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Astra was slightly taken aback when the Gemini had placed its hand on his shoulder, but he understood the gesture after a moment. To think that their purpose was to test the players, and death was a part of that sacrifice. Just another mysterious trial created by Cardinal to either push the players forward, or humble them if they aren't ready. There was a slight sense of pride within Astra like the Gemini had suggested, for he had shown restraint. In truth, Astra isn't quite the type for merciless killing, especially of anyone who's defenseless. Killing is an act done out of necessity fo

"The goal was never to break your spirit," The gemini corrected. "In truth, we are incapable of killing anything. Yet another way this world tries to rid itself of us. We exist to confer two boons. To live and to die for the betterment of a player." The gemini turned to Astra and approached, placing a hand on his shoulder. It was a gesture of odd comradery. "You've passed the test so many of us had placed upon our players," The gemini spoke as its form reverted to the fully cloaked form it had initially. No features could be seen beneath the tattered brown hooded cloak, almost as if

"Then why is it that you try to break the spirits of those you take the face of?" Astra thought back to the fight, and the memories it had conjured. All of that emotion and intensity, just from fighting a visage of himself. There was probably a bit to unpack there, but maybe now wasn't the time. "If your strength is tied to ours, isn't it more beneficial if we all stay alive?" For a moment Astra would've felt a bit foolish for trying to talk down what some would see as a mob, but it was clear that the Gemini were more than an average mob. Out of all the fights Astra had exper

"I..." The gemini spoke softly, an air of uncertainty. "I have no way to answer that question. The scope of my existence begins and ends here within the jungle." The gemini continued to stare into the small pond, its surface slowly coming to rest as the rain departed fully. An artificial existence with no clear path to progress. Unlike the players of Aincrad with true autonomy, the gemini as a collective could do none of it. With another heavy sigh the gemini looked to its brothers and sisters at the tree line. One by one they stepped back vanishing into the shadows, the apparent threat q

Astra listened intently to The Gemini as it had spoken about its origins, and where it seemingly belonged. If they really were an evolved NPC, that would be incredibly impressive, but could make sense as to why they're a threat to the system. Astra couldn't help but feel for their plight. "I'm sorry that you've lost so many, and that you don't have anywhere else to go." He looked down towards the ground, and thought about Wulfrin's warning before he came to this Floor. The warning that the floor would play tricks on you. Was The Gemini the one playing tricks on Astra? Or was the sy

"If someone were to trespass into your home," The gemini replied. "And one of your brothers lay eviscerated on the ground in their arms. Wouldn't you fight to, if nothing else, avenge them?" The Gemini turned back towards the water, ripples from the falling rain disturbing its surface. The gemini let out a sigh in slight irritation. Clearly the figure was on edge. Thunder boomed as the brief storm began to clear, small beams of light cascading from the heavens pierced the canopy, bringing the faintest of color back to this part of the jungle. "We are fragments," The gemini continued.

Astra caught his breath as he watched The Gemini make its way towards the small pond. He watched the figure stare at its own reflection, and it seemed as if it portrayed a profound sadness. The swordsman sheathed his sword in the belt on the side of his hip, and took some steps closer to the figure. Astra couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain at The Gemini's musing. Why would the system want to eradicate them? What exactly are they, and what function do they serve? He couldn't help but harp on these questions. There was a time where he knew a potential similar feeling, a feeling of

An uproar in Ilridge followed the introduction of Fatal Error. Everybody wanted to be the one to find the so-called Sword of Kings and the general consensus was that it would be hidden somewhere on Floor 29. Thankfully, the wave of players skewed higher in levels; the safe zone dwellers had learned their lesson the first time and (for the most part) did not want a repeat of day one. Morningstar and Bee could hear them from the base. The TA outpost was located in Ilridge, near the center. The guild collectively decided that it was best not to position themselves too close to the teleporter

The Gemini flinched as the blade arced across its form. Defeated it well to its knees, its head hung low in submission to Astra. It prepared for its final moments before the blade stopped short of ending its life. An act of mercy? Perhaps the swordsman spoke truth. "Bold ambitions swordsman," The Gemini spoke as it struggled to its feet. "Many like you have come with the same ideals. What you fail to grasp is how futile your goal is." Astra's gemini made its way towards a small pond at the center of the clearing, the rain lightening ever slightly. It stared into its refection and all

Bee shut her eyes, waiting for the ringing to end. She leaned over the table and buried her head in her arms. FATAL ERROR was burned into her eyes; even closed, she could still see the faded remains of those two words. She stayed there, waiting, long after the window had vanished, until she heard her name being called. “Bee?” came Morningstar from the room over. When she didn’t answer, he called again. She raised her head. “Still here,” she managed. He stumbled around the corner, his face paler than usual. “Did you see that too?” Bee could only nod, trying to catch her bear

*This thread might benefit from the 10 post closure rule, the conversation do be fizzling A lean back in his chair, adjusting himself to the weight of her decision. An inhale would see him move a hand to his brow, remove his glasses and fold them up. He'd lean forward and take the items away one by one. A finality as the tablet was the last among them. "Then there is nothing left to say, welcome to the light Hilda. I'll call on you only if I absolutely need to. I think that if your alright with it, I'd like to allow Simmone and Shiina to know where you are. If you can handle it." A look down

Slowly raking herself up from the pond, wiggling and tapping feverishly on the right side of her head. Her mouth opens and a dribble of water with a tiny orange fish escapes out. "God....Damn......Gravity." and the irony was completely lost on her as she exhaustibly finally chokes out a phrase. The fact of the matter was, in this shape she taken there was a new found weight that she was no longer accustomed to. Hands clamber for the stones that speckle the rim as she'd look up to Sam's hand holding back laughter. Nisa scrunches up her face and mimics laughter with a wiggle of her head and nose

He took Bee down the hall, away from the creature. A health crystal and a snack was the best treatment Morningstar could come up with. She was tough. She had been inches towards death, but she was okay. The paralysis wore off quicker than either of them expected. It killed Morningstar that he had been stupid enough to let her anywhere near the Shambler, knowing full well what her level was. He left her to herself, but stayed near by in case she needed him. It wasn’t a safezone, but mobs usually steered clear of the outpost, choosing their lives over succumbing to Morningstar’s blade. He r

Mari accepted the damp rag in one hand, and the crystal in the other. “Do…I really look that bad?” She asked. And…of course she had. She had been cooped up for so long that time had lost all meaning. She sighed as she roughly wiped it over her face, mildly surprised that it had been warm. Raidou was oddly…thoughtful. She guessed he had been preparing for this moment for a very, very, long time. She grimaced when she looked down at the grime, a simple wipe of her face wouldn’t be enough. She’d need to actually shower. "AND NO CLIFFS. that I will tell you what to do." “Depends..." Mar

Bee | Lv.6 | HP: 120/120 | EN: 30/30 He hesitated before the cage. Dying Sun had the habit of hurting its foes, but it was the only form of paralysis they had. The Shambler needed to be sedated for Bee to safely attempt her skills. He drew his blade and stuck it between the bars of the cage. The Shambler squirmed, letting out a screech at the sight of the weapon. “I’m sorry,” Star muttered, jabbing the creature as gently as possible. He did it again. And again. Over and over, he stabbed it until the paralysis took effect. Bee watched in silence. “Start with First Aid,” Morn

That smile of his doesn't fade as she begins completely poking holes in that flip around. "Alright alright, you got me. I was so flipped upside down I thought you wanted the rock, ok?" He'd hand her the rag and the teleport crystal, after tapping it and predesignating its coordinates. He'd give her the opportunity to wipe her face, straighten her hair a little if she was so inclined. "Mari?" The mental freeze finally clearing, she'd start to move and accept in a way that actually would strike Raidou with a mild shock. There was some growth after all. That was not the answer he'd been

“Just messing with me?” Came Mari’s incredulous reply, she placed her free hand on her hip, raising her eyebrows at him. Her tone was almost accusatory, as if to say ‘I know you weren’t, dumbass but instead of saying that - she simply took a step back, shrugging her shoulders. “Of course you were.” She made sure her tone was as deadpan as possible, speaking with a robotic cadence. “You. Were. Just. Messing. With. Me.” This…felt nice. The casual banter between them. The more Mari spoke to him, the more she realzied she just…missed this. Missed everything. She missed moving about, talking.

*side note: had to use an image because the board hates mirrored text Listening to her voice it felt almost unreal, another induced day dream between them that always bordered a nightmare. Not quite comfortable but not quite painful either. "Uh, Of course." he'd toss the thing over his right shoulder, allowing it to clatter to the wall and flop pathetically to the ground like a wet napkin. Clapping his open hand against his forehead with an audible slap. "I was just messing with you." He'd offer a smile to dismiss his own stupidity and embarrassment. Mainly to just scratch some of that real

It took one minute, then two, then three till Raidou finally moved again. He clambered back, almost comically so out of his seat - as though whatever paused in his mind had started moving again. Mari watched with a quizzical look as he glanced over his shoulder at a glowstone. Did he ... .there was no way he thought she meant that did he? Mari very specifically told him she wanted to feel the sun on her skin. Not the dim cold light of some magicked stone. Surely he… Nope. Mari watched as he tripped, grabbed the stone then shoved it unceremoniously through the bars in her direct

A shock like static through the system that caused him to pause, the book whisked so carelessly to the cobbled stone beneath him bouncing off its spine. A thought races through his head, causing him to lift a finger but no sound comes out. Then another with a metaphorical lightbulb flickering to life in his mind causing his finger to become rigged once more, but nothing twice that causes it to become flaccid. The swordsman clears his throat, struggling on the notion that a question he'd asked every visit was finally actually considered. Her decision, her choice. Finally feeling like she'd paid

Click Click Click Click The monotonous steps echoed in a soft rhythm, closer and closer they descended. Mari drew in a long breath and held it. Somehow, those simple monotonous sounds…gave her a sense of relief. She wasn’t forgotten. He wasn’t dead. Time moved forward. Mari didn’t have to lift her head to know who it was. Raidou. Perhaps the only person in the entirety of Aincrad that knew where she was. That is. If he kept his word. And if those she had once sought, so long ago, were still lost. She exhaled as the final, gentle

The dark and narrow corridors of dimly lit stone walls continued unending. Temperatures dropped into almost winter levels as the mans breath would start to become visible. A set of goblins here, a ghoul or two there. Wave after wave as he passed cell after cell. Black metal bars of iron long forgotten, stood unmoving and empty with that that they trapped inside. A rat cuts across the room, as the nomad's foot finds a puddle formed from droplets that rhythmically tap in from cracks above. The strike of a match would see a sconce on the wall spring to life, offering a warm glow that felt almost

PH ---- Post Action: [x15] ST-I (12 EN +2 ST Shift) 14 - (Rested 2/2; Stamina) = 11 EN Free Action: None ID#: 244146 | BD: 6+7= 13 HIT! | 46*15=690-80= 610 DMG vs Spectral Knight! Wulfrin | HP: 966/966 | EN: 103/116 | DMG: 26 30 (+4) | MIT:75 | ACC:7 | AA | EVA:2 | PARA-IM | BH:32 | FLN: 8 | FRB: 40 | TXC-V: 32 | FRZ: 64 | LD:8 | PROSP:3 | DOTE: 3/3 | PROB:36 Hirru | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 112/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 | BH: 58 | HLY BLS: 46 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | LD: 5 | THRNS: 76 | PARA | PROB: 36 | DOTE: 3/3 | {CD: PtA 0/3} Zajcica | HP: 1012/1012 |

Astra watched as his doppleganger seemingly regained its footing after his sword art. The cloaked figure bearing his face seemingly stared through Astra's sky blue eyes and deep into the elegy of his soul. Through gritted teeth, the figure responded to his questions. For a moment, Astra was taken aback. Was he truly fighting a losing battle? Was there some truth carried along with The Gemini's words? As he took a moment to ponder the question, Astra never removed his sight from the Gemini, as there was uncertainty on if the creature would strike again. The white-haired youth took a sm

Squealing, the four boars charged and attacked her all at once. She side-stepped the first two, and brought her shield up to bounce the third before slicing the last one with botan. Their health bars and damage were much improved over the first-floor counterparts, but Acanthus had also come a long way since then. She recalled struggling to fight them one-by-one all those months ago; now, she was dancing with four without breaking a sweat. Her armor made her near invincible. But it was more than that. Her confidence in the game had grown as well. She learned more and more, studied the rule