A/N: Sun Dancer, secure your hope in humanity here! Starting at 95% interest!

Theawesomess1: Still gotta fix the errors you spotted, forgive me fam D:
NetherOrbit: Haru is a roast machine...maybe because she's secretly a boss. :o

As always guys, drop a favorite and/or follow (Especially a review) to let me know whatcha think, thank you! Cause seriously, only got three views for the past three days, still askin' Mom if she's proud o' me.

Hark, there be a legendary artifact somewhere in Aincrad. My friends, a weapon known solely as a [Vorp Messer] was mentioned in an old document regarding exotic tools. Lo, according to the manuscripts it's capable of bypassing even the stoutest plate, made of unearthly materials. The House of Vigore's rumored to have it, all the more reason to raid wherever their strongholds reside!

Forsooth, such affluence yields great and bountiful loot. Alas, the family does not look kindly upon such intrusion, being highly reclusive. Being treasure hunters, to think it a surprise that they became one of the wealthiest orders in the Congregate would show folly.

- Godfree, January 5th, 2024

November 10th, 2022 - PoH

[Castle Diebry]

Clouds of dust lofted, light from a distant doorway fading gently behind us. Fortress looked like a damn ant colony, holes were everywhere. In the ground, walls, even a couple of gaps above our heads. Every alcove was filled with indescribable piles of junk, whose origins were so varied I could only thank that none of it smelled of spoiled meat. Had an Earthy odor in fact, almost pleasant.

Kymer walked these spaces like a damn cat, slipping and inspecting every port with fluid efficiency. Rest of my group kept nearly tripping on vast swathes of debris lining, whose rustles echoed. While torches hung off sconces, none were lit, the whole place left feeling stuffy and smelling like a garden shop.

"You we see!" a raspy voice called, "Stop we say, trouble or else!"

We all froze, Kymer slipping into one of the small side tunnels. A pair of strange, rat like bipeds approached, snouts guarded by slanted plates, their perky ears shrouded with chainmail. Oddly enough, however, they smelled very clean...despite their environment. Wielding fairly short [Spears], a curious pair of small [Round Shields] caught my attention. Each had a diamond shaped gap around the diagonal corners.

Their [Spears] rose, blunt ends resting on refuse.

"Uh." I hesitated, remaining behind my group. "I'm PoH, we were looking to cross this place, reach whatever's past here?"

Both armored rodents sniffed, their beady, reflective rodent eyes veering back to us, their pale fleshy tails moving in a circle behind them. Certainly didn't like torchlight either, sticking to areas our light couldn't reach.

"Reach past fort, danger you don't know? Why you hairless ones like sun, Taurus tear you to shreds."

"What's a Taurus?" Sanguine blinked. "We're new to town."

"Elf you do not smell like, you what are?" one tilted its head.

"We're humans, see the shorter ears?" Sanguinus addressed, "We're lookin to-"

Kymer suddenly jumped out of his hiding place, the rodent he converged on quickly turning and readying a spear, forcing the Russian back, squealing briefly.

"Trying to sneak a [Kobold], you fool are." it snarled, tail slapping the ground. "Smelled you too, halfway down hall."

Kymer wasted no time, slapping a spear's tip aside before going low, his knife's serrated back tearing against a guard's thin heels. A deep gash and a loud shriek led them both retreating, scampering up different ports. Seconds later, the entire fortress erupted in scampering paws, walls alive with multiple pattering. An awful odor replaced what pleasantries remained.

"Um..." Adonis stepped back. "We should go now..."

"Yea, how about what he said?" another griped.

Those same [Round Shields] revealed themselves again as we passed tight tunnels, [Spears] fitting through diamond notches, protecting [Kobolds] while allowing for stabs. Surrounded them rested Earth and fortress stone bricks, preventing many swinging approaches, clever bastards.

"Fall back!" I shouted, "We're sorry, Kobolds! We're going!"

Only hisses could be heard, every tunnel hiding another [Spear]. Couldn't say I was unhappy to leave such a dark corner of this strange world, but it left me absolutely nothing to offer people back in town! Stopping around the ruined tower, we faced Kymer, whose expression remained distant, thinking.

"Dude, the hell was that for?" Sanguinus kept soft, "They weren't attacking us."

"They're monsters." the Russian blinked calmly, "You brought me to make peace, not keep it."

"To be fair, none of us were expecting this." I defended him, "We'll have to think of something else then. Probably report to the others."

"Hey, least none of us got hurt." Adonis smiled. "Anyone catch what level those guys were though?"

"Ten." Kymer shrugged, turning away.

Useful information, needed someone to record it though. Who though?

Sun Dancer

- Garr

Crashing into pebble covered ground, my vision blurred, my cranium struck as I gasped. I was left twitching, forcing myself back on shaky hands. Loud barking filled the air, Haru screaming as our assailants splashed as they crossed. A bright green flash indicated an inbound message, unreadable at the time.

Looking up, only saliva stained teeth could be seen, snapping at me as I stumbled back. A [Dire Wolf] growled, its breath hot against my face, reeking of raw meat. Dark gray in coat and white for underbelly, its colors almost glowed under a rising moon, its eyes a bright yellow.

Its jagged teeth clacked as it lunged, saliva flying out, lips drawn as it hungrily pursued. I grasped its mane, wrestling against it out of shock, tugging at tufts of fur as I thrashed and pulled. The predator gnashed as it reached for my neck, its focus unbroken.

I winced and groaned, leaning away, my own focus equally directed. Gripping a handful of fur with my right hand, I punched wildly with my left, trying to dissuade this primitive conscious with pain. A loud yowl resulted in my foe bouncing, every punch rippling through its body.

My back soaked with moisture, water licking coldly down my central spine like a slow moving insect. The [Dire Wolf] scraped back in retreat, giving me room to move. Curling one leg back, I threw it forward, kicking it off with a rib bending pummel.

It lurched back, catching its breath from my desperate strikes. These beasts reacted very authentically to attacks, as if their natural physiology existed. If such was true, I had ample options.

Missing my neck forced the beast to compromise, going instead for my left arm. Reaching out with fangs, skin was parted without pause, biting down on the meat of my arm like a fine steak. I screamed as dagger-like tools punched through, my whole body jerking from an unfamiliar sting.

[HP: 68%]
[You are now Bleeding!]

"I can't even!" I cursed, "God!"

My left arm burned as teeth chewed, the squishing of tissue awful to behold. Its yellow eyes stared, unblinking as its glare fixated on me, hungering for me as it tugged, wholly indifferent to suffering past itself. I punched frantically, hammering its face with my right and pulling back with my left. Striking its nose and eyes, I flailed against its grip, hoping to detach. My left arm went numb, cold as yellow teeth bore from my struggling.

[HP: 55%]

A hard fist met head on with a wet nose, bending the wolf's softer surface.

[HP: 58%]

It released me, howling in grief before falling back. Scrambling back up, my back was left cold with river bed moisture. My Zweihander laid nearby, its bronze dull against remnant moonlight. Hearing scampering paws, I reached out, snapping out of momentary fatigue. Before I could take hold, I heard another pounce! Swerving, a wolf was lunging for Haru, overpowering her as it forced her down. Seeing her danger I lurched, [Siege Blade] swinging down like a pole, its thin construct wobbling slightly from friction.

Seven feet of bronze fell, air shifting aside from its sheer length and fulcrum. My front foot slipped, my bad footwork costing me. I missed the wolf completely, sending mud and rocks splashing all around us, my torn left arm shredding from recoil.

"You kidding me?!" Haru screamed, "Hit it, you worthless-!"

[HP: 52%]
[You are Bleeding!]

Lifting myself back to full stature, I scrambled forward, grabbing the beast in a fit of frustration, my hand closing around its snout. Wriggling against my grip, it was lifted by its front, wheezing after I slammed its stomach with a solid punch. If its anatomy was true here, then the next step would suffice, brutal as it was.

Bending my knees, I hoisted the wolf over my head, its legs high up in air. With hand on snout and tail I threw him down, falling like a meteor to my knee. Its very spine snapped, a crisp crack its last reply before vanishing to blue dust.

[HP: 85%]

Its death answered my inquisitive mind, anatomy was replicated. Proof of authenticity brought me a more confident stance. There were more efficient ways of dealing with mad dogs, such education was essential for me here. Another wolf pounced again for Haru, who was left pausing, gasping, howling in pain before rolling off her.

[Critical Hit!]

A [Dagger] was jammed in its stomach, the lithe herbalist withdrawing her newest tool from its gut. Another [Dire Wolf] exploded into a cloud of blue, lighting the night sky with its lofting fragments.

"Nice!" I commended.

Snarls alerted me to more, my face drenched with beading sweat. All around us stood four wolves, circling around us in search of a flank. Their burning yellow eyes searched for a gap, a revving chainsaw seeking our weakest link.

"Art of war." I huffed to Haru. "Pretend you are weak, where you are strong."

Cold night air filled my lungs, biting when met with water. My heart raced as I stared back, primal creatures drawing closer as I bent my knees, widening my shoulders. The forest, the river, all took a backseat to a gnashing of teeth. Scrambling for a solution, I charged one without warning, Zweihander shouldered and ready to converge. Gripping my sword along its forward grip thing, I went for a spearing, attempting to skewer.

"Come on!" I roared.

My [Siege Blade] slammed forward, the wolf leaping aside. Aimed low, my weapon met soil, its bronze blade flexing as it dug through permeable Earth. Watching its friend land a few feet away, another [Dire Wolf] jumped at me, jaw open and ready. Startled by its speed, I leaned back, hauling the seven foot tool back. Aiming for my wrist, it instead clamped around my Zweihander, wrestling it in its mouth.

What my previous attack left behind was further evidence of poor foot placement, my balance gone with a swift tug. My own strength and agitation led to me getting thrown back, the weapon freed as I landed face first in mud. Flipping myself, I caught only a brief sight of my pursuer, leaping in for a free shot. Claws and teeth extended, merciless and grizzly. I knew it wanted to bite, a canine's mouth was its primary tool. Balling my left hand to a fist, I rammed it as far forward as possible, the beast gagging as knuckles battered into its throat.

[HP: 74%]

Its back teeth dug, tearing into my arm like thin velvet. As bad as it stung, I knew it was necessary for what came next. Shoved it further down the wolf's throat, leaving me wincing as its teeth gnawed, tongue licking away at my injury. Pain grew, vision lost in a sheet of tearing eyes, its lacerating teeth almost overwhelming with stings and burns. I moaned, but kept forcing it, until at last I felt a bump, yanking the beast towards myself.

[HP: 48%]

Was running out of time, my body feeling colder. Raising my right arm, I slammed down on its cervical spine, what connected head and neck. My left wasn't there by accident, it was a wedge. A loud snap broke out, the wolf's skull severed from the spine in a single crack. HP dropped to zero, it slumped over before dying. Blue glass shards drifted like pollen, leaving my torn left arm free as I gasped for breath and relief.

[HP: 57%]

Surrounding Haru, other pack members took turns lunging, trying to bite, only to be thwarted back by a swift wave of her [Dagger]. They kept closing in, three members triangulating her position. One, however, leaped too close. Frightened out of her own wits Haru lunged, stabbing the wolf through its stomach as I caught my breath.

[Critical Hit!]

As the next beast shattered, Haru shook, stepping back from our last two opponents. Zweihander lugged over my shoulder, I hurried to assist. Aiming for one flanking predator, I lunged for a counter offensive, raising for a hammering blow, planting my feet to ensure minimal slippage, eyes focused.

It was a glancing blow, its edge scraping the pursuing [Dire Wolf].

[HP: 60%]

Both turned on me, charging the second they spotted my stiff, vulnerable stance, well aware of my struggle. Lunging from differing sides, one went for my shins, the other for my right arm, yanking me down with ease. Their combined strength dragged me down, their teeth deep as their paws scuffled against smoothed river rocks. Landing with a dull thud, my already drenched backside was further soaked as they bit down on my exposed limbs, tearing and prying away at what their friends failed to rend.

"Help!?" I called. "Oh God, I need help!"

[HP: 27%]

Laying on my back, wolves chewed as I thrashed, wildly yanking my left leg back to pry loose of one's jaws. Screaming at the rupture of delicate flesh, I threw my body without thought, vying for a return to personal space. Curling the leg back, I swiftly sent the boot forward, kicking away one of my assailants.

"Haru, help me!" I cried.

[HP: 24%]

I turned swiftly, grabbing the arm gnawing predator as its friend recoiled. Yanking my arm back, I forced the [Dire Wolf] closer before wrapping another around its throat. Attempting to choke, I threw it on its back, biceps tightening. It whipped and gagged, pushing with paws to break free. I loved dogs, more than I ever liked people, but I had to end this, I missed my dogs. Was running out of steam, feeling sleepier as wrestling persisted.

"Can't...keep going." I groaned.

Haru yelled, jumping on the wolf I wrestled with her knife ready. Sending her [Dagger] forward, she managed to gash, even break its momentum for a moment. This precious loan of time was all I needed, letting me affirm my grip. Rolling on top, it let Haru finish it off, stabbing it over and over until it slumped. With the predator broken, I fell on my hands, shaking harshly as I tiredly boosted back, dragging up the [Siege Blade] as the blood poured down my fingers.

Was it mine or theirs? Couldn't tell, didn't have time. Luckily for us, the last remaining [Dire Wolf] fled, having lost all of its squad. With the goal gone, I was grounded again, falling on shaking knees, every limb of my body torn.

"Ow..." I cried, masculinity lost. "Haru? Not...feeling good."

[HP: 36%]

"Garr!" Haru panicked, kneeling beside me. "Don't worry, I can heal!"

Drawing a red bottle from storage, Haru popped it open before pouring its contents down my throat. Medicine flowed, sweet in taste as I drank away, eager to be relieved.

[HP: 36%]

One last drop ran down, leaving my tongue searching, my issue unresolved. Every limb on me stung like a hundred wasps, leaving me grounded, sore and torn. As I waited, Haru stared at me, perplexed in expression. Checking her empty bottle, she whipped out others, left unanswered in her undisclosed question.

"Am I missing something?" I glanced, wiping the sweat off my face.

I groaned, looking down at my left arm. God, I was still mutilated from the fight. Squeezing my left hand, I shuddered as a site of recent bites bulged from skin-less muscle. .

"I...I just gave you a potion designed to heal players. It's not working. Why's it not working..."

She inspected again.

"Eh?" I looked, leaning on different angles to find a less painful position.

"It's not working at all."

"You've GOT to be kidding." I growled.

Haru shook her head, reaching over to help me back up on my feet.

"Come on, I've got [Teleport Scrolls]."

I nodded, letting her help me up, my legs buckling with every newfound wound.

"Still, I don't know why it's not-"

Haru's statement was cut short by a dull, slick slide, weapons were unsheathed. Out of river-born fog emerged their owners, a band of seven people. Most were male, but a couple of females resided, their expressions rife with scorn.

"Allies?" I winced, keeping my Zweihander close as a crutch.

They said nothing, Haru readying a scroll before one held up a [Cutlass] towards me.

"You can go, but leave him."

"What?" Haru panicked, almost dropping her scroll. "Why?"

My eyes widened, they weren't here to greet, or help. A thin faced blonde seemed to be leading them, his light blue eyes fixated on me like a damn wolf, cutlass discriminant in direction.

"Guy's murdered a bunch of our friends." the hunter spoke. "It ain't a coincidence that nobody's pulled our helmets off, somebody's dead...and they haven't come back."

"Look man I'm sorry, really." I teared up, my strength feeble. "I was just trolling back there, heck not even. I was playing with old memes, can we be friends? I'll help you."

They didn't seem to care, anger having robbed them of their senses. Six others stood around him, differing in build, but all of them focused. How freaking screwed was I, h ow'd they even know I was here?! For them all to want retribution, all minutes after I almost got shredded, felt demoralizing.

"I call dibs." the blonde stepped closer, Haru helping me back away.

"We know, Rus." one groaned, "You've told us many times."

Haru looked to me with disbelief before returning her gaze to them.

"Wait!" she splayed hands. "How was he supposed to know the game would've turned Scanners on us?"

"Doesn't matter. Anyone who dicks with our friends has to deal with us."

Easing away from Haru I stepped back, shouldering my weapon as I splayed an open hand. God, even opening my hand stung.

"I don't want trouble." I hobbled back. "I had and continue to have no intention of hurting anyone. Please, I just wanna be left alone."

"And get a chance they never did?" Rus snarled, "You remember Ensign right? Guy you beat in that duel? Yea..."

Without another word, Rus drew a cutlass past his shoulder, stepping calmly towards me.

"Please, I meant no harm." I stepped back, failing to raise my Zweihander. "I liked the guy, heck I wanted to join you!"

"And I wanted to keep my friends, guess that's not fair is it?" he scoffed.

He dashed forward, a [Cutlass's] edge streaking mere inches past my face.

"Oh shit!" I decried in panic, startled beyond belief.

"Guys, stop it!" Haru shouted. "We should be helping each other, not dick measuring!"

"Murderer!" Rus shouted.

Wind blew from his sweeping attack, my body conscripted by fear once again to work. I jumped back, only to feel my wounds tear.

"God!" I groaned, lurching.

Slick river rocks swished under my boots, hands shaking, mind dizzy.

"Can't we just talk?" I shouted, "I'm sorry about-!"

Rus charged again, throwing his cutlass forward like a spear, whirring past me, its tip nearing my chest. Reeling from fear of grief I retreated further, I had to fight again, even if every part of me hurt, even if I wanted to just sit and talk, there was no time. Closing in, a raised Zweihander forced Rus back, fully aware of a [Siege Blade's] frightening range. Stepping to flank, Rus did everything he could to bypass, leaving me wishing I could turn faster.

Jumping right, he swung wildly, a mad, blood-drunk onslaught. Seeing such, I threw myself back, my feet stiff as I slammed them down, desperate to plant. With HP below forty percent, I had little room for error, something to panic me further. Whipping the Zweihander, feeble efforts were made to defend. Sparks scattered as bronze met, swords shrieking as Rus was sent recoiling back with every clash. Rus quickly received a newsflash, he wasn't beating me in raw strength, resorting to speed as he continued forcing me back, swinging for my legs, face, arms, forced back only by a towering Zweihander.

"Aw, still don't know how to fight? Should've dueled you when I had the chance!"

"Leave me be!" I detested.

He speared again, the cutlass barely missing my cheek. Scooting away, I found myself gasping, startled and wearing out. My boots squeaked, fog washing with his every attack, like a brush through paint. My heart continued to race, sweat beading down like a leaking dam. Rus kept pressuring me, swinging at my face, smirking as I stumbled, my fear easy to see.

"I don't want to fight!" I called.

"Then drop it, I can make it quick." Rus snarled.

I fell back further, only to be stopped by something behind me. We didn't need to fight, but it didn't matter, exchanging strikes under a risen crescent moon.

"You've got this, Rus! Beat that monkey till he pops!"

Backed against a tree, I lifted, trying to block whatever he sent. Rus slammed his weapon down, ending up caught on my cross guard, angling its curved tip to my chest, he only grinned. Seeing this, I shoved right, throwing him off his feet with a brutal display of strength. Watching him slam against river rocks, I breathed for a moment.

[HP: 38%]

While he fell, his friends stepped in, three at a time forcing me into full retreat. Rus stumbled up, his [Cutlass] scraping on the moist pebbles as he got up.

"Oh look who's being nice now!" one cheered.

"I told you to piss off!" I roared.

Cornered like a dog I swung as wide as I could, forfeiting control for even just a second of peace. Two jumped away, one didn't. Seven feet of sharpened bronze met her chest, ripping through meat and bone with a sweeping hack, Rus' avenger knocked down like a thin tree, a sight of red sending me grinding to a halt.

"No..." I shuddered. "Not another."

[HP: 78%]

Another person needlessly lost, one willing to stand up for something. My [Siege Blade] grounded, scattering mud as it landed with a light clang.

"Konno!" some cried.

"Go away!" I warned sorrowfully, stuttering.

Rus returned with a vengeance, the others retreating from the graphic sight presented.

"Fine!" I shrieked.

My swings turned wild, uncoordinated, easy for him to evade. Rus backed up further as I charged, throwing all my weight behind the next strike.

"Leave me alone!" I snapped.

Rus jumped aside, letting my weapon sail harmlessly astray. A glancing blow was scored, scraping his arm just barely.

[HP: 79%]

He gasped, but not from pain, he felt none here. Curling back his wounded limb, he went for a counter, only to be forced back. Excited by my glancing strike, I pursued further, again swinging wide, only to be intercepted by another, much larger sword, a [Greatsword]. Wielded by a man with a black hat, I watched his whole body bend in recoil, my [Strength] overwhelming his despite difference in height.

"Got your back, bro!"

Flooring his protector clumsily, I lunged again for Rus, stomping over his friend in stubborn focus. Tonight's fog thickened, further obscuring the land before us. Catching him with his back to a tree, I swung wide. Rus rolled away, my [Siege Blade] crashing into a tree.

Chunks of bark flew in all directions, its branches shaking, leaves dancing. My weapon rattled, this tree absorbing the impact like a sponge. My body writhed, eyes burning. Dodging my latest strike, Rus lunged forward, his cutlass's cold bronze digging into my shoulder like paper.

"Agh!" I screamed, clutching my arm.

[HP: 64%]

Lacerated, a bodily electric shock forced tears out of my eyes, my grip lost in an instant. doubling back in pain, I was separated from my Zweihander, whose mass was still lodged in the tree. Crying in grief I stepped further back, only to hear more footsteps.

"Rush him, he's unarmed!"

Shots of fear flowed through me, leading me to flee. Haru was nowhere in sight, could only guess she retreated during the chaos. I jumped left, only to be tackled by multiple people. I veered right, meeting Rus again as result. He swiped as I turned further, forcing me back into his friends. Cold river water lapped inside my boots, spiking me with invisible teeth to my toes. Wheeling from his punishing blade, the voices from the cowardly gang filled the air with jeers. Foot deep depths splashed as I dashed around, numbing as I dodged Rus' swings, catching swipes to my ribs, thighs, arms, burns of torn limbs slowing me down.

Swiping wherever I turned, Rus and his crew kept me pinned. I jumped right again, anxious to return to my sword. Ended up taking a [Club], my thigh flaring and bending under the blunt tool's force. leaving it bruised and swelling.

[HP: 30%]

I retreated again, only for Rus' cutlass to score another hit, slashing swiftly across my back.

[HP: 24%]

Screaming in response, I fell on my hands and knees, crawling mindlessly to the only direction my mind could perceive, forward. People rushed in, kicking my downed body, laughing and spitting as frigid cold water bit my arms.

[HP: 11%]

"Karma's a bitch, isn't it?" one laughed.

My body buckled with every slam, one sending me rocketing back to my feet in an flight of panic, shoving off everyone I saw, punching wildly to free myself.

[HP: 14%]

With them armed with swords, however, I wasn't going to last. I had to get my [Siege Blade] out, it was my only chance. Tree fibers gripped the Zweihander like a vice as I pushed and pulled, prying for my dear life as I watched others converge. One approached eagerest, the freaking [Club] wielder. Letting go, I swerved hard, clocking him with a blow to the in-side elbow before grabbing and throwing him. Grounding him, I whaled on him, beating him with mere fists, plowing his jaw over and over, wishing to God his teeth shattered.

[HP: 18%]

In my rage I failed to notice Rus, who took time to ready a lunging stab. As I lifted my head up, air blew past my ear, missing my eye, sending me reeling off Rus' friend. I grabbed his sword wielding wrist, my left hand clamping down like a compactor. Soon as I felt his arm, I balled a fist before raising it like a hammer, just as I had his friend.

"Get him off me!" Rus shouted.

Others grabbed and tried pulling, but my strength won out for long enough. My fist struck from above, his grip weakened with every crash, coaxing me to persist. After two more blows, Rus' hand yielded, his cutlass ringing as it met stream smoothed rocks. As his friends pulled harder, they ended up yanking him into their gathered mass with me, surrounding me as I threw my foot out hard.

[HP: 24%]

My kick drove Rus down, splashing at our feet. One of his friends grabbed me, trying to hold me back as Rus scrambled for his downed cutlass. Throwing myself forward, I felt more hands, more members grabbing hold. Seeing Rus' bronze cutlass rise, panic drove me to flinging myself, only to be held back by five people. Yelling fearfully, I turned my head, chomping down on any hand my teeth could reach. They didn't even flinch, looking at my display with disgust.

"Fucking animal."

They laughed, tugging me around like a doll. Writhing in their collective grasp, I felt my foot suddenly catch a hard point, letting me push left. Rus stepped closer, my heart ready to ram out of my chest as I threw my own body in protest. One was caught off guard, pulled closer to me by my push. Spurred by panic, I threw myself on him, biting one spot I knew would work, his throat. Teeth punched through, leaving him gasping as tender surfaces broke. An awful, nauseating taste sprayed over my tongue, not oozing. I struck an artery. It was nothing pleasant, my decision leading me to gag and cough before falling.

"Sweet Christ!" one screamed.

I was dropped abruptly, left hacking a lung as they retreated. I knew what I was tasting, it made me sick. One of them laid beside me, gurgling. I watched them try to pull him away, clearly to heal. Grabbing his collar, I yanked him back, punching him in fear of further vengeance, his body softening to glass moments later.

[HP: 53%]

What remained of Rus' team gazed with shock. I wanted to cry, there were still five of them, all of them armed.

"Hey, he's recovering!" one screamed, "How?!"

"He's the hacker!" one yelled, "Kill him!"

"Screw that man, he killed two of us!"

I scrambled to my feet, racing to get my Zweihander back, losing what little energy I had left. Rus intercepted, his cutlass cutting into my side as I fell back.

[HP: 46%]

Didn't stop me from reaching my goal. I yanked and pulled as quickly as I could, desperate to retrieve my only real means of defense. After the thirteenth tug or so, the tree groaned, fibers loosening, freeing it from its photosynthetic binds. With a seven foot sword back in my hands, I wheeled back to face my assailants.

Upon swerving, however, I was met with a familiar tip. Rus' sword drove through without warning, piercing my cheek, bursting cruelly across my jaw. My screams must've been deafening, lost my voice halfway. Firmly lodged, my mouth burned anew, cries turning hoarse, Rus' [Cutlass] holding me hostage. I dropped my weapon, gripping my mouth as I writhed, all thoughts lost. Overwhelmed with pain, Rus pulled me closer to him, rubbing a sharpened edge against freshly punctured skin.

"A hacker too." He growled. "This'll be good news for the folks back in town."

Tears flooded out, blurring my vision as my teeth bit metal. Feeling my cheeks torn sent me spiraling emotionally, it was so much at once it left me mindless, infantile. I reached out, grabbing Rus' throat, attempts at choking him proven ineffective. He cut out more and more of my mouth, nearing the corners of my lips as my grip slacked.

[HP: 8%]

"We got him!" one roared angrily, "Stop toying and finish him!"

Desperate and out of ideas, one last decision remained. I reached out, gripping the sword's edge with leather gloved digits. Instead of fighting against him, I slammed my head back, forcing myself out. Ripping myself free, I lost all vision, all sensation overpowered as waves of unspeakable pain erupted, washing over my face like a nerve pulse tsunami, my mind blacking out. Gripping my torn mouth, I hollered so loud I heard nothing else, felt nothing else, crying like a child. All I could grasp was simple, I was burning. Opening my eyes a cold breeze ran between my torn lips, stroking my gaping face.

"Rus, watch out!"

Like an animal, I scrambled for whatever my hands could pry, lifting a rock without thought or inhibition. Sized equivalent to my fist, its smooth texture was crashed against his head, sending him collapsing, my nails digging in as I climbed over him, bashing without restraint.

[HP: 14%]

"No!" another screamed.

I was swiftly tackled, multiple bodies stacking to get a hit in as I whaled, an awful squish and moisture soaking my fingers. Felt a weight beneath me vanish before I was dragged down, hands everywhere grabbing me like hungry bugs. I couldn't even block, I was so lost in a primordial mindlessness, flailing and whacking whatever touched me, screaming till my voice cracked, breaking whatever was too close, animate or otherwise.

"Dude, we gotta go!" one shouted, "Fall back!"

[You are drowning]
[HP: 10%]

Next thing I knew, I was laying along a bank, eyes barely focused. A listless void reigned where thought previously resided, steady in its departure. Returning vision left me in a cage of instinct born horror, my hands drenched in red, I wasn't in a river born puddle.

"God!" I cried out, thrashing weakly out of my newest pit.

[You are no longer drowning]

My legs twitched, hands raising to grip my own hair, only to snap back, an awful sting driving me to stillness. A quiet wood towered over, surrounding me on all sides, a mortal like me crawling among giants.

"H-Help." I feebly called.

[HP: 10%]
[You feel a biting cold...]
[You've gained Minor Hypothermia!]

I coughed hoarsely, dragging my broken, torn body across rocks, shivering as I returned to dry Earth, opening my menu to change, out of these cursed clothes.

"God, help me." I wept, crying out in grief.

Another howl broke out, another pack ready to hunt. A squirrel could kick my ass, my stomach protesting from what morbid taste lingered. Breathing stayed haggard, I was alive, somehow. Beside the stream laid a familiar sight, a lone bronze [Cutlass], as well as a bag of Cor. Took a bit of effort, but I eventually recovered both.

Even a light stretch sent me gasping quietly, they messed me up so bad. How was I supposed to hide on tree branches if I couldn't climb? Ended up spending minutes on end trying to wash my mouth, watching with horror as the red joined the stream.

"Help..." I pleaded, "Didn't...want to f-fight."

One thing I immediately felt blessed over was my spare clothes. A coat I purchased earlier was definitely helping me warm up, enough to ward off [Minor Hypothermia]. Two hundred Cor, and a...used [Cutlass]. I huffed, cold slowly leaving. Was so done with today, so done with this place. Taking my Zweihander, I brought myself back to my knees, only to return to all fours, pain overwhelming.

I couldn't move. I was crippled in a predator filled forest, pretty much hoping nothing stumbled by, or smelled me and waited for me to sleep. Had to get up and leave. Tried again, choked groans escaping before I fell again.

"Ow..." I squeaked softly.

Third time proved equally useless, was too agonizing to do anything past going prone.

"Crawlllliiiiiing innnnn my crawwwwwwl." I joked weakly, chuckling with a shredded voice box as I clawed towards a tree, fingers and toes shoveling mud and rock.

Kept nearly slipping, but after several minutes of trial, I reached a nearby tree. Easing myself against its bark exterior, huffed lightly, every cut and bruise rubbing between my shirt and coat. The forest remained eerily peaceful, isolating in all but one factor, one pleasant thing, crickets. To my astonishment, their legs brought an orange glow when they strutted, songs still as friendly as expected. There was nowhere to hide, but these little guys made it a little better. Hopping forward, they gathered in at least a dozen, maintaining distance, but accompanying me.

"T-Thank you."

Clearing my throat, I laid back. What bothered me most was what logic backed this skirmish, the reasoning. I cried for them, they who came at me for their friend's sake, only to be cut down. Glancing down, I was reminded of a pending comment.

[From Yuri: Watch out man, got a band of seven guys looking for you.]

"Would've killed ya to send this sooner, right Yuri?" I readjusted my seat, leaves crushing underneath. "Actually...never mind."

What if another pack of wolves arrived, stumbling upon my wounded body? Came pretty apparent, thinking only made it worse. Forcing myself to relax, I gripped my [Siege Blade] like a shield, praying for peaceful sleep. Tomorrow was another day, hopefully a better one.

People don't realize that Emperor Askar (Nascar as I call him) was actually a pretty chill guy. Freedom of religion, press, he was way more advanced than predecessors of his time. Documents regarding his fate though, that's so far undiscovered, nothing an info broker like me can't find!

- Argo on Congregate History

A/N: Feeling tired, Garr? Too bad.

Hey guys, thanks so much for reading my remake. As always, a review is preferable, but favorites and follows are appreciated too!

Note that a lemon has NOT been prepared as of late, priorities come first. hope to hear from you all later.