When Our Blades Cross (A Sword Art Online Story)

Illfang the Kolbold Lord

      "HRRRRAGH!" Gosen yelled, slashing through the floor one enemies. They had been stuck in the death game for about a month; about two thousand of the original ten thousand to log on had already died.
     
"Hey, Gosen, don't you think it's time to give it a break for today? You've been grinding all day now," A red-haired boy said, approaching Gosen.
     
The boy gave a sigh, "Yeah, you're right I suppose... thanks Jacob." Gosen ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I just lost track of time."
     
"Hey, no problem," Jacob said, grinning. "You're attending the floor meeting tomorrow, right? They just found the floor one boss I heard, and they're going to need all the help they can get."
     
Gosen gave a glance down, then looking up, "Yeah, I guess I will... brings us one small step closer to clearing the game, eh?" He says, "this floor is starting to get boring anyway..." He quietly adds.
   
  "Sweet! I'll be going too, so you won't be alone there."
   
  "Y-yeah?" The boy says, putting his sword back in its sheath. He glanced over his shoulder, the sun was already set, and the time read 9:17pm. "Well, I guess I'll see ya there, then, I'm going to head back to the inn."
     
"See ya, man. I'm gonna stay out a little longer." Jacob unsheathed his mace, "I'm gonna do some late night training."

      Gosen smirked, "Isn't that kind of ironic coming from the guy who told me I should take a break from it don't ya think?"
   
  "Yeah, well, I haven't been at it all day now have I?" Jacob says, charging up his sword skill and unleashing it, defeating a boar.
   
  "I suppose you're right. See ya, man," He says, beginning his trek down to the Town of Beginnings. On his way down he seen very few people still out and playing. Maybe it was just the fear of dying, or maybe everyone was just tired. The boy didn't know, nor did it matter to him why so few people were training.
     
Gosen arrived back in town and entered a wood shack that seemed bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. He was greeted by an NPC, "Hello sir, your nights have expired. Shall I add another three days?"
 
  "Yes," Gosen responded, looking over. He seen a few couples enjoying meals, and sighed. "They're so laid back... I guess I can't blame them, they should enjoy themselves in this so-called hell." Walking into the halls of the inn and finding his room, he flopped down on to the bed. "Boss meeting, huh? I should be more thrilled about this, shouldn't I? It brings us closer to clearing the game."
   
  He pondered it for about an hour, and somehow managed to fall asleep in the midst of his doubt.
     
      The sun peered into his room, glaring directly into his eyes, causing him to wince. So it's today, huh? I should get ready. Gosen swiped his finger down and equipped his armor and sword. I should head there now, though I may be a bit early.
   
  People had already began to crowd around the colisseum-like arena, of which Gosen could only assume was intended to be used as a gladiator ring. He noticed a black-haired boy in the crowd specifically because of his bored expression, compared to everyone else's obvious anxiety.
     
He sits down, resting his head on his hand. "Hey, Gosen!" He heard Jacob's voice and raised his head, searching for his friend who he saw waving. Jacob came over and sat next to Gosen, "Didn't expect you of all people to arrive early," he joked.
     
"Yeah, well, the sun wasn't nice to my sleep," Gosen responds, chuckling to himself. Their chat was cut short by a blue haired boy clearing his throat.
     
"My name is Diavel. As you all may know, we've been trapped in this game for a month. Considering this, two thousand people have already died. However, we have good news amongst all of this bad," the blue haired man said, "we have found the floor boss. That being said, we have this book designed by the beta testers--"
     
"Beta testers!?" Diavel was interrupted by a spiky-haired individual shouted in disgust. Gosen shot an annoyed glare in his direction.  Just let the man speak, damnit...
     
"Kibaou, what do you want?" Diavel said in a distressed tone.
     
"The beta testers are the reason two thousand people have died already. They knew how to help people but still took all the good hunting spots. They could have helped, but they didn't."
   
  "If I may interject," a man with a gruff voice spoke, rising and walking to the center, and holding his own book. "The beta testers designed this book. It contains not only tips for dealing with the bosses, but also basic tips for surviving in this world, including the monsters who give the most exp. Anyone could have gotten to them just by reading."
     
Diavel cleared his throat, "Thank you for explaining that much. Now, may I continue?"
    
"Tch... fine," Kibaou says, sitting down.
     
"Now, the book says the boss' name is 'Illfang the Kobold Lord'. When the fight begins, he will throw waves of disposable minions at you, and you should have some players to hold them off, and some to deal with the boss himself. When his health enters the red, his attack patterns will change and he'll switch to a Talwar. It is a recommendation that you party up and go in squads to have a battle plan."
    
"Party up...?" Gosen said in a nervous tone. Jacob elbowed him, grinning.
    
"C'mon, let's do this. We've never partied up before, and we're both skilled fighters. We could wreak havoc on the front lines!" Jacob says enthusiastically.
   
  I guess enthusiasm is contagious... Gosen grins, "Alright, you win. Let's do this." He accepts the party request.
   
  "That's all I have to say, we'll meet up around this time tomorrow and head to the boss room after reviewing the plan.

~~~

      The rest of the day flew by fast; Gosen went back into the fields to do some last minute grinding. As he lay in bed, he nodded to himself. "We finally get to move on to floor two... I wonder what it'll be like..."
    
He met up with Jacob in the morning. "Hey man, you ready?" The boy asked his friend.
    
Jacob nodded, his usual light-hearted personality was nonexistent. "As ready as I'll ever be," he said, extending his hand for a fist bump. "Don't you dare die."
     
Gosen bumped his fist, "Of course."
     
It's finally time. I've gotta be at my very best. Gosen and Jacob were to deal with some of the bosses minions, helping to keep them off of the main force. The battle went on for what seemed to be an eternity before the bosses health entered the red. Afterwards, Diavel charged him. "...Diavel! Look out! That's not a talwar--" the black haired boy from before attempted to warn him, but it was too late, Diavel had been slashed. The boy looked to Gosen and Jacob. "Keep them off of us!"
     
Gosen nodded, "Got it!" He dashed in and slashed at a sentinel, connecting and landing a few more slashes. He then parried one, yelling out, "Switch!" Jacob then rushed in, clubbing it with a mace.
     
"You naive fools..." Gosen heard someone say that from a distance, but he wasn't sure what he meant. Suddenly, the boss reaggroed to slash at Gosen while he wasn't paying attention, but Jacob jumped in front of it at the last second, getting slashed himself.
      
"Jacob!" Gosen rushed over to see his friend's health bar practically vanishing, his friend turning into what seemed to be shards of pixelated glass right in front of him. "...w-what is this..?" The rest of the fight went by in a breeze, but Gosen was practically paralyzed.
    
That's not fair... he's the first person who ever treated me with respect... is that how this world is..? The strong survive to conquer, the weak will die. Jacob was weak, that's all. I won't be like that; I refuse to be weak in this world too... I'll be the best. I'll be the strongest so that no one can hurt me.
     
The boss was defeated by the black haired boy who was dubbed a 'Beater' by the rest of the people there. Gosen's expression hardened. "Whatever... I don't care anymore."