Episode 92 — Finishing What Was Started
Episode 92 — Finishing What Was Started
Fourteenth Day in the Month of Bush Clover (June 14) in the Year of the Griffon
Front Line Floor 62
Sasha had chosen to check in with the kids, rather than go to lunch with Bladescape and Klein. Bladescape and Klein were the only ones the army needed and Bladescape had a feeling that Sasha wasn’t comfortable being in their presence. The two of them followed Thinker into the Black Iron Palace and, after a few twists and turns inside, they were in a large room that was surprisingly comfortable despite the exterior of the palace. It had a dining table, which was set. Yulier was already there.
It was a simple meal, but it was good. It showed that those at the top of the largest guild were not eating like kings like many would have expected. Three thousand players were a lot of mouths to try and feed.
Once they were done, there was the uncomfortable minute where no one was sure how to start the meeting. Bladescape felt ashamed for how far she had taken things.
Thinker spoke first. "Why don't you explain how you were attacked, twice, by him?"
"Oh," Bladescape quietly exclaimed. "That’s easy. A few months back, while gathering materials, I ran into him and three others. They tried to ambush me, but I wasn’t their real target. He isn't far up the chain, not from what I can tell. I had one paralyzing agent left which I was carrying for hunting the beasts, so I used it to disable them. Doombunny is a member of my guild, the snake charmer and poison maker. I left them there, where they fell, because there wasn't anyone else nearby enough to properly capture them before the paralysis wore off. He was humiliated by name because of how easily I knocked him out of the fight. Apparently, the Assault Team was in a huge fit over Laughing Coffin members attacking one of their own so close to the front line. They rushed the place, but it was empty by the time they got there."
"I didn't remember that you were the one they had attacked," Thinker admitted. "I had heard of the incident. I'm also aware of Doombunny and her special skills, as well as her allegiance. I do remember when you two brought in the other orange guild to us. Now, how about the attack today?"
Blade gave a solemn nod. "He was a fool who wanted to finish what had been started. We were training Sasha, the woman who runs the church and cares for the kids. You met three of them yesterday."
"I remember the kids," Thinker nodded.
"We were headed to an old farming location to raise her dagger skill level and her overall XP so she could be a better caretaker. She asked us yesterday if we could, so we are taking one extra day off. Or it was supposed to be off. I enlisted Klein because the other half of my guild is caring for the kids in her place. We still have a party we sent into the boss labyrinth, clearing the front lines.
"Anyway, while traveling I didn't catch their presence fast enough. They have a high Hide Skill, probably maxed. I saved Klein at the last second, yanking him out of the way. They jumped out, we got Sasha to teleport out, Klein followed her as I unleashed round two against them with my blade treated, again, with another paralyzer. We had walked right up to their hiding place, which I doubt is occupied anymore. I fought them and got them to break off attacking me momentarily, so I grabbed a teleport crystal, calling for the teleport. Kurayaro, he leaped at me, intent on breaking my concentration so I failed the teleport under the stress of being charged. I didn't, he ran his spear through me, and we were face to face. He had to be grabbing me very tightly, or it was because of the spear, because he came with me. I materialized in the town center with his face still in mine like I had last seen it.
"I wasn't expecting that and neither was he. He recovered first, we exchanged a few, private, words, and then I got inside his head and dropped my sword's pommel onto his skull. I knocked him back and then onto the ground. It felt good. I lost it and I began to beat him with my sword. You came right after I came back to my senses."
"You didn't hear me screaming your name," Klein said. The concern was obvious in his voice. "You were trying to pound him into polygons despite the system stopping you. I'm surprised you don't have an orange cursor because you attacked a player in a safe zone. It has to be because he is a permanent orange player."
Bladescape sighed, ashamed. She knew it was written all over her body and face. "I snapped. I wanted to punish him. I wanted to beat him for all his crimes. He is an original member of Laughing Coffin. He was there on the first day. I wanted him to remember it for the rest of his life. The Wondercolts are friends and in real life they saved me from my darker side when I was about to get what I thought I wanted. I saw no mercy or redemption for him, despite knowing how much I had been given."
It was Yulier who spoke. "You turned your sword on him to punish yourself."
Bladescape slowly nodded to confirm her statement.
"This game is getting to us all," Klein admitted quietly. "Not just you, or your guild, but I feel it and so do the guys in Fuurinkazan. It can bring out the worst in us. A little fear goes a long way, and they have the jail to prove it."
"But," Bladescape stuttered. "But, I still... I should be the very model of redemption. I-"
"Stop," Thinker ordered her. "You can't put that much pressure on yourself. You can't be that to everyone, and I don't expect you to be that to yourself. Someone has to be the model for you."
Bladescape sighed, lost in her thoughts. She was once again seeing only her hatred of herself and giving herself even more for losing it on a helpless victim. He might be evil, but he was helpless after the initial hit and she still beat him without mercy. Why did she, once again, deserve mercy?
Bladescape jumped as Klein put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. It was for both support and to help snap her out of her downward spiral. She flashed him a smile and then looked at Thinker.
"I have told you what happened. Now what for me?” Bladescape asked. “I may have been in a safe zone, and he might have been a member of Laughing Coffin whose spear was in my chest, but I still beat a man to what would have killed him in real life or out of a safe zone."
"If you are seeking punishment, I won't give it," Thinker declared. "You are punishing yourself right now, and I think the best thing for you to do is to take Sasha and finish your training with her. With Klein, of course. Today you need to give back. You need to be kind to others rather than push yourself on the front lines or sit thinking. Don't dwell on this right now. Do something good for someone else. Be a Wondercolt. It is obviously important to you and your friends and means something to all of you."
Bladescape forced herself to smile as she replied. “Oh, it means something to be a Wondercolt. A lot more than you can easily understand. We made an impact in the world around us IRL. A good one."
"Then hold onto that," Yulier told her. "Hold on to that for your life as you fight on the front lines. We can't be perfect, but we can be imperfectly good people. You are a good person and player, even when you make mistakes. You don't seem to be different despite being in a game."
Bladescape thought that statement through. Her smile was genuine this time. "Only one of us is different. Doombunny is much more assertive and aggressive than she is in the real world, and it's a good thing. It's not just kept her alive, but it was something she was working on in the real world. She was working to not be a doormat. I’m always a little fearful that her fear, and having to fight despite it, will leave her in a very bad place once we are free, but at least we will be alive and able to address any damage."
Bladescape stood up. "And now, you're right, it's time for me to be myself, a Wondercolt. Thank you for the food, the hospitality, and for talking things through with me. Your kindness and generosity has been, well it's been a déjà vu of sorts. A good one. But I have to, Klein and I have to, go make sure we finish this current good deed, so the kids are better cared for.
"And before I go, I want to say one thing. The Army is usually looked down upon, especially from those of us on the Front Line, but we rarely come down here. We only hear rumors. For the largest guild by a factor of at least twenty-five over any other guild and with the goals you have, you are doing a great job. It can't be easy holding together so many players, but you are. Aincrad would be significantly worse off if you were not doing as well as you are. Aincrad needs you for more than a jail. You are, in a way, our foundation guild."
"Thank you," Thinker said, shaking Bladescape's hand. "That’s good to hear. It’s very easy to be self-critical and running such a large guild requires more delegation than I want. There are wrinkles to iron out and we are actively trying to get them out."
Klein also thanked them as well and Thinker and Yulier showed them out. All the way to the town center.
"Thanks for being there to pick me up when I fell," Bladescape immediately told Klein when they were alone. "I know you said it a few weeks back, but you were actually right there, and you didn't disappoint."
"Of course," Klein said, pulling her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around him in automatic response. "I certainly couldn't let my second favorite Wondercolt down."
"Second?" Bladescape asked, offended.
"Well, first if you remove Konpeito's cupcakes from the equation."
Bladescape's heel ground into his foot and Klein jumped back wincing from the pain. Bladescape snickered. It was what he deserved for that stunt.
"Come on, Doll Face,” Klein said with a grin. “We have an important woman to train. You've got me by your side for the day. Thinker was right, you need to do something good for others the rest of the day. Or back to doing good. Now let's keep that promise you made and do some undeniable good."
"Yeah," Bladescape smiled, gaining her confidence once again. "Let's do it."
"You know," Klein said as they began to walk to the church. "You realize Aincrad and the real world have different rules. Our old ideas about age are not necessarily valid here. In one way, we all were born on the same day. We all were birthed into this life at the same time, right here in this city. Relationship and age rules don’t have to be kept here and may not actually work. Just saying."
Bladescape rolled her eyes. "I will concede that point to you, but only concede that point."
"Fair enough," Klein shrugged. "I was just stating a fact that I have been thinking about recently."
“Thinking is what gets you in trouble,” Bladescape poked back.
Klein let out a long sigh in concession. He set himself up for that.
“Besides,” Bladescape said. “I’m a teenager. I haven’t really thought about adult stuff like that. Not in detail and not in context of Aincrad. Plus, today I'm barely together. The last thing I need right now would be the distraction of a relationship.”
It took them no time to walk to the church. Over that short time, both Klein and Bladescape rebuilt their walls and were ready to go to battle once more. At least for the rest of this day, it would be a good battle, strengthening and growing someone who needed it, not a day of personal conquest or killing.
Kids were playing ball in the courtyard in front of the church and a group of boys were even fighting each other in mock combat with their swords and shields. To them, it was another day just like any other. They didn't really pay attention to Bladescape and Klein as they entered the church.
Konpeito's loud voice made it easy for them to find the others. She was in the kitchen while the others, except for Doombunny, were in the dining hall. Diemond was helping Mina with a sewing project and Reisenki was chatting with Sasha.
Reisenki spotted them first. "There you are! How are you? I heard it was rough."
"That's putting it a bit lightly," Bladescape fired back. "But both of us are safe and good, and Sasha, we promised you levels."
"We can still get you to Level Forty," Klein assured her. "And it will be safe. We know some other spots to hit. We will get your combat level up a bit more and then grind for your total Level XP. We will go somewhere popular, with a big enough presence that they won't dare to show up."
Sasha was unsure. She was clearly afraid and understandably so.
"Look around," Bladescape said. "You can see that the kids are fine and they are having fun. Tomorrow you won't have this chance. You risk being stuck where you are, and we are not even at Floor Sixty-Five yet. You need more Skill Slots and you were rocking it today. You did it to protect them and you were doing exactly what you needed to. They are a big love of yours and you want to be the best you can be for them, rightfully so. You're teaching them very well. I had an amazing time yesterday with Gin, Kain, and Mina. Plus, it looks like the rest of the Wondercolts are having just as good of a time as I was. Take this opportunity that we still have and seize it. For them."
"But," Sasha said, stalling out.
"You're not weak." Both Klein and Bladescape jumped at the voice that came from behind them. Klein's blade was mostly drawn, waiting just for the flick of the wrist to unleash it fully. Bladescape had Harmonic Salvation only at a quarter draw, but that was because she subconsciously recognized the voice through the fear.
Doombunny stood just inside the doorway, arms crossed with Colorra attentive and coiled up aggressively to match her partner. Bladescape realized that, while Doombunny was angry, the anger wasn't at Sasha, although the harsh sounding words were directed at her.
"Everything went well enough," Doombunny said, still furious. "I didn't find any kids, despite using Search, Listen, and Reveal. I think you have them all. For today at least.
"And, despite the other rumors I was picking up on, everything worked out. All three of you are safe. It was unlucky, but that was all. You were not a target. Today is your day, Sasha. A well-deserved day. Don't waste it. We're giving you everything we can to make sure you get this opportunity. We won't get the opportunity to put our focus onto you again. Tomorrow, our duty and energy will be focused back to freeing you. It’s what's best all around."
Sasha sat there, thinking over what Doombunny said. Doombunny let her think as she strode to Bladescape's side. She pulled out two vials and handed them to her friend. Her face was still angry. Something had happened on her walk through the city to find more kids who needed help, but as she handed Bladescape the vials, her eyes flashed with a love only Fluttershy could give. A soft, warm glow from the softest, warmest, kindest member of the Wondercolts, and more importantly, her IRL friend.
Bladescape smiled into those eyes. "We also used a poison for Sasha to win Floor Fifteen's big quest. The tournament one."
Doombunny nodded and wordlessly handed a replacement poison to her friend.
"How's this shindig goin?" asked another voice behind them.
Again Klein almost had his blade drawn as he spun into his default fighting stance. Bladescape had pulled Harmonic Salvation halfway out before she realized it was Malus who had spoken. The others were behind her. She had not expected to see them until the evening.
Bladescape slammed Harmonic Salvation back into its sheath. Her hand was shaking from the fear. She hadn't expected it to happen twice and it had her not just on edge, but angry. "Fine," Bladescape said through a tight jaw.
"Klein still ain’t put his sword back," Malus pointed out.
Bladescape snorted, even more angry that she couldn't get control of herself. "We just dealt with LC. Another freak run-in. We're trying to get Sasha back out with us, to finish leveling her up, but in a safer place." Bladescape tried to change topics. "You're out early and now here."
"New development," Natora said, avoiding specifics. They clearly didn't leave the Labyrinth because they hit low HP. "So we all decided, why sit at home, let’s go check in with the others, but now we can load up a full party and really give Sasha the best, and help calm your nerves."
Konpeito came out of nowhere, bear hugging Bladescape but still managing to have an open hand in front of her face. On it was a cupcake. "Cupcake to calm your nervous nerves?"
Klein snatched it out of Konpeito's hand. "Sure!"
Konpeito burst out into a snorting laugh of pure joy. Of course she had more cupcakes for them. Most were for the kid's dinner, but she could spare several.
"I feel better," Bladescape admitted as she finished her cupcake. "And we ate a good meal with Thinker and Yulier, so it wasn't food that I needed."
"Well, I have a fun dinner planned," Konpeito declared. "You all better get out there, grab those levels, and be back for it!"
"Come on, Sasha," Malus said. "With my shield, you ain't got nothin to be afraid of. I don't bend. I don't break."
If it had been Bladescape and Malus in the battle with Laughing Coffin, they would have died. Malus was too slow. Outnumbered and surrounded was Malus's weakness. She needed heavy backup to adjust for her immobility. However, Bladescape didn't need to point that out. Sasha needed to hear it and she was ready to go with that encouragement.
"Alright!" Thunderborne exclaimed. "Let's go kick some monster butt!"
"No," Bladescape said with a sly grin. "You and Natora are going to go kick the kid's butts in football or some other sport. Or are you too chicken to handle that?"
"Oh we can handle it," Natora laughed, taking Thunderborne out of the potential party members with her.
"What do we need, shields or swords?" Kiefer asked.
"Forwards," Bladescape replied. "Miss Sasha is set up like Doombunny. We block, she jumps out and strikes, then back to safety. You and Soryuto would round us out well to a full party of six, but we don't even need Malus for our plans. Up to you."
"I'm in," Kiefer said with a wink.
"Me too," Soryuto said. "I think we can do more with six than three. Besides, it's always fun to see what dumb thing Klein will do next."
"Hey!" Klein exclaimed. He didn't follow up with an argument though.
"Floor Forty-Six is still populated," Kiefer advised. "We could hit the ants and as a team, we can start fresh and jump in and out rather quickly. It will be simple to block and let Miss Sasha strike before we finish them."
"Quick and efficient," Klein added. "We have to make up for some lost time.”
"Then that's our plan," Bladescape said, solidifying it. "By dinner, Sasha will be up to at least Level Forty."
They added the new party members and then they were off. Floor 46 had two open canyons. They didn't have to wait to be rotated in. Several parties were resting up after using the lack of a waiting period to their advantage. The Wondercolts did as well, but while the others were intermediate players, they were from the top. They only needed one up front with Sasha. They stayed well rested as the hours passed. Sasha was the only one needing a break. While she got a break from leveling up her One-Handed Dagger Skill, she was still gaining Level XP at an expedited rate.
Sasha hit Level 40 from their diligence in the early evening. It was too late for them to walk back to the teleport plaza and get back for the kid's normal dinner time. Konpeito had told them to be back for dinner. They pulled out teleport crystals and Klein gave one to Sasha.
They teleported back to the Town of Beginnings and then rushed to the church. Inside it was a loud, chaotic scene. All of the kids were in the dining hall, crammed into the tables, but they were not eating. They were waiting and salivating. Konpeito was cooking up something absolutely delicious. The delectable smell could almost be seen.
"MISS SASHA!" "TEACH!" Multiple kids yelled out in greeting as they saw them arrive. They didn't leave their hard-fought seats though.
"Hello!" Miss Sasha greeted them. "Did you all behave well today?"
It was a fury of "yes" in reply.
Another table had been brought in for the "adults." They now had a large group to seat outside the kid's tables. Doombunny, Bladescape, Klein, and Sasha sat at the original "adult" table that Sasha usually ate at by herself.
Konpeito popped out of the kitchen, right as they sat down, swinging a huge, oversized pot filled with stew. The other two she had been working with all day were loaded down with trays of bread and other items. It was a full course of food for the kids.
Bladescape raised her glass of water to her table. "Bunny and Klein, I raise my glass to you. We got these kids in an even better and safer place. Sasha, I raise my glass to your bravery today, and more importantly, to your love of these kids and all you do for them. They're alive because of you. It's impressive all that you do for and teach them. Mo ghile mear!"
"I second that!" Klein said, raising his glass even higher. "Bravery to you, to the kids, and cheers to all you do! In the end, it was a successful day!"
BLADESCAPE: Level 85 — Two-Handed Sword — Searching — Weapon Defense — Leather Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Sprint — Blade Throwing — Extended Weight Carry — Acrobatics — Greatsword
NATORA: Level 80 — Two-Handed Spear — Purchase Negotiations — Sales Negotiation — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Acrobatics — Armor Pierce — Sprint — Extended Weight Carry
MALUS: Level 80 — One-Handed War Hammer — Heavy Shield — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Extended Weight Carry — Battle Regeneration — Fishing — Search — Martial Arts — Rend — Sprint
THUNDERBORNE: Level 80 — Rapier — Sprint — Acrobatics — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Armor Pierce — Martial Arts — Blade Throwing — Search
KONPEITO: Level 80 — Two-Handed Axe — Cooking — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — Martial Arts — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Music — Blade Throwing — Bard — Extended Weight Carry — Rend
DIEMOND: Level 80 — Mace — Heavy Shield — Sewing — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Light Metal Armor Forging — Heavy Metal Armor Forging — Extended Weight Carry — Jewelry Creation — Rend
DOOMBUNNY: Level 81 — One-Handed Dagger — Hide — Fighting Spirit — Blade Throwing — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Familiar Cooperation — Mixing — Listen — Reveal — Main-gauche — Search
KIEFER: Level 79 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Slash Weapon Forging — Light Metal Armor — Weapon Defense — First Aid — Katana — Battle Regeneration — Slash Weapon Forging — Blade Throwing — Armor Pierce
SORYUTO: Level 77 — One-Handed Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Music — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Fighting Spirit — Armor Pierce — Acrobatics — Extended Weight Carry
REISENKI: Level 79 — One-Handed Axe — Heavy Shield — Heavy Metal Armor — Equipment Repair — Metal Equipment Repair — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Cooking — Metal Refining — One-Hand Weapon Creation
KLEIN: Level 75 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Katana — Light Metal Armor — Shield — First Aid — Fighting Spirit — Battle Regeneration — Search — Extended Weight Carry — Listening
SASHA: Level 40 — One-Handed Dagger — Cooking — Sewing — Teaching — Family — ? — ?
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End-of-chapter status updates left Sasha at 30. Whoospiedoodle!
12049788
Whoops! At least remembered to copy it over or include it in the first place.
wonderful update! Klien is such a good big brotehr to Blade lol
12049797
Their friendship has certainly come a long way.
Bladescape is a bit too hard on herself. Yeah, she was a bit intense, but it's understandable considering what she's been through. Plus she made sure the guy's life was never in any danger in the safe zone first, so any beating he got was well deserved. She doesn't need to be a perfect model all the time.
12049894
But she is the example everyone looks to. One of the top 5 guilds on the front. That is a lot of pressure.
Indeed.
Thx Thinker!
Even if the guild isn't perfect, it has a genuine good leader.
He had it coming after telling her.
That's a lot coming from her despite she was once a adult in a unicorn body...
Lmao!
Here here!
Yep.
I'll be honest I had quite a few expectations from this chapter after the previous one. Unfortunately you did not deliver.
I read through the chapter, especially the first half, and I don't see a teenage girl that came oh so close to killing another man (even if he was a criminal). No, I see a hardened veteran who pushes her troubles away with practiced ease. It's really ironic to hear Sunny say that she's barely holding herself together when she in fact holds herself together pretty damn well.
The aftermath of such a traumatic event needs emotions to really show the impact of what had just transpired and your execution of it severely lacks those emotions.
I rarely cut so deeply with criticism like this, but when I do it's because I care about what I'm dissecting. This could have been a memorable moment of Sunset's character journey but unfortunately, as it is now, it's just a footnote instead.
12050314
I totally understand. It has been a long time since I worked with the chapter. We did final edits to post. The criticism is appreciated. I know I dive into it better in other places.
And that's how Bladescape accidentally spent a day with an orange cursor.
Isn't she at least 19 now? They were spending their Senior year in Japan, which means they were 17-18 when the game started. I'd say she's a young woman, even without considering the possible age regression from passing through the mirror.
The SAO wiki says that Klein is 23 now, which isn't that much of an age difference. I suppose it'd be unconventional if a college freshman was dating someone his age, but in Aincrad they're both working adults. I can understand Bladescape not wanting another distraction from the front lines, but once the game is cleared, I hope she gives it some thought.
12114292
Yes, she is at least 19. Certainly a full adult. The thing is, no one is thinking about aging. They don't have birthdays. Their avatars are not aging. The calendar is a different Junishi, which isn't too hard to convert but its not in the forefront. It was a discussion about all of the abnormal ways they are viewing age. It can be really hard to switch gears when you don't see changes. I may post the date at the top, but the players on the front think in floors, not dates. I have been doing my best to run that rhetoric to show their thinking.
Klein brings it up at one of the worst possibly time. Bladescape just took a mental beating. Of course she can't fathom a relationship. She also isn't herself. She is The Wondercolt, not Sunset. Her tattoo is her anchor, but she is on the captain of the Wondercolt boat.