A/N: I don't own the world of SAO. So hello everyone, really sorry for the late update! Thank you so much for the positive feedback and I will take corrections into account as soon as this chapter gets released. The corrections in the first chapter and some dialogue changes will be out as well. English isn't my first language.I am so sorry for the grammar mistakes and this chapter is unbetaed. The prologue's changes should be out tomorrow.
Chapter 1: Capture
It took a while for Eugeo,Kirito and Alice to travel their way back home.When they reached the outskirts of Reluid it was already nighttime. The moonlight shone brightly across the cloudless sky and the stars twinkled. The three of them had stopped for some time eager to watch the sunset from the mountains.
None of them had spoken about events that had occurred during the day wanting to keep the mood somewhat normal to a degree. They had kept quiet for a long time even after their banter but the three of them were lost in their thoughts. They only spoke when it was time to change directions or get lost in the crystalline maze.
Once they had arrived on the patch of grass which led to three separate pathways Eugeo, Alice and Kirito said their goodbyes and promised to meet each other the next day.
XX
Alice couldn't get an ounce of sleep that night. Even after the exhaustion of travelling for long hours and continuous use of her element she wasn't able to sleep. Exhaustion setted in each and every part of her body and yet. Her bones ached and muscles were sore.
Whenever she closed her eyes she could see the dead knight's body. Oh now she wanted to aid him. Use the little knowledge she had gathered in the healing arts. Even now she wanted to help him but the soldier had died and it was all because of her. She was incapable of helping him. Her stomach churned in self disgust and anxiety.
She felt nauseous at the thought of seeing his soulless and dead body. Only if she had been able to heal him, maybe he would have lived to see another day and return to his family. Eugeo and Kirito had comforted her saying it's okay but those too must have felt horrible as well. She shook her head from those dark thoughts but her mind lingered on their speeches for a long while.
She knew they wouldn't have wanted to see their friend in such a pathetic and frail state. She also knew feeling for the dead, feeling for a dead human she had never known isn't wrong, but she wanted to mourn for him and she knew that wrong wasn't either. But would Eugeo and Kirito have done the same?
Her boys had comforted her, she wouldn't waste it by mopping and maybe the soldier wouldn't have wanted this.She gathered herself and slapped her cheeks in determination.She will train to protect what's hers. She will protect her parents, her sister and Eugeo and Kirito. She will never let this happen to her precious people ever again.
With renewed determination Alice went to their usual meeting spot and started training. Even with her tired body. But she was motivated to become strong.
XX
Kirito couldn't sleep the other night, usually he was the one among this trio and in the real world where he was usually late because he slept in. But today is different. He didn't want to sleep. He didn't want to relive those nightmares continuously. The pile kept on adding up on his already full plate.
So he decided to go train at their usual meeting spot to clear his mind for a bit. When he reached the grounds he was surprised to see Alice training.
He knew Alice was training her scared arts to an exemplary level so that she could become a Nun someday but he had
never seen her look so determined before. Maybe something had changed in Alice.
Suddenly his expression changed comically Alice only glared that way if she was angry meaning very very angry. He could see she was covered in sweat and grim. Alice looked exhausted but her glare sent shivers down his spine Kami why was he friends with the most fearsome ladies, a fiance and boyfriend to the most scary lady on earth.
She looked at the grass as if it was Yami incarnate that what's Kirito could see from afar. She had been glaring daggers at the grass she he had seen her. He quickly ran off to get a bottle of water for Alice that stare would melt the sun itself. His footsteps were quick and quiet, not wanting piss his friend off. Kami he was sweating bullets
"Ohayo Alice, why are you training this early?" Kirito asked fearfully.
"Morning to you too Kirito Ara you see I was trying to complete my assignment. , am training" Alice said in a falsely cheerful tone a strange creepy smile on her face glaring with that infamous Alice glare at her friend.
God Kirito totally pissed her off. "Water?" he asked, carefully lifting up a bottle.
"Give me that" Alice snatched the bottle from Kirito's hand. She flicked the cap open and tossed it somewhere. Alice started gulping the water like no tomorrow. Kirito shuddered literally shuddered
Like a switch Alice's mood completely changed again Kirito sweat dropped
"Girls and their moods" he grumbled to himself.
"What was that?" Alice asked.
"Nothing Alice Chan," Kirito said.
"So let's change the topic: what's your assignment about?" Kirito asked curiously, trudging towards Alice to sit beside her.
Again Alice's mood switched, now becoming frustrated and sour.
"I need to turn these into plants, ' ' Alice pointed to a bunch of seedlings laying on the grass. " More specifically I need to grow them into plants with my life force energy, like using scarce arts to grow seeds into grass. It's draining my life energy, making me feel tired and exhausted. I was already tired but I wanted to train. But I don't know how to. I have been trying this for hours." Alice said frustratedly.
" It sounds easy enough but take a break Alice," Kirito muttered.
"What??" Alice screamed. "" Do you even know how to channel life force energy?" She asked mockingly
" I will show you and grow these seeds into trees." Kirito had an indignant look on his face now Kirito knew he was a mature guy way past petty competition but he could never shoot down a challenge that tested his abilities.
"Can you umm umm demonstrate?" Kirito murmured in an embarrassed tone. He knew how to use Ki but didn't know how to conjure it onto objects.
Alice's smirk grew even wider; she laughed so hard that made her mouth feel numb. Kirito's blush deepended making him as red as a tomato. The blue eyed girl didn't say anything and instead shifted her focus to the seeds. She stared at the seeds for some time and then breathed in steadily.
'Tenth time's the charm' Alice thought, taking in deep breaths to control her frustrated self.
She steadied her breathing and focused the life energy onto the seeds maintaining a steady flow of life energy. The seeds began to shake very slowly at first but the vibration became stronger and more potent.The shaking became more stronger and the vibrations started to increase.
The seed slowly began to grow into a small sapling.Small nodules making their way out. Sweat covered Alice's forehead, she began to pant and her focus faded her.She had been doing this for some time now but this is the first time she had seen progress. Alice smiled to herself in glee.
"Cool" Kirito said, starry eyed. "But it is supposed to transform into a plant right?".
"Yeah" Alice said grinning "At Least it worked a bit. I think this means that I need to work on stabilising the flow of life energy" she murmured to herself quietly.
'I need to train more.' She thought
"Hmm did you say something Alice chan?" Kirito asked.
"Just make sure the flow of energy is steady, that makes things easier, meaning I think you need to be patient" Alice nodded proudly at her observation.
She knew she shouldn't be proud but progress was progress right? Only if she had done this with a calmer mind she would have finished the assignment. Regardless.
He had learnt that something called life force energy existed. Kirito closed his eyes feeling the energy run in his veins. He slowly began to accumulate the energy and visualised it transforming it into a single beam of energy. He couldn't much diring his intial attempt but during his second attempt His hand started glowing,the seed began to shake violently. But the shaking stopped. Kirito napped his eys open , sweating profusely and panting. His breaths became ragged. Alice quickly gave him water. He sipped in generous amounts.
"Kirito you did awesome for your first two attemptsI didn't even manage to get the seed shaking after the fifth attempt." Alice said proudly at her friend's achievement. Kirito grinned at her.
"That was tiring but did you find the the solution?" Kirito asked curiously after some time. Alice nodded in excitement. Both of them were sitting underneath the shade of Gigas Cedar tired and exhausted but content and motivated.
XX
Eugeo saw his friends chatting underneath their usual meeting spot but both of them looked tired. He couldn't sleep all night too. After the incident the urge to protect his loved ones also became stronger so for that he needed to complete his calling and train and train to become an integrity knight and protect his friends.
The flaxen haired boy ran towards Kirito and Alice and waved towards the they waved back and signalled him to come closer.
"What are you guys doing?" Eugeo asked surprised at seeing the seed germinate into a sapling his eyes were widened in surprise. He always thought the sacred arts were cool and some day wanted to learn how to use them.
"What's this project about?" Eugeo asked curious.
"I'm trying to transform this seed into a plant so far I have made some progress, wanna try?" she asked she knew Eugeo had yearning to learn scared arts after all.
"Sure" Eugeo said starry eyed "But how does this work?" he asked salivating. Kirito and Alice chuckled at his reaction.
"You have to channel your life force energy in a steady rhythm and try to transform the seed into a plant that's the most simplest explanation I can give" Alice said. Eugeo seemed to have absorbed the information like a sponge.
"Ok got it" Eugeo said excited.The gears began to turn in his head. He inhaled and began to transfer his life energy in a steady but calm pattern onto the seed. Nothing happened initially but after the continuous and calm stream of energy the seed began to shake and a sapling grew out of it, soon the sapling began to blossom into a beautiful plant that looked healthy, green and luscious.
Alice and Kirito stared at Eugeo slack jawed. They were shocked beyond belief their friend had an amazing potential to turn into a scared arts specialist. They were really happy for their friend.
The transformation finished and Eugeo opened his window only to see his best friends gawking at him. He started glancing sidewards at the weird looks his friends were giving him. He began to sweat.
"What did I do?" Eugeo asked fearfully. He only managed to see Aliec pointing at his hands. Eugeo looked at his hands only to see a beautiful plant. His eyes widened and a scream of joy erupted from him.
"Congratulations scared user specialist" Kirito said grinning foxily and pulled his best friend into a one armed embrace.
"Congratulations Eugeo you managed to do this in your first attempt I was only able to turn the seed into a sapling at my tenth attempt and Kirito made the seed shake viciously at his first attempt you are the first one among us" Alice said proudly, her eyes gleaming in joy and pride for her friend. Alice hugged her friend tightly.
Eugeo could only manage to bury his head in embarrassment. "T-Thanks" he mumbled.
Alice's became starry eyed "How did you manage to do this Eugeo?" Alice practically demanded she jerked her friend violently.
" C-C-Calm down A-Alice Chan it's pretty easy" Eugeo stammered and started sweating profusely. Alice just gave him a heated glare
Eugeo looked quickly towards his other friend with a comical hurt look in his eyes but Kirito was snickering. "I'll tell you Alice Chan but can you l-let me g-go?" he asked out of breath.
Alice quickly stopped shaking him, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
"S-Sorry" she mumbled.
"It's ok. But the assignment is actually pretty easy you just have to imagine channeling your life force energy in a line. It should be calm and steady." Eugeo said.
"Oh- the assignment is actually pretty easy then" Alice said. I'll try it once more." Thanks Eugeo" she hugged her friend once more. Kirito just looked at his friends with a fondness in eyes and nostalgic look in eyes. He felt extremely happy for his friends. He loved them immensely and like his desire to protect Asuna and his friends from the other world grew as well.
After finishing her assignment Alice was exhausted and sweat poured out her brow. Alice felt content.
"I will go show this to my sensei and take a shower." Alice said feeling a little disgusted by her grimy look "I stink" she muttered to herself.
"Yeah you do" Kirito said teasingly. Alice stared at him with a murderous look "I-I-I was just kidding" Kirito said looking sideways. Eugeo chuckled.
"I will see you guys in a bit" Alice said waving to her friends and walking towards the village.
The tension seemed to have died down after the incident and each of them began to feel a bit. The sense of awkwardness had almost vanished.
"Eugeo how long will you be doing this for? It's almost the afternoon." Kirito asked, his arms crossed behind his head. Eugeo looks at his friend his exhaustion clearly visible to Kirito
"I haven't finished my task yet Kirito, there are a five hundred or more strikes to go" Eugeo said panting while swinging the axe on the tree hoping to at least make an indent; he had been doing this for a while now ever since he received his calling at the age of eight.
Kirito stands up and takes his friend's axe from "You look exhausted Eugeo take some time to rest I'll finish the task" Kirito breathes in shakily. There's a pause in Kirito's voice
"So how have you been umm..doing? You know after..?" Kirito asked while striking the blade on the Gigas Cedar. Eugeo is visibly uncomfortable as a long pause stretches between the two.
"Umm it's been difficult" Eugeo spoke after a while, evidently distressed.
"Eugeo I'm so sorry I shouldn't have brought that up," Kirito apologised . "Just so you know you can tell me everything you want to" Kirito said, concerned for his friend's well-being.
"Thanks Kirito I needed that. Besides, how have you been doing..?" Eugeo said with relief and a bit of concern in his voice. Kirito's eyes turned glassy, a distant look on his face as if he was reliving something. Eugeo is surprised and worried for his friend.
"I have been doin fine" Kirito dodges the question. "Let's just leave it be alright?" Kirito manages to try to find another topic to converse upon but fails miserably.
"Kirito you can talk to meet right after all we are best friends" Eugeo says a sad smile on his face "After all we all experienced this together"
Kirito's eyes widen, his lips tremble, tears threatening fall from them, yet these two they are eleven but Eugeo's so matured for his age why can't be like him, why can't he handle anything he's always the one who ends up crying but however he wants to be a shoulder for Euego and Alice to lean upon not to see him crumble and break down.
He won't cry not in front of them because he will be their protector. Surely it hasn't been long but he has a strong urge to protect these two like he wants to protect Asuna and his friends
"I'm fine Eugeo" Kirito says and looks away, unleashing the blade and continuing chopping the cedar.
"How about you take some time off? I think Alice will be here shortly. By then I'll finish the task" Kirito said, leaving no room to speak of this incident further.
Eugeo admittedly didn't want to give up and pursue the discussion further but his own insecurities and given that the wounds being too fresh and his own reluctance to continue this talk through the topic and resolve the issues just seemed too much for him at the moment. He left it at that.
"Okay Kirito" Eugeo said albeit a bit reluctantly. A sense of awkward silence descended upon them however it was broken shortly after.
"Kirito after you finish, do you and when Alice arrives want to see the sunset?" Eugeo asked.
"Sure I'd like that Eugeo" Kirito spoke with a small grin on his face.
XX
"Guys I'm back!" Alice greeted her friends with all the happiness and a smile that could reflect all the light. She felt light and happy now.
Sensing the excitement in their friend Eugeo and Kirito looked at each other and a foxy grin appeared on their faces. Kirito by then had finished their task and walked towards Alicee and sat underneath the tre. Eugeo stopped doing whatever he was and came next to Alice and sat beside her. The trio sitting in a circular pattern
"Ok let me guess Alice you were praised by your sensei" Eugeo said in an excited tone.
"Not only that Eugeo" Alice said in an enthusiastic tone. "Sensei allowed to you become a part of training as well" Alice said barely able to contain her excitement for her
"She said whenever you are after finishing your calling you can go and train with her she'll teach you. Now we can train together" Alice said delightedly.
"Congratulations guys! I'm so happy for both of you" Kirito said happily.
Eugeo was stunned to say the least. His eyes widened and tears began to prick the corner of his, a genuine smile blossomed over his face.He hugged Kirito and Alice tightly, tears still steaming down his face.
"For this special occasion I have made pies and cookies" Alice gushed.
She had made Genji Pies because she knew they were Kirito's favourite and Sabule Eugeo's favourite cookies. When she accompanied Eugeo's family to go to the market she discovered that Eugeo greatly enjoyed eating Sabule. Whereas when the three of them went to the annual fair together she found out that Kirito's love for the brittle biscuits through him stuffing his face till his heart was content while grinning like a lun.
She had raised her cooking level skills for making these recipes and went to different markets looking for the tastiest ingredients. While the recipes were simple enough to understand, baking was a challenge. She had put her wit and soul into making these so that they could turn out the best. She would do anything for her best friends.
When Alice opened her basket which was tied with a white ribbon she was elated by Kirito 's and Eugeo's reactions.
"Wow Alice, these look amazing" Eugeo said barely containing his excitement to dig into the goodies.
"How did you find out that I liked Genji Pies?" Kirito asked, a little surprised but mostly excited.
"Remember when we visited the fair you were stuffing them like a lun" Alice giggled.
"S-Shush" Kirito said flustered. Eugeo and Alice couldn't contain their laughter and bursted into a fit of giggles.
"But seriously Alice chan these look way too tasty" Kirito gushed. Alice blushed and hit her friend's arm in a playful manner. Eugeo took one of the cookies drool coming out of his face as he dug into the cookies while quickly whispering a Itadakimasu.
Kirito too took a bit of the biscuit. Both of them stared at each other amd then stared at Alice. Alice's face reddened and she began poking her fingers in a nervous manner. The look on their faces was comical to say the least."Alice chan these are so tasty" Kirito and Eugeo said enthusiastically Their reactions were surprised to instantly starry-eyed.
"What did you put in these Alice?" Eugeo asked starry eyed.
"Oh some of the ingredients and mixed a little bit of love as well" Alice said winking.
"These are sooo good" Kirito said enthusiastically.
"Guys stop e-exaggerating" Alice spoke embarrassedly.
'I just wanted to show grateful I am for your support ' Alice thought. She was very happy to see that her efforts had pay off and even more overjoyed from their reactions.
"Alice take some" Kirito insisted.
"No its fine I already ate" Alice said. But her refusal didn't bring satisfied expressions from Kirito and Eugeo as they kept on insisting soon Alice gave up and began eating the desserts. Alice felt surprised to say the least she thought Eugeo and Kirito had over exaggerated but these turned out to be amazing. Soon as they finished eating the baked goods Eugeo began to doze off. Alice slapped her friend playfully.
"Eugeo wake up! We need make flower crowns and then watch the sunset!" she berated her friend playfully a small amount of anger in her voice.
"What why?" Kirito whined "Making flower crowns is for children" Alice gave Kirito a heated glare which shut him up.
"Why?" Eugeo asked while whipping the sleep from his eyes.
"Because it's tradition" Alice declared.
"Since when did making flower crowns become a tradition" Kirito asked.
"Well it has become a tradition today" Alice declared making sure Kirito and Eugeo had no room to question her further.
"The one who makes the best flower crown will get more Genji Pies and Sabules" Alice announced.
Suddenly the atmosphere became competitive a fire in Kirito's and Eugeo's eyes no one had ever seen before. The tension was palpable to say the least.
'Boys will be boys!' Alice sighed.
Eugeo and Kirito burst out in a sprint trying to gather the best flowers while trying to one up each other. There was flowery area beside their meeting spots having an unique assortment of flowers from daisies to yellow roses. Of course there were red roses, pink tulips, marigold, hibiscus and etc.
Alice plucked out the yellow and white daisies and some tulips and took and began to arrange them in a pattern that she liked a lot. A yellow daisy, then a tulip and a white daisy and continued the pattern until the crown fit her head. Eugeo removed the hibiscus and yellow roses and arranged them in a pattern of two hibiscuses then two roses and then two hibiscuses until he finished making the crown. Whereas Kirito took the white roses, marigolds and red roses.
There aren't any black or blue flowers Kirito thought a hurt look appear on his face. Eugeo just began to laugh at his friend's expense he knew Kirito was infatuated with the colour Black and dark blue and there weren't any flowers that he liked that much either.
The three of them continued with arranging the flowers in a pattern that felt satisfactory too them after that began to tie slowly their vision began to come to life right in front of their of their eyes. Alice was excited to say the least making flower crowns had always been one of her favourite hobbies. After making them the best part was wearing them. The flower crown complimented her silky blond hair although Alice was too young to notice that.
They looked so cute and pretty. Alice wore the flower crown on her head gushing at the beauty of the crown she had picked the best flowers out of all of them. She smiled to herself.
Eugeo kept stealing glances towards Alice he couldn't describe what was going on with him, he felt like a million butterflies were around him. 'Alice looked so looked so pretty'
She looks so pretty. Eugeo couldn't describe this feeling that he felt inside of them.
It felt so amazing yet so weird at the same time. He felt his cheeks heat up at the thought and buried his face in the assortment of flowers. His friend nudged his shoulder, making weird and smirking faces. Eugeo just gave him a mock glare still embarrassed. Through all of this Alice never noticed anything and was in her own bubble.
"Guys are you done?" Alice chirped excitedly.
"Yea" Kirito said grinning "Yours looks so good Alice it really suits you" he gave her a foxy grin.
"Yeah Alice Chan you should wear this more often" Eugeo said admiring his friend's crown.
Alice could just nod in embarrassment. Eugeo and Kirito wore their flower crowns on their respective heads as well. Eugeo and Kirito stared at each and grinned foxily. Making flower crowns wasn't their thing but honestly they were actually pretty cool.
"Now we have to exchange our flower crowns" Sliced said even though she was reluctant to give away hers.
"Sure?" Kirito and Eugeo said giving each other quizzical looks. They exchanged their crowns and smirked at each other. The sun began to set painting the sky in pinks,oranges and purples. As Alice and Kirito continued chit-chatting Eugeo noticed something odd in he sky something that should not be there.
In the sky was that Integrity Knight they had seen yesterday. His stomach began to turn into knots, sweat began to cover his palms. Suddenly a rush of memories began to flood him, panic began to bloom over his face. 'Did they see us? Did they see Kirito?'. Euego thought.
Alice and Kirito noticed the distressed look on their friend's face. Kirito gripped his friend's arm tightly.
"What's going on Eugeo are you okay?" Alice asked concern evident in her voice. Eugeo could just point to the sky horrified
"It's that integrity knight we saw yesterday. He's here for someone" Eugeo whispered.
"He's here for Kirito" Alice murmured.
. Alice felt shivers run down her spine. When she saw the knight she froze. Her eyes widened surely she had excepted this but not this soon not the next day. She had managed to convince herself that this could go unscathed and just be an mistake. But accidents also had consequences.
An accident that was caused by her she tried to suppress those emotions. Her blood turned into ice, her heart began to beat rapidly, sweat covered her She felt like her lungs would burst out of her cheesy. Her breathes become ragged. Little did she know she was having a full blown panic attack. Her vision became blurry and she soon slipped into unconsciousness. The last sound she heard was of Eugeo's and Kirito's worried shouts.'This is all my fault'. She thought.
Kirito began to operate on auto pilot. He had to keep his composure he couldn't afford to crumble between Eugeo's panicked screams and breathing harshly to Alice's fainting. Surely he felt horrified he couldn't see his friends like this couldn't stand it. This was even more scary as compared to his duel with Death Gun. He suppressed his emotions and gave Eugeo water first and then carried Alice bridal-style and gently laid her down under the sade of a tree.
Eugeo's breaths became ragged at this point and Kirito hugged his friend whispering soothing words "We will see how this goes ok?" He whispered comfortably. He couldn't calm Alice but he could help Eugeo.
"Eugeo calm down it's ok" Kirito hugged Eugeo.
"B-But K-Kirito this is not okay not good. A-Alice and Y-You" Eugeo panicked.
"You calm down first alright I'll go see what's up" Kirito said comfortably. He didn't know how he was so calm but surely this is a blessing in disguise. Kirito hugged his friend more tightly making sure his panic wouldn't slip to his friend. Slowly Eugeo began to calm down and melted in his friend's embrace. Tears began to stream down his face.
"What will happen to you Kirito? What will happen to Alice?" Eugeo panicked.
"Nothing is going to happen to Alice and not to me we will get through this together alright" Kirito comforted his friend.
"I-I-I wanna come with you" Eugeo said.
"But what about Alice?" Kirito asked "She needs someone when she wakes up stay with her". Kirito said.
"No!" Eugeo argued back. If they took Alice with them and then something bad happened and she wakes up then everything would go bad. "Let her be hear" It was like Kirito had accepted his fate..
"I can't loose you Kirito" Eugeo's voice was barely a whisper. "We can't loose you" he whispered.
"You won't" Kirito said a sorrowful smile appearing on his face. He just wanted to break just crumble but he couldn't. First they had to go see.
"Fine let's go" Eugeo said barely containing a scream.
XX
The sun began to set painting the sky in pinks,oranges and purples. It almost gave the village an ethereal glow. The streets were bustling with activity. The Reluid Square was filled with townsfolk gathered, having dinner and chit chatting amongst themselves after long day. Shops began to close down as the workers were eager to return back to their families. Slowly the villagers began to whisper amongst themselves to the sight that greeted them and began to back away.
An Integrity Knight clad in white armour with blue strikes and the symbol of the Axiom church descended from his dragon. The Church had received some news about someone having violated the Taboo Index. Her eminence had given him strict orders to seize the traitor. His cold blue eyes began to scan the village square looking for the violator.
An elderly man mustered up the courage to speak to the Knight. "W-What brings you here K-Knight-sama?" he stammered while bowing.
"Where is the leader of your village?" he asked in a cold tone.
"H-He's here K-K-Knight-sama" the elderly man stammered. "I shall bring him for you" the man said and quickly ran off. Soon a man with messy brown hair and dark blue eyes came towards the village centre. He gave a bow towards the Knight Desoulbert nodded.
"I am the leader of this village. My name is Gasphurt Zuberg may I know what brings you to our town Knight-sama?" he asked.
(Kirito and Eugeo's P.O.V)
Kirito gripped Eugeo's hand tightly and walked briskly towards the village by this time the Knight had arrived in the village square. His palms were sweaty from his nervousness and and because of Eugeo's hand. The walk towards the village had been tense but surprisingly Eugeo was able to keep his composure. While a massive storm of emotions was brewing inside Kirito while outwardly he was calm.
"Ane-San what happened what is Knight-Sama doing here? I mean surely they have better things to do" Kirito managed to crack a joke but it didn't help the tense atmosphere.
"Thank God Kirito-Kun and Eugeo-Kun you are safe but where is Alice Chan?" Ane-san asked in a relived voice.
"Alice is asleep" Eugeo responded cryptically. His emotions were running a mile minute.
"Kirito run I'll take care of this" Eugeo whispered towards Kirito.
"No Eugeo" Kirito said "Like I said we will overcome this together" he responded determinedly. As his eyes shifted towards the Knight and Alice's father.
"Kirito I'll cover you go" Eugeo said barely containing his emotions. Kirito just gripped his friend's hand tightly.
(Back to Desoulbert and Zuberg)
" Someone here has violated the Taboo Index" The knight responded coldly. The cold atmosphere shifted into somewhat of a panic. Villagers began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Who?" the chief asked. Gasphurt asked shocked.
"He stands amongst us" the knight's cold eyes shifted towards Kirito a surge of KI washing over him. Soon the villagers eyes shifted towards the black haired boy. The weight of he their stares and Eugeo's worried look struck Kirito like a hammer blow. He thought he was calm but he began to feel the weight of thousand bricks on his shoulders.
The Knight's intimidating aura washed over Kirito and struck him like a hammer blow. He couldn't move, bile had rose up his throat and an intense urge to puke his guts out had settled. His stomach churned in anxiety and he felt the weight in his shoulders. Soon all the suppressed emotions began to surface and an intense storm of emotions blew up in side of him. Finally he had processed.
Eugeo felt panicked but he had to calm down. He gripped his friend's hand tightly and inhaled deeply.
"Knight-sama he hasn't done anything wrong" Eugeo spoke without a stutter as Kirito's eyes widened as he stared at his friend. Soon the Integrity Knight's intimidating aura washed over him and paralysed him. It felt like he was getting choked and an intense urge to vomit had surfaced. His lungs felt the pressure and he began and his breathe turned his into gasps.
"Boy this matter doesn't concern you. " Desoulbert said coldly. Kirito looked down shamefully the weight crushing his shoulders. Alice and Eugeo were suffering because of him.
"Now traitor surrender yourself or you shall suffer the consequences" the knight said coldly sheathing his sword. Kirito's smile was bittersweet and sorrowful as he walked towards the Knight.'
'Move! Move! MOVE!' Eugeo thought panicked but the Knight's aura paralysed him. 'MOVE!' he thought with desperation. But a code appeared in his eye and stopped every muscle from moving. His nerves were paralysed. Eugeo's eyes widened and tears began to stream out of them. By this time the knight had restrained Kirito and bound him with chains the Knight sat on his Dragon and Kirito was shackled.
'MOVE!' Eugeo thought with frustation and desperation. He had to move, had to save Kirito, he had to but why couldn't he move. The dragon began to ascend and Kirito just gave Eugeo a sorrowful smile while muttering something under his breath.
Eugeo felt like he was paralysed, A thousand boulders crushing him, his breaths became ragged, his face was covered with sweat tears streaming down his cheeks, his heart raced a mile a minute, muscles trying to contract, he tried to move them. He tried to shout but his throat felt tight.
"Take care of Alice alright!" Kirito said.
XX
I'm so sorry for updating thislate it's just that I procrastinate a lot and the chapter's length isn't satisfactory either I wanted to write at least 7k. But it's ok.I'm so sorry for the wait guys. Reviews and criticisms are greatly appreciated.