Please, please go to Youtube and put on "Survive the Swordland" on repeat (by adding the word 'endless' before 'youtube' in your address bar at the top of the screen) before reading this chapter. Trust me, it will make this chapter a much better read.
A Captive Heart's Identity
Chapter Seven: Revealing Identities
"But I can't." He sighed, speaking barely a whisper. Turning to Asuna, he brought a hand up to her face, stroking her cheek affectionately. "I can't let you go, now, Asuna."
I need to protect you.
Asuna blushed faintly, not sure if she should scold herself at the involuntary reaction. But then a morbid sense of dread reminded the pale pinkness in her cheeks to rapidly fade away.
"What are you doing to do to him when he…" she gulped. "… or when they, arrive?"
Kirito paused. Then, unflinchingly, he spoke.
"I am going to kill them."
Asuna gasped. Then, as if on cue, a warp opened up and the devil entered their presence.
"Kuradeel!"
Kirito's head snapped up.
"Shit." He muttered under his breath. Then his mind started racing.
"Asuna-sama." A low voice growled. "What are you doing here with this…" Kuradeel eyed Kirito with disdain. "... filth?!"
Asuna opened her mouth to defend Kirito but no words would come out.
"I-I-" Asuna's heart pounded like it was about to burst out of her chest. Beads of sweat began erupting from her scalp and sliding down her neck. Sensing this, Kirito pulled her off the ground.
"K-Kirito-" Asuna started. But in one swift motion, Kirito drew his sword and slashed the metallic chain between her handcuffs. Then, he grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her into her eyes with urgency.
"Get your teleport crystal and go." He said, the desperation in his voice all too evident.
"W-what? I'm not leaving you here like this-"
Kirito kissed her lips, roughly and passionately before breathlessly pulling away.
"Go." He whispered, pleadingly.
"A-Asuna-sama!" Kuradeel bellowed. "What do you think you are doing?!" Kuradeel could hardly believe his eyes. The woman he loved, kissing a low level loser?!
"Kuradeel." Kirito turned away from her and walked towards Kuradeel, glaring straight into his eyes. Drawing out his Dark Repulser, Kirito held both swords with confidence. The blade gleamed blindingly before touching the ground with its tip.
Asuna's eyes widened at this.
Two swords?
"W-what is this?" Kuradeel exclaimed, clearly angry. "Asuna-sama it is my mission to protect you. You've been gone for so long and all of a sudden, when I am sent to find you, I see you cuddled up with this street filth! And now he's-"
In a flash of a moment, a sharp pain ripped through Kuradeel's body.
"Agh!" Kuradeel exclaimed, clutching his side with a hand.
"Call me street filth again, Kuradeel." Kirito smirked darkly, turning around after performing his first attack. "Or should I say, member of the Laughing Coffin Guild?"
Kuradeel gasped, face twitching with fury.
"Excuse me?" Kuradeel bellowed and drew out his sword. "How dare you talk to me like that! Do you know who I am?"
Kirito laughed humourlessly.
"Oh, pardon me. I forgot, the Laughing Coffin isn't even really a guild. At least, it's not a guild that's officially recognized by the system."
Asuna frowned now, confused again.
What?
"You don't have to hide your identity anymore, Kuradeel." Kirito said darkly. "I know that due to your guild's immense criminal activity, the SAO servers don't actually recognize Laughing Coffin... as a guild. And because of that, you can infiltrate other guilds secretly- guilds like the Knights of Blood."
"W-what?" Kuradeel exclaimed frantically. "T-that's nonsense, Asuna-sama don't listen to this low level player-"
"Save it." Asuna interrupted, shaking her head in disbelief. She didn't want to hear any more of his lies.
Kirito glanced in her direction for a split second.
What the hell is she still doing here?!
Asuna met his eyes and opened her mouth to say something, but Kirito looked away after giving her a look of disappointment and disapproval.
"Remember six months ago, Kuradeel? When you and the rest of Laughing Coffin attacked a small party in the field of Floor 42? You murdered an entire population of innocent bystanders." Kirito said, his hand gripping his sword tighter.
"You were a part of that?!" Asuna cried, outraged at Kuradeel.
"One of those innocent bystanders was my mother." Kirito ignored her.
"W-what, don't listen to what he says Asuna-sama, this bastard's just trying to sabotage our guild! Y-yeah, that's what's he trying to do!"
"You're still putting up an act." Asuna said in disbelief, looking absolutely crushed at the sudden revelations overwhelming her brain. What the hell was going on? Just yesterday Kuradeel was a person she could rely on and trust her life to… and to find out that her trust had been completely wasted… it was just too much to take. Sure, Kirito had told her his side of the story. But a part of Asuna still wished it wasn't true. Yet now, judging by Kuradeel's demeanor, Asuna couldn't deny it anymore. Kuradeel was lying.
He was lying all this time.
"I can't believe I trusted you for so long." Asuna shook her head.
Kuradeel's anger burned inside of him at those words. Asuna was the woman he loved- how dare this low level player come between them!
He looked between Kirito and Asuna hysterically. Then his large, bony hands started to shake and twitch.
"This was all part of my plan, Kuradeel. You fell right into my trap." Kirito said, calmly. "Now it's time for you to pay."
"You fool!" Kuradeel yelled, pulling out his large two handed sword. "You have no idea who you're dealing with!" Then he lunged forward, swiping his blade into the air.
"Perhaps you're right." Kirito laughed darkly, before stepping aside and easily dodging Kuradeel's attack. "But that's exactly why I trained for so long before executing this plan." Kuradeel screamed as rage took over him, turning around and making another attack, a look of insanity glazing over his eyes.
"If I killed your mother, I can easily kill you!"
Asuna gasped, bringing a hand up to her mouth. Then she froze, shaking uncontrollably.
Do something, damnit! Her mind yelled.
But her body wouldn't listen.
Meanwhile, Kirito took another step to the left.
Dodged.
"C'mon, at least put some effort into it." Kirito said, turning his head to smile at the panting opponent in front of him. But Kirito's smile did not touch his eyes. "Can't you do any better than that?"
"Grrrrraaah!" Kuradeel then lunged forward again, but this time Kirito was ready.
This one's for you, mom.
Kirito swung up his swords, the cutting edges of his blade whipping through the air before finding the flesh of his opponent.
"GAaHhhh!" Kuradeel screamed, face contorting at the pain. A tangy copper scent filled his nostrils.
Blood?!
Kuradeel hissed. The skin of his torso was fraying and shards of crimson began dancing up to the sky, but he wasn't about to back down. Hell no.
"Fucking die already, you fool!" Kuradeel cried, bringing his sword up again. In one rage-filled attempt, he slashed his sword up through the air before ripping it down- only to meet Kirito's own two swords with a metallic clang.
Asuna cringed while her legs remained absolutely frozen to the spot.
But then Kuradeel stopped.
Huh?
He looked down. The only thing left of his sword was the steely handle he gripped on to. Kuradeel's face twitched in confusion.
Kirito smirked.
"Well, well."
"I-impossible…"
"If you'd like to try again with another weapon, I'd be just fine with it." Kirito said darkly. "After all, you've hardly given me a good enough fight."
"You… you cocky bastard!" Kuradeel yelled, his rage transforming into insane madness. Kuradeel balled his hands into shaking fists before growling and swiping at the air for the navigation screen. In mere seconds, he summoned another sword into his hands. Standing up at once, he let out a blood curling scream. "Let me reunite you with your mother, you little brat!"
At the mention of his mother, a stab of sadness filled Kirito's chest, bringing a lump to his throat. With profound indignation, Kirito brought up two gleams of steel and prepared for a fight to the death.
You're going to feel the pain I felt, Kuradeel.
And in that instance, the whole world faded away. The desert, the canyons, the beautiful girl standing paralyzed on the sidelines- Kirito no longer saw any of that. His eyes only settled on one path.
And that was the path to Kuradeel.
With a piercing growl of his own, Kirito lunged forward to meet Kuradeel's attack.
Clang!
Metallic sparks lit up the sky as a swarm of dust rose from the ground, isolating the both of them in combat. Kirito fought like the wind, fleeting and darting, responding to the attacks with ease.
One slash.
That's for mom.
Four slashes.
That's for dad.
Seven slashes.
That's for Asuna!
"GaAHhhhH!" Kuradeel recoiled from the intense pain of Kirito's blade eating into his body. But Kirito continued, striking his blades mercilessly to meet the bones beneath Kuradeel's flesh.
Redness splashed in every direction, shooting through the dust and into the sky.
Asuna closed her eyes, tears spilling once more.
"No, this has to stop!" She cried, falling to her knees. Asuna placed both hands over her ears to muffle the cries of pain coming from the man she had once trusted. "Stop this, please!"
Kirito heard her sob.
I can't stop, Asuna. He thought sadly, blocking another attack. It's too late to stop now.
"DIE!" Kuradeel shrieked, after glancing at the women he loved kneeling dejectedly on the ground. At this point, his tactics began to diminish and he began swinging his blade all over the place just hoping to strike Kirito. Kirito sighed, wondering how the hell Kuradeel managed to get into the KoB in the first place.
It's time to finish this once and for all.
Then Kirito flew back, preparing to advance for his final attack. In the midst of dust and chaos, Kuradeel lost sight of Kirito's movements.
This is it.
But Kirito's hands began to tremble, ever so slightly.
Now's the time. He swallowed.
But his legs didn't move.
What are you waiting for? Kill the bastard already! He killed your mother, he deserves what's coming to him! The man who took away your happiness, he's completely wrapped around your fingers now. Just finish him! What are you waiting for? Kill him! Just kill him already! Kill him!
But during this time, Kuradeel collected himself. Then, he let out an enraged growl before throwing himself forward and slicing his metal through the air, aiming for Kirito.
Kirito lifted his Elucidator just in time to puncture Kuradeel's armor and penetrate his flesh.
A blood curling scream expelled into the night as Kuradeel writhed from the affliction of Kirito's blade deep within his body. Kuradeel then wobbled backwards to escape the sword, losing grip of his own sword in the process. Defeated, he fell to the ground spewing blood from his lips and choking on dust. No longer was his cloak white and pure. No, now it was stained with red.
Kirito walked forward slowly.
"N-no, please! D-don't kill me, I swear, I'm not a part of Laughing Coffin, p-please don't kill me-" Kuradeel's voice grew shrill but cut off altogether once Kirito settled his two blades on both sides of his stumpy neck. The Dark repulser slid over one vein slowly, while the Elucidator remained still. "A-Asuna-sama, what are you doing?! Help me!" Kuradeel cried, darting his eyes to the girl watching helplessly on the sidelines. She looked away from him with tears spilling down her face.
Kirito glanced over at her and tightness overwhelmed his chest.
His grip then faltered.
What am I doing?
He paused, staring at the quivering man at his feet. Kirito looked at his two blades, now strangely conflicted with emotion. One part of his mind was screaming, telling him to finish off the sick bastard while he still had the chance.
But another part of his mind, however quiet and quivering, was resisting.
Stop. It said. This is enough.
Not knowing which side of himself to believe, Kirito frowned and pressed the blades deeper against Kuradeel's neck. He had to do it. He couldn't stop now.
It's too late for second thoughts.
Kirito slid his swords lightly along the pale skin of his opponent before pushing deeper with trepidation, readying himself to perform his first ever player kill.
Does killing him make you any better than him? The inner voice prompted, louder now than ever before. Do you really think killing him will validate yourself?
Kirito's eyes blurred. The inner turmoil was taking its toll. Silently, he cursed the voice of reason in his head. Why, of all times, did that voice in his head have to speak now? Now, when he was so damn close to avenging his mother's death. Now, when he was so close to killing Kuradeel.
And hell, he wanted to kill Kuradeel, there was no doubt about that. He wanted to kill the bastard so badly and put an end... put an end to all the pain in his heart. But...
You're a fool if you think killing him will give you back any of the happiness you lost. You will never get any of that back.
Kirito looked with conflicted frustration at the trembling man before him. He was vaguely aware of the choked up pleas coming from Kuradeel but discordant thoughts were already consuming his mind.
You're not any better than Kuradeel, now. The voice said loudly. Look at yourself.
Kirito froze, the epiphany hitting him like a ton of bricks. I am a monster. He realized, with horror. Kirito then turned his head down, allowing his long, dark bangs to fall over his face. I'm… I'm the monster.
"P-please, I'll leave the guild, I'll never show my face again, please!" Kuradeel cried, watching his declining HP bar. "I don't want to die!"
The tears spilled endlessly from Kuradeel's eyes. Then, something almost unthinkable happened.
"Go." Kirito said quietly. He drew back his blades and returned them to their sheath with shaking hands. I'm not going to give you the satisfaction... Kirito thought, clenching his jaw as he watched Kuradeel gasp for air. The satisfaction of leaving this world.
With a trembling swipe of his fingers, he withdrew an extra Corridor Crystal he had from helping out a guild a few months back.
"This will take you straight to jail." Kirito said coldly.
In that instant, Kuradeel's rage returned and he clutched on to his neck whilst glaring daggers through Kirito's body. He dragged his limp body towards his sword.
This boy... this scrawny little rat almost cost me my life! Like hell I'm going to jail!
"I never want to see you again." Kirito said. Not even sparing Asuna a single glance, Kirito stared coldly into Kuradeel's glare. Then, he opened the corridor.
"Like hell I'm going to jail!" Kuradeel yelled. Then he leapt off the ground with his sword in his hands and, with all the speed in the world, pushed the blade through Kirito's ribs. Kirito gasped at the pain he felt from the impact of the sword: it pushed through every layer of his flesh, mercilessly.
Asuna screamed with horror while Kuradeel laughed maniacally.
"Die, kid!" he laughed, twisting the blade deeper. "You weren't even strong enough to kill me!" But to Kuradeel's surprise, Kirito laughed, too. In spite of the pain ripping through his body, Kirito laughed.
I guess this is my karma. For being arrogant enough... to think I could surpass the game's limits... to think that I could surpass my own limits. The cryptic smile on his slid off when his body began succumbing to the pain. I'd always thought I was strong... but I was never strong. I was just weak with a thick armor. Blocking out all those who've ever cared about me.
Suddenly, a memory of a man with gentle eyes, red hair, and a bandana flashed across Kirito's mind.
… Klein…!?
He gritted his teeth at the pain but also at the memories of the past racing through his mind. Suddenly, he remembered it all. The first time he logged into SAO as a Beta… his cousin Suguha… leaving Klein behind that first day… that first Boss battle… Asuna…
Kirito's eyes spilled tears at the recollection of her- the most beautiful, charming, talented girl he had met in this game… before almost dying along with the Moonlit Black Cats…
Kirito's mind throbbed incessantly, painfully tormenting him with a flood of recollections.
Why… now? Kirito's watched as his HP bar reach the painful last bit of red. Closing his eyes, he fell over, the blade wedging deeper into his flesh. It's over.
"KIRITO!" The heart piercing scream of the girl he finally remembered filled his ears, but his consciousness was quickly fading. Before he knew it, everything turned black.
I guess this is our last goodbye... Asuna.
If you guys have pieced the puzzle together, you may now be wondering if the incident with the Moonlit Black Cats is what lead to Kirito's memory loss. Well… all I'm saying is that… there's no reason I would just randomly put that information into his last thoughts.
But how did you guys like this chapter? Damn, it was long wasn't it? At least, when put in comparison with my previous chapters. Well, I'm sorry for posting this a bit late! I had no clue you guys would review so fast, so I went out today! (Thank you for reviewing so fast!)
But yes… writing this chapter was fun, but also extremely difficult. I'm not an action-oriented girl (as most of you can probably tell) and I've never written anything remotely aggressive in terms of fight scenes before: I think the most fight-like thing I've ever written was a slap across a character's face LOL. I definitely pushed my limits with this chapter.
Because of this, I know it's not that good (I'm sorry!) And it was also harder since Kuradeel doesn't make for a very competent opponent (which is when fight scenes are interesting)
But I need your guys' honest feedback and critique on this one, because I need to know how I can improve my fight-scene writing for the next chapter. Hehe.
This has been my most successful story to date… if I can hit 100 reviews, I'll post the action-packed next chapter! Thank you guys for reading, hope you liked it even though the fight scene wasn't that great!
Oh, and before I go, I want to address some things!
1. Yes. Kuradeel loved Asuna.
2. Yes, Asuna is going to kick some ass in the next chapter.
3. Yes, you will find out the explanation behind the whole mom/dad thing with Kirito- in the next chapter.
That is all.
