New Life Online Acolytes

Chapter 2

"Hey you" screeched my friend Jessica Blythe (Jess) as she grabbed me in a headlock. I swear. She's always this hyper. Doesn't make it any better that we're in NLO. Yup I attend school on NLO. Jess is a Order Of Lights officer like the rest of my friends. She uses support magic and isn't particularly strong.
"You're killing me Jess! Let me go" I managed to say before wriggling out of her headlock.
"We're gonna go monster soul hunting. Wanna tag along?" Warren Blaze (WarBlaze) quipped coming up from behind me.

"The guild's making us all get our own souls. World Boss invasion has them all on edge and we're more focused than ever on leveling up our masteries and levels" the more analytical of the three Avery Bishop (he uses his own name :P) asked.

Before I could reply I got a private message from the guild. "Kid we have a mission. Meet me outside the Vanguard borders." Ugh Vanguard borders. I know what the means. Scythus. We've been keeping tabs on them since the bloody idiot Zeth blackmailed us into it 2 weeks ago. I replied to my guild member and turned to my friends who were looking at me expectantly. Since they are guild players we don't get to explore NLO together that much. But I also have guild duties. (Even though I'd rather blow this one).
"Sorry guys maybe another day. I have to go somewhere" before rushing off in the direction of the Vanguard not waiting for their answers.
13 Gods. Even while being the the strongest players, they're a pain in the ass. How we got roped into this I don't know. I mean, if they has a grudge he should take care of it themselves. Its Zeth's fault really.

2 weeks back
"So this is the famous Acolytes base huh" Sheila whispered to no one in particular. We were asked to escort the 12 Gods excluding Aurora (she was the one who asked us to host this "peace talk" between the Gods. Since Percy and Aurora were friends, he agreed). The other Gods were already assembled. After entering the hall me and the 3 other who escorted Sheila took our places around the hall. Its rare for all 66 of us to be together at the same time. This was one of those times. Thanks no thanks Aurora

The meeting hall was dimly lit by magic crystals. Stone and ice statues of the most beautiful creatures we've seen in NLO adorned the huge room. In the middle, a simple round table made of rosewood stood, with 14 seats to accommodate the participants of this "peace talk". This wasn't peace talk between guild leaders but rather between the Gods who has animosity and hatred towards each other. Zeth and Siren for example. Zeth being an officer of Order Of Lights and Siren being the guild leader of Ravens meant that they were less than friendly to each other.

"Ok lets start this.."
"WAIT!" Percy started to speak but was cut off by Shiv.
"Shouldn't the kids on the side lines with their robes and scary masks be sent off (I said we didn't prance around fires doing freaky stuff ^^. And the masks aren't even half the members) before we begin this meeting?"

"Shiv's right. Kids shouldn't be here. Whether they are Acolytes or not" Siren sneered.

"THAT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO JUDGE RAVEN" Ohh this is bad. Aaliya, our second in command is near loosing it. Her eyes have changed colors from the original brown to volt blue. If she breaks, it's not going to be pretty and its bye bye to peace talks.

"Aaliyah calm down. Shiv just said what's on everyone's mind. But see, you might be the 13 Gods but you're here because I SAID so. Because I wanted to. I could've let you fight amongst yourself and get killed when the world boss invades. We the Acolytes would survive but you wouldn't. So be respectful to me and my members or the next time it won't be my tongue that'll move" Perceus "The Avenger", fits him perfectly. He's scary when he wants to be.

"I'm willing to work this "Alliance". But you, the Acolytes has to keep tabs on Scythus. I want every single of his moves observed and reported to me"
Zeth said his piece which was followed by a murmur of agreements

"WAIT no we'll need him. Whether we want to or not he's the second strongest player" Siegriel argued but I can see that it's a hopeless battle.

"Seigreil is right. We need him. What he did was wrong but he's powerful. And everyone deserves a second chance." Aurora argued back.

"Lets go to a vote then. I'm tired of useless arguments." Bludgeon shouted over the bickering. God that hurt my ears.

"Ok those in favour of us keeping Scythus on tabs so you will cooperate with each other for this little club of yours to work" wow that was harsh. Even for the Percy. More than half the Gods excluding Aurora, Panthie, surprisingly Vortz, Sheila, Seigreil and Drake put their hands up.

"Ok so that was easy. Now I hope you keep your end of the deal "Avenger". For your sham of a guild's sake. Because if you don't, next time the Order of Light will be here to wipe you out.." before Zeth could complete his sentence a Scythe was pressed to his neck.

"If you value your life stop talking about my brother and this guild. Remember Zeth, your precious Order of Lights is the best because we let you be the best. Ask your leader if you don't know." It's Clay. The younger brother of Perceus. He's very dedicated to his brother. So that reaction was not surprising. Oh this has dissolved into what we thought it would. An all out brawl.

Some of the Gods tried to intervene. Venum who was the closest to me, got up from his chair. "Don't. Not if you want to loose 5% masteries". I said in a threatening voice pointing my dual knives at him. A few of the other Acolytes backed me up.

"WE'RE THE 13 GODS YOU IMBECILESSS! DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN FIGHT USSS" Shit he's right. But we're not normal soldiers. Still, wouldn't hurt to be safe. Time to do that I guess.

"Alpha WereLynx's Mark" I can feel the power surging through me as the Marks started appearing on my body. Little does the other players understand, that Wrath is just one way the soul can be used.

No time to wonder. Venum laughed as he struck. Before I could parry his attack I felt the time stop.

So this is Aurora. Damn. The pressures overwhelming. I can feel her anger. It's suffocating. Even when I'm using Monster soul. Its no wrath. I feel my strength disappear and the Markings recede. I looked at Aurora and her eyes were glazed over with a white light. It's terrifying. The fears too much.
*Flashback end*

Present
That's all I remember. I fainted from Aurora's Wrath. It would have been embarrassing if some of the others hadn't fainted either. We're strong but she's on another level. She's strong. I don't think that even Leader could've faced off against her. But then he was sitting through the whole think pretty calmly. I was lost in my own though when suddenly *Swoosh* an arrow . "Backtrack" sheesh that was hard to avoid. Though I know who this is.

"You're late kid" the ranger in the tree shouted with a smile on her face.

I know super long. This is a peace talks thing. So in the main story we missed two weeks. That explains some of the things that happened in those two weeks. Well that's from the Acolytes point of view anyway. I'll try to introduce as many new characters as much as possible.

And the idea for Mark came from the fact that these are souls. You're sharing your body with souls. So what if Wrath isn't the ONLY way to access the monsters powers. Mark only improves players stats only and doesn't necessarily make the user more like the monsters. Just improves their stats. Thanks for reading btw