I'm baaaaaaack with another update and with HUGE news... Well, tomorrow, I am about to be hit by an eight mile tall hurricane with a tropical storm right behind it. I have no idea how much damage it's gonna cause so, I will let you know right now, if I don't update within seven days then that means my internet is down because of these storms. Maybe I'll update in the middle of the storm and all. Maybe.

Anyway, setting that aside. There is a WARNING here. You how most kings are nice and all like the fairy tales and bad kings? Well, this king is not what you think. He's a little scary...okay really scary but I will let you know right now that it's just an act he does to get people to listen to him. So...proceed at your own risk. It was actually pretty necessary for the story. I hope this doesn't change your opinion about me... :'(

Thank you to SpringStars, Redthorn13, SnowConeAdict, DemonFoxBK201, B2KatxCurtis, AW27, DragonGirl2406, Shion Ameterasu, anomonist, anomonist, and...another anomonist?! And The German City, and last but not least, haystack51 for reviewing last chapter!

Chapter 3: The King of Aincrad and Heathcliff's Candidates

The King of Aincrad held back a sigh as he watched his council argue back and forth between themselves. They were arguing about who to send to greet the King of Alfheim. To him, it was completely ridiculous. He was called to a meeting this early in the morning to discuss last-minute about who to greet Oberon?!

He mentally huffed but kept his composure with a straight back, hands rested on the edge of his armrest, and a slight look of irritation. He should be getting ready to meet his son at the dining hall and spend a day with him! But, his stupid-excuse him-(un)wise counsel just had to call him out to change his plans!

"I think we should send-" began one of the old wrinkly men sitting around the table. The King was done with this pointless argument.

"I will be the one to greet him. Just as I have done for the past twenty years." he said in his regal voice. The council turned to look at him in surprise, some sighing in relief. He stood up in a swift movement and gave a stern glare.

"What is wrong with this council? You people may think that your place is more important than others, but let us not forget the purpose of a council." he reprimanded. The King shook his head in grave disappointment. "Calling a meeting that is overly pointless and utterly useless is a waste of our time and energy. I trust that this will never happen again?"

One of the council members stood up and bowed in respect. "Our apologies, My King. We did not call for meeting over King Oberon's greeter. In fact, we were planning to discuss about Prince Kazuto's guard. I believe we should choose his guard."

The King slowly blinked. "Lord Aron. I have already asked the leader of the Knights of the Blood Oath to choose three candidates capable of being my son's guard last night."

"Heathcliff, My King? Are you sure you can trust him?" asked another council member. The King crushed his urge to roll his eyes as the newest member of his council, Lord Adan, spoke up. He didn't like Adan. It wasn't because he was a middle aged man who was a former war veteran, but rather his constant questions and disagreements.

"He leads a group of rogues that were picked off the streets! No one there is of noble blood. Let alone worthy to be in our capital!" Lord Adan spat. Many others agreed with him. A woman huffed in frustration.

"If I may, this council is not completely made up of nobility. I recall that Lord Harris and Lady Ravena were born in the commoner class." she snapped. The King raised his hand the silence them.

"Peace, Lady Rowena. There is no need for unnecessary arguments." he said. With a heavy sigh, he began to cross the war room with slow, echoing steps. Many of the other seated council members felt a shiver run down their spines while a few inwardly sighed, knowing that it wasn't going to end very well. "You people must have forgotten, and it seems I need to remind you yet again."

He stopped next to Lord Aron with a cold, deadly stare, quickly reminding every one of how dangerous their king was. "I am King. I choose what must be done and how it will be done. I came here, thinking there was an emergency that needed my immediate attention."

"But, My King-" Lord Aron tried to save himself, but the King's glare became colder and silenced him immediately.

"I understand you are worried for whom my son's guard will be, but you will have no part in choosing who it will be. It will be Kazuto's choice, and only by his choice." he emphasized coldly. Lord Aron bowed his head and took his seat again with a small "Yes, Your Majesty."

The King gave a curt nod and resumed his slow, intimidating walk. As he passed, a few members squirmed in their chair, unable to stay calm. He stopped directly behind Lord Adan. "Lord Adan, your constant questioning is beginning to make me wonder..."

The lord swallowed silently in nervousness. "What is it, Your Majesty?"

SHHIINK!

It took everything for Lord Adan not to cry out as he jumped in his seat. A beautifully crafted black sword was deeply impaled into the open space between him an another member (who didn't dare to move since he saw it coming). Elucidator, the prized blade of Aincrad, gleamed dangerously. The King's grip on his sword was tight as he leaned in slightly. Lord Adan could feel the King's intimidating presence very close.

"Just what are you up to, Lord Adan?" the King questioned with a hint of morbid curiosity in his voice. The lord didn't answer in fear of the King's next move.

He smiled politely, but everyone could see the dark intent hidden behind it. "Do you have a sinister plan like half of the members here? I will assure you, I will not hesitate to kill you and have the other members take care of the mess you'll make. In fact, I can use an example right now..."

The King slowly pulled his sword out as he spoke and held it a millimeter away from Lord Adan's throat.

"W-wait! Your Majesty! I have no such plan! I swear! I only wish for my Prince's safety! Please, My King! Spare me and I will no longer question you, Your Majesty!" Lord Adan begged.

With a roll of his eyes, the King lowered his sword and took one step back.

"I hope this does not happen again. I am sick and tired of all these pointless reminders. But keep in mind, do not take my kindness for granted. If I didn't have children, I would've thrown you out a long time ago." he said, darkly. There was a heavy silence as he turned around. "This meeting is adjourned."

The King brandished his sword and it disappeared in streams of black lights. With a radiant smile, he gave everyone an encouraging wave, dropping his deadly act and became his usually normal, composed self. "And please do have a good day!"

Once outside the war room, the King sighed heavily ran a hand through his hair, relieved to finally drop his scary act. "Stupid council..."

He looked up at the sound of fast footsteps heading his way. A familiar woman held the front of her dress up as her heels clicked loudly. She quickly spotted the King and called out to him.

"Your Majesty!" she shrieked as the King watched her stop before him with surprise.

"Lady Ravena, is something wrong?" he asked as she paused to catch her breath.

"Forgive me, but you must come quickly! His Highness was attacked!" she exclaimed in panic. "Someone tried to kill the Prince!"

"Kazuto!" The King gasped as he dropped all formality and ran down the halls. He was filled with fear and rage as he ran. No one had ever done something this ridiculous in under his reign before. He couldn't lose his son. Actually, he can never lose her son. After all, Kazuto was the promise he made to her.

And the King of Aincrad was determined to keep it.

._._._._._.

Asuna was standing before her guild leader with a confused face. "Is something going on, Heathcliff? You don't usually call me up like this."

Heathcliff frowned. "And for that, I'm sorry. But, there is something I really need to talk to you and two others. It's...unbelievably important."

"Unbelievably...?" Asuna asked as the double doors behind her opened. She turned to see two men wearing the Kights of Blood Oath uniform walked into the average sized circle room. She instantly recognized them. "Kuradeel? Godfree? Heathcliff called you guys up here to?"

Godfree nodded as he stopped to stand by her. "A moment ago."

"What is it now, Heathcliff? I'm a bit busy at the moment." Kuradeel demanded as he rested a hand on his sword at his side. Their leader sighed.

"Impatient, aren't we? Well, the King gave me a task that I can't believe he did." he said vaguely. Asuna placed her hands at her hip as she leaned forward.

"And that is?" she prompted. Heathcliff shook his head and rested his arms on the desk before him.

"Would you guys like a shot at getting a new high paying job that pays higher than you're getting now?" Heathcliff asked. The three Knights shared a look of confusion.

"Heathcliff, are you dodging our question?" Godfree asked. Asuna rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, just tell us already. There's no need to sugar coat anything, right?" she said. They stood in silence as Heathcliff contemplated. Should he be quick about this? Or prolong it a little longer. The anxious (Kuradeel was outright frowning) looks on the others' faces told him the answer. With a final sigh, he finally answered their question.

"The King is looking for three candidates to protect someone. And that someone is...well...the Prince of Aincrad." He said rather reluctantly. Asuna's eyes widened with Godfree's while Kuradeel's jaw dropped.

"The Prince?!" Kuradeel exclaimed as he dropped his arms. Godfree blinked several times as he was trying to process the piece of information.

"But, Heathcliff, how can we protect someone we haven't seen?!" Asuna gasped. Heathcliff gave a sympathetic look.

"I haven't seen him either. In fact, I can't even catch a glimpse of him when I'm in the castle..." he said as he shrugged helplessly.

Asuna crossed her arms with a sigh. "I know this sounds ridiculous, but no one has ever seen the Prince of Aincrad. Not even when he was a baby. Heck, not even the half the castle guards knows what he looks like!"

Heathcliff sighed heavily as he face-palmed. Today was definitely going to be a long, long day. "Why don't you guys consider this as an opportunity? An opportunity to meet the Prince and be one of the very first to do so? A good chance, right?"

"You mean, one of us will become his guard?" Kuradeel asked as he brought a hand to his chin to think. Godfree reluctantly shrugged.

"When you put it that way, it does seem like a good opportunity..." he said as he also thought over it. Asuna placed a hand at her waist.

"Heathcliff...please give me time to think this over." she requested. Her leader nodded.

"Alright. I will give the three of you three days to think about your answer. Is that fine?" Heathcliff offered. The three members nodded.

"Yes, sir!" They said in unison. Heathcliff sighed yet again.

"Alright, you may go."

Kuradeel and Godfree left, saying that they had something to do, but Asuna stayed behind. Before she came to her leader's office, she was planning to actually speak with him. Well, to report actually.

"Heathcliff, I have something to discuss with you." she said.

"I suppose it's about the murderer?" Heathcliff questioned. She nodded. "What is it?"

"I've been doing some asking around and I found out that the murderer hasn't left town yet. There had been sightings of a person dressed in black walking around at night. Most say that they were near the Royal Castle." Asuna reported. Heathcliff hummed and nodded.

"That's not good. Asuna, I want you to go and investigate. Keep your distance and look out for that suspicious figure. Once you found him, arrest him and bring him here." he ordered. Asuna nodded curtly.

"Yes, sir! I promise I'll catch him before he tries to kill again." she declared. She turned around and left Heathcliff by himself.

And there you go! Kazuto will be back again next chapter and I am totally going to have a blast with that one! Again, I hope the king isn't too scary. It was just to show why people respect him. Well, not many know that the king is like that. Oh, yeah! Have I ever mentioned that though out the whole story, all the SAO characters will be OOC? Just like my other story? I think I didn't...Oh, well.

So, tell me what you guys thought about this chapter and I'll update as soon as I can! Hope I survive the hurricane and the tropical storm...

Later!

-CloudyLightning