After the battle on twenty-fifth floor the frontlines were dominated by one guild. The Dragon Lords, Kirito's Guild, started to fight every boss themselves without relying on the DDA or KOB. The Aincrad Liberation Army retreated from the front and their remaining front liners joined the Dragon Lords. Both the DDA and KOB started to frantically try to find rare items and grind levels to catch up.
Kirito's dragon form made most boss fights a breeze but the floor thirty-eight boss was a giant Griffin that flew around the ceiling firing feathers at the clearers and would only land occasionally to engage in melee. Even with his dragon form the battle was fierce and they lost ten members. These loses were a real boss battles were also getting harder with bigger bosses, more enemies, more room to fight in, and allowing more members to enter so Argo made the call to start recruiting more members from the guild.
When the call went out many answered. Unfortunately for many potential recruits the recruitments were strict as The Dragon Lords and their chief recruiter Argo only wanted the best. The main recruitment recriment was of course loyalty. Argo wanted both people who wouldn't tell Kirito's secret and whose greed was at a minimum so that obtaining items and col was not the leading cause of deaths as it was in the DDA.
The leading members of the Dragon Lords were randomly assigned training teams to look after along the lower floors to get levels and martials they would need for fighting the tougher creatures on higher floors. This group was Kirito and Argos. Under their supervision around fourteen fighters of varying level and specialty were practicing teamwork and group maneuvers.
"So Argo what do you think of training teams Q and P." asked Kirito from his position overlooking the grinding field.
"Team Q is good but team P could use some more work." replied Argo as team Q finished off another giant mantis and moved to another target.
"So should we finish their initiation." asked Kirito
"Team Q is both loyal and strong. I am also pretty sure that none of them are Laughing coffin." said Argo
"Ok then we should give them a squad name and as you say tell them our dark secret." said Kirito
"Whats a matter with calling it that." said Argo standing up and dusting herself off, "it sounds cooler that way plus their faces when they first see you transform is great."
Kirito sighed and made to reply but a scream cut through the forest. A kid ran out of the forest and stopped in front of Argo and Kirito. The kid wore primary yellow. His cloths, chest piece, and cloak were all colored the same dark yellow color at his waist rested a dagger. None of his equipment was partially good marking him as probably a low level.
"Names Ducker…. Please help… Friends in forest." said the kid between breaths.
Kirito wasted no time dashing back the way the kid had come from. Argo hot on his heels sending a message to the squads still training. They eventually reached a clearing where a large mantis stood above a group of four downed fighters. The Mantis was a field boss named Poison scythe. Famous for its fast acting paralysis poison though weak defence.
Like a bolt of lightning Kirito shot forward a deflected at downward swinging strike from the Mantis. Argo followed up with her claws dealing bleed damage. Together the two clears lead it away from the players before the two training teams showed up and finished it off.
After the fight while the training teams took a break Kirito and Argo went to check out the group they saved. Other than the kid Ducker there was three boys and one girl. One of the boys who was clealyr the leader of the group came over and introduce himself.
"Names Keita" said Keita sticking out his hand, "Thanks for the save."
"You're welcome, but why are you guys out here." replied Kirito accepting the hand and shaking it.
"We heard that the Dragon Lords were training out here and even though it's the hardest location on this floor we thought that we could just rely on you guys if anything bad happened." said one of the other members who wielded a shield and mace.
'So you hoping to piggyback off us." said Argo glaring at the group.
"Ya sorry." said Keta scratching the back of his head, "we really want to help the front lines and so we were hoping to gain levels faster before seeing if we could join you guys."
The one girl walked up to Argo and Kirito looking very nervous. "Thanks Kirito and Argo." she said while bowing to them.
Argo sighed before responding "It's ok I guess since you guy want to serve on the front line. But how do you know who we are we never introduced ourselves."
At this Ducker laughed. "Come on Argo the Rat best scout and assassin on the frontlines and Kirito the Black swordsmen hero of Aincrad and leader of the frontlines. Who wouldn't know you guys. Your Famous!"
Kirito flinched slightly at his nickname. He wanted something cooler like Agils The Mountain slayer but got The black swordsmen because he wore all black. People could stand to be more creative.
"True and if you believe half of what the rumors say you think Agil arm wrestles Field bosses into submission." said Kirito
"Anything we should call your group?"asked Argo
"We are the Moonlit Black Cats!" shouted the group in unison to which Kirito and Argo shared a look before rolling their eyes remembering the fact that Klein wanted a Team Cheer.
Later that night at the Inn that The Dragon Lords were staying at the Moonlit Black Cats invited Argo and Kirito to dinner with them and after a toast Keita introduced the full team. The Mace user was Tetsuo, the girl was Sachi, and the last member was Sasamaru who tended to use a spear.
The next morning when Kirito and Argo came down the Moonlit Black Cats were fully dressed, armed and ready to go.
"We were hoping we could join you guys." said Keita noticing their quizzical looks.
Kirito looked over at Argo "I looked into them last night they are clean and on top of that show many of the traits we look for in recruits."
At this the Moonlit Black Cats seem to brighten up.
"We will prove our worth I promise." said Keita
Over the next month the Moonlit Black Cats trained with Kirito, Argo, and whoever else was around. Sometimes they would work with other trainee groups or sometime by themselves. Keita really hit it off with Diavel and even got some personal instruction from him in how to lead a group. Keita soon put down his quarterstaff and switched to a sword and shield to help deal with his teams lack of forwards.
One morning Keita and Kirito were having breakfast together. It was Sunday so everyone had the day off, but Keita still wanted to do some training. Kirito had noticed how confidence the Moonlit Black Cats had gotten. Though he worried that their confidence would turn into pride and lead them to make a silly mistake which any frontline would tell you could only end badly.
"What about the twenty-seventh floor Kirito?" said Keita while shoveling food into his mouth.
"I would wait I don't think you guys are ready just yet and the remaining teams are still a little behind you guys." replied Kirito before continuing to eat
"We are higher level than before, the tips that Commander Diavel gave have made our teamwork amazing, and since we joined you guys the money we were going to use to buy a guild hall allowed us to buy the same level of equipment you Clearers use. I think we can handle whatever is thrown our way." Said Keita voice full of confidence.
"It's your day off. Relax and take a break. You won't get many days like this on the frontlines. Don't bite off more then you can chew." said Kirito trying to get Keita to settle down.
'If you say so Kirito. You're the Boss, but the frontlines just cleared the fortieth boss. How much longer till we're ready we've already been stuck here for close to a year" Said Keita getting up and making for the exit, "Well I am going to meet up with the others. See ya."
After Keita left Kirito leaned back and sighed. "This is worrying. Argo keep an Eye on them for me."
Argo who had been sitting discreetly at a nearby table stood up and nodded to Kirito before heading to the exit.
Keita walked through town. He would prove that his team was worth putting on the front. Their teamwork was the best, they were the highest level, and had the best equipment out of all the trainee groups. After a trip to the twenty seventh floor and a quick Labyrinth dive Kirito would finally see that they were ready. Keita was sure of it.
When Keita Arrived at the Teleport gate his team was already waiting ready to go.
"You guys ready. Today we prove ourselves." Said Keita earning cheers from the guys and a nervous smile from Sachi.
"Are you sure it's ok. Maybe we should get Argo or Kirito to come with." said Sachi.
"They won't alway be there for us." said Tetsuo.
"Ya let's impress the boss and bring back lots of loot." said Ducker
"Always the eye on the prize. You just want to impress Argo right?" said Sasamaru earning some chuckles from the group and and annoyed slap from Ducker.
"Let's go floor twenty seven awaits." said Keita walking up to the teleport gate.
The Moonlit black cats spent the next couple of hours wandering around the twenty-seventh floor. The had earned a good amount of loot and a new shield for Keita.
"Hey guys over here." said Ducker motioning for the group to come up to a dead end.
"You found something" asked Sasamaru knowing that Duckers thief skills allowed him to find hidden rooms.
"Ya a secret room with a treasure chest. It's not even on Argos map!" said Ducker grinning from ear to ear.
"Lets check it out." said Keita blinded by Greed and Pride he didn't even think that it could be a trap.
The group moved into the room and Ducker went to open the chest. "Don't Open that!" The group turned around and saw Argo sprinting down the hallway to the room. Keita suddenly realized the trouble he had walked into but it was too late. Ducker had opened the Chest.
Alarms blared and the door sealed itself. At the same time hidden doors at the on all side opened releasing Stone Golems and Dwarfs into the room. Ducker immediately tried to teleport out only to realize that the crystal did not work.
Immediately taking command. Keita shouted orders. "Ducker try and open the door, Sachi, Sasamaru get ready with your spears behind me and Tetsuo. Argo saw us go in so Kirito is probably on his way."
Following his order they got ready for combat in their defensive formation.
"Boss this door is way higher then my level to deal with so it will take awhile." Said Ducker trying to complete the complex puzzle that made up the magical lock on the door.
"Dam. try your best let's hope Argo can get in and free us." said Keita cutting down a Dwarf while deflecting a Stone golems attack.
Suddenly the Dwarfs swarmed forward they were pushed back but Tetsuo lunged forward and impaled a Dwarf. He had however over extended and a stone golem grabbed him while he froze from the Sword skill cool down and throw him into a crowd of Dwarfs armed with pick axes. He didn't last a second before being torn to shreds.
"No!' shouted Sasamaru charging forward and swinging his spear at the Stone golem. The stone golem Grabbed his spear and yanked it free from his hands causing Sasamaru to trip and fall. The Stone Golem followed up by stomping on his head causing Sasamaru to shatter.
The Stone Golem moved toward Keita next. The dwarfs cheering it on "Drok, Drok, Drok." It was then that Keita noticed that the Stone Golem had a name Drok the Mineral Elemental.
Drok lunged at Keita. Keita shield bashed it before shoving his sword into the black sun mark on its face dealing about sixty percent of its health. Drok stumbled back before lunging again and grabbing Keita's shield. Just then a Black blur flew past Keita and delivered a punishing kick to the Golem's head sending it flying back into the crowd.
Argo had finally opened the door and Kirito hadn't wasted a second immediately saving Keita. As the surviving members stumbled back into the hallway, Ducker dragging Sachi who had collapsed from shock, Kirito covered their retreat. Once they were all safely out Kirito showed his trump card. The room filled up with Black Flame consuming all the Dwarves and Golems and causing them to shatter.
Keita collapsed in the Hall "Sasamaru. Tetsuo. Why?"
Kirito grabbed Keita by the scruff of his neck. "Why did you go after I told you not too!" He all but shouted in his face.
Sachi broke down in tears.
"Sorry Kirito we thought we could handle it and we could this floor was breeze till we found this room." said Ducker
Kirito dropped Keita. "You guys were close, but even Clearers make sure there is always someone nearby to provide assistance. Your Hubris killed you." said Kirito voice cold as ice.
"Now what? We lost Sasamaru and Tetsuo. Can we still go on?" asked Ducker
"We fight. We already made it this far we owe it to their memory to fight on." said Keita standing up and wiping the tears from his eyes.
"We are all going to die!" shouted Sachi eyes full of fear before running down the hallway heading for the exit.
"Dam it! Argo get Sachi. Make sure she's ok." said Kirito.
Argo just nodded and speed after Sachi. Kirito turned back to Ducker and Keita.
"Why should I allow you people onto the front. You have clearly just showed how inept you are at handling orders?" asked Kirito maintaining his cold voice while Glaring at the two remaining members of The Moonlit Black cats.
"We owe it to their memory. Yes we messed up and it cost us dearly but we learned! Please allow us to join you." said Keita
"Please Kirito. I want to make sure no one loses friends like we did." said Ducker
Kirito hesitated for a minute. They were good. Keita was a good leader when his pride isn't blinding him and Ducker is a good scout. With some more training they could probably be some of the best. Most of the Training groups were done or close to being done and Kirito wanted to make another push on the frontlines. These last couple of weeks have been slow going.
Of course new recruit once done with training wouldn't be handed a Floor boss fight but there was plenty of other mission to do on higher floors. Field bosses, Quests, helping the locals, escorting lower level players, and of course hunting criminals and tough monsters. Once they did that for a while and reached the level necessary then he would deploy them on boss battles. Especially since floor bosses were by far the deadliest monsters in Aincrad for those of non-draconic bloodlines.
"I want to help to."
Kirito turned around to see Argo returning with Sachi in tow. A new look of determination on her face. What ever Argo did must have had an impact.
"I don't think I could fight again." said Sachi pausing for a sec, "but I still want to help."
"Ok. I will give you guys a second chance." said Kirito
The group headed to the thirty-sixth floor. Keita, Ducker, Argo, and Sachi followed Kirito to a large Inn and tavern. When they opened the door they were meet by a man wearing multi colored robes underneath and apron and he was judging several empty plates between his hand.
"Swordsmen!" said the man with a smile growing across his face, "it's been awhile still training the newbies?"
"Hey Melvin. Almost done with that. Are the other here and where is your wife?" said Kirito
"Ya there here and I think Martha is with your girlfriend exchanging cooking recipes." replied Melvin moving away.
Everyone but Argo was surprised.
"That NPC was surprisingly lively?" asked Keita looking to Kirito for answers.
Argo chucked to herself. They must of missed Kirito's fiery finish to the room full of dwarves and golems. They would learn Aincrads secrets soon.
"Ya, he gets that a lot." Said Krito.
As the Moonlit Black cats looked around the noticed about ninety percent of the patrons had the Symbol of The Dragon Lords on their weapons or armor.
"There seems to be a lot of you guys here. " committed ducker.
"You see after two incidences where I defeated him and ahh...confiscated his money he gave up being a bandit and settled down. Turns out he went back to his home town and spent a couple of months wooing his childhood friend who happened to own a tavern and Inn." said Kirito
"So after reaching the Inn and seeing him again he offers us discount prices as a way of apologizing. Plus his wife Martha gets along great with one of our Vice commanders." continued Argo as they headed toward the back of the tavern.
.In the back at a large table sat the command staff. They had all meet before so they didn't really need introductions. Diavel and Agil were talking and laughing over a drink while Yukki, Aiko, and Asuna were deep in a talk about cooking with a women in an apron.
Looking up Agil noticed them. "Hey guys! Come over!" he shouted
'"Agil." said Kirito exchanging a fist bump, 'Where's Klein?"
Agil pointed to a corner where Klein lay in a heap. "What happened?" asked Keita
'He got drunk and tried to hit on the waitresses and well you know how Martha is." said Diavel smiling.
"I thought you couldn't get drunk in Aincrad." said Ducker
"So did we." replied Agil, "but leave it to good old Klien to find a way."
"Hey where are the other members of the Moonlit Black cats?" asked Diavel.
Noticing the grave looks Diavel suddenly grew solum.
"Argo go introduce Sachi to Martha and see if she can start working here since we practically live here already." said Kirito while taking a seat at the table followed shortly by Ducker and Keita. They were soon joined by the girls and then Keita explained what happened. By the end most were in tears.
"Dam!" shouted Agil slamming the table in frustration.
"We must make Kayaba pay." said Asuna
"So what should we do with the remaining members? Do you guys still want to fight?" asked Diavel.
"I have actually give that some thought." said Kirito, "Diavel, Argo, how about you both take an apprentice."
So it was decided. Keita would learn the art of command from Diavel and Ducker the art of the Thief from Argo. Sachi not wanting to continue serving a combat roll would help out around the Martha's tavern and Inn which served as the Dragon Lords base on the front lines.
They were all surprised when Kirito revealed his secret and each swore to start treating the NPC locals better. Monsters were still monsters but at least the towns folk deserved some respect. A couple of weeks later the Frontlines had reached the fiftieth floor and around christmas time Diavel gave Keita his final test. A holiday boss raid.
Keita proved he could lead a group and without any fatalities he was able to kill the boss and retrieve the rare item the Divine Stone Of Returning. They did run into some trouble with the DDA but upon seeing a full raid team of Dragon Lords the quickly retreated.
Ducker and Argo became infamous with their effective tag teaming of a field boss till it took so much bleed damage it shattered earning Ducker his nickname "The Nimble." While Sachi grew close to Marth and seemed very content with her work feeding and severing the Frontliners. All in all it was just another tragedy that was repeated throughout Aincrad.
On a low floor far beneath the notice of Kirito and his guild three members of a dark guild meet in a back alley.
"Where were you last time Kuradeel?" asked Johnny Black.
"Heathcliff has us running around trying to power level to beat that stupid beaters guild." replied Kuradeel, "though lately he seems very stressed."
"Hhm probably that beater brat is doing something to cheat the system and good old Heathcliff is just trying to figure out what it is." said Kibaou.
"Maybe. Or maybe his old age is kicking in early." said Kuradeel earning a laugh from the others.
"How is the plan going?" asked Johnny
"Good." replied Kibaou "It won't be much longer now before I am the undisputed leader of the Army."
"Good job the boss sends his regards." said Johnny
"And where is PoH?" asked Kuradeel
"Not your concern. You just focus on earning Heathcliff trust and reporting on the front lines. I promise that beater and his guild will get what's coming to him and we will all be rich." said Johnny a smile blooming across his face.
On floor eighty an armored figure ran through the forest wearing the colors of the KOB. Though he wasn't a KOB member he was a knight commander of the from The Ruby King's personal guard. He had been sent with a large force of men and monster to remove two dragons that were harassing the king's men on this floor.
The mission was a disaster. The locals having apparently started to worship their saviors had looked down on the punitive force and charged outrageous prices on their goods. The knight commander was going to punish them once they were done, but he soon learned the strength of floor eighties rightful rulers.
Their information was gravely wrong. There was two dragons! Two Ancient dragons one a white ice dragon and the second a green acid dragon. Even that wasn't all that bad, dangerous, yes, but still manageable with only about eighty-five percent casualties. The Fact that they were Ice Queen Midori and Acid King Minetaka through those estimates out a window and to top it all of their was another four dragons with them that weren't even in their report and were last seen on much lower floors.
The knight commander looked back and saw nothing chasing him so he slowed down to catch his breath.
"Wind lepída"
That was the last words the Knight commander would hear. He was scythed in half by a blade made of wind.
Watching him shatter was Suguha who had been tracking the Knight commander to work on her tracing spells and stealth skills.
"Good job Suguha." said Minetaka, "You magic skill s are fairly good."
"Better than Brothers?" Asked Suguha remembering all the times she was beat in Sword play.
"Probably. We never really taught him much magic other than changing to a human form." replied Minetaka pating Suguha on the head.
Suguha smiles. "Brother when you arrive I can finally show you how strong I have gotten."
"Elefthérosi." and with that Suguha changed into a Green dragon like her father. Father and daughter flew back to their home to report that none of the Ruby King's men had escaped.
Hey its been a while. Sorry for the lack of updates recently but you know life. Test and family kept getting in the way. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and good or bad leave a review on how you feel.