Thank you all for the feedback! I'm still debating on whether or not to have romance in this story, if not, if I make a sequel, that definitely will. So here's chapter 2!

Elimination

The town was bustling with new people, some were panicing, others were quite content and calm with the situation. Rena, however, felt like her and Eve were being watched. As Eve scanned the town for a nearby inn as the sky slowly turned a beautiful golden, Rena started to feel even more anxious. When they stopped at the fountain after a while of stopping by shops and other equipment areas, Eve pulled out bread and some cream. Rena stared at it.

"Is it gonna taste like data?" Rena said as her stomach growled.

"Of course not. If we're really stuck inside here..things should taste just like they would at home." Eve said in a matter-of-fact voice. Rena shrugged and spread the cream quickly over her bread.

Maybe this will help calm my nerves...she thought to herself. She smiled as Eve said,

"Alrighty, let's dig in!"

Rena nibbled softly on her food, the cream and bread mixing in her mouth to create a sweet flavor that tasted like cookie dough. Rena paused, then ate it all in one bite. Eve gaped at her, as she was still on her third bite. Rena licked her lips and grinned in her cat-like way. Suddenly, she blinked, and looked into an alleyway, as almost on impulse. Staring back were two golden eyes, a malicious glare inside the lustrous eyes, making Rena squeak in surprise and fall backwards into the fountain. Eve giggled, helping Rena up. Rena stuttered, saying,

"Th-there..in the alleyway..s-someone was staring at me." Rena turned to the alleyway again, only to find the golden eyes gone. Rena shuddered, the malicious glare still burned into her mind. Eve sighed.

"Is the announcement seriously getting you that worried? We aren't gonna die here, Rena-chan."

"How can you be so sure Eve?" Rena said, barely audible above a whisper. Tears were forming at the edges of her eyes, threatening to spill. "How can you be so sure we won't screw up and die?!"

"Because if anyone's gonna die here, it'll be me." Rena gasped and looked up at Eve, who was staring at her reflection as it mirrored her words perfectly as she spoke.

"I was never good at this game, Rena. I'll be lucky to make it to the next area without getting killed. But with you, I plan to stay alive as long as I can." Eve turned to Rena, who was staring at her in disbelief. "So don't worry, alright?"

Rena paused, biting her lip, and nodded. Eve smiled.

"Good, now let's go find an inn."

Months passed..and they still haven't found any leads. Despite being level 14, they had found an Advancement Crystal by watching a player die, as he left it, along with his other equipment for them. Watching that spear just sink into his stomach was terrifying, and Eve thinks Rena's still recovering from it even. Rena became more distant and silent, as nothing but sadness was shown on her face, when she smiled, when she laughed, or even when she didn't show any emotion at all. Eve saw only sadness. Eve stared up at the sky from the oak tree, thinking about the golden-eyed player that was clearly stalking Rena. Eve had saw it, and battled the cloaked figure herself, only to be nearly killed.

"If you wish to beat me, be sure you actually get to my level and skill. You aren't nearly as good as me, and you won't be unless you buck up and beat the Elimination round."

Those words from the figure were burned into both Rena and Eve's minds, and after Rena had received a call from several players in the guild called the 'Night Savers,' she had went, and Eve was left alone, the only thing to remind Eve of Rena was the Alliance menu, and they both knew that wasn't good enough.

"Now make sure when I get back that you're advanced, alright? I wanna see you stronger Eve! Stop holding back!"

But then again, that was two months ago when she said that. Eve sighed and let the calm summer breeze blow through her hair. She was one of the few people left in the Town of New Dawn. Eve heard a noise and looked over to the field to see..an elimination round in progress. The players looked scared, but their opponents sure didn't. They smirked and dashed after the players, surrounding them and making both sword users squeak in fear as they were cut over and over, their shrieks getting higher and higher. Eve was tortured by the sight, and slid down from the tree to help, dashing over to the duo. The blonde haired boy was swinging wildly, panicked by their serpentine movements. The purple haired girl was keeping calm, trying to hit them, but missing by a long shot. Eve could already see the outcome of this fight, and she ran faster, only to collide with a forcefield. She growled and summoned Moby and Reby to her side, who continued to help her bang on the glass.

"It's no use you know."

"!"

"You can't get in, not until you are advanced."

"I don't care! I'm helping them!"

"Mmmm..I can see you aren't one of the Murdering Guilds.."

"What? Of course not! Who is this? Yami?"

"No, my name shall not be disclosed to you. You cannot see me, but I can see you. Do you really want to save them that badly?"

"Yes! Please, let me help them!"

"You are..helpful. Full of heart. Not like the other Nasod. Very well. But know that this will drain most of my power, and you will be on your own the moment you step inside."

"Alright."

"Now close your eyes. Think of either White, Black, or Gold."

"What?"

"Do it." Eve obeyed, closing her eyes. She thought of nothing but black, her world being drowned in black. She felt her legs moving on their own, her body passing through water, being unable to breathe. Then she could breathe again, and she opened her eyes. She felt, different. And why was hair in front of her eyes. She pulled up a hand to inspect it, only to find it gloved in black. She gasped and looked down at herself, finding herself in a top of silk and cotton, black and white. Her chest exposed slightly, she was wearing the same shorts from her beginning stage, but different boots, and Moby and Reby looked different as well.

"You..have chosen..Code Exotic, a class of power and speed." The voice echoed faintly. "Use it well..do not..fall to corruption."

"Wait..don't go!" Eve whispered out loud. Then she remembered the players. She looked around to find them cornered. Without a thought, as if on impulse, she raised her arms and shot them out towards the enemy players, stabbing one in the chest, another in the heart, and one in the brain. They all fell to the ground, and the spears formed together to create Moby. Eve gaped, staring at the bodies as they slowly faded, crystallizing, and shattered. Eve looked on blankly, her mind foggy, as the remains of the players slowly drifted off into the wind. The forcefield faded, and a 'Congratulations!' sign appeared. Eve looked at the ground, and turned to go.

"Wait!" The girl said, making Eve turn around.

"What?"

"Why..why did you save us."

Eve blinked. She didn't really know why. She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"If you can't tell us that..can you at least tell us your name miss?" The boy said, his blue eyes staring straight at Eve.

Eve stared from the girl to the boy, and finally sighed. "My name..is Nakahara Eve."

The girl smiled. "Aisha."

"Chung."

"Nice to meet you both."

"Ditto." The girl said with a smile. She wore a purple dress and had scruffy, curly purple hair, and her eyes were full of gratitiude. The boy was wearing some sort of armor, his hair feminine looking, to Eve's perspective. They both wore swords at their belts, smiling at Eve. Eve nodded an answered,

"Do you need any help getting to the next areas?"

Chung and Aisha looked at each other, quickly exchanged words, and turned back to Eve.

"I-if you don't mind, yes please." Aisha stuttered out almost sadly. "I think we wouldn't have made it through that Elminination round. Speaking of which, what level are you?"

Eve blinked and checked her stats. She narrowed her eyes once she saw her level of 20. It was 14 a few minutes ago. All before she heard that voice..

Who was that? Eve thought to herself, quickly clearing her thoughts afterwards and looking back at the two. Chung jumped a bit at Eve's sudden action as Eve replied,

"20."

"We're both level 25, so we'd better help you, right?" Aisha said with a smile. Eve blinked, slowly nodding. Aisha grinned and grabbed Eve's hand.

"Come on then! We can head to the next town that's closest to the level 20 monsters!"

"Aisha, wait up!" Chung yelled after them as Aisha dragged Eve along.

Rena scanned the riverbank full of monsters that were lazily basking themselves in the sunlight. She scoffed quietly, trying not to laugh at the monsters' stupidity.

It's fine Rena, just take the monsters out and you can show them how idiotic is it to let down your guard. After all..Rena raised her dagger, the sun bouncing off of it into the other pair of trees, where her other guildmates were waiting for her signal. I am a Night Saver. Rena launched herself from the tree, jumping onto a Nasod Sentry's face, stabbing it quickly between the eyes before jumping off, the force knocking the startled creature to the ground, where it convulsed before shattering into crystals. Rena smirked, tossing her cloak to the side she quickly jabbed enemies multiple times before jumping back and letting them fall. The other Night Savers fought beside her, Tema, Opal, and Neku. Neku shouted for Rena and Rena nodded and came over, grasping his hand. She threw him upwards, allowing his sword to glow as he came down, releasing a shockwave that hit the enemies surrounding Tema, who nodded in thanks. Rena slashed and dodged, spinning around in the wind like a puppet on a string, dancing peacefully. She had never felt this alive, she always thought fighting was evil, when all along it was her escape. She smiled as her sword plunged into the stomach of a Glitter, sending it to the ground, where it crystallized. Silence quickly overtook the riverbank once more, and Rena went over, washing her face. Throwing her head back, letting her spiky hair fall in front of her face again, she sighed and stood up, and grabbed her cloak, wrapping it around her revealing armor. Even she had to get used to it now, it was the rules. Opal smiled and said,

"I think that's all of them for now. Come on, let's go back."

"Yeah, I'm starving~!" Tema fist-pumped into the air, and Rena giggled.

"Alright alright Tema, don't get your mace in a tree again, or I'll make Neku get it."

"I got it last time!" Neku groaned. Everyone started to laugh as they vanished back into the shadows running through the trees until they came to rest at a leaf-covered log. Rena took out Erendil, her dagger, and plunged it into the bark, sending a hollow echo through the bark, and there was an echo sent back. Rena nodded to her party mates and they slid down the trunk, landing in the camp of the Night Savers, the Leader in the center, his dark eyes staring right at Rena.

"Rena, good job. The rest of you may take the day off. Rena, I need you to come with me." The Leader beckoned with his hand and Rena nodded, following him into the cave where he sat, meditating and training. The dummies were sliced repeatedly in half, stitched together by the seamstress, Mira. The Leader turned to face Rena, a small smile on his creased face.

"Rena..I'm removing you from the Night Savers."

Rena's world stopped turning. She stopped breathing, she held her breath and stared wide-eyed at her Leader. She blinked, regaining her ability to move and said in a shaky voice,

"Um..Leader? Can you please repeat that?"

"I'm removing you from the Night Savers. There is no more we can help you with. You're the strongest person with us, and now, there is calamity in the next town, however, if the Night Savers are found, then we are most likely to be targeted. So I'm removing you from the Night Savers to go and help the town." and with that, the Leader, clicked on his menu and removed Rena from the guild. He looked up at Rena's bewildered expression and smiled.

"Don't worry, this is just to keep you alive. We have lost too many members to the guild that rules that area, alright? When you return, I shall make you a Night Saver once more. But for now, stay hidden, and more importantly..." he walked past her whispering in her ear,

"Find Eve."

Eve threw several spears at the wolf, smirking triumphantly as they slammed into his head, watching him howl in pain and crystallize. Eve sighed and Aisha giggled.

"Nice one, Eve! Look, you're close to a level up! One more level and you can proceed to the next area!" Aisha smiled.

"I'm not even sure that's a good idea Aisha," Chung said, sighing as he sheathed his sword. "And it's getting dark."

"I am a bit hungry..." Eve muttered. Aisha rolled her eyes and said,

"Fine fine, let's go back to town. We can rest at my place." The trio walked off back to the town, passing some other players who were defeating the mobs. When they arrived at Aisha's house, Chung took off his armor to reveal a white tank top and black pants, plopping down on the couch with exhaustion. Aisha rolled her eyes and went into the kitchen to cook. Eve shyly sat down in an armchair, and Chung smiled.

"Thanks again, Eve. For saving us. Seriously..I really thought we were going to die."

"I did as well..that's why I helped."

"Have you ever..seen someone die?"

"Me?"

"Yeah..I mean, did you do it, or did someone else?"

Eve paused, thinking back to how easily their guide had been defeated after helping them defeat the first boss, how easily the spear dug into his stomach, his cries of pain as he crystallized. Eve blinked away tears and stared straight into Chung's sea blue eyes.

"Our guide did. The first boss..it..impaled him."

Chung was silent, and he stared out the window. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be..we were too weak to help him, it was our fault."

"But you two beat the boss, didn't you? Don't call yourselves weak!"

Eve paused and stared at Chung, the determination in his eyes. Then she smiled softly and nodded, the first smile she had done with genuine happiness.

"Thank you Chung."

Aisha came out later with food, and all three of them scarfed it down in less than half an hour. Chung was splayed out on the couch, groaning, half asleep. Aisha sighed and laid back on her futon, her lips in a painted smile of content. Eve was lying sideways on the armchair, her arms on her belly.

"That was delicious Aisha..."Chung muttered, before snoring quite loudly. Aisha giggled before patting her stomach.

"Well my cooking skill is pretty high.."

"Urgh..I'm going to sleep." Eve said, before dozing off as well. Aisha sighed and stared at all of them, and then at her sword. She stared at the metal surface, her regretful face mirroring the image.

I'm not even good at swords..not drone control, not bows either! Only staffs, and they don't exist here! Aisha stared at the ceiling before closing her eyes.

How am I supposed to protect myself, Eve, and Chung without dying?

Use a secret path.

Eh? Who said that? Aisha sat up and scanned the room, nothing but a sleeping Eve and Chung to be found. She narrowed her eyes, and whispered,

"Who is this?"

My name cannot be disclosed at this time. And by secret paths, I mean the paths that Yami deliberately cut off from Solace Online. There are paths that he deliberately didn't mention just to make surviving a challenge.

What paths?

The Mage and Guardian.

Mage?! There's a Mage path?

You must be new to the game...Eve knows about the Mage path.

Aisha stared at Eve and her calm, sleeping face. She looked so innocent, how did she know about all of this?

The Mage can go into High Magician, Dark Magician, or Battle Magician. Those in turn go to Elemental Master, Void Princess, or Dimension Witch.

How do you...?

I cannot tell you more. Please, when you wake up, make sure you are the first in your room, there will be more help there.

Erm..I don't know how to say this, but thank you.

Don't mention it. Now sleep.

Aisha yawned, and fell back on the couch, asleep.

Chapter 3 will be out next week! Thanks for reading, and please review!