Last extra one for a while. Aincrad Excerpt - Flower Power! · 10:12pm Mar 14th, 2020
Excerpt From Episode Episode 33 - Coming Tuesday!
If you missed the Aside Blog, then here is the link.
Floor 47, Floria, was a beautiful landscape of flowers, flowering monsters, and vibrant colors. NPCs tended all of the beautiful gardens in the city. The main city was filled with couples, enjoying the semi romantic feel of the Floor's safe zone. At least, it only felt a little romantic to Bladescape. She was focused on clearing the game and didn't have time to spend on this stuff. Which left her with a tinge of pain centered around jealousy and pain, because she couldn't enjoy the beauty of the floor.
Doombunny didn't seem all that interested in the scenery. Not even all the butterflies. She had been keeping close to Bladescape and had been very defensive over her. On Floor 22, it wasn't odd. But with the butterflies flirting right in front of her, that was odd.
"Fluttershy?" Bladescape asked. "Are you okay?"
"Mhm. Why?"
"Um, well, you have butterflies right in front of you and you are not trying to play with them or entice them to land on your finger. It's like they are not there."
"Well, I know they are there, but their virtual existence isn't something I need to protect."
Bladescape sighed, frustrated. "Look, Fluttershy, I-"
"I know what you are trying to do," Doombunny interrupted. Her soft voice had a cold edge that was assertive and firm. "I'm Doombunny in here. Fluttershy is sleeping in the real world. And now, getting home, it just got a whole lot tougher with LC running around. I've been stocking up, working to make as many countermeasures as possible. Stronger, better ones than I gave you guys. We are going to need them. I have a really bad feeling about it all.
"Your run in with them was unexpected. I know that. But it still doesn't change anything. My friend came under direct attack. This death game effects us all. Plenty have died because of that man's choice to turn this beautiful, amazing piece of engineering, creativity, and art into this. But he didn't directly attack any players. He told us to conquer and we could be free. All of us, without any catch. Without harming us in any way. I know the tally is over 3,250 players dead.
"But LC is different. They broke that code we held so dear. They intentionally made this a real death game. They are a different evil than we have ever faced. I know you survived. I know you can handle yourself. But it was too close of a call for me to not break protocol and join your side as you continue to gather what you need."
Bladescape embraced Doombunny. "Thanks Doom. You are an absolutely amazing friend to have. Both on and off the battlefield. In the real world and the virtual world. It had helped me stay grounded in here."
"My ears are always open if you need someone to talk to."
The hug finished and they once again surveyed the area.
"Do you know what exactly we are looking for?" Doombunny asked.
"Sort of. I know they are in the north fields and golden in color. I only need their petals. And I know that they are outside any safe zones."
"Well then, we should get going," Doombunny said. "I doubt we need to worry any the monsters here. Not at our levels. But we shouldn't drop our guard."
"Never drop your guard," Bladescape affirmed.
