Sword Art Online DLC

Chapter 8: What It Takes

A loud clang echoes throughout the open field as Jyenka and Acherons blades collide for the first time. Jyenka's arm shakes from the impact, meanwhile Acheron remains calm and collected, gripping his blade firmly.

"Your quite fast" Acheron said while smiling. "Your name is Jyenka correct? I'll be sure to have your grave named accordingly" Acheron said sadistically. Jyenka gritted his teeth and leapt back, creating some distance between the 2 of them.

"Sorry, but I won't be dying here." Jyenka exclaimed while staring down Acheron confidently. "I won't die, not until I've conquered this world and saved everyone." Acheron smiled sadistically.

"Ah, the delusional hero. My favourite!" Acheron's double-edged sword then lit up with a bright green glow and he lunged forward at Jyenka with incredible speed. Jyenka's eyes widened and he quickly threw his own double-edged sword out in front of him in a desperate attempt to block the attack. Another loud clang rang out across the field and Jyenka went sliding back. His body felt weak and he found himself panting, he then checked his HP bar. It had been cut in half. 1 strike, and Jyenka was already at half health.

"Do you realise now, Jyenka the hero?" Acheron said while slowly walking towards him, dragging one of the edges of his sword across the grass and dirt of the field.  "You stand no chance, so I'll return to my previous offer." Acheron points one of his blades at Jyenka. "Join us... Or die..." Jyenka thought for a second and then raised his left hand. 

"Hold on." Jyenka said as he quickly opened his inventory. Acheron gave him a puzzled look before Jyenka quickly took something from his inventory and threw it at Acheron. "You hungry?" Jyenka asked as an apple landed in front of Acheron. Acheron stared at it with a confused look.

"What are you playing at-?" Acheron was cut off by the apple suddenly exploding, it was one of Silvia's bomb apples. The explosion didn't do very much damage to Acheron but it did catch him off guard. "Where the hell did he go?" Acheron thought but suddenly Jyenka appeared behind him, ready to strike. Jyenka had used the distraction of the explosion and a sword skill he'd picked up from Shoko, a skill for stealth takedowns, to sneak up on Acheron. Jyenka swung his blade at Acheron, landing a clean strike across his back. Acheron stumbled and Jyenka bounced back, creating some distance between them so he can observe the damage. A red streak spread across Acheron's back and his HP bar had dropped about a quarter. Acheron straightened himself up and a wicked smile spread across his face. "That wasn't bad, Jyenka." He turned around to face him. His eyes staring at him now, seemingly crazed through bloodlust and a dark obsession with battle. "I'll have you know, I've never actually staggered while fighting an opponent before." Jyenka then froze up with realisation.

"How many people have you fought?" He asked with a concerned tone. 

"15 players, some of them were members of the assault team" Acheron replied.

"Did you kill them?" Jyenka asked, his voice sounding shaky. Acheron chuckled before replying.

"Yes Jyenka, I killed them." Jyenka felt his stomach sink and his grip on his double-edged sword tightened.

"Why... Those were real people... so why? Why would you kill them!?" Jyenka shouted. Acheron's smile faded and he replied in a more relaxed tone.

"Why do I kill? You know, I don't kill people just for the fun of it." Jyenka relaxed slightly as well.

"Then, why?" Jyenka calmly replied. Acheron began to pace around Jyenka.

"Tell me hero, why do you fight?" 

"So I can save everyone and free them from this death trap." Jyenka replied. Acheron stopped pacing.

"There it is, that word." Acheron said coldly.