Once again, the Damsel in Distress deemed it necessary to claim that there was a chance of others getting in her way despite her being the one screaming for help. Artemis rolled her eyes at her rather lackluster form of thanks. How hard was a simple 'thank you' really? Something about her just pissed Artemis off, though she was certain at the very least that orange cursor had something to do with it. As the Damsel explained her story, Artemis made sure to keep her sword at the ready. This was a common tactic for player killers: send one to lure in the target, then slaughter them all. At the very least, it seemed to be working on all the guys so far. She looked at her own brother, who seemed to be thinking about something.

Apollo looked at the trio, unsure of what to do. It had to suck to be put through something like that, no doubt those tears were very real. It didn't matter if they were in a game or not, the truth of the matter was that they needed to stick together. He found himself lightly jogging, stopping before the trio and stopping their advance. "Uh, how about we all team up for this boss? I mean, we all worked pretty well together just now!" Apollo asked them, turning back to the rest of the group. "It's better than going in alone anyway. No matter how tough you are, MMO Bosses just aren't meant to be dealt with alone!"

She wanted to punch him. They were there for the map data, not the boss! Apollo grinned at her, clearly wanting some support for his idea. She didn't like it one bit. For all they knew the two guys that knew the orange player could have been the lures, and she would turn around and kill them all. Artemis looked at the trio, then at the remaining people. No doubt everyone would end up going anyway. She was pretty sure she could take on Miss Orange Damsel and her two flunkies, though the question was would she be able to protect the others? As she thought, she noticed Apollo bringing up his menu. Each player there (sans Artemis) would get an invitation to join their party.

"To make things easier." Apollo explained.

Erios was relieved when she was given aid, and also when the lasts of the monsters were slain. She stood, weak in the knees. The girl looked at the players, warily spotting an orange cursor above one of the girl's heads. She took a half-step back, but turned her ear to the girl when she explained the orange mark to the other players. She felt sympathy for this girl... Erios herself had experienced hatred from players... heck, a month ago, her best friend and boyfriend had been murdered by one. When her thoughts touched the sore subject, she fought herself to return to the situation at hand. She glanced around at the players in the room, but her inspection was deterred by a party invitation. One of the boys offered explaination: "To make things easier."

Erios was unsure if she wanted to continue with these people, but she was also unsure if she wanted to travel back to the town. It was a very long way, and night was falling. It was quite the foolish thing to venture out at night. In that case, she accepted the party invite, and glanced around at everyone. There were six other names and health bars floating in the air now. Aura (the orange player), Ace, Edge, Wally, Apollo (the one from whom everyone had recieved the party invite), and Artemis. She glanced at Artemis and Apollo; both bore resembling features - blonde hair and similar facial features. Maybe they were related?

She glanced at Wally; he looked like someone she didn't want to mess with. His armor looked well-leveled, and he had a decent amount of muscle on him. Edge was the same way, but his armor was far more concealing, giving Erios the feeling of curiousity as what lay under his gear. Ace and Aura both bore pretty faces, but that did not translate into their fighting skill; as Erios had seen during the fight. All of these people were deadly fighters, while she, Erin Oswald... was just a coward.

She came to the conclusion that she'd better stay with these people until they left the dungeon; she couldn't travel alone at night, and she sure a heck couldn't stay here and weight to be ambushed by a monster or maybe even a PK. "I- I'll come..." She said to Artemis. She kept her face low, not looking any of these people in the eye. What if he said no? "That is... if you'll allow me."

Edge looked over at "Apollo" and then back at the request, having let Aura go on her own. They were all going the same way so there was no need to rush. The boy smiled as he clicked the button to join the party and sheathed his sword. "I agree. We'll have a much better chance if we go together," he said. "Nice to meet you guys!" His voice was innocent as he gave them a small wave. "I have this place mapped out. I'll send you guys the map, alright?" He said, clicking a few buttons on the panel and sending the other party members the map.

Aura looked at Waltic and raised her brow she he demanded to go with her. "I was only teasing when I said I didn't remember you." she stated simply before he got too carried away trying to get her to remember him. That was when one of the girls pointed towards her, her hair was a pretty shade of chocolate brown. Before aura had a chance to say anything, one guy announced that everyone should stick together and party up. Then a screen was in front of her and she scowled. "I didn't want all of you to tag along..." she said in a tone that sounded more defeated than angry. Looking around and watching as everyone hit accept, she flipped her haid. "Fine. I guess I can use all the help I can get." she said. Then Edge seemed to introduce himself and sent everyone map data and she wondered if she should do the same.

"I suppose i owe all of you one for saving me... my name is Aura. Nice to.... finally meet some capable people in this damn game." she said. Looking at the brown haired girl, she gave a smirk. "To answer your question, I have a lot of secrets." she raised a finger as she spoke. "But, seeing as we just met and we aren't besties yet, I don't feel particularly inclined to tell you any of them yet." With one last glance at everyone, she noticed a different girl that stood by the blonde one looking rather shy, and she rolled her eyes before turning and walking away. Though she'd keep it to herself, Aura was kind of excited to work with these people. Everyone here by the looks of things seemed to be pretty capable. "That boss doesn't stand a chance."

Waltic smiled as she finally told him that she hadn't forgotten him. "HEY!" he said with a grin, "How could you keep your old buddy Wally going on such a joke like that?!" he exclaimed with a smile. He watched as everyone else came over to her and talked with each other. He hardly knew these people, he had heard of a few of them, but already they were wanting to party up. He saw an invite pop up in front of him. Waltic glanced at Aura as she pressed the accept, "There we go." he said as he pressed accept as well. He saw everyone sharing their map info, as he pulled out his and there was quite a bit of it already revealed. He had been over this area looking for Natasha, but he decided he would keep that a secret for now. He was actually starting to lose hope.

He started to slowly frown as he thought about how long it had been since he even saw Natasha, he felt that it was hopeless though. She must be dead by now. Was his only thoughts as his face turned into a sorrowful look. He suddenly shook the thought out of his head and making sure no one saw him he smiled at everyone. "Well isn't this fantastic, we are actually going to kill the Boss and advance to the next level!" he said with a grin. Waltic took out his sword and smashed it onto the ground making the sound of metal hitting rock. "Well, let's roast this loser,who is going to take front?!" he asked.

Artemis looked at the corner of her vision, eyeing the many names and levels revealed to her. It was a pretty stable group, their levels were surprisingly decent, though she found herself at the top. She wasn't exactly pleased at this arrangement, but it was only temporary. Besides, Apollo was right, there was no taking down a boss solo anyway. Apollo grinned, matching names to faces the best he could. He was sure he'd learn them in no time, though. He nodded, clearly pleased, and he waved at each person. "Apollo here, glad to be of service." He joked, placing both his hands behind his head. "That over there is Artemis. I'm actually real glad to meet some people that can kick ass and take names!" He laughed.

Oh my idiot brother, what am I going to do with you? Artemis thought, letting out a small sigh. The blonde then turned to Erios. "Once we're done here I'll be happy to escort you back to town, alright?" She assured her rather gently. "All you have to do is watch out for yourself as best you can. I hope that's alright."

As Waltic would as who would be taking the lead, Artemis thought it was her position to take. "I'll be taking front." Artemis replied to him, walking past the crowd and moving ahead. She caught up to Aura, sparing her a glance. "Try not to get in my way, damsel. Either stay close or hide behind the boys, in case you need rescuing again." She told her, voice practically dripping with sarcasm as she walked ahead, sword at the ready.

"No need to be so condescending, y'know," Edge said as he marched down the corridor. "You do know that the bosses are designed to be defeated by people working together, right?" The boy pulled up a green hood over his head from under the cloak, picking up his pace. He seemed almost relaxed or to the cynical eye, "uncaring" or "unprepared".

"We'll take turns switching so that none of us takes too much damage before getting the chance to recover."

Ace hesitantly tapped the accept button and followed the crew without a word. These people seemed trustable enough, but she was still back and forth on whether to tell them about floor 17. The map Edge had sent was pretty accurate- but most dungeon bosses were at the very top (or bottom) of their towers. Floor 17 was only half the way up. They'd all decide on treking up all the way to 32 and get killed by some normal level monster.

Ace finally came to a conclusion. She cleared her throat loudly, trying to gather everyone's attention.

"Boss is on floor 17 of the tower. Broker told me." This was so much more complicated then just wanting a new harp. "I don't know which room, but it's somewhere up there. What floor are we on now?"

Before Ace could even scream the boss's sword flicked the dozen front liners into blue dust. The boss was fierce. She couldn't remember his name, for his sword consumed all her thoughts and her fears stirred at the pit of her stomach. If she died, would she see Nick in death? Would she see nothing at all? Ace wanted to wake up. She wanted to wake up and remove the helmet that confined her for so long.

The last of the front liners hesitated as they silently mourned their colleagues.

Ace swallowed that little voice that told her to turn back and run. It sank to her toes and made her want to puke. Ace always wondered if you could puke in the game. No time to see now.

Ace turned back at the front liners and screeched, "You gonna let those sorry bastards die in fucking vain?" Ace grimaced as a few others kept the boss's attention. "Move already you dumbasses!"

"Blithering idiots," Edge said, pulling out his sword and pulling up his mask with his hood. He tossed off the cloak on him, revealing a dark green robe with light plates on the left shoulder. He felt his body get somewhat lighter as the cloak disappeared into his inventory. He took a brief look at the party list, spotting the feminine name from the duo. "Artemis, right? You wanted to go up front," he said, taking his stance to leap forward. "Let's go first and let these people regroup. And, uh..." He looked at the list again during the pause. "Ace. Ask them about the boss. We could get the upper-hand quickly if we know enough about it."

The boy's sword started to glow as he lunged forward, rushing towards the large humanoid creature without waiting for answers. "No time to waste! Artemis, with me, if you will!" Uncaring of what his bossy attitude might make them feel, Edge had no intention on wasting time talking when there were still some people fighting a battle they'd already lost.

Wally watched everyone join the party as he looked at the levels there was relatively a good balance of levels. "I hope these guys can take care of themselves." He said to himself quietly, he never wanted to make judgments since Sword art took a lot of skill as well to play and play well. But regardless they headed for the boss room.

As they walked towards the door Waltic spent that time letting Aura know everything that has been going on, "Let's see, got a new sword, some new armor as you can tell and obviously got some levels.

His voice got real quite and dark though now as he continued, "Every single clue i've had about Natasha and my friends have been in vain as well, I must have looked through these open floors..." he said in a dark tone, "I don't know I think I've finally just given up." he said sadly.

That's when he looked up and saw the boss doors, there was noise coming from inside it. "Come on!" he encouraged as they started towards it.

---

Waltic grimaced as some frontliners disappeared right in front of them. "This is why I don't usually trust the front lines!" Waltic said as he charged along with Edge headlong into the boss fight. "They just recruit whoever they can, don't try to even see if they are intelligent or not!" Waltic said now as he approached the boss with Edge. Waltic jumped to the side as the boss turned to him and clashed swords. Waltic spun out of it as he cut across the body.

The boss roared in anger as he was fully focused on Waltic now, "Get him I'll keep his attention!" Waltic said as he quickly dodged another attack. He charged the boss again feeling the energy in his sword skill start as the boss swung again. Moving to the side he could feel the ground tremble as it slammed into the ground. Walic lunged as he stabbed the boss with his sword. The boss swung at him again. A group of frontliners charged the boss from the back taking advantage of the situation. The boss' health started to fall slightly as they hacked and slashed. The boss jumped into the air and slammed down sending a shockwave out and sending the frontlines flying. At least most of them recovered before they hit the ground or wall.

Waltic was pushed back by the shockwave since it was mainly focused to the Boss' back. But it was enough to throw Waltic off balance as the boss swung again. And Again, Waltic blocked each one but watched his health slowly fall, thanks to his battle recovery though he watched it raise it a little each time, it wasn't enough as his health dropped each time. Next thing he knew he was being knocked over by a stray add mob that got through. He quickly rolled to dodge an attack from the mob who was then attacked by a frontliner. "Idiots!" Waltic said aloud as he tried to get up. As he got up he saw the Boss' sword coming down upon him. He brought his sword up just in the nick of time as he watched his health drop into the dark yellowish orange. The boss swung again not allowing him to get up. "Damn it all." waltic said as he tried to move but found the boss was simply waiting for him to move. The boss kicked him back to where he was he brought his sword up and attacked Waltic one more time. This was going to be it, Waltic thought, Killed because of a bunch of blundering idiots couldn't keep agro on a mob. He watched helplessly as the sword came down upon him, even if he blocked it his health would drop to a point where it was almost useless for him to be there, he needed time to let his health regent but it seemed futile. He couldn't give up though. He tried to bring up his sword as his demise was only a second away.

A giant blade appeared in front of him as the boss' sword never came down fully. Waltic looked over to his side to see who his savior was. His eyes widened as he followed the polearm blade to a girl with makeshift wings and beautiful armor. He smiled widely as he recognized who it was. And suddenly it was as if all his problems were gone. Her beautiful voice resonated in his ears. "Oh hey stranger." She said with a smile as she flung the boss' sword back. She grabbed him as Waltic looked up and smiled even brighter as a man with a rapier lunged forward at the boss. Waltic grinned as his health slowly starts to regenerate. "Thanks Natasha," he said as he was brought back away from the mobs and the fight to catch his breath. "Shut up." Natasha said as she wasted no time and kissed him.

"Alright, alright, alright."

The blonde haired girl followed suit, her cloak billowing about her and freeing up her movements. She looked at the boss, following Edge and Waltic and making sure to keep up. As Waltic got the boss' attention, she hacked and slashed at it with her sword. She was able to deal damage, but she had to admit she found the many panicked yells and chaos erupting around them rather distracting. Focus. She berated herself, though a yellow-orange flash at the corner of her eye got her attention. "Oh, come on." She looked over at Waltic, only to find someone else had stepped in. "Make out later, we still have to actually kill this thing!" Artemis yelled at the pair, her sword glowing blue as she readied a combo.

Meanwhile Apollo rushed to the rather scattered frontline fighters. "Come on, move it, move it!" He told them,