[F09;SP] Iron Will | <<The Iron Guardian>>

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The nineth floor had always been the bane of Nari's existence. She'd attended the boiling lands more than she cared to admit to, a frustrating fact which was only paired by the fact that there was some innate need to have housed a large number of the common quests on the same floor. As much as Nari hated it, she knew that Mio, just like his predecessor despised the floor as much, if not more, than Nari herself.

"Sorry Mio...I promise I'll try and make this jaunt quick. Maybe we'll get lucky, and be in and out before you even notice what's melting and what's not..." It was the best apology that she could offer to the small kitsune curled up on the floor beside the couch. Mio had opened a single eye, ever so slightly, as if to glare at her in response. She doubted that the small kitsune had any idea what Nari was apologising for, but she knew he would find out soon enough - and probably hate her for it, at least a little. "I am going to buy you the best cream cakes that I can find once we return, okay?"

Whether it understood her transgressions or not, the kitsune seemed to perk up at the offer of cream cakes. It wasn't too often that she bought the treat, although whenever she did, she made sure to share it with the small creature - a clear favourite of it's palate. Either it hadn't correlated that the treat was an apology for whatever hassle Nari had brought the thing through, or it didn't care. Content enough to consume the small favour any time it was offered, it seemed as though Mio was willing to go through the hells with her if only to obtain a tasting of the cream cakes.

She couldn't help but smile, almost sadly, at that fact. It felt somehow wrong to her to drag the kitsune through the pain and torment it faced, just for the meagre payoff of a couple of cream cakes. Some people drag their companions through with no payout at all...nothing so much as a smile. Maybe Mio's not so bad off...at least we spoil him. Onora and Nari had both gained the habit of treating the companion as a piece of the family, treasured and held in high standards - so much so that Onora had once bathed the kitsune, much to its distaste. Nari had laughed as Mio spent the following day licking itself in an attempt to get the feeling off of it's fur.

"Whatcha say then, Mio? Shall we head into the heats of the nineth, and then go get some cream cakes?" The kitsune was up before Nari could move, apparently reacting only to the offer of the treat, but willing to go wherever she did. It forced a sad smile from Nari once more as she realised that the kitsune would quite literally follower her anywhere. Even to our ends. The smile faded slightly at the thought, a sobering feeling passing over her. Shaking herself, she moved towards the front, holding her hand out low for Mio to follow. "Come on Mio...let's go..."

 

  

Statblock

Spoiler notes [Theme] Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 102/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG Tier 4 | Tier 9 [Laurel Wreath] equipped Póg Deiridh [One-Handed Assault Spear; Tier 4 Daemonic] Enhancement: Frostbite [2 Slots] Enhancement: Accuracy [2 Slots]  Glacadh Morríghan  [Heavy Armour; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Frost Aura [2 Slots] Enhancement: Heavy Momentum [1 Slot] Póg an Gheimhridh [Tier 4 Daemonic Heater Shield] Enhancement: Paralyse [1 Slot] Enhancement: Taunt [1 Slot] Enhancement: Thorns [2 Slots]   battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal {3} Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP Siúil a Rún {5} | Tier 3; Perfect Support Song | HP Recovery III Sí do Mhaimeo Í {1} | Tier 4; Rare; Support Song | Monsters’ Fortune II Níl Sé'n Lá {1} | Tier 4; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | Monsters’ Favor III [Instant] skills Spoiler Utility Skills N/A Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Fighting Spirit [Active: Passive. Effect: Attacking and using Howl or Focused Howl generates +1 additional Hate. (Ex. Generate 1/2/3 Hate on a Miss/Hit/Critical attack. Generate 5 Hate when using Focused Howl.)] Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy: 2 EN. Cooldown: 2 turns. Effect: Adds +2 Hate each against up to 4 targets.] [Howl Add-on] Focused Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy: 4 EN. Cooldown: 4 turns. Effect: Adds +4 Hate against a single target.] Weapon Skills Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] [Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Heavy Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 35 MIT. Evasion is capped at 1 slot; -5 Stealth Rating.] [Heavy Armour Mod] Impetus [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] [Heavy Armour Add-on] Iron Skin [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +15 Mitigation and +15 x Tier HP.] Active Extra Skills Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.] Block [Active: Passive. Effect: Requires an equipped shield. User’s evasion cannot be greater than 0 (can still be negative). Grants additional mitigation: 25 MIT.] [Rank 3 Block Mod] Shield Bash [Active: Post Action. Energy: 6 EN. Cooldown: 2 Turns. Effect: Make an attack with an equipped shield. On a hit, deals (Base * 10) damage, stuns the enemy for one turn, and applies status and thorns (and variants)  enhancements present on the shield. Note: When calculating Base Damage for Shield Bash, Weapon Skills do not apply.] [Rank 5 Block Addon] Rampart [Active: Free Action. Energy: 10 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Reduce final damage that would be dealt to you by 25% (rounded down). Effect lasts until the beginning of your next turn.] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] Inactive Extra Skills  Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Lady Luck [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Replace a single enhancement slot on your weapon with a random enhancement using the Appraiser’s Identification roll until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Mitigation [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +6*tier Mitigation per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Mitigation enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn. [x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT. [x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. [x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Estate Buffs Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The floor was the exact same as Nari always remembered it; hot, humid, uncomfortable. Something about the excruciating way that the heat leaked into the crevices of, well, everything, had left her feeling more and more uncomfortable the longer she'd remained on the floor. She knew from experience that the city itself was far better off than the outer regions, where the lava flowed freely and there was nothing to cool against the otherwise painful atmosphere. 

"I know, I know. I hate this place as much as you do. But maybe it's good incentive to, you know, finish off the quest here and escape as soon as possible. Right?" The glare that Mio gave her as the kitsune trotted alongside her told her more than any words ever could, a pure hatred in the moment at the damage the heat was likely doing to his fur. Not that Nari thought it would be a permanent effect on the small critter, but still she knew it must infuriate him beyond no end. She'd caught him growling as soon as they'd arrived on the floor, a sign of his immediate annoyance. His mood had failed to improve from that moment onwards, and Nari found that she really couldn't blame him.

"If it's any consolation, I'm as upset as you are. But! Think of the cream cakes that we're going to get on the way home, eh? Eh?" Her attempt at blissful happiness fell on deaf ears as Mio glared at her further. She could've sworn she saw one lip raise slightly in a small expression of disgust, but passed it off as being nothing more than her imagination. "Alright, fine, pout then. I can see you've got enough energy to pout for the two of us. Which means you've enough energy to walk. Come on, we've a...broker?...to find."

It was the one part of the quest that hadn't made sense to her. She'd almost reached out to her normal information broker for more insight into the quest, before realising that this one was probably referring to a specific NPC that they needed to encounter. Happy not to spend the col if she didn't have to, she'd set off without a true direction, hoping that somehow she would stumble upon the quest giver through pure accident as they made their way through the settlement itself. She'd stayed to the main roads, figuring that it would need to be easily accessible to those passing by - which meant back alleyways and hidden side streets were less likely for these sorts of situations. So far, against their enjoyment, the pair had traversed about half of the length of Yōgan Village without any actual success to show for their efforts. Another glance at Mio confirmed that the agitation that the kitsune was feeling had been building up, and Nari was beginning to worry that he might find the heat entirely too unbearable.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Her minor flash of concern and memories of a fox disappearing into the wilderness were interrupted as a voice spoke out from beside her, causing Nari to jump in response and let out a minor screech. She turned to face a man that had pulled his hood well over his face, obscuring any chance of identifying the individual. Almost responsively, Nari had let out of confused "Huh?"

"Are you the one that has accepted the quest to kill the Guardian?" It repeated the words, a tone of frustration in its voice that Nari wasn't entirely convinced was her fault. She glanced down at Mio, before looking back at the figure and nodding slowly. She wasn't entirely sure what the Guardian was, but she had an odd feeling that this NPC was the quest that she had been looking for this entire time. The mention of the Guardian had aligned with the title of the quest itself, and Nari couldn't help but feel a moment of relief before realising she'd confirmed nothing.

"What if I am?" Her response was slow and careful, a bit of hesitation to it just to show that she wasn't entirely sure of what she was walking in to. She was far from worried about her own safety, so much as walking into the wrong quest by accident. "I guess it would depend on what Guardian we're talking about here..."

"The Iron Guardian, of course. The one whom sits upon the Iron throne, and commands the Iron Knights against the very forces of good." The NPC launched into a detailed explanation of the Iron Guardian, all while Nari listened patiently, content to wait out the information dump before asking any further questions. Mio seemed to settle in at her feet, far from happy but knowing there would be no moving for the moment. "You can find the throne some small distance from the village itself, nestled into the mountains that spit fire, protected by the loyal Knights. Break through their defences, and face the Guardian itself, if you dare!"

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Whether it was trying to be ominous, or place some sort of exaggerated interest into the quest, the final statement of the NPC brought nothing more than a simple eyeroll from Nari. She'd long ago learnt not to be afraid, much less of the things that Aincrad had to offer. She'd faced dangers, and continued to do so, but she'd found herself without fear. It wasn't that she was fearless by any means, simply that she'd learnt that letting that fear take hold, letting it come to fruition, would leave her back where she had started. In a place that she promised she wouldn't return to again.

"Anything else?" Her voice was calm and casual as she prepared herself to leave the individual behind. She paused only as she spotted the name that had appeared above the hooded figure, a simple Mysterious Broker tag that hadn't been there before. Or did I just not notice it? She squinted as she tried to remember, but her concentration was broken as the hooded man actually responded to her question.

"Well, a simple matter of my fee..." Nari's eyebrow rose as the NPC held out a hand. At first, she assumed that the man was asking for payment now, but as his voice continued, she realised that he was offering something else entirely. "Once you fell the Iron Guardian, I'll take twenty-five percent of the col gained from his stores. You can pay me once you return to the village, and we'll call it even. How does that sound?"

Nari almost accepted without consideration - she cared little for the col she'd be gaining from the quest itself - but something about the hint of smile that she could see brought her to a stop. She wondered whether it was a matter of the quest being for those well below her level, or if there was more to this NPC, but there was a nefarious air to the man's visage, and Nari couldn't help the shiver that ran down her back in response. 

"Twenty percent, and we'll forget about the fact that you disturb me." The call of agreement came much sooner than Nari had expected, but with it she found her escape, making a quick retreat from the area as she rushed towards the exit that would take her into the far, far hotter outerlands of the nineth floor. "I do not like that guy Mio..."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

They'd left the village behind not long after having spoken with the Mysterious Broker. Something about the individual had left a bad feeling in Nari's stomach, and she found herself glancing back every so often as she continued down her path towards the marker that had appeared on her map. Nothing seemed to be following her, at least that she could see, but she couldn't shake the odd feeling of being watched. She'd stopped a number of times, glancing around, trying to spot anything that looked out of place in the volcanic area, before shaking her head again and carrying on.

"I'm just imagining things. I must be." She mumbled to herself after yet another stop. She had seen, once again, no signs of anything or anyone being around her. Even Mio had seemed complacent and unconcerned - a sign that she was likely fine, in all considerations. "You'd warn me if someone was following us, right Mio?"

The kitsune gave a chirp that Nari took as an agreement. Nodding, as much to herself as to the response, she continued on her way with another soft sigh. She'd experienced a number of horrific incidents in Aincrad, and found it a bit silly that she was so flustered about the possibility of being followed. It's just the whole meeting with that weird NPC broker that's set me off. The whole thing just felt...wrong, somehow. As if I shouldn't have taken the quest to begin with... She wasn't quite able to place her finger on what had felt wrong about it all, as it was more of just a generic feeling. She knew better than to ignore it, however, and forced herself to be more aware of her surroundings. Whatever was awaiting her, she wasn't going to let it sneak up on her, no matter how hard it tried.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The pathway had led to an entrance, continuing beneath the ground into the plethora of tunnels and caves that Nari was sure stretched a good portion - if not all - of the floor itself. She'd been through similar areas in the area for other quests, and had found them dark, unwelcoming, but a good relief from the warmth that seemed to burn and blight the upper lands of the nineth. Even Mio had shown a desire to escape into them the moment the pair had realised that their path would lead them underground. Nari, however, had hesitated. Something still didn't feel quite right with the entire situation, and she found herself hovering at the entryway, her eyes scanning the surrounding area for...well, she wasn't entirely sure what she was scanning for. All she knew was that something felt off, and she wanted to know why.

"Come on, Mio. Let's head below for now." She spoke after a long period of silence, not looking down at the kitsune as she stared back the way they had come. Nothing moved, and yet Nari was certain she had seen the shift of something out of the corner of her eye. Seconds passed and Nari saw nothing to heighten her concern, or alleviate it. Knowing that she couldn't simply sit there all day, she chose instead to head into the tunnels, figuring that if something was following her, she could at least corner it below the ground easier than above ground. "Less places for it to run to, or from..."

The tunnels were, as expected, a slight reprieve from the heat that scorched the upper lands. Nari couldn't help but feel a bit of comfort in the release from the overwhelming hotness that she had been enduring, shaking herself slightly as if shaking off water. She knew there was still a ways to go, but at least for the moment it didn't feel like the armour she wore was melting into her form. "Sorry, Mio, for dragging you through this. I should've left you at home for this..."

She'd not even considered the option, partially because she knew that kitsune wouldn't have accepted the proposition. It would follow her until the moment that they were no longer companions, whatever the reason for such an ending may be. Hopefully a good one. Perhaps they would stay together until the floors were all clear and Nari was released from the game, or maybe they would remain until Nari had grown of old age and passed naturally. She had almost started to consider the darker endings, before shaking her head and forcing herself to think of something else. 

"Right. This way." She took off down the tunnel, the darkness pressing in even as she lit a small crystal that allowed her to see better. The sound of Mio trotting along beside her was comforting, a reminder that she wasn't alone, even here.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The tunnels seemed to flow, never-ending, towards a singular point. A point which she knew she was heading directly towards, and yet somehow felt as if she were making no progress towards it at all. The tapping from Mio's footsteps seemed to echo nearly as loudly as Nari's own harsh footfalls, and she was reminded again how discomforting the area was for the both of them. Cooler than the surface, without question, and yet still overpoweringly warm considering the coverings the two of them wore. 

"Our next trip will be somewhere nicer. Cooler. I promise." Her voice was soft, and yet still seemed to carry on the walls of the tunnel around, echoing due to the emptiness that surrounded her. Even with Mio at her side, Nari couldn't help but notice that the area somehow felt more lonely than it should've. As if all life, aside from her own, had left the land. A chill ran down her spine at the thought, and she found herself turning her attention towards other thoughts and considerations, trying to think on anything but the dismal loneliness and quiet that seemed to be pressing in more now that she'd noticed it to begin with.

"Maybe we should pick up something different to eat on the way home? A nice little surprise for Onóra? What do you think, Mio?" She glanced down at her companion even as it gave a soft squeak of what Nari could only assume was agreement. She nodded in response, smiling slightly as the kitsune's step seemed to pick up ever so slightly. It was the small things, she reminded herself, that made such a difference in this world. The things that would otherwise be considered mundane, unnecessary, overbearing or unimportant. Those were what made it possible to carry on, to keep living without restriction, and to find a small amount of happiness in an otherwise depressing situation. "Alright, it's settled then. We'll clear this up, and then head off to find something worthy of a surprise."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The Iron Gates were similar to what had been described to Nari, and she found herself almost awed by them. Large, standing well above her height and towering immensely in the otherwise low sitting tunnel, they seemed to emanate a presence of imposing nature to everything around them, as if they not only stood above all things physically. At the fore of the gates, standing before any who would dare to attempt to pass through them, was a collection of heavily armoured individuals that were clearly designed to be the guards of the gate.  She'd come to a stop a distance from them, just far enough that she knew she wouldn't pull their attention just yet even if they had noticed her approach. 

"They certainly look dangerous. I doubt they'll let us pass without interference...what are you thinking, Mio? Direct approach?" The kitsune didn't look up at Nari, it's attention focused on the foremost guard, a soft bristling of it's neckline giving Nari the only answer she required. She had no doubt that the creature at her side knew what was coming, that there would be conflict before they passed back into peace, and it was preparing itself for the moment that it all unleashed. The moment when they would be thrust into the chaos of combat, and forced to fight for their continued survival. She couldn't stop the momentary wave of sadness that rolled over her at the realisation, and found herself quickly pushing it down and aside in order to keep it from distracting her. "Guess we're not going to try diplomacy then...alright, follow me."

The kitsune fell in beside her almost immediately as Nari began her approach. She couldn't help but marvel at the way the creature simply did, no questions, no concerns, as it followed her every move - more loyal than any pet she had ever owned or seen in her life. It was almost as saddening as the fact that they had been trapped her; the thing trapped in it's own way, incapable of leaving her side so long as it was still programmed to protect her. A vile life, if one stopped to consider it too long, and Nari found herself forcing the thoughts aside, into a place where she could decompress it later, when she wasn't focused on surviving what was to come.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Her approach went unnoticed, or ignored, for longer than Nari would've considered probable. She was only a few dozen steps away when the guard finally seemed to shift with life, stepping to the side slightly in order to be directly in front of her, before calling out his command. She could see the two others behind it shift slightly, as if waking from some deep sleep that had overcome them, letting them rest until such time as their need for liveliness arrived once more.

"Halt! You may not pass this area without permission, and you have not the permission required to enter!" Nari wondered if there was a specific way to obtain such permission, but tossed aside the idea even as she realised that blades had been unsheathed as the guard spoke, their armour creaking as they fell into a defensive stance. She had no doubt that this would end in conflict, no matter what she was to say here, and she decided that it wasn't worth speaking at all in this instance. 

She leapt forward suddenly, lashing out with her spear in an attempt to bypass the defences of the guard before they could truly settle into their protected stance. She doubted that it would be easy to overcome them once she had begun the dance of death in truth, knowing that even with her bulk speed and surprise were her best allies in the fight. She found herself surprised as the knightly figure seemed frozen in time, unmoving as she came closer and closer, her speartip passing by the shield with ease.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 88/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | -14 EN
Iron Knight | HP: 66/250 | DMG: 100 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 24 | Frostbite (40 DMG/2; -1 ACC) | Stunned

ID218875 | BD: 7+4=11 | <<Tech-A vs. Iron Knight>> | 9x16 = 144 damage | Frostbite (40 DMG/2; -1 ACC) | Stunned

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Even as her speartip touched flesh, Nari knew that her attack had been successful in it's moment of surprise. The guard reared back, pulling his shield in, in what could only be an attempt to block the close-ranged assault against his form. It was far too late, however, and Nari passed by and around even as the guard froze in place, the weapon pulled up to retaliate and the shield hovering before it, both effectively immobile so long as the stunned effect held place. There was a single tinge of pity in Nari's chest as she stepped back into the guard's range, lashing out with her spear and thrusting it into the crevice between shoulder plate and curaiss, feeling as it dug in and ended the guard's existence - if only for the moment.

"That was almost too easy..." She breathed the words, not as a disappointment towards the fight itself, but rather in surprise. She'd become used to difficult, dangerous fights that pushed her to her limits and forced her into corners - reliant upon others to provide her with the assistance she requried in order to not only survive, but thrive. She found herself questioning how this simple combative dance had been so quick, so easy. Her eyes shifted to the other two guards, finding that they had chosen to back off and step aside, allowing her unquestioning passage to the gate. 

Cautiously, expecting the pair to step forwards and engage her at any moment, Nari made her way towards the large entrance that would lead her towards what she hoped was the finality of this quest. She paused with her hand on the rough ironwork, glancing back once more to find the guards hadn't moved, as near to statues as when she had first spotted the pair. It only caused more discomfort in Nari's chest, a reminder that it was never this easy when it came to the challenges found within Aincrad. A sign that something was wrong, even if she couldn't see exactly what it was.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 79/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN | -13 EN
Iron Knight | HP: 0/250 | DMG: 100 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 24 | Frostbite (40 DMG/1; -1 ACC) | Delay [-1 ACC]

ID218876 | BD: 4+4=8 | <<Tech-B vs. Iron Knight>> | 9x16 = 144 damage | Frostbite (40 DMG/2; -1 ACC) | Delay [-1 ACC]

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The large gates gave way to a central chamber, and area that appeared somehow both impressive and massive, and yet less imposing than the gates themselves. Large columns lined the sides, piles of treasure and valuables lined between them in a strewd manner. Nari's eyes barely glanced over the areas, uninterested in the immaterial pieces that were of no consequence to her current goals. Her eyes shifted to the centre of the room, where the large throne sat, filled with an armoured figure that towered above the size of the knights that had stood outside, the greatsword in it's hands drawn and ready for the conflict that both parties knew was coming.

Nari shifted her spearhand, lifting the weapon in a soft salute before settling herself into her typical ready stance, levelling the spear towards the larger knight and preparing to stride forwards into the conflict. "Stay with me Mio, this is likely going to be a lot more difficult than the fight that had occurred outside. Whatever happens, don't get too far away."

She stepped forwards to a point where she saw the knight shift with reaction, calling out when it was clear that it had finally registered her arrival and was preparing itself to rise and engage. "It doesn't matter what you do here, I'll survive you, and all those who would look to bring us down. For all those who came before, and all those who come after."

It was no war cry, no scream or shout that left her as she closed with the knight, but rather a calmness of experience that had taught her to forgo such simiplicities - actions and shouts that were unnecessary in order to win the fight before her. She chose, instead, to close with the knight and let her words be spoken through her spear, lashing out with the tip even as the greatsword swung around in a sudden strike.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 81/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN | -2 EN
Iron Guardian | HP: 600/600 | DMG: 150 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 2

ID218877 | BD: 1+4=5 | <<Tech-A vs. Iron Guardian>> | Critical Miss [-2 EN] | MOB: 1 <Iron Guardian vs. Nari-Lanreth>> | Critical Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari's head pulled backwards as the greatsword came high and heavy towards her face, forcing her to bend in an awkward manner and allow the weapon to pass by without touching her. She could feel the air from the blade whisping past, causing a ruffling in her hair even as she ducked beneath it. Her own spear had dropped due to her movement, and as the two passed one another, Nari couldn't help but sigh a soft breath of relief. Neither had landed a strike, but neither had been injured - something that she could hold out comfort in knowing.

"Could be worse...at least I'm alive, and well." Even as she spoke aloud she had brought herself around to face the giant knight's form, readying for the assault she knew would be coming her way. She had no doubts that it would recover as quickly, if not more so, than she herself would. She side stepped the first assault, the blade brought down hard onto the floor, and allowed the giant knight time to release some of it's energy into a number of various, heavy forms that left dents in the nearby environment. Content, for the moment, to do nothing more than dance aside from the attempts to strike her down. She watched the knight's movement, looking for the opening she would need to drive her spear home, the small window that would give her a sudden advantage in this long, heavy fight.

She saw her opportunity arrive as the giant's movement's seemed to slow, the weapon taking longer to rise from the sudden downward strike that it had committed to mere moments before. Nari danced around the few more strikes, ensuring that she wasn't simply falling for a feint, before dashing forwards after the sword had fallen and striking out towards the centre of the guardian's form, feeling the impact as the spear found it's mark on the body of her opponent.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 71/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN | -14 EN
Iron Guardian | HP: 328/600 | DMG: 150 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 2 | Stunned

ID218878 | BD: 3+4=7 | <<Tech-A vs. Iron Guardian>> | Hit: (9+8)x16 = 272 damage | Stunned

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The spear's tip had barely pierced through the armour of the giant figure, but barely had been enough. The statue figure seemed to quiver on the air before Nari, and she quickly disengaged herself, backing up to give space and coming to the left side of the giant's form. Her eyes watched it warily, noting the signs of the stun effect wearing off on it's body as it slowly came back into motion. Almost all at once it leapt forwards, the initial movement of it's strike coming to fruitition as it completed a motion that had been halted halfway through it's momentum.

She was content to stand back, watching as the thing cut towards open air before spinning around to face her. She could see the angry eyes beneath the helm's covering, the way in which they seemed to bore towards her in an almost vengeful, demanding manner. She had no doubts that the giant knight would continue to slash barbarianlly at her form, hoping to overcome speed and defence with sheer brute force. She was also aware that such tactics could, with the right amount of force behind them and patience, be deadly no matter how fast and well-armoured she was. It was merely a matter of time before it got lucky and caught her on a tailswing.

"Let's not let it get to that, then. We need to end this, and quickly, Mio. Stay close." Her words were soft, meant only for herself and the kitsune. The giant seemed to ignore, or miss entirely, as Nari spoke. It launched itself forwards again and began hacking at the spots Nari had once stood as she danced away. She watched, waiting again for the opening she would need to bring this fight closer to a closure.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 73/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN | -2 EN
Iron Guardian | HP: 456/600 | DMG: 150 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 2 | Stun Immunity [1/3]

ID218899 | BD: 1+4=5 | <<Tech-B vs. Iron Guardian>> | Critical Miss! [-2 EN] | MOB: 2 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Even through it's anger and aggression, the giant knight seemed to realise that it was doing nothing more than tiring itself out, and Nari watched as it growled with rage at it's inability to catch her more nimble form. She was far from the faster, most mobile player that she had ever seen - her dance slower, less dexterious than that of NIGHT's, Jomei's, or any of the other lightly armoured and fleeting players' that she had come across in her time in Aincrad. It was, however, fast enough to stay beyond the reach of the greatsword that was slow, cumbersome and unwieldy even in the large knight's hands. A fact that Nari was using to her entire core at the moment, as she danced around and away from another wide slash that seemed to be thrown out in brutal execution.

The fight had already gone on longer than Nari would've liked, and while she wasn't tiring as quickly as she may have in her earlier days, she knew that she couldn't keep up this dance of avoidance forever. It's time to take a risk. She stepped in following the next swing, lashing out with her spear in the hopes of connecting with the larger combatant's form again. She forced the giant backwards, her strike missing it's mark but causing the giant to leap backwards and set itself off balance. Seeing the opening, Nari pushed her attack, rushing forwards and stabbing with the spear in a controlled manner, her form nearly perfect as she kept her shield before her and used her momentum as much as her own force to thrust with the weapon.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 900/900 | EN: 64/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN | -13 EN
Iron Guardian | HP: 16/600 | DMG: 150 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 2 | Stun Immunity [2/3] | Frostbite [40 DMG; -1 ACC; 1/2] | Delay [-1 ACC]

ID218901 | BD: 7+4=11 | <<Tech-B vs. Iron Guardian>> | Hit: (9+8)x16 = 272 damage | Frostbite [40 DMG; -1 ACC; 1/2] | MOB: 7-2=5 | Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The greatsword had slammed down beside her as Nari's strike slipped through the minimal cracks in the plate armour that her opponent wore. She could feel the air brush by as the blade had come downwards, wincing slightly as she expected the impact to tear into her - surprising her when it had in fact landed into the ground just to her right, barely a few centimetres from her arm. She'd been quick to disengage, moving backwards and settling into her defensive position before the sword could leave the ground once more, sidestepping even as the giant knight had begun to turn his sight to her again. She'd been lucky thus far into the fight, but she knew luck wouldn't last forever - she'd need to be careful, considerate, and only take those actions she knew to be worthwhile to her opponent's finality.

The health bar above it had dropped significantly, and Nari knew they were nearing the end of this small dance of combat and danger. She didn't let that thought drop her guard, however. She'd been all too familiar with how quickly an engagement could swing in the favour of her opponent - the way in which victory could seem close, only to be snatched away. Her focus drifted between her breathing, the giant's steps, and her own movement. She could almost feel the tension in her body releasing as she slowly dropped into the lull of battle once more, preparing her form to launch forwards and strike out, to take advantage of the pause that the giant had given her.

As if understanding her sudden shift, the giant knight stepped forward itself, swinging out with the greatsword and causing Nari to pull her lunge into a dive, rolling on her shoulder as she hit the ground. She could feel the pain, even knowing that there would be none from the software itself, as she impacted. Forcing herself to her feet, she could hear the sound of her opponent closing in behind her, close enough that she could feel the very air shift with their movement. "Shit..."

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 748/900 | EN: 66/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN | -2 EN
Iron Guardian | HP: 0/600 | DMG: 150 | THORNS 24 | BLEED 2 | Stun Immunity [3/3] | Frostbite [40 DMG; -1 ACC; 2/2]

ID218901 | BD: 7+4=11 | <<Tech-B vs. Iron Guardian>> | Critical Miss. | Frostbite [40 DMG]

Edited February 10 by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

No sooner had the giant's form begun to move towards Nari, than it simple shattered into the blue shards that signified it's demise. Confusion sweeping across her for a few seconds, Nari slowly realised that her own skills had brought about the demise of the giant knight. She shook her head, slowly letting her guard down once she was sure that it was gone. Her eyes peered around the hall, taking in the entire environment with a surprised feeling due to the ease with which she'd dealt the final blow to the guardian.

"That seemed far too easy..." She mused aloud even as she settled onto the steps leading up the throne that the guardian had sat in mere moments ago. Somehow, seating herself in it's chair felt wrong to her - and as much as she may have liked the comfort that it would've provided, as limited as that may have been, she couldn't shake the feeling that it would be wrong to do so. "At least we completed the quest quickly, hey Mio? That means we can get out of here faster, and back to somewhere more...bareable."

The kitsune seemed to give a squeak of agreement as it shifted in place, the nose of the small critter rising and testing the air. Nari's eyes shifted over the room once more, suddenly alert to the fact that something in the entire room felt wrong. She knew that Mio's nose for trouble was far beyond her own, and she'd come to trust the small fox-like creature whenever it seemed agitated or concerned with their surroundings. She couldn't quite see anything in the area, but her eyes noticed the crystal that had appeared where the guardian had once stood - it's solemn prize waiting for her to retrieve it.

"Well, you cleared that up much faster than I had expected. Thank you." The words came from her right side, and Nari found herself spinning even as she felt the impact of a blade in her side, driving into her form with far less force than the previous opponent's strikes would've caused, but still causing her health bar to dip.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 796/900 | EN: 68/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN +49 HP | -2 EN -1 HP
Mysterious Broker | HP: 450/450 | DMG: 150 | PARALYZE I

ID218962 | BD: 5 | <<Mysterious Broker vs. Nari-Lanreth>> | Auto hit: 150-179 = 1 damage
ID218963 | BD: 1+4=5 | <<Tech-A vs. Mysterious Broker>> | Critical Miss.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Her return strike had been wide, passing through open air even as the blade had been pulled backwards from her side. She'd hoped to at least catch the combatant with the shield as she swung around, but instead she'd found herself facing a familiar figure, now several steps away from her. Beneath the hood she could see the slightest edge of a smile, a playful expression that seemed to speak monuments towards what it would do to her given enough time. Nari couldn't help but snort in frustration, realising what she had walked into belatedly.

"You chose unwisely." Her words were simple, whispered, and she saw as the figure's head seemed to tilt slightly and the smirk slipped away. Perhaps it wasn't the response it was programmed for, or perhaps it was only just realising what it's programming had led it into - either way, Nari knew that it had come to fruitition just how dangerous of a situation it had placed itself into at that moment. She gave it no advantage, slipping forwards into her offensive stance and letting the spear jut out to push the figure backwards, forcing it towards a corner of the room.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 844/900 | EN: 58/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN +49 HP | -14 EN -1 HP
Mysterious Broker | HP: 178/450 | DMG: 150 | PARALYZE I | Stunned

ID218964 | BD: 6 | <<Mysterious Broker vs. Nari-Lanreth>> | Hit: 150-179 = 1 damage | BD: 4+4=8 | <<Tech-A vs. Mysterious Broker>> | (9+8)x16 = 272 damage | Stunned

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The blade in the broker's hand had found an opening in Nari's defences, causing it to drop slightly again before it began to recover. She'd taken advantage of the momentary closeness in order to drive the spear in towards the figure's form, slamming it as hard as she could in order to stun the man. She had no doubts that she'd torn through anything that could be considered armour on his form as the blade had penetrated and the wind was knocked from him.

Even as she had responded to the violence that the man had brought forth, Nari couldn't help but wonder why. Why would Cardinal force him to do something that could obviously never be fruitful? Was it meant to be something for lower level players? Was it meant to be...psychological? To break us more, as we were betrayed? What was the purpose of all of...this? She had no answers, no reasoning for what could possibly have turned the man against a player that it could clearly not defeat. She felt a minutiae of pity towards the figure before her even as she realised that she would have to destroy it. Even as she realised that it had brought upon itself the death it would encounter, time and time again. "Is there no escape...?"

There was no answer from the void, or the figure before her, and Nari found herself driving the spear downwards in frustration. She felt, as she always had since arriving in Aincrad, a sense of loss and anger at everything that was occurring. She felt the roar in her throat coming to life even as it escaped beyond her lips, a desire to do nothing more than end. To end this figure's life. To end this world, this game. To end everything.

---

Combat
Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 53 | HP: 893/900 | EN: 49/102 | ACC: 4 | DMG: 9 | MIT: 179 | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+49] | STEALTH: -5 |  FRSTBT: 40 [2 TRN; -1 ACC] | THORNS: 72 DMG | PARA: 8+ | HM: +4 B.DMG | +4 EN +49 HP | -13 EN
Mysterious Broker | HP: 1/450 | DMG: 150 | PARALYZE I | Delay (-1 ACC) | Frostbite (40 DMG; -1 ACC; 2/2)

ID218965| BD: 9+4=13 | <<Tech-B vs. Mysterious Broker>> | (9+1)x16 = 160 damage | Delay (-1 ACC) | Frostbite (40 DMG; -1 ACC)

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

As the blade pulled from the figure's torso - a shift of frost covering tip and wound - Nari heard the squeal of pain and regret that seemed to emanate from within the hood. A scowl crossed her face, and she raised her spear to deliver the final blow, frustration at the figure's desire to remain alive infuriating her more than it should've. She found the tip of the spear quivering just before her face, pulled back and ready to release - and yet she paused as hands appeared, open palmed and clearly requesting respite. The small sliver of voice followed, filled with pain and fear.

"Wait! Wait...please...please I made a mistake...Please, please don’t kill me! I only did it because I’m weak and needed the crystal to make some col! I wasn’t going to kill you really, just scare you a bit! My boss made me-" Nari stopped listening as the words fell into sobs, the voice breaking apart in clear distress. She felt furious, more so now than she had earlier, that Cardinal had created such an encounter. There was no joy to be found here, no gain, no thrill. Only horror and vile can be found in such an encounter. Only the worst of all situations...

She turned away from the man, choosing not to fall into the darkness that Cardinal so clearly wanted to bring upon her. She found herself waving a hand, listening half-heartedly as the man explained his situation. More importantly, Nari found herself not caring for his words. The dull echo of them lost in the plethora of thoughts that passed through her head. She shook them away, dismissing the man with a growl even as he tried to thank her, and eventually she found herself alone in the throne room.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She wasn't sure how long she'd remained within the throne room, staring at the throne and wondering at everything that had occurred. She'd let her mind run wild, thinking back to everything that had happened - both amazing and horrible - since she'd entered Aincrad, the world of Sword Art Online. She considered all the horrors she'd seen, the wondrous moments regardless of those horrors, and everything that had brought her to this very moment. She couldn't help but wonder if there was some purpose to all of this, some final moment that would reveal it had all been for something. She doubted there would be. She knew this was the work of one, mad individual, whose agenda and purpose would be secret until her dying day. There was no resolution for something such as this. There never was.

She was eventually snapped out of her thoughts as Mio came nipping at her feet, very likely demanding the promise of escape that she had provided earlier. She couldn't help but smile at the small kitsune, staring up at her with an expression that seemed void of concern, void of worry or fear. It was there simply to be by her side and help her through the difficult times, and Nari realised just how much she cared for the small creature considering where it originated from. Giving up on her thoughts, she turned away from the throne and left the room behind, vowing to find a way to become better - to overcome the darkness that had been slowly pressing in. She knew there was still hope, still something good in this world, and as she left behind the Room of Betrayal, she decided that she'd continue to fight for that small glimmer - no matter what it took.

---

Thread Summary

Word Count: 6,897
EXP: 7,201 [Total EXP] | 6,897 / 10 x 9 x 1 [Thread Progression] + 1,000 [Quest]
Col: 400 [Total Col]
Crystal of Support (Unique consumable, 3/3 charges): A mass healing crystal that heals the user and each party member for (50 * Target's Tier) HP. Requires a Post Action to use.