Floor 3 - Chapter 2 - When it Rains...
December 6th, 2022 - Floor 3, West Mists, Aincrad.
''Muh-my-YOU BITCH!'' - Well, the new girl's attack definitely got the attention of the falconer, who was now charging her... but not before... - ''ARGGGHHH-GURGH'' - the wolf that was lurking in the trees sunk it's teeth into him, and threw his body around like a ragdoll. The creep may have deserved a nasty ending, but even Jet felt this may have been just a bit on the overkill side. After a few moments, that felt like an eternity, the falconer's corpse was tossed aside as it disappeared into pixels, as the wolf's master found his way to the now finished battle.
The death of their leader seemed to have a fairly profound effect on the remaining knights... as the last of them fell to the ground, cleaved by the new girl's sword. Both Jet and Koharu stopped for a few seconds to get a look at the new players in the fight - a red haired man, probably in his early twenties, wearing a red set of the starter armour, and a bandana, and the girl in purple.
''Jet... who are they?''
''I... I think I know who the girl is. The bloke though, I've got no idea.'' - The girl took the fall of the last knight as her cue to charge Jet, and tackle him into a hug, which was... an experience for Jet, considering her appearance. - ''You bloody idiot! You had to play the hero, didn't you! Imagine how we all felt outside!'' - Jet rolled his eyes at his possible sister, and fought desperately to break away from her grasp... when did she gain the strength of a hydraulic press?! And why did she have to press him to there of all places!?
''I'm lost now... what's going on?'' - The guy commented to no one in particular.
''I really don't know...'' - Koharu answered, trying to piece it together in her head.
''I believe they may be siblings.'' - Surprisingly, it was Kizmel who came out with an answer.
''Yeah, sorry about that, but well...''
''Well what!'' - Strea was in absolutely no mood for her brother's usual method of arguing... she'd just spent a day hunting him down through a death game, with the most over the top Casanova wannabe in tow...
''Well, if I worried everyone... imagine what everyone's gonna do when they realise you did the same.''
''They'll... oh. Oh shit.'' - The realisation of precisely how dead she was going to be when she got out of this hit her like a freight train.
''Right, well, nought we can do about that now. We're kind of in the middle of something. Thanks for the save though.'' - Jet looked back to see... no one but Dark Elves and humans... and a big wolf. A particularly cute looking giant wolf at that. He would now be known as Fluffy, because... well, he was. Even the blindsided by cuteness Jet thought slightly better about trying to pet the wolf though. That sounded like an excellent way to lose a limb, as the Falconer could've attested to... were he not very dead.
''Human warriors, you have helped us hold the Jade Key... and take vengeance on my sister's murderer. I do not know if the words to thank you truly exist, but let our actions show you our gratitude instead. We shall bring you to our camp, and allow you rest and recuperation.''
''Much obliged... Kizmel, wasn't it?'' - Jet did a far more serious salute, whilst Koharu bowed towards the two elves. Strea looked on in bewilderment at the scene, whilst the guy in red simply wondered what they'd modelled the elves in this game off of... that one was a complete babe!
The journey from the West Mists to the Elven Camp was certainly an interesting one... Jet could hear his sister moaning about the trees, and how it would screw up... well, actually he'd tuned out by that point. Even he had a finite limit as to how much inane crap he could eavesdrop on, before he got bored.
''Kizmel, this, uhh, Jade Key, was it? What is it?''
''Yes, I suppose I should tell you. The key is a sacred relic from an era long passed, spoken of by our people, the people of Lyusula.''
''Lyusula?''
''Ah, people tend to call us Dark Elves, but that is merely a description of our race. Our people were born into life from the sacred Lyusula Tree. We take pride in this, and therefore, we call ourselves the people of Lyusula. Indeed, this matters not to menfolk. You may call us as you wish.'' - Both Jet and Koharu swore they heard the bandana guy shout something about ''calling her beautiful'', and tried to hide the awkwardness that statement filled the air with.
''Lyusula... it has a nice ring to it. Sounds like some form of nocturne.''
''Nocturne? Is that a kingdom of man?'' - For once, Jet was equally stumped. The only Nocturne he knew of was an action figure he'd had as a kid, and he was entirely certain that wasn't what Koharu was referring to.
''Oh, it's a type of music you might play on a piano - a type of instrument. I learnt them as a kid. Back at home, I played them often.''
''So, you are not merely a warrior, but a master of music too! It is a great honour indeed to be compared with the songs of a master.'' - Koharu went bright red, and bristled under the praise, before her expression turned solemn.
''Hey, Kizmel, are you really a- were you born here on Aincrad?'' - Koharu thought better of the first question, and rephrased it to better fit the conversation.
''I was, although I was born long after the Great Separation. We are born on this separated land, and we are destined to die here. No one doubts this. Yet the Forest Elves think otherwise... why is that?''
''Sometimes, hope is more important to people than facing reality... or at least, that's how I look at it. I don't think they're entirely wrong either.''
''That is an interesting thought, Jet. I can't say I'd ever thought of it that way myself.''
''Message from Argo. She says-'' - For no discernable reason, Koharu decided to try and attempt Argo's... mannerisms. - ''WHAT?! That never happened before?! You two have gone and broke the game, ain't ya?! Epic!'' - Jet cringed, not entirely at his partner's impression, which was actually pretty spot on, but at the word 'epic'...''Really Argo, epic? Really?'' - ''You think we have though? I mean, we've done something no one else did?''
''Not given it much thought really... tell her, 'We'll tell her everything... for the right price.'.'' - Jet withered under his partner's glare. - ''I was joking! I'm not actually gonna be that mercenary about it... I'm not her.''
''This key, right? It's a key... so what does it open?''
''It is the key to the sanctuary, but I'm afraid I cannot say more than that. The only people who can are our royal family, but I do know one thing. That sanctuary must never be opened.''
''Never be opened, huh? So... it's like Pandora's Box?'' - That comparison elicited various reactions: Jet shuddered, Koharu wore a look of horror, Klein a somewhat apprehensive look, and Strea, a look of confusion.
''What? The necklaces? I mean, I opened enough of them...'' - Jet smacked his hand into his face as hard as he could, reducing his own health by a slither. Koharu just looked at him with a look to say 'This is your sister? Really?'.
''The box of all evils, Strea. Not a box of charms.'' - Jet felt like slapping his sister's face into a book sometimes... street smart, she may have been, but book smart, she was not. - ''Let me guess, the Forest Elves want these keys to do exactly that? Open the sanctuary, I mean.''
''Precisely, and we must prevent that at all costs.''
December 6th, 2022 - Floor 3, Lyusula Camp
''Blimey. Pontins, eat your heart out...'' - Strea mumbled, upon seeing the encampment. About 10 tents, surrounded by a large, and hopefully very sturdy, wall, with a single large central tent, which Jet reckoned was either the eating quarters, or the commanders accommodation.
''Human warriors, I shall introduce you to our commander. Follow me.'' - An exchange of glances between Jet and Koharu later, and the group followed Kizmel into the commander's tent...
A short explanation of the situation later...
''We have retained the Jade Key, and dealt a significant blow to the Forest Elves scouting force, Sir. Much of our gratitude should go to these human warriors, who selflessly threw themselves into battle to help me.''
''Is that so, Kizmel of the Pagoda Knights? Well then, far be it for us to show disrespect to allies... we will be setting up quarters for you warriors to rest easily in, but they will not be ready until tomorrow at the earliest. I trust you show no discomfort in staying with Kizmel here until then?''
''Not at all.''
''Nope.''
''It'll be our pleasure.''
''I'll be fine.''
Returning outside, the group were shown to the tent they'd be stopping in - except Strea and Klein, who for some reason, had chosen to return to the Town of Beginnings, ostensibly for training Strea up, to use the skills she had. Probably not the reason, Jet figured, but he was a bit preoccupied currently. ''Down boy!'' - the giant wolf had taken to Jet like a puppy might... a 9 foot long puppy. Jet was now in the dirt, being licked by Fluffy... Koharu and Kizmel both found this absolutely hilarious, enough that Koharu had used a record crystal to nab a picture of her partner being playfully mauled by the wolf. ''Say cheese!''
''Agh! Gerroofff!''
After the... less than dignified spectacle that had been, Jet, who was now covered in dirt and mud, asked the question that would inevitably seal his fate for the night... ''Uhh, Kizmel? Is there a shower or something nearby?''
''Oh, we have communal baths.'' - She pointed to the large central tent, and it hadn't escaped Jet's attention that his partner had completely tuned out the world after the word 'bath'... he reminded himself never to mention a city in Somerset, or he might never get her attention back...
Some people have the greatest luck in life. Others are known to make their own luck. It takes a special kind of luck to be the person to be left guarding an Elven bathing tent, whilst his partner, and the clearly derived from a supermodel Dark Elf Knight washed themselves in it. Jet was sat outside the tent, as Fluffy took up position next to him, and kept him company... why, he really wasn't sure... his master was still alive! Ehh, he was still pretty cute, anyway, and all the fawning over Fluffy kept Jet's mind on the straight and narrow, and not thinking about his partner and Kizmel washing each other off... and, god, he hated being a teenager sometimes. The occasional squeaks and yelps from his partner didn't help his imagination either... just what he needed when the two of them would have to share a tent. To be picturing his partner and Kizmel, doing... that. Now there was an image that you wouldn't be able to broadcast on- GRRRRRR
''What's up?'' - Unsurprisingly, the wolf didn't answer. It did however pull Jet away from his mild fever dream, and back to reality, as Jet spotted a pair of yellow eyes in the trees...
''Who's there! Show yoursellllVVVVEEESSSS!'' - Had Jet been watching Fluffy, he'd have noticed that the clasp of his shield had gotten connected to the wolf's collar whilst he was petting him... unfortunately, he hadn't, and the wolf was quite excitable, enough that he took off towards the bathing tent at pace. Not much fun for Jet, who was now being dragged along through the mud... again, and into... the... bathing tent. ''Oh no.'' - ''Fluffy! Stop! Now! Now! Oh fuu-'' - Fluffy cleared the bath with ease... Jet did not. SPLASH! He landed face first in the bath, submerged up to his abdomen, whilst his legs flailed aimlessly above the water.
''Are you joining us in bathing?'' - Kizmel asked innocently.
''(indecipherable gurgling noises.)'' - Jet responded, his head still submerged, until he pulled it out of the bath - ''Cough, cough, Huff huff, hu hu. Urgh...'' - Jet thanked a god he didn't believe in for oxygen, rather than water. - ''I'll be outside if you need me.'' - Jet rasped, as he covered his eyes as best he could, before feeling his way out the tent.
The remaining time that the girls were in the bath were an exercise in restraint. Covered in mud, and now soaked through thanks to Fluffy, Jet dreaded his partner's reaction to his little mishap... in between bouts of shivering, and cursing. Thank god his sister hadn't been there to see that...
''Jet?'' - A surprisingly calm voice broke his staring off into space.
''Huh? Oh, you're done... I'm gonna go wash all of this off now...'' - He really was painting a thousand words currently. Muddy, soaked, covered in suds, and somehow covered in wolf fur...
''You want me to keep watch?''
''Yeah, if you don't mind. I think I saw some eyes in the trees, yellow ones... well, right before Fluffy demonstrated his pulling power, anyway.'' - Jet unequipped his armour, leaving just a shirt and shorts, as he went into the tents.
Later that evening...
Jet and Koharu had retired to the tent for the night, and settled in. The blankets offered to them by the Dark Elves were far more comfortable than the usual camping equipment, and even the insomniac Jet found the beds comfortable, even if he wasn't particularly likely to actually be getting any sleep...
''Jet, you awake?'' - But then again, neither was his partner.
''Yeah, still can't sleep. What's keeping you up though?''
''That girl earlier - Strea. She's your sister, right?''
''Yeah, my eldest sister. Why?''
''You didn't seem particularly happy to see her. I mean, you go on about your family, and yet she appears, and almost like that, you change tune so fast, the needle skipped.''
''It's not... I'm annoyed at her. She acted like I was being selfish for being stuck here, and yet, she goes and does the exact same thing, only with the knowledge of this being a death game, and almost certainly with everyone convincing her it's a bad idea. Just... she's not changed since she was a teenager. I actually used to look up to her, someone who overcame her problems regardless of everything... only for that to fuel her ego at home.'' - Jet looked away to hide his welling anger at his sister, whilst Koharu just reached out to him. - ''I know, that's not all that relevant now. But... I don't think she's changed enough for me to trust her. Not like I-''
INTRUDER! We have an intruder! - What Jet assumed was the guard yelled out, as the trio leapt out of their bedding, and readied their armour and weaponry... ''There's no way the Forest Elves found this place, right?''
''I wouldn't put it past them.''
''Be ready for anything then, got it.'' - The trio raced towards the source of the commotion. ''Proshu proshcheniya! I'm putting down my sword! I'm unarmed!'' - Six Dark Elf Guards surrounded a familiar face to Jet, blades pointed at the now disarmed intruder... - ''Rain?!''
''Uhh, sorry.''
''Uhh, Kizmel, how do I tell them she's on our side?''
''The human female is with our warrior friends here.'' - Luckily, the guards took note of Kizmel, and retracted their blades, allowing Rain to walk over to the trio.
''Thank you! Thank you so much!'' - Rain raced up to Jet, and stopped shortly before knocking him over again, in an awkward quasi-hug, neither of them sure what was going on...
''Jet, who is she?'' - Koharu looked on in confusion at the pair.
''Oh, uhh... she may have saved my life a few days ago.'' - Jet neglected to tell the full story of how he'd nearly died fighting off wasps, and then wore himself to the bone sprinting back.
''Wait... when you went out that night?! You are, and I think these are your own words... a bloody idiot!'' - The air around Koharu became very angry, and even Jet could see he was in the doghouse. Not a great place to be when the dog is 9ft long, and sheds fur if you so much as look at it.
''Yeah, no arguments there.'' - Jet resigned himself to his fate. For the third time this afternoon.
Whilst Kizmel's tent was quite large, and easily large enough to handle 2 or 3 people, 4 was probably pushing it a little bit, and meant that the ever restless Jet was even worse, as he tried to avoid any contact with the sleeping Rain, and Koharu, who had just gotten to sleep. Deciding that staying inside meant constantly moving to avoid getting slapped unintentionally... or worse, Jet went to get up.
''Jet...'' - Well, his partner was awake... maybe, or she was dreaming of him? Nah, that was a bit far fetched, even by his standards. - ''I didn't mean to snap at you. Just... I don't want you to get hurt because I'm not strong enough to help...'' - She muttered, still slightly groggy, but aware enough to reach out to Jet, and pull on his arm.
''No, you had every right to. I didn't trust you enough to ask for help, and then had to be rescued by a total stranger. I'm a pretty shitty partner by that standard.'' - She pulled a little harder, enough to pull him towards her. - ''Umm, Koharu, we're a little close, don't ya-''
''Shush, it's comfy.'' - And with that, his partner dropped back to sleep. Unlike Jet, who was now in a both enviable, and unenviable position, with a beautiful girl literally hanging to his arm... but having to be very careful not to wake said girl. Jet put his head back down, and closed his eyes, thinking back through the events of the past month, as he dropped to sleep...
{Author's Comments}
Thanks for reading this, and if you liked it, favourite or follow the story, and if you have any comments, reviews and PMs are always welcome!
Next Chapter - planned for 3rd October.