The Rogue Reaper (Sword Art Online)

Part 18: Before the Storm

Kathrall stood against the starry night sky before a legion of white cloaks, looking over them with his hands behind his back atop the fort's wall. The soldiers of the People's Army stood at attention in ordered ranks, expressions solemn as they waited in silence. Behind the rows of white-clad knights, the hired mercenaries also waited respectfully, though in a slightly more disarrayed group. Noct, Akari, Zephyr, and Mortem stood among them.

The Army captain spoke, projecting his deep voice across the courtyard. "Soldiers and friends of the People's Army, tonight we face the greatest battle we've ever seen. As I speak, the outlaw guild, the Blood Marauders, lie in hiding just outside these walls. They are many. They are remorseless. They will cut you down and laugh over your corpse without a second thought. You all already know. They are thieves, bandits, and murderers... the scourge of Aincrad."

Kathrall began to pace back and forth on the wall. "This time, they don't want Col. They don't want the rare gear that the caravan we're sheltering has. This time, they want us dead." He stopped and faced his guild. He stood tall as he looked down at the soldiers, who were all trying their best to control their nerves and remain as still as possible.

"I'll say it again," Kathrall said, as loud and as clear as he did before. "The mission of those hundreds of killers out there is to eliminate every member of the People's Army and wipe our guild from the game. With us gone, it won't be long until they have free reign to do whatever they want. The safety and order we've worked so hard to maintain will be nothing but a distant memory."

"Some of you have fought the Reds before. For some others, this may be your first real PvP battle. There will be death tonight. If you want to leave, do so now. I can't stop you for fearing for your life, but remember: Although we may be trapped here, this world is our home, and our fellow players have always trusted us to keep it safe for them! Show them their trust in us is well placed! After all, the Reds are the ones who should be scared when we are the greatest guild in the history of this game! We are the People's Army! Fight for our home, for our fellow players, and for all our comrades who have already been stolen from us by these monsters!"

"When we are finally free from this hell of a game, let them tell stories about us, about the white cloaked knights who laid their lives on the line to stand against the Reds. Let them remember us..."

A pillar of white light appeared around Kathrall's hand and he thrust his azure lance above his head.

"...As heroes!"

Every soldier in the courtyard below raised their blades in reply and gave a deafening roar in unison.

"For Aincrad!" Someone yelled over the crowd, and several more voices joined in for the echoing cry.

"For Aincrad!"

At the back of the crowd, Akari joined in raising her weapon and cheered with the soldiers. Noct's arm wanted to throw a fist into the air as well on some involuntary urge. He kept his arm down, but allowed a small smirk to form at the corner of his mouth.

"We can't lose now after a speech like that!" Akari did a double fist-pump. She couldn't seem to sit still. "Let's do our best too, guys."

"I'll admit, Kathrall is good at inspiring his zerg of fools," Mortem said wearily, shaking his head. "From the way he said it, they think we're going to war for the motherland instead of holing up in this fort like we actually are."

"Would you rather lead the charge right into the enemy's hands?" Zephyr asked dryly.

Mortem laughed. "Hah! Of course not. It's the pawns' job to march in first to whatever trap they have planned, not the king's. Call me when the action starts. I need a break from being around you... people." With that he strode off with his nose in the air.