|Sword Art Online, Floor 70, Wicker Basket Inn|
|June. 30th 12:20|
Returning to the town of Shiva, a lot needed to be discussed, once word got around of what happened to Nagi, Argo, Fynch, and Lux, almost all matters with their comrades had been dropped in the blink of an eye. Before long, all had gathered to check in on their well-being, and to hear what led to nearly the loss of three of their friends.
To keep matters as confidential as possible, and avoid any Laughing Coffin members lurking about the city, they kept to the largest inn that could accommodate the group. Consisting of Nagi's personal party, Yuuki's guild, and those like Silent and Sakura who were caught up in affairs already, keeping things from being leaked was paramount.
"-we... knew we'd die down there, or, until Fynch saved us, in no small part thanks to Sakura and Silent," Nagi had concluded, eyeing the dungeon delvers before bowing his head, and in turn, Fynch and Argo did the same. "Again, I can't express how grateful we all are."
"Aye, but, thank Fynch, he's the one that dragged us into this mess," Silent was modest about it. "Look, you're fine, you're alive, that's all that matters now."
"Exactly, so for now, we should focus on... how we proceed," Mito was the first to address it, and the room fell silent. "This can't go on, Laughing Coffin might be in a chokehold but they're getting bolder, actively tried to kill three of you, how long before they target others in less prepared guilds?"
"All fine and dandy, Reaper, but let's take into consideration the fact that none of us even know where to find them, let alone capture and interrogate a member," Artorias pointed out, throwing an arm wide over Yuuki's head. "Our best lead, literally left them to die," Sighing as he flopped to his seat, he shook his head. "Not trying to be the pessimist here, but even I need intel to work with something, what do we have that others don't already know?"
"But we can't sit idly by for that golden ticket either," Ran cupped her hands together, leaning forward. "Things persist as they are, more lives will be in danger; as we've seen, they're willing to attack high-ranking players so brazenly, no one is immune anymore."
"If they ever were..." Yuuki grimaced herself, sparing her cousin a worried expression from across the room. Its when she saw the furrowed brow he wore, piquing her curiosity. "Nagi?"
Shaken from his thoughts, he looked up to the group again. "No, sorry I... I thought I had something..."
"The 41st Floor."
Everyone went silent, and all heads turned to the voice, only the slight creaking of ash floorboards and furniture indicating any movement. All eyes now came to rest on Fynch who closed his menu, features hardened slightly with conviction.
"Laughing Coffin aren't the first orange players to use green players as couriers, helps bypass the guards at safe zones, buy products, the works. Thing is about that..." He flicked his menu open again, making his Friends List visible, highlighting a single name, displaying that person's current location. "Anyone in a friend's list can track your rough location without any of those fancy tracking skills."
|ID: Lux. Location: 41st Floor|
"I ain't a bettin' man anymore, but I'll take a wild gamble to where we can narrow our searching, whatddaya say?" Fynch wore a nervous smile, he had cracked it. It wasn't some convoluted scheme, nothing as risky as tracking and arresting an orange player, not even a stakeout that spanned for days, maybe even weeks. Something so very simple as the Friends Listing, available to each and every player of SAO.
"Ah... h-holy shit...!" Nagi nearly fell from his seat, holding the sides of his head for a moment, a breathless laugh escaping him.
"Idiot didn't set it to private, that's some faulty work for the so-and-so 'infamous guild'." Silent snarked, air quoting.
"You found them!" Sakura gasped, sharing the same disbelief and bewilderment as the others.
"Found their floor location, that's still a lot of ground to cover, especially if we don't want them twiggin' on that we knoW," Argo cut their premature celebrations short.
"She's right, we have to inform the others to send certain players to search the floor," Ran concurred, turning to Nori. "Nori?"
"Stealth skill's pretty high now, I don't mind stretching my wings solo for a while," She grinned, hand to her hip, looking as carefree and brazen in the face of such an integral task. It surprised the young leader to say the least. "What? Thought I was about to reconsider? These guys screwed with your cuzz, took me and Siune just to keep both you from going to war!"
"Like you weren't angry too!" Yuuki excused, rubbing her knees gingerly.
"I... may have overreacted..." Ran's face was tinged red, but shook her head clear. "But I'm serious."
"So am I! Hell, it ain't just me, right? Gotta let all the best know what's the new deal, so go on, send me to the trenches, I can take a bit of scoutin' alone." Nori was fit and ready to head out at a moment's notice.
"Already gettin' word out to A-Chan and Lind, and KibaoU," Argo was a step ahead, not willing to waste even a single second now with the intel of a lifetime Fynch has provided. "I'm payin' lateR."
"Free of charge, don't worry about it," Fynch shook his head with a friendly smile. "What matters is we put an end to this... no matter what."
All of them couldn't agree more, but Nagi could smell it in the air, the conflict weighing on Fynch's heart was palpable, even if he hid it well. Whatever was talked about prior to her betrayal, it must've been important, Fynch didn't come off as the type to seek revenge, but now wasn't the right time to ask. But soon, Nagi reassured himself.
"Everyone else, keep to what you're doing, if any of Laughing Coffin catches on that we're onto them, that's it, our one chance is blown," He made that clear. "Daora?" He looked up, and almost froze under Nagi's stern expression. "I promise, we'll make Wolfram pay. Just trust me."
"..." He remained silent, consider his words behind the secrecy of his mask. Then, threw up a finger toward him. "Fine! But he's mine, I'm gonna spin his head around once I'm done!"
That raised a humorous smirk from Nagi. "I'll throw you then."
"Hahahaha, I like this already! You got a deal!" Daora was on board, good.
Suddenly, Argo stood up from her chair sharply. She had just finished sending out messages to everyone to discuss things later, written down what Fynch had told them and passed it along, so that hopefully, work can be set in motion within the hour, clearing this floor could wait. Instead, Argo marched over and grabbed Nagi by his haori, practically dragging him toward the door.
"Where... are you going?" Mito asked slowly.
"I've just narrowly avoided death, so I'm gonna do what any sane person woulD. I'm goin' to enjoy so R 'n' R, so if ya need somethin', go bother another broker and guild leadeR!" Throwing the door open, she continued to march down the hall, Nagi waving goodbye to the others before he slipped out of view.
"Uh, Argo? Argo? You okay?" Nagi was very much worried for his safety.
"Perfectly finE!" With impressive finesse, Nagi was pulled to his feet at the end of the hall out of view of anyone who looked through the door worryingly for what Argo was about to subject Nagi to. Instead, she looked into his eyes that seemed to burn with a familiar, fiery passion. "I made a promise to myself, 'n' I'm gonna keep iT."
He got her signal loud and clear, so, it was hard not for him to really find her reaction to everything to be particularly alluring.
|Floor 55, Town of Granzam, Knights of the Blood Oath HQ|
|July. 5th 16:01|
Just on the outskirts of Granzam, the Steel City, as it were called, stood a large, steel-grey castle atop a hill, overlooking the city proper. It mainly consisted of a sizable courtyard through its thick, stone walls marked by silver spears donned with the red and white banners of the strongest guild within SAO, the Knights of the Blood Oath. Their headquarters a huge, steel tower, able to accommodate all their members.
And at 1600 hours, a meeting was held by all of the Frontrunner guilds, even upon arrival, the air was heavy, the clouds rolled in as a gloomy ceiling above. Everyone knew why they were here, the tension and anxiety was palpable the closer one got to the meeting room.
All the Guildmasters were present, so were all their members to fill out the large meeting room with long, narrow windows at the backs of where KoB's top members sat, including Heathcliff, with Asuna stand beyond their stations to address the crowd that grew silent. Everyone was present now, it was time to begin.
"Thank you for coming, I'll cut to the chase, we cannot put this meeting off any longer, and for the last two days, this information has been withheld to only a select few, all of you will now be brought upto speed," Asuna began, coming to stand front and center, eyes heavy with her own weight of emotions, but conviction spurred her on. "This operation isn't essential to beating the game, and given the gravity of the situation, I will not hold it against anyone who wishes to not take part,"
"I also will not tolerate any criticism of those who stay out, either. If you hear what we have to say, and decide not to participate, you're more than welcome to leave." She gave the room pause, some looked around at their comrades and friends, but none had the will to move, not yet, Asuna could imagine. "Very well... we will now begin our strategy meeting- to commence a raid against the group of PKers, Laughing Coffin."
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room shifted, what had remained confidential to a handful, now spread like wildfire. Whispers and murmurs melded into a chatter no one ear could decipher, but a general idea was there. 'A raid against Laughing Coffin?', 'We're going to fight players?'... 'Are we going to kill them?'.
Behind Asuna, Heathcliff raised a hand, without uttering a word, his hand struck his desk with enough force to send out an echo through the room, instantly quieting the perturbed crowd. "Asuna, continue." He offered, the brunette nodding in thanks to her leader.
"Argo will now give a debriefing on the information gathered." Asuna took a step to the side, the blonde popping out from the crowd beside Nagi to turn and give the crowd a once-over. Yep, plenty of shocked and conflicted faces, and she wasn't about to sugar-coat it either.
"AlrighT! Ever since we've been havin' scouts and the like probin' other orange players and the like, LC's gotten real quiet, layin' low, even before then, trackin' where they've been cooped up this whole time's been fruitlesS," Argo held her breath for a second, letting her words sink in, arms crossed. "That is, 'till one of our own managed to pinpoint the floor they've been callin' home, smack dab on the 47th floor, and after some focused searchin', we've nailed down their exact locatioN."
Gears started turning, the crowd murmuring a little, almost in disbelief at the discovery, but all quietened down once Argo forward them all a message, containing a full map layout of a dungeon located on said floor. It was a manor of sorts wedged into the side of a cliffside, obscured from sight by a thick, sprawling forest of silver trees.
There were some images attached, ones from when Argo had scoped the place out long before Laughing Coffin made it their home. The entry hall was made from smooth stone bricks and a white tiled floor, candles and lanterns illuminating the area and its grand staircase decorated with red carpet. A banister ran along the level overlooking the ground floor, many doorways led further into the mansion, and possibly into the earth itself.
"I've detailed their location with the correspondin' images within the messages I just sent ouT. Lore-wise, this marks the place for a questline to deal with a group of bandits callin' it home, so it ain't marked as a safe zone, meanin' they can come 'n' go as they pleasE," Argo elaborated further. "We aimed straight for the floor boss, so almost no one's done the side-quest, makin' it a little black spot on most brokers' radarS,"
"Handy thing is, mobs outside don't come in less ya leave the doors opeN."
Klein then raised his hand amongst the crowd, looking a little confused. "Shouldn't there be a whole bunch of mobs inside? Like humanoid thieves?"
The Rat gave a nod. "ExactlY. It's why they've gone 'n' used one of their dirty tricks to take the place oveR," Argo already knew how the moment the location was nailed down. "They barged in without takin' the quest 'n' slaughtered every single one o' the NPC thieveS," Argo soon wore an uncomfortable look on her face, rubbing her right bicep for a second. "...some NPCs don't respawn after ya kill 'em, remembeR? In other words, they took the hall by robbin' the robberS."
To some, it might've not have meant much, but ever since Shirayuki willingly died protecting a player, protecting all of them, many were rubbed the wrong way hearing this. Especially those like Klein who's face contorted slightly with anger, clenching his fists to keep himself steady. "...those low-life, disgusting bastards...!"
"Since it used to be a hideout for thieves, place is designed to be hard to attack 'n' easy to defenD. Thing iS..." Argo again looked uncertain for a moment, an expression of discontent written in her eyes and creased brow. Nagi recognized it, when all the pieces weren't properly in their place. "Can't say they won't be expectin' us, way we found the right floor is a two-way street, if they've caught on, we'll be in for a real messy fighT."
"Lind, Kibaou and I are well aware of that. We recognized this operation could very well be compromised." Asuna interjected, addressing the crowd. "Nevertheless, we still plan to coordinate a raid before they decide to move location, if we let this chance slip by, plenty of people, ourselves included, will be at their mercy for the rest of this game,"
Stepping forward, Lind now came to address the alliance. "We've already begun preparations prior to the discovery of their location; gathering crystals, items, and various potions-" Nagi heard Artorias mutter a 'your welcome' next to him- "Despite these precautions, if this turns out to be a trap, I want everyone on high alert, you go into this fight expecting all manner of dirty tricks."
Now, Asuna's eyes met with Nagi, she knew he wasn't great with talks like this before so many people, but, given how they came about this information, he would be the best to say his piece. Taking a deep breath to steady his heartrate, he marched out and turned toward the many eyes glued to his figure, he could practically hear a pin drop, and the thick scent of unease was hard to ignore.
"Players, NPCs, it doesn't matter to Laughing Coffin, or any orange player like them. They'll hurt, manipulate, threaten all of them for their own ends. What they've done is unforgivable, this has to end," So no one else would have to suffer, watch as someone they cared for was taken so unfairly before their eyes. "Clearing the game is paramount, but so is protecting every innocent life that lives in Aincrad, and the players who are hoping for us to clear it,"
Speeches weren't Nagi's strong suit. He couldn't move people as commandingly as Heathcliff or Asuna. Never speak as bold as Artorias or Daora. But for a moment, brief as it may be, the right words came to him. So, he stretched his hands wide. "The idea that any of you may have to take a life to save another, I wouldn't force that on any of you, none of us would. But please, for our sakes, the people we swore we'd take home, and for everyone we've lost to them. Let's show Laughing Coffin, and every other orange player, the strength of our alliance, why we're the Frontrunners for a reason!"
His chest swelled with anxiety, a pressure of not being enough to rouse their spirits, the fear of making a fool of himself. Instead, he saw one step toward the front of crowd, a swordsman clad in black, fixing Nagi a firm nod. Beside Kirito, Klein smirked, hand on the hilt of Sol Moeta, Sachi between the two, clutching her spear tightly, fear written in her eyes. Daora practically shoved an Army player aside, arms crossed over his bare chest, Mito and Artorias gathered with him, each unwavering.
"The hell are all you gawkin', collectin' bugs for!?" Kibaou raised his voice, pushing a few of his men forward, himself shoving through. His scowl was deep but nodded upward sharply toward Nagi. "Is this how the frontlines act in the face of every battle, huh!?"
Seeing how loud Kibaou usually was, finally gave many more the will to raise their own voices, mainly to challenge the obnoxious voice that called them out. Everyone knew the stakes, logically, the possibility of killing another player, orange or otherwise, weighed heavily on them all. But they needed hope, a hope they an prevail at any cost. And stepping forward into this gruelling unknown in silence would cut deeper than any blade.
It was scary, frightening to the core, but Nagi felt a smile pull to his lips. The scent of hope sweet and empowering.
Hearing the declaration from many, Asuna took a step forward, throwing an arm wide. "The raid to hunt down the PKer guild, Laughing Coffin... will begin within the hour!"
This time, Laughing Coffin would play by their rules.
As many roamed the KoB HQ grounds, discussing party setups and plans, others stayed behind to be filled in on key targets, some of which a handful were familiar with. Screens displaying their profile pictures and names were given, alongside details of how their personalities and weapon of choice.
|ID: PoH, Leader of Laughing Coffin|
Note: PoH is a dangerous and sadistic man, but potentially is the strategist behind almost all of LC's actions from the beginning. He carries a large dagger-like cleaver with unknown effects, prefers to fight alone. WARNING: Do not engage alone.
|ID: Johnny Black|
Note: He is their most dangerous poison and paralysis expert, likely using the Mixing skill to supply LC with their debuff items and weaponry. He toys with his targets and its recommended to stay within a group and use antidotes prior to a confrontation.
|ID: XaXa|
Note: Dressed with distinct, red accents and a skull with red, glowing eyes. XaXa is skilled with a rapier and in reports, relishes in instilling fear into his victims, going to any lengths to do so, no matter how inhumane.
|ID: Morte|
Note: Very chiasmatic and comes off as laid-back, but his greatest strength is manipulation, and is smart enough to turn people against one another. Be wary of your surroundings when dealing with him.
|ID: Wolfram, Possibly PoH's Right Hand|
Note: Wolfram towers over most, covered in plate mail, and carrying a greatsword. He is exceptionally agile despite the heavy armour and will not hesitate to attack anyone closest to him, and has carried out numerous assassination attempts of high-ranking players. WARNING: Do no engage alone.
|ID: Lux, Courier of Laughing Coffin|
Note: A player forced to act as the courier for LC, said to gather supplies within towns for them, as well as gathering intel on various players within the Frontlines. If spotted, detainment mandatory.
During the party leader debriefing, Nagi slipped out early, all of this he was already well-informed of due to Argo. Roaming the halls to an outside viewing from above, he spotted a lone player sat on a tree stump, staring off into space at the various training dummies and equipment laying around.
Heading outside, Nagi slowly walked up to Fynch who didn't react, having felt Nagi's approach. "Hey, boss, just... needed some air." Partially true, so Nagi kept his silence, standing slightly off to the side, catching the conflict warring in his eyes when a light breeze pulled his curled bangs away from his face. "Guess I'm giving off some red flags, huh?"
"A little, since we survived their trap." Nagi was caught up in preparations for this day that he hadn't had time to ask how Fynch felt. "You're thinking about Lux."
A single laugh, his head tilted back to look up at the gloomy sky for a moment. "Nail on the head, as always, hehe... I say this to anyone, they'd think I had my head in the clouds, I bet."
Nagi smiled slightly, "You're not much of a betting man." He was glad to hear Fynch chuckle again.
"That's true..." Silence fell between them, Nagi remained where he was, watching Fynch tighten his hands on his trousers. "...I thought there weren't many that had gone through what I did, most haven't changed their ways or disappeared. But Lux? She said it, word-for-word how it felt, pulled into the quicksand, sinking the harder you fought, until you couldn't help but sink. The guilt that digs deep, stuff ya can't say without it building like bile in your throat,"
Shaking his head, he finally met Nagi's gaze. "I was lucky someone pulled me up, but she hasn't been given that chance, I could feel it, how she spoke before I got thrown off the deep end, she's like me, and I can't let that go... I won't, I gotta try, just like you did for me."
Fynch never wanted to say it, he sounded crazy, wanting to save an orange player, and one of Laughing Coffin. He knew how others viewed them, viewed him for a time; all orange players were the same, doesn't matter how little or how much they've done, that cursor was a brand that lingered long after it was gone.
"Then we'll save her together," It came as a surprise, but in reality, what did Fynch expect Nagi to say? Constant experiences taught Fynch one thing. His Guildmaster was weird. Nagi held out a fist toward him, completely devoted to this. "If that's how you feel, then I'll support you, even if everyone else won't. No one has to suffer because of PoH, you can still reach her."
"...right, thank you." Earnest, Fynch bumped the fist, no longer feeling any conflict on his choice. Come hell or high water.
|Floor 47, Trees of Silver Wings, Laughing Coffin HQ|
|July. 5th 17:29|
Within the entry hall, one took notice before anyone else, detection skills be damned. They wore tight-fitting black leather armor, thin black pants, black leather studded boots, and a black mask resembling a sack with holes cut for eyes. Like most of the Laughing Coffin, he wore a dark coloured hooded cloak and a mask. His hands were armoured, and he also appeared to be very thin.
"The hell!? How the hell did they sniff out our spot!?" Johnny Black exclaimed, hearing the commotion outside, any moment now, the full brunt of the Frontrunners would come crashing through the main gate.
"Don't tell me we've got a rat. The raid's one thing, but the timing's far too perfect to be coincidence." The man grunted in a skeletal mask with glowing red eyes stood out the most. Wearing a ragged, black hooded cloak marked with a red reverse cross, seemingly mocking the crest and colours of KoB.
"We need a plan, boss, they've got numbers, and clearly weren't hesitant to come charging head-on despite the prospect of a trap," Wolfram noted.
At the back of the group, PoH had been silent when their scouts reported on the mass movement of Frontrunners toward their location. He kept composed, as if staring at the chessboard before him, silently moving the pieces to suit his needs. "Alright, their numbers are their strength. They got more bodies to throw at us, so it'll be a strain. But, we got the home field advantage,"
"Likely, they expect us to use gruella tactics, so instead, we'll aim to strike them direction, throw them off and force a favourable position for us," PoH stopped before them, hands moving to emphasize his plan, each hung on his every word. Wolfram then raised a hand slightly.
"We'll be taking heavy losses in an all-out war." Not all their members were experienced facing actual players, especially those of the frontlines.
PoH shook his head, as though he actually cared. "There's no other way. They may be a bunch of brainless fools, but you can't discredit their brawn. Of course, I do have a plan in mind," He raised a finger, keeping their attention. "This'll be a bloodbath without any restrictions. The mindset of those involved will determine who comes out the victor,"
"Don't hesitate to strike down any in your path, let them know you aren't one to hesitate to take a life. They may be the top dogs in Full-Dive, but they're amateurs when it comes to killing, that's our opening, what will turn the tables in our favour," He smiled, venomous and callous toward their enemies. "They'll desperately try to reason with themselves, thinking they can win without drawing blood. But this is a done deal from the start,"
Throwing an arm wide, PoH could only relish the looks on their faces to come, how many could even live with the weight of taking a life? More excitingly, how many already have steeled themselves to death by their own hands? It gave him goosebumps. "We've won this battle before it even began. Those greenhorns won't compare to your hardened resolve to kill,"
Now, he pointed at each of his best. "XaXa, Johnny, Morte; the three of you as acting leaders of your own teams will go to greet our guests, show them a real warm welcome, and crush their brazen spirits. Be an example to any in your squads how to cross the line, slaughter as many as those gutless Frontrunners as you wish," He closed his fist tight.
"After setting the stage, resort to gruella tactics, you three will act as assassins, handling specific targets. Asuna from KoB. Lind of DDA, Kibaou of The Army, the Black Swordsman, Argo the Rat, and Nagi too," PoH instructed. "They've got a lot of influence, removing them will cripple morale, high emotions will make them sloppy. Johnny and the rank-and-file will handle the rest,"
Now, his eyes were on their guild's greatest asset, who pointed at himself speculatively. "Johnny being our specialist in poison and paralysis, hand out as many weapons with those afflictions as you can, don't need to be on the same level, but more than enough to down a couple here and there," PoH smirked. "One hit and its game, that'll be your opportunity to strike them down, no hesitation,"
Scoffing, PoH looked around at the rest of Laughing Coffin's members. "You think those would-be clearers have what it takes to do the same? They'll kick and scream, even though this is a kill-or-be-killed situation," Many shared a laugh at the mockery. "They'll fall to pieces under the pressure, this might actually be too easy when it comes down to it,"
"Ohohohoho, I've waited to hear those words, leave it me boss, I got a whole arsenal saved for a rainy day like this," Johnny chuckled, clapping excitedly. "Not as good as my gear, but it'll keep 'em on their toes."
Nodding, PoH continued his debriefing, the sounds of trouble at their doorstep echoing through the vermillion-tinged halls. "It'll be a battle against time. Strike decisively before they get used to the layout. This will be their grave, not ours. They think they're tough for defeating monsters and floor bosses, but we'll show them what it truly means to kill." Tension and anticipation was rising in the air, each hung on his words, giving rise to bloodlust.
"What about Wolfy here?" Morte remarked, rolling his shoulder at the armoured brute, earning a deep grunt through the helmet. "Hmph, and yourself, boss?"
"He know what to do, as for me, I'll be helping out with the guerrillas, given my poncho's special effect," Unlike other members, his came with the effective buff to his stealth and related skills, making him as silent as a ghost if the situation favoured him. Which was all-too-perfect for the occasion.
"Man, boss came up with all that on the spot, you totally had a contingency in mind!" Johnny smiled beneath his mask.
"Well, he's never been wrong before, hate for my guildies to die, so I'm in! Let's get this party started!" Morte grinned ear-to-ear, adjusting the chainmail hood of his. "I've got someone special I wanna meet."
"I have no complaints. I will carry out my part, and if any come my way, more the merrier," Wolfram huffed in amusement, drawing his greatsword, the grim lighting making the faint glow within his scorched sword brighter against his armour. "There's someone I'm certainly expecting to come straight to me."
"No objections here," XaXa held up his hands. "Rest of you are on board, so I am. After all, we are allies."
"'All-out-war', huh? That's right. That's exactly what this is," Taking Wolfram's words to heart, PoH swung his arms wide to all his followers, he'd sell them a real good time, one worthy of such a perfect show. "They've cut us off at the climax of our plans in the past, so we're gonna need a big title fight to put in their place, something extravagant,"
"The Frontrunners, made of the biggest names around. Laughing Coffin, the most infamous PKers ever found," Just saying it aloud got his blood pumping for the slaughter on the verge of colliding. "The biggest versus the infamous, huh? Hah! Now that's a climatic showdown I'd pay to see!" Several seemed to agree, hooting and hollering in anticipation set to burst.
"Just make sure to live up to my expectations! Arranging this match-up was no easy feat. I expect to be well-compensated for the work," Turning toward the hall leading toward the main entrance hall, PoH withdrew his enlarged cleaver, he couldn't wait to see how this ends.
|July. 5th 17:39|
After another, heavy rumble, the towering doors that had been shut hours prior were promptly swung open with a single, massive cleave from a large, horned ax. "Hehahahahahaa! Knock, Knock!" Daora wrenched Destroyer from the carpet, eyes gleaming to match its twin blades.
Members of Misfits, Furinkazan, Sleeping Knights, Knights of the Blood Oath, Divine Dragon Alliance, and The Army all swarmed and filtered through, forming a defensive perimeter outside and at the doorway to prevent any and all leaks. Nagi looked around, the scent of blood was almost too much to bear, forcing him to cover up his mouth and nose with part of his haori until his nose adjusted.
"Anything?" Kirito murmured to his right, only seeing the raven-brunette shake his head.
"Nose is going numb, but they're here," Soon as Nagi declared it so, several footsteps echoed from across the hall, coming into view down the flight of stairs front and center.
"Welcome, welcome!" Spoken in English, the leader and the man that had orchestrated the worst of any PKer since the beginning, came out to greet them, arms wide. PoH.
By his sides were Red-Eyed XaXa, his estoc drawn by his hip, on the left, Johnny Black, brandishing a crooked dagger that seemed to drip with toxins across a pitch-black blade. And from other entry ways, behind pillars and over the banisters of the floor above, dozens of orange cursors flashed into view. A small army, their weapons drawn, some with grins taut and sickening.
"It's him... the man in the black poncho...!" Lind growled through knit teeth, anger clearly flooding his being.
"Welcome my Assault Team friends! Time for our grudge match to begin! There are no rules, so unleash skills and fight to your heart's content! The stage has been set for a long time, let's see how far you're willing to go now!" PoH sounded elated, gesturing down the line, straight toward the ones that survived his attempted murder, and they too stared back. "It's Showtime!"
[To Be Continued...]
[Author's Notes]
A battle, the likes that Aincrad has never seen, has finally begun. I loved building up toward this moment, seeing the meeting of the Assault Team compared to the plan set by PoH. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya in the next chapter, Misfits!
102 - Unforeseen Hope
The fates of innocent lives, and the future of the Frontrunners is coming to a decisive collision...