Disclaimer: Well I would like to just kick this off by telling Zero Tribal by saying….umm…..your cool man. Thanks for being so supportive and stuff. And too all you others out there too! Ya and It was supposed to be Carmina Gardelica. I just can't spell…and I guess I wasn't paying a lot of attention on pronunciation either…. Well also I would like to say that I screwed up with the cat and mother thing. The cats not his mom…it's that voice thingy, it's names Morgona… But oh well, since I can't change what I wrote, I'll just leave it that way, but don't take any information from this story and think it's from the series, well except for some of the characters personalities that is. I mean I did try and get those pretty accurate and all…I don't own .hack//SIGN or any of its character. All I own is my thoughts and my own original character Lain Auska X.
.hack//SIGN
Episode Seven: The End for One, A Beginning for Another
Saga: Born from Darkness
Lain stood outside of the entrance to the castle like structure in the water city of Mac Anu. She approached the Silver Knight in front of the gates to the castle structure. Tsukasa and Bear followed her closely. Mimiru and Sora were arguing over something absolutely stupid again. She sighed as she stopped right in front of the Silver Knight.
The knight looked at her and then grunted a little.
"What do you want?" the Silver Knight asked with an annoyed tone in his voice.
"We want to talk to Lady Subaru," Bear said stepping forward. "It is very important that we talk to her soon. Right now would be best."
"Lady Subaru has no time to talk to the petty complaints of lower rank players such as yourselves," Silver Knight shot back at them with a stern look. "I suggest you leave now before I will have to place you under arrest."
"You think I care?" Lain asked stepping forward. "You're not getting in my way of exiting this game! I don't care what I have to do to talk to Subaru… but I will at any costs! You hearing me there, Silver Knight!? I don't care what you have to say! Let me talk to Subaru! Now!"
"What?! How dare you! I'm surprised you haven't learned what it is like to deal with the Crimson Knights yet!" Silver Knight yelled back frowning at her. He reached for the hilt of his sword but stopped when he saw Lain had hers already drawn and pointed at him. "Put that down. Now!"
"No. Not until I talk to Subaru! This is more important than you life!" Lain screamed at him frowning. She pulled back her sword and then got into a battle position. "I don't care if I have to fight you to get to Subaru Silver Knight! And I am warning you! I am a lot stronger than the last time we met! I will not stand here and be told of by some stupid Crimson Knight!"
"How dare you oppose a Crimson Knight!" Silver Knight hissed through his helmet. "You shall die by these words!"
"Lets see you try and defeat me," Lain said through her gritted teeth. She watched him draw his sword and get into his own battle position. She pulled her own sword back a little past her shoulders and took a step forward. She took another to only be stopped by Tsukasa who ran right in the middle of the battle.
"Enough of this!" Tsukasa shouted out. "No fighting! Please Silver Knight! Tell Lady Subaru that we wish to speak to her! We have very important information! We have found a way for Lain to log off of the game! If she logs off then you will no longer have these differences with her!"
"What!?" Silver Knight yelled out dropping his guard. He now had his full attention on Tsukasa and was ignoring Lain. "A way out of the game!?"
"Yes," Tsukasa said looking at the Knight pathetically. "Weren't you listening to what Lain said before!? She told you that you were getting in the way of her exiting the game!"
The Silver Knight frowned angrily at Tsukasa and then sheathed his sword. "I will talk to Subaru." He turned his back to Lain and the others and walked off inside of the castle like structure.
"That was easy," Lain replied sheathing her own sword and then shrugged. "I'd just have wished he would have realized what I said before. It would have made things a lot more easier."
"But you wanted to fight," Sora cried out looking at Lain evilly. "You wanted that fight didn't you? I saw that look in your eye. The look of death."
"Fight? Me? No way. I just wanted to get the fastest way to Subaru possible. Even if it meant through the Silver Knight," Lain replied shrugging her shoulders again. "What did you want me to do? Say 'Oh okay. I'll come back another time. I guess I can just put getting out of this game on hold for a while longer'. Yeah right! You expect me to do that!? No way! I want to get out of this game as fast as I can!"
"You're letting your temper get the best of you again," Sora said sighing. "You're acting stupid."
"Huh? Did you say something?!" Lain screamed out as her hands turned into fists. "Why did I ever think about letting some one as you come with us!?"
"Cause your stupid," Sora replied tauntingly.
"Stupid!? I'll give you stupid!" Lain screamed out reaching for her sword to only be stopped by Mimiru shacking her.
"Get a grip on yourself Lain! You're acting strange! Are you alright?" Mimiru asked as she stopped shacking Lain, who had by now figured out she was never going to get her sword, while being shacked.
"Strange?" Lain asked looking at Mimiru a little confused. She sighed and then backed away from Mimiru a little. "I guess it's because I'm a little impatient right now. I've found out how to get out of this game, I guess I got to caught up in that I wasn't thinking like myself. I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Mimiru said shrugging the subject off. "Hey look! Here comes Crim! Maybe he'll get us to Subaru!?"
"What?" Lain asked turning her attention from Mimiru and over to Lain. "Crim? What's he doing here?"
"Lain!" Crim called out looking at her happily. "Silver Knights been telling me that you've been giving him a tough time again. What for, may I ask?"
"Not my fault," Lain muttered to him. "He wouldn't let me talk to Subaru. I have important news for her too."
"And what would that be?" Crim asked as he stopped right in front of her.
"Tsukasa found out a way for me to log out of the game. I thought she might want to know. Since she did tell me that she would try in help me in any way she could. I thought I might ask for her help now, since she's got more power over the game than me and Tsukasa do," Lain answered now smiling at Crim. "What about you? You want to help too?"
"We don't want him helping!" Sora cried out sadly. "We have enough people in this party already! What's the use of more!?"
"Will you shut-up Sora!?" Lain called out facing him. "If you got a problem then you can leave! You've been on my nerves ever since I met you! I'm tired out listening to you complain today!"
"Oh Lain's got a huge temper!" Sora cried out with a funny grin on his face. "Isn't that nice?!"
"Shut-up," Lain repeated. She then turned around and faced Crim and focused her full attention on him, instead of the laughing Sora. "How about it? Want to join our little party?"
"Nice offer," Crim replied smiling. "I afraid that I might have too. I mean if this has to do with you logging out of the game, then I might as well help. You've proved honorable before, so I might as well too."
"Honorable?" Lain asked looking at Crim a little confused. "Since when?"
"When you fought me. You didn't kill me," Crim replied. "Like some players out there who wouldn't give up the chance."
"Me?" Sora asked, to only be ignored by everyone.
"Great!" Lain cried out happily. "How about Subaru. Will she be coming with us also?"
"Probably," Crim replied as a grin flashed upon his face. "I don't see why she wouldn't. I mean this has to do with the outcome of the game. Since you will be getting out… It'll be big for her. How about Tsukasa? Have you guys found a way out of the game for him?"
"I've been able to log out for a while," Tsukasa answered with a blank face. "I was the one who found a way for Lain to get out of the game."
"Congratulations then Tsukasa. That's good to hear," Crim said happily. "So Lain. How do you get out of the game? What do you have to do to log out I mean."
"I have to kill the virus," Lain replied. "That is what I have to do to log out."
"Kill the virus?" Crim asked looking at Lain a little confused and shocked. "Why would you need Subaru then? If you know what to do?"
"Well you see… We don't really know where the virus is. She's only shown herself to me once," Lain said. "So we were hoping that Subaru knew some way for us to track Mitski down."
"Is that the only way for you to get out of this game?"
"Yes."
"Then Subaru might be of some help. But I wouldn't count on it too much. She has a limit in her abilites to what she can do."
"I figured so. I just hope she can find a way to get this virus into my view again."
"All I can do is try," a voice said from behind Crim. It was Subaru's voice. She steeped into view and then smiled at Lain. "It's nice to see you again."
"Same here," Lain replied smiling back. "So? Are you willing to help me get out of this game? Once and for all?"
"Would that mean Tsukasa would be able to exit also?" Subaru asked glancing at Tsukasa who was glaring at her, and then back over to Lain.
"He's already been able to log out for quite some time now," Crim answered for Lain and Tsukasa. "He's out, so all we have to do is worry about Lain right now."
"Is that so?" Subaru asked and then went into deep thought. She came out of it a minute latter and then sighed. "What type of assistance do you need from me Lain?"
"Since you have some sort of power over this game. I thought it would be best to come to you. Can you track players down?" Lain asked looking at Subaru. "Or more like viruses?"
"No," Subaru answered. "I am sorry. But I can't. That is out of my power. You were hoping that I would be able to track down that virus. Mitski? Right? But why though?"
"If I defeat her then I'll be able to log out," Lain replied as she lost all of her hope in Subaru. "But since you can't find her… I'm sorry to have disturbed you."
"No need for apologies," Subaru answered. "You have to reason to apologize. You have done nothing wrong. It is what I wanted for you to come and tell me if you have found out anything new."
"Yeah. I figured that would be what you want," Lain replied as a small smile spread across her face. "If you can't help us… then I guess I'll be going now. There's no reason for me to stay… I'll see you around Subaru." Lain turned her back to Subaru and then stopped in her tracks as some one called out to her. Lain turned around to see Subaru.
"Let me know if I can help in any other way!" Subaru called out to her. "Don't hesitate to ask!"
"I won't!" Lain called back smiling. "Thank you Subaru!" Lain turned around once more and then spoke out. "Lets go back to where we were before."
Lain exited the field followed by her party. They all reappeared in the field with the docks and the grassy area that was surrounded by mountains. Lain faced them all and then saw Mimiru sigh.
"Hey Lain," Mimiru asked shifting a little un comfortably. "I…I have to go. I can't stay on any longer. I'm sorry but I have to leave."
"It's okay," Lain replied smiling at her. "It's not your fault. I'm sure that it's pretty late in Japan. So you might as well go and get some sleep or what ever you're doing. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." She turned and saw Sora yawning and Bear looking a little un comfortable also. "Let me guess? Sora's tired and Bear has something else to do?"
"No. It's not that important," Bear muttered. "It can wait if you want."
"Hey, don't put me before your matters in the real world. I'm not that totally important, you both can go. I don't mind," Lain replied looking at them. Mimiru had already left. "I'll see you guys tomorrow along with Mimiru."
"Are you sure about this? You don't mind?" Bear asked.
"Not at all. I realize you guys have other stuff to do in your own lives. It's none of my concern though," Lain replied. "So just go already. You're going to make me feel bad."
"Bye then," Sora replied exiting the field.
Bear gave Lain a awkward glance and then sighed. He exited also. Tsukasa was the only one left for Lain's company. Crim had not followed.
"I won't leave," Tsukasa replied looking over to Lain. "You don't have to worry about being alone."
"No. That's not it," Lain answered and then sighed. "Look Tsukasa. I know you want to stay here. But you don't have too. I mean now that you're in the real world you have to eat and sleep, and do other stuff, you know too?"
"But that stuff doesn't' matter much to me," Tsukasa answered. "I'd rather stay here with you."
"I know," Lain said and then sighed. "I…Tsukasa? I don't want you to put me before your own health."
"Why not?"
"Cause I'm not that important. You don't have to be by my side the whole time Tsukasa. You probably have other stuff to do in the real world. You don't have to stay here just to keep me company."
"Why are you pushing me away!?"
"I'm…I'm not."
"Yes you are. You want me to leave. You don't want me here anymore."
"No! That's not what I said at all! I just don't want you to care about me more than your own health!"
"But I do! Lain, I don't want you to be alone anymore. I don't want you to end up being how I used to be. I don't like seeing you sad, I want you happy."
"I…Tsukasa… Just leave. I'll see you tomorrow alright? I need to be alone right now."
"Lain?"
"Please, just go."
"I…no."
Lain looked over to Tsukasa and then frowned. "Tsukasa. I just want to have some time to think by myself. Please! Just go now!" Lain frowned at him even more.
He looked back at her a little token back and then starred at the ground. "I don't understand what your thinking."
"Go now."
"Fine."
Tsukasa left.
Lain starred at the empty spot, which he once stood. She held back the tears that were now starting to form in her eyes.
She had just yelled at him! She might as well just had told him she didn't want his company anymore! She was so cruel to him! When he only wanted to be there for her! To make her feel better! To make her happy, in this miserable little world she lived in! And she had pushed him away, like he had told her she was doing. Why was she acting like this? Was she scared? Scared of the feelings she had for him. She wasn't the same anymore. Somehow…she seemed different.
"I…Tsukasa…I'm sorry," Lain muttered to herself softly and then fell to her knees. "I'm sorry that I was so mean to you! I didn't mean it! I don't know what's wrong with me! I don't know what's going on anymore! I don't know how I fell! I don't even know how I feel about you anymore… I'm so confused. Why is this happening to me?"
"You are dying," a voice said from behind Lain. "You are about to die in your bed. In that coma you are in."
"WHAT!?" Lain screamed out spinning around. She saw the virus Mitski behind her. "I…what are you saying."
"You've been in that coma for so long. Your parents don't care what they do to you now. Your death will be soon. Never to see you're beloved Tsukasa again. Death is near to you. And this time. You won't wake up."
"I'm…I'm… shut-up! You don't know what your saying! I'm going to kill you and get out of this game!" Lain screamed out as she stood up. She grabbed her sword that was in her sheath and then pointed it at the virus threateningly. "I'm going to kill you and put a stop to this mess that I am in! You're dying! NOW!"
"But they question is… do you know what you are saying? How can you think that you have a chance of beating a player such as me? To think of my death would be absurd. Do you realize that I am far beyond your league?"
"Will you just shut-up!? I don't care what you have to say to me! All I know is that I will have to try and kill you! If I do die like you are saying… I will have at least tried to defeat you! And that's all that really matters to me now!"
"Then your death will be in vain."
Mitski smiled at Lain and then held out her hand at her side. A mage staff appeared in it. She then pointed at Lain threateningly as Lain was doing to her.
"You didn't think I would fight unarmed did you?"
"Course not," Lain replied as her voice shock a little. "That would be crazy."
"I see fear," Mitski hissed looking at Lain with an evil smile. "Lain is scared of a little virus such as myself?"
"NO I'M NOT!" Lain screamed out as she forgot her fear. She charged at the virus with her sword at her side. She swung it forward at the virus, but only managed to hit her weapon, which she flung up in the quickest movements that Lain had seen her whole life.
"YOU WILL DIE!" Lain screamed out pushing her weapon forward with all of her might. "I WILL KILL YOU AND GET OUT OF THIS REATCHED GAME! I WILL BE WITH TSUKASA AGAIN! YOU CAN'T STOP ME!"
"Love is such a stupid emotion," Mitski replied shoving Lain forward with a quick push. Lain fell down instantly. She saw an opening and then swung her staff down at the helpless swordsman. It hit the sword, which Lain had flung up at the last moment to block.
"It seems that you aren't that weak after all."
Tsukasa looked down at his hands, which he had just rested in his lap. His computer was on and was giving off the only light in the room still. A chime sound came from the computer, as if it had finished downloading something. He looked up to see the message boards for the game he had just exited out of not to long ago.
He put his hand up to the mouse and then began to scroll down the message boards, as if looking for something interesting. Another chime was heard, a new box popped up in front of what he was looking at. He looked at it a little confused and then read what it wrote.
I SEE DEATH.
Tsukasa looked at it even more confused and then noticed it was a chat box. He clicked on the screen and then typed in a reply.
Whose death?
THE CHILD WHO HAS THE HEART BORN FROM DARKNESS.
I don't understand. How can a human have a heart born from darkness?
SHE IS COVERED IN SORROW. HEADING DOWN THE ROAD TO DARKNES. HAVING NO REALIZATION OF LOVE.
She!? Lain! Are you talking about Lain!
The box closed and Tsukasa got no answer. He frowned at the leaving of the unknown messenger. Why had it left? Why didn't it answer his question? More importantly…what the hell was going on!?
His thoughts wondered to what had happened today. Lain. Why had she yelled at him? His hand's twitched at the thought. They formed into fists, soon he was beginning to clutch so hard that he knuckles were turning white. He closed his eyes and then leaned back in his chair.
What did I do to make her so mad? I didn't do anything, she exploded, for no reason. Does she even like me anymore? Was she just playing around with my emotions? But why does she try and hide her feelings? Doesn't she know that I won't hurt her like her parents did? Doesn't she know that I'm there for her? Always? Lain, why are you doing this to me? It hurts so much. Why did you have to yell at me? You know I can't go on living without you. You're everything to me. You mean more than my life as it is. I would do anything for you, now that you're mad at me… I don't know if I can go on living anymore. This hurts so much…as if I was going to die. Right here, I can't take this. Lain, why do you have to be mad at me!?
Tsukasa shot up from his leaning back position and then frowned. He had to confront her. Even if it meant doing the opposite of what she had asked him to do. 'Leave me alone.' Ha. Like he would do that. He needed her to keep on living, and she needed him just as much.
He frowned some more at the thoughts that were racing through his head and then picked up his simulation goggles and started the game. It only took him a few moments to log onto the game, he was now standing at the docks.
Lain gasped for air. It had been a horrible fight with her and Mitski. She was of course losing terribly. Mitski had managed to get Lain's only weapon, her sword, out of her hands. It was now lying a few inches from where her hand was trying to reach for it. Mitski was kneeling over Lain with her hands tightly clasped around her throat. Lain choked for air once more and managed not to get any. She shoke her head and tried to move her feet, but found it impossible.
Mitski was going to win. Lain was going to die in the real world. Die here. Never to see anyone…Tsukasa…never, never again. She would be dying alone, as she had been living in a world of her own alone.
"No-I-can't-die-like-this," Lain managed to choke out with her remaining air in her lungs. She choked once more and then noticed everything was starting to get fuzzy, blurry. She couldn't make out anything, nothing at all.
This is death. I am dying here. It can't be happening like this! I was supposed to win and live with Tsukasa in our World! It's not supposed to end like this! Tsukasa! You don't know how I feel about you! I never told you! And I yelled at you the last time I saw you! Maybe I do deserve to die like this…after what I did to Tsukasa. He was only trying to help me. He was just proving to me how much he cared for me. And I shoved him away. Maybe I do deserve to die. Dying like this…might be right…
Everything was starting to go blank. Memories from her life seemed to be passing before her very eyes. Something was happening. What was that scream? And why was it so near?
Her vision came back shortly. Mitski had let go of her throat. She was now had one of her arms on the left side of her shoulder. Her hand was clutching her chest, the look of pain spread across her face. Blood was dripping through the cracks in Mitski's hand, falling onto Lain.
Lain looked up amazed. What had happened? Why was Mitski bleeding like this!? Was she going to die! How!? She hadn't done anything! She was almost dead herself. Lain took in a huge breath and then choked again. She then went over to breathing slowly. Letting every breath go in and out smoothly. She closed her eyes and then absorbed more screams. She didn't dare open her eyes. She could tell Mitski was dying. Dying right over her, she didn't want to see this. It wasn't supposed to end this was for Mitski either. She was supposed to die by Lain's hands, not by something else.
Mitski was dead.
Yeah! Sorry it took so long for this chapter to get up! I was sort of writing lots of other stuff. I need a break from this one, or it would have turned out horrible. Well thought I might say that this fic is coming to an end. Sorry. I have only one more chapter to post. And it will be coming up soon. Hopefully by the end of the month. Well stay tuned for an ending, keep reading and reviewing!