Author´s note:

Hey everyone, back again. I apologize for the delayed chapter, but I was still in finals, turning in homework. But I´m finally free, so without further due, here´s the next chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 6

Extinguish.

Comrades. Allies. Friends. They, they were gone… extinguished. Served with the ultimate penalty, they died because of my negligence. It was as if I was cursed, destined to have everyone close to me die. And in a single moment of life, they were extinguished from existence.

All four of them being my fault, I tried to avenge them; but the two perpetrators slipped away. In the midst of battle between the first one that took two of them, I fell due to my incompetent state of physical strength; the boss of the twenty-fifth floor, taking with him the lives of my men, I lost myself and ended up in a deplorable state. With the grief of their deaths, I faced the second; and now standing before me, I could do no more than what I did in the previous battle, as I once more failed to protect them; once more and for the third time, I watched as my brothers were slaughtered right before my eyes.

"Are you all right?"

"…"

Eyes drooped, not fully recovered and slowly trying to assimilate the status, we walked towards Carac. The biggest battle in our history probably still raging on, we left, as I would be more of a burden than support; and with my state of mind, I doubt I could do anything. Asking Axel to retrieve Ray, he stayed; having done too much for me already, it was mortifying to ask for more, yet he kindly accepted. The four of us knowing they would be safe if they were together; Kato, Zero, Krakov and I headed out. And now beginning our journey back, and without a single word but with a unanimous agree, we decided we wanted to walk instead of using teleport crystals, thinking it would help out with the pain.

Still having light but constant throbs and pulsations within my head, I leaned on Kato; strong and serious, he too inclined to receive support; with his best friend now dead, he was even more serious than before, and even Zero didn't sport his everyday smile. And it was justified, as within just a few minutes, we lost two great friends. Yet the one who saved me and almost little brother, Krakov, didn't seem to be aware of the loss, and with his preoccupation getting bigger, he yelled out.

"Chris! Talk to me!"

Stopping suddenly and shaking me out of focus, I was finally put out of trance and slowly turned to look at him. With even Kato and Zero stopping, the moment was quite tense. Trying to put a smile on my lips, it retrofired, as only a cold, distant and fake smirk showed. Wanting to burst out let my emotions take over, I restrained myself. Not wanting him or my men to see me in this state, so weak and helpless, I responded.

"…Y-yeah, I'm alright…..Lets…keep walking…"

With shame as my internal companion, our journey continued. And with the hurt visible from our faces, Krakov soon understood, not saying a word from there on.

The day becoming brighter, the sun changed the gloomy morning into a light-filled afternoon. Trees beginning to line the stone path, it was a sign that we were getting close to our destiny. Even beautiful plants and flowers were sprouting thru-out the vast fields, and mixed with the warm afternoon sunlight, the scene was worthy of contemplating.

But not to us; not even the most gorgeous sight would lift us from our mourning. Our footsteps not changing their rhythm or pace, they continued, as we all knew that the town was near. But despite the negative status we carried, there was some bit of good news; we hadn't been interrupted by any mobs along the way.

But our card would soon change.

"Help! ….."

"…Ahhhh!"

Sudden cries for help were heard, but they were soon suppressed. Paying close attention, low voices could be heard from afar. Stopping and turning to look at each other, and for a second forgetting our weaknesses, we ran towards the propagation of the squalls. Deviating from the road and into the abundant woodland, we unsheathed our weapons in preparation; the ply for help giving off the feeling of a dangerous situation a player or many others were in, it was only reasonable we immediately took action.

With some trees blocking the way, visibility was low, yet it was sufficient to see. The low voices becoming more audible, we tried our best not to be heard while watching our steps. However, with our current condition, and with my throbbing pulse soaring once again, my sight once again became hazy; and with it came a loud crunching sound from a branch, alerting our presence and arousing the figures meters apart from us.

Crack!

Swiftly moving, they hid their presence and camouflaged with the surrounding trees. Yet their mistake cost them, as their victims were able to get away. Clearly the unfortunate victims of what seemed to be a theft, the three players ran. Having seen them from somewhere, I slowly realized that they were clearing group players; despite them being disposed of their equipment.

Player robbing!? But… how!? This… this… is the front…

"…K-Krakov…*argh…get out…of here. Bring… reinforcements…"

Enduring the scaling thumps inside my head, I finished my sentence and pleaded Krakov to retreat. Hoping the thieves would back down even before we confronted them, yet thinking ahead, and maybe holding them off, with the addition of a bigger force they would definitely fall back or surrender.

"…B-but…"

"Go Krakov! Get all the help you can! ..."

With his hoarse voice, Kato issued the last order to Krakov before he ran back to the site of battle. Now out of harm's way, we initiated a peaceful dialog in order to refrain from a fight; with Kato taking the initiative.

"Players! Come out unarmed! We saw your crimes! Surrender now or feel the wrath of the full ALS!"

Not as peaceful as I expected, his threat seemed to only infuriate the players, as a sword came flying fast.

Slash!

Leaving a large mark on a tree, the blade that was aiming towards Kato failed to hit its target. With swift movements, the shadowy figures hiding metes away were now right in front of us; and with all the intent of putting up a fight.

Clank!

Another sword appearing from within the shrouds of the trees, I barely parried its strike. The wielder of the weapon showing himself, clothed in black. And with his manifestation, other figures also appeared. Also equipping the same color, six players came out.

Shit!

Surrounding us, and cutting us off from the road, they seemed too determined and not willing to back down. And with their superior force in numbers combined with our fatigued state, there was only one possible way out; although it wasn't my preferred, it was the only way of keeping our lives.

"…B-back down… take our belongings… they're….yours…"

With a mumbling voice coming from my mouth, I issued the order to strip off our equipment and hand it over to the enemy; yet with a rebellious response, Kato objected.

"…No! We can't let them get away! They were robbing other players! ..."

"Yes! Be good little kids and hand them over!"

The voice coming from the left, one of the thieves was willing to take my offer. Yet none of them moved; the cause: a hand raised high.

"Well…if it isn't Mr. excuse me… I think you have it all wrong! We weren't robbing those poor players, no; they were…donating supplies to our little cause…"

Reciting his words, it was clear who was leading the group; and with the cynical laugh that followed, his identity was revealed to me.

It's …that player! … *argh. But what was… his name?!

" I told you last time, I'm a man of my word, so you see… it's us who can't let YOU get away! …"

Erebus! …that… Bastard!

The air tightening with pressure around us, a long silence was brought upon. My eyes meeting his murderous look, no words were needed to explain his intentions.

"…B-boss, what do we do? …"

"Bring them to me…"

With the orders clear, the five-man team closed in.

"I said…you could…take our… equipment…"

Once more trying to communicate, all I got was a derisive laughter.

"Hahaha! …It's not your equipment I want… there's something else…you see, I've been looking all over for you!"

Clank!

With steel screeching threefold, our weapons locked in combat. Outmaneuvered by the superior force, the odds were against us two to one; yet we didn't yield, we couldn't yield.

If we run, they'll kill us; if we stay they'll kill us….

Breathing out heavily, every strike against my blade could be felt inside my brain. Electric surges running down my body with the intense shocks, the thumping force hadn't seized.

"Stop! *argh… You…don't…have to do this!"

Clank!

Parrying the incoming blow, another made its way but was successfully blocked. My men also doing the same, it was impossible to engage a dialogue in these conditions.

"Once again trying to address me what to do! …no matter…because they'll be your last words, Gaijin!"

Gaijin! ….Wait…he…knows!?

"Leader! Don't let him …."

Shluk!

The knife sinking into Zero's side, it came out clean, but not before leaving a trail of red particles. Falling down as his armor hit the ground, Zero was still alive; however, it was obvious he was petrified, as he has been stun-poisoned. Aiding him my only though in the moment, my instincts kicked in.

Executing a repulsive kick and a successive sword skill onto my enemies, I quickly ran towards my fallen comrade. Kato trailing behind me, my sword shone with light; slashing their targets, a pair of hands came off cleanly from a player's arms. Red polygons burst out, yet not shatter came from the figure, as I had only immobilized him.

"ENOUGH! …"

Yelling out with such force, the pain within my head brought me down to my knees. The same action that brought me down in the battle that preceded, I could only grip my weapon tighter, all while trying futilely to stand.

Panting heavily, it seemed that everyone had stopped from the loud bawl a second ago; then silence. But ripping it apart came the same sinister laugh from before.

"Hahaha! …so weak for someone they claimed to be so strong! I was told you would be a worthy opponent, yet look at you! Haha! But no worries, your time has come! …Kill them all!"

What! No!

Waving his weapon, he gave the order. But none of his men reacted. The sudden command came as a surprise, even to his own men.

"But boss! …"

"We can't… that'll be …murder!"

Furious from the uprising of his subordinates, he burst out with a menacing tone.

"Insolate fools! I gave you orders! Now do it!"

Standing without complying, the player that took the initiative to rebel looked down. But his disobedience came at a high price; just as he was about to take a step back, a blade ripped right thru him.

Swish!

Severing his head from his body, the all-too familiar sound of breaking glass came to everyone present.

H-how…how…could he!?

Murdering his own teammate, the killer issued once again his commands.

"That's what happens to those who cross me! …just like these two bastards befriending an outside scum!"

"You! ..."

The rage inside me once again let lose, I put all my strength into my legs. But not responding to my command, I finally noticed an object incrusted into my right leg. With my movement restricted, the poison icon reached my eyes. Not having seen it due to my throbbing internal pain, it was until now that I realized how helpless I was.

"…You're also sooo stupid! …I would've hoped for a more fit opponent! But it won't matter what I finally rid your sinful existence from this world! But not before watching hell first!"

"No! Leave them alone! *argh… You…have… me already!"

"Oohh! But THEY have to be cleansed as well!"

"Nooo! …Please! You…."

My words muffled by a cloth, the screams still left to be released were suddenly suppressed. Now complying with their master's orders, the players began to secure me. Senses beginning to fade away; vision becoming blurry but most of all, my hearing had totally stopped. Only a beeping sound was available.

The frightful memory coming back to me, I couldn't stand to watch once more.

The killer passing in front of me, only to trail towards my flank.

Nooo! Zero!...

Attempting to move uncontrollably, I still retained my grip on the pommel of my sword, but the poison had not worn off.

Not being able to see clearly nor hear, the pain was unbearable. Mixed with the elevating throb of my pulsing brain, I felt I was on the verge of death.

Please! Stop!

A tear rolling down my face, the figure once again appeared. Kato cursing and still struggling, his eyes told me everything…

Yet not content, the killer walked towards Kato.

Heart beating at its maximum, he raised his weapon

Nooo! Stop you motherf….

It stopped. Time had frozen. A pair of eyes looked at me.

The black blade moved slowly thru the wind.

Lips moving, they spoke. And with their last action, they had their last smile.

It was over.

The white particles mixing with my internal scream, the light inside of me was finally extinguished. Feeling the coldness of death, a perpetual darkness took over, infinitely.