Thrax

"Urgg..." I struggled to peel myself from the covers, normally I'd stay in bed till around 11:00 AM and the only reason I'm even trying to get out is because of the boss-raid. Eventually after 10 minutes I was out of bed and walking down the dull and musty corridor of the first-floor hideout. This particular corridor would take me out and into the town Tolbana, the closest town to the Labyrinth.

The exit was simply a sewer, the kind of place nobody would go to and even then, I doubt they would enter and go far enough to reach the Hideout entrance.

Anyway, I headed into town stocking up on potions and Crystals before heading to the raid. A massive parade like those you'd find walking through the streets was being held made up of all the Front-liners on their way to the Labyrinth.

Looking through the crowd of Players I found Diavel waving at me, beckoning me forward. "Have you joined their party yet?" He asked once I'd arrived to which I shook my head. He sighed and pointed towards a gang of five players consisting of two hooded Warriors, two swordsman and a Spear wielder with a Wolf trailing behind. "Come on, I'll introduce you " Diavel then led me through the groups of people till we ended up just beside the guys I'm supposed to party with and within a matter of seconds I recognised two of them. "Ao! Reika!" I greeted them happily. The two of the turned around at the sound of my voice and smiled. "Thrax! I can't believe you! You found the boss room before anyone else!" Ao laughed whilst greeting me. "You joining the raid, right?" I nodded and Diavel cut in. "As you know each-other do you mind if he joins your party? This idiot was gonna enter on his own" he chucked and Reika nodded.

"Hey! Tatsu, send him a party invite would you?" Ao had already disappeared and spoke to their Party leader whilst we weren't looking.

A small window popped up asking for confirmation in which I accepted and upon doing so six other Heath bars appeared beneath my own each. Displaying the names and conditions of my Party members. A star had popped up beside the name Tatsuki... Funny, I used to call my best friend that occasionally... What a coincidence. Anyway, he was most likely the leader

I looked to the player Tatsuki who I guess I should just call Tatsu, he had his hood raised still hiding his face similar to what I'm doing, heck, the only reason Reika and Ao new it was me was because of my voice and gear.

When the guy turned to face me all I saw was a single Scarlet eye."glad to have you with us" his voice... It seemed familiar yet I couldn't put my finger on it, like, it was on the tip of my tongue. "Have we met somewhere before?" He pondered for a few seconds before shaking his head. "I don't think so..." An awkward atmosphere seemed to fall on us, staying silent till we reached the boss room seemed best.

Every step we took got us closer to the Boss room, to our possible and likely death, only the Beta-tester's knew what to expect and I sure as hell wasn't one of them. After I don't know how long we'd walked but our party and the massive parade reached the Boss-room.

Diavel stood at the front, facing the intricate door that his our foe, the Kobold lord Ilfang. "Come on!" Diavel roared, Opening the door and charging inside. The room was a dull grey and pound banging noises echoed throughout. Everyone had gotten in a circle, tanks at the front whilst DPS (Damage per second ) types were in the middle.

A massive roar echoed though out the room and the slate grey walls flared into life, no longer grey but now an explosion of colours and we could finally see what we were up against. A massive Demon like monster, it's face reminiscent of a boar and it's skin was scarlet-red almost yet not the same as The Wolf's single Scarlet eye. Talking about eyes I was scared to look into Ilfang's, madness danced deep inside those white balls, even a glance felt terrifying.

Ilfang drew it's weapon and shield, showing it was ready. And we all did the same, I drew a single blade- no reason to draw a second one yet.

The boss pointed at our cluster of Front-liners and multiple minions ran our from beneath and behind, all of them little Kobolds and our group scattered, the Tanks charging ahead with their shields raised. A tap on the shoulder brought my attention to our Duty. 'Duty' why'd I call it that? I never wanted to be stuck to one thing, that's why I wasn't going to join a party, all I'd do was bounce from party to party helping when it was needed.

"Come on, it's our job to take care of the Minions" the voice was Kirito's, "nice to be partying with you again" he grinned and I returned a happy grin of my own.

The two of us dashed ahead, towards the rest of our party.

Fighting beside Tatsu was a small little wolf, it dashed ahead, tearing apart the minions and directing them towards Tatsu himself who diced them up with a long black blade that had strange Scarlet tint.

Kirito dashed ahead, meeting up with the hooded girl who was definitely not Reika,Reika was with Ao spinning her Spear like a bow-staff slashing at the monsters with Ao backing her up.

Everyone had a partner, everyone but me leaving me alone, I knew this would happen, I always am on my own. However, a voice beckoned me over. "Oi Thrax! Get your ass over here, I can't do this alone!" I't was Tatsu. I blinked. That voice... Where, no why, do I recognise it? "But what about that wolf?!" I yelled in return. Pushing my questions as far back as possible.

"He's my partner but I could really use help from a player!" A smile escaped my lips somehow. I dashed ahead slashing at a minion attempting to get behind Tatsu and turned it into crystals that floated in the wind. "Thanks" he said as he fought off more minions.

They kept on coming and as we battered the little Kobolds the boss's health was chipped away bit by bit until it eventually fell into the red. "We can do this!" I heard Tatsu yell. And the Tsbks got ready for Ilfang to switch to a talwar.

"Clear the way!" Diavel yelled, the groups all parted as the blue haired knight ran towards the Boss with his sword glowing with the light of a swords skill. "He's going for the last attack bonus" I heard Tatsu mutter. Turning to face my hooded teammate I asked "what do you get from it?" He seemed surprised that I'd heard but he still answered. "It could be anything but there is one thing that is certain, it's gonna be a super rare item" thoughts ran wild in my head, why had he specifically asked me if I'm taking part? All I did was find the dungeon, anyone would expect that I'd take part since I was looking for it yet he still ask and what's more, he put me in this party. Everyone here are good, anyone here could have gotten in his way, so that's why he made got us to deal with the minions.

"That bastard... He planned all of this" I muttered.

I was pissed of at how he used me and I was about to dash at. The boss, to steal that last attack but Tatsu stopped me. "Stop, it's not something to get worked up over" my eyes widened, he'd known what I was about to do... But how? My hood is down and obscuring my face. There would be no way for him to read it from my expression so how? I was about to question him when Kirito Dashed forward. "That's not a Talwar! It's a Nodachi!" That Kibaou turned to look at Kirito with a scowl. Kirito was running as fast as he could by he didn't make it in time. Ilfang started jumping about before springing forward cutting into Diavel's body and sending him flying. "Diavel!" Kirito yelled and dropped by his side.

"What's going on?" I turned to look at Tatsu, his right eye was glowing a terrible Scarlet-red that gave off the feeling of blood-lust. It scared me.

I noticed Tatsu's wolf standing beside Kirito and the fallen Diavel, it's right eye also glowing.

"Shit..." He muttered as the sound of glass breaking echoed throughout the boss-room, Diavel had died.

Tatsuki

Kirito stood, a look of anguish spread across his face and the girl whom he'd fought- Asuna,from what I'd seen she was bloody fast- had moved to stand beside him and I did the same, the guy I'd fought with; Thrax followed behind me and the two of us were beside him.

"Asuna, Tatsu, we'll do this just like the minions, you in?"the two of us nodded and Kirito looked to Thrax. "What about you?" He shrugged then nodded, drawing a second Knife. "We've got nothing to loose".

Come on then. The four of us dashed froward with Viral in tow. Kirto parried one of the minions weapons as they ran and Asuna jabbed it with her Rapier. Within seconds we'd reached the Boss. Viral smashed forward, his Fangs glowed a crimson red and he bit into Ilfang's leg, the skill was 'Tendon pierce' it slows done the movement speed of anything it pierce along as it hits the leg.

"Come on! Whilst the debuff is still going!" Kirito and Thrax dashed ahead with me and Asuna following closely behind. Somehow as Thrax ran small black feathers appeared from two flapping bits of fabric. This was the first time I noticed that imprinted on his back... Was a angel flying before the moon and stars.. Like a Night-Angel... Only, not? If that makes any sense what so ever.

The four of us encroached the Boss at a tremendous speed, feathers falling behind us as we ran and I gotta say,we may die here and now but if we do, we'll definitely go out with a bang!

"Hoorah!" Kirito roared, parrying away the monstrous Kobold's blade whilst Asuna ducked beneath him and jabbed him at a lightning-speed. Shaving off even more of his health and consequently spawning more Kobold sentries "you two take care of the boss! Leave the sentries to Me and Thrax" I bellowed racing ahead of Kirto and Asuna whilst Thrax increased his speed to keep up with me.

"Viral!" My little furry partner raced up beside me and dashed at the closest sentries. His entire body glowed in a brilliant scarlet-red as s bodie began to roll becoming a glowing cartwheel which shattered two of the six Kobold minions.

"Our turn!" I heard Thrax yell and I grinned. Increasing my speed as far as it would go and fell in to the activation stance for 'miller ' my blade glowed orange and I jumped once I reached the closest minion, shifting my body I performed two 360 degree spins slashing into either of the minions shoulders. I felt the cloak I wore fall from my face revealing it to the raid-group, not that it mattered. And Thrax came up tot the minions moments later slashing one blade and the... A second one. How the hell is that possible! Is it also a weapon set? Well whatever, The minion shattered into glass and I stabbed my blade into the second minion which was finished off by Thrax and finally I performed Slant on the third and final minion pitting all my strength into it and shattered the monster.

Whilst me and Thrax had defeated the three minions together Viral had ripped the other two apart single handedly, a snarl spread across the wolf's face, he was obviously enjoying himself, in the corner of my eye I noticed Kirito, getting hit by Ilfang's Nodachi and flung form one end of the room to the other. "Kirito!" That wasn't my voice, it was Thrax' he reacted faster than I, calling out to Egil, the massive Axe wielder and heading to his rescue.

I came up behind the two as the remaining players rushed at Ilfang, trying to by time for Kirito to heal. "You alright?" I asked, Asuna was helping Kirito out and Thrax was simply looking around the room, looking for something. Tapping him on the shoulder he reacted instantly, turning towards me at a break-neck pace, and when he did, his Hood fell, revealing a familiar face.

"Alex!?" I yelled, all along... I'd been fighting beside my best friend

"Tatsuya!?" His eyes wide looking at me as if I'm some zoo animal.

We both responded with the exact same rely. "What the fuck are you doing here!"

Well, it was obvious why I was here but him? When did he get a nerve gear? Last time I heard he preferred using PCs. "You expected me to be somewhere else?I told you I was getting this game!" He shook his head.

"No! I mean... I knew you'd be somewhere in this game but... Why are you on the front-lines! "

"Because we need every able player out here!" We would of continued ranting if not for Ao and Reika whacking the two of us on the head. "Shut it! Look, you can yell at each-other all you want when this is over but right now, Kirito needs your help!" Without the two of us knowing Kirito and Asuna were already up and running towards the boss. Al- no, Thrax and I shrugged our shoulders before dashing off towards the pair with Viral slightly further ahead.

Looking towards Thrax I grinned. "Just like that time we were running from a bear... Only this time we're running towards the 'bear'" he rolled his eyes and I chuckled.

"Kirito! Out of the way!" My cousin looked back towards us as we belted past the two players and directly a the boss. "Tri-wind!" I yelled, falling into the activation stance with a glowing yellow blade whilst Thrax just a few steps behind entered a stance of his own causing his two short blades to glow a blood-thirsty red.

Tri-wind is a skill similar to a much higher level one named 'Horizontal-Square'

I spun my body 360 degrees and slashed the boss in its left side, then it's back and finally it's left side creating a triangle with each slash.

Thrax who was right behind also yelled "Bloody-Accell!" He slashed an X shape into the belly of the beast and weird lights exploded from the cut all entering into the body of Thrax. In the corner of my eye I noticed the bar beside Thrax increase in size.

However, that skill sent Ilfang off the deep'end. It yelled and swung its blade down on Thrax and I. "Watch out!" I yelled but I somehow knew, this was the end for us. "Jump" I heard Thrax yell, it may behave been a futile move but hey, at least we tried. As the beast's blade came merely ruler lengths from our bodies we heard a voice. "Oh no you don't" Kirito! In the corner of my eye I saw blade glowing

Green. He smashed into the blade of Ilfang parrying away the titan with hacker level strength.

He roared dashing at the boss and I simply shook my head and followed shortly after with Thrax in tow. Asuna was just ahead, running just behind Kirito and as he slashed or parried she'd get under him and jab the boss with lighting speed.

As we got closer the two of then split slightly, leaving a gap for the two of us and he roared "switch!" A grin appeared across my face and I charged the skill for 'Talon' a good skill for hit and run tactics. The blade glowed orange and jumped in the air using the momentum of my speed to cut I tot he beast and spun my body 420 degrees slashing again before planting my feet into Ilfang's belle and propelled me forward back towards the others. "Switch!" Thrax came running up with his two blade each glowing light-blue. "Pheonix Talon!" Huh, another Skill name Talon. He swung his two blades from top right and left to the opposite corners leaving an X shape and jumped away, Kirito and Asuna contiued their combined barrage of sword skills and eventualy Ilfang's health had been shaved down to the last few pixels. That was when Kirito performed 'Vertical Arc' with a glowing blue blade.

He roared slicing apart the boss from its right shoulder then brought it back up again but this time up to its right shoulder leaving a bright crimson red V cut into the monster's body which lasted for merely seconds before the beast shattered into crystals and scattered in the wind.

The room tuned dark and a congratulations message popped up on each players HUD.

I instantly collapsed to the floor, all this shit had been way too tiring. Thrax- the boy who'd been my best friend for almost all of my life stood before me, reaching down to help me up which I batted away laughing. "I ain't getting up yet! This floor is nice and cold!" Which caused Thrax and those who heard to burst into laughter.

Looking over too Kirito he was getting pat on the back by the big guy Egil.

I sighed and stood and I was about to approach Kirito myself when a voice echoed throughout the room. "Why!?" It was the scrawny Kibaou.

"Let him die?" Kirito asked dryly.

"You! I saw you, you knew all the boss' patters yet, you didn't share them! Your a beta-tester aren't you" he snivelled. Shit..

"I bet there's more of them too! " someone yelled. If everything kept up like this then... This can't be good. I was about to do something the same as Asuna and Egil but apparently Kirito had plans of his own. He began laughing, laughing at everyone. They were behind his, unable to see his face, but I could, a glint in his eye.

"I'm sorry"he began as his laugh began to stop "but please, don't compare me to those noobs" he said. "Most of the testers were greenbeens, heck most of them didn't even know how to level up, you guys are much better then they were" everyone's eyes widened. "Oh and about that skill? I only knew because I'd thought tons of higher level monsters with the Skill on much higher levels." Everyone was silent, waiting for Kirito to continue but I spoke before he could. "Basically you guys are better than them, is what he's trying to say... The only thing they have up on you is an extra month of game-time" all eyes fell on me and I sighed. A few more crys and someone yelled out. "But then, he's worse than a beta tester... He's a cheater, a Beater!" I sighed once more and looked at the crowd of players, I knew most of them heck, I'd helped most of them level atleast once. "I like that name" Kirito began, navigating his menu and equipping an item, must have been then Last-attack bonus... If he was going to make an enemies out of everyone, then perhaps I should be the good cop.

"Oi!" Everyone once again looked at me "remember me? The 'Wolf'?" A wave of needs exploded from the players. "Remember how I helped most of you? Yeah, well guess what, I'm Beta-tester too, did I only care about myself? Heck no. Oh and I suppose you may as well call me a Beater as well, cuss I was there with Kirito in the beta only, I didn't get as high as him but focused on helping others" a lot of eyes widened taking back their words. "There's always two side of a coin, though for very few people- no, only that bastard over there" I pointed at my cousin and mouthed sorry to him which only he could see "both sides say ass-hole" I raised my hood and approached the Labyrinth "just remember, if anyone needs some help, just ask" I left through the Labyrinth exit, a couple player came after me followed by a third. "You idiot!" Reika jumped at me and dragged me into a hug. "What were you thinking?"

"I added to Kirito's plan" she blinked.

"What plan?"

"The one where he takes all the hate going to the other testers on himself... Now, hopefully people will realise that testers can be trusted... Including me" a window popped up on my HUD signalling that Kirito and Asuna had left the party. Not something to be worried about, I'll just message him later. Asuna on the other hand... well, all I can do is hope she doesn't die. I sighed. "Come on, let's go tell everyone the next floor should be open soon." The four of us trudged through the labyrinth, well, five if you counted Viral who'd caught up with us after checking on Kirito.

After some time spent walking our party made it back to town where a bunch of players were standing there, waiting for the raid-group to return with

good-News, or bad. We were immediately assaulted with questions. "Shut it!" I yelled which silenced all the support class and lower level players. "We beat the floor-boss... With some losses but we still best it, floor 2 should be open soon" a grin found its way to my face and the faces of the players were filled with excitement in return. Turning to face the party I quickly spoke ".I'll see you later there's something I need to take care of, Alright?" Reika and Ao nodded but Thrax just stared at me "what?"

"You've really changed, for the better anyway " I tilted my head.

"You haven't changed.. Much, you seem a lot more anti-social than you used to be, not that I can blame you though" his bangs covered his eyes as he looked down to the ground. "Look, me and you need to catch up, so I'll meet you on the next floor, alright?" He nodded, me and Viral disappeared.

After around half an hour I finally found her "Boo!" I yelled, grabbing her shoulders causing the brunette to jump around and immediately slapped me

"Ow! What was that for!?" Liz' eyes widened when she realised it was me, her face went red too which was funny too watch. "Don't make me jump" she grumbled. "Since you back in town... Doesn't that mean... The raid has finished?"

I grinned, locked my arm with hers and began dragging her down the street. "Floor 2, complete! So we may as well explore, right?"

"W-wait!" I heard her yell but I ignored her and continued to drag her to the transport gate. "Next stop! Floor 2!"

Our vision was filed with a white blinding light the signature of teleportation. The next time we opened our eyes we were standing in a unfamiliar town... Well, unfamiliar for Liz, I on the other hand had already been here numerous times and was practically hit in the face with a brick of nostalgia. This town, Urubus, if I remember correctly there are... Ah!

"Come on, there's a place I wanna show you!" She screamed as I pulled her along as fast as I could and within minutes we reached a small cafe.

The inside of the Cafe was packed full of players eating and in the corner of my eye I noticed a few familiar faces. "Come on" Liz nodded- albeit reluctantly- and the two of us sat down at a table with a certain duo of Blue and red hair.

"Hey" I grinned, greeting Ao and Reika. The two looked looked towards me and grinned, then a sly grin made its way to the surface. "So who's your girlfriend?" Liz' face turned cherry red for some reason... "What are you talking about? Liz' is just a friend" she nodded waving her hands agreeing with me yet her face was still red. "Hm...right..." Reika cut in.

"Well whatever, where's Thrax?" Reika pointed towards the counter,

"Over there with a girl he knows" Looking over towards the counter I noticed Thrax in a usual outfit along with a girl who looked strangely familiar, well,as familiar as someone's back could be. When they turned around my eyes widened,

It was Alice

"What the bloody hell are you doing in here!" I yelled,Alice had hated VR games and I never, NEVER, expected her to be here. Her eyes were tearing up and she jumped at me, hitting my chest repeatedly muttering "baka baka"

Prying her from my chest I looked down at her, and she met that gaze. "What are you doing here?" I asked calmly.

"I... Wanted to surprise you... Also, I thought, if we could get Alex to come on then... It could have been like old times... " sighing I pried her from my chest snd sat down. "Well, either way, the three of us are here now" a short howl came from beneath the table and a fury little wolf jumped up onto my lap.

Everyone laughed. "Well, make that four of us" sharp pain exploded from my ribs and I noticed Liz narrowing her eyes. "Um... Five of us?" Knives came flying for my head and I narrowly dodged. "Are you trying to kill me!" Ao smiled warily whist Reika sat there with her eyes narrowed readying another knife. "S-seven of us!"

Everyone burst out laughing at my own peril and the night continued, this, all of this, made it seem like clearing all 100 floors may actually possible

A/N:welp, I'm really sorry of the long...very long wait but I'm back! With much slower updates... but slightly longer chapters. Also... Does anyone even read these?