Equis Art Online II

As the Warpriest's blazing punch slammed into the ground, Kirito launched into the air and slashed with his black sword. Leaping to the ground, Kirito looked up and smiled slightly. His blow had done damage. Then, the Warpriest drew his cleaver and nearly chopped Kirito into two, with him leaping out of the way.

"Now his incineration attack!" Yui cried out.

Kirito and the group took to the air as the Warpriest threw his hands up, and a massive sphere of flame formed. As the Warpriest threw it like a beach ball, it exploded into several cluster missiles. As they impacted, the group dived, dodged, and leaped to avoid being hit by the blazing missiles.

"How are we supposed to beat this bastard?" Twilight said, casting a healing spell to heal a wounded Klein.

"Dunno! Just keep your eyes open!" Kirito said, dodging the Warpriest's repeated attempts to punch him into oblivion. Then, suddenly, the Warpriest fell to one knee and his beard of flame went out. Kirito gasped, then he saw the notification.

THE WARPRIEST'S ARMOR IS SUNDERED

Kirito charged and triggered Skill Connect. Slashing with several sword skills, the Warpriest roared in pain, though he did not move. As each of the group slashed, pummeled, or cut, the Warpriest suddenly launched up and blasted a gust of hot wind, throwing the attackers back.

"HELL RAIN ATTACK IN THREE!" Yui cried.

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

"ZERO!"

The Warpriest roared as flaming meteors formed and fired at the group. As they dodged, Kirito growled and continued to slash, engaging the Warpriest on his own. Then, he broke of and drew his second sword.

"CHARGE ON MY MARK!" he suddenly yelled, and Twilight nodded. The Warpriest roared again and threw a second flaming punch. Kirito dodged and landed an uppercut slash to the Warpriest's neck. His head was thrown back and Kirito slashed, gouged, and cut, his strikes glowing a bright blue. Asuna and Klein gasped, recognizing the attack.

"Starburst Stream..." Asuna said, shocked.

"Now! He's open!" Kirito yelled, leaping back. Asuna summoned her sword and charged alongside Leafa. Slashing, they carved a perfect X on the Warpriest's chest. He roared and stepped back, then Klein jumped and heaved a heavy blow to the Warpriest's damaged armor. As the cuirass shattered, the Warpriest roared and threw a final punch, only his time was up. Kirito charged and spun, slashing with both blades at the same time. As the Warpriest collapsed, he began to laugh.

"So, the flies defeated me, the Warpriest of Syrt...well, be proud of your victory. There is still greater perils to face..." he said mysteriously, before dissipating into blue and green particles. As the loot screens and CONGRATULATIONS!! appeared, Kirito turned and smiled to a stunned group. Klein was the first to speak.

"Okay, Kirito. WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?"

"You know. So why are you asking?" Kirito replied nonchalantly.

"How the hell did you get an SAO Sword Skill here?" Klein said.

"Well, technically it wasn't mine. You guys remember the august update? The Sword Skill one? You know that you can now use some SAO Sword Skills, right?"

"Yeah?" Klein replied.

"Well, I was checking my skills while we were waiting for Twi, and it was just there." He replied. "Look, it's not a big deal. What is the big deal is the imminent deletion of ALO and the Portal. So, we should keep moving." Kirito said, and the group nodded. As they entered the castle, unknown to them, they were being watched. An NPC wearing a red dress with black and silver detailing, with pure white hair, watched from a castle window.

"Vilja?" a voice said. The NPC turned to see another NPC, clad in the armor of a flame giant chieftain, walk in with a concerned look.

"What's wrong?"

"I just saw some fairies defeat father's warpriest." she replied.

"Well, good riddance. I think father was relying on him too much. But if they make it past the Torchbearer..."

"You know well that NO ONE makes it past...that...thing." she said, shaking slightly.

"I know." the male said. "Sad, really. I will admit the Torchbearer is a complete monstrosity, but keeping it in the gatehouse? That's cruel, even to that monster."

"Bjorn, what should we do?" Vilja asked.

"We wait. If they defeat the Torchbearer, then we act. Now? We do as father says. He is king."

Vija sighed and turned back to the window. Bjorn bowed and closed the door.

Someday...I'll see the surface...Someday...I'll leave this realm of fire...