Sorry for the late update. I was out of town the past couple days and wasn't able to update properly. It's possible to do it via mobile, but it's a pain and a half to interface with everything; c-v'ing from docs to the ff document, formatting properly, etc.

I'm slightly upset with myself that I don't have a 'new' new chapter for March, but I feel like all the work I put in to fixing the portions that needed to realigned with where I was makes up for it. I hope. Said chapters are "Iridescence", "Hygge", and "Perpetuality".

I've said it before, but having a deadline is incredibly important for me. Ordinarily I would have kept editing until the 29th, but the knowledge that I was three (technically four) nights past my due date made me sigh rather heavily.

"It's said that doing something without change is grounds for insanity. I'd argue that for some things, it's validation."

What's driving them? Natural stamina? Anger? Determination? For the past two hours or so we had been fighting our way through the endless gauntlet of the cave, the elves showing no signs of slowing down or fatigue. It was only thanks to members of both parties being able to read the hidden signs and symbols scattered about that kept our marathon from turning labyrinthian.

"We must be getting close." Bael'na huffed out, perched upon a small outcropping.

The female Dark Elf had been a bit of a surprise to me. Only an inch or two taller than me and yet she shared the same ferocity in battle I had. Perhaps it was something caused by being constantly looked down on by others, physically or otherwise. "I've wandered these woods countless times, long before these lands were sealed away. If we continue much longer we'll be in the dead center of the region."

"Is that why we always came across you in our lands? Forgoing our treaties and risking mutual assured destruction for the sake of a simple walk?" The opposing leader of the Forest Elf delegation snorted. "Perhaps you weren't as air headed as we thought, strolling about unarmed with only the clothes on your back."

"Bael'na, Hensel. If you two might cease your flirtings." The protests of the duo were swiftly cut off by Iseyer. "Your ears must have become cut since the separation. We are getting close to our quarry; pray tell you can at least hear that thrum?"

Dislodged rocks, moaning air. Try as hard as I could, nothing other than dripping water and the usual ambiance of a cave reached my ears. All of the elves seemed to sense something else though.

Bael'na took a swig from her water container and swished it around a bit before swallowing. "You six, go scout ahead and try to find the source. Move slowly to pinpoint its location."

The designated team saluted their commander and headed off, their footsteps overpowered by the trickling flow of water running through our tunnel. "Hey, Iseyer." I looked at the elf, one corner of my mouth pulling back in mirth. "So when are you going to get me some boots of elvenkind?"

The blonde raised a questioning brow.

"You know, those special boots you guys are wearing that let you move about so silently?"

Hensel shook his head, answering in my Contracted's stead. "Tribe secret, Lady Asasaki. Even if we did give you the boots, you wouldn't know how to walk properly enough to utilize them."

A wry smile graced my lips. "If I found out, I'd have to be silenced?" I teased.

"Not if you developed the technique on your own," the elf responded.

I chuckled and moved to join Bael'na. The Dark Elf only expressed a brief moment of distaste before hiding it, turning away in an attempt to ignore me. That won't do at all. "So." I scooted over, smirking slightly when she leaned away in surprise. "Me being an ignorant little Swordsman, mind telling me exactly how you guys brought those spirit trees over? The most I know about them is that they're basically different sea ports with the method of travel being the equivalent of a boat or ship.

"A cutting of the Elder Tree from the original home of all elves," Hensel cut in once again. Glancing at the others, "It was well before our time. Back then all elves were of a single clan and did not develop into the two separate lines that we are today." He motioned towards the Dark Elves accompanying us. "The trees in each region are siblings, each one linked to another. As much as we may hate each other-"

"Attacking the other's Spirit Tree is forbidden for our mutual survival," Bael'na finished.

It was a bit astonishing how comfortable Bael'na and Hensel were. Some of their men shared that trait, though as begrudging tolerance rather than unrealized sexual tension. Perhaps Iseyer's jest had more merit to it than expected.

The four of us fell into a somewhat comfortable silence. For my part, I checked on all of my current equipment, keeping my mind busy by noting their current durability as well as other values. Regarding Stygian Curse, the hot keyed motion of the dagger was replicated thrice but not pulled out. I wasn't entirely sure how the elves would feel about me pulling out something the Fallen Elves used, especially now that it held a sinister, malevolent red tint around its edge after the morning's fights.

Before long the scouting party came back, stating they'd found something out of place that they weren't sure how to interact with. The subject in question was a thin hole in the wall, a fairly heavy looking but roundish stone slab laying nearby. It was almost comical how small the cavity was in comparison.

"All of the markers nearby lead to here," one of the elves explained. "We got lucky by feeling around, but we have no way to move forward."

As the party and the two leaders started discussing how to proceed, I moved over to the the vertical slit and traced it with my finger. Its 'I' shape was vaguely familiar, though I wasn't quite sure from where.

"And there was nothing nearby? No signs that were out of place that would have hinted at what we needed?"

"None, Sergeant Bael'na."

I moved away from the oddity and joined the others. "So what now? We've got a clue but no leads as to what it could be used for."

"A hole in the wall feels to me as if it would require a key," Hensel said. "A key unique to the Fallen Elves, but not so much that not all of them would be able to access it."

My eyes drifted to the bottom of my vision. Pulsing gently, a white exclamation point boxed by red requested my attention.

#Quest Update: claim a weapon from a Fallen Elf.#

#Task Complete!#

I walked back to the hole and called forth the dagger, staring at it in irritation. It seriously wasn't that easy, right? Without any fanfare, I slotted the weapon in, eliciting a muffled click and minute rumbling. So what exactly happened? I stepped back and looked around, trying to find anything out of place. When neither I nor the Elves commented on anything, I pulled the weapon out and deposited it back into my inventory, turning to face them. "Well, now wha-!"

An undignified yelp most certainly did not escape my lips. Suddenly no longer in existence, the rock wall I attempted to sit on gave way to an unforgiving and pebble coated floor.

"Lady Asasaki!" Iseyer's crystal clear voice followed after me, the elf tripping over my feet and knocking the remaining wind out of my lungs.

I groaned, attempting to reconcile the sensations in my body with the knowledge that it was only supposed to be a convincing expectation. "Please get off, you're heavy."

Iseyer rolled off with an apology, footsteps moving away. "It's nothing more than an illusion," he told the others. "Though with the weapon out who knows how long it will last."

"How many times must I suffer pain before my body realizes it's not actually occurring?" I muttered as I got to my feet. Able to take a better look at our new surroundings, I realized that the cave previous lit by extremely luminescent moss was now illuminated by ovoidal crystals emitting fiery colors. Unlike a normal oxygen based torch, these filled sconces had no flickering to speak of, the light given off completely regular.

"There's our way forward, at least." Bael'na turned to address me, giving a frankly disgusted frown upon mentioning the 'key'. "Would you might staying with us at the front? We may have further need of your liberated weapon."

As it would turn out, the trek along the path was nothing sort of mind numbingly boring. At least for me. With so many bodies in our group, I felt perfectly safe turning off my mind and simply following the trail, letting the others concern themselves with potential traps and enemies.

Soft, pulsing blue light reflecting off a wall pulled me out of my trance, the whispers around me drowning out the soft, rhythmic hum of something.

I took a step forward and called out for Iseyer. "Stay back five paces. Back me up if needed." Order given, I peered around the sharp bend. Where the tunnel previously looked to have been formed by countless droplets of water sliding through the ground, this section was neatly cut away, the rock faces completely smooth.

I called forth Barbed Sabre and waved Isyer over, continuing my way forward. With every step the light pulsed, drawing me forward with each appearance. The smooth stone continued forward for a little bit. Lit by the red and orange light from before, a dead end lay on the other side of a new corridor, the emanations combining together to create a light magenta.

In the following hall, rock gave way to shiny black material, beads of mellow sapphire light rolling along unseen arteries away from the wall at the end and disappearing under the stone. The center of the rectangular panel at the back held an odd, geometric, red bolt of energy pointed down, its outline and tails reminiscent of a linear celtic knot.

Iseyer mirrored my soft spoken inquiry as he approached, brow furrowed.

"I don't know." I answered dumbly, irritation burning at the constant state of ignorance. "I don't think we can even-" I cut myself off and sheathed my sword. Ancient Technology. Swordsmen of yore. It's far fetched, but at its core, this world is still just a game. I strode down the corridor, the beads of light dancing upon my skin. All but my pointer finger curled in as I raised my hand.

Stop hesitating. If it works, it works. If not, nobody's around to bother you about it.

I reached out and tapped the door, an intense amount of embarrassment bubbling within.

#Energy Matrix recognized. Welcome, Swordsman. Your Senior has left systems running for you.#

Well that's not ominous.

With nary a creak or groan the door slid up. The same black material of the hall continued on, this time solid lines of soft blue lighting the area in a wide grid pattern. I called the others forward, comparing my maps while they reveled in marvel and awe. "It might be best if we split up," I suggested. "Provided my data isn't compromised, this complex starts somewhere at the edge of Awass Town. It's entirely possible it spans the entire length, or just a small section."

"Forest Elves to the right. Dark Elves on the left," Hensel commanded.

"Hold on." I closed out of all my windows. "That door reacted to my presence. We should probably make sure both teams have Forest and Dark Elves just in case." Everybody gave me doubting looks. Without any verbal fuss, Hensel and Bael'na reorganized their groups.

"Lady Swordsman. Sergeant." The leader of the Dark Elves spoke up from the entrance to the left hall. "We'll leave you to decide which group to follow after. May the Spirit Trees guide you."

Iseyer turned to look at me, Alduin and Heivaar repeating after their leader. "Well, Lady Asasaki? What say you? Left or right?"

I looked down both paths. The two leaders had done as Hensel said, and without any additional information it was a total coin toss on which would be safer. "[Right is right, right]?" I raised my right hand over my left and pointed towards the other door. "But if you follow the left wall, you'll eventually find the exit."

"If I may suggest, Lady Asaski." Alduin stepped forward, the elf having proven repeatedly over the past few hours to be a surprising source of insight. "If all things go well, working with the Dark Elves might better our relation with them. It may not result in anything after this is all said and done, but perhaps the gesture of kindness might change their minds about our kind, however slightly."

"Left it is then."

When we caught up to the mostly Dark Elf group, Bael'na was just finished ordering her troops around, each team shuffling as quietly as they could down the halls. "Lady Swordsman. A pleasure to see you here. I've just sent everyone off to continue exploring. Once they reach a fork and must go off on their own or after twenty minutes they are to report back to me. I would rather not have anyone explore by themselves."

"Should have made it so that they clear in groups of three, at minimum," I mumbled, eyeing each doorway warily. To her request for clarification,"Ignore me. Just thinking about some things." Come on, girl. This is a game. That piece of metal at your hip is a sword, not a gun. Clearing a room poorly won't result in death, just a really annoying time. "Lady Bael'na,"

"Sergeant," she clarified. "Though here I carry just as much weight as dear Captain Hensel."

"Sergeant Bael'na, would you mind if we went and looked on our own? There might be some things that only I can interface with."

She stepped to the side and gestured with an arm. "By all means."

I took another breath, the motion doing nothing to calm my nerves. It's just a game. You can manage a surprise attack. "On me. Be quiet with any warnings; we don't want to alarm anybody." Entered rooms had been designated by their doors being left open; so far our section had been entirely clear. It wasn't until we came to an unexplored room that housed several plinth that anything caught my attention. bearing the crest on the first door although "Keep watch. I'm pretty sure I can utilize those things." A window popped up at my 'touch', each tab a garbled mess of characters I had no hope of deciphering. I scrolled down a bit, opening one at random.

#Log XXX. Date, XX/XX/XXXX. Supplemental crystal production is now fully underway across the various labs. While the arcane weavers are doing the best they can, their output is not nearly enough to meet demands by the time we are YXJlIGV4cGVjdGVkIHRvIHdhZ2Ugd2Fy. It is only thanks to our scientists that these bGlmZSBjb252ZXJ0ZXJz have been such a success. Harness the energy lost through combat and repurposing it for restoration; magic is truly a wonderful thing.#

The following entry had its date and number equally corrupted.

#The training grounds of the Black Iron Kingdom have been fully outfitted with the latest technology. The records of dGhlIGxpYnJhcnk= required updating, but now we can send each untested Swordsman into combat without fear. So long as they maintain their energy, they can gain more and more experience, ZWFybmluZyByZXdhcmRz alongside their efforts.#

When I closed out of the screen, the wall of plinths flashed dimly, ribbons of light streaming out into a bright cyan sphere of data. For a few moments the object hovered, an abnormality compared to everything else in the game. Without any warning, it flew into my chest, disappearing with nary a sensation.

#You have obtained «QW5jaWVudCBSZWNvcmRzCg==».#

What the hell is this? What the heck is all of this? Bewildered, I shook my head and rejoined Iseyer and his two subordinates in the hall.

"Find anything of use?"

"A few leads." I crossed my arms, a frown settling on my face. "I think whatever's going on here is the official version of what happened back on the third floor. Remember what you told me about that ritual and those crystals? How you could impart specific effects into crystals?" The conversation had occurred during a late night drink. Most of it had flown over my head, but it was the basis for why I thought the Fallen Elves were preparing for a war. "I think this building here is designed around that. 'Harness the energy lost through combat and repurpose it for restoration'." I cursed. "What if they've already been generating crystals?"

I started pacing, uncaring of the noise I was making. "The arena had some sort of effect on the fighters within to protect us from further damage after we hit a certain point." I snapped my fingers, eyes widening at the realization. "My strikes. I thought they were glowing a little brighter than normal."

"Lady Asasaki, you've lost me."

"There's magic or something running underneath the arena that collects part if not all of the life energy lost through combat. Shit, how long have they been doing this?" I made to run my hand through my hair, instead colliding with my helmet. "We need to get back to Bael'na. Hopefully Hensel's fine on his end, but we need to move now, try and stop whoever's still in here." I started jogging, ordering any elves we came across to head back immediately.

"You think they really have a way to escape?"

"Sergeant, you were there at the battle in Tidal Canyon." I shouted down a hall, repeating my order to regroup at the trio of elves that just exited a room. "We both know they have the means to travel the floors without the use of the Spirit Trees."

"Even during our golden days, crystals were rather expensive to procure. Teleportation crystals even more so. It may be nothing more than wishful thinking, but even so."

"Sergeant Bael'na!" My feet clinked together, arm just barely kept from snapping into a salute. "We have to get moving."

"Did you find anything of note?" She asked, hands behind her back. A few of the elves that had arrived stared at me in confusions, the stragglers that trickled in doing the same.

"We- I- have reason to believe the Fallen Elves have already been using the magic in this area for their own uses. Considering the door out front told me that 'my Senior had left the systems running for me' it's entirely possible they're still here." And with nobody having been found, isn't that a terrifying thought?

The Forest Elf gave a heavy sigh. "Perhaps it is as you say. We shall wait for the others to return however. One of Hensel's men found an odd door. If a fight lays beyond it, then we should be at our full strength." When our number was finally complete Bael'na motioned for one of the forest elves to lead the way. In a long but easily replicated path we arrived at a large set of doors, the same red geometric motif adorning them.

"Shields at the front," I called out. "Who knows what we'll see on the other side."

#Warning: access to the central lab is strictly forbidden by unauthorized personnel. Only those with the proper credentials are allowed within.#

You placed an 'open' button right next to the 'cancel' option, that means I don't have to listen to you. The doors slid open to either side with a small, mechanical hiss. Inside lay another room with a series of consoles displaying fluctuating data, several of them displaying the large circular area below us hosting a contingent of Fallen Elves as well as our separated allies.

"Hensel!" Iseyer caught me by the shoulders as Bael'na shoved me aside, rushing up to the clear and fortified glass window. "We need to get down there! They're in trouble!"

I swiveled my gaze around, desperately trying to find something that looked like a map. A muffled scream from the video feeds demanded my attention. From multiple angles, a familiar looking Elf pulled back his dagger, dispassionately watching the body of one of the dark elves slump to the floor in a twitching heap. From his convulsing form lines of red pulsed out along the black metal floor, arcing towards what looked like a bird bath in the center made of the same material.

The silence in the room became oppressive. Enemies or not, seeing one of their kin suffer so unnaturally must have been unsettling.

With a scream of rage, Bael'na took one of the chairs and swung it at the window, recoiling back without so much as a crack. "Get down there, now! We have to back them up!" The elves broke off without so much as a complaint as to how they would get down a whole floor, the panic and rage on their faces mirroring the leader of the Dark Elves.

"Lady Asasaki!" Iseyer stepped forward, a stern look on his face. "You seem to be able to access this technology. Do what you can, my men and I will stand guard. Sergeant Bael'na, you should go with your men. They will need somebody to rally around."

I hate this feeling. I ran to one of the consoles and began tapping randomly, trying to find a spot that would open the interface.

Another one of the elves down below was dragged closer to the plinth.

How did I ever cope with all this stress? With nothing popping open I moved to another one of the desks, realising that part of the surface was made of a more glassy material than its monochromatic encasing. Power, power. I need the power button.

Lightly dragging my fingers along the panel I managed to find a button, the switch causing blue light to crawl up the sides. Yes! Now how do I- A curse slipped out of my mouth. Though I'd been forced to read Japanese for a solid three months, my comprehension of it wasn't anywhere near acceptability. I skimmed through as quickly as I could, trying to find any sort of controls. When none presented itself I swapped to another unit, doing the same without success.

Three more elves were dragged and turned into data fragments by the time I found the terminal I needed. "Iseyer! After me!" Fingers more than used to rapid swipes and taps from working my inventory, the lights were slammed to max power at the same time the windows of the room were opened.

I dove towards the ground, the tingles in my body giving way to manual control as I executed a roll to bleed off the momentum. The heavy thuds behind me were ignored as I spirited towards the Fallen Elf with the dagger. A fist encased in a thick, decorated gauntlet stopped my weapon in its tracks, the owner's pupils mere dots from the change in lighting.

"Hello there, Swordsman from the Mountain." The dagger user turned his gaze away from the disintegrating form of the most recent elf, the remaining four (including Hensel) scattered about unmoving. "I would say that I am pleased to meet you, but you're interrupting my experiment. Might I convince you to wait until we are finished?"

A rising left-right diagonal slash was all I gave in response, my enemy retreating at his leader's call.

"No, I thought not. Though before you continue, Swordsman, might I remind you of your situation? As strong as you are, I doubt you could fight your way through two dozen soldiers."

I withdrew slightly into myself at his words, the folly of my actions becoming apparent. No back up either. Iseyer and the others are too far away. Bael'na and her men are nowhere to be found. Nice work, Dawn. Your squad's going to be proud of you, truly.

"You know, I think he might not be appreciative of it, but why don't I ask you anyway." The elf tucked the rather ornate weapon beneath his coat and adjusted the fabric, smoothing out any wrinkles. "Come with me peacefully and I promise that no harm will befall you."

A damnable quest marker popped above his head, every rotation a taunting invitation to accept.

"Forgive me if I don't believe you," I shot. Twenty one posted around the room. Two nearby that could reach me before I reengage him.

"Believe me or not, the choice is yours," The man smiled broadly, hands spread invitingly, "Lady Asasaki."

I gripped my weapon tighter. I could get two hits off him, but only one might be able to land. By then Beefcake and Brutus would be on me.

Heedless of my internal monologue, "I'm sure there are many questions you have of this world. If you work with my group, we could solve all of them. How to leave Castle Aincrad without reaching the top, for starters."

"The one who imprisoned us here would have already removed any potential way to get out of here," I snarked.

The elf gestured with his hands, hiding an unknown signal in the movements. "Once upon a time, we would remain as spirits, awaiting restoration from an ally or returning back to a place we had designated as 'home'. Now, we shatter into fragments of glass you Swordsmen call 'data'. So much change to have been forced upon us; even a great as mind as 'Kayaba' would surely have missed something." He stepped forward, the quest marker beckoning in place of his pocketed hands. "Come with me. Think of the lives we could save if we found another passage."

"Yeah? And at what cost?"

"Nothing more than what is has already been taken." He took another step closer, retreating placatingly when I tightened my stance. "Is this a denial then, Lady Asasaki?"

"Marked with the brightest red you've ever seen, Coat Man."

The doors on the left opened up at that moment, the host of Bael'na's elves pouring through and engaging the Fallen Elves in battle.

Gesturing with his chin, "Ren'thal, Ein'zo, keep them busy. The Swordsman and I have yet to finish our talk."

"I think we're done here, Elf." I waited for the hulking «Triarius» to leave before I started approaching, the man clicking his tongue in disappointment.

"No, we are not. You might think we are-" The moment I surged forward he fell back into a simple defensive position and fended me off, the barely long enough shortsword in his hand. "It is rather rude to interrupt somebody when they are talking, Miss Asasaki."

"I'm a rather rude person." I feinted a slash from his right, swift steps letting me mar his back with red. A reversing sweep kick sent him falling towards the ground, the butt of my sword escorting him along. "Comes with being a foreigner, so I'm told."

The elf scrambled to his feet quickly, reaching into his coat for something. With the untempered grace of somebody who had been bullied into learning, he dodged my next series of strikes, holding aloft an ornate crystal. "Until we meet again, Miss-!"

I drew my sword back from its pommel strike and let out a puff of air, a flurry of rectangular panels phasing the elf away. A tumbling body drew my attention to my feet. "Oh, hey, Iseyer." Blade back at my side, I offered a hand to the prone Elf and asked why he was on the ground.

"You cannot possibly be serious," he deadpanned, taking a moment to recover his wits.

Giving a shrug, "I kind of am."

"Please take a look around you and come to your own conclusion." Iseyer picked up his weapons and jogged off, my tracking eyes reinforming me of our situation.

I sniffed. "Right." Tossing yet another psychological crisis to the back of my mind, I wrapped myself in the emotions that would let me perform as needed. "Things to kill, people to save." Break the lines through the center, draw aggo so they can survive easier. "Just another Friday." I leaned forward. The almost addictive sensation of the system shot up my legs and into my hands. A beat. Sickly dark skin sandwiched my peripherals.

My danse macabre began once again.

{ } - { } - { } - { } - { } - { } - { } - { } - { } - { }

They weren't ready for this. My body blocked yet another strike. I wasn't ready for this. The battle had been going so well at the start. Though we had a minor numerical superiority, that advantage had changed part way through the battle, when the strongest of the bunch had raised their hands to the ceiling and activated the healing crystals they had. The numbers advantage quickly became a disadvantage, and of our remaining eight, only six were combat able.

"The only way we're getting out of here is if we make one last push," Iseyer muttered behind me. He'd taken a heavy hit earlier and his sword arm had been put out of commission, His off hand wasn't that bad, but the openings in his form were glaringly obvious.

"I think I could hold about three of them, but for how long is a different question." I'd been lucky enough to not have any limbs crushed or severed, but constant clashing of weapons had forced me to change to my technically inferior Silicatite Dao and my potion stores were well under half. I'd taken a chance every so often to toss a potion to each of the elves, but without a moment to check on them I couldn't tell exactly how healthy they were. Exhaustion was setting in on all of us though.

"If you could last long enough for us to take down at least two, perhaps even one, that might be enough for some of us to escape."

"That's still a one to three match up for us, Iseyer." Spurred on by a warning from our 8'o'clock, I blurred around and repelled back another attempt by one of the two handers, sneaking in a few slices on her armored thigh before retreating back into our slowly rotating defense.

"Whatever we do, you'll need to do it soon. Your stance is slipping, Lady Asasaki."

"Don't need to tell me that, Bael'na." I shifted into something more aggressive, warding off a potential opponent for a few moments. "Once an opening's formed, I'll kick it into overdrive. You'll need to move as quick as possible and try to find someplace more defensible if not escape entirely."

I shot forward and lit up one of the more nimble Fallen Elves, sending them flying back with a Waning moon. Another two enemies approached and while I dealt with them, my allies charged out with roars of their own. A glance let me see two of our Elves remaining in the center to guard the still unconscious Hensel and one of his men, the only survivors of the culling that had broken out during the skirmish.

If this keeps up, I'm going to become a statistic. I let out a quick breath, expelling the negativity. "Hey, uglies! Why don't you start thinking about what your grave markers will say? I'm a generous person, I've already got two of your sisters to honor, a couple more wouldn't be much of an issue." One half of the duo snarled and slapped their weapons against their palm in a promise of pain.

Two enemies, especially of the fodder kind, weren't much of an issue. This being a battle of attrition, I limited myself to basic abilities, slowly moving us closer to Iseyer's fight. The shots I sneaked out on the club wielding elf from before slowly added up, Ein'zo eventually giving up on fighting my Contractee and chasing after me.

Against three weapons, conscious thought was completely in the back. My body moved on autopilot while I worked to figure out their patterns. Dodging, slashing, and in the worst case scenario, blocking. With each impact of my weapon my health slipped away. At fifty percent and well away from the others, instincts took over.

I swung underneath an outstretched arm, finding myself performing a 1990 on the double sided axe wielder's head. Sword jammed through his back, I fell back towards the ground, legs launching him away. I rolled forward, fending off a vertical slash from Longsword. The elf reeled back from an unassisted punch, any chance I had of a follow up shut down by a swing from Club.

Ein'zo, as I recalled, was doing an applaudable job of working with his subordinates. The walk in the park from before had been turned into a sprint through cross fire, his heavy weapon covering their mistakes. Openings I could force with flicks of my wrist had been reduced to barely cracked windows of opportunity, the majority of which required a toll of blood.

The hulking elf levied his weapon towards me, the two «Fallen Elf Hastatus» taking positions beside him. "I will extend the master's offer as well, Swordsman. Lay down your weapon and come with us. Refuse, and we will slaughter you and the rest of your companions."

"Maybe if you offered sanctuary to my allies, then I might consider."

"If that is what you desire, then so be it."

Yeah right. Like I would ever work with the enemy. Sillicatite Dao flashed back into its sheath. I took a single breath, hands moving into a tight boxer's stance.

Quick and dirty. Leave no chance for rebuttal.

Throat, chin, and nose were smoothly introduced to my right knuckles and elbow. A quick sliding pivot underneath his grappled arm and Longsword's right cheek met my left elbow. A push and his right arm became unusable.

Another stepping slide followed by sidekick. I let go of Longsword as Ein'zo's club slammed into him, the elf rolling several feet after the impact sent him flying. I didn't dare let myself think about how much damage that single strike caused compared to the dozens I'd landed previously.

I hopped backwards and rolled slightly forward, jumping up and slicing at the barely audible footsteps that had to have taken my former spot. Fergus' creation sprouted a thin line of red across arms and stomach. An acute angle burst out, perfectly bisected by my initial strike. Instincts honed by thousands of repetitions drew my sword down onto my shoulder, the mental click released with a modified step. Buried deep within Battleaxe, I shoulder checked him in the chest, Silicatite Dao sliding out easily..

My next target met my charge with a feinted thrust, Ein'zo countering my strike with a Diagonal of his own. In the following trio of strikes, I was forced to knock away two of them, the swings heavy enough to furl strands of my hair in their wake.

I was already moving when the warning shiver of the Dodge skill started up. Sharpened metal cut through the upper part of my right sleeve, a quick utterance of thanks at how well some bagginess could hide your true form passing through my mind. A strike from Battleaxe was met with a step and block of my own, the elf's weapon locked by mine. Another elbow to the chin relieved him of his weapon, a dual wielding flourish and retreat buying me enough time to sneak it away into my inventory.

"You know, I think half the stuff in my storage is from people who don't know how to hold onto their weapons." I gestured mockingly with my free hand, pulling open my status window at the same time. Gear won't hold out much longer. Dao's just about out of juice. The trio had reorganized themselves into a triangle formation, Ein'zo in the back while Longsword and the weaponless Battleaxe and took a staggered position in front of him. Skills be damned, a dagger's my best bet.

"What, cat got your tongues?" I traded the NPC made weapon for Stygian Curse, waving the dual sided blade condescendingly. "Don't worry. I'd be more than happy to check if you still have it." An oh so familiar feeling wrapped itself around me, rage and lust woven in equal measures. Saccharine lies dripping from my teeth, "Just come close to me and I can make sure you're not missing a thing."

A wave of energy I'd forgotten about swelled forth when we next engaged. Unused as they were, the morning's bouts had done well to dust off the skills I once had. With Sprint and Acrobatics flaring at every opportunity, I was pulling stunts I'd long thought only possible if I'd pursued my hobbies instead of enlisting.

Attacks were dodged by slowly decreasing margins, the few that I couldn't avoid easily deflected thanks to my comfort in a shorter length. The bubbling fear I had at not being able to get out of here had completely given way to euphoria. Slow though it may be, I knew without a doubt that the three before me would fall.

Battleaxe was the first to dematerialize, the one sided sword he managed to pick up having done no good. I leashed my initial reflexive taunt down, flipping my dagger a few times in its place. "You know, the last time I took one of you guys down, I got called a monster. So how about it? Wanna continue that trend?" The two only stared at me, hands gripping their handles tighter. "No? Then let's get back to it."

With one avenue of assault down, handling the two was significantly easier. Once forced to constantly be aware of my positioning and what kind of openings I had created, now I was able to rain attacks on Longsword with impunity, flowing around Ein'zo's thrusts and vertical swings without pause. The Hastatus became a canvas of short red strokes and dabs, his beleaguered form slouching over more and more with every passing second.

Grabbing hold of his left wrist, I twirled underneath and around, reeling him in. Giving a sweet grin, I jammed Stygian Curse through his stomach. "Thanks for the dance, kiddo." Stepping with him the entire time, my weapon was freed with a shove, a yank pulling the elf into the path of Ein'zo's crashing club. Glee and tiny bit of empathized pain blossomed through my body as the elf shattered into data, the giant club wielding leader grunting as he hefted his weapon back into a ready position. "Were you that desperate to hit me or did you really not care about your kin?"

"There's more fodder where he came from," Ein'zo gruffed out.

"Just means more things to hone my edge on." I rolled my head and body around, ignoring the distinct lack of popping from my joints. "Counter offer: take your subordinate's sword and kill yourself or die to my blade. And trust me, one of those is going to take significantly longer than the other."

«Ein'zo, Fallen Elf Triarius» barreled forward and swiped once at me with his metal plated club, raising his free hand into the air once he steadied himself.

"Don't you dare!" Stygian Curse was flipped into a reverse grip as I charged back at the elf, diving through the air to latch onto something before he could escape. Crystal panels dissipated against my face, the system giving way to my own commands as leapt out of my roll. I snarled, stabbing down at the air beside me. "God fucking damn it! Second fucking time one of those fucks get out like that!"

Combat zone.

I whirled around at the thought, only relaxing my stance when I saw that the last remaining Elf was being piled on by my companions. That was easy enough. I gave Stygian Curse one last flip before sheathing it, striding over to the rather fearful Forest Elf guarding Hen'sel and one of the Dark Elves that had gone with him.

"St- stay back!" The elf, Ef'aniel, according to the title above his head, shakily held his curved sword and towards me.

"Oi, I'm a friend, remember?" I planted my hands on my hips and leaned forward. "I was there at the start? Managed to get everybody inside thanks to my Swordsman heritage?" I tapped the side of my head, chuckling when the elf finally settled down enough to stow his weapons. "Now then, the others are doing clean up duty, so let's see about getting our friends potted up!" I clapped my hands together, intertwined fingers pulling open my inventory.

Disappointment greeted me. Behind my screen, four lone figures finished off the last remaining Elf.

I let out a long breath of air. "Completely out of restoratives," I muttered to myself, sitting down beside the still catatonic Hen'sel. "Ah well. At least you're still here, buddy." My lip twitched. Twenty eight strong, and now here we were. Barely two teams worth. The nightmares would- Stop it. "Heivaar didn't make it?" I asked the approaching elves, grateful for the distraction.

The two conscious elven leaders stood at the forefront, parts of their armor displaying the signs of breakage. Behind them, Alduin and one of the latter's underlings stood strong, but visible shattered. Iseyer took a moment before he spoke. "He died taking a blow meant for me."

Sardonicism trode over concern, my mind screaming to abort before the words left my mouth. "Yeah, subordinates have a habit of doing that." I looked away the moment an incredulous looked ignited on Iseyer's face. I let a moment pass before looking back up, Bael'na holding nothing but disapproval. "So this is all that's left, huh?" I waved towards our meager numbers.

Don't dwell on it. Not yet.

I huffed. "Anybody happen to have an extra weapon on hand? Preferably one that has a bit of a curve to it? Mine need some attention, otherwise they'll break."

"There's some weapons left behind during the battle," Alduin slowly said. "I'm sure," his voice hitched, "their previous owners would appreciate them being used for our escape."

I gave my thanks to the once again shell shocked elf. The moment I put my hand on his shoulder, something in me cracked. I started moving towards the other side of the room, fighting to still my trembling lips. As I stopped to loot the remains, my hand paused. Against the feeble protests of my mind, scattered remnants were collected. "I'll take point getting out of here."

Breathe. Tears can come later.

"Don't worry about me." Around my neck the pieces of engraved metal rested, jingling slightly with every weighted step. "I may not have a blunt weapon, but I'm sure my sword arts can do the trick."

It was well over an hour later that the facsimiled light of the moon touched my skin again. Already running on fumes, I drew back on the memories of sleepless postings, clawing away at the seductive whispers to fall asleep where I stood.

One of my legs gave out underneath me mid step. The metal hanging around my neck shook me back awake, my head receiving the same treatment. Not yet. I need to get back to Klein. I need to- I reached up and grabbed hold of the near dozen Memento Tags I now carried. Saruya and his two siblings from the third floor. El'zira and her sister from the fourth. And now a full team of Forest and Dark Elves turned Fallen. Parts of the lettering had worn away throughout the ages, but on my person were the last tangible memories of them.

You were never supposed to do this.

I stared up at the false moon, cold stone underneath me.

Humanizing your enemies. That way lay madness.

A weapon whose name I hadn't cared to learn the name of brushed against my leg. Long and slender, it was by numerical design alone that it was classified as a Curved Sword.

Once you saw their face, once you learned their name, once you read their story, ending a life became so incredibly harder. And by some whim, I had gone and added the chapters of so many to my book of life.

The system did me no favors either. Each new tag had a quest attached to them. Somewhere within the floors of Aincrad, a home laid empty. Families no longer had any chance of seeing their loved ones again. Dishes that would never be used. Beds that would never be rested in.

I let out a long breath, feeling the stream of air leave my mouth. Words to describe my situation no longer bubbled forth. In the past few weeks, perhaps even days, I'd felt as if I'd experienced an entire year.

"Lady Asasaki."

I closed my eyes, pretending not to have heard Iseyer.

"Alduin and I will not be returning to the inn tonight. Bael'na and I believe that it would be best if we returned to one of their camps to discuss our future plans." Dirt consciously crunched under his feet, the Sergeant laying a hand on my shoulder. "I will contact you sometime in the afternoon." The silence after felt like an eternity. "Thank you for your assistance, Lady Swordsman. Please, be safe as you return home." He squeezed once, moving away with the dirt shifting beneath his feet. Behind him, two heavy sets of steps followed after.

"Sarge," I kept my eyes closed, the wetness in my eyes coalescing into tears. "Would you be proud of me?"

The solitary patron of the inn, Klein was fast asleep at a table when I returned. I must have gotten into a fight or so; my armor had become damaged to the point of bearing physical damage. The nameless weapon in my hand fared better, though how much durability it had left I had no clue.

No thoughts ran through my mind as I reached up and undid my Forest Elf earring, slipping it between his folded arms. The black wool coat I kept was draped over his back, a quiet appreciation whispered into his ear.

With only a strand of decency pulling my finger through windows, I slipped into bed protected only by my clothes and the boots on my feet.

That night, my dreams gave me no reprieve.

Next chapter will come out April 19th.