Acanthus

Crafting for 9/14/2024 Langue de chat consumed (Ambition). +1 EXP per craft (+2 total from Trinket | Tuning Fork) 1112/2559 EXP. Crafter's Respite used! (ID 230277-1). Daily resets attempt. EXP 1150/2559

"If she is anything like me she would put you in your place for implying a woman my age could have a child of yours." Acanthus almost started the say that they were really nothing alike (aside from their height), but she realized that she was dangerously close to another thump on the head. She decided that the prudent course of action would be to simply shut her mouth. "Forgive me for outbursts. I'm not good with words... or controlling my anger." Acanthus waved her off politely. “There is no forgiveness necessary. Sometimes I say odd things. It doesn’t help being trapped in this ga

@RaidouAccepted! Time to get cracking on some Catalyst songs.

THREAD SUMMARY EXP: 1500 + ((3731/10) * 1 * 4) = 2,992 * 2 = 5,984 EXP Col: 400 (page) Haru Gemini slain. <<Disguise>> Unlocked.

The Gemini stared up at her blankly, waiting for a decision. Acanthus knew she wasn’t talking to it. She was using the fragment of Cardinal to talk to herself. To Haru. “It isn’t fair to you, to be trapped in this game.” Her eyes welled up with tears. “You deserve to be home. You deserve happiness, despite the cruel things you say to yourself.” The sword dangled loosely from her fingers, nearly tumbling into the snow. “Haru, you deserve so much more than I can give you right now.” Acanthus blinked, fighting back the urge to cry. “But the only thing I can do is get you to the frontlines, m

Haru lay on the ground, exhausted and defeated. “You’ve bested me. Make your choice.” Acanthus rested the tip of Meteor’s blade on Haru’s neck. She fought for the right words. “I… You’re right. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without all the kindness I’ve shown. I’m only here because you’re here.” “Part of me clings to it. You’ve made me into who I am. And what’s my purpose if I’m not providing for others? Part of me resents those that encouraged me to fill that role. After this fight, I think… I think that resentment runs deeper than I thought.” “But that resentment… Right

Planting her feet firmly, Acanthus summoned all of her remaining energy. One strike was all she would need. The sword art felt familiar as always, until she refused to release when the system demanded it. The pleasant hum turned into a buzz, then a vibration, then a SCREAM. When she felt like the energy she held would kill her, she released the sword art. Meteor collided with Wormwood, and light erupted in the snowy meadow. The concussion caused Acanthus to lose her hearing for a brief moment, and the snow exploded out from under the two, revealing the plain digital grid underneath. Acant

As the fight wore on, Acanthus chipped away Haru’s health. This isn’t the answer, Acanthus, Haru pleaded with her. To her surprise, Acanthus found herself begging back. Then give me one. Give me an out. Tell me how to beat this game with kindness. Her onslaught slowed. Tell me how, and I’ll do it. I don’t want to leave you behind… I’m scared to leave you behind. Haru remained silent. Locked in battle, the weariness was showing in both of their movements. But little by little, Acanthus was gaining the upper hand. "If this isn’t the answer, and you don’t have the answer, then what am I

I’m not happy with this. But those are the thoughts that slow me down. Acanthus brought her fist down, aiming for the back of Haru’s neck. Haru shifted, and the fist bounced off her armor instead. As Haru stumbled away, Acanthus walked over to collect her own sword, shaking off the snow. I’m not happy to be doing this to you. But it’s not about what makes me happy. It’s about what I have to do. Then you’re just like me. Every time I gave up my own happiness for others. Acanthus merely approached, flourishing Meteor. You think it’s different now. I know what’s happening. You’re terrif

I’m just glad the game has given me the opportunity to *literally* cut you out of me. You can’t. Cut me out, and you’ll only be half a person. Then I’ll be half of a happy person. …Are you happy? With this? Acanthus faltered. Haru’s sword lit up and struck her in a vicious, pointed combo. Acanthus landed on her back in the snow, sword landing just out of her reach. She rolled as Haru stabbed the ground, pinning her cloak; Acanthus quickly tore away, leaving the gift from NIGHT in tatters. Haru closed in again as Acanthus scrambled to her feet. But this time, Acanthus w

Lectured?! Am I being lectured by a cardboard cutout of myself? She cackled maniacally. This is rich. Acanthus ducked under a measured sweep, shoulder rushing Haru off the ground and into the snow. She landed with a dull cry before rolling quickly onto her feet. Try and lecture me with the wind knocked out of you, fake. Acanthus brandished her blade menacingly. Why don’t you educate me, Cardinal? Tell me more about myself. Her voice dripped with HATRED. Does that little scanner on my head tell you about the responsibilities I left back home? How I was forced to be my mother’s mother, how

The measured response infuriated Acanthus. “What did you ever do for me?! All those years of calm, quiet submission. What did being quiet and kind ever earn me?!” Her face streamed with hot, furious tears as she struck blow after blow. “Nothing! It. was. NOTHING!” Acanthus punctuated each word with a vicious swing. Haru was doing her best, but began to relent under the onslaught. It was just like her. Go on, give up, she sneered. That’s all you’ve ever done. You gave up caring for Koji when you moved. You gave up ever confronting your dad when he dug his heels in about college and about f

“What I see?” Acanthus spit out. “Let’s talk about what I see.” She cornered Haru against a tree. “I see a girl—no, a mirror made of code. She’s designed to reflect the person that entered this game, but not the person created by the game. No, Cardinal’s failure was creating a person that doesn’t reflect the person it *actually* created.” Acanthus swept Haru’s feet, then jumped on top of her. She could hear each of the imitation’s exerted breaths as she forced Meteor down to her throat. “Cardinal made us both, Gemini. But it made me better.” With a grunt, Haru brought her knee up and threw Aca

Haru struck her again. “Your defenses are sloppy. You never would have let yourself get hit before.” “I didn’t take a hit for two years, Haru. And that was because I never left the safe zone.” Acanthus threw her body into Haru, looking to unbalance her. Haru carefully readjusted her weight instead, pushing back against Acanthus. “You know that’s not what I mean.” Haru sidestepped, letting Acanthus tumble past her. “You’re losing control of yourself. It’s—” “—unbecoming?” Acanthus choked out a half-laugh. “Never heard that one before. It was Dad’s favorite word to chastise me wit

Locked in battle, the two versions of herself struggled to break through each other’s defenses. “What about all the good she did? Was none of her kindness worth your pain?” “It never was. Never.” Acanthus cried. She pressed the attack, desperate for an opening, some way to hurt Haru. She fought ferociously, greedily unleashing sword art after sword art, with no regard for her energy bar. Haru’s stance remained strong. “I know you don’t believe that.” Acanthus channeled all her frustration into stamping out this twisted version of herself. No, it wasn’t herself—it was Cardinal.

Unsettled by her own appearance, Acanthus hesitated. The Gemini stepped confidently toward Acanthus, charging a familiar sword art. Rather than fall back, Acanthus held her ground and attempted to parry the figure. The Gemini's approach had been too slow to truly catch her off guard. Acanthus snapped to attention, deflecting each part of the combo. “I won’t indulge this.” Acanthus launched herself into combat, eager to exploit any opening she could find. “This—this navel-gazing philosophy handed down by some programmer. You’re nothing but a quest objective.” Haru parried the first st

(Have a little background music, as a treat. YouTube Link to AERIAL REBUILD - Takashi Ohmama) Acanthus took in her own form, stunned. Despite identical physical features—tall, skinny, with coppery hair—Acanthus knew she was a different person the moment she looked into the stranger’s light brown eyes. Those eyes. They were the same color as Acanthus’, but they were not hers. The ones that faced her seemed only faintly familiar. They brimmed with gentle emotions, unlike the ones Acanthus had noticed in the mirror as of late. Acanthus’ jaw tight

Lost in thought, Acanthus’ mind turned to her last few months in the game. She’d come a long way in a short time. She had finally conquered her fear of moving forward. Acanthus felt a small swell of pride. “We’re here.” Acanthus looked around her with surprise. While she had been lost in thought, she had walked into a dream. Acanthus and the stranger stood in the middle of a snowy field that stretched further than she could see. Tall, thin, leafless trees stretched up and into the sky, making neat columns and rows that stretched into the infinite white. A placid lake of black w

The weather continued to worsen. The skies grew darker, and small drops of cold rain peppered her head. Drawing up her cloak, she tried to weather the worst of it. But the wind, even through the massive jungle trees, bit mercilessly. Acanthus winced as another gust rushed through the jungle, causing her to shiver. The weather did not belong on this floor. For some inexplicable reason, it unnerved her. It was like seeing an elephant downtown. It likely wasn’t dangerous, but felt like an omen that something was amiss. Something was about to happen. You’re being ridiculous. It’s weather in a

She weighed whether she wanted to let the matter go before deciding to press her. “You seem to know more about my time in this game than you’re letting on.” The cloaked figure nodded faintly. “I’ve spent a while watching you as you grew in power. I don’t mean to sound off-putting. In fact, you’re my hero. I look up to you.” This quest is starting to creep me out. “How were you watching me?” No answer from the mysterious figure. Acanthus considered her options. It’s not too late to just leave. Turn around, maybe scout the quest a little more before you take it on. No. The old me would have

“How far do we have to walk?” The figure ignored her. Not talkative for a quest object that wanted to fight out of the blue. Normally, she would have enjoyed the quiet, but she knew so little about the quest. Further, the info broker’s guide was unhelpful on the matter. Aside from the rough mechanics of the fight, it appeared that nearly every written account differed in some way or another. Most depicted the Gemini as a mocking, cruel figure that taunted the player as they fought. But the person that had met her in Krycim… “I’ve been following your progress for some time. I’m eager

“Alright. I’ll fight you.” “Excellent.” The stranger spoke softly but with a tinge of excitement. “Follow me, I know just the place for a duel.” “Wouldn’t it make more sense to just head outside and fight?” But the figure exited the tavern without acknowledging her. I suppose it's scripted to fight in a specific area. She followed the stranger into the damp, chilly air. The weather was uncharacteristic for the sixth floor. Not that she frequented floor six often—she found the Amazonians unpleasant to be around. But as a floor modeled after the jungles of the amazon, it typically

The hooded figure seemed to accept Acanthus’ answer, but continued waiting at her table. Acanthus raised her drink slowly. “Did you need something else?” “Yes. I’d like to challenge you to a duel.” Acanthus choked on her drink as the stranger patted her back. Recovering from her coughing fit, Acanthus gave her an incredulous stare. “I’m not really sure why I should risk my life to duel someone I don’t know?” As if in response, a dialog box opened up in front of her. [Would you like to start <<The Gemini>>? Y/N] Huh. A quest. She quickly scanned the info broker’s guide for

“I’m sorry to bother you, but I really like your name. How did you get it?” Acanthus stopped mid-sip as she eyed the stranger that made herself comfortable in the seat across from her. Was she supposed to know her? Something about her voice was familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Warily, Acanthus set her mug down. “Asking about player names can be a breach of etiquette, as I understand it.” She took a moment to observe the stranger. She was tall, about as tall as Acanthus, but with just enough of a slouch that made it hard to tell. And her voice—Acanthus couldn’t see a face, but she

The best songs have a memorable reprise. The last time she had quested with Freyd, it was by sheer accident. From getting lost in Fortaleza to stumbling into him at just the right moment, her first quest in a party had been nothing more than a pleasant accident. You were lucky you didn’t die. This time, every step of the process had been more intentional. Acanthus had selected this quest specifically for the skill it gave. She had heard about Freyd shepherding a different crew of new recruits through the quest. She reached out to Omen, learned Freyd was preparing a second run, and decided