Sakura

Aoi turned away from the pond, the place that her bolt remained, and the final resting place of the Gemini. There would be dark days ahead, she knew that, but there would be good ones as well. Days where she would, for a time, forget about this moment. This moment, and all the others that would follow. The dark moments where she would be pulled down to a level of despair, of self-hatred and loathing, a point in her adventure when she would have to face the worst possible decisions, and follow through with them. But those days would not last. She knew that, knew that there would be a lig

No. No I won’t. This is who I am, and I need to learn to live with that. I need to face…the reality. The reality of what I did. What I will do…what I will do. She repeated the final thought, her face twitching as she realised that this was only the beginning. Her adventure lay ahead of her, still so much to do – still so much to gain from everything Aincrad had to offer. That meant that although she had seen, and committed, darkness here and now, there would still be more in the future. I need to harden myself if I’m going to survive. That’s the key here. I need to face the reality…the reality

The flashing icon at the bottom of her vision caught her attention. Aoi glanced down at it, seeing the confirmation of her success. More importantly, the confirmation of what she had done – and the reward she received for her actions. A reward…for murder. Is it murder? Was the individual not…human like? Did they not seem real…in a sense? She didn’t know the answer, couldn’t even begin to speculate on the differences or the minutiae of it all. Flicking open the notification, she read the gained skill and almost screamed. Disguise? All of that…and I get to disguise myself? What, so I can

A part of her wanted to run. To leave the pond behind and to never speak of the instances that had occurred here. Fighting the various monsters had been one thing, but as she relived the instance within her mind over and over, Aoi knew that she couldn’t place her action down as a simple means of survival. The necessity taken in order to defeat whatever was attacking her, and to come out victorious and alive. They were defenceless and on the ground. I could have walked away. I could have left. Why…? Something in her had shifted, a change in her entire view of the game and the world around

Aoi stared down at the figure for a time, trying to determine what she was expected to do. She knew that the test was continuing onwards, that her next choice would determine something within the boundaries of the quest, and yet she found herself entirely uncertain about what to do now. The quest continues so long as I’m trapped here with the Gemini. Freedom cannot be found while the Gemini lives. Aoi didn’t think twice, bringing the crossbow up and flicking her wrist, watching as the bolt tore through the hood and out the other side. Seconds passed, seemingly eternal in how they hovered

The shot had been unsuccessful, and Aoi felt her smirk drop slightly in response – but only slightly. The playful, bashful and somewhat insulting behaviour of Freyd more than brought the grin back to life as he continued his banter with the King. For a few seconds she considered angling around behind the King to attempt a shot from the rear, but even Aoi knew when to hold the line on indignant behaviour. No matter how tempting it may be. ’Lengthy, but not overly dangerous if you’re high enough in level, so it would seem…and I feel like it would go a lot faster if I wasn’t just scratching

Any self control and dignity that Aoi had been attempting to hold onto disappeared with the words from Freyd, and the screaming rage that exploded from the helpless King. It was, in a way, saddening to see the abuse it was taking – there was no arguing that it was abuse, though the level of acceptance of it was in question. Reloading through a natural movement that had clearly been developed over time, Aoi brought the crossbow up once more, pausing as she was aiming at the King. Her expression had taken on a slightly questioning feature, and she cocked her head gently to the left as she g

’What decision is that, exactly?’ Her voice was soft, no hatred or malice in it. Only a measure of confusion, questioning and an attempt to understand. But it didn’t necessarily convey an emotion of trust, or an acceptance of their words – if anything, it could be called prying. Whether that was noticed by the cloaked figure or not, Aoi couldn’t say for sure. ’The decisions…that ensure you keep living…even at the expense of others…the decision that ensures…you come out victorious. The ones…the ones that show you have the power to take control of this world, your part of it…to lead…to fo

’I can see you thinking…considering…taking in all the information…’ The breathing had changed, more demanding on the voice than it had been seconds ago. Aoi couldn’t deny it now – whatever this thing was, it was barely holding on for life. Holding on, but quickly losing whatever grip it might have had. Aoi could already see that the thing would be finished shortly if she simply let it waste away. ’You’re trying to decide…if it’s safe to trust me…or if you should make the hard choice…the safe choice…the one that ensures you live…beyond this moment…That’s why I was sent here, you know…’ Ao

’Dangerous…but you finished…it…’ The figure slowly sat up, causing Aoi to leap to her feet in response and fumble for the firing mechanism on her crossbow. The hood remained over the figure’s features, and something about the thing’s form seemed to suggest that it was, in the moment, not looking to restart the fight by any means. ’You don’t…need that anymore…I don’t have the strength…to fight anymore. I’m finished here…whether you fire that or not…’ Aoi squinted towards the figure, noticing the wispy way that the cloak around its chest seemed to shake and move, as if suggesting that the

The arm had somehow managed to sneak its way back around and underneath Freyd, latching onto his leg in a sudden surprise attack that threw the fighter off balance – and more importantly, appeared to Aoi like some sort of hilariously poor rendition of the Night of the Dead. She found herself pausing long enough to watch with a smirk on her face as Freyd danced with the thing attached to his leg, only to stomp it into non-existence, alongside her smirk. ’I think he just wanted a hug!’ She called out suddenly, the meekness in her voice from earlier replaced by a sudden confidence that seeme

She wasn’t sure which was louder to her ears; the sudden snap of the crossbow’s firing mechanism as it launched the bolt, or the impact as it tore through the side of the Gemini’s face, causing it to spin and fall to the ground in a heap. The hood had returned to cover the Gemini’s face, and Aoi found a measure of peace now that the mirror like expressions had disappeared from sight – the feature more unnerving than Aoi had noticed at first, or during the fight itself. Now that it was gone, however, she felt a measure of tension disappear from her as she fell back against the rock that she had

Aoi’s bolt released from her crossbow, the ammunition slamming into the ground only a pair of steps too far from the Gemini. The mirror image of herself didn’t hesitate, lunging towards Aoi even as she struggled to get another of the bolts loaded into the weapon, trying to bring it up and finish the fight before she could be stabbed once more. Aoi felt as the weapon slammed into her side, sending her reeling backwards once more and careening off a nearby stone that had lined the edge of the pool. Shit, that hurt! There was no denying the pain as she gritted her teeth, her mind trying to

Whether it was lost in its own thoughts, or simply hadn’t expected the movement, the Gemini reeled backwards as Aoi’s bolt struck the left side of its shoulder. She’d thrown her arm upwards and released the bolt suddenly in a hope to catch her opponent off guard – the ploy working almost perfectly as the Gemini stared back in a mixture of confusion and shock, the mirror mask expression breaking away as it seemed to allow its own emotions to roil through to the surface. Or is that my own shock and surprise at my success in the gambit? Whatever the reason for it, Aoi had managed to cut into

The Gemini feinted left, before moving towards the right – a coincidence that happened to work in the favour of Aoi as she dodged to the left immediately, her mind realising too late that she had made her way towards the Gemini’s original path of attack. By the time either one realised what had occurred, they had already passed each other and slid to a stop almost directly across from where they’d started. ’Was…woops?’ Aoi felt a grin come to her face despite the severity of the situation, the hilarity of such a silly accident overcoming any fear or concern she had about the Gemini’s atte

They’d both moved at the same time, Aoi’s crossbow hand coming up as the Gemini figure dove beneath her line of sight and rolled back to its feet. The bolt that Aoi had fired the moment they’d both moved launched into the distance, disappearing into a collection of shrubs and brush behind the Gemini, and ceasing to exist as far as Aoi was concerned. In response to the Gemini’s own attack, Aoi had launched herself backwards, slamming her back into the ground as she’d fallen – less than gracefully – to the ground before rolling to the side and popping back to her feet. Rather than chase her

The bolt slammed directly into the thing’s throat, causing the hood to fall back and reveal the face beneath. Whoever the NPC was meant to be, the appearance was anything but what Aoi would have expected as she stared into familiar features. That’s…me. The face was an exact replica of her own, the eyes staring back at her knowing what she was seeing, and apparently taking pleasure in her surprise and confusion. Aoi paused for a brief second, before remembering that she was still fighting. Moving backwards, she reloaded the crossbow as she tried to drive the oddness of the persona before h

She could feel as the dagger slammed into her side, sending her reeling and rolling away from the hooded figure. A health bar and name had appeared above its head, and Aoi caught sight of the words just as she was pulled away from the thing and tossed to the ground. The Gemini? I guess this is the boss thing I’m supposed to face…damned if that didn’t hurt. She’d glanced up at her own health bar, seeing the massive dip in her health and suddenly wondering if she’d bit off more than she could chew with this fight. ’Fear is natural. Fear of harm. Fear of pain. Fear of death. Have you overcom

Things were going well, though Aoi wasn’t blind to the fact that her original plan to face the King alone would have been suicide. She would have to make it up to Freyd, she knew that – though how she could, was beyond her at the moment. She stood back, reloading her crossbow and eyeing the fight going on between the King and Freyd – that’s the real fight here, I’m just the annoying wasp at the edges of existence – awed by the power shown between the two figures. There was no doubt to any here who was holding the true power in it all, though, as Freyd removed the arm from the Kingly figure wit

The forest’s deepening foliage had given way at some point, and Aoi found herself being led into a large area with a small pond at the base of a waterfall that flowed smoothly down from its high point. She barely glanced at it all, however, as she focused on the hooded figure that had come to a stop shortly after they’d entered the pool area. It shifted around, bringing its figure to face Aoi, while remaining hidden beneath hood and cloak. She could feel the tension growing as the hooded figure glanced towards her with a measure of something in its visage, though Aoi couldn’t quite discern wha

Aoi blinked. Twice. The movement had been so fast that she wasn’t sure which struck first, the small bolt from her crossbow, or the sword in Freyd’s hand. What little damage she’d done – she’d seen her bolt impact the form of the King, but other than leaving a dent in its figure that was imperceptible if one didn’t know where to look for it, she’d essentially left nothing upon its existence. Not even a scratch. The same could not be said for Freyd’s attack. The sword had torn into and through the King, leaving a chunk missing – from its figure, and the health bars above its head. The enti

’I’ve been watching your progress for quite some time. You’ve adjusted to the world, and strengthened yourself a lot since you first entered it.’ The figure had begun speaking as they’d left the boundaries of the settlement behind, suddenly becoming vocal and a measure of interested in sharing its thoughts as they’d continued onwards. Aoi had remained quiet, listening to what it had to say in an attempt to determine just how much danger she was in currently. ’When you first came here, you were scared and incapable of doing much of anything. Now though, now you’re a fighter. You go out and face

A shift in the distance caught her attention, and Aoi turned to see a hooded figure standing at the end of the street, staring in her general direction. The hood sat low over the individual’s features, and though it gave no indication of violence, something about the entire thing’s presence and appearance sent a deep chill down Aoi’s back. She wanted to turn away, to leave the thing standing in the streets and be anywhere but where she was now – and yet, her body turned towards the NPC and closed the distance between them. Well, you’d die for sure in any horror movie. ’I’ve been awaiting

The Gemini Nothing more than just a rumour. Aoi wanted to believe it more than anything, to ignore the shiver that had rushed down her back the moment she had thought about it, and yet her mind wouldn’t entirely push it away. The rumours had swept across Aincrad, talking about a hooded figure that took the appearance of the player, or death, or some other form that would inspire nothing short of fear into the player. It would challenge the player to a dual, no matter where they were, and would leave them shaken and broken – even if they managed to defeat the thing. Aoi had come to th

Aoi shifted on her feet, suddenly uncomfortable at the man’s quick agreement to assist her, or in the obvious case of his appearance and capabilities, likely carry her through what would have been a very dangerous fight. She’d considered facing the King alone, but her plan had been to recruit a party – originally. ’Well, I…was going to try and find…someone who was going, though I hadn’t expected that someone to splash into existence at my feet, so to speak. I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble though, so I completely understand if you have more important things to take care of…’ Her right