December 14, 2024
Floor 55 - Granzam
"Everyone, thank you for assembling on such short notice." Asuna stood at the head of a small group of trusted people - Klein, representing his guild, the Fuurinkazan; Agil, representing the merchants and information gatherers; a handful of members of her own guild; and, of course, Kirito, leaning against the wall behind Asuna, an air of nonchalance about himself. This was actually nothing more than a front that he was putting up, and for a damn good reason. Today's negotiation could ultimately make or break their plans. Both he and Asuna had been heavily involved in discussion about it for the past few nights, both having conflicting solutions as to how to bring about their goal. Eventually, they had come to the compromise that they would be using today, and both of them knew that it carried a 50/50 chance of success.
The men assembled all stopped their quiet conversations to listen to Asuna. "I appreciate the fact that your time is precious, and I thank you for sparing me a moment of it." She took a deep fortifying breath before continuing. "Today we will strike for an alliance with the Divine Dragon Alliance." Mumbling broke out, as Asuna had expected, at her statement. The Divine Dragon Alliance and the Knights of the Blood Oath suffered from a one-sided rivalry, stemming from the fact that the DDA wanted to be known as the strongest guild in Aincrad. Even though they possessed more than double the number of players compared to the Knights, the superior levels of said Knights ensured that they possessed the moniker 'strongest'.
"Since the discovery of the traitor within our ranks, we have been focusing upon strengthening ourselves," continued Asuna. "Everybody in this room has gained at least one level, which is impressive when you consider just how much experience is required for a level-up at this stage." What she said was true. For someone whose levels were in the twenties, anywhere between twenty and thirty thousand experience would be considered an average for a level-up. At the levels the people in front of Asuna were, the numbers skyrocketed. Her own level-up had been hard earned - slightly more than eight-hundred thousand experience did not come easily, and the only monsters giving any substantial experience were, by design, frustratingly difficult to defeat. There had been more than one close call for many of them, but with the new proviso Asuna created ensuring nobody went out solo any longer, the odds of outright defeat had slimmed considerably. Now, when one faltered, another three were there to take up the reins.
"However, to reach the maximum level, we will need to face monsters that are even stronger and challenging than those we have faced before. To do this in a safe and speedy way, we will need as many players working together as we can. At this moment, the Divine Dragon Alliance and the Aincrad Liberation Force are the only guilds of strength that are yet to join us."
"Yet," continued Kirito, stepping forward to join Asuna, "as we recently discovered, the ALF have lost a large number of their higher-levelled players, leading to them consolidating their power in the Town of Beginnings. Of those who remain, the wait for them to reach the levels those in this room possess would be too great. They are better served continuing along their current path."
"Also, now that Yulier-san and Thinker-san have managed to resolve the internal politics caused by Kibaou, the ALF will once more serve to protect those on the lower Floors," pointed out Asuna. Their trip to Floor 1 had been advantageous, and yet not so. Still, she thought with an internal smile, things are definitely looking up.
"This leaves us with the DDA," said Agil, stroking his goatee thoughtfully.
"Exactly," agreed Asuna. "Currently, scouts are engaged in finding the dungeon entrance for Floor 76, but they are finding the going tough." The nods that met her statement were grim and succinctly summed up their feelings. The difficulty curve between Floors 75 and 76 bordered on insanity. Monsters that Kirito had been able to solo with relative ease were now taking a concerted combined effort from both he and Asuna. "We need more high-level players than we currently have. It's been almost three weeks and we still haven't made that much of an inroads into the next Floor. At this rate, it could take another two years before we would be ready to face Kayaba." Her expression became fierce and her eyes were uncompromising. "I'm not prepared to wait that long."
Kirito's smile was full of pride for his wife. Considering how reluctant she had been to take on leadership, she had blossomed in the role. It was almost as if it had been made for her. "That's why we pulled in a favour from an old friend." Everyone turned to face him. "With any luck, he should be here momentarily."
As if heeding his words, the doors knocked rapidly and a messenger raced in. With hurried steps, he approached Asuna; whispering into her ear, Asuna's eyes narrowed. "Thank you," she said, "you may leave." With a quick bow, the man left just as quickly as he had entered. Taking a deep breath, Asuna spoke assuredly. "They are here."
Klein nodded thoughtfully. Agil seemed untroubled, slumping further back in a chair.
"Time to find out if we can make this work," said Kirito.
"Let's keep our fingers crossed," replied Asuna.
"You'll be great," assured Kirito, taking her hand in his and squeezing it reassuringly.
Asuna gave him a grateful smile but didn't answer. Instead, she focused on the figures stepping into the room. Five men, four of whom were equipped with varying weaponry - all of whom looked threatening - while the fifth wore a wry grin, entered purposefully. "Kirito-san; Asuna-taichou; it's been a long time."
"Schmitt-san, there's no need to be quite so formal," said an embarrassed Asuna, her cheeks colouring from the suffix.
Schmitt waved off her ire, looking around the room at the players assembled. "Quite the group you have here," he said. "It looks like you have most everybody who I see for Boss clearing raids." His eyebrows were raised as he looked to Asuna.
For her part, she merely smiled weakly at him. "That transparent, huh, Schmitt-san?" As he nodded his head, she gestured to a chair separated from the main group. "Please, take a seat, Schmitt-san. We have much to discuss." With one more squeeze of Kirito's hand and a wordless 'Good Luck', she followed after Schmitt.
Taking the aforementioned seat, Schmitt turned to his men. "At ease." They seemed reluctant but followed the command regardless.
"How are Caynz-san and Yolko-san?" asked Asuna.
"Both doing better, thanks to what you did for us."
"That's good to hear."
Schmitt's face grew serious. "Enough small talk. Asuna-san, why have you asked for this meeting?"
Asuna took a breath, knowing that the words she said next could make or break all of their chances of escaping from Aincrad within a reasonable timescale, or whether she would be in her twenties or older before they could break free. "I assume you remember what happened after the fight against the Floor 75 Boss?"
Schmitt gave a short nod. "Have to admit I didn't see it coming."
"Nobody could have foreseen such a thing, Schmitt-san. All that matters now is our response to what happened."
"Like taking command of the Knights of the Blood Oath, Asuna-san?" queried Schmitt, that wry grin on his face once more.
Asuna had the grace to blush. "I can assure you that it was not on my list of intentions, Schmitt-san. In the end, I was...persuaded." At this, she turned her gaze on three men in particular, all of whom felt lumps form in their throats for some inexplicable reason.
Following her gaze, Schmitt let out a short laugh. "I can imagine."
Asuna laughed along for a brief spell. "Well, as you say, I assumed command. Since that moment, my main order has been for all members of the guild to increase their levels. The reasons are twofold; one - the Skull Reaper killed fourteen players." At the reminder, a solemn mood came over everybody. "It was a massive leap in difficulty compared to the Gleam Eyes, the Boss of Floor 74. In that battle, Kirito-kun essentially soloed it."
Kirito shuffled uncomfortably. "I wouldn't have been able to do anything without you and Klein, Asuna. Plus, I nearly killed myself in the process. Only had about 50HP left." Klein puffed up with pride at the mention of his heroics, while Asuna darkened at the reminder of how close she had come to losing her husband.
"The second reason is probably fairly self-explanatory."
She left the sentence open to interpretation and Schmitt didn't disappoint. "Kayaba."
Asuna nodded. "Yes. When we reach Floor 100 - and make no mistake, we will - I don't expect Kayaba to play fair. Just look at that mockery of a duel between Kayaba and Kirito-kun. Kirito-kun had him beaten and he had to cheat to save face. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he will make himself an Immortal Object," she continued, stalling Schmitt's question, "but using that 'over-assist' mode...I can definitely see him using that. If we only have one or two people who are high levelled, he can overwhelm them, but what do you suppose will happen when an army of max levelled players comes rushing at him?"
"I daresay he'd brick himself," chuckled Schmitt, getting a laugh from his entourage.
"He just may at that," agreed Asuna, feeling good about the way things were progressing. "In any case, we now come to the crux of this meeting. As you have seen, everybody who is here is a clearer, as you already mentioned. They have all agreed to put their differences aside and work together towards a common goal. What I propose, Schmitt-san, is a truce and an alliance between the Divine Dragon Alliance and my guild from this moment forward until the end. We will need every sword we can gather to defeat Kayaba, and I fear that we will not have enough as things stand.
"If it is agreeable, I propose every member of this joint venture to 'Friend' each other. This will allow us to know where we all are in relation to one another, so if anything were to 'go south' to coin a phrase, it will be that much easier to help. Also, I request regular meetings between designated players who will represent their groups. This will allow us to share information we have gathered and knowledge of our levels. It would be foolhardy to not share such information and face a boss with an underlevelled party."
Schmitt looked thoughtful. "I suspected something like this, Asuna-san. If I may ask, why did you request me specifically? Why not Yamata-san?"
"Two reasons - I know you are a leading member of your guild, and I know you personally to be a good man." Schmitt rubbed the back of his head embarrassedly. "Schmitt-san, please take my message to Lind-taichou. Tell him everything that I have told you and implore him to join us. Please, do this for me." Asuna bowed her head slightly, a gesture of respect to the older man.
"I shall, Asuna-san," said Schmitt, recognising the gesture for what it was. Standing, he gestured to his entourage, all of whom stood ready. "I shall do what I can; this shall be my way to repay the debt I owe both you and Kirito-san." At Asuna's nod, he started to leave, then abruptly turned to face her once more. "Asuna-san, before I leave, I have a question. Throughout our conversation, not once did you speak of your guild by name."
"Oh, that," said Asuna, embarrassed at being caught out so easily. "I simply had the thought that Kayaba named this guild, shaping it in his own image. I couldn't bear to stand under such a shadow, so I decided that I would change everything about this guild, both its name and its aims."
"Admirable, Asuna-san," praised Schmitt. "If I may ask, what is it now called?"
"Seekers of Justice."
xOxOx
Asuna collapsed into the chair Schmitt had been using. Rubbing her eyes, she blinked out at those left in the room. As soon as Schmitt and his entourage had been safely escorted out, she had cleared the room save for Kirito, Klein, Agil and Calanon. "I don't think that could have gone much better," she said.
"I felt you presented a clear and concise message," said Agil.
"He's right, Asuna-san. You shouldn't start beating yourself up," were Klein's solemn words, though a mischievous grin was rapidly forming. "Save that for when the whole thing turns sour."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Klein-san," said Asuna, closing her eyes wearily.
"Don't mind him," said Kirito, fixing the older samurai with a pointed glare - Klein had the good gumption to find the ground immensely interesting. "You were amazing."
Asuna let her gratitude for his words show by gracing him with the soft smile that was reserved purely for him - her warm eyes and flushed cheeks making him swallow throatily.
"Kirito-san is correct, Asuna-taichou," said Calanon strongly. "There was no ambiguity to your words and the message behind them was clear."
"Thank you for your kind words, Calanon-san," said Asuna gratefully. "Also, what have I said about calling me 'taichou'?"
Calanon's face was granite. "Not to stand on formalities and just refer to you as Asuna-san, however, this is not possible Asuna-taichou."
Klein's mirth-filled eyes and Agil's badly concealed smirk made Asuna's cheeks flush from embarrassment. "Do as you see fit," she grumbled before resuming a more serious demeanour. "Have the scouts reported in?"
"We're expecting them within the hour."
"Send them to me as soon as they return," she said. "You're free to go, Calanon-san." With a short bow, Calanon left the room. She fixed the three remaining men with a pointed stare. "Be honest with me. How receptive do you think they will be? What are our chances?"
They thought about it briefly before Agil ventured to answer. "Before today, I think it fair to say that this was always going to be a half-and-half kind of deal, right? After today, I would say that the chances of success has increased to perhaps sixty-five percent."
"The odds of an outright alliance after one meeting is perhaps zero, but I would say there is a good chance that a second meeting may be requested," said Klein thoughtfully.
"If that happens, and we hope it will, a neutral ground will be chosen for the meeting," said Kirito. "My suggestion would be to have a neutral party oversee the meeting and make sure things don't stray off topic. For my part, I would suggest asking Thinker-san for his support. Though he is perhaps more inclined to agree with us since we have helped him in the past, I also know that he would not allow himself to be drawn into disputes of bias. Besides, he doesn't actually have to agree with either side, just keep the discussion running smoothly."
Asuna nodded in agreement. "I will send a messenger with a request for a consultation. Now, is there anything that I have missed?" At the men's shaking heads, she stood smoothly. "Agil-san; Klein-san; my thanks for your help today. I truly appreciate it." She bowed to each man in turn.
"Not a problem, Asuna-san," said Agil, airily waving his hand. "I'd better see you at my shop before the next Boss raid, all three of you."
"We'll bring lunch," she promised, smiling at the older man whose information could prove invaluable.
"Well, see you." After clasping forearms with Klein briefly in farewell, Agil was gone.
Klein yawned suddenly. "I'd best get going as well," he said. "No doubt the guys will want to know what happened today, and I could really do with a nap before the Grand Inquisition begins."
Asuna laughed shortly while Kirito walked over to the samurai. "Thanks for your help today, Klein. We appreciate it."
"Hmph," groused the older man. "You want to thank me, how about you introduce me to a pretty girl. You never seem to have any shortage of them hanging off your arm."
"Oh?" At Asuna's tone of voice, Kirito gulped in terror. Her eyes were icy and her eyebrows twitched. "Do you have something to tell me, Kirito-kun?"
"It's not like that! Not at all!" stammered a contrite Kirito, waving his hands in front of him in a show of surrender. Damn you, Klein!
"Still," continued the samurai, oblivious to the impending doom rapidly encroaching upon Kirito, "not all of us can blessed with the ability to charm any woman they wish. Best of luck to you, youngster!" With head held high, Klein walked away from the two of them, his bushido intact.
The couple watched him leave, Kirito's expression moody, before Asuna's laughter broke him free of it. "Honestly, that Klein..." he grumbled good-naturedly.
"He does know how to make an impression," Asuna agreed.
"Too bad for him it's usually a bad one." Asuna rolled her eyes at his words. "Anyway, now that the potential unpleasantness has passed, I reckon it's about time, don't you?"
"You'll have to go ahead, Kirito-kun," she apologised, wanting nothing more than to go with him. "I need to be here when the scouts return."
"Of course. Don't take too long," he said, wrapping her up in a sweet embrace.
"I won't," she promised, letting out a soft sigh of contentment.
xOxOx
Floor 48 - Lindarth
The bell tinkling made her stop mid-strike and look to the doorway. "A customer..." she noted absently, waiting for Hanna's voice to filter through into her forge.
"Liz, are you in there?"
She would know that voice anywhere, and so did the other occupant of her forge. "Papa!"
"Ah, Yui, there you are," smiled Kirito, catching his daughter as she flung herself at him. "You've been good for Liz, haven't you?" he asked in a stern voice.
Yui's frown let him know that he had upset her. "Of course I have!" she pouted.
"Sorry, sorry," he said, patting her head. The action seemed to mollify her, though she still puffed out her cheeks. "Thank you for taking care of Yui, Liz," he said as the smith walked out of her forge.
"She's been an angel," said Lisbeth, smiling at the dark-haired girl who grinned back. "How did it go?"
"Better than we'd hoped," answered Kirito, looking around the shop at the various weapons on display. "I reckon there's a good possibility of the alliance changing from dream to reality."
"What timescale are you looking at?"
"Perhaps a couple of weeks," said Kirito after a few seconds of thought. "Why?"
"No reason," answered Lisbeth innocently - too innocently for Kirito's liking, but he let it slide. If she didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't force it from her.
"If you say so. So, are you ready to go home, Yui?" he asked, extending a hand to her.
"Uh-huh," she beamed, taking a hold of her Papa's hand. "Thank you for lunch, Beth."
"Beth?" Kirito was confused.
"Papa is Papa. Beth is Beth," answered Yui, her eyes expressing her pity for him not understanding her completely understandable words. Silly Papa.
Kirito looked to Lisbeth. "Explain."
Lisbeth's cheeks coloured. "The very first time Yui-chan stayed with me, she asked me what name she should use when speaking to me. I said to just call me Liz like everyone else, but she said she wanted a special name that only she could call me. Today, after I introduced myself as Lisbeth to a customer, she called me Beth on the spot. I guess she finally found her special name."
"Are you alright with it?"
"I don't mind," she answered, favouring Yui with a small smile. "It's a part of the name I chose, after all."
"Beth, huh? It's a good name," he said, getting two different reactions - a beaming smile from Yui, and a flustered Lisbeth who promptly turned towards her forge.
Kirito took it as the silent dismissal it was. "Right, we'll be off. Thanks once again for everything, Liz. You've been a really big help."
Pivoting on the spot, Lisbeth faced the father and daughter, her eyes suspiciously shiny. "Anytime. Be good for Kirito and Asuna, okay, Yui-chan?"
"Uh! Bye, bye, Beth," smiled Yui, walking hand-in-hand with Kirito towards the exit of the blacksmith's shop, their arms swinging freely.
Lisbeth watched them leave, waving until they were out of sight. Once they were, her hand fell somewhat limply to her side, her eyes downcast, as she once more pondered the question that had been plaguing her as of late.
Will I ever find somebody special?
xOxOx
Floor 61 - Selmburg
Asuna had barely crossed the threshold before a Yui-sized missile nearly flattened her. "Hello, Yui-chan," she greeted, looking over her daughter's head to see a gentle smile on her husband's face.
"Welcome home, Mama," she grinned infectiously, before taking on a more serious tone of voice. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too, Yui-chan," soothed Asuna.
"Welcome home, Asuna," greeted Kirito, that smile still firmly in place.
"I'm home, Kirito-kun," she replied, gripping Yui's hand and leading her into their living room. "Did you have fun with Liz, Yui-chan?"
Yui nodded energetically. "I really like it with Beth. She's a really fun person."
"Beth?"
'I'll tell you later,' mouthed Kirito, seeing Yui shaking her head slightly in apparent resignation. "What news from the scouts?
Asuna took a seat, Yui cuddled on her lap, before speaking. "They found the dungeon entrance. Unfortunately for us, the entrance itself is guarded by a Field Boss."
"We didn't..."
"No," she reassured, speaking quickly. "Nobody was lost. Thankfully, there was no anti-crystal field and everybody was prepared for the worst."
"Thank goodness." Kirito breathed a shaky sigh of relief. "So, what was decided?"
"Tomorrow, at noon, we march on the dungeon."
It was as he expected. They could ill afford to spend too long bogged down by a Field Boss. The monsters inside the dungeon were bound to be much more valuable in terms of experience, money and item drops. Still, all Bosses, Field or otherwise, were deadly by design. His mind began to whirl, thinking through every potential outcome and how he would be able to ensure Asuna's safety.
"Papa." Kirito looked up from his thought-induced haze and noticed Yui had her arms stretched out to him. Moving to his girls, he found himself in the middle of a double hug.
"It's alright, Papa," promised Yui.
"Yui-chan's right, Kirito-kun," smiled Asuna.
He allowed himself to melt into their hug, feeling their love for him. Truthfully, for everything that was intrinsically wrong and messed up with SAO, he couldn't bring himself to regret putting on the NerveGear that day. Without Sword Art Online, he would never have found his home. With that thought, he hugged them back with all the force he could, filling the action with all the love he had for them, letting them know that they were his entire world.
For tonight, that would be more than enough. Tomorrow would be far less certain.
xOxOx
Author's Note: The idea for the guild changing name came from reviewer Dragonslayer1313.