CHAPTER 10

PAYBACK

Tears started to roll down Kirito's cheek as he helplessly looked on at Asuna while still trying to comprehend what Fallen had just told him. His mind started filling with guilt and regret that he could not protect the one person that meant the world to him. I could not protect Asuna. I am worthless. She is in this state because of me. I was late. I couldn't protect her.

Kirito felt pained even to look at Asuna, with guilt cutting through him, sharper and deeper than any sword had ever cut into him. He shut his eyes, balled up his fists and hit the ground hard with them as he burst into tears. "I'm sorry, Asuna" said Kirito in a feeble voice. "I couldn't protect you. I couldn't even come on time. I am pathetic. I am worthless. I chose to go after a sword rather than being with you. It's all my fault. I couldn't be by your side when you needed me. I don't deserve to-"

Kirito's ramblings were cut short by Asuna when she gently placed her finger over his lips. She looked into his teary black eyes and put her arms around him. She embraced him with her hug and whispered in a weak voice, "Kirito-kun don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault. All this while I have been thinking of you and that is how I was able to survive this long. The mere thought of seeing your face again kept me going. You have been fighting with me all along. You and Yui, both are with me in my heart. Stop crying Kirito-kun, I'll be alright. I'm really strong after all. Remember?" Asuna smiled and cupped Kirito's face in her hands while winking at him.

Kirito looked on at Asuna in astonishment. As he looked into her hazel colored eyes and that smile on her face, all his negative thoughts were blown away. Asuna, you really are strong. You are much stronger than I ever was, am or ever will be. Kirito smiled back at Asuna as he kissed her and said " I love you, Asuna and I promise I won't let anything happen to you anymore." Kirito wiped away the tears from his eyes and turned back to face Fallen.

The mere scene of Fallen standing in front of him, still gave him chills but this time after hearing Asuna's words, he felt a strange warmth around his entire body. Thank you, Asuna. I will make him pay for what he did to you.

The very thought of seeing Asuna suffer in pain made Kirito's blood boil. He was filled with rage as he started walking towards Fallen, picking up his swords on the way. Kirito ground his teeth and clenched his swords as hard as he could. Kirito started running towards fallen and in a very dark and furious tone he shouted ,"I will thrust these swords through your chest as hard as possible. I will make you suffer for what you did to Asuna, you bastard!"

"Yes, Yes! That is exactly what I want! Come on, Black Swordsman! Show me what you can do! Show me your true power!", Fallen shouted back with a huge smile on his face as he was happy that he had pushed Kirito to the extreme to get him to this point. This was exactly what I want. It's just like that day. I'll finally be able to find out who is stronger.

Kirito was onto Fallen in a second and started slashing through Fallen's body at inhuman pace as the others looked on in awe at the speed at which Kirito was attacking. They knew that Kirito was fast and strong, but they had never seen him attack like this. Kirito's attacks were so fast that they were having a hard time following his moves as Fallen was thrown back hundreds of feet. Even before Fallen hit the ground, Kirito was at him again and attacked with his OSS Dark Repulser, a 14-hit combo. Every slash Kirito had at Fallen was filled with an ominous rage, intent on killing Fallen, even if it wasn't possible inside the game. As he was about to deliver the final blow, all Kirito could think of was Asuna suffering, and this filled him with rage beyond recognition. Kirito mercilessly slashed through Fallen's chest and dropped Fallen to the ground.

Kirito stood over Fallen's body and saw his HP decrease to almost zero and kicked it as hard as he could, hoping it'd shatter to a million pixels and that he'd disappear. To everyone's shock, Fallen raised his hand and caught Kirito's leg in mid-air. "Is that all you have got, Black Swordsman? You disappoint me."

Note: The OSS Dark Repulser Kirito uses in this chapter, is one I made. It was the name of one of Kirito's swords in SAO and as a remembrance I named the OSS after that sword.

A/N: I'm extremely sorry for not updating for over a year. I do not want to waste time in telling why, but I'm back and will update as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and as always do comment let me know how you felt about the chapter.