The Beginning of a Fated Fight

The crate was torn down quickly. It's contents consisted of a. . . pod?

Yielya sat inside the pod, "Ooh, it's quite comfy."

Akiol's attention was drawn to a note taped to the side of the pod. He picked it up and read:

-To the player named Akiol:

First of all, I wish to congratulate you on obtaining a Strand of Existence. For being the first player to do so, I gift you this yet-to-be-released gaming pod. This pod is built specifically for extended periods of gaming time. Built with several functions to take care of your body as your mind is busy playing the game.

I wish you luck upon your journey.

Sincerely,

Billiam Thornwall

P.S. it's not recommended to spend several days inside this pod. While it can take care of your body's needs, exercise and proper nutrition is still needed.

Yielya tossed a sheet of paper down, "Alright! Let's get this thing hooked up."

"What? Do you know what your doing?"

"Of course, I just read through the instruction sheet."

The two spent the next hour and a half setting up the pod. Eventually it began to glow, machine parts began to whir and a faint white smoke leaked through the resting area.

A cold robotic female voice spoke, "Set up. . . complete. All systems functional. Please enter at your convenience."

Yielya whistled, "It's quite something. Now enter it quickly, I wish to see how it works."

Akiol hesitated for a moment before laying inside the pod. The inside was cool, nice temperature. Once Akiol got comfortable the pod lid slowly closed. Once it fully shut a weird suction sound could be heard. A gel began to fill the pod. Akiol panicked slightly, was he about to drown in it?

The gel stopped at neck level. Akiol made a sigh of relief. It would have been cruel if he died here.

The metallic voice asked, "Initiate login sequence?"

"Yes."

The login process was extremely similar to the regular headset. Akiol pondered logging out, but decided to play a while longer to test to see how his body feels once he finished.

Akiol spent a few hours walking around the city and chatted with its residents. He even helped a few with some minor issues. After he felt like a good amount of time had passed he logged out.

"Do you wish to exit?", the robotic voice asked.

"Yes."

The gel slowly shrunk and the pod opened. Akiol climbed out and stretched his body. He was quite pleased, although this session was shorter than his usual, his body felt no ache.

The pod closed and the voice said, "Entering Standby Mode."

The lights on the outside of the pod faded and it looked like it never was turned on in the first place.

Akiol dusted off his hands, "Now. . . what to do?"

~ ~ ~

"If it isn't Rygeth, thought you would be sealed forever."

Rygeth nearly spat at the voice's feet, "Not like you cared."

"Oh Rygeth, Junior! Come on, do you really think I don't care?"

"If you cared then I wouldn't have been trapped in that barrier for that long!"

The voice dropped the friendly voice, "Don't act like I owe you anything. You're not worth helping."

"Who said you owed me anything? I said to stop caring."

"Clearly you being sealed has made you lose your manners! I think I will have to teach you a lesson!"

The individual's expression slowly turned into a frown, "You initiated a Trial? Haha. . . Hahahahaha!"

Rygeth turned away in disgust, this person was the last person he wanted to see.

The voice began to poke fun at him, "You. . . you initiated a Trial on some random nobodies? They aren't even First Stage! Yet you initiated a Trial?! Hahahaha! That's hilarious."

Rygeth leapt off the platform he stood on, he wasn't going to deal with the mockery. Those six brats had ruined his reputation! He was determined to kill them no matter what.

Walking to a pair of large metal doors he swung them open with ease. Inside was a dark an eerie place. Rygeth felt disgusted by simply being here.

Yet he walked forward unhesitatingly. Dark energy attempted to corrode his body, but failed to do so.

A wall of chains came into view. The thick chains had glowing runes covering them. These chains held a single purpose, to seal the man on the wall.

The man on the wall hung by his wrists and ankles. His arms held the majority of his body as he leaned towards the floor. Dark hair covered his face, long enough to reach his waist.

A sickening voice came from the man, "Another Immortal. What is it this time?"

"You act like you don't know."

"No fun~ Yet are you sure about this? There is no refunds~"

"It's mere insurance, besides you get some sick joy out of this. You lose nothing."

"Oh but I lose so much more than you think~"

"Give it to me."

"Fine~"

A singular bead of blood dripped towards the ground. Rygeth caught it with an unknown energy and stored it somewhere, "That's it?"

The man teased, "Don't get greedy~"

"For what I want."

"Yes yes, that's all! Especially for someone of your caliber~"

"Tch."

Rygeth walked out of the room. The man yawned, "Two more. . ."

~ ~ ~

Three in-game days have passed. Akiol had logged back on and was heading towards the blacksmith.

Upon entering he saw the blacksmith resting on a stool. He looked exhausted and frail, yet a pleased look remained on his face.

Stars cried out, 'Akiol! You're back!'

"It has been three days."

The blacksmith stood up shakily, "Good. . . you're here."

He shakily walked over to a box and carefully lifted it. Walking back to the counter he gently placed it and lifted the lid, "It's done."

A beautiful black sheath lay in the cloth. Akiol picked it up and felt its weight. Stars began to speak excitedly, 'It is mostly made of that crystal. So I can hide in plain sight. There is a gap on the side so you can quickly unsheathe and sheathe me. The crystal is covered in a dark black leather to hide it. The strap is made from the hide of a powerful beast so it wouldn't tear easily. It's even adjustable!'

Akiol put on the sheath and held out his hand. Stars flew into his hand and quickly demanded, 'Test it!'

Akiol practiced a few draws to get used to it. After a few failed attempts he got the placement right. Stars demanded, 'Make it look cool!'

Akiol was unsure what he meant by cool. Still he tried. He spun Stars in his hand and slid him in the sheath. He slowed it just before the hilt touched the sheath. He then quickly moved it forward so it make a satisfying sound.

Stars cheered, 'Yes!! This is what I wanted!'

Akiol shook his head, "As long as you're happy."

The blacksmith sighed in relief, "I'm so glad you like it."

"Are you sure you don't want to be paid?"

The blacksmith hesitated for a moment, "If possible. . . could I keep the remaining crystal?"

"That's all? Go ahead, I have no need for it."

"Thank you!"

Akiol began to walk out the door but stopped momentarily, "Thanks."

The blacksmith waved off the thanks, "It was an experience I will never forget. I thank you for providing me with the opportunity."

Akiol's voice dropped a little in friendliness, "Now we have a problem to take care of."

Stars anxiously replied, 'I know, will we be okay?'

Akiol chuckled, "Of course, we have grown far stronger."

'But so will the Immortal.'

"We have no choice. It's a do or die situation. You shouldn't worry about how much stronger the opponent has grown. Instead focus on how much we improved. This is a trial we must face. So let's focus on winning, not the worse that can happen."

'Okay. . . but, promise me one thing.'

"What is it?"

'You won't die.'

"I promise I won't die."

'Good.'

. . .

Six players stood at the front of a mountain. This was, of course, the party.

Everyone held a different look or feature from before. Tilia's armor was a dark crimson, she wore a crown with a special gem imbedded in the front.

Wrock's clothes looked like they were suited more for battle than before. Still holding the lightweight cloth look, yet it was reinforced with an unknown material.

Kan'na was dressed in a luxurious green Mage robe. It hung barely over her ankles to prevent tripping. Occasionally on the robe a magic circle would be visible, but would disappear the next moment.

Yielya was dressed in a light outfit. It looked like a typical set of priest robes, but held a strange glow to it.

Jarvis had the most significant change in look. Originally he didn't care for outfits due to them not affecting his tames. However this particular outfit held a buff to his tames' strength when he wore the full outfit.

It looked like hunter's gear, different animal pelts hung from his waist. A large animal pelt hung around his neck. If someone didn't know him, they would assume he hunted creatures instead of taming them.

Akiol looked at his party, "Well. . . ready everyone?"