Krysta

Even this very area had fallen to chaos. There were more battles being waged here now, and the Airship Krysta was headed for had started to take off, only to be stopped by-

Did someone just fire a Ballista at it!?!??

Krysta stopped suddenly as she was shocked over this surprising development. After standing there perplexed for a good number of seconds, she shook off the shock and continued her way forward. It took longer than expected to reach the chain that kept the Airship tethered to the area, and there was already a player making his way up the chain. Perhaps it was best to wait her turn and let the player board the Airship before trying to reach it herself. Once the man had boarded the Airship, it was Krysta's turn. She started her way up the chain and she overheard a foul-mouthed player asking if anyone knew how the Airship worked. In all honesty, Krysta would have to take a look at it herself to see if she even had a chance.

But better to try than to surrender to what would surely arrive if the players did not take off in time.

As large as the chain was, it was like moving on a tightrope trying to advance to the Airship from it. She simply had to keep her eyes focused on the chain ahead of her, not looking down, just ahead. A Leap of Faith, perhaps, though there were no jumps involved in this. Krysta managed to board the Airship at long last, but that would be as far as she got unless someone trustworthy knew what to do.

The ship was already at an angle, and if someone didn't correct the position soon, everyone would slip off the craft. Krysta needed to reach it to at least attempt to stabilize it, but she wasn't used to moving on an angled transport, and Krysta had no experience steering an aircraft, which would leave her to hope there was at least a simple way to stabilize it.

Things were worse than she'd thought. Much, much worse.

Krysta was surprised to see airships taking to the skies. Trying to travel on foot would prove difficult due to the city being in such a state of chaos, and these airships would make it that much more difficult. Perhaps it was time she traveled to the source.

NPCs seemed to be clustering and fighting near the source of the airships when Krysta got there. The guards seemed to be holding the line there, and Krysta wouldn't be able to reach the airships without force...

   Krysta needed to push through somehow, without ending up as one of the many who were clambering on one another fruitlessly. She looked carefully at the crowd and their movements...yes, there was a way through. She would then make her way through the crowd without being too forceful...until she reached the barricade where she'd need to use it. She struck with her sword art, once again it was Radiant Strike. Krysta then managed to rush past while the guards were distracted trying to block the leak she'd made.

     Some of the guards began to chase after Krysta. "She's going for the airships, stop her!" She heard one call out. The airships were in sight and rather close by when the guards managed to catch up with her. "Oh no you don't, little miss." One guard said, managing to grasp her by the shoulder. "Hmph, never did I imagine people like her would throw their lot in with such pitiful rebels." Another guard commented, probably making an assumption based off of Krysta's appearance and apparel. Krysta readied her next Sword Art, Celestial Sweep, kicked the guard who grabbed her shoulder in the crotch to loosen his grip on her, and once free, she'd activate the Sword Art, striking the four guards at once. Two of the guards sat there dumbfounded as Krysta prepared to face the First Guard, who was rushing towards her with his weapon drawn. "What are you two sitting around for, get her!" The third guard told the dumbfounded ones while Krysta finished off the First Guard with her current best Sword Art, Regal Fury. "Or perhaps you three would prefer that you live to fight another day instead?" Krysta countered, seeing that she'd just killed one Guard in front of them. "Blast it all, this woman's far above my pay." One of the dumbfounded Guards said before retreating...or more accurately, returning to the barricades, hoping for easier opponents. The other two seemed to believe they still had a fighting chance, and ran after Krysta. "As you wish." Krysta decided, attacking again with Celestial Sweep, and with a bright Holy Light, both the guards were slain.

   With her enemies routed, Krysta turned her eyes to the airships that still remained. She looked towards one of the Private Airships, and she began her advance towards it. Hopefully she wouldn't have to commandeer it all on her lonesome, and hopefully she would be able to reach it before any hostile plunderers got any ideas...

ID# 201745 LD: 11

Progress: 54/125

Krysta continued her advance, but only one thing would stall her for the time being.

A citizen who had no part in either side of the conflict was under attack, by one of the city's own soldiers, as it turned out. Krysta stepped in to intervene. "That citizen has done nothing against you, leave her alone." She declared.

The corrupted knight looked over to Krysta. "And who says you have any right to give me orders? This one here is a rebel, no law-abiding citizen would dare conspire against the Imperator!" He countered.

"And have you any proof of this?" Krysta asked. The knight was silent. "Please, have mercy and just let me go..." The citizen pleaded. The corrupted knight swatted the citizen. "Silence, you!" He roared. Krysta gripped her blade tightly. This was injustice. "You have not answered my question." Krysta noted. "I shall ask you again, do you have any proof for your claims on one's possible wrongdoing?"

The corrupted knight seemed exasperated. "You have no right to question me with such authority, girl. Keep this up, and I'll see that you both receive the punishment you deserve." He growled. Krysta readied her weapon. "It would seem you have spoken no valid reason to properly justify your actions, and you have avoided my question twice. It was but a simple question, and you saw fit to ignore it. You surmise that this unarmed citizen has done wrong, and rather than focusing on what may be a larger problem at hand, you seek to commit petty violence against your own people." She prepared her sword art, but would not attack unless properly provoked. The corrupted knight was now agitated, and the cursor above him turned red. "I've had more than enough of your words." The corrupted knight decided. He drew his own blade, and Krysta disrupted his attack with her Sword art, Radiant Strike. Holy energy increased the damage dealt, and the corrupt knight didn't feel like quarreling with Krysta anymore. "J-just who do you even think you are?" He demanded. Krysta stood firm. "One who is sworn to protect the innocent and defenseless." Krysta answered. "To hell with you...to hell with all of you!" The corrupted knight yelled out. But instead of attacking further, he fled. Krysta walked over to the still shaking citizen. "Are you alright? Let me help you." She asked. She helped the citizen back up on their feet, and tended to a few minor injuries. The citizen thanked Krysta and fled from the scene.

Krysta had been sidetracked longer than she needed to. It was time she got moving again.

She looked over to the structure she needed to reach. It wasn't that far now, hopefully she could still get there in time.

Krysta had merely heard rumors of the twenty-sixth floor, and what she heard had caught her attention. Perhaps the fact that she was at the level cap might assist her when traversing this floor. She made sure to bring her best equipment with her, for this floor was the latest one to be unlocked thus far. It was likely that the floor would be teeming with dangers beyond a settlement.

Little did she expect to arrive at a scene of chaos.

Soon, she saw a prompt appear in front of her, speaking of a rare opportunity...

She'd be a fool to not accept, for it was likely that this tower had great significance to something, and now was her chance to find out. She accepted the prompt, and now she had to find out how she was going to get there. It was likely that she would encounter hostility, so she drew her weapon, Alediel's Grace, and began searching for a way to reach her destination. Any hostiles who sought to prevent Krysta's advance towards said destination, would do so at their own peril.

Stats and Equipment:

It was time to leave, for there was nothing more that could be learned here, now that Vigilon was around to speak of whatever he'd found. Upon reaching the surface level, a familiar person was sighted at the entryway...one who Krysta knew as an enemy. "Dazia!"

Krysta drew her weapon, Dazia fled, and Astralin warned the players not to rush, lest the trapped tiles deal damage to the party. After the players managed to cross the tile puzzle once more, there was one last obstacle...or so it seemed to be.

A short skeleton wearing a casual blue hoodie seemed confused over what may have been a sudden increase of players entering the structure. Half of which was probably Krysta's party. The skeleton then spoke of a missing person. Based on the given description, it seemed that it was the Skeletal Guardian whom Krysta had slain, and Astralin realized this.

Astralin was unnerved enough to initiate combat, but it seemed that either her target was rather evasive, or she needed to practice her sword arts a bit more, for everything she tried ended up failing. Astralin, to Krysta's surprise, took no damage, but from what Astralin had said before passing out, she had been humiliated.

All the while, Yona was having a snack at a time like this. She pulled out something for Astralin, too, so she'd saved herself from a potential scolding from Krysta over not caring.

Krysta advanced towards the skeleton, hoping to make sure that Astralin's failure was not in vain. The skeleton seemed fairly ready for Krysta's assault, however, pushing her back over and over, using the environment around him to do so. She needed a different tactic if she was to succeed. She tried all she could, but she could only land one strike against the skeleton before she became too fatigued to continue on against this perplexing opponent. "all that for one meager scratch." The skeleton remarked before sending her back once more.

Yona attempted an assault of her own, starting with a surprise attack that worked, but her following attempts were not so lucky. She too, was pushed back and away from the skeleton. Krysta went to Astralin's side, so nothing happened to her while she was unconscious. It was all upon Vigilon now...

ID# 201068 CD: 7(miss)

ID# 201069 CD: 4(miss)

ID# 201070 CD: 12(tag successful)

Tags acquired: 1(10 materials, +5% Exp for the thread)

Yona dared to suggest the unthinkable. "Heavens, no! I shall do no such thing!" Krysta reacted. Astralin managed to run away and into the next room. Honestly, why had Krysta not thought about that before? "I am getting out of here!" She said as she began to follow Astralin.

Astralin was trying to solve a tile puzzle, from what Krysta could observe when she stopped so suddenly. Time was of the essence, she and Yona had to catch up with Astralin before those frogs did. Astralin was able to help Krysta get across the puzzle unharmed. "Thank you so much for finding the solution to what could have been a much more difficult problem, not only for you an I, but Yona especially." She said to Astralin, before the players descended to the lover level of the ruins.

Astralin went on ahead, and called out that Vigilon was there. Krysta quickened her pace to meet up with her boyfriend. "Vigilon, it is good to know that you were able to get here...these ruins were mostly empty, save for a frog or two, but I now believe I know why. Training, I assume?" She greeted.

Astralin turned her attention to some odd vials with glowing substances inside, and they seemed to catch Krysta's attention, too. "Vigilon, do you, by any chance, know what these are?" She asked. Upon learning that he did not, Krysta decided to take a closer look at one of them. She picked out the Cyan one, and examined it...

What an odd item it was...

Even within the entryway, the players already were not alone. The timing was absolutely impeccable. The three players all turned their heads towards the source of the sounds nearby.

Frogs, two of them, possibly poisonous. One of them croaked, and they both continued hopping...towards Krysta.

"Aaahh! wh-why??"

Yona drew her blade, Astralin said she would leave the frogs to Yona and Krysta, due to physical contact being her only method of attack. "Why are they hopping towards me?? Yona, why haven't you tried cutting them yet? They're endemic life, their HP is minuscule! You can handle them!" Krysta said as she drew her own weapon, in case Yona still did not attack. She also tried to slowly move away from the two frogs, for she wanted no interaction with the possibly poisonous creatures. Yona was better fit to handle them since they were moving towards Krysta and not Yona.

If it was any consolation, at least they were not spiders.

A seemingly disembodied voice came from the Skeletal Guardian, telling the players to leave. Astralin prepared to make another attack, but the Skeletal Guardian pushed Krysta back and proceeded to catch Astralin's arm and throw her aside. But by doing so, the monster was left wide open for an attack. Krysta made use of her own sword art again, and her opponent was ill prepared for it. Upon Krysta's final strike, the Skeletal Guardian glared at her. The disembodied voice was heard once more. "Turn...back..."

The monster then shattered, and its shards dispersed as though they were particles of airborne dust.

"Phew...now that's been taken care of." Krysta then looked to both of her party members. "Astralin, are you alright?" She asked. Regardless of whatever answer came, it was time to enter the mysterious structure.

There wasn't very much within the entryway, which seemed to suggest the presence of other players. "Remain on guard." Krysta suggested. "I doubt we're alone."

ID# 200909 BD: 8+1=9(hit)

Radiant Blade(ST-I): 21x12-18=234 damage to Skeletal Guardian!

ID# 200910 CD: 2, LD: 2+3=5(2604 Col)

Krysta: HP 640/640, EN 61/84 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 1 ACC | 3 LD | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

Astralin: HP 420/420, EN 57/60 | 20 DMG | 3 ACC | 2 EVA | Freeze: 9-10

Yona: HP 20/20, EN 20/20 | 6 DMG | 6 MIT | 2 EVA | 3 LD

                    Enemies:

Skeletal Guardian: HP 0/372 | 124 DMG | 18 MIT

Yona was surprised to see Astralin pull out what appeared to be a spellbook, and Astralin explained what it was for, as well as why.

A battle was anticipated either way, so it was no surprise to Krysta that there would be at least one enemy to fight before entering the structure mentioned within the message. Astralin's attack missed, and then the monster's cursor changed to red, signaling hostility. Krysta readied her own Sword Art, and slashed three times at the Skeletal Guardian, dealing a fair amount of damage to it. The attack was not critical, so there was one thing left to assure. "Hold steady, Yona! Now is not the time!" She called out to the party member who had yet to take action. Krysta then looked back to her enemy. "I will not allow you to harm my allies." She declared as she readied herself for an attack.

ID# 200634 BD: 5+1=6(hit!)

Radiant Blade(ST-I): 21x12-18=234 damage to Skeletal Guardian!

[1]Krysta: HP 640/640, EN 72/84 | 21 DMG | 78 MIT | 1 ACC | 3 LD | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed

[0]Astralin: HP 420/420, EN 58/60 | 20 DMG | 3 ACC | 2 EVA | Freeze: 9-10

[0]Yona: HP ??/??, EN ??/?? | ????????

                    Enemies:

Skeletal Guardian: HP 138/372 | 124 DMG | 18 MIT

Both invites were accepted, the party had formed. Astralin pulled out a book she had, and it looked like some sort of spell book, for there were mystifying symbols, as well as star and galaxy inspired design patterns on its cover. She then explained her current statistics, she was capable of support and damage. "That is wonderful to hear, Astralin. It's good to know that your build is coming along rather nicely." Krysta noted with a smile. Yona seemed to be in thought over something, but Krysta did not know what exactly, and she was not one to pry, either, thus she would not ask.

Krysta would begin to seek out the ruins spoken of in the message she'd received earlier, but surprisingly, there didn't seem to be as many monsters roaming about as there were rumored to have been...there must have been some players here recently. At least this meant there wouldn't be as many battles as first anticipated during the investigation.

The player who Krysta was carrying introduced herself as Yona, and she seemed rather confident that she would be fine. "I....I do certainly hope you know what you are doing, as you so claim." Krysta remarked, worried that the young woman was far more rash than Astralin had proven to be so far. Yona asked who was going to lead the party, and Astralin suggested that it be Krysta who led it, due to her having the superior stats and defenses among the three. Krysta wasn't exactly one who would "toot her own horn" in moments like these, though she saw what Astralin was trying to get across. "I was going to carry anyway, so I don't mind becoming the party leader for this trip." Krysta noted in response, as she pulled up her menu to send party invites to the two players.

Hopefully the players wouldn't be swarmed too easily, even if there was some Monster Overpopulation that was ongoing.

This player was already proving to be a bit of a handful. It wasn't the attempt to reassure Krysta that she knew how to use her items when she needed to, but the sarcastic remark that she'd made in response to Krysta not believing the rumors. "Well, you didn't necessarily need to put it like that." Krysta responded, taking offense to the words.

Before the conversation could continue, a familiar voice called out to the two players. It was Astralin, who seemed a bit excited to look into the rumors involving this floor... She then asked who the other player was. "Oh, um, I wouldn't say we are friends just yet... I kind of encountered her standing by the teleport gate about five minutes ago." Krysta answered a bit nervously. 

She would then receive a message, and proceed to access it.

Quote

To: Krysta

Subject: Rumors

A Player just returned from the Tenth Floor via teleport crystal. He was overwhelmed by enemies near an odd set of ruins, to the northwest of Yomi. He claimed the ruins were not there before. If you plan on going there yourself, do not go alone.

-Keita

It was from her informant. Well, at least there was a potential lead. "I believe we may have a destination now..." She thought aloud. She then looked back to the other player. "It may be more dangerous in there than what you might be prepared for. Do you still want to come along anyway?" She asked, just to make sure this player knew what she was getting into.

It is always long ago in tales like these...

People are split into factions, often with hostility. In this world, there were what people believed to be two sides. The creatures and inhabitants of this world...and those who lived only once. There were Players, and there were Monsters.

Sometimes there is a story within a story...and one such tale begins underground, at present time, within the darkness of Floor 10, when two players would reach it from the teleport gate.

"I understand that you wish to at least see what's happening. I don't know how far I'll be able to carry you, statistically, of course...just know that if you are in any danger, use a Teleport Crystal if you have one, and retreat to a safer floor." Krysta noted to someone who'd asked to be carried through a floor above their level. "Personally, I don't understand why this Floor has the attention of rumors, it hardly looks as though it had changed at all." She claimed, despite being wrong...though she had yet to see the evidence yet. Even the Settlement of this floor was...how would she put it, Unsettling? More so than the time before the dark flood? Perhaps it was the season...

Stats and Equipment:

Purchasing:

Teleport Crystal x1(800 Col)

800 Col sent to Banker

With Carsar slain, the Hatchlings had nothing else to worry about. Krysta put away her weapon as Vigilon made his way to the cave, while Astreya began to search for the egg. "Your captor is no more, little ones. Come, we shall return you to your mother." Krysta called out for the hatchlings to hear.

The hatchlings hesitated, but then one walked near Krysta, approaching her cautiously. Yolviinsil landed near it, letting out a few gentle growls. Three more hatchlings emerged from their hiding places among the rocks scattered around the area, and one of them seemed to have a long scratch on its side. Krysta slowly brought her hand over to said hatchling, and she used first aid to try and help the little one. The four hatchlings then huddled close to her so suddenly. All the while, two more hatchlings approached Astreya, one of them walking with a limp. One of these two hatchlings was looking at Astreya, while the other, while still near Astreya, was looking over towards Vigilon curiously. "Could this be all of them?" Krysta thought aloud as she glanced around her surroundings.

The players left the dragon's nest, and began to make way for Carsar's den. 

The trip did not turn out to be as long as Krysta expected, but it was still longer than what was typical for such a distance, due to the rocky terrain of the mountain range. At last, the objective was within sight, and it was now time to confront the dragon. While Astreya began to speak with Vigilon, Krysta continued to move forward.

A pair of eyes glared at Krysta from within the cavernous lair. "Who dares to come near my Den?" Spoke a cruel voice. A few of the Dragon Hatchlings near the cave looked to the eyes glaring from the dark, and they all fled for cover behind stones and boulders. Krysta drew her weapon. "Carsar, we have come for what you have stolen. You are guilty of murder, theft, and abduction of another's young. Come out, fiend, and face the consequences of your crimes!" She called out. The cruel voice would speak again. "Foolish girl, do you really believe that a mighty dragon like myself would dare hold himself to the lowly guidelines you humans restrain yourselves with?  Ayzzyn deserved what came to him. I should be, and I WILL be, the Alpha of this land!"

With that, Carsar emerged from the darkness, coming at Krysta with malicious intent. "And I will slaughter anyone who gets in my way!"

Krysta readied her Sword Art. "Then face your end, scoundrel! I shall bring justice!"

Krysta's blade tore into Carsar, and with a flash of light and a burst of holy power that the weapon was blessed with, Carsar was no more.

ID# 198352 BD: 10(Critical, +2 DMG, Holy Activates!)

Galaxy Destroyer: (25+8)x17-40=521 DMG

Vigilon: HP 700/700 | EN 84/84 | 23 DMG | 78 MIT | 4 ACC | 3 EVA | 6 LD | PAR 9-10 |

Astreya: HP 410/410 | EN 56/56 | 9 DMG | 62 MIT | 3 ACC | 18 Thorns | 1 Taunt | 8 BH | 1 Prosperity | 1 EVA

Krysta: HP 680/680 | EN 86/102 | 23 DMG | 78 MIT | 2 ACC | 3 LD | 34 BH | Holy: 8 | T4 Bleed: 9-10 | 1 EVA

                            Enemies:

<<Carsar the Egg Snatcher>>

   It would seem that the players' course of action was clear. Vigilon also gave the suggestion of healing the topaz dragon. "Of course," Krysta responded with a nod of her head, as she was going to do so anyway. This was no evil entity, so it would be best to help her out, despite being an NPC. Krysta would walk over to the dragon, and place her hand upon her. With one hand on the dragon, and the other hand upon her heart, Krysta focused, closed her eyes, and activated her skill. A white glow surrounded the dragon, as well as Krysta's hands, and some of the smaller wounds began to slowly close.

The Topaz Dragon smiled softly at Krysta. "Such a kind and noble heart you possess. I'm afraid I cannot go with you to face Carsar, but I can offer this..." The dragon then gently breathed on the players, and Krysta could feel a wind within her. "Your help is very much appreciated, thank you..." Krysta responded. Then The Dragon looked over to Vigilon as to answer his question. "Of course. His nest is not far from here. Allow me to show you..." Upon those words, she would use her claws to make a rough sketch of the area of Floor 1 the players were in, adding a X where Carsar was, and an O where the players were. Vigilon's map would be updated when he looked at the markings.

Now it was time to leave for Carsar's nest. "Lead the way, Vigilon."

-Used First Aid on Fuzziel

All Players receive Fuzziel's Blessing(+1 EVA) for the remaining duration of the thread.

Astreya was in agreement with Krysta regarding the senseless slaughter of boar pups during that quest. Vigilon also had his own thoughts on the matter. "Sometimes I still wonder why Kayaba even chose to create this world and trap us all within it, not to mention putting our lives in mortal peril in the process..." Krysta remarked as her left fist clenched, then unclenched as she did what she could to remain calm. So much evil within this virtual world, not only from Kayaba and the malevolent entities that infested it, but from the existing evil within certain individuals and other individuals' failure to hold onto reality or morality.

Astreya's familiar seemed to come back to her owner from a certain direction, and Krysta's ruby red feathered dragon was looking towards that direction, letting out a soft, trill-like growl. "Hm? What is it, Yolviinsil?" Krysta asked the familiar on her shoulder. The small feathered dragon took flight after Astreya suggested that the nest may be in the direction her own familiar had just come from. Krysta would follow Yolviinsil, as she was headed for where the other familiar was coming from.

Krysta followed her familiar over to a well lit cave that seemed to have a nest of sorts, one with a long dragon with topaz scales laying down. When Krysta came close to the cavernous nest, the dragon opened her eyes and got up, roaring defensively. Krysta stopped moving at once, and she could see from under the dragon an empty nest with eggshells and another dragon...but that other dragon was dead, and there were many red marks in the patterns of horrid gashes along the living dragon's underbelly. Krysta's right hand was raised over her mouth as her eyes widened, all while she gasped at the sight of what was clearly the aftermath of a recent assault. "Oh, goodness, what happened here?" She exclaimed. Yolviinsil flew over to the dragon, landing in front of her. The small dragon's stance seemed cautious, but nevertheless she began trilling and growling softly. The topaz dragon seemed to be willing to hear the familiar out. The topaz Dragon then looked to Krysta and the other players. "This little one claims you have come in peace. You may enter." The dragon spoke. Since Krysta had also asked about what happened, the topaz dragon then said, "Another of my kind, Carsar, was always jealous of my mate. Now my mate is dead, and my children have been stolen from me. The fiend has also taken our treasure for himself." The dragon then looked each player up and down. "You do seem capable, however...perhaps you can be of help? I must remain here, so can I ask you to go to Carsar's nest, and bring my children back to me, safe and sound?"

Krysta was angered by Dazia's explanation. She did not know why Wardege would challenge her to a duel like that, but she could definitely see the explanation of how it ended occurring. Not from foolishness on Wardege's part, but from the malice on Dazia's. Setsuna would temporarily come into view, disguised as Valna. Based on her words, Setsuna's opinion on this was similar, almost exactly the same, as Krysta's.

Daring to call Wardege a fool? Killing him anyway when he gave her a chance? Dazia claimed to believe it was a trap, but Krysta knew that her cousin was a sincere individual. "You...."

She could not stop her anger from coming out, even if it was only words. "You Monster!!!!" She cried out. "He was sincerely giving you a chance, to stop fighting as he did, to prove that there was hope, and a chance for you both to live!" Despite the tears in her eyes, Krysta's anguish burned within them. "I have seen the malice burning within you before, and there's no denying it anymore..." Her gaze met Dazia's, waiting to see if it would show again. "You despise your own kind, don't you? Time and again, I have seen evidence of your evil, be it in slips or drops, or potentially a leak breaking into a flood like a dam that could hold the waters no more."

The time had come. When Krysta received the message, she was confident that this would go well. She had far more than enough time to consider and evaluate her options, thus she felt ready for this moment.

Upon the cue, Krysta would leave her hiding spot, and witness Oku being given a teleport crystal, which he immediately used to flee.

The real Krysta was now in sight, it was time to act.

The first thing Krysta would do was to actually see the situation. With Oku freed, the only ones left were Dazia, and the one who introduced herself as Valna. Indeed, Krysta and Valna had yet to meet, and it was now that Krysta could see what this associate of Dazia's looked like. This Valna woman was a fair skinned individual with raven black hair and red eyes, wearing a vibrant red cloak, and an outfit that appeared very out of place for a floor like this. The woman wasn't even shivering, despite the outfit being a pair of short shorts, a sleveless crop top, and fingerless gloves all made from smooth, soft black leather, complete with a more practical looking pair of boots. "Oh, goodness..." Krysta thought as she tried to hide her innate reaction. Nevertheless, her eyes widened in surprise, and her hand went halfway towards her slightly open mouth. "That is a rather...suggestive outfit..." Well, now she might as well ask. "Erm, pardon me...care to explain how you don't seem to be freezing right now?" Krysta asked. 

Regardless of the answer she would get, she would move on to the matter at hand. "...Right, back to more important matters...There is no right way to end this in blades now, it would require both our consent to the risk of death...so, against my own judgement...perhaps, at least for the moment, we can try and keep it civil. You want to leave here alive, I want you to answer for what you have done, and it would seem we each have a moderator...so then, let's begin." She explained.

This would end in no clash of blades, unless it was necessary. Instead, what Krysta's course of action had now become was a war of words.

"Why did you kill Wardege? I have never seen any signs of insanity within him, but what do you claim?" She began, her expression showing automatic distrust, though that was to be expected.

Starting from the beginning sounded like a good start. Dazia would need legitimate proof, and as far as Krysta knew, words did not count as proof. If anything, this was a repeat of how it all started, but the topic would be spoken much more calmly...hopefully.

Time passed, she stayed in position. Then, she heard it. A crunch in the snow...no, more. She then heard Freyd speaking as Krysta.

What kind of words were these? It all made sense until the end, whatever was this for? The players came here to stop Dazia! ...Or was this all part of the plan? A facade to lure her in? Perhaps Krysta knew nothing of this plan after all...but for the time being, she would remain in position. However, if something went wrong, she might find herself having to intervene...hopefully, it shan't come to such a thing.

"I'm starting to wonder what your goal is here, Freyd..." Krysta thought. "The more I think about it, the less sense it makes...I certainly hope you know what you're doing."

She would be back to waiting, but she knew the time was coming, and as she waited for the time to make her move, she would listen to the conversation...but she had to do so without being seen. She wanted to see what was happening, but she couldn't do that without the risk of revealing herself.

Oku watched as there was suddenly a seed of doubt planted within the younger player, who pulled out a Teleport Crystal and disappeared. Dazia and Valna would exchange questions and answers to determine whether or not there was anything to doubt. With one unsurprising answer, one surprising answer, and one inaudible answer. "That's a lot you're risking for trust, Dazia. You even surprised me." Oku began. "Say this copy that may or may not be sowing discord was still around, chances are, they're closer than you think, could be hiding. Even in a moonlit night like this, a stealth expert could find more suitable hiding places than someone else. How do you know the one you've confirmed as a copy with your actions hadn't heard what it is you've whispered with that last question? Don't get me wrong, of course, I'm still not on your side...I'm just telling you what you risked. Besides, from the looks of things, no matter how it goes, I'll be freed. You're willing to hold your end of the bargain, and on the chance that this is a trap you two can't handle, well, your enemies are likely to free me." He explained. "Just something for you two to think about."

Exactly how long was Krysta going to wait? How much time had passed exactly? Had she checked?

...Well, she had done so now, and surprisingly, it hadn't been more than a single hour. Chances were, the killer had already escaped, or was making preparations. Krysta hoped it was the latter, for once, as she was unwilling to remain in this position for too long. She didn't know if she could last the night all the way through without dozing off before dawn.

She did what she could do to keep it as quiet as possible, but she took a deep breath or two regardless, she couldn't just dwell on this in such an unhealthy manner. As she continued to wait, she looked back to the memories she had with the only member of the fallen she truly knew. The time they spent, the goodwill both meant to others, precious memories with her cousin, the man who was like the brother she never had...

She wanted so desperately to see to it that he did not die for nothing. Dazia had murdered him, and thus someway, somehow, the killer must pay the consequences.

This may have been the end of an unexpected mess, but it was the beginning of something else. Where would this lead?

Laida was willing to continue working with Vixie in this Challenge. "We'll do our best!"

Team Typhoon, Team Nightshade, Team Rogue, Team Rose, Team Autumn, Team Seraph, and Team Castle.

Seven Teams, Fourteen Players, and an unknown amount of objectives.

It all weighed heavily, but through perseverance, Krysta and Vigilon just might be able to pull this off. There was much to do ahead of the players, and now...

Vigilon looked over to Krysta. "What do you think of going for top three? You, me, Team Castle. Let's do this thing." He suggested. Krysta smiled. "I accept that challenge. May we manage to claim victory, and may all teams manage to grow stronger in this Challenge." She decided. 

It would be a long time before the challenge could actually begin, as life in Aincrad had yet to change drastically...

Summary:

Vigilon Receives: 800 EXP(2 Pages Completed), 19042 Col(2 Pages Completed[400], Mob loot[18642]), 9 Materials,
<<Rare T3 Two Handed Sword 196853a>>,
<<Uncommon T3 Consumable 196853b>>,
<<Rare T3 Consumable 196867a>>,
<<Rare T3 Light Armor 196867b>>, and
<<Perfect T3 Two Handed Sword 196868>>

Krysta Recieves: 800 EXP(2 Pages Completed), 25256 Col(2 Pages Completed[400], Mob loot[24856], 15 Materials,
<<Rare T3 Trinket 163030>>
<<Rare T3 Trinket 158966>> 
<<Rare T3 Trinket 161367>>
<<Rare T3 Trinket 161373>>, and
<<Rare T3 Trinket 196863>>

The two enemies appeared to be more than willing to compete against each other. At least they appeared to be capable of keeping it civil, as there was no need to bring it to any form of bloodshed just yet. Auranika made a demeaning remark on the reason behind the team name Vigilon and Krysta had chosen, and laughed about it, too. Vigilon shot back at her, clearly unwilling to put up with the usual stigma. Not all dragons were bad, but people loved to tell stories about slaying them...perhaps there were ulterior motives behind such things within folklore... Krysta wasn't too happy about the demeaning remark, either, as it also referenced her in a derogatory manner. "I may be easily seen as a Princess...but do not dare think for a second that I would ever be the helpless sort."

Morgan nodded in agreement to Dazlea's words. "Team Rose will win the later Challenges. We can consider this to have been practice, I guess."

Shadowynd looked to his superior. "Don't sweat it, we can bamboozle these idiots. I'll see what I can do to learn about this 'Research Commission', see if I can't get us an advantage..." He whispered to her, as to reassure her.

Vigilon explained to Krysta how Kanari and Auranika were enemies. It made sense, they clearly seemed to be opposites in their own regards. The only thing Kanari seemed to take pride in was her sense of freedom, and her apparel gave the impression of a raging storm, but it was also similar to what may have been reminiscent of a female biker's outfit. Auranika, on the other hand, practically wore arrogance on her person. No practical armor would be forged from gold, and what kind of statement would those metallic wings give? Did she truly see herself as angelic? Clearly this woman knew nothing about such things. However, was there a reason she desired to be acknowledged in such a way? Was it truly self-centered, or was there something driving that desire?

That mystery would need to be answered at another time. "I...see..." Krysta responded. 

Keita listened to Akudo's words. True, she and Akudo could both benefit from receiving intelligence from fellow informants, and vice versa, but because said intel would be spread to all members, the one who gets paid would depend on who was the most likable of the informants, or even chance, like a roll of the dice. Intelligence would become common, rather than valued. It would be difficult to put a price on intelligence if it were to become common. "The offer has its pros and cons...I'll think about it, though the likely answer is no. Go ahead, though, challenge yourself to be a better man to all those women who you desperately seek out. Whether or not you'll get anywhere with me is still a mystery, but for now I won't stop you from trying." Came her detailed response.