Hidden

"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." 

I took a step back, my eyes set on my own reflection as fear settled into them. It had happened. I'd been manipulated by the game, the monster. I shook my head. Obviously, this was just a plot for me to fail the quest. "I-I don't believe any of this. You're just trying to make me feel this way. I am d-different now!" I stuttered through my words. I charged forward, slamming my fist into my own reflection but my fist only caused it to ripple. 

Coming out of my shadow was the figure of the woman that had been antagonizing me. The woman that was me. She grabbed my shoulders and whispered softly into my ear. Her voice sent a cold shudder down my spine. 

"I am not trying to make you feel anything. I am trying to remind you of what you really are." 

I suddenly lurched forward, distancing myself from the woman. My feet slammed into the beaten wooded path as I made my escape from her, from this reality. There had to be a way back into that dream. The world where everything felt right. I turned back, finding that the woman followed. While she wasn't running as I was, her walking pace kept her just in view. As she became a speck in my vision, my running came to a halt. 

My eyes fluttered to the scenery around me. It was the same dark cluttered forest as it had been. The trees were dead and gnarled, the lack of sunlight draining them of nourishment. Out of habit, I breathed the word, "Vanish" and my form became enshrouded by the shadows. My shadows. I could control this. I had a grasp on something in the very least. At least so I thought. 

It seemed that within the shadows, she wasn't safe. The place in which she thought was her domain had been entirely compromised. A quick glance at her health bar confirmed that she hadn't taken much damage, and was still in the okay. The boss had definitely hit hard, but this second phase was entirely nothing. It was more of a test of their AoE prowess to slaughter multiple enemies in succession. 

Of course, while that wasn't Hidden's forte, she knew plenty of people who more than excelled at it. 'I'll just keep picking off the stragglers.'  she told herself, glancing at the nearby shadows. Catching sight of a new target, she darted forward, pushing the tip of her dagger into its misty body. The creature rasped as the cold weapon penetrated its ethereal form. The monster dissipated, leaving very few shadows left in the vicinity. 

"Turns out I didn't even need to rely on the Assassin mod to kill them." she noted aloud before her figure vanished from sight without a trace. 

181459 BD:5+5-3=7 -> DMG: 23*13=299-25=274 DMG to Shadowling 36
181464 LD:5+5=10 Stealth Rating

Shadowling25 | HP: 24/250   | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1 | H: [0,2,0,0,0,0]
Shadowling29 | HP: 250/250 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1 | H: [0,0,1,0,0,0]
Shadowling32 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1
Shadowling33 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1
Shadowling34 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1
Shadowling35 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1
Shadowling36 | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 75 | MIT: 25 | EVA: 1

Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 174/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 99 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 3 | FRAURA: 15 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
@ChaseR| HP: 1600/1690 | EN: 111/148 | 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: 84 | EN REGEN: 3 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
@Mari | HP: 1820/1910 | EN: 91/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 95 | EN REGEN: 3 | KEEN
Hidden| HP: 1495/1510 | EN: 85/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 75 | EN REGEN: 3 |  [VANISH: 1/3] | STEALTH: 10
@Pinball| HP: 1410/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 90 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | SAFEGUARD | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | RESTED: 2/3 | EN REGEN: 3
@Jomei| HP: 1615/1705 | EN: 145/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 85 | EN REGEN: 3 | CONC 0/3 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]

I opened my eyes as the laughter ceased, finding myself standing over the frightened figure of the Laughing Coffin commander. My dagger once again was whole and resting in my hand. It was heavy, as if it wanted to kill this man. Killing him wouldn't effect the Laughing Coffin too much, he wasn't the leader, but he was the man who put me in that situation. I bit my lip. Somewhere deep down, I knew she was just proving some point. 

At that moment though, I didn't care. I wanted that man dead. It didn't matter if I was supposed to be a changing woman. A girl who was wrongfully framed as a murderer. Seething with anger, I held my dagger in a reverse grip and allowed my dagger to plunge into his chest. His lifebar fell into nothing, the man pixelating around me. Suddenly, the scene shifted, and I looked up facing a reflection. A reflection of myself. A murderous glint remained in my eyes, a relieve smile spread across my face. My own voice echoed through the room. 

"This is what I want. I want those who hurt me to be in just as much pain." 

My reflection stepped forward, pausing only a few feet away. "Its time to stop dreaming. Wake up. Stop pretending to be this cutesy misunderstood victim. You know deep down all you really want is revenge. Revenge on those who hurt you. To show everyone else how much you've hurt. Give back the pain you've had to endure." A shadowed hand grabbed my chin, pulling my face down slightly so that I looked directly into the eyes that reflected my own soul. They were dark, and filled with pain and anger. "B-But Mari said that frie-" 

"MARI DOESN'T KNOW YOU LIKE YOU DO! DOES IT FEEL BETTER TO HAVE PEOPLE PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT YOU? OR DOES IT FEEL BETTER TO GET WHAT YOU DESERVE?" 

The shadow hand lifted me off my feet and threw me to the floor. The world shifted to a place that haunted my nightmares. I remained chained to the floor, my clothing in tatters. Familiar words echoed across the room. 

"After three days and all it took was threatening some boy. I guess the infamous Shadow Walker has exploitable feelings after all?" The LC commander spat in her face. They had threatened Sey's life  if I didn't give into helping lure Aereth into a trap. "You really don't have much use to me anymore. I've got what I want. I'm leaving you here for the others to do something with. Their only orders are not to kill you, but you aren't bad looking. Luckily for you Aincrad has some rules that save you from the worst." The man left the room, leaving me to the surrounding members. 

I shut my eyes as tight as I possibly could. I didn't want to see or hear their howls of joyous laughter as they stared and judged her half-naked body. They found glee in the tears that streamed down her face. 

"Are you really standing beside them? Or are you just hiding behind them? Using them to let yourself believe that you have a place here?" She said coldly. The woman raised her hand, a cold darkness condensing. The forms of Raidou, Yuki, and Mari stood prepared for the attack. The woman let loose the attack, dark tendrils shooting forth to strike them. One by one, her friends shattered into pixels. 

"We destroy everything we touch. Anyone we decide to become friends with is in danger. They sacrifice themselves for you and thats exactly what you wanted. In your eyes, they are just pawns to deploy and sacrifice. They aren't your friends. They are just people you've manipulated into caring for you." 

I fell to my knees in disbelief as my friends fell. 'Is she right? Am I just using these people? Have I just been hiding from that cold-hearted truth?' "I'm not that cruel. I-I wouldn't use them like that." 

"Just face it. We're a monster. We are the villian in this story. This is destiny and we've been hiding from it. Hiding from your true self." 

The sky darkened even further as the woman who reflected me came closer. 

My binds faded, dropping me to the cold ground. I looked up at her. "Believe me now? I've changed. I am getting better. I am not just some monster. I have friends. Who care about me!" A moment of silence grew longer between us. 'Thats it. I just had to stay strong. That's how I win this.' I thought to myself. 

"These 'friends' of ours. Do you really think they care about us? Or are they scared into submission?" 

Disbelief flooded my face. "Of cou-" My words cut off as two figures appeared before me. Crozeph and Ayame. Fear spread across both of their faces and memories suddenly flooded back to me. I had threatened to kill both of them. I remembered the feeling that I felt then. The anger that burned furiously inside of me. The fire within me that threatened to consume them, consume their lives and snuff them out. "Ayame..." I whispered. Understanding how much I scared her. 'What if they only pretend to be my friend because they are scared of me?' 

My attention turned back to the woman. Shadows crept up her body, the darkness seeming to be playing with her form. Her violet eyes filled with darkness, becoming entirely black. A smile of murderous glee filled her face. 

"We've always been alone. Just us. Nobody has loved us. Not since mother died. We will fight through this world alone. We will die in this world alone." I shook my head, and continued to argue with her. 

"I'm not alone! There are those that help me because they want to. Not because they are scared!" Memories of Yuki, Raidou and Mari surfaced, each of them going out of their way to help me. They might not understand everything I did, but they cared about me. 

The Alchemist coated in red told me when emotions had risen the highest,  You're not a monster, are you? and neither am I. You are no burden I hold no ill will toward you at all, so when you think of those hate you. Feel free to exclude me from the faces you see."

The presence of the girl in orange felt like that of a mother. Warm, comforting. Unwavering. "I can try and help. I can't make promises. I can't say I'll make things better because I don't know if I can. I can't say things will heal, because I don't know if they will - but. I have a home on the fourth floor.  and I know sitting under a warm Kotatsu, sipping tea- can soothe a troubled mind. That will always be open to you. I will always be open to you."

The bright pink light, energetic, and infectious to the touch. Even I felt like I would be consumed by its energy everytime it was near. "I'm aware you prefer to keep your friends list as minimal as possible, however, if you need a tank please don't be afraid to find me. Or, if you need anyone to talk to."

Their faces came to me now. Their figures stood before me, standing in between me and the woman that claimed to be me. "I'm not alone." I said, though I said it more to assure myself again. "I have friends who care. Who I can stand beside." 

Vanity tag: @Raidou @Mari @Zajcica

My gaze didn't back down from the figure as she stood there. The woman's figure flickered, for a quick moment showing tears streaming down her face. It flickered again, showing a face filled with murderous glee. Once again it became the cold gaze that she had first encountered. 

"You've told yourself that you stick to the shadows because its your fighting style. The truth is, we hide there to hide from everyone else. We hide from them, we hide from the pain. No matter how much we hide, the pain is still there. They hate us all the same."

I pushed away the woman's words. 'She's just telling me things to get at me. She's just something made up by the game. She's one of the demons I have to get past. I just have to kill her and the quest ends right?' 

"You're wrong." the woman assured me. I seethed with hatred. "YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME SO WELL? I'LL F**KING KILL YOU" My hatred burst forward with me as I raked at her with everything. I tried to cut her to shreds with broken dagger, to tear her apart with my bare hands. 

"I knew it would end like this." the figure told me. A wave of her hand send black spears through my body, piercing at several different points and rendering me immobile. As anger faded, fear crept its way back into my heart. "You don't have the strength to save yourself. It's why you rely on others but still try to keep up that tough act." I attempted to struggle, to free myself, but just as she said I was powerless to save myself. "You don't know me!" I half screamed half shouted at the woman. 

"I am you. You are me. We are one and the same. Accept that fact. Accept me." 

"We aren't! We aren't the same! I am different! I changed!" My voice screamed, pleading. 

My heart pounded, but no longer out of fear. Out of anger. Anger for her. Glaring daggers at the figure, I spat my mind at her. "You. Who the hell do you think you are? Making a fool out of me? I'll kill you." I looked down, finding the broken dagger still in my hand. However, there was still a piece of it remaining. It was still a weapon. "Messing with me was a mistake." I darted forward, closing the distance between us. However, instead of attacking like normal, I slammed into her figure sending both of us tumbling to the ground. Atop of her, I thrusted my broken dagger into her neck. 

"DIE" The words forced their way out my own mouth. However, it sounded just like her voice.

"Do you really think you can just kill that side of yourself like this? You might dye your hair a different color and try to act a different way. But this is who you are. You play the Victim but all you are is a monster. All we are is a walking disaster. Anything we touch, we break it. We kill it."

I tried to argue, but no words found their way out of mouth. Somewhere, I knew what she was saying... it was true. The woman disappeared from beneath me and reappeared a few feet away. I stood, grasping my broken dagger like my life depended on it. 

The ground split, the violet petals flying into the air as if to save themselves from the end that was fated for them. The figure before me vanished along with the scenery. All that was left for me remained an endless lake that revealed to me my own reflection. The face that stared back was filled fear. I caught a glimpse of my hair, which had once again returned to its normal black. Movement caught my eyes, and I leapt back. Shadowy hands had begun to reach up from the lake and were attempting to grab me, pull me in. 

My heart racing, I grabbed my dagger from where it was sheathed on my left arm. Putting aside my own emotions, I focused on battle. My dagger let a white gleam, becoming the only light in the endless darkness that surrounded me. A hand lurched forward, attempting to reach me. With a quick slash, its faded into nothingness. A second one made its way forward. 'If they can be destroyed, than I have nothing to worry about. I don't need to worry about my emotions for this, my brute strength can pull me through.' 

Another slash, but to my own dismay this strike was completely stopped by the hand as if it were stronger than the last hand. I pulled back my attack, thrusting my dagger into the hand's palm. Once again, the attack was ineffective. The grand grasped the blade of the dagger, snapping the weapon in two. I took a step back, aghast at what had just transpired. Each of the hands moved in, the first grabbing me by the neck as others spiraled up my arms and legs. A voice filled the void that surrounded me. 

"You've never been strong enough to be able to help yourself..." 

Air became harder to breathe in as I began to suffocate from the hands. Choking, I tried to rip them from my neck, but it was pointless. I was powerless to do anything. My body became limp as I became too asphyxiated to move. The hands pulled me into the lake, leaving me to drown within its depths. I sank to the bottom of the lake, but as I hit the bottom, I found myself able to stand. The lake had become a dark forest, the flower petals falling through the air before sitting on the ground. The air was still heavy, forcing to fight for the air in the area. My gaze looked forward, finding the antagonist once more standing thirty meters away staring at me. Her gaze filled with pity as if she were looking at a pathetic bug. 

Standing, I began to make my way over to the figure. As I came closer, I slowly began to work out the features of the figure that sat there. It was obviously a human woman, long dark Black hair and Violet eyes similar to that of my own. She wore a dark shade of colors, something that I would also typically find myself wearing. 

The woman raised her head, her eyes meeting my own. A sense of familiarity radiated from her. Unlike the rest of the world, no warmth came from this girl's cold and dead stare. A feeling of dread began to build up in my chest as I choked out the words,

"Have... Have I met you before? Do I know you?" 

A smile came from the woman, but there was no kindness behind it. "Maybe not anymore..." The woman began before standing. Her height matched my own, allowing our eyes to meet without obstruction. 

"... but I know you better than anyone." she finished. Taking a step back, a look of confusion crossed my face. Confusion slowly became disbelief as I began to understand exactly what was happening here. "So what you're saying is..." I began, however the woman was the one to finish the sentence. "I am you. The one you hide from. The one you can't escape. The truth." 

I bit my lip, fear slowly beginning to flow into me as I realized what I had gotten myself into. This was what Raidou was warning me of. "... and this world. Is nothing but the illusion you've set up. You are nothing but a façade thrown together to try to fit in." The woman lifted her hand, clenching it within the air. A breaking sound came from every direction and I watched fearfully as the world around me shattered, breaking like a mirror. Shards of the world fell until they hit the ground where they would fade from view. 

For a moment, time seemed to have stopped functioning as normal. The feeling of cold swept over my body one more time before the temperature rose suddenly. A floral scent caught my nose. Opening me eyes again, I was affronted with a different scene than the waterfall. 

A beautiful night filled the sky, a full moon shining its light down on the plain of green grass. Violet flowers littered the ground, small yellow orbs floating into the air from their middle. These flowers cast a faint purple light, adding to the brilliance of the world. 

A smile of childish glee painted itself onto my face as pure joy radiated from my own figure. "This? This is the world of my mind?" Outstretching my arms, I gave a twirl. "Everything is so perfect!" The world so filled with quiet and calm beauty. 'What was Raidou worried about? Everything is absolutely lovely! Its perfect!' The smile outstretched on my face was plastered there, unchanging. Crouching down, I admired a flower far more closely than before. A lavender scent emanated from the flower. 'That smell... it reminds me of my house with Sey. It's the exact same.' 

She sat on the ground, running her fingers through the soft grass and looked up to gaze at the night sky. The clouds seemed to almost glow in the moonlight. 'Can I stay here? Forever?' A feeling of unease suddenly passed over me and I sat up, gazing across the landscape. Sure enough, something was out of order. A dark figure seemed to also sit alone in the distance. 

It was only a short time before a quiet pinged ringed through my ears as a reply came in from my own personal info broker. Swiftly opening the message and reading its contents, I mentally noted how straight and to the point the message was. 

Quote

From Raidou:

Come prepared for a fight. You'll face yourself and I would hate to see you die.

'Face myself?' I questioned mentally before closing the message. "So its just another Gemini Clone, no big deal." I stood and began heading towards the quest's main location. This quest was a bit more fancy than the Gemini. 'I get to meditate at a waterfall to fight my demons or something inside of my mind... or some metaphorical bullshit like that.' I thought to myself. Of course, I knew that no matter what the quest details involved, a quest was a quest. I just had to go in and kill whatever stood in my way. 

As my eyes caught sight of the waterfall another ping caught my attention. A sigh escaped my lips as I swiped my hand to open it. 'I bet its from Ayame wondering what I am doing.' However, to my surprise it was another message from Raidou. 

Quote

That first message was too formal. Anything you've ever worried about will come true during this quest. Hidden, I believe you can complete it. Its a push toward the end of a journey through the muck and trash this world brings. A step in the right direction away from all the baggage and a way to clean house. We still have a lot to talk about, and I may just be able to hold a conversation. So you better be around to tell me to shut up or try harder. Got it stupid?

I believe in you

Mixed feelings were evoked from this second message. The thought that he was worried about someone like me brought a humming feeling in my chest. If only that humming feeling was weighed down from the thought of facing everything I've ever worried about. And the fact that he called me stupid. 'I'll slap him later or something for that. That drug dealer is getting too big of a head, he needs to be put back down.' A small chuckled escaped my lips.

Stepping forward, I would take a quick glance at the flat stones that surrounded the falling crystal clear water. Of course, I wouldn't be an idiot and made sure to check around for players before even approaching these stones. This place was perfect for an ambush. Sure that there was no enemies nearby, I would find myself seated atop of the middle stone. I stared at the waterfall. 'I wonder how long I have to stare at it to get it to work.' 

A sudden chill filled my body and I wrapped my arms over my legs to conserve my body heat. Sighing, I closed my eyes and waited. 

"Save us from Ourselves"

My eyes opened as my avatar suddenly appeared on the sixth floor. A myriad of trees and other green foliage caught my eyes as I peered past the village of Krycim. Of course, I could only admire for a moment before the distaste of the NPC's reached my ears. Due to the color of my cursor, they hated me just like the players did. They only see the labels put on me by this world. They don't see me. They just see that I am a murderer. "Vanish." I whispered in an annoyed tone, completely disappearing from sight and leaving the incoming guards with confused expressions. Without a trace, I head into the surrounding jungle. 

Crouched next to the trunk of a rather tall tree, a swipe my left hand in a downward motion to access my menu. Moving through the messaging tab, I find the one labeled <<Raidou>>. Drafting a few words up, I stare at his name for a moment. A slight blush tinged my pale cheeks, an almost longing feeling building up in my chest. I shook my head, the feelings fading abruptly as I forced them away. 'Now isn't the time to be worried about him or the others. I have to get to work.' I thought to myself before pressing the send message button. I closed my menu, hugging my legs as I awaited an answer in silence. 

Quote

Message to Raidou:

Hey, I am just about to do that Calming Soul quest on the Sixth Floor. Should I have anything to worry about?

Their team coordination seemed to have failed. Instead of taking the opportunity to help free the soldiers, most of them had kept attacking. 'We just lost our chance I suppose.' "Let's keep attacking and just try and figure out its patterns." Her words were spoken quietly and she doubted that would have been heard by most of the team. 

Standing from where she and Blue Boy Wonder had attempted to break the chains on the first soldier, she decided to use her dagger on something a little more... alive. Darting forward, and orange light would gleam from her dagger. Her figure was almost blurred by the speed of her movement, her dagger causing a small torrent of air as it cut through the air. In her final moment before contact was made, she rapidly spun her whole figure to create a bladed whirlwind. The small white weapon creating gashes in the woman's beautiful side. 

181299 BD:4+6-2=8 Hit.
Eternal Cyclone used: 11 EN consumed, +1 Natural Regeneration. -10 EN net. 
DMG: 23*13=299-50=249.

STATS

A look of suspicion was all too familiar, even coming from NIGHT. It was a look she received almost on the daily. 

To get out of here. Out of Aincrad. There's nothing else to it." A small chuckle radiated from the snow-haired girl's figure. "Yes. Out." Violet eyes cast over to NIGHT with a glazed appearance. "You know, I'm pretty sure I've only told this to one other person but..." She sat back all the way in her seat, her eyes meeting NIGHT's and with a serious tone she spoke the words, 

"...I don't want to leave." 

A moment of silence would ensue before she continued to speak. "Of course, I am willing to help those that mean something accomplish that goal. The real world is just scarier than the real world. At least here... I can fight back." In the real world, she couldn't fight against her abusive drunk of a father. She couldn't fight the hunger that constantly gnawed at her stomach. "I mean, what's the point in going back if there isn't anything to go back to?" Her thoughts passed to the faces of those she surrounded herself with. "It might be hard here with everyone hating me all the time, but now I have a few faces to look forward to seeing. Even if I am bad at expressing it." 

Of course, the ever so cold NIGHT would question her words. "You don't see them? The frontliner types? Those that want to be the strongest, the best of the best? The wannabe heroes? The so called 'Paragons of Justice?'. Haven't seen her for a while, but people like Hestia. Itzal." There was venom in her voice when she spoke those names showing her clear disdain for them. 

 "And I suppose you're waiting for your 'sentence' to have 'passed judgement' then. Isn't that right?"

"I'm not just waiting. I've gotten some help from a friend recently and she's been helping me try to get my name off the bounty lists and learn how to be liked." She spoke the last part as a whisper. Mari went through much the same she had, and was trying to help before things got worse.