Kapitel 3: Our Future
Yu: "Thanks to Shiroe's memories, I have a rough idea as to what will happen in the future so I should try to gain a foothold within Akihabara by using said memories to my advantage."
Just as Yu had been planning to walk away in order to begin mapping out his plans, he suddenly heard a sound from a few rooms down causing him to pause in his steps.
???: "Ugh…"
Hearing it more clearly this time, Yu turned towards the direction in which the sounds were coming from. Not hesitating for even a second, Yu stepped over some broken glass as he silently sneaked through the abandoned building, heading towards the origin of the mysterious sounds.
After walking down a hallway and passing by a few rooms, Yu noticed a man slumped over on the ground.
The man seemed to be struggling to stand up, it was as if he wasn't used to walking.
Originally Yu had been planning to turn around and head back the way he had come from after seeing that it was merely another player, however, he noticed something odd.
The man on the ground seemed familiar to him, yet he couldn't remember from where.
Yu: "Ahh…"
*Flinch*
On the ground the man suddenly stopped attempting to stand and quickly rolled before throwing a Shuriken in his general direction only for it to embed itself firmly into the wall behind him.
Yu: 'Oh…oops…'
Realizing he had spoken out loud and reveled his presence, Yu no longer tried to hide and showed himself to the man.
???: "Who are you??"
The man asked in a hostile, yet oddly feminine tone.
Although Yu didn't have the best personality, he could at least sympathies with the man. Having been thrown into a strange world that you once thought of as a game, being forced to risk your life for survival. It's no wonder he would have an adverse reaction to someone sneaking up on him.
Yu: "My name is Raidon Arakan, you may call me Raidon. I apologize for sneaking up on you and all, I had just woken up a couple rooms over. I heard a noise coming from this room and so I came to investigate, leading to this situation."
Having seen no falsehood in his words, the man relaxed slightly but remained in an alert state.
???: "I see…I apologize as well for attacking you. Do you happen to know what's going on?"
Seeing that the man was beginning to open up slightly, Yu, walked slowly into the room. Yet he made sure to remain a decent distance from the man so as not to startle him, before sitting down onto the ground in front of him.
Yu having introduced himself to the man realized for the first time that he was no longer in a game, but rather this was his life now. So he decided to start making some changes to his mentality.
The first change, was he would give up his old name of Yu Takaki…although he wouldn't forget his past, he didn't care for it either. His old name meant nothing to him, even before he died. His In game name though, Raidon Arakan, was something which had brought him joy. As when he was in the game, he was truly alive even if he was alone.
Raidon: "All I know is that this world is the game Elder Tales and for some reason we have become trapped inside of it. The Log Out button no longer works, yet the status screen still does."
???: "I see…"
The man had a sad look in his eyes for a second before his present situation pulled him out of his thoughts. Unable to deal with the 'situation' the man decided to just try his luck and ask Raidon.
???: "…I feel ashamed to ask this of you Raidon-dono…however…d…do you perhaps…have an [Appearance-Changing Potion] that you could sell me…?"
The man said with difficulty as embarrassment set in.
Raidon: "Sure, here."
Raidon said as he handed over a glass bottle with red liquid inside of it in a rather nonchalant manor. It was as if this very rare, and useful potion had no worth to him.
???: "…Eh?..."
Taking the bottle into his hands, the man was left in a daze. Slowly realization dawned upon him that he would no longer be stuck in this awkward 'situation' he had found himself in.
???: "You have my eternal thanks Raidon-dono."
The man struggled as he arose from his sitting position. He had wanted to find a good place to use the potion, however, his actions were halted by Raidon's next words.
Raidon: "Don't force yourself, I can tell you are having a problem controlling your body. If I were to guess I would say your real body is of a different height then your in game avatar causing a disconnect in your movements. Hence the reason behind your desire for the potion. You can just change your appearance right here, I don't mind." *(AN-1)*
???: "…"
At first the man was going to refuse, however, as he thought about how expensive and desired such a potion would be after the apocalypse, with many more people in similar situations as him, he couldn't bring himself to say no. So with a heavy blush covering his face, the man stopped struggling to stand and allowed himself to be seated back onto the ground before quickly downing the potion to escape from the embarrassment.
???: "Ugh!...Ahhh!!"
Due to the pain of having his bones and muscles literally reshaped, the man couldn't help but cry out in anguish as he body began to glow and transform.
Raidon who was watching from the front, had already expected such a reaction thanks to Shiroe's memories.
He knew exactly who this masked male ninja was. Having interacted with this person for 'years' inside of Shiroe's memories, he knew almost everything about them. Although Raidon wasn't actually an evil person, he was certainly not a good one either. If a stranger had asked him to sell one of his more expensive items, even if they were of no use to him, he would have still said no. The only reason he had said yes to this person, was due to him wanting to use him in his plan.
At least…that's what he told himself. As deep down it was actually his own personal feelings playing a part in the reason he said yes. Feelings which he would have never expected to have during his past life. Although he had no knowledge that these feelings existed and were partially dictating his actions, his subconscious mind seemed to have accepted them as otherwise they would have been locked away from the start.
After a few seconds, the transformation finished, leaving in its wake a young looking beautiful girl with long purple hair and matching mesmerizing purple eyes. She was dressed in baggy clothing, a result of her transformation from a tall male, into a petite female.
???: "You saved me. I really appreciate it. How much do I owe you?"
The girl said with a light blush layering her cheeks, having felt rather exposed in front of this man whom she had just met.
Rai: "Don't worry about it. Well? How about telling me your name?"
???: "Ahh?! I apologize! I failed to properly introduce myself and yet you still help me out…my name is Akatsuki…nice you meet you Raidon-dono."
The ninja, now known as Akatsuki, said before placing her right first against her chest and bowing towards Raidon.
Reaching out his hand, Raidon placed it on top of her bowed head and giving it a few pats causing Akatsuki to become startled and jump away with a blush.
Akatsuki: "Wa?? W…w…what…was that for Raidon-dono??!!"
Smiling at her adorable reaction, Raidon slowly retracted his hand before speaking in an amused tone.
Rai: "Oh? I just felt that your actions were adorable and I couldn't help myself, haha!"
Blushing even more at his words, Akatsuki studied his face for a few seconds before seemingly having come to a decision. Donning a serious expression, she looked into Raidon's gentle eyes before speaking with conviction.
"Raidon-dono…I don't want anyone saying I wouldn't repay a favor. What can I do to repay you…?"
Looking into her intense eyes, Rai smiled before answering.
Rai: "I do not belong to a guild. Currently we are in a world which is familiar, yet new to us. It would be safer if we stuck together rather then attempt to tackle things alone. Therefore if its alright with you, would you like to join me?"
After contemplating it for a moment, Akatsuki felt that what he had said was the truth. She had a good impression of this person and felt that she could trust him with her life.
Akatsuki: "Would that really be alright with you Raidon-dono?"
Rai: "Of course, I would love to have you by my side."
Hearing such words from him caused Akatsuki to blush once more as she thought to herself. 'Why is this person's smile and words, causing me to feel like this…?'
Akatsuki: "I see. Then, as a ninja, I shall revere you as my lord."
While speaking, Akatsuki dropped down onto one knee while preforming the actions of a ninja kneeling before their master.
Rai: "Are you sure about this Akatsuki? You need not pledge yourself to me you know?"
Hearing his words caused the edge of her mouth to lift up slightly as she spoke with even more conviction.
Akatsuki: "You have saved me from the dire fate of being transformed into a man. Thus, I must work to repay you. This is what requiting a debt means. From now on, as your ninja, I shall protect you."
At the end of her words, Akatsuki had on a passionate expression as she had always wanted to say those lines before.
Rai: "Mmm, very well. I shall accept your dedication with one of my own. So long as you entrust your blade to me, I will remain as your shield. Protecting you from all harm. Entrust your body and mind to me, and I shall do the same onto you."
Akatsuki: "Yes, my Lord!"
Akatsuki smiled brightly as Rai answered her conviction with one of his own. Although she was slightly embraced when he said 'entrust your body', her embarrassment didn't last long as she felt that it was only natural of her to do so as her lords ninja.
Slowly she became lost in her own dilutions.
Seeing her like that caused Rai to release a smile of his own. He hadn't even realized that, in these last five or so minutes of interacting with this rather clumsy, cute, yet serious and passionate girl, that he had smiled more now then in his entire past life as Yu.
After Akatsuki came back from her dilutions, she changed her outfit into one that matched her new stature. It was similar to her other one, which had grown baggy due to her transformation, but she now wears a sleeveless purple top, purple arm warmers, brown loose fitting pants and purple boots. It was an outfit which matched her appearance while yet held true to the 'Ninja' playstyle allowing for ease of movement and dull colors for blending in.
By the time all of this was said and done, the sun had already begun to set causing the horizon to light up in a myriad of colors.
Rai: "Why don't we find a place to setting in for the night. We can investigate the situation more tomorrow."
Akatsuki: "Yes, my Lord."
Akatsuki said while nodding in acceptance.
*Sigh*
Knowing that this was just the type of person she was, Rai released a sigh before moving over to the window to scan the surroundings. Noticing a decent spot slightly down the road in an abandoned building similar to the one they were currently in, Rai and Akatsuki slowly made their way over.
After reaching the building, the two proceeded to the top floor of the building. This building's ceiling had caved in resulting in the top floor being directly under the night sky.
Taking some sleeping bags, blankets and pillows out from his inventory, Rai set them up along the floor. After making sure they had a place to sleep for the night, he sat down on a broken ledge before he was joined by Akatsuki who sat down to his side.
Looking out at the night sky, Akatsuki couldn't help but comment.
Akatsuki: "It sure is different from the game."
Rai: "Mmm…looking at it through a monitor vs actually living in it are totally different. The smell of moisture in the air, the shining moonlight…the distance the sky stretches, its all different from the game. Yet it feels so familiar. This old, overgrown city we know oh so well. It's streets lined with crumbling, abandoned buildings and broken stretches of asphalt all buried under carpets of moss and tangled in vines. Ginko and Elm trees rising up and around the old buildings, their roots spread out across the roads and into buildings causing further damage. It's the same Akiba we once roamed about in the game, yet the sensations we are experiencing cause it to feel like a completely different world."
Akatsuki: "…My Lord…"
Deciding to move the conversation away from the current situation that plagued them, Raidon began asking Akatsuki questions about herself instead.
Rai: "Anyways, that's enough of that. Akatsuki, earlier did you adjust your character to be closer to your real size?"
Akatsuki: "Yes. Games are fun because you can do things you couldn't in real life. But once I was stuck here, it was very inconvenient."
Rai: "Mmm, I could imagine being trapped in a body you aren't used to wouldn't have been fun."
Akatsuki: "Indeed."
Rai: "I noticed earlier that you weren't in a guild, why is that might I ask?"
Akatsuki: "My Lord, please don't be so formal. I am your Ninja after all…"
Akatsuki said as a light blush covered her cheeks. Luckily it was dark out so she believed Rai didn't see, even though he actually had thanks to his [Dark Vision] skill which he acquired from merging the assassin class. Yet he chose to ignore it as he know what type of person she was when it came to roleplay.
Akatsuki: "To answer your question, no I haven't joined any guilds. Assassins are lone wolves after all."
Rai: "I see. How did you get into Elder Tales?"
Slightly surprised by his question, Akatsuki thought about how she should answer. In the end she decided to just say the truth.
Akatsuki: "…I always enjoyed games, but I was having trouble socializing with people my age around the time Elder Tales came out leading to me creating an account. Even after I started playing though, I still preferred to be alone."
Rai: "I see…I guess we are similar then. I too had trouble socializing with others back in the real world."
With wide eyes she turned her eyes away from the city and turned towards Rai with a shocked expression.
Akatsuki: "My Lord, you had problems making friends as well?!"
*Cough*
Rai: "Blunt way to put it but yes…my family had a lot of enemies. One day I was caught up in a scheme targeting my families reputation and ended up getting framed for something I didn't do. This lead to many people having negative feelings towards me, even though I was innocent."
Although he knew saying this might not be the greatest idea, for some reason he felt like he had too. Coming to this world was a chance for him to start over. He could act as if his past never happened and be whoever he wanted to be. Yet for some reason in front of this overly serious girl, he couldn't bring him to portray himself as anyone he wasn't.
Akatsuki: "I see…my Lord, may I ask how old you are?"
Although she said that, in her mind she was thinking, 'I see…so he had a rough past as well…'
Although he was slightly confused at the shift in topics, Rai still answered honestly.
Rai: "I am almost 22."
Akatsuki: "I see…so we are about the same age."
Rai: "Were you going to college before this 'incident'?"
Now it was Akatsuki's turn to be confused. As she thought to herself, 'Eh? Is he not surprised by my age?'
Akatsuki: "…Yes…"
Rai: "What's wrong?"
Akatsuki: "My lord…are you not surprised by my age?...After all I look like a middle schooler…"
Akatsuki asked with a slightly forlorn look. It was as if she was expecting Rai to abandon her.
Looking into her eyes which were attempting to hide her grief, Rai spoke softly.
Rai: "Really? I think you are very beautiful. From the moment you turned back into a girl I had felt you were far older and more competent then you seemed. Although we as humans tend to judge one another based looks, over my relatively short life I have come to realize that, what matters is what's on the inside. I saw you as a loyal, hard working and serious girl who is prone to moments of rashness and feelings of insecurity. Although your appearance does cause you to come off as young and cute, what's wrong with that? Any man would be lucky to have such an adorable and amazing women as their wife or lover."
Throughout the entire time he was speaking, Akatsuki remained silent with her eyes growing progressively wider. At the end of his words, although she felt slightly embarrassed due to it, she couldn't help but weep silently as she attempted to control her emotions.
Rai seeing her getting so worked up, could hold himself back as he reached his hands out gently and with one he whipped her tears away, while the other was softly rubbing her back.
Rai: "Hey now silly, no need for the tears."
Akatsuki: "I…*Hick*…I've been…*Hick*…waiting for someone…*Sniffle*…to say those words to me…for so long…"
*Sigh*
Rai released a silent sigh as he thought to himself, 'I guess in a way...I have been as well…'
Inside his heart, Rai felt that if it was anyone other then Akatsuki he may not have been so kind. Although he really did think that way about her he wouldn't have trusted another person enough to allow them into his heart. The only reason he opened it to Akatsuki was because he felt like he knew enough about her as a person to trust her.
Originally he believed he just wanted to use her to achieve his goals, yet the more he conversed with her, the more he felt that line of thinking was wrong.
Girls like Akatsuki had already suffered enough at the hands of society, just like he had. There was no reason for him to treat those similar to himself as mere tools to be used and discarded. It was this line of thinking that made Raidon want to trully change himself, as well as the world.
'Or maybe I just have a think for girls with troubled pasts…' he thought to himself.
After a while of comforting her, Akatsuki ended up falling asleep while leaning on him forcing Rai to carry her to her sleeping bag.
Laying her down onto the bag, he tucked her in before moving some loose strains of hair out of her face. Seeing her smile happily to his touch, Rai also donned a smile before heading off to bed himself.
As he was laying in bed and gazing at the star lite night sky, Rai couldn't help but think to himself, 'The reason I was sent to this world was to 'save' as many people as possible…yet maybe along the way, I was meant to save myself as well…although I don't know the best ways to 'save' everyone, for now I'll just do what I please while changing things here and there.'
Looking to his left and seeing Akatsuki happily within the land of dreams, he mumbled to himself quietly.
Rai: "Maybe I should start by saving the troubled ones…"
Picturing himself surrounded by loving women with troubled pasts, that he had saved, Rai felt that it wasn't such a bad idea.
'After all I always dreamed of having a harem…yet having to deal with my families reputation it was hard to even find a girlfriend.'
Imagining a girl who would love and dedicate herself to him, Raidon couldn't help but imagine a certain purple eyed assassin.
'Hmm...I guess only time will tell...'
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Author's Notes: Short one today.
(AN-1): One of the biggest draws to an MMO or RPG games that allow for character customization, is the ability to change who you are. Many people in the game Elder Tales were no exception. Yet when the Apocalypse hit, you were no longer controlling a 'character' through a monitor but rather you were now the 'character'. This lead to many people who made characters with altered appearances have issues. (Imagine being a tall male your entire life, you make a short female character in game for fun, and then you are trapped inside of that characters body. You would need to relearn how to perform basic functions such as walking, talking, going to the bathroom, everything would be different. Some things may come easier then others, yet it would prove to be quite the challenge.)
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
SnowRose
SnowRose Thanks again for the support everyone! So I had written the first three chapters on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday before spending Friday after work going over everything to make sure it was alright. Monday and Tuesday proved to be a challenge due to the way my schedule works, but I'm sure ill find a way to make it work.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein