Without haste I turned on my heels. I pushed people out of my way as I sprinted away. Shouting was arousing from behind me. Still running I glanced behind me, at least another two people joined in the chase. My eyes went wide as my head turned back. A NPC was dragging a cart behind him, the cart being right in my way. With barely any time to think I let my instincts take over. My coat danced behind me as launched over the cart. As I came over I tucked up my legs, landing with a roll. Like a spring I launched back up and continued running. I heard some crashing and even more shouting.

Assuming the fight was over I halted and spun around. A fist flew right in to my cheek sending me stumbling back for balance. In an instant I was hit again but in the chest, then again. Even though I wasn't dropping HP it still hurt. Before my attacker could strike again I dashed back putting distance between us. Rubbing some blood from my mouth my eyes looked up to the attacker.

Haruo.

He was standing with his fist up, his collar rugged and vest torn.

"Hit the cart?"

"Yeah. Didn't hurt that much."

I rose up my fist and took a stance, one best for defense. I wasn't sure why he was attacking me, but I didn't have time ask anyway. Haruo came back at me, throwing out his long jabs. I brought up my arm his arm hitting mine. Then his left came for me, I blocked that as well. Now our arms locked I kicked out, sending him back.

"What's wrong?!"

Haruo cracked an un-easy smile. "Stealing my girl?"

"What are you talking about?!" I bark back my hands thrown up in the air.

My 'friend' relaxed his body.

"You and Kit, just taking off this morning remember?"

"I do remember we almost got killed."

With those words Haruo's eyes went wide. He stumbled in to a charge right for me. His fist was drawn out in front of him…a perfect target. Haruo was now in striking range, my time to act.

"Haaaahhaa!" he let out about make contact.

My hand flew up catching his arm. Quickly I spun my body and tugged down. Haruo's body began to lift. To complete the move I needed my other hand which I soon applied. With all my strength I flipped Haruo over my shoulder, sending him in to the ground.

"Ughh…"

Dusting off my hands I started to chuckle. Haruo looked up at me with a blank face.

"I'm not stealing anything friend. Now get up, you're embarrassing us."

I flashed a smile, extending my hand as well. Haruo grabbed it and launched himself up. He began to dust off his clothes; he gestured over to me and started walking away. Now that the fighting was done I could see the crowd we had formed. I looked at every one I could see, each looking rather amused.

"Well…."

Quickly I began to shuffle away, morphing in to the large crowd before me.

As I made my way through the crowd I could hear whispers.

"Did you see that?"

"Man that guy is something."

They were all compliments. I had not realized that my own strength was that high. Haruo and I train together I thought we would be evenly matched. That little fight proved me wrong and most likely Haruo too. I will give him this, he is fast like really fast. I'm surprised I kept up with his punches. His face told me he was shocked as well. Are partnership was based around him being fast and light while I'm slow and heavy. Seems it didn't end up that way.

Soon I came through the dense crowd and found Kit…with Haruo. Still looking ravaged he had her curled up around him, like an embrace. Awkwardly I approached them with my hands up on my head. Haruo only turned his head the other way.

"So I found him."

Kit squeezed her arm around Haruo and smiled.

"Yeah…I think he found me first."

Haruo turned back and nodded towards me before continuing…

"Riku…I'm sorry for lashing out, when I saw both of you were gone…I…"

My hand gripped his shoulder. Like I was transferring a message through our touch he nodded.

"Since we are here we might as well go talk to Agil, see what he has been up too."

The three of us started walking, not knowing where but walking. Kit still wrapped around Haruo. With as much discretion I have I glanced over at them. Even though this is just a virtual world I could see their love for each other. The way he smiles when she talks, the way she laughs when he talks to fast. It made think about who I will that will care for me in this world. I still have friends from the real world that might've joined SAO, but that's not certain. Even in the real world I wanted someone that I could call mine, I guess that's a trait you get from being an outcast…you want love.

We rounded a corner and heard the familiar voice.

"200 col?! That's insane man! I almost died getting this item!"

"Well I didn't tell you go get it the deal stays at 200."

"Fine…200 more col is not bad…"

"Good."

As we came around Agil stood showing his massive size. He smiled the way he did back on Floor 1.

"Riku! Haruo!"

His deep but soothing voice was a relief to hear again. As he approached my arms flung out and his too. We came together for a quick hug; he did the same to Haruo. When he noticed Kit he grinned over to Haruo. Haruo became flustered before awkwardly laughing. Agil seemed to tower over Kit, it must have felt like standing under a skyscraper. She looked up and down the giant and smiled. The bald-giant smiled back.

"Agil." He said holding out his hand.

"Kit" she said taking his hand.

Agil gestured us over to his stand. Naturally we strike up a conversations about this Floor. Agil tells us of the Wasteland beyond the savanna and about how dangerous it is.

"Yeah Kirito said-"

"Kirito?"

Quickly I interrupted; any news about him is must. Kirito helped me after the boss fight, signing himself away from the tester's…saving my life most likely.

"How's he been?"

Agil leaned back and smirked. "He hasn't got in touch with you?"

"No."

"Strange. Well he is out training his Martial Arts skill I think."

"Hmph."

Kit scratched her head.

"You need a map to navigate that mountain."

Agil grinned. "Kirito has his connections."

She only rested back against Haruo. Haruo was looking up at the sky. Slowly light was fading.

"We should be heading back."

Haruo poked at Kit and started to move, him attached to her.

As they started to pull away Haruo looked back at me. "Coming?"

"Yeah give me a minute."

My attention went towards Agil. "Can you identify a weapon for me?"

Agil nodded.

Quickly I unsheathed Sovereign from my back, and placed it on Agil's stand. The gentle giant carefully observed the sword. Taking fine not of the marking and cloth wrapped around the hilt and blade.

"I haven't seen anything like it so far. Its name is Sovereign."

I shook my head and braced my arms on the stand. "That much I know, it also gave me a skill."

"A skill?"

"Yeah Spirits End "

"Spirits End huh?"

"It makes the wielder stronger by every kill during combat. But you lose Hp from using it. I noticed today when fighting the thugs that my Hp had dropped by only a few points. When I acquired the sword at the Boss fight and killed the Kobalds my Hp dropped further than with the thugs."

Agil scrunched up his face and looked over the sword again.

"Maybe the stronger the enemy the more power you draw in result the more Hp you lose."

"That seems right."

Agil sighed, my eyes drifted up towards him. He looked worried.

"Riku…You shouldn't keep using this sword. What happens when you draw too much power? You could lose all of your Hp."

Then I sighed. Agil was right. What if I killed something and its power was greater than my Hp?

"You're right. But…the skill states the wielder gets stronger in more ways than one. It has to increase your stats. Like a buff."

"That's another theory but should you really test it?"

I to then look over Sovereign. It was brilliantly crafted. Something that looked like a powerful player would use. I wanted nothing more than to become powerful but if I have to risk my life doing so then the reward isn't too great.

"Yes…"

Agil exhaled quickly and looked up at me with anger.

"What?!"

"But when it's time."

"What do you mean?!"

"I'm keeping it…but only when I need it…will I use it."

The giant seemed to calm down, his breathing back on track.

"Good."

I sheathed Sovereign. Agil brought up a menu. A item rendered in front of us. A blade.

"Here…Take this."

He handed me the blade. It was lightweight for its length. Unlike Sovereign it had a basic design.

"It's a +8 long sword made out of the lightest material known so far."

"Is it strong?"

"Tested it myself."

I nodded and a menu popped up in front of me. It was a trade. I accepted and thanked Agil.

"Oh-Before I go…Do you have any cloth?"

Agil scrunched his face again and scratched his head. He searched his inventory, not one roll left.

"That is 5 col."

My eyes widened. "Sneaky."

Quickly I paid and said my goodbyes once again.

Back at the Inn

Sovereign was laid out on the table. The cloth rolled out next to it. My plan was to wrap the blade in cloth, and wearing it on my back. In all reality it came down to me doing so I could look bad-ass. Which I did. Now it hung on my back with as simple brace, it was wrapped diagonally going down the blade. The new blade hung off my waist in a black sheathe. On the way back to the Inn I purchased a scarlet covered hood that was slightly darker than the red over-coat I took a custom to wearing. The swords rattled and bounced as I walked over to the mounted mirror.

"Damn…I look bad-ass."

Even though this is the longest chapter since the boss fight i personally think it is the worst xD. Yeah it progress's the story with Sovereign but really the fight with Haruo was pointless i'm not even sure why i kept it like that. But it's still a solid piece to add to the story. Till next time folks!