Chapter 11 Crimson Killing Intent
Right after Kirito agreed to challenge Commander Heathcliff in a dual, word quickly spread across the game about their duel. On Floor 75 in Collinia Knight's of the Blood Oath members were selling tickets to players who wanted to see the duel between Kirito and Commander Heathcliff. But in the coliseum where the fight would take place Asuna was not happy.
"Honestly, you're such an idiot! How could you agree to a duel?!" Asuna exclaimed.
"Okay calm down I'm sorry! But it's not like he gave us any other choice." Kirito said.
"The other day when you two used you're dual wielding and weapon transformation skills, I've never seen anything like that before. The thing is the commander has his own unique skill to." Asuna said.
"Oh yeah, I've seen that skill a bunch of times when I see him fight. It's called the Divine Blade, right?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, it maximizes his offensive and defensive moves. His attack is strong, but his defense is incredible." Kirito said.
"No one has ever seen the commander's HP bar dip down into the yellow zone before. His invincibility is way beyond the normal game balance." Asuna said.
"I know" Kirito said.
"What if you lose? I don't care if I don't get my leave of absence, I care about you two having to join the Knights of the Blood Oath." Asuna said.
"Don't worry, if Kirito wins, we won't have to join and even if he does lose it wouldn't be the end of the world if we did join." Sora said.
"True, but I'm planning on losing easily." Kirito said.
A few hours later the Colosseum was packed with players wanting to see the duel.
"I'm sorry about this Kirito, I didn't think this would be such a big deal, this is crazy." Heathcliff said.
"Maybe I can get a cut of the tickets?" Kirito asked.
No. But when we're finished you and Sora will become official members of the guild, I'll consider this your first mission. Heathcliff said.
Then Heathcliff opened his main menu and brought out the option to duel Kirito and he accepted it. Then there was a timer in the air in between Kirito and Heathcliff, along with their pictures on their sides and VS in the middle because it's a duel. Then the time ended, and the duel began. Kirito was the first to attack using his quick moves and slashing his swords at Heathcliff. But he wasn't strong enough to break through his shield and then Heathcliff lunged his sword at Kirito, but he jumped out of the way.
"You're reaction time is very impressive." Heathcliff complimented.
"Yeah, and you're defense is impregnable." Kirito complimented.
The crowds were cheering on as the two players fought everyone was cheering them on.
'Not yet! Give it time!' Kirito said to himself as he continued to fight.
Unfortunately, Heathcliff was able to scratch Kirito's cheek with his sword, but Kirito kept fighting moving even faster. Sora and Asuna were watching the fight, but Asuna was nervous about Kirito.
"Be careful." Asuna said.
"Don't worry if anyone can pull through its Kirito." Sora said.
"Thanks Sora." Asuna said feeling a little better.
Kirito and Heathcliff were still going at it, and Kirito managed to land a hit on Heathcliff's cheek. Then Kirito's swords glowed a bright light blue, and he went all out on Heathcliff. Heathcliff tried to block his attacks, but Kirito was too strong and fast for him. Eventually Heathcliff couldn't keep up with Kirito and was out in the open for an attack.
'Now's my chance!' Kirito said to himself as he went in to attack him.
But just as it seemed Kirito was about to win the match Heathcliff suddenly moved out of the way from his attack and attacked Kirito with his sword winning the duel.
"Well… it looks like the Knights of the Blood Oath have received two new members." Sora said.
After the match Sora and Kirito received uniforms for the Knights of the Blood Oath, but their uniforms were white and red versions of their original outfits. So, Sora and Kirito decided to head back to their home on Floor 50 to try them on. Asuna went with them to see them in their new uniforms.
"Well at least they give us nice uniforms. Right Kirito?" Sora asked.
"Maybe, but couldn't they make uniforms that aren't so flashy?" Kirito asked.
"Actually, Kirito you're wearing less flashy ones. (Chuckles) You guys look great!" Asuna said cheerfully.
"(Sigh) I'm in a guild." Kirito said.
"Now Kirito, we both new this day had to come at some point. Besides at least we have each other." Sora said.
"Yeah, that's something." Kirito said sounding a little happier.
"I guess this is all my fault isn't it." Asuna said sounding a little guilty.
"No this is a good opportunity, I got as far as I could as a solo player and even farther teaming up with Sora." Kirito said.
"Yeah, I think deep down we new we would have to settle down in a guild one day." Sora said.
"That makes me feel a little better. Hey guys." Sora said.
"Hmm?" They both said.
"Why do you both avoid guilds? And people? I hope you don't mind me asking." Asuna said.
"Well, I wouldn't say avoiding…" Sora said quietly.
"I mean it's not because you're a beta tester or that you both have unique skills. I know you both care about people." Asuna said.
"It's not something we talk about a lot, up till now the only other guild we were in was called the Moonlit Black Cats." Sora said.
"Yeah… as players they were good, but their levels were way lower than ours. And I thought they wouldn't want us around. Sora told me it would be alright, but I wasn't sure. But we joined up with them and we'd watch them messing around and having fun. After being with Sora after we left Floor 1 it made me realize I wanted to be part of that to. But then one day…" Kirito said.
Then they told them how they entered a place where they couldn't use their teleport crystals and ambushed by monsters. One by one they watched their friends get killed and they couldn't save them. But they decided not to tell Asuna about Sora turning into his Rage form, so Sora's secret on him being from another world wouldn't get exposed.
"I'm the reason the whole guild got wiped out…" Kirito said with remorse.
"Now Kirito it's like I told you before, we're both in this together." Sora said.
"No, I caused our friends to get killed and I convinced you to not tell them our true level. You were right Sora we should have been honest especially when they accepted us as their own…" Kirito said sadly.
"Stop that. I told you we're in this together if it's you're fault then it's my fault. I could have told them to, but I didn't. So don't go blaming yourself, and the best we can do is live on to the end like we promised Sachi we would." Sora said.
Before Kirito could say anything, Asuna came close to him with her hands on his face.
"I'm not gonna die got that? I can't die because, I have to protect you." Asuna said as she gave Kirito a hug.
Kirito felt better thanks to Asuna's kind gesture, and he started to blush a little to.
'Those two are made for each other.' Sora said to himself.
Then the three players returned to Floor 55 Grandzam, and a huge man with thick, shaggy orange-brown curls came to talk to Sora and Kirito. He wore a white and red KoB uniform with a white cape, a metal chest plate, metal shoulder plates and bracers and brown, leather gauntlets.
"We have to train?" Kirito asked.
"That's right, you two me and another are gonna form a party. Then we're all gonna clear the dungeon on this Floor. Oh, and Sora the Commander wants to have a word with you before you come with us." The Knight of the Blood Oath member said.
"Hold on Godfree me Kirito and Sora are already in…" Asuna said before Godfree spoke up.
"I can't do anything about it ma'am, besides as second in command you know we can't ignore the rules. If they're gonna be joining us, then it's my job as commander of the frontlines to take the two kids and evaluate their skills." Godfree said.
"But that's ridiculous! They don't need evaluation they're stronger than you!" Asuna exclaimed.
"Alright Sora you go on ahead and talk to the Commander, but Kirito in 30 minutes I want to see you at the western gate. Ooh-Ah!" Godfree said as he walked off.
"Well, I better find out what Commander Heathcliff wants with me, see ya." Sora said as he walked off.
"Yeah, see ya." Kirito said.
"(Sigh) we almost had the chance to be alone." Asuna said, wishing she could spend more time with Kirito.
"I'll be back soon; think you can wait for me?" Kirito asked.
"Mm hmm just be careful." Asuna said.
"I will." Kirito said as he walked off.
Meanwhile Sora went to Commander Heathcliff's office to talk to him.
"Commander Heathcliff, you wanted to speak to me." Sora said.
"Yes… there's something that's been on my mind after I learned about your weapon transformation and Kirito's dual wielding." Heathcliff said.
"What is it?" Sora asked.
"Kirito's dual wielding is a rare ability, only given to the player with the fastest reaction time. But you're weapon transformation skill is completely unusual like those key shaped weapons you hold." Heathcliff said.
"Well, I get that a lot, but it's like I tell everyone they're…" Sora said before Heathcliff spoke up.
"Just rare items you just happened to come across. I heard, but I'm having a hard time believing you happened to be that lucky to achieve such weapons. Especially since there's absolutely no information on those weapons you wield." Heathcliff said sounding a little suspicious.
"You don't think I actually hacked into the game, did you?" Sora asked sounding a little sad.
"On the contrary, I think there's something else about you that we don't know about, something that is completely out of this world." Heathcliff said.
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Sora said playing dumb.
"If you say so, now you better hurry you and Kirito have training to do now that you're a member of the Knights of the Blood Oath." Heathcliff said.
"Of course, commander." Sora said as he walked off.
Heathcliff watched Sora with wonder and curiosity in his eyes.
"Well, a being from another world in this world, this is a game changer." Heathcliff said.
As Sora left to meet up with Godfree, Kirito and the other player but then Asuna ran up to him looking very worried.
"Hey Asuna, what's wrong?" Sora asked.
"I think something went wrong in the training." Asuna said.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
"I was worried about Kirito, so I was tracking him on my map but then I noticed Godfree disappear. I have a feeling that something went wrong." Asuna said sounding very worried.
"That does sound worrying, well where did they go?" Sora asked.
"They went to the dungeon on this floor that's where Godfree disappeared.
"Then let's find out what's going on." Sora said.
So, Sora and Asuna rushed to the dungeon to find out what happened. Back in the dungeon Kirito and Godfree was with Kuradeel. Turns out Godfree invited Kuradeel with them so that he, Kirito and Sora would get along. But when the players took a snack break, Godfree and Kirito to a sip of their waters and fell on the ground paralyzed. Godfree started to laugh manically, he pulled out his sword and constantly stabbed Godfree until he died. Kirito mentioned his behavior on how he willing killed someone from his own guild smiling. But Kuradeel rolled up sleeve revealing he's actually a member of Laughing Coffin and went under cover as a member of the Knights of the Blood Oath. Then Kuradeel brought out his sword and stabbed stabbed Kirito in the legs.
"How's it feel? Come on I wanna know how it feels knowing you're about to die like a dog. What is you're tongue paralyzed to?" Kuradeel asked as he moved on to stab his arms.
'Is this it? Is this where I'm gonna die?" Kirito asked watching his health bar deplete into the yellow color.
"Come now! It's your last chance to say something. You really are going to die." Kuradeel said as he stabbed his sword right through his torso.
Kirito's health went right into the red if he doesn't do something his life will be in real danger. He thought about Asuna the girl he fell in love with and Sora the boy who stuck by his side and became best friends with. Using what little strength he had left from the paralysis, he tried to the pull the sword out of his torso.
"Why do you keep struggling are you afraid of dying after all?" Kuradeel asked.
"No…. I'm just not… ready yet." Kirito said.
"(Laughs) Is that so?! That's the way I like it!" Kuradeel exclaimed as he plunged his sword deeper into Kirito's torso.
"Die! Die! DIIIIIEEEE!" Kuradeel shouted as he plunged the sword deeper in Kirito's torso.
But before Kirito's health bar went to zero Sora charged in with his Hyper Hammer and swung Kuradeel so far and smashed him into a wall.
"Heal!" Asuna shouted as she used her healing crystal to restore Kirito's health bar back to normal.
"Kirito! Are you alright?" Sora asked.
"I'll be fine. But how did you find me?" Kirito asked.
"I was tracking on you're position on the map the whole time. Then I saw Godfree disappear, I got worried something happened. But you're alive! I'm not dreaming, am I?" Asuna asked with tears of joy in her eyes.
"No, you're not." Kirito said.
Then Kuradeel got up Sora was about to go over to stop him, but Asuna stopped him from going.
"Watch over Kirito, I got this." Asuna said, as she brought out her sword and walked over to her former bodyguard with an angry look on her face.
"A Asuna I can explain everything! We were just training and all of a sudden there was this…" Kuradeel said until Asuna slashed his cheek with her sword.
"Why you!" Kuradeel said as he tried to attack Asuna with his sword but missed.
Then Asuna attacked Kuradeel with lightning flash strikes until he dropped his sword and went down on his knees. Sora and Kirito saw what happened and were amazed at Asuna's moves and speed with her sword.
"Whoa no wonder people call her the lightning flash huh?" Sora asked.
"Yeah…" Kirito said as he watched in awe.
But the heartless showed up surrounding them so Sora summoned his Hyper Hammer to fight them off. Meanwhile on the other side of the dungeon Kuradeel was at Asuna's mercy.
"I give up! I surrender! Please don't kill me! I'll leave the guild you'll never see me again I promise! Please! (But Asuna is still thinking about ending his life.) I DON'T WANNA DIE!" Kuradeel exclaimed.
Asuna then stopped herself from killing Kuradeel knowing she couldn't end his life when he's pleading for mercy. But Kuradeel just smiled grabbed his sword and used it to disarm Asuna of her sword.
"That was very naïve for a Vice Commander!" Kuradeel exclaimed as he was about to strike down Asuna.
But Kirito got in the way blocking the sword with his left hand and using a martial arts skill called embracer punching Kuradeel in the gut killing him.
"I can't believe it… you murdered me." Kuradeel said in his dying breath before he disappeared.
"Are you guys, okay?" Sora asked.
"We're fine right Asuna?" Kirito asked.
But Asuna didn't answer, instead she broke down in tears.
"I'm sorry. This was… all my fault, wasn't it?" Asuna said while crying.
"Asuna…" Kirito said until Asuna spoke up.
"I'm sorry. But I should stay away from you… for you're sake." Asuna said crying.
But seeing her sad Kirito went up to her and kissed her on the lip. She was surprised but not upset she actually blushed and keened in deeper for the kiss. Sora was watching and smiled.
'Way to go Kirito.' Sora said to himself.
"Asuna… my life belongs to you. I'll give it up for you, I wanna stay with you until the end." Kirito said.
"And I promise I'll do anything to protect you to, forever no matter what I swear." Asuna said.
"I'll do everything I can to make sure you get back to the real world. Asuna, could I… stay with you tonight?" Kirito asked.
"Mm hmm." Asuna said.
Sora watched what happened and was happy Kirito and Asuna finally expressed their feelings for each other.
"Well Sora I'm afraid I won't be able to go home tonight." Kirito said.
"It's okay, you two go on I'll tell Heathcliff what happened." Sora said.
"Thanks Sora." Asuna said and Sora walked off.
In the Radiant Garden Castle Ansem and his apprentices saw what happened and were concerned.
"Looks like the Knights of the Blood Oath had a spy in their ranks." Ienzo said.
"Who knows how long he's been there, giving information to Laughing Coffin." Even said.
"Let's not forget Laughing Coffin has been working with the man in black, I bet he places bugs and heartless on the Knights of the Blood Oath base. We better find those bugs before it gets out of hand." Ansem said.
Secret Ending
When Kirito and Asuna went to Asuna's home on Floor 61 in Selmburg, after Kirito and Asuna finished their dinner, Asuna got up from the table, turned the lights off, and took her clothes off. Kirito was shocked realizing the misunderstanding when he told her he wanted to spend the night with her.
"D Don't look… not yet anyway. Wha what are you waiting for get undressed, don't just sit there it's embarrassing." Asuna said.
"(Gasp) No wait I didn't! I mean I I just! All I wanted was to spend the night with you tonight and not the uh… the other thing." Kirito said shocked about what happened.
When Asuna realized the misunderstanding, she felt embarrassed and angry.
"You… you. YOU DUMMY!" Asuna shouted as she punched Kirito in face.
Then when they were sleeping Asuna woke up and saw Kirito watching over her and smiled.
"Hey what are you smiling about?" Kirito asked.
"I was just having a dream, about my old life. It was weird, in the dream I had everything in Aincrad, everything that happened and meeting you was just that a dream and I was so scared. But it wasn't thank God it wasn't." Asuna said.
"Now that sounds weird, don't you wanna go back?" Kirito asked.
"Of course I do, I do it's just… I don't want my life here to disappear is all, the last two years have been very special to me, I realize that now." Asuna said.
Kirito thought about it, and she made a good point. They might be in a death game, but they've had a good time in the last two years.
"Listen Kirito I was thinking, maybe we could leave the frontlines for awhile." Asuna said.
"What?" Kirito said.
"I'm scared, I feel like if we return to the battlefield now something bad is gonna happen again. Or maybe I'm just tired of it all." Asuna said.
"I know what you mean, I guess I am to. On the southwest of Floor 22, there's this tiny little village by a lake and a forest, we could get a house together… and then." Kirito said.
"And then what?" Asuna asked.
"Then… we get married." Kirito said.
Asuna was happily blushing at the fact Kirito is proposing to her, so of course she had only one thing to say.
"Okay." She said.
There ya have it a new chapter, Kirito and Asuna are getting married. By the way if they we're getting married in real life then Kirito would ask Sora to be his best man. Heathcliff seems to know a lot more than what he's letting on let's see what happens next. By the way go to my youtube channel The Guardian of Light 2.0 and you'll see Sora in the Knights of the Blood Oath uniform.