Dazia

The green haired, armor clad player was confused as to what Dazia meant. This could be easily clarified. "A Player named Krysta. She's been a thorn in my side since before I even met her. I defended myself in combat against a player, and now she'll stop at nothing to kill me, simply because said player happened to be her cousin." Dazia explained.

The NPC specters were watching, though their stance on the players' presence wasn't easy to figure out. Who knows what they might be thinking? "...If you really want to hear more, we should move to a different spot of the safe zone. I know I'm leaving this spot, I didn't exactly come to make a mess." Dazia noted. If the green haired player was actually willing to hear her out and accept her side of the story, it would be a real help. As long as this didn't end with her getting dragged outside the safe zone and killed, she had nothing to worry about...so, for the time being, she simply needed to keep a fair enough distance away so she could vanish if need be.

The purple haired one didn't seem to be a problem, but the armor clad, green haired player was still a possible threat. Unfortunately, it seemed that both took her stance as one of offense, rather than defense.

Dazia rolled her eyes, not that this action could be easily seen from under her cowl. "This isn't about you being here." Dazia began. "I've just had enough of people coming after me because some Princess wants me dead." She finished, growling at that last part as she remembered the main source of her current frustrations.

Dazia kept her gaze on the green haired player for a bit longer before slowly sheathing her weapon. "So far, neither of you have tried anything. That's already much better than what I've been dealing with lately..." She revealed. Unfortunately, now Dazia's weapon was sheathed, so if the green haired player intended to try anything, this would be his chance.

All Dazia could hope was that her latest risk is worth it.

No time like the present to act. If even the NPC specters could see her, anyone would know something was around. Dazia slowly left her cover, coming into the view of the two players. Her weapon was still held in her left hand with a firm grip, and her cowl remained over her head. "I guess I should be in agreement with you." She remarked. "These specters don't seem to care who you are, as long as your cursor remains unchanged."

Dazia then shifted her stance to a defensive one that left her ready to counterattack if anything happened. "No sudden moves, or we're going to have a real problem." She warned. She couldn't be too careful. If either of them had spoken to Krysta, they were potential threats. She already had more than enough dealing with enemies, even in the "safety" of safe zones. She wished she could stop hiding for safety and start using her stealth skill for what she originally intended to use it for. She wasn't a coward, but caution was a necessity in situations where even a handful of players considered a single person as a wanted fugitive.

@Hirru@Nari-Lanreth

"Funny, I had the same thought myself..." Dazia thought.

She had to stay hidden, however. If either of these two knew, she'd be in for it. For the time being, she kept to the shadows, unwilling to leave until either she was forced out, or she could confirm whether or not it was safe.

Unfortunately, While her position was good, Aincrad itself decided to not leave her alone. A passing, silent NPC specter or two would glance to Dazia at her hidden position.

Wonderful, now anyone with an attentive eye would know she was here. She couldn't risk changing positions now, she could only stay put and hope that any potential adversaries don't find her. She kept her weapon within her left hand's grip, ready to strike if something went wrong, such as being recognized with hostility. Both players were now clad in armor, probably high in mitigation, not that it mattered as long as Dazia was in a safe zone, no one could deal damage within its borders. All she really had to do was avoid getting dragged outside of it.

ID# 209973 LD: 4+5=9

Stealth Value: 9

Everything is a risk.

That is what Dazia probably would have said if she were in the conversation. The purple haired player, as of the current moment, was of no threat unless she was among those who believed Princess and saw Dazia as an enemy. The green haired, armor clad player, it was harder to determine. He hadn't tried anything yet, but all the one player needed to do was get too comfortable while the other assured themselves that there would be either no resistance, or no witnesses. But if he spotted Dazia earlier, and hadn't done anything yet... then either he believed Dazia was a witness and couldn't do anything until either she left or revealed herself, or he was of no threat...again, that is, as long as he doesn't recognize Dazia in a way that would make him a threat.

So of course, Dazia would prefer to not take any chances.

As silent as the night itself, Dazia moved to a new position. While still behind cover, it just so happened to be at a position that would give Dazia an advantage if she was to act first if the situation between the two players was to somehow get messy. Dazia might have been doubting that now, but even if they're no threats to each other, they might still be to Dazia. Only one way to know for certain. With her left hand still gripping her weapon, all it would take is one wrong move and someone might be surprised. Otherwise, Dazia might actually be able to stop hiding. Maybe if there were any of those damn posters about, she might as well take them down if or when she's safe...

ID# 209967 LD: 20+5=25

Stealth Rating: 25

Due to the armor clad player's unique method of searching, Dazia had not realized she'd been discovered. She remained behind her cover, her weapon still drawn, waiting for something to happen. 

Until then, she would listen in to the conversation as to gauge the situation. The two players spoke of whether or not the playerbase had been forgotten by the Cardinal, or if there were few among the more active playerbase that the system could care about. It was most likely the latter, as some NPCs had begun to have certain...requests to ask when they saw Dazia. With certain individuals making life harder for Dazia, she'd been having to hide more often, take down any posters warning others about Dazia, and keep an eye out for that trio that keeps trying to find and eliminate her.

And to think it was all a vengeful little Princess's fault.

Ever since Dazia defended herself and made her first kill, she'd felt like she'd been on the run ever since. She'd "stepped out of line", so of course everyone who followed such foolishness would either be wary of her, or after her. Dazia would proceed to slowly shift her position and...refresh her stealth? Odd, she hadn't noticed any signs that she'd been spotted...So she began to slowly move to a new position that provided some cover.

She would then continue to listen in from behind the safety of her cover, her weapon still drawn, hoping she wouldn't be seen until she knew for certain it was safe to come out. If anyone tried anything too sudden, someone might regret it.

ID# 209958 LD: 11+5=16

Stealth Value: 16

So far, there didn't seem to be anyone trying to point out Dazia's position, but she had yet to see anyone look at her with the expression that showed that she'd been found. Dazia still gripped her weapon in her left hand, she would proceed with caution, ready to strike out at the nearest threat.

She heard a call, saying "Central Square", noting that it was a safe zone and while it didn't feel like one, there was no need to worry.

But anyone with enough sense would know that all it takes is a strong enough grasp to pull, and a future victim would be taken outside the safe zone and killed, either by forced duel or simple murder. Dazia wasn't nearly that stupid, so she would remain wary and try to stay hidden for the time being.

Step...step...step...

Dazia's footsteps, muffled by the material padding the exterior of her gear's footwear, were fairly slow, as to further reduce noise, all of this to keep moving towards a new position, as a female player came into view and greeted a male player clad in silver armor. If they could remain distracted, Dazia might be able to reach the other area undetected.

Clak!

A ragged pebble. Just her luck. "Damn it," She thought, as she immediately dashed, her footsteps remaining light, towards the closest source of cover. As long as they didn't see or hear Dazia, all three players should be fine. The cowl of her cloth armor remained over her head, and her weapon was still held by her left hand, ready to strike at any threat that came her way. Assaults only counted if they dealt damage, and damage couldn't be dealt in a safe zone. If anyone tried anything, she might be able to discourage them with a few swings, but that's only for if either of the two were a threat of any kind to Dazia.

ID# 209949 LD: 10+5=15

Stealth Value: 15

The Tenth Floor of Aincrad...

The year before, there was an apparent Monster Overpopulation scenario going on, in which Dazia and her much hated sister, Haimi, would attempt to cull the population. Whether it happened again this year or not has yet to be seen, but the apparent presence of some final traces seemed to show that whatever Dazia had come for, she was too late.

If only she hadn't gotten stuck in that cavern in the upper floors.

Dazia didn't want Haimi to have anything to gloat about, because if she did, then no one will ever be able to hear the end of it. However, Dazia's training was lacking severely and there was much elimination that she missed out on. Life, death, black, white, love, hate. Many things seem to oppose each other, and yet somehow the world is believed to exist in a gray scale. Dazia was growing restless, she needed some new motivation for herself...and maybe some more enemies to pour her growing wrath upon, maybe even some targets to assassinate.

She never worked with a guild until now, but not even a killer guild would suit her, as she'd probably much rather prefer to kill them instead. All of her targets have been non player entities so far, which was good for her cursor, but she didn't know how long it could help her hold out against her own self.

She began to reminisce about every player she'd killed so far, and the last things she heard from each one.

"...You...you really hate Humanity that much? Ha....I guess I was protecting them, by challenging you...I'm sorry everyone, I have...failed you all..."

"How could you do this...you monster..."

"I'll see you in Hell, you merciless bitch..."

"It would seem that we both made poor choices today...I'll see you in Hell, then..."

...How pathetic.

They never saw her as someone seeking to survive, they only saw a monster. Krysta also saw only a monster, same with that one player that essentially made the fourth floor impassable without some kind of disguise...

But they never cared about Dazia, they only cared about themselves and their agendas. Most of humanity pretends to care about someone other than themselves, but the moment someone steps out of line...it's either death, or lock 'em up and throw away the key. Detestable.

Dazia only began to act "selfishly" because what's the point of caring about others if almost everyone else are self-centered fools who deserve to die? It's been too many years since Dazia was really, genuinely willing to give a f*ck. As sad as it was, it would be foolish to keep dwelling on it.

...And yet, she wanted to kill again. Not just some random monster, but a more important figure, something that she could actually connect to her past and her hatred, so that she might finally find a way out that doesn't involve excessive player-killing...maybe she should become a PK-ker, earn herself a gray reputation that might still help her avoid being hunted down by the foolish.

All of which were potential thoughts that wouldn't stop crossing her mind.

But then her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a male player's voice. Dazia drew her weapon and fled to the nearest cover. She then heard the sound of a female player, asking if anyone was there. Dazia remained, silent, with her blade drawn on the off chance that it was a threat. The sound of a weapon unsheathing might have given away her presence, but definitely not her position.

She wouldn't dare try to step out until she knew for sure that there wasn't a threat of any kind in the vicinity.

ID# 209935 LD: 17+5=22

Stealth Value: 22

Stats and Equipment:

Dazia got up, and stared daggers at her foe. "I'm done with this." She decided. "I've had it with you and your shit, this ends now!"

The false Wardege stood firm and readied himself for what was to come next...but instead of attacking, he would declare, "If you really want to end this now, do it right this time. Have you really changed at all? Do you understand what you're doing? Tell me, Dazia, are you still willing to kill me with hatred, or will you end this without malice?"

If this stupid apparition knew anything about Dazia, there wouldn't even be a need to say this. This apparition was not humanity, Wardege himself did not resemble or represent humanity in any way, shape or form...but if to be treated like the general population of humanity was what this thing wanted...then that's what it would get. Dazia may have used a weaker sword art, but it was still executed in a way that would cause excruciating pain. Dazia then thrust her weapon into her foe, and twisted the blade. "Humanity...in its current state, is beyond salvation. If I could do something about it, I would have done so long ago! Hardly anyone among humanity deserves to live, the rest can die in agony for all I care!" She declared. "And what I wouldn't give to see them bleed..." She growled, a seething hatred within her voice.

The false Wardege looked disappointed. "So...you see them as irredeemable monsters, then? Ha...I suppose that's why...you became one yourself..."

The false Wardege then shattered, and the loot menu would appear in front of Dazia.

"What a waste of time." She muttered.

@Vigilon

ID# 209482 BD: 4+3=7(hit), MD: 9

Shadow Cutter(ST-I): 23x12-200=76 Damage to Memory Wraith 1

ID# 209483 CD: 4, LD: 3+1=4(2150 Col, 2 materials)

Dazia: HP 660/660 | EN 61/84 | 23 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 8 Fallen | 1 LD

        Enemies:

Memory Wraith 1: HP 0/430, 128 DMG | 200 MIT | 2 ACC 

So much for making this quick.

Dazia made several attempts to attack and get past the enemy's armor, some of which almost didn't fail. The latest attempt, however, had the worst outcome. The enemy's weapon got caught on Dazia's cloth armor, despite not actually damaging her, but the enemy proceeded to move his weapon upwards, in a sudden, swift motion, effectively tossing Dazia several meters/yards in the air, flipping in midair about three times in the process. Dazia could only see the white of the room, so she was unable to tell where she'd land. For some reason, despite the shock of the impact, Dazia found herself not taking any fall damage from this. If anything, this was the only luck she had in this moment...and Dazia was agitated by this unprecedented development.

This wouldn't play out as Dazia originally intended, but she knew what she would do when she finally got another chance to attack.

ID# 209480 BD: 1(Critical fail), MD: 2+2-4=1(miss)

Dazia: HP 660/660 | EN 69/84 | 23 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 8 Fallen | 1 LD

        Enemies:

Memory Wraith 1: HP 35/430, 128 DMG | 200 MIT | 2 ACC 

Dazia could only hope that this fight wouldn't take nearly as long as the one it was trying to replicate. The false Wardege clearly wasn't willing to drop the act, based on what he did next. After getting back up, he readied himself to attack again. "Disbelief, then? Alright...it's your choice, as it won't matter in the end..." He would once again attempt an attack. Dazia would sidestep to avoid, and proceed to attack the enemy at its flank. The attack left his armor damaged, and just about anything could end this battle now...well, end it in Dazia's favor, that is.

"I guess you're right, it won't matter, since it's gonna end in the same way as it did before." Dazia remarked. "I'm put in a situation of kill or be killed, and I survive by killing the assailant."

Victory was assured at this point, there wasn't really much else to it.

ID# 209479 BD: 10(Critical, +2 Base DMG), MD: 4+2-4=2(miss)

25x18-200=250 Damage to Memory Wraith 1

Dazia: HP 660/660 | EN 67/84 | 23 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 8 Fallen | 1 LD

        Enemies:

Memory Wraith 1: HP 35/430, 128 DMG | 200 MIT | 2 ACC 

This was already getting tiring.

"Out of my sight, mirage." Dazia growled. "Oh, you see me as nothing more than an illusion? I can't say that I blame you, you'd think that whatever falls dead might stay dead...surprise." The apparition remarked.

"If that is an attempt to scare me, you're absolutely pathetic." Dazia shot back. "I know you're not him, so stop trying to be." The cursor color made it obvious, so why did this stupid AI construct of the Cardinal think she could possibly fall for its weak little parlor trick? Chances were, it probably couldn't see cursors and Dazia's meta knowledge was its first downfall in this fight. Regardless, this would all be over soon. She didn't know why this kind of entity existed in a place like this...maybe there are always places where danger dwells.

Dazia didn't manage to land any hits against her foe, but when the false Wardege tried to thrust his polearm into Dazia, she grabbed the weapon and attempted to pull it away before flinging it to the side.

What ended up happening, was Dazia swinging her opponent to the side, using his weapon against him.

ID# 209465 BD: 2+3=5(miss), MD: 1(critical fail)

Dazia: HP 660/660 | EN 71/84 | 23 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 8 Fallen | 1 LD

        Enemies:

Memory Wraith 1: HP 285/430, 128 DMG | 200 MIT | 2 ACC 

With the newfound surprises out of the way, Dazia now needed to destroy this apparition. The false Wardege would attempt another attack, but it would go just as well as the last attempt. Dazia, on the other hand, attacked with Infernal Crescent, tearing into her opponent with her blade. Dazia didn't know if the apparition was acting, or if it genuinely cried out in pain.

But she didn't care, either.

She only wanted to get this over with, so she could go back to exploring this "Ivory Citadel". As long as Dazia survived, and accomplished her goals, the bodies of her enemies will always fall where they may, and anyone who got in her way risked facing Dazia's lethal wrath. She'd already had enough of this, she'd had more than enough back in the actual moment, that this reliving of that struggle was nothing more than an irritating delay.

She'd make this quick, but it won't be pleasant either.

ID# 209461 BD: 3+3=6(hit), MD: 7+2-4=5(miss)

Infernal Crescent: 23x15-200=145 Damage to Memory Wraith 1

Dazia: HP 660/660 | EN 69/84 | 23 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 8 Fallen | 1 LD

        Enemies:

Memory Wraith 1: HP 285/430, 128 DMG | 200 MIT | 2 ACC 

How dare the system try to pull something like this on Dazia? How dare it force Dazia to relive that battle for her life against that fool? 

"I can't believe you."

"Surprised to see me? In all honesty, I expected such a response from you. Now then, why don't we settle this properly this time?" The entity spoke. Dazia shook her head. "Shut up, you damn apparition. The fact that the cursor above your head has a color that can't apply to players tells me you aren't Wardege, you just look like him...and you will suffer the same fate he did."

Dazia drew her blade and attacked, but her foe's defenses were sturdier than she expected. "Most disappointing." The entity spoke. "I thought for a moment you'd have known I'd be more prepared this time, and yet, here you are, trying the same old tactic as before."

Pulling out a polearm, the foe attempted to attack Dazia, but just as Dazia had underestimated the enemy's defenses, the enemy underestimated Dazia's agility.

ID# 209457 BD: 2+3=5(miss), MD: 5+2-4=3(miss)

Dazia: HP 660/660 | EN 82/84 | 23 DMG | 44 MIT | 3 ACC | 4 EVA | 8 Fallen | 1 LD

        Enemies:

Memory Wraith 1: HP 430/430, 128 DMG | 200 MIT | 2 ACC 

Dazia's attention was caught by...a random door, of all things. Why did she get the feeling that the presence was coming from there? Vigilon seemed to be looking at another door, but hopefully he'd know to stick around her...

Dazia would open the door slowly, and bright light shone as she did. When she closed the door, she found herself in a room just as white as the entry hall was. Soon, the environment shifted, forming the floor into new shapes, until it had a particular layout, similar to...

"What...the hell?"

Dazia had no clue why it took this shape, she'd seen this layout once before, the difference being the fact that this was an enclosed room that was entirely white. Dazia would climb her way up to the top, where there was a path to the end...but instead of a door, there was a face Dazia shouldn't have seen.

"It really has been a while since that fateful day, hasn't it?"

"?!?!?"

Despite the cursor over the entity's head not being a color applicable to players, there was no mistaking what this entity looked like...Dazia remembered this person very well...

Opening up the doors took longer than expected. The exterior looked overgrown, but the interior...

Oddly enough, the place looked pristine. Almost everything inside was white, with the exception of a few strange black statues, and maybe a few other things. "...Why is it all white?" Dazia asked, knowing that the color might be a disadvantage to her hiding, as her black apparel would stick out like a sore thumb in such a well lit, bright white environment. Maybe the black statues could be a source of camouflage, but little else could possibly contribute to making better use of stealthy tactics.

And yet...

"I...get the feeling we're being watched. Be on guard." She observed, despite nothing being in view. Despite not seeing anything moving, she couldn't help but feel like there was this presence, watching them as vultures and crows gaze at those who may be nearing a potential demise...

There was so little light that it was a false nighttime under the branches, the dirt was barren, save for the large tree trunks that grounded the sun-blocking treetops. Dazia could have sworn that she heard a voice...

But when she looked, there was nothing there. The only option left was to press on.

Time passed and the two players continued moving deeper into the forest, wary and ready to draw weapons at the slightest confirmation of any hostile presence. Such an ominous feeling there was within this area of the floor's forested region...there had to be an explanation for it. Despite having fought off all kinds of terrors within herself, they never truly died. This ominous feeling...seemed to resonate within Dazia herself. Why? What was the purpose of it all? Could this really be yet another inexplicable moment?

Before she could continue dwelling on this, she stopped, for there was some tall foliage clumped together, between what may have been a wall of trees. ...No, wait, there was something off about them. Dazia slowly began to move through the foliage, and ended up coming out to see a "Clearing".

Dazia was unsure of what to think, but maybe that rumor Vigilon was chasing might be a reality.

"Vigilon..." Dazia began. "Are you seeing the same thing I'm looking at right now?"

"In that case, we're leaving now." Dazia decided.

She only hoped that Vigilon was still a capable ally after having only four hours of sleep and what he'd described as "An extremely questionable energy drink". ...Honestly, it wasn't like energy drinks were helpful, anyway.

An hour would pass, and the grass on the forest floor began to lessen. Something strange might be going on...

It was dawn not too long ago, so why was it getting dark again? Dazia looked up to see that the trees' branches were taking up more and more of the open space as the players continued on. "The forest is getting thicker as we progress. Do you think we're heading in the right direction?" She asked Vigilon. She would pull up her map, and see that the two players were heading towards the edge of the floor, despite the fact that said edge was a fair distance away. The environment was getting darker, and it was clear that Dazia would need to remain alert. This floor was known for its tranquility, but Dazia couldn't shake off the feeling that there might actually be something hostile around this part of the floor...

............

A woman walks along a path alone. No one cared for this road, nor did they dare to walk it, for it was hated and feared. The woman, however, was not tied down by social standards, so she could choose this path freely, regardless of its consequences.

A beast emerges from the trees, cloaked in shadows, three of its six eyes looking towards the woman. "You walk here." the creature spoke. As its tendrils stretched and flailed, the woman stood there, unafraid. It could have been childlike curiosity, or it could have been a belief that no harm would come to her. The beast would speak again, this time, its head turned to look at her with all six of its eyes. "Were you rejected by your people?" it asked. The woman calmly and simply answered, "They were never my people, I learned that a long time ago." She then looked up to where the moons shone, breaking through the clouds and illuminating the night. The creature was revealed by the luminosity of the five moons. It indeed had six eyes, glowing a bloody red. Its flesh was blanketed with both feathers and fur, and tendrils were connected to its nape. It also had razor sharp fangs, a single horn coming from its head, and it had eight legs with feet that resembled that of theropods. "Come." The creature spoke. "We will walk this road together."

The woman would climb upon the beast and ride it, until the two came upon a large manor, illuminated only by the slowly dimming moonlight. The gate would open on its own, as if inviting the two inside. "Is this where we part ways?" the woman asked. "No." The creature replied. "The road ends here, but our path; our journey, has not." The two would then make their way past the manor's courtyard, and the woman would dismount the beast. She would then walk up to the manor's door as to open it...and find only a soft glow of color, as if something was disrupting this reality...

Dazia opened her eyes to see the signs of dawn's approach. She slowly got up, and proceeded to stretch, suppressing a yawn as she did so. She looked beside her, and there Vigilon was, still keeping watch. It didn't look like he'd be awake for much longer, however. "Did you zone out or something? Please tell me you don't sleep like that or anything...you're pretty damn late for swapping shifts, it's already dawn." She questioned, genuinely curious as to how he managed to stay up this long. She would let out a sigh before speaking again. "...Never mind, just let me know when you're ready to continue. Just...don't take too long, will you?"

"I'll take first watch, then." Dazia decided. She was too alert to really fall asleep, anyway.

She would keep her eyes open, looking to see if anything would ever try to get near. Dazia didn't exactly have Night Vision, but she could still respond quickly if a threat approached.

She began to wonder, how much danger would she have been in if Krysta hadn't found Dazia or became her worst enemy? Would she actually be safer, or would something she did still trigger aggression from others? Well, she did know that if she never had to kill Wardege, she wouldn't have had to kill that overzealous simp Derenze, either.

But what's in the past can't be changed. There was only the ever-growing conflict between Dazia and a vengeful Princess who just couldn't accept the truth. Dazia looked over to Vigilon, who at this point was now asleep in his bed roll, looking like a face slowly emerging from a cocoon of hide, despite the lack of movement. ...Wouldn't such a warm bag be more suitable for cold environments, though? Then again, it could have just been all he had in his inventory...now that she thought about it, Dazia didn't have a tent in her inventory...in fact, she didn't bring anything that could help her sleep. Figures.

Dazia mainly dwelt on things like what she might do next once this trip was finished, as well as some potential strategies to scout the other floors and know which ones to avoid until she got the survival skill. There was just so much she needed to get to, she just needed to get a move on and do it.

Hours passed, and Dazia eventually realized she was starting to feel drowsy. She then moved her hand to gently wake Vigilon up.

Now, just where would this trip lead?

Dazia knew what she was searching for, and Vigilon had a location to find and investigate. There was much to do, but the remaining time in this day wasn't long. Chances were, the two players might find themselves having to camp out. They at least have a common goal in mind, seeing that wherever the missing player could be linked to the mystery location Vigilon was talking about.

The trees hadn't changed much, and Dazia wasn't seeing anything. Nothing was happening...it was quiet...

Too quiet.

Dazia's eyes darted around, looking for any potential threats. However, there seemed to be nothing at all. She had to keep her eyes open, there was no telling when a threat might emerge...

Time passed, to the extent that it felt like an hour or more. The area slowly began to darken, and the sky began to change color. The forest still hadn't changed. "I wouldn't give up just yet, but we might need to stop for a bit." Dazia mentioned. "It's getting dark, so it might be harder to find something, or avoid getting lost."

Guess they would have to rest here, after all.

Night noted that it's likely the pirates will just remain on their ship to use as a base of operations. While this was true, it did beg the question, why would that lumber rubble that used to be a rickety shack end up being used as a base if their ship would have fared much better?

Best not to dwell on that, as there was a task at hand...but as short as the trip was, Dazia was peeved that her strength didn't seem to click with the use of the oars. Either that, or they were simply a bulkier pair. Was the system poking at her over her height? If Cardinal was to develop a "sense of humor", the playerbase might as well be doomed.

Night would ask a question, one that so happened to strike somewhere. "Mainly, I use stealth and keep my distance. I can't always remain outside the safe zone, due to certain leads I follow or quests I try to take, so having a teleport crystal at least helps. However, it's not like I'm a 'kill on sight' for most players, but most of them seem to be getting more and more wary when they find me. Only a handful are responding with hostility at sight, but so far it's mainly a group of maniacs and a trio of idiots who simp for Princess, despite the fact that she's taken. Then there's Freyd, and an assassin with a green cursor that dwells in the fourth floor. They're trying to kill me, too." Dazia explained. "Now that I'm saying it out loud, I suppose I've been a bit lucky so far...but I won't hold my breath or get my hopes up, there's no telling how far 'luck' will last, especially with Princess 'warning' people about me, if not sending them after my head." She noted, knowing that if something wasn't done soon about all of this, there would only be more trouble.

Dazia groaned and facepalmed as Crozeph suggested to trick them by bringing a prisoner. He also mentioned something that the Treants were highly unlikely to understand. "Just...ignore that..." Dazia said to the confused Treants, who were trying so hard to figure out whatever Crozeph meant by "Shampoo". She then looked over to the upside down fool who suggested bringing a prisoner. "If you really think that's going to help...well, I can't blame you for thinking it might work, but the reality is that, for the given situation, it's not." She noted.

"Allow me to ask some questions." She began, addressing the Treants around. "The elves have fought you with fire and destruction, right? Have any of you been captured, rather than killed? Have any losses you encountered ever ended in anything other than a brutal massacre that left your people in ashes?" By asking these questions, she would bring the reality of the scenario. "Can we really think that they take prisoners?"

Silence. the solemn, grim expressions on the Treants was all that Dazia needed to confirm.

"Exactly." Dazia noted. "If we were to show up with a 'prisoner', we would either be distrusted and driven away...or the 'prisoner' might be slain on the spot." She then looked over to Crozeph. "We humans have been seen moving throughout both territories. Unless you somehow have already done something stupid within elven borders, we should have no problem getting in, they'll just stand at the gates and let us pass without a word as long as they don't see us with who we have allied with. We will make our way to where their leader is dwelling, and strike them down there. It is there, that we will start encountering resistance. Without their leader, their morale is likely to crumble, and the rest will fall into place." She explained. "If you can't open your mouth without exposing us, just hold it until we get to the target's location. Silence is golden...but duct tape is silver, so don't give me a reason to get it."

Wait, there is no duct tape. "No, ignore that, a bandanna might work instead....tied tightly, that is."

@Crozeph

Dazia sheathed her weapon, irritated that she didn't get to land the finishing blow against the target. If anything, at least Dazia knew that the location her lead on the missing player case would take her to the "Obsidian Cove", whatever and wherever that may be. Perhaps an NPC might know the location.

Night would motion to the back room, where the stolen cargo was hidden away, stating the quest's next objective.

The fact that Dazia couldn't just stuff the cargo into her inventory was bad enough, it hurt that she was kind of small, too, as it caused the cargo to end up being bulky and difficult to handle. She set some cargo into the boat and saw an extra pair of oars. Looks like she'd be able to do her part for the trip back to the main Island...although the weight of the cargo might make it significantly harder, as Dazia's arms and hands were trained for combat, not rowing an encumbered dinghy.

Several minutes of moving cargo from the shack's back room over to the Dinghy later, as Dazia picked up one more crate of cargo to load into the boat, she heard a snap. She then looked around, and then noticed that after all that damage done to the shack during the battle, the structure had just ran out of time to keep itself together. "Damn it, not now!" Dazia thought. "Overdoing it" wasn't exactly a concern of Dazia's, but maybe this rickety structure's ridiculously low durability begged to differ. A wooden plank fell down from the poorly-built structure, and it would only be a short matter of time before the rest of the shack would follow, unable to hold itself from all the hits it sustained. Dazia rushed out with haste, but also just enough care to keep herself from tripping over and losing the cargo. She was able to slow her pace once she was out of the structure's range of collapse.

Dazia turned around to look back at what was now just a large pile of splinters and broken timber. "Whoever that 'Greybeard' the target mentioned is, it's his problem, now...if anything, making a new base of operations should keep him and any other goons of his occupied for some time." She remarked, before continuing to transport the last crate over to the Dinghy.

@NIGHT

Night had trouble attempting a counterattack, as the debris and clutter would get in her way as the target sidestepped. Dazia activated her sword art, and unleashed it against the target from behind. A little over a quarter of his HP was depleted. Not bad, but not ideal, either. She'd need to get a stronger weapon at some point, probably invest in phase, if she could find a weapon that had it.

The target cried out in pain as he was attacked from behind, but his focus did not shift. He was insistent in attacking the other player, who he'd thrust his blade into. This normally would have started to become a problem, but the target's HP was dropping too fast for him to be a threat to the two players. Nevertheless, the target did not see fit to admit defeat. "Ye've ruined everything...I'll see to it that ye both be sent to Davy Jones' locker!" He snarled. Dazia scoffed in response, the target was truly pitiful. "Not like that, you won't."

(Dazia)ID# 209048 BD: 9

Infernal Crescent: 24x15-80=280 Damage to Burlock

(Burlock)ID# 209049 BD: 9

[2,3] Burlock | HP: 215/1000 | DMG: 175 | MIT: 80 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 2 | CD10+: [DoT: 30 DMG (2)] | BD9/10: +50/100 DMG, CD10+: PHASE | Disablement Immune

NIGHT | HP: 823/1080 | EN: 102/146 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 3+2 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 44 | LM: 2 | HLY/FLN: 16 | LD: 5 | BH: 55 | TAUNT
Dazia | HP 680/680 | EN 54/86 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 44 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 4 | Fallen: 8 | LD: 1 | Stealth Rating: 5