Floor 3 - Chapter 5 - Intruder Window

Small interjection before I start this chapter, I now have a Twitter account that I'll be using to provide updates on my stories - so this, and my own original works - as well as sometimes adding in artwork from each story, when I've actually made it. Feel free to follow, or not, and ask questions there!

Twitter - SAO_Jet_knight

I also have a Deviant Art account, that I will occasionally add non-canon or not-yet-canon snippets of story to, alongside artwork. Most of those will be just very short, and silly one shots.

DA - midlandaj2901

Thanks for listening, and onwards with the story!

Just outside the perimeter wall of the Forest Elves Camp, Floor 3 - 19:37pm

Koharu and Kizmel fought their way through the foliage to reach the rendezvous point, reaching it just a few minutes after separating from Jet and Rain.

''You two are early!'' - Argo seemed far too cheerful for the mission they currently had... - ''Holy-! It's... that's a Dark Elven Royal Guard?! An' she's a party member?!'' - The Rat raced around Kizmel, like a child hopped up on sweets, who'd evidently gotten fed up by the girl's jumping around, and whisper shouting, and was now staring down Argo... who, for the first time in Koharu's experience, actually yielded, and frantically tried not to scream - ''Ah, nah, nah, yikes! That elite mob menace is in full effect! Trust me! Spare me!'' - The Rat begged overdramatically. Koharu looked almost disappointed in Argo, before she explained the situation to Kizmel.

''She's an ally. Argo, this Kizmel, Royal Guard of Lyusula. She's here to help us infiltrate the camp.''

''It's an honour to make your acquaintance, Kizmel, Royal Guard of Lyusula. My name is Argo, and the pleasure is all mine!'' - Kizmel held her fist to her chestplate in a salute.

''Your help is much appreciated. On that note, Koharu has told me that you are an... how did she put it? Info agent? What sort of job is that?'' - Argo gave off her usual smug look whenever she was teasing any of the four, which worried both Asuna and Koharu... where was she going with this?

''I'd tell ya... but summat tells me, ya don't have enough col on ya...'' - Argo leant in towards Kizmel, and attempted to wrap her arm around the taller elf... which was a sight Kirito wished he'd had a record crystal for, as her arm was now well above her own head... - ''Whaddya say? Mind payin' me wit' knowledge of the knights formations on the fourth floor and upwards?...'' - Argo winked, leaning on the Dark Elf.

Kizmel sighed in understanding - ''Oh, so it's that sort of business. Very interesting.'' - Kizmel moved, and the smaller girl lost her balance momentarily, as she moved over to Asuna and Koharu, pulling the two girls into a weird impromptu hug...

''Oh! But other than that, I'm a big sister to these three here!'' - She would've pulled Kirito into the hug too... but he'd moved out of her reach when he realised her game. Kizmel let out a soft laugh... - ''What a coincidence... so am I!'' - Argo's expression went through the motions, before settling on a quiet look that any man in the room would've noticed was that of impending doom...

The group formed a line, near the wall - Kirito going first, at the request of Asuna, followed by Argo, Koharu, Asuna and Kizmel, the group landing behind a pile of crates.

Thump. The smallest of them landed first, and Argo took cover behind an extruded part of the wall. Koharu was next, landing as gently as she could, and immediately hiding behind some boxes.

Koharu looked around, they really were behind enemy lines now, and there was no room for error here. She took a leaf out of her partner's book, and counted how many Forest Elves she could see - twelve of them, and Lind, the leader of the DKB, who looked less like a leader, and more like the grunt tasked with the most boring job possible. A soft thud, as Kizmel reached the ground, and the group took cover behind a large number of boxes left there. If they were on time, they'd have just short of fifteen minutes to get those orders, and get out, before the actual fighting started. None of them were particularly happy at either Kibaou or Lind for that, but both had to contend with elements of their guilds that were just spoiling for a fight anyway, and that this collision of paths happened to be a brilliant excuse for them. Despite that, the two leaders had reassured the group that they'd be ensuring their members only fought the actual enemy, and not other players. None of them fully believed that, even for a second, but it was at least a bit reassuring that they had actually thought about that, Koharu thought to herself. Even so, she couldn't contend with the idea that she could be, admittedly indirectly, responsible for any player deaths. She'd never forgive herself for that, as so she spoke to Kizmel - ''Kizmel, there are humans amongst the guards. I know I have no real right to ask this, but we want to avoid battle. Even if they turn their blades on you, please don't harm them.''

''A strange request. If they aid the enemy, then surely they will not show us similar mercy. Surely this logic holds true, even if they are your own kind?'' - Koharu really wished Jet was here... he'd be able to give Kizmel some eloquent speech about how they could show they were better than them, and how not harming them was a sign of a far nobler warrior, or something to that effect. She went to explain how if they died in game, they'd die in real life... before realising that the same was true for Kizmel, and any number of the Forest Elf soldiers they'd fought over the past two weeks. Koharu decided on her words - ''Kizmel, I realise that, but as heroes, we need them to continue onwards. Even just losing one of them could cause us to fail in our goals.'' - Those words had sounded far less ridiculous in her head, admittedly, but Kizmel seemed to understand them, or the look that Koharu failed to hide. That of a younger sibling trying desperately to get their elder sibling to do something... ''Hm, long ago, when we were attacked by wild wolves in the forest, Tilnel begged me to spare the life of their pup.'' - Kizmel's reminiscing ended, as she refocused. - ''I suppose... I will avoid fighting humans, if at all possible.'' - Koharu smiled towards the Dark Elf, as Argo looked astonished at what she was seeing...

''I believe we should split into two groups.'' - Kizmel took over the role of the group's strategist, a role that made sense, given she was an actual knight.

''The orders are in the commander's tent, right?'' - Asuna asked.

''Likely so, yes.''

''Argo, Koharu and Asuna will take the tents. You'll have to help them with the whole 'of the night' thing though, Asuna's hiding level isn't very high.'' - Asuna shot her partner a glare, almost challenging him to speak for her once more.

''Which is why ya bought me then... usually Kii-boy, it'd violate my personal code to help others on their quests...''

''But you're their big sister, aren't you?'' - Argo's apprehension became non-existent. - ''Well, now ya got my hands tied...''

The trio darted off into the night, as the girls took cover behind a tent. In front of them, two Forest Elves, both watching for movements in the camp... both were on the same level as Kizmel, so alerting them would almost certainly be a very bad idea. Argo took the initiative to distract them, throwing a pebble into the nearby bushes. The rustling of the bushes forced the guards to investigate, and the girls entered the first tent...

Inside it, the Forest Elf Commander painted a rather poor picture, if you'd asked any of them. It was only 9pm, and here was their commander, drunk, and fast asleep, with the orders left out on the table... a bit too convenient, possibly. As the tallest of the group, and therefore, as the one with the longest reach, Asuna was nominated to recover the scroll. She hid as well as she could near the table, and began rolling the scroll as gently as she could, hoping the commander was a very heavy sleeper... ''Gently... gently...'' - INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS! - yelled one of the sentries, causing the commander to jolt back to the land of the living, and race past the hidden girls, taking the scroll with him...

The look of annoyance on all three faces quickly dropped with the next words they heard - ''Those aren't Dark Elves...'' - Koharu hoped they hadn't discovered Kizmel and Kirito... until a wave of dread swept over all three of them.

''AINCRAD LIBERATION SQUAD! CHARRGEE!''

To his credit, Lind at least actually looked surprised at that. As Kirito thought that, he realised that might have been because they were in fact 12 minutes early, and the yelling was loud enough to be heard by both Jet and Rain, nearly a mile away.

The girls quickly came up with a plan - the commander was now handing off the scroll to one of the Forest Elf Knights, which meant that knight would be fleeing, probably in the other direction to the fighting. Argo rigged a trip wire where she hoped the knight would race through...

The Knight sprinted towards them at full speed, before tripping over... the trip wire had worked, and the knight, for reason unexplained, decided that fighting his assailants head on would be the best idea.

''For my commander... I will not be bested by humanfolk!'' - The knight charged the girls, fighting as well as he could to defend against their attacks, but to no avail, when all three were working in unison, and eventually, the fight was over, as the knight fell back into a tent pole, causing it to collapse on top of him. The knight disappeared, amongst a tangled mess of canvas and metal. The trio found the scroll fairly quickly, but not before it's rather aggrieved occupants came at them with full force. Unlike the knights, these elves seemed at a far lower level, being around their level, rather than the elite mobs that were the knights. Even so, three of them were still a force to be reckoned with.

The first enemy caught Koharu by surprise, breaking her away from the group, and forcing her to fight on even ground, a situation she'd rather not have found herself in. Still, she remembered Jet and Kirito's lessons about PvP combat, and assumed they'd be roughly similar when fighting these guys. Step one... keep calm, and think it through rationally. Step two... move responsibly, make as few superfluous movements as possible. Step three... wait for a chance to counter, and take it!

With that in mind, the soldier raced forwards, blade extended. Koharu parried the larger blade, forcing it vertically, and breaking the clash. She pulled her blade downwards, impacting the elf, and sending them staggering backwards. A swift thrust from her rapier knocked the assailant down, and the familiar death animation became visible, as Koharu headed back towards Argo and Asuna, both of whom were finished dealing with their respective adversaries.

''Hopefully, that didn't get their attention...'' - Argo hoped. Though even she was aware that it would take a special kind of stupid to not notice the destroyed tent, the four dead elves, and the clanging of swords...

To say the scene they found wasn't pretty would be an understatement. Both leaders were arguing with such ferocity that Koharu doubted they were acting, and possibly forgetting that they were trying to stop an all out war between the guilds... not cause one! Watching the scene, she was beginning to understand Jet's attitude towards them... they really were being children!

''GO ON, GIT LOST!''

''This is our base camp! You 'git lost'!'' - Lind mocked back.

''THAT AIN'T MY PROBLEM! Just abandon yer quest!'' - Neither of them noticed the group, or the looks of complete exasperation from them.

''WHY?! SO YOU LOT CAN MONOPOLISE THE INFO ON THE LABYRINTH AND BOSS ROOM?!''

''I COULD SAY THE SAME O' YOU! Y'all were rushing through this quest to get the info reward, and din't tell us squat about it! Just because ya ain't got any honour in ya bones, don't assume we're the same way moron!''

''WHAT'D YOU SAY ABOUT ME!?'' - Koharu was fairly certain she'd just seen Lind pop a blood vessel at that insult. If it hadn't been obvious they weren't acting before... it was now. Both sides were facing off, blades drawn, and neither showed any intentions of backing down...

''Are tensions always this high?'' - Kizmel asked.

''Not normally, no.'' - The girls re-joined the Dark Elf and the swordsman, trying to keep out of sight of anyone else. ''You got the orders?''

''You doubted us?'' - For the second time today, Asuna looked ready to maim her partner.

''No, but I would like to get out of here before this turns very ugly...'' - The group made for the wall,

''Agreed. Let's hope the other two managed their objectives...''

The forest outside the camp, at the same time (19:54pm)

For the past ten minutes, Jet had barely made a sound, other than breathing, and the occasional grunt in frustration. Rain couldn't say she knew Jet all that well, but even to her it was obvious that he was taking their failure to heart, and almost certainly beating himself up over it internally.

''Jet?''

''Hm, I'm fine.'' - He spoke bluntly, shutting that alley of conversation.

''You think everyone else achieved their aims?'' - She asked again, hoping to at least break the silence.

''Hopefully.'' - Jet made it known he wasn't in a talking mood.

The redhead lowered her head, and spoke quietly, almost as if she didn't want anyone to hear her - ''I'm sorry.''

''Why.'' - That hadn't so much been a question, as it was a statement. None of this had been Rain's fault at the end of the day...

''I should've been able to stop Morte from getting away. I didn't fight well enou-''

Jet silenced her - ''Rain, shut up. You fought as well as you could. Not your fault that Morte is cunning, and it's not your fault that I should've realised he'd try and flee. I'm just dreading what the generals have to say.'' - Jet sneered at the thought.

''Huh? What generals?''

''Lind and Kibaou. I was trying to mock them then.''

''Oh, right. We're nearly here though, so...'' - The pair stopped, and waited for a few seconds, to see the other group returning, evidently more successful than they'd been, with the order scroll in Kirito's hand.

Unsurprisingly, the first thing noted with Jet and Rain was the lack of a Morte with them.

''Guess you couldn't capture him then?''

''Bastard slipped through our grasp, I did beat him in a duel though, and got some more info on him for you, Argo.'' - Jet pulled up his menu, and sent Argo the info he'd gathered on Morte

''Even when ya fail, yer still useful!'' - Argo tried to lighten the mood. She failed.

''Neither of you hurt?'' - Both shook their heads.

''Nah, mine's at 88%, Rain's at full.''

''Good. I believe the commander will be satisfied with what we've achieved... after all, it is a rare occasion for humans and elves to be so brazen in their thieving attempts...''

''Well, there was the guy who tried to steal the Jade Key?'' - Koharu bought up the incident a few days ago, as Jet held his head into his hands.

''Yeah, but he learnt his lesson fast enough...'' - Jet wished they wouldn't remind him of that. Posing as a wounded enemy soldier to infiltrate their camp, then steal a valuable artefact? Well, that just wasn't cricket. Of course he taught said Forest Elf a lesson...

Unknown date, unknown time - Floor 3, Aincrad?

Jet raced outside, he could've sworn he'd heard his partner scream? Wait... the camp morphed into green fields, as far as the eye could see. Why was he back on the Plains, when he was on Floor 3? Had some joker used a crystal on him whilst he was asleep... if so, he'd be having words with them afterwards. Many of them banned from being aired on television...

He looked around the Plains, to see a familiar hooded villain, grinning more so than before, and with a grin more sadistic than before, with a less familiar man stood next to him. Tall, possibly approaching 6 foot, and definitely not Japanese, wearing a black poncho, Jet thought he'd seen him before. Wait... he HAD seen him before! Only a glance in a moment, and then he thought nothing of the man, but now? Both men stood over a defeated Rain, grinning like Cheshire cats... ''The Knight of the Wind... a hurricane blasting through Aincrad. Tell me good knight... do you ever look back? Over your shoulder, at the storm you bring? See those you inspire...'' before the taller one's cleaver struck the girl's throat... SLASH and she disappeared. Jet began to lose control, spacing out, and running towards them, but even in that state, he'd noticed that she hadn't disappeared as normal. There was no disintegration effect, simply... ceasing to be. ''Those who will fight by your side, till death do you part...'' - the bastard lifted the limp Koharu off her knees, and swung. SLASH. Again, no disintegration effect... - ''Those who fight for their ideals, no matter the consequences...'' - The sick bastards executed their next two hostages, Kirito and Asuna, neither of whom made any effort to fight back, and they met the same fate. SLASH. SLASH.

Jet raced towards her, but no matter how fast he ran, he stayed at a constant distance, watching helplessly as his sister, a person he'd spent his life with, who, despite their differences, he'd fight to the end of the Earth for, be dragged upwards, showing no signs of her usual rebellious streak... ''Those who lost themselves, for you...'' - SLASH, and meeting the same fate, before he collapsed onto the ground, sobbing

''Please... just kill me.'' - Jet had no reason left to live. They'd won. Everyone he cared for had ceased to exist, and he couldn't carry on. He wouldn't...

''And those who will come for you.'' - The two men towered over their defeated victim, as the two men grinned sadistically, raising him up and exposing his throat. With any luck, this'd be quick, and he wouldn't be forced to suffer...

''Are you terrified yet?'' - The man in the poncho asked, enjoying the view of his defeated opponent in such a vulnerable position

''Always have been.'' - And those were his final words, as the cleaver tore into his throat, ending his life...

December 17th, 2022, 03:08am - Floor 3, Lyusulan Camp

Koharu looked down on her partner's sleeping form, as he jolted around, occasionally muttering the word 'please' in a tone that sounded like begging. She did the only thing she could think of, and took hold of his hand, and hoped he'd wake up soon. - ''You aren't alone, I hope you know that. I won't ever leave you.'' - She spoke softly to her unconscious partner, as he continued tossing and turning. She'd had restless nights before, and night terrors weren't new to her, but whatever Jet was suffering from - it was absolutely awful to see, and on occasion, his face would scrunch up in horror.

Moments later, Jet shuddered violently back to consciousness, sweat drenching him and the blanket, and nearly head butting Rain, who was standing over him. - ''You're alive? YOU'RE ALIVE!'' - Jet leant up, and before his mind had told him his next course of action was a terrible idea, he had already kissed Rain on the forehead, who had basically locked into place, trapped inside her own mind momentarily, and was leaning over to his partner, who didn't exactly seem too unhappy at his gesture, though her face gave away precisely how surprised she was.

''I... uhhh, sorry. May have gotten carried away there, umm... I'm glad you're both alive!''

''Why wouldn't we be?'' - Both girls looked very confused at that statement. Nothing had changed since earlier, had it?

''Uhh, no reason. Just something that happened in my dream. On that note... why were you sat around me?'' - The incredibly sweaty Jet tried his best to hide any details about the nightmare he'd just had, not that it would work, given his partner was still holding his hand tightly. It wasn't working particularly well, as both Koharu and Rain gave each other concerned looks.

''You were shaking about in your sleep. First, I thought you were just being a pain in bed, then Rain noticed you were mumbling, and well, you didn't look particularly comfortable.'' - Koharu omitted the part of her reassuring Jet whilst he was asleep.

''I... yeah, I'm fine now.'' - Jet gave an unconvincing smile - ''See? Back to myself. Nothing to worry about.''

''Jet, if you are having nightmares, you can tell us what they're about. My mom always used to say that a problem shared, is a problem halved...''

''Just... something that Morte said got into my head, and this'' - Tap Tap Tap - ''noggin' of mine made it into something far worse than it should've been.'' - His partner picked herself up, and kissed Jet on the forehead, before wishing him a goodnight. Rain looked a little... actually, he really wasn't sure what she looked like right now. Her eyes were showing a sadness he'd often seen in himself, whenever he'd bothered to look in a mirror, but she was smiling, with what was possibly a genuine smile. Great - he thought - one more thing to add to this clusterfuck of a life...

Later that morning...

The commander of the Dark Elves had apparently been working all night to translate the document for them - code for 'I got a load of my subordinates to do it, so I could sleep', Jet suspected. - ''I'm glad you are all here. We understand you human warriors are here to defeat the Guardian of the Labyrinth - Nerius the Evil Treant. A creature said to be so poisonous, that none of the group that sealed the beast survived. We understand from these orders that a group of Forest Elves had been dispatched as a reconnaissance mission, but obviously, we do not know of their findings, or even if they survived their encounter. Sadly, we cannot provide you with troops or weaponry, but we would like you to take these potions, as a token of our gratitude over the past two weeks. Please know this, you will always be welcome amongst us Lyusulans, especially you three - Jet, Koharu, Rain. Godspeed to all of you.'' - The commander held his hand to his chest, in a salute, with everyone present responding in kind.

''Thank you commander, we will keep that in mind.'' - Jet spoke, almost with the rehearsed nature of a soldier, rather than his usual informal way of speaking.

''Kizmel, I guess this is where we part ways?'' - Koharu looked almost on the verge of tears, at the thought of breaking away from Kizmel. The past two weeks had given her an experience of something she'd never had before, an older sibling. Someone to look up to, and to help her when she was struggling. Jet noticed, and placed a hand on her shoulder, flashing a small smile to her.

''I believe it is, yes. But if I know one thing, it is that we shall meet again... and hopefully in more peaceful circumstances. Jet, Koharu, Rain... may the Gods look kindly on your endeavours.'' - Kizmel performed a salute to the trio, as they repeated the gesture.

''To you too Kizmel, we'll see you again. I don't know where, and I don't know when, but I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.'' - Koharu glanced at Jet in surprise, having recognised the tune he was repeating. ''Call that our promise to you, after everything you've done for us!'' - Rain seemed a lot more upbeat now.

''Thank you, all of you. I only wish we could assist you more in the upcoming battle... but I have faith in you all. I am truly honoured to have met humanity's best warriors, and with representatives like you, I am optimistic for our futures. Good luck, all of you.'' - Jet saluted again, before the group walked outside, Koharu finally letting tears out after holding it in...

''Sorry, sniff, I'm not good with goodbyes...'' - Jet pulled a handkerchief from his inventory, and handed it to his partner.

''Nor am I, Koharu, but we aren't saying goodbye to her, I'd put money on us seeing her again before too long. Would I be right, Kirito?''

''Uhh, I have no idea. Honestly, you two have managed to go so far off the actual plan for that quest, that I actually have no idea what might happen now!''

''Huh. That's... kind of awesome.'' - Jet seemed surprisingly thrilled at that.

''We've managed to break the quest?''

''Well, no, it still works, but... we didn't have half of the interactions with our Dark Elf than you two did with Kizmel. They died during the first battle, that was how soon you two actually changed the course of the quest.''

''So... we're carrying on this completely blind?''

''Yes you are.'' - Jet made note of the expression of excitement on Kirito's face, and rolled his eyes. Asuna had also took notice of the expression, and was currently dragging him by his ear, for an aside... Both Koharu and Jet fought back laughter at the not-quite-a-couple's antics, and Rain was still smiling, before she spoke...

''Jet, Koharu... thank you.''

''You're welcome... what for?''

''For saving me back there, and for letting me join your group. Treating me like a friend, and not some hanger on.''

''It really is nothing, Rain. You saved my life back on the Plains, so I owed you a favour anyway. Don't constantly think you're a burden on someone, especially when you're more of an asset to them.''

''What's bought this up, Rain?''

''I... I'm not ready for the boss fight, not yet anyway. I want to get stronger, and then I'll rejoin you.''

''I understand. Rain, thank you. For that night-'' - Jet heard Asuna and Kirito splutter, much like a straight six engine firing on only one cylinder. They really had picked a bad time to rejoin the conversation... - ''What were you three doing in that tent?!'' - Asuna screamed, feigning horror at the debauchery she'd just heard... or made up in her head to mess with the duo. Who was to say which one it was... she certainly wasn't going to.

''Sleeping. What about you two...'' - Oh, if that was the game she wanted to play... he had six sisters. She wouldn't stand a chance...

''Oh don't you dare insinuate that about us! I barely even like him like that, and even if I did... I certainly wouldn't be doing THAT in a tent!'' - Jet gave the most smug grin he could manage, especially as she'd just admitted she did have some feelings for the swordsman, a thought that made Kirito's mind wander, and Asuna became a brighter red than her skirt, as she realised what she'd said...

''Rain, thank you. For... everything, for last night especially. Meant a lot to me, even if I was trying to hide it. You ever need us, just shoot us a message, and we'll be there faster than Kirito and a glitch - ''HEY!'' - ''Snrk.'' - ''Jet...'' - ''Yeah, alright. Still, point stands. Rain...'' - The trio hugged, and as they broke apart, Jet saluted the redhead.

''Proshchay, Rytsar' Vetra!'' - Rain cheerfully said, as she walked off, tears in her eyes...

''Dosvedanya, Rain.'' - Jet waved towards the redhead, as she teleported away. He was hoping that last night hadn't caused too much discomfort between them, as admittedly, he had turned round and kissed both of them. Not in a romantic way, but that didn't really matter. It was still very easy to cause someone discomfort that way, hence why he never did it. That nightmare last night though, had properly screwed him up. He just hoped his partner wouldn't dig too deeply into that when they were alone... he couldn't face that prospect. Having watched someone he loved die a brutal death, and being able to do nothing to stop it. Fortunately for him, he was interrupted by said partner... - ''What did she just say?''

''Either 'Goodbye, Knight of the Wind' or 'Goodbye, Windy Knight'. Could be either, but...'' - Jet showed how poor his Russian was with that translation.

''I'm calling you that from now on, Windy Knight!'' - Koharu was fighting off laughter, and failing miserably, as Jet began laughing himself.

''Laugh it up, Koharu... one day, I'm gonna have a nickname for you too...'' - Jet teased...

''I believe I already have one... or more. Beautiful, gorgeous, clever, the better of us two... take your pick!'' - Koharu wore a very self satisfied grin, whilst her partner gave her a knowing look... - ''And you say I have an ego sometimes... look at you blowing your own trumpet!'' - The other two, still listening in, both did a spit take at that one.

''Yeah, the only thing you two did in that tent was sleep...'' - Asuna winked with a comically exaggerated expression towards the two of them, getting her own back for earlier. Koharu had turned crimson, and was sputtering out nonsense in an attempt to convince Asuna that she most definitely had gotten the wrong end of the stick, whilst Jet, who was hanging back slightly with Kirito, cringed at the implication. ''It's always gonna be like this, isn't it?'' - Kirito asked, watching the two girls. Anyone would've mistaken them for siblings right now, he thought...

''Nah, it won't, always best to enjoy it whilst you can though. Never knew when something could change.'' - Jet commented morosely, remembering his nightmare.

''Who are you, and what did you do with Jet?'' - Kirito asked the stranger that looked suspiciously like his friend, with a look of shock on his face...

''Heh, I've got to act my age sometimes, ya know...'' - And with that, the four carried on towards Zumfut, to rendezvous with the clearing group for the strategy meeting.

{Author's Comments}

And we're rapidly approaching the end of Floor 3, and the first act of the Elf War. Good god, this went on longer than I thought it would... again. Seriously, I'd planned this to take three chapters, not six... but I felt this worked better, and the pace felt less off than had it been just three chapters.

I think I did better with the fight scenes in this part than the last, but that's just me personally. I'd love to know what people think of them, and if they agree with me, or disagree.

Also, yes, I realise the pun in the title doesn't work, but... eh.

As usual, follow, favourite, review, PM, whichever you want.

Next Chapter - Boss: Nerius the Evil Treant - coming 24th November.