sao [SP-F2] 'A Light in the Dark' <Let There Be Light>

[Lowenthal 0]

After walking for seemed like an eternity, Lowenthal finally made it to the second floor. Living on the eleventh floor was starting to become more and more of a hassle. If he thought he deserved it, Lowenthal would'vee taken up Mack's offer to do the redemption quest. However lowenthal declined him, not because he was afraid he would die due to the power that, god thing had. He learned about it after talking with Oikawa, who had fought it alongside Zelrius. But Lowenthal didn't want to do it, because he didn't forgive himself yet. For being that brash and foolish, he became a murderer. The silence of his thoughts were broken, nay, shattered by the frantic sobbing of an adult woman. As lowenthal regained his senses, he could see that she was basically charging him.

Edited September 12, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

The woman clamped herself around Lowenthal, he face buried into his black leather clad chest. Confused as to what to do, he spoke. "Hey, you alright? I got a message, saying-" Lowenthal was interrupted by the woman. "Please! It's my daughter! She's still in there! Please you've got to help her!" Lowenthal placed his hands on the woman's shoulders. "Whoa, whoa ma'am please. Calm down, start again. What about your daughter?" Lowenthal asked. The woman spoke, in between her sobs, "She was playing with Jamie, in the caves. I told her not to, but she did. And now. Now she's..." The woman stopped her sentence short, as she broke into tears again.

[Lowenthal 0]

Lowenthal sighed, desperately wanting to help. "What happened? Where's your daughter?" Lowenthal persisted. Lowenthal had an idea about what happened, but he needed to know.  "She. They were attacked by monsters in there. Oh my Nanako." The woman said, before breaking down into more tears. Lowenthal looked up, and saw the cave that she had mentioned. "Cave? This one, this cave here? She's still in there?" Lowenthal asked, walking up to the mouth of it. The woman nodded. "Yes. This is where Nanako likes to play. There's a creek over there. And you'll help her, right?" The woman, asked her eyes pleading.

 

Edited September 12, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

Peeking inside the cave, Lowenthal couldn't see that much in. It must of sloped downward, not allowing a lot of light inside. Great. More perpetual darkness. The sobbing woman only nodded and pointed down the cave. Lowenthal took a deep a breath, before speaking to the woman. "Alright, Ma'm. i'm going to get your daughter, but here's what you do. You. Stay. Here." Lowenthal said, not wanting to hunt down the mom after saving the girl. The mother erupted into more tears and squeezed Lowenthal again. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" The woman said, now letting go of Lowenthal, and fixed herself.

[Lowenthal 0]

[-1 to ALL rolls until Lowenthal exits the cave]

Lowenthal wiped the tears from his jacket, as he stepped into the cave. The cave was darker then he thought. Lowenthal could still see a fair distence in front of him though. A good 6 or seven feet, so he wouldn't trip on anything. But who knew how big this cave was, or even if this 'Nanako' was alive. And this was an odd quest. He didn't accept anything from the woman, and the way she acted was far to genuine. Lowenthal put those thoughts to the back of his mind as he concentrated on finding the lost girl. He had to focus, otherwise he'd lose his balence and fall.

[Lowenthal 0]

Now deeper in the cave, lowenthal could only see a few feet in front of him. "Nanako?" Lowenthal called out, in a hushed whisper his voice still echoing off the walls of the cave. He learned the name from the frantic mother, albeit barely. The sounds of water dripping from the ceiling and onto the wet floor below echoed, and broke the silence. "Nanako?" Lowenthal hushed out again. "Where are you?" he called out again. Lowenthal rubbed his eyes, trying to make them adjust to the dark, but his sudden loss of his night vision skill made it impossible to see clearly.

[Lowenthal 0]

"Nanako?" Lowenthal hushed out again, at the noise. The sound sounded like footsteps, but then they changed. Sounded more like a trapped bird. Birds, in a cave. Lowenthal drew his kunai, and prepared himself. He knew what the sound was now. And that sound was bats. As the Giant Bat approached Lowenthal swung as he dove out of the way. He slid along the wet stone floor, and came to a stop. The bat spun around, wanting a second run, but lowenthal rolled out of the way a second time. If there were Giant Bats in here, then who knew what else was. Lowenthal got to his feet, he needed to end this quickly, and find Nanako before it was too late. 

[ID: 31193]
[BD: 5][6-1][miss]
[MD:5][8-3][miss] 

Lowenthal - 89/89 [//////////]
xxxxxxxxxx- 19/21 Energy [-2 miss]

Giant Bat - 50/50 [/////////]

Edited September 12, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

Lowenthal got to his feet, standing. He remembered fighting these kind of bats before. Back when he was being initiated into Absolute Pin. He remembered how he fought them too. He waited until they charged at him, and swung as the bat dove past. The bat didn't really have much to their attacking repertoire, other than tackle. At least a Zubat had more moves. Lowenthal prepared himself to attack the bat, as it flew closer. As lowenthal swung, another Giant Bat flew into him and knocked him aside. Now having to deal with two Giants Bats, Lowenthal started to grow more and more concerned about the safety of Nanako.

[ID: 31193]
[BD:1][Crit Miss]
[MD: 4]

Lowenthal - 89/89 [//////////]
xxxxxxxxxx- 18/21 Energy [-2 miss+1 nat regen]

Giant Bat - 50/50 [/////////]
Giant Bat - 50/50 [/////////]

Edited September 12, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

 Now fighting two bats, which both happened to be at field boss level. Lowenthal was kind of worried. Only good thing he knew was that there was at least nothing weaker then the bats in the cave. Which meant that, there wasn't anything else in the cave. And as long as the bats were preoccupied with him, Nanako was safer. But that would mean nothing if he kept missing the damn things. Lowenthal prepared himself again, readying for his counter-attack. As the bat flew by, Lowenthal was able to slice it with ease with his kunai. His leg shot upward, kicking the bat into the ceiling. The bat bounced, and as it fell, he kicked it again. Throwing it aside, although not dead. At least it was stunned.

[ID: 31329]
[BD: 9][Crit+1dmg][48dmg+Stun]
[MD: 2miss]

Lowenthal - 89/89 [//////////]
xxxxxxxxxx- 18/21 Energy [-9 Shadow Stitch + 1 nat regen]

Giant Bat - 2/50 [/         ] -48 [STUNNED]
Giant Bat - 50/50 [//////////]

Edited September 12, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

Easy, one bat was already out of the count. On account of it being stunned, and near death and all. Now it was the second bats turn. Lowenthal took a second to collect himself, not wanting to miss. He activated his <concentration> skill, knowing that it'll be hard to do the same trick twice. But if he was able to land it, it would be nice to put both bats near death, and stunned. Lowenthal waited for the bat to rush him, as the other did. As the bat followed it's programming, it charged at Lowenthal. Lowenthal did the same thing he did before, easily cutting the bat. Then followed with his kicks. This time the bat shattered into blue bit of coding and data. A window appeared that told him that he had found a fair amount of Col. That was a new amount. Perhaps it was the area he was in. Now all that was left, was that one bat. Lowenthal looked at his energy meter, and noticed how far it had actually gotten. Perhaps he shouldn't do something like that on the higher floors, but it seemed to work on floor two at least.

[ID: 31250]
[BD: 10][54 dmg + Stun]
[LD: 16][Mob Health x 5 Col][250 Col]

Lowenthal - 89/89 [//////////]
xxxxxxxxxx- 2/21 Energy [-9 Shadow Stitch + 1 nat regen]

Giant Bat - 2/50 [/         ] -48 [STUNNED]
Giant Bat - 0/50 [          ] -54 [DEAD]

Edited September 12, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

Lowenthal walked over to where the injured was supposed to be. Apparently stunning them only worked for about 6 seconds it seemed. Lowenthal heard the flapping of it's leathery wings beside him. The bat's flight pattern was jared, and broken. As if the bones in the wings were broken, and shattered. And the the skin torn, so that it could not fly higher then a few feet. Lowenthal prepared his kunai. The creature pathetically came at him, and Lowenthal wasted no time cutting it down. The bat crashed to the ground, and disappeared into blue particles, like the other. Lowenthal sighed, and sheathed his kunai back into it's place on his hip. Now back to the task at hand, finding Nanako.
 

[ID: 31256]
[BD: 7][8-1 Darkness][hit 7dmg]
[LD: 13] [Mob x 5 col] [250Col]

Lowenthal - 89/89 [//////////]
xxxxxxxxxx- 1/21 Energy [-2 Armor Pierce + 1 nat regen]

Giant Bat - 0/50 [         ]  [DEAD]
Giant Bat - 0/50 [          ] [DEAD]

Edited September 13, 2015 by Lowenthal

[Lowenthal 0]

Lowenthal went back to stumbling through the cave. The searching for Nanako began again. "Nanako." Lowenthal called out, louder this time. He was certain that those were the only bats in the area. "You're mother is very worried. It's time to come home." Lowenthal listened to his echo, then silence. "Nanako?" He said, listening and walking forward. He felt his foot slip, as he was suddenly on a steeper slope. He fell backwards, and slid a few feet down. Amongst all the noise he made, and the dripping of water he could hear another sound.

[Lowenthal 0]

The sound this time, sounded more like whispering, or whimpering. Lowenthal strained his ears trying to focus in on the sound. As he took steps, he could hear it growing louder, and more discernable. It sounded like whimpering. Like the whimpering of a frightened child. It had to be Nanako, but where could she be. "Nanako? Is that you?" Lowenthal called out into the darkness. The whimpering noises stopped suddenly, and a small voice cried out. "Wh-who's there?" The voice was sweet, and kind. Like an innocent child should sound like. "Hi. I'm Lowenthal, a friend. Your mom sent me in here to get you out." Lowenthal said, trying to find a face for the voice.

[Lowenthal 0]

As lowenthal concentrated, he heard footsteps closing in from behind him, then a small pat on his back. "I'm scared." Nanako said, holding onto the edge of Lowenthal's jacket. Lowenthal knelt down. Nanako was about 12, maybe 13 in height. Obviously middle school age. Lowenthal took her hand, and stood up. "Let me tell you about scared. Your heart is beating so hard, I can feel it through your hands. There's so much blood and oxygen pumping through your brain, it's like rocket fuel. Right now, you could run faster and you can fight harder, you could jump higher than ever in your life. And you're so alert, it's like you can slooow doooown tiiiime. What's wrong with scared? Scared is a super power. It's your super power. Now, let's go find mom." Lowenthal said, doing his best to calm Nanako down. 

[Lowenthal 0]

The girl nodded, and squeezed Lowenthal's hand tighter. It seemed his little pep talk had calmed her down greatly. Brave girl, she was able to avoid two floor boss level creatures, and remain hidden. All while she was scared, alone, and in the dark. Perhaps there was some truth to his words about fear being a super power. Lowenthal climbed back up the small slope and made his way to the end of the cave, before he heard a ruckus. Lowenthal knelt down, and pushed Nanako to the side gently. "Nanako, wait here. I'm going to scout ahead. I'll be right back okay? But until then." Lowenthal put a finger to his mouth, and shushed. Nanako nodded, and mirrored Lowenthal, by holding up her own finger and sushing as well. Lowenthal smiled. "I'll be right back." He said, as he slowly made his way to the mouth of the cave.

[Lowenthal 0]

As lowenthal reached the mouth of the cave, he heard a muffled screaming noise. He pressed himself up against the wall of the cave, and inched his way over to the lip of it. He peered around the corner, and to his surprise he didn't seem to find where the noise was coming from. He heard bushes rustling, and quick whispering. Which was replaced with a scream. Lowenthal poked his entire head around, and counted five separate people. One of them, was the woman who sent him into the cave to begin with, the NPC. The other four, looked like mercenaries, but one stood out. One had an a distinct orange marker above his head that matched Lowenthal's own. Obviously a player killer, like himself. Lowenthal drew his kunai, and waited. The player killer had to be strong as, if not stronger then Lowenthal. Lowenthal had no choice but to wait and see what would happen, albeit not good.

[Lowenthal 0]

The three men, not marked as player killers held the woman down. Two for her legs, the one for her hands and mouth. "C'mon boss. Do it already." One of the men said. AS he did, the player killed drew a short sword from his back. And he spoke in a gruff voice, yet softly. "I'm sorry. But you know the rules. We have to do this." The player killer said, as he stepped over her. The three other men looked away, or shielded their eyes as the player killer dropped his sword into the NPC. Wait a second. Weren't quest NPC's immortal objects, then how was that guy doing damage to her. The woman lay still for a second, unable to speak with the sword lodged in her chest. The player killer twisted it, and the woman shattered into blue crystals.

[Lowenthal 0]

Lowenthal let out an audible gasp. What? How? How did that man just kill a quest NPC, unless of course she wasn't an NPC. Lowenthal stood there against the cave wall, in shock as he had just realised what had happened. The player killer looked in both directions before speaking. "Find her, she can't be far from here." The two men who had yet to speak took off in separate directions. The one man holding the woman's hands, spoke to the player killer. "Boss. Should I go and report this to base?" He asked, before the man only known to Lowenthal as 'The Boss', nodded. The man pulled out a small black crystal, then shorty teleported away. The player killer then pulled out something from in front of him, and started walking away from the cave. Lowenthal stepped back into the cave, to get Nanako.

[Lowenthal 0]

"Nanako? Come on. We gotta go." Lowenthal said, entering the cave and finding Nanako. "You remember what i said, about being afraid. Well, I'm scared. So we gotta go okay?" Lowenthal said. "But we gotta be quiet. So." Lowenthal put a finger to his lips and repeated the shush sound from earlier. Nanako looked frightened, but nodded in agreement. Lowenthal picked up Nanako, cradling her in his arms. Easier to move her, rather than it was to have her follow. Lowenthal exited the cave, doing his best to not be spotted. The the player killer had seemed to have disappeared, and the other two men were nowhere to be found. They must have been searching the other side of the creek. Lowe started walking away, before he started running with Nanako.