Chapter 9 Sword Dance of Black and White
After Sora told Kirito the truth about himself the two players have been closer than ever. Sora showed Kirito his Gummiphone which he uses to call Ansem and his apprentices. Kirito was a bit surprised at the odd shape of Sora's Gummiphone, but he was also intrigued at how he can contact his friends from the the real world with it. He introduced Kirito to Ansem and his apprentices, and they told Kirito some information that really intrigued Kirito. They told him that they used a teleport machine to teleport Sora into Sword Art Online. They also told him how they digitized Sora's keyblades and transferred them in the game since he can't use magic in S.A.O. Kirito was intrigued by all this and had millions of questions to ask about their technology which Ansem and his apprentices were happy to answer. Sora and Kirito worked together to take out the bugs that would appear on any Floor. After Sora and Kirito took out a bug on Floor 74, they went into a dungeon on that floor and defeated a a humanoid lizard-like creature called Lizardman Lord with dark green scales, a long tail, and glowing red eyes. Its mouth also has a number of thin fangs that can be found lining its slender jaw. Wearing a set of armor consisting of a helmet and breast plate. It carried a scimitar in its right hand and a round shield on its left. Then the two players left the dungeon and started walking through the forest, Kirito noticed Sora looking a little sad.
"Hey Sora, something wrong?" Kirito asked.
"(Sigh) It's just, we've been stuck in this world for a long time. I can always hear from Ansem and his apprentices, but I'd like to hear from some of my friends to…" Sora said sadly.
"You told me your Gummiphone can help you communicate with people from across worlds. Why not just give them a call?" Kirito asked.
"Well, there was always something else I had to do, either fighting on the frontlines or fighting off the bugs infecting this world. Besides my friends also have more responsibilities defending the universe now that I'm stuck here." Sora said.
"Oh, well you're not doing anything right now and maybe your friends aren't doing anything you could try calling them now." Kirito suggested.
Before Sora could decide an icon of his Gummiphone appeared in front of him.
"I guess I could try now." Sora said.
So, Sora clicked on it hoping he could talk to talk to his friends.
"Sora how are you holding up in there?" Ansem asked.
"I'm alright, I just miss my friends on your end." Sora said.
"Then maybe this will make you feel better." Ienzo said.
"Hey Sora, what's up?" The familiar voice asked.
"Riku?!" Sora exclaimed excitedly to hear his best friend.
"It's not just me who came to see you." Riku said.
"Hiya Sora!" Two familiar voices exclaimed.
"Donald! Goofy!" Sora exclaimed excitedly.
"We really miss having you on this side of the screen." Donald said.
"Yeah, everyone else misses having you around to. To bad they couldn't come here though." Goofy said.
"Don't worry, there's actually someone else who's here and excited to see you again." Riku said.
"Who is it?" Sora asked.
"Hey you lazy bum." The familiar voice said to him.
Sora's cheeks started to turn red as heard her voice, even Kirito noticed Sora blushing when he heard her voice.
"Kairi! You're up there to?!" Sora exclaimed in excitement.
"You big goof ball of course I came to see you. I just wish I came earlier when I heard but after you left, but I had to handle some of your responsibilities in protecting the universe." Kairi said.
"Wait Master Aqua allowed you handle my responsibilities early in your training?" Sora asked.
"Well, she decided I needed real life training by traveling to different worlds and taking out heartless. Plus, Donald and Goofy come with me sometimes when I go." Kairi said.
"Yeah, she's learning fast." Donald said.
"That's great! So how long has it been since I've been gone?" Sora asked.
"It's been at least a year and a half." Riku said.
"Oh, I didn't realize it'd be away this long for the Mark of Mastery." Sora said.
"Wait I've heard from the other players it's been almost 2 years in the real world." Kirito said.
"Time dilation Kirito, time must move a little faster in your world than here." Even said.
"Oh…" Kirito said.
"So, is this your friend Kirito Sora?" Goofy asked.
"Yup, everyone this Kirito. Kirito these are my friends from the real world." Sora said.
"Hi everyone, my name's Kirito." Kirito introduced.
"I'm Riku." Riku introduced.
"I'm Kairi." Kairi introduced.
"I'm Donald." Donald introduced.
"And I'm Goofy." Goofy introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Kirito said.
"You to Kirito." Goofy said.
"Thanks, for looking after Sora for us. Sorry if he's a bit of a handful." Riku said.
"Hey!" Sora exclaimed and the others all laughed.
"(Chuckles) Don't worry I can handle him." Kirito said.
"Well, I'm sorry but we can't stay much longer we still have to get back to our work." Riku said.
"I know… but it really is great to hear from you again." Sora said.
"Hope to hear from you again buddy." Donald said.
"Don't worry next time we'll bring everybody." Goofy said.
"I just wish you could be here with me. I mean with us!" Kairi exclaimed as she started blushing.
"I wish I could be up there to but remember what we said to each other 'wherever you go I'm always with you.' Even if we're apart we're never truly alone and I'll come back to you I promise." Sora said.
"I know you will." Kairi said.
"We'll see you later buddy." Riku said.
"Goodbye!" Donald and Goofy said.
"I'll be waiting for you." Kairi said.
"By guys, I'll be on the other side real soon." Sora said as the call ended.
"So, your friends reached out to you." Kirito said.
"Yeah, I didn't think they'd reach out." Sora said happy he was able to hear his friends.
"Your lucky you can talk to people in the real world. I wish I could communicate with my mom or little cousin just to let them know I'm alright." Kirito said sad he can't communicate with his family like Sora can communicate with his friends.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize how you'd feel, (sigh) now I feel bad about talking with my friends from the real world just now." Sora said feeling guilty.
"Don't worry, I know I'll see them again, because you taught me to remain hopeful even when all seems lost. So… that Kairi girl seems nice." Kirito said with a cheeky smirk on his face.
"I don't know what you're implying but it's not what you think." Sora said feeling a little embarrassed.
"I'm not sure from the way you two were talking to each other you two seem tight." Kirito said.
"Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about…" Sora said.
"Mm hmmm." Kirito said not believing it.
"Look it's not that easy I mean facing monsters stepping into the heart of danger, but with love I still have a lot to learn." Sora said.
"Don't worry man, you'll get the hang of it. Besides she seems to really like you to." Kirito said.
"Gee thanks, never thought you'd be giving me advice on romance, especially since you and Asuna haven't taken the plunge and I know how much you like her." Sora said with a cheeky smile.
"No idea what you're talking about." Kirito said.
The two players laughed after that then the two players noticed something that caught their attention.
"Is that what I think it is?" Sora asked pointing at a Ragout Rabbit is a plump rabbit with its green fur tinged with gray, and ears longer than its body.
"You bet, shhh I'm gonna get it." Kirito said.
So, Kirito brought out a throwing pick and used a single shot skill to throw the throwing picks and hit it. After he hit it, he got a rare item Ragout Rabbit's meat. Then the two players went to Agil's shop on Floor 50 so they can sell it to Agil.
"No way! This is an S class rare item! This is the first time I've ever seen one! Hey guys don't you already have all the money you need? I'll buy it, but I'm saying wouldn't you guys rather have it for dinner?" Agil asked.
"Sure, it's just who knows if we'll ever get another one?" Kirito asked.
"Yeah, we were lucky just to find this one." Sora said.
"So, keep it." Agil said.
"What's the point? Look to prepare an item like this you need to have a high enough cooking skill." Kirito said.
"I've been learning how to cook in this game, but it's not high enough to prepare an item like this." Sora said.
"(Sighs) Yeah if we try, we'll just burn it." Agil said.
Just as everyone was feeling discouraged, they had a surprise visitor.
"Hey guys." Asuna said as she waved to her friends with another member Knights of the Blood Oath standing behind her.
He had a pony-tailed, long, black hair. He's a man who looked to be in his early twenties, but due to the wrinkles on his face, he looked much older.
Kirito noticed this and felt excited as he had an idea pop up in his head.
"(Gasp) We've got our chief!" Kirito exclaimed while Kirito grabbed her hand.
"Uhh what chief?" Asuna asked.
Kuradeel looked at Kirito with a death glare as he grabbed her hand. Sora then elbowed Kirito in the arm and whispered in his ear.
"Okay buddy calm down." Sora whispered.
"Oh, hey Asuna's here seeing you in a dump like this is beyond weird." Kirito said, which Agil took offense at.
"Oh, save it I came to see if you two were still alive, you know it's almost time for the next boss raid." Asuna said.
"We're on your friend list you could've just looked at that to see we're alive." Sora said.
"Whatever now I know you're alive. Anyway, what are you guys up to? What's all this about a chief?" Asuna asked.
"Oh yeah that… I was wondering how high your cooking skill level was." Kirito said.
"Totally maxed it out last week! (As she said that with confidence Sora, Kirito and Agil were amazed that she was able to max out her cooking skill level.) Cool huh?" Asuna asked.
"Well if you're that good we need a favor." Kirito said as he went through his main menu to show Asuna the Ragout Rabbit meat.
"(Gasp) You you got a Ragout Rabbit?!" Asuna exclaimed.
"I'll trade you, all you have to do is cook it up for me and Sora and we'll let you have a little bite" Kirito said.
Then Asuna grabbed Kirito's jacket and gave him the death glare.
"Half… deal?" Asuna asked.
"Yeah deal." Kirito said nervously.
"(Laughs) All right!" Asuna exclaimed with excitement.
Kirito looked at her and smiled, Sora noticed this to and chucked.
"Sorry pal, you heard the lady guess we're keeping it." Kirito said.
"Yeah, but you can at least let me taste it right? I thought we were tight man." Agil said.
"I'll write a review for you but only two pages promise." Kirito said.
"Dang that is cold." Agil said as Sora, Kirito, Asuna and her bodyguard left the shop.
"So, where am I gonna cook it?" Asuna asked.
"Oh well…" Kirito said.
"I'm guessing not you're place right? Do you guys even own any cookware?" Asuna asked.
"Well, I own a few but it won't be enough to cook a rare item." Sora said.
"Okay because the main ingredient is special, I won't have a problem if we use my place this time." Asuna said.
Kirito and Sora were surprised she was inviting them to her place to cook the meal.
"Thank you for escorting me, you may go." Asuna said as she spoke the other Knight of the Blood Oath member.
"I'm sorry ma'am but I can't allow you to go home with such shady characters." The other Knight of the Blood Oath member said, which Sora took offense at.
"Hey! Who are you calling shad…" Sora said, before Asuna spoke up.
"I don't know the extent of their "shadiness", but I know their quite skilled. In fact, their 10 levels above you Kuradeel." Asuna said.
"Are you implying that I'm inferior to them? Oh, I know they're one of those Hackers and Beaters, aren't they?" Kuradeel asked.
Sora and Kirito weren't happy he recognized them as those names many players call them.
"Yeah, what if we are?" Kirito asked.
"You shouldn't go with them ma'am, all of them and their kind care about are themselves you can't except anything good to come from scums like that! Kuradeel exclaimed.
Everyone in the area was watching what was happening and many players recognized Asuna as the second in command to the Knights of the Blood Oath. But Asuna had enough of this nonsense and putted her foot down.
"Listen I am second in command here. I am ordering you to go home." Asuna said, as she walked of and pulled Sora and Kirito away from the scene.
"Hey! Are you sure about this?!" Kirito asked nervously.
"Of course!" Asuna exclaimed angrily as she dragged Sora and Kirito out of the Floor, they were on.
Then the three players ended up on Floor 61 in a place called Selmburg which is the main settlement of the entire Floor. It's known as the castle city of the entire floor and located in the middle of the lake. Most of the floor is made up by a huge lake that, in size, is more like a sea, with only a few small isles dotting the landscape. The two largest islands on the floor are the ones where the main city and another where the Labyrinth are located. All of the islands have a mountainous terrain.
"This place is beautiful!" Sora said in awe.
"Yeah, there's hardly anyone around, it's really cool." Kirito said.
"If you both like it so much why not move here?" Kirito asked.
"I don't know this floor seems way out of our price range." Kirito said.
"Yeah, this place does look a little to expensive." Sora said.
"Anyway, what's the deal with that guy back there, he was mad dogging me and Sora like crazy." Kirito said.
"Oh, he's just my bodyguard, the guilds new policy is that all higher ups have to have an escort." Asuna said sounding a little sad.
"But that's ridiculous, you don't need a bodyguard you can take care of yourself." Sora said.
"Yeah, it's lame the guild didn't have all these rules and regulations before we used to be very small. But then more and more joined up and after we became the strongest guild everything started getting weird." Asuna said, still sounding very sad.
Sora and Kirito felt sorry for Asuna that this was all happening to her while she was with the Knights of the Blood Oath.
"Well, I'm probably making a bigger deal out of this than it is. Anyway, we better hurry it's getting dark." Asuna said sounding happier already.
"Oh okay." Kirito said.
"We're right behind you." Sora said.
Then the three players made it to Asuna's home in a town called maisonette.
"Wow, you got a killer pad." Kirito said in awe.
"Yeah, nice place you've got here. But how much did all this cost?" Sora asked.
"Hmm the room and the furniture cost around 4 million coal. Anyway, make yourselves at home." Asuna said as she left the room to change.
"Uh sure." Kirito said.
"Okay." Sora said.
"Holy moly 4 million man that's a lot of coal." Kirito said.
"Hey, I'm sure the two of us have even more if we put our coal together." Sora said.
"Maybe, but blowing it all on a flat?" Kirito asked.
Then Asuna came in with her house clothes and Kirito started blushing.
"You guys gonna take off your coats or what?" Asuna asked.
"Right sorry." Kirito said.
After Sora and Kirito took off their coats Asuna brought out the Ragout Rabbit meat.
"So, this is a legendary S class ingredient. Okay how do you want this cooked up?" Asuna asked.
"We thought we'd leave that decision up to the chief." Kirito said.
"In that case, how about we make it into a stew! Ragout! That's pretty much the definition of a stew." Asuna said.
Asuna brought out other ingredients and kitchen supplies to cook the meat into a stew. Sora and Kirito were amazed at how Asuna knew so much about cooking in S.A.O.
"In real life there'd be a lot more steps involved to preparing this, cooking in S.A.O is pretty simple believe it or not it's kind of boring." Asuna said as she put the meat into a pot and into an oven and set the timer on it
"That takes care of that now for the next step." Asuna said.
"What next step?" Sora asked.
"I was thinking about adding a couple side dishes." Asuna said as she brought out more foods for her side dishes.
Then the timer on the oven was up and she got the pot from the oven, opened the lid and the three players saw Asuna's Ragout Rabbit stew. Then Asuna got a few plates cups put the food and side dishes on the table, and they all sat down and ate. The three players finished the food with a satisfied smile on their faces.
"(Sigh) I've been here for two years, and this is the first time I've eaten S class food. I'm so glad I've survived long enough to eat that." Asuna said.
"You said it that was delicious." Sora said.
"It sure is." Kirito said.
"It's so weird sometimes, I don't know I get this feeling that like I've lived here my entire life. You ever feel like that?" Asuna asked.
"Yeah, almost all the time. In fact, there's days I don't even think about the real world at all." Kirito said.
"Yeah, even though this world is a game it still feels like home." Sora said.
"Well, it's not just us these days more and more people don't seem to care about clearing the game and getting back to the real world." Kirito said.
"I noticed there's not many players fighting on the frontlines, maybe 500 if that. I guess they're used to it, they don't care anymore. Asuna said sounding a little sad.
Sora was thinking about it, and she was right, not many people want to fight on the frontlines. It's like they don't care about going to the real world because S.A.O feels like home to them after being trapped for so long.
"Yeah well, I wanna go back. I mean their things I haven't done yet I have to." Asuna said.
"Yeah, I mean I like it here in S.A.O but I miss my family and friends in the real world and there probably lots of other players who feel the same way." Sora said.
"Yeah, there are lots of people who still count on us if we give up it's not fair to them." Kirito said.
"Unh unh don't go there." Asuna said talking to Kirito.
"Uhh what?" Kirito asked.
"I've seen that same look on guys faces before, and always right before they propose to me." Asuna said.
Kirito nearly choked on his drink and blushed at that fact.
"(Chuckles) You should see your face, I guess you never had a girlfriend before." Asuna said with a smug grin on her face.
"Yeah, he's not exactly an expert in "relationships" if you know what I mean." Sora said with a smug grin on his face.
"Eh whatever I'm a solo player." Kirito said.
"Well not really Kirito we've been fighting together for two years remember?" Sora asked.
"True but other that teaming with you I do best on my own." Kirito said.
"And your okay with that neither of you want to join a guild?" Asuna asked.
"Well… it's a bit complicated…" Sora said, remembering his and Kirito's situation on being known as the the Hacker and Beater. Plus, the traumatic experience they had when they were with another guild.
"I know how the beta testers don't fit in with the guilds but, ever since we got to Floor 70 things are getting more dangerous. The monster algorithms are even more irregular." Asuna said.
"Yeah, and the bugs are getting more and more dangerous do causing the Floors to glitch, and if the players start panicking the heartless can show up even in safe zones." Sora said.
"Exactly, there are things a solo player or even a duo of players can't handle unexpected things. Sometimes warping out isn't an option." Asuna said.
"Well, me and Sora are pretty careful when we're out on the field together or alone. I work better by myself anyway besides most of the time instead of helping party members just get in the way." Kirito said.
"Hey!" Sora exclaimed feeling offended.
"Oh yeah?" Asuna asked while pointing a knife at Kirito.
"My bad everyone except for you two." Kirito said sounding a little nervous.
"Good." Asuna said.
"That's better." Sora said.
"So, what do you two say of the three of us teaming up again? Black's my lucky color this week anyway." Asuna said.
"Sure, it'll be just like old times! Right Kirito?" Sora asked.
"Hold up a sec, don't you have you have to do for your guild you can't just bail on them!" Kirito exclaimed.
"It's not like we have any leveling quotas to meet." Asuna said.
"Well then what about you're bodyguard?" Kirito asked.
"I'll just ditch him." Asuna said.
Kirito gave up knowing there was no way she was going to change her mind. So, Asuna brought an invite to join her party to Sora and Kirito. Sora accepted but Kirito still wasn't sure.
"The frontlines are dangerous though." Kirito said until he was interrupted by Asuna doing a sword skill on the knife and holding it closer to his head.
"Okay… fine." Kirito said nervously as he accepted Asuna's request to join her party.
After awhile Sora and Kirito putted their coats back on and were ready to head home.
"Well, I suppose thanks are in order for the meal so thank you." Asuna said.
"Thank you for cooking it maybe next time, oh what am I saying I'll never get my hands on something like that again." Kirito said.
"Hey, you never know there's always a chance we can find another one." Sora said optimistically.
"He's right besides you can make anything yummy if you have the skills to cook." Asuna said.
Then the three players looked up into the night sky Kirto mentioned something that everyone in the game is thinking.
"Looking at this world and seeing what it's become since we got here, is this really what Akihiko Kayaba wanted to create?" Kirito asked.
'Why would Kayaba want to create a death game? What's the point of making everyone suffer like this?' Sora asked himself.
Then Sora and Kirito went home on Floor 50 to sleep, but the next morning they waited in front of the teleport waypoint for Asuna in Floor 74 in a city called Calmdet.
"Where is she?" Kirito asked as he yawned.
"I know you're excited to see her, but did we have to get up this early?" Sora asked jokingly while he yawned.
Before Kirito could say anything, a blue light came from the teleport waypoint and Asuna came out of it crashing into Kirito. Kirito tried to push her off him but accidentally groped her left breast. Asuna felt that and immediately slapped him so hard sending him flying into a brick tower.
"Kirito! Are you all right!?" Sora exclaimed as he rushed over to check up on him.
But when he looked back at Asuna on her knees with an angry look on her face along with an embarrassed blush, while hiding her breasts with her arms. And when Kirito got up and saw her, he looked at his left hand and realized what he touched.
"Kirito… did you?" Sora asked realizing why Asuna smacked him so hard.
"Uh… hey good morning, Asuna." Kirito said nervously.
Asuna was still upset, but then when a blue light came from the teleport waypoint Asuna hid behind Kirito.
"What's wrong?" Kirito asked.
But before Asuna could say anything Kuradeel came out of that blue light.
"Why are you acting like this ma'am? I'm only following orders, please let us go back to headquarters." Kuradeel said.
"I won't! Especially not with you and why were you lurking around my house this morning huh?!" Asuna exclaimed.
"You have a bad habit of leaving without any warning, so for the past month part of my mission has been to keep an eye on you at Selmburg." Kuradeel said.
"What?! Who ordered this? It wasn't the commander!" Asuna exclaimed.
"With all do respect ma'am my mission is to guard you, no matter where you are including your home." Kuradeel said.
"NO IT DOSEN'T YOU IDIOT!" Asuna exclaimed in anger.
"(Sigh) I wish you would be more understanding about this ma'am, now then let's return to headquarters." Kuradeel said as he grabbed Asuna's wrist and pulled her away. But Kirito grabbed Kuradeel's shoulder stopping them from walking away.
"Sorry, but I'll be borrowing your second in command for today, so you'll just have to make do without her. I'll take responsibility for her security, do not worry it is not like we're going on a boss raid. You can go she'll be safe with me." Kirito said.
"INSOLENT PUNK! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?! IM A MEMBER OF THE GLORIOUS KNIGHTS OF THE BLOOD OATH! A LOW-LEVEL PLAYER LIKE YOU COULDN'T PROTECT HER!" Kuradeel exclaimed.
"I can do a better job of it than you." Kirito said.
"(Growls) You got a big mouth kid, so I'm gonna give you a chance to prove how tough you really are." Kuradeel said.
So, Kuradeel went through his main menu and brought out an option to duel him to Kirito. Kirito decided to accept the challenge but picked the first strike option, so that who ever got the first hit would win the duel. Then there was a timer in the air in between Kirito and Kuradeel, along with their pictures on their sides and VS in the middle because it's a duel.
"Please move to a safe distance ma'am I'm going to prove beyond any doubt that I am the only one who can protect you." Kuradeel said as he brought out his sword.
Kirito brought out his sword and got in his fighting stance. The people in the area saw what was happening and decided to watch. But what none of them realized there were two robed figures watching in the crowds, and one of those robed figures is a Laughing Coffin member. Then the time ended, and the two players were about to attack one another. But when they were about to clash, Kirito used a sword skill called sonic leap and used it on Kuradeel's sword breaking it in half. Asuna and the other players were surprised Kirito was able to break his sword into two. But Sora just smiled at this knowing his friend was gonna be all right.
"If you want to try again with a different weapon, I'll be glad to take you on. Or we could call it a day." Kirito said.
But Kuradeel refused and brought out a dagger to attack Kirito. But Asuna rushed in and knocked the dagger out of his hand.
"Asuna… I don't know how, but he cheated you saw how he destroyed my sword he must have used some kind of trick. There is no way I could lose to a pathetic beater like him!" Kuradeel exclaimed.
Sora was about to unleash his anger on Kuradeel for being so disrespectful to Kirito, but Asuna stopped him before he could.
"Kuradeel, as second in command to the Knights of the Blood Oath I'm reliving you from your duties as my bodyguard. You are to return to headquarters and wait for further orders." Asuna said.
"You… you can't be serious. This is all your fault…" Kuradeel said with a death glare at Kirito.
Then he walked to the teleport gate and teleported to Grandzam the headquarters to the Knights of the Blood Oath. Then a bell rang and in the air an icon said winner with Kirito's picture turned orange. Then the two robed figures left the scene but had little conversation with each other.
"Know that's something you don't see every day." The Laughing Coffin member said.
"Yep, nothings wrong with a little entertainment. But back to business, how's your infiltrator doing in infiltrating one of the main guild's defenses?" The robed figure said.
"Don't worry he's been there for awhile, planting the bugs across the base for heartless to infiltrate and eliminate them." The laughing coffin member said.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to drag you into that." Asuna said with remorse.
"No, it's no big deal, I'm worried about you. Are you okay?" Kirito asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine the guild's getting on my nerves that's all, probably because I've been so focused on clearing the game. Or maybe because I'm so demanding of the other members of the guild." Asuna said.
"Well, you can be very demanding." Sora said quietly causing Kirito to elbow him in the arm.
"Yeah, I get that, but you didn't have much of a choice. Think about it if you've done things any different you think your guild would have gotten as far as they have?" Kirito asked.
Asuna was surprised to hear him say that she didn't know how highly he thought of her.
"I mean, what do I know I just mess around as a solo player right? And sometimes I mess around with him. (Pointing to Sora.) The thing is if you take the day off to team up with a loser like me so what? That's your decision to make in my opinion no one has the right to complain, screw him." Kirito said.
Sora nodded his head in agreement, Asuna was feeling a lot better thanks to Kirito's words.
"Wow thank you for your opinion on the subject. Okay I accept your offer and I'll be taking a day off from the guild you can play forward today." Asuna said as she walked off.
"Wha… hey wait a minute aren't we supposed to take turns as forward?!" Kirito exclaimed.
"Sorry it's my day off remember?" Asuna said.
"Oh, come on!" Kirito exclaimed.
"(Chuckle) Well looks like you're playing forward today, maybe I'll take a day off to." Sora said jokingly as he caught up with Asuna.
"What hey! Sora!" Kirito trying to catch up to Sora.
Then the three players made it to the labyrinth on the floor and fought off a group of monsters called the Demonic Servants. Monsters that have the appearance of a skeletal swordsman, over two meters tall and surrounded by an eerie blue light. It carried around a huge straight sword in its right hand and a round metal shield in its left. It was able to perform sword skills like vertical square. Sora took out one of them using his sword skill called muscle strike, charging up his keyblade and lunged forward at the monster. Asuna was fighting them to using her quick sword skills to take out the monster. Kirito was watching her fight in awe.
"I know I usually fight with Sora, but having someone else who knows how to fight can also make things easier." Kirito said.
"Switch with me Kirito!" Asuna said.
"Yeah right!" Kirito said.
Kirito switched in using his quick moves and powerful sword skills to take out another monster. Once the monsters were gone the three players continued through the labyrinth until they spotted a large door in front of them.
"Is that what I think it is? Asuna asked.
"Uh huh." Kirito responded.
"It's the door to the boss room." Sora responded.
"What do we do? You think we should look inside?" Asuna asked.
"Well, we came all this way besides boss monsters never leave the rooms they guard. I think we'll be okay if we just take a peek." Kirito said.
"Oh okay." Asuna said.
"Let's just have a teleport crystal out just in case." Sora said.
"Right." Asuna said.
"Okay, you guys ready?" Kirito asked.
"Mm hmm." Asuna responded.
"You bet" Sora responded.
So, with their teleport crystals out they opened the boss room, it was pitch black. Until the torches in their lit up with blue fire revealing the boss of Floor 74. It's a a demonic monster called The Gleam Eyes with muscles as taut as ropes rippling up its towering form. It's skin was deep blue, and its eyes glinted with the same blue-white hue, matching the tint of the flames in it's boss room. It's head, resting atop its thick chest, was that of a goat's rather than a human's and had an elongated snout and thick, twisted horns stretching backward from the sides of the head. It's bestial legs were covered in long, navy hair. It's main weapon was a massive blade that looked like a zanbato.
There you go a new chapter and next chapter you'll know about Sora and Kirito's new abilities.