How about we just make our way into this? I feel as if you've all waited long enough, so ta-da! Chapter 5!
Chapter 5
Way of the Blood
After the quartet of warriors had finished off the 74th floor boss, they had decided to wait while Kirito recovered, as he had taken as much damage as the time he had fought Link in a duel, so they were waiting for Kirito's skill that restores his HP in a fight to replenish his health. After his health had gotten to a safe level, Klein began to question Link and Kirito about their skills.
"So, was there any point in time you were going to tell us about any of that?"
Kirito shook his head. "No. If anyone knew, they would just hassle me about it forever."
Link nodded at Kirito's statement. "He has a point. If the wrong people knew, they would never leave us alone. There are actually a few people in our army who know that I have some signature skills, and they haven't stopped bugging me about it since. Which one was it, Zelda? Wasn't he in the Darknut unit?"
"I think it was Sebastian. He's a good kid. A good fighter, but not the brightest mind. Just like someone else I know."
Link looked at her, annoyed.
Kirito was still pondering what Zelda had said. "Darknut unit? What do they do?"
Zelda nodded. "You aren't the first one to ask. They are a group that wear some Darknut armor that Link got from some Mighty Darknut drops. It is so hard to find and maintain that stuff."
Link was getting himself settled down on the floor. "Ah, but it's worth every cor, Zelda. Every cor." He sprawled out on the floor with his hands behind his head.
She nodded in return. "While it's expensive, it is ridiculously sturdy. It was one of the only things that could stand up to your Master Sword for so long. Granted, you came up with a strategy to combat those suits. But, how do you even do that? Cleave off armor? That is just absurd!"
That caught Kirto's attention. "Let me guess. An eleventh signature skill."
Link shook his head. "Actually, it's a skill that my sword possesses. It lets it completely ignore armor, and even if it can't, it can cut it off by targeting it's weak points and straps."
Kirito nodded in acknowledgement. "Sounds pretty powerful. All I know is that my Elucidator is helpful for boosting the power of my magic skills. And, it's a perfect balance for my Dark Repulsor for dual-wielding."
Link high-fived him. "Good for you! But yeah, make sure your weapons are suited for both you and for anything else you use, otherwise, it's just dead weight."
Klein was getting anxious. "Can we leave now? It's kinda creepy standing on a brand-new grave site."
That caused everyone to get quiet, but they nodded. Link gathered up his gear and got up. "He has a point. This is not the place to get cozy. This is the grave site of many good men, and we should not take that for granted. They died in the middle of a war, and their sacrifice must not be in vain. Let's go."
Zelda just face-palmed. "You can come up with that, yet you can't graduate get past being a softmore."
Link went red. "S-SHUT UP!"
Kirito started laughing as they left. "Softmore? Really? That's what grade I'm in! How come I've never seen you at the high school?"
Link growled, but answered. "I've always been in either the special classes or the gym. I've never been the smartest of a group, as that honor goes to Zelda. I swear, she has like the embodiment of wisdom or something."
Zelda chuckled. "But, you have always been the bravest person I ever knew. Remember the time that dude with the knives came to school and threatened us all? And how you fought him regardless of the fact that you might be killed, and won?"
Link laughed pretty hard at that. He remembered to well that day, it seems.
Kirito shivered. "Yeah, that kinda sucked. But I didn't see you fight him, as I had a burlap sack on my head. All I know is that some kid came in and kicked his ass!"
Link smiled at that. "Daw, it was nothing. Just a few well-placed punches and kicks is all. I really don't know how I fought that well though. It's almost like I've done it before. It's like, super wierd."
Zelda got up and sheathed her rapier, which was in need of a good reforging, as it's durability was getting pretty low. "But yeah, let's go. I really need to get out of this dungeon. It's kinda sad to be in the same place as like fourteen people that just died."
Asuna nodded. "Yup! And there are some things that Heathcliff and I need to discuss."
Kirito got up and stretched. "I'll come with you. I don't have anything else to do anyway."
Klein smiled a sly smile. "Telling you, their da-", but was cut off by a sharp slap, courtesy of Zelda.
"Shut up Klein."
Asuna and Kirito both thanked her, but were about ready to kill her with what she said next.
"We should have all known that by now."
As Link made sure they didn't kill his princess, Zelda fled, laughing up a storm.
OOO
Back at Grandzam, Zelda was finishing up with talking to Heathcliff about the fine points of their treaty, with Link there to smooth out the rough edges. Once all was said and done, Zelda got ready to leave, but left Link there to talk about their military's status at that time.
"...And we still have around 300 soldiers in our Darknut Unit, making a total of around 1,000 warriors under both mine and Zelda's command."
Heathcliff nodded his approval. "Having great numbers is a good way of ensuring battles as your own."
Link laughed. "So long as they were trained well enough." The two then shared a short chuckle before Asuna requested to speak with Heathcliff alone. He agreed, and sent Link out and called his advisors in. Kirito made his way in after Link told him it was time.
"Heathcliff. I request some time from the front lines to recuperate from the recent battle. It was more emotionally challenging that physically, but I need that time to heal." She was speaking solemnly enough to prove that she meant it, but Heathcliff shook his head.
"We can't just let our Vice-Commander leave because she's feeling a little down. I'm sorry, but you cannot leave."
Kirito stepped forward, a determined look set on his face. "I'll fight you for her. If I win, then she can take that time off."
Heathcliff narrowed his eyes. "Then if I win... You join the Knights of the Blood Oath. Very well?"
Kirito nodded. "Very well."
Heathcliff smiled. "I'll have your uniform readied right away for your defection to our army."
Kirito didn't hear as he had already left to get ready for the match many would soon know as the Black Swordsman Vs. the Crimson King.
Sorry for making you all wait. I've been working on my Bleach story, and I haven't really had time to update this one. But, I delivered! Until next time, this is OniHelix, signing off.