Aquatic Soul
Chapter 2: Trial & Error
Disclaimer: I do not own Log Horizon or any of the characters involved except Guardian W. Water
Water was taken aback by his question.
"What I'm doing here? I told you, I'm just looking to get some experience and level up."
"Cut the crap, I know that's not true," Naotsugu told her, "The way you carry yourself, the equipment you have. It's too good for you to be a newbie. So what's the deal? Did you get stuck on an alt?"
Water sighed, her gaze dropping to the ground "No. I'm… not actually from this game. As a player or a Person of the Land."
Naotsugu silently waited for her to continue.
"As I said, my name is Guardian W. Water. I've been sent by my people, the Guardians, to recruit powerful allies for a war that will be starting in a few months."
"And you came to us for help."
She nodded, "I thought maybe Log Horizon and its allies might be able to provide us with the support we needed. My comrades are recruiting other powerful individuals, but power won't win the war. We'll need tactics and strategy too. And I'd heard Shiroe was the best tactician there is."
Naotsugu grinned, "He definitely is, but don't let him hear you say it."
Water smiled as she felt the tension ease out of the air.
"So, if all you needed was allies, why didn't you say so from the start?"
Water shook her head, "It's a long story. But it's late. I can tell you another time, deal?"
Naotsugu nodded, extending a hand. Water took and and the two shook.
"Deal. Get some rest, I still expect you to work with Touya's team tomorrow. I'll feel better knowing they have someone like you with them."
Water nodded as she watched Naotsugu stand and stretch his back.
"Night."
Water waved farewell as she watched him stroll through the camp. She waited a few minutes before rolling over in the grass and falling asleep herself.
The next morning
Water awoke to the smell of frying bacon, her nose twitched before her eyes shot open.
"That smells delicious!" She shouted, startling the group.
A few seconds passed before they all chuckled nervously.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I'm just starving!"
Minori nodded as she doled out some food onto a plate and handed it to Water. She thanked Minori before digging. The others took some food for themselves before resuming their seats around the fire.
"So, before we go diving into this dungeon, do we have a plan?" Water asked as she finished eating first.
Touya nodded, starting to speak with a mouthful before realizing that was a bad idea and swallowing.
"Charge headfirst and use brute force is what I was thinking. This dungeon is for players a few levels lower than we are, so I figure we can blast through the introduction part before things get serious with the harder path."
Water tilted her head, "That… doesn't sound like much of a plan…" she said hesitantly.
"I agree with Touya! These monsters will present no challenge to the likes of me. With the rest of you tagging along it'll all be child's play!" Rudy told them, standing triumphantly.
The others stared at him awkwardly before Isuzu began laughing.
"What? Did I say something funny?" Rudy asked her.
"No, no! It's just… It's nothing," she said between poorly suppressed giggles.
Water cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. She opened her mouth to say something when her mind flashed back to her conversation with Naotsugu the night before.
"Sorry, just had something stuck in my throat," she told them dismissively.
"Let's see how they handle things first before I offer any critiques," she thought to herself.
The group finished their meal before putting their equipment on and heading to the dungeon. As they entered the cave system they were immediately met with a fork in the path.
"Left is supposed to be the introductory section where we start. Once we clear that we can try the right path," Touya said to himself, repeating what Naotsugu had told them before they had left for this trip.
The group nodded, following Touya's lead as he turned left. They had only walked for a few minutes when something glinted at them out of the darkness. Water's eyes widened in realization before she darted forward, drawing her katana with a swift movement and slicing the arrow in half.
"That was incredible!" Minori shouted as they all realized what she had done.
"Nothing too impressive, look sharp, we've got company," Water told them as she readied her blade to face the direction the arrow had come from.
The group followed her gaze and saw a small squad of skeletons emerging from the shadows. One of them had a bow that it was attempting to reload with another arrow.
Rudy and Touya both had grins on their faces as they drew their weapons. Touya started to charge while Rudy lifted his staff into the air.
"Orb of Lava!"
An orb of molten rock appeared on the tip of Rudy's staff before he launched it at the skeletons. It impacted one of them and exploded, knocking a few of them off their feet. The survivors turned to face the group, readying their weapons before charging. Touya was attacked by one and locked blades with it while the rest rushed past him.
"H-hey!" He shouted as he saw them ignoring him.
The group began to panic as the skeletons closed the distance.
"Not on my watch!" Water shouted, her voice echoing off the walls of the cave as a silver mist descended on the area.
The skeletons stopped their charge and looked at her. In their eyes, she was glowing with an intense, red aura. They resumed their charge, all aiming at her.
"Minori! Serara! Cover me!" she shouted.
The two girls nodded as they raised their weapons. Water turned to face the oncoming skeletons.
"Rudy, how long until you can cast that spell again?" she shouted at him.
"Fifteen seconds," Rudy answered.
Water nodded, "I'll hold them off. As soon as it comes off cooldown, hit them again."
"You're going to fight them by yourself?" Isuzu asked.
Water let a grin creep across her face, "I was hoping you'd at least offer some help."
