Glimmering of Sword and Shield (Rising of the shield hero X Sword art online)

CHAPTER 25 : THE TIES THAT BINDS

The result of an intense battle between the legendary black swordsman and the ashen chevalier  had created a massive tremor on the upper floor of the castle which make Asuna and the others are immediately notice it as soon as they manage to nearly reach the door to the Angelo's chamber 

" Mama, its papa i can sense it, he is close by, this way " Yui desperately dashing straight ahead as she able to sense Kirito's presence

Asuna gasped as Yui's hand slipped out of hers " Yui-chan wait ! " she quickly reacted as she chase down her daughter running off to the staircase seems to be leading towards the source of the tremor

" Asuna wait ! " Yuuki immediately dashing chasing after her friend while the others followed behind her

" Asuna-san ! " Leafa shout out to her friend while also dashing off towards the runaway Asuna and Yui

Yui aimlessly dashing off guided by her senses as she detected her father's presence. After the long way dash all the way to the top floor, a massive door finally stood tall separating her and her daddy

At first, she just stood idly by as she watch the door before her top to bottom, but her minds finally made up as she sense a strong presence of Kirito right behind this door, she put both of her hands on the door as the door slightly open revealing a bit what's exactly inside of it

Asuna on the other hand finally manage to have Yui on sight standing before a giant-royal door " Yui-chan...hah...hah...wait " exhausted as the cause of dashing furiously for chase after Yui, she continued her step approaching Yui from behind

Yui turn her attention towards Asuna and the others " Mama, everyone, papa is in here, hurry..." 

The others are still followed Asuna which slightly approaching the curious Yui. Everyone on Asuna's side as curious as Yui, so in case of satisfied their curiousity, they slightly opened the door with a bright light greeted them as they all walk head in

What horrible view greeted them beside the bright light they just encountered, a bloodied floor stain the surroundings remnants of the aftermath of Kirito's battle as his unconscious body in the middle of it along with Sho 

Everyone gasped as they watch an unconscious Kirito flat lying on the ground. As fast as lightning, Yui dash immediately charging towards Kirito's body " Papa ! "

An almost warm reunion would come to happen as if not from the disturbance of their enemies, a sudden lightning bolt strucked ahead of Yui's feet as it stopped her from taking another step, she aimlessly scanning all around her only to find nothing 

" Lovely girl "

A sudden voice could be heard by everyone as a black robe figure landed before Yui's eyes and the other one landed besides Kirito

A sight of terror could be shown by Asuna as she stared into her daughter " Yui-cha- " before she could react to her, Yui's arm being pulled and grasped tightly as a sword being put close into Yui's neck as if he threatened Asuna and the others if they take another step

" Vassago, no need to be harsh on little girl " the other robe figure beside Kirito snaps to the guy who put a sword into Yui's neck 

As soon as she heard what's he called his friend, Asuna gasped in shock as she couldn't believe what she just heard, a name who should've never existed as Kirito finish sword art online game, a name she fought before who put her life on the line, a ghost from her past 

" Va-Vassago ?? La-Laughing coffins ?? " Asuna stuttered as she look to the both of the guys in fear

A sudden smirk drawn on the guy who held Yui hostage as he slightly opened his hood revealing the face of the leader of Laughing coffins gazing towards Asuna and the others " Hello there, Asuna the lightning " 

Not a words come out of Asuna's mouth as she still in fear staring towards Vassago while holding Yui on his arm 

" Asuna, I'm certain this guy had made something terrible on your past right, I could see it in your eyes " Yuuki glaring towards Vassago as she draws her sword " but, you remember what i said Asuna? sometimes you must fight for what you desired and facing all of the obstacles so that your hearts feels lighted. The Asuna i know is not the girl who could easily broken by something which might led her to despair " 

" Yeah, Asuna-san you're better than that " Leafa supportedly stated as she put up her stance beside Asuna

Asuna turn her attention towards her friends, her expressions seems lighten as she gaze to Leafa and Yuuki " Thanks guys "

A determined look can be shown as she staring into Vassago's eyes as her will to protect her family comes to resolved

" Mama...." Yui stated as she feels relieved after seeing Asuna's look

A devilish smirk on Vassago's face appeared as he feels satisfied for his lust to be fulfilled " That's the look, the look i've been desired for so long for I take my personal vendetta towards you and that piece of shit lying over there " he referring to an unconscious Kirito  

" Leave Yui out of this, lets finish this without involving her " Asuna concerned yet brave determined shout to Vassago as she draw her rapier

" Ooh sorry mommy, but it seems this will torture you enough " Vassago tighten up his grip on his sword as he put his sword closer into Yui's neck " You ran out of luck...Asuna " the look on Vassago's face seems as he is about to scrape Yui's throat 

" YUI-CHANN..." Asuna scream at the top of her lungs as a terror once again shown in her eyes

" AIR STRIKE SHIELD "  

A sudden male voice echoed throughout the entire room as a green magic shield suddenly appeared out of nowhere between  Yui and Vassago separating both of them as Vassago bounce off of it shield backwards " uaakkkhhh "

" SECOND SHIELD " 

Another green magic shield appeared right between Kirito and the black figure near him separating both of them, as a rain of arrows flew pass through Asuna and charged towards the robe figure

The robe figure just dodged it easily to the side as the arrows fly pass through him. On the other hand, Vassago lying on the ground as he feels lightheaded as the impact of being hit by the magic shield

A male figure with a green cape appeared by the door of the chamber, a guy who always helped his friends whether they're in need or because its his duty, a hero who had been through a lot of harsh in his life, Iwatani Naofumi along with his companion accompanied by Sinon's group when they fight Kyouji back there, seems they already won the battle themselves and arrived on the scene in order to wrap things up and to pay the debt of Kirito's party had done to him all this time

Asuna just stood in awe of disbelief, not a word comes out of her mouth even her eyes began teary as she watch all of her friends safely arrived

Raphtalia greeted Asuna with a warm smile " seems we manage Asuna-san " she chuckled as she winked towards Asuna

Firo excitedly greeted Asuna and the other while lifted up both of her hands " Hey there everyone, Firo is safe "

" Sorry for the wait, Asuna-san " Sinon stated with a smile 

" Well he sure put up a great match back there, but still he is nothing " Lisbeth says as she put her mace on her shoulder

Silica : " You shouldn't say about that Lis-san "

Lisbeth rubbed the back of her head " ehehe sorry sorry..."

As they both watching this, Leafa and Yuuki smiled excitedly as if they feels a bit lighten for the battle outcome

As the robe figure stare frankly into Naofumi's companions, a smirk drawn on his face " hoo...this might be fascinating " 

Naofumi just death glaring towards the seems to be his opponents ahead of him while changing his chimera shield into rage shield " COME....."

TO BE CONTINUED