[center][b][i]Castles are built. Castles will fall.[/i][/b][/CENTER]

Varren noticed Lit taking a step behind him, seeking refuge as the other players approached them. [i]”Eh? Guess she’s shy. I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess she isn’t used to going out of the city limits much, judging by her level. I will have to take this into account, such a sudden gathering of high level players must be surprising, to say the least. Wonder what’s going on in that head of her’s.[/i]” He paused, mentally repeating the last line in his mind. Irony struck him in an almost comedic way, the reality being that this was all literally in his mind, electronic signals taking over his brain’s senses. He managed to stifle a chuckle as the archer, a brunette draped in a snow-white kimono with a red obi tightly knitted around her stomach, holding the attire in place. [i]”There she is. Mia, I believe her name was.”[/i] The young man thought to himself, waiting for a reply to his early querry. Rather than responding, the three other individuals were silently captivated by the dragon, a reptilian with avian qualities, covered in a collage of light green scales and fur. The dragon hovered in place by Lit’s side, more preoccupied with its surroundings to care about the newcomers. Varren looked back at it as well, though he wasn’t as dazed as the others.

[b]"So you are the Beast tamer the rumors are going around about?"[/b] Varren was faced with as he turned back to the trio. The ground which the armored man had covered without his notice was dauntingly frightening, Yinyues was half tempted to call him a wizard in the magicless game. He was basically standing right next to the scarf-wearer, trying to bypass the skinny individual. Though, before he could close the gap between the reptile and himself, Mia pinched the man’s ear with her index finger and thumb, yanking back the man with the brute force of one hundred maidens. “Dear god…” Varren mumbled as he watched the man flop back like a paper cutout. Mia quickly apologized for Fenros’ rudeness as the spearman dramatically writhed in pain. [i]”...He does know that the developers never actually coded in a pain simulation plug-in, right?”[/i] Varren smiled at the man as he regained his composure, [b]”Forgive me… My name is Fenros, and this here is Mia. We were just taking a look around the area for any PKers… and happened upon you guys.”[/b]

Varren winced at the mentioned of PKers, remembering how Fenros’ and Mia’s group consisted of a couple of more players the first time they had met. However, those lives were no longer present within the realm of Aincrad, nor the real world. [i]”I guess it isn’t surprising they have gone down this path. It’s a risky one, that I would hope to steer clear of. Unless if some individuals beckon for me.” He thought to himself aimlessly as Mia spoke up again, [b]“Good to see you once again Varren.”[/b] She made a slight gesture to Fenros, bringing him to following up with a similar greeting. Where there were a lack of words, he easily compensated with a meager salute. Varren nodded in greeting and fixated his scarf, which had been loosened during combat. As the katar-user first introduced herself as Blaze, then as Izumi, the young man received another voice message. It was from Baron, the only rational and down-to-earth individual in the trio. The three drunks from the previous night were constantly on the front lines and did their part for the advancement towards freedom. “Wait a moment.” He quickly hushed everybody as he pressed the red button. 

[b]”Damn it, this shit is crazy.”[/b] The greeting played aloud, Varren quickly apologized to the others for his rude comrade. [b]”Look, Varren, we’re short on time here. We’re about to engage the goblin fortification which protects the pillar of ascension. Anyways, the higher-ups are employing the use of a PKer, some archer who’s extremely valuable. But they didn’t disclose her information for reasons we have yet to be told…”[/b] Commanders were issued in the background, shouts roared through what was probably the gathered soldiers. [b]”It’s time to go, look, things are getting weird. Anyways, that ends this update. I hope to see you back here soon.”[/b] 

Varren clicked his tongue at the conclusive line, knowing that Baron was fully aware of his current opinions on frontline combat. “Well… That’s interesting, to say the least.” He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair, holding a coffee cup in the other. “Hm, this is quite the turn of even-” The player was cut off as he felt inhaling on his shoulder. His head slowly turned to see Aura perched on his shoulder, sniffing at his beverage. “No.” He said, pointing an index finger at the companion. “No, no, no. This is my god. This is my savior. Thou shant defile thy holy beverage.” Varren said, the last phrase was in a different language, completely different than Japanese. The reptile cocked its head slightly, then gave up on its hopes of the bitter drink. It lept off his shoulder, and gracefully landed on its owner’s.

As he was about to continue, yet another message popped up. Though, unlike the two recent voice message, this one was only in text. Varren lightly tapped the open key, a page popped up before him, which was quickly engulfed by his eyes. [b]”Floor 35. You will be able to find my location through the friends list. -Mez”[/b] He quickly closed it down and let out a sigh, “What, does he think I’m on his beck and call?” He skimmed through his menu and selected the friends list, “Let’s all keep in touch, shall we?” Varren send, sending everybody requests. Throughout this greeting session, the young man was still in a party with Lit, which wasn’t dissolved as of yet. He spun around and glanced at the dragon, then back at Lit. “I have to go to floor 35. Since that pet of your’s wants a beverage, I can buy one there. Gotta meet up with somebody there, but it’s your choice.” The invite was intended to get the girl out of her comfort zone, Varren had made the guess she had been cooped up for a while. He faced the remaining three and nodded, “Mia, Fenros, Izumi. I wish you all good luck. We can return to Urbas together, but I have to make my way to Floor 35 from there. I might have some leads which’ll intrigue you.” He began to walk at a slow pace, drinking his coffee as he proceeded, “Come on, let’s go. This cup is almost out.”