AN: Wow the support for this story is amazing, thank you. Seriously, thank you. The support you give is amazing. Anyway I have some notes to make.
DYnoJackal19: Guardian Asuna has reported to Cayde-6 and is Hyper-Lethal with her Blade Dancer abilities. Guardian Shino has yet to report in, however Cayde-6 is in communications. Kirito focuses on Voidwalker, as they really match his personality. And as for his rewards, I have something in mind for him.
Ice: Guardian Ice-23 has reported to Ikora Rey. Last reports have him in Old Russia with the clearing crew waiting for Lord Shaxx to open the Crucible
KuramaFTW: A Guardian matching that description has reported to Cayde-6 and is currently on Patrol.
Okay, so I have seen people question this, so I'll go ahead and map it out. Just like IRL Destiny Online will have a progressive, all-be-it more steady, releasing of content. So events like the Swords of Crota won't happen till after the Vanilla game has been beaten. For those of you who don't know this will be the order of events with their in game names..
Vanilla/VoG = Resurgence
Dark Below/Cota's End = Hive Invasion
House of Wolves/PoE = Hunt for the Wolves
Taken King/Kings Fall = The Taken War
Rise of Iron = Return of the Iron Lords
Also, light levels like how they were introduced in Taken King will apply. Characters will need to advance to EXP level 20, then work their way up to Light Level 30, after VoG, the light will increase to 100, then to 250, then the EXP Level increase to 40 and the 325 Light we see in TTK
End
That's about it for the updates, but now onto the story.
Destiny Online CH4
"Hello," it spoke in a deep baritone and distorted voice. "My name is Akihiko Kayaba, I am the one behind the creation of Destiny for the Nerve Gear. Now, let me be the first to welcome you to Destiny Online." At this people began to murmur before a wave of mist erupted from Kayaba intensifying the Darkness Zone, causing an absolute silence to fall. "I apologies for that, but I need your attention." As everyone resumed their focus on him, the weight of the Darkness lightly lifted. "Good. As many of you have begun to realize, there is no Log-Out button. This is not a Glitch, but a key feature t this game. You are all now trapped, here in Destiny; and should you fall to the darkness, be consumed and die, then you die for real. Also, should anyone try to tamper with, or remove you're Nerve Gear you will die." At this a dead silence fell over the crowd, no one could move or even speak. Even Kirito was shocked. This thing, this creature claiming to be Akihiko Kayaba just told them that this was no longer just a game, but a death game.
No one could believe what was happening, who this man was or what he was saying. No logout and real death, it was like a bad anime. The one known as Akihinko Kayaba cleared his throat causing everyone to look back to him.
"The only way for you to safely log-out is to beat the game. Push back the Darkness and return Light to the Traveler." One brazen player called out to the floating being.
"Why should we believe you?!" Without replying Kayaba stretched his arms out and hundreds of screens appeared behind him. News reports from all over the world began to play, all saying the same thing 'Over 10,000 player's trapped in Destiny Online.'
"As you can see, every major news outlet has pick up on this. Currently over 200 players have been consumed, or have had their Nerve Gears removed. Resulting in all of their deaths." Kayaba let the feeds play a moment longer before closing them. "To be fair, Fireteam revives are still enabled in patrols and Strikes, but disabled in Nightfalls and Raids. Within a Darkness Zone should you die alone, or your Fireteam wipes* you will be Consumed by Darkness; after which, instead of being sent to the last checkpoint your profile will be deleted, and the Nerve gear will sent an electric shock throughout your brain, killing you instantly." Everyone began to murmur and talk amongst themselves.
"One last thing before I go." Everyone then looked up to Kayaba again. "If you would please open your Inventory and use your current mission item." Everyone pulled out a mirror, confused, many of them gasped as a glow engulfed everything. As the glow faded and everyone began to realize that while their species was not affected, their body and facial features had shifted to being close to being what they looked like in the real world.
"Welcome to Destiny Online!-Guardian?"
"Guardian?"
"Guardian Wake up!"
With a grunt Kirito began to stir as he returned to the waking world. While Guardians did not need to eat or sleep, the human mind would not last long without those stimuli. With consideration, the Nerve Gear is able to trick the brain into entering a state of rest, preserving that portion of sanity. Looking around, the events of the past weeks returned to Kirito's mind. Foremost in his mind was his anger at Akihiko Kayaba for trapping them in this game. Lost in his thoughts he didn't notice when Ghost bumped into him trying to get his attention.
"Kirito. Remember, we have that meeting at the tower with the clearing crew."
"Right, the meeting about the new Vanguard Intel."
Looking up at his Ghost, who nodded hat him. Kirito nodded and opened the Directory and selected the tower. Recently, the world of Destiny Online became more personal. The Ghosts voice changed slightly, and they were even able to recite the players' names. Even the Vanguard, Factions, Vendors, and Speaker took a much more interactive roll in the game. This was especially useful seeing as the missions no longer appeared in the Directory, the players had to either find the mission locations or receive intel from the Tower.
Feeling the tingling of transmat Kirito prepared for the transition from his ship to solid ground.
After loading into the Tower Kirito made his way to the Travelers Walk, the location where the meeting was being held. Normal Travelers Walk was closed off except for special event vendors, like Lord Saladin's Iron Banner, however on this day it was opened up as a meeting ground. Once he made it up the stairs, Kirito noticed that there were fewer players than he expected. Around the area were less than twenty Guardians preparing for whatever mission the Vanguard had assigned.
Heading into the crowd Kirito headed to the front where he noticed a bunch of benches set up. Moving to the back row Kirito took a seat next to a Hunter with in a long brown cloak hiding most of her features in the shadows. Turning to the front of the where a group of four Guardians stood, discussing something Kirito could barely hear. After a few moments two of the Guardians walked away, both Exo's. One was a White and Red Titan, while the other was a hunter in blue and yellow. Kirito barely paid attention to them as they walked out of the Travelers Walk, talking in whispered tones. The other two walked to center of the stage, a Titan in blue up front with a warlock behind him.
"Alright guys-"the Titan began "Let's get this meeting started." With that everyone quieted down and focused on the man up front. "Hello. My name is Diavel, I am a Striker class Titan of the Praxic order." At that everyone started to laugh.
"Dude. The Praxic order is for Warlocks!" someone in the crowd yelled. This made Diavel pause and look in the player's direction before forming a small smile.
"Do you guys want to hear this or not?" with that comment the crowd fell silent and focused. "Right. Anyway, here's the deal. Our fireteam found the first Nightfall. Cayde-6 sent us out to scout the old Skywatch, but it was surrounded by Fallen of the House of Devils. Our best guess is that their fortifying the Mothyards to protect something in the Skywatch" Hearing this the crowed began to mummer in disbelief. "Listen, our job is simple, fight through the fallen armies and find whatever is in the Skywatch, be it one of their leaders or powerful Golden-Age Tech. After that we need to tell the rest of the players that this game can be beaten and explore the rest of Old Russia. It is our duty as the most capable players to do this. Do you agree? Or not?" After that speech everyone began to murmur again, before breaking into applauds. "As we all know. Aside from the 6-player Raids, Nightfalls are the hardest missions in the game, it will take a large force to overcome it. Everyone here need to form up into Fireteams, then we can assemble into a Strike-Force and assault the Fallen amassed at and in the Mothyards and Skywatch." At this Kiritos small smile dropped
'Fireteams? I knew we'd have to make a Strike Force, but not individual Fireteams!' Looking around he noticed that all of the players around had already formed into Fireteams and some even formed small multi team parties. Looking to his side Kirito noticed the female Hunter. Scooting over to her He began to speak.
"So you got left out too huh?" Without even moving to look at him she replied in a soft spoken voice.
"Not even. I wasn't left out. It just seemed like everyone was already friends."
"So you're solo too. Want to form a Fireteam with me?" After heating that the Hunter shifted ever so slightly turning her hear towards him. "You heard what that guy said, this is a Nightfall. One of the most dangerous missions out there. Even if you are a member of a Fireteam, if you die, there is no revival. Besides, it would only be for this mission." The female player seemed to contemplate the information for a moment before nodding her head once. Opening his Ghost, Kirito swiped to the player page. Looking back to the Hunter and using player-focus* her name was highlighted on his menu. Sending the invite Kirito closed his Ghost menu and waited.
The Hunter, hearting a chirp from her Ghost summoned it and swathe invite notification. Slowly reaching her hand up, she hesitated, just for a moment before selecting the 'Join Fireteam' option. After she did that Kirito noticed her player name and level appear above her head in a blue box, before shifting to green and fading. Looking to the bottom right of his HUD, Kirito saw the name 'Asuna' appear with a level marker of 2 next to it.
"All right!" Diavel began, shifting focus back to him. "Looks like everyone's in a Fireteam. Good."
"Hold up a second!" a brash voice yelled. Everyone looked back and noticed a short Awoken Titan with bright orange hair. Charging to the front of the crowd and standing in front of Diavel "My names Kibaou, got that? Before we take on this Nightghtfall I got to get something off my chest." Turning he faced the crowd gathered. "We all know about the 20000 players who have fallen to the Darkness, yah? Well some of you need to apologize to them right now!" Once again the murmuring started. Kirito, hearing this tensed up, having a liking as to where this player was going.
"Kibaou." Diavel started. "I think I know where you are going with this. You mean the Beta tester. Right?"
"Of course I mean them! Once this stupid ass game started the ex-beta players just up and left all us beginners behind. They took all of the good hunting spots and easy quest lines! They were the only ones getting stronger while the rest of us struggled! They've all ignored us this entire time!" Looking around Kibaou thrust his finger towards the gathered players. "Hell I bet there are some of them among us now. Show your selves Beta Testers! We should make them apologies, and give up their Glimmer, and the items they got!" Crossing his arms Kibaou formed a smug grin. "How can they expect us to trust them if they don't trust us. And why should we." After Kibaou had finished his rant he stood there, eyes closed and a small, yet smug smile on his face. Kitito looked on, clutching his fists, pushing down the anger and the nerves that threatened him.
"Can I say something" a deep voice calm stated. Both Kibaou and Kiritos eyes snapped to the man who spoke. A large dark skinned Titan walked up to Kibaou and stood right in front of him, causing the smaller Titan to falter just a bit. "Hey. The names Agil. Kibaou right?"
"Yah."
"I just want to be sure we are on the same page." The giant titan continued. "You want all the Beta Testers to give up all of the items they earned. Just because they supposedly left us all behind. And also you believe they are responsible for the deaths of those 2000 players."
"Of course."
"Even though all the players had equal opportunity to all the quests and farming spots." Hearing this Kaibou faltered a little more, before he could rebut, Agil pulled out a small tablet and held it up. "You also got one of the special Grimoire data pads. Right? It's available for free at the Vanguard."
"Yah, so what of it?"
"The special 'Guide Book' grimoires was written by the Beta Testers." Agil turned to the group and continued. "Listen, everyone had equal access to this information, yet still 2000 Guardians fell. Now I'm not here to point fingers, I'm here to learn from all those who fell." With that finished Diavle took charge again.
"Okay, can we get back to the meeting?" In response Agil and Kabou went back to their seats. As Diavel went over the plan Kirito began to think, first about what Kaibou said, then about how hard this game was going to be.
And break! Sorry for the late post. I promise the next chapter will be longer. Also I hope to update sooner, I have gone through and began to re-watch SAO to refresh my memory of events.
One last thing is that I put a poll on my page involving future events about the direction this story may take.
As always. Until Next time, please Read & Review or leave your suggestions for Gear/OC's