//------------------------------// // The demon knight/ The black swordsman // Story: Sword Art Online demonic change // by redsopine //------------------------------// It's late in the evening as Red and Kirito are in the a forest on one of the floors hunting a band or orange player thieves that went red and killed 4 people when suddenly Redsopine flicks his ear and takes off running as a girls scream is heard. "GET AWAY FROM HER YOU DAMN UGLY APES! Shouts Redsopine as he leaps up and grabs one by the ear throwing it to the floor as he drives a dagger into it's head killing it as kirito arrives and quickly cuts the other two ape things down. "Are you ok miss? They both ask as they see a young girl with pigtails dressed in yellow armour and holding an dagger in her hand as she stares at Redsopine in shock and asks. What are you? Suddenly she remembers That her tamed dragon should have been there as she starts panicking looking for her calling out PINA PINA WHERE ARE YOU! Kirito sighs as he answers her. "Miss during the fight I saw a small dragon get hit by one of there clubs all that's left is that feather there" he says showing it to her as he continues speaking. "But theres good news if Pina was a familiar theres a flower on leval 47 that can revive her for you". Really then if I grind really hard I can being her back? The girl asks hopefully before red scoffs loudly. "What Kirito was going to say before interrupted was you have three days you dont have a chance of doing that alone your way to weak to survive it alone and you have to be there" Red pulls a flask out of his cloak and opens it as a strong alcoholic smell emanates from it as he drinks deeply staggering a bit as he puts it away and leaning on a tree. Kirito sighs as he looks at the girl " If you want we can take you to the flower we was going to that floor anyway and these items should help you leval up enough for the floor" kirito transfers some armour and weapons to the girl to help her become strong enough for the floor as red speaks again his voice slurred. "Really Kirito playing charity now if you want to babysit her go ahead I'm heading back to town to refill my flask" with that red takes off flying albeit wobbly and barely missing a few trees as the girl looks at kirito. What's his problem he seems grouchy but also sad oh I'm Silica but the way I never told you guys. Kirito sighs as he replys :Its a long story but it started a few months ago when a guild we was with nearly died" A few hours later as kirito and Silica are walking into town. "And that's why Reds so dismissive even going as far to make people not like him hes blaming himself for what happend and he dont want it to happen again" He finishes just as they see Redsopine sitting next to a building drinking alone from a bottle as Kirito Sighs. "It looks like its going to be a long night do you know someplace we can stay so he can sleep it off. Silica nods as she replays " I do and they even make a great cheesecake should we help him up. She says as Red drops the bottle his head hanging low as he has passed out from drinking as Kirito walks over and hefts him up onto his shoulder as Silica trys to do the same though it's a little of a lopsided carry as she takes the lead saying. "Just follow me the inns nearby we can get a room for you both and some food" On the way back to the in there stopped by a woman wearing red with orange hair saying. "Oh my it looks like you got another one wrapped around your finger and you even seem to have a new pet how did you convince the poor boy to help you carry it home though I wonder where you found such a beast to tame" as she said the word beast red begins to stir and looks at the woman with a dangerous glint in his eye. "What the fuck did you just call me you tacky looking whore because I'm sure you didant just call me a beast now did you" the woman was taken aback by Redsopine talking to her before his words registerd into her mind. "Why you really should no better then to talk to your betters you filthy ugly beast you can play dress up but your not fooling anyone I doubt you even know how to use that sword on your back" at thoese words Redsopine just starts laughing as he shrugs Kirito and Silica off him as he looks at her. Who needs weapons when I can easily break your arms so you cannot fight back now you have ten seconds to apologise for calling me a beast or I will break both your arms and even with a healing potion it still takes 12 hours to fully heal up" hearing thoese words the woman looks at Silica and says in her degrading tone. You better call your pet off before he gets himself hurt because I'm sure hes not protected by the towns rules like we are. Silica blinks and looks confused before replying. "You really think hes a beast I've tamed because hate to break it to you Redsopine here is a player and hes quite a cool fighter so you should really apologise to him" "Times up" Says Redsopine as he cracks his knuckles still a bit wobbly as he goes to swing at the woman before Kirito grabs his arm stopping him from hitting her. "As much as it would seem amusing for you to hit her nows not the time or the place the last thing we need is everyone watching us to see if your going to fight them" he says before looking at the woman "and you should know better then to just insult people all the time acting all high and mighty when you dont even look like you have been in a fight before just leave before you get yourself hurt" with that he helps lead Redsopine away with Silica as she starts to giggle. "Oh the look on her face when you spoke and insulted her was priceless but what exactly is a whore? Silica asks wondering what it is as Kirito sighs and face palms "You dont want to know and your definitely not old enough to know just leave it at that Silica so is this the in you was talking about? Kirito asks as they stopped outside a inn. "Yup let's get you two a room and some food and I can explain how I know Rosalia back there" Upon hearing her name Red blinks and facepalms himself. "Just great we just pissed of the leader of titans hand thieves guild that should make things easier later on and Silica your lucky they did not rob you before anyway I'm going to bed" with thoese words he stumbles inside to the in keeper and buys a room to sleep in and heads upstairs. "So was he faking being passed out in a attempted to be robbed in order to catch them in the act and arrest them? Asks Silica confused at how fast Red recoverd from being passed out to normal. "Seems like it I wouldn't put it past him he takes to many risks even on the frontlines I've seen him multiple times drag people out of a lethal blow tank it and hold the boss in place for the others to kill it" Kirito sighs before speaking again. "Still we should probably head upstairs to plan the route to the revival flower for you as well as other things to discuss in private" Silica nods before realizing Kirito just said he and Redsopine was from the frontlines. "Wait your both from the frontlines why are you here?" "We can discuss that upstairs in private" Kirito says buying a room and heading upstairs with Silica following him once upstairs he knocks on a door with a small bit of rock grit outside. "Red its us can you let us in?" he asks as the door opens as Red says to them both. "Watch the grit it's a pain to make in a literal sense but it's great for tracking eavesdropping spies as it stays in your boots for a long time" With that said both Silica and Kirito carefully step over the grit and enter the room shutting the door behind them. "Ok first things first yes me and Red are from the frontlines and as to why we are hear well we are just taking a break from the fighting". Says Kirito sitting at a table in the room as Redsopine nods and adds in a low growling voice "That bitch who does she think she is the next time she calls me a beast in challenging her to a dual personally I hope they fight back so I can break a few bones". Once that was said Redsopine sits on a chair at the same table as Kirito and opens a map of floor 47 as kirito points out a route. "This route should get us to the resurrection flower the fastest should only take a few hours to get there and back with little resistance". Kirito says before red points out a second route that was longer. "It maby faster but that's becuase most of the flora monsters are easy to kill for us both but what about the girl shes going to have trouble with a few and if were going to help her then the longer route best weaker monster's that I can restrain for her to kill and gain the xp for so she can become stronger and survive easier here we wont always be around to save her". Suddenly Red geats up and pulls open the door just before somone yells in pain and runs off with there hood up. "Damnit the punk was wearing a mask I didn't see his face but its safe to assume his with Titans hand who else would be snooping at doors anyway we should get to sleep so if you both dont mind can you get out of my room for me." They both nod and leave the room as Kirito looks to Silica and asks. "Hey would you like to chat to Sachi? Shes from our old guild I'm sure they would like to take you in there good people if a bit reckless at times but maby you can help temper them on that you seen just how bad being reckless can go and it's not safe to be alone at your leval" Kirito asks and says in concern before Silica nods her head. "Sure it sounds fun plus maby you can explain to me why I keep seeing these odd green orbs floating above people and why Red said Rosalia was leading a guild of thieves I dont get how people can be so mean like that?" Kirito nods and smiles. "Sure hey I can tell you over some of that cheesecake you told me about let's head back downstairs". With that Both Silica and Kirito head back down the stairs and order some food sitting at a table near the window Kirito explains to Silica the different types of MMO players. "In any online game, a lot of people's personalities change. Some enjoy playing as outright villains. Our player indicators are green, right? However, if you commit a crime, the indicator will turn orange. The worst criminals, player killers, those who've killed someone, are known as red players. You mean murderers? In any other game, they could've had fun while role playing as the bad guy. However, Sword Art Online is different. This game isn't really a game at all it's real." With that said Kirito looks about. "Is it me or does the food here take ages to arrive?" The next day floor 47 "Wow look at all the flowers and couples" Silica says blushing a little as Redsopine scoffs. "Really your blushing at couples we have a job to do gawk later let's get moving it's a good six hours to get there and another six to get back". With that said Redsopine takes to the air and starts flying ahead leaving Kirito and Silica behind as she asks him. "Why would you do all this for me? If you promise not to laugh, I'll tell you". "I promise." "It's because you remind me of my little sister". Once she hears this Silica laughs a little. "Sorry sorry just out of all the reasons people have wanted to party with me mostly as a mascot your the first to say something so sweet." As Silica is talking a vine starts moving towards her ankle before its pinned to ground by a dagger out of nowhere as red shouts out from above. "HEY WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING YOU NEARLY GOT GRABBED BY A PLANT." After landing red walks over and grabs his hunting daggers and grabbing the vine of the plant and yanks it out of the ground. "Hey kid if you want to get stronger this is a good chance for you easy xp so act fast before it dies by itself." Upon hearing this and seeing the monster restrained Silica quickly attacks it taking the plant monster out as reds ear twitches and he growls sniffing the air. "What's wrong Redsopine you dont normally growl unless something bad is about to happen." Kirito asks looking around him ready for a fight when he suddenly spots 3 people hiding behind some trees." I see three of them how many do you smell Red." "I smell 6 three ahead 3 behind us." He looks at Silica before speaking to them both. " Kirito take the kid back to the glade and take the route you suggested I will catch you both up once I'm done here it's to dangerous for us to fight two fronts like this she could get hurt plus I don't want to scare her if i go all out." Upon hearing this Silica looks at Red annoyed and stamps on his foot. "Oh no you don't we came to far together to just start over I'm staying here and I'm going to help." "NO YOU ARE NOT YOUR GOING BACK TO TOWN AND TAKING THE FASTER ROUTE WHILE I DEAL WITH THESE PUNKS." Says red arguing back as Kirito looks on baffled at Redsopines attitude change from dismissive to trying to keep Silica safe. "NO I AM NOT IM STAYING AND THATS FINAL I WOULD RATHER NOT BE OUT HERE AFTER DARK AND I DONT WANT TO WASTE TIME RESTARTING FROM THE TOWN AGAIN." "JUST DO AS I SAY CRIMSON I DONT WANT TO SEE YOU DIE AGAIN." When Redsopine says this Silca and Kirito look Confused as to who he is talking about until they see Red grab his head in pain as he starts muttering. " No no no crimson my sweet little sister why did you take that arrow for me you know I would have been ok now your gone I have no one left." Upon hearing and seeing this it clicks inside Kiritos head what's happening as he kneels next to Redsopine and shakes his shoulders. "Red snap out of it your stuck in a memory we need you right now Silica needs your help." When kirito touches him and speaks this words Redsopine stiffins a bit before breathing deeply and letting it out. Thanks Kirito I'm sorry for worrying you like that sometimes my mind gets lost in my memories at times now how should we do this 3 each or 2 each?" Before Kirito can answer Silica charges forward at the three on front of them as Kirito shouts out "OH COME ON". and rushes after her as red calmly walks up to the three behind them without drawing his swords he looks at the three of them. Ok I will give you all one chance to surrender and go to the prison yourselves if you try to fight and I hope you do your going to be nursing broken limbs for a month so what do you choose?" The three red players looked at each other before smirking and drawing their weapons. "Pretty cocky mouth ya got there." One of them said confidently. "But we're members of titans hand, the most feared guild on the lower floors!" Red scoffed. "Oh please, so you can frighten low level kids and noobs with weak armor." He said as he got an a matain arts stance. "I'm not impressed." He said as he shot forward and gut punched the Pker in the center of their formation. "Huh I guess your spy didn't warn you guys were from frontlines part the assault team the top clears in fact". As this occurred Kirito calmly walked forward to where Silica was fighting the ambushers, she moved quickly but kirito noticed how she was hesitating and only leaving scratches on them before leaping back. "Huh, she's like a cat." He muttered as he watched her dodge a strike only to be slammed into from behind by a sword sending her flying to kirito who caught her and saw her health was in the red. "Here, drink this." He said as he pulled out a health potion and sat her down. "I'll handle it from here." Kirot stood and calmly waked toward the PKers who grinned and waited for him to charge forward however instead Kirito calmly drew his sword and got in an odd stance the two groups watched each other before the killers got tired of waiting and charged swinging at Kirito who calmly blocked all their attacks before activating a sword skill. The PKers watched in shock as Kirito's sword glowed and he spun around slashing them across the chest and sending them all to the ground where the groaned in pain. Kirito sighed and looked back to see Red finish pounding the last of his attackers to the ground by delivering a brutal clap to the sides of his head and the pulling him in and head butting him. "Well that could of gone better for them." Kirito said with a straight face as Silica stat in shock at what she had witnessed. By all accounts this had been a three versus six with the odds stacked heavily against them and at a strategic disadvantage and somehow they had won. 'Just who are these guys?' Silica thought as Red walked toward them dragging the guys that attacked him behind them by their shirt collars with a frown no his face. "Not much of a challenge." He said as he threw them onto the other guys causing them to groan again." Kirito looks at them and grabs the most conscious of there attackers and asks them. "How many of you are in titans guild and where are the rest of you hiding at hello can you hear me" he sighed and drops the guy again "damnit there to much out of it to be any help red you got one of the prison Crystal's ready HEY STOP LOOTING THERE STUFF" he shouts as he watches red casually taking there armour weapons and items. "What not like there gonna need it we can sell this to the black smiths or give it to the lower guilds to help them out no sense wasting the stuff besides I got all I could off them". Red says as he writes a note on a bit of paper and places it on the pile saying. RED PLAYERS FROM TITANS HAND THIEVES GUILD LOCK THEM UP LOVE THE GUY WITH WINGS. before he places the crystal on them and teleports them to the prison level. Dusting his hands off he looks at Silica. "Sooooo I'm gussing you want to know what that was about right well as we told you last night Silica but where both from the front-lines and we was hunting these guys but we only got half of them 4 of these players was red 2 was orange so we at least got the killers of there group sent to the prison first now we just need to catch rosalia and the rest of them in the act". With that red takes back off into the sky to keep a lookout around them as Silica and Kirito head to the resurrection flower. "So I have to ask but is Redsopine wearing any armor right now he don't look like he is and why was he fighting without weapons he could have died?" Asks Silica as they walk. "Remember when we ment yesterday how the monster he killed with his swords did not disappear for some reason when red uses his hands or his weapons on anything in here for a small moment they become real and bleed but if they die they stay real if he used his sword on them back there they would have died for real I mean did you see that guys face we dont bruise but he was coverd in them anyway where here". Says Kirito as they arrive in a small clearing with a pedestal growing on it was a flower as Silica walked over to it a item dropped from the flower which she takes and reads as the resurrection flower they start heading back to town. 2 hours later As Kirito Silica and Redsopine approach the bridge leading into town when red holds his hand out. "Come on out Rosalia I can smell you from here and bring your friends out". A moment passed before Rosalia stepped out from behind a tree, a kind smile on her face. "Your detection must be really high beast and you even got your hands on the Pneuma Flower, how impressive." She said in a sweet tone. "Oh god please shut the fuck up." Red said with a groan before reaching into his cloak and pulling out a flask which he took a heavy gulp form. "Honestly I can't figure out how you put up with that cheery persona of yours. What's the secret, orphan blood?" As Red spoke Rosalia's kind facade faded leaving a scowl. "Big talk from something that's nothing more than a beast. Tell you what, hand it over and no one gets hurt." She said with a smirk. "No one's handing anything over Rosalia, not to you or the orange Guild you lead; you’re Called Titan's Hand, right?" Kirito asked as he stepped forward. "But you said that that kill others have red cursers, Rosalia's is green!" Silica exclaimed in confusion. "It's an easy trick," Kirito said calmly. "The Green Members find their victims, and then they lure them straight to the Orange Player. A perfect ambush." He explained as he turned back to Rosalia. "That was one of your pals eavesdropping on us last night, and we already know you attempted to intercept us earlier." Silica's eyes widened. "Then the reason you were in that party with us was to- to-" "That's right," Rosalia's said as her smile turned twisted. "How perceptive, I was observing their strength and watching them earn all that beautiful gold." She said a she licked her lips. "But young were the one I was the most excited about but then you left us, I was so sad; and then you told me you were going after a rare item!" She said with excitement. "But I do wonder, if you both knew about us then why bring her here? Are both you dumb and does she have you both wrapped around finger so tightly you'd die for her?" Red chuckled. "You’re wrong on both accounts kiddo." He said calmly. "You see, we've been looking all over for you Rosalia." Kirito said as he stepped up and stood beside Red. Rosalias smile faded. "What are you talking about?" She asked. "Remember ten days ago? You attacked a guild called the Silver Flags?" Kirito asked. "The Leader survived, four didn't." Rosalia giggled. "Oh, you mean those losers with no money." She said "Their leader went back and forth, from the warp point to the front lines, morning till night, and with tears in his eyes he begged everyone he met to avenge his dead friends." Kirito said calmly. "But he didn't want you Killed, no; he wanted you to go to prison. Do you have any idea how he felt?" Kirito asked as his eyes hardened. "Can’t say I do; only idiots take this game seriously. So what if we kill someone here?" Rosalia asked wait a shrug. "There's no proof that dying here means you’re dead IRL." She said in a nonchalant manner. "Anyway, it's time you worried about your selves for a change." She said as she snapped her fingers and seven players stepped out of the tree line and gathered around her. Silica's eyes widened and she took a step back in fear. "Kirito, we need to get out of here, there's too many for us to fight on our own." Red chuckled and Kirito turned and paced a hand on Silica's head. "It's safe here and keeps that teleport crystal handy till I get back." Silica watched in shock as Kirito stepped forward and drew the sword on his back. "BE CAREFUL KIRITO!" Silica yelled causing one of the Titans Hand members to freeze "Kirito..." He muttered as he looked at the two players before him. "One dressed in black, one hand and no shield; the other in a brown cloak bare handed and with a strange appearance. Oh crap, it's the Black Swordsman and Demon Knight!" he said in shock before turning to his leader. "Rosalia, those guys, one a beater and the others a skilled player form the Front Lines!" he said in panic. "They're with the Assault team!" Rosalia scoffed. "Why would someone form the assault team be all the way down here?" She asked arrogantly. "Go on and take them out, take everything they own!" She yelled as the members charged their sword skills and changed. As they ran forward Red stopped as Kirito continued, the members surrounded and swung their sword delivering blows all across him slowly chipping away at his HP. Red simply smirked as Silica watched in fear before the bar suddenly refilled the entire lost HP. After several more seconds the members were left gasping for breath a they continued to circle Kirito. "What the hell you idiots!? Kill hi already!" Rosalia yelled angrily. "Man you all are out of shape really ought to do at least some cardio." Red said in a nonchalant tone, the smirk still on his face. "410 seconds give or take, that's about the total damage the seven of you can inflict on me." Kirito said calmly. "I'm Level 78, I've got 14500HP, my battle healing skill auto regenerates 600 points every ten seconds, and you can stand around and do this all day ad you wouldn't get anywhere." "Not that it wouldn't be really fucking entertaining!" Red yelled out with a chuckle. "That's not possible!" One of the red Players yelled angrily. "Want to bet?" Kirito asked coldly. "If your numbers are high enough you’re invincible, MMO's that use levelling systems are unfair that way." Kirito reached in to his coat and pulled out a massive Teleport Crystal. "Our client spent his entire fortune on this warp crystal and he'll get his money’s worth." Kirito said as he raised it. "It's been set to the coordinated of the Prison, and I'm sending all of you bastards there!" Rosalia growled and levelled her trident. "Well I'm Green and if you harm me you'll go orange so-" Rosalia gasped as she was cut off from speaking. Standing before her was red his arm out stretched, the speed of his movements was enough to pull the cloak he wore off revealing the high class armour he wore underneath. It light armour made of leather and appeared to have many bronze plates covering it allowing for ease of movement without losing any of its defence. However in Rosalias Panic she had thrust the trident into his shoulder and pierced the armour casing red blood to begin to drip down. Rosalia stared in terror as the blood trickled down, coating the weapon and dripping to the ground beneath them wetting the grass. As Rosalia stood in shock Red began to choke the women as he brought her close to his face his eyes seeming to glow with the amount of rage held within them. "You are nothing but silly little child treating life like a game and playing the villain. But you are no villain, just a dumb child who can't accept the reality of what they have done and managed to delude themself into believing a lie. I've met real villains, real monsters with no regrets in what they did but you’re not like that. I see it in your eyes, your starting to realize this is not a game. In games you don't feel pain, in games you don't bleed and this game doesn't even have blood in it but ask yourself this, if this is a game then why is my blood running down your trident right now?" He asked as she dropped her weapon and began to claw at his hand as she let gasped out for air. Red's eyes narrowed. "You think that just because there is no proof that a player dies then it means that they don't?" He asked as Rosalias face began to turn purple. "Redsopine, Stop that now!" A voice yelled out casing Red to freeze and turn to Silica. "She may be a horrible person but she's not evil. She made a mistake," Silica said as she walked forward and passed the other Red Players. " all she wanted was to have fun and play the villain, in most games it's okay to do so and player like me who are young an experienced may even enjoy fighting them but this game is different from any other." Red growled but released Rosalia. "Fine, she can live." He said before looking down at eh gasping women. "You're lucky she stood up for your child, though perhaps this will teach you that life is a sacred thing ment to be cherished. If we ever meet again and you have not changed your ways, then know that I will not spare you a second time. With that he lets her go and yanks the trident out of his shoulder in a spray of blood that splashed onto Rosalias face before bending down and picking his cloak back up and putting it on he starts walking past her back into town shouting back. " I'LL SEE YOU BACK AT THE INN." with that he rounds a corner and disappears from view as Rosalia numbly looks at Kirito and Silica before heading back to the group of players from her guild taking the Crystal and activating it herself teleporting them all to the prison level. Silica looks at kirito a bit shaken by what she saw " What just happened did Reds words get through to her or something i have never seen someone give up like that without a fight before. "He took away her will to fight by showing her this is not a game that it is real once she realized that she realized by her orders four people have died" Kirito looks worried and troubled before speaking again. "we should get back to the inn before he passes out either drunk or from blood loss plus we still need a safe place to bring back Pina. With that said they both headded back to the inn for the night reviving Pina as they did so but come morning both Kirito and Redsopine had already left back for the frontlines.