Post by Hayate on May 15, 2008 19:04:00 GMT -5
*[AREA WORD UNKNOWN] ~ [LOST GROUND UNKNOWN]*
*Kaeion, shortly after absorbing the Flick Reaper PC Kurio’s data, is seen gating into a strange and as-of-yet undiscovered Lost Ground; it resembles Caerleon Medb due to its eight platforms stretching out from the center, but the Chaos Gate was not on the center platform, but rather the southernmost platform; on the center platform rested a giant glass-like structure; a woman with long purple hair is seen floating inside the structure; Kaeion walks over and kneels down in front of the structure*
Kaeion: I’ve returned, my mistress Althena…
Althena: …
Kaeion: I apologize if this new form I’ve taken displeases you… But had I not acted quickly, I would’ve surely vanished completely from this world…
Althena: …
Kaeion: Those meddlesome Factor Users continue to throw wrenches into our plans… And now that they’ve seized the Fidchell Factor from me, I fear I may not be strong enough to face them now…
Althena: …
*just then, Kaeion’s body becomes shrouded in light-blue fire and the image of an Avatar appears around him for a split second*
Kaeion: !!! …This… *looks up at glass structure* …Oh, Althena… *lowers head in politeness* …You’re too good to me, my mistress… I swear to you that I’ll awaken you soon…
*lifting his head again, Kaeion gently touches the glass with his hand*
Kaeion: …Althena… How I long to feel the warm touch of your hand…to hear your voice… *rises to feet* …Please wait for me just a little longer…
*the next day, Endrance attempts to log into Mac Anu…*
Endrance: …Hmm?
*…but ends up gating into a pure white pocket of space*
Endrance: This is…
: …Child of Morganna…
Endrance: *gasp* That voice…
*Endrance turns to be greeted by Aura*
Endrance: …So Haseo was right… You truly have returned, Aura…
Aura: There’s no time left… With each passing moment, Althena grows ever closer to awakening… The great evil that had stained this world from years past will return soon…
Endrance: Great evil…?
Aura: … *vanishes*
Endrance: H-Huh? Wait, Aura! Come back!
*in that instant, the white pocket of space collapses around Endrance and he finds himself in Mac Anu dome*
Endrance: …“The great evil that had stained this world from years past”…?
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; August 7, 2037 ~
*Ren is seen walking out of Mac Anu dome and into Mac Anu’s Central District; there she spots a small group of PCs gathered around*
Ren: Hmm…? I wonder what’s going on…
*as she walks over, she overhears a pair of players – one, a boy, was screaming his head off and the other, a girl, was crying*
Boy PC: …and that’s when the guy grabs my friend by the throat and blows us away! When we went back to see what happened to Kurio, both he AND that weird player were gone!
Girl PC: *crying* Oh, Kurio… Where’d you disappear to?
PC in the Crowd: What’d the other player look like?
Boy PC: He was an Assault Ace, I think. He had silver hair, his clothes looked kinda war-like, and…and his PC body was breaking up! He only had a right arm!
Ren: Breaking data…? *gasp* (Kaeion!) *walks up to the boy PC* Hey, you! Where did you encounter that PC!? What area was it!?
Boy PC: The area? Uh… Δ Endless Unlimited Myosotis. Why?
Ren: Thanks! *runs towards the Mercenary District*
Boy PC: H-Hey, wait! Do you know something!? …Weird girl.
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Haseo: …So, Aura’s appeared before you too, huh, Endrance?
Endrance: Yes.
Kuhn: Well, she’s revealed herself to Endrance before Atoli, so it’s safe to assume she isn’t appearing before ALL of the Epitaph Users.
Yata: I’m a bit more disconcerted by her words than by her appearance patterns.
Pi: “…The great evil that had stained this world from years past…” Hmm…
Atoli: Know what it means, Pi?
Pi: I…think so… (…I just hope that I’m wrong…)
*just then, Ren comes dashing in*
Ren: Pi!!!
Pi: Ren? What’s the matter?
Ren: Can you check yesterday’s footage of Δ Endless Unlimited Myosotis?
Pi: Certainly, but what for?
Ren: It’s about Kaeion! I think something terrible happened to a player because of him!
Pi: …Master Yata?
Yata: I’m uploading the footage now.
*the monitor footage of Kaeion and three PCs at the dungeon from the day before*
Kurio (onscreen): *walks up to Kaeion* Hey, man, you alright?
Kaeion (onscreen): … *evil smirk* …You’ll do nicely.
* Kaeion tightly clenches Kurio’s neck and lifts him above the ground*
Boy PC (onscreen): K-Kurio!
Girl PC (onscreen): *draws grimoire* Let go of him!
Kaeion (onscreen): *glares at other two PCs* …Begone…!!
*with his piercing gaze, Kaeion sends the players flying across the dungeon corridor until they were out of sight; Kaeion’s bracelet appears around the wrist of the hand he was holding Kurio up with*
Kaeion (onscreen): …Give me your data…
*in an explosion of data, Kaeion absorbs the PC Kurio’s data, fully restoring his own data and altering his appearance*
Kaeion (onscreen): …Hehehe… Hahahahahaha!!!
All: …
Sakubo: …A forced Job Extend… That bastard Kaeion’ll do anything to save his own skin!
Ovan: And the player he absorbed – this “Kurio” – has no doubt been hospitalized since the incident.
Haseo: Grrrr… Damn him to hell…
*just then, an alarm sounds*
Haseo: What now!?
Yata: …It’s Kaeion. He’s reemerged at Naval Monte.
Kuhn: What perfect timing…
Endrance: Get going, Ren! We’ll contact the others to follow behind you!
Ren: Right! *dashes out*
*meanwhile, Hanabi is seen walking out of the Mac Anu dome and down the main stairwell…*
Hanabi: …Huh?
*…when she sees Hayate and the others rapidly approaching*
Hanabi: Hey, guys! What’s--
Gwen: One side!
Kyuzo: Comin’ through!
Zenjiro: Excuse us!
*7 of the 8 Factor Users zoom past Hanabi, causing her to spin around comically*
Hanabi: Aah!
*as she stops spinning, she stumbles around dizzily*
Hanabi: *dizzy* --up? …Huh?
*just then, Ren runs over zooms past Hanabi, causing her to spin around comically again*
Hanabi: Aah!!!!!
Ren: Sorry, Auntie Rei!
Hanabi: *stops spinning* Ohhh… Where’s the fire…? *falls over*
*Σ Hidden Forbidden Delusions ~ Enchanted City Naval Monte*
*Kaeion is seen standing on top of the fountain at the center of the city; his body was giving off a faint purple glow*
Kaeion: …A little more… Just a little bit more…
*the 8 Factor Users all enter to confront Kaeion with their weapons drawn*
All: KAEION!
Kaeion: …I had a feeling you’d come eventually… *turns to face Factor Users* …You always do…
Hayate: Whoa… Someone’s had a big makeover…
Neon: If only something could be done about that hair. Hehehe…
Kaeion: Go ahead… Have your laugh…because when this is over… *draws Flick Reaper scythe*
All: *gasp*
Kaeion: …there won’t be enough of you to even make a decent knock-knock joke…!
*meanwhile, at the Serpent of Lore…*
Sakubo: That must be the weapon Kaeion obtained when he absorbed that PC Kurio’s data.
Ovan: Quite a coincidence, isn’t it? Now Kaeion shares the same legal weapon set as Haseo.
Haseo: Hmph! Don’t bunch me into the group with him!
Yata: …Eh? I’m picking up a strange data signature emanating from Morrigu Barrow.
Ovan: Strange how?
Yata: One moment… *typing on console keyboard* … *deep gasp* N-No… It can’t be… It’s just not possible!
Pi: Master Yata? What’s the matter?
Yata: …It’s…!!!
*meanwhile…*
Kaeion: Reaper’s Touch!
*Kaeion swings his scythe at the party, forcing them to back away*
Kyuzo: Dammit! We can’t even get close to this guy!
Vyce: Like hell we can’t! *creates energy bayonet* Tempest Blast!
*Vyce fires a group of bullets into Kaeion’s body from a distance*
Kaeion: Gah…!
Gwen: There’s our opening! Air Raid!
Hayate: Disaster Sword!
Neon: Ghost Falcon!
Zenjiro: Zetsu!
*4 of the 8 Factor Users assault Kaeion with their respective Rengekis; Kaeion uses his scythe to support his weight from collapsing*
Kaeion: You…little insects… You have no comprehension…of the power opposing you…
Gwen: Dude, enough with the cryptic talk already! It only makes you sound more like a dork!
Ayliori: Hehehe…
Kaeion: *grits teeth* Fine… You want to mock me? Ridicule me? Belittle my abilities? That’s just fine…!
*just then, Kaeion’s body sets ablaze with blue fire*
Kaeion: …Just try to mock me when you’re six feet under!!!
*releasing all of his energy, Kaeion’s body breaks up into fragments with chains of blue fire connecting them*
Kaeion: Come forth!!! GOD OF THE AZURE FLAMES!!!
*in mere moments, Kaeion opens the gate into Avatar Space and towers above the Factor Users as the Azure Flame God*
Ayliori: What in the hell is that thing?!?
Ren: …Big trouble…
Kaeion (AFG): I…am the GOD[/size]…OF THE WORLD!!!!![/size]
*Δ Hidden Forbidden Bulwark ~ Morrigu Barrow Wall*
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan are seen gating into the Lost Ground; upon doing so, they walk up to the wall scarred by the Tri-Edge sign*
Haseo: *opens a transmission channel to the Serpent of Lore* Okay, Yata. We’re here. Where’s this data signature you picked up?
Yata: {At the bottom of the chasm. …But I warn you, Haseo – you may not like what you see.}
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan walk over to the edge of the cliff and gaze down into the ravine*
Haseo: …I…don’t see any--
Endrance: Wait! What’s that!?
*Endrance points to one of the ravine’s far corners, where the faint image of black bubbles could be seen slowly rising from the darkness*
Ovan: …Is that…what I think it is…?
Endrance: …“The great evil that had stained this world from years past”… So this is what Aura meant…
Haseo: …
*meanwhile, at Naval Monte, the Factor Users, in their Avatar forms, are seen soaring around Kaeion’s new form, firing volley after volley of energy shots, hoping to deal the least bit of damage*
Ren: Come on… Come on!
Zenjiro: It’s no use! Our attacks aren’t working!
Kaeion (AFG): Hahahaha! You inferior beings honestly believe you’ll be able to wound a god!? I AM SUPERIOR!!!
*in the Azure Flame God’s left hand appears a giant scythe; the scythe’s blade gives off a massive amount of heat*
Kaeion (AFG): Now! Away with you!
*with a single swing of his scythe, the Azure Flame God expels the Factor User from Avatar Space; as they fly, the Factor Users’ exit their Avatar forms*
All: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*just then, the Factor Users are teleported somewhere else mid-flight*
Kaeion (AFG): Hehehe… Hahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!![/size]
*…Raven’s @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Sakubo: *sigh* That was close. Good job, Yata.
Yata: Heh. Nothing to it.
Gwen: *rises to feet* Okay! Anyone wanna explain to me what just happened back there!? One second, we’re totally schooling Kaeion, and the next, he busts out some crazy move that makes him 50 feet tall!!! On top of that, he was freakin’ invincible!!!
Pi: *sigh* …I’m afraid we have a much bigger dilemma than Kaeion…
Hayate: What is it now?
Ovan: …We have something to show you. Yata.
Yata: Yes.
*Yata presses a few keys on the console and brings up a display feed of Morrigu Barrow’s ravine*
Ayliori: Morrigu Barrow?
Endrance: …Zoom in.
*the feed zooms in closer on the ravine, and the black bubbles come into view*
Vyce: What…is that…?
Endrance: “Artificially Intelligent Data Anomaly”.
Haseo: Otherwise known as…AIDA.
Ovan: The very same danger The World faced 20 years ago.
Kyuzo: 20 years ago? Then why’s it back again?
Ovan: That’s a very good question. All of the aggressive portions of AIDA should’ve been expelled from the network after the “Rebirth”.
Pi: Perhaps it has to do with Althena’s imminent awakening?
Ovan: That’s the only logical explanation I can think of. *looks at the monitor* At any rate, it would seem that The World isn’t in any immediate danger. This version of AIDA seems…different somehow. It’s not as matured and hostile as AIDA was back then.
Kuhn: I guess that’s good news.
Atoli: So we should focus on Kaeion for now. But how do we combat his new powers?
Endrance: I… *sigh* …I don’t know. And even as we think of a strategy, Althena’s growing even closer to waking up, and this new AIDA’s growing more powerful.
Haseo: …You’re all dismissed for now.
Hayate: Dismissed!? But what about Kaeion!?
Haseo: There’s nothing we can do for the time being! Dismissed!
Hayate: …
*defeated, the Factor Users all exit the Serpent of Lore*
Haseo: …Ovan… If AIDA truly has returned…then you know what needs to be done, am I right?
Ovan: …
Endrance: (Aura… Help us… We need you… This world is falling apart at the seams without you…)
*several days later, Ovan attempts to log into Mac Anu…*
Ovan: …?
*…but ends up gating into a pure white pocket of space*
Ovan: Is this…?
: …Child of Morganna…
*Ovan turns to be greeted by Aura*
Ovan: *widens eyes* …Aura…
Aura: Tell me… My world – it’s in grave danger once more, isn’t it?
Ovan: …Yes. The power of Kaeion, the K-Anomaly, has grown to surpass even that of the Factor Users. Althena is drawing even closer to fully awakening. And now, AIDA has returned.
Aura: …I understand… Go to the place in The World where the powers of the Eight Phases of Morganna converge… There, you will find a gift… Use it to protect this world…
Ovan: Aura…
Aura: Oh… And please…when you see Gorre…could you tell him…I’m sorry?
Ovan: What?
Aura: …Farewell, Child of Morganna… *vanishes* …Our paths will cross again soon… When that moment comes, I will have truly returned home…
*in that instant, the white pocket of space collapses around Ovan and he finds himself in Mac Anu dome*
Ovan: …“The place in The World where the powers of the Eight Phases of Morganna converge”…
*several minutes later, Ovan is seen gating into the Great Temple of Caerleon Medb; on each of the eight platforms that stretched out from the central platform rested a large sphere; inside each sphere was a weapon*
Ovan: …Are these …? Huh?
*looking over at the fifth platform, Ovan notices there was one sphere missing – there was no sphere on Gorre’s platform*
Ovan: …Only seven?
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; August 10, 2037 ~
*the members of Glaive LeGable are seen entering their @home shortly after completing a quest*
Usa-chan: Hahaha! That was fun!
Izumi: Hehehe, yeah. ‘Cuz of Hayate and Neon running off to Raven all the time, we barely get to spend any time together as a guild lately. Uh…no offense, of course.
Neon: *smile* None taken.
Hayate: Don’t worry. When this is all over, we’ll have tons of time to spend together!
Miharu: …Until the new school year starts one month from now.
All: …
Usa-chan: …Mood-killer.
All: Hahahahahaha!
Hayate: Hehehe… *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm?
Usa-chan: Let me guess – Raven?
Neon/Hayate: *sweatdrop* Hehehe…
Orion: Ah, no need to apologize. We know you two are always busy.
Miharu: Yeah! You’re like…superheroes! Haha!
*Δ Hidden Forbidden Dead Wood ~ Dead World of Indieglut Lugh*
*Kaeion is seen kneeling at the base of the water, gazing at his reflection…*
Kaeion: …Hmm?
*…when the Factor Users dash in with their weapons drawn*
Kaeion: *sigh* Honestly… *rises to feet and turns around* I’m growing tired of this game. Don’t you ever give up? *smirk* Or is it that you’re here for another trouncing?
All: …
Kaeion: What? No witty comebacks? I was actually looking forward to those. Oh, well… *draws Spin Natsume*
*as the group prepares to do battle with Kaeion, Haseo sends a vocal transmission to them*
Haseo: {Remember. Our goal here is not to defeat Kaeion, but to distract him long enough to take back the Spin Natsume. The last .hack//Arm takes TOP priority. Understood?}
All: {Yes!}
*Hayate looks at his in-game clock*
Hayate: (3 minutes… We just have to keep fighting for 3 minutes…) *gulp* (Sounds easy enough…)
*meanwhile, a PC with platinum hair is seen gating into Caerleon Medb*
Dekar: …Hmm…
*Dekar approaches the northernmost platform and gazes at the weapon inside the sphere*
Dekar: …I wonder…
*Dekar presses his hand to the sphere the weapon was inside and tries to release it*
Dekar: Nnnnnn…
*just then, he feels a short electrical shock, forcing him to take his hand away*
Dekar: So, Aura…your power trumps mine even to this day, eh? Heh…
*at Indieglut Lugh, Kaeion is seen forcing the Factor Users back with his scythe*
Kaeion: Hahaha! What’s the matter!? Can’t get close enough to land a hit!?
Ren: (Come on… Just a few seconds more…)
Kaeion: Well, here then! *substitutes scythe for Spin Natsume* I’ll give you a sporting chance!
Kyuzo: Heh! (It’s almost like this guy’s doing our work for us!)
Hayate/Vyce: Lateral Moon!!!
*Hayate and Vyce double-team Kaeion with a dual Brandier attack; Kaeion simply leaps away and counters with…*
Kaeion: Chaotic Strike!!!
*…counterattacking Hayate and Vyce’s attacks with a flurry of dual sword slashes*
Hayate/Vyce: Gah!
Kaeion: What is this!? I know you’re stronger than that! Why are you holding back!?
Ayliori: Tell me, Kaeion…can you see the in-game clock from your end?
Kaeion: …
*Kaeion looks at the in-game clock; it reads 6:06 PM and 4 seconds*
Kaeion: … *gasp*
*as soon as the in-game clock reads 6:06 and 6 seconds, the Lost Ground begins to vibrate, and Cernunnos emerges from the water*
Cernunnos: GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!![/size]
Kaeion: NO!!!
*Cernunnos throws its claw at Kaeion and attempts to drag him into the water, but Kaeion leaps away to just barely avoid the attack*
Kaeion: (Dammit! They were just stalling me!)
*just then, Kyuzo appears in the air right behind Kaeion…*
Kaeion: What!?
*…and snatches the Spin Natsume dual swords from his hands*
Kyuzo: Got ‘em!
Kaeion: NO!!!
*as the chaos quells and Cernunnos returns below the water, Kaeion returns to the ground and notices that the Factor Users had escaped*
Kaeion: Grrrr… GRAAAAHHHH!!!!
*a short time later, at the Serpent of Lore…*
Gwen: Okay… Care to explain why we went through all that just for a pair of dual swords?
Pi: We have something to show you.
Vyce: Oh, god, it’s not another problem besides AIDA, is it!?
Ovan: Hahaha. No, it’s not. In fact, quite the contrary. What we have to show you may perhaps be the key to combating Kaeion’s recent boost in power.
*the Epitaph Users and Factor Users all warp to Caerleon Medb; Hayate, Gwen, and Kyuzo would instantly recognize it*
Hayate: Hey… Isn’t this…?
Haseo: Yes. This was the place where your battle as Factor Users first began against the K-Anomaly.
Kyuzo: …Except with big spheres of light.
Ren: Hey! There’s a blade sword inside this sphere!
Zenjiro: And a lance inside this one!
Vyce: What are these things?
Ovan: These, Vyce…are the “Lost Weapons”.
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Hayate: …There’s…no Lost Weapon for me?
~*~*~*~
Orion: …I swore…that I would keep the .hack//Arms out of the wrong hands… But I can see now that there’s much more at stake…
~*~*~*~
Kaeion: *panting* You’re…stronger than…before…
Gwen: Not just stronger. Better, faster… *cracks knuckles* …and meaner too.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Dammit! I just feel so helpless!
Sakuya: …Kazu-niichan…
~*~*~*~
Althena: So you’re one of those “Factor Users”? Kaeion’s told me much about you while I was sleeping.
Hayate: …A-Althena…
42nd Phase: Blood of the Betrayed![/color]
*Kaeion, shortly after absorbing the Flick Reaper PC Kurio’s data, is seen gating into a strange and as-of-yet undiscovered Lost Ground; it resembles Caerleon Medb due to its eight platforms stretching out from the center, but the Chaos Gate was not on the center platform, but rather the southernmost platform; on the center platform rested a giant glass-like structure; a woman with long purple hair is seen floating inside the structure; Kaeion walks over and kneels down in front of the structure*
Kaeion: I’ve returned, my mistress Althena…
Althena: …
Kaeion: I apologize if this new form I’ve taken displeases you… But had I not acted quickly, I would’ve surely vanished completely from this world…
Althena: …
Kaeion: Those meddlesome Factor Users continue to throw wrenches into our plans… And now that they’ve seized the Fidchell Factor from me, I fear I may not be strong enough to face them now…
Althena: …
*just then, Kaeion’s body becomes shrouded in light-blue fire and the image of an Avatar appears around him for a split second*
Kaeion: !!! …This… *looks up at glass structure* …Oh, Althena… *lowers head in politeness* …You’re too good to me, my mistress… I swear to you that I’ll awaken you soon…
*lifting his head again, Kaeion gently touches the glass with his hand*
Kaeion: …Althena… How I long to feel the warm touch of your hand…to hear your voice… *rises to feet* …Please wait for me just a little longer…
*the next day, Endrance attempts to log into Mac Anu…*
Endrance: …Hmm?
*…but ends up gating into a pure white pocket of space*
Endrance: This is…
: …Child of Morganna…Endrance: *gasp* That voice…
*Endrance turns to be greeted by Aura*
Endrance: …So Haseo was right… You truly have returned, Aura…
Aura: There’s no time left… With each passing moment, Althena grows ever closer to awakening… The great evil that had stained this world from years past will return soon…
Endrance: Great evil…?
Aura: … *vanishes*
Endrance: H-Huh? Wait, Aura! Come back!
*in that instant, the white pocket of space collapses around Endrance and he finds himself in Mac Anu dome*
Endrance: …“The great evil that had stained this world from years past”…?
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; August 7, 2037 ~
*Ren is seen walking out of Mac Anu dome and into Mac Anu’s Central District; there she spots a small group of PCs gathered around*
Ren: Hmm…? I wonder what’s going on…
*as she walks over, she overhears a pair of players – one, a boy, was screaming his head off and the other, a girl, was crying*
Boy PC: …and that’s when the guy grabs my friend by the throat and blows us away! When we went back to see what happened to Kurio, both he AND that weird player were gone!
Girl PC: *crying* Oh, Kurio… Where’d you disappear to?
PC in the Crowd: What’d the other player look like?
Boy PC: He was an Assault Ace, I think. He had silver hair, his clothes looked kinda war-like, and…and his PC body was breaking up! He only had a right arm!
Ren: Breaking data…? *gasp* (Kaeion!) *walks up to the boy PC* Hey, you! Where did you encounter that PC!? What area was it!?
Boy PC: The area? Uh… Δ Endless Unlimited Myosotis. Why?
Ren: Thanks! *runs towards the Mercenary District*
Boy PC: H-Hey, wait! Do you know something!? …Weird girl.
*…Raven @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Haseo: …So, Aura’s appeared before you too, huh, Endrance?
Endrance: Yes.
Kuhn: Well, she’s revealed herself to Endrance before Atoli, so it’s safe to assume she isn’t appearing before ALL of the Epitaph Users.
Yata: I’m a bit more disconcerted by her words than by her appearance patterns.
Pi: “…The great evil that had stained this world from years past…” Hmm…
Atoli: Know what it means, Pi?
Pi: I…think so… (…I just hope that I’m wrong…)
*just then, Ren comes dashing in*
Ren: Pi!!!
Pi: Ren? What’s the matter?
Ren: Can you check yesterday’s footage of Δ Endless Unlimited Myosotis?
Pi: Certainly, but what for?
Ren: It’s about Kaeion! I think something terrible happened to a player because of him!
Pi: …Master Yata?
Yata: I’m uploading the footage now.
*the monitor footage of Kaeion and three PCs at the dungeon from the day before*
Kurio (onscreen): *walks up to Kaeion* Hey, man, you alright?
Kaeion (onscreen): … *evil smirk* …You’ll do nicely.
* Kaeion tightly clenches Kurio’s neck and lifts him above the ground*
Boy PC (onscreen): K-Kurio!
Girl PC (onscreen): *draws grimoire* Let go of him!
Kaeion (onscreen): *glares at other two PCs* …Begone…!!
*with his piercing gaze, Kaeion sends the players flying across the dungeon corridor until they were out of sight; Kaeion’s bracelet appears around the wrist of the hand he was holding Kurio up with*
Kaeion (onscreen): …Give me your data…
*in an explosion of data, Kaeion absorbs the PC Kurio’s data, fully restoring his own data and altering his appearance*
Kaeion (onscreen): …Hehehe… Hahahahahaha!!!
All: …
Sakubo: …A forced Job Extend… That bastard Kaeion’ll do anything to save his own skin!
Ovan: And the player he absorbed – this “Kurio” – has no doubt been hospitalized since the incident.
Haseo: Grrrr… Damn him to hell…
*just then, an alarm sounds*
Haseo: What now!?
Yata: …It’s Kaeion. He’s reemerged at Naval Monte.
Kuhn: What perfect timing…
Endrance: Get going, Ren! We’ll contact the others to follow behind you!
Ren: Right! *dashes out*
*meanwhile, Hanabi is seen walking out of the Mac Anu dome and down the main stairwell…*
Hanabi: …Huh?
*…when she sees Hayate and the others rapidly approaching*
Hanabi: Hey, guys! What’s--
Gwen: One side!
Kyuzo: Comin’ through!
Zenjiro: Excuse us!
*7 of the 8 Factor Users zoom past Hanabi, causing her to spin around comically*
Hanabi: Aah!
*as she stops spinning, she stumbles around dizzily*
Hanabi: *dizzy* --up? …Huh?
*just then, Ren runs over zooms past Hanabi, causing her to spin around comically again*
Hanabi: Aah!!!!!
Ren: Sorry, Auntie Rei!
Hanabi: *stops spinning* Ohhh… Where’s the fire…? *falls over*
*Σ Hidden Forbidden Delusions ~ Enchanted City Naval Monte*
*Kaeion is seen standing on top of the fountain at the center of the city; his body was giving off a faint purple glow*
Kaeion: …A little more… Just a little bit more…
*the 8 Factor Users all enter to confront Kaeion with their weapons drawn*
All: KAEION!
Kaeion: …I had a feeling you’d come eventually… *turns to face Factor Users* …You always do…
Hayate: Whoa… Someone’s had a big makeover…
Neon: If only something could be done about that hair. Hehehe…
Kaeion: Go ahead… Have your laugh…because when this is over… *draws Flick Reaper scythe*
All: *gasp*
Kaeion: …there won’t be enough of you to even make a decent knock-knock joke…!
*meanwhile, at the Serpent of Lore…*
Sakubo: That must be the weapon Kaeion obtained when he absorbed that PC Kurio’s data.
Ovan: Quite a coincidence, isn’t it? Now Kaeion shares the same legal weapon set as Haseo.
Haseo: Hmph! Don’t bunch me into the group with him!
Yata: …Eh? I’m picking up a strange data signature emanating from Morrigu Barrow.
Ovan: Strange how?
Yata: One moment… *typing on console keyboard* … *deep gasp* N-No… It can’t be… It’s just not possible!
Pi: Master Yata? What’s the matter?
Yata: …It’s…!!!
*meanwhile…*
Kaeion: Reaper’s Touch!
*Kaeion swings his scythe at the party, forcing them to back away*
Kyuzo: Dammit! We can’t even get close to this guy!
Vyce: Like hell we can’t! *creates energy bayonet* Tempest Blast!
*Vyce fires a group of bullets into Kaeion’s body from a distance*
Kaeion: Gah…!
Gwen: There’s our opening! Air Raid!
Hayate: Disaster Sword!
Neon: Ghost Falcon!
Zenjiro: Zetsu!
*4 of the 8 Factor Users assault Kaeion with their respective Rengekis; Kaeion uses his scythe to support his weight from collapsing*
Kaeion: You…little insects… You have no comprehension…of the power opposing you…
Gwen: Dude, enough with the cryptic talk already! It only makes you sound more like a dork!
Ayliori: Hehehe…
Kaeion: *grits teeth* Fine… You want to mock me? Ridicule me? Belittle my abilities? That’s just fine…!
*just then, Kaeion’s body sets ablaze with blue fire*
Kaeion: …Just try to mock me when you’re six feet under!!!
*releasing all of his energy, Kaeion’s body breaks up into fragments with chains of blue fire connecting them*
Kaeion: Come forth!!! GOD OF THE AZURE FLAMES!!!
*in mere moments, Kaeion opens the gate into Avatar Space and towers above the Factor Users as the Azure Flame God*
Ayliori: What in the hell is that thing?!?
Ren: …Big trouble…
Kaeion (AFG): I…am the GOD[/size]…OF THE WORLD!!!!![/size]
*Δ Hidden Forbidden Bulwark ~ Morrigu Barrow Wall*
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan are seen gating into the Lost Ground; upon doing so, they walk up to the wall scarred by the Tri-Edge sign*
Haseo: *opens a transmission channel to the Serpent of Lore* Okay, Yata. We’re here. Where’s this data signature you picked up?
Yata: {At the bottom of the chasm. …But I warn you, Haseo – you may not like what you see.}
*Haseo, Endrance, and Ovan walk over to the edge of the cliff and gaze down into the ravine*
Haseo: …I…don’t see any--
Endrance: Wait! What’s that!?
*Endrance points to one of the ravine’s far corners, where the faint image of black bubbles could be seen slowly rising from the darkness*
Ovan: …Is that…what I think it is…?
Endrance: …“The great evil that had stained this world from years past”… So this is what Aura meant…
Haseo: …
*meanwhile, at Naval Monte, the Factor Users, in their Avatar forms, are seen soaring around Kaeion’s new form, firing volley after volley of energy shots, hoping to deal the least bit of damage*
Ren: Come on… Come on!
Zenjiro: It’s no use! Our attacks aren’t working!
Kaeion (AFG): Hahahaha! You inferior beings honestly believe you’ll be able to wound a god!? I AM SUPERIOR!!!
*in the Azure Flame God’s left hand appears a giant scythe; the scythe’s blade gives off a massive amount of heat*
Kaeion (AFG): Now! Away with you!
*with a single swing of his scythe, the Azure Flame God expels the Factor User from Avatar Space; as they fly, the Factor Users’ exit their Avatar forms*
All: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
*just then, the Factor Users are teleported somewhere else mid-flight*
Kaeion (AFG): Hehehe… Hahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!![/size]
*…Raven’s @home, Serpent of Lore…*
Sakubo: *sigh* That was close. Good job, Yata.
Yata: Heh. Nothing to it.
Gwen: *rises to feet* Okay! Anyone wanna explain to me what just happened back there!? One second, we’re totally schooling Kaeion, and the next, he busts out some crazy move that makes him 50 feet tall!!! On top of that, he was freakin’ invincible!!!
Pi: *sigh* …I’m afraid we have a much bigger dilemma than Kaeion…
Hayate: What is it now?
Ovan: …We have something to show you. Yata.
Yata: Yes.
*Yata presses a few keys on the console and brings up a display feed of Morrigu Barrow’s ravine*
Ayliori: Morrigu Barrow?
Endrance: …Zoom in.
*the feed zooms in closer on the ravine, and the black bubbles come into view*
Vyce: What…is that…?
Endrance: “Artificially Intelligent Data Anomaly”.
Haseo: Otherwise known as…AIDA.
Ovan: The very same danger The World faced 20 years ago.
Kyuzo: 20 years ago? Then why’s it back again?
Ovan: That’s a very good question. All of the aggressive portions of AIDA should’ve been expelled from the network after the “Rebirth”.
Pi: Perhaps it has to do with Althena’s imminent awakening?
Ovan: That’s the only logical explanation I can think of. *looks at the monitor* At any rate, it would seem that The World isn’t in any immediate danger. This version of AIDA seems…different somehow. It’s not as matured and hostile as AIDA was back then.
Kuhn: I guess that’s good news.
Atoli: So we should focus on Kaeion for now. But how do we combat his new powers?
Endrance: I… *sigh* …I don’t know. And even as we think of a strategy, Althena’s growing even closer to waking up, and this new AIDA’s growing more powerful.
Haseo: …You’re all dismissed for now.
Hayate: Dismissed!? But what about Kaeion!?
Haseo: There’s nothing we can do for the time being! Dismissed!
Hayate: …
*defeated, the Factor Users all exit the Serpent of Lore*
Haseo: …Ovan… If AIDA truly has returned…then you know what needs to be done, am I right?
Ovan: …
Endrance: (Aura… Help us… We need you… This world is falling apart at the seams without you…)
*several days later, Ovan attempts to log into Mac Anu…*
Ovan: …?
*…but ends up gating into a pure white pocket of space*
Ovan: Is this…?
: …Child of Morganna…*Ovan turns to be greeted by Aura*
Ovan: *widens eyes* …Aura…
Aura: Tell me… My world – it’s in grave danger once more, isn’t it?
Ovan: …Yes. The power of Kaeion, the K-Anomaly, has grown to surpass even that of the Factor Users. Althena is drawing even closer to fully awakening. And now, AIDA has returned.
Aura: …I understand… Go to the place in The World where the powers of the Eight Phases of Morganna converge… There, you will find a gift… Use it to protect this world…
Ovan: Aura…
Aura: Oh… And please…when you see Gorre…could you tell him…I’m sorry?
Ovan: What?
Aura: …Farewell, Child of Morganna… *vanishes* …Our paths will cross again soon… When that moment comes, I will have truly returned home…
*in that instant, the white pocket of space collapses around Ovan and he finds himself in Mac Anu dome*
Ovan: …“The place in The World where the powers of the Eight Phases of Morganna converge”…
*several minutes later, Ovan is seen gating into the Great Temple of Caerleon Medb; on each of the eight platforms that stretched out from the central platform rested a large sphere; inside each sphere was a weapon*
Ovan: …Are these …? Huh?
*looking over at the fifth platform, Ovan notices there was one sphere missing – there was no sphere on Gorre’s platform*
Ovan: …Only seven?
~ Eternal City of Mac Anu; August 10, 2037 ~
*the members of Glaive LeGable are seen entering their @home shortly after completing a quest*
Usa-chan: Hahaha! That was fun!
Izumi: Hehehe, yeah. ‘Cuz of Hayate and Neon running off to Raven all the time, we barely get to spend any time together as a guild lately. Uh…no offense, of course.
Neon: *smile* None taken.
Hayate: Don’t worry. When this is all over, we’ll have tons of time to spend together!
Miharu: …Until the new school year starts one month from now.
All: …
Usa-chan: …Mood-killer.
All: Hahahahahaha!
Hayate: Hehehe… *BEEP, BEEP!* Hmm?
Usa-chan: Let me guess – Raven?
Neon/Hayate: *sweatdrop* Hehehe…
Orion: Ah, no need to apologize. We know you two are always busy.
Miharu: Yeah! You’re like…superheroes! Haha!
*Δ Hidden Forbidden Dead Wood ~ Dead World of Indieglut Lugh*
*Kaeion is seen kneeling at the base of the water, gazing at his reflection…*
Kaeion: …Hmm?
*…when the Factor Users dash in with their weapons drawn*
Kaeion: *sigh* Honestly… *rises to feet and turns around* I’m growing tired of this game. Don’t you ever give up? *smirk* Or is it that you’re here for another trouncing?
All: …
Kaeion: What? No witty comebacks? I was actually looking forward to those. Oh, well… *draws Spin Natsume*
*as the group prepares to do battle with Kaeion, Haseo sends a vocal transmission to them*
Haseo: {Remember. Our goal here is not to defeat Kaeion, but to distract him long enough to take back the Spin Natsume. The last .hack//Arm takes TOP priority. Understood?}
All: {Yes!}
*Hayate looks at his in-game clock*
Hayate: (3 minutes… We just have to keep fighting for 3 minutes…) *gulp* (Sounds easy enough…)
*meanwhile, a PC with platinum hair is seen gating into Caerleon Medb*
Dekar: …Hmm…
*Dekar approaches the northernmost platform and gazes at the weapon inside the sphere*
Dekar: …I wonder…
*Dekar presses his hand to the sphere the weapon was inside and tries to release it*
Dekar: Nnnnnn…
*just then, he feels a short electrical shock, forcing him to take his hand away*
Dekar: So, Aura…your power trumps mine even to this day, eh? Heh…
*at Indieglut Lugh, Kaeion is seen forcing the Factor Users back with his scythe*
Kaeion: Hahaha! What’s the matter!? Can’t get close enough to land a hit!?
Ren: (Come on… Just a few seconds more…)
Kaeion: Well, here then! *substitutes scythe for Spin Natsume* I’ll give you a sporting chance!
Kyuzo: Heh! (It’s almost like this guy’s doing our work for us!)
Hayate/Vyce: Lateral Moon!!!
*Hayate and Vyce double-team Kaeion with a dual Brandier attack; Kaeion simply leaps away and counters with…*
Kaeion: Chaotic Strike!!!
*…counterattacking Hayate and Vyce’s attacks with a flurry of dual sword slashes*
Hayate/Vyce: Gah!
Kaeion: What is this!? I know you’re stronger than that! Why are you holding back!?
Ayliori: Tell me, Kaeion…can you see the in-game clock from your end?
Kaeion: …
*Kaeion looks at the in-game clock; it reads 6:06 PM and 4 seconds*
Kaeion: … *gasp*
*as soon as the in-game clock reads 6:06 and 6 seconds, the Lost Ground begins to vibrate, and Cernunnos emerges from the water*
Cernunnos: GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!![/size]
Kaeion: NO!!!
*Cernunnos throws its claw at Kaeion and attempts to drag him into the water, but Kaeion leaps away to just barely avoid the attack*
Kaeion: (Dammit! They were just stalling me!)
*just then, Kyuzo appears in the air right behind Kaeion…*
Kaeion: What!?
*…and snatches the Spin Natsume dual swords from his hands*
Kyuzo: Got ‘em!
Kaeion: NO!!!
*as the chaos quells and Cernunnos returns below the water, Kaeion returns to the ground and notices that the Factor Users had escaped*
Kaeion: Grrrr… GRAAAAHHHH!!!!
*a short time later, at the Serpent of Lore…*
Gwen: Okay… Care to explain why we went through all that just for a pair of dual swords?
Pi: We have something to show you.
Vyce: Oh, god, it’s not another problem besides AIDA, is it!?
Ovan: Hahaha. No, it’s not. In fact, quite the contrary. What we have to show you may perhaps be the key to combating Kaeion’s recent boost in power.
*the Epitaph Users and Factor Users all warp to Caerleon Medb; Hayate, Gwen, and Kyuzo would instantly recognize it*
Hayate: Hey… Isn’t this…?
Haseo: Yes. This was the place where your battle as Factor Users first began against the K-Anomaly.
Kyuzo: …Except with big spheres of light.
Ren: Hey! There’s a blade sword inside this sphere!
Zenjiro: And a lance inside this one!
Vyce: What are these things?
Ovan: These, Vyce…are the “Lost Weapons”.
~ Next Time on Infected! ~
Hayate: …There’s…no Lost Weapon for me?
~*~*~*~
Orion: …I swore…that I would keep the .hack//Arms out of the wrong hands… But I can see now that there’s much more at stake…
~*~*~*~
Kaeion: *panting* You’re…stronger than…before…
Gwen: Not just stronger. Better, faster… *cracks knuckles* …and meaner too.
~*~*~*~
Hayate: Dammit! I just feel so helpless!
Sakuya: …Kazu-niichan…
~*~*~*~
Althena: So you’re one of those “Factor Users”? Kaeion’s told me much about you while I was sleeping.
Hayate: …A-Althena…
42nd Phase: Blood of the Betrayed![/color]
