[PP-F5] , The traveler ~Demitry Matter COMPLETED

[Saito Jorn 0]

Saito stood up wiping his mouth with his ragged shirt. "Yeah i'm not even close to being done with this thing." Saito brought up his HUD and realized that he was not fighting to his fullest potential. "I''m done playing games, this ends now." Saito went into his equipment and clicked on Mending Soul a loot drop from a previous quest.

Twirling the sword in his right hand the blue embroidering glistened in the sun. Sprinting towards the scorpion there was a new look present on his face, one that no one liked so see and few witnessed....rage.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

Demitry caught a quick glimpse of a HUD action made by Saito, Demitry caught the name his newly equipped blade.

"Mending Soul?"

Demitry liked the blue apparel, and more so the structure of the blade. Saito had been saving it this whole time. Demitry still only had a basic curved blade, and nothing remotely decent seemed to drop for him. It was all a matter of luck. Certain games had drop rates, Sword Art was different. Demitry hadn't really figured it all out but when he did, things would get even more interesting.

The scorpion didn't wait for its next attack, its tail stiffened again. There was a pattern, every two paradigms within the allotted time the scorpion would strike with its stinger. The exoskeleton spire came from above just like before only it wavered in the wind, a slight opening in its side. If Demitry could beat the stinger in speed he would have a ruthless counter attack. The matter of performing such speed might not leave room for an attack at all. The wretched pointer came dashing at him. His blade slammed into the tip and pushed it up and away. Demitry side stepped and chuckled, he fully understood the programmed attacks. The stinger would always target Demitry regardless, due to the phases of attack frames. Demitry knew he was right, he could punish the detestable creature with such a minimal amount of information.

Demitry caught his breath, and yelled out to his charging friend Saito.

"The stinger, his tail. It only targets one person the whole entire fight. Its programmed to, all you have to worry about is the claws!' Demitry yelled, informing his comrade. He watched as a mixture of blue danced in the air, Saito was a exceptional swordsman.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

Strategy was always this duo's forte, decrypting the information in the games themselves to reveal advantages. Saito chuckled at the fact SAO was no different. Saito motioned his blade toward the scorpion's claws

"It looks like we are going to get properly aquainted."

Saito spun his sword as he ran towards the enemy, by his calculations they could each get an attack off before the scorpion attacked again. A quick upward swing with mending soul was all it needed to bring it down a notch.

The sword felt different than his last one and caused a miscalculated strike that missed the scorpion.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

Calculations is all it really came down to, once you punched in the right numbers and got a satisfying result the game would falter. Demitry thought of different ways to take on bosses, and even study the patterns. Combat was a test of intelligence. While you may not read or write during combat, the things you can obtain from the enemy, their nature, attack patterns, rotating skill sets and so on. These things fueled such a duo, Demitry didn't get his Alias for nothing. He quick at figuring out the battle tactic and even faster at executing the plan. Stigma of the Wind, he was light and fast enough in other games to almost seem transparent. His skill sets were always high in agility or speed. His mind was free in Sword Art Online though, not everything he knew about other games applied. He couldn't get as fast in other games but he sure as hell would try.

Precision always seemed to be a very valuable ideal to him, Demitry knew its exactly what he need to be on his next attack, precise. Saito hadn't gotten used to the weight of his new blade, a fault that simply couldn't be corrected. Demitry's eyes formed a magenta ring, his body already swaying through the air. His blade flew backwards as a shifting motion in his wrist caused a displaced slash at the scorpions arm. He couldn't believe he slipped up so badly. Although the creature was hard to damage, he felt safe with Saito at his side. Once the blade slammed into the creatures arm he landed in front of Saito. A hiss came from the swaying beast, as it readied itself for another attack.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

The scorpion started being able to predict movement patterns. The last few attacks from the duo had been a failure. The monster started at Saito with such intensity, he knew he was the next target, Saito took a few steps back. Creating distance between a a foe was not always an act of cowardice, this is a menuever that will hopefully bring the scorpion away from Demitry.

The monster charged at Saito but he was already anticipating the reaction. Running straight back with the scorpion on his heels he quickly halted, and ran straight back at the beast. In the last possible second Saito slide beneath it's stomach and the ground rumbled behind him. Another successful evade... that was close.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

The scorpion moved moderately faster than anticipated. It's heavy mass shattered the sand dune that stood in its way. Demitry was the first to be run over if he didn't get out of the way in time. Demitry dropped his defensive stance and went to leap away from the scorpions charge pattern. The was only one thing left to do, counter it. The scorpion didn't allow it. It reached for Demitry as it knocked him out of the air, there was no damage indication as he pummeled to the ground. He used his sword to dig into the sand catching his fall. He looked over to Saito, the scorpion still charging towards his friend.

"Its legs! Get underneath and chop off one of his legs!" Demitry yelled out, watching the massive Burrower finish its reckless charge.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

Saito watched his friend struggled to evade this swift monster. "It's legs" he replayed that statement over and over in his mind as he realized that was the way to slow it down. The best way to accomplish this task was to one again crawl underneath and strike it's legs. The only problem was if the scorpion where to drop it's weight on him, it would all be over.

Gazing back at Demitry he realized a life without his friend would not be worth living. Once he made up his mind Saito dashed behind the scorpion and slid underneath, the sand knock up was clouding his vision, with a hard swing of the sword he aimed to cut off it's leg.

There was to much sand and the attack was unsuccessful

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 6/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

The dust cloud formed in seconds as Saito slid underneath the raging scorpion. Nothing they seemed to do harmed it. The sand was a awful factor when close to the ground, Demitry didn't have to worry about the weight of the scorpion going down on his friend. he already knew what was coming next. The scorpion spun around, it's frail tail stiffened like the last two times. Only this time Demitry wasn't expecting it to burrow it self in the ground. It disappeared in the boiling hot sand. Loud rumbles flinging sand into the air made the scorpion a little predictable. The sand bursts gave away its location as it closed in on Demitry.

The stinger slipped out of its coveted hideout beneath Demitry and went to strike. Demitry placed his blade in front of him as he chipped the stinger off to the side. Demitry stuck the edge of his blade into an already bleeding area, right at the crease of its tail and flipped backwards, landing on one knee with a tasteful smirk.

"Gotcha.."

The damage indicator made it apparent, they were in the lead.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 5/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

Finally results! Seeing the scorpion health in the yellow made Satio's blood pump. The sand began to settle as the scorpion needed to remain sill to hone in on its accuracy with its stinger, well look where that got it! Letting out a battle cry as if rallied by his Conrad, Saito slashed at the scorpion's leg, causing it to fall on its side. With a quick crouching maneuver, Saito somersaulted putt from the beneath the monster.

"Now the duo is back!"

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 3/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

"Back? When did we ever leave?" Demitry said, his voice sarcastically inclined.

Demitry knew that a huge critical could end it all, he could take the scorpion down with one fell swoop and he would have to do it now. The scorpion arch backwards, it was injured, its health bar a glowing red. It was on the cusp of death. Ddemitry looked to Saito and nodded. He blink forward and turned on his front heel. the words escaping his mouth like a venomous snake.

"Kempo Shift."

Demitry vanished into a thick cloud of dust his speed was unmatched, and his sprint passive made it even more effective. He jumped into the air after he distracted the scorpion enough to look for him below, his blade pointed violently at the top of the creatures head. There was no where for it to go, the blade protruded through, what Demitry hoped was the scorpions head. It was a clean miss as the cloud of dust from below gave him minimal vision.

"Lucky. I wounder if we take this things foot we'd be just as lucky later on." Demitry joked.

He hadn't had such fun in combat in a long time. The heat still refusing to let up, steam pockets firing up into the air from the sand barges.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 10/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 3/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

The excitement of battle truly delighted the pair. Ever since Saito can remember, combat games gave him a thrill like no other. "Kempo shift eh?" The nerve gear must have had an influence in his character creation. That site of fighting had been seen on other platforms only by Demitry Matter. The recognition of the familiar sparked his adrenaline, this beast is going down.

The scorpion advanced, swinging its claws in a frantic motion. Striking Saito still didn't deter his game face. Flipping in the air he landed on his feet and left hand as he slid back wards in the sand me next to Demitry.

"Just like old times"

Party

Saito Jorn HP 9/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 3/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

The sand was more than a nuisance and as long as the wind continued to pick up the conditions would get worse. They had to finish this fight fast. Saito had shared the quest with him, and quickly examined the woman's health bar they had to get the cargo for. The HUD displayed almost half a bar, time was running out.

"Saito we need to finish this fast, the Npc we are trying to save doesn't have too much health left over according to my menu. I'm going for a counter here it comes."

The scorpion swiped at Demitry. Demitry pushed Saito out of the way and sliced at the hard claw. The other claw came in its rigid surface snapped as it went to grab Demitry. He had to be incredibly careful if the scorpion got a hold of him he wasn't sure if he'd make it out alive. He tuck his blade into the ground and hopped onto its hilt, he performed a somersault backwards, the claw inches from his face. With out his sword he had to improvise in his next attack phase, something Demitry was very fond of.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 9/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 3/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

Saito immediately darted behind the Scorpion as it was distracted with Demitry.

Now's my chance, lets take this monster down a peg, if not for our sake, for the cloaked woman.

Saito spun his body quickly, using this momentum to add to the strength of the attack. The sword sliced the Scorpions right claw completely through. The claw shattered into a barrage of crystals and vanished from the battle field. The thrill of the hunt was present in Saito's eyes. He flashed a Sadistic Grin at Demitry.

"That was the perfect distraction, nice evasion tactic."

Saito jumped back away from the crippled threat preparing for the finale.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 9/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 1/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

The bar of health left on the Burrower was taunting Demitry. Saito dealt a very decent blow. The fight was almost over, Demitry had to grab his sword from the ground and make an attempt to end it all. He only experienced defeating one form of monster so far, a Beetle. A scorpion would be a nicer trophy to add to his list. Demitry's lips grew to a dull white, a sign of thirst. Even though it could become an issue later on Demitry had only one thirst on his mind.

This scorpion is mine, I can't think of a better way to end it.

Demitry already had his plan, he set it in motion as he walked forward slowly, the stinger of the Burrower swayed in the air blocking out the sun, more than the sand whipping about. Demitry didn't expect what came next, a new pattern in the enemies calculation. It grew bright red and marched forward, its tail glowing bright green.

Was it a skill art?

Demitry had to reach his sword before the scorpion trailed over it. He thrusted headlong into the scorpions massive shadow. Skidding across the sand Demitry latched onto his blade ripping it from the ground. His torso bent backwards as he dodge the first claw, dropping to his knees his momentum began to slow. An upward stab would end it all, Demitry plunged the blade into its intestine area, an educational guess at best. The sand kicked up into Demitry's face unable to access his HUD, Did it die? Demitry hoped it was enough, if not he trapped himself underneath the scorpions beat red abdomen. A sign of an enraged mode...

Party

Saito Jorn HP 9/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 1/11

(Enraged Mode +2 Damage)

(Skill art: Venomous Stinger- A quick green beam of cytoplasmic poison releases from its stinger that poisons the player with a roll of 4 or less. This can only happen every other post. Poison damages the player once per post for two posts.)

[Saito Jorn 0]

The fury that Saito felt earlier he recognized in the Scorpion. Enraged mode This was a scary tactic that kayaba used when creating powerful world monsters. Enraged mode was first spotted on the first floor against the floor boss. Many were lost in that fight because of this. Saito watched as the crippled pathetic beast morphed into an enraged super combatant. Saito realized if this fight continued he was going to die. It all came down to these final moments. Could Saito save his friend from such a fate.

Sprinting forward towards imminent doom Saito's mind thought of all of Demitry's and his times together in other MMOs. For the first time in a long time Saito's thoughts were on protecting another and not himself. First a strange woman, now Demitry, was this a sign of changes to come. Just as Saito began closing the gap, The Scorpion's red eyes locked on to his, It felt as if lasers were blinding him...and they were. The scorpion's eye turned into targeting devices locking on to Saito. He realized this too little too late.

"MOVE!!!" The scream echoed through his core as he immediately changed direction and jumped into the air to ensure Demitry wouldn't be affected as well. The Scorpions tail released a green cytoplasmic substance that traveled as fast as a bullet. The poison burned as Saito fell into the sand and ripped off his shirt, it was now burning from the acid. But it was too late. Saito's vision began to blur as he leaned on his sword to attempt to stand.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 8/11 ( poisoned post 1/2)

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 1/11

(Enraged Mode +2 Damage)

(Skill art: Venomous Stinger- A quick green beam of cytoplasmic poison releases from its stinger that poisons the player with a roll of 4 or less. This can only happen every other post. Poison damages the player once per post for two posts.)

[†Demitry Matter †0]

The scorpion took off...a loud humming sang a tune of sweet death. A stream of green shot from the enraged monster, Demitry knew it was too fast to dodge. Saito was struck by the vaporizing blast in seconds. Demitry's eyes widened he couldn't do anything to save him and he could not risk being hit too. Demitry scanned over the HUD once his eyes adjusted from the sand. He spotted something new a green icon. Demitry tapped on the image of green bubbles and read.

"Status Effect: Poison. Saito, you can't take another hit like that I'll try and do him in for good this time. Not sure if you have antidotes but I'd use one."

Demitry knew all too well how damaging negative status effects were, especially in other RPG's. They didn't have time for strategy, it was all down to counters, and successful execution. Demitry had to do something, not fast though, rather smarter. He ran to the backside of the scorpion. A smile reached his face something most would think made him crazy. The tail was glowing green, the composition from what he saw looked like the creatures blood, only toxic. If Demitry severed its tail the battle would be won, not just out right, but correctly. he examined it a little more and was sure its what had to happen.

Demitry took a deep breath and sheathed his blade, he'd need faster movements, and his blade for now would only slow him down. The scorpion still seemed to be focused on Saito, Demitry had time. He ran forward his arms strecthed out behind him, meters from the backside of the scorpion's tail it grew anxious. It struck fast, a quick pivot forced the tail back up into the air. Another strike came down with a a sizzling drip of poison staining the ground. Demitry dodged it again, he grinned. He had it, Jumping to left his sprung himself in to the air on onto the curvature of the creatures tail. as quick as he landed his blade snapped downward, just before reaching the tail it shook Demitry off with ease. he rolled through the sand his steel beauty still in hand. The distance between Saito and Demitry was too great.

"Saito! Dismatle the tail, it's the easiest way!" Demitry yelled.

Damn it! This freaking monster won't go down, come on Saito. Stop it before its next attack.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 8/11 ( poisoned post 1/2)

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Burrower HP 1/11

(Enraged Mode +2 Damage)

(Skill art: Venomous Stinger- A quick green beam of cytoplasmic poison releases from its stinger that poisons the player with a roll of 4 or less. This can only happen every other post. Poison damages the player once per post for two posts.)

[Saito Jorn 0]

Saito struggled to regain his vision has his body began to ache. He watched Demitry dodge out of the way multiple times evading a similar fate. You have to evade, go go go Saito regained his footing as he watched the amazing acrobatics of Demitry dodging this attack. There had to be a weakness, something Saito hadn't seen or thought of yet, whether it was logical or not. Staring at the scorpion he realized that the mere design is a reflection of it's weakness. The scorpions stinger protects the weakest part of it's body, it's back. Saito realized if he mount the scorpion and dismantle it's only defense against him they would be victorious.

Saito started jogging and realized he needed to push himself harder. MOVE your ASS Saito's self motivation was far superior to any other type. This was so reckless and dangerous but the huge risk could potentially lead to a huge reward. Saito went towards the leg that was previously amputated, that part of the it's body was lower than the rest. the height was just reachable by jumping using all of the strength his legs could muster.

Landing on top of the soft back Saito realized that he was able to finish this fight. Swinging his sword hard, he envisioned himself hacking off the tail, instead the tail fell off and sunk into the sand. A blood chilling roared echoed through the dessert as the Scorpion realized it was defeated. Twirling his blade in his right hand Saito muttered the last words this abomination would ever hear.

"Like all the rest, you have fallen to the Crimson Duelist."

It's skeletal frame shattered and disappeared. Saito dropped to the ground landing on all fours. Taking a knee he arose catching Demitry's name.

"I know, I know 'we both killed it', I was caught up in the moment and was drawing blanks on duo nick names." Saito smirked as he continued to stare at his battered ally. "You truly did amazing, I would not have made it this far without you." Saito was rarely humble, this was a sign of how important this friendship was to him.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 7/11 ( poisoned post 2/2)

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

Enemy

Scorpion Corpse HP 0/11

[†Demitry Matter †0]

Demitry looked up he hadn't seen such acrobatic skill in a while, if he could only land his flips like Saito, Demitry could be more evasive. Saito clearly knew why the tail had to go, its back was the weak point. The stinger was merely a guard at the backdoor. Saito wrestled with his landing a bit and struck the beast with confidence. The Crimson duelist was a sight to behold. Demitry lifted himself to his feet, the sand slipping off of his dirty attire. His hair was a mess too, parts of fine sand stuck between his lilac strands of thread. He heard the beast scream as Saito threw out a cold one liner.

The particles dispensed quickly, hues of green and yellow evaporating into the air. The heat was still a factor and the cargo was still a few strides into the desert. They'd have to get to the cargo and back before the old woman passed away. Demitry walked over to Saito. a small frown reaching his face.

"Really? A blank i mean i can think of one right now. Stigmatic Duelists! Heh. Ah what the hell, you killed it, you've proven yourself before I knew this game wouldn't be any different for you. Those jumps you took, the height you got, well done." Demitry praised.

A sense of accomplishment burning in his chest. He flipped his HUD on and flicked a option fast, a flask forming out of thin air in front of him. it was filled with water, before closing his menu he checked to see how many were left.

14 left..and the old lady should still be okay by the time we get back, Whew. What a fight.

"Oh, you should have water in your inventory too, not sure if you knew. We need to get that cargo and fast."

Demitry walked passed Saito and reach the top of the sand dune, looking over his shoulder he gave Saito a thumbs up and walked further on into the desert. Time was the only thing left that could hurt them. If more mobs attacked both wouldn't make it out alive. It was imperative they reached the cargo and back as soon as possible.

Party

Saito Jorn HP 7/11

Demitry Matter HP 10/11

[Saito Jorn 0]

Saito was finally feeling somewhat normal after having his senses impaired my the giant Scorpion. The area's mini-boss was quite a struggle, but this duo could get through anything. Finally Saito found a dune formation that the cloaked woman had discussed. Slowing his walk almost to a complete stop Satio's foot made contact with a hollow surface below. THUD as he stepped back he brought up his HUD and took out the shovel that was gifted to him by the woman in grey.

"The sand must have dug it up for us." Saito was mildly relieved at finding this discovery so easily, that made him wonder, was this the cargo he was looking for. Crouching down Saito grabbed onto the chest and pulled it from the sand. Placing it down Saito looked up to Demitry. "Risking my life for a stranger, you better know that I am opening this crate to see what I could have died for. I don't care if it's money, a cure etc... I need to know why this is important and buried in the desert. "

Unlatching the lock Saito peeled back the metal clasps and opened the chest up. The sun reflected off of three vials and all the Col that was beneath them. It doesn't matter if these are the cure, or she is using the currency to pay for it, at least it was something worth while.

Placing the shovel back in his inventory, he placed the cargo into his inventory.

"If you think we are carrying this all the way back. you have been in Aincrad here too long." Saito smirked as he turned to head back to the village.

[†Demitry Matter †0]

Demitry stood on top of the sand dune as Saito did what he had to. The crate contained three clear vials, each with a different color liquid inside them. It didn't bother him that Saito took a peek after everything the two of them went through to get it for the old woman he had a right to it. Demitry scanned the area for potential threats and nothing was spotted. Saito walked by, Demitry didn't even know he was finished. The heat continued to cause his eyes to squint and the ever so often sand made it worse. Demitry trucked along, the settlement couldn't have been too far off. He opened his HUD, he kept close watch on the old woman's health just in case. A small sand barge lifted steam into the air as Demitry side stepped. Almost losing his footing he grabbed onto Saito the two of them taking a tumble. Demitry landed on top of Saito with a wierd grunting noise.

His hair hid his face as he rolled off the backside of Saito, his magenta eyes scanned for whatever was digging into his forearm. Small pebbles and tiny rocks could be seen. It was the road right near the settlement they had been waiting to embrace. Demitry sprung up, his eyes widened at the sight of the large water tower only a few hundred feet away, the wooden walls protecting it from monster attacks. He looked down at Saito and shook his head.

"Get up you big doof! We made it! Stop playing around."

Demitry completely forgot the only reason Saito was even on the ground was because of his smooth moves in the hot burning sand moments ago.

Saito Jorn HP 7/11

Demitry Matter HP 9/11