A/N: Floor Five, love it - also where I used the Light Novel as a reference to events... I never want to do that again. My poor choices aside, Review Time.
To MeMyselfAndI82907: I'm not refuting that, I based half the new Katana Skills off Breathing Styles, so that's a given. As for my 'ominous' messages, you have much to learn of my sadistic need to toy with the emotions of my readers.
And for your comment about you being the only consistent commenter, first, I never get tired of hearing from anyone. Second, I don't tend to push the matter of comments, favorites, etc. So long as people enjoy my work, I'm content. Though I greatly appreciate it.
Enjoy.
|Dec. 27th, 16:00|
|Sword Art Online, Floor 5, Town of Karluin|
Under the dark night sky fading into shades of indigo, violet, and orange, two wandering players, a Shinobi and a Scarlet Warrior walked the misty, cracked road toward the fabled town of Floor Five, Karluin. Artorias herself wore a black, sleeveless tunic with a high-collar and V-neck, her stomach exposed as the fabric extended into a tailcoat bobbing halfway down her legs. A grey outline matched the belt strapped below her chest.
The chest was red at the sides and between the grey straps, a red triangle formed in the middle of the fabric, the rest black. Her shoulders were bare but she wore fingerless gloves and a metal bracelet with rubies dotting the material on each wrist.
Her waistbelt was fixed with a belt similar to the one under her chest, fitted over her tailcoat, and sitting just below her belly button and around her black shorts. Artorias' thighs were exposed halfway, a pair of black socks. Last were her red boots covering half her shins, platted at the front with a black strip down the middle, steel-capped with grey soles.
The path leading to Karluin had a number of square stone blocks scattered throughout due to the lack of any visual cue delineating the boundary of the town's safe area.
Karluin was a town built in the center of a huge swath of ruins covering the southern end of the floor, giving the impression of a settlement of newly-arrived people reusing a fallen city of centuries past. Crumbling buildings made of darkened stone blocks dotted the town, while its center was full of leather and canvas tents that bustled with chaotic liveliness on the dark cobblestone paving.
To the east was an old, ruined castle, and about fifty meters away from the Teleport Gate plaza to the north was a large, crumbling ruin in the middle of another large plaza. In the center of the dark and damp ruin with thick stone walls, the main entrance to the catacombs beneath the town could be found.
"I heard the whole 'endless night' thing was moved to another floor due to bugs with the lighting system," Artorias commented as her hand touched the Teleport Obelisk in town, the route for two former testers easily remembered.
"I liked the endless night..." Nagi whined as she flicked his forehead in passing, people beginning to warp through almost immediately. They had split ways with Kirito and Asuna, the pair exploring as they decided to take a break for a while in town. "Aw well, there's still one thing to do in the outer ring,"
Artorias's brow quirked, "That is?"
"Treasure Hunting!" He proclaimed, not realizing he had drawn the eyes of another player from the plaza. "It's a lot of fun, we need to head somewhere first if we wanna take part, good thing Argo reminded me, I kinda forgot."
Artorias deadpanned, "She'd charge me 500 a pop for that kind of info..." Then her head cocked to one side. "Uh, think you have someone stalking you?"
"Hm?" Nagi spun around on his heel, coming face to face with a person under a blue hooded cloak that only went down to her lower back. "Hello, um why are you stalking me?"
"Huh? I was - grah, sorry-sorry, I wasn't trying to be suspicious!" 'She' panicked, throwing her hood back while revealing her name but putting a hand to her chest.
She had short, dandelion hair and ocean blue eyes. Other than her hood and leather barding she wore a blue crop jacket revealing her shoulders with a skin-tight blue fabric around her torso that overlapped with her black skirt and belt, a pair of shorts underneath. Black thigh-high socks and hard leather boots, attached to her hip were a rare weapon; A sword-breaker.
/Philia\
"My name's Philia, and you're... that frontline player with the haori, right?" She cocked her head a bit until Nagi nodded.
"Nagi, and beside me is Artorias," The redhead nodded silently. "Did you need something?"
That's when a glint appeared in Philia's eye, "You said something about treasure hunting, what kinda stuff is hidden on this floor?" The girl hopped back proudly with a grin. "I may lack the skill to fight on the frontlines, but I make quite the killing in treasure finding, rare items, anything that's hard to get,"
"Really? That's pretty impressive since we're only five floors up," Nagi complimented, rubbing his nape. "I'm not much for finding relics and stuff, maybe... we can partner up for a bit, we still have someone to meet with later,"
Philia's expression brightened, "Really!? Sure, I don't mind, more the merrier, right?" She beamed, chatting away with Nagi as their glowing auras began to irritate Artorias's eyes, making one twitch.
"Ugh... how can two people radiate this much positivity?" It baffled her to no end, forcing her to turn away.
Nearest to the edge of Karluin, and the floor itself, Nagi came running back from another street to where Philia and Artorias awaited his return. Both were confused to find him carrying three baked goods in a cardboard box. "Hah, hah... okay, I have them!" He held up the box as it sparked. "Blueberry Tarts from 'Brick and Brink', English is a little tricky to understand though!"
Both drew blanks, three dots expanding from their temples. "Uh... what?" Artorias's face flinched.
"Yeah, I don't get it," Philia shared that perplexion, handed a blue pastry topped with the aforementioned fruit delicately.
"What's special about Floor Five is how easy it is to make some extra Col or find treasure and drops even within the town, but the key is to buy one of these before they sell out, poor guy in Beta took too sharp of a left entering and ran right off the edge of Aincrad, yikes," Nagi held his up, "Enjoy!"
Without much more intel to go off of, the pair shrugged and enjoyed their baked treat, humming at the sweet flavor that flooded their mouths. The snack mysteriously gave their body a tingling pale blue glow, leaving a buff in its place, the icon of an open green eye. "What the hell's 'Cat's Eye'?" Artorias was the first to comment.
"Oh-oh, look!" Philia jumped on the spot, running over to a wall where she procured a small, silver coin lodged in the brickwork, the glow dissipating in her hand. "An old coin?"
Artorias's star-gleamed eyes spun to Nagi's lucid smile, the boy already holding up his own aged bead necklace, "For the next hour, we have the ability to spot treasure in the town; anything from items to sell for Col, to accessories, even items," He waved his arms invitingly. "So have fun!"
"Heh, I never knew that..." Artorias smirked, a fire at her back as she raised a fist. "Alright then! Let's make bank!"
"Yeah!" Philia and Nagi high-fived behind him.
Their adventure began with Artorias charging toward a doorway to a derelict house, kicking the door off the hinges with a yen twinkle in her eyes like a familiar Rat, seeing the glowing trinkets dotting the abandoned room in the dark like stars. "Oooohohoho, come to papa!" She threw and tossed almost anything that wasn't nailed down, procuring only the most valuable things to sell.
Nagi sweatdropped, inching away from the building, "I think he's a little too enthusiastic..." Behind him, Philia was checking barrels and crates in the alleyways, making cute audible noises when she found something she liked. "Never did much treasure hunting on this floor..." His mind clouded with fog as to why.
The samurai stood tall, clasping his now elongated sword in both hands at its right, practically twice the size of the boss. Not taking any chances, Nagi rushed in with a lunging strike, slashing with 'Whirlwind Strike' and two follow-up swipes that were quickly deflected, to his horror, not a single point of damage was taken on the boss's part. Instead, it pressed the attack, striking in its high-stance twice then swinging wide, pushing Nagi to roll back from it as a thrust attack swept by his face, gouging out a portion of his torso with a blazing skill.
"-agi?" Philia tapped his shoulder, startling him from the memory with a worried look. "You spaced out, are you lagging?"
"Uh, no, sorry," His grin quickly fell into place, rolling up the sleeves of his haori. "We may not have a chance to buy those tarts again, so let's make the most of it!"
"That's the treasure hunting spirit," Philia hummed proudly, following his lead as Artorias threw a vase through a window. "Maybe... away from him?" She tacted on nervously, skidding away with Nagi.
"Probably a good idea," He soughed.
The trio scoured the ruins of Karluin vigorously with Artorias laughing maniacally, holding her right hand up wearing a gemstone ring on each finger, red, green, blue, purple, and yellow with a glove bearing another keystone that was orange. "Ahahaha! I have all the power in the woooorld!"
Nagi fell out from behind a tarp, his head stuck inside a wide, white helmet shaped like an onion, his panicked eyes visible through a tiny slit in the helmet. "It's really echoey in here!" He groaned, stumbling headfirst into a post, Philia chuckling at his misfortune.
For the locale treasure hunter, she wore a few necklaces and charms but held up a pair of glass slippers before blowing a raspberry with a most disinterested expression, "Who would ever wear glass shoes? Pass," They shattered almost instantly.
After the hour was spent on their buff, the trio sat their hauls down on a bench, out of everyone, Philia had the largest sack of goods given she left no stone unturned. Nagi held the second most, and beside him with the smallest bag was Artorias, although the value of his relics would compensate for that loss of mass.
"Well, I think this was a success," Nagi stated, depositing his loot into his inventory. "Me and Artorias need to make a detour so I guess we'll part ways - oh, and make sure to visit a merchant that can appraise your relics!"
Philia did the same, nodding thankfully, "Mm, I'll see to that, thanks, and thank you again for sharing that trick with me," She scratched her head under her hood, leaning closer. "Say, you're Beta Testers, aren't you?"
"What gave it away? Our charming looks?" Artorias drawled sarcastically, making the girl roll her eyes.
"Of course... but still, that stuff they say about them all being greedy isn't true, you two are good people," Philia smiled kindly, spinning around with a sincere wave. "Well, until next time; and if you ever need help with a rare item, let me know!"
"Bye-bye..." Nagi waved with Artorias flicking a hand toward the girl too. Once out of sight, Nagi opened his map of the surrounding area. "In the Beta-" His words caught the redhead's attention. "-me and Argo found something, and since she's out fact-checking her guide we should see if anything's changed, it's quite close to town."
"Alright, lead the way then, boss," She shrugged, seeing Nagi stare back at her with an odd face. "What? I call anyone leading the charge that?"
"I... well it's just..." Nagi smiled stupidly, staring ahead. "No one ever calls me that, guess it just took me a second," That caused a lapse of silence, Nagi strolling forward without his companion.
"...right," She eventually moved, keeping that nugget of information to herself. "...always the kindest ones..."
Traversing a familiar street from atop the ruins, avoiding the changed monsters with higher levels than Beta, Nagi led Artorias down a particular route through the buildings, using a torch to light their way. "Where exactly are we heading?"
"To the Field Boss," Nagi replied immediately, missing the redhead's paled expression.
"You're serious...?" She was skeptical while led up a rubble slope toward a largely hidden courtyard off the direct paths. "Oh, you're serious..."
While a startling sight, something threw Nagi off. The flames were snuffed out, the faint scent of copper gone completely. Instead, something new took root in the middle of the courtyard, the mist cleared before a golden glow of candlelight. The boss was nowhere to be found.
Hopping down carefully, the pair approached the new altar of candles, burners, and other offerings to a single black blade that reflected in Nagi's eyes, the same Ninjato he claimed from the Field Boss. Knelt at the altar was Shirayuki, a new hat of hers placed on the ground where she bowed.
Artorias went to speak but Nagi held his finger to his lips, waiting for the woman to react first. Slowly, words trickled into the silent air from Shirayuki's lips, voice breaking for a moment, "Though we are apart, my duty remains unchanged, my code and blade belong to you alone... even if I feel the sway of time... I won't forget; may the suns of a hundred worlds shine,"
Shirayuki rose to her feet, turning to stare at her companions, "Oh, excuse me I was absorbed in thought; praying for those that can no longer face the corruption we do," She motioned to the many lit candles.
"We're sorry for intruding," Nagi replied.
"No-no, please, this place is but a small memorial, all are welcomed," She reassured, "I see you have brought the red warrior with you,"
"Yo," Artorias waved sharply, "Just tagging along, though here's a question, we heard there was this monster stalking this place, you seen it?"
Shirayuki shook her head, "When I arrived, the 'monster' you mentioned was already gone, leaving only this weapon behind, though from what I could gather they too were tainted by this wickedness," She sounded jaded, eyes slit. "This darkness... it will consume all, evil or otherwise, twist all forms into a nightmare to prey on the innocent,"
Nagi was hesitant to ask, tapping his chin in the thought of his choice of words, "...Shirayuki? Who... were you praying to?"
Her eyes widened a bit, looking down with a hollow sigh, laughing, "Hmm... to a warrior who saved me... a foolishly young shinobi," It was humoring to her it seemed. Under the glow of candles, her soft gaze wandered.
"It was long before we met..." She closed her eyes, and the candle flames flickered, the embers swirling to form astral figures, one of herself next to a young man. "I served a young heir; he held the qualities few men possessed, a firm belief that all can be forgiven only if one is willing to accept that evil within themself, he was young but held wisdom many couldn't find,"
The flames and smoke changed, the Heir sat on his knees, facing ahead with a startled form as Shirayuki stood forward, blade drawn toward the guards thrown back by humans warped and deformed into feral beasts. "We of House Winter were assaulted by Flame and Dusk, our mutual factions turned blade against us, malformed by their darkness,"
Scattered embers created a new sight upon the edge of a building, Shirayuki wounded, clutching her side while still holding her ground against those that crawled like ants in the dark, their screams echoing with the ring of blades. "I could not stave off this darkness, so-" The embers swayed, the Heir carried on his Shinobi's back as they leapt from the building. "-I saved whom I would die to protect, for that is my sworn duty."
The flames quelled, leaving Artorias and Nagi to face Shirayuki with her hand to her heart, head down at the candles with a forlorn expression. "...where is he now?" Nagi murmured, seeing her tense up to shake her head. "...I'm sorry," She wasn't real, or, that was how it began, but so was Kizmel and the dark elves, they too were just A.I, but the qualities they displayed were human.
"You needn't apologize, this corruption was inevitable, the curiosity of House Dusk led to their own destruction, and soon ours," Shirayuki turned to them. "We must pierce this veil before it consumes the worlds of Aincrad, or no one will tell of our memories,"
"Tch, and here I thought clearing this game would be easy," Artorias rolled her eyes, hands behind her head. "Then we find where this House Dusk is," The pair looked at him. "Think about it, if it started with them they'll not only know the most about this corruption but maybe how to stop it, right?"
"That... is a possibility," Above Shirayuki's expression of realization, her quest marker disappeared, the tab updating for Nagi. "Unfortunately, it is on the thirtieth floor, the closest is the tenth, House Flame's realm, and there is another... though it leaves my mouth quite sour thinking about it,"
"Crap," Artorias tisked.
"We'll make it there, eventually, for now, we'll just keep purifying the spread, buy us time," Nagi improvised, waving a hand out defiantly. "I know it seems almost impossible, but I know we can do it, we have the methods to push back this corruption, you gave us that, Shirayuki,"
Artorias up an arm around Nagi lazily, "He gotta point, ya think these guys could've found that underwater chamber without you?" He ignored Nagi's flat stare, pointing two fingers at the silent shinobi. "Face it, this guy's gonna go to hell and back to help ya, so suck it up, for your old master and the players willin' to follow you,"
While not the most elegant of replies, it did cause the silverette to chuckle behind her mask, pulling the fabric down to show a warm, grateful smile, her eyes hazy. "Hehehe, I suppose I cannot decline such valiant cooperation, can I?" Covering her mouth again, she dug through her pockets. "I must still tend to this grave, but thank you for listening to my tale, and for your support, my friends,"
Quest Updated!
-Path of Divine Sakura: Of Ash and Flame-
Before House Dusk, Shirayuki wishes to investigate the other faction, House Flame, located on Floor Ten. What ties do they have to the corruption...?
*Reach Floor 10 and meet with Shirayuki
Floor 10 | Reward 2500 Col | Crest of Flame
"Before you leave," She paused Nagi's words, holding out two items for the pair, despite Artorias not participating in the quest herself. "This floor is a dark, harrowing place, but where light fades, let this guide your way toward the sun," Two silver rings with a knuckle-sized yellow gemstone.
|Accessory: (G) Candlelight Ring|
"Seriously? But I haven't even helped, just kinda followed Problem Child here like a stray," Artorias prodded with her thumb, but Shirayuki insisted.
"And yet you offer such encouragement, and your prior commitment is proof of your aid," She left the ring in Artorias's palm, Nagi equipping the ring himself with a sharp bow.
"Thank you very much!"
"Y-yeah, thanks," Artorias rubbed the ring in her hand awkwardly, unsure of how to reply to such an abnormal NPC.
"The thanks are all mine, young Shinobi," She reciprocated, waving them goodbye once more.
With the end of the day, their pockets filled with Col, and their distant objective ahead, Nagi and Artorias took the time to enjoy a pleasant mixed bath. Both sat on different sides in the steam with serene expressions. "Kinda feels like I'm not stuck in some death game now..." Artorias sighed, sinking further into the water.
"Hmm..." Nagi replied silently.
Lost in the haze, Artortias raised one hand out, staring up at its delicate form, bringing it down onto her face before it sank back into the water with a frown etched into her face. She had considered it for a while but felt Nagi deserved to know. "...I like playing female characters in other games, sorta flipped between both,"
"I see," Nagi spoke up.
Artorias sat up a little, staring at her faint reflection in the water. "So when I got access to the Beta I thought I'd try seeing what it was like in a different body, experimenting, y'know?" She was blushing a bit at how embarrassing that would be to admit outside the game without being seen like some weirdo. "J-Just for fun, I'm not trans or anything!"
"Right," Nagi kept his replies short, listening intently. "And?"
"Huh?" Her brow quirked.
"The body, what's it like?" He inquired as Artorias cocked her head, grinning mischievously as she groped her own chest, though Nagi couldn't see it.
"Pretty smoking body... plus my flexibility's much better, though my back aches a little," She rambled, listing off with her fingers. "It's honestly weird, hence why it was just an experiment, then..."
"You were glitched," Nagi didn't know the full story but there was no other explanation.
"Tch, more like a curse... I just wanted to not be me for a small moment," Artorias hung her head, splashing the reflection away. "How ironic..."
There wasn't much for Nagi to say. He had his body in all the right places, but Artorias? He was trapped in his avatar, unable to change while either keeping his mouth shut to avoid ridicule or rumors about him being someone he's not. For the last two months, he's endured all of this without any relief, Argo was his only chance at a solution.
"'Ever need another sword, I gotcha covered'," The repeated words pulled Artorias's head up from his reflection to the genuine smile on Nagi's face through the bath's mist. "You said that, so in exchange, I said I'd help you find a solution, me and Argo; remember?"
"I..." They did shake on that. Artorias had been a solo player all this time, almost never interacting with players outside of requests, when she did, Diavel died. Her fingers dug into her biceps, relaxing as her hand brushed her wet locks back. "You really think you can find a solution? Honestly?"
"Yep!" It came out so easily despite his inquisitive chin tapping. "Although I have no idea where to start I'm sure we'll figure something out, plus, better to be with people you can count on than to do this alone,"
Artorias leaned back again, staring up at the ceiling with a stupid smile. "That's right, he's the kind of person who'd make friends even when it seemed stupid or a waste of time," His mind wandered to Philia, Shirayuki, Klein, they all trusted Nagi completely. "Sorry, I just have trouble taking people on their word,"
"That's okay, I want to earn your trust," Nagi replied, blushing sheepishly. "Though taking a mixed bath despite you being a guy is still kinda strange with that avatar, hehehe."
"How do you think I feel? I have to deal with guys hitting on me, ugh," She shivered, keeping her grin as they shared a laugh. "Can't say I blame 'em, this is a pretty sweet avatar..."
While the pair laughed off their worries, Nagi's message tab remained open, a short message to Argo was declined for she was within a dungeon. That was nearly half a day ago.
To Be Continued...
A little bit of fun and development before the storm, and a small cameo from Philia too. If you don't know, Floor 10 is home to that snake samurai boss from Ordinal Scale, but with my changes that wizard-lizard will show up later in the story. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Players!
017 - Orange Player
Argo is missing in the dungeon below Karluin. Artorias and Nagi attempt to find her, but someone else lurks in the dark...