A/n The cover art is the closest thing to Beasts Myrmex i could find. imagine getting hit with them.
Three weeks later:
The gavel struck its base three times silencing the 'court room'. The table was large and curved in a crescent shape, sitting at it was nine people, the leaders of the strongest guilds.
Standing before them at a 'parade rest' was Beast. It had been three weeks since he killed the Outcasts, and he had not spoken a single word.
"We have heard over the last three weeks," the leader called Heathcliff started. "The evidence that the victims of the man known as Beast were in fact guilty of heinous crimes,"
A small murmur was heard from the large crowd in the room.
"However Beast, your actions went far beyond justice. You could have captured restrained them, but you decided to butcher."
"This world is our prison, we fight and die to get home, why won't you speak?" Heathcliff pleaded.
Beast still refused.
"Very well," the commander said after a few minutes. Kirito who had been in the audience stood next to Ago. He could tell the commander was not happy, he seemed almost sad.
"For your crimes of murder, this court finds you guilty and sentences you to the Iron Palace prison for the rest of your life or until the 100th floor is beaten."
Half the room erupted in protests the other half was struck silent. The court room was full of people that knew Beast many of them he saved and they testified on his behalf, no one liked this verdict.
"I ask if the convicted has anything to say?"
Beast finally spoke.
"I do, this world is going to get worse," he started. "Japan is not a third world nation run by warlords, drug lords and power hungry people. But this is Aincrad, we have no written laws or rules except the oldest . Kill or be Killed."
The room was silent, his voice and charisma was something no one that did not already know him would expect.
"I am glad you have finally started, this court and trial, as bull shit as it has been, is a first step.
As he spoke he started to look around the room slowly, till he locked eyes with a 'handsome' man that seemed to hide in the back. The moment their eyes met Beast knew, the man just gave a small smile and a quick nod before simply disappearing.
"I hope you are ready cause it is only going to get worse from here."
He turned to follow the guard out of the room before he stopped. "Oh and I hope you have fun on floor forty-four."
"You arrested him?" the government man asked in a shocked and confused voice.
"We did not know," Asuna started before looking at Klein and Kirito, who Eyed her calmly. "Ok I did not know, the KoB unit that went with me after Argo told use about the house arrived just after he finished. The house was a mess, bodies and blood, until that day I had never seen blood in the game," she shivered.
"For many people it was the final straw," Kirito spoke as he walked over and gave his girlfriend a gentle hug. "At that moment it finally sunk in that this was in fact real, the game was over."
"How many testified to his innocence?" agent man asked.
"Innocence?" Klein asked almost as if the word was an insult. "None, he wasn't innocent, he was right. He may have used barbaric, cruel and violent methods, but he never harmed an innocent, and always helped in his special way."
"Until I was held captive by Fairy King Oberon I never realized just how…cruel some people can be." Asuna spoke thinking back and shuttering.
Kathy moved to sit next to the blue haired Undine and gave her another one armed hug.
"Tell me," Kathy spoke to the rest of the group. "If he had a life sentence, how did he get out of the prison?"
"The Laughing Coffin New Years Massacre," Kirito, Klein, Asuna, and Lisbeth all answered at the same time.
Before they could start explaining the legendry raid Yui cleared her throat.
"Umm…I have been going through all the files and memories I have now that I can organize them and have found something you should know before we get to that point."
December 27th Iron Palace Prison.
The sound of water dripping on cold stone added to the effect. Beast sat in his cell calmly waiting.
"You now it's rude to hide in the shadows," he spoke for the first time in months.
"You are correct." a man replied as he stepped into the light. He wore fine cloths but hid them and his face under a dark brown hooded cape.
"You were right," the man continued. "It is about to get worse."
"Come to gloat?" beast replied as he stood from his bed and walked to the bars.
"With you locked in here the Player Killers are hiding, two sometimes only three deaths a week. It is no secret that Heathcliff made it clear, and I quote 'If the number of deaths grows I will make sure to gain the Beasts release, and I will personally pay him to do what he would normally do for free" The man smiled.
"You are the only one that can stop me, you are like me, a predator I wish to beat you."
"You will never get a better shot at killing me," Beast smiled.
"Beat you, I do wish to kill you, but I want to beat you first, in as fair a fight as two assassins can manage." he corrected. "So I am here to let you know, you will be released soon."
"Am I worth it?" Beast asked. "Am I worth killing enough people to gain my release? You 're a shadow; they don't even know you are here."
"I need a challenge, without you it has become…boring. I never thought I would say it but simply killing people has become boring."
Beast didn't reply but flipped a simple coin to the man. Catching it and looking closely, it took a few moments before he realized the meaning.
"Yes we are, to parts to the whole, heads and tails, light and dark, and of course good and evil. You can not have one without the other."
"And I don't even know your name," Beast seemed calm, too calm and the man started to get agitated. He had been hoping to gain a different reaction.
"I am the Prince of Hell, PoH for short," Prince replied.
"A demon of hell? " Beast smiled. "Your long way from your realm, your majesty"
"So does this mean you will come play?" the man's voice and face began to change gone was the handsome face, replaced with a wicked smile and evil eyes.
"Did you know that the Hounds of Hell were not evil creatures?" Beast asked as he turned his back to Prince.
"Their sole duty was to hunt down, capture and return escaped demons to hell,"
"And this means what?" Prince asked confused.
"It means be careful what you wish for, you may regret it, careful what you wish for you may just get it.," Beast smiled. "And I hear the hounds howling, they are coming for you."
The game was over and Prince knew he had lost this round, Beast was unshakable. Prince tuned and all but ran out.
January 2nd
Three people walked down the corridor of the dungeon, Beast could name them. The heavy foot of the armored Knight Heathcliff, the softer step of his second in command Asuna and the almost stealthy step of a Rat.
Beast did not move as they opened and entered his cell, nor did he respond when they spoke.
"Prisoner Beast," Asuna started she seemed angry, she had never liked him. Beast didn't blame her, he had a habit of calling her a whore regularly.
"We are here to speak with you," She continued but grew angrier as Beast just rolled on his side facing the wall and presided to fall asleep.
That set her off and she was just getting ready to start a rant when her commander stopped her and looked at Argo. The rat just went to the bed and kneeled.
"Beast we have a problem," she started. "Just over twenty-four hours ago an entire guild was attacked and murdered by a group calling themselves Laughing Coffin. They killed everyone with no rhythm or reason."
"They did it so I would be released" Beast spoke.
"What?" Asuna asked. Shocked.
"Their leader. He came here a few days ago, told me he wanted me freed, wants a challenge." Beast spoke as he stood up from the bed.
"Don't start whore," he continued, looking at Asuna. "Yes it could be said that the attack was partly my fault, but it was also part his," pointing at the commander.
Asuna stopped, she had looked ready to shout both at what he called her and at the fact that the deaths were his fault, she looked at her commander.
"He is right Asuna, it is partly my fault, I am the one that said if it got to bad I would release him," The commander spoke softly.
"Then we should leave him here!" Asuna shouted.
Healthcliff watched her; he was always shocked that Beast could always drive his normally level headed and intelligent second to act immature and at times stupid.
"No, that will not work. Nether you nor I have ever dealt with killers like these. This was the work of a professional, we need someone that's also a pro," as he looked at Beast who grinned.
"No interference, cut me loose and stay the hell out of my way, that's the deal," Beast told them after a few minutes of silence.
"Deal, Miss Argo his equipment please," Commander nodded.
Argo just nodded and began to trade back all of Beasts items, he had asked her to hold his stuff seeing as she was the only one he trusted, well trusted enough to know what would happen to her if she tried to steal and sell his stuff.
"What floor are we on?" Beast asked as he finished the trade.
"Forty-four, and yes we are having… fun," Argo replied in a voice that hemorrhaged sarcasm.
Beast nodded and turned to leave, Argo waited before looking at the man that stood next to her.
"You realize commander, you have just opened the gates of hell right?" She asked with out a smile or hint or mirth in her voice. "Are you sure you can live with the consequences?"
"I have been living with the consequences of my actions since this game turned real."
A/N thanks to Draco38 my block has lifted for this chapter. Let see if anyone else besides him will ask a certain question.
I gave a little gift, here is a hint 'What is the name of the song'
Reveiw reply flame all is welcome.