[F05|SP] Sands of Time | <<The Traveler>>

[Sakura 0]

The Traveler

The bazaar was quite. The early hours of the morning seemed to have that effect on a number of places, and Aoi had learnt to attend the various shopping areas she needed before any of the other players – or even major NPCs – awoke with the morning’s passing. It had meant Aoi lost the ability to sleep in, but compared to the busy streets and loud noises of each shopping, and in turn seller, trying to find what they were looking for, Aoi felt that it was a necessary sacrifice.

This morning had been one where she’d headed to the fifth floor with the intent of finding some form of silks that could be used in an order she had just received, one which was particular in its requirements. She’d already tried a number of other storefronts across the various floors available to them, without any success in her hunt. She’d come here as a last ditch effort, making assumptions based upon the general feel that the floor gave off.

’This isn’t quite what I’m looking for, do you have anything finer?’ She placed the silk thread roll back upon the display table, glancing around the other few wares that fell into a category similar to what she needed. The attendant pulled through a few other items held behind the counter, before the two came to the realisation that whatever it was that Aoi needed, wasn’t available at this particular shop. Still, she made a note to return to the vendor later, as she’d spotted a few other intricate pieces that she might pick up if she had time.

---

Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [480/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus   Hide contents Notes [Theme] Tier 3 | Tier 3 Equipment Vambrace Crossbow [Hand Crossbow | Tier 2] Enhancement: Keen [1 Slot] Enhancement: Paralyse [2 Slot] Combat Uniform [Clothing | Tier 1]  Enhancement: Loot Die [3 Slots] Raven Pendant [Trinket | Tier 1] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Battle-Ready Inventory Starter Healing Potion {3} [Potion | Tierless | Heals 50 HP] Big Bertha Braciole {4} [Snack | Tier 1 | Vitality II] [ID-NIL] Zackariah's Special Draught {1} [Potion | Tierless | HP Recovery III] [ID-NIL] Teleport Crystal [Crystal | Tierless | Post Action to Teleport to nearest Town.] Spyglass {2} [Reduce Posts to Locate Dungeon/Familiar/Field Boss by 5.] Skills   Hide contents Utility Skills Searching [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank, +1 Stealth Detection per rank.] Night Vision [Rank 2 Searching Mod. Active: Passive. Effect: Ignores any penalties from low light or darkness. Negates the bonus Stealth Rating from low light or darkness.] Combat Skills Skill [Active: -. Effect: -.] Weapon Skills Projectile Weaponry [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG.] Stamina [Rank 5 Weapon Add-on. Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] Focus [Rank 5 Weapon Add-on. Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] Armour Skills Cloth Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 12 Mitigation.] Athletics [Rank 3 Cloth Armour Mod. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] Nimble [Rank 5 Cloth Armour Add-on. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Evasion while wearing Cloth Armour. Gain +1 LD.] Extra Skills Disguise [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, increase Evasion by 1 and lesser criticals [BD8 w/ focus/BD9] are not autohits. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Combat Mastery Evasion [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 EVA per rank.] Familiar Skills Profession [Active: Passive. Effect: Your familiar is adept in the ways of your profession, and supports you. +2 crafting/gathering EXP per attempt, and one additional crafting attempt per day (two additional crafting attempts per day if you’re at max crafting rank).] Sword Arts   Hide contents [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x12] TECH-A (13 11 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x12] TECH-B (12 10 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a debuff that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. Estate Buffs   Hide contents   [Home] Room [Effect.]

 

[Sakura 0]

Leaving behind the vendor, Aoi continued wandering through the market, trying to find anything that even slightly resembled the threads she needed. Though, with every passed storefront she became more and more certain that her prized piece would remain beyond her reach, and that she would have to accept using subpar materials for the time being. She was certain that the client would understand – they’d been more than compliant with her other adjustments that were required due to materials simply not being available, but Aoi hated the idea of failing in this one regard.

’Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you-‘ The voice is cut short by a wracking cough that gave Aoi flashbacks to the worldwide event that left people fearing such sounds, and she found herself naturally covering her face in response. Spinning around and placing as much distance as she could between herself and the new arrival, she took in the long white beard and hunchbacked figure that had approached her. Though wrapped in the heavy clothes that would cause Aoi to back beneath the heat of the sun, the man seemed to shiver as if fighting off the cold – a fact that didn’t escape Aoi, and instead made her back away further in response.

[Sakura 0]

’I am terribly sorry to bother you…but I was hoping to illicit your assistance with a task.’ Another fit of coughing, and Aoi found herself looking for any reason to depart from the location immediately. She spotted a nearby NPC staring at them, a look of concern on its face as it seemed to take in the old man – or was it a look of judgement about Aoi’s own reaction? She couldn’t quite say, but the pause she made because of it seemed to cause the old man to believe she was still listening to his story of woe. ’I have a…treasure chest, of sorts. I buried it deep within the desert, at the base of very unique rock formations to ensure I could find it once more. I would ask only that you escort me there, though I cannot offer you much in the way of col. I simply am too ill to make the journey alone now.’

Aoi flinched as she realised the NPC had just proffered her a quest that was sought after by many. Her internal voices scrambled over one another, suggesting she do no less than walk away, to accepting the man’s offer immediately in order to obtain the rewards that such an event could offer to a player. Reason won out in Aoi, however, and she calmly looked to the old man with an eye that suggested there was more to the situation than he was willing to share.

[Sakura 0]

’I understand your request, though I have the odd feeling that there is more to your story, old man.’ The question was spoke as a statement, and for a few seconds Aoi wondered if the NPC would pick up on the subtle fact that she was simply trying to get a better picture of what was happening before she decided what to do.

’Of course, of course. I wouldn’t simply provide you with my entire fortune and wealth, now would I? The items within the chest are of a personal nature. Invaluable to me, but certainly not something that would…well, you’ll just have to come and see, won’t you?’ The final commentary was marked with a bout of coughing that seemed to cause harm to the man’s throat. Or, at least, was violent enough that Aoi assumed it would’ve, had the man been real. ’I am old, and I am dying. Do this man a favour, would you?’

[Sakura 0]

Aoi sighed, something in her mind giving way to the acceptance that she knew she was going to take regardless. Even if the man somehow is infectious, there’s enough potions and healing balms in this world to save me from whatever it is he might have. Her decision made, albeit reluctantly, she affirmed the man’s request.

They’d left the bazaar behind shortly after Aoi had consented to the escort request, the mission notification appearing as she’d nodded. Once everything had aligned, she’d followed the elderly man at a snail’s pace from the bazaar to the main gates, passing through after a short break to give the man the chance to right himself. She could already tell that this was going to be a standard slow motion experience, with the moments between movement taking longer and longer every time they paused for a break.

’You see, I’ve spent my entire life within the realms of the desert. Born from the sands, risen to stand atop them, only to…ahem…to return to them in dust and memory.’ Aoi nodded without truly listening, the man having been explaining his philosophy and life for the past twenty minutes as they’d strolled nearly half a kilometre from the gate’s entryway. She wasn’t entirely sure where it was they were going, but based upon the limited distance they’d taken already, Aoi figured that it would take almost all day to complete the quest – more than a day, if she was truly unlucky and the distance was great.

[Sakura 0]

’Oh my, what’s that?’ The figure seemed to stare off into the distance, visible only through the fact that Aoi could see the direction he was generally facing in the form of his body. His entire face had been covered by some sort of scarf, protecting him from the dust and environment around him. Her eyes shifted in the direction he’d been staring at, and she felt a measure of sudden fear rise in her at the sight of the approaching storm. ’That’s rather unfortunate, but I think we can make it still!’

The storm had reached them almost an hour later, buffeting the pair in harsh winds with a ripping, grinding feeling that slashed and stabbed against open skin. Aoi had taken to pulling her combat uniform roughly over any exposed areas, donning a pair of gloves and a jacket hood that covered the majority of her open skin. It didn’t stop the small, stray pieces that would tear into the coverings and grind against the interior, covered areas. They’d trudged on in relative silence, Aoi following behind the man as they travelled further and further upon whatever imaginary, invisible path the man was following.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246650 | CD [12] | - 0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [480/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited yesterday at 05:02 PM by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

I hope he’s not lost and we’re not simply wandering through the desert in the middle of a storm until we both die. She didn’t like the thought, and found herself pushing it aside before it could truly take root in her mind. She doubted that the NPC was lost – it was uncommon for them, especially on escort missions, not to have a pre-determined path that they unknowingly took. Although Aincrad had shown itself to be different and unique in some ways, Aoi knew it was still a game. It still followed the same general rules and expectations of any game, though it carried a number of exciting – and in many cases, terrifying – twists about how it handled such things. No choice now, unless I use the teleport crystal. I’ll follow the old man until we get somewhere…or until it becomes too dangerous to do such a thing. Whichever comes first.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246651 | CD [1] | -20 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited yesterday at 05:04 PM by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Whether or not it could be considered a foolish choice, Aoi didn’t care to consider. She’d taken the quest, and she knew that if she retreated now it would simply be sacrificed and a waste of time. Time that she would have to place back into the quest later on, once she was at a point where she would need whatever rewards it provided. Determined, and a small measure of stubborn, she choice to continue on the path she’d already taken. I’m already here, I might as well. Otherwise this was all just a waste of time. She avoided thinking about any consequences, figuring she’d deal with those once they arrived before her. For the time being, she was more than content to simply follow along, escorting an elderly man to his hidden treasure.

They’d turned at some point. Aoi had only noticed before of the waving arms that had signalled their change in direction – the wind ripping around them too loud to hear anything that the old man might have said. Not that Aoi was complaining. The one good thing about the storm was the break and peace from continuous conversation that had carried on in a mannerism and speed equal to the man’s walking ability.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246652 | CD [3] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited yesterday at 05:08 PM by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Consider your elders. She’d rolled her eyes – internally of course – at the thought, knowing that it was inappropriate to talk down about the elderly in such a way. Not that Aoi cared in the moment, the sand biting into her causing any desire to be traditionally courteous disappearing with the discomfort she was feeling. Still, she’d chosen to heed the words even if just slightly. There was no need to become overtly rude and repugnant towards a man who just wanted some minor assistance from her.

Sighing, allowing a breath of dirt into her mouth that made her wince and cough reactively, Aoi turned to glance towards the NPC. She could tell from the way his form moved and shook that he was still wracked by whatever illness plagued him, but as she stared, she found her disgust and desire to distance herself evaporating slowly. Instead, she felt a sudden pity for the man. Or, at least the idea of the man. Had he been real, she knew that he would have already lived a long life, obtaining and carrying numerous memories through his experiences. Memories that would now be either fading away, or welling up inside him and bringing a measure of sadness to his current condition. Memories that may be unreachable, aside from whatever small tokens he kept around to hold on to his past.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246653 | CD [10] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited yesterday at 05:12 PM by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Is this what awaits all of us if we live long enough? Aoi didn’t like considering the possibility, and forced her eyes away and into the distance, looking for anything that could distract her from the reality of her situation. Sands whipped around her, dancing and playing on the air as though trying to escape their own destiny. Trapped upon a simple breeze, brought along without a choice. Is that all life is?

She didn’t want to think or consider the possibilities, and found herself glancing about the blinding sand in an attempt to distract herself. A shift of movement caught her attention, only there for a single second before disappearing into the lost shadows of the sandstorm. Something about the movement, and the presence of it, bothered Aoi however. Twisting slightly, she confirmed that the crossbow on her vambrace was loaded and ready to fire, frowning slightly as she realised that the winds from the storm would make such a weapon less impactful and more difficult to use. I guess I’ll just need to get close and fire point blank. Makes the range of the weapon kinda redundant though.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246654 | CD [6] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited yesterday at 05:18 PM by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Nothing bothered them for the next few hours as they continued along the path that the elderly man had been taking. Aoi found herself lost in thought once more, considering the various events she’d experienced while within the world of Aincrad. She couldn’t say that all of the events had been positive, but as she stared at the form of the elderly man she followed alongside, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about which she would change, which she would never experience if she could choose to avoid them.

Futile, but what’s the point? If I didn’t experience them, would I be the person I am today? If I took away some of those events…say entering Sword Art Online entirely, who would I turn out to be? Would it change my future? Would I become someone smarter? Weaker? Stronger? It was all questions that she didn’t have an answer to, questions that in the end would remain as nothing more than theories without confirmation. That didn’t stop her mind from wandering through them all, though, in an attempt to determine some form of answer – even if it was nothing more than an estimate – that would alleviate her curiosity.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246655 | CD [2] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited yesterday at 07:38 PM by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

’…almost there!’ The voice seemed to echo backwards from the elderly man, most of the words lost to the wind that whipped and snapped around them, the sand still buffeting their forms as they pressed onwards. Aoi could see the casual glance backwards that the man made, as if checking to see if she was still there. Aoi gave a long, exaggerated nod in response, unwilling to attempt to raise her voice over the storm in response. It seemed to be enough, and once more he returned to his shambling walk that took them across the desert sands and towards their still unknown to her destination.

It could be worse, honestly. I could be required to fight a collection of sand worms, or other sand resistant creatures while traversing through this storm. She bit her tongue as the thought swarmed over her, eyes glancing from side to side in an attempt to quell any possibility of the thought becoming a reality. She sighed as a few steps later everything remained normal, silently cursing herself for even bringing the idea into a reality of any form. I’m not superstitious, but you know better. Come on, don’t be stupid and test the fates here.

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246836 | CD [6] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited 4 hours ago by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

Another shadow crossed the edges of her vision, this one lasting long enough to make Aoi believe that it wasn’t just her imagination, or some shift in the storm around them. Though it had moved quickly, and had carried with it a distorted visage, she couldn’t deny the fact that it had been humanoid in some shape or form. She wanted to warn the elderly man beside her, to give him some indication that they were being followed and possibly tracked, but as she turned to say something, she noticed that he was smiling at her in a way that showed in the eyes, the only thing visible in his features.

’I think I can see it, in the distance!’ His voice was barely audible against the storm, even as he yelled to be heard. Aoi considered warning him, before deciding against it. The less panicked the man seemed, the easier it would be for her to catch whatever ambush was awaiting them off guard, and perhaps save them from facing down even greater danger. Smiling, she nodded towards the direction they’d be heading, urging the man along with only her motion and eyes. She didn’t want to wait here any longer than they absolutely had to, and if they were almost at their destination she could help but wonder if they’d get away without any actual occurrences or problems.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246837 | CD [6] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited 4 hours ago by Sakura

[Sakura 0]

The sand snapped and whipped around her, as if the storm had somehow knew they were approaching their destination and was actively trying to inhibit or halt their progress entirely. Aoi squinted against the raging winds and blowing sands, staring out into the distance, knowing well that there was something to be found beyond the edges of her vision. She wanted nothing more than to head out into the area and find whatever it was that hunted them, that stalked them within the brutality of the storm itself – but she knew that to do so was not only dangerous, but would likely tear her away from finding the old man she escorted once more.

’You seem trouble. Is something the matter?’ The man had leaned close, his voice raised as loudly as it would go. Aoi turned to look at the eyes staring back at her, wondering if this was simply a pre-programmed response to the quest’s current location, or if he’d actually managed to notice the tension within her body. Just how well designed is this artificial system? Can it really read our emotions, and make the NPCs respond? Can it know what we’re feeling? What we’re thinking? She shivered in response, not liking the additional thoughts that rose alongside her original one. Beside her, the elderly man continued to shuffle along, but his eyes remained on her as he moved, as if waiting for some sort of response.

---

Post Action: Sandstorm
ID246840 | CD [6] | -0 HP 
Sakura | Lv. 24 | P. 0 | HP [460/480] | EN [66/66] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | EVA [4] | MIT [20] | LD [7] | SD [2] | Keen [1] | Paralyse [8-10] | Focus

Edited 4 hours ago by Sakura