I don't own Sword Art Online or Mataras the Red Swordsman. Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara. Mataras the Red Swordsman is owned by Mataras the Author. The Wyvern's Inferno guild is owned by TheSib. I only own my OCs.
Chapter 14: Yui, and The Knight of Azure Flame
By then time Yui, had regained consciousness, the Cats were in a church where many children were living during their time in Aincrad. The runner of the place is the same person they saved the other day, she was young woman named Sasha, and was around her young adult years, nearly 19-20 years old. She had red hair, blue eyes, and wore glasses. Sasha also wore a blue dress, with a white collar. She ran the church, and used it as an orphanage.
"This place is certainly busy." said Akira, "Is it always like this, Sasha?" he asked seeing young sitting down and having lunch, and chattering away. While Mataras, went to end corner of the room, and sat down, looking away from the children, mainly because he wasn't good with handling children. His eyes were darting around the room, focusing on The Cats, Yui, and Sasha.
"Yes, sad to say." replied Sasha, "I was on the front lines myself until Floor 20. Since I live down here, I couldn't help but feel sad for the children down here. So I rented this church and used it as an orphanage."
"That's so sad." said Asuna, looking around. "Well, at least the children seem fine."
"Yeah, it's pretty hard for all of them, most of them logged on without their parents." sadly said Sasha. "But we manage to get by well enough, and they're safe here. Speaking of which…" She then turned to Yui who staring at Mataras, but didn't seem to like the attention. "How's Yui doing?"
Before anyone could respond, Yui jumped onto Mataras and started playing with him, despite his demands of Yui letting him go, she reused to do so until he smiled. This caught the guild by surprise including Sasha, as the group all starting laughing at the two's antics. The other children noticed as well, and started to laugh as well. Sadly for Mataras, he was really embarrassed about the situation, and had enough, and looked over to Kirito. "Brother, unless you want me to tell Dagger your new home address, you get her off me right this instant." he growled.
"Oh come on," grinned Kirito, "Not even you would- nope, forget it, you definitely would." Moving over, he picked up Yui from Mataras's back, and placed back in her seat, "Maybe some other time, Yui. He'll smile eventually."
"Humph!" scowled Mataras as he returned to his chair and continued his breakfast after fixing his shirt.
"Did I make him mad, Auntie Sachi?" asked a puzzled Yui.
"No sweetheart, he's just always grouchy." grinned Sachi at her brother, who simply ignored her. "But your Daddy's right, he just needs time." Mataras soon mustered something very quietly that when Asuna asked him to repeat, he said it was nothing.
Kirito then turned to Sasha, and replied, "She's just fine. But have you ever seen her before in this town? We're trying to find her parent or guardian after we found her wondering in a forest on Floor 22. She's lost her memory, and doesn't remembered what happened to her."
Sasha negatively shook her head, "I haven't seen her before, not even once." she answered, "I go wandering around the streets everyday looking for any new children, and I never saw her before until now. It's only been 3 months since I found anyone new, but I think that these are all 12 year old kids here."
Before anyone could say or do anything, a knock came from the door. Mataras went and answered the door, with Akira at his six. Everyone inside went completely quiet, as Mataras opened the door. Standing outside was a woman with long silver hair, and dressed in the casual Army uniform. "Are you two Mataras, and Akira of the Moonlit Black Cats?" she asked.
"Yes we are." nodded Akira, "And who are you?"
"My name is Yulier. I happen to be the Vice Commander of The Aincrad Liberation Army. I personally came to thank you for what you did with those men in our guild." she said, bowing in front of the two.
"Um, you want to say that one again?" asked Mataras.
"I will go into full detail if I could speak with your guild leader." said Yulier. "I need your help."
Akira turned to the back of the with Mataras, "Hey Kirito, the Vice Commander of the Army wants to speak with you." said Akira, "She's not armed, and said it's important."
Kirito nodded and allowed her to come in.
Yulier, then explained her problem and Akira growled at the one behind it all, Kibaou. She really wanted to rescue Thinker, and needed their help. Yulier was practically bowing with tears coming down, she was desperate. The Cats nodded in agreement, and decided to help Yulier in rescuing Thinker. She was very grateful for it.
The plan was set for Agil, Liz, Silica, Pina, and Diabel, to stay at the orphanage, while Akira, Mataras, Sachi, Yui, Litrosh, Yulier, Kirito, and Asuna went to The Black Iron Palace's underground dungeon to rescue Thinker.
Kirito was equipped with his unique skill, Dual-Wielding. Mataras had his Dragon Blood active. Sachs had her unique skill called Pure Heart, which made her immune to any allayment status. Akira had Azure Flame active also, but mostly they trio went and did the fighting as they fought monster frogs.
Yulier was in awe struck as the boys used their swords, and skills to take out the frogs one by one, with Asuna standing next to and Sachi, with Yui, waving her hands up and down, cheering her father, and uncles, and Litrosh sitting on her head. Mataras had given his dragon strict orders to protect her. Yulier wasn't sure if she should help until Asuna, explained that the boys really wanted to let out some steam, and to let them have their fun.
When the boys came back, Kirito asked if she could cook up some of the food they got, raw frog legs, Asuna refused as the two began to bicker at one another, Sachi smiled, and Akira grinned, while Mataras went into a face palm. Yulier was overwhelmed in the situation that she started laughing at the whole event.
"Hey!" exclaimed an excited Yui. This cause the others to get her attention, "This is the first time I've seen you smile! It's a nice smile." she said. This caused Yulier to smile once more.
Yui then looked over to Mataras, who had a neutral look. However, she saw a shine in his eyes. "I think a smile makes a lot of people feel better, don't you think uncle?"
"That would depend on the person who is wearing the smile." replied Mataras, as he turned to resume the journey, however, Sachi and Akira noticed a small grin coming from his face.
The group continued down the dungeon for a few more hours when they saw Yulier pull out her map to where Thinker might be located, believing him to be in a safe zone, since he hasn't moved from this area for a couple of days.
Akira soon held his hand up to stop everyone, "Guys? Where did all the monsters disappear to?" he asked.
Everyone except Mataras, wondered what he meant, "If this place is so hard, then how come we haven't seen any mobs in this area?" continued Akira.
Yulier, then stated that maybe this whole corridor was a safe zone, but Akira had doubts when Mataras spoke up. "If this area was a safe zone, then shouldn't their be a ripple in the air?"
Soon, everyone realized what the two meant. "The only time we see a cleared out area in a dungeon normally leads to one thing; A boss!" stated Mataras.
Suddenly, the group ducked from being hit by what was revealed to be a massive scythe, and they saw what owned it. It was a massive skeleton with red eyes, dressed in a black robe that floated in the air like a phantom, in height the creature measured around twenty meters. The group's eyes all widened showing the HP bar was unknown, and the name even more so, 'The Fatal Scythe'. It appeared as the Grim Reaper himself descended into Sword Art Online.
"Be careful! That boss belongs on Floor 90 or higher!" said a voice in a nearby room, and all ran in, the man was wearing the same uniform as Yulier, and had tannish skin with short curly brown hair. Yulier instantly recognized him as the leader of the Army, Thinker. She embraced him as the others formed their game plan.
"Thinker! Yulier! I want you two to take Yui and teleport back in town! Litrosh stay with her no matter what!" command Mataras, he then turned to his companions, as they prepared to fight the boss.
The group tried to black the attack only to be sent flying and their HP dropping dangerously low, and scattered into pairs while Akira was sent towards the entrance to the safe zone, and his sword was already inside. He saw his companions, his family, with their HP in either the yellow zone or the red zone, and got angry. Akira painfully got up, rolling onto his hands and knees.
They're in trouble, I've got to help them. They've always had my back, so I'm going to to do the same. thought Akira, as he got up he activated his unique skill, and something special happened. His body erupted in flames and when he appeared, his hair was light blue, and his eyes were fire blue. his scarf changed to look like wings, and flames flowed around his body. This made Akira realize one thing, his Unique skill was maxed out. Then he felt a tug on his arm. "Yui." said Akira, "You need to go with Yulier, and Thinker to get somewhere safe."
"Don't worry Uncle Akira." replied Yui, who had a small smile. "It'll be okay. Take this sword." Akira soon noticed a large red blazing sword appear in her hands, and was handed to him.
"Are you sure that this blade will defeat it?" asked Akira.
"Yes. Litrosh will be able to help you out as well." replied Yui. Akira was about to ask what she meant when the duo heard a load roar, and a ball of flame flying right at the boss, and burst forth revealing a fully grown version of Mataras' dragon. Leaving them in awe.
"I'll explain everything soon, Akira. Use the sword to defeat the boos, or everyone here will die." said Yui, extremely worried for her parents. "One hit will do it."
"I trust you, Yui." replied Akira, as he prepared to strike, "just promise me you'll explain everything when this is over with." Akira then charged in to help Litrosh, and save his friends.
The scythe had just slapped the dragon onto the ground was about to finish the job until he noticed Akira charging at him with most of his body covered in flames, and wielding a huge red fire sword. This gave the dragon time to get out of their and Akira the chance to strike. The blade landed on the reaper right through the middle.
From where Kirito and the others were, they could swear that they saw fear in the eyes of the boss, almost like seeing a knight from the past return and continue his sworn duty. Flames swirled around the creature as it was consumed in fire, until disappearing into sparks, revealing Akira, without a sword, and still glowing with blue fire all over his body as he returned to normal. Mataras was in awe at the sight of his dragon, now fully grown, resembling the dragon from The Pagemaster, but with orange and red scales. "Akira, what happened?" asked Kirito.
"I don't really know." replied Akira, and turned to Yui. "But I get the feeling that Yui might be able to explain."
All six members of the guild that helped out Yulier, were in the safe zone that Thinker was hiding in for two days. Since Litrosh was now a full grown dragon, he couldn't go in and waited outside for his master and his friends to come out. Yui was sitting on a simple large rectangular pedestal that had no markings of any kind. Yui had somehow changed back into her simple white dress, she wore when Kirito, and Asuna found her in the forest. She didn't say anything for several moments, and Asuna couldn't take it anymore.
"Yui, please, say something." begged Asuna.
Yui sadly looked up at her family, and told them all she knew, "Moonlit Black Cats gathered here and now. Kirito, Asuna, Mataras, Sachi, and Akira., everything in Sword Art Online is controlled by a massive single system called Cardinal. It controls everything from monsters, to col and item drops. It was designed to do so without a human assistance, not even any help from the Game Master."
"Since the Cardinal doesn't need human help, it also has a program to deal with people's emotions, Mental Health Counseling Program 001: codenamed: Yui. That is who I am." she said in a kind soft voice, which left her family in shock.
"Your an Artificial Intelligence program, an A.I.?"
"Yes." whispered Yui, and tears started to fall from her face. She then explained that she restricted by Cardinal to stay away from the players. Soon, errors began to enter her, and she crashed, then she saw the guild living life to the fullest, having fun, and enjoying their lives in Aincrad. She wanted to meet them for so long, and wandered through the forest, and eventually how sorry she was, and started to tear up once more.
"Well, I don't care if your a program at all." stated Akira, "You are Kirito, and Asuna's daughter, not something that can be controlled by Cardinal."
"Aye." nodded Mataras, "And if you want anything, just ask."
"They're right, Yui." Kirito said. "So what do you want to have?"
"I want…" squeaked Yui, not sure what to do, "I want…" she mumbled again, looking down. Yui then looked up, held her hands out, and started to cry, "I want to be with you and Daddy! Mommy!" Asuna finally broke into tears, and rushed over to give her child a hug. Kirito joined her.
"You will, Yui," mumbled Kirito, "I promise. You'll be with us forever, as our daughter."
Mataras, then asked how Akira flew like, where he got the sword, and how Litrosh grew to his adult size. Yui then explained how Litrosh grew and the sword were doing, and Akira glowing was all on his own. Yui then revealed the pedestal was a GM console, and Akira revealed he had maxed out his unique skill during the trip in the dungeon.
"Wouldn't Cardinal notice something like this?" asked Sachi.
"Yes, if Cardinal knew I deleted the boss, but since Akira was close by, I gave him the sword. He was amazing, The Azure Swordsman, has become an Azure Knight. Still, the system will probably consider the events malfunctions, and make precautions to make it doesn't happen again." explained Yui, "So I should be safe for now."
When the group grew confused on the part she said for now, Yui, explained that when the Final Boss of Aincrad was defeated, Cardinal was programed to delete everything, since she was program she would be deleted also. The guild grew said for Yui, helpless of what to do. Then an Idea, pooped into Mataras's head. "Well, it's a good thing we got two computer experts here."
"What are saying, Mataras?" asked Sachi.
"Maybe if you can get your Father, and Aunt into the console, they can move your program into one of our NerveGears, so when the game ends, you'll be safe." said Mataras.
Sure enough, the idea soon stepped into the duo, and instantly thought the same thing. Kirito then asked her what the password was, so they could get right to work. The first thing the duo did, was move Yui's program into Kirito's NerveGear. Then the duo found a way to recognize Yui, not as an A.I and made her player of Sword Art Online, set at level 96, given a tiara, and white version of Kirito's Elucidator called Dawn Rising, and a unique skill called 'Divine Eye', an Asuna was given, 'Blitz Strike' for her maxed out speed. With all said and done, they got out of Cardinal, got on Litrosh's back, and went back to the orphanage.
When they arrived, the group reunited with the rest of the guild, and saw The Army, with Kibaou all tied up. When he saw Yui, Kibaou was about to say something mean, but Akira stepped in. "Hey, I don't know what your problem is, but I don't like it if you mess with my family like that. I appreciate it if you leave her alone." This put a stop to the spiked man and silenced him as he was sent to prison.
The Cats cheered at this and Asuna thanked Akira for defending Yui, while the little girl hugged him for his bravery. Mataras, nodded in approval for that. "I would have taught him a new meaning in sword swallowing." he said.
"Yeah, we know you for sure on that one." nodded Akira.
"Uncle Mataras, your a very strange man." stated Yui.
"Well you are going to have to get use to it." stated Mataras.
"Still, it's nice to know Kibaou won't be causing anymore trouble." stated Diabel.
"Yeah, and now you guys have your own unique skills, and we have a new member." stated Liz, "Maybe Heathcliff will want to join us."
"I doubt it." replied Mataras, and turned to look at Yui, who was waiting to see him smile.
Akira saw this, turned to Mataras, and mentioned, "You know, most of there in the dungeon, saw you shed a small grin. I think a smile would nice to see from you, as long as it's not your wolfish grin." he said, and notice Litrosh flying overhead.
Mataras soon look back at Yui, and finally gave a genuine smile, "Alright, Yui. You've earned it." he said, which made his Guild mates, and Yui, and all smile at him. Mataras, then picked up the little girl and placed her on his shoulders. "Welcome to the family, Yui."
"It's going to be great, and I can't wait to tell you guys what we learned during our trip down in the dungeon." nodded Akira.
Akira: Well, looks like we still have our niece.
Mataras: Aye, but I am interest on the speech before.
Akira: Well, the author has been doing advocating for himself. That's how I was able to stand up to Kibaou like that.
Asuna: I'm just glad our little girl is staying with us.
Kirito: Me too.
Silica: So what happens next?
Author: Next time on The Azure Swordsman: The Lost Fragment. chapter 15: The Infernal Gateway. Wrath of the Skull Reaper.
All: LINK START!