CHAPTER IV: UNTRUSTED

Asuna's POV, 22nd Floor, Asuna and Kirito's Home

Redemption? It didn't make any sense. How could anyone like Red Eye X hope for a second chance after everything he's done? It's completely unforgivable. And yet, Kirito, as usual, is quick to decide for everyone else. It was four days ago, but the moment still burns fresh in my mind.

Four days ago, 1st Floor, Black Iron Palace

I stared at Red Eye. I felt no pity for a murderer like him. The fact that he's even here is setting off all kinds of alarms in my mind and making my blood boil. What's he playing at? What's he up to? There must be something we're not seeing here. I snuck a look at Kirito. He's got that look in his eyes again. The look that tells me that there is something to gain out of situations like this. He usually ends up being right, but I'm not so sure it'll work out this time. It's Laughing Coffin after all. No one in their right mind would ever consider a situation like this, let alone expect a Laughing Coffin member to turn himself in. Kirito stood up and looked at Landeral, then to me. I quickly got out of my seat and walked out into the hallway, Landeral followed soon after, shooting a quick look at Red Eye to make sure he didn't try anything while we were out. Landeral closed the door behind him and turned to Kirito.

"What're you thinking kid?" Landeral said, crossing his arms.

Kirito put a finger up to his chin, as if he were contemplating a plan.

"Well for starters, it's definitely hard to trust Red Eye. There's obviously no way we can. He's a notorious member of LC known for his ruthless methods of killing. But there might be an advantage to having him here."

There it was. Kirito's always thinking of how he can put the ball in his court. I stepped forward.

"What do you have in mind Kirito?"

"We can prod a little deeper for more information of Laughing Coffins guild structure. That could give us an idea on how they pick their targets and where they would strike next. Then there's the matter of identifying their hideouts and how we could capture them without killing them if we can. And if possible, we can use Red Eye as backup. From what I've heard, he's a power house amongst his guild. We're up against people far worse than any floor boss. These people can think outside a program, change their tactics whenever they want. Even bosses that can change their attack patterns still have strict methods of how they attack. These guys are different. They're unpredictable. So, our best course of action is to fight fire with fire. No doubt LC has probably figured out that Red Eye can't send or receive messages while he's in jail, so they probably already know that something's up. If we keep him out of sight and away from other players, we might- "

I had to step in at that part. Did he say, "keep him out of sight"?

"What you're saying implies that we're letting him out of jail Kirito." I said.

Kirito was silent. That's exactly what he was implying.

"How can you even think of letting that monster loose again!? Whatever information we need, we can get from Landeral through interrogation!"

Landeral nodded in agreement.

"The Army has the best interrogation officers in any guild. Whatever we need from him will be out of his mouth and in the open before the day's done."

Kirito shook his head.

"That's just it. In theory that's the safest thing we can do. But, even with the best of the best, it would take too long to forward that information and send it through a text or audio track while out in the field. It'd be better to have him with us in case we have to change tactics on the fly, especially in battle with LC."

What Kirito was saying started to sound like absolute crazy talk! I couldn't allow it, and there are times where I need to put my foot down!

"No! Absolutely not!" I screamed in protest. "We can't let Red Eye back out in the field! You saw him in there! He's out of his mind! What if he snaps again and tries to kill someone?"

Kirito looked at me with a smug look on his face. Obviously, he's thought of everything within such a short amount of time.

"That's why he'll be constantly monitored by high level players like you and me. We can't see other players levels, so we don't know for sure how strong Red Eye really is. He's obviously a high-level player though because he defeated a secret sub-boss. Their levels are usually a lot higher than the mobs on each floor, and often they're a lot tougher to beat than the floor boss. It'd be safer to keep a closer eye on him. We can't risk this whole thing being a trap he's setting up with his guild. So, he's going to have constant surveillance."

He was right. I knew he was, but I couldn't bring myself to agree with him. There are plenty of other options that don't involve letting him loose again…But, this is the only pragmatic solution right now. Until something better comes along, we're going to have to let Red Eye go.

Red Eye X back in the field…It was a scary thought. So many variables that could cause this whole thing to go very wrong. But Kirito is a smart guy. If anyone knows what they're doing, it's him. I looked out into the forest. Kirito was playing with our Daughter Yui. I know it's all virtual, but often when I see them together, it makes me smile over how much a real family we are. That's something Red Eye couldn't possibly understand. And why I would never trust him, even if he has really turned himself in with hopes of redemption. I really hope this plan of Kirito's works. I don't want to have to stoop so low as to become an orange player like Red Eye, but I will if I must.

X's POV

I sat there in my cell. It's been four days since the interrogation and I still have no clue what they talked about or what's going to happen to me. Landeral just kept brushing me off. "Sit in your corner boy" is all he would tell me whenever I asked. I looked up out in between the bars of my cell. The stench of mold finally cleared out of my nose, but it was still so very strange to be behind bars. It all sank in a while back though. I was a criminal now. A murderer. And a murderer belongs behind bars. Now all that was left was to wait for punishment. I just wish it would come faster.

As if some higher power heard my silent plea, Landeral suddenly appeared in front of my cell door. He looked at me with eyes full of fire. Today is the day. I can feel it. I'll finally pay for my crimes. What'll it be? Death by mobs? Being forced to leap off the edge of the map into the endless abyss of clouds? Or maybe they'll just send me back to LC to get a taste of my own medicine. Whatever it was going to be, it couldn't come fast enough.

"On your feet boy." Landeral commanded.

I slowly stood to my feet. It was hard to maneuver in heavy chains. I walked to the cell door and looked Landeral in the eyes.

"Today's the day huh?"

Landeral scoffed.

"As much as I hate to say it, no. There's something else I'm here to tell you."

What? What could it possibly be? Why is my suffering being drawn out so much? How long am I going to have to wait for my own retribution? Landeral opened the cell door. Suddenly, I felt my heavy chains lighten up. I looked at my wrists. I looked at my feet. They were gone…My shackles were gone. I looked back at Landeral, confused.

"You're sentenced to aid in the capture of the Laughing Coffin guild. Asuna is waiting for outside by the main entrance. You'll get your gear back on the way. Everything except your teleport crystals and potions. You'll only be able to carry healing potions. And as much as I hate the thought of giving you back that damned sword, you can't equip anything else anyway, so you'll get that back as well."

I'm free to go? No…there must be some mistake here. I belong here, I'm staying in here! I grabbed the cell door and slammed it shut.

"You're out of your mind!" I screamed at Landeral. "I came here on my own! This is where I'm staying!"

Landeral growled at me.

"You think I want your sorry ass anywhere other than here!? If it were up to me, you'd be rotting in here until the game was cleared! But the Knights of the Blood Oath have something else in mind for you boy! Now get your ass up, and let's go!"

The Knights of the Blood Oath? What could they possibly want with me now? I'm already in prison. What harm can I do to anyone in here?

"You don't understand Landeral. How many times do I have to say it? I came here willingly, and this is where I choose to stay! Now please, close the cell door and leave me in here!"

Landeral shoved the cell door open and lunged for me. His massive fist took a clump of my shirt, and he lifted me high into the air above his head. This massive brute of a man could probably toss a boulder over his shoulder without breaking a sweat.

"Listen here you little runt!" He screamed. "You're not being released! You still have repercussions to pay when we get out of this game! Right now, you're carrying out the obligations of your sentence! Remember that little discussion we had a few days back? I call the shots here, so when I tell you to jump, the only question coming out of your mouth is "how high"! Now get your sorry ass moving!"

Landeral heaved me over his shoulder and tossed me out of my cell as if I were a ragdoll. I crashed to the ground, and man did it hurt. I sat up, a purple box that read "immortal object" replaced the would be cracks that the impact would have left in the ground. Suddenly, Landeral's massive hand lunged for my shirt again and hoisted me to my feet. Landeral glared at me with fire in his eyes.

"You used to be a ruthless killer Red Eye. I've heard the stories about you! A one-man army, an unstoppable force! You were the Red Eyed Reaper! Now look at you! A sorry excuse of a man, wallowing in his own self-pity! It's pathetic! No matter what you did in the past, grow a pair and get over it! You've done too much to feel sorry for yourself now! You want redemption!? Well this is your chance boy! Show us you're worth redeeming!"

Landeral set me down and shoved me towards the exit of the hallway. I don't know if that was supposed to be motivational or if he was just plain angry that he was letting me go. But I knew he was right about one thing: I've done too much, taken too much to feel sorry for myself. Maybe he was right about this being a golden opportunity to do something other than killing senselessly. I know I could never truly atone for my sins, but I had to do something. I stared at the empty hallway and then back at Landeral. I began to walk, Landeral followed close behind. I passed by Maddox's cell and shot him a look. He stared back with a wicked grin on his face. He lunged for me, his arms barely reaching out to me, my face just inches away from his grasp.

"I'm getting out next Red Eye!" He snickered and laughed. "And when I do, I'm going to cut you open like a fish! Ooooh I can't wait to get my hands on that skin of yours! HeheHeheheheHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!"

Maddox is a crazed maniac for sure, but I knew there was no real threat to his words. There was no way he was being let out here anytime soon. But, I was just as insane as Maddox in other ways. I'm still confused as to why they're letting me out.

Asuna's POV 1st Floor, Black Iron Palace

I stood there, nervous, angry, annoyed. You name it. I hated the fact that I had to be the one to get Red Eye while Kirito went out on a quest with Liz and Silica. Of all the nerve…

I snapped out of my own thought when Landeral appeared in front of me. I straightened myself up. No way was I going to look unprofessional in front of Red Eye. He needed to know who was calling the shots. I am the second in command for the highest-ranking guild in SAO after all. I greeted Landeral and then got straight to business.

"Is he ready to go?"

Landeral rubbed the back of his head.

"He gave me a bit of a whine back in his cell, but he's all ready to go. Only thing he needs now is his sword."

Landeral looked behind him and motioned for the guards to bring the cursed weapon and shot another look to someone else behind him.

"Quit hiding behind the corner and get your ass out here boy!" He screamed.

Suddenly, a lone figure stepped out into the open. He was clothed in a sleeveless jacket with red trim down the front. He wore studded gloves and spiked steel toed boots and had a chain belt with a skull buckle. Two chains hung from both of his pockets on his black trousers. To complete the look, the figure wore a red facial scarf to cover his nose and mouth. All I could see was his jet-black spikey hair and his red eyes. Then I felt it. It hit me like a rush of water crashing over me from all sides. The air grew thick, the tension rose high. I couldn't breathe. I was staring into the eyes of one of the most infamous killers in SAO: The Red Eyed Reaper himself. Red Eye X, member of the Laughing Coffin guild. I'd be lying if I said his look wasn't intimidating. But, he was in my command now, and I won't let his look scare me off. I looked back at him with equal intensity in my eyes. He looked away. A single bead of sweat dropped down from his face. Is this really the Red Eyed reaper everyone's been so afraid of?

"Red Eye." I said coldly. That was the only greeting he'd ever get from me.

Red Eye looked back at me in surprise. He bowed low.

"Vice Commander. Thank you for allowing me to help anyway I c- "

"Stop right there!" I screamed angrily.

Red Eye looked up at me in shock.

"Don't you dare bow or greet me! I'm not here as your friend! I'm not here to be nice! I'm here to make sure you fulfill your duty and help the Knights of the Blood Oath capture the rest of you killers!"

Red Eye was silent. He stood back up and nodded. He understood his place. Good. Setting him straight early will help me deal with this foolishness a lot easier now. The guards carried over Red Eyes weapon and looked at Landeral.

"Well, go on." He stated. "We don't have all day. Give him his sword and let's get this thing started."

The guards reluctantly handed Red Eye's blade to him. He stared at it. I saw fear in his eyes. Fear of his own sword? Oh brother…

Red Eye finally reached for his sword. It almost looked like it was painful for him to wield. He sheepishly slung the scabbard over his back and adjusted the blade to fit comfortably. He looked at me to and nodded. He was finally ready to go. Took him long enough. Landeral leaned over to me and whispered into my ear.

"If he causes you guys any trouble, just say the word and I'll haul his ass back here. Maximum security, no food for a week, you know, the works."

I smiled at Landeral. The Army wasn't the cleanest guild out there, but Landeral was one of the few I knew I could trust. Working with him always gave the troops a boost of confidence.

"Thanks, Landeral, I'll be sure to keep you updated as we conduct the operation. You'll also be hearing from me and the Commander for any future joint operations we conduct. I'm sure there will be plenty considering who we're up against."

Landeral nodded in approval and turned to Red Eye.

"Don't screw this up boy. I don't want to soil my name, but I don't mind being an Orange Player for a while if I must be. If I even get one bad report, it'll be your ass."

Red Eye looked at the floor and began to walk. I followed behind, keeping a close eye on him. This was going to be a long day.

X's POV 1st Floor, Town of Beginnings plaza

This felt so wrong. Being back in my old uniform, wielding my cursed blade once more. I felt dirty. I felt low. No doubt Asuna felt the same about me. The way she lashed at me back at the palace gave me the message loud and clear. Everyone wanted me dead. And I deserved it. I wasn't here to make friends. I was here to do a job. Whether I lived or died didn't matter to anyone. It made sense in a way. I capture LC members, or I die trying. Either way, that was one less LC member to worry about. I stopped walking and turned to Asuna.

"Where to Vice Commander?" I asked.

Suddenly, a long slender blade pressed its sharp blade against my throat. I didn't even see it coming. Even in a safe zone, the tip of the blade still stung. I looked down at Asuna and met her steely eyed gaze.

"Let's get something straight here Red Eye. I don't like this one bit. I don't like you one bit. I don't care about your sob story, so don't go around thinking that you'll get any pity from me or Kirito or anyone else. You've got one job and one job only and you better do it."

I gulped hard. Asuna meant business. And knowing her reputation, when she got serious, you'd better take her word for anything.

"If I even think you might do something to hurt Kirito or my friends, you won't have to worry about Landeral, because I'll personally make sure that it's game over for you. You got that?"

Asuna's eyes pierced into my mind as sharply as her rapier pierced into my skin. I knew I was strong, hell if things were different and I was still the way I used to be, this blade wouldn't have even fazed me one bit. But, Asuna was equally as strong if not stronger than me. She was serious, and I'd be a fool if I took her words lightly. I nodded in understanding, and she drew her blade away from my neck and back into her scabbard. She continued to glare at me before she walked towards the teleport gate in the center of the plaza. I kept my distance but followed behind. This was going to be a long day.

END CHAPTER IV

MAN, I'M SO EXCITED TO GET THE BALL ROLLING! IT'S TIME FOR SOME ACTION! TIME FOR SOME SWORD FIGHTS! TIME FOR SOME VIOLENCE! I WONDER, WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK SO FAR? ARE YOU LIKING THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING? ARE YOU LIKING THE DRAMA AND THE TENSION? I SURE HOPE SO! LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! I'LL SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! SHAMAJ OUT!