Sword Art Online Alternative: Underworld Burning

Chapter Two: The Flame and The Dark

"Arteo! Hi!" I was in one of the training rooms, practicing my sword skills when Eydis arrived. I stopped, looking at her, "Hey Eydis. Your mission go well?" Eydis sighed, "Yeah, but it was so boring. I didn't get to fight anything! It was just spying on dark territory forces." I chuckled, "Well that's to be expected." looked down to her hips, noticing the sword to her side,"Well since you're here, care for a duel? You can show me your Divine Object." Eydis clapped, "Really!? Thank you so much Arteo!" She ran over to me, hugging me. My face went warm, blushing bright red. Eydis pulled back, noticing my face, cocking her head to the side, "Is something wrong Arteo?" I quickly shook my head, "No no no! I'm okay!" I turned to get ready for the duel, slapping my face, "Come on Arteo! Remember the Taboo Index!" I thought to myself.

I drew my sword, holding it out in front of me. Eydis drew her sword, a thin dark purple curved blade with a white hilt. "Do you mind if I go all out? I'd like to try my Full Weapon Control Art." I chuckled, "Sure thing. But I won't hold back either." Eydis charged forward, her blade glowing purple. I held my sword back over my shoulder, causing it to begin glowing light blue. Eydis suddenly dashed forward, swinging a wide slash. I countered, swinging my strike down when suddenly Eydis' blade turned to dark smoke, my swing phasing right through. The blade then returned to normal, striking against my armor. I jumped back, "What was that!?" I exclaimed. Eydis giggled, "That's my sword's ability. Nothing can block it's strike." I was surprised, trying to think of a counter measure for this. Then it came to me, I knew what I'd have to do.

"Enhance." I muttered quietly under my breath. My blade began to glow, turning into a blazing blue fire from the hilt. I ran towards Eydis, whose sword once again turned into smoke. The fire from my sword blew the smoke away, my swing approaching her face. At the last second I pulled away, not wanting to hurt Eydis. I hopped back, Eydis looking confused, "Why didn't you strike there? You had a perfect opening." I smiled uneasily, "S-sorry. I didn't want to hurt you." Eydis smiled sweetly at me, "Awe it's okay. But I'll be using my ace now."

Eydis put her sword in her sheathe, holding the sheathe in one hand and the hilt in the other. "Enhance Armament!" she shouted. Suddenly a large cloud of dark smoke formed around the entire room, making it impossible to see. I looked around, unable to find where Eydis was. "Guess it comes down to this." I closed my eyes, holding my sword out in front of me, "Enhance Armament!" Suddenly blue fire erupted from my arms and legs, forming around my sword. The flames created a glow around me, allowing me to see around me a bit. Suddenly I saw a gleam in front of me. Eydis rushed at me with extraordinary speed, her sword pointed right at me. I used a burst of flames to push myself out of the way, dodging out of the way. My foot was sticking out from my dodge, causing Eydis to trip on it. My foot got hooked onto hers, her momentum pulling me along with her. The smoke and flames dissipated as Eydis and I rolled onto the floor. 

When we finally stopped I was holding myself on top of her, our faces really close. Our eyes were locked on one another, our lips inches away from touching. Eydis looked at me, her cheeks were pink with blush as she stared at me. I gulped, my mouth was dry. My heart was pounding in my chest, the sound beating in my ears. My hands were next to her head, touching her silver hair. "Eydis..." I murmured, feeling her breath from her nose on my face. "Arteo..." she said faintly. She touched my face with her soft hand, her fingers smooth to the touch. 

"I...I can't!"

I pulled myself back off of her, staring at her beautiful eyes. I moved to the side, allowing her to sit up. I put my hands in my lap, my face burning with embarrassment. "Stupid Taboo Index..." I thought for a second, but the thought passed. Eydis looked at me, still blushing, "Well...that was quite the duel, huh?" I smiled at her uneasily, "Y-yeah." 

"What are you two doing!?" 

Prime Senator Chudelkin walked into the room, a disgusted and irritated look on his face. We both stood, "Hello Prime Senator Chudelkin." I said quickly in response. "Why are you two goofing off in here!? Don't you have work to do!?" Before either of us could respond, Commander Bercouli appeared from the darkness. "They were just training Chudelkin. I was watching the whole thing." Chudelkin nodded, "Very well. But get back to work soon." Chudelkin walked off, leaving Bercouli with us. "You owe me Arteo." I chuckled, "I know. How about a drink sometime?" Bercouli nodded, "How about now? Eydis," Eydis looked at him, "Yes sir?" "Why don't you get back to your post. I'll be taking your master on his offer right now." Eydis nodded, looking at me. She gave me a smile before walking off, her face still slightly red. Bercouli patted my back, "Why don't you go put your armor away, then meet me for a drink in the dining hall. You're off duty now right?" I nodded, "I'll meet you there sir." 

"So you almost kissed her!?" Lukas had joined Bercouli and I for a drink, getting caught up on what had happened. "Y-yeah..." I said, slumping over on the table, laying my head next to my drink. Bercouli had a smoking pipe in his mouth, removing it a taking a drink, "I'm surprised you restrained yourself. From day one of her arriving it's been pretty obvious you have some sort of feelings for her." I sighed, "I know...Anytime I get the feelings I try and suppress it with the thought of the Taboo Index." Lukas nodded, folding his arms, "Yeah. Can't do much about that. Our duties only allow us to have loyalty to the Pontifex." Bercouli blew smoke out of his mouth, "Yes, but it doesn't mean I agree with it." I sat up, looking at the commander, "You don't agree with it?" Bercouli sighed, "Not with all of it. I know the vice commander doesn't like that we can't interfere with people. One of our early missions she wanted to help a village that was dying of sickness, but the Taboo Index didn't allow it. She was heartbroken about it." Bercouli sat forward, putting his head against his hands, "There's so much I want to say to Fanatio. But I can't." he muttered quietly. Lukas stood up, "I'm gonna get refills." he wandered off, stumbling as he went. 

"Bercouli...are you in the same situation as me?" I asked. The commander looked at me, smirking, "You're the only one I trust with that. You and I are friends, and we both have the same problem," Bercouli sipped his drink, "Love." I stared at my drink, swirling it around in the cup, "Love, huh." I smiled, thinking about Eydis. I looked at Bercouli, "Thank you for not giving up my secret to the Prime Senator." He sat back in his chair, "It's no problem. That little creep has no business in our personal lives. But if you ever need someone to talk to about this stuff, I'll listen." I chuckled, smiling, "I'd expect nothing less from the commander." Lukas came back with drinks in his arms, putting them all on the table. "Now let's get drunk and forget all this for a bit!" All three of us cheered, holding our drinks high up in the air.

A few hours later I was sitting in my room after the partying calmed down. My room was simple, having a bed with black sheets and blankets and dark gray pillows. It had a dresser with other clothes for when I was off duty and a table with two chairs where I put my armor. It had a large window lined with panes in a X pattern, and door leading to a balcony. The window allowed the light of the goddess Lunaria to flow into the room, letting me have natural light when I turn off my lights. I sat on my bed, staring out at the night. "You know, the hidden sides of a person's character are often revealed at night. Good, bad and ugly..." I looked back, seeing Eydis at my doorway. She wore a gray night gown with black trims, cutting off mid thigh. It had two straps draped over her shoulders. But what was truly surprising was her hair. Eydis' silver hair was down, flowing behind her. Eydis walked next to me, sitting down on the bed. 

We sat in silence for a moment before we both spoke,

"I'm sorry about earlier." 

We looked at each other, laughing. "I'm sorry Arteo. I didn't mean to end up like that with you. I got cocky with my fighting and-" 

"No, it's not your fault Eydis. I underestimated your skills in combat. You're an amazing swordswoman. And when I was..." I drifted off, both of us blushing.

"Well that was my fault too. I'm sorry I put you in that situation." Eydis looked at me, smiling, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight, "It's alright Arteo. You're one of the few men I enjoy the company of. I don't want this to come between us." I shifted closer to her, hugging her. "I love you Eydis..." I thought in my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. 

"How about we go on a patrol together tomorrow?" I suggested. "Yes! That'd be fun. Let's do it." I walked Eydis to my door, opening it for her, "I'll see you tomorrow then." "Indeed." We looked at each other for a moment, "Good night Arteo." Eydis said sweetly. "Good night Eydis." I closed the door, sliding to the floor, leaning my back against it, "I love you..." I whispered under my breath.