Thank you guys for the support! Though it was small, I don't wanna leave you few hanging Keep supporting and share with those who would probably enjoy this! I don't wanna get marked for spam so... Much larger than before and proud of it! Love to hear from you guys one day too! *Note: If a mod or Admin needs to take the series down, please contact me via PM and I will take it down myself. I do not want to cause any trouble here. If I do eventually have to take it down, I will make one last thread about this asking for the names of who wants to continue so I can send it to them. Thanks for your understanding!* Chapter II: As dawn approached, the artificial sun rose from the East as it took its place high up in the sky. Asuna woke to find Kirito already out of bed. As usual, he was out on the porch looking out to the lake that was beside the cabin. He had the half-smile that he always wore when he was daydreaming. She could tell because when he daydreams, he wouldn't move an inch. She joined him as his company for the early morning. The sky, still orange, was still bright enough to see the details like the tops of trees and the wings of birds that flew by - just as perfect as their honeymoon. She turned to Kirito, who still held the half-smile. "What are you daydreaming about now?" She said jokingly. "Not daydreaming, thinking. There was something that I saw yesterday that I couldn't make anything of. It seems dangerous, or maybe even helpful if it is a player trying to leave, like us. Either way, whatever it was, it was faster than me." Kirito said without breaking his stare towards the lake. His smile turned into a serious glare. "A player faster than you? Aren't there more though? Like Heathcliff, for example, he is faster than you if he doesn't use his shield." Asuna stated inquisitively. "No, this was extraordinarily faster. Possibly faster than Heathcliff." He turned to her to see her reaction. Asuna gasped, "Faster than Heathcliff? But he maxed his speed stat ages ago. His agility would have only increased with his level increase. The only possible way is for this 'new player' to have a speed like that is to either have a ridiculously low stat, an agility-boosting weapon, or both." "Or maybe none of the three." Kirito said 'matter-of-factly', "All of our stats are different based on our character. I, as you know, am one of the only people to have the dual-wielding ability. Maybe he has an increased agility for that reason. Though it is still odd that anyone would have that kind of speed." "I see why you're puzzled, I wouldn't worry about it too much, though. The next boss is the one we should be worried about. Come on, we gotta start heading to the headquarters or Heathcliff might not grant us another pass again." "Yea, sounds like we should. I'd like to be able to come back here later on." They both equipped their armor, weapons, and teleportation crystals. Setting their destination for the 55th floor, they teleported in unison, almost as if they were one person. They got to the headquarters with time left to spare. The large white rooms were empty, though. There was no one here besides them. Heathcliff, who seemed to live there, called them both to his office-like room. "I would debrief you on what information we got from the boss on the 76th floor, but there is no information to share. The informants have not come back yet and, by a Personal Message, told me they needed more time to survey the area. As this floor seems to be larger than most. I am sending you into the social area of floor 76 to wait for their return with the maps and rundown of the boss's layer. Also, just keep an eye out for trouble. I will inform the other members of the guild to do the same. The strategizing will be held tomorrow...hopefully." Heathcliff said without a pause. "We'll take care of it, PM us if the informants need backup. We'll be happy to assist them if need be." Asuna said, turing to Kirito for approval. Kirito nodded his head in agreement and the two of them, once again, took out their teleportation crystals - this time, setting their destination to the 76th floor. They left as quickly as they came. With the lack of information, they had nothing to do but wait. Asuna went to go get food from a nearby market for the two of them. Kirito went to sit down on a bench. He delved deep into thought once again; thinking about what that silhouette was. It bothered him a lot, not only because of the speed but also the form it took. A man, probably taller than him, who took on his fighting stance and type of weapon. It was unsettling because he knew that if this person were to go for any one of his friends, he would not stand a chance in a one on one battle. In the distance, another teleportation occurred coming to the 76th floor. It wasn't uncommon, but who came from it was surely no ordinary player. Long brown hair and hazel eyes were her key features. A black robe hid her armor, which seemed to have a beginner's stats. Yet, out of all of these, an orange cursor marked the top of her head. Mumbling occurred as she drew more and more attention from the crowd. Kirito could hear things like, "What is a PKer doing here?" "Isn't this a safe area?" "Is she plotting her next target here?" "Isn't that low-class armor though? If she goes out, its suicide." He knew this was no ordinary player, she was either cocky, or very skilled. The more he thought of her, the less he noticed around him. By the time he came back to his senses, she was standing right in front of him trying to talk to him. "Hey man, you alright? Are you tired or something? I'm trying to talk to you!" Startled, Kirito jumped to his feet, "Sorry, no, I'm not tired. I'm waiting on someone and started dreaming again." She snickered, "Don't worry, I don't bite. I just need to know where items are sold here and it seems like you have been here more than once. Also, aren't you from the front lines? I heard you had a meeting today." "Wait, how do you know of our plans?" Kirito shifted his feet. "I asked for answers first." She started to get impatient. "Here, let's make a deal, I will show you where the item vendor is and you tell me how you found out that info, deal? I am from the front lines and no, I'm not skipping the meeting." "Fair enough. My name is Michiko, by the way. Yours?" She said as she stuck her hand out. Kirito hesitated, then grasped her hand and shook it, "I'm Kirito." They started towards the market. Wide eyes glared at the two as rumors started to draw the crowd into fear. Those who knew they couldn't fight, cowered behind walls and tables. The able-bodied had their hands near their weapon, ready to draw at any moment. "Okay," Kirito said quickly, "first of all, what's with the orange cursor? I don't normally like dealing with PKers" "Oh, this?" Michiko pointed to the orange, diamond-like prism above her head, "This was because of douchebag players on the first levels. When I first started, I was attacked by any player who think they could best me. They thought they could take advantage of a girl like me. Being that we were out of the safe zone, I retaliated. They fought to the death. I had an orange mark ever since." "It wasn't because of a previous decision you made?" His eyebrow raised. "Nope. That has been the case since. Everyone thinks I'm part of the Laughing Coffin guild because of my black attire. In reality, I'm just another solo player. Also, the beginner armor is just aesthetic, I wear high-class armor when going into battle." "Hmm. You're very different than I thought. By the way, were you recently on the 22nd floor?" "No, I wasn't. And is being different such a bad thing? Why are you asking where I've been though?" She said laughing. "Nothing." He shook her question off. Finally making it to the market, Michiko went off to look what the individual vendors had. She melted within the crowd, but Kirito never lost sight. She was interesting and he needed more info on her. She looks like she could have been the one who was sprinting down on the 22nd floor, but she wielded 2 weapons - the blades of those were both noticeably smaller than the rogue's. Kirito spotted Asuna in the distance, carrying a basket full of food. By the looks of it, she made it at a nearby kitchen with items from the market. He knew the cooking level of that place would have been lower so the food wouldn't be as good as from her home, but he didn't mind. She was here and she had delicious looking food. They talked and ate on a nearby bench, satisfying their hunger. Michiko came back, now wide-eyed at the sight of Asuna "Um, so. You didn't tell me you had someone you liked. I didn't want another person after me over something stupid!" She said, with a hint of sarcasm. "Kirito..." Asuna drew a long breath, "who is this?" "Don't worry, it's just someone I met recently. She needed to find item vendors." He said, hoping it would ease the tension. "Hey, I'm not after him ok? He's yours. I'm just trying to get out of this damn game..." Michiko said with a sigh. "I'll explain later, but I think she needs some company too. Let's bring her with us. She could also explain a lot more to you then I can." "Okay, and the orange cursor?" Asuna said hesitantly. "It's in the story. No spoilers alowed!" Michiko said with a slight grin. They headed to an inn not far from the Kinght's of the Blood Oath's headquarters. Sitting on the furniture, they talked. Michiko restated all she had told Kirito with more detail and emphasis. Friendships grew among the three. "I wish that didn't happen to you Michiko. That's horrible!" Asuna started to tear. "It's ok, think nothing of it. I don't think of it often. And besides, it was their fault anyway. I wanted to find you guys for the longest time, though. I've been wanting to head out into the front lines with you guys. I guess it's just someway to cope with the murders." "The front lines are getting harder though? There are no patterns and almost always in improvisation that has to take place to survive. This is harder than any PvP. Are you sure about your decision?" Kirito said, hoping she'd decide otherwise. "Yea, I'm not joining your guild though. I'll show up and participate as a member, but I don't wanna be official. Besides, I don't like the red and white attire." Michiko stated. "I'll inform the guild leader about this addition to the raid group. She will be very useful in the upcoming battles!" Asuna brought up a PM designated to Heathcliff and started typing. The night drew to a close as the three retired to their rooms. City was oddly quiet, not a person talking. The sound of a cricket orchestra was the only noise, acting as nature's music. Slowly, they feel asleep; dreaming about life in the real world that was so much closer to becoming a reality.
This is a great story, with good detail, and the story seems like it is actually happening, just like in the real anime. Keep it up Josh!
:cat That is VERY uplifting, glad to see you're still getting a kick out of this. Maybe you can tell who "Michiko" is to me? *Cough*irl*Cough*
You still haven't told me what "Wattpad" is I haven't a clue since this is my first Fanfic I ever wrote...:writing:
This so called Wattpad is the place for creative imaginations, such as yours. That's where people post their stories, fanfics, etc.
