J U P I T E R

Leader of the Knights of the Blood Oath –– Beta Tester

[ofjupiter]

⊳ GEMINI

Gemini had been passing around fish meat to weary players when she caught sight of Jupiter by the shoreline. Her eyes widened at the sight of the guild leader, color blooming in her cheeks. She shuffled awkwardly before grabbing a plate of fish and walking over towards him. 

“H-Hi, Jupiter.” 

She looked up at him shyly before offering him the plate of fish with a small, timid smile. 

“Good job, today. I-… I’m sure you must be hungry.” 

          this fight had not gone the way that jupiter had hoped, not in the least. he had hoped that they would have made it to level fifty-two by now and that they would be one step closer to release, but no such luck... the monster that they’d managed to kill had been little more than a distraction, just another monster to kill before they could get to the boss. 

          jupiter blew a sharp breath through his lips and allowed himself to refocus on the surroundings. perhaps they hadn’t accomplished what he had hoped, but he was glad to see that many of the players seemed to be enjoying themselves regardless. good, he thought. they deserved a reprieve, however brief, from the fighting they had endured. and there, before him, was a familiar face. 

          a faint smile appeared on his lips and he took the plate from gemini. admittedly, fish had never been his favorite, but he certainly couldn’t pass up on a meal, especially not when it had com efrom the monster they’d just vanquished. “thank you. truly.” he murmured. “how are you?” he asked, concern causing a faint line to form between his brows. “has a healer taken a look at you yet?" she was too important to the cause to risk losing.

[ofjupiter]

⊳ OCCASUS

Rae was sitting on the shoreline with a towel around her shoulders, hair still dripping with lake water. Most of all, she was irritated. That they had all wasted resources on a fake boss, and that their progress to the next level was stalled yet again. Her eyes landed upon Jupiter, who she had caught sight of a few times during the fray. “Hey,” she called to him. “good to see that you’re alright.”

          they had been trapped on level fifty-one for weeks, unable to find the floor boss or even the entrance to the dungeon. at long last, they had learned how to get inside of the dungeon, but not before putting all of the frontline at risk... had they lost anyone? he sincerely hoped not, jupiter tried his damnedest to push the thought from his mind, but it returned again and again. 

          fortunately, occasus arrived just in time. the sound of her voice drew jupiter from his thoughts and caused him to refocus on the woman in front of him. he felt unsure as he approached, as he always did when he approached occasus, but didn’t avoid her. “wet, but alive.” he agreed with a little nod of his head. “could have been worse... did everyone make it off of your boat alive?” 

[ofjupiter]

[ofjupiter]

⊳ ALCHEMY

player: alchemy floor: 51, near the lake

          “not to be a debbie-downer or anything … but all i’ve heard anyone talk about is the free food – – which i’m like, super grateful for and everything, really – – ” she lifted up her barely touched and gruesome piece of fish to prove her point. “but when are we going to address that the lake quite literally turned into a giant ass toilet bowl, dead fish and all? there’s also the fact that that mutant goldfish wasn’t even the boss-boss. we going to ignore that, too?”

          what sort of sanctuary was this? despite the name that the players had lovingly bestowed upon the beautiful level, jupiter had grown rather tired of the familiar scenery. there was nothing comforting about the lakes, nor the jagged mountains, for they’d begun to feel like a prison. if they couldn’t get through it soon... 

          the thought was still at the forefront of his mind when he heard alchemy’s question. he turned, a brief look of confusion flitted across his face, and then he laughed. ever serious, ever scowling jupiter, actually laughed. there was something in the simplicity of her comment that made him feel a bit less miserable. “so this is where my pet goldfish ended up,” he huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “i’d rather get to it,” to finish the fight, to charge into the dungeon, “but it seems like everybody needs a chance to eat and regain their health.” a pause. “just do me a favor? don’t go around telling them that they’re eating ‘toilet bowl fish’ or we’ll be fighting with an army at half strength.”

[the-bluespirit]

smiley bellamy is the best bellamy.

[ofjupiter]

⊳ CALYPSO

cooking had never been a skill that calypso had nurtured, not in the real world and definitely not in the game. her priority lay with battle strategy, and now with the large amounts of food at their disposal she felt rather wasteful. however, as she returned to shore, carrying a bunch of dead fish she hoped someone else could work miracles with them. after that battle, they surely deserved the feast which was brewing along the shores. “ hey… uh… where do I put these? “ corners of her lips arched ever so slightly lower, the young woman’s nose was drawn up to conceal herself from the smell. 

          despite the celebration and the (seemingly) endless supply of fish, jupiter found that his eyes wandered again and again to the entrance of the dungeon. at last, they could get inside, and yet they were wasting time out here. he understood the purpose, that people needed to have a few moments of reprieve, if only to push aside their disappointment, and enjoy their lives, but he saw it for what it was. every moment in velia was one less moment in the real world. every second here was one less with his family and his friends. 

          calypso’s voice caught his attention, however, and he glanced at her quickly. “there are a few members of the blood oath and unity that started a campfire over there,” he pointed at the gathering, his gaze lingering on them for a moment before returning to her. “i’m sure they wouldn’t mind cooking up some more, or giving you a chance to dry off.” a pause, he studied the fish in her arms for a moment before offering a hand. “need some help? too bad we can’t save ‘em...”

[ofjupiter]

⊳ NOIR

          abby liked to think that she was a strong swimmer, but nothing she could have done would have prepared her for the spirit of the lake’s whirlpool. she emerged from the lake – or lack thereof – sputtering out water, blonde tresses an unruly mess from the current she had just encountered, and robes sopping wet. noir let out a huff of annoyance after she managed to catch her breath. “ white. ” she grumbled, wringing out her once pristine white and red robes. there was almost no use for them now, they had become so waterlogged the once flowing material was now sheer and clung to her petite frame. “ why did i have to wear WHITE to a battle in WATER ?? ” shaking her head from side to side, noir attempted to get the water out of her ears before turning to the other. “ can you see through this ?? and you better be honest with me. ”

          the knights of the blood oath had become more and more powerful with each passing month, accruing new members to join their cause. the mission was was simple, defeat all 100 floors so that all players, no matter their allegiance, could return to the real world. jupiter wanted desperately to live up to his role, to be the selfless leader that the knights deserved, but he could think of no one else when he plunged into the water and was drawn under by the currents. survival was all that mattered. 

          when, at last, the torrent of water stopped, he found himself on the lake floor sputtering up water and heaving for breath. fortunately, he’d managed to hold onto his lance in the profess. after a moment, he’d regained himself enough to realize that he was not alone. there, not too far away, was noir. given what they’d just been through, he might not have noticed her attire until she pointed it out. 

          how was he supposed to answer this without looking like a fucking pervert?

          somehow, the truth didn’t seem reasonable. “nope. definitely not see through.” he replied, casting her a quick glance before looking away, as if to prove that he’d taken a glance. “are you alright? you know, wardrobe malfunction –– er –– perceived wardrobe malfunction aside?”

[ofjupiter]

Adora: your moral code really is going to get you killed prematurely.

Adora: you're asking an awful lot from someone you barely know. your second in command is on this boat. shouldn't /she/ be making sure we all get back alive?

Adora: says the guy who grabbed my leg in his sleep so i wouldn't move away.

Adora: don't worry though. i won't tell anyone how cute you are while sleeping.

JUPITER: and yet, i'm still here. i'd rather die by my morals.

JUPITER: she should, yes, but i want to make sure that someone is looking out for her too. you're it.

JUPITER: i did not and i am not. why are you saying this? i still want your help, giving me shit won't make me change my mind.

[ofjupiter]

Adora: once again, you didn't have to do that, even though i am thankful

Adora: you were literally knocking on death's door

Adora: i was /trying/ to be courteous and make sure you were comfortable since your only other option was the cave's floor

JUPITER: my moral code doesn't allow me to leave other players behind, even if they're not my guild members.

JUPITER: i'd appreciate it if you took on the same philosophy.

JUPITER: and while that's true, i don't think i'd have noticed much of a difference between the cave floor and your thighs, i had other things on my mind just then...

[ofjupiter]

⊳ ADONIS

“thanks.” adonis grabbed his hand and held fast, their expression softening at his reaction. “look - i’m freaking out, i don’t mean to be an asshole.” they squeezed his hand, hoping for a reassuring look. with a nod, they leaned into the rocks and lurches of the water, trying to keep steady with his help. they focused their energy on blasting damage toward the fish’s eye and gills, recalling the advice from thanatos. 

“y’know…” they started, shaking out their hand as they sent off a few more blasts of fire. “i thought i’d just fizzle out here in the lake, and i know i can’t help with controlling the water. i get it.” adonis was just grateful their magic was ranged, and the last thing they wanted to do was make someone else feel useless. “if it helps, i’m not a great swimmer. if you weren’t helping me i’d be half drowned in there right now.” they paused, tried to give a grateful smile - and yelped as the boat lurched, staff clattering to the side. “ah, shit-” 

          jupiter shook his head slightly. there was no need for apologies in the midst of battle, it was better to be direct about one’s needs rather than engage in niceties. besides, it took a lot more than a few desperate words to hurt his feelings these days. “you’re not,” he reassured them, trying to support adonis as best he could. it wasn’t easy given the lingering effects of the whirlpool and the waves caused by the beast’s fury, but it was manageable enough. 

          and he had to admit, adonis was a damn good shot. 

          fire wasn’t the most effective tool in the middle of a lake, perhaps, but flames could even wound fish if they were cast correctly. oh, and adonis was firing for the gills and eyes, two points that would certainly be weak to flames. jupiter watched and continued to support, and he’d very nearly forgotten the other’s attempts to console him before until they started again. a faint smile appeared across his lips, and he found that he sort of liked the solo player, even despite the circumstances. “i’m sure you’d be fine.” he reassured them. 

          unfortunately, the next wave caught him off guard and he found himself stumbling forward a step or two before managing to steady himself and reach for adonis again. “are you alright?” he asked, studying them carefully, “didn’t expect that...” and there, unsaid, lingered an apology. he hoped that they were alright.

[ofjupiter]

noir → jupiter.

NOIR: fine.

NOIR: you try not to die and i'll try not to die. deal?

JUPITER: fair enough, deal.

JUPITER: i'll see you once this is all over, noir.

[ofjupiter]

Adora: i don't go back on promises

Adora: but i sort of figured we're pretty much even

Adora: you know... by allowing you to sleep on my lap and all

JUPITER: i nearly died saving you, if i recall.

JUPITER: and i'm not sure how much choice i had in sleeping in your lap, i tried to move but you told me to "stop moving".

[ofjupiter]

Adora: do i have "adora's babysitting services" written on my fucking forehead or something?

Adora: you're the third person to ask me to look after other players

JUPITER: no, but you said you owe me one. i'm cashing in on the favor.

JUPITER: or are you going back on your promise?

[ofjupiter]

noir → jupiter.

NOIR: i'm serious.

NOIR: this isn't about me.

NOIR: people need you.

JUPITER: boss battles are always serious, noir.

JUPITER: but the blood oath relies on members like you, loyal members, to help us win. we can't do it without you.

[ofjupiter]

⊳ THANATOS

Jal shook their head. The two had settled on taking a breather, since they weren’t sure if keeping the whirlpool going at the same rate was even safe for more boats to be around. “We both needed a sec,” they replied, realizing how mildly disappointing that’d seem to someone whose skillset was more stabbing than summoning. “We have to keep the water level, do you see the rippling? It’s trying to tip the boats. Its advantage is staying under, but if we bait it out…”

They took a few orbs to get what they could refilled. Orbs could only really fix so much when they put all their energy into keeping water distant. Now that it turned out that the shit they read was glorified fan fiction, they hadn’t really any idea what to expect. But that wasn’t what anyone wanted to hear.

“Is your spear enchanted? I could do some boomerang shit to it so it’ll come back, but the water is going to severely slow it down once it goes under.”

          jupiter was thankful to have mages as skilled as nyx. he knew that she burdened herself with far, far too much work for the sake of the guild and their cause, and it was through her sacrifice that he’d come to appreciate her so deeply. he had the utmost respect for nyx and for thanatos too. perhaps the information hadn’t been free, but the fact that she had joined the battle was enough to prove her own intent. thanatos wanted out just as badly as he did. 

          as she spoke, jupiter nodded in agreement. it made sense, of course. now that he considered it, he could see that the whirlpool could not last, lest it flip over the boats and spill them into the water. well, at least then he might have a chance to fight the monster at close range. he frowned. if he couldn’t attack, he could certainly make sure that his people did. just as he was about to give the signal, however, he paused. jupiter thought better of it. thanatos was the information broker, perhaps she knew something that he didn’t. 

          "any reason i shouldn’t have my ranged players attack?” he asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. they were his guild members, so his say was final, but he did feel that her knowledge was important. as for an enchanted spear? jupiter shook his head. he could throw it and retrieve it on dry land, it had been enchanted to an extent, but it wasn’t not meant for extensive throwing and certainly not through water. “don’t know if it’ll come back to me in these conditions. i’d rather not be without it incase the monster gets close.”

[ofjupiter]

⊳ ADONIS

[ user: adonis

location: floor 51, boat 1 ]

Adonis grunted as the boat lurched, their arm shooting out to grab onto something stable. “Not to be an asshole, but maybe some of you can just - be anchors? Grab a ranged player and hold us down if all you’ve got is swinging at the air or throwing a sword at the giant fish?” They steadied their staff and tossed some healing orbs at the others. “I’m no genius, but maybe it’ll help if we don’t fall out, and those of us with ranged attacks can aim in the right direction while this boat tries to capsize itself? Maybe?” 

          in truth, jupiter could do very little to win this battle. as soon as the monster had appeared in the water below, he understood how little help his lance would be in this battle. if they were to win, it would be up to ranged players, archers and mages, to hit the creature from afar... or, at the very least, to anger it enough to bring it to the surface. 

          he hated the thought of being an anchor, of being so little more than a physical support, but he understood what they meant. jupiter held to one side of the boat with his right hand and reached for adonis with his left. "i’ll hold you steady if you can get a few shots in.” it wasn’t glamorous work, not in the least, but it was certainly better than doing nothing. 

[ofjupiter]

JUPITER: i have guild members on your boat, make sure that they get back to land in one piece.