A/N: Demon Slayer, the only SAO fanfic to endorse gladiatorial frog fights!
NetherOrbit: Garr for Nobel Peace Prize!
Den3424: Nah, we're gonna be stuck with my shabby survival show for the next three weeks, guaranteed!
Doctor: Good news, I released your mook! Bad news is, I turned him into Navi as price for your comment. Enjoy perpetual annoyance!
Theawesomess1: Keep reading, fam. I do this out of love
Bitchbot: Currently calculating how many Failtastic Belts it takes to fix a failed belt. Git Gud.
Thunderwolf: Glad you're enjoying these chapters!
Special thanks goes out to TheVixci for following this story! Hope to earn a favorite from you someday, as with all who enjoy it.
Enjoy!
[From Aigen: what did you say is necessary to win a war? You made a pretty long statement and I don't remember it all]
[From Garr: I see no reason to help you, I'm busy]
[From Aigen: Please man, I'm sorry I said that stuff about you. Just help me understand what it takes to win?]
Silence persisted, no reply sent.
[From Aigen: Dude, Im trying to pay them back. Please help.]
Not a single response, time marching on without pity.
[From Aigen: Please, I can't leave Yuse like this!]
[From Garr: To win a war, you must make it brutal. So brutal, so fast, so painful, that your opponent can't help but surrender. The faster they surrender, the sooner the war ends, minimizing bloodshed]
Message Exchange, November 26th, 2022
November 27th, 2022
Oran's blue eyes wavered in cold air, heart thumping against ribs. Morning hadn't arrived, leaving nearby trees darkened, their snow sprinkled leaves sagging tiredly. Diavel shouted orders as he passed, commanding all troops to fall back into formations, Kibaou scrutinizing every unit with hardened eyes. Footprints of various sizes shared ground, many hours old, many more leading away from their camp. Shaking as he stood, Graye's peculiar shiver spread like a plague. Few remained steadfast, eyes glued to Diebry's entrance, bravery long obfuscated.
"Breathe," Graye muttered to himself, "we're okay, we're gonna be okay. God please help us..."
"Don't," Aigen cackled, "let me gut some more...sat too long. Should've pushed days ago."
Oran glanced to his more muscular teammate, grimacing as Aigen played with a heavily stained [Ninjato]. Potions bobbed on his belt, clinking with dozens of non-human teeth. Taiyama watched his friend from a distance, his face pale as Aigen's quip rippled.
I can't become like that, I can't. He doesn't talk about anything else anymore. No baseball, no girls, nothing. Killing, it's all about killing.
"So if our formation's broken," a recruit asked, "do we fall back behind DPS?"
Tai turned an eye to his questioner. Adorning a red cape and bronze, face shielding helmet, his newest teammate had among the calmest voices in camp. With an Australian accent heavy off his throat, an almost uncanny cheerfulness wafted from it.
"Of cou-" Tai bit his tongue, "...yes, Korrin."
Korrin nodded, rolling his shielded shoulder, whose shape mimicked the rectangular pattern of each member of his unit.
"Still prefer my [Round Great-Shield], how does anyone see around these?"
"Little slits," Tai brushed fingers over his [Tower Shield's] top rim, "please tell me somebody lectured you on this."
"They have," Korrin nodded, "I'm just asking a question, bro."
Oran remained stiff, gripping his [Bo-Staff] firmly. Taiyama's tank platoon was ordered forward, veterans of the first attempt making up only a fraction of their number. It would've been unsurprising to them, if one were to mention desertion. Half of them exiled themselves, unwilling to venture further into what they determined to be a fruitless effort, and unsightly death.
Graye was right, we can't continue to push through this world without making peace with NPCs. I've already got a lot of guys willing to pitch in, we just need to get through.
"So before we get reemed," a new voice perked, "anything I should remember?"
Oran held back a brief laugh, refusing to avert his gaze from the gate.
Another Aussie? Damn, might as well have a futball match, would beat this dreary shite.
Graye momentary glance, however, revealed a woman of pear-shape. While Graye dwarfed her, a great width of her hips stood out, extending to thighs of considerable depth. Red hair reached past shoulders, thin by comparison to her legs.
"Don't stop moving," Graye said with a wagging finger, "and nowhere near a pit, Renee."
"Don't be like Graye," Oran's breath turned shallow, "be smart, don't charge the fat rat."
Graye groaned briefly, his [Glaive] shaking.
"Right," Renee fingered a belt of [Tomahawks] at her waist, "Oran-juice, I broke a nail."
Oran glanced, only to find a raised middle finger erected his direction.
"Pf," Graye chuckled, Oran rolling his eyes as he turned fully.
"Bollocks," Oran said with a wry smile, "I feel for your man already."
A loud commotion grew, breaking off their brief conversation.
"Stand down!" Kibaou shouted, "incoming!"
Many low faces rose, none the wiser to what emerged from sightless depths. A [Kobold Sentinel] without armor or weapons rushed out, hands open as it requested audience.
"I-Illfang," it gasped, "would like travel, you do?"
Heathcliff emerged from behind others, his red metal armor dented from previous encounters. Leopon had up until recently remained hidden, transferring between tents in efforts to avoid her father's sight. With [Hot Wave] logged for her [Cross Shield] and [Arming Sword], however, concealment was losing priority.
"What is it he wants?" Heathcliff said gently, "We're willing to talk."
"We done," the kobold splayed hands, "no more siege, just pa-"
"Hey!" Kibaou shouted, "stop!"
Aigen rushed forward with a malice born smile, shoving aside others as he honed on Illfang's messenger, descending upon him without pity. A [Ninjato] plunged down, its tip bursting out the kobold's stomach, blood splattering against snow, communication severed. Without warning, Aigen's imagination flew, ripping and hacking their negotiator, people staring with widened eyes as his deed concluded. Only after a flash of blue, did individuals step forward.
"That was our only chance!" Oran threw down his fists, "You dog-fucking-!"
He rushed Aigen, yelling as he prepped a swing. Rising, others turned on Aigen, cursing him and spitting before being repelled by Kibaou's tanks. A crescendo of fists began to play, their star standing firm, wide eyed and unspoken, much like an acting student during his first performance. With abundant shouts came a drowning of thought, reason lost in disbelief.
"Back in line!" Lind waved fiercely, "get the hell back, now!"
"He screwed us!" Oran flipped a bird, "we could've gotten outta here!"
Aigen remained motionless, sound muted as he stared around himself. Taiyama bashed away vengeful teammates, shouting at others to stand back, fighting to restore order as his comrades kicked and screamed. Only after fifteen minutes had passed, did their scene settle. Left standing alone, Aigen was encircled by all of those in charge. Kibaou, Lind, Diavel, even Heathcliff.
"Kick him out," Lind growled, "he caused so much trouble now."
"No," Diavel shook his head, "send him to PoH's jail."
Aigen's tongue pressed against his teeth, keeping fists clenched as he watched them like hungry wolves. Kibaou spat in his direction, arms crossed.
"You have any idea what you did?!"
"Do you?" Aigen glared, "Bro, I am following the rules!"
"What rules? Killing messengers?!"
"Garr's rules," Aigen lowered his face, his eyes level as he shouted, "to win a war...you have to make it so bloody...so painful, so fast, that they can't...help it."
Hearing this, Taiyama's face paled.
He did say that...ugh. Should've listened to Kuradeel.
Heathcliff glanced towards Castle Diebry, whose halls and foyers filled with cries of panic and dread. Shouting was equal on both sides, punishments passed and debated, players booing and calling for extremes, their minds cheated of perceived peace.
"No...it's settled," Kibaou shook his hand, "if you wanna fight Kobolds so bad? Go."
Crowds pushed Aigen towards Castle Diebry's gate, yelling and berating. Taiyama refused to participate, witnessing quiet people turn violent in a matter of minutes, brandishing weapons as they forced his friend forward.
It's just like the first day. Me trapped here cause my best friend got lonely, people turning on one another, I thought we were past this.
Stepping out in worn shoes, Aigen's interface lit with a familiar marker, others parting away like a retreating current. Daring those they angered remained undesired, neither by passive folk or aggressive. A numerical anomaly, however, left Aigen from advancing.
[Raid Population: 2/80]
His formerly unmoved eyebrows furrowed, dark spaces enveloped him, scampering feet forcing him to ready.
There's someone in here? They're taking my kills!
Rushing inside, Aigen hollered without restraint, nobody following behind him. A cold air culminated between the hundreds gathered, breathing hard, shallow, and some haggard. Only when Diavel turned minutes later, did he wave.
"Platoon one, company two, move in."
A newer group emerged, their weapons requiring both hands. Leading them with a familiar [Spadone], Kuradeel marched forward. Tai's eyes flickered, watching as figures far taller than even himself lumbered forward. Lining up wide, [Greatswords], [Siege Blades], and [Slaughter Mauls] were brought to bear, their large frames taller than many of their users. An exception, however, was unquestioned when it came to Lox.
"Ready," Diavel raised a hand.
Archers lined up behind them, peppering inside Diebry's foyer without further wait. Bows cracked, arrows whizzing in.
"Go!"
"Mates," Renee stammered, "what's gonna happen now?"
"I'd...rather not say," Graye grimaced.
"Clear out the spears, push through," Oran shivered, "don't worry. It's not like that guy just forced this fight."
"Great," Renee groaned, "he already reminds me of my brother."
Kuradeel's grip remained flexible, his breathing soft as he led others inside. His blue eyes remained hard on target, lips pressed uncomfortably as his [Spadone] shouldered.
Into zhe breach again, nein? I best be quick, not relive zhat nightmare.
"Lo, lo, lo!" Kuradeel shouted, "bait zhem out!"
[Spears] ruptured from darkened pits, only to be hacked off by battlefield weapons, their metal tips clattering against plant matter and stone. With wind curling sweeps, Kuradeel struck down pairs, sometimes four of Illfang's spears, their relinquishment quick. Deployed days before, a four hundred and fifty pound Lox thundered forward, the castle shaking from his every step. He raced towards the double doors across the hall, where Illfang's [Palace Guard] would emerge from.
"You best hide!" he roared, [Slaughter Maul] shouldered, breaking [Spears] with his own weight as he ran through.
Others remained by Kuradeel, clearing out traps while another platoon rushed out with planks and stones. Laying out solid boards, they blocked passages, securing them with heavy rocks. Once expended, they fled, waving in engineers to roll out a new weapon.
"Forward, you naves!" a Dane roared, [Battleaxe] pointed as he stood atop its frame, "Our enemy shall flee before a proper smiting?! Nay, move thy arse!"
A beast of wood and rope was stopped sparse feet away from Diebry's entrance, players tugging its great string back, others loading in its maw. A [Ballista] planted on stone, its rope clicking into place, Godfree jumping off, foot tilted above its trigger, a pedal. A giant crossbow, many players had to man it for proper function.
"Show thyself, Kobolds!" Godfree said, "We art not afraid! At least I hope not, art thou?"
Taiyama smiled a little, passing the siege weapon's Danish commander, marching with [Tower Shields] raised, box pattern up.
Now that's a boss.
Lox's body wedged against bronze and wood, the distant door bending as a [Palace Guard] bashed against it. At near five hundred pounds, even he recoiled, doing everything in his mortally limited power to hold back a giant, his energy failing.
"Guys!" Lox cried out, "can't hold it!"
"Hark!" Godfree called, "methinks my men need time to aim!" he leaned to his turret-man, "right, thy right."
Aigen raced out from corners, having grown bored of seeking reclusive, dug in opponents. Leaping over pits, his shoulder crashed against Lox's door, using his mass to assist, Lox groaning and slowing, arrows pelting the walls above them. Godfree's [Ballista] fired, its release echoing throughout Diebry's chambers, a spear crashing just beside Lox. Dust detonated in a vast plume, a round firmly lodged in stone.
"Hey!" Lox flinched, "watch fire!"
"Exemplary," Godfree grinned, "wouldn't wanna miss, wouldith thou?"
Taiyama's tank platoon stopped right of Lox's door, Korrin shaking slightly as wood splintered.
"What exactly are we blocking?"
"Only the last thing you'd ever want to," Tai stiffened, "no biggie, right?"
Crashing over and over, Lox was sent away, knocked off his feet as the door gave way. Storming out, a [Halberd] wielding, fifteen foot tall [Palace Guard] stumbled, dust flying as its portly, round frame jiggled with every step.
"And goodbye."
Godfree floored his pedal, the [Ballista] cracking off with another bolt. A spear sized round zoomed past players, air washing over behind it, scoring a low central hit. The lumbering giant flew back, sent rolling as kinetic energy propelled it away, leaving all pausing to watch its descent.
"Fourth platoon!" Tai pointed his [Spear], "keep it back!"
"What?" Korrin stumbled.
"You heard me, dumbass!"
Feet dragged, none of Tai's comrades enthused to approach a rising, angry giant. Archers kept aim on horizontal chasms, knowing full well their arrows barely dented a [Palace Guard]. Godfree shouted at his men, aiding them in loading a third round as Diavel turned towards Oran's group.
"Third platoon, move in."
All looked nervously to each other, a darkly clad Kirito quickest in his viewings. Graye clung behind Oran, Renee rolling shoulders with a [Tomahawk] prepped in her left. Aigen was their leading figure, and he had all but lost himself, engaging head on with a [Palace Guard]. With a health pool as deep as it possessed, only irritation was achieved, prompting a quick swing with its [Halberd], forcing Aigen away.
"Third!?" Diavel repeated.
"Come on guys," another member stepped forward, "let's cut our friends some slack!"
Sporting a red bandanna and wooden armor, a player dressed much like a Japanese Samurai rushed inside, his name bobbing as he ran, Klein. Spurred on by his choice, all of third platoon ran with him, sticking to plank covered patches, slowing as they witnessed what awaited them, of whom had devoted wrath to fourth platoon. With shields raised, Korrin flinched as the [Palace Guard's] [Halberd] jammed forward, punching out seven men beside him and out the back, shields bent and flying away. Pulling its weapon back, it prepped another stab.
"Can't stay here, mate!" Korrin swayed harshly
"Hold!" Tai shivered, "they're coming back!"
Fallen tanks returned to position, armor and barriers battered, HP maintained as members guzzled down [Holy Water].
"Ready to rain fire!"
"Tai!?" Korrin eyed their charging [Palace Guard].
"Move."
Tai shifted aside, slamming his back to a pillar beside a waiting, panting Aigen as their target shoved through.
"Hey Tai," Aigen chuckled, "I can hear them scampering in there."
"We're gonna talk after this!" Tai shoved him, "Freaking caused enough trouble, dude."
The [Palace Guard] rushed out past them, only to receive a second shot, this time to its thigh, sending it falling forward, sliding back as if it were on ice.
"Tar pit him, fools!" Godfree waved his axe.
Oran's platoon encircled the fallen giant, furiously pecking away at its hide like a swarm of ants. Blunt weapons such as [Clubs] and [Bo-Staffs] bounced off, their damage mitigated. Blades, however, were a different story, dividing chunks with every cut, their opponent flailing and crying as it swatted its predators, Aigen and Lox jumping in the frenzy.
"Keep the wanker down!" Oran's [Bo Staff] bounced off, "of course!"
Their surrounded opponent swiped wide, letting go of its weapon for fast strikes. Some dodged, others failed, their delicate bodies breaking against stone, leaving many more [Paralyzed] with fractured spines. Watching them land, however, Graye sprinted, falling on padded knees with [Holy Water] in hand, sweat beading as he delivered.
[Rage: 35%]
His bottled healing implements poured on broken bones, reforming fighters as their crystal clear contents touched, faces lighting with praise, thanking their savior for a second chance. While relaxing, more members of Graye's unit were struck, crippled by inhuman hands, forcing their healer to scramble without break, Tai's tanks blockading the entrance it bolted from, preventing counter-attack.
[Rage: 68%]
"Stop hurting my friends," Graye muttered, shaking as he healed more.
As a desperate act of survival, the [Palace Guard] rolled on its side, a loud squelch and crack of bones snapped in cold air. An explosion of blue leaked out, six of Oran's men wiped out beneath indescribably sweaty fat, flattened under monolithic adipose.
"That's enough!" Graye threw fists.
[Rage: 100%]
[Activate Rage with a tightened grip]
Gritting his teeth, Graye drew his [Glaive] with a stone-like grasp, pulling his sword-spear back.
[Rage Activated]
[First Strike: +200% damage!]
Thrashing off Oran's remaining men, the [Palace Guard] stood up, turning to retrieve its tool. Right as its shoulders swerved, however, its diminutive eyes widened, a [Glaive] carving wide. Without armor, and an already chipped health meter, the Irishman's strike cut deep.
The [Glaive] passed the rodent's breast section, breaking through bone, its blade slicing open an aortic valve, its heart detonating from pressure change. A loud choke and squirm led Illfang's [Palace Guard] collapsing, dead from shock before reaching ground. Staring out with green eyes brightened, Graye shuddered as his opponent scattered to glass, leaving him smothered in blood, as well as parting with copious bags of [Cor].
"Mine!" Oran swooped in, nabbing as many bags as he could as others descended upon golden remains.
Graye took none, shiverin as he wiped blood off his face. His stomach tightened, lurching over with gurgling cries. Their hallway quieted, all remaining Kobolds retreating to deeper depths. Aigen watched beside Tai as people scrambled for every last spot of gold, shaking his head.
"Vultures," Aigen drank [Holy Water], "they shove each other away, fight over it..."
"It's a game," Tai blinked, "don't think this constitutes philosophy."
"Psh," Aigen's arm healed of lacerations, "you still call this a game. This is some hell we got into."
Storing away his finds, Oran walked over to Graye, who continued fighting nausea.
"Graye? Got four whole bags, two for each of us."
"I-I'm done, Oran."
Oran froze, staring at Graye.
"I-I-I can't stand it. I can't even...tell it apart from p-people. It's red, thick..."
A man in black smiled at Graye's words, his bandaged arms stained with dark patches, his gaze set on Aigen.
He cries for blood, denying a nature we all possess. I would love opening his eyes to it, to free him from society's shackles, this relativity of truth. Today, however, a poison is circulating, another man threatens my hire's work. Muscular, wild, a sporting hunt it shall be. Okay really, people suck.
Oran hugged Graye, Johnny slipping back into another crowd, watchful of his prey.
"We can't give up," Oran whispered, "you've saved so many lives already. Let's just beat this boss, get this over with, make that guild."
Reinforcements filed in, replacements for units lost, scavengers turning to fallen weapons, checking stats before either storing or discarding. Aigen smiled slightly, shaking his head as he turned north, towards their next hall.
"Call me crazy all you want, least I'm avenging a friend."
Tai said nothing, letting Aigen vanish behind a broken door, towards a divide of paths. Watching Oran and Graye counsel each other, however, left a gap in his heart.
He's avenging a friend, they're caring for friends. What am I doing? Mean, I get Aigen's...probably a toxic friendship, but at least I had one. Thanatos' claim still gets to me, I need to be nicer to people.
He stepped out, passing Diavel as he lectured tired faces on their next move, approaching Oran and Graye with soft steps.
"Let's keep at it," Oran patted Graye's shoulder, Godfree's [Ballista] rolling past them, "you told me not to give up."
Graye nodded, glancing up as Taiyama's shadow hovered over him.
"You guys thinking of leaving?" Tai said.
"No mate," Oran said, "friend's just a bit shaken."
"Ah," he nodded, looking away briefly, "you...mind if I stick around?"
"Sure," Oran smiled, "let's just hope we're not moving up in a bit."
New members filed in, replacing their fallen with fresh faces, their eyes bright and spirited. Among them, however, Oran noted two from the usual crowd approach him.
"Is this platoon three?" the boy spoke, his voice almost robotic.
"They are," Taiyama waved to Oran, "I'm with fourth."
Graye's eyes darted low, their female recruit bearing a peculiar mark. Volcanic rock composed her hands, spanning to her forearms in a dull, ashen color, much larger than an ordinary human's.
"Um...what happened there?"
Oran reviewed.
"Stick your hands in an oven a'lot?"
She rolled her eyes, a groan escaping. Thin in every physical prospect, her tanned skin made for a sharp contrast with silky black hair, bearing characteristic Japanese eye shape.
"Gonna put you in an oven real soon," she muttered.
"I'd rather not waste time," her friend closed arms around his chest, "I'm Teika, she's Aoki."
Aoki's friend shared a litheness himself. With high cheekbones, pale skin, and a set jaw, Teika's harsh contrast with Aoki removed any doubt of his foreign descent, let alone his American mannerisms. After quick introductions, all gathered for further orders, Taiyama following behind without much to say.
Why're her hands so messed up?
Sun Dancer
November 30th, 2022 - Tolbana
Yuuki's head rested on an open hand, fingers on soft pale cheeks as her elbow rocked softly on a wooden armrest. Ruby tinted eyes honed on a visible steam, its source growing behind a pair of bodies.
"Icing!" Asuna pointed left, arm straight and finger poised.
"Going!" Wick raced off, retrieving servings as his purple, wide brimmed hat bobbed.
Her legs protested with anxious turns and raises, Yuuki wanting to get off her chair.
We've been staying in town for days, when can we take Starting Town? PoH seems less interested with every passing day!
Wick deployed ingredients, Asuna quickly snatching, lecturing him further on baking. Rising from her seat, Yuuki glanced outside her window, watching as streets crowded with more people around houses.
Asuna said we're gonna be moving in with a friend of hers when this raid's over. It reminds me of my mom, the way she specifically describes it. "Gets us away" from stuff, makes my day. I may not know who this Lisbeth is, but the idea of sharing a blacksmithing business together sounds really cool! Wonder what kind of swords she can forge.
A bell rung, the bakery's front door giving way to a scrawny neighbor, his bowl shaped haircut swaying as he breathed, raising a finger shakingly.
"My timing sucks!" Recon stared at floorboards, "always my timing!"
"What?" Asuna peeked her head out from behind the bakery window.
"Hang on," Recon eased, "hate repeating myself."
Wick turned to Yuuki, Asuna's attention fixated elsewhere.
"You okay?"
Yuuki looked behind herself quickly, her smile brief before running from her face.
"Hm," her eyes avoided his, "I might be feeling a bit stuck, not much color here."
Wick shivered, his mind already spinning.
Maybe she'd like to walk outside with me? Maybe I could draw something? Oo what if she'd like to draw with me?
"Wick? You heard what PoH's said?"
Wick's purple eyes snapped back to Recon, whose face reddened with rage.
"No?" Wick leaned back.
"He completely screwed up my plan, telling us the raid's goin' well's scared off my customers! Now they wanna go live in Urbus."
"Why not hold it?" Asuna said softly, "Mother taught me was that land always holds value."
"That'd be great, if it weren't for the tiny detail of people leaving. If there's no one guarding this place's walls, Ilioc's gonna move right back in and boot every human in sight. And to top it off? Leafa's already giving me grief," Recon groaned, "she thinks what I'm doing's immoral, like I'm stealing."
A soft ding got Wick jumping, quickly opening an oven, its maw spewing streams of vapor.
"Ah, it's ready!" Asuna squealed a little, "alright Wick, go ahead and bring this to uh...what's his name again?"
"Bale?" Wick said.
"Yes, Bale!"
"I tried telling her," Recon ranted, "all I'm doing is securing us a financial foundation, but nooo. Apparently she thinks it's immoral, even though it was free!"
"Be back in a sec," Wick held up the ordered cake in a box.
"Okay," Asuna bowed her head.
"C-Can I come with?" Yuuki stepped anxiously, "feeling congested in here."
"You sure?" Asuna turned, "was gonna show you how to make cupcakes. Lizzy's gonna love these when we finally reunite."
"How about later?" Yuuki tilted her head, "I still want to, I just want time to breathe."
Asuna shook her head.
"Gonna be joining the Assault Team for the final push, they need reinforcements."
"Wait, why not we both go then?" Yuuki jumped, "I can fight!"
"No, least not yet."
"Ugh!" Yuuki crossed, "why didn't you tell me earlier? I could've gotten warmed up."
"Cause I knew you'd try," Asuna shrugged, "you shouldn't go into this with excitement, Yuuki. People are dying to this."
After a brief but explosive argument, Yuuki bolted out, dragging Wick out of his bakery and into sun-lit stone roads, Recon ranting on as Asuna readied her [Rapier] in its sheath.
"Ugh," Yuuki lowered her head, "why does everyone treat me like a child?"
"I don't know," Wick said, "I'd...rather not butt into anything."
Yuuki straightened herself, looking over at Wick's bright clothing.
"All I want is to be taken seriously, like I'm not only here to be saved."
Wick gingerly passed others, apologizing as he neared.
"You get used to it," Wick shrugged, "least here you don't get jumped for talking...as often."
"Where do you come from?" Yuuki blinked, "sounds like a rough place."
"Brooklyn, housing projects."
"Damn," she paled, "that is rough."
Wick shrugged, saying nothing past this. Looking out to potted flowers of red, gold, and violet, Yuuki's eyes wandered, Aincrad's light blue sky captivating with its clouds and floating islands. Catching her spacing out, Wick got a glimpse of her walk.
Her right hand's softly closed, like she's holding a sword or something, turning it over and over. Guess she's still stuck on that.
"Have you ever felt like you had to fight for something, but couldn't?"
"Sure," Wick nodded, "I just don't listen to it."
"Why?"
Arriving at their stop, Wick knocked a fist on a large estate, its doors crafted with patterns along their edges.
"Cause I should control my emotions," Wick held his box close, "it'd ruin the painting."
"Paint me!" Yuuki poked him.
"What?" Wick blushed.
"Paint. Me."
Wick shivered harshly
"Bit sudden, isn't it?"
A laugh turned his facially gathered heat cold.
"Not that way, silly. I mean like drawing," she poked him again, "you jump so easily, have you ever talked to a girl before?"
Wick stared warily, turning as his customer's door opened. Poking her head out between door and frame, an apron clad Haru observed, her lines rippling with mild surprise, Wick gulping as her thin face and white short hair tugged.
How many good looking women exist here?! This is getting stupid!
"Uh yes," Wick looked away.
"This is for Bale!" Yuuki smiled, prying a cake box from Wick's hands, "You definitely look like a Bale! He paid for it, sooo-"
Haru leaned back, a bit overpowered by Yuuki's exuberance.
"Sure? Look, Bale's not here, but I'll be sure this gets to him."
Wick twitched slightly.
Man, she's got a real flat chest.
After a brief exchange of words, their delivery ended successfully, Haru shutting the door without looking twice, her glowing hands hidden by a pair of thick leather gloves. Walking back, Yuuki put both hands behind her neck, smiling slightly.
"I've seen you draw, least whenever Asuna's not ordering you around."
Wick blushed slightly.
She watches me?
"Always these little boxed in pictures too."
"Oh that's just uh," Wick stammered, "me trying to...draw a comic."
"Ooh," Yuuki smiled sheepishly, "I knew that."
"Of course," Wick nodded.
Why would you ask if you already knew what it was? How does she not know what a comic page looks like?
December 1st, 2022
[From Garr: Path is green, over]
PoH smiled, Argo sitting on the opposite end of his rich wooden desk, curving herself back elegantly as he replied.
[To: Good, till then.]
PoH's interface vanished with a flick of his finger, sighing as he leaned against his chair.
"So," Argo smiled while stretching, "where're you off to?"
"Not sure," PoH gazed towards northern mountains, "it'd be nice to stay here, but concerns for security leave me a bit iffy. Course if events come as they seem...I might just get a hand out here."
Argo rolled on her back, curling her knees up, letting her hamstrings flex as PoH stood swaying, his bright blue tunic sharp against lightly tanned skin.
"Mm, never seen you this excited before. Mean I figured maybe you'd both wanna chat, maybe I should be a matchmaker!"
"How can I not?" his black eyes honed on Castle Diebry, "it's not often when I can meet a like-minded figure."
"Ah," Argo's smile weakened subtly, "well let's hope things go as planned, nyah?"
"Indeed," PoH raised fists briefly in cheer, "still sad the people aren't keen on leaving. Place's a dump."
December 2nd, 2022
Lines of players readied around a fortress corner, torches held high as they hugged mortar and brick, [Tower Shields] lined as a [Ballista's] wooden wheels rolled behind them. Standing behind Oran and Aigen, Aoki shivered, gripping her stone patterned wrists.
Teika told me to keep it low...but they might need it.
"Last hall people," Diavel said from behind them, "Illfang's inner sanctum is right past here!"
"Ye-hes," Aigen shook violently, "get to corner all of 'em, chop them all to bits!"
Wudramor's elves cheered, their commander standing beside Kibaou, whose expression softened, eyes bleary. Aigen's bottles jingled softer, its spaces crammed with more teeth. Asuna's [Rapier] hung low, left hand holding [Holy Water] while standing beside Taiyama. Her eyes darted behind her, hair fluttering slightly.
"What?" Tai said.
"Checking for someone, hoping they didn't follow."
"Who?"
"Can't say."
"Fourth platoon, forward!"
"That's my cue," Tai raised his shield, "forward!"
Men crossed with hurried feet, their formation dictating ultimate pace, urgent in their approach to an opposing wall. Korrin and others were quick to turn their heads, eyes narrowly held within sockets as information arrived. A long winding path of carved pillars, consumed and marred by vast green pools of hissing fluid.
"Shit, acid. No gaps."
Korrin's eyes followed upward, stopping dead at a construct of wood and fiber. A signature crack spoke quicker than him, whose lips had barely moved, a [Spear] rocketing past Tai with a deafening whir.
"Oh god!" Taiyama ducked, shaking while crouched, "[Ballista]!"
Asuna peeked over, scanning their path forward. Unfortunately, pools of [Strange Acid] smothered entire sections of the hall, preventing open travel.
"Fall back!" Diavel waved Tai, "where're our carpenters?"
Non-combatants gathered with hammer and saw, consolidating information, measurements for their project.
"Gonna have to build bridges, sir!" one pointed, "one problem though. Acid's gonna chew through it though unless we put something resistant underneath it."
"Let's throw some [Bronze] stuff beneath it then!" Lind waved, "I don't care, it's right past us!"
Following as instructed, their engineers linked planks, installing fist thick studs of bronze, lengthening with time.
"Okay," an engineer nodded, "it's ready."
A sharp click silenced them, the Kobolds' [Ballista] ready to fire just around the corner. A collective chill swept over, eyes on one another.
"Someone's gotta step out," Kibaou blinked, "can't have our engineers getting shot."
Not a soul shifted, their hallway quiet of volunteers. Towering over most, Taiyama's eyes moved quickest.
Someone pick? It's not like there isn't a whole park's worth of basement dwelling losers we couldn't throw in!
"We gonna stand here all day?" Kibaou leaned.
Sweat grew out, their silence warded off by engineers, building more bridges with what downtime they were spared.
Sun Dancer
Hours Later
A silence had overtaken Castle Diebry, deafening for a once beloved king. His halls were painted with his people, who had once filled it with chatter and jokes. No amount of wishing would bring it back, they were nearing his throne room.
"My lord," a [Palace Guard] returned, "the infiltrator remains...I've failed."
A quick glance from Illfang left a pained expression, his guard's left eye struck with an arrow. His throne teemed with his remaining Kobolds, shaking and crying as whole families were evacuated through the back door, leading towards Floor two.
These humans, they're like...why they're possibly the foulest beings in Aincrad. They kill everything, eat everything. Ilioc and I had kept peace in this region for almost a century, why now?
A rain of footsteps echoed from behind his front door. Shouting, breathing and cursing, Illfang's flock quaking as humans approached their barred door.
"Don't let them through!" a [Palace Guard] ordered, "not even an inch!"
"I gave no such order."
"My lord?"
Illfang rose from his seat, his tail limp against cold stone, curled. His soldiers turned, ears folded back as they stared up at him.
"I am but one king, leader of a once delightful nest. If I must go so that the rest may find new homes, so be it."
Illfang pointed towards Diebry's exit, finger bobbing.
"You will retreat, find your way towards Honningstein...don't look back, and certainly don't look up."
Their door cracked, axes cutting their way through, a spiked log gouging with a deep thump. Kobolds squealed, tails rising as torchlight leaked inside.
"Go!" Illfang waved, drawing his personal weapon, "find happy lives, just as I have."
His [Palace Guards] stood firm, his four remaining servants readying [Halberds].
"Agape," Illfang called, "go with them."
Their one-eyed comrade turned, feet rigid.
"The Tauran beyond this door aren't known for kindness, protect the family."
Agape tried blinking, but flinched due to an ocular obstruction. His gaze wandered away and towards his encroaching enemy, whose faces peeked from holes in their battered door. Only after a firm shove from his brothers did he yield, rushing out their backdoor with heavy feet, only to be slowed by sunlight, shielding his eyes in his descent.
Illfang groaned as light leaked in his hall, stumbling to shut his door, blocking it out of his dust filled alcove, but only after his citizens left. Standing by were only three [Palace Guards], hissing collectively as fire robbed them of darkness, two rushing ahead with [Halberds], jamming polearms through human made gaps.
Screams were met with glass shattering, axeheads returning red. Almost right afterwards, however, an engulfing slug of fire barreled through, striking a [Palace Guard] across its cheek before exploding, leaving one of Illfang's protectors screaming.
"Flame witch!" another yelled, "they send flame witches!"
"Step back!" Illfang raised his weapon, a polearm whose bladed end greatly resembled a [Katana], known as a [Nagamaki].
A loud crash brought his door crumpling in splintery chunks, the rat-king frowning as humans flooded into his hall with shields, swords. But it wasn't weapons that folded his ears back, it was a familiar face.
Taiyama...
Spell-casting can work much like a bank account, save up as much as you can.
As a beginner mage, one of the first things you should do is train your [Aethereal Nodes] spell, as each can store a solid sample of magic. You can only have five (5) of these floating around you at any one time.
Your MP will not charge beyond the point you resided before charging this spell. For instance, you activate an [Aethereal Node], it consumes 10% of your MP. You cannot regenerate to 100% naturally, but you can drink a potion to fix this.
Why do it? Each node allows you to cast another spell almost instantly, rather than spending time charging up an attack. Plus you can manipulate the orb to perform the action you specifically want. Top it off, they make great light sources.
- PoH, How to Magic Intelligently
A/N: And matters intensify!
Hey guys, be sure to leave a review, lemmie know whatcha think! Doing my best to get chapters out in a timely manner, so I wouldn't be surprised if I missed something. Thanks for reading my humble story, see you hopefully next week!
