Beater and the Black Cats of the Full Moon
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online
Warning: I am still studying so please forgive me if there is too much grammar mistake. It will also be appreciated if you would help correct my grammar mistakes.
Chapter 6 [Christmas Update!]
Promises
Satrizer wanted to be a hero, he became a soldier.
-Or he became a soldier, and then he wanted to be a hero. He does not remember which came first anymore.
It does not really matter, whichever came first, the final conclusion would not change.
Soldiers could never be heroes.
Satrizer ran, with his guild mates at his side, into the stronghold of the Army and headed straight to the dungeon, ignoring the surprised looks of the players passing by. A few just gave curious looks while some went outrageously mad and started chasing after them.
Time was at essence. Besides, things might work out well if these chasers caught up and saw the Laughing Coffin in their own stronghold.
Satrizer twitched his eyebrows at the sound of clashing metal. They were still well within the Area. It would be an unexpected factor if an internal conflict was happening between the Army.
He turned around the corner, with his guild mates in toll, and briefed the situation he seen to himself.
That's Kiriko, fighting 'not the Laughing Coffin' players. They are fighting within the Area so they should be fine. It would be wiser to clear the confusion fast and bring Kiriko and possible the Army to find the Laughing coffins.
"All of you! Stop right now!"
Satrizer's foreign yet fluent Japanese made the fighting players before him stopped. A few of players titled their head up a little to look at the tall foreigner in the eye. Given that there were few foreigners in SAO, said players could immediately recognized who intervened.
"Satrizer, the leader of the BoB."
The players, on closer look Satrizer recognized as they were from the Army, stopped and lowered their weapons. Satrizer smiled. Before him were veteran players. His chance of capturing the Laughing Coffin and possibly PoH himself increased. So far it was a favorable situation for them.
Then, he should have expected but did not, Kiriko then activated a sword skill and slammed a player with orange durian head to the wall.
"Kibaou!" The Army players shouted after their flown leader. Satrizer's stern gaze at Kiriko was met with a mischievous smile, one that Satrizer was irritably familiar with. Kiriko ended off with a wink and then went ahead of them, sprinting into the darkness of the dungeon.
"One thousand Col that that guy insulted Kirito." Beside Satrizer, Zekushiido, his fellow Guild mate, laughed. However his laughter was shot down by another fellow Guild member, Musketeer X.
"No doubt about it. Nobody gets away from insulting his brother. While we are on that topic, Kiriko still avoids you for the very same reason, doesn't she?"
"He was rude during our first meeting!"
Satrizer shook his head. "Cut the chatter, we are moving in." The phrase he often used in English back in the older days. "I will leave the smaller fries to you all. Try to disable those you can but your own lives priorities over them. Understand?"
"Roger that, boss." At his right, Pale Rider acknowledged. "Go get that bastard!"
Satrizer nodded and sprung, his speed faster than any of his other friends. Since Kirito already gone in, he should already be fighting PoH already. Knowing PoH, he must have prepared himself. He would have to catch up with Kirito and defeat PoH together.
Hm, are you a soldier trying to be a hero?
Satrizer flinched at PoH's detestable voice reminding him in the head. Satrizer clutched his fist and ran deeper into the darkness.
He was not a hero.
Even so, he was still a soldier. He does not upload justice but he would take down the terror haunting this world.
When Yuuki took hold of Asuna's hand, the first thing she noticed was that unlike her sword or other items, her hand was warm.
As a recently born Artificial Intelligence (AI), concept such as touch and feel were foreign but welcomed information to her. She was a swordsman of the legend and bearer of the unique skill Absolute sword. While she was a different existence as compared to other unique skill, she was no different from any other player. She was able to feel emotions and own desires.
The hand she held was warm. For reason that she could not comprehend, that warmth was nostalgic. It was funny; a new born AI like her should not have any memory to feel nostalgic about. Even so, that warmth eased her. From the warmth sprout her first desire.
She wanted to continue to feel this kind of warmth. She wished to stay with this girl who first opened up her warmth to her. She wanted to get back what she lost.
"Asuna…" Yuuki muttered, she was not sure what to say. "Don't you find me, strange?"
"Why would you say that?" Asuna replied, trying not to bite her tongue and kept up with Yuuki's speed.
"I am an AI after all. I am not human." Yuuki recounted the little memories she had. "Even when no one knew that I was an AI, many players treated and looked at me awkwardly. Why would you open up yourself to me, despite the fact that I am just an AI and I even almost killed you?"
The words Yuuki said struck herself painfully. She had not reflected that she almost killed Asuna. Worse, she might be too full of herself, thinking that Asuna was especially kind to her. That was right, someone like Asuna looked like someone who could easily befriend with anyone. She had overestimated her own value, a mere AI, to Asuna's eyes.
Asuna pondered over the strange question. She herself was also not sure why she easily opened up to someone like her. If she has answered something…
"Maybe that's because we were fated to meet as sisters!" Asuna gave her answer with excitement. When Yuuki turned back with a questioning stare, she blushed and lowered her head. It was an embarrassing answer. "No…please forget about that answer…"
However Yuuki was curious, she pressed on. "So Asuna, why sisters?"
"… …" For a while, there was only the sound of footsteps. While Yuuki was brain-raging, thinking that she must have asked the wrong question, Asuna signed a breath of embarrassment and answered calmly.
"Actually, my real name is also Asuna, my surname is Yuuki. By name, I thought you could be my young sister since you are also called Yuuki…"
"I would definitely want to be your sister!"
Yuuki stopped and clutched Asuna's hand. For a moment, Asuna thought Yuuki was unfair. A childish girl with innocent eyes was asking her to be her sister. Was there any way she could say no?
"Well…why not?" Asuna smiled. "I always have been a little sister. It would be fun to have a sister like you."
"… …Thank you, Onee-chan." Yuuki muttered with trembling voice. Although her system was telling her that her tears were about to overflow, she held them back with willpower. Without a doubt, these were tears of happiness.
Oops, a tear managed to escape. Yuuki wiped it away and smiled. It was an innocent smile.
"Let's go, Onee-chan!" Yuuki held Asuna's hand and ran. Behind them, Argo groaned and started chasing after them again.
Kirito has been long since prepared to fight against PoH after their last duel. He has trained all of his Dual blades skills to the max, planned strategies to overcome PoH and went as far as to use his damned reputation as a Beater to duel with other high-ranking players. The preparation he made for this duel was easily the half of his life in SAO. Since the start of the duel, Sachi listed out the factors that Kirito considered beforehand that was required to defeat PoH.
Factor one; always ensure to have more advantages than PoH.
Factor two; element of surprise.
Factor three; new way of fighting.
Factor four; PoH is alone.
Factor five; PoH, in extremely unlikely condition, let him fulfill any of the factors above.
Sachi stared at the factors she took from Kirito's mind. Although it probably was not going to help if she disturbed Kirito, she felt the need to warn the severity of the pinch he was in.
Kirito felt that his mind was tingling. Like picking up phone call during work, Kirito leapt backwards to create distance and 'answered' it.
This is Sa-, I meant your mind. According to previously made factors considered needed to defeat PoH, none of them are working as factor five is not in effect. I suggest that you should stay defensive and wait until someone like Satrizer or Kiriko to arrive.
Kirito flinched at the disturbing conclusion of the duel his mind made. Although he could see that he was the one in disadvantage, he was pretty sure he still has a chance to defeat PoH.
Such over-confident thoughts are rookies' mistakes.
Kirito flinched again, not at his arguing mind but at his arms that diverted its course from slashing to defending. The moment he gotten back control of his said arm, his instinct took over. He pulled up the other sword and pumped in power to them, barely blocking a quick slash by PoH.
Maybe I really ought to stay defensive, Kirito thought, having both his mind and body voting against him in going offensive.
"…What's wrong? Chickened out?" PoH provoked upon seeing Kirito's defensive stance. Unfortunately, Kirito was not one to lose temper easily. Rather than talking, he stayed silent. He does not have the obligation and privilege to be relaxed.
"…Chee. Boring fellow."
[Sword skill: Embodiment of the Reaper]
Instead of the scythe shining, indicating a sword skill, Kirito furrowed his eyebrows when PoH simply vanished without a trace.
He is still there, be careful.
"… …"
Kirito scanned his surroundings in a brief look and made up possible directions to dodge PoH's attack. Since his opponent was PoH, he could not simply assume that PoH would come for his back. It would be fatal if he was too protective of his back and would snap back too late to block a frontal blow.
…He is watching and waiting… Kirito thought to himself, all the while thinking of ways to counter this kind of sneak attack.
Then, to Sachi's surprise, Kirito closed his eyes.
One second later, Kirito snapped them back open. Sacrificing his vision just to heighten his other senses was a stupid idea. He still needed to see and decide how to block PoH's attack. It may work for a character from a kungfu manga but he was in SAO. As fictional as it was, SAO still has its standard of being realistic.
Thus Kirito waited. The Dark Repulser in his left hand slightly forward to guard his front and left and the Elucidator in his right hand slightly backwards to guard his back and right. While neither would have enough power without each other to properly block a sudden attack, they would be enough to parry it.
"…As expected of my detestable nemesis, you leave no opening for a guaranteed kill." PoH said, his character appearing like how he vanished at the same place.
Kirito took in PoH's words and made up his conclusion. No guaranteed kill, it suggested that skill that PoH used could only attack once. Since he chose a stance to parry from all directions, PoH must have seen no use to try a useless attack.
"You should give up. Satrizer should be here with his BoB already. I would not be surprised if the Army also came in to help." Kirito said. While he would wish to settle everything with PoH here, Asuna and Argo were still in danger as they ventured deeper into the unknown dungeon.
There was no way that he would let anyone of his Guild die anymore.
Kirito snapped back from his depressing thoughts and glared at PoH. PoH should not have been able to gain anything from staying here any longer. If PoH took out a teleportation crystal, he would let him leave. If PoH as much as shifted his scythe, the fight was on.
PoH did neither, he smirked instead.
As Kirito expected, he chose the latter.
PoH charged forward, initiating a frontal attack. Kirito lowered himself and prepared his own stance. The sight of PoH's shining scythe made everything very clear.
You either overcome this skill or die, Black Swordsman. Kirito was sure that was what the smirk meant.
[Sword skill: Dance to the Requiem]
Kirito! Use The Eclipse!
Sachi shouted. No matter what kind of skill PoH has, it should not be able to win against Kirito's maxed The Eclipse. Going offensive was suddenly the preferable decision.
Kirito did not reply. He did not lift his swords to activate the sword skill. He tightened his grip on his swords and went forward to meet with PoH's skill.
Before he went into PoH's scythe range, he slammed his heels and made a forced backward jump that was against the strong inertia.
Kirito snapped his eyes at his HP bar the moment he landed backwards. There was at least ten percent of his HP gone. He could feel a slight pain from his neck.
Kirito's face went pale. Realizing the danger, he abandoned his stance and threw himself on the ground to roll away from PoH. When he touched the ground, he quickly threw his Dark Repulser at PoH and used the same hand to slam the ground, using his superior STR stat to get him far away from PoH's reach. He noted to himself to thank Pale Rider for teaching him this trick.
Kirito looked up and tried to see through what slashed him. He could not see it. He knew that something passed but he could not see even the faintest image of PoH's scythe. Then the thrown Dark Repulser was connected with an invisible blow and flow- more like just sudden slammed the indestructible wall at the side.
PoH then stopped, showing that the skill ended. While it disturbed him that he did not manage to kill Kirito, to be able to see the infamous Black Swordsman abandoned his posture and dignity to roll on the ground for his life was an once in the life time view.
Yes, once in the life time. He would not be seeing Kirito after this anymore after all.
Kirito got up from the ground and held his Elucidator with two hands. He spent no time paling and went to concluding what happened.
PoH's skill touched his neck during the first slash, despite his attempt to get out of range. He got away from the second slash by rolling on the ground. The slash that connected with the Dark Repulser would be the third slash. There was a second before PoH stopped after that. He estimated that it was a strong four to five combo sword skill.
If he had underestimated PoH or thought PoH, of all players, would be dignified to challenge him in a simple frontal skill race, his neck instead of his body would be rolling the ground just now.
Kirito moved his eyes and quickly located where his Dark Repulser was. It was lying right beside PoH. His options were limited. He could see that PoH has decided to ignore disposing of the Dark Repulser and prioritized in killing him as soon as possible. His Elucidator alone would not stand a chance against that fatal scythe. Judging from the power of the scythe, blocking would not be an option.
"… …"
Even as he was trying to think of ways to survive this, PoH was approaching enjoying his futile actions to save himself.
"… ..."
There were doubts within him. No, he has started to doubt it since the beginning but refused to confront about the truth. If possible, he had wanted to feign ignorance longer.
That was not possible. He has a promise with a girl. He has to try every single unfair advantage he has to survive this.
"… …Keep my Elucidator. Prepare to summon my swords when I call them." He talked to himself. He had wanted to continue his ignorance over the strange presence with him. He could be thinking too much. He could be.
… …
He did not hear anything. However the sword in his hand has disappeared and returned to his inventory. There could be many reasons behind this but for now, only PoH matters.
"…Hm?"
PoH narrowed his eyes at the disappeared sword in Kirito's hand. He had not seen Kirito opened his menu. While it was not important since he was going to finish him here, he took note that action might prove to be more than what it seemed.
"… …"
PoH knew that Kirito was not going to simply disarm himself for no good reason. Only novices would be full of themselves and underestimated him. As a professional, he took the most logical choice.
PoH slammed the edge of his heels to the ground and sprung forward, his one leapt covering the entire distance between them. He pulled back his scythe in midair, aiming to decapitate the surprised Kirito in one blow.
Watching this scene from elsewhere, Kayaba smiled. Even without swords, Kirito showed that he was indeed qualified to be the bearer of the Dual Blades.
PoH's eyes snapped at the faint blur of Kirito but it was too late. He felt a strong blow to his chest. Kirito had tackled him. That was impossible. He had covered their distance in split second. Kirito should not have the time to respond.
No, he had underestimated Kirito. It was not just simple skills that made him another unique skill bearer. There should be a requirement, a natural skill that Kirito has that made him the bearer of the Dual Blades.
Reaction time. Kirito had launched forward the moment he moved. This was the only possible answer to catch him, of all players, by surprise.
The moment his back connected with the ground, PoH instantly pumped in power into his leg, going against programed gravity and pulled himself up. He tried to swing back his scythe but Kirito reacted faster and was faster. He closed in fast and made a steady foothold with his left leg and performed a powerful side kick with his right. PoH, who just got up and was unstable, receive the kick in the abdomen in full blow and flew, his character landed painfully on the ground.
There was no time to make decision over the Dark Repulser or PoH. This could be his only chance to kill PoH now and saved many others from dying. He sprung forward and called.
"Elucidator!"
Get him, Kirito!
PoH was still down and another second he would be back up again. This split second was his only chance! He confirmed and gripped the sword materialized in his hand. He does not need a sword skill, he could end this with a single blow to his neck! He closed in, swinging down the sword to taste blood.
"Onee-chan!"
A familiar voice, it was not Asuna or Argo's. However this voice pierced through him, his eyes widened at realization.
It was not his voice literally but it was the same voice he used when Sachi died.
"I got you!" PoH laughed, his eyes full of bloodlust.
Kirito!
Kirito was too late when he snapped back. His sword hesitated; he got a blur slashing towards him in return.
It was not the scythe that came; it was the large dagger, Mate Chopper, the one that he had described it as an extension of PoH's arm. Even with his top reaction time, his hesitation slowed him hence he was not able to dodge completely. The dagger missed its initial target but cut away Kirito's left arm, leaving said arm rolling on the ground.
"Don't get in my way!"
Kirito roared, ignoring the loss of his arm and swung the Elucidator, cutting PoH's arm with the dagger. He then pushed himself away and rolled on the ground, barely missing the scythe that came up from the other hand.
"Keep the Elucidator!" Kirito shouted, got up and sprung towards his Dark Repulser on the ground. He quickly grabbed hold of it, equipping it and ran towards the darkness where the voice came from.
Asuna…Argo…please be safe! Kirito screamed in his mind, desperate wishing the same tragedy would not happen again.
PoH silently watched the Black Swordsman disappeared into the darkness. An arm for an arm. Even though he has the element of surprise and new skills at his side, it still ended in a tie.
He kept his scythe and dagger before taking out a teleportation crystal. Most of his men have retreated, assuming encountering the BoB. While he would have wanted to fight all of them head on by himself, the damage Kirito made was not minor. It would have to be next time.
"PoH!"
Speaking of the devil, he could see his other nemesis, the American called Satrizer catching up already.
With a smirk, he activated the crystal and disappeared, leaving a frustrated Satrizer behind.
Yuuki Asuna never really felt alive until the day she took the resolve to take her fate into her own hands. Before SAO, her fate was controlled by laws of society and ultimately, her parents who wished her to be 'great' like them. After one week in SAO, the resolve she made that day was her first freedom, doing everything for her own survival.
To be honest, she really liked SAO. Although it was a cruel realistic game, it gave her the chance to learn to stand up for herself. It gave her a life that she never envisioned to have. It gave her a life of freedom she never thought she deserved. She met different kinds of people and got herself a new sister. Her SAO life was everything she never could have and she never wanted to let it go.
So there was no way that gigantic reaper would take everything away from her, right?
She had slipped and got separated from Yuuki. That was the only mistake she made when they were running for the Area at the end of the dungeon. The moment she looked up, a literal reaper has materialized with a big scythe like PoH's. There was no time to get up. Even if she was fast enough to do that, it would be impossible for her to escape the arc of that gigantic scythe.
The scythe was swung. At the side, Yuuki was rushing towards her, shouting her name that she could not hear. At the end of the way where they came from, she thought she heard Kirito cursed.
Asuna's eyes remained glued to the scythe heading towards her. She still has the resolve to live. She finally, almost a year and a half, managed to get into the Kirito's guild. She still has many things she wanted to do. She had wanted to brag to Lisbeth about entering The Black Cats and the Full Moon. She just met Argo and there was Yuuki, an AI that she wanted to befriend with.
That's right; she promised Yuuki that she would invite her into the Black Cats. She even promised to be her elder sister. She could not d-
"ASUNA!"
A/N: Merry Christmas! An update for the five months cold fiction!
Stop it. Seriously, no burning. I am not trying to be a bastard so don't flame at the ending of this chapter. It's Christmas! Let's all be happy!
I reread the chapter and reached my grammar limit [not native English here]. It will be good if some of you could point out disturbing grammar mistakes.
Anyway, Merry Christmas! Please Read and Review~!