[OP-F1] Parallel Infinity

[Guest]

Months. Weeks. Days. The simple units of time were lost to Keith. Nothing was real, but everything was. He was lost in his own mind, thinking over everything that was. Or what could have been. But in reality, he was in the fields of Floor 1, limping. He had been in denial when he heard of his wife, Cicila's, death. The Maverick Hunter had become unbound, wallowing in his own self-hate. He was mad, angry, destructive, and he was looking for a source to direct it at. He did. He disappeared, going out alone to kill every Maverick, every player who dare hurt an innocent. His own hate clouded his judgement. He killed waves of them, tens, twenties, thirties, but even the toughest break when alone. He was kept, torchered for days. Only now had he broken free, after his faithful familiar saved him. He was limping now, his right arm completely ripped off, still trying to re-spawn with <>. Cuts, scrapes, and gashes riveted his body, making him limp back to the Town of Beginnings. His seafoam green eyes still shined, but not with the same confidence as before the September Incident. No... Keith was broken. Mentally, and physically. He didn't even flinch as he fell forward, dropping his katana next to him as he passed out there, open to any mobs or Maverick attacks.

[Lessa 1]

The morning had been spent grinding. Of course, it had been silly for a level sixteen to spend hours chasing after pitiful boars. To many, it may have been considered a complete waste of time, especially since she did not receive any materials from her labor. But Lessa would have disagreed. It had not been a waste, as she had been helping a lower level player. The young woman had been cowering just inside the safe zone, body shaking, face ashen. When Lessa had inquired as to her emotional state, she learned the player had never once left the safe zone, despite being in the game for a year. It had broken the pink swordswoman's heart, and she had volunteered to help acclimate the player to the world beyond the city limits. It had been a rewarding experience, and Lessa was in good spirits as she returned from the outer limits.

Her smile disappeared as she spotted the player. She could tell, even from afar, that it was a player killer. Without a moment's hesitation, Lessa reached back and drew Hell Rose. There was no taking chances when dealing with player killers, especially in a situation like this. He was simply lying there, on the ground. She passed him quickly, giving his body a wide berth. But as she went to walk past, and he still did not move, the girl with the bleeding heart turned back.

She stood there, her soft pink claymore pulsing in her hands. If he was going to attack, she would be ready. But she could not simply leave him there. All players knew better than to simply sleep out in the open, so she figured that there was more to it than that. "Hey?" She called out. "Are you alright?"

[Celesmeh 0]

Celes wa shudder, she had taken to using her stealth(10) to hide and be safe as she explored. Revealing herself only for surprise attacks. So it was no surprise she had gone unnoticed by the two players nearby. She was keeping an eye on the player killer, wanting to make sure her friend was safe. She wasn't sure if she could trust him, when he was alone she had focused on passing by unnoticed, but now she lingered, wanting to make sure all was peaceful...

[Guest]

"The name's Keith! Keith Yudai! Nice to meet ya!" Is how the Blue Blader would've replied, had he been in his normal, happy, hyper-active state. But that time was gone now. His friends had vanished, and his wife, the only one who loved him, was dead. And he was unable to do anything about it. Keith looked up slowly, seeing the sword. Despite his high level, he was badly hurt. Anything could be enough to finish him. From under his blue vest, a small little cat-like creature crawled out, looking up at the stranger and hissing at the blade, while Keith still struggled to hoist himself up. He grunted with pain, falling back down. The small creature shifted it's attention to it's master and gently licked his cheek. 

 

He looked up slowly again, only able to do it with one eye. "...Cicila...? Cicila... My love... I knew that it wasn't true... We c-can... B-Be together a-again..." The small nub that was his right arm, as if to take her hand. Blinking a few more times, he saw it wasn't who he thought it was. His face turned to that of unfathomable duress, and his eyes teared up. He bit down on his lip to keep himself from crying, and he rested on the ground once more, passing out again.

[Celesmeh 0]

Celes sprung out of her hiding spot, she had crystals and potions to heal, and she had vowed to never let anyone die without a fight. Before anyone could react she ran forward and pressed the haling crystal to the young man, healing his ailments and hp. (Antidote, restores 2hp and removes any debuff). "Oh no you don't" she whispered, holding him close.

[Guest]

Keith opened his eyes again, the small cat-like creature still sitting on his shoulder as it watched Keith come to. Small white particles went around his right side, shaping to form his arm as it appeared back, tip-top shape. Keith moaned, looking around slowly as he rubbed his head. Most scratches and cuts had healed up, with only a few here and there. He looked up at the girl holding him, and then the other with the sword. "Who are... Where am... I..." He blinked a few times to get his bearings. 

 

"What happened?" He asked, his creature rubbing against his neck and purring quietly, nuzzling his neck. He smiled and rubbed the creature behind the ears, chuckling happily as he pet it. "Ha ha! Easy there Ruby! I'm alright! Too much loving and you might just smother me!" He said, tilting his head to the side and laughing as he pet his companion.

[Lessa 1]

The sudden appearance of Celes caught the blonde completely off-guard. As the figure rushed past, she lifted her blade, ready to defend herself should the need arise. But the moment she realized who it was, she let her weapon fall again. She would never turn a sword on a friend, and even though the action had been accidental, her cheeks warmed slightly. Of course, this embarrassment was not nearly enough to drown out the suspicions she had regarding this high-level player killer.

 

As Celes dropped to her knees and began to med the broken player, Lessa closed the distance between them in a few long strides. A heavy hand dropped to Celes's shoulder. "Be careful," she cautioned. But with her heavy claymore in only one hand only now, its tip resting on the grass below, it was clear that her own guard had been let down slightly. The young man seemed truly dazed, and now that she was closer, she could see the genuine wounds criss-crossing his entire frame.

 

What was most convincing, however, was the way he interacted with his familiar. She had always had a soft spot for individuals who loved animals, and some of her suspicions began to crumble as she watched the pair.

 

"We're not sure what happened," she finally answered him, shoulders rising and falling with a small shrug. "We found you like this."

[Guest]

Keith blinked and pursed his lips, setting Ruby back onto his shoulder who straightened up proudly, acting like it was sitting on a throne and was king of the world. "Well, I totally owe you a solid! I would've been boar bait of neither of you came around. I'm Keith, Keith Yudai! And this carbuncle here on my shoulder is Ruby." Keith said with a smile, offering both his hands to the girls for shakes as Ruby puffed up his chest, making a valiant yip with a smug expression. Keith knew his crystal probably threw them for a loop. It always did. But he had to rely on his reputation and popularity in Aincrad to get by, and seeing as how he had been gone for so long, many probably assumed he had just gotten in over his head and was killed.

 

Not only that, but Keith noticed his entire guild of Maverick Hunter allies was no longer by his cursor. Ebon Vanguard must have been disbanded while he was missing. Worse case scenario, something happened to them... Keith pushed that aside. He couldn't bare any more negative thoughts today. But from the look of things, he was alive, so was Ruby, and he just met two friendly players. Things may be looking up for him.

[Celesmeh 0]

Celes apologized to Less, "I didn't mean to surprise you, I like to keep hidden, to avoid pkers, but when I saw him collapse i couldn't let him die..." She looked back at Keith " will you be okay man? It's rough out here, you can't let yourself get like that." She helped him get back up and waited to see how he was doing.

[Kazuya 0]

Kazuya had watched the whole thing. Though he didn't have anything to help except maybe two potions but those might be needed done other time. For now he simply strode over. Though he didn't have an idea of who he himself was, seeing the woman who helped him some, Lessa, helping this man must mean he was a good person, or at least good enough.

Kazuya picked up his pace and reached the group. "Hey, I saw the whole thing. Everybody alright?" He looked at the man and the carbuncle, who seemed to be in great shape now. "Oh, so everything is okay. Well on that note, I guess I'll introduce myself. I'm Kazuya. Don't ask for more because that is literally alli know. You can ask her." He motioned toward Lessa. He didn't know anybody else so, he decided to stick kind of close to her as well.