AN: *Nervously Sweating* This took a lot longer to get out than I thought it would? Though honestly I've had it finished for a bit, but given how it ends, I didn't want to push it out until I had the next chapter done. Thankfully, that one didn't take near as long. And fucking hell, but did the continuation of the scene I cliffhangered last time turn into a damn monster. I hope you guys enjoy it because it was a bitch to write.
Review Responses:
flo463- If your talking about canon when you refer to author experience than I can't answer that except to point out that at that point his 'harem' consisted of Asuna, Lizbeth, and Silica, which were respectively, obviously indisposed, primarily a blacksmith, and a mid level player, so the latter two don't have nearly as much experience. If you were talking about me it wasn't inexperience, I felt that Kirito didn't want to get everyone's hopes up, so he didn't tell anyone, and even if they knew, he didn't want to drag anyone into another VRMMO mess.
I actually like Recon. He's adorable. I like background Suguha/Recon quite a lot as well.
I like Suguha as well, but she's certainly not my favorite character in canon, she doesn't even rank top 5 for me, that would be Kirito, Sinon, Agil, Asuna, and Klein, and definitely not in Nephilim Witch (not because I wrote her to be less likable than canon Suguha, but because my versions of characters like Diabel, Argo, and a couple others easily rank above her.). Though I would like to point out that Suguha isn't the only one who accepts that Kirito loves Asuna, yet remains faithful in her own feelings… That's pretty much every girl in his 'harem', so Suguha isn't really special in that regard. Plus, I've always viewed Suguha's crush on Kirito less as her actually being in love with him and more as something similar to Genetic Sexual Attraction Syndrome, though induced from Kirito's distant to the point of almost total isolation from his family after finding out he was adopted, then from her perspective basically doing a 180 flip in attitude when he woke up. Unfortunately, given that this isn't a harem story, though I do occasionally enjoy those, and that Mike has already paired with Hermione, Suguha absolutely isn't going to be paired with either Kirito or Mike. I wasn't really thinking about other pairings at all when I started this story, but once I did and once I realized that I actually really wanted Mike to be with Hermione (there was a poll at one point, and it was only when I started feeling anxious when it looked like Asuna might beat Hermione that I realized how much I liked the idea of Mike/Hermione) Suguha/Recon seemed obvious to me. Honestly, it might not even make it into the story beyond that scene where Kirito tells Recon he's rooting for him, but if Suguha does get officially paired in the fic I'm sorry to say that it will be Recon.
fairygirl90- Because I love you guys? It's a sadistic love I guess. Genuine though! Seriously, I love you guys, you're all phenomenal.
DA Exodus- Aww, thank you! I'm glad you weren't dissatisfied, and I'm even happier that you liked the dinner scene, particularly since that was a nightmare to write. It kept not coming out the way I wanted it, I think I rewrote it about 12 times, and honestly? If you discount life becoming hectic and my being busy, it was the biggest reason this chapter took so long to come out. I'm also glad that you're merely excited for this chapter rather than attempting to burn me at the stake for the cliffhanger. Thank you and you're welcome!
NariGray- Hello and welcome, newest minion! I'm glad you've been enjoying my mad ramblings. Aww, really? Thanks! So it's not just me?! Like, you read this, then went back to the show and just felt confused and like something was off before remembering 'oh yea, Marzanna isn't canon', because that's what it was like for me. That's some good timing right there, reading it for the first time right when I'm about to come back from a 6+ month long disappearing act? Lol, don't give your coworkers heart attacks please.
Tenzo51- Kazuto ain't chompin' on any Death Eaters, do you know how bad that'd be for his stomach? You don't know where that's been! Neither does Kazuto and he doesn't want to know either! I'm still not sure about Mike or Hermione playing any VRs at all actually, because Mike was raised as a pureblood, and while he's been getting used to non-magical technology, he'd still be pretty iffy about it, especially after what happened to Marzanna. And honestly, I think Hermione's biggest draw to it would just be in her quest for knowledge. As in, curiosity about the experience itself and for research purposes? I don't know. Still thinking about it.
briannakeller52- I'm glad you've been enjoying my ramblings minion! Your welcome, and oh boy, there's some shit in store, I'll tell you that.
PikaMew1288:Yeah, that's basically what they're going to decide in regards to the bosses.
LunarReads: Common Fandom thing is that Snape invented the Wolfsbane potion, but canonically, no. Democles Belby is canonically the inventor.
Alias001: No, she'd take it as a training opportunity, so she'd primarily use guns as close to Symphony and Silence as she could get.
Angel Winx: Here you go! Hope it was worth the wait!
Leosknight:... I feel like that review wasn't finished. Because you didn't actually say what I'm supposed to be taking as a compliment rather than an insult.
July 26th, 2025
Kazuto watches as Asuna sharply waves her hand as they plummet, and it's only because he's so close to her that he sees her palming her wand in her sleeve. Immediately the train gains a faint, nearly unnoticeable glow and Asuna begins to sweat. His arm snaps out to wrap around her, holding her tightly, as he knows how disastrous interrupted magic can be, depending on what's being invoked. Scant seconds later, he's the only one manages to keep his grip, both on the rail he been holding onto and on Asuna, as the train smashes into the ground with a deafening crunch. He knows beyond a shadow that's it's only because of his half Nephilim strength that he and Asuna aren't thrown to the floor with everyone else. Even Agil loses his grip on the rail he'd been holding onto. And he's not exactly a small guy.
Asuna turns pale, looking seconds away from fainting, and he practically knows without asking that she'd cast a protection spell of some sort on the train. He also heavily suspects that it's the only thing that kept the train from being crushed under its own weight and turning into a pancake of twisted metal on impact, and softened the impact for those inside so as to keep the fall from being lethal to those in the train regardless of what happened to it.
The abrupt shift in gravity as they settle informs him that they've landed on uneven terrain. He immediately turns to their friends to and its once he's certain that they're ok, he finally turns his gaze out the window.
As soon as he registers what he's seeing, his blood turns to ice in his veins and he chokes on his next breath. Still he manages to force one thing out of his uncooperative vocal cords, "Asuna…"
She turns her head to follow his gaze, then chokes on a gasp, "Is that…"
He nods, gravely silent. Beyond the windows was a red stained world. He'd yet to see it for himself in person, as the family had so far deemed that he wasn't ready, but he nevertheless recognized it from books and descriptions he's heard from the family.
They were in hell.
Asuna's voice is nearly as quiet and meek as a mouse, "I'd heard there were significantly more disappearances caused by demons than usual, but this…"
He takes a shaky breath, "Vergil has been saying that they must've found some sort of loophole in the seal, or that maybe its relative newness compared to the old one meant it was weaker, which was what was letting them reach out and pull more people than usual to hell since they can't pass through, but to be able to snatch an entire train…."
He sees, and even hears, though that's probably because of Nephilim hearing rather than indicative of actual volume, Asuna swallow, "They're becoming bolder. It almost seems like before with those groups of people they were merely testing the limits of what they could do but that now…"
He nods solemnly as he pulls out his phone, thanking gods he doesn't believe in that the family had modified his phone to get a signal even from hell and sending off a text, "Now they're no longer holding back. I wouldn't say they're more bold though. The demons rarely care about drawing attention to themselves. They don't care in the slightest about the Statute of Secrecy, nor do they usually care about drawing the attention of Hunters. Most are too arrogant to be concerned about being taken down. It's honestly more strange that they exercised caution in the first place, rather than just attempting to snatch as many people as possible and steadily working their way down until they found the limit of how much power they can force through the barrier."
Asuna hums, but before she can say anything Argo cuts in harshly, "What in the world is going on you two?!"
They glance at each other unsurely. Given the circumstances the Statute of Secrecy is basically mute, but even for Kazuto who's only known about the magical world for a week shy of nine months it felt wrong to speak freely about the magical world, and it was only worse for Asuna who grew up in said world.
Asuna turns to Argo hesitantly, "What makes you think we know what's going on?"
Argo narrows her eyes, "Don't play stupid with me. You two have been whispering frantically to each other since that weird red electricity started, and you seem to recognize whatever this place that we've been- that we've been-" Her face screws up with frustrated disbelief, "Fucking teleported to or something!"
As he and Asuna share another look as Diabel speaks up, "Don't be ridiculous Argo, we can't have been teleported, that's impossible."
Even though he says that, his expression and voice are both unsure and hesitant. Argo glares at him, "One minute we're in one place, the next we're somewhere else entirely. I'm pretty sure that's the definition of teleportation."
There are a few beats of silence before finally Asuna sighs, "There's a clause in the Statute of Secrecy that basically says it can be broken in reasonable situations, and this definitely counts, but I'd rather not risk it."
Kazuto is confused long enough for their friends, and a good portion of the train cars occupants whose attention was drawn by Argo's demand for answers, to give her baffled looks, though it's Agil that speaks up, "Statute of Secrecy? Asuna, what on earth are you talking about?"
It clicks for him why Asuna thinks it's safer for him to explain just as Argo replies to Agil while staring the two of them down with narrowed eyes, "A statute is a kind of law, this one sounds specifically like one that forces people to keep quiet about something, like a gag order. I don't understand what the fuck that's supposed to be worth when we've literally been teleported to some hellish place though." Seeing the confusion on Klein's face, she adds, "My older brother is a Lawyer. How do you think I know so much about digging for information and piecing together tiny scattered facts into a larger more useful picture?"
He sighs, "You're not as far off the mark as you realize." Argo gives him a confused look and he gives her a weak strained smile, "Well, first things first, the thing we were legally required to keep quiet is this. Magic is real."
Immediately one of the other passengers angrily snaps with a derisive sneer, "Don't be preposterous, boy. Magic isn't real."
Someone else snarls in retort, "Oh yeah? You explain what happened then!"
An argument explodes through the train car, far too loud for Kazuto to continue. It lasts for nearly five minutes before Asuna heaves herself up, lifts her wand, boldly and unbidden, and fires of a spell that silences everyone else in the car. Its eerie actually, given that no one makes any sound, not even the faint sounds of breathing, shifting, and various other sounds of life he'd grown used to tuning out since his hearing was enhanced. It takes a couple seconds for those who are more worked up to register the lack of sound, but swiftly confusion floods the train, quickly followed by something uncomfortably close to panic. Their friends are gaping at her as though they've never seen her.
Asuna is calm throughout, "If you're all done behaving like children? I'm going to remove the silencing spell now, though I swear if you start shouting again I will recast it."
With a flick of the wooden foci, the spell ends. Argo wastes no time before launching into her questions, "Why though? I mean, why are you required to keep quiet about magic's existence? And why did Kirito have to be the one to explain in the first place? And I thought you were leaving explaining to Kirito? What happened? Where are we? Also, is that an actual wand? Do you have to have it to cast magic?"
Asuna sighs, "I have two words for you. Witch hunts. The non-magicals made it abundantly clear we weren't welcome anymore, but we can't exactly help how we're born. So we hid, allowing knowledge of us to fade from people's minds as fact into myth. I only really needed him to tell you that magic was real, once he did, you already knew, so I wouldn't be breaking the Statute, which can have dire consequences, and he needed to do it because he's basically exempt from that law." She hesitates before continuing, "I'll leave the questions about what happened and where we are to Kirito, as he knows more but to answer your other questions, yes it is a wand, and no they aren't exactly necessary, not for most spells, but using magic without a foci is takes a lot of training and is nightmarishly difficult to begin with for even the simplest of spells."
Gazes turn to him and he sighs, "I'm only going to give the basics. There are multiple planes of existence. You can think of them like pieces of paper layered over each other if it helps. There is no god or anti-god, but heaven and Angels, and hell and Demons do exist. We've been dragged to hell by demons, most likely they want our souls, it's what they're usually after." He throws a suspicious look at the window, before adding, "We're definitely not safe here. Only a Great Demon could pull a whole train from one plane to the other. They can't be far off, and the train isn't that great for cover, but for now it's better than being out in the open, so please, for your own safety don't try to leave. Help is already on the way."
A woman pushes through the crowd, then shoots a glance at Asuna before asking, "How? I don't have service, I don't think anyone does if we're on a different plane of existence. And even if we did, who's supposed to help us?"
Panic begins to spread through the train, and Kazuto quickly raises his hands in a calming gesture, he shoots a glance at his friends before speaking, "I have service because I happen to be dating someone who's family consists almost entirely of Demon Hunters, and am one in training myself. They modified my phone to be able to get a signal here. They're also damn good at their job and already have someone on the way. So please, just try to stay calm while we wait. Panicking will only make the situation worse."
The crowd begins to break out in muttering and whispering, which rapidly grows more heated until one man shouts, "I'm not waiting here to be-be… eaten by a demon!"
A woman next to him clutches at his arm desperately, "Kohaku, he said help is on the way, let's jus-"
He rips his arm away, "And what? We're just supposed to believe some brat? No I don't think so! I-"
Kazuto shoots Asuna a look as he presses a finger to his lips and she recasts her silencing spell on everyone else. Once it's quiet he whispers, "Don't you hear that?"
Everyone focuses, trying to make out what he is. It only takes a couple seconds before they make out the thumps and loud sniffing noises moving around the train that he does. Argo nudges Asuna and gestures at her mouth, once the spell is lifted and she can talk she whispers back to him, "What is that?"
He narrows his eyes, "Probably the demon who pulled us here…" He waves his hand downwards as he crouches, "I'd get down if I was you, it'll make it harder for it to get anyone."
His friends and Asuna don't hesitate to follow his advice, and most of the rest of the train quickly follows their lead. Some, like Kohaku-san are more reluctant and disdainfully skeptic.
For a few moments, it sounds like the demon just circles the train, then a voice rumbles out as the demon muses to itself, "Traitorous Sparda. I smell the traitorous Sparda. Not blood though, no, just magic. Not a relative." The gazes of all his friends lock on him at those words, mostly containing a mixture or surprise and confusion, though Asuna's glance is laced with concern, then a much louder sniff cuts through the tense silence, "A mate? Hmm. Yes, a Sparda's mate."
There's an eerie silence for a few seconds before Kohaku and three others pay for their skepticism a beat later when four arms smash through the windows, which were likely only intact due to Asuna's protection magic, grabbing four of the passengers that were still standing and ripping them out too quickly for anyone to react. He sees Asuna raise her wand, but it's already far too late to do anything.
More than one person shrieks in fright, and the four that were grabbed start screaming.
Their screams doesn't last long.
The train falls deathly silent when the fours screaming cuts off, allowing gruesome crunching and squelching noises to wash over the train. The woman who'd grabbed Kohaku-sans arm sobs, muffling it and her frantic, terrified muttering into her hands, "Oh god, Kohaku. Oh god. Oh god! We're gonna die. We're all gonna die!"
Despite the uncomfortable look on his face, Diabel shuffles over to her and wraps his arms around her quickly whispering reassurances, "Shh. Shh. We're not going to die, you hear me? We won't. Hanna's family is on the way, and if they're even half as good at fighting as Hanna was in SAO then they'll take care of that… monster out there no problem."
Kazuto gives them a strained smile, "They're even better."
Diabel nods firmly, "See, ya hear? We'll be fine. Everything will be ok."
Someone else whips around to face him and Asuna shrieking frantically, "Why aren't you two doing anything?! Didn't you say you're a Demon Hunter?! Can't you do magic?!"
He shakes his head, "Demon Hunter in training. I've only been allowed to fight lesser demons for a month or so, and only with supervision. As for Asuna, most Greater Demons are highly resistant to magic."
Kazuto tunes out everyone after that, turning his attention back to his phone and firing off another text. Just as a reply comes, the sickening noises from outside the train stop, and he quickly lifts his head. A moment later two of the hands reach in again. They grope around in midair for a few seconds before reaching towards the floor. People scream as they scramble away. A few seconds pass with the hands patting along the floor before the hands retract.
There's more terrified silence as they all listen to the demon shuffle a bit before a huge yellow eye peers through one of the windows, causing yet more startled screams. Though he knows it's natural given the situation, Kazuto sincerely wishes everyone would stop screaming every time something happened, its giving him a headache and making it hard to concentrate.
The face retracts, and a second or two later two hands shoot into entirely different windows, one grabbing both the woman Diabel was comforting and Diabel himself, the other grabbing Klein. Ready for it this time, he shoots to his feet, grabbing onto the demon's hand and hauling back with all his strength. Out of the corner of his eye he sees movement and light, and when he turns he finds Asuna holding onto her wand, shaking and pale as she tries to sustain a tether of light that's wrapped around the other two.
A second later his gaze snaps back to Klein when he cries out in pain, only to find that the demon has shifted its grip, its claws now digging into his friend. At a glance the wounds don't seem to be too bad, so he just shoots Klein an apologetic look, "Sorry."
Klein huffs out a pained breath, desperate terror in his eyes as he meets Kazuto's, "Fuck that apology shit! Don't you dare let go!"
He gives his friend a strained smile, "You might be hanging out with Marzanna too much. The only times I recall you cursing like that were after the Gleam Eyes and the first time I visited you right after we escaped Aincrad."
That drags a hysterical laugh from Klein, "I think it's as warranted in this situation as it was in those!"
He starts to let out a strained laugh, but it quickly turns into a grunt as the demon manages to yank him forward. He loses his balance at first, then quickly takes advantage of it to plant and brace a foot against the seat. Though the seats are made of a fairly durable alloy, they are made more with being lightweight in mind. With the fact that it was basically trying to withstand the strength of two opposing demons, of which few mundane metals are capable of withstanding, it doesn't surprise him much that it immediately crumples into the wall of the train. Still, it gives him a better place to brace his foot, which was what he was aiming for.
Seeing the bug eyed look Klein is shifting back and forth between him and his foot, and hearing more than a few sharp gasps behind him, as well as knowing that now would be a terrible time to mention his non-human blood, he somewhat bluffs, "Strength and Durability enhancing spells. Demon slayers are taught how to cast them wandlessly. Don't know if you can even cast them on other people, much less do I know how, so you'll have to just hang in there Klein."
It was technically true. Such spells were common for Demon Hunters from physically weaker species. It was of course, not how he was matching the Great Demon in strength, but he already knew how well the humans in the train car would handle learning he was part demon. Very poorly to say the least. Still, he quickly came to the conclusion that he needed to look into those soon. He sincerely doubts Klein can handle the steadily increasing pressure from the demon's hand for much longer.
He lets out a strained grunt as he hauls back on the demon's hand. A moment later his heart plummets as he hears multiple cracks a split second before Klein cries out in pain. He goes cold as he hears matching cracks and pained cries from behind him not long after, no doubt Diabel and the woman he was grabbed with.
His grip slackens for a split second in surprise as Klein coughs up blood. They both pay for it immediately as Klein is nearly ripped away and out of the window and he himself is yanked into the jagged remnants of said window. It's only years of experience in keeping hold of his swords, both in Aincrad and more recently the real world, that has him reflexively tightening his grip rather than loosening as he's disoriented by the glass cutting into his chest and stomach, followed swiftly by an impact with the window frame itself.
He lifts his gaze fearfully, more for Klein, but at least partially for himself as he knows he's nowhere near ready to fight a Great Demon. Above him, leaning over the train and grinning is a massive demon. It was some sort of freaky cross between a centipede and a spider with malformed legs, and and equally misshapen torso with eight arms that leads up to a grotesque face.
The demon grins unnaturally wide upon seeing him, nearly splitting its face in two, "Sparda-spawn Mate. I'm going to enjoy this."
As it reaches down his mind flies through his options as fast as its capable. If he lets go of Klein so he can go for his weapons and try to fight the demon off, he might as well sign his friend's death certificate himself, if he doesn't, it's almost a guarantee they'll both die. The only chance that option has rides of the slim hope that he might be able to somehow get his weapons and fend it off after it grabs and focuses on him. Beyond that… the only advantage is knowing he didn't abandon his friend to his death.
Just as he makes his choice, a huff from Klein draws his attention. When he looks up, his friend is staring back at him, though there is still terror in his gaze, its shadowed by steely determination, "Still a rude, reckless, idiot. Do you ever take into consideration what other people want or don't want?"
The harsh words take him by surprise, totally confusing him, "Klein... I-"
Klein cuts him off sharply, "Dumbass! Do you think I want to drag my best fucking friend to his death with me?! Stupid idiot!" Klein glares at him, and though there are unshed tears clinging to his lashes, his eyes burn with fire, "Fucking let go!"
With that final shout, Klein takes advantage of his legs being free to kick one out at the elbow of Kazuto's dominant arm, nailing him in the face with the other a split second later. Though physically significantly weaker than either Kazuto or the majority of his new sparring partners, the surprise of Klein attacking him makes him let go and stumble back a couple steps. Missing him by less than a foot, the demon's hand closes around where he just was even as Klein is yanked out of sight.
He lunges for the window, intending to go after his friend, regardless of whether or not he's ready to take on a Great Demon. He's taken by surprise when large arms wrap around him, lifting him straight off the ground and keeping him from hurling himself out of the window after Klein. When he twists around he finds Agil giving him a pained look. Though he could overpower his friend, Agil wasn't stupid, he'd seen Kazuto and the demon practically crush the metal seat with ease. It was undoubtedly why Agil had picked him up and seemed to be holding onto him as hard as he could. Off the ground and with Agil using all of his strength, Kazuto would have to risk hurting his friend to break free. Worse yet, Agil was just as stubborn as Kazuto himself was, even if he started breaking his friends fingers trying to get him to let go out of pain, Agil could very well just tighten his hold instead.
For a few agonizingly slow moments, all Kazuto can do is listen to the frantic pounding of his heart as one friend holds him back from saving another and they all wait for the gruesome crunches.
Six loud cracks shatter the tension.
Immediately the demon roars in pain, followed a split second later by two thumps and pained shouts. Outside the window, he sees a blur racing towards the train, a split second before it impacts, he sees Klein falling. The next second the blur meets Klein and goes through the window before coming to a sudden stop in front of him. Before him stands Nero carefully cradling Klein in his arms, "Sorry I'm late. You wouldn't believe what the traffic was like."
A near hysterical laugh forces its way out of Kazuto's mouth and he jerks out of Agil's shock slackened grip, "Rush hour traffic?"
Nero gives him a tight smile at his strained response as he gently sets Klein down for the nearly frantic, pale, and shaky Asuna, "Oh yea, Great Demons all over the place. I was beginning to wonder if they were throwing a party. Awfully rude not to send out invites. We Sparda's love a good party." Before he can respond, Asuna sways, though Nero quickly catches her, "Easy. Don't push yourself too hard. There is a limit to everything, including magic, and I'm pretty sure you're at yours."
Asuna pulls away roughly, sways again, then quickly steadies herself and looks up at Nero with teary but ferocious determination, "I have to keep going. Diabel and that women weren't all that bad off, Diabel has multiple breaks on his arm, and she has some cracked ribs, but three of Klein's ribs pierced his lungs. I managed to reset the ribs, and partially heal his lungs, but-"
Nero cuts her off, "Is he in danger of dying any time soon?"
Asuna hesitates, "Well… I mean, I healed it well enough that he might be able to go a couple of hours before he needs immediate healing, but-"
Nero again interrupts her, "And if you push yourself much harder, you'll likely kill yourself. I doubt Klein wants you to die for his sake, especially if it isn't absolutely necessary." With a flash of blue light he hands her a satchel, "There are various healing potions in there, they won't heal him completely in the time we have, but it should heal him enough to stabilize him and make him safe to move as long as we're careful."
Asuna nods reluctantly as she accepts the satchel, and Nero gives her a sad smile, "You're a healer at heart, Asuna, but two of the first things a healer needs to learn is you can't save everyone, and you do no one any good if you kill yourself by pushing yourself to hard. I know it's difficult to accept, but the sooner you do the better." Asuna sighs tiredly, then gives another reluctant nod which Nero returns before turning his gaze to the train roof, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a party to crash."
Without another word, he hops out the window, and a shout of, "Come on asshole! Let's dance!" prelude the sounds of combat.
Kazuto moves over to Klein's side as Asuna begins to sort through the bag of potions, and is taken by surprise when his eyes crack open, before he croaks out, "I'm alive?"
He blinks back tears rapidly, before harshly rebuking his friend, "Despite your stupidity, yes, you're still alive."
His friend huffs, "Not stupidity."
He bristles at that, "What the fuck else was that suppo-"
Klein grits his teeth in pain and grounds out, "Not. Stupidity." Then he lets out a groan of pain, before forcing himself to focus on Kirito and after a beat, sigh tiredly before continuing, "Dumbass. Don't you realize you're like a little brother to me? You wouldn't want Leafa dying trying to save you when its obvious she knows she can't, would you?"
He flinches at that, and looks away, unable to deny that, "... Don't talk idiot. You shouldn't push yourself, or you might actually die."
Klein huffs again, though this one sounds suspiciously like laughter, "Yea…"
There isn't anymore time to talk, even if Klein was up to it, as Asuna having finished going through the potions, gently lifts Klein's head and starts coaxing him to drink some of them.
By the time she's done, she's also having to coax him to stay awake, gently explaining between encouraging sentences that while a spell to just directly put the potions into his body exists, she's too magically exhausted to perform it. Their friend passes back out pretty much the second Asuna allows it after she's done feeding him potions. And it's only then that he realizes the sounds of fighting had stopped and Nero has rejoined them.
He shakes himself from his daze, and mentally berates himself for being so out of it as to not pay any attention to his surroundings at all, before refocusing on Nero, "What's the situation?"
The question grabs the attention of everyone, especially given most attention was on them already and the train was near silent, then older Demon Hunter sighs, "No way the train is going back the way it came, the tracks broke, and while I don't know what they look like on Earth, here in Hell they're suspended a good 130 feet up. There's no way we're getting everyone back through that rift."
Argo makes a confused noise, "Wait, I thought we were just dragged into Hell, but you can clearly come and go, so can't you just send us back?"
He sighs tiredly, already feeling a headache coming on, "No he can't. For most people, to enter or exit Hell you need what's known as a rift, a place where the fabric between the world is naturally thin, though rifts appear, disappear, and move constantly."
Nero makes a noise of disagreement, "Not exactly, if I still had Yamato I could open a temporary gate right here. However, Yamato actually belongs to my father and I have long since returned it to him after we found out that he was in fact alive, and he isn't even in the country at the moment. Without Yamato most people would need a rift. And a Medium to open said rift, but we have Kat so that's not an issue."
Her brow furrows, "Most people?"
He nods, "Mediums can peer into and project themselves into Hell or Heaven however they wish, hence why they're believed to be able to speak to spirits. They really do see things that others don't. Those who are actual Mediums anyway, rather than con artists, and most mediums hide what they are for fear of being thought to be insane."
Of course, skilled Devils could go through wherever they wanted as well, though an unskilled one such as himself still needed a rift since is was easier to move between the planes of existence at one. Not that he'd leave his friends and all these people even if he could.
He massages his temples, trying futilely to stave off his headache before turning to Nero, "Do we know where the next closest one is?"
Nero returns his sigh, equally as tired if not more so, "Yea, Kat got back to me already, closest accessible one is about 3 kilometers away. Well, on Earth it's more like two and a half, but while Limbo, the first layer of Hell and where we are now may reflect Earth, it's a distorted reflection. I've been assessing the injured already, we'd be lucky to get there in an hour and a half."
Dead silence hangs over the train like a guillotine, before a woman shakily asks the obvious, "Aren't-" She stumbles over her words, swallowing thickly before pushing on, "Aren't there a lot of demons out there?"
Nero shifts, "Possibly. Sometimes if fortune favors you, you can slip through without seeing a single Demon, but given that the train was purposely dragged here… It's highly likely we'll run into more."
The woman whimpers and draws her daughter closer, "We'll never make it." She sobs, "We're all going to die!"
Without hesitation, Nero strides over to the woman, crouches in front of her and grips her shoulder, "Hey, no, listen to me OK? Listen. I'll protect you, alright? I'm gonna get you all home safe, I swear. Just trust me."
Another woman scoffs, "How exactly do you plan to do that? You're just one man, you can't possibly protect us all, oh sure, you might be able to get some of us to safely if you're as good as that kid says you are, but without a doubt some of us will die along the way. Don't lie to her, don't give her false hope. Don't lie to me."
It's only at that last sentence that he realizes that while she hides it well behind a facade, she's terrified. Terrified and angry at Nero for daring to get her hopes up that she might survive.
Nero turns to pin her with a steely eyed stare, "No. All of you. I'm going to save all of you. Whatever it is you've got to return to, whether it's someone who's waiting for you, or a pet, or even just a book or a video game waiting for you in whatever personal sanctuary you call home, you are going to see it again. Do you understand me? I'm not going to allow a single one of you to die. Not on my watch." He stares the woman down until she gives a jerky nod, then grins and shifts his gaze to Kazuto, "Besides, I'm not alone in keeping you guys safe. This brat might still be in training, and he might not yet be up to fighting Great Demons, but he's actually pretty damn good, especially for a newbie."
Kazuto tries his hardest to look as reliable as possible as attention shifts to him. He certainly didn't feel like he was 'damn good'. In fact, given that he let 4 people die in less than 15 minutes, almost let not one but two of his best friends die, and he wasn't able to help Asuna with Diabel at all, he felt downright incompetent, but he couldn't let these people, already terrified and damn near hopeless, see him so unsure and shaken. He couldn't appear weak to them, his resolve had to be harder than steel in their eyes. Especially given that they already saw people die on his watch. What minuscule faith they may have in him was undoubtedly damaged by that. He couldn't fail anyone else today.
He couldn't let anyone else die in front of him.
Whether he's simply bluffing well or something of his thoughts is showing on his face or even simply Nero's strange charisma born from his intense steely confidence, he couldn't say, but the people he's supposed to help protect seem to believe Nero that he's capable backup.
Nero nods firmly, then stands, "Alright! I'm gonna step outside and get in touch with Kat, figure out the best route to get you guys to the rift, while I do that, Asuna I want you doing an assessment, figure out who needs help walking and if anyone needs to be carried, and who's strong and healthy enough to help move the injured." She nods firmly and he grins before sweeping his gaze over Kazuto and his friends, "And…. Silica." She jolts, startled to be singled out, "I want you to go through the train, make sure there aren't any unattended kids, and if there are, find someone to assign to keep an eye on them. No more than 2 kids to a person, can you do that for me?"
She relaxes at the request that's well within her capabilities, especially given how naturally charismatic she is, "Yes! You can count on me!"
Nero grins at her enthusiastic response, "I knew I could." Then he turns to Kazuto, "Gear up and come on kid."
He nods and follows Nero outside. The family had been contemplating having himself and Mike attempt to purposely overcharge one of their arms into Devil Bringers, but they hadn't yet come to a decision regarding how dangerous it could be and whether they should. That being said, he did have his gear on him. Devils specialized in combat and the manipulation and absorption of energy, which was why they seemed to have so many unrelated abilities. Therefore it shouldn't come as a surprise that the ability to turn things into energy and store it inside themselves wasn't entirely new to the Devils with Devil Bringers, but rather it was a more powerful and versatile version of an ability Devil's already have.
The main difference was the with the regular ability, a Devil could only store things attuned to and containing a bit of their demonic energy by temporarily turning the item in question itself into energy, whereas Devil Bringers could store pretty much anything the user wanted. On its own, while cool, it wasn't a huge advantage, because those without Devil Bringers could simply store anything else they may need in magically expanded bags. The main reason the family was considering having himself and Mike each turn an arm into a Devil Bringer lay in the fact that Devil Bringers could absorb abilities from some objects, and the ghost hand ability it possessed.
In any case, even without the Devil Bringer given that Nephilim soul blades were made by pouring ones demonic and angelic energies into the raw ingot, it was incredibly easy to store his blades within himself. With but a thought the familiar weight of Elucidator and Dark Repulser settles on his back. All he's missing is a good coat and he'll really be set. And Marzanna, Nero, Lily, and Vergil have already been discussing materials, colors, cuts and a bunch of other details way too seriously on that front. Currently, using some of the hide from the Basilisk Mike had killed, after dying it black to fit his personal preference, was the front running option, though it was still being discussed despite the fact he would've been more than happy enough with just a regular coat.
Glancing over, he's not surprised to see Nero texting on his phone, likely talking to Kat. He turns his attention to keeping watch. What does surprise him is when Nero abruptly speaks up, "Don't beat yourself up over it kid. While I didn't lie back there and we absolutely will get the rest of those people home safe… When you're in this business, it's inevitable that there are gonna be people you fail to save. You basically have two choices at this point. If possible, acknowledge that there was nothing you could've done. You aren't anywhere near fully trained, and you knew I was on my way, you did what was the best course of action in that situation to try and keep everyone safe, and you certainly weren't the one to kill those people. However, you're a good person and one with a guilt complex to boot, so I doubt this is really an option for you. So… That leaves you with the other option."
He lifts his head and looks him dead in the eye, "You own it. You own up to it. Those people are dead and there's no helping them now. And yes, you could've saved them if you were stronger, so get stronger. Get strong enough that you don't fail others. And when you inevitably do, get even stronger. Chase power eternally, not for yourself or any other selfish reasons, but for the sake of others. Do it so that there are less people you'll fail. And less, and less. You'll never be able to close the gap between your strength and how many people you can save completely, but every single life you can save is a victory. Today, you may have failed four people, but you already saved your friend, and you are going to help me save the rest of these people. That's not a total victory, but it isn't a total loss either."
He looks away, "I almost failed one of my best friends you mean. I didn't save Klein. You did."
However before he can continue Nero turns towards him fully and takes the words he was about to say right out of his mouth, "No, he'd be dead if it wasn't for you." Then he continues, "If it hadn't been for you, I would've been too late to save him. He would've been someone else I failed because I was too weak. Same with Asuna and those other two. And kid, I've failed way too many people already. I failed my own wife's brother. I still hate myself for that, no matter how many times Kyrie says she doesn't blame me. I probably always will. But you can't take it like you are kid. Or it'll fucking drown you eventually. Take it how you have to, take it logically as not your fault but the demons, take it as even more reason to stick it to those evil sons a bitches whenever possible, hell even take it and fucking make it be your strength so you don't fail others like you failed them, but don't you ever take it as a defeat, don't take it as a weight or it'll drag you right down to the fucking bottom and you'll never come back up."
He scoffs, "All I did was delay Klein's death."
Nero nods, "Yes, but sometimes that's all you need to do."
He glances up at him, searching his face, but even he doesn't know what he's looking for. Perhaps he's looking to see if Nero really believes that, because for some reason seeing the others absolute resolve makes him feel just a little bit, well, not better, but like it's a bit easier to swallow past the bitter guiltily lump in his throat. He can't help but nod back, not exactly accepting the words as truth, but accepting that Nero truly believes them.
Nero slips his phone away and grips his shoulder, "If you need to talk more about it later, then while I know she might be your first choice, Marzanna isn't the only person you can turn to. I'm here whenever you need. Hell, even Dante and my dad, for all they glare and grumble about you being with Marzanna, and aren't that good with emotions anyhow in my dad's case, would talk to you in a heartbeat, or even just listen if that's what you need. Because for all their bitching, your family kid, and we don't abandon family, ya hear?" He nods, and Nero smiles, "That being said, if you need to talk it's gonna have to wait until later, because we've got people to save and neither of us is going to fail anyone else today."
He nods more firmly now, fierce determination filling him. Nero pats his shoulder as he moves past him, "Good. Let's go get everyone home."
Kazuto takes a deep breath to center himself, then moves inside, just catching the beginning of what amounts to a briefing as he goes over things like what to do if they're attacked, which specifically is not to panic and don't scatter, group up as much as possible so it's easier for him and Nero to protect everyone.
It's not long at all before they're heading out. He's neither surprised when Agil takes it as his personal responsibility to carry Klein, nor when his friends end up near the head of the group with him and Nero.
They don't make it very far before Argo breaks the silence, "Those are some rather familiar swords Kii-Bou."
Lizbeth humms in curiosity, "That they are. Why swords anyway? I'd think guns and the like would be more effective, but he's got one too."
He glances back at them, "Not really actually. The vast majority of Great Demons are bulletproof, and therefore guns just annoy them and slow or stall them if you're lucky. They're more effective against lesser demons, but even then they aren't usually the best weapons."
Nero makes a huffing laugh, "No kidding. Lady, one of the demon hunters who's been a friend of the family for quite a long time and works for us, only really uses guns, and she carries two handguns, two submachine guns, a shotgun, grenades, and a missile launcher. Oh, plus a crossbow for reasons I've never really understood and occasionally a sniper." Seeing their wide eyed looks he nods, "Yeah. You don't wanna know how much ammo she used to go through before my family modified her guns with magic. But in even a simple clean up mission where she only fought low level demons who can't tank nearly as many bullets used to get a little expensive for Lady in the ammo department."
Argo stares at him incredulously for a moment, "Isn't that… Kinda overkill?"
Nero glances back at her, "When you're demon hunting without a blade of some sort? Not really. It gives her various options for the situation Demon Hunters find themselves in, plus it means she can just toss a gun and grab another if she doesn't have time to reload."
Argo tilts her head in thought at that, "Well… Ok, I suppose I can see the benefits, but still…"
Nero shrugs, "She's not known amongst those involved with demons in one way or another as 'The Walking Arsonal' and 'The Heavily Armed Beauty' for no reason."
Now Argo frowns, "But if guns are useful to some extent against demons, how come you don't use them?"
That one gets a snort, and Nero reaches under his coat and draws his gun, lifting it above his shoulder barrel up and shakes it back and forth a little, "Never said I didn't. They're good for crowd control and cannon fodder demons. So, other than my dad most of us in the family carry at least one. Hell, Dante and Lady even bullied poor Kazuto here into learning to use and carry one."
He can't help but grumble at that, "Still not a fan, and still striving to hit anything smaller than a bookshelf when it's stationary, much less when it's moving."
That gets another snort, "Don't be so hard on yourself kid, you hadn't even touched a gun a month ago. You'll get the hang of it in due time. Besides, you're a quick learner."
Lizbeth leans into his personal space, "Do you really have a gun? You really don't seem like the type, even with all this Demon Hunting stuff."
He nods, but unlike Nero he doesn't draw his gun out from under his coat. Nero grins at her, "That he does. A FN five-seven(1) to be exact, modified like all our guns are of course."
Lizbeth stares at him blankly for a moment before admitting, "I have no idea what that means other than he's got a gun that's modified in some way."
Nero laughs, "It's a lightweight semi-automatic pistol that packs a nice punch with little recoil and high accuracy. It's why Lady picked that gun in particular out for him. It's a nice gun, though it's something of a given that I prefer my own Blue Rose."
Lizbeth nods, "That made more sense."
Nero grins at her, "I suppose I should've realized you guys weren't likely to know much of anything about guns."
Lizbeth shrugs, "We're nerds who play fantasy style video games a lot. What did you expect?"
That gets a raised eyebrow, "Mmmm. Y'know, Dante may have been the one to originally introduce Marzanna to video games, but he's mostly into fighting games. And Marzanna didn't start trying out RPGs and MMOs herself either. Who do you think did, and who do you think used to be her main gaming buddy?"
Lizbeth looks at him incredulously, "You're a gamer? You?!"
He laughs, "What? Do I come off as too much of a jock for something that 'nerdy' to you?"
Lizbeth flounders for a minute before crossing her arms, "Well yeah! You kinda do!"
He laughs again, "You really shouldn't buy into stereotypes so much." Then he grins, "Especially since even though quite a few members of my family don't look like nerds more than a couple either are themselves, or is married to or dating a nerd. My wife is a music nerd, my aunt-in-law is a potions and charms nerd and is best friends with a potions nerd, my dad used to be married to a marine biologist, Mike is dating a nerdy bookworm, and Marzanna… Well, you're all entirely familiar with Kazuto here. So, despite the fact that more than one member of my family looks like we probably beat up nerds for fun when we were younger if you judge by how we look and buy into stereotypes, we actually love nerds."
Silica tilts her head at him, "But, then, why don't you play games with her anymore?"
He tilts his head at her, "I still do to some extent, just not as much as I used to. Mostly because she has less free time to play with me now that she games with you guys. Not that I mind all that much."
Argo gives him a dubious look, "Really? I think I might be a bit annoyed if my cousin started blowing me off for her friends."
Nero smiles at her in bemusement, "You have to make plans with someone to get blown off, and it wasn't usually something we planned. Besides..… " Then he looks ahead and his smile turns a bit sad, "Being who she is, a magical from a family of demon hunters and our family in particular, even in the magical schools she didn't really fit in or have friends. I doubt she'd ever admit it, but you guys are the first real friends she's ever had. Yes, it means she has far less time to hang out with me now that she actually has a social life, but just the fact she has friends now makes me happy more than anything else one might assume I'd be feeling."
Asuna raises an eyebrow, "And suddenly a fair bit of Marzanna's strangeness makes a lot more sense. But still, if you're into those kinds of games anyway, how come you don't just join us when we play?"
Nero grins at her, "Yes, I'm sure it does. And, ah well, partially it's because I'm still not entirely sure about the whole full dive part. Yeah, it sounds cool and like a damn lot of fun, but I enjoy just hanging out where anyone can wander in and hang out as well, even if they aren't playing games or even into games. You can't exactly do that when full diving. Even if you ignore that though, I didn't want to intrude."
His friends share glances before Asuna huffs, "If you don't like VR, that's fine, but you wouldn't be intruding. You're more than welcome to join us if you want to."
Nero smiles at her, "Maybe I will. I've been wanting to get back into gaming more." He's quiet for a few moments, "It's funny actually. When Marzanna got stuck in SAO, I thought that settled the debate we were having about the aforementioned pros and cons of VR gaming. I was so sure that when she came back she wouldn't want anything to do with it anymore, and that I wouldn't either. Then she came back. And despite everything, most of the time when she talked to me about SAO, it was clear that in spite of the circumstances, a part of her had grown to love Aincrad over those two years. And that she still loved VR gaming was obvious, given how quickly she bought an AmuSphere and started playing ALO, even though she had such a terrible experience with that VRMMO as well. Even if I end up not liking VR gaming, I think buying an AmuSphere will still be worth it, just to see the world she's so obviously fallen in love with."
Asuna hums, "A lot of SAO survivors don't want anything to do with VR gaming anymore, but there are still plenty of us who went straight back into it for various reasons. Marzanna…" Here she glances at Kazuto before returning her gaze back to Nero, "And a few other people I know, saw beauty in that place despite its lethality and everything it took from us on a daily basis."
Nero nods slowly in understanding, and it quite for a few minutes, "Ever since we found out the truth about SAO on the day it launched, I haven't been able to help but wonder… How things might have been different if I hadn't been so hesitant about VR gaming. If I'd been there with her and had gotten stuck there as well. It's useless to dwell on things like that of course, and yet…"
Asuna gives him a speculative look, "It's in the nature of creatures intelligent enough to have such a developed concept of time and how everything that happens now continuously affects the future in a never ending chain of ever evolving events to contemplate how various changes in the past could've affected the outcome. That being said.. . I think she would've been less lonely. Me and her are the only people we knew in there that were magically aware, and neither of us realized the other was someone we could speak to freely until rather late in that two year period. Plus, she would've had family there with her."
Nero gives her a considering look in return, "Perhaps, but you know… She really wasn't alone. Not in the beginning and certainly not in the end. And more than that… Well, while she still has our family of course, it seems to me like she did have family in there with her. Or at least, she made one for herself."
That gets grins and sheepish smiles all around, and Kazuto can't help but smile a bit. Given the danger of being friends with a Sparda, Marzanna was fully intending to take advantage of being exempt from the Statute of Secrecy to tell their friends everything. He knew very well that Marzanna had been stressing about telling them almost as much as she'd stressed about telling him. If right now was any indication though, they'd take it better than even he's been expecting. Which is saying something considering he had fully expected for the revelation to create tension and distance between them and their friends while they processed the news, then for them to repair their relationships after their friends accepted it.
After all, every single one of these people had stayed by their sides when they were Beaters, and some people did hate them enough to attack their associates. Not one of them had ever faltered in the face of the threats, hatred, or vitriol thrown at them for being their friends. Hell, on one particularly memorable occasion Silica had punched a dude in the face for spitting insults at Marzanna in front of her.
It had been rather hilarious to see the reactions to Marzanna gently scolding their pseudo little sister, telling her that 'while there is a time and place for violence, this was not one of them, and you shouldn't have reacting to something so insignificant with violence.' then telling her to apologize to the bastard. Though she hadn't called him that.
He's snapped out of his musings by Nero smacking his shoulder, "Look alive kid! Time to work!"
His hands go up to his swords as he surveys the demons in front of them. No Great Demons, which was good, but there were a few Ravagers in the group, which was not so good, especially with the crowd of people they were supposed to be protecting.
He narrows his eyes, "What's the plan?"
Nero hesitates briefly as he contemplates it, "I'll deal with the Ravagers, you focus on the rest."
That's all that needs to be said before they're splitting up to start dealing with the crowd of demons. This- This was something he could do, something within his capabilities. He hadn't been fighting lesser demons for all that long, barely over a week in fact, but honestly, most of them weren't that difficult to deal with. Ravagers however… Despite being lesser demons, they were a pain to deal with if you didn't take them out quickly. They had thorns of bone sticking out of their arms that they could vibrate, which given that they were also serrated meant that they could tear open some serious wounds. Throw in their nasty species wide Berserk Style that could in brief bursts toughen their skin and make them nearly impossible to stagger and they could be nasty enemies. Especially when they used Berserk to charge.
They could not have any of those Ravagers charging towards the crowd. It would turn into a massacre. But that was why Nero was focusing solely on them while Kazuto kept the rest off of his back. Technically, he could probably handle this himself, but there would be greater risk of a Ravager heading towards the crowd, and Kazuto was there so there was no need to take the risk.
Given all that, it took a bit longer than it would've had they been dealing with the same number of demons without any Ravagers, but they still dealt with it rather quickly and without much problem, and they're soon on their way again.
Thirteen more fights and an hour and fifteen minutes pass by in such a manner before anything of note happens. They're in what looks like a park, about fifteen minutes out by Nero's estimation, of uninterrupted travel that is, when they hear gunshots.
Nero quickly uses the radio function on his phone(2), "I hear gunshots. About fifteen minutes out from the rift, that one of you, or someone else?"
There's a brief pause, then to his surprise, Marzanna's voice comes through, "That'd be me."
Nero's brow furrows, "I thought you were dealing with a stolen building?"
A huff precedes the response, "The rift they yanked it through was underground, and I can't send a whole building through a rift anyway. This was the closest one for me, and apparently you and Aunt Trish. Once is chance, twice is coincidence-"
"Three times is a pattern." Nero finishes for her, "Yes, it is awfully suspicious that three of the four jobs we have today involve kidnapped people we can't send back through the rift they came from. It's even more so when the closest rift to each of us is the same for all three."
"Yea, well, I imagine they're aiming for a central location to attack. Me and Aunt Trish have already dealt with five Great Demons. And hoards of Lesser Demons. And the people we were escorting are still in the process of evacuating through the rift." There's a pause and more gunshots ring out before she adds, "You guys are coming from the Southeast, right? Circle around to the Northeast if possible, it's where I came from, and it thinned out over there not long after I got my group to safety. Just not interested in that area now that everyone they were hoping to prey on is out of the area I suppose."
"Will do 'Zanna. Thanks."
"Be on your guard until then. I have a feeling it's only going to get worse from here. I'm on my way."
Dante's abrupt contribution is ominous, but Kazuto also has a bad feeling about the whole situation.
The two share a look, then wordlessly agree for Kazuto to move to the rear of the group and keep watch there. They hadn't deemed it necessary until then, as Nero was pretty damn fast, especially when one takes into account the Quicksilver Style. Neither of them felt comfortable continuing that way with what they just learned.
Taking his mate's advice to loop around turns it into a forty five minute journey from the park to the portal, but they only run into two clusters of demons and a few strugglers, so it's worth it.
It's not until they're less than a block away that they see any significant number of demons, all of which they quickly realize are focused on Marzanna and Trish when they look around the corner.
Nero grabs his phone, "Trish, 'Zanna, I see you two. I'm northeast. Punch through and the four of us make a tunnel for my group to escape through, or you guys distract and pull them away?"
They see Marzanna sheath the gun she had in her off hand to grab her phone, then her voice comes through, "Gonna have to make a tunnel. For all that lesser demons aren't usually too bright, these guys seem to know more humans are supposed to be coming through this rift. Trish and I already tried to move the battle a bit once we knew you were so close with your group. They pretty much start ignoring us once we get a certain distance from the rift."
Nero gets a contemplative expression for a few moments, "Alright. I'll leave my phone with one of Marzanna's friends, so we can signal them when to move."
"In that case I won't reopen the rift until you send the signal."
"Sounds like a plan Kat. Wouldn't want any demons getting through after all."
As soon as Nero turns to hand off his phone, Asuna extends her hand, expression that of the no nonsense 'don't even think about fucking with or disobeying me' Second in Command of the Knights of the Blood.
Nero grins, "Well, you've certainly got the look of someone who can get these people to listen to you." He turns serious as he hands her his phone, "As soon as we signal, get everyone moving towards the gate. It'll be a shimmering red distortion in the air, pretty hard to miss. Make sure none of the injured fall behind, have someone keep an eye on them if necessary." Then he pauses and pulls one of his rings off before handing her that as well. Make sure all of you and Marzanna's friends are with you, and show this to the Obliviators. Given that you're a Witch and a brilliant one at that, I'm sure you know why."
Surprise washes over Asuna's face, "I can't take this! This is-!"
Nero smiles, "Just a loan to make sure no one gives you problems on the other side. As long as you don't try to put it on and make sure to give it back when I catch up with you on the other side of the rift there's nothing to worry about."
Aauna hesitates briefly, then her gaze shifts to their friends and her expression is rapidly replaced by one of relief. Turning back to Nero she nods firmly.
Nero returns the nod, then shifts his gaze to him, "These sort of numbers in a situation like this is a bit over your pay grade at the moment, but it's all hands on deck I'm afraid. Just… Try not to wander too far away from one of us, so we can bail you out if you get yourself into a tight spot."
He raises an eyebrow, "Sure thing, but I'm not sure 'pay grade' is the correct term here, considering we're just saving people because we can and we, y'know, are not getting paid for it."
Nero laughs, "Oh, well get paid for it. We have something of open contracts with various governments worldwide. It's not why we're doing it, but they'll pay us for our services. We're protecting their counties and their citizens from demons after all. Now, enough chit-chat. We got work to do."
They dive right into the fray without hesitation and from there it's just… chaos. He knows that he's supposed to keep the demons out of a certain zone, and he's vaguely aware of where the others are, but beyond that his entire focus is on his fight.
He's so focused in fact, that he's not even aware that the signal has been sent until he's taken by surprise when the rift opens and people start hurrying towards it.
He's significantly less surprised that his friends have spread out in a loose formation around the group and are guiding them to safety.
Before the front of the group even gets halfway through, things go from bad to worse with the appearance of three Greater Demons that had apparently been lying in wait.
At first, only Marzanna breaks off, purely to distract them. She wasn't a match for three Greater Demons… But that's only if she's aiming to defeat them. Buying time is a whole different game.
Despite that, it's not long before Nero is cursing, "Of fucking course those three are more powerful than average. Trish, Kazuto and I will handle things over here, go back her up!"
Of course things grow even more hectic from there, and Kazuto absolutely exploits the fact that he'd practiced manually going through his sword Skills in SAO.
It works surprisingly well. However, he's just getting the hang of the crowd control he's having to do and just finding his rhythm when Nero shouts at him, "Kazuto! Marzanna and Trish are in hot water! I'll figure things out here, go lend a hand!"
He glances at Nero in surprise before turning his gaze to the two women. His eyes widen at what he sees. He'd been so sure his mate and Trish could handle it that he hadn't even glanced that way. However the two are quickly getting boxed in by the three hulking demons.
Trusting Nero to protect everyone, he takes off towards the five as fast as he can, lamenting his lack of Devil Bringer and therefore the Quicksilver Style.
Running up the serpentine looking one, he jumps on its head, ramming his swords into it all the way down to the hilt.
Surprisingly, it remains remarkably alive for something with two ninety-one centimeters long pieces of metal rammed into its head.
Unsurprisingly for a living being with two pieces of metal stabbed into its face, it immediately starts thrashing wildly trying to throw him off.
It does the job in opening a hole for the girls to slip through, but he quickly finds himself holding on for dear life.
Seeing an opportunity, he makes a snap second decision and jumps off when it smashes itself into a wall.
Of course, that's when his day gets even worse as he finds he can't move or breathe. Hot liquid starts wetting his shirt and he hears Marzanna scream his name in the background.
Looking down he struggles to comprehend what he sees, but there's some distant part of his brain whispering about going into shock even as it stutters in surprise by the claws sticking out his throat and chest.
'That can't be good, even for a Nephilim.' Is his last thought. Then the encroaching darkness closes in on him.
(1): Yes, I did indeed give him the same gun he used in GGO in canon.
(2): For those of you questioning there being a radio or walkie-talkie app, they are a thing. I know at least three people who use them, two of them for work.