Railgun Online, Book 6: Alicization Invading

Courage

(Important Fact: Chamenin refuses to use his camouflage ability on those he considers worthy foes.) 

Silence filled the night sky as Kirito rode atop the black dragon.. he could feel the air become more tense as Kiri crossed the border between the Dark Territory and the Human Empire.

He didn't know what was about to happen.. but, he knew that there was a great possibility that the Viros needed Mikoto's Fluctlight to power that ancient weapon they kept mentioning, which meant Chamenin was probably going against the orders of his superiors, keeping Mikoto that long without handing her over to his masters.

He needed to get to Chamenin and resolve this before the masters found out, and came to retrieve Mikoto themselves.

"Land here.." Nox whispered, from where she sat behind Kirito. "And be careful.."

Kiri slowed down and swept beneath the clouds, gliding serenely, not making a sound.. Kirito thought he could feel her sadness.. her fear for her friend..

"It's okay.." Kirito patted the dragon's black scales. "We can do this."

They were going to what appeared a lush grove of ancient trees, in the center of which was a clearing... and standing in the clearing, was Chamenin,

As Kirito dismounted Kiri, Chamenin chuckled. "I was actually starting to doubt you would honor our agreement.. the Gore Magala stays out of the fight, or the girl dies.."

"RRRROOOOAAAARRRR!!!" Kiri roared in fury, her horns extending in her rage.

"Easy." said Kirito. "Where's Mikoto?"

"She's around.." said Chamenin, snapping his claws.. "Does this reassure you?"

The leaves to the trees behind Chamenin parted to reveal. Mikoto who was hanging by chains from her wrists, still unconscious.

"Feel reassured Old Rival?" said Chamenin.

"Hardly." said Kirito as he drew the Master Sword.

"Black was always your color Old Rival."  said Chamenin, eying Kirito. "Though, personally I feel when the humans created that strange knock off game, they really ruined the image with the green."

"Riiight." said Kirito.

"You still doubt me on the subject of the Hero and the Princess?" Chamenin asked.

"You told me that people unknowingly based a famous video game franchise off of me and Mikoto constantly reincarnating on different planets. You try being me and then believing that." said Kirito. "Most of my time spent in fantastical realms has been spent in worlds that weren't even real, just illusions comprised of computerized data.. the only proof I possibly have is the existence of the Viros. You do the math."

"Hmmm understandable." said Chamenin. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're here to rescue the Railgun.. and of course, as is the case with every Reincarnation, you have all received titles similar to that of your originals..  You, the Black Swordsman, Mikoto Misaka, the Electric Princess.."

"Also the Blurred Blade, the Fastest Player in Aincrad, the 3rd strongest Esper, and the Strongest Electromaster." Kirito said. "She's no damsel in distress."

"And neither was the real Hylia." said Chamenin. "Quite contrary to the human game personification, this so called Princess Zelda, Hylia was a great warrior, a powerful youth with an iron clad will. However, she had many enemies, and therefore needed a great hero to guard her... you musn't think that just because we Viros have influenced games to be based off of real events, that these events are exactly correct to a T...  In fact.. the Legend of Zelda game which we influenced you humans to make, only follows the story with 30 percent accuracy. Ocarina of Time was the last accurate game.. after that, you humans continued the franchise with your own creativity, creating your own stories based off your own mythos.. Twilight Princess was a completely human idea.. Skyward Sword only used the names, and not the story. Majora's Mask was complete fiction, and.. hrr... Hyrule Warriors ... ugghh.."