Complete Private Isulus Worth Fighting For

[Ash Vargold]

It's raining again.

Ash is used to it, more or less. He grew up in an area where grey skies and endless drizzle was the norm and umbrellas were a sign of weakness. It was comforting, really - no matter how strange the world got, some things stayed the same. And just like in reality, he dealt with the rain by staying inside and listening to the sound as it cascaded past a nearby window.

Can't escape the rain here either, huh...

His clothes were a mess. Sure, he'd managed to clean off most of the mud and blood, but the bugs had done a number on his longcoat in particular. Gaudy and complicated as it was, he was still overly fond of the thing. It was unique and cooling looking. It has also cost a fortune, on account of the enchantments and spun mithril thread that made it hold up well enough to count as armor. That meant maintaining it, and this far out from civilization he couldn't just leave it with a tailor and come back later.

And thus he was here, jacket sprawled over his lap, trying to relearn sewing with hands much larger than he'd learned with. It was a slow process, and he'd already pricked his fingers a few times. He was making progress, though! At least, it felt like progress.

...fuck, messed up the edges. I'm gonna have to start this stitch over.

...this was going to take a while.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno shouldn't be surprised when he saw Ash, stepping into the building while shaking his head and huffing. Of course, he wasn't looking the best, especially after the whole chaos that it was. But if anything, Hanno looked rather happy, or if anything satisfied. There were quite a handful of reasons for him to be like that, some more important than others.

One of them was seeing the other man actually being there, fighting next to them during all of the combat.

"Every place has rain. This game isn't an exception." He said, grinning and taking one step closer, looking at Ash and pondering for a moment as he noticed what he was working on.

"Sounds like it will take a while to finish this, won't it, buddy?" Hanno asked, taking a seat next to the familiar face, placing his shield away and trying to get it into a position the shield wouldn't be too exposed, especially after the combat that made it fairly awake this time, as opposed to its usual slumbering mode.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash jolted in his seat, followed by a yelp as he jabbed he finger with the seam ripper. He hissed, sucking on the finger for a few seconds before turning his attention to the person sitting next to him. Not that he really had to use his eyes - the mixed smell of the person and his dissonant shield were unmistakable.

...oh. Hi Hanno.

He continued to work the seam ripper through his botched stitch, letting the repetitive motion keep him focused. Hanno was a friend, and thus his heart remained steady, but there was always the mental part of anxiety to handle.

If I were trying to make it pretty, probably. This is really just to keep it from ripping any further until I can get a real tailor to look at it.

He pulled the snipped threads out of the fabric and let them fall on the floor. He busied himself with ensuring the fabric was aligned properly this time, pulling this way and that on the coat, then went for the needle and thread. His tail thumped erratically against the bench as he started the arduous process of getting the thread through the eye.

...so. Bet you've got some words for me, huh?

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno winced at the fluke, frowning slightly. "Ow man, sorry. I should have said something instead of appearing like that..." Hanno said apologetically, peering at the work the man was focused on once again. "There are some pretty good ones in Finweald. Less pricy the farther you are from the center." Hanno suggested, looking at Ash as he mentioned him having something to say to him.

He tilted his head.

"After that talk we had, I thought I would never see you taking a dangerous mission to save others."

A genuine smile crossed his lips.

"I don't know your reasons, but thanks for fighting with us, buddy. You helped me to save a precious friend." Hanno said, looking at Ash cheerfully after all that fight, crossing his arms over a table.

Were there losses? Yes. But at this point Hanno had accepted those would always occur. Compared to the Titanus battle, that UI Locked so many, that caused so much destruction. Though, honestly it was clear that was just the start of something even bigger, making that a small taste on what would be a deadly feast unless they worked on becoming more organized on what was about to come.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

Hm, I'll keep that in mind. I used to get it fixed in Vintergard, I think, but... well, can't do that anymore, hah.

Once Ash had the needle threaded, the rest of the sewing process was much simpler. He'd done this plenty of times, at least in reality, and a few times in the past 15 minutes or so. It meant he could comfortably split his focus between it and the conversation.

...you and me both. I'm still not sure why I went and fought. I was planning on staying in Camp Nisus, but that obviously didn't happen.

It's... kind of scary, actually. I'm hoping it was just some Red Fever side effect. It'd be better than finding out Terrasphere has new and exciting ways to keep people playing.

It was easier that way, to blame the game. It was better than the alternative, at least - that some part of him wanted to be there, despite being fully aware of the risks. He still remembered that fugue just before they departed - that feeling of being on autopilot, like he was just getting ready for a day at work.

He pushed the thought away.

Right, you were part of the rescue team. You didn't hesitate for a moment, huh? I'm glad you were able to get so many out of there. This game sure has a thing for players getting eaten alive, huh?

I had my hands full keeping people alive on the ground. You'd be amazed at how many newbies thought it was a good idea to throw a taunt on the boss while carrying a vuln stack.

Ash smiled bitterly. It was the one thing that kept him on the battlefield then, instead of messing with MIT cannons. Faces both familiar and unfamiliar pushing the limit of safety, ready to risk their lives for another. If it were a normal video game it wouldn't be so stressful, but here in Terrasphere it was a nightmare.

...though, I heard some people weren't so lucky. Apparently that explosion at the end was a person going off. Do you know anything about that?

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"We sure can't. Unless you want to find a Magia there that could fix it for you." Hanno joked a bit with a half-smirk, knowing that if they found any Magia there by chance, they would probably be attacked by magitech lasers on sight, something that certainly wasn't in Ash's wishlist.

A small smile crossed his lips, and he nodded. "I've heard Laylabelle was there, I couldn't just sit back and pray for her to be well as we got to fight that monster... Turned out there were other familiar faces in there. Brad did a great job too, also a blonde faerin, she was very competent at keeping the team organized." Hanno said with a nod, knowing he didn't save many of them by himself, but rather it was a big effort of many people that wanted to see their friends alive.

"I wouldn't be amazed at all, and I'm glad you were there to help them out. After spending so long trying to get people to log off, I know the newbies are just as crazy as the vets." He said, letting out a sigh. "That attack of the monster was so intense, one of the newbie tankers was a friend of mine, I will give him a hell of a scold when I can."

When Ash mentioned someone going off, Hanno paused and frowned. "What..? Really? I was so busy rescuing Belle and Rook that I didn't notice anyone falling behind..." His expression was of pure shock, then lowering to something more somber. "What... What do you know about it?"

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

We all have to be a little crazy to keep playing this game, really.

Himself included. He could tell himself he was doing it to help others all he wanted, but that wasn't quite truthful, was it?

Ash looked down at his coat. It'd been through a bit. Scuffs and stains from this or that fight with beasts or monsters. Older stitches and patches done by far more skilled hands than his, nearly impossible to discern from the original. A few places, mostly towards the bottom edges, where one could still see the burns left by Titanius' acid all those years ago.

It had been through a lot. He had been through a lot.

...I don't know a whole lot. I overhead some of the explorers talking about it - someone named "Shane". Apparently... something happened to them that turned them into a walking bomb, and they chose to stay so they could take the bug out with them.

No one's seen them since. But... I think they might have been UI-locked.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"Completely out of their minds, yep." Hanno nodded in full agreement, knowing very well he was part of this equation of craziness and poor life choices. The faerin was fine with those poor life choices though, as long as he could keep those who did the same protected. He wasn't sure by now why Ash wanted to keep playing despite everything.

He said he didn't think that world is worth it, so why?

Hanno wondered more, still not voicing the question since the current topic intrigued him. "Honestly I thought that explosion was caused by the cannons. That explains why some of the MIT folks were kinda shaken about it." Hanno frowned.

The mention of someone turning into a walking bomb made Hanno feel his stomach trying to crample, averting his face for a moment as he frowned.

"A walking bomb... that's horrifying." Hanno pursed his lips, and when Ash mentioned the UI-Lock, Hanno's eyes grew wide.

"What... What do you mean UI Locked? They became one or were one when they exploded?" Both were terrible fates to bear, and both of them fell into his personal mission of taking care of the UI Locked.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

I was working with the MIT earlier. The Serenity Mist is pretty powerful, but I don't think it's that powerful.

Ash picked at the fabric of the coat. The stitching was finished, but he continued to idly run the point of the needle in and out of it. He had nothing but hearsay and rumor and the mutter of ghosts to back up any of his words. He almost wished it was wrong, just some terrible joke like the people talking about speedruns.

...I think they were already UI-locked. I think they knew what they were getting into. That it would be their fourth death.

...that there'd be no respawning from that one.

Ash had no real reason to be invested. At least, that was what he kept telling himself. But hearing that someone had not just died, but sacrificed themselves put a bitter taste in his mouth.

He wasn't sure which side of himself he hated more right now: the part that said it didn't matter, or the part that did.

Ash stopped stabbing the coat and started to pack up the sewing kit. At the rate he was going, he was going to put a brand new hole into it. Both of them vanished shortly after, stowed away in his inventory for later. He didn't need to wear the heavy coat right now - there was little chance of them getting into a fight at the moment.

With his hands and lap free he leaned forward, elbows on his knees and forehead resting against his balled fists. He took a deep breath that quickly transitioned into a sigh.

I'm almost tempted to go back into the crater, at this point. See if there's... you know. Something left to talk to. But I don't even know if "Travelers" have ghosts, UI-locked or not.

...you see them too, right? Do you have any insight on that front?

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno's fist clenched slightly at the reveal. How could it be? He never realized someone was in so much danger in there. Yes, of course, he was rushing to save his friends, but how he couldn't have noticed someone just...

But it was when he realized, and his fist softened for a moment.

It wasn't that they died without having a chance to save themselves, but rather they decided to go off this way. To give up on their life for the sake of others. His lips pursed, and Hanno averted his gaze. "Whoever they are, they must have been really courageous to accept this fate for the sake of others-" Hanno said, frowning before adding:

"But I can't agree with others giving away their lives just like that. There was probably another way to go with this-" He sighed heavily, shifting his gaze back to Ash.

"... Traveler ghosts..?" Hanno took a deep breath, looking at Ash.

"You have a spirit. You have a soul too. I think it is fair to expect you would have a ghost if you died for good." He said, with great certainty.

"... You shouldn't go alone if you do though. Make sure to tell me if you plan to do that." Hanno didn't trust that place just yet.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash nodded, eyes still fixed on the floor. His tail thumped uncertainly against the bench as he thought.

...really makes you think, huh? That there are people who are actually willing to go that far from the real world. Certainly have more guts than me, that's for sure.

A short, bitter laugh. Put to shame by someone who may or may not even count as "real". What a world he'd gotten embroiled in, huh?

...as Hanno continued, he blinked his way. He was awfully convinced about souls.

Wow, you didn't hesitate a second on the soul thing, huh?

I'm not sure if I can be so sure myself. I mean... what even is a soul, here in Terrasphere? Does it come from this world, or...?

Ash straightened up, arms crossed as he began to mumble. It was questions like that which drove him to considering joining the MIT long term. There were a million unanswered questions to this game, things that bothered even when he wasn't playing. Someone else must have studied the subject, figured something out in the four years the game was inaccessible...

...oh, right. He was in a conversation right now.

...not the place to ramble about that, though. If the UI-locked really are like Landers, then I guess there's a chance they would still have ghosts.

...if I do go out there, you'll probably be the first to hear. Wouldn't be any use going out there alone anyway, right?

Ash thumped his chest with a smirk. His heart was steady now, but even the thought of going out into that crater alone made it stutter a little.

Might be worth getting a few spirit mages, actually. Even if we can't contact Shane, there's plenty of other spirits out there that could use some help moving on.

It... seems like the least we can do, at this point.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"Really do. And I can respect that." Hanno said, letting out a sigh and averting his eyes to nowhere in particular. He couldn't help but wonder what could be the other motives behind the sacrifice. Perhaps they were already having an internal dilemma if they were their real selves or not, or

He wouldn't disconsider the possibility of it being pure altruistic reasons though. But they could only find out whenever they talked to their spirit, if possible.

Ash's pondering made Hanno pause and look at him for a moment, half opening his mouth and considering it for a moment.

"I... Have a feeling that it isn't from this world." Hanno admitted. "It may sound crazy. But sometimes I have a feeling this place... is more of an extension, rather than something completely severed from reality." That sounded stupid. Sci-fi and fantasical even. But wasn't the whole idea of dying in a video game very crazy to begin with?

Hanno peered up at Ash, giving it a thought. "My opinion is that Landers and UI Locked aren't different at all. Aside from knowledge, they bear the same limitations as far as I know." He tilted his head, offering a smile.

"And I don't plan to leave you alone either, buddy. I do have spirit magic, so I wouldn't go there just to stand still." Hanno nodded.

"Do you know anyone else that would be willing to go?"

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

It is crazy, but... it's not like I haven't considered that too. But that has to be impossible, right? There's gotta be some explanation that doesn't involve... I don't know, magic. Something that actually matches up with reality.

Ash sighed. Terrasphere emerging from the void like it had was the worst thing to have happened to him. And maybe the best thing to have happened to him. It certainly helped fill those long, dead hours at home...

...there's no game like Terrasphere.

I haven't really talked to people about going ghost hunting other than you. It's still just an idea, instead of a plan. Not really sure to go about it, yet. Might send out a world message, but not sure what to do about the people without UI access. Maybe some flyers...?

He glanced at his UI - he hadn't closed it yet, and the hunger meter was a little low, so he ended up pulling out some jerky. One piece went into his mouth, while a few more pieces were offered to Hanno.... and after a moment, another piece set down near Hanno's shield. There was still something deeply unnerving about it, and he didn't know how Hanno could walk around with such a stark reminder of Titanius, but... well, Hanno felt safe enough carrying it around. Maybe giving it a treat would make it less likely to do... something?

Kind of a low priority right now for me anyway. There's a million things to do around camp as is. But if you know anyone, or if you've got any ideas, I'd be glad to hear 'em.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"I've been working with UI Locked people a lot lately. So leave it to me if you want to." Hanno said with a firm nod, then tilting his head at Ash's question, musing about it.

"Knowing anyone... Well, I know a couple of people that are good with spirit magic, and both of them were involved in this insectoid mess... Corsair, who works on spirit magic and magitech together, is something quite intriguing if you ask me. She is fairly competent at it too, and with her drones, we could cover more area while having some eyes to watch out for any remaining danger. Or she could even keep some spirits in containers so we can bring them somewhere else, in case the area is corrupting them" He suggested, pondering if the demonic energy that place held would do anything to them.

"There is also Belle, as I said before, she was one of the people I went for the rescue. This means she may know this Shane better than us, if your intention is to try to communicate with them. But even if not, her spirit magic skills are great, and very empathetic, which means she would be really helpful to help us to communicate with them. At least the way she soul bounded with me to increase her energy to fight on was pretty smooth." And it was another reason for Hanno to believe that players had soul and spirit in this game. How else he would feel the warmth of their souls touching each other if they were empty inside of them?

Unless it was merely a mechanical effect of a spell, but Hanno couldn't believe it that way.

"Both are my friends, so inviting them would be easy. It isn't a guarantee they will join though, especially Belle, after everything she went through." Even if she was usually very cheerful, you couldn't guarantee anything.

@Ash Vargold

@Corsair @Laylabelle (Mentions, in case you guys want to know.)

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash turned his attention to the rain outside as he considered Hanno's information. The rain continued to pour down. Down below he could see the few who were still determined to work despite the rain. It was easy to pick out a number of Lions, clad in their trademark blue.

Spirit magic and magitech? That's a... interesting combination. Kind of cool.

He made a mental note to look into that sometime later. Same with the so called "soul-bonding" thing, but... well, if the game could do something like afflict him with consequences after death, or forcibly alter how someone like Harlow could communicate, then simulating something like that probably wasn't that hard, either.

Having people who knew Shane would definitely be helpful, but... you're right. It wouldn't matter if they were UI-locked or a Lander: if they were friends, they're probably grieving.

Just another reason to wait before making any serious plans.

Was it procrastination? Probably so. His "affliction" could calm his heart against the heart-racing idea of approaching strangers, but it couldn't stop the mental anxiety. He exhaled through his nostrils, glanced at his HUD, and made the motion to close it.

...my need meter keeps bugging me. I think I've been at this sewing thing for too long.

I'm going down to the mess hall. You wanna come?

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"It is hella cool, not gonna lie." Hanno nodded with a grin, reminding himself of the way his friend could simply work with spirits using all her magitech. Something that would be unthinkable four years ago... The world had sure developed rapidly, something of an interesting thought.

At Ash's words, Hanno shrugged and nodded. "I'm not in a hurry for that, so I have no issues with waiting. There is so much else to solve after all... And all that happened? Huff-" He rolled his eyes to the window. "That's just the beginning of something worse. Like it always happens in this..." Game? No- "... World."

Breathing a sigh, Hanno peeked up at Ash and nodded. "Count me on it. Gotta get this need meter full after all." Hanno said, getting his shield back on his back when he hopped off to get on foot, following Ash to the next room.

There was a lot of chattering and noises happening, some rather cheerful, others... Not so much.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash had yet to spend enough time in game for the faces in the room to be familiar. What he could recognize were the various factions - the blue and badges of Lions, the whistles hanging around the necks of explorers, and so forth. He did recognize a few MIT faces, though - mostly people he remembered having to drag out of fights and so forth. He tried not to make eye contact as he looked for the line. He was still trying to process those fever ridden memories - the sharp sting of emotion, the havoc, the...

Ash suddenly turned to Hanno, looking as ruffled as any startled animal.

...wait. That's right, back with the MIT crew, there was this strange man. White hair, smelled of death and...

He hesitated, his eyes lingering a little long on Hanno's shield.

...like Titanius. And half his face looked like it too, but no one else seemed to notice. I think he was a spirit mage himself, but...

I don't know. I guess we should be careful who we ask to help.

It felt like a weight had lifted once he relayed that story. He hadn't realized how much that image of spiritual fire and red eyes had been lurking at the back of his memory. He shook his head as if to shake the remaining nerves off of him.

...anyway. Shall we go get in line? Smells like they might have something that isn't gruel and mushroom up there for once...

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Ghast rumbled quietly when the name was spoken, but the faerin nudged it back to sleep.

Hanno listened Ash's reveal with a frown crossing his face at the mention and description of the intriguing man. "A dissonant one perhaps? Weird... What are his intentions..?" Hanno muttered.

"This guy you are talking about does look like the face of a big bad evil guy we would need to fight on future because we decided to not pay attention, but-" Hanno sideglanced his shield. "-I don't think I can say much without sounding suspicious myself." He chuckled heartily, moving on to the line.

"Don't get your hopes too high, buddy." Hanno joked a bit, though he knew this time it was different, being very sure he had overheard Chad or someone else from Lion Arms being relieved that the food supplies that were delayed at first due to the ape attack were finally arriving.

As they moved, the smell of warm meat and fresh vegetables caught Hanno's attention. There was drink too, and wait-?!

His nose twitched. "I-Is that mead?!" Whoever was the lucky bastard, Hanno was going to bother them.

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

It was weird - one moment he was just someone trying to help us keep one of the MIT helpers from zapping anyone else, and the next moment he was all dark and eyeballs.

Ash rubbed his chest unconsciously. Even through the pain limiter, getting tased had been a deeply unpleasant experience.

He was still helping, though, so... who knows. Maybe it was a death affliction? God knows mine can do some fucky things if it gets out of control...

At least, he thought it did. It could be a hallucination. It wasn't as if he walked around bare-chested around other people on his good days, let alone the bad ones. The idea just made him uncomfortable.

Hanno's admonition to not get too hopeful got Ash to smile. The smell was unmistakable, and while he mostly ate for the sake of his need meter in game, there was no denying that having something that tasted good made it easier to get the food down.

It could be rat up there and I'd eat it if it was clean-

He paused, ears perking as he took in the spread. It was far from being gourmet food, of course, but it was something different. Ash's tail began to wag at the sight.

I have never been so happy to see a goddamn vegetable.

You go find your mead - I'm gonna get some stuff and grab a table. Open to you if you don't have anyone else to sit with.

Different food. It wasn't like he was eating poorly in reality, but this was here and now, and he was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The mention of a death affliction made Hanno ponder more deeply. "Perhaps that could be... In any case, we will need to be a bit warier. I think with our spirit magic, we can be more attentive to what is inside of others, and we should use it to our advantage when choosing who to help." Hanno said, looking at Ash with a brief smile. He knew it was a bit invasive to sneak peek at other people's souls, but it was better than getting ambushed or betrayed by some ill-intentioned fellow.

"Hah, I can already hear your parents feeling proud of you wanting to eat your veggies." Hanno smirked in a tease.

As they finally approached the meals, Hanno blinked noticing Ash's ears perking up, and then glancing down at his tail that was...

Wagging?! That man was wagging his tail?!

Hanno placed a closed fist over his mouth, looking at it for a moment.

It was so fricking cute. He wanted to give Ash a head pat now, but he knew he would probably get kicked for it, so he kept all of his thought to himself.

"Ahem- Sure buddy! I will get the mead, you will want to?" He grinned, wondering before took his leave to go grab the cup (or cups, depending on the answer).

@Ash Vargold