We last left Balmung at Valmung's mercy. Anyway, time to continue with the
story. I hope you enjoy it
Chapter 7: Redemption
Katsuhiro was at death's doorsteps, eyes gazing ahead at the evil Valmung. It was only yesterday the worst thing he had to worry about was a character hacking an item, and now he was about to die. He could do nothing to stop Valmung, and his helplessness angered him to no end. The mounding swell of regret in his heart for Jonathan's life only seemed to make the pain worse, and he was actually thankful Valmung was going to give him a swift death.
It never came, however. Katsuhiro heard the echo of blades clashing together and he snapped back to reality. Standing in front of him as if he had just appeared out of nowhere was Kite.
Kite looked much different though. His hair was longer and came down to his lower back, but was a darker green. He was older and wore merely a long black trench coat with silver designs on it. His twin daggers' hilts wrapped around his arms like a snake, the material also melded into his skin like Valmung's. The daggers had an ominous golden glow to them, as Kite's set dark blue eyes gazed into Valmung's own cold black ones.
"YOU!" Valmung growled, clenching his teeth and regaining his composure as Kite slashed both daggers outwards, sending Valmung skidding back. A wisp of powerful energy flowed from the daggers as he did this.
Katsuhiro could only stare in awe. This was Kite, the boy who had saved the world two years ago and yet now he looked so cold. His eyes narrowed at Valmung slightly in pure hatred. This hatred scared even Katsuhiro for a moment but he only stood there, growling a bit from the pain.
"Yes, me," Kite said, grinning suddenly in a cocky fashion.
"I thought I dealt with you a long time ago boy!" Valmung spat, and unleashed a beam of red energy from his sword in Kite's direction.
Kite's grin only seemed to widen in anticipation and with a downwards slice of both daggers, he sent the beams off into two different directions. One slammed into the sealed door, breaking it open. Kite then dashed forward and started clashing blades with Valmung, their weapons sending off sparks of energy all around them.
Jaed's eyes widened in shock, looking down at the now clear passageway save for a few pieces of rubble.
"What happened!?" Kera asked, shocked as well, but she ran into the room with Jaed following close behind her.
The two companions took a moment to take in the scene before them. Katsuhiro was kneeled and bloody on the ground, and the two hackers battling heavily.
Kera and Jaed ran over to Katsuhiro, and Jaed started showering him with healing spells.
Katsuya and Katsuhiro felt their wounds heal completely, and he wished he could hug Jaed now for relieving him of such pain, but he did not.
"Are you ok, Katsuhiro!?" Kera said, hands clasped over her mouth in shock. She was more worried about him than the two fighters.
"I'm fine, Kera," Katsuhiro responded and turned his attention to Kite and Valmung.
"What is going on Katsuhiro?" Jaed said, glaring at him a bit suspiciously.
"Valmung and Kite are both hackers. Valmung is an evil hacker but Kite is a good hacker," Katsuhiro stated clearly. He didn't want to go into details, for his mind was racing with thoughts of the savior Kite.
What could he be doing back here? He vanished after he saved the World, and how did he know I was in danger?
"Kite? The Kite? The one that saved the World two years ago!?" Jaed exclaimed, eyes widening at the man who battled Valmung so valiantly.
Kite stepped to the side swiftly, barely avoiding Valmung's vertical slice aimed at the top of his head. Valmung's sword stabbed into the ground and Kite stepped up onto the sword with both feet. He spun, his trench coat flowing in the wind and kicked Valmung in the face once, then twice, spinning in a circle again as he brought his daggers into his chest in much the same fashion. Valmung was sent skidding back, a bit of blood flowing from his chest as well from his nose.
Kite leapt back, sheathing the dagger his right hand held and he aimed his outstretched fingers towards Valmung, "DATA DRAIN!" He yelled and the bracelet shot out, the spikes curving back like a shield around him.
"Damn it. Another time maybe," Valmung cursed and vanished just before Kite could fire the data drain.
Kite lowered his right arm while sheathing the other dagger, the bracelet vanishing as he turned and walked over to Katsuhiro and the others.
"Are you three ok?" Kite said, more focused on Katsuhiro than anything.
"Yes, we're fine," Jaed said, and Kera nodded slightly.
"Kite, why have you come back? How did you know I was in trouble?" Katsuhiro said, and both Kera and Jaed looked at him strangely.
"I was watching the entire time, I was just invisible. It's a pretty handy trick but it does use a lot of energy," Kite said, not answering the first question.
Katsuhiro stepped forward, "You mean you know who I am as well?" He said and Kite smiled and nodded.
"It's good to see you again, Balmung," Kite said and Kera gasped. Jaed just looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Balmung!? That is impossible! He was banned from this server for killing Lord Orca!" Jaed said, regaining himself.
"Wrong. That man you just saw was the one who killed Orca, and I have proof in this little sphere," Kite said and drew a dark glowing purple sphere from his trench coat pocket.
"What is that?" Kera said, stepping forward to study it.
"It is a Data Sphere. The World's version of a video camera. I recorded not only the conversation and Valmung's confession, but also his hacked character, so CC Corporation and everyone else will have no choice but to believe you are innocent Balmung," Kite replied, and slipped the sphere back into his trench coat pocket.
"How can we believe that this is Balmung though?!" Jaed growled, still slightly suspicious to this man Kite.
Kite smirked a bit, as if waiting for someone to ask that question and replied, "That's the fun part. You either believe it is him or you don't. It's not my problem. However, Balmung, you will have to get your character back if you wish to help me save the World."
"How would I do that?" Katsuhiro said, folding his arms across his chest.
"You and I will have to take on Valmung. If I can Data Drain his infinite hit points then we can destroy him. He carries the Virus Core: Redemption. That will bring you back to your original form," Kite responded, slipping his hands inside his trench coat pockets, and he started pacing back and forth. "However, I must prepare for the upcoming battle. I will contact you via e-mail with instructions. I want you to enjoy yourself in the World as well as in real life, Balmung."
"But I..." Katsuhiro could not finish as Kite vanished as well.
Katsuhiro sighed deeply and turned to his two companions. Kera smiled sympathetically at him, but Jaed just glared.
"If you are Balmung then I will not converse or be near a hacker and a murderer!" Jaed shouted and drew a Sprite Ocarina. "Come on Kera," He said, grabbing her hand, but much to his surprise she pulled away.
"I-I'm going to stay here with Katsuhiro," Kera said timidly, as if she has never stood up to Jaed before.
Jaed looked slightly hurt but his anger won over it and he vanished.
"You didn't have to, you know," Katsuhiro said, wondering why she would stay with him.
Kera simply smiled and walked very close to him, perhaps too close.
"I just wanted to be with you is all. I wanted to talk too," Kera replied and Katsuhiro smiled a little bit.
"Well, let's exit the dungeon at least, we can talk while walking through the forest," Katsuhiro said, and used a Sprite Ocarina.
After a few minutes of uncomfortably walking through the forest in silence, Katsuhiro found a small clearing. It had a tiny crystal clear pond and the grass was greener than any other part of the forest. Beautiful lilacs decorated some parts of the grass and he smiled at its beauty. He walked over and sat down in a patch of grass and Kera joined him.
"So, what is your name in real life?" Kera finally said, curious about who he is.
"Katsuya," Katsuhiro replied and smiled a bit, "And you?" He said after a slight pause.
"Amy Ashkon," She said, and sighed a bit. "I know, Ashkon is a stupid last name."
Katsuhiro shook his head a bit, "Nah. But it sounds American," He said and looked at her.
She simply nodded and replied, "Yes, I live in California with my grandparents. My...father abandoned my mother and I, and she died in a car wreck."
Kera sat very still, looking at the ground as tears started to flow to her eyes. You weren't supposed to be able to cry in the World were you? She didn't know, but she was crying in the real world.
Katsuhiro frowned and he suddenly found himself wrapping an arm around Kera's shoulder.
"It will be ok. I'm sure you're a strong woman," Katsuhiro said, trying to comfort her tears. It pained him to see her this way, but yet he was glad he could touch her. He was glad he could feel her, and be near her.
"Heh, A woman? I'm only seventeen; I'm not considered a woman really..." Kera said, holding back tears as she blushed a bit from Katsuhiro putting his arm around her.
"I'm twenty one, I'm an old geezer," Katsuhiro joked and he loved to see Kera laugh. Being around her made him feel very good. It made him feel happy.
They talked about their interests, school, friends, and other things, minutes becoming hours and it was night before Kera had to leave.
"Thanks for spending time with me Katsuya," Kera said and she suddenly leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips. The kiss only lasted a few seconds and it was mild, but to Katsuya it lasted an eternity.
Kera blushed slightly and said timidly, "W-Well bye."
She then logged off, and Katsuya never loved this game more.
Love is in the air. Ah. Wee wee. Well, all has been revealed. Balmung must help save the World! Both worlds maybe haha! Anyway. Keep reviewing XD!
Chapter 7: Redemption
Katsuhiro was at death's doorsteps, eyes gazing ahead at the evil Valmung. It was only yesterday the worst thing he had to worry about was a character hacking an item, and now he was about to die. He could do nothing to stop Valmung, and his helplessness angered him to no end. The mounding swell of regret in his heart for Jonathan's life only seemed to make the pain worse, and he was actually thankful Valmung was going to give him a swift death.
It never came, however. Katsuhiro heard the echo of blades clashing together and he snapped back to reality. Standing in front of him as if he had just appeared out of nowhere was Kite.
Kite looked much different though. His hair was longer and came down to his lower back, but was a darker green. He was older and wore merely a long black trench coat with silver designs on it. His twin daggers' hilts wrapped around his arms like a snake, the material also melded into his skin like Valmung's. The daggers had an ominous golden glow to them, as Kite's set dark blue eyes gazed into Valmung's own cold black ones.
"YOU!" Valmung growled, clenching his teeth and regaining his composure as Kite slashed both daggers outwards, sending Valmung skidding back. A wisp of powerful energy flowed from the daggers as he did this.
Katsuhiro could only stare in awe. This was Kite, the boy who had saved the world two years ago and yet now he looked so cold. His eyes narrowed at Valmung slightly in pure hatred. This hatred scared even Katsuhiro for a moment but he only stood there, growling a bit from the pain.
"Yes, me," Kite said, grinning suddenly in a cocky fashion.
"I thought I dealt with you a long time ago boy!" Valmung spat, and unleashed a beam of red energy from his sword in Kite's direction.
Kite's grin only seemed to widen in anticipation and with a downwards slice of both daggers, he sent the beams off into two different directions. One slammed into the sealed door, breaking it open. Kite then dashed forward and started clashing blades with Valmung, their weapons sending off sparks of energy all around them.
Jaed's eyes widened in shock, looking down at the now clear passageway save for a few pieces of rubble.
"What happened!?" Kera asked, shocked as well, but she ran into the room with Jaed following close behind her.
The two companions took a moment to take in the scene before them. Katsuhiro was kneeled and bloody on the ground, and the two hackers battling heavily.
Kera and Jaed ran over to Katsuhiro, and Jaed started showering him with healing spells.
Katsuya and Katsuhiro felt their wounds heal completely, and he wished he could hug Jaed now for relieving him of such pain, but he did not.
"Are you ok, Katsuhiro!?" Kera said, hands clasped over her mouth in shock. She was more worried about him than the two fighters.
"I'm fine, Kera," Katsuhiro responded and turned his attention to Kite and Valmung.
"What is going on Katsuhiro?" Jaed said, glaring at him a bit suspiciously.
"Valmung and Kite are both hackers. Valmung is an evil hacker but Kite is a good hacker," Katsuhiro stated clearly. He didn't want to go into details, for his mind was racing with thoughts of the savior Kite.
What could he be doing back here? He vanished after he saved the World, and how did he know I was in danger?
"Kite? The Kite? The one that saved the World two years ago!?" Jaed exclaimed, eyes widening at the man who battled Valmung so valiantly.
Kite stepped to the side swiftly, barely avoiding Valmung's vertical slice aimed at the top of his head. Valmung's sword stabbed into the ground and Kite stepped up onto the sword with both feet. He spun, his trench coat flowing in the wind and kicked Valmung in the face once, then twice, spinning in a circle again as he brought his daggers into his chest in much the same fashion. Valmung was sent skidding back, a bit of blood flowing from his chest as well from his nose.
Kite leapt back, sheathing the dagger his right hand held and he aimed his outstretched fingers towards Valmung, "DATA DRAIN!" He yelled and the bracelet shot out, the spikes curving back like a shield around him.
"Damn it. Another time maybe," Valmung cursed and vanished just before Kite could fire the data drain.
Kite lowered his right arm while sheathing the other dagger, the bracelet vanishing as he turned and walked over to Katsuhiro and the others.
"Are you three ok?" Kite said, more focused on Katsuhiro than anything.
"Yes, we're fine," Jaed said, and Kera nodded slightly.
"Kite, why have you come back? How did you know I was in trouble?" Katsuhiro said, and both Kera and Jaed looked at him strangely.
"I was watching the entire time, I was just invisible. It's a pretty handy trick but it does use a lot of energy," Kite said, not answering the first question.
Katsuhiro stepped forward, "You mean you know who I am as well?" He said and Kite smiled and nodded.
"It's good to see you again, Balmung," Kite said and Kera gasped. Jaed just looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Balmung!? That is impossible! He was banned from this server for killing Lord Orca!" Jaed said, regaining himself.
"Wrong. That man you just saw was the one who killed Orca, and I have proof in this little sphere," Kite said and drew a dark glowing purple sphere from his trench coat pocket.
"What is that?" Kera said, stepping forward to study it.
"It is a Data Sphere. The World's version of a video camera. I recorded not only the conversation and Valmung's confession, but also his hacked character, so CC Corporation and everyone else will have no choice but to believe you are innocent Balmung," Kite replied, and slipped the sphere back into his trench coat pocket.
"How can we believe that this is Balmung though?!" Jaed growled, still slightly suspicious to this man Kite.
Kite smirked a bit, as if waiting for someone to ask that question and replied, "That's the fun part. You either believe it is him or you don't. It's not my problem. However, Balmung, you will have to get your character back if you wish to help me save the World."
"How would I do that?" Katsuhiro said, folding his arms across his chest.
"You and I will have to take on Valmung. If I can Data Drain his infinite hit points then we can destroy him. He carries the Virus Core: Redemption. That will bring you back to your original form," Kite responded, slipping his hands inside his trench coat pockets, and he started pacing back and forth. "However, I must prepare for the upcoming battle. I will contact you via e-mail with instructions. I want you to enjoy yourself in the World as well as in real life, Balmung."
"But I..." Katsuhiro could not finish as Kite vanished as well.
Katsuhiro sighed deeply and turned to his two companions. Kera smiled sympathetically at him, but Jaed just glared.
"If you are Balmung then I will not converse or be near a hacker and a murderer!" Jaed shouted and drew a Sprite Ocarina. "Come on Kera," He said, grabbing her hand, but much to his surprise she pulled away.
"I-I'm going to stay here with Katsuhiro," Kera said timidly, as if she has never stood up to Jaed before.
Jaed looked slightly hurt but his anger won over it and he vanished.
"You didn't have to, you know," Katsuhiro said, wondering why she would stay with him.
Kera simply smiled and walked very close to him, perhaps too close.
"I just wanted to be with you is all. I wanted to talk too," Kera replied and Katsuhiro smiled a little bit.
"Well, let's exit the dungeon at least, we can talk while walking through the forest," Katsuhiro said, and used a Sprite Ocarina.
After a few minutes of uncomfortably walking through the forest in silence, Katsuhiro found a small clearing. It had a tiny crystal clear pond and the grass was greener than any other part of the forest. Beautiful lilacs decorated some parts of the grass and he smiled at its beauty. He walked over and sat down in a patch of grass and Kera joined him.
"So, what is your name in real life?" Kera finally said, curious about who he is.
"Katsuya," Katsuhiro replied and smiled a bit, "And you?" He said after a slight pause.
"Amy Ashkon," She said, and sighed a bit. "I know, Ashkon is a stupid last name."
Katsuhiro shook his head a bit, "Nah. But it sounds American," He said and looked at her.
She simply nodded and replied, "Yes, I live in California with my grandparents. My...father abandoned my mother and I, and she died in a car wreck."
Kera sat very still, looking at the ground as tears started to flow to her eyes. You weren't supposed to be able to cry in the World were you? She didn't know, but she was crying in the real world.
Katsuhiro frowned and he suddenly found himself wrapping an arm around Kera's shoulder.
"It will be ok. I'm sure you're a strong woman," Katsuhiro said, trying to comfort her tears. It pained him to see her this way, but yet he was glad he could touch her. He was glad he could feel her, and be near her.
"Heh, A woman? I'm only seventeen; I'm not considered a woman really..." Kera said, holding back tears as she blushed a bit from Katsuhiro putting his arm around her.
"I'm twenty one, I'm an old geezer," Katsuhiro joked and he loved to see Kera laugh. Being around her made him feel very good. It made him feel happy.
They talked about their interests, school, friends, and other things, minutes becoming hours and it was night before Kera had to leave.
"Thanks for spending time with me Katsuya," Kera said and she suddenly leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips. The kiss only lasted a few seconds and it was mild, but to Katsuya it lasted an eternity.
Kera blushed slightly and said timidly, "W-Well bye."
She then logged off, and Katsuya never loved this game more.
Love is in the air. Ah. Wee wee. Well, all has been revealed. Balmung must help save the World! Both worlds maybe haha! Anyway. Keep reviewing XD!