Sword Art Online demonic change

by redsopine

Rating: teen
Tags: Violence, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Death, Human, Narcotics, Anthro, Princess Luna, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Second Person, Dark, Alternate Universe, Original Character, Suicide / Self Harm, Profanity, Adventure
Length: 31154

What happens when a pony corrupted by demons is banished to a different reality that was just a game that became all to real.

(My own take on sao with alot of changes occurring inside it saving a few needless deaths and making it more real for a few of them later on also if anyone has a idea to strengthen the tie in is welcome)

Other tags I could not include slice of life and romance and it swaps between third and first person)

Kirito one of the original beta testers for sword art online was helping a new player to learn the game when something unforeseen happens and a creature he has never seen before appears hurt and bleeding.

Redsopine hurt and banished from his home just for being what he is after saving the life of a filly in danger revealing his true nature he finds himself trapped in a game that just became all to real asking himself if he should try help others and risk being hunted again

Published 2019-11-20 22:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2022-02-19 02:45:52 UTC

The power of terra revealed/Beater

It's been a month since everyone was trapped in SAO buy its madman of a creator and one month since Redsopines exil to the world over twi thousand players have died and no one has come close to finding the first floor boss so a meeting was called of the highest level players in the game to discuss what happens next.

My name is Diabel. I like to consider my "job" as Knight.

There's no job system in this game!

Then, is the meeting a joke, too?

You should take this seriously! Today, our party found the boss room at the top of the tower.

Seriously?

We need to defeat the boss, reach the second floor, and tell everyone waiting in the Town of Beginnings that it is possible to beat this game. Everyone present here shares this duty! Do you all agree? All right, then let us begin our planning. First, divide into parties of six. Of course we'll be in the same party. An ordinary party has no chance against a floor boss. I'll be the leader. We'll need to form a raid group using multiple parties. Let's do this!

"So kirito wanna join up for this you have been helping me out alot so I want to be there for you to help you out?" Red asks having grown quite fond of kirito who accepted him for who and what he is and helped him learn to defend himself in the world they are trapped in".

"Sure and it would make it easier for us as we fight being able to check on each others health plus I dont know how you do it but your able to just attack without switching with me making the monsters have a hard time countering us."

"I guess that what that creep of a game master ment he has little control over my actions in game anyway we should add her next to you she seems like a solo and she might need help in the fighting?"

"Kirito blinks at the suggestion as he looks over at the person next to him. Er hi I'm kirito this is redsopine or just red wanna party with us? It's better then fighting on your own and everybody else seems paired up".

"The the cloaked girl answers with a nod and accepts the invitation to party kirito sends her."

Okay, have you formed your parties?

Just a second! My name's Kibaou. I wanna say something before we take on the boss. Some of you here need to apologize to the two thousand who have died so far!

Kibaou-san, are you referring to the beta testers?

Of course I am! On the day this stupid game started, the beta guys ditched us beginners, and they all disappeared. They took all the good hunting spots and easy quests for themselves, so only they could get stronger. And then, they just ignored the rest of us. I'm sure someone here was in the beta! They should get on their knees and apologize, and give up all the items and money they've hoarded. Otherwise, we can't trust them to protect us as party members, and they shouldn't trust us

Oh can it you self serving jerk it wasant just the betas that moved out fast any experienced mmo player would have gone to the nearest towns to get the xp but you seem to think that's just the betas and where was you when the weaker players could have used protection to escape a fight they could not win or teaching them how to handle low leval monsters! "Hey says as he is getting angrier the longer he talks".

I bet you was just hunting to make yourself stronger not them and at most the betas only know a few levels the rest is unknown right now they have knowledge but that knowledge is limited to there own experience now if you truly want to be of help then help train players to protect the weaker players the young kids that are trapped in the game keep them safe not demand retribution for the dead that wont help them and will make the best chance we have to escape this game weaker you dumbass.

"Red says taking a deep breath as a black man with a bald head and a large axe speaks up before the flabbergasted guy red just insulted and tore to shreds with his words could retaliate"

My name is Egil. Kibaou-san, tell me if I have this right. You're saying that because the beta testers didn't take care of them, many beginners died. That they should take responsibility, apologize, and provide compensation. Correct?

Y-Yeah.

You got this guide book, didn't you? It was provided for free at the item store.

Sure, I did Why?

It was compiled from information given by the beta testers.

Seriously?

Listen. Everyone had equal access to this information. And even still, many players died. I thought the topic of discussion here was what we could learn from their deaths, and how that can help us defeat the boss.

Then, can we resume? The latest edition of that guide book was just issued, and it contains information on the boss. According to it, the boss's name is Illfang the Kobold Lord. He is guarded by assistants known as Ruin Kobold Sentinels. He is armed with an axe and a buckler. He has four health bars, and when the last one enters the red, he switches to a curved sword-type weapon called a Talwar. His attack pattern changes, as well. Wow Amazing. This concludes the briefing.

"Kirito walks with red out of the meeting area as they head back to the town of beginnings laughing a little.I must say red you really dont hold back on calling people out on there faults or when there being jerks I'm impressed he was trying to blame everything on the betas instead of helping others and I didn't even think about experienced mmo players heading out as well still we should see if our new party member knows how to switch in a party."

Ok while you do that I'm going to hunt some weak low xp monsters for some meat meet up back here in say three hours?

"Kirito nods and replys ok stay safe and I still need to find out how the things you kill dont just disappear but can actually be harvested for food that's been a big help to everyone around here.

If I knew I would tell you but since the night we first met I cannot seem to recall my past but il be sure to bring some steaks back for the three of us cya soon. "Red spreads his wings and heads to a forest spwn area to hunt some wild animals for dinner that night as Kirito talks with there new party member about the way they work in combat."

why am I here what am I I know I'm not human so why do I look like one and why can only o fly

"these thoughts have been going through Redsopines mind for the past month the only thing that makes any sense is the letter from the game master."

“ That bastard he took my memory away from me he must have just to make sure a unknown wouldant have a fighting advantage.”

He sees a deer in a clearing and dives on it from above quickly killing it with a knife before he starts to cut the carrcus up and separates the meat into different piles of usable and bait to be dried out once that was done he stored the meat he was going to eat in a container of salt to absorb as much blood as he could to season the meat the rest he used the deers hide to carry as he took it back to town carefully avoiding predators once he was in town he placed it outside a butchers shop with a note."

"Please make sure the children get the meat to help keep there strength up and to show people are here to help instructions for storing and cooking are on the back of the note."

"Once that was done he flys back up to find kirito and there new party member as he sees them eating bread he lands and heres the end of there conversation."

“Even if I die I dont want to cower away and hide I wont give in to this game.”

“That's a noble sentiment to say but heres hoping no body dies tomorrow we've lost to many already but tomorrow we hold everybody's hope and future in our hands.”

Red sighs before smailing and clapping his hands. “Right then enough sad talking I got us all a treat but we need a open flame for it. "Red says as he pulls out the container with the deer steaks and shows it to them. “Unless your both ok with eating raw deer right here that is?”

The next day outside the boss room doors.

“Ok so to go over the plan we are part of the rear guard Kirito and you are going to be working as a pair to kill the monsters while I just do what I always do and attack any I can get close two in there blind spots while the others deal with the big guy correct?”

"Red asks making sure he knows the plan as they file into the chamber as the boss and its minions show up and a ferocious melee begins Kirito and his partner fighting in perfect synchronicity as they take down monster after monster rapidly while red moves about among the groups stricking the monsters with is sword daggers even his elbows and knees when suddenly the boss roars as red looks at is seening the its health dip into the red of low health as it draws a large blade he heres kirito shout out!"

GET OUT OF THERE YOUR NOT PREPARED FOR ITS ATTACK.

"without thinking red rushes in and shoves Diable out the area as the boss swings its blade down onto his shoulder digging in deep as he bleeds which slowly stops as he grasps its blade and speaks out loud in deep tone of voice not his own."
BY CHOICE THOU WAS PREPARED TO DIE TO SAVE ANOTHER THY CARE NOTHING FOR SUCH YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN YOUR REWARD BY LORD TERRA BODY OF STONE STRENTH OF A MOUNTIN NOW SHOW THY STRENGTH AND SMITE THY FOES TO PROTECT OTHERS!

"when he stopped speaking he gasps as he falls to one knee still clutching the blade."

ANYTIME NOW CAN SOMOME KILL THE THING!

ON IT ASUNA HELP ME QUICKLY!.

"Says Kirito as he rushes the boss swinging his sword as the girl Asuna does the same both of them making short work of the boss as its held still once the bosses weapon disappears Reds shoulder is shown to have been cut deeply and starts to bleed again " Asuna quickly removed her cloak and wraps it around the wound to slow the bleeding as kirito is looking over the items he won for killing the boss while red pants and looks at Diable.

I fucking knew it your a beta and a low grade one at that any good beta would have worked with the party's to kill it and not hord the loot HEY JACKASS if you still want loot to share with the lower levels take his I don't think anyone will want him on the frontline fighting to protect people.

And what about kirito he knew what that blade was why would he call out to Dialga to fall back of he did not know the attack patterns.

“Thats none of my business but remember what I said yesterday the betas are our best bet at surviving but not when they try to be cheaters and put others at risk just to get good loot there nothing but a beater a beta cheater.”

"Kirito starts to laugh at that".

Ok I like that and considering he is right I am a beta and I've climbed up to floors the others have not even seen before so I guess you could call me that until my knowledge runs out but dont get me confused with the noobs like Dialga now incase anyone has anything to say I'm heading to the next floor to scout ahead go tell the others we can beat the game.

"Once he was done talking he gives Red a healing potion and helps him limp out of the area to the next floor before Asuna stops them".

“How did you know my name I never told you two?”

"Oh that it's under your health bar over hear I told you about it last night"

"Kirito and Asuna look at them and both wince."

“How are you still in the red on your health after that potion?" They both ask.

"That might be because I have internal injurys that just helped with stopping my bleeding I should be ok in a few hour's now can we get off this floor before I get mobbed about how I'm still alive by the others."

"With that the three of them walk out to the next floor"

The truth of red and terra revealed/Red nose reindeer

It has been three hours since that trap had been sprung and everything went to hell as Redsopine comes to he hears Keita shouting.

GET OUT AND TAKE THAT BEAST WITH YOU YOUR NOT WELCOME ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU NEARLY GOT EVERYONE KILLED!

When he hears this Redsopine still dazed and weak struggles to his feet as he steps outside and moves near to the levels edge looking down over it he thinks back on how he came to be there hated by his friends for what he was as he looks back at the inn he felt was his home for so many months contemplating why he was still alive.

"Heres to us the moonlit blackcats and heres a thank you to the guys that saved our lives back there”. Says a young man raising a tankard in appreciation for the rescue.

Redsopine smiles and raises his own tankard. "Think nothing of it anyone would have done the same so may we ask your names I'm Redsopine and my friend here is Kirito". He says, patting Kiritos arm smiling gently

“Oh right I'm Keita the leader of our guild". Says a boy with light brown hair dressed in red with armor on.

”I'm Sachi thank you for rescuing us". Says a girl with black hair, wearing a blue dress with armor on it.

”I'm Tetsuo thanks for having our backs out there“. Says the boy with brown hair wearing purple armor.

”Im Sasamaru and I know it's already been said but thanks where did you learn to fight like that?“ Asked the boy in green armor wearing a hat.

“that leaves me Ducker I'm the team’s thief when we go out dungeon hunting”. Says a blonde haired boy wearing a grey hat.

”If you dont mind me asking Kirito, Red what are your levels?” Asks Keita in curiosity.

"Well we’re both around leval forty. We have been trying to help the lower level players become strong enough to help defend the lower levels while the higher ranks clear the upper levels making them safer for the lower levels so they can gradually and safely become stronger." Red replies as he takes a sip of his drink as Kirito nods and speaks.

"He is telling the truth in fact I was one of the betas and the one that killed the first floor boss with everyone's help especially red here I dont know how he did it but he tanked a blow that would have killed anyone else and held the boss in place for us to attack it and end the fight though he nearly died for it even a full healing potion barely helped him and if you would accept us we would like to join your guild to help you grow stronger?"

"You’re both level forty and you want to help us but we’re half the levels you’re both at yet you want to join the moonlit black cats just to help us grow stronger to help protect other players like you protected us?" Asks Keita in disbelief.

"Yes exactly that were trying to show everyone we can pull though this by working together. Me and Kirito can weaken higher xp enemies for you guys to finish in one blow allowing you to become stronger faster but theres one rule we both have if we tell you to run and escape you do it as it will be a fight you cannot win got it?“ Says redsopine in a stern voice as he looks at them all his blue and green hair covering his left eye before he smiles.

"If your truly here to help then I dont see why not you seem to have nobal intentions welcome to the moonlit blackcats." Says Keita extending his hand in welcome.

Redsopine and Kirito both shake his hand and smile in happiness as Kirito thinks.

"I wonder how Asuna is doing i hope she’s ok wherever she is right now". thinks Kirito

“It been a few months since me and Kirito joined the Moonlit Blackcats in order to help them grow stronger and things have been going well they even saved enough col to buy a house in the town of beginnings. Keita plans to head there in the morning to barter for one". Red writes down in a small journal he started keeping so he can show people that they were keeping to their word to help everyone survive. The next day while he’s in town the others want me and Kirito to lead them on a raid into a dungeon on level 27 I'm worried their not ready for it but they promised to listen to us. Red finishes writing as he leans back ears flicking as he catches a conversation in the next room as he hears Sachii saying.

"I dont want to die in this game I'm scared but with you here I know I will be ok we all do with you and Red here".

Red sighs as he hears Kirito promise to keep her safe and to help her get home to her family as he sees Kirito walk past he calls out. "Kirito if you have a moment I want to discuss tomorrow with you." He said.

"Sure Red what's on your mind?“ Kirito asks in surprise thinking that they had already gone over everything already.

"There's something I need to tell, I've been having these... flashes of memories, who I was, where I came form, what I really am..." Red trailed off before turning to Kirito. "I've remembered something about myself, about what I am and how I survived that blow in our first boss fight. I'm... well... I'm part demon." He explained slowly. "Something else I remembered was that I can transfer a bit of my power to others though my blood. Now I don't know if it would work in this place but as gross as it sounds I'm offering it to you as there's a chance it could free up your combat the same as me and no longer be bound to the games strict system of control... it might be able to help us protect them. You don't have to take me up on the offer now but please let me know what you decide to do before we set out tomorrow." Red said as he hung his head low and looked up showing his left eye and the scar over it. As Kirito looks at him unsure what to say he backed away slowly unsure how to react. SLowly left the room without saying a word.

the next day floor 27 dungeon raid

"Well this is going great not much can stand between all 6 of us right now oh look a chest."
Says Ducker as he opens it inside a room.

Suddenly the door closes in on them as hidden panels open revealing mineral elementals and dark dwarves pouring in when suddenly a large stone golem walks in swinging its arms into them barreling stright at the party as Redsopine clutched his head in pain.

"Kirito get them out of here that golem is too strong for them I will keep it distracted JUST GO GET OUT NOW!" With that said Red grabs a swinging axe from one of the dark dwarves stopping the blow and kicking the dwarf away from him as he flaps his wings to create a gust giving Kirito and the others the chance to move to a better position to defend as Red charges at the golem twisting in midair as he brings the axe down in the golems chest and swings himself onto its head as he drives his sword into its shoulder and places his free hand onto its head and starts speaking in the same unknown language he spoke when he first arrived a green aura surrounded them both before he is sent flying backwards his cloak coming free of him.

While this is happening kirito and the moonlit blackcats form a defensive ring with kirito in the front as the others form up in teams of two as kirito speaks." Ok watch each others back I will weaken them and you deliver the killing blow fast just like before hopefully you can level up from this enough to survive."

as Kirito says this Redsopine crashes into a group of mineral creatures smoking lightly as the golem turns to look at him and roars again charging at him and catching him in the chest sending him flying into a wall next to the group as they fight as a SNAP is heard and his wings go limp he struggles to his feet panting before charging right back at the golem as it is attacking mineral elementals and dark dwarves drawing them away from Kirito and the moonlit blackcats giving them breathing room and punching the golem hard knocking it backwards as he yells at the top of his lungs in that strange voice he said so many months ago".

:YOU WILL YEILD TO ME TERRA OR DIE LIKE THE BEAST YOU HAVE BECOME." With his still working hand Red grabs the axe stuck inside terras chest and slams them to the ground all the while his health is getting lower into the red at the extreme strain he is butting his body through as he once again speaks. ”DO YOU YEILD OR WILL YOU DIE." He says removing his sword ready to strike as the golem speaks in a loud deep powerful voice.

"I YEILD TO YOU MY MASTER MY STRENGTH IS YOURS AGAIN"

Once these words were said the same green aura surrounds them both again as Reds red fur now visible to the others starts to change to stone as his wings and hand snap back into place as a strange pendent appears on his chest as he turns to look around him noting there's not many enemies left and to his relief the moonlit blackcats were still alive and holding the same corner they retreated to with a grin he charges back into the fray with heavy footsteps as he starts throwing monsters out the way as he finds Kirito and speaks in a grating voice
“FOLLOW ME IM BREAKING THAT DOOR DOWN.”
With that said he turns to face the door and charges at it gaining speed and momentum as with a loud CRASH he sends chucnks of the door flying into the corridor as he looks back to them and speaks. "GO GET OUT AND USE THE TRANSPORT CRYSTAL'S AND GET TO SAFETY NOW GO!"

He roars out the last part as he charges back into the room throwing monsters around to keep them distracted as the others run out the room and escape all but Kirito leave as he stayed behind to talk to Red and help him fight the monsters.

"I HEARD WHAT YOU CALLED THAT GOLEM IS THAT THE SAME TERRA THAT TOOK CONTROL OF YOU DUIRNG OUR FIRST BOSS FIGHT?" Kirito yells over the noise of the fight.

"YES IT IS HE SAYS HELLO BY THE WAY AND HE IS FILLING ME IN ON A FEW GAPS IN MY MEMORY THAT YOU WANT TO KNOW THERE’S THREE MORE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE AND BECUASE WE HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR SO LONG THEIR GOING FERAL AND BESERK GAHHHH!." Red says collapsing to one knee as the last mineral elemental is defeated panting as his body has a multitude of cuts slowly healing as his arms and wings go limp again. "That really hurt and took alot out of me are the others ok we didn't lose anyone right?" He asks in concern.

"Their all ok Red you did good back there and is this the power you wanted to share with me?"
Kirito asks as he helps Red to his feet as they head outside the room and warp back to the inn where Red collapses to the ground exhausted as his fur on his lower back becomes more stone like as the others stare at him confused and worry etched on their faces.

Maby I should just end it save them the pain of killing me themselves the more I remember the worse I look growing up a thief making pacts with demons slaughtering armies because I could Keita is right I'm nothing more then a beast. as he is thinking about just stepping off the edge he is pulled back as he feels somome hugging him.

" Please don't go Red Keita was just worried about us and he let his emotions get the best if him but you saved us you saved me".

Says Sachi as she gently pulls him further from the edge as Redsopine collapses still weak and exhausted both physically and emotionally as Kirito walks up to them both.

"Red we have to go Keita has made it clear were not welcome anymore and we have stayed behind long enough it's time we helped the frontlines and escape this world".

With thoese words Kirito and Redsopine get ready to teleport out of the leval to the frontlines as he looks back sadly saying "Goodbye Sachi" before teleporting away just as Sachi whispers.

"Goodbye you heroes.

The demon knight/ The black swordsman

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.

Umbras Arrival/Murder Within The Safe Zone

March 26 2024 the 56th floor Assualt Team meeting

"I told you that we are not going to have the villigers killed just for a cheap way to beat the boss just give me a few days and i can tank its attacks and hold it in place for you to kill!"

Yells Redsopine slamming his fist onto the table glaring at Asuna who by now was the second in command of the guild The Knights Of The Blood Oath wearing a white and red dress amour.

"And I've told you Red we don't have time to wait for you to get strong enough the longer we are in here the more time we lose in the real world and you and Kirito are the ones that are constantly slacking off where was you two months ago when we fought the last boss at the back just to catch a thieves guild and help some kid revive her familiar we could have used you in that fight!"

"Look I've said what I wanted to say if your going to be heartless like that I won't be a part of it."

Redsopine says walking away and out the area taking off into the air and flying to a clearing to train by himself.

"GAHHH who does she think she is acting like lives don't matter even if they come back they still feel pain they are still living beings in there own right!"

"calm down little one you know they don't understand things like we do humans in this world only see it as a game and that they are trapped like we are but hopefully once free they will take the lives of the villagers into consideration now focus on the ground and ready your arm you should be strong enough to wield my staff again."

Says Terra inside Reds head as Redsopine gets into a Keeling stance feeling the ground.

"Are you really being honest with me terra i dont remember much just your names and your rules how do i know i can trust you?"

After the meeting Kirito is approached by Agil a clearer that runs a merchant shop.

"Hey Kirito you and Red sure seem to be arguing with Asuna alot?"

"I know and its funny when i said to her she would be better off joining a guild i did not expect she would join the strongest or become the second in command."

4 Months later

Kirito and Redsopine are laying down on a rock and on the grass.

"Trust you two to be slacking off when theres work to be done!"

Says Asuna in a disaproving tone her hands on her hips.

"The settings are at the most optimal today a cool breeze beautiful warm sunlight it would be a waste to be working on such a beautiful day."

Says Kirito not even opening his eyes as he waves a hand lazily.

"You try spending most of your life two fifths reptilian and not develop the need to relax on a rock during a beautiful sunny day like this."

Red says offhandedly yawning as he starts to snore.

"Wait did he just say he's spent most of his life two fifths reptilian as in not all of his life but at some point he become part reptial?"

Asks Asuna a confused look on her face.

"Trust me Asuna don't go asking him about that you would not belive him unless you saw it for yourself."

Kirito says before patting the ground next to him.

"Come take a rest its a beautiful day I'm going to take a nap.

Asuna rolls her eyes and sighs before laying down on the grass before shortly falling asleep as Red cracks a eye open and smirks before sliding off his rock and walking back to town thinking to himself.

"Everyone wants to feel like someone cares."

centre of town 30 minutes later

"Hey Redsopine over here!"

Shouts Silica waving her hands in the air as pina coos and flutters about Red smiles and walks over.

Hey Silica you doing ok?

I'm doing fine I even made some new friends In a guild I joined I think you know there the Moonlit Black Cats.

Silica says in a excited tone as Red winces a bit from bad memories before smiling.

That's great news I hope there doing ok they must have gotten stronger to be up this high now

That we have Red and we never got to thank you for saving our lives back then so thank you" says Sachi coming up behind Red and hugging him smiling and as soon as Red turn's around smiling a bit awkwardly she slaps him hard on the face.

AND THAT'S FOR JUST LEAVING US AFTER YOU TRIED TO THROW YOURSELF OFF THE EDGE YOU IDIOT! " Then she starts crying and holds shim close in a bigger hugplease don't do that again.

"I'm sorry for that Sachi but i am doing better now how are the others and has Ducker stopped opening random chest yet?" Red asks as a Indignent HEY can be heard from someplace in the market.

"He has so how do you know Silica here and did you know she is a amazing dagger fighter?"

"Me and Kirito ran into her in a forest on the 46th level about 8 months ago she was surrounded by a few of those ape things and poor Pina here took a club for her." Red says petting Pinna gently as she coos again.

"So me and Kirito decided to help her retrive a revive item for her but we ran into a theives guild halfway there and this little nutter charges three of them with her daggers and kept them busy and distracted." Red says ruffling Silicas hair as she punches his leg in annoyance.

"Hey who are you calling little."

Silica says in a annoyed tone before stamping on Reds foot making a loud CRUNCH noise.

"OWOWOWOWOWOW I THINK YOU BROKE A TOE."

Redsopine shouts hopping on one foot as he is holding the other one.

"Oops sorry Red i forgot that you take damage diffrently to us in here so what should we do today once your foot heals?"

Silica asks in concern as Sarchi giggles smiling at Reds antics.

"I've missed this Red i remember when you made soup that one time and spilled it on yourself and you tried to hide the fact you did it by claming you had to meditate in your room but we all saw you sneak out to wash something."

"HEY I THOUGHT YOU PROMISED NOT TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THAT!"

Red shout's out embarrassed as he stops hopping about before he chuckles at his own antic's before narrowing his eyes as he notices a small shadow darker then the others moving about on its own before grinning and then frowning as he sees a small paw reach out of the shadows and pluck a money pouch of a player walking past it.

"Ok I seriously thought you broke that habit Umbra."

Redsopine thinks to himself.

“Hey you guys head on ahead some guy dropped his money pouch.”

Red says as he nabs the pouch and catches up to the player.

“Hey mister you dropped your money pouch watch over it better in future.”

He hands the player his pouch back and walks over to Umbras hiding spot.

“follow me outside the walls we need to talk about you stealing again Umbra!”

With that said Redsopine starts heading for a gate by a clock tower when suddenly a man falls out of it hanging by a rope a spear in his chest and a woman screams loudly.

“OH SHIT HANG ON I’ll CUT YOU DOWN SOMONE BE READY TO CATCH HIM!”

Red shouts as he takes to the air drawing a serrated dagger he grabs the rope and starts slicing it till he sees the mans lifebar hit red and started to lower and he let go of the rope the mans lifebar freezes with 1hp left before he suddenly vanishes like he was just killed.

“MONSTER WHAT HAVE YOU DONE YOU KILLED HIM WE ALL SAW IT!”

Someone in a crowd shouts before something sharp pierces his left shoulder though his blue feathered wing and his chest coughing blood he falls to the ground hard with a spear though him blood pooling around him as he tries to stand as a mob starts to surround him weapons drawn.

“So the rumours are true this creature is not like us or the game he bleeds and we have all heard the tales of how he fights different to all of us how far is it to guess not even the rules of the safe zone would stop him from killing people we should end this beast before it kills again while it is weak”

A man wearing a mask and covered in a cloak says as starts walking towards Red a knife in his hand as the mob closes in.

“HEY LEAVE HIM YOU ALONE BULLIES!”

Shouts Sillica as she gets in front of him ready to fight as the other members of the Moonlite Blackcats surrounds Red in a protective shield.

“You should all be ashamed of yourselves day in day out he risks life for us on the frontlines and unlike us he doesn’t heal instantly from injuries he was once in our guild and we saw just how hard it is for him to recover from near death time and time again all a safe zone does for him is let him heal safely none of you saw him after he saved our lives and none of you will touch him without going through us!”

Sachi says as she holds her spear out in front of her the others members drawing there weapons only to have her spear lowered as Red is standing behind her his legs shaking as he speaks.

“Don’t worry about me I’ve had worse then a spear though me but I could use a bit of help to pull it out my back”

He says grabbing the front of the spear coming out his shoulder and snapping it off easily throwing it to the ground as it vanishes.

“Now as to the rest of you It would be wise to leave these people alone or you will be dealing with me and I won’t hold back if you hurt them.”

“And neither will the Knights of the blood oath.”

Says Asuna as Kirito already has his sword out and ready.

“And you will be dealing with me if anyone tries to attack him in a safe zone if it means protecting my friend I don’t care if I go orange.”

Red slowly walks forward before collapsing on the ground passing out from the blood loss as the crowd starts dispersing leaving Kirito and Asuna and the guild members behind as they quickly grab onto red and start carrying him away towards a nearby building.

“There this should be ok easy to defend till he heals up and we have enough supplies to patch him up for now”

Sachi says setting him down and quickly pulling out some pieces of cloth to use to slow the bleeding as a small laugh echos in the room.

“Thanks all of you for protecting my boss it’s been a long time since people stood up for him against a mob.”

Says a young voice seemingly from nowhere before Redsopines shadow moves away from him as a small anthro panther cub rises up from it.

“My name is Umbra and it’s a pleasure to meet you and it’s nice to see you again Lady Silica thank you for the food you gave me.”

Silica looks puzzled before blinking and then giggling a little.

“Oh I remember you your the little kitty I shared my food with the other day I’m glad to see your ok”

Everyone else just blinks.

“WHAAAT HOW ARE YOU TALKING!”

Kirito kneels down and smirks a little.

“So I’m guessing your like Terra right that stone bear Red took down almost a year ago your from the same place as him?”

Umbra nods before speaking again

“You got it and I’m glad to hear boss found Terra he’s a great healer though ok surprised he wasn’t summoned when Red was attacked he normally comes out to protect him?”

Asuna looks between the Kirito and the strange panther creature and then to the strangely relaxed guild members who was freaking out a second ago.

“Ok can someone please tell me why your all so calm and what’s going on.”

“Oh that’s simple they clued on I’m not from this world same as Red who they saw fighting Terra and most likely saw him absorb and turn into a stone berserker am I correct?”

The members of the moonlit black cats nod as silica speaks.

I’ve seen him fight and they told me about that heck he disarmed and broke the legs of 3 people without even using a weapon or his armour and the fact is in the game you don’t break bones you cut stuff off and you heal instantly or need health potion to recover and his blood it’s obvious there’s more to him.”

“Could you guys try not to talk about me like I’m not in the room please.”

Says Redsopine as he sits back up holding a piece of cloth to his shoulder.

“Ah good to see your up boss here let me get that for you.”

Says Umbra as he grabs ahold of the spear shaft and pulls it out of Red in the most littoral sense as he pulls it out his side as the wood turns to shadow and falls to the ground when he lets it go.

“Anyway thanks for watching my back guys but right now I need a place to lay low and you guys need to figure out who killed that guy because it was not me.”

“Even so Red right now I need to place you under arrest while we look into this.”

Says Asuna holding a teleportation crystal to the prison level.

Hey wait he did nothing wrong why does he have to go to the prison level.

“It’s ok Silica if you think about it that’s the safest place I can be right now no one there can use a weapon and I can handle anyone that tries picking a fight with me I will see you guy’s in a few hours and Umbra A no more stealing from the players B keep a eye on them and come get me when they find out the real culprit.”

With that Redsopine grabs the crystal and is teleported into a cell on the prison level.

Author's Note

Yes people how’s when it starts diverging from the main plot for a bit since reds going to be inside the prison level for most of next chapter recovering while a old foe will be given a chance for redemption.

Ep5.5 and ep6 Time to recover and meeting a old foe

”So this is what the prison level looks like it’s not that bad certainly nicer then the ones I’ve been in before.”

Redsopine thinks to himself as he stretches a little before wincing in pain and muttering to himself.

“Son of a bitch that spear hurt still jokes on them they lost there main weapon huh who’s singing?”

Reds ears twitch as he picks up a girls voice signing.

Prison gates won’t open up for me on my hands and knees I’m crawling and all I see is you.

Red walks out of his cell and moves closer to the voice signing and blinks surprised as he sees Rosalia being held and crying as she is surround by a group of guys.

“I’m terrified of these four walls these iron bars can’t hold my soul in and all I see is you and all I scream for you.

Red starts clapping loudly interrupting the song as he looks around at the crowd.

“So anyone mind telling me why there’s like 12 guys around one woman who’s being held and crying for there amusement.”

“Get outta near freak this ain’t yer business she’s the reason we’re in here and it’s taken us months to heal and to be on good enough behaviour to walk around this place without guards and even longer to get her alone we’re just lucky she likes to sing and if she don’t keep signing for us well we have other was to have fun”

A random guy says with a sneer on his face.

“You really shouldn’t have said that on top of calling me a freak but I’m sure breaking your legs again will teach you all some respect for woman I mean I’m here on the accusation of murdering a man in the safe zone so do you really want to test me and find out if I could.”

Red says casually threatening all the men in the room as he places his hand against the ground and pulls out a staff made of stone and twirling it about.

“Then again I could use the practice it’s been a long time since I used this staff your choice leave her alone or become my sparring partners for a few days?”

“Wait I know that voice hehe that’s funny the guy who calmly threatened to break my neck but didn’t because a kid I was going to rob told him not to is now trying to defend me.”

Rosalia says before she starts laughing and speaking again.

“You should take him at his word he keeps it and if he is here accused of murder don’t think for a second he wouldn’t kill you guys if provoked enough.”

“Wait your saying this is the guy that made you turn us all in the same guy that nearly killed three of us with his bare hands your lying you bitch there’s no way he would be down here nothing can stop that beast in his...”

CRACK THUD.

“Anyone else want to call me a beast remember just how easily I knocked him out with one hit now let the lady go and leave and take him with you.”

Red says casually wiping the small bit of blood off the staff as the men in the room run out carrying there friend.

“Thank you Redsopine so are you really here because you was accused of murder or was that to scare them?”

Rosalia asks straightens herself up a bit as Reds staff crumbles to dust in his hand.

“Both actually I tried cutting down a man that was impaled and hanging out a clock tower but when I touched the rope his health went to 1hp and he vanished then suddenly I’m on the floor with a spear in me see.”

Red moves his cloak to the side showing a fresh and slowly healing scar before he covers it back up.

“I should have seen it coming it’s always the same anytime I try to help someone I’m attacked by scared people for it it’s how I ended up here to begin with see this scar here?”

He says pointing at his right side with a stab wound in his side before pointing one at his left arm.

“This one I got the very day I arrived here stabbed while on trial for being bound to demons by my own kind before being banished here the one on my arm I got for stopping a kid from killing themselves by running back into a burning house after I just pulled them out and thieve.”

He points to a large scar on his chest and burns on his his chest.

“I got that after taking a halberd though the chest and being impaled by hell chains in order to kill a immortal tyrant I don’t know why I ever bother helping the only reason I’m fighting on the front is I’m looking for my demons so I can leave this world and be left alone.”

He says sitting down and pulling a flask out of his shadow and takes a drink a strong smell of alcohol coming from it.

“Just er don’t go telling Silica I’m drinking down here she’s been trying to get me to stop for a while now pretty much since we first met but I have a lot of bad memories I want to forget and this helps for a while besides it will help keep that lot away if they think I’m drunk.”

With that he leans back against the wall and falls asleep resting as the flask dissolves into the shadows again as Rosalia stares at him thinking.

“”How can he be so calm and callus about everything helping one moment and the next saying he’s just doing it for his own goals to leave us here and the fact he seems to care what the kid thinks of him just what has he seen to do that to him and this demon talk sounds like rubbish then again he comes from another world so I don’t really know what to think.”

“Hey boss it’s time to wake up it seems your friends found out what’s been going on apparently 2 members of a failed guild was trying to find the thief that murdered there leader for a magic ring of all things there at the cemetery right now all of them including miss Silica and the Blackcats and they look in like there in trouble.”

Says umbra as he slaps reds face to wake him up.

“I’m up I’m up sheesh think you can port us over there Umbra?”

“Already did boss huh these guys have a odd tattoo a coffin with a laughing face?”

When Redsopine here’s that he is instantly awake and in his armour with umbras shadow dagger ready as he looks at the group of 18 people surrounding him and the others.

“You have 5 seconds to leave right now before your all dead men I know what your guild is laughing coffin and I doubt anyone would care a player going red to kill members of the murder guild you have one second left!”

Do yo....

18 thuds are heard one after the other as Red walks away cleaning the dagger of blood as he puts it away in his shadow not even looking back at the others to find out they hated or was afraid of him for callously killing 12 men his form smoking and flickering in the light.

“How how could he so calmly do that without caring and just walk away?”

Sillica asks trying to look around her as everyone else keeps her from seeing the bodies.

“He might not act like it but right now with what he just did he’s hurting inside resigned to the fact we would hate or be scared of him for what he did but he don’t even know there still alive barley but they are?”

Says a stunned Kirito as he sees one of the murder guilds leaders get back up weakly as 5 others do the same as they back away.

“Just what was that thing?”

Is all he asked before the surviving members of the murder guild fled to hide and heal.

Author's Note

What’s this 2 chapters in 2 days some more revealed on reds motives and all questions as to why he went so lethal right now will be answers next chapter

P.S yes he just killed 12 guys and knocked 6 near dead without even trying

Answers

Redsopine stumbles into a dark cave barely standing as smoke is pouring off him as his left arm is missing at his elbow but no blood is coming out just more smoke he heads to the back into the pitch black darkness and screams in agony as his missing arm slowly reforms again as he hears Terra scold’s him in the back of his mind.

”You foolish child how man times have you done this to yourself how many times have you almost died because you over used Umbras shadows only to start dissolving in the light because of it but unlike before if you die there is no coming back for any of us this is the last time I will save you from your own stupidity if only to save myself and the others now stay in here until I tell you to leave or I will pin you down and seal the cave myself till your body can take the light again.”

With that said Red passes out asleep in the corner waiting for nightfall before he can leave safely.

Meanwhile back with the group Umbra shffts uncomfortably as everyone stares at him.

“So I’m gussing you all wanna know what just happened with the boss huh long story short he just nearly killed himself by over using shadow strike to take those guys out while also being drunk and in no physical state to even attempt it! , that’s why his arm was smoking he had to get it out of sunlight to heal he is most likely in a cave away from people until his body can take the light again.”

He says bluntly as there’s a collective gasp of shock from the group as Silica then says with a few tears in her eyes and a hint of anger in his voice.

“Your saying he’s been lying to me he told me he stopped drinking months ago right after the incident with Titans hand when he nearly killed Rosalia and called me Crimson Rose in the middle of a fight and started saying things like no not again.”

Once she calms down a bit she continues talking.

“If we can’t trust him not to drink when he is alone we need someone to watch him at all times tills we’re sure he’s no longer doing it are we agreed on that today just proves he’s unreliable when drunk and is going to get himself killed!”

The rest of the group nods before Umbra speaks up again.

“ Wait he called you Crimson Rose that’s his younger sisters name he hasn’t seen her in a very very long time and he hasn’t had flashbacks for as long as I’ve known him this is not good very not good if he was saying not again he must be remembering the time she almost died he never talked about it around me but the others told me that when he was still blaming himself he became highly unstable and a drunk constantly fighting in a way that could kill him deliberately overusing our powers hoping for death only for the three of them to keep him from dying if only so they didn’t die.”

“Wait are you saying there’s more like you running around here how dangerous are are they!’

Asuna demands looking extremely concerned moving forward a bit threateningly her hand on her sword about the prospects of more dangerous foes then the game has.

"That's not important we can deal with that when the time comes or to be exact red can deal with them when they show up and he's healed right now we should be focusing on making sure he don't kill himself by acting like the idiot we know he is."

Silica cuts in angrily tears in her eyes as she keeps talking grabbing Asuna arm.

"He's constantly doing reckless things to keep others safe and look how he was treated for it just yesterday he tried to save someones life and how he was treated for it he nearly died because people was afraid of him and we all saw his scars on his body when he pulled that spear out his back!"

She starts openly crying letting go of Asuna’s arm balling her hands into fists as she continues.

"Just how many times has this happened to him that not even his healing can cover his scars or heal them how many times has he died for others and never been thanked only hurt by the ones he saves and i don't even want to know what could have branded him with those scales on his back that changes now we need to show him not everyone is out to hurt him before it's to late!"

Silica say's determinedly wiping her eyes as she looks at the others who look uneasy and shift about before they nod in turn before she looks at umbra.

"Can you take us to him? he's probably going to need something to eat while he heals and somone to keep watch to stop him being attacked while vulnerable."

"I can hes not to far from here just a few miles away in a cave it's this way."

Umbra starts scampering off in front of the group as they follow him to Red only for Sachi and the black cats to stop and keep Silica from rushing in.

"Kirito please tell me im seeing things but isn't that the same golem that Red fought last year why is it standing guard and why is there a boulder blocking the cave?"

"I dont know but we should be prepared for a fight if we have to are you sure he is in there Umbra?"

Kirito asks as he gets his sword ready for a fight the others doing the same.

"He is and there's no need for a fight against him if Terra's guarding the entrance Red must have tried to leave early and Terra's keeping him locked in we should leave them or set up camp here so you can check on him when he comes out?"

"We will stay saftey in numbers and we can set up a transport back to the guild house we can even make sure theres a pitch black room for him to stay in anytime something like this happens so he's not alone but it will take a few days to do it."

Silica says as she sits down getting ready to wait as Kirito does the same.

“Sorry guys but we have to get back to the guild we’re behind on some time sensitive quests that won’t appear again if we fail them.”

Sachi says as her and the Blackcats teleport out

“And I need to report this to Heath cliff if what your sayings true the frontline fighters need to be informed about avoiding the rest like you so we don’t suffer severe casualties what are they?”

Asuna says as Umbra scratches his head.

“Ok but your not going to like it there a pair of dragons twins really one with feathers of ice the other wings of red flames.”

“ENOUGH UMBRA WE DON’T KNOW WHOS LISTENING!”

Red yells as he stumbles out of the cave looking tired, unsteady and Furious.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY CLUE HOW MUCH DAMAGE JUST KNOWING THEY ARE OUT THERE COULD DO PARTY’S COULD HUNT THEM PEOPLE COULD BE LURED INTO TRAPS AND BE KILLED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIGHT A TRUE DRAGON!”

He rants in anger arms in the air before a shout is heard and he gets tackled to the ground in a fierce hug from Silica.

"Please don't just run off like that again we was worried!"

She says hugging him again before glaring at him with a look that made him worried.

"Also your in big trouble mister not only for nearly killing yourself again but for being drunk and lying to me about quitting drinking."

She says poking him in the chest hard as she sits up and smiles.

"So to make sure your going to completely stop im not leaving your side for anything and neither are the others and were going to ask umbra to make sure your not sneaking any while we're not looking you matter to us Red and no one here will ever turn on you or hurt you so let us in ok."

With that said she gets up and heads to a tent to sleep as Red is left feeling confused and conflicted about his situation as Silica smiles at him gently and he smiles back.

Sparring/bonding

Guild house of the Moonlight Blackcat

“It’s been three days I’ve told you guys already I’m ok you don’t need to babysit me it’s bad enough I’ve been pulled from the frontlines but forcing me to rest is starting to annoy me and I can’t even drink water without everyone freaking out and insisting they taste test it.”

Redsopine says wearing a green vest shirt and a new deep black cloak the hood down as he flips a dagger in his hand out of boardom.

“Can I at least practice and spar if I’m being forced to stay at the back for a few days plus I’m sure you all have improved since last year and I want to see how and maby just maby you will lean a few new tricks as well.”

He says waiting for a answer from the guild around him.

“Find we can spar just don’t over do it ok.”

Silica says rolling her eyes in annoyance as she starts heading outside followed by Red.

“First and biggest rule is no weapons from any of us we could all use practice in defending ourselves unarmed afterwards you could show us how to use our weapons without using our sword skills that sound ok to you Red?”

Red nods and gets into a fighting stance readying his arms defensively.

“First show me what you can do bare handed come at me and don’t hold back got it.”

Silica nods and charges at Red swinging her right arm into a punch as she twists her body to provide more impact as Red grabs her fist she uses the momentum to swing herself upwards with a kick aimed at his head forcing him to block it and let her fist go as he chuckles.

“Pretty impressive there using your size and speed to your advantage.”

He smiles as he changes his stance.

“Ok now try to block or dodge my attacks.”

Was all the warning he gave as he starts throwing punches and kicks towards her while advancing forcing silica to move backwards as she tries to figure out his attack pattern.

“Your doing better and you have gotten faster but you won’t beat me by just dodging you need to counter attack look for a opening or make one I know your capable Silica so how about a bet if you manage to hit me within the next five minutes we can do anything you like for the rest of the day.”

Red says jokingly not expecting Silica to take it seriously until she stops dodging his attacks and grabbing his wrists and pulling his gut onto her knees as she dropkicks him hard.

“Seems like I won the bet and I learned something new it seems touching you gives some leeway in a fight Red... Red are you ok you seem a bit out of breath.

“I I’m fine just winded you caught me by surprise there and smart thinking using what you know about me in the fight I doubt anyone would be brave enough to get in close like you just did to land a hit on me and pretty hard one as well.”

Silica gives a cheeky smile before replying.

“Actually Red I found out when you grabbed my fist before it’s how I was able to swing that kick at you for a brief moment I could fight without the system doing it for me.”

“Interesting if that’s the case then i wonder how long it lasts after contacts broken let’s find out take my hand the see how many things you can do that you shouldn’t do after you let go.”

After a few minutes of testing Sillica lets out a groan of frustration rubbing her head as she feels a headache forming before speaking. “Ok so we found out someone has to be holding onto you to do anything the game won’t allow so good news is only a insane person has a chance to find out as no one is brave enough to hold onto you in a fight though that makes for some fighting combinations.”

“You have a point maybe I should start working with you and Kirito to create some attacks using this to our advantage maybe boosting up onto larger bosses or embedding a blade into them to do continuous damage but I have to be careful if my blood gets onto there blade I don’t think the games system would save people from being sliced in half.”

Silica shudders at the mental imaging in her head before speaking. “Ok then I win the bet so let’s go explore the town see what people have to offer or what they can make you never know what we might find besides you need to get your armour repaired and some healing potions of a vender so you can stop your bleeding if hurt.”

Red nods in agreement smirking about finally doing something. “Sounds like a plan and I could do with a new sword that’s harder to break I’ve lost a dozen so far never a good blacksmith when I need one and I don’t have the materials to make my old swords either.”

“That’s good I think there’s a blacksmith in town she’s said to be the best in the game and is a player not a npc so she could help buff it for you and your armour quickly?” Sillica suggest as Red sighs.

“Fine but don’t expect me to explain the how my armour is broken like it is right now so let’s get going you know where the shop is.

Silica nods before replying. “Yup just follow me.”

“Really?” Red sighed, annoyed. “Just… Really?”

“‘Gone material gathering,’” Silica read, squinting at the note pinned to the door. “‘Be back in a day.’ Well, that’s inconvenient.”

“One of the many, many adjectives that describes my life as a whole,” he groaned, shaking his head in exasperation.

“Your life isn’t that bad,” Umbra mumbled, trying to sound encouraging.

Red ignored the shadow demon and focused his attention on his corporeal companion, asking, “Sooo…? In the meantime, what do you think we should do?”

“Well, we’re not exactly low on food, but it wouldn’t hurt to shop for more,” Silica suggested, humming in thought. “Then again? We could just have some fun around the town.”

“Ooh! I like having fun,” Red boasted, grinning. “What kinda fun we talking about? Messing with royals? Beheading some monsters?”

“Uh? No,” she deadpanned, stifling a snicker at his subsequent pout. “I was thinking something a little less hectic and a little more sophisticated.”

“Ugh! Sophistication,” he grumbled, frowning exaggeratedly. “My worst nightmare.”

“Har-har. Look, there were some players nearby who were singing songs for passerby, and I figured we could go check ‘em out. I even heard they sometimes teach others how to play them too.”

“So, bards then?”

“Yeah, basically. You in?”

Red suddenly flinched as a wave of sorrow poured out from Umbra. Something up, Shadow-Cat? he asked silently.

“Nothing. I just miss Gelu,” he replied, sighing. “She would have loved listening to the bards.”

Wait, Icy is a musical nerd!?

“It is a hobby of hers, yes,” Terra confirmed. “I’m surprised you never noticed.”

“He was probably just too busy abusing her to care…” Umbra theorized, failing miserably to hide the anger in his voice. “She always said it hurt when he used her power without her permission,” he sneered pointedly.

Red winced, feeling a short pang of guilt at his words. He then returned his attention to Silica, asking, “These singers any good? I wouldn’t want to waste the day away listening to a bunch of tone-deaf posers.”

“Eh, from what I heard they were pretty good,” she proclaimed, shrugging.

Well? What do you guys think?

“I think we need to find Gelu and Ignis,” Umbra insisted.

I know, kid; I know, he thought, frowning faintly. But it’s not like those two are just gonna show up out-of-nowhere. And since we have nothing better to do right now, why not?

Red could tell that Umbra was decidedly against this plan, less out of disinterest and more out of concern for the others, but he then felt Terra comfort the younger demon, assuring, “We will find the siblings, Umbra. For now, all we can do is wait until we gain a clue to their whereabouts.”

“I know,” he mumbled. “I just miss them.”

A part of Red honestly missed the duo as well, but he was nowhere near ready to admit that to himself, let alone Umbra and Terra. Before his distracted silence could become any more suspicious than it already was, Red smiled. “Alright then. Sounds good,” he said to Silica who smiled as well. “But don’t expect me to sing along. Got it?”

“Aww, but I thought you said your race likes singing?” she teased, crossing her arms.

“We do. There’s just this, uh, ‘thing’ that happens when we do.”

“What sort of ‘thing’?”

“The sort of thing that I do not want to have to explain.”

“Mhmm. Whelp? In any case, come on then,” Silica beckoned, walking away. “Let’s go see if those players really are tone-deaf posers.”

For the briefest of seconds, Red could almost hear Gelu’s voice practically begging for that not to be the case. He then flinched once he realized that feeling was coming from Umbra who was silently wishing Gelu were still with them so she could actually do that.

“Umbra…?” Terra sighed solemnly. “Perhaps you should rest.”

“I don’t want to rest until I know our friends are safe,” he shot back without skipping a beat.

It’s okay, kid, Red comforted quietly. We’ll find them. And when we do? He smirked, promising, We’ll bring Gelu and Ignis around to the bards. How’s that sound?

“Wait, you will!?” Umbra squealed, utterly dumbfounded that Red would promise such a thing.

Hey, you said Icy was a musical nerd, and, well? I sorta owe her one, he conceded.

“Do you promise?” he whispered, a hopeful tone overtaking his previous somber one.

Umbra may have been the youngest of the four demons, but Red had never really appreciated that fact until just now. Yeah, Umbra. I promise.

Pure, unadulterated joy radiated from the shadow demon who squeed delightedly, nearly causing Red to burst out singing then and there. It didn’t help that a wave of pride also emanated from Terra, adding to the joyful sensation.

“You know? I think Gelu will really appreciate doing that with you, Red,” the earth elemental commented. “Although? I suspect she will want you to sing along with them too once that time comes.”

What!? No!

“Well, it’s not like you’re going to let her sing along with them, so…? You singing would be the next best thing,” he said coyly.

Yeah, well? I’m not going to sing, Gramps. You know what happens when I do.

“Your loss, heh-heh-heh,” Terra chortled knowingly as he and the others faded into Red’s subconscious.

Red then snorted and hurried up after Silica, vowing to himself, Yeah, no. I am not going to sing! Not now, not then; not ever. Absolutely not. No musical numbers for me, no sirree! Nope, nope, and nope. Eenope… Not gonna sing.

Several hours later…

“Wow, Red!” Silica laughed as the last traces of a whimsical symphony faded away into the distance. “I never knew that you had such an amazing singing voice.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Red grumbled, blushing vividly as the echoes of his roommates’ laughter subsided into his subconscious once more. “Don’t get too used to it.”

“Hee-hee. So? I’m guessing that ‘thing’ you mentioned was that whole spontaneous music, huh?”

“Please don’t ask.”

“Oh, I’m gonna ask. And I’m gonna keep asking until you answer,” she threatened, grinning.

Knowing full-well that she meant that, Red rolled his eyes and explained, “My race loves to sing, me included. And, well? It’s pretty pointless to sing without music, wouldn't you say?”

“So, what? You just generate it out of thin air, or something?”

“Evidently,” he confirmed, shrugging noncommittally. “Don’t ask me how it works ‘cause I don’t know. All I know is that it can go on for ages and is exhausting as Tartarus.”

“Uh-huh.” Silica then gave his shoulder a light jab, praising, “That’s pretty cool though. Instant musical numbers whenever you want? Sounds nice.”

Red remained silent for a moment before attesting, “Yeah, it is nice.” He then stopped walking and reminisced, “Back home…? We sang like that all the time. I mean, I wouldn’t always join in, but I would always listen. No matter what I was doing, I would always stop to listen to whatever song was going on,” he confessed, his eyes becoming unfocused as he thought back to his home.

Silica caught on to his dismay and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Hey? You okay?”

Red snapped out of his daze and assured, “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m always fine…”

“You don’t sound fine,” she commented neutrally.

“…I just miss home,” he admitted, regretting his confession almost immediately.

Silica fully intended to speak further on the matter, but before she could, they received a notification from Kirito, and Red opened it, blurting out, “Oh, look! Let’s see what sword boy’s up to!”

“Red, I—”

“‘Hey, Red! Check out this sword me and Lizbeth found,’” Red read the text, cutting her off. “‘It’s made of pure ice, but it’s also being guarded by two dragons. Wanna help grab it?’” He snorted and wrote back, “‘Heh, sure. I’ll be right over; just know that you’re paying for my armor-repair bill once the blacksmith gets back from supply gathering.’”

Silica steeled her gaze, recognizing Red didn’t want to speak any more about his past but by no means accepting it. “Red, what’s wrong? Come on, you know you can talk to—”

“Hey, Silica,” Red interrupted, desperately trying to preemptively prevent her from prying into his past again. “If you could, do ya mind letting the others know I’m going to be back a little late? This’ll probably take a while. Bye!” he unceremoniously said, stepping into a patch of shadows.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” she yelped, swiftly grabbing onto him.

“Wait, what are you—” he barked, trying to shove her off of him, but it was too late.

The darkness enveloped both of them, and in the next second, it relinquished both of them back into the world.

“Get off!” Red shouted, managing to tear himself away from her grasp. “What is wrong with you!?”

Silica’s response was cut off when a powerful blast of wind passed over both of them, causing her to flinch and shiver violently. “O-O-Okay! Maybe n-not my b-b-best idea!” she stuttered, instantly regretting her rash choice. “It’s freezing here!”

“Ya think?” he deadpanned, suddenly very grateful for Gelu and Ignis’ presence. “You got any warmer clothing to change into?”

“Y-Yeah, I think so. Just g-g-give me a moment.”

While she went about doing that, Red turned his gaze elsewhere and found the black-robed Kirito sliding toward him along the frosty ground, coming to a stop just at Red’s hooves. “Heya, sword boy, how’s the weather down there?” Red asked, grinning sardonically.

“Cold,” he answered bluntly. He then raised a hand, and Red helped him rise back to his feet. “Thanks for coming so quickly; these guys aren’t as easy to beat as I thought they’d…” Kirito then noticed Silica and called out, “Huh? Silica, what are you doing here?”

“She tagged along,” Red explained, frowning angrily.

“Well, why did you let her?” Kirito asked, a note of anger penetrating his ordinarily stoic voice. “It’s dangerous!”

Before Red could respond, a roar echoed across the land, followed swiftly by another fresh, freezing zephyr..

Author's Note

Hey guys this is a filler/character bonding chapter have fun also I wish to apologise for a time skip but I ran outta ideas a bit here and wanted to get the chapter out.

Also this chapter was given a edit towards the end by the amazing https://www.fimfiction.net/user/369683/Summer+Script who I’ve been working with recently give his fics a look.

Up next a dragon fight and more character lore for the demons

The Blade Of Ice

Author's Note

Normally I leave a note at the bottom but this ones at the top when the singing fight begins that’s ment to be playing in tune for the fighting the chorus is Gelu the main singing is red

The Blade Of Ice

Once the roar faded, a dark shadow fell across the group, heralding the arrival of yet another giant dragon, this one covered in a sheet of glittering sapphire scales. Flapping its large, feathery wings, it hovered in midair, baring its fangs at them all.

“Oh, boy…” Red groaned.

The dragon let out another wild roar, commanding a volley of icicles to burst from the ground and race toward them.

“Terra, spikes!” he commanded, charging forward past the others.

A large mass of crystals erupted beneath him, stopping the dragon’s attack midway, and Red quickly ran up it before jumping into the air and the toward the dragon. Unfortunately, it gave another flap of its wings, casting him away in a blast of icy wind.

Stone plates formed around Red, softening the blow as he tumbled across the ground and into a crouched position. “Thanks, Gramps,” he said, rising and shaking his right arm to loosen it up. “So, let me guess…?”

“There’s no mistaking this presence,” Terra solemnly grumbled, watching through Red’s eyes as the dragon ascended further into the heavens. “I confirmed it when our attacks connected; it’s her. It’s Gelu.”

“Oh, that’s just great! She’s going crazy too!?”

“This world’s lack of conventional magic is driving her berserk. Just as it did Umbra and I.”

“Any way to snap her out of it?”

“The best way to do so would be to either weaken her enough to where she’ll listen to reason like you did with me,”Terra suggested.

“Okay, I can probably do that,” Red acknowledged, cracking his knuckles.

“Or…”

“Or?”

“Or,” Umbra piped up next, joining the conversation. “You can do something that reminds Gelu of who she is.”

Red paused, blinked, and asked, “What?”

“Umbra means that you could also do something that draws upon Gelu’s memories, bringing her back to her senses,” Terra elaborated, humming in thought. “Effectively, you’d need to evoke a very positive feeling that would overtake the rage caused by this state.”

“So I gotta either beat her up or cheer her up, huh?”

“Essentially.”

Red narrowed his eyes as Gelu began to circle around and fly back toward them all, roaring threateningly.

A tiny part of him wanted to take the chance to give Gelu some much deserved payback for all the times she and her brother screwed with him, but another, far stronger part of him simply wanted to see her back to normal without having to beat her senseless.

“Okay, guys,” Red began somewhat hesitantly. “Any ideas on how to do the latter option?”

“Wait, you— You don’t want to harm her?” Terra questioned, unsure if he had heard right.

“Well, not right now I don’t, but I’ve never known how to make Gelu not want to kill me. Not before and certainly not now,”he ended somberly.

While Terra struggled to process Red’s newfound care for Gelu, Umbra piped up again, “Ooh, I’ve got an idea!”

“Okay, what’ve ya got, Shadow-Cat?”

“Er, you’re not going to like it, Red,”he acknowledged hesitantly.

Red frowned exasperatedly, knowing that tone all too well. “Why do I get the feeling it’s going to involve me embarrassing myself again?” he whined. “Ah, whatever. Just tell me.”

Umbra didn’t say anything; instead, he merely began humming a tune.

“Oh no! No, no, no, no; no!” Red vehemently protested, fighting back every instinct that urged him to hum along. “Anything but that!”

“It is certainly unorthodox, but it just might work; Gelu does love music,” Terra pointed out, a small hint of mirth penetrating his calm voice. “And it’s either that, or fighting.”

…

“You guys suck,” Red whimpered, giving in.

“Aw, crap! That dragon’s headed back!” Silica realized.

“And the other one’s still kicking too!” a girl with pink hair and wearing a red and white outfit announced, readying her mace for another bout of combat.

“Do any of us have a plan!? Seriously, what are we… Going to…?”

All of Red’s compatriots paused and turned to him, utterly bewildered as to why he was suddenly humming a random tune.

“Um, Silica? What is he doing?”

Silica groaned in annoyance and hastily covered her ears before the magic could wash over her again. “Red, you have a lovely singing voice and all, but this is not the time to start another musical number!” she yelled. “That other dragon’ll be on us in minutes, and the first one is already getting back up!”

The pink haired woman tapped Silica’s shoulder, acquiring her attention. “‘Musical number’?” she echoed inquiringly.

“Yeah, it’s one of Red’s weird abilities,” she stated, shifting through her bag. She then pulled out some spare bits of cotton and passed them out to the others. “It affects people around him, so cover your ears before you all get swept up in it.”

“…I swear this day just keeps getting weirder and weirder,” the pink-haired girl muttered, following her advice.

“You’re telling me,” Silica said, stuffing some cotton into her own ears and muting the world around her just as faint music began playing in the background as Red begins to Sing with Terra and Umbra backing him up.

Mid-lyric, he slid under a tail swipe and weaved past a blast of spikes, getting closer toward the dragon.

“What is he doing?” The pink-haired girl asked, watching Red dancing and singing as he reached the dragon, still dodging its assault. Her jaw then suddenly dropped at what happened next.

Continuing to sing, Red evaded another icy assault, and the female dragon paused to give its head a firm shake. It then reared up and moved to strike again, but before she could, Red reached the chorus. Immediately, the dragon twitched and fell back to all-fours, beginning to mimic him. At first it was merely more incoherent growling, but the longer she did it, the clearer her words became until she was properly singing as well, arguably even better than Red. And with every word that left her maw, her size gradually got smaller and her stature relaxed.

Grinning victoriously, Red finished singing along with the now-docile dragoness, and once they were done, the latter let out a small, quiet sigh.

“What the hell did he just do?” the pink-haired girl asked Silica who merely shrugged.

“I must admit,” the dragoness spoke up, meeting Red's eye. “I am surprised you actually sang, but I am beyond grateful that you did.”

“Anytime, Gelu,” he said, winking. “Frankly, I'm just glad that worked.”

“As am I,” she said, patting his cheek smiling at the blush it gave Red. “There's nothing I hate more than not being in control.”

Suddenly the other dragon roars loudly as it lands slowly advancing.

Red winced, but a loud roar rang out before he could say anything. He then smirked and asked, “Speaking of control, I think we should teach that guy a lesson in manners. You up for it?”

“Gladly,” Gelu agreed, turning and glaring down the other dragon. “Now, what to sing now? Ah, yes.” Letting out a small laugh at Reds look of shock, she began to sing again as she returned to her previous massive size. Once the other dragon landed, she charged forward and unleashed a barrage of ice, sending it flying into a large crystal she formed behind it.

Seeing everything that was happening and that the music was starting up again Silica tugs on Kirito’s jacket getting his attention.

“We should probably find someplace to hide from the fighting and the music last thing we need is ending up dancing in the middle of a dragon fight.”

Before Kirito could reply, a large gust of wind from the fight sent the pink haired girl slamming into him and Silica, sending them down into a pit.

“Um, Red?” Umbra said while Red climbed onto the dragon's back. “Sorry to interrupt your fight, but it seems the others just fell off a cliff; shouldn’t we check on them.”

Red let out a sigh, somewhat from annoyance at being interrupted but mostly from the exertion of scaling the maddened beast. “Yep. On it,” he replied to Umbra, driving his great sword though the dragon's back and leaping off the beast, dragging his blade down its side and opening a gaping, blood-spurting wound resultantly. After landing on the ground, Red ignored the dragon's tormented screams and faded into the shadows, swiftly flowing across the ground toward the pit and reappearing by his allies' sides.

“Hey,” he called out in the darkness. “Are you three—“ Red's words ended in a loud, high-pitched yelp as a massive, heavy mace slammed straight into his muzzle. Umbra and Terra quickly healed the damage off, and once his jaw finished being reconstructed, Red groaned, “Oww, son of a bitch! What was that for!?”

“Well, how was I supposed to know it was you!?” the pink haired girl griped, clearly regretting her action despite not wanting to let it show on her face.

“You can teleport?” Kirito asked, getting back to his feet from the fall.

“Shadow step,” Red corrected, still rubbing his muzzle. “But yeah, I can teleport too.”

“Really? Wow, you're even more overpowered than I first thought.”

“You're one to talk, Kirito,” Silica deadpanned.

Kirito was on the verge of making a snarky comeback, but upon reflection, he simply nodded in halfhearted agreement. “In any case,” he resumed. “Are you okay, Red?”

“Yeah, I'm fine. You guys want help getting out of this pit?”

“That would be welcome. Though, hey, Liz? Is this the ore you needed to make me a sword?” Kirito asked, holding up a lump of crystal.

“That’s it,” Liz confirmed. “So should we leave now or wait for tomorrow since it’s getting dark?” she asked.

Red shook his head and said, “Nah. It’s best we stay the night; I’m unable to shadow step, and I won’t be able to fly all of you out with the fighting going on up there.”

Suddenly, there was a loud roar of pain followed by Gelu crashing down into the pit, her form shrinking again and one of her forelegs broken.

“That’s not good,” Silica said, shivering from the cold and wincing at Gelu’s injury. “Wasn’t she just claiming she was undefeatable; what happened up there?”

Shaking her head clear, Gelu carefully rose up, grumbling, “It was just a hype song, mortal; don’t read too much into it.”

“Who the hell sings hype songs unironically?” Silica shot back.

A faint blush rose to Gelu’s cheeks, but she paid it no mind, focusing instead on breathing ice on her broken leg and forming a cast of it around the wound. “In any case, that damn brute seems stronger than I gave it credit for,” she stated, gently setting her claw down and immediately wincing.

“Whoa-whoa-whoa! Easy, Gelu,” Red urged, swiftly approaching her. “That’s not a clean break.”

“Yes, I can see that,” she deadpanned. “I saw you using Terra and Umbra’s skills, so are they nearby?”

“Closer than you think,” he answered.

Gelu blinked then grimaced. “Not five minutes and already they’re rejoining with you? Are my brother and I the only ones who prefer having bodies anymore?”

“That’s something you can ask them; in the meantime, take a rest inside me,” Red insisted, holding out his hand. “Terra and Umbra can work on fixing your injury up and tell you what’s going on.”

“And my brother?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find him next,” Red promised.

Gelu hesitated for a second, glancing at her wound then at his arm. “You know that in our current state, if I go back in you…”

“I can work with a broken arm for a couple of hours.”

“Days,” Terra corrected telepathically. “We are still weakened, remember?”

“And I’m still trying to figure out how my powers work with all this coding stuff,” Umbra added vocally, stepping out of the pit's shadows.

“Eh, I can still manage,” Red assured.

Besides, Gelu doesn’t look like she can, he thought to himself. “Well, Gelu?”

After a moment, Gelu sighed and smiled softly. “Fine. Just make sure not to die again before you find Ignis,” she jokingly grumbled before disappearing in a blue light.

Said light then flowed directly into Red’s outstretched arm, and he immediately felt Gelu’s presence return to its usual place in his soul. He then let out a pained groan as his arm magically broke and hung limp and useless.

A thin sheet of ice then sprouted out from the wound until it coated his entire arm, dulling the pain.

“Thanks, Icy,” Red thanked, grinning slightly.

“Don’t call me ‘Icy,’” she groaned, though Red could tell she was likely smiling too.

Suddenly, Red felt a very familiar presence above them and smiled wildly. “Hey, Gelu? That good ole Ice Bane I sense up their?”

“Ugh, must you always name my swords?” she asked, unamused.

“Yeah, more fun that way,” he replied cheekily.

“They're just blade-shaped hunks of ice.”

“Aww, what's wrong, Icy; don't like the name 'Ice Bane'? Would you prefer 'Rundas'? 'Khione'? Ooh, what about 'The Monado'!? Haven't named a sword that yet.”

“Oh, for goodness...” Gelu sighed in defeat, deflecting, “Fine, name them whatever you want, but yes, it is my swords you sense. Pray tell, how do you plan on using it with one arm?”

“Easy. Shrink it down to dagger size,” he explained. “It’s not like I will be using it on anything other the the big ones here.”

While Red was talking with Gelu in his mind, Liz spoke to Kirito and Sillica.

“So could anyone fill me in on exactly what’s going on?” she began, her expression a confused grimace. “Why is an N.P.C. here and how did they just absorb a talking dragon?”

“Firstly, Redsopine is not an N.P.C.” Kirito replied while Silica nodded in agreement. “He’s a real person, just with an odd avatar. Secondly, whatever just happened with the dragon is for him to share, not us.” A pause. “Although, I do plan to ask him about the specifics myself later as well.”

“Besides,” Silica continued for Kirito. “If we did tell you right now, you'd probably freak out, and that might bring the other dragon back on us which we’re in no shape to fight, being down here and all,” she concluded, rubbing a sore part of her back and checking current health.

“Also, Red's in no shape to be shadow stepping,” Umbra piped up despite being nowhere to be seen. “He's sorta at risk of dissipating right now. He’s lucky Terra can still numb the pain despite being separated or he would be screaming in agony right now.”

Liz looked around for a moment, trying to find wherever Umbra was, but a smirk from Silica and an pointing finger from Kirito directed her attention upward to meet the calm gaze of the shadowy demon comfortably resting upon her head. Umbra then leaped off of her and darted toward Silica, vanishing into the shadows just as Liz's mace slammed the spot he had been one second before. An impish giggle sounded off beside her, and she looked to see the feline devil, stepping around Kirito, flicking his tail almost tauntingly.

“How rude,” he commented smugly. “Didn’t anybody teach you manners, young lady? Or at the very least not to crush small adorable things like me?” Umbra proclaimed, gesturing to himself with a paw and blowing a raspberry at her.

Liz blinked. “Okay, I have had it. Can someone tell me what the heck is going on because I am not being paid enough for this.”

“I'm surprised you're being paid at all, considering how violent you are,” Umbra just couldn't help himself from wisecracking.

“Oh, screw you; I’m Lizbeth, the best blacksmith in the game, and I both do not have time and am way too tired to deal with some random creature lecturing me about manners,” she grumbled, swinging her mane threateningly. “Especially when they're inconsiderate enough to plant their fury ass in my hair.”

“Don’t let him get to you, he does it all the time,” Red acknowledged as Umbra stepped out of the shadows and back toward him.

“Yeah, I can’t help myself,” Umbra agreed as if he had done nothing wrong. “Heads are the most comfortable place for naps, second only to sunbeams.”

“Also don’t let that innocent act fool you, Lizbeth, he definitely wanted to mess with you,” Red added, shooting an unamused look at Umbra who frowned back for being called out. “You should count yourself lucky you didn’t hit him though; the last thing you want is to be on Umbra’s payback list.”

“I said I was sorry!” Umbra mewled, flicking his tail anxiously. “How was I supposed to know Twilight was afraid of quesadillas; no one’s afraid of quesadillas!”

“I know.” Red then scooped Umbra up into his arms, booping him on the snoot and earning a soft purr. “But let’s not forget that that was one of your tamerpayback moments.”

“Yes, well,” Lizbeth spoke up indignantly. “The cat had better be glad he’s not on my payback list; I prefer weapons and bludgeoning to pranks involving food.”

“Even someone as adorable as me?” Umbra asked, putting on his best, most innocent smile.

“Yes,” she deadpanned.

“Good to know,” Red said. “On that note, check your inventory because I’m pretty sure he robbed you too.”

Lizbeth checked her inventory and found half of it missing, including the mace she had been holding not twenty seconds prior. She then looked back up at Umbra, glaring daggers at him while she venomously muttered, “Okay. Now you’re on my payback list.”

“Oh no! How terrifying,” Umbra mock-exclaimed, putting his sharp teeth and blade-like tusks on full display as he smiled smugly at her.

Not caring about the display at all, Lizbeth drew a short dagger from the inventory she did still have and began moving toward them, but Red quickly flared a wing, holding it between them all as he ordered, “Okay, Umbra, fun’s over; give her stuff back.”

“Aww, but—”

“No ‘buts’! They’re our allies, and do we steal from our allies?”

“As a prank we do,” Umbra grumbled.

“But do we do it for real?”

“…No,” he pouted, squirming out of Red’s grasp. “Sorry I stole your stuff, Ms. Lizbeth,” he apologized.

“I’ll accept your apology once you give it back,” she responded, clearly not meaning it, but she did pause and lower her knife, expecting Umbra to cooperate. Which he did. … Partly.

Umbra cautiously approached Lizbeth, but once he realized she wasn’t going to suddenly stab him, he paused. She raised an eyebrow, but a second later, his ear flicked and suddenly, he pounced her, knocked her to the ground, and darted back behind Kirito, disappearing into the shadows and laughing all the while.

“That little son of a—”

“Before you finish freaking out,” Umbra interrupted her from his place atop Red’s head. “I did return all of your stuff.” He then pulled out the knife Lizbeth had drawn, adding, “I did steal this though, but I’m keeping this one. I like knives,” he whispered, stroking the serrated edge almost reverently.

“I’m so freaking confused right now,” Liz grumbled, checking her inventory to see that her items had indeed been returned. She then stood back up, drew her mace again, and asked, “Mind explaining how your little cat pal over there stole all my stuff, horse-boy?”

“First rule of thieving: Distract your target,” Red said with a shrug. “And getting on someone’s nerves to the point they’re busy trying to bludgeon or stab you is a pretty good way of distracting them from their pockets. Or, in this case, inventory menu.”

Liz paused before turning to Kirito and Silica and bluntly saying, “You guys are going to explain everything to me later, got it?”

“Got it,” Silica answered for both of them.

The dragon above then let out yet another thunderous roar, reacquiring all of their attentions and reminding them that their was still a battle to be won up above.

A few hour later

"So are we all in agreement Red ferry’s us up above grabs ice bane and we leave before the dragon notices us as plan A plan B is we sit back with popcorn and watch him and Kirito kill it then head home?"

"Silica asks flicking a dagger about in her hand as everyone else nods before umbra pipes up."

“You’re forgetting: Making sure we have extra popcorn to watch Pinky freak out when we explain things to her,” Red finished, blowing a raspberry at Lizbeth.

Before Lizbeth could respond, the earth rumbled with the strength of a monstrous roar above and a shadow engulfed the party, both heralding the return of the dragon who wasted no time descending into the pit with murder in its eyes.

“Whelp, no time to argue,” Red deadpanned, rolling his eyes and shifting back into a combative stance. “Looks like the big guy’s back for round two.”

“It’s too confined down here for either of us to fight at our best,” Kirito acknowledged, gripping the hilt of his blade.

Red glanced back at him, looking for confirmation which Kirito gave in the form of a nod. “Alright then, first things first!” Just as the dragon began to advance, Red waved his arm forward, a wall of icicles bursting from the ground, stalling the dragon in its march. “Everyone hang on!” he called out twisting around and grabbing Silica who yelped.

“Lizbeth!” Kirito beckoned as well, quickly finding her arms hooked around his neck.

“I’ve got you, now go!” she hollered.

The group launched into the air just as a wave of flames burned through the ice and cascaded down upon where they had been mere moments prior. They then landed back out into open air, but the dragon was quick to climb back out, snarling at having to come right back out of said pit.

With a grunt, Kirito threw a spare knife into the dragon’s eye, causing it to wince and whine, but its whining was swiftly silenced when Red let loose yet another blast of ice, trapping the dragon’s entire head within it. The rest of its body still thrashed about wildly, however, and soon, its maw began glowing.

Red cursed under his breath, helping Silica back onto her feet and standing between her and the dragon. “Kirito, mind giving me a hand?”

“I can give you a blade, would that count?” Kirito joked, motioning both Lizbeth and Silica to get to safety.

“So long as your aim is true,” Red joked back, giving Kirito a snarky grin which he returned in kind.

“You boys aren’t going to leave any leftover for me, are you?” Liz grumbled, glaring at them indignantly. She then squawked out, “What the— Hey!” as Silica hastily grabbed her arm and dragged her away.

“Kick his ass for us, guys!” she urged, continuing to push Liz away despite her infuriated protests.

“We will,” they both vowed as the dragon unleashed yet another barraged of fire, finally freeing itself from the constraints of Red’s infernal ice.

“I’ve got the flank!” Red announced, racing forward and diving beneath the dragon just as it took back to the sky.

“Wings!” Kirito shouted, leaping into the air and striking for the beast’s left wing.

In a display of frightening agility, the beast immediately folded its wings back to its sides, causing Kirito’s blade to merely nick against its scales. The second after it did so, the dragon rolled across the plain and used the motion to swivel back around to face down Red and release yet another blast of fire.

Red then suddenly sunk into the ground, dodging the attack, and after a moment of tunneling, he erupted from the ground and jabbed an ice-covered fist directly into the bottom jaw of the beast.

The dragon recoiled, and one of its many fangs fell the ground, bloody and cracked, and Red didn’t hesitate to take the chance to, not continue his assault, but turn right back around and wisecrack, “Your aim wasn’t true!” at Kirito.

The next thing Red knew was a rush of wind, a black blur, and the sound of the dragon’s flesh being torn asunder and its subsequent scream of pain. He then turned around to see Kirito rising back to the ground, sheathing his sword in the most unnecessarily flamboyant manner, leveling a cold glare at Red that couldn’t possibly hide the smug grin he was barely holding back.

Red just gave him a thumbs up, saying, “Nevermind.”

Kirito couldn't hold back his grin any longer, but it lasted less than a second because he had turned his back to the dragon as well and the creature didn’t hesitate to take advantage of it by sending him flying away with a hard smack of his tail. Flames once more washed across the land as the dragon swiftly swiveled around to strike at Red, but the soldier simply sprinted forward and away from its path.

The fire chased him nevertheless, coming just shy of his tail, and though annoyed by this, Red soon broke out into a wide grin upon spotting a twinkle in the distance. Red then leaped forward - Terra’s power flowing through both him and the land upon which he ran - and he dived into the stony gravel as if it were mere water.

That didn’t stop the dragon, unfortunately, for although it could no longer see its prey, it remembered the trick from earlier and gave pursuit, keeping its flames against the ground in hope of burning Red through it.

It would have worked too had Gelu not been present to counter the heat with her calming chill, and even better of the ice queen, she reached her power through the land as well, attacking at the dragon with yet another flurry of icicles. The heat of its flames soon fell far behind Red as he continued his venture through the earth.

“Heh. Thanks for that, Icy,” Red said mentally. “I didn’t even have to ask you to do that this time.”

“Don’t get used to it,” she responded, trying to sound antagonistic but not quite succeeding. “Consider it a favor for going after my sword first.”

“Alright, I will,” Red said, bursting through the ground yet again and landing in a crudely made nest of randomly assorted jewels, trinkets and half-melted metals.

A quick glance back showed Kirito had recovered and resumed fighting the dragon, and from the spiked, bloody tail lying on the ground away from the couple, it seemed Kirito had managed to once again strike the dragon true.

“Augh, come on! I missed Kirito being badass? Damn it,” Red whined. He then looked around and spotted his quarry: A crystalline great sword, shimmering with a dark cerulean opalescence and glittering as if reflecting the stars of the cold night sky. “Oh well, I guess I’ll just settle for him seeing me be badass,” he said with a grin as he picked up Ice Bane.

Immediately, the power of the sword returned to its crafter, and Gelu’s victorious laughter rang both in Red’s mind and the surrounding world, drawing the attention of Kirito and the dragon.

Upon seeing Red raiding its horde, the dragon shrieked for what was quite possibly the dozenth time in the past five minutes and charged forward.

Kirito then took the chance to plunge his sword into the dragon but doing so drew barely any reaction from the beast, its eyes focused squarely on Red. Kirito took his sword and made to strike again, but the dragon merely gave a mighty flap of its remaining wing, once again sending Kirito flying, much to his vexation.

“We have company again,” Terra remarked neutrally.

“Shall we, Icy?”

“I’ve been meaning to remind my brother how much better I am than he,” she sneered. “Strike him down, Redsopine. My power is yours.”

“Just this once?” he guessed jokingly, drawing back IceBane.

“…Y-Yes. Just this once…”

Though perplexed by her hesitant answer, the rapidly approaching, utterly maddened Ignis was enough of a distraction for Red to not comment on it. Instead, he took a deep breath, feeling the power of Gelu’s masterpiece weave along his fingertips, coating them in a thin layer of frost. Red then exhaled and aimed squarely for the dragons remaining wing.

Ignis shrieked, lunged forward, flames trailing behind him, claws outstretched, and maw open and blowing yet more flames.

In the span of a heartbeat, the dragon fell upon his rudely cobbled-together nest, his prey having disappeared yet again. His wing then fell off and upon landing, it shattered into a layer of dust that soon faded into nothing.

A beat.

Another.

The dragon collapsed, it's body twitching slightly as Gelu’s magic creeped through his body, freezing his every muscle, nerve, and cell until even his blood was nothing more than a tangled web of scarlet crystals.

Red stood far behind the dragon at the end of a vast ravine of ice that had also been carved into the land from merely the single stroke of Ice Bane. He then flourished the sword fancifully before Gelu shrunk the weapon down to nothing, drawing forth the blade and its magic back into her own soul and completing her once more.

Red then strode forward, smiling widely at his ally who approached him also. “So? Pretty cool, right? Oh no, wait! Don’t tell me, I left you totally speechless, right?” Red wondered, grinning even more widely.

“Uhhh… What?” Kirito responded, peering behind him at the downed dragon. “Oh, you did the slay the dragon. Good job,” he complimented. He then raised an eyebrow and asked, “But why exactly would I be speechless?”

Terra and Umbra both snickered, realizing what had happened, but Red just gawked, looking between Ignis and Kirito. “You… You didn’t see me carve through that guy with my giant ice sword!?”

“My ice sword,” Gelu reflexively commented.

“Ice sword?” Kirito echoed, blinking in surprise. “What ice sword?”

“You didn’t see me carve through that guy with my giant ice sword,” Red repeated, throwing up his arms in exasperation and cursing the world for never letting him be applauded for his feats.

“You carved through the dragon with a giant ice sword?”

“Yes!” Red confirmed, annoyed. “How did you miss it!?”

“The dragon knocked me aside,” Kirito answered, wincing at Red’s annoyed groan. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I missed it. I was hoping to see you be as badass as you claimed you were; I really was. Damn…” he swore, shaking his head in lamentation. “I can’t believe I missed it.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I know,” Red said, crossing his arms and pouting.

“I hate to be rude, but could we please tend to Ignis?” Terra requested, already readying his power to help heal the dragon. “I’d prefer we all properly reunite before we determine how to continue on.”

Red groaned and walked back to the dragon, grumbling, “Do we have to?”

“Yes,” Gelu said curtly. “The sooner I can rub it in his face we felled him with IceBane, the better.”

“Point taken.”

"Uh, guys?" Umbra spoke up. "That's not Ignis."

"Huh?" Red, Gelu, and Terra all deadpanned. Red quickly turned back to the second dragon and scrunched his face in confusion as the dragon began breaking apart and fading away into a cloud of sparkles. A discolored glitched-out menu popped up next to Red, displaying a scrambled message about experience.

Ignoring that for now, Red just shrugged at the empty space the dragon once lay and groaned, "What the hell!? That wasn't Iggy!?"

"But— But—" Gelu stuttered, similarly confused.

"I thought something seemed off about that guy,"Umbra said simply. "He seemed...? Hollow, I guess," he said, not having a better word to describe what it was he sensed. "That dragon must have been a creation of this world."

"Damn it!" Red cursed, slumping both in exhaustion and exasperation. "Well, then where the hell is the real Ignis!?"

"Elsewhere in this world it seems," Terra answered, equally frustrated. "How did I miss that wasn't the real Ignis?"

"Better yet, how did you not see it, Gelu?" Red bluntly asked.

"I don't— I-I just assumed he would be with me!"she explained, trying to sound indignant but far too flustered to succeed. "W-We're supposed to remain by each other's side..." she muttered. After a pause she angrily squawked, "Besides, why are you mad at me; you all thought it was my brother too!"

"Yeah, cause we figured you'd be with him, not hooking up with random strangers." Red then blinked and smiled wickedly. "Seriously, Gelu! I never took you for a one-night-stand type of gal."

"Yeah," Umbra chimed in, knowing full-well he was only making things worse. "But nope. All this time, Gelu, you were one big wh-"

"If you've the utter gall to finish that sentence...!"she shrieked, her embarrassed blush rising up and onto Red's own cheeks. "I-I'll... I'll...!"

"Gelu?" Terra began.

"Yes?" she said, hoping, praying her elder would return some semblance of sense to the situation.

"I just want to make this clear right now before you get any ideas... I am much, much too old for you."

Gelu screamed while Red and Umbra both broke down into fit of laughter.

"Uh, is he laughing... At... Himself?" Liz asked upon approaching Kirito.

"I've no idea," he answered, confused but ultimately unbothered by Red seemingly talking to himself again. "Though apparently the other dragon wasn't the dragon he hoped to find."

Just then, Red finished laughing and wiped his eyes dry before turning back to the others and seeing their confused expressions. "Sorry about that, just, uh? Thought of something funny."

"Uh-huh, sure," Lizbeth deadpanned, crossing her arms.

"Was something the matter with the other dragon?" Kirito inquired.

"Eh, sorta," Red said, shooting the leftover nest an glare. "Let's just say I've still got a friend to look for. In the meantime though, I think it's time we go back to the guild."

"They're gonna be rather angry to learn you fought," Terra commented warily.

"Yeah, yeah, I know we're supposed to be taking it easy. Whatever," Red shot back dismissively. "Uness you guys want to chance an encounter with another giant dragon or something?"

"No thank you," Silica immediately spoke up, shaking her head. "I'm all quested out for the time being."

"Before we go, I wanna take a look at that nest," Lizbeth said, already marching toward it. "See what kind of loot it's sporting."

"Do hurry though," Kirito requested of her as he looked over his health and stats. "It won't take us too long to return to the guild, but I'd prefer being back there by nightfall."

"Don't worry, I know," she said over her shoulder. "I won't be ten minutes."

"Sure you won't," Red said, quickly following after her to help. "Say! If we find some good crafting materials, ya mind making me another set of armor? Maybe one that can actually take a beating?" he sneered, looking over his own and loathing its many dents and scuffs.

“Fine. But if that weird cat friend of yours wants some too, he can look elsewhere," she growled. "I don’t need anything to go missing 'mysteriously.'”

“And here I thought we were friends, Pinkie,” Umbra pouted from atop her head again.

"Get! Off!" Lizbeth snapped, grabbing Umbra before he had time to react and tossing him away.

Red fell into another laughing fit as his roommate squeaked in fear and tumbled against the ground before collapsing into a heap. "You're a meanie!" he groaned into the dirt.

"And you're weird," Liz whispered under breath, combing a hand through her hair while Silica rushed to Umbra's side to help him back up.

"Sorry about him," Red apologized between laughs. "He does that to almost everyone I meet; we're pretty sure he just does 'cause he thinks it's cute."

"It's not."

"I know. It is funny though," he said, chuckling to himself again.

Day Off

On the way back to town, the group passed though a plain-looking yet mercifully peaceful forest.

“So is there any reason we're walking back instead of just using a teleportation crystal?” Silica asked, watching Pina fly around through the air singing a happy song.

"Because we only have so many of those crystals," Red answered casually. "And I'd rather not waste valuable resources to get somewhere we could simply walk to in twenty or so minutes.“

Kirito smirked and added, "Sounds to me you're just scared of the scolding Sachie is going to give you when we get back and are stalling.”

The girls both laughed while Red simply pouted. To take his mind of that accusation and its validity, he instead turned his thoughts inward, asking, "Hey, Umbra, any progress on that jumbled message we got?"

"Considering the nature of this world," Gelu spoke up in Umbra's stead. "It was likely some message pertaining to your level."

"More like my inventory, given that message locked me out of it," Red pointed out. "Speaking of, do any of you have any ideas why that thing was so scrambled up?"

"We don't belong in this world," Terra answered. "As Gelu mentioned, this reality is entirely non-physical, existing as mere codes in a system, yet we entered it all the same. Most likely, that system registers our presence here as..." He trailed off, searching for the correct wording. "Incorrect," he went with.

"It might also have to do with us specifically,"Gelu theorized. "Considering what kind of beings we are, I doubt this false reality is particularly enjoying keeping us in these digital forms."

"As good an explanation as any, I guess," Red said, yawning. "But back to you, Umbra, have you figured anything out?"

"I think so," Umbra hummed. "You were right, Red; the message does say something about your inventory, but...? Oh! Wait, there we go!" he declared.

A moment later, the scrambled message from before appeared in front of Red before a shadowy haze washed over it, unscrambling it to reveal the message proper. At first, it was a generic congratulations and a note about Red gaining zero experience, but what drew all of their eyes was the single item Red had received and its picture.

"You got the Crimson Dragon Scale?" Red read allowed, drawing the attention of his fellow travelers.

"B-But that's..." Gelu stammered. "That's my brother's scale color; it's his exact shade!"

"That other dragon was neither crimson nor Ignis, however," Terra noted. "So how did slaying that beast reward you with this?"

"I have no idea," Red grumbled, scowling. "But I have a bad feeling about this..."

"At least we now have an actual explanation for why you were with that dragon, Gelu," Umbra acknowledge, putting on a happy voice to hide his own unease. "You must have sensed it had Ignis' scale, so you stayed close by."

"Certainly better than the explanations you lot were offering," she sneered.

Red's first instinct was to tease Gelu again, but he ultimately decided the scale was the more pressing issue. Thus, he turned to Kirito and asked, "Hey, Umbra just finished decrypting that message I got for slaying that one dragon; do you mind taking a look at the item I got?"

"Sure," Kirito said, looking at the screen and raising an eyebrow at what he saw. "Well, it's a dragon scale, but... It doesn't match the dragon's color scheme."

"So?" Lizbeth deadpanned.

"It doesn't match because this scale wasn't from that other dragon," Red explained. "It's from the one I'm still looking for. Any ideas why that other dragon had this?"

“Maybe it’s part of a quest?" Silica asked, puzzled why Red as looking for another dragon but deciding not to inquire for now. "If we show it to some NPCs or another player, maybe they'd know where it’s from?” she suggested.

“If that’s the case we should inform Asuna there’s another dragon out there," Kirito said, giving Red the item back.

"One that's a lot different then the others, a lot more dangerous, and far, far more hot-tempered, Red added, mirroring Kirito's concerned glance.

“Wait, you know Asuna?" Lizbeth asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I do; do you?" Kirito responded.

"She’s one of my best customers. And a friend,” she added a bit more quietly.

Suddenly, a rustling was heard behind the group, and Red and Kirito both responded by instinctively throwing a knife in the sound's direction. A pained whimper and a dull thudwere heard next.

“Well, okay, I guess that just happened," Red said, suddenly acutely aware of how hungry he was. "Let’s see if Mr. Can't Cook bagged a useless item for himself or if I can bring some meat for the guild and hopefully cheer them up a bit,” he joked, shooting Kirito a sly grin.

"More like butter up the Guild's leaders so they don't reprimand you too badly," Terra grumbled as Kirito rolled his eyes and merely walked over to the bush.

Kirito's ears drooped for half a second before he cursed, "Damn it... Just... Damn it!"

"I'm guessing it's a useless item, huh?" Red boasted, shooting the girls a wink and approaching Kirito and the bush himself. Upon doing so, Kirito looked up, tears in his eyes, and explained, “No, it's worse! It’s S-grade meat, the best and rarest in the game! And you're right: I can’t cook it!” he exclaimed, horrified.

Red looked over the bush and saw they had killed a rabbit no larger than a tennis ball. He then looked back up at Kirito and deadpanned. “Well, neither can I."

"We could if my brother were here," Gelu whispered more to herself than the others. She and the rest of her roommates all yelped when Lizbeth shoved Red out of the way, scooping up the rabbit and clutching it to her chest. "Alright, buckos, town's five minutes that-a-way," she said, pointing in the general direction they were already walking. "I ain't letting this thing go to waste, so bye!"

She then disappeared in a cloud of dust as she charged forward like an angry bull toward town, whether to sell or cook herself was unknown. Either way, Kirito wasn't the least bit amused, wiping his eyes and racing after her, hollering, "Give that back! That bunny is mine, Lizbeth! Mine

Red rubbed his sore head and groaned; he then blinked when Silica offered him a hand which he tentatively accepted. "Thanks," he said.

"No problem. Are, uh, you going to chase after them too?" she wondered, smirking slyly.

"Nah," Red waved his hand in defeat. "I plan to stop by her forge with some materials later; I'll chew her out then."

"Gotcha. In that case, care for a lovely stroll for the forest, good sir?" Silica asked, smirking even more slyly and offering him her hand again.

Red stared at it for a moment before grinning slyly himself and taking her hand, saying, "How about a dive through the shadows instead?"

"Huh?" Silica then squeaked in fright when Red hugged her close and dove into the ground, fading away into a cloud of shadows that snaked its way toward the town.

Sachi growled in anger as she mutters aloud, “Oh, he is so in for it, not coming back for over a day! I swear if he’s been out fighting I’m taking away his-- his...?" Sachi growled again, shrieking, "Well, I don’t know yet but I'm taking away his something for a month!”

A loud, dramatic gasp caught his attention, and he turned to see Red stepping out of the shadows. “That is just mean, Sachi! Just mean. Whoa boy!” he exclaimed, ducking to avoid the staff swing for his head. “Geez, Silicia, what is it with you people and trying to hit me in the head every time I pop out of your shadows!?" When she didn't respond, he looked around, dodging another of Sachi's swings, and asked aloud, "Hey, Silica? Where'd you go?"

“Down here, Red,” Silica croaked, halfway in the floor and crawling her way out of the shadows. "Help!"

Red didn't hesitate to take hold of her, his cloak swishing to reveal his ice coated arm to Sachi, and help her escape the darkened floor. "What they hay are stuck to!?" he groaned.

"Your cat pal!" she answered, kicking beneath the shadows and smirking when she connected, Umbra's pained hiss echoing from below. The next moment, Red managed to pull her free, both of them tumbling to the floor.

"Umbraaaaa!" Red groaned, glaring at the shadowy cat demon sitting on his chest and glaring at Silica while rubbing his sore nose.

"Did you have to kick me?" he mewled.

"Yes," she answered without skipping a beat. "Did you have to hold onto me and not let me go?"

"Yes," he answered, also without skipping a beat. "You have no idea how long it’s been since I last had someone to cuddle with in those shadows.”

"I don't count?"

"No, Red, you don't." Umbra then glanced up and flinched in fear upon seeing the enraged Sachi towering above him. "Whelp! Good luck with the angry guild guy; I'm gonna disappear now; bye!" Umbra then evaporated into a cloud of shadows that melted through Red's armor and seeped back into the deep crevices of his body and soul.

“Oh. Uh? Hi?" Red said, waving to Sachi.

"Arm. Now," she command with a cold deliberateness that even Gelu couldn't hope to match.

"Uh, heh-heh? Funny story..."

"Keep it short."

"G-Got it. Basically? We got a new friend now," I half-celebrated, standing up and helping Silica do the same. "She’s a bit chilly, but is a big softie once you get to know her.”

“Okay, now just for that!" Gelu growled; Red only had a moment to panic before his body seized up, now under her control. Red's hair turned the same strikingly bright icy blue as his now-reptilian eyes, and she spoke with her own feminine voice, “Please pay that idiot no heed; he is just trying to annoy me. Miss Sachi, I presume?" she inquired.

"Indeed."

"Yes, well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sachi; my name is—"

"Not Red," she interrupted bluntly. "He's the one I wish to talk to you; you may wait your turn."

So shocked was Gelu at being talked to that way, Red managed to push her back and regain control. "Whew!" he sighed, laughing a little. "Thanks, Sachi, you—Oof!" he grunted after she jabbed him straight in the gut. "Yeah... Kinda deserved that one," he acknowledged.

"I told you not to go wandering off, let alone involving yourself in battles," Sachi began reprimanding, whacking Red upside the head again. "And what did you do!? Exactly that!" She sighed and groaned, "Do I even want to know whether or not you were involved in those dragon rumors I recieved earlier?"

"Actually, Lady Sachi," Silica spoke up. "We do know what that was about."

"Oh, so you were involved in that ruckus, were you!?" she started, making to hit Red again but stopping when Silica stepped between them.

"It was actually good he was involved," she proclaimed. "One of the dragons was Red's... Er?"

"Roommate," Red defaulted, coughing. "Her name was Gelu by the way," he explained even though Sachi neither asked nor cared. "If you remember Umbra, she's basically the same thing."

Gelu seized control again, thankfully not shapeshifting him this time, specifying, "Only, you know? A giant, gorgeous ice breathing dragon."

"With brilliant sapphire scales and huge feathery wings too!” Silica added excitedly, bouncing on her feet. "Seriously, you should have seen her, Lady Sachi; she was gorgeous!"

Red's cheeks flushed from Gelu's blush. "U-Um? Thank you?"

"Oh, um? You're welcome?" Silica said, tilting her head at Red. "Am— Am I talking to Red or Gelu? He never clarified how that worked."

"You were talking to her," Red said, Gelu having relinquished control. "And she very much appreciates the compliment."

"You're telling us," Terra spoke up mentally. "I think that's the first time you've ever said thank you to a mortal for anything, Gelu."

"I think that's the first time I've ever been complimented by one," she noted, her ordinary anti-mortal beliefs conflicting with her genuine gratefulness for said compliment.

“And for why your arm is coated in ice?” Sachi wondered angrily.

"Got a bit dinged up in the fight. Thankfully, Gelu can be a good medic when she wants to be," Red answered with a devil-may-care smile.

"Dinged up, huh? You got just a 'bit dinged up'?" she shrieked, eyes tearing up. “You've already almost died twice since saving us, and yet here you go again trying to get yourself killed again!?"

"Well, I--"

"And if you try a fourth time!? A fifth!? How many more times are you going to go out there with no plan whatsoever!? How many more times are you going to throw yourself into battles you've no hope of winning on your own!? How many more times are you going to risk your own life, completely apathetic to how we'd feel if you didn't come back!?" she ended, panting from her outburst and eyes crying openly crying now.

Red and Silica shared a surprised look before the latter defended, "Lady Sachi, Red can heal himself in bat--"

"Do you think I care about that!?" she cut Silica off. "I care about the fact that one day, he's not going to be able to heal himself! That one day, he's gonna waltz into a battle and come out in pieces! That one day, he's going to... He's..." She shuddered and stopped, wiping her eyes dry.

"Seems she shares our own fear," Gelu observed. "See, Red? We're not the only ones who think you're reckless."

Yeah-yeah, I know. I know... he responded, striding forward and pulling Sachi into a hug. He got a punch to the stomach for his trouble, but as he was groaning in pain, Sachi pulled him back into the hug.

Sighing, Red smiled and returned the hug, patting Sachi on the head. “Hey, don’t cry. It might not seem like it, but I have been through way worse then anything this game could throw at me. And I’m only getting stronger," he added, smirking to himself. "Heck! I’m so powerful, I didn't even get any experience from killing that other dragon."

"I wouldn't exactly brag about that," Silica noted while Sachi just seemed confused how Red didn't gain any experience.

"I digress," Red said, shrugging. "On the subject of that dragon though, I still have one more friend to find. Once we do then..." I'll be out of here, Red didn't want to say in front of his new friends. "Then? I would be all but unbeatable!" he claimed.

"Except for Kirito," Terra acknowledged. "Thanks to the nature of this world, he's likely our equal in terms of overall power."

"Except for Kirito," Silica also acknowledged. "Don't forget, he's getting stronger too. And unlike you, he did gain experience from that battle."

"Yeah, well...?" Not having a particularly good argument to make, Red just deflected, "Without me there, there's no way he could have taken both Gelu and the other dragon on by himself. Maybe one or the other, but both? Nahhh. He's lucky I was there to save his bacon," he bragged.

"Or you were lucky he was there to save yours," Silica shot back, giggling at the sight of his pout. "Don't worry though. I'm sure he's more than grateful for your help."

"Just as I'm grateful for his," Red reluctantly admitted. He then frowned and urged, "Don’t tell him I said that; his head is big enough as is.”

Silica giggled again while Sachi just rolled her eyes, muttering, "Says the original big head..." to herself.

"Anyway," Red eventually continued. "Sachi, you said earlier that there were dragon rumors lately?"

"I did. You aren't thinking of challenging another dragon already, are you!?" she asked, as worried as she was furious.

"Not at the moment, no," he confirmed for her benefit. "But I'm going to need to go looking for more dragons soon; the one I’m searching for is still out there." He withdrew the scale and offered it to Sachi, inquiring, "This is one of his scales. Any dragon you've heard about match this color scheme?"

Sachi examined closely but soon sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but the two you just felled were the only ones I knew of that were in the area. But I'll keep my ears open for any more hearsay about a third one that's this color."

“Thank you. Make sure to also tell me if you hear any tales about monsters using fire attacks as well," Red says in a serious tone. "Unlike the others, Ignis won’t bat an eye at killing humans; he’s even tried killing me a few times.”

"I thought you said he was your friend?" Silica asked, shocked.

"Uhhh...? Yeah, about that? He's an asshole, friend or not."

"Careful how you speak of my brother, fool,"Gelu warned. "Ignis would never appreciate such slander, and I certainly shall not appreciate any of it on his behalf."

"Uh-huh," Red responded indifferently.

“Fine, be that way," Sachi snapped, though with far less aggression than before. "Not like we could stop you from running off if this 'Ignis' fellow shows up, huh?” Before Red could respond, she poked him in the chest sternly, adding, “But don’t you think for a second I won’t be ready to drag you back by the tail if you so much as try to sneak away and fight with your arm like that! Got it!?”

Red gulped audibly and quickly nodded, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

"You know what?" Gelu began, relishing Red's terror. "I don't often say this of mortals, but I think I like this one. She has a fierceness that could rival mine."

Terra was a lot more happy to hear that from her than he allowed the others to know.

Red cleared his throat and assured, “G-Got it."

"You better," Sachi warned once more. After taking a breath to calm herself she asked, "Now! Where exactly are Kirito and the others?"

"Oh, erm? This pink-haired blacksmith stole an s-grade meat rabbit thing and Kirito went after her," Red explained casually, flinching back when Sachi seemed only further agitated by that.

“You're telling me he let some random fool steal s-grade meat right from under his nose!" she growled. Sachi paused when she noticed Red was already taking several steps out of her range, and she quickly took another calming breath. "Darn it! I could have cooked that for everyone, and we could have had a proper celebration for you finding your friend."

"You can cook S-grade materials?" Silica inquired, surprised.

"Of course, dear, I maxed out my cooking skills ages ago," Sachi laughed. "You should Kirito went after the thief?"

"He did," Red confirmed, glad she no longer seemed too angry with him.

"Good. If I know Kirito, that thief is soon in for a reckoning. I only hope he doesn't try to sell it instead of bringing it back. If he does, I'm going to make him eat his own boots,” she declared. She then waved for Red to follow her, beckoning, "Now come on, you! Let me have a look at that arm and give it some proper treatment."

"'Proper' treatment?" Gelu deadpanned. "As if my treatment isn't good enough!"

"Oh, hush, Gelu," Red whispered under his breath, following after Sachi. "Just be glad we're friends with a healer."

Gelu huffed but said nothing more, settling instead for fading away into their collective consciousness to rest from their ordeal.

Meanwhile...

“Come by my place tonight, and I'll cook this.” Asuna said to Kirito, placing the bunny into his inventory. "There's, er? There's probably only enough for two, sooo...?" She blushed slightly and finished, "B-Best come by alone, and we'll share it. Okay?"

"Aw, thanks, Asuna," Kirito said, relieved just to have the item back.

"You're welcome. Now, don’t be late, okay? S-See you tonight," she said before disappearing back into her shop.

“See you tonight," he said after her. He then began walking back to Sachi's place, but soon, he slowed to a stop and looked over the item in his inventory. "Wait a minute, only enough for two...? At her level, she should be able to cook this into at least five helpings, so what did she...?" He blinked in realization. "Was this her way of asking me out on--"

"KIRITO!"

"Gaaahhh!" Kirito jumped, panting heavily and searching for the source of the sound. Said source was a message screen showing Sachi's angered expression. "Oh! Lady Sachi-San," he acknowledged, bowing his head respectfully. "Sorry, you caught me off-guard there," he chuckled.

"You lot did the same to me when I learned you all apparently fought a duo of dragons even though I expressly told you all to not do anything like that!" she rebuked.

“Yeah, sorry about that?" he winced.

"Apology accepted," she said simply. "Well? So long as you didn't sell that S-grade meat I heard you were hunting down. I trust you got that back?"

"I did indeed. Heading back with it now actually," he said, determinedly not informing her about Asuna's request.

"You better be; I plan to cook that meat for all of you," she revealed.

"O-Oh. You do?" he asked, grinning nervously.

"I just said I do," she deadpanned. "Now hurry on up and get back here; we're hungry, and my patient needs his nutrition."

Her message screen then closed, leaving Kirito to stand there and panic over what to do. Ultimately, his fear of Sachi won out over his fear of Asuna, so he turned right back around and knocked on her door, weakly groaning, "Asuna...? Change of plans..."

“Oh! So because she’s threatening you with some form of 'unknown violence' you're handing the meat over to her?" Asuna began, her arms cross and eyes narrowed in fury. "Fine! Fine! That old bat wins! But you know what? I’m coming along to help with the cooking and to have a little chat with her,” she asserted, striding past a nervously sweating Kirito and practically racing back to the base.

She was several meters away before Kirito realized she really wasn't kidding, and he hastened to catch up, anxiously messaging Red. A moment later, a screen appeared before him, displaying Red's yawning face.

"What's up, sword boy?" he asked tiredly. "I was about to take a nap."

"Yeah, um? Sorry about that, but, er?" Kirito stammered. "Asuna is on her way over," he revealed. "Annnd? Well? She's pretty mad about that meat matter."

The screen flickered for a moment, and Kirito swore he saw something black move out of frame. Before he could inquire about it though, Red asked, "How mad?"

"Mad enough that I suspect she'll trying to fight Sachi over who gets to cook it," Kirito said, wincing.

"Oh. Okay then," Red replied, shrugging indifferently. "Sounds like free entertainment, honestly."

"Please don't joke right now," he pleaded.

"Well, what exactly do you want me to do then?"

"Tell me if the others are there yet."

"They're not. But Sachi--" Red stopped and looked at something beyond the screen. He then grimaced. "I was gonna say Sachi was already prepping the meat, but I guess Umbra wanted to play troublemaker and told her about the message."

Kirito grimaced as well. "And?" he whimpered, dreading the answer.

"Uhh? Looks like she just grabbed a spear and is heading outside," Red answered neutrally.

Before Kirito could respond, two loud, unintelligible voices echoed from further into town, followed shortly by a tall plume of dust erupting into the air. Kirito then whined and slowed to a stop, muttering, "And thus begins the 'entertainment.'"

"I'll make popcorn," Red joked. The screen then disappeared.

The commotion continued, and soon a few townsfolk rushed past Kirito, desperately wanting to escape the situation. He then took a deep breath and sighed, readying himself for what he was about to face. Afterward, he picked up the pace and raced to stop the quarrel; however, once he reached the spot the women had made their impromptu battlefield, Kirito couldn't get so much as a word out before Sachi's spear hurtled toward his head.

He naturally dodged out of its way, but as soon as he looked back...

An hour later saw both Asuna and Sachi sitting on the floor, bruised, battered, and their health-bars a stiff breeze away from hitting zero. Regardless, they still looked pissed beyond measure and still shot each other a venomous glare every now and then, but even their glares couldn't hope to match the one Silica currently subjected them both to. Red and Kirito were present as well, content to sit idly by and not draw any of their glares.

"A hunk of meat. A stupid... Hunk of meat. No bigger than a pheasant," Silica began, tapping her foot irately. "You two morons caused all that damage over a freaking hunk of meat!?"

"It was S-grade meat--"

"So what!?" Silica shrieked over Asuna. "It'd take a dozen hunks of that crap to cover even half of what you two idiots now owe the town! You're lucky you're not in a jail cell now!"

"Like you have any right to judge us," Sachi grumbled, drawing up her cloak defensively.

"Any right to...? Excuse you, I have every right to judge you!" she asserted. "Sachi, you're a freaking grown woman; act like it instead of some crazy, old hag!"

"What did you just--"

"And!" Silica cut her off. "You almost took Kirito's head off five times. Five! Times!" she emphasized. "Honestly, if this is how you react to someone wanting to cook dinner instead of you, we should all just cut our losses and get the hell away from your violent ass here and now," she sneered, sneaking a glance to Red.

Sachi intended to argue against that, but after a moment, her eyes fell and she remained silent.

"And you," Silica continued, returning her attention to Asuna. "Asuna, you're a member of the largest frontline guild there is; do you honestly think your actions today will reflect well on you in the slightest?"

Asuna winced, knowing she couldn't exactly combat that accusation either.

Silica then sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose and grumbling, "I swear... I hope you two learned your lesson from today because I do not have the patience to be some glorified babysitter to you two nutjobs."

Sachi and Asuna shared a far less hostile glance before hanging their heads once more, both intending to apologize proper to other later once each found the appropriate words to do so.

In the absence of anyone talking, a dark shadow creeped out from under the sofa, and out of it arose the fluffy head of one particular impish feline. Umbra smirked and began, "I hope they learned their lesson too. After all, violence only beget-- Yeow!" he screamed upon Silica slamming her foot down onto his tail. "Ow-ow-owwww," he whined, shadow-swimming as far away from her as he could while cradling his throbbing, crooked tail. "What'd you do that for?" he mewled, putting on an exaggeratedly pained expression.

"Because you were the one who instigated their fight in the first place," she responded without skipping a beat. "You are lucky all I did was stomp on your tail; because believe me... Curiosity can indeed kill a cat," Silica concluded, leering down at him angrily.

"Yeah, well, that, er..." Umbra stammered, completely thrown off-guard by Silica not falling for his sad act in the slightest. "I-I was bored, a-a-and..." He flinched when she only intensified her glare. "A-And you're a meanie; wa-hah-hahhhh!" he sobbed, running over to Red. "Red, she hurt me!"

"Yeah, because you brought it on yourself," Red replied, also not buying the act. "Now get in the time-out corner where you bad kittens belong," he added, waving Umbra closer.

Umbra blinked and sighed in frustration at finding no sympathy from Red either. "Fine," he groaned, flicking his tail and wincing before leaping up to Red's lap and fading into back into his shadow, rejoining the others in the depths of their shared soul.

Once Silica was done lecturing everyone, Sachi and Asuna excused themselves to the kitchen to both apologize properly and prepare dinner; meanwhile, Red and Kirito set the table ahead of time, though silently.

Not exactly preferring the silence, Red began, “So, Sachi nearly hit you five times, huh?"

Kirito chewed his tongue, admitting, "Yes."

"Well, what do you know. Seems you're getting sloppy. Mr. Agility," he laughed, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

“You're one to talk, Mr. Took-a-boulder-to-the-face.”

“Hey, we all know how fast and how hard Maud can hit when she's mad," Red protested to Gelu.

She remained silent for a moment before grumbling, "Fair point."

"Yeah. To be honest, we’re lucky it was only a week long coma.” “Anyway," Red continued to Kirito. "Sorry to ruin your date night.”

By the time everyone else had returned, Sachi and Asuna had finished the dinner, turning it into a veritable feast that everyone wasted no time both thanking them for and digging into the scrumptious goodness.

Everyone's laughter and words mingled together into a warm, pleasant din of cheer and merriment that utterly contrasted the dramatic hostilities that half the group had engaged in mere hours prior.

In fact, Silica had sparked equal parts laughter and astonishment upon recounting said dramatic hostilities, and during this newest round of jubilance, Kirito and Asuna had managed to slip out, unnoticed by all but Umbra, though the shadowy feline had opted to keep his mouth shut just this once.

Eventually, however, the good times gradually wound down until everyone was in agreement to call it a night, each person retreating to their own room in the guild except for Red who settled for plopping onto the couch and passing out there, snoring loudly and drooling freely into the well-worn cushions.

Exile and arrival/The world of swords

Canterlot castle throne room

Redsopine you stand accused of making a pact with demons How do you plead? "

Says Princess Celestia as she looked down on an injured man bound in chains of mithirl his two tone blue and green hair covering his face stained with dark blood as was his red fur.

His wings folded one draconian and the other with feathers like ice.

He looked up showing a heavily scared reptilian eye with a black scalia with a green,red,gold and blue iris as he spoke in a quit voice.

We both know where this is going don't drag things out and do what you have to.

Celestia sighs as she looks at him again noticing the blood leaking from a untreated stab wound to his side another on his chest a deep slash before she speaks again to the court around him calling for his head.

"Normally what you have done is a crime punishable by death but in light of your recent actions revealing yourself to save the life of a filly under attack your sentence shall be banishment and exile".

The man looks at her in disbelief it showing on his face as he speaks again.

Your to kind Princess I was prepared for death but you have chosen to give me a second chance to live in peace and I thank you I am ready when you are.

The court around him jeers in outrage at the princess calling for his death before a unicorn in the stands shoots a blast of magic at him leaving another wound for him to bleed from on his thigh as he sighs.

Can we please begin so I can at least die in peace I'm going to pass out from bloodloss soon.

Celestia looks at him surprised at how unfazed he was at being attacked as she channel's magic in her horn opening a portal under him as he is sinking another bolt of magic hits him directly in his face knocking him out and disrupting the spell sending him to a unknown location.

Plains of ironclad floor one

Kirito is outside the starting town hub in sword art online showing a new player named Klein in how to use his sword skills when theres a blinding light and the sound of a large thump they both look towards it and see a man there and rush over to help when they see him bleeding.

Kiritos pov)

Hey are you ok your bleeding and hurt?

"I ask trying to help them stand as I am reaching for a healing potion as I look at my new friend Klein.

Help me sit him up I think hes unconscious.

''I say as I grab one oh his arms underneath his cloak with Klein's help I manage to help him upright enough we get a good look at him and we gasp in disbelief.

Hes not a player if he is then this avatar must be one they made personally and uploaded into the server.

''I say as I pour the potion into his mouth as they gasp and cough I can see the extent of there wounds as there healing showing scars forming on his chest and sides and his head.

Reds pov)

''I gasp as I feel something cool in my mouth as I drink it feeling revitalised and that my wounds were healing I start to cough as I speak. Where am I who who are you?

"Kirito looks at the strange creature as it tried speaking a language he could not understand looking confused he tried speaking to them. I'm kirito this is Klein my friend can you tell us your name.

Kirito are you sure we should be talking to who or whatever this is you was a beta but you dont recognize this.

To which kirito replies. I know but it's not unheard of for game developers to hide some things from the betas to surprise them.

As thers talking the strange creature watches them.

Reds pov)

"I look at the strange beings before me unable to understand them when suddenly I start to understand them.

Game developers to hide things from the betas to surprise them.

"I blink did he just say this worlds a game. I try to speak to them again.

Kirito and Klein look at the strange creature as it coughs and to there surprise speaks. Did you just say this worlds a game how can that be it feels so real I was even bleeding before where am I?

Kiritos pov.

I am shocked how quickly they was able to communicate and understand us but what shocked me more was this creater was not part of the game nor was he a player whatever and whoever they was was a foreign element in the world.

We need to contact the GM about this see if this was planned or not. I say opening my menu and pausing as the log out buttons missing.

Klein check your menu I think my logout button is bugged it's not here and the GM is not answering.

Theres a blinding light as all three of them appear inside a large open area with stone arches around it around them was thousands of people as theres a bright red light in the sky as a the words systerm announcement appear and start to pool blood that forms into a hooded figure with no face as it speaks among the commotion of the other players around him.

A forced teleport? Up there. That's What is that? A game master? Why doesn't he have a face? Is this an event? I'm scared It's fine. It's just another part of the opening ceremony. Attention, players. Welcome to my world.

My name is Kayaba Akihiko. As of this moment, I am the sole person who can control this world. Is that really him? He must've spent a lot of time on this. I'm sure you've already noticed that the logout button is missing from the main menu. But this is not a defect in the game. I repeat This is not a defect in the game. It is a feature of Sword Art Online.

You cannot log out of SAO yourselves. And no one on the outside can shut down or remove the nervegear

Should this be attempted, the transmitter inside the NerveGear will emit a powerful microwave, destroying your brain and thus ending your life. What? Come on, enough already. Let's go. Hey, I can't get out! What's he talking about? He's gotta be nuts. Right, Kirito?

He's right that the transmitter's signals work just like microwaves. If the safety were disabled, it could fry a brain. Then, if we cut the power No, the NerveGear has an internal battery. But this is crazy. What's going on?! Unfortunately, several players' friends and families have ignored this warning, and have attempted to remove the NerveGear. As a result, two hundred and thirteen players are gone forever, from both Aincrad and the real world. Two hundred and thirteen? I don't believe it I don't believe it! As you can see, news organizations across the world are reporting all of this, including the deaths.

Thus, you can assume that the danger Multiple Victims in Online Game Incident of a NerveGear being removed is now minimal. I hope you will relax and attempt to clear the game. But I want you to remember this clearly. There is no longer any method to revive someone within the game. If your HP drops to zero, your avatar will be forever lost. And simultaneously, the NerveGear will destroy your brain. There is only one means of escape. To complete the game. You are presently on the lowest floor of Aincrad, Floor 1. If you make your way through the dungeon and defeat the Floor Boss, you may advance to the next level. Defeat the final boss on Floor 100, and you will clear the game.

"Redsopine listens to the announcement along with the conversation being had by kirito and Klein and starts to growl in anger at the man who so casually forced these people into his sick and twisted game at he was not paying attention around him till he started seeing lights appear all around him as he starts to calm down.

That man has alot to answer for treating people like toys for his own amusement taking away there freedom like this.

Kirito looks at the creature again as do other people around him as the game master looks at them. My my this is unexpected it seems we have a unofficial player in our midst praytell what is your name? and how did you create a non standard avatar in my world? let's just see who you really are just like the rest. "The game master swipes his hand over red and nothing happend".

How is this possible your avatar is not a fake nor is it in my systerm of control aside from the system mass teleportation here and your not a AI? nether the less it seems your bound by the some of the same rules as the rest of the players so tell me what's your name creature and how did you end up in my game?

My name is redsopine and as to how I got here I dont know but what I do know is I will fight to free these people from you mark my words you will pay for this!

"Once red was finished talking he opens his wings and flys at the game master intending to strike him down there and then but was stopped by a barrier forming around the game master as the words immortal object appeard above them. Coward hiding behind a shield come face me now.

Instead of a answer the game master just vanishes as people see they can leave the area he sees the two that helped him and he lands next to them. Are you both ok you didn't get caught in the backdraft I made did you? Red asks in concern for them.

No were ok Klein was just telling me he is going to help his friends.Kirito replys

What about you did you truly mean you will help us to escape this world even though you might die? Asks Kirito

I did though I dont think I will get far unarmed as I am. "Red says trying to walk forward before dropping to his knees in pain clutching his chest heaving. I must not have fully healed and my flying just aggravated my wounds.

"Kirito helps him up. Stay with me I will help you I was one of the betas for the game do you have access to the system menu. "Red shakes head so "Kirito shows red how to call it up and he does the same noticing something appear next to his hand and that he has a message form the game master.

I dont know what you are but it seems you have a player menu but I have no control over it just to view it and send you this message since you intend to fight with the others I welcome you to sword art online here are your starting weapons and you seem to be wearing your armour already but I lowered your level to the same as all the new players enjoy.

Hrmm intersting it seems he does not have full control over me but just enough to weaken me to make things fair for all of us and he even gave me a sword. "Red says equipping it to his person and looking at himself only now noticing his cloak.

Intersting when I was sent here I was just in my trousers. Kirito can you help me learn how this world fights I don't think the way I used to fight will help me much here at least not right now I'm looking over my new skills in this world and I see a few of them are locked by my leval.

"Kirito looks at them and blinks surprised. I guess that's what he ment by setting you to level one whatever thoese skills are must be powerful and game breaking but the good news is it seems you have one to unlock but the conditions seem vague like the GM did not create them or there rules.

Will you risk your life to save another or will you sit back and let them die make your choice and reap your reward form lord terra.

Who's lord terra? Kirito asks confused but as red was about to answer he holds his head in pain screaming as he passes out.

A few hours has passed since red passed out in pain as he starts to regain consciousness he groans and looks at kirito.

What happened I don't remember a thing?