Sword Apocalypse Online
Prelude
It only took a small thing to change everything.
They were nearly there in defeating the first level boss, Illfang the Kobold Lord, when the final weapon he drew was unexpectedly changed from the Beta Test. Instead of the weapon they were used to, a simple curved blade, he drew a much more dangerous katana. Kirito, realizing a shouted warning wouldn't work, rushed forward to try to tell the front line fighters.
It was a fatal mistake.
The first swing killed Diablo, the expedition's leader, Kirito and stunned most of the 'tank' squad that was absorbing damage. The second swing, as the rest scurried about in panic, killed them. Kibaou, who should have taken command at that point, had frozen. Then it didn't matter after he fell in the third attack.
Agil, one of the leaders of a tank squad, got his people in position to block damage, while Asuna stepped up to lead the retreat. She had discarded her cloak, and maybe the surprise of seeing a woman there made the others obey. Or maybe it was the tears on her face. But somehow they pulled back, got the tanks clear and escaped out the doors back into the dungeon itself.
Still trapped on the first floor of Aincrad.
Hope of eventual escape extinguished.
The heroic knight they hoped to lead them out, gone.
As the prepared to fight their way back out of the Dungeon back to the Town of Beginnings they all wondered 'What do we do now?'
To be continued...
Notes: Basically what if things went to shit right from the start. My initial idea was that Kirito would shove Asuna aside and take a death blow for her, but the mechanics of the battle as shown in the anime didn't really work.
I have no actual issues with Kirito, other than him being the story focus. Taking him out means I can dwell on other bits, though if it helps I have a character in mind to replace him in 'beta test knowledge' who will be a regular cast member. More on that in chapter two...
