SAO: in your time.
Hello welcome to another chapter and side project right now another SAO story about Kazuto time traveling back in time to stop as many deaths as possible… enjoy.
With that enjoy this new chapter.
Start chapter:
In the command tent of the raid party Kibaou, Diabel Lind and Asuna were arguing about what to do.
Well Diabel, Lind and Kibaou were Asuna was screaming at them for unfair treatment.
Fortunately for them they did seemed cowed by her rants and points when she said she saved their asses from the fight.
Still they persistent "ok we won't hurt him but we need to get the message across that he can't go about with impunity especially if he undermines our efforts to escape." Kibaou said relenting.
"But Kirito hasn't done anything like that at all?!" Asuna screamed.
"Still we need the message." Diabel countered
"A message is better than an actual punishment." Lind agreed.
"I feel your both cowards." Kiabou snarled
"No! Once Kirito does something like this then and only then will I support such actions but I will not allow you to do such a thing for no reason!" Asuna screamed
"What if we didn't." Lind asked holding his chin making the three look over
"Huh?" Asuna asked
Diabel looked over confused "what are you suggesting."
"If we give him an ultimatum it's useless if we can't enforce it especially with how nimble he is. He nearly escaped us." Lind glared at Kiabou who felt the insult was his terrible troops.
"So instead we have a constant reminder of him to behave. Like NATO… this way we also don't threaten to kill him and lose the wealth of information." Lind said
Diabel scoffed "I never thought you were one for global politics.
Lind shrugged "eh."
Kiabou growled clearly not happy but forced to comply.
"I agree but the question is what will we use?" Diabel said
Lind pointed to Asuna
"Her." He said
Asuna stumbled
"What?!" She asked
Kiabou chuckled "oh good I like this." He snickered
"No!" Diabel and Lind snapped back
"If he does something to undermine our efforts you break ties with him immediately, delete him from your friends list, you leave his party everything." Lind said
"What?!" Kiabou gasped
"And what join you?" Asuna snarled
"That's up to you, you'll be your own person not under the beaters' boot." Lind said
"Who said anything about that yo-!" Asuna roared
"I agree." Kiabou said his arms crossed making the other three turn not expected him to be so amicable to this.
"It's the most diplomatic solution to the issue. We let them go do their thing we don't give chase…" Kiabou said
He looked to Asuna "it's the best way to avoid violence. You need to see that." Lind said
Asuna growled
"Yeah." She said
Diabel nodded "excellent we are in agreement. First we inform the others about the solution then tomorrow morning we let them go no need for them to risk there lives in the forest at night-." Diabel said
He was cut off by a scream in the camp making Kaibou and Diabel turn to the exit.
"Stay here we will see what the issue is." He said to Asuna
As they left she noticed she got an alert from Kirito
Asuna - I've made my escape GTFO I don't know what sort of reprisals they might lump onto you with my escape. We will meet up either in the next village or the last.
Good luck
-Kirito.
Asuna sighed as she closed the menu
"Idiot." She huffed as she poked her head out of the tent. she heard Kiabou's voice.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE ESCAPED?!" He roared
Asuna looked around and saw a way into the forest where she could escape from
Not hesitating for a moment she ran out of the camp.
As she runs to the forest Asuna saw a shadow behind her she looked back to see Agil looking at her his arms crossed.
However a gentle smile on his face.
He nodded to her and turned away back to the crowd.
Asuna ran into the woods.
And she kept running until she reached the town and found a good bed.
In the forest Kirito sat on a log as a fire roared by his feet
He ate a few rations and several other snacks he had as he watched the fire
He was tired. While pain wasn't a major deal here only in the most extreme cases would a hit even register as a pinch to a player. It did come with another side effect
Sleepiness.
The game would induce tiredness as a result of pain maybe sometimes deeply rooted in the mind which says that sleep is when you heal your injured you need to heal.
Of course the problem was that Kirito couldn't sleep right now as he wasn't in a safe zone.
But he had no choice; the Broken leg had made it mandatory for him to do so; now he could already feel himself drifting off as he looked at the bright flames of the fire to try to keep him awake.
(Play song Wildflowers by Tom petty)
His mind drifted to Asuna, as he figured this might even be his last days.
God, how she deserved better. Much better than what he could give, now she was free, free from his burden
"You belong somewhere you feel free, Asuna." He said looking to the sky as the digital fire rose higher
Kirito could see in his dreary haze asuna walking away from him. Another person holding her hand. Yet instead of thinking 'that should be me!' He only thought 'take care of her right.' And at the last moment he saw Asuna turn to him and give him a laughing smile.
Kirito could see Asuna playing in a meadow making a flower crown. Then he saw her on a pleasure cruise. A pleasure cruise he could never give her, when behind her another man wraps his arms around her as they embrace.
Kirito looked at his fist as he held an ingame item a simple silver ring, no buffs or stat boosts. But it was special in another way. It was hers. Kirito looked at the starry sky as he didn't know his face was getting puffy. In that sky as if taunting him the stars made out Asuna's face.
Kirito looked around and saw a flower he picked it and it reminded him of Asuna so much he chose to keep it perhaps he give it to her, for now…tonight he'd hold it close. Hold it close like he longed for her to.
Kirito felt his eyes close and his body sway. His body at the physical point of exhaustion.
As he did so he saw a figure on approach. Hooded small. A threat?
Kirito couldn't ponder that now as he felt his body give in and collapse into sleep…
( End song)
Kirito woke up Groggy but the sun on his face
He looked around to see someone using his fire to cook some food.
Argo. Kirito sat up alert
"Yah!" He gasped as he fell off the log he was using as a bed.
Argo looked over to him "oh your awake." She said unphased
"H-how long have you been here for?" He asked her
"Sense last night." Argo said as she took a bite out of the food.
"You've been here the entire time since I've slept." Kirito said
Argo smiled "bingo!" She said
Kirito hated to ask This knowing Argo would press the opening but he had to know.
"Why?" He asked her
He expected her to respond with "an answer for an answer." And possibly ask him about time travel shit and how he knew the information he did. However instead she threw him for a loop
"We're even now." She said
Kirito was clearly thrown for a loop staying up 8 hours to watch over an exhausted Contact didn't equal to all the points of stuff he did for her.
"Your still tired." Kirito said
"I'll get some rest at the next village…" Argo said before she opened her menu "of course right, your partner wanted me to give this to you." She said
Kirito looked up
"I don't normally behave like a discount mailman but this time I'll make an exception." She said
Kirito opened the note and read it and his heart stopped.
-Kirito. There's no simple way to ease into this so I'm just going to say it.
Last night before your escape Diabel, Lind, and Kiabou, came to an agreement about how to prevent you from stopping their progress on clearing the game, clearing believing you are in line with Kayaba.
Their ultimatum was that I would not have contact with you. Their idea being that you would be completely solo and not be anything to worry about alone or go insane without help.
I've decided to cut their wind out of their sails and preemptively take action. You will notice I'm no longer in your party…
We will see each other in the boss meeting's but don't talk to me otherwise they will guess something is up. We can use Argo to pass messages along but I'm afraid that is it.
Please clear this game Kirito I know you can.
-Asuna.-
Kirito felt his world shatter
His hope, his dream, his anchor,
Broken, gone.
He couldn't handle it, she was his only driving force.
He wept. He sobbed, he screamed
Argo held him tightly, trying to comfort him.
But it wasn't her
It wasn't Asuna…
Argo watched the reaction on his face as he read the letter.
She had been given instructions by Asuna to give it to him and stay with him till after he processed the information
Argo saw Kirito drop his arms holding the letter thinking her job done she began to get up to leave.
And then he screamed.
Argo snapped her head around in panic now the full weight of Asuna's words resonated in her head 'Wait till he processed the news.'
She knew the letter would affect him heavily but how?
Argo had to figure out what it said.
As she approached she looked over his shoulder and saw the letter
'Oh Aa-chan…why?' Argo thought
She wrapped herself around Kirito as his face screamed pain.
Eyes flooding with tears as he wailed to the sky!
Argo waited by him as his screams and cries pittered out dropping down to no more than hiccups and gasps
A broken man.
Argo after a long moment with nothing got up.
"I'm going to go." She said
Kirito said nothing, just looking blankly at the letter.
Argo sighed as she turned and left
Kirito's his hands shaking opened his menu and flashed quickly over to his friends list.
He had a mix of a gasp and sob.
One friend:
Klein
Kirito fell to the ground and sobbed again.
After a while for him to get his emotions under control (read: beat into submission.)
Kirito stood up checked his equipment and began to head off to the next town.
Without Asuna to hamper him he was free to do what he needed.
He was free to go and save everyone he could and not risk revealing his secrets.
Kazuto "Kirito" Kitigya was dead.
The Black Swordsman has entered Arncrad
"Moveover world… I'm not giving a fuck…" The Blackswordsman said
A week later in the clearers camp.
Kirito was making waves even if they didn't know it was him.
The legend of the Blackswordsman, was one that made many of the clearers gasp, plead, and cheer at the same time.
He was an unstoppable force of nature. Cutting down swathes of enemies in a blink. Even just to save a lone girl.
He never said what his name was
But he always wore black and held a one handed sword and no shield.
And everyone feared him.
One such story was that an up and coming guild of orange players called the Fist's of Might were seen near the starting town of Urbris doing light racketeering and banditry
Unfortunately they also didn't have any hesitation to kill those who resisted. They Locked down the city no way in or out unless you paid.
The clearers thought they would have to backtrack to actually solve the issue before all progress and new mid-ranked players stopped coming to the front lines.
And then The Blackswordsmen showed up, one man
The cleaners and the population of the town alike thought 'what could he do against a full guild of at least 10 people all high level equipment.'
The reports that were given later on were akin to horror stories
Klein watched as several cleaners lost their lunches over one descriptive report.
One man killed all of them. With no remorse.
All in the span of an hour.
The clearers were impressed with his combat prowess and had made it there goal up recruit this mysterious figure.
Unfortunately for them the other major quality of the Black swordsman was his elusiveness.
No info broker could track him down and Argo refused to comment on the figure.
Klein remembered one time catching a glimpse of a conversation of someone asking about the legendary figure only for Argo to kick them out Physically kick them.
Klein stood in the shadows as he then saw the rat hunch down against the wall wrap her hands around her knees and just mutter
"It's my fault…"
It has now been two weeks since the Debut of the Black swordsman. And it was time for the floor two boss fight.
They waited by the area where Diabel was going to go over what they had.
Klein noticed that there was another figure by Diabel and Kiabou with their hood up.
Once everyone was there Diabel stepped forward
"It seems like everybody is here." He said looking at the empty seats for Asuna and Kirito.
"We will begin the meeting now." He said
"Wait!" A voice said as everyone looked back to see Asuna standing there.
"Sorry I'm late, I had to upgrade my equipment." She said as she stood by her area.
"Where is your partner?" Kiabou asked
"We had a…falling out." She said
That made everyone mutter if they had a falling out then the beater was loose and he could at any point be able to wreck havoc on them.
"Where is he?" Kiabou asked
Asuna looked up at him
"Who?" She asked
"The Beater!" Kiabou insisted
Asuna shrugged impassively
"Like I care." She said
"You should because you're-!" One of the ALS said to her
Asuna slammed her foot on the stone "DON'T YOU FUCKING SAY WHAT I SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T DO YOU ASS!" She roared making everyone flinch back.
The three up front gulped as the hooded figure stepped out "ok let's get started about what the second boss consists of." They said
"I'm sorry but if I may, who are you?" Lind asked from the audience
The hooded figure smiled
"Oh of course I'll introduce myself, I'm Argo the rat. Aincrad a premier info broker. Suffice to say if there is any information that's anything regarding this game. People come to me to get it." She said
That opened up a can of worms as Asuna heard several questions called out.
One echoed the meeting, silencing all others.
"Do you know the identity of the Black swordsman?"
Argo's smile faltered before her head dipped
"…yes…" She answered after a long pause.
"…will you tell us?" Kiabou asked
"No." Argo said and with that the conversation was over.
And like a switch was flipped Argo dove into the boss meeting the entire time thinking about how she came across the information.
She stood outside the meeting location braced against a pillar waiting for her contact.
"The scouts said one thing. As did the beta test. Yet your saying the other." Argo said
"I know." Her contract said appearing next to her draped in shadows as if it clung to him like a child. His face covered as attached to his Black Cloak was a quickly fashioned hood.
"Jeez Kii-bou could you be anymore emo?" Argo muttered.
Argo's contact didn't say anything as they held up a guide book "this is all the information about the boss. First hand, Stolen from Kayaba himself. As Is all my other information. So no more doubting me." He said as he tossed the book to Argo and left
"Will you join the raid?" Argo asked, making him pause.
"Not unless I'm needed…" he said before leaving
Back in present day Argo suppressed a shiver from how cold Kirito seemed. He seemed dead. Like he had lost his soul.
She coughed and focused on the boss information back at the meeting
"Now this boss is going to be much harder than floor one. Namely because we're going to have to deal with 3 bosses at the same time." She said
Everyone gasped even Diabel
"In the Beta the boss was Baran the General Taurus and had 5 HP bars. However to get to that you had to fight halfway past another boss He's supported by another sub boss called Nato the Colonel Taurus. He has 3 HP bars you have to fight him first before Baran even Appears so I'll go over them in order of which they appear starting with Nato.
Appearance wise Nato is a blue-skinned, bull-headed beast with shining black horns, hooves that were as big as buckets and a bare upper body. 2.5 meters tall, and is armed with a two-handed hammer.
Nato has a special debuff skill, called «Numbing Impact». When Nato is about to use this skill, it lifts its hammer straight aloft. The hammer then stops overhead for an instant and its wide surface begins glowing with brilliant yellow sparks. Then with a fierce roar, the beast brings down its hammer, slamming it against the floor. Narrow sparking tendrils then extend from the impact point. Anyone too close to the attack suffers direct damage, while anyone touched by the sparking tendrils suffers a stun debuff for three seconds. After using the skill, Nato is left rigid for a few moments; however, Nato is capable of chaining several hammer attacks before the delay. If a player is hit with two such attacks in a row, their stun debuff is changed to a paralysis debuff.
When Nato bellows up to the ceiling, stomps the ground, and then exposes its horns and tenses like a coiled spring, Nato begins charging diagonally along its tail.
After two of its three HP gauges are depleted, Nato enters a state of frenzy and begins to use continuous numbing attacks. When close to death, the taurus's skin turns purple and it begins to rage even more
Nato's weakness is its horns. Attacks against its horns have an increased chance of staggering the creature.
Once the first HP gauge is depleted and the second is halfway down then the other sub-boss will show up Baran the General Taurus who was the boss in the beta and who we know the most about. He has a 5 bar HP gauge. Totaling to 7 total gauges so far." Argo commented before continuing.
"Baran's is like a body double of Nato but twice as tall and different color. rippling muscles were enveloped in a bristly, crimson red pelt. Its waist was covered with a luxurious golden cloth, but his upper half was bare. Additionally, a golden chain dangled over its shoulder, and the taurus wielded a golden battle hammer that shone with a dazzling brilliance.
Baran has a special debuff skill, called «Numbing Detonation» which has twice the effective range of Nato's «Numbing Impact». Players caught in the golden sparks released by the skill are rendered stunned for three seconds. If the same player is hit twice with the skill in succession, the stun effect is changed to a more dangerous paralysis effect.
Once Baran is near death, it enters a state of frenzy and begins to use Numbing Detonation at every chance it gets.
Baran's weakness is its horns. Attacks against its horns have an increased chance of staggering the creature.
Once Barans last HP enters yellow, The Real boss spawns. Asterius the Taurus King. And a complete outlier now if my guide is correct, He has 6 HP gauges." Argo said
"That's 14 total!" Agil gasped in awe Klein wasn't so much better.
"How do we know that this information is accurate?!" Someone asked
Argo looked around "my contact said this information was stolen directly from Kayaba himself." She said shutting everyone up, "Now let's get back on track!" She huffed.
"Asterius the Taurus King, once again has 6 HP bars.
Asterius is a humanoid-form monster with its legs being as thick as tree trunks. Asterius's waist was covered with sturdy, dark chainmail, though the upper half of its body was bare. The taurus's head is that of a bull, but with six horns instead of two, that had a twisted beard hanging down to its stomach, and a round, silvery platinum crown atop the center of its head. Asterius's body is black, as if painted with ink. The boss was armed with a massive hammer twice the size of Baran's.
As for attacks when Asterius's eyes glow, the boss leans backward, sucking in air and its massive chest bulging like a barrel with little sparks crackling out of his nostrils, and the taurus then unleashes a long-range, lightning breath attack, which is capable of traveling the full length of its range in the instant it is unleashed and has a very high chance of stunning or paralyzing its victims.
Like Baran, Asterius also has access to «Numbing Detonation». When Asterius is about to use this skill, it stomps three times in succession before raising its hammer.
Like Baran and Nato, Asterius enters a berserk state when it is close to death as its last bar goes into Yellow. This state is signaled by the boss's black skin burning through like coal.
Asterius's weakness is the crown atop its head that can only be reached with thrown weapons. Attacks against its crowns cause the boss to stagger.
Now the attack bonuses for the fight is a stack on 10 lumber planks dropped by Nato, from Baran there's is pair of Gold bull-pattern boxers. And from Asterius there's a Fur mantle. The boxers give the wearer +5 Strength buff and carry compasity. The fur Mantle makes it so the wearer cannot become encumbered." Argo said
She closed the guidebook "Ok how do you guys wanna shape this raid up?" She asked
"I have a question First how did your friend come up with this info besides Kayaba?" Kibaou asked
Argo shook her head "they didn't say but he did mention that the Main quests on each floor give pivotal information about the bosses either key items to defeat it or information about the bosses weakness." Argo said
"Are there anymore questions?" She asked.
Diabel stepped forward "thank you Argo that's all I'll handle the rest." He said
Ok so for the Raid we forty-six players. So The players will be divided into eight parties:
Group's A, B and C will be comprised of Dragon Knights Brigade members.
Group's D, E, and F will be Aincrad Liberation Squad members
Group G will be the reserves with the members of Legend Braves and Furrinkazen.
Finally Group H will be the rest of the Solo players not in a party led by Agil." Diabel said
"I will take point at the head of group A. Kiabou will be the head of group D and will be overall the second in command of the Raid. Should I fall in battle, all orders are to be taken from him." Diabel said
Kiabou nodded "likewise it's been agreed if I too should fall in Battle Lind who will be the leader of Group B shall have overall command of the raid." He announced
"Are we in agreement?" Diabel asked
Everyone nodded
"The plan will go like this is the info is right. Then we all engage with Nato until Baran appered then groups A to F will engage in the new boss as the rest finish off Nato he should be weak enough for you to deal with by then. Once he's dealt with then we all group up until Asterius spawns and we repeat until Baran is dead. Groups C and F will be reserved to reinforce groups G and H should they need backup so prepare to be fluid!" Diabel said
"Does everyone understand there roles?" He called everyone nodded
"Very well we leave in 2 hours until then get your repairs sorted people." Diabel said
As everyone started to mingle about Asuna looked to see Diabel Kibaou and Argo approaching her.
"Asuna." Diabel said calmly
Asuna looked up at him "I'm not going to join the Dragon knights just to join the raid if that's what you're asking…" Asuna said
However Diabel shook his head "I'd like it if you were to party up with Agil for this boss."
Asuna looked over to Agil who was laughing with a few others
Asuna sighed "Fine."
"Look it's better than going in alone, especially seeing as the Beater has abandoned you." Kiabou sneered
He didn't mean it like an insult, nor did he assume Asuna would react to it like it was one however that's what she did.
In the blink of an eye Kiabou leaned back as he felt the tip of the rapier leveled at his jugular Asuna's Eyes hardened
"He didn't abandon me. You forced him to cut ties for my safety." She growled showing she was just as upset over the affair as Kirito was.
The three were stunned when they each felt a prickle on the back of there necks.
They looked around and noticed a figure with the Sun behind them covering him in shadows overlooking the 4 of them. Before he turned and left his black cloak billowing.
"Was that The Black swordsman?" Someone asked
Asuna turned back to Kiboau her blade now even closer to his neck
"Ok ok! If he doesn't do anything in this boss fight we will revoke the hunt we have for him," Kiabou said
Asuna now satisfied finally sheathed her weapon. As she turned to walk away
"That is if he shows up." Kibaou sneered behind her back
Kiabou didn't expect the whiplash to make him stumble but as Asuna put the full power of her upper body, her arm and even her legs into the slap, Kiabou lost his balance.
If expressions could hurt. Kibaou would be atomized.
"Don't you dare." She growled as she stormed off without another word.
The group watched as Asuna left.
When it came time for the boss raid everyone looked to Diabel to lead
"Ok listen up! We know what's ahead of us no heroics keep eyes on your partners health and for god sake call out anyone odd you see!" Diabel said
With that he pushed open the door
Inside was Nato the Colonel Taurus holding his hammer above his shoulders. As the Cutscene started
The boss turned around and roared as he dropped his hammer ready to attack them
Diabel pointed his sword forward "attack!" He roared as everyone charged
The boss pulled his hammer back about to preform a heavy swing.
Diabel gasped out "scatter!"
The group split apart as the boss swung, only hitting 3 people.
Kibaou however was one of them
"Damn he hits like a truck." He said as he looked up
Nato leined on his hammer spent after the one swing.
"It seems like he can't attack consecutively tanks prepare to guard the attacks, everyone else once he swings swarm him from all vectors!" Diabel orders
The raid was going well until the second bar hits Yellow and Baran showed up.
"What the he's early!" Kibaou said as Diabel ordered the parties to split to deal with the two bosses now.
"No he's on time!" Asuna said, making Kibaou look over "how do you know?" He asked her
"Because I paid attention to the intel." She said before she rushed off to try to finish Nato
Unfortunately what she didn't expect was the Baran to step in the way and send her flying.
Nato let out a roar and activated His skill
However unlike before it completely directed at Asuna who had crashed on the ground.
"Watch out!" Agil cried as Asuna slowly pulled herself up
Too slowly as she was sent flying crashing into the wall her health in the yellow.
The bosses let out a victorious roar as they drove there attention to the others
While Group H was healing Asuna the rest of the raid went smoothly
Except now Nato had Armor buffed like a tank.
Honestly any attacks to him not on his weak spot only took a sliver of his health.
And those to the weak spot were a margin better.
Agil watched as it was clear that Baran was soaking up damage. His bars dropping down like paper.
As Asuna got up she looked up as another roar echoed in the room.
"Oh no." She gasped as she looked around
Everyone paused another cutscenes played out.
"Everyone heal while you can!" Diabel said
"He's early what happened Nato was meant to be killed by now!" Kibaou snarled
"The point that Baran spawned his defense got buffed all to hell!" Agil snarled
"Damn it now we actually have to deal with 3 bosses the point of this was that we avoided this situation!" Lind said
"We have no choice in the matter Group C and F reinforce G and H. Group A and B focus on Baran, group D and E aggro on Asterius. Do not damage him until we can all group up, avoid his attack!"
Suddenly there were a ringing of shattered glass.
A player just died.
Then another and another.
3…4…5…6
Diabel gasped this was a disaster.
"Diabel!" Kibaou called to him
Diabel only looked at his feet he remembered what Kirito said to him back after the first floor boss
'You will die…'
Diabel gripped his head he was right. He was not fit to lead these people. He was just a pretender.
A knight was meant to be glorious, chivalrous and a light of hope in the dark times for the people, it's why he proclaimed himself one at the beginning despite the fact that there was no class system in the game.
Like his title he was a pretender…
A fraud…and now his con had gotten people killed
"Diabel!" He could faintly hear the sound of someone screaming his name but it didn't register
Until a looming shadow stood before him
Asterius the Taurus King. His hammer raised high above him. Ready to slam down on his opponent
Diabel stumbled 'Crap!' He hissed at himself
The floor boss roared as he sent a kick sending Diabel away flying into the hands of Lind.
"Diavel!" He gasped
They looked over to see the three bosses standing over them.
On the left Nato the smallest of the three holding his hammer eagerly to strike his health still at 1 and a half bars
On the right Baran holding his own golden hammer on his shoulders and his two horns sharp as claws. He had a full 2 health bars left.
And standing in the middle his weapon no where to be seen was Asterius the Taurus King. His six horns looking like a mighty crown on his head and his maw wide enough to swallow a person.
He had all 6 of his health bars full
They were fear incarnate.
Diabel shuddered they were woefully unprepared for this fight. No the last fight was supposed to be a wake up call. Now Kayaba had taken the training wheels off
And they forgot how to ride.
"R-retreat-!" Diabel started to order
Suddenly the door to the boss room was kicked open
And in Stood two figures one the more notable wore a black cloak and hood covering his face a single sword across his back.
No one had any doubt who it was.
The Black Swordsman.
The other was easily it was the person who told them about the boss.
Argo the Rat.
Normally a boss wouldn't focus on a new arrival on the boss unless it was aggroed
That is unless the player is leveled enough the Boss itself deems it to be the biggest threat.
Which is why all three bosses looked back at the newcomer smiled now absent from there faces.
(Play Dark souls Soundtrack Taurus demon)
The three demons lunged and Swung at him leaping over the rest of the raid group easily.
Nato was first slamming his hammer on the ground by the door with a mighty crash shaking the entire room
The figure however rolled out of the way and struck at the opening provided by the monster.
The figure grit his teeth as he noticed no change of health before he was forced to jump away by Baran's attack as he used Numbing detonation.
The as he was in the air as the shockwave passed he landed back on the ground perfectly safe and began to Ran up the bosses Arm
He was up to the Elbow when the boss went to swat him away with the other arm.
However the blackswordsman landed on the fist and started to run up the other arm. Drawing his blade as he reached the top of Barans head he gave one cut to the horns making the boss Stumble half of his second to last health bar gone.
In one strike.
Unfortunately due to the boss stumbling it also made it so the figure couldn't remain ontop of it any longer less he fall off as he jumped down
And landed right ontop of Nato
The figure use a plunging attack and stabbed right in the crown of Nato's head right between his horns
The boss pitched forward slamming into the ground face first reducing him to only half a bar left of health
The legendary figure rolled off the beasts head and pivoted around looking back at both bosses
And was unphased when Asterius the Taurus King barged forward and roughly shoved Baran aside raising his weapon high to set to unleash Numbing detonation.
However instead his eyes Glowed and the hammer shined
It was using both at the same time
The figure rolled to the left as the lighting travled past him he was just lucky enough to get out of the way of the hammer as well.
The figure snarled as he looked up about to lunge at Asterius, only for another figure to slam into the monsters chest making it stumble by sheer force.
Asuna.
The boss roared and tried to swipe her away but she used her rapier as a spring board and propell herself up to the boss's head and weak spot
In midair she let out a dazzling array of attacks faster than the game could process as evenThe boss had trouble reacting as it began to glitch out from the reactions it had to make on the fly.
With the final attack, Asuna kicked off of one of the horns and landed next to The Black Swordsmen back to back
Standing around them in a triangle were the three bosses.
Asuna's attack was meteoric as she had dealt a single bar of health and half of another in the span of 5 seconds.
The two players looked around at the bosses as the raid group was stunned
"Cover." The black swordsmen said
Asuna said nothing in response but just nodded as she bolted to the nearest boss she could
Asterius. The boss swung his hammer to hit her to try to bash her away.
However what no one expected was for Asuna to use the physics engine to her advantage as she landed on the hammer on her own two feet and launch off it toward a new vector
Baran the General Taurus,
She landed on his head and stabbed he boss right in the eye making the boss roar losing another bar of health in one go.
Apparently extremidies such as eyes were also a weak spot and sometimes more effective than the official weak spot.
Asuna didn't hesitate as she leapt up and started to attack the crown same as The Black Swordsmen
While that was happening The Blackswordsman all but vanished as he actually took on Asterius the final boss Nato ran in to help his king.
Unfortunately it resulted in firendly fire as Nato smashed his hammer in the bosses chest
And in a fit of rage Asterius punched Nato in the chest killing him instantly.
A unique kill.
The black swordsman didn't hesitate as he climbed up on the boss and started to wail into the Crown.
Not once activating a sword skill
It would take too long.
The black swordsmen was finally thrown off as the boss stood over him ready to kill him
Only for then the rest of the raid party to get its second wind and charge the bosses
The black swordsman stood up as the horde of players ran past him
The boss looked at the many faces drawing aggro on him as he prepared to use large sweeping strikes to take as many out as he could
Meanwhile Baran went into a frenzy.
The blackswordsman looked over to see Asuna dealing with the boss alone and moved in to intercept.
He threw Asuna to the ground right in time to save her from Numbing detonation.
"As one." He said simply before rushing off not waiting for Asuna to confirm that she heard him.
Fortunately she did and was running right by his side as they tag teamed the boss.
In a blase of Black and White streaks nearly untraceable to the naked eye the last of Baran's health was depleted.
At the sound of his second sub-boss being eliminated, Asterius roared and activated his Frenzy mode early.
"Crap another change!" Kibaou hissed as he and his party tried to scatter
Only to get caught in it as the attack this time had no lead up
"Stun!" Kibaou heard one of his teammates said
Indeed everyone in his party had the paralyzing effect instead of the basic Stun effect.
And He hasn't been hit once
"The boss no longer stuns!" Kibaou warned as others rushed in to pull him and his Allie's out of the way of fire.
As he was dragged away he noticed that the black swordsmen and Asuna charged headlong towards the boss.
"The lighting flash." Kibaou gasped as he saw Asuna attack.
The boss roared as Asuna struck the bosses crown only for The black swordsmen to jump up and cut inside the beasts mouth making the beast clamp down as she landed harshly.
Everyone gasped thinking there saviour had been eaten
Only to find the boss was struggling
The black swordsman was holding the boss's maw open.
And then he started attacking as the boss was helpless to defend against it before the boss punched itself in the jaw to dislodge him.
However with ont titanic scream the black swordsman charged forward both hands on his sword as he dealt one Final Cut.
And the boss shattered.
(End soundtrack)
They had beaten the second floor.
All three LA bonus went to their savior.
The mysterious Black Swordsmen
Everyone stood shocked as the savior stood up.
and began to walk away.
"W-wait." A voice said in the crowd
Everyone looked to see Diabel there
"Thank you for saving us." He said humbly
The figure said nothing as he looked at his feet.
"I didn't fight to save you. I fought so I could get closer to killing Kayaba." He said emotionless. As he began to walk away.
"Hey!" Agil called at him the figure stopped again
"W-who are you?" He asked
"I am The Blackswordsman…" the figure said after a long time
Asuna gasped as she stepped forward holding onto Klein for support. Who also seemed to be in a bad shape.
"I-if you're The Black Swordsmen. Then do you know where Kirito is?" She asked a quiver of hope in her voice
However the black swordsmen shattered that feeling instantly
"He's dead…" he said as he turned to face the crowd
"And I killed him." The Black Swordsman finished
Everyone shuddered as he looked at him
Asuna couldn't take it as she fell to the ground
"W-why? Why would you do such a thing?!" She screamed
Silience filled the room
Then
"…why?"
Asuna looked up shocked tears streaming down her cheeks
"Why did I kill him? He didn't beg to spare him, he didn't plead for mercy, and I didn't enjoy ending him." The black swordsman said, looking at his hand.
"He wanted to die…" he admitted
"He asked me, screamed at me, to let his suffering end…So I gave him mercy."
"I am the black swordsman. And I will end this game." He said as he started to walk away towards the stairs
No one expected the Rat of all people to charge forward.
Argo was livid.
How dare Kii-bou do such a thing! Couldn't he see he was playing with Asuna's heart! And with her so devoted to him. Argo knew that if she didn't step out she would end her life.
Argo didn't want to do this but she had to
She had to break his façade.
Argo drew a throwing pick and lined up the shot
Her plan was to shatter the hood and reveal his face.
As she activated the skill she let the Pick fly.
It flew true.
However she didn't expect for him to turn at the last moment
The shattering of glass was heard as the Black Swordsman twisted his body at an odd angle
Argo smiled 'there now you have to confront the truth.' She said
Until the black swordsmen stood back up
And Argo nearly shit herself
"Kirito!" Asuna cried in relief.
Standing there indeed was Kirito the black swordsman
But in his right eye Argo pick had lodged itself straight in
And his left eye looked dead to the world.
It was filled with rage and pain.
Everyone gasped as Kirito just stood there
Before he reached for the throwing pick.
Everyone cringed as he ripped the pick out of his eye taking the eyeball with it
Without a single reaction.
While pain wasn't a thing in the game it didn't mean the brain would just accept self harm like it was nothing it still had inhibitions to prevent injury.
Everyone watched as the eyeball on the throwing pick shattered and turned away.
He sighed as he opened his menu before holding out all three Last attack bonuses. The Planks of wood. The Boxers and the mantle.
He dumped them unceremoniously on the ground and walked away.
Everyone was stunned by his reaction
Asuna stood up swaying shocked and stunned
"…Kirito…" she said holding a fist to her chest
"Go to him." Diabel said behind her
She turned and she noticed Lind, and Kibaou were looking solemnly.
"We made a mistake, we would've died without him today. And taking you away was wrong." Lind said
"I still hate him but even I have to admit that we were too harsh." Kibaou said
Asuna was stunned as she looked at them
However before she could react Argo threw herself at asuba
"Please Aa-chan go to him he needs you now." She pleaded.
Asuna gulped and looked around the others nodded
And Asuna ran up to meet with Kirito.
"Kirito!" She called thinking that this would lighten him up.
Only he didn't
He didn't even stop
Nor acknowledge her. As he pushed the door open to the stairs and kept walking. Asuna followed him hoping that maybe he'd react
Instead it was met with silence… despite Asuna trying.
(Play song: Remember the Tinman by Tracy Chapman)
The Black swordsman and Asuna were quiet as they climb the stairs to the next floor… Asuna looked out to the Floor below as she looked to Kirito hoping to see a smile on his face
No such luck Kirito was a cold as a kitchen sink.
Even her smile couldn't pearce his rough exterior.
Asuna tried to get him to talk, she's talk about anything ask him anything.
She called to him so many times.
She only got one response.
"Don't call me that."
When she asked the follow up question of what she should call him then he was again silent.
All he thought of was the person tailing him…
The black swordsmen could only think of Asuna, her betrayal still carved deep into his mind.
They were meant to be together…but she abandoned him to fend for himself against all the pressures.
In his mind all he could see is his Asuna braced against his Back ready and willing to fight against anything that comes at them.
He clenched his fist…his empty fist…
The black swordsman saw in third person his broken beaten battered body. Worn from the effects of not eating properly after he lost Asuna.
In that moment Asuna looked at Kirito saddened she expected him to be hurt yes. That's why she wanted Argo with him.
But this wasn't hurt. This was shattered
The innocence, the light from his eyes was gone.
The Black Swordsmen kept walking as he thought about what he did to deserve such fate.
He tried and did everything he could… he tried to make it apparent to Asuna he cared.
And she still ran from him…like before… he remembered sitting on the log. Reading the letter…
Crying himself to sleep. Everynight.
The death of Kazuto
The birth of The Black Swordsman was the first step.
The next step was to make sure no one else would hurt him ever again.
'Stop!' A voice screamed in his head 'this is wrong!' It said
'How?' The black swordsmen asked
'She's right there.' The inner Kirito said
'No she's not…' The Black Swordsmen argued mentally.
'Remember…' the Voice of Kazuto said
The Black Swordsman fell into a memory.
Agil's shop on floor 50… Asuna of the knights of the blood oath grabbing him by the collar giving him in no uncertain terms they would have a meal together…
Then he was at her place having said heavenly meal…
His fists clenched as his lone eye tears streaked down it.
He remembered when he had the chance to go back
He stood across the formless being all to happy to dive in…if he had known what the price was he would have never accepted it…
He remembered when he arrived back here he seeked her out… hoping that seeing her would lessen the hurt.
It didn't…
He didn't trust himself not to make it worse…
"Kirito, will you talk to me? tell me what's wrong?" Asuna asked trying to broach to him.
Still nothing.
Unseen by her The Black Swordsman winced as he remembered the past adventures the adventures he wanted to have with her…
He remembered fighting so hard to protect the raid party…but why? What point was it?
In his mind the Black Swordsmen stood back to Back with Kazuto Kitigya.
The rouge element that refused to die…
The. He flashed back to the Dicy cafe
Klein, Agil, Sinon, Liz, Silica, Suguha, his firends…
No his family…
All of it spearheaded by one…
The Black Swordsman looked over his shoulder to see Asuna looking distraught.
The black swordsman looked back ahead snapping his collar as he made his way up the stairs
'One day you will find it I pray…'
(End song)
Asuna watched him leave. Still on his heels
"Kirito will you answer me?" Asuna asked
"Why?" Kirito demanded turning.
Asuna thought he hadn't understood the question. So she asked it again "I asked-."
"I know what you said I'm asking why?" He asked harshly making Asuna stumble back at the ferocity in his voice.
"Just so you can rip those away too laugh at me and say it doesn't matter? make it seem that all I've done for you was worth Jack and shit!?" He snarled his one eye hardened like steel while the other was a empty husk.
It would remain like that until he got a full night's rest.
"Where is this coming from?" Asuna asked confused and concerned about his reaction.
The black Swordsman answered hollowly
"I told you not to give me hope, but you couldn't even do that before ruthlessly ripping it away!" Kirito roared.
He wasn't thinking rationally anymore; the hurt dug too deep he had to lash out or he'd explode.
So he spoke the honest truth. How much pain he was in.
"I'm sorry…" Asuna muttered
"No you're not." Kirito bit back. As he walked away. He knew she wasn't
Because apart of her didn't want to be…
But he was calloused over. So he just acted naturally
"Kirito what happened to you, you've never been like this when we met." Asuna said
That made The Black Swordsmen pause as he turned towards her.
"Listen to me, I've seen things that would make you cower. That would make the monsters under your bed run in fear and I've done things that would make the most heroic man question his morality…" he said
Asuna gasped as the black swordsmen gave his honest experience. He turned around
"I'm not a good man…I'm no hero…but I will end this game…" he said as he opened the door to the third floor.
(Eoc)
Here's chapter 3 I didn't expect it out so soon but eh I got lucky… keep reading Bankerrtx01