A sudden, loud cheering erupted from the rather large crowd of players – raising their weapons and arms high to complement their shouting and praise. Alice and the slightly smaller audience of fellow guild members slowly stalked closer to the gathering, being sure not to be too conspicuous and remaining below the radar to avoid detection from the devotees. It was as they approached did the demonic duo make their appearance – the Masked Man stepping forwards, on to the stage that had been set up in the town’s square before it had even been unlocked. Things had certainly been getting odder over the past few weeks; certain events coming to pass as though they had been pre-destined to happen. Now, as the masked individual stepped up to address the slowly hushing crowd, the guild quickly darted into the mass of players – concealing themselves amongst the gathering.

“Today is a momentous occasion,” he began, raising a hand slowly to gesture to the crowd, “We’ve once again made yet another step towards our goal of survival, my fellow players.” The cheering resounded once again, the only ones within the large horde not participating were of the Guild Alice and Nero belonged to. Once they’d begun to calm once again, Nikolai chuckled from his perch atop the stage.
“Yes… The idea that we’ll all, one day, be back in the real world with our families again… Doesn’t that excite you? Doesn’t it just make your blood boil?”

Alice snagged Nero’s sleeve, gesturing for him to follow her through the crowd – slowly getting closer to the stage.

“But… For every life saved, a life must be sacrificed.” He began again, sighing to himself softly in what seemed like a very false sense of empathy, “That said – I’ll have every last one of you disappear.”

Alice stopped dead in her tracks, slowly craning her neck upwards to gaze at the male who had just blurted out something so ridiculous. What did he mean by that? Sacrifices and having these people disappear? Before she could even glance at Nero for any sign of logical analysis from his part, a figure suddenly exploded into view behind the stage – his form looming into the sky itself and blocking the sun’s radiance; blinding all those that tried to get a look at the cloaked face.

“Ah.” The voice was booming in volume, uncaring and altogether cold – a familiarity every last one of the players would never forget; the announcement on the first evening of their lives here in Aincrad. “So this is the sacrifices you wish to make to me, for the sake of your own freedom?”

The crowd went deathly silent, as though they had all just been stabbed through the throat and forced to lose all voice in their own fates. Nikolai slowly turned to face the huge figure behind him, taking a single pause before finally giving a single nod of confirmation.
“Indeed. That was the deal; everyone who believes in the false prophet that I create by having Rose do all these things would be here to be purged from the world. Then she and I can leave this place forever.”

It was at this point that many of the people in the large crowd started to shout in refusal and rage, their hopes having been riding on the shoulders of a traitor and back-stabber. Now, with the terms of his apparent deal with the devilish creator of this hell laid out bare for all to witness, they started to revolt and riot. The front lines rushed the stage, clambering atop it and charging at the male to get some answers or beat him until he’d explain himself and apologise – only for every last one of the people wearing the red bandannas to suddenly disappear in a flash of particles; the very same effect that would occur when a player died in-game.

The only players left on this floor were those of the Guild that had been gathered to participate in the crowd for the sake of getting more information on the duo’s movements and the two themselves – who were not surprised at all to see players left over after their sacrificial tribute.

“Oh? I thought you said that you’d offer every last player on this floor to me? I will not grant you freedom until you give me what we agreed upon.” The huge figure demanded, slowly looming forwards to inspect the players that were scattered about the village square.

“I was planning on it from the start. Please, just hold on for a few minutes as we deal with the vermin.” Nikolai gestured for him to simply wait, before giving Rose the signal. The two slowly walked off the edge of the stage, dropping to their feet and beginning to stride towards the group of fifty or so players. 

“Positions!” Alice snapped, turning to face the other guild members and start organising their tactics, “Get into line! Draw weapons and ready potions! Anti-effect crystals on quick menu and pay close attention to your party member’s statuses!” she barked almost angrily, having never thought she’d have to deal with these two now of all times. Even the fact that they were about to fight in a zone she’d had expected to be a no-pvp area was completely lost on her at this point, her entire focus narrowed on winning this battle.

“Oh…?” the huge figure hummed aloud, chuckling to himself soon after, “They treat you two as though you’re the Floor Boss. Perhaps we should make it easier on them?” his large arm slowly rose, before descending over what appeared to be his own menu – hitting a few options.

Nikolai and Rose both stopped, their bodies trembling slightly as a change was made to their very programs. Bright green bars began to appear over their heads, before a name popped up above each. >> Masked Man << & >> Goddess <<

The two were now in-game bosses, courtesy of the creator. Nikolai slowly brandished his two daggers, spinning them through his fingers idly as Rose also began to change into her higher-leveled gear in preparations for the coming fight.
“I suppose… It’s time to kill all of these people, right?” she asked softly, glancing Nikolai’s way. He nodded quickly.

“Yeah. Let’s have some fun with it.” He returned.

Suddenly, wings burst forth from Rose’s shoulder blades, spreading wide as a halo slowly formed just over her head of red hair – the game accentuating the player’s images of each Boss now.

Nikolai on the other hand only seemed to grow more obscure; his robes tightened up until they clung to his limbs tightly, darkening to the point of almost being darkness itself and causing each of his daggers to slowly grow more grotesque in design – a small film of poison now dribbling down each blade. His mask remained the same, but his blonde hair curled around it in long golden locks, masking his face even further. Without a second’s hesitation, Rose shot forwards – sword raised and ready for the first strike.