Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara and ASCII Media Works.
City of Giltstein, 23:46, 26-06-2023.
It was silent in the city of Giltstein. Completely silent. The lights in the homes were out, and the people on the street could be counted on a single hand. Giltstein entered its sleeping phase.
In the alliance residence. most lights were out. After a boss battle, and plenty of awkward interviews that eventually gained some depth, the players were broken. Kirito's room was one of the few rooms where the light still shone.
Alone in his bed, he reflected upon his day. Upon the boss battle, that was annoying, but not life-threatening. Upon the conversation with Yuuki, who told him he should not feel guilty about using the skill of her sister. If Aiko had a choice on who to gift her unique skill, it would have been him as well. Lastly, he reflected on Argo's idea.
A newspaper of Aincrad with puzzles, interviews, and many things that would teach the newbie players about the frontline. About the dangers they faced each day and the feelings that resided with each battle. The thrill of victory, and the despair of losing another friend. On paper, it was a solid idea. Humanize the frontline so that the player database could understand the players fighting to free them. But that was only in theory. How people would react remained unknown to the very end, and Kirito wasn't liking what it could do.
I wish she would have talked to me about this first instead of just acting on her own. Kirito thought tiredly as he lay in his bed. Alone this time as Asuna, Argo, and Liz still had something to talk about. A small part of his brain wondered about what, but he knew it wasn't important for him if it didn't require his input.
Despite being in a dungeon, Asuna had enjoyed her private time with Kirito very much. Their secret handholding; battling together as one against the many mobs; whispering to each other in a shared sleeping bag, and of course, the hugs that stopped her nightmares from appearing. But due to that situation, he had spent no time with his other two girlfriends. Perhaps that was the reason for their private conversation this time? Kirito could only guess. What is taking so long? His eyes were on the brink of entering the world of dreams, and his mind was not far behind. Just as he was about to turn off the lights, the door opened up.
''Finally, that took...?!'' Kirito wanted to say, only for his mind to stop completely.
Since they started dating, Kirito had seen various night clothing from his girlfriends. Asuna and Liz wore mostly nightgowns, but Argo was an individual who preferred shorts and shirts. In other words, the nightgown Argo was wearing this very moment completely had him taken by surprise.
''A..Argo?'' Kirito asked, his mind running over hours despite the tiredness still present. Argo ignored his question as she stepped to the bed, crawled on top of him under the blanket, pushed him down as she hung above him, and asked, ''Kii-bou, can you put your shirt away, please?'' There was no doubt in Argo's voice. Although it was asked, Kirito could tell there was no answer other than to comply with Argo's desire.
There was a moment of doubt - for his heart was beating rapidly for a reason that was very clear - but he complied nevertheless. He trusted Argo. She would not go over a line they were not ready for. His shirt materialized into thin air. Without wasting any moment, Argo gently settled her head on his chest as the rest of her body relaxed comfortably on her boyfriend's body. Her arms embraced his body as she let out a deep sigh. It was a sturdy body, despite Kirito's age. His heartbeat had a calming effect, just as the natural scent. Not a sweaty scent, but just the scent that belonged to Kirito. It was simple, and far from sophisticated compared to real-life scents, but it's something.
Seconds to minutes passed by with no words being spoken. But it wasn't needed. Kirito could tell what was going on.
Argo slowly became calmer. Her breathing slowed down. Her heartbeat - Which was perfectly sensible to her thin nightgown- slowed down. The hold around his body gradually loosened up. By the second minute mark, Kirito's hands had found their way on Argo's back and shoulder. By the four-minute mark, Argo finally spoke. ''Thank you for listening, Kii-bou. I needed that.'' She grinned a bit as she looked at Kirito and whispered teasingly, ''Your heartbeat was going really quickly there. Were you expecting something different?''
Kirito's face turned red as he looked away embarrassed, to Argo's contentment. She could still fluster him. But his response was not what she had expected. ''Stop joking about that. We can't even do that here.'' Kirito could feel his face becoming redder which each passing second. However, to his surprise, Argo's face too started to shine like a tomato. ''We can't, right?'' He asked. There were traces of fear and disbelief in his voice, but also a hint of curiosity.
''Not yet, I...I think,'' Argo responded eventually, burying her face in Kirito's chest out of embarrassment. She didn't have to ask for any more information she could feel Kirito's burning question. ''I think it is a future option in the Ethics Code...'' She explained in a murmur.
''Why do you think that?'' Kirito asked, his embarrassment slowly being replaced by a curiosity for the unknown.
Argo's face furthered burned on his chest as she responded, ''The unexplained heat-phenomenon wasn't there yet when we tried the Ethics Code in the beta. I..it also ...only happens when I think about you...'' She muttered embarrassingly. ''For more information, you have to pay 50 mil col.'' She quickly added.
Kirito wanted to know more, but judging from that amount of money, Argo did not want to continue on the subject. ''I understand,'' he responded as he hugged Argo gently.
There was another question on his lips, but again, Argo could read it without him having to ask it. ''Li-chan and Aa-chan said it was okay if we have one individual night each. So, for tonight, it's my turn. Hope you are okay with having just me...'' Argo answered, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
''I am more than satisfied just by you,'' Kirito responded with a grin as he pulled Argo closer. Now that he knew his boundaries were safe, he also knew he could play the part. ''Instead of having to divide my attention to three beauties, you will have my undivided attention. I hope you are ready for it.''
Argo looked momentarily perplexed before she teasingly grinned. ''Those are some promising words. I hope you haven't forgotten you owe me a lot of spoiling.''
''I have not,'' Kirito responded as he gently placed a hand on Argo's cheek and pulled her closer.
Despite the light being turned off, the night had barely begun.
It started as a normal morning. Eating a simple breakfast provided by players who sold it for cheap. Wandering through the city without any purpose. Trying to level up those few safe skills, but still not understanding how to optimize the increase. Trying to the same safe missions to earn some col. That was the same repeating routine the majority of players had been doing every day since the start of Sword Art Online.
But when the late morning broke out, something changed.
It started with a single person, who just had visited a shop for some basic ingrediënts. When players encountered this player with something interesting in his hands, they too found themselves in the NPC stores shortly after. By that time, the rumor spread like wildfire. The rumor about some sort of newspaper called Aincrad Today.
The majority of the player database thought nothing about it. However, to escape their normal boring and life-draining routine, they decided to give it a go. A newspaper about Aincrad today, how special could it be?
''When I ask him if it is not frightening to stand before a boss, he answers, ''Frightening does not comprehend the feeling of standing before those doors for the first time. Every fiber in your body tells you to run. To abandon everything and return to the closest safe haven. To never look back again, and just live your life in normal conditions. If I think back on my first-floor boss, those are the words I would choose,'' Ojima-sensei answers.'' A player in a tavern reads out loud to the others.
''He laughs. When I ask him why, he answers, ''It was the first battle for me, but it was not the first boss battle. There were players standing at my side who had stood before many of these same doors before. They coped with the same feelings as I experienced that moment. My leader would later tell me that feeling never left, and I understood that after standing before many more boss room doors. Anxiety. Fear. The fact you could die any moment and any moment could be your last. Those feelings always cross our minds when we stand before another boss room.''
The atmosphere is heavy. No one dares to interrupt the player who is reading it, as they are all listening carefully to the story. ''When I ask him to give me an example of such a feeling, he smiles. ''An example? I have so many. You know the story about the 25th and the 20th floor probably already, so I am leaving those to someone else. How about the 6th floor? It was my first experience with a boss. I was truly terrified when I entered the dungeon with my guild. I have to admit that fear quickly subsided when I saw Kibaou and Lind struggle with a sudoku puzzle though. To think the two leaders of the biggest guilds of Aincrad could not solve a simple puzzle. It was then that I realized they were human just like me, and not the daredevils who were not afraid to die I thought they would be.''
''I ask how it felt to stand face to face with the boss of the 6th floor. ''I can't say it was pleasant, but with the help of the other frontliners, I wasn't as afraid as at the start of the battle. We were prepared to the bone, and even with that, my front-line colleagues did not act overconfident or careless. If I had to compare that feeling of standing by their side, I would compare it to the army. Despite the incredibly tough pieces of training, the discipline, and tough situations, as a unit, you are one. At least, I heard from a friend it is like that. Alone, I could never have beaten that boss, mentally nor physically. However, with my companions by my side, I was strong enough to survive it.''
''I am not sure how to continue the conversation. The interview enters an awkward moment, or so I thought. ''Don't worry. For your first interview, you ain't doing it bad. Sure, there is some point of improvement, but you have to remember, this is just the beginning of your skill as an interviewer. When you return, you look back on your actions, your attitude, your way of asking questions and reflect upon them. By experience, you will learn how to play with your words to get more information out of a single question.'' Ojima tells me calmly, with a teacher smile. ''You could the say the same about us front-liners. We fight in battles, recognize our mistakes, reflect upon them, and adjust. In the end, the only difference is that our stakes are higher.''
In another tavern in the east, the tears are strolling down the players' faces. ''Yeah, he was a good friend. Hideo was a silent guy when he just met new people, but when he trusted you, you had an amazing friend at your side. The guy would throw his life away just to save yours. He had always been that sort of a guy.'' Mitchos said. He leans forward on his chair as he adds, ''It is not even their death that is the most frighting experience. It is the nightmares that come after it, that will haunt almost every night. The fact that I could not save him still haunts me to this day. but luckily, I am not alone in that experience. All the people that have fought alongside me know that feeling. Even those stubborn bastards of the Aincrad Liberation Squad and those tough-acting Dragon Knight Brigades share the same feeling. You could tell it from their faces.''
In another well-known tavern in Zumfut, players laughed together in harmony. ''My best moments since fighting on the frontline? To be honest, there are so many. I got a girlfriend after all. Who would have thought I could have found one here.'' Klein answered. ''Can I have a nickname in your interview as well? How about the Red Samurai?'' The red samurai asks. ''I am the first samurai of Aincrad after all. If Kiritard can have a cool nickname like the Black Swordsman, I want one too!''
However, interviews were not the only thing in the first edition of MMO. ''Think you are better than the two front-line guild leaders in solving puzzles, then here is your chance. Try to solve the sudoku down below, and time how quickly you can solve it. The best time gets our number one prize of the week.''
''If you have any feedback, ideas, or like to ask a certain individual a personal question during one of the interviews, let us know. We strive for perfection. Until the next edition of Aincrad Today!''
City of Ronbaru, 8:23, 29-06-2023.
''Can't we just take a break for one more day?'' Klein complained loudly as he followed the three leaders alongside the rest of the guild.
''Stand proud, my proud Red samurai,'' Alice Rue responded teasingly.
''If you want a nickname that badly, you have to act like it,'' Mitchos commented with a grin.
Klein scratched the back of his head as he responded, ''I was just kidding around. How was I supposed to know he would actually add it?''
''That's what you get when you force a nickname. You have to earn that stuff,'' Dynamm joked.
''Haha, very funny,'' The red-samurai responded annoyed before he turned to his leader. ''Kirito, they are bullying me.''
''Serves you right,'' Kirito responded as he kept his eyes focused on the unknown path leading to the exit of Ronbaru.
''Come on, man! Why am I the only one that is getting bullied for their part? Why aren't Mitchos or Helios getting teased for their interview?''
''Because you are so easy to tease, Red Samurai,'' Issin answered as he checked his dagger reserves.
Klein let out a sigh as he mumbled, ''This is so unfair.''
While the group continued to enjoy teasing Klein, or just talking about the new newspaper in general, they slowly reached their destination. However, before they could explore the crystal-illuminated darkness of the wilderness, there was a surprise waiting for them.
Several players in beginner gear stood at the entrance of Ronbaru, their nervously-looking eyes shifting to the approaching alliance. Kirito, Ren, and Heathcliff's gazes met before Ren stepped forward and asked, ''What's going on here?''
The players looked nervously, all staring at the two same players who had the appearance as the leaders of the group. The two men stepped forward, bowed down, and apologized. ''We are sorry! We doubted the frontline for so long and we thought everyone was just slacking off. We didn't know what you were going through. We couldn't be more wrong.'' Following the two players' example, the others bowed as well, some shaking on their legs while others just kept their head down.
Ren was the first to break through the flabbergasting state as he commented, ''To think this is caused by a single player. What a frightening power that girl has.''
While Heathcliff and other players approached the beginner's group to thank them for their apology, Kirito responded, ''You have no idea how true that is.''
''How a normal day feels on the frontline? How long do you want this article to become? You want me to be as detailed as possible? I like your spirit! Since our days never look completely the same, I will take yesterday as an example. Are you okay with that? If you truly want to know how it feels to be on the frontline, sit back and listen carefully.
My night was uneasy and filled with recent memories no one should experience. Monsters that are normally easily defeated by my sword dwell in those memories, shredding me or my friends apart as if we are made of paper. Our blades barely scratch it as we see the healthbars in my HUD deplete quickly. As the figure of my friends shatters before me, I wake up and realize that memory is not real. At first, I would visit my brother to see if he is alright, but I no longer feel the need to do that.
Sometimes, I can fall asleep again. Other times, I equip my gear and go to the backyard. There is a small training ground there, and a resting place for the people we have lost along the way.
Along the way to the rear garden, I would meet other friends whose nightmares kept them awake that early hour. At first, we were embarrassed about it. Yesterday, we laughed because of those dreadful dreams. ''Another Frenzy Boar nightmare?'' My afro-haired colleague asked. We talk and laugh about the recent nightmares until our body admits to the lack of sleep or the sun debriefs us for the next mission. It was the latter yesterday.
The morning start was decent. Despite the lack of sleep, waking up to Kirito and Asuna's breakfast is always a good start to the day. Do not underestimate the power of food. Even the grumpiest of people can flip completely for the better by having their hunger satisfied. Especially since there are some gluttons in our group. Our blacksmith Liz is definitely one of the biggest gluttons of them all. Niaf, Dynamm, and Albedo make fun of her because of that, only to receive a piece of bread in their faces.
It is mostly mid-breakfast the atmosphere starts to change. The NPC's kids were running around or eating alongside their chosen caregivers. Reiner and Seven were trying to figure out how to replicate the healing crystals. Bejitto and Killian talk about where to station their shops that day, and Artus and Kature are discussing new possibilities within their crafting skills. To be honest, I never understand that stuff.
We meet in the office room for the plan of the day after breakfast. Normally, Argo and her lackeys are gone by this point, but yesterday was a rare day they were still present. Argo herself looked different as well as if she had experienced the vacation we all wished we could have. Not that we can complain, since a happy Argo is way better than a grumpy Argo. (Other words are used, but will not be repeated for safety reasons).
Heathcliff, Ren, and Kirito report the plan of the day before we head out to do our tasks. Most of the time, that plan is nothing surprising. A large portion of the alliance tackles the current frontline, while a small group, that is yet too weak for the frontline, will focus on material gathering, level, or proficiency grinding. That Mohican bastard sees to it that those rookies do a good job. Yesterday was no different, except that we tackled the new floor.
On our way to smash some new monsters to a pulp, we talk about random stuff. Apart from teasing mister Red Samurai of his nickname, we talked about proverbs that are not completed known to the world. These airy topics are always that random during our adventures. Keeps the mind distracted but still sharp.
Anyway, we encountered some beginner players at the gates who apologized for having lost faith in us before the interviews. I have to admit, I think that event helped us great mentally. It has been a while since I saw my friends being so determinant during the battles.
After some encouraging words, we stepped out of the safe zones and started to map the floor. We divided the group into three and moved so that we could see at least one group near the borders of our map. That is the strategy so that we can cover the most ground, but to be honest, that's just the simple basics. Even Argo's manual tells you about that simple strategy. No, what you really want to know is what is going through our heads during that time.
If I would tell you we would miss something, I would be lying. The crunching of leaves. The footsteps we leave behind in the dirt. The wind breezing past our ears, or the sun shining on our skin. The moment there is even a small change to those sensations, we will notice it. It is that change that can cost you your life in this world, thus we have disciplined ourselves to focus on it. While most of us skillless players focus on those sensations, we have two people focus on the sensible dangers with Searching and Trap Spotting skill. Especially on such a dark floor as the 27th, those skills are necessary.
Of course, being with ten parties and using these skills, you will eventually encounter monsters. The first monsters we encountered were Fifteen Dark Dwarf Miners. What happens after that is a silent battle, nothing but the clashing of weapons and the growling of those monsters hearable.
As an alliance, you are a team. You fight alongside each other constantly and you will learn the style of the other just by working together. If there are flaws, we will polish them until they are perfect, or at least manageable in battle. Your life depends on your party members, so you have to know you can rely on them. Both in body and mind.
Dark Dwarf Miners fight with picks, and although they are small, they pack a good punch. If you are unaware of how new monsters fight, you need to take a careful approach. Tanks have an important role in this, while the DPS have to switch immediately to make certain the tanks can keep the focus on their tasks. In our case, Heathcliff, Silica, Rinc, and Tobe had to take control of the battle while I, Beowulf, Diavel, Kunimitzz, and Wolfgang provided instant Dps backup. We had Sanza and Nezha as an additional backup, as well as Rain and Koharu on the lookout for monsters and traps. An additional tank and Dps waited in the back, but due to personal reasons, I cannot tell their names.
The fight in itself is nothing spectacular for us at this point. We hold onto a basic-rotating strategy, trying to determine the weakness and resists of the new monsters before we defeat them. It is essential for Argo's manual, and with this many players, we have the luxury to explore these monsters to the fullest. At least, after defeating enough to make certain they are no longer a threat.
One thing is certain: We don't use our strongest swords skills unless we know we can deal a fatal blow. Our strongest sword skills often have the largest cooldowns and leave us wide open for enemy attacks. Most of the time, they are our newest skills as well, meaning my party members are not used to me using such a move. You take this into account when you fight together on the frontline.
After battling these monsters for so many months, you don't get scared by them so easily anymore. We finished the last of those Dark Dwarf Miners and continued our task of the day. We repeated the same strategy with the giant Mineral Elementals and Gargoyles while we talk about what we see during our mapping. The minerals sticking out of the hills of coal. The dark shadow that is cast over the land. You know, that kind of stuff. You need something to keep that mind occupied. If you don't do that, you are going to get mad.
I said you get used to fighting the monsters, but the feeling of danger never leaves you. To think anything could ambush you and try to take your life. You can see it as a fear, or a challenge. In the end, it is either that you die or them.
Anyway, I am dwelling off. Where were we? Oh yes, the mapping. The team dynamic is great. Heathcliff is a good leader and fantastic tank, and with his unique skill, he is his own Dps. I am almost envious of that broken skill. I mean, one moment he is pushing back one of those Mineral Elementals with just his shield. The next second he cleaves it even fiercer than I can do. Rinc, Tobe, and Silica are powerhouses as well, even despite them being so small. Sometimes you wonder how that small Dragon Tamer girl can be such a beast in the heat of battle or how that gambling fool can be so reliable. Well, I could say the same about that mumbling fool, or that ripoff-merchant, but truth be told, I trust them with my life.
After a long-ass-time mapping, where we found some different tunnel systems, traps, treasure chests, another extra skill quest, and fought more monsters, we went back to Ronbaru. We explored a bit near the border just after the normal night shift to see if there was a difference in monsters between day and night before we got back to our depot. Can I just say how glad I am that we have a depot? It is just a great feeling to dump the resources you don't need in there without wasting even one of them.
Agil, Wolfgang, Lowbacca, Naijan, and Daizen are responsible for the reserves. If we have overstock, they make certain we can profit the most out of them, without wasting anything. It is also one of the few places where items are visibly stored, instead of dematerialized stored, which I found pretty cool.
After dropping the goods at the depot, we head back to our headquarters. Dinner is one of the best times of the day since both the ambiance and general safety are high. Kirito and Asuna definitely not hold back during these times and often come up with new combinations. To think they are only cooking B or C ingrediënts... it is exciting yet frightening how their cooking skill will evolve and how truly great the higher ingrediënts would be. I fear no monsters, but that thing, it scares me.''
''Nice meme!'' Someone shouted from the hallway.
''Tf2 is always good meme inspiration,'' Another voice commented.
''I raise you with Jojo!''
''You activated my trap card: Star wars!''
''Not fair. Nobody can beat Star Wars as meme potential.''
My eyes darted to a group of players, one black-haired girl walking alongside four male players. ''You wouldn't say it at first glance, but these are the people you can rely on with your life. Anyway, after dining, we take some time to rest or enjoy our limited time. Lisa and Seven usually have another song ready for us, and we have some card games. Sometimes, we duel in the backyard or discuss the latest news and inventions from the craftsman, mixers, or blacksmiths. That is how a normal day looks like on the frontline. But the problem is these normal days are rare. You want to know about that as well? Nah, I think I have told you enough. Publish this, check the responses and we'll talk about the rare days next time.''
City of Zumfut, 08:21, 1-07-2023.
''Thank you for helping me, Yu-Chan,'' Argo said as she walked alongside the songstress through the green city of Zumfut, a familiar smile back on her face.
''Your welcome, Argo-san,'' Yuna responded with a beautiful smile. ''Now I do finally understand why you wanted me to join the boss fight. You want to recruit the bosses, right?''
''Yep. The bosses Aranea Regem and Nerius The Evil Treant. According to previous reports, we are looking for a boy with short black hair and tattered pants and a girl with short brown hair with simple green and brown clothing.''
''That is not much to work with,'' Yuna commented as she scanned the many passing NPCs.
''I know. I already scolded Alyse-chan for it. She was distracted with food again when I sent her to investigate their appearances,'' Argo responded annoyed. ''She is a worse glutton than Li-chan is.''
''Why did you not send Stacy with her as well? Or Mino and Faelon? Two minds are already better than one, after all.''
''Stacy was investigating the complaints on the first floor. I had Mino and Faelon on another investigation.'' Argo answered short and uncertain. Yuna clearly understood from Argo's response continuing with that subject was a no-go. However, her curiosity was pulled. She decided she would later ask how much the prize was to know what Argo was hiding.
''This isn't working out. We need a higher vantage point. Yu-chan, follow me,'' Argo ordered before she ran towards the nearest tree, used her acrobatics skill to climb the three, and jumped on the flat roof. Yuna followed after her, but the songstress wasn't as quick as the information broker, or one of her subordinates to be precise. ''You're slow, Yu-chan,'' The Rat grinned as they started to move over the rooftops.
''Very funny. For real, you can't possibly expect me to climb up so easily without agility skills.'' Yuna complained as her brown pupils scanned the NPCs once again.
''If Oji-bou can do it, you can do it as well, Yu-chan,'' Argo responded cheekily. '''Now, stop complaining and help me find those little bosses.''
~Ten minutes later.~
''I think I spotted one of them,'' Yuna reported as her eyes fell on a young black-haired boy, staring at a normal NPC shop just in the southern outskirt of the city from her 22nd vantage point.
Argo looked at the NPC, back to the store, and slammed herself with her open hand on the forehead in a classic facepalm. ''Of course, the insect store. Why did I not think of that? The basic instinct is food, so that is where you have to look first.''
''How did Suka find Liz so early then? It wasn't as if she wanted to eat Liz...right?'' Yuna asked concerned.
Argo turned around, gave Yuna a deadpan expression worth a thousand words, and turned her attention back to the young NPC. ''It is Li-chan. She probably had just eaten or she had already drawn the boss's attention with previous dinings. If Suka would have had an appetite for players, we would have experienced it by now.'' Argo answered as they reached the young black-haired NPC. The young boy turned around to Argo and Yuna, and his small, fully black-colored eyes confirmed their guess.
Twenty minutes later, their task was completed. With a young green-eyed girl and a black-eyed boy NPC in hand, Argo and Yuna returned to Giltstein. It was at their headquarters in Giltstein, approximately fifteen minutes, the weather started to change.
''Welcome home, Mama, Yuna-san!'' Suka said as she welcomed them warmly. Yuna closed the door as delicately as possible, but it turned into a slam due to the increasing wind turbulence. Argo finished a message to the alliance leaders and the other traveling players before she turned to the small girl.
''Thank you, Su-chan. I have a little surprise for you and your brothers. Papa is going to come home early today, so we can have a party.'' Argo spoke in a calm, childish tone that she usually used for Suka. ''Can you tell your brothers that they have to prepare for a party?''
''Okay, mama!'' Suka responded after some seconds with a beautiful pure smile before she ran to stairs while shouting, ''Nigi, Belco, Ban Accomo, we are going to have a party!''
As the demonic redhead ran up the stairs, Yuna wondered out loud, ''Did her AI grow again? I have a feeling it took less time to respond to us than before.''
''She must have leveled up recently. She should be close to level 30 by now. I wonder what skill she chooses next.'' Argo answered nonchalantly before she turned her attention to the furniture. She settled on one of the chairs, and let out a big sigh.
However, she couldn't fully rest, as an expected question reached her ears a moment later. ''How much Col to know what Mino and Faelon were investigating on?''
''You really want to know?'' Argo questioned Yuna in a whisper. ''Some things are better left ignored,'' She warned.
''And still, you feel the need to investigate it. You can't bear everything alone.'' Yuna responded in kind, her determined gaze a clear answer to Argo's warning.
''I have warned you,'' Argo commented as her eyes turned in Search mode before they turned back to normal. She leaned closer to Yuna and whispered, ''If the campaign quests of the Dark elves and Forest elves continues, why wouldn't the same happen with the Fallen elf campaign? I heard a rumor a Fallen was spotted on the thirteenth floor a while ago.''
''Fallen elves? Weren't they all defeated in our attack?'' Yuna asked in a whisper.
''I believed so too until that rumor started. I had immediately sent Mino and Faelon to investigate it but they couldn't find anything.'' Argo answered uncertainly. ''Still, it is bugging me, especially since there are rumors of an increase of Dire Wolves on the 17th floor.''
Yuna looked confused as she asked, ''What do they have to...?'' She didn't have to think any further, as she had followed the logical step in her head. ''You think...?''
''Could be. The campaign looked pretty straightforward and one-dimensional, but who says it really is?'' Argo wondered worriedly. ''My gut doesn't trust it, but I got no evidence backing it up.'' Yuna was about to ask a question but Argo had already read her face as she answered, ''I can't worry everyone over a simple rumor. If I am wrong, the rest of my information will be judged. In other words, you can't speak to anyone about this.''
Argo's expression was unusually serious. In fact, Yuna recognized the stress of a few days prior in those eyes. So this is the reason she has been acting so weird lately. This is why she was frustrated with everything. The songstress nodded as she responded, ''I got it. Your secret is safe with me.'' Yuna promised.
Argo let out a big sigh, and like a switch that was flipped around, her expression made a full 180. ''I have to admit it is nice to share that stuff with someone. Thanks, Yu-chan. Now, let's make the preparations for this party!''
''Why are we having a party anyway? And what did you mean when you said Kirito is back early?'' Yuna asked confused.
Argo grinned as she pointed to the window and answered, ''Let's just say we have to brace ourselves. A storm is coming.''
01-07-2023.
The day started normally for Aincrad. A simple day stood on the horizon. At least, if the frontline had a say in it.
The alliance was up and early to map another portion of the map. The Dragons Knights Brigade had almost struck a deal with the Divine Dragons for an alliance, and the other arising guilds were already grinding exp out of the new mobs they recently read about.
All that changed at 9:30 in the morning. An innocent breeze turned to violate waves of gust and a starting rain started to wet the earth of Aincrad its essence. Players to mobilize, one way or another.
At around 11:15 AM, most of the players had already retreated to the safe areas. Even the frontline members had decided, after the warning from Argo to the Rat, to call it an early day. Arriving at their headquarters, they were just in time before the wind and the rain truly showed their devastating potential.
However, as seen as they stepped inside, the change in weather was not something. ''Good morning, lads,'' Argo smirked as her whiskers, small ponytails, and messy bangs were fully exposed by the gentlemen's suit she was wearing. ''Please follow Liz's and my lackeys' instructions, and prepare yourself for the party.'' Her eyes especially focused on Eugene, who looked away afraid of judgment day.
Argo left to focus on other aspects of the party, and Liz immediately followed up with Argo's instructions in a familiar yukata. ''Girls, please follow Stacy to the first-floor rooms. If you wish to have a bath first, you have time to use it from now to 14:00 o'clock. Then it's the boys' turn. If you wish to have something else done with your hair, just give Stacy a heads-up. Paulo is making his way and he will help anyone with their requests. Guys, I need you to split up into three groups and go with Faelon, Alyse, and Mino. Ashley will later come and help you guys with the choice of clothing. If you have any other requests, you can ask Alyse, Faelon, or Mino.''
Liz acted so confidently that none of the girls questioned anything and just followed Stacy upstairs. Kirito had a few questions, but one was answered before he could even voice it. ''Don't worry about the food. We got that covered,'' Liz answered with a smile. Not much later, Kirito discovered Argo had hired Rechka for the job.
He had other questions, and after learning they had two new NPCs to babysit for, more questions wandered through his mind. But while equipping his formal party suit from the ninth floor and getting his looks approvable for the party, one question rose above them all. Since when does Argo have a suit?
By the time Ashley and Paulo had worked their magic, and the alliance had changed their casual gear for the beautiful creations they still had from the 9th floor, the gust of winds and startling rain had changed completely. It was the worst storm Aincrad had ever faced before.
If the buildings inside the safe zones weren't immortal and unbreakable, some places would have definitely suffered from this storm. The wind was strong enough to pick up a small child from the street and toss it around like a plastic bag in the wind. The devastating flood of rain was enough to sink the city in the nearby river if Aincrad wasn't profound enough in regulating the water level perfectly.
While Klein guided his gold-haired girlfriend over the dancefloor, both dressed over the top and smilingly broadly at each other, lightning brightened the sky its fullest light. The thunder that followed soon after would have the foundations of Aincrad tremble if it wasn't for the system to keep things regulated. Nowhere was safe for this storm of data crashing through Aincrad. From the instant areas to the safe zones of the first floor.
Just outside of the city of Rovia, the river acted like a wild beast. Enormous waves slammed against the banks until not even the banks were enough to stop their onslaught. It was delight to dangerous delight to watch for anyone who was interested.
In the alliance residence, none was interested in that dangerous show of power. Whatever it was perfectly provided appetizers created by Rechka, the wooden dance floor of the living room, or the songs of Yuna, Seven, and Ojima, none had ever the idea to stare outside the window.
It wasn't a holiday. It wasn't even a day off. However, it was just enough to let the players remember why they fought so hard. From Argo's smile as she had switched from her suit to her yellow dress to Agil's laugh as memories of tv shows of old returned in a conversation.
During the dark elf prom, the players held back due to the fact that they were visitors to the queen. Now, even Kizmel showed no restraints as she danced as fiercely as Argo as if each dance move was explicitly performed just to lose the frustration, anxiety, and stress of the past months.
Just outside Rovia, at the western border of the Bear Forest, waves of water flooded the ground completely. Trees at the border were broken apart, and loose branches were taken away before they shattered due to the strength of the water. One wave after another clashed with the soil, leaving nothing behind except destruction. Or dit they leave something more behind?
At precisely that riverbank, small bits of water started to stay behind. With each passing wave, more water joined the left-behind water, until it connected into a familiar shape. First a small torso. Then two small legs joined the fray. Slowly, but surely, feet began to form, and further into the night, slender arms and small head formed.
When the storm finally settled deep into the night, the fingers that had stayed motionless for all this time slowly started to move.