A/N: Demon Slayer, peace is overrated.

NetherOrbit: Who knows, maybe it'll stabilize.
Den3424: You've made a pretty fun read, I personally recommend it for those reading this!

Enjoy!


January 2nd

Heavy hooves rattled Urbus' sunbathed pavement, an eleven foot tall Asterius strutting through open streets. With four other Tauran watching his flanks, his march north was steady, gaze steady as people stared.

"They seem so indifferent," one observed, "like nothing's changed."

"You best keep that to yourself," Asterius said, "we're in public."

Whole roads northwest were abandoned, their only common trait driving the Tauran general to avoid them.

"It'll take days to mine out that rock," Alban said, "Illfang's Kobolds could make this much easier."

"They could," Asterius sighed, "but I wouldn't hold hope for that, Alban."

"Why sir?"

"Politics, that is all."

People in heavy bronze armor gathered, hiding in alleys and crevices, weapons clutched in their hands. Asterius' faded set of eyes watched it all, a sinking of guts bringing his tongue back.

Illfang's not reported back since the Rite, he surely worries for his kind. Kobold or not, it'd serve us best to keep together.

"Alban, a good attitude aids better than sitting back, waiting for help."

"You're wise, General. I will obey."

Several more Tauran gathered beneath the old king's elevated podium, chiseling away at the mountain wall holding it. Salutations were readily exchanged, the commanding officer applauding his most diligent, pushing his hardest working to work smarter. A stairway of polished stone grew before him, its steps barely exceeding a foot in length each. His hoof scooted to a step, its foot wide girth leading to an angled tip. Sighing to himself, Asterius inspected other workers.

This place isn't being made with us in mind, not even its own steps. His interior's too short for any Tauran past maturing age, too suffocating to move in. I should be patient with Taiyama, but I won't pretend there's an ounce of care.

Synchronized footsteps clapped against pavement, Asterius turning as it closed towards him. Rows of [Pikes] bobbed, clutched in the hands of men in dark clothes and wide brimmed helmets.

"Column, halt!"

Boots clacked together, weapons planting at ease as one stepped through. With shoulder cords colored a rich red, a sash in silver brought contrast to an otherwise grim, armor clad Kibaou. Alban rushed to Asterius' side, looking up to his commander with swollen eyes.

"General, this is an ambush!" Alban neighed.

"I know," Asterius whispered.

"Asterius!" Kibaou smiled, "ready to repeat what happened to you in the beta? Cause we are."

A rough snort was followed by the drawing of a [Slaughter Maul], its eight foot length and four foot thick warhead gleaming under an Aincradian sun.

"Where is this beta?" Asterius said, "I am here, not there."

"Course the NPC doesn't know," Kibaou leaned forward, "gonna give you a quick chance, if you're smart enough to take it."

Nearby civilians froze, watching as a stand-off grew between Tauran and ALF.

"Dude, they're gonna kill the general. Get help."

[To Oran: Kibaou's trying to kill that horse general!]

"Surrender isn't in the Protectorate's spirit," Asterius growled, "true to Altai."

"Seriously," Kibaou groaned, "do you worship the ass-hat?"

"No, I worship his principles. Virtue-"

Other Tauran stood up to recite, "integrity, duty, that is our creed. True to Altai."

"And this just got annoying," Kibaou sighed, "Columns, ready!"

Pikemen lowered tips, barbs arching towards the general, Tauran growling before stepping between them. Sweeping wide with [Executioner Swords], polearm shafts broke against hefty bronze mass. Their first row withdrew, the column's second forcing Asterius' forces back with a slow charge.

"The bloody hell are you wanks doing!?"

Kibaou turned to a red faced Oran, a pack of fifteen armored constables behind him with [Clubs] and [Round Shields].

"Siding with the NPCs," Kibaou nodded, "not surprising, knowing you."

"I would've agreed with you a month ago," Oran growled, "But mate, these blokes got feelings like we do."

"It's computer generated behavior," Kibaou smugly grinned, "why don't you care about us? Don't you wanna get out of here?"

"Not like this. I didn't work for weeks on end, trying to keep relationships between our people good just for you to throw it away."

"Hm," Kibaou put a hand on his sheathed weapon, "so I guess you're trying to stop the people. How much did Garr pay you?"

"With a chance at making peace," Oran drew a [Bo-Staff], "tell your men to cut this."

"Let them try," Asterius growled, "Oran, let me fight."

"You're going to die if you do!" Oran whipped around, "don't you know how many there are?"

"We can hold."

"Stubborn goat, move!"

"Collateral's fine with me, guys!" Kibaou waved his columns.

Oran's Constables rushed forward, their numbers failing to hold back Kibaou's troops with shields alone. Tauran lunged behind their allies, cleaving polearms as they approached, shouting to comrades across Urbus to assist. Behind the pikemen, however, were foot-soldiers. Armed with large, rectangular shields, bronze [Longswords] bobbed in armored hands. From many blocks away, archers drew strings, each member prepping a [Volley] skill. Kibaou's [Khopesh] lifted, pointed Oran's direction as forces fought beside them.

"Do you know how bad I wanted this?" Kibaou grinned, "that hammer of his is beast!"

"I'm not afraid to prove you got no knickers, bitch."

Kibaou lunged with a wide sweeping hack, Oran jumping away before spearing, forcing him to hold his assault. A thunderous crack darkened Urbus' sky, hundreds of arrows falling between them, showering Asterius and his allies with jagged stone tips.

Many of Graye Sight's constables cried out, four of their original fifteen flinching as arrows dug from above. With larger frames, however, it was Asterius and his ilk who absorbed more, their stomach high armor counting for nothing. Faced with foot-soldiers of the ALF, [Clubs] and [Longswords] met with dull thumps, shields bashing and rippling.

Rattling across streets, civilians fled in sight, others clutching weapons as they charged. Taking both sides, battle lines were broken into chaos, forcing both factions to withdraw, reunifying as their leaders clashed. Archers held fire, [Volley] inactive due to skill cooldown.

Oran swept in a circular fashion, jumping between styles in his manner of staff use, hammer and spear most commonly. Clashes resulted in bites, Kibaou's [Khopesh] possessing qualities similar to an axe. Carving deep along its midsection, Kibaou pressed in close.

"Feeling smart?" he grinned.

"Piss off," Oran shoved, slamming Kibaou's gut with a hard jab.

Constables withdrew as another [Volley] crack was heard, raising shields in personal defense. For players unaligned, opportunities were taken. Many lunged at Asterius, [Mace] and [Broadsword] meeting bronze grieves, their ribs cracking as they met hardened hoof.

"Backstabbing rats!" Asterius spat.

Tauran swarmed from guard posts, screaming as ALF blade met their bare chests. Soldiers cried as [Slaughter Mauls] crushed bones like a giant's stomping feet, or splitting from an [Execution Sword's] raw hacking might. Decorating an entire district in brilliant red, stone buildings flew apart from Asterius' swings, his [Slaughter Maul] smothered in dust as he missed aggressors. Chunks of stone sailed, careened to streets unknown by excited muscle.

"They're killing people," Kibaou chuckled, "and you defend 'em, Oran. You traitor!"

Oran rushed again, only to spot an ALF archer sighting him, a string pulled. Jumping without restraint, an arrow whizzed by as his back met pavement, a shadow casting over a moment later. Oran pushed up, only to be brought down with a horrific burn, screams breaking out all around him as beasts of ember roared.

"Hello Asterius."

The Tauran general growled, Lowyse walking over an entire column of burning soldiers, their bodies melting from otherworldly heat. With hairs glowing from raw flame, a sick toothy grin could barely be contained.

"Witch," Asterius readied, "you're with them?"

"Please, they're worms. I can spare a few."

Ash blew over Oran, but his fingernails dug into pavement, witness to a foul stench, faces melted by scalding heat. Shivering worsened every second, no's repeating from his lips as men burned, slashed and crushed around him.

"Oran! Over here!"

Graye had emerged with more members of Graye Sight, his body frigid upon seeing what tensions had brought. From Lowyse's hands burst [Stjerne-Atem], streams of yellow flame lapping against shields, swords, and bodies. Listening to it all, he shuddered.

Asterius must be protected...Lowyse has to be stopped!

With head lowered he rushed forward, a [Glaive] gripped as he stepped between an eager Kibaou and a downed Oran.

"Touch him and you will pay," Graye snapped.

Kibaou leaned away, a sword-spear lowered to head level. Looking over to Lowyse, however, Kibaou raised hands.

"Hey...you can have him," Kibaou shuddered, "but that mage? She's mine."

Graye motioned him to go, Kibaou turning away to confront Lowyse himself. Helping Oran to his feet with [Holy Water] and a hand, the medic snapped fingers in his ears.

"Oran, stay with me!"

Oran set sights on Graye, his blue eyes swollen as he trembled, Tauran collapsing behind him as soldiers punched through in broken ranks. Lowyse was forced to aim high, another cloud of stone arrowheads descending as Asterius crushed and clubbed those who drew close. By this point, all of Oran and Graye's men ran, their braver units cut down by either sword, arrow, or fire.

"Asterius!" Graye cried, "you've gotta run!"

Pavement ticked with hard rain, brought by clouds of stone flung by dexterous hands. With only Graye and Oran left to defend Asterius and his retinue, Tauran numbers dwindled, retreating slowly as they carved entire squads with raw strength, artillery fire dwindling health for the floor boss.

Lowyse walked slowly, her flaming presence leaving Tauran warriors shaking. Drawing back, Asterius threw out his [Slaughter Maul], its great mass spinning as it whirled like a boomerang through air. A row of shield users were flung, their formation jarred as he bent knees, leaping an entire fifty feet forward.

Pavement crumbled under his hooves, underground streets meeting sunlight as soldiers flew about. Shaking Urbus violently, however, wouldn't stop some of ALF's finest from reaching melee distance, their [Pikes] jamming forward. Asterius gasped as brittle tips burrowed through, his body jerking away.

[HP: 85%]

"I hit him!" a soldier shouted, "he's easier to hurt than it looks!"

"Dude, run!" Oran cried out.

"But, my weapon!" Asterius shouted, "my ancestor's weapon!"

"You'll be meeting them too early if you don't!"

A yellow [Flammekanon] detonated in front of him, sending all ten feet falling backwards.

[HP: 72%]

"You should've left me be," Lowyse growled, "our people could've gone so much further!"

Tauran rushed her, only to be charred by [Stjerne-Atem], Asterius and Alban remaining.

"Sir!" Alban pulled, "you have to survive!"

"Altai will remember me," Asterius breathed.

"But the others!"

Oran and Graye were met with a fleeing Kibaou, skirting behind buildings, shaking as Lowyse closed in, scorching anyone who approached without pity.

"Yo!" Oran shouted, "where're you going?"

"I'm done with this!"

Graye looked pale to Oran.

"We have to stop her...but how?"

Oran watched her glowing stone hands with shivering and chattering teeth.

"No way I'm c-charging her," he tensed, "we'll burn."

Graye looked around, dust clouds swamping his vision from all sides except down. From below a caved street, a reflective substance winked back, rippling as clumps fell on it.

"Water!" Graye leaned, "Oran, do you have a bucket?!"

"That prank tool?" Oran looked over, "Shit, you're right! Come on!"

Asterius ducked behind buildings, dodging and tackling away intercepting humans, Lowyse following with a dark chuckle.

"Your ancestors this, your ancestors that, does serving masters like them add in to this?"

Summoning three buckets, Oran and Graye scooped water, hands shaking as smoke riddled their nostrils with burnt bodies, sweat, and blood. Loading up, they pushed and lifted each other up, following Lowyse's shouts as they lugged splashing water. Finding Asterius' [Slaughter Maul], several ALF soldiers looked to both Graye Sight leaders, fear in their eyes. But what caught Oran's eyes was a head of blue hair.

"Yuuki?" Oran groaned.

"What's that smell?" Yuuki masked her nose, "it's so gross!"

"You don't wanna know!" a gasping Teika caught up, "where's the boss?"

"It's not what you think," Graye shook his head, "Asterius was attacked, we're trying to help him. A mage is burning people in her way, we gotta end it."

"I'm up!" Yuuki said, "where?"

Oran motioned them, a detonating [Flammekanon] drawing all four to a stalking tiger. Turning to them, a sneering grin was met.

"Don't tell me," Lowyse chuckled, "you're serious."

Oran drew a bucket, vaulting its contents at her as hard as he could lob, water crashing against her chest, splashing on her elbows.

"Not happening!" she drew nodes.

Oran raced behind a stone home, Graye following behind him as Yuuki and Teika stepped back. Pulling rocks off the ground, both retreating members threw sharply, battering the mage with dense fragments, forcing her to focus on them. [Flammekanon] was flung, a [Rune of Contact Burn] set in Oran's alleyway.

"Shite!" Oran stopped before he turned, "she knew we would flank!'

"You're tall," Graye pointed, "climb!"

Yuuki slid across pavement, only for Lowyse to actively detonate it early, sending her sailing away as Teika closed distance. Oran leaped high, climbing as best he could, reaching down afterwards to take another bucket. Lowyse aimed both hands, blasting Teika back with streams of napalm-like flame. Grunting, Yuuki struggled to get up, parts of her burned from the explosion.

This is what Lisbeth had to fight? How'd she win?

Keeping prone, Oran slipped forward, keeping watch as Lowyse forced Teika into retreat. Graye rushed out of his corner the way he came, dragging Yuuki behind cover before administering.

"Oh thanks," Yuuki sighed, "was feeling hurt."

"Good," Graye applied [Low Grade Herbs], "be sure to back your friend. What's his name?"

"Teika?"

"Yea, Oran's gonna be-"

"Shite! Fire!" Oran fell off his roof, rolling around.

"Okay!" Graye huffed, "one second."

Running back behind another building, Graye's knee landed next to Oran's head as he shivered.

"You better not be hurt."

"I may have jumped a bit early," Oran sighed.

"Is the water still up there?" Graye applied, "crap, cause I'm outta herbs. Wish we got [Holy Water] shipped here."

Lowyse stepped towards Oran and Graye's alleyway, their exit blocked by a [Rune of Contact Burn], priming a [Stjerne-Atem] between rocky palms. Teika peaked over, patting his belt, grabbing it furiously.

"Fuck!" he groaned, "left Silica my [Throwing Knives]!"

"Guessing you need range?"

He sighed, eyebrows raising as he pointed at Lowyse, Aoki patting his shoulder before passing. A [Flammekanon] was flung, forcing the Tauran witch to swerve, countering it with a jet stream of yellow. Oran winced, his burnt hands stinging as he grabbed a rooftop's edge.

"Graye, little push please?"

Yuuki jumped at Lowyse, sword raised high as the mage wrestled against Aoki's timed spell. Aoki's [Flammekanon] detonated between both members, Lowyse turning to stop Yuuki, only to be baited. Yuuki withdrew her attack, rolling around her opponent before running aside.

Graye lifted with Oran's legs on his shoulders, his red coated friend scampering to grab water filled buckets.

[Floor Boss Defeated!]

"Goddammit!" Oran cursed, "alright flame-bitch, found this in a pig sty!"

Lowyse turned hands on Yuuki as she fled, only to be left hissing, a clear liquid splashing against her hands. Steam brought her eyes to swell, shaking powerfully, fire generation disabled.

"Now!" Oran yelled.

Teika and Yuuki moved on both sides, Lowyse turning only to be caught between a [Battleaxe], a [Longsword], and a [Glaive]. Cleaved by one and impaled by two, Lowyse breathed haggardly, color draining from her snout.

"This...isn't real," she mumbled, "you know that...right?"

Everyone froze, looking to each other, Graye drawing back as Lowyse shattered to glass. Oran stumbled over, groaning from his scalded palms.

"Bloody brilliant, we got her."

As their sector quieted, a cacophony of bellows and cries reached through, Tauran falling one by one, hooves stampeding further away from Urbus.

"They're leaving," Yuuki frowned.

"Not just them," Oran's head lowered before wiping, "Graye, tell the guild. We're done here."

Graye teared up, opening his interface as Oran kicked rocks briefly.

"Freaking idiots!" Oran waved arms, "lost everything!"

"What're you guys running for?" Teika shouldered his [Battleaxe], "if it's for a good reason, I can see us keeping close."

"Keeping ourselves out o' Tai's jail for doing what's right?" Oran growled, "trying to stop Kibaou from killing our best ally out here? Course he got to him, bloody figures."

"Our entire peacemaking plan," Graye sobbed, "gone..."

"Teika," Aoki said nervously, "ALF are gonna start looking once they're done."

"Get Silica," Teika nodded before eyeing Yuuki, "you can stay, they're not looking for you."

"Okay," Yuuki bowed, "I gotta make sure my friends here are safe."

"Means no Nori then," Teika looked to Oran, "let's go. To hell with anyone telling us where to go."


Sun Dancer


A little metal tiara rested between Asuna's hands, fingers caressing its band, her creaking chair beside Taiyama's empty throne. Adorned with a crown of bones, Taiyama adjusted its angle.

"Strange," Tai patted it, "never seen him wear it. Asuna, would you like one of these?"

A steady glance, her head shaking moments later.

"No, thank you."

"Aw come on, you don't wanna be a bonehead?"

"I mean, I've entertained the idea."

"Sure," Taiyama laughed, opening his interface.

[To Kibaou: how's the wipe?]

[From: Awful, I lost like eighty six guys]

[To: Sorry to hear, are the Tauran gone?]

[From: Yeah, most ran away after Asterius was taken care of. Got a guy named Kain claiming he killed him]

A knock on his palace door was answered, Asuna's invitation quick. Entering with weights in his shoes, Thanatos stomped inside, his face lowered and eyes raised.

"Tai?" he said loudly, "you better listen here."

Taiyama rolled his eyes, closing his menu before turning.

"What is it? Can't you see I'm spending quality time with my queen?"

"Pardner," Thanatos pointed a finger, "I saw what happened in town. And I gotta say, I've just about had it."

"Wow, wow," Tai grinned, "cool down cowboy. What're you so mad about?"

"I can understand why you wanted to deal with the commander, but right in town?"

"Why the fuck not? Last time we had a floor boss, we could only approach it with fucking eighty people. Here? Got thousands of try-hards, too easy."

"But why?" Thanatos glanced briefly to Asuna, "sorry for intruding, Ma'am."

"It's okay," Asuna bowed her head, "NPCs respawn too, so Tai's just securing stuff for us."

"Of course I was," Tai leaned back, "bet a bunch of you leveled up too with that."

"You might be right," Thanatos put hands under arms, "but I haven't seen proof that they respawn. Nor do I think it makes it okay to act like a total douche. What would Yole have to say about this?"

Taiyama laughed loudly, bending over as Thanatos darkened.

"Bro, get outta here with that shit. Yole's homies hated those horse-headed freaks."

"I don't believe that," he shook his head, "they seem like decent folks. There's no way they'd be for such a pointless slaughter."

"You're too naive," Taiyama turned his head back, "PoH?"

"Yes, my king?"

"Inform Kibaou of his new station, I'm trusting him with guarding our town."

"An astute decision, I'll let him know."


Sun Dancer


[You're now entering...Honning-See]

Cool air brushed my face, gentle and inviting with moisture. To our right rested a river, its wide basin flowing south towards Nohr Valley. Rika stepped over, splashing its surface playfully at our more inquisitive teammate. Shirking away, Haru was quick to glare at her.

"Could you not?"

"I could," Rika grinned, "Aid, should I?"

"Flip a Cor," I said.

"Yay!"

"No," Haru groaned.

Heads meant splashing, tails no splashing.

"Best of three," Rika readied her thumb.

"This river isn't natural," Haru viewed its length, "it's too straight, too many hard angles."

"It's amazing what a bunch of Tauran can do with tools," I said as Rika's coin flew up, "weird, it's shallower."

A soft ping was heard as metal met Earth, tails.

"I need heads," Rika whispered, flipping it again.

"Did you even check what's north of this?" Haru looked to me.

"When I had to get food production up fast? No. All I did was set up a canal to a nearby river."

"Ugh," Haru slumped, "you're supposed to do that!"

"Heads!" Rika jumped, "aye, one more!"

"I should step away," Haru hurried.

"She has a bucket," I watched.

"Really?!"

"Dammit!" Rika sighed, "tails."

Would've told Haru, too bad she already made quite the distance.

"Don't mind her," Rika put an arm around my elbow, "you know about Bale, right?"

"Only that he wanted to kill me," I blinked, "I'm sorry Rika. I'm...still dealing with all this."

A tight hug was given, her heartbeat soft.

"Aid," she said, "carry me."

Bending knees, I let her climb up and cross arms, letting the crickets sound off as I marched to catch up with a distantly observing Haru. A copper wand was put in front of my lips, adhesive applied. A slight smile grew as I blew, watching bubbles loft around.

"I'm so glad I made this," Rika giggled, "what do you think?"

"Certainly lifts the mood," I swayed, "how're you?"

Rika rested her head on the back of my neck, exhaling softly.

"Tired, wondering when we'll find a place to rest at."

"If we don't find one I'll make you one."

A shallow breath left her nose, adjusting before blowing bubbles.

"You're still a king in my eyes, no matter what they say."

Rika got my insides mushy saying that. My throat was tight, not from her arms, I had nothing to say. I wasn't confident at all, everything fueling me was a spur of instinct, little more. I wanted to be honest, but...I needed her to have faith in me. I needed to have faith in me.

"Thank you," I said.

"You don't believe it," she said.

"And you have mind reading powers."

"You're not hard to read," she adjusted, "tell me what's bumping around?"

"Not now," I said, "talk when we find shelter."

"I'm holding you to that."

My tongue reeled back, her embrace snug. I was such an idiot, I'm not supposed to fall for someone, not this fast. Haru stopped atop a hill overlooking Honning-See's breadth.

"You two done?" Haru said as we caught up, "I better not see a bucket."

"I flipped tails," Rika patted me, "you're safe, Harry."

"You're so lucky Garr's right there," she growled.

Placed down with a dipping of my knees, Rika rushed up and over the crest.

"Pretty," Rika smiled, "Aid, come look!"

"Quiet down," Haru shuddered, "there're things moving around there."

Rising over an incline, a land of rich green and deep blue expanded. Whole meters of territory were filled with ponds, rivers stretching like a coven of winding snakes. Pine trees grew in bunches, its thickest patch southeast, leading straight to Zumfut. In fact, Zumfut's border hugged all of its eastern face. To the west, a massive lake mirrored moonlight, its body forming a 'chain shot' profile. Two round bodies, connected by a thick stream.

"Hm," my eyes widened as I surveyed, "beautiful countryside, heck...why didn't I move here?"

"Right?" Rika hopped, "Look past the lake, there's lips!"

"Guys," Haru snapped, "you're gonna grab their attention."

"Whose?" I looked.

Haru's eyes pointed to a pack of wolves, their yellow fur sharply contrasting, with numbers exceeding a dozen.

"Roger," I nodded, "recommend we evade."

"We'd have to," Rika looked up, "I don't want you getting hurt."

Haru swept eyes over east and west, pointing the latter direction.

"See the smoke?"

Sure enough, something burned past a small pine grove. Would have to walk around it to see.

"You think there's civilization there?"

"It'd be my first guess," Haru fastened orange potions to her belt, "shall we?"

We took a hard left, keeping watch of a roaming pack on our steady decline. Place had to be reaching forty degrees Fahrenheit, ended up passing both of my winter coats off. Honnng-See's air was pumped with moisture, our first stream nearing.

"Do I focus on my work too much?" Haru blinked.

"What do you do?" I said.

"Do you not remember?" Haru groaned, "alchemy."

"Oh, right. I wouldn't know."

"Maybe this is what you should ask yourself," Rika said to her, "do you find time in your day to hang with friends?"

"Sure," Haru nodded, "you mostly."

"I mean anyone else, I'm not trying to downplay you. I know what it means to be consumed by things. How about Wick?"

"Yeah," Haru grimaced, "no. Should I change that?"

"Depends," I said.

"What he said," Rika stepped beside her, "but if you ask me? You come off a bit...closed off?"

"Oh."

"You're just a bit introverted, it's fine. I'm glad we were able to come to some agreement, aye?"

"What agreement?"

"And there we go," Rika chuckled, "you should've heard her, Aid. She was giving so much sass," a glare grew briefly, "bloody Tai...I'd kill him."

"So wait," Haru glanced between us, "are you...you know, together?"

"Have been," I said, "why?"

"Yeah, Tai was getting pervy with her."

"It was creepy," Rika shivered, "so sudden."

"So he was trying," I huffed, "he was telling me all the stupid stuff."

A lazy stream flowed past our feet, Rika climbing on before I stepped.

"You're gonna grab me too, right?" Haru stopped.

"When this's between Rika and I?" I marched.

"Dude, that water's probably thirty degrees. I'll suffer hypothermia."

"Go back," Rika nudged me, "you can carry both of us, I've seen the weights you lift."

"No," I pressed on, "I can spare the second trip."

"Why though?"

"Balance."

"Oh, right."

Mother of God, this water bit like a dog. Clawing through shoes and ankles as it bit into my feet, numbness set in quickly, goosebumps grown.

[Your body chills...]
[Hypothermia I]
[-2% Vitality]
[-2% Endurance]
[-2% Dexterity]

"Could you hurry up?" Haru said, "the wolves might be closing in."

"He's doing his best," Rika hugged, "just think of warm socks."

"Chilly," I blurted.

Reaching drier lands, I eased Rika down. Grabbing my face for a quick kiss, she tugged my cheeks a bit.

"Rika," I pulled, "I gotta get Haru."

"But your face is stretchy."

A distant howl snapped both of us back to task, had no idea if those beasts would willingly tread or not. Passing Rika my Zweihander for protection, I gulped before taking my second walk.

"Aid, I'm gonna kill you!"

"What?" I slogged through frigid water.

"Your sword!"

And without so much as a quip, the wolves went from the sole threat to a contested one over my life. Haru neared a shoreline, her arms tucked away inside her coat, leaving the sleeves limp.

"What took you so long? I can hear them."

"Would you like to walk in this?" I turned, "no? Great, let's go."

Haru was timid as all hell, like I was an alligator or something.

[Your condition worsens...]
[Hypothermia II]
[-4% Vitality]
[-4% Endurance]
[-4% Dexterity]

God, if only I hadn't been such a failure. Seriously, if I had been a little aggressive none of this would've happened. I'd be resting in a warm bed, fixing things, fulfilling what I said I'd do. A message flashed in my display, had to wait till I crossed this shallow body.

"So when'd you meet her?" she said.

"Since the beginning of this, been good to me ever since."

"Good, just wanted to know."

[Yellow-Back Wolves spotted you!]

A series of yaps, yelps, and whines reached our ears, pairs of green eyes staring from where we first stepped. Their frames were thick with fur, enabling struggle-free passage through these waters, approaching with bared teeth as I forced myself to speed up.

"They're getting close!" Rika said, "I can fix this!"

I turned to face them, creating a buffer zone between their teeth and my passenger. I bulked shoulders up, raising arms and expanding my frame as I shouted at them. Them having us outnumbered by at least four to one, however, this proved useless. A loud crack broke through chill air, bolts bursting through a [Yellow-Back] like tissue.

The wolf tumbled over, turning to glass within a second of Rika's volley, the [Auto-Bolt] cracking behind me. Nearing land I threw myself forward, letting Haru race off before spinning to my back, Lisbeth tossing my weapon back. The wolves, however, had turned away, my blacksmith's not-gun scaring them away.

"Oh thank god," Haru sighed, "Lis, can I have that?"

"Only if you say you love me," Rika said, clutching it close to her chest.

I laughed hoarsely, changing out pants and socks as quick as I could. Thank God indeed, I had to take Rika shooting with me when we're out. Watching her tease an otherwise rigid Haru, however, my heart sank again, an open message confirming.

[From Heathcliff: I cannot even begin to describe how disappointed I am with your decision. You gambled with your position without the slightest restraint, throwing away everything for what?]

[From: Does it even occur to you how many lives have been put at risk? You may excuse yourself from any future discussions with me, I will have plenty to fix with what you left]

"I love you," Haru said, "please?"

"I'm flattered," Lisbeth giggled, "but seeing legs like his?"

"Lis," Haru blinked.

"Fine, fine," she passed it, "but watch how many shots you fire. It'll be a bit before I can make ammo for it. Ready. Aid?"

I nodded before rising, my head low and weapon shouldered. Could barely find a reason to walk, stepping back in time was all I needed. I fracked up, plain and simple. Past the patch of pines, our eyes triangulated a single point, Haru leaning forward as Rika cheered.

"You were right, Harry!"

"Stop calling me Harry," she groaned.

A dwelling was present, parked in the middle of the bottom ball of 'chain shot' lake. In relation to its overlapping body, this place was pretty small. Three bridges extended out from its main hub, each with several causeways throughout their wooden lengths. Two appeared, however, to have been left in disrepair. Someone or something had destroyed these links, leaving their southern bridge our only way in.

"Hm," Lisbeth watched, "it's kinda dark, isn't it?"

"I might take that idea back," Haru tensed, "oh god, what if this's a dungeon?"

"Then I'll deal with it," I grunted, "securing shelter is...imperative."

"I don't know," Lis looked to me, "we could always make a shelter."

Walked past them both, no way was I leaving Rika to sleep in some field. She was either gonna have protection, or I wasn't sleeping tonight. Something glowed briefly, northeast of this position. An orange light, like a firefly blinking beyond the lake. Knowing how hostile Aincrad was, however, it would be far from pleasant. Passing shores and ridges, our journey over brought visuals of small islands.

Islands, more like a spit of dirt. Peaking just out of water, these bodies couldn't have been much bigger than a tennis court. An archipelago of them rested west of this lake-town's bridge, each of them linked together with bobbing logs and masonry. Rika was absolutely excited, much as she tried hiding it. It only had me thinking back on my plans.

I was planning to leave, yet like a true hypocrite I fought to hold it. Like a pestilent child, I gripped it tight like a right. I could've given it, leave with Rika, give it to PoH, something other than this. At least the Spaniard had the savvy to run a place like Urbus. Stepping on a bridge wide enough to fit eight Tauran side by side, I motioned to Rika, Haru stopping on her own.

"You're not going all the way, right?" she looked at me, "I could get a few [Krigssin] in there."

"The hell's a [Krigssin]?" Haru turned her head.

"Rika can explain," I said before turning ahead, "Gonna scout it out, watch my flank."

"Yes sir," Rika playfully saluted.

I wasn't her officer, I wasn't a recruit either, why'd I keep up this military guy act? Was simply a punk, nothing worth mentioning. Four hundred thousand people, all of their safety tossed aside for a brawl. On a plus note, they'd be forced to engage with more problems, which meant a stronger people.

But how many was I willing to sacrifice for it? None, life is precious. Were my own calculations reflective of something too harsh for practical circumstance? So many questions, so many what if's, how I could've done better. All of them, and I couldn't say I followed through. Approaching with feeble steps, a town of cake shaped homes loomed.

Its buildings were of a rectangular, stacked sort. Consisting of what looked to be a sort of clay, their surfaces were remarkably uniform, smooth in their many faces. While windows lacked glass, panels of reed covered them from within. Ending many of their corners were depictions of aquatic life, fish mostly.

"Hold," I heard, "don't you move a step closer.


A/N: Hey guys, hope you've enjoyed this latest chapter. Would love to hear your opinions, how I could possibly improve this.

See you soon!