Chapter Ten

I was distracted from him when a girl climbed up on the pedestal next to him. She had a red and white uniform on, but it didn't stop me from recognizing her.

It was Asuna.

The wolves started to wandered and I whistled to reel them in. They obediently sat down by my feet. As Asuna started talked, the man hopped down and started making his way over to me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked out of the corner of his mouth.

"Fighting. Just like everyone else is."

"We don't need amateurs."

"Speak for yourself."

"You couldn't even fight me."

I ignored him, looking up at Asuna. She was directing everyone into groups, ordering everyone to start preparing. From what it sounds like, we were going into battle in a couple minutes.

"What's your name?" He asked, interupting my focus.

"Harumi."

"I'm Rikimaru."

"I didn't ask."

He sighed, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest. I watched silently as Asuna climbed off the pedestal and made her way towards us.

"Harumi." She aknowledged.

I grinned. Asuna was the vice commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath, so we often met during these kinds of boss raids. I wouldn't say we were close friends, but we weren't strangers to each other.

"Hey, Asuna."

She gave me a small smile and Rikimaru stared at us, watching the exchange.

"I need you and your wolves on the front line with me." She ordered, instinctively going into commander mode. "Katsu is here with his guild, so you could form a party. You two work well together."

Katsu and I had met a lot also. As I continued my solo playing, he form his own guild called the Warriors of Dark and Light. They were pretty famous on a bunch of the upper levels. Usually during raids, the three of us would form a party with a couple of other members of their guilds.

I nodded, acknowledging her. She then turned to Rikimaru, giving him some orders as I turned to go find Katsu. Kuro and Gurē had wandered off, weaving in between people.

There wasn't as many players during this raid as usual. I wondered if we had any ideas about the boss, but that's very rare. We usually go in without any idea, as a scouting mission first, and then bring a bigger group later.

I hadn't heard of any scouting group, however, so I don't know what's going on.

When I found Katsu, he was ordering the members of his guild around, his voice strong and firm.

He had definitely changed from the boy who taught me to whistle my first day here.

I guess that's what the constant threat of death did to a person.

I waited patiently off to the side, watching Katsu command his troops. They quietly listened, which was a feat in itself.

Finally, Katsu finished and started over to me. He pulled me into a hug.

"Hey, Harumi! It's been awhile! You missed the last raid!" He said, pulling away.

"I had some stuff to do." I answered vaguely.

Truth was, I had slept in late and decided not to go at the last minute.

Katsu looked around, his brow furrowing.

"Where's the wolves?"

"I don't know. They are wandering around somewhere."

"Harumi!!" A new voice yelled.

I turned, a frown growing on my face. Rikimaru was unsuccessfully trying to drag Kuro towards me. Kuro was growling, but, thankfully, wasn't physically hurting anyone.

"What did I tell you about touching my wolves!" I yelled.

I whistled once, causing Kuro to come bounding towards me. Gurē also came, shoving through the crowd behind me.

"What did I tell you about keeping a tight leash on them!" He retorted.

"These wolves are welcome here." Katsu interjected, narrowing his eyes.

Rikimaru gave him a dirty look, but didn't dare to protest. Katsu was, after all, in a higher ranking than him.

Katsu left the two of us, after making sure Rikimaru was done protesting. I crossed my arms over my chest, watching Rikimaru as he came closer.

"You know Katsu?"

"Yeah, he's my friend. Been together since day one."

Rikimaru nodded. He turned to leave without another word. I whistled, bringing the wolves close to my side as everybody finally started to gather into parties, preparing to start the raid.

I got a notification, asking to join Katsu and Asuna's party, and I accepted without another thought. Slowly, we all formed into the battle formation.

Me and my wolves were right dab in the middle with the higher ranked guild members. We all had the highest levels, so we would head straight for the boss, while the others took care of the minions.

A couple minutes later, the doors opened.

I whipped my scythe out, and it was followed by the sound of dozens of swords swinging free of their sheaths. Kuro and Gurē started snarling, the sounds causing many people to inch away.

"You ready?" Katsu called over to me, as Asuna raised her sword up in the front.

"I have to be."

With a downward swing of her sword, Asuna signaled for us to rush forward.

"Attack!!"