Chapter 11: The Decision

I stared at Caine from across what was to be our battlefield and I could see the conviction and determination in his eyes. He was adamant about his decision and now there was only one obstacle, me. If I were any other player, then this thought would frighten the hell out of me, but I am not just any other player, I am Abaddon, eldest brother of the famous trio. I had both my reputation and my pride on the line here, though there were definitely worst opponents to lose to in truth. Regardless, now was the time to give it my all and not hold back. I held conviction as strong as his.

"Here we go."

To the onlookers, the both of us simply vanished into thin air, but to us we were moving in slow motion toward one another, hell bent on our own victory. My staff was ready for Caine's first attack and we clashed in the middle of the circle with enough force to send us both back from the rebound. I utilized my now backward momentum to backflip and slam my staff into the cobblestone street. It stuck as I planned, and held as I bent it backward before being sent back like a sling shot toward Caine. His strategy was to wait, smart move.

"Here I come."

Just before I would come into range of an attack, I slammed my staff down once more and sent myself above Caine, who had been prepared for an attack from the front. He was completely open for an aerial assault. The surprise on his face didn't last long enough, and before I could rush my attack, he dodged and rolled out of my range. I hit the ground with enough force to make the spectators cover their eyes and ears.

"You're craftier than I remember Caine. Don't tell me you've been holding out on your dear brothers."

"Don't expect I'm like everyone else Abaddon. You know full well that your deception doesn't work so easily on me. We've fought together for too long for you to use such old techniques, don't you agree?"

"Well, as long as you take your own advice, this should prove to be interesting. I hope you're ready because it's time I went full frontal attack. Let's see how well you deal with my craftiness then."

"Announcing your plans is an arrogant move Abaddon. Hope you don't stick your foot so far in your mouth that it hinders you."

"We shall see."

I began to slowly rotate my staff in my hand and gradually increased the rotation speed as I approached Caine. I got my staff to the highest rate of rotation I could maintain before charging forward at Caine. I knew as well as Caine that if I were attack with a full frontal assault, then he would be forced to block the entire time, or take an enormous risk of losing the duel. The advantage was currently mine in that respect. I ran forward and brought down my staff with a power attack on Caine. He blocked my attack with his sword and held his ground as the force ran through his weapon. I then flipped the lower half of my staff upward in order to get under his defenses. He expected as much, and altered his defense to guard a lower attack, but my attack was a ploy. As he moved his sword downward, I stopped rotating my staff upward and attacked directly. My attack managed to knock his moving sword back and pin it against his chest.

I now had my staff pinning Caine's weapon against him, but what caught my eye was his right arm which had a fist coming right toward my left side. I quickly rotated my staff to intercept his fist, but in doing so, I lost the force required to restrain his weapon and he forced me backward. We landed back at square one with nothing lost or gained on either side. Caine was truly a difficult adversary, but the same could be said in reverse towards me.

"I guess it's my move now Abaddon, but I wonder if you can prepare yourself for techniques that you have never seen."

"I happen to have quite the imagination. I'm sure I can manage."

Caine rushed forward and didn't even grant me the pleasure of a retort. My guard was up, but almost not in time as his sword slammed against my staff. I decided to employ a surprise attack, and slammed my staff into the cobblestone, allowing my left hand to support the guard and free my right hand from holding the staff. Due to my gauntlets, my melee attacks were far more effective, and could deliver me a victory. My attack was a surprise as I had hoped, and due to Caine's left handed attack, his left side was open for me to strike.

I was a hairsbreadth away from his left side when he quickly dropped downward and swept his feet into my staff, knocking it loose. I had to think fast because my current motion was leaving wide open for an attack and I had lost sight of Caine. I used my forward motion from the punch to roll forward over Caine and land hard on the other side. My staff ended up against my chest as I rolled along the floor. This was getting too close and I was now panting.

"How'd you like that Caine?"

As I turned to face him, I found his figure in the air coming down for a power attack, and I was in no position to block. I had one last ace up my sleeve and it was an all or nothing attack. As he descended upon me, with his blade poised to strike, I brought the lower end of my staff into an upward arc. I was hoping that it was in his blind spot and as I brought it up for the attack, he made no move to stop it. I knew the result before it happened, and a moment later, my attack knocked Caine out of the air and to the ground, granting me the victory.

The area was silent as Caine hit the ground and the duel declared me victor. I leapt up onto my feet and turned to face Caine who was now sitting with his back to me. I could tell that he was upset that he lost, I would have been too, but I also knew that he wasn't a sore loser. I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. The tension left his back and he slumped forward with a deep sigh.

"Looks like you won after all, huh?"

"Only by the skin of my teeth. You really are one bad ass fighter."

"You're not too bad yourself. I guess your decision stands then."

"What the hell is going on here?"

Caine and I turned to face the voice. It was familiar, but one that I hadn't heard in a long time, so I couldn't quite put my finger on whose it was until she strolled right through the crowd to stand, with her hands on her hips, right in front of us. Then I remembered.

"Hello Lady Second. What brings you to our humble abode?"

"This isn't your abode and don't speak to me like that Abaddon. Now what is going on here?"

"Well Asuna, it's something that, quite frankly, is none of your business. It's a personal matter that we have dealt with. So you can just go about your business and have a wonderful day."

"Don't give me that Abaddon. You are causing a ruckus and acting like children for everyone to see. You two represent the whole frontlines just as much as the rest of us do, so this kind of action is inexcusable."

"Hey Lucifer, where'd you go?"

"I'm here Abaddon."

"Good. Tell me, is my memory bad, or does Asuna here look nothing like mom back home? I'm a bit confused."

The rage on Asuna's face was enough to make a floor boss run in terror. The crowd dispersed as quickly as it had formed and left the three of us with an angry Asuna. I couldn't help but continue to smirk as her anger flared.

"Our actions were our own and reflected only our methods of dealing with an intense dispute. We in no way reflect the mentality and actions of the frontlines and the people that title represents. You also have no authority to instruct either myself or my party members as to the proper way to carry out our actions. Last I checked we did not don the white and red of the KoB, Lady Second in Command."

"That arrogance of yours is why you three are without any other companions. It is also why you are the only party short of six members in the boss raids."

"No, you are wrong. The reason why is our choice. I would rather be with Lucifer and Caine alone in any situation than be burdened with some high handed idiot who would otherwise get themselves and the rest of us killed. We are this way because we choose to be, not because others choose to not work with us. Tell me, does your guild exist as one of the best with only three members? Oh the answer is no? Well we three form a party which has existed on the frontlines since day one and we are known as the best, but guess what? There have been and always will be only three of us. How does that go with your little claim Asuna?"

"I have nothing more to say. You merely demonstrated my point."

"If my being right demonstrates my arrogance, then so be it. I'd rather be an arrogant fighter than a humble dead man. Caine, I change my mind. We will go with your decision. Miss Asuna has made my mind up for me. We will become a guild as you so dearly wish. The only three man guild and smallest guild on the frontlines. We will also be the greatest and most powerful guild in all of SAO. Then Asuna can return to me with her words of arrogance and proper action. So, Asuna, you can inform your precious leader Heathcliff and the rest of Aincrad that there will no longer be a three man party on the frontlines. In their place will be the most powerful guild to ever exist. Do you have anything to say to that?"

The same mistrust and dislike that I had seen in Kirito's eyes so long ago, was now aflame in Asuna's eyes. I could tell that she did not believe my words were just that, but I could also tell that she and I were never truly going to see eye to eye. Lucifer and Caine woud just be lumped with me, so our guild would be on her bad side, likely forever.

"Good day, Lady Second."

Caine was on his feet as Asuna walked away. I could feel the storm brewing and I could tell that it was all self-induced.

"Uh, Abaddon. Was it really necessary to talk to Asuna like that? She never really did anything to us. Now I'm sure she hates your guts."

"That's a good thing. Now when the time comes when there is imminent danger and we agree, you can be assured that whatever we agree on is the right choice."

"Something tells me that we haven't heard the end of this."

"Of course not. Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn, and I just pissed off the strongest one in Aincrad."

"So Abaddon. About the guild thing."

"Yes. I say we go have a wonderful dinner to celebrate as we decide on a name."

"Hell yeah. I'm starving."

Lucifer led the way to the restaurant and we had a feast as we cheered and laughed at jokes made about the events of the afternoon. Most of the restaurant had witnessed the duel and before long we had the whole restaurant in an uproar of laughter and cheer. I could tell that many were reluctant to join in, but it wasn't necessarily out of fear. I felt like they held a certain form of respect for us, which made it all the better when we included them in the merrymaking. Now we had respect and they liked us, we gained popularity throughout the night. Caine's spirits were at their highest and even he took part in the party.

It was later on that evening that I called everyone to be quiet and listen to my announcement.

"Alright. You all know that we are forming a guild now and the only thing missing is our name, so I have decided upon one and will now tell everyone. Listen up and remember because this won't be the last time you hear this name. I have chosen the name based on some deep thought of mine. Our names, Abaddon, Lucifer, and Caine hold a certain quality about them that you probably never pieced together, and I only recently have. Caine, the name of the first son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer in recorded history after he slayed his own brother Adam. Lucifer, the name of God's first and most holy angel and the first and only angel to wage a rebellion against God. He was then to become the ruler of hell and forever more known as Satan. Lastly, Abaddon, the name of the most powerful gate keeper of hell and he who sends the souls of the damned into it. These three have a similar characteristic, they are reapers of life.

Caine of Adam, Lucifer of his fellow angels and future souls to enter hell, and Abaddon of all unlucky souls sent to hell's gates. Therefore we will henceforth be known as the Reapers of Aincrad, whose members include Caine, the reaper of earth, Lucifer, the reaper of heaven, and Abaddon, the reaper of hell. What do you all think of it?"

The roar was deafening as cheers and shouts rose up. I was certain that my explanation was probably overdone and fell on many deaf ears, but they loved the name all the same. Our name also held a second reason, and it could even be called a second agenda. We were reapers, and due to the incidents of the past day, we now sought those who preyed on the weak and committed crimes against their fellow players. We weren't just players, we were avengers and Caine's words rang through my head as I looked over the crowd. We had power and that gave us a responsibility to help those without it.

As the night dragged on, the crowd thinned out and before long we were heading out as well. I could tell that by this time tomorrow, we would be known all over Aincrad. I had single-handedly fulfilled both Lucifer and Caine's wishes, and there was little that had to be done in order for it to happen. We formed the guild shortly after returning to our rooms at the inn and now a small scythe was next to each of our names.

"You know. We are missing something now."

"What's that?"

"A headquarters. We should get a big fancy one."

"Well I would say that's out of our budget, but we're not exactly a poor guild, now are we?"

"Hell no. Where should we set the headquarters?"

"Let's wait for a higher floor. I'm certain that there are better plots on floors higher than this one. That just gives us more time to save up."

"Yeah. Hey are we going to have a uniform like the KoB or the Holy Dragon Alliance?"

"What does this look like? There are only three of us."

"Technically we already have a uniform, or have you forgotten our unique cloaks?"

"That's right. Now we only need one more thing."

"What's that?"

"Well Caine and I need one more thing. You have bad ass gauntlets, so we should get something like that, and then we'd be set."

"You're really obsessed with this matching thing aren't you Lucifer?"

"It looks stupid if we don't match. How can we be a guild if we don't have a look that signifies our guild?"

"Whatever, do as you like Lucifer. Regardless, we are now a guild."

We decided to call it a night and turn in. I woke up the next morning to loud knocking on my door. It landed somewhere between a knock and a slam as I got up and woke myself up enough to answer the door.

"I'm coming, just stop banging on the door already."

I opened the door to find a certain pink haired blacksmith glaring at me on the other side.

"Are. You. Insane!?"

"Hey there—"

My sentence was cut off by a swift right hook in my shoulder, followed by a slap upside the back of my head. The world was spinning as I picked myself up off the floor.

"What were you thinking picking a fight with Asuna?"

"Do you know her personally? Besides, she started a fight with me. You really ought to get both sides of the story before you decide the wrong doer."

"Asuna and I happen to be very good friends, and she couldn't contain her frustration over a certain arrogant front-liner that made her look like a fool in public. I was there, lost in thought as to who that possibly could have been and you know what? I never thought it was either of the three of you, but I was wrong now wasn't I?"

"You seem very upset, so let me just say that the word arrogance has been thrown around quite a lot and I do believe that a certain individual has a little arrogance of her own to contend with."

I caught the next punch, barely.

"I meant Asuna, you crazy blacksmith."

"I know that's who you meant. Regardless, you've done a good job of making an enemy Abaddon. She wouldn't act warmly towards you if you emptied your col and inventory for her and begged on your hands and knees."

"Well it's a good thing I have no intention of doing such a ridiculous thing. Either way, please tell me that you didn't tell her we know each other because I'll never hear the end of it."

"You think you'd never hear the end of it? She wouldn't stop trying to understand and convince me to never see you again until I begged on my hands and knees."

"Well I guess it could be our secret. We'll have to make sure that she and I never end up at your place simultaneously. That would not end well for your shop."

"Yes, I agree. Now speaking of which, when's the last time you had your equipment checked?"

"Uh…well."

"Do I have to drag you to my shop in order to take care of your equipment, or were you planning on going until it all shattered in the middle of battle?"

"Well a certain individual wouldn't mind if that happened."

She sighed deeply and began to drag me from the room.

"Let's get Lucifer and Caine. We're heading to my shop."

I groaned and cursed my luck as I was dragged down the hall of the inn. I was the luckiest man in the world when it came to the women in my life after all.

(A/N): Here we are. I hope you all enjoyed the duel, that was the major focus of this chapter and a demonstration of how skilled they have become. I will admit that the speech Abaddon gave was a bit tacky, but I stuck with it all the same. Please review on how you think the story is going so far and let me know what you guys think about the Reapers of Aincrad. I'll be advancing the plot in the coming chapters and introduce a lot more action. Until next time, see ya!