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Final Smack (right... right?)

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Total Word Count: 4,731 words 4,731 / 10 = 473.1 Astra: 473 x 1 = 473 x 0.7 = 331 + 1,500 = 1,831 Wulfrin: 473 x 6 = 2,838 x 0.7 = 1,986 1986 x 0.15 = 297 Rewards: Wulfrin receives Exp: 1,986 Col: 297 Astra receives Exp: 1,831 Col: 400 Additional Quest Rewards: -Concentration unlocked for Astra Thread summary: Astra fights himself, spooky.

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Rest 2 Relaxed | Out of Combat for 2 Posts. EN recovered!

Rest 1

The slightly bigger boars worked in tandem to flank Acanthus. The first charged, forcing her shield up and front while the second worked around to the side. With a quick sideways glance, she decided she would have to take the hit. Working her blade into the first boar, she heard the second charging at her side, just outside of her vision. Gritting her teeth, she dug her heels in as best she could. The boar connected, rattling her entire body inside the suit of armor. She watched as her HP ticked down—thankfully, not by much—and saw the boar sustain reciprocal damage. As much as she wanted

Astra nodded towards the Gemini as it faded into the shadows, sharing in his sentiment that they never cross blades again. It appeared as though the training that Wulfrin had mentioned was now over, and Astra could leave this jungle feeling stronger and with more resolve than what he came with. On the thought of Wulfrin, Astra thought back to Wulfrin's Gemini, and his ability to take the faces of others as a disguise. It was eerily similar to the Gemini's of the jungles. Was Wulfrin bonded to one who had escaped? These thoughts entertained Astra's mind as he made his way back to the tele

Acanthus swept the room for traps or hidden exits. Content that there was nothing to reveal, she moved towards the alcove on the far end of the room. A small black pedastal rose to her waist, offering a small indentation for her hand. “No other way to go,” she mused, and pressed her hand into the space. Her vision stuttered, then warped blue. When her vision finally adjusted, Acanthus took stock of the room again. It was the same shape, size, and aesthetic of the previous room. “Lazy effort,” she said absentmindedly. “But I guess the developers were phoning it in at this point. Which mean

"I wait for you to return," The gemini replied. "Like I said we convey one of two boons to players that pass our test. You've earned one of those gifts. Though the other one I fear your resolve will not allow you to take." The gemini removed its hand from Astra's shoulder and with a nod made its way towards the tree line, the shadows seemingly clinging to its form. "Good luck on your ventures," It said with a final nod. "I hope we never have to cross blades again." With that the Gemini faded into the shadows. It was odd, but Astra had seen similar feats of strength before. Silen

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