This is my first SAO fic so go easy on me yeah? This genre is pretty difficult for me to write since there are technical terms to know but I like a good challenge.

If anyone sees a misuse of technical terms please do tell. :3

Without further ado, enjoy!

"I'll give you a chance to have a one-on-one duel with me," Heathcliff said in an arrogant tone, his sharp eyes looking down at Kirito. The dark haired swordsman's eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by the offer. The air was tense with anticipation as everyone waited for Kirito's reply.

His hold on Asuna tightened. "No," Asuna half whispered. "It's a trap! He wants to get rid of you—"

"I know," Kirito muttered. He knew, yet he could not ignore it. How could he ignore the pain that Asuna suffered at the maniac's hands? How could he ignore the tears and terror of the girl he loved? This man was responsible for everything. And now, the chance was right in front of him. The chance to put an end to him and this death game. Then, there would be no more deaths, no more fear.

The rational part of his brain kicked in, reasoning that he wasn't strong enough. Not yet. All of them were 25 floors too early to be facing the final boss. But this was his chance. If all the floors above them required the same number of lives to get pass each boss, how many would be left to fight the last boss? And then, all those deaths would be on his conscience.

"I'm sorry," Kirito said finally, turning his head to meet Asuna's teary eyes. As if she could see through his inner conflict, the vice-commander to the Knights of Blood offered him a small smile.

"I trust you, Kirito."

After that, everything else was like a blur to Kirito. He vaguely remembered thanking Egil for his support, and apologizing to Klein. The sound of metal clashing metal still rang sharply in his mind as he forced his body to go faster and faster. Fatigue clung to his bones yet he dismissed it all, refusing to relent on his furious onslaught. It was no use.

The stoic leader of the Knights of Blood stood firm behind his shield, not once betraying any emotion. His calmness fueled Kirito's rage and he renewed his strength. He was going to win this.

It was only until he had executed his combo, the high level skill called Eclipse, that Kirito realize he was not going to win. In the end, he was still a pawn to the system. Kirito saw Heathcliff raise his sword in his first and last offensive attack.

Kirito's body registered no pain, yet his ears clearly heard the sound of metal cutting through flesh. The colour orange, white and red danced in front of his eyes.

Asuna.

The solo player could only catch the girl's falling body in his arms and he stared down disbelievingly at her. The only person he wanted to protect; is dying.

"Oh dear," Heathcliff's deep baritone voice was the last thing that Kirito wanted to hear. It was as if all of Kirito's energy had left him, making him incapable of doing anything. "That was unexpected. I do believe I did not create a way for players to neutralize paralysis by themselves." Those cold, grey eyes scanned the couple at his feet. "She is dying."

"Well that's pretty obvious!" Klein yelled out.

Heathcliff ignored his comment and continued, "If you're interested, I could offer you a deal. If you agree before her virtual body shatters, I will be able to revive her."

Kirito's head immediately shot up. "I'll agree to anything!" the words left him before he could think. The solo player knew there would be consequences, but those were secondary now. Asuna's life, to him, was most important.

"I thought so," Heathcliff said with a sadistic smirk. In one smooth motion, Heathcliff's menu screen opened and he scrolled through, occasionally clicking. "It's done."

Bewildered, Kirito turned his gaze back down at Asuna. The girl was still unconscious in his arms, yet could clearly see her health bar that had previously gone down to zero, slowly rise. Relief flooded through his system and Kirito hugged the girl tightly. Asuna was going to be alright. She was not going to die.

The black swordsman turned his attention back to Heathcliff who still stood there in front of them, waiting patiently. "What do you want from me?" Kirito asked softly. He clenched his fists in agitation, dreading what Heathcliff was going to say.

"Even though my identity have been discovered, the game must still go on. Therefore, I will leave the Knights of the Blood and wait for the players in the Scarlet Ruby Palace," the man announced, "However, you have made a deal with me. In exchange for reviving Asuna, the Vice-Commander of the Knights of the Blood, I want you to join me."

Silence filled the empty space that was once the boss room.

"J-Join you?"

"Yes. There will be two players serving as the antagonists of SAO from now on. You and I." Heathcliff saw the unspoken question in Kirito's eyes and offered an answer. "This is where the thrill lies. The black swordsman has now become a servant of the Demon King, forced to carry out his every bidding. Without him, how can the rest of the players go on?" The excitement in his eyes sickened Kirito to the core.

"You bastard!" Egil yelled out. The big man struggled to get to his feet but the paralysis kept him down. "You can't do this!"

Shrugging his shoulders, Heathcliff pulled another dark blue corridor crystal from under his cloak and held it up to the light. He did not yell out the name of his destination but the crystal shattered, opening a portal into the darkness.

"Come, Kirito-kun," he said stately, already walking towards the portal. "The rest is up to them."

Kirito did not want to move. He did not want to let go of Asuna who was in his arms yet his body was on autopilot and he placed her gently on the ground with the utmost care before shakily getting up on his feet.

"Kirito, you can't do this! He might order you to kill someone!" Klein yelled, a hint of desperation in his voice.

His heavy footsteps echoed in the room as Kirito made his way to the still open portal. "Everyone, I'm really sorry," Kirito said, standing right before the gateway. "Please take care of Asuna for me. Tell her I'll find a way back to her, I promise."

One step. The portal closed behind him and the blood red colour of the Scarlet Ruby Palace that reflected off the crystal cave walls greeted him on the other side. Heathcliff had unequipped his sword and shield and sat on his grand throne made of gold and precious stones.

"Welcome, to the dark side of SAO, black swordsman Kirito."

So how was it? I've already written half of the second chappie but i wanna know how the response is before i publish it.

Leave a review on your way out! :3