Chapter 5: The Betrayer
sakuraphoenix: What's up everyone? It's sakuraphoenix here, and Detroid and I are here to bring you a special quadruple update for Sword Art Online: A World Apart!
Detroid: Yeah but you might be thinking: Why are both of you doing a double update for one story other than Light of Hope? Well, that's for us to know and well… you get the idea. You'll find out.
sakuraphoenix: But if it helps, we felt like we needed to seriously update some stuff.
Detroid: Yeah but this one is one of the stories to get updated including my own stories to be honest
sakuraphoenix: We should just cut to the chase, shouldn't we?
Detroid: Yeah. We'll get right to the disclaimer.
sakuraphoenix: Now we're getting somewhere!
Disclaimer: We do not own Sword Art Online. Just our OC's
Detroid: It'll start in Blade's POV. So… ENJOY!
sakuraphoenix: You know what they say, Link Start!
Well, we're surrounded by monsters, Sakura's got my back, literally, as in we're back to back, and we've just got a horde of monsters between us and living.
"Great… Just out of all the times, why did we get trapped?" I asked Sakura
"Could be worse. We could be trapped in a boss room." said Sakura
"That's true as well but only if we knew where Asuna went to since she is apart of our guild." I pointed out
"Oh well, guess it's just you and me. Ready for the fight of our lives?" asked Sakura
"Yeah." I replied
We then charged up a couple of sword skills and jumped as the monsters were about to attack us. I used the Sword Skill, Howling Octave, effectively taking care of at least 20 percent of the horde while I saw Sakura use the skill Crucifixion, taking care of another 20 percent. Not far to go now.
"Not much left but only wish Asuna was still with us right now….." I trailed off in a sad voice
"She said she had something to do, we can't help it." said Sakura
"True but let's focus on these monsters." I told Sakura
"And get out of here before dinner." Sakura replied
We finished off the monsters using our skills and sword skills. In no time flat, we did it, and we were out of this dungeon!
"Finally!" I yelled in happiness
"You can say that again!" Sakura exclaimed as she hugged me
"Let's go back home." I told Sakura as I hugged her back
"Yeah." Sakura said while smiling
We then headed for the nearest town when I heard my stomach growl.
"Hungry?" asked Sakura
"Yeah but let's head home to eat." I replied
"Okay." Sakura said while smiling
I soon smiled for Sakura as we walked back to our guild HQ, but before we did, I could've sworn I heard someone mention Asuna's name.
"Did you hear that?" Sakura asked me
"Yeah." I replied while nodding
"Wanna listen in?" asked Sakura
"Do you have to ask?" I said
Sakura then smiled as we turned into the guys talking. Good thing our listening skills were pretty high.
"Yeah, no joke. I heard a rumor that the Knights of the Blood Oath are looking for a new Vice Commander after their last one was KIA." someone said at the corner of the restaurant
"I also heard they're looking at that guild, Moonlit Avengers. I wonder if they're going to ask Asuna to join." another person said
"That's the thing. The word on the street is, they've been begging her to join them." the same guy from earlier said
"Did you just heard what I heard?" I asked Sakura
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't." said Sakura
"Let's get back home." I replied while my stomach was growling even more
"And I'll cook something for us fast." Sakura said while smiling
"Right!" I exclaimed
We quickly got home, and I saw Sakura taking out the ingredients she needed to cook what looked like pizza. Good thing that doesn't take long to make.
"Alright, we'll need about ten minutes. I can make a drink to hold your stomach at bay, if that's okay with you." said Sakura
"You know my answer already." I replied back to Sakura before hearing the door opening then closing as I saw Asuna returning
I then checked on Asuna as Sakura started making some hot cocoa, or at least the SAO equivalent, since it was still kinda cold.
"Hey Asuna." I said while trying to start up a conversation with her
"Hey. I guess you've been hearing the rumors about me." said Asuna
"Yeah but I guess you want to join that Knights of Blood Oath guild." I asked
"If I do, it means leaving you guys. If I don't, they'll keep pestering me." said Asuna
"Oh…. and you want to think about it, don't you?" I replied
Asuna just nodded her head sadly while looking at her feet
"I'll let you decide till tomorrow." I told Asuna to reassure her
"Thanks Blade, though… I really don't want to leave this guild." Asuna said while smiling slightly
"You're our friend, Asuna and a guild member. We help each other out. Right Sakura?" I yelled to Sakura
"You bet! And unless you want dinner to burn in the oven, it's ready!" exclaimed Sakura
"Alright! Come on Asuna. I know you're starving right now." I told Asuna
And right on cue, her stomach growled.
"I knew it." I told Asuna while laughing
Asuna laughed as well as we all made it into the kitchen and saw that Sakura made a full-course meal for all of us! She even had our favorite appetizers and everything!
"Shall we eat now?" I asked Asuna
"Sure! It all looks so good!" Asuna exclaimed happily
"Okay!" I exclaimed while smiling
We all ate happily, and I have to admit, Sakura really pulled out the stops this time. I wouldn't be surprised if her cooking skill was maxed out after all of this!
"This food is delicious!" I said
"I completely agree!" exclaimed Asuna
"Considering that all of this was enough to max out of my cooking skill, I'd say it was worth it!" Sakura exclaimed while smiling
"I hope all of this food never disappears!" I said
"Even if we could save it all, we'd eat it all in a matter of days." said Sakura
"True." I said
"But the point is, you've made a delicious dinner! That's one thing I'd miss if I'd join the Knights of the Blood Oath." Asuna said while looking down at her food
"Hey, don't beat yourself down about it or else…." I told Asuna as I was opening the dueling request
"Okay, okay! You win! You win!" Asuna exclaimed while flailing her hands around
"That's what I thought." I said as I closed the dueling window
That got her to breath a sigh of relief as we all laughed.
The next day…
"Babe… where's Asuna? I can't find her anywhere in the headquarters?" I asked Sakura
"Nor is she in town." Sakura replied to me
"Then…. you don't think….." I trailed off
"She's joined them?!" Sakura exclaimed in shock
"That has to be the only explanation!" I said as Asuna came into the guild wearing the Knights of Blood Oath uniform
"Speak of the devil." Sakura said while pointing to Asuna with an angry look on her face
"How could you?!" I yelled at Asuna while trying not to show any tears
"I didn't want to join, but their leader, Heathcliff forced me to duel him… and I lost…" Asuna said while looking down at the ground
I didn't say anything as I ran out of the Guild Headquarters, crying. I just want to be alone.
Sakura's POV
Blade just suddenly turned and ran, and after seeing Asuna in the clothes she was wearing, I honestly didn't blame him.
"Blade!" I cried out as I watched my boyfriend run away before turning angrily at Asuna before saying:
"How could you even think of hurting him like that?!"
"It wasn't my fault, okay?!" exclaimed Asuna
"Save it! Because of you, you've hurt my boyfriend. That's something I can never forgive you for." I said before I ran after Blade as I sent a message to Kirito
Blade… please… don't leave me in this world alone.
Blade's POV
I ran to the very edge of the floor and got ready to jump and kill myself. Asuna should have thought about how Sakura and I would have felt but she didn't so I don't deserve to live anymore. I soon got onto the ledge and let myself fall. I closed my eyes, expecting death to come quickly and painlessly when I felt a hand grab my arm. Out of shock, I looked up and saw Kirito holding me while using his other hand to keep a grip on the floor he was on.
"Just let me die Kirito! Please…." I said to him
"I can't let that happen! Sakura messaged me… told me what you were planning, so I came to help you. Did you even think of Sakura's feelings? How would she feel if you were gone?" Kirito asked me in a serious tone
"I… She would be alone in this world before killing herself as well to be with me but… you wouldn't understand how this happened!" I exclaimed to Kirito
"I already know. Everyone does. Asuna joined the Knights of the Blood Oath. But shouldn't Sakura be your reason to stay alive?! To keep on fighting?!" exclaimed Kirito
"I don't care anymore! I just don't care! Asuna should have thought about how Sakura and I would have felt if she did join that guild! But she turned her back on two of her friends who had her back after you left her to be alone without a party after the first floor boss battle. You should know how Sakura and I are feeling right now!" I exclaimed as I was crying
I then felt two hands grab my hand, and I looked to see Sakura helping Kirito pull me up. I was just so shocked that I didn't even think of making them let go until I was on solid ground.
"Asuna… betrayed our friendship babe….." I told her as I was crying
"I know… she betrayed our trust… I told her off about that." Sakura said as she held me close to her while stroking my hair
"I don't deserve to live anymore… even if you did try to cheer me up right now… it wouldn't work at all. I'll just keep thinking about killing myself and try to without you knowing." I told Sakura
I was caught off guard when Sakura kissed me on the lips, softly, but it was still a kiss. I was so shocked that I kissed her back.
"Blade… I love you and I always will. Whatever pain you're feeling, I want to help shoulder that pain. I love you so much and I can't afford to lose you. You're not just my boyfriend… you're my whole world." Sakura said to me while trying not to cry
"Really…?" I asked
"Really. If you weren't, I wouldn't have messaged Kirito about what you were planning to do. I wouldn't have come to save you. You're everything to me." Sakura said as she started to cry
"Alright. You win my wonderful girlfriend." I said while trying to make Sakura feel like we were together back in the other world
I was blushing when Sakura smiled and when she pulled me into a hug. She always tried so hard to cheer me up. That's what I love about her.
Asuna's POV
I was looking everywhere for Blade and Sakura, but I couldn't find them at all. I hope they're okay… because I really need to apologize to them.
"I'm so stupid!" I yelled to myself in my own thoughts
And after I had walked around for a while, I couldn't find them, until I realized that I hadn't quit the guild yet! I then tried to message him using the guild system, when I found out that I was kicked out!
"No…" I said before starting to cry
I soon used a teleport crystal to go back to the Knights of Blood Oath headquarters and telling them I'm quitting their guild whether they like it or not.
Sakura's POV
We managed to get back to our guild headquarters, but I know Blade's still feeling down in the dumps about Asuna. I don't really blame him.
"Why…." Blade said to himself
"Blade…" Kirito spoke sadly
I looked at him with sad eyes, not knowing what to say to him to help him feel better.
"I know you both tried to help me but let's face it… maybe I shouldn't be the guild leader anymore or that we shouldn't have the guild at all. It's time that we went solo babe…" Blade told me
I then held his hand with both of mine. I hated feeling so useless like this… especially when I know that he needs cheering up.
"What the…" Blade started to say when he saw a request
"A duel request? It's for tomorrow." I said while shocked
"And guess who it's from." Blade said while pointing to the name
"Asuna." I said as I saw her name
"Yeah…" Blade sadly spoke
I then hugged Blade, seeing how he and I both know I hated seeing him so upset.
"I'll accept her request and figure out why she wants to duel me." Blade said
And right on cue, our stomach's were growling.
"Right after we eat lunch." Blade said while sweat dropping
"I'll cook something." I said while heading into the kitchen
"Okay!" Blade excitedly said
I smiled as I pulled out the meat I got today from that S-Class rare monster. The boys were going to be surprised about this.
Blade's POV
I wanted to know why Asuna challenged me to a duel. I'm not sure if I should accept it. Not after what she did to Sakura's and my trust and friendship we had. She doesn't deserve to see my face in this duel.
"I'm not going to show my face in the duel…" I said
"I know it's because you still feel hurt about what Asuna did. In fact, I think Sakura would be thinking the same." said Kirito
"Really?" I asked
Kirito then nodded his head as I looked back at the duel request screen.
"Alright… I'll go to the duel." I told Kirito as I accepted the request
I sighed as I didn't know what to do anymore? Maybe…. Maybe I should leave Sakura alone in this world because I don't deserve to live. I wonder how my family is doing right now? They must be worried about me but…. Only if this game wasn't a death trap, I could've logged off to see them but no, it had to be a death trap. We aren't even that high in floors and we're only half way there for clearing floors. *sighs* I might just commit suicide. I was thinking about it when I saw Kirito giving me a look, like Professor Rowan accidentally scarring that Turtwig in that one episode of Diamond and Pearl.
"What?!" I said in defeat
"I know what you're thinking, Blade." said Kirito
"Which is?" I asked
"The whole committing suicide thing?" Kirito asked me with an obvious look on his face
"How did you know?!" I asked with a shocked look
Kirito then gave me a 'It's because you're my friend' look.
"You caught me… I was thinking about it. I just can't help it, okay? How would you feel if someone you know so well when you and someone in guild just betrayed your own trust? Answer me that." I told Kirito
"I would feel hurt, angry, upset, but mostly hurt. But still, that doesn't give you the right to just give up like that on Sakura. She needs you more than anything. You're the reason she fights to stay alive every day." Kirito told me
"I know but…." I trailed off as I looked at the ground
"Blade. You're my friend. I care about you just as much as Sakura loves you. She needs you." said Kirito
"Yeah but it's just….. with what happened… I know Sakura needs me but… Asuna was a very good friend and guild member… To just give up on us like that… It was just plain rude." I replied
"I agree." said Kirito
I soon looked down, still thinking about how Asuna betrayed mine and Sakura's trust. I knew it was a bad idea to bring her into a guild but… I was only trying to be friendly with her so she wouldn't feel bad about herself. Only if I could go back in time, I could change that mistake but in this game, it's not allowed so what's done is done about it. It was then I felt a familiar hand hold mine, and I turned to see Sakura.
"Hey. I… kinda heard everything. Listen, I know you're still feeling upset. To be honest, I am too. I just… I want you to know that I'm always here for you." said Sakura
"Thanks Sakura." I said as I smiled
"You're my boyfriend. It's my job to keep you happy." Sakura said while smiling
"And you're my girlfriend." I replied
"I love you." Sakura said while nuzzling me
"Love you too, forever and ever." I told her while nuzzling her back
"Until the end of time." Sakura said before she kissed me on my nose
I soon blushed before kissing her back before we soon went to eat dinner together since well, I was kinda starving right now. When we arrived at the table, Sakura just brought something out of the oven, and I have to admit, it smelled wonderful.
"I hope you guys are hungry." Sakura said as she set the dish down in front of us
"That looks soo good right now!" I said
"I agree!" Kirito exclaimed as our stomachs then growled
Man, I feel like Dawn's Piplup when Dawn first met him.
"Let's dig in!" I exclaimed
"Right!" Sakura exclaimed while smiling
All three of us then took a bite out of the food Sakura cooked… and it was one of the best things I had ever tasted!
The Next Day….
Floor 50th, Algade
I was waiting for Asuna to show up since the duel request did say the 50th floor at noon and it was quarter to noon. I soon sighed knowing Asuna would not show up at all. I waited for a couple of minutes before sighing. I knew she wouldn't show up as I looked down and started to leave back to the Guild Headquarters. I was about to say the town name closest to our guild when the teleport gate opened, and Asuna had showed up.
"Took you long enough. I thought you wouldn't show up at all." I said
"Let's just get this over with." Asuna said as she drew her sword as the timer appeared above us
"Why did you send me that duel request?" I asked her as I drew my sword
"I'll tell you once I beat you." Asuna said as she got into a fighting stance
"You think you can really defeat me?" I asked her as I got into a fighting stance as well
"I can, and I will." Asuna said as the timer then went off
"Show me!" I yelled as I charged towards Asuna
We then went at it, Rapier versus Sword. Asuna was good, but in all seriousness, I don't think she's even mastered her Rapier skill, because to me, it seemed like she was slow, compared to Sakura at least. Then again, she and I did spar a lot when Asuna wasn't around.
"Time to win this!" I said as I knocked Asuna's Rapier out of her hand as I cut Asuna's shoulder with my sword
With that attack, I won the duel, which shocked the people who were hoping Asuna would win… and Asuna started crying. I mean, I get she lost and all, but why cry about it?
"Tell me, why did you challenge me anyway?" I said as I helped her up
"I… I wanted back in to your guild. I made a stupid choice joining the Knights of the Blood Oath." Asuna said while still crying
"And let me guess, in order to leave the Knights of Blood Oath. You must defeat the guild leader of the guild you want to join in order to leave the other one, right?" I asked
Asuna just nodded her head while she was still crying.
"How about this?" I said as I pulled up the duel request and sent a request to Asuna for a best 2 of 3 matches then continuing saying:
"Why didn't you just say so?"
"Because I wanted to beat you with my own strength, and not have you throw the match." Asuna said while still looking down
"Come on! Is this the Lightning Flash that Sakura and I knew in our guild?" I said, trying to make Asuna have her hope back
"Huh?" Asuna wondered out loud
"Is that how you would acted if you were still back in my guild?" I told her in a serious tone
"No, of course not!" Asuna exclaimed
"Then show me that you have the courage to still try to face me!" I yelled, trying to make Asuna get her courage back
"You're on!" Asuna exclaimed as she accepted my duel request
"You know, I was only using only 50 percent of my whole strength against you." I told Asuna
"Makes me wonder what full strength is." Asuna said as she got into another fighting stance as the timer was counting down
"Do you want me to use my full strength?" I asked as I got into another fighting stance
"If you want." Asuna said as the timer hit zero
It begins again. Rapier vs Sword battle. Part 2. And like last time, I won, again.
"Hey Asuna. You tried to win against me but… how about we are still friends." I asked Asuna
Asuna then smiled before saying:
"Friends."
"Just…. don't go pushing our buttons with that crazy power as vice commander" I told her
"I can't make any promises." Asuna said in a playful tone
I soon gave her a playful look before both started laughing.
Detroid: Well, that was a bad way to go for the ending of a good guild
sakuraphoenix: You can say that again. Could be worse.
Detroid: Like my OC committing suicide without your OC knowing?
sakuraphoenix: Exactly, and that'll get her miffed.
Detroid: True but to the point of no return which is killing herself
sakuraphoenix: Yep, but in any case, please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix…
Detroid: And I'm Detroid but more importantly since this is SAO, we should go by our OC's name for when we do these?
sakuraphoenix: I don't know, should we?
Detroid: I think we should for when we do the intro and ending for Sword Art Online: A World Apart
sakuraphoenix: Well, technically I already do it since my penname is sakuraphoenix ^^;
Detroid: Quil *puffs out my cheeks*
sakuraphoenix: *holds you close to me*
Detroid: Cynda! *my back ignites*
sakuraphoenix: *coughs out smoke before holding you even closer to me*
Detroid: *was blushing so red that I hid my blush in your chest* Why do you have to, ya know?
sakuraphoenix: Sorry
Detroid: Maybe we should through then which I'm joking about
sakuraphoenix: You sly fox *nuzzles you*
Detroid: *nuzzles back* but in all seriousness, why did you have to, ya know? but we're getting way off topic for this ending
sakuraphoenix: Yeah, let's get back onto it before we sound like an old married couple
Detroid: We're signing… or in SAO's case, logging off for now!
sakuraphoenix: See ya!