Chapter Two: The Mystery Deepens
Mimiru, Bear, BT, and Sora watched in silence as Wolf carried the limp form of Tsukasa back to their side of the bridge.
"Is he……………….?" Mimiru trailed off, as the new player looked grimly at her.
"He lives, but I can't say for how long. His healing abilities have been blocked." Wolf said, as he gently laid the Wavemaster on the soft grass.
"But why did he do that? I thought he hated us." Mimiru said, as she sat down beside Tsukasa.
"Apparently he had a reason to do this, even though he was injured before." Wolf said, as he showed them some dark bruises all along Tsukasa's arms and the few they could see on his chest.
"How did he get those? We didn't see him get beaten when he was captured." Sora said, unaware that there was someone materializing behind him.
"So this is where he disappeared to." A voice said, with some contempt. All turned to see who was there, and were shocked to see the Silver Knight standing there, with a posse of about ten to twelve knights behind him.
"Who are you?" Wolf asked, his ears, Mimiru noticed, were pinned back.
"I am the Silver Knight, a system moderator. Tsukasa is currently under my supervision." Silver Knight replied, as he moved to grab Tsukasa. This got a snarl from Wolf and a flashing of his eyes; a clear warning for the knights to back off.
"Some 'supervision'. I suppose that your definition of that word means that you have the right to beat your prisoners senseless, cut off their healing abilities, and leave them to suffer from the abuse?" Wolf growled, his eyes glowing as his anger grew.
"We could take you in as well, for questioning our motives." Silver Knight threatened.
"I'd like to see you try, skull-head." Wolf said, his eyes glowing dangerously bright now.
"Stand down, Silver Knight. I'll handle this." Subaru's soft voice said, as she appeared from behind the knights. With ease, she came between knight and new player, and gently placed a hand on Tsukasa's forehead.
"He's got a slight fever, and a deep wound in his chest. We need to get him to a server healer." Subaru said, then turned and gave the Silver Knight a stern look.
"Did you beat this boy?" Subaru asked, as the knights all kneeled before her. Not one of the knights answered.
"Cowards. Too afraid to confess any wrongs, even in front of a young lady." Wolf said, with contempt and cooling anger in his voice and eyes.
"How dare you!" Silver Knight growled, with fury in his voice.
"It is the truth." Wolf said, his voice low and dangerous.
"That is enough, both of you. Fighting amongst ourselves will get us nowhere. Let's go to the main castle and talk this out." Subaru said, trying to prevent a fight from breaking out. Reluctantly, Wolf agreed, and they all teleported to the central castle of 'The World'.
"I've never been in here. I've always seen it from far away, but I've never been inside." Mimiru murmured, as she gazed at the splendor of the central castle.
"Not many players get the chance to come inside. It is usually a space where the system moderators gather. For now, it will be our gathering place. Now, what happened to all of you, and why did Tsukasa go to where you were to help you?" Subaru asked, as they all sat down.
"Does that really matter? He saved our lives just now. But, more than that, he did it without his powers; at great personal risk." Wolf said, now calmly watching as a few system healers tended to Tsukasa's wounds, then took him out of the room on a stretcher.
"That may be true, but you haven't explained to me what he saved you from." Subaru pressed, noticing when hostile looks were exchanged between Wolf and Silver Knight.
"A balrog. He saved us from a balrog that had just simply 'appeared' in the dungeon." Sora said, still acting strangely serious. Subaru and the Crimson Knights all gasped in shock and horror; a balrog?! In 'The World'?!?
"A balrog? Are you certain?" Subaru asked, her voice softer than usual.
"Yes. That is definitely what we saw and felt chasing us. Whoever had placed it in that dungeon had a very good eye for detail. That thing felt real." Bear said, his voice steady, but he still looked a little shaken by the ordeal.
"I will have to trust your word on it, since you are not one to imagine things like that. I guess all I can say is that I am grateful nothing happened to any of you." Subaru said, as she stood, then motioned for Wolf to follow her to an adjoining room. When they were alone, Subaru turned a questioning gaze onto the strange-looking player.
"You are unlike any player I have ever seen, and I have seen many. Why did you choose this form?" Subaru asked, staring unflinchingly into Wolf's catlike eyes.
"Personal reasons, but mainly because I wanted to be different." Wolf replied, quietly.
"I see. You are the first player to have chosen a youkai form. It is very unique." Subaru said, smiling slightly when she saw a strange look cross Wolf's features.
"Thanks……………..I guess…………….but I have the feeling you didn't call me away from the others just to comment on my player form." Wolf said, blushing slightly from Subaru's compliment.
"You're right. I wanted to ask you about your sword." Subaru said, as she glanced down at the crystal blade.
"What about it?" Wolf asked, a little confused.
"It's been emitting a strange light since the Crimson Knights and I found you and your group at the bridge. What is it, exactly?" Subaru asked, as she again looked at the sword. Now Wolf looked down at his blade and saw the light Subaru spoke of.
"You're right. It is glowing. But why, I wonder?" Wolf muttered, as he unsheathed the sword and took a closer look. All around the clear blade, blue light flickered, appearing almost as ghostly flames dancing across the crystalline surface.
"Very strange. I've never seen a sword do that before." Subaru said, as she reached out and touched the 'flames', showing surprise when they did not burn her.
"It's almost like St. Elmo's Fire." Wolf murmured, as the blue glow eventually faded.
"St. Elmo's Fire?" Subaru asked, her confusion easily seen.
"It's a phenomenon usually seen at sea. In ancient times, it was said that when St. Elmo's Fire was seen, danger, or even doom, were not too far ahead. I think the others should know of this." Wolf said, as he started heading back to where the rest waited. When he and Subaru again emerged into the room where they had left Bear and the rest, Wolf could see that there was still some tension in the air. This seemed to be in even more evidence since a new figure now stood in the room.
"Crim, when did you get here?" Subaru asked, addressing the newcomer.
"Just now. What's going on here? And who is that?" Crim asked, as he pointed out Wolf.
"My name is Wolf. My friends and I have just been through one hell of an experience, and the young lady and her knights were just questioning us on it." Wolf explained, as well as he could, without disclosing too much information.
"An experience, eh? What happened?" Crim asked, as he casually leaned on the wall (subsequently driving the Silver Knight nuts).
"We were chased out of one of the dungeons by a balrog." BT said, quietly. Crim froze, with disbelief plastered on his face.
"A balrog? Like the one in The Fellowship of the Ring?" Crim asked, not believing what he was hearing.
"Yes. Exactly like the one in the book. And Tsukasa did a proper Gandalf and sent the thing to its doom." Sora said, returning to a little bit of his usual persona.
"But he didn't get dragged into some dark pit………………..did he?" Crim asked, almost afraid to ask.
"No, he didn't. In fact, he probably wouldn't have won against that thing at all without Wolf's help." Mimiru said, matter-of-factly. All attention shifted to Wolf.
"I didn't really do anything. All I did was support him while he defeated the monster. He wouldn't have survived against that thing alone; not with his healing abilities and powers sealed, anyway." Wolf said, before shooting a dirty look at the Silver Knight.
"I see. How is Tsukasa?" Crim asked.
"The system healers are seeing to him now." Subaru replied, with quiet worry emerging in her voice.
"Hmm………………..It's that bad, huh?" Crim asked, now looking a little concerned. All of them nodded, and Wolf again threw a hostile glance at Silver Knight. But, before anything more could be said, a strange glow lit the room, and a voice came from it.
"Ai aniron sinye." The voice whispered.
"What did it say?!" Mimiru asked, confused.
"It's Elvish. Not a very good translation, but it's Elvish all the same." Wolf said, his eyes showing wonder, and almost fear, as the light took the shape of a woman.
"But what did it say?" Mimiru again asked, peevishly.
"I desire evening. But why did it say that?" Wolf mused.
"Could it be referring to the Key of the Twilight?" Sora asked, hoping to help solve the mystery.
"The Key of the Twilight? What is that?" Wolf asked, not taking his eyes off of the apparition that was taking shape in front of them.
"No one seems to know. I wonder if this specter knows anything?" Silver Knight asked, as he approached the glowing figure with his sword drawn.
"Idiot! Look out!" Wolf shouted, pulling the knight back away, just when a spear of light that was aimed at the knight narrowly missed them both.
"Wolf! Silver Knight! Are you two all right?!" Subaru yelped, from behind several of the Crimson Knights.
"We're fine, but I think the thing, whatever it is, is angry." Wolf said, as the Silver Knight stared in shock at the hole in the floor that had been caused by the 'ghost' .
"Ai aniron sinye." The figure whispered again, this time with a hint of demand in her voice.
"We don't have what you are looking for!" Mimiru shouted, screaming when a light spear struck the ground near her feet.
"Mimiru! Move!" Bear cried, as he shoved the girl out of the way of another spear. All in the room watched in horror as the light spear went through Bear's right leg, causing 'blood' to spurt from the wound when it had vanished. His fall was in slow motion, and time only resumed flowing normally again when he'd struck the floor, his broken sword flying from his hand and across the floor in two separate directions.
"BEAR!!" BT and Mimiru both screamed, and rushed to his side. Without even realizing it, Crim, and even Sora went to Bear, hoping that there was something they could do to help him. Just as this was going on, the apparition was about to attack again. But, before it could, Wolf got between it and the group, his crystal sword out and his eyes glowing with rage.
"Don't you dare attack again! Begone from here!" Wolf shouted, prepared to fight to the death for his newfound comrades. As though in fear of the crystal sword, the apparition backed away, and Wolf took a step forward. Behind him, he could hear BT and Mimiru trying to talk to Bear, vainly trying to keep him from passing out. He could also hear Bear's pain-filled moans as Sora tied his scarf around the wounded leg in an attempt to stop the bleeding; forgetting all about keeping up his 'player killer' status.
"Ai anir……………………….!!" The apparition started but was cut off by the enraged Wolf thrusting the crystal sword dangerously close to it's throat.
"Didn't you hear me? I said for you to get out. Do not make me kill you." Wolf snarled, fangs bared and glistening in the golden light. Without further word, the apparition disappeared, and Wolf turned around and went to Bear's side.
"He's hurt………………….he's really hurt………………How could this happen?" Mimiru asked, in shock about what had happened just moments before.
"I don't know. I hope this didn't have any adverse effects on his real self. I don't think this is like any other wound you can get in 'The World'." BT said, as she pillowed Bear's head on her lap.
"Hang on, Bear. Subaru-san, is there anything in 'The World' that we can use to treat this wound?" Wolf asked, concerned about the fallen warrior.
"There might be. There are a number of powerful potions you can get that will heal all kinds of wounds." Subaru said, then looked crestfallen when she added, "But they are very expensive. I doubt that any of you have enough to buy the potion Bear needs."
"We can try and pool our resources. I have the money pouch I started out with. Does anyone else have something to contribute?" Wolf asked. To everyone's stunned amazement, they watched as Sora added his money to the pile.
"What are you looking at? I can do something nice every once in a while!" Sora muttered, when he'd seen all of the shocked looks he was getting. Then Mimiru contributed her money.
"I was saving up to get a new sword, but Bear comes first." Mimiru said, as she gently laid her money pouch next to Wolf and Sora's. BT and Crim were next, and eventually they had a good cache gathered.
"Now, who will go and get the potion? We can't all go." Wolf said, as he looked at the faces of his comrades.
"I will go. I provoked the monster into attacking and it resulted in this." Silver Knight said, stepping forward and taking the responsibility.
"Oh, now you take the blame! I don't trust you, so I will accompany you." Wolf said, with a look of great distrust in his blue eyes.
"I will come as well." A voice said, from the doorway. All looked up and gasped when they saw Tsukasa leaning against the wall, most of his Wavemaster cloaks gone and his chest swathed in gauze and bandages.
"Tsukasa………………but you're in no condition to go…………………you shouldn't even be out of bed." Subaru said, worriedly.
"Don't worry about me." Tsukasa said, with a little impatience in his voice, as he limped forward, giving the Silver Knight an unreadable look as he passed him and stood next to Wolf.
"Why the sudden change of heart, Tsukasa?" Mimiru asked, as confused as anyone else was about Tsukasa's sudden desire to come to their aid. Tsukasa shrugged.
"I guess its because I was told I have friends. Though if you are my friends, I would hate to see my enemies." Tsukasa said, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Oh." Was all Mimiru could think of to say in response before the three set off to find the potion.
"While they are out, let's help make Bear as comfortable as possible. And also get some proper dressings for that wound." Subaru said, as she took command of the situation.
Wolf glanced around when they arrived at one of the many shopping districts in 'The World', and uttered a grumble in frustration when he saw all of the shops.
"This will be like searching for a needle in a haystack! Where do we even begin?" Wolf asked, feeling somewhat cramped because of all the players milling about.
"Follow me. I'm not a system moderator for nothing." Silver Knight said, as he led them through the crowd. An hour later, they were still wandering around, looking for the shop in question.
"Follow you, you said. I think I could have found it faster if I'd used my nose!" Wolf growled, as he set Tsukasa down on a bench (he'd become too tired to walk and Wolf had tolerantly carried him on his back) and sat down next to him, massaging his sore ankles as well as he could without taking off his boots. Silver Knight had nothing to say, as he stood where he was and sulked.
"Hey you three, are you lost?" a female voice asked. They all looked up to see an almost elfin girl standing there, with an impish grin on her face.
"You could say that." Wolf muttered, giving Silver Knight a somewhat dirty look as he said that.
"Ooh! If looks could kill! What were you guys looking for?" the elf asked, curiously.
"A shop that sells healing potions." Silver Knight said, gruffly.
"You mean that really expensive shop that everyone says has the quality potions?" the elf asked.
"That must be it. Do you know where it is?" Wolf asked.
"Sure. I've been there a couple of times with my friends, since they are so accident-prone it isn't funny. C'mon, I'll show you the way." The elf said, pleasantly.
"Thanks. This means a lot." Wolf said, as he gently lifted Tsukasa and carried him, following the elfin girl closely. It was at this point that Wolf took a closer look at the female player; she had long, pale blue hair that was tied away from her face by an intricate braid. She had fairly simple armor, also blue but darker, signaling that she was a fencer. She looked, acted, and even carried herself like a true elf. Then she paused and looked back at him.
"Hold on for a moment…………" the elf said, then reached up and felt Wolf's ears.
"What are you doing?" Wolf asked, his face deadpanning.
"Just checking to see if they were attached." The elf said.
"And are they?" Wolf asked, dryly.
"Yep. My eyes weren't playing tricks on me." The elf said, with a giggle.
"Can we get going already?" Tsukasa asked, tiredly.
"What's your hurry? You don't seem to be that badly hurt." The elf said.
"A friend of ours was recently attacked by a monster. And it wasn't an ordinary monster either." Wolf said, ignoring the look of alarm that crossed the Silver Knight's face when he said that.
"I see. So that's what the message boards meant. There's been reports of a monster that appears in the shape of a woman and attacks players." The elf said, as worry emerged in her voice.
"Were the players' real life personas harmed in any way?" Silver Knight asked, with anxiety in his voice.
"There haven't been any deaths yet, but a few have been found unconscious at their computer consoles, and others have blood on their clothing but no physical wounds." The elf said, quietly, as she remembered what had been said.
"What you've said has been of great help. What is your player name?" Silver Knight asked.
"My player name is Alkara. I originally wanted a cool name like Galadriel or Celebrian, but they've already been taken. Guess I have to stick with what I've got." The elf said, with a whimsical shrug.
"Still, it seems to suit you. Alkara translates into the English word 'shining' doesn't it?" Wolf asked, as they walked along the busy sidewalk. Alkara nodded.
"Yeah. Are you a Lord of the Rings fan too?" Alkara asked, happy to have found a kindred spirit in 'The World'.
"I am indeed." Wolf said, noticing when Tsukasa got down off of his back and started walking again.
"What's the matter, Tsukasa?" Wolf asked.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I just thought you had carried me long enough, that's all." Tsukasa said, quietly. Deciding to let the matter drop, Wolf merely nodded. Finally, after almost an hour of walking, they reached their destination.
"We're here! I hope your friend feels better soon!" Alkara said, honestly.
"I hope he does too. See you again sometime?" Wolf asked.
"Sure! Meet me at that bench tomorrow afternoon! See ya!" Alkara said, as she ran back the way she had come.
"See ya." Wolf repeated, then entered the shop.
"Welcome, welcome! What can I do for you three today?" the shopkeeper asked.
"A friend of ours needs a healing potion. The strongest you've got, if you have any." Wolf said, getting straight to business.
"My strongest potion? It's expensive." The shopkeeper warned.
"So we've been told. Do you have any here?" Silver Knight asked.
"Luckily for you there is one jar left. I'll have to make more tonight." The shopkeeper said, before bustling off to get the jar for them.
"This doesn't bode well." Wolf murmured, getting a silent, nodded agreement from Silver Knight and Tsukasa.
"Here it is, folks. Do you have enough to pay for it?" the shopkeeper asked as he placed the jar on the counter in front of them.
"Here is all we have managed to gather. Is it enough?" Silver Knight asked, as he placed the money on the counter.
"That will be plenty! Here you go. Your friend will be up on his feet again in no time! Please, stop by again sometime!" the shopkeeper said, as the three teleported away with their purchase.
Mimiru watched worriedly as BT wiped Bear's brow with a damp cloth. He'd stopped moaning in pain, and now slept quietly, but the silence was even more nerve-wracking. She ground her teeth in anger; she felt completely helpless! She also swallowed a lump in her throat when she looked at the puddle of drying blood on the floor beneath Bear's injured leg.
"He's going to be fine. Once those three get back here with the potion, he'll be as good as new." BT reassured, when she saw the look of helpless anger in Mimiru's eyes.
"But what if it doesn't work? What will happen if this fails to heal his leg?" Mimiru asked, with fear starting to emerge in her voice.
"Don't worry. It'll work." BT said, looking up when she heard the sound of someone arriving. To their relief, it was Wolf, Silver Knight and Tsukasa.
"Hey! Did you guys get the potion?" Mimiru asked as she got up from where she'd been sitting and rushed over to them.
"Hai, we got it. How is Bear?" Wolf asked.
"I was asleep…………………at least until Mimiru woke me up." Bear's voice said, as Bear himself looked up at them with eyes filled with pain.
"Sorry, Bear." Mimiru said, looking a little sheepish for her outburst.
"It's all right." Bear replied, with a slight smile.
"We got the strongest healing potion we could find. Do you know how to administer this?" Wolf asked, as he showed Bear the jar.
"It's supposed to be swallowed." Bear said, surprisingly clear of mind, despite the pain he was in.
"Then drink up. You've taken up my lap for long enough." BT joked, getting a wry smile from Bear as a response. With BT's help, Bear drank the potion, grimacing at the taste as he did so. Within moments, blue light surrounded the leg, and they watched as the edges of the wound closed, healing without even a scar.
"It worked!" Mimiru shouted, jubilantly.
"Thank you." Bear murmured, before promptly logging out.
"I hope he's going to be all right." Subaru murmured, as she watched from across the room.
"I hope so too, milady." Silver Knight agreed, watching as BT, Wolf, Mimiru, and Sora did the same, and as Tsukasa was led back to the sickbay by one of the healers so he could recover from his injuries as well.
"I hope they will be back soon. There are still some unanswered questions that need answering." Subaru thought, as she gazed at the spot where the group had been only moments before, her eyes clouded with concern.
Author's Note!
Yeah, yeah, I know. There was more OOC in this chapter than in the first! I can only hope that it was a good read!
Gemini