Ano…Konnichiwa mina-san! Sumimasen! I have had so many problems with my disk, including formatting difficulties, that have prevented me from updating. I actually wanted to update last Saturday, the 27th, because I celebrated my first anniversary of joining on that day. To add to my delay, I have had no time at all to update recently. I am very sorry for making you wait. I also misplaced my floppy disk, so I panicked. I can be so forgetful. Arigato for the replies to my Author's Note. They are much appreciated. They all motivated me, and helped me see where this fic is going. Everyone seems to want a dark story twist. Ask and you shall receive! Here's the latest update, enjoy! Remember to review at the end. What you liked, what you didn't? Anything you want! To the fic…
Chapter 13: When Darkness Falls
When the winter months take over from fall, the night sky gets darker. The weather changes yet again, and the days are short but enjoyable. There's something so innocent about the white snow that decorates the ground and tree tops. Snow, no matter how cold and how dangerous, is loved by so many. Its innocence appreciated and adored as children soak it up, laughing and playing, the adults smiling and reminiscing of times gone past. Darkness, by contrast, represents experience. And yet, even with the natural curiosity and learning growth that is no doubt experience, a lot of people hate darkness. Why hate something that we are destined to feel? I had always appreciated the darkness. There, I could hide. I could be free, and I could do what I wanted. If we never saw the darkness of night, we would never grow to be experienced. We only learn what is good if we know what good means, by experiencing bad and comparing the two. Yes. A lot of people hate the darkness. They hate experience. Because to grow up, to learn something new, shows that your childhood innocence has gone. That you are an adult. That you have real, reachable goals and dreams instead of fantasies. But some of us grow up too fast. Or stay in the darkness for too long. And now, just when I'm coming out into the light, the darkness pulls me back. I'm drawn to it. But, for once, it's not my own personal desire. It's The World. I have arrived at the Delta server and something is wrong. Because here it is not winter, it is summer. But as I look out across the town, I notice the change immediately. Darkness has fallen. And once again I am being swallowed up into it. Yes. When darkness falls…
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"What is going on here?"
"Yeah, who turned out the lights?"
"Maybe there's something wrong with the server?"
"Why aren't CC Corp doing anything about it?"
As I walk down the dusty stairs towards the Item Shop, I notice a few players chatting about the near blackout. They are as surprised as I am. Surely this isn't part of the game. Something definitely isn't right here. "Hello? Excuse me?" I approach a tough looking Twin Blade to see how long the game has been like this. "Can you tell me when The World got so dark?"
"Yeah, about three hours ago, man. It was all sunny one minute, and then the graphics went kind of funny. Next thing I knew, it was pitch black. It's got a bit lighter since. My friends have been online for like half an hour, but there's been no further improvement…"
"Does anyone know what caused it?" I ask, wishing Max was here with me to hear this.
"Nah, not a clue. I just wish this problem would get sorted. What are the programmers doing? Having a coffee break? I'm gonna log off soon. If I were you, I'd do the same. Besides, the gates aren't working properly. You type in a field name and it takes you somewhere completely different. Maybe the bug will be fixed by tomorrow…?" The player scratches his chin thoughtfully, before giving a heavy shrug. "I'm off to save my game. Seeya."
"Yeah, bye." I am interested by his last comment. The gates…Perhaps I should stay after all and see where I could be transported. I might find someone who could help me and Max, or a clue. I have levelled up quite a bit since the last dungeon raid. I'm sure I am high enough to take on monsters alone. Besides, if things got really bad, I could always gate out, right?
It's time to see what or who's causing this dark mist, and why…
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"So 3 must be 'C'." A figure surrounded by shadow muttered to himself, his fingers typing effortlessly onto the computer keyboard in front of him. "Then that leaves…" Tala Valkov hadn't worked so hard in a long time. Ever since he had left school at only 12 years of age, he had known that computers would be his life. Nothing else mattered. Like an animal whisperer to an animal, he took to computers and they worked well with him. His guardian had allowed him to be educated at his own place, and at flexible times. With so much freedom, Tala was used to getting his own way, being the best. At school, he had been top of the class at computer studies, maths, English, Japanese…Everything. He strived to be perfect, or as near to perfect as he could get. But there was another, he vaguely remembered. Another boy that also had his potential. But, there he would sit, hair covering a face free of emotion. This child with 'no name' may not have been as smart as Tala, but he was very good at sports and never struggled in class. He had more money than Tala, but he never boasted about it or used it to his advantage. He wasn't pleasant, nor was he nasty. Mostly, this boy just kept to himself. He was a mystery. A puzzle to even the teacher herself. Keeping secrets, finding things out. This boy knew everything about everyone. He was good at logic. Perfect. Better than Tala had been. And so the redhead found himself angry. Annoyed that someone could have bested him. Because Tala was perfect. Or as near perfect as anyone could be…
"Valkov. What the hell are you working on now?" A voice shouted from the doorway. The light from the hallway outside flooded the room, and Tala was now visible, his shadow covering the back wall.
"Sir, I am trying to work out a code that I believe is connected to Aura and holds the reasons for the recent goings-on in The World…"
"Nani? (1) Why didn't you report this in?"
"I apologise. I just felt the need to start deciphering the message immediately so I could give you the full message."
"Next time, you must tell me of such discoveries…"
"Hai. I do, however, feel that I am not the only one with this code at my disposal…" Tala's voice quietened. Silence filled the uneasy atmosphere.
"…Go on…what do you mean?"
"I received it in an e-mail. I doubt the sender was directly Aura herself, but someone who wants the message worked out. Or, I am being tested…"
"…But there is only one person who I think would test you in this way…could it really be?"
"Yes, I believe so too. Helba…"
"So, she has returned…And the .hackers?"
"No news. But those newbies everyone is interested in. They could be the new heroes. The next generation. Perhaps they hold the key to solving this mystery…?"
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It was always the same. Like a CD player stuck on 'repeat'. The same song playing over and over. The more you listen to it, the more you know what you are going to hear. The better you know it. But a song is harmless compared to a dream. When a dream repeats, it makes you ask questions. 'Why am I dreaming this. Why can't I stop having this dream…?' And for a certain blonde-haired teen, one very weird dream seemed to loop continuously. And the more he dreamed it, the more he knew how it would end. The more he dreamed it, the more frightened he got, and the more distress he felt. For Max Mizuhara, it wasn't just a dream on repeat. It was a nightmare.
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Rei Kon left the Wasteland not long after Sir Kenneth had orbed out. But the feelings he had felt in the area had not stayed behind but come with him. His gut instinct told him things were taking a turn for the worse. An uneasy aura seemed to follow him, and before long, he decided to pay his friend Tyson at visit. As predicted, he was at the safehouse.
"Rei! I wondered where you had been, old friend! I, of-course, have been busy as usual. Are you up for a good old dungeon trek?" Tyson's usual happy mood and loud outbursts greeted the neko-jin wavemaster.
"I'm afraid that will have to wait. I have a favour to ask of you, Ty."
"Really?" Tyson noticed the serious tone to Rei's voice.
"Are you able to collect that field name for the new landscape and send it to my address? I'd do it myself, but I have a lot of thinking to do." Sighing, Rei made himself comfortable on the wooden chair. He scratched his left cat ear and the bells on his hat jangled at the movement.
"Sure. You yourself must have noticed the darkness covering the entire playing field of The World…Have you got any answer as to why this has happened?"
"No, I'm afraid not. But I will figure it out." Rei stretched out like a cat, his tired limbs begging for a good nights rest. "I think I'm going to log out for tonight and return tomorrow. If you could have sent me the details by then that would be great…"
"Yes, I will. Don't worry about a thing my kitten friend! I think I will do a bit of exploring myself. I have many contacts as you know. And I have many bribes…I'm sure I can find out something, somewhere…"
"Just don't do anything stupid. I'll see you later." Tyson grinned, nodding as Rei disappeared.
"I can't make any promises on that, Rei. I'm sorry." Tyson stood up and left the safehouse. He was tired of the dark. And this persistent warrior wouldn't let anyone destroy the worldwide phenomenon of a game and get away with it.
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TBC
Yes, yes, I know this is far too short! Don't hurt me! But my latest reviewer (who cannot be named due to rules) didn't want the fic to get dark so quickly. And, since my exams have only just finished, I've been stuck for time and story ideas. The truck of writer's block almost hit me once again! But, I kind of know what I'm doing now. Key words 'kind of'. But I will not quit and discontinue. I will not surrender! I was surprised that a lot of you guys wanted a dark fic, but they are usually interesting and full of twists and turns. However, I will include light moments for those of you who want some relief from angst! Thanks for your continued support, and thanks in advance for any reviews I receive (smiles).
Byezies for now,
Minako Angel xxx
(1) Nani – What?