Chapter 10 The Blue-Eyed Demon
When we last saw the three players, they went into a boss room to discover what kind of boss their up against on that floor. But when they did, they instantly rushed off and hid in a deeper part of the labyrinth.
"That one is going to be tough to beat." Asuna said.
"You can say that again." Sora said.
"That monster had one big sword and I'm pretty sure it has special attacks to." Kirito said.
"We're gonna have to put tanks in the front row and keep switching out just to wear it down." Asuna said.
"Yeah, and it wouldn't hurt to have ten shield users." Kirito said.
"Shield users huh?" Asuna asked looking at Kirito and Sora with a suspicious look on her face.
"What what's wrong?" Kirito asked.
"You are, you both are hiding something aren't you?" Asuna asked.
"What are you talking about?" Kirito asked.
"Yeah, what could we possibly be hiding?" Sora asked.
"I just realized something the biggest advantage of using a one-handed sword is you can also use a shield. But you know what I don't think I've ever seen you using one, I don't use a shield because it'll slow down my rapier. Others don't because they think it looks dumb. How come your not using the sword you commissioned from Liz? Very suspicious." Asuna said looking hard at Kirito.
Kirito was a little nervous, she was on to him about him only using one sword. He wasn't ready to tell her about his reason for using one sword.
"And you always use the same key shape swords and no other weapon. Which is something I find odd because no one in the game has that weapon." Asuna said looking hard at Sora.
Sora was getting nervous; she was on to him about his secret to. Lucky for them Asuna decided to change the subject.
"Oh, never mind it's rude to ask people to justify their skills." Asuna said.
Sora and Kirito felt a little better about this, knowing their secrets are safe.
"Since it's gotten late might as well have lunch here." Asuna said as she brought out a basket with food.
"Great! I'm starving?" Sora said in excitement.
"Did you make it yourself?" Kirito asked.
"Uh huh, but you better take your gloves off before you eat." Asuna said.
"Sure!" Kirito said.
"Okay!" Sora said.
"Here you go" Asuna said giving the both of them a sandwich.
"This is good!" Kirito said munching on his sandwich.
"You can say that again!" Sora said munching on his sandwich.
"How'd you get it to taste so amazing?" Kirito asked.
"Chalk it up to a whole year of training and studying. (As she said that she opened her main menu, and lots of documents on food ingredients appeared in front of them.) Aincrad has everything you need there's about a hundred different seasonings. I made everything just by calculating the parameters used by the flavor-recreation engine. (Then Asuna brought a green potion out and poured a drop on Kirito's hand) This was made with grogua seed, shugra leaf and calm water" Asuna said.
Kirito tasted the potion on his hand and was amazed on what it tasted like.
"It's mayonnaise." Kirito said.
"And I made this, using abilba leaves, Sag leaves and ulafish bone." Asuna said as she brought another potion and poured it onto Sora's hand.
"Cool! This tastes like soy sauce!" Sora exclaimed in excitement.
"You're right I made the sauce for the sandwich out of that." Asuna said.
"Amazing! It's perfect! Have you thought about selling this because you'd make a fortune!" Kirito exclaimed in excitement.
"Yeah! Lots of people would!" Sora added on.
"You think it's that good?" Asuna asked.
"Wait! You can't sell it." Kirito said.
"But why not?" Asuna asked sounding surprised.
"Because there wouldn't be any left for me." Kirito said.
"Hey! I'd like some of it to!" Sora exclaimed.
"Sorry dude I called it first." Kirito said with a smug look on his face.
"Awww come on!" Sora complained.
"(Sigh) Oh brother you two are so greedy if you like it that much I can always make more." Asuna said.
Then a group of players came walking towards Sora, Kirito, and Asuna looking all tired. But Sora and Kirito instantly recognized those players.
"Hey Klein! Is that you?" Sora asked.
"Hey Sora! Kirito! How you guys doing?" Klein asked.
"Hey Klein, still alive huh?" Kirito asked not sounding as enthusiastic as Sora and Klein.
"Gee you're the same as ever huh Kirito? Woah you guys are duo the red and black swordsmen what the heck are you doing with a… girl" Klein said.
Klein was then staring at Asuna which Sora recognized when Kirito mentioned he had a sister.
'Sorry Klein but she's already taken.' Sora said to himself.
"I could have sworn you guys met in one of the boss fights I'll introduce you. This is Klein of the Furrinkazan Guild, and this is Asuna from the Knights of the Blood Oath." Kirito said.
"Uhh Klein you, okay?" Sora asked waving his hand in front of his face trying to get his attention.
"H Hi! I I I'm Klein! I'm 24 and single and looking for a…" Klein said until Kirito punched him in the stomach, and he fell on the ground.
"BOSS!" The Furrinkazan Guild shouted, and they surrounded Sora, Kirito, and Asuna.
"You've done it now." Sora said whispering in Kirito's ear worried that the Furrinkazan Guild might be mad at them, but something else happened.
"WHOA ARE YOU REALLY THAT ASUNA!" The Furrinkazan Guild exclaimed trying to get even closer while Sora and Kirito trying to hold them back.
"Don't worry it's cool these guys are okay." Kirito said.
"Yeah, there good guys, I just hope Klein's all right." Sora said.
Then Klein got up and stomped on Kirito's foot hard.
"Hey what's that for?" Kirito asked sounding irritated.
"That is payback you weasel." Klein said.
"Come on Klein!" Kirito said.
"What are you guys doing with a girl? Holding out on me?" Klein jokingly asked.
Before the two boys could ask, they all heard Asuna laughing at what was going on.
"What's the deal guys? Spill it." Klein said.
"Uhh well…" Kirito said before Asuna spoke up.
"Excuse me, Sora, Kirito, and I are together because we're sort of in a party." Asuna said.
"Huh?!" The Furrinkazan Guild said surprised that Sora and Kirito would team up with Asuna and not them when they offered it.
"Guys! You son of a…" Klein said until Sora interrupted him.
"Now wait! We can explain everything!" Sora said.
"Yeah, it's not what you think!" Kirito added on.
But before they could explain an army of players known as the Aincrad Liberation Force was walking towards them, and they were very exhausted.
"What the? It's the Army." Kirito said.
"It's the big guild that runs Floor 1, what are they doing up here?" Klein asked.
"I haven't heard from them since they almost slaughtered on Floor 25. Why are they here now?" Sora asked.
"I heard after that day they've been trying to build up their numbers." Asuna said.
Then one of the men walked up in front of the army.
"At ease!" One of men said to the rest of the army as they all collapsed on the floor in exhaustion. Then that man walked closer to the players in front of him.
"I'm with the Aincrad Liberation Army Lieutenant Colonel Kobatz." Kobatz said.
"I'm Sora." Sora introduced.
"I'm Kirito, we're a team." Kirito said.
"Sure, you are… Have you cleared the area up ahead?" Kobatz asked.
"Yeah, we also got a map with directions to the boss room." Kirito said.
"Right than hand over that map and we'll be on our way." Kobatz said.
"You want us to just give it to you? Do you know how much of a pain mapping really is?!" Klein exclaimed refusing to just give him the map.
"WE SHARE OUR INFORMATION AND RESOURCES WITH CIVILIAN PLAYERS ALL THE TIME! AND WE DON'T CHARGE A THING FOR IT! WE MAINTAIN ORDER IN THE CHAOUS OF BATTLE SO THAT ALL PLAYERS CAN LEAVE THIS WORLD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! THEREFORE, IT'S YOU'RE DUTY TO COOPERATE WITH US NOW HAND OVER THAT MAP!" Kobatz shouted at the top of his lungs demanding for the map.
"Listen you…" Asuna said before Kirito stopped her.
"It's okay, Sora and I were planning to go public with the map anyway when we'd get back to town. So, you can have it." Kirito said as he gave Kobatz the map.
"Oh, come on man you're being way to nice to him." Klein said.
"It's fine Klein besides everyone deserves this information, to show people we're that much closer to clearing the game." Sora said.
"Hmmm thanks for cooperating." Kobatz said.
"By the way if you're planning to hit the boss, I wouldn't recommend it." Kirito said.
"That is my decision to make." Kobatz said.
"Now wait a minute I just came from the boss room and there's no way you can beat it with your army completely tired out!" Sora said.
"He's right look at them their exhausted!" Kirito said.
"Nonsense! My men our tougher than that! They won't quit until I say so! On you're feet come on move!" Kobatz ordered, as the rest of his Army got up and they all left for the boss room.
"Oh man, are those guys gonna be, okay?" Klein asked.
"Sure they are, they'll probably just checking out the boss room and leave." Sora said.
"Yeah, they wouldn't rush in the boss without checking it out first." Asuna said.
"Maybe we should keep an eye on them anyway." Kirito suggested.
Everyone agreed so they stayed behind in case the army decided to fight the boss on their own. Kirito noticed Klein looking at Asuna and he rolled his eyes and said.
"I don't know who's nicer you or me." He said as they walked off.
"Don't worry Kirito, so she has lots of guys who go crazy for her. You'll always be her favorite." Sora said.
"Geee thanks." Kirito said.
Sora didn't notice it, but he continued to walk away he started to crack a smile on his face thanks to Sora's words. In the back of the group Klein decided to have a talk with Asuna.
"So, uh anyway Asuna I've got a favor to ask. He can be hard to talk to, and he's a loner and addicted to combat. I know he and Sora are a team, but I know he cares a lot about you so take care of him, will ya?" Klein asked.
"Okay, I promise he's in good hands." Asuna said and they caught up with the rest of the group.
The players had walked further into the labyrinth getting closer to boss room and taking out monsters.
"That's the last one the only thing left is the boss's room. Maybe those guys used their teleportation crystals and left." Klein said.
But he was wrong the players then heard screams coming from the boss's room. They all ran to the boss's room to find the door open, and the army exhausted taking on the boss.
"Is everyone in their all right?!" Sora asked worried about the Army.
"Don't just start there! Use you're teleport crystals!" Kirito exclaimed.
"We can't! The crystals aren't working!" One of the army guys exclaimed.
"I've never heard of a trap like this being in a boss room before." Asuna said.
But Sora and Kirito remembered a trap like that when they were with the Moonlit Black Cats.
"The Aincrad Liberation Army doesn't know of the word retreat! Come on keep fighting!" Kobatz ordered.
"They're insane!" Kirito said.
"Then we gotta help them!" Sora said.
"It's to risky to just go in!" Kirito said.
"But isn't there something we can do?!" Klein asked worried about the people in the room.
Sora and Kirito didn't like the look of this one bit, especially since they know their entire guild was murdered in an anti crystal zone.
"Ready charge!" Kobatz ordered as his entire army went charged at the boss.
"Don't do it!" Kirito exclaimed.
But it was too late, the boss opened its mouth blasting a huge surge of purple energy at the army. Most of the army got hit but survived but two of them got killed in the blast. Then the monster used a sword skill on his giant sword attacking Kobatz and sending him flying into Sora and his friends.
"Kobatz! Are you all, right?!" Sora said.
Then Kobatz's helmet got destroyed and as his health bar reached zero, he said his final words.
"I can't believe it." He said as he died.
Sora looked in horror as he died and watching the rest of the army scream in fear he reached his breaking point.
"No… I can't let this happen… NOT A SECOND TIME!" Sora shouted as he pulled out his keyblade to take on the boss to save the army.
"Sora don't!" Kirito exclaimed as he chased after him, afraid of losing Sora like he lost the Moonlit Black Cats.
"Kirito wait!" Asuna shouted trying to help him.
"Oh, what the heck!" Klein exclaimed as he rushed in to help his friends.
Sora was the first one to fight the boss, he was able to hold it off but when Sora tried to attack the boss again it punched him with its big blue fist. But before the boss could finish him off Kirito rushed in and attacked the boss saving his friend. Kirito blocked a sword strike from the boss, but the sword was heavy, and his health bar was decreasing. But Asuna charged in landing quick strikes at its face turning its attention to her.
"We gotta get them out of here!" Kirito said.
"Alright!" Sora said as he rushed in to help the Army get out of the room.
But then Asuna got hit by the boss's punches.
"Asuna!" Kirito shouted.
"Go on! We can get them out!" Klein said as his guild rushed into the room to help the army escape.
"Thanks!" Kirito said as he rushed after the boss and saved Asuna from the boss's sword.
So Sora, Klein and his guild got the Army out and Sora and Klein helped rushed into help Kirito. Kirito was able to hold it off, but the boss landed more hits on Kirito.
'The only way out is if I use it, I'll need Sora to use his to but then…' Kirito thought to himself as he thinks on weather or not, he and Sora should use what they have to defeat the boss. He wanted it to remain secret be he knew they had no choice.
Then Sora rushed in and helped Kirito with the boss, and he whispered in his ear.
"I know we promised to keep it a secret, but if we want to defeat this boss, we have to use it." Sora whispered.
"You're right, hey Klein Asuna listen we need ten seconds keep him off us!" Kirito shouted.
"You got it!" Klein said as he and Asuna rushed into fight the boss.
Sora and Kirito opened their main menus to activate their unique skills, and Sora switched his Kingdom Key keyblade to his Hero Origin Keyblade.
"Okay we're ready!" The two players exclaimed.
So, Klein and Asuna moved out of the way and Sora and Kirito charged at the boss. Then a second scabbard with a sword appeared on Kirito's back. Kirito pulled out the sword (Dark Repulser) and attacked the boss with two swords. But right before the boss landed its sword on Kirito Sora turned his keyblade into a shield and his clothes turned into his Guardian Form (yellow with a checkered diamond pattern on his pants) and deflected the boss's attack. Then the two players got ready to fight the boss.
"Alright here it goes Starburst Stream! Counter Shield!" Sora and Kirito shouted as they rushed in to fight the boss.
Kirito landed the first few blows on boss going as fast as he could with his two swords, then before the boss could attack Sora would switch in blocking the attack with his counter shield. But right after his second block Sora released a fury of giant golden fists from the shield attacking the boss.
"Wha... What kind of skills are those?!" Klein exclaimed as he, Asuna, the rest of the Furrinkazan Guild and the Army was watching the fight happen.
"Switch!" Sora shouted as Kirito rushed in and attacked the boss.
While the boss was still down from Sora's attack Kirito rushed in with a flurry of attacks, but the boss got up preparing to strike Kirito with its sword.
"Switch!" Kirito shouted.
Then Sora rushed in and blocked that massive attack and Sora used his counter shield and landed a massive punch at the boss.
"Finish it off Kirito!" Sora shouted.
"You got it!" Kirito responded.
Then Kirito rushed at the boss landing a flurry of attacks even faster and with one final slash of his sword the boss disappeared.
"Is it… over?" Kirito asked.
Then a big congratulations icon appeared in the boss room meaning that Sora and Kirito defeated the boss.
"I think it is." Sora said.
"Guys! Are you okay?!" Asuna asked as she ran and hugged Kirito.
"Don't worry we're okay, but try not to hug me to hard, I'll lose the last of my HP." Kirito said, smiling at how much Asuna cares about him.
"Kobatz and two of his men are the only ones that didn't make it." Klein said sad about the lives that were lost.
"We haven't lost a player in a boss fight since Floor 67." Kirito said.
"That wasn't a boss raid that was suicide! Kobatz was a fool! There's no point to any of this if you die! (Clears throat) You guys aren't off the hook either what did you guys do just now?" Klein asked.
"I'm not sure you wanna know." Kirito said.
"Oh, come on! I've never seen anything like that before!" Klein exclaimed really wanting to know what happened.
"It's an extra skill we learned, mine is dual wielding." Kirito said.
"And mine is weapon transformation." Sora said.
"(Gasp) Dude are there prerequisites?" Klein asked.
"If we'd known that then we would have shared it with you." Kirito said.
"It's not on the info broker list guess it's exclusive to you two. Hey, you guys got unique skills way to stay on the down low you two. How can you two keep such awesome skills from your buddies?" Klein asked.
"About six months ago we were scrolling through our skill menus, and it was just there. Sora's weapon transformation skill and my Dual wielding skill." Kirito said.
"But we decided to keep our unique skills secret from everyone else so we wouldn't draw so much attention." Sora said.
"Because people would be pissed off because you guys had something they didn't. Some gamers are like that but not me. You're right though people would definitely be jealous you guys had that, and that. (As Klein says that he looks at Asuna still hugging Kirito.) Well, they say your character is built by life's challenges, so keep soldiering on you two." Klein said.
"You bet we will." Sora said.
"But it's easier said than done." Kirito said.
"We're gonna go trigger the warp gate you guys coming?" Klein asked.
"I'll come, you coming Kirito?" Sora asked.
"Nah I'll catch up with you guys later, I need to rest for a bit." Kirito said.
"I heard that, have a safe trip back." Klein said.
As Sora, Klein his Furrinkazan Guild and the Army began to walk of Klein decided to say one las thing
"Oh, and by the way you know how you and Sora ran in there to rescue those army guys like you did?" Klein asked.
"Yeah?" Kirito asked.
"Well… you know glad you did. We'll see ya." Klein said as he walked off.
"What's wrong Asuna?" Kirito asked.
"I was so scared… if you died didn't know what I'd do." Asuna said, breaking down in tears.
"What are you talking about Sora rushed in before I did." Kirito said.
"I'm taking a leave of absence from the guild." Asuna said.
"Why? And do what sleep in all day?" Kirito asked.
"Did you forget already? I said I was teaming up with you." Asuna said.
He was surprised to hear that she was willing to take a leave of absence from her guild just to be with Kirito.
"Okay." Kirito said agreeing for them to stay as a team.
Then the next day on Floor 50 in Alagade Sora and Kirito were in Agil's shop, and he read them the paper on what happened in the boss room of Floor 74.
"A blue demon that annihilated a big squad of army guys and a 50-hit combo from a weapons transformer and dual welder who teamed up to take down the boss. I can't believe what a big deal their making out of this thing. (laughing)" Agil said.
"Yow have no idea a bunch of info brokers showed up at our place this morning and they won't leave us alone." Sora said.
"Now we need to find a new pad because they know where we live." Kirito said.
"Well, that's sort of kinda your own faults. You said it was gonna be our little secret but you two went and blabbed it to everyone." Lisbeth said as she walked in.
"Hey! It's not like we had an option!" Sora exclaimed.
Then Asuna rushed into the shop telling Sora and Kirito the situation that was happening. She took them to Floor 55 Grandzam the headquarters of the Knights of the Blood Oath. They met with the Commander to the Knights of the Blood Oath a man with muscular, tall, and physically strong. He has sharp scholarly features and steel-gray hair that had a strand hanging over his forehead. He was wearing the colors of the Knights of the Blood Oath, though the background and foreground colors were reversed.
"Outside of boss fights I don't believe we've actually met Sora Kirito." The commander said.
"Well, I think we met on that conference on Floor 67 we talked a little bit there Commander Heathcliff." Sora said.
"Yes, that was a difficult battle, wasn't it? We almost lost a few players there to. We may be the top guild, but barley get by with the number of troops we have. And now I hear you two are trying to poach one of our best players, I don't know what to say." Heathcliff said.
"If she's that important maybe you should do a better job picking her bodyguard." Kirito said.
"You have my sincerest apologies for any trouble you've might have had with Kuradeel. But you must understand we can not allow our second in command to leave the guild just like that." Heathcliff said.
The three players were worried especially Kirito, of course the Knights of the Blood Oath wouldn't want one of their strongest players to leave just like that. But then Heathcliff decided to make a deal with Sora and Kirito.
"If you want her, one of you will have to use your dual blades or weapon transformations to take her from us. If one of you can defeat me in combat, you're free to take Asuna with you. On the other hand, if one of you loses both of you will join the Knights of the Blood Oath." Heathcliff said.
Then after he said that Kirito walked in front of Sora and Asuna with a confident look on his face.
"Alright if you wanna settle this with swords that's fine with me. I'll be you're challenger." Kirito said.
There you have it a new chapter. And just like Kirito unlocked dual wielding Sora has unlocked weapon transformation.