Complicated

15

<Asuna's PoV>

We had just finished our classes at the seaside school which Kirito missed as he was still exhausted from something Sortiliena senpai did. But I guess he didn't need any classes considering he's the strongest in our school and one shot our previous holder. But I needed him awake for tonight's trust test. The pair have to collect 5 stamps that are scattered across a forest that is filled with creatures and has a history of a missing girl. Who was later murdered and people say they see a figure at night around 11:00pm.

I went back to my room and saw Kirito putting on his black jacket. He had his sword on the back and he had worn his gloves and shoes. "Are you feeling better?" I ask grabbing his hand.

"Yes. And I'm heading out now." He says looking into my eyes. I couldn't read the expression. I guess it was troubled. "Wait!" I say and he stops. "Asuna I'll be here for tonight don't worry. I'm only going out for lunch. I'll be back in an hour" He says and pats my head.

I'll trust him on that. I then head to have a shower and then I'll probably head out to see Yui and take her round this place.

<Kirito's PoV>

The seal Sortiliena had taken a huge toll on my body so I had no choice but to break it. I cannot keep this power contained. It's to strong. I then walked back to the hill on the south. Where Yuna was being held by those scientists. I walked back to the scene of the crime. The drug. Imperium. Is that what they were using to make those half breeds?

"Kazuto... I can smell that substance. It's all over the floor. Have a look" the devil spoke. My eyes began to glow red and I could see residue of the drug scattered all across the floor. I put my finger and scooped up a little. And sniffed it. It was very strong.

"That drug is what they use for half breeds." The devil says.

"How sure are you?" I ask.

"Taste it" He says.

"Why would I do that?" I reply.

"It will test my hypothesis. And if turns you. I can use my dark spells to nullify the seed and destroy it" He says.

"Fine then" I say. I look down at my finger and and gulp a little. I then toss it into my mouth and instantly begin to cough. It was vile. My throat was burning. My mouth and teeth began to hurt. It felt like something was growing. I then felt my teeth and saw that my canines had grown long. It was like an animal...

"It's a sabertooth..." the devil says. I then look at my claws and felt an itch. As an instinct I went to scratch it but the sharp nails dug into my waist and I screamed.

"This is gonna hurt" The devil says.

I then fall onto my knees as a sharper pain went around my whole body this time. Worse than anything I felt. I could feel my teeth shrink back to normality and my claws turn back into nails that of a human. The pain then stopped but it took energy and I lay there on the ground.

"Never again" I say exhausted.

I then stand up and dust off the dirt on my clothes. "Aren't sabertooths extinct?" I ask.

"Clearly not, they've found a species somewhere. And definitely not in the dark territory. Animals never survive there. So there must be another source from somewhere else" The devil says.

"Will we be able to get orcs and goblins on our side?" I ask.

"Yes you can. Since I was the ruler of that hell they are obliged to listen to you as you are the one I guess that's killed me." the devil says.

"But of course they do not know of my death. So when the time comes we will have to infiltrate the dark palace and prove you are the rightful heir to the devils lair." He adds.

"How dangerous will it be?" I ask.

"Very dangerous. There is evil there that does not sleep. There are 5 necromancers deep inside the dark territory. I do not have power over them. So they'll be the biggest test for you" He says. "Naturally  these humans will be against the idea of goblins and orcs and necromancers working with us. But that is something we'll have to ignore" He adds.

"But how can we change that" I ask.

"We can't. I've always avoided destruction on humanity. My soldiers were trained for the enemy alone. Not one of my goblins or orcs spilt the blood of an innocent. It was them rats that killed our families" The devil rages and I could feel my heart burn a little in his anger.

"See Kazuto. I threw away my humanity for revenge and so have you. So don't be afraid of murder and death. We can't call ourselves that anymore. Humans. But of course don't forget only the blood of an enemy shall be spilt" He says and breaks of the connection leaving me to my thoughts.

I then left the dungeon and headed back towards the hotel where everyone had gathered for tonight's activity. I spotted Asuna with Yui and her friends and headed over there.

"We can't call ourselves humans" that's all that was being said in my head. But I knew it was the truth. I looked at Asuna and Yui. The only two things that proved my humanity was those two and Suguha.

I shake away the sad thoughts and rejoin them. "Did I miss anything?" I ask Asuna.

"No, the trust test is in a hour so we can spend time together until then" Asuna says.

"Sounds great... hey Yui want to get some ice cream?" I say and pick her up.

"YES please!" She smiles.

I smile. As long as she doesn't lose to her inner demons, I can die happily.