Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online: Gaiden ❯ Rivers of Contention, Part 2 ( Chapter 29 )

Well, we are back and now, in this story, I’m finishing what I started back during Christmas of the previous year. I don’t think that I need to get into more details than that, okay? I’ve got another one-shot planned for this year’s holiday season, but you are going to have to wait what it will be, folks. Now, let’s get on with the show! Before I start, yet again, I must give thanks and credit to Belletiger and Kanius as well as Kanius’ YuYuGiDigiMoon fanfiction series, especially his The Invasion of the Rajita story, for giving me permission to use the idea of Valkyrie Sailor Soldiers and everything that’s a part of them in my fanfiction. I would like to give thanks and credit to Kanius and his YuYuGiDigiMoon series, including this author’s Dawn of Chaos story, and LazerWulf for giving me permission to use the idea for their version of Sailor Charon, namely the fact that she is Sailor Pluto’s sister among other things. I would also like to give thanks and credit to Matty G91 and this author’s story of Kamen Rider Lunar for giving me permission to use Kamen Rider Lunar, his looks, and everything about him as well as the UNI-SHOCKER organization as well as the idea of Darth Revan Sammy Tsukino, the other alternate versions of said character, and the basic plot of this one-shot.

 

Now, with that out of the way, as they say on SAO: Link Start!

 

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Naruto, Accel World, Digimon series, Yu-Gi-Oh R/GX/5Ds/Zexal/Arc-V, Kingdom Hearts, Hyperdimensional Neptunia series, Gundam series, especially Gundam Build Fighters, Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden, Mortal Kombat, Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed, Maken-Ki, Tenchi Muyo series, Ronin Warriors, Pretty Cure, Queen’s Blade/Gate, Dragonball Z/GT, Star Trek series, Star Wars, Log Horizon, Sonic the Hedgehog, DC universe, Marvel universe, Assassin’s Creed, Senran Kagura, Sekirei, Monster Musume, Karin/Chibi Vampire, 12 Beast, Stargate series, One Piece, Final Fantasy, Rave Master, Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, Avatar: The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra, Code Lyoko, Transformers, and anything/anyone that comes from these and other stories that end up in this fanfiction! Sailor Moon is owned/licensed by Naoko Takeuchi and its various studios and publishers, Sword Art Online is owned/licensed by ASCII Media Works, A-1 Pictures Inc., and its various directors/publishers including Reki Kawahara and Tomohiko Itō, Naruto is owned/licensed by Masashi Kishimoto, Yuuto Date, Jump Comics, and Studio Pierrot, Digimon is owned/licensed by Toei Animation and its various directors, including Hiroyuki Kakudo, Yu-Gi-Oh is owned/licensed by Kazuki Takahashi, Toei Animation, and Studio Gallop, Yu-Gi-Oh GX is owned/licensed by Naoyuki Kageyama, Studio Gallop and its various directors, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds is owned/licensed by Katsumi Ono and Studio Gallop, and Sword Art Online is owned/licensed by ASCII Media Works, A-1 Pictures Inc., and its various directors/publishers including Reki Kawahara and Tomohiko Itō!

 

Warning: These stories may and will contain mature level intense violence, blood, gore, death, mild to explicit suggestive themes, including mind-control and brainwashing, mild to explicit bad language, and mature adult themes/situations!

 

Second Warning: Some to a lot of OOC (Out of Character) actions and mannerisms in these series of stories!

 

Prelude: A castle of stone and metal floating in the sky that consist of one hundred floors. Within this massive structure, there are countless cities, villages, towns, forests, plains, lakes, and whatever you can imagine. There is only one staircase that connects one floor with another, and these staircases are located within dangerous mazes filled with monsters. The players with navigate through these floors to the top with nothing than the weapons in their hands. And yes, I said players.

 

This is the world of Aincrad, a floating castle in a virtual sky, and yes, I said VIRTUAL sky. This world and this floating castle world are in a realm made of digital information…the world of Sword Art Online. A world that was supposed to be game, but because a nightmare prison when its creator, Akihiko Kayaba, trapped the ten thousand players within this virtual world and if they die here, they will die in real life. The ten thousand players struggle in this ‘game death’ to reach the top of the floating castle where the final boss and the key to their freedom waits.

 

You may know this story and the stories that come after it, but do you know all the stories? All the tales that happened within the floating castle? What about the tales that happened after the floating castle was conquered? There are stories connected to the ‘tale’ of this floating castle, its ‘history’, and its ‘aftermath’, but they weren’t told…until now. These are those stories…

 

Sailor Moon Online: Gaiden

 

Story 29: Progressive and Digital Knights 4: Rivers of Contention, Part 2

 

December 24, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Usco

 

On the fourth floor of Aincrad, the setting of the virtual ‘death game’ of Sword Art Online, the Digital Knights, Taichi, Yamato, Takeru, Juniper, Miyako, and Sam, are inside of the floating town of Usco, the last ‘village/town’ on this floor of Aincrad before the labyrinth containing the floor boss for this floor. Right now, they are relaxing as they are looking up at the light falling snow with Juniper and Miyako having smiles on their faces.

 

Miyako says, with a smile, “It is beautiful.”

 

Juniper says, with a grin, “You know it, girlfriend!”

 

Yamato says, with a smile, “Well, you are enjoying yourselves.”

 

Juniper says, with a smirk, “Yeah, we are.”

 

Takeru asks, curiously, “Don’t you think that it is a bit weird to have this kind of weather in this kind of area?”

 

Yamato says, with a smile, “Yeah, it is a bit weird, but it also kind of nice and calming.”

 

Taichi says, “We may only have these chances rarely around here.”

 

Sam says, with a nod, “I agree.”

 

Juniper and Miyako gives a sigh causing her to then ask, “What is the squirt doing now?”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “I’m sure that Davis is just fine.”

 

Miyako says, with a grin, “Yeah, he is tough stuff.”

 

Juniper says, plainly, “Yeah, USUALLY, but…”

 

Taichi says, “We know, Juniper. But I’m worried about Kari than Davis. After what happened…”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “She isn’t alone. The others are with her.”

 

Taichi says, with a sigh, “I hope that it is enough. Personally, believe it or not, I’m rather glad that I’m the one trapped in here and not her. I would be going bonkers.”

 

Yamato tells Taichi, with a smile, “You would be going bonkers if what happened to Davis and Kari before didn’t happen and they got trapped in here.”

 

Taichi says, with a smile, “Are you surprised? You know how I am with Kari.”

 

Takeru tells Taichi, “She isn’t going to be a ‘little girl’ forever.”

Taichi says, with a nod, “But she is always going to be my ‘little sister’ to me.”

 

Juniper says, “When we get out of here, she may not be as ‘little’ as you remember.”

 

The group looks up at the lightly snowing skies and Miyako says, with a sigh, “It has taken us nearly two months and we have only gotten through three floors…four if we get this done before the new year.”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “Well, we have been stuck on the first floor.”

 

Yamato says, plainly, “For good reasons, bro.”

 

Sam says, “However, now that we have started moving, we are getting through floors quicker and quicker.”

 

Taichi says, “That’s true, Sam. As long as we keep going and conquering floors in a timely manner.”

 

The others can’t help to nod their heads in agreement and Yamato says, with a sigh, “Yeah, if we get stopped at one floor, we could lose our ‘forward motion’ and get stalled.”

 

Miyako says, with a nod, “With the small number of players that our on the ‘front lines’ right now, it is going to get stalled sooner or later. We are going to need more help.”

 

Takeru says, with a plain tone, “However, if we get more players onto the ‘front lines’, there is a greater chance of more…casualties.”

 

The others couldn’t argue against Takeru’s statement and Juniper says, with a smile, “Come on, gang! Let’s not think about that stuff. We just got through the half-way mark of this floor and we showed those dorks in the ALS and DKB how to get things done the right way, through I’m not sure they will get it through their thick heads, but also, we are the most frontline players in which we have got this place to take a break right now!”

 

Miyako says, with a smile, “Yeah! You have a point!”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “I wonder how Kirito, Asuna, and the White Swordsman are enjoying their holiday.”

 

Juniper asks, “By the way, where they are going?”

 

Taichi says, “Most likely, it is involved with the War Elf Quest they are doing.”

 

Takeru says, “Oh, yeah! It is a ‘Campaign Quest’, isn’t it? The ALS got the impression that completing it gave them an item important to the boss battle on the last floor.”

 

Sam says, with a plain tone, “Where they found out that while it gave a bit of information on the boss, important information to say the least, it didn’t give any item that was important for the boss battle and the only ‘important item’ for that fight were the antidotes based on information that they got.”

 

Miyako asks, “Now, what’s the big idea giving out that false information?”

 

Taichi says, “That’s a good question and I’m not sure I’m liking the answers.”

 

Juniper says, “Geez, do you guys have to be major downers or what? Let’s forget about that stuff and enjoy the break! I’m sure that Kirito, Asuna, and White Swordsman-san are enjoying their break too!”

 

December 24, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4

 

Speaking of said three SAO ‘players’, we find Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi are inside of a Dark Elf fortress known as Yofel Castle, which is on an ‘instance map’ where only those following the Dark Elf half of the ‘War Elf’ campaign quest, a massive series of quests and group of quests that lasts from the third floor all the way to the ninth floor of Aincrad, where they have met up with Kizmel, the NPC Dark Elf knight who was supposed to die at the start of the quest, at least in the SAO beta, but now, not only has survived, she also has gained an advanced AI program. Kizmel is also the friend of our three ‘adventures’ and currently, she is wearing attire consisting of long dress of deep violet to cover her form rather than her usual armor, saber, and cape.

 

Usagi tells Kizmel, “It is really good to see you.”

 

Kizmel says, “Yes, indeed, Usagi. Even after coming here through the spirit tree, I found that I was always thinking of you, three.” Kizmel then asks, “However, I am surprised that you knew to find me here. Isn’t this your first visit to the castle?”

 

Kirito replies, a bit nervously, “Y-Yeah. Just a…lucky guess.”

 

Kizmel then looks up at the nearby tree and she says, “My sister loved the oil refined from this juniper. Perhaps that’s why I found myself here…”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Juniper tree, huh? Maybe that’s where Juniper got her avatar name.”

 

December 24, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Usco

 

Back in Usco, Juniper unexpectedly sneezes, and she shakes her head causing everyone else in the Digital Knights to look at her.

 

Yamato asks, “You okay?”

 

Juniper says, with a nod, “I’m fine, but that was weird.”

 

Sam says, nodding his head, “I understand what you mean. In VR, there is nothing that should cause you to sneeze at all.”

 

Takeru says, with a nod, “True, but it isn’t like our minds are downloaded into these avatars, right? We are still ‘connected’ to our bodies.”

 

Sam says, with a nod, “That’s true enough, but we are inside of a hospital…”

 

Juniper says, interrupting, “Let’s not go there.”

 

Taichi says, with a nod, “Good idea. For now, this is ‘our world’ and we need to think it so. For the five of us, this is just like our adventures in the Digital World.”

 

Yamato says, nodding his head in agreement, “No joke. This is life and death, not only for us, but for everyone trapped in here.”

 

Miyako says, glancing at Juniper, “Anyway, let’s forget about that for now. We are here to take a breather.”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “Yeah, let’s just enjoy the atmosphere here.” The other Digital Knights nod their heads in agreement, and they continue their ‘rest break’ for Christmas holiday, but Taichi and Juniper can’t help to wonder about ‘certain loved ones’ back home IRL.

 

December 24, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Yofel Castle

 

Back with Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi, they were with Kizmel in front of the juniper tree in the courtyard of Yofel Castle and Asuna comments about it, noting that it is used for favoring alcohol drinks back IRL.

 

Kizmel says, “Is that so. I shall have to try it sometime…At any rate, thank you for coming. I suppose that you vanquished the guardian beast in the Pillar of the Heavens without trouble.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yes, we did. We had no trouble with the warning that the base commander gave us.”

 

Kizmel responds, sagely, “Yes, he is a trustworthy man. I wish to rejoin the advance party down on the third floor as soon as I can, but…” Kizmel looks down at her current attire and she then tells Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi, patting Asuna on the back, “Let’s go back inside. You must be hungry after rowing all this way, yes?”

 

Asuna replies, “Very hungry.”

 

As all four of them headed inside of the castle, Kirito thinks in his mind, a bit annoyed, “You know, I was doing all of the rowing.”

 

(Sometime afterwards)

 

Within Yofel Castle’s dining room, Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi have joined the current residents in the castle where they are eating at pristinely set tables in which the three ‘humans’ notice that NPC Dark Elves are mainly soldiers in leather armor with a group of what look liked mages in long robes as well as a few small children.

 

Usagi asks, in a low voice, “Mages?”

 

Kizmel responds, whispering, “They are actually priests that serve the Holy Tree, Usagi. They were dispatched from the palace on the ninth floor to oversee our operation to retrieve the keys.

 

Asuna asks, “The kids?”

 

Kizmel replies, “They are the children of the castle’s master. Such bright young spirits.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, with a warm smile, “And really cute too.” Dark Elf maids, dressed in usual maid attire, bring the courses of the meal and they ate in which our three humans enjoy the meal. After dessert, Kizmel takes them to the officers’ room on the fourth floor of the east wing of the Dark Elf castle where they find that it is suite room with several bedrooms and a shared living room.

 

Asuna says, excitedly, “Ooh, what a lovely place!”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, with a smile, “It is a castle palace, Asuna. What did you expect?”

 

Kizmel says, with a smile, “I will be in the adjacent room to the left. Knock on the door if you need anything. Enjoy your rest tonight. You must be tired.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Yes, thank you, Kizmel.”

 

Kizmel tells Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi, “It is no problem, Usagi. Sleep well, my friends.” Soon after, Kizmel leaves the room where Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi alone in the room.

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “This is great, huh?”

Asuna says, with a smile, “Yeah, it is.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, with a smile, “So, this is your Christmas present, huh? Reuniting us with Kizmel, right?”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Yeah.”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, “This is a wonderful Christmas present. Thank you.”

 

Kirito responds, still a bit nervously, “You’re welcome. But to be honest, I’m glad that we saw her again. She seems a bit subdued, though.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Yeah.”

 

Usagi replies, “You do have a point, Kirito. She wasn’t in her armor and while that dress was great, I don’t think she is wearing it by choice.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Didn’t have her sword either…Perhaps there’s some state of affairs forcing her to stay here. Wonder if she’ll tell us, if we ask…” Kirito then goes into deep thought and does say a word for a while in which Asuna and Usagi look at each other as Kirito is ‘spacing out’.

 

Usagi waves her avatar’s hand in front of Kirito’s face and Asuna asks, “Hello, Kirito?”

 

Kirito snaps out of his thoughts, Usagi stops waving her hand in front of his face, and Kirito asks, a bit nervously, “S-Sorry, what did you say?”

 

Asuna, leaning against the window where she points at the doors, asks Kirito, “Which of the bedrooms do you want?”

 

Kirito replies, a bit nervously, “Anyone would be fine.”

 

Asuna then points to one of the rooms and she says, “I’ll take this one then.” Kirito and Usagi look at the room that Asuna pointed at and they realize that she chose the room where the other two rooms wouldn’t be facing the bathroom.

 

Kirito then says, “Well, there should be super-huge bathing room on the third floor of the castle.”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “Super?”

 

Kirito replies, a bit nervously, “Yeah, super.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, with a sigh, “Does it have separate baths for men and women? If Aincrad follows the classic tropes that we have for elves, I wouldn’t be so sure.”

 

Kirito thinks about for a moment and he then says, with a sigh, “Yeah, you’re right, Usagi.”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Come on, let’s go.”

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “Me too?”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “Despite the differences between the beta and this ‘version’ of Aincrad, you are the only one with enough knowledge of this place to give us a good idea on where to go.”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Oh, yeah. Good point.” Soon enough, Kirito, based on his beta memories, leads Asuna and Usagi through the castle until they reached an arched entrance in which they look a single grand changing room.

 

Asuna says, plainly, “They don’t split the baths.”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “I’m not too surprised. The classic tropes that we do for elves, no matter what kind, are usually…very ‘natural’ to say the least. They are closely ‘bonded’ to nature and they aren’t seriously ‘shy’ to say the least. Those are the classic tropes for elves in our modern media…At least from what I know in anime, manga, and games. Not sure how they show elves in fiction in our countries.”

 

Kirito says, “I think that they are similar to us, Usagi.” Kirito thinks in his mind, “However, I don’t that the reason that it isn’t split due to a data volume issue.”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, “Since you have ‘issues’ being in a bath so ‘public’, I can stand guard while you take a bath, Asuna.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “That sounds like a good idea, Usagi, but it is going to be difficult for you to warn Asuna and you can’t block NPC for going in there…”

 

Asuna says, getting an idea, “Oh, I know!” Asuna then zips into the changing room with Kirito and Usagi looking at each other before looking inside at what Asuna is doing. They see her sitting down on one of the many wicker chairs in the room before she takes out a lot of cloth and sewing tools from her inventory while using the Crystal Bottle of Kales’Oh, a special item that allows you to store the progress of one of the skills that you developed, to reequip her Tailoring skill in which she then starts to use it.

 

Kirito asks Usagi, “By the way, have you used yours, yet?”

 

Usagi says, “Actually, no. Since I’ve only using four of my five skill slots.”

 

Kirito asks, surprised and in a low voice, “Wait, FIVE? Are you at level twenty already?”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Actually, no. During the first month of SAO, I managed to find…more like stumble onto a difficult one-off quest where the reward was an extra skill slot.”

 

Kirito asks, amazed, “Seriously?”

 

Usagi says, with a groan, “Don’t make me remember it. It took me two whole days to complete and not only did I have to fight monsters, but I had enough puzzles to make my brain hurt.”

 

Kirito gives a whistle and he says, “Well, I’m not surprised that it was so tough. I mean: An extra skill slot as a quest reward? A lot of players would have given ANYTHING for that prize.” Kirito then asks Usagi, “Why haven’t you used the extra skill slot, yet?”

 

Usagi responds, slyly, “Who said that I didn’t?” Before Kirito could retort, Kirito and Usagi look to see Asuna using the Tailoring skill to create a white one-piece swimsuit.

 

Asuna says, “Done!”

Kirito asks, curiously, “Are you going to wear that into the bath?”

 

Asuna retorts, with a glare, “That’s not against the rules, is it? Or is my wearing a swimsuit in the bath going to inconvenience you in some way?”

 

Kirito gives a nervous look and Usagi tells Asuna, with a smile, “Asuna, you know that you usually take a bath to wash yourself clean, so, wearing a swimsuit to take a bath seems…”

 

Asuna nods her head in agreement causing her to say, “Oh, right. Good point.” Asuna then sighs and tells Kirito, “However, I thought that you of all people would remember that we are in a VR world and these aren’t our actual bodies, so, we aren’t really getting clean.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Oh, right.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “The only reason that we take baths is to get the sensation of one and it is like when we go to hot springs. To get a feeling relaxation from a bath.” Usagi thinks in her mind, solemnly, “We need something to get our minds off of this situation…even if it is for a few moments.”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Well, if you say so.”

 

Asuna asks, with a sly smile, “By the way, I haven’t given you a present in return yet, haven’t I?”

 

Usagi and Kirito get a bit nervous when they see Asuna’s smile and Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “Uh oh.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “N-No need for that. I didn’t give you a physical present to begin with, after all…”

 

Asuna replies, still having her sly smile on her lips, “No, but it made me much happier than any store-bought item. So, I want to give you back something good. And it is Christmas Eve, after all.”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “W-Well, if you’re offering, I’ll happily accept anything you give me.” Asuna takes a black piece of cloth and creates a pair of surf shorts causing Kirito to give an excited look, but before he could take it, she uses her skill to add something to it with an orange piece of cloth causing Kirito to give a confused look as it doesn’t seem like she changed anything. However, Asuna, still holding her skirt, then exposes the rear of the surf shorts to show an orange bear-shaped patch on the ‘rear’ area of the short causing Kirito to exclaim, flabbergasted, “What the heck is that?!”

 

Asuna says, handing him the shorts, “Here you go, Merry Christmas.” After Kirito takes them, Asuna zips off to the bath while putting on her swimsuit along the way.

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “What did you do that pissed her off, Kirito?” Kirito glares at Usagi with a look that said: ‘You have got to be kidding me.’ Usagi says, with a smile, “Anyway, I’m going to take a walk around to get the layout of this place.”

 

Kirito asks, “You don’t want to join us?”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, with a kind tone, “I really need to clear my head. Even if it is a virtual world, a ‘simulated’ walk is going to help.”

 

Kirito says, plainly with a nod of his head, “Okay.” Usagi then walks off causing Kirito to give a concerned look, but when Usagi is gone, Kirito sighs as he looks at the surf shorts that Asuna made for him in which he wonders which one to wear: The surf shorts with the orange bear or his red trunks with the golden bull?

 

(A good time afterwards)

 

Usagi is walking around Yofel Castle and she is marveling at the castle.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, with a light smile, “It is so beautiful.” Just then Usagi hears a familiar sound ringing through her mind and she thinks in her mind, surprised, “Hold up! A quest advancement notification?” Soon after, a log window appears in front of her and Usagi finds out that this part of the ‘Shipwright of Yore’ quest has been completely causing Usagi to think, “But how…?” However, the answer comes to her and she thinks in her mind, with a smile, “Kirito. I don’t know how you keep doing this, but you manage to keep surprising me.” Soon after, Usagi finds out that she had gotten an experience point bonus that allowed her to gain a level and she rushes off to join Kirito and Asuna.

 

(Shortly thereafter)

 

On the fifth floor of the castle, Kirito, Asuna, Usagi, and Kizmel, in their respective attires, are standing in front of a large chamber door protected by two armed guards, who backed away at the glare of the female elite knight. The four of them then entered the room where they find themselves within a very large office with all of the windows covered, making the room unnaturally dark. Making sure that they don’t trip of anything, the four of them head over to a ten-foot desk made of polished blackwood where there was a lamp casting a flickering light that didn’t reach beyond the desk. Kirito and Asuna looked to see a figure at the desk where they see an NPC color cursor above the figure with the name ‘Yofilis: Dark Elven Viscount’.

 

After performing a salute, Kizmel says, “Viscount Yofilis, pardon my interruption. I have an urgent matter that requires your attention.”

 

Just then a male voice responds, “Before I hear your report, may I ask why you have three humans with you, Kizmel?” Kizmel bows her head and Kirito performs the same salute as Kizmel where he produces the scroll from the base commander of the Dark Elf camp on the third floor gave to him. A slender hand extends from the darkness behind the desk to take the scroll where, with a trace of a finger, the seal evaporates, and the parchment fell open. The male voice then says, “Ah, I see. You are the ones who helped us recover the first key. I suppose it wouldn’t do to feed to the lake fish, then.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “I hope that this is his way of joking around.”

 

When the viscount put the scroll into the drawer, Kirito thinks in his mind, worriedly, “You aren’t giving it back?! That’s our identification inside of this castle!” However, the viscount then pulled out three rings from the drawer in which Kirito catches in his hands.

 

The male voice, Yofilis, says, “Wear those, and you will not be harried by the soldiers of Lyusula. Assuming you do not betray our patronage, of course.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Believe me, that idea hasn’t even formed in our minds.” Kirito hands two of the rings over to Usagi and Asuna.

 

On the meanwhile, Yofilis then asks, “So, Kizmel. What is this report you have?”

 

Kizmel responds, “My liege, according the three human warriors, Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi, our sworn foe, General N’ltzahh of the Fallen Elves is on this floor.”

 

Just then the viscount’s hand raps on the desk and he replies, plainly while Usagi notes a hint of a ‘dangerous edge’ to his voice, “This is indeed important tidings. What is that villain plotting this time?”

 

Kizmel says in reply, “Well, it seems like the Fallen have made a serious deal with the Forest Elves.” Soon after, Kizmel then explains what Kirito and Asuna had told her while in the bath including the great number of ships in the Fallen Elves’ hideout, the likelihood that the Forest Elves would use those ships to attack Yofel Castle within three days, and their target is the Jade Key being stored in the castle.

 

Yofilis then asks, “I see. And do you know the number of ships the Fallen are building?”

 

When Kizmel looks at Kirito, he replies, “I believe they are building at least ten ships capable of transporting ten soldiers each.”

 

Yofilis raps his hand against his disk, once again, and he states, “We have eight ten-man ships at the castle. And they will attack with more than that?”

 

Kizmel asks, “My lord, I do not doubt the mettle of the castle’s troops, but should we not transport the first and second keys up to a higher floor?”

 

After several seconds of not responding and rapping on his disk before Yofilis then says, “There is merit to Kizmel’s proposal. We cannot afford for the keys to be stolen again. But the duty of the people of Lyusula has always been to ensure the six keys are spread apart, so, they might not be gathered. If we send the first and second keys to the next floor up, they will join the third. This is not a desirable outcome…”

 

Kizmel nods her head and Asuna then asks, “My lord, what happens if the six keys are gathered together?”

 

Kirito stiffens up and Kizmel says, nervously, “Asuna, that’s not…”

 

However, the viscount holds up his hand, to signal Kizmel to stop speaking, and Yofilis says, “It is fine, Kizmel. I shall explain, but I cannot answer your question, human warrior. Even as the latest viscount of Yofilis, a line extending back before the Great Separation, I only know a small part of the legend surrounding the keys. The only person who knows the entire truth is our queen. No…” He then gives a great sigh causing him to say, “It might be true that even Her Majesty, herself, doesn’t know the real truth.”

 

Kizmel says, startled, “But Viscount Yofilis…”

 

However, the viscount raises his hand in apology causing him to say, “No, forgive me for saying that. Human warrior, this is all that I can tell you. The people of Lyusula believe that if the six secret keys are gathered, allowing the door to the Sanctuary to be opened, terrible ruin will come to Aincrad. Meanwhile, our ancient enemies, the Forest Elves of Kales’Oh, have a different interpretation. They believe that opening the Sanctuary will return all of the floors of Aincrad to their original locations on the surface and restore the great magic to their elves.”

 

Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi give looks of surprise and Asuna asks, curiously, “Hey, Kirito, didn’t that Fallen Elf general say something about…opening the Sanctuary or whatever?”

 

Kirito responds, recalling, “Actually, now that you mentioned it…” Kirito then tells Yofilis, “My lord, General N’ltzahh said thus: When the Fallen Elves gain all the keys and open the Sanctuary, the greatest magic of humankind would disappear…”

 

Yofilis retorts, skepticism in his voice, “Magic of humankind…?” He then asks Kizmel, “Kizmel. Do you know what this magic of humankind is?”

 

Kizmel responds, “Well, though they are far inferior to those of elven kind, the humans still have a number of ancient charms available to them. The only ones that I am familiar with are the charm of Mystic Scribing, in which their arms and tolls are placed within tiny paper scrolls, and the art of Farscribing, to send written message to distant place in an instant…”

 

Yofilis says, “While they do sound useful, I can’t imagine that N’ltzahh would go to the trouble of aligning with the Forest Elves just to take such paltry charms from humankind.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “While it may seem ‘paltry’ to him, without our menus, we would be going the way of the dinosaurs.”

 

Yofilis then states, “But in any case, the Lapis Key sealed on this flor probably ought to be retrieved. But the castle guards must prepare for the Forest Elves’ siege. Warriors of humankind, will you assist Kizmel in recovering the second key?”

When a golden exclamation mark appears in the midst of the darkness, Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi nod their heads causing Kirito say, “Yes, we will help.” After the exclamation mark turns into a question mark, Kizmel bows deeply to the viscount.

 

Afterwards, she turns to our three human adventurers/players where she says, “It is a critical, but dangerous duty. However, I am overjoyed to fight alongside you again. Let us work together again, Asuna, Kirito, and Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Sure, Kizmel.”

 

Kirito says, with a grin, “You bet!”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Let’s do it, Kizmel!” After Kizmel’s HP bar appears in the view of Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna, they left the chamber.

 

Once out of the view of the guards, Kirito says, “That was nerve-racking…”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “You said it, Kirito.”

 

Kizmel says, “I do not blame you. The viscount is one of the most elderly of elven kind, even the Dark Elves. I was a bit nervous myself.”

 

Kirito asks, “You, too, Kizmel? By the way, how old are you?”

 

Usagi then says, annoyed, “Kirito!” After Asuna elbows roughly in the left side, Usagi tells Kirito, “There is one thing that you don’t ask a girl and that’s it!”

 

Kizmel says, with a smile, “There we are the same, Usagi.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “S-Sorry.”

 

Kizmel says, “Let’s just say that I am considerably younger than Viscount Yofilis.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “Doesn’t say much since elves, in our modern-day fantasy media, live WAY longer than humans and tend to be ageless where they retain beautiful, if not youthful, looks for centuries.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “W-Well, I’m surprised that such a splendid castle master has soft warriors and arrogant priests working in his employ though.”

 

Kizmel then gives a worried look and she says, solemnly, “Yes, but there is a reason. Viscount Yofilis suffers from a very challenging ailment. Because of that, he cannot be exposed to bright light. He has been in that chamber for so long, most of the soldiers have never even seen his face…”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “He’s sick? Even though he’s an elf?”

 

Kizmel responds, “Elves are long-lived, but we aren’t immune to disease. The priests let their influence run unchecked because they are out of his sight. And yet they will be useless in a battle. It is a troubling state of affairs…”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “I’m not surprised. In our fiction, elves may have long-lives and keep their ‘good looks’ for a LONG time, but it doesn’t mean that they are immortal.”

 

Kizmel says, “At any rate, I appreciate the crucial information that you two have brought with you. It is late already, so, let us begin our duty in the morning. Get your rest-do not stay up all night.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “We promise.”

 

Kirito says, “Good night, Kizmel.” Later on, when Kizmel goes into her room, her HP bar vanishes from the views of Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi. Afterwards, the three of them return to their suite in the castle where Kirito checks out one of the three rings that were given to our three players by Viscount Yofilis where Kirito finds out that the ring is known as Sigil of Lyusula. Kirito then says, nodding his head while looking at the property window of the ring, “Magic effects: Agility, plus one…and a small bonus to skill proficiency gain. That’s pretty nice.” Kirito then notices that Asuna was just ‘fiddling’ around with her ring on her right hand by changing which hand it was on causing Kirito to ask, “Something the matter?”

 

Asuna responds, flatly, “Nothing!”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Well, I think I’ll go to bed. Oh, but before that, I was going to ask you something.”

 

Asuna asks, a bit curiously, “Wh-What?”

 

Kirito replies, “It’s about the castle master’s name. What’s a v-viss-count?”

 

Asuna gives a weird look and then sighs causing her to say, “It’s pronounced ‘vigh-count’.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “It is a noble rank. That’s the reason that Kizmel called Yofilis ‘my lord’. That’s because viscount is his title.”

 

Asuna tells Usagi, “That’s right, Usagi.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Spending all that time with Ami-chan does tend to pay off.” Usagi then shakes off that thought to make sure that she doesn’t get ‘lonely’ and Usagi asks Asuna, “Though I have forgotten how noble ranks go.”

 

Asuna replies, “Usually, when you are talking about European style nobility like that, Usagi, it usually is: Duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron. That’s it from highest to lowest.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay, thanks.”

 

Asuna responds, “No problem, Usagi.”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “So, when should we meet up?”

 

Kirito replies, curiously, “How about six in the morning tomorrow?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “That’s good to me.”

 

Asuna nods her head in agreement and Kirito says, “Great. Well, good night.”

 

But when Kirito goes to the door of his bedroom, Asuna says, “Kirito.”

 

Kirito looks at Asuna and Kirito asks, curiously and a bit nervously, “Yes?”

 

Asuna replies, a bit nervously, “I said this before we went to the bath, but I mean it. Thank you for today. It was more enjoyable and lovely than any Christmas Eve I had in the real world.”

 

Kirito doesn’t reply for a few seconds and he asks, “What kind of Christmases did you have back there?”

 

Asuna says, with a weak smile, “There was one time we were supposed to stay home because there would be a family Christmas party, but my father and mother didn’t come home until very late, and I had to eat the cake by myself…Actually, that was pretty much every year.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, solemnly, “Something tells me that Asuna’s ‘family life’ is anything, but that. That kind of thing comes from the ‘well-to-do’ families from what I heard.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Oh, I see. Well, I’m glad you had a good time. If only we have gotten a cake prepared.”

 

Asuna says, with a weak smile, “Yeah, but we…can save that for next Christmas.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Yeah, right.”

 

Asuna says, “Well, I’m off to bed. Good night.”

 

Kirito says, plainly, “Night.”

 

Usagi then says, “Wait.” Asuna and Kirito look at Usagi and Usagi tells Asuna, “We’ll all be together for next Christmas and all the Christmas after all this.”

 

Kirito says, with a weak smile, “Yeah.”

 

Asuna says, with a warm smile, “Yes, you’re right, Usagi. Good night.” Soon enough, Asuna goes into her room and closes the door.

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Night, Usagi.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “Night, Kirito.” Kirito then goes into his room and closes the door in which Usagi thinks in her mind, mentally slapping herself, “Geez, girl, why did you have to say something so…so corny? No wonder Pyro calls me a Meatball Head. How can you promise such a thing? How can you when you couldn’t…?” Usagi shakes her head causing her to think in her mind, “No, I can’t think like that! They are going to survive! They are strong! Really strong! They are going to make it! I know it! And so, will I!” Usagi takes a deep breath and decides to take a walk to clear her head before she heads off to bed.

 

December 26, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4

 

At a village at the edge of the labyrinth tower, we find the Digital Knight assembled together where they are eating a sweet potato/yam with both Miyako and Juniper happily eating them.

 

Miyako says, excitedly, “This is delicious!”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “That’s not surprising since this is a B-rank food item.”

 

Juniper asks, confused, “But I don’t get how we can get sweet potatoes and yams from fish people? How does that work?”

 

Yamato tells Juniper, “Don’t try to think about it too much. It is going to make your head explode.”

 

Taichi says, nodding his head in agreement, “I agree. Let’s be glad to have them.”

 

Miyako says, nodding her head, “No joke!”

 

Sam says, with a smile, “Well, we are going to have plenty more when we go back into tomorrow.”

 

Juniper says, “Hopefully, we can do just as good as we did today.”

 

Miyako says, with a nod, “I hear you, girlfriend. It seems like those two groups are getting their act together…for once.”

 

Taichi tells Miyako, “We know how you…Trust us, we know how you feel, but like it or not, we need to work with them if we are going to get out of here.”

 

Juniper says, annoyed, “We know, but it is a real pain the butt.”

 

Yamato says, with a nod, “No joke, but they are the biggest guilds in Aincrad and not to mention as the first two guilds in Aincrad. That gives them quite a few ‘props’ leading the charge to beat this thing.”

 

Miyako says, annoyed, “In my mind, that’s the only thing that’s allowing them to lead the charge.”

 

Takeru says, nervously, “It is a bit more than that.”

 

Sam says, nodding his head in agreement, “True, but it is understandable on why you feel that way.”

 

Taichi says, “No kidding. And that’s why we are here.”

 

The other Digital Knights can’t help to nod their heads in agreement with Miyako then asks, “Do you think that Kirito, Asuna, and White Swordsman-san are doing okay?”

 

Yamato says, with a grin, “Them? They are just fine! I’m sure that they are having a blast!”

 

December 26, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Yofel Castle

 

Back within Yofel Castle, Kirito, Asuna, Usagi, and Kizmel are in a hallway at the west end of the hallway where they are looking at a sunset from one of the large windows.

 

Kirito says, “Well, we managed to get the second key right as planned. The viscount put it away in that little chamber behind his disk. I wonder if the first one is in there too.”

 

Kizmel responds, “That’s right, Kirito. That means that if the Forest Elves managed to reach the fifth floor of the castle, it’s quite likely they might make off with the keys. Viscount Yofilis might be excellent with the rapier, but he cannot be forced to fight in his sickly state…”

 

Asuna says, proudly, “Don’t worry, Kizmel. They won’t even step onto the dock much less the fifth floor. Whether they come with ten or twenty ships, we’ll sink them all!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Like they always say, Asuna: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

 

Kizmel giggles and she says, “I’m glad to hear that, Asuna. The fact that we have recovered the Lapis Key in just two days is a sign not just of the strength of you, Kirito, and Usagi, but that of your ship. And what makes me happiest of all is that you chose to give such a beautiful craft my sister’s name…” Kizmel then strides over to the window and she says, “My sister loved to swim ever since she was young. She and I often rode on a little pleasure boat in a city on the ninth floor…”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, amazed, “Is Kizmel truly an NPC? She seems…so…so real.”

 

Kirito then tells Kizmel, “Kizmel. We have a request.”

 

Kizmel replies, with a smile, “As long as I can help.”

 

Kirito says, “Yes, well…our books of Mystic Scribing cannot hold large objects like ships, but we also cannot pick ours up and climb the Pillar of Heavens with it. When we move up to the fifth floor, we will need to keep the Tilnel somewhere here on this floor.”

As Kizmel listens on, Asuna says, adding in, “You see, Kizmel, before we leave for the fifth floor, Kirito, Usagi, and I want to leave the Tilnel with you. Even if you just leave here on the dock at Yofel Castle.”

 

Kizmel says, with a warm smile, “Of course. Of course, you can. I will take responsibility for your precious boat. But promise me one thing.”

 

Asuna asks, curiously, “What is it, Kizmel?”

 

Kizmel replies, “Come back to this castle sometime, and give me a ride on her.”

 

Kirito, Usagi, and Asuna reply in unison, “Of course!”

 

December 27, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Labyrinth Tower

 

In the morning hours of December 27, we find the Digital Knights assembled with Dragon Knights Bridge and Aincrad Liberation Squad in front of a familiar eerie set of doors around the top of the labyrinth tower of the fourth floor of Aincrad.

 

Miyako says, “I can’t believe we did it.”

 

Lind says, “Well done, everyone. This is indeed good news. We have found the boss room earlier than we originally thought.”

 

Kibaou says, “Well, let’s get our resupply done and then git on with beating this damn boss already!”

 

There are plenty of looks of surprise, especially from the Digital Knights, causing Yamato yell out, “Hold it on a minute! We said that we would take the boss on tomorrow afternoon!”

 

Kibaou responds, “That was before we managed to find it right now! Why do we need to wait around? We need to get out of this damn place as soon as possible and move on! The sooner, the better! Let’s rest up and resupply at town then we will be ready to damn well beat that overgrown horse-fish or whatever!”

 

Miyako says, “Hello! We know close to nothing about it! This whole floor is different from the beta and the only information that Argo could supply is information from the beta test until she gets information from us and other players!”

 

Juniper asks, adding in to what Miyako is saying, “Yeah, didn’t Argo add new warnings about the changes this floor from the beta?”

 

Kibaou says, annoyed, “We did damn well just fine when we faced that overgrown turtle!”

 

Taichi retorts, sarcastically, “And what groups didn’t pull back when that ‘overgrown turtle’ was about to perform a spin attack that could have sunk them?”

 

Kibaou shouts out, irritated, “You don’t know that!”

 

Lind yells out, sternly, “Enough!” When everyone looks at him, Lind says, “This mindless arguing will not get us anywhere!” Lind then says, looking at the Digital Knights, “While you do have a point about the lack of information due to this floor being radically different than what the beta testers experienced, we have been able to handle it so far. And yes, you are right about the mistake of not recognizing the danger of the spin attack when a monster’s spin attack is obvious to any RPG player, it would have only capsized the boats and rest of us wouldn’t have been in critical danger since the rest of you were out of the way. If the attack did happen and we were sunk, you would have been able to jump right in and taken down the field boss WAY before anyone’s life was at risk.”

 

Juniper thinks in her mind, with a snarl, “He is taking credit for us saving their asses!” Yamato puts his hand on her shoulder causing Juniper to look at him where Yamato gives a look that says: ‘Don’t bother.’

 

Kibaou says, “We git the damn point of having a lack of information and it has bitten us in the asses before…”

 

Taichi thinks in his mind, “Obviously.”

 

Kibaou says, continuing his speech, “But everyone downstairs is waiting and hoping for the day that we get the fuck out of this death trap. Also, every time that we beat one of these damn floors, more people are seeing that we can beat this and joining up which we are going to damn well need! If we freaking due the dumb thing and hesitate for even a moment, people might start hesitating and we can’t have that! We need to git out of here because people back ‘over there’ can’t support our bodies forever!”

 

Lind says, with a sigh, “For once, we agree. Time is our enemy getting through this. We need to conquer this castle in a timely manner. As the leading groups of all the players in Aincrad, we are an inspiration to the other players. They expect A LOT from us. Knowledge is important. That’s a lesson that’s well-known by now, but there is also momentum. In war, when you are fighting, you need keep up momentum…to keep moving forward…or you will get stagnant. And stagnation in war, like a lot of things, is bad. It damages moral and it could lead to more causalities for all sorts of reasons. Remember the first month? We were stuck on floor one for the first month of this nightmare and two thousand people died while we struggled to find the first boss. If we stop moving forward, it could start happening again and people could start dying again. We can’t let that happened!”

 

Kibaou says, with a plain tone, “That’s another thing that we damn well agree on! We managed to find the boss early! We need to keep up the pressure on this rotten castle and move onto the next floor! We git up there early and people are going to want to get stronger and join us faster! The more players that help out and join us, the better chances that we can kick this floating castle to the curb! But people are going to lose hope if we git stuck again! I say that we go!”

 

Lind says, with a plain tone, “While I am cautious due to lack of information, I have to concur. We move forward.” Lind says, looking at the Digital Knights, “We are going back to the last village nearest the labyrinth to take stock, buy supplies, and organize a plan. Then this afternoon, we are going to tackle the floor boss…with or without you.”

 

Kibaou says, with a plain tone and a nod, “That’s damn well right! We don’t need that beater and Kabaya’s ‘little princess’! We are strong on our own and this time, we are going to prove it!” Kibaou yells out to his guild, “So, who’s with me?”

 

The Aincrad Liberation Squad, ALS for short, cheer in unison and Lind says to his guild, “Dragon Knights Bridge, we will conquer this floor today and tomorrow, we will be exploring the next floor!” The DKB, short for Dragon Knights Bridge, give their own cheer and all of them prepare to head back out of the labyrinth.

 

As the ALS and DKB start to move out, Miyako says, whispering to the other Digital Knights, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

Takeru says, nodding his head in agreement, “You and me both.”

 

Sam asks Taichi, “What do we do?”

 

Taichi says, with a growl, “Go with them. They are among the best players in the game and not only the best, but they are a symbol of hope and if something happens to them…”

 

Yamato says, with a sigh and nod while finishing for Taichi, “Everything will collapse. Like or not, they do have a point that we are going to need support in the future. The number of players on the frontlines is limited and sooner or later, things will stall.”

 

Sam says, with a nod of his head, “We are going to need more players stepping up, despite the risks, but if we lose them, the rest of the players will lose hope and we may never get out of here.”

 

Miyako says, with a sigh, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

Juniper says, “Ditto, girlfriend. I hope that Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi are having better time with their quests on this floor than we are.”

 

Takeru says, with a smile, “I’m sure that they are just fine.”

 

December 27, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Yofel Castle

 

If Takeru knew what was happening right now, he would take back his statement if he knew what Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi are going through. They are together with Kizmel on the Tilnel along with eight other Dark Elf boats as they face a small fleet of sixteen Forest Elf boats where right now, a Forest Elf boat, armed with enormous ram, is trying to ram with said ram with a Forest Elf wielding long spear is on the prow.

 

Asuna shouts out, “From the left, Kirito!”

 

Usagi says, “Watch out for the solider on the prow!”

 

Kizmel says, “I’ve got him!” Kizmel then takes out her saber and she take out the tip of the spear, which was aimed right for Kirito, where he makes sure that Tilnel slips pass the ship’s port side.

 

Kirito says, “Asuna! Usagi! Kizmel! Here we go!”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “All right!”

 

Usagi says, nodding his head, “Right!” While the three female members of the four crouched and clutched the sides of ship, Kirito charged the enemy ship at full speed and rammed the Fire-Bear’s Horn into the rear end of the ship, the only weak point on the Forest Elf’s ship. The red-hot ram split the thin wood and evaporated the water around it causing an explosion that blew up the rear half of the ship in which Usagi thinks in her mind, “You know, while that might sink a wooden ship, I doubt that it would be so…explosive IRL.” On the meanwhile, the eleven Forest Elves on the ship were thrown into the water and they immediately began to swim away.

 

Kirito says, excitedly, “Yeah, that’s two!”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “Two down…and six more for us to get rid of to just match our ‘quota’, Kirito.” Usagi thinks in her mind, plainly, “Add to the fact that we had the element of surprise since Asuna’s tailoring skill was able to restore some of Argyro’s Sheet’s durability allowing us a surprise first strike through now that they know that we are here, we don’t have that anymore.”

 

Kirito tells Kizmel, “Kizmel, can you count up the surviving ships?”

 

After a few moments, Kizmel responds, “Six on our ship and twelve for the enemy!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, worriedly, “That’s not good at all!”

 

Just then they hear a voice shout out, “Valiant warriors of Kales’Oh!” When everyone on the Tilnel looks towards the source, they see a large Forest Elf knight, who had the look of an enemy commander, with a golden shield and sword bellow out, “Send these cowardly Dark Elves to sleep at the bottom of this lake! They have allied with humankind and built ships for the purpose of bringing down our castle! Fortunately, their plot was foiled, and we claimed their ships for ourselves! We must not miss this opportunity!”

 

Usagi and Kirito give confused looks and Usagi thinks in her mind, confused, “Wait! Didn’t the Fallen Elves build these boats for the Forest Elves?” Usagi glances at Kirito and he gives a confused look to show that he is just as confused as Usagi.

 

Asuna then shouts out, “They’ve spotted us, Kirito!” Kirito then sees oarsman of another Forest Elf ship glaring at them in which Kirito quickly turns in to attack and while Asuna disabled the spears being used against them with Kizmel and Usagi making sure that Asuna doesn’t fall off, Kirito rams the Forest Elf ship and sinks that ship!”

 

Kirito says, seriously, “Three!”

 

Usagi says, pointing in one direction, “This isn’t looking good, Kirito!” Kirito looks to see that the remaining Dark Elf ships are falling back and engaging the enemy in close range combat, but more and more Dark Elves were falling into the water.

 

Kizmel says, concerned, “That’s not good.”

 

The Dark Elf commander shouts out, “You there, the little boat! Stop wasting time and stop the enemy swing force!”

 

Asuna yells out, irritated, “How can he speak to us like that?!”

 

Kirito then says, “Damn it! We just have to do it!” Kirito rows the Tilnel towards three Forest Elf ships that are trying to outflank the Dark Elf ships and land those on them at the castle.

 

Kizmel tells Kirito, “Don’t worry, Kirito! Just charge the center ship!”

 

Kirito replies, with a nod, “R-Roger!” Kirito does exactly what Kizmel tells him and while Asuna and Usagi protects Kirito from the spearmen, Kirito slams Tilnel’s ram through the flat stern of the ship causing it to sink, but the other two ships slam into each side of the Tilnel causing Tilnel to lose five percent of its durability in which it continues to go down.

 

Kizmel yells out, “Kirito, I will handle the ship on the left! Usagi, you and Asuna take the ship on the right!”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Okay!”

 

Kirito says, “I-I’ll be here if you need me!” As Kizmel leaps onto the ship on Tilnel’s left, Usagi and Asuna take the ship on Tilnel’s right.

 

One Forest Elf spearman shouts out, “Filthy human rats!”

 

Usagi retorts, annoyed, “Have you looked in the mirror?!” Asuna and Usagi start to combat the opponents in which they manage to knock them into the water in which Usagi tells Asuna, “Don’t try to defeat them! Just knock them into the water!”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Got it, Usagi!” Soon enough, the two of them work together to knock all of their opponents from their boat and they leap back to Tilnel where they see Kizmel, where it can be seen that she had defeated all of the Forest Elves on the ship that she boarded.

 

Kizmel tells Kirito, who is shocked silent, “I knocked them into the lake and broke their oars.”

 

After regaining his voice, Kirito says, “Good! Let’s sink the enemy flagship before we get into another battering ram battle!”

Usagi says, with a nod, “Good idea!” When they look at the remaining ships, they see six Forest Elf ships battling an equal number of Dark Elf ships with two more Forest Elf ships at the rear, but despite the numbers being equal, the Dark Elf sides are on the losing end of the battle. Usagi says, curiously, “Hey, they don’t seem to be focused on us.”

 

Kirito says, getting an idea, “We should do the usual then.” He then pulls out the folded Argyro’s Sheet from the rear of the boat.

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Do you think that the same trick would work again?”

 

Kirito responds, plainly, “Let’s find out.” Soon enough, they use the Argyro’s Sheet to cover themselves and Kirito slowly gets the Tilnel towards the flagship, but when they were five yards from when they were going to attack the flagship, the Forest Elf leader draws his saber.

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Uh oh!”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Crap!”

 

Asuna asks, “Did they spot us?” Kizmel puts her hand on the hilt of her saber, but the Forest Elf commander points his sword, not at the concealed Tilnel, but towards the Dark Elf ships.

 

The Forest Elf command shouts out, “Now! Ships one and two, begin the charge! Ships five and six, clear a path!” With those words, the two middle members of the six ship ‘fleet’ of Forest Elf ships split to the sides leaving two of the Dark Elf ships with their sides completely exposed including the flagship!

 

Kirito says, shocked, “Oh no!” Immediately, the group on the Tilnel rips off the Argyro’s Sheet and Kirito stuffs it in the storage area in the stern where they start to off, but as they did that, two more of the Forest Elf ships speed up to the exposed Dark Elf ships.

 

Asuna yells out, “Stop that at once!”

 

Kizmel says, worriedly, “We’re not going to make it in time!” A few seconds later, Kizmel is proved right when two of the Forest Elf ships ramming two Dark Elf ships, one of them is the flagship. As they sink, the Dark Elf commander shouts out curses at his opponent.

 

With this, the Forest Elf commander shouts out, “Ships one and two, forward! All soldiers, prepare for landfall!” Immediately, the two Forest Elf ships run through the hole in the Dark Elf defense line with Tilnel rushing to catch up.

 

Kirito yells out, “Damn! We need to make it through that hole too!” Even through the Tilnel scraps two Forest Elf ships, lowering its durability, it manages to get through, allowing Kirito, Asuna, Usagi, and Kizmel to remain on the tail of the two Forest Elf ships.

 

Asuna says, excitedly, “We’re through!”

 

Usagi says, excitedly, “Great job, Kirito!” However, the two Forest Elf ships, including the commander ship, make landfall in which twenty Forest Elf warrior leaped onto the dock with a roar where only six Dark Elf guards are against them.

 

Asuna asks, worriedly, “Can’t the priests help, Kizmel?! Don’t they have magic…I mean charms that they can cast?!”

 

Kizmel replies, shaking her head, “I’m afraid that the priests station in the castle are merely officials with no combat experience. They must be locked up in secret rooms underground, trembling with fear right now.”

 

Asuna says, worriedly, “No…”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “I’m not surprised. With no magic in this world…Well, the typical magic you find in RPG games, what use would priests be without any magic at all?”

 

Asuna asks, worriedly, “What about the viscount and children? Are they in hiding with the priests?!”

 

Kizmel replies, concern in her voice, “I do not know…After all, Yofel Castle has never fallen since ancient times. I cannot guess what decisions the viscount will make.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, worriedly, “What do we do now?”

 

Kirito then says, “Asuna! Usagi! Kizmel! We’re going to cut the Forest Elves off!”

 

Asuna responds, “All right!”

 

Kizmel says, with a nod, “It is all in your hands!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, looking at Kirito, “I hope that you have a good plan, Kirito.” Kirito races up until the Tilnel was close to the castle gates where the four of them leap off and race up to join the six Dark Elf spearman at the gates, passing by the disembarking Forest Elf warriors.

 

Afterwards, Kirito shouts out, “The three of you need to hold out for five minutes!”

 

Asuna and Usagi look at Kirito in surprise and Asuna asks, confused, “What about you, Kirito?!”

 

Kirito replies, “I’m going to get back up! Don’t push it! If you’re in danger, get away at once!” Usagi and Asuna nod their heads as Kirito heads for the inside of the castle.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “I seriously hope that you know what you are doing. I wonder how Taichi-san and his guild are doing. I’m sure that they are having an easier time than we are.”

 

December 27, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Labyrinth Tower

 

Returning to the Labyrinth Tower, we find the ALS, DKB, and the Digital Knights along with others assembled in a large boss raid party in which Kibaou, acting as leader since it was the ALS was the one that discovered the floor boss chamber, making his speech.

 

Kibaou shouts out, “All right, pay attention! I’m only going to say this once and only once! Right now, we know that the boss is a freaky half-horse and half-fish known as Wythege the Hippocampus. If you ask me, it just means that it may be half-horse and half-fish, the freak may be as slow as an overgrown hippo to me!”

 

Plenty in the raid group laugh, but the Digital Knights were not and Miyako whispers to the others, “Doesn’t that failure of a rock band member know that hippos are deadly to crocodiles and have tusks that rip out the insides of even people?!”

 

Yamato whispers back, with a snort, “Even if he did, he would ignore that.”

 

Kibaou yells out, sternly, “Okay, knock it off! This is damn well serious! No one has damn well found any quest information about the boss and we aren’t using boats like we did with that overgrown turtle days ago! When we git in there, we are going in there mainly blind! So, pay attention to what I am freaking saying! Since this freak of a boss is half-fish, it is really obvious that he will have some kind of aqua based attack or trick! It is freaking easy to tell since whole damn floor was water and we need to git freaking boats to get around here! Now, you need to pay attention to its attacks and pattern of attacks! And when you see something, you call it out to everyone! Don’t you freaking dare clam up and no one had better make any puns about what I just freaking said right now!”

 

Juniper whispers to the rest of the Digital Knights, “Geez, high-strung much?”

 

Kibaou says, “Okay, everyone! Now, let’s turn that freak into steaks and sushi and git to the next floor! I want to be done with the FIFTH floor before the new year! Now, are you with me or not? I want you answer right now!”

 

“YEAH!!!” the ALS along with some of the DKB shout out in unison.

 

Kibaou says, with a nod, “Good! Now, let’s show them that we don’t need that beater or Kayaba’s princess to win this wretched game! Let’s do this!” Plenty of both the ALS and DKB cheer in excitement as they prepare to take on the floor boss of Floor 4 of Aincrad.

 

Miyako whispers to the Digital Knight, with a glare, “It makes me wonder if they are doing this more for the fact that Kirito, White Swordsman-san, and Asuna are stuck on their own quest, so, they can…”

 

Taichi whispers to Miyako in reply, “Yeah, you have a point. However, like it or not, we need to make sure that they survive along with us.”

 

Sam whispers, plainly, “Let’s be very careful.”

Yamato says, “I’ve sent them an instant message before we entered the labyrinth, but they are in an area where instant messaging doesn’t work and since we are here, we won’t be able to hear back from them.”

 

Juniper says, in a whisper, “Hopefully, Kirito, Asuna, and White Swordsman-san are having an easier time than we are.”

 

December 27, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Yofel Castle

 

Despite the Digital Knight’s ‘hopes’ in that regard, we find that’s not the case where ten Forest Elf warriors remaining fighting out of 18 warriors at the beginning, but the Dark Elf spearmen guarding the castle were reduced from half-a-dozen to just three where Kizmel, Asuna, and Usagi had to make up the difference. Despite Asuna’s and Usagi’s strong weapons, Asuna’s Chivalric Rapier and Usagi’s Dragon Cutter, with Kizmel’s strength and ability, they are hard-pressed to assist with Asuna’s weapon, a rapier and thrust attack only weapon, making her hard-pressed to attack multiple targets.

 

Asuna says, “They are so many of them left!”

 

Usagi says, “I know!” Usagi thinks in her mind, “Asuna’s rapier may be a strong weapon, but it is thrust only weapon and it makes her hard-pressed to attack multiple targets at once unlike my and Kizmel’s swords, which can use both thrusting attacks and slashing attacks.” Usagi does her best to assist in that regard, but it seems one Forest Elf was about to break through the blockade. However, Usagi throws her sword into the air and uses Flash Blow, a Martial Arts Skill combo attack, to strike him in the side causing him to stumble in which Kirito, seemly coming from nowhere, to force him back at that moment.

 

Kirito says, excitedly, “Nice work, Usagi!”

 

Usagi says, excitedly, “Kirito!” Soon after, she manages to catch her sword in her right hand.

 

Kirito says, amazed, “Nice catch.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “Thanks. I saw it on a lot of sword fighting anime. But anyway…what kept you?!”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Sorry, I’m late!”

 

Asuna says, pointing ahead of her, “We’re fine here, but the other ships…!!” Kirito then sees that the remaining Dark Elf ships were afloat, but they were down to three or four ‘crew’ for each boat.

 

But then a familiar male voice shouts out, “Warriors of Kales’Oh, I am knight of Lyusula and master of Castle Yofel, Leyshren Zed Yofilis!” Kizmel gasps, but she doesn’t turn around and keeps fighting in which Usagi glances back to see a Dark Elf male with long, black hair tied behind him, slender hands, green-grey eyes, and an old, vertical scar running from his hairline to his chin across his left eye, this Dark Elf’s cheeks were rather light-skinned for a dark elf, and finally, this Dark Elf male wore fittingly noble clothes: a rococo-styled frock coat covered with moire and buttons, a vest, pants that stopped below the knees, white tights, white gloves, and a white tie packed with frills. He was armed with a fragile rapier at his waist.

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Kirito, is that…?”

 

Kirito responds, with a nod, “Yep.”

 

The Dark Elf male, Viscount Yofilis, shouts out, “Warriors of Lyusula, I apologize for my long absence and beseech your strength! The future of our kingdom rests on this battle! For the sake of queen, friend, and family, stand strong and fight with me!” After a brief moment of silence, there is a massive roar/cheer from Dark Elf warriors remaining in which a sound effect is heard where Usagi and Kirito look to see four buff icons by the four HP bars in front of their eyes: Increased attack buff, increased defense buff, increased knock-back buff, and bonus luck buff.

 

Kirito says, excitedly, “Oh, yeah!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, amazed, “No kidding, Kirito!”

 

The Forest Elf commander yells out, “Have no fear! The addition of one measly castle lord does not affect our advantage!” The Forest Elf commander then drew his large longsword and pointed it forward causing the remaining Forest Elf warriors to line up in a row and raised their swords at the same time.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, worriedly, “Oh no!”

 

Just then Yofilis yells out, “Evade to the sides!” Instinctively, Usagi, Kirito, Asuna, and one guard went to the right while Kizmel and the other guards go to the left and when the Forest Elf warriors attack in unison, Yofilis unleashes a powerful strike like a spear of light where the Forest Elf warriors, in mid-swing of their attack, are struck and sent flying into the water.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, stunned, “Whoa…”

 

Kirito shouts out, “Not yet, Usagi! He isn’t going to be able to move after that attack!” Usagi, realizing that the attack that Yofilis used was ultra-high sword skill and thus, making him unable to move for a good amount of time, immediately, battles against the second-in-command, known as a Forest Elven heavy warrior, which is obvious due to his heavy armor.

 

The Forest Elven heavy warrior shouts out, “Step aside, human female!”

 

Usagi responds, “Sorry, not today!”

 

The Forest Elven heavy warrior yells out, displaying a mighty two-handed sword, “If you stand with the wretched Dark Elves, then you will die with them!”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “Hopefully not.”

 

Asuna says, worriedly, “Kirito! Usagi!”

 

Kirito says, “We’ve got this, Asuna! Make sure that viscount is safe!” Asuna gives a surprised look, but she nods her head in agreement while he faces off the leader of the Forest Elf attack force, Forest Elven inferior knight as he is known, with Usagi facing off against the Forest Elven heavy warrior with the two of them going into an intense swordfight where Usagi is struggling against her opponent.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “He is strong! Shouldn’t be surprising since he is wearing heavy armor and all, but this is nuts! Even with the buffs, I’m barely holding my own against him!” Usagi and the heavy armored Forest Elf warrior clash greatly where both of them are in stalemate as they continue to fight in what seems like hours through only just mere seconds pass. However, at one point in the fight, the Forest Elf warrior then prepares to go into a familiar stance causing Usagi’s eyes to widen when she sees it causing her to quickly get into her own stance. When the Elf warrior’s and Usagi’s swords start to glow, they attack with the Forest Elf using Backlash, a 1-strike Two-Handed Sword Skill combo, while Usagi uses a well-timed Slant, 1-strike One-Handed Sword Skill combo, to cancel out the Forest Elf warrior’s attack causing him to stumble and get stunned for a brief moment. At that point, Usagi drops her sword and aims Flash Blow to his unarmored face, scoring at direct hit, and knocking the armored warrior elf into the water.

 

Asuna yells out, excitedly upon seeing this, “Yes!” Usagi grabs her sword and looks towards Kirito’s fight where she sees him use four-strike One-Handed Sword Skill combo, known as Horizontal Square, to knock the leader of the Forest Elves into the water at the cost of breaking his Anneal Blade +8 sword, which lost the last eight inches of its blade.

 

Kirito rejoins Asuna and Usagi and Usagi says, solemnly, “Your sword…”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “It was about time for it to go. If anything, I’m glad it held out for so long.”

 

Kizmel comes over and she says, “That was some brilliant fighting, Kirito. You, as well, Usagi.”

 

Usagi responds, “Thank you, Kizmel.”

 

Kirito asks, “Do you think …this was the right choice?”

 

Kizmel replies, “Hold your head up high, Kirito. You were the one that warned us of a Forest Elf attack, helped even the scales, and defeated the enemy commander in one-on-one, Kirito, though not to take away from the important role that Usagi played. She gave you the ability to fight unhindered by making sure his adjunct couldn’t interfere. However, the most important thing, we have successfully protected the two keys in the castle. What more could we ask for?” Kirito nods his head and just then Kirito, Usagi, and Asuna hear a familiar jiggle where the quest log appears to show that this quest, ‘Laketop Fortress’ as it is known, has been completed.

 

Asuna whispers to Kirito and Usagi, “I’m going to check for messages from Argo.”

 

Usagi tells Asuna, with a nod, “Good idea.”

 

Viscount Yofilis says, “It is a shame at what happened to your sword.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “I really put it through too much…”

 

Yofilis then says, “It is good that you do not blame your weapon. Within most of the blade remaining, the castle’s blacksmith should be able to repair it.”

 

Kirito replies, shaking his head, “No, I’ll melt this one down and have it turned into a new weapon or piece of armor.”

 

Yofilis says, “In that case…” He then raises his hand and two soldiers then appear with an enormous chest at least six feet wide where they lowered the chest next to their leader and bow before leaving.

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “What’s this?” Viscount Yofilis takes out a key and opens the chest where it is revealed the chest is stuffed with weapons, armor, and accessories that have been buffed to a mirror shine.

 

Kirito and Usagi give looks of shock and Yofilis says, “These are the treasured heirlooms of the Yofilis family, human warrior, please accept any one of them as a personal gift from me and another as a reward for your valor in combat.”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Huh? But two…are you sure?”

 

Yofilis says, “Of course. Plus, your two allies, the two young human females, who have shown much as much bravely, are naturally awarded the same as well.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Really?”

 

Kirito says, giving the Dark Elf salute, “Thank you, my lord!”

 

When Kirito looks at Usagi, she says, “You are the ‘big hero’!” Kirito gives an annoyed look and Usagi tells Yofilis, “My liege, Kirito might need sometime to figure out what he wants. He is a very practical and he will make sure that uses equipment and weapons that will help him the best in the venture ahead.”

 

Yofilis says, with a nod, “Very wise. Every warrior is different and one much choose their equipment for the best.”

 

Kirito says, a bit nervously, “Thank you, my lord.” After five minutes, however, Kirito is hard-pressed to figure out what he wants when they hear a splash causing him and Usagi to look as Asuna arrives on the dock due to the fact that she used the Tilnel to leave the map, which like a dungeon, made messaging impossible. Kirito calls out to her, “Hey, Asuna, we get two this time!”

 

Asuna rushes over and she screams out, “There isn’t time for that!”

 

Usagi asks Asuna, concerned, “What’s wrong?”

 

Asuna responds, “The floor boss raiding group has just left!”

 

Kirito and Usagi gasp in shock and Kirito yells out, stunned, “Say what?!”

Usagi asks, confused, “Hold on! But I thought that they said that they would be starting that raid in the afternoon. They have yet to find the boss room!”

 

Asuna responds, shaking her head, “They found the boss earlier today….in fact, just this morning AFTER they announced that this raid would take place tomorrow afternoon. After scouting it, they took a rest and decided to ‘git on with it’ this afternoon!”

 

Usagi says, annoyed, “Oh, great! ALS must be in charge based on what you are saying.”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “I’m afraid so.”

 

Kirito asks, “Do you know when the raid left?”

Asuna replies, “Fifty-five minutes ago.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “They should be in the tower by now. I guess that we can leave it to them.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “Without learning anything about the boss, Kirito? Based on what Asuna is saying, they didn’t get any information on the boss other than what they saw.”

 

Usagi looks at Asuna and Asuna nods her head to confirm Usagi’s statement causing Kirito to think, “You have a right to be worried, Usagi. This floor is WAY different than in the beta and the battle with the field boss shows that the bosses have been changed based on this change of the floor in the beta, so, since the field boss was different, the floor boss must MUCH different from the beta.” Kirito tells Usagi, “I know, Usagi. However, we can hope that the Digital Knights are with them.”

 

Asuna says, “They are.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s a bit of good news.”

 

Kizmel then asks, “Kirito, will you, Asuna, and Usagi be challenging the guardian of the Pillar of the Heavens?”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Yeah, but it seems that our other companions have already begun climbing the tower…”

 

A faint shadow falls over Kizmel’s face and Kizmel says, “I see. If you trust them, then there is no reason to worry, but from what I understanding, the beast of this floor…”

 

Kizmel then trails off and Yofilis says, filling in for Kizmel, “We only know based on the legend, but it is said that the guardian beast who lurks in the tower of this floor wields some eerie power.”

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “Eerie power…?”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, nervously, “I don’t like the sound of that.”

 

Yofilis then says, “The guardian beast of this floor is called a hippocampus-a cross between a horse and fish. It causes water to spring from even the driest earth and can floor one’s feet from beneath them. Any who fight the beast will need a charm to float in the water, it is said.”

 

Asuna says, worriedly, “We need to send a message!”

 

Usagi responds, “We can’t! Remember, Asuna, they are in the labyrinth and that means that no messages will go through!”

 

Asuna asks, “What should we do then?!”

 

Kirito says, “We need to go ourselves! If we’re lucky, at least half of the raid members will have their inner-tube fruit from the trip to the main city! As long as they can hold with those, we’ll have time to reach the chamber and open the door from the outside!”

Usagi says, with a nod, “Good idea, Kirito!”

 

Kirito tells Kizmel, “Sorry, Kizmel, but we need to go. But we’ll be back, I swear!”

 

Kizmel then shrugs her shoulders causing her to say, “What do you humans call this? ‘Being distant’? I will join you, of course.”

 

Asuna, Usagi, and Kirito give looks of shock and Yofilis then says, “And so shall I.” Usagi, Asuna, and Kirito give Viscount Yofilis a flabbergasted look, for MANY OBVIOUS reasons.

 

December 27, 2022, SAO/Aincrad, Floor 4, Labyrinth Tower

 

At the entrance to the boss room, we find Kirito, Asuna, Usagi, Kizmel, Viscount Yofilis, two Dark Elf stout guards, and Argo, who joined them at the entrance to the labyrinth as well as provide the map data that Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi needed, where they find the thick granite doors were shut tight, but there was a narrow gap where the door met where a small trickle of water was leaking out.

 

Asuna says, “Kirito! Usagi!” Kirito leaps over to the doors, puts both hands on the two handles, and pulls with all of his strength…which proved to be unnecessary since the doors were barely holding back the door with them bursting open the instant that Kirito pulled on them causing a wave of water to rush out along Agil, who slid into the corridor on his belly.

 

After regaining his focuses and seeing Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi, Agil then says, “Hey, you showed up!”

 

Usagi asks, “Agil, are you okay?” Soon after, more and more players wash out after Agil including the Digital Knights.

 

Juniper says, annoyed, “Well, that was a ‘wash out’!” Juniper shouts out, with a glare, “And don’t give any looks about any stupid puns!”

 

Yamato tells Juniper, “Trust us, we weren’t thinking about it and you said the point very clearly about this fight!”

 

Miyako says, annoyed, “No kidding!”

 

Taichi says, seeing Kirito, Usagi, and Asuna, “Hey, you made it!”

 

Takeru says, seeing the four Dark Elves, “Whoa! And it looks like you brought some friends!”

 

Usagi asks, concerned, “Are you okay?”

 

Agil says, “Don’t worry, girl. No one has died. Someone greedy picked all of the little floaty-tube fruits they could back at the staircase…so thanks to those, nobody’s drowned, at the very least. We’ve just been trying to avoid the boss’ attacks and getting this door open, but it was made so that it couldn’t be opened from the inside.”

 

Sam says, with a nod, “The water worked to keep the doors closed from the inside in which they could only be opened from the outside to get rid of the water.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, we can see that.” Usagi looks inside to see the boss, Wythege the Hippocampus, which, like Dark Elf viscount mentioned, it was half-horse and half-fish with the front half being like a horse with the black back half being like a fish. Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna can see that it has a six-part HP bar with the first bar nearly gone.

 

Just then Kibaou’s voice rings out, “Well, if you were going to show up, ya might as well have done it on time!”

 

Lind’s voice booms out, “Get these people off of me, Kibaou! Everyone off the pile, start taking potions!” Everyone looks to see Kibaou and a group of ALS and DKB players practically on top of Lind, leader of the DKB, in which they are hastily

 

Kibaou shouts out, “You don’t mean to keep going, Lind!”

 

Lind responds, “Of course I do! We know its attack patterns and we’ve already taken down one gauge! No use in wasting that hard work!”

 

Miyako yells out, annoyed, “Yeah, we BARELY got one HP gauge down!”

 

Usagi says, “We are really glad that you are okay. When we heard that the boss had this ability…”

 

The Digital Knights look at Usagi and Taichi asks, “You heard about the boss?”

 

Usagi says, pointing to Viscount Yofilis with a slight nervous tone, “Yes, h-he, the head of the Dark Elf castle here on this floor, told us about the boss and he had the ability to flood the room…” However, Usagi doesn’t get to finish as all of the Digital Knights glare daggers right at Lind and Kibaou causing them to flinch, know exactly why they are glaring daggers at them.

 

Juniper says, strongly, “I’m going to just say four words to the two of you: WE TOLD YOU SO!”

 

Miyako yells out, with a dangerous glare, “When this boss battle is over, we are going to have a good LONG talk about information gathering and you aren’t getting out of it!” Lind, Kibaou, and both of their guild members flinch from this in which they have lost the ability to argue with Miyako.

 

Kirito whispers to Usagi and Asuna, “Keep reminding me never to get on her bad side.”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, in a whisper, “You know it, buster.”

 

Taichi tells Kirito, glancing Kizmel, Yofilis, and the other Dark Elves, “I’m thinking that these are your allies.”

 

Kirito responds, a bit nervously, “P-Pretty much.”

 

Taichi says, with a smirk, “Knowing you and your luck, this is really going to be a major help for us all.”

 

Takeru says, “We’ll let you in on the boss’ attack patterns based on what we experience before all of you really gave our butts a major helping hand.”

 

Usagi says, with a slight nervous smile, “Thanks.” Soon enough, Viscount Yofilis, gives a small speech that gives the four special buffs to the raid group and the raid group charge back into the fight where they quickly managed to defeat the floor boss of this floor with Kirito scoring the Last Attack bonus of the fight.

 

(Sometime afterwards)

 

Right now, Kirito, Usagi, and Asuna are going up the spiral staircase leading to the next floor, the fifth floor of Aincrad. After the fight was over, Kizmel, Viscount Yofilis, and the other two Dark Elf ‘allies’ headed back to Yofel Castle while the rest of the boss raiding party stayed behind with Miyako and Juniper giving the ALS and DKB, especially the leaders of two said guilds, a major ‘dressing down’.

 

Asuna then asks, “So, I was thinking…Kizmel and the viscount took their black gondola back to the castle, right? And we left the Tilnel moored at the castle pier. So, how will we return to the castle?”

 

Usagi replies, “That’s a good question, Asuna. After we activate the teleport gate on the fifth floor, I guess that we can return to Rovia and build another one.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Okay, but I think that I’ll leave the next one to you since Kirito doesn’t seem to have a ‘good naming skill’ on him.” Kirito flinches from that since he knows that Asuna has a good point. Asuna asks Kirito, “Speaking of whom, are you going to continue using that sword?”

 

Kirito replies, “Well, no…” Kirito looks at the sword currently strapped to his back in which it was the Forest Elf commander’s sword, known as Elven Stout Sword.

 

Usagi says, “It is as good as your fully upgraded Anneal Blade, but it has only one upgrade attempt. You are going to need a better sword.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “And I know where to get one.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “You do?” Just then Usagi nods her head as she figures on where Kirito to going to get his next sword. Usagi says, “Speaking of which, the viscount was an incredible fighter.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Yeah, he was, but he was also weird too. I mean, spending years of his life locked into a pitch-black room, evening pretending he was sick…”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “Yeah, it is odd. I wonder if Kizmel will tell us how he got that scar, if we ask…”

 

Asuna says, “No, don’t go prying into that.”

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah, Kirito. It is best that we don’t get into that ‘kettle of fish’. It is just plain rude.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “O-Okay…”

 

Usagi says, “I wonder if the Taichi-san and the others will be okay…”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Maybe you should ask about Lind and Kibaou how they will be okay.”

 

Asuna says, with a giggle, “Yeah…” Asuna then asks, “Hey, Kirito?”

 

Kirito asks, “Yeah?”

 

Asuna asks, “How long are you planning to work with me?”

 

Kirito replies, plainly, “Until you’re strong enough that you don’t need me.”

 

Asuna gives a curious nod and Usagi asks Kirito, “And me?”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, with a smile, “Not to insult Asuna, but you were already strong enough to be on your own. You were the one that saved Asuna back on the first floor, remember?” Asuna gives a slight blush of embarrassment at that remark.

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Then why?”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Like you said: Us, ‘outsiders’, need to stick together, right?”

 

Usagi gives a warm smile from the ‘cloak’ that her hood gives her face and Asuna asks, in a joking manner, “And I’m not an ‘outsider’, Kirito?” Kirito gives a nervous expression and scratches his avatar’s left cheek causing Asuna to giggle as she, Usagi, and Kirito continue to ascend the stairs to the next floor of Aincrad as well as their next ‘adventure’ on that floor…

 

The end…of the story

 

Well, it is the end of the adventure of this floor of Aincrad. I have to say that it wasn’t easy to do switching between the group of Kirito, Asuna, and Usagi with the Digital Knights, but I think that I did quite a good job in the transition between both groups in this story. But what do you think? Read and review to tell me what you think, but please no flames! Hope to see you next time! Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!