.Hack: Penance
A .Hack fanfiction by Renfro Calhoun
Disclaimer: Project .Hack and attached characters/concepts do not belong to me. They are used without permission, but with the utmost respect.
Notes: Happens after the end of Outbreak. (Thoughts,) [text,] {email domains}. I would once again like to stress how much I appreciate you folks taking the time to read these monsters, and especially for reviewing them. You are just the best bunch of readers a guy like me could hope for, and don't think for a minute that I don't appreciate your feedback – it's how I get better, after all :)
Okay, so it went up Monday night. At least I got the day right. Yay for progress! Anyway, comments and critique are always appreciated, especially now that I'm throwing in more characters from the games and show. If I write someone out of character, dammit, I wanna hear about it!
This chapter written under the influence of: Unreal OST – All Hallows Sunset
Chapter 6 – In Absentia
-----------------------------
(That's odd... where is it?)
An empty email client stared back at him, the lack of new messages defying the chime he knew he had heard just minutes ago. Doubting his eyes, he opened the mailbox a second time, and the results were the same.
"No mail," Hiroshi whispered. "First the static, now this... there's something going on here."
Sitting in his desk chair, he picked up the headset and visor, still plugged into the back of the computer. He turned the device over in his hands, inspecting the surface for any cracks or flaws, any visible indication that something was wrong.
Finding none, the boy frowned; his suspicions were not easily abated, having been thoroughly tempered by 'The World'. (I know there's something here... I think there is. There has to be.)
Gently, he trailed his fingers along the cord, following it back to the computer. He blindly reached around back, feeling around for the outlet, straining slightly.
(Nothing there, either. Damn.) Hiro withdrew his arm, and brushed off the dust with his other hand. (Maybe it's the wire itself? No, that looks okay... and it's not that old, either.)
Running a hand through his hair, he reclined with a bewildered look on his face. He then almost jumped out of his chair as an idea formed in the back of his head, a disturbingly obvious one that he had somehow overlooked.
He returned to the email client and opened a new message, fingers eagerly dancing across the keyboard.
-
From: Kite {theworld}
To: Support {systemadmin}
Subj: Glitches, character on Sigma server
Recently, there have been rumors of a strange character on Sigma server; I've seen this character myself, and it didn't look like any monster or NPC I've ever seen. It attacked me and escaped, and I believe it's related to my current problems, because it knew my real name.
Earlier this evening there were minor instances of static in my visor; it seemed only visible to me, as no one else in my party was affected. Also, I heard a chime indicating that I had new mail, but none was there.
I would appreciate any help you could offer.
-
She watched her reflection in the water, a head of pink hair rippling and shimmering as it stared back at her. Her body was casually slumped against the railing, arms folded under her chest, propping her up as she stared straight down, into the river below.
All around her, the commotion of the virtual community within Mac Anu; characters in colorful costumes running left and right, a boat passing beneath the bridge upon which she stood, the sun shining merrily in the simulated sky, the chatter of conversation that almost never ceased.
Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled, ruby-colored eyes downcast and tired. (He was online not too long ago... where did he go?)
BlackRose cocked her head towards the Chaos Gate, thinking she had heard a familiar voice, but shrugged it off when she saw its owner – a towering pile of clanking metal, wielding a huge axe; obviously not who she was waiting for.
The swordswoman's body froze as her puppeteer lifted her visor, tearing her away from the sights and sounds of the aqua capital and replacing them with those of her bedroom.
She rubbed her eyes thoroughly, finding herself surrounded on all sides by purple walls, conservatively decorated with a calendar and a single poster of a concert she didn't even remember.
(Come on, Kite... hurry up, will you?) she thought; even in her head, however, her tone was not impatient or demanding. Merely a request.
Locking her fingers together, she pressed her palms outward, stretching her arms and hands, a slight stiffness to her slender digits as muscles pulled and bones bent.
"Excuse me... BlackRose?"
The voice was quiet, soft; barely audible through the earphones of her headset. She pulled the device back over her head, mashing down some of her shoulder-length black hair as she was plunged back into the world.
BlackRose sprang to life, resuming idle motions, among others; she turned to face her speaker, and immediately did her best not to yelp in surprise.
"Ryoko... um, hi," she awkwardly greeted the white-garbed Axewoman, standing up straight in the process.
Though she appeared to keep her cool, the Heavy Blade's mind was going a mile a minute. The two hadn't even been in the same party, much less only in each other's company, since a certain event involving Kite, an event she looked back on with a mix of emotions, not the least of which being unease.
The girls had never held the most cordial of relationships, but they were certainly far from enemies; how it was that Ryoko and she had effectively forced Kite to choose between them was still unclear, even to her. In hindsight, she couldn't help but ponder how selfish the two of them had been, and when they had all regrouped, she knew she wasn't alone in that sentiment.
Whether she could at all recognize and admit to herself how she felt about the Twin Blade, or whether he could do the same was irrelevant at the time; unable to call their relationship anything other than a partnership, she knew that there was something more there, something they had proved to each other time and again.
At least, that's what she wanted to believe.
"Sorry, I was AFK," explained BlackRose. "What's up?"
"Oh, it's nothing," replied the blond-haired girl. "I saw you standing here, and it looked like you were waiting for someone."
(So you just wandered over to say 'hi'?) she thought, and instantly chastised herself. (Relax... it's just a friendly gesture. Hell, it's more than you tried to do.)
"Yeah, I was looking for Kite," she answered. "I saw he was online, but he didn't reply to my mail."
"Oh, Kite!" her face lit up. "He was with me not too long ago."
She might as well have punched BlackRose in the gut, though the pink-haired warrior barely contained her discomfort. "Really," she said flatly.
"Yes, he was helping me upgrade my axe again," said Ryoko.
BlackRose gulped hard, feeling something twist and coil deep in her belly as all thoughts of civility and peace began to fall silent. (So he was with her the whole time... and he didn't even answer my mail?!)
"He didn't say anything about mail," Terajima continued. "But he seemed to be having some problems with his headset."
Restrained hostility was calmed for a moment. "What?" asked BlackRose, looking questioningly at the Axewoman.
"It was something with his visor, I think," she said, "or maybe his computer. He said he was seeing things."
"What kinds of things?"
She paused, her eyes rolling to one side as she thought for a moment. "He didn't say...but I didn't see anything at all. I think he's having some technical problems." Before BlackRose could respond, she added, "Maybe that's why he didn't get your mail?"
The Heavy Blade lowered her gaze to the bridge, swallowing again, this time in shame. (I think she's right. How could I have thought that... Kite isn't that kind of a guy! He wouldn't just ignore me without a reason.)
She felt a slight measure of guilt that she had assumed so much, and yet was relieved that said assumption hadn't left her private thoughts. She took a deep breath, and exhaled, feeling her chest loosen and shoulders relax.
"Did he say when he would be back?" asked BlackRose, meeting Ryoko's eyes for the first time since she had arrived.
"He did say he would be back later, but I don't remember if he said when that would be."
"Hmm," BlackRose grunted, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I kinda have to get up early tomorrow, so I can't wait too much longer. I was hoping to check this one field out before then."
"One field?" Terajima shifted her weight, leaning to her left. "Do you mean Hidden Corrupted Paradise, on this server?"
"Yeah, that's the one. You saw it too?"
She nodded. "Yes, I read the post. It sounded like a special event character, but there haven't been any official notices about it. In fact... this is the first I've heard of it."
BlackRose turned her head left, staring down the central canal which split the city in two. "In an email Kite sent me, he said he encountered a strange character in another field, on Sigma server. I thought this one might be related."
"I see... what happened with this other character?"
"I don't really know," said BlackRose, furrowing her brow, hints of concern in her expression. "But I think there's something funny going on in 'The World.'"
"I think you might be right." Terajima glanced left, then right, as if watching for anyone who might be eavesdropping.
BlackRose might have smiled if she wasn't doing the same. For all their obvious physical – and social – differences, the two girls shared more than a few characteristics, and a sense of caution appeared to be one of them.
A thought popped into her head, and it was out her mouth before she had time to thoroughly contemplate it. "Why don't we just go and check it out ourselves?"
Ryoko blinked, reeling back just slightly, yet in obvious surprise. "Uh," she said softly, quickly regaining her composure. "Well, um... I..."
"I mean, that is... if you're busy, it's not a problem," said BlackRose, equally thrown off by her own suggestion. "It's a low-level field, and I don't plan on sticking around if things become dangerous."
"N-no, that's not it. I mean, yes," Ryoko corrected herself. "I'll go with you, if you don't mind. Perhaps we can find out what this character is."
"My thoughts exactly." Opening her menu, BlackRose sent an invitation to the winged fighter before her, and, with a short bow, Ryoko accepted.
"Thank you," she said in her usual polite manner.
"Don't mention it."
Before either could move a step, Ryoko spoke again. "And... I'm sorry, if I seemed hesitant just now. I... was a little surprised."
Working a half-smile onto her face, BlackRose took the lead, following the bridge off the canal and towards the Chaos Gate. "Me too," she confessed.
-
From: Lios {systemadmin}
To: Kite {theworld}
Subj: Re: Glitches, character on sigma server
Hello again, Kite.
You're not the first to report this character, but you are the first to have problems associated with it. How it knew your name I'm not sure, but if it attacked you, then this is a serious matter indeed. I will personally be examining the sector for anything that looks out of place.
I can say this; it must have access to system information and user accounts, otherwise it would have to know you through some other means. What those might be, I'm hesitant to speculate.
Understand that I am forbidden from disclosing certain information about our systems under ordinary circumstances; however, I will do my best to look into the matter. If nothing else, I believe you are owed that much.
- Lios, System Administrator
- End of Chapter 6
A .Hack fanfiction by Renfro Calhoun
Disclaimer: Project .Hack and attached characters/concepts do not belong to me. They are used without permission, but with the utmost respect.
Notes: Happens after the end of Outbreak. (Thoughts,) [text,] {email domains}. I would once again like to stress how much I appreciate you folks taking the time to read these monsters, and especially for reviewing them. You are just the best bunch of readers a guy like me could hope for, and don't think for a minute that I don't appreciate your feedback – it's how I get better, after all :)
Okay, so it went up Monday night. At least I got the day right. Yay for progress! Anyway, comments and critique are always appreciated, especially now that I'm throwing in more characters from the games and show. If I write someone out of character, dammit, I wanna hear about it!
This chapter written under the influence of: Unreal OST – All Hallows Sunset
Chapter 6 – In Absentia
-----------------------------
(That's odd... where is it?)
An empty email client stared back at him, the lack of new messages defying the chime he knew he had heard just minutes ago. Doubting his eyes, he opened the mailbox a second time, and the results were the same.
"No mail," Hiroshi whispered. "First the static, now this... there's something going on here."
Sitting in his desk chair, he picked up the headset and visor, still plugged into the back of the computer. He turned the device over in his hands, inspecting the surface for any cracks or flaws, any visible indication that something was wrong.
Finding none, the boy frowned; his suspicions were not easily abated, having been thoroughly tempered by 'The World'. (I know there's something here... I think there is. There has to be.)
Gently, he trailed his fingers along the cord, following it back to the computer. He blindly reached around back, feeling around for the outlet, straining slightly.
(Nothing there, either. Damn.) Hiro withdrew his arm, and brushed off the dust with his other hand. (Maybe it's the wire itself? No, that looks okay... and it's not that old, either.)
Running a hand through his hair, he reclined with a bewildered look on his face. He then almost jumped out of his chair as an idea formed in the back of his head, a disturbingly obvious one that he had somehow overlooked.
He returned to the email client and opened a new message, fingers eagerly dancing across the keyboard.
-
From: Kite {theworld}
To: Support {systemadmin}
Subj: Glitches, character on Sigma server
Recently, there have been rumors of a strange character on Sigma server; I've seen this character myself, and it didn't look like any monster or NPC I've ever seen. It attacked me and escaped, and I believe it's related to my current problems, because it knew my real name.
Earlier this evening there were minor instances of static in my visor; it seemed only visible to me, as no one else in my party was affected. Also, I heard a chime indicating that I had new mail, but none was there.
I would appreciate any help you could offer.
-
She watched her reflection in the water, a head of pink hair rippling and shimmering as it stared back at her. Her body was casually slumped against the railing, arms folded under her chest, propping her up as she stared straight down, into the river below.
All around her, the commotion of the virtual community within Mac Anu; characters in colorful costumes running left and right, a boat passing beneath the bridge upon which she stood, the sun shining merrily in the simulated sky, the chatter of conversation that almost never ceased.
Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled, ruby-colored eyes downcast and tired. (He was online not too long ago... where did he go?)
BlackRose cocked her head towards the Chaos Gate, thinking she had heard a familiar voice, but shrugged it off when she saw its owner – a towering pile of clanking metal, wielding a huge axe; obviously not who she was waiting for.
The swordswoman's body froze as her puppeteer lifted her visor, tearing her away from the sights and sounds of the aqua capital and replacing them with those of her bedroom.
She rubbed her eyes thoroughly, finding herself surrounded on all sides by purple walls, conservatively decorated with a calendar and a single poster of a concert she didn't even remember.
(Come on, Kite... hurry up, will you?) she thought; even in her head, however, her tone was not impatient or demanding. Merely a request.
Locking her fingers together, she pressed her palms outward, stretching her arms and hands, a slight stiffness to her slender digits as muscles pulled and bones bent.
"Excuse me... BlackRose?"
The voice was quiet, soft; barely audible through the earphones of her headset. She pulled the device back over her head, mashing down some of her shoulder-length black hair as she was plunged back into the world.
BlackRose sprang to life, resuming idle motions, among others; she turned to face her speaker, and immediately did her best not to yelp in surprise.
"Ryoko... um, hi," she awkwardly greeted the white-garbed Axewoman, standing up straight in the process.
Though she appeared to keep her cool, the Heavy Blade's mind was going a mile a minute. The two hadn't even been in the same party, much less only in each other's company, since a certain event involving Kite, an event she looked back on with a mix of emotions, not the least of which being unease.
The girls had never held the most cordial of relationships, but they were certainly far from enemies; how it was that Ryoko and she had effectively forced Kite to choose between them was still unclear, even to her. In hindsight, she couldn't help but ponder how selfish the two of them had been, and when they had all regrouped, she knew she wasn't alone in that sentiment.
Whether she could at all recognize and admit to herself how she felt about the Twin Blade, or whether he could do the same was irrelevant at the time; unable to call their relationship anything other than a partnership, she knew that there was something more there, something they had proved to each other time and again.
At least, that's what she wanted to believe.
"Sorry, I was AFK," explained BlackRose. "What's up?"
"Oh, it's nothing," replied the blond-haired girl. "I saw you standing here, and it looked like you were waiting for someone."
(So you just wandered over to say 'hi'?) she thought, and instantly chastised herself. (Relax... it's just a friendly gesture. Hell, it's more than you tried to do.)
"Yeah, I was looking for Kite," she answered. "I saw he was online, but he didn't reply to my mail."
"Oh, Kite!" her face lit up. "He was with me not too long ago."
She might as well have punched BlackRose in the gut, though the pink-haired warrior barely contained her discomfort. "Really," she said flatly.
"Yes, he was helping me upgrade my axe again," said Ryoko.
BlackRose gulped hard, feeling something twist and coil deep in her belly as all thoughts of civility and peace began to fall silent. (So he was with her the whole time... and he didn't even answer my mail?!)
"He didn't say anything about mail," Terajima continued. "But he seemed to be having some problems with his headset."
Restrained hostility was calmed for a moment. "What?" asked BlackRose, looking questioningly at the Axewoman.
"It was something with his visor, I think," she said, "or maybe his computer. He said he was seeing things."
"What kinds of things?"
She paused, her eyes rolling to one side as she thought for a moment. "He didn't say...but I didn't see anything at all. I think he's having some technical problems." Before BlackRose could respond, she added, "Maybe that's why he didn't get your mail?"
The Heavy Blade lowered her gaze to the bridge, swallowing again, this time in shame. (I think she's right. How could I have thought that... Kite isn't that kind of a guy! He wouldn't just ignore me without a reason.)
She felt a slight measure of guilt that she had assumed so much, and yet was relieved that said assumption hadn't left her private thoughts. She took a deep breath, and exhaled, feeling her chest loosen and shoulders relax.
"Did he say when he would be back?" asked BlackRose, meeting Ryoko's eyes for the first time since she had arrived.
"He did say he would be back later, but I don't remember if he said when that would be."
"Hmm," BlackRose grunted, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I kinda have to get up early tomorrow, so I can't wait too much longer. I was hoping to check this one field out before then."
"One field?" Terajima shifted her weight, leaning to her left. "Do you mean Hidden Corrupted Paradise, on this server?"
"Yeah, that's the one. You saw it too?"
She nodded. "Yes, I read the post. It sounded like a special event character, but there haven't been any official notices about it. In fact... this is the first I've heard of it."
BlackRose turned her head left, staring down the central canal which split the city in two. "In an email Kite sent me, he said he encountered a strange character in another field, on Sigma server. I thought this one might be related."
"I see... what happened with this other character?"
"I don't really know," said BlackRose, furrowing her brow, hints of concern in her expression. "But I think there's something funny going on in 'The World.'"
"I think you might be right." Terajima glanced left, then right, as if watching for anyone who might be eavesdropping.
BlackRose might have smiled if she wasn't doing the same. For all their obvious physical – and social – differences, the two girls shared more than a few characteristics, and a sense of caution appeared to be one of them.
A thought popped into her head, and it was out her mouth before she had time to thoroughly contemplate it. "Why don't we just go and check it out ourselves?"
Ryoko blinked, reeling back just slightly, yet in obvious surprise. "Uh," she said softly, quickly regaining her composure. "Well, um... I..."
"I mean, that is... if you're busy, it's not a problem," said BlackRose, equally thrown off by her own suggestion. "It's a low-level field, and I don't plan on sticking around if things become dangerous."
"N-no, that's not it. I mean, yes," Ryoko corrected herself. "I'll go with you, if you don't mind. Perhaps we can find out what this character is."
"My thoughts exactly." Opening her menu, BlackRose sent an invitation to the winged fighter before her, and, with a short bow, Ryoko accepted.
"Thank you," she said in her usual polite manner.
"Don't mention it."
Before either could move a step, Ryoko spoke again. "And... I'm sorry, if I seemed hesitant just now. I... was a little surprised."
Working a half-smile onto her face, BlackRose took the lead, following the bridge off the canal and towards the Chaos Gate. "Me too," she confessed.
-
From: Lios {systemadmin}
To: Kite {theworld}
Subj: Re: Glitches, character on sigma server
Hello again, Kite.
You're not the first to report this character, but you are the first to have problems associated with it. How it knew your name I'm not sure, but if it attacked you, then this is a serious matter indeed. I will personally be examining the sector for anything that looks out of place.
I can say this; it must have access to system information and user accounts, otherwise it would have to know you through some other means. What those might be, I'm hesitant to speculate.
Understand that I am forbidden from disclosing certain information about our systems under ordinary circumstances; however, I will do my best to look into the matter. If nothing else, I believe you are owed that much.
- Lios, System Administrator
- End of Chapter 6