Hidden

Her other self stepped beside her, conjuring more of the mist until not even the original could see through it. Her double continued to threaten Risque even through the mist until she decided to turn and whisper to her. 

 "Cut him down, the monster doesn't deserve to live... And Raidou sends his regards." 

Hidden's eyes widened at the final words the woman spoke as the terrifying reality came to light. 'Setsuna... the tailor girl in Firm Anima.' The two had never gotten along, so why was she here now? Why was she here when she wasn't supposed to be. 

"You can't be here." 

Hidden's words were whispered back but were disregarded entirely. The disguised girl vanished into the mist, remaining unseen to anyone. The clatter of weapons revealed her new location. Sighing, she darted forward. She had to make sure nothing happened to Setsuna and that this ordeal ended here and now. If Risque found out who Setsuna was, it would bring Raidou into the mess. She couldn't allow him to die for her problems. They were her own to bear. An orange light casted by her dagger blazed in the light blue mist of the area, becoming the only indicator of her approach aside from her footsteps. However, even if Risque had picked up on these cues, Setsuna ensured that he was unable to attack. 

Her dagger plunged into the man's chest, forcing him away from the two's onslaught. With the man blinded, he stood no chance against his two opponents. It wasn't long before he succumbed to their combined efforts. Or so they thought...

________________

Pushed into the corner my a succession of attacks, his mind would race to begin to think of ways for him to fight back. Hidden wasn't just powerful... she was a monster. From her words, it sounded as if she wasn't exerting herself in any way. He hadn't been able to make any attacks of his own, rendered incapable. "Well, if you think me as a 'toy'. I'd better stop playing around then." He shouted into the mist. His ears searched for the sound of approaching footsteps. Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out a small vial filled to the brim with a dark liquid. He dropped this vial onto the floor, shattering on impact with the ground. In doing this, he had brought his familiar into the fray. 

The dark liquid condensed into the shape of a large black snake coiled up his leg and body until its head rested near its master's. "Consume." He commanded the creature. A hissing noise would break the silence of the area as a black liquid would fly as small particles through the air. While seemingly harmless at first, after a short time they would find that the mist that had hung in the air had become thin enough to just be considered Aesthetics without having any actual hinderance to their eyes.

The Black Serpent, the great beast in which his familiar derived its power from, had two distinct abilities. The ability to consume the life from anything it touched. The power it just exerted. The second a venom able to render its hapless victim helpless. These two abilities made the original beast unstoppable. His familiar was no where near the strength of the original, but it was able to render the Heart in the Jar useless. However, the situation hadn't bettered after removing the mist. Now, a third Hidden had stepped up to challenge him. Her words were just as threatening as the previous two.

"Just how many damn copies can you make of yourself? This is just way too damn..."

He had noticed something. A fatal flaw in whatever plan that was now underway. The original Hidden adorned an Orange cursor. The second Hidden which he had assumed been created through a skill bore no visible crystal. The third Hidden had a bright green crystal spinning carelessly over her head. The voice was off as well. His eyes fell on his poisoner who was now missing. The third Hidden must've been his escaped poisoner. The second was some other player that Hidden had brought along. He was sure of it. 

That pissed him off. 

"Hey. This battle was reserved for just the Shadow Walker and I. My months of patience and planning are not going to be wasted by some brats that wish to interfere. I don't give a damn about you are thinking. This stage was meant for two."

His familiar hissed as he stepped forward, his weapon extended. "Pardon me, but you've forced me to break character." A malicious glint flashed in his eye. Licking his lips he pointed his sword forward. "If you all want to get in my way that bad... I'll have no choice but to consume you." He pulled a crystal from his pocket and activated it before tossing it into the air. A piercing screech rang through the air, deafening everyone in the room and reducing their accuracy. He would be the first to take advantage of this moment.  Like a snake, the man snapped forward. His blade pierced through the mist as it traveled straight towards the newest Hidden. His familiar coiled around his arm as he made his attack. The Black Serpent lurched forward, attacking as he did. However, instead of striking the newest Hidden, his blade instead pierced the original. His snake ripped forward, sinking its fangs into the woman's neck. 

"You stupid girl. You're supposed to be the one who cares not for others. The famous Shadow Walker that killed without mercy.... AND NOW YOU'RE PROTECTING A LITTLE GIRL?" He ripped his weapon from where it rested in Hidden's chest. She fell to the floor, having fallen victim to his snake's second ability. "Your sacrifices are for nothing. That's why people like you and I only look out for ourselves." He looked to the other Hidden's. He doubted they would be able to keep up with their facade with the constant ringing in their ears distracting them and impairing their hearing. While Hidden was incapacitated, he would have to deal with them. 

<<The Green Gourmet>>

An unknown voice spoke from the mists, capturing Hidden's attention. This unknown variant had tampered with the battle. While she hadn't caught it, she noticed the blur that struck at Risque's back and distracted him for her to get her attack in. For the moment, the entity had turned the tide in her favor. However, this unknown factor wasn't to be trusted. She knew not who it was. Ayame had remained chained down so she was not the culprit. 

The entity's voice spoke, slow and softly. The voice was almost unheard by her. 

"I'm just not playing any games, you are part of Firm Anima. Which means that you are close to someone..." 

Hidden frowned. 'Firm Anima? Why is that name showing up here? Don't tell me this man is somehow a part of it.' However, judging by his expression. This voice was recognizable to him either. He remained confused and for some reason unknown to her he kept looking back to her as if ensuring she was remaining put. 

 "You see me all the time, now look at the meteor shower."

Hidden's eyes widened. That sentence was familiar. So familiar... it was as if she said it herself. The outline of a figure approached from deep within the reaches of the mist. Hidden herself took a step backwards, her fury ceasing temporarily as she attempted to discern exactly what she was dealing with. 

"I see no reason to remember the name of a dead man." 

That was something Hidden knew she had said because it was something she spoke mere moments ago. The odd thing was that the words weren't just her own. The voice was also her's. 

"She won't be your property once I kill you."

A chill fell down his spine as those words reached his ears. 'How is she doing that? Her voice is coming from a different direction altogether. I'm not aware of any skills to control a duplicate of oneself. It would be game-breaking.' The unseen figure suddenly darted forward, slashing fervently at his form. However, he had grown accustomed to this trick. Whatever this skill was, Hidden was unable to control the other version of herself. Perhaps the one he had originally been focused on was merely an afterimage created by shadows. He drew his weapon on the attacking Hidden, glancing her dagger off of his blade. He couldn't help but notice the cold feeling that surrounded the woman. Perhaps the mist and the cold were created by this skill that Hidden was using. "It is going to take more than a little party trick to k-"

Suddenly, the real Hidden struck him, sending rolling onto the ground. He stood, biting his bottom lip. His eyes widened as he found two Hidden's staring mercilessly at him. He wiped the dirt that had collected on his face from his fall and remained deep in thought. 'She can control both forms at once? No. There isn't any way that could be possible. Back then she used her familiar to create a shadow of herself. Could this be an advanced version of that? If so, how would that even begin to explain the fact that her familiar is talking and doing nearly the same amount of damage?' 

He tipped his hat to the woman(s). "I certainly underestimated you Shadow Walker. I hadn't heard of this skill of yours, perhaps you only bring it out when your situation is dire?" His health remained over half, but if the battle continued on like this he would have to resort to actually fighting at his fullest and use the consumables he had readied. He had yet to bring his familiar into play, despite his circumstances. 'I was cocky to think my intel had informed me of the entirety of her battle prowess. This is simply the price I have to pay for that. However, one of her forms has the orange cursor. That one is the real Hidden. If I bring that one down, she won't be able to operate her second form.'

The two players now stood face to face. While Risque's face displayed glee, Hidden's hatred was almost enough to deal physical damage. "Don't look at me that way, dear. An expression like that doesn't match your pretty little face." A yellow-light emitted from his blade, brightening the room that had been darkened by Hidden's mood alone. Charging forward, at alarming speeds he began to strike. Hidden weaved through the attacks, Risque's sword making no direct hit. While his attacks were fast, her speed was equal to that of his. 

"You can't dodge forever, soon I'll get lucky!" he said with a laugh, thrusting his weapon forward. Hidden leapt back, giving the two fighters space in between eachother. He turned his amber eyes on the child as she began to speak. "Hush now child. You are ruining my marvelous show down." 

Hoping to strike him while his guard was down, Hidden struck forward, aggressively making attack after attack. However, the attacks seemed not to worry Risque as he easily glanced her dagger away with his own weapon. "You don't get to talk to her." She warned before barraging him with another volley of attacks. "I do believe she is my possession, meaning her disposition is up for I to decide." He held off another few angry strikes. While he hadn't managed to make an attack connect, Hidden also had managed nothing. 

The attacking ceased for a moment, as Hidden seemed to begin come up with a new plan for her attacks. Or perhaps she was waiting for Vanish to cooldown? Of course, he would undoubtedly be able to spot her among the shadows. Unless she somehow managed to hide in the thick light blue mist that came from a source he knew not. Was this something that Floor Thirteen did? It certainly fit the creepy theme of the floor, but why now? When the battle he had sought for so long was at hand?

"It seems even after this time, you haven't become good enough to hi-"

His words were cut short by a sudden attack to his back, he turned quickly swiping his weapon behind him. However, all he managed to get a glimpse of was long white hair before it vanished into the mist. "Wha-" Another attack, Hidden had taken advantage of his moment of confusion. Her dagger met its mark, throwing him back into the wall. His health too a dip and he held his sword in front of him as he pondered what had just transpired. 'Was that something to do with her stealth skill? She managed to attack me from behind while I thought she stood before me. Then she moved fast enough to attack me from where she had stood. Information over has been scarce as of recent... but how is this possible? Has she managed to receive the Shadowed Path skill from Hikoru without anyone knowing?' His health slowly kept climbing back up, but Hidden had dealt serious to him between her two attacks. Perhaps he had underestimated her. Excellent. It wouldn't have been any fun if she had just fallen immediately. He just had to learn to see through her attack. 'Her attack from behind has one distinct weakness. She won't appear to be moving while she's doing it.' 

"Others are bound, tied down by the relationships they make with others. Those feelings make you weaker. It's happened multiple times. First with Sey, than Assassin. Used as chips in someone else's plan to hurt you. You've never needed anyone. And no one has never needed you. Your father didn't want you. Yuki hasn't shown any sign of caring to see you. Assassin is just using you. Who knows what disposable piece you play on Raidou's chessboard." 

The woman who looked like me released me, standing until she looked down on my younger self. "Now, instead of suffering as you are used by everyone, take my hand and we will walk the world alone. Nobody truly understands you." As if on cue, NIGHT's words echoed throughout the world. "And if everyone hates you, as you'd said, then what's the point of sticking around?" 

The world of my memories faded, returning to the dark forest that me and the woman had faced off in. "What are we going to do?" 

She brought her face close to mine, her soulless eyes smiling as she looked down on me. Shadows covered my face, drowning me in the darkness. As I gasped for air, I found myself falling until I landed on the soft grass. I stood up, frowning as I noticed something odd. The ground was far too close to my eyes. My hands were smaller as well. I looked around, finding myself in a place that looked distantly familiar. I was standing on a cement porch, a small white house behind me and the streets of Japan in front.

I looked back for a moment, catching my own reflection in the glass door behind me. The face of a dark-haired child stared back, confused violet eyes met my own. 'no...'

I looked back, my mother's vehicle beginning to pull away from the house. My heart began to race, fear creeping into my lungs. "Mom!" My younger voice cried out. I raced forward as fast as my small legs would take me. However, no matter how fast I tried to run, I couldn't keep up with the car at all. I came to a stop at the end of the driveway, watching helplessly as I knew what would happen transpired.

At the four-way stop, as my mother crossed into the intersection, a truck slammed into her vehicle, sending her small car airborne. Tears flooded to my eyes and I fell to my knees. A warm embrace came from behind and for a moment by tears ceased. Until I realized that it was simply the woman that had made me revisit this memory. "What you just seen will not change. It isn't something that can not be moved on from. Stop hiding from it. Instead, learn from it."

Stepping through the Stone Gate and wooden doors, she would find herself in an odd shop. While she had abandoned her crafting profession, merchants were definitely useful in some cases. She had been carrying a Demonic Item around for sometime and had needed to get it appraised. 

The white-haired woman, adorned in black, stepped forward, noting the two Yellow-cursored people who were attending to the door. 'NPCs? Interesting choice.' The scenery of the shop made her question if she was instead in a Tailor's shop instead of a merchants. 

"Umm... hello. I was wondering if you could appraise this item?" She opened her inventory, producing the Demonic "Sick Jacket" to her. "I also wanted to know if you maybe had something to change an item's name or appearance?" Hidden's words were as sincere as she could say, but the effort in saying them and hesitation were almost too clear for anyone to pick up. 

Requesting Appraisal:
Sick Jacket: Demonic <<Unidentified IIII> (Light Armor)

Risque was somewhat pleased with the child as she reacted with anger instead of fear. Perhaps Hidden had rubbed off on her a bit. A smile came to his face. Perhaps after Hidden had expired her use, this little girl would rise to take revenge on him. The child's snarl would surprise him, especially when it was met with saliva that sprayed his face. He sighed, an annoyed feeling sweeping over him. "I suppose I earned that." He stepped away, wiping the spit from his face. 

Turning his attention to those he hired to capture the girl, he would open his inventory and send them a hefty sum of money. "Here you are. I can take on the rest from here. I'd make yourself scarce or you're going to facing a vengeful woman whom their level is far higher than yours." Nodding the two would begin to take their leave. He smiled. He had no need for the mercenaries anymore. If one could even call their work mercenary. He knew that he could easily take on the Shadow Walker alone. As one of the few players in the level 80 range, he knew he would have a distinct advantage. One thing was strange however... the fact she had yet to show. Did she not care about the young woman they had snatched from under her nose? He could have sworn intel had shown they were close. He couldn't help but feel uneasy about the entire thing. Or perhaps the uneasiness was caused by the adept feeling that he was being stalked... stalked by a predator who was ready to feast on its prey. He had realized too late....

"Oh shi...!"

<<Risque>>

____________________

Her dagger plunged into the man's back without warning, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Seething with anger, her eyes fell on the creature as if she was looking at cockroach. "You made a mistake." she warned him with a glare. She watched as the man stood, his healthbar slowly climbing back up. The man let out a light chuckle as he turned to face his assailant. "Oh good! I was afraid after the changes in your appearances that you would change as well. It is still good to see that you haven't deterred from that path, Shadow Walker." He flashed a smile at Hidden who kept the same expression. "That's not a name I go by anymore." He smiled, a look that was somehow threatening on his face, although it created no reaction in Hidden. "Whether or not you use it, it doesn't change who you are. No matter what you do, there will be those of use that know who you are and the hand you were dealt." He bowed and began to introduce himself once again. "Risque at your service, no doubt you remember me from before." A dangerous glint in Hidden's eye stared forward as she looked upon the man. "I don't remember you at all and I see no reason to remember the name of a dead man." She raised her dagger, pointing it at him. 

"Umbra."

The name evoked the Shadow Fox to appear, whom instead of fighting at her side joined with Hidden. The Shadow familiar joined with her arm, covering it until all that was seen was black. The creature even joined with her dagger, covering its outline in Shadow. Hidden darted forward, activating <<Vanish>> to enter the shadows just before she collided with the man. She used the Shadows to divert her direction quickly moving around the man several more times before activating her attack. She jabbed her weapon forward, preparing to pierce the man and take him down in one strike. However, she found that her attack was entirely blocked as the man raised a One-Handed Straight Sword, the weapon intercepting the damage.

The two froze as a moment and Hidden watched as the weapon cracked until it shattered, leaving the man with nothing but a handle. Risque let out a cool breath of air before chuckling. "Won't lie, that was pretty terrifying. Feeling like I'm about to get torn to shreds at any moment has me actually excited to fight for once!" He tossed the broken weapon aside, pulling another from his inventory. "I hope you are warmed up, Shadow Walker. The real fight begins here." He extended his sword to the side, smiling devilishly. "Our final showdown is now! You and everything you've become against all that I am!" 

Together along with Orgoth, the raid team managed to take out almost a fifth of the Boss's HP, causing one of his bars to nearly empty. It would seem that the boss wasn't that much afterall, especially with the bull taking the hits. However, something unexpected came to pass. As the Shadow waved his hand, a dark grotesque creature formed in front of them. The creature was repulsive, especially the way it scuttled across the battlefield. It scuttled over to her party, and she watched as it seemed to freeze for a second.

"Creepy." She said, before her turning attention away.

She watched as another burst of Shadow's tendrils shot forward into Orgoth and striking all around him. She squinted as a wave of air rushed over her from the mere force of the attack. 'Wish I could use the Shadows like that.' she thought for a moment. The Shadow's tendrils appeared to not only physically attacking the bull, but also slightly tearing at its own shadow. As if its attacks had the ability to separate the creature's essence from its body. A grotesque squish was heard to her left.

But it was far too late to notice. The creature from earlier latched onto her, its cold and clammy body latching onto hers. Hidden was immediately incapacitated as a sulfurous stench met her nostrils. The creature's many hands grasped at her legs and shoulders. For a moment, fear overtook her as the creature's clammy hands squeezed hard enough to start dealing damage, its gaping mouth starting to fear on the exposed area of her neck. 

"umbra Umbra UMBRA!" she said in increasingly higher volume. The Shadow Fox quickly materialized and began to detach the creature from Hidden, slicing off its many arms that would surely enough grow back. A flash of red slammed into the creature, knocking it away from her. 

Facing The Red Wanderer, he would speak to her in a casual tone. "You alright?" Taking a breath, she would nod and although it was shaky she managed to say, "Of course." she looked to the grotesque creature which now began to turn its attention on Macradon. "Guess it's got some fascination with Orgoth. I can understand its disdain for losing. It seems that he doesn't realize we are a threat. You think you can solve that problem?" Hidden eyed the boss, saying, "Pretty sure he summoned those things to keep us at bay for a moment." She said in an uninterested tone. 'Not that I worry myself with minions anyway.'  She darted forward, flaying a small potion of the boss's back before returning to her party. This time she kept a watchful eye on the Shadow Horror's. 

Battle Healing increases HP by 90.

ID: 183527
BD: 3+5-2=6. Hit. 
DMG: 23*13(Eternal Cyclone x13)= 299-100=199 DMG to the Shadow

[H:2,0] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 164/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2] | [RESTED 1/2]
[H:2,0] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 90/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2] | [RESTED 1/2]
[H:1,0] Mari | HP: 1845/1910 | EN: 78/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | KEEN | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5
[H:2,0] Hidden | HP: 1378/1510 | EN: 64/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5 | [RESTED 0/2]
[H:0,0] Pinball | HP: 1230/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5
[H:1,0] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 122/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | CONC 0/3 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2] | [RESTED 1/2]

Their mission had turned out to be rather fruitful. While the two knew not where their comrades had ended up, they successfully managed to acquire the as requested by their client. It wasn't their business as to why their client wanted them to capture a small child, as long as the child bore them profit in the end. Upon reaching their destination, they tossed the child onto the ground at the feet of their client. 

The location to this drop-off remained a bit strange as well, an out of the way rundown building on the thirteenth floor. The settlement was at least a good ten-minute run away. Outside the building remained barren wasteland, plagued by the several Corrupted Humanoid enemies that littered the floor. 

"The girl as requested." The female kidnapper spoke. The client, lowered himself down to the girl's level and took a good look at the child. "That's her." He would state, a smug smile forming on his lips. "Assassin is her username, and she refers to the Shadow Walker as 'nee-chan'." He stood, raising himself back to the two kidnappers level. "You've been a great deal of help. With this runt, perhaps I could persuade Hidden into a fight. A fight that I've waited far too long to partake in. A battle where I can truly fight to the death with someone who refuses to hold back." 

The male kidnapper that had carried Assassin all of the way to the rundown location finally spoke up, however; in an impatient tone. "We don't really care much for the reason you want this girl. We just need the money we were promised." The client removed the fedora from his head, bowing politely. "Of course. One moment as I make my guest... a little more comfortable." 

He sat the girl up, chaining her arms and legs to the wall. The girl would still be able to move around, but each of her limbs wouldn't be able to reach over three feet away from the wall of the desolated building. "My apologies for putting you through this Assassin. You should come out of this ordeal unscathed, whomever the victory may turn out to be. Your 'nee-chan' and I have some unfinished business. Bringing you here was the only way to both get her to come and provoke her into a battle."  He replaced the fedora onto his head. "Should you need something, just call my name. It is Risque. I'll be chatting with the other adults now." The man walked away, to speak with the other kidnappers.

As her paralysis expired, the white-haired woman stood from her downed position. Ignoring her sopping wet clothes, she directed her focus to her friends list. Violently scrolling through the three people listed, she selected Ayame's username. The girl's location was displayed, quickly tearing through the twenty-second floor until it vanished at the teleport gate. It would then reappear at the thirteenth floor. 

She closed the menu, her fists clenching. She stood there for a moment, her heavy breathing becoming faster and faster. Until she let her emotions out all at once. A bloodcurdling scream passed through the air, ringing throughout the forest. Grabbing her hair, she began to pull as rage consumed her. 

'Why can't this damn world give me a break? First they come after me, and then after those I care about? BULLSHIT!' 

She turned her attention to the ground, picking up the dagger Ayame had dropped in the scuffle. Tears of both anger and sorrow streamed down her face as she looked down upon it. Clenching the weapon in her hands, she softly mumbled a promise.

"I'll save you. And I'll kill those who dared to touch you."

The evening sun hung low in the sky, though this had no effect on any of her actions. Tearing through the forest, ignoring every monster on the way, she would return to the Safe Zone. Stepping inside, she made no effort to hide from the NPC guards that protected the city of Coral. "Stop right there, Criminal!" The guard readied its spear to pierce the woman. Her eyes widened, her knuckled whitening as they tightened around the hilt of her own dagger. 

"Get out of my way." she stated coldly, provoking the guard's attack. Bringing her weapon down on the shaft of the guard's weapon, it would snap in two, breaking into data pixels. Activating <<Rapid Bite>> she would thrust the weapon into the guard's chest sending him sprawling to the ground. She would show no mercy to those that even attempted to get in her way. 

Standing on the teleport pad, her eyes that reflected her own anger would cast out on the Twenty-Second Floor. NPC Guards had begun to gather, but it meant nothing. She was already gone.

"Teleport Floor 13." 

_________

Appearing on the Thirteenth floor, her eyes cast up to the sky. Here, it was rather windy as if a storm had begun to brew. The skies appeared to be a dark green as it looked down on the Barren Floor. For a moment, a voice of reason spoke amongst the vexed chatter.

"Should you need a partner to walk this road you'd need only ask."

The voice was faint and easily ignored. She was in far too much of a rush for hesitation. She had to get to Ayame and fast. She couldn't let anything happen to the girl. She wouldn't allow anything to happen to her. 

Roleplay Completed
Each Player recieves:
2 SP (1 Thread, 1 Event)

Hidden watched with relief as the boss finally melted into Data Fragments, carried away by the wind. A sigh escaped her virtual lungs as she found herself finally done with the questline. A completion message appeared before her and she quickly closed it. Her eyes traced the area until she found the figure of Ayame, unmoving resting against the base of a tree. Her health bar hadn't been affected, so the white-haired woman wasn't too worried about her. "That certainly wasn't easy." Hidden said aloud, but quickly covered her bases. "Not the boss of course, just getting all of them done." 

Her eyes looked down to herself, her body soaking wet from the fight that had just transpired. Luckily, the matte colored fabric hadn't been tarnished. Thank goodness, she couldn't risk having to go and see that child again. Of course, that girl was one of Raidou's and therefore she (regrettably) had to ensure her well-being. 

A sound caught Hidden's attention, a light catching her eye. A hammer falling onto the body of Ayame.

...

I sat there, eyes widened as I watched the man strike the girl, knocking away from the tree and onto the ground. A smile played on the brown-haired man's lips, however; hesitance was obvious in his eyes. I stood, eyes darkening as the bore into the figure wielding the hammer. 

"Hey."

The words were cold, filled with hatred. I bit my own lip, hard enough to draw a steady stream of red shards to flow from it. 

"Get the F**K away from her." The venom in my voice matched my actions. I drew my dagger, dark smoke protruding from the weapon. 

"I'll kill you."

Three words were all I said before darting forward. My figure ripped through the distance between us, an explosion of white light bursting from by body as I prepared to strike down this man. The man that dared to touch someone I cared about. He turned his body, holding his weapon defensively. However, it was clear in his eyes that he was afraid. He felt fear. My dagger pierced forward, aimed at the point in between his eyes. A pressure met my side, and I was thrown into the ground. 

"Damnit Akari, that was way too close!" 

I struggled to lift my head, a paralytic venom coursing through my avatar's veins. My eyes caught sight of another girl, one that had been entirely unseen. "She moved faster than I expected." The man grabbed Ayame by the hair, lifting her small figure up. "Damn, all this just for a little girl." He spat, throwing the girl over his shoulder after ensuring she wasn't still carrying a weapon. "You can't question the money. Let's move, she won't be held down much longer" The woman's eyes traveled over to me.

I attempted to lift my body, struggling against the status effect that prevented me from reaching Ayame. I watched helplessly as they began to move away, taking her away from me. 'Why do they always take away the one's I care about? Why can't I have anybody?' I grunted as I pushed against the effects once more. 'NO. They won't take her too.'

"I'll KILL YOU! I WILL TEAR YOU TO SHREDS, BREAK YOU INTO NOTHING UNTIL YOU SOB AT MY FEET!" 

I shrieked these words, tearing at my own vocal cords. However, despite my own protests, I was held firmly still by the effects of the game. 

'All right, Now it is time to bring this entire thing to an end.'  she would think to herself. 

She darted forward, her feet crushing the grass underneath her as she moved as quickly as possible to thrust her weapon into the beast. Her weapon met its mark, the blade sinking in to its virtual flesh. Its health dropped well into the red, sinking lower and lower. She felt the hum of air around her intensify, but she stood strong. Perhaps it would die before the attack animation finished?

Of course, she was wrong. Just like the previous time, a flash of light rained down from above, blasting the woman back once again. The laid in the water, her anger rising as her became a wet mop as she sat there. That would take a bit to dry. The Equine stood there, taking a massive breath, it turned to flee. "Damnit, don't let it escape!" Hidden called out the little girl. 

[4]Hidden | HP: 1218/1330 | EN: 81/130 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 79 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 6 | VAMP OFF: 133 | HLY: 8 | BH: 66 | Antidote 2/2
[2]Assassin | HP: 700/700 | EN: 53/68 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 30 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 3 | Freeze 

<<Taneuma>> | 86/1500  | 275 DMG | 75 MIT | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | Stun/Para Immunity | Def. Paralyze (9-10)

• Conductive: If «Taneuma» rolls a natural attack roll of 9-10 and rolls a 6+ on the CD, «Taneuma» will knock the player with the highest hate into water, then cause a shock to go throughout the water, dealing 300 Unmitigatable damage.

She stood, nearly face to face with her opponent. The opponent's attacks were... different. Most of them didn't appear to be physical, but instead electrical. Luckily for her, the hum that she could hear vibrate through the air told her exactly when these attacks were coming. She dodged backwards, the lightning missing her completely, but obviously surprising the small girl who had been making her attack. However, she couldn't focus on Ayame. There was a brief moment after attacking that the Equine would have used all its energy. It needed a bit of time to recharge after its electrical attacks. 

Striking with her dagger, its edge would slice through her enemies figure, sending red shards into the air. The horse reared, but Hidden was already several feet away, casually standing and awaiting the beast's next move. She had given too much thought to this battle. She supposed she was still far more than capable of defeating it, perhaps even without her countless buffs. "Yet again, another's life slips away. Your questline was simply painstakingly long." 

ID: 183140
BD:8
DMG: 24*13= 312-75=237

ID: 181992
MD: 7+2=9-5=4 Miss.

[3]Hidden | HP: 1218/1330 | EN: 91/130 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 79 | EVA: 5 | ACC: 6 | VAMP OFF: 133 | HLY: 8 | BH: 66 | Antidote 2/2
[2]Assassin | HP: 700/700 | EN: 53/68 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 30 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 3 | Freeze 

<<Taneuma>> | 323/1500  | 275 DMG | 75 MIT | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | Stun/Para Immunity | Def. Paralyze (9-10)

• Conductive: If «Taneuma» rolls a natural attack roll of 9-10 and rolls a 6+ on the CD, «Taneuma» will knock the player with the highest hate into water, then cause a shock to go throughout the water, dealing 300 Unmitigatable damage.

"Your friends and family, for one."

This sentence was followed with a huff. Alright. Now Hidden was annoyed. This emotion reflected in her eyes as NIGHT continued to speak. 

 "You talk as if you won't be able to meet anyone in here when this is over. And if everyone hates you, as you'd said, then what's the point of sticking around?"

Her eyes darkened. "Okay, I think you've made your point." Her voice further revealed her anger. "You are just here make fun of me aren't you? Or are you just trying to get rid of me? You must think I'm a danger to Yuki or something to try this hard." NIGHT might've been stronger. NIGHT might be Yuki's best friend. NIGHT might make Hidden's existence entirely meaningless when it came to helping Yuki. 

"This entire time you've just been scoffing at everything I've said. I figured if I opened up more to you than you'd understand me. That you would understand why I am here. Apparently that is meaningless to you." Her voice had begun to raise, earning the attention of the shop-owner who stood onlooking the scene unfold.

"Friends and Family? You must've lived a good life before coming here. My mother died when I was young, I watched it happen. I watched as the vehicle took her life. My dad became an alcoholic that blamed me for my mom's death. You want me to just go back to that?"

She turned away, back towards the door. "I get it NIGHT. You don't want me around. I must look like a haughty witch in your eyes. Next time, just don't even bother pretending to give a shit." 

She turned her head, looking at NIGHT through the corner of her vision. "Thanks for the meal. I hope you enjoyed snickering at me while I attempted to open up." 

"Nee-chan, you're okay? Let's hurry and finish him off! Then we get that item you want really bad, right?"

The girl's voice averted her attention for a moment, the silver-haired woman's bloodlust fading. "I'm fine. He just got lucky to get me by surprise." She stood, the water rippling from her movements. She didn't enjoy the fact that she had gotten wet, but it would dry eventually. Hopefully it didn't ruin the fabric that hugged her body. The child that had made it was rather... unsavory. 

She stepped from the water, walking towards Tanuema. For a moment, the battle had come to a stop. "He is almost finished. Just keep attacking." Swiftly, she slashed forward with her dagger, however; the beast somehow deflected it by summoning a rush of energy to its front-side. "Interesting." she would tell it. There was no reason for her to be afraid of it anymore. She had now seen its worst. It wasn't even worth worrying over. A few more attacks and the battle would come to its conclusion. 

183136
BD:1

183137
MD:1

[2]Hidden | HP:1096/1330 | EN:91/130 | DMG:24 | MIT:79 | EVA:5 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:133 | HLY:8 | BH:66 | Antidote 2/2
[2]Assassin | HP: 700/700 | EN: 53/68 -(8)+1 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 30 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 3 | Freeze 

<<Taneuma>> | 560/1500  | 275 DMG | 75 MIT | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | Stun/Para Immunity | Def. Paralyze (9-10)

• Conductive: If «Taneuma» rolls a natural attack roll of 9-10 and rolls a 6+ on the CD, «Taneuma» will knock the player with the highest hate into water, then cause a shock to go throughout the water, dealing 300 Unmitigatable damage.

“You all wanted to play?  Fine.  Let’s play.  One.  Last.  Time.”

"No. We are done with games."

The game had finally shifted in the direction that favored her once again. Instead of being surrounded by countless Shadows, the real enemy had finally shown itself. Shifting her grasp on the the silvery-white bladed dagger in her hands, violet eyes trained on the figure of the shadow. A voice, heard somewhere else, caught her attention. 

 "If I make an opening can you use it?"

Her eyes met The Wanderer's and a silent nod was offered in exchange to his words. She braced herself, catching sight of the background that surrounded the battlefield. Hundreds of smiles stared at the players, seeming joyful as they awaited their demise. A smile would be cast back at them. 

"If there is anything I'm afraid of... It isn't the shadows." she whispered. Raidou's howl ripped forward, sending a cold energy down her spine. Darting forward, she targeted the foe's backside, taking advantage of his distracted state, she would slip her dagger into his neck. 

"You aren't in control anymore." she told the Shadow, pulling the weapon away from his figure. Leaping away, she strayed away from the danger area, allowing the others to take the brute force of the damage. 

She still held many questions about the boss, and new ones had begun to arise. Could he even be killed? If he was actually the culmination of the Shadows in Aincrad, it would stand to reason that they couldn't actually completely kill him. Now, it wouldn't be impossible to defeat him, but could they actually erase him from the game? 

183132
BD:3+5=8-2=6 Hit.
DMG: 23*13=299-150=149 DMG to The Shadow

Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 158/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 90/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
@Mari | HP: 1735/1910 | EN: 92/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
@Hidden | HP: 1510/1510 | EN: 70/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
@Pinball | HP: 1230/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | SAFEGUARD | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | RESTED: 2/3 | EN REGEN: 5
Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 119/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | CONC 1/3 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]

Notice: Just realized my HP has been documented wrong, it is being fixed in this turn.

Hidden had grown accustomed the the current pace, careful avoiding the lightning and charges the boss produced. She supposed that was thank to her prior experience with Bialas. Her body almost danced around the beast, her being a maelstrom that threatened to consume the Equine monster in front of her. With a flash of orange light, another gash would line itself deep into the side of the monster. The conclusion was near. 

Until the battle changed gears.

The horse had been brought down to half, and suddenly its pattern changed. The beast stamped its hooves, embedding its print into the earth underneath it. With a loud cry of anger, it wildly flailed, sending its back legs into her chest. Sent flying back, she found herself landing in a small flooded area. Dazed for a moment, she was unable to react to the beast's continued charge. The boss reared, sending a large volt of electricity coursing through the water, which traveled directly into her body. Her teeth chattered for a moment as the static rose through her body. Her health took a dip, but no more than she was used to taking.

Wiping her cheek, a small smile came to her lips. "That was an attack that ripped through mitigation huh? Too bad it hardly does anything to those that lack mitigation. I might not take hits, but i'll heal through them.

ID: 182793
BD:6
DMG: 24*13= 312-75=237

182794
MD: 10 CD:11
Conductive~ 300 DMG to Hidden

[2]Hidden | HP:1096/1330 | EN:112/130 | DMG:24 | MIT:79 | EVA:5 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:133 | HLY:8 | BH:66 | Antidote 2/2
[2]Assassin | HP: 700/700 | EN: 53/68 -(8)+1 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 30 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 3 | Freeze 

<<Taneuma>> | 560/1500  | 275 DMG | 75 MIT | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | Stun/Para Immunity | Def. Paralyze (9-10)

• Conductive: If «Taneuma» rolls a natural attack roll of 9-10 and rolls a 6+ on the CD, «Taneuma» will knock the player with the highest hate into water, then cause a shock to go throughout the water, dealing 300 Unmitigatable damage.

She stood from her crouched position, wiping the dirt from her face. "I don't really care much for flashy entrances." The white-haired girl spoke coldly towards her opponent. It seemed that Ayame got the first move after the Equine had summoned its lightning. Perhaps she hadn't been pushed by the tempests created by Taneuma's lightning. 

"No more of your electric bullcrap." She muttered before charging forward. Instead of striking one of the legs, she slid underneath the beast and slashed at its soft underside. Taneuma snorted in discomfort and began to stamp its hooves to try and crush her underneath its powerful hooves. Luckily, her speed allowed her to avoid the strikes and come out unscathed on the other side. 

Hidden tossed her dagger into the air, catching it in a reverse-grip. "I guess it doesn't matter how powerful you are if you can't touch me." She said in an unenthused tone. Her eyes flicked over to Ayame for a moment, watching to see what she would do. The girl wasn't providing too much in terms of damage, so her usefulness was limited to how often she could get her Freeze activated. Of course, it didn't appear the boss would be hitting her all too often. Her healing would far excel its damage. Such was the nature of the 1v1 build she had created. 

ID: 181991
BD: 7
Sword Art: Eternal Cyclone(x13) ~ 11 EN -1(Nat. Regen)-1 (Well-Rested 1/2)=9 EN used. 
DMG: 24*13=312-75=237 DMG

ID: 181992
MD: 8+2=10-5=5 Miss.

[2]Hidden | HP:1465/1465 | EN:112/130 | DMG:24 | MIT:79 | EVA:5 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:146 | HLY:8 | BH:73 | Antidote 2/2
[1]Assassin | HP: 700/700 | EN: 60/68 -(8) | DMG: 13 | MIT: 30 | EVA: 2 | ACC: 3 | Freeze 

<<Taneuma>> | 893/1500 -(169-75) | 275 DMG | 75 MIT | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | Stun/Para Immunity | Def. Paralyze (9-10)

• Conductive: If «Taneuma» rolls a natural attack roll of 9-10 and rolls a 6+ on the CD, «Taneuma» will knock the player with the highest hate into water, then cause a shock to go throughout the water, dealing 300 Unmitigatable damage.

Hidden watched in silence as the girl continually failed to get into stealth. In a hushed voice, she promised Ayame, "It's fine. We'll do it now." She stood, sending her gaze on the large horse that slowly moved away, its hooves pounding in the dirt. Narrowing her eyes, Hidden focused on the target, on its right back leg. Perhaps she could immobilize it by taking out one of its legs on the first strike. 

Darting foward, with her speed she nearly melted in with the wind and shadows, a blur on the battlefield. A powerful slash aimed at its leg, a slash that met its target. However, the target didn't falter at all. A snort came from the beast, as if it laughed at her attempt to take it down. As if it had expected this. The Equine nickered and the electic became far more apparent in the air. A massive light surrounded its body, a wind suddenly pushed Hidden back. A powerful lightning bolt struck the creature, sending a shockwave effect that pushed the dagger-wielder back into a tree. As the light faded, Taneuma stood, lightning arcing around its body. It stood proudly as if awaiting their challenge. 

ID: 181988
BD: 1 (Stealth~Auto-hit)
Sword Art: Eternal Cyclone(x13) ~ 11 EN -1(Nat. Regen)-1 (Well-Rested 2/2)=9 EN used. 
DMG: 24+3(Assassin)=27*13=351-75=276 DMG

ID: 181989
MD: 7+2=9-5=4 Miss.

[1]Hidden | HP:1465/1465 | EN:121/130 | DMG:24 | MIT:79 | EVA:5 | ACC:6 | VAMP OFF:146 | HLY:8 | BH:73 | Antidote 2/2
[0]Assassin | 

<<Taneuma>> | 1224/1500 | 275 DMG | 75 MIT | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | Stun/Para Immunity | Def. Paralyze (9-10)

• Conductive: If «Taneuma» rolls a natural attack roll of 9-10 and rolls a 6+ on the CD, «Taneuma» will knock the player with the highest hate into water, then cause a shock to go throughout the water, dealing 300 Unmitigatable damage.

As she crouched, the darkness folding itself to conceal her figure. She eyed the young girl beside her, who at least attempted to move into hiding. It was quite obvious that she wasn't doing it to well, the silver-haired woman didn't have to even look too hard to find her. 

The electrity-filled air brought an iron taste to her mouth, the sound of crunching called for her attention. She ducked further into the shadows as the figure of the lightning equine stepped forward. It released a heavy breath, purplish-eyes setting on the woods. Biting her lip, Hidden grabbed the younger girl by her collar and shoved her behind a tree, keeping her from the view of the beast. 

'Shhh'

Taneuma stamped its foot in challenge for its unknown guests, its eyes frantically searched for something that it couldn't see. After a few moments, satisfied with the idea that nothing was near, it turned and began to step away. Brandishing her weapon, a soft white glow began to gleam from the small blade. 
 

ID: 181972
LD: 15+5=20 Stealth Rating

Hidden heeded the younger girls words, giving a small nod of acknowledgement. 'Initiative is a pretty big word for a little girl.' Hidden thought, moving forward in silence. Her eyes drifted to Ayame, a slight worry rested in them. 'Am I strong enough to protect both of us? If it was just myself, it might be a different story with my vanish skill but every time I hide it brings her to the front of danger.' 

The battle was going to be decided on the sole fact if she could strike critically and activate holy and vampiric. The extra healing and damage would make everything run a lot more smoothly. 

Stepping through the wooded area, the air became more electric, she could almost feel her heart beginning to race a bit faster from the static in the air. "I am going into hiding now. I think he is just somewhere up ahead." Without a trace, the woman crouched into the shadows and left the visible world. 

181803 LD:3+5=8 Stealth Rating.

STATS
Buffs Consumed:

• Gold Star Ticket 2/3 Charges Remain: +1 DMG
• Kobe Steak(Filled): +3 DMG, -45 MIT
• One Beast's Defiance: Antidote II
• Udon with Veggies: +2 EVA
• Ramen and Veggies: +2 ACC
• T3 Divinity's Wait

The time had come... the final quest of the group. A concentrated look remained on her face as her and Ayame stood on the quiet and calm Twenty-Second floor. She had almost met her end here before, to the boss of the floor. She had been saved by the very woman that was her sworn enemy. The woman had saved her life only to make it miserable. 

Clenching her fist, she would let out a heavy sigh. Her violet eyes gazed upon the younger girl, who was only slightly smaller than herself. "This time, we can't fool around. One wrong step and one of us isn't leaving this fight." She warned. As sure as she was of her own strength, this battle would be difficult. "Just... stay close and do your best." She grabbed the hilt of her dagger tightly, preparing mentally for the battle ahead. 

Bialas hadn't been easy at all, with its powerful paralyze attacks and immunity to bleed. The electric horse had been the perfect enemy to her current build at the time. Hopefully... the same fate wouldn't be met.

<<Taneuma>>

Advanced Slime Farm Used: +2 SP at end of thread

Lights illuminated the area around her, intensifying until the point that it was hard to see. Shielding her eyes with her arm, she heard the bellows of the boss as his worlds of darkness was evaporated before his eyes. Unlucky for the silver-haired girl, she thrived in the very same darkness. More Shadows crept onto the battlefield, irritating her.

'Why the hell is the boss that is supposed to be so powerful keep hiding behind these stupid fodder that we have to keep slicing through...'

Thankfully, her allies were able to bring out AoE attacks and all she had to do was picking the enemies off. Stepping through the blinding lights, her eyes set on a single shadow whom had managed to escape from another of her allies attack. 

A bright white light burst from her dagger, further illuminating the room. She thrust her weapon into the shadowling, a blinding flash of light evaporated the shadowling. A sigh escaped her lips as she prepared to kill another. "When are you gonna stop hiding so I can hit something that will hit back" she whispered.

181755 BD:10
23+2+8=33*13=429-25=409 to Shadowling 76
226(Vamp. OFF) + 75(BH)=301 HP Recovered
 

"How long do you think you can hide from yourself?"

The voice was cold and unforgiving. I looked in the direction from which I came, but I didn't see her there. My eyes widening, I turned to the way in which I was heading and surely enough there she was. 

She stood in the pale light, a hand raised high above her head. Black daggers weaved from shadows circled behind her figure. A cold and cruel smile played on her face. A giggle escaped from her lips and she clenched her hand. The daggers burst forth aiming themselves towards me. I leapt from my hiding spot just before several daggers lodged themselves where I had just been standing. It didn't stop there however, the daggers kept striking. 

I kept moving in an evasive manner, several daggers whizzing past me. Another dodge. A dagger grazed my cheek. I turned suddenly to face my assailant to see my own face filled with laughter and glee. My own murderous intent. A sharp cold pain pierced my back, sending me to my knees. Gasping from the freezing feeling that spread throughout my back, I watched as she came closer. 

"Come on now, there isn't anywhere to run. I know what you're thinking. I'm just some illusion created to trick and kill you."

She flashed a smile at me, and for a moment it had warmth. That warmth became cold as she looked at me with a deadly amount of seriousness. 

"You are the illusion. The illusion you created of yourself to trick yourself and others so you'd have friends. You even permanently took on the appearance of a disguise that you made to fit in. Every day, you try more and more to be that girl. You run and run from your true self." 

Shadowy hands grasped my arms and legs, holding them down. 

"You're done running. Enough of dreams, it's time to wake up."