Episode 107 — Into the Dragon’s Nest
Episode 107 — Into the Dragon’s Nest
First Day in the Month of Deutzia Flower (July 1) in the Year of the Griffon
Floor 61 — Thorn Island — Front Line Floor 64
Bladescape woke up with a note on her nightstand. It was Merlin. He needed to see her. He had the location of the next item needed to access the Glass Tower. Bladescape informed the other councilors at breakfast and they adjusted for her being gone. Bladescape had gone over the basics of the quest with the council shortly after the merger. They understood that the quest she was working on was very important and not only improved her weapons, but could potentially put the Wondercolts on top if the right item was found or given. There also was an implied benefit for the Assault Team and their freedom. Plus, outside of setting the example as their Kaisho, she had no need to be at training because she would still be far above their quotas. She would join them as soon as she could.
Kiefer was their training officer and would be in charge of making sure quotas were met. He would organize training days as well. However, the opening quotas were to be led by Malus. She had an idea for their extended time in the field. Bladescape was more than happy to have her take the lead for once and so were the others.
Bladescape grabbed the lunch and dinner sack Konpeito had personally prepared for her and then rushed out to their plaza. She stepped up to the teleport plaza in her full gear but then used the glass ring. She was going to keep that secret, even from her guildmates. On the garden plateau, she stopped to survey the landscape. She had no idea what Floor they were on. From their height on the plateau, the next Floor wasn’t far above them. She felt like she could reach up and touch it, however, it was still beyond the grasp of even the most agile player.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Merlin asked her, surprising Bladescape.
“Sorry, I meant to come to you immediately upon arriving,” Bladescape said. “But this is beautiful. Where are we?”
“We are on Ben Lomond mountain,” He explained. “On the far side of this realm sits Camelot, along the shores of Loch Lomond. It is there where the Once and Future King, Aurthur, sat guiding his people. However, that time is not now. What the people need is ten great warriors to reform the Knights of the Round Table.”
“The ten with the Unique Skills,” Bladescape immediately said.
Merlin nodded. “Four are distributed, but my visions make me believe that soon we will see the fifth and sixth arrive. Plus, there is an eleventh who is a warrior in their own right, despite no special Skill. Still, you are a long way to that time. You have over thirty realms to conquer before you reach Camelot and can rally the people in all of the realms to a brand new existence and then finally be ready for the Ruby Palace.
“But we need the Glass Tower to once again arrive for you to gather the other knights. That starts next, with Kukulkan, the five colored jewel. It is in the neck of Elvarg, the Mother of all Aincrad’s Dragons.”
“What Floor are we on exactly?” Bladescape asked.
“The realm of Camelot is, by your count, Ninety-Five,” Merlin said. “And since you already got ahead of the quests by betraying the king, I need you to make sure the Glass Tower is back and ready for when your allies arrive. Can you do that?”
“I'll do my best,” Bladescape replied. “And then I will gather the eleven to the Round Table. Or maybe a few more. Ones who are worthy, whether they have a Unique Skill or not, and who will stand by me no matter what when we enter the Ruby Palace. Ones who will, at the final battle, gladly lay down their lives for the freedom of our friends, our families, and the others in Aincrad.”
“You are starting to sound like Aurthur,” Merlin grinned.
“Why shouldn’t I?” Bladescape asked. “Didn’t he unite Camelot, defend it against enemies of all kinds, both magical and human, and die saving it?”
“That he did,” Merlin replied. “Are you willing to die as he did?”
“I doubt he intended to die and neither do I,” Bladescape shot back. “What good am I to anyone dead?”
“You got me there,” Merlin chuckled. “But come, let us sit inside and I will show you what you need to know about Elvarg.”
“She drops her head,” Bladescape said. “One of the five great dragons who leaves behind their draconic visage.”
“You are prepared,” Merlin said, surprised.
“I only know I was waiting for her to appear,” Bladescape said. “I learned she drops her head because I made the final killing blow against the King Black Dragon and got his head. I intend to gather all five heads. Since you mentioned her, I assume that time has come?”
“Yes, it has. But now, I am curious. Who do you think should be a Knight of the Round Table yet lacks a Unique Skill?”
“Malus, the Iron Bulwark who stands against every Floor Boss, unyielding in any way,” Bladescape stated. "The very few bosses strong enough to toss her were no joke and would have crushed anyone else, yet she held firm against all of them. She has missed one battle because she was too slow to be useful for the strategy.”
“She was number eleven on my list,” Merlin said. “The one without a Unique Skill.”
Bladescape nodded and continued. “Asuna also should be there, and not because of her title as Second-in-Command of the Knights of the Bloodoath. Her skill with that rapier of hers is unrivaled. She even has Thunderborne outmatched. There's none faster with a sword. She will make a strong knight who can lead well and fight even better.
“Klein of the Fuurinkazan guild too. Despite his goofy ways and scruffy face, he's a warrior at heart and one that's true to the only goal that matters: freeing us all from our prison. He doesn't try to look like a samurai for only looks, he is becoming one. I have fought by his side in many battles, and I'll gladly fight by his side to the very end. I'll lay down my life in the Ruby Palace for him if it must come to that. He's not the only one I would say that about, but that list is pretty short and it's separate from the ones I would still lay down my life for, just not gladly.
“But I have a fear rising in me as we speak. How is it that Aurthur died?”
Merlin sighed. “He died as he killed Mordred, a former Knight of the Round Table that betrayed him. Although, he wasn’t the only one who went against Aurthur. Sadly, Lancelot and Aurthur had a falling out that ended in bloodshed.”
“So, two falling outs,” Bladescape said. “Somehow I have a feeling we will get a repeat. And from the ten Unique Skills, not the others."
“I hope not,” Merlin said as they entered the cathedral. “You would want to figure them out before the allegiance. Your two named warriors are strong and true. They would make solid knights.”
They sat down at a table. “There may be a few others who prove themselves over the next set of floors,” Bladescape added. “But, you said four Skills, with two more soon-”
“Yes!” Merlin exclaimed, interrupting her. “I know that you know of Commander Heathcliff. I-”
“Is one of those Unique Skills a deadly one?” Bladescape pressed before he got off topic.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I have had a bad feeling since I met Laughing Coffin the second time. That is, when I first saw and talked with their leader, PoH, he has a special weapon, a unique dagger that is for killing players and has no other reason to exist. It is a meat cleaver that is named Mate Chopper and gains power with every player killed with it.”
Merlin sighed. “None of these Skills were supposed to be showing up so soon. Floor Ninety should have triggered them, because then you would see the separation between players of great skill and honor, and those of lesser repute but still of value. Players like you, Kirito, Asuna, and Heathcliff, who are already outpacing the others and leading them for a reason. Then everyone would understand why that person got that Unique Skill, and the others didn’t. I don’t know why, but they are showing up early.
“The magic of this world is dark and shifting, but that is what is unique about you. You are a light in this darkness. You are greater than you realize. I see magic in you. One that isn’t like the darkness that holds this world. My hope rests with you.”
“So there is a Unique Skill for killing players,” Bladescape said, reading between the lines.
“If anyone can redeem that future knight, it is you,” Merlin stated with confidence.
“Okay,” Bladescape said with a nod. “But, we really need to get back on track with Elvarg. I want to finish this task today, if I can.”
“Oh, you just have to chop her head off and bring me the jewel in her neck,” Merlin plainly stated, as if it was a trivial task.
“I have to solo fight a dragon!” Bladescape exclaimed, intent on pointing out just how difficult that was going to be. Then something occurred to her. “Wait, do I? This quest is in my logs under the Glass Tower. All it says is to recover the lost items of the Glass Tower. This one is no different in the lack of details. As long as I bring the jewel to you, why does it matter if I have a party with me?”
Merlin sat and thought for a bit. “I guess you do not. As long as you don’t tell them the reason for the gem, you will be fine. That way the dark magic doesn't target them.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Bladescape said. “I know my team. They get that I'm working on a multi-floor quest with special parameters, including not telling them stuff.”
Bladescape pulled up her menu and sent a message out. She needed Doombunny, Konpeito, Diemond, Reisenki, and Natora. Kiefer and Malus were too busy training the new Wondercolts and Thunderborne was a junior officer. She needed to be with the others to build up her leadership status. Plus she usually was good at hyping a team up and building morale. They needed Thunderborne leading the morale charge. So far she had been doing a great job at that.
Doombunny had already fought the King Black Dragon and doing the same thing would be crucial for a swift victory. Plus, she understood what it meant to fight one of Aincrad’s Five Great Dragons. Reisenki was a Tank and yet had an adaptive speed unseen by any other true Tank. Diemond would be crucial as a second Tank. Taking away Natora for the day was a calculated risk, since she was on the rotation to be ready to receive the furniture when it arrived, but her spear was going to be key for a speedy kill. Besides, it was likely still a little early to be getting the orders. Konpeito’s heavy hitting axe was somehow one of the most accurate weapons in Aincrad.
The key to all of her choices was that they were well above the level quotas and, ignoring Natora, were not directly involved in the training, or at least could be spared for the day. Konpeito also had to help run the kitchen, but she could step away for a bit. Likewise, Diemond was working hard on the new member armor, but she could use the break to work out the inevitable frustrations. Only the best was accepted by Diemond and she had screened out half of her finished armors as lacking the quality necessary.
She got the messages back quickly and they set up to rendezvous back at the castle.
Bladescape turned her attention back to Merlin. “I need to know everything you can tell me about Elvarg. Not just where she is, but how she attacks, what she prefers to do for attacks, how the layout of the ground is so I know who I can put where, and things like that.”
Merlin nodded and picked up a tome. It thudded onto the wooden table from its sheer size. Inside its pages was all the info of the Five Great Dragons of Aincrad that Merlin knew. Bladescape flipped through to check the others. The King Black Dragon had the most info, but that no longer mattered. Elvarg the Mother of All Dragons had plenty of details. Fucanglong the Crystal Dragon had a lot of info, but no stated Floor. Juuouno Orochi only had a drawing, a ten headed serpent style dragon. It was clearly a ten headed take on Yamata no Orochi. Finally, there was only a short sentence describing Ryu the Storm Dragon: a blue and white winged snake that was the controller of storms and rain.
“Merlin, these are the Five?” Bladescape asked. “What about Dorz'l the Chaos Drake”
“He is a drake, not a dragon,” Merlin replied. “Although he has wings, he cannot truly fly. As such, he is not one of the Five.”
“And is he a Floor Boss?”
“I believe so,” Merlin nodded. “But I don’t recall which one, if I ever knew. The dark magic-”
“Got it,” Bladescape said, interrupting him. She closed the tome and stood up. “Thank you. I may need to come back to reread the others, but this will ensure our victory. Hopefully a swift victory.”
“Have fun,” Merlin chuckled.
“My castle please,” Bladescape said with a grin.
Merlin raised his hand slowly so that she was ready. Again she never heard the snap as she found herself in her room, beside her bed. She sighed. She wanted to come in from outside. Either way, she had to meet the others in the Guild Hall, and they should be back.
Bladescape entered from the hidden entrance. Her friends were in the front row, waiting. She sat on the dais they were replacing, instead of in her chair, to address her friends.
“Elvarg the Mother of Aincrad’s Dragons is a green dragon of moderate size. I need the five colored gem that's a scale on her throat for my quest. Let me decapitate her. Otherwise, it’s pretty simple. She uses less fire that the King Black Dragon did and her breath attacks are shorter. Don’t let that fool you though, she can still cook you alive in a single breath. Her preference is to strike with her claws and jaws. She also loves the tail whip, so watch out, especially you, Doombunny.”
“I assume you want me to do the same thing?” Doombunny asked.
“Yes,” Bladescape nodded. “This battle will happen in a cavern, in a dungeon. Getting there shouldn’t be too hard. Once we engage her, slip to the rear and harass her like you did the King Black Dragon. It will be a lot tighter for you, so be careful. If you need to wait and time your hits, then do that. I just need you making the critical attacks at the right time, not overall damage."
“Understood,” Doombunny nodded. “I will be tactical.”
Bladescape nodded and continued. “For the rest of you, Diemond and Reisenki, you need to do everything you can to keep her focus split between you two. Set up on either side of her. We are going to be on the offensive as much as possible. That's how we beat the King Black Dragon. Natora, you pair with whoever you want. Konpeito will work with the other Tank. I will float. Natora, if you want to switch Tanks in the battle, feel free. Just avoid the claws, and in particular, the jaws.”
“Just a logistical question,” Natora asked. “If you fail to get the Last Attack Bonus, can we give you the gem?”
“As I understand it, you should be able to,” Bladescape nodded. “But I want that head and the gem, so if we can, leave it up to me. I know it is a bit of a cheat, but…”
“It's still fun,” Natora grinned. “Cheat or not, we want you to get the head, even if that means we stage it for you. And really, you're not hiding, waiting to snipe it. You're going to be fully engaged in the battle, working for that killing blow. Assisting you on this quest will be fun. ”
“True,” Bladescape replied with a nod. “But if it finishes like it did with Kirito, Doom, and I, the killing blow must be dealt as swiftly as possible. Of course, then we only had three of us, and when-” Bladescape almost blew Kirito’s secret. She grinned, thankful that she caught herself in time. “When Kirito slipped up and didn’t get the kill shot I let him have, I had to rescue him. He was in a heavy delay, and he was going to die if I didn’t kill the dragon. So I did. It’s the only reason why Thunder has Dragon’s Brand and why I got the Black Draconic Visage. So do the same thing. If I fail the set up, kill her.”
Doombunny confidently stood up. “Let’s go get you that gem! And let’s get that second head to mount behind the dais that will be here in a few days. Just think what it will look like if we get all five heads to be mounted behind you. We need that as a guild, as much as you need it for yourself.”
Bladescape looked behind her and grinned. “I think that is the perfect place for them.” She knew she could trust Gunk and Valk to quietly have it mounted, even if they had to take it to someone new, they would know who would keep it quiet.
Bladescape stood up and began to pull out her crystals. “Everyone, make sure that you have three blues, plenty of reds, and that your health potions are stocked as well. Doom will worry about poison, we won’t.”
They checked everything and headed out. They moved quicker because Malus wasn’t with them. Most of Floor 64 was explored and cleared. That also meant they had to hurry. Now was the time that many clearing parties turned to the dungeons to level grind a bit before they tackled the boss Labyrinth.
The location to the dungeon’s start was a cave on an island in a small lake. As they came out of the woods and got a view of the bank, they saw a row boat on their side and another one on the other. The game might have one on the other side to ensure adventures could get back across the lake when they left the dungeon, or it meant another party was already across and in the dungeon.
They all understood what was at stake. Doombunny took point on the rowboat so she could rush ahead with Search, Listen, and Reveal. Diemond knew she was worthless as a rower and got in right behind Doombunny to be the second one off and establish a defensive foothold for the others. Reisenki took up residence beside her for the same reason. Natora and Bladescape shoved them off into the water and began to row. Konpeito was behind them, but still could get on into the spacious back.
Konpeito had ignored the others and pulled up her menu, unequipping her axe. Instead, she rushed forward and leaped as high as she could, which was impressive even by game standards, and yelled “CANNONBALL!” It was Konpeito. If any other player without Swimming as an active Skill did a cannonball into the lake, they would have never resurfaced. Especially with chainmail armor on. She not only kept up, but got ahead of the boat. Natora and Bladescape were having to call out “row” in a cadence to keep themselves steady, straight, and making progress towards the other shore.
“Beat you!” Konpeito declared as they beached the rowboat.
Doombunny was gone, zipping into the cave.
“You are soaked,” Diemond said to Konpeito, shaking her head in disapproval.
“So?” Konpeito asked, seeing no problem with being wet.
“Let’s go,” Bladescape said, keeping them on track. “Konpeito, equip your axe.”
Konpeito followed the order and they trotted into the cave. Doombunny was back rather quickly.
“Fresh tracks from a group are all throughout the cave,” Doombunny reported. “I spotted combat marks as well. Plenty of them. They can’t be too far ahead since the tracks are still fresh. It looks like a full party of six, with four members wearing heavy metal armor and two in light metal armor.”
“That is new to you,” Bladescape said as they rushed forward. “It's useful. I like it.”
“These are very fresh tracks,” Doombunny said as they got further in.
“Search just warned me of six players ahead,” Bladescape said, letting out a laugh. “You just beat me to it.”
They began to run, as fast as their slowest member, Diemond, could go. She was apologetic.
“Focus on running, we don’t care,” Bladescape said to her friend. “Don’t ever apologize for being the amazing Tank you are.”
They rounded a corner and saw the players. They were on either side of a narrow passageway on the left. They stopped talking as they saw the charging Wondercolts.
“Hold up,” their leader said.
“No,” Bladescape said as they slowed so they could enter. “It’s a green dragon in there, right?”
“How did you know?” he asked, as they all shifted their swords and shields to a ready position. It was their right to defend what they had found and not abandoned yet. The Wondercolts were being the rude ones.
“I have a quest,” Bladescape said, trying to settle things through reason. “This dungeon doesn’t end with the dragon inside there, Elvarg. There aren't even any doors to indicate she is a dungeon boss. I need to kill her for my quest. I don’t care about the rest of the dungeon. There is only one thing I need from her and I have to get it from the final kill blow.”
One of them, a Tank, stepped forward to block the entrance.
“Show yourself Doombunny,” Bladescape said.
“Right here,” Doombunny said from the other side of the group. She uncloaked as asked.
“Doombunny, as in the Ruby Krait Tamer?” one asked, shaking a bit as he looked over his shoulder.
“The very same,” Doombunny said as she sheathed Shadowsong and began to pet Colorra’s head. “We don’t mean you any harm. Like our Kaisho said, she has a solo quest. We are backing her up, but we know she has to strike the final blow for her quest. If you could please let us through, I promise we won’t touch the rest of the dungeon, where the real rewards are. It's all yours.”
An explosion and cascade of heat sent them scrambling in all directions. The Tank blocking the passage had just taken a direct hit to the back from a fire attack. Bladescape was up first, pulling out several crystals. She had pulled out two blue and a red. She covered the distance in three long strides and pointed the crystal at the Tank. “HEAL!”
The red crystal shattered and the pieces floated over to him to give him life. Bladescape grabbed his left pauldron and began to drag him out of the way. Reisenki appeared beside her and the two of them got him farther back, clear from any more attacks.
They helped him up as his comrades were finally on their feet and capable of helping. The Wondercolts clearly had them outclassed for basic reaction skills. Both groups were now split on either side of the entrance to the dragon and were keeping a good distance away from it.
Bladescape was with Reisenki and Natora on the side closest to the dungeon mouth, while Doombunny, Konpeito, and Diemond had ended up on the far side when they scrambled to get to a defensive position. The other party was also split three and three.
“Look,” Bladescape said. “I need one of her scales for a multi-floor solo quest. It's useless to you because no one can start the quest anymore. I'm several quest segments into it. So we are going in there and you need to stay out.”
“You saved me,” the Tank said, surprised.
“Of course I did,” Bladescape shrugged. “I’m not going to let you die for any reason. Plus, this isn't my first rodeo with a special dragon. It's clear though, that you don’t have the levels to be hunting a special dragon on the front line floor.”
Their leader scowled at her from across the way. “And if I think we can?” he growled.
Bladescape didn’t have a chance to respond. He found Doombunny’s dagger, Shadowsong, at his throat. She was ready to paralyze him. He took a step back, but she expertly followed him and pinned him against the far wall.
“We asked nicely,” Doombunny said. Her voice and demeanor was calm and sweet, but her dagger at his throat showed she was strong and in control. “And we even explained why. Like we said, you take the dungeon and the real boss and we will clear out that dragon and then leave. If you make me, I will use my paralyzing blade to ensure that you don’t get yourself or any of your friends killed. He almost died from a single breath attack. I’ve felt more powerful dragon fire than that little puff of smoke. You're outmatched. Bow out with what little dignity you have left.”
“Come on, Celtec,” the Tank who almost died said. “I’m no match for it, I won’t be able to protect us. None of us will. That is Doombunny and she is a Wondercolt. They’re all Wondercolts. They have honor and a good reputation for a reason. A reputation for helping players without a second thought, not asking anything of them. Like they just did for me.”
Celtec sighed. “Alright, go. We won’t stop you. We will continue on with the dungeon.”
Doombunny stepped back, twirling her dagger before she slipped it under her coat and into its sheath. She flashed him a smile and bowed respectfully.
Bladescape was too far away to stop it. Celtec's demeanor changed to the polar opposite. He drove a savage kick to Doombunny’s bowed head, driving the toe of his heavy metal boot into her face.
Konpeito leaped across the dungeon passageway, landing a flying punch to his face. He was knocked back against the wall from the power and then rebounded off it from basic physics. Konpeito’s arm was out. She caught him along the chest, in a control clothesline attack that put him on his back. Hard. She sat her butt right on his chest, pinning him. Her battle axe was casually popped off her back and she twirled it before pinning his neck in between the shaft and the flared blade.
The other party members had dropped their weapons in immediate surrender. The tank next to Bladescape was low in prestige inside their group. The one beside Celtec, a lancer, appeared to be his second. She was beside him in an instant, grabbing his armor and pulling him in close.
“I would take our advice very seriously,” Bladescape growled.
“Of course,” he gulped. “And what wise advice is that?”
“Considering his cursor is now orange, I would drag him out of this dungeon and toss him to the army,” Bladescape stated. “Thinker knows Doombunny and I, as well as the Wondercolts. My advice is to let him pay his orange time in a cell, where he can safely rethink his life decisions. When he gets out, you might not want to roll with him.”
“That is wonderful advice,” he furiously nodded. “I’m not making an excuse, but I seriously don’t know if we have any rope.”
Bladescape let him go and swiped up her menu. “I can solve that.”
She passed him the rope. Several of them grabbed the pinned Celtec. He swore at his former friends, cursing them with all sorts of foul language. Konpeito slipped off him so they could tie him up, which would take a few clicks.
Celtec twisted, slipping out of their grasp and kneed one in the kidney. He stood and clocked the one Bladescape had given the suggestion to with a powerful right hook. Metal backed fist connected with the metal helmet in a sickening scrape of steel. He dropped like a rock.
Bladescape had kept her menu up for a reason. She clicked on the item and into her hands another rope popped. It was a simple click to make the knot. Celtec only got a few steps before the rope was around him and Bladescape gave him a vicious yank. He was forced onto his face. His former comrades tackled him and this time got him tied up.
The one Bladescape had identified as their second was still trying to get his head about him from the blow. Diemond was tending to Doombunny and Natora began to help him get his helmet off and clear his head.
The Tank Bladescape had saved stepped over to her. “I think we certainly need introductions now,” He said. “I am Mytho. The six of us have been together for a long while. We are the Highlander Guild. We knew Celtec has a bit of temper and could be a bit rash, but we never would have said he would strike another player like that.
“Yeah, we all were a bit angry, you were pushing us out of the way, but you had a legitimate reason. Especially after you saved me. I wasn’t going in there. We knew we were outmatched. I didn’t see his change coming.
“Anyway, like I said, I am Mytho, obviously Celtec is tied up, the one your friend is tending is Jak and he is our second, that by Celtec's head is Thunderborn, and by his feet is Emmeld, and finally the one gathering our dropped weapons is Merick.”
“Thunderborne?” Bladescape asked.
There was no time to explain as several of the monsters respawned right on top of them. Four per side. Bladescape and Harmonic Salvation jumped at the closest one on her side. Merick rolled his eyes with a sigh, dropping the weapons, except his own sword and shield, and charged the closest one on his side to protect the players still dealing with head wounds. Reisenki joined Bladescape’s side, but they both played aggressively, having no need for a Tank. Merick was backed up by Konpeito and Colorra. Colorra claimed two of the four kills on their side.
Bladescape sheathed Harmonic Salvation and turned back to Mytho who had the unfortunate luck of having smartly dropped his axe and not picked it up. “Mytho, it's a plea-...well, I wish we met under better, less stressful circumstances.”
“Agreed,” Mytho nodded. “You had a question?”
“Yes, but first, our introductions. I am Bladescape. That is Natora-”
“Kaisho,” Natora interrupted. “Bladescape Kaisho of the Wondercolts.”
Bladescape sighed and explained “We just took in new members and in the expansion I was given the title of Kaisho because I lead us all. So yes, I am Bladescape Kaisho. She is Natora Kaisa, the Wondercolts’ second officer. That is Reisenki. You already are familiar with Doombunny. Helping her is Diemond Socho, our armorer. And the one with the giant axe is Konpeito, our Itamae.”
“A cook and on the front line?” Mytho asked, surprised.
“She maxed cooking too,” Bladescape grinned. “She’s very good at her job. Both jobs.”
Bladescape then groaned, frustrated. “This became a whole mess. It was supposed to be easy. Slam our way through the dungeon to Elvarg, execute the plan, leave the killing blow to me for my quest, and then go home. Well I go finish the quest and they go home. Now we have two players recovering from blows to the head and a rogue player gone orange.
“Oh!” Bladescape exclaimed. “You said Thunderborne? Can you spell that?”
The guy shrugged, confused, but he complied. “T, H, U, N, D, E, R, B, O, R, N. I was going to add an E at the end, but that name was taken.”
The Wondercolts, except Doombunny, chuckled. Bladescape explained it. “Thunderborne with an E was taken by our friend. She got to it first. She's a fencer.”
Thunderborn laughed. “I want to meet her. After we deal with Celtec.”
“That's important, but let’s rest up a bit more,” Bladescape suggested. “Mytho get your axe and shield. We trust you, and even if you turned, well…” Bladescape’s grin was coy yet on the verge of arrogant. There was no way they could take the Wondercolts, even in a surprise attack.
Doombunny groaned. “He is lucky Colorra let it slide or he wouldn’t be alive. I’m surprised she did, even with Konpeito hitting him.”
“Well, I am glad,” Merick said. “I would rather turn him in and be free of conscience than having a party member die, even if he turned. As bad as it was, he wasn’t trying to kill you.”
“That is probably what saved him,” Bladescape said. “Either way, Merick, stay over there, but toss us Thunderborn’s, and Emmald’s weapons and shield. Let’s just relax and take things easy. I know we are not in a safe zone, but let’s just stay calm and rest. We almost had two deaths and we have two players who need a clear break.
“Thunderborn and Emmald, drag Celtec over to us so he is definitively clear from the passageway to the dragon, and take one of his health potions and force him to drink it. I can see how badly Konpeito messed with his HP from that single punch. He was in bad shape before he tried to make a break for it, so we don’t need him dying from a little heat.”
They pulled him off to the side and got his health back on the rise. Merick tossed them their weapons. They were now fully capable of fighting any enemies. They were lucky more hadn’t respawned.
“This is a bit lopsided,” Emmald said. “I am going to dash to their side, so that they have more than three fighters.”
“Go for it,” Bladescape said. “Wise thinking.”
He made it across without incident.
“PSST!” Konpeito blew to get Bladescape’s attention without being loud. She was trying to not let the dragon know they were there, which was not how things worked, but it was Konpeito. She whispered the yell, “Look at your lunch bag. I packed extra!”
Bladescape pulled up her menu and removed her lunch. She hadn’t given it any thought when she had grabbed the bag. She was told Konpeito packed it personally, but that was all she worried about. She was initially going out solo, so it was logically a larger bag to cover the whole day. However, Inside was a lot more than two meals. Bladescape passed out bottles of fruit flavored water and then cupcakes to the players with her. Konpeito was doing the same on her side.
“Man, these are so good,” Thunderborn said with a content sigh. “I don’t know the last time I had something like this, and it certainly was never in a dungeon.”
“Konpeito is a master,” Bladescape chuckled.
Bladescape was anxious to fight Elvarg. They had now spent a lot of time in the dungeon, outside her cavern, and not doing anything to actually attack her or plan the assault. She couldn’t help but think that it was her fault. They may have crossed the line with how pushy they were, especially letting Doombunny apply the pressure.
“I’m ready,” Doombunny finally said. She had eaten plenty and drank all of the water given to her. “And I think Jak should get up and move as well. It was his metal boot against my unprotected face. You had some protection at least.”
Jak let out a big sigh. “Yeah. But I already have a headache over what comes next. The water and cupcakes were nice. A real treat and I’m very thankful for it. I’m thankful for all of your help and support. You have been extremely kind and generous when you should not have.”
Diemond waved it off. “It’s what we do, Darling.”
Bladescape opened her menu and pulled out a pen and a piece of paper.
Thinker,
Take Celtec and lock him up for assault on a nonthreatening and unaware player, and assault on his friends. Short story: he assaulted Doombunny and then resisted capture and struck his friends to try and escape. They can tell you the long version. We are safe and fine. If you need more info for a proper sentence, send a runner to our castle and I will come as soon as I can. Thorn Island is the teleport plaza location.
Bladescape, Kaisho of the Wondercolts
Bladescape folded the top of the paper down to the center. She did the same from the bottom. She repeated those folds so it was a nice square. Along the opening she placed a piece of wax and then used a stamp and put their Wondercolts seal on it. It would be obvious if it was opened before Thinker got it. She wrote his name above the seal so it got to him.
“Give this to the Army,” Bladescape said, passing the note to Mytho. “Thinker is their leader. Explain what you need to. I know he will at least hold Celtec for a few days if he wants to speak to me. It’s in the note, but this will make sure it gets to Thinker and is taken care of properly. Wondercolts to Aincrad Liberation Force.”
“I will make sure it personally gets delivered to his hands,” Mytho assured her. “We have a player to take to jail and you have a dragon to kill.”
They shook hands, wishing each other luck and the others teleported out. Bladescape looked over at Doombunny. She was standing strong, with Colorra proudly sitting on her shoulders. Bladescape watched as Doombunny took a deep breath in and confidently drew Endbringer.
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 81 — 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 81 — One-Handed War Hammer — Greatshield — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Extended Weight Carry — Battle Regeneration — Fishing — Search — Martial Arts — Rend — Sprint
THUNDERBORNE: Level 81 — Rapier — Sprint — Acrobatics — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Armor Pierce — Martial Arts — Blade Throwing — Search
KONPEITO: Level 81 — 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 81 — Mace — Greatshield — Sewing — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Light Metal Armor Forging — Heavy Metal Armor Forging — Extended Weight Carry — Jewelry Creation — Rend
DOOMBUNNY: Level 82 — One-Handed Dagger — Hide — Fighting Spirit — Blade Throwing — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Familiar Cooperation — Mixing — Listen — Reveal — Main-gauche — Search — Sleight of Hand
KIEFER: Level 80 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Slash Weapon Forging — Light Metal Armor — Weapon Defense — First Aid — Katana — Battle Regeneration — Slash Weapon Forging — Blade Throwing — Armor Pierce — Martial Arts
SORYUTO: Level 78 — One-Handed Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Music — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Fighting Spirit — Armor Pierce — Acrobatics — Extended Weight Carry
REISENKI: Level 80 — One-Handed Axe — Greatshield — Heavy Metal Armor — Equipment Repair — Metal Equipment Repair — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Cooking — Metal Refining — One-Hand Weapon Creation — Two-Handed Weapon Creation
KNIGHTSTAR: Level 74 — One-Handed Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Equipment Appraisal — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Acrobatics — Extended Weight Carry — Armor Pierce — Search
LOBELIA: Level 62 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Search — Meditation — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Acrobatics — Painting
KAMISHI: Level 64 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Katana — First Aid — Extended Weight Carry — Battle Regeneration — Reveal — Trap Dismantling
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This Celtec is not very bright if he thought assaulting Doombunny was a good idea.
12124252
Not bright at all.
not the others."*
I'm shuddering just from hearing it!
Healthcliff though, is not who we think.
Drake?"*
Damn, she was so close to telling them that Kirito had a duel wielding skill.
I guess they're gonna have to do it the hard way.
That's what I thought.
Nevermind.
Wait, they have a member named thunderborn!!
explained, "We*
https://m.No turning back now.
12124611
Dang, two dropped punctuation marks. lol. Fixed. And yes, second Thunderborn or not, there is no turning back.
Should Konpeito's Martial Arts be considered a unique skill? Malus, Thunderborne, and Kiefer also have the skill.
Don't you just hate it when the username you want is already taken and you have to improvise a new one?
The newbies need to level hard, they're slacking!
12124951
It is highlighted because it is not taking up a Skill Slot. It was added without one available. Malus and Kiefer added theirs normal. Same with Doombunny having Familiar Cooperation highlighted and Sleight of Hand.
Mindrop has been my username for everything since 2006. I almost always get it. No one is trying for it because I am the OG guy. I stop anyone else from using it. When someone has stolen my name,
I seriously want to hunt them down and force them to hand it over. I never know what to go for if it is taken.
12124998
They are about to be in a love/hate relationship with training. lol.
Wonderful chapter! Now a question, what if one of the Durgen's Bladescape has to face can talk? Do you think they would have a prefight chat?
12125675
Huh. Never thought about it. There certainly are enough left. Speech would be something I would say only one of the five greats would have. I haven't tried to do and anthropomorphic dragons species that can speak, like Final Fantasy 1's Bahamut on the Cardian Islands.
12125829
Hehe. And I wager it would really surprise Bladescape!
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It would be a surprise for sure. It's not planned, but it is an interesting proposition.
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So much "Love"!
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Allow my to set a fun sceen!
The ancient dragon watched Bladescape a moment from its pearch and had to nod appreovingly. The warrior was holding her own quite well even if just, and he knew she would need some help thus did he take off from his moutain and make his way down to the battle at large.
Bladescape parried an attack and swore. She had come out here to find the ancient dragon only to encouter Laughing Coffin and now not only had to worry about dealing with them and escaping but had to also hope the dragon did not appear. Luck however is an odd thing and as no sooner did that thought pass her mind did a large shadow pass over herself and her attackers giving both herself them pause and this pause was all the ancient dragon needed to let loose a breath of fire killing the small group of Laughing Coffin members before the dragon landed staring at Bladescape "crap..." was all Bladescape could mutter.
The dragon looked amused at Bladescapes words "worry not human for I will not battle you this day. I would prefer to fight you at your fullest and on fair terms, the fact those cowards decided to ambush you was not something I consider honorable"
Bladescape blinked "You can talk?" she asked looking surprised
The dragon laughed "When you live as long as I have you learn a few things little warrior, and if you are here that means Merlin needs my stone. But i cannot just give it to you it is something you must earn. Rest well and return tomorrow and we shall have our match!"
Bladescape blinked but nodded "I think I can agree to that. Before that may I ask your name? My name is Bladescape."
The dragon gave a small, "Humans have called me Spike"
Just a lil somethng that I made up on the fly. I felt the idea of the dragon saving her life to be interesting
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It will be worth it. And they will be able to stand proud at the end and say they did something to get free, even when it gets hard. And with a great group, not a bunch of jerks. Friends.
12126458
I always love reading your scenes. That was awesome! A great way to pull in Spike. It is interesting that you pulled in Laughing Coffin too.
12126475
As to naming it Spike, it just felt amusing to me hehe as was the fact it KNOWS Merlin lol
It (LC) was just something I could see hapening. then the unexpected twist of the dragon saving her life and talking to her
12126476
Amusing is half of the fun of writing and half of the job, even if it just to the author. The amount of "amusing" things to me personally in my stories, originals and fanfics, is massive. Too many to keep track. Merlin is known by many of the ancient entities in Aincrad. Not all, but certainly some.
I have some really fun original content coming up in before 75, stuff not seen in the Aincrad story. 75+ is alt-u, absolutely new content and developments. Some really awesome chapters and some amazing story arcs. You will get to see some of the ancient entities.
12126710
awesome! I kinda wonder if any of these ancient beings are ones even Kayaba isnt aware of lol
12126781
The short, to not spoil anything, is that yes, there are things he does not know. What he does know are the mechanics and rules. I really look forward to the fun of an upcoming chapter, Episode 121 (it wasn't in the other story), and it happens to come with some inside baseball, logically of course.
Also, I do have a chapter with the POV of Heathcliff written. It's far away, like 260s and on Floor 89. I have not found a logical reason to divert into some other POVs like his prior to that. I am working on building in more from the secondary characters; Agil, Lisbeth, Silica, Klein, Kirito, Asuna, they all will have the spotlight at times, with plenty more coming from out main cast, Thunderborne, Doombunny, Diemond, Knightstar, Malus, Konpeito, and Natora.
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Oh my that sounds great! I look forward to them!
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I'm looking forward to y'all reading them!
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Also I had a thought. I think of all the Wondercolts. I think KnightStar's reaction to Yui would be the most intense given Knight's love of science should she learn Yui is an AI I imagine she intense shock!
12126929
If Knightstar learns of Yui, it might be. She would certainly be fascinated. Yui is not the only AI running, but definitely the easiest to study. Still, sitting her down and grilling her about herself, can a child actually explain their existence and how they work or think? They know they need to eat, sleep, have a brain, and that is about it. It does absolutely bring into question what "artificial," "intelligence," and even "human" mean.
Finally, I didn't change the outcome for Yuna. What makes you think I will change Yui's fate?
12126973
The fact a writer loves a good twist? Haha of course should Knightstar try and start grilling Yui with questions she might draw the Ire of Yui's parents. The only question is who is the bigger bear, Asuna as Mama Bear or Kirito as Papa Bear XD
12127071
Asuna. Hands down. Kirito is more of a shield. Asuna will go on the offensive first.
I do love a good twist, but also logic and being brutal certainly can be fun. Ruby Palace is 1) tame compared to some of the brutality of the situation in another book series I am writing. I look at it an my goals and think, "man, I am really torturing this character and there is no way around it with the thesis question of the story." You have to deconstruct the levels to see the raw brutality that is being examined, but it is there. 2) Ruby Palace is just warming up. I did add the drama tag for a reason. Realism when appropriate.
12127103
By the by here's a fun question that just now popped into my head. Suppose for a moment Bladescape gotta unique skill, what would it be? And by unique skill i mean a skill like Kiritos dual blades.
12128348
She may not want to admit it yet, but she does: Greatsword. How it is used will only grow as she becomes more familiar with it. Y'all will see the evolution of the skill. It will be a fun journey.
Speaking of Skills, if you have not seen my most current blog, Ruby Palace Extra Skill Sneak Peek! (minor spoiler), you might want to poke your head there to check it out. Not many players will be able to get it.