The Heroes of Olympus: The Black Swordsman

Kirito

I looked around for any means of escape. But all openings were covered by drakaina or Telekhines. There were even a few yokai mixed in to the group. I could see a few Kappas and some strange little men who looked like they had heads of wheat for actual heads. Floating around the area were floating purple balls of flame that looked like they had faces flickering in the fire.

Echidna laughed. "My, my. Who thought we would get to devour halfbloods and mortals before we even made it to New York. And not only that, but it seems that the Councilor program Yui was brought out of the virtual realm! Well that is convenient, it means the plan for reviving lord Kronos is going well."

Darren looked bewildered. "Wh-what? Did she say revival of Kronos?!"

"I get it now!" I growled. "That thing that brought Yui into the real world....you plan on using it to bring Kronos back don't you? Because his consciousness is trapped in the Aincrad of the old Cardinal System!!"

"Very good." Echidna said. "But you think too small boy. If we were only to bring back Kronos's mere consciousness, we would not have a suitable vessel for him to inhabit, but if we brought back his virtual vessel as well........."

I felt a sudden chill go up my spine that was way more uncomfortable then when we encountered the Yuki-onna.

"That's right." Said Echidna as she saw the dawning look on my face. "We are going to bring to life all of Aincrad!! With that flying fortress of monsters and traps, Lord Kronos will be more powerful then ever!!!"

"You guys are crazy!" Darren exclaimed. "I get that having an entire game world as your body sounds pretty cool, but what is he going to do once he's here? Float around?"

"Oh don't you worry." Echidna said, her reptilian eyes glinting. "Kayabe made certain designs to the original virtual specs that will allow Lord Kronos to do quite some damage on your pathetic mortal world."

So Kayabe Akihiko, the creator of Sword Art Online, had been in on it too. That figured. I raised Elucidator in my right hand as I held the shivering Yui in my left.

"Let us go." I said. "And I won't need to gut you like a fish."

All the monsters started laughing, the chihuahua let out a series of furious barks.

"You may kill some of us human." Said a Kappa. "Even Yokai are susceptible to Stygian iron. But we outnumber you 100 to 1."

The bull man let out a furious snort.

"Hmmm?" Said Echidna. "It seems our dear Minotaur wants to kill the mortal himself for his insolence. Well why not son? This should make for some glorious entertainment!"

I looked at the Minotaur apprehensively. That giant furry horned head and super muscular torso looked formidable alright.

"Dude......" Darren whispered. "I think I have a plan, but I'm going to need time to concentrate. Think you can use that stupid cow to buy us some time?"

I set Yui down and leaned her against a support beam. "Yeah, I can."

The Minotaur lumbered forward. He wore a Greek chest plate and actual Fruit of the Loom brand underwear. From his back, the Minotaur brought out a ginormous axe. Looking at the Minotaur I was reminded vaguely of a demon boss from Sword Art Online, that demon had been bigger, but back then I had increased physical abilities thanks to the game's level up system. Here, I had nothing but skill and a sword.

The Minotaur gave a loud moo, lowered his head and charged. The cow was pretty fast, but I was able to jump out of the way at the last second. Apparently, the cow had only forward for his mode of running, because he kept charging forward a couple of meters before stopping and turning around. I ran at the bull man as he charged at me again. But at the last second, I slid forward like a baseball player making home base. As I slid in between the brute's legs, I slashed out at the Minotaur's calf creating a deep cut in the tough hide. I got up and turned around to find that the Minotaur was now limping. The cheers of the monsters watching dampened a little.