly," she shook her head, "I just wanted to say thank you for that!"
Incredible. This woman could make me feel like the world's premiere scientist and the biggest idiot, all with the slip of the tongue. I could lift weights that most people would find impossible, inhuman even. Yet, she could defeat me without firing a shot. I smiled, wearing the face of the idiot.
"It's new for me," she explained further, resting her head back on me. "It was sweet. I appreciate it."
At that moment, something sparked in my mind. Her eyes closed, captivated by the embrace and the warmth of the fire. Whisked away in the bliss of the moment, our warmth was one. A soft nausea was felt, the high of this new drug taking effect. Like a dose of morphine, euphoric pleasure enveloped me, only to leave me sick after.
Whatever happened from that day on, I felt ready for it. We could handle it, her courage and my strength will win. My mind drifted, time slipping.
A/N: You feeling it yet? Thank you guys again for reading! Be sure to save the snowballs for AFTER you send me a glorious review, follow, favorite, or live eel. If you have questions, be sure to ask, I'll be happy to answer.