[PP-F4] Frostbite [Complete]

[Lessa 1]

It was the strangest sensation. The damage dealt by Orochi seemed to move right through her, zapping her health as it did so. She was unable to mitigate any of it, and all of her damage was rendered completely useless. Lessa took a shuddering breath, her body lurching dangerously to one side. Fortunately, the girl was able to stay on her feet, but just barely.

"This has to end," she gasped, shaking from the blow to her health. Then, she sprinted forward, bringing her claymore up across her body and over her head as she neared Orochi's leg. When she was close enough, she let the blade fall, slashing a gash across the scale-covered limb.

To Lessa, it still was not enough. She wanted more damage. She wanted to watch this hellish boss fall apart. Scratching at scales just was not cutting it anymore. She gave an exasperated cry.

{Rolled a 9 on the d10 dice. Lessa deals 4 damage - base, +1 critical, +2 Hell Rose, +2 two-handed skill. Orochi's armor mitigates 2 damage.}

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 38/100

[Guest]

[Orochi's turn]

The behemoth glowered down at the specks that flecked the snow beneath him. His eyes moved between the two reeling players, and as they moved to strike, he brought both blades hammering down.

There was an old Japanese proverb: the nail that sticks out most gets hammered the hardest. In this instance, the first to attack had been Alkor. The most violent, heart driven attempt came from the male swordsman with hate filled eyes, eyes that matched Orochi in both resolve and anger.

The beast found it annoying, but amusing. When the swords came down for Alkor, the serpent let out a hiss, eyes moving all around in an attempt to see if it's strike had made its mark.

If it had been successful, the player would be in dire straits.

Rolled a 6 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 10 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 7 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 38/100

[Guest]

When the dust settled around him, Alkor was shaking beneath the bulk of the Twinfire reflector, a haunted look on his face. Whatever reflexes had been bestowed on him at the very last second had saved his life. He had been cowed to his knee, and now gasped for breath as Orochi's power bore down on him.

Both arms supporting the shield, Alkor frantically searched his mind for some possibility, some answer to the riddle that was Orochi. This was a battle that took them to the limit of their skills as players and beyond. It was not something he should have involved Lessa in, and more and more, he regretted the decision. Alkor was a man who preferred to live a life with as few regrets as he could, and so, this situation was tearing at him.

The flames seemed to not bother Orochi as the boss kept his blades' pressure constant, waiting for the moment Alkor would simply cease to struggle and the attack would overwhelm him.

That moment never came.

Alkor shook violently as he tried to stand, and the boss let out a snort as if in disbelief the player would even attempt to defy him. Now, after all of that? After they had seen his power, and even tasted his blade? This was madness.

The Gold eyed Swordsman let out a guttural howl as his feet pushed up off the ground and his body slowly rose in protest to the weight bearing down on it. He threw his arms out and Orochi's blade slid aside, giving Alkor freedom to breathe again. The boss and the player stood in silence for a long moment, staring directly into one another's eyes.

Flames still kissed the silvery green flesh of the reptilian monstrosity, even as it brought it's blade around for a second attempt on Alkor's life with its staggering strength. This time, Alkor met the beast's blow with an even defense, and they traded blows for what seemed like hours.

It was a stroke of pure intensity that won Alkor the day. His blade and Orochi's passed by each other in an instant, and the two stood with backs facing the other. Alkor let out a sigh of relief, dispelling some of his tension. The boss let out an enraged howl that echoed Alkor's earlier sentiment.

As it spun around, it appeared to be readying for something.

Rolled a 6 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 10 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 9 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor deals 3 damage.

Block successful. (No damage taken)

Orochi takes 2 damage from Flame Thorns.

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 33/100

[Lessa 1]

Watching Alkor and Orochi go head-to-head was a thrilling, terrifying experience. She had been there too, cowering beneath the great blades of darkness, just waiting for her body to give out and her life to end. Her heart went out to him. It was a tough place to be. But he was strong, even stronger than she was. And his will to survive was certainly stronger as well. Though she wanted so badly to fight, to win, and to save the people of Aincrad, she was still afraid. And her fear sometimes blinded her, making her ineffective on the battlefield. But Alkor, it seemed, did not suffer the same fear. Though it was terribly childish, Lessa found herself thinking he isn't afraid of anything. And as if to prove her point, the hooded man shoved Orochi's blade away.

The younger player took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold, fresh air of the Star Glades. She hoped it would help clear her mind, and still her heart. Fortunately, it did both, to some degree. She wrapped her gauntlets tighter around her heavy sword. The moment had come - it was her turn again. She exhaled.

Just as she had countless times before, Lessa moved toward Orochi. She bean to pick up speed, bringing her weapon to the ready position, eyes combing the enemy's leg for the best place to strike.

The blade came out of nowhere. It raked the ground directly in front of her, and sent her screeching to an unsteady halt. She nearly fell forward as Orochi countered her attack. As she glanced up at the beast's face, she realized that he was not even focused on her. He had simply swatted her away, paying her no mind, and ensuring that she would not deal damage that turn. Lessa gave a low growl of frustration, then backed away.

{Rolled a 1 on the d10 dice. Lessa deals no damage.}

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 33/100

[Guest]

[Orochi's turn]

The boy had commanded his attention. Who was Orochi to deny him his fate? When the female player rushed toward him, the serpent noticed in his peripheral vision, and he warded her off with a dismissive swat of his massive blade.

With those violent, golden eyes, the male player stared back into Orochi and caused the boss to tilt its head in consideration. The plight of mortals was beyond him; their ability to fight this hard, to bring him this close to their level, it intrigued him. He would learn something of their tenacity, and he would turn it upon the gods who had turned on him.

He stooped once more with a vicious claw to the ground, sending a shrapnel blast of dirt and snow in every direction. His hot breath stained Alkor as he got dangerously close, a stabbing his monstrous blade forward toward the youth.

Rolled a 7 on the d10 (battle) dice. (8 damage at Alkor)

Rolled a 1 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 19 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 33/100 [Prone]

[Guest]

Alkor stared into the face of a mocking god and stood perfectly still, unflinching. When the powerful strike came to reap his soul from his body, Alkor held up his blade and stopped it cold. Orochi seemed more amused than before, the smile playing on the monster's features masking its malice. "Child of the Earth," Orochi rasped, "I have seen how you live. Now, show me how you die."

Alkor pushed the blade aside and walked toward Orochi with his eyes closed. The beast did not move, rather Orochi watched him until they were face to face. "I can't," Alkor said at last, an honest and quiet tone to his voice. "Because it's not going to be here, and it won't be because of you."

The god laughed aloud at the response. The earth trembled beneath his laughter, and Alkor swung his sword. Orochi stopped, then stared down at Alkor with the sword still lodged in his face. "You did well to get this far," Orochi congratulated them both. "Now. Face your fate like warriors."

Rolled a 8 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 7 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 5 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor deals 5 damage.

Block successful (no damage taken)

Orochi takes 2 damage from Flame Thorns.

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 26/100

[Lessa 1]

It still chilled her to the bone to hear Orochi address them like that. Alkor seemed entirely unfazed by the words, but they made Lessa's skill crawl. She was still not used to fighting an enemy that spoke to them. Before, monsters had just been lines of code with no personality or voice. The young woman could simply mow them down without a thought. But now he was taunting her, getting into her head, and making her feel so incredibly insignificant.

Stop it, she screamed silently. Do not think like that! Do not let him get to you! Orochi is nothing! Just a fake monster in a fake world. She would let that thought carry her back into battle, and she would not stop to dwell on how real the exhaustion she felt was.

Her last attack had missed. She would not miss again. The blonde streaked across the snow, her gaze sweeping back and forth in case Orochi made another swing at her. The attack never came, and she reached the base of his great body without incident. She cried out, plunging her sword into the scales for the countless time.

To her delight, the giant's health took another small hit. Though they were not out of the woods yet, they were on Orochi's final health bar. They were already 75% through. Hopefully, this would all be over soon.

{Rolled a 9 on the d10 dice. -2 from epic failure (1/3 turns) = 7. Lessa deals 3 damage - base, +2 Hell Rose, +2 two handed skill. Orochi's armor mitigates 2 damage.}

Alkor: 14/17

Lessa: 14/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 23/100

[Guest]

[Orochi's turn]

There were no words left to say. The players were resigned to their attempt on his life. Orochi would give them recompense. Heaving both blades down in a one-two cutting motion, the boss battered toward the male player with two mighty blows, ignoring the damage that came from the female player for now.

Rolled a 9 on the d10 (battle) dice. [Critical! 9 damage at Alkor]

Rolled a 7 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 12 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor: 13/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 23/100

[Guest]

The rain of blows came down, and though he tried his best, Alkor could not stop the damage completely. His shield and armor took the heaviest hit for him, but massive amounts of life loss still incurred. He was in the yellow now, around half his HP depleted.

He stood in defiance of the mighty beast, barely able to stand, sword digging into the dirt to give him support. Alkor stared with unyielding animosity toward the boss, who simply seemed to smirk as if his point had been made. One or two more strikes like that would spell doom for the player.

Orochi glanced over at Lessa, allowing the weight of his actions to set in.

Rolled a 2 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 3 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 2 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor misses.

Block failed. Alkor takes 5 damage (9-4)

Orochi takes 2 damage from Flame Thorns.

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 21/100

[Lessa 1]

"Alkor!"

It was difficult to tell which emotion consumed her more completely - concern for her companion, or hatred for Orochi. The way that he stood motionless, gaze resting on her as if waiting for a reaction. Well, if it was a reaction that he wanted, that was precisely what she would give him.

Shoving aside the worry and fear, Lessa let the white-hot anger take over. The image of Alkor falling beneath the blows played over and over again in her mind. She could see his health being ripped away, the bar revealing that he was in serious danger. Watching Orochi use the strongest person she had ever met as a punching bag awoke something deep within her. This rage was unlike anything that she had ever felt.

Alkor isn't afraid of anything.

An animalistic scream tore through the Star Glades.

With a burst of speed fueled by this new-found anger, Lessa closed the gap between herself and Orochi's leg. Her upper body pivoted as she brought the claymore across the scales, slashing from the left side to the right, and inflicting a small amount of damage. It was not enough. She wanted more. Lessa wanted to bring the enemy down right there and then, and thrust her blade into his head repeatedly. She wanted to watch the life leave him.

{Rolled a 7 on the d10 dice. -2 from epic failure (2/3 turns), +3 accuracy from gauntlets = 8. Lessa deals 3 damage - base, +2 Hell Rose, +2 two-handed skill. Orochi's armor mitigates 2 damage.}

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 14/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 18/100

[Guest]

[Orochi's turn]

When the man took his damage, Orochi turned his gaze on the woman who seemed to take over in defiance. The serpent's lips curled into a sneering frown, and he dipped his blade down.

The evil weapon drove forward toward Lessa, ripping through soil and snow to rake it's way toward her. The boss would make the two humans pay for their insolence in blood.

A hiss rose up from Orochi as the stars shifted in the sky above, the entire world going insane as the three fought.

Rolled a 6 on the d10 (battle) dice. (Hit, 8 damage at Lessa)

Rolled a 10 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 6 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 18/100

[Guest]

He felt his body lurch forward, still reeling from the effects of Orochi's barrage of blows. The enemy seemed disinterested in him now, ragged as he was. Alkor's defiance, however, was far from over.

The bedraggled youth stalked forward, albeit slowly, and brought his blade up. The snake seemed focused on Lessa. When Alkor swung his weapon, it bit into the scaly armor that covered Orochi, and the boss let out a hiss.

Alkor felt the eyes on him again, though he did not look up. He concentrated on trying to bring the boss down. The golden eyed boy focused on bringing Orochi's attention back to him exclusively. "You're... not... going to win," he murmured, though it undoubtedly did not carry to Orochi's hearing.

Rolled a 9 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 6 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 4 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor deals 4 damage. (Critical)

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 14/100

[Lessa 1]

She watched him run at her, his red eyes rolling with anger, and his face twisted in an ugly frown. She regarded him with pure disgust, then widened her stance a bit. There was no way to outrun him - she had learned this lesson already. He was far too big, and moved too quickly. The young warrior would have to face him.

With another scream, Lessa brought her blade up to meet his. Though her body was exhausted, the anger and adrenaline continued to pulse through her veins. She let out a low growl as she grappled with Orochi, shoving back against his heavy blades of black. The snow crunched beneath her boot as she was shoved downward, but she did not let up. More, she willed her body. More, you need more. MORE. Finally, their blades slipped apart with a satisfying metallic sound. She moved passed him, but did not pass up the chance to take another whack at him. As she slipped by, she stuck out her blade and dragged it along his leg. Though this really just added insult to injury, it did take a small bit of Orochi's remaining health. And it made Lessa feel better.

{Rolled a 8 on the battle die. -2 epic fail (3/3 turns). Block is successful! Lessa deals 3 damage - base, +2 Hell Rose, +2 two-handed skill. Orochi's armor mitigates 2 damage.}

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 11/100

[Guest]

[Orochi's turn]

The girl managed to slip past his attack unscathed, but it would not happen again. His hand ripped down into the earth, and he brought himself down to level with the players once more. He looked between the two players slowly, deliberating on which of them to strike.

His blade crept ever forward, waiting for just the right time to attack.

Rolled a 5 on the d10 (battle) dice. (Miss)

Rolled a 7 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 12 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 11/100 [prone, no damage reduction]

[Guest]

Alkor gathered his wits and strength about him and took a deep breath. When Orochi dropped down once again, he threw himself into a mad dash. Using his Sprint skill, Alkor ripped through the space between himself and the boss, and he thrust his blade deep into the boss' shoulder.

Orochi let out a deep, booming hiss and forced Alkor to back off, lest the boss bite him and deal massive damage. Alkor staggered back to a spot beside Lessa, bringing his blade up into a defensive stance. He dismissed his shield, because at this point, it would only slow him down.

"Let's finish this," Alkor spat.

Rolled a 8 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 9 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 19 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor deals 5 damage.

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 6/100

[Lessa 1]

The blue-eyed girl nodded, but said nothing. Her grip grew tighter on the hilt of her claymore, gaze never leaving Orochi. His health bar was in the red now, just screaming to be depleted completely. Lessa, in her fury, would be happy to oblige.

 

In a final burst of speed, Lessa left Alkor behind. She recognized that this may be her last attack, and she would do her best to make it as powerful as possible. With a high-pitched cry, the woman drove her glowing blade into the scales lining Orochi's side. She threw her entire weight, and all of her momentum, behind the attack. The tip of the blade slid beyond the armor, and sank deeper into the creature's flesh. She gave a low grunt of satisfaction as she twisted her blade, then tore it free.

 

She turned her back on Orochi, leaving the creature to die behind her. She came to rest beside Alkor.

 

{Rolled a 5 on the battle dice. +3 accuracy from gauntlets = 6. Lessa deals 5 damage - base, +2 Hell Rose, +2 two-handed skill.}

 

Alkor: 8/17
Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 1/100

[Guest]

[Orochi's turn]

It had come to this.

A single drop of health left to him, and the god was facing defeat at the hands of a lesser creature. In the two players, he saw the defiance that had once come to him from a god who had been exiled in much the same way he had. The difference between Orochi and that god had been between good and evil, and yet, there was a gulf between them that could never be bridged.

Defeat, once more, was upon him. Orochi would make his last stand one worthy of the defiance that had beset him. He would make the boy player cringe and writhe in agony, and leave him at the doorstep of death.

His blade came thundering down, and with a heavy sigh, Orochi let out the first of his last breaths.

Rolled a 7 on the d10 (battle) dice. (Hit, 8 damage at Alkor)

Rolled a 8 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 11 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: 1/100

[Guest]

Their blades clashed. A monumental plume of dust and echoes ripped up around them, creating a hole where they clashed in the furthest reaches of the Star Glades. Alkor stood before the cowed Orochi, now kneeling in reverent silence, pondering his failures.

He felt no right to say anything, and Alkor could see in his hate filled gaze that there was no room to persevere. The Fallen gold had nothing left to fight for. No words could give voice to the loss he had incurred here.

Alkor walked forward, placing a hand on the boss' bowed head, and the creature stared up at him. It was dangerous, knowing the boss could easily turn on him and kill him, but Alkor seized his opportunity. "I told you," he muttered, softly enough that only Orochi could hear. "This was my fight. From the very beginning."

The boss' eyes closed as Alkor stabbed his blade deep into the boss' cranium, sending a vivid stream of light and data scurrying into the furthest reaches of time and space. The sky above began to weep, stars flying in every direction.

In Orochi's place, his sword jutted forth from the ground and lay in wait for someone to pull it free. Alkor held his hand out, palm up, as a brilliantly flashing orb of yellow appeared, resounding with crackles and hisses. <<Storm God's Essence>>

It followed the story perfectly, the essence of Susanoo's power, and a quest prompted in his log. Alkor flipped through the menu, reading the words to himself. Later, he would share what he had seen with Lessa, but for now, he tucked the essence safely away, and he walked over toward her.

He stopped about halfway. "He's dead," was all that Alkor said.

Rolled a 7 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Rolled a 7 on the d12 (craft) dice.

Rolled a 13 on the d20 (loot) dice.

Alkor lands the killing blow.

Block successful. (No damage taken)

Alkor: 8/17

Lessa: 13/17

Orochi, Exiled from Heaven: Dead

[Lessa 1]

As Orochi was slaughtered, the Star Glades were once again plunged into peaceful silence. Lessa took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The battle had lasted an incredibly long time. It had been far more difficult and time consuming battle than anything she had ever experienced. In fact, prior to Orochi, the worst enemy that she had faced had been the wendigos. On her night trip with Alkor, she had been exposed to the most terrifying beasts she had seen yet.

 

Upon defeating the wendigos, Lessa had felt relief. Now, though she enjoyed the period of quiet, she was far from calm. In fact, she was furious. Pent-up emotion from the battle seemed to explode from her as her blue eyes flew open, and she swung around to face Alkor.

 

"What were you thinking?" She sputtered, closing the distance between them in a few short strides. She threw Hell Rose to the ground, and slammed her fist into his chest. Later, she would regret the decision, as she still wore her gauntlets. But then, in the heat of the moment, she hardly noticed. "How could you have brought me into this? I wasn't ready!" Her breathing was growing ragged, and her body shook as she hit him again. "You could have died!"

[Guest]

When she struck him, Alkor blinked. He held still, calm like the eye of a powerful storm. He had not expected her rage, but he was not truly surprised. She screamed out about how she had not been ready, and that he could have died. He withheld the obvious responses, that obviously she was ready, and that he had not died, instead letting the tempest of feeling blow over him like a storm against a mountain. Did the mountain ever move?

Slowly he pressed his blade back into the sheath where it rested when he was not using it, going through the post battle motions as though nothing different were occurring. In truth, Alkor had seen outbursts like this one before. Nothing good ever came of feeding into them. If you let them get under your skin... you'd always regret the choices you made after that.

He remembered a time, long before the game, where he and his sister had been bickering. The girl had always been unstable, but he was usually pretty collected. The solitary time he bit back at her, he had paid for it. No amount of reasoning or begging had stopped the repercussions of that action. Nothing could have stopped the punishment that was, as ever, tailored to the crime.

The swordsman's gold eyes seemed to glass over as he recalled the fond memories of his youth, a bitter look setting in on his face. As Lessa struck him again, he came back to reality for only a moment. He looked at her in the face, wondering at her thoughts, at her intentions, and he let out a somber sigh.

Alkor turned his attention to the stars. It was a beautiful night sky, filled with streaks of white-gold that glittered so furiously, one may have lost themselves attempting to follow any single one. Instead, it was a portrait of immortal beauty, perfect fleeting in each passing instant, dying only to be reborn, then die again. This was the event that had triggered after Orochi's fall, and it was everything he thought it would be and more.

"In one of the creation myths," Alkor muttered, still mostly ignoring Lessa, "Izanagi dipped his sword into the sea, and when he pulled it out, four perfect drops formed the islands of Japan."

He slowly turned his gaze back to the young girl, so teary eyed and emotion, and he offered her a half-hearted smile. What could he say that she would not throw back in his face? Nothing. So, that was all he said.