[ST-F06] When the Void Looks Back <<The Gemini>>

[Freyd 0]

Shimmering patterns of verdant greenery and light interplay with each other among the vast, dense foliage of floor six.  Like droplets of rain reflecting the skies from which they fall, each beam would flicker on the jungle floor, then be swallowed.  Whether by the canopy above or thick underbrush was a matter of perspective, as are so many other things in life.  This floor, in particular, accentuates that dichotomy, home to an infamous breed of mobs unlike any others.  No one can say what they look like, save everything and possibly nothing at all. They are hollow, yet deadly, like shadows cast by walking in that fleeting light where the movement of boughs in the wind cause piercing flashes of brilliance to bleed through from above. These mobs have no identity or truth other than those they borrow.  Or do they?  Few ever even ponder the possibility, let alone confront the enigma of a mirrored skin persona.  It's too terrifying, too traumatic, or just too damned hard.  Better to just stab it to death, before it does the same to you, right?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  These are the choices that define the players of Aincrad at they portal onto the rickety wooden platform cobbled together at the heart of Krycim village, surrounded by mist, and light, and shadows.

Bamboo structures line the square, crowding and arching above it as it competing to see who could get closest without setting foot on the plaza's sacred floor, or falling over into it.  One or two look too precarious for comfort, the long grasses of their thatch roof frayed by imbalance and stray gusting winds.  A dozen women of various shapes, sizes and ages wander about the place, set upon routine daily tasks, somehow undisturbed by the flashy appearance of new figures in the alien archway planted by the system in their midst.  Did they even realize how odd it looked, or had such notions been coded out of their programming by default?  Who knew? All seemed oblivious to it.

A particularly buxom looking woman, well over six feet in height, stood watch with spear and shield in hand and ever ready for trouble - the very picture of an amazon, brooking no trouble within bounds of her home.  Discerning brown eyes scanned new arrivals the instant they appeared, gauging something the system might ascribe to the colour of the crystal floating over a player's head.  Orange would get you killed, instantly.  Green got you an indiscriminate grunt.  She wasn't much of a conversationalist, it seemed, though few ever actually bothered to try.

***

@Wulfrin

Freyd | True Level 33 | True Paragon 133 | True Tier 17

Edited September 5 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

It had been some time since Wulfrin had visited Floor 6. Despite the less than welcoming demeanor of the residents, Wulfrin found a strange sense of comfort walking its various winding pathways. His last visit had brought him face to face with his very own doppelganger, an entity known only as The Gemini. Today he came chasing a lead. Something about a waterfall? His mind was drawing a blank, likely a result of all the work he had been putting in to prepare for the raid.

In these preparations, he had achieved quite the goal. He now found himself set as high as the game would allow his stats to climb for now, at least until the boss on Floor 28 was bested. With his options for numerical growth slowing down to a crawl, he had begun looking towards other forms of improvement. This included visiting various shops throughout the floors, paying old friends and mentors a visit, and acquiring new gear. Now more than ever Wulfrin was feeling like something was up with Freyd. He had noticed Freyd beginning to shed the evasive dps mantle he had been wearing for the longest time. Was it pressure from the lack of tanks? Maybe it was just a need to shift for a bit.

"Well Solaris," Wulfrin said to his phoenix familiar perched on his shoulder. "Shall we go looking for a place to train? Who knows maybe we'll run into an old enemy here."

Wulfrin pulled the cowl of his Fallen Angel Garb, one of his many gifts from Freyd, and began his leisurely walk through town, the slow rolling mist of Icingdeath drifting from his form, only adding to his shadowy presence.

* * *

Wulfrin | HP: 700/700 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3

Spoiler

Name: Wulfrin
True Tier: 4
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 700/700
EN: 104/104

Stats:
Damage: 23
Mitigation: 78
Accuracy: 5
Battle Healing: 15
Loot Die: 3
Stealth Rating: -2
AA REC: 8
FRB: 40 FRZ: 64
Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket:
- Icingdeath | T4 Demonic Straight Sword | Freeze 2 | Frostbite | AA
Armor/Trinket:
- Fallen Angel Garb | T4 Demonic LA | MIT 2 | REC 2
Shield/Armor/Trinket:
- Dioscuri | Perfect T1 Trinket | ACC 3

Combat Mastery:
- Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
- TECH Shift

Familiar Skill:
- Rending Familiar

Custom Skill:
-

Skills:
- Battle Healing R2
- Charge
- Energist
- Light Armor R5
- Searching R3
- Straight Sword R5

Extra Skills:
- Concentration
- Forgotten King's Authority
- Frozen Hide
- Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
- Ferocity
- Precision
- Resolve
- Stamina

Mods:
- Meticulous
- Night Vision

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
- Imugi's Inspiration | Mass Healing x5
- Popcorn | T4 Vitality 2 x5
- TP Crystals x5

Housing Buffs:
- Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
- Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
- Basic Workshop: +2 EXP per crafting attempt
- Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
- Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
- Dining Room: Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
- Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
- Attic (Storage): +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
- Fishing Pond: +2 Fishing EXP per fishing attempt
- Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
- Blacksmith[771exp] R7
Gathering Profession:
- Fishing[378exp] R4

 

[Freyd 0]

Several merchants called out to him offering various sundry wares, none of which he required, though the scents of local cuisine proved enticing.  For such a small village, they seemed to have well-developed arts in this regard, likely from whatever mistress ran the only true lodging house in Krycim proper.  With only a hundred or so residents, and little traffic in the ages since the front lines first swept through, there was little call for visitors.  Wulfrin's gaze strayed repeatedly to his periphery, wondering whether his own false self might pay him another visit, like it had promised.  He had certainly grown.  Had the mob done the same?  A few awkward male laughs rang out too loudly ahead, as a pair of players successfully piqued the guards' ire, no doubt having spouted some chauvenist comment that wouldn't fair well with this crowd.

Their commotion quickly garnered attention, elders and other residents gathering to bolster their sisters yet neglecting their other duties in the process.  Wulfrin spotted a pair of young girls, barely more than ten years old by the look of them, and still squarely in their youth.  The two of them giggled with mischievous conspiracy, sneaking out the main gate while everyone else was distracted.  Something else followed them, concealed by the dimming play of sunlight as clouds intervened overhead setting off an ominous rumble of thunder that bowed the treetops with a heavy gust of wind.  

The crowd dispersed from around the other players, with amazons running to and fro.  Jungle storms were swift and often as ferocious as the beasts that dwelled below the tree tops.  It took only moments for a panicked scream to shatter the bustling frenzy of activity; a mother noticing her children were nowhere to be found.

[Wulfrin 0]

"Shit," Wulfrin said as chaos began to erupt. "Solaris get me some eyes on those girls!"

The duo burst into action, Wulfrin in a dead sprint pushing past NPCs in a frantic rush to make up for lost ground. Solaris soared through the air, a neat little portable quest marker should he need one in a situation such as this. The two always traveled like this, it was second nature. Wulfrin only need to briefly look up to check his current course. Time was of the essence. Sure they were NPCs and would likely respawn if they were killed and whatever quest they were tied to would just reset for the next player, but Wulfrin wasn't about to just let people NPC or not die if he could prevent it.

Wulfrin pushed his way out the main gate and looked in every direction in an attempt to locate the two girls.

What I wouldn't give to have tracking right now. Wulfrin turned his attention to the sky to see if his familiar had managed to spot them. "Did you find them?" As if on cue Solaris entered a holding pattern, a common maneuver to signal a target has been found, usually a field boss or group of mobs. With haste, Wulfrin began making his way further from the gate. Hoping to find the missing children.

[Freyd 0]

Racing through the underbrush, Wulfrin found himself confronted by whipping branches and debris, branches snapping at him as the sky unleashed gust of unpredictable fury from various directions at once.  The last thing he expected was to see the same two girls he'd just chased after come running towards him, tears streaming down their panicked faces.  The older-looking of them seemed to cradle her partner, sheltering her with her arm as they darted past Wulfrin without the slightest regard and back towards Krycim village.

Thunder boomed overhead once more, causing the overhead boughs to creak in protest and alarm.  An ear-shattering crack akin to an exploding sword art, set off a few feet away, instantly bringing the man's blade to hand in expectation of attack.  A large branch crashed into the underbrush instead, fractured from its host by the burgeoning storm and sent hurtling to ground.  Wulfrin's heart had nearly burst from his chest, and still pounded in his ears at the possibility.  Something was still out there, marked by Solaris' station.  At least the girls were safe.

Grades sloped downward into ruts and gorges the further he strayed from the village, the floor's uneven terrain laid out to confound with blind turns and predatory crannies, each hosting their own respective angry critter.  Life teemed, here, like in any other jungle, albeit more evenly spaced out for aggro management purposes.  Rounding a massive tree trunk, as guided by his familiar, all Wulfrin found were the final disintegrating fractal shards of a recently slain mob fading slowly into oblivion as they touched the ground.  Something had just died here, but what, and by whose hand?

[Wulfrin 0]

Wulfrin slid down the grades attempting to make up for lost time. There was a fairly decent chance that whoever or whatever had tailed the girls was still out there, and they were out for blood. Pixels? What do you consider the blood of NPCs? Binary code maybe? Wulfrin shook his head clear, his ADHD was going to get him killed sidetracking him like that. Icingdeath in hand he leveled his blade at the area around him. The fractals of the fallen mob dissipating before his eyes.

"Whoever's out there!" He shouted over the booms of the brewing storm. "Make yourself known! It'll save me having to track you down!"

Wulfrin glanced up at the darkening sky above him. He would lose visibility soon and Solaris wouldn't be able to fly above the trees either. A shrill whistle echoed from Wulfrin's lips as Solaris retreated to his side. Wulfrin began pacing around the tree trunk. He was thankful that the coat over his armor was weatherproof. At least he was somewhat prepared.

What the hell is causing all this? He thought to himself as he began to press deeper into the jungle after no response to his challenge. I didn't exactly prep myself for a fight. If it is Gemini, then that might be in my favor. If not, then I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

[Freyd 0]

"You've returned," came the echo of his own voice from the lattice of shadows forming around him.  It felt all too reminiscent of a web, save this one fashion by the absence of light, or perhaps a net drawing tighter with every step.  The tinkling of fractal shards dripping from a blade like that same digital blood he'd just been wondering about.  So his gemini had slain another mob?  Not that it wasn't possible.  Several quests provided allies to players, as NPCs who were theoretically vulnerable to damage - at least some of them.  Had any of them ever actually died at the hands of other mobs?  Interesting question for another time.

"It's so very rare to have anyone come back to us for another encounter."  The thing sounded almost gleeful, not mocking, but actually excited by the prospect of a rematch against... itself?  Yeah.  That got weird fast.  

"Is the girls safe?  We don't seem the type to cut her down in cold blood while she's running back to her mom.  Moms?  Not quite sure how they make it work in Krycim, other than the fact that they occasionally hook up with their male counterparts from Senimoh every once in awhile.  That's always... messy."  There was a sound of steel against foliage, getting wiped clean?

"But, indulge me, if you will.  What did you hope to gain by facing me again?  Didn't you already get your reward?  Or, is this more of an ego thing, so you can prove it that cutiepie back home that you're a big, bad manly-man now?"  Hairs pricked on the back of Wulfrin's neck as the last of the light vanished with a thunderous overhead boom.  Calm.  Calm before the storm, like he was standing in the eye of a personal hurricane, ready and waiting for him in every direction.

"Tell us why, Wulfrin.  We're all so very curious to know."

Were there... more than one?

***

Darkness is in effect, negated by Wulfrin's Night Vision mod.

[Wulfrin 0]

"Well," Wulfrin smirked as he held his blade at the ready. "You were supposed to be a side project today. I've grown in combat capabilities significantly since we last crossed blades."

Standing in the darkness, Wulfrin was having to rely heavily on his Night Vision mod. His previous knowledge of how both The Gemini and Freyd manipulated the shadows, was not comforting in this moment. If he and the Gemini were to cross blades here, they would have the homefield advantage. Something was bugging Wulfrin though. When compared to his previous encounter, this Gemini seemed more bloodthirsty. Their previous encounter was largely constructive, Wulfrin even managed to pick up his Concentration skill. Thinking back though, he hadn't used the skill in a while. There wasn't a need to. His blade and other equipment handled the job just fine.

"I was hoping to maybe have another friendly match," Wulfrin continued. His eyes darting every direction anticipating an attack from any angle. "You however, have proven a friendly fight might not be entirely in the cards. Also what happed to that nice lake we fought at before? This place is a bit drab don't you think."

[Freyd 0]

"Boastful," it replied as he asserted his growing strength.  The mob seemed neither frightened, nor impressed, yet was not taunting him either.  It knew his capabilities as well as he did - one of the few creatures in Aincrad to fully appreciated the scale of its enemies' strength. 

"You speak of the girls?  Ah.  Then our motives have been misunderstood.  How typical."  False Wulfrin stepped out from behind the trees, its hands out in the open, left index finger extended and pointing at the ground.  Seeing that it wielded no weapon. A sword still safely stowed in its scabbard, he allowed himself a momentary glance.  Paws, large and menacingly clawed, perhaps belonging to some predatory jungle cat, had left prints fresh and deep in the jungle's loamy, fertile soil.  So, that was what had actually threatened the girls.  And the gemini had saved them?  An unexpected twist from a creature bearing such maligned reputation.

Its features had changed too, since their last meeting, clothing resembling his own newer garb, yet considerably more frayed along the edges.  Other figures stepped out, standing back as if to bear witness.  The gemini worked alone.  How, and why, were so many gathered here?  He counted dozens hovering at his periphery.  Only the one had stepped forward.

"If a friendly match is all you seek, then you shall have it.  But, we both know you are here to change your previous fortunes.  That makes you my would-be assassin, by definition.  Would you accept a hand offered to you in friendly competition, knowing that it intends to kill?  We are gemini, Wulfrin.  Few know deceit better than we."  It was a statement of fact, bearing layered connotations half of which he was sure he did not understand, but also felt like sincere warning.  His cowled self was offering him a choice: to learn the answer by paying an unknown price for a path few players chose.  Only one had, to his knowledge.  Most spared themselves the trauma of killing their own reflections and walked away with an easy boon.  No wonder this scene seemed so much darker.  Thunder crashed again, a heavy downpour stifled by the tree tops, leading heavy rivulets to pour down around them like dozens of small waterfalls - ominous and beautiful at the same time.

"It takes an absolute, either resolve or despair, to drive a blade into your own heart," replied his voice from beneath its cowl, as if reading his thoughts, remaining calm and serene throughout their conversation - strangely considerate, even.  "Are you prepared for that, Wulfrin?  And all your lies that will have to follow?  Can you face yourself in the mirror, after this, knowing that you have killed a part of yourself?  If not, you should turn back.  Few seek what follows by choice."

Edited September 8 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

"I've grown in more than just skill since leaving the Town of Beginnings not to terribly long ago," Wulfrin sighed. He gave a subtle nod to Solaris, who began to circle the arena from above. "I've learned to wield my blade with conviction and resolve. I do not falter, even when faced with certain death. I've found allies to rely on and found a confidence I never would have gained without having come to this world."

The air around Wulfrin began to crystalize, Icingdeath seeming to react to the murderous intent beginning to permeate the air. He had become well seasoned in SAO. He had faced countless enemies that most would run from in fear. Truth be told he would have too. This wasn't a game. It was life and death. And yet here he stood, rain soaking the ground, thunder clapping overhead. Aincrad had taken two ideals, his video game persona, a stoic warrior with an unbending resolve, and his real life self, a man almost entirely content to never step out of his comfort zone.

"If driving a blade through my own heart is the cost," Wulfrin glared down his opponent. "Then that is the price I pay. I dance with death on the daily at this point, and each day I look it dead in the face and say not today. If the intent is to kill. Then you better believe I'm not going down without a fight."

Wulfrin's stance shifted, eyes tracking every shadow at the edge of the makeshift arena. He knew the Gemini's tricks. It was unlikely that the figure he was talking to was the real one, though the possibility lingered in his head. The fight ahead of him was as much a training exercise as it was to prove a point. His fight with Uso-Tsuki had put that much into perspective. If he was going to ask Freyd to pass on his mantle, Wulfrin had to prove he had what it takes. He stood blade ready for an attack, even knowing that there was no way to track where The Gemini would strike from.

"I'm ready." He locked eyes with his Gemini. "How bout you?"

[Freyd 0]

"Hrmmm. I see." 

The shadowed figure seemed pensive, almost regretful as the player declared his intent.  Lightning crackled in the air, blinding in its contrast to the stifling oppression of the jungle floor.  An echo in the flash screamed of danger, but too late.  A slick slither of shattered fractals tinkled down the front of his armor, spilling like pixelated blood from a fresh slice cut clean and deep across his throat.  He hadn't even seen his other self move, yet there it stood bearing a sword mirroring Icingdeath's shape without bearing any of its substance.  It was pure shadow, like a hole in the fabric of the universe - absent in all dimension and anathema to laws governing existence itself.

Despite the paradox of its existence, the blade trailed the same bits of throat that it had torn from Wulfrin's avatar, splattering them against nearby undergrowth as the gemini's declaration of war.  Shades on the outskirts of the clearing shifted, maybe forced into motion by the power of lightning's illumination, then returned to their original places.  They would observe, but not partake, each glaring at the duelists from the darkness beneath their collective cowls.  They were a gathering of the faceless, waiting to see which version would glean victory and whether they would accept them as one of their own.

"I pray you find what you seek, warrior," False Wulfrin spoke, still stoically calm, yet committed to the inevitable conclusion of intractable resolve.  "But, understand in advance that neither of our deaths will bring the satisfaction you assume to be true.  Down that road, you will find only sadness and lose yourself.  Remember my words, Wulfrin, if you survive.  Remember them each time you look into Ciela's face, and realize that your own is little more than a lie."

***

Vanity Tag: @KnightessCiela

ID 230948 | BD: 10 (Crit +2) | DMG: (266-78=188) vs Wulfrin.

Wulfrin | HP: 512/700 (700-188) | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3

Gemini [Fake Wulfrin] | HP: 990/990 | DMG: 264 | MIT: 66 | ACC 5 | EVA 0

• Concentration | This boss gains +1 ACC for its first attack.
• Disguise | This boss will adopt the appearance of the player through the entire fight, mocking their appearance.
• Surprise Attack! | No matter what, this boss will attack first, before the player. The player may not act on the first turn. As this ruins any chance to put space between the player and the boss throughout the remainder of the fight.  The <<Charge>> skill cannot be used against <<The Gemini>>
• Defy Death | During this fight, death can be avoided. Any attack that would leave either the player or the boss at zero will result in leaving either entity with 1 health point left. <<The Gemini>> will refuse to execute the player if they win, though the player may be much less merciful.
• Fairness Check | For each consumable/temporary buff the player has when facing <<The Gemini>>, it will gain additional effects in accordance with the bullets listed below. For example, if the player has 3 buffs active, <<The Gemini>> will have Paralyze, Bleed, and bonus DMG. This ability will adjust mid-battle in the event that the player consumes buffs in the midst of combat.
  • 1) Gain Paralyze: Removes player action for one turn on natural MD rolls of 9-10.
  • 2) Gain Bleed: Deals (12 * Player's Tier) unmitigated damage every turn for two rounds on natural MD rolls of 9-10.
  • 3) Gain Damage: Increases DMG by (Player's Level).
  • 4) Gain Mitigation: Increases MIT by (Player's Level x 2).
  • 5) Gain Health: Increases HP by (Player's Level x 5).

Edited September 9 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

"Lies are nothing new to me," Wulfrin said with a solemn voice as he wiped away the fractals like blood. "I've spent most of my life chasing lies only to feel like I was making a difference in my life."

Wulfrin retaliated with a sword art, the crimson red light arcing behind his blade as it cut through the air. The blow caused the Gemini to stagger backward a bit, their would much deeper than Wulfrin's. There was a distinctly different intent behind this strike. There was no play or enjoyment, there was only a look of sorrow as old memories began to surface, memories not thought of for two years. Wulfrin always put up a façade for others, hell he'd been putting on a façade for most of his time in Aincrad. In the beginning he was the same old Lance Perkins that was just looking for an escape and found it in the virtual world. Then the worlds clashed and he found his escape to be just another prison. Now here he was standing on the very edge of fighting on the frontlines in a proper way. He had found a way to make the most of his current predicament. This conflict would be no different.

"When I look into her eyes," Wulfrin said with a venom in his voice, the continued mention of his love as a form of taunting clearly not being taken well. "I see the life I can live. The life I choose to live. My face here may be a lie. Hell this whole world is one big lie. But right now it's the truth I have to live with."

With a short, shrill whistle, a streak of fire came from above. Solaris in response to his master's call began to assail the imposter's face. The two moved in perfect unison, like a well practiced team. "My truth is what I want it to be."

* * *

Recovery?: Not Needed
Wulfrin regains 15 HP.
Cooldowns: Rending Familiar (1/5) Charge (1/3)

Post Action | Charge: [x16] Tech-A vs Gemini (16 + 8 En) = 24 EN -2 Stamina -1 Rested (2/2) = 21 EN
Free Action | Rending Familiar -> Gemini

ID 230949 | BD 4+5=9 Hit | CD 7 | (23+3) =26*16=416-66= 350 DMG to Gemini. Target is stunned. Rend applied to target.

Wulfrin | HP: 527/700 (512+15) | EN: 81/104 (104-23) | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3

Gemini [Fake Wulfrin] | HP: 640/990 (990-350) | DMG: 264 | MIT: 66 | ACC 5 | EVA 0 | Rend 28 (0/2) | Stunned

• Concentration | This boss gains +1 ACC for its first attack.
• Disguise | This boss will adopt the appearance of the player through the entire fight, mocking their appearance.
• Surprise Attack! | No matter what, this boss will attack first, before the player. The player may not act on the first turn. As this ruins any chance to put space between the player and the boss throughout the remainder of the fight.  The <<Charge>> skill cannot be used against <<The Gemini>>
• Defy Death | During this fight, death can be avoided. Any attack that would leave either the player or the boss at zero will result in leaving either entity with 1 health point left. <<The Gemini>> will refuse to execute the player if they win, though the player may be much less merciful.
• Fairness Check | For each consumable/temporary buff the player has when facing <<The Gemini>>, it will gain additional effects in accordance with the bullets listed below. For example, if the player has 3 buffs active, <<The Gemini>> will have Paralyze, Bleed, and bonus DMG. This ability will adjust mid-battle in the event that the player consumes buffs in the midst of combat.
  • 1) Gain Paralyze: Removes player action for one turn on natural MD rolls of 9-10.
  • 2) Gain Bleed: Deals (12 * Player's Tier) unmitigated damage every turn for two rounds on natural MD rolls of 9-10.
  • 3) Gain Damage: Increases DMG by (Player's Level).
  • 4) Gain Mitigation: Increases MIT by (Player's Level x 2).
  • 5) Gain Health: Increases HP by (Player's Level x 5).

Edited September 11 by Wulfrin

[Freyd 0]

A high pitch shriek tugged viciously at his heartstrings, its tone and timbre all too familiar, yet never heard quite so disturbingly clad with despair.

"HOW COULD YOU!?" 

Ciela cried out from the sidelines, her figure wreathed in shadow.  Stepping a foot into the clearing, some invisible tentacles of force forbade her from interfering - perhaps the system itself?  Certain that it was just another gemini's trick, Wulfrin might have disregarded the forbidden mob, save for the image he saw through the limned frame of her figure.  There, his love, curled over a fallen figure - himself - his own shards fragmenting with only regret and longing left in his eyes as they faded into dull, lifeless specks of digital dust.  A premonition?  The honest sensations of one gemini felt for the loss of another?  Or maybe no more than just another lie.  These creatures were too complex, their motives too convoluted and evolved to be perfectly sure.

"Will you take my life, next?  Or hers?  Can you even be sure that she's any different from the rest of us?  You said it yourself.  This place is a lie!  Everything you believe about it could also be a lie.  Other players?  What's if they're no more than mobs?  What if the mobs you slay are actually players?!  How can you be certain of anything... murderer!"

***

Spoiler

Gemini suffers 28 damage from Rend.

Gemini is stunned.  Stun fades.

Wulfrin | HP: 527/700 | EN: 81/104 | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3

Gemini [Fake Wulfrin] | HP: 612/990 (640-28) | DMG: 264 | MIT: 66 | ACC 5 | EVA 0 | Rend 28 (1/2) | Stun-Imm (1/3)

• Disguise | This boss will adopt the appearance of the player through the entire fight, mocking their appearance.
• Surprise Attack! | No matter what, this boss will attack first, before the player. The player may not act on the first turn. As this ruins any chance to put space between the player and the boss throughout the remainder of the fight.  The <<Charge>> skill cannot be used against <<The Gemini>>
• Defy Death | During this fight, death can be avoided. Any attack that would leave either the player or the boss at zero will result in leaving either entity with 1 health point left. <<The Gemini>> will refuse to execute the player if they win, though the player may be much less merciful.

 

[Wulfrin 0]

"You..." Wulfrin said, the beginnings of virtual tears starting to streak down his face. "You're trying to throw me off my game. Trying to bait me into losing here."

Wulfrin's grip tightened around Icingdeath. His emotions becoming unable to be controlled thanks to the Nerve-Gear having a direct line to his brain. The icy mist pouring from Icingdeath suddenly stopped, solidifying onto his frame like a second set of armor. With <<Frozen Hide>> active, Wulfrin turned his blade once more on his imposter, his swing trailed by the emerald light of a sword art, a trick he learned when facing The Monkey King. The blade made contact with his imposter's form, a spiderweb of cracks beginning to form on their armor.

"You keep her visage of your sorry form," Wulfrin demanded as he pulled his blade back. "You boast about lies and deceit. You have no integrity, no honor. Do you fell pain? Do you feel emotions at all? If you do, do... you... feel... fear."

Focus back Wulfrin. You're letting him get exactly what he wants. You to lose your cool.

Wulfrin took a deep breath and recentered himself. He wasn't going to let this thing beat him. At one point there was a time he admired the Gemini. His movements and efficiency in combat had helped Wulfrin get to the point he was at now. What made the mob change? Were they always like this? Questions were beginning to cloud Wulfrin's head to the point he had to shake them off.

* * *

Spoiler

Recovery?: ID: 231372 | CD: 10
Wulfrin regains 12 EN and 15 HP.
Cooldowns: Rending Familiar (2/5) Charge (2/3)

Post Action | [x16] Tech-D vs Gemini (16 EN) -2 Stamina -1 Rested (1/2) = 13 EN
Free Action | Frozen Hide -> FR.AURA 8 and FR. THORNS 8/16 applied to Wulfrin

ID 231371 | BD 3+5=8 Hit | CD 12 | 23*16=368-46= 322 DMG to Gemini. Target Gains Shatter 1. ST-B Unlocked

Wulfrin | HP: 542/700 (527+15) | EN: 80/104 (81+12-13) | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3 | FR. AURA 8 (0/1) | FR. THRNS 8/16 (0/1)

Gemini [Fake Wulfrin] | HP: 290/990 (612-322) | DMG: 264 | MIT: 66 46 | ACC 5 | EVA 0 | Rend 28 (1/2) | Stun-Imm (1/3) | SHATTER 1 (0/3)

• Disguise | This boss will adopt the appearance of the player through the entire fight, mocking their appearance.
• Surprise Attack! | No matter what, this boss will attack first, before the player. The player may not act on the first turn. As this ruins any chance to put space between the player and the boss throughout the remainder of the fight.  The <<Charge>> skill cannot be used against <<The Gemini>>
• Defy Death | During this fight, death can be avoided. Any attack that would leave either the player or the boss at zero will result in leaving either entity with 1 health point left. <<The Gemini>> will refuse to execute the player if they win, though the player may be much less merciful.

 

Edited September 14 by Wulfrin

[Freyd 0]

"You seem uncertain, Wulfrin.  As you should be."  It was his own doppel who spoke once more, having recovered from his staggering blow, yet slow to rise.  "You're doing everything to sound confident, but what grounds that faith?  What you've been told?  By whom?  What wise, insightful sage granted you the wisdom of unassailable truth?  My progenitor?"  Its cackling laugh chilled even Icingdeath to its core.  The honest truth was that everything the players of Aincrad believed was either told to them by Kayaba or assumed based on evidence so perforated it could challenge Swiss cheese.

"No honour?!  After I saved the children you put in danger from that panther?"  The mob lunged forward with surprising speed and agility, fury matching his own resolve as it slashed madly against its defenses. Its blade pierced Wulfrin's flank, slipping under his defenses.  The thing was literally, deliberately getting under his skin.

"I AM YOU!"  It roared, sparing only a glance to watch the pleading shadow of Ciela still drowning in tears at their side.  In that instant, Wulfrin saw his face solidify beneath the thing's cowl, grief etched upon his face at the sight of his beloved - their beloved.  This gemini knew it was about to die, and cared most about the impact that would have upon its peers.  Were these the actions of mere mobs?

"You vainglorious players are all the same," it sneered, accusing him with surprising self-awareness, mirroring his own growing anger.  Gone was the calm and wise serenity of its earlier self, but had his own anger infected it with the same?  Tears pooled at the edges of its eyes, fueled by rage and terror alike, and yet it faced those fears and its executioner.  It faced him.

"Remember this moment, Wulfrin," it spat through gritted teeth, trying to bite back the hatred fed by its own innate mimicry.  "Remember me every time you stare in the mirror or your lover's eyes.  I'll be watching you from the other side.  You have no idea the door you're about to break open.  It can never, ever be closed."

***

Spoiler

Gemini suffers 28 damage from Rend.  Rend fades.

ID 231384 | BD: 4+5=9 (hit) | DMG: (264-78=186) vs Wulfrin.

Wulfrin | HP: 354/700 (542-186) | EN: 80/104 | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3 | FR. AURA 8 (0/1) | FR. THRNS 8/16 (0/1)

Gemini [Fake Wulfrin] | HP: 262/990 (290-28) | DMG: 264 | MIT: 66 46 | ACC 5 | EVA 0 | Rend 28 (2/2) | Stun-Imm (2/3) | SHATTER 1 (1/3)

• Disguise | This boss will adopt the appearance of the player through the entire fight, mocking their appearance.
• Surprise Attack! | No matter what, this boss will attack first, before the player. The player may not act on the first turn. As this ruins any chance to put space between the player and the boss throughout the remainder of the fight.  The <<Charge>> skill cannot be used against <<The Gemini>>
• Defy Death | During this fight, death can be avoided. Any attack that would leave either the player or the boss at zero will result in leaving either entity with 1 health point left. <<The Gemini>> will refuse to execute the player if they win, though the player may be much less merciful.

 

Edited September 14 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

The Gemini's words stun more and more each time. Wulfrin could feel every strike form both blades as if the two were linked. His HP gauge only dropped when actually struck by the Gemini, but every strike from either blade. Wulfrin stared into the eyes of his Gemini. His own mortality finally coming into perspective.

"I've been told enough," Wulfrin said in a solemn tone. "My faith is grounded by those I trust with my life. Most notably Freyd, the one who showed me how to get started in this world, Morningstar, a close friend and mentor who taught me to slow down and make the most of my situation, and Ciela, the one who gives me a reason to pick up the sword every day."

Wulfrin brought his blade to bear on his dopple's form for the last time. The emerald light emanating from Wulfrin's blade flashed on contact. Wulfrin had left a sizeable gash in his Gemini's form, though his blade stopped short of finishing the job. He could see the grief in his own eyes that stared back from beneath the cowl. Rain continued to buffet them as the two stood still, Wulfrin's blade inches from his Gemini's heart. He glanced at the Ciela Gemini illusion, his tears mixing with the rain that fell around them.

"All the proof I need that my life is in true danger here," Wulfrin sighed turning his attention back to his Gemini. "The monument of life lists the names of every player who lost their lives in this virtual prison. If the danger wasn't true, we'd have been rescued by now. Two years we've lived here. Two years our families in the real world have waited for us to come back. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get back to them and free everyone else from our shared shackles. Even if that means opening Pandora's Box."

* * *

Spoiler

Recovery?: ID: 231425 | CD: 8
Wulfrin regains 12 EN and 15 HP.
Cooldowns: Rending Familiar (3/5) Charge (3/3) Frozen Hide (2/4)

Post Action | [x16] Tech-D vs Gemini (16 EN) -2 Stamina = 14 EN
Free Action | 

ID 231426 | BD 5+5=10 Hit | CD 8 | 23*16=368-26= 342 DMG to Gemini. Target Gains Shatter 2. Gemini drops to 1 HP per quest parameters.

Wulfrin | HP: 354/700 (354+15) | EN: 78/104 (80+12-14) | DMG: 23 | MIT:78 | ACC:5 | AA | BH:15 | REC: 8 | FRB: 40 | FRZ: 64 | LD:3

Gemini [Fake Wulfrin] | HP: 1/990 (262-342) | DMG: 264 | MIT: 66 26 | ACC 5 | EVA 0 | Stun-Imm (2/3) | SHATTER 2 (1/3)

• Disguise | This boss will adopt the appearance of the player through the entire fight, mocking their appearance.
• Surprise Attack! | No matter what, this boss will attack first, before the player. The player may not act on the first turn. As this ruins any chance to put space between the player and the boss throughout the remainder of the fight.  The <<Charge>> skill cannot be used against <<The Gemini>>
• Defy Death | During this fight, death can be avoided. Any attack that would leave either the player or the boss at zero will result in leaving either entity with 1 health point left. <<The Gemini>> will refuse to execute the player if they win, though the player may be much less merciful.

 

Edited September 14 by Wulfrin

[Freyd 0]

The gathered gemini stood still and silent, watching their brother suffer the ignominy of defeat, crumpling to his knees with a large chunk of his avatar skin ruptured.  Cubic globs of pixelated orange core material bled through, trailing like droplets down on the ground, where they vanished on contact.

"Hnng..."  One hand reached for the ground to steady itself, its sword fallen unattended too far out of reach in the opposite direction. 

"I yield!"  Wincing at the words more than the injury, Wulfrin could feel his own wounded pride in the thing's eyes, berating itself for having failed in its very purpose for existence.  Or had it?

"Make your choice, champion. But we both know you didn't return here to claim a prize already taken."  Steeling itself for the imminent blow, Wulfrin might have struggled in the same way, should their places be reversed. 

"Just, remember this, if you would ever question the honour of my people again."  The gemini lifted Wulfrin's eyes to look into themselves. 

"No gemini has ever slain a player.  The very monument you mention does not bear our name upon its surface. Not. Even. Once. If you do this, you cannot pretend it is an act of necessity or vengeance.  This is not retribution, but murder, pure and simple. The gemini do not - cannot - kill.  So, I ask you Wulfrin: where will justice be found for those of us felled by player blades?  And what becomes of your soul if you can slay an innocent?"

Bowing its head, anyone would be forced to concede the creature's point and admire its human quality.  Few faced their end with more dignity, including most of Aincrad's lost players.

Edited September 14 by Freyd

[Wulfrin 0]

"You are wrong about one thing," Wulfrin sighed with remorse. "You do have names on that monument. You said it yourself. You are me. Having seen how you carry yourself, I can confidently say there is likely one of you for every player in Aincrad. Each of you a part of a dyad so unbreakable it transcends the very code that makes up your being. Know this my friend. I do not take your life today with joy. I take it knowing full well the weight that will be put on my shoulders. I take your life so I may help others in the future. Allow me one last vow to you. Our name shall not appear on that monument."

Despite the grief ridden face of his Gemini, Wulfrin plunged the blade into the heart of his twin. The mob bursting into fractal motes of light that scattered into the air. Wulfrin fell to his knees, sinking a bit into the muddy field. He began to wail in sadness. Rain pounded against his back as he began to beat himself up internally. Murderer! How could you! Heartless! His rollercoaster of emotions coming to head as his blade gently rolling with frozen mists at his side. Internally he knew, the Gemini was nothing more than just a quest mob, destined to be killed or spared. Mobs respawned, that was what separated them from players, but for some reason this felt different. Wulfrin glanced above his head to the cursor that hovered above him. It remained green, at least for now that was a sign that nothing wrong was truly done.

"I will honor your name Gemini." Wulfrin spoke to the ether, as he started to recenter himself. "I will remember you until my last breath. How could I forget? I see you face any time I look in a mirror." 

* * *

Wulfrin slays The Gemini

Edited September 14 by Wulfrin

[Freyd 0]

The other nearest gemini, her shape solidifying into that of KnightessCiela wailed in anguish as Icingdeath took her partner away. Two other shadowy silhouettes gathered around her, the tips of her fingers clawing against some sort of invisible field that prevented her from reaching either Wulfrin.  The one on his knees glanced at her lovingly before collapsing into a pile of fine crystalline dust that was instantly swept up in a gust of wind.  Ciela's wails were drowned out by another round of booming thunder, drawing eyes upward as if the sky might choose to fall.  And then, nothing.

Looking back down and around himself, Wulfrin found the scene empty.   The jungle once again silent and still.  The storm too, was instantly gone.  No signs of battle remained and all observers had vanished.  Yet, why did his hands feel wet?  Looking down, he found both palms soaked and dripping with blood that seeped endlessly from his skin without any sign of injury.  The ground grew red all around him until he was forced to close his eyes for fear he was actually going mad.  

When they reopened, the blood was gone, a system prompt confirming completion of the quest.  But at what cost?

[Wulfrin 0]

Everything was over as fast as it had started. Wulfrin pulled himself to his feet, doing his best to shake off the trauma he'd just endured. The quest panel still hovered in his view, another badge reminding him of what he had done. He put his blade back into its scabbard. It felt heavy and seemed to be lacking it's frosty mist. Wiping away the last of his tears and sorrow, Wulfrin pulled the cowl up over his head and began his solemn walk back to the teleport gate. Solaris must have sensed its master's feelings as he perched on Wulfrin's shoulder as opposed to his usual plan of flying around him.

"It's time we head back," Wulfrin said as they stepped onto the teleport pad. "I don't really feel like looking for the waterfall. Perhaps another time though. Need to let this one stew a bit."

In a wave of colors the duo warped back to their home town of Coral. Wulfrin walked solemnly home. He bid Ciela a good night and fell face first into his pillow, where he had a very poor nights sleep, filled with nightmares of having to relive the event of killing himself over and over and over again.

* * *

Thread Closing

Freyd Recieves

[Word Count: 5850/10 = 585] * [True Tier: 17] * [Group Factor: 0.7] = 6962 EXP
1,044 Col [P.Reward]

Wulfrin Recieves

[Word Count: 5850/10 = 585] * [True Tier: 4] * [Group Factor: 0.7] = 1638 EXP
400 Col [1 Page]

<<Concentration>> swapped to  <<Disguise>>

Edited September 14 by Wulfrin