Ariel - The Crowned Lion

The boss didn't have the chance to attack as the blonde saw the [STUN] mark on their party's assigned 'head'. She took a deep breath and began initiating her assault on the target. She would take aim once more and slash at the neck of the frost hydra head. Cursing through clenched teeth as she noticed the head's HP bar slowly tinting red with nothing but a slither of color allowing it to remain in the fight once more. Frustration built up as she looked over her shoulder and noticed that the rest of the groups had finished their part of the task of cutting the heads in unison. Only they were the ones falling behind. Furthermore, her inability to secure the finishing blow added even more to the annoyance.

With an exasperated sigh, she decided it was wiser to back out and let someone else cut the head off. She had noticed her energy reserve was starting to go on the low, more so than the rest of her team.

+4 EN

REC ID#217375   CD#1
+0 EN

Post Action: ST-B
ID#217376  BD: 8 (5+6, hit!) | CD:12 | [x23] (29) =667 -75 MIT =592 DMG > ≪Novalite≫

-22 EN

Team [Nari-Lanreth] 
(12) Nari-Lanreth | HP: 1025/1080 | EN: 73/102 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 347 | EVA: -1 | ACC: 4 | BH : 58 | THRN: 72 | TAUNT | FRB: 40(-1) | PARA[Shield] | FR.AURA: 16 | HM: 4 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | DoT: -36 | [BARRIER]
(0) Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN: 97/112 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 138 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | BH: 26 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | BLD: 48 | DOTE: 1/3 | [BARRIER]
(5) Jomei | HP: 1058/1058 | EN: 84/130 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 104 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 58 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 8 | HB: 23 | LD: 1 | DOTE: 1/3 | [BARRIER]
(4) Ariel | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 36/106 | DMG: 29 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 55 | REC: 3 | PHASE | FLN: 16 | HB: 44 | RSKY: 8 | LD: 6 | [BARRIER]
(6) Vigilon | HP:  780/800 | EN: 74/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | FLN: 16 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | LD: 6 | DOTE: 1/3 | [BARRIER]
(6) Lessa | HP: 1035/1035 | EN: 85/122 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 82 | ACC: 4 | BH: 56 | REC: 8 | THRN: 72 | HLY: 8 | H.M.: 8 | DOTE: 1/3 | [BARRIER]

Novalite | HP: 5/2000 | DMG: 250 | MITI: 75 | ACC: 4(+3) | EVA: 0 | Frostbite 2 [80/2/-1 ACC] | Static 2 [80/2] | FOCUSED | Stun Immunity [0/3]
[Matches Static, Freeze, Frostbite, Frost Thorns, Frost Aura]

Typhoon (Standard Attack): deals 250 damage to highest hate, and triggers Frostbite 2
Static Discharge (Critical Attack): deals 100 unmitigated damage to all members of the team, and applies Static 2 [80 damage over 2 turns] & Discharge.

• Static 2 | 80 unmitigated damage each turn for 2 turns
• Discharge | Attacks made against the target deal an additional 100 damage for 2 turns.

Wushen, Elemental Warlord | HP: ????/???? | DMG: 200 | MITI: 75 | ACC: 4(+3) | EVA: 0
[Cannot be Targeted with Attacks]

*accepts the invitation *

It looked like a pretty streamlined fight, up until they started chipping at the boss' third health bar. Then things started to get more a little more complicated. Wushen started showing its aces, in the form of multiple hydra heads. A different one for each party she noticed before each grup got segregated, not that the blonde had time to pay attention to the rest of the raid. The casual glance over the participants HP bars showed they were mostly green.

These new variables were definitely a headscratcher but not something that couldn't be solved with raw force as they did until now, at least from the blonde's initial assessment. Acting on that though, the blonde banged her fist against the new ice walls then returned her focus on the 'new' enemy. An extension of Wushen, that showed why it had the title «Elemental Warlord».
A short sprint closed the distance between Ariel and Novalite, next came an overhead diagonal slash that phased through its neck and removing a chuck of it's visible HP bar. 

+4 EN

REC ID#217122   CD#11
+3 EN

Post Action: ST-I
ID#217123  BD: 10 (10+6, Phase proc.) | CD: 10 | [x15] (29+2) =465 -75/2 MIT = 428 DMG > ≪Novalite≫

ST-B Available!

-14 EN

Team [Nari-Lanreth]
(11) Nari-Lanreth | HP: 1056/1080 | EN: 73/102 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 347 | EVA: -1 | ACC: 4 | BH : 29 | THRN: 72 | TAUNT | FRB: 40(-1) | PARA[Shield] | FR.AURA: 16 | HM: 4 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | DoT: -36 | BLD 4 [60/1] | LAC [1]
(0) Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN: 109/112 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 138 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | BH: 26 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | BLD: 48 | DOTE: 1/3
(6) Jomei | HP: 1058/1058 | EN: 74/130 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 104 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 58 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 8 | HB: 23 | LD: 1 | DOTE: 1/3
(5) Ariel | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 54/106 | DMG: 29 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 55 | REC: 3 | PHASE | FLN: 16 | HB: 44 | RSKY: 8 | LD: 6
(6) Vigilon | HP:  780/800 | EN: 52/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | FLN: 16 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | LD: 6 | DOTE: 1/3
(3) Lessa | HP: 1032/1035 | EN: 95/122 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 82 | ACC: 4 | BH: 56 | REC: 8 | THRN: 72 | HLY: 8 | H.M.: 8 | DOTE: 1/3

Novalite | HP: 1231/2000 | DMG: 250 | MITI: 75 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 0 | Frostbite 2 [80/2/-1 ACC] | Static 2 [80/2]
[Matches Static, Freeze, Frostbite, Frost Thorns, Frost Aura]

Wushen, Elemental Warlord | HP: ????/???? | DMG: 200 | MITI: 55 75 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 0 | BLGT [64/1] | BRN [112/1] | STK [80/1] | FRB [80/1] | BLD [96/1]
[Cannot be Targeted with Attacks]

Voices began to circle the boss room, nonsense begun to reach her ears, earning audible 'haaa?' from the blonde with a slightly annoyed expression. Soon enough her features would change from annoyance to surprise, as the dragon finally made a serious move against them. It would look at them in contempt and moments later, brilliant flashes would signal the boss' attack onto them. Like a rain of arrows from a well known movie scene, it all came pouring down upon them.

As best as she tried, she didn't walk away unscratched, as they were fighting on a open field with little to no cover: "Kuso.." she muttered. Her first instinct, to pull the 'shield' item from her inventory but Ariel reconsidered almost as fast. The slim saya was designed to help her deflect hits and counter, not to shield from arrows or any type of wide area effect. Gritting her teeth, she covered her face by instinct with her forearm and took the attacks head on. Luckily it didn't last long and didn't seem to do as much damage as she expected.

Seconds later, she heard the beckoning of their party's designated healer and answered her call. A little bit hesitant, Ariel nodded and accepted the treatment doing her best to follow the fight's course from a still position. It felt nice, not only Krysta's touch but the whole period of the skill cast. "Thank you!" looking up she noticed her name "Krysta..." she added sincerely as she noticed the new status icons disappear. Looking at her free hand, she smiled at the glowing effect and balled it into a fist before it completely dissipated. "I'll make sure to not give you too much trouble in the future." she added with a confident smile as she readied for her next attack...

Ariel already felt her blood rushing as her spartan cape reacted to the attack, she would rise up to her full height and adjust her grip on ≪Nihilim’s Wrath≫. It could be her imagination but the blade seemed to react to its dragon kin's awakening. The black conflagration coating the blade's edge was a plausible indicative that it wanted more of the dragon's blood. And who was she to deny it, she wanted a measurement of revenge as well, for the earlier attack. Ariel began charging at the boss, the system assist already predicting and aiding in reaching her destination as much as it could. She would try to go as far as to the dragon's face and leave a large laceration at least across one of its now opened eyes.

+4 EN

REC ID#216420   CD#2
+0 EN

+99 HP | BH +HB
+8 Base DMG | Risky

Post Action: ST-II +Charge 
ID#216421  BD: 8 (6+6, Fallen proc.) | CD: 6 | [x18] (29+3+8+16) =1008 DMG > ≪Wushen≫

-17 EN

Team [Nari-Lanreth] Total Damage: 1548
(6) Nari-Lanreth | HP: 979/1080 | EN: 73/102 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 347 | EVA: -1 | ACC: 4 | BH : 29  | THRN: 72 | TAUNT | FRB: 40(-1) | PARA[Shield] | FR.AURA: 16 | HM: 4 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | DoT: -36 | BLD 4 [60/2] | LAC [2]
(0) Krysta | HP 823/897 | EN: 97/112 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 138 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | BH: 26 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | BLD: 48 | DOTE: 1/3
(5) Jomei | HP: 1039/1058 | EN: 84/130 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 104 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 58 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 8 | HB: 23 | LD: 1 | DOTE: 1/3
(3) Ariel | HP: 1011/1012 | EN: 71/106 | DMG: 29 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 55 | REC: 3 | PHASE | FLN: 16 | HB: 44 | RSKY: 8 | LD: 6 | [Counter]
(4) Vigilon | HP:  700/800 | EN: 69/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | FLN: 16 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | LD: 6 | DOTE: 1/3
(3) Lessa | HP: 873/1035 | EN: 91/122 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 82 | ACC: 4 | BH: 56 | REC: 8 | THRN: 72 | HLY: 8 | H.M.: 8 | DOTE: 1/3

Wushen, Elemental Warlord | HP: ????/???? | DMG: 200 | MITI: 0 75 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 0 | [Shatter 3 {2/3}] | TXC. [32/1] | BLGT [32/1] | STK [40/1]

Yet they still stood, defiant, despite the dragon's attempts to dismantle their annoying assault. The second wave of attacks almost depleted the foe's second health bar, changing it green hue to a red shade. The loud shout that came with its attack was more of a hassle that made the blonde squint her eyes and grit her teeth. "What a unpleasant thing.." she muttered as she readied her weapon once more. A quick glance behind revealed that the rest of the parties were doing fairly well so far, she could even spot some smiles throughout the battlefield. 'So far, so good'

Readying her weapon once more, she would check to her side to make sure her companion was ready to strike in tandem with her. However in that moment, she would be reminded that Kimba remained back at the estate. A small click oh her tongue let out a displeased 'tsk' as Ariel once more slashed at the boss' visible neck.

+4 EN

REC ID#215742   CD#7
+3 EN

Post Action: ST-I 
ID#215743  BD: 8 (5+6, hit!) | CD: 3 | [x15] (29) =435 -20 MIT =415 DMG > ≪Wushen≫

-14 EN

Team [Nari-Lanreth] [ 415 DMG Accumulated ]
(4) Nari-Lanreth| HP: 1079/1080 | EN: 82/102 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 347 | EVA: -1 | ACC: 4 | BH : 59  | THRN: 72 | TAUNT | FRB: 40(-1) | PARA[Shield] | FR.AURA: 16 | HM: 4 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | DoT: -36
(0) Krysta | HP 897/897 | EN: 101/112 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 138 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | BH: 26 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8 | BLD: 48 | DOTE: 3/3
(3) Jomei | HP: 1058/1058 | EN: 95/130 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 104 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 58 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 8 | HB: 23 | LD: 1 | DOTE: 3/3
(3) Ariel | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 84/106 | DMG: 29 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 55 | REC: 3 | PHASE | FLN: 16 | HB: 44 | RSKY: 8 | LD: 6 | [Counter]
(3) Vigilon | HP:  800/800 | EN: 83/114 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 5 | FLN: 16 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | LD: 6 | DOTE: 3/3
(2) Lessa | HP: 917/1035 | EN: 101/122 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 82 | ACC: 4 | BH: 56 | REC: 8 | THRN: 72 | HLY: 8 | H.M.: 8 | DOTE: 3/3

Wushen, Elemental Warlord | HP: ????/???? | DMG: 200 | MIT: 20 75 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 0 | [Shatter 3 {1/3}] | TXC [32/1]

Slowly but consistently, they were depleting their foe's health bars. One down already, 5 more to go, was a significant amount od damage the whole raid managed to deal in such a short time. So far, it looked like this boss will be another punching bag but her gut feeling told her they were only scratching the surface and some sort of complication will disturb their smooth sail, as much as she hoped it wouldn't be the case. For now however, she would continue to do her best and do her part at hacking at the multiple health bars present in the form of a annoyed dragon that was swatting its members at them as if it was trying to fight away flies. Which Ariel preferred, based on experience, the attacks were easier to evade if they were underestimated by their opponent. After ensuring with a glance at he party's own health bars that her tank took practically no damage again, she went and dealt some in return.

+4 EN

REC ID#215302   CD#10
+3 EN

Post Action: ST-II 
ID#215303  BD: 8 (5+6, hit!) | CD: 3 | [x18] (29) =552 DMG > ≪Wushen, Elemental Warlord≫

-16 EN
'Well rested' [0/3] (all used)

A huge blast came their way, fortunately easily avoidable for the cloth armour user and most of her team. Except their tank that took it head on and got out of it without a scratch. Ariel couldn't help but smile as the defying silhouette reminded her of an old friend on blue. She raised two fingers next to her head and lightly wave in acknowledgement of her request, then prepared for her next attack. Now that she took all the precautions needed, she could focus on setting up to deal some real damage like the rest. Luckily they were against a static target that didn't seem overly interested in giving them a challenge more than it's mere presence. They only patch she saw was to keep hacking at the boss until they hit a nerve or something. She went full speed, as much as she could muster without any type of system assistance, and once more left a large gash on the dragon's skin. It was reassuring to see that even in these conditions, her upgraded weapon would still faithfully server her.

+4 EN

REC ID#215143   CD#9
+1*1*4 EN

Post Action: ST-I 
ID#215144   BD: 7  (1+6, hit!) | CD: 8 | [x15] (29) =435 -15 MIT = 420 DMG > ≪Wushen, Elemental Warlord≫

-12 EN
'Well rested' [1/3] (-1)

Stepping forward, Ariel couldn't help but let out a loud giggle at the sight of the dragon? Not too long ago they slayed a similar beast controlled by a 'god'. Brandishing the proof of her triumph in her hand, a dragon's fang fashioned in the form of a katana, she would put it to good use against its own kind. Others steered into motion against their foe, she would follow suit.

"Your cousin, Nihilim, sends his regards!" she added with a smirk as she left a wide cut on the dragon's neck. It felt weird... having her trademark skill disabled here. Yet she would adapt to the current conditions and improvise her style based on her experiences, the core of her digital reward.

Good thing that Ariel was already midway towards her objective as she heard the bold speech from their shield maiden behind her. The blonde couldn't help roll her eyes and wonder if it was meant to reassure the others or herself... probably both. Still, maybe some of the new blood could use the pep talk... probably...

Post Action: TECH-C | COUNTER |
ID#215002   BD: 4  (4+6, hit!) | CD: 4 | [x12] (29) =348 -55 MIT = 293 DMG > ≪Wushen, Elemental Warlord≫


-11 EN
'Well rested' [2/3] (-1)

While the rest were still making preparations, the blonde decided to take a peak inside the boss room. She had to cover her eyes the moment she stepped through the open entrance, instinctively deactivating the Night Vision Mod she's used until now. With a sour expression she adverted her gaze for a few seconds then tried again to scan the area which they will face their next challenge. The katana at her hip seemed to judder in its saya as it seemed to react to the guardian's sorrow. Heck, even Ariel felt her own emotions tainted by the now moving entity. 

"Easy now, you'll get your debut soon enough." she spoke softly, not sure if the weapon was emulating her thirst or the other way around. Nonetheless, the blonde was itching for a real fight. The kind one can only experience in this type of scenario. The life she made for herself on the 22nd floor was nice, a good community had formed inside her domain and an intricate intelligence network stretched out far outside of it. Despite all that, her heart yearned for the heat of battle that could only be found here, on the frontlines.

Seeing @Zandra here brought a smile to her somewhat troubled expression as she drew closer and greeted her sister-in-arms: "Glad to see you made it Z. I feel so much better knowing you're here too. Let's give'em one hell of a time !" she added with a sheepish smile.

She felt a rumble, like the whole floor was shaking beneath her legs. 'guess I'm not that late yet' she thought, seeing several players from the previous raid meeting. It looked like they managed to clear the obstacle in one way or another. Even though that same 'obstacle' was walking on its own two feet once more. She swallowed the digital saliva with an audible *gulp* hoping they wouldn't have to face it once more. So far it seemed to ignore them and do its own thing. The rest of the raiding party didn't seem too affected by this, which eased her mind a bit.

She had munched on some leftover supplies before coming here but couldn't help but notice the feasts present before the boss room. She drew closer and with a humble. 'Itadakimasu!' towards @NIGHT she then took a small bite of the ones she though would aid here in the coming fight.
(maybe more text later, posting stats for now)

[ lv. 94  ->   l. 32 / p. 62 ]
Ariel | HP: 1012/1012 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 0 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 5 | BH: 55 | HB: 44 | RSKY: 8 | FLN: 16 | PHASE | AA | REC: 4 | LD: 5 | 

As even more people joined, the blonde took the now crowded meeting place as her que to leave. Her objectives have been meet: see they information the scouts had and get a feel for what their manpower was like. Her first curiosity was sated by the knowledge of these so called 'words of power' and the cycle presented on the cards handed to them by their host. As usual, the hints were mostly vague and highly ambiguos, leaving a lot to interpretation which spiralled in the current situation of having multiple working theories. None of which seemed to be more believable than the other, a stalemate.

Her second inquiry was satiated by the team assignments so far. At least three teams were a decent force and Ariel was happy to see some veteran names among hers. With a crisp snap of her fan, she stood up and peered over the parties list again, then with a satisfied nod she walked towards girl that has been taking notes like a court reporter. " I'll see y'all at the raid. " she said with a wave to the crowd.

Then to @iris, she showed her a sheepish smile and slipped her school's business card on the desk. " Can you be a dear and send me a copy of your notes and conclusions. " then with a twirl of of her fingertips, she walked out of the establishment.

...

A few steps outside, she was accompanied by her students who seemed to be expecting something of her: " no... " blonde's reply, followed by a light titter to the evident disappointment of the two.

Ariel leaves the thread.

More and more people were joining... as she predicted. The digital air was beginning to get stifling for the blonde who materialized an ivory fan with blue markings in her right hand and started using it as she shifted her weight in the chair, resting one leg onto the other. She peered over the additional notes she took for herself from the rest of the participants as well as factoring in Night's answer: "Then we only have a simple cycle.. a rotation, some good news at least. We'll only have to break the circle." she muttered. In her head she would already dread the amount of theory crafting they needed to do if the elements interacted like she initially though and  Freyd suggested. The arrows in his sketch was the exact patern she had in her mind when she asked their present scout, Night, for extra details. However her intuition told her that enhancements weren't particularly involved with the cycle, at least not in the way they thought.

She looked at Freyd and tried to remember if he played a tank role in previous occasions that they meet. However her reminiscence was derailed by the second tank volunteer. Partially hiding her curious expression with the fan, she peered over the provisional teams and examined... Nari-Larnreth? from head to toes. 'Pseudo-tank' was also the role she had to fulfil during the last raid, not the most pleasant experience. 

She closed her fan with an audible *Snap* then stood up and went to write her name on the sheet of paper. "I'm a DPS but I have experience off-tanking in the last raid. I'll switch with you during the fight if the need arises." she said with a sheepish smile while making deliberate eye contact with @Nari-Lanreth. This was the way the blonde wanted to help reassure the newcomer, by already having some experience raiders backing her team up. "Only two teams..." she muttered, not finishing the thought.

The next focus of Ariel's attention was the ginger with a funny accent, seated in her close vicinity. She mostly nodded to herself throughout Jomei's exposition, especially the last part. Most theories were about enhancements used by the players. But he pointed out that the enhancements might be used by the adds and the boss itself, something that integrated well in her cycle theory. Plus she too thought they should keep things simple so everyone's on the same page. "Well said.." she mumbled at the end as she started fanning herself once more.

*potential off-tank

Item Fusion Request:

https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/15721-f7r7-blacksmith/?do=findComment&comment=673740

Using 1x Demonic Shard and 1x Gleaming Scale to fuse the following items: (+fusion fees)

≪Nihilim’s Wrath#187490≫ - Boss fight reward
≪Yamimaru#187510≫ - Event reward

Final item :

"A weapon improved by use of dragon's breath, seems fitting." muttered the blonde as she drew closer to her destination. It was quite the hike rom Nimbus but she didn't mind it. It was a good opportunity to plan ahead set some short and long distance goals for her and her school. The interior design of the place was to her liking, staying in theme with the establishment's name.

“Ojamashimasu!” (‘Sorry to disturb you’') was the greeting she went with on this occasion, being the first time she visited this place. Her attention was initially directed at the small dragon before engaging with who assumed to be the owner:

"I'd like to have make use of your fusion services!" she said with a clear tone and continued "They've been good companions so far and now's the chance to improve." 

She materialized and inspected ≪Yamimaru≫, the oldest of the two as shown by the scratches along the blade and the chips near the tip. Despite being regularly maintained the blade showed its battle-worn history. 
Setting it to the side, she then materialized ≪Nihilim’s Wrath≫, much newer by comparison but equally powerful as the first. "Let's unite them!" she added with a smile.

Using 1x Demonic Shard and 1x Gleaming Scale to fuse the following items: (+fusion fees)

≪Nihilim’s Wrath#187490≫ - Boss fight reward
≪Yamimaru#187510≫ - Event reward converted via 3.0 Conversion

Final item :

It has certainly been a while since the blonde descended to the 13th floor. She had a soft spot for Angel's Point ever since she first scouted the floor once it was available for them. Ariel however wasn't familiar with her destination, an appraiser's shop that had been recommended to her by an acquaintance. She certainly didn't expect it to be next to the remains of what appeared a place or worship.

She greeted young woman who didn't seem to be pleased when she walked in: "Good day, I'm here to have some items identified." Then with a few hand gestures, she accesses her inventory and materialized a varied array of items on the counter, before the attendant.

- Sent 31,520 Col, identification fee + following items:

A few others joined the gathering and the blonde was delighted to notice that her favourite Irishman also made his way here. It was good to see more dependable individuals joining the frey though she wished more would come. Hopefully they just skipped today's meeting and she would see more of her old acquaintances at the actual raid.

After their host finished explaining and Ariel received Night's card, she stared at it for a while. Then took one of the markers available and started scribbling on the planning paper:

Quote

1. 'All things become dust, to be accepted into the earth, and born again.' - boss/adds have different stages, probably resurrects after defeat. As we encountered before.
2. 'The smallest raindrops nurture the tallest trees.' - everyone will have to contribute in one way or another.  a specific task or trial? outside of fighting and dealing damage? Raindrops/water hint
3. 'Learn from the summer heat, for even when the fire claims the forest, the trees grow back stronger.' - adding on the 1st phrase, returning stronger? fire (enhancement) explicitly mentioned could prove to be an advantage? or it will just help to resurrect boss/adds?
4. 'Ore in the ground is precious, but it is useless without heat and hard work.' - reinforcing the idea of fire enhancement and teamwork? what else?
5. 'When the war is done and the blades go cold, let the rain they gather cleanse a broken world.' - importance of water in the final moments of the raid? elemental swap/selection on weapons?  use water on the boss room obstruction?

The diagram cemented the elemental system theory they had. Though she frowned as she though it to be more of an ordered circle or cycle system where each element is equally viable, rather than a complex Rock-Paper-Scissors-Spook-Lizard scenario where there is a hierarchy of elements. People we're coming with ideas but the blonde felt like she had to express her thoughts on setting a foundation, before they started speculating further.

"Is there any chance that the diagram is incomplete? maybe the middle space wore off or was purposely removed?" she asked while looking at @NIGHT, the one she knew for sure that was at the boss room. Then stood up from her chair and addressed the host.

"If not, I suggest we form teams prioritizing the basics: allocate at least 1 tank and 1 healer in each team. Then add a note that a diverse array of enhancements could give us an edge." she added with a sigh while looking around. There were too many enhancements and not enough players with items using those enhancements. As usual, the info was slim and they could go down a rabbit hole with theory crafting. "Maybe Cardinal will throw us a bone and let us temporary alter enhancements once we start." she mused with a ironic smile. 
"We'll most likely be provided with some sort of environmental support to compensate for our lack of specific enhancements... at a cost. One thing I know from experience, we always have a way to win. Cardinal is surprisingly abiding in that regard." pretty basic stuff, but she felt like she had to get it out for the new frontliners... present and future.

As she waited for an answer, she sat back down and adjusted her kimono. Then started scrolling though her inventory to check for items in her possession with elemental enhancements, as listed by Night and suggested by others.

First floor, where it all began on that wretched day. The question of 'why would people organize meetings here?' kept popping in Ariel's head every time she was summoned to this place; be it for business or pleasure. She continued to watch over the meeting place from an opposite rooftop.
(u can skip this spoiler, it's just some tangent writing practice)

'I'm off now, message me if u need something!' she said with a wave before dropping down next to the shop entrance. She dusted off her blue themed kimono with koi patern and after a quick glance at her reflection on a nearby window, entered the shop. The dull sound of her wooden footwear against the glass stairs and the marbled floor would alert most of the present attendants to her arrival. She would offer a soft smile and a nod to any who would turn their gaze her way, so far recognizing all the present players except for the one that seemed to be their host and anothere person close nearby.

She pulls a flyer out of her kimono's sleeve and lightly waves it in front of her:
"I had to check with other sources to see if this info was legitimate, you have my congratulations on defeating the labyrinth boss!" she said with a sincere smile, then raised an eyebrow: "Although I personally never liked the idea of a meeting as important as this one being an open invitation to just about everyone." she paused and looked around the place, hoping to emphasize on how crowded this place could get real fast, real soon.

None the less, she took a seat on one of the chairs, not before she helped herself to a cup of tea and one of the sheets of planning paper.

Ariel | HP: 860/860 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 23 (+8) | MIT: 12 | AA | ACC: 3(5) | EVA: 1 | +45 BH | +9 LD | Fallen (1) | Keen (2)
   (Well Rested, ST Shift)

As she saw Raidou, with his hand on his weapon ready to slay the king, she too walked behind him ready to assist him as she shared the same feeling. Unfortunately, he didn't get a chance to act and decided to spare? in the same time guilt tripping the others.

She let out a long sigh as she slightly shook her head. Her blade, even though worn out throughout this boss fight and still yearning for more action, syncing once more with its owner's desires. Was now taking a momentary rest in its saya.

She drew closer to Raidou, his was one of the few opinions she bothered mulling over, alongside Baldur and Cal's. It was at this precise moment that she missed her hiding skill, her gut feeling told her to finish the boss like they always did and start scouting the next floor. However now the king... gained a couple of bodyguards, one in particular she knew she had no chance to get past before getting herself taken cared of by the rest.
"You people are making me start to regret coming back... can't even follow a simple plan." she muttered as she reached Raidou's side, now looking down on the still living floor boss.

"And you want us to vote for you now?" she addressed the king mockingly.

"Since floor 11 I and a few here..." a small pause, to survey the surroundings and eye the players around her before resuming: "Followed the same simple formula: kill the floor boss, go to the next floor and prepare to kill the 'new' boss. Rinse and repeat!" she opened her hands magnanimously as she was now slowly pacing in circles against the convict and his blue themed guard. Locking her eyes with @Calrex as she next spoke with great familiarity. "Worked fine for us until now, wouldn't you agree, Cal-kun?" her attention then shifting to @Baldur and his disciples, as she raised a skeptical eyebrow: "Sōke-dono?"

She then turned around to face the rest: "We made this choice before even stepping in this room. Never have we even planned for the possibility of sparing a floor boss during the meeting before a raid. For 25 floors, a quarter of this flying castle's length and many years, we've done the same thing and it worked. There shouldn't be any doubt in what we must do now! Because that is what this 'Cardinal-controlled NON-PLAYER CHARACTER' ('slow paced sentence') is doing right now, making us doubt our next course of action. We cannot afford to improvise like this when we know we have a sure-way of reaching the next floor." she took a moment to breath in as she got a little heated up during her rant.

"This NPC is the same code as Orgoth which helped us in the previous floor, same code as Shadow who we fought against with the minotaur. Orgoth survived because we managed to 'defeat' Shadow fast enough in the last phase of the fight. But let me remind you all that we previously decided, during the meeting, to kill Orgoth too if he couldn't be rid of his controlled state and continued to be against us."

One scornful glance at the king as she continued: "This.. king... attacked us and continued to do so despite trying to reason with it, probably ready to wipe us all up to the last player. Our morality and what we feel or assume will happen shouldn't be in the way of finishing off this floor boss and getting to the next floor, as discussed in the meting before the fight. If u 'feel' differently (here she made a mocking tone and facial expression), don't participate in the next boss fight if the conclusion of the beforehand meeting isn't to your liking. If I knew we were going to start experimenting with different options, I wouldn't have been here." she voted then crossed her arms and stood next to the Firm Anima guild members.

"You all need to get your act together. I won't accept sparing him based on hunches, feelings or the nonsense he's been spouting throughout the fight and just now. Unlike Orgoth, he didn't do anything to deserve our trust or clemency, quite the opposite in fact. There's too much at stake." her words would probably fall on deaf ears but she could not bear to just go with the flow. Even if she were to be the odd one out in the end, she would still keep vigilant and act as soon as the opportunity would present itself, in any form. That would b the only reason why she hasn't used her crystal yet.
 

≪KILL≫

With a downcast gaze, she would let out a short sigh under her breath as she would hear people chatting up the boss. The topic has long since lost it's meaning to the blonde, she would see no other use than offering the frontlines a small reprieve in the fight. She would use that time to look around and take a mental note for the future, of the few members of her team that preferred actions over talk. Dashing towards the pillar from an off-angle, via a more indirect route, she hoped to entertain the blue neon light show with a backstab while it entertained the rest with words.

At the very best she succeeded in flanking and leaving behind a crack in the boss' armor. She clicked her tongue in frustration to the result of her attack. At this point she wished they no, she'd behead the king from the start, to sparing them from this troublesome form.

+6 EN
+8 DMG | RSKY

Post Action: ST-I
ID# 202967  BD: 8  (5+8-1, hit!) | CD: 8 | x15 (32 +8 ) =600 -100 MIT = 500 DMG > ≪Gabrandr≫
Keen proc. -> +2 ACC
ST-II unlocked.
-13 EN (-14 +1) 
Well rested [3/3]

(3) Ariel | HP: 966/966 | EN: 65/102 | DMG: 32 | EVA: 3 (-1, battle) | ACC: 6 (incl. AA) (+2 KEEN) | BH: 53 (SURV) | LD: 9 (+1 loot) | FLN: 8 | HLY BLS: 42 | KEEN: 2 | RSKY: 8
  (Well Rested (3/3), ST Shift, +2 EN/turn [Horn])
  (CD: Charge 2/3)

The area attack caught the blonde on the wrong foot, literally making her lose her balance and almost fell, as she was about to dash once more towards their target. The red cape she wore responded to the unexpected fall of her health, instantly gaining a green hue that enveloped the blonde as the [Holy Blessing] from the spartan commander's armor and her native battle healing kicked in and restores some of her orange HP bar. She looked at the party's status: "That hit us hard..." she muttered, now particularly concerned about Lessa's situation. With a thought, she materialized a small green crystal in her hand and crushed it. The effect was instant, adding a few more green ticks to all of her companions that got hit.

"Not enough..." she added, a little distressed as she turned towards @Zandra, pleading with only her eyes to continue healing her former guild master. She gritted her teeth and took a deep breath. For now, she would trust their healer to do her job. In the meanwhile, she had another immediate goal as unlike before only one of the Anima girls was trying to disable the machine. Her hand twitched as she decided to ignore the [Risky] activation icon, the attack will have to wait for now. 

"Let me help.." She said as she joined Sam and started poking at the thing, trying to stop it from charging. "Stand back" she warned a little frustrated and in the end she just brandished her black edged katana overhead. With one downward slash removed a chunk of what looked like a central piece. Her weapon's [Fallen] dark flames tinted the blue glow of the device, crawling upwards and consuming the whole thing as it's charge sequence? stopped. She then turned towards the boss and smirked triumphantly.

+6 EN
+95 HP | BH +HLY BLS
+8 DMG | RSKY

Free Action: Using ≪Flash of Rejuvenation# 144486-1 [Crystal]≫ from BRI (3 remaining) :
Mass HP Recovery (+30*PTier HP)
(5)Oscar | HP: 1030/1032 (790 +30*4 +12(SURV))
(4)Lessa | HP: 555/966 (435 +30*4) 
(2)Night | HP: 880/880 (+0)
(2)Ariel | HP: 833/966 (606 +95 +30*4 +12(SURV))
(0)Zandra | HP: 895/1058 (775 +30*4) 

Post Action:  Makeshift Scather: Disabled (LD 43/30)
ID# 202786  LD: 13 +11 (9 +1 +1(NMBL))

(2)Ariel | HP: 833/966  | EN: 72/102 | DMG: 32 (+8, next hit) | EVA: 3 (-1, battle) | ACC: 6 (incl. AA) (+2 KEEN) | BH: 53 (SURV) | LD: 9 (+1 loot) | FLN: 8 | HLY BLS: 42 | KEEN: 2 | RSKY: 8
  (Well Rested (3/3), ST Shift, +2 EN/turn [Horn])
  (CD: Charge 1/3)

Without hesitation (or knocking) the blonde enters the premises of the « Lion's Share », one of the annexes in the form of a alchemy shop on the Shirajishi-ryū Valley grounds. Seeing two new member addition to the party, entered with a smile, taking a second to look around. " Definitely an improvement from your last place. " she claimed, resting her eyes on the shop owner in formal black themed attire below his lab coat. Almost in complete contrast with the white theme interior of the shop. A low growl came as a reply from Dracul who frowned at her. " Good morning miss Ariel, miss Millicent! " a more formal and appropriate greeting coming from his assistant, which also started blushing. Both the girls replied to Darius with a small nod, the blonde pointing her thumb at him while addressing Dracul: " You could learn a thing or two from him. " while the brunette drew a bit closer to her male counterpart and muttered: " I told you before... call me Milli. ". 

The change in the boss' form did not come as a surprise, it was to be expected after all. With the initial lackluster NPC appearance now gone, the blonde couldn't help but smile at the new form. A small glance to the raid health bars confirmed they were still on the green and the fast work of the Firm Anima maidens removed, at least for the moment, one of her immediate concerns.

Ariel squinted her eyes at the new tittle in the boss' name. The extra HP bars adding fuel to her determination to strike it down. She felt a slight tingle in the palm of her right hand and looked to her side, the cursed weapon manifesting for the first time in a while, it's dark flaming mane. "I agree, those are some pretty blue flames." she muttered, once again the wielder and the weapon'a will aligning.

The violent attack on Lesa barely registered on the scout's conscience and any other dialogue didn't seem to phase her either. She instead adjusted her pose and charged at the boss. As it turned to meet her attack, the blonde sidestepped and left three slashing marks on its armor. The change to the ultra-light cloak armor seemed to now offer her an edge as the blue fire engulfing the boss began to get tinted with black on the spots where she struck.
"You're not the only one here that likes playing with fire." she once again taunted as the dark fallen effect from her weapon started now extending and consuming the blue flames of the shield in its hand. Her 4th and last hit aimed to pierce through the boss' main defenses, hoping to give the rest of her team an opening as she tried to remove its shield.

Free Action: Rhino's Horn -> ST-B
Post Action: Charge -> ST-B
ID# 202296  BD: 8  (7+8-1-2, hit!) | CD: 1 | x23 (32 +3 +8 +5) =1104 -60 MIT = 1044 DMG > ≪Gabrandr≫
Keen proc. -> +2 ACC
Fallen proc. -> +8 DMG
Rhino's Horn -> +3 DMG (once)/ -1 EVA (rest of the fight)
-23 EN (-22-8+1+2+4) 
Well rested [2/3]
Charge [0/3]

(2)Ariel | HP: 966/966 | EN: 66/102 | DMG: 32 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 6 (incl. AA) (+2 KEEN) | BH: 53 (SURV) | LD: 9 (+1 loot) | FLN: 8 | HLY BLS: 42 | KEEN: 2 | RSKY: 8 | STEADFAST [Zandra 1/2]
  (Well Rested (2/3), Charge [0/3], ST Shift, +2 EN/turn [Horn])

Buying the following items:

• 7x Spyglass(x3)

Total: 800 * 7 = 5,600col

A new dawn starts shinning over the tranquil valley of the lion. As per usual, the early sun rays find the master of the domain with her sword in hand, honing her skills against an imaginary foe materialized over a training dummy. Undisturbed, Ariel executes her enemy with one last horizontal slash that threatened to decapitate the dummy if it wasn't for it's extremely high and seemingly unending HP bar. A soft ping alerted her a while back that someone entered her territory. As she opened her eyes at the end of the mock battle, she motioned for that person to approach. 

When she first joined the Shirajishi-ryū, Mili was bewildered by her master. Now, being summoned despite the best of her abilities to get close undetected, as to not disturb Ariel during her training: she wasn't surprised anymore. She stepped forward and delivered the result of her 'investigation'.

"Good morning, master." came a formal greeting, accompanied by a bow. A overly formal opener, despite Ariel telling everyone they didn't need to follow strict etiquette. "And here I thought I was an early bird." muttered the blonde as she dismissed Mili with a wave of a hand, the rogue-like figure visibly relaxing. "A pleasant surprise, care to join me in my morning training?" she ask with a grin. Throwing a glance at the blonde's current opponent, Millicent swallows a dry knot, knowing full well how it feels to be in place of the training dummy versus her. "Perhaps another time" she replies with faux tone of indifference. " I come from the first floor where I've been gathering some information. I found something that might interest sensei since I know you barely descend that low nowadays. " She managed to finish with a slight smile, accentuated by the rising sun rays. "Do tell." came an interested reply, as Ariel seemed to completely stop her current actions and take a sit on the nearby wooden floor, motioning Mili to sit beside her.

Mili did exactly as she was told and sat beside her master, her two ponytails resting on her back. " I've been investigating the changes in SAO after the new update." she started explaining as she started spinning a small dagger between her fingers like one would do with a pen. In return the blonde nodded and watched her observed her dexterity exercise. "It seems that one of the quests had been altered, one called ≪Scents of the Wild≫, do you know about it?" she asked, suddenly stopping and grabbing her dagger in a reverse grip, before placing it beside her.
Ariel frowned a little and closed her eyes as she folded her hands in front of her, trying to remember the name. But without any other detail, after a few seconds, she shook her head then suddenly opened her eyes as if remembering something. After a quick few gestures on her HUD, she nodded with a grin and materialized a rock piece between them.

A little surprised, Millicent gingerly went for the greenish item and after Ariel's nod grabbed and examined it. Item name: ≪Kumatetsu Key≫ it's description pretty straightforward: 'One of six, resembles a massive bear claw. '. She then threw Ariel a complicated look, as if asking for more details. The blonde caught up and began explaining: "This wasn't a rock but a totem before, the first of a series of trials in which u had to defeat a number of enemies. First boss was a bear!" a bit surprised, Milli's imagination would picture her master locking grips, in a hand to hand combat with a massive bear and overpowering it. She let out a soft smile and a subdued laugh, earning herself a raised eyebrow. As she felt Ariel's judging eyes on her, she faked a cough trying to cast away the image in her mind and pose the next question: "So you already completed the quest?" 

She maintained the raise eyebrow and the intense gaze for a couple of seconds more before dismissing her question with a small wave in front her her. " Not by far, I went after the next boss but never found it. Near the Stygian river. I got distracted with other things and then joined th frontlines effort again. " Milli would notice the fondness and pride in her words, growing a little more impressed with her master. The blonde then makes her HUD visible and shows her pupil. "But I think the quest reset because now it sends me to the 1st floor not the 10th like before." To that, the brunette rogue copied her master's actions and replied: "I have the same quest, the intel I got sent me to a tree inside a small cavern. " the blonde nodded and stood up. "Then that's where we're headed next!"

Ariel | HP: 840/840 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 23 (+8) | MIT: 12 | AA | ACC: 3(5) | EVA: 1 | +45 BH | +9 LD | Fallen (1) | Keen (2)
   (Well Rested, ST Shift)

A frown took over her features as, what seemed to be the boss? gave the raid party what looked like a concerned warning. The glitter in the air certainly didn't help improve her mood as the 'king' seemed to command it and the scathers with a wave of his hand. She then took a better look at his attire and something clicked. She didn't get to present it at the meeting but based on the intel the Shirajishi-ryū gathered, she had an idea who the floor boss might be this time.

None the less, the moment the NPC attacked Shield and Raidou, she gritted her teeth then looked at the remainder of her team. "Giv'em hell!" she shouted and dashed forward. Baldur's call fell on deaf ears as soon as the fallen king's blade made contact with her friends's red armor. 
She would strike from behind, her katana piercing through the humanoid boss' shoulder. "I had a hunch we'd meet the Raven here." she said with a sly smile as she ended her sword art.

"I'd rather not do this either, show us the entrance towards the next floor and we'll be on our way. You can continue your revenge spiel after we're gone." she added, a bit mockingly as she circled her left index through the air.

ID# 201872  BD:8  (5+6-3, hit!) | CD: 11 | x15 (32) = 480 DMG > ≪Gabrandr≫
Keen proc. -> +2 ACC
ST-B unlocked.
-13 EN (-14+1) 
Well rested [1/3]

(1) Ariel | HP: 966/966 | EN: 89/102 | DMG: 32 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 8 (incl. AA) | BH: 53 (SURV) | LD: 9 (+1 loot) | FLN: 8 | HLY BLS: 42 | KEEN: 2 | RSKY: 8
   (STM, Well Rested, ST Shift, +2 EN/turn [Horn])