The Captive Swordsman
Chapter 18—Unconventional
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Original Title: Sword Art Online(ソードアート・オンライン)
Original Concept by: Kawahara Reki
written by: wrathie
Author's Notes: So normally I wouldn't be updating so soon, but after getting notified about SOPA, and how bad it is, I might as well do my part for it.
Better be safe than sorry right? And since last night, there was quite an increase of people signing the petition to actually do something about it, maybe!
I don't live in the US, but we are interconnected, so.. please sign the petition, or they'll be taking fan art, fan works, off the internet just because they can.
The link is as follows: petitions . whitehouse . gov / petition / stop-sopa- 2014 /q0Vkk0Zr
So do your part as part of the international community, and make free speech continue to exist!
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Ending on that note: Thank you, bowpurity for the beta!
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Asuna and Leafa considered their plans on how to break through the last group as they shot forward. There was the option of just charging through like they had done so before, mess up their formation and make a mad dash to the entrance of the town. The bridge that the Salamanders were blocking entrance to wasn't that long but as it was on open ground, that opened up the possibility that they could cast spells on them as they tried to flee.
She was the commander of the Knights of the the Blood and she was very knowledgeable in different battle strategies. It was one of the requirements of being a Vice-Commander of the KoB and Asuna was pretty good at it.
'Even if we break through their line of defence, which is entirely possible now.'
Asuna calmly analysed the situation even as they closed the distance between them and the final group of Salamanders.
'Their front line is weak and stretched thin. We should strike the centre of the group together to scatter them, Leafa. Do not engage any of the players placed in the front line. The key targets would be the ones in the backlines, they are the supporters of the group or at least the leaders. It's important to engage them to stop them from regrouping their forces. Once we create enough chaos we shall break free. Leafa, we'll signal each other by whistling twice. On my signal, we break and make a run for it.'
Retreat was a perfectly viable strategy after all, but there was however a flaw in Asuna's tactical knowledge. It was not a fault of her own making. This strategy would be easily applicable and successful if it was followed in SAO, but this wasn't SAO. It was ALO, and in ALO there were a style of combat that Asuna had not accounted for.
One of them made themselves known when Yui screamed that they were being attacked, causing the two of them to hesitate and to jump back while fireballs slammed themselves into the ground a few feet in front of them.
If they had continued charging forward, they would have been caught in the attack for sure.
'So they're using long ranged attacks... I'm sure that's their formation for it. It'll be hard to approach them now, Asuna. They'll be using spells that have limited homing abilities so we'll have to dodge them while running. Shall I take the lead?'
Leafa bit her lip unhappily as she tugged Asuna's sleeve for them to start moving again. Asuna whom had been caught off-guard a moment earlier had to be shaken out of her reverie by Yui warning them of more attacks.
'If we don't hurry, the Salamanders we left behind would catch up! Asuna, we must go now!'
'R-Right, I'll have to take your lead then, Leafa.'
As Asuna recovered, the Flash strengthened her resolve when she saw that Leafa wasn't about to give up after such a small setback. It was kind of embarrassing really to feel so dejected after one failure after everything had gone well but she'll learn from this and bounce back!
Leafa didn't lose faith in Asuna as well, and she was proud and happy to have her as an ally and a friend.
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Following Leafa's lead, Asuna was able to learn from her mistake of treating ALO as SAO when there were elements that were obviously not the same. One of them was quite simply the concept of long-ranged combat elements.
There were ranged weapons in SAO, but they were limited to throwing knives, picks and were only effective a couple of feet from their enemies at most.
Those weapons were also not very damaging and were mostly used to attack monsters with high agility like the flying squirrels or the event rabbits that would spawn randomly in each floor. That meant that for veterans of SAO, they were very ill-equipped to deal with ranged attacks. With magic being quite an important mechanic in ALO, what with it being a very powerful support and offensive alternative to their weapons, it was an element that players of ALO was familiar with not.
It wasn't the case for Asuna, if one hadn't noticed this was barely the second day that she had started playing ALO and even if she had casted a few spells of her own, saw their effectiveness in battle, she had not been at the receiving end of one.
It's hard to imagine it, or perhaps it was, but Asuna had been curb-stomping everything and everyone that they had met with her skill and ability from SAO.
Her body had felt lighter and better in ALO than it had been in SAO, probably due to her wings shaving off some weight and it had made her much more agile and manoeuvrable as well.
That contributed greatly to her already great reflexes and added on with her skills with the rapier meant that players and monsters alike stood no chance against her.
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With Leafa leading the charge, Asuna found herself having to follow Leafa's lead as she was just incapable of backing her actions without getting in her way. SAO's combat was two dimensional as compared to ALO, even if flight wasn't allowed within the caves, it wasn't straightforward combat that Asuna was used to.
In ALO, they had to contend with spells as well and even with Yui's aid and guidance in the spells that she could cast, there was a limit to Asuna's ability to cast spells as she was just inexperienced with them.
That said, Leafa was still doing well on her own as she was experienced with dodging and attacking at the same time. It was that experience that Asuna was lacking. Or was it?
Asuna was anxious about her performance and thus she did not notice that she was actually doing very well for being as inexperienced as she was. Yui certainly recognized it as she had stopped giving warnings just to her Mama and instead provided warnings to Leafa as well who was just in front of the two of them.
'To the left, Aunt Leafa! They are casting a 'Bolt of fire' spell too!'
Yui's warning was somehow being heard by the two female players as they advanced closer and closer to the gathered group of Salamander players who believed that they could just pick them off from a distance. Their offence had been cut down earlier with the group that had tried to attack them along with Yaki and Ukurara, not that they knew that.
It was all going well and they were perhaps three quarters of the way into the when the attack came from the skies, no, it rained from the skies down on the two of them without pause.
The first few spells must have been warning shots, or perhaps test shots to determine their manoeuvrability and by catching them mid way between engaging the final group of Salamanders, they had to continue on or risk being attacked when they retreated.
The alternative was being blasted to pieces from the ranged attacks and they couldn't exactly retreat as the two of them had just disengaged from another group of Salamanders.
'This is overkill, don't you think?'
Asuna gritted out while dodging another volley of fireballs that tore up the area around them. Leafa would retort but she was just too busy dodging more ranged spells coming her away to do so. Less talking, more dodging for now.
'We'll get slaughtered if we continue in this way. We need a way to breakthrough like we did earlier.'
Asuna continued commenting to herself, Leafa was no help here, she was in front after all so it had to be her, or at least Yui to do something. Pity she had no tricks up her sleeve right now, well... maybe one that might work and it was a really... really long shot that might give them a small distraction.
'Any ideas, Asuna? The guys there don't look too friendly...'
Leafa laughed nervously when they were just about close enough to engage in combat with them. Somehow, magically, they were able to evade most of the barrages that were aimed at them up till now. The ones that did clip them dealt their share of damage and a few came close to knocking Leafa off her feet. If it did, she'll be finished, but Asuna had quickly grabbed her hands and pulled her along till she could run on her own power again.
Perhaps they had plot armor of some sort that gave them that minor miracle, or was it how the two of them had picked up the pace, straining their legs to run faster than the Salamanders could predict to catch them.
'I do... but I only have one shot at this. If I miss it, I'll be disarmed.'
Asuna replied softly while Leafa put the pieces together and groaned. Yui did the same, but she did show her confidence in her Mama by saying that she won't fail.
'All we need now is to decide where to actually aim it at. Would be good if I rethink this... but we don't have the time for this.'
Asuna grimaced as the group of Salamanders that had been steadfastly guarding the entry to the bridge break formation came after them.
'Perfect! Yui-chan, help Mama with this please!'
'Roger, Mama!'
G-Takasu watched in a mix of horror and fascination as a rapier was propelled through the tangle of his fellow Salamanders that were guarding their front like a knife through hot butter before heading in their direction.
'Scatter!'
He screamed as the mages in his command did as they were told, jumping and scrambling to the sides of the bridge and allowing the rapier to blow past the lot of them.
'What was that?!'
'Was that a new spell? What kind of attack was that!'
It was a stroke of pure genius, who ever knew that they could use weapons or items in that fashion! At least he didn't, but wind magic seemed a little too broken to be used in such a fashion. Would fire magic do the same? It was heat, and heat propelled stuff, right? He'll have to try that out the next time, it made sense a little as well. He had seen flaming swords and flaming jets around the legs of some Salamander Players before after all.
'Commander, the two of them have broken through!'
Of course the two of them had, if they hadn't, he'll be very surprised if they didn't seeing that they had to have planned this out before.
'Run faster, Leafa!'
'I can't, Asuna-san! You're too fast on foot!'
Maybe he was giving them too much credit, but the strategy certainly was effective as the two Sylphs had closed in on them, already one third the way across the bridge while he was still reforming his formation of mages.
The bunch of worthless Salamander tanks hadn't been able to stall them for the rest of them to finish them off.
At least there was one silver lining that he could see, he could just take them on himse- No, that was a bad thing to do, pride comes before a fall, as shown by how the rest of his fellow Salamander players were cut down.
'Stay calm, all we have to do is to fire in a straight line. It's like shooting fish in a barrel.'
G-Takasu grinned as the most obvious strategy might be the best one as well.
'They're preparing MORE spells, Mama, Aunt Leafa!'
Yui's warning wasn't necessary, the two of them knew they were going to cast spells at them to take them out after they broke through the mass of Salamanders that were as graceful as elephants. They didn't even manage to even raise their axes, swords on them till they were in the clear as they just pushed their way through them before they could react to them forcing their way through.
'We must have the devil's luck. But we can't out run this one.'
Asuna remarked to herself while grimacing. This was just a little too easy for her liking, she was right about how the players of ALO were soft after all. She was also uncharacteristically sombre for once but that was the truth. But there was also a silver lining for her in getting so far down the road as she had bought enough time for her.
'But they aren't the only one with reinforcements.'
Asuna gave a small chuckle that made Leafa confused as they ran side by side each other, towards the last group of Salamanders that they would have to break through. It was amazing when she considered how many Salamanders had been sent after just the two of them, and that they could set up a kind of blockade around the entrance of the city and get away with it.
Leafa could think of no reason for the Salamanders to want to take them out so badly. Yes, perhaps she had made a name for herself by winning various Sylph hosted tournaments and she had taken out a squad just recently with help from Asuna,
But wasn't this really overkill by now? Why would there be no one trying to stop the Salamanders in such a display of force – scratch that, it was exactly the display of force in a neutral town that meant no one could, or would want to intervene.
But back to the main topic, Asuna had been killing her with her claim of having allies. How would someone who was new in ALO have any friends that would be able to help them out of this situation? They were up against another platoon for gods sake!
A whole platoon of Salamanders in front of them, a small group wouldn't be able to get them out of here so easily!
At least, that was her thought when it surfaced from the lake that the bridge was over.
G-Takasu couldn't believe his eyes, what was that thing! No, he knew exactly what that thing was. The snake like monster that had surfaced and reared it's head back in a menacing roar was enough to make him want to retreat and run for his life. Still wet and dripping from the lake that it had just reared it's head from, G-Takasu couldn't even see the end of the lake dragon, Keiga, that was bearing its fangs and roaring at them angrily.
The lake dragon that lived in the moat surrounding Lugru, why did it surface now when they did not do anything to aggravate this monster at all? Keiga could be considered the guardian beast of Lugru and on occasion it would attack players who made too much ruckus while crossing the bridge. No one had tried challenging the dragon for fear that it would destroy the bridge leading to Lugru, and it was powerful enough it it's own right and would theoretically require more than just a platoon of players to take the lake dragon on based on it's official stats that were released by the company who maintains ALO.
His platoon couldn't face it, not even if they were prepared and in a formation away from the lake. That's simply because of the lake dragon's signature attack.
'Run now! We don't stand a chance!'
G-Takasu knew it, but he still couldn't believe it! The two Sylphs either have the devil's luck or they were just incredibly unlucky to meet with such a random encounter like this! He was the leader and he would stay firm till the end even as his fellow Salamander players started scrambling and running away from the dragon as it reared its head backwards to unleash its attack on the whole lot of them.
'Fire bolt!'
G-Takasu declared as he fired his first and last spell against the mighty lake dragon as it launched it's own attack against them, a torrent of water being fired from Keiga's mouth in his direction.
The last thing he saw and felt was his entire body being swept clean off the bridge along with the rest of his men in a single instant.
That was thankful too as he missed out on the sight of a tiny dragon flying from the top of Keiga's head and back into Lugru.
Asuna had to drag Leafa into Lugru herself as the blonde swordswoman was too stunned and amazed at what had transpired in front of her. That was a little too exciting and she had really hoped that her friend would tone it down a little due to the attention that she might would attract if anyone knew that this was not a random event.
Thankfully she knew that another of her friends would cover the true facts of what had happened earlier. The ability to seek assistance from the lake dragon, Keiga, had never been documented before and it was only due to the unique circumstances that her beast tamer friend had that enabled her to do this feat.
She really owed Silica for this one, didn't she? But the younger girl was effective and efficient as she had cleared their way into Lugru easily without even showing herself. Now that was some skill!
'Asuna-san, over here!'
Silica was just so adorable as a Caith Sith player that Asuna had to stop herself from giving the younger girl a hug while greeting her back with a wave.
'Mama, who's this?'
Yui was the first to ask as she poked her head out from the pocket that she had hidden herself into the moment she saw the scary lake dragon rear it's head from the lake. She had been terrified and had just wanted Asuna's comfort by burrowing deeper into the pocket. Now however she was curious at seeing another of Asuna's friend but her eyes widened in both amazement and shock at what was accompanying her mother's friend.
'I-Is that a Feathery Dragon!'
Yui squealed in excitement while flying towards the small dragon that was sitting contentedly on top of the Caith Sith player's head.
'Yui, you shouldn't run out so quickly! What if you startled Pina!'
Asuna called out to her daughter who was too excited at meeting something so rare that she didn't even reply her call. Sighing, Asuna decided to introduce Leafa to Silica instead. The brown haired girl who had her hair done up in twin tails smiled and bowed to her two seniors.
'Leafa-chan, this is Silica-chan. She's one of my friends and the ally that I was mentioning earlier. She was the one who helped us in getting into Lugru safely.'
Asuna winked at Silica who blushed and said that it wasn't all her contribution.
'Pina did the majority of the work! Keiga-san is a really nice person!'
'… Keiga-san? You mean the Lake Dragon?'
Leafa asked stiffly as she stared at the young Caith Sith player who had just casually remarked that a lake dragon was her friend. Then again, she had tamed a Feathery Dragon, one of the rarest and most difficult breed of dragons to even locate, much less tame. How many levels of [Taming] does this Caith Sith player has anyway!
'Mm! Keiga-san says that he can't leave the lake, but would be willing to help if we are in the vicinity! Pina says so!'
Silica turned around to see Pina flying in the air being chased by a still over-excited Yui. Silica could still tell that Pina was more wary than afraid though and when the two collided in a mid-hug, the bigger dragon gave a confused look before it softened to content as navigation fairy petted it's head.
'Is that Yui, Asuna-san?'
Silica asked curiously and her smile got bigger when Asuna confirmed it for her. She had heard of Asuna's 'daughter' and seeing her here in ALO was an amazing thing. Asuna had told her about her relationship with her daughter and she was very glad to see the two of them reunited. Not to mention she couldn't believe how life-like Yui was even if she was an NPC.
She better not mention it to Asuna however, who knows how she'll react to that!
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'W-Wait, before that, wait, wait! Listen to me!'
Leafa shrieked in desperation, trying to get the three's attention on her but she subsequently blushed when Asuna, Silica and Yui all turned to look at her. Leafa looked suddenly unsure at being the centre of attention so easily that she turned red before blabbering and saying that they should look for a place to rest before they proceed with anything else.
'And I want explanations! Lots of them! Especially from you, Asuna-san!'
Leafa looked very upset and she had the right to be so! If Asuna had friends with so much power, why didn't they help her in the journey up till now? With Silica's ability to tame a lake dragon, there should be no limit to what they could do together. They might even make it up Yggrasil if they so wished to!
But most importantly, Asuna still hadn't told her where they intended to search for her onii-chan! That was really the most important part! She knew they were on a clock, so they had to start searching, now!
'I know of a place!'
Silica raised her hand cutely like if she was in a classroom and after confirmation from the other two older girls, lead them deeper into Lugru.
'Thank you for your help, Silica-chan. I wasn't sure how we could get through that last platoon of Salamanders... and if we had been defeated there, we'll have to make the entire trip back here again.'
Leafa thanked Silica again as they sipped tea in a small cosy cafe that the Caith Sith player had led them into. Leafa wanted so badly to pet the now napping Yui and the Feathery Dragon Pina. The two of them were sleeping peacefully at the windowsill besides them, all tired out after playing air-tag the entire time through their introductions.
Leafa was still impatient and twitchy at how they were wasting time talking in the cafe here. Kind of ironic really, seeing how Asuna had been the one to rush them to get to Lugru in the first place, and now that they were here, they were wasting time like this.
Leafa had been mostly appeased up till now by learning more about Silica, another SAO player that had been persuaded by Asuna to help her out in her quest to save her onii-chan. It made her wonder why so many people were willing to help Asuna to this extent.
'It's no problem at all! I was worried at first when Pina couldn't get Keiga-san's attention! But when she did, all I had to do is to ask him for his help. You mustn't tell anyone else that I can do that, I mean... I was only able to do that due to Pina.'
Silica blushed while explaining that having a dragon on her side meant that she could communicate with dragon races much easily.
'But besides my [Taming] skill, I can't really do much.'
Silica admitted with a blush but that was immediately refuted by Asuna who simply remarked that Silica was doing very well with her dagger as her main weapon at any rate.
'But... I'm not as skilled as Asuna-san, or even Leafa-san... I'll do my best though, so I'll be in the two of your care! I promise I won't pull the two of you back!'
'And that's what we should all do and learn from you, Silica-chan.'
Asuna remarked and Leafa nodded her head before shaking her head just as quickly.
'Wait, pull us back? That means... you're coming with us?'
'Mm! Yes! Is that a problem?'
'N-No, but, wouldn't... I mean, would it be okay? It'll be great to have someone us with us, but...'
Leafa looked torn but Silica simply smiled and said it was no trouble at all.
'I... wish to help look for Kirito-san, I wish to, so please, let me accompany you.'
Author's Notes: Note to self, it's hard to write when you abandon a chapter half-finished and decided to continue it again. Just saying.