[F09-PP] <<Guardian of Fire>> Red Sun

[NIGHT 0]

"No, I definitely get that." Even back in classes, she'd heard of her schoolmates picking up different areas of programming away from game development just to bolster their viability in the market. NIGHT had contemplated doing the same, but adapting to industrial standards of documentation and technical terms were nowhere near her strong suit. It bothered her to imagine moving at a snail's pace whilst the cherry pick of her cohort managed to leap past boundaries at the speed of light. "Same with portfolios. In any other reality, I imagine they'd be more key than a certificate or two."

She could barely remember the projects she'd been stewing for future development just as their conversation fell to the quiet. Then Koga spoke again, and it beckoned her mind to go blank.

"Say, NIGHT, have you ever thought about...not...finishing the game?"

Wasn't the goal for them to leave the iron castle?

And yet, what was waiting for them outside of the game was but recovery and disastrous ruin for the odd 10,000 or so players that were trapped within its confines, assuming that they were still alive to see the light of day once again. The player remained silent, eyes thrown about to the ground in guilt -- she knew her answers, and she knew the reason behind them.

"Yeah," NIGHT returned after a long pause. "But I don't like entertaining that reality."

[Koga 0]

So he wasn't the only one...In some way, that made Koga feel less guilty. Even before their deaths, Koga had thought about never going back to the real world, secretly hoping that the game was never finished, despite his trying to make it to the frontlines and do exactly that. It wasn't until Tala found him again that he'd really put his heart and soul into it, if only for her sake. He'd wanted to protect her, make sure she made it back to the real world in one piece. The same had gone for Noct. Even though it ran the risk of Masato never seeing her again, it would've at least meant she was safe.

He'd failed though. All that was gone. Was there any point in going back then?

Koga stuffed his hands in his pockets, not saying anything for a while. "You've gotta admit, life in here, it has meaning for people like us," he said quietly, almost as if he hoped NIGHT didn't hear him.

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

"You've gotta admit, life in here, it has meaning for people like us,"

-- because there would be no other way she'd get to see her again. no fresh start, no way of returning from her mistakes, no way of wiping off her embarrassment and no way of erasing the silence she held up ever since her leave. why would she ever want it to be over?

"... Yeah."

if only she could allow herself to indulge in the pleasure of it all, a shackle loosened but for a single moment, that blip in history that no one but her would ever know of. what would that make her, if she let herself loose?

NIGHT stayed quiet, her eyes trained up towards the sky. For all their efforts, they'd been traversing the ninth at a pace that dwarfed progress they'd made from the day before. Now, it was sunset, and the woman felt the need to take their rest.

"Over there," the woman gestured, once she'd spotted the familiar enclave right by the entrance to Cerberus' cavern. She could barely imagine how ChaseR had managed to rest in such an environment without attracting the attention of the hounds inside the cave; on her lone journey out in the wild, she figured her presence had been protected by the little kitten she had roped in with her for the ride. The tiny warrior never seemed to catch a break.

"Another rest, then we'll head on in."

Their hovel was barely a well-hidden recluse from the main path, and yet it should've held up against the patrols of the dogs' occasional patrol out their territory. NIGHT settled in for the break with a summon of her sleeping bag and a bowl of warm soup for herself. "I'll take first shift again," she offered, watching Koga shift in the dim light.

[Koga 0]

NIGHT's response was short. Koga had expected as much. She didn't want to have that conversation, he figured, didn't want to let those thoughts take root. She was a better person than he was. Or maybe it was just that she was stronger than him. In a way, it was all the same.

Koga looked over at the small alcove that NIGHT had pointed out, their home for the night.

"Mm-mm, no," the man hummed when his companion offered to take the first shift again, "eat up and hit the sack, I've got first watch this time." The man took a seat at the edge of the outlook, a piece of bread spawning in his hand as he landed. Okami dutifully took a place beside the man, like an eternal sentinel, only to immediately break character when Koga threw the canine a piece of meat.

It didn't seem like he'd take 'no' for an answer.

---

The night wore on and on, but Koga never moved to wake up his friend to take over. He had too much on his mind. Things he and Alkor had talked about, letting go, moving on, whether or not there was anyone on the outside waiting for them. Koga figured there wasn't. He wondered if his parents blamed him for not protecting his sister, if they'd hate him now, in addition to being disappointed. Was it really worth going back? He thought he knew the answer.

@NIGHT

[NIGHT 0]

Which one of them had taken the lead again, earlier on their journey? After the day of trekking, NIGHT would've imagined she still remembered. Yet, with Koga's determination to stay up, the woman merely shrugged and complied, making quick work of her meal before settling in for the evening.

And she dreamed of things left unsaid.

Come the morning hour, it was the player who'd awoken to the delight of an uninterrupted rest. Had it been any other day in her estate, it would've been welcome, but the lacking covers of her bag meant different circumstances to the drowsy woman. She lifted herself up slowly, upon arm and elbows alike, and a sweeping strained gaze towards the exit indicated the ever vigilant male watching the road outside. Had Okami been awake, NIGHT surely would've met his eyes first as she kept her things in silence, before pacing over to the statue of darkness.

A low voice, grainy and perturbed. "You were up the whole time? What happened to second shift?" Fingers sifted through her locks once more as she angled her stance to catch a better look of her companion's state. "Are you gonna be alright when we head into Cerberus'...?"

[Koga 0]

Deep in thought, the long night had passed by in moments, and yet not quick enough. The moon had gone high into the sky, and already began its long journey to the horizon when Koga realized it was time for the second shift. It only took a small glance over at NIGHT to decide against disturbing her sleep. He would be fine, come morning, and she could use some rest to make up for last night's watch. Besides, in the coming fight, NIGHT would be okay. If he died, well, it's just another statistic.

---

The sunlight broke over the mountains and with it, NIGHT soon awoke after. "I took second shift too," Koga said dryly, looking over and gently petting Okami's head, who in his sleep rolled over to present his belly for petting. "I'll be fine," the swordsman replied. His eyes had dark circles beneath them, but they were alert. "I'm ready when you are."

@NIGHT

Edited December 5, 2020 by Koga

[NIGHT 0]

She could tell that Koga was in no state to be discussing the viability of his wakeness -- half of it had to be his determination for keeping himself up, the other was his ragged appearance, to which NIGHT figured he'd need as much energy as possible saved in his systems if he was going to survive the fight later. A squint and a hum, before the woman closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Her shoes made work on the rough stone as she accepted her friend's response.

"Please don't do that again."

The ask was gentle, despite the sharpness in her tone. A quick recovery of her sleeping supplies and she'd return to the swordsman's side, waiting for the man to rouse his companion before starting trek towards the cave of Cerberus. What warmth the floor had to offer the players was but outmatched by the hellfire temperature that rested within the mountainside. NIGHT was quick to glance towards the river of lava and flames -- her turn towards Koga was out of caution and worry. "Watch your footing. The dogs mean nothing otherwise."

Spoiler

ID: 179592 | BD: 5 + 4 =  9  | <<Blast>> vs Hellhound #1.
ID: 179593 | BD: 7 + 4 = 11 | <<Blast>> vs Hellhound #2.
ID: 179594 | BD: 5 + 4 =  9  | <<Blast>> vs Hellhound #3.
ID: 179595 | BD: 6 + 4 = 10 | <<Blast>> vs Hellhound #4. 
The strikes land! (-6 EN)
19 * 2 = 38 DMG

---

NIGHT | HP: 1590/1590 | EN: 165/171 (-6) | ACC: 5 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 79 | BH: 79 | KEEN: 1 | PRLYZ: 1 | ABS. ACC | TAUNT | LD: 5
Koga | HP: 620/620 | EN: 62/62 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 36 | BRN: 24 | BLI: 24 | FLN: 4 | REGEN: 10

Hellhound #1 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 50 | BD9: 75 DMG | BD10: 100 DMG
Hellhound #2 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 50 | BD9: 75 DMG | BD10: 100 DMG
Hellhound #3 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 50 | BD9: 75 DMG | BD10: 100 DMG
Hellhound #4 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 50 | BD9: 75 DMG | BD10: 100 DMG

Hellhounds slain: 4/6

[Koga 0]

Koga did little more than grunt at NIGHT's request. One could hope it was an affirmative, but given his current state, who knew. Just take what you can get.

Koga gave his familiar a quick belly rub, resulting in the wolf kicking his legs in the air in a matter completely unfitting for a battle companion before Koga stood and called the wolf's name. "Okami, let's go." Instantly, the wolf shot to his feet and moved to his master's side, clearly more energized than the swordsmen. With a nod to NIGHT the small group set out.

The heat was unbearable. But thankfully, just unbearable. The Survival skill kept both he and NIGHT from harm. Who knew this skill was actually going to come in handy one day. NIGHT paused and turned to look at Koga, her face riddled with concern. The man nodded, "I'm good." A short pause before Koga pointed behind his companion, "Uh NIGHT? Company?" The pack of hounds they had to kill before encountering Cerberus. They were little match for the two players. One quick attack from each player dispatched the hounds.

@NIGHT

Spoiler

NIGHT | HP: 1590/1590 | EN: 165/171 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 79 | BH: 79 | KEEN: 1 | PRLYZ: 1 | ABS. ACC | TAUNT | LD: 5
Koga | HP: 620/620 | EN: 50/62 (62 -12) | ACC: 4 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 36 | BRN: 24 | BLI: 24 | FLN: 4 | REGEN: 10

Hellhound #5 | HP: -90/30 (30 -120) | DMG: 50 | BD9: 75 DMG | BD10: 100 DMG
Hellhound #6 | HP: -74/30 (30 -104) | DMG: 50 | BD9: 75 DMG | BD10: 100 DMG

Koga uses <<Amatsu no Homura>>
ID vs Hellhound #5: 180277
BD: 14 (10 +4) <<Crit +2>> <<Burn>> <<Blight>>
DMG: (13 +2) * 8 = 120

ID vs Hellhound #6: 180278
BD: 9 (5 +4) <<Success>>
DMG: 13 * 8 = 104

Hellhounds slain: 6/6

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Koga

[NIGHT 0]

Further in was Cerberus, the ferocious beast in all of its glory. But, because of the state her companion was in, NIGHT wasn't in the mood to risk it -- a quick two waves of her blade and down went the hound, all three heads barely woken from their stasis just as they were soundly put to sleep.

Good. The player breathed, just as Koga managed to catch up. With a turn to her friend, she shrugged with a look of paled confusion. "They were much weaker than I'd imagined," she returned. A partial truth always made a good lie.

"C'mon, let's get out of here..."

Her blade faded away with a shimmer just as the woman strode out of the cavern's reach. Outside, the heat of the volcanic interior could still be felt, but it made for much cooler temperatures where the wind was capable of flowing easily. When her companion was in sight, she tossed him a teleport crystal from her hold.

(And the player thought she was so smart for having remembered such an item.)

"Two days trip out, two seconds back," she touted, before smashing the cube in the palm of her hand. "See you in a bit."

A flash of light matched NIGHT's self-satisfied grin. In the blink of an eye, she was gone.

Spoiler

ID: 180279 | BD: 4 + 5 =  9  | <<Blast>> vs Cerberus Head #1.
ID: 180280 | BD: 5 + 5 = 10 | <<Blast>> vs Cerberus Head #2.
ID: 180281 | BD: 3 + 5 =  8  | <<Blast>> vs Cerberus Head #3.
The strikes land! (-4 EN)
19 * 2 = 38 DMG

---

NIGHT | HP: 1590/1590 | EN: 162/171 (+1, -4) | ACC: 5 | DMG: 19 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 79 | BH: 79 | KEEN: 1 | PRLYZ: 1 | ABS. ACC | TAUNT | LD: 5
Koga | HP: 620/620 | EN: 62/62 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 13 | MIT: 36 | BRN: 24 | BLI: 24 | FLN: 4 | REGEN: 10

Cerberus Head #1 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 80 + 10 | PHASE9+: 100%
Cerberus Head #2 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 80 + 10 | PHASE9+: 100%
Cerberus Head #3 | HP: -8/30 | DMG: 80 + 10 | PHASE9+: 100%

[NIGHT 0]

Thread Summary

Quote

[Total]
Koga
+ 6SP
+ 400col
+ Cerberus Soul | Grants the user [BURN8+: 12 DMG] (2) for the duration of a thread.

NIGHT
+ 3SP
+ 400col

Spoiler

[Quest Reward]
Koga
+ 3SP
+ Cerberus Soul (2)

[Thread Progression]
+ 2SP
+ 400col/participant

[Misc]
Farewell to [v2.6]! Bonus
+ 1SP