Chap 12 – Frozen Blood
"What are you doing here?" Tiese asked Royne after she had caught her breath; her tone rather unfriendly. Both girls, along with Selka, had run up multiple flights of stairs in the Central Cathedral. They were currently on floor thirty-eight; a floor with no special purpose but a good place to regroup. Tiese had stopped Linel with a fire sacred art but once that attack died down, the young Integrity Knight was sure to be on their heels; especially since Ronye had killed her partner, Fizel.
"Tiese." Ronye huffed out; her hands on her knees as she cocked her head to the side; her short brown hair cascading to one side. "You're alright."
"Of course I am." Tiese replied matter-of-factly.
"I was so worried." Ronye wiped at the dried, crusted blood beneath her nose and upon her chin.
"I can take care of myself; unlike you."
"I'm fine." Ronye bit out, clearly not all that concerned about her latest injury. "I want to know why you disappeared over a year ago and didn't tell me anything." She stood to her full height. "What kind of friend does that?"
"A bad one, obviously." Selka muttered; earning a glare from the red head.
"Whatever you were dealing with, you should have come to me." Ronye said. "You always did before."
"I had an opportunity and acted upon it, okay?" Tiese snapped. "How you'd feel about it was the last thing on my mind."
Ronye looked away demoralized, for perhaps she was hanging onto something that had fizzled out.
"Have you grown any closer to Eugeo?" Selka spoke up; her tone demanding Tiese's attention. "That was your goal, right?"
The red head glanced to the side; suddenly interested in the paneling on the wall.
"Was it worth it? Exchanging a friend like Ronye for those who care nothing for you."
"Eugeo cares." Tiese retorted.
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself of that?" Selka folded her arms across her chest.
"…"
"Tiese, I understand." Ronye gave a sad smile before embracing her friend in a hug. "Kirito sempai means the world to me too, but we can't force them to see us as more than their pages. As long as I'm Kirito-sempai's friend, I can be happy. It can be the same with you and Eugeo." Tiese wanted to believe her friend, but deep down, she knew her mentor was lost to her. That was confirmed the second Tiese walked in on him and the Pontifex. Tiese closed her eyes tight, wanting to rid herself of the sight of them together sexually, but it only brought about a flood of tears.
"I'm so sorry, Ronye." Tiese cried. "I really thought I had a chance with him. After we….we kissed in that stairwell…"
"You did what?" Ronye was in shock.
"Yeah….it…it was..it… felt….right. I….thought…that…that maybe we…but…then…I…saw…" Tiese's sobbing grew more intense.
"You don't have to talk about it right now." Ronye soothed the weepy girl. "When you're ready, I'll be here to listen."
"Thanks, Ronye." Tiese sniffled as she dried her eyes.
"Umm…not to be inconsiderate," Selka piped up. "But we need to discuss the issue of Ronye murdering Fizel."
"What?" Tiese couldn't believe it.
"It's true." Ronye forced a laugh. "Fizel mentioned Kirito sempai and I kind of lost it. Guess you're not the only one doing dumb stuff over a guy."
"I won't let you die." Tiese stated firmly; her gaze locking and holding with her friend's.
"We need to get back to Kirito and Alice." Selka chimed in. "They could help protect Ronye."
"Kirito's here?" Tiese squeaked out. She wasn't sure how he would react to seeing her, especially after what she did to his friends in the real world. Pushing that thought aside, Tiese continued, "Where?"
"The underground prison." Ronye replied. "Selka and I were originally with them until Fizel and Linel separated us for their own amusement."
Tiese narrowed her eyes; thinking of how Selka and Ronye could have been seriously hurt by that insane dagger wielding duo.
"As we're heading downstairs," Selka looked between the two girls. "Keep your eyes open for Linel. I'm sure she'll be prowling around somewhere. Stay cautious and alert."
"Okay." Ronye and Tiese replied in unison before starting the long track back to floor negative one.
OOooOOooOO
"I'm sure they are fine." Kirito stated matter-of-factly while watching Alice pace within their cell. "Ronye told me to trust her and I do."
"And I trust Selka." Alice replied. "It's just…after seeing her again, I…"
"You wish you could stay here." Kirito finished her statement; bringing Alice to a stop.
"I won't deny it; however, I know it's not possible. I made my choice to go with you and the others back to your world. But I must ask, how do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Leave the people you care about?" Kirito was taken aback by Alice's bold question. "I apologize for my lack of tact, but I must know. When I left Selka the first time, it was difficult, but seeing her again, now three years older, I realize how important time with her truly is. What if the next time I return to the Underworld, she's no longer here?"
"I understand how you feel about the time acceleration, I worry about that too; however, we can't spend our time thinking about what we may miss. We need to take advantage of the time we do have here by enjoying what we can and by assuring things are as they should be when we leave."
"…"
"In regards to leaving behind the people I care about," Kirito continued. "it's a new experience for me. I just didn't make those kinds of connections in the other virtual worlds. Plus, Asuna and the others have always gone back with me. But here, in the Underworld, people like Ronye, Selka, Liena, Eugeo…I hold onto every moment I've had with them because I know they belong here and I belong in my world. It's not easy knowing this but it is the reality of things."
"Prisoners," a stoic voice called from outside their cell, startling both Alice and Kirito. They turned to face an Integrity knight. "Your presence is requested on the top floor." Sheyta Synthesis Twelve stated.
"It's about time." Kirito stepped up to the bars.
"Where are our weapons?" Alice joined Kirito, glancing at Sheyta's empty hands.
"You will receive them when you arrive at your destination." Deusolbert stepped out of the darkness to reveal his presence.
"You're here too?" Alice raised a slender brow. "Lady Pontifex must feel threatened if there's two Integrity knights escorting us."
"Deusolbert, ready an arrow." Sheyta commanded of the Crimson Knight. Deusolbert pulled on his bow, a fire arrow appearing within seconds cocked and ready to strike; its target: Alice. "Show me your hands and she won't have to die." She spoke directly to Kirito.
"Okay, okay." He grudgingly did as she asked.
"These manacles will prevent you from trying anything. I don't have the time to babysit either of you nor do I want to but Renly seems to be missing, so I got nominated to do this." She snapped them around his wrists; a small smile cresting her lips as Kirito winced at the tightness of them. "Next." Deusolbert changed direction of his arrow, which was now pointed at Kirito. "Your hands, Alice Synthesis Thirty." Alice did as she asked, her expression sour. "I hope you're both well rested…" Sheyta smirked. "…because walking up one hundred flights of stairs is not for the weak."
OOooOOooOO
"What does Quinella plan do with all the sacred power she took from Rulid?" Cardinal asked of the boy knight. Both she and Renly were still in the library.
"I'm going to….kill…her…." Renly growled menacingly.
"Yes, yes, you've already made that quite clear." Cardinal sighed as she placed her small notebook and pen on a side table.
"Can you tell me why Quinella is so attached to Eugeo?"
Renly snarled upon hearing Thirty-Two's name.
"Can't you answer anything?" Cardinal was becoming impatient with Renly. For the past two hours, she'd been peppering him with questions only to receive the same one track replies. "This is useless." She stretched her hands above her head. "We will stop for now."
"My…twin…wing….blades…..where… are they?"
"I would wager they are in the armory. Quinella isn't one to discard weapons." Cardinal brought up Renly's status window, hoping to see an increased amount of life points since acquiring some sacred power; but he was still holding at point zero five. She did see; however, that his status had changed from Former Integrity Knight to Zombie. "Well that can't be good." She walked over to a bookshelf and pulled out a large book; it contained information about the Dark Territory. Cardinal thumbed through the pages, stopping at a section about its residents. "Among goblins and other demon races, zombies are known be quite territorial within the area." She read to herself then looked over at Renly. "Just as I suspected."
"My…divine weapons….I…want them…" the boy pulled at his restraints; making Cardinal a bit concerned for her well-being.
"Calm down, Renly." She scolded him. "They will be back in your possession, but first, you need to know how to keep yourself, ah…alive." The boy's soulless eyes shifted towards her. "The scared power I gave you, it came from a recently deceased person. I was lucky this individual died of natural causes. I will not kill any innocent. You, on the other hand, will have to do just that."
"…the…Taboo…Index…." Renly grunted out.
"You are no longer bound by the rules of the Human Empire." Cardinal stated flatly. "Your updated status, it will allow you to do as I have stated without any form of regret or penalty."
"…"
"When you feel lethargic, that is when you'll need to hunt. The person's sacred power must be absorbed into your collar and rings equally for it to be most effective." Cardinal stood before him, a folded garment in her hands. "I have for you the typical villager shirt. Its boat neck collar should work with these parameters. Hmm…." Cardinal rubbed her chin as a thought crossed her mind. "…now that I think about it, zombies don't communicate through speech, they express only with growls and moans. I'm thinking that whatever data came from your wings, that is the reason you can still speak; in a simple manner anyways." Renly omitted no reaction upon hearing what he was now. "But you must not rely on that fact alone. Data becomes outdated and if you don't supplement it with sacred power, I fear you will relapse to zombie completely and be taken to the Dark Territory."
"…"
"Going off your silence, I'm going to assume you understand the seriousness of your predicament." Cardinal opened another book and began to read. "A few more hours…" she began. "…and then we will head to the Cathedral."
OOooOOooOO
"Oh, no." Ronye cried out as she stopped abruptly on the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Selka asked, nearly bumping into her.
"With everything that's happened, we forgot about the antidote."
"An antidote?" Tiese paused next to the other girls. "What do you need one of those for?"
"Asuna." Selka explained. "Those wicked little girls tricked her and now, she could end up losing her right hand."
"I promised Kirito-sempai that I'd get it for him. Instead, I…" Ronye started to tear up.
"Only Fizel is dead." Tiese stated as she placed a hand on Ronye's shoulder. "Linel is still very much alive. It's only a matter of time before we cross paths again."
"And when that happens, that antidote will belong to us." Selka finished.
"Everyone!" Tiese suddenly called out. "Quick! Flat against the walls!" Tiese and Ronye pressed up against the left side of the stairwell whereas Selka was on the right.
"You won't escape this time." Linel sneered as she encroached upon the three girls in the stairwell. She was holding an array of daggers in both hands and was gaining quickly on them with each step.
"What should we do?" Selka looked across at Ronye and Tiese.
"We can't go back upstairs," Ronye said anxiously. "…that'll leave our backs open to her attacks."
"You're right." Tiese confirmed. "We'll have to use our numbers to our advantage." She waved Selka over to her side.
"What do you have in mind?" Ronye whispered.
"Whatever your plan is, we have to act fast." Selka's gaze shifted towards Linel. "She's almost here."
"Here's what I'm thinking." Tiese began, "…Ronye, you'll start by drawing her attention." Ronye gave a curt nod. "Meanwhile, Selka, you will sneak behind Linel; getting into a bent position with your hands on your knees." Selka nodded. "I'm going to stay hidden in the shadows until the opportune time comes and when it does, I'm going to shove Linel so that she topples over Selka and flies down the stairs."
"System Call: Wind Element." Selka called out softly; instantly surrounding Tiese with green, mist-like swirls. "This will give you the added strength to really send her flying." Selka smirked.
"Perfect." Tiese clutched her fists, ready to put her plan into motion.
"Come out, filthy rats." Linel sneered.
"We aren't rodents." Ronye countered while stepping out to the middle of the staircase. "We're the good guys."
"You honestly think you belong in that category?" Linel whipped a dagger at the girl; Royne spun to avoid it. "…especially after you killed Fizel. You're no better than us." Ronye faltered at the truth of the knight's words. "Killing in cold blood…"
"Give me the antidote." Ronye hammered out as she backed up the steps; making sure to keep the knight's focus on her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Selka preparing for her role in the plan.
"I can't give you something that doesn't exist." Linel said with malice.
"What?" Ronye jolted to a halt; giving Linel an opening to throw another dagger. This one embedding itself in Ronye's belly; blood instantly seeped through her clothes. "But you said…" Ronye gritted out as she brought her hands to her stomach; determined to continue backpedaling up the stairs. She had a role to play in Tiese's plan, and she'd do her part no matter what happened.
"That poison was made hours before it entered Asuna's body. Do you really think we'd have an antidote already? Those things take time. Time that Lady Pontifex needs to spend doing more important things…or people." Linel snickered.
"Eugeo sempai…" Tiese sagged against the wall, all thoughts of her current plan gone from her mind.
"Say what you want, but your words won't deter me." Ronye boldly stated; by-passing Tiese. Ronye noticed right away that Linel's words had affected her friend. "I have no reason to believe what you say. In fact, I'll confront Administrator myself and when I do, I'll find out the truth from her own two lips." She loudly spoke, successfully jolting Tiese back into the present.
"Like Lady Pontifex would ever speak with you." Linel spat as she unknowingly passed the red-haired girl.
"You never know until you try!" Tiese screamed as she jumped out; her arms and hands extended. She successfully knocked the knight backward and over Selka. Her shove was so intense that Selka had to grip onto the stair beneath her so that she didn't follow Linel. Thanks to the wind sacred art, Linel was sent flying down the stairs, her angry scream echoing throughout the stairway as she disappeared from sight.
OOooOOooOO
"Floor Thirty." Kirito counted quietly as he walked besides Alice, Sheyta and Deusolbert. Both he and the blonde knight were restrained by their wrists, as all four of them made their way to the top floor.
"Why bother keeping track?" Alice sighed. "After the first twenty, they all start to look alike."
"Quiet. Both of you." Sheyta stated while raising an arm before them; forcing everyone to stop. "Do you hear something, Deusolbert?"
The crimson knight placed a hand next to his ear. "Whatever it is, it sounds like it's getting closer."
Suddenly, the back of Linel came into view; crashing into Sheyta. The two collided; sending both knights further back down the stairs. Taking advantage of the confusion, Kirito jumped onto Deusolbert's back, locking his wrists around the knight's neck. "Alice!" he shouted. Not wasting a single moment, the blonde knight jumped onto Kirito, adding her own chained wrists to Kirito's. The crimson knight grabbed onto both sets of wrists as he twisted his body; hoping to dislodge his assailants. "Don't…Let… Go!" Kirito gritted out as he tightened his hold while he and Alice were thrown about like rag dolls.
"Get..off…" Deusolbert struggled against his attackers as air continued to be denied into his lungs.
"Not a chance." Alice yelled as she held on.
Soon Deusolbert fell to his knees; his face turning blue as he gasped in breaths. Kirito and Alice landed on their feet seconds after the crimson knight had passed out.
"He should be out for a while." Kirito said while raising his arms but was stopped by Alice's. "Ahh…"
"Oh, sorry." Alice stated in a flustered manner; for she just now realized how she was pressed up against Kirito and had been the whole time as they subdued Deusolbert. "So, where do you suppose Linel came from?" she asked while lifting her arms and then put some distance between her and Kirito.
"I can't say for sure but if we're lucky, Ronye and Selka had something to do with it. Come on." Kirito raced up the stairs with Alice close behind.
OOooOOooOO
"Get them quickly." Cardinal pushed open the door to the armory. "They should be in the back." She glanced at Renly, who stood beside her in the dark hallway. When she had freed him, Cardinal had expected Renly to retaliate in some way but much to her surprise, he remained motionless and silent as she told him about going to the Central Cathedral. Perhaps knowing their destination and what he'd gain and do there kept Renly obedient; however, Cardinal still needed to be on high alert and remain cautious around the boy. "I'll wait here. Don't dawdle." She spoke sternly. Renly made no sign acknowledging what she had told him as he stepped into the armory. "Wait." She placed a hand on his arm. "You are no longer an Integrity Knight." Renly's vacant eyes held with hers. "There is no guarantee that your Twin Wing Blades will respond to you."
OOooOOooOO
In preparation of his fight against Kirito, Eugeo had been training for the past several hours in the CloudTop Gardens. After pushing himself for so long, he was in need of a break and so, Eugeo decided to take a seat next to the cool stream; his Blue Rose Sword laying in the grass beside him. He splashed water onto his face but paused upon seeing his reflection in the calm water. Eugeo didn't look often at himself but when he did, he found he liked what he saw. Someone who was strong and confident; with the ability to fly, plus, he had the love of the Administrator. He placed his damp, wispy hair behind his elf-like ear; pausing to wonder if his child would have them as well.
"I thought I'd find you here." Administrator appeared beside him.
"Lady Pontifex." Eugeo looked up at her.
"Something has been bothering me." She sat next to the blonde. "Throughout all the times we've fucked, you've never said my name. Not even once."
"I'm…sorry?"
"You do know it, right?" She snapped.
"It's…"
"Stop." Administrator cut him off. "I don't want you saying it so casually." Her stern expression turning into one of clever delight. "I want you to say my name as I suck you off." By this point, Eugeo had grown accustomed to her wiles; however, his irritated expression clearly reflected what he thought about her latest idea happening at this particular moment.
"Must I remind you of the brand I gave you?" Administrator stated briskly. Eugeo looked down at his left forearm, her burned words, Lover Eternal, now white upon his skin. "Tell me again, what do those words mean to you?"
"Everything." The blonde replied automatically without giving it a second thought.
"Good." The Pontifex leaned in to whisper into his ear, "Under that tree is the perfect spot for 'my want' to happen." She nibbled on his lower ear before moving her lips down his neck. Eugeo squirmed slightly; not wanting to give in. "You have such an amazing cock." Administrator nuzzled against the blonde's neck while her hand drifted down his chest, towards his groin. Eugeo stiffened as her fingers grazed him between his long, lean legs. "Let me play with it."
"No." Eugeo stated in a rattled manner. "I came here to train, not to indulge in your fantasies." He pushed her off and then stood to his feet.
"Then I'll simply restrain you." Administrator calmly stood.
"Not going to happen."
"Then give me what I want." Grabbing his hand with hers, she brought the blonde to the single tree in the CloudTop Garden. Once there, she shoved Eugeo aggressively against it; then placed her face directly in front of his. "I know you drift off during oral sex but this time things will be different."
"No matter what you do, you can't make me like it." Eugeo challenged.
"Is that so?" Administrator ran a finger along the contours of his face. "How about we make a little bet?"
"What kind?"
"Well, if you successfully do as I ask, we will keep things relatively normal in the bedroom. However, if you fail at my request, your cock and I will become very close friends."
"I'll say your damn name." The blonde bit out.
"I know you will." She smiled coyly as her hands snaked down to the hem of his shirt. She then lifted it; exposing his toned stomach and ribs. Next, she went down on her knees; her hands sliding up and down his bare sides. Seconds later, her mouth connected with his firm stomach, making Eugeo's breath hitch. Administrator began caressing him with her lips, only stopping to nip and bite along his hip bones. "I want you to make yourself hard." She spoke in between kisses. "But I'll be the one to bring about your release." The blonde looked at her with trepidation; for Eugeo knew how to go about this, but to do it himself? She had always been the initiator. "You will bring about your own arousal." Administrator was becoming perturbed as she sat back on her bum. "And you will do it now."
The blonde reached for his pants and unzipped them unenthusiastically.
"Try to show a little excitement." She teased while stretching out her shapely legs to the side; her hand idly rubbing at her baby bump. "After all, I hear you have an excellent teacher."
Eugeo remained silent as he freed his cock then took it into his hand with a firm, yet gentle grip.
"Show me what you've learned, my lover eternal." Administrator's eyes floated between Eugeo's manhood and his emerald eyes. With his eyes holding hers, the blonde began to slide his hand up and down, keeping a steady pace. When he got to the tip, he used his thumb to encircle it. At first, he was awkward and embarrassed until she spoke, "Let your body guide you, not the other way around." Leaning on her words, Eugeo tilted his head back, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, concentrating on the task at hand.
"I'm certain it'll be a boy," Administrator stated in a sensual manner; her voice affecting him more than he'd like to admit. "Smart and confident like his mother, attractive and talented like his father. Are you hoping for a son too, my dear Eugeo?"
The blonde bit on his lower lip, still not sure how to reply. He grew uncomfortable whenever she mentioned the baby, but at the same time, he liked it when she used his real name. It reminded him of who he was and why he was doing what he was. Plus, it was a real turn on for him.
After a few moments, the blonde switched to his less dominant hand; continuing along his cock while his right hand moved to cup and massage his balls. As he was progressing, Eugeo's hips started to move of their own accord, increasing the pleasurable sensation. Administrator was quite impressed with the effort he was putting into this; however, he had yet to make any sounds. "Eugeo," she purred while laying her hands on his muscular thighs; her fingers beginning to rub the top and insides of them, adding even more stimulation. "I can see you glistening." Her tongue peeked out from her luscious lips to lick at the hint of cum.
The blonde let out a moan as his eyes opened. Upon seeing Administrator on her knees, in such a subservient pose before him, he hardened to the breaking point. Knowing this, Administrator brushed his hands aside and pinched him with her forefingers right where his balls and cock met.
"What are you doing?" he huskily asked.
"Taking a moment to enjoy this." Administrator ran her tongue along the underside of his shaft; sending the blonde in agonizing torment for the next few moments. Next, she twirled her tongue around him while her other hand squeezed and pressed his balls against each other. Eugeo twisted in her grip, wanting release but Administrator wasn't ready to give him that. "You can endure more." She took him into her mouth; her saliva slickening his cock. The blonde's eyes widened as he found himself watching her as she moved up and down, her mouth covering more of his cock with each pass. Once Administrator had him as deep down her throat as she could handle, she hollowed out her cheeks and began to slowly suck upon him.
"Fuck," he breathed out. "Quinella…let me have my release."
Administrator loosened her grip and seconds later, he spilled into her damp cavern. She happily swallowed every drop then stood up and kissed him.
OOooOOooOO
Renly came across his Twin Wing Blades in the armory. They were displayed within a glass case next to an array of other divine weapons. He scowled upon noticing the small chains that held his blades to a silver pedestal. "Mine." Renly growled before hitting the glass with his fist. It instantly shattered, the sharp shards flying about as they covered both the floor and Renly himself. He looked down at the shimmering shards which had embedded themselves within his flesh. He grumbled as he went to remove the first one. Once he did, Renly saw no blood in its wake. Confused, he pulled out another and another; still no blood. He also noticed there was no pain. "Zombie." He heard Cardinal's voice in his head.
Angered by this, Renly reached in to retrieve his weapons and when he touched them a dark mass spread from his hand, rapidly consuming the Twin Wing Blades. Within a matter of seconds, the beautiful divine weapon had become an inglorious one. Shades of ivory had replaced the once green and silver color of the blades. The sleek butterfly like design now looked more like a decrepit moth. The steel they were originally made from was made even sharper as the Twin Wing Blades were now made of human bone. Renly tightened his grip on the blades intending to free them despite how they had changed. He was surprised how the new material had sliced cleanly through the chains. Driven by curiosity, Renly decided to try them out. First, he spun them with his fingers, relearning the feel and weight of them. Next, he tested their speed and accuracy by throwing them against the door where Cardinal was waiting for him. They hit their target; fortunately, Cardinal had already made her way into the armory.
"Interesting…" Cardinal stated in an aloof manner; not really bothered that Renly had attempted to kill her. She was more fascinated with what had happened to his weapons. Cardinal opened a status window near them for a closer look. "…your Twin Wing Blades have indeed chosen to remain yours; however, in order to be compatible with you, they have morphed into a weapon only useable by someone of the zombie status."
End Chapter 12