Allright, so everyone understands, im posting how to use this up here - I've devised a way to utilize the usual 'find' protcol in every web browser to my lazy advantage. to use it with my stories, one must know this - ive organized chapters by putting them IN ORDER AND PUTTING THE CHAPTER NUMBER BERFORE THEM! Thus, stfu, and read away. I'm a busy programmer, what're ya gonna do? When i get more time, ill make anchors, but for now, enjoy the fact that the stories are back up.

Chapter 1

>Cuin Manari Has logged Online.

Cuin put on his headset, which donned a Screen and Microphone on a Head Mounted Dispay. He clicked a button on his monitor. It flashed offline, and the HMD switched online. He clicked on a Icon Labeled DreadWorld, and the HMD began to Run the Game. The screen first turning Black, then a window requesting the User's Email, and Password popped up. Cuin typed swiftly, then switching his keyboard for his controller.

User Email: CuinManari@hotmail.com
Password: ************


>CowboyNWN: Yare Yare..He's late..
He stood there, his character tapping his feet impatiently. He was standing by the last place they logged out of, the Abandoned Inn at some god-forsaken town. All the NPCs were already dead, and the town was abandoned of Player-Characters. All that was left of the Town was Dust, dirt, and items that could be scavenged.
CowboyNWN sighed, and opened up his Character's File. He Double-checked all of his gear. The Durability on his Plate-Based armor was fine, and his 1 handed sword, Zetsubou, was in great shape. He checked his inventory, and He was well stocked with Magic-replenishing potions.
"Yo, sorry I'm late, had to deal with my parents." CowboyNWN heard as he was looking at his Inventory. He turned around, and saw a character named Cuin Manari assembling into view. On his HUD, Cuin's Character appeared, and his Health and Magic Bars as well. They were in a group when they logged offline, so it was no wonder they were still together.
>CowboyNWN: Turn Down Your Mic.
Cuins character Nodded, and stood still for a moment. "How 'bout now?" Cuin said.
>CowboyNWN: Better. Alright, so what are you thinking about doing today?
Cuin's character Leaned his back against the Dusty Bar, thinking. Looking Closely, CowboyNWN examined Cuin's Armor, which was in unusually Good Quality. He was Clad in heavy armor, like his own, but different. Cuin's armor was western style, which had more AP (Armor Points), but was more restricting to magic Usage. Also, it was very bright-colored, a very light metallic look. Oddly enough, His weapon was a two hander, which was an exact replica of a British 2 handed sword.
CowboyNWN's Armor was Different, however. It was a Japanese design, yet had many magical Markings throughout the design. He wore Plated Armor, with Runes throughout the armor. The Armor was pitch-black, and the Runes were, oddly enough, emanating a Bright red. He wore no helm, unlike Cuin. His face was covered, though, with his cape, which was as well black, but its hemming was bright white. You could not see his eyes, but on his cheek, you could plainly see a marking, obviously a magical enhancement. Truly, you could call him a shinigami, a god of Death, and not be mistaken.

Finally, Cuin leaned forward, and looked at CowboyNWN, "Grab all we can, and head to the nearest town to make some cash?"
 CowboyNWN frowned.
>CowboyNWN: I was thinking we should raid the local PC armory. I hear they have some rare items we could use.
"But..wouldn't that raise the bounty they put on our heads further?" Cuin said a little worried. 
CowboyNWN rolled on the floor, laughing his ass off.
>CowboyNWN: LOL! We're already wanted captured by both the Player Characters, and the Hackers. It's not like this will make a big difference. Plus, didn't we raid that Hackers town not long ago.what was it called, Town_139?
Cuin Sighed into the microphone, "Good point.I did suggest that one. You have to admit, though, they had some good items there.like this new armor we're wearing?"
CowboyNWN Nodded.
>CowboyNWN: yaya. Anyways, Ikuzo.
"Hai" Cuin smirked, and they walked out of the Inn, Cuin secretly snatching a bottle of wine from behind the Bar.



>CowboyNWN: Okay, you in position?
"Yeah," Cuin whispered into the Microphone. For PVP reasons, the latest update included an annoying addition to Talking with headsets. If you talked loud enough, other PCs outside your group or chat area would be able to hear you words.
>CowboyNWN: Alright, you know the drill. Do it.
As CowboyNWN finished typing this, and posted it, he heard an immediate reply, with the background noise of death. "Way ahead of ya." Cuin replied, laughing manically.
CowboyNWN smirked, and began to approach the Armory, which was near his starting point. Many Player Characters rushed by him, but he was ready for this. CowbowNWN had previously used one of his cloaking Magics, and thus was invisible to the naked eye. As they continued to pass by him, he snuck into the Armory with ease. When he entered, He typed away. 
CowboyNWN:Alright, I'm in the Armory. Keep them towards the front. Anything specific you want? 
"A new weapon! Two handed sword. This one's getting a little weak against these Fuckers." Cuin said between his laughter.
CowboyNWN smirked, and began to look around the Room. Laid across tables were Knives, swords, Staves, Guns..You name it, you could find it. As he scavenged throughout the assortment of Weaponry, he found his way to the farthest part of the room. Attached to the wall was a cell, almost the Size of CowboyNWN himself. Curiously, he opened the Cell's door, and a bright light flooded from it. There, before him, was an item of such simplicity, that it baffled him.
>CowboyNWN: A shotgun..in a claymore?
After a few seconds, his headphones boomed with Cuin's voice, which was cheerful, "GET IT!"

Chapter 2

"Motto! Motto! MOTTO!" Cuin taunted into his microphone as he swung his sword around his head. The PCs backed off slightly, startled by this characters resistance to their attacks.
"Why wont he Lose health? Is he an Admin? Or a Hacker?" One of the Player Characters worried as he backed off.
"Wait.are you One of the Duo of the West?" Another PC asked as he readied his weapon to defend himself.
"TOO SLOW!" Cuin barked, and charged. Unlike most moves seen within Dreadworld, Cuin dodged an attack with a pole-arm, grabbed onto the arm, and slid down the weapon, slamming his feet into his opponents face. The Character flew onto the ground, and the Status indicator Knocked Down appeared over him. Cuin then picked up the guys weapon, and tossed it into another opponent's ribcage. The PC was apparently a Admin, for his character didn't falter.
Soon after, while the PCs encircled Cuin, he readied his two-handed sword by beginning to swing it circularly above his head. In a burst of action, the Admin with the imbedded spear was thrusted by an unseen force toward Cuin. Cuin moved his sword to only one of his hands, and grabbed the man by the spear with the other. Swinging the spear around him in a circular fashion, Cuin released the spear, and it again punctured another opponent in the head, the impact killing both of them.
CowboyNWN stood where the speared Admin had once stood, with a giant claymore in one hand.
>CowboyNWN: Take it, it's slowing my movement down.
 He tossed it toward Cuin, who caught it with his open hand. "Thanks."
CowboyNWN laughed, and readied Zetsubo in one hand.
>CowboyNWN: Domo.
 They both looked toward their remaining opponents, Cuin laughing manically, and Zen smirking uncontrollably.
"B-Boss was right! Th-These guys are the Duo of the West! They have to be!" One of the hackers stuttered, as he cowered backwards in fear, falling over a rock in the terrain.
"Yup." Cuin said, finally controlling his laughter.
>CowboyNWN:...We are the ones who fight with our own style, our own ways." Zen added.
".We design our own attacks, Hack, if you will." Cuin spoke.
>CowboyNWN: But stay within the bounds of reality within Dreadworld.
"We are."
>CowboyNWN: We are.
"The Duo of the West."
>CowboyNWN: The Duo of the West


The Two walked away from the now crater-ridden Armory, their armor stained with pixels of Blood.
>CowboyNWN: So, liking your new weaponry, aren't we?
"Yeah," Cuin said into his microphone, "loving it."
>CowboyNWN: cool
They continued walking through the forest, back toward the abandoned town. The leaves were still falling, a sign that it had yet to reach resting hour, in which all characters, regardless of hacking status, were. Cuin and CowboyNWN stopped their leisurely walk, and looked around themselves.
"An ambush?" Cuin muttered.
CowboyNWN nodded, his left hand calmly by his side, glowing faintly with a brewing magic. With a dashing swiftness, two figures jumped from the outer lying Trees, their getup quite...unusual.
 One of them was wearing a full set of Plate armor, Wielding a short sword and shield. It was a girl, and her hair flowed behind her as she glided through the air. She had Brown Hair, and was very limber. Her armor (Which was a rustic metallic color) covered her entire body, except her breasts, which were exposed slightly on the top. She wielded the Small shield like a Valkyrie while flying through the air.
"Suki..." Cowboy NWN faintly heard from Cuin.
 The Other figure, However, was wearing a very, very odd getup. He was clad up to his waist in heavy metal Armor, His chest exposed for the world to see. His chest was decorated with Tattoos, and his back had a picture of a large Dragon encircling what was written in kanji as 'The Elements'. On his left arm, A gun was apparently replacing a hand. It was large, and apparently used Large energy capacitors as ammunition. In his other hand, he gripped a long sword, curved beyond the shape of a katana, and nearly to the shape of a Fang. It was glowing with a faint aura, One in which could not be described, yet seen easily. 
As the two Player Characters landed, Cuin and CowboyNWN turned to each of them individually, seeing as they both were on the opposing sides of path. As all four of them glanced at one-another, the girl glared at the character across the treaded path, "Who are you?" Her voice went through the chat log in a melancholic way.
>Zarchadian: Look to the left of this, dumb-ass. Elite Hacker, one of Daruin's right hand men, ready to kick your asses.
 Zarchadian replied as he tapped his sword upon his right shoulder.
>CowboyNWN: A hacker character? This got nothing to do with us. Lets head back to the town before one of these two start asking questions about us.
CowboyNWN had meant it for only Cuin and CowboyNWN's group, but CowboyNWN had forgotten to specify it.
>Zarchadian: A neutral, eh? I wonder if you would put up a good fight.
Zarchadian turned his attention to CowboyNWN, propping up his gun for aiming.
"Hmm..." The girl said, "Says from your Character data that you two are the Duo of the West. It would be a good thing to take care of you two."
"Great way to fuck up the perfect escape, Zen..." Cuin bitched silently.
>CowboyNWN: I dont see you coming up w/ a plan.
They Both readied for combat, Cuin facing toward the armored woman, and CowboyNWN facing towards Zarchadian.
>Zarchadian: Too SLOW!
He fired his Gun, which was now easily identifiable as a Data Cannon. It was a weapon developed by the hacker faction, one in which could use any sort of ammunition crammed within the loading port it had. However, Zarchadian was using a energy cell currently as ammunition, and thus a large bolt of energy launched toward CowboyNWN. CowboyNWN's character laughed. Within a blink of an eye, he had dodged the beam of energy, and stood exactly where he had been before hand.
>Zarchadian: Cheater!
CowboyNWN still  laughed, charging up a magic as he mocked his opponent.
>CowboyNWN: No, Hypocrite.
CowboyNWN's magic had fully charged within the time it took to type, and analize his opponents attack.
>CowboyNWN: Time magics.
Two daggers dug deep into Zarchadian's leg armor as CowboyNWN punched out his last line. Zarchadian was baffled by this, and laughed manically, removing the daggers from his armor, the holes they punctured into it clearly visible.
>Zarchadian: You wanna go, Fucker? BRING IT!
Zarchadian charged toward CowboyNWN, his weapon at the ready.


>Zarchadian: Too SLOW!
Cuin knew Zen would dodge this attack effortlessly, and used the distraction to make his advance on the Admin. As he charged, he noticed the Admin didn't take advantage of her power within the game- She readied her Shield and readied for the onslaught.
>Cuin Manari has picked up [Ammunition]
Popped up in the chat log. Cuin popped it into the ammunition slot of the sword as he charged, and then thrust his sword at her. She dodged it gracefully, the sword inches from her face. She then proceeded to slam her shield into Cuin's stomach, and punched him in the face with her other hand. Although stunned, Cuin smirked. He had finally found a challenge.
" Hora! Hora! HORA!" Cuin screamed when released from the stunned status, bringing his sword down upon her, swing after swing. She dodged the first two attacks, but was sliced in the shoulder by the third. Glaring at him, he smirked back at her, and thrusted his sword toward her face. Bringing up her shield, the sword went slightly into it. The sword was made of a dense metal alloy, and a wooden frame, and thus could easily aid in dodging attacks, but straightforward blows rendered it useless. After realizing this in the first three strikes, Cuin Pulled the trigger that was on the Swords hilt. The Sides of the sword popped off, showing two barrels molded carefully into the sword. Instantaneously, the shotgun went off, and the Admin let go of the shield, and jumped to the side as to dodge the bullets. The Shield was shredded into millions of pieces, its falling shrapnel replacing where she had once occupied. A thin strip of metal still clung to Cuin's Claymore, It specifically was the part penetrated. He swung the sword downward, the strip sliding off with barely any trouble.

Chapter 3

 With Zarchadian running toward CowboyNWN, CowboyNWN had to act fast. Aiming his open hand toward Zarchadian, he recited incomprehensible incantations, which released beams of light from his fingertips. The lights headed directly for Zarchadian, only to be blocked mainly by His immense firearm. The Rays that avoided the arm struck with Zarchadian's bare skin, punching holes into his flesh.
Zarchadian Smirked, whilst CowboyNWN continued his magical onslaught. As the distance between the two became minuscule, Zarchadian went for a sweeping kick. CowboyNWN jumped into the air above Zarchadian, and pulled two Pistols from his armor. Zarchadian raised his left arm, and both of them fired at point-blank range. Both were blasted back, and a crack was heard from Zarchadian's left arm, and CowboyNWN's left leg.
Zarchadian flew into a nearby tree, coughing up blood as his left arm was popped back into it's socket. CowboyNWN's right leg, however, was twisted. With his magic, he dodged the Data Cannon's Bolt, but just the pressure let off from the shot had churned his knee. Both of them Staggered to their feet, and CowboyNWN Casted a spell upon his leg, one in which could nullify its negatives to his combat multipliers. Zarchadian smirked, and pulled a Bottle from his inventory. He took a deep swig of it's contents, and threw the bottle at CowboyNWN with no avail. A icon appeared over Zarchadian's head, one which increased his agility and strength, yet decreased his intelligence.
>CowboyNWN: Alcohol?
CowboyNWN looked suprized. Zarchadian Smirked back, staggering left and right while gradually closing in on CowboyNWN
>Zarchadian: Noh, Jush Norma' Booz'.
>Zarchadian: Nech'tah of the Hackerz
CowboyNWN shrugged, and fired his Pistols, aimed directly for Zarchadian's head. Zharchadian chuckled, and knocked the bullets from their course with his Data Cannon.
>CowboyNWN: WTF?
Zarchadian Laughed, and charged, swinging his sword around madly. CowboyNWN Put his right gun in its holster, and fired his left as he removed his sword from its sheath. Zarchadian parried the hail of ammunition with his sword, and fired his Data Cannon at CowboyNWN as if it was an automatic gun. The Hail of Energy Bolts soon occupied where CowboyNWN was, but he was nowhere to be found. Zarchadian responded to CowboyNWN's speed  with the most logical response; He  aimed his gun directly over his shoulder, and fired behind himself.
Turning around, Zarchadian found CowboyNWN on his right knee, muttering swears in pain, using his left arm to hold himself up by using the barrel of the pistol as leverage. Zarchadian aimed his Data Cannon directly at his head, chuckling.
>Zarchadian: So much for a good challenge.
CowboyNWN smirked. His Pistol Grew in size, the barrel, ammo, and stock thickening and enlarging. He fired the pistol at the ground, the momentum sending him into the air.
>Zarchadian: And to think...WTF?!?!
Zarchadian Pulled his arms up to block his torso, only to find his right leg completely amputated by another round.


"The data....had nothing about this weapon." The Admin said, her character staring at Cuin while she got back up on her two feet.
"Data can always be altered, changed, and deleted. Most importantly, it can be false." Cuin said, aiming the Claymore's tip directly at the Admin's chest.
"Kusoh," She muttered, gripping her sword by both hands, "In the name of the power and skills at my disposal, I shall dispose of all those opposing the good will of Dreadworld's Normal Player Characters."
"START USING THEM THEN!" Cuin yelled, firing his gun again. She dodged the shell's hail of metal, and headed in for the kill, thrusting her sword toward Cuin's chest. Cuin laughed, and parried the sword with a round-house kick. Thrown off track, her body continued its forward momentum. Cuin went from the round-house kick into a side-kick, slamming his metal boot into her ribs. She fell onto her knees, and coughed up blood.
She wiped the blood from her mouth, and got back onto her feet, cringing at the pain, "Very well then." She whispered. A light appeared from her sword, a soothing light, and a frightening one. It enveloped her arm, and wrapped itself around her body, until she was glowing with a bright aura. " Akuma-Kami Mo-do, kaihou."
Cuin jumped back, reloading his gun, "Nani?" He muttered to himself, " Demon-god mode....release?"
Quickly, she swung her sword upward, flinging it into the air. In the seconds it was in the air, and Cuin was stunned, she slammed the back of her fist into his cheek, sending him flying. Cuin tried to slow himself down by using his sword as an anchor, stabbing into the ground with it. Using her strength, the Admin jumped into the air, and grabbed the blade by it's edge, and threw her sword at Cuin like a knife-throwing move. Unable to block, it seeped deeply into Cuin's back.. Cuin got up, and reached back, queasy at the thought of it being near his spine.
"What? Afraid of simple wound?" The Admin said, looking down at Cuin as if he was an ant. "This data...it's entirely pointless. I see no limitless strength before me. Just another unusual hacker with a talent with Japanese. Another wanna-be rebel with no ambition. No goal."
Cuin reeled at her comments, and charged, "I'll make you eat those words!" He yelled, raising his Claymore in front of himself to block any oncoming attacks.
The Admin smirked, and reached behind herself. As she turned into her Demon-God form, a golden Bow appeared on her back, and slotted swords in a quiver appeared under the bow. She drew her bow, and slid one of the swords onto the string. Drawing it, she released, and it flew toward Cuin. Cuin swung his sword down at the Sword, slicing it into two. The sword's halves, however, sunk deep within Cuin's shoulders.
"Better than I thought. Still, it doesn't block the truth. You are not as good as the rumors said. Hell, you aren't even worth the work. You're are just another beast to tame." The admin said, drawing another sword in her bow.
She released it, and instead of a vertical attack, Cuin took a horizontal swing. The incoming sword split in two. One half flew harmlessly over Cuin's head, while the lower half sunk deep into his chest armor.
"Pathetic. Hopeless. Nothing. I can almost see you I R L. A boy, around 14, with no friends at school. Poor grades. No love." The Admin said, this time lining up three Swords, and holding the bow horizontally. She released the string, her blank stare looking down upon Cuin with a demonic smile within it.
"Love?" Cuin whispered, his charge coming to a halt. He stood there, the strength in his arm holding his sword wavering. The three swords hit him, only one actually rested into his gut-armor. The other two struck his leg-armor, and deflected.
"A....N....W..." Cuin whispered, the silent words somehow reaching her.
"Nani?" She said to herself.
"Sadness was the blade that replaced my heart," Cuin said, his grip on his sword loosening, and his voice overcoming with a sorrow.
The Admin looked down upon him, slowly descending, putting her bow away, and grabbing two of the Swords from the Quiver. She walked leisurely toward Cuin, listening curiously to what he said.
"Twisting and turning at every moment I cried," Cuin laughed lightly, tears forming in his eyes. He jabbed his Claymore into the ground, letting go of it.
"As I grew of age, the dagger thickened and festered, and I thought I would be cursed forever." Cuin said, using his open right hand to remove the sword from his Chest armor, and his left hand to unsheathe the sword from his gut-armor.
The Admin had enough of the dramatic ending. She rushed Cuin, her swords ready like scissors ready to remove an unwanted piece. As the swords reached his neck, Cuin smiled, the tears that welled up in his eyes streaming down his face.
"Until the Angel came."
The Admin looked at Cuin, puzzled at his speech and actions. Surely he could have fought back and regained his composure. At least she expected that much from him.
"Down, from the clouds of the blessed, the angel came." Cuin said, leaning his head back, looking toward the digital sky. Although it wasn't real, it was fairly beautiful, its peacefulness clean of war and pain.
"She cured me of my curse, removed the blade from where it thirsts, and brought me out of the underworld." Cuin said.
The admin tightened the swords around Cuin's neck, blood from Cuin's neck seeping down the sword's to their hilts.
"She cured the Curse, and for that I thank her. She Removed the dagger, and for that I believe in her. She returned my heart, and for that...I love her." Cuin said, returning his gaze to the Admin.
"....So you're trying to earn my pity? For a broken boy?" The admin said. She spat into Cuin's face. "You dream too much."
As she readied to behead him, she felt a thrust into her stomach, and heard the splatter of blood. She looked down, only to see two swords stuck in her belly, deep in her armor, and leaking blood. She fell back, coughing up blood manically.
"ho....how? Akuma-Kami Mo-do should have deflected all of it..." She looked at Cuin, coughing up blood, which would seep around her mouth. Cuin smirked, and looked down at her. He smiled a very blank smile. His eyes were glazed over, not as if drunk or drugged, but as if in another world altogether.
"Love is inevitable." Cuin muttered, as he brought up his right leg into the air, and brought it down upon one of the sword's Hilt. It sunk deeper into her, and punctured through her back, penetrating the ground.
"Love is eternal." Cuin said louder, bringing his foot up again, and hammering down the other sword, nailing her to the ground with both swords. The Admin coughed up more blood, and her Eyes began to Glaze over.
"Love is....melancholy, but none the less, it is still love, and will never be forgotten." Cuin said, smiling as he grounded his feet. The Admin attempted to move from the spot, but that only widened the wounds from the swords in her.
Cuin grabbed his Claymore, and raised it above his head, laughing like a demoniac, and ceased, a serious expression taking over his face. "Never Remember. Never Forget." Cuin muttered, as he swung downward.

Chapter 4

A magical barrier formed around the Admin, reflecting Cuin's attack. His claymore flew from his grasp, sinking its edge into the soil.
CowboyNWN: Dame, Cuin.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Cuin barked at CowboyNWN, cracking his knuckles and approaching CowboyNWN.
CowboyNWN: Remember: Don't kill without reason. And use your knowledge to your advantage.
"But..." Cuin's rage-filled glare showed a hint of sorrow, a tear streaming down his right cheek. He wiped it away swiftly, regaining his angered look, "Your right."
Cuin and CowboyNWN nodded toward each other, and turned towards the Admin. "What are you going to do to me?" She blankly stared at both of them.
"Interrogate," Cuin said, smiling.
CowboyNWN: Yes...interrogate...
CowboyNWN pulled out a large knife, some sewing needles, and a bag of salt. He smiled toward Cuin menacingly, swinging the salt bag from side to side. 
"Thats just wrong..." Cuin muttered to himself, looking at the tools.
CowboyNWN: But fun! What other form of pleasure rivals the ecstasy given from hearing the music of screaming victims. I mean, you must be some kind of madman not to appreciate the raw power, oh the POWER running through
CowboyNWN: your veins as you torture someone to the brink of their sanity and existence...OH THE POWER! I CAN FEEL IT RUNNING THROUGH MY BLOOD AT THIS VERY MOMENT! IT'S THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES ME FEEL ALIVE!
"..." The Admin looked at CowboyNWN and Cuin, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. "...you're nuts."
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious..." Cuin muttered, and snatched the salt from CowboyNWN's hands. "No. We can't use torture."
CowboyNWN: How about water boarding? THE GOVERNMENT DOES IT! IT'S LEGAL...I think...
"No. Were going to ask her. Kindly ask her. Not cause immense pain and suffering to her that she grows a hate towards our kind as well."
CowboyNWN: But I like causing despair and traumatizing others.
"We do have another victim, you know. The Hacker, that Zar-guy. Use him..." Cuin muttered, turning his back on CowboyNWN and torso toward the Admin. Cuin turned his head around, and looked at him, "What did you do to him anyhow?"
CowboyNWN: Well, I don't want you to thank me or anything, but I used weak weapon enhancers. You know, the one that doubles the weapons size, damage, and weight?
"How were you able to keep the damn thing in your hand?" The Admin was still in shock.
CowboyNWN: Enhancing Magics. Buffed my Strength.
"Ah, well, enjoy your FBI-style party." Cuin said, looking back at the Admin. CowboyNWN walked off, playing with another salt bag from his inventory.
As Cuin sat down by the Admin, she attempted to inch away from him., still afraid of his anger.
"I'm...sorry about what happened." The Admin stopped in her tracks as she heard him say it. "I have a temper...even I can't control. The only person who can control it well is Cowboy."
"Hence why they call you the Demon of Fire...and him the Demon of Ice." The Admin sat up, looking Cuin in the eyes.
"Pretty much." Cuin chuckled. "Anyways, what's your name? You know mine, I think it would be polite if I knew yours."
"Haruko. 'Haru' as in spring, and 'ko' as in child." The Admin smiled, her character prettier than at first.
"You know, Haru-san, you are a lot prettier without the battle-face." Cuin chuckled.
"Don't even try to hit on me. Remember that this is just a character." Haruko glared at Cuin.
"Alright, alright..." Cuin sighed, and sat down beside her, "Anyways, what's the beef the Admin group has with us? Cause from what I see, we've done your side a lot of favors...indirectly, of course."
"Favors? You call altering your character's attacks and skills favors? How about your abuse of neutrality, and attacking both NormPCs and Hackers indiscriminately? And your actions that have escalated this war to immense proportions?" Haruko shouted, her frustration causing her voice's quality to drop.
Cuin looked at her, his eyes blank as was often the case, "It's not that we don't like either of you. Hell, we love some of your ideas, as we love some of the ideas of the hackers. However, that is not what we, the players in between this Digital war want. We want an equality of both. The ability to design and define your own set of attacks and spells without MOST restriction other than logistics of damage and range, as well as side effects. We want freedom, but just enough so that the game maintains its original purpose."
"But thats....ludicrous. No one would fully embrace that idealism."
"I convinced Cowboy in 5 minutes, after the release of the game and our first login. We both know programming, and know how to use it. We both wanted this game to be all it can be, and we both believe that this is the style that will truly bring peace between the two factions."
"And how do you suppose you can trust people with that kind of power over the game?"
"No way you can monitor them, I know. I guess you could say I believe some would see the good in this."
CowboyNWN: Oi, Cuin, Zarchadian wants to join our cause.
"WHAT!?!" Haruko's surprised voice streamed across the Server.
CowboyNWN walked toward Cuin, Zarchadian Behind him.
"Cool. Does he understand our points and ideas?" Cuin asked.
Zarchadian: I don't care what your points or BS is. As long as I can kick some ass, have a good time, and play this game while I'm slightly drunk, I am good. Speaking of which, BRB, need more booze.
"But....But.....Hackers! They want to alter the game to their advantage, obliterating everything that makes it good!" Haruko blathered on.
CowboyNWN: HACKERS aren't the problem. Not everyone wants to make this a bland, easy game. Some just want to have challenges, and thats the easiest one they see. You Admins that believe that bullshit are the real problem. All you want is to make the game you see fit. Whatever happened to Customer values?
"I...actually see your point." Haruko leaned back, looking towards the graphics displaying the sky. "I...insane as it sounds to myself, I think your right. I have been getting the feeling that this game was declining. I was just afraid to admit it."
"Want to save it?"Cuin looked at her, smirking. "Want to save Dreadworld?"
A long silence fell over them. Haruko continued to look at the sky. The nearby trees began to drop some leaves, and a soft breeze blew them across the road. She looked at CowboyNWN, then Cuin, and finally Zarchadian. She nodded, "Alright," She said, "Count me in."

Chapter 5

CowboyNWN: , Cuin, Haruko, in position?
"Hai." The Pair said in unison. Cuin walking toward the south-western main Gate, Haruko was by the South-eastern main Gate.
CowboyNWN: Yosh. Zarchadian, position?
Zarchadian: Finished Altering my characters fighting style and weapon. In the Northern gate. Ready to rape something.
CowboyNWN: Alright. You know the plan. Sortie!

Time- 22:15

The Chat log went dead, and so did the VOIP contact. The only thing heard were game rendered noises, and occasional Guards patrolling.
Cuin walked casually toward the gate, tapping the massive sword on his shoulder. He looked upward, drowning himself in the pleasure of the calm before the storm. Shaking his head, he regained his alertness, and smiled as he walked up to the gate. A hacked NPC guard was stationed outside the Gate. Cuin casually entered conversation with the Character. As he started the conversation, the guard Equipped his short sword and shield, readying for combat. Above the NPC appeared an alert in red, which also appeared in Local Defense chat.
"Warning: Bounty attempting to enter through the South Western Gate. A11 4ble bodi3s, r3por7 for 4c7iv3 du7y." The Text Read.
Cuin laughed, and Kicked the hacked NPC onto its back, Slicing its head off like a knife through butter. As this was done, more NPC guards spawned near him. Cuin chuckled, beginning to swing the sword around his body, letting the gigantic Blade's hilt fly into his other hand, and again, letting the blade flow around his body.
" I wonder...how much noise can I make?" Cuin chuckled.

Time- 22:15
Communications ceased on Haruko's HUD.
Haruko walked towards the south eastern Gate, magically enhancing her strength and Health Regeneration. The gate towering over her now, she looked in all directions. No guards were in sight.
"Looks like Cuin's experienced at this sort of thing..." Haruko giggled.
She opened the gate, a loud creaking noise giving off its changing position. Haruko walked in calmly, and found herself in a sea of hacked NPCs, a mass of them rushing toward the south western gate. Haruko hid behind a couple of crates, readying her bow and swords. As the mass of them passed Haruko, some of the straggling, more advanced AI NPCs stopped, and began to investigate the open gate. Advancing onto her cover, Haruko had two options: Take a preemptive strike, take them by surprise, and take out the guards, or Silently assassinate them. With her Honor into consideration, Haruko stood up, drawing the swords back on the bow, readying to fire.
"Ja-Neh." Haruko said coldly.



Time- 22:25

Zarchadian staggered to the left, reaching for the door in front of himself. He used his left hand to grab for the door. While preparing, he hacked into his character's data, making it more compliant with Cuin and CowboyNWN's requirements. He replaced the gun with a usual hand, but it was equipped with a jug of heavy liquor. Not only that, but he changed the fighting style to drunken-master.
Zarchadian: Damn...elephunths... 
Zarchadian leaned onto the door, and opened it with his mass. As he flowed through the gates in a stupefied manner, he pulled out his map, and pointed himself to the Castle's prison.
Zarchadian: Time tuh get sum paals.... 
Zarchadian attempted to run, but collapsed onto his face, He leaned back awkwardly, and punched the ground, creating a miniature crater where his fist had landed.
Zarchadian: Fuuckin' ground...you wanna take me?

Time- 22:20

CowboyNWN looked at the time. It was 22:20, that gave Cuin more than enough time to cause some hell, and Haruko to enter, and Zarchadian to do...whatever the hell he was planning. CowboyNWN looked at his map, making sure that the two new recruits were where they said they would be. If they showed the slightest sign of betrayal, CowboyNWN wouldn't hesitate about killing them in unimaginable ways, as well as prolonging the suffering. Anyone that would do so would suffer the consequences.
Standing outside the sewer systems entrance, CowboyNWN began to mutter magic. As he finished the spell, time began to slow down, from his perspective anyways. He had casted a speedup time spell upon himself. This spell would only last 9 seconds. CowboyNWN knew of a fluke in the spell, however. He readied a massive time magic, and unleashed it right as the time reached 2 seconds. The Time spell he had just cast increased significantly. The time jumped from 2 seconds to 4 minutes. An excessive amount of Time to traverse the sewers without a map, capture the local Duke, and demand information. As long as his magic bar stayed over the spells required amount, he would be able to do everything he planned out perfectly.

Chapter 6


CowboyNWN scurried through the sewers with blinding speed. The walls around him seemed to blurr, and his programmed directions made the journey a breeze. 
Zen leaned back from his computer, picking up his new headset. "This is gonna make life a lot easier..." Zen Chuckled.


"What are you doing here?" A hacker said, looking at Zarchadian. Zarchadian had successfully found his intoxocated self to the Castle's prison, only to stagger into a local guard. "Everyone's going to the South-Western gate. Apparently there is some nut job thats obliterating our forces."
Zarchadian: hey, Paal...mind if you give me the keys to this prison? I'm gonna get me some pals for an all night drinking binge.
"Eh?" The hacker said, and looked into Zarchadian's character status. Zarchadian hiccuped, and head-butted the hacker, grabbing the keys from the unconscious victim.
Zarchadian: Thanks.
He dissipated into the prison doors, twirling the keys around his fingers.


Haruko looked around, her eyes feeling as if they were deceived. 
"No more victims? Well, Cuin did his job well then." Haruko brought up the .Plan on her HUD, and looked to her next objective. Her next objective was to find the main source of the hacked code, and trace it back to its origin.
"I guess this will help Cowboy..." Haruko sighed, another box opening on her HUD, this time with an Admins greatest weapon: Source Code.
Before closing the .Plan File, She looked at the other members status on the .plan file. Zarchadian was freeing certain individuals that could prove useful. CowboyNWN was nearly out of the Sewer system. Cuin was...in the Armory and transportation building. She closed the .Plan file.
"Wonder why Cuin's in the Armory..."


CowboyNWN stopped, as the map indicated that his objective exit was right above him. Jumping onto the ladder, he launched himself toward the covered manhole. With his superior speed, he grabbed the cover before collision, and landed silently, placing the cover exactly as it was before.
CowboyNWN glanced at the spell time on the HUD. The spell was at 2 seconds. CowboyNWN Smirked at the thought, and spoke into his headset. "Cuin, do you copy?"
"...Zen? I mean, Cowboy! I thought your sister broke your headset?" Cuin's voice came in through the headset clearly.
"Just bought a new one. Anyways, I just got through the sewers. I'm updating the .Plan file. Everyone is to head to the Castle's Palace..." CowboyNWN's sentence was cut off by the sound of a large cannon, followed by the noise of collision, twisting metal, and Tank treads grinding the earth under its movement. "...Covertly."


As the large explosion echoed throughout the building, Zarchadian began to sober up.
Zarchadian: Oi, Ur-a-face!
"It's Erufaelas, jackass!" Retorted a teenage boy over the VOIP.
Zarchadian: yeah, Eru-fella.
Zarchadian walked over to the origin of the voice. He stood before a cell, fairly small, with powerful anti-admin programming encasing Erufaelas.
Zarchadian: last time we talked, you spoke about planning to join The Duo of the west. Was that BS?
"No, you moron. I really was. I met Cuin during a raid, just like I told you. The fucker owned my ass, and told me of his ideals. A game that encompasses freedom and logic, a world that..." Erufaelas began.
Zarchadian: a world that blah blah blah. Anyways, get off ur ass, and get rdy for H3ll. I joined the guys a bit ago, and they're awesome, like ya said. Now lets move out, before that Cowboy kid tries to kill me for taking my time.
" 'Kay."
Zarchadian unlocked the cell, and Erufaelas stepped out. He was slightly shorter than Zarchadian, and his body physique was lacking to say the least. However, his character was Elvish, and also had equipped a Longbow. The arrow Quiver Erufaelas wore was filled with Admin specials: Arrows that would not only deal damage in the game, but to the code of the target as well.
Zarchadian: lets move. I want to get out of here before I hear another tank firing its main cannon.


Haruko Charged at the tank, holding a sword in each hand. Hopping onto the tank, she thrusted a sword in the roof of the tank. Doing an axe-kick, she slammed the sword into the hull of the tank. Suddenly, the tank stopped, and Cuin's head appeared from one of the entry-points.
"Hey! Don't put too many holes into her." Cuin shouted.
"Huh? CUIN!?! What the..."
"The .Plan Files said go to the armory and Transportation building. So I did, with plenty of time to spare....so I improvised." Cuin shrugged, and dissapeared into the heart of the tank.
"you call this improvising?" Haruko cursed.
"This isn't the first time Cuins' put a little 'personal touch' into my plans."
An icon appeared on Haruko's HUD, showing CowboyNWN.
"Cowboy. You got a mic?"
"Yeah. Now, the plan doesn't change. Everyone, and forward this to Zarchadian and his victim, Meet up at the Castle's palace." CowboyNWN's image vanished from the HUD.

Chapter 7

CowboyNWN began to run ahead with diligent speed, followed by Cuin's roaring tank. As they approached the wall of the Palace, CowboyNWN calmly walked aside as Cuin's tank Collided with the Palace's wall, smashing into it in a single blow. The tank treads began to move backwards, but the Tank didn't budge. The hatch to the tank opened, and Cuin emerged, hopping down from the Tank.
"It's in there pretty good." CowboyNWN looked at Cuin, "You got it stuck. Open our way in."
Cuin sighed, and walked toward the back of the tank. As Cuin disappeared, CowboyNWN heard footsteps behind himself. He pivoted, and held his palm out, preparing a pure-energy attack. There stood Zarchadian and another Admin figure. CowboyNWN brought up his hacked AID Program, (Admin Information Database) and threw a querie into the system using the Admin's current Character schematics.
"Erufaelas?" CowboyNWN muttered, as the character data opened.
"At least you pronounce it correctly..." Erufaelas muttered, glaring at Zarchadian.
Zarchadian: STFU, b17ch. This is the guy, Cowboy.
"Well, his data seems to be good. Little modding, considering hes an Admin. You sure he can keep up with us?" CowboyNWN pressed occasionally at the floating data.
"I have fought Cuin on equal terms..."
" Bullshit. It says in the log you had your ass handed to by him. An ass with two Fives!" CowboyNWN chuckled.
Zarchadian: Personal touch to the Admin system. Couldn'nt resist
"I can help. I have access to classified Admin data about DreadWorld's research in the original hacking. I heard that our Admin Haruko already allied with you. She was assigned with a majority of the information on hackers, their IP addresses, their ISP, and their backround information. Thus, her job was to hunt down and deal with them." Erufaelas told.
Behind them, Erufaelas saw Cuin climbing into the tank carrying tank rounds. His eyes grew in size, and he slowly walked back. Zarchadian took heed of Erufaelas' movment, and backed up as well. CowboyNWN sighed, and chanted a few magic spells. A slight blur in the air appeared around him, encasing him in a gravity haven.
"Fucking.....gun....is....jammed..." Swears erupted from the bowels of the tank.
"Peice of F***ing ****, WHY WON'T YOU ****ING WORK!?"
Zarchadian and Erufaelas stood in awe at Cuin's apparent short temper with a program, their mouths gaping at the tank.
" DO I HAVE TO STICK MY **** INTO YOUR ****ING ****, OR AM I GONNA GET A **** RECOIL?! **** IT!"
"Hey guys, whats up." Haruko arrived behind Zarchadian and Erufaelas. The timing was inpecabble.
The Tank exploded, various fragments of its metal flying about. Zarchadian, Erufaelas and Haruko panicked, attempting to find the nearest cover possible. CowboyNWN sighed in his gravity bubble, tapping his foot on the ground impatiently.
As the debris settled, Everyone except Cuin and CowboyNWN were in total panic. Cowboy Cancelled his sheild spell, and strided towards the ground Zero. Cuin stood in the middle of it, with his shotgun sword pointed towards the remains of the Tank's main cannon.
"P. O. S. Didnt wanna fire, so I had to fire at it to make it work." Cuin Smirked, reloading his sword.
CowboyNWN stared at Cuin blankly. "And you lived how?"

"I may be stubborn, blunt, and a bit on the suicidal side, but I do know some magic." Cuin chuckled.
"Well, obviously you put all your intelligence stats in your willpower, because your a stubborn fuckin moron at times." CowboyNWN patted Cuin's shoulder, and walked through the hole in the wall.
"You guys coming?" Cuin hollered over his shoulder.
There was no reply. Erufaelas was still in shock after both the excessive swearing, and Cuin's solution. Zarchadian was nearly killed by Haruko when she picked him up and used him as a human sheild. 

Chapter 8

Entering the castle through Cuin's 'doorway', they found themselves split between three paths. One going straight into the middle, and two going around the rim of the castle.

"Well, this is annoying," Cuin sighed, "I shouldn't have trashed the tank." 

"We should have seen this coming." CowboyNWN sighed, "Alright, we have to split up. Cuin and I will go for the heart, through door number two. Zarchadian and Erufaelas, you'll take door number one, the left one. Haruko, you'll take door number three, to the right. Agreed?"

"Makes sense. Have us secure the grounds while you go for the big cheese." Erufaelas joked, readying his bow, and taking the lead down door number one. Zarchadian followed, taking a swig from his jug of alcohol.

Cuin looked at Haruko. She smiled, and nodded, dissipating into her assigned path. Cuin looked at CowboyNWN and nodded, chanting a quick spell for an agility buff. CowboyNWN casted a quick time spell, and they both raced down the hallway, into the heart of the castle.  The hall was fairly short, lined with pictures of coding, and the occasional picture of all local hackers. Nearing the end of the hall, Cuin spied a weapons rack beside the arch into the next room. Grabbing CowboyNWN, he tossed him toward the rack. Understanding Cuin's plan mid-flight, Cowboy grabbed two kodachi, and threw into the air a shield the Size of Cuin. Chanting a quick strength boost, Cuin equipped the in-flight shield with his right arm, and unsheathed his sword with his left. The arch was too thin for the shield, Cuin heeded no warning and plowed through it. Cowboy jumped into the room elegantly, while behind Cuin the arch fell apart, closing their entrance...and apparent exit.

 -Nice of you to make it-

On the bottom of their HUD's came text.

-I was so worried you wouldn't make it in time-

"...the fuck?" Cuin muttered, tapping the floor with his claymore.

-It would be wise of you to be polite...- "Especially since you are in MY Castle." A grim voice echoed from above them. They turned around, gaping at what was on a balcony above.

"Your...shitting me." Cuin muttered.

"I am quite sure you are shitting yourself, but please, quit the VULGAR language." The voice stepped forward from the shadows of the balcony to show itself. It was immense. Clothed in blood-stained robes, the body of the voice made Cuin's sword look pale in comparison to it's body. It had various demonic rune's carved into it's forehead, such as the demoniac symbol of the Necronomicon. Attached to a belt made of chain was a large book, which was also lined with dark magic.

"Daruin...Manari?" CowboyNWN spoke softly, in fright and disbelief. "What happened to the castles keeper? Why the FUCK are you alive?" CowboyNWN Yelled into the VOIP furiously.

"Well, for one, the name of the hacker who houses this lovely estate is a false one. It in fact, was created by and belongs to ME!" Daruin lifted an arm, flinging CowboyNWN into a wall covered with book-shelves.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Cuin jumped onto the wall, jumping off it and grabbed a hold of the ledge, swinging to fling himself onto the balcony. Daruin smiled, gently placing his right boot onto Cuin's hand, and twisting it slowly and painfully. Cuin let go out of pain, falling to the ground floor.

"Well, it seems you two haven't forgotten. I had thought you two would have by now...considering, it's been a long, long time." Daruin smiled, jumping down from the balcony gracefully, and giving Cuin a swift kick to the face. "After all, Cuin, you were the first friend I ever made in this game. Big mistake on your part. I find it so pleasurable...to watch you vie for a dream, yet always have it 3 feet out of your reach."

"Yeah, yeah, we know, your a sick little bastard." CowboyNWN got up from the rubble, dusting his arms off. "Only thing that bugs me is that you would even make your character's last name the same as Cuin's."

"Well, I thought it was fitting. A friend, as close as family, showing his 'brother' the meaning of despair. Plus, I hated the thought of a controlled world. After all, this is a video game - they are made to allow people to run amok, destroying anything and everything they please." Daruin chuckled. "I still wonder why you two still even play it."

"Because, you dick..." Cuin slowly got up, and took a swig from a health potion. "This game was going to be good, revolutionary even. And I still see potential within it's programming, no matter how much you alter it to your liking. I don't even know you. To be honest, I don't give a shit. I just want you...and your army of half-assed hackers... out of this game."

"Tempting offer, but let me consider what I already have here. An army of devoted and self-indulgent classes of characters, ready to take over a game that barely is even controllable by its own developers. A coding that I have developed...and the time and energy I put into making this all happen. After all, I was the one who corrupted the game in the first place. This was never their turf from the beginning. It was mine." Daruin lifted Cuin into the air like a hacky-sack, and slammed his fist into Cuin's stomach.

"Here you two are, once again, coming against a greater foe. How does it feel, both of you, to know true pain, suffering, despair? To know the world you looked forward too so much, being such a dark and dreary place for gamers? For the world you wish to save to be taken by a hacker of such immense proportions that he even altered this fake reality to be his own?" Daruin chuckled, opening his book of Demoniac Spells.

Chapter 9

"You know me. Admit it." Daruin laughed manically, flipping through his book. "You met me, and helped me off my feet thinking I was a newbie to the game. Oh, you were so wrong." Daruin stopped, and began to read an incantation. As he read, the ground below Cuin and CowboyNWN began to melt into lava. Cuin grabbed CowboyNWN, and tossed him into the air.
Using a quick spell in mid-flight, Cowboy jumped once more, landing on the ledge. He unsheathed one of his kodachi, and readied for combat. Daruin smiled, and held out his hand with his palm upwards. Out of his hand rose a green flame. CowboyNWN charged Daruin, doing a slide-kick. Daruin sidestepped, and dropped the ball of fire onto the ground. The floor erupted into a sea of green fire. CowboyNWN was set aflame, and rolled around the floor desperate to reduce the damage taken from the spell.
A hand grabbed hold of the ledge, and threw its body onto it. As it was, Cuin was standing in front of a panicked Cowboy. Calmly, Cuin chanted a small spell, which canceled the magic casted on the floor. 
Daruin smiled, flipping a page in his book. Running his fingers across a page, chains sprouted from the ground under Cuin. The chains wrapped around Cuin, disabling his movement. Casting a time spell, CowboyNWN rewinded time slightly, allowing Cuin to dodge the chains and CowboyNWN to charge Daruin. Daruin nearly dodged all, but CowboyNWN's blade, getting a gash in his right arm. Daruin stood still for a moment, no change in his character. Cuin and CowboyNWN charged once more, Cuin unsheathing his sword and CowboyNWN unsheathing his other kodachi. CowboyNWN aimed for the neck to amputate the head while Cuin brought the sword down upon Daruin's skull. Smoke rose from the slam of Cuin's sword on the ground, and as it settled, they found no remains of Daruin.
- You almost had me there.- The text once again appeared on their screens. - Too bad I realized I had other business to take care of. -
"Come out of hiding, you fucking coward!" Cuin yelled at the building.
- Oh, don't fret, Cuin. We will meet again. We always have. -
Silence took over the room. CowboyNWN sheathed his kodachi and opened his map. "No sign of him being close."
"Son of a bitch..." Cuin leaned against the banister, slamming his fist on top of it. "We almost had him too."
Zarchadian: WTF happened here?
"Agreed." Haruko and Erufaelas said, seeing lava where floor had once been.
"Cuin? Cowboy? You still alive?" Haruko called out for the two.
"Yeah." CowboyNWN sighed, leaning against the wall.

Chapter 10

Walking out of the castle, Cuin and CowboyNWN looked ravaged. Their characters showed disappointment, and the expressions across both of their faces showed everything - They were ashamed. Cuin every now and then would clench his fist, the earth around him bursting into flame.  CowboyNWN would often fire off and ice spell at a nearby piece of foliage. The path to the castle's front gate became a sight of terror, everything on the pathway burnt to a crisp, and frozen plants lining the burnt path. Zarchadian occasionally took a swig from his bottle of booze. Other than the noise of his drinking and the spells the Duo were firing off, a deathly ill silence fell the castle.
As they neared the gate, they heard shouts, and the occasional slam of wood against wood. The large gates would bulge inward as the large wooden echo rang through the castle. 
Zarchadian : Wh0 do you think 1t iz?
looking at Haruko and Erufaelas. Both of their characters stood still for a few seconds, and turned their heads to Zarchadian.
"Admins. Heard the lord abandoned the castle during the attack." Haruko said.
"I also am getting chatter of." Erufaelas began, and was caught off guard as a hacker threw an axe at the group.
H4ck3r47: I FOUND TH3M! 0VER H3R3!  M4IN G4T3!
CowboyNWN looked at the hacker, and  held up his hand. The hacker slowly lifted into the air. CowboyNWN twisted his hand towards the wall, and the hacker flew headfirst into the wall, a large cracking noise ensuing. As CowboyNWN enjoyed toying with the remnants of the hacker, ripping him limb from limb, bit from bit, noises of a person running joined the already regular echo of the ram hitting the gate. Cuin turned his head around, and saw the army they had avoided charging at them as they lay in wait in a gated corner. 
"SHIMATA! There is no way we can take on all of these hacking newbs!" Haruko yelled, unsheathing her sword.
Cuin turned towards the army, and muttered to everyone, "Stay. Back."
The army continued to charge, reluctant to let go those responsible for their undoing. Cuin began to laugh maniacally, and magic began to channel through his left and right arm.
Everyone was stunned at the sight, seeing massive amounts of magic being channeled through Cuin's arms. Cuin glanced back, and they saw a truly horrible sight - His eyes were wide open, showing the lack of sanity that was coursing through his veins that very moment. His face was adopting a more haenus  look, the fire reflecting light making him look much like a demon. His smile was chaotic, full of insanity, looking as if he was relishing the thought of killing. As the army neared, wood and splinters filled the air as the gate caved in. An army barged into the front gate, instantly targeting  the group.
"WE FOUND THE DUO! Various recruits of theirs as well!" The army of Admins charged at the group. CowboyNWN looked at them, smiling, and tossed his rag-doll of a corpse he was playing with upon them. It slammed through the middle of the entire army, instantly killing anyone it hit. He continued to smile, embodying his arms in ice. The ice sharpened, making blades of ice out of his arms.
"Korosu!" Both of them yelled.

Chapter 11

Cuin charged into the army of hackers, swinging his large blade as if it were a feather.  Amputated bodies flew around like butterflies, their blood spilling everywhere. Cuin laughed manically, setting his blade aflame. The hackers casted ice magic upon it, attempting to douse the flame with the water from the ice. Cuin however, thought otherwise. He aimed his swords edge at a group of mages, and pulled the trigger on the sword.  A large bang erupted, followed by the mage's bodies becoming chunks of meat. The hacker army began to realize they had no chance in hell at toppling this foe.
The hacker army began to retreat, attempting make a break for the gate at the opposite side of the keep. Cries of panic, disorder, and pure fear were filling the air as Cuin smiled at the retreating army. He wouldn't let them go. He didn't want to let them live. Putting the barrel of his sword up, he plopped various rounds in, dousing them with his fire magic. He aimed the sword's gun at the opponents, and fired 3 times, one round on each side and one in the dead middle of the mass of hackers. Passing through the air, the rounds looked like flaming fireworks, ready to give a big show.
"Cowards go out with a bang." He chuckled, his eyes still widened in insanity. The far left round hit first, exploding on impacting a warrior. Immediately, he was incinerated, no trace of his body remained. Surrounding him, over 30 people were also enveloped in the explosion, their bodies remained, however disfigured and torn apart they were by the blast's magnitude.

CowboyNWN smiled, aiming his arms at the Admins. Whispering quickly, he casted a time spell, stopping time for fifteen seconds. He walked from side to side, staring at his opponents. Occasionally, he fired off an icicle, which was stopped mid-air due to the time spell. He grew back the ice, and continued for the next thirteen seconds. After he finished, he smiled, and stood back at his starting place. The icicles slammed into the Admin line with extreme force. It surpassed their friction data, throwing them back into the line behind them, with following screams of pain of the first two lines being punctured with multiple icicles, some paired up on the same one.
The third and fourth wave saw this occur, and took the chance. Thinking CowboyNWN had run low on mana, they charged, readying  their close combat weapons. CowboyNWN smiled, and lifted his right hand. Their weapons slowly rose from their own hands. The entire line looked up at their own weapons, bewildered by the thought of them defying every code the game was written with. Slamming his foot onto the ground, CowboyNWN threw his raised hand down. Blood sprayed, followed by screams of agony and terror. Admins called out the name of loved ones, others screamed curses at the Duo. CowboyNWN walked up to the first four lines of dead corpses, and smiled.
"FIRE, DAMNIT! FIRE!" Yelled one of the Admins, breaking the strain of terror holding the archers from firing their bows. A volley rose into the air, arching in the sky like a beautiful melody. CowboyNWN didn't even bother to look. The volley reached 20 feet away from him- and was repelled away from him in all directions. The arrows seemed to bounce off an invisible force, in a systematic way as well. The arrows bounced away, landing into survivors of the first few waves. The screams of curses and cries for loved ones died slowly, each voice being gurgled out by blood filling their throats.

Chapter 12

"You..you two. You killed them all. Why? WHY!?!" Haruko barked at Cuin and CowboyNWN as they stood in the middle of the blood-riddled battleground. The bodies of both Admins and Hackers laid breathless where they were. Cuin chuckled lightly, and looked at Haruko, smiling devilishly.
"So? They will respawn. This is a game, yes, but this is also a war. If they live, they have two choices - be smart, and log off, or continue to come after us." Cuin laughed manically.
"So why don't you two log off? I have yet to see you two off in this game, and we've been playing for well over 5 Hours," A phone rang in the background of her voice, "Kusoh, Be-Ar-Be." Her voice was muted by herself.
"Well, how about all of you? Are you going to question the reality of war, and cower off like any other human being would?" CowboyNWN looked at them, questioning their courage.  A question appeared on everyone's HMD;
-Continue or Disband-
-C
-D
". I really don't have work for over a month. Company forced me to take a break from work. If I'm going to be entertained, I might as well get something done. Don't really have much of a family anyways." Erufaelas chuckled, and the letter C appeared over his head. He had chosen to continue.
Zarchadian:  Who the hell do you take me for? I'm in. I've got an excess of time on my hands, and money to boot. Damn right I'm in.
A letter C appeared over Zarchadian's head, and it appeared over everyone else.
"What?" Haruko said blatantly, "We wont wimp out on something like this."
"Well then, time to meet our informant." Cuin chuckled, looking at CowboyNWN.
"We have an informant? Since when?" CowboyNWN looked at Cuin with a crazed gaze.
"Since I did a google search on some of the old regular players. Some of them just play as informants, like the Shadow Broker in Mass Effect." Cuin chuckled, placing an item down that would summon a portal to town.


"Gimme a beer." An old man clothed in grey robes and a wizards hat sat down at the bar, motioning to the bartender to send him a brew. His voice was of a Scottish accent, bearing a unique likeness to Sean Connery.
"For the last time, you drunk, your not a god damn wizard. Your class, from the looks of it, is a warrior." The bartender barked, cleaning a glass behind the counter.
The wizard pulled a bottle of whiskey out of his robes, took a quick swig, and chuckled heartily.
"What's so funny, drunk?" The bartender looked at the man puzzled, the smell of alcohol reeking in the building.
"Your eshtablishment." The drunk chuckled.
The bartender looked at the drunk, and then opened the back door to check on the cooks. The room's ceiling had opened up, and a smoldering crater had replaced the middle room counter.
A group appeared in the front door, Cuin and CowboyNWN leading them. To the bartenders surprise, the "Duo of the west" had multiplied, gaining new members.
"Well, this was unexpected." The bartender said, putting the clean glass down on the counter, and leaning over towards Cuin. "You're the guy that was looking for an informant? The famous Cuin?"
"Yeah. Where's the informant?" Cuin walked forward and the rest of the group follow him.
"Right in front of ya." Cuin looked down, seeing  a drunk warrior wearing wizard attire.
Cuin looked back up at the bartender, "You have to be bullshitting me."
"Shuck it, Newb." The wizard conjured up a glass of dark alcohol and began to drink it joyfully. 

Chapter 13

"You really expect me to believe your our new informant?" Cuin looked at the bartender with his half-opened eyes.
"Believe it or not, he's been in this game longer than any person I know. He knows how both sides works, their Modus Operandi's, and their goals." The bartender chuckled as he cleaned a glass.
"All that I can do with a bit of google wor-" CowboyNWN started, and was interrupted by Haruko.
"But he knows more than just that, doesn't he?" Haruko leaned to her side, placing her hand on her waist.
"Yesh, newb." The drunk chugged another drink. "I have information on the Daruin that fought with you a while ago."
 Zarchadian: Your kiddin me. This guy knows about that weird voice guy?
"Aye, I do. And yah know, Daruin is actually a higher up. At thish point, though, yah need to pay me for any information." The wizard chuckled, and held out his palm.
Cuin sighed, and walked over to the wizard. A trade icon spawned over his head, and disappeared as Cuin gave him money. The wizard chuckled, and turned back to the counter, returning his palm to covering the mug of alcohol.
"Alright. Time for my end of the bargain. All my information on Daruin is quite unusual. Daruin joined the game a couple of years ago, when it originally released. He was one of the people who pre-ordered the game, as I can confirm with my various sources." The wizard ranted in his Sean Connery voice.   "After joining, he talked to various people of questionable...stature. The first people he talked to were hackers. From the chat logs, various sayings such as 'Domination', 'hacker domain' and, get this, 'The Syndicate.' Sounds liked he was collecting an uprising, and this Syndicate was backing it."
"Well, now, this is what were paying for!" Erufaelas cheered, his character began to perform an emote which had him thrust his fist in the air in joy.
"Shut it, newb. I also have reports that you two, Cuin Manari and CowboyNWN, were often with him for many months, doing various dungeon runs and the like with him." The wizard said with a stern voice. A silence fell over the group as he spoke these words. Most of the group looked in awe at Cuin and CowboyNWN.
"Anything you need to say about this?" Haruko looked at the both of them, resting her left hand on the sheath of her sword, making it easier to draw out quickly if the need should arise.
"We....we started to hang out with the guy a couple of months ago. At first we just would run dungeons together, kill mobs. Ya know, game stuff. He said he was a newb...his log information-" Cuin started to say, the uneasy tension making his voice slightly hesitant.
"-Which can be easily hacked-" CowboyNWN pointed out.
"-Said he was a newb, and that was the end of that. After a while though...well, he started to talk to us. About the big war between factions. Between the Hackers and the NormPCs. At first...well, we thought he was just curious on what they had to offer. But then...well, one day, he up and disappeared. All of the logs we had with him from our past game time was erased, and it stated that his character didn't exist. However...deep down, we knew he still was in the game. A person who talked as much as he did about the Hackers and NormPCs doesn't just quit the game. We believed he joined the Hacker faction. We just didn't want to admit it."
"..." The group stood in amazement at Cuin's honesty, surprised that they knew their enemy before they had become such opponents. The wizard's eyes welled up, and he stood from his barstool, wrapping his arms around Cuin and CowboyNWN, and let the tears loose.
"Such valiant young men! I Love yah guys! Hey, wanna buy me a bee-" The drunk's words were cut short as CowboyNWN froze his character to the ground.
"Say one more thing old man and I'll shatter your character like that. Then you'll have to use all the money we just paid you to fix the various items in your inventory. Got it?" CowboyNWN chuckled, a crazed look in his eyes.
"A-aye." The drunk stammered out of his lips.

Chapter 14

"Well, that was a waste of our time and effort." Cuin sighed as they left the bar.
"I think it was well worth the money. I mean, it's not every day you get to meet a true drunk gamer that happens to be an informant." CowboyNWN chuckled, "plus, I got to scare him shit-less. I bet his pants are stained IRL."
"Still, Cuin does have a point." Haruko sighed, walking alongside Cuin. "I mean, all he did was tell us of the guys past. No new information. No ideas on Daruin's current whereabouts. Not a single piece of information on the guys real name."
The group fell silent, and CowboyNWN looked at Haruko. "We are not going to beat him at his own game. We will beat him with this game with our rules. That means we will not attack this guy outside of the game."
"I wasn't suggesting attacking the guy. I just think we should probably, you know, attempt to at least know more about his background besides his gamer information." Haruko held up her hands as if to calm Cuin and CowboyNWN down.
"Well, thats easy google work for any one of us. In fact...who has dual monitors?" CowboyNWN looked around the group as they still walked. Erufaelas and Zarchadian raised their hand, as well has Haruko. Cuin and CowboyNWN's characters looked at each other and smiled with a demonic emote.
"Alright, Haruko, run a background check on Daruin with any other gaming communities. You have more resources when it comes to that information, and it still would do us a lot of help to do that search." Cuin ordered. Haruko's character gave a nod, and a large AFK sign appeared over her head.
"Erufaelas, We want you to run a search through the net for any bank accounts, user names, or regular websites mentioning Daruin." CowboyNWN commanded, and Erufaelas nodded, going AFK as well.
Both Cuin and CowboyNWN looked at Zarchadian, and said in unison, "Run a searc-"
Zarchadian: Run a search through all of my hacker communities on past Daruin activity in them. Got it.
Zarchadian went AFK as well. Cuin and CowboyNWN had their characters do the cheer emote. They both thrusted their fists into the air.
"FINALLY! We are actually getting somewhere." Cuin chuckled.
"Yeah, if we get all of this info, it should lead to our next confrontation against him." CowboyNWN cracked his neck. Realizing the truth, both of them stopped their characters actions. "Cuin...something just popped in my head. And I feel like a baka because we haven't covered this yet."
"I think I already know what your gonna say. We need to freakin level up if we want to kick his ass out of this game."

Chapter 15

CowboyNWN took a deep breath, materializing the magic in the air. It formed a big, blue ball. Slowly, it moved towards his open hand, with its palm facing upwards. It placed itself in his grip. Tensing his muscles, the ball of magic solidified into an ice ball. Looking at his target, a straw dummy, CowboyNWN made two quick incantations. His speed doubled, making his actions nearly invisible to the naked eye. The other spell took into effect, lightening gravity's hold on his own body, thus increasing his own speed as well.
Cuin watched the display of intellectual power. As he watched CowboyNWN disappear into a running speed, the straw target began to be whittled away be ice shards slamming into it. Apparently the chards were given a larger weight with the alteration of their gravitational pull. After 10 shards were embedded into the head, 7 in the heart, and two in each eye, CowboyNWN slowed back to normal speed. Cuin clapped, chuckling.
"Nice work, though I had a thought watching your attacks." Cuin handed CowboyNWN a towel.
CowboyNWN wiped his face, and looked at Cuin curiously. "What kind?"
"A singularity." Cuin smiled, "crush all the matter in an area sooo small it attracts every thing else with it....basically an intense amplification of an objects mass and gravitational pull."
"I know what a singularity is. It's just....to program that attack...and keep its stats completely sane....that's gonna be one hell of a challenge." CowboyNWN cracked his knuckles, "one I'm gonna take on. Alright, now its your turn."
CowboyNWN stepped aside, the dummy regenerating from CowboyNWN's attacks. As it restored to full health, Cuin smiled. He griped his sword on his back, and whipped it off, holding it in both hands. Slashing downward, he made another slash, and stabbed the dummy. He pulled the trigger on the gun end of the weapon, shooting through the target. Cuin turned around, looking at CowboyNWN, smiling.
"Now, how can you improve something...that awesome?" Cuin laughed, bragging about his strength.
"Actually, I see a way."
"Wha-what? Bullshit." Cuin was stunned.
"Easy. You focus too much on the enemy. You don't bother to protect your own ass. I'm thinking....you need a bunshin." CowboyNWN snapped his neck.
"A clone? That goes against our own regulations though." Cuin looked at Cowboy questionably.
Cowboy extended his index finger into the air, "unless you make it weaker than your character." 
Cuin placed his sword back onto his back, and held his hand on his chin. "I see.... so basically a shadow clone."
"Yup, just not as badass as the Naruto ones." CowboyNWN sighed, "anyways, its about time we crashed. Think the others will wonder where we are if we log off?"
"Nah, not really, we need sleep." Cuin chuckled.
"Later."
"Later."
> Successfully logged out