I do not own Sword Art Online or any of the characters.
Assassination Attempt
"So, what, pray tell, is a Spriggan doing here?" Eugene asked.
"I'm an ambassador for the Spriggan Undine alliance," Kirito lied, saying the first thing that came to his head. "I was sent to secure a trade deal with the Sylphs and the Catsy."
"An Ambassador?" Eugene snorted. "With that shitty gear? And no guards?"
"I wouldn't think you of all people would knock shitty gear," Michael grinned. "And as for guards, he definitely doesn't need them."
Eugene eyed Kirito for a moment before laughing and drawing his sword.
"Tell you what, you beat me, and I'll believe you are who you say you are," Eugene stated. "And my men won't interfere in the fight."
"Of course not," Michael grinned. "They're going to have their hands full with me, right Archon?"
"Absolutely," Archon grinned.
"You're too hasty Archon," Eugene stated. "Haven't you lost to him twice now?"
"This time will be different," Archon promised. "I have a special surprise for him this time."
"Well, your men will have to play first," Michael stated. "If they lose, you're up."
Kirito flew up with Eugene who readied himself and Michael grinned, shooting forward into the army of Salamanders. Archon allowed him to pass and Michael tore into the first soldier he met. Five attacked him and he flipped out of the way, slashing two before catching a lance under his arm. He spun, drawing one of his knives and stabbed the player, hurling the lance into another and stopping his charge. As Michael put the knife away, he blocked a swipe from another lance, slashing the player across the chest. Just as he burned away, another lance grew out of the flames, driving itself through Michael's abdomen. He growled in annoyance, pulling it out and flicking it like a whip, launching its owner then hurling it, hitting him in the face. He glanced at Kirito just as Kirito turned flying away.
Kirito growled in annoyance, quickly reciting a spell from his menu from memory. To his joy, when he held out his hand, a cloud of purple smoke exploded out of it, reaching out and blasting Eugene before the concussion from the spell shot out, spreading the smoke across the entire battlefield. Kirito flew to Leafa, taking her sword and dropping the scabbard beside her as he shot skyward, getting between Eugene and the sun. Eugene Slashed, the force clearing the smoke. Then, everyone began to look around for Kirito as Kirito flew at Eugene. Eugene finally turned toward him, slashing as Kirito neared him, sword passing through Kirito's. Then, just as the sword was about to hit Kirito, he twisted, deflecting the blade at the last possible second with Leafa's sword. Then, he flew forward, beginning to tear into Eugene, swords tearing into him right and left. Kirito was aware that Michael's fight had halted to watch but was too focused for that to mean anything.
Eugene screamed, a fire barrier forming and exploding when Kirito's sword hit it. Both combatants were thrown back but Eugene recovered first, flying back up through the ball of smoke, slashing at Kirito. Kirito avoided it, stabbing Eugene and flying downward. Eugene caught his head, forcing him back where he could slash him then raised the sword. Kirito slashed him with each sword, knocking Eugene's sword out of his hand then slashed one more time with Leafa's, splitting Eugene in half. Eugene shouted in pain, exploding into a ball of fire and flying away from Kirito who stopped himself, holding the swords at his side.
Michael grinned as Eugene exploded, then heard something whistling through the air. He spun, expecting a lance or sword but instead, a gigantic scythe slashed through his abdomen. He stared in shock at the wound then up at the scythe. It was the same as the reaper in the secret dungeon below the Town of Beginnings had used. Michael rocketed backward, crashing into the ground, unable to move.
"Like it?" Archon asked. "It's a unique scythe. It's called Thanatos. One strike and you won't be able to move for ten minutes. Unfortunately it's too big to use anywhere except in the air. But still. It's effective."
Sakuya recited a healing spell and a moment later, Michael stood, fully healed and able to move again.
"Damn," Archon sighed.
Michael eyed the last twenty Salamanders and then looked to Leafa.
"If I die, it's up to you and Kirito to kill him," Michael stated. "I doubt he'll stop, even if Eugene says too."
With that, Michael flew into the air, holding his sword ready as he waited for Archon to move. Archon laughed, then flew forward, scythe spinning like a helicopter blade in his right hand. He stopped when he was in range, swinging his arm around, the scythe saw blade following. Michael blocked the blade and the scythe sailed into the air. Rather than draw a new weapon, Archon caught the scythe, beginning to spin it around himself. He grabbed it with both hands after a moment, driving the spiked base of the the shaft at Michael rapidly. Michael dodged out of the way of each stab, blocking a few with his sword before slashing the shaft sideways and ducking under the blade as it flashed around at him. He flew forward and the scythe continued to spin, the shaft blasting Michael and launching him down past the cliff. He stopped himself, flying up at Archon as Archon hurled the spinning scythe at him. When Michael blocked it, it flew back into the air, still spinning, and Archon caught it, continuing to spin it like a professional bo staff fighter. Michael flew at him and Archon began to switch hands both in front of himself and behind, also passing it over and under himself, making it nearly impossible for Michael to track. Finally he got within range and the scythe shot toward him from the right. He blocked the base of the shaft and suddenly the blade was flying at him from the other side. He blocked that too and instantly bent forward, Archon spinning and whipping the shaft over him. Michael flew straight at Archon and Archon spun the scythe in front of himself.
Michael blocked the scythe then flipped, blocking it in the other direction before slashing at Archon. Less than a second before his sword reached him, the shaft of the scythe crashed into his stomach, spinning him around for a moment before Archon caught the scythe with his free hand, stopping it instantly and launching Michael down past the cliff again. Michael again stopped himself, glaring at Archon as both of their wings started to lose power.
"You're running out of time," Michael grinned. "And once you land...you can't use that massive scythe of yours."
He rocketed up at Archon again as he read off a spell. Purple smoke exploded out of his hand at Archon but Archon spun his staff, blowing the smoke away. When the smoke was gone, so was Michael. Archon began to turn. Just as he did, however, Michael crashed into his back, sword first. Archon shouted in pain, spinning and bashing Kirito into the table, destroying it just as their wings lost power and Archon landed on the cliff. The Salamanders landing around them, Eugene as well after Sakuya had revived him on Kirito's request.
Michael stood, health in red while Archon was still just above yellow. Leafa began to recite a healing spell but Michael stopped her, raising his sword. Archon laughed drawing his sword.
"Shall we finish this then?" Archon laughed. "And let this be the last time we fight."
"Deal," Michael nodded as they both sprinted forward.
Michael ducked under the greatsword, slashing at Archon but Archon equipped his katana, the buttcap blocking Michael's slash. Archon spun, slashing at Michael again and Michael blocked the blade again, this time seeing Archon's hands release the blade. Instantly, Michael shoved the blade upward, kicking the pommel and driving the greatsword through Archon's chest, making him stagger back and wrench the sword out, health already in low yellow. Archon swore and drew his katana, holding it over his head in a kendo stance. Michael, lightheaded as the game was making him from low health, simply held his own at his side. When Archon stepped forward, Michael blocked the blade, feeling Archon's foot connect with his kneecap and then feeling his entire body flare in excruciating pain. Even with the pain dampener blocked to the point where a sword slash barely felt like anything, he could feel nothing but the pain. There was no doubt his knee was broken.
His vision returned as the pain faded. He was a Remain Light. Archon had been merciful enough to end his pain quickly. Now, however, Archon was struggling to fight Kirito. Within a minute, Kirito removed his head. Then, Sakuya revived Michael who flexed and bent his knee gingerly, phantom pains still there but his knee was fine. Michael turned toward the other Salamanders and Eugene huffed.
"Well, I suppose we had a deal," Eugene stated. "I have no desire to start a war with the Spriggans and the Undines. We'll pull out. Good luck with whatever it is you do."
"You too," Kirito nodded.
Eugene snorted in amusement then turned and all of the surviving Salamanders flew away as Archon's Remain Light faded.
"So, Sigurd?" Sakuya mused turning to the Catsy leader. "Can you open a Moonlight Mirror for me?"
"Absolutely," the Catsy nodded reciting a spell as a dome of darkness formed over them and a mirror in the center, in front of Sakuya.
"Sigurd," Sakuya spoke as Sigurd appeared in it, lounging behind a desk sipping at wine, which he instantly dropped in his rush to stand.
"AH!" Sigurd gasped, dropping his wine. "S-Sakuya!"
"Nice to see you too," Sakuya stated. "Unfortunately I'm still alive."
"How...I mean...what, happened at the meeting?" Sigurd asked.
"It went very well," Sakuya stated. "There's still the matter of signing the treaty, though. By the way, we had an unexpected guest."
"What guest?" Sigurd asked, trying not to sound as scared as he did.
"His name is General Eugene, and he sends his regards," Sakuya stated.
Sigurd's jaw dropped and he looked past Sakuya, seeing Leafa, Kirito, and Michael all off to the side, Michael grinning from ear to ear and waving when Sigurd saw them.
"You," Sigurd snarled. "So that's it. Those incompetent lizards. Well, it's your move now Sakuya. Are you gonna fine me? Or maybe you wanna take away my command. If so, remember, without me running your military your rule won't last very long."
"He's the head of your military?" Michael scoffed. "Oh God, I'm so sorry."
Sakuya grinned but continued her conversation with Sigurd.
"Actually, I was thinking of granting the request you made them," Sakuya stated. "Since you can't stand being a Sylph, you're free to go."
"Wait, what!?" Sigurd gaped as Sakuya opened her menu and an alert opened in front of Sigurd, telling him that he was exiled. "Me? You're banishing me?"
"I'm letting you live to wander the neutral territory as a Renegade," Sakuya stated. "With any luck, you'll find something there that will occupy your precious time."
Sigurd lunged at the mirror just as the Catsy leader let it fade. "You Bi-" Then, he was gone and the mirror and dome faded.
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