"Don't let up," ordered Klein as their blades clashed. The older man was purposefully taking the defensive side while Kirito practiced a 'calm aggression' strategy. Klein noted that his junior had become much more adept with a blade in the month that the two had known each other. In the beginning, Kirito had shown only a very basic understanding of swinging a sword. It had taken a few days to introduce concepts such as edge alignment and proper stances. Past an initial confusion, Kirito proved to his teacher that he had a knack for learning new things.
Despite Kirito's talent, there was still a gap of experience between the two; every time Klein noticed Kirito overextending his offensive, the former would quickly punish with a strike of his own. This stalemate continued for a few more moments before Kirito managed to surprise Klein. In a flurry of motion, the young black-haired man flipped back with a weak kick. In the instant that Klein's guard was broken from the sudden maneuver, Kirito landed and initiated Sonic Leap. Klein's instincts kicked in as a wooden blade wreathed in glowing yellow arced down at him. He activated a Skill of his own, Gengetsu, that collided the two practice weapons together violently. Wooden shards flew everywhere as both weapons were unable to withstand the impact and decisively broke.
"Whoa. That was a helluva move. You alright, Kirito?" Klein looked over his shoulder at where his student had tumbled over from his own momentum. There was a thumbs up offered as the younger man stood up and took a moment to catch his breath.
"Sorry… for breaking… our practice swords." Klein chuckled at Kirito's breathless apology as he looked down at the broken wood in his hand. No, broken wasn't really correct. Shattered would have been a much more apt description. His eyes drifted to the similarly destroyed practice weapon in Kirito's hand.
"Where'd you learn to connect Skills like that," asked Klein as Kirito turned to face him. "Normally that's a pretty advanced tactic that even a lotta the officer trainees I work with struggle on." Kirito offered a shrug along with his reply.
"I had the idea last night. Was trying to figure out how to get a clean hit on you. Figured that if I could use Crescent to knock you off balance, then Sonic Leap should let me close the distance and attack." Kirito rattled off the ridiculously impressive theory with the most casual ease Klein had ever seen. He had been teaching at the Officer's Academy for over half a year at this point and, in all that time, had seen many students fail to think as efficiently as this.
"I'm not sure if you're the genius or the demon," muttered Klein as he scratched at his forming beard. "Just be careful with something like that. Skill cooldowns could leave you open after a flashy show like that." Kirito's head cocked to the side in thought, however the topic was set aside as Klein focused his attention back on the black-haired kid. With a motion he directed them both to a small side office where they had been having lunch during their training sessions. Set on the desk today were some sandwiches, two fruits, and a pitcher of water flanked by some cups.
"But, I can at least let His Majesty know that you won't get flayed alive again," said Klein as he poured the two some water. Silence hung between them as Kirito accepted the offered cup. The young would-be gladiator had been afforded a single month of training under Klein by Heathcliff and today was the last day. Something akin to disappointment hung around the younger of the two men at the idea, although the older was quick to try to lift the mood.
"Hey, you'll do great. You're already as good or better than the snobs I usually teach." Klein's words did indeed help relieve some of the tension in the room and Kirito settled into one of the chairs in the room.
"Y'know… I've been meaning to ask something. Why does this place look so much like Island Dojos? And your swordsmanship and Skills remind me of my dad too." This line of questioning caught Klein off guard a little. Still, he liked Kirito and saw no reason not to answer truthfully.
"Well, as for me, I always admired the warriors of the Eastern Islands. Found a teacher from there and apprenticed under him for a few years back around your age," Klein started to explain. "As for the training halls, that'd be the Emperor's doing. About two years before the invasion and occupation of the Islands he took an interest in their way of swordsmanship, architecture, and culture. Ended up restructuring some things in places like schools or the military to copy what he thought had merit." Kirito's face changed in a way Klein had begun to recognize as the young man processing new information. Then it shifted into a smirk, giving away Kirito's intention before he spoke.
"At least he had some kind of respect for the people whose lives he ruined." Kirito's words stung Klein in a way he didn't like to admit. The latter had won honors that had raised his military rank in the battles fought on the Eastern Islands. It had become something that caused the young platoon captain no small amount of internal conflict before meeting Kirito. Now, training a boy from the place he once admired so fervently, Klein had to question whether this was karma's way of saying something to him.
"Aincrad has always been like that. Taking in the best of the places we conquer. Ever since the beginning." Klein leaned back in his chair as he spoke, now somber himself. "Hell, there's rumors that before becoming Emperor, His Majesty Heathcliff studied for ten years in solitude about other countries so that he could build a nation that would last a thousand years." The somber mood was again challenged as a snort sounded. Klein looked at Kirito, an eyebrow raised.
"Don't get me wrong, he's intimidating. But I can't take those stories seriously anymore. Did you know there's one where he lifts the World Tree and slams it on Queen Titania's head to win the war?" It was Klein's turn to laugh as Kirito's ridiculous claim came into the open. Klein knew well enough it was an exaggeration of an extreme proportion. Emperor Heathcliff's brilliant strategies had won the Aincradian's that conflict nearly ten years ago. It seemed that housewives had romanticized it in a way their children would understand and now it had gotten back to Klein of all people.
"I might not say that to His Majesty's face but gods if it isn't gonna be hard to not laugh when I make my next report. Thanks." Klein rolled his eyes at Kirito's good-natured laugh and stuffed one of the sandwiches into his mouth. The two sat in now-comfortable silence for some time until, surprisingly, Kirito was the one to speak up.
"Thank you. Not just for teaching me. You didn't have to be so nice." Once again, Klein was taken by surprise. His wide-eyed stare came to rest on Kirito's black-clad head and, just beyond his growing bangs, a careful smile was set onto the young man's face. It really hit the soldier in that moment that, for all the promise Kirito had shown, Klein had been dealing with a kid this entire time. Sure, Kirito could go blow-for-blow verbally and was scarily intuitive. Yes, Kirito had always done his best to present himself as mature and never once seriously complained. Underneath it all, Klein finally realized that his student had been harboring some serious worries the entire time.
"Course. You're… a friend, man. A comrade. Just like Agil or the guys in my platoon. Not gonna let you get thrown back out there unprepared." Klein reached over and put a hand on Kirito's shoulder. That small smile grew back into the confident smirk that Klein had become familiar with over the days spent training Kirito. One that he now realized was probably an act.
"Let's finish up so I can get back to whooping you," Kirito said with bravado.
"Oh, is that how it's gonna be? You're on," Klein retorted.
General Yuuki finished reading Captain Klein's latest and final letter to her reporting on this "Kirito's" training. It was like a look into her past; the young man was exceptionally gifted in swordsmanship and intuitively understood difficult concepts that others twice his age struggled with. In any other circumstance she was sure that Heathcliff would have made him her junior. She couldn't be sure that wasn't the plan once Kirito proved himself in the Arena. The uncertainty, or maybe the annoyance at a final confirmation of her hunch, led to her indulging an old habit of biting her cheek.
"You're gonna be back in less 'an a week. Relax," was what Argo offered from her chair as she whittled a small block of wood. "S'not like the kid can't fight. You made sure. Trust 'em a little, 'im and ol' Klein that taught 'im." Yuuki closed her eyes and considered it. Yes, she had indeed made sure Kirito's next journey into the Arena would be easier. He had proper protective gear now and a month's worth of training from a man who, hopefully, understood enough about Islanders to be helpful. She would be back soon and could begin to instruct him properly. The Emperor wouldn't be so short-sighted as to not let her help.
Yes, everything would be okay.
Everything was going to be (questionably) not okay.
Kirito and a few of the other fighters had been brought to an area below the Arena called the Pit as the crowd filtered in for that day's event. The growing noises of excitement outside the Pit had left the waiting gladiators wondering what exactly had been advertised to them. Kirito, meanwhile, was taking stock of those around him. It looked as if most were freshly dragged up from the dungeons; it was obvious to see they had been given cheap gear and their bodies looked like sacks of bones in most cases. Two others appeared more like himself. The first was a blue-haired young man garbed in dull bronze armor that sported a spear, one-handed sword on his hip, and shield. The second was a taller, older man in expensive-looking plate armor with a two-handed sword strapped to his back. These two, Kirito noted, were also taking in the others around them.
"Alright, get in line and start marching," one of the non-descript guards watching the gladiator group called. Kirito's attention snapped to the small set of stairs that he remembered led to another short walkway. Beyond that there was a large grate-style metal door that, when the head of the group approached, was opened.
"Ladies and Gentlemen have we got a show for you today!" The booming voice hushed any lingering noise from the audience as the first of the gladiators made their way onto the field.
"As you can see, our fighters for today's first event are making their way into the Arena. The eagle-eyed among you may recognize a certain black-haired kid who, not one month ago, battled against this Arena's very own combat champion. Let's hope we can see a repeat performance, eh?" The sarcastic introduction caused its recipient to cringe softly as he stepped into the light. As Kirito's eyes adjusted back to the sun he once again found himself in awe at just how many people were there. He felt even more astonished as he realized a lot of their attention was focused on him.
"Also among our group of fighters tonight are some crowd favorites. We've got the Azure Knight, Diavel!" The blue-haired man in armor stepped forward and raised a hand to wave. There was a notable rise in the voices of women as the "Azure Knight" apparently played it up for the crowd.
"And second-to-none, the Arena's very own Blood Berserker, Kuradeel!" The older man stood stoically as he received both cheers and jeers alike. Kirito couldn't help but notice the recently identified Kuradeel's attention was focused solely opposite their group.
"Finally, we've got the beast, or should I say beasts, that this fine group of warriors will be slaughtering tonight for your entertainment. All the way from the first floor… Illfang, the Kobold Lord and his elite Sentinels!" There was a shift in the ground beneath the Arena as mechanisms were activated. The ground opposite the gladiators began to lift and separate as a platform was raised from below. Kirito's eyes widened as he witnessed, still currently chained, a fifteen-foot tall, red-furred Kobold flanked by half a dozen human-sized beasts of similar features. The smaller ones had crude helmets on their heads, leaving only the glow of their beady red eyes to be seen, and were covered in cracked armor. Kirito's eyes flicked to the kobold's feet as a metallic glint caught his attention. At the monster's feet were indeed weapons just out of their chained reach.
"Now, Ladies and Gentlemen… without further ado… say it with me…" The announcer paused for an uncomfortably long moment as the gladiators readied themselves for the inevitable. "TRIUMPH. OR. DIE!"
The kobold's shackles fell away. The gladiators charged. All hell broke loose. Kirito wasn't sure what else to call it. The original group of over twenty gladiators was cut down by half within the first few seconds of the kobolds being loose. The two named gladiators had taken the fight to Illfang itself; Diavel in particular attempted to shout orders as he engaged the massive kobold.
"Two to a Sentinel! Try to bring them down quick and help with the boss," was all Kirito could catch as he fought a Sentinel one-on-one. The man-sized kobold wielded a two-handed maul that it attempted to introduce to Kirito's skull in powerful swings. Kirito's defense consisted of side-stepping and deflecting its attacks, all the while looking for the right opening. In two more swings the kobold held the stance too wide and Kirito struck out with a powerful Vertical of his own. The slash connected with its neck and the kobold's damaged armor couldn't stop the Skill from tearing it in half.
"And the rookie takes down a Sentinel in one hit! Look at him go!" The announcer's booming voice drew attention to Kirito as, emboldened with the fruits of his training, moved in to take on another of the Kobold Sentinels. Once again the creature attempted to stop the young swordsman with heavy swings only to hit the dirt. As the kobold staggered from an over-extended strike Kirito brought his sword down on its neck decisively.
The moment of triumph was short-lived as off to Kirito's left one of the gladiators had their legs swept out from under them by a tail. He crawled backwards in a panic as the Sentinel raised its weapon to deal the finishing blow. Kirito's mind went blank for a split second and his body moved on instinct. After a quick dash up to the kobold Crescent flipped Kirito's body back and the accompanying kick threw the kobold's entire stance into disarray. Without hesitation Kirito immediately entered into Sonic Leap, flying forward with a shout as his blade arced down. The Skill's power was enough to tear through the Sentinel's armor as it was torn in half. A breath left the young swordsman, long enough for the Skill's cooldown period… and long enough for a bone axe to come streaking at Kirito. In that half-second a bronze blur appeared in front of the black-haired boy. Metal shrieked as Diavel stopped Illfang's axe from removing Kirito's head.
"You… okay," groaned Diavel as the blue-haired warrior held back the full strength of the kobold leader.
"Yeah, thanks," Kirito breathed out in relief.
"Help us take it down," came a much harsher shout as Illfang screamed in pain. Kirito's eyes focused on Kuradeel, who had slashed the monster in the back as Diavel held it in place.
"O-okay!" Kirito rushed to the opposite side where Kuradeel was currently holding its attention. That soon changed as Diavel banged spear against shield, a Skill activating that drew Illfang's ire. Kuradeel wasted no time in rushing forward and Kirito followed the older man's lead. The two hit Illfang with their own Skills, causing the massive kobold to stumble and giving Diavel an opening to stab it with his spear. The three swordsmen carefully moved around Illfang as it growled in apparent annoyance. Its attention shifted to the two it had been fighting and then toward the newcomer it had nearly killed. Then, Illfang the Kobold Lord surprised everyone. It dropped its axe.
"Would you look at that, Ladies and Gentlemen! It seems Illfang is changing tactics. Are our three favorites ready for whatever comes next?!" Kirito wanted to punch the announcer in the face. He upped that to a stab in the foot when Illfang reached behind it and pulled forth a large, oddly shaped sword. Well, oddly shaped to most everyone. Kirito knew exactly what it was, as it was his father's preferred weapon.
"A… nodachi," he muttered in disbelief. No sooner had it finished registering than the weapon had swung in a Skill Kirito also recognized. Iai hit Diavel's shield at full force and the blue-haired swordsman flew back. The grinding sound of metal rang in Kirito's ears louder than Illfang's roar of pleasure… or Diavel's screams of agony. A few feet from where the man himself had fallen, Diavel's arm lay in a pool of blood.
"Move, boy!" The scream shocked Kirito back to the moment and he barely managed to deflect the nodachi. The impact that Kirito had just redirected left the young man's arms numb. It momentarily amazed him that Diavel had taken so many hits like this. Kirito's eyes quickly locked onto Kuradeel using the moment provided to strike Illfang. The beast expressed its anger by taking a swing at Kuradeel that was also deflected. Kirito didn't need to be told there was an opening; he used Slant, his black blade diagonally tearing through Illfang's side. This new dance started up slowly, the two barely managing without their designated tanker for Illfang's attacks. The delicate balance was finally tipped as Kuradeel took one of the openings provided to instead strike down a Sentinel that had begun to harry him. In that moment Illfang whipped around with Gengetsu and knocked Kuradeel across the Arena.
"And with a sacrifice to take down the final Sentinel, only Illfang and the rookie remain!" The announcer screamed over the crowd's gasps. Kirito and Illfang sized each other up in the silence that followed. Kirito hadn't taken much damage but the constant cycle of dodging, deflecting, and attacking had worn him down. Illfang had taken a lot of damage and was heaving in much the same manner the young swordsman was. Kirito knew that it would more than likely come down to one good hit. Illfang, with whatever intelligence it possessed, appeared to sense this as well. It lowered itself into a stance that Kirito assumed was for a Skill.
Kirito's mind flashed back to the display Heathcliff had made in the Healer's Ward. His big speech. Incarnation. As much as it pained him… Kirito would have to try using it. Just like the Emperor wanted. So he reached deep, deep down inside. Tried to remember what he felt right before blacking out against Eugene. He willed his sword to strike true. To bring down his enemy. To save his life.
Both man and beast screamed as they rushed one another. Illfang's nodachi arced forward in a Skill that Klein had once demonstrated for him, Zekkū. Kirito responded in kind with Vertical, putting the full force of his will behind it. Once more metal shrieked as the two weapons collided and Illfang's nodachi shattered. Kirito knew he had a chance to finish it and bellowed even harder, trying to push his body through the Skill cooldown and strike once again. To everyone's amazement the fading blue light on Kirito's sword burst back to life as his sword came back up in a second slash that ripped through Illfang's torso. The force behind the blow sent out a small whirlwind, kicking up dust and dirt that blocked the audience's view for a few tense seconds. When it settled only Kirito was left able to stand and the crowd went wild.
"Please don't celebrate too hard. Your right arm's fractured," Silica warned as she fussed over Kirito's only injury.
"I'm fine, really. Barely hurts. I'll make sure to keep it in the sling." Kirito offered his best smile as he told a lie and a truth. Truthfully, he would keep it in the sling so it could heal. He had lied when he said it didn't hurt. Everything hurt and his arm was the worst of it.
"Make sure you come see me tomorrow first thing and I'll finish the treatment. Take this with you for tonight. It's a pain relieving balm." Silica put a pouch in his left hand as she spoke matter-of-factly. Despite Silica's small stature she could be undoubtedly bossy when she wanted to. Kirito silently mused that was more than likely a result of being the head of the Healer's Ward.
"Sinon can help you apply it if she's around. If not, do your best." Silica's cait sith ears flicked as she spoke to Kirito scoldingly.
"Yes mother, I understand. I'm sure you have other patients who are worse than me. Make sure you keep them alive." Kirito nodded off to where he could hear the other gladiators moaning in pain. Chief among them the blue-haired warrior Diavel that had saved Kirito's life not an hour ago. That concern was written all over Kirito's face.
"Okay, okay. I'll let you get going." Silica turned to leave and paused, tail swishing back and forth pensively. Eventually she said softly, "Thanks for not dying," before running off to take care of other wounded. Kirito felt unsure as to what to say to that so let it hang between them until Silica was out of sight. He took a moment to gather himself before standing with a groan of his own and slowly making his way from the Healer's Ward. Waiting for him just outside was indeed Sinon, although she was joined by a black-haired girl that Kirito didn't recognize.
"Hey Sinon. Who's, uh, this?" He tried to motion to the newcomer with his right before the shooting pain reminded him of all Silica's nagging not a minute earlier. The red eyes of the new girl studied Kirito for a long moment as Kirito waited for some kind of response to his question. Just as he felt fed up enough to demand an answer from either woman, Sinon spoke up.
"She's a friend. The one who sponsored you before." The girl nodded at Sinon's explanation and offered her hand. Kirito merely raised an eyebrow and then turned his attention to the sling.
"Right, right, sorry. You just got back from a fight with the kobolds. Really impressive that you managed to hold your own and use Incarnation by yourself in a fight. Even if it was sloppy." At the word 'Incarnation', Kirito's body locked up a little. His instincts told him to run but the girl put her hands up and shook her head.
"Easy. I've got no more love for the guy than you," she quickly explained while keeping the subject vague. "That's the whole reason I rushed back up the floors of the tower to come see you. I saw the recording before but after today there's no doubt why you're here." The girl motioned over to Sinon, the latter nodding and producing a coat that she draped over Kirito's shoulders. It looked a little dusty and worn out, but also felt comfortable on him. As if he had worn it many times before.
"I'm Yuuki Konno," said the black-haired girl with a smile that touched her eyes. "Nice to meetcha. Once your arm is all fixed up I think you and I should have a nice long talk."
a/n: After going through not one but two months of being sick, here we are with chapter 5. Since we're in Aincrad we're going to be seeing a lot of the original SAO characters and some original enemies, although the latter might be less grandiose cameos than Illfang's appearance here. Plus, hey, Diavel's not dead... although he'll be missing that arm.