Sword Art Online - The Knight's Requiem

4~Clues to Espionage~

Floor 25
Guild personal quarters
5:00pm
11th of January

Balanced on Daisuke's shoulder, Atsuto was dragged through the guild's hallways to his personal chambers. His nose throbbed constantly where he had been punched and he knew it was bleeding. He tried to insist he was fine and that he was just punched once, but Daisuke was in such a blind fury he wouldn't listen. He brought Atsuto into his room and set him down on the bed. Daisuke, sighed a heavy sigh and cursed under his breath. "That was my own damn guard. Thought I could trust them." Atsuto asked "Do you know who that guy was? Being captain of the guards you should know right?" Daisuke slowly shook his head and replied "No. Guard who was supposed to be there said that the guy asked him personally for the position, claiming he wanted to impress me."
"So anyone in a guard outfit could be a candidate? Might not even be our own?"
"Yeah." The silence hung between them for a while, permeating the air. Suddenly, the door burst open, slamming against the wall as a red-faced and fuming Aika shouted "I LEFT YOU FOR TWENTY MINUTES ATSUTO!" Atsuto shuddered, the sudden outburst surpising him. Sheepishly he said "Oh! Hi Aika uhm... how are you?" Ignoring him, she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and shouted again "What is the problem with you and attracting trouble?!" Daisuke placed his hand on her shoulder and said "Aika! Calm down, we've got bigger problems right now." They explained the situation to her, about the interrogation and the rogue guard. She listened then wearily sighed "First the ambush, now this? This is a huge problem..." Daisuke nodded and agreed "Indeed. So what? We've got no evidence, besides the words of a dead man. How do we know if that was the only one? What's their goal in attacking us?" Atsuto lay down on the bed, putting his hands behind his head and relaxing, replying "I dunno. Lots of questions. No answers. Only thing to do now is look for somewhere to start. A clue maybe?" A knock on the door turned their attention to one of Aika's personal guards who was poking his head in. In a gruff voice he said "Miss Aika? A woman wants to see you. Says it's important." She waved her hand saying "Let her in." A woman, with dark skin with noticable muscles and defined featured walked in. She looked at Atsuto and smiled, her blue eyes shining at him. Daisuke grunted and said "Ah, of course they'd let you in! Aika, Atsuto, this is one of my best guards, Kuniko." Atsuto sat up in the bed and introduced himself "Hello, I'm-"
"Atsuto, I know. You've become quite the legend around the guards. Not many people are as skilled as general Daisuke to survive that attack!" She smiled once more. Daisuke gave a hearty laugh and said "Don't think she's all charm, behind that smile is a capable fighter. You two should duel sometime."
"ANYWAY" stressed Aika "What are you here for... Kuniko, is it?"
"Yes miss, I heard what had happened to General Atsuto and took it upon myself to search the area. While there I found these." She reached into her pocket and produced a thin sheet of parchment, and a dagger. She handed them to Aika and she read the parchment aloud, saying "It says- 'The password is The Iron Maiden. Floor 19'. Hm. That's vague." Daisuke asked "What about the dagger?" Kuniko said "Well I took it down to the smiths and they said it was made of a rare metal, that only could be crafted within five minutes before disappearing"
"So it could only be made near it's spawn location" concurred Atsuto
"Exactly. I asked them if this metal could be procured in Floor 19 and, lucky us, there is exactly one spawn location on the floor." She opened up a map and marked a circle on it "Here."
"That's an area we haven't explored, there are some high level enemies there." Said Aika
"If you didn't want to be found, wouldn't you hide where nobody wanted to look?" Replied Kuniko
"Kuniko, anazing work as always!" Bellowed Daisuke, a grin on his face "Go get a drink on my tab, you've earned it!"
"Sir! If you would allow me, I want to be a part of the investigation I-"
"No, Kuniko, in this situation, I want someone I trust looking after the guild."
"But I-"
"That is an order." A frown spread across her face as she said "Very well. I hope I was of use. Bye." She turned and walked away. Atsuto, who was idly listening to the situation said "So this is what I say we do. If this is a way to contact them, I think a small group would be the best. Don't think a marching band of armoured soldiers knocking at their door would promote a friendly discussion." Aika blinked and said "That... was a very grown up assessment. I'm surprised."
"I have my moments." His stomach audibly growled, he hadn't realised how hungry he was due to all the commotion "Uhm... anyone fancy dinner?" Aika smirked and replied "Of course it wouldn't last. Maybe we could eat together, then arrange you and Daisuke to go to Floor 19."
"So what we've got no choice? Talk about a tough boss." Joked Atsuto. She laughed and said "You know you want to in anyway."
"Not wrong." He smirked "May as well enjoy this dinner while we can have it, huh Dai buddy?" He grunted "Fair enough. Let's go."

The next day, Daisuke and Atsuto were outside the guild in the sun. Atsuto was wearing his traditional black armour and Daisuke had a set of full plate armour custom made for the occasion which he was wearing apart from the helmet. A greataxe was hanging from his back and Atsuto had a simle broadsword sheathed at his side. They were preparing to set off before they heard Aika shouting. They turned to her and she was running towards them in her travelling gear, a simple cloth outfit with some light leather armour and her rapier by her side. Once she arrived she said in a huffing voice "I'm coming... with you guys!"
"What? Who'll look after the guild while we're gone?" Asked Atsuto. She replied "I've gotten the other captains to cover in my absence. I promised," she looked at Atsuto "no more leaving you guys behind"
"Are you sure about this, Aika? Could be dangerous." Cautiously asked Daisuke. She smiled and said "I've been surrounded by paperwork for weeks. I need this." They all chuckled at that and they all walked along the gravel path together, setting towards Floor 19 together.

Author's notes

Hi! Me again!

So I know, it was a short chapter but I wanted to establish what happened after the last encounter before the next part of the story.

The Floor 19 part I guess will be it's own kind of arc, I hope to have the search to take a good few chapters up. Though these details would be out of place there, so I wanted this to stay away and have the next chapter be the start of their journey

Again if you have any thoughts, comment down below and I hope to see you again soon. Bye!