SAO:NA - Chapter VII: Crimson Blood Eyes

Floor 51st, August 16th, 2026

The five players fall after the crack was opened right beneath their feet. After ten meters, they appeared in a way larger cave, which looked the same as the previous one, where Kirito and the rest of KoB were.

Asuna, Sinon and Lamorak fall to a path, losing part of their HP, but stopping the fall. Leafa lands on the edge of the path, but she doesn’t stop the fall, rather bounces on the surface and continues her fall, following Galant meters below her.

As one the rules of the GAW didn’t allow flying, they couldn’t spread their wings to stop the fall. But even if that rule didn’t exist, just the race of the Imps could fly inside a cavern. If they wanted to live, they would have to find a way to stop or die after they hit ground and their bodies exploded in polygons and blood.

Galant looks around, and finds out that the path the other three KoB members felt was supported by gigantic columns made of stone. He looks down where he can see the ground one or two hundred of meters from him.

He draws a Kunai with each hand and puts his body diagonally, with his chest pointing down and the rest of his body upwards. This lets him rapidly move towards the nearest column. He drives both Kunais and places his foot firmly to the column, slowing him down a bit, while getting closer the ground. He finally stops then meters above the ground.

 For some reason he looks at the sylph girl falling way above him. She couldn’t stop.

“God damnit…” Galant says.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He removes his knives from the wall and jumps backwards flipping in the air and landing on his feet, right below Leafa. He lets the Kunais fall to the ground and opens his arms ready to catch her just in time.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Gotcha…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa looks to Galant noticing he had saved her life.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What are you waiting for? A kiss?” Galant sarcastically says, while she looks him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa looks to his chest, after she felt something touching her. Galant had placed accidentally his right hand on her breast to catch her. As soon as she notices, she jumps from Galant’s arms, giving her back to him and covering her chest with her left arm. She turns around as fast as she can, ready to slap him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Y-OU PERVERT!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant catches her right hand in midair, when it almost touches his face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Nice way to say thank you to the man that just saved your life.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“IDIOT!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She manages to get her right hand out of Galant’s grab and grasp the left side of her waist to unsheathe her katana, pacing it right in front of the mercenary’s neck.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They remain looking to each other. Galant kept his calm as Leafa was notably angry.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Do it. If you want to die…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What do you mean?” She said keeping her blade close to Galant’s neck.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“The guy that attacked us was a member of The Band of the Nine, an elite group from the guild known as The League of Darkness Knights. The players of this guild are the same as me. They can kill on both real life and game. If Sturwas here, the others aren’t far away…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“And what do you mean?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“If you want to kill me, go ahead and do it. Good luck facing all of them together. You wouldn’t last a second. Not without me.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“And how do I know you aren’t lying? How do I know you won’t betray me once I remove my blade from your neck?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You don’t. You would have to take your chance and maybe live. But if you kill me now, you’ll never know and you’ll die. So now lovely girl: choose.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"> ---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Grab her!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What the hell?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A sylph girl is grabbed out of the cage by legionaries, who grab her hair and arms. She tried to force their hands out of her body and escape, but her hands were chained, she could do nothing against them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She was carried forth to the commander and kicked to the ground on her knees.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The commander approaches,  making her look up with his hand.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You are indeed pretty little girl. Now we could have the easy way, or the hard way. Which one you like the most?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Fuck you!” She said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Hard way it is! Strip her!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The started getting her clothes off while she struggled and the commander was about to remove his loin armor...

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">CLASH!

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The gate of the boss room widely opened, making a cracking noise as both sides clashed against the walls.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“ATTACK!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What the hell?!?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Screams and yells of the attacking players.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The Knights of the Blood advance on a small of the members of the Supreme Legion, inside of a large and luminous cavern of Boss Room. Now the room was one the legions temporal bases.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The surprise attack on the camp full of drunk and tired men makes the battle, a slaughter for the small legion.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito advances pushing a soldier with his shoulder, another player rushes towards him, ready to swing his sword downwards. The black swordsman ducks, making the player clash with his body and fall to the ground. Another comes just behind the fallen soldier, but Kirito parries the attack with Elucidator, spins and slashes the player’s body with Long Sword.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein throws a player away, but other comes ready to attack him. He makes one sift and fast slash with his Katana, beheading the attacker. Recon sends a player to the ground just pushing him after a long rush and slashes his throat with his small dagger. Agil advances, chopping off the legs player with the power of his axe. He grabs his weapon with both hands separate, moving it to block an attack with the handle. The gnome quickly grabs the axe with both hands together, moving it to his right, making a giant wound on the back of the player. He changes his momentum, and smashes the player he had sent to the ground. Silica notices a legionary soldier killing KoB members. She rushes at him while drawing her dagger on her back, first slicing his body, then blocking one of his blows, and finally slashes his face, leaving a huge scar diagonally across his face, putting him on his knees with his back towards her. The Cait Sith girl thrusts her blade inside the players head, killing him. Kirito kicks a player, and thrust his blade thought the back of a player’s head. The sword comes out from the mouth of the player. He withdraws the blade and then finishes the other player with Vertical Square, ending the battle.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">In the meantime, the other members of KoB stuck the chains and shackles from any player they found on the camp that wasn’t from the Legions, freeing them from the heavy heel of the Kingdom.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Most of them were scared, surrounded by players they didn’t know, but Kirito quickly steps forward among his men.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Strike your fear and relax. The quarrel isn’t with you. Is for those that would place themselves as your masters. A title holding no meaning to us, neither to you now, if you wish it. You have a choice, as we once had: to submit forever to the power of the Legions, or to take up arms and join us in the path of freedom!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“And who are you?! To present such fucking offer?!” The commander of the players tied and carried by Issin and Harry One.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I am Kirito.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The players start to whisper among them, while looking at him. They had already herd about him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Stop fucking speaking!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The players stop talking.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Are you the Commander of clutch of soldiers?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I am!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein takes out his Katana.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Then we should speak….”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa looks to his eye thinking about killing him or not while her hands trembled as Galant directly looked to her face with his shining and serious blue eyes while she looked with her emerald ones.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Alright.” She said as she removed her blade from his neck. “Don’t even think about betraying me, or I’ll cut you in half! And we’ll go back to where my Guild is.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“And where is your guild now?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“My brother said we would go the Boss Room.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We’re going there then.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant walked a few steps, but suddenly feels strong pain right beneath his arm. He stops and places his left hand in that place and then removes it. He was bleeding a quite a lot.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Are you alright?” Leafa asked.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Tch… Stur’s strike inflected this wound. I was lucky he didn’t kill me. It must have opened more after the fall.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Can you continue?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yes I can.” he takes half a step, and almost falls to the ground. “Shit…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She helps him up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We’ll have to stop. You can’t fight with that wound.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I’ll be alright. I’ve suffered worse….”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I won’t continue with you wounded. Come.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa helps him get to a small cavern at the side of the wall, ideal for resting and hiding for the night.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant sits with his back against a wall as Leafa sits down next to him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Remove your cloak. I’ll see what I can do.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant takes of his cloak and his sleeveless shirt. A circular big wound was below his right armpit, bleeding a lot. Leafa activates her healing magic on her hands and places them on the wound. The ardor first felt unpleasant for the Knight, but he didn’t say anything.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“So… who are these guys from the Band of the Nine?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“They’re nine members, as the name suggest. Each member represents one of the nine races of ALO. I know but a few members of that group.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“They’re strong?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yes. They’re very strong.” Galant gets more serious. “But I’ll kill each and every one of them.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa notices his expression. Anger, hate, desperation and will all together in one being. Yet, she could notice Galant wasn’t just that. He had something hidden deep inside of him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She finishes healing his wound quickly. Galant puts back on his shirt and Avalon’s Coat.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I have temporally healed your wound. But you need to rest, if you want to fight against them.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You should do the same, but we can’t leave our avatars here, if somebody finds us while we’re soul-less for thirty minutes. Log out. I’ll take care of your avatar and remain here until you’re back tomorrow.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“That’s a good idea…” She keeps her mile for a second until he looks. “You pervert!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Why the hell is that for?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You just want to do weird things to my avatar.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“For fuck sake…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You want to!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Then fucking stay! That way I won’t be doing anything. But tomorrow you’ll be a living corpse in school.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“And what of you?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I don’t go to school. So choose again, blondie.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Tch…Alright. Don’t try anything stupid or I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She enters he menu and enters the log in button after she lies down next to a wall far from Galant.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Good night.” He says.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She logs out leaving her soulless avatar resting.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Freaking Tsundere girls.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant remains sit all the night. He puts his sword next to him and rests for the moment. His detection skill was high, and would notice if there were any players nearby. Asuna and the other two members of KoB he didn’t know were more than two hundred meters up. If someone passed by near the place, it would be either members of The League of Darkness Knights or The Supreme Legion. Members of other guild or mercenaries could also appear but he doubted that to happen.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant looks to the time. Almost half an hour had passed. In few moments her avatar would disappear. He remained looking her for few seconds. Placing his right hand on his knee.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He looked to the purple ribbon.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Her hair. Same color of yours, golden blonde.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Her avatar disappeared.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant’s watch time was now 00:00 of August 17th, 2026.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Happy birthday.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito: “We suffered no casualties. How many weapons were secured?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Agil: “Enough to see a dozen more players armed.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “We’ll use them, with the next soldiers we see.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito: “The Commander?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “Just killed him. He knew nothing about the earthquake and Asuna and the others weren’t among the prisoners.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito: “Tch…I have to go and search of them.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Klein: “If you leave know, then who leads the guild.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirot reluctantly nodded his head while looknig down. He couldn’t leave his friends, his sister and his girlfriend alone

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Yui: “Papa…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Agil: “Send a squad to search them. I would gladly lead it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito: “No, I want you by my side. Recon, Silica, ready a squad of six players to the labyrinth, we’ll wait here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Silica: “Sure!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Agil, Silica and Rekon leave.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“My men are reading the freed players.” Klein says. “But few of them are skilled. If we’re to stand a fight against the legions we need fighting men. Not waste effort in dwindling hope and worthless players!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Any men or women have their worth!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He looks to the almost twenty players formed in front of him. All of them wearing leather made collar, which made them point as slaves.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They were looking to the Twin Blade Swordsman, the one many considered a legend among the players, especially the ones that were trapped on SAO once.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“As I said you have a choice now. You can join us in the fight of freedom. Or you can submit to the Kingdom’s whims.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A Sylph girl, the same that was almost raped by the soldiers, takes a step forward.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I have a question for you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Say it then.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What if we leave now?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You mean what we would do?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Would you kill us?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“No.” Kirito stops for a moment. “If we took your lives, why are we better than Legionaries? Commanding though fear and threat of death. What class of message would that send for those that wish to join our cause? Those that won’t follow us are free to go. No one will stop you, and one will hurt you. But, for those that stay, they will as brothers and sisters.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“That’s all I need to know.” She grabs the collar and removes it pulling it strongly. “My name is Sybil. I’ll gladly follow you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">All the players remove their collars and throw them to the ground.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Bonds of slavery have been struck. Never again to be bonded. Never again, you will fell it tight around your neck. Robbing you of breath, freedom and life. We’ll see the legionaries bleed for taking us as dogs. Harry One, Dale, their weapons.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The two salamanders follow command and give them back their weapons. Sybil gets her spear and dagger back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Now, we’ll have blood.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Floor 51st, August 17th, 2026.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa materializes in front of Galant, who remained sit in the same place for more than twelve hours.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You’re late.” He says.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“School just ended. What do you expect? Something happened while I wasn’t here?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Nothing. They must be in the upper levels of the labyrinth. We’ve get to going now.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He places his belt across his chest again and sheathes his swords back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yes we have to.” Leafa gets up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They get out of the cave and start walking around the rainbow path trying to find a way to go up, what thy quicklydid.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">They walk without speaking, as calm but uncomfortable silence filled the air. Galant didn’t care neither did he seek a talk with a girl he barely knew. All he cared about it getting out of that cave and get rid of the girl. If he could kill one or two members of the Band of the Nine it would be better use of his time.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Leafa, on the other hand, didn’t stand the silence. She was just following and looking at him. The man was as silent as a tomb. Leafa didn’t like at all his attitude, yet, she could notice something. He had a good side. He could have let her fall and die, get her gear, weapons and money and leave her. But he didn’t. Instead he chose to save her life. He was a total idiot when he wanted. But there was a deeper meaning for what he was doing.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It also seemed that Hao didn’t command him to kill them. He could have killed her when he had the chance. And he did have it more than once. But he didn’t. It seemed that thought they weren’t their guild, he somehow cared about them. For what she knew, Asuna, Klein and the former members of Fuurinkazan knew him, as they were all trapped inside SAO.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She kept her eyes on her for a long time, trying to figure out what passed through his brains.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“We’re close to the” Galant says as he turns around. “Why have you been looking at me all this time?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“How did you…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I’ve noticed it since we started the walk. The colored crystals in the walls. They reflect everything. So, why you were looking me?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I just wondered: why a mercenary of Hao and a PK would save me.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Honestly: I don’t know.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Lie! You have a reason. WHY?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I just don’t like seeing girls die. That’s all.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Just that?” Galant turns around and continues walking with Leafa continuing yelling at him. “That’s why you saved me? Or you seek to find my guild mates to kill them as well? Or leave the task to Hao and his Legions?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I told you to leave the war. You think I want you dead? No far the contrary. I want all of you out of this mess. If you’d left when I told you, nothing of this would be happening.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“So that’s it? No reason behind what the hell are you doing?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“That’s none of your concern, girl.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“There’s a deeper reason for this. I can see it in your eyes! They look the same as my brother’s!” Galant stops in that moment. “Only with less love and more anger on them.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant turns around, walking to her. She begins to fall back, until she clashes against a wall.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I had a girlfriend! She’s dead! Mordread, the leader of the League of Darkness Knights killed her! That’s all you need to know about me.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Absolut silence for a moment.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant stops lookingLeafa for a moment, to see the complete darkness near a wall.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Why is so cold suddenly?” Leafa asks.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Tch…” Galant draws Maximus Caliburn and activated Dimachearus. “That’s no common cold. Back to back.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Galant remains looking to the same place, while Leafa draws her katana right behind Galant.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Steps could be heard coming out from the dark from both sides, as two players appeared a male and a girl. The male dressed with a white hakama and a black Japanese armor, with a katana and a wakizashi forming his daisho on the left side of his waist. His eyes were shut by a white bandana. In the other side in front of Leafa, the girl was wearing a Persian-like armor, with beautiful long hair. She was armed with a sword and a dagger, which looked the same as the sword, but smaller. A frozen aura around her  froze everything she touched, including the floor right beneath her feet.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yakuza and Sabrac. I never thought you would be here. What means Mordread is near. Tell me Ice Queen, is your boyfriend such a coward that she sends you to do his dirty job?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“He finds himself occupied, with more pressing concerns than you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“But he sent us, to bring him your head!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">  ---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Silica: “Kirito! Kirito! The recognition squad has arrived. Seems they have found them!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito runs following Silica, accompanied by Klein, Agil, Recon and Sybil. Near the entrance, a single player appears. Strange thing, considering they send six men, and the only one returning, was the leader.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“What happened to the rest?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He doesn’t speak a word.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“You’ve been of good use…” A voice is heard from behind the player. “…Your reward: tell them.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“RUUUU-“

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">His words finish once a blade pierced though his skull, coming out from his mouth. The sword slices upwards, dividing the head of the player in half, as liters of blood came from the wound. The corpse felt to the ground and blood splattered in the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Mmmm….Too slow, my friend…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">A black dressed player with a mask, holding a pitch black sword covered in blood appeared.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He stepped on the lifeless body as it shattered, then looking up towards the players.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Black Swordsman! It’s been a while! I’ve missed you a lot!” the player said as he removed his mask, revealing his face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Kirito refreshed his memory.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Almost two years had passed from that moment, inside SAO.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The high level players formed a squad to capture or kill the members of the assassin’s guild, Laughing Coffin. They were ambushed by the killers resulting in eleven players of the crusaders died. But in exchange, twenty one of LC died while others were captured.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The player standing right in front of him was one of those members of Laughing Coffin. One that he had fought by himself. A vicious, killing lover player. But he wasn’t wearing a mask at that time. However, he had a notorious violet scar right on the left side of his face and crimson red eyes as he had never seen before.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The player in front of him had the same on his face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Impossible…You…are…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“Yes I am. The one you fought two years ago. I’m Mordread, leader of the PK guild The League of Darkness Knights.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Two big Gnomes and a Pooka appear right behind him, preparing to fight.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Heavaltica","serif"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“I heard what you did that time. Xaxa and Black where good friends of mine. You imprisoned them, two times. I’m here to take your fucking head for that…”