Alicization Twisted

Chapter 3

<Kirito's POV>

Asuna took me to several different stores in a quite busy market. Well after all many people wanted stuff for tonight's celebration. To be honest I have lost my appetite of celebrating due to my issues elsewhere regarding my sister. But Asuna, Eugeo and Alice gave me a reason to smile these days. However I knew I can't be enjoying myself to much while my sister suffers because of me. A thought then occurred to me. How long was I asleep for in those woods in the south? I didn't know. I never thought about it and now there was another thing that was bugging me. Maybe it links Asuna? She's in my memory but I don't know to what though.

I could feel my wound sting a little and I held my arm instinctively. I looked around and saw Asuna talking to the shop keeper. So I turned around and saw a hooded man looking towards me. He stood at the end of the small street. He was gazing in my direction. But once he realised I was looking he hastily walked off. This certainly got me interested and I chased after in his direction leaving Asuna on her own. I started to run now down an empty alley way which certainly caught me off guard. But then I realised that the alley way led to darkness and I saw the same figure in front of me. This time I saw his smile.

I drew my sword and activated the sword skill <<Sonic Leap>> causing my sword to go green. The man disappeared into the abyss and I began to run until someone tugged me back. I dropped my sword and fell to the ground and clutched my backside. I turned around to see Eugeo standing before me. "Are you insane!? Why would you ever think about heading down that road?" He said pointing in the direction I was about to go. He then extended an arm to help me stand which I gladly accepted. "What do you mean? What is this path?" I asked dusting the clothes Asuna kindly bought for me.

"Seriously, surely even the most child should know?" Eugeo said but I merely shook my head. I looked at him hoping he would answer. He sighed and then looked towards the path with his fists clenched. "This path is the Morgül path. In sacred tongue whereas we now call it the Path of the Dead. Leads into the absolute darkness of hell. The dark territory." Eugeo said. This gave me a headache, after hearing the Morgül path. It sounded very familiar. I clutched my head and closed my eyes.

"Are you okay? Kirito" I heard him ask and I nodded and took deep breathes before looking at him. "Yeah just have a headache, that's all. Anyway has anyone ever gone down it before?" I asked now looking down the path. "Yes... it was Asuna" he said and this caught me off guard. "Asuna!? But how she's so sweet and innocent!" I said in complete disbelief. "I know! She wouldn't hurt a fly. But she was kidnapped by a Ugachi the lead Goblin last year. However she was saved according to her, by a boy that she didn't know off. But she says he disappeared and hasn't seen him since. But we owe that boy a huge debt as we don't know what would have happened to Asuna" Eugeo said.

After hearing the name of the goblin my head was now pounding more and more. I have fought that goblin king but he's always managed to get the better of me. But something about Asuna and goblin made me recall memories. But I couldn't grasp it. I fell onto my knees holding my head in pain. Eugeo held my shoulders. "I think we should head back. You need to rest. This place is cursed so we shouldn't linger to long before something worse happens" Eugeo said and he helped my walk back to the main market place. Eugeo was my support and people were confused by the sight but luckily Eugeo made up a lie to avoid any further attention.

Well of course that was short lived when we came across Asuna and Alice who looked cross. "Well good luck" Eugeo whispers to me before setting me down on a chair in the church. I look towards the two girls but my head still hurts but I managed. "Kirito you should have informed me you would leave! I was so worried that something bad happened!" Asuna said and to my surprise she hugged me. "Seriously Kirito I know you may not be a part of this village but we care for you so please inform us before you leave in a sudden... but you look terrible and pale" Alice examining my face.

Asuna then pulled out the hug and stared at me and also had the same reaction as Alice. "She's right! What happened and where did you go?" Asuna demanded but I scratched the back of my head in slight nervousness. "well um..." I really didn't want to reveal where I had been in case it brought back bad memories of Asuna being kidnapped. "I found him down the Morgül path with his sword drawn so I assume he was about to take the path" Eugeo said and I stared at him angrily for selling me out like that.

"Eugeo!" I shouted.

"I'm sorry but there really is no point keeping it a secret. After all they have more experience with the path than me so they can be more help!" He said to which I mentally sighed. I guess he wasn't wrong but he wasn't right either. "Really is that true Kirito?" Alice now demanded. "Well no. I had my sword drawn but I wasn't planning to go down the path it was more like I was being forced" I said and now my head began to hurt once more and I held it.

"Ok I'll fetch water, lay him down. He needs some sleep. The death curse has touched him but it has not been cast so I can get rid of it." Alice said and walked off quickly. Asuna lay me down on the bench. And placed my head on her lap. "I have to go back for the preparations, Kirito please rest" Eugeo says and walks off. I am truly amazed at how caring these three are. It is something I have never experienced. "Hey Kirito you weren't planning to go down there right?" Asuna said in a concerned voice. "No of course not... it was like I was being forced I didn't do it from my own will" I say trying to keep the chase low. "Ok... but I've been there and it is a nasty place but thankfully I was saved by a boy a year ago. But I never saw him again and I was hurt because I wanted to thank him" Asuna said, this all felt a bit nostalgic for me. Because I do remember saving someone a year ago but I don't where and who.

"Right... hopefully you meet him one day" Was the only thing I could respond with. Alice then came back with a cloth and placed it on my head and gave me some kind of syrup which I assumed was medicine. I was surprised there was no sacred arts for headaches but whatever. I took the medicine and instantly felt better but the two girls advised me to rest. "Don't do anything and when the party is on do not drink or eat too much. Keep yourself limited" Alice says and takes her leave.

"Kirito you can sleep on my lap until then, I did say I will spend the whole day looking after you" Asuna said but I felt guilty that she was missing out. "But won't you miss out on preparations and to hang out with your friends from town?" I say looking at her but she began to play with my hair. "It's fine Kirito if I'm with you I know I'll be just fine!" She replies causing me to blush. "As you wish madam" I say before closing my eyes.