[PP-F06] Dark seeks light

[Hidden 1]

Stats

Spoiler

Hidden | HP: 780/780 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 3 | BH: 42 | LD: 1 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | REC: 8 | V.D.: 42 | V.O.: 85

 

Hidden, The Wilting Lily
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 40
HP: 780/780
EN: 96/96

Stats:
Damage: 24
Mitigation: 20
Evasion: 4
Accuracy: 3
Battle Healing: 42
Loot Dice: 1
HLY: 16
PHASE
REC: 8
V.D.: 42
V.O.: 85

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Kura Yu Yami | Holy II, Phase, Vamp Off.
Armor: Vantablack | EVA III, Vamp Def
Misc: Night's Bloom | ACC II, Recovery II

Custom Skill:
Lady Midnight

Skills:
Dagger R5
Battle Healing R5
Cloth Armor R5


Active Mods:
Untraceable
Vanish
Surprise Attack (Assassin)
Athletics

Inactive Mods:


Addons:
Stamina
Ferocity
Precision
Nimble

Active Extra Skills:
Hiding R5
Survival
Disguise

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Lockpicking): +1 Rank to the Lockpicking skill.
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild:
Kumatetsu Statue: +1 Base Damage for a thread

Wedding Ring:

 

 

---

 

Hidden stumbled through the dense forest of the sixth floor. A fear gripped her heart, her own voice in her head had remained silent for a while. After that voice had escaped her lips and embraced Shiina, it suddenly retracted and hadn't spoken again. Hidden could still feel something but it only added to the fear gripping her heart which was now racing inside of her chest. Shiina's song had managed to bend the reality of the game itself and she didn't want to be near it. It was most likely the scariest she had experienced since starting the game. It wasn't even a song, more of a soft hum that had shook the ground itself. 

Without even the voice to guide her next direction with its cold hearted sentiments, she was fleeing to the one place that Shiina couldn't control. If only she could get there again. That world filled with flowers. The one she had begun adorning recently was a match of those flowers, blooming in the night sky and shedding its violet light. The only way to get there however, was through the waterfall here on the sixth floor. 

Finally crossing through the clearing, she stopped at the water's edge. How could she do this again? It had been a while and the last time she had come here had been a haze. In fact, she only remembered the field of flowers. Everything afterwards was a memory she couldn't quite reach. Every time she attempted to recall it, it was as if it just vanished from her thoughts. Taking a seat on one of the stone slabs, she would look ahead. Nothing happened. In fact, nothing would happen for several minutes until her fear slowly ebbed away. 

Relaxed finally, Hidden would close her eyes and enter a world of dreams. 

[Hidden 1]

Opening her eyes, Hidden would become startled to find her own face staring back. Catching her breath from the sudden surprise, she would touched the mirror in front of her. The mirror was embossed in a beautiful thick silver. Peering at her reflection, Hidden would find her hair to have returned to its normal black color. Twirling a finger into it, she held it up to herself and found the mirror revealed nothing but the truth. Her hair had really returned to its original color. 

Taking a long look at her reflection, she recalled a conversation with NIGHT. A conversation that before she couldn't recall whatsoever. Now, however; she could remember it perfectly. They had spoke about beauty and Hidden remembered that she thought that the color suited NIGHT far more. To Hidden, her black hair reminded her of how other people viewed her. Reminded her of how she was an outcast. Honestly, Hidden wished she hadn't remembered that dream. Did she really spill her feelings in front of NIGHT? Even if it all was just a dream, why would she tell NIGHT of all people? NIGHT was one of the people that always put her down. She was also the person that outclassed her in every aspect and made Hidden useless. Luckily it hadn't been the real NIGHT or the woman would be able to lord over her completely. Not only had NIGHT heard all of her insecurities, how would Hidden even retaliate? Would she simply say, 'You don't think you're pretty' All NIGHT would need to do is turn away confidently and have everyone on her side. 

Hidden personally didn't enjoy her appearance. She was short, and very skinny. She hadn't even reached the triple digits when it came to weight. Her curves were extremely lacking, making the pale girl lack any real sexual appeal. If she had anything, she could fit into the 'Cute' category but all that she really could fit into was 'Child'. Her mother was beautiful from what Hidden had seen from pictures, but she failed to grow into any of it. A sigh would become the first noise emitted into the world, one filled with jealously and annoyance.

Suddenly, a shift in light caught her attention. Glancing up, she would find that the flower hairpiece that was resting on her head had started to bloom. A faint violet light blossomed into the air with the flower, taking its full beauty. It was actually the first time Hidden had seen it do that thanks to mirror before her. The strange thing, it was no where near night according to the time. Perhaps it was dark in her mind now? These thoughts quickly faded as movement caught her attention. Hidden would watch in horror as the flower quickly began to wilt. Within moments it had completely shriveled atop of her head. Reaching forward to the mirror, she would find herself walking through as if the mirror was never really there. Her 'reflection' would grab her own outstretched hand. A dark smile flashed on not-Hidden's face. Reaching up, she would grab the flower from her own head and place it into Hidden's hand. A whisper was lost to the still air and Hidden would watch her reflection vanish before her eyes. 

[Hidden 1]

As her reflection faded from existence, Hidden finally got a good look at the place she was in. It was safe to say, she wasn't pleased about the fact that she wasn't in the world of flowers. The field of purple flowers blooming in the night sky had evaded her. However, the fear that brought her here in the first place was no longer present. Perhaps it was because she had to meditate to get here in the first place? Regardless, in front of her rested a temple of stone, cracked and crumbled in certain areas. The entrance beckoned her as its long hallway would await her. 

Peering back, she would find an endless nothing rested there. It seemed to Hidden that there was only one way left to go. Forward. One foot in front of the other, she would step forward, trying to see into the hallway that awaited her. It was dark and impossible to see anything except for the entrance. She would pause at the entrance, waiting for something to happen. Nothing would. Taking a leap of faith, the dark-haired girl would step into the unknown. 

The first thing she noted after stepping into the dark was the sudden cold. The temperature had dropped to the point where she would've been able to see her breath if she could see at all.  Several minutes would pass as she kept stepping. Luckily, Hidden didn't fear the dark at all. After living in it for so long, the shadows were something she knew well. In fact, she was more afraid after light suddenly filled the tunnel. Starting from the entrance she had long since passed, a faint blue light would start to litter the walls, dimly lighting the way forward. Quickly, the light would catch up to her and stop at a place a few paces before her. The walls themselves seemed covered in a frost, ice crystals forming on them. A door awaited her, a seal began to glow at its center. 

A voice suddenly spoke, a voice Hidden knew very well. It was her own. Her own quiet monotone voice rasped through the hallway, bringing further chill to the air. 

"First off, you must face your past."

 

[Hidden 1]

Chapter One: Reminisce
"First off, you must face your past."

---

The seal on the door would suddenly turn itself, before snapping in two. The door shuddered before each half of it slid to side, opening the entrance to a room. Whispers came from the entrance, enticing the girl forward. The room ahead was dark just as the entrance to the temple had been. More walking? Where had she gone? Where was the field of flowers? Why had she heard her own voice? What past was she facing? Was this like the Repentance quest?

All of these questions flooded her thoughts as she stepped into the doorway. The room had... an odor. A foul one. Smelling it brought forth memories she had forgotten for some time. Where had she smell this before? Suddenly, hands appeared from the darkness of the room and grasped her arms and legs. Voiceless, Hidden struggled against them to no avail. She was powerless to the shadows and they pulled her into the darkness of the nauseating room. As she was brought down, she found each of her senses becoming lost all at once. 

____

Hilda's first sense return was a cool pressure on her face. Groggily opening her eyes, the image in front of her was blurry for a moment. The first thing that came too were several derogatory names etched in the wood she had been resting her face against. Looking up, she found herself to be looking at many other people who were also sitting at desks and facing forward. Eyes widening with fear at the sudden realization of where she was, Hilda would make an audible gasp. Several members of the class turned to her, a few snickering as the instructor spoke to her directly. 

"Ms. Bidden, is there a reason you're interrupting my classroom with unnecessary noise?" 

Shaking her head, Hilda would grab the desk in front of her hard enough to make her knuckles white. Well, whiter than their normal pale complexion. "No Ma'am. I apologize." Satisfied, her teacher turned back to the chalkboard and returned to her duties. The faces of a few were still on her, smug looks on their faces. Ignoring them, Hilda's attention returned to the actual situation. Why was she at school? Moments before, she'd been in Aincrad. Why was she here now? She didn't want to be in the real world. At least in Aincrad, she had the power to change her standing. Here, she was at the bottom of the food chain. A bell rang out, and Hilda looked up at the time. It was time to go home it seemed. 

Fear crept into Hilda. 

[Hidden 1]

As the bell finished it ring, Hilda remained seated as her classmates all filed out the door. They all had spoken with one another casually as they had picked up their books. Hilda had never left with a friend like that. As everyone left, Hilda stood, shaking as she grabbed the items she didn't recall bringing. Pushing black hair out of her face, Hilda would make for the door. Unlike in Aincrad where no matter what her footsteps were silent, here it was different. Here, she was nothing but a weak-willed girl. No dagger or skills to latch onto for strength. 

Head down, she walked out of the classroom and into the long halls of the school. She needed to leave quickly and quietly as to not attract the attention of those that found it fun to mess with her. All she needed to do was keep her head down and mind her own business. Hilda knew the steps to get outside and could do so blindfolded. 

Halfway out, she found herself bumping into something expected. Her eyes had seen the shoes but she wasn't able to stop in time. Tracing up the figure, she would find herself staring into the eyes of the girl she had wanted to see the least. How unlucky could she be? The girl before her was really pretty but just as cruel. Much like a poisonous flower. Her name was Hirigana and she was by far one of the most popular girls in school. At her sides were two of her best friends, people that Hilda was unsure of their name

With Hilda frozen in place, it was Hirigana who would speak first. "You see that? She just ran into me without saying anything!" Giggling would be heard from Hirigana's dogs. "I-I-I'm..." Hilda would begin to stammer out her apology but it was quickly shutdown. "No, its fine. It's my job to teach others manners around here. You never got to learn because all you have a deadbeat dad and a actually dead mom!" Before Hilda could reply, her black hair was forcefully grabbed. Hilda clawed at the hand, but to no avail. The woman's grip on her hair was strong and definitely causing pain. 

Powerless, Hilda only could watch and struggle as she was drug towards the woman's bathroom. 

[Hidden 1]

The door creaked open to the bathroom as she was drug inside. How unlucky had it been that none of the teachers had managed to see what was transpiring? Thrown to the ground, Hirigana and her friends would lock the door from the inside and stand in front of the exit. No one would be coming to save her and her escape was blocked. What would happen now?

Hilda stood, looking around for anything she could do. No way she would be able to hide in one of the bathroom stalls. It would only give her a few more seconds to hide. Hirigana smugly stepped forward, grabbing her by the hair again. Why did she keep having to grab her there? It almost made her useless to move as a cat grabbed by the scrunch of their neck. A smile spread across Hirigana's face as Hilda whimpered in pain. "Let's start your lesson now. Chapter ONE!" The word 'one' was shouted as Hidden's face was slammed into the glass mirror beside her. 

Pain exploded on contact, blood spraying from the girl's nose as it potentially broke. Aside from the pain, Hilda could only notice one thing. The reflection of this mirror wasn't the same as the one from before. Her hair was white as snow although she was still wearing the school uniform. Her hair hadn't changed color in reality however, the hair that Hirigana grasped onto was as black as night. 

"That feel good? Manners are hard to beat into some people's head you know!" Next, the side of her face was slammed into the mirror, this time the glass giving way and shattering across the ground. Dropping Hilda to the ground, Hirigana stepped back looking at the damage. "Oh shit, I think you need to calm down. You can't just go around and break things just because you are upset!" 

Hilda sat among the broken glass, blood dripping from her nose and the sides of her face. That wasn't the only thing to be streaming now. Tears traced along the side of the girl's face from the physical and emotional pain being brought down upon her. 

"Guys, all this learning has left her thirsty. She needs a break. Help me out with that? 

 

[Hidden 1]

Hirigana's friends stepped onto the broken glass, each standing on one side of Hilda. Grabbing her by the underarms, they would begin to drag her towards the stalls she had thought of hiding in earlier. Kneeling her in front of the toilet after dragging her through the glass, Hilda stared down at the water. P-please stop! I-I'm sorry!" Her words came out weird as they were spoken through sobs and the nasal sounds of her injured nose. A laugh from Hirigana herself was heard as the girl stepped behind Hilda. 

Bending down to her level, Hilda would hear the words whispered in her ear. "There we go, finally learning some manners? Well, at least finish the lesson before you go." Hirigana quickly stood up and slammed her foot down on Hilda's head, forcing her into the water. 

What seemed like forever would transpire before the force holding her in the toilet would release. Gasping for air, Hilda would began to cough up the toilet water her body had forcibly tried to drink. "Looking much better, I doubt anyone will be able to look at you and think you have a pretty little face." What was that? Hirigana must've been more stupid than Hilda had thought if she was beating her up for a reason like that. "Well, I got plans. I guess I had better let you go now." A snap of the girl's fingers would signal the others to let her go. As Hilda tried to stand with them, Hirigana once again got a handful of her hair and held her down. "And if you get any stupid ideas like telling anyone about this, I will drown you in that toilet, got it?" The girl threatened. Hilda nodded her head and was rewarded with another quick dunk into the water. 

The three left, the unlocking sound of the door signaling their leave. Wiping the water from her face, it would only be replaced by tears as the girl began to weep profusely. Today had served quite terrible, normally it didn't go this far. Hirigana must've been in a pretty bad mood today. Looking back, Hilda would eyes the damages done. The floor in the stall was wet with the toilet water and the floor outside of it contained scattered glass and a small trail of blood. Hilda's nose still dripped with blood but far less severely than before. Her legs and knees were cut from the glass shards on the floor. She would be lucky if there wasn't any that had actually got stuck inside. Grabbing a hair tie from her pocket, she would tie her hair back so that the water didn't constantly drip onto her face.  

[Hidden 1]

Standing, Hilda would move over to the sinks, grabbing paper towels to stuff her nose with and wipe herself off. After doing so, she would take herself out of the bathroom only to be met with the faces of several teachers. Several of them taught her directly. "A student reported they heard screaming and crying from this bathroom. I don't suppose you know anything about this, Ms. Bidden?" Hilda stepped back. Had she screamed? She couldn't recall. It was possible. Taking a look at Hilda, the teachers quickly silently affirmed any original suspicions. Stepping around Hilda, a few of the teachers entered the bathroom, peering inside at the damage. 

"Oh my goodness! Lock this bathroom up, and go get the janitor to clean this up!" One teacher would tell another before turning to her. "Come along, let's get you to the nurse." After a decent walk, Hilda and the teacher would arrive at the infirmary. A quick exchange between nurse and teacher would happen before the nurse would begin to dab at Hidden's cuts and damages with rubbing alcohol. "Oh dear me, you've gone and got your nose all busted up. Doesn't look broken, the bone is most likely just bruised." The nurse looked over to Hilda's teacher. Nodding, the teacher would start asking questions. 

"Who did this to you Hilda? It's unacceptable and they need to be punished." Hilda remained silent, remembering the threat given to her. "Hilda, why won't you answer me? Or say anything? I can't help you if you don't let me." Hilda remained quiet, her lips sealed. She couldn't trust another to offer help, even if they meant it sincerely. "Fine, you're pretty shaken right now. We'll talk more tomorrow. I'll give your father a ring and let him know you're okay." Biting her bottom lip out of fear, she would become afraid. Interrupting her father with conversation about her couldn't be a good thing. Not in the slightest. 

The nurse finished her first aid, cleaning and placing Band-Aids across her cuts. "Careful with that nose of yours. Any more damage and it might actually become broken. I'd suggest getting rest, but sleep on your back as to not hurt it." Hilda nodded and quietly exited the room. Conversation would be heard behind her. 

[Hidden 1]

Released from the Nurse's office, Hilda would slowly make her way back to the entrance of the school. She did not move cautiously this time, she had been preyed on already. The others would not be making a second round. Her body still ached with pain, but it was overshadowed by the overwhelming fear in her lungs. It felt like forever since she had to face her father and it took a far different kind of courage than most things. Her steps were slow taken and seemed to echo through the school pounds. The noise was drowned out by her own beating heart. 

Why was she doing this anyway? Where was the exit? How could she leave this place? It was brutal and terrifying and she had no way of fighting back. Was this place some kind of punishment for the wrongs she had done in Aincrad? They had stripped her of her skills just to remind her how weak she really was? How pathetic she'd become if the game just decided to take everything? 

The trip was a blur, but the girl suddenly found herself in front of the rundown house that was her home. Bringing a clenched hand to her chest, an unsteady breath exhaled from her mouth. Eyes wide with fear, she stepped forward. What was going to happen now? 

 

[Hidden 1]

Breathing at a speed that was only a step from hyperventilating, she tried to ignore the sound of her own beating heart. She wasn't afraid of the house, only the person that was inside. Hand shaking, she reached for the door knob. Slowly turning it, she would be able to push open the door. The smell of alcohol reached her nostrils before she even stepped in the door. As normal, the house was trashed completely with absolutely nothing tidy. Empty cans had been disposed of in random places along the floor and wrappers to various junk food remained strewn over the house. 

Slowly stepping forward, Hilda would begin to peer around corners in search of the person she didn't want to find. The kitchen was a disaster as always with dishes piled up into the sink. It was amazing that there was so much trash although there was never food in the house. Dinner was a commodity which was fine with her. She had no intention of sitting and eating in the same room as her father. She had been perfectly content with awaiting her next meal at school. 

Creeping around the hallway, she would began to make her way to her bedroom. Perhaps she could hide in there? Her feet made virtually no sounds as she walked towards the door. Pushing it open, Hilda would enter the room and then quickly close the door behind her. Clicking the lock closed on the handle, she would take in the sight of her small bedroom. One looking at her room could think her a minimalist but the case was that she had never owned anything. Her clothes were kept in a small dresser that she had owned since she was born. Some drawings from when she was much younger were etched into its wood. A desk was in the room as well, and a small smile painted itself on her face as she seen it. She could still remember dismantling it so that she could fit it through her window. Her father hadn't been happy when he found out, but she got off with it. Hilda even owned her own futon, a small floor mattress that she would sleep on. It always had bothered her because it was much lower than the dresser and desk. Finally, Hilda's eyes reached her pride and joy. 

A bookshelf.

With nothing to do but homework, Hilda had spent a lot of time reading. Books about heroes coming to save the princess use to entertain her. Hilda had always thought of herself as the damsel waiting for the hero to come to rescue her from her castle. She began to hate the books as the years went on. 

This was real life, not a fairytale. There was no one coming to rescue her. 

[Hidden 1]

The bookshelf was lined with books, some snatched from the library at school. She never checked them out so the school had little idea where the books had ended up. Most of them she had already read multiple times. Turning back towards her desk, her eyes followed the picture that was framed and resting on it. The glass was cracked, but the picture remained intact. A picture from her Father and Mother's wedding. It was the only thing about her mother that she had managed to keep throughout the years. Hilda believed her father owned more pictures but he refused to share them with her. It was her that had ki-

A bang on the door jarred her from her recalling old memories. In fact, she had been jarred enough to actually jump a few inches off the ground. An angry voice complimented the loud banging on the door. "HILDA! OPEN THIS DAMN DOOR! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT LOCKING IT?" Body rigid, she starred at the door in fear. It continued to pound, becoming more aggressive as the time went on. Hands clenched, Hilda would stiffly move to the door. Taking a hold of the handle, she reluctantly heeded her father's words. It would be better in the end that way... right?

A click of the door as it unlocked and immediately she would become pushed back by the force exerted on the door. A dark haired man burst in the room, anger resting behind his gaze. Her father was only in his forties but his face told otherwise. Dark circles sat underneath his eyes and his eyes were dull with stress and exhaustion. He had a beard, unkempt. With his appearance, it was amazing that he had managed to keep his job in the office. The stench of alcohol revealed itself again, stinging her nostrils. A forceful hand grasped her shoulder, causing Hilda to gasp. The burning anger of her father's eyes poured into her own that were filled with fear. 

"I got a call today that you got hurt in a fight. So glad that you think you are so above consequences that you can just do what you want." Hilda attempted to pull away from his hand but she didn't have the strength. "I-I..." Her words were cut off as her father jerked her body down and into her futon. "IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING EVERY GODDAMN DAY, HILDA. Some days its about you skipping out on classes, others its about failing grades! The hell is wrong with you? WHY ARE YOU SUCH A FAILURE!" His eyes burned in rage down on her as she kept an arm up to attempt to defend herself from any physical punishment. Those 'failed' classes were the ones she just didn't participate in. Gym, public speaking, other classes that required interaction. She had earned such a bad reputation at school that people avoided her just to stay out of the sights of Hirigana and multiple others that targeted her. 

 

 

 

[Hidden 1]

Her father stood above her, anger burning in his eyes. He had looked at her a lot like this after she had begun to get older. When she was younger, it was more of the fact that he simply ignored her. His eyes refused to meet her own and there was hardly any interaction between them. Hilda as a little girl was simply sent to her room. She had spent a lot of time at her grandmother's but after he had passed there was no one left to watch her. Hilda got the bare minimum, nothing else. Hilda was almost certain that his anger stemmed from the fact that she looked a lot like her mother. Her eyes and body were almost an exact replica, given that her mother was quite a bit curvier. 

With Hilda sitting against the corner of her room in a defensive position, her father decided to take a different direction with his anger. She watched in fear as he turned over to her bookshelf and brought it crashing down to the floor. Slamming his foot down on the wood, the shelf would create a loud snapping sound. Her bookshelf... broken. Tears welled up in her eyes filled with anger and pain. That bookshelf meant a lot to her. It was where she placed the only things that she could escape with. There was no other escape from the normal world. Throwing a piece of the shelf at her bedroom door, her father picked up a book and began ripping pages out in a drunken fury. 

"N-NO! STOP!" she yelled at her father which earned her a book slamming full force into her face. Her nose once again began to profusely bleed as its injury quickly returned. It was easy to ignore the throbbing pain as her father moved to the other side of her room. To her desk.

Hilda watched as her father froze for a moment. Picking up the cracked picture frame of him and his deceased wife, his face would soften for a moment. In that moment, the house was silent save for Hilda's quiet sobs. "You still keep this photo after all of these years. As if... this picture.... This picture could bring her back. It's not. Your mother is gone." He turned his gaze back on Hilda, tears forming in his eyes as well as he seethed with anger. "YOU TOOK THAT AWAY! DON'T YOU FUCKING FORGET THAT! YOUR MOTHER WOULD STILL BE ALIVE IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU, YOU BROKE THIS FAMILY!" 

Glass shattered, frame destroyed, picture torn. It all happened in a blur as time itself seemed to stop. The only memory of her mother... gone.

 

[Hidden 1]

The world grew cold around her as the colors dimmed. Her most prized possession was gone and there wouldn't be any recovering it. The sounds of her father's destruction had faded out and became muffled. Even his movements had come to a slow, even almost a complete stop. Closing her eyes, everything became internal. Hilda still remembered the day her mother died. Her mother had given her a goodbye hug and kiss on the forehead as she dropped her off at daycare. As always, he would watch her mother get in her vehicle and drive away. Then, another truck had slammed into the side of her car, fatally wounding her. The driver had been drunk and while he had been fine, her mother was mortally wounded. She died within the next few hours.

It was the most she could remember of her mother save for a smile. Though, these days even that was fading. A cold darkness approached her now and a murmur... a murmur that beckoned her forward. It told her to simply let go and let things happen as they should. It was convincing, the voice was. It promised rest, to absolve her from her pain and choices. All she needed to do was to let... go....

* * *

“One who shadows swirl around you, whose hold seems to snuff out that dwindling life. Can you hear me? Can you not shed light? Or is the shadow drawn stemmed from the light you cast?”

Stirring as if she was awaking from slumber, Hilda groggily looked for the source of the voice through the darkness of her closed eyes. As she searched, all she could feel was a warm light passing over her. As it did, it was as if the light burned off a heavy darkness from her. A darkness that she was in the process of succumbing to. "Where are you? Who are you? You're not the same voice that i've heard before." 

“Then there is a chance. Wilting lily, that darkness seeks to dismantle you. Erase you and claim the shell left behind. Little Hilda, if my voice is reaching you, then you still have a choice. That fate is yours to control…”

 

[Hidden 1]

"What are you talking about? What Fate is mine to control? Who is trying to control me?" Her questions remained unanswered entirely. The nickname was one of Simmone's if she could remember. Why would Simmone be here anyway? It simply didn't make any sense. A warm sensation reconnected her to the world as she realized it was spreading from her palm. Opening her eyes, she looked down at her tightly balled fist. Slowly opening it, she would find the most ordinary item there. A coin. One from the world of Aincrad. The coin's color had faded quite a bit, rusting in some places. 

"It's a memory of coloring."

The voice was suddenly recalled in her head. This was the coin that Shiina had fished from the fountain. Why was it in her hand now? She was in the real world and Aincrad had been... wait. When had she gone to Aincrad? In fact, she had already been through this day before. Her eyes flicked to her father who was glaring back at her as if was waiting for her to do something. Her room had been torn to shreds in his drunken rage. She was different now, she wasn't the same as before. Hidden knew what happened afterwards. She had apologized to her father profusely through her tears before escaping the house through her window after he left. Hirigana happened to walk by and cornered her in an alley again and Hilda had... prevented the problem from happening again. It was the first time she had snapped and it wasn't until she was disposing of the rest of the evidence before her adrenaline rushed calmed to process what she had done. 

The worst day of her life, that was where she was. Standing, Hilda looked to her father. "Mom would have never blamed her death on me. She loved me even if you won't admit it. If anything, she would be upset with you for how you turned out and raised me. You tried to drink the pain away and now all you can do is make others hurt." The man angrily walked forward, their faces almost touching as he stood in front of her, ready for her challenge. "What are you saying?" He asked, his voice shaking with rage. 

"I'm saying I'm tired of you taking out your pain on me. You're a terrible Father and if Mom were to see you now she wouldn't love you. She couldn't love you." Shoving him away, as her hands pushed against him, he would simply evaporate. What rested in front of her was a shadow, taking her father's shape. 

_______
202780 LD:1+6, Stealth Failed. 

[Hidden 1]

Without weapon, Hilda could do nothing as the shadow approached. It drifted over to her and she stiffened as it caressed its cold fingers against her chin and up the side of her face. How was she to fight it without her dagger? Although, the creature was a shadow. Perhaps her dagger itself would have no effect? Lunging away, she would face the creature that would hiss at her sudden movement. The creature smelt much like her father, only this scent was much colder. It was as if it was created to smell like cheap alcohol and vomit. 

The burning sensation in her hand returned and the metal coin became searing hot. As she opened her hand, a song suddenly burst forth from it as if the coin itself was a recording crystal. As the song vibrated along the walls, a sudden shriek was made by her opponent as the song quickly gained tempo. A golden light flowed into the room from nowhere and the same mysterious pattern appeared on the ground as if Shiina was actually there singing next to her. 

The shadow pulsated on the ground in a seizure like fashion as it seemed to slowly tear itself apart to the voice. Bewildered, Hilda took a step forward towards the shadow. Plunging her fist with the coin into it's chest, it would suddenly evaporate like her father had when she had pushed him. The room slowly began to burn away like the burning of pages of a book. The world's edges seared until she once again stood in that dark hallway. Unlike before where she couldn't see anything, Hidden felt as if she could see the area directly in front of her. She was no longer blind in the dark, she had room to wander. 

♫
* * *
 

Spoiler

 

Attack
ID: 202781 -> ST-I(x15)
BD: 10 | Holy II, Phase, V.O Activated! +85 HP
CD: 11 | ST-B Unlocked!
DMG: 24+16+2=42*15=630-(6/2=3)=627 DMG to Demon of Past
EN: 14-4(Natural)-8(Recovery)-1(Rested)= 1 EN lost

Recovery + Vampiric Defensive
ID: 202782 CD:11: Vamp Def and Vamp Off. Procced!
+8 EN
+42 HP

 

Hidden | HP: 780/780 | EN: 95/96 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 3 | BH: 42 | LD: 1 | HLY: 16 | PHASE | REC: 8 | V.D.: 42 | V.O.: 85

Demon of Past | HP: 0/195 (-627) | DMG: 138 | MIT: 6

[Hidden 1]

Despite the hall no longer being as dark as it was before, the cold remained. It was an uninviting cold, but one that she was used to. Stepping in the direction she thought was forward, her steps would echo on the floor and down the hall. As she walked, she was reminded of Shiina's coin. Opening her hand and peering into it, she would find nothing. She hadn't dropped it or something had she? There was no light glittering off in the darkness so she doubted that could be the case. She simply didn't have the coin anymore. 

Stepping further into the unknown, Hidden would begin to walk faster than she had before. She was slightly more confident about her travel through the darkened place. It was dark sure but she was certain another door awaited her. She would stop as this thought occurred to her however. If she came to another door... would it be just as painful as the last? Through the first door she had faced the pain and abandonment of her life before Aincrad. What if the next day took her back... to see her mother? She wasn't sure if her heart would even be able to take that. 

Still, she stepped forward. Another sealed door, just as expected. As it opened, the hands wouldn't pull her in like last time. Instead, they would beckon her into their depths. Taking a deep breath, she would hesistantly oblige with their demands. At least this door didn't reek of alcohol. In fact... it smelled a lot like sunlight. 

See the unimaginable present.

[Hidden 1]

Chapter Two: Reality
"See the unimaginable present."

---

The voice echoed through her mind, ringing in her ears. Stepping through the door, Hidden would become blinded by a sudden light. Bringing her pale hands to shade her from the harsh sun, she'd begin to try to get a feel for where she was. Tall mountains surrounded her off in the distance and the ground was covered with a lush green grass. A small house rested at her back and off to the side remained a small garden where slimes happily bounced around in the sun's rays. 

Hidden knew exactly where she stood. It was her home within Aincrad and it appeared to be a rather lovely day. A slight breeze rolled off the hills, bringing a floral scent to the air. A smile rested on Hidden's face when childlike laughter trilled behind her. "Nee-chan! I'm going to go explore outside!" The small girl pushed through the front door to their house and sprinted past her. Hidden watched as Ayame quickly began to run off into the distance. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. "Wait, I was going to introduce you to Firm Anima when they got here!" She would call after the girl but she wouldn't stop. Shaking her head with a smile, the dark-haired woman would simply turn to head back inside... before stopping the doorway. Firm Anima? Why would they be coming? They never were told where she lived and why would they be on their way anyway? It was just a thought that had come naturally. 

Stepping through the door, the smell of cooking wafted into the air and Hidden frowned. She couldn't cook and Ayame never did either. Who the hell was in her kitchen? That's when a voice drifted in from the kitchen. One that it had been quite some time since she had heard. "My love? Is that you?" Peeking around the corner was the loving smile of a white-haired man. Sey. 

Freezing in place, Hidden could only stare as the man casually spoke to her as if they did every single day. "The spaghetti is almost done and I made candy apples again because the other one's just happened to disappear!" A wink was shot in her direction before Sey popped back into the kitchen. Still awestruck, Hidden stepped into the kitchen after him and simply stared at the man as he continued to cook. "Any ideas on when your friends will be arriving?" Stuttering her reply she would make out the reply, "Uh I don't I know." Shrugging, Sey would continue stirring. "You know, Ayame made off with one of the cupcakes before I could even get the sprinkles on them. Reminds of someone else I know." Chuckling, Hidden would reply, "I wonder who that could be. Nobody I know." Flashing a smile at her, Sey would shake his head. 

Maybe... maybe she shouldn't question where she was. Even if only for a moment. 

[Raidou 1]

Sliding into the ajar door, adjusting a pair of lenses on his nose. That same rather plain looking male, notably without one very distinguishing feature. "Still as busy as always." Raidou quips beneath his breath as he shuffles into the place, removing his shoes and taking a glance toward Sey still ringing a spoon through a pot. "Hope I'm not imposing on anything?" There was a slight mischievous grin claiming the corner of his mouth, knowing full that the other male would pick up what he was putting down. The tone sounded so true and earnest, something was off. Carefully sliding his boots together, another fiddle of his glasses as he raises to the flats of his feet. In his hands, a carefully bound tight leather satchel, who he offers to the table that could easily seat four. "I brought those spices you ordered, I'll leave them out here." As he begins to slowly pull out a chair, beginning to organize a small blueprint of utensils in front of him on that platform.

It hadn't been quite that long since he'd seen the couple, and they seemed to be escalating rather drastically. Just like Nikki and Miaki or Haine and Kiluia, Raidou couldn't be happier for them. Each cautious little twist of each cup and bowl before him like planning some serious construction, before by the millimeter they were in the correct spots.

Raidou | HP: 940/940 | EN: 112/112 | DMG: 11 | MIT: 44 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 2 | BH: 51 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | REC: 8 | TAUNT | V.D.: 103 | V.O.: 155

Spoiler

Raidou?, The Red Wanderer?, The Faceless Lord? The Truth
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 82
HP: 940/940
EN: 112/112

Stats:
Damage: 11
Mitigation: 44
Evasion: 4
Accuracy: 2
Battle Healing: 51
Loot Dice: 6
BLGT: 32
REC: 8
TAUNT
V.D.: 103
V.O.: 155

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Ebon Star - Vanguard Revenant [T4/Demonic/Straight Sword]: V.O 2, Taunt, Blight 1
Armor: Red Wander's Resolve - Sympathy [T1/Demonic/Cloth] 2 Evasion, 2 Vampiric Defensive?
Misc: Vision of Wisdom - Whisper [T4/Demonic/Trinket] Evasion 1, Recovery 2, Accuracy 1

Skills:
Straight Sword R5
Cloth Armor R5
Battle Healing R5
Howl
Searching R5
Fighting Spirit

Active Mods:
Detect
Athletics
Vengeful Riposte
Tracking
Justified Riposte

Addons:
Nimble
Ferocity
Precision
Focused Howl
Stamina

Active Extra Skills:
Parry
Survival
Forgotten King’s Authority
Concentration

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor []: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

 

[Simmone 0]

Wandering in toe not too far behind Raidou, she slinks into the chamber, sliding off a pair of getas and reveals long black stockings. A glance into the kitchen and back to where the red swordsman looked to be sliding around his utensils. "Interesting." her tone seemed concerned almost, as she folded her arms and began to lean on the frame between both. "You must be Sey, I've heard a lot about you." The woman catches her words, as they were given to her without her input. That glance becomes lit with gold, as her eyes narrow a bit. It twists to Hidden, with an honest form of inspection. Stuck there for a moment as the guy would respond. "Ah yeah." ruffling his fingers through the hair on the back of his head, spinning that pot eagerly. "I could say the same, Hidden won't stop talking about what you did for her. Really helped her out, so let me treat you all."

"I guess we are all present, at least those of us who are going to show?" The comment rolls as she focuses on the wilting lily, it seemed the both of them were trapped within this web, and only they were aware of it. The figment was bestowed with the same sense of realism simply due to Hidden's perceptions of her, that nothing could slip past her in reality.

Spoiler

Simmoné, Firm Anima Viper
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 32
HP: 740/740
EN: 92/92

Stats:
Damage: 21
Mitigation: 63
Evasion: 2
Accuracy: 1
Loot Dice: 8
BLD: 48
BLGT: 32
BRN: 56
ENV.O: 32
REC: 8

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Mythril Foil - Viper [T4/Demonic/Rapier] Blight 1, Bleed 1, Envenom 1, Burn 1
Armor: Black Leather Bodice - Feline [T4/Perfect/LA] Mitigation 2, Evasion 1
Misc: The Black Lotus - Expedition [T4/Perfect/Trinket] Recovery 2, Evasion 1

Skills:
Saber R5
Lock Picking R3
Searching R5
Light Armor R3

Active Mods:
Meticulous
Energize

Addons:
Focus
Hyperactive
Dismantling
Precision
Field Medic

Active Extra Skills:
First Aid R5
Concentration

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor []: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

 

[Hidden 1]

The sound of the door instantly grabbed the violet-eyed girl's attention and her head would swing to witness Raidou entering. The man would speak, but his words would pass her and onto Sey. When had they become so familiar? It was almost odd. Her head felt fuzzy, unable to recall the time where they had actually met. Every second, she grew closer to the world before her. Long enough here, and she would forget of the other's existence entirely. As Raidou spoke to Sey, the white-haired man would reply with his normal chipper attitude he would get while serving guests. "Thanks! I didn't realize I was missing them. Glad I can count on you to bring stuff like this, saved dinner!" 

Hidden would watch his Raidou would set the table, setting her own silverware in front of her. Stretching out of her seated position, her eyes would fall on The R̷̩̭̼̎̊̒̎̉́͘͝ė̷̻̩͋d̷̹̔͋̒͘̕͝ ̷̩͈̔́͛ͅẄ̸̟́̑̒̈́́̓̓̚͝a̴̜̗͉̟̪͛ͅn̷̩̹͇̦͚͍̗̅̐̈́d̶̨̨̺̥̦͍̟̹̕e̸͇͚͒r̸̤̝̊̋́͗͆͗͑̊͆ę̶̡͈̞̜͎̹̹̙͇͑͒̽̚r̵̨̨̛̬̝̠̺̼͒͆̉͜͝? "I don't remember you guys being close enough to send each other messages." Her eyes would accusingly stare at Sey. "You're just aiming to steal my friends aren't you?" Showing her his palms, Sey would counter, "I wouldn't! Though, if their your friends why wouldn't they be mine?" A light chuckle would emanate from the man as he stirred the pot. 

"Interesting."

The word made Hidden jump as a sudden cold trickled down her spine. Simmone's voice made her feel as if she was woken up with a cool splash of water. Taking a small moment to regain her calm, Hidden would silently stare at the feline-like woman. She hadn't even heard the girl enter. She would begin to speak to Sey, once again they would reference something that was unknown to her. "I wouldn't take about anyone like that!"  she would exclaim in protest to Sey's words. What kind of Fiance told other people about their private conversations anyway? 

Simmone's eyes would meet her once more, with a gold glint to her eyes. Hidden would shrink back from this stare. As always, Simmone's eyes could always see right through her. It was annoying but it was one of the woman's featured traits. 

"I guess we are all present, at least those of us who are going to show?"

Hidden cocked her head. "Really? I guess Setsuna wouldn't make an appearance anyway, would she?" A giggle would escape from Hidden's lips but a small thought festered in the back of her mind. "Alright, but what about Shi... Shu?" A few more seconds would be spent on trying to formulate a name. The name refused to surface though. It was as if the memory of it was blocked in her mind. Continuing like nothing had happened, Hidden would say, "Ayame should hopefully be back eventually. She's feisty and hard to control. She likes me but she likes to do what she wants more." 

Sey would step forward with a pot of spaghetti with response. "Well, if she takes too long, her dinner is going to get cold." Spaghetti was one of Hidden's favorite dishes of Sey's. Why he would make it for a group though she found weird. She figured he would have gone for something fancier like he would the customers at his restaurant.