Hirru

They didn't take long to reach the slums area that NIGHT had found during their labyrinth search.  It was an unfortunate state that this place seemed to be in.  The buildings seemed to be ramshackle huts and tents that seemed to cut along sewer lines.  Some bridges seemed to be slapped together with ticky tacky, or what not.  Hirru couldn't tell much, but these people were suffering in nearly the same way as the Galteans, except that they had a chance to get out of it, maybe.  The Galtean Refuges wouldn't be able to do that ever. 

Hirru spied two people sporting those yellow bands, signifying their nationality to everyone around.  They seemed to be escorted by two men.  They didn't exactly look like authority figures, but then again, who could tell.  He would look back to the platinum warrior that stood close by.  They seemed to be going towards a specific sewer line.  A few others with bands were also coming out of that same area, with their own escorts.  That must have been the corridor that he glanced when they were rushing to the boss room.

He pointed down the way for Mac.

"Down there.  We can probably follow the sewer line all the way, or watch their movements and follow along."

Hirru groaned a bit from the sight of it.  He had only seen it a couple times before, but to have only a blip of health left.  He shook his head at his own combat incompetence, as he really wished to take that blip himself.  Jomei didn't have to fight these things alone.  Though, with the way things were going, Hirru was sure that they would easily get through this round before having a nice refresher before having to deal with the boss.  It would be quite different, if these mobs were giving them a slight issue.  Though, it was mostly due to the numbers, as there were two of them attacking for probably a very large amount.  If they got a hit in, that means that were able to crit the man, his evasion should not be anything to laugh at, unlike the hunter.

"Once more!"

He would slap another round of green healing energy upon the green clad one.  It would fill the mans health all the way to full.  If only there was a way to overfill health, he thought.  Maybe, he could work around a way, but that train of thought would be for another day.

Passive EN: +4
RECOVERY?: [ID: 203077] [CD: 6] Nope
Post Action: First Aid Heal 20% Max HP | -15 EN |= 820x.2 = 164*1.1 (Survival) = 180*1.2 (Life Mend) = 216 HP Recovery

Jomei: 820/820 HP | 76/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 104 (44)| EVA 3 | ACC 6(4) | BH 41 | HLY BLS 16 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 4(1) | F.Sprt. Co/Dwn: 2/3 Charge (+57 HP)
Hirru:  HP: 997/997 | EN: 55/96 (+4-15) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 (122) | BH: 49 | HLY BLS: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 (36)

[6 | 0] Fog Collective: 1/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[6 | 0] Fog Collective: 75/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

This was not as Hirru had wanted this to be.  He had got a chance to actually talk about it, to give reasoning to the madness that his actions portrayed.  Those words seemed to only fall to deaf ears, he feared.  The eyes.. just like that day.  He couldn't understand these people.  Why should he?  They lived and breathed 'their world', so why should this one matter.  He could barely hear Shield, but heard him all the same.  Hirru grit his teeth and looked about ready to go into another rant

When a hand was placed upon his shoulders.  The eyes fell away to a familiar face.  His eyes seemed to be telling the healer that this was enough.  There was no more reason to continue with this.  It was reflected more in his speech.  People will do as they please, it was not within their rights to try and dissuade each other from their thoughts.  They could speculate and bring evidence, but nothing could change ones mind, especially when it was made up.

Looking back, he had noticed that Freyd and Shiina had both talked to Gabrandr, without him really noticing.  Was he too into his thoughts that he didn't notice everything?  NIGHT had her weapon drawn, and Koga had too taken his out.  There was a conflict, and he was the one that instigated it.  Even as Baldur shouted and berated Koga and NIGHT, it would only send the healer further down his rabbit hole.  Koga's words, would push him further down.  

"Bal.. am I.."

His eyes seemed to lose their light, as he once again felt like falling to the floor once more.  It took everything he had to hold himself up, that he lost grip of his helm, as it clattered to the floor with a loud CLANG.

"Did I.. do this... again?"

It had happened again.  He had instigated a schism within the front lines again, which could be much worse than he had heard about from the events of the 24th floor boss.  He wanted to get back in to prove that he was worth something, but now...

Now...

Hirru would find himself moving closer to the three and placed his hand along the blade of Koga's katana.  As he did so, he would grip it to where it was now cutting into him, and slide the blade along his hand, cutting further and further, all the while pushing the blade up from the pivot.  Warnings would suddenly erupt within the healer's sight, but they were ignored.  Koga's and Hirru's crystals would flicker between green and orange as Hirru's actions would be causing the system to have issues, as Hirru's thorns would be reacting to the damage too.

"It's... over, Koga."

He said in a soft, nearly cracking voice.  His eyes, nearly dead, with the build up of tears in his eyes.

"I didn't... want to instigate another issue... between us all.  Not like last time.."

Hirru's grip would finally come to the tsuba of his katana, which meant that the blade was now vertical in the air.  With that, Hirru exhausted what little energy he had left into his AOE skills art, Field Medic.  The health of Baldur, Shield, Koga, Crozeph, Calrex and himself shot up, although not to full.  It would outdo any damage that was caused, plus any that had been residual from the boss fight itself.

"I'm.. sorry."

Hirru was expecting something to happen.  There were a number of things that could happen, but most of those were the expectation of being admonished yet again for his actions.  That, and a swift backstabbing by a certain stealth user that was within the room.

In the end, he wasn't expecting the other stealthy one to step up to do so.  The tap of the blade on the group would pull the healer's attention to the person in question.  Yet again, he thought he saw blue hair where the black should be, but that image disappeared leaving only the stealthy NIGHT.  She had joined him next to the boss, and although abrupt, had drawn her blade, keeping it in an odd fashion between herself and the front.  Hirru sighed.

"I'm not trying to gain any friend through this.  I'm trying to make a deal.  Which will be slightly difficult, but.."

He stepped towards her and placed his red gauntleted hand close to her blade.  Motioning his hand down, by pivoting the hand by the wrist.

"..it will work slightly better if we keep this from becoming confrontational.  This is nothing like the 23rd floor, where I was too desperate and leapt in without thinking.  The choice is out there for everyone to choose to save or kill, instead of me forcing the issue."

Hirru would then be presented to by the man, the myth, the legend himself: Raidou.  His words carried upon Freyd's own, although much more refined.  His words seemed to weigh a little more on the situation and the weapons that Hirru was so interested in, but it seemed that he got something wrong in it all.  Hirru didn't care about these ones, he wanted to know about the original.  These things that sat around them, all decommissioned and unusable now, did not seem to have the power to destroy anything, except a decent chunk out of their health bars from a single blast.  Although, it would seem that they could probably do more, if Gabrandr's actions had any weight.  Especially, when he saved Shiina, which meant that being next to the blast would be much worse than what they did.

That wouldn't make much sense to the healer, as his tactical mind went over it all.

"Raidou, I agree with a few points from both you and Freyd, which makes things quite a bit easier.  I agree that this is all just a 'sob story' made by the games system, or Cardinal, as you all say.  There is no real reason to follow any of this, and we should all just press that kill button.  In fact, why are you pressing the button?  Just come over here and take his head!  He's literally giving it to us!  The scather that the boss is talking about probably doesn't exist, or probably won't affect the other floors of Aincrad, as everything is self contained, is it not?  So, we won't have to care about all of this.  You don't have to keep your promise to Gabrandr, as it is a promise to nothing, in Freyd's words."

He shrugged his pauldrons, the silver armor was still covering his form, so much of the speech was echoing around his head, so the healer took it off to reveal his green head of hair once more.  He wiped away some imaginary sweat, as the system didn't make them sweat like that.  He stared back

"It's not like we've had any events or boss fights that affected the other floors."

Hirru then looked back to Gabrandr before wagging his finger in a thought provoking fashion.

"Except, there was one that I know of.  The last floor boss, which everyone should be familiar with, even if they haven't fought it.  As we all got swallowed by that inky darkness, which seemly changed quite a bit of the previous floors below it.  Are there more that I'm not thinking of, that I haven't experienced while I was in the dark before it came to engulf me.  I'm sure there was.  So, we're going to ignore that aspect now?  'It only happened once, it couldn't happen again' your thinking.  Except, it could.  This is a game that could easily use the rules that it itself has made known.  We have lore that this scather has destroyed an entire kingdom, as evident by the king of said land trying to destroy, not only the tyrant that did it, but the weapon itself."

He started to pace a little.

"What's to say that if this scather exists, that it can't target other floors?"

He stopped for a second.

"What's to say that it can't target the biggest populated area in all the floors, that currently houses roughly 8000+ people both NPC and Player.."

Hirru looked at everyone sternly.

"What's to say that the Town of Beginnings, will become the next Galtea."

"What in the world.."

Throughout the battle, Hirru was trying to ignore the talking and reasonings of the so called king, the entire time they were fighting against him and his so called 'justice'.  What kind of justice was that?  Did he not plan any of it out?  Did he not think to test these things, these scathers, out?  Did he not think that taking out the tower may kill all of his remaining people.  The obvious casualties would be everyone in the lower part of the towers and the surrounding areas.  However, that would also cascade into the sewers and the slums, where the concentrated blast would roll into least resisted areas.  The full blast would kill everyone that didn't need to be part of this.

The way that they were easily taken out of commission meant that he had truly made them out of makeshift scrap and parts.  Obviously, these things were not going to work as they were intended.  Though, it seemed that Gabrandr was trying hard to get them to all work, even if it killed him.  The man was going to kill himself and everyone above him.

Hirru's eyes widened.

That was his intent the entire time.  Gabrandr was the only one in a room with two active scathers, nearly a third, that were ready to backfire on him.  It was apparent from the blast that the only scather that actually fired caused.  It was barely able to perform its job, but it did considerable amount of damage to his and Raidou's team, as if he truly needed all four to be active to do anything.  Though, that meant he knew how to work around the malfunctions and keep himself from dying until the very end.

Now, they had a moral dilemma, but that was the dilemma.  There was no dilemma.  The king was willing to die in the first place. 

Raidou's arguement was valid, as the king should face his sins for not trying to talk it out, instead of attacking the two tanks.  Though, they did throw the first 'punch' by deactivating one of the scathers, though that was their choice.  The front lines chose peaceful options in the start, but he did not.

Nearly all of Firm Anima went with this.  Hirru could only think that they must all be similar in mind, but their reasonings were sound.  Gabrandr only pleaded to the front lines to stop an unknown force that seemed to be more powerful than the creations that he made, but ran under the same principles.  If he could find out how it worked, maybe that would sway his decision.

He took two steps before Morgenstern began speaking, and mentioned Hirru's actions on the twenty third floor raid, which made him freeze in place.  His actions were being put up out there thinking that it would help change the boss.  The memories came back to haunt him more, as he used his selfish reasoning to try to gain the upper hand in a boss fight.  The moral implications be damned, as everyone didn't even see the boy as a child, but a digital barrier that was in their way.  He was the only one that believed that the crying real.

Now, he knew better..  These constructs that the one that trapped them all here, these things could mimic and poke into the human psyche, but never get properly perfect.  There were issues that could easily be seen in unimportant beings stationed around the floors themselves.  It wasn't until important quest givers came in that something would come up.  Rarely would they find something that would respond past a certain point, though.  It seemed that there were a few, though, that could.  Certain boss type creatures, namely humanoid ones, would be the closest to get there.

This was elaborated much more on by Freyd's long winded rant.  There was quite obviously no reason to believe any word that that a fake human should say.  That everything was the fault of the unbearable force that was the game, or what they called 'Cardinal'.  That meant that Hirru would just be able to ignore everything that they were saying, and just let them do their thing.

He stood there, before a thought.. a memory rushed through his mind.

Quote

(All quotes are from this thread, so they will not be counted in word count: 

"So knowing what you do know about the consequences of your actions, to protect the ones you believe needing so... Could I pose you a question, just to think about?"

"Say it wasn't a kid, but someone else you really cared about. Even though they were just... a series of ones and zeroes."

"Data to be deleted and didn't need to be heeded for its behaviour.' Even though I know it's true-- that we know it's true; given that situation... would you still think it right to have done it? To let them go, to spare them from the slaughter, despite them being an obstacle to us heading up the castle?"

"If so... forgive me for asking, but which side would you stand on, knowing what you know now?"

He didn't understand why, but NIGHT's conversation with him was coming back to him.  It was a conversation that he had about what they would do about an NPC, a construct of the system.  He remembered that he answered in kind.

Quote

"Knowing what I do now, would I do it again?"

"Although the circumstances are just slightly different, I don't think a slight difference will change much.  If that situation was to come again, but someone I knew quite well enough that I would regard them under my most cared for or trusted was there, then yes.  I would.  Now, that may be a bit difficult to do now.  As I come to understand some things about the game, some more than others."

"These signify more than just a player to me now.  They signify those that I can place my trust in more than anything else.  As I can see the green or orange colors and think, 'there is someone that is attached to the other side there.  They value their life as much as I do.  I can trust them to lead all of us to a better future.'  Although, that may be difficult to say after saying that I would protect a construct of the game, or an NPC as they are more fervently called.  They may act like people, and at times become the people that we wish to help.  However, they are designated by this game with a yellow marker.  It immediately designates them as part of this world alone, and that they have nothing that connects them to the other side.  Except for a select few, like Durares, whom was destined to die as a boss, and never appear again; all the rest of them come back at some point.  I can't quite see myself befriending one anytime soon, if they would be able to be reborn and forget all that was."

This man was someone that he didn't know.  He didn't care about.  Hirru had said so already to NIGHT that he wouldn't spare someone like that, as he knew better.  He knew that this world was a game now, just as Freyd had ranted about.

However..

Hirru continued to walk past everyone, as they argued.  He had drowned them all out now.  While still in his paladin armor, he stood four feet away from the fallen king.

"Everyone says you should die for your sins."

Quote

"Now, my question to you.  It's the exact same, but a much more significant change.  Take out the crystals above us.  Take out the designator, and think; we are all these ones and zeros.

Hirru looked down at the pitiful sight, while fiddling around in a pocket of his trousers.

"I can't say that they're wrong or right.  It's not for me to say.  Not anymore."

Quote

These bodies that are standing in front of each other, are nothing but shells of data that are being filled by a mind someplace else, as so I am told.  Without the designators to show who is what, would you then think that everyone is connected to the other side? 

"By what they say, I've spared another like you.  A child that was being controlled by those that wanted to use his powers, but they were in our way.  Instead of killing the boy with the rest of their people, I chose to spare him."

Morgenstern was right that Hirru had changed something in the 23rd boss fight.  Though, it wasn't that the bosses could change.

Quote

Would you think that everyone should be saved, not just players, but NPC's.  Not because they are life like, but because you can't tell the difference. 

Hirru pulled out his hand from his trousers.  In his hand, was a little blue crystal.  The thing he learned was that bosses could use teleportation crystals.

"I spared him, because he didn't need to be there.  He didn't need to die, but more so, that I could get a pawn out of the way.  Now, you're in that way.  You obviously wanted to die here, but now that you've given us that choice instead of your suicidal attempt at vengeance, it's going to be some time later."

Quote

Would you save the loved one?  Would you save the boy?"

"I need some information from you.  Specifically, how the scathers work and how to dismantle them, or stop it forever.  I won't be getting that information when you're dead.  I can't say if, as you're adamant on your goals, and my people are adamant on theirs.  Your sins must be answered for, just as ours will someday too.  I would rather stall that, for what it's worth.  If this scather can destroy so much, it should not be left to anyone's hands.  It must be destroyed."

Quote

"Would you save another life?"

"If you can give us that information.."

Hirru looked over to the front lines, especially to Baldur and Shield.  He held the crystal tight, but not enough to break it.  He was not going to give it away so easily.

"..I'm sure we can work something out.  However, we can't do anything, unless you help us."

"A war, huh.."

The word was fairly familiar to the hunter, as he remembered quite a few floors that had residents fighting each other, in these so called 'wars'.  The treants and the wood elves of the third floor, or at least they were on the third floor.  The dark elves of the twenty third floor had seemingly been at war with the wood elves of that floor, which turned into the catastrophe that the players saw.  There was so much that he had to relearn, as the issue of the 25th floor made things slightly different everywhere.  Hirru had to reevaluate the lore of each floor again.  He sighed.  So much work for a hunter that doesn't have his skills anymore.

Hirru looked to the stick and then to the fire.  It's flames seemed to lick at the air, with the occasional crack and sputter from when Freyd poked at it.  He would ask for another of those fluff mallows, or whatever they were called.  He needed to keep his mind away from..

Hirru closed his eyes while breathing in and out slowly.  The technique that Baldur showed him to calm himself was one that he was partially good at, but it wasn't always reliable.  Although, to most it would look like he was painfully going through his thoughts, it would be the other way around; his thoughts were painfully going through him.  He barely was able to recognize that Freyd had asked a question to them.  A very important question.

Why are you here, on the frontlines?

"If you asked me that before, I would tell you the most generic answer.  To get out, and help everyone else get out.  To protect everyone's future.  It was my oath, the very one I broke that day.  Though, after somethings have happened.."

He looked to Baldur, one of the few he actually told his mental issue to.  He nodded to the man before looking back to the flames.

"My answer is more to looking for proper answers.  There are things out there that can't be answered in this place, at this time.  Things that I need to know, but the answers are only out there."

Hirru points mostly to the ceiling above them, but the point is clear.  He is talking about the outside world.

"Selfish, I know.  Though, that is my primary reason.  My secondary reason is.."

He slightly kicks at Baldur and Koga in a playful manner.  It would seem weird for Koga, but Baldur had been with him for some time now.  They could be rough at times, but it was all play.

"...that I can't seem to let my friends go on suicide missions without me.  If I'm not there to keep them safe, who is?"

The healer would give a little grin, but that would mask the matter that Hirru was afraid.  He had missed two raids, and was already keen on the idea that on one of these raids, someone would die.  He wanted to make sure that it was no one that he could keep from dying.

@Koga @Baldur @Freyd

"That, or something that's within the forest itself.  It's odd that we have a peaceful floor that has something like this here."

He pondered the matter, but the thought process would be heavily interrupted by a flying Jomei.  He tumbled past Hirru, whom had only then registered the might that these creatures could do.  How was it that he and Freyd had not had any issues like this?  The obvious answer was Freyd's insane damage output, to which he could solo the dungeons, which the hunter was sure he had done before.  Hirru wanted to build around something like that, but then..

Rushing over to Jomei, Hirru was quick to lay down a big heal for the duelist, but it wasn't enough to put him back up to full.  The skill wasn't perfect.  Although it heals for twenty percent of the target's health pool, the amount is only increased a slight amount by the survival skill and the life mend unique enhancement.  It is still a good jump, but the hunter should have been more prepared.  He should have given Jomei the last Field Ration, not use it himself.

"Not enough.. Careful out there, okay."

The unease was showing on his face.  This was becoming a little more alarming than the hunter had previously thought.

Passive EN: +4
RECOVERY?: [ID: 203029] [CD: 12] +8 EN
Post Action: First Aid Heal 20% Max HP | -15 EN |= 820x.2 = 164*1.1 (Survival) = 180*1.2 (Life Mend) = 216 HP Recovery

Jomei: 681/820 HP | 85/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 104 (44)| EVA 3 | ACC 6(4) | BH 45 | HLY BLS 18 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 4(1) | F.Sprt. Co/Dwn: 1/3 Charge
Hirru:  HP: 997/997 | EN: 66/96 (+4+8-15) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 (122) | BH: 49 | HLY BLS: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 (36)

[4 | 0] Fog Collective: 222/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[4 | 0] Fog Collective: 208/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

"I don't know!  These things look like people I should know, but I'm drawing a blank?  Like an old memory!"

The hunter exclaimed. 

"A very hazy memory.."

These guys were going to be much more stronger than the others, as the dungeons always were.  Though, it seemed that Jomei was still faster than them by a long shot.  He weaved between them with a fair amount of grace.  That left Hirru without many options.  Area of Effect sword arts were great, but they ate energy at a crazy rate.  Checking their status bars, the hunter saw that Hyperactive fell of Jomei.  He still had a bit for that to be usable again, so he would have to go with the regular energize.  That was a slight issue, as he would keep close to Jomei, and he didn't want to get in his way.  Though, he was sure that the mobs wouldn't target him, as Jomei's attack made sure of that.

If only he had a one handed sword, he would be able to send out RAW damage against these mobs, but..  Wait.. He did!  However, they didn't have the luxury of searching through their inventory for an item in the middle of combat.  He wished that he had thought of that before coming into the dungeon.  He sighed before rushing in, and slapping some yellow glow onto Jomei, before stepping back a few to give the man his room.

Passive Regen: +4 EN
Recovery?: [ID: 203026][CD: 4] Nope
Post Action: Energize -> 8 EN to Jomei | -10 EN

Jomei: 820/820 HP | 97/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 104 (44)| EVA 3 | ACC 6(4) | BH 45 | HLY BLS 18 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 4(1) | F.Sprt. Co/Dwn: 0/3 Charge
Hirru:  HP: 997/997 | EN: 69/96 (+4-10) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 (122) | BH: 49 | HLY BLS: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 (36)

[2 | 0] Fog Collective: 424/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[2 | 0] Fog Collective: 424/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

Combat ended just as swiftly as it had started.  The warriors that had been cut down had shattered like normal, but the fog didn't disappear.  Instead, it seemed to be rolling much heavier around the inner workings of the rock formation.  At closer look, the odd formation looked to be quite a bit more deliberate.  The placements of certain rocks seem nearly symmetrical to another counterpart on the other side of the clearing.  This must be part of the dungeon, the hunter thought to himself.

"I guess the fog is a mob wall, and we have to fight through each layer.  The boss is probably at the center.."

Hirru couldn't shake this uneasy feeling welling up inside of him.  The creatures had faces that seemed familiar, but he didn't know any of those people, or at least, he couldn't tell from how warped they were.  Hirru could only see it for a bit, but Jomei may be thinking the same thing.  He went over to the Emerald Duelist placed his palm close to the man.  Another pulse of light, this time yellow, would pulse out to give some relief from the stress.  They would need it.

"I think we'll have enough energy to service the next wave, but we should hold back before facing the boss."

As he said that, the fog wall would create two more beings, much larger than the previous four.  These beings were unearthly in nature, as they carried extra limbs, like a leg for a tail, and a third shriveled arm.  Even still, their faces were unruly and hideous, but uncannily familiar in certain aspects.

"What the hell is with their faces!"

Passive Regen: +4 EN
Recovery?: [ID: 203023][CD: 4] Nope
Post Action: Energize -> +8 EN to Jomei | -10 EN

Jomei: 820/820 HP | 95/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 104 (44)| EVA 3 | ACC 6(4) | BH 45 | HLY BLS 18 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 4(1) | F.Sprt. {Hyperactive 1/3}
Hirru:  HP: 997/997 | EN: 75/96 (+4-10) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 (122) | BH: 49 | HLY BLS: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 (36)
Co/Dwn: Hyperactive 1/3

[0 | 0] Fog Collective: 700/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[0 | 0] Fog Collective: 700/700 HP | DMG: 280 | MIT: 120 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

It seemed that sabers were definitely not for the AOE role.  That, or was Jomei a Single Target Shifter?  Before the hunter reverted his stats, he had the AOE shift with several others to cause more damage to multiple enemies.  Although, it seemed to diminish their final burst damage, but that didn't matter much when they could kill everything in a few hits anyway.

Those thoughts were not for now, though, as Jomei was taking several hits that were caused by the excessive movement that an AOE can cause.  He felt his energy return to him thanks to the combination of enhancements that could prove more useful, if he gained some hate gain.  Maybe a tank support build would be good, he thought.

"Don't worry too much about that.  I've got you on the health part too."

Hirru would call out as he ran past Jomei, while placing a hand upon his shoulder for a moment.  A green pulse would flow from him to Jomei, amplified by his Life Mending, and Jomei's survival.  An excellent combination, as it always was.  He was glad to ask Firm Anima for help when he did.

Though, up close... he could swear he had seen these faces before, even if they were fairly mangled and twisted.  What was this place trying to do?  What was this place?

------------------------------

Passive EN: +4
RECOVERY?: [ID: 203014] [CD: 9] +8 EN (Max EN eached)
Post Action: First Aid Heal 20% Max HP | -15 EN |= 820x.2 = 164*1.1 (Survival) = 180*1.2 (Life Mend) = 216 HP Recovery

Jomei: 820/820 HP | 97/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 104 (44)| EVA 3 | ACC 6(4) | BH 45 | HLY BLS 18 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 4(1) | F.Sprt. {Hyperactive 2/3}
Hirru:  HP: 997/997 | EN: 81/96 (+4+8-15) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 (122) | BH: 49 | HLY BLS: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 (36)
Co/Dwn: Hyperactive 2/3

[3 | 0 ]Fog Warrior 1: 0/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 
[2 | 0] Fog Warrior 2: 207/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[2 | 0] Fog Warrior 3: 207/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[2 | 0] Fog Warrior 4: 207/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1

Hirru was reminded of something that he watched quite some time ago.  It was during the first few raids that he was a tactician for.  He remembered that there were quite a few players out there that preferred evasion than armor.  Freyd was a recent example of that, always having the hunter have some too, even though Hirru had the higher mitigation, without having the block skill or extra enhancements.  It didn't matter much, when one didn't even get hit in the first place.  This was even more evident during the last boss raid.  Their mitigation didn't fully matter, and faster players were able to evade damage.  Maybe Raidou had something going with that evasion tank thing. 

The reason for such thinking was due to Jomei's speed.  He was able to evade every single attack that came his way.  Hirru really didn't need to be there.

"Bloody hell.. I'm beginning to think I'm not needed here.  Though, I'll give you a little boost."

He pulled his shield, Light's Embrace, over his head.  A brief moment later, Jomei would glow a eerie yellow for a small amount of time. 

"If concentrated to a certain area, the light would gather there to relieve the burdens and give you extra energy to move."

Hirru lowered his shield back down, but kept it forward.  He didn't know if any of them would skip past Jomei and engage him.  Some of them seemed to look at him, but they're gazes seemed to dart here and there, so it couldn't be certain what they really wanted.  Why were they so familiar though?

"Try pulling out an AOE, if you can.  I can work around the energy reserves."

Post Action: Hyperactive --> +3 passive EN regen (4+3= 7 EN Regen) / -5 EN / 3 post cooldown

Jomei: 820/820 HP | 107/120 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 104 (44)| EVA 3 | ACC 6(4) | BH 45 | HLY BLS 18 | BLD 48 | FLN 8 | AA | LD 4(1) | F.Sprt. {Hyperactive 3/3}
Hirru:  HP: 997/997 | EN: 91/96 (-5) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 (122) | BH: 49 | HLY BLS: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | THRNS: 76 (36)
Co/Dwn: Hyperactive 3/3

[3 | 0 ]Fog Warrior 1: 180/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1 STUN
[0 | 0] Fog Warrior 2: 400/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[0 | 0] Fog Warrior 3: 400/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1
[0 | 0] Fog Warrior 4: 400/400 HP | DMG: 180 | MIT: 60 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 1

He was about to take a step before Jomei mentioned only slightly what happened, presumably on the 24th boss raid.  His foot stalled before moving onward.

"Honestly, I didn't even know it got that bad.  Hestia and Baldur only told me so much.."

Hirru had heard that the 24th boss fight was rougher than anything due to quite a few people not showing up, mostly due to the infighting that his actions caused.  Though, by Jomei's wording, there weren't that many to begin with.  How many actually participated?  Three teams?  Two?  Did they only do it with one..?  The thoughts raced through the hunter's head and clearly seemed to disturb him.  Just as sudden as it cropped up, Hirru was taking a long drawn out breathe, which ended in a slow exhale.  A breathing technique to calm ones nerves that he learned from Baldur.  It wasn't a sure fire thing, but it seemed to keep his mind off of things for a bit, as it required manual breathing to be initiated.

"Yeah, the division really kicked me though.  Fell into a bad place and didn't come back out until after everyone cleared the 25th floor boss.  Was trying to work my way back into the front, by talking with people.  Helping them out the way I used to, and tell them my story, if they asked."

Another breathe in, another out.

"It all worked out, I guess."

Following the path down a bit, the map seemed to want them to cut right into the forest, and keep going for a bit.  The fog that lightly hugged the forest floor seemed to flow around them, as if like a stream.  They passed by a set of boulders set the waypoint for a partial right handed turn.  He double checked his menu's map to check location and direction before nodding and heading towards the next waypoint.

"Emerald Duelist, hmm..  Heh heh, not many green themed titles out there.  I can definitely see it from your fighting style, back during my first raid."

As they reached the next point, the marker was right there.  The area was a clearing that hid an odd rock formation.  The map immediately caught on fire in the hunter's hand, before Hirru could look upon it again.

"What is this now?"

Before they could investigate further, four strange beings seemingly created from the fog itself, appeared before them.  Each held weaponry and equipment, like any warrior would, but their faces seemed familiar yet contorted. 

Used Random Dungeon Map T4 [199127a]

"Good to see you!  You're welcome to whatever is out."

The hunter would be fiddling with a few last minute things before being asked about his reasoning.

"Huh?  Well, I've been going around talking to everyone that was there.. that day.  Seeing how they've been since then.  Seeing what my actions had wrought."

He said while securing his Paladin's Oath, the silver plate armor that he wore during the last raid.  Although most of the preparation was mostly done through the equipment screen, Hirru had to make sure that the pauldron and bracer that was part of the left arm were taken off before he tried to equip the guantlet of Bulwark, his signature red armor that he carried for most of the raids so far.  So far, it had worked out for him to keep these two heavy armors together for the best work around to keeping his mitigation without using too much of skill points.  He had already burned through too much already with all of his support skills.  The look upon his face was resolute, but a little flicker of a grin kept popping out, until..

"Tsk haha!"

The hunter just burst out into a light chuckle.  He quickly waved it off.  When Jomei was done with the Gungnir Shard, it went back into its dormant state, to which the hunter then put it away.

"Sorry Jomei, I've been told to lighten up about all that.  Trying to make it all serious again just made me laugh a little."

Hirru pulled his swords Betrayal and Shelob out, but figured that he couldn't do anything as it were, he put them back into inventory once more.

"To be fair, I've been trying to train myself too, but without my sword arts, I'm useless.  So, I've been inviting anyone that I felt could hold their own.  You're the only one that accepted the invitation.  Everyone else is busy with the training, resting, and other social things."

He pulled out the map, which was one that he gained from a dungeon on another floor.  A new concept that he found out, was that these types of maps can be used anywhere to reveal a dungeon close by.  Rather odd map to be sure, but it was something that he didn't mind.  Hirru couldn't find the broad side of a barn, at this point, without his search skill and mods.

"We're both jade hunters in a way, so I figured it was time to get to know each other, anyway."

Unfolding the parchment, the hunter looked upon the map as it began to fill itself in.  Details of the area, including the individual trees and a few boulders here and there.  At some point, an X was drawn, to which Hirru let Jomei look at it.

"We'll head out as soon as you're ready, Jomei."

A message reached the hunter within a fair amount of time.  All others had also had things they needed to do, but Hirru still opened the next message.  Jomei had messaged him back, and was willing to tag along.  Hirru sighed in relief that he could finally do something action wise, although he wouldn't be doing much.  Although, that may not be true in this situation.  Dungeons have gotten much stronger than when he first started hunting for them.  Now, they seemed to be tied to how strong the individual level were, instead of the floor's level.  This meant that any dungeon that the hunter found now, regardless of the floor, would be a Tier 4 dungeon.  So far, he had been through a few with Freyd, and they were the real deal.  Mobs weren't too hard, but the bosses were low end raid tier.  Insane, but not unbeatable.  Especially with two heavy hitting dps.  He didn't know how one dps and one healer would do though.  Hirru set some stuff out for Jomei when he finally came, but made sure that they would only be out when he came, or else their durability would run out fast.  Food was a fickle thing.

He sent a message back to Jomei:

Quote

To: @Jomei

From: Hirru

I'm on the 22nd floor.  Head to the Lake of Reflection, I'll be on the path leading into the Forest of Memories.  I have a map for the dungeon, so we can start whenever you're ready.  Also, I would recommend buffing up.  I have some consumables here, if you don't have any yourself.  We're going into a Tier 4 dungeon, so it's better to be prepared.

Consumed Buffs

Buffs given out

A Peaceful Floor's Mysteries

What lies beneath the surface of every floor?  A place of wonder and enchantment, perhaps?  Untold perils and glory?  Loads of treasure to be found?  All of these reasons have brought many treasure hunters and many more to search out mysterious dungeons to seek out the great plunders within.  Although, the trial for such gilded items has become an ever growing complication.  Monsters run rampant within their dwellings, growing stronger with the strength of those that dare enter their domain.  Though, with these every expanding areas, comes more need for hunters to join the cause.

Will you?

---------

A yawn grew slowly upon the face of the green haired hunter.  He was getting tired, but not for the right reasons.  Ever since he gave up the hunter role, a.k.a. resetting his skills, to become a healer, Hirru had been kind of bored.  He used to go out and find dungeons all over the place, and run through them with whomever was closest by.  It was fun!  He liked to interact with people that way, and helped bring up his reputation as the Jade Hunter.

Now though..  Hirru sighed while running his hand through his hair.  He really messed this whole plan up.  He could easily return back to the Jade Hunter when ever he wanted really, but there was a growing issue that was coming up.  The Frontlines needed supports, and as a DPS, he was only doing so much.  Still, the decision was something that he kept until after the boss raid.  It was his first experience with the role, and it was much different from before.  He could help where it was needed, instead of being another blade for striking.

"I do miss the striking through.."

With that, the hunter had asked around some of his friends, if they wanted to join a dungeon run.  Since he was a healer now, his abilities were more suited to work with someone else.  Although, his synergy was always with someone else, this was now a forced nature instead of something that would just occasionally work its way into being.  Most of the people were interested, but had other plans for today.  He would ask Freyd, as he was always ready for a farming run, but since the hunter wasn't a hunter, it felt a little.. off.  It was then that Hirru looked to those that he knew, but didn't 'know'.  People he had met, but never really talked to or got acquainted with.  One such person was an interesting individual that Hirru had fought alongside a couple times within raids.

A message had been sent a while ago:

Quote

To: @Jomei

From: Hirru

Hey Jomei!

I know we haven't really talked at all, but I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?  I got a dungeon map that we could run through, and since I'm a healer now, I can keep us going for the long haul.

Let me know if you're interested.

Hirru Stats

The danger wasn't immediate, but the sinking was pulling the ropes attached with it.  He had to think fast, as he tried to use Shelob's fang, but shelob was a two handed weapon.  Trying to use it with one hand was a bit harder to do, and the hunter didn't want to cut his hand off.  Not again, at least.  He figured that he could saw at the rope, but the line was starting to disappear into the dark frothing waters.  He didn't have much time left for this.  Just as another wave seemed to splash him in the face, he noticed that they were facing into the waves now.  What was she doing?  Would that help them?  He didn't have too much time to think on that.

"I need help!"

Just as he said that, the woman was bounding over the turnstile, rolling over a ledge onto the main deck while pulling something out from under her dress.  A dagger?  With a quick slashing motion, the guide cut through the rope when the rope was quite taut, and ready to pull the hunter in.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes."

"Good!  Cause I hope you know how to swim."

"Huh?"

As the hunter said that, he noticed the ship was tilting upwards.  Looking on, he saw the wall of water roaring above them before it came crashing down.  For a split second, he only reaction was to shield his guide, before being swallowed up into the mighty deep blue.

Pushed out of the way by the guide, she seemed to take the helm like an expert.  Immediately, she called out for the sails to be drawn back in, as if ordering the hunter to follow her commands, or else.  He didn't understand as the situation was still dawning upon him.  He had phased out of reality into his thoughts, which ended up leading them into a mess.  As he peered towards the ropes to pull the sails back up, he noticed the sea was incredibly rough and waves seemed to be nearly clawing over the sides of the boat.  He ran over to the rope, with each step splashing into water that had been collecting on deck.  Were they taking on water?  No, it was just water that had spilled over from the waves, but still that was getting to be a constant thing.  As he got to the rope and untied it to start pulling, the hunter heard a shout.  He couldn't discern what it was from another wave cresting over the starboard side.  The force of the wave seemed to hit hard against the ship, causing it to tilt quite harshly.  It was all Hirru could do to hold on, while holding on to the rope.  He had to tie it around his arm to keep the line taut enough.

C..R..E..A..K <SNAPSNAPSNAP>

What was that sound?  Looking up, the hunter watched as parts of the sail broke apart in the storm, including the part that was tied around his arm.  As it crashed into the water, the hunter only had moments to undo what he had done before the broken piece would pull him under.

Some time more had passed, and Hirru was starting to feel listless.  There was nothing to do, except maintain course for whatever they were going to.  At some point, the hunter looked back and noticed that they were surrounded by water.  That shouldn't have been right, as the floor wasn't that big.  He should still be able to see the main land mass.  Was this all part of the quest?  Many questions passed through his head, so much so that he missed something that the NPC was saying.  Although, it wasn't much suggestion as she used to, it was now shouts?  Warning?

Snapping back to reality, a heavy force smashed against the starboard side of the ship.  Water splashed high into the air, spraying the face of the hunter and the woman.  It was salty.  The sky seemed darker than usual, and the sea was much rougher than it was before.

"I told you to turn towards the mist!"

"Sorry, I.. I spaced out."

"Get out of the way!"

"Could you tell me where we are going exactly?  I feel we've been traveling for some time."

It was true.  Not counting the couple hours it took to get to the boat, it seemed that it was taking longer to get to the destination.  Was it because he was the one steering the ship?  No, the lady was the one that was telling him where to steer, and the strange seaweed or glistening rope would indicate things that needed to be used.  It was a slow and meticulous encounter, as if he was being tested.  Was this the challenge?

"We are going to the Isle of Respite, Land of Hesperides.

"I didn't understand a word of that, but I'm sure you're leading me in the right direction.

Hirru smiled to the NPC woman, but quickly shook it off.  She isn't real, so there doesn't need to be all these niceties.  He didn't have to do that for these things anymore.

Skill(s) Being Dropped: Extended Weight Limit - 10 SP
Mod(s)/Addon(s)/Shift(s) Being Dropped: Large Pockets - 12 SP *why is this so huge?*
SP Incurred Towards Limit: 22 SP
SP Refunded: 22 SP (Jan. 28 used 22 SP - total refunded in 22 within 30 days)
Cost: 22000

Almost on cue, a flurry of water seemed to splash up from the sea, as a wave collided with the ship from the starboard side, pushing the ship nearly against the pier.

"Well that's bad.  What do I need to do?"

With a look of desperation, he turned to find another glittering rope, this one on some kind of pronged metal piece, called a cleat.  Hirru didn't understand what was going on, but his hands seemed to work on the knotted rope that was tangled there.  As soon as he did, it seemed that the sail seemed to slightly unfurl, but not by much.  He took the hint, and continued looking for and working with whatever was glittering within his field of view.  Sooner or later, the hunter had made the vessel sea worthy, and the only thing that was left to do was to take the helm proper.  Hirru reached out to the weird wheel like thing, and grabbed the pegs around the outside of the turnstile.  Wind seemed to fill the sails, and before he knew it, they were off.

Manning the helm, the hunter looked around at the ship and wondered what he would have to do.  From stem to stern, it looked like it was seaworthy, but Hirru couldn't really say so, nor make heads or tails of anything that he was looking at.  The woman had sat down near the rear of the ship, which gave the hunter a quick understanding of where it was probably safest to be on the ship.  He couldn't tell very well, but he thought he could see something glistening off of some of the ropes near the edge of the port side of the ship's deck.  It was a rope that seemed to be locking the entire ship to the dock.  He sighed.  Hirru forgot to untie them from the dock.  This would be a long day of preparation and training.  After untying the grounding rope, there was something else that was keeping them down.

"Pull the anchors, challenger."

"What's that?"

"Poseidon save us.."

When they rounded another cliff face, it seemed that they finally entered the coastal plains area of the floor.  Hirru sighed with great relief, as they had been walking for some time now.  It would be good to finally get off his feet and sit in a boat for a while.  He looked around, but the lady was still keeping forward, as if driven to continue their mission to the fullest.  Though, it could be the urge to get to water, as they were starting to dry out again.  Either way, the both of them wouldn't take long until they reached the shore, where a small dock could be seen.  Tied to the dock was a small sailboat.  Was this the vessel that they were going to go out in?

"So.. do you know how to sail this?"

"The gods will guide your hand and your way."

"I was afraid you'd say that."

Yona seemed to be in much more of a hurry than he thought.  She had booked it well into the town.  The hunter looked on and shrugged.  It was none of his concern, he thought as he cast his line back out into the water.  The bobber would bob up and down.  Up and down.  Up and down.

--------------------------

Up and down the scales would go, as two men sat and talked.  Each of them would make a point, while the other would scoff and bark.  Although, it seems an argument, or worse a threatening mess.  In the end, they both would laugh, as the door would open to a young lass.

"Welcome, stranger!"

"Ah!  The young lass returns, and hopefully with a bundle of uncommon or rare items, no?"

The NPC Merchant for the quest would stand up and greet his newly found apprentice, as he gave a quick side eye to the other man.  The other man was an NPC of a middle aged man, wearing purple robes which covered some of his face.  He seemed to carry a large pack with him, though it was set aside for his visit.

"Heh heh heh!  Got some rare things to sell?."

"Not quite this time!  This girl wishes to be taught the proper ways of appraisal, not some hieroglyphic mumbo that some could teach."

The quest merchant would give a big grin before looking over to the girl.

"Are you ready to learn the art of appraisal?"

Hirru's words seemed to strike upon something within Freyd.  He was much more forward than he had been in the last few days that the hunter had known him, which.. actually didn't surprise the healer.  The cacophony of oddities that came off of Freyd at times, made the healer really consider his sanity.  However, it was times like this that made Hirru understand that these words are for his own good.  He was right, that if everyone was still having issues with the past, then it was their issue; not his own.  Although, it seemed that he was much more of the story teller than he had thought.

"Yeah, I guess I'm just putting too much thought into it.  It's about time I let it go too."

The healer said as he pulled back the rod to find a brown fluff ball with a slight black mark on the far side.  Hirru wondered if he had done it right or not.  He mirrored the actions of Freyd and Koga to take the mallow of the marsh off the stick.  Plopping it into his mouth, the taste was something odd.  Sweet, but with a hint of ash.  Hard, but sticky?  All in a hot package.  The urge to suppress himself was starting to climb, as a new experience was starting to show upon his face.  The surprise was evident.

"Huh, I guess fishing does do something, but I'm not that high ranked, so I can't say."

He would then turn to Koga.

"Don't worry too much.  We've got a large amount of us here, so we should be blazing through this.  I don't quite remember the last time we had four teams worth in a raid.  Usually, it has been only two or three teams.  How many did we have in the twenty fifth?"

@Koga @Freyd @Baldur