Dragon Sword

4

The Moonlight Knights, an all male guild (with the only known exception being Amy and we'd had to sweet talk her in) we'd been invited into, were in a forest area where a battle was taking place; the guild members against one tall cricket looking monster. Sangi almost got hit by an incoming attack but dodged.

I ran in "Sangi, get the hell back!" I blocked the monsters attack. "Drako, switch!"

Drako yells, "Right!" He then rushed in and with a swift hit destroying it for good. He wins 352 EXP, 190 Col, and 1 item. Drako celebrates "All right!"

The boy who had invited me, Amy and Drako to the guild, Yukio, yelled, "You did it!

Later, at dinner

"So I heard the lead group made it through Floor 28. Amazing isn't it?" Spikes (his username obviously) was really excited. "Hey, Dragon Boy. What's the difference between the lead groups and us?"

I smiled at him as the waitress handed me the glass of wine I'd ordered... Not that alcohol affected you in the game. "Well, they all know all the fastest ways to get EXP and those shit heads don't fucking share them."

Yukio put his arm on Spikes's shoulder. "I'm sure that's part of it. But I think it's also will power."
"Will power?" Drako rolled his eyes.
Amy rolled her eyes back. "I suppose you might say it's a determination to protect one's friends... No, not just their friends, everyone. Right now they're still protecting us."
"Yeah." Yukio smiled. "But I'd like to think my will is just as strong. Naturally our first priority is our friend's safety... But someday, we want to make it up there, to the top, with the rest."
I smiled. "I see."
Sangi chuckled. "Heh, maybe."
"If we ever do make it to the front lines, our ideals could change the stupid ass atmosphere up there." Amy smiled excitedly.
I checked my stats real quick, HP read 9560 and my level was 52. Something is up with Amy. She's never wanted to join the front lines before... I took a sip of my wine.
John took out a bag full of money. "I have an announcement for everyone. As of our last hunt, we've saved 20,000 Cor!"
Drako and I spoke in unison. "Before too long, we'll be able to buy our own house." We both blushed a light red at having the same thoughts and looked away from each other.

Time skip to later that night

I was looking at a blurry triangle shape that had once been a mountain when a message came in from Drako. I had the Nervegear read it to me. "Hey it's Drako. Amy left and hasn't returned yet. We're heading out to the dungeon area for some extra hunting before bed. If you learn anything, let me know."  I turned off the voice and turned on track mode. This made my vision go green and only as blurry as night vision goggles. Once I had located Amy, I called out to her.
"Over here," Amy called back.
"Amy you have everyone worried."
"Oh, hi. Lillyin. I almost didn't recognize your voice..." I sat beside her as she paused. "...Let's run away together."
I was startled. "Run away from what?"
"From this horrid town, from the fucking monsters, from the Moonlight Knights... From sword online."
A panic crossed my mind as I jumped in surprise. "D-Do you mean a double s-suicide?
"That might be okay."
"No, Amy. It wouldn't be!"
"I'm sorry, Lillyin. If I had the courage to just fucking die like that than I wouldn't hide behind you or within the safety of the town so often like a little bitch, would I." Amy paused for a moment before she started to cry. "Why can't we leave this fucking place? Why do we have to fucking die even though it's just a shitty game? What's the point of all crap?"
"I don't think there is a point."
"I'm afraid of dying."
I put my arms around Amy and pulled her tight to my chest, a frown on my face and sympathy in my eyes. "You're afraid of dying?"
Amy leaned into my shoulder. "I'm so fucking scared, I haven't been able to sleep lately..."
"You won't die."
"Really? Million are dieing daily! How can you say for sure that I wouldn't die? I'm not strong."
"No, alone your not strong... But the Moonlight Knights is a strong guild. Our margin of safety is well above average and I will always be here for you."
"You mean I really don't have to die? I can go back to reality someday?"
I smiled at Amy. "Yeah, you aren't going to die. I'm sure we going to beat this game eventually! I won't let you or Drako die before we do." Amy Looked at me and started crying. I petted her hair. "We'll get home."

Later, after dinner at the inn

Amy walked into my room were I was laying on my bed going through my inventory. "I couldn't get to sleep. I'm sorry to bother you so late at night."
"Its alright. Not like I was asleep. You can sleep with me if you'd like... We haven't had a good sleep over in forever." I laid out flat as Amy laid on her side facing toward the door, my right arm under her. It was uncomfortable for me but I knew it helped her relax. I reached up and shut off my inventory. "You know, if you stay in the guild you'll be safe. Someday we'll beat this game. There are lots of players like you... those who are afraid of dying." I rolled over and put my left arm around Amy, my arm under hers and holding her tight like a big teddy bear, a closeness that would make most friends uncomfortable, the same way I had when we were younger... Only by a year but it felt longer. I clasped my hands together, causing for there to be no space between our bodies at all. "But they still laugh, cry, and live, as best as they can in this world. Promise you'll do that for me?"
Amy turned her head back toward me so that her face was to the ceiling. "Dragon..." she whispered.
"It's okay." I tried not to cry into the nape of her neck as I thought about it. "You are going to survive. We all are. I'll protect everyone here. I promise."
"That's not it... look..." Amy lifted herself a bit so I could let go of her.
I let go with a sigh and sat up, our bodies still close. In the doorway stood one of the other guild members that I didn't instantly recognize. "I'm sorry!" he yelled. "I didn't mean to interrupt!" The boy then ran as fast as he could without falling down the stairs.
The color drained from my face as I realized what he must have been thinking. "Fuck!" I rolled off the side of my bed, tripped over the foot of the spinny chair beside the desk, and ran unsteadily after the boy. "Joko wait!"
By the time I'd caught up with Joko he was already telling everyone what he thought was going on. "...and they were so close! I'm embarrassed I saw it!"
My pale face was frozen in the terror of what Joko may have told the others. "Let me explain, Joko!"
"What there to explain? You and Amy were about to hook up when ass-hat Joko over here interrupted!" Sangi said in a loud enough voice to get almost everyone's attention. "No wonder you fought so hard to get her in."
"No! No we were not! I mean yeah, she was in my bed and I know how that looks but it's not like that!" I was mortified at what they thought was happening. "We could never hook up! I'm not even a boy!" I covered my mouth as soon as it came out. Fucking shit!
Yukio caught it right away as it hit hard. "What the fuck do you mean?" growled Yukio.

Drako and Amy walked up beside me, as I was too afraid of what the group might say to talk. Drako spoke first. "What she means is just what she said. Dragon Boy is a girl. Deal with it."

"You all betrayed our trust. You completely lied to us!" yelled Sangi.

"So?!" Amy yelled. "What the fuck does that matter?!"

"I've been a girl the entire dammed time! I'm a better than great fighter and better than most of you!" My voice boomed through the room, echoing perfectly off the walls so that it was twice as loud when it reached their ears. Most people cleared the room. 

"Girls are to fucking emotional! I know it will happen! They crack under the pressure of battle! It nearly happened with Amy today! All girls crack and it will be when we need you most!" Yukio yelled. "You're all out of the guild!"

I took a deep breath. "Fine."
"What the hell happened to being safest in the guild?" Drako asked me.
"We'll be fine." I left the guild in my menu and opened my private inventory and took out 75 Cor. 

"You can stay in the room that we paid for the night. In the morning you leave." Spikes stormed off to his room.

"No." I threw the small bag of money to John. "Her you go, Mr. Accountant. 75 Cor. Enough to cover every room for me you've paid for plus a little bit for time and effort... Not that you all made any. It should cover all three rooms for the night." I started up the stairs again. "Come on Amy, Drako. I can tell when we aren't wanted. We leave in the morning." I didn't look back to see if they followed. I just went to bed.