Me: 'ELLO! (Mars: It's hello) Oh! HELLO! Welcome back to my story! I present for your approval chapter 11! Review and enjoy!
October 20, 2024
"How many times do we have to call you an idiot, huh?!" Asuna yelled at my husband. He and Heathcliff were going to duel today in the coliseum, and it's been turned into a huge deal by other players. It was filled to the brim here, people placing bets and buying tickets just to get in. "Why would you agree to a duel?!"
Kirito waved his hands frantically, "Ok! Calm down! I'm sorry! It's not like he gave me any other choice!"
Asuna sighed in exasperation, "The other day, when I saw you use you dual-wielding skill, I've never seen anything like that before. Thing is, the commander has his own unique skill too."
"The Divine Blade," I cut in, "It maximizes his offence and his defensive moves. His attack is strong, but his defense is incredible! No one has ever seen his HP fall into the yellow zone before! He's completely overpowered, and you agreed to a losing battle."
"You shouldn't have agreed. I don't care if I get a leave of absence. It's not like it's that much of a big deal. But I don't want you to join the Knights of the Blood Oath against your will because of this" Asuna remarked with a frown.
"Well, it's a good thing I'm not planning on losing easily" Kirito smirked.
"So," I start, contemplating what he just said, "You agree you're going to lose, just you aren't going to lose immediately?"
"What? No! That's not what I meant!"
Me and Asuna just sigh and shake our heads, knowing he was going to lose anyway, even if he doesn't think as much.
~Skippy!~
"I told you" I sigh from our bed, as my husband grimaced at the uniform he had to wear. "Though I do applaud you for giving your best effort, and for actually landing a hit on him. Well done."
"I thought I asked for something that wasn't flashy" he just muttered.
"Believe it or not, that's one of our more plain uniforms" Asuna told him from the chair she was sitting in with a small smirk, "Don't worry, you look great."
Kirito just groaned and collapsed onto the bed. "I'm in a guild…."
"I guess it's sort of my fault, isn't it?" Asuna muttered apologetically.
"No" Kirito sighed, "I guess it's an opportunity. Me and Mars have gotten as far as we can go as a Duo Team. There's not much else we can learn from one another, plus you were right. If one of us is down and the other can't reach them in time, it's best if we had a guild on our backs."
"Well, that makes me feel a little better then." Asuna examined my poor husband for a moment, "Hey, Kirito? Why do you avoid guilds and people who aren't your wife? I hope you don't mind me asking." Kirito looked over to me and I shrugged. He can tell her. I just never did because I wasn't sure if he'd be ok with that.
He sighed sadly and kept his gaze on the floor, "It was a long time ago. About a year or so. Up til now, that was the only guild I was in, and so far the only one Mars has ever been in. It was small. Including us, there were only seven in it. They called themselves the Moonlit Black Cats. As players, they were good, but their levels were way lower than ours. I thought if we told them what our levels were, they wouldn't have wanted us around. So, I convinced Mars to keep our levels a secret and joined them. I watched them, messing around, having fun, I guess I just wanted to be apart of that. I mean, Mars had already partnered up with me, but 'the more the merrier' applies in this instance. But one day...they decided to take on a higher dungeon, and I went along with it, despite being reluctant. We ended up in a trap room filled with monsters and the room prevented the use of teleport crystals. All but myself had died. And soon, the leader, who had been with Mars buying a house for the guild, committed suicide when I told him. I'm the reason the guild got wiped out. If I hadn't convinced Mars to hide our levels and the fact that I was a beater, maybe I could've convinced them how dangerous that trap really was. I killed them…"
I sigh. This again. I thought we've gotten over it after Christmas. "Idiot." I pull my dear, self-blaming husband into a hug, "I told you to stop blaming yourself." I feel a hand on my shoulder and see Asuna had placed one on mine and Kirito's as she smiled sympathetically at my husband.
"I'm not going to die, so don't worry about it."
October 23, 2024
"Hey, hey, hey!" I proclaim, entering the room proudly, brandishing my new uniform (DollDivine). Since my husband had joined, despite against his will, I joined as well to keep an eye on him and so that we could be together. Heathcliff was all smug about it too, but that's to be expected as he had been trying for months to get me to join. Though the special treatment did confuse me, I decided not to question it. "Ta-da! How do I look?"
"It's the same thing as before! Only you replaced the purple with red!" Kirito whined.
"W-why?!" Asuna exclaimed.
"Heathcliff says I'm special~"
"B-but I'm the second in command and I don't even get any special treatment!"
"You're just jealous!" I stick my tongue out at her as I sit in the my husband's lap happily. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, except I have to go to some sort of training for new recruits with Gofreed" he sighed, before pausing and looking at me, "Hey, wait a sec, are you the second recruit coming with us?"
I shake my head, "Heathcliff said he wanted to train me today."
"Geez, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he actually liked you…" Asuna muttered, "As far as I know, Heathcliff doesn't like anybody. I mean, sure he cares about everyone in the guild, but it's like he considers you a friend or family member."
I shrug and kiss my husband lightly, before skipping off to the training area.
~Skippy!~
"So, are you ready to learn?" Heathcliff asks me, standing tall and proud. I happily salute him with a nod. "Now then, what level are you again?"
"95" I answer proudly.
"I see. Well then, today I'd like to work on your unique skill. What was it? Fire Soul Sword?" I nod. "Alright. Here's a little secret. Unique skills also have sub-skill sets attached to them, as I found out with my own as I grew my stats. Right now, what exactly can you do?"
"Well, I can engulf my sword in flames, which varies in size and temperature depending on my mood. But, that's about it. It's useful in monster fights, as apparently, a lot of them aren't fireproof and will catch on fire, along with gaining a burn statis."
Heathcliff hummed a bit, "Now then, what are you going to do if your enemy disarms you, and you cannot equip another weapon? Your skill is pretty much useless then. Or is it?"
"I don't get it."
"As I said, there are sub-skill sets. Perhaps your sub-skill set may enable you to attack with no weapon at all. Hold out your hand and try to summon the fire to you. When you activate your skill in the middle of battle, it immediately triggers to your sword, but maybe it's your hand it triggers to, and the sword just intercepts it." I slowly nod and try to make fire appear, but to no avail. "What do you think about when you activate your skill? Do the same thing you would if you had a sword in your hand." Well, usually my sword just lights when I want it to. And I'm usually upset or feel angered at someone, usually monsters. And Kuradeel. I hate Kuradeel! HATE! "Great job!" Huh?
I look at my hand to see it covered in red flames…I shriek in surprise and the fire disappears. "B-But I didn't even feel anything!"
"Well, I suppose that'd be because it's your skill," Heathcliff explains, "It'd be pointless if the fire harmed you when it was created to help you."
"Oh...That makes sense. So, what? Am I invincible against fire?"
"I don't know about that, but let's not test it, just in case. Maybe it's just your own fire that doesn't hurt you, since it's a part of yourself. Back to the lesson. As I said before, should you be unarmed, you'll need something to defend yourself with. The ability is called Fire Soul Sword, so perhaps you'll be able to summon a sword made completely of fire. Try it. Think of something to help you, along with what exactly you want to happen."
It took about an hour, and I still wasn't able to do it. I was getting frustrated, despite Heathcliff's attempts to calm me down. However, soon, I get a shiver down my spine. "My Kirito Senses are tingling!"
Heathcliff blinked, "Kirito...Senses…?"
"My husband is in danger!"
"I'm sure he's fine. It's training after all. It's probably just a monster. I'm sure Gofreed and Kuradeel will help him out" Heathcliff tries to assure me.
"KURADEEL?! That's who you sent out with him?! I trust that guy as much as I have luck, and I don't have a large amount of luck, if any at all! I'm coming Kirito Sweetheart!" I shout, rushing out of the arena, ignoring Heathcliff's calls. I open my map as I zoom through the floor. They were near a dungeon entrance, but what scared me was that Gofreed's icon soon disappeared. I check my husband's stats, and find that he's paralyzed for some reason.
I soon reach the dungeon and race through the maze, eventually reaching them. But I don't stop for a second as I see Kuradeel standing over my husband with a sword in his leg and my husband's HP almost completely gone. I had taken Dark Repulsor out as I ran, and slammed it against Kuradeel's gut, sending him flying into a nearby wall. I kneel beside Kirito and take out a healing crystal, it shattering as I order it to heal my husband.
"Thank the Lord I made it" I sigh, taking deep breaths that I needed from the long run. I take one last breath and give my husband a teary smile smile as he groggily opened his eyes. "My womanly instincts kicked in the moment you were paralyzed and I raced over as fast as I could. I was so worried, especially when Gofreed disappeared from the map. But you're alive. I'm not dreaming am I?"
"No, I'm alive" He answered tiredly. I hear some clunking and glare over to where Kuradeel was slowly getting up.
"Hang on. I'll finish this" I tell him, a bit surprised by the steel tone I had, but decided to focus on the soon-to-be-dead man. I make my way towards the man, holding Repulsor threateningly, as my mind kept ordering me to kill him with no mercy.
"L-Lady Mars! I can explain everything-"
"I know exactly what happened, and now you're going to pay" I say coldly, stabbing Repulsor forward, cutting his cheek. He stumbled back, but then sealed his fate by trying to stab me back. So, I ruthlessly attack him, slicing and stabbing him repeatedly. I go for one last hit, but he dropped his sword and whimpered.
"I give up! I surrender!" Kuradeel fell to his knees and bowed at my feet, "Please don't kill me! I'll leave the guild! You'll never see me again, I promise! Please!" Ignoring his pleas, I position Repulsor above him, ready to end his miserable life, but he cried out, "I don't wanna die!" I quickly stop the attack before I can harm him again, my stupid conscious telling me to stop. Apparently that was the wrong choice, as he chuckled and quickly grabbed his sword, slamming it against mine. Unprepared for the blow, Repulsor goes flying away from me. "The oldest trick in the book and you fell for it!"
My eyes widen as Kuradeel lifts his sword into the sky, preparing to strike, when suddenly, my mind reels back to today's lesson.
"What are you going to do if an enemy disarms you, and you cannot equip another weapon? You skill is pretty much useless then. Or is it?" "Perhaps your sub-skill set may enable you to attack with no weapon at all." "Think of something to help you, along with what exactly you want to happen."
My hand subconsciously grips onto something and I shoot forward, avoiding Kuradeel's sword altogether and stab at his stomach. He screams in pain and drops his sword as I back away from him, watching his clothes catch on fire where an obvious wound had originated with scorch marks surrounding the area. Soon enough, Kuradeel shatters as the last of his HP depletes. I look down at my hand, which was holding a new sword. Only, it wasn't really a sword. It was just blue flames in the shape of one. But that soon disappears as well.
I hear Kirito grunt a bit and quickly rush over to him, helping him sit up. The crystal only healed HP, not the paralysis, which was just now wearing off. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Good thing you arrive just in time" He smiled softly, before looking over at where Kuradeel was, "But what was that just now? How did you do that?"
"It's what Heathcliff wanted to teach me. Unique skills have sub-skill sets. That was a part of my own skill. It's not called Fire Soul Sword for no reason. Though, that was the first time I was able to do that. I was trying for almost an hour with no luck. I guess since I was so focused on killing the one who hurt you, it fueled my skill enough for it to happen. Heathcliff is going to be so proud!"
"Geez" Kirito sighed, "Why is everything about Heathcliff now? I almost died you know. Would it kill you to pay some attention to me only?"
"Aw, is something jealous?"
"No" He huffed, not even looking at me.
"Kirito is jealous~ Kirito is jealous~"
"Shut up!"
~Skippy!~
So, after going back to HQ and explaining everything to Heathcliff, who was apologetic about even letting Kuradeel into the guild but proud that I unlocked my fire sword, he gave us the rest of the day off, which we used to spend time together. We also bought a new house. It was small, but it was perfect for us. And it didn't cost us four million Col. Take that Asuna!
After a nice dinner, and punching my husband for being a pervert (he kept giving me innuendos!), we soon went to bed. Well, I went to bed. He was content with sitting up and watching me sleep, the creeper.
~Dream~
I slowly blinked my eyes open and stretched a bit, before rolling over to snuggle up to my husband. Only to reach nothing. I opened my eyes again and sat up to see I was back in my old room.
...What the heck?!
A small knock came from the door, before it opened and our maid, Yuki, entered the room. She noticed me awake and smiled, "Hello, young mistress. I'm surprised to see you up so early."
"Uh, but,"
"Your parents wish to speak with you about today, so I urge you hurry and get dressed" she said happily, before leaving the room. But, why was she so casual?! I've been trapped in a video game for almost two years!
I get up and race around the room, putting on a simple tank top and shorts, before rushing downstairs, where my parents were eating breakfast. Suichi barks happily and runs around my legs a bit before hurrying over to his food bowl. Mom looks over and smiles, "Good morning dear."
Daddy then sees me as well and grins with a peace sign, "Hey kiddo! You wanna help me with my research today?"
"Why are you all being so casual?!" I blow up at them, making them jump and frown.
"Is something wrong sweetheart?" Mom asked worriedly.
"Yes, something's wrong! I've been trapped in a video game for two years and you guys are acting like I've never left!"
"It was just a dream baby-girl" Daddy waved me off.
"No it wasn't!"
But then, even more weirded, Uncle Akihiko entered our house with a bag! "And how's my favorite niece today?"
"What are you doing here?!" I shout, backing away from him. He frowned and looked at my parents curiously, and they shrugged. "I don't understand what's going on! He's a wanted criminal! Why aren't you guys freaking out?! He's responsible for the deaths of thousands of people!"
"Rei, that's enough" Mom said sternly, "Accusing your uncle of such is absolutely horrible!"
"But it true! He trapped me and other gamers in his stupid Sword Art Online game, where if you die there, you die in the real world! How can you not freak out?! Daddy even said he was going to kill him!" Mom and Dad exchange a worried look and rush over to me, checking my forehead and everything. "Stop that! I'm not sick or anything! Let me just find Kirito and he'll explain everything!"
"Who's Kirito?" Dad asked.
"My partner! He's my in-game husband! If you just let me go find him-"
"You're too young to be married" Mom argued.
"Yes, hence in-game. It just means he's my boyfriend and-"
"Boyfriend?! Who? I need to give him the riot act to make sure he's good for you!" Daddy said sternly. "I bet he's just dating you because of our money!"
"He's not like that, and that's not the point!"
However, nobody would listen to me as I tried harder and harder to make them understand. I felt as though I was going to scream, before something poked my cheek.
~End of Dream!~
I blink my eyes open to see my beloved Kirito sitting above me. I sigh and smile at him, relief filling my being. It was just a dream. "Why are you smiling?"
"I dreamed about my old life in the real world. It was really weird too. I woke up back home, but everyone was acting as though none of this ever happened. And when I tried to explain, they just brushed it off as a dream or my imagination. And my uncle showed up and I tried to make them see reason, and tried to tell him about the awful crime he committed, but nobody believed me. And then when I insisted on finding you and having you explain everything to them, Daddy started throwing a fit on my having a boyfriend and demanded he threaten you...Oddly enough, that's exactly what he'll do when we go back…"
"And now I'm scared of going back. Thank you for the intel."
"You're welcome."
My husband rolled his eyes, "Anyway, as you know our first anniversary is coming up, so I was thinking we leave the front lines for a small break. Maybe a week or two off. I think we deserve it. We can go to Floor 22 and buy a nice house in the southwestern area, near the small village by the forests and lakes."
"I like that idea" I smile happily. Before taking notice of what I'm wearing, "Wait a second...Wasn't I wearing a nightgown?"
"Yep" he answered with a devious grin.
….
"PERVERT!"