Chapter 3: Trial by Fire
Out in the middle of a dense forest, Aggrodite was locked in an intense solo battle with a moss-covered wolf. The others (Kirito, Asuna, Sinon, and Leafa) were close by watching her fight.
It had been four months since Aggrodite's encounter with Kirito and his friends. In that time, Aggrodite had been logging on and joining Kirito and the others on different quests and event battles. They had helped her learn various new skills and level up at the cost of turning all of her battle prizes over to repay them for stealing their ultra rare items.
Aggrodite had managed to improve her stats to where she could handle most mid-level bosses and even a few higher-leveled enemies alongside Kirito and the others.
But now it was her chance to see if she could handle a fight by herself.
Unfortunately, the Moss Wolf was proving to be a stubborn beast. No matter what Aggrodite did, it refused to go down.
Before Aggrodite could launch another attack, it tackled her and struck her with its mighty claws!
"Aggrodite!" cried Asuna.
Aggrodite managed to land on her feet, jamming her sword into the dirt. "I'm alright!" she called back, though her health now dropped to just below a quarter.
The Moss Wolf lunged at her again, but Aggrodite managed to jump out of the way. She raised her sword over her head and tried to deliver an overhead blow, but the Moss Wolf burrowed into the ground and avoided her attack. "Oh, come on!" she complained.
"Don't lose your focus!" cheered Sinon.
Aggrodite watched as the Wolf burrowed away, leaving behind a trail of disturbed earth as it dug. Aggrodite quickly chased after it.
"Are you sure we shouldn't jump in and help her?" Leafa asked, worriedly.
"We've been helping her in almost every battle she's been in," said Asuna. "It's best if she learns how to battle by herself, just so she doesn't have to rely on us all the time."
"Gotta admit," said Kirito, "she's definitely changed since the first time we met her."
Aggrodite dodged the Moss Wolf's next strike, her nimble movements showcasing the improved agility she had gained from months of practice. Gripping her sword tightly, she waited for the right moment to strike. The Wolf lunged again, but Aggrodite gracefully sidestepped, then she delivered a swift counterattack.
The Moss Wolf howled in pain as it stumbled backwards. A triumphant smile crossed Aggrodite's face as she prepared her final attack. She took a deep breath as her sword became engulfed in flames. She lunged at the Moss Wolf, then she jumped up into the air, and swung down at it.
An explosion of fire broke out. The final blow echoed through the virtual forest, and the defeated Wolf dissipated into digital fragments.
Aggrodite stuck her sword into the ground and fell to her knees. ""Nice one, Aggrodite!" complimented Kirito.
"Way to go!" cheered Leafa.
Tired but triumphant, Aggrodite turned back to her new friends and gave them a thumbs-up.
Suddenly, her name appeared over her head. Her EXP bar shot straight to the end, gaining her another level. She was now at level 54.
Using her sword, Aggrodite slowly got back to her feet and sheathed her sword. "I think that's all I can handle for today," she panted.
"You did great!" praised Asuna.
"Man, you're leagues above where you were before we met," added Kirito.
"Maybe now you can help us with all of the event boss battles," said Klein.
Aggrodite smiled as the others showered her with praise.
After the fight, they all returned to Kirito and Asuna's cabin, where everyone else was waiting.
Aggrodite plopped herself onto the couch as she still felt the effects of her battle against the Moss Wolf. "I didn't think that fight would take so much out of me," she said, wearily.
"Maybe if you wore some actual armor instead of just a bikini," teased Sinon.
Indeed, while Aggrodite had managed to obtain better weapons and other accessories to boost her offenses, she still paraded around in a purple bikini, which left a lot of her body exposed to the elements. Only a black hood provided any other covering.
"Why are you still wearing just a bikini?" Silica asked, innocently. "Don't you have enough money for actual clothes now?"
"I do," replied Aggrodite, "but I find it more comfortable wearing just this. It feels more freeing than all that bulky metal armor most everyone wears."
"I guess," said Leafa, "but you'll just keep getting killed over and over."
"Eh, maybe," Aggrodite said, nonchalantly, "it's a small trade-off if you ask me."
Aggrodite stretched her arms up into the arm. The girls just pouted as her large chest became more pronounced.
"Hey, come on now, nothing wrong with feeling comfortable, right?" joked Klein.
The other girls noticed Klein eyeing Aggrodite's body intently. They glared at him, making him laugh nervously.
"It's too bad this game doesn't allow you to go nude," continued Aggrodite, "I'd be great to feel the sun on my skin and the wind on my body even in the virtual world."
All of the girls gulped upon hearing that come from her mouth. " What did she just say?! " they thought, simultaneously.
Klein, blushing at the suggestion of a "nude mode," opened his mouth to say something, but a quick nudge from Kirito quickly dissuaded him from doing so.
"Anyway, I wanna thank you guys for helping me these past few months," Aggrodite said, sincerely, "I didn't think I would ever be this good at VR games without your help."
"Hey, it's no problem at all," said Leafa, "we've all been there before."
"Yeah," agreed Sinon, "I'm glad we could help."
"I know this whole thing got started because I stole a rare item away from you guys…"
"Which you still owe me, by the way!" butted in Lisbeth.
"...but I feel like we've all become great friends from all of this."
While most everyone agreed with what Aggrodite said, Lisbeth was still peeved at missing out on creating Celestia's Aegis.
"Now that you're almost on our level," Sinon said, "maybe you can help us with the spring events and boss battles coming up."
"Oh!" gasped Aggrodite. "Uh…yeah, about that…"
"What is it now?" Lisbeth asked, annoyed.
"I…don't think I'll be able to help you guys out," Aggrodite replied.
"Oh come on," Klein said, kindly. "I know you were deadweight to us before, but I think now you can hold your own in group battles."
"It's not that," continued Aggrodite. "The thing is, I was really just playing this game to help pass the time during the cold winters. But now that the weather is warming up, I'm going to be busy with work."
"Work?" Silica asked. "You have a job?"
"Sort of. During the spring and the summer, I help my mom out with everything going on at the reso-..."
Aggrodite cut herself off as an idea popped into her head. "Hey, why don't you guys come and visit?" she proposed.
"Visit…where?" Leafa asked, confused.
"My mom's beach resort!" Aggrodite answered, cheerfully.
Suddenly, all of the girls perked up and took notice. "Your mom owns a beach resort?!" Asuna asked in disbelief.
"She sure does! I think you guys would love it! It's secluded and out of the way, so it's almost never busy. I'm sure mom won't mind if you guys come and visit. Heck, you guys can spend the night if you want!"
"Seriously?!" Leafa asked, excitedly.
Aggrodite smiled. "I promised I would pay you all back for what happened, and while I can't get that rare item again, maybe this will be just as good? At the very least, I'd like you girls to come over as a token of appreciation for helping me out during the winter."
Everyone just stared at Aggrodite with their mouths agape. They found it hard to believe that someone they had just met only a few months ago was inviting them to a resort.
"Hey, count me here!" accepted Klein. "I could use a little R&R! Maybe I can get myself a nice tan!"
Suddenly, Aggrodite had a look of despair on her face.
"Sorry Klein," Aggrodite said. "I wish you could come, but my mom's resort is, well, it's a girls-only resort."
"Say what?!" snapped Klein. "What do you mean it's girls only? Can she even do that?"
"Sorry, but that's the way my mom runs things."
"I guess that means I can't go either," groaned Kirito.
Asuna was disappointed that Kirito wouldn't be allowed to go. "Can't you bend the rules, just this once?" asked Asuna.
Hearing the disappointment in her voice, Kirito gave her a small smile.
"It's okay, Asuna," Kirito replied. "You girls go ahead and enjoy yourselves."
"Are you sure?" Asuna asked, worriedly.
"I mean it," Kirito said, "me and Klein will find something else to do while you all have your girls' trip."
Aggrodite glanced around at her friends, feeling torn between her excitement for the upcoming trip and her disappointment in leaving Kirito and Klein behind. She understood the frustration on their faces but she knew it would be best if they didn't come.
"Thanks for understanding, Kirito," Aggrodite said sincerely, her voice tinged with regret. "I promise I'll make it up to you guys somehow."
Klein, who had been grumbling quietly to himself, suddenly perked up with a mischievous grin. "Yeah, maybe we'll have our own dude's night out while you ladies are off at the resort," he chimed in, his enthusiasm contagious.
Aggrodite couldn't help but smile at Klein's optimism. "So what do you say, girls?" asked Aggrodite. "Wanna have an IRL girl gamer weekend at the beach?"
"I'm in!" chirped Leafa.
"Well, if you're offering," said Lisbeth. "I guess I'll go too."
"I haven't been to the beach in a long time," mentioned Sinon.
Leafa interjected, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's going to be so much fun!"
The other girls nodded in agreement, their anticipation growing by the minute.
But while everyone was excited for a day out at a beach resort, Silica grew worried. She placed her hand on her chest, nervous about wearing a swimsuit.
Nevertheless, the girls chatted amongst themselves, making plans and growing more and more excited.
With plans in motion and excitement in the air, the group spent the rest of the day discussing their upcoming beach resort.
And so, that brings us to today…
TODAY
"Here we are, girls!" the bus driver said.
At last, the bus arrived at the resort. The girls were in awe as they gazed upon the white sandy beach and the shimmering ocean waves reflecting the bright sunlight.
"Wow! This is amazing!" gasped Keiko.
"This is where Aggrodite works?!" Suguha asked, surprised.
"You think they're hiring? They can sign me up!" joked Rika.
Eventually, the bus stopped and the driver allowed the girls to get off and see the beach much more clearly. The sounds of the ocean waves crashing onto the shore filled the air, as did the sound of the seagulls flying overhead. The tall palm trees rustled with the ocean breeze, adding to the serene atmosphere of the beach.
"It's so beautiful," Suguha said, her mouth agape.
As everyone was enjoying the warm sun, Asuna couldn't help but feel glum that neither Kirito or Yui could be there with her to enjoy the moment.
Shino, sensing Asuna's dejected look, placed her hand on her shoulder. "Are you feeling okay?" she asked, worriedly.
"Huh? Oh, yeah," replied Asuna. "I just wish Kirito and Yui could see this."
"I know it's tough not having Kirito and Yui here," Shino began, her voice warm and understanding. "But remember, they'd want you to enjoy this. We'll make sure to bring back stories and memories for them too."
Asuna nodded slowly, her gaze softening. "You're right," she admitted, grateful for Sinon's comforting words. "This is supposed to be a fun girls' trip after all!"
"We'll have plenty of fun, I promise," Sinon reassured her, her tone buoyant.
"Okay! Let's go inside and meet up with Aggrodite!" Asuna said as she adjusted the strap of her beach bag.
A large but plain wooden building stood at the entrance of the resort. Its weathered exterior blended harmoniously with the flower gardens that graced both sides of the main entrance. The building exuded a rustic charm, framed by swaying palm trees.
As the girls made their way to the entrance of the main building, they passed by a large wooden sign. The name of the resort was written in big, bold letters.
Suguha saw the name of the resort and immediately stopped in her tracks.
HADAKA BEACH RESORT
Upon reading the name, the girls started to get concerned. "Uh, wait? Hadaka ?" Suguha asked, confused.
"As in… naked? " finished Asuna.
The girls stared at the sign, perplexed as to why a beach resort would have such a name.
"That's…just a name, right?" Keiko asked, worriedly.
"I wouldn't worry!" Rika said, confidently. "I'm sure that's just something to keep people away and make the beach less crowded."
"That…doesn't make sense," replied Asuna. "How would that…?"
Asuna was cut off by Rika laughing. "Can you imagine if Aggrodite actually invited us to a nude beach resort?"
Rika then had a devilish smirk on her face. "Although, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing," she muttered.
The other girls just looked at her.
"We're already this far out," Shino said. "I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Anyway, let's go and finally meet Aggrodite."
The girls then entered the lobby. It was a fairly standard lobby, with a basic check-in desk adorned with a small vase of flowers. A few more beach decorations were placed all around, such as seashells and photos of scenic beach vistas.
"It's pretty quiet," Keiko said, worriedly. "Are you sure this is the right place?"
"This is where Aggrodite told us to meet her," said Asuna.
Rika walked up to the counter and rang the bell. "Hello? Anyone here?" she called out.
Suddenly, there was a voice from behind a nearby closed door. "Oh! Just a minute!" called a voice.
Keiko secretly let out a sigh of relief.
But her relief would be short-lived.
The door then swung open. Out walked a beautiful, tall girl with brown hair tied in a ponytail. Her hair was decorated with a small, pink flower.
"Sorry about the wait," she said, sheepishly. "I told mom that we got to get a door chime installed."
The girls just stared at her with their mouths wide open and their eyes nearly popping out of their heads. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
The girl in front of them stood completely naked! She wore nothing but a smile and a thin purple sarong that didn't do anything to hide her nude figure.
"Anyway, welcome to the Hadaka Beach Resort!" the girl said, happily. "My name is Aimi! Do you have reservations? Or are you girls here just for the day?"
"Uh…h-h-hi," stammered Suguha. "N-no, we don't have any…uh…"
"Do…do you not know you're totally naked right now?" Shino asked, stunned by what she was seeing.
"I am?" replied Aimi.
She looked down at herself. "No, I'm wearing a sarong," she joked.
" She can't be serious, " everyone thought.
Asuna interjected. "Sorry! I think we got the wrong address!"
"Huh?" asked Aimi.
"You see, a friend we met in a game invited us to a girls' trip at her mom's beach resort," explained Asuna, "but I think she tricked us."
"That's just great! First she steals our rare items," pouted Suguha, "then she tricks us into going to a nude beach!"
Aimi eyed everyone intently. Her mouth dropped as she slowly started to recognize them. "Wait, are you Asuna?" she asked.
Asuna gulped. "Uh, yes?"
Aimi looked at everyone else, calling them by their in-game aliases. "And you're Lisbeth? Sinon? Leafa? Silica?!"
The girls just stared at her and it suddenly dawned on them who Aimi really was. It turned out to be someone they know.
"Aggrodite?!" they all shouted in unison.
Suddenly, that comment she made about being nude in-game made much more sense.
TO BE CONTINUED