Chapter 15: The duel

Alright, I got reviewed! It doesnt sound like a huge accomplishment, but it is. Thank you! I know I'm late-ish time wise, but I had a family gathering and didnt get to my phone until now (Usually type A/N last XD) Anyways, thank you, and enjoy the chapter.

-Xertic's bathing room, 9 a.m.-

Asuna was laying in a large pool filled with warm water. The bottom was just low enough so that she could sit down and have her head and top of her shoulders out of the water. To her left was a shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottle. To her right, through the steam in the room, was Xertic, constantly checking the temperature of the water. He was humming some song that Asuna couldn't recognize.

"Xertic?" He stops humming.

"Yes, my lady?"

"What are you singing?" Xertic smiles and pours hot water into the pool.

"An old song, Billy Joel's 'Piano Man'. I'm assuming you don't recognize it?" Asuna shakes her head and looks back at the water. "Very old, very wonderful song. Of course, 2025 brings on this dubstab and bay band crap that I can't listen to without cringing." Asuna rolls her eyes.

"Dubstep and Boy Bands, you mean?"

"One sounds like a robotic goat going through extreme pain, and the other is just auto tuned voices of boys who talk about relationships that they don't even have." Asuna laughs.

"The first one, I agree. But the latter is completely false." Xertic sighs and looks up at the marble ceiling.

"If you find me a boy band that I won't call utter shit, I'll... Watch a marathon of romantic movies. No blindfold, and I can't leave while I watch them." Asuna looks up at her boyfriend.

"Feeling confident? If I can't do it, I'll do the same, but with horror movies." Asuna instantly regretted saying it, but she wanted to see Xertic cry to a romantic comedy.

"Alright then," Xertic says, drying off his hands, "A deal is a deal. Now then, time to get out, an hour is far too long in the bath."

-The Mall, 11 a.m.-

Asuna leans against the wall, searching for what Xertic could only assume to be the boy band he is supposed to like. This break gave Xertic a minute to think. What bothered him the most was what that demon shot him with. He touches the back of his shoulder and winces just in time for Asuna to look up.

"What's wrong?" She pockets her phone and walks over to Xertic.

"Um... it's nothing. Just a scratch or something." Asuna sighs and crosses her arms.

"You're a great liar (which isn't a nice trait) until you talk to me. If something happened I want to help." Xertic sighs.

"On my way out of Hell," he brings his voice to a whisper, "Lucifer and another demon were chasing us. The demon shot me with this dart. It's now starting to burn on my right hand, around my symbol, and where I was shot." Asuna smiles.

"Take off your jacket." Xertic looks around and takes Asuna's arm. He runs to an alleyway and removes the jacket. Asuna was able to see scales lining his arms. This wasn't new, though, all reptilian demons had this. Asuna makes a circle motion with her finger and he turns around. She pulls down his shirt near his shoulder and sees a deep cut. It was surrounded by a green color.

"What does it look like?"

"Like an infected cut. You said your symbol is burning, too?" Xertic was already pulling his glove off. His symbol looked perfectly fine.

"It's not any different." Asuna was walking around to Xertic's from and looking at his hand.

"It looks fine. But if it gets worse, tell me." Asuna says, smiling shyly. Xertic puts his glove back on.

"I don't think a simple band-aid and sticker saying 'U R GR-8' is going to help. But thank you." Xertic says, wrapping an arm around Asuna's waist. She blushes and buries her face in his chest.

"I try..." Xertic suddenly smiles evilly.

"You know, Asuna, a guy and a girl alone in an alleyway is never good." Asuna pulls away, red as a tomato.

"S-shut up!" She turns and runs back to the hallway and Xertic follows, laughing to himself.

"Far too easy." He whispers to himself. Halloween is going to be even better.

-ALO, floor 22, Kirito's house-

Gamelus opens his menu, checking his inventory.

"Reaper's Blades... White Death... Throwing knives... everything is here." Kirito looks over at the demon.

"You know, I always wondered if demons fought differently in a duel. What do you say?" Gamelus smirks.

"If you're asking for a duel, I say let's do it. I always wanted to meet you, black swordsman. Xer and I watched you duel before, I wanted some action. Coming Yui?" The little girl had dozed off in Gamelus's hair, and she was woken up by her uncle.

"Hai... What did I say yes to Uncle?" The two boys laugh and Kirito leads Gamelus to an arena.

-Fighting Dojo-

Gamelus stands at one end of a stadium, looking at his opponent. Kirito pulls out a red sword and his Elucidator.

"You recognize the blade?"

"Of course. I guess its my turn. I'll be duel wielding myself." Gamelus touches a button on his menu and two daggers appear above him. Their hilts were midnight black with a skull at the end. a gray blade came out of the skulls' mouths. "These babies were a reward from floor 66. Rare drop. Reapers Blades."

Kirito watches as Gamelus then puts up his hood. What was he planning? The hood would provide a slight disadvantage for his vision. However, Kirito wanted to see where he was going with this. The two boys bow and Yui speaks up.

"Ready? Start!" Gamelus throws a smoke bomb down on the ground, covering the arena. Kirito coughs and begins moving, trying to keep his position a mystery. Gamelus appears in front of Kirito and kicks him square in the stomach, knocking him down.

"Relying on loss of sight?"

"Sort of." Kirito smirks and rolls to the side out of the way of the dagger. He stands up and the two begin clashing blades together. Sparks flew off of the blades as they connected. Kirito activates Starburst Stream, his 16 hit combo. Gamelus played defense through the whole combo, losing an eighth of his health.

Gamelus's blades turn green and Kirito tightens his grip on the swords. "Reaper Slash." Kirito managed to block most of the 20 hit combo, but he was left with half of his health.

"Damn. 20 hits?" Gamelus smiles, licking his jagged teeth.

"Oh stop it you." The boys go back to fighting, Gamelus switching between daggers and throwing knives while Kirito used magic and his swords. Eventually, Gamelus was knocked to the ground, his health at zero. Kirito pants before falling to the ground as well, his health also gone.

"Tie?"

"Oh yeah. Definitely." They break out in laughter, and the two look over at the sound of clapping. Asuna and Xertic were standing at the entrance of the dojo, clapping.

"That was entertaining. Im disappointed, brother, letting a human match you." Asuna looks at Xertic.

"In his defense, Kirito is the best player in SAO." Gamelus stands up and helps Kirito up.

"Still, you matched a demon. Nice job, man."

"Same to you." Yui was on Asuna's shoulder, cheering. Xertic looks at his twin.

"Anyways, ready for tomorrow? Our favorite holiday is upon us." Gamelus grins.

"Halloween, can't wait. You two got the decorations, right?" Asuna nods.

"Yep! It's all there. You two are coming to Agil's party, right?" Kirito nudges Xertic.

"Scare-fest. Horror movies, drinks, and jump scares the whole night." Asuna shudders at the jump scares. Xertic and Gamelus both hold up a thumbs up and speak in unison.

"Count us in. Of course, after we scare the crap out of children for the first half of Halloween." Xertic puts his fingers on his face.

"The thought of their screams... magical. Now, Gamelus needs to meet the others." Asuna perks up.

"Okay, I think they are at Liz's shop. C'mon." The two brothers smile deviously at each other, ready to bring torment to the blacksmith, and follow Asuna and Kirito out of the dojo.

Alright, thats all for this time. Once again, thanks for the reviews, and keep em coming so I know I'm doin good. Also I dont know when but I plan on posting some other fanfictions. One on Pokemon and one on Danganronpa i believe. Nothing is final so dont quote me on it. Ill tell you guys if it's going to happen. See you next week!