Virtual Hell
Chapter III: The Cat and the Hack
It is the third day of Tai's self given mission to find out what is wrong in The World virtual reality game. He had eaten breakfast and practiced soccer until ten and then logged onto the world. After he logged on he found an e-mail form Sora saying that she would not be able to make it because Matt had chosen to spend some time with her that day. Tai sent a reply saying it was ok and logged in after checking the board and learning of the location of some rare armor that could reduced not only physical damage, but also every type of magical damage as while. He gained in interest in it and decided to go to the area after finding some information on the infected areas. Afterwards he overheard a conversion about a cat character over in the ally and decided to check it out before the Crimson Knights. With his swords at his side he headed over to the ally where he indeed did run into a cat character and very shy wavemaster.
The two stood talking in the ally when they noticed Tai and spoke.
"Hello there," the cat character said. She held a female's voice and cat's head on her shoulders, her ears were a bit larger then that of normal cats and her far was purple. She wore a green armored shirt and white boots with a sword at her side. Behind her stood a wavemaster in purple and light green robes carrying a staff, his face was pale and like all the characters in the game he had strange markings on both sides of his face.
"Hey," Tai greeted back, "My name is."
"Tai-rai, the Twin Swordsman," the cat said.
"Yeah how did you know?" Tai replied.
"Your popularity level is higher then you think plus the Crimson Knights are looking for you. I saw your name and picture on the board," the cat said, "I am Mia and this Elk,"
"Hi." Elk said shyly and nervously.
"He's a bit shy," Mia said. She gaze at his arm, "That sure is a nice bracelet on you have,"
"Huh.you can see it," Tai said raising up his and looking at his wrist.
"Yes, even though it can't be seen too well it's still a nice bracelet," Mia said.
"What are talking about Mia I don't see anything," Elk said.
"That's because you're looking to hard," Mia said, "Look at the time we have to get going, but I 'm sure we'll meet again," she then began to walk passed them with Elk following her, but before she left the ally, "Oh and Tai-rai be careful the Crimson Knights really are looking for you," then she and Elk left the ally.
Tai stood still and then shook his head, "Why would the Crimson Knights be looking for me?" he shook his head again, "I'd batter be careful with who I talk to about the infected areas,"
He later left the Delta server and went to the area where the armor he wanted was said to be hidden. The battle level was the same as his so he didn't have too much trouble getting through. He fought all the monsters and used data drain on a few of them on the field and opened all the chests. He then entered the dungeon and did the same he did on the field and when he reached the bottom floor he received the armor and checked it before leaving.
"GREAT! The Aura Armor really is here. This will really come in handy when facing Data Bugs," he equipped the item and then returned to the Delta server. Upon his arriving he received a massage that he had some e-mail. He decided to log off and check it before continuing his investigation. Back in reality he took off his visor and checked his e-mail.
"What's this." he clicked on it and a massage came up saying in harsh words,
You whose been asking about the virus stop your activities now if you want to continue playing this game! Sign the Crimson Knights
"The Crimson knights sent me a e-mail this seriously isn't good, but.Orca is stronger then any of those guys and was beaten within a few seconds by those guys. If Orca couldn't beat that thing then nether can they. I'll have to be more cautious when searching for information," he said to himself worryingly, "I can't let them interfere just yet," he then checked the second e-mail, but this was from Mia.
Your bracelet can do more the power of Data Drain. Do you want to know? You do don't you then meet me in 'Forbidden Eternal Fort Walls' and come alone
"How does she know about Data Drain?" Tai asked himself, "Maybe I should head over there before dinner, besides Kari's still logged in I sure I can spend an hour or more in the game," He then put his visor and logged backed.
He stocked up on items and did see some of the Crimson Knights. He did his best to avoid them and then returned to the gate and spoke the keywords. He arrived in an infected area that looked to be a waste of wasteland. He then heard Mia's voice as it echoed through out the area,"
"So you came," Mia said cheerfully, "As I knew you would. Now head over to the dungeon I'll be waiting for you on the lowest floor,"
What does she want? Those were the words that went through his mind as he ran over to the dungeon fighting and defeating anything and everything that got in his way. Upon entering the dungeon he worked his way done to the last floor opening chest and defeating monsters along the way. Red flashes of light flickered through out this place every now and then. When he reached the final floor he stopped in front of a doorway with an eerie purple gas sitting in front of it.
"That's the same as last time," Tai said, "I'd best be careful,"
He entered the room and from the magic portal a silver blob glowing the same eerie yellow light as the data bugs. It then looked at Tai and took on form.Tai's form! Without warning it attacked Tai one his own skills, Tai managed to dodge i0t just barely escaping with a starch on the arm!
"AH! Dammit a Reflectes it copied my character's data!"
"You sure know your monsters," Mia voice echoed, "Let's see if you can.beat yourself,"
Tai gripped his sword as the beast stuck him again! He blocked the assault and pushed his opponent away after a slight locking of arms! The battle continued to rage open between Tai and his evil twin as he found his copy with every skill and move he had in his position hoping his opponent didn't copy the data drain skill! The echoing sound of clashing steel ran through out room as Tai continued to fight his other self glowing the yellow light of the virus! Finally after a slash from his sword a bright light shined from the clones body and Tai pushed himself into a double backflip and aimed his arm at his evil self! Bright streams of digital light followed from his arm into the creature and as they followed out so did a bright ball of light! The clone shook its head and then rose to find Tai running at him with a look of anger and resentment! The creature pulled it self- together and then holding its blades tightly ran towards Tai!
"LIFE, DEATH! NO MOMENT!" Tai cried as he suddenly vanished and then reappeared in opponents and face! As he pass by his opponent he crossed slashed his blades as his opponent did the same and in the end the two warriors stood their backs ten feet away from each other! Tai fill to a knee holding his side spilling out a red liquid. His arm also held a cut a large one bleeding worse then his side. His opponent looked back at him smiled a then fill to the ground and dissolved!
"I beat him.AH!" Tai said painfully, "But just barely he used my Dead End assault. Good thing my Aura Armor stops instant death attacks, but it left me with only one hit point left. I'll have to watch out for those things in the future," he healed his wounds up to the maximum and stood up," he walked over to the new opened door and entered.
Upon entering he found Mia and Elk standing in the center of the room.
"Well done.pretty impressive you really are worthy of the data drain skill," Mia said as Tai walked up to her she to him with Elk following.
"Who are you really and how do you know about Data Drain," Tai questioned confusingly.
"The Skill Data drain.in reality it would be know as the Soul Drainer technique. That move can bring death to anything created from digital information and if you could use it in reality then it would be the most dangerous thing in the world," Mia explained as she and Tai stood face to face, "That skill is the most dangerous move in both virtual reality and reality. Its power can bring either salvation or distraction at the whim of the user. Only two characters hold this deadly skill, the Twin Swordsman character Tai-rai and the virus that is constantly searching for the mysterious the girl that continues to allude and taunt it," Mia blinked her cat eyes slowly Tai Kamiya, you and you alone are the only thing standing between this virtual reality world becoming humanity's reality,"
"What do you mean?" Tai asked confusingly.
"That bracelet is the strongest item in The World. It is known as the key of the twilight," Mia said calmly and wisely.
"The key of the Twilight." Tai said confusingly.
"An item of great power and it has been entrusted to you. However you must understand that now you have began this mission you must make a choice here and now about what you are going to. Will you continue or will you quit. Understand that if you continue you may have use the second function that is within that bracelet," Mia explained.
"What is this second function?" Tai asked.
"I'll tell if you will continue, if not then there really isn't any point in telling you," Mia answer smartly.
Tai was silent as he remembered the massage from the Crimson Knights. He then remembered his friend Victor at the Hospital lying in bed still in a coma, "I'll continue until I find the answer as to why all of this is happening,"
"In that case you'll need to learn of the bracelet's secondary ability. Let's return to the Delta Server," Mia suggested.
Tai agreed and along with Elk they gated out and went back to the server and Tai awaited instructions after shocking up on items.
"Tai when you data drained some of the monsters, you a lot of times received a special item called a virus core, correct?" Mia asked.
"Yes, but how do you know?" Tai asked curiously and confusingly, Elk stood behind them griping his staff.
"I have my sources, now then aim the bracelet at the gate and speak these keywords 'Rejected Lonely Holy Ground'" Mia instructed.
Tai did as he was told and spoke the words but the light sound of an error could be heard as the gate turned into a dark black! Suddenly the bracelet upon his arm began to glow and three crystal shaped boxes appeared in front of him.
"Good just as I expected. Now I am about to teach you the art of hacking. I want you to download three B cores, five C's and one Z into the gate," Mia explained.
Tai listened and downloaded the cores and a bright light flash and it cleared Tai, Mia and Elk were had all vanished. They found themselves being pulled along like fish in a river. They continued to get pulled until another bright light flashed and when it cleared they found themselves in another corrupted area that looked to be a large valley with trees and flowers wherever one would look a large river reaching from on end of the area to another. A paradise one could call it if not for the dome of sickness and death covering the land. Digital numbers lay in small patches in the ground and magic portals stood everywhere the eyes could see.
"Where.where are we?" Tai asked.
"This area is supposed to be blocked off by the Crimson Knights, but you have just hacked our way in," Mia said, "the Kay's second function is the ability to hack into other areas without problem or even using a server. However in order to conduct the hacking you'll need a certain number and type of virus cores. Also understand that once you open an area it will remain open for all to enter includeing the Crimson Knights. So be careful when doing this because if they find you it's all over for you in this game and the virus will have a complete ran around of the system with out anything to get in its way. You are the only threat to the virus's existence understood,"
"Yeah, thanks for teaching me this, but tell me how do you know all this?" Tai asked curiously.
"As I said before I have my sources," Mia said.
"Um.Tai-rai?" Elk asked shyly.
"Yeah." Tai replied.
"Why are you doing, what you're doing?" Elk asked.
Tai was silent at first then, "I'm doing this for a friend. That's all I can say. In any case let's get to the dungeon quickly,"
They agreed and headed towards fighting monsters and collecting treasures along the why. Tai, as he had expected, learned that Mia being a Blademaster like Sora was going to be of great use to him and he also learned that Elk despite his shyness was a pretty good fighter and healer. Upon entering the dungeon they headed for the last floor stopping only to fight and defeat monsters that got in their way. When they arrived at the bottom floor they entered the room that contained the Data Bug. They fought the beast with all they had since the battle level was twenty-three three levels high then Tai's. After fifteen minutes of battle the beast Protect barrier broke and Tai drained him. Mia delivered the final blow and Elk healed them of their wounds the battle mode set off.
"Your as good as I expect you to be," Mia said, "Your skills will help you well. The Crimson Knights will have their hands full trying to catch you,"
"Thank you," Tai said.
"Well if you'll excurse us we have other work to take care of," Mia said kindly, "Let's go Elk,"
"Yes.yes Mia," Elk said and then he and Mia vanished. Tai looked around the room a little more and looked at check the virus core he received from the beast. He then gated out and returned to the Delta sever.
Upon arriving in the Aqua Capital he was confronted by a knight in Blue armor, white hair and wings on both his back and arms. Along with him stood two crimson Knight set and ready to drew their swords
"You." Tai said putting his swords away.
"So.it appears you know Orca," Balmung said. "KNOW HIM! He's one of soccer teammates in the real world," Tai replied.
"Tell me what happened to him," Balmung said.
Tai explained to Balmung what happened to Orca on his first meeting with his character. The two Crimson knights stood away from the two by Balmung's orders and heard not a word that came from Tai's story. Upon the completion.
"I see.how much of that is true I don't know," Balmung said.
"I know shouldn't be doing this even after I was told to stop by the Crimson Knights. But I can't just sit back and forget about something like this, I'm not that kind of person," Tai said boldly.
"Balmung looked at him, "I understand, I'll trust your words for now, and I'll handle the Crimson Knights, but remember that skill is the same as the one that put Orca into a Coma!" he turned around and walked away from Tai into the crowd and the Crimson Knights followed.
"Yeah.I know," Tai said silently. He looked at hand and when the strong voice of a woman echoed ring through his ears.
"Do not let his words bother you,"
Tai turned around a lady in white robes with large white hat and black visor over her eyes.
"Who are you?" Tai asked.
"I am who am." the lady said, "and I have one to tell you about the Data Drain skill. You have been using much to often. That is not good. Keep an eye on the gage in your skill's area. If it nears a hundred percent you'll to stop using the skills for a well until it dies down,"
"How do you know about Data Drain?" Tai asked.
"That is not important right now," the lady spoke, "But this warning is. Beware of the White Knight,"
"The White Knight.who is the White Knight?" Tai asked.
"He is on the side of the system and leader of the Crimson Knights. As long as you have that Bracelet you'll be treated as virus. Balmung may help but only for a time and holding knowledge of Orca will also help you out in the near future and here take this it may come in handle," the Lady explained as he handed Tai virus core. Tai took into his hand looked at it and then at the lady,"
"Why are you helping me?" Tai asked.
"Because I want to, beside you may actually be the one helping me out along with everyone other character in this game," the lady. She then vanished and Tai put the virus Core away and then logged out. He noticed that Kari has already gone to dinner and got ready to do the same. He pulled off his visor but the moment he set it on the desk; the feeling of shape blade sliding across soft human flash began to radiate from his left arm! He grabbed it quickly and slowly began to see a red stream of blood dripping through his hand!
"I'm.I'm bleeding, but how?" He questioned painfully with in his mind, "The fight I had with that reflectes.but I healed myself of those wounds didn't I. I guess I should be glade that one in my side didn't show up. I'd batter get this bandaged up before anyone sees it," he rushed to the first aid kit under sister's bed and pulled it out with haste.
The next at school Tai left earlier than usual. His mother who was also up had asked him about the white bandage on his arm and Tai said he cut himself on loose nail in the closet. It was a lie of course, but his mother bought. Upon arriving at school he headed straight for the classroom. His arm was still hurting and he set down in the chair and let rest on the desk. Not long after Sora entered the room.
"So this is where you are. I went by your apartment, but you weren't there. I'm glade I found," Sora said as see walk over to her seat that was next to his. Tai afraid she'd see the bandaged got up and walked over to the window. Sora this and followed him. She stood next to him on his left side.
"What's wrong you look like something's troubling you," Sora asked. She then noticed the bandage, "What happened to your arm?"
"I got cut.by a nail," Tai lied.
Sora looked at his face and then in a bold tone spoke a word that priced Tai's heart like arrow's point in a deer's lag, "Your lying!" she said coldly.
Tai froze a little, "What makes you say that?" Tai asked.
"Tai! We've known each other almost our entire lives. After everything we've been through together I can tell when your lying to me or not?" she replied, "Tell me the truth Tai happened to your arm?"
Tai was silent and then under his voice he spoke, "I went to an infected area yesterday in the world and I got into a fight with a Reflectes Data bug,"
"YOU WHAT! What were you thinking you could have been killed! If you arm got that badly damaged what would of happened to you if you had been killed by that thing?" Sora questioned. A sad expression of sorrow came over her, "I can't even bear the thought of hearing Tai Kamiya found dead in front of computer screen while play The World! Why do you go alone? What made you even think of doing something like that?"
"Sora," Tai said softly.
"If anything were to happen to you I.I." Sora spoke sadly as she began to cry on his chest.
"Sora." Tai said softly and lovingly.
"Tai I want you to promise me something," Sora cried, "I want you to promise me you won't do it again. Promise me you want go off alone like that again,"
"Sora." Tai said. He looked at her as she cried there on his chest. Unexpectedly he found himself holding her, "Alright Sora I promise, I wont go off in an infected area again,"
Sora raised her head and looked at him with wet eyes. He looked back, but the two of them were unaware of the figure stand outside the door leaning against the wall listening to the conversation.
"Tai and Sora.what's going on here. I know I cut our date yesterdays short but.could I really have made her that mad? I WONT lose her to my best friend. I'll make it up to her,"
It is the third day of Tai's self given mission to find out what is wrong in The World virtual reality game. He had eaten breakfast and practiced soccer until ten and then logged onto the world. After he logged on he found an e-mail form Sora saying that she would not be able to make it because Matt had chosen to spend some time with her that day. Tai sent a reply saying it was ok and logged in after checking the board and learning of the location of some rare armor that could reduced not only physical damage, but also every type of magical damage as while. He gained in interest in it and decided to go to the area after finding some information on the infected areas. Afterwards he overheard a conversion about a cat character over in the ally and decided to check it out before the Crimson Knights. With his swords at his side he headed over to the ally where he indeed did run into a cat character and very shy wavemaster.
The two stood talking in the ally when they noticed Tai and spoke.
"Hello there," the cat character said. She held a female's voice and cat's head on her shoulders, her ears were a bit larger then that of normal cats and her far was purple. She wore a green armored shirt and white boots with a sword at her side. Behind her stood a wavemaster in purple and light green robes carrying a staff, his face was pale and like all the characters in the game he had strange markings on both sides of his face.
"Hey," Tai greeted back, "My name is."
"Tai-rai, the Twin Swordsman," the cat said.
"Yeah how did you know?" Tai replied.
"Your popularity level is higher then you think plus the Crimson Knights are looking for you. I saw your name and picture on the board," the cat said, "I am Mia and this Elk,"
"Hi." Elk said shyly and nervously.
"He's a bit shy," Mia said. She gaze at his arm, "That sure is a nice bracelet on you have,"
"Huh.you can see it," Tai said raising up his and looking at his wrist.
"Yes, even though it can't be seen too well it's still a nice bracelet," Mia said.
"What are talking about Mia I don't see anything," Elk said.
"That's because you're looking to hard," Mia said, "Look at the time we have to get going, but I 'm sure we'll meet again," she then began to walk passed them with Elk following her, but before she left the ally, "Oh and Tai-rai be careful the Crimson Knights really are looking for you," then she and Elk left the ally.
Tai stood still and then shook his head, "Why would the Crimson Knights be looking for me?" he shook his head again, "I'd batter be careful with who I talk to about the infected areas,"
He later left the Delta server and went to the area where the armor he wanted was said to be hidden. The battle level was the same as his so he didn't have too much trouble getting through. He fought all the monsters and used data drain on a few of them on the field and opened all the chests. He then entered the dungeon and did the same he did on the field and when he reached the bottom floor he received the armor and checked it before leaving.
"GREAT! The Aura Armor really is here. This will really come in handy when facing Data Bugs," he equipped the item and then returned to the Delta server. Upon his arriving he received a massage that he had some e-mail. He decided to log off and check it before continuing his investigation. Back in reality he took off his visor and checked his e-mail.
"What's this." he clicked on it and a massage came up saying in harsh words,
You whose been asking about the virus stop your activities now if you want to continue playing this game! Sign the Crimson Knights
"The Crimson knights sent me a e-mail this seriously isn't good, but.Orca is stronger then any of those guys and was beaten within a few seconds by those guys. If Orca couldn't beat that thing then nether can they. I'll have to be more cautious when searching for information," he said to himself worryingly, "I can't let them interfere just yet," he then checked the second e-mail, but this was from Mia.
Your bracelet can do more the power of Data Drain. Do you want to know? You do don't you then meet me in 'Forbidden Eternal Fort Walls' and come alone
"How does she know about Data Drain?" Tai asked himself, "Maybe I should head over there before dinner, besides Kari's still logged in I sure I can spend an hour or more in the game," He then put his visor and logged backed.
He stocked up on items and did see some of the Crimson Knights. He did his best to avoid them and then returned to the gate and spoke the keywords. He arrived in an infected area that looked to be a waste of wasteland. He then heard Mia's voice as it echoed through out the area,"
"So you came," Mia said cheerfully, "As I knew you would. Now head over to the dungeon I'll be waiting for you on the lowest floor,"
What does she want? Those were the words that went through his mind as he ran over to the dungeon fighting and defeating anything and everything that got in his way. Upon entering the dungeon he worked his way done to the last floor opening chest and defeating monsters along the way. Red flashes of light flickered through out this place every now and then. When he reached the final floor he stopped in front of a doorway with an eerie purple gas sitting in front of it.
"That's the same as last time," Tai said, "I'd best be careful,"
He entered the room and from the magic portal a silver blob glowing the same eerie yellow light as the data bugs. It then looked at Tai and took on form.Tai's form! Without warning it attacked Tai one his own skills, Tai managed to dodge i0t just barely escaping with a starch on the arm!
"AH! Dammit a Reflectes it copied my character's data!"
"You sure know your monsters," Mia voice echoed, "Let's see if you can.beat yourself,"
Tai gripped his sword as the beast stuck him again! He blocked the assault and pushed his opponent away after a slight locking of arms! The battle continued to rage open between Tai and his evil twin as he found his copy with every skill and move he had in his position hoping his opponent didn't copy the data drain skill! The echoing sound of clashing steel ran through out room as Tai continued to fight his other self glowing the yellow light of the virus! Finally after a slash from his sword a bright light shined from the clones body and Tai pushed himself into a double backflip and aimed his arm at his evil self! Bright streams of digital light followed from his arm into the creature and as they followed out so did a bright ball of light! The clone shook its head and then rose to find Tai running at him with a look of anger and resentment! The creature pulled it self- together and then holding its blades tightly ran towards Tai!
"LIFE, DEATH! NO MOMENT!" Tai cried as he suddenly vanished and then reappeared in opponents and face! As he pass by his opponent he crossed slashed his blades as his opponent did the same and in the end the two warriors stood their backs ten feet away from each other! Tai fill to a knee holding his side spilling out a red liquid. His arm also held a cut a large one bleeding worse then his side. His opponent looked back at him smiled a then fill to the ground and dissolved!
"I beat him.AH!" Tai said painfully, "But just barely he used my Dead End assault. Good thing my Aura Armor stops instant death attacks, but it left me with only one hit point left. I'll have to watch out for those things in the future," he healed his wounds up to the maximum and stood up," he walked over to the new opened door and entered.
Upon entering he found Mia and Elk standing in the center of the room.
"Well done.pretty impressive you really are worthy of the data drain skill," Mia said as Tai walked up to her she to him with Elk following.
"Who are you really and how do you know about Data Drain," Tai questioned confusingly.
"The Skill Data drain.in reality it would be know as the Soul Drainer technique. That move can bring death to anything created from digital information and if you could use it in reality then it would be the most dangerous thing in the world," Mia explained as she and Tai stood face to face, "That skill is the most dangerous move in both virtual reality and reality. Its power can bring either salvation or distraction at the whim of the user. Only two characters hold this deadly skill, the Twin Swordsman character Tai-rai and the virus that is constantly searching for the mysterious the girl that continues to allude and taunt it," Mia blinked her cat eyes slowly Tai Kamiya, you and you alone are the only thing standing between this virtual reality world becoming humanity's reality,"
"What do you mean?" Tai asked confusingly.
"That bracelet is the strongest item in The World. It is known as the key of the twilight," Mia said calmly and wisely.
"The key of the Twilight." Tai said confusingly.
"An item of great power and it has been entrusted to you. However you must understand that now you have began this mission you must make a choice here and now about what you are going to. Will you continue or will you quit. Understand that if you continue you may have use the second function that is within that bracelet," Mia explained.
"What is this second function?" Tai asked.
"I'll tell if you will continue, if not then there really isn't any point in telling you," Mia answer smartly.
Tai was silent as he remembered the massage from the Crimson Knights. He then remembered his friend Victor at the Hospital lying in bed still in a coma, "I'll continue until I find the answer as to why all of this is happening,"
"In that case you'll need to learn of the bracelet's secondary ability. Let's return to the Delta Server," Mia suggested.
Tai agreed and along with Elk they gated out and went back to the server and Tai awaited instructions after shocking up on items.
"Tai when you data drained some of the monsters, you a lot of times received a special item called a virus core, correct?" Mia asked.
"Yes, but how do you know?" Tai asked curiously and confusingly, Elk stood behind them griping his staff.
"I have my sources, now then aim the bracelet at the gate and speak these keywords 'Rejected Lonely Holy Ground'" Mia instructed.
Tai did as he was told and spoke the words but the light sound of an error could be heard as the gate turned into a dark black! Suddenly the bracelet upon his arm began to glow and three crystal shaped boxes appeared in front of him.
"Good just as I expected. Now I am about to teach you the art of hacking. I want you to download three B cores, five C's and one Z into the gate," Mia explained.
Tai listened and downloaded the cores and a bright light flash and it cleared Tai, Mia and Elk were had all vanished. They found themselves being pulled along like fish in a river. They continued to get pulled until another bright light flashed and when it cleared they found themselves in another corrupted area that looked to be a large valley with trees and flowers wherever one would look a large river reaching from on end of the area to another. A paradise one could call it if not for the dome of sickness and death covering the land. Digital numbers lay in small patches in the ground and magic portals stood everywhere the eyes could see.
"Where.where are we?" Tai asked.
"This area is supposed to be blocked off by the Crimson Knights, but you have just hacked our way in," Mia said, "the Kay's second function is the ability to hack into other areas without problem or even using a server. However in order to conduct the hacking you'll need a certain number and type of virus cores. Also understand that once you open an area it will remain open for all to enter includeing the Crimson Knights. So be careful when doing this because if they find you it's all over for you in this game and the virus will have a complete ran around of the system with out anything to get in its way. You are the only threat to the virus's existence understood,"
"Yeah, thanks for teaching me this, but tell me how do you know all this?" Tai asked curiously.
"As I said before I have my sources," Mia said.
"Um.Tai-rai?" Elk asked shyly.
"Yeah." Tai replied.
"Why are you doing, what you're doing?" Elk asked.
Tai was silent at first then, "I'm doing this for a friend. That's all I can say. In any case let's get to the dungeon quickly,"
They agreed and headed towards fighting monsters and collecting treasures along the why. Tai, as he had expected, learned that Mia being a Blademaster like Sora was going to be of great use to him and he also learned that Elk despite his shyness was a pretty good fighter and healer. Upon entering the dungeon they headed for the last floor stopping only to fight and defeat monsters that got in their way. When they arrived at the bottom floor they entered the room that contained the Data Bug. They fought the beast with all they had since the battle level was twenty-three three levels high then Tai's. After fifteen minutes of battle the beast Protect barrier broke and Tai drained him. Mia delivered the final blow and Elk healed them of their wounds the battle mode set off.
"Your as good as I expect you to be," Mia said, "Your skills will help you well. The Crimson Knights will have their hands full trying to catch you,"
"Thank you," Tai said.
"Well if you'll excurse us we have other work to take care of," Mia said kindly, "Let's go Elk,"
"Yes.yes Mia," Elk said and then he and Mia vanished. Tai looked around the room a little more and looked at check the virus core he received from the beast. He then gated out and returned to the Delta sever.
Upon arriving in the Aqua Capital he was confronted by a knight in Blue armor, white hair and wings on both his back and arms. Along with him stood two crimson Knight set and ready to drew their swords
"You." Tai said putting his swords away.
"So.it appears you know Orca," Balmung said. "KNOW HIM! He's one of soccer teammates in the real world," Tai replied.
"Tell me what happened to him," Balmung said.
Tai explained to Balmung what happened to Orca on his first meeting with his character. The two Crimson knights stood away from the two by Balmung's orders and heard not a word that came from Tai's story. Upon the completion.
"I see.how much of that is true I don't know," Balmung said.
"I know shouldn't be doing this even after I was told to stop by the Crimson Knights. But I can't just sit back and forget about something like this, I'm not that kind of person," Tai said boldly.
"Balmung looked at him, "I understand, I'll trust your words for now, and I'll handle the Crimson Knights, but remember that skill is the same as the one that put Orca into a Coma!" he turned around and walked away from Tai into the crowd and the Crimson Knights followed.
"Yeah.I know," Tai said silently. He looked at hand and when the strong voice of a woman echoed ring through his ears.
"Do not let his words bother you,"
Tai turned around a lady in white robes with large white hat and black visor over her eyes.
"Who are you?" Tai asked.
"I am who am." the lady said, "and I have one to tell you about the Data Drain skill. You have been using much to often. That is not good. Keep an eye on the gage in your skill's area. If it nears a hundred percent you'll to stop using the skills for a well until it dies down,"
"How do you know about Data Drain?" Tai asked.
"That is not important right now," the lady spoke, "But this warning is. Beware of the White Knight,"
"The White Knight.who is the White Knight?" Tai asked.
"He is on the side of the system and leader of the Crimson Knights. As long as you have that Bracelet you'll be treated as virus. Balmung may help but only for a time and holding knowledge of Orca will also help you out in the near future and here take this it may come in handle," the Lady explained as he handed Tai virus core. Tai took into his hand looked at it and then at the lady,"
"Why are you helping me?" Tai asked.
"Because I want to, beside you may actually be the one helping me out along with everyone other character in this game," the lady. She then vanished and Tai put the virus Core away and then logged out. He noticed that Kari has already gone to dinner and got ready to do the same. He pulled off his visor but the moment he set it on the desk; the feeling of shape blade sliding across soft human flash began to radiate from his left arm! He grabbed it quickly and slowly began to see a red stream of blood dripping through his hand!
"I'm.I'm bleeding, but how?" He questioned painfully with in his mind, "The fight I had with that reflectes.but I healed myself of those wounds didn't I. I guess I should be glade that one in my side didn't show up. I'd batter get this bandaged up before anyone sees it," he rushed to the first aid kit under sister's bed and pulled it out with haste.
The next at school Tai left earlier than usual. His mother who was also up had asked him about the white bandage on his arm and Tai said he cut himself on loose nail in the closet. It was a lie of course, but his mother bought. Upon arriving at school he headed straight for the classroom. His arm was still hurting and he set down in the chair and let rest on the desk. Not long after Sora entered the room.
"So this is where you are. I went by your apartment, but you weren't there. I'm glade I found," Sora said as see walk over to her seat that was next to his. Tai afraid she'd see the bandaged got up and walked over to the window. Sora this and followed him. She stood next to him on his left side.
"What's wrong you look like something's troubling you," Sora asked. She then noticed the bandage, "What happened to your arm?"
"I got cut.by a nail," Tai lied.
Sora looked at his face and then in a bold tone spoke a word that priced Tai's heart like arrow's point in a deer's lag, "Your lying!" she said coldly.
Tai froze a little, "What makes you say that?" Tai asked.
"Tai! We've known each other almost our entire lives. After everything we've been through together I can tell when your lying to me or not?" she replied, "Tell me the truth Tai happened to your arm?"
Tai was silent and then under his voice he spoke, "I went to an infected area yesterday in the world and I got into a fight with a Reflectes Data bug,"
"YOU WHAT! What were you thinking you could have been killed! If you arm got that badly damaged what would of happened to you if you had been killed by that thing?" Sora questioned. A sad expression of sorrow came over her, "I can't even bear the thought of hearing Tai Kamiya found dead in front of computer screen while play The World! Why do you go alone? What made you even think of doing something like that?"
"Sora," Tai said softly.
"If anything were to happen to you I.I." Sora spoke sadly as she began to cry on his chest.
"Sora." Tai said softly and lovingly.
"Tai I want you to promise me something," Sora cried, "I want you to promise me you won't do it again. Promise me you want go off alone like that again,"
"Sora." Tai said. He looked at her as she cried there on his chest. Unexpectedly he found himself holding her, "Alright Sora I promise, I wont go off in an infected area again,"
Sora raised her head and looked at him with wet eyes. He looked back, but the two of them were unaware of the figure stand outside the door leaning against the wall listening to the conversation.
"Tai and Sora.what's going on here. I know I cut our date yesterdays short but.could I really have made her that mad? I WONT lose her to my best friend. I'll make it up to her,"