"Forward to battle!" Heathcliff leads the charge inside, but we don't move too quickly into the darkness before us. Once inside, we stand silently, looking around for the boss. We know it appears once the doors close, but the deathly silence isn't helpful to our nerves. And once they do...

"Up there!" Asuna's sudden shout draws eyes up to the ceiling. Indeed, above us is a slurping creature, a centipede-like bag of bones.

"It's the Skull..."

"Reaper!" It's eyes flash red as its five health bars appears.

"Stay away from it! Spread out!" Well, no shit, Heathcliff. The majority of us run for the edges as Skull Reaper descends. Most of us make it, but two players linger behind, not moving until Kirito commands them to. It's too late by then, as the Reaper lands and cuts them down with one of its scythe-like front legs in one hit.

"That was one hit!"

"Man, we are so dead!"

Immediately, I activate my strong defense art, not wanting to chance my normal defense against a strike. I've never activated it while I was at full health before, not even during Gleam Eyes or the Laughing Coffin raid.

That was the inital reaction to Skull Reaper, the boss of the seventy-fifth floor. Now, a monstrosity bigger than than it and its original version roars threateningly at the large assembly of players from ALO, GGO, and Insectsite. I sit upon the ground, Lisbeth on top of me, our hands connected in shared fear. Asuna and Kirito are no more than three feet away from us; Philia, Rain, Strea, Klein, and Agil are somewhere around us; like me, they share the same fear as myself.

The original Life Harvester demoralized the front lines, despite being a field boss. The Skull Reaper took out a a sizable number of the top players, some just mere moments before SAO ended. Now we come across another Life Harvester without the power we possessed on the seventy-fifth floor of Aincrad.

My only question is...where the hell it came from? I'd assume New Aincrad, but even if that was the case, the bosses of SAO that did return in some from in ALo were altered. My next guess would be Ordinal Scale, which in turn would lead me to think of the weird sighting of Koharu's character data not much longer afterwards in GGO. SAO's data could still float around the Seed Nexus--that data is the core of Sword Art: Origin--but no matter what answer, all of it doesn't make complete sense.

"Jyashaaaaaaa!"

Nor do I have time to think critically. The reaper's roar calls forth more lightning, causing me to shudder again. Lisbeth squeals into my chest as thunder hammers the dark, rainless clouds above.

"Kirito, what should we do?" Alice shouts from somewhere. Koharu, Leafa, Silica, Sinon, Argo, Premiere, Tia, Yui, Lux, Klein, Agil, Agil's wife Hyme and the nineteen additional Insectsite players, Misha the thornspike bear, and Kuro the panther all waited on Kirito's command. I can't speak for Crimson Squad--Kureha, Zeliska, Rei, and Lievre--but something tells me they're going to listen to what I say over Kirito.

Continue or retreat?

My immediate suggestion is to retreat. If me, Kirito, Alice, Lisbeth, and the rhinocereous and stag beetles had trouble guarding against the scythe of the Life Harvester, losing fifty to sixty percent of our health, and even having some visible damage to our armor, I have no faith in our ability to win this fight. Furthermore, it was an ordinary attack by the beast. I was somewhere between level 90 and 100 when we faced Life Harvester and Skull Reaper on Aincrad, and even with Trojan Walls activated to buff my defense immensely, I had trouble with health.

But is retreat possible? Argo, Premiere, Tia, and the insects were chased over fifteen miles. The Life Harvester did not lose interest in them. If we retreat, there's no saying the forest will be our salvation. And on the off chance we do escape its eye, it's doesn't strike me that it'll just say "Oh, well, I'll go back from where I came from, bye!" No, I fear this monster will rampage aimlessly in the forest, and that puts Ruis na Rig in danger. The land around us is not suitable to escape it vertically either.

And call me vile for saying this, but if there were other players around, I don't mind sinking that low. In SAO, I'd wouldn't consider this plan, of course, but in GGO, I do whatever it takes to survive. Call it an influence from a certain lunatic singer.

So I guess there's only one thing to do. I stare at the monster as it begins a second approach. "...We have to fight it... But how?"

Inspiration sparks thrice in my head; two of those sparks being past memories from Aincrad, the third part of the tale my Fluctlight told me. Kirito, Asuna, and I have faced Skull Reaper twice now and Life Harvester once. I don't remember the latest confrontation between us and the Skull Reaper in the Underworld, but I certainly do remember our Aincrad days.

And as if we had a joint realization, Kirito looks to me and Asuna. "Asuna! Jaymes! Do you remember the Skull Reaper's attack patterns?"

"Yes, I do."

"Yeah."

"Good. Then you two and I can deal with all the scythe attacks. If we hit them with synchronized sword skills, we should be able to neutralize this power."

My left hand, free from Lisbeth's grasp, coils around the hilt of the photon blade I wield. I swallow my nerves and replay the fight against the Skull Reaper and Life Harvester in my head again. I believe, in both fights, that exact strategy was used. We were stronger than we are now, for sure, but... "It could work."

"The original Life Harvester was one thing, but opposite the Skull Reaper, the commander guarded against the other scythe all on his own." Asuna's right. While it took the three of us and Sanya to managed the scythes of the original Life Harvester, and the three of us again on one scythe of the Skull Reaper, the commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath, the Holy Sword Heathcliff, handled the second scythe by himself. It was only possible because he had the greatest defense stat in the game, surpassing my Trojan Walls. Of course, the man behind Heathcliff gifted that skill and its offensive sibling,

However, if memory serves right, the Life Harvester did the same thing as its predecessors. "True, Asuna, but it only used one scythe to attack, just like in the past. We just need to watch out for them."

"And as long as we're watching for that, we should be capable of stopping the scythes with just the three of us."

"...All right." The couple hops to their feet while I make a more staggered rise.

Looking at Lisbeth in the corner of my eye, I gesture for her to back away. "Get back."

"Be careful. Don't do anything...you wouldn't normally do."

"I promise, Rika." With one more glance, she runs to the group of players behind us. The three of us remaining down a bottle of healing tea, letting our health gradually recover.

"We're going to fight!" Kirito shouts to the gathering. "That Life Harvester is the same as its predecessor and the Skullreaper boss from the seventy-fifth floor of Aincrad! Asuna, Jaymes and I will deal with the scythe attacks from the front! Klein, you lead the assault on the left side! Agil, you join the Insectsite folks on the right! Yui, use magic to attack—Misha and Kuro, protect her!"

Klein, and Agil respond with "You got it!" and start issuing orders to the rest of the players. They take formation on both sides from my trio. Yui and the two pets stay distal to form a roaming unit. As for Crimson Squad, no direct verbal orders are given; I ignite the photon sword and that says it all. Our motto is being put to the test in this moment, and they all understand that. I do speak one order, though.

I could have called on Philia, Rain, or Strea; we enacted this plan before with Kirito and Asuna against the previous Life Harvester, so they'd know what we're planning. Either of them know my cues well. But there's only two people present who knows them before I think of it, and only of them who can fight with me now. "Koharu!"

The Life Harvester, sensing our resolve, stops and hisses at our, narrowing its eyes at the daring pipsqueaks that stand before it. Then, just as my partner joins my side, the reaper charges with amazing speed that rips the plains underneath its feet. As it comes, Kirito shouts to the three of us, "Here we go!"

"I'm ready"

"Let's do this!"

"Yeah!"

I need not brief Koharu on our plan. She wasn't around to face Life Harvester or Skull Reaper, but she understands what we're attempting. It was with her that I developed the concept of sychronized sword skills and perfected it to use it alongside Kirito and Asuna. She also knows that sword skills have the ability to knock back their targets, including weapons if struck.

Synced sword skills is a player-made concept that existed in SAO and still does in ALO and SA:O. In name, it sounds simple, but in execution, it requires knowledge and technique. It does not mean to execute sword skills at the same time, but to time the activation to hit the target at the same time. And since the variety of sword skill had different activation times and attack speeds, even within the same class of weapons it would be hard to enact this technique. Even more important is the skill used, expecially when considering the postioning of those around you. If perfectly aligned, the power of two separate sword skills could double in power, and scaled appropriately. The knockback effect should cancel out the Life Harvester's attack, just as it did in the past.

As we cross the gap between us and the Life Harvester, the monster tucks the right scythe to its chest, the left one rising. Prepared, Kirito and I initiate Vertical simultaneously, Asuna powers up the thrust-skill Linear two-tenths of a second later, and half a second after Vertical, Koharu activates the arcing Side Bite. Three blue lights and a yellow-orange glow with power as our weapons collide with the descending scythe.

While I'm used to taking hard hits like this with a shield, I still feel my bones rattle in recoil as we hold firm against the powerful scythe. It didn't bounce back, nor did it move forward; it was locked in place, battling two swords, a rapier, and a dagger for supremacy. And in a world where willpower cannot help us, I can only summon the strength my avatar possesses and the willpower innately in me and my three friends, pushing it through to our weapons. And after four years together, Asuna, Kirito, and Koharu didn't need to say to me or each other.

Our wills simply became one solidary wish.

"Ohhhh!"

"Yahhhh!"

"Haaaah!"

"Ahhhhh!"

Then finally something happened. Our blades flashed brighter, then the lights extinguished at once as they were deflected and our bodies bounced back with them. However, so did the scythe of the Life Havester, collapsing its body temporarily. The enemy vulnerable to our alllies, in our skill delay the four of us share a silent moment of truimph. Once we were able to move, we moved back to reassess the situation.

At the same time, the monster gets back on its hundred feet. This time, it switches arms, but the right scythe being raised now is held for a downward swing instead of a sweeping slice. In theory, we could deflect it, but the orientation and line of attack would make it difficult. At best, we need to dodge to direct attack while being mindful of the splash damage.

"Ko," I whisper, but she's already ahead of me, taking position behind me. I don't mind the shock damage, I should be able to absorb some of it with my shield anyway. I don't believe I'd have to worry too much if Koharu got hit with it, her armor is stronger than mine, Kirito and Asuna's, but my instincts and hers are at work here. "On me."

"Got it."

The scythe lingers in the air for a second, almost inviting up to come under it, then cuts the air to impact the ground. It aims for Asuna; Kirito and Asuna leap one way, Koharu and I the other, clearing the deadly blade. As it plants itself in the ground, ripples of grass flow in every direction away from the scythe. I get on sturdy feet and put my steel shield in the path of the wave coming for me and Koharu, grunting in the process. I manage to stay on my feet as the wave passes by, and Koharu holds my back as I rebalance myself. "Thanks."

"Mhm."

We watch as the reaper removes its sharp appendage from the ground. I gulp as I see a three-foot depression in the earth, then gather my fears and place them elsewhere. Koharu's calm; I can't let her outdo me. "If that happens again, get behind me. Let's not test your armor's durability yet."

"Understood. Here it comes." We prepare sword skills again, watching the right scythe come down. However, the attack is too shallow in comparison to the two swipes prior. This motion...I know it.

"A feint!" Asuna cries out as our attention swings to the left scythe, already on the move. This move almost killed Kirito, but Heathcliff noticed it and warned Kirito in time. Ironic for Akihiko Kayaba to save someone's life, yet at the same time, not so ironic considering he saved mine sixty-four floors earlier. With the right blade retracted, the left one is met with Asuna's Streak skill and three Slant skills from Koharu, Kirito, and me. Sensory overload raids our bodies, yet our wills realign and we deflect the scythe again.

And our success continues. Whether it is a product of our days as party members in a different world, time, and goal, an unspoken link connects me to Kirito, Asuna, and Koharu. The last four years with Kirito and Asuna have kept the link strong and alive, helping us maintain perfect sync without words. And though our link to Koharu was broken for two years, the connection she has to us, me especially, is as if it was never severed in the first place. As the link between us became more connected, the fear that preceded the fight slowly evaporated.

Because of that familiar trance-like state of union with Koharu, Kirito, and Asuna, we were thrown off our guard.

"Shagyooooooo!!"

The Life Harvester roars for the umpteenth time and retracts both scythes at the same time parallel to the ground. Mentally, I was prepared for either of the two previous attacks, so not only was I caught unawares, but one glance at Kirito and Asuna revealed they were as well. No, it wasn;t that our trance state caught us unaware of the attack--as the blades take on a crimson glow, I realize this attack is brand-new to us. The original Life Harvester and the Skull Reaper did not have this attack pattern.

There's no time to evade by leaping back, and while we could possibly counter one empowered blade, there's no way, even if we divide to take one apiece, we could deflect them. So I do what instinct tells me to; Ultra Fiber Gun.

I quickly disengage the photon sword, pick a target and grab Koharu. "Hang on!" The gauntlet over my left hand shoots out the greenish tether line, the end sticking to the top of the Life Harvester head. As the scythes close in, we're yoinked off the ground. We land at the bottom of the monster's forehead, keeping the line secure. For the first time since I had Rei's "mother" modify the UFG from an actual gun to a gauntlet for ease of use, I'm glad I have the UFG on me.

As for Kirito and Asuna, they ran for their lives towards the monster's head, the thin blades sliding against each other with a sound comparable to chalk sliding down a chalkboard. If this was the Skull Reaper, I'd understand they're going to slide underneath its body, but the Life Harvester has four spiky proturberances that fills that gap. But no, they press against those protuberances, and that's when the monster's forelegs collide dully against each other. Unlike the blades they're attached to, those joints cannot slipe against each other. Within that small triangular space, the other half of the party formed during Aincrad's early days is safe.

"Jyaaaaaaa! Jyashuuuuuu!!" It glares down furiously at Kirito and Asuna, clicking its jaw at them, though I bet its pissed that me and Koharu are on its face. I don't have the time to critically assess if it realizes we're there, I'm just going to assume it does and wants us off. In the meantime, the monster's life is critical--about 20 percent of the final bar remains, and based on the shaking its doing, I believe our friends and allies have done enough severing of its legs. Proud of our efforts, I know its time we finish this fight once and for all.

"This is our chance, everyone!" Asuna orders with a cry. As it roars a third time in a row, Kirito and Asuna attack first, leaping up at the monster's face with the sword skills Sonic Leap and Shooting Stare. Their attacks connect, sending light through the monster's face. As the Life Harvester trashes. Koharu and I lock eyes and flip off. I reignite the Muramusa's blue blade and take the initiation position for Rage Spike in mid-air, and alongside Koharu's Fad Edge, we hit the monster's face multiple times. Another light show dances around the monster's head. As it writhes back, flames explode from its eye sockets and mouth.

Rejoining Kirito and Asuna, we prepare for a final assault. With less than 10 percent of its health remaining, I'm sure we're ready for the all-out assault, but instinct holds me back as the rageful beast bellows out its greatest roar yet. "Lyagrrrraaaaahhhhhh!" Flames glaring at us from its eye sockets, the body of the massive centipede-like creature trembles in place. The spear at the tail end slams against the ground multiple times.

It's prepare its last-ditch attack, one where either we beat it to the punch and kill it, or it counters and deals heavy to fatal damage. For the third or fourth or fifth time since we laid eyes on the Life Harvester, I again decide to defer the decision of strategy to Kirito--but while I have a order held on my tongue, he looks troubled. I know he's considering whether we should back away at the cost of exposing the flank or going on an all-out assault at the cost of possibly leaving room for the counterattack.

But indecisiveness is just as fatal. I ignore the chain of command and shout out, "Everyo--"

"XXXXX!" That unfamiliar language startles me, but the screeches are certainly recognizable. Behind us four comes the rat people we allied with, the Patter. Ten of them made the trip from Ruis na Rig carrying iron pitchforks and wooden spears in each hand. To the unknowing, it is insane to think those pitchfoks will do anything. But I saw what the Patter are capable of back against the Goliath Rona

"XXX!" The leader of the group shouts again, and the spears take flight. Some bounce off, but others sink into the monster's flesh, knocking off three percent of its health. With five percent remaining, the Patter join us with the pitchforks, the monster's attention on them.

"Jyaaa!"

"XXXXX!" I That doesn't come from the Patter, but from the Bashin rushing out the woods. Asuna, Liz, Koharu, and Yui managed to gain their aid last night, convincing some of them to move to Ruis na Rig. From what we were told, Asuna did the fighting this time, convincing the leader Yzelma of our strength. That not only gained us Bashin forces, but Yzelma as well.

And as Yzelma spots us, she speaks her language, but I get the gist of it. It roughly translate to "'Let's do this'" or something like that. With those words in mind, I face Kirito. "You heard her."

He nods and raises his sword. "All-out attack!"