Alkor

He wiped away the wetworks just in time to arrive in the second floor settlement. Urbus was abuzz with activity as daylight slowly ebbed from the sky. Lanterns ignited and shed light over the streets. There was much left unsaid, but the day's task, at least, was complete.

Alkor headed toward the teleporter at the center of town with one thing in mind. Rest, relax, come back to it at a later time. There was nothing to be gained from letting the emotional overload tax him to the point where he would be no good to anyone. He headed for floor eleven, where he knew the Inn would be warm and the drinks would be served fresh. 

"I need at least five beers," he muttered to himself. Alkor had never been a heavy drinker, but it felt like the right call given his situation. A temporary escape, perhaps, but a welcome one.

"Grandma... what would you do?"

One day, you're gonna have to do all this without me. I won't be around forever. With those words, his grandmother sighed and took out her car keys, then headed out the door. You have to learn to talk to people. It's not always easy. As an adult, you won't have anyone to bail you out. Watch what I do and listen what I say. Learn how to do this now, because if you have to learn it by yourself, you're going to struggle.

Yet still, he struggled. He's a smart boy, he just hasn't learned everything there is to know. People make mistakes. He's special, see. Things that make sense to us, don't to him. Help him understand what he did wrong, and I promise, he'll do his best to fix it. Please, don't take this opportunity from him.

Words. Emotions. All of it seemed like a grand production playing out in front of him, but Thom never fully grasped how she had done it. The woman understood what people felt. She knew how to talk to them.

Everything she was, he wasn't.

Yet somehow, she had treated him like her own child.

"Grandma," he whispered. Tears threatened at the edges of both his eyes. "I don't know how to do it alone."

What of his other friends? It seemed Evan found his way into the game, but Tobias? What had become of him? Was he fortunate enough to miss Day One of the calamity, or had the Player called Arc dived in headfirst as well? Too many questions started to plague the swordsman as he approached Urbus.

All of his friends were lost to him, in one way or another. Mari... she would be, soon enough. In his haste to do right, he had done much greater wrong. What could he do to amend that?

Again, only the truth seemed to shine any light ahead of him.

That truth, however, would turn her feelings to hate. It was no cause not to afford it to her- he knew that with or without him, she needed that closure. That was his intention when he approached Lessa. Both women had been wronged, both in unique ways.

The burden fell on him to ensure that he found the answer, and walked the right path.

He remembered the conversation, vaguely. Posturing, threats, even the challenge of a fight to the death. Alkor had declined, but he had managed in his aggravation to remove Lessa from his friends. The blanks were not filled in. The questions only begat more questions.

One day, he would ask her.

But no time soon. Their friendship had only just thawed out, frozen for years inside of Aincrad. There was pain and suffering on her end, he was certain of it. She had not gone easy on him with her words. He could not blame her, and despite his anxiety reaching a whole new level, Alkor found himself sympathizing with someone else.

He knew, the answer lay somewhere between them in the unspoken words. There was truth to find, and he would find it.

The irony smacked him across the face.

He told her that he would protect her, only to hurt her worse than any monster had in all her time there.

Numbness crept along his spine as he walked.

Where had it gone wrong?

Before the brutality and raw emotions, before his massive breakdown, before the Hydra- there was Lessa. She was a friend, someone who he could depend on. She was kind, and she wanted to do good for everyone. When he had slain a Player in defense of another, she gave him her ear and heard him out, where she could have turned him away.

He strained to recall what set all of the chaos in motion. Lessa had asked for answers, and at the time, he had none to give. But she seemed as confused as he was. What came to his mind, now made no sense.

Daeron.

The man approached him, bravado out like a knife. He had threatened and flown off the handle at every word Alkor spoke. He told him things...

Lessa didn't seem like she understood why he had acted the way he had. To Alkor, all of it made sense. Between the two of them, something had gone from harmony to chaos. Now what seemed so clear was shrouded in fog.

Alkor walked along the path with a contemplative look on his face. He didn't see if anyone were near, and if they were, he ignored them entirely. He needed answers.

Had Daeron lied?

"Yeah, I'm alright," he replied tilting his head. Both women asked similar questions- well, as similar as Azoda's question could get to "how are you?" He never responded the way people expected, somehow. They always had weird expectations. "I just overheard you guys getting a little stirred up and I came to make sure everything was alright."

He turned and gestured. "It's a party, right?"

Ironic. I never went to parties on the outside. Oh well.

"As long as you're good, that's perfect. I'll leave you to it, then." He started to turn, then stopped. "I hope you can relax some and enjoy yourself," he told the fiery woman, "and you're right," he told Ceres, "in their own way, nobody is useless."

With that, he began the long walk back to Mari and the throwing booth. The season was one of the few times where they could take a break from the harshness of this world. Everyone should have been able to enjoy it.

@Ceres @Azhoda

"Uh, hey, are you good?" Alkor took a step toward her with a hand outstretched, only to realize the woman had stumbled over a small green creature. "For some reason," he started as he crouched low to get a better look, "I don't think we're gonna get quite that much of an exhibition."

He tilted his head, fascinated. It was a smaller version of the more exquisite beasts they had been discussing, but it was still within parameters. "I've never seen anything like this on the first floor before. I think you may have literally stumbled upon our quarry."

It did occur to him that the game might have put something infinitely more dangerous than the dangers they were used to in front of them, but he also didn't think it would just randomly spawn something like that on Players that had not gone quite so far as they had. There were rules within the system that prevented random, unmitigated slaughter of low level Players. If they wandered astray on their own, all bets were off.

"What do you make of it?" he asked her.

@Lessa

He stopped himself short of throwing when he heard the voice. It wasn't like he was trying to avoid her, Alkor had always been bad at responding to mail and texts, even group messages. The dark haired swordsman turned to glance at Mari with a smile. "You came to a festival, huh?" he asked, pleasantly surprised. "That's a great start, Mari. It's important to let people see you trying to get along with others."

He knew that was true, because it was in a way the same struggle he faced. Every chance he got to make a friend or at least gain an ally, he needed to take. Lessa would probably be proud of him for making that effort.

"Soon you'll be able to get along with anybody, right?" his smile turned into a grin, and he tossed the ball to her. "You should give it a shot. I'm pretty bad at games like this, but I'll probably take my chances-"

He blinked when the sound of a familiar voice rose and caught his attention. Is that... oh. Had to be, didn't it?

Alkor had half a mind to step in and say something, but it diffused just as quickly. He caught bits and pieces of the heated outburst, enough to get the gist of what was going on. Oh, it's that girl I met. I wonder how they know each other.

He took a step toward the two, but called back over his shoulder. "I'll be right back, Mari." After that, he moved toward Ceres and Azhoda.

"You guys enjoying the event?" he asked diplomatically.

@Azhoda @Ceres

With the field boss defeated and the quest clear, he had the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely walk back. The faint scent of honeycombs in the distance told the tale of a sweet treat, if the Player wanted to trek off the beaten path and search for it. Lower level Players were wont to wander and explore when given the opportunity.

It was something much more dangerous on the Frontlines. They traveled in groups and worked as teams because the threat of death was very real. It almost felt nice to have a break. 

But his break had already lasted too long. He wanted to grow, to get stronger- but he wanted to do it in a way where people wouldn't have to worry about him, and where he knew he could do the most good.

That was a big difference between then and now. He was at least trying to take people's feelings into consideration. Trying, because he wasn't always sure what those feelings were.

He took a breath and lowered himself, knees bent. It had to work. He had to relax and let everything fall into place. There was a perfect amount of effort he had to put forward, and with the proper mental state, it would be a trivial task.

His sword lit up. In the seconds after that, he began swiping fiercely, and the Wasp Queen came within reach only a step and a half later. The blade tore through pixelated insect, and continued to do so until the image fractured, segmented, and split to pieces.

When he stopped, the blade rested out to one side, and Alkor exhaled. "Okay," he said quietly. "That was a great deal easier than I expected. Good. Good. That means I'm not so terribly far behind that I can't catch up.

I just soloed a low level field boss.

I can do this."

He tucked the weapon away at his side and stood up. Urbus was a short hike away, and he had to make it back before sunset. 

Didn't want to be out too late.

They rushed at each other, blade and stinger bared. Both attacks went wide, perhaps from too much emphasis placed on evasion. Alkor cursed himself for placing a small amount of health- or perhaps less- above finishing the fight.

If he made small concessions, he could attain larger results. That was the sort of thinking he had, at least. Other Players might argue that safety came before all else, but to someone trying to do the most damage possible, it seemed like the wrong decision.

Alkor spun around as quickly as he could manage to face the Wasp Queen, which had already turned to set its sights on him. It had just as much luck as he did in the last exchange, so there was at least that much to celebrate.

"One more good hit," he told himself. "That's all it's gonna take."

He tilted his head when she said she knew about Cardinal. Well... it did make sense. Maybe he said too much in explanation? He had been pretty excited to learn about it when they were interviewing Kayaba Akibhiko in that magazine...

And his mom even told him to shut up about it, at one point. 

Okay, yeah. I overshared. Oops.

"I didn't choose to be asleep," he protested. "I didn't even think that was possible. I must have glitched out."

She shifted gears and talked about the quest again, so he followed suit.

"That would be cool," Alkor admitted, "but I honestly don't think so. If there was a mob in the air anywhere, we would be able to see it at some point when we got close enough. The first floor's pretty small, so..."

He moved his finger around in a circle. "...I do wish, though." 

Watch it swoop down, now.

Alkor had no more reason to wait.

He threw himself toward the boss almost recklessly, and yet, with all the preparation of a skilled Swordsman. It was a perilous balance, a dichotomy achievable only by someone who had undergone intense training. Was this what it felt like, back when the Samurai wandered Japan, and the feudal lords presided over everything?

I'm getting better.

He quickly utilized his sword art at the instant combat was joined. In the instant where the Wasp Queen, which dwarfed him in size and stature attacked, Alkor ripped through her in three even strokes.

The beast almost failed to register his movements as he hit the dirt and skidded. Much faster. Much stronger. Much more likely to leave the opponent devastated.

He loved that about the Curved Sword.

There was one thing left to do before taking her on.

Alkor checked all of his stats, his skills, and his inventory. He had potions, his equipment measured up... he just had to ensure that he took the fight seriously. Regardless of how weak it might be, the Wasp Queen would be much stronger than the mobs he had just trashed.

He made a promise to be more careful. Yes, he'd get stronger, and yes, he would propel himself toward the Frontlines- but he wouldn't take any leaping risks on the way there.

There were at least two people who had entreated him not to do anything rash. Then there was Bahr... 

That guy again. I dunno why, I get a weird feeling about him. I just couldn't piece together what got into him. Stop going where I don't belong...?

Does he not want me around Lessa...?

Whatever. I've got to focus. This is important.

Alkor exploded into motion once more, intent on landing the blow he meant to strike in the first place. When he charged the sword art, the verdant color thrummed around his curved sword, and he started slicing clean through areas of the wasp's body.

When he returned to the ground, it shivered, spasmed, and exploded into a string of data that roiled toward the heavens. The swordsman remained crouched a moment longer, just to catch his breath.

He knew that wasn't totally necessary, but it also allowed for him to collect his thoughts. As he rose to his proper height, he noticed it. The creature that dwarfed all other wasps had appeared, and she looked very displeased.

Roaming the center of the field and buzzing furiously, the Wasp Queen had made her appearance at last.

Alkor walked out into the town and looked around. Not only was it beautiful, it was decked out for the festival. He listened as various NPCs called out instructions and promises of good cheer, and thoughts of his family at Christmas came to his mind. It was the only time they all ever really came together. He had already missed many of them. Did his family miss him? Had they given him up for dead?

Ah, well. It was a time for cheer, and the game seemed to insist on everyone having a good mood in spite of their losses. For Alkor, it was a chance to meet up with Players he had not seen in a very long time, and possibly see people who he knew as well.

He strolled through and looked over the various events and items they had laid out, and a woman who offered him hot cocoa smiled. Alkor looked at the options and discovered they had a plethora of effects that could be useful to him at some point in the future. "I'll take... this one," he declared as he pointed out the item he wanted.

After all, speed was his path of choice, and it only made sense for him to take an item that offered it. The others had great things going for them, but they just didn't seem up his alley. The cocoa was meant for the event anyway, so it wouldn't hurt to take whatever appealed to him the most.

As it went to his inventory, he sauntered toward the game where the lumberjack offered Players a chance to throw the ball. "Oh, it's a marksmanship type carnival game," he muttered to himself. "I wonder if I can hit the targets." He chuckled.

"Don't know if I don't try, I guess."

He took the ball in hand, tossed it in the air a few times to get a feel for it, then took aim and cocked back. "Here goes..."

His next attack was as ruthless as it was sudden. Alkor spun the blade quickly as he rushed forward and came at the wasp, intending to take it off guard. Unfortunately, the creature managed to notice him before he could get within range, and it flitted upward and away from the devastating blow that the swordsman had intended.

Alkor cursed under his breath and continued along with the hope that the momentum would carry him out of harm's way. Luckily, the enemy was insufficient to harm him in any lethal way, because he was able to take the damage with no real consequence to his health.

The impact drove him forward by a few inches as he reeled away, but he recovered quickly and brought the blade around into a defensive position. He knew that was pretty useless without any defensive skills, but it was still the right thing to do.

Form was important, after all.

He wasted no time after his breath. With a quick motion, he burst into action and brought the blade around. Quick, precise strokes with a great deal of force behind them assailed the wasp, and it succumbed instantly to the damage. 

Alkor continued with his follow through and finished in a relaxed stance, blade held with his arm across his body. He was already starting to get used to the difference in how the weapon moved, and how to grip it more effectively. He felt the excessive force of a critical blow in his last attack.

It was hard to score those with a weapon you were just starting with.

"This is excellent," he muttered to himself as he let the blade fall to the side and glanced around him. "How many more of these things to I have to kill, though?"

There was no sign of any sort of special wasp. Just the ones he'd already been picking on. With that in mind, he decided that he'd continue to harass the mobs until their fearful leader did decide to show up.

Then maybe he'd actually have a challenge on his hands.

He began to charge his sword art as the creature slowly stirred, certain he could respond before the stun effect faded. Regrettably, his timing was still sloppy, and he still needed practice with the Curved sword in order to chain attacks together. The wasp managed to regain its wits just in time to weasel out of the way of the strike, even with the closeness of the blade to connecting.

Alkor in turn managed to get himself out of the way of a vicious reprisal, leaning backward in an extreme manner to the point where his waist was almost bent at a ninety degree angle. Thanks to the Athletics mod, his avatar was much more flexible, had greater endurance, and was capable of doing things players who lacked that capability could not manage.

He threw his free hand back and his weight shifted, transferring onto the extended appendage and carrying his legs overhead. He turned a full somersault and landed on his feet, once more crouched low and at the ready.

With a huff, he assessed his situation and prepared to move in once more.

He turned in toward the insect, twisting his torso to bring the blade upward from below. He followed through with a step, then pivoted a full turn to follow through with a second blow from the opposite vector. His blade burned a viridian color as he moved, and then struck close to the wasp enough that it responded by attempting a dodge.

It was a feint.

The creature re-oriented itself just in time for the blade to make its true mark. The weapon swiped for the hexagonal gaze of the wasp and delivered the intended effect- STUN. Familiar with utilizing the mechanic due to his time with the one handed straight sword, it was nice to have something he was used to. He would keep that in mind for later. For now, he landed and rolled behind the creature, intent on his next attack.

It wouldn't stay stunned for long, after all.

His cloak billowed out behind him as he moved, a stain of black in an otherwise sunny, grassy field on the second floor. It almost looked sinister, but for the fluidity of his movements. Truly, he felt at home with this weapon and the movements it spurred.

He rushed toward the next one with skilled speed and measured breaths, but the first strike went wide as it ascended. Alkor threw himself upward in an attempt to turn a flip and put the blade through the beast, but it failed to make its mark.

The swordsman came to rest in a crouched position, quickly pumping his legs to twist and bring the blade around defensively. The wasp came surging downward, thrusting its stinger toward Alkor menacingly. Due to his mitigation stat, he was able to shrug off the damage, but his enemy still managed to hit.

That was a good sign, though. It meant he was still in for a challenge, despite the low floor he was on. His lips peeled into a grin and he dropped into a proper stance, low to the ground with his knees bent.

The blade rested out to one side, the other hand out to the other for balance.

"Alright," he said. "Let's go!"

He moved toward the wasps quickly, blade at the ready. It was less familiar than the Straight Sword, but not awkward. The weight was different, and the swing felt more relaxed. The blade was clearly intended for this.

His sword art shifted the blade green, then carried him through the action, swiping multiple times at the creature with lethal purpose. 

More lethal than anticipated, because even with a weak weapon, he instantly wasted the creature. It had no chance to respond before bursting into streams of blue data and flittering skyward, back to the Cardinal system to be repurposed.

"Okay," he relaxed his posture and looked the blade over, "I like this weapon."

He admired it for a few seconds longer before setting his sights on the next wasp. That one was not so far away, and if the info brokers were to be believed, killing them was the only way to trigger the Queen's spawn.

Well, that just meant more chances to get a feel for his new weapon.

Alright. Finally.

As he approached a group of wasps, Alkor readied his weapon. The Curved type sword was a different monster from the straight blade. It entailed more slash based attacks than thrusts, and instead of a focus on stun type attacks offered a higher overall damage threshold.

That was what he wanted, after all.

He looked the weapon over and checked his skills. Unfortunately, unlike his Perfect Straight Sword, this weapon was underwhelming. It did not boost his damage or offer any other statistics to boost his output. For someone interested in dealing damage, that was a big damper.

The wasps were not a massive threat, however. All things considered, he should have been able to make short work of them. Maybe a bit more slowly, due to his weapon change, but quicker than if they were at an even level.

The last encounter he had with a Player, other than Mari and Lessa, only confused and frustrated him more. Bahr was a man clearly driven by his emotions, even to the point where he encouraged Alkor to show them during encounters with others. He didn't understand what the man meant by that. He wanted to understand, but his frustration and the inability to communicate only served as a buffer to that end.

He understood that Lessa meant something to the man. They were friends, right? He was worried about a friend? Or was there more to it than that? 

Good for them, if that's it.

It may have explained the explosive rage and violent punch he received, but anyone who just... did something like that? That seemed unstable to Alkor.

I hope he's not dangerous. 

The distance from Urbus grew as he trudged along the path and toward the field where wasps gathered in force. This would be a great chance to slash a few annoying enemies and cool off.