Baldur

Baldur could see the gears turning in Jomei's mind as he struggled to process the situation that Hirru was in. 

"Were you at the Dark Elf Council fight Jomei? I can't remember. Regardless, we were all angry at Hirru for his actions, but given this information, I think you can agree that his actions make sense. Hell, I can only hope I have that kinda bravery were the situation real like Hirru thought at the time."

Baldur paused his thought we he saw an opening. The beast was about to go for Jomei again. He sheathed his katana once more, and then took the stance for his most powerful sword art. 

Black and crimson fire erupted in an arc through the room as Baldur unsheathed his sword. At the very last moment he was scared he might kill the head, so he pulled back against the system. As the health bar dropped closer and closer to zero Baldur almost panicked. It stopped with only s sliver left. 

"Whew. Close. Anyways, after that fight Shield and I went to talk to him. We owed him that much as friends. Not many people know about it, and I'd like to keep it that way. It's up to hirru when and where he shares this. He has earned respect and redemption the hard way. Though solid and consistent work."

He gave a proud smile to his old ant hill buddy.

55 Battle Healing
ID#246428 BD: 8+9-1 (charge) = 17 (Hit)
ID#246429 CD: 11 (Recovery Proc) +8 Energy
23 DMG +3 Charge +8 Fallen = 34 x 20 ST-B = 680 - 75 = 605 DMG Dealt
-18 Energy STB -8 Energy Charge +4 Tier
30 Thorns Damage - Boiling Hide

ID#246430 BD 2 +3 ACC -4 EVA = 4 (Miss)
ID#246431 BD 6 +3 ACC- 4 EVA = 5 (Miss)
ID#246432 BD 8 +3 ACC - 4 EVA = 7 (Hit) 175 DMG -104 MIT = 71 DMG Dealt + 56 Burn

[2/2/2] <<Baldur>> HP: 1107/1137 | EN: 106/132 | DMG: 23 | MIT:138 | ACC:7+1+1 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:55 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Survival | 
[0/0/0] <<Hirru>> HP: 970/1000 | EN: 90/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | BH: 50 | HLY BLS: 40 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36 | LD: 8 | Hype 0/3 CD 0/3 Barr cd 2/2
[6/5/4] <<Jomei>> HP: 864/980 (-71 DMG -56 burn +43 HB | EN: 123/136 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 104 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | HB: 43 | VAMP-D: 108 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:1 | BURN 56 (0/2) | Burning for 56 DMG [1/2 Turns Remain] ST-B Unlocked

Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #1) HP: 56/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 55 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 (Shatter 2/3)
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #2) HP: 337/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 55 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 (Shatter 1/3)
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #3) HP: 45/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

[Spectral Knight Kill]

[EV-PP-F29] <<Fatal Error>> If not to-knight, then when?

"Good work everyone, let's head back to the base camp at Hirru's wagon and see if any more of these things have been sighted. Hopefully someone there has an idea if the end is in sight. We need to figure out what's going to trigger the boss fight before one of these slips through to the lower floors and starts duping itself for real."

With an almost ceremonial slash of his sword, Baldur sheathed the blade at his hip once more, the water flying form the tip of his blade in lieu of blood. There was no blood here, but the rain off the blade made it feel more real. The explosion of pixels was normally satisfying, but here on this floor, things were just... different. He Turned to look at the drenched Mari specifically, but gave the entire team and approving nod.

"How are you feeling, Mari?" Baldur asked as he walked up to her. He wanted to make sure she didn't feel lost or overwhelmed. He knew she could do this, but she needed to know that she could do this. "Your muscle memory coming back"

Baldur brushed some water out of his face as the rain relentlessly wore down on them.

"Lets' get out of this. I need to find something warm to drink." He gave a mirthful, but slightly awkward smile in that was he just always did.

[Thread Complete]

Word Count: 4,167 / 5 = 833

Baldur Tier 11 833 * 11 = 9,167 EXP +1 mon
Jomei Tier 11 833 * 11 = 9,167 EXP +1 mon
Hirru Tier 11 833 * 11 = 9,167 EXP +1 mon
Mari Tier 9 833 * 9 = 7,497 EXP  +1 mon

(all 4 participants are Jacob's Ladder for guild tokens)

As Baldur saw the heads of the Cerberus monster go for Jomei and set him on fire, Baldur ran up a ledge and then jumped down from on high, hitting another head and raking his blade across its muzzle, causing it to hit the other heads right as they were about to bite at him again. The beast swayed and all three attacks went wide of both the Ginger and the Jade.

"Come on, you damned thing. Go down faster!"

They needed to get its HP lower faster. He had hoped he could bring it down into range in a single hit, but he was afraid of hitting it a little too hard.

"A second hit should be enough to put it in range, but not kill it as long as I don't use Teayre's old sword." He said it mostly to himself. If <<Muramasa>> activated on a hit, he had the chance of getting it a little too close to dying, but it may save them a round of hits. Hopefully it wouldn't be too much.

Battle Healing 55
EN Recovery: 4 Tier +8 Recovery +3 Hyper -13 En Shatter
ID#246008 BD: 2+9-2-1=Hit      Tech-D 23*16=368 Raw -55MIT = 313 DMG Dealt     CD: 10 STB Unlocked
ID#246009 Recovery Proc CD:10 +8 Energy
-30 HP Thorns DMG

[2/2/0] <<Baldur>> HP: 1107/1137 | EN: 120/132 | DMG: 23 | MIT:138 | ACC:7+1+1 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:55 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Hype 3/3 | Survival | ST-B Unlocked
[0/0/0] <<Hirru>> HP: 970/1000 | EN: 91/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | BH: 50 | HLY BLS: 40 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36 | LD: 8 | Hype CD 3/3 Barr cd 1/2
[4/5/4] <<Jomei>> HP: 924/980 | EN: 135/136 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 104 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | HB: 43 | VAMP-D: 108 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:1 | BURN 56 (0/2) | Well Rested [3/3] | Burning for 56 DMG [2/2 Turns Remain]

Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #1) HP: 337/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 55 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 (Shatter 1/3)
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #2) HP: 337/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 55 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 (Shatter 0/3)
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #3) HP: 650/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

BD: 2+3-4= Miss
BD: 2+3-4=Miss
BD: 1 Miss

Baldur was pleased that instead of arguing with him, Jomei took the compliment. They could all grow, and he was looking forward to having these two at his side to do just that. As they boss loomed up behind them, Hirru took the moment to share his revelation. When he paused, Baldur knew what he was about to share with Jomei. The gaijin samurai didn't know whom Hirru had told and who it hadn't. Still, he walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Hirru's shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze of support to his old friend, and a wordless nod.

Once the words were out, he saw the emotional labor expended, and the vulnerability he felt sharing this with Jomei. So Baldur left the two of them for a moment to talk it out and he jumped at the three heads of the boss, leaping off another boulder to get more height, and then bringing the <<Muramasa>> down onto one of the head.

Hirru was brave and strong, he could do this. Jomei was wise and compassionate, he would be a good friend who would help Hirru not be so afraid of sharing his secret.

He was proud of this team.

Once the moment had passed, the three heads lashed at the ginger tank, one of them hitting him and setting him on fire.

ID#245970 BD: 2+9-2-1=Hit      Tech-D 23*16=368 Raw -55MIT = 313 DMG Dealt     CD: 2 No STB
ID#245971 Recovery Proc CD:9 +8 Energy
BH: +55
EN Recovery: 4 Tier +8 Recovery +3 Hyper -13 En Shatter
-30 HP Thorns DMG

[2/0/0] <<Baldur>> HP: 1107/1137 | EN: 118/132 | DMG: 23 | MIT:138 | ACC:7+1+1 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:55 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Hype 1/3 | Survival |
[0/0/0] <<Hirru>> HP: 970/1000 | EN: 102/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | BH: 50 | HLY BLS: 40 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36 | LD: 8 | Hype CD 2/3
[4/4/4] <<Jomei>> HP: 911/980 | EN: 135/136 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 104 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | HB: 43 | VAMP-D: 108 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | BURN 56 (0/2) | Well Rested [2/3] | Burning for 56 DMG [1/2 Turns Remain]

Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #1) HP: 337/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #2) HP: 650/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
Cerberus, Inferno's Rage (Head #3) HP: 650/650 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2

Cerb Head #1: BD 7+3 = 10-4 = 6 (hit)
Cerb Head #2: BD 6+3=9-4 =5 (miss)
Cerb Head #3: BD 3 (miss)

"It's in the red, let's finish this off!" Business as always, Baldur was focused on the kill. Banter was all well and good, they needed it to promote teamwork and comradery, but Baldur was locked in on the boss now that it was almost dead. He rushed forward, sticking to the rocky areas where his footing felt more sound until he was close enough to activate his sword art and the system took over his movements, carrying him through the now routine movements of his shatter sword art. It didn't always feel like much, but once it was fully stacked up, it helped a lot to keep the damage incoming. And it helped everyone out.

"Mari, Jomei, you should be able to finish this off! Then we can get out of the rain!"

His hair was plastered to his body, with little bits of water running down his clavicles and making his kimono and haori stick awkwardly to him.

"And I could really stand to get out of the rain for a while."

ID#245783 BD:9+9-3=15 (Hit)  CD: 11 (STB Unlocked) Tech-D [Shatter Applied - Duration Refreshed]
ID#245784 CD: 4 (No Recovery)
26x16=416 RAW - 40 MIT = 376 DMG Dealt
-13EN 
Regen +4+3 Energy

[8] Baldur | HP: 980/980 | EN: 104/132 | DMG: 26 | MIT:78 | ACC:8+1 | AA (Inc) | KEEN: 1 (Act) | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Hype 3/3 | ST-B Unlocked

[3] Mari | HP: 940/940 | EN: 97/128 | DMG: 21+2=23 | ACC:5+2=7 | AA | EVA:3 | BH:52 | BLI: 32/-20 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:1 | -40 Mit

[-]Hirru | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 102/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | ACC: 1 | BH: 59 | HLY BLS: 47 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | LD: 5 | THRNS: 76 | PARA | EV-0: 36 | CD hype 3/3 pta 1/3

[7]Jomei | HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 112/138 | DMG: 21 | MIT:44 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:55 | HB: 44 | VAMP-D: 110 | BLI: 32/-20 | LD:1 | (W.R. 3/3) (CHG 1/3)

Spectral Knight | HP: 523/3700 | DMG: 300 | MIT:100 40 | ACC:5 4 | EVA:3 | FRB [40/2] | BLD [48/2] | BLGT [32/2] | BRN [56/2] | Shattered [3/3 stacks] | Stuck Immun. (2/3) | DELAY

"I got it!" Baldur called out, racing towards the mirror clad rain slicked creature as Jomei slipped, missing his attack. Mari's weapon had swirled with its status effects, but they seemed to pass through the creature. What was going on? His Fallen had proced, but Baldur remembered last time when he thought he was going to land a critical hit and nothing happened.

"Mari, your sneak attack might have a better chance of landing your DoTs if that didn't work!"

Baldur didn't have a reliable way to hit it, but his sword had a wide range of effects that could land.

"Shattering it once again, this should allow us all to hit even harder!"

He charged up his sword art, then once again launched himself at the creature, his blade causing the glass of its armor to shatter even more, now not even able to reflect anything other than the dim light of the floor.

"We've almost got it in the red! We're almost there!"

ID#245760 BD:5+9-3=11 (Hit)  CD: 1 (No STB) Tech-D [Shatter Applied]
ID#245761 CD: 2 (No Recovery)
30x16=480 RAW - 40 MIT = 440 DMG Dealt
-13EN 
Regen +4+3 Energy

[6] Baldur | HP: 980/980 | EN: 110/132 | DMG: 26(+4=30) | MIT:78 | ACC:8+1 | AA (Inc) | KEEN: 1 (Act) | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Hype 2/3
[1] Mari | HP: 940/940 | EN: 89/128 | DMG: 21+2=23(+4=27) | ACC:5+2=7 | AA | EVA:3 | BH:52 | BLI: 32/-20 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:1 | -40 Mit
[-]Hirru | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 100/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | ACC: 1 | BH: 59 | HLY BLS: 47 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | LD: 5 | THRNS: 76 | PARA | EV-0: 36 | CD hype 2/3
[4]Jomei | HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 120/138 | DMG: 21(+4=25) | MIT:44 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:55 | HB: 44 | VAMP-D: 110 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | (W.R. 2/3) (CHG 0/3)

Spectral Knight | HP: 1259/3700  | DMG: 300 | MIT:100 40 | ACC:5 | EVA:3 | FRB [40/2] | BLD [48/2] | BLGT [32/2] | BRN [56/2] | Shattered [3/3 stacks] | Stuck Immun. (1/3) 

Baldur was very proud of his team. They were doing exactly what they needed to do. It was good to have Mari back around, but he could still see that she had something she needed to get off of her shoulders. He hoped that a little friendly banter like they used to do with Mac and Cord back in the day would help, but it seemed only to confuse her. So he focused his eyes back on the creature trying to end their lives in front of them. It, too, would be frustrated.

Hirru buffed his energy regen, and then focused his attack damage buff. Baldur sheathed <<Zanshin>> while they others attack, and waited for his opportunity. When he placed his hand on <<Muramasa>> he felt the blade thrum with energy. It wanted this fight. It wanted to be used.

"Good work team, we're doing great!"

Baldur stepped forward and power surged around him, he activated his technique again, aiming to shatter more of the glass knight's armor while Jomei held it stunned for them, but as he drew <<Muramasa>> from its sheath, black and blood red flame roared to life around him and its inky darkness stained the air around him as he struck the mob, fire surging up around it and taking a chunk out of its health bar.

"Let's make it count! Hit it as hard as you can!"

ID#245612 BD:6+9-0=15 (Hit)  CD: 6 (No STB) Tech-D [Shatter Applied]
ID#245613 CD: 6 (No Recovery)
30+8Fallenx16=608 RAW - 60 MIT = 548 DMG Dealt
-13EN (-12 Due to Rested Buff (2/2)
Regen +4+3 Energy
Free Action: Quick Change Zanshin -> Muramasa

[4] Baldur | HP: 980/980 | EN: 115/132 | DMG: 26(+4=30) | MIT:78 | ACC:8+1 | AA (Inc) | KEEN: 1 (Act) | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Rested (2/2) | Hype 1/3
[1] Mari | HP: 940/940 | EN: 116/128 | DMG: 21+2=23(+4=27) | ACC:5+2=7 | AA | EVA:3 | BH:52 | BLI: 32/-20 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:1 | -40 Mit
[-]Hirru | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 100/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | ACC: 1 | BH: 59 | HLY BLS: 47 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | LD: 5 | THRNS: 76 | PARA | EV-0: 36 | CD hype 2/3
[3]Jomei | HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 125/138 | DMG: 21(+4=25) | MIT:44 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:55 | HB: 44 | VAMP-D: 110 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 

Spectral Knight | HP: 2328/3700  | DMG: 300 | MIT:100 60 | ACC:5 | EVA:3 | FRB [40/2] | BLD [48/2] | BLGT [32/2] | BRN [56/2] | Shattered [2/3 stacks] | STUN

• Splinter | Whenever the Spectral Knight critically hits (BD 9-10), its attack instead only deals 50 mitigated damage and 60 unmitigated damage to the entire party as the weapon splinters into a sharpened spray. This attack applies all applicable DoT's to all targets when this occurs.
• Mist Body | Natural BD 9 attacks made against Spectral Knight will no longer automatically hit and will use accuracy & damage calculations as normal due to the Spectral Knight bending and twisting to allow dangerous attacks to pass harmlessly through. All enhancements that would activate on a natural BD 9 (bleed, holy, burn, freeze) will not trigger when this occurs.
• Attempted Rewrite | On a CD 10+, the Spectral Knight will find another NPC nearby and manufacture that NPC into a clone of itself with the same stat block including remaining hit points and any applied status effects.

Baldur gave Mari a smile that was a little bit... weary? But also still somehow reassuring. The steel in his blue-gray eyes had softened since the last time she had seen him all that time ago. He seemed worn down a bit, but also like that had taken some of the sharp edges off.

"I know this is diving back into the fray, but if you're going to consider going into a boss fight, you need to fight something on the front first. No pressure. We can handle this thing, just try out your build and see if it does what you want it to do. We've got a good crew, trust in Jomei to tank, and Trust in Hirru to keep us alive." A bit of the old mischief danced across Baldur's eyes, "And stick it with the pointy end."

Baldur gave her a wink as he touched the tip of the spear, then teasingly licked the tip of his finger.

"Jomei, hit it with a stun. I'm gonna try and shatter it to get its MIT down. Hirru, you know what to do."

With the a nod to each in turn, Baldur charged the mob with a powerful kiai, the wind seemed to ripple around him like he was the center of a hurricane, and he lept off a small embankment and drove his katana down into the glass knight. Steel and glass shrieked together with an awful noise as Baldur chipped away at its translucent armor.

ID#245505 BD:3+8-3=8 (Hit) [Keen Applied] CD: 3 (No STB) Tech-D [Shatter Applied]
ID#245506 CD: 3 (No Recovery)
26x16=416 RAW - 80 MIT = 336 DMG Dealt
-13EN (-12 Due to Rested Buff (1/2)

[2 Hate] Baldur | HP: 980/980 | EN: 120/132 | DMG: 26 | MIT:78 | ACC:8+1 | AA (Inc) | KEEN: 1 (Act) | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Rested (1/2)

Spectral Knight | HP: 3700/3700  | DMG: 300 | MIT:100 80 | ACC:5 | EVA:3 | FRB [40/2] | BLD [48/2] | BLGT [32/2] | BRN [56/2] | Shattered [1/3 stacks]

• Splinter | Whenever the Spectral Knight critically hits (BD 9-10), its attack instead only deals 50 mitigated damage and 60 unmitigated damage to the entire party as the weapon splinters into a sharpened spray. This attack applies all applicable DoT's to all targets when this occurs.
• Mist Body | Natural BD 9 attacks made against Spectral Knight will no longer automatically hit and will use accuracy & damage calculations as normal due to the Spectral Knight bending and twisting to allow dangerous attacks to pass harmlessly through. All enhancements that would activate on a natural BD 9 (bleed, holy, burn, freeze) will not trigger when this occurs.
• Attempted Rewrite | On a CD 10+, the Spectral Knight will find another NPC nearby and manufacture that NPC into a clone of itself with the same stat block including remaining hit points and any applied status effects.

Thread Closure

Word Count: 32,265 Words
32,265/5 = 6,453
3 Complete pages, 9 posts for 100% exp

[6,453*11=70,983*89%=63,174*1.05]=66,334 EXP Baldur Tier 10: 8 posts  89% +5% slime
[*8=52,624*1.01]=51,624 EXP MorningStar tier 8: 9 posts 100% +1% guild
[*5=32,265*89%=28,716*10%]=31,587 EXP Arabelle Tier 5: 8 posts+ Advanced Training 89%
[*6=38,718*67%=25,941*1%=26,200*5%]=27,510 EXP Wulfrin Tier 6: 4 posts  67%+1% guild +5%slime
[*7=45,171*56%]=25,296 EXP Acanthus tier 7: 5 posts 56%
[*6=38,718*33%=12,777*3%=13,160*5%]=13,818 EXP Katoka Tier 6: 3 posts 33% +3% guild +5% slime
[*8=52,624*78%]=41,047 EXP Crozeph tier 8: 7 posts 78%
[*11=70,983*44%]=31,233 EXP Jomei Tier 11: 4 posts 44%
[*18=116,154*78%=90,600*3%]=93,318 EXP Freyd Tier 18: 7 posts 78% +3% guild
[*6=38,718*11%=4259*10%]=4,684 EXP Mina Tier 6: 1 post 11% +10% mega slime
[*9=58,077*33%=19,165*5%]=20,124 EXP Lessa Tier 9: 3 posts 33% +5% slime
[*10=64,530*33%] 21,295 EXP Hirru Tier 10: 3 posts 33%
[*4=25,812*33%] 8,518 EXP Ryo Tier 4: 3 posts 33%

Baldur  | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 10] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.94 {8/9 = 89% + 5% (Slime Farm)}] = 60658 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 9098 col
Morningstar | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 8] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 1.01 {9/9 = 100% + 1% (Guild Bonus)}] = 52140 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 7821 col
Arabelle | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 5] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.99 {8/9 = 89% + 10% (Mega Slime Farm)}] = 31942 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 4791 col
Wulfrin | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 6] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.50 {4/9 = 44% + 5% (Slime Farm) + 1%}] = 19359 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 2903 col
Acanthus | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 7] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.56 {5/9 = 56%}] = 25296 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 3794 col
Katoka | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 6] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.41 {3/9 = 33% + 5% (Slime Farm) + 3% (Guild Bonus)}] = 15874 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 2381 col
Crozeph | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 8] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.78 {7/9 = 78%}] = 40267 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 6040 col
Jomei | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 11] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.44 {4/9 = 44%}] = 31233 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 4684 col
Freyd | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 18] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.81 {7/9 = 78% +  3% (Guild Bonus)}] = 94085 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 14112 col
Mina | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 6] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.21 {1/9 = 11% +  10% (Mega Slime Farm)}] = 8131 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 1219 col
Lessa | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 9] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.38 {3/9 = 33% +  5% (Slime Farm)}] = 22069 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 3310 col
Hirru | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 10] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.33 {3/9 = 33%}] = 21295 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 3194 col
Ryo | [Word Count: 32265/5 = 6453] * [True Tier: 4] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 0.33 {3/9 = 33%}] = 8518 EXP                                    

Baldur and the rest of Jacob's Ladder were out on Floor 29, doing a patrol not far from the settlement. The floor had been a hub of activity, both good and bad, since it had been opened. The glass knights were everywhere trying to breach their defenses and get down into the lower floors where they could replicate and overwhelm the lower level of defense that others had been able to erect. Thankfully the stairs and the settlement were in the same place here, so they didn't have to try and defend two different locations.

"Mari, here, if we find one,  you'll need these"

The gaijin samurai opened up a trade with Mari and sent her 1x <<Teleport Crystal>>, 1x Medium Accuracy Snack (+2 Acc Food), 1x Medium Protein Snack (+2 Damage, -40 Mit)

Shortly after that, he heard the jingling of glass, and he would have missed it, but the lightning in the sky caused the mob to light up like a single peg in a lite brite board.

"I see one!"

Baldur called out to the others.

"Get your buffs ready! And watch out for any dupping they try to do!"

Baldur pulled out his Gungnir's shard and a bit of damage potion and drank them both down quickly, before drawing his sword and getting ready to engage.

"Remember, by the books. These things aren't hard if we keep them stunned and push hard!"

The sound of his katana striking one of the glass knights mirrored the sound of the message chime. Through the driving rain and the dim light, he had to keep his focused on the barely visible monster. How many of these things were there? Regardless, they couldn't let them escape the 29th floor, and they seemed hell bent on it...

After the creature was destroyed, the soaking wet gaijin brushed some rain water off of his wet clavicles and shook some water from his long, flowing dark hair that was now plastered to his wet, blue haori, clinging to him shivering form. Then he saw the message notification.

Huh..

From Raidou? The man still owed him some tea.

Why is he sending me a message about Mari? She hasn't responded to my messages in ages.

None of this was making sense. Mari had just written them all off and holed up in her cabin. He had gone to knock, but she never answered. He had messaged, but she never responded. He figured she wanted time, so he let her have it. Same with Oikawa. Same with Shield. Same with Cal. Same with Teayre. Same with Snow. Everyone needed time now and then. Same with him.

Letting out a slow breath, Baldur looked around. It was eerie how the monsters of this floor didn't always shatter into pixels like they were used to. This chapter of the tower was just filled with strangeness and surprises.

Maybe she's been shacking up with Raidou? Strange, he didn't seem like her type.

A dark thought drifted through Baldur's mind. Raidou had killed more people than maybe anyone else in the tower. He hadn't actually gone through and counted, but the number was staggering. What was going on here?

At least she's safe... At least she's safe.

He pushed himself ungracefully to his feet and then made his way towards the Teleport Plaza.

Thread Closure

5,259 Word Count

Baldur Receives

EXP 11,570 [Word Count 5,259/5*11]
0 Col [0 Pages Completed]

Acanthus Receives

EXP 8,099 (7,363+736 Slime Farm) [Word Count 5,259/5*7]
0 Col [0 Pages Completed]

Baldur's eyebrows raised slightly when she connected with Pinball of all people. He never would have guessed that name, or that they had even met. Perhaps the more surprising part was her comment that he was quiet. The boy must have changed dramatically since Baldur last saw him. When she mentioned Morningstar, Baldur nodded along with her comments.

"I just recently went monster hunting with him and I think you're right. He didn't play himself off as less serious with me, but he is a deeply capable fighter. I was very impressed, and I've seen a lot of impressive fighters over the years." For good and for bad reasons.

Hopefully Acanthus would never be put into the position of watching a player die, let alone to the hands of another player. It just hit differently. Baldur had been friends with many an orange, and he idly wondered if that was something he should be concerned about. But then, as abruptly as the conversation changed tack, it seemed Acanthus was excusing herself to go. Baldur moved to stand up, when she surprised him yet again.

Just the way that she asked, Baldur couldn't tell right away if she was serious, or just trying to downplay her desire to get away from the conversation.

He paused for a moment, considering her offer, her face, the conversation they've had, but then gave her a smile and a nod of agreement.

"I should do much the same. I had all the basic supplies, but the Field Boss drops are quite useful in the right situations. I would love to join you."

He pushed himself to his feet, took a few steps into the room and picked up the two katana on a stand there, bowing slightly to them, before sliding them onto his waist.

"Which ones did you have in mind?"

[end scene]

As Baldur stepped back, giving everyone else the space to attack the knight, he felt the reverberation of the harmonics between his strike on the crystal monster. It hadn't hit with the same effect he meant it to, but his strategy was still in place. He slid <<Ethereal Tether - Zanshin>> back into its saya at his hip, and then place his hand on <<Muramasa>>. The cursed blade hummed with a different kind of energy, begging to be freed from its slumber, but Baldur pushed that hunger back with the same iron clad control that he always did. It was the reason he had been trusted with the blade that slew so many. It needed to stay sealed, but it certainly had its uses.

Once again, Freyd managered to deliver a blow that stunned the enemy, and so Baldur would suddenly lunge forward, drawing in a smooth upward stroke and severing its spear like digits off of one hand, the side that he was on. It may not do anything while they creature was stunned, but if anything unexpected  happened he would be prepared by the small glass shield that suddenly erected itself around him, covering his blindspots.

"It's in the yellow, keep an eye out for any new tricks with the health bar color change. One more good push and we should be able to finish it off! Make sure all NPCs get clear in case it tries to pod person another familiar!"

Baldur didn't dare take his eyes off the fight, but he didn't remember seeing Riker with Lessa when she showed up, but Baldur could never tell where Jomei's bird was. Freyd's familiar was more who he was concerned about with how active it was in the fight.

As Darkness descended over sections of the square, and more and more players escaped, the voids in the player's phalanx began be exploited, and the inky, wet forces of the deep slipped through, attacking the backs of players that were queuing for the teleport plaza.

<<Kumamon>> heard the calls for retreat and pushed his way towards the teleport plaza. As a scout, he came prepared with teleport crystals, but he hadn't been expecting a brawl in what should have been another safe zone. He was expecting the normal party, exploring a fresh new city, interrogating new NPCs to try and see what he could find that would help the Frontline players. He wasn't a fighter, but he did what he could to help, gathering materials and information. He always loved new floors, because on top of feeling like they were making progress to their freedom, it  helped him feel less claustrophobic.

So when hell and darkness came down on them, he gave his teleport crystal to some frightened looking kid. He didn't even see the name, but he obviously came here to see the new city like they had for 28 previous floors.

But that left him with nothing. He fought back, trying to help by the others time, but when the darkness closed in, there was nothing for him to do but run... no... there was something else for him to do... to die.. I'm sorry, Katsumi. Maybe we can get that ramen next time...

<<Kiko Omakase>> was out of energy. She wasn't a fighter. She specialized in support skills for the few times she joined others in field boss raids to farm consumables for her alchemy shop. The new floor should have been exciting. New components, new possibilities. She had even been saving up for a new shop. The frontliners and the scouts tended to hang out closer the top. She had hoped to be one of the first players up here and have her pick of possible new shop locations. Something bigger than the little stall that was the only spot left by the time she could afford one on the 5th floor. It was not ideal, and it didn't match her aesthetic at all either.

Not that this floor did. She wouldn't have ever bought a house on this floor. The background music alone had been enough to give her the creeps, but she didn't even have a chance to look. She teleported into the square before there was even a warning. So she did everything she could. She used her healing up trying to help people get out, but she could only do that a few times. And when she ran out of energy, there was no one left to help her.

Why didn't I bring a teleport crystal? It was supposed to a safe zone... such a newbie mista--

<<Sayakohime2>> covered her head with her hands and feet crashed down around her. She had fallen in the press of people.

Why is this happening?! This is a safe zone!

She only left the safe zone on the first floor. She wasn't going to risk her life. She wasn't good at this sort of thing. This was supposed to be a game! A game!

And then she felt the darkness close further around her. It was already dark from the press of people and the atmosphere, but now it was pitch black, and what grabbed her was definitely not human.

"Help! Let me g--"

<<Coldsteel>> slashed again, finishing off another one of the weird frog monsters that had been dropped in by the giant hand from the sky that had crushed the building.

"Switch!" He heard Hideki call from off to his side.

"I'm on it!" <<Coldsteel>> turned to see Hideki, his health bar hovering in the yellow to red area. It wasn't just one mob around him though, it was several.

"I got you!" Some girl named <<Kiko Omakse>> used one of her abilities and bumped Hideki up from red to yellow, before running off towards the teleport gate.

Coldsteel heaved his massive two hard sword up onto his shoulder and then ran towards Hideki.

"Keep them off the newbies! We're almost there! There's not many of them left!" He heaved the sword, bringing it down in a huge arc to cut Hideki free.

And then everything went black. He heard Hideki scream, and saw their tank's health bar go red, and then down, and down. He was being hit constantly. No one hit was big, but he had been surrounded.

"Hideki!!!" <<Coldsteel>> yelled for his friend.
"Taka! Heal him!"
"I can't find him!"
"Hideki!!"
"JUST RUN!!" Hideki, aka <<Tetsutsuru>> shouted at his friends.

And so they ran. They left Hideki behind as he spent his life to protect the rest of them and just ran.

Taka couldn't leave him.

When the tank ordered you to run, you ran. It was The Rule. Because the longer the tank had to wait for you to leave, the more chance there was that he or someone else would die.

If only she had night vision.

What could she do? She had to see him to be able to heal him. All she could see was the occasional flash of sword arts from players still fighting.

Y̸̡̖̫̮̪̘̜͗̏̀̔͑̌͌̂̽̕̕ò̶͓͎͐̊̿̀̽̑̃͊͊͗̓̔̑̃͊̚u̴̩̝̜̦̜̹̒͛ ̵̛̘̫͈͙͔͖̻̑͒̄̄̀̿̏́̓̌̓̈́̏͘͝w̴̨̧̧̛̛̰̱̼̹͍̯̹̪̄̐̉̈́̑̌̇͘̕i̷̛̭͛̓̈̿͊̌͑̈́̀̎͆̃̓͘ḽ̵̠̝̎̀̍̌̐̂̎́͂͆̋̕͘̕͠l̸̙̗͙̩̤͕̺̙̖̖͈͙̠̜͐͌̕ͅ ̷̨̧̢̤̰̭͇̠̱͈͎͑̈́̑̽̇͒̈̅͘̚d̷̨̨̼̞̩͔̥͖͙̭̬̺̙͎̂͘õ̵̧͚̭̔̕ ̴̢͕̫̀́̆̉̒͂́̀̂̽̇̓p̷̨͈͖̰̣̮̣͓̝͚̫̤̠̔̿̽͆̑́͒̍̅͠e̸͙̐̋̿͆̈͆̊͒͛̍͆̃r̴̃͜f̵̟̗͔̠̳̱̀̾̐̈́̈́̈́̈̚͝͠e̸͈̝̩̎̒̇̅̉̓̈́̒̿̒̐͗́̐͠ͅç̵̟͓̫̠̰̖̦̏̈͛̎̋̄̑̚͠ͅẗ̸̡̯̭͈̦̫̮̻͚̭͎̯̹̪̩́̊̔͆͜͜l̷̢̗̪̈́́͑͒̓́̾͝͝y̵̨̻̞̜̼̗̳̯̤̺͔͖̠̱̑̓̄ ̵̛͍̝̥̯͗́̆̉̈̆̈̋̓̕̕f̷͍̺̰̘̥̲̙̳̖̪̽͛͛̎͜o̵̧̢̝̲̭̘͍͋ŗ̶͖̬̯͖̹̦͔̙͓͕͇͖̍̃̾̓̆͜ ̸̡̡̗̳̪͖͎̖͈̋̽͗͆m̴̧̧̛͚͓̱̱̫͙͙͓̗̯̻̬͊̑͛̾̈́̄́͒͌̃̉̕̕̕͘͘͜ÿ̶̞͎͈͕̳̠̞͔̫̭́̃́̾̔͑͒̀̕͘͜ ̷̡̨̫̝͈͈̖̦̯̫̫̥͍̞̈̌̔̂͌͑̐̓̌͒̔̒̉̔̚p̷̡͇͈̟̳̯̣̭͍͇̊̆́͑͛͛͑̕̚͝u̸̡̼̤͙̲͉̻̜̇́̊̚͜r̴̨̛̻̫̥̼͔͔͍͔͉̹̊̈̈̇̋̂̍̌̐́̕͜p̶̱̗̫͚͓̫̤̳͕̻̱̯̒̌̋̔̃̑̕ǫ̵̢̱̹͎̙͉̩͇̹̪̦̖̬̟̗̓̃̎̌̃̓̾͐͘͝ͅs̴̡̨̛̤̳̣̬͙̥̝͚̦̞͍̬̖͒̉̅̈́̔͝e̵̻̩̟̲̫͈͈̦͓͇̥̻̯̎͒͗̍͛̈́́̿̈́̋͒͒͜͜ͅͅs̷͚̲̮̙̭̜̑̽̊̊̄̑̕͠

"Who... who's there?"<<Kansatsu>> called out towards the strange voice.

T̸̞͎̮͉̞͓̠̠̰̻͈͎̲̝͎͈̑̄̃́̾̈̔̅͆͘͜h̵̢̡̛̤̟͖̠̭̱͙̻̜̭̭̳̦͓͌́̾͒͗͌̕̚͜ę̴̨̧͚̗̠̹̟̣͓̘̬͙̀͋͐̀̔̋̓̕̚̕͜ ̴̛̖͓̼̹̘̄̌̊̋̑̋̾͊̓̀̊͛̚̕e̸̡̥͙̝̙͔̣̿̽̂̿̈́̀̒̋̓͌̉͋̎̾͘͝n̶̡̧̺͙͖̝͓̼̜̤̱̙̥͓̅͆̀͌͗͋̓̄͌̒̽̆͋͆͐͘ḋ̷̝̫̪̹̘̱ ̴̲̪̠̖̭̈̑̒͒͋̓̍͌̒̀̕m̸̡̨͕͓̜̮̫̠̟͚͎̩̻̤̗͐ͅͅy̴̫̾̿͆͑̽͘ ̶͉̠̙̤̟̪̗̤̫̻̫̰̹̘̙͍͚̑̅͗̐́̽̋̏̂̈́͗̋̾d̸̛͙̩͂̀ẹ̸͉̠̙͓͖̺̻͍͇̙̼̔̔͂̐̍̓̓͘͝ä̵̡̛͎̼̘̭̦͉̼͙̖̩̖̜͓̼́̆̀́̋̊̈̽͛̈́̅̚͝ř̵͙̯͉͔̣̜̺̤̲̼̬̖̪̘͒̕͠.̶̖̳̗̗͙̒̇͒̂̓̽̐̿͆́̚ ̷̲͔̬̲̭̝̤̫̮͚̠̍͛͂̈́̾͊͆͐̈́̾͂̕ͅŇ̷͖͗͋̑̀̂o̶̰͉͉̠̟͉͉̭̦̜͆͊̎͐͜͝͠͝w̷̛͇͒̊̾͋̇̿̕͜ ̸̗̘̇̆̆̅̽̈́̆͋̊̈́͂̐̆́̀̕͝ŕ̷̩̟͆̅̉͆͛͌̍̌̓͋̍͒̆̉̕͝ȩ̷͔̯̘̔̊̀͠š̷̡̛̉̓͘ẗ̵̺͎̖͝͝.̶̛͙̤̎́̋̉͛̈́͗͐̓͒̈́̿̀̓͝ ̴̨̹͙̰̩͈̯̠̱̂͂̂̉͑́͂̿͘Ȩ̸̥̫̹̗͚̼̟̺̂̽̒ͅẗ̶̥̮̳́́e̶̗͊r̶̦͉̙̰͖͔͉̩̜͔̣̽́͊̓͆̈́̈̍̍̀̚̚͝ͅṇ̴̢̢̡͇̺̲̰̩̳̅̔̀́̂̾͊̍͛̓̍̈́̄͜͝͠a̸̟̯͈͎̝̪͓͑͑̿͂̅͠l̵̛̘̫̮̠̳͈͍̗͉̙̱͕̹̗̏̌̋̾̈́͋́̑͘͝͝ ̸̡̛̛͍̰͈̭̯̖̐̿̇͆̈́̿̄̊̈̒͌̚͜͠͝ͅş̸͓͖͍͈͔̼̈́̂͗͜͝ĺ̶̛̞̪͈̻̠̟̺͔̥̏̉̇u̸̗̪͌̓͌̈̊̾̌̇̒̑̆̒̐̂͒͒͝m̴̢̦̳̖͖̻͍̀͊̇̈́͘̚b̸̛̻̣̈́̊͊̓͌̓̉͌̚͠ȩ̸̮̺̄̔͐͗̾̈́̂̊̀͌̃̓̚͝͝r̶̨̢͓̥͕̮̠̼̤͖̖̾̄́͝ ̷̩̤̭̫̳̈́a̴̡̡̺̘̺͚̫͓̥̩͚̬̖̿͂̌͌͆̕͜͝w̵̨̛̖͈̫̗̻̮̖̫͉͇̥̭̓̎̎͆̏͛̅́̎͆͝ȃ̴̜̲̤̼̼̰͚͈͇̈́̏̏̔̐͌̊̅̚i̵̡͔̩̠̼̻̱͊̏̏͑͐̏̾̋̂͒͐͌̊̐̈́͘͠ṯ̴̳̽̏̈̅̆͆́̊͌̓̈́̕͘͠s̸̢̧̨̠̤̦̻̝̟̠̞͙̰͎͓̅̒͗͊̄.̸̖̮̫͎̞̣̽̒̊̎̕͜

And then the darkness was gone.

Baldur looked around, and saw that all of the champions were dead. It seems that when Ryo defeated <<The Father>> all of his deeplings collapsed, and with them, their effect. With the darkness gone, and the last of the low level players departed, it took only a moment for the frontline to clean up what was left of the minions. At the edge of his vision, he saw that the ones in the back retreated back into the wildness, lost without their champions.

And a lull descended upon the square. Nothing left Frontline.

"Everyone okay? Did we lose anyone? If you're missing a partner, call out!"

None of the NPC players are remaining in the square. The players who died can be added to the Monument of life. Only the PC PCs are left in the square (and Hirru's merchant NPC)

2/4 regions successfully defended (Cro didn't post where, so I'll apply him to a location, and make it 3/4 regions defended)
0/35 Players remaining! All Living Player NPCs have now escaped!
5 Players lost
3/3 Waves survived.

Resolved Combat stats:

"Well that's new." Baldur remarked as one of the player familiars took a glass shard and suddenly turned into another of these boss monsters. "We definitely need to let others know about that... I guess it makes sense there's no NPCs on this floor."

Freyd as his familiar dove into the attack without hesitation, though Freyd called out concerned over his familiar, they had a powerful 1-2 punch. Not to be outdone, Baldur threw himself at the Spectral Knight.

"It has the ability to apply a bunch of DoT attacks to a huge area, so just be careful of that!"

As Baldur drew his sword, the blade cut through the air, the arc of his sword art revealing the night sky as he drew Zanshin, the blade of the katana cracking into the glass of the warrior and releasing a horrible noise as metal met glass, but his blade sunk in and the now unceasing march of the creature's HP bar towards 0 began. His unerring blade would see the creature either shattered into pixels or a new chandelier for someone's home.

Baldur couldn't help but smile when Jomei said that he was willing to join. He had figured that Hirru might be more of a hard sell on the matter. His friend had been holding himself back for a while, so Baldur knew that this might take a bit of encouragement. Hirru never saw himself the way everyone else saw him. That was part of the reason why he wanted to ask both of them together. Not only would they back each other up as leaders, but Baldur knew that Jomei would provide a point of view that was more unbiased in Hirru's mind than that of one of his oldest friends.

"Thank you Jomei. I wish you weren't so surprised though."

Once more, Baldur gave the Hell Hounds only the bit of attention that they warranted. He drew a circle in the air with his sword, as if cutting open the ceiling of the cave to reveal the night sky, but it was only the sky box of the game being revealed, and then with a slash, he sent the disc wobbling towards the hell hounds like some kind of luminous frisbee, and it curved in its path to hit all three of them.

"I told you a long time ago I could tell that you were a leader, you both have proven yourselves to be as much. I didn't pick you both cause I like you, which I do. I picked you both because you have the right attitudes, and experience."

With the three hounds disappearing into pixels, they began to head on with the way clear.

Mentally, he shifted gears, even though Jomei was on fire, the man had HP regen and enough HP to be fine.

"The trick to this fight, is that we have to get all three heads low, but not kill them. The boss will use a special ability to summon adds. Then we just kill everything. After he does that move, everything is fair game, but we don't want to outright kill any of the heads until he summons the extra hell hounds."

AoE 2 DMG: 23x14=322 DMG - 50 MIT = 272 DMG Dealt
No Recovery Proc

[3/4/3] <<Baldur>> HP: 1102/1137 | EN: 108/132 [-18 -17 +4 +3] | DMG: 23 | MIT:138 | ACC:7+1+1 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:55 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Well Rested [2/2] | Hype 1/3
[0/0/0] <<Hirru>> HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 107/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | BH: 50 | HLY BLS: 40 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36 | LD: 8 | Hype CD 1/3
[4/4/4] <<Jomei>> HP: 913/980 | EN: 135/136 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 104 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | HB: 43 | VAMP-D: 108 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1 | BURN 56 (0/2) | Well Rested [1/3]
<<Hell Hound 1>> HP: 214/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2
<<Hell Hound 2>> HP: 183/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 30 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 2 | Frozen (64) | Blight 32 (0/3)
<<Hell Hound 3>> HP: 214/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

Baldur smiled at Acanthus' demonstration with the chopstick. He took his own and broke one of the two sticks in half, and then stabbed a sushi roll with it as he used it to take a bite.

"None of us are unbroken chopsticks, Acanthus. In the assault team, we don't have a choice to go out and use only the pristine ones. We have veterans returned from battle, broken and crying in their sleep. I am one of them."

He paused for a moment, having never said as much to anyone else.

"No one earns their fate, none of deserve this situation we've been thrust into, we have only the choice of how we deal with this situation we're in. So as raid leaders, we try and look at our assortment of broken chopsticks, and figure out how we can put them together in a way that works."

He set down the chopsticks, done with eating for now.

"I would say, however, that this is my earnest self. You can talk to all of us, and see that we're all broken in different ways. Some worse than others." Poor Hirru and his memory issues, "but we are also tightly bound together. Our friendship and comradery also helps us heal. We don't become new chopsticks, none of us are tools merely for an end after all, but we become something new. And sometimes we find another chopstick, broken in a similar or complimentary way, and through that we find a way forward."

Baldur shifts slightly and gestures into the distance. In the middle of the lake towards the center of the island, was a large, two story structure, with the typical engawa wrapping around the building and a single bridge leading out to it from the rest of the property.

"I started a school here, but while I teach swordsmanship, a larger part of it is teaching people how take what they are, their feelings, their trauma, their fears, and channel that into something productive... that just tends to be beating up monsters and getting us the hell out of here, but not everyone goes that direction."

Baldur turned sad, warm, oceanic eyes back towards Acanthus. There seemed to be hurt in there somewhere, he couldn't tell enough from their limited conversation, but he knew enough about people to tell she was working through some things. He would here if she wanted to open up, but he wouldn't press  her. Like everyone else, they needed to seek him out.

"Do you not feel like there is anyone here you have connected with? People come and go through our lives, and people we once knew change, but I am sure there are some among us whom you might feel comradery after a time."

A blue flash shot through the air and crashed into the ground near Freyd's group and Acanthus. It cratered the ground and throw a cloud of dirt and dust into the air around them. Then the sound of groaning and the silhouette of a man standing up could be seen, using a sword to prop himself up.

"Oh... hey guys."

The trail of smoke that came from Baldur and his dusty blue haori still hung in the air from where he had arced over the next hill.

"Acanthus... there you are! I was told you might be out here."

Baldur's steel blue eyes glanced at the top of the hill and then he sheathed his katana at his side.

"We've probably got a minute if it chases me, but there's something nasty just over the hill. It was something called a <<Spectral Knight>>. I was warned about them, but they had already attacked another group of players. I've been trying to kite it with..." He paused, some slight color coming to his cheeks, "perhaps a bit more literal success than I had intended."

He shook his head and some small pebbles fell to the ground.

"Hey Acanthus, sorry to ask, but would you message your friend Argent and tell him I found you? He's been blowing up my inbox and I couldn't respond while fighting."

Baldur turned to regard Freyd a bit more as they tried to fight off some trash mobs and get some other players out of here.

"Well, since you're here I think we'll be good. You got your tank setup on you?"

Baldur | HP: 1137/1137 | EN: 132/132 | DMG: 26 | MIT:138 | ACC:8 | AA (incl in ACC#) | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:63 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5                                                                                                                            

<<Kaajh'Kaalbh - Mother of Smiles>>

As the newly buffed MorningStar came for the Mother again, her smiles widened, ready for player with her new round of shields in place, but once again the player's sword arts crashed into her, and while his damage was blocked, her smiles were once again frozen. They tried to writhe with anger, but the paralytic venom held her in place, with his hit, one of the smiles seemed to peel off of her face like a sticker that had lost its adhesive and floated to the ground.

"RRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!" It screamed wordlessly at him through smiles that refused to move.

Baldur ID#241336 BD:4+5-3=6 (hit) No Damage due to Safeguard

The gaijin samurai saw what appeared to be a rush of monsters breaking past the defenders at the Mother of Smiles, and so he rushed through the swarm of players trying to get out, and as soon as he saw the twisted beings, his sword flew from its saya and struck down the minions, one after another. He moved gracefully through them, evading their attacks and striking down another one as he pushed through the crowd, freeing up space for others to flee. However, when he saw those fighting the Mother of Smiles seemed to frozen with strange smiles plastered on their faces, he jumped towards her to back up MorningStar. His sword art flashed and struck her, but the blow was rebuffed by an invisible barrier, though he saw one of her smiles fall off her face, literally.

"What's going on? She has some kind of barrier protecting her? How did you guys get her so low?"

[Paralyzed]

<<Y'ha-nthlei - Father of the Deep>>

The sword of the player shrouded in darkness cleaved through minion and Champion alike, giving the players fleeing and attacking a bit of room to breath. The sickly yellow aura of the Father could not keep up with the battle healing, but it still wore on the players.

"Ǎ̴̡̳͍͓̰̬̙̰̟̺̘̼̯͉̺͖̉͜ś̴̙̹͂̅̇͝ś̴̨̬̜̲͓̬̦̩͎̥̱͕̯̖̈̃̉̿ư̶̺̠̱̺̟̏̏́̏̑͐́̄̽͒̉̌͜m̸̧̡̠͎̳͒̎̇i̸̢͓͖̗̟̫͍̎̈̀́͒̒͌͜͝n̴̨̡͔͙̮̣̥͓̦̣͈̙̱̱̲̝̣͆͗̄̿͊͒̐̏̈́̕ğ̷̝̩̳̏͐̿͒̽͒̾̉̽͆̾͘͝ ̸̨̛̙̫̰͇̣̮͙̝̜̝̯̭̩͍͗͛̀̑͌̕C̸͓̝͂͌͐͒́̒̈̀͒̇̚͘̕͠o̶̪͒̈̽͗̓̌͂̄͘̚ņ̵̡̭̱̱̀͘͠t̶͓̻̲̖̹̞̠̻͎̲̲͈͙͜͠r̶̛̻͖̱͕̼̊̓̂́̾́̾̋̾̇͆̃̍̍ǫ̸̜̭̯̺͇̰͛́͗͐͋͑ĺ̶̡̡̛̖̫̬͔͎̖̲̲͔̳̬̠̱͙̿͐ͅ.̵̛̗̞̺̰̰̻̓̽̄̿͊̾͐̊͑̀̋̈́̇̈́̾͝" The Father said, and the sickly yellow lights flickered for a moment, but did not abate.

"Y̴̙̣̲̦͇̞̋̾̄̑o̸̫̅͑u̸͈̞͎̥̟̓̒ ̴̦̭͂͗̈́̌̔͊̿̀͝m̵̨̩̹͉̣̱̭̜͌̓a̵͍̫͈̜̟̫̋̃ŷ̷̪ ̷̬̳͇̏ͅt̷͎̗́͗́́͂̈̂ͅh̴̢͕̪̭̤̦͉̺̑̽̂̿͂̏̆͑ī̸̘̭͑̒̏͒̾̅̂̃ň̵̤͊̑̑̄͒̎͝k̶͖̆̏̃͋̈̓̔̚ ̵̨͕̥̘͓͉̙͕̘͛͋̈́̔̄̏͛͝͝y̶̡͕̘̝͌̓̆̇̔͑͗̕̚ͅȍ̵̤̟̥͚̬̻̭̪ų̶̞̺̦̱̺̞̣͐̓ͅ ̷͎̝̜͆̏̒̋̿̉͝a̸̪͓̭̺̫̠͋͋͑̒̔̿ͅŗ̶̨̧͇͍̱͎̪̾͂̈̾͜͝͠e̴̢̛͇̘͙͋̓͗͂̐̄ ̷̢͔͙͈̠̲͖̰͎͝w̴̢̯̮̦͓͙̥̥͋̋į̷͇̩̗̱̹̯̺̓͒̂̐̾̅̊͠n̸̢̨̘͉̲̻̯̞͚̓͌́̑̏̆̄͠ṉ̴̡̛̃̂͝ỉ̸̥͓̗̥͎͕̄́͑̋͒̕͝ͅn̶͎̔̉̌̐̊͐g̷̛̖̅͆̔̄,̶͖̟̣̬͎̭̳̺́̓̈́͘ ̴̨̡̠̯͙̤̪͍̕b̷̰̤̼̂ù̵̝̑̈́̾͛̽͠͝t̴̮̐̑̅͒̄̕ ̷̡͙̹̼̺̱̗̘̬̇y̵̡̘̠̹͍̬̬̋̇͊͊̐̚͜ͅö̷̡̟̠̙͍̱͉͈̙́̓̿͑̂̕ù̸̯̜̩͜ ̶̮͕̣̙̦̻̭̫̬̋h̵̞̖̔͆̄̚a̶̡͓̠͋̃͛̄v̴̺͙̻̩͙͚̈́̀̒͆̈́͋͜è̷̡͔͉̮̂̿̒̕̚͝ ̶̨̳̪̣̟̮͓̟̟̈́̂͌ń̴̛̩͈̮̭̬̟͍͈̤̋̾͗̉͠͠͝ơ̷̢̡̠̮͍͋̒̽ ̷̡̛̫̦͔͈̫͛́͌̊̕͝ͅi̶̞͓̮͓͈̹̺͆̓͘ͅͅḑ̷̛̜̙̲̥͓̖̅̌́̀͘̚ẹ̸͓͇̠̯̊̎͝ͅã̸̢̢̙̹̰͔̣͙ͅ ̵̼͚̅̋͘w̷̡̢̪̼̞͍̫̍h̸̦̺̯̫̬̟̫̘̓a̵̡̨̛͉͕͑͘ẗ̵̫̲̩̹̦̳͑̑͊̍͊̈́͠ ̷̜̪͙̦̏̄͐̄͑̐͐̚t̷̬̣̜͐͒̆́̈́h̵̗̄̔̓́̅͊͂̚i̸̧̮͈̮͓͖̅͂̽̄͂͌́̃̈́͜s̵̗̞͙̝͙̮͒̿̔̾͐͂͐͋͊ ̵͈͉̪̺͎̩͌̉͜f̸̹͚̰̮͊̓́͊̀͊͜͝i̶̻̻̜̬̠̗͗̽̈͑̉̌̀͂͜g̸̨͙̲̻͑̈́̈́̔͑̆h̸̡̺̮͇̗̍́̒̑̃t̴͚͕͆̂͂́͂́̐̍ ̶̟̦͌͛̐̆ę̵̢̛̪͈̯̓̓̑̓͒̾̓͜v̶͉͕̰̭̑̇́͐̅ḙ̶̢̟͙̗́͊̅̓͗̾́̚n̶̬̖̳̰͈̮̏̈͐͋̀̊̃͌͛͜ ̴̼̈́̂̄̂́͘l̸̻͈͋͑̈̔̌͝͝͝o̵̹̝͎̿̀̃͑ó̶̢̢̩͚͕̗͚̤̟̄͠k̷̭͔̰͚̪̳͙͉͘s̴̢̡̝̹͇̋̄̐̍̾̀͑͘͜ ̸̧̬͙̙̞͉̜̟̐͋̅̿̃̎͊͘l̵̛̝̺̦͈̋͝i̸̧̻̱̯̬͕̒̓̇̽k̸̺̘̻̯͇̺̺̋̏͆̇͘ë̷͜.̵͓̜̝̝̩̌̑̏͋̏̓̉͐"

Freyd's blade continued to tear away pieces of the frog-like man, but he did not seem discouraged by the disappearance of his health bar. His eyes suddenly blazed in a way that seemed like they were melting at the same time, but it made everything around him go dark unless Freyd could no longer see anything in the blackness except for those two yellow orbs.

Ryo's sword art made a streak through the air, and even though it was pitch black, the violet light still tore into the form of the Y'ha-nthlei, but he could not see how much damage his blow ended up doing. Instead, a deep laugh seemed to echo through the pitch black darkness as the yellow orbs bobbed closer to them.

The two yellow lights bobbed, and it was the only warning that Freyd had that danger was coming. He heard something whistle past him, but in the darkness it was impossible to tell what the attack was.

[2/2 defenders]
ID#241337 BD:4+3-4 = Miss

<<Shub-Niggurath - The Wanderer>>

As the carapace of the Wanderer was cracked by the two, the oily reflections became a dull imitation of the haunting beauty they may once have held, bits of ooze seeping through the cracks. Ara's expert swinging of her scythe cleared enough room in the crowd not just for the Emerald Duelist to maneuver but to give the players trying to escape room to breathe.

And then the streak of red hair and green clothes came in and cracked the monster one last time, it's shell falling to the ground with a dull thud. An almost butter like liquid leaked out onto the ground, but had an unearthly sickening smell. Still, there was not as much as there should have been given its size. The liquid seems to fill up the cracks between the cobblestones of the path, and then sink into the ground. Instead of the shower of pixels like would normally happen when a monster was defeated, the wind seemed to carry away the left over pieces of shell like they were made of sand being taken by the wind and the tide.

Even though the Champion was defeated, there were still dozens of his army bearing down on the players.

As the minions started to bear down on them, darkness seemed to close in as well. Suddenly, the eyes of one of the minions began to glow with a disgusting yellow light.

Ǎ̴̡̳͍͓̰̬̙̰̟̺̘̼̯͉̺͖̉͜ś̴̙̹͂̅̇͝ś̴̨̬̜̲͓̬̦̩͎̥̱͕̯̖̈̃̉̿ư̶̺̠̱̺̟̏̏́̏̑͐́̄̽͒̉̌͜m̸̧̡̠͎̳͒̎̇i̸̢͓͖̗̟̫͍̎̈̀́͒̒͌͜͝n̴̨̡͔͙̮̣̥͓̦̣͈̙̱̱̲̝̣͆͗̄̿͊͒̐̏̈́̕ğ̷̝̩̳̏͐̿͒̽͒̾̉̽͆̾͘͝ ̸̨̛̙̫̰͇̣̮͙̝̜̝̯̭̩͍͗͛̀̑͌̕C̸͓̝͂͌͐͒́̒̈̀͒̇̚͘̕͠o̶̪͒̈̽͗̓̌͂̄͘̚ņ̵̡̭̱̱̀͘͠t̶͓̻̲̖̹̞̠̻͎̲̲͈͙͜͠r̶̛̻͖̱͕̼̊̓̂́̾́̾̋̾̇͆̃̍̍ǫ̸̜̭̯̺͇̰͛́͗͐͋͑ĺ̶̡̡̛̖̫̬͔͎̖̲̲͔̳̬̠̱͙̿͐ͅ.̵̛̗̞̺̰̰̻̓̽̄̿͊̾͐̊͑̀̋̈́̇̈́̾͝" came a strange, unfamiliar voice, and it's form streaked with ripples of yellow electricity as it changed into a Froglike form. Suddenly it leapt forward as the darkness closed around, but Jomei was just barely able to get out of the way. The slashes of its claws seemed a distraction as the slimy tongue shot out of its mouth and attempted to latch onto the  man, instead striking the building behind him and knocking a hole in the wall.

[Champion Defeated - Hoard still threatens the NPCs, and a Deepling threatens the players]
ID#241339 BD:6+3-4=Miss

<<Hokolesqua - The Beast>>

The writing mass of wiggling, crawling, slithering creatures that made up the Beast seemed to explode when Wulfrin hit it with his explosive combo, but each piece seemed capable of moving on its own, as it tried to rejoin and come together right when Katoka flew in and delivered a final blow, paralyzing it and preventing it from using its really cool special ability and dividing in half to create a second version of itself.

The two of them, however, were now covered head to toe in whatever it was that made the Champion's form, and even though the Champion was defeated, there were still dozens of his army bearing down on the players. Each just as gross as the champion.

And then one of their eye cavities seemed to grow with a yellow light.

Ǎ̴̡̳͍͓̰̬̙̰̟̺̘̼̯͉̺͖̉͜ś̴̙̹͂̅̇͝ś̴̨̬̜̲͓̬̦̩͎̥̱͕̯̖̈̃̉̿ư̶̺̠̱̺̟̏̏́̏̑͐́̄̽͒̉̌͜m̸̧̡̠͎̳͒̎̇i̸̢͓͖̗̟̫͍̎̈̀́͒̒͌͜͝n̴̨̡͔͙̮̣̥͓̦̣͈̙̱̱̲̝̣͆͗̄̿͊͒̐̏̈́̕ğ̷̝̩̳̏͐̿͒̽͒̾̉̽͆̾͘͝ ̸̨̛̙̫̰͇̣̮͙̝̜̝̯̭̩͍͗͛̀̑͌̕C̸͓̝͂͌͐͒́̒̈̀͒̇̚͘̕͠o̶̪͒̈̽͗̓̌͂̄͘̚ņ̵̡̭̱̱̀͘͠t̶͓̻̲̖̹̞̠̻͎̲̲͈͙͜͠r̶̛̻͖̱͕̼̊̓̂́̾́̾̋̾̇͆̃̍̍ǫ̸̜̭̯̺͇̰͛́͗͐͋͑ĺ̶̡̡̛̖̫̬͔͎̖̲̲͔̳̬̠̱͙̿͐ͅ.̵̛̗̞̺̰̰̻̓̽̄̿͊̾͐̊͑̀̋̈́̇̈́̾͝" came a new voice, and the yellow lights seemed to wear on them even more, slowing their movements, and dragging on their limbs like lead weights.

Then the eyes suddenly lurched forward, its form and limbs barely illuminated by the yellow light, but the tongue shot out from nowhere and struck Katoka like a punch, sending throwing her back several paces with the force of the blow. It didn't seem to want to let go, slowing her down even more.

[Champion Defeated - Hoard still threatens the NPCs, and a Deepling threatens the players]
ID#241338 BD:9 (crit) 200DMG, -2 EVA: 200-58=142 DMG dealt to Katoka

With more space having opened up due to players teleporting out, there was less of a crush of players. More people were able to teleport out, because they were spending less time falling and fighting each other. More order could be maintained as people were slightly less panicked at being able to see and move without as much of a crush of bodies.

But is also made each one easier to be an individual target. As champions began to fall, darkness started to close in down three of the four streets, emanating from the creatures with the sickly yellow eyes.

The small guild of prepared players continued to try and hold the line against the rush of minions coming not down a street, but from the building that the giant hand had crushed. It seems they would be the last ones out.

35/35 Players remaining!
0 Players lost
2/3 Waves survived.

<<Kaajh'Kaalbh - Mother of Smiles>> 424/1200 HP | No MIT | 3 EVA | 3 ACC | 200 DMG | Immune to Bleed and Burn Effects | +10 LD for searching | 64 Freeze on hit (EVA set to -1, Paralyzed) - but without ice, just a creepy, unhinged, crazy smile and a moment of mental torment | Stun Immune (1/3) | COWL OF MADNESS [0/2]- Gains 2 charges of Safeguard, must deal at least 100 damage to break through | PARALYZED | DELAY
[3] <<Morningstar>> | HP: 966/966 | EN: 100/120 | DMG: 27+4 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 5 | BH: 43 | LD: 6 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | AA | PARA-V
[1] <<Baldur>> | HP: 980/980 | EN: 132/132 | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:2 | BH:49 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5

<<Y'ha-nthlei - Father of the Deep>> 201/1200 HP | No MIT | 0 2 EVA | 3 ACC | 200 DMG | Immune to Freeze and Shatter Effects | On hit decrease target EVA by 2 for 2 rounds | Continual 50 Blight damage -20 Mitigation Aura | Terrors of the deep - The effect of his area now removes all accuracy from effected players unless they have night vision. They cannot see any other players or NPCs except for Father's yellow eyes (unless they have night vision). 
<H>[6]<<Freyd>> HP: 1250/1300 | EN: 150/162 | DMG: 24 | MIT:197 177 | ACC: 7  | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | DOTE: 1/1 | BH:72 | VAMP-D: 72 | HLY 16 | FLN 16 | LD:5 | QC (1/3)
[2] <<Ryo>> | HP: 602/680 | EN: 81/100 | DMG: 21 | MIT:75 55 | ACC:3 | BH:22 | REC: 3 | LD:2 

<<Shub-Niggurath - The Wanderer>> 0/1200 HP | 50 MIT | -1 EVA | 2 ACC | 200 DMG | 75 Thorns | 50% Phase | 50 Offensive Envenom (4 turns) | Stun Immune (0/3) | REFLECTION - Any status effects or DoTs applied, are applied to the Player who applied them as well. 50% of Damage dealt is reflected back to the player (can be mitigated)
<<Deepling>> 400/400 HP | No MIT | 2 EVA | 3 ACC | 200 DMG | Immune to Freeze and Shatter Effects | On hit decrease target EVA by 2 for 2 rounds | Continual 50 Blight damage -20 Mitigation Aura | Terrors of the deep - The effect of his area now removes all accuracy from effected players unless they have night vision. They cannot see any other players or NPCs except for Father's yellow eyes (unless they have night vision). 
[0]<<Arabelle>>  HP: 354/680 | EN: 60/106 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 20 0 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 1 | FLN: 8 (6-8) | BLI: 32 (9-10); -20 MIT / 2 | BLD: 48 (9-10) | RSK: 8 | BH: 34 | VD: 10% | HB: 27 | LD: 5 | [RSK]
[0]<<Jomei>> HP: 736/960 | EN: 114/134 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 44 24 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:53 | HB: 42 | VAMP-D: 106 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1  | Clean (0/2) | COUNTER 25%

<<Hokolesqua - The Beast>> 0/1200 HP | No MIT | 2 EVA | 0 ACC | 200 DMG | 50 Bleed (2 turns) | Attack with Advantage | All attacks are AoE | Cannot be parried/countered | Rend 28 (1/2) | Stun Immune [0/3] 
<<Deepling>> 400/400 HP | No MIT | 2 EVA | 3 ACC | 200 DMG | Immune to Freeze and Shatter Effects | On hit decrease target EVA by 2 for 2 rounds | Continual 50 Blight damage -20 Mitigation Aura | Terrors of the deep - The effect of his area now removes all accuracy from effected players unless they have night vision. They cannot see any other players or NPCs except for Father's yellow eyes (unless they have night vision). 
<L>[0]<<Wulfrin>> HP: 730/780 | EN: 112/112 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 58 | ACC:7 | AA  | EVA:3 2 | PARA-IM | BH:23 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:4
<L>[0]<<Katoka>> HP: 628/820 | EN: 90/116 | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 58 | ACC:5 | EVA:1 -1 | BH:45 | REC: 8 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16

Baldur chuckled at Jomei's remarks about the heat in the volcano, "It reminds me of summers in Kyoto." Unlike Hirru, however, Baldur had his <<Survival>> mode on. They weren't likely to be pressed to the brink here, so he didn't need to bring his parry mod.

"And yeah, we'll need to fight the bigger version. The trick is that if you get all three of his heads in a narrow health window, he will summon more adds. Once we kill those adds, we'll be able to finish off the quest boss. The difficult part for us, will be doing little enough damage to not simply kill the heads. Thankfully, none of us are AoE specced, so we might be able to get away with it."

Baldur gestured and began to lead them down into the tunnels of the volcano down to were the boss would lurk. These tunnels, supposedly, had been made by the floor boss. The same one that had killed Alkor.

"I appreciate you guys coming down here when I asked, in addition to the quest I wanted to ask for your help with something else as well."

As they entered the tunnel, the dark walls were lit by cracks that seemed to pulse and glow with lava light that seemed more veins of the mountain. Baldur had lived near real volcanos for much of his life and knew that's now how these worked in the real world, but it was certainly a pretty way to add lighting to a dark environment.

"Hirru I know we've talked about this before, and you wanted some more space, but I would like you to join <<Jacob's Ladder>>. Not just join, but to help me lead it. Shield has retired, and I don't think he's going to be coming back to the field any time soon. Mari has locked herself up in the cabin again she... seems to have had a thing for me, and when I didn't reciprocate she... took it as a rejection and disappeared. Oikawa well... he's enigmatic as ever. He hasn't shown the constancy required for leadership, unfortunately."

The winding lava tube eventually widened out and opened up into a vaulted chamber. Both the ceiling and floors were littered with jagged rocked, sharp enough to cut anyone, and the heat seemed to pick up. Small pools of lava dotted the room and seemed to drip from the ceiling like blood from vicious fangs.

"I would like both of you to join, and to become pillars with me." He glanced back at the Jade hunter, "We'll see if he shows up, but I plan to ask for Macradon to be the 4th as well. I know you may need to talk with him, but it seemed to me like you guys are on good footing. And I think the 4 of us have staying power."

From the pools of Lava, 4 hounds leapt out of the simmering pools and growled at them. Baldur didn't seem to do take much stalk in giving them more attention than they deserved. They were only elites here.

He drew his sword, and then his form seemed to flicker, and three of him appeared, attacking each of the 3 hell hounds.

"Hear me out. The purpose of the guild has always been to help the Assault group prepare, by training new people, by making sure that the floor 25 boss had health crystals for everyone, and by making sure no one fights alone. You guys exemplify those qualities to me."

(all are hits)

AoE 1: 23+3=26*11 = 286 RAW - 50 MIT = 236 DMG (247 for Crit vs HH#2)
[3/4/3]<<Baldur>> HP: 1137/1137 | EN: 118/132 | DMG: 23 | MIT:138 | ACC:7+1+1 | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:3 | BH:55 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLI: 32/-20 | BRN: 56 | FRZ: 64 | LD:5 | Well Rested [1/2]
<<Hirru>> HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 112/112 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 187 | BH: 50 | HLY BLS: 40 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 36
<<Jomei>> HP: 980/980 | EN: 136/136 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 104 | ACC:3 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:54 | HB: 43 | VAMP-D: 108 | BLI: 32/-20  | LD:1
<<Hell Hound 1>> HP: 214/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2
<<Hell Hound 2>> HP: 183/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 30 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 2 | Frozen (64) | Blight 32 (0/3)
<<Hell Hound 3>> HP: 214/450 | DMG: 125 | MIT: 50 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2

As the <<Phoenix>> dove down to attack them, Baldur stepped in front of Morningstar. It wasn't an act of bravery to protect the man, he obviously didn't need Baldur's help with the Phoenix, other than efficiency's sake. No, Baldur stepped in front of Morningstar so that they were was no question about where the bird would go. Rather than trying to target it with a sword art and guess who it might attack, Baldur put both of them in its flight path. As entered the part of its diving arc where it came straight at them, Baldur sliced the air once, then twice, and as he did so crescent arcs of light wobbled off from his blade into the air, cutting the mythical creature before it even got within arm's reach and crashed into the ground, where it promptly turned into a shower of luminous, rainbow colored polygons... that then slowly conformed into a large, fire shrouded egg, before a new bird burst forth from it, streaking into the air.

"So how many of these things do you wanna farm? I know this means we each get one, but I'm up for a few more if you are."

Baldur watched the phoenix soar through the air, then turn to face them once again with fire in its eyes.

ID#241139 BD:5 CD:6

5+7-0=Hit!
20x12 (ST-1)=240 DMG - 30 MIT = 210
Regain 4 Energy, -10 Energy

Baldur | HP: 1075/1075 | EN: 87/122 | DMG: 20 | MIT:54 | ACC:5+1[AA]+1[Keen] | AA | KEEN: 1 | F-SPIRIT | EVA:5 | BH:54 | REC: 4 | FLN: 4 | BLI: 16/-10 | BRN: 28 | FRZ: 32 | LD:5 | Charge [1/3]
Morningstar | HP: 850/850 | EN: 110/110 | DMG: 21 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 | BH: 47 | LD: 5 | REC: 4 | FLN: 8 | AA | PARA-V
Phoenix | HP: 225/975 | MIT: 50 30 | DMG: 110 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | Shatter: -20 (1/3)

Baldur returned the bow that Alkor gave him. They had not spoken in a long time, not since their fight. Something about the man had changed, and Baldur couldn't help but want to dig in, and see if the man had stopped letting the expectations of others control him and who he was allowed to be. The gaijin samurai realized he didn't even know where the man had left things with Lessa, which had been a source of strife for the man at the time.

"Alkor, good to see you again."

Regardless, he viewed Alkor as a peer, and someone Baldur had crossed blades with in a way that was not life or death, but allowed them to have a conversation that words simply could not allow them to express.

"It seems Kiru and I have a lot of common connections but never crossed paths. She... only just learned now that you were alive, and well... had the good sense not to take me at my word."

He left off her other feelings. They were hers to express or not depending on how she felt. Baldur hovered off to the side, saying his words, bet letting a moment happen between old acquaintances that only just realized they were alive. Perhaps Kiru carried some guilt over Alkor's death. Perhaps this was her chance to heal some of that.

When Acanthus questioned the ability to really know someone, Baldur opened his mouth slightly to release one of the many witty, platitudes he was known for, but when Acanthus recovered and continued it gave him pause. There was a kernel there that needed to be explored, but for now he merely knew there was more to that feeling than a simple platitude could help. Slowly, she released a white knuckled grip on the cup, that had this been the real world, he might have been worried would have broken. She was nervous, perhaps, talking about the frontline. So he let the conversation flow.

I would have noticed if you died, Acanthus. I mourn for them all.

She quickly re-engaged on the subject for Freyd, and that reaction not only caught his interest, but aligned with it as well. He resisted the urge to set down the tea cup and... spill the tea, as it were. While he had suspicions about the man, and perhaps who he truly was, Freyd had given him no reason... yet... to suspect his character.

"I am not entirely certain what I saw. We were shielding behind Freyd during one of the bosses big AoE attacks. Wulfrin was caught out, and his hit points were about to be wiped out, but before any of us could react, Freyd threw himself at the mercy of the boss. I would swear I saw his hit point bar disappear in the typical shower of pixels, but then there was a light and he was there. It all happened so far, in the heartbeat breath of attacks. It is often hard to keep pace of so many things in a fight, especially when fighting to stay alive takes up so much of your concentration on its own."

Except that I am practiced at it. Maintaining awareness of the entire field is what I do. But how can I explain what I saw, when I don't even understand what I saw.

"I have not yet had much chance to meditate on it, but it is a good thing no one died. And that is mostly thanks to Freyd and his unwavering commitment to the safety of not just his team, but his kouhai. I do not know what I would do if I lost one of my students."

Baldur did not have much in the way of students anymore. He had graduated most of them, or they had retired from the Front. He would not begrudge anyone their rest. He had taken several, as had they all.

"We would have noticed...  you know. The Assault Team. You are now a member of an exclusive circle. Everyone has their own take on it, but when you fight at the Front, side by side with people, you come to know a different side of them. You mentioned truly getting to know someone? When their life is on the line, when the chips fall down and you have to choose between fight or flight... that's when you get to know someone."

It would have spoken well of Freyd, unless Baldur's suspicions were confirmed. If there aren't consequences to face, then it is not truly seeing that side of them.

"Wulfrin, I imagine, feels that he truly knows the measure of Freyd. I have not been at death's door since wolves chased me across the first floor, but I have seen people die, and I have fought side beside people knowing that one wrong move would have cost someone their life. I wish I could say the decisions had been easy, but when someone is on death's door and they stay by your side because you both know that if they retreat everyone else is in danger? That's when you know what someone is made of."

Baldur couldn't help but think back to the fight with Shadow, with the Dragon it had inhabited. How close they had all come to dying, but none more so than Macradon. How they had had to galvanize the group and fight through because teleport crystals stopped working. That was how you knew someone.