A/N: Time to wrap up Floor Four and move on to my favorite when reading the Light Novels. Review Time.
To MyMyselfAndI82907: Technically, yeah, Artorias is more of an isekai in that regard. People still consider SAO an isekai just that they escape which is a rarity. As for if he'll use female avatars more considering his appearance, I can't say, his reasons will be revealed in time. But yeah, awkward if people recognized him in the future.
Enjoy.
|Dec. 24th, 16:07|
|Sword Art Online, Floor 4, Town of Usco|
"I know it's a little sudden, but-" Everyone stared at the table within the restaurant with stars in their eyes as Nagi waved his hand wide. "-Merry Christmas!"
Sat out on display for the group to stare bug-eyed at was an array of steamy food in trays to pick away at, with the addition of Shirayuki and Artorias, they had quite the lively group. Asuna stood with a blushing smile at the amazing dinner. Various snack foods, a roast ham oven-cooked with honey drizzle, turkey slices, and roast potatoes steaming with seasoning, cocktail sausages also bathed in honey with a bowl of gravy next to mashed potatoes topped with crest; lastly, the mixed vegetables boiled and piping hot.
"When did you have time to make all this!?" Asuna gushed, trying to contain her unladylike enthusiasm.
That's where Nagi grinned bashfully, "Well, my cooking skill isn't that high so I put out a request and a player I met before called 'Yuna' said she'd help with the preparations, I just needed to bring her the tougher items needed like monster drops, and ta-da, Christmas dinner," He waved.
"Let's dig in then!" Kirito grinned next to Klein, both boys ready to get stuck in before Shirayuki cleared her throat.
"I am not aware of this 'Christmas' custom," She tapped her finger against her palm.
"It's basically a big ol' get-together with friends and family around December, lots of variations on the tradition but the key part to have fun with people you likE," Argo waved a finger.
"The most common tradition is to buy gifts for people and vice versa," Asuna included, exciting a surprised look from the shinobi.
"In that case," She procured from... somewhere, her large container of Sake. "Given how much you have provided, it is only fair I do the same,"
"No way, there's alcohol in SAO!?" Kirito gawked, spinning to Argo. "I thought you said that was removed!?"
"I did, but guess that rule doesn't apply to people livin' in this worlD," Argo's lips curled into a sly grin. "That stuff's got quite the kick too, Kii-bou,"
"Grah!" Klein ruffled his hair, "Enough talk, let's dig in before it gets cold!"
"Ditto!" Artorias drooled at the sight. "Food that isn't expensive or bland...!"
"Manners, honestly..." Asuna face palmed but Nagi just chuckled, enjoying the lively atmosphere.
"It's fine, he has a good point, so enjoy!"
Seconds later, with a glass of Sake in hand, their glasses chimed in the middle. "Cheers!"
While the group enjoyed the Christmas meal together, in celebration of escaping the sunken city and the defeat of the Field Boss. Kirito shared his and Asuna's misadventures to build a gondola and ran into Lind and Kibaou arguing as usual. Shirayuki played her flute to add more to the ambiance, helping Nagi understand a few key points of his own instrument. Argo tried to barter Klein out of info on his equipment while Artorias leaned back on her chair with a smile.
Their banter soon fell quieter after Artorias left, quickly followed by Klein and Shirayuki taking their leave for the afternoon, the former needing to get back to his friends for their own party, "Thanks for that, Nagi, next time I'll bring the guys along so let me know when you plan to make a surprise like this!" Klein bumped fists with Nagi.
"Sure, pass on my greetings too, Merry Christmas,"
"I will meet you both at the Shrine in the coming days then," Shirayuki bowed her head, face covered by her bandana. "This was a true pleasure, be safe, young Samuari, young Shinobi, and... 'Merry Christmas', I believe is correct?"
"On the dot, and you too," "We'll be back before long!" The pair bowed in return.
Once it was down to the two dynamic duos, they sat around the table, drinking as they discussed recent events. Kirito sighed, leaning back with relief. "We're finally halfway through the floor..."
"'Finally' he says, it's only been three dayS," Argo smirked, still munching away at leftovers.
"Yes, it's our fastest pace yet," Asuna concurred.
"Huh, really!?" He slammed the table, sitting down with a smile. "It's true, it's the twenty-fourth so it's only been three days..."
"Would you get it together? You're too young to be losing your memory," Asuna shook her head.
"It's why I hosted this, because of..." Nagi trailed off when he saw Asuna looking the other way. "Wait, doesn't Kirito know?"
He blinked, a question mark popping above his head, "Huh, know what?"
"Didn'tcha know, Kii-grampS?" Argo teased with her chin against her knuckles.
"I'm sorry, please don't just call me that!" Kirito grumbled, crossing his arms with a frown. "What's going on that I'm out of the loop?"
The three gave him a worried look to a degree. "...ah had a feeliN'," Argo grimaced.
"You didn't get an invitation, Kirito?" Asuna asked.
"They even gave me one," Nagi blinked at his menu screen.
"Wh-what do you mean? Invitation to what?" Kirito waved his hand.
"It's the day before Christmas, the two guilds are hosting a joint Christmas party in the main town," Nagi explained as the new finally slammed into the Beater like an anvil.
"Huh? Wha... HUUUH!? WHAT'S WITH THAT!?" He thundered in rage.
"S-some people said they should invite you too, okay? But..." Asuna trailed off, reciting in her gruff impression of Kibaou. "'Why should we put up money ta feed the jerk who keeps stealin' the L.A Bonus every boss fight?' is what he said,"
By now, Kirito was trembling with various emotions, shakily reaching out to Asuna. "D-Did they not invite you either...?"
She smiled sheepishly, "They did say I could come by myself if I wanted..."
"Uh-huh..." Kirito's expression darkened, hanging his arms.
"But I got a lot of well-wishes from various people..." Asuna dug that hole deeper in front of Argo and Nagi who smiled plainly.
"Uh-huuuuh?" Kirito's look of complete disdain was a sight.
"You think she realizes it?" He murmured.
"Nah, let it simmeR," Argo waved under her breath.
Kirito shrugged with his hands up, pretending to be aloof, "Tch, well, what does a solo player want out of Christmas anyway?"
Asuna then gave him a look, "Ooooh, so you're a solo player now, huh?"
This caused him to panic when she turned away, flailing his arms, "Er, no! That's not what I-!"
The brunette snickered, turning around with a charming laugh, "Hahaha, I'm just kidding!" The sight made Kirito stand completely still until Argo tapped Nagi's side.
"Welp, we oughtta be goin' now, thanks fer the companY," Argo grinned.
"You're leaving already?" Kirito asked, seeing her slit her gaze for a bit.
"Yep, I already got the info I was lookin' foR," She kept it vague while Nagi bowed and offered Asuna a handshake.
"I hope the meal was good, I'll pass along everyone's thanks to Yuna,"
"That would be great, thank you!" Asuna smiled kindly.
"What do you mean - hey, Argo?" Kirito tried to pry but she waved him off, grabbing Nagi by the arm to drag away.
"Sorry, that's classified, Merry ChristmaS!" She waved.
Once out of range, Nagi smiled up at the orange sky. "Say, Tomo?" Hearing her real name caused the broker to stumble a bit, still with her arm linked with his.
"YeaH?"
"Merry Christmas," Was all he said with a warm smile, causing the girl to snicker, shoving his side lightly.
"Nyehehe, Merry Christmas, KaitO,"
On December twenty-seventh, Klein and Nagi presented the shrine with their purified lotuses, standing on either side of Shirayuki who played her wind flute once more, white sakura petals swept around them as the gentle serenity cut through the dark crystals visible in the daylight, dissolving them down into purple dust.
Her song hit its high note, uplifting the tainted dust to be swept away by the winds, the boys amazed by the sight. The shrine lost its ruined, aged exterior, the stone was far less cracked, appearing polished and clean. The wood was rich mahogany again. More importantly, the dragon clutching the sun was brand new, even decorated with sakura petals with the candles lit.
"It is done..." Shirayuki breathed heavily, lowering her flute as the pair put their lotuses away, their quest updating with a sizable chunk of experience and a box each filled with the familiar, Sakura Confetti. Both saw the warmth radiate from the shinobi's face as she caught a petal in her hand. "This place is only one of many, but I feel its life and warmth once more, a truly remarkable feeling."
Quest Complete!
-Path of Divine Sakura: Hope-
The Lotuses have been made pure, the life they now carry will exsponge the rot and decay.
*Return to the Shrine
Bear Forest Floor 4 | Reward 500 Col | Sakura Confetti
"Alright!" "Nice work!" The boys high-fived with Shirayuki raising a humorous brow, chuckling.
"Your customs continue to surprise and intrigue me," She then offered them something else as a reward, it was a necklace with a sun medallion attached to it. "I am a part of House Winter, but we truly pray to the sunlight of all one-hundred realms of Aincrad, that is what I was taught in my younger years under my master's eye,"
"Thank you," Nagi took the charm, amazed by the stats. "No way...! Increase to evasion and a hidden skill!?"
"Look at that, matches too!" Klein held up his around his neck, tucking it under his chestplate. Suddenly, he knelt before the woman, holding her hand. "I can never thank you enough for all you've done."
"And there he goes again, flirting with another beautiful woman..." Nagi smiled a sigh, knowing it was impossible to convince him otherwise. To his sharp eye, he saw Shirayuki act oddly for a moment. "Is she... flustered?" He was aware that some NPCs in questlines were suddenly more advance than Beta versions but this was almost very human, even the scent Shirayuki gave off was abnormally human-like when they met. "Just what are they?"
"I... thank you, Samurai," She murmured, taking her hand back. "You needn't kneel, I am no lord like yourselves," Then she focused on the shrine. "Others exist in the worlds above, some darker than this shrine, I feel our paths may cross again, so do not fear this to be our final goodbye,"
The pair smiled, "You're right, we'll meet again," Nagi was certain of that, and he honestly hoped to see Shirayuki more, she wasn't just a curiously unique NPC, she was their companion in this quest now.
*Beep!*
An alert appeared on Nagi's view, drawing Klein over. "What's that? The broker again?"
"Yeah, Argo's... sent an SOS?" That wasn't like her, not when she's been sticking around town today. "Lemme see..." Reading the message, Nagi's expression warped from confusion to a sharp gasp. "No... no way!"
"What is it?" Klein freaked out with Nagi who shook his hand away from his message.
"The two guilds... they're going after the boss right now! They've found the room and are heading in as we speak!" The news dropped like a hammer as someone stepped through into the shrine.
"Huh, guess they're dead then," It was Artorias, the girl brushing her ponytail back. "Let 'em get what's coming to 'em, they walked in knowing the boss is different? Seriously?"
"I can't just leave them to die!" Nagi's sharp response left her speechless as Shirayuki hummed behind her bandana.
"A call to rescue, it seems your path is not without constant danger, young shinobi," Her hand patted his shoulder roughly. "Carry that lack of hesitance to battle, let it aid in your swift victory together!"
"Hm, thank you," Nagi closed his tabs, running toward the exit. "We'll be faster if we take the route back to Rovia and teleport to the labyrinth entrance!"
"Right there with ya!" Klein roared, sprinting past Artorias who blinked, staring off into space as if still stuck on Nagi's words.
She tisked, biting her lip. "Just fucking got here too..." Shaking her head, the scarlet warrior gave chase after the idiots running to their deaths.
|Sword Art Online, Floor Four, Boss Room|
"Watch the aoe!" Kirito warned his added companions to the boss battle, two dark elves that chose to take a risk and accompany him and Asuna. Yofilis, the commander of the Dark Elves who had long black hair tied behind him, green-grey eyes, and an old, vertical scar running from his hairline to his chin across his left eye.
Yofilis wore fittingly noble clothes: a rococo-styled frock coat covered with moire and buttons, a vest, pants that stopped below the knees, white tights, white gloves, and a white tie packed with frills. He was armed with a fragile rapier at his waist. The other, Kizmel, had short, lilac hair and onyx eyes. She sported a bleak style of a dark cloak, black and purple light armor, and a black silk undersuit.
The boss, radically different from the Beta, swept its tail through the shallow waters thanks to Argo probing the doors open to release the deluge caused by the boss's water abilities. However, it still had the command over what remained, sending a harsh wave over half the arena, knocking several players away or straight up against the pillars surrounding the room.
This monster had a long, slender body. A dark purple fur covered its chest, underbelly, legs, and tail. Its scales are light-colored and resemble those of a fish. Its head has a long snout and is beautifully adorned by many fin-like appendages. The fins are pink with yellow markings, and they can also be seen on its back and tail.
/-\Kaikenjin, Bewitching Dancer - Lv. 20/-\
Through the wave, thanks to the charms given by the Elves present, granted Kirito's party the ability to run over the layer of water present in the room. He spun around, striking in a flurry, forming a bright blue 'Horizontal Arc' through the boss as it swam back, flicking him with its tail. "Switch!"
Asuna took the vanguard, striking with a striking 'Linear', the blade of light piercing long the lower-half, knocking the leviathan away as the cheeks swelled, "Ah, dodge it!" Her warning forced those of the two guilds to raise their shields as a stream of compressed water sliced through the waves, then it dived into a flip, slamming its tail down for a wave to sweep Kizmel back. "Kizmel!" Asuna gasped.
"I am alright!" She winced as Yofilis lunged alongside Kirito for a combined thrust strike, their skills crashing against Kaikenjin's tail while it swept backward, spitting several large bubbles, forcing the pair to evade and slash to keep from being immobilized.
Asuna flanked, Kizmel seeing her wink in her direction. With a glare, Kizmel readied her own skill, charging toward the beast focused on Kirito as the pair drew their blades back. Kaikenjin's eyes flashed red, suddenly curving to dive high above the blue arena, the pair canceling their skills in time for the leviathan's body slam, creating a large geyser around itself.
The wave threw them all backward, health falling into the yellow as it lumbered toward Kirito, snarling as the cheeks puffed out, using another wave with its tail to flick Kibaou and Lind through the water once more, drowning out their curses. "Kirito!" His party yelled as he floated above the water, crouching before the beast inches from taking his head off with a water beam.
"Crap!" He might not die but he couldn't avoid the whole range of the beam. Diving onto his back, he saw the beam slicing through the water, heading straight for his right leg.
*BAM!*
The droplets pelted his face, seeing the beam disperse from the force of a single shield creased against Kaikenjin's cheek, flinging the monster's head into a rising katana from the user's sheath, spraying a fountain of water in its wake. "Rising Tide!" The blade sliced the snout, and the boss swam in retreat, chased by the other raid members. "Kirito, you okay!?"
The drenched Beater chuckled lightly, taking the offered hands of both Nagi and Artorias, the buff reactivating thanks to Yofilis raising his rapier for a battle cry, buffing everyone within range. "Am now, nice save," He thanked, picking up his sword from Klein's hand. "Klein?"
"And you said you're better off solo," He egged on, riffing Kirito's hair.
"Heh, yeah-yeah, laugh it up later," Kirito focused on the boss, "This thing's got moves similar to the Beta but its attack patterns are completely off due to its new body,"
"Hmph, looks just like that monster from that old game series, only less soap, and more annoyance," Artorias quipped, drawing her sword forward. "Bet I'll land the L.A first,"
"I'll take that - sorry Kirito, this one's ours!" Nagi grinned, taking the lead ahead of Kirito and Klein, skills beginning to glow. "Various aoe attacks but it staggers easily within chained sword skills, that'll help," "Artorias, let's combine our skills,"
"Gotcha," She huffed, breaking left while Nagi dove right, avoiding another horizontal stream of water as the boss flung itself around in a loop, sweeping bubbles from its mouth to capture or stall the raid parties. Artorias shoved past two tanks, blade rosy behind her shoulder. "Horizontal-"
Nagi came eye to eye with Kaikenjin, its head thrown down by Asuna and Kizmel slashing downward, providing him a space to use 'kick-step', avoiding the threshing head. "Whirlwind-"
The pair slashed at the nape, spinning past one another in a helix to slice the vertebrae and crown, knocking the monster closer to the ground again. "-Arc!" "-Slash!"
Artorias slid down in front of the beast, backhanding the head with her shield, diverting the beam of water toward the ceiling as she spun, "Vertical Arc!" Beside her, Kirito did the same, their skills crossing through the neck, flinging the boss sideways into a group of spearmen.
Atop the boss, Nagi leapt up with a back-kick, leaving a blue crescent indent as he sheathed Yozora, focusing on the salty smell permeating his nose. "Aim for the weakest point - Serpent Slash!" The twin streaks dug deep, forcing Kaikenjin to roll, flattening a few players as it swept the area in front of it with a beam, then slammed its tail immediately after, the wave crashing into shields.
Klein grinned, standing where the monster rose, its back to his orange blade. "HYRAAAAA!" With the Battle Spirit buff, his strong, overhead slash left orange sparks in the air, flinching the monster as he swung his sword down, then upright with a continuation into a powerful thrust, Scarlet Fang making the boss growl at it swatted his inverted blade, Klein sliding through the water. "Man, that seriously stings!"
"Klein switch!" Nagi warned as the boss dove into a dive bomb, the samurai dipping away with shock.
"Hey, you can't block that!" But Nagi didn't listen, Kizmel and Artorias converging on the brunette's location.
A series of reds, blues, and purples congregated around them and their weapons, awaiting the monster's descent where it exposed its thinner underbelly to perform the body slam. With a trio of thrust skills blinding the raid teams, leaving a three-layered halo between them and the boss, the monster's third health bar shattered, taking a chunk from the last as it tumbled away, themselves sliding back through the water.
The embers of their skills faded, and droplets refracted the glare of the chamber's light around them. "You are friends of Kirito and Asuna, correct?" Kizmel huffed, clearly shaken by the perilous attack.
"More of a thorn, but yeah," Artorias cracked a grin.
"A pleasure," Nagi nodded.
"Very well, shall we put this great beast to rest?" Kizmel suggested, the three taking a stronger posture than before while the players regrouped, avoiding the various waves thrashed by the now enraged leviathan.
"Couldn't agree more." Artorias and Nagi mused.
With the buff still active, their feet swept through the strong current, weaving between bubbles and torrent of water that showered them in buckets of water. Together, they cut through the waves, Nagi grabbing Kizmel's offered hand to spin and toss the dark elf forward like a bladed whirlwind, slicing a horizontal arc through the water and across the boss's scales.
Through the split waves, rose and light blue light expanded, showering Kaikenjin in a flurry of strikes between the two swordsmen. The combination riddled the leviathan in increasing damage, people to its left doing much the same as it swung itself into a handstand, flinging walls of water as it performed a helix spin, slamming the full weight of its tail down on Artorias's shield, prompting her to heave the mass off with a devastating 'Vorpal Strike' piercing the tail.
As Kirito's party distracted the monster, Kizmel hunched down, allowing Nagi the chance to vault over another beam of compressed water, twirling while the wind swirled around his scabbard. "Shirayuki, please guide my blade," He clasped the handle, the light erupting from the gap. "The chance to slay the boss with one strike!" He dove down toward its head, Agil and Klein combining their might to shatter the scales across its right side with an eruption of light, the head flung backward. "Hidden Skill-!"
It happened in a single flash of sky blue light, Nagi landing underneath Kaikenjin, slicing a perfect circle through the air with a horizontal, spinning slash, the air pressure expanding from the blade's trajectory. "-Rising Sun!"
The single, powerful skill expelled the water in a single strike, landing a critical through the remaining red line, depleting the boss's health bar as it wailed one more time, crashing down into the water with a mighty splash. Two seconds later, and the boss showered them with millions of pieces.
Nagi panted, unable to move as his skill's post motion faded in his bones, allowing him to stand in awe of the familiar tell of their victory, that, and the various golden glows from players, including himself.
/-\CONGRADULATIONS!/-\
|Level Up! 16 - 17|
|Last Attack Bonus: (P) Calm Sea|
"I... I did it?" Over the course of two months, it had always been Kirito to land the final hit, so to unexpectedly see the tab in front of his eyes was a strange, bubbling feeling in Nagi's chest that broke into a smile. Hell, even the other clearer were cheering, mainly because Kirito didn't steal it from them. "'Calm Sea'... an accessory?"
He immediately hit 'equip', and gone was his standard haori as something light settled down. Unlike his bland one, the texture was a creamy white that transitioned into crashing waves at the bottom and across the sleeves. What was interesting was that while only an 'accessory' it came with a unique ability called 'Mizu Art', modifying sword skills with a traditional water effect.
"Lucky...!" Kirito groaned, rubbing his nape. "Hear I thought I had this one,"
"Ahem," Asuna cleared her throat expectantly, making him nervously wave.
"I-It was a team effort - thank you, Asuna, Kizmel, Yofilis!" He quickly put his hands together in admiration. The two dark elves grinned lightly.
While the various groups bickered and bantered, Nagi drew his katana, smiling excitedly as he focused on an 'Iai' slash, once his sword tinted blue, he let his body rush forward, and instead of a normal streak of light, it sloshed and warped with his blade's current, becoming an arc strikingly similar to traditional Japanese water artwork. "Hahaha...!" When the effect faded, Nagi turned to Artorias still staring back at him. "Artorias?"
"Huh? Right, sorry," She shook her head, looking around at the groups as Kibaou and Lind started yelling at each other. "Say... you're a solo player, right?"
"When I'm not working closely with Argo, why?" His genuine kindness was enough to make the redhead regret this choice momentarily, stuffing that pride down into her gut.
"Yeah, well not anymore," She jabbed his chest. "I'm sticking with you for a while, see how things go I guess, plus, then I'll be in touch with one of the Rat's closest allies, makes my life a lot easier,"
"Why are you so fixated on Argo's intel?" He wasn't dumb, he was vaguely aware of common clients like Kirito or the frontline guilds' representatives.
"It's..." Artorias slumped with a dejected expression, the scent was potent as was her tone. "I... I'm not a girl, or rather, this avatar hasn't changed since we wound up trapped here,"
Nagi took that in closely, face blank, "Eh?"
"Tch, figures you think I'm crazy too," Artorias grunted, arms crossed. "I didn't ask for this shit!"
"No, it's just... wow, a glitch maybe? If so, why hasn't Kayaba fixed it? Or the Cardinal System?" The more Nagi thought about it, the less sense was made. Instead, he slapped his own cheeks to clear the buzz and held out his hand politely. "Well, I'd be happy to help you figure this out since you've done a lot for me and Argo too,"
"Just... like that?" She was slow, unable to grasp the boy's kindness.
"Sure, you wanted to join my party, and you don't seem that bad to be lying, that and I think you're bad at it," Nagi said all this with a straight face, that alone made Artorias burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Hmm?"
"You're seriously weird, y'know?" She snickered behind her hand, using the left to shake his. "Alright, then I'll say this, ever need another sword, I gotcha covered, deal?"
"Sure!" Nagi cocked his head with a smile, shaking on their deal. "I'm just not the leader type, so sorry if I make any mistakes,"
"Not to worries, I'll just beat the stupid outta you," She agreed.
Nagi tensed up a bit, sweating slightly, "I... really hope you don't do that,"
In two months, Four of Aincrad's Floors had been cleared where the mission seemed impossible. But with Ninety-Six more to go, they had a long journey ahead of them.
To Be Continued...
Yeah, basically Mizutsune from Monster Hunter but I wanted to be different. And Artorias is now a solid part of Nagi's team! Onto the floor of mysteries and loot. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Players!
Fun Fact: The boss's name is a fusion of the Japanese words, Kai meaning 'Sea' and Kokenjin meaning 'Guardian'.
016 - Treasure and Lore
Taking up a bit of treasure hunting under the guidance of a player, Artorias and Nagi meet with Shirayuki in an all too familiar battleground...