Turning Back the Clock

Chapter 12: The Second Day

The next morning, while the rest of the team prepared for their big day, Riko headed to the forest in search for the final party member. Eventually, he came across a girl trying to tame a dragon like he told the others the night before.

Riko: That must be her. Hey! Excuse me!

His shouting scared the dragon off as it hid behind a tree.

Silica: Ugh, why did you scare it off like that?! I was close to taming it, too.

Riko: Sorry about that. But I need your help.

Silica: Hey, aren't you that guy who's looking for the elite team members?

Riko: Yeah.

Silica: So I assume you've been looking for me?

Riko: Yep.

Silica: Well, I'll tell you what. I'd definitely be interested in joining, but you have to help me with something first.

Riko: Ok.

Silica: I want you to help me lure in this dragon so I can tame it.

Riko: The Feathered Little Dragon from before? No problem.

After thinking back to Kirito's stories, Riko knew what to instruct Silica to do.

Riko: Silica, right?

Silica: Yeah, that's my name.

Riko: Do you have a snack on you? Like a peanut or something similar?

Silica: Yeah. Why?

Riko: Use it to lure the dragon. It should take a liking to it, allowing you to tame it.

Silica: Ok. Here goes.

And lo and behold, the peanut that she was carrying on her allowed her to lure the dragon to her and tame it.

Silica: Yes! It worked! Thank you so much....um...

Riko: Riko. My name's Riko. And you're welcome. Now that you have the dragon, you may feel free to bring it along with you.

Silica: Great. I think I'm going to name it after...my cat Pina.

Riko: That's a nice name.

Silica: Thanks. What should we do now?

Riko: I'll probably join the rest of my team and the groups that they're leading. We're going to start our mission to help the other players get out of this game. Feel free to join me if you'd like. Otherwise, you can head to the blacksmith shop. Two other members of the elite team are working there and watching over the place.

Silica: Ok. Thanks for your help, Riko!

Riko: And thank you, Silica!

With Kirito's team finally assembled, Riko headed to the hills and open fields to meet up with everyone else.

Gus: Hello, everyone. I will be guiding you through the basics of flight that you'll need to know for these various missions. With the wings that we have given you, you will all be able to fly at speeds that will allow you to pass through each floor's barrier, and fly up to the succeeding floors.

Kez: If it helps, think of yourselves as astronauts or rocket ships leaving Earth's atmosphere.

Gus: Exactly. So here's the plan. Flyers! You will scour each floor for any safe zones or cities that players could take refuge in and not have to worry about monsters, as well as helping me find access to the top floor of Aincrad.

Kez: Bomb squad! You will travel with me to the 25th floor and we will set that floor ablaze like I said yesterday. If you encounter any strong monsters, you can use the advanced weapons we've given you to fight them.

Kiyu: Though I personally recommend using your flight speeds to go around them, especially if there's a lot of room to fly around them.

Kez: That works, too.

Ui: Rescue mission! Follow my lead as we search for the command center. Then we'll take care of any monsters in there if need be, and rescue the hostage.

Kiyu: I will be jumping between groups for additional help and support. Let me know if you have any questions at any time.

Riko: Elite team members! You may feel free to join any group you so choose, though be careful out there. As for Kirito and Asuna, I'd like you to come with me and Ui on the rescue mission.

Kirito and Asuna shrugged and joined them on their side of the field as the other players and team members took their positions for liftoff.

Gus: Ok. Can everybody hear me?

Players: Yes!

Gus: Are you all in position?

Players: Yes!

Gus: Ok. Once you're flying, fly towards the edge of the floor as fast as you can so that we all break through the floor's barrier together. When you're flying around, depending on which group you're in, make sure to stay in at least groups of 2. That way, if someone falls, the other player will be there to catch you and you can continue onward. I think that covers everything, so with that being said, Kez, if you will?

Kez: Ladies! Gentlemen! Start! Your! Engines!

A roar of human-sized wings flapping covered the field as though several helicopters were about to take off. Gus put his hand in the air to prepare the signal for liftoff.

Gus: On my signal, we make a dash for it! Ready? 3! 2! 1! Go!

Gus lowered his hand and all of the players took to the skies and dashed forward as though they were supersonic jets. As they crossed the barrier, it didn't break like a wall or like the dome in the Hunger Games, but they were all able to pass through the barrier and into the open blue skies. The flyers then separated into their respective groups and flew up to the higher floors. Gus split his group up to search for safe zones and report back to him after they had found one or any. Kez had his group circle the 25th floor and scatter the edge of the floor and its insides with bombs and explosive devices as Kez planned. Ui and the others continued to fly upward as the search for the command center continued. One of the biggest phases of the WC1 project had finally begun.