The Rogue Reaper (Sword Art Online)

Part 6: Trial by Combat

 The street filled completely with players. There were getting to be more people here than there actually were patrons of the inn as people left the shelter of the buildings and houses to see what could possibly be worth standing in the torrential rain for. The closely packed bodies formed a wide circle, and in the centre stood Noct, opposite Mortem and his five hired mercenaries. They appeared to be a mix of mainly leather armoured speed and balanced-types; Noct counted three swords and a battle axe amongst them. The last mercenary was a lance user wore full plate, complete with a helm with a face visor and a kite shield. Mortem stood behind them in the centre of their formation.

"I'd rather settle this with a more diplomatic approach," Mortem said. "In this world, we shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves like children in a schoolyard, don't you agree? Our lives are precious resources, but yet you insist on violence. Violence!" Mortem touched his forehead, obscuring the anguish on his face. Some who agreed were audible above the battering of rain on the stone ground.

"You pose as a vigilante, working to keep the players safe, but your true colours have been exposed. You run from the authorities, you won't come peacefully... How many others have you slain under the pretense of being a PKK? Dead men tell no tales, as they say," Mortem said.

Noct was about to retort when a young woman shoved her way through the crowd and into the circle's centre. Her two companions seemed to be having trouble keeping up with her; their efforts to slow and calm her down were ineffective.

Is that Zephyr and Kael?I thought I heard them in the inn earlier.

"Lashette, wait a second..." the taller one in blue – Zephyr – was saying.

"Hey! You can't just say whatever you want about people, you know!" the girl named Lashette shouted, ignoring him. "That's slander!" Her agitation was obvious from the way she stood.

"Miss, please stand out of the way. There will be a duel here soon," Mortem said. "We cannot have interference in this matter."

"What's your problem? Who the heck are you, anyway? What's he ever done to you?! Where's your proof?!" Lashette bombarded Mortem with accusations, but he didn't seem concerned in the slightest. His men looked at him expectantly, waiting for an order.

"Should we restrain her?" the swordsman to Mortem's left asked.

"Yes, if you would." Mortem said, unperturbed.

Noct tapped Lashette on the shoulder, and she spun around to face him. "Do I know you?" He studied her face for a few moments, but didn't recognize her. "I know you're in Mythic Knights, but..."

"Oh, I'm a friend of Akari's! She talks a lot about you, and I heard about you from my friends back there, too," Lashette explained, motioning behind her. "By the way, she's been looking for you. I sent her a message to let her know you're here."

"I... see. Alright." Noct nodded. "I'll handle this. Go back to your guildies."

"All of them?" Lashette glanced over to the opposing party. They did seem somewhat intimidating. "Are you sure? We can fight with you." She frowned, a little worried.

"I have to do this alone. It wouldn't work otherwise," Noct said, just as Zephyr and Kael finally caught up, emerging from within the huge crowd.

"I don't like it. Let's repay Noct for when he helped us!" Kael said, grabbing the hilt of his sword, ready to fight against the unfavourable odds. Even with the Mythic Knights members, Noct's side would still be outnumbered by two.

Zephyr stepped between Lashette and Kael, and gently but firmly pushed them by the shoulders back towards the sidelines. "He'll be fine; the duel system only allows for even fights. I'll collect bets and make a killing off you," he joked. "We'll still be watching, so they won't be able to try anything funny." He gave Noct a thumbs-up, then led his still-protesting friends away.