A/N: Who's ready for a bloodbath? Welcome to Sun Dancer, fear the unknown!
NetherOrbit: I give SAO: DS a Reki out of ten -IGN
Den3424: Thank you so much! Also forgive me for not fixing Tai's review of SAO, I'll fix that by the time this gets posted tonight!
Thunderwolf: Hope you enjoy things getting messy!
Doctor: Please stop talking to my pet tortoise, he's legit trying to eat me since your last chat (ASK NETHER!)
Special thanks go to CrazyLich74 and DarkReaver724 for following, hopefully someday your voices can be heard and I may earn a favorite for excelling standards!
Enjoy!
Cogitant Yole was and is a member of the once monolithic Church of Cel. While not a member of the actual Gundark bloodline, he too shared its beliefs as closely as more intimate members did.
Hark, the old man bears a drooping lip, always wearing a backpack of steam. Rumor has it, he survived a swing of Allston's [Warhammer] without so much as blinking, claiming it to be a mere crumb of Deus Cel's blessings. Allston himself, hasn't spoken of the event since.
It would appear his beliefs, however, may conflict with heads of other churches. More on this later.
-Godfree, Beta Tester's Survival Guide. November 27th, 2022
November 18th, 2022 - Garr
"Shit, shit, shit!"
"Move!"
"Oh god, fire!"
People lit like birthday candles, some having stood next to Taiyama's torch during an oil spillage. Voices screamed all around me, every direction bearing a boiling hostility as I jumped out, yelping with flames licking my shins, clawing through its meat like termites through wood. Swatting it with hands, my heart pounded, shouts dying down, someone standing nearby, swerving side to side. A flicker of blonde hair was all I needed.
"Dad?!"
"Leopon!" I said. "On me!"
She turned to me, shaking as she regrouped.
"Ambush, get ready!" I pointed right. "Move!"
Water was spilled, flames dying down a second after, slowing our repositioning to a crawl as darkness swept over like a cloth.
"Oh god, can't see!" Leopon said.
I said nothing, my breathing haggard, eyes wavering, heart bashing against bones. With a floor almost as slick as ice, a room absent of light left our partly burned selves vulnerable, nigh defenseless. Hearing scurrying in front of us, I hissed at Leopon.
"Shield!"
"I have to see!" Leopon opened her menu, voice broken and shrill as unknowns approached.
"Bascogne..."
A torch flickered, hands of unreasonably gnarled shape reaching past Leopon's shield, their owners mangled, malice carved frames freezing at light's presence. They were kobolds, but their hides were horribly misshapen, with whole patches converted to flaps, forming scales. Fur had been torn out, their teeth baring like a rabid, mindless beast, some of them with eyes sown shut. Her screams were followed by a bending of knees, head tucking behind her shield as she lunged forward, [Rapier] digging for anything soft.
"Oh God!" I said, our unholy adversary barely stopping as its first member suffered a stab.
They descended upon us like subterranean carrion, their wicked, rusted tools striking shield and body with wild repetition, forcing me to shove Leopon aside, taking nails and rusted edges with only a cloth vest to stop them.
[HP: 62%]
Unguarded skin broke under a dull axe's edge, tearing my arms like envelopes via fingers. Howling and staggering, I ripped its tool away, crashing its blunt side across the face. Teeth scattered like embers, flickering aside from Leopon's torch as its rodent brethren shoved their shrieking comrade aside, forcing me back with ravenous swipes, a sea of mauled flesh and overpowering zealotry forcing out all opposition.
"There's too many!" Leopon spoke frantically, stabbing as many as she could.
I again said nothing, my skin crawling with thousands of metaphoric bugs. We kept falling back, more of these [Crazed Kobolds] bursting out behind us, forcing me to redirect attention.
"Keep going, dammit!" I said. "They're not getting away!"
"You're insane, we're all gonna die!"
Time slowed, there were so many of them, all with a collective gaze of destruction, a locust swarm climbing over themselves to reach us. We weren't gonna survive this, my heart rammed against my ribs, eyes tearing up as a scream tried forcing itself out. If only I could use my Zweihander! Turning back to Leopon's flank, I lowered my head and rushed.
"Move!"
My shoulders slammed against rodents, scattering them in what little space we had, their bodies thumping against stone. My hands grabbed, tore, throwing them like dolls, my body thrashing as weapons struck linen, choked gasps escaping me as armor dampened.
[HP: 54%]
Leopon rushed behind me, her eyes watery as she ducked her head, swatting and cutting at anything remotely near herself. We had to force our way out, more were coming. My lungs poked my ribs, face chilling with an icy sweat, another light source emerging from our exit.
"Run ya daft fools!"
Turning to Leopon left me wide open, my comrade running faster than I could keep track, our predating foe leaping towards me. My feet kicked forward, retreating despite how little calculation passed. Hisses and screeches rang, objects striking me as I fled.
[HP: 48%]
[HP: 32%]
[HP: 27%]
I couldn't tell when I stopped running, but waking up, I was outside that meat grinder. My shins were deep in familiar grime, stinging from wounds previously unnoticed. Staring out towards black, dust fogged blankets, only a small light snapped me back, my face soaked in sweat. Lisbeth stood by, gasping and shaking, staring at me with wavering eyes, Leopon shivering against a wall.
"Lis, thank God." I stumbled forward.
She was too busy regathering faculties, shivering and breathing. Looked like we were it, party listing indicated everyone as recovering from further within.
"Shit." I huffed, hands shaking as wounds stretched.
"O-Oh g-god." Leopon cried. "Their breath."
Lisbeth shifted only slightly, remaining almost catatonic.
"I-I can't stay here." I shook my head.
"Don't." Lis said.
I stopped.
"I ain't pullin' either of ya out again, w-we should wait here."
"They're dying in there." I snapped my gaze to her.
"Yer nearly dead now." she frowned.
"If I don't move up, they're gonna get screwed!"
"Y-Ya." Leopon shook her head, forcing out her shudders. "Our friends need us."
"Aye, and who's gonna clean up what's left of ya?" Lis placed hands on her hips. "If we're gonna head back, lets-"
"There's no I in team." I paced around quickly, my feet trying to turn away. "I need to go now-"
Lisbeth stared with gathered intent, arms crossed like I interrupted her.
"Go on?" I slowed.
"Come 'ere."
Lis led us to a memorable stench, beyond foul's limited definition. Stopping around its olfactory border, she looked to Leopon and I.
"What?" I said.
"They ran past me, despite me bein' closer to 'em." Lisbeth shivered. "Bawbags couldn't see me, I think."
I raised an eyebrow.
"No attacks?" Leopon said.
"Nah. Think it's the smell."
"Huh, cause how else could they traverse the place without other senses? Some of them are blind." I said. "I see where you're going...it's worth a try."
"I mean, less attention the better, aye?"
Leopon didn't even hesitate, throwing herself in this refuse like it was her damn birthright. Would give her splash at least a seven.
"Ya." I nodded. "This'll work."
Dipping myself in putrescence, my eyes nearly launched from their sockets, icy teeth clawing my body as I bolted from visually impermeable depths, my nose thanking me with a horrid odor. If a smell could kill, it was this.
"Oh man." Leopon tossed her hair, slapping her hand away.
"Jeez!" I thrashed briefly. "Never smelled so bad in my life."
"Aye, I know...but it works." Lisbeth nodded.
I paced around slower, taking deep breaths. We had to go in, but how could we best regroup? Mere imagining of re-entry left my throat gulping, body sweating. I hated it, but I had to. God, if only I could convince myself to march back in there!
"Still think we should wait." Lis hunched slightly. "Our friends might come back here."
Silence left me crying quietly, frayed mind calculating. Reality, however, never cares for one's feelings. So my answer was eminent.
"They won't get that chance." I said.
"Eh?"
"Bastards got tactics, as well as home field advantage." I wiped my eyes. "Our guys're gonna get cornered."
"Then how do we stop that?" Leopon said, her vocal calm restoring.
"What do we do?" Lis lowered her arms, facing me.
Didn't respond for a good few seconds, controlling my breathing.
"We let them settle out a perimeter." my lips flattened. "Let 'em think there's only them. We flank, break up formations, regroup."
Lisbeth nodded, Leopon rolling shoulders.
"Ya, I can see that working." Leopon said.
"Problem is, Leop' and I are only two." my lips straightened.
Something glinted in Lis' eye.
"Your level's low, Lis. Have to consider damage control."
"No, yer right." Lisbeth said. "We can't sit here. I'm ready."
"You can go, Lis. We can handle this." Leopon said softly. "Thank you for saving us, but we wanna protect you."
Lisbeth's stance rigid and eyes hardened. There wasn't going to be negotiating. Stepping inside, we couldn't use light sources, it'd render our camo worthless. Spent half of my resources trying to ignore my own odor, ugh it reeked. Lined up close together, hands on our forward's shoulder, it was a slow, cautious walk.
Soft hisses, slapping feet, [Crazed Kobolds] were passing by us.
"Bascogne, L'thgna ng'miya..."
Their breath struck my face like a gaseous mallet, it was pretty obvious what they were eating. Lisbeth's hand squeezed, her breath quickened. Reaching a familiar intersection, we turned left. Splintery wooden doors, many of them locked. More passed by, counted at least twenty. There was no way we were fighting them all off.
Their language was a mixture of squeaks and sniffles. While I bumped into nearly every Kobold present, none so much as paused, sight must've been terrible. A sniffle escaped behind me, followed by another in rapid succession. Marching inches ahead, a sneeze broke out, Lisbeth's squeaky voice echoed.
As if hitting a stop button, everyone froze. Silence gripped around us, choking without touch. Blood drained from my face, Lisbeth's nails digging in. Even without sight, I knew their gaze was directed towards us.
"Bascogne, L'thgna ngmiya..."
Hearing their guttural call flickered a thought. They wanted to find prey, they were thirsty. Slowly drawing a [Cutlass], I listened. My eyes were useless, nose protesting, only my ears would help in this sightless plane. Half crouched, I turned slightly, swiveling gently, searching for breath. Left of my position, it was sniffing Lis.
Opening my throat, I stabbed forward with a shout. "Bascogne! Bascogne, L'thna ng'miya!" My voice raspy in an attempt to emulate their speech.
My target shrieked, squeaking as I struck an unseen portion of its being, our space erupting in angered cries. Pulling away quietly, I smiled a little, listening as they piled on, though fading as I heard tearing. God, they weren't picky.
Moving quickly, we found an unlocked door further down our selected hallway. Lisbeth said nothing, but her grip subsided in strength. Opening up, my eyes flooded with sight, a dim torch in a corner. Eager to leave, I stepped forward, guiding my partner in while Leopon locked it behind us. Left turn was a dead end, right led further. Silently, waving Leopon that direction, I drew my Zweihander, leveling it over a lip of her shield.
Would've advanced further too, but damn was it big. A rodent of taller, rotund mass looked down on us, its hands large and fingers long.
"Whatsss this? Another blessing, have room."
Without warning, Leopon dropped. No gasp, not even a squeak, combat ineffective.
"Leopon, what the hel-?!"
The [Kobold Jailer] rushed forward, grappling me, hands locked around my arms and waist. I was left gasping, its grip unbelievably strong, holding me up without much struggle, even when I writhed. Leopon wouldn't budge, her chest heaving softly. Oh my God, she was sleeping.
"Got lots of meat, you." my strangler said. "Pop for good measure."
"Oh, I'm a blessing all right." I said. "I'll bless your kind all eve-"
Its fingers clamped down on my ribs, shoving air out from within me. Oh God, he was crushing my organs, I couldn't move at all. Blood rushed to my head, swelling quickly, until something sent him staggering forward, a [Sneak Attack Critical]. Its health meter tanked, half of a whole bar vanishing.
"Let go!"
Lisbeth had struck him with her newest weapon, leaving him lurching, she must've damaged a bone. Holding a [Bronze Mace] in shaking little hands, her mouth was open, eyes trailing up at the monster she had alerted.
"You blight drinking!" it lunged.
Upon stepping, however, a loud crack abruptly stopped its advance, shrieking and hopping instead. Wriggling free and stumbling away, a quick glance brought sights of flickering pieces in its feet as I caught freed breath. She had tricked him into stepping on broken glass.
"God bless you, Lis!" I said.
Swerving in with a pivoting swing, my excitement brought me only a glancing hit, sending our [Kobold Jailer] rolling as its bronze tip struck arm.
[HP: 39%]
"We got 'im now!"
I followed him as he tumbled, only to be slammed by an oncoming arm, crashing into moist dungeon walls at considerable speed, vision distorting.
[You are now Dazed!]
[HP: 21%]
Nothing cohesive stuck to either my eyes or ears, who rang sharply like sirens.
"Bawbag!"
Sharp thwacks rippled through stale air, my legs wobbling as I tried drawing my Zweihander. [Hot Wave] brought it, body stumbling.
"Garr!"
Couldn't see any precise detail, only a large, dark shape moving. Disoriented legs rushed me forward, feet displacing as I closed in, throwing out a harsh, wide flying swing. Something was struck with a meaty squish, our opponent's hot breath splashing against my face.
[You are no longer dazed]
[HP: 57%]
With a restoration of sight came unfinished business, my Zweihander lodged halfway across our rotund opponent's neck. Yellow droplets of fat mixed with red, instinct compelling me to grab behind its jaw, grab it and yank. It screamed as fibers ripped, throwing its wounded body, clawing to get itself freed, my fingers digging and glistening.
Pitching itself hard, I followed it, letting it toss, grabbing it again as it recoiled. My muscles swelled, eyes closing as a loud, wet crack and spray of fluid brought an end to all of its cries. I held a severed head in my left, its ichor drenching my arms and face with its salty, basic essence. Beyond its decapitated frame, another five or six cultists had stepped in, staring at me.
Baring teeth, I stepped over their fallen comrade, boots squishing as they broke ranks, fleeing and shrieking. Rushing behind, I threw their friend's severed head before closing their entry door, shivering as my eyebrows rose. Oh God, my arms. I could taste it. Taking out a glass bottle, I quickly uncorked, but stopped.
"Is Leopon okay?" I didn't look back.
"Aye." Lisbeth said, delayed in her speech.
Examining Leopon, I scratched my head. Sleeping soundly, there was no status or sign of there being trauma, her head showing no discoloration. Lisbeth stepped in, checking in on our fallen knight.
"The hell?" I shrugged.
[To Heathcliff: Leop's KO'd, we're in some sort of jail room. Status?]
Checked our party roster, stopping as results arrived.
"Frack!" I spat, hands clenched.
"What?" Lis glanced.
"Yuse's down." I threw hands.
"Aw cripe..." she frowned. "No..."
"Of all the people that joined us, the one guy I thought was decent!" Lurching with hands on my knees, I perked my head up. "Everyone's wounded, Heath's not responding, Leop's knocked. You both need to go."
"I ain't leavin'." Lis stiffened.
"I'll escort you both past that pool. Damage control must be-"
A door opened, my body swerving with weapon raised. A figure in red plated armor rushed in, another of a shorter, less armored frame.
"Oh thank God." I said, Zweihander lowered. "Where're the others?"
"Separated." Heathcliff said, hurrying to Leopon's side. "Ugh, I told her this would happen. Least her health's still green."
"It all happened so fast." Yuri shuddered. "Tai's group tried going for a Jenkins run. Where's Kuradeel? What happened to you?"
"Mm." I shrugged. "Stuff got messy, was only Lis and I fighting when Leopon dropped." I glanced past him. "Heath, I'm still good."
"Hm. How far are we from the exit?" Heathcliff said.
"Pretty close actually." Lis nodded behind us. "that route and...six doors left'll lead ya back outside."
Huh, she sure knew her directions.
"Then we'll have to be quick." Heathcliff knelt, hauling Leopon over his shoulder. "I'm taking her back. If you two wanna retreat, this would be the time."
Lisbeth looked to my ragged self, lips pressed and eyes big.
"I'm going in." I said.
While a deepening of my voice could fool some, my beating heart rebuked. These kobolds, imagery of their loathsome figures brought pain in my throat. I had to keep going, no matter how badly I despised Tai's group. If only I could convince myself to be courageous, if only I was like George Patton.
"Aye, same."
I glanced to Lis, praying to God I was imagining things.
"Uh, no." Yuri shook his head. "You're our blacksmith."
"Aye, but Garr's me best mate. Leavin' ain't what Scots do."
She wouldn't budge. Cages lined above us, held aloft by chains. Stalls, reminiscent of urinals stood in rows. With a pair of chained shackles bolted in each slot, an obvious theme was playing out. Bones weren't present, but a lone stall was occupied.
"Wait, who's this?" I said, stepping over.
Its eyes were faded, retaining a dull yellow color. Wasn't sure what it even was, having octopus like skin. It hardened, color shifting to match patterns found behind itself. While clearly a biped, it lacked external ear structures, bearing fairly short hair.
"H-Hey." Lisbeth waved. "Are ya alright, mate?"
He wiggled a bit, sniffling. Didn't take long to realize he was messed up, poor guy.
"It's okay, we're getting you out." Lisbeth crouched, kneeling in front of him.
"That's a dark elf." Heathcliff said. "We'll need a key."
Our unfortunate resident could barely speak past single syllable words. Lisbeth did everything to bring him to speak, but I couldn't find a key anywhere. After several minutes, it was clear she was getting more done, octo-dad was simmering down. Inspecting his wall mounted chains, however, I stopped.
"Garr?" Yuri said.
Smirking, I grabbed a chain and yanked, its bolts tearing out with a shriek. Rust had long ruined these bronze devices, maybe not enough for a half-starved prisoner, but certainly enough for me.
"That works too." Lis said.
While he tried expressing gratitude through words, this prisoner could only squeak. Made me smile though, teary eyed even.
"We'll take him." Heathcliff said. "Know this, I cannot come back here. I cannot risk my daughter's safety."
"I don't want you to." I cleared my throat. "Go, gonna change my mind damn soon if I don't man up."
Sun Dancer
- Asuna
A swift sweep brought another creep crashing, my [Rapier] whipping in air faster than I could track. There were so many of them, flooding after us like a tidal wave. I didn't know why we kept going, I kept recommending we find the others, but Taiyama wouldn't hear it. Rushing ahead, he waved me forward, clutching a torch as Aigen screamed, chopping whatever ran behind us.
"That's for Yuse, you fucking bitches!"
"L'thgna ng'miya!"
Splashing by weird, sticky puddles, I kept eyeing my party list. I've run out of potions trying to keep these two going, more were approaching from every door. Running up a stray flight of stairs, Taiyama stopped right at its peak, staring down another hall, breathing hard. Aigen arrived shortly after, huffing as he hauled up to us, shaking furiously as we stopped. I quickly turned.
"Why'd they stop chasing us?"
"The hell are you stopping for?" Aigen said, looking at Tai.
"That." Tai nodded right. "Boss room, I'll kill it myself. Fucking leaving "
The path ahead was clean, its stone white and unaffected by wear or time, looking kinda pretty even. Gasping, I paced around to ease my heart rate, Tai taking a seat.
"Oh good, chief." Aigen leaned. "And how do you plan to do that?"
"One, take a break." Tai drew a sandwich. "Two...be determined."
"Sweet, nothing. Maybe we should let the rest of our fucking team die then, huh?"
"Shut up, dude. I've already had enough shit."
"Fuck you, you saw what happened to Yuse! Fuckers literally ate him!"
Aigen burst into tears, hands pressing against his face, head shaking.
"Oh god!" he stopped, lowering hands while turning to Tai. "Why'd I listen to you?!"
"We were ambushed, you protein guzzling buffoon. You would've joined him if you didn't."
"Guys, stop it." I frowned, lowering my [Rapier]. "We gotta keep together-"
"You shut up!" Aigen pointed, turning swiftly on Tai. "You know what pisses me off most? You can still stand here, so straight faced after watching him get ripped apart! Watching his hands, god the blood!"
"And here you are, losing your shit like a fucking child." Tai planted his [Spear]. "Aigen, we have to keep going. For Yuse's sake especially, we can't let him die for nothing."
"He already did! Why?" he looked back at me. "Cause of her!"
"What're you talking about?!" I leaned in.
I wanted to cry, my legs wobbling as he kept pointing a finger at both of us.
"All you've ever done since freshman year was focus on fucking Asuna!" Aigen shoved Tai. "You left us behind, we didn't mean shit to you!"
"You know why that is?" Tai crossed arms. "Cause unlike you, Asuna understood how important school was! All you'd ever think about was baseball, even when I told you I needed to study! But no, dur I'm Aigen I swing a baseball bat all day, dur hur."
"At least I'm not some girl's fucking babysitter!" Aigen roared. "Don't worry Asuna, I'll pick you up, take you places, clean your damn shoes, let you vent on me like a dakimakura. Shit, why not marry her then? Least you'd get something out of it!"
"I'm just being a friend!" Tai groaned. "If being decent means that, then you've got issues."
"Stop it!" I said.
Both paused. Walking up to Aigen, I quickly slapped, glaring at both of them.
"I...am not something to possess!"
"Oh please, how about you tell your parents that?" Aigen said. "I'm sorry, how many surgeries was that? Tell me, how much of you is actually real? Plastic?"
A slap didn't suffice, so I kicked him below the belt. Sadly, no pain was delivered, stupid game. Leaning over me, Aigen glared.
"You know something? You're lucky I'm not a fucking bully like Garr." Aigen threw hands up and turned away. "Wish it was him who died, asshole!"
"Agreed." Tai shrugged.
"It's gonna be great. Knowing Yuse died so Tai can look like a big hero, Asuna sucking his dick like a fucking-"
Before I could even blink, a fist flew, hands grabbing shirt collars, Tai and Aigen brawling and wrestling, growling and cursing each other as shoes scraped.
"We're just friends!" Tai thrashed. "I wasn't serious!"
"Only to you!"
Shifting myself to a corner, I couldn't bear to watch them fight, veering away as they crashed against stone. Tai and I were only friends, but that was too much apparently. Wasn't like I was stuck with guys who only wanted to get in my pants. I told myself this would be easy, I mean we had the game's lead developer, two of the strongest people I knew, and some other helpers. I thought we could handle it.
I, I got Yuse killed.
Sun Dancer
- Garr
So many Murphies, even with Kuradeel backing me up it turned into an utter slog. We were down to six, out of ten people. Our instructor was found cutting through a whole dozen of them, completely alone and surrounded. While he was wounded, his finesse wasn't lost, being probably the sole reason we made it as deep as we had. Slowing in front of another door, Kuradeel shook, hesitant to open.
"Move." I said, brutally grasping its ring.
Kuradeel nodded, tired sighs escaping his lips as I shoved it aside, fists ready.
Was a pretty open space, a bridge held up by old stone pillars hung above, running left and right. A simple flight of stairs led to a place of notable lighting, I was sure to inspect it, finding the rest of our raid party sitting near a surprisingly pristine doorway.
"Bout time you showed up." Taiyama leaned on his [Spear].
"Ve got hit pretty hard." Kuradeel stopped to rest against a wall. "Oof, I could use a drink right now."
Lisbeth passed by, offering Kuradeel a bottle before sitting.
"Ah, danke." he quickly uncorked. "Very kind of you."
"Aye." Lis nodded tiredly, laying back.
Asuna sat a few meters away, but well within sight. An uncomfortable aura lofted from merely standing among them, a friction unfamiliar to me. Frowning softly, I did my best to not antagonize.
"I'm sorry." I uttered, looking at Tai. "He was...a thoughtful guy."
They said nothing, looking honestly too tired to pull any great effort.
"Where're the Murphies? Too damn quiet."
"What?" Tai glanced, his dark eyes hard.
"Our little friends?"
"They've been leaving us alone since we got here." Asuna blurted out. "It's a boss room we're next to, least Tai thinks so."
"Zhink ve should fall back zhen."
[Taiyama: 43%]
[Asuna: 51%]
[Aigen: 37%]
[Lisbeth: 41%]
[Kuradeel: 57%]
[Garr: 89%]
This was bad. Bad, bad, bad. Everyone was out of healing items, with one of us gone forever.
"I kinda agree." Lisbeth curled up. "Chargin' that's suicidal."
My hands shivered, my eyes darting away, mouth dry as my pens on college finals. What waited for us behind this door? I didn't wanna know, I could barely stand its minions.
"I mean, without Heathcliff." Asuna rubbed her shoulders, masked by her black cloak. "We're out of armor. Our best chance left."
"Retreat would buy us time to call reinforcements." Tai tilted his head. "Lind and Kibaou can swarm this place, get it done."
Choking inside, I forced myself up, my knees unwilling.
"A job done right, only needs to be done once." I said. "Not gonna sit back and let others risk their lives...just cause I feared for mine."
"Oh ho, look out, we got a badass over here." Aigen said. "Can your macho shit, half-stack. Nobody's fighting."
"Fine." I shouldered my Zweihander, borrowing an extra torch.
"We'll be better prepared if we fall back." Taiyama said.
"They won't stop." I eased open the door.
"Oi, don't be a bampot!" Lis said. "Garr!"
Hinges creaked, a suffocating dark hiding my foe as I shut it behind me. My worn leather gloves cracked, heart speeding. What was I doing here, walking into some unthinkable beast's lair? Did I want to die? No, it's the creature's job to die. If only such thoughts eliminated my desire to run. My feet kept turning, as if demanding I flee. Too many excuses, too many selfish statements. Me, me, me, screw that. People are dying cause of this bitch.
Pillars, roughly a foot shorter than myself stood like clockwork. Glass-like, their smooth matrices suggested their composition to be obsidian, black as a raven. Thick in constitution, bright green veins throbbed within, as if it were alive. A central piece laid dormant, without an unbecoming glow. Closing in, my boots squished, a mucus substrate clinging.
"What's this? Another elf?"
An eyebrow was raised, my breath stifled from its guttural words, mouth hanging partly open. What in God's name lived here?
"Why, if I weren't any wiser, I would think Ilioc's got it in for me. Have you come to bring back what's mine? Chatting's fine too. Least till they come in."
"N-No, not after your recent shit." I horribly faked toughness. "Call off your attacks. This ends now."
"A slayer? Goodness, haven't seen one of your kind since...oh never mind. You know I'm on your side, yes? Ignore my brethren, they're the delusional ones."
"You sent them." my mouth dried.
"If I didn't, I'd risk losing my head."
I gulped, leashing my own breath.
"So you sacrifice others for your own sake."
"Hyperbole. Slayer, Illfang's been lying to you. The real king's sleeping. Bascogne really is the answer to this."
"So you're not going to stop." I shivered.
"Hm, strangely stubborn. Most slayers are willing to let go of a lesser blessed for bigger prey. Maybe this will educate, you of ignorant origin."
It stepped forward, my lips curving back as I leaned away, eyes opened wider, blood draining. Its fingers were longer than a child's wrist, entire parcels of its flesh were replaced, a shiny green array of scales taking its place. A horn of completely unrelated anatomy, nestling alone on a skull whose osteoblasts formed twisting spires. Its ivory surface bore hundreds of unblinking...human eyes, unrestrained by natural, biological control, looking all directions. It had barely a lip, fingers extending where such surface should be, reaching like anemone...hungry tentacles. As its hands glowed a sickly green, its very abdomen mimicked its light.
[Field Boss - Kosmobold Miakane]
Three bars of HP, more than I've seen on any creature. I had to charge, it was prepping an attack, but I wouldn't move. My mind spoke of retreat, flee to stray corners of Aincrad, avoid what I couldn't understand, what drained blood from my limbs in unadulterated fright. What even was it?! It wasn't right, it was a living wrong.
Miakane unleashed its unbridled, eldritch wrath with a near blinding flash. A blanket of lightning, its color completely unnameable, arcing towards my bronze [Siege Blade], light pulsating. Pumping through me like water from a hose, my roar filled his home, collapsing me in a shout and clap.
"One night, slayer! Twelve brides will end it all!"
[HP: 46%]
Gasping and shaking, the door behind me slammed open, others rushing in.
"Oh my god!"
"Under vhat circumstance..."
"What the hell is that?!"
"Oh good, slayer. You did not come here alone!"
Half of my health dropped in a single jolt. Others rushed at it, its magic of starkest malice striking them apart with a deafening crack, warding them with streams of fire and bolt, driving them to cover as I crawled through viscous, cold water.
"Bascogne, do you hear our prayers!? You who saved us?!"
Shivering from shock, I crawled right, using some pillars for cover, stammering under my breath. Our space lit with light unfounded by normal means, parts of me singed to a horrible pale color. Burns didn't look like this, what was it doing to me?
"Erase them! So even stars can't reach them! Let them witness their doom!"
Miakane's laughter rang out, his conjurations spreading briefly before silencing. People screamed around me, [Crazed Kobolds] jumping inside to defend their master. Their flayed selves were notably worse in better lighting, perceptive to wounds unimaginable for a normal person, rushing me without pause, clutching weapons rusted beyond worth.
"L'gthna ng'miya!"
"Yes, praise the God Thief!"
With room and sight, however, I acted quickly. Launching to full height, I went for their legs, catching the first foe with dual dismemberment.
[HP: 88%]
Weapons clashed, plumes of psychedelic fire lighting our world, scorching some of its own followers in its efforts to enlighten us. Nobody moved near Miakane, his spells sending them behind cover like myself. Cultists chanted around us, some screaming as they burst into flames.
"Do not fear, for even death has died. He deemed it so."
Forced to fight off his minions, I shoved off whoever tried grabbing, hacking off legs to slow. Those who burned twisted, becoming cinder-like, even as they collapsed. They wouldn't turn to glass though, they'd just lie there...mutating.
"Arise with eyes, brothers. They wish to silence us!"
A grimy liquid formed beneath me, a ring of unearthly material forcing me to change location, my throat opening for more screams. Kuradeel jumped back, his boots splashing into viscous ponds, Aigen jumping forward, forcing Miakane to step back with a newly formed wall of fire.
"Bascogne will save us, they won't have us!"
Taiyama came around left, shield raised, only to be forced back by a few cultists. Miakane swept his disproportionate hand, casting water on Aigen before turning and belching fire my direction, sending me reeling with bulging eyes.
"Precious, naive child! Do you have any idea what you're playing at?"
I rolled behind pillars, only to be reminded of its grime ring, whose sediment had formed tentacles of a electric saturation, flaring with unknowable color as they gripped, body tightened as I stared at what took hold. I signed up for this shit, what a stupid idea!
It was absolutely maddening, why didn't Nishida tell us cult leaders were this strong? The strength possessed by these boneless limbs left me thrashing every direction, ripping myself free after countless tries. Miakane thankfully wasn't focused, Asuna having found and taken an opening, her [Rapier] scoring a few hits before being blasted back by a gust of unearthly wind.
"Bascogne!" our enemies shrieked. "Lth'gna ng'miya!"
"Asuna, fall back!" Tai shouted. "This is going to hell, fast!"
"Not without you!"
"Retreat!"
Aigen grabbed a flaming cultist, shoving it towards Miakane as my allies fled, our target tumbling back in self preservation. Another wave of water was sent, splashing against us, rising to our shins, putting out our fallen torch's light.
[You have been Slowed!]
"God Thief...show these nonbelievers of sand and clay true power!"
Weren't even halfway done with one HP meter, Miakane keeping us dispersed with blasphemous spells. Fire bellowed from its hands, forming a tracing ball of orange light in front of each palm, dancing with its digits as he spun and weaved blankets and strings of flame.
[Taiyama: 24%]
[Asuna: 38%]
[Aigen: 19%]
[Lisbeth: 41%]
[Kuradeel: 40%]
Its gnarled face poured nightmare fuel as it snuffed out life with its glance. Taiyama rushed in, his shield stopping its immediate blast, but ultimately catching fire. In what time it took, however, he scored a stab with his [Spear], wounding Miakane enough to warrant attention. Aigen rushed in behind him, trying to shove his own friend aside to get a shot, getting a good hit before our eldritch foe repelled him with immolation.
Aigen screamed, forced back by biting and clawing flames, jumping in obscenely tainted depths. Teammates were getting too wounded, they had to fall back or suffer casualties. Stomping forward, I whipped my Zweihander in, a cultist spotting my approach and shielding his master with his own body.
A disemboweling tear left it screaming, continuing to stand in front of Miakane, who quickly turned to face me, readying another spell. Seeing green, I grabbed his meat shield by its ravenous snout, throwing it like a ball, knocking Miakane down with a brutal slam. Tossing his servant aside, I jumped down to swing wide. Looking for him, however, I found his head ducking.
Something clamped around my stomach, thousands of needles punching through my gambeson with an animalistic tug, worms whipping in me hatefully. An eye watering burn erupted, a loud squish and slurp as air visited an unfamiliar place, a glance revealing Miakane's jaws, tearing out my guts with wriggling finger-teeth.
All sense was gone, I couldn't even scream. Throwing my whole weight down, something cracked against him, his body slamming belly first, my Zweihander ringing, launching me down on a knee. My world shrank to a pedestal, only me and him, this bastardization of biological law, of whom I stepped over and careened, arcing my entire body behind my next strike.
[Critical Hit!]
My Zweihander cracked bone, Miakane roaring as I struck. Sadly, my lack of training neutered its damage, having struck him with its flat side out of desperation. Miakane rose, such a grievous injury failing to hinder it. A hateful grin, priming another spell in one hand, casting lightning at me again with another. It wanted my Zweihander, it obeyed something rudimentary.
Throwing my weapon recklessly aside, its green bolts followed it, saving me from most, but not all. Malicious energy pulsated through my bones, robbing me of dexterity, thoughts and sense.
[HP: 11%]
With only a broad shoulder, I tackled him against his central altar, bashing him over and over with my bare hands. I tore everything I could reach, whiskers, hair, loose scales, punching and clawing before Miakane broke free, wriggling back as I stalked him like a starved dog. Kicking his legs as he rose, my eyes burning, Miakane sending another bolt.
Least he was, till I started choking him, his malignant hands scratching my wrists. His health was draining, gasping and gagging as I bent him over a pillar, my arms bulging as his yellow globular eyes swelled. Saying nothing, drooling with bared teeth, I watched its life leave, arms shaking as I held it down.
"Fuck you!" I said with a broken voice, tears streaming down my grime covered face.
Its HP fell, striking red as seconds drew on, my victory was at hand.
"By the time this night is over, you will wish I remained, slayer."
Glass, my hands weren't gripping anything. With nothing more to touch than frigid stone, I dropped on my back with a dull thud. Miakane's minions screeched a sad tune, retreating in all directions, leaving a space devoid of non-human life.
[You have leveled up!]
[+1 Insight]
Forgive me for nostalgia, my friends. But I miss the days when [Dragons] didn't know magic.
- Judge King Anders, Lord of Castle Valunsteed
A/N: Hopefully the carnage was well worth the wait! Seems Garr does at least one thing pretty well.
Hey guys, remember I love to get reviews (Bad & Good) as it helps me make better and better chapters. Excited to hear from all of you...unless you're a certain doctor.
See you all next week!