[PP - 08] Bark Side of the Moon <<Elvish Conflict>>

[Bliss 0]

Bliss had finally picked up her newly forged armor and weapon from the Blacksmith on Floor 22. She had almost asked Kiluia to come with her but decided against it. I can handle myself, though she wasn’t exactly confident. Sure, she could do some damage if it came to it, but not much. She had briefly considered posting a request for help on the Player Request Board, but the idea of attracting the wrong kind of attention made her uneasy. The last thing I need is to get stuck with some creep.

As she entered Ellesmera, the breathtaking elven city, she was instantly awestruck. It was like stepping into a scene from The Lord of the Rings, with its tall towering trees, elegant archways, and glowing structures that seemed to blend seamlessly with nature. The sight of it all was almost enough to distract her from her nerves. Almost.

Pulling out her wrench, she began twirling it between her fingers, a habit she had developed when she felt anxious. The rhythmic spinning helped calm her racing thoughts. In the distance, the waterfalls cascaded into the city’s river, the crashing water creating a soothing, steady hum. The peaceful sound helped, but it didn’t completely erase the loneliness she felt creeping in.

Some company wouldn’t be so bad right now, she admitted to herself, feeling the pang of solitude. She missed the quiet companionship Kil provided. He always seemed to know when to talk and when to just be there. Bliss sighed, brushing the thought away. Maybe I’ll run into someone. But she quickly scolded herself. No, don’t think like that. You don’t know who they are or what they could do to you. Trust wasn’t something she gave easily anymore, and the idea of letting someone else get close to her was terrifying.

Still, despite her internal warnings, she couldn’t help but feel a quiet hope in the back of her mind. Maybe this city holds more than just beautiful sights.

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Spoiler

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Spoiler

"Name: Bliss
True Tier: 1
Level: 1
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 20/20
EN: 20/20

Stats:
Damage: 3
Mitigation: 18
Accuracy: 1
REC: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Mechanic's Tool Set | T1 Perfect Thrown Weapon |  ACC I | DMG II
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Variable Half-Plate | T1 Perfect Light Armor | MIT II | REC I
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Light Armor R1

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:
"                                                                                                                            

Vanity tag: @Kiluia Seiko

Edited October 1 by Bliss

[Alkor 0]

Sunlight spilled out over the falls like gilded ink, slowly spreading to engulf the Elven city. Dawn and Dusk were spectacles unmatched in Ellesmera, designed by the great smiths and other artisans to truly capture the beauty of nature as it was, not as they might wish for it to be. The beauty of life existed in fleeting moments, never able to be captured but for the precious memories that remained in the thereafter. This was a truth the Elves had learned that many other races, other civilizations had not.

Mankind attempted its greatest works with the presumption that their greatest minds could create something more perfect than already existed. Ellesmera was a solemn testament to their failure to truly comprehend beauty. That was what drew Alkor back from time to time. His grandmother had spent her life in love with art. The hopes and aspirations of human ingenuity evolved from one generation to the next, but only in a virtual world- it seemed- had they ever managed to get it right.

At least, that was his humble opinion.

The Japanese were the closest that it came to perfection on Earth, seeking it in every breath. Every movement executed without waste, and every act full of meaning and merit. That was how his father raised him, and how the developers of Sword Art Online had intended for this place to be.

It also separated fantasy and reality. This place grounded Alkor, because though he could appreciate its beauty, he understood that it could not be replicated by human works. He came here when he needed humility, to be reminded that this world was not real; and to rekindle the flames of duty in his chest.

But time had not been kind to Alkor. The last time he came here, it was chasing a rumor. He had not yet found understanding, or made peace with himself. And perhaps that was still true, though he no longer felt the need to admonish himself with every waking breath.

The war inside Alkor was far from over, though the heat had waned and the embers now soldered. A cold war, then. Instead of throwing himself headlong into the danger as a blade, he had cast himself back into the forge, reworking that metal into a new shape. Armor, black as pitch, that seemed to swallow the same beautiful sunlight that he paused to admire. A body that stood firm, resolute, unflinching and unmoving.

He reclined with a leg sprawled out across the railing, the other hanging limp over the edge. His back pressed against one of the columns, allowing him to rest as he idly traced the hilt of his malefic blade. Though his purpose had changed, the intensity of his swordplay never did. He was unconsciously drawn to the destructive tool, just as it was bound to him.

One of the Elves bowed his head to Alkor as he passed by, murmuring a quiet yet respectful greeting. His gaze moved to the weapon, dimly aware of how out of place the Dark Knight seemed. From his appearance to the unnerving presence that he seemed to exude, Alkor knew it would not be long before he drew unwanted attention.

"Welcome, traveler. I see you are indulging in the fairness of our city. You have exquisite tastes, it would seem."

Polite though it was, Alkor did not need to break free his gaze to see the Elf appraising him. He let his gaze linger on the sunlight as the star rose just high enough that the water that had been dyed golden returned to an unextrodinary blue hue. He let out a sigh.

It's beautiful because it's fleeting, he reminded himself. He hated the irritation, the vexation that being disturbed brought him. It proved that he had an excruciatingly long journey ahead of him to conquer not only his inadequacies, but his anxiety as well.

With a long, cleansing breath, he regarded the Elven man.

"A simple man who enjoys simple things," Alkor assured him. "Well met," he said, extending a greeting of his own. "And I thank you for the warm reception."

Both of them remained wary of the other, despite appearances.

"Have you come seeking work?" the Elf asked.

"If there's work to be done," Alkor gave a sight shrug as he pivoted and stepped down from the rail. "I'm willing to get my hands dirty."

Spoiler

Alkor:

920 HP 136 EN
Base Damage: 9 Mit: 170 Acc: 4 Eva: 0 Blight: 32  Bleed: 48 Paralyze Battle Healing: 92
Total EXP:  272,145
Total SP: 205
Current Level: 33
Paragon Level: 50

Inventory

Equipped: 

Item Name: Witchfang
Item Tier: 4
Item Type: OHSS
Item Enhancements: CURSED / BLIGHT / BLEED / PARALYZE
Description: "Forged from the fang of a massive Black Dragon slain by a nameless hero in ancient times, it was given
as offering to placate a Sorcerer intent on bringing low the Kingdom. He struck a deal with the hero, in exchange for
a reprieve in his generation, the fang would return to haunt their world one day. Witchfang promises ruin to those who
are struck by it. The weapon's edge is fashioned of Obsidian and invested with myriad afflictions. 
One of Aincrad's Cursed Weapons, its very presence inspires fear and invokes the chill of darkness."

Item Name: Titan's Ward
Item Tier: 4
Item Type: Heavy Armor
Item Enhancements: Mitigation 2, Taunt
Description: very long 

Item Name: Eye of Osiris
Item Tier: Tierless
Item Type: Accessory
Item Enhancements: ACC III
Description: A pin fashioned in the style of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, depicting the eye of the god Osiris.

Consumables: 
Imugi's Inspiration | MASS HP RECOVERY [157448]
Fruit Infused Tea | HP Recovery III [158815] | [158819] | [158822]
Gold Star Stickers x1
Tier 1 Unique Consumable | Charges: 1/3 | Untradable. +1 DMG, +1 LD or +15MIT for one thread. Stacks on top of other food/alchemical consumable buffs, but does not stack with Scent of the Wild totems.
<<Lightning Rod>> Grants a weapon a one turn paralysis effect on a critical hit. Lasts for one thread. Takes a post action to apply.
Cerberus Soul: Adds 12 Burn damage for two turns to a weapon on a Natural BD roll of 8-10 for the duration of the thread. Does not stack with the Burn Enhancement.
Memory of Battle
Double the bonus from Scents of the Wild totems for one thread
[170465] Well done steak [Protein 2]
[164405] Lemon Berry Palmiers [+3 LD]
[167323] Liquor of Light [+3 DMG]
x3 Demonic Shard
x3 Gleaming Scale

Skills

R5 Heavy Armor
-[Mod] Impetus
-[Addon] Iron Skin
R5 Battle Healing
-[Mod] Emergency Recovery
R5 Straight Sword
-[Addon] Stamina
-[Addon] Precision
-[Addon] <<Straight Sword>> Focus
Combat Mastery: Mitigation 
Energist
Fighting Spirit
Howl
-[Addon] Focused Howl
TECH specialist
(Extra skill)Parry
- [Mod] Vengeful Riposte
(Extra skill) Survival

 

[Bliss 0]

As Bliss drifted off into her thoughts, she was abruptly pulled back to reality by a voice calling out to her. "You there, girl! Are you also seeking work?"

Her eyes snapped to the male elf speaking, narrowing instinctively as she glared at him, the sudden attention making her uneasy. She glanced around, then pointed at herself, tilting her head in confusion. "M-Me? Am I looking for work?" Her voice was shaky, unsure if he was really addressing her. As the elf continued speaking, Bliss’s anxiety began to build, her fingers twirling her wrench a little faster, a nervous habit she couldn’t quite shake. A cold shiver crawled up her spine.

"I-I guess?" she stammered, her mouth suddenly dry. "Is there work for someone who isn’t very… um… uh, experienced?" The words tumbled out awkwardly, her nerves getting the best of her. She hadn’t even noticed the second figure standing beside the elf until she glanced in their direction, startled. Realizing that continuing the conversation from a distance probably wasn’t the best idea, she took a deep breath and cautiously approached them.

"O-Oh, hi there," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she addressed the man standing next to the elf. "Are you also being recruited for work?"

She stole a quick look at him, trying not to be too obvious. His armor caught her attention immediately, completely black, sleek, and strikingly polished. That’s... pretty cool. I knew I wouldn't be the only one with completely black armor, but his looks really cool. It dawned on her that she hadn’t even thought to equip her own armor. Panicking a little, she swiped through her menu, hurriedly equipping her armor and underclothes. She managed to tie up her hair quickly, struggling to find the usual hair ties she left on her wrist. Fuck. Her armor, also black, was sleek and practical, hugging her figure in all the right places. It accentuated her curves and provided a noticeable lift to her chest due to it being mostly metal.

Gathering her courage, she extended her hand toward the blonde man, forcing herself to meet his eyes. "I-I’m Bliss," she said, exhaling hard as if trying to push the words out without stuttering. "Wha-what’s your name?" She could feel the nerves bubbling up again, but she did her best to hold steady, hoping he wouldn’t notice her nervousness.

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Bliss' Armor

Spoiler

 

Edited October 3 by Bliss