„Please just wait for a second, Heathcliff-san, Asuna-san, what are you doing?!", shouted Thinker out.
Heathcliff stood behind two swords, both held by his guards who were busy interlocking blades with Akemi´s Lance and Asuna´s rapier.
Both warriors had thrust their weapons forward twice already, only to be blocked in the last second before their attacks reached Kayaba.
The guards wielded their prospective Longswords with terrifying proficiency as they whirled through the room at a lightning-fast speed.
Much to the shock of both experienced frontliners, they weren´t able to see through their enemies' attack patterns at all, let alone pierce through them.
"Beautiful swordplay…isn´t it? Despite their usually clunky and slow longswords, my Ruby Praetorians wield them as elegantly as a rapier. Like a gale of wind, they dance through the room.", said Heathcliff.
"This…shouldn´t be possible.", uttered Asuna.
"Shouldn´t? My dear…your definition of possibility must have been toppled mere hours ago, so where´s the surprise?", chuckled the old man, his wrinkles more pronounced than ever. "But still…within the confines of Aincrad, I decide what can and cannot happen. Though coming from a chronological perspective such as yours it is indeed impossible. After all, such a high discrepancy between skill, not to say between NPC and player…you haven´t seen it before…maybe only within a boss which takes a full raid party to challenge. But fret not, currently you will not see such power at the opposite of your blade tip. These creations of mine are one of the last challenges you will face when reaching the Ruby King´s chambers, so you have plenty of time to prepare."
The attacks ceased and both Praetorians immediately resumed their stance at the side of their master and their two companions who had stayed behind, sheathing their blades.
"Such discipline…", admired Heathcliff as he once again looked at the two breathless players before him. "Within those moments they must have channelled everything they got into their strikes. They seem exhausted, not that it matters. Having their strikes blocked must have felt as if they ran into an iron wall and their arms must be numb by now. After all, the guard´s aim was not at the players themselves but the weapons they wielded, otherwise we might have had corpses at our hands."
"Returning to the decision of what is possible and what not…we come to the topics of security, I believe it is clear to say that several issues have arisen, some of which I´d like to discuss-"
"No, nothing is clear to say! What are you doing here, Kayaba?!", screamed Asuna.
"K-Kayaba?!", shouted Thinker as he drew his own barely used sword while looking wildly around, before realizing that Asuna was still staring at her superior.
"Asuna, what did you mean…by saying Kayaba? To Heathcliff no less. Surely you couldn´t-"
"No, it is quite alright Thinker-san. My cover has already blown and there is no use to try and hide it before those who clearly know who I am. It will only make me look worse…and it isn´t as if I ever denied it.", consoled Heathcliff the shocked man. "You see…I believe that if we have to work together we have to clear the table and show our cards. Through that we might- haven´t we already moved past that point? Showing me your mediocre swordplay at your low level will change nothing.", sighed the old man as he caught the half-hearted strike with his gloved hands, the iron of his gauntlets making a horrid screeching noise because of the collision.
Heathcliff winced at the noise, before swatting the blade aside.
"Else we waste more valuable time which we could instead use to discuss several important topics which include the future of the players in this world.", proposed the paladin before marching past the three stunned players, his guards following behind him in unity.
Pulling out one of the chairs opposite the three others, the one Earnest previously sat on, he beckoned the other three figures of importance to do the same. With grace Heathcliff sat on the chair, the cloak not posing any hindrance as if the man in question had done so a hundred times. Heathcliff closed his eyes, akin to an old man content with finally resting his tired bones.
"Wait just a second. Please. Just a moment…you…are Kayaba Akihiko?", uttered Thinker as he fell to the ground. Finding the scene oddly familiar Asuna fearfully checked her status bar, only to sigh in relief as there was no abnormal paralysis status put on them.
"Oh please, you didn´t think I´d honestly paralyse you now. No…I need you. I need all of you which is why I beg of you…please. Sit. Honestly, I see no problem talking with you about my vision after we´ve discussed the close future. I will tell you nothing but the truth. That I swear to you on the name Akihiko Kayaba!", promised the man.
"Then how do you expect us to believe y-!"
"Please, do not insinuate I have ever lied.", interrupted Kayaba.
"But you clearly omitted the truth!", shouted Asuna. "And this is the most insignificant concern we have with you."
Heathcliff remained silent at that. The relaxation he had when he entered the room was slowly vanishing from his body.
"Perhaps…yes, it might actually be better if I showed you. Sit.", he beckoned one last time, steel in his voice.
The hands of the praetorians rested on their sword-hilts. All four of them motioned at the remaining chairs…two even moving behind them while the other two remained at the side of Heathcliff.
The three followed the instruction.
"Now, don´t you see that it is better once we are at an eye-level, not you staring down on my seated position?", half-joked Heathcliff, only to be shot down by the glare of Asuna.
"Back to the topic at hand. It is this which worries me.", said Heathcliff before he motioned for a screen to appear. Its edges were made of orange glowing energy, cracking like pure lightning. But its display was just like a TV or a smartphone. "This is just one of the many privileges I am willing to share with you besides actual intel on specific situations. Perhaps once you have progressed enough you will be able to master this…Sacred Art…yourself. But more of that later…I see you are not even listening anymore."
All were absorbed in the screen…more importantly, what it showed.
Screaming echoed through the room, coming from within the screen. It was gruesome. They saw every gory little detail.
A limb lying within the high grass, staining the green field with red blood. The wailing of the soon-to-be corpse was heard through the foliage.
The ripped-off arm was small.
There was still a part of the sleeve covering the arm to the wrist.
A child´s arm.
They couldn´t see a body…but the drops of red were enough to discern what was going on, coupled with the weaker growing cries.
The child was dying. No…it was already torn apart, there was no chance of saving the kid now.
Not only that but the monstrous screech followed by more panicked shouts pointed at a whole group of children in danger.
As the realization struck the watchers, their pupils shrunk.
Heathcliff held his hand high and the picture on the screen began to move.
"I managed to outmanoeuvre whatever force brought us here and influenced my sight. What you behold now is where we will descend, a place still free of said force´s influence."
The screen showed the scarlet red sky, akin to wounds ripped open in the fabric of reality. Swirling maelstroms were spitting out whatever nightmare one could think of, from skeletal flying horses with thin layers of sunken-in skin right atop their bones to giant insectoid areal mobs, their buzzing ringing within the heads of the observing leaders, creating a monotonous, almost hypnotising sound.
"W-what do you mean?", muttered Asuna as she watched in horror, the infernal air force descending towards the ground. The screen followed them, and from this bird´s perspective, they were able to make out a village, laying close to the nearby sea…right at the cliff.
"Tch. That already closes out an escape route to the west. They don´t seem like a fishing village due to the lack of boats…the cliff and the sea are a dead end.", offered Akemi, invested in the case.
"Indeed. They will be encircled faster due to this. Not to forget it appears that they have no fortification and their offspring are outside their parent's grasp. The Morale will be low.", agreed Heathcliff.
The screen zoomed towards the village and the scene there wasn´t much better. While monsters were not able to directly kill the villagers, as they managed to arm themselves with whatever working gear they had at hands such as sickles, scythes and even kitchen knives… a group of townsmen was needed to repel merely one insect.
Several skirmishes broke out all across the town with no definite frontline, even though there appeared to be some sort of commander to organize the people. The defenders tried to surround the beasts while poking them with pitch forks or trying to light them with torches, yet such a formation only worked with a few powerful foes, not against such an overwhelming number of mobs which were clearly outmatching the patch-work defence force. The outcomes of several battles were sealed that way as one insect simply landed behind one of the villagers and ripped him apart. The encirclement was broken and so was the morale. A couple of other farmers were of no use against the enemy this way. Meanwhile another encirclement broke as a skeleton slashed through the linen cloth of yet another townsmen, who had no way of defending himself with a foe at such close proximity, his scythe being useless.
There were also tracks leading away from the village, either cowards trying to flee while leaving their comrades behind as bait or even worse, a search party of more capable men out to find the lost children.
"…This is a massacre.", spoke Thinker as he held back the urge to barf, a few drops of spit mixed with vomit landing on the table. His skin felt as if it was beginning to peel away from his muscles slowly.
Asuna´s skin was crawling.
"Why are you showing us this?", asked Akemi. Blue particles shined as a silver tray of sweets manifested in front of Akemi, dropping on the table with an audible clank.
The sound was enough to snap the other two out of their stupor.
"Why? Why indeed. Well…as it is the job of any good gamemaster quests have to be arranged. The masses have to be entertained."
"…huh.", stammered Asuna," Quests…, this is all that this is to you. A quest?"
"No…not to me. But to the Cardinal System. I believe I don´t even need to set any particular reward. You´ll help them. Won´t you? There are even advantages you don´t see here, for example, that people will often forget their own plights if they see more miserable creatures.", fired Heathcliff back, leaning into his chair.
"W-what do you mean help them! You want to send us against these hordes now?", whispered Thinker. His charisma vanished completely as his eyes wandered from the massacre back to Kayaba and back again to the massacre. "You´re crazy", was the thought going through his mind.
"He means we will save them…But they are just…no, they aren´t even NPCs who themselves have become sentient, they are inhabitants of a whole new world? Living people!", stammered Asuna. A number too big. No, this was three numbers too big for her. She was just a high-schooler and this was a war, no worse, some kind of magically inclined disaster.
"Your assessment is correct as always. I believe there will be enough volunteers which can be led into battle by experienced commanders. Perhaps two raid teams will suffice. Though I do have to point out we should abide by more traditional combat doctrines as soon as possible, as this is no game anymore, not that I doubt that raid teams are effective, but a raid team can only consist of a set number of players to work efficiently with its commander."
"No. Stop. This does it. Full stop. You! Akihiko Kayaba? You tell us to just go down there and do your bidding! You talk about combat and war, you are right, this isn´t a game anymore and we are only gamers. Has your brain degraded over this transfer you´ve spoken off, perhaps some drawback from being transported into another world?", accused Thinker, having reached the end of his patience. The stress was breaking down on him. "We won´t just send players, no people, into some suicide commando in a new world because you think you have to follow some generic Isekai plot. Are you listening to yourself?! Impossible, not happening. Never!"
"I assure you no such thing has happened to me, I find myself in the best of health. I actually think clearer than I have ever before, which is why I am sure that you will comply with my request. Of course, not for my sake, that would be both foolish and senseless. No, it is for your sake.", retorted Heathcliff calmly.
"For our sake? No, it would be for our sake if we could return home to our families. If none of this has ever happened. If SAO never happened.", shot Asuna back.
"Do you truly think so little about SAO. I believe you need much time to think about it, some peace perhaps, you see, you look at it only from only one angle…ignoring every other perspective.", mused the knight commander, a statement which only earned him contempt.
Sighing, Heathcliff returned to the problem at hand.
"Yes, I believe it is for your sake. For after I gave you the details…it will settle into your minds. Right now, innocents are dying. Powerless against terrifying monsters, a calamity. It might even make you remember your own situation, of both SAO and this Isekai. Of when you hoped for help in a terrible situation but nobody came, even if you prayed to god. You wouldn´t just watch and let them die. No, your kind, which has shown remorse for killing even NPCs while using them as bait, won´t let them suffer. Don´t try to play all tough, your time with the hero has made you quite a bit more apprehensive about the plight of the simple men. You have grown much from before. I believe even now you are already thinking about whom to tell about this, what group to gather and how to interfere in the slaughter."
"Hero?", thought Akemi, before laughing to himself. "Kirito?"
Her plans exposed, Asuna remained silent. Akemi chewed on one of his bonbons while Thinker exchanged wary glances with all the members present at the table.
"If I may be so bold, I advise to first gather the people of the Raid team of floor 75th. All of them, no matter if the likelihood of them agreeing is low. We still have open business left with them anyways."
"And what do you mean by us?", inquired Asuna, suspicious of Heathcliff.
"Well, we don´t want panic to break loose. I doubt many have had the time to cope with the order of events. With criminals on the loose and blood staining the walls, they have to take in quite the unexpected shock. Nothing they can´t recover from, especially with what Aincrad has to offer…yet we still need important matters to be dealt with confidentially. Kirito knows this, perhaps others do too yet we can´t take any risks.", explained Heathcliff. "Getting them here and involving them in our talks will undoubtedly aid their conscience and perhaps mould them into valuable allies. Showing others trust is a good first step to gain their trust, or at the very least some sense of respect, even if they despise me."
"I leave.", muttered Thinker weakly, already not agreeing with Heathcliff, only more so since he heard the word mould.
"Thinker-san.", spoke Heathcliff up, as calm as ever.
"As far as I am concerned, this talk has never occurred. I have finally met Heathcliff, knowing that matters will be put into the hands of someone capable. I will await more updates on the situation. But I remind you, Kayaba…I work for the players and not you. Don´t expect any more support than I am willing to give now. At the very least, give me a better reason", said the Leader of the Army, giving Asuna an intense stare. One she evaded.
"Thinker-san, of course, you serve the players. As part of the staff of MMO today, a site reviewing games, you always worked for the sake of the player. Knowing this, you should realize the difference between players…and that you are not able to serve everyone equally. You belong to an organization presenting the world of video games, be it strategy, RPG, Horror, or visual novels. Now…there are people interested in this genre, while others are keener to learn about puzzle games for example. I ask you…are you fit to lead the army with a soft heart? You have done a good enough job until now, I don´t question your skills…but giving away the responsibility to your people? Am I not your enemy, isn´t this the opportune moment to get to know your enemy better? To search for a chance to strike?"
Thinker walked away, without stopping, closing the heavy iron door behind him.
"Hmmm. Doesn´t matter, the seed has already been planted.", spoke Kayaba before turning to his two remaining aides.
"Why should I not walk out too? Asuna-chan won´t leave, that much is clear. Be it not for the people she serves but for the ideals she wishes to uphold. If the truth about Heathcliff comes out the KOB will take a heavy hit, in both reputation and morale. For the DDA, that would mean only profit. That and the people believing in the KOB will too suffer, searching for a pillar, another equivalent. Keeping the Ideals alive is a matter of great importance. But how do you intend to convince the DDA to ally with you now? After all, …the support of the Army seems lost to you now.", spoke Akemi, a mischievous smile plastered on his face.
"Hooo? You already have something in mind. Extortion?", mused Kayaba as he took in the appearance of Akemi casually chewing on his lime green sweets.
"As perceptive as ever, though, losing my facade when I get excited really is a weak point of mine, one you don´t have. A jester at its finest. It is more of a win-win deal in the end!", laughed Akemi.
"Ehhh, I really don´t like him if he gets like this.", murmured Asuna as a shiver went through her. "Normally he is quiet and reserved, perhaps even snarky at times with that bored voice of his. But if he begins to scheme he always takes up a villainous persona. He really likes to roleplay..."
Akemi had shown that quality only a few times, as there had been really not much reason to scheme. Hunting grounds were equally distributed for the best guilds to level and any internal strife has been kept in bounds. She heard from Argo that Akemi had this second face… and from Kirito. She had first seen it when she saw him at the strategy meeting shortly before the Siege of Laughing Coffin on floor 75. He was extremely invested in defeating laughing Coffin, even more so than Kirito. Both of them shared that passion, though he was quite a fanatic as he pursued them.
"A jester…I call you one too. Not many see it as you do.", mused the scientist.
"Not many are like me.", replied Akemi as he dropped another candy in his mouth, cracking it open with his teeth. His smile exposed his canines.
"Let me be clear at that: The Army will follow, Thinker already doubts his decision and he will contemplate this. Like I said, being open with him and laying my cards on the table earned me some semblance of respect, so he will take this into consideration. It is not a question of shared ideals and goals but one of survival in an ever-changing world. He will want to save them.
People don´t like change, they like to take things in at a slow pace, one which is seldomly given to them. Even you, he who calls me a jester, is like that.", concluded Heathcliff.
"Really, I for my part believe myself to have adjusted to Aincrad particularly well.", laughed Akemi, gripping the armrests of his chair. He didn´t reach for the tray anymore.
"Hmm, where did that stutter come from, I barely heard it at all?", exclaimed Asuna in her head. "Don´t tell me…"
"Be that as it may, in the end, it is all a farce, even if you came to believe it yourself, it only means you´ve become a master at creating a façade and pushing anyone close to you away, even those you call brothers in arms. Yet I am not one to criticize people, I never have unlike all of you.", resumed Heathcliff, reaching out a hand.
"In some way, we two jesters aren´t so different. I see it in your changing posture, your eyes are locked onto me now, searching for possibly comebacks to this situation. I already occupy your mind as you ask yourself how in the world I know about you…your problems. Your mind is working at deciphering my vague statements, you are revising everything I said, everything you have said to get a clue. But in the end, we have just met now, I even marked you down previously as an interesting individual, call it a gut feeling as if see in you something…unique. I don´t even know your real life, it is simply because we are so similar that we understand each other. A lone wolf standing against the world, an enemy of their own creation."
Akemi likewise reached out for him shakily, and they shook hands, though he growled.
"You compare yourself to me? Enemy of your own creation? Your audacity reaches new heights the more words you spew, don´t make me laugh. Yet you got guts. The next time we shake hands will be in the Arena."
"Hmhm, I held you in high regards because of your supposed wisdom, yet that appeared to be a farce too. Who is the better jester now? So, stand, go on and entertain the masses, I will be no part in this. What a poor jester I am.", responded Heathcliff, taking no offense at the insulting tone.
The captain of the Dragon Lancers remained silent. His eyes looked behind Heathcliff glaring at the wall; the leader of the DDA himself being deep in thought. Heathcliff has pulled a switch.
"He bested the dragon.", spoke Asuna silently, no one hearing her. The conversation went over her head yet she wasn´t sure if she should raise the topic up again when Heathcliff was gone. "The man who never played along as intended, was all for individuality and expression of free will…a farce? I know he was harsh to people he didn´t know, but… Akemi despised anyone outside his inner circle and carefully selected friends, yet he never blew up in their faces like that, it was just a general coldness in which he talked to so-called foreign elements, a coldness bordering at professionalism. What did Kayaba know that I didn´t? Everything probably, the man who created SAO never left subjects unconsidered. That familiarity at which they spoke…what did he mean by similar?!"
Asuna sagged helplessly back into her chair. Her arms went limp and she closed her eyes for a moment. Too much stress, but what did she expect, one player opposing the genius Kayaba and succeeding? No, such an undertaking was doomed to fail from the start. But for the situation to take such a drastic turn?
"Very well, then, we should gather the raid team as fast as possible. I entrust this task to you, Vice commander.", spoke Heathcliff, simultaneously opening his own message system and tapping on the system Keyboard.
Wordlessly, Asuna opened her message system and went to work. Heathcliff had sent her a list of players to be summoned and she just did that. Those she didn´t have added to her friend list, she couldn´t contact them so she just told those she messaged already to spread the news of an after-meeting. She just hoped…everyone…would come.
"Everyone…", mumbled Asuna, showing no particular reaction. However, she did stop her work momentarily, only to resume it moments later.
"This is of grave importance for Aincrad, the continued support of the major capable guilds. I imagine you already have plans in order as you´ve begun to enter negotiations with the NPCs. Very good, capable and self-thinking personnel is what we need now…even though the effort was mostly pushed by Thinker-san, you did support his ideas so I will do too. Count me as a supporter in this matter"
"Why though, wouldn´t it just weaken your own standing? As of now, you are the most influential individual in this castle?", asked Asuna.
"Not quite true, perhaps in military might as both former commander of the KOB and Grandmaster of the Ruby Palace I do have much power at my disposal, yet basing a society purely on military strength has not gone well in history. I don´t intend to make that mistake, actually, you should know that from now on, as I said, I will value the opinion of all players and subjects.", explained Heathcliff.
"Former?"
Heathcliff stared at the baffled and now officially appointed commander.
"Hmm? Yes, former. A suitable suitor has taken up my position, and since then has actually made a decent job standing in for the common interest of the people and keeping order Why should I intend to change things up if they are working well?"
"This just weakens his position only more…", thought Asuna."Is this his form of showing trust?"
Akemi applauded loudly, though by his amused expression he probably only did it to entertain himself further. His mood seemingly improved in seconds.
"He has never been after glory and prestige; and even if he pursued those he only needed them to achieve some other primary goal. If his objective doesn´t demand it, then there´s no need to hold onto it.", explained Akemi as he stood up and walked towards Asuna.
"So, he really is scheming something. Why can´t I see it, just what is his play in all of this! And what does Akemi see?!"
The girl was seething inside, barely covering her anger with a well-practised smile. At least this much she could still utilize, a skill from the real world.
"Actually, isn´t it funny? The more you get to know your adversary, the more you understand that there isn´t much difference between each other.", mused Akemi.
"Much difference?", whispered Asuna frantically into Akemi´s ear. "You´ve known him for barely ten minutes, you have talked with him for four of them and he made you as angry as I have ever seen you. What do you realize in this amount of time? Are you playing yourself or is he doing something?!"
WROOOOM
Another shock went through the walls of the Iron Palace, making the stone surrounding them vibrate.
"Concerning your conspiracies, could we move them to a later date? Time is pressing.", spoke Heathcliff, not expecting an answer. "Do not forget the answers I have promised to you once this is over."
"I will personally update questlines and notices at the digital leaderboard to inform the other players of the concerning developments on the ground. Through that, we ought to get some brave enough men to deal with this mess."
Heathcliff gestured for one of his personal guards to leave the room. The silent communication was successful as the guard made a run for it, hurriedly running towards the entrance to the palace, welcoming any arrivals of the summoned raid team.
"The raid team will be briefed by us together. They already know who I am, hiding would be pointless if I wish to show my face in the streets. Yet pulling them on our side will be a difficult matter, at least with some individuals. I will promise answers and will elaborate on my thoughts after they´ve arrived. Our primary concern now is to get down…to the surface of this world."
"Do you need any flying mounts? True to our name, we do have some exceptional beast tamers which were able to tame big-enough flying mounts to ride on. We can´t transport an army, but some kind of special force should be doable.", threw Akemi in, already in a full strategic thinking mode.
Perhaps it was a mixture between both of his facades, the emotionless and the scheming one which spoke just now. Asuna remained cautious. She simply observed the two men for now.
"With those demonic creatures dominating the sky the battle would be drawn there, not only that but our men don´t have any experience in aerial combat. That expertise belongs to the enemy, no, I thought about a more… wonderful strategy. Risky and nonsensical, yet those who call themselves gamers at heart should find it to have quite the allure."
"Ho? Gamers at heart…do tell…", murmured Akemi.
Asuna glanced warily between the two men.
"But I will not ruin the surprise, we wait for the special team which will carry out the mission. And we have to act fast now, it is crucial to act as soon as we arrive in the new world.", urged Heathcliff.
"Just why…just why is this so important to you, Kayaba?", questioned Asuna herself. She didn´t understand. First Thinker leaves, someone, while knowing him shorter than Akemi, was still someone she actually liked more, then some kind of silent agreement between Akemi and Kayaba comes to light. Not to speak of that horrific scene she had seen.
"…haa…where is the world headed too? There must be some kind of connection between his goal and this quest."
A praetorian whispered something into his superior´s ear, who closed his eyes thoughtfully.
"This room might be too small to support a full-blown raid team. Perhaps we should find ourselves a more suitable area to occupy…some gala hall would be ideal.", requested Heathcliff, Akemi already standing up.
Accompanied by two praetorians the Paladin and Dragon Lancer left the meeting room.
The remaining praetorian stared at Asuna expectantly, though she couldn´t really say as discerning any facial features was impossible with the visor of the helm blocking her sight. She didn´t even see any eyes between the small slits. It could be the darkness of the night; the sun was long gone. The chandeliers and glowing stones didn´t really illuminate the dark-coloured room so it was impossible to say for sure.
Standing up, Asuna reinforced her thoughts.
"I won´t be made any kind of marionette for you to play with, Kayaba….Akemi, what is your goal here?"
It was as if a fire ignited in her again.
A sense of purpose that previously only glowed like cinders in an extinguished fire. May that as it is, now the flame was reignited.
"Hmm, just like Kirito I feel myself wanting to fight. Perhaps this is what he felt when he accepted the challenge of Kayaba, this burning purpose inside one's heart … will he come?"
Kirito looked up at the night sky, the black iron prison blending in with the sky neatly. It was beautiful, he didn´t know how it was able to exist, as it was literally just the bottom of the second floor he was staring at, yet there was a day and night cycle, with clouds and occasionally, he already spotted three, shooting stars. Previously it had only been ambience effects, but now?
"Are you going to be okay?", asked Sinon. She had accompanied him to the market street, the main street which connected the grand plaza with the palace. Walking through the main square again, the situation had actually turned for the better. No more skirmishes and badmouthing, the calmness truly was oozing of that place. Many had already fallen asleep on layers of covers and furs, children clutching either their friends or caretakers. Some old people were dozing off on the benches, while others build up some more light sources akin to campfires consisting of multicoloured glowing crystals. Surrounding these campfires were most likely groups of friends, as many had the same emblems or colours on their coats. Small guilds…like the Moonlit Black Cats, standing in the shadows of the large organizations of Aincrad.
Overhearing some of the conversations one could hear that people were also simply too tired to argue. They just listened to each other. While no discussions broke out, contrasting views were the main topic of many conversations. Some people were actually quite excited at the prospect of Isekai. In the dim light of either the street lanterns or the make-shift magical campfires which illuminated the audience´s faces, Kirito saw annoyance rise in their features, even though many of the speakers were too ignorant to really see that, still going on about talking of their favourite Isekai anime.
Some people, perhaps he was underestimating their numbers… if Kirito was being honest.
He himself was not sure what to think of them, though he did indeed feel some annoyance rise in him whenever he thought of those who seemingly looked positively on the prospect of this Isekai. He was no stranger to the tactic of making the best of one's situation, he himself enjoyed some of his time in Aincrad when it was still considered a death game. Countless of times he dazed off at the floating islands of floor 1 or the flower garden floor…simply enjoying the gentle sun on his skin or the sights which were otherworldly. Perhaps he was so calm because he believed they would beat the game, because he still held some admiration for Kayaba, in the sense that he knew the developer would be true to his word. Once they beat the game, they would return to family and friends.
Now, however…a return was so far out of sight that he didn´t see any chance of salvation. He tried to look for a bright future, but he saw none…at least one in which he was reunited with his family that is. He was dispirited…his fire which kept him going is but reduced to cinders. He was just barely keeping his act together if he was honest, if only out of respect for the image he had to uphold in front of his friends. The effect of the tea must already be weakening.
"No wonder, it is a first-floor item after all. Do I need to uphold that image…if they are friends they´d understand…I couldn´t betray the image they have of me. The black swordsman. The holder of a unique skill.", he reinforced his thoughts. Perhaps he found actually some solace in his thoughts. He already had to take in so much change, if he himself would change as a result, it might actually be too much to cope with for him.
"Just keep on. Go. One step after another. In the end, you´ve always figured something out.", spoke Kirito under his breath. His mind wandered away. A face came to him, the face of a young girl with shoulder long dark hair. With a petite, slender figure such as hers, the role of a tank in the party was quite a strange thought.
"Why would I think of her now? …I tried my very best to find a way…yet I couldn´t save what was lost. No, go away. Not now, I´ve thought those memories were already far far away, why now!", cursed the raven-haired man.
-rito! Kirito!", ripped Sinon the boy out of his thoughts. "Everything okay? You didn´t tell me what this was about and now you just stand in the middle of the road and look intensely at the ground. You were even shaking."
"I´ll manage. It´s nothing important, sorry to have worried you. This is as far as you need to go, thank you for keeping my company.", said Kirito hurriedly, coughing slightly.
"No…no. I have to thank you. I really was a wreck after that incident at the plaza. Thank you, Kirito.", interjected Sinon as she patted the black swordsman on his shoulder.
"Now straighten your back and show them you´re the black swordsman, the man who competed with Heathcliff and fought him toe to toe in the arena.", encouraged Sinon.
Kirito waved her off, already marching off in the direction of the gate of the Black Iron Palace, though the lancer could make out the slight flinch coming from Kirito.
"…did I say something wrong?", she thought, a bit of guilt filling her. Crossing her arms, she too walked away, in the opposite direction. She shivered a bit. It was chilly.
Her nails dug slightly into the few parts covered by fabric.
"…Yeah… its really chilly tonight."
Kirito entered the supposed meeting room and was met with a tense atmosphere. There was no yelling and no drawn swords, but he could feel the tension in the air as if he stepped into cobwebs for every step he tried to make. The tension was settling into the grand reception hall he was led to.
He saw some familiar faces, passers-by he recognized from the raid. A large man was towering over the gathered people, and Kirito immediately knew he had found his circle of friends. Stepping closer to the dark-skinned giant, who had crossed his arms and stared at the small stage farther away at the opposite end of the room, Kirito to was able to look past the three dozen gathered raiders.
"-ghrk", exclaimed Kirito, coughing suddenly. He swallowed, hoping not to draw attention to himself. Yet Heathcliff´s eyes were closed, though he doubted that the knight was oblivious to his arrival. The doors in the back closed, bringing an end to the wary muttering of the people.
Kirito himself didn´t shudder as others did and picked up his pace, reaching Agil after four more steps.
Agil eyed him from the side.
"Oi Kirito, have you already seen Asuna standing beside him?", asked Klein, who stood side by side with Agil. Contrary to the giant who was standing with lax posture, his giant war-axe hanging from his back, Klein gripped the hilt of his katana vigorously. Following their leader, the three other members of Fuurinkazan who participated in the raid were too nervously gripping their weapons.
Heathcliff´s tower shield rested before him on the stage, his sword sheathed in the sheath behind his shield. With how the Paladin held it, he was in no position to quickly grab onto to defend himself. Yet he probably didn´t need it either way.
"I appear to be threatening you, even if I have no such intention.", began Heathcliff, breaking the thin membrane which had developed between the two sides. "Fear not, I am actually rejoicing that so many followed the call of the Commander of the KOB. I thank you for that. As a present I am willing to answer your questions…let´s make it a classic…three. Three questions I am willing to answer."
There was some silence among the players.
"…This comes out of nowhere. Is he trying to sugar-coat us? I for my part have yet to tell anyone that I know who Kayaba really is.", muttered Agil, glancing at Klein and Kirito.
"Yeah, m-me neither. I haven´t told a word about the raid. But he wants to keep up his persona? It will be a matter of time until someone s-sl-slips or talks about it, much more important, who in his right mi-mind would follow his w-wishes.", stuttered Klein as he gripped his Katana tighter in search of comfort.
"Not even the name Kayaba was mentioned yet it already has this effect on the people, no one in here is without fear. Is that his play?", contemplated Kirito.
He heard others mention that they too haven't talked about Heathcliff´s Identity. The stress must have been too much, some might have even completely ignored it, hoping it has been a dream.
A shout woke the players up from their thoughts.
"Why?", came the cry. It was a young girl, perhaps the age of Asuna. "Why did you do this!"
There were no remarkable features on her armour, a small guild, possibly a strike team would be a better phrase. Only the type of her armour made him guess her role to be a tank.
"…a tank…Sachi…oh shut up, not now. Really not now.", thought Kirito.
"Oi, what are you doing you Idiot?! Don´t just shout out questions, we have a couple of them ourselves!", came an angered shout. The murmuring rose as insults were traded, some trying to protect the girl, others downright trying to slander her.
"Now that didn´t take long, for this to burst into flames.", mused Kirito silently.
"It would be good to know that these questions won´t be answered now, so nothing has been really lost. I advise you to calm down everyone, otherwise, we can´t discuss the matter I called you here for."
"This-What the hell! Who do you take us for? You play with us like that, why should we do anything, especially for you? You walk on thin threads, what hinders us to walk out of this room and spread the news of your betrayal.", burst a player out, a growl of agreement going through the raid-teams ranks.
"Please keep things civil. Listen to me, listen to him just once, what he has to say is crucial for not only us but every player in Aincrad!", interjected Asuna, her eyes gazing through the rows of warriors.
"Then why doesn´t he walk out to the plaza and explains it to the people whose lives he made hell!", shouted a woman, banging her quarterstaff on the floor.
"Aye!"
"Yes, why doesn´t he!"
"Just give up, you´ve already lost all our support!"
"Well, if you are not going to fight for me then do it for them.", responded Heathcliff darkly. His tone was laced with spite, and the second he first spoke in that tone many players felt offended. It was like he, the man who created that accursed death game had something to accuse them of. Ridiculous!
Yet all thoughts were drowned in the horror of what came next.
A yellow screen was summoned showing horrific events transpiring, men and women ripped apart by demonic creatures. These mobs were unknown to the players, and from the fact they hadn´t encountered any creatures in this new Aincrad yet, they were horrified at the cruel efficiency with which those monsters worked.
"It is for their sake I tell you to take up arms. This is the world we will arrive in within MERE minutes. I tell you, we have to hurry or everyone in that village will be dead. They were never NPCs, they had always been living people, so I ask you not to senselessly debate and act with me. United!"
In the end, a deathly silence enveloped the hall as everyone, Asuna and Akemi included, stared at a bowing Heathcliff. One of the two wore a strangely horrified expression, while the other simply smirked and held up his halberd.
"I do not know what you will choose, lads, I haven´t been with you at the raid but some of my men were. But I am with him.", exclaimed Akemi. "I stand with Kayaba!"
This reinforcement caused a murmur of contempt to rise.
Akemi smashed his Halberd into the ground, the tiles on the ground cracking on impact. Immediately silver armoured and blue cloaked individuals stepped for, also drawing their arms. The players of the Divine Dragon Alliance followed their commander.
A strange feeling enveloped the people, they didn´t know what it was. Such a display felt wrong, Kayaba bowing, players supporting him. In the game, they´d be insulted and excluded. They´d be thrown into prison at worst for high treason at their cause. Them simply being here and listening to Kayaba was essentially treason to the people outside!
Not only that, but this display of allegiance felt ridiculous. As if children dressed up in silver cosplays and decided to play a game. The swiftness at which the decision had fallen. There should have been a debate. There should have been doubts!
"I don´t believe it, you´re with him. This must have been a lie, you just don´t want people to bail on you. You stuck up asshole!", screamed a man pointing at the two players at Kayaba´s side, before rushing out of the room. Others were also hesitant and slowly left the room, following the man who opened the two giant doors.
Others however were still indecisive.
Asuna turned toward the remaining audience.
"Please! I myself don´t know if it is the truth that has been shown to us. But how can we judge what is that? If we doubt everything because our reality has been shattered…what would become of us? We can´t allow ourselves to look away from possibilities if we just learned what is truly possible. We were transported somewhere else, another world and we trusted Kayaba when he told us what happened. If we trust him this far, however…can´t we trust him only this once again, a little bit more? Did you see what was happening down there? They need our help!"
"I say, let´s do this. If he betrays us this time…there will be no one who will believe in him ever again.", muttered Kirito. Keep your enemies close. As close as possible. Don´t let him go. Not now. There needed to be mutual trust. Looks like they would enter a truce.
"So, I take it you´ve decided to remain?", asked Heathcliff as he rose again, only waiting for a little time before continuing. "Then we have to act fast. Akemi and Asuna have both already prepared the materials we need, comprising mounts and ropes. Now we only need a capable fighting force. I believe once we arrive at the scene and you can validify my system announcement we will receive reinforcements. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Get your teleport crystals ready, we need to teleport us now. We will gather at the Dunbrüchen Outskirts, from there we will realize operation Anchor.", spoke Heathcliff as his body dispersed into blue shards, leaving behind the startled raid team.
"Someone is in a hurry.", muttered Akemi, a shadow passing over his face as he followed Heathcliff, his aides also preparing their teleport crystals. Asuna looked Kirito into the eyes.
He appeared a lot calmer than when they parted ways, but it was far from how she knew him. Despite putting up such a convincible play.
She needed to talk to him, to hell if it would be on the battlefield.
Her body shattered into blue particles.
One after another, the raid team set off.
Kirito arrived at the village outskirts. He didn´t remember it well, and he had only been there after every quest has been farmed by other players. In the beta there was not much to gain inside Dunbrüchen, so why bother? He visited it later, just to relax a bit, yet it was not much different from the other small towns on the first floor.
Now it was closer to a hell-scape. Red-violet light shone from outside the castle, disturbing the artificial day-night-cycle, as the town was positioned right at the edge of the lowermost floor. It was surrounded by some smaller pine forests from the other three sides, which in turn lead up to tall hills with one actual mountain formation at their centre, which was actually the second-most dangerous place on the first floor, cutting Dunbrüchen off from any larger supply route.
Lore-wise, there had been quite a few fetching quests, leading through the hilly terrain while protecting some trading caravans or civilians visiting family farther away in distant towns on the other side of the hills.
No caravan would venture out here now, with the village in ruins. Large flames were rising into the air and thick clouds of black smoke ascended into the sky, marking this location as dead.
Heathcliff reacted swiftly.
"Just remember your deeds on the higher floors! Tanks to the front, form three teams of tanks which will keep the monsters away from the monument. DPS wait for my signal!", commanded Kayaba naturally, his domineering tone calming the minds of the people. Like a well-oiled machine, the players went to action. Strangely mutated wolves, growing horns from different parts of their body and their fur shimmering in a copper red were throwing themselves against the wall of soldiers. Yet their bones cracked and horns broke before the tanks even moved one inch backward. Neat slashes ripped two wolves in half at once, or devastating hammer strikes made them explode into mist of blood.
"Yes, hold the line!", encouraged Heathcliff before he faced backwards. "The first onslaught should be over soon, DPS, ready yourself and storm forward. There are no armoured enemies, so let nothing stand in your way! Centre Tank Team, open up!"
The five tanks in the centre evaded to the sides, letting the wolves past their protective wall.
With broken limbs and jaws, the wolves carried themselves forward, only to be cut vertically into two slices. No matter how the wolves mutated and strengthened themselves, they posed to challenge to the blades of the DPS counter-charge.
Swiftly like a wind filled with blades, all DPS players made a run for it, cutting and slashing at every creature in their field of view. Kirito didn´t even need to use any sword skills as the blood kept flowing, colouring the grass as red as the sky. It landed on his blades, his coat, his face. Other warriors were doused in red too, making them appear like a band of berserkers.
It went as far as that the wolves began to wail pitifully and actually retreat. Their madness didn´t decrease, it just clashed with something crazier.
While the DPS kept close to the commander and the slaughter continued, the centre tank team was recalled.
"You are mad.", uttered Asuna as she realized what Kayaba´s plan was all along.
"Wasn´t that already an established fact within your ranks, commander of the KOB?", replied Heathcliff as he unleashed another sword skill down at the base of the monument.
"Aaaand Heave-Hoooo!", shouted Agil as he pulled at the rope.
The earth was loose enough, cut open by blades of all kinds. The teleport monument was released from its earthly confines.
"Now, carry it. Tank team on the left, come here! You will exchange once it becomes too heave, so no delay will happen! Five men of the scout team, search the village, I don´t care who it is, just look for any survivors. Those wolves should have been dealt with. Two tanks will accompany them for good measures. If any problem arises you cannot deal with, retreat and call for reinforcements. If not, report the situation to the leaderboard."
Seeing Kirito marching towards the village, Asuna sheathed her rapier and ran after him.
Agil glanced at Klein, who in turn shrugged and the two decided to follow, that was until Klein was held back by a hand on his shoulder.
"You not, Klein-san. I need capable sub-commanders of smaller strike teams once we land on the surface. You may go, Agil-san."
Klein gulped as Agil glanced back shortly, his eyes neither narrowing nor his face showing any form of emotion. He gave a curt not and hurried towards the town. Some other men followed to supplement the search troupe.
Klein went back to his guild while watching the figures of the search troop getting smaller, entering the ruined town.
He managed to get a hold of his whole guild once they set off, as they were on alert anyways after their leader was called to the Army headquarters, and took over the eastern sector of the protection radius. The rest of the transport went smoothly with no enemies attacking and soon they arrived at the edge of the ring.
From there on out, flying insects began to clash against them from the outside, yet again they stood no chance against skill-laden knife throws which, despite their chitin armour, cut them neatly in half. The corpses rained down, some crashing against the outer metal shell of the floor, creating a sickening crunch before further falling down into whatever that crimson void around the castle was.
"-Wait, something´s down there!", shouted Issin suddenly as he pointed his naginata downwards. Klein also glanced down, and others followed suit.
As the dense red fog was lifted, they finally saw green. A natural green, followed by blue. It was water…and grass. Grassy plains were morphing, with time, into an enormous and lush forest further in the east, in the opposite direction to the ocean and the cliff…subsequently the village.
Heathcliff also threw a short glance downwards, before making a motion akin to checking one´s wristwatch.
"This is ideal. Luck is on our side. We are only going to continue to sink a bit before we are stationary again. Now…for the essential part."
"Aye. Men, throw the monument down.", spoke Akemi, not letting his eyes off Kayaba.
The six strongmen hefted the stone structure onto their backs, and with a final heave-ho, it began a loud descent towards the ground, its speed already producing noise.
"Now that´s something.", whistled Akemi. "When do we know it landed?"
…
…
…
"…Now. It is down there.", responded Heathcliff. "This is it, ladies and gentlemen!"
Gripping his teleport crystal, Heathcliff selected Dunbrüchen Outskirts and his body was once again engulfed in blue light, leaving behind nothing but quickly dispersing shards.
"Well, what are we waiting for?", announced Akemi, before also teleporting down, second to Kayaba.
His men followed him, and so did the others. They had used the surplus of time in which they waited for the castle to descend to study the battle plan which was provided by Heathcliff inside the chat of those he added to his friend list. A fact some still had to cope with, no matter the situation and usefulness.
Klein glanced back, past his comrades in arms who were seesawing from one foot to the other, some playing with their weapons.
"Kirito, Agil, Asuna…good luck, we wait down there, so come as quickly as possible.", his whisper ended in sending a quick message to his still-occupied friends, before selecting the teleport node of Dünbrüchen Outskirts himself.
They will set foot on the soil of a new world.
AN: So, some mysterious stuff going on with my OC and Kayaba. And the strategy in which the earthlings arrive in Melromac has finally been unveiled, I hope it was a little surprise. The next update will come as soon as possible, now, as always, for the fun part:
Gojosin: Yep, and more will follow (also some OC´s, to fulfill some important story roles. Gotta make them interesting). Oh, and Kayaba tsk tsk tsk, there is so much more involved in his schemes.
ultima-owner: Yup, though Kibao will return
coronadomontes: (-:
Halo: Most things which you listed are definitely going to happen. Thank you for the review!
Sword Art Guest: Whoa! Thank you for the review, I hope I didn´t disappoint! We´re definitely going to see some more politics between Kayaba and his opponents, though, as you´ve said, winning against that man will be difficult. He has his way with words…
To the third paragraph: It definitely is, for now, the first guess, the stress is still a bit much and it will still continue for a while where it is more about survival in the now than wondering about the future, even though the opponents of the first wave are not the players equal. Internal friction incoming!
The murder part will definitely still play an important role.
And the last part is mostly correct, apart from those to whom it already was revealed, as that would be nonsensical. The Heathcliff Persona is a major boon after all.
NightHawk The Warrior: Kind of? I´d say, it is certainly creative what they did, though judging from the circumstances really the only justifiable means of getting down safely without too much trouble.
Guest: Meeeeh, while you are not wrong with the guilt part, it won´t necessarily be because of some murderers spreading chaos and unrest. After all, unhappiness is a (bringing I the words of Sword Art Guest) dictator´s feeding ground. It was definitely a conscious choice, why let good tools rust in some prison?
Mothron: Thank you for your patronage!
Now, that´s it from me, as always criticism is welcomed and a good day or night to you!