Floor 5 - Boss - Fuscus the Vacant Colossus
January 28th, 2022 - Floor 5 Labyrinth - about an hour later.
About an hour had passed since the group had entered the labyrinth, and the group were nearing the boss room. Diavel must've put some serious effort into levelling up, as the knight was clearing mobs on his own, without missing so much as a beat, whilst everyone else were relying on teamwork to help lighten the workload...
''The mobs in this labyrinth don't cause you any trouble at all, huh? Glad you're as sharp as ever, Diavel.''
''Kirito, listen. I'm sorry about before. You had to suffer alone, being labelled a Beater, and now here I am, returning to my previous position, as if nothing had ever happened. You must think I'm selfish.''
''And? Like what, what do you want me to say? You want me to cuss you out, or force you to clear my name? I'm not going to do any of that, it's not like it'd do anything, anyway...'' - Diavel remained silent, as Kirito carried on - ''Besides, it's better if you get your hands on the Guild Flag, and create a massive clearing group. Far more productive that way.''
''Kirito...''
''And, well, if that's not enough then, uh... oh, in return for the Guild Flag, you can instead not complain to Kibaou if I pick up the SSR boss reward. What do you say?''
''You've got a deal.''
''Huh, I was kind of kidding...''
''I won't put anything else on you though. You all gave me another chance, so I'm going to do my best, and continue as a proud knight. Besides, can't let Jet become the better knight, can I? Still though, I have to ask myself, do I have it in me to lead? Truthfully though, I still have my doubts, because I know now that those who wish to play hero aren't cut out to become leaders. I'm sure you all understand.''
''Just being aware of that makes you a good leader, in my eyes anyway. I mean, sure, a leader with no doubts is good sometimes, but people like that never realise when they're wrong.''
''Whenever people gather, egos clash, and infighting begins. A capable leader should know how to calm things down when that happens. Thinking about your goals will come back to bite you. It's okay to worry though, I know you'll discover the right answer though''
''I mean, I've only heard rumours, but Mister Knight over here seems pretty cut out for the job. You chose right to return. You came, because you couldn't turn your back on us. Same goes for you too, Kirito.''
''Yeah. As things stand currently, I really feel like I'm the only one suited to unite the players under the Guild Flag. But still, what if... No. Let's just focus on the flag. I'm counting on you guys.''
''You got it.''
''Hell yeah!''
A short distance behind the leader's debate, Asuna and Koharu were chatting away, discussing the past few days, and what was going on in front of them...
''I wonder if they're done talking now? We can head off already, right?''
''I think Diavel's worried about Kirito for some time.''
''Kirito's too nice for his own good. He has every right to be mad at Diavel, even if he plays it off like it's nothing, and that he had no choice. But... that's exactly why I can't really leave him on his own, either. Anyway! Let's get a move on, everyone else will be arriving soon!''
Approaching the main chamber, the groups began to reform, and one by one, each group arrived.
''Well, that should be everyone. Liten, Jet, Agil and I will act as tanks. We shall split into two groups. One to attack the boss, and one to attack any minions it spawns. Within each group of five, there will be two tanks. Given Liten already has experience fighting alongside you four, she will work with Jet, Koharu, Kirito and Asuna. The rest will work with me to handle the minions. Despite this, we cannot promise that there won't be some stragglers from both groups, so I ask all of you, please be careful, and do not stick your necks out... is everyone ready?''
''As we'll ever be...'' - And with that, the group opened the door...
The group entered into the Boss Room, and looked around in confusion. Normally, the boss would be waiting for them, in all its horrific glory... today though? The room was empty, bar some pillars, and some strange channels running along the ground towards some form of pentagram in the middle of the room...
''Strange. You think it's glitched or something?'' - Everyone scanned the room, but still no sign of their adversary... though the channels had begun to glow a neon green, and provided an ominous light source for the room. Jet, Kirito and Koharu all came to the same conclusion pretty quickly, but Jet was the first to speak up - ''Argo? You said the boss was a Golem, made of 'living stone', right?''
''Why'd ya... oh hell.'' - Argo came to the same realisation too, and looked down, as a green light bathed the area around her...
A wailing noise, a depraved monstrous laugh filled the room, as the lights switched on around every person there, before selecting Jet, who realised exactly what they were... a targeting reticule for the boss. ''Everyone, when the floor lights up around you, yell. You'll be the boss's main target, so we'll need to draw aggro off you, else...'' - The aftermath didn't need to be said aloud. ''Everyone ready?''
''No, but-'' - Strea's remark was cut off as the girl jumped out of the way, a fist smashing through the stone floor, and sending a shockwave into the room, whilst Strea pulled herself together. A second fist punched up, forcing Jet to take evasive action, whilst a stone head pulled itself out of the wall, like a brick being pushed out from the other side of a wall. The oversized jaw, with that big an overbite that the inside of it's mouth was visible at certain angles, and the tiny eyes, hidden behind stone, made the creature look quite ridiculous... but it's attacking potential definitely wasn't such a laughing matter, the creature's roar pulling at least ten Rusty Golems out from the metal making up the floor...
''As we planned!'' - Diavel's group charged in to attack the smaller Golems, whilst Kirito's group took on the big one. Every single attack they attempted would be countered as either a fist, or a Golem got in the path of the attacks, whilst the fist would regularly try to counter attack, with Jet and Liten acting as tanks, defending against it's attacks, which were all aimed towards them, given they were the most obvious priority, and allowing Kirito, Asuna and Koharu to focus their efforts on hitting the boss's head.
''Two bars down! Two more to go!'' - Kirito shouted, as he continued to evade the Colossus's brute force attacks, now becoming the target, whilst a mace bludgeoned another Rusty Golem behind him. The plan was working reasonably well, and would continue... until the light show targeted Strea, who was less than pleased at the sudden attention she was now receiving. A hammer attack slammed down next to her, stunning her momentarily, and forcing Klein to race to her defence, stabbing his spear into the Colossus's fist, forcing it to change targets for it's own safety. The redheaded samurai was able to evade, spotting the tells of an incoming whirlwind attack...
''Whenever it does that, there's about a metre under the attack. I reckon that's a safe area, and should keep us out of it's wake. That wake's powerful though, it might even be enough to... kerching! Idea time... If I get this wrong though... well... I'd better be right then!'' - Jet thought, his Hope ending the existence of another Golem that had changed towards targeting Koharu, as he did. They needed an ace in the hole, especially as those Golems weren't thinning out anywhere near as fast as they had been, and Fuscus was evidently learning...
Jet decided then and there, to put his plan into action, running out towards the crowd of Golems, and corralling them as best he could, before trying to get the boss's attention - ''Oi, chrome dome! Your mother had such a massive crack, a prostitute woulda blushed!'' - Quite why he chose to do it that way would remain a mystery to even him, but it worked, as the light soaked him, and he stood ready, the giant fist descending into position, as he hoped.
''What the hell's he doin?!'' - Argo shouted, ready to leap in to help, but she was interrupted by Diavel...
''You clever... everyone, get down!'' - Diavel yelled, as everyone but Jet dropped to the floor. If he was right, the lights on the floor would become slightly brighter around the radius of the attack, meaning he'd be able to get into the centre, as the fist began to rotate. When it did, it momentarily headed around 45 degrees to the opposite direction, before heading back the 225 degrees to it's target, building up momentum in the spin. As it did, Jet figured he'd have around a second to get down, which would hopefully be enough time that the Colossus couldn't cancel it's attack... or that was the plan at least. Desperate times call for desperate measures, he thought...
The plan was in action, and the fist began the counter movement... before rotating back into the spin... now! - Jet dropped to the floor, the fist slamming into four particularly unlucky Golems, obliterating them instantly, whilst the remaining six were pulled into the wake, and redistributed across the battlefield, the majority not surviving the redistribution, failing as they hit the ground, leaving just two. Two, badly damaged Golems at that. Needless to say, they didn't last long.
Jet chuckled slightly as he picked himself up, and returned to his position as tank. ''Knew I could do it.''
Fuscus, on the other hand, had evidently had quite enough of the group attacking it, and called upon it's true form to turn the tide. An entire body began to form from the room, and by god, was the creature deserving of the name 'Colossus'. Standing 12 feet tall, the footsteps it took generated shockwaves underneath them...
Strea looked at the creature in horror, as she finally understood the name... ''Bloody hell! That thing's huge!'' - She shouted out.
''It's called a Colossus, Strea... what were you expecting... a hamster?'' - A particularly annoying trait her brother suffered from was his tendency to resort to sarcasm in high stress situations. Like now.
''Oh shut it, smart arse. Didn't think it'd be that big though!'' - The group charged the creature, unleashing every attack they could muster on the Colossus, and reducing 50% of it's remaining health, leaving it with only one health bar, which began to flash red.
Now critically damaged, the Vacant Colossus took a new method for dealing with the group - targeting the leader, and hoping the group would fall into disarray...
The jaw of the beast lowered, whilst the light bathed the beast instead... if that was a power source then... ''Uh oh'' - ''Diavel! Get out of there, now!'' - Jet shouted, as a glow began to illuminate the inside of Fuscus's jaw. ''For Aincra-'' - A light covered Diavel, as a screeching noise and blinding light tore through the room, leaving just a charred mark on ground, much to the shock of the group.
''He's not... is he?'' - Right now, their priority was to kill the Colossus. Checking if Diavel made it out safely came second...
''We've got to kill that plant pot, right?'' - Jet asked.
''Definitely. Strea? Make an opening.'' - Asuna took charge of the group,
''With pleasure!'' - Strea slammed her blade down towards the beast, activating a Sword Skill known as Trench, destroying the Colossus's right foot, and forcing it to the floor, as it attempted to rebuild it. They'd have precious moments to do this, so timing would be key here.
''You four? Keep it busy! Jet, Koharu, with us!''
''This is for Diavel, you oversized lawn ornament!'' - Jet, as the fastest, and most resilient, took point, unleashing a Sword Skill called Terminus, a 4 hit combo - an upward swing, into a right to left diagonal, and back into a left to right diagonal, finishing in the centre. All four strikes hit home, and whittled away at the HP, whilst the other four's distraction allowed Koharu to rush in, using her own skill, and timing, to unleash a 4 hit skill, Coiled Strikes, which formed a square of strikes around the target, her strike bringing the Colossus down to less than 10% of it's HP remaining...
The final strikes of the battle went to Kirito and Asuna jointly, who'd used the opportunity to race up the Colossus's arms, and unleash their own skills onto the head of the beast... wiping out it's HP, and ending the battle, as both dropped back to the ground, alongside the destroyed boss.
Polygons exploded from the wreckage of the Colossus, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, every member of the group could breathe a little more easily... all except one, that was. ''Diavel, did he...'' - Koharu looked towards Jet, who checked his friends list, to see Diavel still there, and a message from the absent knight, assuring them that he was safe, and by chance, had teleported back into the Assault Team, who were currently in the labyrinth. Jet could just picture the look of shock on Kibaou and Lind's faces at that moment, and chuckled to himself.
''He's alive, and he's bringing the cavalry with him by the sounds of it...'' - Koharu lunged forward, attack hugging Jet, who was all to happy to return the favour. As he did though, the resident adult of the group, Agil, flanked by Kirito and Klein came up to the couple... ''That stunt you pulled earlier...''
''Yeah, yeah, I know. Reckless, dangerous, could've gotten me killed, I'm going to hear them all from Koharu at some point later...'' - The girl in question broke away from the hug, and just nodded in agreement at the sentiment, as she walked over to the girls who were still recovering.
''It was, but that was one hell of a move...'' - If even Agil had been more impressed by it, than worried for his safety, he'd clearly pulled off something impressive. Kirito decided he'd take the moment to use Jet's own words against him - ''And you said you aren't a gamer! That's a plan that could only have come from the mind of a gamer...''
''I'm not - just a little smarter than I look sometimes.'' - Jet looked slightly flustered under the attention, rubbing behind his ear.
''That was badass, Knight-boy! Felt like summat out of an action movie!'' - Argo decided to join the adoring crowd Jet was building up, much to his chagrin.
''Heh, nothing really. Just a calculated decision.''
''I dunno, that was amazin'! Ya had to have done all those timings in ya head, so don't sell ya self short! Else I'll charge ya extra, capisce?'' - Jet nodded furiously.
As Koharu joined the girls, they'd all recovered enough to start having their own conversations...
''Boys... they really are reckless, aren't they?'' - Asuna rolled her eyes at the opposite gender, and Argo, whilst the remainder of the girls burst into laughter. ''Still, I can't believe we actually did that... not to mention that we didn't lose anyone.''
''Amen to that. Much as I'm loathe to admit it, they did help us all back there. Might as well let them have their moment... it's not like we get to do this often, anyway.''
''I suppose you're right, but still, we can't let them hog all of the limelight, can we?''
''Ask Jet, he'll happily let you take it. I remember when my sister turned a camera on him once... never seen anyone quite so anxious before or since, and I went to Afghanistan...''
''He seems happy enough with it currently...'' - Asuna pointed over towards the other group, where Jet was now being held aloft by them, as he mouthed something. Little did she realise he was mouthing to Koharu, and asking for her help in getting out of this mess...
''Maybe he's changing a bit. Would do him the world of good anyway, and it's not like he's the only one...''
''Hm?''
''Koharu, you seem a lot more confident in battle now... I couldn't say I noticed you hesitate even once!''
''I... heh, yeah, I think I'm getting better now. I'd like to say it's all my own work, but I had a good teacher.''
''A good teacher only gets you so far, Koharu. I could go ask him now, and I bet he'll sing your praises too.'' - They all ignored the sight of Jet being thrown aloft by the guys, and Argo, who could barely reach the now airworthy Jet... ''Oh! That reminds me! I was gonna do something for New Years, and I was thinking, we could make it a group thing. Be nice to have a chance to let our hair down, right?''
''It'd be nice to have a break from all of this...'' - Asuna considered it, and how she'd be able to lure Kirito into attending a party. She'd need some extra thought on that one.
''I'd love to, but we're hosting a party for the ALS and DKB. Something to build bridges between the two guilds, you know?''
''That boyfriend of yours must be one lucky lad. Cute as a button, one hell of a fighter, and a good person...'' - Liten flushed under the praise from Strea. Luckily for her, the older girl's teasing was cut off by the other group rejoining the fray.
''Something I've just thought, right?''
''Yeah?''
''Liten's a member of ALS, right? How do we explain why she's here with us, when the porcupine turns up?''
''That's... oh. Uhh...''
''We already know about Liten joinin' you lot. Though, not that she's a gal.''
''Heh, the cat's out of the bag now...''
Some explanations about Liten later, and the group had been joined by a rather annoyed looking Assault Team, and a rather ecstatic looking Diavel, who'd thankfully explained what had happened. That being said, Jet really wished he'd seen the look on whoever's face when Diavel randomly materialised right next to them. That would've been priceless...
''So, which of you has the Guild Flag?''
''That would be... uhh, either Kirito or Asuna.''
''That-'' - Kirito materialised the spear, and handed it to Diavel, who held it aloft - ''would be yours.''
''Thank you, Kirito. Okay, I believe you may all be wondering some things...'' - Diavel explained everything to the gathered Assault Team, in order to set the record straight, and explain the Guild Flag to them. To say they weren't happy would've been an understatement...
''However, I would like to propose a plan. In order to maintain the balance of power, a third guild will be created - the Heroes of Aincrad. To anyone who helped in the boss battle, you are automatically invited. To everyone else, we will be accepting applications once the guild has been formed.'' - Most of the group thought back to what Diavel had said before the battle - ''I'm not planning to make a new guild'' - He'd said... if he couldn't be trusted not to renege on that, what else wasn't he telling them. That thought passed through each of them, until it was Asuna who made the shared concerns known.
''Won't that just throw off the balance of power even further? I can understand the idea of having a third group to cancel out the imbalance of one or the other, but... this group, the 'Heroes of Aincrad' as you put it? Won't having a group of the strongest players provide you with a greater power than either guild...''
''Of course it will, because I'm betting that's the reason he came back, Asuna. What I said earlier, about the spear, was true, you even agreed. You didn't come back to help diffuse the tensions, did you? You saw an opportunity to grab power back, and you took it.''
''That seems a bit out there, though...''
''It does, yeah. But something he said in the labyrinth makes me think I'm on the right line - ' I really feel like I'm the only one suited to unite the players under the Guild Flag', wasn't it?'' - Both Kibaou and Lind looked towards the knight, the man they'd both followed, and put on a pedestal, and yet now? He was looking down on them as failures. Both looked beyond livid, and everyone could see that...
''Strea, you've made your point.''
''Have I? This man used us all to further himself, and possibly disrupt everything... and you just want to sit back and do nothing?!'' - She snapped back to her brother.
''No, but this isn't the time!'' - Jet continued to try to play peacekeeper, despite being on the losing side...
''Then when is!'' - She retorted. Jet thought to himself, and realised just how wrong he'd been about Diavel. Back on the first floor, he'd hoped that a charismatic leader would help them clear the game, and even on the fifth floor, he'd still seen the positives that Diavel possessed. He'd just not bothered to look deep enough to notice the negatives, and now those negatives were becoming quite obvious. But still, despite all of this... was he really any worse than Kibaou and Lind? It wasn't like either would be handing over their power there and then, and maybe the Heroes of Aincrad would prove to be something far bigger than their leader. He looked towards Koharu, who was looking away as she wrestled with the same issue. Strea carried on, his silence proving her point in her eyes - ''Unbelievable. You're still the same pathetic little boy who was too afraid to rock the boat. Well, newsflash, little brother! If you keep letting shady bastards like him play you...'' - Koharu looked around the room, as various eyes focused on the purple clad girl, whilst Jet began to shake, his breathing becoming erratic as his fist clenched. Jet made his decision, and put the fragments of his hastily formulated plan into action...
''Diavel, say your piece already please.''
''As I was going to say, rather than outright stealing members away from other guilds, I propose a conference between all of the guilds, to hash out the details of the new guild, and the arrangements for the Guild Flag. If each guild sends representatives, we could finally create a united front! For that reason, I'm requesting that some currently independent players act as mediators - so, Asuna, Jet, if everyone agrees, would you agree too?''
''Come again?'' - Well, that hadn't been part of the plan.
''Wait, why us two specifically?''
''Asuna, you are a fearsome presence, and a competent negotiator. Jet, every negotiator needs a secretary.'' - Strea fought back the urge to laugh, whilst Jet looked on slightly indignant at the suggestion.
''Rather us than anyone else, I suppose.''
''Excellent!''
A fuming Strea stood off to one corner, as she ranted on at Klein, who caught barely a tenth of what she was saying - not aided by her constantly swapping between Japanese and English, sometimes mid-sentence. She looked back over to the ongoing selection of representatives, and hoped her brother knew what he was doing... ''wait, what am I saying, it's Michael... we're doomed.'' - she thought, the images of various projects coming flooding back to her, as her brother and Koharu walked over to them...
''I guess I should explain, right? I wasn't being silent out of-''
''You cunning... you knew that whole third guild would go nowhere!'' - Strea had worked out her brother's plan, but his reasons? Those were a mystery to even her. Unlike home, Jet was far more open with his actions, and far more willing to confront a problem, but that didn't mean he wore his motivations on his sleeve all of the time. Right now, he concealed them behind a vastly improved poker face.
''You give me far too much credit there. I just needed to make sure it didn't go anywhere yet, not whilst there was a chance of an all out fight. At least negotiations are hopefully going to be less tense than an actual stand off...''
''Oh, you sweet naïve child...'' - Strea groaned into her hands at her brother's... simple views on the world sometimes.
''Don't patronise me, Strea.''
''Aww, it's fun though... but seriously? Be careful when you're there. I know what these types of things are like. Try not to do anything stupid, okay?'' - Unusually, she showed genuine concern for her brother.
''Yeah, yeah, I know. Same goes to you. Klein, make sure she doesn't get herself, or any of you killed, will you?'' - Jet pointed to Klein, and started smirking. Strea looked mortified, and began spluttering. This wasn't fair! She was the older sibling, dammit! It was her job to tease her brother over his relationship... not the other way round!
''On my honour.'' - Klein bowed to Jet, as he left, living up to his aim as a samurai wannabe. Jet just blinked repeatedly, as the couple left.
''Koharu, if I'm down there, what do you want to do?''
''I'll stay with you guys. No point trying to solo things, not yet anyway. Besides, you'll need someone to protect you from Asuna's wrath, won't you?'' - Koharu winked towards her boyfriend, clearly enjoying the schadenfreude in the situation. - ''Don't worry about what I'll do during the talks, I'll find something to do.''
''Still, the conference doesn't start till tomorrow... which means we've got the rest of the afternoon to ourselves. Koharu, do you want to go on that date I promised you?'' - Jet offered her his hand, with a much less cheesy smile than he'd had since teasing Strea.
''Such a gentleman, how could I not accept?'' - Koharu accepted, and the couple went off for their date...
{Author's Comments}
I took a slightly different style for the fight scenes in this chapter, so any feedback on it would be appreciated! Other than that, I've not really got much on this chapter, other than this is the point where divergences from both canon and Integral Factor will start to become more common.
Anyway, as normal - favourite, follow, PM or review if you liked it. Feedback is always welcome.
Signing off,
Midland 2541