The Path Unknown

6. An Unexpected Reunion

The beast tamer and her partners appeared in the social area of the 76th floor - still under the cover of night. The three ran all the way past the city limits and started towards the dungeon. If I do this, he'll know I'm alive. He'll have to know it. I just gotta beat this boss and take the credit, simple. She repeated to herself, as if it give her strength. It really didn't, but she'd do anything to find Kage. He was someone worth fighting for here.

Of course, there was Asuna and Kirito. They barely knew each other and not much was shared; but for some odd reason, she could open to them. Kirito seemed a little like Kage and Asuna seemed like her cousin. Man, I haven't seen my cousin in years. I wonder what she'd think of me now. She thought, not deviating away from her path. They seemed like people she knew, but they weren't and she'd have to remember that. Still, she was feeling different from the recent experience.

She was now 1000 meters from the entrance and closing in quickly. Her companions took the lead, ready for the first wave of enemies. They entered with a leap as the mobs moved in.

Zagu took a breath and spewed fire on the front line, charring them. Shika broke through the bodies as they shattered into thousands of triangle-shaped shards. They were not out yet, unfortunately. The boss room was a mile away and, though it was a straight path, it was far from clear. Michiko unsheathed her dual swords and crossed them in front of her in an "X" formation. She was ready.

*Back on the 22nd floor*

"Asuna, ASUNA! Wake up!" Kirito shook his wife, almost pushing her out of bed.

"I just heard Michiko get up. She was talking to Shika when I overheard their plan. They're going to the boss!!!"

"What?! No!!! That's suicide even for her!" Asuna jumped out and started to equip her armor.

"I'm gonna head up to try and stop her. Get ready, bring items, and PM Klien. We'll need him and his crew more than the KOB." Kirito started for the door.

"I'll be there in 5! Head to the boss if you need to."

Kirito shut the door and the sound of a teleportation followed. Without missing a beat, Asuna brought up a message to Klien. What she typed was quick and urgent. Friend going to boss, need backup, bring your guild. Gathering the last of her items, she teleported out and up to the 76th floor.

Klien met her up there without an exchange of greetings. The two ran, leading the small guild following behind them. No one spoke a word until they got to the mouth of the cave.

"Come on," Asuna gestured, "it's right through here."

"Kirito owes me so much for going into a place like this. What are we up against?" Klein questioned.

"Nothing, the path was clear and Kirito is already making his way to the boss, let's go before they respawn!" Asuna started running again.

"Alright, let's go! Quickly!" Klien followed behind her, with his men following suite.

*Just outside the cave*

What the hell? Who, in the right mind, woke me up? He took the area recorder out of the tree and rewound it back one minute. Kirito owes me so much for going into a place like this. What are we up against? Apparently he knew Kirito, too and well by his tone of voice. Nothing, the path was clear and Kirito is already making his way to the boss, let's go before they respawn! That was definitely Asuna, there was no doubt about it. That means Kirito is in there, but for a reason he didn't know. There was one thing he knew, though - they were outmanned for sure.

He equipped his hood and left for the boss. I guess there's no waiting. There were no mobs to move against, this was better than normal. He picked up his speed, trying to get there the quickest he could. But bothering a man while he sleeps? I guess that's what you get for sleeping next to a cave...