A/N: Demon Slayer, killing notions of invincibility since 2016!
NetherOrbit: Garr never saw this tactic coming, point for Lisbeth!
Den3424: You want weird? You'll get weird!
Doctor: The number of ethics violations on your record is...unsurprising, doc.
Thunderwolf: Nah, Thanatos is actually an undercover dolphin working for Atlantis.
bitchbot: Haru did nothing wrong :)
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Enjoy!
"A society's greatness is gauged by its weapons. A strong society possesses creativity, engineering a means to overcome conflicts both current and imagined. The greatest society possesses the greatest arsenal."
- Garr, December 9th, 2022
November 20th, 2022
"Really, mate?!"
Lisbeth bent over as I sung, and by sung I mean choked. It was hard to focus while she laughed, let alone follow lyrics with a serious tone. Considering my choice, however, it was actually fitting since it broke us away from our circumstances.
She absolutely stomped me throughout this [Karaoke Duel], singing softly into her mic, red faced and pacing. Apparently Lisbeth liked this stuff called vocaloid, metal songs too. It got me swaying, swinging my legs and hips, a widening grin growing on my face. Heat rose from my stomach, loosening arms and legs as I danced. While it ended within minutes, I kept going, anything to keep it bright.
"Proved ya wrong, didn't I?" she said.
"Yea you did, shut up." I smiled.
"Hey, you said it yourself, winning wasn't gonna happen. Now you're gonna carry me around all day tomorrow."
"What?" I slowed to a stop.
"Mhm," she crossed arms. "So be ready!"
"Psh, could backpack you all year," I raised my shoulders, "Tiny woman like you's nothing."
"Good, slow rides suck."
I gulped a little, a sly grin indicating she played me into it. Served up some [Ostrich Meat], thankfully letting me do it in a sort of rotisserie style. It glistened, thick and juicy with liquidized fat dripping, fire hissing in delight as it fell.
"I'd say today went well," Lisbeth said, gazing at what cooked.
"Yea," I grinned, readying a few carrots, "Got an idea, by the way."
"Oh?"
"Those Red Hoof guys? We're not killing 'em."
"But the chieftain said they're violent, dangerous too."
"Might makes right, and I've got might."
I removed our rotating meat, cutting out a big chunk for both of us, sliced carrots served beside it.
"Mm," Lisbeth grinned, "Not bad."
"Yea, Yuri knew quite a bit actually," I nodded, "Should thank him later."
"Aye, you were saying?"
"We're gonna take over their tribe," I swallowed some food, "Find out what they want as a whole, and work from there."
"Ambitious," she nodded, "How though? They're really strong."
"Physically sure, but there're ways around that."
"Ooh," Lisbeth nodded, "A'right, first we get 'em drunk."
"Pfff," I shook my head, "Mean it'd make it easier to fight them, but that's not what I'm going for."
"Hm, okay. Put this on," she handed this maid skirt and top.
I paused, grimacing as I held its frilly white and black rims, glancing up at her.
"Um," I scrambled for words.
"Huh?" Lis smirked, "Mean you've got some pretty thick legs there."
"Yea, how about I come up with the ideas?" I passed it back, "I can try that out later, in private."
"Dammit mate," Lisbeth stowed it away, "Was gonna say you seduce them all with that bod!"
I wiped my face with both hands, images of me in a dress twisting my brain like yarn. Lisbeth giggled harder, clearly taking a liking to mental damages.
"God!" I whipped my hands aside, "Anyway! If I could take all these tribes and unify them, we could start something."
"Thought this was just a recon thing," Lisbeth's smile turned sly.
"Consider that a secondary goal. Conversion by takeover is our new...protocol."
"Mm, I like that," her brown eyes narrowed, impish and teasing.
"First thing's first, we take the Red Hooves."
"And then...we take over the world," Lis said with rapping fingers, exacerbating a sinister voice.
"Yes, and then we shall enforce an international sweets day," I rubbed hands, "Candy shops must submit!"
"Yes! All the yes!" Lis giggled. "A loli for every-" she stopped. "Wait, no."
"What? It's a lollipop." I glanced.
"Oh nothin', just remembered Japanese culture. What's a candy ya like, Garr?"
"Jelly beans...like one or two a week."
Lis gave me a blank stare.
"Two?"
"Yep."
"Christ, mate!" she shoved, "I'd die if I tried eating like you."
Laughter escaped between us as our eyes dueled, heat building.
"Shit, I can see it now," I choked, "You laying in bed, staring up with your last breath, with an empty warheads container in your hand!"
"Yes," Lisbeth shook her head, "All the blue raspberry gone, everything but black cherry...fuck black cherry."
"Oi, I just happen to like cherry flavored stuff!" I nudged, "Least some of 'em...damn now I'm wondering what those taste like."
"That'd be the first thing I'd do!" she giggled, "Not a hello, just shove a damn warheads in your mouth and watch your squirm."
"Why?"
"Cause the reactions you make," Lis rocked back, "They're hilarious."
It kept building, our pokes and nudges more frequent, until I stopped. An awkward quiet swept over us, stars glowing brightly against a midnight blue sheet as we stared. Was as if we rammed a tree, our acceleration crashing, knowing what we were doing.
"We...should probably get some sleep," she said, a hint of red on her face.
I nodded, quietly averting my gaze as she tucked in. God, what was I doing? I let my hormones get so out of control, all for what, a one off thing. Lisbeth was too far away, there's no way it'd work. Besides, I knew what she was. The smell, the shifting behavior, it all was apparent. Why'd I keep coming back to this?
-Lisbeth
My whole world shrank as I tucked in, my gut jamming down, making its way underground like a drill as his eyes looked away. Doing everything to hide my face, I let its heat drain. I knew what he did last night, I knew it and it gripped me. He sacrificed a chance at warmth during a cold night, all for my sake. If I were a better woman, I'd throw my arms around him, but I'm not.
Garr may not've known it, but I found him to be the real-est person I've ever met. Honesty, fiery, unafraid to speak his mind, he had it all. Asuna was a great friend, but it seemed she was hiding things. Leopie got real with me, that's hard to find. Garr though, he was a different story.
Getting involved in something that close with someone as cute and sweet as him when I had so many problems of my own, it wasn't okay. My parents taught me since I was young to never expect someone else to fix my problems, I had to do it. My mind was everywhere, scrambling for another drink, craving an old release. To put my problems on him would only tear him down with me.
So long as I sought bottles, I would never be with Garr. So long as I lacked a goal, some motivation, I'd only weigh him down.
Sun Dancer
November 21st, 2022 - Garr
The Assault Team's failure to breach Illfang's defenses left me quiet all night. A hundred and ninety four, just about two hundred brave individuals gone, praise them. What a beautiful day, being able to recognize how many people around us possessed such courage. A pulling sensation in my gut left my throat dry, eyes south of us. I had to get them assistance. If I could unite these tribes, I might repay them for my cowardice. With sunrise rose Lisbeth, hands clawing into her pockets. Breakfast was served, albeit quieter than yesterday.
"You alright?" I said.
"Aye, just feeling sleepy. You ready, mate?"
Nodding, I turned, bending my knees briefly. Wrapping arms around my neck, legs around my waist, I begun my march, reminded why I shouldn't jump the gun.
"Mush."
"I'm not a dog." I smirked.
"Mush!"
Barely weighing me down, I bent forward, hauling it with solid stomps.
"Wee!" she laughed, "Faster!"
"Not happenin'!" I pushed myself, "Gotta, conserve energy."
Lisbeth giggled in my ear.
"Do you level AGI at all? Feels like I'm riding in one o' Leopie's tanks."
"Nope," I bobbed as I jogged, "I'm a [Strength] type, woman."
"You don't say," she tightened her grip, "Mean, I like raising my [Strength] too."
"I can tell, way you sent that Taurus home," I smiled, "Was a clean hit."
While grass still dominated Floor Two's space, terrain was largely flat. Clouds were rare, small in girth, floating islands distant and sparse. Our path led us towards mines previously marked, figuring we'd stop once or twice. While mining out stray rocks, however, we found this stuff called rock phosphate. Boy, did that get Lis excited.
"The hell do I do with this?" she examined, "It's not fuel, it's crap for forging either weapos or armor."
Always called weapons weapos, adorable.
"Hang on, I may know someone of this expertise," I readied a message.
[To Haru: Hey Haru, what can you do with rock phosphate?]
[From: Been a while, surprised you aren't at the raid. As for that, got bottles?]
Apparently if we broke it up into pieces and smelted their bottled remains in Lisbeth's furnace, we could make white phosphorus gas, long as we used carbon and silica for fuel. Trouble was, we'd have to keep it controlled in sealed containers...as it had a habit of self igniting when given oxygen. Yay, our own air set it on fire.
"So what's your real name?" I hoisted Lis on my back.
"Why ya wanna know?" she spoke softly.
"Just curious, mean we're gonna be working together for a while here."
"I dunno, maybe I'll tell if you can answer a riddle."
"Okay, shoot."
"Until I'm measured I'm not known, Yet you miss me when I've flown. What am I?"
I stopped, letting her climb back on before continuing our trek.
"Water?"
"Nope."
"Dammit. Ammo?"
"Do you only think of bullets and guns, Garr?"
"Mostly from the thought of cycling weapons."
"Eh?"
"Long story, okay. How about...a best friend?"
"Not even close. Mush!"
A vast nothingness swept west, its color paler than here, though a different story existed northeast. Even from where we stood, maybe tens of miles away, trees could be made out. They had to be gargantuan in size for me to see them. Damn, carrying a person around all day was different from lifting entirely. Seriously, I was hunching a bit. She had to be what, maybe a dollar twenty soaking wet? Guess cooking didn't help.
"Slow down," Lis said, "Don't want you getting too tired."
"Thanks," I wiped my brow.
East of us stood a scene similar to Floor One, a coast of endless ocean. Wasn't Aincrad supposed to be stacked like a building? These entire regions were lined up more like a continent, not at all resembling of a simple stairway to harder levels.
"Ugh, too hot," Lisbeth shivered, "Got spare water?"
"Should have a couple of pots," I checked inventory, only to stop with a grimacing face, "Okay, we are looking."
"What happened to our water?"
"Think I drank it during workouts."
"Why?"
"I've had kidney stones before, I'm not having them again!"
"Shit, you had those?!"
"Three to be exact!"
"Holy crap," Lisbeth's head turned. "Oh that's gotta-"
Her last words choked off, body shaking against mine.
"B-B-Big bug!"
Turning around, I leaped a whole foot behind, eyes bulging. A new predator had emerged, without making a single sound, taller than anything I've ever encountered. On eight legs as thin as stilts of thirty foot height, it sprinted towards us with speeds rivaling automobiles, locked on like a missile. Its torso was thin, its locomotion jamming through dirt. Despite it's arachnid form, I couldn't make out eyes.
[Field Boss Discovered - Young Drifter]
"You've gotta be kidding me!" I paled.
"Run, goddammit!" Lis squeezed limbs around me.
Sprinting was useless, it was on top of us in seconds, raising limbs, their bony tips sharp as pikes.
"Get down!" I threw Lisbeth behind a rock, moving a separate direction, summoning my Zweihander.
"Don't fight it!"
Turning on me, it raised on four hind legs, driving others forward like a set of spiked fists, punching holes in dirt with subtle thuds. Startling me with sheer range and velocity, my weapon shook in my hands as I fell away into hops. Its joints bent as it grounded, all four dozen. Its hair swished, fine like a human's. My face went cold, I was unable to engage this thing head-on.
My swings were dodged, this nightmare of legs dancing around my Zweihander, nearly poking me right in the chest. Rocks were thrown at it from elsewhere, Lisbeth cursing as rounds missed. Turning and poking, it managed to catch her shoe, hooking her up like a lured fish.
"No, no, no!" Lisbeth screamed.
Racing up for a hind leg, I furiously crashed bronze against joint, a crackling pop sending it flailing like a whip. Turning back, it dropped Lisbeth, though its HP meter was untouched. I scored a gaping wound on one of its many legs, and it did no damage. If anything Lis seemed to have struck its face, causing it to squirm a bit. It toyed with us, jamming its legs like spear sized bolts as it tried hitting us, wind bursting around as its limbs whizzed by. Only when Lis turned left did I see one of those mines we discovered earlier.
"Move!" I said, hunching shoulders for a tackle.
Lis leaped aside, my brawn crashing through the weak wooden door with ease, but causing my descent into lightless depths. Scraping against gravel and moist soil, I skidded and fell, screaming out as I sank.
Sun Dancer
- Lisbeth
Rushing inside, I skipped right, gasping as our stalking spider jammed a limb through rotten wood, flexing about like a whip, its translucent shell revealing bones. Wouldn't dare hit it, climbing up to this mine's wooden ceiling beams to avoid its touch. Its hairs stroked all over, seeking me out, leaving my own raising. It sensed away, its patience wearing thin, its movements slowing. After a few minutes, it drew away, absolutely quiet in its motions.
My heart pounded so fast, this thing was able to sneak up on us without much effort. It could run so much faster than us, outreach us, how're we ever gonna get out?
How would we possibly fight it?
What were its other means of attack? Did it have secondary stuff?
Why didn't I just stay in that tower?
Minutes passed before I even dared step down. Slipping with shaking fingers, I considered every step, watching for any second attempts.
Wooden door didn't slow Garr down at all, it might as well have been made of foam. Reaching solid ground, I stopped, waiting for something to reach out. We wouldn't be in this mess right now if I just stayed in that tower, hung out with Garr, mined stuff. But no, I had to get curious, wanting to move around.
All this and I had nothing to calm me. No drinks, what was I thinking? A quick peek outside revealed open air, that dust wanker was gone. Sitting down, I wrapped an arm around my mouth, screaming into it, venting. Once my throat wore off though, I checked status.
[Garr - HP: 73%]
Least he was okay. Crouching, I walked further down, seeing an enormous skid mark. A thin trench was plowed, a path no doubt leading to him. Looking closer, however, something glinted. A broken [Siege Blade] was jammed against rocks, its blade snapped just above its second handle. Lifting it off, my grip tensed.
"Shit."
A frown grew on me, seeing its requirements.
[Bronze Zweihander]
[Durability: 0/250]
[Required to Repair: 7 Bronze Ingots]
"Garr," I muttered, putting it away for a torch, "Gonna kill you when I find you."
Trailing down, my eyes were clearly playing tricks. Kept seeing shapes, figures where there wasn't anything.
"Bascogne, Lgth'na ng'miya"
Hairs rose, those awful, ugly words playing back. This place was chocked with minerals, a patch of stone every five feet glowing due to [Mining] skill. Something shifted gravel below, my mace raised. A bright blue name indicator, however, eased my concerns.
"Oh God, there you are," Garr hurried in front of me, eagerly hugging me, "You okay?"
"Was just about to ask you," I hugged back briefly.
"I'm fine, just a bit scratched. Have you seen my weapon? Lost it during my fall and I can't find it."
Displaying his broken tool, Garr turned pale.
"Can you fix it?"
"Ya, for seven bleeding bronze ingots."
"Mm, well good thing we're in a mine," he glanced back, "Jeez, freak's quick."
I raised a finger as he glanced back, ready to throw down my call.
"Hey, you'll love this. I found water. Lots of it."
"Really?" I paused.
He led me down further, this cave's bottom possessing a little pool within a stony bowl. Looking down again at my dirty hands, priorities changed.
"Go ahead. I'll look away," he said.
"Hm, how about ya go first? I'm...I'm still kinda wound up from that spider."
"Alright, I'll be quick."
Walking past me, my eyes averted to an opposing path, listening as clothes were removed. Something got tense beneath my throat, picturing him without a shirt. He was already bulging out of them like a balloon, so what more was there to see? A soft splash indicated entry, heart slowing as eyes sought to turn.
I gave in.
A caramel tan enveloped rippling, flowing symmetry. A sculpted body of Olympic proportions cleaned itself. Bulging muscle stretched and shortened with every move, wings of sinew opening as his elbows rose. It was bulky, full. A diamond shape formed from muscles behind his neck to his waist, shoulders connected like bronze pauldrons, round and huge.
Shit, even his arse was pronounced.
They all had a synergistic look about them, like everything was natural. I'd spend time looking up figures like his online as a guilty pleasure, seeing the real thing though...that was different. His forearms formed canyons, connected to arms of steel. If only I could see his ab work. Was like I was seeing a real comic book character. My heart wouldn't stop throbbing, my hands hot and twitchy, I had to look away. Moments later, I again heard splashing.
"Alright, thanks."
"Mhm," I nodded, turning and keeping my face away from his sight.
Goddamn.
"Hey."
Gazing back at him quickly revealed a held out bar of soap. Back in his green attire, nothing more was to be seen, giving me a chance to punch my heart back down.
"Aw you're blushing," he grinned.
"Well yea mate," I spoke quickly, "It's awkward to be bathin' around a guy."
"Understandable."
His gaze met mine for a second, turning away a moment later while borrowing my torch. Disrobing, my eyes inspected my own attributes, gasping as cold water reached up to my belly, then my neck as I bent knees. Garr never looked back, my chest tightening. Watching dirt leave my pale skin, my mouth dried again, clamoring for a drink. Clamping my lips shut, I tugged at my own hair, screaming internally.
I needed it.
I'd go insane without it.
He'd see the real me, without it.
Biting my tongue, I forced out a deep breath. I didn't need it, especially not here. Scrubbing myself clean, I was clad back in my brown trousers and shirt, returning Garr his soap bar.
"Keep it."
"But it's yours," I lowered my head.
"Got two others, I'm good."
"Oh, a'right," I nodded, storing it away.
Huh, prepped too.
"We should try and make it to Urbus before six. Daylight's short, I've refilled on water, I'm good to go."
A cold hand gripped my spine, feet gluing down.
"Nah mate, weapon's gotta be fixed," I said deeply. "Plus that thing might still be outside."
He stopped, looking upward.
"Kinda figured it'd piss off though. In fact, one sec."
Going out to check, Garr moved at a brisk pace, buying me time to consider repairs...as well as vent.
"I don't need it. Just mine."
Luckily finding minerals was easy, having already collected a good sample of [Copper Ore] as well as tin. My tool echoed like a car horn with every tap, my first strikes freezing me as I glanced around. Every sound magnified in my ears, my dry mouth persisting as my gut twisted.
Get a drink, calm yourself. Nobody likes you when you're sober.
You wouldn't wanna scare them away, would you? You've done it before.
How long's this time gonna be, Rika? Oh, there's always your bucket. Go ahead, bury your face in it.
No, keep mining. You don't need it.
[From Leopon: Are you alright?]
I almost jumped, gripping my pick.
[To: Ya, how about you, Leopie?]
Drawing out resources, a piece of [Bauxite] was found hidden among these chunks. Was a gray, clay-like thing, apparently a big source for [Aluminium], and has a rare chance of dropping [Gallium], whatever that was. My breath stifled as I harvested, hands shaking.
Why did I give it all away?
Why did I leave Tai to suffer? He wanted help too!
What's wrong with you?
[From: I can't take it. It's only been a day and we're already getting attacked. Whether it's by Illfang's night raids, or Ilioc's guards. It's getting intense]
My face went cold, thoughts braked.
[From: Rumors have it, the crazy kobolds haven't stopped either. We're in trouble and all I can do is hide]
"God..."
Out of my [Vendor's Carpet] emerged two things, my anvil and furnace. Quickly firing up the latter, I laid out Garr's [Siege Blade] on the former. Tossing in copper and tin, my furnace melted down both, forming five ingots of bronze within minutes. Had to get another cycle going for two more. Hearing Garr's heavy footsteps, I turned around.
"So good news, freak's not arou-" he stopped, "Something?"
I nodded, shivering and waiting a moment before speaking.
"Lot of people are hurting back there, Garr. Getting attacked, crazies out and about."
Garr's shoulders rose, eyes drying at the mere mention of crazies.
"Wait. Murphies are still operating?"
"Leopie says they're disorganized, but yes."
Garr's fists clenched, gaze lowering as his lips pressed, jaw muscles peaking.
"Then we can't slow down. Can you fix it?"
"Aye," I nodded weakly, cycling two more [Bronze Ingots] from my furnace, "But Garr, could we...save that trip for tomorrow?"
"We need to secure Urbus, Lis. It's midday, why stop now?"
"It's that spider, it scares me," I clutched my mallet, "With how fast it moves, how quiet, I'm afraid it'll attack again. Sneak up on us before we have a chance. We're lucky we got this far."
Garr's eyes flared up, head shaking as hands pressed on its sides.
"Okay, you stay here. I'll go activate the [Aethereal Tether], then come back."
"Wait, you serious?" I stepped in front as he moved, "That thing's out there!"
"I said it wasn't, I'll be back soon."
"What if it can see in the dark? Urbus' hours away!"
"Camouflage," Garr said.
He wouldn't listen, marching past me with fists clenched.
"Hey!" I moved again, stepping in front of him.
"Move, Lis. Argo said that if I can secure that thing, people can warp there without issue!"
"All you're gonna do is end up dead!"
"Not if I lay low," his hands gripped his hips, "I wear green for a reason."
"And what if your idea fails, huh? Your sword's broken!"
"I've still got this," he slapped a sheathed sword at his hip.
"Aye, cause a wee paper cut's gonna stop that when your main weapo's done shit!"
He kept trying to skirt around me, but I wasn't ready to let him walk.
"I'm running on others' time, Lis. Step aside!"
"I ain't gonna stand here and lose you again, mate!"
"People are dying!" he pointed.
"Fine!" I said, letting him pass. "Go ahead and die, I'll have no use for you after this!"
Garr stopped, my shout echoing as he turned back to me, the fire in his eyes dimming. A weight wrapped around my stomach, anchoring me with a slow grinding chain as we stared.
"So that's all I am to you," he nodded, "A body to throw at your problems till it breaks?"
"I didn't say that," my arms dropped, "I just-"
"That's okay, you'll have plenty more when the castle falls," his chin rose, arms crossing, "While we're at it, how about you? You mind explaining why you smell like booze all the time?"
My throat clenched, a painful lump building as I froze.
"Can't say it, huh? Typical. Guess I know where my money went."
My mallet fell, fingers releasing, watching him tie the metaphoric rope around my neck.
"Was only an asset," he shook his head, "Money and muscle. It's just like home, nothing new. Cool."
I couldn't take it, I wanted to die right there. Garr was judging me, as I feared would happen. He knew it all along and I was a dead horse tied to his leg. Turning away, my footsteps barely made a sound, not even when picking my mallet up. His footsteps hurried upwards, towards this mine's exit. Only when he left, did I cry. It was choked, my throat refusing to relax as I buried my face.
He hated me, just as I predicted.
I shouldn't have said anything, shouldn't have met him. Not when all I'd be is a screw in his back. I should just fix it. Let him go, stop being such a worthless bitch. Throwing my mallet against stone, I curled up and sobbed, his words piercing me like spears. I wanted to go home, drink till it all went away, drink till I choked.
No, get up.
You're not useless, pick up that hammer.
Sighing, I grabbed my mallet again. With a whopping seven ingots laid out on an anvil, my lip was bit.
[To Leopon: I messed up]
[Bronze Zweihander - Siege Blade - (Broken)]
[Repair Difficulty: Medium - Hard]
[Accept/Decline]
Everything I've fixed up until this point stayed in easy, only requiring like two dozen hits at most. With a drifting mind too, was like I had to climb a mountain with just chopsticks...shaking from everything he said.
[From Leopon: What? I'm lost]
Bright blue rings flashed over places, arms filled with cement as I swung with both hands, sniffles and shivers forcing blinks. Metal rung with every strike, bending and molding, a little notice floating when a ring was stamped, showing off messages such as [Too Hard!] or [Good!]. Time ticked away, leaving me with no room to focus on anything else. Hitting as many as I could, a horn I'm pretty sure only I heard blew.
[Repair Job: Failed]
[Targets Hit: 14/50]
[# of Perfect Hits: 0]
My stomach hardened, watching all items reform to their original shapes.
"Okay, go again." I said to myself.
Picking up my mallet, I tried swinging quicker, its wooden handle rattling as I struck.
[Miss!]
[Good!]
[Too Hard!]
[Repair Job: Failed]
[Targets Hit: 20/50]
[# of Perfect Hits: 2]
"I'm not even drunk, come on!" I crossed, going again.
[Too Hard!]
[Miss!]
[Too Hard!]
[Too Hard!]
[Repair Job: Failed]
[Targets Hit: 16/50]
[# of Perfect Hits: 0]
"That's right, Rika. Don't bother trying to be useful. It's not like Mutsumi's better."
Sitting down, I scooted myself in a corner, shaking my head with knees to my face. I couldn't do anything right, not without steaming. I should've listened to her, go with cooking, stay in town, not be out here where people's lives were in danger. I don't belong out here, I've only weighed Garr down since the start.
[To Leopon: Garr thinks I used him for money]
[From: Did you?]
A grimace grew.
[To: Once, not proud of it]
[From: Damn. What did he say?]
Ended up going through what started our fight, the cave silent and darkening as evening crept.
[From: I agree with you, he shouldn't be going out there. Just give yourself some space]
[To: Okay...]
Tears rolled down, what if the spider already ate him? Oh, couldn't do anything about that, I sucked at fighting. I just open my big mouth, get people believing in me, only to be let down cause they'd find me deadpan drunk. Why was I here? Why?
[From: It must be really hard for you tonight, but Asuna and I know you can do it. You're bold, you've got a big heart]
[From Asuna: Lizzy? Leopie said you're doubting yourself. Go look in a reflection. Right now]
Sniffling, I shuffled myself over to our cave pond, my torch allowing water to reflect.
[To: Okay]
[From: What do you see?]
[To: Freckles, lots of em]
[From: okay, anything else?]
[To: nose's too big. Asuna I don't see why you're asking this]
[From: Okay I kinda forgot. Okay how's this. How often are you drunk?]
[To: More than I should]
[From: How do you act though when that happens?]
[To: I dunno, happy. Playful, confident]
[From: Then lemmie ask you, what happens when you wear a mask for too long?]
I paused, my finger ready to reply.
[To: You forget who you were]
[From: Exactly! But a bigger point comes from this, that's who you are when you feel capable in yourself. That person is the real you. Lis, I want you to look in that reflection one more time]
I did as she asked, my face red from crying.
[To: Okay?]
[From: tell yourself that you love you. Be sincere]
Looking down, my throat clenched. How could I say that? All of these flaws.
"I...love you." I croaked.
Crap, felt forced.
"I love you."
[To: Okay I did]
[From: Good. Now I want you to do this twice a day, one morning and one before sleep. You're talented, you're amazing, you're one of a kind. You are worthy of love]
Tears welled up from reading this, nobody but my parents ever said stuff like this to me. I'm amazing, I can fix it, I don't need drinks. Picking up my mallet, I breathed softly, and tried again.
[Good!]
[Miss!]
[Great!]
[Repair Job: Failed]
[Targets Hit: 39/50]
[# of Perfect Hits: 17]
Way better. Wiping my brow, I raised it again.
[Great!]
[Good!]
[Good!]
[Repair Job: Success!]
[Targets Hit: 50/50]
[# of Perfect Hits: 24]
All seven ingots flattened, mashing together and melding with Garr's [Siege Blade] in a brilliant green glow. Pressure left my chest, hands snapping to take it. Turning around, I moved too quickly, as I ended up dinging his sword against the mine ceiling upon first lift.
[Durability 249/250]
"Heh...fuck you too, mate."
Running outside, I stopped. There was Garr, bringing in not only plant matter, but rocks. Walking past me, his gaze was straight, stiff, robotic. I must've lost track of time, the sun was setting, a lone moon rising.
"Garr?"
Ignoring me entirely, he marched on inside, plopping down some branches and readying a fire inside our cave. Following him distantly, I watched him place rocks aside.
"I fixed your weapon."
Only then did he glance up, though his eyes kept towards the [Siege Blade].
"Lookin' good." he nodded, leveling his gaze back at me, without color. "Have you eaten yet?"
I shook my head, shoulders chilling. Garr prepared a meal, but went to sleep shortly afterwards. Curled up, my fists clenched hot, my breath shivering. What an absolutely heartless brute, hurting me when all I wanted was to keep him from dying. He was no better than the guys I knew back home. He'd hurt anyone that got in his way, no matter their intentions! To think I was staring at him, why didn't I see this coming? Soon as the assault team returned, as soon as Asuna and Leopie were back, I'm out of here.
Sighing, my legs unfolded, eyes washing over everything. What caught my gaze though was the rock pile, he'd always put them around the fire. Clearly this was to punish me or something, get back at me for being so wrong. Tomorrow I'd have to start stacking copper, prep for making more gear.
Upon hitting my [Mining] skill's search, however, I paused. Every piece of his pile glowed, every rock, all of them. I shifted, making sure it wasn't a deposit behind them fooling me. Seeing no change, nausea flooded in.
"Damn you..." I muttered.
He got [Mineral Deposits], for me.
"What makes a nation great is its people. Poverty is what happens when the rulers become greedy, self serving. A society is only great when poverty is stripped from its heart, where all people succeed. Until that happens, the struggle lives on."
- PoH, December 11th, 2022
A/N: Poor Lis, struggling to overcome everything evil within and without.
Hey everyone, just giving you a heads up, there may be a delay in the next chapter's release. Yea I know, but I've got college obligations to fulfill. Meantime, reviews are the best way to help me know what you think!
Thanks for reading, I'll hopefully give a chapter next week!