Thanks for keeping up with this new story, It's going to be a bit more ambitious in scope than Caring, but will likely update slower, at least until Caring is finished, which should be by the end of the year. In any case, please leave a review! I really appreciate it!

Sword Spirits: Chapter One: Kizmel

Spiritforged weapons are a marvel. The art of spiritforging is old, and lost to all but a few smiths, many of whom fail far more often than they succeed when they try. It is for good reason, too. Spiritforging calls a spirit from whatever realm they go to when the body dies, and the longer the spirit has been there, the harder it is for them to return.

Given that most people are rather protective of a recently deceased person's possessions, this makes spiritforging harder for many smiths, especially with how Magic has faded from Aincrad...

-Spiritsmith Gelbert, the last spiritsmith of Aincrad.

"I never thought that spiritforgin' would be somethin' so…"

"game-changing?"

"Yeah, that works," Argo nodded, running one hand around the end of the scabbard that contained Kizmel. "I knew I was on the tip of somethin' monumental when I first ran across the quest, but I didn't realize it would be this big."

"Bringing back the dead tends to be big." I said, leaning back against the bench the three of us were sitting on. Kizmel was resting across all three of our laps, and we were deep in conversation with her.

I got the vague sense that Kizmel was nodding, even though she physically couldn't. "Spiritforgers have been enslaved in the past. I am not surprised that this one is in hiding."

"You know about spiritforgers?" Argo could barely contain her curiosity, hunching over the blade in her lap as if she could wring answers out of it.

"Only in the sense that they existed. My people have never had a spiritforger, as they guard their secrets well. For you to have made such an impression that one would forge for you…" Kizmel's words hung in the air.

"He's probably pretty close to death." I broke the silence with all the force of a sledgehammer. "I mean, he was refusing payment, and mentioned wanting to create something before he dies."

It was notable that neither Asuna or Argo contested my assertion. We had seen too much that made Aincrad a living world to discount the possibility. "Yeah, it was weird that he didn't have any other projects lying around," The fencer agreed, "But I'm glad he did it."

"Speaking of death, are you okay with this, Kizmel?" I asked, rubbing one hand over the sword that was now her body. "I mean, we did just pull you back into Aincrad, and..." The Dark Elves had an unusual view of Aincrad and their place within it.

They saw Aincrad as a prison, or place of exile, that they would one day break free from. While for the most part, they lived as normal, they had very few children as a matter of choice.

Who would want their child to be born in a prison.

It helped that the Dark Elves were so long-lived that most of the original generation was still around, and that they had similarly long memories. Most of the human population of Aincrad was two to three generations removed from civilization on the ground, knowing only life on the floating castle, but some of the Elves still had parents, friends, and sometimes even children waiting for them that they hoped to see some day.

Kizmel's answer was simple, and so purely her, that any lingering doubts that whoever was in my sword was not the Dark Elf Knight fell away.

"I couldn't possibly willingly leave Aincrad while my friends are still trapped within it. I may never again walk in the forests below with my mother, but I will do whatever I can to ensure that you may walk with yours in the Human Woods."

"Still," I said skeptically, "I can't imagine that the spiritforging was comfortable, and it's probably pretty uncomfortable in there, right?"

"Not at all," Kizmel said, "The whole process was rather like the sensation of teleportation, only spread out over a matter of hours instead of a single instant." The sword quivered slightly in our laps. "And I will be able to protect and help you in your adventures, Kirito, Asuna. It is one of the greatest honors I can imagine."

"Thank you," I said, gripping the sword tightly. "Thank You."

"Well, as much as I would like ta stay," Argo said, sliding off the end of the bench, though she kept one hand on the sword. "I need to go talk to the blacksmith, see if he's willin' ta share any info."

"Is that what you were doing when you found us?" Asuna asked.

"Nah, I was tryin' ta track Kii-bou down 'cause he hadn't responded to any o' my messages. Guess we know why that was, huh?" Shocked, I swiped my message bar open, and watched as a set of flashing messages from Argo filled up the screen. They started from around the same time that the Spiritforging had begun, and I must have missed them in the emotional upheaval of the afternoon.

"I'm sorry Argo," I said, "What do you want me to do to make it up to you?"

"Well," The info broker hummed thoughtfully, tapping her finger against her chin. "How abou' ya treat me ta dinner tomorrow at Julie's on floor 50?"

"Sounds good," I said. "What time did you want to meet up?"

"I'll send you a message." The info broker waved, finally letting her hand drop from the sword. "And ya better wear somethin' nicer than that shirt."

"What's wrong with the shirt?" I thought it looked rather nice on me. It fit well with my coat, which I had received compliments about before.

"Julie's is a formal restaurant. That shirt is not," Asuna said and Argo nodded in agreement.

"As much as I like ya Kii-bou, I do have somethin' of a reputation ta keep."

"You wear that cloak all the time, Argo." I really didn't see why I needed to change my shirt. I was just treating a friend for inconveniencing her. She had far better prospects if she wanted to date. Who'd even want someone like me, who vanished into dungeons for days at a time without backup.

"'Course I do," Argo said, smirking, "It's my trademark."

"It's okay Argo, Kizmel and I will help him get a shirt that's appropriate for the occasion." Asuna grabbed me by the shoulder, dragging me off the bench.

Five minutes later, we were standing in front of Ashley's. "Why do I need a new shirt? I'm just apologizing for missing Argo's messages." Asuna looked at me disbelievingly. "What?"

"Nothing," Asuna said far too quickly.

"Look, if I'm missing something-"

"You probably aren't," Asuna said, more to herself than to me. "Well, in any case, Julie's has a fairly strict dress code, and while your coat makes the cut, it's just about the only item on you that does." She pushed open the door of the shop. "But we don't have the time or money to get you a new wardrobe, so a new shirt will have to do."

"Welcome to Ashley's tailoring!" Ashley, the proprietor of the shop, and one of the foremost tailors in Aincrad bustled toward us, her long lanky frame moving gracefully around racks of clothing. "What can I- oh. Hello Asuna, Kirito," The tailor dipped her head to each of us. "How's your dress holding up Asuna? It seems far too early for you to need a replacement."

Ashley was the one who supplied most of the Clearers with cloth gear. As AGI-heavy builds, Asuna and I were both frequent customers.

"My dress is fine," The fencer said, pushing me forward. "We're actually here because he needs a new shirt."

"I screwed something up and Argo wants me to pay for a meal at Julie's to make up for it." I said, grateful that at least fitting for clothes here was a lot less time-consuming than it was IRL.

"Julie's, hmm?" Ashley turned around, ruffling through one of the racks of collared shirts. She grabbed two off the rack, of very different colors, and held them up. The one on the left was white, and the one on the left was a dark purple.

She handed me the white shirt, and I dutifully held it up against my chest. Ashley frowned, and beside her, Asuna shook her head.

"Kirito, if you're ever in a situation where you have to wear white, make sure you're wearing makeup as well," Asuna said, taking the shirt from me. "It looks terrible against your skin tone."

I nodded dutifully, and repeated the process with the purple shirt. This time the looks were much more positive, although Ashley clicked her tongue in disapproval as I played with one of the sleeves.

"Alright, I'll get this tailored, Asuna, could you come with me? I'd like to get your input on some of the stitching." Ashley waved Asuna into the backroom. That was strange. Even though Asuna had the sewing skill, to the best of my knowledge she rarely used it anymore. Did Asuna have some eye for detail or sewing that I didn't know about? Cautiously, I crept closer to the door.

Ashley had left it open accidentally.

"Girl, I know you're selfless, but-" Ashley was saying something, only to be cut off by Asuna.

"Can we please not talk about that?" She sounded like she was in pain. I didn't like that sound. Inside my head, Kizmel sighed. "I just want to help him get ready for his date."

Date?

It wasn't a date. I was just giving Argo a meal as an apology for missing her messages. It just so happened that the meal was at Julie's. Wait, why had she specified- I flipped open the "restaurant guidebook" that Argo had published last month. Sitting right in the top five of "Romantic Restaurants" was Julie's.

It totally was a date.

What did I do? Was Argo trying to signal that she wanted to date me? She had to know what she was implying when she said Julie's, right? Even If I didn't, like the idiot I was.

No, Argo could do far better than me as a romantic partner. I could be out of contact for days at a time when in dungeons, never knowing if it was my last delve. I'd forget all the important things, like her birthday, and inviting her out on dates. Fuck, why did she even want to spend time with me? I was an unsociable loser.

But turning her down would hurt her. I couldn't do that to her. I'd have to distance myself from her, or find someone better for her and try to set them up.

"Look, as much as I appreciate you trying to help, I care too much about Argo to fuck this up just because…" Asuna's voice rose in frustration, coming clearly through the crack in the door. I closed it quietly, to give them more privacy

"Kizmel?" I said, feeling numb.

"Yes Kirito?" The spirit of my friend said, her voice echoing through my mind.

"I don't know what to do." It was painful to admit, but I had never been in this sort of situation before. The only person who I had even thought might have been interested in me in even a semi-romantic fashion had been Sachi, and she had… I shook my head.

Sachi was gone.

Wait, no, maybe I could- I thumbed through my inventory and grabbed the recording crystal, starting to stand up before I came to my senses.

No, I wouldn't be able to spiritforge Sachi back to life. She was dead, her brain fried by the Nervgear. I doubted that the Cardinal system was keeping a record of her brainwaves the way that it had kept Kizmel's NPC data.

Still, I had to try. After my date with Argo. It would be something to apologize with if it worked. And if it didn't, then it didn't.

"Kirito, are you alright?" Kizmel asked. I could feel her concern radiating off her sword.

"I'm fine," I said, unconvincing even to myself. "Let's go to a dungeon after I get my shirt, okay? I need to clear my head."

As I waited, I played over the conversation in my mind. Ashley had been worried about Asuna's reaction to something, and Asuna had mentioned that she cared deeply about Argo. Was Asuna interested in Argo?

The more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Asuna had turned down every man who approached her for a date, using me as a shield. It would be a good way for her to cover up her sexuality.

I just had to figure out if Argo was interested in girls as well.

And if she was, then I could try and set the two of them up, and they could be happy together.

Yeah, that's what I'd do.

It wasn't even five seconds after I had decided on a course of action that Asuna and Ashley came out of the back room, the latter holding the hemmed purple shirt.

It looked good on me.

It was a shame I'd only ever wear it once.

"Very nice, if I do say so myself," Ashley said, and Asuna smiled.

It was a sad smile, with her eyes heavy and her mouth only barely curved up. I didn't like it.

"Well, Asuna?" I asked, turning towards her and grabbing a truly horrible hat off a nearby shelf. "Do you think I look good?" I placed the brown, feathered hat on my head and struck a pose.

Asuna took one look at me and burst out laughing, while Ashley stepped forward angrily.

"No! No! No!" She shook her head, snatching the hat off of my head. "Not that color! Wear this, if you must wear a hat!"

"I must agree with the tailor," Kizmel said, "As much as that hat makes Asuna laugh, it would make you most uncomfortable to wear it in public."

I know I thought back, accepting the much more understated black hat that Ashley offered. But it got Asuna out of her funk And that was the important bit.

I loved making her smile.

She was still smiling as we left the shop, the shirt and the hat in my inventory.

{47th floor, Gate of Shadows}

When I entered the dungeon {Gate of Shadows}, the first thing I noticed, as always in these types of dungeons, was the dark.

"I don't like this," Kizmel said, her voice tight. "You are exploring dangerous territory alone, without any backup nearby."

"Relax," I said, taking a light crystal out of my inventory and equipping it to a headband I had bought for dungeons such as this. It would provide me with six hours of light after I activated it. More than enough time for me to get in, test out Kizmel, and get out. "I've been here before, it's not that dangerous."

I waved a hand around at the dark cave. "The only truly dangerous monsters here are the minibosses, er, the lieutenants, and I'm going to be avoiding them." This really wasn't a dangerous dungeon. The rooms were huge, and had no debris, so I was free to retreat at almost any time. Plus the mobs came in comparatively small groups. Argo and I had cleared this dungeon together in under three hours last week.

Kizmel rattled in her sheath. "That does not change the fact that you have no backup! Why is Asuna not with you?"

"She has duties to her guild," I said, drawing Kizmel from her sheath. The sword itself was called {Warrior's Remembrance}, but it would always be Kizmel to me. "I've been doing this for a couple months now. I'll be fine"

Kizmel quieted, although I could tell that she still wanted to say something, there was something more important to deal with right now.

A group of {Bat Warriors} had descended from the ceiling, awoken by my light. There were four of them in total. On paper, it should have been an easy victory for me. I was fifteen levels higher than them, and had a sword that was probably better than any in the game currently.

I didn't know what made spiritforged weapons so special in the lore, but in-game, they conferred a +20 boost to STR, DEX, AGI, and LUK, with a little message underneath that read {continued use of a Spiritforged weapon may unlock new abilities}. I was eager to discover what those abilities might be.

I raised Kizmel up, pointing her at the Bat-men, and falling into a stance. "The one on the far left is nursing an old wound." Kizmel said, and my eyes traced over his body, finally noticing the slight limp he was walking with. No wonder he was below the average level.

I'd take him out first.

I shifted, as the group of warriors spread out to try and encircle me, putting all my weight on my back foot. As the limping bat-man passed my left, I pivoted and leapt at him, Kizmel flashing down in an overhand strike.

The limping warrior tried to raise his arm, the wing falling open beneath it, but I felt my arm shift, and my sword stabbed around his arm, sinking into his chest.

I withdrew Kizmel, stepping around my opponent's wing and inside his guard to land a heavy punch to the same area I'd just stabbed.

He flew back, landing some twenty feet away, a small sliver of health left.

I almost started after him, but I heard a rush of wind and ducked. A heavy arm passed over where I'd been half a second ago, and I flicked my sword upward, cutting through the thin wing membrane that followed it, making the warrior screech in agony, worsening the wound as he tried to pull his wing off my sword.

I hopped back, pulling Kizmel with me, all but crippling the warrior's arm as I tore off a significant portion of his wing.

"Behind you!" Kizmel shouted in my mind. I sidestepped as a hand stabbed past me, a third mob trying to take advantage of me attacking it's fellow. I chopped down with my sword at it's arm as it tried to withdraw it, catching it at the tips of it's fingers and cutting them off.

They fell to the floor and shattered. I leapt back, trying to distance myself from the group of mobs.

We fell into an uneasy stalemate. Thus far, I was untouched, but if Kizmel hadn't warned me, I would have been stabbed by that last attack.

Maybe I would need to pull out my second sword for this dungeon.

The stalemate was broken as the bat-man with a torn wing growled, and charged me, his claws glowing red. I raised Kizmel to parry the swipes, deflecting them up, before stepping into his charge and planting an elbow in his gut.

As the breath whooshed out of him, I tossed him back, and activated a simple sword skill. [Sonic Leap] I leapt into the air, bringing my sword down on him like a hammer. It cut through his torso at the shoulder, digging deep into him. I froze then, the system taking it's penalty for activating a sword skill.

One of the mobs took advantage of that, it's claws digging into my shoulder. "Kirito!"

I ducked away from the follow-up, tossing Kizmel to my off hand and delivering a horizontal cut across the belly of the mob who had attacked me, cutting it's health down by a third.

I'm fine, I thought back. My battle healing will take care of it. Kizmel seethed in my hand as I struck the mob again, sidestepping an attack from my side and cutting off the head of the limping Man-Bat as it tried to rejoin the fight.

One down.

Three to go.

And all of them were injured.

I was, too, but my battle healing was already taking care of that. It only needed a couple more seconds… I heard my health bar ding as it reached full. I grinned, and tossed my sword back to my main hand.

The mobs took that as their chance to attack, one coming in from the left, one from the right, and one from the center. It was almost perfect.

As they approached, I fell into a stance, my sword held near the hip, as if I was going to draw it from its sheath. Just a little longer, now!

When the beastmen attacked, I met them with the sword skill [Circular]. It was a simple skill, consisting of me swinging my sword around in a circle, but it managed to hit all three of the mobs, killing two.

The final one powered through the strike, to my surprise, it's claws aimed for my chest. Much to my surprise, my arm moved even though I was locked up by the system, interposing Kizmel between myself and the beast, catching it's claws on the blade.

It wasn't much, but it gave me enough time to recover from using the sword skill, and duck under the Beastman's guard, driving a knife-hand into his chest and finishing him off.

That wasn't a bad battle, all things considered. I had engaged the enemy in somewhat unfavorable circumstances, and had come out of it with only one hit that was already healed. Unfortunately, Kizmel didn't share my opinion.

"That was insanely reckless and if you have been fighting like that, I have no idea how you have not gotten yourself killed!" The dark elf rattled in her sword, making it shake in my hands.

"Look, my battle healing took care of it. I've gotten out of worse scrapes before." It hadn't been anywhere near as dangerous as facing off against the dungeon boss with Argo, and I had come out of that one with my health in the green.

"You will turn around and leave this dungeon at once, Kirito, and you will find someone who is willing to accompany you in your delving, or I will refuse to fight with you," Kizmel said, her voice deadly serious. "I do not care that you think you could handle it, a warrior who fights alone is destined to die."

There was a beat of silence as I digested Kizmel's words. She took advantage of it to lay into me more. "What will happen to Asuna if you die, or Argo? You told me once that you didn't trust anyone else to watch their backs when it truly mattered. Will you leave them defenseless when you die?"

Asuna? We still partnered up for boss battles occasionally. Not as often as she worked with her guild and I attached myself to Fuurinkazan, but we had partied together for the last boss fight. I'd had to deflect a blow that would have taken more than half her health if it had landed.

What would have happened if I hadn't been there. An image of Asuna shattering, her face a rictus of fear flashed through my mind. I shook my head. I wouldn't let that happen.

"Alright." I sheathed Kizmel carefully. The Dark Elf Spirit seemed mollified. "I'll talk to Asuna, she offered me a position in her guild recently."