Sword Star Online

Chapter 5: What's in the RELICS?

It was around three in the morning. All was quiet in the Guardians Colony. It had become the settlement of most of the players who had given up, and the barracks of most players, solo or teammates in the game. Most were comfortably sleeping in their rooms, living out life as if normal was the way to describe it anymore. It was a routine everyone followed. Much like that of Nona's. She sat up playing in her menu, looking over her weapons, and inventory, quitetly humming to herself. She sported a yellow t-shirt and candy covered underwear as her sleeping wear, her long blonde hair falling off the bed. Hitoshi slept beside her softly snoring in her ear. He had grown in levels quite nicely over the past five months. He wore a blue tanktop and black shorts for his sleepwear.

She sighed pushing his head away from her ear and sat up with a groan. She hadn't been able to sleep the past few nights and kept herself up with Koltova juice. It was a lot like caffeine, when a Valhara nail was chopped, boiled and mixed in with it. She decided to go shower first before she made her energy drink. Her steps were light entering the bathroom, and the door was closed and locked quietly. She turned the shower on, opened her menu and removed the last article of clothing she had before stepping inside the shower. She stepped out the shower and quickly selected the outfit she normally fought in, a black and light red Hulauna Jacket, matching Karawai Shorts, and black Seyagya Short Boots. Now in the kitchen, Nona sipped on her drink in a sleey daze. It was going to be a long day.

~~~~~~~~

"Get your lazy butt up, Hitoshi! Gosh I swear you act too human to be an NPC, or even an AI!" Nona grumbled, finally succeeding in waking her partner up. He yawned, sleepily got up and rubbed his hair.

"Damn't woman, I swear you are the loudest thing in the Gurhal System." Hitoshi long since stopped calling her Master, on her own request, but he doesnt call Nona by her name either. It was always something near vulger or an insult to her, which ticked her off, and Hitoshi relished in it.

Nona mumbled something insulting under her breath, opening her menu to contact Ezra. After three beeps she answered.

"Hey, ready to go hit the RELICS site by the train station? I heard majority of the ones on the frontlines are going there today."

Nona groaned. "As soon as Hitoshi finished boooting up, and gets dressed. We'll meet you and Amos at the station leaving for Parum."

"Gotcha. Sending you and Hito a party invitation now."

Nona and Hitoshi accepted the invite and once Hitoshi was ready, they left Nona's room. Down the hallway and to the elevator they went, up to the central floor, then took the elevators from the central floor to the fourth. The gate to the far left, held the ships leaving for Parum, and in front were about a few dozen people, some Nona recognized from one group that always heads the front, including their leader.

His name was Egil Grey, leader of the Xenia Knights. His hair was one of the many few Newmen that were respected. He specialized in the Ranger Job, but also supported backup, using Shifta, Deband, Dizas, and Rentis. In a way, Nona respected him for becoming well respected, because it sure wasn't easy. While he was issuing orders, Nona spotted Ezra and Amos. Hitoshi followed keeping quiet.

"Do we know what to expect from this place?" Ezra asked Nona quietly, as to listen in to what Egil wanted them to do.

"Apparently some monsters that use something called A-Photon energy to operate. It's a rare drop too, along with the enemy body part." Nona whispered back.

Egil raised his arms looking around. "Is everyone ready? We're about to depart in ten, so whatever items you want to trade, money you want to drop off, or items you wish to get on the second floor, then do so now."

"Yessir!" everyone yelled in synchronization.

~~~~~

"Ezra! Watch my back!" Nona shouted running towards the five monster army of Badira. and wolf-like creatures. "Hitoshi, back me up!"

Both of them ran forward attacking the monsters head on, while Ezra weakened and stopped enemies from attacking the both of them.

"Amos, strengthen their stats, and heal them." Ezra commanded, shooting at up to three bullets consecutively.

Amos nodded casting Shifta, Deband and Resta on the team, and putting up Dizas, and Rentis as well. In a matter of moments the team cleared a passageway back to the group.

"Nothing there but standard synthesis items and healing items." Nona reported, holding up a red card. "I believe this is supposed to unlock that red door we were stuck at."

Egil took the card, thanking Nona for it and lead the group onward. Nona's party stayed behind, looking at the map. It was a large room, no reports of enemies, drops, or life period. Confused Nona wondered why they haven't seen any thing that sounded anything close to the enemies with the A-Photon energy.

"I suppose it is a bit strange." Ezra said closing her menu. "It might be one of those special events where you see them."

Nona closed her's too. "Could be." Though she still wasnt so sure.

At the same time Hitoshi and Amos gasped. "Someone just died!" Before either female could say anything, a yell startled them both, adrenaline beginning to pulse through their body. They ran forward to find the room that was previously locked, opened and few bodies stranded here and there before they became data shards.

"What the hell?" Ezra muttered running in, Amos behind her, and not moments after Nona and Hitoshi.

A large robotic like beige colored monster, had just swept away a little less than half of the Xenia Knights. Egil looked troubled, not knowing there was such an enemy here. Nona ran in, Hitoshi on her heels calling after her; Ezra followed suit with Amos.

"This is it! The enemy that runs on A-Photon energy, Svaltus!"

Egil thought of a strategy quickly. "Forces, cast buffs on our fighters! Rangers, stay clear of the Svaltus' hand, and fire from all angles! Hunters, be vigilant, and fight, but don't get killed! I need three Force classes to start mass healing with me!"

Nona blocked off the Svaltus' sword, but was slammed onto her back. She groaned struggling to keep it off of her. Health was dwindling slowly, but with the rapid recovery, it was hardly noticeable. Hitoshi saw Nona in danger, switched from his twin daggers to his long sword.

"Damn't woman, can't you defend yourself properly?!?" Hitoshi yelled charging his Photon Art."Gravity Break!" he yelled, which knocked the Svaltus on its back.

Egil did not hesitate to call forth a full assault, and everyone followed. Hitoshi quickly helped Nona off her butt and the two ran in to join the assault. Everyone's mixed yells echoed, bounced off walls and invigorated the party. The Svaltus couldn't stand much more and turned into data shards. The now familiar blaring of the trumpets signaled the end of the mission, and the awards and EXP menu popped up. Nona looked at hers and was surprised to see a Svaltus edge in her inventory.

"Nona! This mission pays a lot!" Ezra exclaimed pointing to the money.

Indeed it did. A good 50000 meseta was added to Nona's account. She smirked knowingly at her teammate. "Well, at least we know what's in the RELICS huh?"

Hitoshi smirked along with his partner. "Something worthy of fighting and a jack load of cash. My kind of mission any day!"

Amos shook her head in shame. "My gosh you guys are savages, and scoundrels..." she sighed. "A bunch of kids, is more well put."

Nona started walking off, laughing at Amos' comment. "Well what ever we are, we are needed in the central. Apparently there's some kind of event going on back at the colony soon, and they want everyone there."

"Let's go then!" Ezra yelled dragging Amos ahead of everyone.