After about 20 minutes of walking through the uneventful corridors they had finally reached it, the boss room. Opening the door and stepping inside the pedestals began lighting up one by one until eventually illuminating the throne. In that moment Bojing felt his heart skip a beat. He couldn't stop staring. Upon the throne the figure smirked a most malicious grin.
" Hehehe, tell me… do you want candle! " ( Yang )
" Yang! " ( Bojing )
" Yang? " ( ??? )
Gripping her sword tight she took a dash in towards Yang.
" No, don't hurt her! " ( Bojing )
*Clank
The sword connected but not on her mark, instead she was parried by Yang's elongated and razor-sharp claws. The force of the attack throwing her back causing her to crash into Bojing.
*Argh
Still, she left them no time to breathe. A deep mist fell across the entire boss room, turning shadows into monsters that began their assault.
" Guard Zone! Bubble shield! " ( Bojing )
Green energy burst forth from his body encasing them in a thick barrier of energy. Staggering to her feet she gripped her sword and began to dash out, only to be stopped by Bojing's firm grip on her wrist.
" Hey, what do you think your doing. " ( ??? )
" Stay here…! " ( Bojing )
Standing up the energy dispersed around the room began ruthlessly spinning as Bojing took a step outside of his shields embrace. In that moment he didn't care about damage or the pain that would follow, he would just heal it anyway. However, the one thing he couldn't heal was the guilt he felt for letting them get taken away. This deep and dark cloud continuously turning his own mind into a maze, lost and scared. However, that wasn't all that was left. He also felt a deep sense of happiness for the memories he had made in that short amount of time together.
Dashing to exit the shield it was to no avail; she was stuck there.
" Hey! let me out! Let me help you! " ( ??? )
" I'm sorry… but this is something I can only do. " ( Bojing )
The shadows began encircling him, cutting off all line of sight and perception but for some reason he knew where she was, it was like her energy was calling to him. Clenching his hands he threw out his arms sending a blast of energy pulsing out which ultimately dispelled the fog.
" Yang… come home! " ( Bojing )
He could tell, she was in pain. She was all alone and scared, however she had lost control thanks to Gaia's meddling. Does she even remember me? Does she even remember herself? These were questions racing throughout his mind. Waving her arm around from her throne shadows began conjuring in the form of spears that were flung in his general direction.
" That's right, I never did ask about your powers… they are quiet the sight to behold. " ( Bojing )
*Ting
*Ting
Bojing was useless. Her weapons were made of shadow and as such weren't tangible in any way meaning he couldn't parry them even if he tried. With each blast a new wound appeared causing an intense shot of pain.
" What the hell… my power nullifies most pain… so why? " ( Bojing )
" It is quite simple. Her power is that of complete destruction. Even if you have a true defensive form, her abilities ignore that factor and break you down completely. Your lucky you have inhuman regeneration otherwise you surely would have died already. " ( Numen )
" Holy cow, that is insane! However, despite the pressing danger I will save her, that I promise! " ( Bojing )
Continuing to walk forward, each cut made from the shadow began to burn intensely as if the cells were destroying themselves, only to continuously be healed.
" Yang! Please… try to remember me! Snap out of it! " ( Bojing )
Picking up pace Bojing begins to dash forward, tanking every hit she unleashed. Eventually he made it up close to her only to be knocked back by the same dark claws. However in the instant they made contact with him he swore he heard her voice, calling to him.
" Bojing… please save me! " ( Yang )
Flying backwards Bojing impacts the shield he created.
" Bojing… what are you doing! Just finish her. ( ??? )
" No! I heard her! " ( Bojing )
In that instant she became confused at the statement he just made. Why was he doing this, Why wouldn't he kill her and most importantly does he know her? These thoughts flickered throughout her mind only stopping when she saw it. It was the look on his face. It wasn't filled with rage, nor murderous intent, but rather the gentle gaze of a brother giving it all for his sibling.
" Wait… does that mean your also a-
" It doesn't matter what I am! I will save her no matter what. " ( Bojing )
Suddenly in this intense moment various system panels appeared showing both his panel and that of Yang, however they were both crackling as intense as Bojing's will to save her. Suddenly a flash of her memories flickered throughout the room, that even ??? could see. They depicted her all alone and sad, that is until she met Bojing and was given a body of her own, and in the last image a message flashed upon every screen that read:
" These claws once only for destruction have finally found a reason to exist, a person to protect. "
Instantly Bojing knew what they meant.
" Yeah, I hear you kid… just hang on a little longer… okay. " ( Bojing )
Rising to her feet ??? sheathed readied for battle.
" Let me help! " ( ??? )
" No, we aren't going to hur-
" We will take out her shadows, you go save her! " ( ??? )
Standing up her light radiant shine began to turn a dark hellish black shadow colour. Her golden blonde hair becoming the same, but this didn't phase Bojing one bit, instead it was what she said next.
" Jinglee! Duality! " ( ??? )
" Let's do this Ju fen! " ( Jinglee )
Suddenly the cliché holy night transformed into that resembling a fallen angel, her black feathers spreading out and drawing in the shadows.
" Hmm, I had a feeling she was one too. " ( Numen )
Dashing towards the mist her dark sword split the intangible shadow constructs in two. With each strike another oath was cleaved forth for Bojing.
" Now's your chance! " ( Ju Fen )
Without missing a beat Bojing dashed forward through the path she cleaved, all the while conjuring all his energy into his hands. With each cleave and step they both grew ever so closer to Yang, who kept of unleashing her infinite barrage of attacks, but it was to no avail, after all with the two duality users in conjunction with one another it was impossible to stop them. Reaching arm's length of Yang, Ju Fen unleashed a strong attack only to be blocked by her claws and yet again pushed back. However, this was what she was hoping would happen.
" You have got this Bojing! " ( Ju Fen )
Confused as to how she knew his name he paused his thoughts for but a moment, only to continue his path. Reaching her radius Yang began to thrust her claws out to throw him back yet again, however this was not possible.
As her claws contacted him the force instead was infused in the newly formed glowing green claws mounted on Bojing's hands.
" Duality Skill: Yang's Gauntlets! " ( Bojing )
In the instant of impact, a strong connection formed between them. Bojing's energy began flowing from his claws into hers and up her arms. Holding her close he uttered the words.
" It is ok now… I have you and I will never let you go. " ( Bojing )
In that moment her eyes began tearing up as their dark coloured hue turned into a bright green, slowly fading into a light crimson red.
" Bojing… I was so scared. " ( Yang )
" I know… I know you were but if I'm alive you will never suffer like that again. " ( Bojing )
Carrying her down the stairs the dark shadows began to fade returning to the room that had boosted her inherent power. In his arms she looked so innocent, so kind, so pure. Sheathing her sword, her dark persona vanished as she approached them.
" I knew it… she is your duality isn't she. " ( Ju Fen )
" Yeah, she is the first of many to come. " ( Bojing )
A bright smile flashed across his face. He had saved one of them. He had saved her from the turmoil she felt. Turning to face Ju Fen he had a few questions.
" So you're also a duality user, I wasn't aware any other players had this power other than me. " ( Bojing )
" What really… there are many actually hiding in plain sight, although I haven't met many. " ( Ju Fen )
Bojing and Numen were both shocked. How was this possible if it wasn't the direct influence of Numen? This question baffled them until they realised in unison it was probably Gaia's doing.
" I can't believe it though. Out of everyone who would have fought the " Useless " player would also be a duality user. " ( Bojing )
" Of course… you knew it was me… does that mean the others at the entrance also know my identity. " ( Bojing )
" Unlikely… you were using one of your shields like a hologram mask so I'm sure it is fine. I only knew it was you from your ID. " ( Ju Fen )
Of course. Bojing was most definitely relieved. He thought she knew his identity from outside the dungeon, but it was the dungeons raid party member list that tipped her off. Whenever a raid happens, players can see the ID of all other participants.
" So, what will you do now? " ( Ju Fen )
" Now I will find the rest of my friends Gaia misplaced. " ( Bojing )
" Gaia! " ( Ju Fen )
Looking into her eyes a deep-seated hatred spawned from within.
" Yeah… she took my companions away all because I use duality! ( Bojing )
*Tch
Her fists were clambered shut by her side until she shot them outward and let out her declaration.
" Let me join you! " ( Ju Fen )
" Huh? " ( Bojing )
Chapter 11 End