Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except my OC and their story. Everything related with with SAO belongs to Reki Kawahara.
Boss room's dark interior lightened up after assault team got in.
Normally a floor boss raid would consist of all kinds of people with KoB, SoM and DDA contributing most of the people. However, this time, considering the boss' challenging nature only the strongest players be it solo or from guild had joined the raiding party. With this SoM had the lead with fourteen players while DDA and KoB brought around ten people each. Remaining sixteen people were mostly other guilds' leaders or solo players.
Ilsamor took his position beside the tanks. While he wasn't carrying a shield, he was considered as a master at parrying enemy attacks be it boss or player. Near him Nautilus was standing with his shield and sword. Ilsamor was definitely proud to see his development over the weeks since he had beaten his fear.
"Sensei, I am glad to stand with you again."
"You should stop saying that before every boss battle Nautilus, but I am glad to stand with you too."
"Well, it is my luck charm so…"
Ilsamor smiled to boy then gave his attention to floor boss who was slowly awakening from its slumber.
And finally with a shout its skin gained a bronze color and its red eyes opened while the door behind them closed.
Then boss opened its hands only to six golden scimitars to appear. He raised them like forming a stairway…
"Okay it is making that tornado move. It will take three seconds and it will move through the door, move back and try to avoid it! Then turn it back to the new floor's door."
As he finished his sentence Buddha began to turn and tanks retreated towards to door. As his attack finished, three mace users used their stuns on them to take its guard down while rest of the attackers gathered around it.
"Now you all know what to do!"
Tanks quicky distributed around the dps teams, each protecting one from giant's huge scimitars. Ilsamor met up with Kirito who had partied with Asemi, Rider and two other Champions.
He smiled to Ilsamor after finishing a Vertical Square. "Having fun Blade?"
Ilsamor parried an attack that was coming towards to group. "Well, not bad for now. How are you holding up?"
Kirito looked to giant and saw its massive form slightly leaned backwards "We got an opening! What do you say?" Ilsamor smiled and nodded.
They had three seconds, and one weak point. They began a combo that Ilsamor called "Dance of Onyx and Silver." Kirito made the opening with two-hit sword skill Snakebite, then Ilsamor took advantage with Savage Fulcrum and combined it with two-hit sword skill Horizontal Arc, then Kirito finished combo with Vorpal Strike.
Their flawless combo with attack on weak spot took a large chunk of boss' health and encouraged raid party. Heathcliff shouted "First stage is almost ended! Don't falter!"
With a war cry assault team used their highest hitting sword skills and managed to pass boss' second stage. When boss closed its body to change metal of its skin Ilsamor shouted "Swap weapon and shield!"
Assault team did as ordered and changed their first backups to prevent a midway destruction of their weapons. Then boss shouted while changed its color. Now it was steel.
It's scimitars glowed with a dark energy.
"Okay it is unleashing it's a flurry of blows! Try to stand back and avoid it much as possible!"
As he finished his sentence boss released its attack on a straight line again. Some barely managed to avoid its attack. Ilsamor shouted "Katana and scimitar users try to strike joints with ignore defense skills! Rest continue what you are doing!"
Several confirmations were heard, and battle raged on. Ilsamor approached Asemi "Well, can I have this dance?"
"You don't even need to ask Senpai!"
This time Ilsamor and Asemi began another combo they called "Light of Night" This combo had a very precise timing as Ilsamor must hit some combos just when Asemi using Shinonome. He was mainly using two one-hit sword skills and one Sharp Nail while Asemi was doing her best to unleash hell. Attack on the back of its right knee caused it to buckle up which only gave assault team more weak points to hit.
Creature began to tremble again.
And this was where things started to get wrong.
Someone from back shouted "Hit it while it is weak! We must give maximum damage before its skin gets harder!"
However, to Ilsamor something wasn't right.
What was he missing? What did he miss while he tried to synchronize his attacks with his allies? What did he forgot while he was concentrating on attack?
A memory suddenly flashed on his head.
While he was testing boss, every time it changed skin it had first put his hands to its shoulders. This was the pattern.
Then why giant was holding its head right now? It suddenly hit him.
"SONIC ATTACK! CLOSE YOUR-"
Before he finished his sentence creature stood up and let out a roar. Some of the assault team was experienced enough to understand the meaning of "Sonic Attack" and they had closed their ears as soon as Ilsamor shouted it. But rest wasn't that lucky.
About twelve people took the attack.
Stun for three second… That was their punishment. But then…
"No!"
Boss made it tornado attack once more and carved itself a pathway between the bodies of their stunned comrades.
Between that twelve players only two tanks managed to survive the onslaught.
Ilsamor stood frozen. How could he let something like that happen? Why did something like that happened?
He felt his mind was going hazy. A darkness was dwelling up on his mind…
"Boss!"
"Why…" he thought. "I thought I was stronger than this… Why am I falling?"
"Boss can you hear me?!"
He knew that he couldn't let go now but something back of his mind was pulling his strength, weighing him down. It was like an anchor, preventing him to fly...
"Why can't I fly? It's like I have forgotten how to flap my wings…"
"Because you have forgotten your mission my Champion…"
Ilsamor was shocked once more. He hadn't heard that voice for almost seven months. But before he questioned it further boss spawned mobs to deal with assault team while its skin change began.
This was the last stage with hardest metal known in existence, Tungsten.
Assault team moved to confront mobs.
"What did I forget?"
"Your mission… You, Ilsamor, were not forged to be a blade yet. You are still a shield, not meant to attack but protect the blades that will attack."
"But I… I was relieved from duty! I am no longer…"
While he was in an inner debate war was still raging on. Rider shouted "Boss! We need you, what are you doing?!"
"I told you before, did I not? Your qualifications granted you this mission, not the mission granted you all that power, something you have proven in last five months."
"Even then it is-"
"What, too late? Ilsamor, if you don't stand up right now, you will never become what you once wanted to become with all your heart. Without you they will surely lose. You are their shield, covering them from damage, giving them opening for attacks. And especially for the sake of that ten lost souls you must. What will they gain if you succumb to despair? Is that a punishment? Pulling yourself in a dark corner and not standing up is a punishment for failure? No, it isn't."
He saw himself clearly. He was tied to ground with thousands of thing strings. Where did they come from? He tired to move his legs but to no avail…
"My Lady…"
"Now Ilsamor, my first and most powerful champion, I have no leash on you as they call it, but if being in my service ever meant something to you then it is my order… You know what to do."
He knew... He knew but…
He snarled in his mind and shouted in his head "I DIDN'T COME ALL THIS WAY TO BE STOPPED BY SOME IDIOT STRINGS!"
He raised his right arm and as he did that strings cut his arm. While howling in pain he gave a last push and managed to save his arm. New strings were coming to get him while old ones were turning into dust.
He needed a weapon, with this though he reached out with his right hand to darkness of his mind.
His hand managed touch a hilt.
As he grabbed it sword lit up as if made from pure light.
Wait, can light illuminate the darkness of mind? No, it had to be something else…
Of course… It was hope. A sword made from hope he was wielding. He swung it towards the strings as he managed to get up "GET AWAY FROM MY MIND!"
He raised his sword and light became stronger and it took a tone of golden yellow. His mind worked on his own on skill's name as he struck his sword to darkness.
"STAR STRIKE!"
Sword's power increased as it absorbed by the hopes and dreams of Ilsamor, and with a mighty strike his vision went white.
He blinked as his consciousness back to his body.
There was no time to lose. He raised his head and wiped tears from his face. With a quick hand motion, he swapped Heaven's Grace to his hand and looked to Kirito. As their gazes meet Kirito come near him. Soon Asemi joined them too.
"So, what is the plan? They are keep coming, another charge and we are finished!"
Ilsamor began to walk forward "Then we will finish it before it charges!" They dashed and passed mobs by leaping over them.
"Hey, what do you think you are doing?!"
Ilsamor looked to owner of voice and slightly smiled "Asuna-san, right on time. I need your help to finish the boss while rest of the team is busy with mobs."
Asuna opened her mouth probably to argue but changed her idea when she realized they had no time for it. Ilsamor pointed the boss "Right now its skin is Tungsten, hardest metal on earth. In my fight I have located three weak points, right corner of right leg joint, one meter under the left chest and its eye. I will give you three openings and you will attack each of them by order. Asuna-san first for leg, Asemi second for chest and Kirito last for the eye."
"Why I am the last?"
"I told you, I owe you a sword. Okay here I go." With this he started to run towards to boss. Asuna asked Asemi "How will he deflect such heavy blows?"
Boss prepared its first strike and Ilsamor took position for Horizontal. "ENHANCE ARMAMENT!"
Room was filled with bright blue light and a deafening clash was heard. As boss stumbled Ilsamor shouted "Asuna now!"
Taking the signal Asuna ran like wind and with a pinpoint accuracy she made a combo consisting of Shooting Star, Star Splash and Flashing Lance. A huge chunk of its health dropped.
Boss moved while she was still in cooldown, yet Ilsamor was ready. This time he prepared Slant to counter its hit.
"ENHANCE ARMAMANENT!"
Players were engulfed by the orange light as they watched the spectacle before them. Boss stumbled backwards once again and without needing his signal Asemi leaped to her target combining Rasetsu, Maiden of Sacred Flame and Sanka. Her katana was engulfed by white flames and boss lost even more of its health.
For the last part Ilsamor took position for Sonic Leap.
"ENHANCE ARMAMENT!"
As room was filled with green light Kirito saw something. It was like a mirage image on Ilsamor, like his will was pouring out. It had to be.
Because…
"Kirito!"
Understanding the signal, Kirito began his dash and jumped just when Ilsamor hit boss' blades in midair. Reaching out to Kirito, Ilsamor pulled his friend and threw him towards Buddha's face.
Kirito activated Vertical Square in midair, coupled it with Meteor Fall and of course his signature skill Vorpal Strike.
Creature's visage trembled and with a large shattering sound it is dissolved in pixels. Ilsamor and Asemi managed to catch Kirito before he hit the ground as a congratulations window opened before assault team.
They had managed to defeat 50th floor boss.
Ilsamor was kneeling in front of the place ten players gave their lives while whole assault team was slowly gathering around him.
Kirito knelt beside him. "It wasn't your fault as once you had told me Ilsamor."
Ilsamor gave a bitter smile. "It was Kirito. They were counting on me to warn them. It was my mission to warn them." He closed his eyes as he bowed his head. "I will not fall into despair. I will carry on and achieve their purpose they gave their lives for. I hope they can forgive me." He stood up and first swapped his sword as after three Enhance Armament it was on the brink of destruction. He looked to Heathcliff "Anyone remember their names?"
No one answered and few just shook their heads. Ilsamor nodded "Okay. Then you may go back to your HQs. I will open the next floor's teleporter."
Heathcliff nodded and ordered KoB knights to pull back. Soon DDA followed him, and Rider led the Champions out of boss room.
Soon only Ilsamor, Asemi and Kirito were remained inside. Ilsamor turned towards to Kirito and saw the hilt of a black blade on his back. A small smile formed on his lips "I see I have paid my debt. What is its name?"
Kirito nodded "Yeah. It is Elucidator, and as far as I can see it is hell of a sword. Thanks for that."
"You are welcome. Let's open that town."
Then trio started to walk. When they were climbing the stairs Asemi looked to Ilsamor "Senpai, there is something I wanted to ask. What happened to you in the middle of the fight?"
"Yeah, you were almost like you saw a ghost."
Ilsamor stopped in the midway. "Before answering I want to check something…" said as he reached his belt for the Book. He opened one of the empty pages and a smile formed on his face. "I knew I wasn't hallucinating! Asemi check this out." said as he gave book to Asemi. With one glance she understood his meaning. "So do you think…"
"Not for sure but soon we will find out."
Kirito leaned on the book too "Why are getting hyped? There is nothing here but the title."
Ilsamor smiled "Exactly Kirito, the title. "Awakening after Hundred Sleeps." Lady always talks with mystical metaphors for roleplay reasons."
Kirito scratched his chin and nodded "Then something happened. Something that gave a bit of her powers back to her. What can it be?"
"I don't know but it is a good thing. This means we may gain additional advantages over the game as time went."
Kirito shook his head as they continued to climb on "I am not sure Ilsamor. Why do you think this time will be different?" As an answer Ilsamor smiled "Because last time we were trying to avoid detection. If she appeared again despite Administrator System, then she has become powerful enough to show her presence. Second stage begins!"
51st floor of Aincrad was very much like a pastoral village area.
Area was mainly consisting of pastures where friendly NPC animals were cadging under gaze of their NPC shepherds. Trees were rare in the first area but from afar Ilsamor could see there were a lot of them behind the village.
Kirito slowly stretched "Ah, that's what I need. I will take a nap under these trees for a few hours. If you need me send a message. See you Ilsamor, Asemi."
"Yeah. Thanks for everything Kirito."
Kirito nodded with a smirk and walked away. Watching him moving away Ilsamor held his hand towards Asemi. "Would you like to take a walk to village?" Seeing her blush he added "Come on, this floor is not inhabited by any players beside us yet. You have nothing to be embarrassed.
Asemi nodded and held his hand but her blush wasn't gone. As they walked and talked about casual things Ilsamor felt the mist of battle was being slowly cleared from his mind. Somehow, he was feeling almost… lighter? He didn't know how he can explain this, but it was the best word for his situation.
"I am really glad to be here Ilsamor."
Ilsamor smiled and tightened his grip on Asemi's hand a little. Her eyes were unnaturally melancholic, and she was looking towards to horizon. He decided asked "Something on your mind?"
Asemi smiled "No, not really but… I have seen my family in my dream last night." Ilsamor gave her a sympathetic smile "You must have missed them."
"No, not really."
Her answer surprised Ilsamor. Sensing the confusion, she created Asemi continued "Ilsamor, just like some things that you have never wanted to tell me like even your real name, I don't want to tell this too. By the way, I know you won't tell me your name, but can you at least tell me why you don't want to?" Ilsamor sighed "Asemi, once I heard that name of a person always influences person's character. I am not saying your name is your destiny, but it certainly affects you somehow. The name that the man call himself my father choose for me affected me in always a negative way. So by calling myself with a name I have chosen I believe I am protected from his influence…"
He inadvertently thought his other self. He hadn't seen him for a long time.
"… So I believe if I say it out loud I will bring all those hexes back. It is not like I don't trust you or anything, but I don't want to take risk."
"But it is not fair! How will I find you in real world if you don't tell me your real name?"
Ilsamor didn't answer her question right away. In the end he smiled "Because I will find you."
His answer seemed like didn't satisfy Asemi but luckily for him they didn't talk any further.
When they reached the village, Asemi activated the teleportation stone then looked Ilsamor with tired eyes. "Senpai I am a little tired. Can we return to fourth floor please?" Ilsamor nodded "Okay but if you don't mind I want to walk around some, don't worry I will not start scouting the floor right away!" he added after he saw Asemi's expression. "Just… This place seems so peaceful. I would like to walk under trees for some."
Asemi continued to look Ilsamor's face but in the end, she must been convinced so she nodded and teleported to fourth floor.
Ilsamor stood in village square while a soft breeze carried a smell from west of the village, smell of Linden trees. He was sure that a short walk under these trees would refresh him.
Then breeze changed direction and he smelled another set of trees planted east side of the village this time. He thought it was a familiar scent that he had smelled before…
After a few moments he remembered, that was the smell of Laurel trees. He remembered this scent from real world, when wind blew their house from southwest it would carry the smell of these beautiful trees. And by that he felt a great urge to go and see those trees. He turned east and began walking…
Until he felt a slight pull from his little finger.
He turned his back and see him.
He was dressed like the times he tried to escape from home. Blue jeans, green t-shirt and brown leather jacket. He was carrying a backpack on one shoulder, his eyes were shining with tranquility and happiness.
And only thing tying them together was a thin string from pinkie fingers.
Ilsamor looked his eyes "So, is this end?"
That time he answered "Yes, it seems so."
"Could you talk? All this time?"
He nodded. "Ilsamor… For all this time you were using things belonged to me and I watched until you gained every part of yourself slowly. Your strength, your friends, your ideals, your fears… I couldn't talk because I was lending my voice to you, until you found yours."
"Are you sad?"
He laughed "How can I? You are the person I always wanted to be. In a sense, you Ilsamor, is our biggest and most successful creation. I am leaving behind no regrets since you and I both know…"
"Path you walk worth it if your heart finds peace at the end. So, was this really the last thing that binds us together?"
A cool breeze blew between them as he bowed his head with a smile. "We have always liked Linden because when our mother was alive she would always took us to our old garden and she would sing us lullaby while were sniffing their sweet smell. Since then, this smell always calmed our mind. This was the only thing you couldn't find for yourself. And now you have one."
"But that doesn't make any sense. Can't I love Linden smell too?"
"Of course you could. But then it would belong to you, not a predetermined choice."
Ilsamor nodded. "Then thank you for everything. I hope you find peace after all your sufferings."
Boy nodded "Take care of Asemi. Her place in your heart is bigger than you can imagine."
Ilsamor nodded to. "Say hi to mom for me."
He smiled and turned his back to Ilsamor. Ilsamor watched him walking towards to way with Linden trees as string between them became tenser and tenser until it broke off.
He looked at clock, it was 13.47, 12th of January.
As he walked his image slowly faded and when got out of town, he vanished completely, his remains turned into golden dust in Ilsamor's eyes.
And dust was taken away by the same wind which took Ilsamor's tear from his cheek.
"Arigato, sayanora…"
"So you will really going to do this?"
Kirito and Ilsamor was walking towards to Ashley's shop to take their prepared clothes.
"I have no choice Kirito. You haven't faced that man and I hope you never will. It is like the pure expression of evil, spreading fear, hate and wickedness as he walks. If he is the leader of Laughing Coffin, then I cannot imagine the atrocities they will commit."
Kirito nodded "So in a way you have found your equal."
"Exactly."
It was two days later the battle of 50th floor and Ilsamor had just explained his plan about fighting Laughing Coffin undercover. Kirito understood his point but he had some doubts about his plan.
"Can you really keep your appearance? I mean what if they insist you to join a party?"
"Well, then I will play the cool guy. "I work solo or not at all" like, you know."
Although he was speaking like that Ilsamor too had some doubts. He was worrying that careful eyes may distinguish his fighting style and bring down his façade so he was also trying to develop something he could really call as his own. During his time with Lady, she showed him a number of sword styles both from east and west. It was hard to create something new, but he was actually thinking about it since his training began, even read a few books that had been written by system about the topic.
It was just time to put them into use.
Ilsamor knocked the door of shop and Emilia answered it. She blushed when she saw who the guest was, then lowered her gaze. "She is waiting you in the guest room Ilsamor-sama." Ilsamor thanked girl then lifted her chin "I am not a man worthy of that much respect. Please look my eyes and don't feel embarrassed about it." After girl nodded while redder than before Ilsamor sighed and got inside. Kirito followed him while chuckling quietely.
Ashley was waiting them at guest room as Emilia told them. When she saw their entry, she stood up and clapped her hands "Oh my, Silver Blade and Black Swordsman in my shop at the same time?! It must be my lucky day."
Ilsamor blushed a little. Ashley was referring to newspaper(?) that came out after the 50th floor boss. Whoever wrote it, he or she managed to capture a photo of Kirito and Ilsamor's air maneuver with an embarrassing headline "HEROES TO RESCUE: BLADE AND SWORDSMAN"
Argo was still teasing him about it.
"Honor is ours Ashley-san. Um… Is it ready?"
Ashley nodded and manipulated her menu to materialize the item.
It was a dark green robe similar to his Coat of Seven Heavens. Its hoody was big enough to conceal his face and behind the robe…
"Wait a minute, what is it with you and pulling all these items with "holy" word inside it?!"
Ilsamor shrugged "I think it is a benefit of serving the Lady. And you are saying that, the man who keeps finding black items no matter where and when?"
"Fair enough."
Kirito looked to cross that was adorned to back of green robe. "Well, at least now you nickname will have a base."
Ilsamor laughed "Yeah. Thank you Ashley-san."
After Ilsamor took his own order, Ashley presented Kirito his Blackwrym Coat, which was as beautiful as Ilsamor's robe. They paid the price of items and left her shop.
Kirito stretched a little. "I think I will go to 51st floor and scout a bit. Coming?"
Ilsamor shook his head "Not now, there is one more place I must go. I will catch up with you later." Then he turned back suddenly "Oh, by the way, how is it going?"
"What?"
"You know… Come on!"
Kirito raised his brows "Oh that! Well, I am developing it whenever I am alone."
Ilsamor smiled "It is good to hear. If you ever need a sparring partner, I am always up for the challenge. You know, I've never fought someone who dual wields."
Kirito looked around in a nervous manner "You might want to yell, they might not hear you!"
"Sorry, sorry. Okay then, I am on my way to Lisbeth. See you Kirito."
"Yeah, see you."
After that they separated their ways.
Ilsamor's two days was full of developments and reports.
At the day of battle, Ilsamor stood in front of monument at Black Iron Palace for hours until he learned all the players died in 50th floor raid by heart. After that he continued to stand as a sign of respect (which he thought was a tradition in many countries as a tribute to heroes).
After that he had returned to temple at fourth floor.
Main hall was mostly dark, only a small light from upstairs could be seen and he could hear the faint melody that Asemi was singing while preparing dinner for them. Normally he would go directly to upstairs but this time he didn't.
He stood in front of Lady's statue, then slowly kneeled in front of it. It was so long that he had almost forgot his prayer. "Brilliant lady, one who was born from darkness yet became the mistress of the light, forgive my sins that I committed today and give me the peace of your forgiveness." he said while lowering his head.
For a second nothing happened.
Then, as he raised his head, environment changed. He was no longer standing in dark temple but in a throne, room filled with sunlight and decorated with gold and marble. His clothes were not the "Red-Blue Blur*" type either, he was wearing a white shirt, white trousers and a purple cape. When he looked to his waist, he could see that his saw a sword hilt that was different from all the swords he used until now.
"I have been waiting for you Ilsamor."
Ilsamor raised his head. In front of him, sitting on a throne over three fulcrums was the Brilliant Mistress.
"I am sorry my Lady. Had you tell me you were waiting for me then I would make haste. But I had a debt to pay. Can you tell me, were they-"
"No…" Lady said with a sad voice. "Had they connected their mind to system for at least once I could, but I had not have the chance to make such a connection. I am sorry."
Ilsamor nodded with grim manner. "You had no guilt my Lady. I was the one who had failed them, both forgetting what am I and delivering your message."
"No, you haven't my champion."
Ilsamor opened his eyes as Lady raised from her throne. Her dress was most beautiful green of forests and her chocolate color wavy hair was shining under sunlight. Her green eyes was filled with compassion and love as always.
"I did not send you to become a religion bully on their heads, I've just gave you one of the many proxies I have created from system and I wanted to let people know that there is a way to get mentally strong. You did exactly that, had you not you would lose the mission way before your Adamant Believer spam at 16th floor."
When he heard about the topic, he lowered his head "Were you the one took mission away from me?"
"I was but decision was not mine."
Ilsamor raised his head with a slight relaxation. Lady's face was filled with pain "When you used your authority to imbue every green player's weapon with holy energy, Administrator System detected a large abnormality, a big one that it couldn't let me to handle it. The holy damage you used was actually a system trick that enabled NPC guards to hit orange players harder. I had used it as a base for the skill."
"Then finding a lot of NPC guards in an open field gave us away."
"In a manner yes. After that I couldn't talk to you because I was busy with covering your tracks, after that display Administrator was searching you like crazy. I spend my hours to mislead it but…"
"Then I spammed my unique skill."
"Yes. There was no way Administrator to miss it. So I had come forth and deleted your equipment and took your skill away while taking a backup file for the skill."
Ilsamor's face saddened a bit "Then, if you were that busy, why those red players and countless others managed to speak with you?"
"They had never spoken with me Ilsamor."
"Huh?"
Lady smiled as she tilted her hair. "Until today I only spoke with you, the Champions and Kirito. And between them you and Eiji are the only two people who have also seen my real image. Others were talking with Mental Health Counseling Program."
"Mental Health Counseling Program… So that was the program you were trying to save."
"Yes and now you understand why it is so important to release it. Anyway, if we return to topic, you may ask then why you couldn't speak with it. Answer is simple: Your mind, in all the time we have spent together, acquired the ability to heal itself and recover from any defeat. You had no need for a medicine because you Ilsamor, had become an unbeatable warrior, the one who will keep rising to his feet whatever the situation may be."
"But then, why did you help me at battle?"
"As I said you could recover it by yourself, but I speeded things up a bit to prevent a disaster. It was just that."
Ilsamor raised and looked to Lady "So, can I resume my mission and take my unique skill back?" Lady looked him like a child who wants a toy from his parent. "Mission yes, but I cannot give you your skill back my Champion. I am not that powerful. All I can do is recreate items that will benefit you, but still I can't give them directly. And in a sense, I don't want to, seeing how powerful you have become. Instead, I will do something like that…" she waved her hand and created a paper. "Take this and look it regularly. Every time a piece of your new gear becomes available, this paper will direct you to its conditions. You can recover sets I will send for you via this way. Although you don't have to, I am lifting your ban on loots, so don't expect that my items will be a piece of cake. Well, except your sword."
Ilsamor looked to his waist again. "If you are giving me new items can I take coat as a white leather trench coat? And sword looks different than the one I wielded before. Though I cannot see the blade because of scabbard and I cannot pull it."
Lady nodded "Because it is different and it is not ready yet. First one was too simple and for me it cannot be a sword of light. I have changed its name and I am still creating its blade, yet it is still one of the most powerful swords in game."
"You said except sword. Will you give it to me when it is ready?"
Lady smirked for first time "Of course not. In my absence I have learned the legend of Arthur and thinking that you often doubt yourself I will make it like a challenge. I will leave this sword, in a sense, to plain sight and still you will be the one to acquire it."
Ilsamor chuckled unintentionally "What, will you stab it on a stone and leave it?" Lady laughed "No… But you will understand when you acquired it. To be fair you are not the only one who can pass it, but I am sure you will be the one. Now she awaits you my Champion, go with peace…"
His vision was filled with white light.
"…And remember, I am always with you."
He managed to clear his thoughts when he arrived Lisbeth's shop. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door. "Good afternoon."
Ever smiling NPC woman greeted him "Welcome to Lisbeth's Smith Shop. Please wait a moment while I call my boss." He thanked NPC woman and began looking to displayed weapons. Lisbeth managed to come from her forge after five minutes, her face was covered with soot.
"Oh, you are finally here! Come on, let me show your sword!"
Lisbeth's enthusiasm surprised Ilsamor "Okay okay, what's the hurry?!" Lisbeth didn't answer while pulling him from his sleeve and took him to his atelier.
Standing on the table vertically was a sword, covered with cloth. Lisbeth stood in front of Ilsamor and gathered her hands behind her. "Sooo… I know we have already agreed on this, but please accept this as my formal application for your guild's blacksmith position."
Ilsamor just nodded, patiently waiting for her to show her handiwork. Then she slowly took the cloth from sword and showed it.
Ilsamor was sure that his lifetime luck, the luck had done nothing for him until this game was running wild again.
Sword was dark blue rather than aquamarine's turquoise color. It was like a very concentrated dark blue liquid was solidified as sword shape. Sword's guards were in the shape of leaves and at the middle of the guard…
"A lotus flower…"
Lisbeth looked with a curiosity she couldn't hide "Really Ilsamor, why do you keep pulling all those items with plant names or holy names? And what does Lotus flower means?"
Ilsamor held his hand towards the sword, "If I remember correctly, it has several magnificent meanings like purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth… Really my mistress, you do know how to choose appropriate gifts for me." After he said this his eyes turned to Lisbeth "Lisbeth… Once more I am convinced. If I had a hundred guilds, you would be the head blacksmith of all of them." Then he grabbed the hilt of the sword and gave a few test swings "What is its name?"
"Well, this is awkward but it is called The Sapphire."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I checked twice. Are you sure you used aquamarine as material?"
Ilsamor sheathed the sword. "Yeah I am. I am sorry by the way, I cannot tell everyone that you were the person who forged this beautiful sword-"
"No need Ilsamor…" Lisbeth told him while hugging him. Her reaction surprised Ilsamor "Lisbeth, what are you doing?"
"Well, honoring a friend. Argo told me what you used to do before forming the guild, short as it may be. I know you had no chance to step back into shadows since then, but I know that you didn't want all this fame. So, if you can do it, then I think I can stand to not showing off with my skills for now."
Ilsamor understood. He hugged Lisbeth back "Well then, thank you master blacksmith. Thank you for everything."
Ever since Sword of Mercy pulled from orange front their post was taken by an assault team coalition force.
For the first part of their mission, they had not much of a job, Swords left them critical outpost with detailed patrol routs, emergency communication signals and possible battle plans.
Only thing they lacked was experience. And commanding officer of 15th floor's outpost, Velimbro was damn aware of that. Every day was a new fear for him, what if Laughing Coffin attacked that day, what would he do? They weren't trained to deal with such a threat! Why higher command had to force Swords to retreat?! As far as he could see they were damn prepared and experienced enough to fight such a threat!
What was the reason?
His thoughts were disrupted when one of the DDA members stormed in his room "Velimbro! We had a situation!"
He slowly raised from his chair, "What is it?"
"One of the small raiding parties were trapped by a group of orange players!"
"Are they Laughing Coffin?"
Messenger shook his head "We don't know, it was just the usual emergency signal. We had to move!"
Velimbro took a deep breath. Moment he feared had finally come. He raised from his chair and went straight to the gate as they had agreed to meet there and then move out.
He knew damn well the importance of time in these issues.
In three minutes they managed to gather in front of gates. Velimbro stood in front of his team "Alright, I know none of us had too much experience in PvP but they don't have much too. Let's do our best and save those players!"
Team members nodded with a resolute look and they began to walk towards to source of emergency signal. He was not sure what sort of situation he would find. Would they find already killed players, a hostage situation or an ongoing skirmish?
What he least expected was the see those players running towards them with fear filled expressions.
While they were confused one of them shouted "It's them it's the assault team!"
"Sir please help him!"
Velimbro's confusion was increasing, before it swallowed him as a whole, he raised his hand. "Hold up, hold up for a second! Are you the ones sent signal for help?"
"Y-yes."
"So what happened? Why and how are you running? Are some of you stayed back to hold them while you were escaping?"
"No! They had us surrounded and there was no way to escape. Then one player told them to stay back, and began dueling with them. H-he told us to escape!"
Velimbro was surprised to hear such a guy existed. "How many assassins were there?"
"Around six. Please help him, he can't hold out much longer!"
Velimbro nodded and returned to his team. "Alright, you two lead them to safe zone. Rest follow me!"
As his words finished, he drew his sword and began running towards the direction victims came from. He was desperately hoping that player was still alive.
As they continued gizzard ground of 15th floor began to rise around them until they started to run in a small valley. "A perfect place to ambush…" Velimbro thought, noting to warn players for such areas to a corner of his mind.
When they finally reached their target site another surprise was awaiting him.
Two players were dueling in front of them. Around them four players were lying on the ground and howling in pain. Velimbro noticed that all of them were missing their arms.
His attention was drawn to last two dueling players.
One was wearing the traditional black clothes of Laughing Coffin, a black poncho, black trousers and boots. His face was half covered and he was using a rapier against his opponent, from open half of his face it could be clearly seen that he was pushing his limits to counter his opponent.
His opponent was wearing a dark green robe and his face was covered with his large hoody. His t-shirt and his trousers were in dark green color too. Sword in his hand was in dark blue color and from the look of the fight, he was the dominant side of the battle. Although Velimbro had never seen him before, he was using his sword with a great mastery. Velimbro was sure that assassin was still alive not because his own skill.
Because man with the hood was allowing it for that moment.
"I am warning you for the last time. Drop your weapon, or suffer the consequences."
He had a low and growly voice. His offer was unanswered as his opponent made another strike to kill him. He easily swayed his attack then Velimbro heard a sigh "Fine, your choice."
His sword glowed blue and like a flash assassin's arms were cut.
"AHHHHHHH!"
Assassin dropped to ground in pain like his other friends.
When last assassin was neutralized man looked towards the assault team and sheathed his sword to his back. "You have come just in time. Please take them to Black Iron Palace."
Velimbro was shocked for a moment but then he managed to free himself from it "Okay, let's get those to the place they belong! Equalizer, Weitz get going!" Then he looked back to hooded man. "I think we owe you a thanks err…"
"You can call me Saint. I need no thanks, I was in no higher position than you, who also willingly took responsibility of these people safety."
Velimbro nodded. "Ermm, I haven't seen you around before. Are you a part of assault team? Can I see your face?" Saint shook his head "I am sorry, but I don't have a pretty face. Accident tended to happen in real world you see and I believe even you see it you wouldn't believe it."
Velimbro felt a slight relaxation. He didn't know why, for all he knew he could be a Laughing Coffin agent himself. And then he remembered…
"Where is the sixth assassin? They said there were six assassins in here."
"Yes, and they were right. Naturally sixth one was more talented than them, so I couldn't stop him like I did to his friends."
"Did he escape?"
"No. I killed her."
Velimbro was stunned to indifference in his voice. "What?"
Saint turned his back on him and look to the direction of horizon "She was clever enough to escape from my disarming attempts. If the clash took longer, her friends would catch up to escapees. I couldn't take that risk and finished her."
Velimbro gave him a suspicious glance. "For a man who just killed another person, you sound awfully calm." he said. Saint returned towards him. "Once I have read the stories and philosophies of a monk order in real world. You see, they were dedicated to protecting peace and justice and they believed while life was sacred but in certain conditions it had to be taken to protect other lives. However, believed that if such a decision would be made, it should be made with logic not with emotions. And I was here, six enemies around me with one of them clashing with me and possible other victims if I hadn't taken action."
"For a Saint you had a very harsh view on the guilty people. Are you sure you have chosen the correct name?"
"Oh I am a Saint alright. One of the swords."
Velimbro shook his head but he knew it was not the time for ethical debates. "Listen, you probably know our situation. I need players with PvP experience like you. Would you join us?"
"I already had commander. From now on, you can count on me." As he said his last words he began walking forward. Velimbro shouted "Hey, outpost is in this way! Where-"
"I said I would join you, not be your subordinate. Don't worry, I will be there when I am needed. For now, goodbye commander. And good luck."
As watching him walking away commander thought this man was awfully similar to Swords leader although his voice and his style were very different, they had the same mentality. "Well..." he thought "If there is indeed another man like him with us, I think we will have a chance to get out of this crisis."
*: Red-Blue Blur is the name that Clark Kent adopted before Superman in Smallville series. The costume I talk about is his last costume in 10th season.