[PP-F4] The Wilting Tree (Oikawa)

[Rusty 0]

Coldness. It was the only thing on Rusty's mind as he trenched through the snow during one of its infamous blizzards. The ice had numbed his fingers and his vision was foggy. Nothing that had happened so far in this death trap compared to this. It was this frigid wind and subzero rain drops that pelted him again and again. In a way, it reflected himself. He was cold on the inside and cold on the outside. Maybe he was so to learn a lesson if he survived or just maybe changed his ways. Of course, that couldn't be it. He was just unlucky. As always. It didn't matter.

 

A thought came across his mind. He was stuck in the icy storm and had no way out. He was probably alone, for miles and miles. He could die here and nobody would know any difference. Sure, his guild would see him gone on the list, but he barely even talked to them. He only even joined in the first place because he knew how MMOs work, it wasn't possible for him to solo this game until the end. They probably won't even notice, the game didn't have the courtesy to notify players of their friends or guildmates' death. All that happened was people simply weren't there anymore. Rusty rubbed his eyes, the storm was growing more intense, seemingly with every step.

 

He started to worry. He didn't want to die this way. He was regretting his life, all his mistakes and his intense dislike of interacting with others. This was true loneliness. Most people who are introverted say they could still live a regular life even if they were the last people on Earth. Nobody thought about the feeling of having nobody there, nobody to talk to, nor to love, not even just to look at. It was nothing your entire life, and it would never change. Rusty's ankles almost buckled at this thought. The storm was now lashing him, and he couldn't see anything that was more than two feet in front of him. He began to tire, so he decided to let his mind rest. It was ok. Nothing was bad about dying, it was a natural process. It would probably feel nice. For some reason the snow stopped. No, that wasn't true. There was still snow behind him. Rusty couldn't understand until he looked up. He had entered a cove. It was small enough to fit a group of three and had a small campfire in the back. He could sleep here for now. Dying could wait till another day.

[Oikawa 1]

Sadness. A feeling that could bring on a plethora of other emotions. This very emotion plagued the young blonde as he watched flakes dance and fall to the ground. You could say he had been sad for a while now. Though he never showed it. His first friend had vanished from the world it seemed. Without a trace and as if by magic. He searched for his friend's name on the Monument of Life, but to no avail.

 

While normally this would bring one hope, it in fact did the opposite. What good is having a friend that you'll never see again in a death trap like this. He might as well be dead. Though I'm glad he isn't. These negative thoughts ran rampant in the mind of the young player. Suppressed and made over, these feelings remain hidden beneath his cheery and helpful demeanor, but unfortunately the truth still lies beneath. The feeling of loss is a great one. Although he has made many friends, none can replace the void that has grown his mind, body and soul.

 

Gazing to his left, Oikawa observed his faithful familiar, King. The cub seemed fascinated with snow despite having been around it for most of his young life. The leopard leaped and dug through the snow, leaving behind tiny paw prints that just as quickly disappeared with the next layer of falling snow. Sad thoughts yet again took a back seat, as Oikawa put on smile . He was determined to alleviate himself of the nagging burden that is sadness.

[Rusty 0]

The blizzard reached its peak. The snow was falling at a rate that Rusty had never seen before. In hours, the cove's entrance would probably be closed up completely. It would probably be closed up for days, and by that time he would dead. He wasn't leaving though. This place was cared for him, it almost seemed human. It came at one of his darkest times and he was safe. The snow would have to go first. He huddled up in the back of the cave, head in his knees facing the narrow entry of the cove. It was the piece of hay in the middle of a needle stack. It was only a matter of time before he wasted away, the question would be which would go first. His mind or his body? Funny. In the place where he could possible die, he was wondering about what part of his body would go first, not how will he get out or will I be remembered. It was trivial stuff, never actual things that were more important. That was nice about his short life. He could read books without a care in the world, and quite possible do anything without a care in the world. It was pleasing.

[Oikawa 1]

While Oikawa knew blizzards were common on this floor, he didn't expect for one to whip up so quickly. Small flurries here in and there thrashed and lashed about as the wind picked up and the sow fell harder. Decision. The act of choosing an outcome. Oikawa had a decision to make. Continue on through the raging storm in hopes of finding something worthwhile, or turn tail and go back into the safety of the city for fear of being trapped out here all night.

 

Oikawa checked his map, he wasn't to far away from King's place of origin, Glacial Cove. The frigid cavern, that led to Oikawa slaying a pack of animals just to save a cub that only saw as being a victim. The blonde shook his head. He had made a decision. With no words, he swiftly picked up the familiar, placed him on his head, and dashed through the storm.

[Rusty 0]

Rusty looked on with complete apathy was the snow covered the entrance of the cove halfway. The cove was going to fill up with snow, with him in it. Still, he wouldn't move as the blizzard continued on. Inside, he wanted to escape and try to avoid his impending doom, but his legs just froze up. There was no use in dodging what seemingly looks as his death so he wouldn't struggle at all. It was going to be a slow and cold end, though. Maybe he could speed things up if he let himself sleep.

 

After sleeping for a few minutes, Rusty was awoken by the howling of wind that was picking up. Annoyed that his slumber was interrupted, he cursed at the air. "Let me sleep in peace, you idiot!" He yelled as the wind continue to scream. Then he noticed something in the distance. A figure was approaching him form afar with a strange looking hat on their head. Rusty materialized his rapier just in case the person was looking for trouble and slashed it at the remnants of wood in the makeshift campfire. What happened next was almost unbelievable. The impact of the sword and scratching of the ground caused fire to dance up in its raging warmth. He smiled in disbelief, completely forgetting about the thing that was approaching him.

[Oikawa 1]

The storm kicked up. Snow and wind, entangled in battle for air supremacy. The elements were as violent as ever. Yet, the blonde trudged on. Flipping his hood up, he covered the cub and continued to wade through whistling winds and sub-zero snow. 

 

The cove could be seen in the distance. A small cave like structure, covered in snow. Darkness loomed inside. However, a faint silhouette danced in the shadows as the entrance suddenly came alight. What the heck. There's fire in there? Well it certainly beats this frigid cold. However I should tread with caution. Whoever or whatever started the blaze will be my next problem...

 

The blonde picked up the pace. A speed rarely seen. He blended in with the scenery as he quickly closed the gap between himself and the cove. At the entrance, he drew his rapier and brandished his shield. Whatever lay in wait, would not take him down without a fight.

[Rusty 0]

Rusty's expression of wonder turned into one of sadness as the fire died down to lack of any type of flammable material. It was nice while it lasted, but he wished it would've stayed longer. He looked back up to the entrance of the cove. The snow had covered half of the entryway, with a weird looking snow wall that built up from the edges of the rocky cave. Feeling despair at his current situation, he laid on his side and hurdled up in a fetal position, his cheek squished onto the soil below. Rusty faced the wall of the cove, his back to the entryway. Maybe he could make an etching on the wall so that others who passed by here could see that one lonely name. With his rapier, he etched his name in to the stone. "Glenn Hideki" it said. With that, he smiled, content with being remembered in this small way.

[Oikawa 1]

The mouth of the cave looked crookedly inviting. As he stepped towards it he realized something was terribly wrong. The mouth was quickly filling with snow. Why is this place suddenly closing itself up? What is Kayaba planning? The FIRE! There has to be someone in there. "Hey! Is there anyone in there?" There was no immediate response. I'm certain I saw something in there. 

 

Unsheathing Faint Edge, Oikawa dropped into a low crouch and allowed his blade to glow before surging forth with such speed he was nearly invisible. The blonde quickly passed through the snowy wall barely leaving a trace of his entrance.

 

He felt a slight warmth as he skidded to a halt. The fire had been snuffed out but the lingering warmth was still there. He looked around until he saw a shadowy figure curled up near a wall. It appeared to be etching something into the wall. As the player inched forward his eyes grew wide as he recognized the figure in question.

 

"Rusty?"