sorry for the late update! But here it is!

Alex "Thrax"Spencer

"It sure feels good to be out in the open again" I grinned. Making my way out into the Main Street wasn't hard and to my surprise the streets were filled with players. Although their gear wasn't high and most still appeared to be in the starter gear it was still a sight. Did Kayaba imagine something like this? Lining the streets were 'player-vendors', players who sold their own goods like

monster-drops or even items they may have crafted on the 'Vendors-carpet'. It was an array of colours and as I walked through the streets I certainly received my fair share of glances. Realising that the cause was my gear I draped my cloak over my shoulders making sure that nothing could. E seen through... Perhaps I should have returned to using my old gear?

I wasn't entirely sure why I came up... "~ghuur~" well now I've got my reason. I brought up my menu and acceded the. Map function I clicked the option to filter everything but restaurant and Inn signs out. I quickly decided I'd spend some Col.

Weaving my way through out the town I reached my destination, a small Inn, it wasn't too big nor popular but it suited my purpose. Opening the door caused a bell to ring, telling the owner someone had entered and I walked to the bar.

One of the NPC's made their way towards me. He man wore a simple tunic covered by an apron"How can I help you?" He asked. As he did so a small window opened before me listing the names of the dishes. "Hmm..." I scrolled through the virtual menu. "I'll have smoked Ham and some Ale" the man didn't even blink, although I was definitely underage I'll still be served Alcohol... then again according an old friend of mine; he took part in the Beta, you won't get drunk, only slightly dizzy.

"Coming right up, why don't you go and take a seat at one if the tables." He noose towards the large expanse of open tables, I walked towards one of the tables beside the windows and sat down, taking my first real look around the room It certainly reminded me of old medieval taverns. The floor is made up of many oak wood planks crudely cut compared to the ones back in the real world.

It wasn't possible to discern what materials the walls had been made as they had been covered with a cream wallpaper.

Because I'd sat down I decided to relax, I allowed my cloak to fall behind me uncovering my gear. I placed my arms over the table.

It was around five minutes later that one of the waitresses brought out my food. She placed the plate and jug down upon his table and took one look at my outfit, then my hands. Her eyes widened with surprise and she pulled out a small note from her apron's pocket before placing it on my table. The lady simply smiled awkwardly before walking away into the kitchen. "What was that about..." I muttered under my breath. Before I began eating I thought it best to see what that was all about. An intricate symbol had been inked onto one side and unfolding it revealed to me a message.

'Heres one of the good things about wearing that gear of yours. The people you call NPCs will give you discounts on items and food, sometimes even sell you different items compared to the usual stuff. All I'm trying to say is don't hide the 'Shadows Mark', if you don't know what it is then look back to the note, it's the symbol on the paper, it's also on your gloves.' I glanced down at gloves and noticed that same pattern.

As I were about to eat a flash of brown entered my sight. Looking to its source my eyes widened. I abruptly stood from my seat knocking it over in the process.

Standing by the counter was another player. She had mid length brown hair that reached just bellow her shoulders. She must have head the noise as she turned to face me and her eyes widened just as mine did. Her face. Was one I'd never forget.

We stood there silent for a few seconds and it was long enough for the NPC to ask what her order was again however she ignored him and muttered. "Alex..." she took a few steps forward before jumping at me. I held put my armed and caught her. "Alice! What are you doing in here!" I yelled Yes, this is Alice, one of my two childhood friends. "I thought you hated VR games!?"

"I did until I tried a few... Then Tatsu said he was getting the and I... Wanted to surprise him..." I blinked.

"Tatsu's here? Trapped in this game?" She stared at me before nodding

"He told me he was gonna log in as soon as possible, though he didn't tell me his name... "

"Did you try Ghost? That's the name he normally went by?" Alice shook her head

"He told me he was using a different name to Ghost... No more like I over heard him speaking with his cousin." That must have been The infamous Kazuto. The one who helped him into the Beta...

"Well... Either way, we'll talk some more... Just as soon as you've ordered your food..." She made an 'Ah' expression as she returned to the counter with a spring in her step.

I returned to my seat and began to eating before being joined by Alice not long after. "By the way... What's your In-game name? I can't continue calling you by your real name here." I asked, on of the unspoken rules of this word was to not bring real-life stuff into here, this included names.

"My name? Oh it's uh... " she glanced upwards "Mika"

"You don't remember your character's name?"

"I'm... Not used to being called other names... That's all" she replied sheepishly whilst I could only blink. "Isn't Mika your middle name?"

"S-so... Anyway!"she squeaked, obviously trying to change the subject. "What's your's?"

Grinning I replied "The name's Thrax, Nice to meet'cha, Mika" I tried my best to hold In a laugh as 'Mika's' face turned as red as a Cherry.

Tatsuya 'Tatsuki' Matsuki

"Achoo!" I rubbed my nose... Is it even possible to get a could in a game? Or perhaps someone is talking about me... Oh what ever. It's the second day since I started that quest, I've headed out into the fields, hunting for this 'Scarlet wolf' whilst looking though my quest log. It didn't say they I had to kill but specifically said that I had to 'subdue' it... Perhaps theres different rewards for different methods? But something was certain, there just have been a reason why I had been given the quest and not Kirito or even both of us.

As this quest was given only to me I told my cousin that I'd do it alone, not sure if it was a good idea or not but who know? Perhaps I can increase my 'Beastly Aura' Skill. After somewhere between half an hour and an hour I reached the quest area. A massive forest. "Does it really mean for me to search the entire Forrest? " I muttered. It was one of those quests where players had to search within a specific Forrest itself were comprised of massive oak trees where the leaves and branches made a natural canopy.

I was Just about to enter when a duo of players noticed me as they walked down the beaten path that spanned the perimeter of the gloomy Forrest. "Hey! What are you you doing!" One of them yelled. A girl with Crimson red hair, hmm... She must have customised that; there is a hairdresser in town along with a barber, in both places it's possible to dye a players hair or style it in different ways. She also had snow-white skin giving of a fragile like aura and hanging on her back was a spear made not for thrusting but Slashing. The other was a boy, he had Azure blue hair and matching eyes, hanging on his back was a large shield and sword. The pair of them wore armour different from my own, it was light metal armour, pretty expensive as if now so they must know what they're doing.

"What Does it look like I'm doing? I'm going in there" I said, pointing into the Forrest. "You realise at your level this place is a death-trap! you haven't even upgraded your armour or weapon!" I smirked. Wearing starter gear made myself look weak apparently, maybe I should upgrade it. "What kind of monsters spawn inside?" I asked

"Things like wolves and... Bears and boars... Why?"

"Perfect, they won't even touch me" there may as well have been a question-mark Above her head as that's the kind of expression she had. "You'll see" I replied casually walking Into the Forrest ignoring the duo's please for me to stop was simple. Once I was around 50 metres in a few of the local residents took notice. They stood from their woodland beds and approached me. The scraping of metal emanating from the duo un-sheathing their weapons could be heard and I simply raised my hand, signalling for them to stay where they were.

The first monster, a small wolf approached me snarling, bearing it razor-sharp teeth. However as per normal it stopped once it got in arms-reach. Brushed up against my leg and curled up beside me.

I looked back towards the Duo grinning. "Now do you understand?" They shook their heads in disbelief and stepped one foot into the Forrest, a bad move. The monsters immediately became hostile towards them and pounced upon their prey.

"Shit! Get out of here!" I yelled, drawing my blade from the sheath hidden beneath my cloak. I dashed towards one of the boars t and fell into the activation position for Slant. starting from bottom right I performed a 45 degree diagonal slash with my now glowing sword. This skill took down close to half of the Boars Health and I sphere. My body using the momentum from the skill and performed a Slant without the system assist from a position completely opposite the previous one and as it was performed without the system there was no added damage and flashy effects. It didn't take long before me and the Duo took out all hostile mobs from then on anyway.

"Honestly... How come those mobs didn't attack you?" Asked the boy of the duo.

"It's a skill... That's all I can really say, now don't follow me, I was going into the forest for a Quest and it'll be easier alone" I said. Lifting my hood I was about to disappear back off into the gloomy Forrest when one of the Duo, the Girl spoke.

"Let us add you on our friends list! That way... Well know if you die after this... But... If you don't... Come meet us at our Inn!" I turned my face back to them and as I did a menu popped up displaying the friend requests. "Uh.. Sure?" I looked down at the window and looked at their names, Reika and Ao, a pretty simple name but it fit him. I tapped the accept buttons and awaited the time that the windows disappeared then turned around and ran into the Forrest leaving behind my newly met friends, perhaps I'll see them afterwards, That is, if I don't die.

I continued running throughout the Forrest, with this Being a game I didn't run out of breath. Then again even if this was the real world I doubt I'd run out of breath anyway, I'd often go jogging in the morning just are I woke and to top it off I even did Kendo, well more specifically I practiced Nito Kendo (using two Shinai, one long one short.)with a good friend of mine before he moved to another town, this kinda explains how I know my way around a sword and why I'm tempted to pick up a knife along with my sword although I'm not entirely sure it's possible... I'll have to give it a try at some point.

I eventually reached a small cave that I guessed to be the home of my target the Scarlet wolf from all the cloth littering the entrance. The cave was actually surprisingly big and could definitely fit two people in and have more than enough room to move, possibly even have a Duel.

Moving deeper into the cave they had a shallow downwards slope I heard a quiet Growl, alerting me that the occupant knew I'm here.

I eventually reached a large opening, I was underground only it seemed to be a dome made of stone neatly carved out. Perhaps this had once belonged to people. In the centre of this large expanse I found a Wolf with black fur and Scarlet eyes. It was lying within a small pile of cloth, it's eyes trained on mine.

I inched closer and the beast rose from its bed bearing its fangs. Looks like this won't be as easy as I'd hoped... No wolf had regarded me like is since I gained that skill.

I drew the blade that was hidden beneath my cloak and lowered my hood. My blade held before me in a one-handed stance, hanging around with Kirito made me realise that shields are unnecessary, as long as you don't get hit, and even if something gets close I can simply block with my blade, so who needs shields? Wait... No don't answer that... Ao does...

Anyway, the wolf dashed towards me and opened its mouth bearing its fangs for all to see and I guessed it was going to try and bite me. However I was mistaken, I'd guessed that this thing was like the other wolves with simply a name, but in truth it's much smarter. It was a faint and the claws on its paws found their way into my digital-flesh leaving red marks that stayed only for a moment. The attack had dealt barely any damage and looking back at the wolf, it appeared to be grinning, if that was even possible.

I dashed at the wolf showing off a grin of my own and as I was about to slash it, I jumped over its back performing a front-flip before sheathing my blade. The wolf looked at me with a questioning glance. I opened my menu and pulled out a large chunk of meat. The wolf slowly padded towards me before lying at my fear looking at the meat longingly.

This Wolf, there was definitely a reason I received this quest, a reason why that Strange book had a story about it. What did it say at the beginning? Something about becoming a beast-tamer? If so, them I think I've found my partner? That quest said I had to subdue the wolf, not kill it.

Sitting on the ground I slowly fed the wolf and once all the meat was finished a small window appeared that chucked out the strange book. It's pages opened as if by magic and a new piece of text had become readable.

'Congratulations, you've figure out the puzzle. The animal from the story side was found to have had the best compatability with you and was chosen by the system. However, if you'd killed the animal you would have lost all chances to earn the Unique-skill 'Familiar Partnership', however, you succeeded and now you have it. Good luck with your further adventures.

Signed: K.A'

K...A? Who cou- no way! Kayaba Akihiko! It was just then yet another window appeared, this time asking for me to name my new partner, Hmm... Uh. Ah!

I quickly typed his new name into the window and hit enter. The window disappeared and hanging above the Scarlet wolf's head were 'Viral' the name I had chosen, it's the name of a character from some apparent 'Legendary ' anime from my dad's time.

Standing up from my seat on the floor I were about to walk out of the cave with Viral in tow when a flash of red light appeared, I looked around but couldn't find its source. It was then I finally left the cave and headed home to my room back in town.

A/N:

So, what do your think? did anyone guess the relation between Thrax and Tatsuki? If you did well done! Your probably smarter than people give you credit for! JK, JK...

anyway, there wont be anymore updates for a while now unless I can find the time to do it as I've got my mock week coming up, (TOO MANY TESTS!) and I've got a ton of revising to do...