[Alfheim Online, New Aincrad, Floor One Coliseum]
[Malzeno's POV]
No sooner did I leave with a defeat over my head, and a smile on my face, I was nearly dogpiled by the entirety of the Sleeping Knights within the interior of the arena, all of them expressing some level of awe, shock, or joy.
"That fight... was so AWESOME!" Jun exclaimed.
"You guys were like damn monsters out there! Crap, SAO really did just hit different huh?" Nori was laughing hysterically, slapping me sharply on the back for mine and Kirito's performance.
"I had no idea you obtained a weapon as unique as a repeater crossbow...!" Talken eyed the piece slung to my left hip as I switched equipment to pull it out and allow him to inspect it further.
"A right pain in the ass to acquire, yes, truly your appreciation for my efforts fill my shattered pride with joy," I jokingly fawned, hands to my heart. Then I cackled darkly, rubbing my hands together. "And because I betted against myself knowing Blackie would win, I'm even richer cause those morons placed their bets on the wrong horse! Hehehahahaa!"
"What I was taken back by was the new appearance, you look nothing like a Spriggan now," Tecchi pointed out.
"Was this what you and Lizbeth were discussing yesterday?" At Siune's observations I nodded, wagging my finger.
"Precisely, what you're looking at is the temple that survived the death game, equipment near-identical and all-aah... feels great to be back in red," I hugged my biceps, then, drew my eyes to Yuuki who had gave me a bright and excited smile. I thought she'd be disappointed I had lost and wouldn't be there to face her in the finale, but instead, I was awarded with that angelic smile.
"You definitely look more like yourself now," She answered my uncertain stare, her vermillion eyes meeting my emerald orbs. "I like it,"
"Ah hahaa... you're saying that because you've seen what I really look like," In admitting this, I saw the others look at me with shock as I gave a little bow. "A pleasure meet you as myself-are avatars in SAO were replaced with our actual body types and looks so this is more or less what I look like,"
"I guess if no one really knows what you look like then it's really no issue," Nori hummed, pursing her lips before they curled into a teasing smile, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Aren't you handsome..."
"Please don't do that," I begged-slashed-chuckled, causing the ravenette to snort a laugh.
"Nori..." Yuuki pouted, though really did try to look annoyed by this.
"Her joking aside, while there are some changes in ALO, all of us are similar to our real life counterparts," Siune explained, smiling sheepishly as she ran a hand through her light-blue locks. "Although, I'm by far the biggest change compared to the others,"
"And me, duh," Yuuki waved her hand.
"Yeah, you're even shorter in the game," I quipped, and she immediately tried to attack me as I hopped back. "Hahaha, you totally walked into that, Cupcake!"
"You may have gotten your butt kicked but I'll drag you into a match afterward and we'll see who's laughing!" Yuuki yelled, chasing me around the group while I continued my mocking cackle. "Stop laughing at your leader! I'll stick you on resource grinding alone, don't test me!"
The rest soon burst out laughing at our antics, and it sure lightened the mood prior to Yuuki's match, and I was glad my appearance was met with positive feedback. I had quite a number of people in SAO take pity on me even after I was starting to recover from losing my friends due to my young appearance.
Of course, this model is up-to-date with how I look now, but anxiety's real pain, ain't it?
[Yuuki's POV]
I didn't have much time to stand around and chat as I had my own match to see through to the finals. Of course, I knew my next two matches would be the hardest by far, I mean, I'm up against the duo that were practically famous back in SAO!
Although, after seeing how Malzeno gave his all in his last match, even though he knew he'd lose, and even revealed his real appearance atop his old gear from that death game, I don't know what's come over me. I feel like my whole body's buzzing with energy like never before, and seeing how he fought with his actual face was really cool that Siune said was blushing-I can't even keep it together anymore~!
Slapping my cheeks to calm my nerves, I marched into view of everyone gathered for the final matches, across from me, Asuna walked over to me, she hides it but she was totally psyched too.
~After that epic clash, I can't wait to see what kinda battle these lovely ladies have in store for us! Is everyone ready for the last match of the Semi-Finals!?~ Cliffheart roared with her adoring crowd, and I couldn't refrain from chuckling at the response that filled the air. ~Dressed in purple, the player with the most powerful Original Sword Skill and the leader of the Sleeping Knights, Yuuki~!~
Eager to get this crowd to the peak of their hype, I waved all around, drawing in their chorus of cheers. ~And her opponent? Only the fabled Berserk Healer of most raid parties within New Aincrad, the lady in white and blue, Asuna!~
"I wish people would stop calling me that..." Asuna sighed in defeat, but I thought the title was much cooler than 'Absolute Sword'.
"We're both pretty popular these days, huh?" I laughed, scratching the back of my head. "I've been itching for a match with you! I'm gonna go all out, just so you know!"
Asuna didn't seem phased, smiling confidently. "I wouldn't expect you to hold back, Yuuki, I'm not super into PvP but that doesn't mean I've been giving half my effort this whole time,"
"That's what I like to hear!" I wanted to give everyone a good show, after Malzeno, I had a big hurdle to cross. Drawing my sword, I eyed up Asuna carefully. "Let's keep this on the ground, that cool with you?"
"Sure, I don't mind," Asuna withdrew her white rapier, mirroring my stance perfectly.
~Looks like they're both ready to go, the countdown's on its way, good luck to you both!~ Thinker called out.
~Let's get this party started!~ Cliffheart was far less contained.
No sooner when the countdown reached zero, Asuna came charging toward me, immediately drawing her rapier into flashing strikes in blue, I effortlessly parried and deflected the blows, keeping my excitement smile constant, I was fully invested in this fight, and I could tell Asuna was... or, she was close to that, it still felt she had more to give as her skill ended.
I took this moment to advance, sweeping my blade to come whipping side-to-side, seeing her react to block and counter with a thrust that flew between strands of my hair while I twirled, putting my old acrobatic talents on full display, dancing between her thrusts and occasional slashes. Sword skills could be effective at ending a match in seconds, but that's if you landed enough direct blows, Asuna wasn't using them after that rapier skill to start with, she knew I'd counter.
Our blades continued to break away from one another, my body low as her blade flew overhead and I swung toward my left in a sharp Slant of yellow, although she backed away in time, causing the tip to merely scrape over her chest.
The distance between us, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, my smile growing."Sorry Asuna, after seeing how Mal fought, I'm feeling more pumped than ever before!"
When I looked to her... I was shocked to see her looking saddened by something. If I had to guess, she was still dealing with a lot at home with her mom. Asuna always tried to hide it but after talking with her, lately she's been looking far better but these sorta changes take time to adjust to, I know I have had my fair share of moments questioning if I really could live longer, perhaps even until I die of old age or something. It's hard, everyone deals with certain situations with different mindsets.
Then, Asuna's face took on an expression I haven't see before, her rapier was perpendicular with her eyes, and the blue in her irises was sharper, more defined like what Sinon's expression looked like. The whole of Asuna's vibe was familiar but different...
Gasping under my breath, I felt my heart skip,"Is this what Malzeno meant? ...so this is the Lightning Flash,"Now, a fire that had kindled since Malzeno's fight finally erupted in my chest. My smile fell, and my own eyes hardened to hers, just as I had when I first fought that annoying jerk and his stupid blast coatings.
No one dared to speak. A warm breeze blew through my clothes and hair while I felt my muscles tense.
A pin dropped, be it somewhere or in my head, but it set us off simultaneously.
Drawing my blade down toward hers, I felt them connect only for her grip to twist and proceed to draw our swords high, parrying and leaving me open. But I didn't give Asuna the chance to act, pressing my heels into the ground to reel back my arm and lunge, my sword gliding by her cheek.
Our blows manifested in a thrilling back and forth, every flurry of slashes she counters with a thrust or slant of her own, keeping us in a constant tango, kicking up dust as our movements heated up, our swings faster, harder, anything to land a single blow past the other's impregnable defence.
Twirling away from another thrust, I cast my sword in lilac, sweeping wide as Horizontal collided with her silver blade turned sky-blue, narrowly evading the powerful thrust of Oblique, clouds of purple and blue swirling around us. Through the smog, I barely managed to draw my blade high, countering her downward swing, forcing my legs backward.
We ran from the smoke, taking quick strikes at each other, one of Asuna's pierced between my wonky guard, slitting my cheek open, in retaliation, I sliced open the side of her thigh and shoulder, both of us wincing from the strikes. I had my opening, yet, no matter how many thrusts I made with my longsword, Asuna's hair was all I managed to cleave, her movements were getting even faster!?
I caught her strike, our eyes locked when a twist in my gut forced the wind out of me, feeling a strong strike to my gut from her white knuckle."Seriously, why does everyone do that!?"Sure, the system numbed the worst pains but that didn't mean I didn't feel queasy when my digital guts were squished.
Recoiling, I felt the air heat up, seeing rays of neon blue creep into my vision. Asuna had her chance to seriously damage me. "I..."Swallowing a lump in my throat, I felt my eyes widened as my whole body tensed up, times like this, when I was cornered... I fought at my peak. "...have to make him proud!"
I flourished my obsidian sword, completely deflecting each of the four-hit skill's, Quadruple Pain's, vicious strikes. Vibrant amethyst encircled my blade and across my frame, Asuna really is amazing, which is why, I'll give her the best skill in my arsenal.
Through the shroud of smoke, Asuna couldn't stop the several thrusts to her torso, piercing and leaving deep wounds across the impact of every slash. Even so, I saw her catch her fall on her left foot, blade erupting into another crescendo of blue light, directly impacting my chest as I felt the blow ripple through my armour and bones.
But... I wasn't done, letting out a wordless cry, I drew the last, powerful strike from the tip of my blade and straight through her chest, unleashing a deadly blast of wind pressure that reached the crowd and fanned up the barrier protecting them, the dust dispelled to reveal the perfect cross of glowing punctures over Asuna's chest, and her health lowered into the dark red.
The buzzer resounded, and our panting was completely drowned out by the roars of the audience. ~It. It... IT WAS OVER SO QUICKLY!~ The explosive cry from Cliffheart shook the skies. ~I-I've never seen two players move so quickly I couldn't even follow half their movements! What the heck was this an anime battle!?~
~Hahaha, it appears so, ALO never ceases to amaze me with its colourful cast of characters!~ Thinker laughed a little, I guess he knew best given he likely knew Asuna from SAO. ~I haven't much to say other than; Spectacular. Truly, a wonderful, unforgettable fight, but ultimately this concludes the Semi-Finals. Yuuki proceeds to the final match~
~The Absolute Sword vs. Blacky, we've got a clash of titans coming very soon, so don't lose your seats and get ready for an explosive finale to the United Duelling Tournament everyone!~ Cliffheart screamed.
"Hehehee..." I blinked, looking up to Asuna to see her covering her mouth a bit, shredded and defeated but soon breaking out into a joyful laugh that quickly grew on me. "Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha!" I fell backward until I was staring up at the sky, and to think, I still had a match even tougher than this. There wasn't anything to say to each other, I knew exactly how Asuna felt after that fight and vice versa.
[To Be Continued...]
[Author's Notes]
This was essentially the fight they would've had on floor 24 just with some added thoughts from Yuuki and some extra skills thrown in. This outcome was pretty obvious but I still liked the fight. We're finally nearly at the end of all these battles! Time for the final round, I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya in the next chapter, Players!