The forty-ninth boss had been finally been defeated opening up the fiftieth floor so Kirito had given his guild the week off. The constant fighting and mad dash through floors had really tired his men out mentally and even if they were psychically rested the mental fatigue of fighting for days on end would eventually pile up.
Maybe I should visit my family. It has been a while and they would probably love to meet Asuna. Thought Kirito.
His plans were soon crushed when Klein walked over flanked by Agil and Diavel.
"Hey Bro," said Klein in his usual laid back tone, "Since we have some time off how about us guys go on a little expedition? Ya, know grab a drink, pick up some chicks, kill a monster or two a real bonding experience."
Kirito was going to turn them down until Klein became unnaturally serious and the smile dropped from his face.
"Plus there is a problem on the lower floors we should deal with." said Klein
Kirito was taken aback. With the DDA trying to find all the rare items they could and the KOB power leveling like crazy the lower floors had been left mostly to the Army to watch, but recently Kirito heard rumors of infighting within the ranks of the Army. If there was a problem it might be best if he helped handle it instead of leaving it for the army who might never do anything.
Kirito sighed, "Where to?"
"Floor thirty-five and the forest of wandering. I explain on the way." replied Klein
Kirito sighed again. What's the point of having days off if every time I have some down time some kind of crisis pops up. Cursed that's what I am cursed. Thought Kirito following Klein, Agil, and Diaval to the teleport gate.
Silica sat on the ground in tears staring up at certain death. Her arms still in position to hold her best friend, the now shatter, feathered dragon Pina. After separating from her party sh,e for lack of a better term, wandered the Forest of Wandering lost until she stumbled upon a handful of Drunk Apes.
The Battle was intense and to save her life Pina sacrificed himself by jumping in the way of an attack. Though now all Silica could do was look up as the Drunk Apes club swung down at her. Though the club never reached her. The attacking Ape stopped moving mid swing, a look of surprise seem to cross its face, and then it along with the other Apes shattered revealing four figures.
The first was a male who seemed to be in his early twenties with spiky reddish hair wearing black and red samurai armor currently sheathing his katana while scanning the forest for any more enemies.
The second man was a giant of a man with dark skin and a bald head who looked to be about the same age as the first man. He wore medium armor, carried a massive battle axe on his back, and seems pretty intimidating to Silica. Though he did give Silica a pretty warm smile so maybe he wasn't that scary.
The third man was younger than the first two. Probably in his late teens he dressed in blue. His cloths, shield, and hair were all colored blue while his heavy armor was black. He was also currently sheathing a long sword but tried to give a reassuring nod to Silica.
The last man was more of a boy. By far the youngest of the group he looked only a couple of years older than Silica. It could be said that this boy loved the color black. His clothes, hair, eyes, and even his sword and armor were all midnight black.
It finally hit Silica like a ton of bricks that she was alive but Pina was dead. Immediately she crawled over to only thing left of him, a single blue glowing feather, and broke down tears pouring from her eyes.
Kirito scanned the forest one last time to make sure the area was secure before sheathing his sword. He looked down at the crying girl in front of him then too his teammates. Klein, Agil, and Diavel all stared at him as if asking what they should do. He was the only one with a younger sibling so he was probably the best one to deal with this situation and it wasn't like they were going to leave some small girls in the forest alone even if they hadn't just saved her.
Kirito noticed she was hugging a feather close to her chest.
"Are you ok?" asked Kirito trying to reassure the girl.
The girl turned to look at Kirito and responded "Yes but Pina died." said the girl presenting the feather to Kirito.
"You must be one of those beast tamers." said Kirito, "Sorry for your lose."
"Sorry, if we had been here sooner maybe….maybe we could have saved your friend too" said Klein looking a little depressed.
"Does the feather have name?'" asked Agil stepping forward.
"Pina's heart" responded the girl.
Agil looked relieved. "You can revive him then." said Agil
The girl immediately perked up at this. "Really how?" she said clearly desperate for a way to revive her friend.
"There is an item on the forty-seventh floor that can revive familiars." said Agil.
At hearing the floor number though the girl looked depressed again. "That high. Maybe someday I can revive Pina." said the girl before breaking into tears again.
Kirito shared a look with the other before kneeling next to the crying girl. "We will help you revive your friend. This equipment should boost you a couple of levels" he said while opening a trade window.
"Why are you guys helping me?" asked Silica wiping the tears away.
Kirito looked a little embarrassed and covered his face with his hand. "Promise not to laugh."
Silica nodded her curiosity peaked.
"You remind me of my little sister." said Kirito
SIlica looked confused for a second before breaking into laughter soon followed by everyone else save Kirito.
"Thats great man." said Klein putting his arm around Kirito, "You got her to laugh good job."
"It's not like we are going to abandon a little girl in a forest full of monsters. Now do you have a name little miss." said Agil
'Silica." said the now named Silica.
"Wait Silica like Silica the dragon tamer?" asked Diavel sounding a little suprised.
Earning a nod from Silica and confused looks from the others. "She is a famous mid-level player." said Diavel
At the sound of dragon tamer Kirito immediately perked up. Dragons were proud and strong creatures so anyone who could tame one would be a powerful ally to be able to either defeat one or convince it to follow them. Both ways are very hard and the people who had achieved either were few in number but in both cases a dragon tamer would make a powerful ally.
"What kind of dragon did you tame?" asked Kirito. If they could revive it even a baby dragon could prove invaluable in the coming battles especially since the every quarter floor had a huge spike in the difficulty of the monsters roaming it.
"Pina was a Feathered Dragon." said Silica.
Kirito wanted to facepalm. That makes some sense. Those little leeches would follow anyone who feeds them and they have an especially strong fixation on peanuts. Feathered "dragons" still had pretty good healing abilities but a actual dragon would have been nice. Though it looked like Silica might need a lesson on the differences between a Drakes, Wyverns, and Dragons but now is definitely not the time for a biology lesson.
"So now we should escape the forest of wandering." said Silica smiling, "My map was left with the group I left earlier today."
'Klein?" said Kirito looking at Klein while making a mental note to ask why Silica left her old group in the forest of wandering of all places.
Realising all eyes were on him Klein realised he forgot the map. "Oh ya. I forgot it." said Klein sheepishly
Agil just sighed. "Well let's start walking it should take us hours to get out of here."
Agil was right so after several hours of wandering they eventually lucked out and found another group on their way out and tagged along with them.
Once the group reached the town Diavel went off to re-supply while the other headed toward the inn. On the way two players came running up to the group.
"Silica you were in the forest for a while." said one
"Ya how about you party with us. We'll take you wherever you want." said the other
"That sounds great, but I already promised to party with these guys." said Silica grabbing Kirito's arm.
The two player both sent a glare to the group as if they just noticed them.
"Problem?" asked Agil pulling himself to his full height and doing his best to look intimidating.
The two player both had to look up to look him in the eyes. Immediately they paled slightly before shaking their heads and running off much to the amusement of the rest of the group especially Silica who even though she had only known Agil for short while had already relied he was really a big softy.
Still chuckling to themselves the group headed to the inn for the night when they ran into another group of players. One the members, a slim female with red hair, step forward.
"Well if it isn't Silica." said the Woman, "Wow you made it out of the forest a live."
"Hi Rosalia." said Silica softly while refusing to meet her eyes.
Their conversation was interrupted as Klein ran forward and stuck his hand out while introducing himself.
"Hi my name is klein I am twenty three and single!"
"Oh I thought the girl had seduced some more but if you aren't one of her loyal followers why are you traveling with her?" said Rosalia smiling and chuckling softly to herself.
Kirito was starting to understand why Silica might have left this party. The other three members were just sitting back and watching not doing anything to break up the fight.
"We are going to the Hill of Memories." said Kirito.
Roselina seemed interested at this. "Oh why did she lose her little lizard."
"Pina died saving me and we are going to get him back." said Silica
"Thats a high floor. Sure you can do it Silica." Said Rosalia
"The Hill of Memories isn't that hard and we are going with her so if there isn't anything you need we will be leaving now." said Agil
Rosalia looked at Agil for a sec before shrugging.
They meet back up with Diavel at the inn for dinner.
"I think I have a real chance with that one." said Klein
"Not in a million years. She didn't even notice you plus consider her personality." said Agil
"Who are you guys talking about?" asked Diavel who was absent from the meeting with Roselia.
"We meet this red haired chick named Rosalia and Klein beeing Klein did his usual Klien thing and was ignored." said Kirito earning a chuckle from the others and a miffed expression from Klein.
"So nothing unusual their." stated Diavel.
"One of these days I will find my soulmate and we will be together forever." shouted Klein slamming the table.
"Sure Klien the world is a large place." said Kirito earning some chuckles from the group save Silica who was still a little depressed from her earlier meeting with Rosealia.
"Why does she have to be so mean?" said Silica.
The happy atmosphere dissipated almost immediately.
"Some people just like playing the bad guy." said Klein
"Don't think to much about it Silica." said Agil softly patting Silica on the head, "Now didn't you say this place had some great cheese cake."
"It does!" said Silica immediately brightening up.
After finishing up dessert Agil and Klein decided to stick around in the bar and grab a couple of drinks while Diavel, Kirito, and Silica went up to Silica's room to go over the plan for the next day.
Diavel pulled out a golden acorn shaped object.
"What is that?" asked Silica
"It's a mirage sphere. We use to plan floor clearing." said Diavel hitting a purple button at the top of the mirage sphere.
The top of the sphere flew off and created a hologram.
"Pretty." said Silica eyes full of wonder.
Diavel and Kirito started going over their plans for the next day when Kirito stopped talking and shot toward the door knocking it open.
"Who's there!" shouted Kirito but he was only met with the sound of footsteps retreating down the stairs.
Kirito stepped back into the room and close the door.
'Eavesdropper?" asked Diavel to which Kirito nodded.
"How is that possible you must have permission to enter to be able to hear through the door." said Silica.
Diavel shook his head. "With a high enough listening skill you can eavesdrop. Takes a lot of practice so not many have it."
"Well since we have a plan know at least lets call it quits for the night. Get a good night's rest we have a big day ahead of us. Hope your ready to see Pina again." said Diavel as he and Kirito went to their room for the night.
The next day the group set off on their little adventure. Upon reaching floor forty-seven they didn't waste anytime. The walk to the Hill of Memories was mostly uneventful except for the monster every on and then that the group would let Silica kill to earn some xp.
It took a while for Silica to work up the courage to ask Kirito about his sister. He said that she reminded him of her, but it's rude to ask about one's life outside the game.
With an intake of breath she speed up and kept pace next to Kirito who was working as the groups vanguard.
"What's your sister like? You said I remind you of her." asked Silica. The others drew closer probably hoping to hear the answer too.
Kirito seemed lost in thought for a sec. "I call her my little sister but really she's my cousin. We were raised as siblings since birth so I doubt she knows but that doesn't really matter to me. As far as I am concerned she IS my sister." Said Kirito as a smile appeared on his face and his eyes adopted a far away look.
"Because of everything going on I haven't been able to see her for almost a year and a half now." Continued Kirito the smile dropping from his face. "I hope she's ok."
Silence descended over the group bringing with it a solemn mood, everyone thinking of home and what was taken from them by SAO.
Surprisingly the youngest, Silica, was the first to speak. "You will see your family again I promise!"
"We got your back man." said Klein
"Just a few floors left." Said Agil resting a hand on Kirito's shoulder, "Maybe when this is all done you guys can meet my wife."
"Maybe." said Kirito, "but Agil you never said you were married."
To this Agil let out a deep laugh. "It never really came up, but yes I am married."
Klein grabbed a very confused Agil. "Your married! How could you betray me man! I thought I wasn't the only single guy here!" Klein then switched his sights to Diavel.
"Looks like it's just me and you now!" said Klein holding Diavel hand as tears streamed down his face.
"Well actually I have someone outside of Aincrad." said Diavel scratching the back of head while Agil chucked at Klein's antics.
At hearing Diavel's response Klein collapsed to the ground. "Why is life so unfair!" he shouted toward the heavens.
Silica stood to one side confused before turning to Agil. "Is he going to be ok?"
"Just give him a little while." said Agil before he followed Kirito and Diavel who seemed to be ignoring Klein's metal breakdown and continuing the journey being very much use to Klein at this point.
The depressing mood seemed to be gone at least. Maybe she could continue adventuring with them after they revived Pina. It was refreshing not to be just view as a mascot and they were definitely a fun group of guys. Just a little farther and the flower will be theirs and she could see Pina again.
Getting the flower was no real problem for the group, but they insisted that Silica should wait to they got back to town before using it.
On the way back the group was walking across a bridge when Kirito held his hand up for them to stop.
"You can come out now." shouted Kirito. From behind one of the trees up ahead Rosealia stepped out.
"You spotted me! Good job." said Rosealia with a dark chuckle, "Now hand over the flower before any of you get hurt."
"We aren't giving anything to you or your orange guild Titan's Hand." said Diavel, "We know they're here and that you're their leader."
"But she's green." said Silica starting to panic.
"A standard trap. The Green leads people to the oranges in their guild." said Diavel as Agil took Silica gentally by the wrist and pulled her back while Klein, Diavel, and Kirito stepped forward.
Rosealia snapped her fingers and nine men wielding a variety of weapons stepped out to join her all had a orange courser hovering over their heads and wicked smiles on their faces.
"Lets try this again." said Rosealia, "Hand over the flower and you won't get hurt."
"Do you remember a guild called the silver flags?" asked Klein
Rosealia seemed confused for a second. "You mean the fools with no money? What do they have to do with this?"
"A lot. Their leader survived your little ambush and ran to us, the frontliners, for help. He wanted you sent to prison. Do you know how he felt losing four of his friends?" replied Klein in an even voice even he gripped the handle of his katana.
The Smiles dropped from the faces of Titan's Hand and a few even took a step or two back.
"Frontliners." one of them choked out, "No way."
"Is it true Kirito are you a frontliner?" said Silica.
"Wears all black, One sword, no shield. Dark skin, large axe. Wears blue, sword and shield. Samurai armor, Katana." said one of the orange players taking several steps back voice starting to gain a sense of fear to it.
"It's the Black Swordsmen and his guild." shouted another.
"Were so died!" shouted another
"There's no way a group of frontliners would take time to escort some little girl instead of clearing the game!" shouted Rosealia trying to regain control of the situation.
"You're right but we were sent to find you remember." said Kirito stepping forward, "Now surrender."
All the orange players but Rosealia dropped their weapons and surrendered not wanting to enrage a group of prominent cleaners.
"I'm green you won't attack me or..."
Rosealia sentence was cut off when Kirito jet forward and placed a sword to her throat.
"Do you really want to test that theory. I run the frontlines and I have no patience for those who target the weak for their own gains." Said Kirito dark eyes boring into Rosealia.
Klein used a corridor crystal he got from the guildmaster of the Silver Flags to send Rosealia and Titan's Hand to Prison before the group head back to town. The walk back was very quiet with none of the usual chatter.
Once they got to an Inn and rented a room Silica pulled out the flower and poured a drop of nector onto the feather she got from Pina after he shattered. A bright light filled the room and then disappeared into the body of a blue feathered Dragon.
"Pina." Shouted Silica grabbing Pina in a hug and crying tears of joy at seeing her dead friend revived, "I missed you!"
After the touching reunion Kirito kneeled next to Silica.
"Sorry we didn't tell you." said Kirito refusing to look her in the eyes.
"It's ok. You guys just wanted to help someone plus now Pina is back." said Silica with a smile trying to reassure him which was returned by Kirito.
"I just wish I could join you guys on the front." said Silica looking a little down.
Kirito looked over to the rest of the group. "Why don't you? I pretty sure Argo knows some good grinding locations and you're not that far behind the frontlines."
"Really?" asked Silica
"Sure you'll will fit right in." said Diavel
Pina at this point flew up to looked Kirito in eyes and fixed him with a stare as if asking Are you trying to take my human?
Kirito looked at Pina then at Silica who was talking with Agil while wearing a giant smile.
"She's all yours." said Kirito giving the winged lizard a nod which Pina returned. They seemed to have reach some form of an understanding and Kirito gained a new allie.
Heathcliff sat in the council chamber of the Knight Of the Blood Oath. The other four council members were unhappy that The Dragon Lords controlled the frontlines thought maybe they should try some form of a merge with The Dragon Lords as they did want to help clear the game faster. Heathcliff wasn't opposed to the idea as it would both help the transition when he revealed his little secret and it would also take some of the burden of command off his shoulders.
So many things had changed in his plans that he need to spend more and more time observing the other going ons in Aincrad. The dragons on floor eighty only grew stronger and now that floor was in open rebellion and floor seventy-eight wasn't much better.
Floor Seventy-Eight was almost totally mountains either controlled by the Dwarfs or the Goblins. Created so the players could jump into an ongoing conflict and help the dwarfs recapture their city's unlocking the floor on the way before a final confrontation with the boss. Unfortunately for that plan the mighty fire dragon that was supposed to support the Goblins as a field boss disappeared but not before putting most of the Goblin leadership to the torch.
Heathcliff laughed to himself. A deep dark chuckle. So much had changed from his original plans but twists and turns are what make a story interesting. Sure he could create an army of unstoppable monsters in a second or with just a few new lines of code reprogram one of the dragons personalities or if he wanted to snap his fingers and delete all that opposed him.
But why would he? When he created Aincrad he envisioned himself as its king he created rules for himself. He had an unlimited number of weak to medium strength underlings all he need was time for them to spawn. What he had a set value of was several powerful monsters on the one-hundredth floor. These monsters varied in shape, size, power, and race but they were all loyal to the Ruby King no matter what. He was wondering if he should send one to the seventy-eighth floor so it isn't a free floor for the players. The Eightieth floor he had to admit was a lost cause as he had already sent and lost one of his generals. Now he planed to use his pawns to at least try and remove future problems.
Heathcliff chuckled to himself again. If any of his men heard him they would definitely think he was some kind of villain and they wouldn't be wrong. It had been a while since he had played a strategy game and now the king must fight for his kingdom. The story is just getting better and better. Can the adventures and their new found allies slay the Ruby's Kings generals and defeat him or will they fall before him.
Heathcliff had long abandoned his original plans for the Dual Wielding hero of Aincrad facing off against the evil Ruby King as the main story. Now his Generals amassed their armies and waited for his orders. The Dragons on the Eightieth floor call for ancient allies to rise and join them as the Dwarfs push upwards to find glory and take back Aincrad for themselves all the while Kirito leads the Adventurous further and further up the floating castle. Dark forces within the adventurous themselves plot to make safe floors dangerous again and the elves long held their position of neutrality no matter who was incharge of Aincrad looks like it will stay firm for the time being.
Heathcliff let out his loudest laugh yet. Yes! What fun! The factions were all pursuing their own goals and he would have a front row seat to the epic story that SAO had become. His vision had changed but he had stopped caring for now it had become a much more interesting tale.
Sorry it's been awhile. With all the tests and homework I haven't written a chapter in a while and future updates will probably be sporadic at best. Anyways read and review if you would like and I hope you enjoyed it.
