(A/N): Hello one and all. I have returned from one hell of a hiatus, and I must say I am so very sorry. Between graduating college and entering Graduate School, I'm not entirely sure where all the time went. I wrote this chapter a while ago and would have posted, but I wanted more than just the one going before I returned. So without further ado, I give you the next chapter. Please enjoy.

Chapter 25: A Dangerous Truth

It was all so simple, yet so far beyond imagining that it was no surprise that no one saw the truth. I was frozen by the sheer power of my revelation, yet there still existed the possibility that I was wrong. I had to be certain before any action was taken, regardless of how much the evidence demanded that it be the truth, I had to be sure. I slowly removed my scythe from the ground and put it away before turning to head back to the teleporter. The world around me moved in slow motion as I walked along the cliff side back toward town.

It felt as if I had been walking for an eternity before I reached the teleporter and teleported home. The square beyond the teleporter on floor 40 was the same as ever, yet I could swear there was a different feeling in the air, or was that just me? I was too overwhelmed to know for certain, but I assumed it was just me. I headed back to the mansion and found Lucifer and Caine lounging in the sitting room when I arrived.

"So how'd it go? How stupid are we compared to all of the other guilds?"

"You're stupid no matter who you're compared to, so that's a waste of a question."

"Shut it Caine."

"Enough you two. We're fine. Anything that we don't already know is too petty for Heathcliff to explain outside of a raid, so we'll just find out anything we don't already know at the next one. We're going to be fighting in the floor 65 boss raid."

"Figured as much. We're clearing dungeons left and right, so we'll be ready long before they find the boss room. Maybe we'll find it instead."

"Maybe. All I know is that we have to keep leveling and move on."

"What about the other thing Abaddon?"

"Oh yeah, thanks Caine, what about that Abaddon?"

"Yeah, it turned out to be nothing. I was just making stuff up after all, nothing to worry about. We just need to get our heads in the game."

"You sure about that? You don't sound too certain."

Caine was staring at me intently while Lucifer eyed something he found interesting on his hand. I knew that it would be difficult to fool them, but I didn't figure I'd flop right out of the gate. I was in the middle of inventing something to tell them when Lucifer let out a loud and obnoxious sigh.

"If there is something we need to know, he'll tell us Caine. You know that as well as I do, now lay off and let's get going. We lost most of today thanks to Abaddon's special meeting anyhow."

Caine's eyes showed defiance as he turned away and sighed to himself.

"Fine. Let's go then. I'm getting stiff from sitting around."

"Floor 58 awaits, and I'm not one to make others wait for too long."

"Yeah, just us."

Caine and Lucifer left the room bickering while I lingered with my guilt. I didn't want to keep it from them, but it was too dangerous whether it was true or not. No one could know until I was certain, and even then I wasn't sure who I should tell, or confront. I decided to push it from my mind and turned to follow them out to the teleporter. I shut the door and locked it before turning around to find myself face to face with Asuna.

"Son of a—"

"Nice to see you too."

"Don't do that. You scared me half to death. What are you doing here? I thought you had second in command business to deal with."

"I don't know what you think 'second in command business' is, but I took care of all that I had to, so now we're going to discuss what happened, and what you didn't tell me at the HQ."

"Yeah, well…you see I'm going out to work right now, so you'll have to come back and try again later. See ya."

I made to walk past her, but she stepped back in front of me and refused to move. I raised my eyebrow and she simply stared in return. I sighed deeply and shrugged before leaning in and puckering up my lips. Her cheeks went scarlet and she recoiled backward. I took the opportunity to rush past her and leapt onto the teleporter next to Lucifer and Caine.

"Floor 58!"

The light engulfed us as the incoherent yells of Asuna reached us. I began to laugh as I rushed away from the teleporter and toward the colossal column that was the dungeon. Floor 58 was covered with hills and snow that ran into towering mountains in the distance. This view was hard to make out as I ran with all of my might as far from the teleporter as I could and as fast as I could. I could barely discern Lucifer and Caine trying to figure out what happened while they ran behind me.

We arrived at the dungeon door panting and fell to our knees trying to regain our breaths. I couldn't resist the urge to start laughing aloud between my pants for air. Lucifer and Caine simply shook their heads while slowing standing up and looking around at the scenery.

"What…was all…that about?"

"I couldn't…get past…Lady Second. So…I leaned in…and made to kiss her. That…made her move."

"And probably…signed your death warrant. You moron."

"Eh, Asuna's more of a maimer. I'll be mostly fine."

"Wonder what she'll maim for that one."

"I'd rather not think about it. Let's get moving."

I stood up and we moved toward the entrance to the dungeon. The inside looked like an ice cavern, and the shapes and colors were absolutely beautiful. We took turns admiring the cavern and clearing mobs as they appeared. It was nice to let go and just fight. My mind was lost in the thrill of battle and I didn't think about any of the things that were weighing me down, until I was forced to.

"Hello Abaddon."

I hung my head in despair and mumbled to myself while Asuna's foot tapped the floor.

"Thought you'd take longer to get here, but a man can dream, can't he?"

"A man can't dream if he's dead, so feel lucky you're not."

"Noted."

I leapt straight up into the air as an ice monster jetted forward with an attack and missed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Asuna reaching for her rapier, but before it could leave the sheath, I activated my sword skill. With a rush of energy, I swung my scythe downward and rotated my body into a front flip while sinking the blade of my scythe deep into the monster's back. My completed rotation threw the monster high into the air while I landed on my feet.

Asuna stared at me with her weapon half drawn and I stared back as I flipped my scythe to face upwards. The monster fell to eye level before my scythe flashed through its body and destroyed it. The body exploded and I sheathed my scythe.

"Do remember the same applies to women as well, Lady Second. Do remain a little more vigilant. We are in a dungeon after all."

Asuna shoved her weapon back into its sheath and glared at me. If looks could kill, there would have been nothing left of me.

"Noted. Now then."

"What do you want from me Asuna? I'm busy and can't afford to waste time."

"You're saying that I'm a waste of time?"

"Potentially, now stop taking offense and get to the point, I'm not joking."

She pouted quickly before composing herself. She looked at me with her command face and I could tell that I would be hard pressed to avoid this one.

"What happened with the commander? And don't tell me nothing again because I don't believe you."

"Fine. Heathcliff just confused me is all. He didn't act because he didn't want to get into our business. I thought that was odd, but he said it was just how he operates. I just realized how little I know about the man, nothing more."

"That's why he didn't take action?"

"Yep. No crazy conspiracy like I was thinking. It was just crazy talk and baseless conjecture. I mean I've been locked in my mansion for three months, so it's understandable."

Asuna didn't look completely convinced, but I knew she had to be or else Heathcliff would suspect something. I couldn't allow him to be warned by anything before I was certain that my thoughts were true.

"Look, I know that we've kept things from you in the past, and I'm sorry for that, but we've stopped the cloak and dagger stuff. We're out in the open now and we're staying that way. How do you think Lisbeth would take it if I were to start hiding things again? She'd go crazy and I can't have that."

"You're right. I'm sorry I didn't believe you, it's just that you guys have always been secretive and 'do-it-yourselfers', so I figured this was the same. You guys have to know that there are other people there for you, so you can stop doing everything yourselves."

"This sounds practiced. Kirito?"

Asuna reddened at the mention of his name, but quickly hid her inner thoughts from her face. She looked from the floor to the ceiling and back to me before speaking again.

"Yeah. He solos too much, but he won't listen to me about it."

"He'll be fine. Just be there and things will work out. Now are we good?"

"Yeah, sorry. I guess I did go a little overboard."

"Forget about it. I mostly deserved it, now go on and get back to your second in command business so I can surpass all of you elites on the frontlines."

"I could never bother you again and you still wouldn't be able to do that."

"Promise?"

Asuna shook her head before turning to leave the dungeon. She rounded a corner and disappeared before I turned back to catch up with Lucifer and Caine. As I moved forward, the weight of my lies began to build in my chest and my breathing shortened. I was doing it again, and to my brothers as well. My shame built up alongside my guilt as I wiped each mob away with little more thought than one would give to breathing. I caught up to Lucifer and Caine shortly thereafter.

"Where have you been? You keep slacking and we'll leave you in the dust on levels."

"Sure you will. Keep telling yourself that. Regardless, Asuna caught up, so I had to deal with that."

"Well you're still alive, so I guess things worked out."

"Yeah. She was just pestering too much, so I set her straight."

"Sure you did. We'll just get back to work while you continue on with that dream of yours."

I merely laughed as we took turns clearing each mob as it spawned before us. We managed to clear the dungeon soon after lunchtime and took a break on Floor 59. The floor was a complete one eighty from Floor 58. There were rolling green hills in all directions and scattered trees that offered all too tempting shade off to the side of the paths. We rested long enough to eat before heading toward the floor dungeon. Things were calm on this floor, but that soon ended as we reached the enormous column that was the dungeon.

The day moved forward with the blissful monotony of battle as we cleared the Floor 59 dungeon after dark. We hardly paid Floor 60 any attention as we reached the closest town and teleported back to Floor 40, and home. As usual, we were greeted with fervor as we departed the dais and moved through the square. We returned the greetings and made our way back to the mansion. I closed the doors firmly behind me as Lucifer and Caine headed for the kitchen. I was about to follow behind them when three hard knocks sounded on the door.

"Who could it be now?"

I opened the door slightly to have it shoved completely open into my face. I landed on my back and grabbed my face in pain before remembering that I couldn't feel pain. I looked up to find Asuna on top of Lisbeth in a heap in the doorway. They each groaned as Lucifer and Caine rushed into the room.

"What are you trying to do, kill me?"

"Asuna shoved me and I fell into the door."

"I did not, I just…tripped."

Asuna's face was red as she quickly got to her feet and straightened herself. I helped Lisbeth to her feet and she dusted herself off. Lucifer and Caine shook their heads before turning to go back into the kitchen. I ran my hand down my face before doing the same.

"Why, may I ask, are you in such a hurry to come in, Lady Second?"

I ducked under Asuna's right hook and rolled forward a few feet before turning to face her. Lisbeth was squeezing the bridge of her nose between her fingers as she stood in front of Asuna and barred her progress.

"I wasn't in a hurry. It was an accident."

"Interesting sort of accident to happen to the Lightning Flash, wouldn't you agree?"

Asuna bared her teeth in an aggravated grin and bowed her head while reaching for her rapier. Lisbeth walked toward me and slapped the back of my head.

"Be nice. You know how sensitive she is."

"Liz! I am not."

"Whatever you say. What are you making me for dinner Abaddon?"

"Well that depends on our dinner guest list. Am I making a dinner for four, or a dinner for four with a side dish?"

I barely dodged the kitchen knife as it flew by my ear and into the wall behind me. Lisbeth squeaked in surprise and I had to fight to keep my grin from splitting my face.

"I guess it's the latter. I'll get started. Asuna, you can go and be civil in the siting room."

"No, I think I'll help make dinner. I do have a higher cooking skill afterall."

"If only everything relied simply on skill, then you might be able to say that you are superior, but it's truly sad to say that it is not the case."

"You know that it is the case, and I don't recall asking."

"We'll go sit in the sitting room then. You let us know when something edible is ready."

Lucifer and Caine left the room while Asuna stepped forward and changed quickly into more comfortable clothing. Lisbeth walked toward me and sighed tiredly.

"What am I going to do with you two? Can't you just be nice?"

"I am. Ask anyone, it's only her. I don't know what it is, but something just begs me to get under her skin. Not to mention, that it's so easy. Don't tell me you haven't had your share of fun at her expense."

Lisbeth blushed lightly before leaning forward and pulling my face down to meet hers. I pulled her closer and squeezed her tightly.

"Can you at least get a room?"

"Oh, is poor Asuna thinking of a certain someone right now? I'm sorry he's not here."

"What!? What are you talking about?"

"What was it again? I think his name started with a K."

"You know, you're right. A certain shady solo player with a bad habit of doing stupid things. Kind of crazy too."

Asuna's face was scarlet and she was struggling to speak as Lisbeth and I began to laugh.

"All right, I think she's had enough. I'll go wait with your brothers. Don't take too long, okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

Lisbeth smiled before leaving the room. I turned back to the counter and found Asuna staring at me without an ounce of humor in her face.

"So this is when you tell me why you're actually here and not elsewhere. I'd figure there are plenty of other people with whom you could bestow your presence. So why us?"

"Are you saying I'm not welcome here? Would you rather I leave?"

"I said neither of those things, however, your visits are hardly less than business anymore, so what do you want? I told you already, I'm tired of playing games."

I turned away from Asuna and began preparing food to be mixed and cooked. She was silent for a time as I cut up the vegetables and meat. By the time she spoke, I had almost forgotten she was there.

"I'm tired of playing games too Abaddon."

My hand froze over the knife I was about to pick up and I sighed deeply before turning back to Asuna.

"What are you talking about now? Didn't we already have this conversation?"

"We did, but only one of us was telling the truth, so I'd hardly count it as a conversation."

"You're serious? Right here, in my own house, you're calling me a liar. Just what do you want me to say to you? What is the truth that you want me to say to you?"

"I want you to tell me what you've been hiding. What's wrong? Something hasn't been sitting well ever since you spoke with the Commander. What is it?"

"You really want the truth Asuna? Is that what you want from me right now? Are you sure you can handle it, no matter what it may be?"

"Yes. Just tell me Abaddon."

It was so cruel, but there was no other way to get her off the case and protect her. I could feel a part of me crying out to not go through with it, but I knew it had to be done. There was no other way and no matter what happened between us, she would be protected and that was enough for me.

"The truth is that after speaking to Heathcliff, I realized that my brothers and I lost three months of our life because of an ill-planned move. If you hadn't acted so rashly, we could have completed our business and been done, but instead we were prematurely severed from victory. It wasn't enough that we had to kill to protect hundreds of potential victims, but just as we were about to stop the bastards for good, you scare them away and leave us with defeat and the psychological scars to boot. We were willing to sacrifice a piece of our humanity to end the senseless violence that would have been bred from that guild's continued existence, but now we've simply become less human. All we asked for was discretion and for everyone to leave us be. No thanks, no congratulations, no reward for any of it, just that we did it and had the satisfaction of saving so many people. That was all, and we came to you for that, but apparently, it was too much to ask of you. Are you satisfied now?"

Asuna was silent and as I considered her face, I could feel so much pain and regret well up from within. It took all that I had to not let it show through and to not drop to my knees and call it all a sham. Her face was stoic, then it slowly fell apart as tears leaked from her eyes. Her hands shook as she held herself and slowly sunk to her knees. She bowed her head and began to sob while shaking fervently.

"Please…please…I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"What you meant to do or didn't mean to do changes nothing."

Her sobs went silent and I could see the pain surge through her body as my words cut her deeper than any blade ever could. Before she could look at me, and break my resolve, I turned and walked out of the mansion. I could hear Lucifer, Caine, and Lisbeth asking me what happened, but before they could reach me, I pulled out a teleport crystal and mumbled my destination as the clock tower bell struck nine.

"Floor 23."

The world blurred into a sea of white as the tears filled my eyes and my heart fell into pieces.

(A/N): I do have more after this, but I'll be going over it and spreading out the new stuff to give myself some time to write more material. If this falls short in any way, please let me know in your reviews, my writing is a little rusty unfortunately. Tell me your thoughts, and I'll see you guys next time.