The Search #3

[ Storyline Event #1: Dullahan Colloseum Outbreak ]

Arthur’s went hollow, an unknown fear striking deep within his being– a seed planted from hours of toil and error birthed well-founded worry. If it took him months of effort to not perish on the first mission, much less the full seven years, with an infinite number of lives– how would he survive now, with only one life?

“Shit–” Arthur cursed, turning around to face the large magic circle in the center of the stadium, “I’m guessing that’s where they come out from– but I have to think… what’s the best course of action…”

“You’re mind seems to be elsewhere, are you stalling perhaps?” Bianca questioned, tilting her sword, “I assure you, I have honed patience through hours of training.”

“You’re in need of some romance,” Arthur frowned, “No wonder she’s so uppity– I’m getting distracted.”

Arthur breathed in deeply, massaging his temples as he recalled the thousands of hours he had spent on the game this world was based on. He pictured the very stadium, flooded with body-less animated armor, suspended by an invisible entity hell-bent on causing harm to the living. Prisoners of old, sentenced by Empresses of their time to eternal imprisonment and constant suffering for their crimes– to function as punching bags for sprouts of the Empire. It was cruel, it was dishonorable for the captive soldiers, driving them to madness and hatred.

“Honestly I’m not even surprised that undead is so out for us but neither am I at the liberty of allowing them to do as they please.” Arthur anguished, thinking deeply, “According to the first mission, the goal of it was to make it to the outside of the academy– with other sidequests, but that was the main objective.”

“If I remember the cutscene correctly, the stadium was overrun, yet the soldiers stayed put until the commander himself came out to give orders– and the night was incredibly dark–”

“I got it,” Arthur opened his eyes, “Based on the position of the moon on the eastern horizon, they plan to attack at midnight but when and the rate at which they step out of the circle is unknown– Which is why I have to stall for time while being battle ready at any moment.”

Arthur took another look around him, taking note of all the weapons present, all top-of-the-line and pristine, available at all capacities from small knives to stupidly large halberds meant for decoration.

“The most direct academy route is behind me, with the other gates sealed, they’ll have to pass through here.” Arthur observed, “We’ll just have to block them, but will we really last? I’m not a super-powered main character, but if maybe just a little bit of blood and sweat is what’s going lessen the student casualties– then so be it. Now all I have to do is play the situation to my advantage.”

“I accept your challenge,” Arthur said to Bianca resolutely.

[ You have agreed to the challenge! ]

Bianca brightened up, her patience finally paying off, and she waved her sword to her side and sheathed it. “Wonderful, however, a duel requires weapons.”

“Shit, now wonder my chances were shit– I haven’t touched a single sword in both my lives if kendo doesn’t count.” Arthur rolled his eyes, “Then let me shovel through the weapons to see if I find something usable.”

Bianca nodded, taking a seat on the sandy ground, caring not for the dust. “Then, take all the time you need.” she nodded, closing her eyes to rest, “What shall your bet of the duel be?”

“Well, I guess I didn’t have to stall for time, now I just need to set it all up.” Arthur nodded, “Then I’ll help myself, and as for the bet– I have no idea. ” he replied to Bianca, turning his back to her. “I don’t have time to dream about the rewards! I need to hurry, I’m not sure when they’ll come– but I need to be ready by then, or this academy will see bloodshed two months in–”

Whiiiishhhhhhaaa!

“Are you fucking–” Arthur gasped, his head snapping to the source of all the noise. “It’s barely eight!” He rasped, his hand grabbing onto the random sword his hands had touched.

It was a familiar noise, the same exact one from the cutscene of the first of many Boss-fights. A suit of armor was pristine and shining even, with the slowly decreasing light emphasizing the presence of a lacking entity, with shadows entering the joints and in between the panels– it was a hollow suit of armor, holding a weapon with hollow gauntlets but glaring with real ferocity and killing intent.

“Is that–” Stephanie and Bianca exclaimed simultaneously, jumping up and unsheathing their swords. The two swordswomen exchanged looks, and slowly approached the unidentified entity.

“Arthur!--” Bianca called out, eyeing her side where Arthur was shoveling for weapons– only to see that he wasn’t there. “ –Where!?”

“There!” Stephani pointed with her eye and Bianca followed with her gaze.

Arthur stood below the monster’s arms, a two-handed sword in his hands spanning 40’5 inches in total length and the double-edged blade comprised 27’25 inches of the total. The blade pierced the chest plate through where the navel would be and severing both the heart and brain of any foe in one clean strike. Arthur effortlessly took the sword out, careful not to nick the incredibly sharp edge on the way out.

Clang!

The armor fell limp on the sand-gravel floor, with Arthur kicking the helmet away for good measure. “The entry wound is easy, but the exiting move is harder– nicking the blade is bad considering this is going to be a battle of attrition so I need to finish each and single one of them in two moves.” Arthur pondered, looking at the longsword

[ Steel Longsword: Durability 398/400 ]

“If I do that to maximize each sword since we’ve only got about two dozen, and most are fairly uncomfortable to use because of their design or size—”

“Look out!

Whiiiishhhhhhaaa!

Shinnngg!

Bianca’s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth frozen stiff as in just a blink of an eye another appeared from the magic circle, only to be felled in one strike before its sword could cut through the air.

Arthur’s longsword was extended, piercing the armor’s chest and clicking all the way up to the head while his left palm slightly deflected the sword way from his head. “They’re good.”

[ Steel Longsword: Durability 394/400 ]

“So slices take twice the amount of durability huh? That’s good to note, but this rate is worrying. a monster per ten seconds; 6 monsters a minute; 360 Monsters an hour; 2880 monsters till midnight– worst-case scenario, Fuck. If one monster takes two cuts to die, I’ll need seven or eight swords; but life’s never that easy– somethings gonna go wrong eventually”

“Remember Vincent’s stupid reflex training– read their moves and act accordingly to them before they even begin.” Putting his left foot back, Arthur assumed a relaxed sword stance by facing the portal sidewards with his body, knees bent, his sword held at a high guard, and the blade angling downwards– an ready, defensive stance ready to counteract most attacks.

“I’d be dead if I were alone, but luckily I have these two as a backup,” Arthur muttered, reassuring himself verbally now. “Hey! Bianca! I just figured out our duel!”

Whiiiishhhhhhaaa!

Another empty suit of armor was summoned by the magic circle, appearing with his sword raised overhead, descending down at great speed. Arthur reacted by turning his body, his sword pointed away from his front but instead to the ground.

Clang!

The swords connected, with the monster’s gliding across Arthur’s blade and into the gravelly ground; and without wasted time, Arthur’s sword rose upwards and descended downward, slicing cleanly down the helmet and halfway into the chest plate– swiftly eliminating the monster.

[ Steel Longsword: Durability:382/400 ]

“Blocking, or even parrying, attacks cost eight durability and the counter-attacking comes after will be added on top of that.” Arthur hissed, “Each defeated foe is one point and whoever gets the most points, wins!”

Bianca jogged over to Arthur’s side, her back facing him, “Well then, our scores will restart at zero.” She huffed, both serious and amused.

Arthur nodded with a smile, “Fair enough, and with that in mind, the next one’s yours."

Whisshaaaa!