Hirru

Casting his line into the water, the hunter settled into sweet serenity that the little garden would give.  The creatures that called this place home were hostile only to those that disturbed them, so if you sat still and did nothing, most would come to you.  Though, the hunter was not hunting them, as he was just here to level up his fishing even more than before.  There wasn't much else to it.  The garden had some sort of farming specialty to it.  Everything in here was of abundance: mobs, fish, materials, etc.  There was much to find in this little garden that could be found on any floor, but you still had to deal with the one that tended the garden.  The secret boss of this garden, Gaia's Wind, Nemo.

Fishing (Rank 2) | EXP: 136 | +2 CD | +1 LD | +3 EXP (6 Attempt / 8 Success / 11 Critical Succ)

• Practiced Angler ................... // +2 EXP & +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts
• Amphitrite's Net ................... // +1 CD to fishing attempts
• Ambition (food) .................... // +1 EXP to fishing attempts

Rank 2 - Journeyman Angler: Successfully fish up a material on a CD 7+. Critical catch a treasure chest on a LD 11+
Natures' Blessing: Fishing | For players with the Fishing Profession, CD thresholds for the Fishing Skill are reduced by 1.

[ID: 215936] [CD: 8+2=10] [LD: 2+1=3]  | Success | 5+3= 8 Exp

New Exp Total: 144 EXP 

Total catchs / Treasure:

• 1 Mat

How To Master: Baiting
<<Re: Nature's Treasure: Little Eden>>

"I have had many visitors and you are but one of many.  It is still so good to see you again, my friend."

A smile would come to the hunter's face as he heard these word coming from the gardener and guardian of the Little Eden.  There had been some time since he had last ventured to this place to work on his fishing technique, but it was taking too long for him to get anywhere last time.  It was now that he had the buffs from the fishing through Baldur's multiple ponds, and the recently gained Amphitrite's Net, that the hunter could easily burn through his profession to soon gain the immaculate Gleaming Scales.  These things were incredibly hard to find in the wild being found at extremely low instances of mob loot, chests, and fishing.  Though it would be easier to burn through mobs fast, he wasn't able to do so anymore.  This was his next best option without having to call on someone's help.

Hirru had taken some time to venture out through Ronbaru to find the silly little guardian waiting for adventurers to send them to his garden.  Though, if he's never seen them before, Nemo was known to attack new players to his garden.  Though, after a swift defeat, the guardian would be more receptive of the players actions.  It's just too bad that the man still 'feels' their pain.

"Fishing again?"

"You know it.  I don't harm your friends, unless your gloved friends decide to pop out of my chests."

"Just let them run."

"No promises."

Hirru consumes:

Macaron | AMBITION | TIER 1 | ( 1) | [172195] +1 Fishing EXP for thread

Quest Info

Hirru Stats

"We really need to stop finding each other in these predicaments."

Finding the wandering cook in yet another thicket, the hunter was wondering if he had competition as the roaming caravanner.  Dropping off the end of the Travelling Flame, Hirru came to Demian for a simple thing.

"I'm here for an ambition food.  Trying to up my fishing experience."

It was there that the hunter found a single pink cookie like thing.  It would seem poofy, and seemed like it would be light in flavor.  Though, knowing Demian's cooking, it would have something slightly off with it.  Appraising the stats, the little thing was indeed what he was seeking though, and with a smile would initiate the trade.

"I'll take that pink cookie thing."

Paying the materials needed, and leaving after confirmation.

Macaron | AMBITION | 1,000col / 3 materials
A crunchy, luxurious treat that comes in a variety of flavours. Mild.

• [13/10/20] | TIER 1 | ( 1) | [172195]

"Oh?  I figured you to have been venturing more during my early raiding days, not after my betrayal."

He could say that part lightly now, as it wasn't something that he took as a bad time anymore.  HThe fact that he wore both the insignia of the dark elf royal family of the 23rd floor, on his headband; and, the shield shaped ring that was the dormant form of the Fate's Armament, of the 26th floor would say something.  They were both floors that he had significant relation with and had the most trouble over.  He would smile softly at the notion that the ripples of it were both blessings and curses.

"Sorry, I'll continue.  I didn't join them."

His head would come down as this was where everything started to fall.  There were so many that left them.  Not in the guild having lost members, although it did happen, it was the loss of life.  The time he worked as a hunter for hire and the guilds that he worked alongside.  There were so many times that the hunter thought that there would be something that would drag him down.

"Looking back, I wish I did stay with them.  It would have probably made the next part of the story less tragic.  Though, the past is the past."

Mack was still receptive of his friend and had made the green haired pioneer their Liason with the solo players.  It wasn't much, but still kept him tied to the group in a way.  They would separate, but there were things that lurked in the darkness that wanted them gone.  One of the guild members had gone out to hunt some mobs.  The guild would find out later what happened.

"They lost one of them due to a hunting incident.  Lindow was his name, and he was probably one of the older players caught in our little world.  We only got the information about him from someone that he knew.  A silver haired girl whose outgoing personality seemed far too out there, and a significant character in our story; Opal."

The funeral service that they gave for the man was dark and heavy, but full of honor.  They had marched from the teleportation in full garb.  As the uniform was essentially a look alike to the Game Master's cloaks, it caused slightly alarm to the Town of Beginnings back then.  Five cloaked beings walking with hoods up, marching together towards the Monument of Life.  The green pioneer had rushed there to find it, just to see if they were lying to him.  The name of the man was crossed out in front of them, they would say their last goodbyes.  A set of robes, neatly folded, would be placed down to let the durability run out faster.  The shattering would be them sending their fallen brother off of this mortal coil.  The silver haired woman was crying so hard.

"I remember giving the last rites.  Sending him on, which was when we learned from the woman there that he was tailing some people and calling it a 'hunt' to dissuade us from leaking anything accidentally."

The hunter would shake his head.

"It turned out he died from a player getting the man stuck in a spider spawning lair.  It wasn't an incident.. but a murder."

"Good one!"

He said aloud before looking at everyone stats and figuring the blows that were coming from the larger than life boss.  It's attacks were being mitigated or evaded by Freyd, and the man was easily healing over them on his own.  It wasn't that the man had incredible stats going, as the hunter knew him slightly better.  The man liked to hit things more than take the hit.  His stats and buffs would have been for dealing more damage than preventing.  Even so, he was pretty high level now, so Freyd should have a high end Battle Healing, if anything.  That his mitigation should be high enough to tank a bit, if he was our main tank for this raid.

So why was the boss doing barely nothing to them?

There must be some kind of explanation to it, but there didn't seem to be anything coming as of now.  The boss was doing nothing outside of reacting to them.  It was still only staring out the door, but not doing much to leave.  Was it.. not allowed to leave due to being a boss?  Or, are they actually doing something to keep it there.

"This.. isn't right."

Looking back at the stats, Mina was eating her energy reserves to the point that the hunter wasn't going to keep up with her.  With that, he would throw the Hyperactive trait her way.

"If you're going to be active, might as well be hyperactive."

Regen: +7 EN (Hyperactive ends)
Recovery?: [ID: 215733] [CD: 7] +8 EN (Max)
Post action: Hyperactive -> Mina +3 EN passive regen | -5 EN -> Hirru
Cooldown: Hyperactive 0/3

(2) Freyd |  HP: 1322/1334 | EN: 120/150 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 188 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 73 | REC: 8 | THRN: 40 | PHASE | FLN: 8 | FRB: 40(-1) | ENV.O: 32 | V.O.: 146 | V.D.: 146 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | LD: 8 | PRS: 3 | DOTE: 3/3
(0) Hirru | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 99/104 (+15, -5) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 | ACC: 2 | BH: 55 | REC: 8 | THRN: 76 | MENDING: 2 | HB: 44 | LD: 5 | DOTE: 3/3
(4) Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 92/106  | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 31 | REC: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | STK: 40 | HELL: 80
(3) Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 77/106 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 142 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 18 | STK: 40 | FRB: 40(-1) | VO: 140 | HELL: 80 | LD: 6
(3) Elora | HP: 700/700 | EN: 80/104 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 35 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLGT: 32 | STK: 40 | LD: 3
(5) Tricolor_Mina | HP: 720/720 | EN: 50/106 (74+4=78-28) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 78 | ACC: 7 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | FRB: 40(-1) | V.D.: 72 | TXC.: 32 | HYP: 3/3

"Well, yes.  It was someone."

The fireflies seemed to fall back into their silent dance, flickering ever so calmly in the dark.  He felt it a strong contrast to that day.  The darkness of his eyelids as they shut in fear of the end to come, though it didn't seem to come.  A few moments later, he could hear the shattering that was evident of something dying.  Was it him?  Would he even be able to open his eyes if he was about to die?  There was only one way to find out as the man opened his eyes.  The shattered polygons surrounded him, but they didn't seem to come from him.  Looking from where he thought the boar was, there was someone standing over him.  Their sword was aglow in a bright red light which seemed to dull down.  There was a small trail of dim light that seemed to have trailed off of it that signaled the after effects of the art, <<Slant>>.  Although, he wouldn't know that until the man would turn to introduce himself.

"His name was Ignalo.  He was a player that was a little more seasoned than the green haired man.  He had dark brown hair and had the same new armor that most new players would have.  His armor was metal though, unlike the green horn's leather armor.  He had seen the guy struggle and stepped in to help.  It was that moment that set in motion so much more."

Helping the man up, Ignalo had thought that the jade player would be better off staying in the Town of Beginnings.  The green player would shake their head saying that they were going to start out on their way.  Just like those that have done so before.  The guy could only scold the player after seeing such a sad display.  It would be then that the knowledgeable player would teach the green player how to use sword arts, and how to survive.

"He taught me how to use to use sword arts, and fought many boars and wolves together until the next village.  He left after that, and I haven't seen that player since.."

Memories would flash by as he recalled the man dipping his head into the fountain of the first floor, and meeting the violet brawler, Jevi and silver haired tank, Xion.  The later would become his first friend as they would go onwards to make a goal.  The goal that so many others had so long ago, but to move through to the second floor, with their own two feet.  There was only one way to do that, and that was to venture through the first floor labyrinth.  The ones that went with him were the silver haired tank, Xion; the shady fighter, Beoreson; and the boisterous crimson haired axe wielder, Mack.  They would work alongside the green pioneer through the labyrinth and more.

"Quite a feat so long ago, but now that the floor boss was gone, the labyrinth was mostly just low level hunting grounds.  We tried to make it to the top, and we did.  Xion, Beoreson, Mack, and I were able to rush through the first floor at such low levels and appear on the second floor.  It was that group that brought me towards a future in the front lines."

There was the brief encounters of players and npcs, but none that made the man wonder about the outside world more than the interactions with his friends.  What made them want to rush through these labyrinths so much that they would risk ending their very lives over.  Everyone had one life to live, and it would be better for him to learn more of the inner world than the outer world.  Though, as time passed, the outer world kept creeping back into his mind.  He could not shake it, and would think that there was a connection somewhere in this world.  He became a scout, or more so a pioneer to blaze new trails through this forsaken castle.

"It was around when I started running dungeons on the 5th floor, that Mack would ask me to join him and a few others in a little get together.  It was more so to talk about forming a guild, The Crimson Blades."

Sitting in that little room, the seven players would come together come together for one reason.  Each would introduce themselves to the rest, although most already knew each other roughly.  It was when the leader of the group, Mack would introduce them into being in a guild that something seemed odd about the green pioneer.  He was uncomfortable here.  There were too many people here.  He knew them, but could he fight and die for them?

"Sorry if I'm spouting too much.  Telling the story seems to be getting longer and longer as time goes on.."

Summary

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ghiGhZYk6tClCZ7oaWvwr7Cm8376sRtLfC7az2moVGk/edit?usp=sharing

4617 words
(461.7 Exp)

Tier 10
(4617 Exp)

Quest 500 Exp
(5117 Exp)

Col 400 + 767 (xp * 0.15)

Amphitrite’s Net | Crafting Tool | Conscientious: +1 CD when fishing.

Throwing the net into the water as far as he could, Hirru had hooked a part of the net to his fishing pole to use it as some kind of crane deal.  He had no idea if this would even work, or if he was being completely stupid.  There was nothing else he could think of, as he couldn't swim as well as he could fish.  If there was any thing he could do, it was this.  Waiting and waiting for so long that he had to look down into the water to see if the net was where he wished it to be.  Seeing that it wasn't, he would reel it back in and try again.

Again and again he would try until night would fall across the sky.  He wouldn't give up as he threw this last one is all he could.  It would fly far before splashing into the water.  Hirru couldn't look into the water anymore to see, as the darkness of the water and the darkness of night blended together to hide the shiny object underwater.  All he could do was wait.  Wait for something that may signal if everything was right.  Though, it didn't seem to come.  The hunter started to real in, thinking that it was another dud.  He would have to try again tomorrow, as he was tired and was using the last of his energy to do this last run.

Suddenly, there was a catch in the line.  It pulled taut before feeling incredibly heavy.  This was bigger than he thought as he had never felt something this big, on the line.  Pulling and reeling as hard as he could, he feared that the line would break long before.  Not long after a few rounds of tug and reel, there was a glint of something in the water.  It seemed slightly obscured by the mesh of the net, but he could definitely say that he got the glittering thing, which seemed to be a giant pearl.  How in the world did he fish this thing out of the water?

"Come on..  Out of the water now!"

He shouted as he kept reeling and pulling it out until he could grab the rope that extended the line more than he could have it.  Thankfully, there was nothing down the that it could be snagged on.  Pulling with all his strength, he would finally see the net come out of the water.  As it did though, the pearl would begin to dissolve once it touched air.  Around the netting as the hunter pulled, seafoam would disperse from the pearl as it grew smaller and smaller.  Soon a small hole could be seen forming before it grew bigger from the pearl dissolving around it.  It didn't seem like a pearl after a time.

It was an egg, that contained the woman from before.

Though, as the woman came to, her features seemed much more scaly.  So she really was a person of the sea.  It was then that the seafoam would give form to the goddess once again.  She would look upon the woman and pat her head before saying,

"I was quite worried that he wouldn't fish you out of your bed."

"Huh?"

"You found the net that would be your reward for this venture much sooner than I thought.  Keep it, mortal, fore you have saved one of my sisters with it.  It has been enchanted with the waters of the lagoon to catch those that would seek to be left alone.  Take it with you and find my other children and sisters alike.  I'm sure you will do well to respect them all."

Before Hirru could say anything else, the goddess would come to him with the net in hand, folded neatly, and placed in his arms.  Soon after, she would dissolve into the seafoam once more and splash into Hirru.  It felt light, but.. so.. heavy..

* * * * *

Hirru awoke on the beach of the not so familiar floor.  Did he do it?  He thought as he looked to the quest window that did confirm as such.  He sighed before looking around to see that there were slender footprints that had lead from the water, dragged him up the shore, and went back.

"Thanks.."

He would say before falling back unto the sands.  Exhausted, he would camp here for the night.

Nothing was coming up from this side, as he got nibbles after bites.  The ones that came up were just regular fish that he threw back, but there was the occasional piece of metal and wood that he got.  Was it part of the boat?  Could he repair it?  He had no background knowledge of ships so it was definitely out of the question.  After some time, he had to call it quits because it was taking far too much time to fish up anything from here.

Turning around and getting off the boat, the hunter slipped and fell into the water.  In its unusual feel, the man was face first looking down into the lagoon side.  It was also dark and deep, but something was odd.  There was something down there.  Something that sparkled deep down where he could not get it.  Even with his fishing rod as it were..

A thought came to him as he looked back at the boat.  Would there be a longer rod and line in there?  Maybe something heavy he can tie the line to to sink it towards the thing.  Searching the wreckage, the hunter didn't find any like a pole or longer line.  What he did find was a mesh of ropes tied together in an odd way.  He remembered that this was called a net.  This would do perfectly if he tied some weights to the ends.

Taking his time to work through the water enough to get to the ship, the size of which seemed bigger compared to what he rode on.  Must have been from how most of the boat's underside was under the water.  Still, he was able to climb on top of the ship to get a better look around the area.  From where he was, he couldn't see much upon the sea, although the way the water was seemed slightly visible.  There must be slightly more shallows than he thought, but as he looked on the other end of the boat, the darkness of the deep would slowly fill his view.  There was no way that she was down there, was she?

Without much thought in it, he threw the line out there to see if anything would come up.  Maybe he would fish her up.  With that thought, he could only shake his head at the stupidity.  Would a body float?  No, the system shatters anything that is dead.  Though what if she wasn't dead?  Floating or sinking would still have a physical presence.  Maybe he would get something in here to help him out.

This was a trial by water, although it felt like fire.

Taking in the sights, the hunter could only think for a moment before getting the fishing pole out of his inventory.  If the goddess was correct, then the lady that was with him was somewhere out there.  He had to slow himself as he thought he was on a timer after what the goddess said.  Though, with him being on this island, he could not think about where else the woman was.  There was no way to get off of the island that he knew of.  There had to be some here that would point him in the right direction.

Walking along the shoreline, Hirru couldn't see much out from the horizon.  Maybe there was a way to climb higher up, but he didn't have the capabilities to do that.  Maybe if he had cloth or light armor set, then maybe, but he as a heavy armor specialist, and that meant that he had to deal with stockier options.  Even when taking the armor off, the effects of the skill were ever present.  The only thing that he felt was a proper spot was near the capsized boat, or into the lagoon itself.

It finally seemed like the fighting was going somewhere, as the boss' stats seemed to come into view.  They still had a long way to go, but they seemed to be running through it pretty well.  Even when the creature shifted its tail to smack them.  The wind it produced would have swept them away, if not for the tight quarters that made the tail drag the ground.  This would still hit their tank, Freyd, as he took the attack ridiculously well.  It even sounded like a hard hit, but the man's hp didn't dip barely a blip.  It was here that the hunter thought about something.  Did.. the boss not have a heavy attack?

This revelation would spark some thought in the hunter before something would catch his attention.  There was something odd with the dragon's movements, almost as if there might be a shift of hate soon.  Hirru felt that this was going to be rough, but stayed his course.  If the boss was only doing so much to them now, then it was probably going to get heavier later on.  He stayed his hand to use the barriers, and instead threw out another energy patch at the pink haired woman.

"Mina!  Katoka!  Be wary of an attack incoming!  Freyd, can ya slap it a little harder?  The thing doesn't even like looking you in the eyes before giving you tail."

He tried throwing in a joke, as Mac sometimes would.

EN Regen: +7 [Hyperactive 2/3]
Recovery?: [ID: 215451][CD: 10] +8 EN (maxed)
Post Action: Energize -> Mina +8 en | -10 en -> Hirru

(3) Freyd |  HP: 1322/1334 | EN: 141/150 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 188 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 73 | REC: 8 | THRN: 40 | PHASE | FLN: 8 | FRB: 40(-1) | ENV.O: 32 | V.O.: 146 | V.D.: 146 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | LD: 8 | PRS: 3 | DOTE: 3/3
(0) Hirru | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 94/104 (+15 / -10) | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 | ACC: 2 | BH: 55 | REC: 8 | THRN: 76 | MENDING: 2 | HB: 44 | LD: 5 | DOTE: 3/3
(4) Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 92/106 (+12) (-12) | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 31 | REC: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | STK: 40 | HELL: 80
(2) Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 86/106 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 142 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 18 | STK: 40 | FRB: 40(-1) | VO: 140 | HELL: 80 | LD: 6
(2) Elora | HP: 700/700 | EN: 96/104 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 35 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLGT: 32 | STK: 40 | LD: 3
(4) Tricolor_Mina | HP: 720/720 | EN: 74/106 (-15 / +8) | DMG: 27 | MIT: 78 | ACC: 7 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | FRB: 40(-1) | V.D.: 72 | TXC.: 32

Hirru held his hand up to the water goddess, as if to ask for something.

"Wait.."

"I do not wait, mortal..  The sea waits for no man.  The flow is everlasting and the cycle forever ongoing.  If you think that you can make nature wait, then you are very mistaken."

"I apologize.  I did not mean to offend."

"Then you would do well to set out your rod and fish out your female companion.  She has been lost at sea for some time.  With a little bit of luck, I'm sure you would find a way to seek her out and rescue her.

The goddess would smile before looking around the lagoon.  The hunter would do the same, but all he could see was just the island, the lagoon, and the boat.  Looking back at the spot where the goddess formed, the water would crash against the shore, the visage of the goddess long gone.  That didn't mean that the voice wouldn't linger throughout the sea.

"You should hurry!  The sea waits for no man."

"You do not sail.  You do not swim."

The lady of the water would start to pout about the things that have happened to the hunter.

"You pay no mind to those that are missing, even though your life is fine as is."

She would continue to speak about the hunter as if she had been watching them the entire time to then criticize him at every turn.  Who is this being that kept throwing insults his way?

"About the only thing you seem to be good at is to fish, but even then you are still of amateur level for.  Yet, you wish to be granted audience with me?"

Hirru then thought that this question was probably something that was not casually something that would have been said.  He could feel the ire from the being and, for a moment, thought that he was talking to one of the gods that he was supposed to meet.

"I am one of the gods you were supposed to meet.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my husband may have tried to send for you to speak to me, but now I don't think that it may be wise anymore."

The girl!  Where was the girl?!  The hunter looked around but couldn't see any living being other than the foliage on the land, and the fish in the sea.  If there were any woman that was with him, they are long gone now.  Possibly drowned underneath the waves that capsized their boat.  It was a rough thing to do to make someone that doesn't understand a thing about sailing to start sailing.  This quest had already claimed a life of an NPC.  Hirru shook his head after thinking that.  It was a bloody NPC!  They would probably spawn back in the main town once more when someone else wants to do the Olympian quest.  They didn't matter in the slightest, nor did he care.

What he did care for was what he was going to do now, as there was no way that this whole island wasn't apart of his quest.  His answer would soon be shown to him, as the sea started to churn and waves would form from nothing.  The waves would crash together one after another, as the water would fill into each other.  The form of a humanoid being would become apparent from the waters form.  A woman of fine appearance and visage would appear before him, looking at the hunter with an upset look to her.

"Keep calm!  Carry out your attacks!"

He would call out to the rest of them.  If their regular attacks wouldn't work, then this round of attacks would cause more to occur.  He could see many different effects pooling together from every attack that their group and from the others.  He couldn't fully see which one was which, but there was some heavy damage over time effects and elemental hits in there.  As the so called 'Elemental Warlord', the hunter would think that this may invoke some kind of response.  More so than what it was currently doing, which was relatively ignoring them.

As Freyd had the boss relatively secured, he didn't have to heal anyone so far.  Even more so, he didn't feel that either barrier would be necessary.  That brief look towards the other groups was towards Nari and NIGHT, whom did seem to get hit by the dragon's attack.  They were too far away to see how much it seemed to hurt them, but all and all figured that they were both not worrying about it, nor was their healers.  The party was doing well, but a certain one was specifically burning their energy reserves.  Hirru would think to push hyperactive on them next time, but for now, he would get close enough for a yellow light to fall from his shield to Mina's arm, setting it aglow for a moment.

"Don't let up!  I can help your energy reserves as you go!"

EN regen -> 4+3=7 (Max out)
Recovery?: [ID: 215203][CD: 3] Nope
Post Action: Energize -> Mina +8 EN / -10 EN -> Hirru

(6) Freyd |  HP: 1334/1334 | EN: 141/150 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 188 | EVA: 6 | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 73 | REC: 8 | THRN: 40 | PHASE | FLN: 8 | FRB: 40(-1) | ENV.O: 32 | V.O.: 146 | V.D.: 146 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | LD: 8 | PRS: 3 | DOTE: 3/3
(0) Hirru | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 94/104 (+7, -10)| DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 | ACC: 2 | BH: 55 | REC: 8 | THRN: 76 | MENDING: 2 | HB: 44 | LD: 5 | DOTE: 3/3 | CLDWN:  HyActv (3/3)
(3) Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 92/106 (+12) (-14) | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 31 | REC: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | STK: 40 | HELL: 80
(1) Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 94/106 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 142 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 18 | STK: 40 | FRB: 40(-1) | VO: 140 | HELL: 80 | LD: 6
(2) Elora | HP: 700/700 | EN: 96/104 | DMG: 34(+8 FD) | MIT: 98 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 35 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLGT: 32 | STK: 40 | LD: 3
(3) Tricolor_Mina | HP: 720/720 | EN: 77/106 (+8)| DMG: 27 | MIT: 78 | ACC: 7 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | FRB: 40(-1) | V.D.: 72 | TXC.: 72

As they stepped through the gate, the crystals light seemed to be less brilliant as he thought.  The seemed to shine on in the brilliance of colors, each a representation of the crystals above.  Were they not also representations of the elements around?  He forgot which one was which though..  Blue for Water?  Red for Fire?  Green for wood.. The heck is yellow?  Though, that would all come to a fissure as the crystalline walls seemed to move.  The boss wasn't in the room, it was the room.  Large and intimidating, the serpentine body would coil all around the area with only the head coming down to greet them.  Though, it felt that it wasn't really looking at them.  Was it.. looking out the door?  Also, those orbs that are glowing in a feint hue.  Were those.. the same color as the crystals?

As the combat was about to begin, Freyd would call on them all to action.  Though there was something odd in his calls.

"Wait.. Freyd.. Where did you ..?  And I can't.."

And he's gone.  Their tank had wanted Hirru to worry about healing, but then slapped out a request to uses his Delay Technical sword art.  This was an issue though, as the hunter had to no such art anymore.  Even more so, there was the sudden information dump that he gave.  Was this part of the meeting?  Did he give those in his notes?  The hunter couldn't say.

"I can't use that sword art, anymore!  I'm a healer not a striker!"

With that though, if the hunter were to quick change now, it would take a toll towards the next few actions that he could perform.  He would work on the energy cost that everything was going to start pulling, and used the Hyperactive addon upon himself.  This way, the energy costs would not be an issue with his recovery procs.  Thankfully, Morningstar had used his TECH to disrupt the creature.  Why Freyd called for it instead of a shattering art seemed odd.

Post Action - Hyperactive -> Self | -5 en +3 EN regen (+7)
Free Action - None

Team [Freyd]
(5) Freyd |  HP: 1334/1334 | EN: 146/150 | DMG: 20 | MIT: 188 | EVA: 6 (+1) | ACC: 5(6/AA) | BH: 73 | REC: 8 | THRN: 40 | PHASE | FLN: 8 | FRB: 40(-1) | ENV.O: 32 | V.O.: 146 | V.D.: 146 | HELL: 80 | STNG[x1] | LD: 8 | PRS: 3 | DOTE: 3/3
(0) Hirru | HP: 1104/1104 | EN: 99/104 | DMG: 1 | MIT: 182 | ACC: 2 | BH: 55 | REC: 8 | THRN: 76 | MENDING: 2 | HB: 44 | LD: 5 | DOTE: 3/3 | CLDWN:  HyActv (3/3)
(1) Katoka | HP: 720/720 | EN: 95/106 (-11) | DMG: 28 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 31 | REC: 8 | BLGT: 32 | P.V.O | STK: 40 | HELL: 80
(1) Morningstar | HP: 851/851 | EN: 94/106 | DMG: 28 | MIT: 142 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 6(7/AA) | BH: 18 | STK: 40 | FRB: 40(-1) | VO: 140 | HELL: 80 | LD: 6
(1) Elora | HP: 700/700 | EN: 89/104 (-11) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 98 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 7(8/AA) | BH: 35 | REC: 8 | FLN: 8 | BLGT: 32 | STK: 40 | LD: 3
(1) Tricolor_Mina | HP: 720/720 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 27 | MIT: 78 | ACC: 7 | BLGT: 32 | BRN: 56 | FRB: 40(-1) | V.D.: 72 | TXC.: 72

"We've all been out of sorts lately.  Especially after that last floor boss fight.  Everyone has been off on their own devices."

Hirru was predominantly talking about the 26th floor boss raid and the subsequent event that had them shooting through the skys in flying ships.  He was still not comfortable about that whole mess, especially after the issues that came after the fight.  Gabrandr being spared by so many that he thought were going to kill him..  Hirru's own tribulations that spawned from the events of a previous floor's fight would pop their ugly head that day too.  There was so much that has been going through Hirru's mind as of late.  Especially certain individuals that he could not understand nor knew about, but they were comforting and familiar, for some reason.

"Honestly, I do not want to be on a flying ship helmed by Baldur again!"

He would end it off as a joke about Baldur's piloting skills.  It would hopefully lighten up the mood a bit.

"How about you, @Jomei?  How have you been?"

He would look on to the dark sky.  If the hunter would actually check his clock, he would see what time it was, but the darkness here would make it seem like the night had taken its hold.  As would NIGHT have their attention on the hunter as he began to speak his tale.

"Most tales about this place would probably start where it all began for us all.  That fateful day where we all started and became trapped in this damned prison."

It was something that most people didn't need to be reminded of, as this was the one thing that everyone was fighting through the floors of Aincrad to begin with.  Everyone wanted to go home and be free of this digital tomb.  Hirru would find it funny yet odd that it was only recently that he was starting to feel that same thing.

"Their tales would talk of their strife and tribulations that they would go through to reach their goals.  Some would stay in the first floor to stay alive, either too scared or weary of the outside areas.  Wishing to live a peaceful enough life.  Then there were the players that would venture forth.  Many would form guilds and take on the floor bosses as the front lines.  Those are the players that we know of.  Our friends.  Our enemies.  Our loved ones."

There were so many people that had been a part of Hirru's life.  It was thanks to so many of them that he was the person that he was today, and they all started their stories on that first day.  No, it would be more fair to say that their stories were far vaster than that.

"Our story starts one year later..."

A scene plays in front of Hirru's eyes as he started to recall that day to vivid detail.  The bright blue sky hidden on several fronts by the sky islands and giant ceiling of the second floor above, looming over him as a giant about to crush them all.  The lush green plains would flow ever onwards towards the distance, nearly drowning the few forests visible from the main gates.  The heavily trodden path that would lead out to the next village out would lay before him as a start to his ever growing story. 

"..as a young man with strange green hair would walk out of the gates of the Town of Beginnings.  With blade in hand, the man wanted to get out and follow in the footsteps of those that came before.  He didn't understand why he was still on the first floor after all the time that had passed, but he did not want to stay there any longer.  He had a goal to find the 'outside world' and his first stop would be to kill some boars."

The first mob that everyone would have faced regardless of when they started their venture out into the towering Castle Aincrad, the infamous frenzied boar.  A rather simple and basic creature for anyone that looked at it normally, but for those that just started to those that cowered on that floor; those boars were symbols of fear and death.  Without using the system to their advantage, there were over a thousand deaths on first month of the death game starting.  This information was slowly gleaned off of players as he talked to them, but in the beginning, he didn't know that.  Hirru remembered that he faced the first boar that he saw.

"My first memory.."

He didn't have any sword arts known at that time though.  The boar seemed to overpower him, evade his strikes and deal heavy blows against the noobish player.  A strike would gore into Hirru and push him prone on the ground.  The boar had started to paw its hoof in the ground, a telltale sign of a charge.  It's blood red beady eyes would stare down the jade haired noob, before rushing at him.  His sword arm would hold the sword out while his other would shield his eyes.  He knew it would not work.  The boar was only a few inches away from dealing the klling blow.

"..was nearly dying to my first boar."

It wasn't even a moment after he let those words pass his lips did the signs upon the door start to alight, and the golem would reanimate.  He nearly panicked, as it was far too early to start the fight and he thought he doomed everyone here.  The hunter was about ready to send up a barrier until the rest of the front lines had appeared, but something else happened.  The golem, it walked away.  For some reason, the hunter felt something from the creature's body movements.  It was as if the creature was depressed and unsure.  It must have been blocking the door for a reason.  Did.. was he..  Was Hirru feeling pity?  Towards a guardian?  The door burst open right then, causing a large gust of wind to nearly push them back a bit.  Enduring, the hunter could see into the room itself, or rather.. it was blindingly visible from where he stood.  He could only shake his head as Freyd passed by.

"I'm not sure if I did or not, to be fair."

He only figured it was more so when Morningstar, the guy he got to duel with and talk to during the Baldur's Valentines Tournament a long while ago, came up to him and Freyd.  It would seem that they were going to be teamed up together.  Not only him, but another two would join in after Freyd had set out a few feasts and morsels towards them.  Hirru sunk his shoulders as he figured Freyd would have done so, but NIGHT had already provided a large variety for the raid.   He could only watch as more and more would come to the raid.  Most of the people he knew that would definitely have been here were here, but there were a few that were new.  Most of them were in his party.

"This'll be interesting.."

When the sixth and final member had made themselves known to Freyd, the hunter would be greeted by an old acquaintance and fellow support player, Zandra.  She had come to deliver their order that the hunter had made some time ago, although it was not fully complete yet.  It was completely understandable though.  The crafting professions were crazy busy all of the time and Z was one of the highest known alchemists.

"Ah!  That's quite alright.  I figured it was gonna take some time to get all of both mass crystals and health potions.  Never know when we'll need them.  Thanks Zandra!"

It would be then that he would start to set up the instruments for their success.  Taking off his helm, his green hair would fall over the red headband that still kept the crescent moon symbol of the Dark Elven Royal Family.  The rest of his attire was still as flashy as he had it before.  Full plate with silver angelic impressions.  He would try to call over the rabble to the team that Freyd was gonna head.

"Alright, let's get these preparations underway.  I'm Jade Hunter, Hirru, and I'll be your healer and buffer for this raid.  If you don't know me well, you will soon enough."

He would pull a stern voice to address the five, including Freyd.  Soon a trade request would be sent to Elora, Katoka, Mina, and Morningstar.  In each trade there would be five mass healing crystals and five health potions.

"Accept those.  You'll need them going forward.  Mina, I don't have to tell you much, but I'll do so anyway.  The crystals must be used only if I can not heal you all to your prime, but they're quick usage will allow you to fight on.  The potions are when you can't do anything, for some reason, but have less than full health.  I give these to you because my attention will most likely be kept on Freyd, but.."

Hirru looked to the aloof Freyd.  Even though he knew that the man would be ready for it, he could not think that the role of tank should be someone that could garner hate effectively.  Who knows when one of these guys will accidentally gain more hate than him.

"..I feel it would be best to air on caution.  Keep your hate accumulation low, unless you want to become the surprise off tank.  If you do and can't handle the heat, remember to <<Switch>> with Freyd or myself.  I can tank a hit or two on my own before Freyd can get back attention.  With a few items here and there, and a barrier; we'll be surviving this yet."

He would then go on to strategies.  Looking back towards the entrance to the boss room and the large crystal cavern inside, he would have to squint to see it fairly without the light hurting his eyes.

"It looks like it's a little bright in there.  It may have the same effect on us as darkness does, so I will probably be using my Rally to up your accuracy every so often.  Just keep on the attack, and don't worry about anything else unless Freyd or myself call out to use those crystals.  Also, if you get a signal that your finisher is ready, call out for it.  If enough of you have it ready, I'll be able to boost your damage for an all out attack!."

There would be a moment where he would look to them and think to himself that he may have gone a little strong on the leadership part.  This was Freyd's group, not his.  He would sigh, ending the voice and returning to a softer tone.

"Sorry, if I come off as a hard ass.  I don't want us to have any faults in this fight.  It'll be a first for me to not have certain people here."

It really was going to be the first time that he didn't have Baldur there to work with his psyche issues.  Though, he had attests to certain things with Freyd, the man didn't know everything.  In fact, the only one here that knew anything was NIGHT.  That day in the garden..  He would snap himself out so he didn't look a fool.

[Trade Accepted from Zandra]

[Trade Sent to @Elora]

[Trade Sent to @Morningstar]

[Trade Sent to @Katoka]

[Trade Sent to @tricolor_mina]

Listening to them go on and on in this circle that they have been spouting, the hunter was starting to understand.  Those phrases must mean something, if that's what they were going for.  Hirru didn't really think that was gonna work, but he would hear them out as they went.  Nari, NIGHT and that Morningstar guy all tried so far.  The hunter said that he wasn't going to join in, but there was something odd about what they were talking about.  Wouldn't the broken world be at the end, where a world would be cleansed anew?  He didn't know what else there was, but the order that the last two were talking about were something odd.  Didn't Freyd say something about an order?  It was then that the hunter would look at the slightly hidden diagram on the door.

"Oh.. is that what that was?"

He would say under his breath before thinking aloud.

"The smallest raindrops nurture the tallest trees.  Learn from the summer heat, for even when the fire claims the forest, the trees grow back stronger.  All things become dust, to be accepted into the earth, and born again.  Ore in the ground is precious, but it is useless without heat and hard work.  When the war is over and the blades go cold, let the rain they gather cleanse a broken world."

Since he was nowhere near the ability to work through this area on his own, he would have probably waited for @Freyd and / or @Crozeph to help him along the way.  He still lamented that he couldn't just walk the paths himself, but his search wasn't much help through their last venture through the area.  They would be his guide,  instead of the other way around.

"Ronbaru? Dagan? Srona? Ordsea? Braso?  Am I missing something or do we fancy talking politics to rocks?"

It would be the first thing that the hunter has said to a few of them for a while, but it was reasonable to assume what was going on.  With the Boss Raid Meeting, he felt that he should look into something else.  Something a bit more personal, but things didn't turn out as he thought.  Instead, he talked with Freyd as they had messaged him for the hunter's thoughts on the matter.  To be fair, he was thinking more about the healing aspects, but that was obviously not what was needed.  He thought that something would help, but not everything is required.

"I'll leave the puzzle for you guys.  I'll just warm up these hands real quick."

The full plate wearing healer stepped aside to let someone else do their magic.  He would listen and maybe find something to do after the fact.  With this though, NIGHT seemed to have proposed some foods and salves to protect the lot.  Hirru would be glad to partake as NIGHT was proving to be an excellent raid leader and provider.  If only there was more that he could do.

[Buffs taken from NIGHT]

• tiger's balm (17) | TIERLESS PERFECT SALVE | ANTIDOTE III
  spread of clear resin. heats up the skin lightly after use. cools off quickly.
   
• mooncake gift box. (3) | TIERLESS RARE DESSERT FEAST | ACC II
  lotus paste around a salted yolk. comes in both glazed or layered flaky shell. somehow has taste this time.
  A: 5/6 | B: 6/6 | C: 5/6
  
  
• peking duck skin platter. (3) | TIERLESS PERFECT MEAL FEAST | OH III -> Filled (20%)
  crispy duck skin wrapped in a thin dough, with cut vegetables. somehow has taste this time.
  A: 5/6 | B: 6/6 | C: 5/6
  
  
• peking duck tray. (3) | TIER 4 PERFECT MEAL FEAST | MIT III
  duck meat served with flat buns and dipping sauce. somehow has taste this time.
  A: 5/6 | B: 6/6 | C: 6/6

[Buffs added from self]

• Immolation Potion T4 -> +40 Thorns

A message would come from Nari, a small notification that his order was complete.  Hirru sighed in relief as he had two professions working on these healing items.  He was going to go check up on Zandra when he got the message.  This would definitely help out during their boss raid.  Taking his time to walk into the teleportation station, he would warp down to the fourth floor.

Walking into the studio, the hunter would wave to his fellow raider.

"I know it must have been rough, but thank you for getting all of this done.  It'll help us out when the fighting gets prolonged.  I'll be seeing you on the front!"

He said as he traded the crystals for 60 mats, as per their cost.

"It was certainly interesting, to say the least.  First time I had been to such a.."

Jolly green Hirru grew silent for a second before continuing on with his sentence.  He didn't want to seem too lost in thought.  Though, with Hirru starting to have a reputation of odd things, it may not be to his favor about anything that he would do.  He wondered how everyone thought of him.

"..lively gathering.  Although, I guess I did have a hand in throwing things for a loop."

He didn't want to say that he may or may not have ruined it, but he knew what he did.  There was always something that he does that makes it difficult for everyone else.  Was there something that he was doing now that was doing the same thing?  Was it the presents?  The costume?  He worried a little before figuring that it was all nonsense.  He shouldn't worry about that.  Jomei had invited him, even though he was there to see Hirru's water excursion.  In fact, he thought he remembered Nari being there too?

Taking another fork full of pie, the festive boi would look over to the others and ask a simple question.

"So, how have you all been?  Don't get to converse too much anymore."

The hunter awoke coughing and sputtering as he lay face down on a soft, wet sandy ground.  His vision was filled with the bright grains before a film of foamy water would slosh around him.  Instinctively trying to get away from the water, Hirru found himself on a little patch of sand surrounded by the sea.  The blazing sunlight above seemed to tell him that the storm from before had passed, but it did not seem like the light was where it was supposed to be.

"Uh.. has it been a day?"

He thought to himself before looking around.  This wasn't the only island it seemed, as there was little offshoot that sprung up from the water.  Shallow reefs and a narrow stretch of shallows seem to cause these islands to encompass a decently sized lagoon.  On one side of the shallows he would see it, the wreck of the ship that he sailed on.  It looked like it was partially capsized and buried under silt and saltwater.

"Yeah that isn't going to sail.."

It was then that he remembered.