.HACKEVA
Author's notes:
Well, I have a review for this already, which I guess is a bit of a first! So, I'll write another chapter, and see how it goes down. If enough people like it, I'll make sure I keep writing!
Disclaimer: I don't own NGE or .HACK, unfortunately. If I did, I would be a very rich man. But I'm not, so I don't. I own a left sock that hasn't been washed in a long time, but it's still mine.
CHAPTER TWO: SHADOW
Misato sighed.
Portrayed before her was a scene that was becoming more and more regular. For yet another night, Shinji sat in front of his computer, playing in 'The World'. Ever since the events that happened a year and more ago, he had shrunk back from reality. Several weeks ago, he had found 'The World', an online Role-playing game where each player has complete control over his or her character. Ever since, Shinji had not done anything else, except gong to school, eating and sleeping. Of the three, the latter two he had been neglecting, so he was losing weight.
It was a woman worried about the closest thing to a son she had ever had that walked up behind Shinji, and lightly touched his shoulder.
An alien feeling broke Shadow's concentration, allowing his opponent to strike him with a quick jab. Snarling, he brought his crossbow pistol up and fired a small bolt into the large birdlike creature's face, killing it. As the immediate danger passed, he reverted back into the real world for a moment.
Shinji turned; lifting the virtual reality goggles off his eyes, and rested them on his mop of dark hair. Seeing the cause of his discomfort, he raised his head slightly.
"Yes Misato?"
"I er.." in truth, Misato didn't know herself why she had bothered Shinji. So, she made something up. "I wanted to know if you minded going out for dinner tonight. I know it's your turn to cook tonight, but I'll pay. What do you say?"
"Umm, no thanks, Misato. I think I'll stay here tonight." With that, he turned back around, re-adjusted his goggles, and again played in "the World'.
Misato let her sad expression creep back onto her face, as she turned and walked out of the room.
Glancing around the room for any possible danger, Shadow slowly eased open the door. Confidant that he was safe from any monsters, he stepped into the room and began walking towards the chest in the centre of the room, it's golden opulence gleaming in the low light of the cavernous room.
Tapping its lid with the tip of his sword, the chest creaked open. Inside, Shadow saw with a hint of disappointment, was a Mithril Rod. While an item of high value to a Wavemaster, the arcane wand was next to useless for someone of the warrior classes.
Sighing, he put it away. I can always trade it for something good, he mused. A low-level Wavemaster would give me plenty of gold for this.
"HEY! THAT'S MINE!"
Shadow spun around, surprised. In the doorway stood a redheaded spear-woman, with a black talon tattoo around her left eye. And she did not look happy.
"What do you mean, yours?" he inquired of the obviously irate player. While a gentleman at heart, he nevertheless found it a lot easier to stand up to people in the virtual world.
"I mean, Dummkopf, that that piece of treasure you just picked up is mine. Give it to me!"
The sound of that voice, and more importantly, the words used, sent a chill down Shadow's spine. Could it be Asuka? Nah, can't be.
"Well, I was here first, so I think it's mine." Shadow made a show of slowly sliding another bolt into place. "Got a problem with that?"
The woman warrior smirked, and spun her spear into fighting position.
"Actually, I DO have a problem with that…."
Shadow acted first, spinning around for a quick roundhouse slash with his katana. dodging the attack, the spear-woman counter-attacked, using her weapon like a quarterstaff. Blocking the attack, Shadow jumped back a few meters, and as the other warrior charged in, her spear held level with his stomach, he raised the repeater crossbow-pistol in his right hand and fired at point-blank range.
The wickedly barbed bolt hit her in the face, slightly to the left of centre. The woman stoped dean in her charge, the force of the attack destroying her forward momentum.
As she fell to the ground, Shadow checked her for any useful items, before she turned grey and disappeared. Finding nothing of any value, he got up and walked out of the room.
In the room down the hall from Shinji's, Asuka swore. When I find that asshole, she vowed, I will tear his heart out.
Author's notes: well, how many saw that coming? I'm guessing everyone….meh, it give the story a bit of interest. Due to large amounts of schoolwork, my updating will be sporadic at best, or next to non-existent at the worst. I'll try, though.
And as for my reviews, thank you!
I have more reviews for this story that I have ever had for all of my previous stuff put together!