Last we left the warriors four, Kirito had challenged Heathcliff so that Asuna could be free for a period of time. But, Heathcliff seamed awfully confident of his abilities. Strange. Is he oblivious to the fact he's facing the Black Swordsman? Or is it something else...?

Chapter 6

A Glitch in the System

Link has been training Kirito for a few hours to ready him for his battle with Heathcliff, as he holds the rank of one of the top three players of SAO, along with Link, and an unknown player that supposedly reigns as a god among men, but is supposed to be a ruthless PKer. No one has ever met him and lived to tell the tale. Even the best SAO players fear him.

"Watch your form. A single mis-step could lose you a fight. Try longer strides."

Kirito did as he said, and could feel they difference. And he liked it.

"Wow. This is sweet!"

Link blunted him with his sword, simply to prove a point. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Overconfidence has gotten many people I know either beaten nearly to death, or killed."

After getting up, and allowing the concusion to subside, he nodded and got back to training. If he didn't win, neither he or Asuna would have their freedom!

OOO

This was it. This was the day of Kirito's and Heathcliff's duel. Before either got started, Asuna had to warn him about something that Heathcliff had in his arsenal.

"You may think that your dual wielding and Starburst Stream are powerful, but Heathcliff has a signature skill as well."

Kirito agreed. "I've seen it before a few times during boss battles. Divine Blade. It temporarily maxes out the users stats. The attack is strong, but that defense is incredible. I'll be wary of it Asuna, don't you worry."

Asuna was still worried, but she let him go out there anyway.

As he walked out of the corridor, he heard large amounts of cheering coming from the stands of the collisium the duel would take place in.

"Ugh, I wanted this to be under the radar."

Heathcliff sighed. "I apoligize for that. But, at least all of the cor is going to fund our army. Before we begin, would you like a coat with more red or white?"

Kirito smiled, but drew his swords. "You are just going to make it all the sweeter once I beat you, huh?"

They both charged the moment the duel counter hit 0. Once they got close, Kirito readied himself for when Heathcliff swung his sword, but was caught offguard when he suddenly switched to a shield-bash without the stun factor, effectively startling Kirito.

"I -huff- thought only Link could do that."

"Wait, you've met the Fierce Deity? He is the most elusive player in the game, how could yoy have possibly found him?"

Kirito grinned, and rushed in to deal blow after blow, but Heathcliff managed to block each and every hit with his tower shield.

"I, HA, met him in the, SA, forests of floor, RAH, 74!" He dodged back as Heathcliff swung with his Liberator.

"Splendid reaction time."

"And that shield of yours is just too strong."

"But, it is remarkably impressive that you managed to find the Fierce Deity in a mere forest, let alone get on his good side. He was a match for me in our first duel, even beating me; but just barely."

Flashback

"Oh, you're Heathcliff! Aren't you really good or something?" A younger Link was surprised to see the older man near his home on floor 16.

"Why, yes. Yes I am."

"How about a duel, just you and me?

"Hmmm, very well. First strike?"

Link eagerly agreed, and it was to begin.

The two began trading blows, and recieving them with their shields.

"I must ask. Where did you get that sword and shield?"

He was reffering to the crested blue sword and heavy-looking reinforced shield in Link's possession.

"Ah, my Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Yes, these are just about the rarest weapons in the game. There is only one of each, and they both require a completely maxed out sword and shield skill to even equip. The sword started off being in a pedastle deep in the forests of floor 1, but it took a while for the doors to be unlocked. Apparently, every time a dungeon was cleared a door was unlocked. After 50 was reached, the final doors were opened, revealing this blade. Only because my sword skill was so high could I even get close to it, and ultimately draw it. The shield is a different story."

He caught Heathcliff offguard when he rolled behind him and slashed, but missed when Heathcliff ran forward and quickly slashed at Link, but was blocked by his shield.

"This shield was in a chest located within the dungeon on floor 50. I had to fight quite a few Darknuts, Darkhammers, and Iron Knuckles to undo the trap and reveal the chest. Once I opened it, I found this indestructable shield."

Heathcliff was satisfied with his explaination, and rushed in for an attack with his shield, but by using his own, Link managed to hold off the blow.

"H-how can you do that?"

While eh was distracted, Link used a Helm Splitter and crashed against Heathcliffs blade. Link proved to be stronger, and began pushing Heathcliff's own sword down on him, forcing him to abandon his tower shield in order to hold off the sword, but it wasn't enough. The blade kept moving down closer and closer, until eventually it was pressed against his neck. But Link had a different idea. He suddenly ducked down and brought his sword up in a quick swing, dragging it across Heathcliff in the process. It had happened. Heathcliff had just lost in a duel.

End Flashback

"W-what? He fought you too? And here I was thinking I had a rare opportunity."

"Ah, but you do! You are friends with him! He has trained you! Isn't that an honor by itself?"

Kirito thought about that for a while as he continued pounding on Heathcliff's shield, lowering his health bit by bit, but not in large quantities like with the Gleam Eyes. Eventually, he noticed problems with Heathcliff's guard. He aimed for the moment he lowered hi shield to strike.

Come on, come on, COME ON!

There. He brought his sword down suddenly onto Heathcliffs head. Or so he thought. He felt like he was stuck, and only watched in horror as Heathcliff's shield moved at impossible speeds to block the attack. Once it connected, Heathcliff slid the blade to the side and stabbed Kirito in the arm, sending him into yellow and ending the duel.

"I expect to see you in uniform by tommorrow."

Kirito has been suspicious of Heathcliff ever since.

Well. That all happened. It appears thta Link had fought Heathcliff in the past, and won, no less! But how did he block Kirito's last attack? It makes you wonder. And, for those who have seen the anime, DON'T SPOIL IT!