Tatsuya "Tatsuki" Matsuki

"You're a real psycho, you know that?" Kirito asked. It's been five days since we'd been trapped in this Death-Game and I'd already come close to dying at least 20 times. Three-quarters of those times I had been alone, anyone would think I'm terrible at this game but in truth, it's all because of raising the damn skill 'Beastly Aura'. I have to enter the field Solo with my blade hidden behind a cloak and play with the mobs that were designed to kill us! I'm still surprised I'm even alive.

The two of us were sat in the Inn's bar. The place had a nice atmosphere, a place to relax. The NPCs were all crowded around the bar drinking to their heart's content and getting drunk. Sadly us players can't get drunk, all we feel is a slight dizziness "Yeah, I know however, I really want to learn about that weird skill..." I said. Kirito sighed in response. "Even if it's weird that skill really does fit you... You've away had a way with animals. "he smirked. "What was it people call you?...'Beast Whisperer'?"
"Oh shut it, your just jealous that people recognize me, unlike you" I grinned.
"So what are we gonna do?"

"Hmm... Wonder the town and look for some interesting quest?" I asked, I hadn't the slightest clue what to do as everyday I've been in the hunting fields.
"Sounds good I suppose" we stood from our seats and exited the heavily frequented inn, the sky was midnight black and the stars were in perfect view.
We walked casually throughout the town passing by the occasional players. The town was no longer deserted as most players had finally made it here. Meaning that we would soon leave and head towards the next village.

Passing by the numerous merchants and player-shops we eventually reached the church. Neither of us had so much as entered the holy building so if there were quests inside neither of us would have finished them already.
The entrance was a massive wooden door possibly three times the size as a normal person and as we braced ourselves to push the door felt as light as a feather. "Ack!" I yelled in surprise as I stumbled forward trying my best not to fall.
Kirito was just a step behind and unlike me he wasn't... Er how to out it? Disgraceful...

"Wow... This place is.. Just, wow" he spoke in amazement. Looking away from the interesting ground I also found myself in amazement. The walls were made from smoke stone, candles hung from the ceiling in chandeliers. There was a red luxurious carpet spread out between many rows of seats and standing before the entirety were a man draped in the obvious clothing of a priest. "Didn't Argo mention something about the priest and some quest?" I asked. Between the two of us It was obvious the Argo liked Kirto more than me although I still haven't figured the reason... Perhaps it's because I've started to charge her for information from me? Whatever. Kirito turned to look at me.
"Hmm... Possibly" he passed for a moment and took another look at the robed man. "Either way it couldn't hurt to try. "

The two of us started down the towards the priest and as we did something dawned on me. If this were the real world we'd no doubt look real damn suspicious. I mean, who wouldn't? Two boys walking towards an old man both armed with swords. One of them wore a cloak whilst the other simple clothing some bracers and a breast-plate, it wouldn't be surprising if we found ourselves siting in a jail cell or an interrogation room.

"How could we help you?" kirito asked, one of the few general ways of starting a quest. Although there are also some that respond to certain keywords.
"Ah! Some young adventurers! Just what I needed, it seems that an interesting wolf has stolen some food and cloth that, to be honest, was of a high value. Please, I'd do anything if you Could do something about it!". A quest window appeared before us, the on,y strange thing was that it appeared I front of me not Kirito the player who started the quest. I looked at the quest's title which explained the reason. It was named 'tale of a Scarlet Wolf. Part 1' I turned to face Kirito. "Perhaps this is a quest specifically meant for the owner of that book...?"
He nodded. "Yes.. I've heard of quests that require certain skills or items before hand. What are the rewards?" Now that I think about it we are they? I looked back to the window and found to my surprise that there were multiple rewards however only one could be chosen... Among these rewards was a Cloak.

I turned towards my coursing and grinned. "I'm getting a new Cloak, a magic one to" he sighed.
"Of course" then he turned towards the door. "Come on, we'll start that quest tomorrow " I nodded before accepting it, if already looked through the summary and it hadn't mentioned any time limit.

When we reached the outside I noticed a shadow jumping from roof to roof and a faint glim of metal could have been seen however I discarded the thought. My eyes were probably playing tricks on me.

Alex "Thrax" Spencer

I'd awoken with a jolt. Apparently this quest was a bloody long one not to mention unique. I doubted anyone else had come across something like this. I've basically become this NPC; who I've now learnt to be named Durm, Apprentice.
Crazy huh. Id been given a room in this kind of hide-out complete with a bed, wardrobe, desk and weapon wrack. The walls were made of cobblestone and the same for the floors, the only light came from small candles and surprisingly enough, this place didn't smell to bad.
There were multiple rooms, a few of these were a training-room, workshops, library's, kitchens and living quarters and living quarters like this one.
Durm had given me orders like 'train your dagger and knife skills on these dummies. I've even been told that I had to learn certain skills like blade-throwing or hiding. ' and once I had trained for a certain amount of time he'd drop me in this arena that continually spit out low-level mobs that I was easily able to kill. Sort of like a repayment for keeping me here and not allowing me out, not Even to level. This way, when I finished I wouldn't be under-leveled

This man was crazy if you asked me. He always kept me on my toes. Whenever I awoke there would be a sword hanging above and if I hadn't gotten out in time he'd cut the rope that suspended it, allowing it to pierce into me. I knew that if I didn't pull it out in time I'd definitely die, luckily afterward he'd give me a healing potion.

This time however was different, when I awoke there was no sword waiting to skewer me, I left the comfort of my bed to look for my master, what I found surprised me dearly. He sat at a small wooden table treating wounds that he somehow acquired. "What happened?" I asked, although this man was an A.I apparently he was one of the more intelligent ones, he really acts like a person. And no, don't try to tell me he is, he has NPC hanging above his head but only if I squint my eyes, other than that it's invisible.

"Just a routine purge is all. Nothing to worry about" this was new, he said 'Purge'
However I hadn't the clue as to what that was. "What do you mean 'Purge'?" The familiar glint of mystery appeared in his eyes before he spoke
"I go about the town, killing monsters that have infiltrated and plan to kill the innocents" wait.. Hold up, since when could monster enter the towns? They're safe zones, right? "You needn't worry, these monsters only enter at night. They also have no interest in Adventures like you" although I tried my best to hide it but a faint look of surprise must have glanced across my face as Durm grinned.
"Next time, you can help out" I smiled, "but for now, there is something I wish to entrust to you, follow me" Durm stood before walking through one of the many doors and into the library.

When I followed him in I found he had a book in hand steadily approaching me.
"I feel that the time is right. You have made it longer than any other of my Apprentices, then again p, you're the first adventurer so there is in surprise there."
He handed the book towards me and I took it meekly. "Use the information in this book to learn the required Extra-skill. Once you have we shall really begin your training."

That was all Durm said before leaving me to read. Well, whatever. I dropped myself into a seat and opened the book. I was instantly greeted by a page of gibberish... He expects me to read this? That was when I noticed a bar at the bottom of the page that had Signature written at the beginning. I tapped the line causing a keyboard to appear, typing my name and hitting enter sections of the book became readable.

'Congratulations my pupil, having made it this far you have earned the right to truly call yourself a 'disciple of Shadows'. This contract has granted you access to the 'Shadow Arts' a unique-skill that can be possessed by only one Player at a single time.
As the skill's level increase you will gain access to new skills. To begin with, only the dual-Knives/daggers ability is usable, along with access to my workshop and equipment designs '

Wait... I can use two daggers now? I opened my menu with a swipe of my hand and navigated to my skills window. A new skill had been added just as the book had said. 'Shadow-Arts' I clicked on the name bringing up its details.
"Shadow Arts, Unique-Skill: alters the users already learnt skills along with its own unique effects.
Alteration-Bonuses
One-handed knife skill: adds new usable sword skills along with the ability to wield a second blade.

More will be revealed and unlocked as the skill progresses.

New abilities
Unique armour crafting: allows the crafting and upgrading of the Apprentice Shadow-Gear and up from within the hideouts.

More abilities will be revealed and unlocked as the skill progresses.

Armour crafting? That's unexpected, perhaps I can craft Armour now? Guess I'd better ask Durm about it at some point... Or maybe I'll give it a try now.
Standing from my seat I made my way into one of the cobblestone corridors. I've been told that there are exits leading to all over the town and even a corridor leading to the next town... Only that it's guarded by mobs, the entrance is locked and only key belongs to Durm.

It took a few minutes but eventually I reached one of multiple workshops spread throughout the workshop. Unlike the others I had encountered this one was connected to a store-room so hopefully I'll be able to find the required materials.
The workshop itself unlike the multiple other rooms has a wooden floor, Arches riddle the ceiling and torches light up the interior from their positions upon the walls.
In one of the corners were a small crate and when I looked inside I found an absolute ton of leather and thread. "Guess I've got some work to do" I grinned, speaking to no one in particular.

I found my way to one of the many benches and tapped on it. A window opened up with options for crafting."hmm.. Keeners night-armour, Keeners night-Knives, Keeners Night-Cloak... There's tons of stuff here!" I rushed back over to the crate and pulled as much as I could into my inventory before returning to the bench and crafting all the gear. Although it took a few minutes I finally created all of them.

I equipped each piece before looking at myself in the mirror and if I do say so myself I looked awesome. Most of my body was covered by a massive hooded black clock and looking at the back of it I found a strange symbol resembling an Angel standing or.. Flying? Before the ... Well whatever.
The rest of my outfit is comprised of black leather chest-plate, bracers, shin-guards, shoulder-guards and under all of that were simple black cloth.
I noticed that on some points of my leather Armour were moon symbols.

I unsheathed my two Knives and looked over them. The blades were Abyss-black whilst the hilts had a tinge of red. I returned the knives to their sheaths and put all the remaining material back in the crate.

Leaving the Workshop I walked back to the the main room and found Durm grinning. "I see you've made the basic gear"
"Y-yeah... Is that alright?"
"Of course, if you hadn't I would have dropped you in the arena bare assed now come on, get some sleep, training begins tomorrow, no more of this hiding." I grinned. "If that's true then could I go into town?" Then man looked at me and narrowed his eyes."if you do you'd better not die."
"Sure"
I walked back through the entrance I came through when I first Apprentices myself to Durm and made it back to the alley. "It sure feels good to be out in the open again"

A/N: welp, here's the next chapter and ive introduced Tatsu's Skill quest. both of the boys will take a bit to complete them and i haven't decided when their quests will finish... nor when the two of them will meet properly. anyway im gonna keep Tatsu with Kirito for a bit until possibly the 2nd floor? i dunno.

but here's a question, what do you think of Thrax's soon to be Title 'Night-Angel' does anyone recognize it from a certain trilogy?