A/N: Sword Art Online does not belong to me, it belongs to its respective owners (Reki Kawahara) I only own the story and OCs involved. This is my first story, please review as harshly and honestly as you can, I want to improve my craft. Thank you, and welcome to the first book of the Night Corps Series!
Special thanks to ResonantFate for inspiring me AND creating the beautiful cover art, you're the best!
November 7th, 2024
The day had finally come.
The palace high gates of stone closed in front of me, the light leaving me. No escaping me this time, not again. I smiled behind my helmet, my heart warming. It the end of the line, no way out. My friends made it to the inner sanctum, my dearest dealing with Anthem and his Justicars.
Anthem...back stabbing prick.
The Clearers already mopped up the rest of Laughing Coffin. Every last one was scrapped off the ground...excrement from their boots. No reason to be sad, only joy. I felt absolutely pumped, it was time I returned the favor. Bless you, Asuna. A truly worthy friend.
The things I've seen, all the souls following me. All could rest soon, I could sleep soon.
Rolling my shoulders, I readied myself. Layers of masterfully crafted brass plate armor clacked, my color. The tall gothic walls of this dungeon were brooding, lurching over me like angry giants. Great pillars of rock stood, taller than buildings.
The pavement was a mess of black and grey, cold and unforgiving. As grim as the scene was, only optimism could be felt. A fiery warmth, I was ready to face it. The demons were coming, locusts ready to feed. All would burn, for the good of mankind!
The brand on my hand burned as the laughter drew closer. Turning a bright yellow, my enemy approached, my foe of two years. The flaming light reflected off a lone ring of silver, its sapphire glistening in the embers.
She was with me from the beginning, no matter how bad things got. I loved her, with all of my heart. Everything was going to be okay, none of my fears were real. Was all just me.
Feeling the fire in my gut, I drew the massive [Ultra Greatsword], God-Splitter. A titanic hunk of steel, the weapon extended over six feet. A blade one foot thick, it groaned with every swing.
Summoned with a flick of my wrist, the behemoth of a tool spawned. My own body shook, God-Splitter buckling my legs with its weight. My white cape blew, draped over my brass knight armor. My face concealed by a close helmet.
Two years, two long years. The things I've seen...PoH, the demons, the reapers, Kayaba's promise of doom. It was great, it was finally coming to an end. Midnight's coming, the darkness marched towards me, the devourer of worlds...my bitch! The footsteps greeted me first.
I turned, stepping to face him. My steel boots clacked on the pavement, thick and heavy. The building sized doors before me grinded open, scraping as they were shoved forward. The earth shook with his every step, an encroaching evil.
I smiled, he stood no chance.
A great demon of fire and darkness approached, all that doom and destruction, about friggin time. Standing as tall as the doors, PoH's bat-like wings folded, something for me to tear off with my teeth.
The Malishard, an item never meant to exist, had granted this madman the power to transform into the demi-god he wished he was. The unholy terror he brought upon Aincrad, upon the thousands, it had come to an end.
Standing before me was not a man, but a full sized Floor Boss. Growling, facing such suicidal for most alone. His very presence desecrated the land, the room darkening from his mere presence. His one eye was a smoldering flame, his hands of molten rock splaying open.
PoH chuckled, cracking his molten knuckles with a single squeeze. Looking down at me, his ego hadn't changed.
"This is it, PoH." I grinned, shouldering the tree sized sword. "No way out that doesn't come with a free package of asswhooping. Semper fi."
"Really? All I see is an empty shell." he cackled, "I will say I apologize for the inconvenience, Ithe was out of line."
"What happened?" I laughed, "You give your people too much credit."
"You really have lost it." he suddenly frowned, "Do you even..."
"It didn't happen!" I shrieked, "None of it, you're the monster!"
"You speak as if you're any better," PoH argued, the malice dripping from his voice. "Surely, you know the old saying."
I said nothing, clenching fingers around God-Splitter's grip. Lies, all of it.
"It takes a monster to know one. Two years...all to come down to this."
"And I admit, I really wish it didn't end like this. I mean, look at you." he pointed, "You can't even tell what's real or fake."
"I've...done nothing I can't regret." I growled, "More than you could ever say!"
"What about the thirty Dragon Alliance members?" he presented, "You know, the ones you cut down in the middle of that forest?"
I had to. The screams of the fallen, they followed me. Hungry hands of the formerly present, the ones I owed. I had to, nothing more...nothing less. They threatened the one I cherished most, so they burned. I would do it again if I had to.
"I did my job." I admitted, "I am a knight...it is my duty to protect the weak."
PoH laughed.
"A knight? More like a slave knight for your masters."
"I have to end you." he solemnly stood, "For your own sake."
"Prove it." I grinned, "You couldn't stop me then...you won't now. God or not, you still bleed..."
Raising his monstrous fists, the fingers congealed, turning into swords of stone and magma. The blades glowed orange, each the size of pillars. Pulsing like a heart, they extended from his arms.
"You're done anyway...just man up and fight." I grinned.
"If there's no escape for me," PoH noted, "then what of you?"
"Whatever." I smiled, "judging by what I'm seeing, buying a champagne after this."
"You fool, this is why you should've died!" he growled in a gravelly voice.
PoH charged, every step feeling like a small earthquake as he rattled the ground below us. My breathing quickened, feeling the rush of the moment. This was it, time to make it count! Screaming at the top of my lungs, I lunged in kind!
The crash of our swords rang out, blows exchanged as my very bones shook!
The enormous [Ultra Greatsword] flew, the demigod before me roaring in rage. Our weapons clashed, thoughts passing my mind like speeding cars. I could see the future, she was waiting for me. All I had to do...was hurt.
Flashbacks flooded my mind in the space of seconds, vanishing just as quick as they came. Her smiles, her soft laughter, her teasing. The memories all vanished, with the sound of thunder.
Was gonna love partying after this.
God-Splitter crashed into the demon's arms, sending off great flares of light as the blade dug through stone! The two collide, the room filling with the deafening ring of steel. My sword slammed against his over and over, sounding like a pair of cars crashing.
My strength began to fail. Clawing my arm, [Berserk] overran my thoughts. Embracing that rage, I swung faster, sacrificing my defense for the mere thought of ending PoH. Roaring to life, my newfound energy fueled my will.
The very air cracked, PoH barely matching my speed. The blades shrieked as their masses collide, PoH stumbling back as I overpowered him! Unholy blue sparks flew in all directions, filling the air with a fountain of light. Even with all his power, my strength wouldn't fail.
"This is...a mercy!" PoH yelled.
PoH threw both arms down, vying to crush me with his great mass! I winced, my knees buckling ever so slowly. The beast laughed, his mouth and eyes a gaping void of molten rock. Magma poured from his maw, sizzling as it dripped off the sword. I told him to stop eating so much spicy food!
Its great size shielded me from the viscous Earth, pouring it away. As the weapon heated, my hands began to boil at its touch. With great strength, I lifted the sword, forcing the abyssal titan back! The demon slammed into a pillar, the dungeon rocking with the force of my shove!
I had become so strong...I could throw him. Just the sight of him folding was enough to inspire me! I hollered, charging in a full spirit!
PoH laughed, stomping his foot just as he backed up. The floor itself split, revealing a fissure of darkness! All around me, spectral beasts grew out of the ground, forming humanoid shapes.
Demonic knights took form, their blood red armor shining in the torch light. Raising swords and shields of bone and chitin, they shrieked, delighted for a fight. Immortals, all of them, perfect targets for a mortal! Even numbering in the dozens, they couldn't stand up to God-Splitter.
"it's more like a slab of concrete than a sword," she said long ago, "Garr, using something like this is just foolish! It's too heavy, slow...it even damages you with every swing. Why on Earth would I want that for you?"
The words repeated in my head as the six foot sword swung! The weapon rung as it flew, almost like a crane as it reached for my unholy foe. I swerved in with the swing, letting my body angle for a sharp [Cleave]!
"It'll work," I said back then.
Clap, the mighty sword split the hides of half a dozen demon knights, sending their armored remains scattering with a deafening crack! The weapon's great weight tugged, nearly tearing off my arm, only to be pulled back to its socket. [Ares],
Half a dozen more charge, unfazed by the carnal sight. Their eyes glowed blue as they raised swords, hollering as they charged! I winced, feeling every fiber in my body strain with the last swing!
"The line between bravery and foolishness, is separated by a hair."
"Your time has come," a hell knight bellowed, charging me with a spear of flame!
Swiping my left hand down, I drew my sidearm. A flintlock, no a hand cannon. Cocking back the hammer, my arm flew back as the room flashed. A mighty crack filled the air, the gun blowing a hole in the knight the size of a basketball!
"My time is now." I chuckled.
More of them charged, eager to wage war. The cannon fell back to its holster, the cooldown time flashing. Using the recoil of the shot, I pitched back for a harsher swing!
The heavy blade swung anew, screeching as it cleaved through shield and foe! God-Splitter crashed against the ground, sparking as it scraped against stone. The room erupted with its slam, the immortal excuse torn in two.
The howls of the unholy rang in my ears! Charging upon flaming steeds, came the Abyssal Cavalry. Belching great gouts of frost, these speedy steeds charged headlong into the fray!
Pitching the sword, I heaved the great mass! The air shifted, blowing past my face. The bludgeon crashed, sparking as it bit through horse and rider alike! The decapitated fell, burning as they hit the ground.
The dead littered the dungeon floor, their wounds healing me with every strike. The room filled with the cries of both demon and steel, my body in a constant struggle between strain and strength. The mere swing of God-Splitter tore my body, only to be restored by the pains of the dead.
Mangled, little was left as they vanished in a blast of blue shards. The screams of the lives I've slain to get here echoed in my head. What did they know, nothing!
"An animal like you," Heathcliff once said, "should be locked in a cage...and buried in the bottom of the world."
A pack of horned humanoids charged, their claws extended as they leaped like wolves!
I stepped to the side. As the sword swung, the first tore in half! The muscle of my shoulders tore, but swiftly recovered with the brutal death. I weaved with the force, slamming the second with a hard punch!
The hard metal gauntlet punctured the jaw of the astral beast, snapping it as it pushed through! Sending its red mass soaring back. I dove, spinning for the next swing! Reaching out with a twirling [Tectonic], God-Splitter met its next victim. The foot wide blade crashed, sending the torn astral creature scattering.
"May you rot in the dark...never to see the light again."
The beasts howled as I tore through their ranks, their segments scattered along the ground with a deafening roar. Covered in the blue ichor of demons, I grinned with glee, swerving my body as I tugged the gargantuan sword off the ground.
So many dead, all of it their fault! If they weren't so weak, they would've done better...or at least died fighting!
Just as I turned to face him, PoH unleashed a bolt of green lightning! The sparks of brilliant light shot forward, arcing as they reached out to me. Casting down on all that remained, both his minions and I were struck down!
I screamed, feeling my very soul tear from the jolt! Dropping the sword, I stumbled to my knees, shaking madly from the shock. PoH's car sized feet stomped towards me, the fissure sealing beside him.
"You seem...distracted," PoH growled, "you're still thinking about her, aren't you?"
His right arm reassembled to a hand.
"This is exactly why you're unfit to rule," he lectured, "your emotions distract you from what matters!"
The flesh cracked, revealing molten material beneath the darkened stone exterior. Just as he's about to grab, I tossed a gift from one of my friends! Pulling the pins from both, I tossed the small iron spheres at my assailant.
The demonic demi-god yelled, backing away as they flew! I rolled away, dragging my sword back off the floor. Bless you, Haru! The room filled with a bright flash, the air cracking like a gun! The bombs detonated in PoH's face, sending chunks of stone scattering. The horned beast roared, parts of its face torn away.
"You insolent maggot," PoH snarled, "you just won't die, will you?!"
He arched forward, charging again! From his right hand, came a ball of fire. The fireball grew as it flew, rivaling the size of a car as it's hurled my direction! I swung God-Splitter, sending it careening to the incoming flame!
As the blade slammed, the ball exploded! The heat enveloped me, blasting me with the scalding touch of a dragon's breath! Sending burns running down my face and arms, I howled in pain as it immolated my flesh.
Hurling me against a wall, My armor clanked as it crashed against the dungeon walls!
"A waste of air..."
"He'll find his end somewhere...the guy doesn't know peace."
Lies, all of it. I had found my peace, it's them who couldn't!
I growled, jumping back to my feet. My white cape swooping over my brass armor. My enclosed helmet barely scratched, I readied as PoH lobbed a second! I jumped to the side, propelling myself away. Dragging my sword behind me, the weapon shrieked as it scraped against the floor.
Closing the distance, I screamed with all my might. I swung, Throwing the over sized sword up to his form's hardened chest! The sword crashed, sending chunks of abyssal stone flying. As fragments bounced off my armor, the demon was launched back! Flying into a nearby pillar, a cloud of dust plumed.
"You're finished, PoH!" I screamed, "my friends will finish you off where you stand!"
I approached, watching as the stone pillar collapsed on my foe. The destruction of this grim place brought great joy, I had earned my victory. The mighty rock architecture around us warped, covered in cracks from our fight.
Just as I yelled, a whip emerged from the dust cloud. Hooking onto my leg, the weapon coiled, wrapping around my legs as it dragged me closer! Holding on tight to my sword, I smiled. PoH was dragging me closer to him, that meant I could get another shot!
Suddenly, the whip cracked! Sending me sailing into the ceiling! I felt the steel of my helmet jam against my head, my vision blurring to almost black in an instant. The whip then slammed me to the floor!
My face crashed against the stone floor. As my face plate rammed against my teeth, I felt them bend! I yelled, pain rushing up my jaw like a tsunami! I'm dragged closer, where I'm dropped in the dissipating dust. Gasping, I struggled to get up, my HP down already to 40%.
Looking up, I caught a glimpse of PoH. looming over me. The horned demon's thirty foot height stood over me like a building, chuckling. Its mouth burned inside of magma, glowing a bright orange.
"They might," PoH noted, "but...it's cool. You won't live to see the end of it."
He raised his foot over me. Its blackened stone mass hovered over me, time slowing as I watched it come crashing down.
"You're going to come back, right?"
I was. I had to.
Hey guys! Welcome to Sun Dancer, hope to make this a truly special series for any interested in the struggle for survival, testosterone, and a life changing journey. Lend me your opinions, follow, favorite, reviews, questions, blackmail, or criticisms! All are welcome here. Thanks again and enjoy the story.