Demian

Total:

• [14/04/21] | TIER 4 | (13) | Chocolate Truffles | [SHOP]
• [15/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 9) | Chocolate Truffles | [SHOP]
  • [SOLD]| (-5)
  • [SOLD]| (-2)
• [16/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 9) | Chocolate Truffles | [SHOP]
• [22/04/21] | TIER 4 | (12) | Breakfast Fry      | [SHOP]
• [22/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 5) | Yaki Hatahata      | [SHOP]
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
  • [SOLD]| (-4)

[21/4/21] 

The man raised his head at the mention of more symbols. As though his instincts for correction hadn't exactly made it hard enough to read. Daemien frowned, eyes set towards their entrance his companion had ordered; upon his menu, he saved a screenshot of the tablet's writings and started towards the door, footsteps hastened with his mind still set on translating the sigils on the image.

He clicked his tongue after a moment. Cardinal liked making things difficult for him. When he reached the wall, the signs were deciphered from the new language to something he was more familiar with. And yet, even with his knowledge,

"These are some complex words for something trying to be so vague."

And what was the point of it all?

Daemien huffed, turning around to check on his companion's status; he'd ascended up the tree a while ago, and Daemien wasn't certain if the player could hear him yell with the distance between them. Nevertheless, hollering was worth a shot. "It's talking about some marks adventurers should hunt. 'The Keepers of Nature', or something like that. The details are lost on me, however."

ID: 189667 | LD: 17 | Deciphering stone tablet...
 | 44/60.

Daemien wasn't particularly moved by the wait, nor the sight that was before them, that vivid dreamscape of pristine nature, a growth despite the odds retained underground. At best, he hugged the coat upon his shoulders closer to his form; it was colder within than it was standing in line.

Had the brook passed under his feet, he was certain to avoid disturbing its waters, moving silently forward with grace like a cat's. He stopped at the base of the tree, right where the sunlight sparkled down upon the moss before it the brightest; there was a podium there, etched with certain markings upon the stone. Though Daemien was experienced with Cardinal's foolery, even he was scrambling to connect with the new sigils that stood before him.

So much for a reuse of previous content. The man huffed, squatting once he got closer to it, mouthing to himself its translation under his breath.

ID: 189665 | LD: 10 | Deciphering stone tablet...
 | 10/60.

[20/4/21]

Well talk about touchy. Daemien winced, taken aback by how quickly Randal had rejected the notion of the line. In time, the player would query another about the queue.

Looking for trouble? It sounded as though competing for the hunting grounds were trouble in a nutshell. There were plenty of different locations in Aincrad, and even more sights to see, things to do.

What was it about incremental numbers?

Daemien soured at the thought. Narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. He only grunted an affirmation once he'd heard of the guild personnel's plight, and yet it connected with the man none.

"What, is there something at the entry that's specific to its location?" Given the network of brokers Aincrad had, it should've been little problem that multiple players were able to solve a pressing query at a moment's notice. The screenshot and messaging features were also proof of this. Was it the glory in unveiling the secret of what lied ahead first? The man looked to Randal, shooting him a confused yet frustrated look. "Unless you're up for a bout of puzzle solving, I think we should stay out of this."

Randal. Daemien recalled the other player he'd met on his travels as he registered a new one in his memory. Randal, Orvilla. He remembered how names could make one fonder of people. Now he knew of two strangers.

The man closed his eyes as he started, following alongside Randal in long strides. His head turned upwards to the sky. "I'm not much for combat to begin with," he said, "Though I do recall the influx of players there, yes." It was right after the boar rush back when the game started, he believed. Now, it was desolate, used only as a shortcut towards the north of the floor. Players used to take the forest; with increased levels, the wildlife near the valley were nothing but annoyances.

He was about to continue when the appearance of a new menu caught him off-guard.

A friend request.

Daemien didn't have many friends.

He took it, if only to appease his fellow man. And then he wondered if it were human nature to have bonded so quickly with another. "Did you leave town often back during those days?" He wasn't sure what sort of player Randal was defined to be. "I personally stayed home, being honest."

It was after the third player they'd passed that Daemien noticed something was amiss. Wasn't this place supposed to be empty? Where used to be a scenic view of earthen colours, now instead there were players of different garbs and statures, weapons and tools lined up towards a location that was supposed to hold nothing.

A quest, indeed. "The queue makes things... civil," Daemien added, after staying quiet for a bit. His wide eyes still pinpointed his surprise for the strange turn of events. It was in his nature to have fallen in line, so he did, head leaning to a side as he examined what he could of the front in great curiosity. When it was clear to him he wouldn't gleam any more information than 'something of great value might be here', he turned to his new friend, brows furrowed.

"I don't supposed you're interested in investigating this place. Are you? If this wasn't the place you'd wanted to head towards, we could leave."

<<SotW: Keepers of Nature's Treasure>>

"Loitering...?"

The words fell out of Daemien's mouth, a drawl. The man looked haggard, unimpressed, but not because of what had transpired nor who it was that had spoken to him.

But he'd never heard that term of phrase used to describe himself before. Loitering, he ruminated, the faintest traces of the word upon his lips as he nearly mouthed it again. Was he loitering? Truth to be told, even Daemien couldn't say; after the wash of darkness that sunk the castle into a whole new world, nothing felt concrete any more. The man had always wasted time making pastries, so the description felt rather apt, since it had been his life back then. Now, it was a necessity. Cooking was all he had.

Loitering, he repeated again in his head. His hazy red eyes were stuck on the grass amongst the chaos, and they flickered back to the player speaking to him. Had they left? Maybe he shouldn't have taken too long to have spoken, if that were the case. But he was kind enough, whoever they were, to have started a conversation with him amidst his loss and... loitering.

A quest, he had proposed.

"Sure," Daemien replied. In his hand was a toothpick; he flicked it away to the ground as he savoured the remaining taste of pork, gifts from the festival. Shallow in taste, just like his creations. Why he trusted Cardinal again to offer him better, he didn't know.

The wooden stick trickled away into blue lights. Daemien set his empty hand back into his pocket. He extended his other to the player for a handshake.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. Maxwell. Where are you off to?"

DAEMIEN | HP: 180/180 | EN: 36/36 | DMG: 11 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 12 | REGEN: 1

Spoiler [EQUIPMENT] Torres Special -- [ Damage III | +3 DMG. ] Enduring Stand -- [ Mitigation II | +12 MIT. ] -- [ Regen I | Heal 5 HP every turn for 3 rounds. DoTs will not trigger Regen. Does not stack with Battle Healing. Taking damage while Regen is active will refresh Regen to its full duration. ] bauble. -- [ Accuracy II | +2 ACC. ] -- [ Evasion I | +1 EVA. ] [BATTLE-READY INVENTORY] Costa de Estrellas -- [ Loot Die III | +3 LD. ] [SKILLS] Spoiler Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 5/5 [BUFFS] Spoiler - - -

[19/4/21] 

[18/4/21] 

[17/4/21] 

The woman in black that had left the Cintamani hadn't caught his attention. When she'd brushed into him, shoulder to shoulder, it was her who'd apologized first, despite his initiative to mutter out the same in a lower, deeper and softer tone.

He didn't think she'd caught it, the player shuffling away in a rush.

"Bistro," the chef called out once he'd entered the store, "dear, what is it that you're requesting my services for in the midst of an unprecedented time?"

The alchemist was unceremoniously hauling out a carafe of bright light.

Daemien thought of the golden hues of a familiar personnel's cursor and wondered if they, too, hadn't seen this coming.

Bistro snapped her fingers and pointed towards the stack of potions by the corner. "Pick those up. They're for you."

[16/4/21] 

[15/4/21] 

Total:

• [14/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 4) | Mini Cheesecake  | [SHOP]
• [15/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 2) | Mini Cheesecake  | [SHOP]
• [16/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 3) | Mini Cheesecake  | [SHOP]
• [17/04/21] | TIER 4 | (22) | Breakfast Fry    | [SHOP]
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
• [17/04/21] | TIER 4 | ( 2) | Beef Stew        | [SHOP]
• [18/04/21] | TIER 1 | ( 9) | Berry Crumb Bars | [SHOP]
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
  • [SOLD]| (-8)
• [18/04/21] | TIER 1 | (23) | Crème Brûlée     | [SHOP]
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
  • [SOLD]| (-5)
  • [SOLD]| (-12)
  • [SOLD]| (-3)
• [19/04/21] | TIER 1 | ( 8) | Berry Crumb Bars | [SHOP]
• [19/04/21] | TIER 1 | (10) | Crème Brûlée     | [SHOP]
• [20/04/21] | TIER 1 | (18) | Mousse           | [SHOP]
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
  • [SOLD]| (-1)
• [20/04/21] | TIER 1 | (16) | Smores           | [SHOP]
• [21/04/21] | TIER 1 | (13) | Mousse           | [SHOP]
• [21/04/21] | TIER 1 | (14) | Smores           | [SHOP]

[14/4/21]

Current Level: 9
Current SP: 19
Link to SP Tracking: [link]
Item Upgrades: //
Notes: me too i just wanna craft stuff n . w.)n

Darkness.

It was almost as though he was floating in water. Somehow, it felt like home, yet unfortunately not -- the velvet that enveloped his form but ensured that he would be comfortable and safe, the man being lulled to sleep by an unknown, nurturing force. But the chill it wrought on his skin shook the youth to his core.

With his strength draining from him, he caught a glimpse of his surroundings through his hidden eye. Like he was hit by blind fury and rage, the world was flooded in red, a dreadful crimson that paralleled his other's vanta black.

It hurt to stare. Daemien closed his eyes, heaving a breath of relief. 

The last of his remaining efforts were poured into relaxation and service. It was a moment's work to to commit and memorize every bit of sensory detail the shadows would tantalize him with; a flick of an instrument here along his fingertips, the gust that swayed the edges of his coat and cloth. It was more a dissatisfaction that Daemien was kept awake, enraptured with the thoughts of escaping. Only until the cold and slumber overtook him did he finally find a delivered, eternal rest.

Perhaps he should've taken them up on their offer. When had the tides risen so quickly? The black liquid was chasing the edge of the plateau they had made it up to, and his companion seemed to only take it in stride.

He shouldn't have slowed. He shouldn't have taken it easy.

It hadn't even occurred to him how to call for their presence, but the moment he felt the tendrils lick his ankles, his rushed footsteps seemed to catch his benefactor's attention instead. Had they always been this receptive? Had he ever been so alert before?

"I'm losing time."

Through ragged breaths, he pushed out his final words. And whilst the two of them seemed to stay on the move, it bewildered him how the distance between the two of them appeared not to close.

"So you are."

They must have be doing this on purpose, he figured. His suspicions were verified the moment they took an impossible hop up a ledge, and he knew he wasn't meant to follow.

Daemien thought he would have done the same. A sour taste flooded his mouth.

When the white hadn't disappeared from his vision, however, he narrowed his eyes. He caught their form morph to a crouch, feeling a gaze upon his miniature figure, similar to how he had been observing them from below. Daemien felt an overwhelming chill gusting from the waves behind him, and for a moment entertained the thought of his silhouette splotched against the eternal black.

In an instant, it was corrected, gaze refocusing upon his associate.

What reason did they have to remain?

"Come to think of it," they hollered back, just as the flickering of void hands lashed for his cloak. "I never got your name."

The man chuckled and gripped his clothes tighter to his form. "Neither did I you."

"I don't have one."

Towards the back of his head, a vanta appendage reached out, tugging away his hood. It fell away, just as Damien irked out the last hint of a response.

"I know."

He stretched his arms out wide.

The wind ruffled through his locks, and a persistent ink rain clung upon the edges of his strands pelted by rain. The ice upon his scalp could've fooled Daemien into imagining himself to be on the fourth floor.

It was incomparable to his shock when he caught the sliver of gold from his unmoving target the moment they pulled down their cover.

(And here he figured he had the upper hand in his last moments. Now, he knew himself to be the fool in his entirety, the moment a sliver of doubt entered his mind.)

How his hand moved quicker than lightning into his pockets, Damien wouldn't know. His fingers dug into his pants, clutching at the metal in his pocket, just as shadowed claws caught his wrist in a frosty embrace. As one final act of defiance against his destiny, he yanked it away from his captor.

A stroke of luck sailed the tchotchke through the air. And Cardinal must've been watching, for despite the youth's limitations, it was well within vicinity of the stranger's location for them to have caught it with little effort.

Despite his relative calmness for falling into the abyss, the expression on his face read as a shock. Questions and relief were but bubbling at his surface, and now they would remain unanswered.

Oh, how he wished he should've spoken more on their journey together.

It was his final prayer that he would see them again as the world passed from his sights and he vanished into oblivion.

ID: 181288 | LD: 7

Giving 7 LD to Lessa. New Total: 0

It was cold -- the item in her hands.

She flipped it over, fingers sliding upon the smooth ring of silver metal before her thumb brushed up against unclean, ragged brass.

A dog tag. Upon it, the name 'Daemien' was inscribed in bold, capital letters.

The horses were new. Never before could Daemien claim to have seen sight of such a stampede -- but now he presumed he could. Up the mountains was probably no place for equine constructs to be salvaged upon, but there was little the crowd could do now, when the depths were already lapping at several ledges of stone down below. The youth could barely catch sight of the trees now, waves devouring them all, a literal tsunami crashing upon the forest.

"Best get a move on," his companion echoed to, finally slipping out of hiding and running on past his stooped figure. He pried himself from the edge, eyes trailing from the slew of horses below the ledge he'd ascended onto, before taking after his amicable guide. "Unless you're thinking of riding one upwards? It'd certainly be faster."

Their finger pointed towards the player he'd saved in the distance. What a twist of fate.

ID: 180378 | LD: 10 | Escaping the Storm.

He could've sworn he caught the player before she fell. But right before an answer could be relayed to him, Daemien took his leave, huffing with a bite of venom stuck rooted in the back of his throat.

"—You should be watching yourself before the others." A red glare underneath his lifted eyepatch, before he continued. "I think they need you more than you might realize."

The youth's departure was quick, world shifting past in echoes right before any of the group could catch his figure. He continued to pace, holding tight to his shrouded garb once he'd dropped a hold of his optic's cover; by now, it had to have been stained with ink. All the more reason his escape should've been smooth had it made him blend with his surroundings.

Right as the mountain took a bend, Daemien's paces slowed, keeping his breathing silent, an ear open to the wind. Indeed, he had the right company back by his side.

"What are you, some shadowy figure that helps from the dark?"

He knew it to be fruitless to search the area around him. Through a sea of players, and none of them had managed to catch a glimpse of the gold cursor? The man would save his effort, scoffing heartedly as he trudged up the footpath.

"You sure are one to talk, all things considered. Is it your intention to be playing Paradox?"

ID: 180254 | LD: 19 | Escaping the Storm.

That couldn't have been [Disguise], could it? Even as he continued his ascent, no trace of his companion remained, and yet he couldn't shake off the feeling that they were, still, following him.

Strange to be pursued. He was the one tailing them in the first place. Safety in numbers.

The skill usage had to be different.

"They're changing," the voice informed, to which Daemien glanced back the way that they came from. "Hounds, it looks like. Creatures of the dark." The tap on his shoulder made him turn once more, facing the view below. "Down there."

So he looked. And what awaited his sights were definitely something akin to a horde. No more was it just sticky black flatlands to colour a world of muted hues -- the depths seemed to come alive with a juggling of forms, rising and sinking, left and right. Flares of red even struck true to his vision from on high. Had the youth a shred of fear, perhaps he would've been haunted by the sight.

"Awful work," he responded.

"Yes. Hey, look on ahead--"

At their direction, he sought for answers again. Further down their path were but a gathering of players struggling to escape the rising pitch from hell. A flash of gold was struggling.

Daemien didn't want to be there. Crowds were never much his thing. But it didn't hurt to help out one of his kind. As quick as can be, he raced across the terrain-- oh, now the floor wasn't slippery -- and with a heave, he'd attempted to yank the blonde away from the void, beating back what solid figures he knew to appear with the sole of his boots.

"Careful now...!"

ID: 179778 | LD: 20 (- 1 = 19) | Escaping the Storm.
GIFTING LD to Lessa | LD: 1 

What was it that just rescued him? It seemed to hold a voice. The moment Daemien showed any signs of confidence, of course the universe would conspire against him at it. Slippery footing; the man had nearly fallen flat on his face just as the duo had rounded a corner, but the shadowy figure that caught him hadn't been there one second ago.

So what exactly was happening, again?

Had the blot find itself stuck around for long, mayhaps the man would've caught sight of them, that tall shambling monstrosity that sent shivers down the youth's spine. A sputter as he rose, coughing out the scarce resemblance of a "Thank you" -- and yet, as it decided to high-tail it out of there (an orange crystal -- curious?), it was only at the figure's total disappearance did his partner's presence appear to return.

"'Plenty fine', you said?"

A delicate whisper in his ear. He brushed it away, starting to move in earnest before searching his surroundings for his mysterious companion. Nothing in immediate sight. How come?

"...Right."

ID: 179461 | LD: 7 | Escaping the Storm.

"I think I can hold myself plenty fine," the youth argued back. Under his cowl and the harsh receding light, the last bit of visibility could only make so much grace to a smirk and the glint of the sigil upon his eyepatch. "Thank you very much for your input."

The stranger's form was just as indifferent as ever. He'd never expected it to change.

Their trek would take them up a linear path. All other routes considered, it was their best bet had they wanted to remain as stable as possible, despite the rough inclination of the terrain, and the harsh flooding of the waters down around their feet. From their vantage point, he could take in the darkness from the surrounding plains and what little growing patches of woodland the second floor vaguely had to offer. Black spreads clawed its way around the plains and vegetation, seemingly swallowing what was left of the landscape whole.

ID: 179242 | LD: 1 | :catCry:
Receiving LD from MISERY | LD 1 + 5 = 6

So he wasn't alone on his ascent. Partway through, he'd spotted a figure moving at just about the same pace he was, if not but dexterity in their steps. A lightness (still?) on their snowy white mantle, and that swirling yellow crystal -- he'd seen it before.

His strides quickened, splashes barely making waves through the slough pooling at their feet. Though the cover he wore had lost its value, he wondered if the other's carried the same tell-tale enhancement, eying their form up and down. Nondescript. As he'd expected. And yet there was some sort of allure to finding another of these constructs out in the wild, as his mind raced to process his thoughts.

"You too, huh?"

"--Hm?"

They turned as the duo walked, and neither the lightning nor their cloak would betray a trace of their origins. As it were. As long as they weren't hostile. Daemien was nothing but curious to their disguise -- or lack of it, trotting along after them as the rain continued to pour upon them, relentless.

"Caught in the poor weather. There's safety in numbers, or so I've heard."

A hum from the stranger, as they faced the climb ahead. "Can't see anyone else but you and I around. You should be looking out for yourself, too."

ID: 178620 | LD: 6 | Escaping the Storm.