Sword Art Online: A New Beginning

[Zarkon90]

Eve sighed and nodded.

"You got it boss."

With that she turned in a flurry of golden hair and headed for the door.

As soon as she stepped foot outside brilliant white wings sprouted from her back and she shot into the sky. Eve had always loved flying. Everything about the mechanics of the games flight mechanism and the freedom it afforded it's players was an addictive sensation that she had fallen in love with immediately. A small smile crossed her lips as memories of her first attempts of flying returned. She raced over the town of beginnings at a blinding speed, easily dodging the few players that were in the air as she made her way to the central chaos gate. Unfortunately for her, and to her extreme disappointment, it took only two minutes to reach and she begrudgingly landed before the large orb.

"Let's get this started." She muttered softly.

"Teleport Zumfut Plaza!"

Bright light enveloped her and a moment later she vanished.
As she opened her eyes she was greeted by the smell of fresh forest air and the three trees that towered all around her. A small smile crossed her lips as she stretched, cracking her fingers as she did before sighing and starting out across the town. The town was by now busy with players though none bothered Eve as she walked quickly though the forested town. After a solid ten minutes of walking, she exited through the east exit and headed into the forest, golden hair flowing lightly behind her.  

[Mega90]

Kaiyaga watched her fly off, a small smile on his face. “Kids.” His comment was meant exclusively for his ears, and he waited for a few more moments before following after her.

It didn’t take long for Eve to reach the Forest of Wavering Mists. The area was a massive wood with trees that soared high overhead. The boughs of these trees were unable to be seen with the unaided eye from the ground on account of the thick layer of dew like fog that rolled across the uneven forest ground.

There was a cacophonous array of chirps and cackles from the various birds and insects that called the forest home. The mood was eerie in some ways, but peaceful and somehow calming in others. A damp chill had fallen over the air, and many of the creatures had yet to emerge from their homes. It didn’t escape Eve’s notice that there was little visible life in the forest, despite it being mid-morning already.

As these thoughts ran through her head, a large branch snapped behind her, dropping to the ground with a loud thud. All sound in the forest ceased but for a moment, and the silence was more deafening than all the chirps and cackles that had previously filled the air.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve glanced back when she heard the branch break. No weapons were visible on her nor did she have any in her hand. To any passerby she appeared to be a fairly new player in simple, in-ornate garb.

"Um..is someone there?" Eve called, her voice betraying a hint of fear.  

[Mega90]

To the young girl’s inquiry, she received no response. The forest had once again returned to its normal rhythm, though the fog was growing noticeably thicker. It was now difficult to see even a few feet ahead, and as the mist snaked its way through the trees, a feeling of foreboding overtook the area.

A few feet away, another tree branch snapped, and a flock of birds burst into the air, obviously startled by the noise. They did not make their exit from the area quietly, and all sound was overtaken for a moment by the sound of cawing and fluttering. When at last it settled, there was complete silence.

Then, suddenly and without warning, a massive spider burst forth from the trees. Its trajectory was such that it was headed straight for Eve.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve's eyes widened as she stumbled back in surprise.

"What in the...where did you come from?!" Eve cried in alarm.

As she retreated, she crossed off the set path and into the forest. After a moment more of staring wide eyed at the monster charging her, she turned and fled into the forest.

Thick fog obstructed the young girls view but terror compelled her to keep running, driving her forward into the unknown. The sound of skittering feet filled her ears as she ran and wet twigs and vines slapped her face and caught her clothes and hair. Eve dared to steal a glance behind her and to both her relief and dread she saw only fog. Just as she turned her panic filled gaze forward again, her foot caught a raised root that was now hidden by the fog. The blonde teen let out a cry of alarm as she crashed face first into the damp forest floor. A low moan escaped as Eve opened her eyes. Her arms and outfit were covered with mud and spider webs. A shiver escaped her slender frame as the cool forest that had seemed so peaceful before now felt as though it was closing in on her. She slowly got to her feet, glancing around and listening for any signs of movement that might suggest that she was still being pursued.  

[Mega90]

As the young girl looked around, she saw nothing. There was only fog, and the damp air for company. This silence lasted for a little longer than five seconds, when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. There, on one of the massive tree trunks, eight red, glassy eyes stared at her. A large, two section body that housed eight massive legs stood, crouched low on the vertical surface. It had a dull purple exoskeleton with silver patterns, and its massive mandibles stoked the air playfully.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve froze in place. Her pale red eyes locked on the massive crouching form.
Slowly she reached up and with a tense swipe, opened her menu, navigating to her weapon pane as quickly as she could without ideally drawing the attention of the monster. Her breath was slow and her left hand trembled.

"Almost there." She thought as she reached the weapon pane at last. Eve quickly tapped the first weapon in her pane and a thin blade appeared on her hip. Her hand dropped slowly down to the hilt. As her fingers wrapped around the wrapped, wooden hilt a small wave of relief washed over her.  

[Mega90]

The creature idled for a moment, watching her closely, twitching occasionally, but not enough to signal any impending action. Nearly 30 seconds passed while they stared at each other, neither one willing to fully commit to action.

Then, the silence was broken as a loud hissing erupted from the creature. It leaped at her with dizzying speed its long legs reaching out to her.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve dove to the side, drawing her thin sword as she did. The young girl landed a bit awkwardly but did her best to recover, leaping forward she let out a yell as she brought her sword downward towards the massive spider.

"Die!"  

[Mega90]

The spider turned quickly to face the young girl and brought up one of its massive legs, swinging to bat her aside.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve's eyes widened in surprise at the creatures speed. She barely had time to register the monsters movements before the leg impacted her, sending her flying. Moments later she crashed into a nearby tree, a gasp of pain escaped her lips as she fell to the forest floor for the second time that day.

"Spiders..why did it have to be spiders?" She thought as pain shot through her slender frame. Despite the pain Eve forced herself to her feet, readying her blade as she stood.

"I don't have time for this.." She muttered softly as she prepared herself for the monsters attack. Opting this time to study the monster movements in hopes of discovering a pattern rather then attacking head long.  

[Mega90]

The spider didn’t give Eve time to recover. Just as quickly as it had knocked her aside, it was after her again. This time, is reared up on its hind legs, shooting a net like web of silk.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve dove to the right, barely dodging the silk net. As soon as she touched the ground she lept forward, her eyes narrowing as she drew closer to the monster. Keeping her sword tight to her body, she prepared to strike one of the monsters eight legs.

"Take this!"  

[Mega90]

The monster turned once again to look at her. This time, it crouched down with all eight legs. As she neared it, it leaped into the air, soaring over top of her. It landed hard, sending a shock wave out in all directions.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve was sent flying back, digging her sword into the ground to slow herself. As she came to a stop she pulled her blade out, placing it on her shoulder. A moment later the blade glowed a bright blue.

"Die you miserable creature."

Eve shot forward, vanishing as she did as the sword skill "slash" activated, launching her toward the spider.