Sword Art Online: Clashing Blades

Sword Art Online: Clashing Blades is a fanfiction story written by user Ishi.



Overview
The story is centered around Ishi, and his battle against the notorious Player Killer, Yamato.

Prologue
Left side. He’s going to strike my left side. He’s trying to trick me into thinking it’ll be an overhead swing. I’m not falling for it. He raises his sword, and I can see the flinch he makes when he’s about to make the move. I’ll slide my blade under it, push it over my head. That’ll let me grab him with Gilgamesh and punch him into the ground. I can finish him off there.

I planned that all out before the level 42 Dark Knight I was facing had even finished his move. I see his blade suddenly switch direction, and come at my left side. I do just as planned, sliding my blade under his, redirecting it over my head, before rushing up and grabbing his helmet with Gilgamesh, not giving him an opportunity to react. I slammed him down into the ground, taking out a good chunk of his HP, as it was a good counter move, before raising Arondight overhead and slicing through his neck, finishing off the rest of his HP and causing him to shatter into multicolored shards that disappeared to reveal the battle results.

[Result]

[Exp: 50000]

[Col: 25000]

[Items: 3]

I slash my sword through the air and spin it in my hand before sheathing it onto my back.

“And that’s another boss down.” I say to myself.

I then felt my power increase again, and another screen came up.

[Level Up]

[Level 54]

“Alright.” I say, satisfied. I check my inventory to see what new items I picked up.

A really good HP Potion, a ring that increases agility which is useless for me at this point, and the rare boss drop ‘Dark Knight Slayer’.

“Huh, dropped your sword, huh?” I said. “Well should be good for selling.”

Like I needed it. Arondight was already more powerful than that thing anyway. It’s more powerful than anything I come across. I should know. I designed the thing along with my clawed gauntlet, Gilgamesh.

I look up to the sky and let out a deep sigh. I reflect on all that’s happened since the Game Master trapped all the players in here. Four months had passed since then, and I’ve only gotten to floor 10 of this damn game. Not that I couldn’t keep going, but I liked to hang back and level up on the lower floors. It was getting tougher though, finding enemies that’ll give me good amounts of exp, so soon I’d have to power level through the floors.

The highest floor anyone’s gotten to so far was floor 36, and those guys were the guys who had all the information so they could get through it faster than anyone. Everyone’s still getting used to being here, and once everyone else gets stronger, it’ll become easier to progress through the floors when a bunch of other people reach upwards in levels they’ll go by way quicker. I have work to do as well, but I prefer to work alone. I find it’s easier to work when nobody’s there to hold me back. Or to annoy me. I’ve been working alone for most of my time in SAO.

I look at the claws of the gauntlet on my left hand, seeing how the darkened metal blades shine in the sun. I retract the claws back to where they belong, fastened on the armguard, and revealing my fingers. I stare at my hand for a second before clenching it into a fist, remembering my goal.

Ever since this all started, there’s been only one thing on my mind. One motive for me to grow stronger, and advance through the floors, and then become stronger still. Murder Kayaba Akihiko. The Game Master of Sword Art Online. Not only in game, but when I get out, I’m going to kill him in real life as well. He deserves nothing less than to die. But, having murder constantly on my mind does make me hungry. Or maybe it’s because I just beat a high level boss? Eh, whatever. I was hungry either way, and I decided to head back to the third village of the floor, Talmia, to my favorite restaurant in the game.

I look back across the fields in the direction of town and take off sprinting.

Chapter 1
When I got back to Talmia I slowed down to a walk. This place was always busy. People talking about the what-not and conducting commerce. Things I never really got into. Besides the basics like food and stuff, the most I’ve ever bought were some potions and so I’m literally sitting on a whole fortune of blood money from my fallen enemies. Even then I usually get all the potions I need from them as well, so there you go.

I briskly walk through the crowds and make it to my favorite restaurant: a place called Adeline’s, run by the owner whom the restaurant is named after. Makes THE best ramen, hands down. I don’t know what she puts in it but I love it. And considering that I’ve wolfed down about 1000 bowls of the stuff since I found out about it, I can safely say it’s not poisoned and I am not slowly dying.

Well even if I were I’d be dying doing what I love.

I step into the restaurant and hear the bells chime above the door, where I am greeted by Adeline, who was standing at the front desk.

“Ah, Ishi!” She said with a warm smile. “Having the usual today?”

“Like I ever have anything else.” I say, taking a seat at an empty table next to a window.

“Alrighty, then. Coming right up!” She shuffles into the back room to make me my meal. She has to do it because she’s the only one who knows how to make it right. Others have tried. It takes a bit longer for her to make it because she has to do more to it than just make it appear out of thin air. She doesn’t have the recipe saved so she does each step individually. She’s quick, however, and she comes back with my steaming bowl of ramen and a coke, which wasn’t called coke, but it freaking is, I don’t care what you say, it’s the same damn thing.

“Enjoy!” She said as she set my meal down in front of me.

I nodded to her and immediately dug in, picking up my fork (because screw chopsticks, can’t use them to save my life) and stabbing into the noodles, because those little strings of pasta have had it too good for too long and somebody has to learn ‘em.

So while I’m merrily munching on my meal, I’m looking out the window and watching as the people of this little town went along their way, and basically just staring out into space, while I inhale my meal. Pretty soon I’m on my second bowl and then my third, because I can’t get a full stomach digitally, it’s just a momentary reprieve.

So I’m on my fifth bowl, which I can afford from all the monster murdering I’ve been preoccupied with as of late when somebody catches my attention.

“Hey! Over here!” I her a voice say.

I snap out of it and look over to see a young lady smiling at me. She had red hair and eyes to match, as well as an outfit that didn’t really give her off as a high level character. It was just a basic clothes set, didn’t look like it was meant for combat.

“Hiya!” She said.

“Do I know you?” I say plainly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, no.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Then why are you here?” I say, slurping down the rest of my fifth bowl then doing back in to drink the bowl dry.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, um… the thing is, I was kind of hoping you could help me.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I finish up and wipe my mouth off, sighing contently and thanking God that I couldn’t get fat, because I probably would be by now if this was real life.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“With what?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, the thing is…” She begins. “Well, I haven’t really worked much on leveling up, you see… I’m only a level 18.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I take a long swig of my drink and set the glass down.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What the hell have you been doing this entire time?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I’ve been running a shop. I create runes.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Aren’t runes magic? I thought this game didn’t have magic.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well this is different.” She explains. “See these runes aren’t necessarily magic. They give a skill that allows you to imbue a weapon with a certain element.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So, it’s not magic, then?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Technically no.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well what would you need my help for?” I say, finishing up my drink and calling my ramen killing spree off for now.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I need help getting to the next town over and… well you seem like you know your way around.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why would you need my help with that?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, you know…” She twiddles her thumbs a bit. “I’ve just heard that there are some PKers along the road and well… I’d rather not die just yet.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Seems like your own fault, not leveling up with the time you had.” I say, getting up off my seat and heading for the door.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Please? Pleeeease?” She pleads, grabbing my arm to stop me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If there’s one thing I hated, it was low levels begging for my help.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sorry, no.” I shrug her off, exiting the restaurant.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She follows.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Pleeeeeeeease?” She whined. “I don’t have any one else to turn to!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why not?” I say. “Don’t you have any friends?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She suddenly hangs her head low, a remorseful look on her face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I used to…” She said in a sad tone.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Well damn, now I feel awful.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh…” I rub the back of my neck. “Fine, I’ll help.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Really?” She said. “Oh, thank you! My name’s Asuka!” She held out a hand.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi.” I tell her, not taking that hand.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She dropped her arm and pouted. “You aren’t much for making friends are you?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I work alone for the most part. Don’t have anyone holding me back.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well that’s a grim way to look at things.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just don’t get used to my company, kid.” I say. “I’ll help you to the next town but after that you’re on your own.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Um. Okay.” She said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Come on.” I say, gesturing her to follow me, which she did.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We had made it out of town and it was the afternoon by the time we hit the main road that would lead us to Vespera.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Asuka followed me closely, making sure not to talk too much because I had to shut her up too many times. Talkative girl, she was. Too bad we had almost nothing in common from what I could tell.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Ishi?” Asuka quips after a time. “You mind if I ask you something?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe.” I say. “Probably.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What are you going to do once the game is finished?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Murder Kayaba Akihiko.” I say straightforwardly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” She says. “You’re going to kill him?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Wouldn’t you?” I ask. “Wouldn’t you want to kill him after trapping us here? For being responsible for the thousands of lives lost since this game’s release?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well… I wouldn’t care if he was killed… but… I can’t see myself being the one to kill him.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well you won’t have to be. I’m going to be the one to kill him.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hm…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We keep walking along the road as the sun began to set. The stars soon became visible in the sky and the moon began to shine its light down on the landscape.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh my God.” Asuka whined. “How long is this road?!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We’re almost there.” I tell her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well good. I’m tired and starving.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I abruptly stop in my tracks, leading to Asuka taking a few steps in front of me before stopping herself.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, why’d we stop?” She asks.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Someone’s here.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How can you tell?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Shush up.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look around. We were basically in a field right now, with one dirt pathway leading to the village we were heading to. We hadn’t seen a single other player on this path since we started on our way, of course I knew there were player killers here. I just couldn’t see them. They must be a type of rouge class, one that has that invisibility skill some PKers seem to love so much. Not that it’d make a difference. They need to uncloak in order to attack, and my reflexes were sharper than my sword.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sure enough, behind me, three players were in the air and coming down on me from three different angles. Quickly I bring out my blade and extend the claws of my gauntlet into position and spin around, swinging my sword at blinding speed to clash into all three of their swords in one swipe, sending them backwards and making them jump back to get some distance.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah!” Asuka jumped. “Where’d they come from?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Heh, you’re not half bad.” One of the PKers told me. “Your reflexes are pretty fast.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why don’t you get out of here? Make it easy on yourselves.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He stifles a laugh.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You kidding? Our levels are in the 50s. We can take anybody on!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Care to prove that?” I say, getting ready for a quick fight.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Heh.” The guy chuckles. “You know what? I think we should take our time with you! Come on!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">They all rush up, one at a time, but close together. Bad mistake on their part. I blink up to the leader faster than he could think and place a finger of Gilgamesh onto his chest. It was over.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Chain Lightning.” I mutter, before a powerful surge of electricity arced between each one of them instantly, bringing down more than three quarters of their HP and sending them all to the ground in a fit of muscle spasms.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I sheath my weapons and head back to Asuka, who looked shocked at how easily I took down our aggressors.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I hate player killers.” I say under my breath as I pass by Asuka. “C’mon, let’s go.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah!” She jogs up to my side. “How’d you do that?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do what?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Move that fast! I mean, I didn’t even see you take a step!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s a skill unique to me.” I explain. “I’m the only one in this game who can use it. It’s called Zero Shift.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Zero Shift?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It allows me to move at near teleportation speed. It’s pretty useful.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’d say.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s keep moving.” I say. “I’d rather we not run into any more PKers along the way.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was around midnight when we got to the village, and the streets only had a few people walking about. The streets were lit by lanterns and the full moon above us as we entered the town.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Here we are.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh, that took forever…” Asuka complained. “But thanks a lot for the help, Ishi. I really appreciate it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sure.” I say, walking past her toward the nearest inn for the night.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, wait!” Asuka ran up ahead of me to stop me. “Is it okay if I friend you?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, come on! I’m not going to pester you all the time, I promise.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But you ARE going to pester me until I let you friend me.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yep!” She nods with a gleeful smile.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, fine.” I sigh. “Not gonna get you off my back otherwise.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So I let her friend me, which made 3 people on my friends list, with Jackel and Dainsleif being the other two. No I’m not an antisocial freak, I just don’t like people.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks again!” Asuka called to me as she waved and ran around a corner.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I let out a long and heavy sigh.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What the hell did I just get in to?” I ask myself before heading to the nearest tavern.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There I rent a room for the night and head up, putting my weapons to the side of the bed and summarily crashing on said bed. I decided tomorrow I was going to head back to Talmia to do some more training around that area. I had to keep getting stronger if I wanted to finish this game.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 2
<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I slowly wake up, checking the time.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">10:48.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I lazily roll out of bed, hitting the ground with a thud, before coming to my senses and standing upright, stretching myself out and yawning. When I open my eyes again I see a small notification to my left.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Messages.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">42 of them.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I open up my inbox and see they’re all messages from Asuka. They were all ‘how do I’ questions.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Dammit, Asuka!” I shout.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I just knew this would happen.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So I wipe my entire inbox clean without reading any of them and head downstairs to pay the innkeeper before heading outside and leaving Vespera for the fields around it, figuring I’d get some morning training in. I mean, might as well. I don’t do much else anyway.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When I reach the fields I see a bunch of monsters just about my level. Should give me good enough exp and such. At least for now. They were Minotaurs, which provided a decent challenge to match their rewards.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">No problem.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I run toward the nearest one, and he quickly spots me. He snorts through his large nostrils and readies the large battle axe he wielded, ready to charge me. I don’t give him the opportunity. I jump up into the air, grabbing the small blades I have strapped around my white jacket, and throwing four of them in his direction, slamming into his head and instantly taking him down. I had caught the attention of a few others in the vicinity, and they were coming toward me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The blades I had thrown reappear in their sheaths around my jacket and I grab two of them, using Zero Shift to close the distance between me and one of my attackers, stabbing him with both blades through the stomach, not killing him, but causing an awful lot of damage. I let go of the daggers and slide back, spinning around and raising a foot, smashing his face with the heel of my shoe, sending him into the ground as his friends came in to back him up. I activate Gilgamesh, and appear in front of another Minotaur, delivering a crushing punch into his stomach that makes him cough up blood and fly a good distance away.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As yet another comes at me from behind, raising his axe up and bringing it down, I bring Gilgamesh up and grab his weapon, stopping it dead in mid attack. I draw out another small blade and pull on his axe, brining him in for me to stab him in the neck, before jumping up and clawing down with Gilgamesh, gashing into his face and down his chest, bringing is HP down to 0 and causing him to shatter. The one I had kicked earlier had recovered and was charging me, along with a friend, from both sides. They were charging me like a bull would, horns in front and trying to ram me. I draw two of my short blades and wait as they close in. At just the last moment, I jump up, letting them ram headfirst into each other, taking out a good chunk of both HP bars, before coming down and sending both my daggers into the backs of their necks, destroying the rest of their HP bars and giving me a good amount of exp for the double kill.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Ishi!” I hear a familiar voice call out.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Dammit…” I mutter as I turn to Asuka. “You know, you didn’t have to flood my inbox like that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sorry!” She says with a guilty smile. “I just don’t know much about this game.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well make some new high level friends so you can bother them with that.” I tell her. “I’m busy.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I get the feeling you don’t really like me.” Asuka realized.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re annoying.” I tell her bluntly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, thanks.” She said aggressively.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, I’m honest.” I say. “I don’t sugarcoat things; I tell it like it is.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well you don’t have to be so mean about it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hm…” I throw a rock at another Minotaur to get his attention. He charges up as I throw two blades into his legs to trip him, before Shifting up above him and stabbing downwards into his neck with Arondight, getting some more exp.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So what do you want?” I ask her as I walk back over to her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I just thought we could hang out.” She said. “I mean, I’m not doing anything better.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I am.” I say, again being brutally honest.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Is this how you treat all your friends?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, the only reason why I friended you in the first place is because you wouldn’t have stopped bothering me if I hadn’t. And you’re bothering me anyway!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well sorry!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You should be.” I gather up a bunch of pebbles and just start spinning around and throwing them randomly, hoping to attract the attention of as many of these guys as possible. And it worked!

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">6 of the Minutaurs around me come running up with their same slow and predictable attack patterns and I easily mop them up too, while Asuka just stands on the sidelines waiting for me to finish up my massacre.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just farming?” Asuka asks.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nothing else to do, really.” I say. “I’ve finished up most of the quests minus those ones that have me collecting or killing x number of y.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hm…” She pauses and looks over my shoulder. “Hey, who’s that?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Huh?” I look over to where she’s looking and see someone there. He was staring at me a distance away. He had black hair, and was wearing all black with dark brown padded boots reaching up to his knees, and a white long sleeve haori with black trim.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey!” I shout. “What’re you staring at me like that for?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He doesn’t answer. He just keeps staring at me. I shrug.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Weird.” I go back to my business, but am cut short when the guy suddenly appeared right in front of me, his hand on his sheathed katana he had belted to his side. I immediately bring up Arondight in defense as his blade slices through the air, clashing into my sword and throwing me back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh! What the hell?!” I yell, jumping back a distance.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The guy had his blade sheathed to his side, but he held onto the handle, ready to strike again. I realize then that I hadn’t even seen him draw his blade when he struck at me. It was too fast for me to see.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who are you?” I demand, getting ready to fight. “A player killer?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps.” He says in a plain demeanor. “I prefer to call myself a simple swordsman, though.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Swordsman?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He rushes me again, almost too fast for me to catch, and I shift out of the way of another strike, appearing to his side and sending my blade down on him quickly. He draws his sword, again quicker than I can see, deflecting my blow and retaliating with his own. I block his blade with Gilgamesh before shifting behind him and preparing for another strike. He was one step ahead of me, and I had to back up quick as his blade cut into my chest.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I shift away from him, keeping a defensive stance. I didn’t take too much damage from that attack, since I backed off quick enough.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi!” Asuka said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Stay out of this, Asuka!” I command her. “This guy’s way above your level.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She backs away from our fight, but keeps an eye on me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Come to think of it, he was probably above my level as well, which wasn’t good for me. It’ll be tricky taking this guy down.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re not bad.” The unknown swordsman told me. “My name is Yamato.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yamato?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Legendary Player Killer.” He said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now that rang a bell. I’ve heard rumors about the Legendary Player Killer around multiple towns. They said he was unbeatable. I never believed he even existed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why is someone like you here?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve been looking for a good fight.” He told me. “You just looked interesting.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What the hell does that mean?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">   He doesn’t answer, instead rushing up to me again. We clash blades twice before he spins around to deliver a kick which I sidestep, leaning into the momentum and spinning myself to strike with my own blade. He easily deflects the blow, and the three others I send his way before I rear up and come crashing down on him with Gilgamesh, which manages to break his guard just enough for me to swipe at his neck.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He catches my blade.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?!” I stammer, unable to believe that he had just caught my attack with his bare hand, not a single point of HP lost.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re not good enough.” He said, looking up at me with his cold light blue eyes.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He turns his blade over and slashes into me again, not letting me move out of the way this time. That brings my bar down to red as I let go of Arondight and hit the ground, cripplingly injured.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But maybe you have potential…” He mutters, throwing my sword back at me, sticking it into the ground next to me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He begins to walk away.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey!” I shout. “Where are you going?!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re in no condition to fight me anymore.” He said coldly. “Live to fight another day.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With that he kept walking away. I hated it, but he was right. He took that much out of me with just one hit, and I’m pretty sure he was holding back to keep me alive. I scowled at him behind his back as he kept walking, soon leaving my line of sight beyond a hill.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi!” Asuka rushed up to my side. “Are you alright?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.” I say, staggering up to my feet. “I’ll be fine.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We both look to where the swordsman had disappeared.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who was he?” Asuka asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know.” I answer.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Here, take this.” Asuka says, handing me an HP potion.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I take it and drink it down, returning me to half health, which was enough.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She nods. “We should probably head back to town.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, probably.” I lead the way as she follows me back to Vespera.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As we began the trek back I thought about what Yamato had said. Potential? What did he mean by that?

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When we made it back to Vespera, we decided to head to a restaurant and grab a bite to eat. And by ‘we’ I mean ‘Asuka forced me to’. One of the many downsides of not being able to advocate for myself.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We both decided on a bowl of ramen. She decided on tonkotsu style ramen while I went with Shio ramen, because this wasn’t Adeline’s and I couldn’t get the kind of ramen I level up my nonexistent Ramen Slayer skill with every time I go there. It was still good I guess, just not as good as Adeline’s.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Asuka was merrily munching down her bowl while I took mine more slowly, still thinking about what Yamato had said. It was really getting to me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey.” Asuka waves her hand. “Something on your mind?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You could say that.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What that guy told you?” She guessed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.” I sigh.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” She said, taking another bite. “I mean, I’m sure you’ll be able to get him next time.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No, he’s different.” I say. “He’s better than me… WAY better. He was just playing with me. He wasn’t even trying and I didn’t stand a chance…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Aw, don’t be like that.” Asuka said. “I know what’ll cheer you up!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look up as she reaches across the table.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“A nice big hug!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I just stare at her as she wore a big smile with her arms outstretched.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know, you’re lucky enough I’m even having lunch with you, so don’t push it.” I say, taking another slow bite of my meal.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm.” She sat back down. “Who doesn’t like hugs?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know, you’re awfully childish.” I tell her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not childish! I’m just… very optimistic is all.” She smiles.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Whatever you want to call it, it’s annoying.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So if you can’t be happy, nobody can, is that it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmph…” I look out the window into the streets, where I saw more of the same. Players talking and conducting commerce. Like I was going to see anything new.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We continued our meal mostly in silence, as Asuka figured she wasn’t going to get much out of me, since I was still lost in thought.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After we had finished up our meal, I decided to head back to Talmia and leave Asuka to do whatever it is she does when I’m not around. It’s not my business.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was late at night by the time I was halfway back, and my way was lit up by the moonlight radiating from that big white digital rock in the sky. I took it slow, in no rush to get there or anywhere for that matter. I felt the breeze roll across the plains, making the grass dance and picking up dirt from the path I was on. I stopped and looked up to the moon, its light easily lighting up the entire landscape. It was cold. Colder than usual. I didn’t like the cold, but at the same time it helped me think. It helped calm my nerves and let me see clearly. I was still thinking about what Yamato had told me, still trying to figure out the meaning of his words…

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Potential… potential for what?

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What did he expect me to become?

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 3
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">3 Weeks Later <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Slow… sloppy… uncoordinated… nope… nope... nope. Nope, nope, nope, nope.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It had been like this for the last 3 weeks. I had decided to help Asuka level up and train her in the ways of not just flailing around a sword randomly, no idea why. We were in the fields outside Talmia and I was watching her as she practiced her technique and listened to me ramble on about how she was doing it all wrong, which was actually kind of fun.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh! Dammit!” Asuka shouted. “Will you quit yelling at me?!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll stop when you get it right.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No you won’t.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re right.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She sighs heavily. “So what am I supposed to be doing exactly?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve explained it enough times.” I say nonchalantly, sitting down in the grass.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, once!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, that’s enough.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just tell me again!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I sigh and shake my head. “You’re supposed to be using your sword to perform quick and precise strikes that FLOW into each other. FLOW. Get it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No…” Asuka heaves, exhausted from all the training I’ve been putting her through.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, watch then.” I say, standing up and drawing my own sword. I slice it through the air, demonstrating how it should be done.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You see?” I say between strikes. “You need to learn how to make each move lead into the next. You need to plan at least two steps ahead at all times. You need to always know what move you’re going to make after the one you’re making, and then know the one after that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I show her how I constantly use momentum from each of my swings to add into the power of the next, and how it allows for quick strikes without as much energy as she would without chaining each move together.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Get it now?” I ask, sheathing Arondight to my back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I… think?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well get to it then.” I say, sitting back down on the grass and crossing my arms.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She brings her sword up again, letting out a long breath and cutting into the air, quickly and accurately, upwards and diagonally to the right, before redirecting the blade downward, curving it cleanly into the next swing, keeping the momentum in her strikes. She comes up diagonally left this time, before spinning and delivering one powerful downward swing.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“See how that last one didn’t need so much push to get that much power?” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah…” Asuka says. “That was… easy…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Good.” I say. “Now do it again, but with more strikes.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We go at this for a while; I teach her multiple techniques, some she gets more easily than others, while the others it takes her days to nail. But progress was steady and she was beginning to get more and more skilled, and she was starting to figure out things on her own, which meant less work for me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yay.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She was leveling up pretty quickly as well. In three weeks she went from level 18 to level 32. She had a new weapon as well. A nice straight double edged long sword like mine. Although not nearly as powerful, it still boasted some solid stats, and it was the kind of weapon she’d need for the kind of training I was putting her through.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She also took on a style change, wearing a white and red sleeveless top with a black skirt, red leggings and black shoes, as well as black gloves with runes on them, allowing her to imbue her weapon with fire, which I thought was pretty neat. But I wasn’t about to admit anything to her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We had finished up a training session and were now on our way back to Talmia for some of Adeline’s ramen, which I had gotten Asuka hooked on.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Damn, this is just so GOOD!” Asuka said with her mouth full, munching on Adeline’s special ramen.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why I always come here.” I said, taking a smaller bite of my own meal.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, I meant to ask you something…” Asuka said between bites. “You have a girlfriend?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” I ask. “No, hell no, why?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s the problem with a girlfriend?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why would I want one?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know.” She twirled her chopsticks between her fingers, because she could actually use the infernal sticks. “So you’re not alone all the time?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m fine with being alone.” I told her. “Frankly I’d rather not even be with you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Then why are you?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I shrug. “Hell if I know.” I take a sip of my drink.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A time went on without either of us saying anything, before I spoke up.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“A had a girlfriend once, actually.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, really?” Asuka seemed a bit surprised.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, but it didn’t really mean anything.” I said. “It was mainly just for fun I guess.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What? Like… sex fun?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Only once.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Does the game let you do that?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Apparently, because we did.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well that’s one way to be straightforward. Who was she?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Misaki.” I said. “I was her partner when we were in Pendragon Court together.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Pendragon Court?” Asuka asked. “That one clearer and PK eliminating guild?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s the one.” I said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You were in there?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, but I quit.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just wanted to do things my own way. There was a moral code there that I didn’t usually abide by.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah that makes sense.” Asuka took down the last of her bowl of ramen. “So where is Misaki now?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Still with Pendragon Court, I’d assume.” I said. “We were drifting apart even before I left, and when I did our relationship just ended.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh… I see.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was at this time I had finished my meal. I stand up from our table and head to the door.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m gonna head out.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Head out? Where?” Asuka inquired.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I dunno.” I shrug, exiting the building and taking to the streets.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Talmia was just about as busy as it always was. Nothing new was going on, and even if there was I really wouldn’t care all that much. It didn’t really matter either way to me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But along the road there was one thing that caught my attention. I look in the direction of unknown sounds and face down an alleyway. There I see a little girl. Couldn’t be more than 10. She was dressed in what might as well be rags, with tangled up blonde hair. She was being pestered by a higher level. Looked to be in the 40s. Couldn’t have that. I walk down the alley toward the two.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Please, just leave me alone…” The little girl was sat down against the wall, not putting up much resistance.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Low levels like you shouldn’t even be allowed to live here.” The guy flaunted. “Only the strong survive! It’s my job to weed out the weaklings like you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Real tough guy, aren’t you?” I say, catching his attention. “You get your kicks off assaulting little girls?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’d get out of here if I were you.” He said, glaring at me. “You don’t want to fight me.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Is that so?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah! So beat it, or I’ll beat you!” He glances over at the little girl, her hands raised up in futile defense. “But first, I’m gonna beat her!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Try it.” My tone got more menacing, and I gave him a stare I knew shook him, even if he tried to make it seem like it didn’t.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He made the punch. Big mistake.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I Shift up to him, grabbing his punch with Gilgamesh before it connected, raising up his arm before pulling back hard and slamming him into the wall, before quickly grabbing his head and throwing him into the opposite wall with such force it took out half his HP bar.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh! What the hell!” He shouted.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I put my hand up to Arondight. When he saw that he ran for it as fast as he could, running out of the alley and onto the streets. After a few seconds I went up to the little girl and put my hand on her shoulder.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Are you alright?” I ask gently.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She was still scared, I could tell, but she nodded slowly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s your name?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She hesitated at first, but spoke. “Cl-Claire.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Claire.” I repeat. “My name’s Ishi.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I nod, with a smile.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Th-thank you.” She said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You should probably stick to the main roads.” I suggest. “There aren’t so many of those guys as in the alleyways.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She nodded and quickly ran off back into the streets, running in the opposite direction as her attacker had. I casually walk onto the main street where I see Asuka waiting, a smile on her face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Aw, so you have a heart all along.” She teased.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Shut up.” I say, passing her by and continuing on my way. She followed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So you’re not just a sociopathic freak after all huh?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Shut up.” I repeat.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She only giggled, and stayed quiet for the rest of our walk.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was late at night and I had decided to hang out in the plains around Talmia. I was lying down in the grass on the top of a hill next to the only tree in the fields. The moon was bright and cast a white light down on the grass, making it appear a soft blue hue. I was lost in thought again. I was still trying to figure out what Yamato had said, and what he expected of me. I didn’t understand it, even after the three weeks I’ve been thinking on it. I sigh and close my eyes, feeling the cool night breeze sweep over me. It felt nice, and it helped calm me down.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, I like coming here too.” I heard a voice say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I immediately recognized the voice.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I Shift up to my feet and turn around and see Yamato leaning against the tree, looking out over the plains.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You should really keep at least part of your consciousness in the real world.” He said nonchalantly. “I could’ve easily killed you right there.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why are you here?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just checking to see if you’ve improved at all. Looks like you’ve leveled up a bit.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">True. I was a level 58 now. I wasn’t exactly power leveling though. If I had done that I’d be halfway through the 60s by now.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I glare at Yamato, but see that he doesn’t really want to fight. Which struck me as a bit odd if not awkward. I didn’t make any move to try to instigate a fight either, figuring I’d lose again. Come to think of it, now that I got a good look at him, I feel like… I knew him from somewhere. Recently.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hang on a second…” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He looks up at me. “Hm?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You were at the Alpha Tests.” I realize.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“There ya go!” He says. “Yeah, I’m an Alpha Tester, just like you are. Was in the same room as you on the same day at the same time.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You didn’t talk at all.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Had nothing to talk about.” He said coolly. “You’d know about that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I turn around and sit on the grass, overlooking the fields with Yamato. It felt really weird.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Tell me something.” I say. “What did you mean when you said I had potential?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You haven’t figured that out already?” He asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re slow.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Bite me.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well it wouldn’t really mean much if I just gave you the answer.” He said. “To truly understand it you need to find that out for yourself.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well you’re philosophical aren’t you?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sure.” He says. “Anyway, I think I’ll head out now. Not really in the mood to fight you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hm…” I murmur.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“See you around.” He says, leaving just as quickly as he appeared.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A few minutes of silence pass by before I stand up.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That was weird.” I say, looking back at the tree Yamato was leaning on. He was nowhere to be seen.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That just added more questions to it. I didn’t get why he would immediately attack me one time then just have a friendly conversation the next. It was obvious he still expected something out of me, but what that was I had no clue.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One thing I did know for sure is that the next time we drew swords I’d have to be at the top of my game to fight him. Whenever that will be. ===<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 4  ===

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So I was helping Asuka out with a quest. How she convinced me to come along I don’t know. And actually it was less helping and more doing all the work for like no exp considering I was so much higher level than she was. It was a quest for a rare runic thing or something, I didn’t really pay attention. I guess somebody had to help the poor girl.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We were in a volcanic region of Aincrad, up on the 44th floor. The trail we were on was black, along with the volcanic mountains surrounding us, oozing red hot magma rivers. I’d complain but we couldn’t feel heat too hot to be uncomfortable in this game, so it was fine I guess.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks again for helping me with this, Ishi.” She said. “I’m not really that confident in my abilities to take this on by myself.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s fine.” I say, walking along the trail. “What are we looking for again?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ugh!” She groaned. “This is like the tenth time I’ve told you!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I wasn’t paying attention the other nine times, sorry.” I said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s a rare runic material that’s only found in this region.” She said. “I can make some really powerful runes with it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You gonna find enough for more than one?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, no, not even for one.” She said. “But I can analyze the material and make some of my own. Chances are it’s comprised of common ingredients, but the mix needs to be exact, and the only way for me to find out what the mix is, is to find one.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, I got it this time.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You sure?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Really?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We continued treading up the volcano path, jumping over the occasional lava river and inching our way around the occasional volcano cliff until we reached the tallest volcano in the range. We step up to the crest and I look down at the orange magma far below.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Let me guess.” I say. “It’s inside the volcano.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How’d you know?” Asuka asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s ALWAYS inside the volcano.” I answer. “So how are we gonna get down there?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m… not sure… actually.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Further, how are we supposed to find it once we’re down there?” I add. “It’s just lava down there.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, hang on.” Asuka said. “See that?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“See what?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Over there.” She points down into the basin. “Looks like there’s a platform way at the bottom. Might lead into a cave.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, so again, how do we get down there?” I repeat. “I could probably manage but you’d have to stay…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look over to her. She has an innocent smile on her face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, don’t give me that!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Please can you go down there for me?” She asks in the cutest voice she can manage.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You gotta be kidding…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Pleeeeease.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“God dammit…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I jump off the edge of the crater and fall downwards toward the lava below. About halfway down I bring out Gilgamesh and slam the claws into the side wall, slowing my descent until I came to a stop, hanging a sort of safe distance above the molten rock.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How you doing down there?” I hear Asuka shout.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Kiss my ass, that’s how I’m doing!” I shout back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, good!” She retorts.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“For fuck’s sake…” I mutter, looking down at the platform Asuka mentioned. It was to my right, almost at the opposite end of the crater. I kick to my right, releasing the wall just enough for me to begin wall running downwards and to the right toward the platform, digging into the wall with Gilgamesh to make sure I stayed on it. Once I’m right above it I let go and fall onto the hot rock. Good thing my shoes couldn’t burn up in this game.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why didn’t you just use Zero Shift to get down there?” Asuka asked from above.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Where’s the fun in that?” I say. “And you were right, there is a cave here. I’m gonna see if your rock is in there.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s not just a rock!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah it kind of is!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just get the thing, will you?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nag, nag.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I heave a heavy sigh and make my way into the cave. It wasn’t dark thanks to the magma everywhere, and there was even a small stream of it along the side against the wall, which provided enough light further in as well. I walked through the tunnel until I came across a clearing. It was a large circular room, clearly made by someone, or something. The place was lit up along the walls with torches and more magma flows, and in the center of the room was a pedestal with the rock I was looking for.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, so at least there aren’t any traps.” I say sarcastically. “Guess I should’ve expected that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I step up to the pedestal. It was obsidian, cut cleanly into a square shape, with the pure white stone on top of it.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yeah, totally rigged.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I thought about how I was going to get at it without setting off the totally not painfully obvious trap lying in wait for me. I inspected the thing top to bottom, touching it precariously but not lifting it off. I knelt down to it, slowly bringing my hands up, inching forward until an open hand was on either side, before slowly, ever so slowly, bringing my hands in, centimeter by centimeter. I clasp my hands around the stone and very, very carefully lift it off its pedestal. To my surprise, nothing went off. I quickly retract myself from the pedestal with the stone in hand. I look at the thing… didn’t see why this was so important. Just looked like a rock, really, but I guessed Asuka would know more about it than I would.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I shrug, putting the item in my inventory and turning to leave, stopping just at the entrance to the room. I sigh.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I raise my arms and let them fall back to my sides with a smack, before running back into the room toward the pedestal, bringing out Arondight and slicing clean through the thing.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Apparently the room didn’t like that, because when I did the entire thing started shaking like they always do. And of course I bolted. I just wanted to do that to piss of whatever was guarding the thing. And it worked! I shifted back to the platform in the crater and shifted up out of it, landing where Asuka was. Only thing was, I didn’t see her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Asuka?” I say. “Asuka! You here?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">No answer.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Huh…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I slide down the steep, winding path that led us up here, digging my hand into the ground to keep me at a constant speed down the slope before I hit the bottom of the incline, standing upright and looking around for Asuka.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Asuka!” I shout.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Still no answer.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Where could she have gone, I wonder?

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I trot up the next small hill and slide down the black and dusty rock, doing the same for the next few crests until I began to hear voices.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Give us what you got and maybe we won’t hurt you.” I heard one voice say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Let me go, dammit!” I heard Asuka shout.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Or what?” Another, deeper voice asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ngh! Dammit!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I made my way up until I was at the top of the volcanic hill, looking down at the scene. I saw a group of higher levels with Asuka being held captive.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I swear to God, I’ll-” Asuka was interrupted by the bigger of the group, who put his face dangerously close to hers.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’ll what, little girl?” He said mockingly. “You’re nothing to us. We could end your life…” He took out his blade; a giant cleaver of a sword. “At the drop of a hat…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He put the blade up to her neck. She struggled in vain. The man just laghed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Face it, girly.” He said. “Nobody’s coming for you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Want to bet?” I say, revealing my presence as I shifted up to the big guy, sliding Gilgamesh between his blade and Asuka’s neck and pushing back, leaving an opening for me to slice him in the side with Arondight, getting him to back off while I punched the guy holding Asuka in the face to let her go. She fell forward and I caught her with one arm, raising my blade in defense and ready for anyone to make a move.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, now.” The big guy said. “That one actually stung a little.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I noticed the brands on all of them. Whether on their clothing or their skin, I recognized that insignia instantly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Laughing Coffin.” I muttered.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The PK guild?” Asuka said, staying close to me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s right, girly.” Mr. Big Guy said. “And trust me, boy.” He points his sword at me. “You’re gonna regret messing with us.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh I bet.” I say, letting Asuka go and bringing up Gilgamesh and Arondight, ready to fight. Asuka brought out her sword as well, pressing her back to mine, ready to fight.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You sure you can handle these guys?” I ask her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re the one who taught me, aren’t you?” She responded.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I shrug. “Eh, point.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s go, then.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Asuka breaks off from me while I do the same, dashing into one of the players surrounding us and giving him a solid punch with Gilgamesh, sending him flying back, half his HP gone. I next grab the blade of another with my gauntlet and with Arondight redirect the sword of the one behind me, landing a good kick to his side before pulling on the other’s sword and slicing through his stomach, making sure to leave him alive in the process. I look over and see Asuka fighting just as I had taught her to; using her acrobatic skills as well as the moves I’ve taught her to dispatch her opponents. I look back just in time to catch another player coming after me, axe raised and ready to come down on me. I rush up with Zero Shift before punching him with my gauntlet arm, throwing a few knives his way for good measure. They all hit their mark, landing in his arms and legs, leaving him unable to fight. I spin to evade a strike from another enemy and slam a strong spinning heel kick into his face, immediately sending him into the air before I shifted up and slashed at him in the air, taking him down to almost no HP left.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That was it for my lot, and I look over to see Asuka finishing up with hers. She looked over to me and smiled. I was about to walk over to her when I heard a clapping.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Bravo.” I heard a deep voice say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look over and see the big guy I had punched earlier walk up to me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You are both quite skilled, I’ll give you that.” He told us. “But trust me, your fight’s just getting started!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He brings out a giant ass double handed claymore in one swift motion. He smiles evilly at both of us.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You ready?” I ask Asuka.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You bet.” She responds.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Just then, out of nowhere the volcano erupts in a huge pillar of molten rock, towering high above all of us, making a resounding boom that almost split my head in two. Before I can assess the situation however, I hear a loud roar from the magma pillar, and not long after emerged a large dragon made of black rock and flame, its eyes a burning red and its mouth billowing fire. The giant thing shot the magma over our heads and into the lands below us, before bending down to look at us all. It growled menacingly at us, extending its wings before rearing up and letting out a loud roar.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ho-lee shit…” I mutter.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh my God…” Asuka gasps.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The big guy just stands there, seemingly unafraid of the giant monster in front of us.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hah!” He laughs. “You think you can stop me? Bring it-”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He didn’t get to finish the sentence before the dragon stomped on him. I could see the multicolored shards fly out from the shockwave of the things massive clawed foot hitting the ground.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Woah!” I back up, as does Asuka.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The giant beast roared at us before jumping from its crater and crashing onto the ground behind us, forcing us back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Looks like we aren’t getting out of this one…” I say, readying myself.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How are we gonna beat something like that?!” Asuka said. “It’s gotta be levels above us!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No idea.” I say. “Just make sure you don’t get hit.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sound advice…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The creature makes a swipe at us, which Asuka jumps over while I shift into it, coming in and slashing at its face. The dragon rears back and roars, but it didn’t look like I did much damage. It raises itself up high and opens its mouth, raining fire onto me. I quickly Shift out of the way and to its side before the flames touch me. I can see Asuka running around it, trying to flank it, but the dragon catches wise. It makes a swipe for Asuka with its tail, which she is quick to jump over, landing on its tail and stabbing it, holding onto the blade as she swung around on the tail. I used this distraction to land another clean cut onto the dragon’s face, which once again looked like it didn’t do much. In fact, I realized why. The dragon had black rocky armor on its head that protected it. The entire thing was covered in it. I’d have to find a way to break it off before we could really get at it.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Asuka!” I shout at her, still being flailed around on the dragon’s tail.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Bit… ngh! Busy here… agh!” She struggled to maintain her grip on her sword.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We need to get its armor off before we can hurt it!” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, good to know!” She said, launching herself off the dragon’s tail and landing on the back of its neck, stabbing into the rocky armor. The blade only got an inch through before it stopped dead.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah! This is some tough armor!” She said, struggling to pull the blade out. She barely managed to before the dragon stood on its back legs and came crashing down again, making a shockwave that blew both of us back into the nearest wall.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I looked over to Asuka. I could see her HP was at half now, while mine was still well over 3/4ths.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Asuka, take a breather.” I tell her. “I got this.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“By yourself?!” She exclaimed. “Are you crazy?!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, you know me.” I say, preparing myself.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The dragon then took flight, beginning to circle around me menacingly, eyeing me all the way. This went on for a few minutes, before finally the beast made a quick growl and swooped down to try to claw at me. I dodged its large claws and managed to grab onto the base of its wing as it soared up into the air again. It knew I was there, and immediately made an effort to shake me off. It flew up high into the air and performed aerial maneuvers, spinning and darting side to side to get me to lose my grip. But I was firmly put there, for I had the claws of Gilgamesh embedded into its rock armor. I wasn’t going anywhere.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I waited until it calmed down, spread its wings to glide. When this happened I quickly detached myself and sprang forward, digging Gilgamesh into the armor behind its lower neck. I hold on as it once again attempted to shake me off with its aerial displays. I waited and kept my claws dug into my opponent before it once again went into a glide, whereupon I make another dash forward, landing on the back of its neck, but just behind the head, around where Asuka had stabbed it. I take a look around to find exactly where she had made her mark, and once I had found it I raise Arondight and plunge it downwards, hitting the exact same spot, only going much deeper, piercing through the armor and stabbing into its neck. The creature roared in pain, and I saw a good chunk of its HP go out.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I stand up, keeping a hold of Arondight, before shoving the blade to the right, in turn causing the dragon to turn right. I do the same to the left. Same result. I was in control now. I push the blade forward hard and the dragon goes into a full dive, screaming toward the ground, taking me with it. I was going to slam this thing headfirst into the ground, hoping I wouldn’t end up the same way this thing was. The dragon, however, had different plans. It overrode my commands and pulled out of the dive just before it hit the ground. With that plan out the window I decide to do it the old fashioned way. I look around at our low altitude and notice we were coming up on a large and long rock face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Perfect.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I thrust my blade deeper into the dragon, before stepping backward and making a run down its back mid-flight, cutting through its armor, making it screech in agony, until I got to its tail, where I stab through the less armored fiery flesh of the dragon. Now coming up on the rocky wall, I throw myself out to it, and when I’m within arm’s reach, I slam Gilgamesh’s claws into it, sending sparks flying and creating an extremely audible scraping sound, as well as making a long trail of five gashes on the rock. I keep this up, slowly but surely decreasing the dragon’s speed, until, once it was slowed enough, I detach myself and make one mighty leap off the wall, flying over the dragon and landing on its head, digging Gilgamesh into its forehead before delivering a stab to its left eye, making it roar loudly as it shakes its head. This causes it to accidentally slam into the wall and damage its wing, sending it to the ground, and me with it. At the last second, I let go with Gilgamesh and slide down onto its back, letting the dragon take all the force of impact onto its face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By the time we stopped rolling and came to a sliding stop, I find myself dirty, but relatively undamaged. The dragon was not as lucky. More than three fourths of its HP was gone by now. It was time to finish it off.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It thrashed around and flailed with the rest of its strength to try to shake me off its back, but I quickly run up it to its neck and finally to the top of its head where I jump up and with both hands stab downwards with Arondight, piercing through the severely damaged armor easily and impaling the thing right through the head. I watch as the rest of the HP bar disappeared, and the dragon exploded into multicolored shards.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I am left heaving with my hands on my knees.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Someone better get me a drink!” I shout at no one in particular.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look up and check the battle results. A metric shit-ton of exp and cash, as well as a unique weapon: Flamberge. A pretty damn powerful sword. Nothing I would use, but I’d give it to Asuka. She’s been needing a new weapon for a while now. There was a level 52 requirement, however, so she won’t be able to use it for a while.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Climbing out of the rubble from the battle, I make my way back to where I had left Asuka on my dragon joyride. She immediately sprang to her feet and ran up to me when she saw me coming up the hill.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi!” She shouted, stopping in front of me. “Are you alright?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, nothing I couldn’t handle.” I told her. “I got you a souvenir.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I initiate a trade with her, giving her the weapon the boss had dropped as well as the runic material she so desperately wanted.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Woah…” She said, looking at its stats. “This thing is badass!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Though you’d like it.” I said. “You’ll have to level up fast to use it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, yeah!” She says, ending the trade with Flamberge and material in her inventory. “Thanks, Ishi.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.” I say. “Come on, I want to get the hell out of this place.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, I’m right there with ya.” She says, following me as started down the mountain.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I could go for some of Adeline’s ramen after all that crap. ===<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 5   ===

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I wake up slowly. Just about as slow as I usually do, which usually involved moaning and going back to sleep a few times before actually waking up somewhere between 1 and 4 in the afternoon. Curiously though, I had awoken at the brisk time of 7 am, which struck me as odd considering my ludicrously off kilter sleeping habits, but whatever.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I slump out of bed and casually get dressed in my usual getup before heading out. I slide down the stairs and land firmly at the bottom.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, good morning, Ishi.” Adeline greeted.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hi.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With me not having a house of my own Adeline was generous enough to offer one of her empty rooms for me to stay in, considering the restaurant was also her house upstairs. No charge either. Bonus!

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’re you off to kill today?” Adeline jokes, cleaning up some glasses and dishes to get ready to open shop in an hour.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t know yet.” I say. “I’ll tell you when I get back.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I head out the door, the bells above it chiming to signal my exit and strode down the streets, thinking of something to do. About 15 minutes of me just walking around randomly pass by and I was at a complete loss. There was never anything to do, really. I just usually waited until something came up.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lo and behold.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I received a message.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I assumed it was from Asuka.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I opened up my inbox and to my surprise this time it wasn’t.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was from Knight. The leader of Pendragon Court himself.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Knight?” I say to myself. “What does he want?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I hadn’t really talked to Knight in almost half a year. Not because we were on bad terms or anything, but because we never really had anything to talk about. He had told me that he’d message me if he ever needed my help with something after I had left the Court, and knowing him it must be something big if he was going out of his way to ask for my assistance.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ishi, 

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I need to speak with you about matters of great importance. Please meet with Misaki, Gawain and myself at our headquarters in Luciad. ''

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Huh…” I say. “I wonder what could be so important?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I close up my menus and teleport to the home of Pendragon Court. The city of Luciad, on the 29th floor of Aincrad.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I easily make my way through the busy streets of the large city by memory toward the center, where the headquarters of the Knights of the Round Table was stationed. I entered the building by holding up the key to the door, which a pendant of the insignia of Pendragon Court on it. I held on to it after I had left by Knight’s request. I headed for the main room of the building; the gathering hall, where our meetings would usually take place. Once I’m there I see Knight, Gawain and Misaki at the large table, talking amongst one another, before Misaki notices my entrance.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hello, Ishi.” Misaki said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Knight looked up from the papers on the table he was examining.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Lancelot.” He said. “Glad you could make it so quickly.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Lancelot was the nickname he gave me. He’s the only one who actually calls me that instead of my actual name. It’s a name I had earned in my time in the guild, due to my skills with a blade.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Had nothing better to do.” I said casually, sitting down at a chair and leaning back, kicking my feet up onto the table. “What’s going on?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The Guardians of Darkness.” He told me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Guardians of Darkness was another guild, and the main enemy of the Court. Their sole purpose was to take over Aincrad by taking the Game Master’s place. How they were to go about doing that, however, we never could figure out.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What are they up to this time?” I ask, not the least bit concerned.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We’ve been able to discover what it is they’re after.” Gawain clarified. “It’s a weapon that will allow them to easily defeat the Game Master and put themselves in his place.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Is any weapon that powerful?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We don’t know.” Knight said. “It’s called Skeith. Apparently it has the power to destroy anything in the game. How it can do this, however, we don’t know. Nor do we know where it is, or even what it is, really.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So what are we going to do about that?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know…” Knight says. “We’ve been trying to think of something. We definitely need to locate Skeith before they do. But I’m afraid we’ve more pressing matters to deal with. The Guardians of Darkness are about ready to stage an all out war with us. We presently do not have the numbers to fight them. We’ll need to recruit an army.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not standing on a corner flicking cards, if that’s what you’re asking.” I told him.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I know you wouldn’t even if I did ask.” Knight smiled. “No. I need you to do what you can to find out more about Skeith, and find where it’s located and take it before the Guardians of Darkness have a chance at it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why only me?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Because you’re the only one who can do it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Fair enough.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Misaki, Gawain and I will be recruiting and training for battle just in the case it comes to that.” Knight said. “We also have Avro and Vincent doing the same.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What about Trinity?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“She’s bringing us intel from the enemy.” He said. “She’ll be able to tell us what they’re planning and when they’ll strike. She’ll also be bringing us new on Skeith, so we’ll keep you updated.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So what should I do for now?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“There’s one person we want you to look into.” Misaki contributed. “Soryu. Heard of her?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Can’t say I have.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“She’s a notorious player killer that usually hangs out around the 33rd floor. She’s connected to the Guardians of Darkness, but isn’t an official member. We have reason to believe that she knows a thing or two about Skeith. It’d be a good idea to track her down and get what she knows out of her.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, I’ll get on that.” I say, getting out of my seat and turning to leave.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“One more thing, Lancelot.” Knight said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I turn to face him.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What is it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“There’s something different about you…” He told me. “I can’t tell what it is.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m the same as I’ve always been.” I say casually. “Nothing’s changed.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Knight shrugs and goes back to the papers on the table and Gawain and Misaki do the same. I leave at that, exiting the building and immediately teleporting to the 33rd floor of Aincrad, at the town of Ravenwing.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now, Ravenwing was a dark place, as the name may suggest. It was in the middle of a dense forest, so dense in fact that you could never see the sun through the tree canopy. It was always pretty dark around here, to the point where nobody could tell if it was day or night without looking at their clocks. Lanterns had to be put all about the town so people could see well enough. This was also one of the more dangerous places in Aincrad. It was a home for player killers, since they would be constantly attacked by NPC guards if they went to any other place due to their status. This place was one of many little hidey holes for the murderes of Aincrad, but was the most popular due to its relatively secluded and hidden location, off the map for most other players.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I was not most other players.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I had found this place while exploring the dark forest for why not reasons. The people here tend to keep to themselves but I’ve had more than a few brawls here, all of which end up with me winning and gaining a reputation around here as a guy you don’t want to mess with, even if I refused to kill other players. That refusal was part of the reason I get jumped around here in the first place, but I digress.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I figured this was the best place to start, because of the player killers and all. A bunch will probably know of Soryu’s whereabouts. I step into the tavern there and immediately all eyes were on me. Then all eyes immediately left me because they all knew who I was. I step up to the bar and take a seat at the bar stool.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, if it ain’t the merciful knight ‘imself.” I hear a familiar voice say, as the owner of said voice approached me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Scott.” I say. “How goes it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, it’s goin’ fine enough, lad.” Scott said in his thick Scottish accent, which is why people around here called him Scott. Nobody knew his real name anyway, and he had his display name changed to Scott since so many people called him that. He’s even renowned as “The Scottsman” around Aincrad, especially to his enemies.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He was one of the few people around here who weren’t total dicks.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So, what brings ye ‘round these parts?” He said as he cleaned off a class with a washcloth.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m looking for a player killer named Soryu.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sor-yu!” Scott said. “Now there’s a character if I’ve ever seen one. Sharp in wit and blade she is. Why’d you be lookin’ for one of her class, if I may inquire?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” I say, trying to be as polite as possible about it.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Scott just laughs.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ay, there ya go again, Ishi. Always secrets with ye, always. On me ‘art I can’t figure a thing ‘boutcha. Mysterious as they come.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I just think my business is my business and nobody else needs to involve themselves.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Fair enough.” Scott says. Yeh I’ve seen the woman ‘round here. She oftentimes comes in for a quick drink or to beat the li”vin’ hell outta some guy who looks at ‘er funny.” He lets out a hearty chuckle. “Or both. She has her own table right there in the back.” He points towards an empty table near a corner of the room. “Reserved for her use only. Anyone who’d sit at that there table is the bravest man I’ve ever seen. He’d also be the deadest man I’ve ever seen if she’d caught the stupid bastard.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know where I could find her?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm…” Scott scratches his beard. “I hear tell she can be seen ‘round Blackwood Forest, along the trail there. She likes to ambush unsuspecting boys an’ girls and slice their goddamn throats out, she does. Great judge o’ character I’d say.” He chuckles again. “Wait. Yer not thinkin’ o’ fightin’ her are ya?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ohoh, there’s a brave lad!” He slaps his hand on the table. “Always a fighter ye are. Saw that the instant I laid eyes on yeh, that’s for true. Also saw that when ya slammed that one poor bastard’s head throw a table then threw ‘im out the window.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well he started it.” I say in defense.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hah, you threw the first punch, if I’m rememberin’ right.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well he shouldn’t have snuck up on me.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Not a people person are yeh?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No, not really.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Coulda figured that, I guess.” Scott laughed. “Well fer whatever reason yah might have, yeh ought to be careful goin’ about Soryu. I know ‘ow well you are with a blade, but I also know ‘ow well she is with them knives and that sword she got on ‘er. You won’t see ‘er comin’ ‘till she’s already on yah.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks for the advice.” I say, getting up out of the barstool and leaving the tavern.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Blackwood Forest wasn’t too far from Ravenwing, so I took the trail that would lead me straight to it, and the trail Soryu supposedly liked to ambush unsuspecting players to “slice there goddamn throats out”, as she does.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Before long, I find myself at the entrance to Blackwood Forest. If you couldn’t figure, it was called Blackwood Forest because all the trees were black. Their leaves were a dark green that might as well be black if you’re looking from the outside, but inside you can tell the difference because the only two colors you’ll be seeing are black and dark green. And the grey of the ground if you’re one of those people who just stare at the ground as they walk.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I begin my walk through the beautiful and lush scenery – there’s the sarcasm, you see – and walk carefully I did, as I wanted to make as little sound as possible. So lightly did I walk, that I could hear the light breeze through the trees and the sound of my own breath. It didn’t take long for me to hear something else, though. I heard a rustling that nobody else would’ve caught, but my senses were sharper than that. I keep walking, pretending I didn’t hear it. A few minutes pass before I hear it again.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This time I stop.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I listen.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I cancel out everything except for the soft rustling of the trees in the breeze. I listen intently on the softly flowing sound, hearing out for the slightest break in that sound. It was right above me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I quickly activate Gilgamesh and block the blade that was coming down on me, swiftly bringing out my own blade and swiping at my opponent, who jumps back to avoid the attack. I immediately take up a combat stance.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, well.” She says. “You’re sharp. Never had that happen before.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Soryu, I take it.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nobody but.” She bows to me, not breaking the piercing gaze of her purple eyes for an instant. “Mind introducing yourself?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I hesitate to answer, but do so after a few seconds.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi…” She says, closing her eyes. “Ishi… Ishi… Ishi… I like that name.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Cut it out.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The fact that you were able to avoid me killing you suggests that you knew I was here, and that you were looking for me.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Damn, she’s good.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So tell me, Ishi. What business do you have with me?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know a few things about Skeith, don’t you?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Skeith?” She repeats the name. “Perhaps. Memory’s a little fuzzy though… I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I Shift up to her and grab her face with my gauntlet, slamming her down into the ground.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That bring back anything?” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh… Not quite sure… Maybe you need to do a little more…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I bring her up and throw her toward the nearest tree. She flips and plants her feet on the tree before kicking off it, bringing out her sword and coming at me with an overhead slash. I block the blow with my sword, but she manages to place a hard kick to my side, breaking my guard and allowing her to get in one quick strike before I bring up my defense again, defending against her blade with Gilgamesh before smacking her sword out of the way and delivering my own slash. It deals a bit of damage but not enough to wound her in any real way. She jumps back and examines me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ahh… Such strength… Such skill… Such spirit… I can see why he is so taken to you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You have the eyes, you know.” Soryu says, walking casually back and forth. “But… You haven’t quite grasped it yet. You…” She looks at me. “Lack something.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’re you talking about?” I demand.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, I have a feeling you’ll find out for yourself soon enough.” She taunts. “You want to know about Skeith, huh? Tell me, Blade Master. For what purpose do you need Skeith.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I need only to find it.” I tell her. “Tell me what you know.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm… Well that won’t do.” She says, bringing up her sword. “You’ll have to get the information you want out of me the way you know best.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Fine by me.” I say, taking my stance again.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She’s the first to move, running at me and preparing an overhead strike which I’m quick to evade. I place a kick in her side, but she uses the momentum to spin around and make a slash for my right side. I bring up my sword and parry the move. She makes a few more quick strikes which I parry and avoid before making an attack of my own which she jumps back to evade. I take the break in her guard to Shift up and land a solid punch with Gilgamesh right into her stomach. She flies back, yelping, but flips around and lands on her feet. I Shift up again, not giving her time to recover, and back fist her right in the face, sending her to the ground and taking a good amount of her HP out to add to the first blow. On the ground, she tried to get back up as quick as she could, but I put my hand around her neck and point my blade at her face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You lose.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hah… seems so.” She laughs. “Fine. I’ll tell you what I know. As you may have heard, Skeith is a powerful weapon with the ability to completely destroy anything in this game. What most people don’t know, however, is that it is actually a piece of corrupted coding that found its way into Aincrad. It’s a data cluster that has the ability to corrupt other game data. Players, NPCs, environments. You name it, Skeith can destroy it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Where can I find it?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah… I’m not so sure… but I believe you could-”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She was interrupted when a blade came down and stabbed her through the skull, immediately killing her and causing her body to explode into those multicolored fragments.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I jump back and bring up my blade, ready for a fight.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Now, now, Soryu.” He says. “You knew better than to reveal our little secret.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yamato.” I say menacingly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nice to see you again, Ishi.” Yamato says. “Looking for Skeith, huh? Sorry, but your odds of finding it are pretty slim, let alone actually containing it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What do you mean?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nah, nah, it doesn’t work that way.” Yamato chided. “I can’t just give you all the answers, that wouldn’t be fun. What’s the point of just having everything handed to you, you wouldn’t learn anything.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I run up quickly and slice at him. He deftly parries my attack with his own sword before delivering a strong kick to the face that sends me back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Someone’s on edge.” He says nonchalantly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Enough of your bullshit.” I point my sword at him. “Tell me what you know.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m inclined not to tell you.” He says.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That so?” I run at him, making a quick slash that he parries again, delivering his own quick slash that I jump away from, before he comes up and brings his blade into an uppercut. I sidestep the blow and bring up my blade to defend a side strike, locking blades there.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Tell me something, Ishi.” Yamato said, pushing his blade into me, forcing me to brace my footing. “Have you learned anything yet? Has anything I’ve told you sunk in?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’re you on about?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, tell me something else then.” He slides his blade under mine and butts the handle of his sword on my face, before rearing up and coming down again. I barely manage to block the blow. “You go around the lands, wandering aimlessly and fighting wherever you go.” He places a few more quick strikes which I defend against. “Yet throughout all that you feel no purpose. Nothing to answer for.” He kicks me back and forces my back against a tree. He comes at me hard, his blade clashing against my own, braced up in defense. The tree behind me fell, cut clean in half despite me blocking his blade.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And you’re different?” I ask, pushing back his sword. “You’re the one who goes around randomly killing people.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I fight because I have purpose.” He said, forced back into defense as I move in to attack. I make a few quick slashes before bringing Gilgamesh down on him, forcing him to block the powerful blow. “What do you fight for, Ishi?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What do I fight for?” I repeat the question.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I hesitate, and that was all he needed to spin his blade around my gauntlet, putting me off balance and into a kick to the back, sending me down to the ground. I Shift up to recover and put a distance between me and him.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t even know, do you?” Yamato asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I only fight because I’m forced to!” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Is that so?” Yamato laughed. “You feel this world has forced you to take up arms? What’s stopping you from just laying low and starting a normal life here? A lot of people do that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I stay silent, unable to answer the question.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, but you’re different, aren’t you?” Yamato rests his blade on his shoulder as he paces the ground. “You feel the need to fight. Your blade yearns for it, as do you. You haven’t killed a single other player in your time here, which I guess is something admirable for sure, but foolish at once.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“A sword is meant for killing, Ishi.” He continues. “It’s meant to end conflict, not to prolong a battle.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re wrong.” I say. “My blade isn’t used as a tool of death. Not like yours.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yamato shakes his head and sighs.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Still so naïve…” He sheaths is sword. “I guess it can’t be helped. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With that, he turned to leave.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey!” I run begin to run after him, but he suddenly unsheathes his blade at blinding speed and cuts into the air, a blade forming in the space just in front of me, I Shift out of the way as the blade cuts through multiple trees and topples them over. I’m left standing there as the swordsman walks into the darkness, and out of sight.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I scowl behind his back, before turning in the opposite direction and leaving the area, heading back to Luciad to inform the Court of my findings. ===<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 6    ===

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Interesting.” Knight said, pacing back and forth in front of the round table, after I had told him about my mission. “I didn’t realize Yamato was involved as well.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I take it you’ve heard of him?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.” Knight stopped and put his hands on the table. “I’ve heard of him. He’s going to be trouble…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You aren’t thinking of getting information out of him, are you?” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It seems like a proper course of action.” Knight said casually. “Do you see any reason why we shouldn’t?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Getting killed comes to mind.” I tell him. “He’s good. Really good. I doubt we’d last against him.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How would you know?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I fought him. Twice.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Have you?” He puts a hand to his chin. “Is he really that skilled?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.” I say. “He's just leaving me alive, to be honest. I don’t match to his skills. I really should be dead.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So then why did he leave you alive?” Knight asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I thought about what he said. About the “potential” I had. I stayed silent for a few seconds.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know.” I said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well we’ll need to get information out of him some way or another.” Misaki said. “Unless Trinity can give us something we can use.” Misaki looked past my shoulder and smirked. “Speak of the devil.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look back and see Trinity enter the room. She shook her head to get some of her blonde hair out of her face to reveal her striking violet eyes, which immediately fell on me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, hello, Ishi.” She said. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s it?” She asks, walking toward the table. “No ‘how have you been’ or ‘anything new’ or anything?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know me. I’m not much of a conversationalist.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She chuckles lightly. “Yes, we all know that by now.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Trinity.” Knight addressed her. “Have anything to report?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“As a matter of fact, I have.” She said. “It seems that the last person to use Skeith was the player killer Yamato, but he was the second person to use it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well that confirms what Ishi said about Yamato.” Gawain said. “Do you know what he used it for?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No idea.” Trinity said. “I don’t think anyone knows. But the first person to use it apparently attempted complete dominion over Aincrad. Nobody knew his name and nobody knew what happened to him. He disappeared earlier this year.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Is that all you could gather?” Knight asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, sir.” She confirmed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, good. We’ll investigate on that. In the meantime, we’ll be needing to recruit more members for when we go head to head with the Guardians of Darkness. I already have Avro, Vincent, Gareth, and Agravaine out looking for recruits right now. I’d like you to try to find some as well.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t you think I should be gathering more intelligence?” Trinity questioned.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’d be safer now if you didn’t.” Knight said. “We’ve already put you at enough risk. I want you to lay low for a little while. We have enough information to work with for now. With the Guardians of Darkness rallying up their numbers it’d be foolish to send you out there again.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I understand.” Trinity said. “I’ll get to work with recruiting. Good to see you, Ishi.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I wave her off as she leaves the room.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How many times have you sent her to gather intel, anyway?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Too many times to play it safe.” Gawain said. “She’s almost been compromised more than a few times.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well it’s a good thing she’s so good at what she does.” I remark.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi, you say you’ve come face-to-face with Yamato before.” Knight said. “Do you think you will sometime again?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, no doubt.” I say. “Not really looking forward to it. Why?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We need you to see how much you can get out of him.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sssshit.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Judging by what you’ve told about him, he’s not out to kill you.” He clarified. “You have the best chance at getting information out of him.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We need you to figure out as much about Skeith as you can from him. He used it last; we may be able to get a better figure of what we’re dealing with.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I sigh. “Fine. Is that it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“For now, yes.” Knight said. “I’ll call you back if we need anything else.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With that I turn and leave the building, stepping back out onto the streets of Luciad. I’m almost immediately bumped into by a big guy sporting the Laughing Coffin attire being followed by more members of the gang.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, watch it.” I say assertively.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Piss off, shitstain.” He retorts, shoving past another person, who tripped and fell to the ground. The guy’s cohorts laughed as they passed. I look back at them.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Dicks.” I mutter, turning to walk, but bumping into someone else. I back up a bit and see a girl there, dressed up in Laughing Coffin robes. She looked up at me with her gray eyes, before looking back down.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sorry.” She said quietly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“SELENE!” The big guy in the group called. “LET’S GO!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She squeaked a little bit before rushing past me and catching up to her group. I shrugged off the matter and walked in the other direction.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi!” I hear Asuka call from the crowd ahead of me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I can see her jumping up to peek over the crowd, a hand raised high and waving.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi! Over here!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Every time she jumped she was a little closer as I just stood there, smirking at the whole scene. It was kind of funny to watch her work her way through the crowd. Eventually she got to me, though, and she gleamed up at me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I found you!” She said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Great.” I said. “Now you hide and I’ll try to find you when I get around to it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, har har.” She feigned laughter. “C’mere.” She said, grabbing my left sleeve. “I got something to show you!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She dragged me through the crowd and toward a less clustered part of town. We slipped into a secluded alleyway and out of sight.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh, okay, okay!” I yank my sleeve from her grasp. “What is it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Here!” She said, holding out a rock to me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Eh?” I pick it up. It was round and smooth as glass. It bore a shining white insignia on it. “What’s this thing?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You remember that rune you helped me get?” She asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You mean when I did all the work?” I say. “How could I forget?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I made this out of it!” She smiled. “I thought you could use it!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not much on runes, Asuka.” I tell her. “What am I supposed to do with it?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well it should allow you to manipulate a field around you to a certain degree.” She explained. “You could theoretically make a firewall around you, or negate gravity around you or something.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What do you mean theoretically?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well you’d need training.” She said. “I can help you with that, if you like.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Neh, I’m good.” I say, putting the thing in my pocket. “I’ll figure it out on my own.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Suit yourself.” She shrugged. “Why were you here anyway?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Had to meet up with the guild.” I said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Didn’t you leave the guild?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I owed the leader a favor.” I said, leaving the alleyway, with her following.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, then.” Asuka kept pace with me as I pulled up my map and tapped on the first floor, then Talmia.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Grabbing something to eat.” I said. “Want something?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sure!” She said cheerily, bringing up her map as well and leaving for Talmia just as I do.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So we ate a nice lunch then went back out to train some more. This time we were doing sparring matches against each other. Needless to say, Asuka was a bit nervous, but I encouraged her to give it her best shot and to not hold back. So she didn’t.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And then I decked her like 10 times.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh!” She yelped as I slammed her into the ground unarmed. “Dammit… you’re too good at this!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I’ve had a lot of practice.” I say, helping her back up to her feet.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah…” She said, rubbing the back of her head.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, let’s try something else, then.” I say, bringing out my sword.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Wait, wait, what’re you doing?” Asuka stammered, backing up a bit.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Think fast.” I say, swiping my sword at her. She ducks under the blade just barely, a bit of her hair getting sheared off before she jumped back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey!” She shouted. “I wasn’t ready!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I rush up to her again and make another strike, which this time she blocks with her own sword.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Agh, will you stop it?” She asks.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You think the enemy’s gonna stop?” I say, curving my blade inwards to slide it off her own and bring it around for another quick slash which she again block. I make a few quick slices at her which she either blocks or dodges before she makes a swipe at me. A rather quick one actually; quicker than she’s ever done. With my speed I manage to deflect the blow with Gilgamesh before kicking her legs from under her and sending her back to the ground.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ach!” Asuka shouted as her back hit the grass. “Why!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That was a fast one.” I remark. “Not fast enough for me, but maybe enough to catch someone else off guard.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, yippee.” She said sarcastically, taking my hand as I pulled her back up.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s getting late.” I say, looking up at the sky. “We should probably head back.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah…” Asuka wiped some dirt off her cheek.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Before we started on our way back to Talmia for dinner, Asuka spoke up.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Ishi?” She said. “I was wondering. Where do you live in real life?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look back at her. “Why?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She shrugs. “Just curious.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nagoya.” I say. “You?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Tokyo.” She says.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Fancy living, huh?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, my dad’s actually the chief of police there, and my mom’s a nurse for Aiiku Hospital. How about your parents?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I looked out to the sun setting on the horizon. The soft breeze combed through my hair and I sighed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“They’re dead.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah…” She says quietly. “When?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, my mom died giving birth to me and my dad died from alcohol poisoning when I was 5. Lived with my grandparents after that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh… I’m sorry.” She says. “What about your grandparents?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Died four years ago. I got my wealthy aunt and uncle supporting me from Tokyo; sending me money and the like.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You had it rough, huh?” Asuka said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I got a nice income out of it.” I said nonchalantly. “Well, and I got trapped in this game, but hey, what can you do?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Heh, yeah.” Asuka chuckled. “Maybe after all this is done and over with we can meet up sometime, yeah?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Meh.” I shrug. “Maybe, I don’t know. Anyway, we should be heading back.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah. Right.” Asuka caught up to me as I began walking back to Talmia.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look down and see my reflection. I was standing in a shallow pool of water, just deep enough to reach up past the soles of my shoes. I look around and I see nothing but white. White and the endless water, fading into the white obscurity. I suddenly see him standing there, sword unsheathed. I bring out my weapons as well. We both run at each other, the water splashing under our steps. We clash blades, the impact being reflected in the water below us, both in image and by the ripple sent out from the strike. We split apart and clash again, striking each other’s blades, as our reflections did battle just as we did.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I dodge left. I dodge right. I swing my sword at his then parry another blow from the side. We strike and lock blades again. We stay held there, trying to push each other back. Suddenly, he curves his blade and slides it under mine, pushing me back and leaving me off balance. I see him spin and watch as his blade comes at me in slow motion, with me being powerless to stop it. His sword cut into my chest, killing me instantly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I woke up with a start, sitting up in bed. Sweat was rolling down my body, and my breathing was quick and heavy. I sigh and try to regain my thoughts. It was just a dream, I knew that. It was just a dream. But that dream was far too real. I tried to shake it off and lie back down on the bed, calming myself down. I go back to sleep with one thought on my mind.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yamato was going to kill me.

Chapter 7
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">15 Days Later 

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I cut through again. Then again. And again after that. My blade split the very air in two as I strike each target. I was facing high leveled enemy NPCs this time. Higher leveled then I normally would; level 71s. I was level 64 at this point. Ever since I had that dream I had been training non-stop; constantly taking on monsters over my level to increase my level up rate. Right now I was in the aptly named Death Region of Aincrad, on the 57th floor. I was fighting in the courtyard of a black stone castle in a dead black forest. The sky here was always gray, and the sun never shined here. This place was notorious for player deaths, which was why I was training here.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The 3 Death Knights I was facing came at me in all directions. I was faster, still. I cut through multiple times into one, taking his HP down a good deal, before jumping up to avoid a stab from behind from another, coming down on his back with Gilgamesh, clawing into him and gashing him from behind, dealing quite a bit of damage. Another one swung its blade at me. I bend back as the blade sweeps just past my nose. I stand upright before spinning and delivering a low sweep kick to his legs, tripping him and allowing me to place a solid kick onto his chest armor, putting him a distance back and allowing me to evade a few more swipes from his friends, and block two blades at once with my sword. I Shift back and then forward again, bringing my blade forward and impaling one right through the chest. I twist around as another blade came at me, defending against the blade with the body of his ally, before kicking the Knight off my blade and slicing it quickly, destroying the rest of its HP, before I rush up and punch the other right in the face, sending it flying and exploding into its rainbow polygons.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The one I had kicked earlier came at me again. I grabbed its blade with Gilgamesh before raising my own blade, watching it clash against the metal of his shield. We pushed against each other, trying to force each other back. I suddenly and unexpectedly twist around, making his blade slip out of my hand and past my shoulder, twisting around quickly and cutting his blade arm clean off. As his sword flew through the air, I landed a good punch with Gilgamesh, setting him away from me, before catching his blade as it came down, turning, and throwing the sword at him, embedding itself in his helmet. I was left as the victor. Still… something didn’t feel right. I swung my blade with as much speed, precision, and skill as I always do, and my strikes with Gilgamesh were always spot on and powerful. But still, after all that… I felt… off.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Something was missing.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I had spent the last two weeks training this hard, determined to not be outdone by Yamato. However, in those two weeks I began to feel strange, like my fighting style was off somehow. That shouldn’t be possible, considering if it was off, I’d know what was wrong. Perhaps I just needed to train more… become stronger, still…

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi!” I hear a voice call.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look over, and see her smiling at me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“There you are.” Misaki said as she made her way to me. “I’ve been looking around for you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, here I am.” I say, sheathing my weapons and meeting her halfway. “What do you need?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, we haven’t really talked in a long time, so I just wanted to check in.” She said. “How are things? You training?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Uh, yeah.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Against enemies like these, that’s not like you.” Misaki noted. “You don’t train this hard. You could die from taking on enemies this high level, you know.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I can take care of myself, Misaki.” I tell her. “I appreciate your concern, though.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You want to take a break?” She asked. “I think you’ve been out here doing this enough for now.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We traveled to an area near Luciad. It was a vibrant meadow with some trees scattered around. It wasn’t unlike the plains around Talmia, except those plains only has like two trees. Misaki and I sit leaning against one of the trees and I take a deep sigh, recovering from my non-stop combat training.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What were you doing in the Death Region of all places?” Misaki asked. “Doesn’t seem like the kind of place you’d hang out at.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just training.” I say plainly.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re usually pretty laid back about training.” Misaki told me. “What would get you to train so hard?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I hesitate to tell her about my troubles with Yamato, but I knew I could trust her. She’s been with me for a long while now. I guess I could stand to tell.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m worried.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“About what?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yamato.” I sigh. “He’s going to kill me unless I can get stronger. And I realized as I’ve been training for these past few weeks, my technique is lacking something. I don’t know what it is. Something is missing.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe you’re just off your game from stressing out about it?” Misaki suggested.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No, if something was off I’d know it, and I’d be able to identify and fix it…” I think on it. “It’s something I’ve never had before… something I need to beat Yamato.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Are you sure?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, whatever that is, I’m sure you’ll find it sometime soon.” Misaki reassured. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hm…” I look up at the clear blue sky, a far cry from the dark and cloudy skies of the place I was just at.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Ishi.” Misaki said. “You mind if I ask you something?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No.” I say. “Go ahead.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well…” She thought of where to begin. “When you first joined Pendragon Court, you seemed a bit… distant towards everyone at first. But I noticed when you were paired with me as partners you were more open to me immediately. I mean, even Knight and Gawain and Trinity had a tough time earning your trust, but for some reason you trusted me right away. Why is that?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I think on it. “Well…” I start. “I saw something in you.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hm? What was that?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hell if I know.” I say. “I thought it was something I wanted. Something that let me know you were safe to trust.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Which is why you became attached to me in the first place?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, yeah…” I say, scratching my cheek with a finger. “I thought you were the one for me, to be honest.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I thought the same.” Misaki said. “That didn’t pan out quite like we had thought, huh?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nope.” I said. “But at least we figured that out before we got too serious about it.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We had sex, Ishi.” Misaki laughed.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, you’re the one who wanted it.” I point at her. “I wasn’t even thinking about that.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I guess you’re right.” She chuckles. “Still though, it’s not the same in game as it is in real life, huh?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I wouldn’t know, I’ve never done it in real life.” I tell her. “But I’d imagine it is.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Misaki took my hand in hers and interlaced her fingers with mine. She looked straight into my eyes intently.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re changing.” She said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How can you tell?” I inquire.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I just can.” She says. “I don’t know how you’re changing… but you definitely are…”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Weird.” I say, turning and looking out across the meadow.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well anyway.” Misaki said, standing up. “I’d best get back to Knight. He’s probably wondering where I am right about now. I’ll see you later, Ishi.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She brings out her menus in preparation for fast travel, but stops.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, actually, you should come with.” She says. “We have two new members, recruited by Trinity. They use knives so she was hoping you could help put them through initiation, seeing as you have a few knives on you as well.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look to the belts over my jacket with the four knives fastened on them, two for both belts.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, okay.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I join her as she travels to Luciad, and we both walk to Pendragon Court HQ. There, we get to the courtyard, where our training takes place, and I see Trinity, along with two other girls, which I saw were the new recruits. Trinity was in the middle training them, but since she didn’t have knives of her own, she couldn’t properly train them. It looked like one of the trainees used twin knives, while the other used one knife, complemented by a bow on her back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Trinity is the first to notice me.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, Ishi.” She said, as the two recruits stop their exercises and look in our direction.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Trinity.” I say.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks for bringing him in, Misaki.” Trinity said. “I’ve been having some trouble with these two. We don’t seem to have anyone who’s quite as good with knives as Ishi.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Mhm.” Misaki nods. “Anyway, I have some business I need to discuss with Knight. You have fun.” Before she left, she grabs my shirt. “Don’t hurt them too badly, please.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I give her a “who, me?” face, and she rolls her eyes and smiles before leaving us.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Kana, Diana.” Trinity addresses the two newbies. “This is Ishi. A former member of ours. One of the best we’ve seen, if not the best.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The two bow to me, saying “hello” simultaneously.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I nod.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ishi, this is Kana and Diana. Sisters.” Trinity said. “Now a word of warning, girls.” Trinity addresses the two recruits. “Ishi trains… hard. So, yeah… there’s your warning. So have fun!” She turns to me. “You mind if I just sit right over here?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, yeah, go ahead.” I say, before turning to my two newest students. “Alright, let’s see what you got.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I initiate a duel with both of them, two on one, and set it to First Strike Mode. Once that was done, I prepare to take my weapons out, but stop, figuring I wouldn’t need them.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright.” I say. “Let’s go.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kana and Diana both run at me with their knives equipped. Kana makes two quick strikes with her blades which I effortlessly weave around, before placing my foot on her head and lightly shove her back onto the ground. Diana was next. She swiped at me, but I again dodge before grabbing her arm on the next strike and pushing her back.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You aren’t going to get very far by just randomly swiping at me.” I tell them, as Diana helps her sister up onto her feet.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kana’s the first to come at me again, while Diana follows behind her. They take me from two directions. I’m quick enough to evade the attack from the two at once and wave in between their subsequent strikes before backing up as they came at me still. Walking pace, they forced me back with their flurry of attacks.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And by forcing me back, I of course mean I was letting them do that.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I find the opening I was looking for and dive between the two, hooking my legs with theirs and planting my hands on the ground, twisting quickly to trip both of them and put be back up on my feet.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By now the two’s HP was well on its way to being whittled down to half just from me putting them onto the ground. It wasn’t doing much, but it wasn’t like they were going to hit me any time soon.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You need to focus and plan ahead.” I scold the two. “Predict your movements and the movements of your opponent at once.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How are we supposed to do that?” Kana asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Technique is all well and good.” I say. “But instinct is really what fighting is all about. If you don’t have that, you’re going to be killed off pretty quickly.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’re you talking about?” Diana said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“When you fight without thinking about fighting.” I explain. “When it all just comes naturally. That’s when you’ve developed a deadly fighting instinct.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This time I make a move, Shifting up to the two and grabbing two knives from my belt, backhanding both and slicing between the two simultaneously, cutting them both in the sides as in a cross armed strike. This eliminated both from the duel.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kana and Diana both grabbed for their sides, where I had struck them.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How’d you do that?” Diana wondered.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Again.” I say, initiating another duel.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">---

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This routine goes on for hours, and by now the sun was setting. I had won every duel I had initiated thus far. I saw how the two were slowly progressing, but it wasn’t good enough. Not nearly good enough.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The two were a distance away from me, planning their next move. I stand there casually and unarmed, waiting for them to make their move. They eventually do, bringing out their knives and rushing me. I Shift up to them, placing my hands on their chests and lightly pushing them, making them trip and fall to the ground.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I sigh and put a hand to my face.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Come on, I’m unarmed, even.” I say, walking away.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Can we stop now?” Diana asked.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What, you want to give up?” I ask.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We don’t have a chance in beating you anyway.” Kana added.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I stare at them both for a few seconds, being reminded of Yamato.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Then fight harder!” I shout at them. “If there’s someone who’s stronger than you in your way, then the only option you have is to become stronger than them! You aren’t going to get anywhere by giving up!”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The sisters look at each other and take in my words. They nod to each other.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Use your bow, Diana.” Kana said.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Huh?” She responded. “But aren’t we training with knives?”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just do it.” She said, bringing out her two knives.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Uh, alright.” Diana grabbed the bow from her back and notched an arrow, drawing the string slightly but keeping the bow lowered.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You ready?” Kana asked her sister.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Diana nods in response.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kana comes after me as Diana pulls back the string on her bow all the way and points it at me, launching an arrow which I dodge. Kana is there in an instant, swiping at me with her two knives before attempting a middle kick which I grab. I have to let go, though, as I dodge another arrow that sailed past my head. Diana then came running after me, launching arrows as she went, with some damn good accuracy, I might add. I’m forced into dodging both hers and Kana’s attacks as I’m put on the defensive for once. It doesn’t stay that way for long as I jump up and kick off Kana’s shoulders, flipping in the air and throwing two knives at Diana, who is able to dodge both with a well timed roll which she uses to notch three arrows at once, before recovering and launching all three at me as Kana attempted to keep me from moving out of the way. I manage to spin to evade a swipe from Kana before sidestepping the line of three arrows and a few more single arrows.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Diana then reaches us, as Kana moves back to evade my overhead kick and backs up to Diana, crouching as Diana jumps onto her sister’s back as she stands up quickly, giving her a boost in the air which she uses to bring out her knife and come down on me. I manage to block the blow by raising my arm and stopping her arm, but I notice Kana coming in below me simultaneously, knives ready to stab into me. I wouldn’t be able to get out of that easily, but still, I know exactly what to do.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I kick one of Kana’s arms to throw her off, before bringing out my own blade an sweeping a leg under Diana, tripping her as I cut into her at the same time, eliminating her from the duel, as I rush up to Kana as she tries to recover and slice her leg from under her, sending her to the ground and allowing me to put my blade up to her neck.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Not bad.” I tell the two as the duel ended and I sheath my weapon. “You’re definitely improving, that’s for sure.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, really?” Kana said as she got back to her feet.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That kind of maneuver would’ve taken me out if my reflexes weren’t as sharp as they were.” I say. “So, yeah, really.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">   “Well that was fun to watch.” Trinity said, walking over to me. “Good job, Ishi. I’d say your little training session just proved they have what it takes.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well they still need some work.” I tell her.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Didn’t we all?” She smiles. “Anyway, girls. Ishi says you’re alright, so welcome to Pendragon Court.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright!” Kana cheers as she high-fives her sister.

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’ll still need a bit of training, mind you.” Trinity says. “But still, well done.” Trinity turns to me. “Well, that’s about all we have for today, so you can head out if you want.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, alright.” I say. “I’ll see you later, then.”

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She nods and goes to take care of the girls as I leave the courtyard and then the building, heading back to the Death Region to continue my own training overnight.

Chapter 8
“Gah!” I gasp, snapping out of my sleep.

I had that same dream again. The one where Yamato kills me. I was lying in my bed, sweating and breathing heavy. There was a dim light coming into my room, so it was early morning. I look over and see Adeline sitting next to me, her hand on my arm. She had a worried look on her face.

“Are you alright?” She asked. “You were shouting out in your sleep.”

“I… I was?” I ask.

“Yes.” She said. “You were thrashing around too. What did you dream about?”

“I… I can’t remember.” I lie. She didn’t need to know. I didn’t want her to worry about me, either.

“Well, alright…” She let go of my arm and stood up. “Well, if you want I can cook you some breakfast before you head out.” She smiled.

“Ah, yeah, sure.” I say, sitting up on the bed and yawning.

“I’ll see you downstairs.” Adeline said, leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.

I sigh and hang my head low, still reeling from the realism of that dream.

“Dammit…” I say, shaking my head to get out of my thoughts, before standing up and getting dressed, leaving my room and heading downstairs for some of Adeline’s breakfast.

Scrambled eggs and bacon. Nothing too fancy, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t good.

I sit at my regular window table and Adeline hands me a plate with my meal on it as well as a glass of milk before heading into the back room.

The restaurant was empty, as it was before opening time. I took a few bites of my meal before Adeline joined me with a plate of pancakes with a side of eggs, as well as some tea.

“So, what was your dream about?” Adeline asked.

“I don’t remember.” I say. “I told you that, remember?”

“Ishi, I know you well enough to know when you’re lying.” She smiles coyly. “So what’s up?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I say plainly. “Just let it go.”

She shrugs and takes a bite of pancake, looking out the window like I was. The streets weren’t crowded, with only a few people passing by every minute or so. The sun hadn’t risen yet so the light was gray and dim, and a fog shrouded the distance.

“So, you have a girlfriend yet?” Adeline asked abruptly.

I cough on the milk I was chugging down, splattering some of it onto the table.

“No!” I shout when I catch my breath.

“That blush says otherwise.” Adeline smiled.

I try to look down at my cheeks, realizing I couldn’t, before looking away.

“It’s not like that.” I say sternly.

“I don’t know, Asuka seems interested if you ask me.” She teased.

“It’s nothing like that!” I say. “I’m training her, that’s all!”

“Hey, Ishi!” Asuka said when she walked through the door.

I slam my face into the table.

“Ah… did I miss something?” She asks.

“Oh, no, we’re fine.” Adeline said.

“Ah- um… fuckin… wh-what’s up?” I stutter.

“Training day, remember?” Asuka said.

“Oh… it’s Wednesday already?” I ask, picking up my composure. “You’re a bit early, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, well I got up early.” Asuka said. “Having breakfast?”

“Yeah.” I say, taking another few bites of scrambled eggs.

“Adeline, you mind if you cook me up something too?” Asuka asks.

“Oh, not at all.” She says, getting out of her seat and heading for the kitchen. “Go ahead and sit down, I won’t be long.”

So she goes and sits down next to me. Fuck my life.

“You’re blushing.” Asuka noted. “Something wrong?”

I look at her before quickly looking away and back out the window.

“No, I’m fine.” I say.

“Well, okay…”

“Here you are.” Adeline said while handing Asuka a plate of waffles and bacon with a cup of milk before sitting back down and resuming her breakfast.

“So what’s been going on with you, Asuka?” Adeline asked, looking up at her from her plate.

“Oh, nothing much.” Asuka said. “I’ve been getting a lot more business with my runes thanks to Ishi finding that rare material for me.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Unfortunately I haven’t had much time to run the shop with all the training and leveling I’ve been doing as of late… had to get a friend to run the place for me.”

“Where is your shop anyway?” I ask. “I don’t think I’ve ever been there.”

“You haven’t.” Asuka said. “We can visit before we go out training if you want.”

“No, that’s fine.” I say, taking a sip of my milk and taking a bite of bacon.

“So how’s business with you, Adeline?” Asuka asks.

“Oh, it’s going well.” She answers. “Same as always. Of course Ishi here wouldn’t let me go out of business with how much he comes around for ramen.”

“Damn right I wouldn’t.” I say.

“But even without him I’d be doing well enough.” She continued.

“Well that’s good.” Asuka said. “My shop isn’t quite as well known as your place here, but who knows? Maybe I’ll get there sometime.”

It was at this point that I finished up my breakfast and jumped onto my feet on the seat, jumping over Asuka and landing cleanly before heading for the door.

“Hurry it up.” I say, waiting there.

Asuka quickly wolfed down the last of her meal before thanking Adeline and joining me out the door.

---

We headed to the courtyard at Pendragon HQ to do our training. It was still early morning by the time we got there so we were alone when we drew swords. The orange sun peeking over the horizon gleamed against my blade as well as the claws of my gauntlet, while it made the red blade of Asuka’s Flamberge seem like it was ablaze.

We stood a distance away, First Strike duel initiated. We both move simultaneously, circling around each other at a run before spiraling into each other and striking blades, making sparks fly. I twist around and deliver another quick swipe, but Asuka’s smart, and she ducks under it, taking advantage of her momentum to swing upwards while my guard is down. I manage to sidestep the swipe and I slip over onto my hands, spinning around with my feet out as I deliver a series of spinning kicks before pushing myself back up with my hands and locking blades with her.

We both stared each other down as we pushed against each other, before Asuka brings her other hand onto her blade and pushes down, allowing me to use the force of the push to twist around and let her slide by before swiping at her with Gilgamesh. She barely manages to dodge before spinning quickly, releasing a few flames to distract me and quickly set some distance between me and her.

“Those runes are helpful, aren’t they?” I ask.

“You know it!” She winks at me before running toward me again, her blade charged up with fire.

Her speed and power increased as she quickly assaulted me with a flurry of attacks, all of which I was able to evade of block, before I slam outward with Gilgamesh to meet her blade, clashing into it with such force it knocked us both back a bit. I recover first and swing at her with my blade. She tilts herself back and lets the blade fly just past her face before delivering a backflip kick to distance herself again.

This time I close the distance, sprinting at her quickly and slashing upwards with my blade, catching her off guard and putting her off balance enough for me to deliver a solid punch to her gut with Gilgamesh, sending her to the ground. The duel then ended with me as the victor.

“Agh!” Asuka shook her head. “How are you that fast even without Zero Shift?”

“Well I was pretty athletic to begin with.” I tell her.

“What, you worked out or something?” She asked as I helped her to her feet. “Hit the gyms?”

“What? Hell no.” I say. “Free running.”

“You do free running?” Asuka questions.

“Oh, yeah.” I answer. “Lots of it. I climb up buildings, run along rooftops, sometimes evade the cops, it’s all fun.”

“Wait, you’ve had to run from the cops? Why? What’d you do?”

“Nothing. I just hate people. Anyway, back to business.” I initiate another duel and we ready ourselves.

“So you climb up high buildings?” Asuka continued the conversation.

“Oh yeah, they’re the best kind.” I tell her as she runs at me and we lock blades. “Best views of the city from there.”

“I’m guessing that’s why the cops don’t really like you.” She laughs.

“Maybe.” I curve my blade off hers and spin around, delivering a few quick strikes while deflecting a few of hers before locking blades again. “But I haven’t been caught once.”

“That so?” She asks, jumping upwards and landing behind me, delivering a quick slice that I duck under before sweeping my leg and kicking her feet from under her. She recovers by planting her hands on the ground and flipping back onto her feet, making a fast swipe at me that clips my side before she spins around quickly, her blade extended and flames whipping through the air. I deflect five successive blows before grabbing her blade with Gilgamesh and tossing her aside, making her slide onto the ground, but she quickly pounces back up.

“I bet you wouldn’t find too many climbable buildings in Tokyo.” She says.

“Well I don’t plan on going to Tokyo.” I say, smiling at the fight. “I like Nagoya just fine.”

“I see.” Asuka comes at me again, and we clash blades a few more times before I flip back and distance myself.

“Doesn’t Nagoya have its fair share of high rises?” Asuka asks.

“I don’t live where the high rises are.” I say. “And what do you like so much about Tokyo? I’d hate a loud and noisy place like that.”

“Well I’ve always live in Tokyo. Guess I’m just…” She swings her blade into the air sends some flames my way. “…used to it!”

I Shift out of the way of the flames and smirk.

“I don’t think I’d ever be able to get used to a place like that.” I tell her.

“You would if you lived there for 17 years.”

“Maybe.”

We go at it again, our duel becoming more and more heated as time went on. Asuka was definitely much more skilled than when we had began that was for sure, and she was beginning to develop her own fighting instinct.

Mine was way better, but still…

I block an attack to my left by holding my arm over my head and angling my sword down to meet her blade, before bringing my arm back over my head, taking both our blades with it and leaving her right completely exposed. I use that to deliver a strong kick to her side, ending the duel and making her stumble back before catching her balance.

“Aw!” She whined. “I had you that time!”

“Not quite.” I smirk. “You’re getting better, though, I’ll tell you that.”

“I’m glad.” She smiles at me.

“SNEAK ATTACK!” I hear behind me.

I brace my blade behind my back to block the attack.

“You know, it’s not much of a sneak attack if you announce the attack, Avro.” I turn to look at the other knight, standing there, pushing against me.

“Eh, whatever.” The fiery knight said, before I launched him upwards with a well placed high kick to the chin. He backflips to land on his feet and initiated a duel with me. I accepted and pointed my blade to him.

“What’re you doing up so early, anyway?” Avro asked, smiling.

“Someone wasn’t going to let me stay in.” I look back at Asuka, who shrugs.

“Friend of yours?” She asks.

“Oh, yeah.” I say. “This is Avro.” I have to block another few attacks while my back is turned before pushing Avro down to the ground. “He’s in Pendragon Court, too. I initiated and trained him while I was in the guild.”

“Oh. I see.” Askua laughs. “Bit impulsive, isn’t he?”

“I’m not impulsive!” Avro protests, delivering a few more quick attacks which I evade before sending my own flurry of attacks, which he blocks before we lock blades. “I’m experimental!”

I push Avro back before rushing up and clawing upwards with Gilgamesh, barely grazing his hair before he backs up.

“Who’s she anyway?” Avro asked. “Your girlfriend?”

God dammit.

“No, it’s nothing like that, dammit!” I say, running up and performing a jumping overhead swipe which Avro defends against by bracing his blade above him.

“Oh, defensive!” He snickered. “Something you aren’t telli- AGH!” I quickly bring my blade inwards, slamming the pommel right into his gut before giving him a quick downwards diagonal slice that put him out of the duel.

“I told you, it’s nothing like that. I’m training her.”

“Why’s that?” Avro asked, sheathing his sword.

“Can’t get rid of her.”

“Hey!” Asuka shouted behind me.

I raise my hands.

“Ah, Ishi.” Knight says as he walks into the courtyard, Gawain by his side. “Training with Asuka?”

“Ah, yeah.” I answer.

By now everyone in the guild knew who Asuka was, save for Avro, who I had just now informed. They liked her enough to let us use the courtyard here for our training sessions.

“Hey, Knight. Hey, Gawain.” Asuka greets.

Knight nods her way, and Gawain doesn’t move an inch. He always was the silent type with people he doesn’t really hang around with all that much. Hell, the only reason why he talks to us is because we were in a guild together, so he couldn’t get away from us. Forced, but hey, he’s good with us now, so it’s fine. We had previously warned Asuka about his nature, so she doesn’t take it personally.

“Ishi, I need to speak with you.” Knight addresses, walking up to me.

“About what?” I ask.

“The Guardians of Darkness.” He clarifies. “They’ve made a move on Skeith. We think they’ve found it.”

“Found it?” I say. “How?”

“No idea.” He says. “But we have the location where they last were from Trinity. Twilight Fields. I need you to go over there and check it out.”

“Right now?”

“Right now.”

“First thing in the morning?”

“Ishi!”

“Alright, alright.” I wave him off, turning around to Asuka. “Why don’t you train a bit with Avro, Asuka.” I suggest. “You’d probably get a few tricks out of him.”

“C’mon, Ishi.” Avro complains. “I can’t fight a girl! It wouldn’t be a fair fight!”

That triggered Asuka to promptly smack him upside the head so hard it grounded him.

“Don’t worry, Ishi.” Asuka said. “I’ll keep up my training while you go do what you do.”

I nod and head out, going to the outskirts of Luciad before heading to floor 37. Twilight Fields.

---

I arrived at my destination in short order. Twilight Fields was actually a valley, situated between two cliffs. The reason why it was called a field was because of how wide an area there was between the two cliffs. You’d find all the normal life you’d find in a normal field around here. It was also called Twilight Fields because of the way the cliffs were placed east and west, and they were so tall that it looked like twilight most of the time while the sun would rise above the east cliff at around 10 or so in the morning.

Nice place, I think.

I look around, not seeing anyone in sight, before making a brisk jog through the fields. It takes me 10 minutes to pick up on something. I sniff the air. It smelled weird. Something I hadn’t smelled before… or had I… no I definitely have. I couldn’t make it out though. I pick up the pace a bit until I come across a dead body. The body of a player. Covered in blood. I kneel down and investigate the body. There were gashed across his body, like he had been cut apart or something.

Then it hit me.

“Why the hell is there a physical body here?” I say.

It also then occurred to me that the smell I was smelling was blood.

And there was a lot more of it.

I look down at the grass and notice red spots all over it. One leading off into a trail. I follow the dark line for about a minute before I come across something that took me by surprise.

At least a dozen players. All from the Guardians of Darkness. All dead and strewn about on the ground. Blood everywhere.

“What the fuck?” I say to myself, moving around the bloodied corpses.

I wondered again why the bodies hadn’t disappeared, and why there was blood everywhere. That shouldn’t happen in this game. I’m pretty sure the game doesn’t even render blood. I look around at the whole mess. The players looked sickly… like they had been torn apart from the inside out before dying. Their eyes were wide open, as were their mouths.

“What the hell did this?” I ask myself.

“Skeith did this, Ishi.” I hear a voice say.

I wheel around, and there was none other than Yamato, walking the blood path I had just came from.

“Fancy seeing you here.” He remarks.

“Why are you here?” I demand. “Want to recapture Skeith?”

“Huh? Recapture?” He asks. “Oh, no. I never had the thing.”

“What?” I question. “What’re you talking about? You were the last to use it, were you not?”

“I was not.” He said, kneeling down to inspect one of the bodied. “The last person to use Skeith was a friend of mine… he…” He hesitated, then switched to a different subject. “Ishi, you can’t go after Skeith.”

“What? Why not?” I say.

“Look at what it’s done.” He says, standing up. “I don’t think you understand just what you’re dealing with here. These people obviously didn’t.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I tell him. “I need to get to Skeith before the Guardians of Darkness do.”

“Ishi, it killed my best friend.” He said, almost in a remorseful way. “It’s something you don’t want to mess with.”

“Why should I care about your dead friend?” I say.

Seems I struck a nerve, because in an instant, he drew his sword and lunged at me. I barely brace Gilgamesh up in time to stop his blade. When I looked into his eyes, I saw pained fury. Something I didn’t expect from him.

I draw my blade and swipe at him, and he backs up enough to sheath his blade before slashing it through the air at blinding speed, projecting a blade in front of me that I’m forced to Shift away from. He does it again, and I evade, then again. This time I rush up to him and make a quick slash of my own, having it bounce off his blade before I’m hit in the side by the scabbard of his sword as he turned around and drew again. I quickly catch it and we clash blades.

“I need to make sure nobody gets their hands on it, Ishi!” He shouts. “It’s too dangerous! It’s something that shouldn’t exist!”

“How would you know?” I say, pushing against his blade as he did the same with mine. “How do you know what it’s capable of?”

“I’ve seen it firsthand! Are all these bodies not proof enough?!”

Suddenly, we’re both shaken with a splitting headache. We both grasp our heads and I kneel to the ground as Yamato staggers back, trying to catch his balance. The pain subsides, but I’m still disoriented. I pant as I try to reassess myself.

“What…” I stammer. “How… you aren’t supposed to feel pain in this game…”

“Skeith is still here…” Yamato says, regaining himself before me.

It hit me then… just what the hell was Skeith exactly? Why can I feel pain when it’s around? Why are all these bodies still here and all bloodied?

I had a bad feeling about all this. If what Yamato is saying is true, which I’m inclined to believe is the case, then we may be in way over our heads with this… but something of that power can’t fall into the wrong hands. I still need to go after it.

“It doesn’t matter…” I say, standing up. “If the Guardians of Darkness get their hands on it, who know what they’ll do with it? I need to get it first, and like hell I’m letting you get it.”

“Ishi, it’ll kill you.” He says.

“Why do you care?” I respond. “Why, huh? Why are you keeping me alive? Why not just kill me? You’re more than capable of doing so!”

“My reasons are my own.” He says.

“You’re pathetic.” I scoff, walking past him forward through the corpses. “You better make up your mind quick, Yamato.” I say. “If you don’t kill me soon, I’ll kill you.”

With that, I head forward. Yamato doesn’t say another word. He just leaves me to it.

About a minute of walking and I’m struck by another splitting headache, this time it sends me to the ground. The pain quickly spreads throughout my entire body, and I scream as I lie paralyzed by pain. I could barely think straight. I was frightened. I had no idea what was happening. Suddenly, the pain subsided again, and I’m left on the ground, trying to recover. I slowly stagger up, coughing into my hand. I look down at it and see blood on it.

When I look back up, I see something… it looked like some sort of cluster of data. It was at a distance so I couldn’t see well, and it blended in with the background as well, but still, I saw it there. I was fixed on it, mesmerized by it… then my heart was stricken with the most terrifying feeling I had ever experienced. Fear gripped me as I looked at it. When I looked at myself, I saw bits of digital sparks flying off my body. More pain followed shortly after. Before it got too unbearable, I broke out into a run. I ran away as fast as I could from it, whatever it was. I ran across the fields until I left the area, and I continued running after that. I ran until I was sure it was gone, and after that I fell onto my hands and knees, staring at the ground, wide-eyed.

I had never been more terrified in my life.

Yamato was right… Skeith is something that shouldn’t exist.

God damn whatever twisted person created that monster…

Chapter 9
After I had picked myself up, I travelled back to Luciad to report to Knight on my findings. I was still pretty shaken up when I entered the room, and everyone there took notice immediately.

“Geez, Ishi.” Avro said. “You look like hell.”

“Ishi.” Knight said. “What happened? Did you find Skeith.”

I hesitate before answering. “Yes…”

“Did you capture it?” He followed up.

“No…” I say. “I wasn’t able to…”

“Well… that’s troubling… we’ll have to try again whenever we can.”

“NO!” I shout abruptly, startling everyone except Gawain.

“What?” Knight asked.

“I saw that thing, Knight.” I said. “I… it slaughtered them… the members of the Guardians of Darkness that were sent for it… they were all bloody heaps on the ground!”

“Bloody heaps?” Trinity repeated.

“That’s impossible.” Gawain said in his usual cool demeanor. “Bodies disappear when killed. There’s no blood in the game either.”

“Then what’s this?!” I hold out my right hand, the one I had coughed blood into earlier. Sure enough was a red stain on my white fingerless glove. It hadn’t gone away.

“This is my blood.” I tell them. “I coughed it up when I was near the damn thing.”

“So you did see it?” Knight said.

“Hope I never have to again…” I say. “That thing… I felt it killing me when it was near. It hurt… it hurt a lot…”

“You felt pain?” Avro asked.

“I felt enough to put anyone else in shock!” I said. “Knight, we can’t go after this thing! We don’t know what we’re dealing with!”

“Ishi, I see that the danger is great, but even so we cannot let the enemy get to Skeith before we do.” Knight told me. “But this… this definitely complicates things…”

“You’re still set on controlling it?” I ask, in an angry tone.

“Do we have a choice?” Gawain steps in. “We know it can be controlled. It’s been done before. So we need to try to secure it before they do.”

“That thing will kill all of us and anyone else that tries!” I slam my palm onto the table. “You didn’t see it like I did! You didn’t feel yourself being torn apart from the inside!”

“Ishi, I understand what you’re saying here, believe me, I do.” Knight says. “But if there’s any chance of us capturing Skeith, we need to take it. No matter the risk. All of Aincrad depends on that, if what you’re saying is true.”

I look at the ground, knowing him to be right. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself.

“I met Yamato there.” I say after a brief silence. “He was looking for Skeith too. Said he wanted to make sure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands, as we are. He said the first person to use it was a friend of his, and he had never used it himself. To that end, I don’t know, but Yamato claimed that in the end Skeith killed him. I don’t exactly know what Yamato wants to do with Skeith, but I don’t think he’d use it for destruction like the Guardians of Darkness would.”

“I see…” Knight though on this. “It doesn’t matter, though. In any hands other than ours Skeith is a danger we cannot have around. We still need to find a way to capture it before anyone else.”

“I’ll do it.” I say unexpectedly.

Everyone looks to me, and I’m quickly thinking of a reason why I had said that. The words just slipped out of my mouth without me even thinking about it. I scramble for the words.

“I mean… ah…” I scratch my head.

“Are you sure?” Knight asked. “Even after what you saw?”

“I…” I think on it. For some reason, something was urging me to say yes. Albeit something was also telling me to say no, and I was more inclined to listen to that urge than the former, but even so...

“Yes.” I say. “I’ll find a way to contain Skeith before anyone else does.”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Misaki spoke up for the first time. “I mean, after what happened…”

“I’m sure.” I say, not entirely confident in my own words.

“Very well.” Knight said. “Ishi, I’ll put you in charge of this mission. We’ll send any information we may find straight to you.”

“Alright.” I nod.

“Good luck.”

I leave the building and then leave town, walking right out the gates tall and proud before promptly falling flat on my face right onto the ground.

“Son of a BITCH!” I curse into the dirt, standing up and dusting myself off.

I really had no idea why I did that. The last thing I wanted right now was to dive right

back into that… whatever the hell it was… but for some reason I did, and for my pride’s sake I wasn’t going to back down.

Fuck my pride, dammit…

I dust off my jacket before deciding I needed something to clear my head of all the crap

that’s been going on recently… or at least give myself a chance to sort through all of it.

I pull up my map and fast travel to a destination I’ve visited only once before.

---

Sakura Trail was a long and rarely trodden path that lies in a relatively isolated area of the 14th floor. I had visited this place only once before, the last time I needed to calm my nerves, which was quite a while ago, actually. I take my first few steps onto the empty trail. A cool breeze swept through the trees, gently lifting the falling pink pedals as they softly and soundlessly fell to the ground. This region was cooler than others of the floor, especially considering the fact it was the start of summer, but I didn’t mind it.

I walk slowly on the path between rows of trees, watching the pedals dance in the light breeze, falling around me, and on me. Each breath I took smelled sweet, and I could almost taste that sweetness in my mouth. The only sound to be heard was the breeze sweeping through the trees and combing through my hair and fluttering the tails of my jacket, as well as my quiet footsteps on the ground. It was afternoon, but not yet dusk, and the sun was not too bright, so I could perfectly see everything surrounding me.

“Hey, Ishi!” I hear a very cheery voice sound behind me, followed by quickened footsteps.

I turn around and am greeted with a wide and young smile from another member of Pendragon Court: Agravaine.

“Oh, hey, Agravaine.” I say.

“I didn’t know you came here!” She said, merrily, waving from side-to-side excitedly, her white, fur-collared cape fluttering.

“Well, I usually don’t.” I say, chuckling a bit. “I’ve only come here once.”

“Oh?” She said, stopping her motions and stepping up to me. “Oh, right, you live in Japan. I bet it’s cool over there. I’ve always wanted to visit Japan but my parents would never agree to it.”

“Huh…”

“I come here because this place reminds me of Japan! There are Sakura blossoms in Japan too!”

“Right...”

One thing you need to know about Agravaine: she’s really energetic and VERY optimistic. She always has a way of lightening up the mood of anyone, no matter how down and/or dull they are. I mean, she even gets to Gawain, and that’s an accomplishment worthy of a Nobel Prize.

“What’s it like in Japan?” She asked curiously. “I bet it’s awesome!”

“Eh.” I shrug.

“Oh, come on! I’ve seen so many things about Japan! It looks super cool!”

“Well when you’ve lived somewhere for 18 years any place will get boring.” I say. “Besides, I could say the same about the States.”

“Eh, it’s nothing too special…” She said. “I mean, if you like being kept up until 3 in the morning, what with all the car alarms and people screaming and gunshots, it’d probably suit you fine, I’m guessing.”

“New York can’t be that bad.” I say.

“It is.” She told me sternly. “Part of me is glad I’m stuck in here. At least I can get some sleep when I want to.”

“Huh.”

“Oh, let’s walk together!” She said, hopping once and taking my hand to lead the way. “C’mon!”

“Agh! Agravaine!” I’m not given a choice as she tugs me along with her, happily taking in the scenery that I was enjoying up until recently.

“So how’ve you been, Ishi?” Agravaine asked. “Haven’t seen you in forever!”

“Eh, same old.” I say. “What about you?”

“Same with me!” She said, still leading me along as we walked together.

Agravaine took her steps with all the enthusiasm in the world; enough confidence radiating from her to break a frikkin’ Geiger counter. Can’t say I didn’t like being around her, because I did, even if she totally crashed the moment for me.

“Oh, I heard about this Skeith thing from Knight! Sounds cool!” She said. “I wonder what something like that could do!”

I suddenly remember what it could do and I grab my stomach in an attempt to stop myself from vomiting.

“Uh, are you ok?” Agravaine asked worriedly. “You don’t look so good… didja eat something bad? Wait, can you even get sick in this game?”

“I… no I’m fine…” I say. “You don’t want to know what Skeith does…”

“Huh?” She said. “Do you know?”

“I saw it, yeah…” I say, steeling my stomach. “It’s… bad… the things it does.”

“Oh, so it’s some evil weapon thing, then?”

“Yyyyeah… sure.” I say. “Unfortunately for some reason now I volunteered to be the one to capture it… don’t have a clue how I’m supposed to do that… the last thing I want it to go looking for that thing after what I saw.”

“Must’ve been bad.”

“I was.” I shake my head, getting the thoughts I came here to get rid of out of my head. “Anyway, let’s keep going.”

“Okay!”

“Hey, you!” I hear someone say.

I turn and see a group of Laughing Coffin members there. Five of them, looked like. They had their weapons drawn.

God dammit, can’t even take a walk nowadays.

“You know about Skeith.” Their leader said. “We wanna hear it.”

“Uh oh.” Agravaine said.

“Why’s that?” I ask. “Not like a bunch of punks like you would be able to control it.”

“Shut up!” He said, pointing his sword at me.

“I’ll take care of this guy!” Another one in the group said, rushing me. He brings up his sword over his head, and I promptly move to the side and hold out my leg, tripping him and sending him flat on his face.

“Whoops.” I say nonchalantly

“Why, you…” The guy scrambled back up, before snatching Agravaine’s neck in his arm and holding his sword to her neck. “Tell us what you know or the girl gets it!”

“Ow!” Agravaine said, tugging at the guy’s arm. “Hey! You’re pulling my hair, cut it out!”

“Shut it!” He said.

“Wow, how stupid are you guys?” I ask, not the least bit concerned.

“Fuck you!” The guy holding Agravaine said. “I’ll kill her, I swear!”

With Agravaine’s struggling against her captor, the guy slipped off her neck and his hand accidentally grabbed her breast.

“AH!” Agravaine quickly sprang up, arms in the air and hands in fists, managing to uppercut the guy right in the jaw and send him straight to the ground. She quickly crossed her arms around her chest.

“Don’t touch me there!” She cried, shaking her head with a blush. “That’s dirty!”

“Heh.” I smile, as I dodge another one of the guy’s blades and let him pass by me as

Agravaine comes up and jumps over him, kicking off his back playfully and sending him to the ground too, landing on the shoulders of another one of them.

“Hahah!” She laughed triumphantly. “Onwards!”

“Hey! Get off me, bitch!” The guy shook around, trying to knock her off, but lost his balance and was sent to the ground and slammed down right under Agravaine’s rear.

“Aw, that wasn’t a fun ride…” She said, sitting on the back of the guy on the ground. “Ishi, these guys are no fun!”

“Tell me about it.” I say, dodging a blade from the fourth one and kicking him in the side, crippling him and putting him to the ground as well.

The leader of the ground backed up a bit.

“You… you…” He said through gritted teeth. “I’ll kill you!”

He ran at me, and swung his sword. I jumped over it and landed standing on his shoulders.

“Giddyup.” I say, as my weight easily pushed him down and crushed him into the dirt.

“Agh… well you were right, Agravaine.” I said. “That ride wasn’t fun in the slightest.”

I step off the guy, leaving him in the dirt as I return to Agravaine.

“Let’s continue our walk, shall we?” I suggest.

“Okay!” She said, taking my hand again and leading me onwards, making sure to step on the guys on the ground for good measure as we continued our little walk together.

“I don’t like it…” I say after we distance ourselves from our assailants. “Now Laughing Coffin is after Skeith too… that complicates things.”

“How did Laughing Coffin figure out about it anyway?” Agravaine asked.

“I’d assume word of its existence has been going around.” I tell her. “It’s not hard to imagine a lot of people know about it by now. Just makes my job more difficult.”

“Is it really that important?” She asks.

“Oh yeah.” I say. “If you had seen what this thing can do like I had you’d know.”

“I don’t know if I want to…”

“You don’t.”

---

So we had continued our walk until I decided it was time I headed back, and Agravaine tagged along with, since once she stuck on you there’s no getting her off. So like the smart person I am I headed to Pendragon Court HQ so someone could take her off my hands.

Not that I didn’t like her, she can just be clingy.

Not in a needy way, just in a sort of “where we going” kind of way, if that makes sense.

“Oh, I see you picked up Agravaine.” Misaki laughed when I entered the room.

“Yeah, I’m the one who picked her up.” I say.

“Hi, Misaki!” Agravaine shouted cheerily as she skipped from my side and to hers.

How that girl got into the guild is beyond me…

Oh wait, I remember. She got pissed off once.

Once.

“So, Ishi.” Misaki addressed me. “About Skeith… are you sure you want to take it on?”

“As a matter of fact, Misaki, I am not.” I say. “But I don’t trust anyone else to do it, after what I saw of it.”

“I guess I can understand that.” She said. “Just… be careful, okay?”

We both look each other in the eye. She had a look of serious concern and caring. I understood.

“I will.” I say. “I promise.”

I leave the building again.

When I get back onto the streets, I’m immediately PMed by Asuka. I bring up the message.

"So I heard you were going after Skeith."

I PM back.

"Yeah."

"You doing that alone?"

"Probably."

"Come to Adeline’s, we need to talk."

"About what?"

"Adeline’s."

"Fine…"

---

So I go to Adeline’s and right through the door I’m slapped right in the face by Asuka, because for some reason I didn’t see it coming.

“Geez!” I say. “What was that for?”

“Like hell you’re going after something like that on your own!” She said.

“How do you even know about it?” I ask.

“Misaki told me what you told about it.” She answered. “I’m not letting you do it alone!”

“Asuka, I need to do this alone.” I tell her. “It’s safer for everyone that way.”

“I’m coming with.” She said defiantly.

“Asuka, no.” I say.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes!”

“No.”

“YES!”

“No.”

“Dammit, Ishi!” She said, sitting down at one of the tables.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” I say.

She pauses at that and looks at me. I’m looking out the window, not looking at her.

“I just…” I say. “I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

She gets up from the table and tries to slap me again, but I grab her hand. She gives me a pouting look that I counter with my usual look of indifference.

“Fine…” She said, pulling her hand from mine and sitting back at the table. “Just don’t get yourself killed.” She said.

“If that’s what you’re worried about you don’t need to be.” I say. “I’m not getting killed by anything.”

“Famous last words.” She smirks.

“Right.” I smile, leaving Adeline’s and deciding to head back to Ravenwing to begin my search. No doubt that retched hive of scum and villainy had some information that’d be useful.