Chapter 6: Why We Fight
Impulse Skills. These are a new form of weapon ability that was added to the game during the DLC. They weren't acquired through training or practice, these skills were unlocked when the conditions the player finds themselves in are met. They are called Impulse Skills because, like an impulse, it happens when they player finally finds the unknown urge to activate it. A loud thud shook the ground as Iceious landed on the ground, it let out a massive roar and began to recharge it's wings so it could take flight again. Jyenka turned around and locked on to the beast, as he did he felt his body go weak again. The stab wound he'd taken still hadn't fully healed. The Dragon raised it's head and prepared another fireball attack, Jyenka readied his weapon to see if he could parry another one when a flash of purple shot past him and a small chunk of the dragons health bar dropped. It was Shoko. She looked back at Jyenka with a smile.
"Ok! I'll help you fight! I'll move forward!" she shouted confidently.
"That's the spirit." Said Jyenka while clutching his stomach.
"Shoko! Switch!" Leafa shouted while running in. Shoko jumped back and Leafa charged in striking the dragon with her blade. Iceious let out another cry and leapt back into the air, as he did he began to beat his wings creating heavy gusts of wind.
"It's his wind attack! Everyone try and keep your balance!" Kirito yelled while taking a strong stance in order to stay up straight himself.
"ThirtySix! Think you can give what Kirito suggested a shot!?" Shouted Silvia.
"I will try" Said ThirtySix winding back his arm to take the shot. His spear glowed and his eyes narrowed, then with a mighty heave he throw the spear at the dragon. It pierced it right in the chest and took a significant chunk out of it's health bar. The dragon let out a cry and fell to the ground.
"Now's our chance! Attack!" yelled Silvia. she began charging at Iceious and fired up a sword skill. From there she jumped, did a full flip in the air, and struck a devastating blow on the dragons head.
"Silvy! Switch!" Yelled Jyenka.
"No wait Jyenka don't!" she yelled back but it was to late. now it was his turn. he swung his double-bladed sword at the dragon as Silvia jumped back, giving him bonus switch damage. Then he charged 1 sword skill into his right hand side blade and struck again at the dragon, taking another massive chunk out of it's health. The dragon let out a cry of pain.
"I'm not done yet!" yelled Jyenka as the left hand side blade began to glow as well. "Haaaaaagh!" he yelled as he struck the dragon a third time. Jyenka looked at his health bar, it hadn't dropped at all. Jyenka had performed a perfect 3 piece combo. A smile crept across Jyenka's face us he fell to the ground, remembering that he still had a gaping stab wound in his stomach. The dragon slowly got up and let out a massive roar of anger. It leaned it's head back and went to deal the final blow on Jyenka when suddenly a dagger pieced through it's throat. The dragon stopped moving and then exploded into tiny blue polygons, Shoko landed comfortably in the snow. A notification appeared on everyone's screens reading:
Quest Complete!
Shoko swiftly moved through the snow to Jyenka and rolled him over on to his back, she opened her inventory and took out some glowing bandages. She put them over the wound in Jyenka's stomach, they began to glow and shimmer before disappearing revealing fully healed skin were the hole once was.
"That looked pretty rare, you didn't have to use it on me." Said Jyenka as he rose to his feet.
"Don't worry, I was the one who put that hole in your stomach. It's the least I could do." The rest of the party gathered around Jyenka, all checking to see if he was ok. Silvia approached Jyenka.
"Silvy?" Jyenka said looking at her, then Silvia slapped him across the face. "Um, Ow!? What the hell!?" shouted Jyenka.
"You idiot!" shouted Silvia back. "A 3 piece combo while you have a gaping stab wound!? Are you kidding me!?"
"Well I wasn't gonna just sit there when I could help fight!" retorted Jyenka.
"What if something had gone wrong!" shouted Silvia. Jyenka and everyone paused to look at her. "In that scenario, so many things could have happened. You could have died, If that happened I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself." There was a silence in the air.
"Silvia does have a point" Kirito said in order to break the silence. "Everyone's safety is our top priority, in a situation of survival like this heroics will only get you killed. None the less, however, Iceious is defeated."
"We should move back to Tundra village and report to the assault team." Said Klein. "They're probably worried about us."
"Good point" replied Kirito. "Ok! Everyone move out! If we go now we should be able to make it back to Tundra Village by 7:30pm game time." Everyone began to walk back. Jyenka looked behind him and saw Shoko standing in the snow.
"Shoko, watcha doin'?" Jyenka asked looking back.
"I've betrayed my guild, I've commit a terrible crime against another player. I have no were to go now." She looked back at Jyenka with a sad smile. "All I can do is keep moving forward." Shoko began to walk off when Jyenka grabbed her arm.
"Wait" Jyenka said seriously. Shoko turned around with a confused and sad look, Jyenka let go of her arm once he had her attention then he raised out his hand. "Join our party." he said looking her dead in the eyes. Shoko was taken aback by this proposal.
"You want me to, really?" she said looking down.
"Your strong and you said you have no where else to go, the front lines could use someone with your skill." Jyenka replied in a less serious tone.
"But, how can you really trust me." Shoko stammered. Jyenka paused and thought for a second.
"I'm not entirely sure." he then remembered Shoko's face when she decided to help them. "I'll move forward!" "This might sound odd but, the look in your eyes told me everything." Jyenka said confidently. "So what'll it be Shoko? You in?" She looked up at Jyenka with tears in her eyes.
"Ok! I'll do it!" she said with a big smile on her face.
"Then welcome to the team!" Jyenka exclaimed as he held out his hand. "We should catch up to the others." Shoko nervously took Jyenka's hand and the two of them ran off to catch up to the others.
It was 7:34pm game time that night. The party was gathered at a diner in the village.
"I don't remember giving you permission to add new members to the part Jyenka." Said Silvia sternly. She sat opposite him at the table the party was gathered at, death staring him.
"C'mon Silvy have a heart, you wouldn't have just left her there would you?" Jyenka said raising one hand to stop things from going south. Silvia turned her stern glare to Shoko who was sitting next to Jyenka, Shoko noticed Silvia staring. She stared back and grabbed Jyenka's arm. Silvia's stare became even more intense.
"Now now everyone, let's take it easy" Said Jyenka nervously trying to break the tension.
"I take it things went well?" Standing in front of there table was a man wearing a familiar bright yellow top hat which really brought out his white handlebar moustache.
"Cleric!?" Silvia said confused.
"Cleric!" Jyenka said with relief.
"Salutations to you all, for those who I haven't met my name is Cleric." He said tipping his hat. "Now Jyenka, I'm here to speak with you."
"Ok, what's up?" Asked Jyenka.
"Did you acquire the Impulse skill?"
"Oh, yeah. It's called parry I think."
"Really? how'd you get it?" Cleric leaned in uncomfortably close to Jyenka.
"Uh, I sorta just got it, kinda like how you said." Stammered Jyenka who leaned back to get some distance between him and Cleric.
"I see, how interesting. Judging by the name I take it this skill let's you block or reflect attacks?" Cleric asked with further curiosity.
"It let's me reflect projectiles, So long as I can time it right."
"Of course, something this powerful would have to have some draw back in order to balance it out."
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Oh, no. I just came to acquire some intel on impulse skills, gotta keep my spot as the number 1 info broker after all. Thank you Jyenka, you've been a big help."
"Uh, don't mention it." Stammered Jyenka.
"Well I do believe I've taken enough of you time, farewell Jyenka and posse." Cleric tipped his hat, adjusted his monocle and left the diner.
"So that's what Cleric is like when he's competitive?" Jyenka said looking back at his party members.
"I can't blame him, If I had a title like that I'd want to defend it as well." Silvia said. The party finished there meals and then moved off to the inn they were all staying in.
"Hey Silvy, got any ideas about accommodating Shoko?" Asked Jyenka when they approached the entrance to the inn.
"Well we could always just rent her a room, but that wouldn't be good for our budget." Silvia said with her hand on her chin.
"Well I can't just let her sleep outside, I know! She can share a room with you!"
"So she'll go from sleeping on the floor outside to sleeping on the floor inside?" commented Silvia with a judgmental look.
"I mean what else can we do?" asked Jyenka as they stepped into the inn. Just then they heard a large slam on the reception desk.
"I'll take one room please" Shoko said holding a massive bag of col. Jyenka and Silvia were left stunned. Silvia walked up to Shoko and placed one hand on her shoulder.
"You are a fine addition to the party Shoko." She said with a confident look.
"You didn't think that 20 minutes ago..." Jyenka thought to himself while rolling his eyes. The party members moved off to there designated rooms, Jyenka's was first followed by Silvia's then Shoko's, Taijou's and finally ThirtySix's at the end of the hall.
"G'night everyone" Said Jyenka as he went into his room. "Try not to snore too much Silvy, I'm right next door." Jyenka commented as he closed the door to his room.
"I-I don't- you!" Silvia said through clenched teethe. "Honestly, who does he think he is! He's so carefree. Does he not realise the situation we're in?" Silvia went to open her door. "And what the hell did he mean by 'be this worlds hero?'" Taijou paused as he went to open the door to his room. "Only an over confident, battle crazy maniac would say something like that in a game of death." Silvia exclaimed.
"Hey Silvia?" Taijou said stepping back from the door.
"What?" Silvia replied calming down after her little rant.
"On the day that we were all trapped in this game, Jyenka made a vow to be this worlds hero." Taijou said quietly. Silvia paused. "He doesn't show it, but he's placed a large burden on himself to be strong. I get that he's a handful but know that he's doing his best. Jyenka hasn't told anyone else this but, I feel like he wouldn't mind if you knew." Silvia grabbed the door handle.
"Setting himself high standards like that is his fault." She said as she stepped into her room slamming the door behind her. Taijou sighed.
"Well, I tried..." he said.
"You did good." ThirtySix said appearing behind Taijou.
"Woah! Dude! You scared the shit out of me!" Shouted Taijou. ThirtySix put his right pointer finger over his mouth, telling Taijou to stay quiet.
"Right, sorry" he whispered.
"I'm glad I was able to overhear your conversation, I didn't know Jyenka was fighting with this much pressure on himself. Don't worry, if you want me to stay secretive I won't tell anyone."
"No it's fine, I'm sure Jyenka wouldn't mind if you knew either." responded Taijou.
"As a friend of his, after finding out his goal in this world, I'd call him a dumbass." ThirtySix said turning around. Taijou went to enter his room when ThirtySix spoke again. "But as a player, I'd say go for it." Taijou turned around to face him.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"You've seen Jyenka as he fights, his determination, his strength, his will. He has everything a hero needs, all he needs is the physical and mental strength to uphold it." Taijou gave ThirtySix a confused look. "Anyway, it would be best if we got some rest, it's been a long day."
"Yeah, your right." Taijou said and the two entered there rooms for the night.
Lighting flashed over the mansion on the top of a hill in the forest of floor 5, the hideout of 'Shadows of Aincrad'. The man in the cloak who sent out Shoko to take out Silvia and her party, the one who appeared to be the groups leader, slammed his hand against the wall.
"Curses! How could they take Shoko from us!" He began to pace around the room he was standing in. "She was a incredibly powerful asset, she had the skills to eliminate anything that got in our way! Not to mention she had all our emergency Col!" The man began to scratch at the top of his hood with both of his hands. "It was them! They took her from us! They brainwashed her somehow! They cheated!"
"Leader" said another figure in a black cloak who was kneeling down.
"What!?" the rambling cloaked figure shouted back.
"Sorry to interrupt but you have a visitor."
"Oh, a new recruit perhaps?"
"I don't think so, he says he wants to talk 'business.'" The cloaked figure moved down to the main hall of the mansion to meet this mysterious guest. When he entered the hall there was another large figure standing at the end of it with a cloak over his head. His cloak wasn't like the Shadows of Aincrad cloaks, this one was more dirty and torn.
"You have business with me?" said the leader of Shadows of Aincrad. A odd smile spread across the visitors face.
"I've heard stories about your guild." He began to speak in a slightly creepy tone. "The thought of another guild that would kill other players scared the entire player base of this game. Truly a effort that deserves praise." The man began to pace around the hall. "Humanity can be so fickle when it comes to dealing with situations they aren't prepared for, so I applaud your groups ability to grasp the situation."
"What do you want from us?" the guild master said. A larger, crazier smile formed over the hooded figures face.
"You seek revenge, no?" he said turning to face him. The guild masters eyes widened under his cloak. "You recently just lost a member of your guild, and a valuable one at that." The crazy smile the mysterious figure had, disappeared and was replaced with a frown. "I know what it's like, to lose something valuable. You just want it back, you want to destroy anything that gets in your way." The guild master of Shadows of Aincrad clenched his fists. The other cloaked figure ran to his side. "Easy my friend, I assure you I am here to help. I can help you get your revenge."
"What do you propose?" The guild master said.
"Join me, let us unit our goals under one roof and work together." The guild master contemplated this.
"You said 'unit our goals' what is this goal of yours I'm combining with mine?" he asked. The crazy smile returned.
"You wish to prevent players from leaving this world yes? I wish the same. This world is an opportunity for men like us to live free, giving it up would be a waste." The guild master turned to face the man.
"Ok, you've convinced me. I'll join your cause, just as you will join mine."
"Excellent." The hooded figure pulled back his hood to reveal blonde scruffy hair, a relatively masculine face and a scar going across his right eye. "My name is Acheron, pleasure doing business with you." He raised out his hand to shake the guild masters, as the guild master stretched out his hand to shake Acheron's however, he noticed a tattoo on his outstretched hand. The tattoo was of a coffin with a creepy looking smile on it's lid and a skeleton hand coming out of the open coffin. "Is something the matter?" Asked Acheron.
"N-No it's nothing" he firmly shook Acheron's hand. "My name is Deimos, Shadows of Aincrad is happy to be working with you." This agreement may seem small now, however, it marked the beginning of one of the greatest wars in Aincrad.
"Jyenka hurry up! Everyone's waiting!" Shouted Silvia. It was 9:30am game time and the party was waiting outside the inn.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming!" Jyenka said as he ran out of the inn to join everyone else.
"Good morning Jyenka, sleep well?" Shoko asked with a cute smile.
"Yeah, or well I did." Jyenka turned an angry look to Silvia. Silvia huffed and turned away.
"The next strategy meeting is in 10 minutes, we need to leave now" ThirtySix said.
"Well everyone's here so let's get moving!" Taijou added.
"Ok everyone, adventure awaits!" Jyenka said pumping his fist in the air and walking in front of the group.
"If you want to be this worlds hero, you should stop being so cringey." Silvia said rolling her eyes.
"Didja say something Silvy?" Jyenka asked turning around.
"No nothing, keep moving or we'll be late!" She said running ahead of him. "It's our groups responsibility to not be tardy, so let's pick up the pace." she said walking faster.
"If you want to be this groups leader, you should stop being so cringey." Jyenka said rolling his eyes. Taijou started laughing. "What's so funny?" Asked Jyenka.
"It's nothing, you two are honestly perfect for each other." Jyenka's face went slightly red.
"What's that supposed to mean!? Hey Taijou!" Jyenka yelled as Taijou ran passed him to catch up with Silvia who had now started running.
A true hero will know how valuable friendships like these are, but a true villain will know how easily they're ripped away. To be continued...