Grave

"Yes, player killer," I confirmed with a hiss, and shook my head "But I will not disclose the killer's identity," I waved his request off. Itzal semi-repeated Jevi's image, and I shook my head with a chuckle. "Other way around," I explained, "purple hair and gold eyes," I corrected him with a smile. "But yes, very royal colours... and she reminds me of a charming, hypnotizing snake; sly and always slipping out of your grasp, yet elegant and enchanting. A 'queen' cobra, I would say." I visualized her with a wide grin, using the same description I always used, toward her directly or when telling others about her.

We entered the hermit's house, and the old geezer got to work with the paint straight away, leaving not a moment to spare. I tilted my head as I watched him apply it, slightly confused by the pattern he was doing. Once he finished, a draconic painting was left upon Itzal's face, with a Y shape in the middle. "That is a new design," I noted and turned to the hermit. "Usually you just do those whiskers, what is different about him?" I questioned, but the hermit refused to respond, staying tight-lipped. I looked at Itzal and smiled. "It looks good though. Suits you."

I listened to Opal's explanation with closed eyes. I had just gotten her back... now I was going to lose her for the third time? It was too painful. First she had left for her own training, then she had 'betrayed' the Knights, and now she was going back to Laughing Coffin after I finally found the Opal I knew within her. She spoke up about a gift for Mack... or more so a gift from him that she was returning. "What is it...?" I asked, finally opening my eyes to look at the woman again. She materialized a yellow diamond necklace, and I held out my hand, letting her drop it into my palm, and I closed my fist tightly around it. "I... I can do that." I agreed with a reluctant nod. She told me to keep Jevi safe, to continue being a protector, and I choked, yet still nodded all the same. "I will." I choked out, and watched her beginning to leave...

"Opal!" I called to get her attention before she left. "At least... at least keep in contact with me every now and then. Let me know you are okay, and tell me if there is any news I should know." I made my final request in return, clutching the necklace until it dug into my virtual palms. "Do not let me lose you again."

(Right back atcha, just came off hiatus the other day)

I watched the black-haired player swing a fist like a wet noodle at the boulder, his coordination with hand-to-hand combat obviously lacking. "This may take a while..." I sighed to myself, scratching my head as I watched Khry's fist scrape along the boulder, not even chipping it. With an amused cough, I stepped up to the plate. "Allow me to weaken it some more." I gentle ushered him out of the way of the rocky, irregular ball, and swung my leg up into the air, my hips scarily vertical, before swinging my leg down like an axe, my heel cleaving into the boulder with a resounding crack. "Should make things a little easier." I sighed as I lifted my leg out of the fissure that now parted the top of the rock, backing off and bowing in a curtain call manner.

Regen +1 EN

ID: 70430 | BD: 10 | CD: 7

+2 Recovery EN

12 + 2 = 14 DMG to Boulder (1 EN)

Grave: 26/27 EN

Boulder: 23/50 HP

Crunch

The snake bit down harder, chewing into my digital flesh, and I grunted in irritation, my arm feeling weak from the strain the weight of the snake put on it. "Damn this!" I shouted, and swung my free fist around wide, smashing it into the rocky monster's side with a heavy boom that rocked the cavern. The snake released its grip on my arm, and was sent flying into the center of the 'arena', and I backed up to Beor, huffing and puffing heavily. "One more hit and I will need to take that potion..." I sighed, giving the creature a death stare. "It is so low..."

Regen: +1 EN

ID: 70249 | BD: 9 (7 + 2) | MD: 7 (9 - 2)

8 DMG to Stone Serpent Head

20 + 1 - 9 = 12 DMG to Grave

Party
[H:5]Grave: 40/88 HP | 1/22 EN | D: 8 | M: 9 | T: 7 | A: 2 | E: 2
[H:1]Beoreson: 68/68 HP | 5/17 EN | D: 7 | M: 18 | A: 2 | HM: 0

Enemies
Stone Serpent Head: 22/150 HP | D: 20 | Quick Wits: Avoids All AOE Attacks | Body Dependent: Upon losing all body pieces, MD always = 0.
Stone Serpent Body Piece: 50/50 HP | M: 15 | Head Dependent: Upon losing head, body pieces are destroyed.

I grinned sheepishly up at Jevi as she released her purple locks from their binding, her long, beautiful hair dropping to the water below. I snorted when she called me an asshole, and gasped just before she thrust my head into the water, gargling and coughing slightly as my face became submerged, kicking bubbles and froth up to the surface. I finally broke free and sat up straight, taking a deep breath and spitting the salty taste from my mouth. "Blegh, not sure whether or not that is meaner than what I did." I complained jestingly, pouting at the girl, before grinning and following her deeper into the ocean.

Jevi was barely off the sand where she beckoned me to, just keeping herself up by kicking her legs. With my higher stature, however, the flats of my feet firmly sat on the ocean bed, and I grasped Jevi by the waist, holding her off the sand so she didn't exhaust her legs. "Many perks come with being tall, I must say." I told her and poked my tongue out in a teasing manner.

I idly scratched my head, bony fingers mindlessly ruffling argent argent locks. Everyone seemed busy; chatting with friends, dining on some exotic cuisine or taking a nap, well-deserved or not. "Damn it, where can a guy find some company around here?" I growled, looking like a lost puppy searching for his owner - a very agitated lost puppy. Swaths of players and NPCs alike swarmed around me as if I was some lamp post, obviously in a rush to get to their destinations... until I noticed a someone familiar face over the mass of digital bodies. Grunting, I forced myself past the players and came to a halt in front of the girl, looking just as aimless as myself. "You seem lost." I spoke to her, hand on my hip; maybe she could help with the quest? "You... seem familiar. Have we gone hunting before?" I asked, swearing I had met her some time on a lower floor.

3 hours ago, Rin Tachibana said:

literally haven't been active since god knows but I got the email for this thread this morning so here I am 

People should not be allowed to be this damn pretty >.>

I sat on a bench beside the fountain, peering up at the stained glass of the cathedral. It always bugged me... the way the light passed through the glass, it seemed to change almost every time I saw it. No, not the glass. That always seemed normal. But when my eyes inevitably drifted to the paved square down below, the pattern of colours seemed to be different each time. And it was not the time of day either; I visited the square at twelve o'clock exactly on three consecutive days, and the pattern seemed somehow different...

I shook my head as I heard an odd mumbling nearby. Why was I fussing over a trick of the light on such a beautiful day? I looked across my shoulder at the source of the mumbling; an old lady with an odd, empty basket in her hands. Confused, I stood and approached her. "Excuse me, madam, can I help you?" I asked, and she peered up at me with a friendly, toothless grin and sparkling gray eyes. "Yes, if you would be so kind... I was out collecting herbs and was suddenly attacked by a group of antmen. In a rush to get away, I spilled the herbs from my basket. I think they may have taken my herbs... they are special and very rare. I can supply you with a hefty reward for retrieving them." She explained, and a quest prompt popped up; "Herbal Hunt". "Wait... a random quest?" I asked, cocking my head and scratching my chin. I gasped when my eyes flicked over the reward; six Skill Points. Gulping, I pressed the circle Confirm button. The old lady nodded and smiled. "Thank you... if you find any more young heroes that would like to help out, give them this." She said, handing me a small envelope. I tapped it and it brought up the same quest prompt, except without the buttons, due to my having already accepted it.

The old lady waved and wandered off, and I sighed, peering around the square. "Now... I may need some help with this."

I was finding it harder and harder to keep up with the player, my chest heaving as I lumbered heavily up the staircase. "Yeah, I guess so." I agreed. "The Knights of the Blood Oath... I was once in a small guild called the Crimson Blades, but we sort of fell apart, and our Commander joined the Knights and chose to assimilate the Blades in as an elite strike team, under the title of the Crimson Knights. He was third in command... until our guild was betrayed and he had to take the Second in Command's place." I explained between rough breaths.

"As for my girlfriend... her name is Jevi. I have known her since my very first week in the game. Back then she had a girlfriend, so I did not have a chance... until recently when her girlfriend stopped contacting her. We still have no idea where she is." I said with a weak smile. "Jevi has got purple hair and golden eyes... in battle and when she is teasing she reminds me of a snake; sneaky, slippery and enchanting. But on dates she is more like a playful cat." I compared with a wide grin, reminiscing about the time I suggested Jevi get a snake familiar.

"Of course! I would always be happy to train another player in my art!" I responded, finally hitting the top of the staircase and bending over, hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. "Alright... phew... I should really shape up." I sighed, standing back up and cracking my back before pointing at a hut-like structure in the distance. "That is the hermit's house." I said, leading the way.

That one moment when Jevi peered back gave me a chance to gain on her, running faster through the sand, pushing up and forward so I did not uselessly shove the soft, searing sand out of the way and fall flat on my face. The purple haired girl seemed to already be having fun, and I smiled; she needed it. With how she seemed to have been lately, she needed to have more fun. I grew closer to Jevi as we approached the water, running becoming much easier as the rippling waves had compacted the sand below, providing a much thicker platform to run along. "Here I come!" I shouted and lurched forward, throwing my arms around Jevi's waist and twisting, falling back-first into the water and pulling Jevi with me, drenching us in the waves. I sat up in the sand, holding onto Jevi as the water rocked back and forth up around my waist. "Well, now we are in the water~" I stated the obvious as I looked up at the drenched girl.

"Awesome, sounds good!" I said, swiping my right hand down and opening the menu, navigating to my friends list and entering Itzal's name, sending him a request. "Just message me whenever you need my help with something, alright? The only times I am ever really busy is when I am cooking, doing Guild work or chilling with my girlfriend." I told the boy with a smile, nodding. As I rushed up the stairs, I looked behind me to see where Itzal was at - only to have him appear beside me! "Jeez! You are fast!" I complimented him, beginning to puff as we went up the stairs. "Yeah, my speed and endurance are really low... does not help that I am a six foot brawler." I explained, keeping pace with the boy as we headed up.

"Haha, good." I nodded and petted Jevi's head gently, as if she were a cat of sorts. The pose she was in was quite cute, I had to admit, like you would see in a magazine. I stretched my arms up into the air after changing, groaning as my muscles relaxed in the sun. "Mm... this day is going to be good." I groaned with a satisfied smile, looking at Jevi, unsure as to whether she just watched me or not. "Well, now we match. And yes... you are right. I never had much experience with the beach, being from London and all. This will be a nice throwback." I said with a nostalgic grin. "It has also been a while since we last swam. Last time we were occupied killing fish for sushi, though, so this should be more pleasant." I sighed, before raising my eyebrow at Jevi as she began to race towards the water. Rolling my eyes, I broke into a jog and followed her, pumping my legs into the sand as I tried to catch up.

I grunted as I clutched my abdomen, throwing a pained smile at Beor. "Do not worry, I still have a lot left in me. I could do this all night." I reassured him with a faint thumbs up. "Speaking of which, how long do you think we have been down here?" I asked, cocking my head as I tried to wrap my head around what we had done and how long it had taken us. It had to have been at least an hour or two since we entered. "No, do not worry, I do not need the potion yet. I will take it if I get too low, but I am still good to keep fighting." I responded to Beor's offer and began to eye off the serpent again. It hissed quietly, before screeching as it launched itself at me, earthen jaw wide open. I raised my arm as a defense, and the creature bit into my flesh through my coat, and I grunted, from the combined pressure on my arm and the weight of the monster pulling my shoulder down. "Crap!" I growled as I attempted to kick the monster off, but it held onto me for dear life.

Regen +1 EN

ID: 66031 | BD: 4 (2 + 2) | MD: 7 (9 - 2)

20 + 1 - 9 = 12 Damage to Grave

Party
[H:4]Grave: 52/88 HP | 1/22 EN | D: 8 | M: 9 | T: 7 | A: 2 | E: 2
[H:1]Beoreson: 68/68 HP | 4/17 EN | D: 7 | M: 18 | A: 2 | HM: 0

Enemies
Stone Serpent Head: 30/150 HP | D: 20 | Quick Wits: Avoids All AOE Attacks | Body Dependent: Upon losing all body pieces, MD always = 0.
Stone Serpent Body Piece: 50/50 HP | M: 15 | Head Dependent: Upon losing head, body pieces are destroyed.

"Well met, Husky." I replied to the other player as I shook his hand firmly. "Giant tiger that looks like a walking firepit, got it." I said with a grin, proud of myself for simplifying the boss like that. "Huh, should make it easy to track the bastard then, if he has left a trail of destruction in his wake." I concluded, scratching my chin; this would be an interesting fight. "Understandable. I do not think we can get much more information than we have, though, so it would be best if we just bum-rush it and hope for the best." I suggested my usual go-to tactic, cracking my knuckles with a grin.

I followed Husky towards the location he had discovered the beast, talking about Martial Arts as we went. "Beautiful, I do not like the lack of love the skill receives; it is very rewarding in party fights." I said, before sighing. "... but it is nowhere near as good in solo fights. Too much energy usage, too many stun skills. No one to cover you while you regenerate your energy." I pointed out the cons of our skill and sighed again. "I would like to ask, what rank are you in Martial Arts?" I asked Husky, wondering how far off he was from me.

I chuckled as Rain complained about his empty stomach. "Alright, alright, calm down. Trust me, it will be well worth the wait." I reassured him, watching him unequip the gloves and replace it with his katana. "Going to farm some mobs, are you?" I asked, pushing the heels of my palms into my back and cracking it. "I have to say, I am a little bit tired. I might leave that to you." I said to the white haired boy, before turning to the female in our group. She seemed somewhat annoyed; was my pun that terrible? Or was it something else? "You oka-" I began to ask before she said she would be on her way. "Ah. Right then. I hope to meet you again. I do not think I caught your name. I am Grave, it was a pleasure beating the rock with you." I introduced myself with a rather goofy grin.

"A month?" I asked scratching my chin. "Wow, I am not sure even I hit level eight within a month... cannot remember clearly." I replied to Itzal, hoping to boost his confidence in his level some. "Looking for a player to help out with quests, eh? I would be happy to help, if you would not mind." I offered my services with a cocked head and a wide grin, eager to help another player out. "Martial Arts is best used in a group anyway, most of its Sword Arts have stun effects." I stated, groaning slightly as I reminded myself once again of the downfall of my skill. A large staircase approached and I peered up the top; the Hermit's place was up there. "I will race you!" I shouted as I lurched forward, bolting up the steps, making sure the boy could at least catch up.

I tilted my head at the surprisingly knowledgeable player; how did he know so much about me? I had not thought word of my prowess had spread that far. "It is a little bit... took a little while to transition from blades to fists, but it is a satisfying skill nonetheless." I explained, palms pushing against the counter. "Ahh, no, real life skill does not translate into the game, but yes, reflexes are a great help, and not just with Martial Arts, any weapon requires good reflexes and prediction skills." I responded. The player mentioned returning the wraps and I waved it off. "Do not worry about returning them, keep them. I have no use for them, they will find more value in - or should I say 'on' your hands." I offered with a little jest, trying so hard to keep from chuckling loudly. "It is a pleasure Victor, and I look forward to fighting by your side." I nodded the player as he left the diner.

---

A loud squeak stole my attention from the concoction I was crafting, and I turned to notice some ninja had snuck in and laid both a package and a note on the counter. "Who the-" I began to ask, before reading the note; Hunie. I smiled and peered into the package; it contained six materials for my crafting. "Thanks, Hun." I whispered to myself, wishing the girl would have stayed around to say hi.

+6 Mats

---

I smiled at the raven haired shield-and-dagger user as he approached. "Oh, thanks you! I will get to work right away, sir!" I assured him, saluting and turning right around to get to work on crafts.

ID: 64953
Roll: 7 + 1 = 8 = Uncommon
XP: 3

ID: 64954
Roll: 9 + 1 = 10 = Rare
XP: 5

ID: 64955
Roll: 7 + 1 = 8 = Uncommon
XP: 3

ID: 64956
Roll: 9 + 1 = 10 = Rare
XP: 5

ID: 64957
Roll: 7 + 1 = 8 = Uncommon
XP: 3

ID: 64958
Roll: 10 + 1 = 11 = Rare
XP: 5

ID: 64959
Roll: 1 = Crit Fail
XP: 1

(Just realised I've been Rank 7 for a while... so have another :D)
ID: 64960
Roll: 5 + 1 = 6 = Good
XP: 2

Crafts Left for July 28th: 0
XP Earned: 27
Total XP: 727

My eyes opened wide; this guy had seen the creature?! "Really, you found it?! What did it look like?" I asked excitably, eager to hunt this thing already. "Ehem... sorry, got a bit ahead of myself there. My name is Grave." I introduced myself, holding my hand out to the player. Somehow, he deduced that I was a Martial Arts user; not many were able to figure that out after a small skim over. "Oh, a keen eye you have there!" I complimented the player with a grin. "Yes, I am, in fact I am the only Martial Arts Grandmaster in Aincrad." I boasted with an even wider smile... then I realised he also had no weapon on him, likely the same way he discovered my own skill. "Ah... you are a Martial Artist as well, correct?" I asked, quite eager to find out that somebody else may be following the same path as myself.

"Rain, huh... nope, my name is still more grim." I winced, scratching the back of my neck. "Not sure I would be able to find anyone with a more grim name than myself..." I sighed, raising my hands to my eyes as a visor. "Fourth floor, eh? Sounds good to me, would be a nice change from the searing sands." I agreed, heading back towards Armadillo, imagining the burning sun replaced by chill snowy air. "Yeah... definitely sounds like a plan."

I smiled and scratched my chin. "Level eight, huh? How long have you been out and hunting, may I ask?" I requested, wondering how quickly he had reached that level; I knew I took a lot longer than I had wanted to, but Itzal seemed to be quite the hard-worker, likely having shot up through his levels like nothing. At least now I was starting to pick up the pace, leveling slightly quicker than before... but my activity was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Some days I would be eager to get work done, others I would be too lazy to haul ass out of bed. Maybe it was time to make a change to that...

"Oh, not far... there is just a bit of a nasty staircase to the top, then from there it is a short walk to the NPC's dwelling." I reassured the boy as I led him towards the quest area.

I listened to Opal as she attempted to persuade me not to trust her; she wanted me to stay away, not to involve myself with her. I was now a target for Laughing Coffin, with a big red 'stab me' upon my back; as soon as I had talked to Opal that day, death's cruel hand had painted a sign on me. I was the only one who knew; the only one who was more of a target than the rest of the Knights, if any info should slip. I knew I could not tell them; I would be endangering them too, and doing the exact thing Opal wished not to do. I could not trust her, that is what she told me... but even so...

I quietly stepped up behind her, placing my hands gently on her shoulders, sighing gently. "Even though you say I cannot trust you... what you have told me just now is enough for me to know you will not stab me in the back, at least not without allowing me to fend for myself. That was all I needed, Opal." I said, unmoving as I held her there. "What... what do you say we go and clear a dungeon, together... for old times' sake?" I asked, releasing her and standing to her side, a wide, sympathetic smile on my lips.

I backed off slightly when Rain launched another punch at the rock; no way would it last another one of my hits. "I can cook up some badass ramen for you if that is what you want." I offered Rain with a wide grin. The female continued to miss, and she seemed quite put down by it. I frowned for a moment, wondering how I might be able to cheer her up... before remembering a particular skill I had. "Alright, let us finish this." I said, edging in past the girl and Rain, and climbing on top of the nearly demolished rock, reaching up and finding some hand and footholds. I climbed up a short distance, looking down at the weak boulder down below. "You better work on this thing..." I growled, before letting go. "Please do not let me go splat." I whispered, closing my eyes and willing <<Disguise>> to work. Come on, come on, come on! I repeated, until I felt my body begin to curl and expand, my flesh hardening as I approached the rock below...

CRASH

My spherical body sat upon a pile of rubble, dust clearing around me. Slowly my body uncurled as the skill faded, and I stood up triumphantly. "Well... that was a bit of a 'rocky' ride." I punned with a heavy chuckle, looking out to my two companions.

+1 EN

<<Disguise Activated>> +1 ACC

ID: 64873 | BD: 5 (4 + 1 + 1)

Grave: 27/28 EN | D: 12 | A: 1 | Rec: 2

Boulder: 0/50 HP

I nodded in agreement. "I do miss the safe, chilled out life... working my stats up has been a grueling and often stressful task. I just hope it pays off in the end." I sighed, not wanting to work so hard for nothing. "Haha, I do need a woman to keep me in check, both romantically and physically... probably in more ways than one." I replied, scratching the back of my neck with a cheesy grin, knowing she knew about my heavy flirting problem. My boots slowly traversed from soft swishing in the grass to crisp crunching on the golden sand as mainland turned to beach. I looked out to the glimmering water beyond; I had not been to a beach once in my time in SAO. "It is beautiful... much like a particular, purple haired girl I know~" I casually flirted, gently nudging Jevi with my elbow.

I watched as Jevi swiftly exchanged her usual getup for her typical bathing wear, and I smiled; she did not seem reluctant at all to show her skin like that now. It was also a relief that the bright light hid her body as she changed, as that could have proved awkward for both parties. I worked through my inventory, removing my coat, tunic and everything else, leaving me in a pair of shorts suitable for wear in the water. "Well, that is done and done... shall we test the water?" I asked, walking down to the shore and motioning for Jevi to follow.

It is very clever XD Bravo!

OH MY GOD THAT WAS QUICK!

And I love the Super Attack XD