Railgun Online, Book 6: Alicization Invading

Suppress the Darkness.

"What is that supposed to be?" Mikoto asked, as she and Akame finished booking a room at the front desk of the cozy looking inn.

Akame held out the package to Mikoto. "It's a Darkness Suppression Armor..it allows those who aren't used to the dark state of their avatars to suppress it and use their normal forms. or at least the normal forms of their avatars."

"And why would I want to use something as silly as that?" Mikoto asked lazily.

"Do you like your dark side?" Akame said.

"Of course!" said Mikoto with a sly laugh. "Kinda feels cool the way I can feel at ease pulling some major pranks on some dorks.."

"Reeallly?" said Akame, with a stern gaze.

Mikoto sighed. "Ya got me.. this is starting to scare me a little.."

Akame smiled. "Then you will appreciate this... come on.. swipe your right hand please."

Mikoto did as Akame said, and a menu similar to the one from SAO and ALO appeared, however, with differing options.

There was a Logout option at the bottom, an examine option, an Item Pouch, and a Status Screen and Skill Slots... however that was it, no contacting the Game Master.. nothing else.

Mikoto tapped the Examine Option, using her past game experience to play things by ear. She then tapped the package in Akame's arms.. and another option appeared: Switch Yokai Yukata for Sealing Armor.

Mikoto tapped the option.. and her clothing glowed as her Yokai Yukata was sent into her item pouch and switched for the Sealing Armor..

Then.. an icon appeared: Sealing Armor has synced with Demon Eye Railgun, it is now Sealing Furisode.

Mikoto looked down at herself to see she was wearing a skirt-like black furisode with bare upper arms and sleeves going down from her elbows with red ribbons. it was more or less the same exact color as the Yukata.

"Don't feel any different." said Mikoto.

"Say.. Seal Blackness." said Akame.

Mikoto rolled her eyes and did what Akame told her to do. "Seal Blackness."

Suddenly Mikoto felt a sharp pain in her head.. immediately, the ribbons and belt turned from red to gold, and her demonic red eyes returned to their normal soft brown ones.. her skin became less reflective as well.. her Master Nodachi turned back into the Master Sword, tucked into the wrap belt above her waist.

Mikoto groaned.. and her face took on an expression of supreme horror. "Th-that.. was.."

Akame looked concerned. "R-Railgun? You seem shocked."

"O-of course.. I..I'm never that gruesome or dark.." Mikoto stammered, her voice now back to her normal self. "W-was that really me!?"

"That was you.. darker.. or at least with the darkness already in you strengthened." said Akame. "I apologize. I thought that unleashing your darkness would strengthen you once you returned from it.. but.. it seems like it only frightened you.."

"I.. I won't lie.. the power.. the calmness.. it felt good." said Mikoto, shivering. "But the way I killed without remorse.. that's not me.. I'm not a killer.."

Mikoto shook herself. "Thank you Akame.. I'm glad I'm back to normal.."

"When you mean normal.." said Akame. "Are you truly back to unbroken self?"

Mikoto's gaze dimmed. "No.. I'm sorry.. but.. I do feel more motivated to heal myself.. I hope.."

Akame looked up the stairs of the inn. "When you log out.. your avatar sleeps until you log back in once more.. it is for this reason that you'll find some Players sleeping for days on end, while their real life selves go about their business in their worlds.. that is why it is always essential to find an inn wherever you can."