Scene 144

So, what's it show this time?

They're beautiful... I think they must be one the goddesses. And it seems an order of knights is being formed under their guidance...

If they really are one of the goddesses, then it would be consistent with what the Sanctuary gatekeeper told us before.

Okay, and...?

The problem is what comes after. Look at what else is depicted...

There seems to be a god in a rabbit mask... I'm guessing that's the "God of Death"...

The knights who fought this deity all lie at the bottom of a dark pit... They had to give up their lives in order to...

You don't think it's saying that this is what happens to the people who follow this questline, do you?

Oh...

Hold it, hold it! Some knights died in some legend, sure, but that's all it is, right? A legend.

This is a game—and we're the protagonists! Aren't we meant to clear this quest and survive?

But then again... Even the mid-bosses have us fighting for our lives…

And to think even stronger enemies lie ahead... This feels like a nightmare.

*sigh* It's stressful, all right. Can't we just chill and take on easy mobs instead?

If we did that, Aincrad would collapse, wouldn't it? Things would really suck then.

Listen, everyone. We've already made it this far. Let's just keep going and -

Argh! I don't want to die!

Who knows what could happen next!

...

Like, think about what we're doing. It's like Arne said—why should we die for some ridiculous mission?

If that's how ya feel, Zash, why not bow out? Not like you have a brooch anyway.

This isn't a joke!

Who knew a brooch could cause so much trouble...

Ugh! Enough talk—what are we actually doing?

Well, I'm gonna see this through—even if it has to be alone.

I knew I could rely on you...

*sigh* I mean, what choice do we have?

We're probably doomed anyway—may as well go down in style.

It's like you expect to die... Argh, fine, whatever.

Count me in, too. It's not like we can escape...

Glad that's decided. Can we now figure out how we'll do this?

Um, I suppose we'll do the same as usual—split up and look for the legendary weapon.

Yeah, let's do that.

Let's ditch this place pronto, eh? It's cursed.

Urm, right...

Hold it, hold it! Some soldiers died in some legend, sure, but that's all it is—a legend. We're the heroes this time around.

No one needs to die to beat this quest!

Hell, we might even get a sweet bonus if we keep things sacrifice-free, right?

Yeah Zash, that's exactly what I was thinking! You're on the same page too, Stina?

I never imagined we'd find ourselves back here after the beta.

Well, we should keep moving.

This Sanctuary looks pretty complex.

Getting lost would cost us valuable time and energy. What do you say we split up and look for the Legendary Weapon?

And then we get out of here as fast as we can!

That sounds like a great plan...!

Before that Arne punk gets here, anyway!

Music to my ears!

Hrm...