Oh, hello there. It's been awhile. If it wasn't for a particular, very eager guest review, I probably would have let this story die. I guess it was unfair to leave you guys so abruptly, so with no further explanation, let us continue.

"NOOOO!" Agil watched in horror as the poor soul was swept out of existence. Shaking with grief induced rage, the giant man charged the murderous chimaera. With the beast's staff a quarter foot deep into the ground, it gave Agil just enough moments of time to land a hefty blow to the creature's forearm. However, with the axe skill now passed, it was his turn to have a few moments of immobilization, and the beast was now free.

Unsticking myself from the spot, I rushed forward at full sprint, drawing the elucidator and sheathing the rapier to catch the blow from the horizontal swing. Even with the black blade being as strong and high level as it is, the strike still collapsed my legs and threw me backwards a couple of feet. Then, the battle was in full sway, yet again. I ducked the initial overhead sweep, springing up with augmented agility and into the eyes of the demonic figure. Once more switching weapons, the pale rapier glowed for a split second before unleashing an uncontrollable volley of strikes to the creature's defenseless pupils. The effect was literally stunning; the beast reeled back, clutching it's blinded face. Elucidator in hand once more, a triple combo sword skill ripped large chunks out of the boss's thigh and health bar as I descended from my leap. The beast stomped its staff and feet simultaneously and again the swarms of goblins spawned by the dozens. All the while, Agil knelt where he had stood unmoving save for the heavy sobs that wracked his body.

"Get up," I shouted. "We don't have time for this!" Still, no response. I hadn't taken into consideration that the boy could have been close to the hulking man. To me, however depressing or offensive it might be to admit, his was just another sickening death in this world of demise. I couldn't rouse him from his grief, so instead I spent the next minute obliterating the gremlin tidal wave singlehandedly; all save for one. A paralysis dart kept it in place as I rushed to console Agil.

"I know, man, I know. It's hard. But we gotta get through this or else he died in vain-"

"He already died in vain!" I was taken aback by the emotion spilling out of his words as he swept my offered hand aside.

"That may be so, but that's no reason to join him." To this he was silent, but made no move to continue the fight, and I knew already that the paralysis effect would wear off soon.

"He had a name," Agil said after another agonizing second.

"And his will be found next to yours if you don't get a move on." A flare of burning anger scorched my soul when he suddenly turned to look at me. Ok, maybe that was a bit insensitive.

"...what was his name?"

"It doesn't matter." Mentally I was screaming 'then let's freakin get in gear' but I also deeply felt for him. Just earlier I had beaten up an army peon over the names of our fallen friends. Names were important.

"We will give him the military honor he deserves. He won't be remembered for his cowardice." Ouch, also insensitive, but it seemed to get through to him. At least he was standing up; and not a moment too soon as the goblin managed to finally pick itself off the ground and fling its body haphazardly in our direction in a futile attempt to surprise us. Agil's axe split its plan and head wide open. An inaudible sigh of relief segued us into the final stretch of the fight.

(X)

Two extra goblin swarms before another rounds of the attack pattern, and then the boss was finished. I disabled its feet while Agil rose up and dealt the final blow to its skull in a powerful downward strike that took him through from the creature's crown, all the way down to its navel. The victory prize went to Agil, though I would have surrendered it to him anyway. A very thick and battle worthy fur coat now draped over his shoulders, somehow increasing his perceived size greatly. A wolf's head resting on the right shoulder in a sort of paldron-esc fashion, two circular plates adorned the left with a crisscrossing leather strap connecting the open ends of the coat together at the waist. The entire thing was studded with metal rivets, giving it a similar texture of chainmail. Very fitting for a man as broad as he was. But for now, it served only as a shock blanket for someone in grief.

I quietly led him out of the cavern and out through the next floor's teleport gate. A stone bench was situated close by, and I led him over to it and sat him down. He never took his eyes off the cobblestone ground. Having nothing further to say, and finding no more help in my presence, I dismissed myself and went my own way to explore the new layer of Aincrad.

(X)

The entire floor seemed to be a giant forest and glade, with meadows dotted throughout. The only buildings were carved into the trees or built into the hills or atop the tall branches. It felt comforting and quiet; a place of meditation. This was somewhere I had needed to go for a long time. For the first time, I thought about even buying one of the tree-loft houses. If we never showed up on the previous floor, it would take a while before people realized the next floor was open, giving me a long break from the noise and drama of people in general. But Agil had responsibilities to his guild, and I knew the man would return momentarily to regain control of it, as well as undoubtedly lay waste to the evil member who betrayed us and ultimately got someone killed. I don't want to be there when that scuffle goes down. Then, with the return of the guild leader, people would learn that the boss had been cleared, and my peace and tranquility would be cut short…

Guess I had better start house shopping now before they are all taken.

(X)

Author's Note: umm...yeah...remember that last chapter where I said I wouldn't continue this story? Well that's still in effect. Sorry to get your hopes up, but I've had the first part of this chapter In a google docs page for a long time and I felt it was overdue to finish it and post it. At least give it some closure. Once I get a direction for this story, I'll update it, but not until then. Stay cool guys. Read my other works and send me suggestions. Love you all!