#.hack zelkova

[gentlehands]

[joyejoyu]

YETI CON 2023 CATALOGUE

Hey guys! I'll be tabling at Yeticon with @weiyi-swy from June 17th-18th at Artist Alley table A78! ^-^ I'll be premiering a bunch of new prints as well as trying to sell off some of my old merch~ Please drop by and say hello if you're attending~

[aparticularbandit]

there's something about miu's va that like. there's one of her lines that just i know that voice and like. i know her from other stuff (yeah, yeah, she's akane, right, but she's also faye valentine and tk (digimon) and mako (digimon tamers - til he was makoto in the japanese version, idk why they changed that, but also i'm kind of laughing a bit at that one, makoto take impmon and share him with komaru, i'm sure that will go well) and haruhi suzumiya (which is less good for me because i haven't seen those, i don't think) and zelkova but i won't go off on .hack//g.u. stuff but zelkova?????) but none of those are instinctively clicking as that's where i know that laugh from.

if i'd seen haruhi, i feel like it would be that. or lucky star. but i haven't. so idk.

[canonlgbtcharacteroftheday]

The canon LGBT+ character of today is:

Zelkova from The .hack Series who is bi/pan

[moeblob]

Heehoo Zelkovaaa @anxanhh

ty ty for the suggestion even if I don’t feel like I did him much justice. He’s really got a cute design though! ty!

[kara-knuckles]

Kusabira

[nautseverywhere]

Ok.....so, I have 1 millionish money to spend....ok.....husband has....40, 000 ish.....WTF ZELKOVA???????????????

HOW???????!!!!

Wonder if I can pickpocket his ass!!!!

Haseo needs guns, swords and bike parts!!!!!

[artificervaldi]

Just read .hack//Legacy so here’s the meta for the night.

[dorkova]

[duckdachi]

Here is to a Happy 2019! And goodbye to Haseo and his friends!

[welcometotheworlddothacker]

Yet an another oc drawn as a .hack//G.U. character

This random oc belongs to Demon Bendy on amino :D

[typingdyslexiaisathing]

The World 2.0 (work in progress)

// This is a LONG fanfic I have been tinkering with from .Hack//G.U. and is my current favorite of the things I have written. I loved the series as a whole and wished there had been an actual release of .Hack//Fragment that had made it to the USA. Read below. //

"Do you have any idea what you've done, Kuhn?" The question was a bit on the ludicrous side. But it came out before I could think twice. And from my tone of voice Pi flinched to step back a little. While Kuhn winced to put a hand behind his head. A nervous laugh audible as he looked down. "I was doing my job for the Corp, Adelha. That's all. It wasn't personal or anything. They just told me to-" But by then I snap. I have no more semblance of restraint. And I shout into my mike for it to echo in the church. "ENOUGH!" Both Pi and Kuhn go dead still. With me turning to glare at Kuhn over the headset. And if this was in the real world I'd be shaking I'm so mad. Which I already was in my seat. But my avatar just stood there as I fumed into the mike. "Months of time wasted! Constant feints and dead leads! Outright having entire threads on message boards erased! And for what?! To blatantly ruin any chance of me finding my friends! People that are either waiting for me to find them or dead and long gone without me ever knowing! And all because you have ruined all my hard work! I asked for your help Kuhn! And instead you stabbed me in the back! So tell me now! Were you going to dig that metal in farther or just twist it before you ripped it out?!" Kuhn blanches to shake his head at me. And I can tell he's upset. Pi standing between us to simply watch and listen. While Kuhn fumbles for words. "You were asking specific questions, Adelha! All over the public boards! Questions that are more dangerous than you realize! I couldn't let anything-" By then I make my avatar move. And I punch him full in the face. It cuts him off well enough. Pi shifting on her feet as Kuhn gets his avatar to stand back up. And I am panting into the mike. Something both of them can hear. And my words are seething. "Do not presume you know how to protect me from the monsters Kuhn! Especially when I am fully aware they are riddled into the game's programming! I was one of the few who got to see what was under the layers of The World! One of the few graced by the goddess who had a statue in this very church! So help me if I had access to one of my old avatars, I'd Data Drain your ass!" Both Kuhn and Pi go bug eyed as I keep fuming. The two having a shocked expression as I grip my controller so tight my knuckles split open. "You even think of messaging me again and I will report you for harassment! I will make certain you get banned from the game and from CC Corp! You lose my phone number and email! Delete it all! I don't care I sent you that promise card! I don't care I was falling in love! I'll never trust you again!" Kuhn goes rigid for him to gasp into his mike. And Pi looks just as stunned. Yet I can't even see anymore due to the tears. So I run my avatar out of the church to the gate. And I do my quick log out trick to then rip my headset clean off. It ends up thrown onto my bed as I tremble in my seat. My head spinning as I hear my phone start ringing. And the ring tone tells me it's Haseo. But I let it ring for once. Something I have never done before. I just lean against the chair to cry. Every piece of me hurting and sick. The phone rings again and again. Several ring tones sounding out in my room. And I know each one. Haseo. Pi. Kuhn's has me blanch and shiver. Silabus. Atoli. Haseo again. Pi again. Then I hear that it's Gaspard calling me. So I reach over to grab the phone. I don't have the heart to ignore him of all people. And I choke on a sob when I do answer. "Misery pit answering. Leave a message once the glass is done cracking." Gaspard gives a pouted noise over the phone. His sweet voice so worried it makes my stomach twist. "Adelha. Kuhn messaged all of us. What happened?" I start to lightly bang my head against the wall. The sound echoing into my phone as I speak. "I just found out he's the one who was deleting my posts off the message boards. So you can imagine when he tried laughing it off I exploded." Gaspard gives a hard gasp to exclaim, "It was him of all people?! Why would he do that?! I know he had access since he works for CC Corporation part time, but to go that far- Why?!" I chuckle without any humor in it. And my answer is a hollow one. "Apparently, I was spreading false info in my questions. As well as breaking rules on asking for personal information. Or that was the notices I kept getting before my thread priveledges got suspended. But he tried to tell me it was to keep me safe." Gaspard sounds very confused about that. And he would be considering he wouldn't know anything about the Key of Twilight or Aura or the Cursed Waves from the first version of The World. So his question is expected. "How would you looking for your old friends put you in danger?" I give a sigh to rub my free hand to my face. Too tired to fib or lie. "Keep a secret, sweet one. Back when that crap was going down with players going comatose the first time, several players decided to mount their own investigation into the hard core lore the game was written from. I was one of the few in the group that actually got anywhere with that." Gaspard sounds very stunned when he squacks into the phone. Along with excited. "Wha?! You mean- Are you one of the Azure Knights or something?! Did you really find that legendary item?! Adelha! Are you one of the fabled .hackers?!" I can't help but smile at how eager he sounds. A chuckle soon to follow. "Silly friend. I promised not to tell about that little legend. But I will say this. That whole event had a lot of glitches and viruses interwoven into what happened. Hence why people were getting sick and falling into comas, Bard. It really was dangerous. But the flip side was I found people to call family. So when the servers got toasted and they revamped the game..." Gaspard finishes for me. "You logged back in to find out what happened to your friends. And you still haven't found them, have you?" My sniffle escapes for Gaspard to hear it. And I close my eyes to tremble all over. "I have hints about one or two. And I know I do have one friend from back then. He just..." I choke a moment before I finish. "The coma messed with his memory. I doubt he remembers even playing the first version of The World. The others are either not playing anymore or dropped off the face of the planet." Gaspard sounds very sad as he sighs into his phone. And his voice is soft with understanding. "I am so sorry Adelha... What can I do to help? Silabus is here with me since we said we were gonna do a meet and greet for once. We can come up with something." My smile quirks even though it hurts. I knew the two of them were in the same room. Probably at Gaspard's school or something. "Tell Haseo I'm not dead yet. And let Atoli know I'm okay. She can let the others in Moon Tree know I'm dealing with an upending of my life." Gaspard sounds confused again. "Was there something in guild that was going to happen?" I think a moment before I answer. "Knowing a few of the members, there would be concern. Especially when the rumors start spreading. Matsu might just hunt me down in real life to bang my door in. Which would mean he crosses an ocean to get here." Gaspard hesiates before he replies. And he sounds very surprised. "Wait a minute... You don't live in Japan? Are you in America?! You mean all this time you're playing at night when it's daytime over here?!" I honestly laugh at his question. My smile full blown. "Surprise, sweet one. I fooled all of you with my advanced Japanese. Twenty points for me." Gaspard laughs back into the phone. While I can hear Silabus giving a few shouts in the background. Gaspard continues to talk to me. "No wonder you are on at odd hours of the night when I back checked. You really don't know what a sleep schedule is, do you?" My chuckle is rich as I nod my head. "That is a side effect from all the comas I got put into." Gaspard audibly flinches to pout a bit. "Don't say that. It reminds me of you being in the hospital and me not being able to visit. Silabus and I weren't the only ones worried either. Haseo was about to go bonkers. And Atoli was just outright frantic." I sigh to look over to my bed where the headset is. "Hey. I was the one out like a light. Not you. And frankly I really needed the naps. But thank you for that, Bard. It means more than you know." Gaspard thinks before he speaks. And my eyes go wide. "Haseo said Endrance asked about you every day they met in game. And from what Haseo also said, Kuhn was devastated the entire time you were gone." My face gets hot at the mention of both Endrance and Kuhn. A slight squeak escaping. "Stuff me with feathers and call me a pillow... Endrance was worried about me...? I mean I get Kuhn would be upset on some level but-" Gaspard interrupts me, which is very unlike him. "Adelha. Kuhn wasn't just upset. He was heartbroken. Haseo caught him crying on more than one occasion. Kuhn thought you'd never wake up again. And it broke him." I almost drop the phone at this point. My heart doing an odd flip even as it breaks a little more. So I lean into the wall again to take that in a moment. And my words are bitter. "Che... Figures the guy would be that broken up over the girl he ends up lynching on some level... Irony is a bitter poison..." Gaspard sighs the same time I do. But his words are firm. "Don't burn that bridge entirely. He's an idiot when it comes to being a noble knight for a woman. Even I know that. So give it time before you toss him off his horse." I give a snort before I go really still. Something clicking in the back of my head. And I am so stunned I forget to breathe. Making Gaspard very worried on his end. "Adelha? You still there?" I don't even think when I speak. The words hushed but still audible. "If it was that damned obvious I'll hang myself..." Gaspard sounds really scared when he says, "Adelha! Don't you do something bad! Please! What is it?" I look to my monitor to grip the phone tight. And I am piecing things together by the second. "I think I figured out the real reason why he did it... And if I'm right... I will PK him into next year..." ***** The one day I wanted to not set up Shop Acorn and do some background checking was the one day we were busy. Which I was sure fate had a hand in just to spite me. But I was just as determined to get the shop running at top notch capacity as Gaspard was. So I just smiled and sold the items we had in the guild inventory for such. Heck. Most of the guild inventory was specifically for the shop by now. Which was something Haseo had been shocked over how much was in there and how many rare weapons and armor were being stockpiled. He'd been floored at how much I had been putting into the inventory. And he'd be equally floored at me just taking it back out to sell for really cheap. So I'm not surprised that Haseo is there when I am closing up the shop. His grumble coming from above me as I go through the inventory list on my screen. "And just what exactly are you doing, Adelha?" I keep counting up numbers as I respond. "Is that multiple choice or essay, Haseo?" As expected, Haseo gives a tisked noise to grumble more. "Che! Fine time for you to be a smartass! You realize Kuhn has been blowing up my email because of you? He won't stop bugging me to find you! It's a right pain in the ass! So what the Hell is going on?" I give a growl a bear would be proud of. My hand banging on the desk even as I sit my character down. And Haseo notes how mad I am to go really quiet. His signal that he's listening. So I fume a bit into the mike. "It's really simple, Haseo! Kuhn used his apparent job with CC Corp to delete all my threads on the forums and to send me fasle leads while I have been looking for my former guild mates! Turns out he's been doing so since before we actually met in game! And he gave the pathetic excuse of it being his job to protect unknowing players from dangerous situations! In short, he stabbed me in the back! Repeatedly! And had the nerve to claim it was for my own good!" Haseo gives a groan to put a hand to his head. His muttering too fast for me to catch. But he does finally say something to me. "What an idiot. No wonder he's so desperate to get you to forgive him. He's even been trying to find out if I can get your mailing address to send you flowers." I throw my hands up when Haseo finishes to snort into the mike. "Do not even bother, Haseo. Flowers are for funerals. They are depressing when I get them because they only remind me of good byes." Haseo nods in agreement to then ask in a hesitant voice, "And the couple event mail you sent him? Did you really mean to send him that?" I go beat red to growl more into the mike. "Well it's obvious I am not going to keep to that little dumb ass stunt! And I sure ain't going to send him another one! So I will just forget I ever got one to send to anyone in the first place! It's not like the other guy I would send that to would even open it anyways!" I get up as Haseo gives a squack of surprise. His voice a bit shaken. "What?! You were gonna send that to somebody else?! Please don't tell me it was me!" I roll my eyes to reach up at pat Haseo on the head. Making him grumble a bit as I smirk. "Nope. Not you, Haseo. You're the little brother. Not the love interest. Player wise and character wise." If it wasn't for the fact I didn't have my music blaring in the background as per my usual custom, I wouldn't have heard Haseo sigh in relief. But he does choose to grump at me more. "Okay. Okay. Enough with the head rubbing. I'm not a dog, Adelha." I give a chuckle to remove my hand. Haseo scowling at me to then ask the expected question. "So if it wasn't me, then who was it? I doubt it was Gaspard." I smirk to shake my head. "Gaspard is thirteen years old, Haseo. I'm twenty. Heck no that won't go." Haseo thinks to then ask, "Well I know it's not Silabus. And that Piros the Third weirdo is so not your type." I bark out a laugh to tell him. "Well duh since he's actually married and has a one year old in real life. He sent me pictures of the tyke too." Haseo looks stunned to then give a long whistle. "Shee. Fooled me then. So who is it? That Matsu guy from Moon Tree?" I am so glad Haseo cannot see me blushing in real life. But I do let out a mumble that he does catch. And Haseo goes stock still to then chuckle. "Oh you're kidding. You were going to send it to Endrance? Really? Dang, Adelha. Way to set the bar high." I reach out and punch his avatar in the shoulder. Making him give a growl of surprise. "Hey! You don't have to hit me!" But I just grab him from behind to give his avatar a noogie. His protesting very loud as I give him a few verbal punches. "You can shut your yap! I'm aware Endrance only has eyes for two people and neither of them are me! So thank you for rubbing that in!" Haseo gets out from under my hold to take a few steps back. His words a bit on the angry side. "All right already. I get it. I'm sorry. But I got the impression he does care about you." I go very still to look dumbfounded. And Haseo continues to point at me. "Endrance has asked me on several occasions if I've seen you. He also looked really dissapointed when we went on that event with Sakubo and you were offline. He may not say it to you, Adelha. But you are his friend and he does like you." ***** Matsu decides to get my attention by sending me a text to my phone. Since he can hear my music blaring through my headset again. So I turn the volume down after I read the text. And I am not in the mood to play word games. "Forget it, Matsu. I'm not interested in whatever rumor you heard along the chatter vine." Matsu gives a chuckle to hug my avatar closer. His voice full of warmth it made my toes curl a little in the real world. "So you did read it. I was more inclined to think you blew both ears out with your music. Seriously, Addy. What got you so mad?" I take a moment before I answer. "You gonna keep a lid on this?" Matsu nods to answer. "Completely. I'm all ears." I choose to move myself from the chair at my computer desk to my bed. The mattress squeaking for Matsu to hear it. So he waits for me to get situated before I speak. And I give a long sigh once I'm laying down. "I got the info on what shit head was deleting my posts on the forums. It was the same asswad that was giving me false leads too." Matsu takes a breath before he growls into his mike. "And who is this bastard so I can PK his ass!" I wait before I speak. And my voice wavers. "The same guy I sent the wedding event mail to. It was Kuhn." Matsu goes rigid even as I hear he stopped breathing through his mike. Then he explodes in all his fiery glory. "I'll kill him! That filthy rat bastard is dead meat! I am gonna get on my bike and hunt his ass down and I am gonna murder him with my bare hands! He is so dead! That he'd go that far to keep his job! I am going to rip him apart!” Matsu continues to rant and fume into his headset as I listen. So I chuckle a bit to put my one arm over my eyes. And I am more amused than anything. “Matsu. Breathe before you fall over. Seriously. Keep fuming like that and your heart is gonna pop.” I am rewarded with a grumble and Matsu laying down on his own bed. The squeak of the mattress sharp as he pants a few times. “Fine then, gimme a minute.” I wait as Matsu takes the headset right off to get his head on straight again. And I go wide eyed when he sets it on his chest. The audio picking up the fact he’s panting as well as the thunder of his heart. And wow is he mad given how fast that obon drum is hammering. But my smile turns warm as I listen. A kind of heat washing over me as Matsu gives a few curses that the mike barely picks up. Then after a minute, Matsu puts the headset back on. And I cannot help but tease him. “God have mercy on my soul... I didn’t know you played the drums so well, Matsu...” Matsu gives a loud cough before he grumbles at me. “Che! Shut it, you dork! Don’t make me drive to your place to give you a piece of my mind!” But I sigh to stare at my ceiling. “Good luck getting yourself here. I live in South Dakota, USA. So unless you got a passport...” Matsu goes quiet before he chuckles. His voice very warm despite the fact he’s still annoyed with me. “Might just get me one then. I’ve always wanted to ride my bike through America. Show off to the Yankees as it were. If you’d let me in the door, Addy.” I can’t help but smile as I answer. “Matsu. You ever get your butt to the states, I will meet you at the airport and go with you cross country. And you would be getting a house key as a welcome gift.” Matsu goes very quiet before he speaks again. “Seriously? You’d do that? We only know each other in game. You’d be willing to welcome some punk out of Japan that easily?” My response is to get my phone and send Matsu a photo. My voice very soft when I hear his phone ring through my headset. “Is that good enough for you?” Matsu goes so quiet I would swear he disconnected. Then he sighs a bit to give a few soft words. “Damn. Just damn. Adelha. Your hair is so many shades of brown and red. Is that the natural color or am I just hoping?” My smile is full blown for me to laugh. “Natural. My Irish heritage showing in my hair color and my eyes. The rest is a mixture of French and Japanese.” Matsu gives a hum to then tell me, “You look phenominal. But what was the text you sent with it?” I hesitate before I answer in a breathless voice. “My real name.” Matsu doesn’t answer for a minute. Then he’s chuckling into the mike. “Margaret Joanna Adelha Mathilde. Wow, that is a mouthful. Everyone wonders where you got your character name from. Now I know.” I hear my own phone chime to then blink. And I read the text and the photo with glee. Knowing what Matsu did without having to ask. My words full of joy. “If that isn’t the most amazing bike I’ve ever seen. And the rider is just as fine. Shingo Kudou.” Matsu coughs a few times to grumble at me, “Hey hey, ease up would you? Seriously.” But my words are full of heat even as my toes curl. "Seriously. I'd be overjoyed to meet you in person. If it wasn't for me still trying to find Sanjuro here in the states, I'd have hopped ship and moved to Japan." Matsu gives a huff to then laugh a bit. His own voice full of warmth. "Figures you would say that. But yeah I feel the same way. I'd love to take you around my area and have you here." I hestitate for a missed pump of my heart. But the words float out before my mind clicks them into place. "I'd want all that and more, Matsu. If we were both willing to take that all consuming dive." Matsu goes dead quiet before he snickers a bit into his mike. And his words are full of hot wonder. "Damn... You really don't say anything other than the direct truth... I love that about you... Really, Margaret? Even though your still in love with those memories?" My throat clamps so i can't answer right away. But when i do my heart is all but tumbling over itself. "Like I would regret a road taken when it means being with someone I love... Even just platonically to tilt dangerously into sibling slash romantic territory... But I do love and value you, Shingo Kudou. Your support and friendship has meant more to me than you realize." ***** I turn when Haseo and Kuhn shout at me. Sakaki giving a chuckle before he heads for the next room. And I am not the least bit surprised that both Haseo and Kuhn look very fearful. But then my gaze lands on who is with them. And my gaze widens. Because their third party member is none other than Endrance. His eyes gazing at me with much concern. But I rotate my shoulder with the AIDA virus over it. The wing attached to my back on that side shivering with the motion. And my words come out with a dissonance in the tones. "Three knights to charge forth and save the kingdom. Three souls of great power to combat the Wave. Each with potent forces to aide them. Each with secrets to keep. And every one of them willing to lay all down to defend their comrades. Yet none of them were able to keep safe one single soul. The one that fell to depravity. The one that darkness embraces. And the one that knew more than anyone dared to guess." Haseo grips his weapon tighter to then ask me a question first. "Adelha. What did Sakaki promise you?" I chuckle to shake my head. The black wing at my back twitching as I reach up with that clawed hand to cover my face. And my words are aching. "He promised nothing Haseo. He simply asked for my conditions. So I rattled off the list of every single player I've been looking for that is still playing The World. And he delivered in spades and diamonds. Since he now has access to CC Corp records and player information. That was all I needed to find the people I've been wanting to see for so many years." I then glare at all three of them to give a gut wrenching growl. The wing at my back shaking to blow a gust of wind towards them. And my words are low and full of agony. "And here three of you were in front of me the whole time... I was so blind... Damn me for a fool that I didn't see it sooner..." Kuhn grips his weapon tighter to edge a little closer. "Adelha? What are you talking about? What do you mean?" My chest hurts so much the blackness over it cracks and billows smoke. My eyes bleeding freely as my one good hand points to Haseo first. And my words are full of pain. "I know you all better than you think. You may not remember, Haseo. But we were friends once before. Back when you were still just in grade school. Back when you were a very unique twin blade. A character named Sora who was a player in the first version of The World. The first player to be made into an Epitaph for the Cursed Wave. It is why Skeith chose you, Haseo. You were once the spine of that power when you became a Lost One. And I helped the .hackers free you from it's chains." All three of them go rigid with shock. Haseo bug eyed to nearly drop his weapon. And Kuhn chokes on his words. "You know about the Epitaph Users?! So Yata was right?! You're one of the .hackers from the first game?!" My sigh is full when I turn to Kuhn. And my voice is a little faded. "It took Wiseman long enough to piece it together. Yes, I was helping a character named Kite by playing on his avatar. Since it made more sense for me to help him level and to get our grouping gear. His was the avatar blessed by the Key of Twilight to be given the Data Drain ability. So he asked me to help him power level and to ensure that Kite was always around on the servers. When Kite's original player was asleep or at school, I was online keeping tabs for Wiseman and Helba and the others. That way we had our bases covered twenty four seven. While I also power leveled my own character on the side. But there was one person that I tended to bump into. Whether it was during my all nighters or early mornings as Kite, or on my own avatar. And that was a shy Wavemaster I grew very fond of. Someone I spent hours of time hunting Aromatic Grass for. Even when I knew he would give it away to his Mia." My eyes turn to Endrance when he goes wide eyed. His gaze full of shock as I smile at him. My good hand pointing to him as my words continue to pour from my lips. "You were the one I wanted to find the most, Elk. If only because I knew Mia might not linger with you like she did before. The idea that you were alone without her or anyone else... It broke me into pieces with each day that passed... And yet here you were in front of me the whole time... Some friend I am... I left you alone in the crowd... And for that... I'll never forgive myself..." Endrance frowns to plant his feet. His words so elegant they wash over me with sweet warmth. "You've been there in your own way, Adelha. I may have been alone for a bit. But it was clear to me you genuinely wished to reach your hand out for mine. Just like that one soul I met before. That twin blade with the crimson hair. Her name was always on my mind. And I never forgot her or Mia. I wondered if she was you. And I wish I would have asked instead of letting my fear silence me. Something I am so prone to do even when I know better. There is no need for you to ask for forgiveness, Adelha. There never was and never will be for that." My eyes hold warth and fondness even as I chuckle. And Endrance sees that look to smile a little at me. The words not needed between us. But then I turn my gaze to Kuhn. And my eyes hold nothing but pain as my words flow freely. "And yet some chose silence as their weapon... So unbecoming of a knight of olden days... Wouldn't you agree... Sieg?" Kuhn jerks as he hisses in air through gritted teeth. And his hands are shaking when he speaks. "Adelha! Stop! You know that regular players aren’t supposed to get involved with this side of the game! They can’t know about the Epitaph Users or AIDA or the Lost Ones! Even if I had known you were one of the .hackers, I still would have kept you out of it! The last thing I want is for you or anyone else to get hurt!” But my words are well honed arrows. My body aching even as the AIDA virus burrows further into my character and me in turn. "Oh but my oaths from then still hold now, Kuhn. Especially when those boss fights against the Cursed Waves filter through me to this day." I give him the most pointed stare as my words become more warped. The memories filtering through my head as I speak. "There was one moment that I dream of still. A fight I was not sure we would win. And it sent fear through me even as we stood our ground. I remember the Magus well, Kuhn. Something you might wish to hear.” Kuhn goes dead still for Haseo and Endrance to flank him. And all three of them hang on my every word. “I was the one with Kite on my own character when he went and fought that thing. We faced a leaf of utter ruin that floated about the distorted field. It's remnants like bombs to rend us open and leave us with barely a health point in the bar. Then it got it's Data Drain off. Kite would have been toasted if I hadn't jumped in the way. And when it hit..." I gag at the memory as the wing at my back shivers. My eyes squeezing shut as I pant for air. "I dropped the controller as my scream caught in my throat... It felt like someone drove red hot knives into my retinas.... My ears were roaring with the backwash of static... And my body went up in flames... A feeling none of the Lost Ones will ever erase from our memories!" I then look to Kuhn to drive the final verbal nails into the coffin. And they are ones I know cross the line. "Which was worse, Sieg... When your first girlfriend and yourself fell into the dark... Or when you found out I ended up in the hospital three times over... Who was harder to lose... Yourself... Me... Or Minase..." Kuhn gives a hard retch the same time Haseo and Endrance grab him to keep him on his feet. Haseo shouting at me, "That's going too far! Don't let AIDA strip away your control, Adelha!" Endrance looks so angry I almost flinch. But my words keep going. And no longer is the dissonance a minor note to my voice. It's edged tones having taken over in entirety. "What makes you think she can even speak anymore, Haseo? Or should I say... Ryou Misaki..." Haseo goes bug eyed the same time as Endrance. His silken voice full of aprehension. "Wait... Sakaki told you our real names along with the player information?" My head tilts to the side for a sickening pop to sound out. Those darkened tones continuing. "And addresses and phone numbers and previous character info and much more. She wanted to get in contact with all of you so desperately. The wooden bird she carved sitting on the desk waiting to be gifted to her Elk. And she never breaks her word. You know that well. Kaoru Ichinose." Endrance shivers as Haseo snarls. While Kuhn grips his weapon tight. His words shaking. "Stop it! STOP!" But my grin spreads even as I lift that clawed hand up in a mock gesture. It's fingers clenching with gleeful expectation. "She can't, you clueless fool. I'm the one in control now. That damaged human player is too busy having a seizure. The kind you humans can't get a single breath of air during. And she's across the Pacific besides. Your cardinal bird is going to die very soon. Tomonari Kasumi." Kuhn goes so still he stops breathing. With Endrance looking just as horrified. But it is Haseo that moves first. His roar of anger and fury full blown for him to slash at me with his broadsword weapon. And his words are molten fury. “LET HER GO!” My clawed hand catches the blade with ease. The voice sounding amused even as my eyes continue to bleed. The irisies rolling back in the sockets as I say, “Not until there’s nothing left of her, boy. What chance do you have of stopping this?” I throw Haseo a good distance. My words still broken up like a bad recording. “None of you can save a human over the game. What can any of you players do?” ***** Endrance throws his arms wide to stand in front of Kuhn. And the strike AIDA was going to give halts to tremble in the air. The black needles shivering as Endrance keeps his gaze to mine. Haseo coughs to get up on his knees. With Kuhn gripping his one side to pant for air. But it is Endrance that takes those steps forwards. His blade moving away the needles to clear his path. And his words are ever full of soft grace. “Long ago, a lady gave a shy boy a promise. That no matter the circumstance she would never cause harm to him. That she would instead fight for him. To protect. To defend. To uplift. To steer him towards the proper course. And always would she call him loved. That lady was one who knew the cost of loneliness. She knew what it meant to despair. And so she swore an oath to another sad soul. To place her heart with him even as she held his own as prized.” Endrance lifts his free hand up to lightly touch over one of the needles. His words so warm and soft they have me shiver. “Those oaths are still kept even in the heat of battle. Why else would Haseo and Kuhn be so hurt, yet my own frame has been left unmarred. AIDA may have robbed you of much, Margaret. But you still have enough control to keep your word to me. I know you would never harm me. You would rather die. And that is a very close outcome, Margaret. Which would ruin me in the truest sense.” I can’t help but tremble even as the needles start to fall harmlessly to the ground. Haseo using a few healing items on Kuhn and himself as Endrance keeps walking forwards. The Blade Brandier soon close enough to place his free hand to my face. His touch gentle yet searing as Endrance leans in to whisper in my ear. The words so full of love it sends my all black eyes wide. “My lady has kept her vows. All for her favor to shine through the inked tides. You have no more power over her. And as such we deny your claim over her.” Endrance places his forehead to mine even as I whimper. My words that of my own voice to beg him with aching need. "Endrance... Get Kuhn and Haseo out of here..." Both Kuhn and Haseo still as my words keep going. Endrance keeping his head to mine for his own eyes to close. "The leaves are falling... You'll have seconds... Get them out... Save them..." Endrance opens his eyes to lift up his other hand. His fingers still holding his weapon even as he touches over my face. The blackness over my frame shivering even as I beg. "Kaoru... Ryou... Tomonari... Run..." My body goes limp the same time Endrance hugs me tight. His power washing over me as Macha answers his summons. Her voice sounding over the room as Endrance is flooded over with the markings of his Epitaph. The glowing sigils glaring bright as he hugs me for hearts to touch. The AIDA over me shivers and screams. It's darkness melting away to drop to the ground as Kuhn and Haseo get it in gear. Each one summoning their Epitaph with shouts of power. While Endrance keeps his hold over me. His own Macha fully forming to cradle me in place as the field changes. The AIDA laced over me as hissing snakes. Several of them with fangs buried deep. But the bulk of it is a giant whitened form. It's talons and claws menacing even as it swipes at Skeith. But it is fruitless as Skeith just cleaves the claws in twain with it's scythe. While Magus is more inclined to rip them clean off. It's tail smashing into the whitened creature to have it scream. With Macha holding it in place. The fingers cradling my limp form as the snakes of AIDA coil and writhe. And all while they fight to rip and attack the AIDA that has me in it's sway. Moments of shifting occur to replace Macha, Magus, and Skeith with that of their wielders. Haseo roaring in all his strength. Kuhn gritting his teeth to look more determined than ever. Endrance hugging me close to cradle my head in one hand. His words echoing over the field once they have brought all they may to finish this fight. "We have little time left! Kuhn! Haseo!" Kuhn nods to waste no time. His weapon gleaming even as he roars. And the Data Drain strikes true from both Skeith and Magus. With Macha holding me up for the shot to go through only me and not Endrance in turn. Skeith's attack ripping apart the whitened horror even as Magus focuses on me. And the AIDA shrieks to then shatter. It's remnants bursting as the snakes fall away from me. Macha letting me fall from it's hands as Kuhn flies forwards. His arms out to catch me as he shouts my name. "Adelha!" My eyes stay closed for me to not utter a single breath. Kuhn choking to cradle me to his heart. A few tears falling as he begs, "No... Adelha... Please... Don't go..." Haseo and Endrance are soon their to each take one of my hands. Endrance lacing his other hand to my shoulder. His soft words full of pleading. "Do not leave us Margaret. Stay with us." Haseo grips my hand tight. His own words growled but breaking. "Please. Wake up." ***** Yata looked very unhappy as Haseo and Kuhn ran into the room. Endrance and Pi soon to follow as Zelkova stood with Matsu and Atoli. And Yata was the one to speak first. "We have news. But it is not favorable." Kuhn cuts a hand through the air to state, "Just tell us! How is she?!" Zelkova frowns to shift a little. His words flooring. "Adelha is in the hospital. And this time they have her on full life support. She's not breathing on her own. And her heart has stopped twice. Once in her apartment. The second when you all reset The World. The doctors decided to place her on a special machine. One that provides oxygen to the blood without need for the heart to circulate it. And as such she has not shown any signs that she will ever wake up again..." Everyone in the room flinches. With Kuhn soon falling to his knees to punch a fist to the floor. His shaking evident as Endrance speaks. "But there is still hope?" Yata nods to bring up a screen and look it over. "She'd be in the morgue if I hadn't gotten a hold of someone in her area to break her door down." Haseo blinks to then look stunned. His question expected. "Wait. Who would be in her area that you could contact?" But Endrance goes wide eyed to answer. His voice full of several emotions. "Sanjuro... He was the only one of the .hackers that was also in America. He told Margaret that he was a teacher in Japanese and that he was playing on the Japan server to polish his speech. Margaret grew up in a home that had English and Japanese. So she was more than comfortable with speaking both." Matsu rolls the tension from one shoulder to interject. "She's also fluent in Irish. Her mother is directly from Ireland. She told me it's how she makes a living. She translates novels from one language to another. On top of her family being rich." The others take that in for Kuhn to ask the next question. And his voice is full of agony. "How bad was it..." Yata is reading the screen to shake his head. "Sanjuro found her in bed. In the middle of a grand maul seizure. He had to put his fingers in her mouth to keep her from biting her tongue off." Everyone winces again for Yata to continue. "The only reason she went still is because her heart gave out. And Sanjuro spent a good fifteen minutes trying to resuscitate her. The EMTs got there for him to ride along. If he hadn't been there..." Yata clenches his fist to grit his teeth. The others just as upset as the room goes very quiet. But Atoli asks the next question. "Is this Sanjuro still with her?" Yata nods to swivel the screen so everyone can see. And they all go wide eyed. For there on the screen is a photo. Of a young woman with fire streaked brown hair laying in a hospital bed. And Matsu hisses to recognize the one in the bed. "Addy!" Yata looks to Matsu to ask, "You know what she looks like?" Matsu nods to rub a hand to his head. "She sent me a bunch of photos over my phone. So yes. That's her." Kuhn looks to Matsu to frown. His words a bit flinted. "And when did you two get so damn close?" Matsu growls to cross his arms. "Watch it, lover boy. I'm not your competition, if I was you'd have never gotten anywhere near her. So don't start with me when I'm already planning on stripping your ass for what you've already screwed up. The only one you have to fight with in that regard is Endrance." Kuhn looks to Endrance the same time Endrance reaches down to offer Kuhn a hand back up. And Kuhn takes it willingly. So the two keep their hands together to stare at the other. And it is Endrance that speaks first. "All I want is for Margaret to wake up again. The rest I will gladly let wait. Our lady needs her knights, Kuhn. And so we must focus our efforts." Kuhn nods to pat Endrance on the shoulder with his free hand. And never before has Kuhn looked more serious. But Zelkova poses a question to the others. His voice still soft but commanding. "And to do that, we need to find her in The World. Or wherever she fell into from this place. But so far neither Yata or myself have found a trace of her. She's still logged in. Yet we cannot find her location." But Haseo has a passing thought to step forwards. And his words are full of confidence. "There's only three places she could be. And we can get to each of them easy enough. The first is Hulle Granz Cathedral. The second is Dead World of Indieglut Lugh. The third..." Zelkova finishes to nod his head. Agreeing with the assessment. "Inverted City Megin Fi. It's a sound theory, Haseo. But what if she's in a place that is not so easy to get to?" Haseo clenches his fists before he answers. "Then I open the Gate by ripping it apart! And to Hell with the rest!" But then Yata has a thought to cross his arms. And his words are sobering. "There is one place she might linger we cannot reach. Even of it is one of the Lost Grounds." The others look confused for Zelkova to answer right away. "Balbol Museum? Why would Adelha be there?" But Endrance nods along with Yata. The Blade Brandier agreeing. "It holds all the wisdom of The World. All for Aura. This will not have changed despite the reprogramming. If anything... Aura may have placed Adelha there herself. Out of all the .hackers, Adelha spent personal time with Aura. She gave Aura many gifts in that she read to her and sang songs to her. They called the other friend. So should Adelha have fallen so far, it is not unlikely Aura had her moved to a place of safety. Where no harm might find her." ***** Each of the Descendants of Fiana stand before the altar. Their forms like sentries as Haseo and Kuhn run forwards. Endrance choosing to walk as Haseo kneels over to pant for air. But Kuhn gets right up in Azure Kite's face. His demands a shout. "Where is Adelha?! We know that you all had a hand in keeping her out of the way! So out with it!" Azure Kite seems more interested in watching Endrance walk in than answering. Azure Balmung shifting a bit where he stands. But Haseo tells Kuhn, "Getting hostile with them isn't going to make a difference. They are only the gate keepers and protectors. Yelling won't help." Kuhn gives a tisked noise to step back a bit. "Sorry. I'm just really anxious to find her before the doctors decide to pull the plug on her." Endrance sighs to nod in agreement. But his words are calm. "They won't. One of the other .hackers is a doctor and made several calls to the hospital where Adelha is. He was able to convince them to keep her on life support indefinitely." Haseo asks, "How would he even be able to do that when he is from Japan like us?" But it's Kuhn that answers. "I had CC Corp declare anyone that is a Lost One to not have their life support yanked due to lack of funding. And Yata found out that Adelha listed Endrance, himself, Sanjuro, Matsu, and me as next of kin to oversee her hospital care. So nobody can do anything without getting their legal asses handed to them." Endrance looks to the three Descendants of Fiana to then simply extend his hand. His voice calm but full of insistance. "Please. Take us to the one we seek." But the three simply stand there. None of them move. So Haseo growls to plant his feet to insist with his own words. "You're not here guarding thin air! You all don't show up unless Aura tells you! So what will it take to get you to open the damn door?!" The Descendants look to each other before the answer is given. Azure Kite reaching up to point to his head. Azure Orca nodding to then do the same. While Azure Balmung sways a little in place. And Kuhn realizes the answer to blink. "Music? But what song do we play?" Haseo rubs a hand to his head to growl again. Endrance thinking to then shake his head. They all know I tended to cycle through music on an hourly basis. So it could be one of over fifty songs. But then another walks into the church. And he sounds very annoyed. "You're kidding right? None of you even know that much? Geez. Good thing I decided to show up. Else you'd get nowhere. And I brought a friend along. Someone that cinched it for me." All six pairs of eyes turn to see Matsu walk in the door. And someone is following behind him. That of a Heavy Blade that mirrors a samurai of old. Making Endrance go wide eyed as the two new arrivals walk forwards. The Blade Brandier looking very surprised. "...Sanjuro? Is that you?" The old samurai nods to roll one shoulder. His voice like gravel even as Matsu stands next to him. "That'd be me. Somebody got tall. Good to see you, Elk. Though I wish it was under better circumstances." Haseo and Kuhn look wide eyed as Endrance shakes Sanjuro's hand. His smile very hopeful even as Matsu speaks. "Yata called him to give him the update. Turns out Sanjuro has a portable gaming headset and he got the go ahead to log in." Kuhn frowns to ask, "She okay?" Sanjuro gives a grumble to shake his head. His voice more hard. "She's ice cold and not budging from her limbo. It's why I switched my character to the Japanese server. Though I had to move to another room to lay down in a different bed. They think I'm asleep right now. But I figured you'd need a bit of info on what I found at her house." Sanjuro turns to look to Endrance to smile. "She was gripping that wooden bird the entire time, Elk. She hasn't let go of it yet. Nobody can bring themselves to take it from her. So she's still hanging on. We just have to make the bridge for her to get back." The others nod to then look to the gate keepers. The Descendants of Fiana waiting to have not moved from their places. So Sanjuro looks at Matsu to nod. Matsu nodding in turn to then open his menu. So Haseo asks, "How do you know which song to play?" So Sanjuro looks to Haseo when he answers. "It was the one song playing on a loop when I got into her house. And it's the one she plays the most out of all of them. I checked the history. This has to be it. It was really unsettling how well it fits with this whole scenario too." Matsu flinches as Kuhn frowns. "Which song was it?" So Sanjuro answers. "It's from an anime Adelha fell in love with. Some show called Fate Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works." Kuhn goes wide eyed to finish the comment. "Last Stardust by Aimer." Matsu huffs to finish with his screen. His words full of anxious nerves. "Okay. Hopefully this goes through and doesn't blow our ears out. So say your prayers." Matsu turns the song on for it to play through his computer. The song wafting over each ear piece for the background music in the Hulle Granz Cathedral to even change. Sanjuro gripping his sword automatically. But the change settles over for the Descendants of Fiana to look very pleased. Their heads nodding to the music as the song plays. And Kuhn feels himself shiver as the lyrics wash over him. A kind of knot unfurling as he closes his eyes. Matsu noting, "Wow. You were right. This does suit her by a lot." Haseo nods to look to his one hand. His own comment very unsettled. "I could say the same really. At least it feels that way. It's so pure in sound and rich in emotion I got shivers when I first heard it." Sanjuro closes his eyes to note, "Margaret always loved music that voiced her inner struggles. It's why she always had music playing." The others nod to listen to the song in full. Endrance standing very still as he shivers. But by the end of the song, the music begins again. Matsu blinking a few times to state, "What the- I didn't put this on repeat. What gives?" But Kuhn notes the way the gate keepers turn to face the altar. Each one unsheathing their weapons to point them to that slab of stone. And it is then a tear opens in the air. A glowing mist billowing out as the others stand firm. Until the tear is wide enough for a player to enter. The Azure Knights turning to then step aside. Azure Kite giving a long sigh of air to then point to the portal. And he does so with a forced amount of haste. So all five men nod to hurry forwards. Kuhn being the one to jump in first. Followed closely by Endrance and Matsu. Haseo let's Sanjuro go next before he steels himself. Then he gives a shout to run forwards and vault into the portal. The Descendants of Fiana bowing down to then wait until the players return. ***** The bed was soft under me as I watched the sky change with unblinking eyes. A few butterflies landing in my hair as I lay there unable to move. I didn't twitch. Didn't breathe. I simply existed. And Aura spoke into my ears though I still could not see her. That voice so full of warmth yet so very sad. "How long will you let this death keep you here?" I had no breath or voice to answer. The butterflies soon taking flight to land in the flowered bushes that were close to the bed. This same bed that once held Aura. Before she had awoken in The World. Her prison as much as her place of beginning. The place that would mean my end. And yet I was willing to stay. To linger and become a permanent fixture in this scenery of olden memory. The teddy bear floating in the air next to my foot. And I just watched as the sky kept changing. From simple clouds to stars to sunrise and to many other visions. Sights of days long past filtering into the canopy to play like home movies. My mother singing to me as I lay in my crib. My father smiling at me to offer his last bite of onigiri while I sat in my high chair. Learning to read as my grandfather played the koto for my grandmother. Flying a kite with my parents one summer afternoon. The memories played on and on as I lay there. And there were other voices besides Aura that I could hear in the distance. Her own voice sounding right next to my ear. "You have visitors. And they came a long way to get to you." Then those footsteps got louder. A shout soon followed a figure nearly toppling over to kneel over me as I lay in that bed. Kuhn looking down at me in fear and much sadness. His eyes streaming for those droplets of hot salt water to land on my face. One even landing in my eye to trace down that cheek. And I was unable to do anything other than watch. Kuhn begging and pleading as he took in the sight of me. "Adelha! We're here! Wake up! Adelha! Why aren't you moving?! Say something! Just what-" But then Endrance comes into view on my other side. And he looks very concerned before reaching his hand out. His fingers hovering over my nose and lips. Kuhn goes dead still as the moment lengthens. Haseo soon voicing his presence. "She's not breathing, is she Endrance. Just like in the real world." Endrance flinches to close his eyes and nod. Kuhn reaching out his own hand to press his fingers into my neck. His eyes still streaming as he shudders in agony. "No... There's no pulse... She's... Adelha! Please no! You can't be gone!" Then Matsu makes a grumbled noise from behind them to stomp over. His growl full of worry. "Enough Kuhn. Her avatar is still here. And therefore she has to still be here. So stop lamenting and start thinking." Kuhn closes his eyes to rub at his face with one arm. His rended pain plain to see as he gives a hard cough of air. Then he just sits himself in the bed right next to me, his breaths of air coming in hard drags and sobs. Endrance then moves away to then sit on the bed by my feet, which has Matsu move into my field of vision to look down at me instead. His eyes taking me in with a fierce frown as he curses. "Damn it all Addy. You have to still be in there somewhere. I won't accept that you just up and faded away to leave all of us hanging. That ain't you and we all know it. So what will it take to get you up and living again." Endrance shakes his head to lace his hand in mine and grip as tight as he can. His eyes turning to the sky as the memories continue to play. Haseo also looking up with his arms crossed for him to watch. "Just like with Atoli. Her memory for whoever is here to relive with her. I'm guessing that Wavemaster is you, Endrance?" The Blade Brandier hums in confirmation to give a nod of his head. His voice soft as he speaks. "She had invited Mia and myself to go dungeon raiding. So we could upgrade our weapons and hunt for Aromatic Grass in the open fields. We spent hours searching the map and the dungeon below. And I was the only one to find any Aromatic Grass. I immediately gave it to Mia. Who was very pleased to pat my head and thank me. And I was so happy to be praised by my Mia. It wasn't until after I had logged out that I realized I never once thanked Margaret for taking us to that area. Or for spending all that time with us looking. I hadn't even thought to give her a thank you when we got back into town." Haseo watches as they see my reaction to when Elk had given Mia his gift. And they see the sadness in my eyes even though I had turned away. And how I had just waved to Elk and Mia when they logged out from town. That smile crumbling as I leaned into a wall. Looking very hurt as I rubbed one hand to my face. But then they see another walk up. That of a samurai to look at me with understanding. Then he stood next to me to place a hand to my shoulder. I looked up to hear him speak with that tough smirk he always wore. And even though there is no audio to these memories, I hear Sanjuro speak for him to echo what was said in that moment. "It is so like a kid to forget their manners. So don't think that what you do isn't appreciated, Margaret. Because when you give in good faith to others, you get back even more." Matsu moves away for another to take his place. And there looking down at me is an older yet very familiar face. His hair much longer and done in a ponytail. The strands of red mixed brown holding white streaks in several places. His one eye no longer hidden behind that black eye patch. And his eyes are the same faded hazel wood color as before. His face exactly the same as his first avatar. And he looks down at me with a sad expression. A gloved hand soon placed at my cheek for his words to wash over me at long last. "God I missed you Margaret. Spent so much time wondering where you were. And here you are. As cold and lifeless as the body in the hospital bed I've been sitting next to." Sanjuro traces that hand down my face to sigh with a hard huff of air. His voice deeper and more flinted as he berates himself. "Five blocks. That's how far away you were from me. Five damn blocks that might as well have been an ocean or more. I ran that whole way to get to your little house by the park. Never ran harder in my whole life. Kicked the door down when I did get there, too. It was really damn clear you were in a bad mess. The banging and thrashing you were making was audible from the street. And I had to hold you down as you thrashed like someone was electrocuting you." His eyes water for tears to fall. Matsu placing a hand to his shoulder as Sanjuro chokes up a bit. "You died right in front of me, Margaret. Fifteen minutes for the ambulance to get there. And that whole time I was cursing up a storm when I wasn't giving you air. Doctors told me I thrust down so hard I broke your sternum. But now we found you to make this right. From what Matsu said, you're still the same soul. And that means all you want now is what you wanted then. To have those that share love with you in your life. I know it took way too long for me to get to you. But I'm here now and I sure ain't letting you go without a Hell of a fight." Haseo walks over to stand at the head of the bed. His own eyes so much different than when he first met me. No longer is there that wild anger and short temper. Instead a more collected and serious gaze in those eyes as he watches me. And Sanjuro sits himself down on my other side to lift me up. His arms like great oak trees as he hugs me close. Endrance moving to still hold my hand tight as Kuhn reaches out to grip my other hand. Matsu soon reaching out to place his own hand to my shoulder. Haseo watching to grip tight to the bed frame. Sanjuro hugs me tight for my head to rest against his collar. His breath washing over the top of my head as I note the ever so soft drumming of his heart. And Sanjuro speaks with that grizzled bear of a voice I've ached to hear with all of my being. "I love you so much, squirt. We all do. We love you, Margaret. In our own ways. These young men have made it clear they want to keep you with them. And I want the same. I waited all these years to see you. Don't make me wait anymore. It's time for you to wake up. And be with the people that have been beside you all along." Sanjuro places a kiss to my head as the others nod in agreement. And something inside me finally gets warm. A stirring of heat that tickles at my senses. And I hear Endrance give a gasp of a noise to put both his hands in mine. Kuhn asking, "Endrance? What-" But Endrance cuts Kuhn off to exclaim, "Her hand moved in mine!" The others look hopeful as that warmth inside me spreads. Kuhn soon giving a gasp of his own as he places his free hand to my wrist. "You're right! Adelha, come on now!" Soon enough that warmth has filled me in entirety. Giving me enough strength to take a full and long breath of air. The sound so soft yet it sends all five men into a state of much excitement and relief. Sanjuro rumbling a hum of ease as Kuhn sobs to place his lips to my hand. Endrance lifting my hand up to place it to his heart as tears fall from his eyes. Matsu laughing as Haseo grins. All five of them watching as I murmur a little to then take another breath of air. Sanjuro keeping me upright as he rumbles, "Take it slow, Margaret. You've been lifeless for quite a while. It will take a little bit of time for you to regain your senses." Sanjuro then looks to Matsu to tell him, "Take my place here. The doctors will be running to my room any second now." Matsu nods to sit down on the bed. Sanjuro handing me over for Matsu to keep me upright. Haseo notes to the samurai, "Thank you." Sanjuro gives a bow of his head before he logs himself out of the game. Kuhn scooting a bit closer as he keeps his fingers to my wrist. "Adelha. It's all gonna be all right now." Matsu is smirking as he laces one hand into my hair to hug me close. His sigh very full of relief. "You scared us really good, Addy. Welcome back though." I gave a mumbled noise before my hands twitch. Endrance smiling despite his tears as he keeps my one hand to his heart. Words of soft joy pouring from his lips. "I have never been more grateful in all my life. We missed you so much, Margaret. So very much." Haseo nods to then say, "And now that we have you back, we won't ever let you fall again." It takes but a moment more before I lift my head up. My eyes blinking to clear my vision. And the first person I see is Matsu. His eyes misted over as he smirks at me. My words very faded but warm. "Matsu... How long... Was I gone...?" Matsu frowns for Haseo to answer instead. "Since the take over of Moon Tree, it's been twenty days." I feel so tired and yet so warm. My eyes clearing to really see. And I note, "And I'm... Really in game... As in I am my actual avatar..." Matsu nods to then hug me tight. Kuhn squeezing my hand as he nods. "We had to jump in all the way to get to you. So we're all probably laying in a bed out for the count outside of the game." The news has me close my eyes as such settles over me. And I take a deep breath to enjoy these blessed sensations that are more real than the waking world. My hand that Endrance has to his heart noting every strong pump against my palm and fingers. How Kuhn is gripping my hand so tight I can feel the rushing of blood through his fingers. How Haseo reaches out to lace his hand into my hair. And how Matsu is crushing me in his hug. And I have never been more happy in my entire life. "You guys... Are really here... Really actually here in my line of sight... My wish came true after all..." ***** Endrance lays with me on that soft bed for the others to wait a ways off. And I am hugging him as tight as possible to cry into his front. His hands cradling me close as I sob and hiccup. My words so full of emotion. "Elk... I missed you... So much... I'm so sorry... It took me so long... Please forgive me..." But Endrance simply hugs me close to sigh. His words so soft and full of love. "There is nothing to forgive. You were there when I needed you. Loving me even when you did not know it. And I am so very glad I was able to save you the way that you saved me." Endrance lifts my gaze to look into my eyes. And there is relief there as well as love. His voice so warm and sweet. "Hello Margaret. It is so very good to meet you face to face at long last." I give a choked hiccup to then lean forwards. Placing my forehead to his as I shiver all over. "I waited for so long... To really see you and hug you tight... I just- I- I'm not sure what to-" Endrance reaches up to place his fingers to my lips. And such stuns me so much I forget to breathe. His chuckle rich and warm. "You may call me Kaoru. And you may do so whenever you wish. Now then, you said there was something you wanted to do for a very long time. And so I urge you to do so. Go ahead, Margaret. Give me what you have desired to gift to me for far too long." I give a gasp to go very still. Endrance waiting patiently as I blush. But then I move to wrap my arms around his neck. And I place my lips to his to give Endrance that deep kiss I've been aching to give him for so long. Endrance goes wide eyed before going as red as the roses in his hat. Then his eyes roll back for him to hug me tight and kiss me back. And oh does this feel perfect. Our hearts touching as I drown in the sensation. Then I feel Endrance tilt my head to kiss me again. His hold on me gripped tight as we go up in flames. And when we do come up for air we are gasping and panting like we ran a marathon. And I swear I will etch this moment onto my soul for the rest of eternity. My words a molten sonnet. "My glorious soul of sculpted beauty and vibrant elegance... My heart has pined for your embrace with every tumbled flutter... And now you're here for me to savor... With every inhalation and sensation... No Heaven will compare... To what I hold in this moment... Kaoru... I love you with all of my heart and soul..." Endrance gives a shuddered breath of heated joy and desire. His heart giving fierce pounding motions against his sternum to echo against my own. And I shudder in the bliss of my heart matching the motions to fly to his own caged in his ribs. His nose to my own even as he presses my chest to his in a heated need we both are being consumed by. And his words are molten sunlight. "Margaret... Oh my beautiful Margaret... It hurts and soars... I've never felt so alive... Or so pained... Every heartbeat aches... I can barely think... Can barely breathe..." So I take the opportunity to hum and shiver in his hold. My words a breathless promise. "Kaoru... I'll keep your heart... I'll savoir every pumped beat in my hands... I'll cradle your heart and your life in my embrace... With every breath I take and every second I have... Please my Kaoru... My beloved angel of divine light... Take my own heart... Devour my soul... Capture all that I am... Pry my ribs open... Take out my heart as it trembles only for you... Give me a joyous reason to want it to keep beating... If only to feel your fingers against it... Kaoru... Love me now and forevermore... And I will live and love you with all my existence... I've wanted and loved you for so long already... Be mine... And take me as yours..." *****alternate***** Matsu logs out for it to just be myself and Kuhn. His sigh full of fatigue as he reaches a hand up to rub at the back of his head. "Why'd I pick an avatar with a ponytail. Having this much hair is annoying." I give a chuckle to look to the ceiling. My words full of warmth when I speak. "Actually, that long blue hair is what got my attention. Then you spoke into your mike and my toes curled. You have a captivating voice, Kuhn. And before I knew it I was falling for you. With every time we went through a dungeon or went to an event together. Just from your voice and the way you talked to me." Kuhn goes really still to start blushing as I recite a few things. And I know I'm as red as can be by the end. "Now don't you go making me fall for a beautiful woman. My heart could not take such. Especially if you just up and leave me to break my heart later. Oh so cruel it is to fall in love with such passion for a lovely maiden as this. It ruins me, yet I cannot seem to help myself. I am powerless before a beautiful maiden with such fire in her soul." I turn my head slightly to gaze at Kuhn from the side. And I'm breathless by now. "You have no idea how well that worked on me. How well all your gestures of endearment worked on me. Even when I was trying not to let you in. Even when I wanted to be with Endrance first and didn't want to fall for another guy. Yet I was powerless to stop what you did to me. You all but pried my ribs open to take my heart from me. And for the life of me I could only wonder if you would ever feel the same about me." Kuhn gives a gasp of noise to turn and really look at me. His blush spreading to his ears and down his neck as I turn away to look back up to the ceiling. And my words are full of heat. "Didn't matter you are in Japan. Didn't matter you were a flirt with every girl that looked older than seventeen. Didn't matter how much Pi warned me. The only time it hurt was when I found out you were the one that had suspended my forum priviledges and had deleted all my questions to find my friends. And even then I still was in love with you. Even when I pieced it together about you and Minase from what Sakaki gave me. Even then... I wanted to let you in to forgive you... I wanted to let you make it all right and how it was before... And I still do... I want you... To have my heart... Tomonari..." Kuhn stops breathing at this point. And I don't have the courage to look his way. I just stand there with tears in my eyes. My words sounding slightly uneven. "Have you ever realized how horrible it is to be in love? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens up your chest, ruins your heart, and lets that someone in far enough to destroy all that you are from the inside out." I shiver all over to lower my head. And my words ache. "You sure did that well enough... And yet I want more... I do love Kaoru dearly... He's the brother and friend and so much more to me than words could describe... But you are the one I am in love with the most Tomonari... Living without you... Is like inhaling knives... It slices into my lungs worse than anything I've ever known... And yet you never once said you are in love with me... I could be so wrong and have wasted so much time waiting for you for nothing... And yet I can't say I regret falling for you... The moments you gave me were good and precious... So if that is the case... Then you don't need to say anything... I won't ask for more than what you can give..." I hurt so much that breathing becomes painful. But then Kuhn walks up behind me. His hands reaching up to grip tight over my heart. And my hands cover his automatically. My eyes squeezed shut as I pant for air. And we stand there for a long moment as Kuhn hugs me tight from behind. Until his words whisper in my ear. So full of warmth and sweetness. "I was so desperate to keep you from getting hurt... And all I did was hurt you instead... I didn't want to watch you fade away like Minase... I swore I'd save you no matter the cost... I wasn't going to do anything other than bring you back from that dark blackness that ripped you away from all of us... I would fight and give my life to make sure your heart stayed beating... To save the woman I love..." I give a slight sob to go very still. Kuhn placing a soft kiss to my neck as he continues. "I failed you when you needed me most... And I know I don't deserve you anymore after what I put you through... And yet I beg of you to let me have you... All of you... Every good and bad and broken piece of you... In game and outside in the real world... I love you Margaret... More than my next breath... More than my next heartbeat... More than any other memory or feeling... Please Margaret... Forgive me of my failings... And make me yours..."

[idoldigidestined]

Dad: No spoilers but is Zelkova a hacker?

Me: I know all.

Dad:????

Me: *laughs*

Dad: Alkaids evil I know it.

Me: *laughs*

I know all.

Dad: ??????

Dad: Why is Haseo so ignorant?

Me: *writes sign on a paper and points to it*

Dad: What?

Me: I know all.

[librarianmia]

“Even if there are paths you can’t walk by yourself, you’ll be able to walk them with others.”

- Zelkova, .hack//g.u.

[velvetsora]

THEIR IRL APPEARANCES!!!!!!!!!!!!! SILABUS, ENDRANCE AND ESPECIALLY YATA KILLING ME WHERES HASEO IRL

[kara-knuckles]

Cross Rengeki!! Part 5/6