Honestly, I could not resist updating again. I had so much fun for this chapter. It's almost ten thousand words! Yikes! I kinda went over-board, I know, but hey, better for you right? So, really long chapter almost eighteen pages long! I hope you enjoy because I had a blast writing it!
I did see some errors, so, please excuse those!
I do not own anything other my OC's!
Enjoy~
A week later
December 2, 2022
"Do you think they've actually found it?" Nami questioned with wide eyes.
Malia and her friends were traveling to the city of Tolbana. One of the beta-testers Malia happened to be friends with, Diabel, had sent Malia an urgent message. The beta-tester would not tell her what but he requested the presence of not only her but her group as well. He was holding a meeting in Tolbana to talk about the 1st floor boss that no one has yet to find.
Malia knew this was serious and Diabel needed all the players he could get to speak about this grave matter. Malia glanced briefly at the youngest member, Ash, who had leveled up nicely over the course of his one week with the elite group. He was almost a level eight. With the entire higher level quest they've taken…Ash leveled up quickly and gained better gear and weapons. Still, Malia often worried about him because of his low level and the high level of their quests.
Although, the small boy had proven he was more than capable of taking care of himself. He was extremely agile and lithe which granted a great benefit to the group. It added another fast fighter to the mix and gave reason for Ryku and Elaina to up their forging levels for light armor and weapons. Shen also benefited from this as well. Despite that, Malia and Nami gained the most from Ash's high agility.
"I can't say for sure," Malia pursued her lips, "Diabel is a good friend and I know he wouldn't ask unless it was truly urgent."
Ash, who was cheerfully walking at her side, asked, "If they have found the boss…will I be able to partake in taking him down?" His voice gave no ounce of fear but only determination. No one answered but only because this was a matter that only Malia had a say in. Within the week the young boy had joined, he had gotten extremely close to Malia and Shen. Malia because of her obvious relationship she has with her own little brother, Kurai, and she felt it was her reasonability to look after the blue-haired boy. Shen, because Ash had stated many times that Shen reminded him of his older brother that was overseas.
Ash got along nicely with others though. Everyone seemed to care for the younger boy and look out for him whenever they were hunting or doing raids.
Malia glanced over her shoulder at her friends searching their faces for answers before looking down at Ash, "I honestly cannot say." She answered truthfully. If Diabel did manage to find the 1st floor boss…there was no doubt that Malia and her group would be the first to sign up to defeat it but she wasn't sure if Ash was a high enough level. Most top players, even now, were still ten or eleven while Malia and her group was twelve almost thirteen. Ash was level seven almost eight.
The danger of something happening to him was higher and Malia wasn't sure if she was willing to take that risk. "We will see when the time comes, Ash, but please do not get your hopes up. If Diabel has indeed found the boss then…most likely you will sit out because I will not risk your life." She spoke quietly, as usual, her voice sounding firm and strong.
Ash nodded feeling a bit deflated but knew Malia had his best interest in heart, "But I can join in the other boss fights, right?" He perked up immediately. There were one hundred floors they needed to surpass.
The group lightened up with small chuckles and laughs, "Yes, we do have a lot of boss fights." Malia mused but it did not erase her worry at all.
The higher they went, the harder the bosses would get. There was no doubt in her mind that they would lose players but she would try her hardest to make sure it was not anyone she knew. The group traveled with high spirits, chattering, laughing, enjoying the scenic route they took, and even managed to level Ash up to level 8 with a random raid they came across. When the sun hit its highest point did they reach the hills overlooking Tolbana.
Malia glanced up to the sky and back down to the town murmuring, "The meeting should start soon. Come we must make haste." Although, Malia was sure Diabel would not start without her. Ash bounced around enjoying the warmth of the day as the others spoke of repairing items, leveling up skills, and grabbing a nice hot meal while back in town.
Malia was silent as her mind pondered great things. She hoped that they had indeed found the first level boss so they could continue onto the next floor but if they did, she didn't know if she wanted Ash to join in defeating the first floor boss. He was extremely fast, his reaction time was almost near hers and Nami's, and his weapon was high despite his level only being eight. Ryku had forged it just for him and since his weapon forging level was very high, the weapon came out in high grade.
Malia glanced at the young boy who peered at everything with bright, curious eyes. She missed Kurai, a lot. There was not a single day that did not pass by that she did not think of her younger brother. She didn't want to think of how her brother had felt when he heard that his older sister would not be waking up anytime soon.
Malia shook her head to get rid of those thoughts.
She did not need those sentiments at this moment. The group made way towards the center of town and saw players gathered around talking to one another while others stuck to the shadows. Malia ran her eyes over the players; she spotted a few other beta-testers and familiar faces among the crowd. Her eyes searched for a certain light-blue haired man with aqua eyes. Most of the players had begun to move towards the stone theater. Malia gestured for her friends to follow the moving crowd. They moved swiftly with the crowd and she took note of some of the players holding back with conflicting emotions.
Elaina snorted coldly, "Cowards."
Nami nudged Elaina's side, "Don't say such things, Ellie, they're just scared."
Elaina gave Nami a dry look, "They are still cowards in my eyes," She spat icily before shrugging, "I'm happy if they stay back anyway; they'd just hold us up and die." She responded nastily. Nami flinched like always. Nami hated when Elaina spoke so bluntly about other players. Malia had gotten used to Elaina's acid towards cowardly players a long time ago but it still seemed like Nami was having a hard time getting over their friend's sharp tongue.
Malia caught sight of her friend as they entered the stone theater. Diabel was standing on the stage watching players pile in and take their seats. When the man's eyes caught sight of Malia and her friends; a wide grin stretched across his kind face. Malia nodded her head in greeting and Diabel gave her a relieved nod back. Her group took seats in the back. Malia preferred keeping a distance so she could watch the other players.
All in all, they weren't too many players in this meeting; around thirty or less. Once everyone was seated Diabel clapped his hands and smiled at the crowd, "Okay, people!" His voice rang out clearly, "Now that everyone's here, let's get this meeting started." He grins even more, "So, anyway, I want to thank everyone for coming," A pointed stare was directed towards Malia and her group, "Good to see you," Malia smiled at the kind-natured beta-tester, "My name is Diabel, and in this game, in my mind, I like to think I'm a knight." He uses his hand to smack his armor proudly.
The other players laughed while someone pointed out mockingly, "Dude, there's no job system in this game!"
Diabel took in the laughter with a smile, "You guys want to hear this or not?" He asked while rolling his blue eyes as everyone quieted down. Diabel's kind face furrowed and changed with a deadly expression, "Today, our party discovered the boss room at the top of the tower."
The crowd of players gasped and muttered in surprise. Malia's heart jolted with dread and anticipation. She briefly sparred a glance at Ash, who was staring intently at Diabel for further instructions, "We need to defeat the boss and make it to Floor Two," Diabel spoke silencing the players once more, "The next step is we have to tell everyone waiting in the Town of Beginnings that it is possible to beat this game!"
Malia watched the other players. They all had serious and grave expressions on their faces now as they listened to Diabel's words. Diabel fiercely look at us, "Fact is, it's our duty as the most capable players here!" He says loudly, "Do you not agree?"
Malia resisted the urge to snort at the wary glances the other players exchanged with one another as if asking each other for their opinion before they crowd of players began clapping in agreement some ever hooting and whistling. Diabel looked extremely glad to see that reaction and continues on proudly, "Okay, glad to hear you're all with me on this, now let's figure out how we're going to beat the boss." Diabel clapped his hands together and thought deeply before saying, "First, I want you to team up into parties of six!"
Malia frowned and looked over at her friends. They were seven of them. Ash's face was so crest-fallen that it made Malia feels guilty. She didn't want to risk his safety but…if he was so determined to fight…then she would allow him to join but he would be with the group and fighting in the back where he wasn't as vulnerable.
"Malia," Shen began but she cut him off.
"Ash will join this battle but he will stay in the back where he is most safe," Malia spoke watching the boy's eyes brighten up instantly, "I will join another party since Diabel said a party of six and we are seven." Malia opened her menu, and despite the protests and worried looks from her friends, she left the party.
"Malia, are you sure?" Nami looked nervous.
Malia nodded and gave a small smile as other players began to merge into parties of six and Diabel kept speaking about how normal parties didn't stand a chance against a floor boss and that they had to make up a raid group made up of smaller, multiple parties. "You guys have done this before," Malia reminded, "This won't be the first time I've disbanded from the party. Besides, I'll still be here." She watched players party up and caught sight of two players left out. One was a familiar black-haired guy and the other was a hooded figure. The black-haired man was the one from the plaza all those weeks ago, the beta-tester.
He was looking around with wide eyes watching others party up. Malia smiled and got up, "I'll be over there with them," She jutted her thumb towards the only two remaining players without a party, "Remember this is only until tomorrow." She smiles trying to reassure her group the best she could before walking over to the panicking guy and the cloaked figure that hadn't even moved.
Malia jumped down next to the black-haired male startling him, "You seem lonely." Malia pointed out with an easy grin.
The beta-tester had to be at least fifteen or sixteen. He had short black hair that came around to mid-ear and fell in his face and dark grey eyes. He had a familiar blade on his back. The same blade Ash had gotten from a quest near Starting City. On his back was the Anneal Blade. "Nice sword," Malia added softly as she nodded to his sword, "My name is Malia. Wanna party up?" She asked with a small grin.
The male stared at her with wide eyes, "Um, weren't you with them?" He jerked his thumb towards Malia's group.
Malia nodded with a sigh, "Yeah but we had seven so, I decided to leave and party up with you and the mysterious one over there." Malia glanced at the red-cloaked figure.
The black-haired guy sighed nodding, "My name's Kirito."
"Nice to meet ya, come on and let's go meet our other party member." Malia beams as she scoots over to the red-hooded person. Malia could only catch a glimpse of the person's face but Malia knew well enough that the only player who would cover up like that was most likely a female player. Besides, the small glimpse of face Malia did see were feminine.
"You got left out too?" Kirito asked sitting beside Malia.
The cloaked figure responded stonily, "I wasn't left out," Malia nodded. It was definitely a female player, "Everyone else seemed to be friends already, so I just stayed out of it."
"So, you're a solo player?" Malia questioned not looking surprised, "Do you want to party up with us then?"
The red-hooded girl tilted her side ever so slightly and Malia knew the girl wasn't keen on the idea on partying up with some random strangers. Kirito was quick to add, "You heard what the guy just said," Malia and Kirito looked at each other briefly, "We can't beat the boss on our own."
"It would only be for this fight." Malia finished with a small smile.
The hooded girl hesitated for a moment before nodding. Malia looked at Kirito and nodded for him to send out the party invites. Kirito did so. Malia received the familiar pop up screen and accepted the party invite. She watched curiously as Kirito's name fell above hers. His health bar was considerably longer then hers which meant he was a higher player then even her.
Not a second later did another name pop up with a smaller health bar.
Asuna.
Content, Malia turned her attention onto Diabel who had called for everyone's attention, "All right! Looks like everyone's teamed up now then…"
"Hold up a sec!" An arrogant voice called out.
Malia glanced over her shoulder to see a red-haired male player looming on top of the theater seats. He swiftly jumped down the seats taking four at a time before landing next to Diabel. Malia rolled her eyes and sighed. She could already tell where this was going. The male turned towards the crowd of players, "My name's Kibauo, got that?" He said pointing to himself.
"And before we take on the boss, I want to get something off my chest!" Everyone, even Diabel, listened for some reason. Malia rolled her eyes and sparred a glance at her other group. They were watching the male with wary eyes as well.
"We all know about the two thousand people who died so far, yeah?" He demanded but didn't pause, "Well, some of you need to apologize to them right now!" He boldly pointed a finger at the crowd. The crowd, surprised and unsure, looked around and muttered to one another. Malia stiffened and muttered under her breath.
"Bastard."
Kirito glanced at her curiously but didn't say a word.
Diabel hesitantly spoke up, "Kibauo, I think I know who you're referring to," Diabel sparred a glance at the crowd but his eyes momentarily landed on Malia's stiff form before returning his attention to the idiot Kibauo, "You mean the ones who were ex-beta testers, right?"
Malia could feel her friends staring at her now.
Kibauo was quick to snap, "Course I mean them!" He glares at Diabel as if he were stupid before turning to the crowd, "The day this stupid ass game started, the beta guys just got up and vanished, right? They ditched all us beginners and snagged all the good hunting spots, and they grabbed all the easy quests too!" Kibauo glared at no one in particular but Malia could feel herself beginning to get anger with this idiot man. Malia clenched her jaw tightly.
"They were the only ones getting stronger! This whole time, they've ignored us like we were nothing! Hell, I bet there are some of them here!" He suddenly turns to the crowd with an angry scowl on his ugly face, "Come on out, beta testers!" He sneered, "We should make them apologize to us, and we should make them all give up their money and the items they got!"
Malia hissed under her breath as Kirito stiffened beside her.
"They can't expect the party to trust them when they don't trust us! Why should we?!" Kibauo yelled looking red with anger.
Malia scoffed and was one second away from getting up and giving that Kibauo a lesson until one of the other players raised his hand, "Can I say something?" This player was probably the largest of any other players here. He was bald, dark-skinned, and held a solemn look on his face. He also carried a large, double-sided war axe on his back.
He stood up swiftly and leered at Kibauo, "Hey, my name's Agil. Kibauo, right?" He walked down from his spot until he towered over Kibauo who looked like he was having seconds thoughts now, "I want to make sure I'm on the same page here," Agil responded calmly, "You say the ex-beta testers should be blamed for the rookies' deaths because they didn't them, and you want them to apologize and give up their winnings," Agil bent over slightly giving Kibauo a steady stare, "I leave anything out?"
"Y-Yeah." Kibauo muttered.
Agil nodded and took something out of his back pocket and held it out for Kibauo to see, "It's a guidebook, the item store hands these out for free. You received one too, didn't you?" Agil questioned calmly.
Malia watched intently with a small smirk. She liked this man!
"Sure I got one," Kibauo responded confused, "What about it?"
Agil answered, "You know who was handing these out? The ex-beta testers." The players all murmured in surprise while Malia rolled her eyes and leaned against the stone seat behind her. She was so over this meeting already and it hadn't even been thirty minutes.
"Listen up! Everyone had equal access to this information," Agil faced the other players, "Even so, lots of players still died. I didn't come here to point fingers at anyone. I'm here 'cause I want to learn from those players' deaths. I'm here because I want to find out how we're gonna beat the boss." Agil gave Kibauo a firm, dark glare, "I am not here to listen to someone blame others' for the suicides of other players."
"Let's not forget," Malia spoke up fiercely with a pointed, heated glare at Kibauo as all attention turned onto her, "Out of the two thousand deaths, three hundred of those deaths were beta-testers." Her steely, pale-blue eyes stared through Kibauo who shifted on his feet nervously, "Most of them were suicide."
Kibauo looked like he wanted to continue on this fight but Diabel put an end to all of it, "Okay, that's enough. Can we get back to the meeting now?"
Agil and Kibauo exchanged unfriendly glances before both took their seats giving Diabel the right to continue, "For info on the boss, it's all in here—" Diabel held up the newest issue for the guidebook, "The latest issue of the guidebook you just heard about." Malia tuned out knowing she would grab the updated guidebook and study it with her friends. Diabel spoke for a few minutes before ending the meeting with, "Everything will be distributed equally among everyone. The party that defeats the boss gets the EXP; and whoever gets an item, gets to keep it." Diabel asked for any objections and when he received none; added, "We will meet here and leave at ten in the morning!"
The meeting was adjourned.
Kirito was intently staring at the other players as they began to move around. Malia glanced up and saw Asuna already leaving. Kirito noticed as well and both players watched the hooded Asuna leave. Malia tilted her head to the side, "Not really a team-player, huh?"
Kirito nodded and spoke quietly, "Perhaps he's never been in a party before."
Malia gazed at Kirito, "He?"
Kirito's eyes widen, "I-I-Is he not a he?" He stuttered.
Malia gave him a pointed stare, "Asuna is a girl's name."
Kirito muttered, "You never know."
Malia chuckled lightly and got up, "Well, Kirito," Malia saw from the corner of her eye, her friends moving towards her and Kirito, "I was going to invite Asuna too, had she not ran off, but would you like to join us for dinner?" Malia held out her hand with a smile on her face.
Kirito stared at the white-haired girl with wide eyes, "Y-Y-You're inviting me to dinner?" He stumbled over his words trying his best not blush.
Malia nodded, "Yeah, I figured it would be a friendly thing to do." She shrugged as she joined her friends, "Guys, this is Kirito! Kirito, these are my friends!" Malia briefly introduced her friends to Kirito before asking the stunned solo player, "So, is that a yes?" She questioned innocently looking up at the beta-tester.
Kirito had this wary look on his face as if he wanted to say no but then he gazed down at the small force that was Malia and knew he couldn't deny her request. Kirito sighed inwardly but felt himself nod, "Sure, I see why not."
Malia clapped her hands happily, "Awesome, come on, let's go get that guide book and talk strategies!"
_break_
Two days later
December 4, 2022
Kirito was speaking to Asuna the next morning about the attacks and group orders. Malia listened idly as she traveled behind them with her friends. There was a solemn expression on everyone's faces as they walked through the forest near the boss tower. Even Ash had this serious and grave expression on his face. Malia had asked Diabel to switch Ash to their group instead of keeping him with the others. Kirito, Malia, and Asuna were the backups going to destroy the sentinels while the rest worked on Illfang. Her friends would charge the front lines and Malia was not happy about it. Diabel had agreed to her wishes and so, Ash had joined Group F.
"This feels so unreal," Nami murmured quietly as she held onto her high level light sword.
They had all equipped their best weapons and armor. Jordan had stayed up making powerful health potions among other potions as well. Ryku and Elaina were up forging their new gear and Shen had repaired the group's damaged weapons or armor.
Malia was surprisingly calm. Her mind was at peace as they wandered nearer to where the boss was located at. She knew her group would beat the boss, well, not her group but the raid group. She knew someone would die; it would be a miracle if no one died, but she just had a feeling that someone was going to die but she was dead-set on making sure it was not anyone of her friends or her two party members; Kirito and Asuna. Kirito was informing Asuna of the group's attack patterns until Asuna murmured, "What?" when Kirito mentioned switching.
"Wait, this is…the first time you've ever been in a party?" Ash asked the cloaked figure kindly.
Asuna nodded, "Uh-Huh."
Malia sighed softly and looked up at the sky sending a prayer that they would come out unharmed and victorious. Fifteen minutes later, the large raid group stood in front of the massive door. Two stone pillars stood on each side of the massive door. The dimly lit cave was filled with resting raid members as they prepared themselves for the first boss fight. Players equipped their weapons and traded their worries. Malia stared at the large, stone door and glanced to her friends behind her.
"We can do this." Malia reassured them as she saw their uneasy but determined faces.
"We're higher levels then most," Shen said quietly.
Nami nodded gripping her sword tightly, "Yes, we've worked hard to be here. This shouldn't be too hard." Nami confidently stated.
Ryku hummed lightly with narrowed blue eyes, "Four health bars? Shouldn't take too long to bring down."
"Just remember not to get too cocky, okay? We don't need someone dying today." Elaina spat out glaring at the boys who were known for getting a bit cocky and doing something reckless.
"This is not our typical monster raid," Jordan gazed evenly at Elaina, "This is a boss. We know better knew to break formation but we have Malia and Diabel giving out orders, so, we should be just fine." Malia frowned a little. Diabel had requested Malia to order her guide her party group and her raid group seeing as Malia and her friends were the highest players, thankfully no one but Diabel and Kirito took note of, and decided to trust in her.
"Jordan, make sure to keep an eye out for any wounded members." Malia added firmly.
The potion-master nodded stiffly, "I know."
Diabel spoke up from the front of the group, "Listen up, everyone!" Players gazed up at the blue-haired knight, "I've only got one thing to say to you," His blue eyes swept over every face in the narrow cave, "Let's win!"
Players shifted and held onto their weapons more tightly.
"Let's go!" Diabel turned around and pushed the door easily with one hand. Instantly, the doors parted revealing a very darkly lit room. Tall stone pillars adorned the sides of the massive room and Malia peered to the end where her high-level sight saw Illfang sitting on a large stone thrown. The first attack groups moved forward and Malia whispered to her friends.
"Be safe."
They all replied in unison, "Always."
Once the first groups were a little ways into the boss room, a sound rang out signaling the beginning of the fight. The floor illuminated beneath their feet spreading out across the entire room. Malia blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden brightness as her group lingered in the back. Illfang flew forward and jumped midway with a mighty, deafening roar. The red demon monster snarled at them with his weapons in one hand and a shield in the other.
Malia exhaled a breath she had been holding in as she saw the four health bars appear to his right. Right after, the three sentinels appeared in front of Illfang with small club and clothed in iron armor. Malia eyed them. It would be a bit of a task to get rid of them with the iron armor on them but they had to get rid of them quickly in order to give full attention onto Illfang.
The four high level monsters rushed forward with roars and battle cries. Diabel stood proudly, held out his sword, and gave out a mighty cry, "Commence attack!" Malia felt her body propel forward with the other players. Ash and Kirito on her left and Asuna on her right. Malia felt her heart bouncing in her chest harshly as Kibauo gave out a large cry and exchanged first blows with one of the sentinels.
The battle had begun.
The short two hours had felt like an eternity. Diabel was shouting out orders and Malia followed shortly guiding her group and her friends in the front lines. Illfang was going down and he was almost in the red zone. They still had two minions to take care of but those two were quickly beginning brought down by the outer squads.
"Squad A and C, switch!" Diabel ordered.
"Here it comes! Squad B, block!" Malia shouted.
"Squad C, keep guarding and prepare to switch!" Diabel yelled.
"Everyone else, when you fall back, regroup and flank them!" Malia fiercely called over the sound of the battle raging on.
Diabel shouted over to Malia and her outer squads, "Keep those minions off us, Malia!"
Malia nodded and quickly shouted out the order to the back squads fighting the last two sentinels. "Kirito!" Malia called over as they took sides with one another facing off one of two sentinels'.
"Yeah, you got it!" Both Malia and Kirito rushed forward with their high agility and attacked the sentinel staggering him back with the velocity of their attacks combined.
"Ash, Asuna! Switch!" Malia ordered as she and Kirito jumped back.
Ash and Asuna flew by them with fierce speed. Asuna carrying a rapier and Ash carrying his double-edge spear. "We're on it!" Ash shouted.
Asuna charged her attack with such speed Malia didn't even see the tip of her sword as she skillfully jabbed at the sentinel rapidly. "I thought she was a beginner." Malia murmured to Kirito who nodded in return as their party member jumped back and switched with Ash.
Ash gave out a battle cry with his spear in hand and threw it with blinding speed hitting the sentinel in the heart. "I thought he was the lowest level here." Kirito jerked his head to Ash who watched with a grin as the sentinel shattered into pieces.
"God jobs guys!" Malia called out.
Malia quickly jumped in with her light sword and swung at the last sentinel and Kirito jumped in taking the last sentinel down with a swift attack. There was a loud, angry roar that came from Illfang and it was then that Malia took proud note of the last health bar going into the red zone. They were almost there! Malia's heart leapt with joy as Illfang threw his shield and sword back going to take out his second weapon.
"The guidebook was right." Ash cried out watching with gleaming eyes.
"Stay back!" Diabel shouted as the squads merged together so they could begin their last assault, "I've got it!" Malia watched in confused horror as Diabel rushed forward while charging his attack. Briefly, Diabel gazed at both Malia and Kirito with a small smile before facing Illfang who took out his Talwar—"No!" Malia gasped as Illfang took out a No-Dachi!
"That wasn't in the beta!" Malia whispered in horror to Kirito.
"Diabel, no!" Malia screeched in horror.
"Wait, stop!" Kirito shouted.
Kibauo looked back at them in confusion, "Huh?"
"Get out of there!" Malia screamed.
"Jump back as fast as can you!" Kirito ordered.
But it was too late. As Diabel charged forward with his sword glowing, Illfang roared and jumped up with amazing agility onto one of the pillars before rapidly jumping above with. Everyone watched with rapt horror as Illfang moved in a blur before going in for the attack. Diabel who was struggling to keep Illfang in sight stumbled in his turn as Illfang dived into the forward with his No-Dachi slicing Diabel through his left side.
Diabel gave out a pained cry.
Illfang charged another attack as Diabel flew back. Illfang jumped forward ahead of Diabel's flying body and stuck once more sending a shouting Diabel flying towards the other squads. Malia could only watch in horror as Diabel's limp body fell. "Diabel!" Kibauo shouted in agony as Illfang jumped in front of the front squads and gave a mighty, ugly roar.
"Diabel!" Malia shouted as she and Kirito rushed forward towards the limp body of their raid leader.
Diabel's health bar was depleting rapidly and as Malia held up Diabel, Kirito was quick to take out a health potion. "What the hell were you thinking?" Malia cried down at the blue-haired knight who watched both players with strangely kind eyes.
As Kirito went to give Diabel the potion, Diabel grabbed Kirito's hand stopping him and murmured, "You were a beta-tester too, weren't you?" Diabel asked in a low voice. His face covered in sweat and his health bar going down very rapidly, "You should know." Diabel whispered glancing at Malia briefly.
Kirito and Malia exchanged enlightened looks, "You were after the last attack bonus." Malia whispered in horror feeling angry that he would do such a foolish thing!
Kirito gazed down at Diabel then to Malia and back to Diabel, "You two were beta-testers…just like me." Kirito whispered.
Diabel nodded with a small smile as Malia's eyes flooded with tears, "Why would you do such a reckless thing, Diabel!?" She shouted in agony as the tears fell onto his armor.
Diabel smiled kindly, "I hope you can forgive me," He winced, "But please, you have to defeat the boss…for everyone here!" Diabel gave a kind, pained smile as his body began to emit a light glow and Malia was aware of the others struggling to keep Illfang at bay.
Before,
Diabel shattered into tiny pieces and Malia gave out a pained cry as his body vanished from her arms and Kirito quickly caught onto her sobbing form. "Diabel!" Kibauo had watched the raid leader die and so had others.
Kirito was frozen as he held the other beta-tester in his arms. He felt her small body quake with pained sobs as his mind raced. All this time…he had only looked out for his own survival…and nothing else mattered until he met both Diabel and Malia. Kirito watched blankly as Malia's body shook and her cries broke his protected heart. Diabel and Malia weren't like that…they never abandoned the other players. Diabel brought them together and Malia did as well with her group. They both led everyone and fought with only the idea of freeing everyone back in Starting City…they tried to accomplish something Kirito couldn't.
"Malia," Kirito called grabbing the girl's soft face so they could lock eyes. Kirito felt his heart jump at the sight of the crystal tears streaming down her delicate face and her pained, blue eyes staring at him, "We have to fight."
Malia stared at Kirito with her souls at conflict. She had witnessed someone die…she knew someone was bound to die…and she carelessly thought she could get over it but she had been wrong. Diabel was gone. His mind was no longer here with them and his soul was gone from his body forever. The other half was angry, so, so angry with Diabel for pulling such a dangerous move on Illfang but Kirito was right, she had to fight. She had to help defeat Illfang for not only Diabel's sake but for all the other players back in Starting City.
Malia sniffled and nodded before she was left dumb-founded by Kirito as he wiped her tears away murmuring, "Together?"
Malia looked up at the black-haired beta-tester seeing a fire brew in his eyes before she steeled herself, pushed back her emotions, and nodded, "Together." Her voice had come out fierce and firm. Kirito smiled as they both got up and faced Illfang. Illfang had released a staggering roar to the front line and the raid group backed up.
"I'll go too." Asuna appeared out of nowhere to flank Kirito's side.
"Me too!" Ash growled flanking Malia's side.
"Use the same sequence we did with the minions!" Malia ordered as the four of them charged forward as Illfang began to attack the other stunned players.
"Aye!" Asuna yelled.
"You got it!" Ash snarled.
Malia and Kirito charged their attacks as Illfang took sight of them. Illfang roared and lunged at the group with his No-Dachi. Kirito and Malia charged and deflected his blow swiftly, "Switch!" Kirito shouted as the two beta-testers jumped back as both Ash and Asuna flew forward to continue the attack before the supposed to be staggered Illfang regained balance suddenly and attacked.
Malia's heart dropped, "Ash!" She screamed.
"Asuna!" Kirito called in horror.
But both players had agility on their side and reacted rapidly by dodging. Asuna had reacted a second slower then Ash and resulted in her cloak beginning destroyed. Asuna and Ash exchanged furious glances before lunging in with rapid, blurred attacks and this time, it staggered the boss properly. Malia felt her heart rush with relief before Kirito jumped up.
"He's coming back!" Kirito shouted.
Malia and Kirito flew forward parrying Illfang's attacks together while Ash and Asuna countered with their rapid attacks. Malia and Kirito blocked as many attacks as they could as Ash and Asuna countered with their attacks until Illfang somehow managed to separate the beta-testers and targeted Malia who was recovering from a particularly heavy blow. Malia's eyes widen as she saw the red boss charging her way. "Malia!" Kirito shouted as he suddenly appeared in front of her and defected Illfang's blow.
But something happened as Kirito deflected his blow, Illfang did another double attack and ended up throwing Kirito back into Malia. Malia gasped as they hit the ground and her eyes fell onto Kirito's health bar that had turned yellow now. A roar fell over both beta-testers as Malia looked up to see Illfang going in for the kill. Malia watched in frozen horror as Illfang raised his No-Dachi over his head.
The sound of a charging attack came to her ears as a sudden burst of light blinded her and sent Illfang staggering back with a pained, angry roar. Agil, Shen, and Elaina stood in front of Malia and Kirito; they had been saved and just in time too.
The other players rushed forward with their own fierce, battle cries as Agil looked down at Malia and Kirito, "We can hold this bastard until your health's back up!"
Malia watched with baited breath as the players all attacked Illfang with fierce expressions. Asuna and Ash were among them as Malia called out to Jordan, "Jordan, potion!"
Jordan, while holding up his shield, single-handedly threw Malia a red health potion. Malia caught it swiftly and brought it to Kirito's lips right as Illfang staggered blow the other players sending them all onto the floor with weapons out of reach. Kirito flew forward with a battle-cry as Illfang was in mid air. Kirito, somehow, in a way Malia could never imagine sliced Illfang mid air and sent him falling a safe distance away from their raid group. Kirito landed expertly and rolled forward as he charged. Malia quickly equipped her special weapon that she's been leveling up since she gained it in a special monster event drop. It was like any other scythe. The entire weapon was deathly black with skulls embedded into the strong steel and the blade itself was slightly thick, curved, and meant to slice high levels in one swipe.
Malia hadn't intended to use her beloved weapon; she even started leveling up her forging skills to upgrade and level the death blade but she decided that they were so close to beating Illfang so, Malia decided why not?
"Malia! Help me beat this bastard! One last attack!" Kirito shouted as Malia, with amazing speed, rushed forward with her hair flowing back as she caught up to Kirito's side with a large black scythe in her hands.
Kirito, whose body was rushing with rage and adrenaline, glanced towards the other beta-tester and almost lost his momentum. Kirito had been breathless seeing the fierce and deadly expression on her face; it had remained him, for some reason, of a dragon and for a second, he honestly thought he was looking a fierce mother dragon. The large, curved weapon in her hands was enough to assure Kirito that they would bring down Illfang. Scythe's were rare in SAO and even more so, so early in the game. They did considerable amount of damage. How Malia got her delicate hands on the rare weapon was beyond Kirito.
"Let's do this!" Malia snarled as Illfang charged an attack and swung his No-Dachi forward. Kirito expertly parried it as Malia countered and swung her large scythe across the massive demon's stomach staggering him back. Kirito and Malia quickly switched. Kirito lunged charging his attack and slicing Illfang across the stomach and switched again. Malia twirled around with rapid succession and repeatedly hit the stunned boss until she ran out of energy and rolled onto the ground. She switched with Kirito in perfect unison once more and it was all that was needed to end the battle; when Kirito attacked again with an agility and dexterity that left Malia momentarily breathless. Kirito's final attack drew from the bottom of the boss's stomach up to his head efficiently cutting the red boss in half as Kirito gave off a might, strong battle cry.
Illfang flew back and while in mid-air gave out a monstrous roar before exploding and allowing a bright light to engulf the entire room. Malia watched in silence, as did other players, as Illfang's shattered pieces flew above them.
"W-We did it!" One player screamed in joy.
Above them read, "Congratulations!" as all of the players' bodies began to emit a light glow. Malia allowed a breathless laugh to escape her as she fell back onto her bum. She had sweat on her forehead as she watched all the players shout, holler, and cheer in sheer joy for their victory. Her friends bombarded her and tackled her into a large group hug; Nami going as far as crying in joy in between Shen and Jordan. Malia was breathing hard as her body began heavy with exhaustion but she spared a glance towards Kirito who was a bit further away from her.
He was kneeling over with a screen popped up in front of him and breathing just as hard as she was. There was no doubt that he was looking at the last attack bonus message. The lit up boss room gave out another chime before diming signaling the end and passing of the 1st floor boss battle. Malia managed to get up and stumbled over to Kirito who was staring at the new item he had retrieved. Malia fell at his side with a breathless chuckle.
"We did good. Congrats on the new item." Malia breathed giving the silent beta tester a pat on the back.
Kirito spared a glance at the girl beside him. Her features were relieved and tired and there was a thin veil of sweat on her forehead. Her hair, that had previously been braided neatly, was now tumbling over her shoulders in light curls and almost kissed the ground. Kirito hadn't noticed her appearance before until now. Malia, in many ways, looked delicate; her face, her almost silver-pale blue eyes, and her petit body. It was not even a full minute ago when the same girl he was staring at had resembled so much like a dragon, wielding a weapon of death, and spinning mid-air in a continuous, shocking attack.
But he also remembered the agony and sorrow itched on her face when Diabel…when Diabel died. His heartstrings gave a painful jolt.
Kirito looked away from the beta tester girl as they heard footsteps from behind them and the victorious cries from the other players die down. Asuna, Agil, and Malia's original party stood behind them. All tired and weary but there was this glowing, relaxed, relieved expression on their faces.
Malia glanced over her shoulder seeing her friends and Agil and Asuna behind her. It took a moment to realize Asuna though. Asuna was a tall, light-skinned girl with flowing chest-nut hair that fell above her waist and matching brown eyes. She had on red and white armor.
"Nice work." Asuna murmured.
"That was some fine swordsmanship and team work," Agil praised with his hands resting on his hips, "I've never seen two players move so harmoniously before." He gives a small, tired smile, "Congratulations—today's victory is all thanks to the two of you."
Malia could've sworn she heard Kirito say, "No."
But before Malia could say anything the other players began hooting and hollering in agreement. "Yeah, you two rock!"
"I've never seen someone move so fast!" Another yelled in awe.
"Did you see her spinning attack though?!"
"Yes, but did you see his mid-air assault?"
Malia glanced at Kirito who had been looking out at the other players with this strange expression on his young face. Malia went to say something until they heard a familiar arrogant voice cry out from behind the group of players, "Why!"
All eyes turned onto Kibauo who was kneeling over with this agonized expression on his older face, "Why did you let Diabel die?!" He cried out into the stunned silence of all the players.
"Let him die?" Kirito frowned looking offended.
"We didn't let Diabel die!" Malia's face contorted in anger as she glared at Kibauo.
"Of course you did! Admit it! You both knew the technique the boss was gonna use. You could've told us! Then Diabel…Diabel," Kibauo's face filled with sorrow for his fallen comrade, "Diabel would've stood a chance…he wouldn't have died!" Kibauo shouted. His shout resonated throughout the boss room.
Malia was up on her feet within the blink of an eye. Her delicate blue eyes were burning in fury at that man's false words. Other players, though, were now muttering to each other with unknown looks as if they were unsure who and what to believe. A player from the back yelled out pointed at both Malia and Kirito, "They must be ex beta-testers! Think about it! They knew the boss's attack patterns! They knew, but they kept it from us! And I bet they aren't the only beta testers here!" He growled and yelled out, "Come on, show yourselves!"
At that idiot man's words, everyone began looking at one another as if they were suddenly wary of their own party members. "I'm not one." One player hissed.
"Aren't you one?"
"No way!"
"You are a beta tester!"
Soon accusations began flying as Malia found that her strength was leaving her body. She would've fallen but Shen was there to catch her and help her exhausted body up right. This is bad, Malia whispered to herself glancing at the growing hostility between the players.
"Hey, calm down!" Agil snapped as the players began to get rowdy.
Suddenly, dark laughter began to fill the large room. Malia felt her body chill and shudder from how dark and maniacal the laughter sounded that it took her a moment to register that the laughter was coming from Kirito; from behind her. All eyes had turned onto a laughing Kirito. He was still kneeling over with his eyes on the ground. Players moved warily away from the beta tester as Malia stared at Kirito in confusion.
"So, you guys think I used to be a beta-tester?" Kirito got up and looked up at the players with a deadly, dark, and different expression on his face. It looked nothing like the Kirito Malia saw the last hours or the last few days. This Kirito looked…looked dangerous and evil. "It's not cool to put me in the same class with those noobs." Kirito sneered making Malia flinch.
Noobs?! Malia angrily thought as she briefly thought about Diabel. He had been a beta tester too!
"What did you say?!" Kibauo demanded.
"You heard me," Kirito stiffly stated beginning to walk forward not even sparing a glance at Malia or any of the players that parted around him like Moses did the Red Sea, "Most of the thousand people who scared a slot in SAO's beta were rookies who didn't even know how to level up. Hell, even you guys are better than they were," Kirito snorted and Malia realized what he was doing now, "But me, I'm nothing like those guys, man." Kirito brushed by Agil and Asuna and stood directly in front of Kibauo.
Malia couldn't see Kirito's expression now since his long hair was hiding his face from the distance she was at but his voice gave her cold chills as he continued on, "During the beta, I made it to floors that were higher than any of the other testers. That's a fact." Was he going to take the full blame for this? Kirito's eyes were sharp and full of dark smugness, "I knew about the boss cause I fought tones of monsters with way more sword skills on higher floors! I know a bunch of others things, too. More than you can imagine. More than any info broker."
Kirito gave a dark grin.
Kibauo, who was now standing, was looking at Kirito as if he was Akihito Kayaba. "W-What?" Kibauo stumbled over his words with a look of horror, "If that's true, then you're worse than a beta-tester! You're a goddamn cheater!" Kibauo shouted out rousing the other players to agree loudly.
"What is he doing?" Shen whispered to Malia.
Malia and her friends hung back watching the scenes unfold. Malia pressed her lips into a firm line knowing better then to intervene. Kirito was doing this for all the other beta-testers. He was making sure that they focused all of their hate onto him and only him.
But why?
Malia struggled to understand the reasoning behind Kirito's madness but failed to do so.
"He's a beta-tester and a cheater!"
"H-He's a, uh, a Beater!" Another player called out.
Kirito looked interested in this new term, "A beater," Kirito darkly said with a matching twisted grin, "Yeah, that's good. I like that." Everyone gasped in shock as Kirito opened his menu, "Okay, you can call me a Beater but from now on make sure you don't confused with those noobs you call beta-testers anymore." A long, black trench coat appeared on Kirito's body and it was then that Malia took note that it was the new item that Kirito had received from last hitting the boss.
He gave a vicious grin at Kibauo before turning his back onto Kibauo and began to walk towards the teleport doors that would lead everyone onto the 2nd floor. Asuna and Agil watched in curious but stunned silence as Kirito walked past them. The players looked at Kirito as if he had the plague and stepped away from him.
Right as he was about to successfully walk past Malia, she reached out to grab his wrist halting him. He looked at the girl surprised by her bold action before he allowed his façade to cover his face once more, "Eh?"
Malia stared up at him with hard eyes. Kirito almost felt guilty but he braced himself because he was doing it to protect all the other beta testers…and Malia.
"Kirito…" Malia murmured his name…in a way that had Kirito's heart thumping far too loudly and too quickly for his liking.
"Asuna is a strong player," Kirito commented off-handedly, "But she would benefit from being in your guild. You should persuade her to join you." Kirito shrugged her hand off of his wrist and faced the large, black doors in front of him.
Malia frowned at the beta tester, "Kirito…you didn't have to do that."
Kirito clenched his jaw. So, she did catch on.
"Convince her to join your guild, Malia, she would be a very powerful member and friend." Kirito stated more firmly. He didn't want to speak to her anymore…because the more he heard her voice the more he wanted to stay with her and join her guild. There was something about the silver-white haired girl that made him want to stay.
Malia huffed in anger, "I don't have a guild!"
Kirito gave a bitter chuckle, "You should. You have loyal friends. You seven are all elite players considering that Ash is a low level and add Asuna? You'd have an unbeatable force." Kirito took a step forward before adding, "Even if she denies at first keep persisting because there's a limit to what a solo player can do."
Malia stared at Kirito's back with burning questions and emotions stirring within her stomach. Why did she feel so hurt and abandoned that he was leaving? Why did she even care? Malia frowned to herself. What had changed to make her feel this way towards the black-haired beta tester?
"Kirito…but you're a solo player." Malia whispered going to reach for his hand.
Only to watch him disappear through the doors and Malia stared at the black door with conflicting emotions. Her body was heavy, her heart now, too. Malia sighed and straightened herself out as she heard footsteps from behind her.
Malia would let Kirito go but only this time.
Because Malia knew that they would meet up eventually. The game might be 100 floors but even then the game was small that their paths would cross once more. Perhaps the next time, Kirito's heart wouldn't be so cold and protected.
Malia turned to see her friends, Agil, and Asuna behind her. "He's gone?" Asuna's face set into a hard expression but there was a bit of hurt in her brown eyes.
Malia nodded before her and Asuna received a message:
Party Leader disbanded.
Malia sighed quietly as she opened her menu. Her friends, Agil, and Asuna watched in silence and curiosity as Malia scrolled, pressed, and prodded her menu until they all received an invite. Not an invite for a party.
It was an invite to her guild.
You been invited to join the Black Brotherhood!
