SAO FB: Scars

Do Or Die

———Cross Edge———
"So you managed to defeat it?" the figure cackled. "What a miracle for you am I right? You didn't even have to kill her for it."

Kato grabbed his sword and returned it to its sheath. His health slowly teetering from yellow to orange. As he stepped forwards, he felt fear filling his mind and heart. Kato hesitantly held onto his pistol and watched the figure step out into the light. It was "PoH" all right, but something felt different to Kato. A black and purple aura surrounded "PoH" as he approached Kato with his cleaver to the side.

"I'll cut you a deal," offered "PoH". "Surrender now and I'll guarantee that no one else will get hurt."

"Why would I trust a person who sits on a throne of lies?" Kato answered.

Kato raised his pistol and aimed at "PoH". The world seemed to be still as the two stare each other down. Kirito and Layla stepped behind Kato and placed a hand on his shoulders. Kato exchanged nods with the two of them before returning his gaze to "PoH".

"You'll never be a hero," he stated.

"No one said I had to," Kato answered.

The figure clenched its teeth and took out their weapon. Kirito noticed the blade and stepped back. Layla looked at him with a concerned look.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I just..." Kirito whispered while holding his head. "I'm getting it under control."

"Familiar Black Swordsman?" The figure cackled. "I know it was a weapon of fear during its heyday. Now I shall use it to incite fear in this world."

The figure charged the trio. Kato noticed a glint in the air in front of him. He pushed Kirito and Layla out of the way and leaned back. Three paralyzing picks flew over their bodies and landed on the marble. Kato aimed his pistol at "PoH" and fired three bullets. "PoH" effortlessly blocked all of the bullets. When he lowered the cleaver, he saw Kirito in front of him with his sword slashing his torso. A red mark tarnished the olive drab poncho. As "PoH" stepped back, the poncho shattered into crystals. Rage surged through him as he threw the cleaver into the ground. The black and purple aura surrounding "PoH" became stronger. Kirito leaped back and rejoined Kato and Layla. "PoH" released a loud screech that lowered everyone's status levels by a considerable margin. His body transformed into a demon-like human. His hair became disorganized and his body became bulkier.

"All right," Kato remarked. "That was not in the cards. Any bright ideas to take him down?"

"We'll do it like you always say," Layla stated. "Together."

Kato grabbed the sword from his back and holstered his pistol. Layla stepped to the front of the trio and raised her great sword. Kirito lined up behind her and Kato made up the tail. "PoH" picked up his cleaver from the ground and started to charge the trio. Kato tapped Kirito on the shoulder to signal that he's set. Kirito signaled Layla that he was set.

"Go! Go!" Layla shouted.

The trio blitzed forward to meet their challenger. Layla jumped at "PoH" and locked blades with him. She shouted for someone and Kirito flanked her opponent and activated vorpal strike. "PoH" disengaged to block the vorpal strike. Kirito's strike scratched his health. "PoH" reached into the ground and the earth shook. Cracks started to form inside of the earth.

"Watch the blindside!" Kato shouted.                                                                        

Rock golems appeared from the cracks in the earth. Kirito turned around and saw a rock approaching his direction. He faced the rock and activated another sword skill. "PoH" saw the moment of opportunity and started to charge Kirito.