Edge of Hell's Abyss

A few weeks went by after the incident on Floor 1 and Sora has been around the Knights of the Blood Oath's base taking out any bugs in the area. He even had to face Silica's dragon Pina when he was affected by bugs. But Sora was able to save Pina without destroying him, saving Silica's friend and the town. Then when Sora was about to head home, he got a message from Asuna inviting him to a big event on Floor 22. So, Sora went to Floor went to Floor 22 to find the event. Then he walked near the lake and saw a crowd of people, so he went to the crowd believing that were the event is taking place. In the crowd he saw Asuna, so he rushed over to say hi.

"Hey Asuna." Sora said.

"Sora, you made it. I knew you wouldn't want to miss this event, and I know Kirito will be happy to." Asuna said.

"Of course! So, what's this event for anyway?" Sora asked.

"Kirito met a fisherman yesterday and he agreed to help him catch the king of all fish." Asuna said.

"Cool! I can't to see it person!" Sora exclaimed and he and Asuna saw the fishing pole shake meaning he got a nibble.

"Looks like we get to see it soon." Asuna said.

Then the fisherman moved out of the way for Kirito to take the fishing pole to bring in the fish. But Kirito was having a hard time pulling up the fish, but he ran with the fishing pole so he can pull it to shore. Everyone who was watching went closer to Kirito to watch him pull the fish. But the fish was so strong it pulled the fishing pole out of Kirito's hands and pulled it towards the water. Kirito rushed to the water to grab the fishing pole, but everyone else ran further away from the water.

"Kirito! Look out!" Asuna exclaimed.

"For what?" Kirito asked.

Then a giant amphibious fish-like creature called The King of Lakes jumped out of the water and landed right in front of Kirito. Kirito ran away from the creature and hid behind Asuna.

"You ran away! You left me there to die!" Kirito exclaimed.

"Well, she told you watch out." Sora said.

"Here it comes." The fisherman said.

"Wait that thing can run?!" Sora exclaimed.

"It's like a crazy lungfish." Kirito said.

"Kirito! This is serious that thing is coming for us! Do something!" The fisherman exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm still thinking." Kirito said.

"(Sigh) I guess I'll take of this." Asuna said as she pulled out her sword.

"Run while you still can!" The fisherman exclaimed.

"Naw she'll be fine." Kirito said.

"Save your wife Kirito!" The fisherman exclaimed.

"Relax she can handle it." Sora said.

Then with a single swing of her sword, Asuna attacked the The King of Lakes and destroyed it. Everyone clapped and cheered for her and recognized her as the lightning warrior for the Knights of the Blood Oath.

"Nice job honey!" Kirito said.

But as Sora and Kirito were walking up to congratulate Asuna a message notification from commander Heathcliff appeared in front of Sora and Kirito.

"Looks like I'll be coming back on the frontlines sooner than I thought." Kirito said sounding a little irritated.

"Yeah… but I'm sure it won't take to long, right?" Sora asked trying to cheer him up.

"I hope not. (Sigh) Okay mind waiting for us near the teleport gate?" Kirito asked.

"Not at all, it'll be nice for the three of us to go together like old times." Sora said.

So, Sora went to the teleport gate to wait for Kirito and Asuna. He waited and they showed up with the fisherman with them.

"Oh, you're here, oh you brought the fisherman from earlier." Sora said.

"Yeah, he wanted to see us off, thanks again for that I know we haven't known each other very long, but it was fun." Kirito said.

"Oh well, it was an honor and a privilege, actually before I met the two of you, I had no idea what the folks working to clear the game were like. You might as have been from another planet. Being trapped in here for the past two years, even if I made out alive, I don't know if I could get back to my old job my old life. Maybe deep down inside I've given up hope of ever getting out. I figured spending time with a fishing pole between my mitts was the the best thing for me, pretty sad huh?" The fisherman said.

"No, I don't think it's sad." Kirito said.

"Me neither, just because you're here doesn't mean you can't live, your life to the fullest." Sora said.

"You know, I used to feel the same as you at first anyway. I used to cry myself to sleep, everyday here was another day lost for my real life. So, I cry and afterwards I go on and fight as hard as I could. All I cared about was winning, getting stronger and moving on to the next floor. But then, I was walking along and spotted two players taking a nap in the shade. I was so mad I said that they shouldn't be wasting time like that. But then one of them said and I'll never forget it 'this is Aincrad's best season and today's weather is at its optimal setting.' He said it'd be a waste to go to a dungeon on such a beautiful day. So, I tried lying down to, and you know what? I slept like a baby. When I woke up it was evening, and he started giving me the strangest look. Then the three of us formed our own party and I realized something. Even in a world like this he was really living. He wasn't losing a day in the real world he was gaining a day here. I learned so much from him, and by him, I mean Kirito. When I thought about him before failing asleep, I noticed I wouldn't have nightmares anymore. I began looking forward to seeing him again. It was like, for the first time I was glad I was here. Kirito is everything to me, he's what the last two years were about. He's proof I'm alive. Why I put on the nervegear that day? It's obvious, so I could meet him. You're still alive right? You must have something to live for to." Asuna said as she held Kirito's hand.

"Yeah, you're right life isn't so bad here actually it's pretty good here. I wish there was something I could do to help but there it is. Good luck and be safe." The fisherman said.

"Don't worry, we'll go fishing again." Kirito said.

"Be safe okay." Asuna said.

"Teleport Granzam!" the three players said, and they were teleported to the Knights of the Blood Oath's headquarters.

When they got there Commander Heathcliff gave them some troubling news.

"The entire recon team was wiped out?!"Kirito exclaimed.

"They were scouting for the upcoming boss fight. It was a party of 20 members, taken from five different guilds. 10 of them reached the center of the room… then the boss appeared. That's when the entrance closed, cutting them off from the rest of the party." Heathcliff said.

Sora and Kirito were shocked to hear this, they knew what happened from their own experience with the Moonlit Black Cats, and what happened in the boss room of Floor 74.

"They walked into an anti crystal zone…" Sora said.

"Precisely, and it couldn't have been more than five minutes or so when the door finally opened. The room was empty, there wasn't any trace left behind of the 10 soldiers, or the boss." Heathcliff said.

"You're kidding..." Kirito said in fear.

"Now more than ever clearing the game should be everyone's number one priority. We're going to launch an attack with the largest group we can assemble." Heathcliff said.

"You can count on us to help." Sora said with determination.

"Of course, but this needs to be clear. Asuna's safety is my priority if things start to get hairy in there, I'm gonna protect her that's not negotiable." Kirito said.

"A person with something to protect is a strong ally to have. I'm expecting a good fight from you." Heathcliff said.

Then Heathcliff left the room to prepare the rest of the guild for battle. Kirito and Asuna decided to stay in the room until the guild was ready, but Sora decided to go outside. He went into his inventory to get his Gummiphone so he could make a call. "Hey guys." Sora said.

"Hey Sora, is everything alright?" Ienzo asked.

"We saw what happened on our end. So now you can't use any teleport crystals when you're clearing the rest of the floors." Even said.

"I know an entire recon was wiped out because of it. And if the bugs are involved the game is gonna get even more dangerous." Sora said with worry.

"Yes, if the bugs reach higher floors they'll be even more powerful. It could even cause the entire world to collapse to a point where the players won't be able to return at all." Ansem said.

"Oh… well we'll just have to be careful." Sora said not sounding so confident.

"Are you sure you're alright? You seem a little tensed." Ansem said with concern.

"(Sigh) I'm sorry… I'm just a little tired and stressed of living in this death game for two years. I'm used to life and death situations but this is completely on a whole other level, constantly fighting for my life and everyone else's, watching the people I care about getting killed right in front of me. Honestly… I can barely keep hold of my sanity right now…" Sora said beginning to break down in tears.

"I can relate to what that feels like. When I was banished in the Realm of Darkness the darkness around me nearly consumed me. There were times I couldn't remember who I was, the only reason I didn't is because I used my thoughts of revenge to keep me from being fully consumed by darkness." Ansem said sadly.

"Well, the only reason I failed the Mark of Mastery the first time was because I couldn't control the darkness inside me. I don't know how to keep myself from falling to darkness this time. When I saw the Moonlit Black Cats die in front of me, I turned into my Rage Form and attacked Kirito. What if something worse happens and I turn back into my Rage Form again?" Sora asked.

"From my own experience with darkness is when you feel like you're about to lose yourself, focus on the things that keep you grounded. For me it was my thoughts of revenge, even though I eventually became consumed by those thoughts, I was able to save myself from completely losing myself to the darkness. All you have to focus on what keeps you grounded, stay true to who you are and the darkness won't takeover you." Ansem said.

"Yeah… I will thanks. But I'm still nervous on how things are gonna play out." Sora said sounding calmer.

"Of course. And not to put any more stress but the players need to hurry in order to return home." Ansem said.

"What why?" Sora asked.

"Do you remember when most of the players went offline for a few hours after the game was launched?" Ansem asked.

"Yeah, I figured it was a small glitch." Sora said.

"It's not a glitch; we called the company of S.A.O and they said that the reason was because the players bodies was being moved to hospitals. The players in the game are fighting to stay alive, but in the real world they're in hospitals barely being kept alive by machines." Ienzo said.

"But now I have to help everyone clear the game, if they're only being kept alive by machines in the real world who knows how much longer anyone here will survive." Sora said sounding more determined.

"You can do this, I know you can." Ansem said.

"Thanks… well I gotta go." Sora said.

Then the call ended, and he joined Commandeer Heathcliff and the Knights of the Blood Oath. Back at the Radiant Garden castle Ansem and his apprentices were concerned.

"I sure hope Sora will be okay." Ienzo said.

"Of course, he's been able to handle situations like this before." Even said.

"True, but this is different. He's been in a world of death for two years, you heard how it's affecting him mentally." Ienzo said.

"Well, how do we help him, this is something he has to solve on his own." Even said.

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean we can't give him emotional support to keep him from being succumbed to darkness. I've gotta make a call." Ansem said as he reaches for his Gummiphone.

Meanwhile back in S.A.O Sora, Kirito and Asuna made it to Floor 75 in Colina, the buildings are of Ancient Roman architecture. Its most prominent structure was the Colosseum. When they got there, it was full of different guilds and members on the Assault team including Klein and his guild. Even Agil was there to help them out.

"No way, you guys are coming to." Kirito said.

"That's the best you got? No way? Hey man I shut my shop down to come out here and help get this done. Brother you're looking at a player who's about as philanthropic as they come." Agil said.

"Then seeing as how you're so philanthropic, you won't mind if we take off the drop list." Kirito said.

"Hey now let's not be to hasty man." Agil said.

They started laughing except Kirito, but then the Knights of the Blood Oath showed up and Commander Heathcliff appeared in front with a teleport crystal.

"Corridor open." Heathcliff said as he heals the teleport crystal up in front of him and the corridor to the boss room appeared.

"Well, here we go." Heathcliff said.

Then they all went through the corridor to the boss room, the players decided to prepare themselves for the boss that'll appear behind the door in front of them.

"Feel that? There's a bad vibe in here." Asuna said.

"Yeah." Kirito responded.

"There are no bugs around us, but they could be close by." Sora said.

"Everyone ready? The Knights of the Blood Oath will be out in front, distracting the boss and blocking its attacks. In the meantime, the rest of you have to stay sharp, and try to figure out its attack patterns. I won't lie this battle will be hard. But I have faith that we can and will prevail. FOR OUR DAY OF LIBERATION!" Heathcliff said.

The players all cheered after that speech having more confidence that they'll succeed. But Kirito didn't say anything just had a serious look on his face. But Asuna walked up to him and held his hand.

"Everything's gonna be fine I promise. Make sure you protect me to okay." Asuna said.

"Yeah, you know I will." Kirito said.

Then Heathcliff pushed the doors to the boss room opened. All the players readied their weapons.

"Don't die guys." Kirito said.

"Same to you buddy." Klein said.

"I'm gonna make a fortune off today's drops. No way am I missing out on that." Agil said.

"Be careful everyone, this is gonna be a rough battle." Sora said.

"Forward to battle!" Heathcliff commanded as the door to the boss room were opened.

All the players charged in the room with their weapons out. But the room was dark and empty, no boss no nothing. But then the door slammed shut right behind them, now there's no turning back. They looked around, but there was nothing there. But then they heard a strange sound coming somewhere in the room.

"(Gasp) Up there!" Asuna said and they looked up saw the boss on top of the ceiling.

"It's the skull…" Klein said.

"Reaper…" Kirito finished his sentence.

The Skull Reaper was a very large boss resembling a skeletal centipede with an elongated skull for a head and red shining eyes. The majority of the creature's bones, including its arms, legs, and rib cage functioned like scythes, and had five giant health bars.

"Stay away from it! Spread out!" Heathcliff said and the players ran away from the boss. But a few of them weren't running away fast enough as the boss fell from the ceiling.

"This way! Hurry up!" Sora said.

But it was to late, the boss landed in the room and the room turned orange, then with one swipe from its arms, the players that didn't runaway from it fast enough got killed.

"That was one hit!" Klein said.

"Man, we are so dead!" Agil said.

The players all panicked, they didn't know anything about it, and they couldn't teleport out. But when the Skull Reaper was going to kill one of the players, Commander Heathcliff charged in and blocked the attack with his shield. But the boss swung another one of its arms and more players got killed by it.

"We can't even get in close enough to hit that thing!" Agil said.

Another player was in the way of the boss's attack, but Sora used his most powerful keyblade (the Ultima Weapon) to block the attack. He saved the player, but the boss was getting ready for another attack. So, Sora unlocked his Ultimate Form (His clothes turn a silvery-white and black color scheme. Black wisp-like stripes can be seen on his pant legs and three crowns on each of his sleeves. His keyblade turned into a rainbow-colored sword with a red heart symbol near the guard. Its blade is split into two segments and is pointed towards the tip. Then eight several auxiliary swords that sport various gilded and ornate designs colors, both in offense and defense.) and used the other eight swords to block the other arm. But Sora was still struggling to hold the boss in place, but Kirito and Asuna rushed in attacked it.

"If we block together we have a chance. Come on we can do this." Asuna said.

"Okay." Kirito said.

"Let's do it." Sora said.

"The three of us will deal with the sides, every one else flank in and attack!" Kirito said.

"You heard the man!" Agil said.

So, the players charged into attack, they were landing more hits on it, but it wasn't enough to destroy. The boss was able to attack more players killing it. But Kirito and Asuna charged in blocking the boss's attack and Sora charged in and landed heaving blows against him the boss. Everyone was attacking the boss for hours, but its health bar finally went into the red. Then all the players swarmed in and attacked the boss from all sides finally destroying it.

There you go a new chapter the players cleared the 75th Floor only 25 but what happens next is a real plot twist. Sorry I haven't posted in a while i've been really focused on school these days. But the next semester won't happen until sometime next year so i'll have more time.