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. Brandon is owned by Naruto Sakura Uzumaki. I only own my OCs.
Chapter 20: Marriage renewed, and stalkers beware.
It was a warm sunny day in Arc Sophia, and all players living in the town were just going about their lives. Here The Moonlit Black Cats were wondering around the market area gathering items, armor and weapons. It was basically another ordinary day.
"You buying anything?" asked Asuna.
"No, just browsing." replied Kirito. "But, now that you mention it. It wouldn't hurt on stocking up on potions while we're right here."
"I think that's a good idea." nodded Akira.
"Aye. We can't be too careful now can we." replied Mataras.
"Yeah. In fact, A well-stocked inventory is well enough in a struggle between Life and Death." said Silica.
"Well, we better get get started." said Diabel.
"Good idea." nodded Sachi.
Sure enough, the guild was preparing to put the items in the inventory until, Asuna noticed something. "Huh…?" she said.
"What's wrong, Asuna?" asked Lisbeth.
"N-No… This must be some sort of mistake." stuttered Asuna.
"What is?" asked Akira.
"Kirito! would you mind checking my status on your screen?" asked Asuna.
Kirito suddenly knew what Asuna meant and instantly checked only to find out her worst fears were confirmed. "Our marriage status is gone." he sadly said.
This was a huge surprise to the guild, and Asuna was about to start crying, with Kirito comforting her, and Yui helping out also. The group was wondering one thing though, what was going here? And what ever it was, they needed to fix it, and fast.
Akira gave out a message to Klein, and explained what happened. Klein replied revealing no players over floor 75 are married. Asuna wasn't taking the fact that she wasn't married anymore pretty hard. So Kirito decided to take her out to Floor 77 into a labyrinth to talk things over.
While the two were away, Akira was with Yui, trying to find a way to fix the problem. When an Idea came into Akira's head. As soon, as Kirito and Asuna came back. Akira gave them some good news.
"Hey guys," he said, "I got a great lead." this gave the two undivided attention to Akira. "Well, it turns out their is a wedding quest that recently opened up. If you two can complete it. That should restore your status, and you'll be married again."
This bit of news was something Asuna was really happy to hear. She turned to Kirito, who nodded at the idea. The time had come to restore their status.
The group instantly headed to the local cathedral, and saw and NPC monk at the church. The monk saw the group, and instantly noticed Kirito, and Asuna walking towards him. "Greetings young ones." said the monk.
Kirito nods in response and replies, "Hello Brother. We were wondering if you had any monks that fashioned in making any jewelry?"
The Monk nodded, "Yes, but mostly in neckless's, bands, rings, and so on."
Asuna gasped at one of the items, "Well, we were wondering if you could make a pair of rings please?" she asked.
The monk replied, "I can create the rings you ask off, but I will need some help in gathering the materials I need to make them." and a question soon appeared on top of the monks head.
When the duo saw this, it only meant one thing,… "Kirito! We must've activated the quest!" cried Asuna.
"Yep, and there is no doubt it." replied Kirito, and turned back to the monk. "We'll go and get the materials for you."
"Thank you very much." said the Monk. "I wish you both luck." And with that Kirito, and Asuna returned to the guild, and told them what happened.
"I get the feeling that you'll have your hands full, but we'll support you all the way." said Akira, with the rest of the guild, nodding in approval.
And soon, Asuna and Kirito went to the location for the quest and metal, located on the map, spotted in the west side of town. But when they arrived, they not only found the metal, but also the guardian who protects it, A massive Golem.
"Let's go take down the quest boss, Asuna!" cried Kirito.
"Right!" cried Asuna, and the duo charged in and faced the boss, The Ring Guardian. A massive golem, made from the very same materials need for crafting rings.
The battle started as Kirito, and Asuna were in perfect sync, fighting with blade to stone, and slowly chipping away at the boss. The guardian wasn't one to back down though, an swung back with its arms, and unleashed powerful punches, but the duo were able to avoid the hits and stun the giant. The duo continued to strike at the boss, and lower it's HP until it finally reached the zone.
"Kirito!" cried Asuna, "It's time for the final blow! Switch!"
"It's still got a lot of HP…" Kirito muttered to himself.
"We can do it if we work together!" declared Asuna, and Kirito nodded in agreement.
The two charged in crying out in sync, as their blades glowed and unleashed sword skills, Quadruple Pain, and Crimson Splash. Depleting the last of its HP, and shattering into polygons. When it was finished, Kirito grabbed the metal in a cloth, and placed it in his inventory, and the duo started panting, and breathing a sighs of relief.
"We… We did it!" cheered Asuna.
"We sure did." replied Kirito. He let out a sigh of relief, "Are you okay, Asuna?" he asked.
"Yeah,… said Asuna panting in exhaustion from the fight, "Never been better! Don't worry about me. We need to get the item!"
"Already taken care of, the item is in my inventory." Kirito replied showing the item in his inventory. "We've got what we came for. So let's head back to the chruch."
Asuna nodded as the duo went back to the church and the monk who was waiting for them. However, Kirito soon noticed a chalice made of silver, and had gold trimmings, and red jewels on it. He figured it could be a special quest item, and would on what to do with it later. The duo went to the church, and spoke the monk who awaited their arrival.
"Good Heavens Above!" the monk cried out, " There's fast work, and the There is this!"
"All in a day's work…" replied an honest Kirito.
Asuna chuckled as the monk asked the two how they got the metal so quickly.
Kirito replied, "We just gave it our all, I guess we chalk it up to the power of love." this made made Asuna, gasp in shock at what he said, then let out a chuckle and blushed.
"Well, that's just wonderful!" said monk, "Wait right here, I'll have the rings made at once. Shouldn't be to long." he said, and left to forge the metal into the rings.
A moment later, The monk returned, and presented the duo a pair of see through, glossing, and beautiful rings. The monk then told the two of the other events, as long as wear those rare rings. Kirito and Asuna nodded and were on they're way to restoring their status, and returned to Arc Sophia.
After telling the rest of the guild what happened and getting a good nights sleep, the second part of the quest started up, as Kirito, and Asuna headed for the lake on Floor 82 which hd been cleared several weeks ago. It was a wonderful lake with calming water all around, known as The Lake of Purification. The second part of the quest.
"We're here." said Asuna, "Why don't we put on those rings. Just equip it on and,… huh? Nothing's happening."
"Maybe there's something else we need to do as well." suggested Kirito, "But what is the question?"
Asuna soon spotted a sign post located near the lake, and Kirito read the sign, stating that the two need to remove there clothes, and step into the lake in order to get the lake's purity. Naturally, Asuna was a bit nervous, as well as Kirito. but the duo did so and stepped into water. Suddenly the duo's rings began to glow, and change from being translucent into a light blue color.
The duo then got out of the water and got back in there clothing, and soon noticed a forest, and log cabin nearby, the two went to get some rest. While inside they noticed, a piece of cloth inside, and Asuna, being curious about decided to try it on, but asked Kirito to turn around, she gave him the okay when she finished. When Kirito saw Asuna she only wearing a red apron on, and nothing else this moment however, caused the rings to change into a lighter shade of green. The duo soon realized that it dealt with dealing with their own memories when they were together before all this. The two decided to head back to Arc Sophia, and explained what happened.
Upon returning back to Arc Sophia, the duo spotted Mataras, sparring with Sinon, and helping her improve her skills as an archer. While at the same time, making more remarks, with a the comment of being called Ice princess, which she didn't like. Fortunately when the duo got back, the group had told them what happened, and were proud of the results with the rings now green. The guild wished the two good luck as the map had been updated with the last part of the quest.
Kirito, and Asuna had just arrived at the recently opened Floor of 86. The two were in awe struck at the sight of an immense tower, and could hardly see the labyrinth tower for the boss at all. The two went up and into the tower, and Asuna stated, "It's a bit moldy in here."
"Hard to argue with that." nodded Kirito, "They must've put in a lot of effort to put in this amount of detail. Well, shall we continue on?"
Asuna nodded as the duo continued inward of the labyrinth. However, when they stopped, the two saw a beautiful church room with an open sealing revealing the night sky. "Whoa… What an amazing view!" cried Asuna.
Kirito nodded in agreement, and realized he could never see something like this in the real world. Asuna had to agree on that, and noted that there are some spots that are beautiful as well in the real world, and hoped to see them with Kirito, and so did he.
The two soon saw what appeared to be inside the church, and chapel of some sorts, and as the two continued inside and saw an alter up at the front. As the duo got closer, a voice began to echo throughout the room. "Thou who have made it the Shrine of Vows." it said. This made the two jump a little, but were prepared for what was to happen. "O young lovers, In sickness and in health, as in times of fortune, and misfortune. Dost thou swear to love, cherish, sooth, and help one another from the bottom of your hearts as long as thou both shall live?" asked the voice. The two were in awe meaning it was the wedding event.
"We do!" said Kirito, and Asuna.
"Very well." said the voice, "In that case prove to me the strength of thy bond…" and in an instant a giant white armored warrior appeared. The knight had white armor and gold trimmings, and had silver horns on its helmet, The giant also wielded a two hand long sword, and it name appeared, The boss was called the Oath Knight.
The two were in perfect sync with each other as they fought the knight. using skills to stun the enemy and deplete its hp. The knight was no pushover however, as it used its sword to strike back. Kirito and Asuna just kept on coming, never letting up on it or each other.
Until the boss was defeated and turned into shards of polygons with a burst. Asuna was panting, "We… We did it, Kirito." she said.
"That's true." said Kirito, "However, I never heard of a marriage ceremony where you had to fight a monster before. But none the less, we've won."
"So… what happens now, my ring doesn't look different at all." said Asuna, who looked a bit down.
Kirito however, wasn't sure. "Well, usually something happens afterwards as we progressed on in the quest." he said.
Asuna was blushing as she thought, "Say, doesn't something usually happen after saying there vows for one another?" she asked.
"Yes, there is." said Kirito and turned to her with a smile. "Face this way at me." Asuna nodded and did so.
The two then came closer together, closed there eyes, and gave each other a kiss.
The voice had returned an was pleased with the results. "Thou hast sworn thy love to each other under God's watchful gaze." said the voice.
This made the two very happy. The voice continued, "And so, in the name of God, I hereby dubbed thee, husband and wife. May thou never break this oath…" And in that instant, the ring glowed and changed from a light green, to silver. The quest was complete.
"The rings are glowing Silver!" cried Asuna.
"Does that mean we've cleared the quest?" asked Kirito.
Then Asuna got an idea. "Kirito, Lets check the system windows." she said.
Kirito nodded, and after checking there status were glad of the results. "Our inventories are back to being shared!" declared Kirito.
"And I can see your status screen!" cried Asuna. "Kirito! That means we've really been…"
Kirito nodded, as he and Asuna hugged each other, and kissed. There married status had been restored.
"Come on." said Kirito, "Lets go tell the others." Asuna nodded, and the two went back to Arc Sophia.
The duo returned, and reported that the quest was cleared, and there status had been restored. The guild congratulated the duo, as the day drew to an end. The guild decided to turn in for the night, and fell into a peaceful sleep.
A few weeks had gone by since then, and things were back to normal as ever. On this peaceful day in Arc Sophia, The Moonlit Black Cats, and Wyvern's Inferno were sitting down at Agil's bar, resting after a hard day of grinding. Dagger was busy discussing prices for selling items to both Agil, and Lisbeth. Helios was having an arm wrestling match with Mataras. Mai, and Riku were talking to Diabel, and Sachi. While Akira, Ren, Kirito, Megumi, Yui, Leafa, Sinon, Alice, and Asuna, were relaxing at a table in the inn. It was a normal day for the two guilds.
"Hey everyone!" said a loud voice, it was Strea coming into the bar. "How's it going?!"
"We're doing fine, Strea." replied Akira.
"Hey Strea." greeted Ren. "You just get back from the fields?"
"Yep!" Strea said in her usual cheerful attitude as she went and sat down at one of the tables. "Soloing in the fields of SAO though is really tough. I'm sweating like crazy." Strea went on and then accessed her menus and started removing her equipment, and making everyone blush in red.
"Wha….?!" exclaimed Asuna.
"Strea!" exclaimed Alice. "W-What do you think your doing!?"
Now dressed in only her bra and her underwear, Strea was leaning back on the chair she was sitting in. "What? My cloths are all sweaty and it's hot outside. I needed to take off my equipment so I could feel more comfortable."
All of the male members for there guilds avoided looking at Strea, so is not to upset the female members. Many of the other male players however, had no problem looking at her. Multiple cheers and whistles are heard throughout the room.
"Aww boys, stop that. You're embarrassing me." said Strea, giggling at the attention she was getting.
"Strea! Put some clothes on!" cried Dagger. "Don't have any shame?"
"I don't see your point." said Strea, "You girls must be sweaty from grinding all day too. Why don't you take of your equipment too?"
This all the girls cheeks turn red at Strea's suggestion. Several hollers and cheers were in agreement from the other male players in the bar, this caused the male guild members to shoot warning glares at them.
"Listen up! If anyone is caught staring at our guild mates, Your going to be thrown off the edge of Aincrad! Got It!" shouted Mataras, in a seriously angry voice with his eyes in dragonic silver.
"That goes double for our members as well!" declared Ren.
Not wanting to incur the wrath of two high level guilds, the male players all went and look at there drinks, dropping there heads down.
Back to the peaceful and quiet atmosphere, the group continued to relax. As everyone was going about there business, Silica walked into the room, with her friend, Pina, at her side, and Quint right behind her.
"Hey guys, what's- Strea, why are you dressed like that?!"
"Why is everyone asking me that?" wondered Strea. "Is it so wrong for a girl to try and feel comfortable."
Feeling the awkwardness in the room, Silica, and Quint went to the tables were, Akira, Megumi, Ren and Alice, were sitting at with red blushing cheeks. "What the heck is going on?" whispered the beast tamer.
"Any reason why Strea is dressed like that?" added Quint.
"I'll tell you when I figure that out." Ren told the two.
"So, you two," Alice began wanting to change the subject away from Strea, "How are adjusting to higher floors? It must be tough on you."
"It is a little." said Silica, "But I'm doing good with my guild mates. They're really helping me in fields, and I'm also raising some of my other skills also. My cooking stat is almost maxed out."
"Same for me." nodded Quint.
"Good to hear." Ren commented.
"Yeah. And what about the higher level players around here? Feels pretty weird being around them huh?" said Akira.
"Yeah, a little, but I'm doing really well, and almost a higher level player myself now. It's nice not to be a mascot anymore." said Silica, "Until I joined the guild I was popular with the mid level players, now as a member of the assault team, I'm treated more like everyone else here. It's less stressful. Altough…"
"Hey what's the matter?"
"I don't know if I'm being paranoid or not, but I get this strange feeling that someone is following me everywhere I go." Silica said.
"Now that IS weird." agreed Alice. "I know I would be feeling uncomfortable if I had someone following me around like that."
"I'm with you on that." nodded Sinon.
"Yeah, but you have Ren, and I have my guild mates to help out." stated Silica.
"Careful Silica, it could be a ghooooooooooooooooost, or maybe even a stalker!" teased Helios, which made Silica shiver in fear.
"Knock it off, Helios!" glared Akira, "Your scaring her."
"Relax will ya?!" defended Helios, "It was a joke."
"Joke or not, this is something worth looking into." suggested Alice, "How about we shadow Silica tomorrow and see if we can find out if we can catch them in the act."
"Good idea, Alice." agreed Mataras.
Other members of the guilds and even Strea also joined in. Silica got up and bowed, "Thanks you guys." she said.
The very next day, Silica was walking down the streets of Arc Sophia, as if it was a regular day, but however, she some people shadowing her, mainly there guild mates, and Wyvern's Inferno. She couldn't even tell where they were. Her only companion was Pina.
During the search however, Mai, and Helios got into another argument, with Strea scaring the two with her ninja skills. The situation nearly got out of hand when the group heard a familiar scream.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The group turned there heads toward the direction of the scream, and realized who it along to. "That was Silica!" realized Mai.
"We need to hurry! Let's Go!" ordered Ren. The two guilds got up and started running into the streets. As they came out of the alleyways where they were hiding. They saw a figure carrying Silica in his arm.
"Silica!" cried Akira. "Come on, After him!"
The entire team sped after the mysterious kidnapper and went after him on the rooftops. Akira was leading the charge when two more players appeared to block Akira. However, Akira jumped over the two players, and continued after the man who had Silica. The other two players were about to pursue him when Wyvern's Inferno, and The Moonlit Black Cats respectively stopped them in there tracks.
"Go on, Akira!" cried Ren. "We've got this this!" Akira nodded and continued after the man.
Akira watched the kidnapper leap off the roof and into an alleyway, towards an closed area. Akira followed after, and when he arrived, he saw the kidnapper hold Silica hostage with a dagger at her throat.
"D-Don't come any closer! You move any closer, and I'll cut her throat open!"
Once that was said, Akira quickly calmed down and lost any worry he had. The player was obviously forgetting one important rule in the game, one that many members of the assault team knew, so it was obvious that the player was a mid-level player, or even lower, while Silica was a high level player. Akira then took one step forward.
"Stop! I'll kill her! I really will!"
"No you won't." said Akira as he stepped closer to the kidnapper, "you totally forgot an important rule in an MMO." he then charged at the kidnapper and punched him in the face, and allowed Silica to break free. "Players HP don't go down a safe zone."
Silica ran to her combat brother and gave him a hug, which he returned. "Thank you, Akira! You saved me!" she said.
"Happy to help." said Akira, and he turned his attention to the kidnapper who was getting himself back up. "So, you're the one who went after my little sister in all but blood?"
The player then got his knees and bowed at Akira. "I'm so sorry! Please don't me, Please!"
"Geez." sighed Akira, "Your a lot of trouble you know that. And what was your plan anyway?"
"I'm a huge fan of the dragon tamer, I just wanted to hang out with her, Honest!" explained the player.
"And you thought kidnapping me was a good idea?!" scolded Silica, "What are you some kind of pervert?!"
"Please don't me!" the man begged.
"Incoming!" cried Strea, as she crashed landed on top of the player knocking him out. "How do you like that, big boy?!" she stated and posing moves like a ninja.
Akira only chuckled at this, "Strea, you sure know when to make a person laugh, you know that?" he stated.
"Akira!" cried Ren, as Akira looked up to see him. "We've got these two all tied up. How are things on your end?"
"We're just finishing up now!" replied Akira, and went over and tied up the kidnapper.
The trio were all sent to the prison where the other red, and orange players went to after a new prison barge was made in Arc Sophia. As everyone took a breather, Silica was beginning to get worried as she look around.
"Where's Pina?!" asked Silica frantically, "I don't think they took her when they kidnapped me, so where is she?!"
"Over here!" cried Quint, as he came over with the little dragon.
"Pina!" cried Silica, as she hung her little dragon with tears of joy in her eyes. "Thank you so much, Quint."
"Your welcome." replied Quint with a slight blush on his cheeks, "I,… I'm just glad your okay."
Silica and Quint talked a bit before she told her guild mates she was heading back to the hotel for the night. After she left, Quint turned to Akira. "Umm,… Akira?"
"Yeah, Quint. What's up?" said Akira.
"I hope the argument didn't cause you any trouble, and if it did, I wanted to say sorry." said Quint, "It was kind of our fault that happened."
"Hey don't worry about it." reassured Akira, "I noticed you were taking to her and trying to get to know her little." This statement made Quint blush. "I believe you have some feelings for my little combat sister."
"Well, yeah." admitted Quint.
"Don't you worry." said Akira, "Just keep at it, and I'm sure she'll notice in no time. I outta know, she looks up to me as a sibling, but I want her to be happy with someone she cares for as well."
"I think I understand what your saying." said Quint.
"Good to hear, come on let's head on home to the inn." declared Akira, as the rest of the group nodded in agreement.
"Aww, can't we be ninjas a little longer?" asked Strea.
"No." said both guilds.
"Okay." pouted Strea.
"Today sure has been an eventful day." said Sachi.
"I think that we're in SAO, everyday is an eventful day." stated Ren.
"Aye, who knows what will happen next." added Mataras.
"Can't argue there." agreed Akira.
Akira: Man, that was crazy.
Kirito: At least the problems aren't all done here.
Mataras: For now anyway.
Asuna: So what's next?
Akira: A reunion with our two friends in the Hollow Area, and the return of some old enemies.
Author: Next time on The Azure Swordsman The Lost Fragment. Chapter 21: Wrath of a hollow coffin, freedom, and love.
All: LINK START!
A/N Once again, sorry for the delay. Busy at work. But expect the next chapter hopefully not so long on getting posted.