Sword Art Online III: Asgard

Girl's Ops Four

Kyouko Yuuki finished her work for the day, then headed home. On the way, she received a phone call. She noted the caller ID and sighed, 'Hikari?'

Hikari Aoyama wasn't exactly a friend of hers, honestly. She knew her in the circle of people around her husband's company and the community of semi-wealthy families they belonged to. She was also one of those gossips who REALLY enjoyed dishing out dirt and causing trouble. Therefore, her calling Kyouko was a bad sign...

"Oh, Kyouko, it's terrible!" Hikari instantly blurted.

Kyouko rolled her eyes at the dramatics, glad the woman couldn't see her. "What's wrong?" she asked mildly.

"I don't know if I should say," Hikari lied.

Kyouko fought down her annoyance and said sweetly, "Please, I'm sure I want to know."

Hikari took a breath then said, "I was at that fancy place near the offices, and I saw your husband with another woman!"

Kyouko froze for a moment, then shook herself. 'It could be something totally innocent,' she told herself firmly.

"Kyouko?" Hikari prompted her.

'Of COURSE she wants my reaction,' Kyouko sighed. Aloud she repeated her own thought, "I'm certain it was something totally innocent."

"Uh huh," Hikari said, "Of course."

'Bitch,' Kyouko thought. Aloud she said, "I'd appreciate if this stays between us."

"Of COURSE," Hikari promised.

'All the girls will know by sundown,' Kyouko thought glumly. "Thank you for telling me," she added dryly.

"Of course," Hikari agreed then hung up.

"Welcome home, ma'am," her housekeeper said warmly as Ktouko arrived.

"Afternoon," Kyouko sighed as she slipped her shoes off and hung up her coat. "Has my husband called?" she checked.

"He said he will be working late and not to keep dinner for him," she reported.

'Of course,' Kyouko thought, then realized the idea he was off with someone didn't especially bother her. How strange...

"Ma'am?" the housekeeper asked.

"Is Asuna home?" Ktouko checked, knowing her son was away on business.

"Yes, she's finishing up homework, I believe," she replied.

"All right, we'll dish up dinner shortly," Kyouko decided.

:Yes ma'am," the housekeeper agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Hey, Liz, you're adventuring with Youko, right?" the message came in.

Liz had been about to log in when she got the message from Asuna. "Yes, why?" she replied.

"Can you kind of watch out for her tonight? I know her in Real Life, I think somethings going on," Asuna replied.

"Sure, I can do that," Liz agreed.

"I'd be there, but Kirito, Argo and I are digging into something weird," Asuna admitted.

"Oooh, you Kirito and ARGO. So all those rumours are true?" Liz teased.

"WE ARE NOT A TRIAD," Asuna growled but Liz just laughed.

Liz logged into AOL, still smirking. The truth was, Asuna just had a certain.. vibe with other lady players. Heck, rumours about Asuna and HER had even circulated back then.

The group had set up a 'save' spot at the inn in the town nearest to the caves, and Liz materialized in the room they rented. She noted she was getting alerts the rest of them were logging in to the game too.

"Liz!" Lux smiled as she sat in the common room. The gorgeous woman was completely unaware of how many people were admiring her...

"Hey," Liz smiled back, "Been waiting long?"

"Not long," Lux shook her head, "the others should be here soon."

Indeed, Silica, Sinon and Leafa all soon arrived, eager to head out. "Is Youko coming?" Leafa asked as they looked around.

"Here!" Youko said briskly, the boyish woman arriving.

Liz wasn't sure if the normally serious woman was unhappy. Hard to tell with her.

"Okay, once we leave the town, Tilnel will rejoin us, right?" Sinon asked. Gun Gale, her usual game, didn't have NPCs that could join your party.

"Yup," Lux agreed.

They did the usual buying potions and checking available gear in the shops, then headed out.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

As Suguha had been getting ready to log on, Kazuto had ALSO mentioned something odd going on with Youko. Interesting. It made her wonder if Kirito had roped YET ANOTHER woman into his damn harem.

'They don't have a MILF type yet,' Suguha mused.

Imaginary Youko protested, "I AM NOT A MILF."

Anyway... she joined up with the group, and they left the Player Town.

"Greetings, adventurers," Tilnel smiled, the beautiful Dark Elf emerging from the forest as they headed north.

"Tilnel," Leafa smiled, the healer nearly her hight, but very slim.

Tilnel looked over at her as she noted, "I had heard the Aesir were mighty, but are all of you so well formed?"

"Hey!" Leafa blushed.

"Sadly, no," Silica sighed.

"Mrf!" Pina, her pet dragon remarked.

(The author has NOT forgotten the dragon, she was just off doing dragon things. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.)

"There were sightings of renegade elves in the caverns," Tilnel reported, "I can take you there."

"Bit of an obvious prompt," Sinon muttered.

Lux jabbed her with her elbow, "Be nice."

"Right," Liz said briskly, "let's go."

Not long after they were in a tunnel, and attacked by a group of 'evil' Dark Elves. The battle was fairly routine, but it also highlighted one BIG problem they had.

"We need more TANKS," Leafa noted as she cast healing spells on the battered Liz.

Pretty much all of them were speedy fighters with light armor, other than Liz. And Liz was a BLACK SMITH, not really a fighter. So while everyone else was flitting around, Liz got wailed on.

"Sorry," Silica apologized, the slim knife weilder totally unsuited to tanking.

"Ditto," Sinon the archer added wryly.

Lux and Youko exchanged a glance then Youko sighed, "I'll think about it."

"Or...," Lux shrugged.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Meanwhile, Argo, Asuna, Kirito and Yui were on their way to VALHALLA, and unlike when Argo went they were having to fight more enemies."

"AGAIN?" Argo complained as they were jumped by monsters.

"We don't have your stealth skills, remember?" Kirito noted as he fought.

Kirito was deliberately NOT using Excalibur, as he wanted to get a better feel for the level. With Argo's guidance he found new swords, and was mostly holding his own.

"Htah!" Asuna swept in, stabbing another.

Asuna had, also with Argo's info, completed a quest to get a new, high grade rapier 'Wind Strike.' In addition to a powerful attack and bonuses, it increased her speed bonuses too. She was almost a blur as she darted in, stabbing.

Argo stayed back, but used her new throwing blades to deadly efect. "Argh!" the monster screamed as she stabbed him in the eyes.

"Have you always fought that dirty?" Kirito mused as they finished the attackers off.

"If you're not fighting dirty, you're not trying hard enough," Argo noted, "or so I've heard."

"We're nearly there," Yui noted, hovering nearby in sprite mode. "I'm not picking up more guards, but the area FEELS dangerous."

Kirito sheathed his swords over his shoulder as he nodded, "Yeah, there's something..."

Argo shrugged, "We need to check it out though."

They reached the sealed doors, then Argo set up the small fire. Each burned a 'valuable' item, then the door shimmered and opened.

"The event won't trigger unless we go in," Yui noted.

"Right," Asuna murmured as they looked inside.

"Okay, that LOOKS like Diavel," Kirito blinked, recognizing the young man.

"And I recognize a few others," Argo agreed.

"There's Godfree of the Knights of Blood," Asuna recognized the burly, bearded dude.

"Why no women though?" Kirito asked aloud.

"They would be Valkyries, Kirito-kun," a voice from right behind them said.

He whirled around then froze, "YOU."

To be continued...