Morningstar

"I do actually," he said to her snowshoe offer.

Star accepted her gift, snapping on the shoes. He'd gone snowshoeing once in the past, on this floor specifically. It'd be on his bucket list to try it again if he had one. He took a sip of his hot chocolate. It was delicious—one of the best hot chocolates he'd ever had. Rebekah wasn't lying when she said the café was good. 

"I'm the worst skater," he replied to her next question, "but that's never stopped me from trying."

When he was a kid, Star's parents put him in skating lessons with the other rich kids in their neighborhood. They coloured on the ice with markers more than they actually skated. After a few weeks of that, his mom finally withdrew him and moved on to whatever hobby came next. As a teenager, he decided he'd go every winter. He never got any better.

"Maybe after we're done finding your familiar you can teach me. Unless you're not much of a skater yourself," he jested.

@Rebekah

Morningstar returned a chuckle at Astralin's comment about his name. It wasn't what he meant, but he wasn't going to embarrass the girl. Besides, he didn't feel like explaining it.

"My fight was interesting. I had a good time," he said.

He'd spoken more with Astreya during their fight than he had with anyone else throughout the tournament. He found it funny. She'd been a formidable opponent, even if it was a clean win for Morningstar. He hoped there were no hard feelings despite the fact that he stole the remainder of the tournament from her. Their interactions had been short, but she'd grown on him during the duel.

Speak of the devil, he thought as his former opponent approached.

"Hey, I like being the underdog. Good fight," he smiled back.

He forgot that the rest of the fights were scheduled for the next day. Baldur's toast came as a swift reminder. Star's fight would be second after NIGHT and Lessa's. He was excited he'd get the chance to watch since he'd only caught a couple so far. The smell of chicken wafted through the dojo.

Star stood up. "I'll be getting dinner if you two would like to join me. Baldur mentioned that his gardens are open to anyone and I'd rather die than miss the sunset."

@Astralin @Astreya

Morningstar was hesitant to order the ice cream, as much as he did love it. Rebekah's description of it didn't help the internal war he was experiencing either. Ice cream in the snow seemed like a bad combination, but quality vanilla ice cream was something that Star treasured.

"I'll get the same as her," he told the cashier.

In one hand he held his hot chocolate and in the other his ice cream. Coming from a wealthy background, he hated it when people paid for him. That being said, he was by no means the richest in Aincrad and it was a nice gesture from Rebekah.

"Thanks for covering it, by the way," Star told the girl as they left the café.

They entered the snow-covered city once again. Morningstar smiled at a couple passing by. After taking a sip of his hot drink, he turned his head to Rebekah.

"So," he started, "where to now?"

@Rebekah

Morningstar tried to remember what Takumi's opponent's name was. Bismuth, he thought, but he wasn't sure. Either way, he was putting up quite the fight against the paddle boy. Takumi was in the lead, but it was close. Morningstar, who'd been fighting moments before, didn't have the opportunity to catch the other matches before they'd ended. He had no idea how they'd ended but he recalled Astreya mentioning how serious each person had been fighting. That would explain the slight tension in the atmosphere around the dojo.

His thoughts came to a halt as a voice perked up beside him. He recognized her from the mat beside his. She was a competitor as well.

"Of the fight, you mean? I think it's close, but Takumi's better than I originally expected. I think he'll win," he replied. "Astralin, right? I'm Morningstar. How'd your fight go?"

Despite them fighting so close to each other, he hadn't seen who the winner was. Star nonchalantly checked the girl out. He found it funny that the first thing he noticed about a person was always their height. She would have been shorter than him by quite a bit had he been standing. She had a warm, kind look to her. The girl was the one approaching him and yet he felt like it was him who was being welcomed. Morningstar gestured for her to sit if she wanted.

@Astralin

Morningstar chuckled. "I recently spent some time on twenty-four and I almost didn't come back down. I see what you mean."

Rebekah seemed to have their day planned out extensively, which Star respected. He usually went into things with half the knowledge he should; he was prone to winging it. This was a nice change. He listened to her proposal, thoughts of animals roaming his mind. He wondered what hid in the Winter Woods for them to find and what she would end up taming.

The thought of familiars had crossed his mind a million times, but Morningstar had still not tried to find one. He had no idea what kind of an animal he'd want. He thought back to his time on the Paradise Islands to a furry little critter he'd met. Maybe something cute and cuddly would suit the man.

"I'll agree to help you find a familiar on the condition that you help me when the time comes for me to get mine," he winked.

Rebekah showed him a spot he'd never tried before: The Frosty's Café. He'd somehow never noticed it there, which was odd since he loved cafés.

"I've never been but it sounds good. Although, I think they're on the wrong floor for selling ice cream," he jested. "Want me to buy us some drinks before we head out? The line's a little long but I don't mind."

@Rebekah

The Town of Beginnings was quiet today. A rare occurrence, Morningstar thought. As usual, he was dressed in his shabby light armor (consisting of a brown jacket and black bottoms) with a green cloak draped overtop. The cloak's hood covered the swordsman's bored expression as he wandered through the city. Everyone was busy. Elwood had a guild meeting, Joaquin was up on the twenty-sixth floor doing some tough quest, and Julius was off doing who knows what.

Morningstar was rarely this bored. Aincrad had a million possibilities but today none of them seemed exciting to him. He wanted someone to talk to, to hang out with. He found himself in the center of town, which was much busier than the streets he'd walked down. He didn't question it. A beep startled him, returning him to reality. He'd received a message.

"Rebekah, huh?" Morningstar said.

He didn't message back to ask what they'd be doing—anything was better than another loop around town. It took him less than a minute to walk from where he was to the teleporter. He equipped warmer clothes, a look he wasn't used to. It was more casual, like something he would have worn in real life. A black jacket and black pants accessorized with gloves, a teal scarf, and a maroon toque. He smiled, adjusting the hair that poked out from beneath his beanie, and teleported to the fourth floor.

Snowfrost brought back happy memories. It was his favorite town he'd been to in Sword Art Online. It didn't take long for him to find his friend in the crowd. She waited by the teleporter like she'd said, her pink hair standing out in the snow.

"I didn't picture you as a snow person. I thought you'd be more of a tropical drinks-on-the-beach kind of girl," Morningstar joked, waving to Rebekah.

@Rebekah

Morningstar's fight was over. He left the mat, turning away from the remaining fights. He was the third of the participants to win and, honestly, he never thought he’d make it that far. He took a seat in the stands, distant from other observants. The number of people watching had been reduced slightly. It wasn’t any of his business, but he was still curious as to why so many had disappeared. He looked back to the matches. 

As fun as the tournament had been so far, he couldn’t help but feel anxious about the coming fights. Not because he thought he’d lose, but because there was a chance he could win. Morningstar’s pendant was wrapped around his fingers. He fiddled with it gently, eyes pinned on the final fight of the round. He thought he had at most two more duels before the end of the event. Assuming he could last long enough, he’d have the chance to claim the prizes that Baldur had prepared. With that begged the question: who the hell was he going to ask on the date?

He could count the number of people he knew at the tournament on one hand and most of them were just names and faces. He didn’t want to ask out just anyone—who knows what they’d be like. Morningstar scanned through the crowd, trying to pick out those he knew. His first thought was NIGHT but frankly, he didn't feel much of a connection during their brief conversation. And besides, she wasn’t there.

“Maybe I can just pass,” he mumbled to himself, resting his bokken flat on top of his legs.

It'd been nearly a year since Morningstar's life took a turn for the worst and the thought of dating someone new made his heart hurt. It'd just be one date, though. He couldn't guarantee a win either. Maybe he'd accidentally mess up in the last round and lose. Maybe he'd throw the—no, he wouldn't throw the match. His ego wouldn't be able to take it if he did.

With his left hand, Morningstar fixed his dirty blonde hair. By this point in the tournament, there was no chance that he looked his best. Two successive fights had left him feeling weary. Idly, he watched Takumi duel his opponent, patiently awaiting the next round.

His guest shifted comfortably, still cuddling his leg. Morningstar leaned back, holding himself upright with his dominant arm. The view from the cliff was breathtaking. Throughout his life, he'd never seen anything like it before. The problem with cities was the lack of mountain ranges and untouched bodies of water. Not to mention the fact that trees and bushes always seemed too intentional. Nature in Aincrad was wild and chaotic, yet peaceful all the same.

Morningstar had grown up in the heart of California. He'd seen the ocean, of course, but never taken the time to appreciate it. Hikes like the trails of the Paradise Islands were unimaginable for him. He was a city-dweller, fixed on the minutiae of life. Time was split and juggled between his growing acting career and the chance at a life beyond it, whatever that looked like. Back then, he must have held a lot of resentment for how his teenage years turned out. It seemed so long ago now.

"Stephen," his mother called, "we're heading out soon. Don't forget your bags."

Stephen, nineteen at the time, shifted in his sheets. The softness of his mattress called strongly for him to stay; however, he ignored it, forcefully pushing the heavy blanket off of him. He sat up, his feet touching the woven carpet below. He questioned why he was up so early, realizing shortly after that he had a plane to catch. They were heading to Japan. He rubbed his eyes, hoping to free himself of his fatigue. He could hear his parents talking from downstairs but his dazed mind couldn't process their words. He went through his usual routine—stretches, a shower, and breakfast—before meeting with his mother and father outside.

Their jet left around seven in the morning, he recalled. It wasn't a bad trip, although it was long and seemingly unending. He'd received a gift that morning. Or maybe it was more like a trade.

"Open the box. Trust me, you'll like it," his mother said.

He ripped open the wrapping paper, a hint of confusion plastered on his face. It wasn't his birthday or anything; why go through the trouble of buying him a gift? The box was littered with katakana, which thankfully he'd learned to read years before. The gift contained Japan's newest technological breakthrough: the NerveGear.

"What's this?" Stephen asked.

"It's supposed to be a new virtual reality headset. We thought you'd enjoy it," his father returned, taking a sip of whiskey.

"No," Stephen said, "what's the occasion?"

His parents met each other's eyes as if speaking telekinetically. His father took another sip from his glass, allowing Stephen's mother to speak.

"We have something we hoped you'd audition for. It's an adaptation of an old show in Japan, it was very popular at-"

"That's why we're going to Japan?"

"It would be a big deal for your career, Stephen. We'd like you to at least give it a shot."

Stephen slouched in his seat. "What's it about?"

"Ninjas, I think. Big money, I've heard," his dad said.

"Fine. I'll go," he said, meeting his mother's gaze.

She smiled softly and although Stephen's expression was cold, he couldn't help but feel appreciation for her. She worked hard to get into the position she was in—he knew that. She always tried her best to provide for him. She wanted him to succeed, just like she had. He shut his eyes, sinking into the cushions of his chair. The plane rocked gently, leaving him in a state somewhere between sleep and consciousness. They'd be landing in ten hours and two days later, he'd go to the audition for his family's sake instead of his own.

Morningstar scratched the white rabbit's ear, lost in the memories of a time before Aincrad. A time before he was Morningstar.

"Perfect" being the movie she'd recognized him from seemed fitting. It was your stereotypical girl-meets-boy story. Not that it was a bad thing—he'd enjoyed filming it and loved his co-stars. There just wasn't a lot of depth to it. He noticed Astreya wipe her forhead. She seemed tired but maybe he was projecting.

"Maybe some people have someone they really want to ask out," he returned with a chuckle.

With two short steps, Morningstar found himself back in the midst of the fight. He thrust his sword downwards but failed to breach the girl's block. Astreya's counter caught him by surprise. She stepped in close, aiming a strike at his center. Time seemed to slow down before panic could set in. He stepped back and parried her attack, tapping her on the back with the tip of his bokken. A judge raised a flag, signaling Morningstar's point. It was over. He'd won.

He knew that the girl was right, that the tournament was just for fun, but taking another victory felt satisfying. He turned back to the raven-haired girl.

"Nice fight," he said with a smile.

Morningstar: 3/3
@Astreya: 0/3

Morningstar considered his options carefully. Did he want the trinkets or the vanity pendant? He met Rebekah's gaze.

"I think I'll take the pendant," he replied, turning to Larbrook.

Larbrook took the Hoyas of the East and West and, in return, gave Star the Hoya of Minos. He and Rebekah followed Larbrook back through the winding labyrinth until they reached the Forest of Wavering Mist. Their trip through the forest was filled with Larbrook's promises to sing songs of their battles with the minotaurs and they're adventure through the labyrinth. Eventually, they arrived back in Aruyt. Nightfall had come at a perfect time: right at the end of their quest. Larbrook parted ways with the pair, commending them for their bravery. He gave the axe-wielder a wave, before turning back to Rebekah.

"Nice work out there. That would have been a lot harder on my own," he admitted, dropping the hood of his cloak, "let's meet again sometime, okay?"

With a few swishes of his hand, he sent the rosy-haired girl a friend request.

@Rebekah

                                                                                                                                              Paradise Islands - Floor 24

A rabbit hopped silently through bushes, stopping to nibble on patches of grass along the way. It weaved around trees and across paths until it reached a clearing. Sunlight poured in between the leaves and needles of greenery, bathing the critter in light. Its bounces turned to small steps as it poked its head out from behind the shrubs, unsure of its surroundings. A cool sea breeze wafted over the rabbit, the scent of salt relaxing it. It hopped forwards, coming to a stop at the edge of the cliff. The water below was a clear turquoise. Fish leaped from it, creating splashes upon landing. On the opposite side of the cliff was a neighboring mountain. A tranquil waterfall flowed down its side, meeting the sea at the bottom.

"Hello, little one," a voice called, startling the rabbit.

Morningstar knelt, dropping a bundle of wildflowers for the animal. The rabbit, wary at first, succumbed to the gift. The swordsman smiled, relocating closer to the cliff's edge and taking a seat. He breathed deeply, closing his eyes. The call of the sea lifted a weight from his shoulders. He couldn't remember how long it'd been since Baldur's tournament—no more than a week, he'd thought. Gulls chattered above, scanning the depths for food. A soft nudge to his leg caused him to open his eyes. Investigating the cause, he noticed that the rabbit had settled in beside his left leg comfortably. He lowered his hand, gently brushing the animal's soft fur.

His trip to the islands was intended for training of sorts. Not physical training but mental training. He'd grown exponentially as a swordsman; however, his mind held him back from being great. Continuously petting the rabbit, he immersed himself in the sun's beams. They washed over him angelically, illuminating his already light hair. With his right hand, he swiped the air. He unequipped his cloak and light armor, leaving him shirtless in the warm embrace of daylight.

During his retreat, Morningstar had explored an ample amount of the Paradise Islands. He'd met other travelers along the way—hikers, fishermen, other swordsmen who'd come to train. This cliff was always uninhabited, though. It was like a secret spot that only he knew of. His expression was soft as he glanced down at the rabbit. Today, he had a guest.

Govarron was bigger than Kantaras, but wore less armor. He also wielded a battle axe even larger than Larbrook's. Star stayed silent, nodding to Rebekah as she gestured for him to go first. His hand took to the hilt of his blade and as he pressed forward, he released it from its scabbard. The minotaur turned, hearing the call of metal behind him. It let out a roar, lifting it's weapon in defense. A yellow shimmer embraced Morningstar's blade. He sped up, avoiding a heavy swing from Govarron's axe. With a few quick steps, he found himself behind the beast once again. His sword arced towards his opponent's waist, but didn't deal quite enough damage to kill the minotaur.

He fell back, his eyes meeting Rebekah's. The swordsman was disappointed he couldn't replicate his party member's one shot from before, but he was grateful to be finishing the quest nonetheless. He gestured to Rebekah, giving her the all-clear to end the fight. 

@Rebekah

Morningstar was surprised but Rebekah's answer made sense. He thought about her question, unsure of how to respond. He was an explorer, not a fighter. He wasn't the hero that Aincrad needed to clear the floors and save everyone from the game. That being said, he had been putting himself through intense training. Maybe the frontlines were calling him after all. He looked to Rebekah.

"Honestly, I'm not sure what I want. I spent a long time behind the walls of the Town of Beginnings. Eventually, I found the courage to leave but I didn't start leveling until recently. I used to spend a lot of time figuring out what Aincrad has to offer—exploring the floors and whatnot. I haven't been doing that as much lately."

One step after another, they trekked through the endless labyrinth. They twisted around sharp corners, avoiding dead ends like the plague.

"If you ever decide to go back and need a hand, let me know," Morningstar smiled.

4/5 searching for minotaur 2

@Rebekah

Astreya's reaction was common when he explained to people who he was. You don't expect to meet someone from the type of lifestyle Star came from in a random video game tournament. It seemed to sink in for her quickly, though.

He thought about movies she might have seen, disregarding his failed attempt at an attack. "I was the lead in a sci-fi movie called 'Patchwork Humanity' a few years back. Or maybe you saw 'Perfect'? It was a romance film. A little cheesy."

Her next remark seemed in character. Morningstar replied with a smirk but gave nothing else in return, stopping the strike that followed. Their dance went back and forth, extending longer than his match with Hirru had. He kept his lead but found himself enjoying the plateau they'd reached. Around them, a second fight concluded; however, Star's focus remained on Astreya. He returned to his side of the mat, wiping drops of sweat from his forehead. She kept herself well guarded. Star, unsure of his next move, attempted to copy the girl's downward arc. He glided across the mat, swiping down at Astreya's head.

TIE
Morningstar: 2/3
@Astreya: 0/3

Morningstar cocked his head to listen to Rebekah. He appreciated her offer to let him get an attack in, even if it wouldn't compare to her own damage. He'd been spending a lot of his time training recently and wouldn't mind the chance to test a new sword art.

"Sure," he gave her a thumbs up, "I'd love to. If you're sure, of course."

His eyes returned ahead, Larbrook's frame covering his view of what was in front of them. He wondered how far they were to the next minotaur and what the beast would be like. Kantaras, with his abnormally large blade and shield, appeared menacing. Would he even feel the same about the next enemy knowing how successful the previous fight had been?

Unlikely, he thought.

He rested his hand on the hilt of his blade. "I take it you're a frontliner?"

He felt like he'd been meeting more and more of them after ignoring the frontlines completely for so much time. He often considered joining them—when he was ready, of course.

2/5 searching for minotaur 2

@Rebekah
 

One more point and he'd proceed to round three.

He noticed the girl's puzzled expression when he asked his question. It was fair, he thought. In this scenario, it came out as an odd question. He lifted his sword above his head, hanging it left to block Astreya's next attack. He was unfocused during her last, but not this time. They touched blades again.

"I'm an actor—or at least, I used to be. Sometimes people recognize me from films I've been in, although it hasn't happened in a while," he chuckled, backing off.

Morningstar took a moment to breathe. The mid-duel conversation had taken him away from his self-deprecating thoughts. This fight was different than his duel with Hirru. He couldn't put a finger on why, though. He relaxed the grip on his bokken. The air that had once felt heavy and consuming now eased off. He dashed forwards, closing the gap between the two, and attempted another low slash.

For a short second, he thought about home. Nostalgia washed over him as his sword inched towards the girl's thigh.

Morningstar: 2/3
@Astreya: 0/3

Morningstar nodded, readying his sword. He waited, watching Rebekah run towards their opponent. Kantaras didn't even notice the girl; he had no opportunity to even look in her direction. The tip of her rapier stabbed through the beast and it exploded into a flurry of blue pixels.

He looked at Rebekah, his mouth wide. Larbook lowered his axe, disheartened. It seemed like the NPC was hoping for a fight, but Rebekah had taken care of Kantaras in a single strike. Morningstar's sword returned to its scabbard. 

"New plan," he chuckled, "do that again."

The crew turned back to the maze. Star's discomfort was gone after watching the rosy-haired girl's damage. He was sure they were safe. Larbrook took the lead again, moving in the direction of the next minotaur. The dungeon was long, but Star had expected that when he'd decided to do the quest. He slid his hands into his pant pockets.

0/5 searching for minotaur 2

@Rebekah

The question came as a surprise. He'd landed his first strike, but the girl's counter came quick. Where would she know him from?

He nearly stumbled backwards, eyes shifting from Astreya to her blade. His left was completely unguarded; he'd made a mistake. Morningstar pivoted, his right foot planted steadily on the ground. As he repositioned his arms, her sword clashed with his. Maybe she'd seen him around previously that day and didn't realize it. Their blades bounced, giving him a chance to step back. Morningstar didn't go to raids and normally quested alone. The chances that they'd met in some random town in Aincrad were slim.

That left the real world. His gaze softened. He wasn't going to start by asking the girl where she'd lived or went to school before Aincrad—that would be weird. 

"Were you much of a movie person growing up?" Morningstar relaxed for a moment.

She'd probably seen him in a film at some point. It made sense. They'd never met. She'd seen him on a screen once or twice and now his face seemed familiar. But now, so did hers and he couldn't tell if it was because of the tournament or because they'd met some time before. He returned an attack, this time lifting his blade high and aiming for the shoulder.

She'd gotten in his head.

Morningstar: 1/3
@Astreya: 0/3

The deeper into the maze they moved, the colder it seemed to get. The air was stale and breezeless. Larbrook seemed tense. Star's grip tightened around his blade as their guide abruptly stopped. They had arrived. Their path changed from a dreary corridor to an open room, dimly light by flaming braziers.

A terrifying beast faced them from ahead. In one hand was a sword the size of Star's two-handed blade. In the other was a shield. It's eyes were dark and rageful. The minotaur was even bigger in stature than Larbrook and was covered from head to toe in silver armor. Larbrook raised his axe, awaiting the players' next moves.

Morningstar wondered if he seemed afraid. He was, at least a bit. Deep down, he knew they'd be okay. He didn't know her well, but he trusted Rebekah. She was strong enough to keep them both alive.

He looked to the girl. "What's the plan?"

@Rebekah

Morningstar's fingers wrapped his ankles as he gave his hamstrings a stretch. He didn't know his next opponent or what they were like. He stood up straight. The gradual buildup of stress and excitement before a fight was something he was unaccustomed to. He observed the remaining players. Nine had become ten with the addition of the boy who had taken the swordsman to Baldur's estate: Takumi.

"Interesting," he mumbled to himself.

He stepped towards his adversary, sword in hand. She seemed familiar. He'd seen her once or twice in the stands prior to the second round. Straight dark hair flowed below her shoulders, tumbling over her white and blue kimono. He didn't mean to stare; she was pretty. He moved into the ring, meeting the girl's eyes.

"Astreya, right? I'm Morningstar," he beamed, "let's have a good fight."

Morningstar's grip tightened around his training sword. His weight shifted from one foot to the other as he considered his opening move. He took an offensive stance, before lunging at the girl. His movement was off, but he committed to the attack.

He felt out of place, like he wasn't meant to be there. He had no combat experience; what right did he have to be in the second round? He was an actor, performing a role even after being separated from his old life. He swung low.

Morningstar: 0/3
@Astreya: 0/3

Morningstar shook his head. "I didn't have anyone to play with. I've met a few people here that have been with me since basically the start, though."

His friends stuck with him, those that survived until this point. They were all a lot stronger than he was, but he never felt like a burden to them. He hoped the girl's brother was okay back home. Periodically, the swordsman peaked behind him. He wasn't too worried, but wanted to make sure they weren't being stalked.

"Thanks for letting me join you, by the way. I don't know many people within the game so I'm normally soloing these quests. It's nice to have someone else around for a change," with his empty hand, he fiddled with the angel wing pendant around his neck.

Besides, he thought, this quest was beyond him in terms of skill. He knew he couldn't solo it, not this time.

Post 3/5 Searching for Minotaur #1

@Rebekah

Stephen left the shop feeling calm. Lyle wasn't that bad of a guy after all. He unequipped his old sword and took out the Tealeaf Blade. It was a bit fancier than his starter blade, for sure, but it wasn't some sort of powerful weapon. It was a useful tool, that was all. The boar tusk handle was obvious, but maybe that was because Lyle had admitted it to him earlier. 

He walked back towards the front gate. "Just in time for the sunset. I'm lucky."

Shades of pink, orange, and indigo painted the horizon. From behind him, the moon smiled back. Another quest had been completed and he could relax again. A tree sat alone in the seemingly endless fields of the First Floor. The Town of Beginnings grew silent in the distant as night approached. He sat down, leaning back against the base of the tree. He'd keep it company for a while and they'd enjoy the colorful sky dance together. A bird flew overhead, landing above him on a branch. Stephen glanced up at the crow and it reminded him of an old friend; a forgotten warrior lost to the virtual world.

----------------------------
THREAD COMPLETE
----------------------------
EXP:
- 635 EXP from thread completion (3816 words/30=127*5=635)
- 475 EXP from quest rewards
- 1110 Total EXP

Col:
- 400 Col from thread completion
- 500 Col from thread rewards
- 900 Total Col

Items:
+1 Boar Jerky (+2 DMG, +5 MIT)
+1 Tealeaf Blade (+1 DMG)

Quest Unlocked:
<<The Third Lesson>>

The unlikely crew wandered back to The Town of Beginnings together, parting ways at the front gate.

"It was nice to meet you both," Julius bowed respectfully.

"I'm sure we'll meet again," Stephen replied.

"If you need anything, I'll be around. Just let me know," the magician smiled, before turning away from the pair.

Stephen's eyes moved from the distant magician to the present warrior. "You should probably get going. You did mention a guild meeting that you've got tonight."

Joaquin placed a hand on Stephen's shoulder. "You sure you'll be alright?"

"I'll manage," Stephen returned.

They maneuvered the town together until they reached the teleporter. "You know, Lexa would be proud of you. You did good out there."

"Thanks, J."

"See you around, Steve."

With that, Stephen Star was alone. He pulled up the hood of his cloak, the air becoming cooler as the day turned to evening. Lyle's shop was nearby and he'd hoped to return in time to catch the sunset afterwards. He passed empty merchant stands and the odd couple relaxing in the city. The blacksmith was in a comfy part of town, although you wouldn't have guessed by the owner's stern and aggressive nature. Without knocking, Stephen let himself inside.

"Lyle," he began, "I'm back. Three boarlets dead, as you requested."

Lyle's head peaked out from the back room of the shop. "Oh yeah? Let's see the tusks."

Stephen placed the tusks on the counter for the smith to see. The NPC nodded in approval. He tells Stephen that the tusks are used to make hilts for various blades. They're easily accessible in the fields, so they make for cheap yet quality material. 

"I don't take loans from anyone, especially from Dorian White. You know who might, though? Ol' Pete Larkin. He spends all his time fishing for river monsters or some such nonsense," Lyle scoffed.

"Thanks, Lyle. I appreciate the tip," Stephen returned.

"Oh," Lyle stopped Morningstar before he could leave, "and, Morningstar was it? Take a sword or some armor with you. Consider it payment for your work."

Stephen nodded, thanking him once more.

+1 Tealeaf Blade (+1 DMG)

The fight was over with one last swipe of Morningstar's yellow blade. The boar shattered into shades of blue, leaving nothing but a consumable.

"Boar Jerky, huh? Not bad," he muttered, turning to meet his friends while pocketing the jerky.

The Boarlet's Blood he'd found earlier was gone. He assumed it'd been dropped during the fight, but he didn't see it in the grass anywhere. It'd been replaced with a better item anyway, he thought. He slid his sword back into it's scabbard.

"Nice work, man," Joaquin called.

Julius followed alongside the warrior. They met face to face with Stephen again for the first time since the boarlet.

"Quite the unexpected turn of events, wouldn't you say?" Julius chuckled, tapping his cane on the ground.

"Not bad, though, right? I'd say I got some good hits in," Stephen replied.

"They'll be calling you 'The Great Morningstar' someday," Julius assured the swordsman.

+1 Boar Jerky (+2 DMG, +5 MIT)

The boar shook itself off, a squeal coming from it as it pushed forward for a last resort hit. It's single tusk pointed at Stephen, but the man's fear was gone. He'd seen everything that the mother boar could throw at it and was no longer worried.

He confidently allowed the boar to come near him and kicked it away. It fell to it's side, slowly picking itself back up. The boar was weak. It didn't have much health left. Stephen was tired too, although not enough to stop him from finishing the fight. He looked over to his friends and gave them a thumbs up.

"See, I told you I had it covered."

"We never doubted you," Joaquin shouted back.

"We absolutely doubted him," Julius told Joaquin.

"Let's not tell him that."

The boar managed it's way back onto it's feet. Although stumbling a bit, it galloped towards him. Victory was fleeting and it had one last chance to strike.