Sword Art Online- From a Solo Player to a Survivor

Chapter 11: The Blue Spirit's Awakening

(January 4th, 2024. Floor 62: Blazing Dunes, Western Section)

(Martin's POV)

I walked under the heat of the sun, still in search of Kira. Still no signs of him and it's getting really hot. All of a sudden, I began to feel an eerie presence. I gazed around cautiously, having a hand on the handle of my sword on my back. Then I felt something rushing towards me.

BAM!

I barely blocked a direct attack from a man with a dagger aimed at my chest with my sword. Thank god my agility stat was high enough to block it in time. "Who are you?!" I demanded, pushing the man back. This man wore black leather clothing with a black hood. He was about the same height as me.

"So you are the Fireborn, Martin.." The man said, stepping back as I pushed him. "I am Kira. That assassin you Sunbreakers are after. You're someone interesting. I will test you, so be sure to not hold back." He said, dashing towards me.

His sudden dash caught me off guard as I barely blocked a horizontal slash from him. He then, attempted a vertical slash. I managed to counter by pushing his dagger to the side with mine and attempting to swipe at him. However, he jumped over me and kicked me from behind. "A-Ack!" I shouted, flying forwards and preventing myself from falling. I then, turned around. "I won't lose to you!! Astral Nova!" I shouted a sword skill, dashing towards him with incredible speed and unleashing a 6-hit combo. But, he blocked all of the hits except the last one.

Kira flew back and began to stretch a bit from the slash I landed on his left shoulder. "You're more than I thought...they don't call you the Fireborn for nothing I guess.." He said, taking out a teleportation crystal. "Hey!! Stop!!" I shouted, trying to chase after him but he already vanished. "Dang it...I could've had him..I got no other choice but to keep moving forward to the edge of the desert.." I muttered to myself, continuing to walk through the desert.

(Location: Blazing Dunes: Central-Northern section)

(Claire's POV)

I can't wait to finish Kira. After so many months of hunting him down, the excitement of seeing him shatter apart wells up inside me. I began to get an eerie feeling. I know this feeling 100% well. "Kira! Come out! I know you're here!" I shouted, taking out my Blaze Lance.

Kira appeared in front of me, giving off a murderous aura. "So it seems you detected my presence..your detection skill is quite high.." He coldly tells me. "I'll avenge all of my fallen comrades!! Prepare for battle!!" I shouted, getting ready to attack. "Holding onto the past will get you killed Claire..after all, the strong will always prevail over the weak and that is what happened with me and your comrades...didn't it?"

From his statement, anger began to boil in me. I want to kill him so badly. "Grrr...damn you!!" I shouted, charging at him with my lance. However, Kira easily dodges my attack, dashing behind me. He attempts to slash my back with his dagger, but I managed to move my lance behind me and block the attack.

Kira then, dashes back, preparing to slash at me again. "You hold onto these burdens..they will cause you to be weak...but don't worry, I'll make sure you join them in the afterlife soon enough...just not now.." Kira said, taking out a teleportation crystal and vanishing. "Kira!! Come back and fight me you coward!!" I shouted angrily, but obviously he was already gone. I just wanted to release my anger.

I gazed around, then sighed. His presence is gone so for sure he is gone. "There are bound to be traps Kira has set in place for us...I hope Colt and Martin will be alright.." I tell myself as I continued down my path.

(Location: Blazing Dunes, Eastern Section)

(Colt's POV)