Arc 1; Ep 4: Knight's Oath

-March 31, 2023, Floor 25-

After the day of exploring with Philia in the dungeon of one of the Astral Knights, I believed the medallion we were given was gonna be part of something much bigger than what we did. The boots equipment we were given had some pretty decent stats on them, the strangest thing was the stats increased when reached the 24th floor, meaning the equipment will raise up and possibly needed for something later on. I know it seemed odd for this to happen but I am curious what we would get through this quest. For now our only problem is taking on the First Quarter Floor Boss, I believe we might deal with a powerful enemy this time.

-Crossing Fields opening-

It was almost the afternoon and Sakore has rent up a room for the night and looked at the progress through the fields. They were able to learn about where the boss room is at, they had the boss strategy meeting set for tomorrow.

"We have gotten through a whole quarter of Aincraid, and planning our strategy in the fight." He says to himself and looks through his items "oh crap I'm out of potions and healing crystals." he gets up and leaves the inn and goes to the store to fill up on healing items, and then he goes to the smithing shop and upgrades his sword once to make it stronger. As he goes on his way towards the hotel. A conversation was going on and it seemed serious.

"Is it true what you saw? That the Liberation army is heading towards the labyrinth?" One guy asks another which made Sakore stop in his tracks.

"Yea, while I was out on the fields I saw a large group of the army along with Kiboau. I believe they were heading towards where the boss is at." The other guy explains

"Well that just makes it their death wish without a plan." A third guy tells them and Sakore couldn't just sit still while a large group no idea what they will be fighting

"I gotta message the others quickly! We have to hurry!" Sakore says to himself messaging Kirito, Asuna, and Klein about what is going on and asking to have the Holy Dragon Alliance to assist in the matter. After a while all of them were assembled and are making their way to the boss room in the labyrinth

"Those idiots! Do they really think they can go in and fight the boss head on?!" Klein asks in his new samurai style armor as well as his buddies

"We better make it as quickly as we can before they are completely wiped out." Kirito tells him as they all get inside the labyrinth and hurry to the boss they can already hear screams as they get close to the boss room

"Those damn idiots can't do anything right if they don't prepare themselves!" Asuna says as they finally get to the opened doors to the boss room and they see the group of soldiers fighting against the boss -Armoros the Armored Ox- A large Ox standing on its hind legs wielding two large Axe weapons with metallic armor, swings one of the axes and struck multiple of them which has a few of them be killed

"You guys are damn idiots!" Sakore yells at them

"Buzz off! We don't need your help!" Kiboau shouts at him though Sakore just ignored him

"Alright, Kirito, Asuna, Klein, help me distract the boss!" Sakore tells the trio and they draw out their weapons as Klein's buddies go to the other soldiers as the four strike and get the boss' attention. "this guy is gonna be hard to beat." they dodge a swing from the boss

"It barely took any damage." from what Klein says is true, only a small amount of HP has been depleted from the first bar it has.

"That armor it has on must gave it really high defence. We would need to see if it has a weak spot." Kirito says dodging a swing and striking the arm. The four went to work as the HDA members watch the attack patterns and block any incoming attacks, They were able to get far enough to knock it to it's second HP bar. "Look out!" before Sakore could get Kirito's warning he saw he was getting targeted by the boss with another swing, he didn't have time to react to stop it, but someone else interrupts the attack with a large shield.

"Who are you?" Sakore asks the man that saved him

"My name is Heathcliff. I am glad I have made it in time, now allow me to assist in eliminating the boss." He says, which Sakore wasn't expecting someone new to arrive but accepted his help

"Alright, we just need to find someway to take this thing down quickly." Sakore tells the others and Klein strikes the leg and the boss seemed stunned and fell to one knee seeming to be unable to do anything "huh?"

"It's seems to be stunned, attack and we might be able to take it out!" Kirito tells them and the 5 fighters attack the boss with everything they got and brought it to it's last bar before it got back up and roared angrily as it swung its axes wildly barely giving them a chance to strike it at all

"Damn why don't you just sit still for once!" Sakore shouts dodging the swings as Heathcliff is blocking as much as he can then Sakore gets an opening and moves quickly to leap and actually struck the neck of the boss and the HP drops quickly bringing it down and it shines then bursts showing -Congratulations- having the 25th Floor completed and now opening the path to Floor 26.

"Finally it's over. I thought we were gonna be here for a lot longer." Klein says annoyed

"You just had to butt in and take everything! You are one annoying bastard!" Kiboau shouts at them

"More to saving your ass, you brought a large amount and what it looks like you more than likely got half of your damn squad eliminated!" Sakore yells at him upset and Kiboau just stood there. "for now it looks like we are done here, so now time to head back to town. As well as telling the leader of your actions." Kiboau cursed under his breath as they return to town as the Leader of the army found out about what happened and as well as downgrading of being apart of the Assault team.

"I'd like to make an announcement to everyone here." The man called Heathcliff gets everyone's attention "I am going to start up a guild as of today called The Knights of the Blood Oath. If any one of you wish to join you are free to do so, that is all." he says and goes to the teleport gate and heads to the next floor

"He was an amazing swordsman, but something about that guy seems…" Sakore whispers under his breath curious about the new person that showed up right in the middle of the boss fight. However he was too tired to think about anything and went back to the inn to rest up after so long.

Sorry the chapter was short, I didn't have much to have happen.

And so a fourth of Aincraid has been cleared. A new guild has begun, and would Sakore join it? Alright so I am planning for Philia, Yuuki, Strea to be into Sakore, I am unsure for Rain, and Seven. I was thinking of adding an OC later probably, also I want your opinions since both Kirito and Rain have Dual Blades, do you want Sakore to get the special Dual Blades one day for this story? Leave reviews if you want that to happen, he might get it in HR story arc. So thanks for enjoying and anticipated for future chapters.

Next Time; Tower of the Moon