[SP-23] Mired at the Edge of Self

[Freyd 0]

Freyd complied, choosing his own seat off to the side, from where he could keep a watchful eye on the phantasm that was proving too familiar.  There was no reason for it.  Why indulge an enemy?  This was a dungeon, wasn't it?   It's cunning boss sat before him, prodding the inside of his mouth with his tongue as he struggled to push his teeth back into place.  

"Okay.  I'll give you points for creativity.  This is definitely one of Cardinal's weirder ploys."  Slender girl sat herself down on grandad's far side, obscuring her features all the more. 

Staring out into the dark expanse that fell away before them, the man seemed pensive and saddened for a moment.

"Have you ever considered that not all of us are your enemies?"

Freyd wasn't sure whether he meant mobs in SAO, or people in general.

"Yeah.  People can be pretty dumb and impulsive, but it's the spark that lights the life within each and everyone of us.  It's also what makes us the same.  We do things for no reason, sometimes, or just to see what might happen.  We try.  You need to do the same, if you want to be anything more than some predictable contraption.  We all need change, Takeshi, from time to time.  You can't grow if you always stay the same, by de'fish'nition."

Wait, did he just...

Groan.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 10 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198584
Charge (CD 2/3)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Rested 2/2, Stamina) = 17 EN.   (Previous SA: ID #198583, CD 10).  Missed (2 EN only)
Free Action | Grappling Familiar (CD 1/5)

ID #198584 | BD: 1 (miss)

ID #198584 | MD: 4+3-3=4 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 118/126 (108+4+8-2) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Grandad | HP: 1788/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | STUN IMM (2/3)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (400) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (240) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (440) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (340) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

The feeling of cool, slick leather palmed his face.  

"Really?  REALLY?  You went there?"

Grandad gave his victory wheeze, nearly folding forward into himself from the coughing fit that swallowed him.  

Tell him, Freyd.  You may never get another chance.

"But, he's just..."

Be a goddamn human being for once, even if he isn't.  Say what you should have said so long ago.

...

"I'm sorry."

Silence fell over the scene, like a lid had been dropped over the rest of the world to drown out its cacophonous clutter.  

"I'm sorry that I screwed up so bad that we had to leave."  Scenes of luggage flashed in the darkness, followed by the scent of jet fuel and the Pacific ocean breeze.  The warmth of a hazy hand pressed itself over his.  Wisps of green strayed into view.  When had she moved?  He squeezed back, grateful for the comforting gesture.

"It led you here, Takeshi.  You've always seen it as a failing, but that moment set you on the path that led you to a place that offered you salvation."  Somewhere, a bobber dipped into water.  "You just need to be willing to let fate happen."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 11 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198585
Charge (CD 3/3)
Grappling Familiar (CD 2/5)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.   (Previous SA: ID #198584, CD 10).  
Free Action | None

ID #198585 | BD: 4+8-3=9 (hit).  DMG (20*26=520-160=360)

ID #198585 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 112/126 (118+4+8-18) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Grandad | HP: 1428/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | STUN IMM (3/3) (1788-360)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (400) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (240) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (440) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (340) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

"Accepting that change means casting aside the only thing that ever gave me the power and courage to contend with this utterly stupid existence."

Another soft chuckle echoed across the dreamscape.

"Look up, Takeshi.  The truth has been staring you in the face for so long that you've lost your ability to see it.  What else does the universe need to offer for you to save yourself?"

Elongated ears.  Vibrant, blue eyes filled with hope and promise.  The laughter and thumping heart from a race against waterfalls in search of a stubborn pile of stones.  Hiding, exhausted in the woods, trailed by the threat of orange icons and manic circus folk.  Break-dancing elves frolicking into battle for the sake of a dragon.  A kiss that could melt a frozen heart.  Realization dawns to the snap of a line of thinking denied for the sake of false hopes.  People needed him to be present in the here and now.  She needed him, and he needed her.

"I am such an idiot."

Yes, Freyd.  Yes, you are.  Welcome to being people.

Vanity Tag: @Elora

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 1 (No REC proc) ID #198586
Grappling Familiar (CD 3/5)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.   (Previous SA: ID #198585, CD 11).   Charge (CD 1/3, 8 EN)
Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2)

ID #198586 | BD: 4+8-3-1=8 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (20*31=620-160=460)

ID #198586 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 98/126 (112+4-18) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 (+1) | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Grandad | HP: 968/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 (1428-460)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (400) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (240) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (440) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (340) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

A grimace found purchase on his face, even as his face fell into his hands.

"I feel like some damned, stupid child again.  Is there ever going to be an end to this?  Any opportunity to move beyond it?"

"That's really up to you, isn't it, kiddo?"  His grandfather chuckled softly.  "You have everything you need.  It's just a matter of choice: do you stay in the nice, safe, comfy corner that you've created for yourself, where everything makes sense, or do you venture into the unknown?"  The bobber did a thing.  Grandad's eyes never veered away from the water, consummate fisher that he was.

"I've no idea what it means to be 'normal'.  All I can do is pretend."

The mob 'hrumpfed' - that weird half-cough/half-groan that people do.

"That's all the rest of us ever do, so you'll fit right in."

Freyd fell silent at that, struggling to take all of this in and set a path forward for himself.  It took a minute for his rusty instincts to get into gear.

"Thank you."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 10 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198587
Grappling Familiar (CD 4/5)
Charge (CD 2/3)
Shades of the Gemini (CD 2/2)

Post Action | TECH-A (x12, 13 EN, Stun): 13 EN - (Stamina) = 11 EN 
Free Action | None

ID #198587 | BD: 3+8-3=8 (hit).  DMG (12*26=312-160=152).  Grandad stunned.

ID #198587 | MD: n/a.  STUNNED

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 99/126 (98+4+8-11) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Grandad | HP: 816/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | STUN IMM (1/3) (968-152)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (400) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (240) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (440) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (340) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

That proved to be enough: a simple gesture of acknowledgement and consideration, laden with sincerity.  Takeshi had always managed to navigate through the courtesies as a matter of protocol, but the nuance of genuine gratitude had always eluded him.  Here was a figment of a man who had shown him infinite tolerance and compassion, and he had callously dismissed it, over and over again.  Lifting his head, he found his grandfather standing before him, barely taller than his own seated vantage, with a withered, veiny hand pressed tenderly into Freyd's unruly mop.  He swore that his hair actually relaxed and fell into loose strands at that touch.  In the background, burbling water signaled of a fishing rod abandoned and slipping beneath still waters, the bobber's warning having gone unheeded.  On his elder's face, between downward sloping folds of frowny flesh, gaunt jowls, and a storm front of bushy white eyebrows, Freyd saw a pair of steely blue eyes so much like his own - those of his true self. 

A nod returned, he opened up his inventory and found the vanity item he had claimed and donned at the dawn of this seemingly endless nightmare.  A finger flicked and item dropped, the eyes now properly reflected one another.  On the foggy shores of whatever dream-like world this was, the hazy figure with hints of green and pointed ears bent low to retrieve twin crimson orbs, discarded - the eyes of a persona that were no longer needed.   It was time to view the world in a new way.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 10 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198588
Grappling Familiar (CD 5/5)
Charge (CD 3/3)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.   (Previous SA: ID #198587, CD 10).  
Free Action | Shades of the Gemini (CD 1/2)

ID #198588 | BD: 2+8-3=7 (hit).  DMG (20*26=520-160=360)

ID #198588 | MD: 4+3-4=3 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 93/126 (99+4+8-18) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 (+1) | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Grandad | HP: 456/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | STUN IMM (2/3) (816-360)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (400) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (240) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (440) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (340) DMG to every other player.

 

[Freyd 0]

His sight was unchanged.  All things remained as they were, yet Freyd's perspective had somehow and irrevocably changed.  Cupping his grandson's face with a pair of gnarled, arthritic hands, the figure before him smiled and nodded, affirming what he already knew.

"You have what you need," he said, his voice croaking through the a throat and lungs that were as ravaged by cancer in Freyd's memories as they had been when they last saw each other.  "Go, Takeshi.  Listen to your friend's advice.  Give them all the hope you can, and they will always rise to aid with the challenges set before you.  Life is not meant to be lived alone."  The hands drooped, as if the simple act of raising them had become a burden.  Resting them on twin shoulders, the elder leaned forward on the verge of collapse.

"You have strong shoulders, boy.  They can bear more burden than most, especially when it comes to those of a spiritual nature.  Use that gift - your ironclad will.  Get them all out of here.  I know you can do it.  Just, don't try to do it alone."

Freyd's arms lifted to offer support, but found only air and a fading, blissful smile bearing a heart-wrenching mix of pride and serenity.

"I will, grandfather.  For you."

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 8 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198589
Shades of the Gemini (CD 2/2)

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.   (Previous SA: ID #198588, CD 10).  Charge (CD 1/3, 8 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #198589 | BD: 6+8-3-1=10 (hit, Charge +5, Fallen +16).  DMG (20*47=940-160=780)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 79/126 (93+4+8-18-8) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Grandad | HP: 0/2000 | DMG: 360 | MIT: 160 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 3 | STUN IMM (3/3) (456-780)

• Critical (MD 9): Deals (400) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (240) DMG to every other player.
• Critical (MD 10): Deals (440) DMG to the target with the highest hate. Also deals (340) DMG to every other player.

Loot Grandad: ID #198591 | LD: 18+8=26 | CD: 12

T4 Dungeon Map [198591]
Demonic Shard #1
21000 col (HP[2000]*10 - incl. +2 LD even, +5% Col Deposit)

Dungeon Boss Loot roll | ID# 198615 | LD: 14 (nat)

T4 Perfect Armor/Shield with 1 guaranteed unique [198615]

[Freyd 0]

As if waking from a dream, Freyd found himself back where he started: inverted, facing oversized beady black eyes the size of bowling balls.  A giant fist with immense sausage-like fingers wrap around his legs, dangling him in a dank, dark cave and glaring at him with suspicious intensity.  Something warm and comforting spread from within.  A sense of irrepressible joy and harmony pervaded every inch of Freyd's body.  

"Hey, Uggy," he joked, a happy smirk spreading between his ears.  "Nice to see you again.  Happy Groundhog Day.  Oh, and sorry, not-sorry for what's about to happen, again."

The overstuffed troll frowned, clearly missing just about all meaning behind what had just been said.  Opening his mouth exposed his gnarled array of teeth, but Freyd never gave him a chance to speak.  A quick bop to the eye with his pokey-stick produced a cry of surprise and achieved the release of his legs.  Landing with cat-like reflexes, the Whisper was already on the offensive.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 8 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198595
Charge (CD 2/3)

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Rested 1/2, Stamina) = 9 EN
Free Action | None

ID #198595 | BD: 2+8+1=11 (hit, shatter).  DMG (12*26=312-140=172)

ID #198595 | CD: 8 (acts normally) | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 82/126 (79+4+8-9) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 2928/3100 | MIT: 160 (-20, 1/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 (3100-172)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

 

[Freyd 0]

Unlike their earlier rendition, the field boss fared far less well this time around.  Samael's Pride crashed repeatedly against the beast's thick hide, fracturing, then shattering it into pieces, eating away at the whole in tiny morsels.  Ugzeke, meanwhile, didn't have a clue what was going on.  He'd missed the prelude and found the wayward player fallen in the middle of his tunnel path.  Now he thought it some kind of malevolent booby trap that he'd inadvertently unleashed.  Flailing miserably to swat the thing away proved fruitless.  It was angry and persistent, and kept nibbling away at his tenderer bits.

"GO 'WAY BAD THINGY!  ME JUST WANT TO KEEP WALKING!!!"

Amazingly, the giant mob actually turned tail and started running deeper into the underdark, as if that might somehow save it.

"Not today, Uggy.  Today we play.  I have a lot of catching up to do."  Racing after him, a dozen blue-eyed Whispers pursued him from the shadows.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 9 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198607
Charge (CD 3/3)

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Rested 2/2, Stamina) = 9 EN
Free Action | None

ID #198607 | BD: 8+8+1=17 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (12*42=504-120=384)

ID #198607 | CD: 9 (acts normally) | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 85/126 (82+4+8-9) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 2544/3100 | MIT: 160 (-40, 2/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 (2928-384)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

 

[Freyd 0]

The taunt worked, compelling the lumbering brute to turn and face him - well, them.  IN a bout of unexpected cleverness, the troll smashed his club against a nearby rock face, spraying stone in a wide, shrapnel arc.  A stray boulder clipped Freyd's shoulder, and wiped out all his Montjoys, but it wasn't nearly enough to stymie his advance.  Another barrage of bashes and beatings rained down on the mob, just as he'd delivered to Freyd's duplicates, but considerably more effective.  

Blood pulsed through Freyd's ears, but without the insistent, maddening war-drum effect of past battles.  This felt more like a game; more like what he'd originally wanted to get out of SAO.  There were no real world politics, sinister corporate interests or whacked out AIs bent on crushing his soul into paste.  This was just plain-old gaming fun at its best, and he meant to enjoy every moment of it.  He reveled in the bits of UI still visible and accessible to him.  Where they had been absorbed by Cardinal's supremacy, he just imagined them and they manifest from the same shadow-stuff as his dopplegangers.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 6 (No REC proc) ID #198608

Post Action | ST-B (x20, 20 EN): 20 EN - (Stamina) = 18 EN.   (Previous SA: ID #198607, CD 9).  Charge (CD 1/3, 8 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #198608 | BD: 2+8+1-1=10 (hit, Charge +5).  DMG (20*31=620-120=500)

ID #198608 | CD: 6 (acts normally) | MD: 10 (Smash proc).  DMG (225-153=72)

Freyd | HP: 980/1052 (1052-72) | EN: 63/126 (85+4-18-8) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 (-1, 0/2) | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 2044/3100 | MIT: 160 (-40, 3/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 2 | EVA: -1 (2544-500)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

[Freyd 0]

Gleeful laughter rang out in the darkness.  One of Aincrad's edgiest edgelords had found himself, and finally found some strange degree of happiness and redemption while still within his torturer's chamber.  The tide had turned in the most unlikely way, and he felt like celebrating.  Feeding off the positive vibes generated by Freyd's mood, his weapon suddenly glowed, brilliant white.  An instant later came the crashing sound of an airborne troll impacting a far cave wall, launched by the magnitude of a holy-infused smack to the guts.  With a snap of his black-gloved hand, Freyd reformed the half-dozen duplicates that had accompanied into the fray.

"Come on, Montjoy.  Let's see what we can really do, if we push."

Absolutely.  And welcome back.  I trust you had a good... whatever that was.

"Don't you remember it too?  You were there."

'Oh, was I', the shadow replied, coyly.  'It must have slipped your mind.'

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 4 (No REC proc) ID #198609
Freyd regains +57 HP from BH
Charge (CD 2/3)

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Stamina) = 10 EN
Free Action | None

ID #198609 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Holy +16, Troll's Blood, Shatter).  DMG (12*43=516*2=1032-140=892).  In Pain procs.

ID #198609 | MD: 1 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1037/1052 (980+57) | EN: 57/126 (63+4-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 (-1, 1/2) | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 1152/3100 | MIT: 160 (-20, 1/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 (2044-892)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

 

[Freyd 0]

Emerging from the rubble he'd just created, Ugzeke was in full mad-mad-mode, with red and steaming skin encrusted with dust and boulder shards that had embedded in his thick, mottle brown hide.  He tried his column-spray maneuver again, but the Whisper had gotten wide.  He and his doubles scattered, using the dust to cover their already stealthy advance.  Unfortunately, their quarry was quicker on his feet now and also charged under cover of his own cloud.  Both parties missed each other completely, having to turn and search for the other upon having traded places.  Freyd just laughed when he figured it out.

"Hey!  Lumpy!  We're over here.  Come back!  The game's not over yet."

A roar and footsteps like thunder echoed from the far end of the cavern.  Ugzeke was hardly the best conversationalist to begin with, but whatever paltry proclivity he had for speech seemed to vanish completely in this state, not that it would make any difference.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 5 (No REC proc) ID #198610
Freyd regains +57 HP from BH
Charge (CD 3/3)

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Stamina) = 10 EN.  Missed (2 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #198610 | BD: 1 (miss)

ID #198610 | MD: 6+1-3=4 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 (1037+57) | EN: 59/126 (57+4-2) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 (-1, 2/2) | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 1152/3100 | MIT: 160 (-20, 2/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

 

[Freyd 0]

Cackling laughter rang out.  Groundhog day indeed.  Another burst of brilliant white and another moaning trolls sailing through the air, impacting nearly the same spot.  He was red, though, so that seemed to make it fair to repeat, or so Freyd told Montjoy.  Not waiting for him to re-emerge, this time, Freyd bore, full force into his opponent.  A second concussive blast rocked the otherwise silent cavern an instant after the first, embedding the troll's battered body even deeper into the face of the wall.  

"I need to do more to help the Madrigal get back on its feet."

The words came unbidden, but with fervor infused by a drive to be more proactive.  

"And there are many others still struggling to start out."

A sideways glance found Montjoy mirroring his features.  They were never so in sync, before.  The shadow nodded, in concurrence.  So much had been left undone while he wallowed within himself.  Freyd meant to fix that now, and drag the rest of Aincrad kicking and screaming along with him, if he had to.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 8 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198611

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Stamina) = 10 EN.  Charge (CD 1/3, 8 EN)
Free Action | None

ID #198611 | BD: 9 (Crit +1, Charge +5, Holy +16).  DMG (12*48=576-120=456)

ID #198611 | MD: 5+1-3=3 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 53/126 (59+4+8-10-8) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 696/3100 | MIT: 160 (-40, 3/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 (1152-456)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

 

[Freyd 0]

Thinking his enemy distracted, the raging troll burst forth from his entombment, ready to wage war on a personal scale.  His reception was instantaneously applied.  A swift and sudden counter, unimaginably delivered with even greater force than the last two blows, sent him back into the ground.  The wind left the mob's lungs even as a fresh cascade of stones re-buried him deeper than before.

Freyd practically giggled at the comedic contrast to his earlier confrontation, Ugzeke getting the distinctly shorter end of the stick in this particular bout.  He'd come away without any injuries, but his rhythm seemed to have been suffering from the internal conflict which had subsequently been resolved.  He and his conscience were on the same page, finally.  The significance of that change were beyond his ability to fathom, but would almost certainly change everything.  Thinking back to the people he'd met in the game, the experiences they had shared, Freyd felt grateful.

"I owe them all so much."

It's not a question of debt, Freyd.  You need to stop being so transactional.  This is what friends do for each other.

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 8 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198612
Charge (CD 2/3)

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Stamina) = 10 EN
Free Action | None

ID #198612 | BD: 10 (Crit +2, Holy +16).  DMG (12*44=528-140=388)

ID #198612 | MD: 2+1-3=0 (miss)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 55/126 (53+4+8-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 308/3100 | MIT: 160 (-20, 1/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 (696-388)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

 

[Freyd 0]

Jabbing his staff into the rubble-strewn crater beneath his feet, he felt as much as heard the screech of the void unleashed.  The ground heaved a good six inches before collapsing, a small geyser of fractal motes spraying into the air when he pulled the weapon back.  

"Heh.  It's like an Ugzeke depth-charge," Freyd said, making light of the moment.  This was no time for somber brooding.  It was a moment of celebration and elation.  A quick impulse made him feel like he should dance.

Let's not over-do it.  I'm not sure that the Underdark is quite ready for that, and we've made quite a mess of things down here as is.  Save that for her, as a surprise.  And you should probably - definitely - get some practice in first.  Ask Katoka.  She's pretty light on her feet, and will only tease you for a decade when you ask.

A touch of rose-coloured humility bloomed across the Whisper's pale skin, along with the flash of a smile turning into a grin.  Blue eyes harkened to the boy lost to the trauma of a life passed, yet not truly lived.  He would make up for that, for his own sake and for others.  That was a new and better goal.  It wasn't just about survival anymore.  Things were going to change.

Vanity Tags: @Raidou @Freya @Katoka @Elora (Tagging because of the major narrative impact of this thread to the character.  Thought you might all enjoy a read.)

Spoiler

Freyd regains +4 EN
CD 7 (+8 EN from REC proc) ID #198613
Charge (CD 3/3)

Post Action | TECH-D (x12, 12 EN, Shatter) = 12 EN (Stamina) = 10 EN
Free Action | None

ID #198613 | BD: 8+8-2=14 (hit, Fallen +16).  DMG (12*42=504-120=384)

Freyd | HP: 1052/1052 | EN: 57/126 (55+4+8-10) | DMG: 26 | MIT: 153 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | BH: 57 | DOTE: 3 | LD: 8 | PROS: 3 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | TROLL BLD | REC: 8

Ugzeke | HP: 0/3100 | MIT: 160 (-40, 2/3) | DMG: 300 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 2 (308-384)

Abilities:

• Oblivious | Every turn, unless <<Ugzeke>> rolls CD 5+, he will remain oblivious to the enemy party and refuse to attack. This skill is disabled once <<Ugzeke>> becomes <<In Pain>>.
• In Pain | Once <<Ugzeke’s>> health reaches 1200, he will become enraged as his skin turns red and he notices the party fully. His ACC is reduced to 1, but his EVA is increased to 2.
• Smash | On an MD 9-10, his attack will hit the entire party for 225 DMG, lowering everyone’s ACC by 1 for two turns.
• The Harder They Fall | Upon being hit with a Focus Sword Art, <<Ugzeke>> will falter and his next attack will have -2 ACC. This can only trigger every third turn.
• Hard Hitter | <<Ugzeke’s>> attacks cannot be parried.

Loot Ugzeke #2: ID #198614 | LD: 13+8=21 | CD: 9

1x Troll's Blood 
T4 Perfect Trinket [198614]
4 materials (+4 CD/LD odd)
35805 col (HP[3100]*11 - incl. +5% Col Deposit)

***

Thread Summary:

Wordcounter.net: 7112 words / 30 = 237 * 5 = 1185 * tier

Spoiler

26510 EXP (T10*1185 [word count] + 8250 [All 3 T4 dungeon waves] + 4000 [T4 Field Boss * 2] + 2410 [+10% from Mega Slime Farm])

160081 col (400 col [1 page] + 117705 [loot]) + 28000 [Dungeon Wave 2] + 10000 [Dungeon Wave 3] + 3976 [15% of EXP from Paragon])

62 mats (16 [loot] + 46 [Dungeon Wave 1])

1x Demonic Shard

2x Troll's Blood
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [198512a]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198512b]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198512c]
T4 Rare Armor/Shield [198519]
T4 Perfect Trinket [198520]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198521a]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198521b]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198521c]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198525a]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198525b]
T4 Perfect Weapon [198525c]
T4 Rare Trinket [198565]
T4 Rare Weapon [198582]
T4 Dungeon Map [198591]
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield with 1 guaranteed unique [198615]
T4 Perfect Trinket [198614]