Chapter Three: Sugu

"If you use the code I just sent you, you should get the Gods' Apprentice version of Excaliber. That way it would be converted to your GA account," Yui was telling Kazuto as I walked into his room. He nodded and continued typing on his computer, focusing on getting himself a sword to play with.

"Kazuto," I muttered to sit next to him on his bed. He continued typing, not answering me. "You have to take a break, Kazuto. You've been working at this since we logged out yesterday."

"I'm trying to get…."

"Swords for you and Klein, I know. And before that, you were trying to find that rumor, which you haven't been successful with."

"So what's the problem if you know what I'm looking for?" I sighed.

"If you're going to stay awake, at least log into GA with me. The others want to meet up." He continued typing. "You could give Klein his new sword if you come." He sighed and stopped typing to cover his face in his hands. "Kazuto, you haven't been like this since Asuna left. I just got you back; don't go back to this over a girl who happened to be able to beat you." So easily, but I'm not going to add that part in.

"I know, Sugu. I know." He sighed again and looked back over at me. "Alright. Let's log in."

I smiled at him and walked to my room. After logging in, we walked together around the cavern, looking for the others in our guild. I ignored the stares and whispers directed towards us; when we saw them sitting in a restaurant, we went inside to sit with them.

"Hey, Klein. This is for you." Kirito transferred the sword to our friend, who grinned widely.

"Thanks, man." He sobered up as the others quieted down to listen to him. "Agil and I did some digging earlier. It took some time, but we know what that rumor is."

"What is it?" My cousin and I leaned forward.

"There's a player who's nicknamed Hades. She has wicked awesome skills that she uses in battles that she somehow managed to control to the point of bending to her will. Like that skill she used against you, Flames of Hell. Where the flames come up at is supposed to be random. But she is able to predict it and use that to her advantage.

"The rumor is that she has totally maxed out game stats. That she went through many different games in order to accomplish this so that she could convert with the maxed out status. Now, she is challenging different people, gaining their Blades and fast becoming the runner up to be the God's Apprentice."

"Why is she nicknamed Hades?" Yui asked.

"Didn't you see that skill set she had? Those are common to the Hades's apprentices. But she has both Hades Blades and just plain looks like fire," Agil answered.

"What are we going to do?" Silica sked after a moment.

"There is nothing you can do, sweetie pie," a voice said behind me. We all turned around.

"You have some nerve approaching us like this after what you did yesterday to Kirito and Klein," Lisbeth said, rising to her feet. Kaia-Mai smirked at her as she looked her up and down.

"Down, Athena's Apprentice. And show some respect: you're in the presence of a legend."

"I've been around Kirito for a while now, but what does that have to do with you?"

In an instant, her Dragon's Hell Blade was in her face. Kirito stood up to protest, but then the Blade of Jupiter was at his neck. "Now, can you repeat that for me please?" Lisbeth remained silent as she stared at the blade in her face. "Hey, girly! I asked you to repeat yourself!"

"Excuse my rudeness. I apologize… Hades-sama," Lisbeth bit out.

The blue haired girl smirked as she re-sheathed her sword. Once he got over the shock of his previous Blade being held at his neck, Kirito studied the girl in front of him. And I did as well to see what he saw. I can see six sword handles creating a fan right behind her head. She also had a sheath at each leg. Show off.

"Now you." She tilted the Blade slightly to gesture to my cousin. "I see you have found out about the rumors. Would you like for me to prove it to you?"

"That would be nice. Yes."

She went through her menu (with the Blade still at his neck) and showed him her stats. His eyes nearly bulged out. "You're completely maxed out. So the rumor is true."

"Told you so." She then re-sheathed the Blade and smirked at us. "I'll take my leave then. Good luck. You're going to need it."

"Wait!" I protested as Kirito walked after her, but I chose to stay with the others instead of following. However, he never returned, and it's been twenty minutes now. I walked outside and looked around, and the two were talking.

"What's in it for me?" she was asking him.

"We're the strongest players in Gun Gale Online, Alfeim Online, and Sword Art Online. If you team up with us, you'll have a better chance at gaining all thirty-six Blades." I nearly gasped at this, but I covered my mouth. He was offering to help the girl who basically bullied other players? Who is he, and what has he done with the real Kirito?

"I don't do guilds." She jutted her hip out to the side and placed her hand on it. "I'd be expected to share what items I earn, and I don't like to share."

"We need you, Kaia-Mai." She paused in turning away from him as he spoke again. "You already know this game better than anyone else in this game. Besides, the strong must stick together. Right?" She looked at him again. I was struck with a realization as I watched them stare each other down. They almost seemed to be like Kirito and Asuna had been.

"Alright, I'll join your cute little group. But only on one condition."

"Name it."

"When we talk in private again, I don't want your little friend over there to listen in on us again. It's rude."

Their attention fell onto me, and I grinned sheepishly while walking over to them. "Welcome to the guild, Kaia-Mai. We'll be glad to have you."

"I'm sure you will be." Man, she's too arrogant! I hope Kirito knows what he's doing. Because the girl was not very well liked by the others in our guild. And she was being thrown into the midst them.