A/N: Demon Slayer, letting you know everything's okay!

NetherOrbit: Korrin is love, Korrin is life.
Den3424: and like an overly possessive girlfriend, I'll scream about you not loving it!

Be sure to cast your vote in the current poll! It holds dramatic changes to the plot at large!

Enjoy!

For decades long since passed, the two nations have stared from across walls. Atlea of the northeastern steppes, and Bedte of western archipelagos and peninsulas. With great Mechanist-wrought infrastructure in the core of each side, a needle rests on its tip between both. A heated blast cap, closer to ignition with every passing day.

-A Rising Sun, written in the Fourth Era, Second Quarter

December 23rd, 2022 - Floor Three

A chasm deep below the surface flickered, its ceiling decorated with a thick, slimy brown substance. Its green pigments circulated throughout Acherres' cavern, its speed constant and sluggish. [Runes of Greater Observation] lingered on walls and ceilings, their blue hue faded, iconography small. Numbering well past a dozen for Kirito's room alone, the studying pupil forced himself to concentrate.

Kirito's hands shook, fingers curling as they came together, their pace steady. One over the other, their position mimicked holding a beach ball, palms gliding towards opposing elbows. An [Aethereal Node] formed, its purple coloration bearing no glow, contrary to other nodes. With a swipe, it vanished into his body, its signature lost to any observers. Pointing a finger, barbs of a wasp's sharpness grew out, adhering to surfaces of Kirito's choice. Sticking out like hairs, their fine tips readied, a trap formed.

One thing I really like are the projectiles. Damage isn't great, but I can ambush, scoring [Sneak Attacks].

His wrists displayed an extensive wreath of blood vessels, many times more than a normal man's. Stretching from his neck down to his ankles, Cygotha's modification of human form boosted its [Endurance]. With channels spreading far and numerous, both veins and arteries shrouded Kirito's internals in a redundant network of vessels.

[Sarco-joris]
[Strength x 2]
[Dexterity x 0.5]
[Agility x 0.5]
[-25% Resistance to Bleed/Hemorrhage]
[Physique will alter]
[Toggleable: Yes]

While neutral in expression, his eyes kept reading through lists of self enhancements.

[Car-duo]
[Endurance x 2]
[Vitality x 0.5]
[-25% Resistance to Poison/Venom]
[Cannot be merged with Pulmo-bulla]
[Heart Destruction is no longer Critical Damage, unless both are hit]
[Toggleable: Yes

[Pulmo-bulla]
[Agility x 2
[Endurance x 1.5
[Ribs turn to Cartilage]
[-30% Damage Resistance to Torso]
[Cannot be merged with Car-duo]
[Toggleable: Yes]

[Aqua-resp]
[Water-Breathing]
[Agility x 0.5 out of water]
[Endurance x 0.5 out of water]
[-15% Resistance to Blades]
[Swells the neck, grows gills]
[Toggleable: Yes]

I could easily macro a bunch of the less dramatic enhancements, would really come in handy when I return to grinding.

"Learning more about yourself? Perhaps discovering how limited we are?"

A male elf without hair stood by Kirito's door frame, his head shining as it reflected torchlight. Without moles or blemishes, his pale blue eyes steadied.

"Only a little," Kirito got up, "I guess it's overwhelming me a bit, seeing how many different schools this one branch offers."

"Cygotha is very liberating this way," Acherres smiled, "I remember when I was roughly your age...if your kind grows old as fast as we do."

"I wouldn't know," Kirito shrugged, "lore isn't my thing."

"Hm," Acherres rested his head against the frame, "we've made some discoveries...your skillset may be necessary."

"Will it help me learn what I came for?" Kirito switched

"Depends what you want to know," he motioned, "I've taught you animation, expression, alteration. Is there something I'm missing?"

Kirito followed Acherres through root barren cave halls, his light blue cloak matching with every soul he walked across. [Yellow-Back Wolves] watched him, their eyes matching their bipedal masters.

"I suppose it's a little cliche, but I wanna know how to preserve lives."

"A good [Atlen Auto Bolt] helps. It's too bad we can't have those, would help much."

"I don't know what that is," Kirito shrugged.

"Funny, you arriving in Starting Town on an Teidland skimmer and you don't even know of the world's sickest joke. No matter, that is a discussion for another cycle."

"I want to keep my friends alive," Kirito rushed, "in case something goes wrong, I don't want them to go."

"What exactly are you asking me?"

"I'll explain," Kirito stepped in front of Acherres, "if my friends die, I want them to get a second chance. Not turn into what you've...shown lately."

"Ah, Conscious Animation. That is an...advanced art," his master smiled, "sacred knowledge, requiring great skill to produce. Yes, I know of it. But how do I know you're ready?"

"I'll do whatever it takes," Kirito put a hand behind his neck, "anything if it means keeping my friends alive."

"It's easy for a heart to answer, but what the mind receives matters much more. It will take both to succeed, especially here."

Following Acherres to neighboring alcoves, Kirito's eyes wandered to a set of cages. Their squat construction left only room to sit, their bronze bars thick and diamond shaped. Stopping next to these, Acherres rested a hand.

"The group these 'authorities' work for, do you know them?"

A soft cry left from within, Acherres' long fingers tapping softly. Looking in with squinting eyes, no clear tag stood peculiar to Kirito.

"Does the name Graye Sight reach you?"

"Oh," Kirito looked back to Acherres, "yea, they're a pacifist guild."

"Couldn't be more wrong," a voice from one of the cages called out, "we keep peace, sure. Doesn't mean we don't fight."

Male in its inflection, Kirito glanced twice.

"I'm still determining what to do with them," Acherres stroked cage lids, "while I must find a way to recover my wife, considerations for my group must be made."

"Please," Lux whispered to Kirito, "get us out."

"Heck of a science project you guys got," Nautilus said, "enjoy it, cause Garr's gonna burn your forest to ash once he figures you out."

"Funny," Acherres crouched before Nautilus, "I speak of gods and powers beyond your wildest dreams, and you bring up a single person. Reminds me why I hated my youth."

Kirito's eyes surveyed both cages, his gaze meeting rags and tensity. For a bound Nautilus, a human face among blue cloaks was migraine inducing. Kirito looked away, saying nothing as Acherres taunted Lux, tapping her cage's bars.

I didn't sign up for this, I've seen what they've done to the last guy. But how can I get them out?

"So what should we utilize their frames for?" Acherres looked up to Kirito, "can't exactly trust them with free will, not without additional considerations. Quick word of wisdom, Kirito. There is nothing worse than having a Conscious Animation turning on you."

Kirito's lungs clamped, staring at both detectives.

"Female's not the strongest or most agile, but she does possess hip bones like my wife. Keeping ehr for research. As for the male," Acherres eyed Nautilus' profile, "a [Stalker] wouldn't hurt. He's agile, serious focus behind the eyes. What do you think?"

Glancing between master and captive, the student's throat clamped.

"I...think we should hold off on it," Kirito said.

Acherres' tilted his head, his smile present.

"Our situation might change in ways neither of us can predict. The last guy already provides plenty of combat potential, right?"

"Him?" Acherres rose while rubbing his chin, "plenty is a light way of putting it, Kirito. I doubt Altai himself could hurt my creation, it would easily prove stronger than him. I can only hope that Yole doesn't take it too personally."

"That's why I think we should wait," Kirito bowed his head, "you're very smart, a new idea is bound to come up."

A soft grin grew off Acherres.

"You have a point, my student. We have plenty of stealth units, and with our current predicament, we can...expect combat sooner or later. Very good point, Kirito. Your vision surprises me," he walked past him, "let's consider our options first."

Kirito bowed slightly, letting a Bobby Pin fall before following his master. Glancing back momentarily to both detectives, Lux mouthed thank you, tears flowing behind diamond shaped bars.

"So back to the subject of conscious animation," Acherres said with waving hands, "have you ever seen a [Ghost] before, Kirito?"

"I've heard of them," Kirito looked up to him, "never seen."

"Good, nor would I advise it. See, that is a key example of what happens when you're allowed a conscious past death. Our minds are in some ways quite limited. Blinking, sleeping, eating, all of our thought processes share one common founding principle."

"What's that?"

"Time," Acherres raised a finger, "our concept of time is paramount to our fundamental function. Without time limits, without schedule to restrain us, to challenge us, we fall apart. The [Ghosts] you may see in your time with us are not with Cygotha, or any deity for that matter. They are nothing more than the maddened husks of conscious everlasting. A soul that acquired immortality."

"So you're not after immortality?" Kirito said.

"As tempting as it sounds," Acherres smiled, "our minds weren't built for such luxuries."

"Then why are you a necromancer? What I've read in books tells me you seek to avoid death."

"A practitioner of Cygothan arts is not only about the limits we possess, it's accentuating our strengths. We as a group were founded off a rejection of Deus Cel's callous regard for our nature. If He had it his way entirely, you and I would be spinning gears in one of his blasted towers, completely identical, indistinguishable."

"I didn't mean to offend you," Kirito rubbed the back of his neck, "I wasn't sure how things came to be."

"Where are you from?" Acherres stepped forward, "I've heard of words, terms I've never heard of in all my years of existence. Phone, computer, SAO, what are these things? I've never even heard of a human before, yet you exist."

"Would it surprise you if I told you we were aliens?" Kirito shrugged, "we come from a different world than you."

"I must question you on this further," Acherres wagged a finger, "but your possible task comes first."

Kirito nodded, following his teacher again.

"So to create a conscious animation, the receiver's mind must first be proven strong enough to withstand the mortal breech."

[T: A character must be at least level 40 to be gifted]

"I guess that makes sense," Kirito followed, "so what's the issue at hand?"

Acherres lowered his head, shaking it.

"I was hoping our agents could handle this without incident," Acherres grumbled, "we've already got signs of RAGE presence in Urbus. The Royal Agency of Gear Enforcement, Bedet's lapdog."

"Sounds bad," Kirito dusted his robes, "and metal. But why here?"

"It would seem a Mechanist has been activated there, outside Bedet control. Thankfully, their efforts do not interfere with ours...currently."

"Want it?"

"Cygotha would surely appreciate it, though it'd warrant great caution. If RAGE is present, then MoSS is certainly close. The Ministry of Steam Sanctity isn't known for asking questions."

"What if I find this guy for you?"

Acherres rubbed fingers together, stopping near another lab's entrance, shovels scratching rocks behind a metal door.

"If you could find them, get a name and profile, then I'd warrant it as worthy of promotion. Of course bringing them in here will be difficult, knowing Nephila Regina."

"The field boss?" Kirito leaned on his side, "thought she stayed in her lair."

"It's the same old struggle, civilization versus nature. I'm sure you've met some of her offspring after your induction. Or the moth, for that matter."

"I thought the forest was empty."

"If only," Acherres smiled, "what you haven't seen is a recent development. Nature's constantly adapting to our tactics, makes transporting complicated. Do you feel confident in your ability to...acquire this Mechanist?"

"It's either that or letting your agents find them, right?"

Acherres sighed, nodding moments later. Kirito brushed his silky black hair before stepping closer.

"But I want to learn something first. This's a long investment, so I need to make sure my family is covered."

"Hm," Acherres' toothless grin grew, "I can provide two steps. Anything beyond and I'll need the Mechanist."

"Let's hear it."

"Precious metals are required for this ritual, gold is usually used. With conscious, comes a need for large quantities of magic. A mind is a powerful tool, but requires a fine tuned system to run properly. Second, the metal must be prepared by incantation, formed to adorn bones."

Kirito's gut twisted, his body tensing as Acherres fulfilled his promise.

Oh god, I have to do this? Why's it so...messed up? No, I can't just do this without experience, not on her. I've gotta find that Mechanist, fast.

"Cygotha awaits your success, Kirito."

"I...I'll get it done."

Sun Dancer

[You are now entering...The Valley of Nohr]

Sunlight dazzled Kirito, forcing him to shield his eyes upon crossing the forest clearing. Popping with veins all over the back and front of his hand, concern for subtlety grew. Exchanging his light blue cloak for a trench coat, his footsteps were near silent, Tauran security out of current sight.

[To Leafa: Hi Sugu, gonna be staying in town these next few days for Christmas. Maybe longer]

[From: That's great, Kazuto! Come by Lisbeth's, I can't wait to hear about your adventures!]

Kirito chuckled briefly, sighing before closing his menu.

Adventures, if only. Been spending the whole time studying with Acherres. I need to be quick though, those two players are doomed if I don't do something. I can't just kill Acherres either, he has the info I need.

Walking by, a tall figure in bandage and black passed Kirito, gaze straight and focused. Turning to him, Kirito's expression softened.

"Morning, are you alright?"

A sharp pair of eyes looked back, Johnny smiling softly.

"I'm doing great, little one."

A chill flowed through Kirito, Johnny's gaze unsettling in its directness. Two swords were sheathed to his left hip, one curved, the other straight as a cliff.

"Like 'em?" Johnny drew his [Falchion], gripping it by the back of the blade. "Been upgrading this since I first got it."

Johnny next drew his next sword, a [Ninjato] with a red handle.

"This's recent, very proud of this one. Its wielder was strong and proud, like a tiger. Broke his heart to lose it, ha."

Kirito's throat tightened as Johnny's remarks, his eyes bright as he waved his prize.

This guy seems...unhinged.

"What's wrong, kid? They're cool, aren't they?"

"They are," Kirito stepped back, "having strangers draw weapons in front of me doesn't feel right though."

Johnny's eyes flared brighter at Kirito's retreat, walking closer for a moment before stopping.

"Ooh," Johnny lowered his weapons, "I forget, you kids are all about your knives these days. No problem," he sheathed both swords, drawing a [Curved Dagger] from his right hip. "How's this?"

Kirito watched Johnny's fingers, stroking the handle with a lover's touch.

I'm getting a bad vibe from this guy, something's off.

"No, no," Kirito waved, "I was just wondering where I could get those."

"Ah," Johnny nodded, "there're plenty of good smiths, kid." He stopped, eyeing Kirito. "You got friends?"

"Not really, been keeping to myself."

"Darn," Johnny slowly sheathed, "I pictured you differently."

Walking away, Johnny's head turned rigidly, hands shaking with exuberance. Kirito kept an eye behind him, building as much distance between themselves as he could. Only after hours of observing a steadily shrinking figure, did Kirito set his sights back south, to a town built within a mountain.

Can I save them in time? What's stopping Acherres from simply...

His eyes shut, lips pressing for a minute, forcing a foot forward.

Sun Dancer

Striding through waist high grass, Klein checked behind him, his red hair swaying with the breeze. Behind him by a few feet, a blue leather clad Leopon had her eyes drawn elsewhere.

"Still with me?" Klein smiled.

"So far," Leopon said quietly, "thank you for the escort."

"You don't need to say that every minute," he laughed, "this's the what, fourth time?"

"You're very polite though, I should be thankful."

"Heh," Klein bit his tongue, "yea, as if you weren't."

Leaving Urbus for a southwest direction, they weaved around flagged stone piles. Pits of a peculiar substrate lingered, their occasionally bubbling depths host to things neither could hardly guess. Staring out to a nearby tree, Leopon's eyelids lowered, a lone [Wind Wasp] crawling on a branch.

You wanted to go for him a little, don't lie to yourself. Asuna and my father are counting on me,

"Have you ever had one of those moments," Klein raised hands, "where everything's dreary and challenging until the last second, only for it to suddenly stop being hard?"

"Not sure," Leopon glanced over, "why?"

"See that happens to me all the time," Klein stepped beside her, "give stuff to a charity? Won't stop raining till I'm done. Stuck in a traffic jam? Road clears as soon as I'm out."

"Oh," Leopon frowned, "that sucks."

"Not the point," he wagged a finger, "it's taught me something about life. See, I can walk around, do everything here, and not worry a bit. Storm clears, sunshine everywhere, life fixes itself out."

A smile returned to the blonde's face, though her posture remained passive and soft.

"Everything will be alright," she said, "that's the point you're making?"

"See, you get it now."

She nodded, her eyes fixating on pointed log walls several meters away.

I like his way of thinking, we could all use more of that. Ugh, if only I wasn't questioning myself.

"You'll nail this," Klein said with a smile, "just don't bring up anything about the dead cat."

"The what?" Leopon swerved her gaze.

"Joking, joking."

"Oh," she sighed with relief, "sorry, just...feeling tense, that's all."

"You're blonde and he's a lonely king," Klein smiled sly, "this'll be easy."

"Not everyone's into blondes though."

"Please, everyone wants blondes. Be confident and you'll nail him."

"I don't think you heard me," she looked nervously.

"Cause it's about presentation, Leopon. You walk and talk like a company manager, relax."

Klein passed Leopon through security, Tauran inspecting them briefly before letting them past the gate.

"I don't talk like a manager," Leopon growled, "I'm just serious."

"Yeah well, king's probably serious enough these days. Loosen up, smile, compliment, this works all the time."

"How do you know that?" she stopped in front of the palace doors.

"Cause that's how I lost money," Klein laughed, "go for it!"

"Okay!" she grabbed the doorknob.

Turning away, hands clenched for a second, Klein stepping out.

Good luck to you, Leopon. You're gonna need it.

Gripping the palace door, Leopon examined herself. Makeup remained well intact, fragrance lightly present, dress smoothed out after a few soft tugs. Her eyes caught a distancing Klein, drawing them away moments later.

Family first, Lyra. Klein's going to be alright, get it done.

A theater wide foyer opened before her, its many seats swept by a few Tauran janitors. Across this wide space, dumbbells rolled as pages were flipped. Garr juggled between iron and ink, pumping and absorbing, his face red with strain. Pitching sight to Leopon, he kept cycling between weights and knowledge.

"Hey Loop," he briefly inspected a page, "first time I've seen you here."

"Yea sorry," she brushed her long hair, "things are busy back in town."

"Better busy than boring."

"Where's everyone?"

"Off to prepare," Garr shifted to a nearby dumbbell, "Aigen's funeral, you of all people should know my thoughts on that. Well, besides you know who."

"You mean the whole celebrate, not mourning stuff?"

"Yep."

His voice carried with little energy, a tangible sorrow humming off its tone. Moving closer, Leopon's eyes caught a fire pit, its wood unlit.

"Aren't you cold?" Leopon looked to him.

"Only if I stop lifting, wood's gotta be saved anyway."

"Ah," she leaned on one hip, "how much are you lifting with those arms? Looks heavy."

Garr paused, glancing twice at his belled iron.

"Not much, just a hundred."

"Damn," her eyes swelled slightly, "and you call that small, I don't think I weigh as much as that dumbbell. How many times can you lift it per set?"

"Six," he grunted, "it's decreasing too. Hate it."

"Hm," Leopon stepped beside Garr, placing hands on her hips as she looked down and past him.

His gaze honed on her, stopping his task.

"How many times do you think you can lift me?"

"Enough to call you a stick?" Garr blinked.

Leopon smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You're not wrong," she stroked, "I only weigh like, ninety five? Course that's not including clothes or sho-"

Garr stepped away, watching Leopon carefully.

"What're you doing?"

"Just complimenting you a bit," she leaned on her hip.

"I'm not stupid," he stared, "you've never said much to me, now all of a sudden you're getting cozy?"

"What if I wanted to show my appreciation? You saved me weeks ago."

"And what've you done since?"

A heat welled up behind her blue-gray eyes, body tightening.

He's fighting me, and god I like it.

"So why're you really here?" Garr said, "forgive me for being dense, but this is all pretty sudden for me."

"Fine," she put hands in front of her, "it's...two reasons. One I've tried to express with you, the other was to protect my father."

Garr said nothing, keeping hold on his dumbbells.

"He wanted to make sure you didn't lose touch with us, that your power wouldn't...get out of hand."

"Get out of hand?" he stood up, "Leopon, your father and I already talked it over."

"But what did you tell him?" she confronted, "he's been nervous ever since you discussed things."

"All we talked about was [Pain Absorbers] malfunctioning," Garr eased his tone, "he takes pride in his work. Server maintenance hasn't been exactly easy."

"Oh," Leopon slowed, "okay, that makes sense."

"Wow," Garr rubbed his forehead, "guess Heathcliff doesn't trust me, huh?"

"It was just an insurance plan, he does trust-"

"Loop," Garr turned on her, "I am the insurance plan."

His voice whipped through her with hot energy.

"All your father needs," he knocked on floorboards, "is one call. One call and it dies."

Leopon's eyes met his fiery gold, only for him to look away. Walking past her, Garr returned to heavier clothing before reaching his front door.

"Tai's waiting for me," he cleared his throat, "who's your escort?"

"Klein," Leopon said, "I should call him up."

"You heading to the funeral?"

"Not sure," she looked up at Garr, "I don't have much to say, I wanna say nice things after all."

"I hear ya," he nodded, "I'd take you there."

Leopon blushed slightly, hiding a slight smile.

Lisbeth's lucky.

"Sure."

Sun Dancer

-Garr

My heart wouldn't loosen, I couldn't believe what was about to happen. Leopon was gonna destroy everything I built between Rika and I. She was gonna lie, tell her I fucked her or something. All of it and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. It would all come crashing down on me, just like last time. Anyone who was my friend will turn on me, attack me, destroy me, because I made a single fucking mistake.

Had to get a grip, God I had to be shaking. Walking with Tauran escorts and Leopon, everything all slowed to a frost-clogged grind. I had to tell Rika what happened, it was the only way to possibly keep anything with her. This was why I had my rule about being alone with a girl, my Dad was right...and I failed him. Where was latrine duty punishment?

"Are you okay?"

"Fine."

All I could see was hate, anger waiting with fists. I've had people leave me for milder things, this would be the killing blow. I was weak, they were strong. They won, I lost...over my dead body. Reaching an eastern shoreline of gravel and sea foam, it took me only a second to spot Rika in the crowd. Her gaze met mine quickly, her sweet eyes filling with joy, twisting my insides around a screw.

"Go," I uttered to Leopon.

"As you wish."

The blonde merged with her circle of friends, no doubt to wave about my weakness like a prize. How long would it be till they turned on me? How long until the one I longed for tore at me with wishes for violence, to harm me for a lie? Slowing till I stood behind the crowd, my jaw was rigid. A living wall of black cloth, my least favorite color. While I had a set, it was strictly for this funeral, nothing more.

Moist air brushed past us, reminding me to soften my expression. This wasn't about me, this was for Aigen's sake. A finger tapped my shoulder after minutes of bowing my head, Taiyama its source. Motioning me with a gesture, I followed him closely, trying to wipe off what boiled in me. I was sad, angry, fearful, like I was back in that forest. Passing well meaning predators, we stopped before Aigen's resting place. It was a basic canoe, a sleeping bag laid out over it, stuffed with flammables...and a [Ninjato].

"A Norse funeral," I uttered with a shallow nod, "fitting."

"He would've wanted it this way," Tai sniffed, "still mad about the sword."

"Why?"

"That's not his."

If only I had something to say, anything at all. I've never been to a funeral before. Death was always this abstract thing, something I'd never worry about. I liked to think of myself as a long term planner, but here I was without a course. Taiyama needed me to give him something to strengthen him, not patronize. As much as he hated my way of seeing things, there's right and wrong. All I could give, was a presence. Saying I understood would've been a lie, cause I didn't know its recoil.

"How was he when you last spoke to him?" Tai shuddered.

"Proud," I kept soft, "strong. Guy would've made a good Viking."

"Yeah."

I peeked over to him, all six feet of him hung like a broken tree. Taiyama had a good heart, but it was only a matter of time before Leopon's blunder reached him. In his righteous anger, he'd strike me down with all his strength, for their sake. It was all the same as that day in school.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," another guy put a hand on Tai's shoulder.

"Thanks Wick."

Was a peculiar accent from this one, was either a Boston or Brooklyn. A quick glance had me checking twice, he's Chinese? I would've never guessed, it amused me far greater if I wasn't swimming in a pond of soon-to-be baited sharks. I had to honor Aigen somehow, so I opened my menu, drawing my left [Drifter Bone Gauntlet].

I tuned out everyone's whispers, this was between Aigen and I. For a two-handed weapon wielder, my left gauntlet guarded my power hand, what gripped the bottom of the handle. A guy like him had to fantasize swinging a [Siege Blade], that's what got me in here. What if Valhalla was a real place? The concept of heaven always fascinated me, cause no one's definition of paradise was the same. Or was it?

Rested beside the [Ninjato], I raised a right hand. With elbow bent sharply and my fingers razor straight, I aligned their tips to my eyebrow. My posture was straight, heels together, toes out while my left thumb touched seams. Moments passed before my right dropped, feet pivoting as I returned to the crowd. How could I promise Yuna this won't happen to her boyfriend?

Simple. By burning the kidnappers' whole world for their decision.

Sun Dancer

-Garr 2343 hours

My shoulder laid against stone, its incline familiar to touch. With stiff legs I waited beside a torch lit maw, Urbus' portcullis poking from above like darkened fangs. Could barely concentrate since Aigen's funeral, nothing stuck. This fear differed from what flowed through me days before, when Tai punched a salesman.

There was a detail, had nothing to do with anyone. It was my weight lifting equipment. It vanished, after I stepped too far from it. Inside, I had returned to an old tower, on a snow covered mountain. A creature, something I to this day was incapable of categorizing or identifying toyed with me. It twisted the world around me, bent distance and space.

Shivering under a half-moon, one detail remained. The weight lifting set. In that dream, it was laid out for use. When I woke, it was gone. Measuring distance between the keep's door and the barbell rack, my heart slowed. It couldn't be real, it had to be an elaborate fantasy, a placation of stray thoughts lurking in the back of my mind. Still, it held weight in me. Something seemed real about it, perhaps a wish to add greater importance.

A soft scrapping of heels lifted my eyes, wandering thoughts returning to mental recesses. Brown canvas was Rika's clothing of choice, a cowl concealing the hair on her head. Freckles showed sharply below impish eyes, my impulse to smile at its entrance unchanged.

"Hay-den," she giggled, shortening her steps into a little walk as her arms wrapped.

"Guten auben," I pulled Rika close, "mein shotzie."

"What'd you say?" she perked her head up.

"It means," my face warmed, "my...little treasure."

"Ooo romantic," she put her nose to mine, "where'd you learn that?"

"Home," I craned my head back an inch, "Dad calls Mom that sometimes."

"That's so cute!" she laughed, "my father's just like that. Well...maybe a bit less poetic. You get me."

I nodded, lifting and carrying Rika over to our little corner. Grabbing my lips with fingers, Rika flapped them.

"I am Lord Altai, I got a really big di-"

"Rika!" I groaned.

"You don't keep snakes in your pockets," she crossed her arms, "or an HK forty five. So what's down there?"

It wasn't a bad joke that clamped my heart's muscles, it was bad timing.

"You remembered my preferred sidearm," I held her up against my chest.

"Not as much as I'll remember this," she put an arm around my shoulder, "let go of- your right."

I did as Rika asked, watching her draw a [Record Crystal], pointing it our direction before squeezing beside me.

"Smile!"

A flash later, we had a picture of us, cuddled together in a cold night. Giggling softly, Rika climbed on my lap before stroking my cheek.

"Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you?" Rika held.

My fear cried out, drowning in what Rika poured, heat returning with a great flash in my gut.

"With every minute," I put arms around her.

"Not good enough."

A mass burst between my teeth, wriggling and sliding without restraint. My whole body buckled, appendages taking hold of me as a wet, slithering substance invaded, seeking to devour my tongue. Its soft surface drew power from me, a parasite hijacking logical function, overpowering with its light hint of bacon. Its grip tightened, my tongue chosen as its prey, enveloping and stroking.

Rika slowed, softening her grip, allowing my own a chance to tighten. While no words were exchanged, I understood everything. Tempering a sword was necessary to prepare it for battle, carbon must merge with iron. She wasn't splitting, she was binding. As hands slipped below my shirt, cool air was returned, the worm implanted in me.

"You said my name," Rika smiled with evil, "you chose-"

I lunged for more, clawing her closer to me as I exchanged sensation. Rika was mine, no exceptions.

A/N: Fun fact, I suck at writing!

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