Chapter 4

Loss

Everything moved in slow motion. I couldn't move, but the blade was slowly making it's way towards me, the metal glinting in

the light. Only the thumping of my heart was audible. Then I heard footsteps.

The sound of someone running towards me. Who would be running towards certain death? Only one person would do that.

Kirito.

His name was the only thing on my mind now. I felt his gentle arms scoop me up and the feel of the wind whipping against me as

he sprinted off under the huge sword as it crashed down, sending bits of rock everywhere. "You okay?" I drew in a breath before

answering. "I. . . I'm fine." Asuna ran up to us, potion in hand. "Here, drink this." As I gulped it down, Kirito surveyed the chaos

surrounding us. Diable is now hollering over the sounds as a few more players were thrown into different directions.

"Dammit. We aren't making any progress." Kirito was staring hard at the boss's health bar. It hasn't moved in a while.

"Should we split up into two groups and take turn attacking it?" Asuna's voice was shaky as she said it. "It could work."

A body sailed over us, and I recognized him. His blue hair was a beacon in the dull colors of the room.

Diable landed with a groan, his hp bar lowering into the red zone.

I rushed over, pulling out a potion and avoiding the flying debris. Kirito followed close behind. Asuna was tending to another

player with cuts all over him. "Here drink this!" I practically shoved the bottle into his chest, but he rejected it.

"Just drink it!" We can't afford to lose a leader like him. We just can't. "No. . ." Diable's face was distorted with pain. "Don't.

Kirito looked over his shoulder from where he was, keeping the Sentinels at bay. "Diable!" Kirito drew in a sharp breathe.

"You were attacking it by yourself. Were you going for the last hit item?" Diable managed a weak smile. "Yep. I'm a beta tester."

Shock worked it's way into my throat. "What? Then . . . then . . . why did you keep it from us?" My voice was like a small whimper.

"Beta Testers are hated by most people. Why, I don't know."

"No!" I shoved the potion into his hand again. "Just drink it! We can't lose our leader!" Kirito ran over to us, dropping into a crouch.

"And you, Kirito." Diable looked over to him. "I saw you at the beta test." "Just drink the damn potion already!" Diable's bar

was steadily dropping. "No. I can't lead them. But someone will." His eyes were losing color. The rest of his body was turning to blue

and white. "Someone who has a sense of justice, better than me." He motioned toward Kirito weakly. "I won't force you to lead.

It's your own choice."

Before we could say anything else, he burst into shards. "No!" I clawed the air where he was. "No! W-we can't do this without

you!" I fell into a sob as Kirito gently pulled me into a hug. "It's alright. I can take care of it." He stood up, face unreadable.

He grabbed his sword, sprinted toward the boss, and was slicing at it. "Asuna!" I ran over to her while she tended to more

players. "Please, help Kirito!" She looked over to where Kirito as, dodging the mighty blows of the Kobold King. She nodded,

and pulled me along, fear climbing it's way to her eyes.

Author's Notes/Excuses

Hey everyone! Sorry I can't upload new chapters as often. Been really busy with school and other things. I really appreciate the

number of you guys reading this story, it's my first one ever! It also really helps if you can put in some more reviews to support

the story and to correct me on any things I'm too stupid to check for! Thanks!