Sword Art Online - Alternative Reality

Demon's Sighting CHP.4

"It's been a while, Schmitt. It's good to see you again."

"Yeah...nice to see you too, Yolko."

Downing the tea that the swordsman had managed to serve, I looked towards my former guild-mate, Yolko. I was at the DDA base for most of the day, trying to wrap my head around what was going on when those two showed up. Just like he said, Kirito didn't let up on his investigation, and with the vice-commander with him, there was no avoiding them. For some reason, the vice-commander was exuding a hostile air several times more severe than Kirito, but they were still willing to set up a meeting between Yolko and I. Since they knew all about GA from her, there was no helping that they would now be watching over us. Still, the most unnerving thing about all of this was just how calm Yolko was.

"I heard you got into the DDA a bit after what happened. Congratulations! I heard they had really strict entry requirements, and you've even managed to become a leader in the guild right? That's incredible!"

Her praise sounded genuine, but even though we didn't have any weapons, her words stabbed deeper than any sword she could have. What was the point of small talk right now?!

"That's enough Yolko! D-do you know anything else about what happened to Caynz? Grimlock was the one that made that weapon right?! Doesn't that mean he blames us for what happened to Griselda?! Dammit...why now...why is he coming after us all this time..."

Her usually friendly expression turned downcast in an instant. No, it was better to say that she had become expressionless as she stared off to some part of the room.

"I don't know...it might be Grimlock or it might be someone else from GA...or maybe...it might be Griselda herself."

"Huh?!"

How was that possible? It didn't make any sense. Why was she screaming? A ghost? That can kill people through the safe zone? That's...this...

"...It's insane...you can't be serious about this Yolko! How can you just accept being killed over this?!"

At some point she had made her way towards the window, and a black-gloved hand was gripping my shoulder. Although my relationship with the owner couldn't be said to be a good one, I was grateful that it was keeping me grounded. Yolko was on the verge of saying something else when the impossible happened. A distinct thud. A shocked expression. And her figure disappearing through the window.

Impossible!!!

"YOLKO!"

Letting go of me, Kirito reached out to her, but she was already gone. Even though I couldn't see it, the sound of glass breaking reverberated through my bones. The shadow of death that stood on the roof of the building across the street stared straight at me. It wasn't possible. No, it was impossible. But...

"Gr...Griselda..."

As if in response, the cloaked figure began running away, as if it wanted me to know that I wouldn't be able to rest easy...that my time would come soon enough...

"Asuna, stay here!"

"Kirito, wait!"

The figure clad in equally terrifying darkness leaped out the window, somehow clearing the gap, and began giving chase to...that. The vice-commander rushed over to the window, preparing to follow after them. If she left, I would be left alone. Then... It would come back for me.

"W-wait..."

I couldn't even tell if the word had come out as a clattering had filled the room, but the vice-commander turned around. I couldn't even look up to face her directly, yet I couldn't tell if the sound of grinding teeth was coming from me or her. The only sound I heard afterward was the slamming of the window, followed by the drawing of a weapon. She made her way over to my right, I think.