Well, we're finally here! Chapter three! Wh00t, and this should bring us to an amazing 30,000 words if things come out right! Wheeeee! The most I've ever written!

Anko – My spell-checker doesn't like your name Thanks for the review, and thanks for the compliment! Don't worry, it's easy to accomplish stuff, it's hard to finish stories I have all this crap I haven't even finished! And Sarah bitches at me about it but don't worry, I will finish it EVENTUALLY!

Bukasa Mitsuki – My spell checker REALLY hates your name Yes, I make a lot of errors, but it's just in my nature thanks, though!

Sarah – Thanks for beta-reading, and I CAN'T SPELL! DIE! *Shoots with a gun* Oh, and FYI, I wrote this at 7:58 on the day of the party I GOT INSPIRED! Oh, and I Hope you don't have too much trouble with Infection. Triangle is the group control button, I think

Also, I'm really sorry that I decided to change the image of vampireinaCAN at the last minute, the name Dracul inspired me to make him like an actual vampire. I actually took his image from a previous image description I used on another .Hack illegally edited character a long while back, so if it seems familiar, and you remember it from neopets then it's me. Or some horribly strange coincidence that occurred due to the stars aligning and the descriptions coming out the same. And I mixed a tiny bit of the other desc I received in there as well.

Disclaimer – I don't own ANYTHING! I don't own .Hack, I don't own the characters, I don't own Sony or PS2, I only own Liz, Ryu, and vampireinaCAN. And I might not even fully own them at this point Sarah owns Sarah, and that's the end of that. Oh, and decapitatedlifelessbeing owns the name Dracul, which I decided to use. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or G-gundam either. And Sarah and I share joint ownership of The Game' which is a RP that's been going on via phone for about 2 years now. I also don't own Tenshi Muyo. Thanks!

Notes – I'm trying to slow things down, as I know it took the entire first game to get up to Skeith. So if it seems like there's a long amount of time before a boss battle, which's just temporary, it'll go away once we have fought Skeith. Oh, and if possible, does ANYONE here know where I can secure a copy of .Hack//GIFT? I WANT TO SEE IT!


Time: 9:24 AM

Date: September 31st, 2008

Dear blog today I am home from school. Why? I'm sick, and I'm too lazy to go today. So I'm home writing here in the blog I haven't updated for four years. Heh.

So much has happened Two of my friends are in comas, Sarah has finally contacted me again, there's this weird hacker dude who I know, I actually met Balmung of the Azure Sky and found out he's a complete jackass, and things just keep getting weirder.

As well, things are just getting stupid here in reality. I'm banned from the PS4 until further notice or until this all gets cleared up, which means I can't go on the world. Though, not like that'll stop me. I moved it to my room so I can lock the doors, turn down the sound, and claim to be doing homework. ;)

My brother's 5th rat died about two days ago, and right now she's in the freezer. Heh. I'm thinking of feeding her to Jessie, but I'd rather not. Oh yeah, Jessie is our indoor cat, I forgot to update for a while and didn't tell you. Blog, you are so behind!

Jessie is now our indoor cat and Isabelle is our outdoor cat. Plus Cloey II, who likes to live in the attic. Heh, so many cats. I see the blogger site has changed for the better. Yay.

Well, that's all for now, my mom said she'll be leaving in half an hour, so I'm gonna go on go-gaia and neopets, and then log off and go on The World once my mom's gone. Good day, and rawr.

~ Liz

Clicking the save and publish, Elizabeth watched as the first update since 2004 went live. With a chuckle to herself, she clicked closed the blogger tab on Mozilla, and went off to Neopets for some light-hearted RP'ing before heading off for the serious stuff.

Time: 10:25 AM

Date: September 31stm 2008

"Sorry, I don't know anything" Replied the heavy blade to Balmung, who gave an annoyed growl. That was the 9th person on his list who might have information, and he'd rather not contact the 10th. Considering he had a great dislike for the vampire/hacker, he'd rather stay as far away from him as possible. Even better, get enough evidence to freeze him.

"So, I'm the last one on the list, eh?" Questioned a deep voice from behind. Balmung glared, and although he was facing away from the figure, the glare was directed at him.

"What are you doing here, Dracul?" The blademaster spoke, malice hinting in his voice. The male behind him just chuckled, bending down to whisper in his ear.

"Us vampires see all, and we know all You know I hold the information you seek. And anything can be attained, for a price." He spoke, with a smirk. Balmung jumped backwards, that particular wavemaster always freaked him out.

"Do you need me to ice you for" He thought for a few moments. "Harassment charges?" He asked, facing the other face-to-face. Dracul, better known as vampireinaCAN, was a level 50 wavemaster. He was taller, taller then any avatar would permit, with skin as white as milk, the outlines of his veins ranging from barley seen to very prominent in his skin. He had deep violet eyes, with a dark look to them as if peering into your soul (or your data) complimented by long black hair, somewhat shaggy as it fell down to about his waist. Bird feathers were woven into his hair, and although they were silverish-blue, along the edges in a nearly invisible line was a computer-text green glow to them, with the occasional flicker of black across parts.

He had on a long overcoat, black with straps that hung down at his waist, from the sides and from the pockets, a slight shiny-vinyl-ish look to it. He had black pants with red seams, which hung baggy at his army-style books. However, the real eye-drawer were the large red-ribbed black wings that arched over his head, folding down around his front, or folded at his back, depending on what he wanted to do with them. They dwarfed him, if he wished he could wrap them around his entire being and look like a giant orb of sorts. They, like Balmung's wings, were usable.

His character was clearly altered and hacked, the stats, if checked, had 99 at each. His slots of magic and skills were filled with the highest level attacks, in fire, water, earth, lightning, dark, wood, and earth, coverage, raise, and drop. High-level summoning spells were also in his arsenal, and his SP gauge was at 9999, and would never drop. Black lips were parted slightly in a smirk, revealing pointed gleaming white fangs. His weapon was listed as Vampire Staff, a level 99 rare wavemaster item. On it's own, it wasn't listed with any attacks, and had –99 on all the stats. However, being in the hands of a high-class hacker, it was deadly. The top was an orb, just a plain black-ish orb. However, within it was a three-dimensional rotating disc, with runes carved into it around a pentagram. The bottom part of the staff was a dragon's claw, and the middle part was a dark metal with a gun-steel snake wrapped around it, the head of the snake clutching the stone at the top.

"Ice me for harassment charges?" Questioned Dracul, with a chuckle. "I haven't even DONE anything, and the most you could ever get me for with THIS is a temporary suspension of a day or two! Now do you want the information, or not?" He asked, leaning back on his staff.

"Fine what's your price, hacker?" Questioned Balmung bitterly.

"Take my name off the list."

"What list?"

"You know what list." After vampireinaCAN's last reply, there was a short silence. "The most wanted list."

"You know I can't do that."

"Yes you can. And I don't want it off forever I just want to be off the radar for a while. Three months, tops. Once this is all over. Then we can go back to our little game of cat-and-mouse."

"" There was silence on Balmung's end, as Dracul smirked. "Done." He spoke. Now tell me—" However, the vampire cut him off.

"You'll be getting an e-mail. Don't reply, don't forward it, and don't try to use it to turn me in. You'll regret it if you do." With that, vampireinaCAN gated out, to either another server or out altogether.

Time: 12:00 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

Thread --- Epitaph of Twilight
Post – Full translation
I know in .Hack//Infection they tell you a part of the Epitaph of the Twilight I think it's translated from German, anyone here got a full translation? I think it might have something to do here in .Hack//Online I'm looking up Who knows? (Liz)

Post – Re: Epitaph of Twilight
I might have some information I'll find you when the time comes. Keep fighting, you'll need to so you can save your friends (Queen of the Dark)

Post – Hello!
Hi Liz! It's me, Sarah! *hugs you, picks you up and swings you around* I got your postcard; so you finally bought the game? Well, we can finally talk now I still haven't set up an e-mail I'll figure it out soon! Stay out of a coma! (Selina)

Post – Re: Hello!
You're crushing my ribcage *twitch* Well, before you kill me did you read the news? My friends are all in comas, it's absolutely BIZZARE! But on a lighter note SARAH! *strangle/huggle/glomp* You're back! Yay! ^_____^ *happiness* *looks at other post* Queen of the Dark, who are you? What the –insert swearword in your language here- are you doing here? Meep?(Liz)

Post – What News?
The News? I didn't see anything, my computer shut down and then there was the blackout before I got a chance to view the news stupid thing. Woah. That's scary, are you alright? I mean, you've done some crazy stuff, but this? Whatever you're doing, you'd better count me in, as I'm not letting you run off to get yourself KILLED without someone here to make sure you don't just drive everyone and everything insane for all we know, you'll defeat whatever this thing is by making it run away in terror. ^^ (Sarah)

Post – Re: Epitaph of Twilight
****Post Deleted****

Post – Here's a Piece
Here's a piece I got it from someone called Bith the Black', I'm not sure on it's accuracy but maybe it can help. And P.S. – Liz, if I see the power of the bracelet one more time you will be deleted.

Here's the fragment:

The wife buffeted by "waves" turns her back on the field.

The daughter that waited for the shadows repeated,

"For sure... For sure I can go home."

But the girl did not know...

The truth that waited at the end of the journey

The eternal mourning of her land.

In the place of the calamitous, only life was known.

That's all I have. My question is what does it all mean? (Balmung)

Post – Here's a Piece

Balmung, stop being such a (insert swear word here)! Wait what bracelet? Liz, are you not telling me something? Still (Sarah)

Add New Reply –

Post – Re: Here's a Piece

I agree with Sarah, such being such an ASSHOLE! You say you're politely warning me' but really you are just too LAZY to file an actual warning! You know what's going on, but you are being brainwashed into ignoring it! But thanks for the epitaph piece (Liz)

Add New Post [Yes/No]
Yes
New Post added

"I can't believe him" Liz simply spoke, clicking closed that particular thread, instead heading for a much older, and more exciting one.

Thread --- Church?
Post - .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
Despite what happens in .Hack//Infection as well as .Hack//Sign the keywords Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground don't take you anywhere except a normal field. But I guess that makes sense, you can't have any people who go there and get killed by a data bug monster Or have any people with special abilities like Data Drain. It juts wouldn't be fair (Thralk)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
But it would be cool! That and a few other places that should have stuff Hideous Someone's Giant doesn't give you the Parasite Dragon boss battle, either. But I guess that's good, I would be killed by a monster that powerful. (Neffie)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
Chosen Hopeless Nothingness doesn't take you to Skeith either. But I guess that's good, who knows what Data Drain would do and either way, you wouldn't want to have to fight any of the glitched bosses anyway, you can't defeat them without either Data Drain. And since no one has the Bracelet it's a pointless endeavor. (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
True I have to agree it's a stupid thing. (Thralk)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
That's odd I went there around 7:30 PM yesterday (EST) and I could access it. It was weird, a church. Like in .Hack//Infection. Hidden Forbidden Holy ground gives you the church. Maybe you all were just on the wrong server? (Liz)

Post – Are you a HACKER?!
Impossible! I was there on every server, on the delta and the omega and Nevermind. But how could you have gotten there? Are you some sort of hacker? (Thralk)

Post: Re: Are you a HACKER?!
A hacker? I hope you aren't, that'd be really bad. But maybe it'd also be good (Neffie)

Post: Re: Are you a HACKER?!
How could you be on, the game was down for that time! It makes no sense I'll post back later! (Khool)

Post – Re: Are you a HACKER?!
I'm not a hacker! If so, then I'd have this all figured out that makes no sense I went back there with my friends I can't say what happened, the post would be deleted. But in short, there was this weird girl, like Aura from the games. Though she seemed older, a LOT older. Is this an event character? Though I doubt that the event includes your friends going into comas (Liz)

Post – Suuuuuure
Sure, you're not a hacker. We'll all just play by that for now. It works for us! Heh but seriously, did you all read the news? Balmung of the Azure sky in a coma and then back? Then Black Rose and Keiko both in comas, with no sign of recovery Though Balmung was apparently there too, and another person wait, that person isn't perhaps you, hmmm? (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Re: Suuuuuure
Gods, it's the cause of such herself RUN! J/K, but seriously, you were there? To the holy powers, thank god you came out alright. If you have any news post it here, we're all curious to listen in! (Khool)

Post – Re: Suuuuuure
Why don't you guys and/or girls believe me? I'm NOT A HACKER! If I was then I'd have this figured out as I stated and yes, I was there. My friends are in comas. And my entire school has been on my back waiting for me to say something about it. Heh but seriously, what are we gonna do? This could happen to ANY of us! But then again if we quit and run with our tail between our legs then how can we help the others? Hmmm post back if you have any ideas! (Liz)

Post – Perhaps
How do you know that we aren't neither guy nor girl? But we're not going to go into that. I'm pretty confident you're not a hacker, or else, why would your post on the other board have been deleted? Seriously, people here, look around we're looking at a scared little newbie (no offence), not a class-1 black-hat hacker. Now, enough with the hacker crap, down to business.

So, you're the one with the friends in the comas? I believe you on having a bad time at school. It makes sense but you're right. We can't just run. Though I can't help, other situations prevent me from doing such. Terribly sorry.

I can enlist the aid of others Not to sound arrogant or egotistical, my name is pretty well known around the elder parts of this world, in the higher-level regions I have quite a reputation, and can most likely ask' some of my friends to help. But I need to see more information first. Otherwise what's the point of helping if I'm stuck in the dark? Not like I'm not accustomed to that I am a vampire living in a can. :-p (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Re: Perhaps
vampireinaCAN? Is that you? What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay off the boards you needn't taint such players with your corrupted knowledge' of the world. Lies and more lies it's well known that your high ranking is only due to your constant hacking. So be gone – this isn't a case for some rag-tag vigilante such as yourself. I'm giving you fair warning before I'm forced to take more serious actions unlike some people. (Balmung)

Post – Good Ole Balmung
Good ole Balmung Always trying to stick up for what's right by the rules that bide us to this world. I would think that some spark of human curiosity still exists in you, but I guess the flames of thought have long been extinguished by the corporate brainwashing you have been subjected too. A pity, a pity

And I'll post on the boards all I want, you're not board admin, nor have you any proof of any wrongdoing on my part. So you can just shove off, alright? I'm trying to peal back the veil of lies so long pulled over these players' faces, can't you see? I'm trying to enlighten them. Unlike you, who just push them further into the shadows a pity, if you were on the right side, you would be a powerful ally. Perhaps I'm right about you, for a change. But please, prove me wrong, surprise me like you always seem to do? (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Guys stop fighting, please?
This is SERIOUS matters! Can you please stop bickering and put this crap behind you, and let's get on with WTF IS GOING ON HERE? I don't know if either of you actually READ the news before it got deleted, but we have two coma victims plus YOU Balmung, who has been there and back. And then there's this blackout and Helba is being blamed for it! Hmmm curious, curious. (Khool)

Post – Re: Guys stop fighting, please?

I agree with Khool, stop fighting! And Balmung, you're not one to talk in the least, you were THERE you saw what HAPPENED! And don't think I'll listen to that bull crap you sent on the e-mail. vampireinaCAN is right, you are being brainwashed. Well, I'll look for leads. Hopefully it isn't the hackers like they think. That'd be a real shame. (Liz)

Post – Yay!

Someone who agrees with me! Alright I doubt it was Helba, I mean, she's a good witch, not a bad witch (alright, that was weak)! But still if it wasn't her, then who is there to blame?

Then again, it could have been another hacker. Considering that 98% of the world is hooked up to the internet, and it's only 3 companies nowadays that make 85% of all the firewalls used (that's a lot of statistics) it's relatively easy for one hacker with a few insider friends to get the override codes, hack into the power grids of the world, and (metaphorically speaking) turn off the switch. Boom, all the lights go out.

Perhaps it's that new breed that's surfacing, the white-hat hackers taking revenge for the sins committed against their black-hat friends? Who knows

Maybe it's a new virus that some newbie at the plant downloaded? Maybe a new MS Blaster type thing! Or maybe Pikachu is your Friend' has surfaced again. Heh

Any news please post back! (Khool)

Post – Re: Perhaps

Back on topic yes, perhaps a virus. But I have a feeling that this blackout, and the fact that at this point CC Corp owns one half of the internet and things of the like today (windows owning the other half with the major block of software and OS's) are connected As well as the fact that CC Corp owns The World where problems are surfacing or maybe Sony has something to do with it? I mean, they make the PS4 and own a major block of physical hardware?

Who knows

Or perhaps it's Nintendo taking sweet revenge? That'd be one helluva a laugh for them. Back to being serious

Has anyone else been contacted by any of the hackers as of late? I've been hearing reports of people such as Helba, Bith the Black', and Ryu contacting people on a seemingly random basis. There is no connection between who they contact except that they all share human curiosity. Hell, even Balmung who is the ultimate good moderator' here has been contacted and is being drawn into this. Don't try to deny it, I know you're curious by our contact earlier today.

Well, I'm just waiting for more news. I'd help out more, except that situations are preventing me. Sorry! (vampireinaCAN)

Add New Reply – Re: Perhaps

That ditz Ryu? The only time I met him was when he was either making an ass of himself, annoying Balmung, or trying to prove to my friend that he's not as bad as he is! Gods, it's all useless from what I see. Just hackers trying to stir up trouble in an already chaotic situation. Although I don't blame them for the blackout, I think that they might have added fuel to the fire.

And then I suspect that he made the little multiplying goblin' trick just to introduce himself to Sarah. Gods, this is STUPID!

I'm still waiting for a real lead, I mean Balmung tried to make up for his past sins by posting a little shard of the Epitaph, but I'm unsure of it's accuracy. If anyone's curious, here it is –

The wife buffeted by "waves" turns her back on the field.

The daughter that waited for the shadows repeated,

"For sure... For sure I can go home."

But the girl did not know...

The truth that waited at the end of the journey

The eternal mourning of her land.

In the place of the calamitous, only life was known.

That's what I got, and I dunno if it's correct or not. I just hope that he doesn't send any more e-mails of friendly warnings'. Heh, he's a walking oxymoron. (It took me 5 tries to even spell that right, gods, I have bad spelling). (Liz)

Add New Post [Yes/No]
Yes
New Post added

"Today is going to be a looooooooooong day." Sighed Liz, leaning back in her chair as she surfed the boards for anything interesting. Besides the two hot' threads that she visited on a regular basis, there wasn't much on the board for her. Quitting, she headed for her desktop to check her mail before logging off and eating some lunch.

-New News-

Slightly curious to what had happened, she clicked open to the news page. Most of it was random crap, such as Bigfoot Real?' or Newer and Better Pencil Developed', but one caught her eye, a third-party interview of one of the hackers as a follow up to the blackout and the coma victims.

Video Game News – The REAL Story on What's Going On

As all of our loyal fans can see, we finally got some screen time on the BIG NEWS BOARD! What I don't understand is why craptacular stories get here but we don't. *sigh* Anyhow, this story is a clipping from a longer story we ran yesterday.

Hacker's Opinion on Blackout – the REAL Story

5:45 EST as we all know was the date of the blackout that rocked the world, such a widespread lack of electricity never seen before. Most officials blame hackers such as Helba (a.k.a. Queen of the Dark) for the disaster, but here with Video Game News – the REAL Story on What's Going On we have the inside scoop, from the accused's point of view. Here with us, we have one hacker who requests to be known as Bith the Black', who states:

"The entire blackout was not the fault of we, the hackers. Although we aren't completely innocent of not adding fuel to the fire', we are not the ones who lit the match. If you wish for someone to blame, start pointing the proverbial finger at CC Corp and their corporate tyrants, as it was their game who put a handful of players into a coma. They have a greater connection to it then us, and their swift action to place the blame upon us only further drives them into the dark zone of guilt."

Although we couldn't contact any of the other hackers in the infamous ring, we know this – the world has been too swift to point the fingers at our fellow online players.

"Finally, someone with the right idea!" Finding no other news worth reading, she looked at the other flashing sign on her desktop.

-New Mail-

Hoping it wasn't Ryu again, she clicked it open. However, her hopes were forlorn as her entire inbox was flooded with the same message, with the same header (You Can't Ignore Me Now!) from the same person: Ryu.

"GAH!" Liz yelled, clicking open one of them. Not having the time to waste deleting all 100+ mails, she decided just to read them, hoping the hacker had some device that deleted them all once she read one. She was right, as the rest disappeared.

You Can't Ignore Me Now!

You can't ignore me now! Heh, I see you see that once you read one, the rest disappear. Did you really think I'd leave you with 100+ mails to clear out of your inbox? Maybe not this time, but if you keep ignoring me

I see that you deleted the first mail. How rude! *pouts* And as you see, your friend Sarah doesn't think so lowly of me. She reminds me a bit of another player I knew a while back. Anyway

The goblin attack wasn't me, despite what you think. It was a glitch in the field, and the only reason I was there to save ya'll was because I was monitoring the data spike to see what exactly was going on. It was your bad luck that you ended up there. But now SysAdmin knows about it and has just deleted it. Too bad, one would think they'd investigate to find out more, not just eradicate it.

Well, anyway what I wanted to tell you was the fact that this isn't new to the system. Although I don't know much, I know this. Fragment ,as discussed in the various .Hack games and the TV show existed, it was a beta-version of The World that we play now. It sported numerous problems, but all but one were fixed. The final one they thought was gone, but it wasn't. That's all I know, but if you wish to find out more contact vampireinaCAN, he should know much more. I see you've already conversed with him before, and he said that he'd be at Chosen Crying Demon all day to answer any questions by anyone who met him there.

Ta-ta!

"Now to send it to the trash" However, the mail refused to be put in the trash. She kept pressing delete, and it went to the trash but another took its place. Finally getting fed up, she just emptied the trash, and took the one copy still in her inbox to a folder so she wouldn't have to stare it every time she looked at her inbox. "Hmmm Oh, mail from Sarah!"

Re: Re: Hello!

E-mail doesn't like me I only got this out right before I had to log off; the mail doesn't seem to like me very much. But anyway so did Ryu make the goblin trick? He doesn't seem as bad as you make him out to be, why were you so mean? Back on topic

I guess the game' isn't getting anywhere anytime soon, without a normal phone connection. RP'ing in a game just wouldn't work, cuz then it'd be a game in a game. o.O

I guess they'll be in limbo for a longer while now. Poor Seto and Kyogee and Tsukasa and Atemu and Otogi. Though by now Set has probably won a fortune in the gambling realm. I wonder where Bob went anywho? And where's Xel-Ohki?

Back to being serious I met up with Inu Yasha and Doe again, they said to meet at Forlorn Maiden's Hope tomorrow, which is most likely today for you. Heh they said to be there about 6 or so in the afternoon. See ya there!

~ Sarah

P.S. – Still chasing you-know-who?

Original Message:

Hi Sarah! I see you finally got your own e-mail address see, The World gives you one! And with the new v-board upgrade with the *u-gloves typing doesn't take 5 hours oh how I HATED having to pick out every letter with the stupid d-pad!

Back on topic I'm fine, and I see you are too! YAY! Long time no talk

I'll be there; hopefully something won't come up (like things always do). But I have some serious matters to discuss

On a darker note, on mention of Rachel she's in a coma so is Nashid. Read the news, Black Rose and Keiko are Nashid and Rachel (respectively) I can guess you know who Balmung is (and he's also a real asshole, I know him), and the third unidentified person who didn't go into a coma is Me. It was a very scary ordeal

I'm curious to what your character avatar will look like, see ya there! And you'd BETTER be there; I need to give you the full details of the incident

~ Absolute ruler of the Universe, grand high arch-mage of Dark Chaos, Queen of the Dragons (But you can just call me Liz!)

Original Message:

It's me, Sarah! I'm back (and I figured out how to use e-mail)! *Picks you up, swings you around, puts you back down* I'm in Japan right now, although my previous pet Zakkai (the koala bear) died now I got another kitty! ^^

However, I'll have to leave him with these nice people I know when I move again I think I'm going to Alaska hopefully it's not much colder then Russia I don't think I could handle such temperatures for long.

So how are you doing? I see Rachel finally forced you into getting The World for the PS4, and although I can't stay on long (maybe four, five months max) I'll try to find you whenever I can. I only play this game at my friend's house, however (I don't have the Ethernet uplink, she does), so I won't be able to be on long as well

Sorry! :-(

Well, meet me at Fort Ouph tomorrow around 6PM (your time) if you can! Reply if possible, please? In case we can't meet hopefully it'll be time for back to the game'!

Those characters have been in limbo for way too long

~ Sarah

Reply?
[Yes/No]
Yes.
Title:
Re: Re: Re: Hello
Body: According to Ryu, the goblins weren't his fault. Though I'm not going to believe that without some proof. He said that he was monitoring the area due to a data spike, god knows what the real story is.

Yep, they'll be in limbo for a WHILE. Question – how old is Drake now, anyway 6, 7? I'm curious to how much he can annoy people. Heh, once the game gets back on its feet it'll be as fun as a barrel full of monkeys!

Bob got himself an apartment, remember! Oh wait, THAT bob? Most likely watching after his kits/dragonets. And searching for new cue-cards with his she-drake. Wheee! Xel-Ohki is herself is still in the carrot realm, eating as much as humanly no wait, ohki'ly possible. Heh.

Don't worry, I'll be there. Don't mind the early reply, I was home sick from school with a really bad flu. But I'll be back in action tomorrow, I promise!

And yes, I still am what'd we dub him as, Seto, I think? Heh, but we go to different high schools so feh

~ Absolute ruler of the Universe, grand high arch-mage of Dark Chaos, Queen of the Dragons (But you can just call me Liz!)

Original Message:

E-mail doesn't like me I only got this out right before I had to log off, the mail doesn't seem to like me very much. But anyway so did Ryu make the goblin trick? He doesn't seem as bad as you make him out to be, why were you so mean? Back on topic

I guess the game' isn't getting anywhere anytime soon, without a normal phone connection. RP'ing in a game just wouldn't work, cuz then it'd be a game in a game. o.O

I guess they'll be in limbo for a longer while now. Poor Seto and Kyogee and Tsukasa and Atemu and Otogi. Though by now Set has probably won a fortune in the gambling realm. I wonder where Bob went anywho? And where's Xel-Ohki?

Back to being serious I met up with Inu Yasha and Doe again, they said to meet at Forlorn Maiden's Hope tomorrow, which is most likely today for you. Heh they said to be there about 6 or so in the afternoon. See ya there!

~ Sarah

P.S. – Still chasing you-know-who?

Original Message:

Hi Sarah! I see you finally got your own e-mail address see, The World gives you one! And with the new v-board upgrade with the *u-gloves typing doesn't take 5 hours oh how I HATED having to pick out every letter with the stupid d-pad!

Back on topic I'm fine, and I see you are too! YAY! Long time no talk

I'll be there; hopefully something won't come up (like things always do). But I have some serious matters to discuss

On a darker note, on mention of Rachel she's in a coma so is Nashid. Read the news, Black Rose and Keiko are Nashid and Rachel (respectively) I can guess you know who Balmung is (and he's also a real asshole, I know him), and the third unidentified person who didn't go into a coma is Me. It was a very scary ordeal

I'm curious to what your character avatar will look like, see ya there! And you'd BETTER be there; I need to give you the full details of the incident

~ Absolute ruler of the Universe, grand high arch-mage of Dark Chaos, Queen of the Dragons (But you can just call me Liz!)

Original Message:

It's me, Sarah! I'm back (and I figured out how to use e-mail)! *Picks you up, swings you around, puts you back down* I'm in Japan right now, although my previous pet Zakkai (the koala bear) died now I got another kitty! ^^

However, I'll have to leave him with these nice people I know when I move again I think I'm going to Alaska hopefully it's not much colder then Russia I don't think I could handle such temperatures for long.

So how are you doing? I see Rachel finally forced you into getting The World for the PS4, and although I can't stay on long (maybe four, five months max) I'll try to find you whenever I can. I only play this game at my friend's house, however (I don't have the Ethernet uplink, she does), so I won't be able to be on long as well

Sorry! :-(

Well, meet me at Fort Ouph tomorrow around 6PM (your time) if you can! Reply if possible, please? In case we can't meet hopefully it'll be time for back to the game'!

Those characters have been in limbo for way too long

~ Sarah

Send Message?
[Yes/No]
Yes.
Message sent.

Thinking for a few moments, Liz sighed noting the other mails that were within her inbox. She had another illegible one from the odd ghost-girl, which she sent to a folder to be decoded later, her brain hurt too much for her to bother with it at the moment.

Hey! *waves*

It's us, Doe and Inu Yasha! I'm assuming Sarah already told you where to meet us, I hope you come! Right now it's Inu Yasha talking, Doe'll speak later, she doesn't talk a whole lot. Does she remind you of Elk or Tsukasa at all, she does to me

Back on the topic, so you already know where to meet. Question – do you own a grunty? If not, you should get one, they're very handy! With a swift one you can clear an entire field from portals, or just dodge em all in a Zeit Statue type quest. Heh.

I'll see ya there, it's about 6PM for where you are, so Ja'ne!

~ Inu Yasha and Doe

Liz laughed, Inu Yasha seemed to her quite hyper at some times. Sending a few notes of spam to her junk mail folder, and reading the few newsletters she received, she soon decided to go back to the world, to finish off her agenda. She had a vampire to visit.

Time: 12:30 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"Dear gods, if I knew the word would spread so fast and I would be swamped so badly I wouldn't have organized this but the players need to know the truth. Too bad that twin blade who seems to be stirring all this up isn't even here." Spoke vampireinaCAN to himself, then went back to answering the questions from the players who surrounded him like flies drawn to a corpse, chittering about with questions about what's going on. Mainly about the coma victims, which was one of the few things Dracul here did NOT know.

"I told you, I don't KNOW how they're in a coma and I don't know WHY! ASK SOMETHING ELSE!" He yelled loudly, causing a few moments of silence among the others. Most teleported off, that being their only question, and the other few chatting amongst themselves or exploring the rest of the dungeon they were within.

"So you really are here." Spoke a female voice, making vampireinaCAN turn around.

"I didn't think he'd show." Spoke a second, part of a familiar duo.

"Oh, it's you two." Dracul spoke flatly.

"Expecting someone else?" Questioned Inu Yasha, a slightly annoyed tone to his voice. He liked being the center of attention at most times, and hated being in the background at the moment like he was.

"Kind of" Spoke vampireinaCAN, turning back towards the entrance to the room. "The twin blade, either her or Ryu. Both I wish to speak with, and I just pray they don't show up at the same time. That'd be chaotic. Or perhaps Bith the Black, who I hoped would show up with Ryu, I need to speak with both of THEM dearly." Spoke Dracul to himself with a sigh, leaning on one of the walls. His large red-and-black wings were folded tightly against his back, but the tips still arched high above his head. Inu Yasha merely snorted.

"Well, we're staying, weather you like it or not." And with that, he transformed into the blue-ish dog-like avatar that was his second form. On his fur, just like on his human face, he had blue zigzag like lines in yellow, atop the pale blue fur. His eyes were beady black, almost like a doll's. He had long lean legs, but also had long fur that was easily two inches long on most of his body. The Inu's face was long and pointed, slightly triangular with a long nose that tapered to a rounded point, taken up by his deep brown nose and nostrils.

"I too, shall remain." Added in Doe, sitting down by Inu Yasha cross-legged. With that, Liz entered, panting.

"Why'd you *pant* have to put *pant* the meeting *pant* on the LAST FLOOR OF THE DUNGEON?!?" Liz spoke between breaths. Leaning on her knees, she gave a sigh. "I hope I beat the crowds."

"Actually, you just missed them. Had you hurried a bit more you'd have ran smack into them. Oh, and here's Ryu, oh gods." Dracul spoke, as the hacker merely warped in behind the twin-blade.

"Hello." He spoke, causing Liz to jump.

"DON'T DO THAT! I'M UNDER ENOUGH TENSION ALREADY!" She yelled, glaring and twitching slightly. Then she collapsed against one of the walls. "Gods, I'm tired I shoulda' gotten more sleep, or taken a nap, but NOOOO, I have to be HERE to be tormented by this loon, listen to the bad jokes of a vampire, and I don't even know what to say about you two!" Liz spoke pointing one of her blades at Doe and Inu Yasha. Ryu looked over with a hurt look in his eyes.

"Now you've made me sad." He spoke, causing vampireinaCAN, Doe, and Inu Yasha all to crack up. Elizabeth refused to join in on the joke, glaring.

"Good. For. You." She spoke slowly with a glare, turning towards vampireinaCAN.

"Alright, now tell me what do you know?"

"Know about what, you must be specific."

"Don't toy with me, before I turn this bracelet here on extra crispy'."

"You know that made absolutely no sense."

"" Liz thought for a few moments. "Do I care?"

"Yes."

""

"Exactly." Neither party spoke for a few moments, as Liz glared at the invisible bracelet on her wrist. vampireinaCAN folded his arms and waited for a reply, Ryu ignored everyone playing with a few lines of code, and Doe and Inu Yasha were trying their hardest (though unsuccessfully) to keep from breaking out in laughter.

"Shutup." Liz shot a glare at everyone, causing Ryu to just watch in mild amusement, vampireinaCAN to crack a smirk, and Doe and Inu Yasha to be rolling on the floor laughing. She glared at the two, rolling her eyes.

"Well, this is nice." Spoke Ryu.

"SHUTUP!" Yelled Liz, causing the hacker just to sit silently with wide eyes.

"Now as I was trying to say I don't know much, but it might help. I can't tell you why your friends are in comas, but I can tell you who's responsible. Have you ever heard of the Pluto's Kiss' incident?"

"Sounds more like a heavy metal band then anything else. Wait it was in the novel, .Hack//AI Busters, wasn't it?" Inquired Liz, the name ringing a bell. "One of my friends told me bout it, methinks."

"Yes, it was in there. To say the least the novel isn't complete fiction. Some of it is based off reality, and although I'm unsure on what's truth and what's lies, I can tell you this – if you thought the MS Blaster worm was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. Those responsible are CC Corp at its core, the pigheaded corporate assholes who run this world. They, who ignore the problems, growing like a spot of mold, only tot take care of then when they ugly up their pretty world. They cut them out of the picture, caring not for the gaping hole in the existence they've woven. They never think of who they might affect, what strings binding those to reality might be cut. They are those to blame. I might not be able to say much now or do much, but I promise by the binds that tie me to this world that once I've met with the proper others, I shall know more, and I shall contact you." Dracul finished. Liz gave a sigh, and then with a sprite ocarina, teleported out of the dungeon.

"So, why did you want me here?" Questioned Ryu. vampireinaCAN looked over with a sigh.

"Well, I was HOPING that you and this Bith the Black' dude would show up at the same time, but my hope is forlorn. Let's begin, are you informed on what's going on as of current?"

"No, enlighten me."

"Well, this is a bad point. First off"

Time: 1:00 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

-New Mail-

-New News-

"I got mail" Spoke Balmung to himself, between sips of coffee. The night before he was up until some unholy hour, and the lack of sleep getting to him, he had the coffee. He watched the bleeping sign on his screen for a few moments before clicking it open.

See?

I always keep my word. You thought I wouldn't send you anything, but instead leave you in the dust. Neb'm, a vampire such as I always keeps his word. Meet me at Chosen Crying Demon, I'll be there all day. Though hopefully you'll be there sometime around 1:00, 1:30? I'm trying to arrange your meet at a time when we'll be alone to speak of matters.

~ Dracul

P.S. - The code word is zucchini.

Balmung scratched his head in confusion for a few moments, and despite the already late time he decided to read the other mails that populated his inbox. With one of them, the avatar in the corner wasn't the usual player, but instead a small clip of pigs flying about. When he clicked open the mail, a few pigs flittered around the screen, then pausing to hold up the message which was on a rolled-up piece of paper.

Re: Re: Re: Hey
Enjoy my fleet of flying delivery pigs?

Heh

It's too late to stop it, as it's already past starting up again. My time is short here, but we will meet again soon.

Original Message:

If you think I'll believe that hackers are innocents you'd better have flying pigs deliver your reply Even if they're not responsible for the whole, they have something to do with this.

Hackers and illegally exited characters, that's how this stuff originates. Crap the create running vagrant That's how all this started. And I swear by the Shadowed ones that I will NOT let this start up again!

Original Message:

Good, you're intrigued well; I won't tell you much until I know that you're trustworthy. Despite actions in the past you've committed to, I'm unsure on weather time has changed you for the worse or the better. Here are the basics, and you're going to have to believe this before I can tell you anything else. Hackers aren't responsible. That's it. Whatever bullshit ideas you have about it being the fault of hackers for the blackout, the comas it isn't. Once you understand that and believe that, for real, not just to get more information, then perhaps I'll show you a taste of what truly exists out there. Ta-ta for now.

Original Message:

Who the hell are you? Well, whoever you are, you've caught my attention. Don't count me in, however, I'm still deciding.

Where'd you get that epitaph piece?

You seem to know something and by the power vested in me I swear that if I find out that you're pulling my leg I will track you down and delete you or if worse, kill you.

Original Message:

So, you finally got my mail. Do you know how long it took to get past that blocker? They thought I was spam Though maybe I am. Hmmm, interesting.

Back on topic

I know you're curious. Though you're scared to investigate. Seriously, tell me, which do you value more? Your job, or the lives of possibly thousands of innocents? It's your choice give me a reply if you want to know how truly deep the rabbit hole really goes. Heh.

Balmung resisted the urge to throttle something, instead, just giving a sigh as he flipped through his other mails. Most were orders from the higher powers, to do stuff he had no control over whatsoever. What do they think I am a programmer? Why don't they ask Orca to do something? He thought to himself. Most were from that anonymous higher power, but one in particular was from Lios@theworld, his address as a player in the world, NOT Lios@sysADMIN, which is how he usually contacted the moderator.

Although I Regret to Admit It

As recent events have shown, it' is starting up again. And you'd better do something about it, for the sake of your job. You've already lost it once before, must we make that a repeat performance? Meet me at the weapon shop in the omega root town at 1:30 PM sharp, I will give you more information then.

Balmung gave a sigh, this meant being in different places at almost the same time for him. It'd be a tight squeeze, but he'd hope that Dracul wouldn't take too long propagating his lies. Then he'd meet with Bith the Black at god-knows-when, but judging by Murphy's Law, it'd be at the most inconvenient time. And most likely at that time, Lios would show up, or Helba, or both. Finishing up cleansing his inbox of spam, Balmung logged back into the world to cover the first event on his agenda: find Orca.

Time: 1:10PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"Maha, where is it?" Questioned the booming voice from the sky. The cat-like creature looked up, but shook its head.

"Tell me where is the book?"

"" The cat creature remained silent.

"TELL ME!" The voice spoke one more time, causing the ground to shake. The teenager/ghost-like person sitting, hovering over the bed, looked up at the sky with a sigh, then looked to Maha.

"He doesn't have it. I gave it to one of the mortals."

"You did WHAT?" Questioned the voice, as Maha cowered, then looked at the girl with a pleading look. He mouthed – but it was I, not you!

"I did, and I don't regret my actions."

"This will require re-planning." And with that, silence fell upon the valley of thorns once more.

Time: 1:12 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"I'm here." Spoke Balmung, entering the room in the dungeon. Dracul looked up from speaking with Ryu, who nodded, then gated out. Balmung frowned. "So it seems I just missed the hacker convention?" He questioned sarcastically.

"What's the code word?" Questioned Dracul, as Balmung glared.

"What in the name of Mac Anu are you talking about?"

"The code word, I won't tell you anything without it." After Dracul's last remark, there was silence for a bit of time, as Balmung desperately tried to remember the word.

"Cucumber?"

"No." Dracul smirked, as Balmung frowned. He knew it was some vegetable that was green and long, but he didn't know which one.

"Lettuce?"

"Way off."

"Zucchini?" After Balmung's last remark, Dracul nodded, and Inu Yasha snickered.

"Do you wish for aide or not?" Spoke Dracul simply, as Balmung glared. "Now, what you need to know. I think you already know most of what's happening, the events are beginning to repeat themselves. You know what happened before. The signs are just the same, lag in the servers, white noise, glitches, the little repeating goblin' error. Reports say that a Skeith-like creature has begun to appear in flickers in areas, and the coma count is adding up. We have 5 people out right now!"

"What do you expect me to do, Hm?" Questioned Balmung.

"Not just sit around. You remembered where that got you last time, nowhere. As well, things are happening faster, and more severe. We've had a DEATH, you hear me, a DEATH! Although withheld from the news, one of the victims DIED yesterday, you hear me? This is no longer people falling asleep with no wake; it's lives we're playing with. If this game wants to play god, then let's play the devil, let's thwart her plans."

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

"An alliance. You know them, when you actually work WITH the people, not just surpress them like the corporate tyrants who manipulate you like a puppet? We have three hackers on our side, plus Doe and Inu Yasha so far. Join us."

"No thanks, I don't make deals with criminals."

"Balmung" Growled Dracul, however Balmung ignored him, instead just using a Sprite Ocarina and gating out of the dungeon. He walked outside, and began to think.

I can't aid them I'll loose my job, and be unable to help the others. But I can't sit by and watch perhaps if I ignore it, it'll go away. Perhaps— However, his train of thought was interrupted by a voice from behind him.

"I told you I'd find you." Spoke the familiar deep voice.

"Why must you always be behind me?"

"Because I like to be. Now, down to business I'm assuming you know as much as you need to know, right? You just need to use that information. I know you won't join us any time soon or at least without a fight. You're going to go ahead like the arrogant bastard you are, make a complete fool of yourself, then beg for forgiveness. Now, can we just skip that and cut straight to the chase?"

"No. Because I won't make a fool of myself. I will solve things because now I know the process of things." Balmung retorted. Bith merely chuckled at his comment.

"Too bad." And with that, he headed into the dungeon to meet with Dracul, as Balmung gated out to god-knows where.

Time: 1:15 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"I'm sorry, Inu Yasha," Started Doe quietly whilst still sitting in the dungeon. "But I have to go now. Sorry!" With that, she disappeared, warping out with a sprite ocarina. Back in the root town, she tried to avoid all human contact possible, getting to elf's haven swiftly. Withdrawing the numerous aromatic grass' items she had, heading towards the delta server she entered three particular keywords. Pulsating Truth's Core. Those were the words she was told to enter this time to meet, and these she did. Warping out, she wasn't taken to the normal field, but instead to what seemed to be an expanse of thorns, surrounding a bed, a tree, a teddy bear, a cat-like creature, and a ghost-like girl/teen floating above a bed.

"I have more" Doe spoke softly, holding out the aromatic grass. The girl just nodded, as Maha floated over, taking the grass from the wavemaster. With a smirk of glee on his face, he twirled around in the air hugging the item, as it sparkled and disappeared.

"That's more then usual." Spoke a booming voice from above, everywhere and nowhere at once. Doe looked up tentatively.

"Yes I had Inu help me. He's good at finding such things. Dracul gave me some too, he had a stockpile from grunty raising." Doe spoke quaintly.

"Ah, Dracul vampireinaCAN, I presume?"

"Yes"

"Ah, a good ally to have. Despite being a hacker, he seems to get a lot done."

"You watch him?"

"Watch isn't the word." There was silence, as the cat-creature put on a pantomime. Waving its hands about, although no sound was emitted, it's lips moved, as it spoke in silent words. Doe looked over, then shook her head in reply, finally simply gating out of the area and logging out.

Time: 1:20 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

As Ryu walked out, followed by Inu Yasha (who had long gotten bored), vampireinaCAN awaited the late arrival of Bith the Black. He was late, very late, and Dracul was getting very frustrated, very fast. A few minutes after Ryu gated out, Bith gated in.

"Sorry I'm late. I had matters to attend to." Bith spoke, entering the room in the dungeon. "Why did you want me here so early?" His armor gave a faint clanking sound as it contacted with the stone of the dungeon, and contacted with itself.

"I wanted you here earlier so I could talk to both you and Ryu at the same time! I have the same thing to say You DO know who Ryu is, right?" Dracul questioned.

"Now, now, my dear vampire, don't get your wings all in a huff, I know who he is, and I'm dreadfully sorry I couldn't arrive earlier. Now, why did you call me here?"

"You know what's been going on, right?"

"In a vague sense. Enlighten me." After Bith's last sentence, Dracul thought for a few moments before responding.

"Have you ever heard of an object called the key of the Twilight'?"

"Yes, it made its debut in .Hack//SIGN and hasn't surfaced since. Why the interest in that, it was more closely related to Tsukasa and Aurora, not the voice dubbed as Morganna' who seems to be stirring up trouble again."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Dracul's voice had a dark tone, as both sat in silence for a few moments.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, simply, this: the obvious evidence of Morganna didn't surface until later in the last chain of events, I suspect that something bigger is going into play here, a greater cosmic destruction machine. I think that past events are beginning to come into play, which is affecting the order of the others. And affecting everyone else." There was silence, as then Bith came up with a single sentence.

"Distortions like ripples in a lake?"

"Exactly." Dracul replied, and then again there were a few more moments of silence.

"So what do you propose we do about it, my fellow hacker?"

"I propose we contact Helba. She always seems to have deep tie-ins with such things. That, or we wait. There is nothing to go on as of now, unless we wish to run into pointless circles. It'll be like moving pawns alone and hoping for checkmate against an army of queens. It's a hopeless endeavor, and despite how I hate waiting that's exactly what we're going to have to do."

"Then I guess I'll be meeting with you later."

"I hope." With Dracul's last words, both hackers gated out of the dungeon. A single last long-arm ran in after them, swearing violently to find out she was a tad too late. With a shrug, she headed on to the gott statue to reap the reward of a high-level dungeon already cleared out by previous players.

Time: 1:30 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"Don't tell me you're late" Muttered Balmung. He had just previously talked to the avatar occupying the weapon shop, and found it to be it's usual AI self, not Lios who he had been expecting.

"I'm here." Spoke the avatar, as Balmung turned back to face Lios.

"You're late."

"I had other matters to deal with. Now, here's your next mission. You know the order of events last time, and you know they can't be deleted. So instead, let's speed things up and end them before they can begin. The waves they shouldn't be back at this point. Get the one with the bracelet, and secure his/her character. If we can't delete him/her, we can grab the character and let us solve the problem while he/her gets a new one. That is all."

"But" However, Balmung was cut off by the AI's usual response to someone approaching, inquiring if they wished to talk, or buy, or sell. He knows that isn't possible no matter, I'll find some way to solve things. Perhaps— However, someone tapping him on the back cut off his train of thought. Spinning around, he faced none other then the Marlo-similar character, Bith the Black.

"I told you we'd meet up again. I missed you in the dungeon meet, so I had to improvise. I had a feeling you'd be here, once you were finished speaking with Lios."

"How did you know I would be here, speaking with Lios?"

"Your mail is very vulnerable to attack."

"So now you're hacking my e-mail? Have I no privacy from the likes of you?" Balmung questioned angrily.

"Not exactly hacking" Bith replied, adjusting some of his armor. "Just peeking. I didn't really have to do much of anything to get in. Don't worry, I'll stay out of your personal life. If such a thing exists." He added with a chuckle. Balmung merely glared, and then walked off.

"I have matters to attend to."

"Not without speaking with me first." Spoke Bith who suddenly and inexplicably was now right behind the blademaster. Balmung jumped slightly.

"Fine, what do you wish to say?"

"First, let's go somewhere more private." Bith then forcefully dragged Balmung to the chaos gate, added him to his party, then warped off to randomly generated field.

Dying False Mirage

"So, what did you with to speak with me about?" Questioned Balmung, after hacking a red wyrm to pieces. Bith looked over, finishing with his own monster.

"Well, I'm curious to what you will do now with events happening again? They're moving faster, you know what's going to happen. There's been one death and we still have almost a handful of others in comas. CC Corp wants just to delete the entire host of servers and start the game over again from scratch. You know what's going on. You know what's going to happen, the question is: what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing, it's not my concern. I'm a moderator, not a programmer, I don't deal with things of this breed. I watch and report, I don't fix."

"So you're going to just sit by as people go into comas? Do you even know who the victims are?"

"I met with two of them earlier."

"Black Rose and Keiko?"

"How did you know?"

"I was monitoring the area due to abnormal data spikes. But I had to leave after a time. Luckily for you, Ryu decided to show up."

"I didn't need him to."

"Yes you did." After Bith's last remark, there was silence from both parties, as Balmung leaned on one of the snow-covered statues. Bith leaned on his sword.

"We're not so different, you and I. We are both fighting for the same cause, even if from different angles. We've both been involved before. We're both blademasters and we both know what's going to happen." Bith's voice took on a dark tone at the end of his last remark, almost a whisper.

"What are you implying?" Questioned Balmung, worry toning his voice.

"It's only going to get worse, before it gets better. You can't ignore it and expect it to go away. It will come, and it might be coming for you next. It tried to get you. And it already got your comrade."

"Orca?"

"Yeb'm. They know you're going to try to stop them they're after you. Dracul and I wish to help you. I can't speak for Ryu, or Helba, but we can help you. As hackers we know how to dispel certain things. You stick out like a match being viewed by heat-seeking goggles. We can cool you down to ice."

"I don't need your help, I can take care of myself. They say that after you've had a disease once, you have a resistance to it for later."

"This isn't just any disease it isn't even a virus. It's part of a greater matrix that's only beginning to form, a hyperspiral to close in upon us, one we cannot view. An invisible spider web."

"Then I guess I'll just have to cut the threads." With that, Balmung gated out, as Bith gave a sigh.

"He'll never learn—" However, he was cut off by a somewhat shrill female voice, emitting from a particular long-arm.

"Hey! You're the one from the dungeon, I wanted to talk with you!" She yelled, waving her spear high above her head to attract the attention of the hacker. Bith looked over, approaching.

"Aren't you that vampireinaCAN person?"

"No the one I was speaking with was he."

"Oh, damm!" She swore, throwing her weapon to the ground. "And I thought I finally found the right person" The girl pouted, then warped out. Bith just scratched his head in confusion.

Time: 2:15 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"Why isn't he taking damage?" Questioned the first player to the second. They were within a random generated field, fighting a monster from a portal. It was SUPPOSED to be a House Golem, but not only was it Magic Tolerant instead of Physical Tolerant, but it refused to take damage.

"Maybe it's one of those!" Suggested the second player to the first.

"We'd better get out of here!" Yelled the first, as both ran out of battle mode on' distance, then warped out of the field immediately. The monster beat its fists on its chest and roared a very loud roar. The monster tromped around for a few moments, before Doe warped into the field.

"Ah, what's that thing?" She asked, backing up from it. However, an echoing, booming voice from above comforted her.

"Don't worry it shall not hurt you. This is one of the creatures under your control. You already know of the first. Creatures such as this are yours, they walk with you, and you walk with them. They shall protect you when you are scared, frightened, or in need of aide."

"But at what cost?" Questioned Doe, looking up.

"You can control them as long as you and I walk together. But tell no one of this secret. We can't have them messing things up."

"But what about Inu Yasha?"

"Not even him." With those last words, the place became silent. Doe looked about, then up at the scary green-paneled monster, then gated out.

Time: 2:45 PM

Date: September 31st, 2008

"I guess I'm going to go check the boards" Spoke Liz to herself, logging off and heading to the boards. First off, she went to the topic that she was so heavily immersed in at the moment.

Thread --- Church?
Post - .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
Despite what happens in .Hack//Infection as well as .Hack//Sign the keywords Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground don't take you anywhere except a normal field. But I guess that makes sense, you can't have any people who go there and get killed by a data bug monster Or have any people with special abilities like Data Drain. It juts wouldn't be fair (Thralk)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
But it would be cool! That and a few other places that should have stuff Hideous Someone's Giant doesn't give you the Parasite Dragon boss battle, either. But I guess that's good, I would be killed by a monster that powerful. (Neffie)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
Chosen Hopeless Nothingness doesn't take you to Skeith either. But I guess that's good, who knows what Data Drain would do and either way, you wouldn't want to have to fight any of the glitched bosses anyway, you can't defeat them without either Data Drain. And since no one has the Bracelet it's a pointless endeavor. (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
True I have to agree it's a stupid thing. (Thralk)

Post – Re: .Hack//Sign doesn't seem to match this very much
That's odd I went there around 7:30 PM yesterday (EST) and I could access it. It was weird, a church. Like in .Hack//Infection. Hidden Forbidden Holy ground gives you the church. Maybe you all were just on the wrong server? (Liz)

Post – Are you a HACKER?!
Impossible! I was there on every server, on the delta and the omega and Nevermind. But how could you have gotten there? Are you some sort of hacker? (Thralk)

Post: Re: Are you a HACKER?!
A hacker? I hope you aren't, that'd be really bad. But maybe it'd also be good (Neffie)

Post: Re: Are you a HACKER?!
How could you be on, the game was down for that time! It makes no sense I'll post back later! (Khool)

Post – Re: Are you a HACKER?!
I'm not a hacker! If so, then I'd have this all figured out that makes no sense I went back there with my friends I can't say what happened, the post would be deleted. But in short, there was this weird girl, like Aura from the games. Though she seemed older, a LOT older. Is this an event character? Though I doubt that the event includes your friends going into comas (Liz)

Post – Suuuuuure
Sure, you're not a hacker. We'll all just play by that for now. It works for us! Heh but seriously, did you all read the news? Balmung of the Azure sky in a coma and then back? Then Black Rose and Keiko both in comas, with no sign of recovery Though Balmung was apparently there too, and another person wait, that person isn't perhaps you, hmmm? (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Re: Suuuuuure
Gods, it's the cause of such herself RUN! J/K, but seriously, you were there? To the holy powers, thank god you came out alright. If you have any news post it here, we're all curious to listen in! (Khool)

Post – Re: Suuuuuure
Why don't you guys and/or girls believe me? I'm NOT A HACKER! If I was then I'd have this figured out as I stated and yes, I was there. My friends are in comas. And my entire school has been on my back waiting for me to say something about it. Heh but seriously, what are we gonna do? This could happen to ANY of us! But then again if we quit and run with our tail between our legs then how can we help the others? Hmmm post back if you have any ideas! (Liz)

Post – Perhaps
How do you know that we aren't neither guy nor girl? But we're not going to go into that. I'm pretty confident you're not a hacker, or else, why would your post on the other board have been deleted? Seriously, people here, look around we're looking at a scared little newbie (no offence), not a class-1 black-hat hacker. Now, enough with the hacker crap, down to business.

So, you're the one with the friends in the comas? I believe you on having a bad time at school. It makes sense but you're right. We can't just run. Though I can't help, other situations prevent me from doing such. Terribly sorry.

I can enlist the aid of others Not to sound arrogant or egotistical, my name is pretty well known around the elder parts of this world, in the higher-level regions I have quite a reputation, and can most likely ask' some of my friends to help. But I need to see more information first. Otherwise what's the point of helping if I'm stuck in the dark? Not like I'm not accustomed to that I am a vampire living in a can. :-p (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Re: Perhaps
vampireinaCAN? Is that you? What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay off the boards you needn't taint such players with your corrupted knowledge' of the world. Lies and more lies it's well known that your high ranking is only due to your constant hacking. So be gone – this isn't a case for some rag-tag vigilante such as yourself. I'm giving you fair warning before I'm forced to take more serious actions unlike some people. (Balmung)

Post – Good Ole Balmung
Good ole Balmung Always trying to stick up for what's right by the rules that bide us to this world. I would think that some spark of human curiosity still exists in you, but I guess the flames of thought have long been extinguished by the corporate brainwashing you have been subjected too. A pity, a pity

And I'll post on the boards all I want, you're not board admin, nor have you any proof of any wrongdoing on my part. So you can just shove off, alright? I'm trying to peal back the veil of lies so long pulled over these players' faces, can't you see? I'm trying to enlighten them. Unlike you, who just push them further into the shadows a pity, if you were on the right side, you would be a powerful ally. Perhaps I'm right about you, for a change. But please, prove me wrong, surprise me like you always seem to do? (vampireinaCAN)

Post – Guys stop fighting, please?
This is SERIOUS matters! Can you please stop bickering and put this crap behind you, and let's get on with WTF IS GOING ON HERE? I don't know if either of you actually READ the news before it got deleted, but we have two coma victims plus YOU Balmung, who has been there and back. And then there's this blackout and Helba is being blamed for it! Hmmm curious, curious. (Khool)

Post – Re: Guys stop fighting, please?

I agree with Khool, stop fighting! And Balmung, you're not one to talk in the least, you were THERE you saw what HAPPENED! And don't think I'll listen to that bull crap you sent on the e-mail. vampireinaCAN is right, you are being brainwashed. Well, I'll look for leads. Hopefully it isn't the hackers like they think. That'd be a real shame. (Liz)

Post – Yay!

Someone who agrees with me! Alright I doubt it was Helba, I mean, she's a good witch, not a bad witch (alright, that was weak)! But still if it wasn't her, then who is there to blame?

Then again, it could have been another hacker. Considering that 98% of the world is hooked up to the internet, and it's only 3 companies nowadays that make 85% of all the firewalls used (that's a lot of statistics) it's relatively easy for one hacker with a few insider friends to get the override codes, hack into the power grids of the world, and (metaphorically speaking) turn off the switch. Boom, all the lights go out.

Perhaps it's that new breed that's surfacing, the white-hat hackers taking revenge for the sins committed against their black-hat friends? Who knows

Maybe it's a new virus that some newbie at the plant downloaded? Maybe a new MS Blaster type thing! Or maybe Pikachu is your Friend' has surfaced again. Heh

Any news please post back! (Khool)

Post – Re: Perhaps

Back on topic yes, perhaps a virus. But I have a feeling that this blackout, and the fact that at this point CC Corp owns one half of the internet and things of the like today (windows owning the other half with the major block of software and OS's) are connected As well as the fact that CC Corp owns The World where problems are surfacing or maybe Sony has something to do with it? I mean, they make the PS4 and own a major block of physical hardware?

Who knows

Or perhaps it's Nintendo taking sweet revenge? That'd be one helluva a laugh for them. Back to being serious

Has anyone else been contacted by any of the hackers as of late? I've been hearing reports of people such as Helba, Bith the Black', and Ryu contacting people on a seemingly random basis. There is no connection between who they contact except that they all share human curiosity. Hell, even Balmung who is the ultimate good moderator' here has been contacted and is being drawn into this. Don't try to deny it, I know you're curious by our contact earlier today.

Well, I'm just waiting for more news. I'd help out more, except that situations are preventing me. Sorry! (vampireinaCAN)

Post - Re: Perhaps

That ditz Ryu? The only time I met him was when he was either making an ass of himself, annoying Balmung, or trying to prove to my friend that he's not as bad as he is! Gods, it's all useless from what I see. Just hackers trying to stir up trouble in an already chaotic situation. Although I don't blame them for the blackout, I think that they might have added fuel to the fire.

And then I suspect that he made the little multiplying goblin' trick just to introduce himself to Sarah. Gods, this is STUPID!

I'm still waiting for a real lead, I mean Balmung tried to make up for his past sins by posting a little shard of the Epitaph, but I'm unsure of it's accuracy. If anyone's curious, here it is –

The wife buffeted by "waves" turns her back on the field.

The daughter that waited for the shadows repeated,

"For sure... For sure I can go home."

But the girl did not know...

The truth that waited at the end of the journey

The eternal mourning of her land.

In the place of the calamitous, only life was known.

That's what I got, and I dunno if it's correct or not. I just hope that he doesn't send any more e-mails of friendly warnings'. Heh, he's a walking oxymoron. (It took me 5 tries to even spell that right, gods, I have bad spelling). (Liz)

Post – Oxymorons

Heh, don't feel bad, I have a dictionary sitting here next to me for when I need spelling assistance. Well, anyway

Did you hear bout that rumor? It's that there's a House Golem creature at Camouflaged Twilight Praying Mantis that can't be defeated! It's just like in the games reminds me of that creature from the dungeon with only data-bugged monsters? The one that go you up all the way to the red zone? Gods, that level was difficult.

Maybe you should check it out?

Balmung always acts like that, just like straight out of the game. Gods, if I didn't know better, I'd say they were the same person.

I have yet to meet up with Ryu, but judging by what you say he seems a bit like Nuke from the game only he's a hacker and things of the like. If I'm lucky, I won't meet up with him. Heh. (Khool)

Post – Re: Oxymoron

A monster that cannot be defeated? Gods, it's worse then the Parasite Dragon! How can we defeat it without the Twilight Bracelet? Or something like that maybe it's an event character? Perhaps it's another grand quest thingy, I wonder what the prize is (Neffie)

Post – Re: Perhaps

This is getting interesting I went and checked it out earlier, it was sick! I got stuck, and had to do a hard reset, and lot quite a bit of work but it was worth it! It was all paneled and with the opposite tolerance and everything! You guys should check it out! (Thralk)

Post – Are you INSANE?!

What do you mean check it out? We might end up like the others, in a coma, or that one who died! I mean, there are at least 7 victims now, do you really want to become the 8th and 9th? Don't listen to him, if we're going to tackle this problem, let's go about it smartly, not just hitting it head on. It's like running into a brick wall at 60MPH in a car made of marshmallow and expecting it to crumble! (Khool)

Post – Re: Are you INSANE?!

I just finished with my meeting today I saw a few of you there. So many questions I can't believe no one listened to the fact that I don't know what's going on with the comas until the end. Swamped

Well, at least no SysAdmin showed up. Anyhow

I agree with Khool, we shouldn't rush into things head-on. If anyone wants to go tackle it, be there tomorrow at 7PM sharp, so we'll have a large amount of people. Then, and ONLY then should we go. (vampireinaCAN)

Add New Reply –

Post – Well, I guess

I'll most likely won't be there. I ran into another of those monsters before, and my friends and I somehow disposed of it, but it was too risky. Not to sound like a chicken, but I'm scared of ending up like my friends. I mean – what if we go into comas?

Well, it's nice to know that he's always like that, not just being particularly mean to my friends and myself. Gods, things are getting complicated.

Believe me, Ryu is WORSE then what I say. You won't believe what happened! But I'll save the tale for another time (Liz)

Add New Post [Yes/No]

Yes

New Post added

"Well now I have time to kill." With that, she leaned back in her chair, before a thought hit her. "I'd better get the homework." And with that, Liz left her computer chair to go call one of her classmates to get the homework.


Sorry this seems to be cut off This alone is over 10,000 words and there are still another 14 pages to this chapter so I'm splitting it up into two parts of one chapter for easier reading and for a faster update. Review?