Fractured – Chapter 9
"Dammit, Cardinal," I banged on the door. She had locked me inside a room high in Central Cathedral Tower, claiming I needed rest, both for a physical and mental recovery. I prowled back and forth, like a caged animal. Outside my door, stood Lesser Integrity Knights, making sure I stayed put. With nothing much else to do, I lay down on the bed, crossing my arms behind my head. I thought sleep would be impossible, but as soon as I hit my pillow, I fell into a restless slumber.
Hours later, Leina had quietly entered my room.
"Eugeo," I mumbled.
"Shh," Leina hushed.
"Leina?" I said groggily. I felt the mattress shift as she climbed into bed next to me. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I noticed she was wearing a rather sheer nightgown which did not leave much to the imagination. Face flushing, I averted my eyes and asked, "How'd you get past the Knights?"
"They won't bother us," Leina replied vaguely.
"Uh..okay. So, what's up?" I asked, noticing it was still dark.
"Cardinal has been busy prepping Fanatio and the lesser knights on the first floor. This isn't just something they can wrap their heads around easily or quickly," Leina replied.
I scowled. "There isn't time for talking, we need action." I started to rise from the bed.
"Easy," Leina placed her hands on my chest and pushed me back down into the mattress.
I sighed. I wasn't in control of anything and I had never felt so powerless with what was happening. Right now, my situation seriously sucked. My eyes flashed gold, then drifted back towards the woman above me. Well, maybe I could do something. I shifted until I was towering over her.
Leina's mouth made a little 'o' in surprise. I leaned in, my lips pressing up against hers. I kissed her deeply, and she was eagerly returning it. My hands ran through the hair at her temples while hers held onto my shoulders. We both came up for air, but only for a moment. I went to nip at her ear, then followed with soft kisses down her neck and collarbone, stopping at the edge of her nightgown. It had a large boatneck collar held together with a tie. With my teeth, I slowly pulled on said tie, which opened up her nightgown, freeing her ample chest. I looked up at her, her brown eyes half-lidded as she looked down at me. I leaned in, taking one of her pink-tipped nipples into my mouth, teasing it with my tongue as I massaged her other breast. Her arms went around me, her hands trying to find the hem of my shirt. Taking the hint, I pulled back to quickly tear it off. I tossed it to the floor without a second thought, then climbed back into bed. My hand trailed under the blanket where it found her soft thigh. My fingers trailed up the inside of it, finding purchase at her womanly core. I could feel the heat pulsing there.
"You're hot for me," I said, eyes smoldering.
"Is it that obvious?" Leina raised a slender brow.
"Hmm…" I replied, leisurely letting my thumb massage the sensitive nub inside her core. I let one of my fingers slid inside. She moaned softly. Encouraged, I slid in a second one, and began to scissor her. She was getting wetter by the minute. "Tell me what you want."
"You," she replied breathlessly.
Withdrawing my fingers, I brought them up to my mouth. I lightly licked them, savoring her womanly taste. Leina watched me, her face flush. I sunk lower onto the bed, removing the blanket completely. Pushing Leina's nightgown up towards her waist, my hands then went to her knees where I spread them slowly. Her legs folded out to either side, inviting me in. I went in first with my mouth, my tongue sliding into her, my teeth pulling at her folds. My hands held onto her hips as I tasted her further. She gripped my hair, her back arching.
"Kirito, please," she begged me.
I rose back up to tower over her. I could feel my own need rising and I was pretty sure Leina could see it too. She eyed me, her hands going to the waistband of my pants. Her fingers lingered there for a beat before diving inside. I felt her hand grip me, her fingers sliding up and down my cock. Goddesses, it felt good. Her thumb grazed the sensitive tip and I growled.
"You need it too," she purred.
My mind said no, but my body said differently. I took her hand in mine, and removed it from me. Her eyebrows furred; her lips turned down.
"You're cute when you pout like that," I murmured, kissing her knuckles softly. "Gimme a second." I slid off the bed and practically tore my pants from my body. I went back to the edge of the bed, staring down at the woman displayed before me. She smiled warmly, reassuring me. I knelt onto the bed, and readied myself for her. Wrapping her legs around my hips, she drew me closer, until we melted into one.
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Deusolbert was circling the village of Rulid on his dragon. So far, it'd been a peaceful night. He'd been out on patrol for days in the Northern Empire, and was now looking forward to returning to Centoria for a break. He'd just turned his dragon south when he spotted someone approaching the village. It was late at night, and with the disappearances happening, no one was allowed outside their village past curfew. He slowly descended, the dragon's wings hovering lightly to keep them aloft. "You there," he called. "What are you doing outside at this time of night?" The person stopped moving, though he detected the clink of chains. Withdrawing his weapon slowly, his stern eyes narrowed on the stranger. "You will draw back your hood and reveal to me who you are and what your purpose is."
The person only looked back at him, a flicker of recognition crossing icy blue eyes. Blue tendrils slithered across the person's skin and the temperature in the air dropped significantly. Deusolbert's dragon snorted, then reared back as though agitated, or afraid. What could scare such a creature? "Calm down," he murmured, laying a hand on his dragon's neck. His dragon gave a mighty flap of his wing, the wind from it blowing back the stranger's hood. Deusolbert's heavy brows lifted in surprise. This was one of the two swordsmen who had bested him in the Central Cathedral. "I already told you, I don't remember taking your friend from your village all those years ago," Deusolbert flatlined.
Saying nothing, a swirl of ice had formed in Eugeo's hand, then reshaped itself into the Blue Rose Sword. He slid into an attack position, raising his sword in challenge to the Integrity Knight.
Deusolbert sighed heavily. "Is it a fight you desire? Then, I shall oblige." Raising his weapon, it encased itself in flames, the Conflagrant Flame Bowburning brightly in the still of the night. He pulled his hand back, and three fiery arrows appeared in it, ready for flight. He cocked them, then sent them flying towards Eugeo.
The blonde swordsman lifted his sword into a blocking position, crossing his blade diagonally in front of his body. The sword sizzled against the flaming arrows, but held firm.
"That's right, you also have a divine weapon," Deusolbert muttered. "No matter, my fire will burn your ice regardless." Drawing back again on the string of his bow, he sent down another rain of arrows onto Eugeo.
Eugeo rotated his sword in a circular motion rapidly in front of him, creating a shield to deflect the arrows. Regrouping quickly, the Crimson Knight sent more arrows cascading down in rapid succession. Eugeo backflipped, then sidestepped this new group, though one nicked him across his cheek. "These are warning shots," the older man called down. "If you do not put down your arms, my next arrows will pierce much more."
The teen only looked up at him, pupils narrowing into slits, and went to slowly wipe at the small trail of crimson dripping down his cheek.
Deusolbert's dragon shifted nervously beneath him.
Eugeo raised his sword, then plunged it into the ground calling out "Enhance Armament." Giant shards of ice erupted, rushing away from him and heading towards Deusolbert. Following behind, Eugeo deftly leapt from shard to shard, quickly ascending to where Deusolbert hovered on his dragon. As Eugeo closed in, he raised his own sword, swinging it down in a Vertical attack. Sheathing his bow momentarily, Deusolbert caught the blade between his hands. Eugeo gritted his teeth as he pressed down on his weapon, inching it closer to the older man's face. With a heavy grunt, the Crimson Knight shoved Eugeo back, tossing him from the dragon. Quickly, he withdrew his bow again, and fired an arrow after the falling teen.
Landing nimbly on his feet, Eugeo saw the arrow headed straight for him. Reaching out his hand, he caught the arrow, its flames licking at his skin. He brought the arrow closer to his face and studied it for a moment. Then, snap!
"How is this possible?" Deusolbert was shocked. No one could simply break one of his divine arrows.
Eugeo raised his hand, and with a flick of his fingers, icy vines, complete with beautiful blue roses and deadly thorns, rose from the ground. The dragon dived and weaved, twisting and turning to avoid the ever-increasing number of vines that threatened them. One had gotten around his dragon's back foot, another around the front right one. More began to encircle his mount, and his beast roared. "Enough of this. Release Recollection," the Crimson Knight shouted. Deusolbert's bow erupted into flames, the heat from it felt for miles around. A large arrow made of flame itself appeared in his bow. He centered it on Eugeo, and pulled back the bowstring. He sent the arrow flying, its roar like the cry of a phoenix.
Eugeo crouched down, his hand planted firmly on the ground. Muttering a few words, a giant wall of ice rose to protect him. The fiery arrow collided with the ice wall. Eugeo brought his arm up and squinted through the steam that was now billowing and hissing. The steam was so thick and heavy, it was disorientating. Slowly, Eugeo attempted to get back on his feet when he was slammed in the stomach. He was sent flying across the ground, where he skidded to a halt. A giant shadow then fell over him, as Deusolbert's dragon descended. It placed one heavily clawed foot on his chest. "You will come with me to Centoria," the Crimson Knight ordered.
Eugeo merely smiled, small fangs glittering in the moonlight. The tendrils on his skin began to pulse. Reaching his hands up, he wrapped them around the dragon's foreleg. From his hands, ice had formed and began to travel up the dragon's body. The dragon tried to pull back, the ice accelerating across its body. It howled in fury, before being encased completely. Eugeo then flicked his finger against the ice, his hand chains clinking against each other, and the dragon shattered into a million pieces.
Deusolbert had barely a moment to jump off his mount. He hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet despite the heavy armor he wore. He staggered back, as he couldn't believe what he what he'd just witnessed. He bent down, his hands gliding over what remained of his beloved dragon. Furious, he stalked over to Eugeo. Bow at the ready, he drew back his arm, four flaming arrows appearing. He aimed them directly at Eugeo's chest. "Bastard," he muttered.
Eugeo had risen onto his elbows. "Do it," said Eugeo, green eyes pleading.
Deusolbert drew his arrows taught, but he couldn't let go. The Taboo Index clearly forbid murder. Instead, he shifted his arrows lower, setting them free into Eugeo's thighs and legs. "This should keep you from running," Deusolbert flatlined.
Eugeo hissed at the pain, the flames scorching his skin. Why does it hurt though? Meanwhile, in his hand, ice began to swirl, the Blue Rose Sword emerging from it. Icy blue eyes flashing, Eugeo flipped it over, then thrust his sword into the older man's side, finding the vulnerable spot between his armor. Deusolbert wheezed as the weapon struck true. Eugeo twisted his blade, shoving it further into the soft flesh.
"Give my regards to the Pontifex," Eugeo said flatly.
Deusolbert fell to his knees, then dropped onto his side. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the ground. Within moments, his body turned into sacred power that soon floated up into the air.
Panting, Eugeo rose to a sitting position. He withdrew the arrows from his body and got steadily to his feet. His ice was rapidly healing his wounds when he heard a young girl's voice calling out to him.
"Eugeo! Eugeo!" Selka rushed up to him, wrapping her arms around him. She hugged him tight. "Are you alright?"
Eugeo looked down at the girl, caught off guard.
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I slowly opened my eyes, having slept the best I'd had since I came to the Underworld. My mind and body felt truly refreshed. I had to admit, Cardinal was right, though I'd never admit that to her. Propping myself onto my elbows, I felt someone brush their arms along my bare chest and murmur, "Kirito." I looked down and saw Leina sleeping soundly, curled into me. She was so beautiful, her naked body flushed and pink after… Uh, wait…What? I scrambled out of the bed, falling onto the floor with a thud.
"Morning already?" Leina rubbed sleepily at her eyes. She shifted, the blanket falling past her waist, exposing her chest. "Kirito?" she looked around the room.
"Right here," I raised my hand. "I'm okay." I slowly lifted myself so I was eye level with Leina on the bed.
She smiled at me, then stretched like a contented house cat. "Hmm…" she purred, reaching up to cup her breasts.
Blood rushed to my face, as well as other places. Grinning lustfully, I climbed back onto the bed. Another few minutes wouldn't hurt.
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I was buttoning my jacket as I trailed behind Leina down the stairs to the first floor. I couldn't help myself as I watched her hips sway back and forth as she descended the staircase. Gah! What was I doing?
"Come on, Kirito," she called over her shoulder. "Cardinal should be finished by now."
We both entered the conference room, seeing a group of men and women seated around a large circular table.
Fanatio was at the helm, a smirk playing at her lips, "Sleep well?"
Leina nodded curtly.
My face reddened as I slid into a chair next to her.
"First off, I have to commend the three of you," Fanatio nodded at me, Leina, and Renly, "you all have done incredible work on this."
The three of us looked at one another. We did make a pretty good team.
Suddenly, the door to the conference room opened, and my page rushed in. "Kirito!" Ronye practically bowled me over in my chair, hugging me tight.
"Ronye? I'm glad you're safe, but um…you're suffocating me."
Ronye's face reddened. "S..sorry." She slid off me, but not entirely. She now sat on my lap.
"We were able to get Ronye and the others out of those cages, but it wasn't easy," Fanatio frowned. "In addition, we were able to rescue nearly one hundred people from the Manor House. They are being returned to their homes as we speak by our fellow Knights, twenty-three, twenty-four, and twenty-six. As for the beasts in the area, they were dealt with by myself and my Whirling Blades. We had sacred arts specialists studying the resurrection chamber and arts, but they were interrupted by ice, which became very dangerous and nearly killed them. I suppose your friend is responsible for this?" Fanatio looked pointedly at me.
Before I could respond, another young girl with long, flowing red hair entered the room. I could see Renly's face flush, as he sat up higher in his chair. I knew he had a thing for her, but she was too busy fawning over my best friend to notice. Honestly, I felt a little bad for Renly.
"Linel and Fizel are contained in the dungeon below. They seem to be…off, but we are working on it. I learned that Pontifex was using human sacrifices to absorb sacred power and use it to fully resurrect herself," Tiese reported. "Being that they were all around Kirito-sempai's age, she was going for the height of human vitality. We'd like to learn more, but Pontifex seems to be missing."
"Not missing, dead," Cardinal spoke up.
"What?" Tiese's mouth hung open.
"Long story," I muttered.
"Even so, we need more information." Cardinal looked directly at me.
"What do you propose?" I asked.
"Everyone knows your power is strong, but you have a personal investment here. Eugeo is your best friend, and personally, I don't believe you can fight him to the death, should it come to that."
"I'm not going to kill him," I snarled. "I won't let anyone else do it either."
"Walk with me," Cardinal hopped off her chair, waving at me to follow. "Fanatio, please send your lesser knights to protect the city. Tiese, Ronye, I need you two in my library to find out any information you can about Zero's past and what his true purpose could be. Renly, Leina, prepare for another journey up north for observation. Kirito and I will be back in a few minutes." We left the room and entered the gardens outside.
"I know of the Synthesis Ritual," she spoke casually, as if discussing the weather.
I raised a brow.
"In order to fight Eugeo at your best, I purpose you undergo it."
"What?!"
"You heard me," Cardinal deadpanned.
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"Finally," Higa brushed an arm across his forehead. He was way better with computers, but after a lot of trial and error, he was able to restore power for their little experiment. He squinted up at the sun, its rays feeling good against his skin. The warmth felt nice, but he knew he couldn't stay outside for long. Sighing, he gathered up his tools and headed back into the caves. Following along the twists and turns of the caverns, he was about to head back to the room that contained Kirito and Eugeo, before he changed direction and headed off towards a supply room. Their main research room was already filled with a lot of equipment, and these tools weren't necessary anymore. Approaching the supply room, he withdrew a set of keys, and quickly found the right one. Sliding it into the lock, he pushed the door open. It creaked open, revealing a young teenage girl.
"Asuna?" he asked, clearly surprised. "What're you…" Smack! Higa slunk to the floor, unconscious.
Sinon stepped up behind the fallen man, swinging a broom from one hand. "That should buy us some time." She tossed the broom to the side. "Now let's get out of this damn room."
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Rinko's eyes squinted against the lights that had been restored. Glancing back at Alice and Sugu, she said, "Higa and Kikuoka should be back anytime now."
"We can deal with them," Alice crossed her arms.
"No, you can't," Rinko snapped.
"We're not leaving my brother," Sugu gritted out.
They heard footsteps out in the hallway quickly approaching.
"There's no time to explain," Rinko said hurriedly. "Look, there are two STL beds still in the Roppongi branch. Use them to log into the Underworld to help Kirito and Eugeo."
The two girls looked at each other, one ready for battle, the other anxious. Alice stepped up, using her cutters to release the bonds that held Rinko in her chair. "We're even," she said.
"Thank you." Rinko rubbed at her wrists. "I promise to look after them both. Now go!"
The girls had barely left the room when Kikuoka came strolling back inside, a smile across his lips.
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Alice and Sugu were quietly retracing their steps back through the caverns.
"I hate leaving them," Alice grumbled.
"I don't like it either. Let's just get to those STL beds as fast as we can."
Alice drew up short, pulling Sugu against the side wall. They heard sounds approaching them from the opposite way. Did Rinko sell them out already? They both held their breaths.
"I think we're lost," Asuna sighed softly.
"Asuna?" Sugu stepped out from the shadows.
"Sugu?" Asuna's jaw dropped. "What are you doing here?"
"She came with me," Alice joined the other girls.
The girls gave each other quick hugs, though Alice and Asuna's were reluctant.
"Have you found Kirito?" Asuna asked, eyes wide with hope.
"We'll fill you in on our way to Roppongi," Alice replied.
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"Eugeo?" Selka pulled back, her brows knit in confusion. What happened to you? There was a tear in his clothes, giving her a glimpse of a blue rose tattoo on his chest that pulsed softly. She felt an incredible amount of sacred power, but it seemed to be tapered down for now. She cautiously grabbed onto Eugeo's hand, noticing the hand chains. Meanwhile, Eugeo said nothing and let her continue to examine them. She glanced up at him, concerned blue eyes meeting stoic icy blue ones. Cautiously, she took his hand in her own, and began to lead him back to the village.
As they approached the gates, someone shouted, "Who goes there?"
"Jink, it's me," Selka called.
"Damn it, Selka. You know you're not supposed to be outside this time of night," Jink scolded. A young man of about twenty opened the gate and stepped outside. He had a sword hanging from his belt. "There are beasts out there that only I could protect you from," he said arrogantly.
"Just let us in," Selka huffed.
"Us?" Jink approached the two with his pompous swagger. "Why Eugeo, is that you?" Jink strode up to the blonde. He began to circle Eugeo like a wild cat surveying its prey.
Eugeo's eyes narrowed, watching the other man.
"What are you doing back here? Aww…did you fail at being a swordsman? Let me guess, you couldn't hit a moving target because they weren't rooted in place?" He chuckled at his own bad pun. "Or perhaps you're hanging out with Selka here because Alice dumped you for your black-haired friend? He always did have more balls than you." Jink sneered.
"He's here because he just fought and killed an Integrity Knight," piped up Selka.
"Ridiculous." Jink scoffed. "Murder is clearly forbidden."
"Well, it's true. Now let us pass so I can make sure Eugeo's okay," Selka attempted to brush by.
"If Eugeo is such a bad ass now…" Jink mocked, "I'd like to see him prove it."
"Stop it," Selka countered.
Eugeo put an arm out, cutting off the young girl. In his hand, icy shards had formed, transforming into the Blue Rose Sword. Blue tendrils began to pulse across his skin.
"Should I be scared?" Jink mocked. "Real men wield swords made of steel and iron." He withdrew his own weapon, sliding into an attack position. "I am a captain now, and am not the same person you fought when you first left Rulid." He lunged towards Eugeo.
"Neither am I," Eugeo replied softly.
Eugeo brought up his sword, easily deflecting Jink's. The other man's momentum kept him going as he went to plow into the blonde. Using his left arm, Eugeo slid it across the other man's chest, then forced him backwards. Eugeo's knee was bent, and Jink went tumbling over it, where he hit the ground, hard. The blonde held his sword above the other man's neck. Jink was sprawled on the ground, eyes full of hate.
"What did Alice ever see in you anyways?" Jink growled. "You're just a damn woodcutter."
Eugeo's eyes twitched in aggravation, then he raised his sword up, ready to bring it down onto Jink. He was ready to thrust it back down when he felt Selka wrap her arms around him. She rubbed her face into his back, squeezing him even tighter. "Don't," she said softly.
Icy blue eyes narrowed, but he hesitated.
Do it. Or have you forgotten how cruel he was to you?
Eugeo's mind was filled with all the times Jink and his gang had bullied him in the past. All the pranks, tricks, and condescending taunts. He did nothing to Jink, and yet, because Alice chose to hang out with him, he'd become the center of the other man's attacks. Eugeo growled, bringing the blade ever closer to the man's soft throat. The Blue Rose Sword's tip nicked the other man's flesh, drawing a drop of blood.
"Please," Selka pleaded.
Eugeo shifted his sword, bringing it down into the ground, mere inches from Jink's face. The other man gulped audibly, his brown eyes sliding over to see the sharp edge of the blade that had just missed him. Jink scrambled out and quickly got back to his feet. "This isn't over," he threatened, then ran back into the village.
Selka released Eugeo, taking a wary step back. "Eugeo?" she began carefully.
The blonde held his hands in front of his face, the metal chains clinking together, fingers splayed out. She could see how much he was torn, his eyes wide. Though she noticed one was icy blue while the other was green.
"Let me help," Selka begged.
Eugeo pushed the young girl away. "Just…stay away from me," he said, voice raw and strained.
You should kill her too.
"No!" Eugeo staggered backwards.
Fine. I'll do it.
Both Eugeo's eyes turned ice blue, a snarl ripping from him. He bent over, and from his back, icy vines sprouted towards the sky. They tore threw his flesh like paper, blood spraying. His body sagged, arms hanging limp towards the ground, knees slightly bent. The vines shot towards Selka, wrapping around her, snapping her arms and legs together. The continued to circle her, covering her so tightly she could barely breathe. The vines constricted, her bones snapping like twigs. She'd been entangled in Eugeo's vines before, but this time, she could feel the intent to kill. She sent a silent prayer to Solus, not cursing Eugeo, but instead, hoping he'd be saved.
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End chapter 9