Ok, I don't own dot.Hack or any of its characters, etc.
PG-13: I could probably get away with PG, but not sure just how violent it might get later, so better to be safe.
Author's Comment: So you know, all areas mentioned can be reached in the game and are to a great degree accurate.
Note: This takes place about halfway into dot.Hack: Outbreak, so there are spoilers for those who have not already beaten it.
-------------------------------------------
Kite waited patiently for the newbies to answer. None came at first; they just stared at him blankly, dumbfounded into shock. Repeating the question again, this time slightly more forceful, the trio snapped out of their daze and looked around, then nodded.
Smiling, Kite nodded back to them. "You guys are newbies huh?"
The Blademaster took a step forward, then barked out, "Who are you calling a-"
"Shut up Barricade, he just saved us." It was the Heavy Blade speaking now. "Weren't you just saying that you forgot to save your data earlier? You should be thanking him for not having to start from scratch."
Turning to look back at Kite now, the Heavy Blade grinned almost bashfully, "Thank you sir. W-we really appreciate it."
"I was happy to help," Kite replied, "I'm just glad all of you are ok. You might want to think about playing on a slightly lower level for now though until you're ready."
The Wavemaster now spoke up. "B-but… we're all Level 2 characters, and this is only a level 4 area. We should be able to handle it just fine."
"We could have Elnon if you had used that water spell of yours on those Magical Goblins. Without them pinning us down Barricade and I could have cut through those other monsters."
"It wasn't my fault Mycinity, I had that big Snip Snap thing chasing me! You two were supposed to keep it off my back."
"Come on now everyone," Kite interjected, "fighting amongst yourselves won't help you get stronger. Working together, that's what allows players to take on areas far higher than they otherwise could. I'm sure that's how the Descendants of Fiana defeated The One Sin back then. It's how I survive my battles, by having my friends help me, and helping them in return."
The trio just looked at Kite for a moment in silence, and then Mycinity lowered her head. "You're right, we won't ever survive long like this."
Barricade just let out a grunt and turned his head away, arms folded, but Elnon's face just lit up. "You're really smart! Who are you? Are you someone famous?"
Chuckling a little, Kite smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but I'm just another player in "The World." My name's Kite."
Mycinity looked back up and smiled at him too now. "Nice to meet you Kite. I'm Mycinity. You're really nice, I like you."
"I think you're nice too Mycinity."
Face turning slightly red, Mycinity turned her face from view, hand covering it. Kite meanwhile glanced over each of them. It was quite obvious now why he had mistaken Mycinity for BlackRose from a distance, they were both about the same height and build. Unlike BlackRose though, Mycinity had slightly longer dark hair and chest armor that covered her whole upper body. It was also colored a dark blue. Still, as he stared at her, he noticed her eyes kept trying to avoid his own, as if she was nervous to look at him.
Barricade on the other hand looked nothing like anyone he knew. Lean and tall with a shadowy complexion, his appearance almost resembled more of a professional wrestler than a Blademaster from the width of his arms under half plate armor strapped to each arm. His gauntlets looked more like leather than metal as well, and the way he gripped his sword, a Mizuchi, even with his arms folded it looked like he might take a swing at someone any moment.
Then there was Elnon, the Wavemaster. He actually looked like a rather tall version of Elk, only with leaner face and longer limbs. The outfit was the same though, but the cheek tattoos were different. Instead of twin jagged green lines, his was a simple vertical red line going which started at his temples. He also has a slightly long nose, but seemed the most energetic of the trio, though his eyes kept falling down to Kite's Spectre Blades.
"So," Elnon started, breaking the momentary silence, "you must be really strong Kite, found lots of rare items I bet too."
"Well… I guess." Kite wasn't sure what else to say. After all, compared to them he probably was strong. But for what he'd most likely have to face shortly, the virus, and God only knew what else, he probably needed to get a lot stronger still.
Elnon, getting more excited now continued, "What level are you Kite? Level 20, 30 even?"
"I'm Level 60" Kite replied, rather embarrassed.
Elnon's jaw dropped open, but no words came out. Then he dropped his Iron Rod and just stood there awestruck. Finally he got out a slight mutter. "S-s-sixty?"
Suddenly Mycinity made a quick move towards Elnon and smacked him across the cheek. "Stop gawking at him El, you're being rude when you do that you know. Honestly, and you fancy yourself a gentleman." Kite had stepped back in surprise, and from the look of it Elnon had been caught just as off guard as he had. Apparently her timid appearance only went so far.
"Gentleman?" Elnon shot back, "I never said I was a gentleman. Stop getting me mixed up with StarMan Slayer. I mean, we're not even the same character class!" Looking back over at Kite again and rubbing his cheek, Elnon's eyes just lit up all over again. "Sixty! I can't believe it! That's like… God! You have to be one of the strongest out there! Can I have your Member Address? I bet we could go on all sorts of cool adventures and find all sorts of cool stuff."
Now it was Kite's turn to have his cheek's redden. "Sorry Elnon, but I'm not as high up there as you think. Besides, I don't think it would be safe for any of you to be going to some of the places I go." Glancing off a little ways to the side of the hill, Kite noticed that a treasure chest had appeared, a risky one at that. "You can have whatever's in that chest over there though, I don't need it."
"Really!? Thanks." Elnon then rushed off towards the chest.
Looking at the remaining two now, Kite gave Mycinity a smiley, causing her to overt her gaze from him, cheeks crimson. "So, are you guys here to check out the dungeon?"
Mycinity nodded her head adamantly. "Yes, we heard that this place-"
A small explosion off towards where Elnon had run off however interrupted her response. Spinning in that direction, blades at the ready, Kite paused for a moment, then began to laugh. Elnon was sprawled out on his back, heavily damaged, and where the treasure chest had been now sat a single Fortune Wire.
Mycinity rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, glaring off at Elnon as if he was a little child. She then ran over towards him. Barricade just continued to stand there with crossed arms, the only noise from him being a sneering grunt.
"You idiot!" Mycinity screamed as Elnon struggled to his feet, "How dumb can you be to forget to use a Fortune Wire on a Risky Treasure? You only remind me every three minutes. Jeez."
Brushing off his cloak, Elnon raised his hand and called out, "Repth!" summoning the low level healing spell.
Done scolding the Wavemaster for the moment, Mycinity returned her gaze to Kite, her bashful smile returning with it. "Anyway, like I was saying before certain dummies set off explosions, we heard this place had a Rare Item called the God's Trinity Sword, a ultra powerful weapon that can bash enemies with ease."
Kite just stared at her for a moment dumbfounded. He had never heard of such a weapon. "Well, I don't know if it exists or not, but the Gott Statue in this area's dungeon only had a Miner's Glove."
"What!?" Elnon was screaming at the top of his lungs now. "You mean to tell me we came here, got ourselves embarrassed and nearly died for NOTHING!?! No treasure, no valuable loot, no Rare Items?" Throwing his hands up in the air, Elnon turned and began to walk away. Pausing after a few paces, he stopped and looking over his shoulder said, "You two coming? There's nothing here for us." Nodding off to him, Mycinity shouted back, "Be right there El!" Looking back at Kite, Mycinity let out a giggle that she covered quickly with her hand. "Thank you again for all your help Kite… I hope we get to um… you know, see each other again."
"Yeah" Kite replied, "I'd like that too." He then gave her another smiley. Ducking her eyes away from his, Mycinity hoisted her Earth Sword over her shoulder and took off after Elnon. Moments later, without saying a single word of thanks, or anything save another grunt for that matter, Barricade unfolded his arms and took off after the rest of the party.
"Well, that was certainly an interesting group," Kite thought to himself. "They sort of remind me of my own friends when we started playing." His friends, that was right, he would need to get in touch with BlackRose, and maybe Balmung as well, soon. They needed to find more clues to the Epitaph of Twilight, not to mention the source of the troubles within 'The World' before it was too late. Maybe Wiseman would have an idea. Anyway, it was best to get back either way.
Glancing off into the distance where the young party had headed off in, Kite smiled sheepishly and Gated back to Mac Anu.
-------------------------------------------
Hope you enjoyed the young trio. They'll be more to appear later, as was suggested. R&R people, I love feedback after all.