Sword Art Online: Another Tale (Flaze and Dolce)

[Flaze]

@Dolce;

The year was 2022

After years of developtment the MMORPG Sword Art Online was finally completed. This game would allow those that play it to completely immerse in the game, allowing them to be in the game itself. The world was static at first and everyone was anxious for what these type of game could bring about in the future.

That was until it happened. Merely a few hours after its release everyone that had log into the game was trapped by its creator. Those that had their Nerve Gear, a special helmet that function by sending signals to the brain and allowing it to immerse into the game, would die and those that died in the game would die as they would in real life. With that the people that were stuck in the game had no choice but to accept their new life as they tried to figure out a way to get out.

***

April 2023

"You know dungeon raiding isn't as bad as I originally thought," came the voice from a boy that seemed to be around 17 years old. He was wearing a metal chest armor with a violet long sleeve shirt underneath and a pair of black pants. He had short brown hair and brown eyes. "I mean I'm still new in the guild but I think this works pretty well too."

"Just don't get too distracted," in front of the boy an older teenager laughed as he walked ahead. His long crimson jacket waved around as he walked and fell over the black chest armor that he wore underneath. He had messy black hair and honey brown eyes and was wearing black pants underneath the red jacket. "But yeah it's a pretty good way to pass the time, you can get a lot of treasures and if you sell them then that's a lot of extra morning for you too," he informed wisely.

"Though you know, I still would love to be part of the scouting units," the boy replied once more, his tone becoming elated and dreamy. "I mean, you get to fight for the sake of everyone else, I hear they finally reached floor 68...only 30 more and we'll be free! but I'm too weak for that aren't I?" he laughed shyly as he looked at the teen standing in front of them. "Are you okay sir?"

The teen was brought out of his trance, his expression becoming more serious before he turned to look at his partner. "Don't worry about me," he said with a slight hesitant chuckle. "But anyways, I don't really worry about that, I mean I just focus on living each day as it goes, this place can be pretty fun once you get down to it."

"Fun....I mean we're kind of stuck living here but I wouldn't call living in a world where you could get killed at any moment fun," the boy said while scratching the back of his head. "I mean I was supposed to graduate this year too, I wanted to go to university with my friends, I'm sure there's things you wanted to do too."

"Um....sure," the teen replied silently as they walked out of the cave.

Upon walking out they noticed the star streaked sky that surrounded them. The leafs rustled with the night air and shadows had fallen over the field in front of them. "Guess we stayed in the dungeon longer than we thought," the teen stated before diving his hand into the left side of his jacket. With one swift thrust he took out a long crimson blade with a silver handle. "Don't stray too far, we won't know what kind of monsters might pop out."

As the two ventured into the forest the atmosphere around them became heavier, causing the two of them to keep their attention as high as they could.

Because they were too focused on what was on front they couldn't notice their backs though and before they could notice a shadowy figure had popped out from the trees. "What!" the teen gasped as he and the boy were smacked back onto the floor as a large black figure with red eyes towered above them. "It's a Night Crawler, their size changes when they're surrounded by darkness!" the teen called out before standing up. "We have to get away quick!"

The boy didn't listen though, instead he took out his own sword and charged straight at the monster. It was a futile attempt though and before he could get close a long black tail fired from behind the monster and slammed straight through the boys's chest, sending him crashing back in front of his comrade. The teen didn't reply, instead he just stood still, looking down at his friend as his body began to vanish. "Shit..." he whispered, his eyes wide open and his legs shaking from fear.

 

[Dolce]

"Just what are you doing you imbecile? Do you want to be killed!?" Grabbing onto the boy's collar; a young woman clad in green and silver valkyrie armor that was adorned with a big green bow that rest under her chin, and a helmet with green feathers approached from behind. Yanking the boy behind her she stood firm with a halberd held out directly towards the Night Crawler.

"I'll assume you want to live right? Then come to your senses and hide!" the Valkyrie shouted at the boy behind her as she lunged at the Night Crawler and charged it head on. She held her halberd high as she struck the creature square in the face, before changing her position and slipping behind the creature to strike it on the tail.

 

[Flaze]

The teen just stared at the woman that had saved him, his eyes never leaving her as she moved and fought with the monster. He was amazed and he wanted to help, and yet he just couldn't summon the courage to charge in along with her. Not that he needed to as the Night Crawler vanished with a cloud of floating data particles right in front of them after being hit.

"That was amazing," he called out, finally being able to get the words out of his mouth as he looked at the woman and scanned her body and armor. "I...I don't think I could've taken it if you hadn't come in."

 

[Dolce]

"Clearly not considering your still sitting, Or is that some sort of new fighting stance?" chuckled the woman as she extended her hand to the teen in front of her. "Although if I didn't hear a scream you might have been good as gone, you really should take better care to at least prepare yourself ahead of time. I mean what kind of adventurer travels an unknown road with no resolve to face the unknown? Clearly you must be mad." the valkyrie teased.

 

[Flaze]

"Well I wasn't alone," he pointed out before looking down at the spot where his comrade had fallen his eyes staring at the grass that laid there silently. "Me and my friend were exploring a dungeon and got attack...he charged in like a fool and got killed," he pointed out with a more serious expression before shaking his head before he grabbed her hand. "And hey, I mean I love to adventure but I would love it if I didn't have to fight."

 

[Dolce]

"Living each day is only half the battle, saying you would love it if you didn't have to fight makes it sound like your throwing in the towel already. So for the sake of your comrade, live each day like it'll be your last and live on with the memory of what happened today. It's a cruel burden, but in a world like this if you aren't prepared to face dangerous obstacles and risk your life to move on you might end up like your comrade. So face forward with love and compassion in your heart for those who fought bravely beside you to help keep you alive to this day. Though um, my rambling aside my name is Ivie, it's a pleasure to meet you." Ivie extended her hand once more to shake the teen's hand who stood in front of her.

 

[Flaze]

"You really have a few things to say don't you Ivie," the teen replied with a smile as he held his hand in front of his mouth to stop himself from laughing. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Dante," he greeted her politely and shook her hand. "Thanks for saving me."

 

[Dolce]

Ivie pulled down her helmet's visor to hide her flustered face, before clearing her throat. "It's just that in times like these, I feel like everyone here needs a shove in the right direction. But it's nice to meet you Dante, I'm glad I was here to help! Really your lucky I was foraging materials nearby." Ivie stated as she put away her weapon in her inventory.

 

[Flaze]

"Yeah..." Dante said before looking down at the sword his friend had been carrying prior to his death. He knelt down in front of it and grabbed it before looking at it carefully. "It's a simple sword, I think I can find someone to reforge it," he stated before strapping it to his waist along with his other blade. "You wouldn't mind escorting me back to the city would you?" he asked a bit nervously as he looked around at the dark forest.

 

[Dolce]

"Well luckily for you I was foraging materials for my halberd, I'll share with you the materials I don't use. Consider it a job well done on living another day." Ivie smiled while making her way back towards the path she came. "And do stay close now, I wouldn't want you getting lost."

 

[Flaze]

"I might get scared by anything that moves in the forest but I know my way!" Dante called out, his expression showing how insulted he was by her assuming he would get lost. He then began to move his head around, as if making sure he was doing things right. "It's that way," he replied before pointing towards where Ivie had been walking to.

 

[Dolce]

"Oh alright you lead the way, and I'll stay by your side until we reach town. And It's probably best we head off before any rogue players, or more monster mobs appear." Ivie stated as she looked to Dante waiting for him to lead the way.

 

[Flaze]

"Righe, I can lead, don't worry about that," Dante replied insecurely as he walked ahead of Ivie, his sword at the ready and his gaze turning in every direction every few steps before looking back at Ivie. "Are you part of any guilds btw? I'm with the Marauding Hawks, Dungeon Raiders division."

 

[Dolce]

"Stay strong there soldier" Ivie giggled to herself as she saw Dante fidget about nervously as she followed him down the path while taking a moment to think about his question. "Hm guilds? None currently, I'm a bit headstrong when it comes to my adventuring so the last guild I was in gave me the boot when I insisted on doing dangerous missions all the time. So I've been taking it easy for the past week gathering supplies for myself and materials for my weapon. It never hurts to be too prepared in some cases." Ivie remarked pridefully.

 

[Flaze]

"So you're one of those people that like to go and risk their lives every day without knowing if you will survive at the end of it?" Dante replied with a raised eyebrow, though he hadn't turned to look back at Ivie. "You know, our Guild has some space, you could stay there tonight if you'd like." he suggested while smiling.

 

[Dolce]

"No, your off entirely. I'm not one of those people." Ivie frowned at Dante's remark with her face still hidden behind her visor. "It's like I said earlier, living each day is only half the battle. I keep my head held high, and those who fought bravely with me till this day near and dear to my heart to keep me strong. So I live each day like it's my last with hopes of a brighter tomorrow." Ivie huffed before continuing the conversation. "But I will take you up on the free lodging as the payment for my escorting you." Ivie chimed merrily.

 

[Flaze]

"You know it's funny how you say some pretty deep things and then act all cheerfully," Dante pointed out as the two walked out of the forest. They were now overlooking a large sprawling city, there was a castle on the horizon that shone brightly along with the rest of the buildings and lit its way through the darkness. "Finally some civilization," he said while letting out a sigh of relief. "I mean I'm used to traveling but I'm not too fond of travelling at night."

 

[Dolce]

Ivie took a minute to decipher what Dante just said. "Are you insulting or complimenting me? Because now I wonder if it's too late to leave you behind in the dark." Ivie teased Dante, rising her visor only to stick out her tongue at him. Before speaking again, she lowered her visor and turned to Dante once more "well lead the way to your guild."

 

[Flaze]

"I think it's a cute trait so take it like a compliment," Dante replied to her playfully as he grinned. "And yep, let's get going," he stated before he began walking towards the town along with Ivie.

After a few minutes of walking into the city Dante stopped in front of a large three story building, music and dancing could be heard from inside as well as the sound of people singing and talking. "Our Guild works also as sort of hotel in a way so...it's not too formal," Dante chuckled as he walked into the building. The room they had walked into was just the reception of the guild/hotel but it was as lively as a dance floor as people talked and ran around, cheering and drinking with elated smiles in their faces.

Dante made his way through the crowd and towards the desk on the otherside of the room, being careful to make sure to not lose track of Ivie as the two made their way to the desk. A woman with long flowing green hair stood on the other side of the desk, her violet eyes falling on Dante once she saw him and smiled. "Dante you're back! I was wondering what was taking you guys so long," she called out and adjusted the round glasses that she was wearing.

"Hey Trish, what's the party for?" Dante asked with curiosity as he looked back at the loud crowd.

"Oh, everyone's celebrating the scouting division's return, all the guilds and players that helped conquering floor 70 are going to be gathering by the fountain downtown, but it seems like people couldn't contain themselves," he said while laughing, only for her to turn back towards Dante. Her eyes scanned Ivie for a moment as her expression changed from curiosity to unease. "Hey, where's Tryx."

At this Dante's eyes fell to the desk, his expression becoming somber as he lifted his coat slightly sot that Trish could see Tryx's sword strapped to his waist. Life was drained from Trish's eyes as she realized this, causing her to open her mouth in an attempt to gasp, only for Dante to cover her mouth with his hand.

"Sssshhh," he said as he held his index finger to his lips. "No need to ruin the mood with depressing news, I'll tell the boss in the morning after everything's calmed down," he reassured her. "I'm sorry...it was Night Crawler, we couldn't do anything."

"It's okay," Trish nodded her head slowly as she eyed Ivie. "I assume she's the one that saved you then?"

"Yeah, this is Ivie," Dante said with a smile before moving aside so as to give Trish more room to look at Ivie. "She scorted me back, in exchange I told her she could stay in one of the rooms here for the night."

"Oh...we have a bit of a problem," Trish stated insecurely. "You see, a lot of people came over from nearby towns for the big party and all so we're kind of booked for the night."

"Oh...then she can stay in my room," Dante replied nonchalantly before shrugging.

 

[Dolce]

Ivie had been gazing at the ongoing festivities while Dante spoke with Trish. They brought a small smile to her face seeing how others could still have fun in such a grave world. However she turned around in utter bewilderment at the words that just left Dante's mouth. "Are you daft!?" she exclaimed with a puzzled look on her face.