Hello all! I'm back with chapter ten of .hack/curse! Isn't it exciting! I bet you're all shaking from the excitement! (...ok, probably not, but I can dream, can't I?)
Anyway, I would just like to thank all of my lovely reviewers! You guys are what keep this story going! I love you all! In fact, I love you all so much, I will actually respond to your reviews in my author's note!
Puppyguy13: Thank you! Good thing he was a guy... I was a bit worried there. I should have mentioned that if you submit characters to put their genders. Anyway, thanks for the review!
The New Shinigami Hikari: Thanks for the review, and yes, you did hurt someone. But he deserved it, the little bastard!
Rayne: Thanks for all the great ideas! I will use your character in upcoming chapters, though in this chapter no submitted characters appear. I'll also use your event if I can figure out where to fit it in, though I might modify it slightly to make it work better.
Lady Tzahra: A little more review, a little less random Fruits Basket stuff, okey dokey?
Magical Girl Pretty Sammy Chan: Thanks for a great review! And if you want to use my characters as cameos in your story, go right ahead. It's an honor to have a character featured in your story!
Now, as you probably already know, I don't own .hack. But I do own all the games, the entire series on DVD (In English AND Japanese), .hack/AI Buster volumes 1 and 2, .hack/legend of the twilight in Japanese, a Tsukasa cosplay outfit (that I made myself) and a grunty plushy. No, I'm not a .hack/sign fan at all!
Now I'll finish my lengthy author's note by saying that this chapter is REALLY HEAVY with the information. Don't be surprised if you find yourself bored, but keep reading because it gets good at the end. It was just that if I didn't postwhat I knew about the Eight Phases on the internet I was going to have to shoot someone. (No submitted characters here, just to warn you)So, here we go!
CHAPTER 10
EPITAPH
Kite opened his email and found he had a new email.It was from someone named Wiseman.
Bracelet Holder
I have information about the Eight Phases that were defeated by the .hackers. If you can bring me the Rod of Necromancy from Theta: Dying Bloody Fallen Angel I will tell you what I know. When you have the wand, meet me in the area Theta: Destructive Crimson Cross.
Kite logged into The World and saw his friends waiting by the chaos gate.
"Did you get the mail from Wiseman?" asked Michoru.
"Yeah," said Kite. "Let's go to Theta: Dying Bloody Fallen Angel."
The party arrived in an ugly field. The ground was dark and dry and there was no vegetation anywhere.
"Ugh," said Magora. "This place needs to be refurbished."
Suddenly, the screen began flashing with white noise and a Data Bug appeared. It took the form of a giant beetle surrounded by a strange green aura.
"Data Bug!" cried Michoru.
"Let's get it!" said Akazu, brandishing his axe.
"Juk Rom!" cried Kite, but the attack didn't do any damage.
"It has a magic tolerance!" said Suzaku. "Concentrate on healing!"
"Ok!"
"Revolver!"
"Repulse Cage!"
"Brandish!"
"Tiger Claws!"
"Hayabusa!"
The attacks hit full-force, but the Data Bug retaliated by smashing its horn into the party.
"La Repth!" cried Kite, healing his comrades.
The party charged in for another round of attacks, but were just blown back again by the beetle's horn. Kite healed them again, but they kept getting thrown back by the beast.
"Dammit..." said Kite. "What are we supposed to do?"
"Senbou!"
"What?"
"Tarvos won't listen to me!"
"So? What do you want me to do about it!"
"He always liked you better!"
"So?"
"So, you can have Tarvos and I'll take Skeith."
"Why should I do that?"
"Because if you don't, he'll turn on us and you'll get blamed."
"Humph... Fine then."
"Data Drain!"
Rod of Necromancy was found!
The party killed the drained bug with little effort.
"Nice," said Kite. "We got the Rod of Necromancy. Let's go meet Wiseman."
As soon as they arrived in Destructive Crimson Cross, they noticed that it was not a normal area. It was a large stone room with various patterns carved into the walls. There were strange letters among pictures. Already there was a male Wavemaster with dark skin and white hair waiting for them.
"I'm glad you could make it," said the Wavemaster. "I'm Wiseman. Did you bring the item I asked?"
"Yes," said Kite, handing him the Rod of Necromancy. He equipped the item and began his speech.
"Now, you're probably wondering why I asked you here," said Wiseman. "Look around at this area. Look closely at that picture on the wall."
Kite leaned closely to see the picture and gasped when he saw that it was Skeith. Along the wall there was also Gorre, the phase that Doki had summoned at the hot springs.
"The Eight Phases," said Wiseman. "They were originally programmed into the game by Harald Hoerwick in order to collect data on human emotions. They were each assigned a specific task and they would transfer their collected data to Aura in order to make her into the ultimate AI. When their job was complete, they would awaken the sleeping Aura. Morganna, the God of The World, was assigned to take care of the sleeping Aura until she would awaken. However, she realized that if Aura were to awaken, then Morganna's task would be complete and she would become obsolete and subsequently destroyed. She turned against Aura and reprogrammed the Eight Phases so that they would work for her in ensuring that Aura would never wake up."
"What were the jobs assigned to each phase?" asked Michoru.
"Well, like I said, each phase was assigned a different task," said Wiseman. "Skeith, also known as the Terror of Death, was assigned to collect data on human reaction to death as an inevitability. The Second Phase, Innis, Mirage of Deceit, was assigned to collect data on how humans reacted to lies and deceit. Phase Three Magus, the Propagation, was assigned to collect data on human reproduction and the need to reproduce in order to preserve itself. Fidchell, the Prophet, was assigned to collect data on the human reaction to the concept of an inescapable fate. The Fifth Phase, Gorre, the Machinator, was assigned to collect data on the cruelty of the human race. Phase Six, the Temptress, Macha, was designed to record data on human affection. Mainly she was intended to record data on unrequited love. The Seventh Phase, Tarvos, the Avenger, was designed to record data on human envy, revenge, hatred, and other dark emotions. The Final Phase, Corbenik, the Rebirth, was designed for three tasks. He takes three forms, and his first form, a seed, collects data on human attachment to life. The second form, a leaf, collects data on the human attraction to death. His final form, an eye formed from a petal, collects data on the pure heart that is born again and again."
The room was silent for a moment. There was a lot of information to digest.
"So, all of this was written in the Epitaph of Twilight?" asked Kite.
"Yes," said Wiseman. "The Epitaph of Twilight was written by Emma Wielant. However, she died before it was completed. Harald was in love with Emma, and decided to honor her by programming The World based on her poem. Harald created Aura and tried to make her into the ultimate, most human AI. He was trying to create a daughter that he could never have."
"How were the Eight Phases worked into the Epitaph?" asked Kenji.
"The first two stanzas of the Epitaph are:
Unknown where the Cursed Wave was born...
After the stars doth cross the heavens...
The sky in the East doth darken.
And air doth fills with mourning.
From the chosen land beyond the forest,
A sign of the Wave comes.
Riding the Wave is: Skeith, the Shadow of Death,
to drown all that stands.
Mirage of Deceit, Innis,
Betray all with the flawed image,
and did aid the Wave.
And by the Power of Magus,
a drop from the Wave doth reach the heavens,
and creates a new Wave.
With the Wave, Fidchell,
the power to tell the dark future,
hope darkens, sadness and despair rule.
Gorre schemes when swallowed by the Cursed Wave.
Macha seduces with the sweet trap.
Wave reaches the Pinnacle, and escape none can.
Tarvos still remains with more cruelty to punish and destroy.
And with the turbulent destruction after the Wave.
Only a void remains.
From deep within the void arrives Corbenik."
"I don't quite get it," said Suzaku.
"Let me explain," said Wiseman. "The beginning describes the world's physical reaction to the wave coming. The lines 'the sky in the east doth darken and the air doth fills with mourning' are meant to show that the wave is a terrible thing. Then the wave itself actually comes. It shows that Skeith is the first to appear, and he makes the first strike. Then Innis appears and aids the cursed wave by deceiving all that are left with falsehoods. Then, when the wave is weakening, Magus appears and he takes a drop from the wave. He takes it to the skies and reproduces a new wave, hence his name The Propagation. Fidchell appears and tells all remaining that only more killing is to come. The phrase 'hope darkens' means that his prophecy was accepted as truth and people no longer have any hope to cling to. Then Gorre appears and begins planning a cruel punishment to strike the people with. Macha then comes and makes everyone fall in love with her even though she isn't really in love with them. The wave reaches its full strength, and then Tarvos appears. His dark emotions fuel him to finish the destruction. Afterward, nothing remains of the world except a void. Then, from the ashes, Corbenik is born."
"So, wait," said Magora. "You're telling me that unless we do something then the whole world will be destroyed?"
"Yes," said Wiseman. "And since the Eight Phases are back, you have to kill them before they can produce a second wave."
"But, the thing is," said Akazu, "even if we destroy a phase, then the hacker who controlled them will still be alive. What do we do then?"
"Excuse me?" asked Wiseman, confused.
"OK, well, here's the story," said Michoru. "We've been being hunted down by some hackers who call themselves the Hackers of Hades. Each one of their members controls one of the Eight Phases. We've only met two of them. There was Senbou, who controls Skeith, and Doki, who controls Gorre."
"I see," said Wiseman. "Well, because that is the case, you will probably have to destroy the hacker his or herself. It may even help you if you destroy the hacker before you destroy the phase, because chances are if these hackers are powerful enough to tame the Eight Phases then they are probably powerful enough to resurrect them."
"Senbou! Skeith won't listen to me either!"
"I really don't care. If you can't get either to get what you want them to, then give them both to me and don't do anything. You're too lazy to do anything to the bracelet holders anyway."
"Well, fine then, be that way. I'll just destroy them myself."
"Yeah, sure you will, buddy."
"Well, I'm afraid that all the information that I have is used up," said Wiseman. "I'll contact you whenever I have new information. Don't forget to contact me if you ever need help with anything."
He gave them his member address and warped out of the dungeon. The party soon followed after, logging out for the night.
"Where are you going, Inyoku?"
"Out."
"Out where?"
"None of your business, Senbou."
"Well, it is if you don't want me to report you."
"You snake."
"So, where are you headed?"
"Delta Server."
"Why?"
"There's someone I have to meet."
"Who?"
"..."
"Tell me, Inyoku. It's for your own good."
"I'm going to see one of the bracelet holders."
"Which one?"
"Doesn't matter, as long as it's a guy."
"Oh, I get it. Who said you could do that?"
"Who said I couldn't? Besides, you and Doki both messed up so it's my turn."
"Bushou said he wanted to try."
"Bushou's a weakling, so sorry to say."
"He's not, he's actually an accomplished hacker, despite his age. He's just so lazy."
"That's his flaw. He can't even control a phase."
"It's because he tries such strong ones. First, he demanded Tarvos. Then he tried Skeith, and now I hear he's trying to get Doki to give him Gorre."
"Bushou is rash, isn't he?"
"He is indeed. Are you going to be late for your meeting?"
"How should I know? I don't actually have a meeting. I'm just bumming around town until one shows up."
"Oh. Well you'd better get going."
"Yeah. Promise you won't rat me out?"
"Can't make any guarantees."
"I hate you."
"The feeling is mutual."
When Kite logged in the next day, no one was at the Chaos Gate. He began to walk around town and soon saw Suzaku talking to a young girl. The girl had black hair falling down her back to her waist and a strapless black dress that ended just before her ankles. On her feet were high-heeled boots and covering her arms were black gloves. The two were laughing and seemed to be having a good time. Kite almost walked over to them but stopped himself, waiting for Suzaku to finish the conversation. When they were finished, they broke apart and Kite walked over to Suzaku.
"Who was that?" asked Kite, watching the girl leave.
"Her? That's Fleur," he said. "She stopped me on the street and she seemed nice so I started talking to her."
"You seemed to be having a good time," said Kite.
"We were," said Suzaku. "She was really nice. She gave me her member address. I'll probably use it a lot. She has a really unique character class."
"What was it?" asked Kite.
"It was something she called a Wind Weaver." said Suzaku. "Her weapon was a paper fan. I've never seen a weapon like that before. She told me she got it at an event."
Kite was shocked.
"Suzaku," said Kite. "I'm not sure how I should tell you this, but I think that Fleur's a Hacker of Hades."
"What?" asked Suzaku.
"She has a weird character class," said Kite. "And she said she got it at an event. You were there at the boy's hot spring with Doki, remember? He had a gun as his weapon, and he said he got it at an event."
"So?" said Suzaku, indignant. "Just because someone has a different class doesn't mean they're a hacker. Look at that girl over there."
He pointed to a girl that had a strange, long weapon on her back.
"Suzaku, that's just a Long Arm with a rare weapon!"
"Whatever!" said Suzaku, raising his voice. "Not all of them had unique classes! What about Senbou? He was a Wavemaster!"
"Suzaku!" said Kite. "Don't get so upset! It's just a possibility!"
"No, it isn't!" screamed Suzaku. "There's no way someone like her could be a hacker! You're just saying that because you're jealous that I have a new friend!"
"What!" said Kite, on the verge of screaming. "Why the hell would I be jealous of a dried-up old hag like that! And another thing, Suzaku! You need to grow the hell up! You say I'm jealous of someone just because I'm worried! You heard what Wiseman said about Macha! She's the Temptress, Suzaku, and I'll bet my right hand you're just playing into her trap! Fleur's name isn't really Fleur, it's probably something else, and she's probably the one pulling the strings of the Macha puppet! If you can't accept it as plain fact that she's probably not the kind of person you should hang around with, then you should just keep her company and leave us alone! It's not like you've ever done anything for us! We always do the work while you just slack off! No one wants you around them, especially not us! Why don't you just stop playing the game for good! Why don't you just go away and give up your Bracelet!"
Whoa! They are PISSED! I guess you'll have to read on to see how the whole thing resolves itself!
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