December 5, 2022. Floor 2.

Haru Hayai:

Karu sat on his bed across from Maru and I, his hands locked together behind his head, "Any ideas?" he asked.

"I've got one, Nii-chan," Maru raised his finger, "A test of strength."

Probable, I thought, "But what would he have us do?" I questioned Maru's theory. Our initiation 'ceremony' is today, but neither Maxis nor Atlas has told us what it is that we'll be doing.

"A fight to the death." Maru said enthusiastically, laughing maniacally. I flicked his ear, "What would be the point of that, dumby?"

He scowled at me, "I don't see you coming up with anything, Haru-chan."

I layed back against the bed, staring up at the ceiling, "I wonder if they made the other members do this," I sighed, "Or are we a special case, since we're joining later in the game?"

I heard the squeaks of Karu's bed, "In any case," he spoke quietly, "We've got to get in, It's the only way to secure our safety."

Realization sparked in my mind.

So that's the reason he wants in so badly, I thought, he's afraid...

His bed squeaked again, so I sat up, "So let's do our best," he beamed at us, "Right?"

He offered his fist to us, Maru and I looked at eachother then said in unison, meeting Karu's fist with our own, "Right!"

Karu sat up and mentioned something about going talk to Atlas, I rested my elbows against my knees and put my face in my hands, If he's afraid, I thought, I guess I should be too...

"Haru-chan?" Maru mumbled next to me, he was being so quiet, I forgot he was there.

"Yeah?" I turned to face him, his face was unconfident and uncertain, "What if I don't make it in?" he spoke softly, the lack of self esteem carried in his voice, "I'm not very strong, or fast, and my HP is a lot lower than it can be," he looked at me, his eyes were wet, "I don't want to be a burden."

Hearing that made my body feel hollow. I brought Maru's face to my chest, wrapping my arms around his head, "You'll do fine," I reassured him, "Maxis knows that we come as a team, if one of us goes, we all go," I rubbed his shoulder, trying my best to be comforting, which I'm not that great at.

I felt his arms wrap around my back, giving me a hug tighter than usual, he must really be worried about this.

The door of our room opened, Atlas stood at the doorway with Karu behind him, a serious look on his face, "Time to go boys!" Atlas said enthusiastically, a wide smile found way to him after saying this.

We followed him out of the base, which was surprisingly empty. Maru faced the ground, still uncertain about himself.

When we got outside, a number of Cygnus members were in a wide circle in the middle of the street. Maxis stood in the middle of the circle, a colossal grin on his face.

"What exactly are we doing, Atlas-san?" Karu asked, he was quiet until now, possibly worrying about this moment.

Atlas stated enthusiastically, "The three of you will duel with Maxis-sama for five minutes," he pointed in Maxis's direction, "If you hold out without your health slipping below fifty percent, you're in!"

I grimaced. I knew that Maru didn't stand a chance against Maxis. There's no possible way that he could make it in unless I fought alongside him, which was impossible due to the one versus one duel ruling.

Maxis chortled, "Who's up first boys?" he drew his great-sword, revealing a wide, shining steel blade with a thick silver handle, encrusted with small aquamarine jewels on each end.

"I am," Karu opened his inventory window, equipping his royal blue and leather armor and his great-sword, and stepped forward into the circle.

He sent Maxis a dueling request, Maxis accepted and a timer appeared in the sky.

"Enthusiasm!" Maxis roared, "I like it." His eyes squinted as he watched Karu, probably assessing his fighting ability. Althought Maxis was a large man, he was obviously very intelligent. He had assembled, organized and trained a full guild in only a month. He had a certain aura about him, protective and optimistic. His leadership qualities shined through his bright personality, though he could be unexpectedly serious at random times, which I found rather confusing.

Karu got into position a few meters in front of Maxis.

"Whenever you're ready, Maxis-sama," He had a serious tone, though his efforts to hide his nervousness failed miserably.

Maxis gave a roar of a laugh and charged forward. He brought his sword above his shoulder, slicing diagonally the area where Karu stood, Karu quickly leaped out of the way, dashing to Maxis's side. Karu let out a deafening cry as he gave Maxis a vertical slash that proved ineffective. Maxis matched Karu's swing with a diagonal slice, knocking Karu's sword onto the pavement. Karu held on, however, pulling his sword back up and bringing it down again. Maxis blocked his attack and began pushing Karu's sword upwards with his own.

When Karu had enough, he pulled his blade back, and activated a sword skill which made his sword glow a bright purple, as he thrusted his blade towards Maxis.

Maxis swatted his sword out of the way, creating a loud clinging sound of metal clashing with metal.

This sound seemed to echo through the narrow street, as every effort by Karu to defeat Maxis failed by blocking or dodging.

Eventually, after what seemed like an hour, Atlas called time, giving Karu a much needed break. Karu slouched over, gasping for air. The 'Winner!' icon appeared above Maxis's head

Maxis hoisted his blade over his shoulder and began to laugh, "That was a great fight, Karu-san, very good!" He smiled widely at Karu.

Karu gave him a smirk, still panting, "You really don't take it easy on newbies huh?"

Maxis shrugged, "If I did," he said, "I wouldn't see your true potential now would I?"

Karu stepped back into the circle of members, Atlas shook his hand, "Welcome to Cygnus, Karu-san."

Karu raised his eyebrows, "Just like that? I'm in?"

Atlas nodded his head, giving him a warm smile.

Karu began celebrating, dancing around as the other members congratulated him and shook his hand.

He stood in the circle with us and Maru and I each gave him a hug, congratulating him. I know how much it means to him, so when Atlas asked who would be going next, I pretended to be excited when I stepped forward.

A soft voice comes from behind me, "I will."

I turn to see Maru going through his inventory, equipping his mace and leather armor. He sent Maxis a duel request, which Maxis hesitated to accept.

"Are you sure Maru-chan? I'll go before you if you want," I whispered into his ear, I know he's nervous, seeing Maxis fight some more will give him a small advantage. Why would he want to go before me?

He looked up at me, smiling, "I'd rather get it over with, Nii-chan." With that, he walked towards the middle of the circle.

Maxis looked at Maru with an interested look on his face, "The youngest going second?" he scratched his soul patch, "How unusual." A timer appeared in the sky, giving the duelers sixty seconds.

Maru took his place in front of Maxis, his knuckles were white from gripping the mace and he didn't say a word. Maxis sheathed his sword on his back and began beating his palms.

A martial artist as well as a swordsman? What next, an alchemist? Or maybe he's a cook... I laughed at the thought of Maxis in an apron.

Hushed murmurs began to pass through the crowd.

"He never uses his MA skill..."

"He's just taking it easy on him 'cause he's a kid."

"Man I wish he went easy on me..."

I felt Karu tense up next to me, at least we're on the same page.

Maru wasted no time, bellowing as he charged towards Maxis. He leaped forward, raising his mace over his head. Maxis caught it by the handle, and held Maru in the air, clinging to the mace.

"Try again," he gave Maru a comforting smile, and set him down on his feet.

Maru looked up at him, nodding his head. He took a few steps back, catching his breath.

He raced towards Maxis again, and Maxis brought his fist down on him and missed, hitting the ground and creating a cloud of dust. Maru used the dust to his advantage, darting behind Maxis and bringing his mace up from his side. Maxis caught his trick though, turning around and catching the head of the mace, with his free hand, he sent Maru flying with a blow to the stomach.

Maru landed on his side, sliding on the pavement.

I clenched my fist until my nails dug into my palm, sending a cold, sharp feeling through my hand.

This isn't fair.

I began to walk forward, planning to break up the fight. I felt a hand on my right arm, I turned to see Karu holding me back, noticeably upset. He shook his head at me, facing the center of the circle again.

Maru struggled to get up, collapsing with every attempt. I noticed that his health was in the yellow from that one hit. He had lost.

Atlas called time, allowing Karu and I race to our brother's aid. Maru apologized, refusing to look either of us in the eye. His face was filthy and his eyes were watery.

Karu began to comfort him, "Don't worry Maru-chan. You did your best."

Maxis walked to us with the 'Winner!' icon above his head, offering his hand to Maru, "I'm sorry Maru-san," sure you are, "You did excellent for your level, however," He offered Maru a smile. Maru thanked him and bowed. Maxis patted his head reassuringly.

"Well Haru-san," Maxis turned towards me, "I guess it's your turn."

I grimaced, stepping forward, "I have one condition."

Maxis paused as he sent the duel request, looking intrigued, "Oh? And what would that be?"

I paused in thought, "If I am able to land a hit on you," I grabbed Maru's shoulder and put him in front of me, "You must promise to train Maru-chan, and allow him to join Cygnus."

The crowd of members began to mock me, saying that there was no way for me to touch him.

Atlas spoke up, "I'm sorry Haru-san," he put his hands on his hips, "But that is highly unlikely. Maxis-sama has the highest avoidability of all of us. There's no way that you could-"

I silenced Atlas, "His size is his weakness," I interrupted, "I can hit him."

Atlas gave me a disgusted look, "Your arrogance is yours." Bitch.

Maxis let out a booming laugh, grabbing my shoulders and ruffling my hair, "Your passion for your brothers is admirable, Haru-san," he beamed at me, "I'll happily accept your terms!"

Maru turned to face me, his eyes wide, "You don't have to do this for me, Nii-chan..."

I winked at him, "Don't worry, I'm going to get you in this guild. I promise." I looked at the window, accepting the duel request.

A huge smile grew on his face and his eyes began to water. Karu tapped my shoulder, turning me around to embrace me, "You're too kind, Haru-chan," he chuckled and took Maru by the shoulders, bringing him back in to circle. The timer appeared above us, giving us sixty seconds.

I went into my inventory menu, equipping the Wolf's Sentence and my gray armor along with my cobalt coat. A steel shield the length and width of my forearm gripped my left wrist. My gloves were gray with steel plates on the outside of my hands, my pants were a deep navy that boosted my agility by two points, which I had purchased from an item broker in the first town. My armor was less than fantastic, but it served its purpose, which was good enough for me.

Maxis walked forward and unsheathed his great-sword, he wished me good luck as I took my position.

I knew how to go about this, fast with no time to recover. His size and his armor are a great advantage to his defenses, as well as a great disadvantage. His speed was that of a tank obviously, and that was what I decided I was going to exploit.

I exhaled and dashed forward. I thrusted upwards towards Maxis's chest, he dodged my attack, leaning to the right. He brought his sword up, going for a vertical strike. I leaped out of the way just as his blade hit the ground, creating a cloud of dust, just as he did during his fight with Maru. I hit the ground on all fours, skidding on my feet and my hands. He must have been thinking that I would take advantage of the dust, because he looked in all directions with his sword at his waist.

Now.

I charged forward with my blade held behind me. As the dust settled, I began to mercilessly attack Maxis, though he managed to block every move. I watched his blocking patterns, noticing his recoil. After I would attack and our blades would clash, he would take a step back and reposition himself. This would be the time for me to get my hit.

I activated my sword skill Waking Steel as I moved forward.

His blocking began to slow down, so I knew he was becoming tired. After the skill lost power, I watched his last recoil, You're too predictable, Maxis.

I leaped to the right, slicing through his robes creating a large, bright red gash. As he noticed what just happened, on instinct, he gave me a hard punch to my left cheek, sending an ice cold chill through the left side of my face. I flew face-first into the only opening in the circle, hitting a brick wall. My head was filled with a sharp, icy feeling. I fought back to urge to swear like a sailor.

A 'Winner!' icon appeared above his head, congratulating him on the victory. I sat up, rubbing my cheek.

"Damn, Maxis-san," I grumbled, "Did you really have to hit me that hard?"

He looked at me with a shocked expression on his face, his eyes wide and his eyebrows raised. He began to laugh hysterically, "That was amazing, Haru-san! I really wasn't expecting that," He paused to walk over and help me up, "Congratulations to you and your little brother," he said enthusiastically, "Welcome to Cygnus, again!"

Atlas and the other members began to crowd around me, congratulating me and begging to know how I touched the untouchable.

Maru fought through the crowd and clung to my coat, burying his head in it while thanking and congratulating me. Karu waited until the crowd had settled to congratulate Maru and I, "That was really something there, Haru-chan, " his words didn't do his feelings justice. I knew he was ecstatic about all of us being in the same guild, but he wanted to play it cool for the other guild members. His eyes were wide with excitement, I knew he would freak out when we go to dinner tonight.

Maxis pulled me aside, "That was incredibly impressive, Haru-san," he had a serious look on his face, which was rather surprising, "Tell me, how did you manage that bullet-like speed?" he asked, seeming genuinely interested.

I shrugged, "I can't stand being slow, so in every game I've played, I'm always a fast character," I chuckled as I said this, "But SAO brings the speed to life, almost. My fleetness shines here. So I embraced it," This had a lot of truth to it. I've never played as a warrior in other games, due to their slow advancement. Haste is the best way to move, the quicker the better, in my opinion.

He slapped my shoulder with great force making me cringe, "I think that's what I'll call you," he gleamed down at me, "Bullet. How does that sound?"

Cheesy and cliche.

"Sounds good!" I smiled up at him.

Notes:

I based Maxis off of Jet Black from Cowboy Bepop. Just his overall look, sorta. I never actually cared for the anime, Jet comes to mind when I imagine what Maxis would look like, face wise.

I decided to give Haru a theme song, so if you care to look it up and get a feel for Haru's character (As he will appear later) the song is : Iron & Wine - Fever Dream piano cover by My Finders Keeper

Also, when I read Maru's dialogue, I read it in Honey-senpai's voice. From Ouran Highschool Host Club. If you know what it is and who I'm talking about, you're awesome. If you don't and you'd like to imagine Maru's voice, please look it up.