Stories of Aincrad [IC]

[United States of Indonesia]

Horunka Village, 1st Floor
Evening, Start of the event
Josua

---

As Josua continued to fight with everything he got, he heard the sounds. It was the sound of beating war drums & trumpets blowing from the outskirts of the village. It was the worst possible case ever. His hunch was proven to be right. "Dammit... I was right after all..." he said as he saw the main demon army started to enter the village. They began to slaughter the remaining low-leveled players who didn't got out in time. Things got even worse when one of the Four Demon Generals, Adramelech, appeared, while unsheathing its giant sword & slashed the players bellow him, killing them in an instant. Then he heard the shout.

"Run! Run for your lives."

"Demons.... Tch.... This is really making me mad...." he said as his temper started to go up even further than before. He then opened a channel to Dremo. "Dremo! We need to evacuate the rest of these guys properly! If they don't, we'll lose a lot more than just now!" he said to him while trying to remain as calm as possible. "We need to buy more time! We have to protect the rear!" he continued. He then proceeded to the back of the last groups.

His swords were drawn. His eyes were filled with anger. His only focus is to protect them from getting attacked from the back. He then shouted. "ANY PLAYERS WHO ARE AT LEAST ABOVE LEVEL 20 GET OVER HERE! PROTECT THE REAR FROM THE DEMONS!". As soon as he said that, several players started to form around him. Despite it was fewer than he needs it to be, it was at the minimum requirement for the defense of the rear. "GOOD! AT LEAST YOU GUYS ARE WILLING TO PROTECT THOSE IN FRONT OF US!" he said as he takes a breather. "LISTEN UP! OUR JOB IS TO GUARD THE REAR! WE ONLY NEED TO FEND THEM OFF IF SOME MANAGED TO GET CLOSE TO US! DON'T TRY TO BE A RAMBO & START KILLING ANY DEMONS! OUR ONLY FOCUS IS DEFENSE & RETREAT! GOT IT?!" he continued. Those around him nodded their head. "GREAT! NOW LET'S DO OUR JOB!" he said as he & several others began to fight several of the demons that were behind them, while still on the move back to the Town of Beginnings.

[Tulkomanistan]

Denz

Denz managed to hold on thanks to his sword skills but now they were all on cooldown without one of them but Denz didn't want to use it. He never tried to use it so far and he didn't know what exactly he could do with it. Denz wasn't completely surrounded yet as he managed to destroy the demons nearby him with his skills earlier. 'Never forget to learn new skills as soon as possible, next time...if there will be a next time' Denz said to himself as he continued to try to defend himself from the attacks of the demons.

He made a plan in his mind. His skill, which can stun the enemies nearby, would be usable after half a minute. But the thing which happened after a few seconds showed him that the plan wouldn't work. Demons managed to surround him earlier then Denz expected. He wouldn't be able to hold on for half a minute(or 27-29 seconds).'Any ideas?' Denz asked to the personas in his mind but he didn't get an answer which probably meant no.

Denz tried to counter-attack and at least heal himself a bit by stealing HP from demons. His health got up a bit but then it started to decrease faster since he was dodging and blocking less attacks. He got stabbed from his stomach, shoulder and demons landed a few hits on his chest and belly. 'Nothing is working...God damn it! Denz thought as he started to only defend again...

Denz saw something or someone entered to the horde. "Try to push forward towards here!" someone shouted. Denz thought it would be someone he knew but the voice didn't ring a bell. Then someone landed right behind him and Denz heard cries of demons from behind. "You heard them. Push forward while I will protect you from behind." said the figure who landed to Denz's back. Unlike the other one, this figure's voice was similiar. After thinking about it for two seconds, Denz managed to understand who landed behind him. 'David...' Denz thought but he didn't try to fight or talk to him unlike their other meetings. With David defendim him, Denz had the chance to go offensive without getting much damage. He activated power of his weapons. One was stealing the HP of demons while other one was taking the HP which was stolen to deal more damage.

[Castle Crashers]

Max, instead of heeding the warnings of the others, had decided it would be best for her to stay away from the large group and the other players huddled within the Town of Beginnings. She feared that someone would call bloody murder at her presence, and she'd never recover from what she'd done. But, perhaps, she was over-exaggerating. Most people who recognized her were dead, and the few whom had escaped were probably long gone. Either way, she didn't want to take that chance. She stayed in a throng of trees near the outskirts of the town instead, deeming it an acceptable place for her to reside until this whole event blew over. She could take on a few mobs if she needed to, though it seemed they were all headed for the player-infested town only a little ways away from her hiding spot. She wandered the skinny trees for a little while, the dark sky providing only dim light for her to walk in. She didn't mind, it only benefitted her. It was, however, eerily quiet in this place...the war cries and screams of other players off in the distance.
It was only when she heard the grass crinkle and twigs breaking that she realized she wasn't alone here. She whipped around in search of the source of the sound, her eyes wide and fearful. She armed herself, but it didn't seem like that would be enough. "Did you forget about us..?" A low voice asked, and an arm was around her neck too quickly for her to react. She was jerked back, the breath knocked out of her as she hit the ground. Before she could struggle to get back up, a foot hit her cheekbone so hard she saw stars. She coughed, wheezing, pushing herself up on an elbow. It was too dark for her to see exactly who it was, but she recognized the voices enough for her to tell.
"Or, perhaps, you thought you could just leave without another word?" A female voice spoke, and Max recognized it so quickly it almost scared her. She had usually been the one to walk the red-haired girl out to her baiting positions.
They'd used to be friends.
Now, she guessed, that wasn't so.
This time, a small fist slammed into the side of her face, knocking her back to the ground. She howled in pain, the punch having landed right in her eye socket. This may have been a game, but the pain she was feeling was almost real. "W-what do you want from me..?" She asked, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
"What do we want?" They all laughed at once. It only scared her more. "You, darling...or your soul..."
She couldn't go back to that, to be a reason for all these innocent people to die...she'd rather go in their place.
She didn't want to be known for that, she wanted to be a better person. "I-I can't go back..." She coughed. "I can't do that...I won't do that..."
"Ah, that's a shame..." She heard a sigh, and before she could stop it there was a wire around her neck.
Someone was dragging her with it.
She coughed and gagged, grabbing at her throat as it was constricted. Her health, albeit slowly, began to drop as her breathing was restricted and her blood flow to her head was struggling. She couldn't get a grip on the wire, it was too thin. She flailed and she clawed at the small wire around her throat as she was dragged across the ground. No laughter filled the air--there was only the sounds of her struggling. She kicked her feet to try and get traction, but the soil was too soft. She was becoming light-headed, her health dropping into the yellow zone, nearing red. Fear and panic started to cloud her thoughts even as they started to fade.
She tried to scream, but it came out as a gurgled cry.
And there was no one to hear her anyways.
She was alone, and she was dying.

[North Arkana]

Max, instead of heeding the warnings of the others, had decided it would be best for her to stay away from the large group and the other players huddled within the Town of Beginnings. She feared that someone would call bloody murder at her presence, and she'd never recover from what she'd done. But, perhaps, she was over-exaggerating. Most people who recognized her were dead, and the few whom had escaped were probably long gone. Either way, she didn't want to take that chance. She stayed in a throng of trees near the outskirts of the town instead, deeming it an acceptable place for her to reside until this whole event blew over. She could take on a few mobs if she needed to, though it seemed they were all headed for the player-infested town only a little ways away from her hiding spot. She wandered the skinny trees for a little while, the dark sky providing only dim light for her to walk in. She didn't mind, it only benefitted her. It was, however, eerily quiet in this place...the war cries and screams of other players off in the distance.
It was only when she heard the grass crinkle and twigs breaking that she realized she wasn't alone here. She whipped around in search of the source of the sound, her eyes wide and fearful. She armed herself, but it didn't seem like that would be enough. "Did you forget about us..?" A low voice asked, and an arm was around her neck too quickly for her to react. She was jerked back, the breath knocked out of her as she hit the ground. Before she could struggle to get back up, a foot hit her cheekbone so hard she saw stars. She coughed, wheezing, pushing herself up on an elbow. It was too dark for her to see exactly who it was, but she recognized the voices enough for her to tell.
"Or, perhaps, you thought you could just leave without another word?" A female voice spoke, and Max recognized it so quickly it almost scared her. She had usually been the one to walk the red-haired girl out to her baiting positions.
They'd used to be friends.
Now, she guessed, that wasn't so.
This time, a small fist slammed into the side of her face, knocking her back to the ground. She howled in pain, the punch having landed right in her eye socket. This may have been a game, but the pain she was feeling was almost real. "W-what do you want from me..?" She asked, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
"What do we want?" They all laughed at once. It only scared her more. "You, darling...or your soul..."
She couldn't go back to that, to be a reason for all these innocent people to die...she'd rather go in their place.
She didn't want to be known for that, she wanted to be a better person. "I-I can't go back..." She coughed. "I can't do that...I won't do that..."
"Ah, that's a shame..." She heard a sigh, and before she could stop it there was a wire around her neck.
Someone was dragging her with it.
She coughed and gagged, grabbing at her throat as it was constricted. Her health, albeit slowly, began to drop as her breathing was restricted and her blood flow to her head was struggling. She couldn't get a grip on the wire, it was too thin. She flailed and she clawed at the small wire around her throat as she was dragged across the ground. No laughter filled the air--there was only the sounds of her struggling. She kicked her feet to try and get traction, but the soil was too soft. She was becoming light-headed, her health dropping into the yellow zone, nearing red. Fear and panic started to cloud her thoughts even as they started to fade.
She tried to scream, but it came out as a gurgled cry.
And there was no one to hear her anyways.
She was alone, and she was dying.

ARIA
She could barely hold herself from giggling with joy, and had to settle for a satisfied grin. Right in front of her, someone was dying. It wasn't a sight most people got to see too often, and usually it was quick, a rapid death followed by a shattering into glass-like fragments before forever disappearing. But this, what she was watching, was glorious. It was slow, the victim was struggling, and you could see the suffering etched on her face. Of course, the other reason she was smiling was because the one using the garrote had their back to her, and she was about to kill them.

ARIA made a rapid dash forward, the beginning of a basic lunging attack, and then felt satisfying feeling of slight resistance as the tip of her single-edged straight bladed sword, of similar design and aesthetic to a Japanese katana, pierced through the back of the strangler's neck and forced it's way out the front. From there she made her own movements, breaking the skill assist, and twisted the blade slightly before drawing out with a slicing movement, which would normally leave the head attached only by a flap of flesh and skin. She finished with a decorative flourish of the blade, which in real life would have been made to remove blood from the weapon, and took up a fighting stance, prepared to fight the strangler's companions.

"My apologies. I'm afraid this one belongs to me~."

[Relikai]

Yuria neared a bend alone, as her depleted party was told to rest up in town. Scouting ahead, she decided to pick up any straggling parties, or even take the fight to several oranges or reds. How she would enjoy stopping those Reds from killing the weaker players. There was a difference from beating opponents via duels, to outright PKing.

Yuria was scouting along the road, when a blade flashed across her face, but Yuria stepped back easily, as her twin blades flashed out. One crackling with lightning, the other one with the power of air. A quick parry had the attacker on his heels, when Yuria came at him with a rush, easily beating him down with her two blades. Checking his stats, Yuria was shocked.

A Red Player, Level 20.

"You shouldn't." She whispered, as the player looked back at her with pleading eyes. "Go to the town and surrender, and you might still be forgiven."

The newbie nodded, as he quickly scampered away. Yuria kept an eye on him until he rounded the bend, before continuing on her way.

The sound of a blade entering the neck of a player could be heard, as Yuria quickly took cover behind a tree. She could see a player wielding a katana, a female, and another female on the floor, being choked. Deciding that she should wait it out for now, Yuria sheathed her blades as she attempted to hide behind the tree...

[Castle Crashers]

Max, instead of heeding the warnings of the others, had decided it would be best for her to stay away from the large group and the other players huddled within the Town of Beginnings. She feared that someone would call bloody murder at her presence, and she'd never recover from what she'd done. But, perhaps, she was over-exaggerating. Most people who recognized her were dead, and the few whom had escaped were probably long gone. Either way, she didn't want to take that chance. She stayed in a throng of trees near the outskirts of the town instead, deeming it an acceptable place for her to reside until this whole event blew over. She could take on a few mobs if she needed to, though it seemed they were all headed for the player-infested town only a little ways away from her hiding spot. She wandered the skinny trees for a little while, the dark sky providing only dim light for her to walk in. She didn't mind, it only benefitted her. It was, however, eerily quiet in this place...the war cries and screams of other players off in the distance.
It was only when she heard the grass crinkle and twigs breaking that she realized she wasn't alone here. She whipped around in search of the source of the sound, her eyes wide and fearful. She armed herself, but it didn't seem like that would be enough. "Did you forget about us..?" A low voice asked, and an arm was around her neck too quickly for her to react. She was jerked back, the breath knocked out of her as she hit the ground. Before she could struggle to get back up, a foot hit her cheekbone so hard she saw stars. She coughed, wheezing, pushing herself up on an elbow. It was too dark for her to see exactly who it was, but she recognized the voices enough for her to tell.
"Or, perhaps, you thought you could just leave without another word?" A female voice spoke, and Max recognized it so quickly it almost scared her. She had usually been the one to walk the red-haired girl out to her baiting positions.
They'd used to be friends.
Now, she guessed, that wasn't so.
This time, a small fist slammed into the side of her face, knocking her back to the ground. She howled in pain, the punch having landed right in her eye socket. This may have been a game, but the pain she was feeling was almost real. "W-what do you want from me..?" She asked, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
"What do we want?" They all laughed at once. It only scared her more. "You, darling...or your soul..."
She couldn't go back to that, to be a reason for all these innocent people to die...she'd rather go in their place.
She didn't want to be known for that, she wanted to be a better person. "I-I can't go back..." She coughed. "I can't do that...I won't do that..."
"Ah, that's a shame..." She heard a sigh, and before she could stop it there was a wire around her neck.
Someone was dragging her with it.
She coughed and gagged, grabbing at her throat as it was constricted. Her health, albeit slowly, began to drop as her breathing was restricted and her blood flow to her head was struggling. She couldn't get a grip on the wire, it was too thin. She flailed and she clawed at the small wire around her throat as she was dragged across the ground. No laughter filled the air--there was only the sounds of her struggling. She kicked her feet to try and get traction, but the soil was too soft. She was becoming light-headed, her health dropping into the yellow zone, nearing red. Fear and panic started to cloud her thoughts even as they started to fade.
She tried to scream, but it came out as a gurgled cry.
And there was no one to hear her anyways.
She was alone, and she was dying.

ARIA
She could barely hold herself from giggling with joy, and had to settle for a satisfied grin. Right in front of her, someone was dying. It wasn't a sight most people got to see too often, and usually it was quick, a rapid death followed by a shattering into glass-like fragments before forever disappearing. But this, what she was watching, was glorious. It was slow, the victim was struggling, and you could see the suffering etched on her face. Of course, the other reason she was smiling was because the one using the garrote had their back to her, and she was about to kill them.

ARIA made a rapid dash forward, the beginning of a basic lunging attack, and then felt satisfying feeling of slight resistance as the tip of her single-edged straight bladed sword, of similar design and aesthetic to a Japanese katana, pierced through the back of the strangler's neck and forced it's way out the front. From there she made her own movements, breaking the skill assist, and twisted the blade slightly before drawing out with a slicing movement, which would normally leave the head attached only by a flap of flesh and skin. She finished with a decorative flourish of the blade, which in real life would have been made to remove blood from the weapon, and took up a fighting stance, prepared to fight the strangler's companions.

"My apologies. I'm afraid this one belongs to me~."

The player shrieked as the sword struck his neck, but it quickly silenced when she pulled the sword away. He imploded into a million little blue pixels, the garrote he'd been using to choke Max falling away from her neck. She collapsed, coughing and drawing in deep breaths when her throat allowed her to. She couldn't see who'd done this, who'd saved her, it was too dark. She could barely think straight, her mind a jumbled mess from the brief lack of oxygen she'd experienced. She wasn't even thinking clear enough to hear the words of what the girl had said, and she couldn't even see. Her breathing was ragged and slow, a thin bleeding line cut around her neck where the wire had been. Her health had just barely dropped into the red zone. They strangler's companions looked at each other and then to ARIA. "This isn't over." One of them sneered.
"We'll be back for her..." Another spoke. "But next time, perhaps you won't be there to save her..." They all laughed before they pulled out their crystals and teleported away. They'd disappeared too quickly for ARIA to get another hit on them. There was only Max now, trembling and coughing like a person with bronchitis. She didn't even have the energy to speak, and her throat burned like nothing else. She didn't even bother trying to sit up, she simply remained where she was.
Vulnerable, weak, and hurt.

[North Arkana]

The player shrieked as the sword struck his neck, but it quickly silenced when she pulled the sword away. He imploded into a million little blue pixels, the garrote he'd been using to choke Max falling away from her neck. She collapsed, coughing and drawing in deep breaths when her throat allowed her to. She couldn't see who'd done this, who'd saved her, it was too dark. She could barely think straight, her mind a jumbled mess from the brief lack of oxygen she'd experienced. She wasn't even thinking clear enough to hear the words of what the girl had said, and she couldn't even see. Her breathing was ragged and slow, a thin bleeding line cut around her neck where the wire had been. Her health had just barely dropped into the red zone. They strangler's companions looked at each other and then to ARIA. "This isn't over." One of them sneered.
"We'll be back for her..." Another spoke. "But next time, perhaps you won't be there to save her..." They all laughed before they pulled out their crystals and teleported away. They'd disappeared too quickly for ARIA to get another hit on them. There was only Max now, trembling and coughing like a person with bronchitis. She didn't even have the energy to speak, and her throat burned like nothing else. She didn't even bother trying to sit up, she simply remained where she was.
Vulnerable, weak, and hurt.

ARIA
Making a second flourish of her blade, ARIA sheathed her weapon, before examining more closely the person who's life she had just saved. After looking at her long enough for some basic player information to pop up, ARIA couldn't help but grin. If her memory was serving her correctly, this girl used to be one of the baiters used by the red guilds. Of course, there was also the chance this girl, Katsumi, knew who ARIA was as well, and if that was the case, well, she'd just have to make sure she kept quiet about it.

"Ara ara~. I didn't think I'd end up coming to the rescue of someone like you, hm~? Perhaps I should have let them finish and then have acted, it's not as if justice wouldn't have been served if i hadn't, hm~?"

She crouches next to Katsumi, grabbing her hair by her ponytail and pulling her head around so they could look at each other face to face.

"Ah, that expression on your face right now is just priceless. I wouldn't expect any less from a near death experience, hm~?"

[Castle Crashers]

The player shrieked as the sword struck his neck, but it quickly silenced when she pulled the sword away. He imploded into a million little blue pixels, the garrote he'd been using to choke Max falling away from her neck. She collapsed, coughing and drawing in deep breaths when her throat allowed her to. She couldn't see who'd done this, who'd saved her, it was too dark. She could barely think straight, her mind a jumbled mess from the brief lack of oxygen she'd experienced. She wasn't even thinking clear enough to hear the words of what the girl had said, and she couldn't even see. Her breathing was ragged and slow, a thin bleeding line cut around her neck where the wire had been. Her health had just barely dropped into the red zone. They strangler's companions looked at each other and then to ARIA. "This isn't over." One of them sneered.
"We'll be back for her..." Another spoke. "But next time, perhaps you won't be there to save her..." They all laughed before they pulled out their crystals and teleported away. They'd disappeared too quickly for ARIA to get another hit on them. There was only Max now, trembling and coughing like a person with bronchitis. She didn't even have the energy to speak, and her throat burned like nothing else. She didn't even bother trying to sit up, she simply remained where she was.
Vulnerable, weak, and hurt.

ARIA
Making a second flourish of her blade, ARIA sheathed her weapon, before examining more closely the person who's life she had just saved. After looking at her long enough for some basic player information to pop up, ARIA couldn't help but grin. If her memory was serving her correctly, this girl used to be one of the baiters used by the red guilds. Of course, there was also the chance this girl, Katsumi, knew who ARIA was as well, and if that was the case, well, she'd just have to make sure she kept quiet about it.

"Ara ara~. I didn't think I'd end up coming to the rescue of someone like you, hm~? Perhaps I should have let them finish and then have acted, it's not as if justice wouldn't have been served if i hadn't, hm~?"

She crouches next to Katsumi, grabbing her hair by her ponytail and pulling her head around so they could look at each other face to face.

"Ah, that expression on your face right now is just priceless. I wouldn't expect any less from a near death experience, hm~?"

Max winced slightly as she grabbed her hair and pulled her back, but it was nothing compared to the pain she was feeling everywhere else. As she locked eyes with the player, her eyes widened. She knew this girl, ARIA, from somewhere...perhaps she couldn't remember correctly, or the residing feelings of nearly being choked to death still lingered, but she could only think that she should be afraid. "I-I know you...don't I..?" She asked quietly, her voice scratchy and rugged. She didn't like the vibes this girl put off, not at all. She was fearful, the adrenaline pumping through her veins not lessening the effect any. The fear in her eyes couldn't mistaken the fact that she knew her, somehow, somewhere. Max just couldn't figure out entirely where in the first place...

[Relikai]

The sound of a weapon being drawn, as Yuria stepped out from behind the tree. Her purple hair shone in the dark, as well as her eyes. One of her swords, the one crackling with electricity, was held by her left hand, and placed close to her self as she approached.

"Seems like you have gotten some enemies." She said to Katsumi, while eyeing ARIA. "What do you intend to do with her? I heard your conversation, dont tell me you're thinking of gutting her now after you chased those who would kill her."

The blade rested on her shoulder as Yuria stopped ten feet from the two.

"Not that I'll allow you to as well."

[United States of Indonesia]

On the run, 1st Floor
Evening
Josua

---

Josua was fighting with all his might, slashing every demon that are trying to get to the rear of the retreating players. The rest of the volunteers, while not many, helped reducing his workload. However, as they continued to fight & retreat, he saw a troublesome opponent. Adramelech, one of the Four High Demon Generals, also followed them in pursuit. "DAMMIT! AS IF THINGS NEED TO GET MORE COMPLICATED THAN THIS!" he said in anger. It was troublesome enough to fight while retreating at the same time, and now he got the first boss to deal with. "EVERYONE! DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! ONE HIT FROM THAT BASTARD & YOU'RE DEAD!" he shouted as he reverts back to his fighting stance after slashing a couple of demons in front of him. As he attacked the boss, other players began to converge on the boss to help him defeat Adramelech. However, as the players continued to attack the boss, the boss retaliated some of the attacks, causing some of the players to thrown up & landed hard on the ground. Josua was in still in the fight with the boss, managing to dodge the counters from the boss. However, as he saw a white-haired lady that appears to command the demons, he got caught off-guard as he was hit by the boss while being awestruck. Although the hit was very powerful, luckily he managed to reduce the damage he received, though it still hurts him by a ton. He then had to take a step back as he pulled a potion from his inventory & drank it. "Tch... Got distracted... Who was that lady, anyway...?" he said as he prepares himself to attack again. However, that thought would continue to bug him, even until the battle ended later on. This would be the start of one of the big events for Josua in SAO that would affect him forever.

[Tracian Empire]

The players were running, the panic was spreading. Many of the players here were simply low leveled players who had never fought a SAO boss before, and seeing the gigantic demon beast known as Adramelech, they had only one thought in mind. To get to the safety of the walls of the Starting City. People were being pushed, thrown to the ground, as the crowd of players, in a frenetic panic, was running away chaotically. And the demons were just behind them, the wolf riding monsters hunting them from behind, and Adramelech closing in. They weren't going to make it...


Dremo was one of the first players to realize that. Under normal circumstances, he would have never tried to get near that monster without a good trained clearing group... but they didn't have one at their disposal. But if they were going to continue to run away, all their efforts to come here and save these players would have been in vain.... they had to stand up and fight, to buy time for the others.... This event had never been in the beta though... so their data on Adramelech was a sgood as nothing. From all points of view, this was suicidal.

Turning around, the gray coated player used his right sword to violently cut off the demon rider of one the wolves that had been running after them, preparing his sword skills."We have to slow them down, or we'll never reach the city! On me!", the black haired boy desperately shouted, and despite the odds, some of the players stopped running, and after hesitanting for a few good moments, joined him in his stand, while the others continued to run away. This was bad... They had no time to think of a plan, or to make parties. They had to act on impulse.

"Tanks, keep the lower demons away! The others, come after me! Don't let the general hit you!", the former beta tester shouted as he started running, followed by some other players. They had no other chance, they had to attack Adramelech and keep him away, spreading into two smaller groups and charging, killing the demons in front of them. But Adramelech had already reached the battlefield, and slashed his giant Zweihänder at the players... not everyone managed to escape in time...

Ignoring the deaths, Dremo jumped on the blade in a risky move as he started to run upwards on it, not letting the Demon General react in time. As Adramelech shook off his sword, and the grey wearing figure jumped again, using his two swords to deeply pierce one of the demon's eyes, holding onto them in order to avoid falling. Adramelech screamed, a deep, animalic scream filled with pain as his HP bar lowered, the other players taking advantage of it and attacking him, lowering his bar even further. Half-blinded, Adramelech swinged his sword, throwing many of the fighting players in the air, but this gave Dremo the chance he needed to jump even further above his head, using his swords to pierce in one of the horns so that he wouldn't fall, jumping again on the demon's red head, just moments before Adramelech used his other hand to hit his horn. Running, Dremo jumped yet again from its back, activating a dual wield sword skill as he jumped, using his swords to pierce through the armor and flesh of the demon's neck, falling as he diagonally cut Adramelech's back, lowering his HP even further. Screaming again, even louder, Adramelech shook his back, and one of Dremo's swords broke, while the other remained pierced in the demon's back. Dremo however, didn't have that much luck, as he roughly fell on the ground, and before she could react, Adramelech hit him with the back of his huge sword, the black haired player being sent flying, landing on the ground further away with his HP red.

Adramelech still had two HP bars, and he was angry..the battle was far from over.

[North Arkana]

The sound of a weapon being drawn, as Yuria stepped out from behind the tree. Her purple hair shone in the dark, as well as her eyes. One of her swords, the one crackling with electricity, was held by her left hand, and placed close to her self as she approached.

"Seems like you have gotten some enemies." She said to Katsumi, while eyeing ARIA. "What do you intend to do with her? I heard your conversation, dont tell me you're thinking of gutting her now after you chased those who would kill her."

The blade rested on her shoulder as Yuria stopped ten feet from the two.

"Not that I'll allow you to as well."

ARIA
"Oh~?" ARIA asks, tilting her head to the side. "You wouldn't let me kill this one if I wanted to, hm~? What if I was to tell you all about the horrible things she's done?"

ARIA's hand rested on the pommel of her sheathed sword, her posture mostly relaxed, except for maintaining her none too gentle grip on Katsumi's hair.

"Would you be willing to stop me then, hm~?"

[United States of Indonesia]

On the run, 1st Floor
Evening
Josua

---

As Josua took a breather, he saw Dremo charging in, baffling Josua as Dremo battled Adramelech. "What the~! Dremo?! What are you doing here?! I thought you were in the front!" he said to him as he prepares to attack again. "Ahh, screw it! Just focus on defeating this SOB!" he continued as he assaulted Adramelech with his swords. He slashed and slashed, not giving an inch for it to strike back. However as he fought, he saw the girl again, but this time, he ignored her & focused on trying to kill Adramelech. He continuously slashed Adramelech's left leg, causing it to scream in further pain & finally dropped on one knee. He saw this chance & went after its head. However, as he was about to thrust his swords into Adramelech's skull, it stood back & unleashed a giant howl, throwing Josua back from it. He landed hard on the ground, again. "THAT'S IT! NO MORE MISTER NICE GUY!" he screamed as he activates the second stage of his berserk mode, donning his mask & the rest of his berserk mode equipment again. He then charged forward & made a giant slash in the face of Adramelech, causing it to scream in pain as he continued to cut up every single part of its body. But, Adramelech was so pissed that he personally grabbed Josua & threw him back. By then, its HP bar were one & a third. Josua was almost knocked out when he landed on the ground. However, he managed to get back up, albeit really roughed up real bad. This time however, he was really pissed, as in so pissed that you would want to cut that bastard up, serve it on a plate & eat it after its cooked. "You know what? You finally gave me a reason to use this. I REALLY didn't want to use this, but you REALLY pissed me off. You can consider yourself F***ED!" he said as he took a breather. "Dremo! I need you to hold him off for a little while! I'm gonna give it something that it'll never forget!" he said to Dremo as he thrusts both of his katanas to the ground. He then began to breath in an ordered manner, as in when a sniper is trying to focus himself on shooting its target with no intention to miss. "Forgiveness is all I ask from you. I will no longer hold myself back. May God have mercy on your soul." he chanted as his body began to slowly emitting his killing intent.

[Relikai]

ARIA
"Oh~?" ARIA asks, tilting her head to the side. "You wouldn't let me kill this one if I wanted to, hm~? What if I was to tell you all about the horrible things she's done?"

ARIA's hand rested on the pommel of her sheathed sword, her posture mostly relaxed, except for maintaining her none too gentle grip on Katsumi's hair.

"Would you be willing to stop me then, hm~?"

Yuria smiled as she had a proper view of the two ladies. Both of them were cute, probably have boyfriends back in the real world, or here if they ever made it so far. They seemed to have the same body shape, and in another scenario, might even pass off as siblings.

"Despite what she has done, killing her won't solve it without a proper trial. She might have her reasons, or she might be doing it out of boredom. However, she's helpless now, and killing her in cold blood would not do you any favours." Yuria said with a relaxed tone.

"You can keep that grip on her hair, or even on her neck. But allow others to deal with her, instead of having your hands dirtied. My blade would not flash to save hers, but rather, yours."

[Tulkomanistan]

David and Denz

David and Denz made it out from the small horde back at the town. "Looks like you couldn't kill yourself again." David said with a smirk while Denz was sitting on the ground nearby. David watched the battle near Horunka. 'It doesn't go too well, does it?' David asked himself. He might actually help them to fight against this demon boss but then he might not get into his position in time to keep reds away from the city until the demon bosses will go down. After thinking about it for a few seconds, David passed all of his needles to his friends. "I want you guys to keep reds away from the city until I will come. Just use the needles from the distance. Don't try to fight them." David said. One of them nodded while the other one looked at David with a worried face. They left David and Denz alone after David told them to go again.

Denz stood up as his stamina regenerated. David opened his menu while Denz was watching the battle. He was wondering what happened to his beast. He was hoping that it was safe right now. A party offer suddenly apeared in front of Denz. "Don't worry it won't be permanent. Just until this boss will go down." David said. Denz had a few questions in his mind but decided to ask them later since things happening near Horunka seems to be not going too well. Denz pressed yes and picked up his blades from the ground. David smiled and ran towards to the battle with Denz following him.

David didn't activate his skill yet but he was still really fast, for Denz at least. They were clashing against some minions instead of Adramelech until Dremo and later Josua attacked it. He knew some about both of them but that was his first time seeing them fighting. 'They are actually good. Too sad there are not much like them here.' David thought and finally activated his speed skill. The aura arround him was blue. 'Just the one I needed.' David thought as he rushed to the demons and wolf riders. "Follow me! We have to take it's attention for a bit of time!" David shouted at Denz. Denz managed to break the barrier of demons and other beasts before David and landed a few hits to Adramelech's foot. Adramelech looked at him before trying to attack Denz. Denz jumped backwards but he still got a bit of damage from the attack since tip of Adramelech's weapon hit Denz. Before Denz could land, David jumped on him. "What the-" Denz couldn't end his sentece since he fell onto his face when David jumped on him. 'Time to use my combo.' David thought. He could break the barrier of smaller beasts before but he waited in order to reach his full attack and movement speed in this stage. He spin in the air before stabbing Adramelech from it's shoulder. His sword was deep in the boss's shoulder and it roared in pain. David pulled his sword down. Sword couldn't go down so David went up instead. David pulled his sword out from Adramelech's shoulder while he was going up and spin again before landing a hit at Adramelech's head. David finally stopped going up when he was about a meter above Adramelech's head. Before he could go down and stab the boss from top of it's head, Adramelech punched David and David even went higher. He was nearly sure that he could die if he fell to the ground from the point where he was. He finally noticed a girl near Adramelech. 'Who is she?' David asked to himself. He was just hoping that she wouldn't be the last one he sees before meeting his end.

Adramelech tried to stab David with it's weapon but David brought his sword under himself and pushed his sword towards to Adramelech's weapon when the two weapons started to touch each other. Sword couldn't move again so David moved opposite the way he was pushing his sword. He was falling towards to back of Adramelech now. The beast didn't let him fall freely and punched him in the air once more. This time David flew away from the battlefield instead of going up again. He landed onto his back. David's health was on critical red. He still had enough power to stand up but when his skill went off as he couldn't manage to end his combo, he just collapsed onto the ground as the penalties kicked in.

[North Arkana]

Yuria smiled as she had a proper view of the two ladies. Both of them were cute, probably have boyfriends back in the real world, or here if they ever made it so far. They seemed to have the same body shape, and in another scenario, might even pass off as siblings.

"Despite what she has done, killing her won't solve it without a proper trial. She might have her reasons, or she might be doing it out of boredom. However, she's helpless now, and killing her in cold blood would not do you any favours." Yuria said with a relaxed tone.

"You can keep that grip on her hair, or even on her neck. But allow others to deal with her, instead of having your hands dirtied. My blade would not flash to save hers, but rather, yours."

ARIA
"Oh~? You think if you take her in for trial, there'll even be anyone who recognizes who she is and what she's done? Let's be honest here, you can't count on me giving evidence, not when there are no survivors from what she's done, hm~?"

ARIA releases her grip on Katsumi's hair before delivering a swift kick to Katsumi's side.

"You can take her if you want though, I'm sure there's someone who could tell you about her, and even about me, if you're willing to pay a price, hm~?"

[Relikai]

"I'll pay no price." Yuria said as she stared at the girl lying on the ground. "But if it's really worth it, I might reconsider."

Yuria thought over the implications before she replied, especially thinking of whether the girl in front of her could be trusted.

"And how do I know that you're not luring me into a trap of player-killers?"

[North Arkana]

"I'll pay no price." Yuria said as she stared at the girl lying on the ground. "But if it's really worth it, I might reconsider."

Yuria thought over the implications before she replied, especially thinking of whether the girl in front of her could be trusted.

"And how do I know that you're not luring me into a trap of player-killers?"

ARIA
"Ha, you think I can take you to someone who knows about either of us?" ARIA says with mild amusement. "I'm afraid I don't know where to find the Rat at this moment, and I doubt she likes being around me much."

She gestures to Katsumi.

"Besides, I need to get this one into town, somewhere she won't get murdered, even if she does deserve it."

[Relikai]

"To town huh." Yuria said as she sheathed her blade, seemingly convinced that this character in front of her won't try to gut her at the first try. Even if she did, Yuria possesses just enough, that she might be able to pull out her signature moves to defend and perhaps subdue anyone.

"Very well then, you can bind and carry her if you'd like, I'll be keeping an eye on the two of you..." Yuria's voice trailed off as she remembered something.

"Town's not safe. People can get murdered there, it's an exploit which others are using. Are you sure it's a place where she won't get murdered?"

[Castle Crashers]

"To town huh." Yuria said as she sheathed her blade, seemingly convinced that this character in front of her won't try to gut her at the first try. Even if she did, Yuria possesses just enough, that she might be able to pull out her signature moves to defend and perhaps subdue anyone.

"Very well then, you can bind and carry her if you'd like, I'll be keeping an eye on the two of you..." Yuria's voice trailed off as she remembered something.

"Town's not safe. People can get murdered there, it's an exploit which others are using. Are you sure it's a place where she won't get murdered?"

Max coughed, having just been delivered a kick in the gut, struggling to push herself back into a sitting position. It seemed that trying to find some place of seclusion was a worse decision than she'd originally thought. A much worse decision. She scoffed, rubbing at the cut around her neck. "I doubt it...it seems that even going somewhere isolated like this place is was enough to get me killed. Nearly, atleast." She muttered. "If even a single player realizes who I am in a crowded place like that, panic'll spread quicker than a wildfire." She sighed. "There's no where for me to go, no where safe. Not when my old guild is looking to get me. They'll sniff me out like dogs." She was beginning to regret her decision to leave them more and more, death becoming more imminent by the moment. They'd be back to kill her off, but she didn't know when, and that was what scared her the most. She wouldn't know where they were coming from.

[Tracian Empire]

As the HP of the boss was reduced to one bar, Adramelech screamed again, breaking his two handed sword into two smaller one handed swords, switching apparently to a dual wield and a more aggressive stance as he only had a bar of life left, trying to take advantage of the situation. While it was obvious that the boss could have something hidden for when he would reach his last bar, this was unexpected. Screaming again, Adramelech seemed to be consumed by power, before he moved forward with an unstoppable force....

As the Demon General was screaming, Dremo slowly stood up, still dizzy. The strikes of the demon had forced his HP bar into red, and also thrown him pretty away, while making him lose his two swords. And now, the situation was bad, really bad. The other players had almost managed to get away, so they needed to keep Adramelech occupied for just.... a little.... more...

Hearing Josua's shouts, Dremo realized that he had to do something, and he had to do something now. Opening his inventory, the former beta tester quickly selected his two reserve swords, and a HP potion he quickly drank, managing to bring his HP bar back to yellow, before rushing forward. Right before Adramelech was about to cut an unlucky player into two pieces, Dremo pushed him away, barely blocking the demon's hit with his two swords. Trying to stand his ground, the grey coated player didn't even manage to attack back. For some reason, the demon was horrifically aggressive, and the only thing Dremo could do was to block and parry his attacks with his double wielding blocking skills, and try to hold his ground. But it wasn't working. Hit after hit, crash after crash, Dremo was pushed back, barely managing to keep up with the demon.

"Whatever you want to do, do it now!", Dremo said, dodging a hit that would have cut off his head. But for the first time, the beta tester did seem to be a little desperate... this was going to end badly.

[Relikai]

Max coughed, having just been delivered a kick in the gut, struggling to push herself back into a sitting position. It seemed that trying to find some place of seclusion was a worse decision than she'd originally thought. A much worse decision. She scoffed, rubbing at the cut around her neck. "I doubt it...it seems that even going somewhere isolated like this place is was enough to get me killed. Nearly, atleast." She muttered. "If even a single player realizes who I am in a crowded place like that, panic'll spread quicker than a wildfire." She sighed. "There's no where for me to go, no where safe. Not when my old guild is looking to get me. They'll sniff me out like dogs." She was beginning to regret her decision to leave them more and more, death becoming more imminent by the moment. They'd be back to kill her off, but she didn't know when, and that was what scared her the most. She wouldn't know where they were coming from.

The girl on the ground spoke. In truth, she looked weak, and visually pathetic. Whether it was an act or not, Yuria took in her words, nodding as she considered the implications of getting her to a populated area. Do they really need to break out into isolation from society just to protect this girl? A part of Yuria regretted coming out to look for stragglers, while another part of her yearns for this adventure.

"If they'll hunt you down like dogs..." Yuria said, picking Max by her lower jaw and pressing her cheeks softly.

"...then we'll kill them like dogs."

[North Arkana]

Max coughed, having just been delivered a kick in the gut, struggling to push herself back into a sitting position. It seemed that trying to find some place of seclusion was a worse decision than she'd originally thought. A much worse decision. She scoffed, rubbing at the cut around her neck. "I doubt it...it seems that even going somewhere isolated like this place is was enough to get me killed. Nearly, atleast." She muttered. "If even a single player realizes who I am in a crowded place like that, panic'll spread quicker than a wildfire." She sighed. "There's no where for me to go, no where safe. Not when my old guild is looking to get me. They'll sniff me out like dogs." She was beginning to regret her decision to leave them more and more, death becoming more imminent by the moment. They'd be back to kill her off, but she didn't know when, and that was what scared her the most. She wouldn't know where they were coming from.

The girl on the ground spoke. In truth, she looked weak, and visually pathetic. Whether it was an act or not, Yuria took in her words, nodding as she considered the implications of getting her to a populated area. Do they really need to break out into isolation from society just to protect this girl? A part of Yuria regretted coming out to look for stragglers, while another part of her yearns for this adventure.

"If they'll hunt you down like dogs..." Yuria said, picking Max by her lower jaw and pressing her cheeks softly.

"...then we'll kill them like dogs."

ARIA
She giggles hearing the is other woman's words. Afterall, this just makes everything so much easier for her. No need to go out and hunt for stupid green players who are dumb enough to fall for her traps. Now she'll get to deal with far more interesting prey. She'll be hunting real killers, skilled killers, a far more exciting experience, and they'd be coming right to her. It was like a dream a come true.

"Yes... Kill them like the undeserving animals they are, hm~?"

[United States of Indonesia]

On the run, 1st Floor
Evening
Josua
As Dremo and the others were busy buying him time, Josua focused himself. His killing intent continued to spread around him, so much so that it began to take form of an aura. Just before the activation of his final stage was finished, and loosening himself, he took a moment. "Dremo... I want you & the others to stay away from me once I've completed this activation. Even I won't know what happen if anyone else is close to me." he said as he finally let himself loose. His sadistic side then took over. His killing intent then began to increase, becoming even more intense than during its activation. So much so that the lower-leveled demons around him began to retreat a little & shook in fear. His aura was like an actual Demon General, might be even more than that. Several other players too sensed his killing intent, opting to stay away & heed his words before the activation. His masked patterns changed yet again, with the patterns reflecting his current personality, which is very chaotic. His swords were emitting their respective auras more than before. He stood for a while, then, out of nowhere, charged towards Adramelech. He slashed both of its legs, causing it to scream in pain as it fell down on its knees. He then turned around & jumped on its back, thrusting his swords into its body, making it scream further in pain. The HP bar of Adramelech dropped by 10% alone as he continued to climb on its back with his swords until he reached its head. He then stabbed both of his swords into its head, causing it to howl so loudly, it even knocked out several demons around it. By then, its HP bar was down to 75%. As it attempted to grab him, he pulled his swords back & jumped off it. He then looked Adramelech in the eyes, intimidating it with his killing intent. However, that was not enough to beat it into submission. He then lifted his mask a little, showing his mouth. He drank the blood that was on his swords, while smiling like a psychopath. He laughed a little, then charged again towards Adramelech, giving no attention to his surroundings. He then used Rengeki, but this time, his combo even surpassed his first stage of activation, in all terms. He slashed & slashed, cutting up Adramelech real good as it was helpless to stop his almost demon-like attacks. Its HP bar dropped like flowing water, so much that Josua's body was covered in its blood. He then cut off its left hand, and later its right arm. By then, its HP bar was almost 10%. He then took the final killing blow, with decapitating Adramelech's head. He then took its head & showed it to the demons behind it. "HOW'S THAT~? I GOT YOUR BELOVED GENERAL'S HEAD~! ANYONE WANTS TO GET THEIRS NEXT~? HMM~?" Josua said in terrifying manner that shook everyone around him. After that, the notification popped up.

Congratulations!
Player <<Josua>>
defeated Adramelech,
one of the Demon Generals!

He then dropped on the ground, the effects of his final stage of berserk mode started to kicking in. As his eyes became more blurry, he saw the white-haired lady approaching him. He couldn't do anything, since his body is completely powerless at that moment. The lady then whispered something to him. "I finally found you~..." she said in a seductive manner. He was then picked up by one of the large-bodied demons & was taken away. He then finally passed out as he was carried away, with no one able to do anything.

[Tracian Empire]

Just as Josua was fighting the Demon General Adramalech in his berserk like state, the few other players, who had been willing to stand behind and fight, to sacrifice themselves so that the other defenseless players would reach the safety of the walls, were fighting an even more desperate fight and struggle for their survival. Because, even if their boss was being attacked, the mobs continued to attack, relentlessly. Dark demons riding giant wolves, huge, green armored demons armed with maces, red demons armed with spears and shields, everything was unleashed upon them. So unfortunately, when Adramelech was finally defeated, none of the players were able to help Josua in any way. As soon as the boss fell, there was no celebration. Nobody stopped fighting. The bloody battle continued for a few more seconds, until most of the players simply ran away, now without a strong boss to chase them.

Dremo remained fighting for a few more moments, catching a glimpse of Josua being taken away by a demon, seemingly unconscious. Dremo would have wanted to help him, after all, he hated to leave people behind. But even he had to admit that it wouldn't have only been suicide, it would have been impossible for the former beta tester to do anything. Without anything to do, the black haired boy turned around, and ran away, without looking back, joining the other running players.

This short, but bloody and chaotic fight had ended, but this... was far from over. From the darkness of the night, the war horns of the demon hordes were heard, together with their shouts and war cries. The hordes of the Demon King was closing in... and there was no escape, but to run. The Night of the Long Knives was continuing...

---

A large influx of players was running towards the Great Gate of the Starting City, the only one still open, and clearly not enough to let all of these players enter at the same time. Running, desperate for their lives, the players had only one thing in mind - to get behind the safety of the walls, to put the walls behind them and the demon mobs who were closing in. And from the thousands of players who were in and near the Starting City, the ones who actually chose to fight were few... too few... far too few.

Catching his breath, Dremo stopped for a few moments in front of the Great Gate. He had managed to reach it in time, a thing that couldn't be said about all the players.. but even so, there were a few hundred players who were still desperately trying to get in. Rather than joining them in the chaotic influx of people. Dremo turned around, looking in the distance for one last time... and then he saw them. Under the light of the moon, over the hills, in the night.. the black demons riding wolves, the vanguard of the hordes. Riding from the side, they had already reached the players... and then Dremo heard a scream, immediately looking at the one who screamed... but it was too late..

The black eyed boy looked directly into the eyes of a female player who was only a few meters away from him, a pair of eyes with a rather strange color, somewhere between blue and purple. But it took another moment for Dremo to truly realize who she was, upon noticing her female light armor, red, a little lighter than the color of her dark red hair, arranged in twintails.. it was the same female player who barely reached the Starting City, prompting Dremo and the others to run to the Harunka Village to save her friends... she had probably been waiting here, in the front of the gate, waiting for her friends. And now, a demon riding on a wolf had just pierced her defenseless back with a spear. For a moment, Dremo looked into her eyes, and she looked into his. For a moment, the former beta tester noticed the same look he knew so well, the look one had in the very few moments before death, when you truly realize that you are going to die... but the girl never managed to scream. She was dead before touching the ground.

Instinctively, the grey coated player slashed his sword, cutting the demon into two as he passed near him, parrying the strike of his spear with his other sword. For a few more moments, Dremo was shocked before words. But then, the shock turned into anger. He hated to see people die, he simply hated it. Especially if he would have been able to defend them... and all of this before a stupid event.. she had to die and lose most of her friends because of a stupid event, which would have been fun in a normal game...... but everyone knew that SAO was anything but normal.

"After me, we have to establish a perimeter! Keep them away by any means!", Dremo shouted, his experience kicking in, the other players trying to follow his commands, desperately trying to keep the incoming demons away from the routing players. They had to last until everyone was in. They had to save them.

"Hold your ground!", was the last thing Dremo managed to shout, before this whole turned into a chaotic massacre on both sides. but a massacre which kept the demons away from the running players. And for the players still outside the walls... this had just turned into a race of life and death.