.hack/EVA: Catharsis: Appearing from Illusion
Disclaimer: In this universe in the quantum foam, I do not own or in any way shape or form hold a claim to the .hack series or Neon Genesis Evangelion.
" " denotes speech
'italics' denotes thought
'bold' denotes location names
'bold italics' denotes skill use
Apartment 402, Tokyo-3
The distant strains of white and azure noise filled the room, working in tandem with the soft whirr of the computer's cooling fan to serve as an absolute barrier, an aura of sound through which nothing distressful (such as the noises of construction or demolition) might pass. But no one sat at the computer desk, or stood in the bedroom, and with the apartment meticulously clean, one might almost say that it was deserted—except that there would have to be someone there to explain the tendrils of steam creeping out from one of the many doorways.
It twirled and spun, curling up the wall like a vine—and then withdrew, as the sound of the shower abruptly cut off, letting the sounds of the outside through once more, punctuated by soft footfalls on the creaky wooden floor, and the drip-drip-drip of water. A few moments later, Rei Ayanami emerged, still dripping wet, clad in nothing but a towel and a thoughtful expression.
'Curious,' she thought to herself, her brow furrowed in concentration as she brought one hand to her lips, tracing the curves of a faint smile, while the other rested on one of her shapely breasts. 'What is the significance of human touch? Of a smile? How does that movement echo the warmth I felt when Ikari fell on top of me those days ago, a warmth that was almost…pleasant.'
Another warmth blossomed when she thought of Hakubo-san and Horaki-inchou, both of whom had sat beside her at lunch one day and began a conversation—with the silver-haired girl in particular taking pains to reach out to her. She still didn't quite understand why that was, or why she had not simply ignored them as she had others in the past. Perhaps it was due to the way her…friend…had spoken about The World as a bond to all people, much as the Evangelions were to her. Or perhaps it was because The World itself had opened her up to interactions with others, forcing her to choose her own path in a place without direction.
She remembered well the first day she had logged in to choose a character class and avatar, largely because the default settings had so displeased her. The basic avatar had appeared as a Lord Partizan, dressed in formal robes of red, a color that the blunette absolutely despised. Given a choice of what she wanted, Rei instead chose an appearance that was very much like how she saw herself: balanced and formal, observing and doing as duty required.
As for why the name Skadi, while she did not react to the local gossip bandied about by the students at her school, on one level, she found that she didn't mind the label of ice queen. Cold, dispassionate, observing the world from above…it was what she had done in both worlds, and so she chose to be called by the name of a winter deity in The World.
Padding over to the computer desk where her terminal rested, Ayanami reflected on recent events in that virtual space, including the truce with the Flick Reaper Tomoyami, the encounter with the enigmatic Harvest Cleric Rumor…and the fight against the Edge Punisher Eris.
At that particular memory, the bluenette narrowed her eyes, another feeling welling up inside of her. This was warmth as well, but not the pleasant one associated with Ikari…this warmth was reminiscent of what she felt when she saw red. Pulse rushing, head reeling, eyes narrowing…it could only be one thing: loathing.
But that was enough thought for now. The bluenette decided that the best way to investigate for now would be to re-enter The World, so without taking the time to get dressed (for indeed, she was in her apartment, and for what reason would she need clothing there?), Rei Ayanami sat down in her merely functional chair and slid her FMD over her head, entering The World once again.
Δ Server, Eternal City Mac Anu
Golden rings of light shimmered into existence near the Chaos Gate, fading to reveal a pale figure clad in a midnight blue yukata, crimson eyes glinting in the light of dusk from beneath a mop of azure hair. Opening her eyes, she was hit almost immediately with a wave of disorientation: something was wrong. She wasn't quite sure what it was, or where it was, but regardless, there was something out of place.
Skadi looked around uneasily, her war fans gripped tightly in her hands as if expecting something to emerge from the shadows, but moments passed and nothing happened. Still perturbed by the earlier sensation (altogether strange for her), the Macabre Dancer relaxed her grip on her weapons and strode out into sunlight, shaking her head.
'I am being irrational,' she told herself. 'There is no possible danger in a Root Town such as Mac Anu, for here weapons do not function and creatures do not appear.'
Indeed, a Root Town was a sanctuary for those within The World, a place to rest between adventures and meet up with friends, or trade harsh words with enemies, knowing that they could not harm one. But it was also a bustling hub, a market for goods and information, and on the whole, an excellent place to observe humans in their natural state.
So the azure-haired Skadi proceeded into the heart of town, towards a spot that had proven statistically valuable as a gathering place since the days of R1: the bridge crossing the river Anu. The river was larger now, more turbulent by the influence of the steam engines that littered the Eternal City, but it was still a place of isolation and immersion both.
Clip-clop-clip-clop her steps went as she walked with purpose through the town, players milling in one direction or another, each concerned only about the self. Most kept their berth from her though, as if they could sense that she was one of the more powerful characters on Delta Server—or perhaps they simply did not like the way her eyes seemed to pierce the façade of their avatars into their very souls.
She was almost to the bridge when she froze, her gaze transfixed by another set of crimson eyes. At the far end of the embankment was another Macabre Dancer, this one with silver hair and black robes, his silver fans tipped with seven eyes apiece.
The other continued to approach, making as if to pass her without a word, but at the last second her stopped just beside her, leaning down to her ear.
"You are the Tear of Winter, Skadi. You are the same as me," he whispered sensually, close enough that his breath would have caressed her ear, were she capable of feeling such things in The World. In the moment of stillness caused by his actions, the silver-haired boy brought a hand up as if to stroke Skadi's alabaster smooth cheeks, only for his hand to be seized by another, as crimson eyes glared daggers into his flesh.
Crack! With that sound, the silver-haired caster was left with a red imprint on his cheek, wincing as if the slap had actually stung him.
"Such strength and curiosity," he remarked, as if noting the way the summer breeze rustled the leaves of a tree. "You dislike people, yet you are bonded to them by free will. Curious."
He moved to go, brushing past her and moving towards the Chaos Gate, as Skadi watched him intently, rewarded by a glimpse of what she thought to be black spots dancing about his avatar. But it was only momentary, as the other turned and looked at her again, smiling, and the spots faded.
"No. We're not the same," the one of Winter murmured under her breath. "We might be very similar...but we're not the same."
Net Slum Tartarga, Sea of Data
Of all the Root Towns and Servers in The World, there was only one that was truly mobile—and surprisingly agile, considering that it rode on the back of a giant tortoise, one that was by the standards of the Net, very very old. The great reptile that carried the city through the sea of data with beats of its massive flippers preceded the time of Aura, and was a being of the Epitaph itself, a tortoise that dwelled in the True Underworld and possessed ancient knowledge.
It was a mystical place of sorts, existing at the crossroads of The World, able to be reached from anywhere by those who knew how and functioning as an area from which one could access any place in The World, but was outside the system as well. Thus, it was a city where failed or unwanted data such as Vagrant AIs, and hackers would gather—a place that the Queen of the Dark had called both Paradise and home.
Two figures silhouetted against the sea of twilight parleyed at the gate, voices low and hushed and harsh as they discussed urgent matters in The World. One was tall and statuesque, every inch a mighty sorcerer-queen comfortable in the power she wielded—and yet, uneasy. As the great tortoise moved through the ocean of data, the angle of the light shifted, and she was revealed to be the Harvest Cleric Tsukinoki, a severe blond outfitted in a flowing white dress with purple triangular designs and what resembled a matching queen's helm, with a visor that covered her eyes.
The other was another Cleric, powerful in his own right but deferential to the one named Tsukinoki. Rather small in frame, his honest face often bore a friendly smile, tousled gray hair, big blue eyes, and a small teardrop shaped tattoo on his left cheek. But today, the smile seemed forced, with fatigue apparent in both eyes and frame. Named for the one thing said to travel faster than the speed of light, he was Rumor, the Vagrant AI who could be found almost anywhere in The World.
"Rumor has it that the one named Ovan was spotted at Θ Hidden Forbidden Virgin Peaks, the Six Ringing Peaks of Al Fadel," spoke he, clenching his staff like a frozen whirlpool tightly in one hand, as he looked into the glowing green-blue diamond with a small pulsating sphere he held in the other.
"So, Tri-Edge and The Rebirth has appeared once more in The World…" murmured the sorcerer-queen, face taking on a sternness that had not been seen since the Twilight Incident. "And at Al Fadel…did not the Child of Twilight visit that recently with the one who calls herself Eris?"
"Rumor says that that is so, my Queen," the diminutive Harvest acceded, "but he left before the Child of Twilight reached the peak, in the company of a Macabre Dancer named Siarl."
"Siarl…meaning simply 'free man'," mused Tsukinoki, who did not know quite what to make of it. She had almost expected the one accompanying Ovan to be Morganna, erstwhile foe and now uneasy ally-of-sorts, though she knew that Morganna would be more discreet about any such meetings. 'A once goddess would not be so careless, as she is by now quite aware of her limitations...and she knows what AIDA could do to her.' "Did he have any distinguishing marks or features?"
"Rumor would relate simply Seven Eyes upon his war fans, with an inverted triangle bisected on his robes," the AI responded to his Queen. "Rumors of AIDA activity within The World begin to escalate once more…and there is another Lost One."
"The player named Kazumi, yes," acknowledged the Queen of the Dark. "But perhaps that is for the best, for he would have to be dealt with in time sooner or later. He, of CyberConnect Corporation's Security Administration, was the keeper of the errant key, the false child of Morganna."
"The creation of the one who would have become a false God of The World?"
"Yes. And the keeper of the false Tarvos now—you have that information, correct?"
Silence for a long moment, before the diminutive Harvest Cleric spoke at last.
"Rumor has it that the false Key returns to the Wave, she who even now is coming…"
The information gatherer looked at Tsukinoki, who merely nodded as if she had expected that piece of information. A strange chime sounded at the gates, and with ripples of golden light, a feared sorceress clad in black, with flowing purple-black tresses and dark violet eyes, arrived upon the scene.
She was a Shadow Warlock, whose resemblance to Aura and infinity brooch clinched her identity as the mirror to the hacker Helba: Morganna, the Old God of The World (and consequently, a being that Rumor still had problems trusting).
"Morganna, I've been expecting you," intoned the Mistress of Net Slum Tartarga. "We need to talk."
Δ Server, Eternal City Mac Anu
Still troubled over her encounter with the other Macabre Dancer, Skadi finally set foot upon the bridge that spanned the great river of the Eternal City. It was, on the whole, a somewhat underwhelming experience, as she felt none of the camaraderie that seemed to touch all those around her, while leaving her apart. At the same time, to observe others was a state that she knew well, and so she leaned over the railing and simply watched the crowds swirling about the city, streaming this way and that in search of an hour's diversion.
'How does each individual find a purpose in this world when each is alone, seeking to be alone, and to forget one's loneliness? One escapes the pain of reality simply to find another chaotic place, where there is no heaven, where even in lore, the man has destroyed the gods and now seeks to shape one in his own image.'
It was true that many human interactions still puzzled her, and though she felt emotion as every other child of Lilith, she did not understand them as easily as other humans did. In that sense, she was very much the 'zero' that her name implied, existing more as a spirit on a different order of existence. Still, she wished to understand, so she observed, learning more and more that the best way to learn was to participate.
Uncharacteristically to those she knew in the real world, Skadi sighed and began to write a flash mail for the first time, to the one person she knew well in The World, and whose status appeared as "available": Tomoyami.
:From: Skadi
To: Tomoyami
Subject: Quest
I find that I am…discontent with simply observing what goes on in the Root Town. Is there a place where we may meet to discuss what has transpired?:
She sent her message, and was rather surprised when a reply arrived but a minute later.
:From: Tomoyami
To: Skadi
Subject: re: Quest
Perhaps Σ Hidden Forbidden Exhibition, the Lost Ground storing all the knowledge in The World, but not at the moment. I am…adventuring with a Tribal Grappler and Shadow Warlock who have misbehaved, in preparation for the tournaments to come in Lumina Cloth. Apologies.:
Skadi's lips curled into a slight frown, and she turned her attention from the crowds to the waters below, and to the shifting reflection of herself that was displayed there, distorted by current and ripple, by wave and wind. Staring at the image, idle thoughts came into her mind, strung together one by one into a poem of sorts.
'Time. Ever shifting is time, changing all around it.'
'An unseen cold hand, drawing fates on towards eternity'
'Sky…blue sky, eyes look away into the hazy distance, at a distant far off dream'
'Moon…there is only one.'
'Water…frozen tears, change…a red spider lily…Ikari-kun?'
'Flower…Danse Macabre…so many alike, to nothing turned.'
'Sky…red sky in view. Red. I hate Red.'
'Water…ever flowing, A cage of glass, cold and icy night.'
'Feeling…why? What is it to be?'
'Blood…red blood…life…no blood in The World.'
'The red earth born of the Twilight'
'From man and woman, the cradle of dreams'
'Town…a human creation. Avatar…human as well'
'What is human? Who is God? Another creation?'
'A vessel for the life and soul, a guide to the truth.'
'Chaos Gate…the portal to worlds'
'Entry Plug, the throne of souls'
'Who is this? This is Skadi. No, this is Rei. No, this is me.'
'"You are the same as me." No.'
'Who am I? What am I? Why am I?'
'I am myself and not myself. The Mirage of Deceit, no. No Terror of Death.'
'Rebirth. This, that which is, is myself. That which is formed is me.'
'The me that can be seen, and the me that sees itself'
'A strange feeling. Uncertainty…a sea of liminality, ego border melting'
'Clear blue winds…the hazy distance…moonlight.'
'I cannot see myself clearly, the shape of thoughts fading.'
'Overflowing burning pathos…the presence of someone who is not me.'
'Who is there, beyond the looking glass?'
'Who are you?'
Minutes had passed while the Macabre Dancer pondered these things, her form fading to grey as the last few thoughts strayed into her head. She simply stood there, tuning out the rest of the world, and would have remained, had a familiar voice not sounded nearby.
Skadi looked up sharply in the direction of the sound, and found herself gazing into another set of crimson eyes. The bearer of these eyes, though, was no Macabre Dancer, but a thoroughly unnerved Adept Rogue, whose frame and face resembled hers to the extreme, save for longer hair and the choice of charcoal-gray robes over dark chain mail instead of a yukata as attire.
The two stood very close now, nose to nose, with the other seeming quite uncomfortable with the intense scrutiny, fidgeting and trying to look away, but failing. They simply gazed into each other's eyes as if caught in a trance, each an imperfect mirror of the other. If either had been so inclined, it would have been a simple matter for him or her to lean in and kiss the lips of the other so close—but as one was quite shaken to encounter another he knew, and the other was not familiar with what the warmth inside her meant, none of that happened.
A soft cough issued from someone beside them, and both blunettes finally broke eye contact, with the Adept Rogue Skari jumping back and emitting a startled 'eep!' which made his companion chuckle. The Macabre Dancer Skadi turned her head to see who was accompanying the rogue, only to raise an eyebrow in an expression of restrained surprise. For the one she saw mirrored her friend Reimeiki Hakubo exactly in form and feature, down to the silver hair with red streaks, golden eyes, and spider lily behind one ear…even if she did not approve of the choice of attire.
"Hakubo-san?" she questioned, only to be cut off by a wave of her friend's hand.
"In this place, Skadi, call me Lycoris," the girl in red returned with a smile. "Rumor had it that you would be here by the waters."
"You are going on a quest," Skadi said manner-of-factly. "May I…join you?"
The formerly tongue-tied Rogue finally found his voice for long enough to speak.
"Yes, of course, Aya—Skadi."
"We go to Θ Dancing Returning Exile for Skari's Job Extend Quest. After all, he cannot forever be a Twin Blade," Lycoris quipped, poking her dear one in the ribs. "Come, let us go…the event awaits."
The Macabre Dancer remained motionless for a minute and then nodded slightly, turning and falling into step with the two.
"…Hai."
'Perhaps on the field, Ikari can teach me more of what this warmth inside me means…and Hakubo, who like me is a mirror in this World.'
Δ Dreaming Eternal Moonlight
In this particular field of night, an annoyed Edge Punisher waited, pacing back and forth in anticipation of her quarry's arrival. Her name, as many have learned all too late, was Eris, the Bringer of Strife, and she was quickly becoming known as a Chaotic PK, her red ponytail and sensuously curved figure clad in black leather bringing both temptation and terror for those new to the game—especially those who had the misfortune to be blunettes.
Now, while it was far from unusual for Eris to become annoyed (as she so often did), or to lie in wait for unwary prey, this time she had been summoned to the field, and by a flash mail with a sender unknown to her. Whoever it was had referred to himself as the "Siarl, First Conqueror of Al Fadel", the Lost Ground that was rumored to grant incredible power to those who discovered it and triumphed over its dangers, and had dropped hints about sharing it with her should she prove herself worthy.
'Pah! Who could be more worthy than I to possess such great power?' the Edge Punisher sneered. 'And if anything…he's the one who's late.'
For some time she had waited, Broad Guiren clutched in hand as she walked about, avoiding battle in case the one who had called her was planning on springing an ambush. And the field had complied, springing neither monster nor unlucky animal upon her, perfectly quiet save for the low humming of the wind. In fact, it was almost too quiet, and since Eris had not read one particular part of the manual that dealt with what happened when one chose to be idle in certain fields, she was caught off guard by what happened next.
"DOPPELGANGER" flashed on the screen, and as the player behind Eris barely kept from falling out of her seat, she noticed too late the darkness-wreathed copy of her PC charging at her, its Broadsword "Menacing Clash" already extended and slashing. A wave of brute force slammed Eris backwards as her HP dropped precipitously.
'How did he ambush me so quickly? Wait, that's not a player. What in the verdammen hells is this abomination? Doppelganger…copy.'
"Sheiße!" she shrieked out, attempting to bring her sword between herself and opponent. But it was too late, as the foe's blade made contact yet again, its glowing red eyes taunting her as it quickly pulled its sword back and unleashed a powerful impact attack on the ground, the resultant shockwave flinging her into the air.
'A doppelganger, a copy…a lifeless doll that looks like me. Well, no doll will get the better of ERIS, BRINGER OF STRIFE!''
"Copybot BITCH!" the Edge Punisher snarled, as she struggled to regain her bearings, barely managing to land on her feet. She slashed, trying to block the inhumanly swift strikes of her enemy, which merely swung its mighty blade forward with inhuman speed. "Take this, you worthless doll…Armor Break!"
Unleashing the most powerful skill available to her as an Edge Punisher, Eris barely managed to block her foe's attack, their weapons issuing sparks at the point of contact. Already she was breathing hard, her teeth on edge, as she had never fought against an opponent with all of her skills and greater speed and power.
Inside, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that if she didn't counter attack right here and now to regain the momentum for herself, she would lose to a copy, a doll. And that was unacceptable.
Revving up the chainsaw spikes on the sword, Eris threw her momentum forward into a slide, getting between her opponent's lets and grinning wickedly. As powerful as the Doppelganger was, it was not prepared to face unconventional maneuvers such as that, and the PK used that moment of hesitation to full effect.
"Let's see how you like this between your legs, bitch! Shell Breaker!" she shouted, swinging the chainsaw blade up at the crotch of the copy, which took a hit or two before diving forward into a roll and spinning to face her. It hadn't been as much damage as she'd hoped to deal, but it was a start
From below she had struck, and now from above. Eris sprang into the air, her broadsword howling with what seemed like bloodlust but were really just the chainsaw teeth whirring as it scythed through the air. Her anger, her hatred, her fear…she took those emotions and placed them all into one crushing strike.
"Bone Crusher!"
But this time the Doppelganger was ready, countering with an Aerial attack of its own: "Twin Moons." It didn't block the Edge Punisher's attack, but then, it wasn't intended to, merely misdirecting it slightly to throw the redhead off balance. It wasn't long by any means, but it was long enough so that the Doppelganger was able to deliver a flurry of kicks to her gut.
Eris landed heavily, muttering "Repth" under her breath, a golden aura surrounding her for a moment and healing some of the damage she had taken. It was clear that the foreign being had her overmatched physically, though she was not about to admit it, so perhaps the key to victory lay in the spells she had been able to acquire.
'After all…if it's an Edge Punisher Doppelganger, it shouldn't have any skills besides those of the class.'
"Rue Kruz!" she spat with renewed vigor, shards of ice materializing in the sky and converging upon the foe in an elemental explosion, stunning it momentarily. Taking the opportunity that that afforded, Eris came in close and called out "Armor Break" once more, trying to wear away at the shadow's armor and HP so that she could use her more powerful normal skills.
It stuck high, but Eris stuck low, dropping into a crouch and sweeping the Doppelganger's legs from under it. By now the chainsaw teeth were roaring in fury and readiness once more, and she brought the weapon down upon her fallen adversary, a bestial howl escaping her lips.
Somehow, it managed to counter, its face twisting into a parody of a grin as its sword forced Eris' back enough for it to kick her in the gut. And now the deadly shadow had played enough, and while the Edge Punisher was disoriented, lifted its sword for a coup de grace and slashed—
—only to miss by a hair, as Eris backflipped out of range, leaving as her parting gift a well placed 'Gan Bolg', causing needles of earth to shoot upwards and pierce her opponent's heavy armor.
'I just have to keep whittling away…and hope that doll isn't healing itself…wait…WHAT?'
Understandably, the Edge Punisher was slightly dismayed to find that the shadow-shrouded version of herself was indeed regenerating over time, meaning that she had to end this quickly. Too much longer and her offensive capability would be worn down, leaving herself open to be struck down with ease.
"Rue Kruz," she snarled again, using a spell she hated but needed nonetheless, rushing like the wind towards the enemy's position, intending to end things now. The orbs of water struck at the same time as her sword, the art "Shell Breaker" finally cutting through the last of her opponent's protective layers.
As if knowing it had one great effort remaining, the Doppelganger used its Menacing Clash broadsword in for a last attempt at decapitation, only for Eris to block it while falling back slightly. She lost her grip and the weapon sliced down into her shoulder, sending her HP down to critical condition, as she called out "Zan Rom" in desperation, a tornado of wind element touching down and ripping the Doppelganger apart at last, leaving behind the item "Own King."
Victory hers at last, the Edge Punisher collapsed upon a nearby rock, the Broad Guiren falling boneless from her still shaking hands as she gasped for breath.
'I cannot believe that I was almost beaten by a doll. What ein himmel was that creature, that perverse shadow copy? How was I ambushed when there was nothing in the field? And a better question…where is the one who called me here?'
As if in answer to her last question, a quiet footstep crunched down upon the sand, with someone humming Ode to Joy softly at her hear. Eris began to reach for her sword, but found that her weapon was kicked, skidding some meters away. As for whirling about, that would have been quite a bad idea, due to the two razor-tipped war fans at her throat and her gut.
"You defeated a doppelganger, most impressive," a silky voice whispered into her ear. "I have always been fascinated by how Lilim manage to prevail against terribly unfair odds, using their emotions, using their pain to grant them such power. To forget their weaknesses and become strong, to erase the past. But a person cannot erase sadness forever…can they, Eris, Bringer of Strife?"
The Edge Punisher's unknown assailant used his grip upon her to spin her out to arm's length and look fully upon her ripe form. Eris, with weapon at throat, was powerless to do anything but watch and study the one who had called her to the field.
It was, after all, the Macabre Dancer Siarl, with silver hair and crimson eyes looking far too much like Skadi for her comfort. But this one seemed far more dangerous and even unstable, an ambusher greater than any she had met before. And were those black spots flickering around him? No, it couldn't be, for in the next moment they were gone.
"What do you want from me?" she demanded in a low whisper, glaring at him as if to slay him with her gaze alone. "You called me here, baka."
"Why, to test you and see whether you are worthy of the power of Al Fadel," he smirked, his tone somewhere between condescension and empathetic. "I hold a fraction of its power, for I was not the one who desired it most…that would be you. You are powerful, Eris…but you fear others, do you not? You avoid letting them get close to you, for fear that they will betray you, hurt you…abandon you. And so you raise a wall around your heart that none might pass."
There was silence for a moment, with the exception only of crickets chirping in the field. Then Eris spoke, her voice a low hiss of anger.
"I fear nothing, weakling, and what do you know of me?" she replied, a fire in her eyes. "As for your vaunted power, it doesn't take much to subdue an opponent who has already fought a harsh battle, and has no weapon. It is not the way of an honorable fighter."
The Macabre Dancer only laughed, a gentle sound that did not belong on that field.
"Strange that you would use the words honorable fighter, you who have used ruse, deception, and ambush many a time, striking at those you called friend or ally," he said, voice dripping with arsenic-laced honey. The silver-haired caster looked upon Eris intently as he said this, observing with satisfaction a flinch. "But you are right, it does not take much power to do that."
He released her, pushing her back onto a rock, while he retrieved two items from within his robes, setting those upon another, close by. They were an orb that seemed to pulse with living shadow, and a sword that some would recognize as "Heine's Shadow", which although a level 51 weapon was the equal of those 50 levels above.
"I did not take the power into myself, as I was already given more than enough for myself, and I am not the only conqueror of Al Fadel," he voiced, war fans now spread and ready for battle. "You desire power far more than I who desire only knowledge. Strike me once, and I will grant you the power you seek. As a show of good faith…here is the weapon Heine's Shadow…take it and use it against me. But first…allow me to heal you."
With a quick mutter or two, Eris' HP was restored to full, though she was none too happy about it. She did not enjoy being in the mercy of anyone, but at least now she was to return to battle, something she understood well.
'I will defeat you, you cocky bastard…you perverted' flower' and pansy. I will show you what strength truly is.'
Now, a duel to the first blood was truly different from anything that Eris had ever participated in before, as she usually fought to kill, accepting no yields, only the death of her opponent. Still, though this battle was more formal, the mechanics of battling remained the same, and as long as her sword could strike his frame, she would gain the so-called power he offered.
This was not to be a battle of reckless charges and uncertainties, as the combatants knew well. In such close quarters, such would be suicidal.
The Edge Punisher lunged forward with her new, more powerful weapon, only for the Macabre Dancer to parry and step aside, face a mask of amusement. Thrust, parry. Thrust, parry. Strike low, block low. It didn't help that he had two fans, and she only had one sword, so that no matter how she struck, there would be a weapon capable of blocking her.
She backed away, her opponent followed, keeping the range close so that she could not use her broadsword most effectively. To counter, she kicked the sand of the field into his face and slashed forward in a powerful combo—that Siarl flipped out of the way of. But she had been anticipating something of the sort, and merely lunged, scratching his character's arm.
It was a pale shadow of a proper wound, but it was an injury nonetheless. Siarl dropped his guard and looked at the nick that the Edge Punisher had given him, raising an eyebrow in surprise. He should have known better, as tempted by success, Eris thought that perhaps she could land at least another blow to show that she was a force to be reckoned with.
She charged up her blade and was about to slam it down onto the ground to release a massive shockwave when—
"Algol Laser! Kobold Bullet!"
Darkness blossomed about the Macabre Dancer's form again, a large beam of energy blasting forth from the dark aura into Eris' frame, throwing her into the air, where she was slammed into the ground by several pulsing balls of energy.
Her HP was lowered to 1, and her sword went skidding away from her.
Siarl did not finish her though, merely shaking his head and giving her an item. Then he turned to go, humming "Ode to Joy" and tossing a few words behind him as he disappeared in a flurry of golden light.
"That was but a taste of the power contained in the Orb, one that you shall master in time, Eris. We will meet again."
Surprised that he had kept his word, the Edge Punisher rose and dusted herself off again, picking up her new weapons and the Orb that her opponent had left behind, ostensibly as her reward for managing to strike him, passing his test.
'Such power...if I can gain such power, then at last, I will be the undisputed mightiest one in The World,' she thought, thinking upon the strange item she had received as she logged out, a flurry of golden rings marking her departure from the field.
'Eris obtained AIDA Seed.'