Chapter 21: Moving Forward

I couldn't focus on any of my surroundings as the KOB filed into the cave and PoH made his escape. It was too much to take in and accept in too short a time, yet the reality was unmistakable. Everything had been thrown away in an instant and all for the price of thirty lives on each of our hands. Abaddon was enraged and his words filled the cavern with his fury at the KoB and their interference. Caine and I were petrified and practically catatonic as Abaddon eased the both of us to our feet and led us to a player for teleport crystals. I can't remember saying the floor name, but as the light engulfed each of us, I knew that I must have.

My own thoughts and feelings were at war within my head as Abaddon led us through town and back toward the mansion. How he was able to keep his mind clear enough to guide us home was beyond my comprehension. I only realized what was happening when we were in front of the mansion and walking into the entryway. Once we were inside, it took all of my focus and energy to walk to my room and close the door behind me. As I slowly walked toward my bed, my emotions threatened to spill over and take control of me. The tears began to fall and my knees hit the floor before I reached my bed.

"I…I killed all of those…all of those…all of…"

I couldn't speak it aloud, otherwise it would become true and I would have to accept what had happened as reality. How could I accept such a disgraceful and terrifying series of events as reality? I couldn't and because of that I cried and cried until my eyes were in pain and I was struggling to breathe through my sobs. The pain was unimaginable as my mind slowly began to accept what had happened and replay the events. I watched as my mind went through each and every face as I killed them and moved onto the next. So cold, so callous, and so despicable, yet I did it all without hesitating or second guessing myself.

At some point, I drifted off to sleep on the floor and awoke the next morning. My stomach wouldn't allow me to remain asleep, so I forced myself to climb onto my bed and open my inventory for the food I knew was there. To my dismay, there wasn't a lot of food in my inventory. That meant I would have to go out and get some from the kitchen sooner than I would like. I took out whatever was at the top of my inventory and ate it mechanically. I was too tired and distracted to taste the food, but I ate until the hunger finally subsided then laid down and fell back to sleep.

My days came and found me in the same cycle of events each time. I would wake up, eat, lay down, eat, lay down, eat, and then sleep. The cycle didn't break for what I thought was a week and a half, but I had run out of food and my stomach wouldn't rest. Finding my feet and forcing them to walk was harder than I thought it would be, but as I slowly made my way to the door, they started to work again. The mansion was silent as I walked to the kitchen and prepared a list of things I would place in my inventory. I saw neither Abaddon, nor Caine on the way to the kitchen.

Once I reached the kitchen, I began to go through our stocked inventory and fill my own inventory. Abaddon was the cook, so I would have to stick to premade or quick food options so I would have something to eat. I was half way through our food inventory when I heard a sound behind me. I turned and found Caine standing in the doorway of the kitchen. He looked tired and beaten, yet he painted a small smirk on his face as I turned to look at him.

"You look like shit."

Caine chuckled and ran his hand down his face. The tension in his face seemed to ease at the feeling of laughter.

"You must not have a mirror if you're saying I look like shit."

I laughed and felt my own tension ease. They always said laughter cured all, but I never did believe them. Caine started to go through the food inventory as I returned to my own task.

"Run out of food?"

"Of course. Damn inventory was low from the start."

"We always told you to make sure you keep your inventory stocked, but do you ever listen?"

Caine laughed as I shot him a look. Despite the jest, I was beginning to feel lighter, but things were far from normal as the silence crept back into the room. Caine and I were in the same room, but our minds were on planes farther apart than either of us could imagine. Lost in our own worlds, we hardly acknowledged one another again as we gathered what we needed and silently left for our rooms. The way I saw it, I had enough food for a long while, so I had plenty of time to sit and flit through my thoughts until I figured out what I had to do next.

I did just that as day by day, I filled my stomach when I was hungry and delved into my thoughts while I was awake. Before long, three months had passed and I hadn't moved from my room, save the food trip. I was still stuck in my own emotional turmoil, but now I felt more control over my emotions than before. The pain was still there, but now I was starting to accept what had happened and put it behind me. Now I just felt lost as I struggled to decide on what I was supposed to do now. As I continued to think about how to move forward, I heard the front door open for the second time that day.

I heard soft voices from downstairs as the door closed and the mansion fell back into its usual silence. Someone was moving around inside the mansion and, more surprising, outside of it as well. Something inside of me said it was time to make my decision and take the first step forward out of the darkness I had been engulfed in. I slowly stood and opened my door before heading to the staircase and the soft voices in the entryway. I stood at the top of the stairs and found Abaddon and Lisbeth standing just in front of the doors.

"Is it time?"

Abaddon and Lisbeth turned suddenly and looked up at me. Theirs faces were filled with surprise and for a moment, no one said anything. After a minute, what looked like resolve crossed Abaddon's face and filled his eyes with something that I hadn't seen in a long time: hope. His smile was genuine and filled with happiness as it spread across his face.

"It is. Are you ready?"

"Yes we are."

All three of us turned to see Caine approaching me from the opposite hallway. He stopped and stood beside me, sorrow and pain buried deep in his eyes, but with a light of happiness starting to blossom. Caine and I turned to face Abaddon as Lisbeth did the same. It was then that I noticed her hand in his and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Both of their faces were suddenly bright red and Abaddon cleared his throat several times before starting.

"It's time that we move past this. We've been gone for too long and it's time that we take center stage once again. We've been out of practice and have fallen behind in levels considering our three month hiatus, but I know that won't stop us. The past is done and gone now, but it remains with us, so we must acknowledge its power over us. I'll say this only once, are you truly ready to press onward and move forward? There will be no time for our emotions to run out of control from here on out, so you must be certain."

I could see that something had changed in Abaddon as he stood with both hope and pain in his eyes, but his face spoke of the very resolve he was asking for. I could feel that this was what I was supposed to do as I looked at his face. I turned and looked at Caine. A small smile was on his face as he looked at Abaddon. As I looked at him, his body and face eased and a semblance of his old self resurfaced. I smiled and turned back to Abaddon.

"I sure as hell am ready to do this. I know I couldn't live with it if I had to hear it from anyone else that they beat the game while I was sitting on my ass."

"I couldn't agree more Lucifer. I'm ready to do this. It's time we reminded all of Aincrad of who the strongest guild is. It's time the Reapers of Aincrad return."

Tears quickly streamed from Abaddon's eyes as the fear and pressure left his face and was replaced with relief and happiness. He smiled more brightly than I had ever seen him smile before as he looked from Caine to me.

"It's time we got started then. I say we start back where we left off and start collecting our missing levels. We'll be back at the front lines before anyone even knows we're back in the game. What do you say?"

"Hell yeah! Let's do this! I know the first few floors are going to suck ass, but once I get back in the groove, I'll be unstoppable, as always."

"Sure thing. Meanwhile in reality, you'll have to wait for the mobs to spawn again after I clear them out. Good luck getting back into any 'groove'."

The mansion filled with laughter as I grumbled to myself and started to walk down the stairs. My purpose was there the whole time, but now I could see it as clear as day. I had to help clear this damned game and set us all free so we could return to reality. We were good at a lot, but when it came to clearing, we were the best as far as I was concerned. It was time we pushed the schedule ahead and got the ball moving.

"First things first."

Lisbeth was raising her hands and waving for our attention. I cocked my eyebrow up and stared at her as she got our attention.

"Before you start going crazy, there's a few people you need to see. You guys may have been gone, but we never gave up on you guys. They deserve to know that you're all okay and getting ready to rejoin the fight."

"You know what I say? Screw a few people. We're having a feast tonight in town and we'll have anyone and everyone spread the word. The RoA are back and we're going to eat and drink like kings with everyone. It's time we lifted our invisibility and came back into the light."

Tears were in Lisbeth's eyes as she leapt into Abaddon's arms and hugged him tightly. It was a grand idea and now the whole of Aincrad would know we were back in business in under a day. It would be the shot at the start of the race for us to reach the front lines once more. Caine and I began to laugh and climbed down the stairs to make it a group hug. After a big squeeze of a hug, Caine and I broke away and I threw the front doors open wide.

"Lisbeth, you cover the messaging, and I'll make sure the whole town starts the party. It's time for dinner anyway. We're going to make enough noise to shake the town."

I smirked back at them and rushed forward into the street. I began to shout into the air and get the attention of anyone who could hear me. I ran through the town like a madman and could hear both confusion and excitement in the voices I passed. My name began to fly around me as old friends recognized me and started to follow. By the time I reached the square, there was a crowd behind me. I stopped and turned to face them with a broad smile on my face.

"Come one, come all! It's the event of the year! The Reapers of Aincrad have returned and now ask for each and every one of you to help us by raising a glass and celebrating with us! It has been too long since last we've seen the wonderful faces of this town, but now we want to see all of you, and anyone else who wants to help us celebrate! We'll be eating and drinking the night away in this very square, surrounded by the very people we've missed. Spread the word and start celebrating ASAP because the party starts now!"

A loud cheer rang through the crowd and cheers could be heard throughout town. I was laughing aloud and being absorbed by the crowd as I was met with old faces and new. Before I could even ask, a drink was in my hand and I raised it high above the others. Hundreds of hands followed suit and hundreds of voices called out in joy as we toasted and clanked glasses together. Shouts came from the far side of the square as Abaddon, Lisbeth, and Caine arrived. They were ushered through to the teleporter's dais. I took my place next to them and we all raised our hands high before bowing for the crowd and raising glasses.

"Thank you to everyone who has stood beside us. We have returned so that we may push forward to the front lines and bring about the end of this world!"

Abaddon was beaming as he called out above the noise and held everyone's attention. A voice rang out from the crowd after Abaddon's address.

"Three cheers for the Reapers of Aincrad! Clear the game!"

Glasses and mugs of every kind were raised and lowered in unison with the cheers. After the cheers, everyone took a long drag from their drinks and we were moved to the nearest restaurant for our meal. The owner offered us all meals on the house and had us served immediately. The party had started just as I said and as we began to eat, music and dancing filled the square. It was grander than the celebration we had for the establishment of our guild. I was hungrier than I thought as the food in front of me began to disappear and I was still wanting more.

My second plate arrived just as the first shouts rang out around the teleporter dais. Within moments, the crowd made a path to our table and the Fuurinkazan came into view. In the lead was Klein with the biggest grin on his face I had ever seen. He came to stand between Caine and me with an arm on each of our shoulders. There was a moment of silence where everyone was looking at everyone else before we all burst into laughter. The atmosphere was intoxicating and made it impossible not to feel lighthearted and gleeful. Jests and greetings were shot back and forth between us and the Fuurinkazan.

Tables were being shuffled around and rearranged when another familiar face appeared. Riza nearly tackled us as she ran forward and attempted to hug us all simultaneously. Laughter and jokes were flying about as her tear filled face filled with happiness. She pulled up a chair next to me and food started appearing for everyone. The noise outside only made us all the louder as we attempted to speak over each other. As the food slowly thinned out and the table became empty, Abaddon stood up and dragged Lisbeth from her chair. Cheers and catcalls rang out from around the table and he grabbed her hands and led her out to dance.

"Hey Klein, maybe you could get lucky and find a girl to dance."

"What do you mean lucky?"

"Well as long as you keep your mouth shut, I'm sure it'll work out. Though I have my own doubts."

Laughter filled the room and people started to join the fun out in the square. I followed behind Riza and Caine as they headed for the edge of the circle marking the dance floor. As I was looking at the pairs dancing about, I heard someone say something behind me, then felt a shove. Before I knew what was happening, Riza and I were facing each other on the dance floor and people were about to run into us. I took her hands and led her into the dance as the laughter and whistling came from the area I was just in. Riza was blushing as I looked down at her and continued to lead her across the dance floor.

"I'm sorry. They can be stupid someti-actually all of the time."

"It's fine. I actually wanted to…"

"To what? Dance?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

As I looked up, I caught Abaddon's eye and he was laughing while pointing me out for Lisbeth. When she spun around to see us, she began to laugh as well and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and looked away as Riza looked up at me.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all. Just some people being ridiculous. How are you liking the party?"

"It's wonderful. When Lisbeth messaged me that you guys were back and celebrating, I couldn't believe it. I got here as fast as I could. I'm so glad you guys came back, especially since Lisbeth and Abaddon also figured it out."

"Yeah. We thought they'd never catch on. They did though and I've never seen Abaddon happier. Probably have Lisbeth to thank for his new determination. Might've lost him without her."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh well, you see—"

I was cut off by the sudden silence. I turned to find Lisbeth holding onto Abaddon's arm with fear in her eyes. Abaddon was frozen staring at the teleporter dais. All eyes were on the teleporter dais where a girl in red and white carrying a rapier was standing like a statue. Asuna's eyes were locked onto Abaddon's and the tension between them was holding the crowd in silence.

"Abaddon, I—"

Abaddon's hand shot up and cut Asuna off. He simply swiped his menu and in a moment, his scythe appeared. Awe spread across the faces in the crowd at the sight of his weapon. He lightly pushed Lisbeth aside with nothing more than a look between them. He then looked back at his menu and went through a couple windows before a window appeared in front of Asuna. It was unmistakably a duel request and the crowd held onto every second that passed as Asuna stared at the request.

"Not a word will be spoken between us. Our blades will do all of the talking. Agreed?"

Abaddon's face was etched with the greatest degree of serious I had ever seen. His face said one simple thing: accept, or we're done. Asuna took only a moment to think before she drew her rapier and accepted the request.

"Agreed."

(A/N): There it is. We're back in business now and things are just as fun as ever with yet another tense challenge. I hope you all enjoyed looking through Lucifer's eyes for once, though I admit is wasn't anything spectacular. This update was definitely on time for what I expected, so I hope that you all are happy with it. I'll try not to fall behind with updates again, so the next one should be sooner rather than later. As for your reviews, it's the same old same old. Thoughts and comments are welcome and sought after. Until next time, see ya!