29 July 2024
17:04 Aincrad Time
64th Floor, Aincrad
Kirito grips Elucidator and Dark Repulser's hilts, sweeping the feet of several bots through his right sword. Ending prematurely once a bot with a sword capable of preventing a slash before breaking hits the edge of the black blade.
However, he'd swing Dark Repulser simultaneously after his advance stalls. Destroying his obstacle without effort needed, alongside sending the momentum generated to start a spinning series of slashes. Masses break as he'd take out over thirty bots. But, lost his orientation and almost fell.
"I should've used a Sword Skill. He said to himself, messing up his hair before having to hack at their digital bodies again.
He turns to face a phalanx of pikemen and shieldmen began their advance from two sides. Angled to resemble an eye from a top-down perspective. Waiting for the group to close in until making his stance to initiate "End Revolver", rotating once within a full circle with Elucidator before a finishing cut with Dark Repulser. The farthest bots survived the onslaught, however, Kirito quickly finished their run. Catching their retreat pattern like AI.
Initiative shifted to Kirito with his aggressive barrage of slashes. Seventeen perished in the end result of his starting move. Eight greatsword wielders attempt to strike him. Each possessing the capability to block a hit.
An encroaching downward slash flings into the air after Elucidator slashed upward. Kirito blocked three sword strikes with Dark Repulser, flinging his left wrist to disarm the bots. Stepping to the side while cutting the main sensor of the robot stupid enough to believe there was a window after using both blades defensively. The other three armed bots attempt to collectively attack. However he rolls under their initial attack, spacing his arms from each other, passively sending them to the grave.
Mechanical laughter appears behind Kirito, but is met with a thrust to the supposed abdominal area.
"Losing your patience, Kirito?!" said the bots in English.
He hesitated to speak for a moment, before delivering in a heavy Japanese accent, "Reave the game. SAO isn't a game to hack."
He followed up his words by lunging at the group of people again, swinging his blades at an angle, Dark Repulser from top right to bottom left, a slanted horizontal cut with Elucidator splits four in two. Followed with two thrusts into two other bots, one full spin cut, then repeating the same motions until the rest of the bots were gone. Until the last one standing
"Resorting to button mashing aren't we?" the last bot said before being cut off by a double penetration by the two blades.
Backing away, he sheathes Dark Repulser, but kept Elucidator on hand as a precaution.
"To be completely fair, beat the three last waves, you win. Deal?" said a disembodied voice, similar to a GM when communicating.
"Deal..." he replied.
As the terms turn concrete, the person summons three bots, each with armor on and katanas. Kirito, in response, slouches his stature.
All three robots said to him as they enter traditional poses, "Ken no sukiru wa hitsuyō arimasen."
The leftmost bot runs halfway between the position needed for a pincer attack to be a choice. Making the choice for striking the waist. Kirito's wrist flicked Elucidator's tip near the ground, sparks flying from the impact. Parrying the move fluidly to defeat the first bot. Bending his knees slightly to propel off the ground and dissect everything north of the shoulders off the second samurai bot. Finally, positioning his person to activate "Slant", a sword skill.
The bot guide it's katana and cancels the effects the move would've caused. In addition, forcing Kirito back.
Kirito lands on his feet, supporting his right hand with his left in his charging assault against his foe. Passing it's shoulder, his left shoulder dug in to support his high energy turn, shifting the momentum for his next move. About to lock blades, until the motion forbid a parry or even a simple deflection or block of the action. Ending the first of three final waves.
"U~ēbu ni," he mumbled, feeling movement in his heart providing blood throughout his system. Clear droplets falling past his fingers while panting, inhaling salt in the process.
Two bots arrived, each wielding axes. Plated armor on their bodies and stocky, taller than the boy's stature comparable to the average height of a Japanese male. Aggressive like bulls, swinging their axes and spewing salt into someone's eyes, nose, and mouth.
The black irises in his eyes widened, leaping out of the way. Watching the two bulls of the hack but heads.
"Technique was the samurai, strength is the aim of these hacker bots. I can't outdo their strength..."
He watch the bulls run again, in tandem, axes raised together, picking salt into a fine powder. Lifting Elucidator to a slanted angle defensively, unsheathing Dark Repulser into his left hand as the opponent's axe drop.
Firmly gripping his swords and feet, he halts the attack. Shifting the weight from his swords to his feet, filling the air with crystalline compounds. Yelling when it enters his eyes.
Both bulls gore him with their heads, flipping Kirito off his feet and sliding on his back. Still blinded in the eyes. But he could sense his HP bear decrease by what he felt at his stomach.
Both bots spoke, distortion and echo in delivery, "Tanoshinde ima?"
"Hai," Kirito replied with a grunt, getting on his feet despite his eyes being closed.
By his instincts, he entered his Dual Blades stance, slowly moving into the position for yet another Sword Skill, "Countless Spike" after feeling another attack by the wind motions of his hair, going between the two and turning one hundred and eighty. Four downward slashes took them out.
A break came to speed throughout Kirito's system. Finally opening his eyes, although red and watery from being sprayed with salt. Gritting his teeth as he clenched his swords tighter. Seeing his final opponent, holding a thin weapon like a rapier.
"Sore ga boku ga kono kōdo ni tsuite kiniitte iru koto, sono tekiō-seidesu. Sūkikyō shisutemu no rūru to kinō, oyobi anata no sentō sutairu o manabu nōryoku." the final bot explained, doing a few practice swings with the rapier object.
"Kanojo no tatakai-kata o nusunde? Asuna…" he replied, staring at it seriously.
"Jibun de mite! Kirito!" it replied, before rushing with speed matching the girl Kirito referenced.
He saw, sinking his eyes as he pressed forward. Slashing with Dark Repulser to his right before Elucidator in the opposite direction. A thrust from the bot's rapier stops both. Before being swung to break the lock.
"Crap, this bot knows Asuna's tricks and speed, even knowing how to counter my own movements," he thought as he backed away.
Except he couldn't, the bot flashed behind him and jammed it's weapon through his right shoulder. Raising Dark Repulser and adjusting how he held it, attempted to counter in a similar way, but above.
Succeeding in getting him free of the stab. Besides a griddy orange wound, a clash of metal begins. Both slowly raising or lowering their blades. Permitting the Black Swordsman his window, turning his head before overlapping his left wrist with his right, descending an Elucidator slash as he brought the bot into checkmate.
Except, it twists upward, restraining Kirito's arms as it uses it's left arm to throw a fist straight at his abdomen. His swords loosen and fall on the floor. Then hit with a knee, Kirito lays on the ground. Health below seventy-five percent.
Free to continue, another jab attempts to strike Kirito. He rolls in the general direction of his swords, dodging the thrust. And another thrust. And the third, he grabs Elucidator and raises it, shoving it across the length of the rapier. Grasping Dark Repulser and forcing a swift deflect parry from the bot. Linking another slash to the chest and a third attack coming from Elucidator, both blocked, however Kirito combines it with a heel press to the breastbone. Pushing the bot a distance, but not knocking it out. Standing on his feet again as he saw it's resistance shown.
"You're hard-pressed person to continue fighting," the bot spoke as both it and Kirito rush at each other.
Kirito grits his teeth, raising his right blade and slashes perpendicular to the rapier. Matching a downwards slice with the left sword as the bot spaces and tries to poke his leg. Provoking another level to the surface slash with Elucidator and a co-slash by Dark Repulser. The rapier catching both at the same time, however Kirito tucks his person and rolls behind the bot.
His foe swivels like a factory bot back into its view, before using "Streak", forcing Kirito to jump into the air. Countering with two sword slashes at the shoulders.
Luckily, it worked, successfully. Like all the others, it was a 1 HP warrior. But a powerful cannon molded from glass. As he finished his motion, the edges of both blades hit the salty ground. Sweat wettening as it touched. Drifting his exhausted, dehydrated body to the nearest civilization, otherwise he might say goodbye to life to heat exhaustion.
17:15 Aincrad Time
Knights of the Blood Headquarters, Granzam, 55th Floor, Aincrad
In a personal office, the leader of the guild, Heathcliff, sits at his desk. Donned in red and white knight's armor, a blade and a shield with a cross on it's front nearby, in the event he had to enter into battle. However, consigning himself to paperwork in the hands of the guild. Fitting with the graying hair VR presented his person in-game as.
Manifesting in an armored statue, the man responsible for halting Kirito waltzes into Heathcliff's office, speaking formally to get his attention, "Greetings, Kayaba-san, or Heathcliff."
He looked up, releasing the grip his fingertips had over the pen. Staring the armor for several seconds.
"Congratulations on successfully hacking Sword Art Online," Heathcliff spoke in fluent English.
"You know. I should've expected it from the first developer of a VRMMO," he replied. Taking a seat at the desk. "Before we begin, I shall reveal my name, Élisée Lussier."
"French?" Heathcliff asked.
"Partially. Now, before you GM me out of the game, can I speak of a preposition, if you want the game to succeed in its purpose?"
"Quickly," replied the master.
"So, from my knowledge of events, there is a person with the skill you promised to the user with the highest reaction time. That person has Dual Blades, and he goes by the name Kirigaya Kazuto. Or his username, Kirito."
Heathcliff nods, although dismissive.
"He will defeat you on the seventy-fifth floor and clear the game prematurely. If you want him out of the picture forever, something needs to be done about his existence in four months time, or it's too late."
He nods again. "You found cheat codes in the game?"
Élisée shook his head, showing his French accent, "Non non non non, I'm here for mutual benefit from you, Heathcliff. Nothing is for free, and advice from foresight isn't cheap. What I'm looking for, I'm assuming the enemies of my former boss are on the other side. And I need help getting them out of the picture. Otherwise, they might have the potential to disrupt and end my plans. I can't let them link up with Kazuto!"
Heathcliff stares at him, "What kind of help are you needing?"
"The Fifty-Seventh Squadron's murder. All five of them."
"I cannot do that, and it's against the law," Heathcliff replied, stern in his words.
"Standing up to them?"
He shook his head, "I wouldn't care less about this Fifty-Seventh Squadron, but this is illegal killing you're asking for help with."
"Mr. Kayaba, listen, SAO is a death game. You've been murdering people in this trap for over a year-"
"This is Kayaba Akihiko's work, but he isn't killing. A difference exists between capital killing and SAO."
The armor scoots up to Heathcliff's desk, looking down at the man and in the eyes, "I know your grand plan. The one hundredth floor boss is you. If you don't want to help me in killing a boy I want to see demised, because of unfixed flaws of character. Or the people who have the power to stop me, fine." before standing up and walking out of the office.
Heathcliff took a moment to process what happened inside his office. The messages, meaning, what Élisée was conveying to him. Pinning in writing to write a note directed at the "Fifty-Seventh Squadron" eventually.
"He's serious about murder. The intent can't be ignored."
The Real World
1 August, 2:15 P.M Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
New York City, New York, United States
Haizi exits Bellevue Hospital with the five comrades, after spending a few days in the hospital for rejuvenation. Drahoslav came out with minimal bandages. Dvinaslav and Zelislav emerged without visible injury. Jaraslav's right arm plastered in position due to a blue cast. While being walked out by Haizi, Stanislav wears an arm cast and his knee wrapped in bandages with stitches. Being in a wheelchair due to both injuries.
Zelislav sighs as he looks at some of the buildings surrounding the place, "We're free from the hospital. I can walk again no worries."
As he said it, Haizi gives a thumb up, turning the wheelchair and walking in the general direction of the hospital. Joining the river system that people flew on called New York.
"Stay close to one another, New York gets busy once rush hour begins and people go home," he warned.
Greater than life, crooked asphalt showing cracks in the roads. Busy taxis and buses scurrying along with civilian vehicles. Shops muddled every turn, swallowing people inside. People of every class filtered the streets in a diverse light. Street casuals with jean shorts and fishnets and sneakers. Crop tops and obscene imagery. The standard clothes. Businessmen with their suits visible, some partially disassembled when heat and smells descend.
Dvinaslav clenched her nose as she yelled, "What's this stinky ass smell!? Garbage!?"
Haizi subtlely nods, his eyes proving it was the case of the day, "Blame history. People like New York, but life isn't as you think. We'll get out of this mess soon."
The bright yellow hair, presumed to be naturally that color, in addition to her brightened orange and yellow eyes, catches people's attention, for at least several moments. Cut short, it spikes at her right and consistently spreading for some mysterious reason only the comrades know.
"Hey hey!" shouted a small group.
Drahoslav peers the group of kids, mixed with little boys girls, "Where are your parents?"
"Can we have the picture with her!?" they said, pointing to Dvinaslav.
He'd bump his elbow on Dvinaslav's arm, turning her head to the kids.
She crosses her arms across her chest as she asked, "What do they want?"
"Dvina, they want to take a picture with you," he replied.
"I'm not someone to take pictures with…"
"Just this once," he interrupts, staring her rolled eyes.
"Still, no." she replies.
Afterward, Zelislav, frowning slightly, walks forward. Revealing his smile to the kids as he raised his voice, "It's okay. I'll take a picture with you."
Drahoslav pulled his phone to his palms as Zelislav entered a pose for the children to have their pic.
"Thank you!" the kids said as Drahoslav took the picture and he shows them it, before scramming.
Haizi pushes Stanislav's wheelchair forward. The other comrades coming along. A long march to the apartment they will be staying at for the near term.
12:45 P.M EDT
Haizi's Apartment, New York City, United States
"Here we are," he announced, opening the door to the inside of a fairly cozy apartment.
Immediately, Jaraslav and Zelislav headed for the couch together. Asking together, "Where's the remote!?"
Haizi walked inside, Drahoslav and Dvinaslav following behind while Stanislav stayed with the wheelchair. Settling near Haizi's sofa, in view of the TV.
Jaraslav rummaged his arm under its pillows, feeling a rigid object a couple of seconds after he began. Pulling the object out, the TV controller. While Stanislav stares silently at the two most bustling of the comrades outside of Drahoslav, who moved for the kitchen.
"What TV show would you like to watch, Zeli?" Jara asked, looking at him with a smile.
"By the way, you two, I have a Netflix subscription!" Haizi shouted from the hallway, fixing his messed brown hair in a way typical for wigs.
The apartment, how it's situated, held a comfortable yet affordable vibe. A computer was present, as well as Internet access. Both amenities the comrades were used to having, and such, not atypical for the group of five Slavs.
Jaraslav spent heavy amounts of time on the remote, scanning the streaming service Netflix for something of interest for them to watch. Description reading turned to a commonality.
Dvinaslav sat in a chair, giving the common room a look. To her, it seems, for an unknown reason, normal.
Drahoslav exposes the insides of the fridge as he took a pack of blueberries, mixed with several apricots. Getting a pot from a cabinet and subsequently a spinning spoon. Running faucet water into the same container before setting it on the stove.
Eventually, Jaraslav and Zelislav found a TV show to indulge in. And by extension, Stanislav as well, who kept his head silent on their choice for viewing.
Haizi returned to the living room, observing each of the comrades doing things of their own. Although, Stanislav and Dvinaslav's things of doing appear concerning for the journalist. Closer to the latter than the former, he got into Dvinaslav's range.
"Don't get closer," she said, her Serbian accent drawing into her phonemes.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Dvinaslav replied, rolling her eyes.
"Is there anything you like to do?" Haizi asked.
"Martial arts, but the only other person who knows it isn't able to because he has a stupid injury from his mistake to fight Uugu without help!" she replies, huffing her cheeks as she glares at Stanislav.
"Speaking of which, what's his name?"
"Stanislav."
Stanislav gives Dvinaslav a look back. Haizi darted to his wheelchair.
"Oh, we were just talking about you, you do martial arts?"
Stanislav looks at Haizi for a moment, before giving a quick answer, "Only one martial art."
He nods, "And did you-"
"I don't want to answer it," he replied, before tilting his head back to watch the TV.
His arm pulled to the remote and picked a show of his preference to play next. Since the two bonded BFF's had their fun while it lasted so far.
Within the kitchen, Drahoslav continues paying attention to a steaming pot, turning water into a boil. Chopping some apricots into smaller slices.
Ten Hours Later
The lights to the apartment turned off, giving light despite it not being present, digital clocks reading eleven-o-clock. Haizi providing the group the necessities for sleeping. Including comfortable pillows and at least one layer.
"Are you guys doing okay?" he asked, observing the five.
Jaraslav, Drahoslav, Zelislav, Stanislav, and Dvinaslav huddled near each other in the living room. Stanislav having the couch for obvious reasons to anyone seeing his cast.
"We are," Drahoslav replied.
"Okay then," Haizi proceeds to head to his bedroom and close the door for the night.
Alone, the comrades looked at each other briefly. Lights flicking off, Dvinaslav takes her phone to provide an illumination source for the group.
Drahoslav took a breath, as he then began to speak, "SAO is real. In turn, Kirito, Asuna, and others are real. And soon, other VRMMO's are gonna be real. And we've got ourselves in an ideal crosspoint. We have to begin our next move. Any ideas?"
"Is Kirito in New York?" Dvinaslav asked.
"Japan, somewhere in the Tokyo area," Drahoslav replied. "That's our general priority, we need to get to Japan by December of next year, so we can catch him before Death Gun strikes in Gun Gale Online."
"What's the importance of Kirito?" Zelislav asked, lazily looking Drahoslav.
"In the SAO franchise, he's generally the protagonist. So not just it provides us with protection, we also get access to powerful allies. I believe a machine capable of bringing us into a fictional universe has malicious intent behind it if Uugu had the keycard to activating it."
"Malicious intent?" Stanislav raised his voice.
"I don't know what the true motive we're talking about. But, if that machine was manufactured by the Foreign Legion, or another government entity… Was there a coordinate system, Stanislav?"
"No coordinates."
"It suits it then. If it had no coordinate console in place, the machine's absolute destination was here. In this world. This fuels the need we need to link up with Kirito, because he's the protagonist in SAO. We know that if any bot or Foreign Legioneer gets through, and if they know where they're striking, they can easily kill him, and that will cause a variety of problems not solved without force equaling a military."
"We will need a sizeable chunk of bling-bling for a flight," said Jaraslav as he smiles.
"We need to get jobs," Zelislav replied, "All five of us together, with combined income, we'll make over two hundred thousand American dollars. Enough to sustain ourselves if we budget correctly."
Drahoslav nods.
"We'll also need to find a way to sustain ourselves in Japan legally, if we're not gonna return here once we're able to leave," Dvinaslav replied. "And we should keep our bringable essentials low."
"Good points. This is our four-step plan, we start that plan tomorrow," he spoke, before he stood up and spoke with a confident voice;
"Point One! Become an asset to society, and earn money doing it. Never sacrifice leisure, but always be an asset!"
"Point Two! Keep your personal belongings minimal. New York City is only our temporary arrangement!"
"Point Three! Tokyo is the goal! Never forget it! We will have to fight hard to get there, but Tokyo is our goal!"
"Point Four! Once we arrive in Japan. Our beginning priority, alongside getting situated, is to locate and establish ties with Kirigaya Kazuto, or Kirito !"
The points were spoken, and the comrades snoozed to sleep.
Translations:
Ken no sukiru wa hitsuyō arimasen: No sword skills needed.
Tanoshinde ima: Having fun?
Sore ga boku ga kono kōdo ni tsuite kiniitte iru koto, sono tekiō-seidesu. Sūkikyō shisutemu no rūru to kinō, oyobi anata no sentō sutairu o manabu nōryoku: That's what I like about this code, its adaptability. Ability to learn the rules and features of the Cardinal System, and your combat style.
Kanojo no tatakai-kata o nusunde? Asuna: By stealing her way of fighting? Asuna...
Jibun de mite! Kirito: Look for yourself! Kirito!