Chapter 10: The Left-Handed Reverse Grip

I am Caine, the youngest brother of Abaddon and Lucifer, and the sword wielding member of our party. We have made it to floor 28 and it's now late April, with May just around the corner. The three of us have been gaining an increased level of popularity ever since the day we acquired our triad set of cloaks, and have since never had a single day's peace from all of the players who are dying to train with us or just talk to us. I told Lucifer that it was better to remain hidden and Abaddon agreed, but now there's nothing we can do about that. It's especially irritating to me because now I have to take extra precautions when I do my secret training. Abaddon helps me make an escape when he can, but the extra energy that we have to use is just not worth it.

I keep my training a secret because my methods of fighting aren't quite conventional and I would like to keep all of the info brokers and rookie players off my back for as long as possible. What I use isn't a unique skill, per say, it's just a unique method of fighting that I've come to prefer. Firstly, I prefer to fight with my left hand for reasons that I can't explain beyond my own personal comfort considering I'm naturally right-handed. The other part is where I would gain unwanted attention. I wield my sword backwards, and though it's truly nothing special, I can't help but expect that many think it to be impossible or impractical in SAO, thus the questions would never end as to how I do it and how to use it successfully.

I decided to retreat to floor 27, Ronbaru, in order to train with less eyes. Luckily for me, there are many passages and rooms that are undiscovered or unknown to most and serve as reclusive areas to train alone. One of these rooms is one that only Lucifer and Abaddon know of apart from myself, and it likes to spawn mobs frequently for the traveler who finds it. The day was pretty much open for our own individual whims, so it was to this room that I was heading.

"Teleport Ronbaru."

The light of the teleporter engulfed me momentarily before subsiding to reveal the unique lighting of the 'underground' floor 27. By now, I had memorized the path to my training spot and wasted no time heading there. The floor was quiet and I met no one as I made my way through the twists and turns of the various passages and caverns. When I was almost to the cave, I felt like I was being followed, and for an instant, my Detection skill went off, but a moment later it ceased. I didn't know what to make of it, and as I froze and listened and looked for another player, I found nothing. Passing it off as some weird event, I moved on and initiated the spawns in the cavern.

I drew my sword from my lower back with my left hand and held it with the blade running the length of my arm and the edge facing the newly arrived enemies. The left-handed reverse grip, as Abaddon had called it, felt as natural as breathing when I used it in battle, which was why I had to perfect it as quickly and flawlessly as possible. These mobs weren't my first, nor would they be my last, and that was for many reasons.

"Now then, loaded words before battle isn't my style, so let's get on with it."

Before the enemies could react, I activated my Sprint skill and stood on the other side of the closest enemies. My cut was so quick and concise, that the monster merely fell into two pieces before exploding, and never uttered a sound. Now it was time to get serious and the other monsters decided to make my thoughts evident by initiating their attack. I leapt over a mid-sweeping attack and kicked the humanoid monster in the face, sending it flying back into one of its counterparts. As the remaining monsters surrounded me, I positioned my feet to execute a special move I had been working on. As multiple attacks came in on me, I pivoted my feet and initiated my rapid spin attack. With my sword arced outward from my forearm, I became a razor-edged spinning top.

The multiple assaults were parried and most of the attacking enemies were killed in my first rotation. Very few remained and as they began to regroup, I utilized my rotational momentum to throw myself straight at their small group. My attack was similar to my initial attack, and ended with the remaining monsters falling into pieces. My form was almost flawless, and my attacks were perfectly timed, but I could still be faster. Abaddon and Lucifer made fun of for this exact thought. I showed them my more advanced techniques and they were astounded and claimed that I was perfect. I couldn't agree, and they told me I was just imagining it. That may have been, but I wasn't imagining my Detection skill going off for a second time.

"Who is there? I know that you're here, there's no hiding from me any longer."

"Well what have we here gents? Looks like he found us, and we have such high hiding levels. That must make you some kind of high roller, and seeing that fancy cloak of yours, I'd say he was one of those trio guys running the frontlines, what do you guys think?"

"Definitely, and look at that sword of his, he must be loaded. Maybe he has more than he wants and wouldn't mind spreading the wealth."

"I think you could be right, what do you think?"

"Sure, let's find out."

A small group of three players emerged from the shadows of the entrance to the cavern. They were fully clothed in black and had their faces covered by what seemed to be masks.

"Who are you?"

"Us? We're just players, same as you, looking for some money to move onward in this game we're stuck in. Would you mind being a good citizen and spreading your wealth a bit?"

"I don't think so. I don't take threats lightly, now I'll ask again. Who are you?"

"Tsk tsk. We have a testy one here, not very friendly at all. Oh well, I guess we'll tell you, that way you can remember who to never cross again. I am PoH, and these two good friends of mine are XaXa and Gant. It's nice to meet you, Caine is it?"

"So you've done some looking into your target, though obviously not enough if you're still seeking me. I'll give you this chance to leave and I'll forget that we ever met. Otherwise, I'm afraid that it'll be you remembering who you should never cross again."

"Oh ho! And you said loaded words before battle wasn't your style. I think we've got someone who likes to play with the truth a bit."

PoH's laugh was soft and full of malice as he motioned for XaXa and Gant to move to either side of me. Their tactics were simple, surround and overpower, that is after their intimidation attempt failed. This must be a group from one those newly rising Orange Guilds.

"You guys must be from one of those orange guilds I take it?"

"Very perceptive. What gave it away? I hope the orange indicators weren't too big of a clue for you."

To my own personal shame, it was at that moment that I noticed the orange indicators above each of the player's heads. I was so concerned with watching their movements that I missed such a simple fact. Nothing to do about it now.

"I'm sure there's a way we can settle this without getting excited and out of control. What do you say?"

"A man of reason, I like your style. How about this? We duel and if I win, then you empty your storage and money, if you win, then we'll leave you to carry on with your business. Deal?"

"How am I to know that you'll keep your word?"

"I am a man of my word, I swear it. We orange players do still have our own code of honor, so you can rest your mind."

His smirk was difficult to read as he sent the duel request. I knew there was no way I could trust him, but I knew they were just after my items and money, so there wasn't a big problem, yet. The best course of action would be to duel him and play it out.

"Fine."

I accepted his request and the start timer appeared. The duel style was time based and the opponent with the least health after 60 seconds was the loser. Now was not the time to lose control or show off, it was time to focus and pay close attention.

"Tell me this PoH. What guild are you guys a part of?"

The timer struck zero as he gave me his answer.

"The Laughing Coffin."

A wide smile spread across his face as he dashed forward and lunged with an enormous cleaver. I hardly had time to bring my sword up and block his attack. As his cleaver made contact with my sword, his eyes went wide and his smile grew even more.

"I had almost forgotten that skill of yours. How delicious it'll be to defeat such a unique and powerful opponent. Do make this fun for me won't you?"

I didn't notice his foot until it made contact with my stomach and sent me flying backwards. I barely held my balance and leapt to the right before his cleaver made contact with the ground where I had been standing. His laughing was laced with insanity as he turned and came after me again. I rushed him and attacked so that he had to block. I began to execute my most complex and concise attacks so that I my confuse him and break through his defense. He was an exceptional fighter and his movements were as irregular and fluid as my own. His unfortunate advantage was his enjoyment of the fight.

Time was ticking away and he had landed a blow while I had not landed a single one, danger and fear began to grasp my throat as my defeat crept upon me. Just as my despair reached its apex, a memory came into my thoughts. It was the day that we left the Town of Beginnings. One thought echoed in my mind, one that I knew I would never forget. We promised to make it out of this game together and to beat it together. We don't break our promises, not now, not ever. My focus narrowed, my movements came under control and my fear was snuffed out. PoH noticed the change as well because his defense was even more intense than before.

I executed an angled rotation attack and spun around while my upper body held a forty five degree angle to the left. PoH was so fixated on blocking the repetitive attack, that he never saw my next attack coming. Just after making contact with his cleaver, I stopped mid spin and rotated back to drive my sword straight into his shoulder. He cried out as his health dropped by over twenty percent and the duel timer struck zero. I had won.

"You are a crafty one, I'll give you that Caine. As promised we'll leave you be for now. Don't ever expect to be safe again. Laughing Coffin knows you and more fearsome yet, I know you. If I were you I'd mind my step and tell your brothers to do the same. We'll meet again swordsman."

PoH and his lackeys filed out of the cavern and disappeared into the shadows. My heart was racing and my mind was racing from what had just happened. We were now a target for one of the orange guilds and I pissed off one hell of a fighter in the process. Things weren't looking too good, and it appeared that our fame had brought about the ugly side all too quickly. That PoH attacked me without provocation, all for items and money. How many others had he picked off who were weak and couldn't defend themselves as I barely did?

A rage burned inside of me that I had never felt before. I, no we, could not allow this to carry on, and had to put a stop to it. A thought dawned in my mind, a thought which finally spoke as to why we were here in SAO, and why we were able to become this strong. We were meant to stop this senseless violence, to save those who are targeted for no good reason, and to bringing about the end of the criminal guilds, and the end of Laughing Coffin. This was no longer simply a game that could kill you, for now there existed those who would do the same. It was now a fight against Kayaba and those who relish in other's pain.

It was time to return and tell Abaddon and Lucifer about this. Abaddon had to stop dragging his feet about it, and I would make sure that he does. He needed to make his decision and to figure it out. We now had a purpose and a reason for it, so there is no way he could resist any longer.

The trek back to the teleporter was quiet and uneventful. My senses were whirling as I continually made sure that I wasn't being followed. I travelled back to our inn and met no other threats as I found Abaddon and Lucifer.

"Caine, you're back a lot sooner than I thought you'd be."

"Abaddon, we need to talk. The three of us."

"Oh okay. Hey Lucifer, let's go back to the room."

We made our way to our rented room and gathered around the table in the room.

"I was just attacked by a member of an orange guild."

"Say what? Are you kidding me, why didn't you message us?"

"Its fine Abaddon, I fought them off, and I'm fine. The real issue is that now we're all targets for the guild known as Laughing Coffin. If they actually communicate with other criminal guilds, then I'd say we'll become public targets for all of them. They were after my items and money, not likely they would have killed me."

"Those bastards. How did you settle it and get away?"

"I dueled the guy who seemed to be leading the small group. His name was PoH. I beat him and he left me alone, but that's not the issue. Think Abaddon, about all those who they've hit before me and all those they'll get to after who will likely be beaten and robbed. Not mention those who may end up dying in the process, and all over such stupid things. It's time you mad your decision. It's our duty and responsibility to take these guilds out and you know it."

"Listen, we're not super heroes. Why is it our duty?"

"Because we are strong enough to do something about it, that's why."

"Caine, you're asking me to put all of us in danger intentionally. That really violates our very purpose for being this strong. We made a promise and we became this strong to keep that promise, not to become avengers of the weak."

"Don't use our promise as a shield Abaddon. That's a coward's way out."

"I see you're adamant about this. How far are you willing to go?"

"A duel."

"A duel?"

"Yes, you and I duel outside, right now. The winner's decision stands, and so you know I'm serious, I'll be using my left-handed reverse grip to fight you."

The shock on Abaddon's face was reflected on Lucifer's face as well. It had sunk in at last, and now they both knew that I meant business. There was no way he would back down and I would make him see that I was right, but even if he doesn't agree, I'll win and make his thoughts on the matter void.

"Fine Caine. We'll duel and you're terms will stand for whoever wins. I will not hold back, at all. I hope you're aware of that."

"Perfectly aware, now let's do this."

I led the way downstairs and onto the street while Abaddon and Lucifer followed behind. The street was cluttered with players and the sun was creeping ever closer to the horizon as I turned to face Abaddon. By my stance and how Abaddon was now standing, people were beginning to understand what was about to happen. Before too long, we were encircled by onlookers who, no doubt, knew who we were. Excitement was flowing through the gathered crowd and it was growing with each passing moment.

"It's time we settled this Caine. We'll make this a first strike victory. Whoever can successfully land an attack on the other claims the win and their decision stands on the subject. Are you ready?"

Abaddon's statement sent a round of whispers and a wave of excitement through the crowd as he sent me the duel request.

"I am ready Abaddon. I hope you are ready, and I hope that you are as resolved to your decision as I am to mine, otherwise you hold no hope of winning."

"Very well, let our weapons demonstrate what your words continue to claim."

I was calm as I accepted the duel request and drew my sword. My stance brought about another round of gasps and whispers. My secret was out, but that was an issue for another time, I had more important things to worry about. The timer struck zero and the street was dead silent as Abaddon smirked and looked me straight in the face.

"Here we go."

(A/N): There it is! I decided to develop this little segment of Caine's special fighting style so that the development would move on par with the plot. I hope you enjoyed the excitement from Caine's eyes, as that was the best way to write this bit. The cliffhanger was necessary as this chapter had a lot to process already, that and I'm evil. So I'd like to say that this was a successful second update only three days after my last update. I couldn't contain myself. Anyhow, please please please post some comments and reviews for me. I need to know what you guys think and how the story is going so far. I'd appreciate anything you guys can say, even a great job would be awesome. Anyways, until next time, see ya!