A/N: yo! I'm baaack! I did say that half of the chapter was already completed when I posted the prologue. And due to the encouraging reviews, I decided that I could spend some time finishing it off for my wonderful reviewers.

Emotional Balance

"Commander!"

Asuna looked up from her reports, gazing steadily at her vice-commander, a burly man much like Egil yet with a more refined look. She squinted at him through heavy eyelids, trying hard to concentrate on what he was saying. Funny, were those alphabets stuck to his face?

"Commander? Commander!"

Asuna blinked several times, trying her hardest to keep the sleep out of her eyes and straightened in her seat. "Are you okay?" the man asked, his concern shown clearly on his face.

"Y-Yeah," the girl replied with a sigh. "Continue."

"You are not alright!" the familiar high pitched voice startled Asuna and the vice-commander, both turning their attention to a pink haired girl that stood at the doorway of the Commander's office.

"Lisbeth…"

The blacksmith stomped her way across the threshold and grabbed Asuna's wrist before dragging the girl away with all her energy. It didn't take much to make Asuna move because she gave up struggling halfway, finding herself with no strength to fight back.

"Conrad, was it? I'll talk to you about it tomorrow okay?" Asuna asked with a apologetic smile.

"A-ah."

The bewildered man could only stare in amazement as both girls exited the room in a haste. He sighed and turned around to gaze up at the great tapestry with the Knight's of Blood embelm that hung from a wall in the Commander's Office. Conrad's mouth thinned into a grim, straight line. "I have a bad feeling about what's going to happen after this..."

We need to do something about the morale. Even as she was being dragged down the flights of steps to the lobby by a headstrong blacksmith, Asuna could not stop thinking about the current events. The members of her guild that the duo passed on their way out looked both weary and disheartened. Maybe we should suspend all guild activites for awhile and go on a short vacation... Asuna scoffed. There was no enough time for that.

"Hey, Lisbeth, slow down," Asuna said, stumbling a few steps but quickly regaining her footing.

They had left the Knights of Blood headquarters and were now heading towards the field dungeon just outside of the town of Grandam. In her confused state, a part of her mind did question why Lisbeth would want to explore a field dungeon on the 55th floor but a wave of headache swept through and she gave up on the thought completely.

"You look terrible, Asuna," Lisbeth said, throwing a concerned glance back at her friend. "Ever since the floor clearing on the 75th floor, you haven't been yourself. I know it's a lot to take in but you still need sleep and eat y'know."

Asuna hung her head in shame. She knew she was wrong to cause her friends and subordinates to worry but she... Just couldn't help it.

They would not know how it felt to die once, only to be revived and told that her beloved was taken away from her? That he is now an enemy to be defeated? Her fragile heart is breaking into tiny pieces at the thought.

"Hey Asuna."

"Hmm?"

"There's a rare blacksmithing item right at the top of that mountain." Asuna tilted her head before looking at the direction that Lisbeth was pointing at.

A great mountain that seemed to gleam in the evening sun rose up from the metallic forest that dominated most of the 55th floor. Its unique quality made it contrast sharply with the steel grey of its surroundings, a pretty sight to look at. Asuna had countless of times caught herself staring out her office window at the majestic sight.

But today, the mountain did not interest her at all.

"The West Mountain? Yeah, but it was a one time item and a player had received it right?" Asuna asked.

"It was Kirito-kun." Lisbeth's reply caught Asuna off guard and she glanced sideways at her best friend. "During the night that you could not contact me, Kirito-kun and I were up on that mountain, looking for the crystallite ingot to make his sword."

It was dangerous to be standing at the same spot for a long time when there were at the edge of a field dungeon but Asuna decided that it was, considering both their levels, fairly safe for both of them. So, she made herself comfortable on a slab of metal that jutted out from the ground.

"Due to my mistake, we were trapped inside the Crystal Dragon's nest with no way out," Lisbeth continued, still staring at the mountain. She giggled. "The idiot nearly killed himself twice. First, by breaking our fall into the nest and the next, when he tried to run up the walls."

"I was sure we were going to die there, since it was a crystal nullification area. But Kirito-kun thought no such thing. Well, even if he did, he didn't show it."

"We found the ingot and Kirito got us out by hitching a ride on the Crystal Dragon," the blacksmith finished, a small smile etched on her face. "I didn't know what it was to him. But to me, that was one of the most important moments in my life. Kirito-kun gave me a reason to hope. Even if it was for a moment, I experienced something real in this virtual world." Love. But Lisbeth intentionally left the word out. Asuna is married to Kirito. A person like Lisbeth should realise that she could only love him in her heart.

Beside her, tears welled up in Asuna's brown eyes. Her fingers traced the simple wedding band on her ring finger, proof that what she and Kirito had was real. Proof that happiness was possible in this death game. Proof that they made a promise to each other.

"You know Kirito better than I do. You would know that he lives everyday here to its fullest. Let's just be grateful that you are alive, and he is too."

"Yeah, you're right. You're definitely right!" Asuna tackled Lisbeth for a bone-crushing hug. "I'm glad that I have you as my best friend."

It lifted a burden off Lisbeth's chest to hear Asuna's usual light tone, although it was laced with a bitter note. The blacksmith didn't think she could go through another day of dealing with the new Asuna that had emerged from the 75th floor boss battle.

Lisbeth was not there during the battle, but news had travelled far and wide by the time Asuna entered her shop dishevelled, distraught with a distant look that Lisbeth didn't like in her usually warm, brown eyes. News that the Paladin was actually Kayaba Akihiko. The blacksmith had spat out her tea when she read the article that included the Black Swordsman's betrayal and Asuna's rise to the position of Commander of the Knights of Blood after a miraculous revival.

The new Commander remained oddly quiet as Lisbeth worked hard to maintain Asuna's weapon and armor. That was when she began to truly worry for her friend.

Day after day, Lisbeth visited Asuna at her home in Salemberg. The chestnut haired girl seemed to have lost her spirit. Reports, maps and random equipment began to take over Asuna's usually tidy home. It was all the girl was willing to think about. The new Asuna stopped talking and smiling, focusing all her energy on clearing the other floors as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It was terrible.

"I miss him," Asuna admitted in a small voice. "He shouldn't have revived me. I would have been happy to disappear if it meant that Kirito-kun would survive. But that idiot. That rash, thoughtless idiot-"

"He just had to make that deal with Heathcliff." Her lips quivered. "And now, I'm all alone..."

"You're not," Lisbeth said sharply, holding her best friend at an arms length. "I'm here with you. Even... Even Kirito is here with you. Hold on."

The bright light of Lisbeth's menu bar made Asuna wince but she waited patiently as her friend scrolled down her inventory in search for an item. The item materialized in a bright light in Lisbeth's hands. "Here," she said, offering it to Asuna.

Taking it, the first thing that Asuna noted was its black colour. Kirito. Tears welled up in her eyes again but she bravely shook them away. It was a cloak; high quality since it had a high durability. The cloth was soft and fur lined, ideal for a cold day. Without much thinking, Asuna placed it on her shoulders. It was also heavy and...warm.

"Kirito let me borrow it when we went to the West Mountain. But I think you need it most now."

This cloak... Was Kirito's. Asuna straightened up and ran her fingers through the material. "Thank you, Lisbeth."

Before the blacksmith could reply, a loud cry startled both girls. Lisbeth and Asuna had engaged in a serious conversation, neither noticing that they had been surrounded by a group of humanoid-like monsters until it was too late.

Asuna activated her sword skill, delivering several quick thrusts to the demon without giving it a chance to retaliate. With a cry, the demon shattered and disappeared. One down, but… Several days worth of sleepless nights made her body feel heavy, adding to her battle fatigue and slowing her down. She glanced at Lisbeth who was trying her best to defeat the demon in front of her with her hammer. They could make it out easily if Asuna had her usual strength but she didn't. And at this rate, their chances of survival weren't looking too bright.

"Use a teleportation crystal!" Asuna yelled out to Lisbeth who made a frustrated noise in return.

"I can't get away long enough to retrieve it from my storage!"

That was true. Asuna didn't have any crystals in her pouch and the monsters were attacking them vigorously, not giving them a chance to let their guard down.

Both girls slashed and hacked but the demons kept on coming. At one point, they stood back to back against the monsters, health bars dangerously nearing the red zone.

Asuna gritted her teeth. Five more monsters. Just five more to go.

I had been standing in a secluded spot not far away from Lisbeth and Asuna for awhile now, watching the two of them engage in a serious conversation. There were some moments when Asuna looked like she was close to tears. When that happened, I clenched my fists tightly, until my knuckles were white and my nails dug into my palms. No matter how much I wanted to, I could not go to her.

I stayed rooted to my spot, even when I saw a large group of monsters creep near the duo, waiting for the perfect chance to launch an ambush. Unlike labyrinth monsters, the AI that controlled field monsters were more straightforward. They attack in groups, but do not lay in a trap for players or plan ambushes. Especially plan ambushes.

The reason they did now was because I was the one behind it.

"Damn you Kayaba."

The self proclaimed Demon King also known as Heathcliff or Kayaba Akihiko had been gleeful at the current turn of events. "Your strength had disrupted the balance of the game," was all he said when I demanded the reason he forced me to serve him. "There are still a lot of players who refused to participate. You will make them."

"W-what?"

I hated those sharp grey eyes that looked down at me from the height of his throne. They were filled with pity that was directed at me and a sick excitement. My fingers itched to reach for the hilt of my blade and hold it to his neck. But it was no use now. As soon as I reached the Scarlet Ruby Palace, Heathcliff had already changed back to being an immortal object.

The thought that he was worried I might turn against him and kill him pleased me. I would, the first chance I get.

Steeling myself, I met his gaze. "I will not PK anyone," I told him firmly.

"Not yet."

My breath caught in my throat. This man was truly coldhearted.

"I want everyone to participate in this game. They must and they will. Because if they don't, then they won't have a purpose in this game anymore. Isn't it better that they die?"

"I will not PK anyone," I told him once again, my voice harder this time.

Heathcliff shrugged. He drummed his fingers against the arm rest of his golden throne before a smirk spread across his face, an evil glint in his eyes. "News must have reached all across the game by now," he muttered. "Kirito-kun, I'm going to give you, your first assignment."

I remained silent, unwilling to let Heathcliff see my fear.

"Soon, I will make an official announcement regarding the new state of affairs. I need you to play the role of the antagonist from now on. Strike fear in the heart of the players, starting with the new Commander of the Knights of Blood, Asuna." Heathcliff leaned back, assessing how my reaction would be like.

"Show no mercy."

My body trembled slightly, despite my attempt to show no weakness. Asuna's smiling face appeared, unbidden, in my mind. No... "What if I refuse?" I spat bitterly. An uneasy feeling settled deep in my core, making me feel like a cornered prey.

"Then you might as well say your farewells to her forever," Heathcliff replied nonchalently. His menu screen popped up and the crazed psycho chose a few options before a small, blue orb appeared in his palm.

I could already guess what it was.

"Like everyone in SAO, death will come when their health bar hits zero. Before that happens, I have decided not to interfere with the wellbeing of players. However, Asuna has died and was revived. Therefore, I now hold her existance in my hands, in the form of her heart," Heathcliff said as he rolled the orb around in his right palm. "I am sure this is enough to ensure your complete loyalty to me."

One move, and he could end Asuna's life. I gritted my teeth in anger. He was mocking me. Heathcliff knew that I value her life more than mine so he decided to hold her life hostage instead of my own. It was all for his own twisted amusement.

I swore I would put an end to his madness one day.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away towards the teleportation gate of the 100th floor, leaving behind only the echoes of the clicking of my boots against the cold ground.

Which has led me here, on the 55th floor, watching silently as Asuna and Lisbeth fight desperately against the group of monsters.

In an attempt to find a loophole in his words, I have decided that allowing the ambush that consisted of middle difficulty mosnters local to the floor to take a swipe at the two would not endanger their lives. After all, Asuna was already at level 94. She would be able to protect both herself and Lisbeth without much effort.

But was I saw was otherwise. As the fight went on, I noticed that Asuna was significantly slower than she always was. It's as if she was being weighed down invisible blocks of metal that were chained to her limbs. The Lightning Flash Asuna relied on her speed to allow as many moderate damage attacks to the enemy as possible. Without speed, enemies would prove to be a great deal harder when only moderate damage was dealt.

My heart rate quickened when I saw her health bar slowly deplete until it hit the red zone. The same was true for Lisbeth. No! I cannot allow both of them to die!

I took a hesitant step forward. With the control I had over the monsters, I could easily call them off... I took several more steps, now clearly visible to anyone who looked in my direction.

The five remaining monsters closed in on them, holding up their battle axes threateningly. Just as I was about to call a command to the monsters, I saw Asuna activate Star Splash, a high level 8-hit combo. I could tell that she was stretching her limits, pushing her slender body to move as fast as she wanted to. It worked. One by one, the monsters shattered into fluorescent pieces of shards that was swept away by the wind until none was left. She did it.

The chestnut haired girl leaned heavily against her rapier, taking big gulps of air. Then, she looked up, and froze.

"K-Kirito-kun?"

She saw me? I glanced to my left, finally realizing that I had actually moved a distance away from the tree. Even my hiding skills would be no use now. "Asuna," I acknowledged.

My gaze softened at the sight of the beautiful girl, barely able to stand, yet draped in a familiar black cloak that I had given to Lisbeth some time ago. Beside Asuna, Lisbeth had the same expression. Disbelieving.

When neither girl seemed inclined to say anything, I spoke up. "That was reckless."

Lisbeth snapped out of it. She lowered her mace and frowned, "It was unexpected. I didn't think that the monsters here are capable of ambush-"

I cut her off. "They're not."

"I set it up."

The pink haired girl gasped, clearly taken aback by my words. "Y-You wouldn't! Everyone's been calling you a traitor but I know you wouldn't do that!" I looked away, unable to look Lisbeth in the eye anymore.

As a human being, I am probably the worst.

A choked sob. "Kirito-kun..."

I saw the quick movement in the corner of my eye. In a flash of light, befitting her name, Asuna was suddenly near me, close enough to pull me in her loving embrace that I yearned for... but didn't deserve.

My hand went up to unsheath my sword in a smooth motion and before she could reach out for me, I held the blade against her neck.

The expression on her face was one I did not want to see. A look of betrayal, despair and hopelessness. I searched for anger. Wasn't she angry with me for doing this? But i found none.

I pressed the sharp end of the Elucidator closer to the soft flesh of her neck. Asuna's health bar was already flashing red dangerously. A simple stroke would end her permanently. But she held still, not once making an attempt to raise her own rapier.

Show no mercy.

Forgive me, Asuna.

"Stay away from me," I bit out, relenting my grip on the sword. "I only came here today because I bring a warning."

"What warning?" her voice was cold, devoid of all other emotions.

"That for here on out, things won't be so easy. I am your enemy now."

She scoffed. "That's obvious."

I allowed a small smile to grace my lips. There she was. My Asuna. "You should also know something."

Asuna stepped away from me and my sword, a new strength evident in the way she stood.

It took all my will to get the words out. I had made the decision the moment that Heathcliff revealed the fact that he has Asuna's heart in his possession. "I serve Heathcliff from now on. If he wants me to PK, I will do so with little hesitation."

I didn't wait for her to say anything. As soon as I said what I came to say, I turned my back to her and walked away. It would be easy to hide, since my black clothes blended in so well with the metallic surroundings.

But I couldn't stay.

My second mission is about to start.

A message popped up in front of Asuna not long after Kirito left. Curious, she clicked on it.

It was a system notification with only two words: Marriage Dissolved.

A/N: So first up, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed! :D i couldn't reply to each and every one of you but I just want you guys to know that it means a lot to me. Especially lowcrawler for the support and Tantei1412 for the great help.

I noticed that quite a few want longer chapters and while I am able to write so, time is not what I have in abundent at the moment. I'll try my best though, to do what I can to make this story better. The length of chapters usually depend on my mood and idea at the time but I'll try to make it regular, around this length whenever possible.

Lastly, this chapter had been a bit too slow for my taste. So I apologise to those who feel the same way. The chapter is called Emotional Balance and I want readers to get a feel of the character's current emotional state.

Till the next chapter! :D leave a review on your way out~