AN: I know that it's extremely early but, I've decided the possibilities for the future pairings. For now just read and enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer; I don't own Bleach or SAO

Chapter 8: Trial by Blood & Steel

Deep within the dungeon that contained the first Floor Boss, over 30 had gathered at the entrance to the Boss Room. At the head of the group was a blue haired man wielding a sword and shield, Diable.

"Alright," he said as he stabbed his sword into the ground. "Today is the day we will defeat the floor boss, and prove to everyone else that this game is beatable!" Everyone present let out a cry of approval at his words.

"Now then, is everyone ready for this?"

"Wait!" Everyone turned to the hall they had just arrived through. What they saw was an orange haired man wearing a black kimono. "Sorry I'm late!"

Upon his arrival many of those present started talking amongst themselves. "Who is this guy?" "Does he really plan on fighting the boss with that gear?" "Maybe, look at his sword. I thought you couldn't get blades like that on the bottom floor."

"Hey! I thought we were here to help clear the first floor."

"Right," said Diable getting everyone's focus. While he started to remind everyone of the boss' attack patterns, Mugetsu found Kirito among the crowd. Next to him stood a girl who seemed about their age covered with a cloak.

"You're late," said the swordsman. "Did you sleep in again."

"Not exactly. I was knocked out cold after completing the quest for this sword."

"What about the «Aneel Blade»?"

"Not much to say, it did come in pretty handy when fighting the quest boss. So in that sense, I guess I owe you one. And by the way, who's your partner," he asked pointing at the hooded figure that had been standing quietly behind Kirito during their conversation.

"Right, this is Asuna. We met at yesterday's meeting. It was decided that everyone should form parties of around six. The two of were the only ones left out. So I decided to invite her to join me, and here we are."

"I see," said Mugetsu, nodding at Kirito's explanation. He then turned to Asuna before introducing himself. "Well, nice to meet you, Asuna. My name is Mugetsu."

In response she just glanced at him and asked, "do you have a habit of arriving late to important meeting?" At this his usual frown grew while Kirito let out a smirk.

"No, I don't," he responded. "The reason I got here late was because I nearly had myself killed twice last night."

"So then, the problem is that you are a reckless idiot," said Kirito stating his opinion.

"Shut it! You're the last person I want to her that from."

"Well in any case, you want to join our party?"

"No thanks. After what happened last night I don't really feel well,"he responded.

"Shouldn't that be a greater reason for you to join us," asked Asuna.

"That's not what I mean, not exactly anyways." He unsheathed his zanpakutō and observed the blade carefully. "It might have something to do with the fact that the quest was one of the newly added one, but for some reason I haven't felt the same since finishing it." Before they could talk about the subject further, Diable's shout brought their attention back to the front.

"Alright, this is it people! There's no turning back now. Stick to the plan and we will win this. Also, one last thing before we head in... SURVIVE!" At his words, nearly all those gathered let out a battle cry before rushing in and focused on their role. All but one.

Due to arriving late, Mugetsu knew none of the plans details. So instead he simply took on any of the «Kolbalt Sentinels» that others were too busy to take care of at the moment. But something he didn't expect happened when his blade cut his enemy, blood. Blood was leaking from the cut he had made. 'Just like back then.'

The sentinel let out a pained, animalistic cry before frantically swinging his mace. Surprisingly the blows seemed to move slower and were easy to block. Until it started doing something else unexpected. "You will pay for that, human!"

"Wait, did you just-" in that single moment of surprise the Kolbalt managed a powerful, downward blow on Mugetsu's left shoulder. And with it an audible crack could be heard."Argh, you bastard!" Even from behind its helmet, Mugetsu could feel the Kolbold's pleased smirk.

"What's the matter human, having problems holding your sword?" He mearly glared at the creature before smirking himself.

"Actually, one arm is more than enough to take you down. Or is that the reason you did it? Because you couldn't find a way to beat me otherwise?" In response it raised its mace and started charging , aiming straight at Mugetsu's head. As it came crashing down it was pushed aside by the zanpakutō in Mugetsu's undamaged arm. Before the sentinel could react the blade passed through an opening in its helmet and pierced his head. When the sword was removed, the body simply went limp and collapsed to the ground. But instead of shattering, it remained there, blood oozing from its cuts.

Without a moment to catch his breath, another «Rune Sentinel» charged at him. This on began shouting and cursing, claiming he would avenge his fallen comrade. So with no time to think much about what was happening, Mugetsu desired to put the issue on hold and began to deal with the approaching enemies closing in. He kept his wounded arm close to his stomach in order to avoid further injury to it.

Soon other parties that had been fighting in close proximity to him began helping the lone warrior. None knew what had triggered the mobs' increasing hostility towards him. But soon many started to noticed something that disturbed and confused them, where Mugetsu's blade had cut, blood would leak from those wounds. Where as their attacks only left the usual pixelated marks. What was more concerning though was the bodies slowly gathering around him. Each had blood leaking from them. This had caused a large puddle of crimson to surround him.

All those who watch as he took down enemy after enemy couldn't help but wonder the same thing. Who was this, standing in a sea of red, and how was he fighting so well with only one arm?

Soon there attention was brought back to Ilfang by a loud scream.

"LOOK OUT!"

AN; First of, I will admit that I might have gone overboard with the whole blood thing, if so then sorry. I was planning to make this chapter longer but I'll stop here for now.