A/N: Demon Slayer versus a mild fever. Hint: it's not the former
NetherOrbit: Punching Kirito never gets old, fam!
Doctor: How're the cough drops in your current dimension? Could use some
Den3424: I will consider that next time :D hope I follow character better!
bitchbot: Should purge puns just to spite you :3
TheAwesomess1: Is so immersed it turned Aoki gay :P
Special thanks go to FallingGrim for your favorite! Hopefully I'll get a chance to hear your opinion on this fic someday!
Enjoy!
With how matters are shaping up, every one of you could use this information. Hopefully this'll help.
Magic appears to stem from beings beyond our plane, their names to be determined as I (or PoH, whom I extend permissions to pursue) figure out. He calls the gods are benevolent, though I'd wanna meet them myself first.
First note: [Aethereal Nodes] of different cannot be mixed. Got Fire and Lightning? They only work separately. According to PoH too, some become very unstable, endangering others with the attempt.
All records will be kept in this book, hopefully.
-Garr, How to Magic Intelligently. December 6th, 2022
December 5th, 2022 - PoH
I missed the sun, missed it within minutes of entering this damn place. Stepping beneath towering skyscrapers of bark, a dry chill stroked our necks. A vast army of trees stood around us, but nothing called out. Their branches blocked sunlight forty feet above, leaving a land near sightless. Fog banks lingered, vegetation moistening as it glided lazily. It had been only an hour. But sixty minutes, three thousand six hundred seconds of silence was getting to them.
"Where're the mobs?" Argo blinked, "should've found [Yellow-Back Wolves] ready to spam spawn us."
"And thou wishes that why?" Godfree groaned, "reinforcement spam is cheap."
"You'd know it!"
Godfree gave a quick look, Argo's smug ass face helping little.
"Imp," he grunted.
"My brand's been going off," Tai eyed around, "this can't be good."
Godfree surveyed what few feet we could see past.
"Methinks a grove so treacherous as this hides a bosom of curses. Daftness would be most unwise."
A sigh of wind ushered among the trees. Air ignited with a crack, our faces heating as we turned to its source.
"Goddammit," Tai groaned, his [Tower Shield] wedged between a tree's notch.
"Don't scare me," Argo cursed, "ugh, why am I so cold?"
Changes in elevation left us gripping bark for balance, mild streams cutting across rich, dark soil. These trees, they had a sort of spongy thing going on, compressing at a push.
"Can we just call this place Nope-ville and go home?" I joked weakly.
"I'm game for that," Tai chuckled.
"Look lively," Godfree inspected, "arrows."
He reached around a tree, jerking his arm. A weak snap was heard, as if breaking a saltine cracker.
"Long has this been here," he looked back, "such great passages of time has left ample room for rot."
"Eh," Taiyama shrugged, "someone got lazy and left it there."
"Thou may speak the truth," Godfree nodded before turning, "forsooth, it would be unbecoming of me to-"
A twinge of pressed metal was followed by a loud clamp, Godfree freezing in place with hands wide to his sides.
"Oh ho you cheeky cur. Lo, a trickster has cursed me."
"What happened?!" Argo rushed over with eyes downward, "oh no."
Hurrying over, a weak smirk left my lips. It was a bear trap biting Godfree's leg. Its dull red layer was one thing, but its sickly green teeth left a bigger impression.
[Your wound seals, but it numbs too...]
"Oh bless thee," Godfree leaned down and gripped the trap, "and please, go forth and fornicate thyself."
He pried it open with some struggle, its green mixing with brighter red as it clacked open. Stepping off, however, left Godfree stumbling. His wound, it had adopted a green coloration.
"Stop," Argo grabbed his shoulders, "you're hurt."
"Only a little," Godfree drew some [Holy Water].
Whatever this green material was, its traits transmitted, Godfree's blood assimilating. A soft hiss was heard, Godfree's wound emitting a vapor as [Holy Water] lapped it.
[You are cured of afflictions...]
"Thank Cel," Godfree smiled briefly, "would be most charitable if a bloke were to coax Garr. With supply knotted off, my stock runs dry."
"Pretty sure he'll allow it," Tai glanced around, "he did spare the Kobolds."
"At least Go-fee's okay," Argo sighed, "will have to write about this though."
Continuing our way north, a trend set in. Hidden beneath brush laid more traps. While all had long rusted, only a few were lined with the malignant mold. Buried in trees, arrows stuck, their shafts long eaten away. Patches of ground were pale, dry as if sun-blasted. It couldn't be heat doing it, sunlight was nowhere near it.
[The Malishard hums softly...]
"Man," Taiyama shook his head, "my evil meter's been going off this whole time. When's something bad gonna show up?"
"It would be most fitting for such adversity to arrive," Godfree grumbled, "my axe hast barely swung since Diebry."
My fingers scratched, I wanted to draw it out. Perhaps it'd tell me more about this place. Ducking around a tree, I let them march ahead of me, my crystalline object vibrating softly in my grasp. My [Malishard] had turned a bone white, its dark core dissipated.
[The veil weakens here...]
[-20% Spell Cost]
While the cryptic warning sent me regrouping, it gifted a cent of consideration. What was happening here wasn't natural, least not by our standards. My quest had no leading markers, nothing to guide me in any particular direction. Tucked away, the [Malishard] shivered, as if I set my phone on vibrate.
"Boy," Argo giggled sarcastically, "can't wait to play more virtual reality when this's over."
"Hark," Godfree spat, "would sooner toast with a glass of His Majesty's finest bleach, than partake again."
"Ha!" both laughed.
I was too buried in my thoughts, this place was hiding something. Hours of silent, gloomy travel, all of it through depressing dark forest. It wasn't until I'd say early evening before our luck finally turned. A dirt road, its half-ass paved way leading north and east. Following it, an intersection split off further west and east. Between both paths, a decrepit sign stood. East laid [Suzcro] and [Zumfut] west of it.
"Wish our [Teleport Scrolls] worked out here," Tai shivered, "would be my first option out of this."
"Hark," Godfree nodded, "without an [Aethereal Tether]...hold. Why not teleport to Zumfut now? We're in range."
"Ugh!" Argo facepalmed, "we could've left this place sooner!"
[Quest Available!]
A clash of blades rang, a pair of exclamation marks dashing and bobbing in the dark. While neither source could be made out where we stood, their attack patterns had a distinctive style. One liked climbing trees, the other lowering, clearly to hide in the brush.
"Yea guys," Taiyama dripped sarcasm, "let's go to the dark patch of trees over there, great idea huh?"
"Pass!" Godfree raised a [Teleport Scroll], "Teleport, Zumfut."
Our large axe-wielding Dane left with a bright blue flash, Argo barely a second behind.
"Wait!" Wudramor extended a hand, "we can't-"
Taiyama left too, couldn't be bothered to wait either. Wudramor turned to me, his skin pale blue, forming these weird hard points on his face. Dark elf, more like octopus man...without tentacles.
"Embarrassing," Wudramor said, "I remember days with sunlight, not this. Feels like we're in a cave, almost."
Sighing, I drew two [Teleport Scrolls] from storage.
"That can wait," I said, "go."
"Oh thank you!" Wudramor accepted, "quite embarrassing, come now Aeson."
With two more flashes of blue, I was alone. Jesus, nothing left me moving faster than being alone out here. Not a living thing was known, except whoever clashed beyond the trees. Those two quest indicators slid about, a pair of predators encircling. Their fight was sporadic, testing for weakness, recovering in dark spaces.
"Hello?"
They stopped moving, their quiet dance interrupted.
"I can hear you both, come out."
"Fool," a voice hissed in the dark, "Giccan know no mercy."
"only an idiot would trust Ceph," another growled.
Bushes rustled, a quest marker racing. With a high leap, it knocked its elevated counterpart to the ground. Curious to witness what unfolded, I raced around closely packed trees, stopping as sight spilled detail. On top was another figure, much like Wudramor in skin formation, topped with flowing, light blue hair. Below, an entirely different looking person-oid wrestled. It's skin was a light yellow, a white belly, with hands splayed out with long fingers tipped large and round. The Wudramor lookalike drew a [Curved Dagger], raising it for a stab as its victim looked to me with pleading blue eyes.
A convenient moment. Rushed forward, my [Dagger] punched through the back, causing the creature to jerk back. Barely any armor rested between its shoulders, cloth its only protection, stained red before lashing out. While its shouts were loud, I quickly withdrew, gouging its throat before watching it fall. After seconds of cruel gurgling, my target fell silent, the stranger helped up.
"I...I owe you for this," it pressed a webbed hand on my shoulder, "perhaps you can help me return this?"
A closer look revealed a face with big eyes, really big. Its lips were an alabaster white, these little dark spots covering its yellow skin. Whatever I was looking at, it reminded more of a gecko than anything mammalian. My own mind shuddered, for I was expecting a face more human than this. [Claw] type weapons strapped over its hands, held together by twin leather straps.
"Uh sure," I leaned back a little, "how about a name?"
"Occalash," it spoke in a raspy voice.
Its eyes were a pale blue, almost icy.
"Suzcro is a few jumps away, we better go before more Ceph arrive."
"More what?"
"That miserable amateur you just stabbed. Quickly now."
I nodded and turned east as he moved, anxious to clear this quest before returning to Godfree. As my feet pivoted though, my shoe caught on to something. That dark elf, no Ceph, it was lingering. Bodies always turned to glass upon death, why wasn't it doing similar? It was still, its HP zero, but it wasn't going away. Ho boy, I wasn't liking this.
"Something tells me we're gonna get acquainted," I muttered, trying to follow Occalash.
"We will," Occalash spoke cheerfully.
I stopped, unaware of his acute hearing.
Sun Dancer
A flash of blue brought me inside a log fortress, away from the quest giving Giccan's home. I blinked twice, thinking back on Garr's fortress, but clarity proved his place shabbier. These logs were clearly composed of local stock, laid out on their sides at heights dwarfing what we possessed. Top it off, their gate was made of solid iron, almost twenty feet thick.
"Oh good," I heard, "was wondering when you'd come back."
I turned, my feet stiff for a second. Taiyama got off of an old stone bench, glancing over his shoulder as he approached.
"Was inspecting that quest," I shrugged, "met this yellow skinned thing, called a Giccan I think."
"Yea," Tai rolled his shoulder, "got plenty of those, them and the chameleon things. Argo n' God-freight have been going around asking questions this whole time."
"What're you doing here then?" I face palmed, "you're supposed to protect them."
"Godfree assured me they'll be fine. Besides, these people. They creep me out."
"Great," I rolled my eyes, "has anyone contacted Garr yet?"
"Yea, letting him know this place's creepy as fuck. In fact I'd get out asap, way these pricks are."
Three enormous trees stood center of this town, their heights dwarfing their forty foot tall neighbors. Some Giccan architecture was prevalent, most notable being the lack of flat walkways to some doors. Their doors weren't formatted like ours either, their operation being pedal based, consisting of vertical hinges, rather than our horizontal. Suppose it was fitting, considering their hands. They lined with hundreds of little hooks, gave them tremendous grip strength. That said, bridges and flat walkways were present, so no doubt there were less vertically inclined species amok.
"These guys," Tai grunted, "they fucking stare at you, like they know something about you. Every shop I visited gave me the same message too, get out."
"Nice," I groaned, "gimmie a sec, gonna see about finding our lore nerds."
"Cool...actually I should come with, wouldn't want them dicking with you."
A stairway of stone led us up these titanic trees, its surface perforated with a profuse, wiry moss. Canopies lined the entire path, blocking out great swathes of sunlight.
"Dude, can I vent a little?"
Taiyama's words came off a bit sad, a fresh opportunity.
"Shoot," I said.
"Aigen's my friend...okay was, but I wanna make that real again."
"Okay?"
"I think...maybe if I can get a house without windows and a locked door, I can at least keep him. Least until he's okay again, you know?"
"Man's done a lot to screw things up," my lips pursed, "it'd be better if we just kept him there until he returns to his senses."
"I understand that, but I know the guy. It'd kill me inside, knowing if I abandoned him in a place like that."
Midway through his lament we reached a tree hugging walkway. Eyes from both Giccan and Ceph honed on us, a spark lighting with them. It froze my mind, not from the sheer number of them doing so, but the fact they shared one thing in common. Every single one had icy blue eyes. It wasn't even monochromatic, their marks were identical.
"I just figured maybe you could talk Garr into it?" Taiyama continued, "I'd look like a douche if I just pulled this kind of negotiation so quickly into restarting our relationship."
"Really?" I ignored him, "where're all the brown eyed elves?"
They grumbled to each other, continuing to watch as we walked by them. Were they even reacting to my statement?
"Figures, all it's missing is blonde hair," I said, wagging a fist, "someone programmed this with certain thoughts..."
"Uh," Taiyama glanced around, "PoH I'd rather not start shit, they already don't like us."
"I don't care," I groaned, "I'd be calling those programmers right now."
Every path led to more, these NPCs surveying us with great, unwavering focus. The skin of Ceph remained smooth, Giccan licking white lips. Was this some sort of isolated colony, sitting parked between two opposing sides in a civil war? If it wasn't so off-putting, I would've forgotten I even had a conversation with the Slayer.
"Oh right," I glanced to Tai, "Yea I could talk to him, no guarantees though. "
"Appreciate it," he bowed his head slightly, "just trying to make things better for everyone."
I nodded in an effort to discard the conversation. If we as a society were going to progress at all, I would be damned to think Garr a reasonable answer.
Sun Dancer
- Floor 2, Palace Dungeon - Garr
I watched with gentle eyes as Teika gripped the bars, chatting with his imprisoned friend. While my Tauran remained by his side, I had other plans. Word from my recon team spoke of ghastly things. Dark woods, lifeless groves, sights of war everywhere, all within hours of visiting. Such tight quarters would prove troublesome for my Tauran if I pushed them through. Unfavorable environment, few landmarks to map out, sounded like a death trap.
"Just tell him," Teika said excitedly, "we've got places to be, Silica's missing you. I'm missing you."
"Fine," Aoki groveled, "I give, just let me out of here. I'll say whatever you need."
I patted Teika's shoulder, whispering in his ear.
"I'll let her go after it's done."
"Yes sir," he nodded, backing away slightly as I sat in front of the flame wielding jail-bird.
"There's this group of NPCs," Aoki leaned against stone, "they call themselves the Sparks of Nova. They keep secretive, Church of Cel doesn't like them much. I don't remember where I met them, was in the woods when it happened. Near Harunka."
She brushed her long black hair aside, hands turning as she nodded.
"When we found them, they wanted to know if we were with Cel, thankfully we weren't. Anyway, I asked them for well...this. They brought me over to this tree. Its bark teemed with flowers, it was beautiful. So many colors."
A message flickered as she spoke, prompting me to swipe it aside.
"They had me dip my hands in this tar-like stuff, was inside the tree. Course they asked first if I had communed beforehand. Wasn't sure what that meant, but they found I had somehow. So great, did that, got fire magic as a result...and really good punching hands too."
I made sure to write down what she said, sending a message to myself to make extra sure.
"That's all I know...I'm sorry for attacking you."
"Granted," I nodded, "Alban, let her out."
"Yes Alltai."
First thing she did was run up and hug Teika, keeping wrapped around him. A smile grew on me, finally she was out of my hands. Looking down at my opened message, I wiped my face.
[From Oran: Alright, we're here]
"So Teika," I nodded, "you said you had places to be?"
"Uh yea?" he stiffened.
"Don't fret," I splayed a hand to stop him, "listen, I want to gift you something. It's a wish of good will between us...cause God knows my public image sucks right now."
Opening my inventory, I prepared the item intended.
-PoH
"These NPCs are so standoff-y," Argo filed through her book, "what gives?"
Pale blue eyes surveyed us at every corner. Wudramor was himself uneasy, his eyes the only differing color present among other Cephs. Funny enough, they seemed perfectly content with our Ceph Captain, smiling a little and inviting him and his son. Walking around the balcony way amongst titanic trees, we eventually found Godfree in what appeared to be a workshop of sorts. Stationed inside a hollowed portion of the tree, crystalline solids lined their aisles. Under a ceiling of deep tree-rings, our Dane spoke with an older looking Giccan.
"You best leave, won't sell you a thing."
"But kind sir," Godfree lightened his voice, "I come bearing smiles and warm wishes. A Cor is a Cor regardless of its owner, yes?"
"Wow," Argo examined some items, "[Record Crystals], healing, curing, this boy's loaded!" a faint giggle left her lips, "that price though."
Everything on his shelves breached over a hundred thousand Cor, clearly not for pockets as shallow as ours.
"Begone!" the clerk spat, "That no good knight tried this before, paid the price too...'specially after sunset."
Didn't take rocket science to sense trouble. The clerk looked to Wudramor, his expression changing sharply to one of amiability.
"Good Ceph, these elves aren't keeping you, are they?"
"Excuse me?" Wudramor blinked.
"I apologize for our first impressions, we don't like elves sticking their hands in our affairs."
The two spoke on much better terms, with Wudramor and his son Aeson offered room and board. Considering how hostile they came off to us, it wasn't hard to predict better results should they be left to gather info themselves. Unfortunately this selective choice meant us returning to darkened grounds, Zumfut's only road. A moron wouldn't be wrong to say we wasted no time abandoning the place. Retreating to fog congested forest floors, a collective sigh left our group.
"Couldn't even buy pots from those jerks," Argo frowned, "they looked so cool too! Stat boosters, rejuvenators, lots of skin care."
"Oddly specific," Godfree said, "Tai, dost thou perceive as much as I?"
"Nah," Tai shook his head, "mean I've met people of this sort before, though not quite. It's weird though, they're not going off an ego deal, it's like...shit, I dunno."
"Tai-dai's right," Argo chirped, "this place's creepy."
A cold wind blew between trunks, as if pushing us back towards town. This southern road just kept going. It would seem that time spent roaming through uncivilized forest had led us only a fraction of the distance required to reach Zumfut. In all the trees, not a soul roamed. Animal, person, nothing. Sunset was closing in, our feet pushing faster. Reaching a familiar crossroad after hours of walking, however, a smell intruded without warning. I gagged in protest, its source lacking in all subtlety.
"What the actual-" Argo stammered.
A pyre had been planted beside the road. With iron "claws" extending up ten feet from soil, bodies stacked within its three digit hold. Argo gurgled, sickened by what presented, looking away. Ceph, Giccan, all were gathered the same.
"Lo," Godfree frowned, "what foul, accursed practice stands here? Treating bodies like used gum wrappers? Why, what ghastly mind fathomed such a thing?"
"Hey," Taiyama pointed, "least we know where everybody is."
"Tai!" Argo cried.
"What?" he smirked, "just trying to keep upbeat."
Viewing this grotesque sculpture, I could've sworn I saw a familiar body, and a memorable wound. This wasn't discriminate in any discernible fashion, as bodies from both groups I've seen laid together. Godfree denounced this as gravely unclean, dangerous for others to linger around.
"Uh guys?" Tai stopped, "sun's setting...we should keep moving."
"Crap!" Argo crossed arms over shoulders, "we gotta find somewhere safe, wait till morning."
"Nay," Godfree marched on, "we're safe as soon as we reach Floor two, just keep moving."
"Go-fee," Argo pleaded, "please? Maybe we can find a hollow spot, somewhere to hide in."
"I kinda doubt we'll get out in time," I said, "considering our pace and distance. Plus, there's considering what goes on here at night."
Argo rushed up and hugged Godfree's arm. While he turned, the big guy couldn't say no to our little nosy paper girl.
[Quest Updated!]
As others searched for shelter, I drew my [Malishard], pointing it towards this pile. A quest marker hovered above it, as if directing me there. I'd have to hold it back, least until privacy was attainable. Luckily for us, one of these gargantuan trees had a door sized gap within its trunk. Several feet above ground, it wasn't exactly the comfiest spot, with pale shoots as wiry as hairs growing out of spongy cellulose. Would've been cool for maybe one guy, but six? Argo cuddled up to Godfree without hesitation, pressed up against the Dane's belly almost eagerly.
"Damn Argo," Tai snickered.
"He's warm," Argo snuggled, "besides, we've done this before."
"Forsooth," Godfree spoke, "trust in me, master Taiyama...this remains platonic."
"Uh huh."
As sun set, the forest around us submerged. I couldn't see anything past my own hand, nobody wanted to start a fire either. We were all afraid, trembling at what lurked at night. We huddled closer together, eyes out this hideout's only gap. Our breath turned loud, despite constant monitoring. Why did nothing sound off in this forest?
There weren't squirrels, rats, anything. We were alone, not even these trees swayed. It was nothing like falling asleep back home, where machinery inside the apartment would churn away. No, this was an unnatural silence. One by one, eyes closed around me. Mine only blinked, never shutting for more than a second. Only as a collective snore swept through did I move. Climbing out with delicate finger pushing, I felt my hand along our tree, blindly walking along a few more trunks away before straightening myself.
[Abyccipitus Activated]
Sun Dancer
Lisbeth's hands held an object of semi-gelatinous, translucent composition. Many spots of color dotted its cylindrical frame, ranging from bright yellows, to dark blues. Its miasma of hues gripped Yuuki, looking over the smith's shoulder with deep concentration. Three [Steel Ingots] rested on a bent anvil, but these items of considerable worth warranted little attention, compared to the [Thaumatic Scope].
[You feel as if you're being watched...]
"Oi," Lisbeth's eyes grew, "not cool, game."
"Wow," Yuuki's red eyes sparked, "can I hold this?"
A backdoor in her forge opened, Heathcliff stepping out in ruined plate.
"Alright Lis this might be," he stopped, "what's that?"
"Not sure," Lisbeth eyed her discovery, placing it down to face him, "it's clearly what gives this sword its properties, but other than that..."
"Oo," Yuuki grinned while poking it, "it's like jello!"
Closer examination from the former game developer lit his eyes.
"Ahh, this is...yikes, this is from Dryst."
"What?"
"The House of Dryst, one of the four noble families Nishida programmed into this game. You may wanna get this off your hands, soon."
Lisbeth's face paled.
"While I haven't seen the group operating out here, I'll assure you they are masters of the sea. Will have to let Garr know these things, especially if he plans to go anywhere with this place. I can free you of this, mind you."
Her eyes veered low to the alien object, its radiant colors and disconcerting notifications fresh in her mind.
"Hey now," Yuuki took it in her hands, "we're not gonna let you just take our stuff!"
"Yuuki," Lisbeth patted.
Ugh, I wanna know what this is! But I also don't wanna get in trouble by having it. Oh wait, this is that Kirito guy's stuff. This isn't even mine, yet I'm already so gripped by it.
Sighing softly, Lisbeth shook her head.
"Sorry Heath, this isn't mine. It belongs to a customer."
"Hm," Heathcliff nodded, "understood."
"Whose is this?" Yuuki jumped, "I gotta know if he has extras."
"It's bad etiquette," Lisbeth looked to Yuuki, "customer privacy is important."
"Please?" Yuuki wet her eyes, "I miss my old one."
Lisbeth shook her head, taking the [Thaumatic Scope] and placing it aside.
"Heath, is that armor made of steel?" Lis looked up.
"Yes."
"Oi," she grimaced, "anvil's not gonna like this."
Stepping outside her forge, Lisbeth wiped her brow. Heathcliff skirted around her, his red [Full Plate] restored.
"Thank you very much," Heathcliff bowed.
She bowed in return, the knight leaving quietly into Urbus' streets. Sighing, Lisbeth rested against a wall.
There goes my bronze reserves. Still gotta forge Kirito's [Longsword] too, and that'll beat up my new anvil. Gonna be behind schedule at this rate.
Looking out her front door, her eyes narrowed.
Other blacksmith shops have been popping up, I gotta stay competitive somehow. That [Thaumatic Scope], how can I recreate it?
"Hey Yuuki?" Lis called.
Her mascot in bright clothes rushed to the blacksmith's side.
"You mentioned losing your [Anneal Blade]?"
"Yea, why?"
Lisbeth nodded, a slight smile on her face.
"Just checkin'. Keep bringing customers," Lis hugged Yuuki.
She departed on quick feet, leaving a mind clicking and buzzing.
Garr's one to want us at our best in terms of weaponry. Word's spread that he said no to the Church of Cel too. Perhaps I can discuss its possible research.
Minutes later, a new customer strolled in. Tall, pale, and lithe, torches revealed scratches along his young face. By his side, a rock handed woman of tanned, though equally thin physique stood.
"Welcome to Lisbeth's blacksmith shop!" Asuna cheered, "My name is Asuna, how may I help you?"
"I'd like to make a special request," the boy said, "it's for armor," he opened his interface.
"I'm sorry sir," Asuna frowned, "we're currently restocking on [Bronze]..."
"No need," he continued, "I brought the material."
Watching them, Lisbeth's eyes almost popped. A pile of bones were laid out on Asuna's desk, their bodies long and decorated in capillary. Pink in color, their familiar composition left her reeling.
"Where'd you get these?" Lisbeth reached out, "I know these."
"Alltai," the boy turned, "he gifted me these. Wanted to spread good will."
Her eyes fixated on these osteoblast-formed masses.
The Tauran didn't know much about these things. Made me happy when Garr announced their floor wide extermination. To even think of one getting in Urbus, with how many people live here.
"So what can Lisbeth make with these?" the boy said, "assuming she's the blacksmith?"
"Some stout light armor," she said, "sorry for being so rude, I'm Lisbeth."
"Ah!" he grinned, "Teika, where did these bones originate?"
"[Drifters]," Lisbeth laughed weakly, "best you never meet one. Anyway, I'm assuming you want a full suit?"
"Yes please."
"Aye, one minute please."
She rushed to her forge, a new bronze anvil shining near torchlight. While she forged her customer armor, Wick stumbled inside. Gasping and shaking, he took a seat nearby.
"Oi," Lis said, "what happened to you?"
"Huh?" Wick breathed, "o-oh. Was just trying to learn a bit of sword-fighting from Leafa. She...gets passionate."
One look at her weapon's designer left Lis pressing in her lips. Bruised and cut over various places, Wick looked near ragged.
"Damn, you weren't kidding. Hang on."
Out of bronze and mallet, a breastplate of reassembled ribs and femurs formed. Bracers, shin guards, all smelted with minimal extraneous points. While a spiked design was offered, Lisbeth found it impractical. Cooled to a cream-white color, its pink vein overlay stood faintly, its creator quick to haul them out of her forge. Payment was swift, Teika satisfied with his new standard of protection. Smooth as clockwork, all was silenced by a bright eyed and jovial Yuuki.
"Oh my god!" Yuuki rushed, "the king of bones!"
Confusion shared company, both smith and clerk watching their mascot dance around their customer. Aoki tried tugging Teika back, whose eyes had drawn towards a red eyed reveler. Silent in his emerging, Wick's eyes honed on Yuuki's obsession, a tension rising off himself.
Who's this guy?
"Teika," Aoki whispered, "come on."
"Wait Mister King guy," Yuuki put hands on Teika's shoulder, "I need you!" she turned her head back, "actually, me and Lizzy both!"
"Uh," Lisbeth leaned away, "I'm lost."
Teika glanced to what had become a three front conflict, his arms stiffening.
Man, and I thought one woman was bad enough!
"Well now that you mention it," Teika said slowly, "I was gonna check out this old ruin."
"Done!" Yuuki jumped, "quick Lis, let's go!"
"Now hang on just a minute," Asuna crossed arms, "I didn't say you could go. I'd have to make sure you don't get hurt."
"B-But," Yuuki frowned, "he can-"
"You just met this guy!" Asuna flustered, "sorry sir, I really didn't think Yuuki would get like this."
Yuuki looked to Lis, eyes watering.
"Please, this is my one clue. The master of sound spoke this to me."
"She's not going," Asuna said sternly.
Looking to them fight, Lisbeth's eyes narrowed in thought.
"Sir," Lisbeth gazed at Teika, "what sort of ruin is this?"
Returning to near sun-bleached savanna, Lisbeth breathed softly as warm wind blew back eye level bangs.
Mm, the rush of adventure. It's...missing something though.
"Tiki!"
A petite figure rushed their bone-plated leader. Topped with twin tails, bright yellow cloth and skirt, a quick tackle left Teika flustering. Following her on all paws, a pack of four tamed [Dire Wolves] panted and whined.
"Uh yea," Teika hugged briefly, "your wolves fed?"
"Obviously!" Silica chirped.
"Oh, so you're the king's girlfriend?" Yuuki smiled, "didn't think he liked them so small."
The beast master's eyes turned to Yuuki, frowning softly as Lisbeth bit her cheek.
"W-What do you mean with that? Stay away from my Tiki!"
Yuuki giggled before turning away.
"Just checking," she winked.
Aoki rolled her eyes, sticking close to the tightly embraced couple.
I could do Silica a favor and scorch Yuuki's butt here...but I'd never hear the end of that.
"why're so many girls following you, Tiki-Tik?" Silica panicked, "you told me you were gonna get new armor!"
"That was the plan," Teika spoke loudly, "believe it or not, I cannot forecast crazy!"
"Don't worry too much," Lisbeth put a hand on Yuuki, "I'm just keeping an eye on her."
While Lis was spared a burning view from Silica, Yuuki remained centered. A heated stare fired off, any discussion postponed, Teika inching himself towards his directed goal. Draping herself in bronze [Scale-mail], Lisbeth's eyes never wandered far from Yuuki's position.
Can see why neither Asuna or Wick wanted her going anywhere by herself.
"So just warning you guys," Teika said, "this place's a bit buried. So expect issues."
"It'll be fine!" Aoki readied [Aethereal Nodes], "I'll melt anything that gets close. Heck, I'll nuke the whole place!"
Lisbeth's eyes perked, Aoki's investment glowing above her head.
Hey, she's got the same arm thingy as Lowyse. Mm, wonder how she's doing.
Hot sun and dry turf gnawed at their roaming bodies, mitigated only by cool westward winds. Nearing oceanfront, sun-roasted dirt transitioned to gravel, its pale collective darkened only by gentle tides. Great stones peaked out beyond, waters crashing against their bright brown bodies. A figure rose from seaweed blanketed space, a sweaty, stumbling Recon.
"Hey!" he waved tiredly, "turn back!"
Seeing his distress, Lisbeth and Yuuki rushed over, offering their exhausted scout ample water.
"Tauran," Recon shook his head, "weird ones...in there."
Lisbeth's throat clamped shut, memories of a long dead enemy breaching as Recon drank. Teika aimed a finger back and forth between them, unsure of what connections were made.
"They're really quiet," Recon calmed, "covering themselves and everything else with this seaweed stuff."
"Sounds cool!" Yuuki smiled, "where's the entrance?"
"Are you nuts?" Recon chuckled briefly, "I just warned you."
"We're checking this place out," Teika shrugged, "Aoki and I can handle a few angry horse-bros."
Lisbeth licked her lips, swaying with hands in pockets.
"What he said," Aoki stepped onward, "I'll cook 'em if they get in our way."
"Lis, who the hell are these people?" Recon splayed hands in an open stance, "why on Earth did you let Yuuki out?"
A small fire grew, Lisbeth concentrating on him.
"Oh god," Recon paced around, "you're the blacksmith, you should be at the shop! Why isn't Asuna or Leafa here? Yuuki couldn't fight a nettled paper bag!"
"Hey," Yuuki frowned, "I'm still learning!"
Lisbeth rose a hand, stopping Yuuki before turning to Recon.
"these three are our customers," Lisbeth nodded to Teika's group, "they invited us, I decided to take a break. Is that okay?"
Her darker tone sent Recon leaning back.
"Just showing concern," he shook his head, "it's over here."
Mere meters from their location, a bronze hatchway stuck out between seas of gravel. With a cog-shaped central handle, Yuuki's head tilted.
This looks like stuff the Church would make.
"About time," Aoki rubbed hands together, "let's crack it open!"
"Tiki," Silica grabbed his arm, "what if it's scary down there?"
"I've got an axe and zero patience," Teika smiled while patting her, "don't worry."
"Gonna contact his majesty," Recon uttered, "have his Taurans clean this up."
"And let them take our loot?" Aoki growled, "Teika, he's gonna ruin this."
"How?" Teika blinked, "you and I met the guy, I doubt he'd want the loot when our lives are on the line."
Lisbeth hid a troubled stare towards calm tides, Recon preparing a message as Yuuki practiced sword swings.
Hope Kirito doesn't come back before I do. Wait, ugh why didn't I do that? Mm, I'm supposed to be forging stuff!
They gather around the coastline, the compassionate and the cruel,
The former yearn for a child never born, the latter for a fate to come,
His pained cries ripple through time, a fate shorn by a mother's tie, and a brother's vie.
-Incomplete Scrap of an Unknown Poem, found in Altai's Palace. February 8th, 2023
A/N: Hey guys, hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Reviews are highly sought after, as they help me improve my craft.
See you next week, if final weeks in college don't delay me!