I kept staring up at the boss room, Sato then looked over saying “What’s wrong?” as I replied “Something feels off…” as we all heard screams coming from the boss room. We turned our attention towards it as I was the first to rush towards it, The rest of our group, including Fuurinkazan, followed behind.
We made it to the doorway as we saw that the Aincrad Liberation Force was being manslaughtered by the boss. We saw that the boss's name was “Gleam Eyes”, Six whole health bars and it didn't look like it was going to go down easily. “Heinz!!” I shouted as My group and Fuurinkazan didn’t know what to do.
“STAY STRONG TEAM! FORMATION C!!”
Kobatz shouted with enthusiasm, But the room filled with the bellowing roar of Gleam Eyes, hearing it swing it’s enormous sword at the group.
About half of the group was instantly swept to the side, with some of them dying in the process. I then spotted Heinz, shouting his name “Heinz!!”, as he frantically turned his attention to me. “PLEASE WE NEED HELP HERE!! OUR TEAM UNDERESTIMATED THE BOSS!!” he cried out as I saw his tears form and roll down his face. Heinz had blue eyes and deep red hair as his helmet was off of his head.
“Calm down Heinz!”
I shouted as I was going to take a step in, feeling Kirito grab my shoulder and pull me back saying “No! If we go in we won’t be able to leave the room until the boss is dead”. “But…” I was a little shocked as I heard Heinz Cry out “PLEASE HELP US..!” from within the room.
I became conflicted about my morals and common sense until Klein Pointed out “Kobatz! That’s a suicide move!!” as we turned our attention towards Kobatz. “ONWARD!!!” He shouted as Kobatz ducked under a swiping slash, swinging his sword and cutting Gleam Eyes leg, dealing a minimal amount of damage.
I instinctively moved on my own as I ran in the boss room, running towards Kobatz. “KOBATZ LOOK OUT!!” I shouted at the top of my lungs as Kobatz was swiped away by Gleam Eyes AOE sword slam. I saw him fly towards me as I caught him but fell backwards, falling down. Kobatz was in a very bad shape, as his HP hit zero, seeing him glow blue.
“Kirin, Lead…Them to victory…”
Kobatz said one last time as he shattered in my arms, I clenched my hands into fists as I shouted “ENOUGH WITH THE DEATHS ALREADY KAYABA!!” as I recklessly ran towards Gleam eyes, unsheathing my sword.
Gleam eyes roared out and thrusted his sword towards me, I parried the attack quickly slashed multiple times on Gleam eyes. Meanwhile, Kirito and the others were tending to the others that were injured. Kirito looked over towards Gleam eyes and I fought, seeing the amount of damage I’m beginning to take recklessly.
“What is it Kirito?”
Asuna asked as he then said “Asuna, go help Kirin, buy me some time before he aims for the highest player here” as Asuna nodded. I took another straight punch as I was sent flying into the ground, bouncing off of it and rolling off towards the side a bit. I coughed as I stood up a bit slumped down towards the left, tired and low on hp.
Gleam eyes began walking up to me, at 5 Health bars, as he then turned his attention towards Asuna as she shouted “Switch in Kirin!”. Asuna then caught Gleam Eyes' attention, Swinging his sword down straight towards Asuna. She parried the hit saying “Are you ready Kirito!” as he shouted “Almost!” as she then began throwing a flurry of penetrating thrusts.
Gleam's eyes cried out in pain but endured it, swinging his sword to the right as Asuna was caught off by this and smacked away. “Asuna!!” Kirito and I shouted as I healed back up to Green health.
I ran back in as Gleam eyes turned its attention to me, trying to do the same to me as I blocked the hit with my sword. For a second I struggled as I flung the sword off of mine, shouting “HURRY UP KIRITO!!” as I began swinging my sword at it, dealing some damage and lowered the hp bar to low red.
I stepped back to predict dodging an AOE attack from Gleam eyes, instead of an AOE, it was a straight punch as I was punched back by Gleam eyes. I hit my back on the ground as Kirito then ran forward towards Gleam eyes “HAAAAAHHH!!!” He shouted as he parried a hit and seemingly grabbed a secondary sword, thrusting back Gleam Eyes with his new sword skill <
Everyone was amazed by it as he blocked a downward swing from gleam eyes, parrying it and shouting “STARBURST STREEAAMM!!”. As he began slamming his sword against gleam eyes, using the skill <
I equipped it as I had equipped a dagger than another sword, rushing in shouting “Kirito!! Switch in!!”. Kirito then shouted “NO! I GOT THIS!!” as I shouted back “NO YOU DON’T SWITCH IN!!” as he groaned a bit. Gleam eyes thrusted his sword towards Kirito as he parried it and I jumped off his back. “HAAAAHH!!!” I screamed as I slammed down my sword straight down, I then shouted “Kirito Let’s Go!!” as he nodded shouting “Right behind you Kirin!!”.
We both rushed towards Gleam eyes as Kirito activated Starburst stream again, swinging at Gleam eyes as he bellowed out in pain. Kirito then switched out quickly as I used my dagger to deflect the incoming attack, reflecting the damage back at Gleam's eyes. “STARBURST OBLIVION!!” We both shouted as we began swinging and getting into a rhythm.
The rhythm didn’t stop for us as we kept switching in and out, parrying and deflecting Gleam eyes attempts at fighting back. “HYAAAHH!!!” we both shouted as we shoved our swords straight into gleam eyes’s chest. “JUST FUCKING DIE ALREADY!!” I shouted out as Gleam eyes then roared out once more and shattered into pieces.
Kirito and I were both exhausted, as we were both on the brink of dying at Two and One health. Kirito stood up straight as he smiled saying “Fuck this…shit…” as he dropped his swords and unconsciously fell backwards. “Kirito..!” I said as I tried to move, feeling the adrenaline buff rush out, I also dropped to the floor. I woke up 20 minutes later, seeing everyone gone except Toru staying behind.
“Toru..?”
I said lightly, she didn’t respond as I became a little anxious as I said to her “Sorry…I’m-” as she cut me off saying “Just…Stop..”. I sat up and looked at her, hesitant to grab her hand gently and ask her. I then noticed she was fidgeting with the wedding ring, saying “Do…Do you think we need some time away…?” as I noticed some redness in her eyes.
I sat there speechless, anxious, and scared. I became more hesitant as she said “I’ve been thinking about it…I can’t have you dying on me…” as I replied saying “I…I’m really sorry…”. I began to slowly tear up as I said to her “I…I’ll be okay with your decision…”, she looked at me as she kept fidgeting with the ring.
After a moment of silence, Toru then requested a divorce via textbox that popped up in-front of me. I looked at her with my heart sunken in, she said to me “I…need some time alone…” as I composed myself and clicked yes. “Divorce approved, So sorry for your split” another textbox popped up as the rings on our fingers shattered into pieces.
Toru set down three potions for me and hugged me saying “I…I hope we can get back together soon…” She told me as she stood up and walked out towards the entrance. I sat there looking at the potions, tears dropping as I took one and drank it, another one and drank it, back to full health.
I took the third one and looked at it, I then tapped on the potion and renamed it to “Regret”. I put it away in my inventory as I got up and also began walking out towards the entrance.
“I’m…I’m a mess…”
I thought to myself as I exited out of the dungeon, seeing that it was sundown, I wiped my tears from my face as I felt empty inside. I looked at the way we came and walked the other way, towards the unknown side of the fields.
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For almost an Hour I walked aimlessly, hoping I would just go to a spot where I can stay and reflect on my entire day. I then stumbled upon a single tree on a hill, I walked up the hill and sat down underneath the hill, looking from the fields and seeing the safezone. “I understand why Toru wanted some time alone…” I thought to myself as my train of thought continued “I…keep putting myself in danger, I guess she had it in thought for a long time too…”.
I hugged my knees thinking to myself “God…Why didn’t I see it beforehand…I’ve been so busy with leaving this place that…I forgot about her…” I cried and cried, staying up at that hill for the rest of the day crying.
I then received multiple messages from Sato, Kirito, Asuna, Neo, and the others, but not one message from Toru. I checked the messages that were sent as they were all checking in on me, as the information on our split was spread throughout our group by Argo’s information.
I texted them “I’ll be fine, Just need some time alone that’s all” trying to make it sound happy and like I knew it from the start. I sighed heavily, sitting at the tree and looking up at the skies, thinking to myself “I deserved this…didn’t I…”.
I then got up and went down the hill, heading back towards the safe zone, but it was a while before I even got back. As I walked I heard footsteps and bushes rustling in the distance. I stopped and said “Come out of the bush, you’re too loud to even sneak up on me” as a couple of red players came out.
I looked at them saying “really? An ambush?”, as a Red PKer came from behind with a mace swinging at my head. I quickly caught it with my hand saying “I’m not in the mood to deal with you guys, either run or you all die here…” in an irritated tone.
The other PKers then came out as I let go of the mace and pulled out my dagger, quickly stabbing one of them in the abdomen and kicking another one down. “I warned you” I said as I slammed my foot on the PKer’s head and slit the throat of the other one.
The guy shattered to pieces as the Mace user ran off, I looked down at the PKer with my foot on his head, I took my foot off and put my knee on his chest.
“See this is what happens when you catch me, The reaper, off on a bad mood”
I said iteratively as I flipped my dagger and put it right on his neck, the PKer then began apologizing saying “IM SORRY IM SO SORRY! PLEASE LET ME GO!!” as he begged for mercy. My hand began to shake a bit as I took my knee off of him and stood up, saying to the PKer “I better not see you do this again” as he nodded and ran off.
I looked at my dagger as I sheathed it and looked at my hand, I then thought to myself “Maybe…I’m the problem…” as I kept walking towards the safezone. The Sun began to rise as it was Six in the morning, I made it back to the safezone as I stood outside of the safezone.
“I’ll just pick up some things before I head back out..”
I thought to myself as I walked into the safezone, walking towards the marketplace. I put a hood over me as I didn’t want people to see me, I walked over towards some certain materials as I bought them off NPCS. I walked around the marketplace some more and spotted Toru, sitting on a bench as Asuna was trying to cheer her up.
I stood there a bit hopeless as I didn’t want to ruin her time alone, I turned and walked the other way as I walked over towards an Inn. I paid for a room and walked in, closing the door behind me and taking the hood off. I sat down on the bed and looked over at the second empty bed, imagining Toru also sitting down and asking me questions.
I layed down on the bed, sighing and looking at the ceiling, “I hope she can forgive me..” I thought as I dozed off. As I slept, I woke up within the same dark void I have been waking up to. I stood up and patted my clothes, making sure there wasn’t any dust.
“I’m…deeply sorry…”
The voice said as I turned around and saw my other self, the one from the outside world. He’s thinner than the last time I saw him, with another IV pack and a heart monitor hooked up. “You don’t need to be sorry, the faster we get out the better we can be one again..” I said to him as he sighed.
“You should take some more thought into what you’re saying, You had a girl that followed you around, married even.”
He said to me, I sighed and said “I…don’t think that I’m capable of keeping a stable relationship..” doubting myself. He softly smiled, although unable to physically touch me, he then said “At least you have someone, Please keep it close to you.”. I turned around to look at him, I asked him “Why is that?” as he replied “Just trust yourself, you’re the polar opposite of your real self. Confident, Headstrong, Charming, Reliable…”. He then faded off into the void as I looked around and sat back down.
“You’re the polar opposite of your real self…”
I muttered trying to understand the meaning under it. I sighed, I wasn’t able to figure it out. I woke up and looked at the ceiling, got up from the bed and walked out of the Inn. I put my hood over my head, walking out into the market to buy more things for the day.
I then overheard a conversation, hearing a rumored coliseum fight. I got a message from Heathcliff as the message read,
“The Reaper, Kirin, I humbfully give a request to you. Please show up at the KoB guild war room. I would like to ask you a couple things from you”
I looked at it and sighed, replying to the message “I’ll show up, give me the teleport location”. I then walked out of the market and towards the teleportation platform. I waited for the message reply as I heard a ding, a reply was sent as I checked and manually inputted the location.
I then teleported right outside of the KoB Guild doors, looking up, I see the scale of it. The walls were enormous, along with the gate being twice the height and size of me.
“Let me through!”
I shouted trying to get their attention as I took my hood off. “OPEN THE DOORS!” someone shouted as the gate doors opened up. I walked right in as I saw the grass and the fountain that was ahead of me. “Kirin, correct?” One KoB member asked me as I nodded, they then said “follow me” as they turned around and began heading on their way.
I followed behind silently as our footsteps were loud and clear, walking through the hallway and towards the War room. Once we made it to the front doors I opened it and walked in, seeing Kirito and Asuna in the room as well.
“Kirito? Asuna??”
I said with confusion as Kirito and Asuna looked over at me, both of them saying “Kirin?? What are you doing here?”.
“Now, let’s get down to business”
Healthcliff said, leaning in as I closed the door behind me and walked up, being shoulder to shoulder by Kirito. “Now, I’ve called you three up here because two of you have a Unique skill and Asuna here is a bargaining chip in this”. Asuna obviously felt offended by this angrily shouting “EXCUSE ME COMMANDER?!!!” as Kirito replied “Asuna calm down, I’m sure he didn’t mean it”.
Heathcliff quickly responded saying “Oh I’m dead serious, she’s a bargain here” as Kirito and I replied “Oh you are one fucked up person Heathcliff”. He replied saying “Oh I know, I take that as a compliment. Anyways..” as he reassures himself and sits up.
“Kirito, also known as the Black Swordsman, I’m sure we’ve all seen the video by now as you and Kirin here have a very unique skill at your disposal.” I was very confused at this as I said “Video? What video?”.
“You haven’t seen the video Kirin?”
Asuna said confused as I shook my head, She then showed me the video on AINCRAD HIGHLIGHTS. I felt very embarrassed hearing myself shout “Starburst Oblivion” as Kirito then said “Alright alright, what about it?”.
“Well you see, that unique skill is Dual Wield correct?”
Heathcliff said as Kirito and I both looked at each other and looked at him, I then said “Where is this going?” as Heathcliff responded rather quickly, saying,
“Well I humbly ask of you two to join KoB, We need people to be inspired to help us finish the game, we’re nearing the finishing line as we are reaching the floor boss. The Inspiration that you both carry as much as your reputation is immeasurable, Now, Do you accept this invitation from the Guild Leader Heathcliff?”
Both Kirito and I looked at each other as Asuna was just waiting patiently beside Kirito. We then opened our mouths as we both said “No”. “Pardon?” Heathcliff said as Asuna said “What?”, “I said No, I don’t want to join KoB” Kirito said to Heathcliff as he shrugged.
“Figures, so what is your reasoning Kirin?”
Heathcliff said with a bit of loss in pride from the answers, I replied “Well, my reputation as the Reaper and PK Killer is enormous inside and outside of the guild system. If I join KoB, KoB will be on headlines for every PKer group.”.
“At least yours makes sense…”
Heathcliff muttered as he rubbed his eyes a bit. He said “how about this, You two will choose your conditions and I will try to appeal to them” as I nodded saying “Alright, here are my conditions… I want to fight you” as everyone in the room just looked confused at me.
“Pardon..?”
Heathcliff said with confusion as I explained, “I said I want to fight you, the only person who’s given me a hard time was a man named Raven. but since he’s not here at the moment and I’m in the KoB guild, I want to fight you, the strongest player.”
Heathcliff then said after hearing this, “Interesting… What about you Kirito?” as Kirito then said “I would like to fight you as well..”. Heathcliff then sighed saying “Right…Alright then, those are your conditions.” as he leaned back onto his chair.
“The Black Swordsman, The Reaper, and The Holy Blade, will have a tournament-like match in the coliseum on floor 55. The first fight will be between the Black Swordsman and The Reaper, and then the winner will fight Me. But if both of you lose, then you will both join KoB. Do you accept these conditions?”
Heathcliff said with confidence, I looked at Kirito as I put my hand out to him saying “Good Luck” as he smiled, shaking my hand. Heathcliff smirked before saying “Then it is official! Our fight will take place on floor 55, two days from now.” as he slams his hammer down saying “Everyone is Dismissed for today!”.