39 Pre-raid banter

"Once more we march in to battle!" Diabel shouted to the crowd of Clearer's. Everyone was standing in front of the tall imposing door of the Boss room. There was no reason to have these speeches we all knew what was to come. We had been through this song and dance already.

The crowd is filled with now familiar faces. These people had stories that they could tell for ages. Tales of battle, of struggle, of the world crumbling around them. Yet they stood the test of time with faces filled with resolve.

"We have lost many. But we still stand proud fighting against Kayaba's tyranny!" Diabel shouted out with a pained smile on his face. The speech spread a somber mood to the crowd but the determination stood. We had come far too far for regrets to hold us back.

We were able to clear the bosses with fairly minimal casualties for the most part. That did not mean that we had none. At first, I was shocked when it happened as I genuinely thought that no one would die with Fortuna on my side. So to see people I have interacted with die from an attack from the monstrous forms of the bosses was shocking. It made me contemplate what it meant to have her on my side.

Sure I did not have a deep connection with these people but I talked to them. I listened to them as they shared their worries about what was to come. I guided them through enchants and tried to ensure they made it through the fight safely. I had made idle comments about them bringing me material so I could make them something special. Yet I had to watch time after time as they dissolved in brilliant blue particles. All of their stories cut off as the rain drowned them out.

I doubted a lot of things in those moments. That was until I remembered a stupid little man. Kibaou fought with us despite his moronic opinions and his hate. He was on my side yet he still died. Sure I was hostile to the guy but he was a good fighter when we had him. I never really thought about it as his death was such a minor thing. The outcome of it all was for the better so I just brushed it off.

That was the key. His death was for the best. More specifically it was better for me. Which meant he had to go. The same could have been said for those people who had their stories cut. They might have been plotting things despite the smiles they wore. The words they threw at me were empty so they got taken out of the bored. They should have deserved the fate that fell on them. I had to think that as the alternative was dark.

Their deaths could have just been for entirely different reasons. For example a certain amount of people needed to die to keep the guild together. Or so Kayaba did not take a more active interest in everything. Or they were simply slowing down the rest of us with their inexperience. So many reasons that could have led to their deaths.

I don't know which would be better for my mental state. That these people who fought with me were nothing but liars. Or that their deaths had to happen for the goal I sought. If I did not know their stories this would not have affected me as it had. Yet I did.

I just had to accept that those things happened. That the truth of the matter was better left unknown. That I would march on as I always had. Their deaths would not be a shackle on my further actions. Those attachments I formed were such minor things. I was a monster so I had to be used to treating their deaths as they were. They were not worth the worry in the end.

I gripped Ashley tighter as I settled. Connections like this are what matters. Not the empty little talks I had with people that I barely knew. We were receiving some rather odd looks. Ashley was the one who usually initiated the touches between us. Yet I was the one holding on to her as Diabel did his little speech.

I could not be bothered to figure out what was bothering these people. Their moods have long since been a confusing thing to me. Although the flabbergasted look Kirito was giving us was amusing. He genuinely looked like everything he knew about the world was being pulled in to question. Asuna was bright red by his side and was mumbling to her self.

"I am sure all of you are aware that the bosses on every quarter level are true monsters." Diablel warned everyone just in case they were unaware. The twenty fifth level and fiftieth level had some truly impressive foes. So it was expected that this one would be just as bad.

"So be especially cautious in this fight! Heal when you must and keep a tight track on rotations! I hope to live to see the day where everyone here leaves this hell!" Diabel shouted out as he clutched his sword. He was an idiot in most things but when it came to being a genuine guy he certainly led the pack. That was one of the reasons so many followed him.

It was probably why his death was such a driving force in the story as well.

"As usual the lovely Yuna will be joining us to buff the forces. So tanks you better be prepared to taunt the moment she does. We will not lose her!" Diabel shouted out with complete seriousness. The girl in question joyfully waved at the crowd and the crowd returned it with cheer. 

Yuna was truly a good choice to bring to the front lines. She was a joy to have around as she boosted morale with her songs. She had all the charisma needed to truly step on to a stage. I am sure when this was all done she would have won her self a fairly sizable group of die hard fans. Her buffs made everything so much easier and everyone loved her for it.

I had even felt the need to praise the girl and that was something so rare the rest of the guild was shocked. They were even more shocked when Ashley joined in on the praise. Ashley had been far more secure about herself lately and she had let go of most of her hate. 

She still disliked women on principle but she could communicate with them without exploding now. She could even learn to appreciate some of them. That was all based on the assumption that they would not cross certain lines with her.

If she saw someone flirting with me I was likely to find their body in the morning. At least I thought that was how it would be going. Ashley might shock me with a sudden surge of character growth. It was hard to place limits on this girl.

The grand speech seemed to be interrupted by an impromptu concert from the bardic girl. I only rolled my eyes as everyone cheered. The boost in morale was nice but this was a rather distracting thing. Yet I was not going to step in to break it up. I was fine with us disbanding and coming back later. It would mean I could spend more time devouring the smug girl in my arms.

So I could accept the delay from the joyful girl. It would be nice to listen to her as I basked in the warmth of Ashley. Even if the bulky armor I had made for her was getting in the way of that.

(Song inserted just cause https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L51uMMpnUEI&ab_channel=R%E1%B4%8F%CA%99%C9%AA%C9%B4SNightcore)

The choice of song seemed rather sad but with a hint of hope to come. I was not sure if this was the best choice for the fight to come but the crowd seemed to like it. Ashley was humming along so she must have enjoyed it. So I guess that was all good in the long haul.

I moved towards Kirito as I wanted to have one last talk with the kid. I let go of Ashley to move but she pouted at me. I just held her hand and started to move. We could not spend every last second in each other's arms. 

I soon found my self in front of Kirito and Asuna with a bright smile on my face. Asuna just seemed to increase her mutterings and alternated from blanching and blushing when looking at us. Kirito was giving us a strange strained smile.

"I see the Bro-con got her wish." Kirito let out in a baffled way. I took a moment to think about what he meant. I guess it was fairly obvious to everyone around us that Ashley liked me for a long time. So seeing me as I was now they must have put the dots together. Why was he so confused about that?

'I guess she did, It must have looked like a joke to everyone else." I laughed awkwardly at that. I did not like being the butt of the joke but it was to be expected with everyone else knowing.

My answer strained his smile further. The kid looked like he was trying to swallow some grand truth. It was confusing the fuck out of me.

"But it's wrong." Asuna all but shouted as she was looking between us. That is the most I have ever seen her emote. Kirito just looked like he gave up on thinking about what ever was bothering him. Ashley was glaring at Asuna for daring to interfere in her relationship.

"Wrong?" I questioned in confusion. I knew Ashley was not the most stable person but our relationship should not be that upsetting. I got two crazy withdrawn people getting together was bad for both of us but I was happy with it. 

Asuna just nodded fiercely and quickly. Ashley was this close to stabbing her for it. Kirito looked exasperated but not in disagreement with Asuna's sentiment. This should not be about our mental state so there was one other thing that could be bothering them.

"She is not that much older than me." I let out blandly. I can't believe they are caught up in something like this. Sure my body was jailbait but my mind certainly was not. Well, I guess you could argue that I was a new soul in which case I returned to the bad touch group. They had no way of knowing that though.

Even with the two years we spent here, I would be barely legal in some places. Japan ironically being one of them.

"She is older than you too!?" Kirito and Asuna shouted out in unison. Damn, they were in synch on such an odd issue. Ashley was looking back at me in confusion. I mean I never told her how old I was officially. I wonder if that would put a damper on our relationship. I doubted it as Ashley and the moral right thing did not mesh together.

"Yeah, I'm just a little older than you guys." I let out. I seemed to have blue screened them. Ashley was looking even more confused. Then she shrugged which was to be expected.

"Wait if this is not about our ages what is this about?" I questioned. I was honestly so confused about this whole scenario.

"Kind of worried about the age thing now." Kirito mumbled out and looked completely and utterly perplexed.

"Incest is wrong!" Asuna shouted out and gathered a few glances from the surrounding crowd. Those people took one look at us and quickly looked away. I guess Ashley trained them to mind their own business.

Ashley seemed to realize something and just started to laugh. That did not seem to placate Asuna.

"You're right?" I mean she was right about that for the genetic issues and all that. I had magic and was in a society that was far more inclined to such practices. Not that I was currently practicing them. Ashley might have at one point but if that happened now I would flip my lid.

Asuna and Kirito just looked blankly at me and I returned the look. Ashley continued to laugh, I swear she had tears building in her eyes.

"You agree incest is wrong?" Kirito questioned hesitantly and Asuna just looked intent on my answer. I just nodded to that. I mean I did not care that much but if I had to choose one I would say yes. 

"Yet you are in a relationship with her." Kirito spoke out and pointed at the wheezing Ashley. I just looked at him and Asuna blankly and nodded. That seemed to fluster them.

"I don't really see the relevance in that and our relationship." I did not get the point they were trying to get across. Was I supposed to be mad at Ashley for having incestuous tendencies? I already knew that about her and the bridge was burned as far as I was concerned.

The two of them looked completely flabbergasted.

"You're not her brother?" Kirito let out in confusion. As if some one told him that the world was not in fact flat. Asuna was back to processing the information in front of her.

"No?" I was not. Is that what this was about? Did they think I was her brother? How the hell did they come to that conclusion? Wait a minute. We were both pale with raven locks. We were both unnaturally attractive. Everyone and their mother knew Ashley liked me and her username was fucking shocking.

I think I broke my own mind as I suddenly got all the rumors. I just looked back at Ashley as she returned to laughing after she recovered from her wheezing. This brat must have known all of this already. 

Asuna and Kirito just looked so confused. It was a little funny now that I knew what was going on.

"So her username was a joke?" Kirito just let out tiredly as he started to laugh hysterically. Asuna just returned to blushing up a storm. I guess they forgot about the age thing but I was not going to bring it back up.

He was also wrong about it being a joke but I was not going to tell him that. That seemed like a rather useless conversation to have right now.

"You ready to finally show me this overpowered trick you have been holding back?" I decided to break the mood and get back on track. Kirito laughed for a fair bit longer but finally settled after a moment.

"I dunno we might not need it with both of your unique skills." Kirito smiled teasingly at me. I just rolled my eyes at him as he was carrying two blades. Seriously the guy sucked at hiding things.

"Well if you don't use it today you might not get a chance to show off." I let out cockily. He really would not have the chance after today. The show was coming to a close. Kayaba was likely to have his digital brains blasted after this as well. The prick really deserved it after all.

Kirito just scoffed at me not buying my bluff. Well, it was not my fault if he did not take the opportunity to show off today.

We chatted around for a bit but there was another thing I had to talk about. So I dragged Ashley away after a while. It was not like she was that engaged in the conversation we were having after all.

I looked over at her. She was looking back at me with eyes filled with desire and fascination. I was tempted to go sneak off for a bit with everyone distracted. That was probably not going to end up well.

"This is it." I let out lightly. That seemed to break the mood between us. It was probably not in good taste to bring this up right now but it needed to be said.

"It is." She said lowly and moved forward and grasped on to me. She was not looking forward to what was coming either. I returned the desperate hug.

"We will see each other again." I spoke out slowly as I tightened the grip I had on her. That was a truth and nothing could change that. I might have to spend points to travel to her but it would happen. I was not sure if my being away from her would break our relationship but I had trust in it. 

The demons that haunt me can whisper all the dark things they want in my ears. I could hide away from the world as those whispers lulled me into a slumber. That was what I did before but it was not what I desired. She was, and if I wanted to keep her I had to trust her.

This somber moment lasted for a good long while as we clutched on to each other.

"If we want to finish the mission we are going to have to invite someone." I spoke out lightly breaking the somber mood. I had contemplated this by my self but I was not the only one whose decision mattered. I also did not feel that strongly on this topic as well.

Ashley stiffened briefly but relaxed after a while. Then she looked up at me in contemplation.

"Argo is not that bad." She let out lowly. That was a ringing endorsement from Ashley. I was honestly shocked that she did not choose Kirito or Diabel. Than again Ashley seemed to have a good relationship with the information broker. Her sentiment here was good enough to confirm that.

I just hummed lightly at her choice. I would not mind it that much. Argo was easy to get along with. I could advocate for a random member but we had eternity to get new worlds. Keeping these connections we forged would be fine.