Chapter 9

I layed down on the bed, sighing and looking at the ceiling, "I hope she can forgive me.." I thought as I dozed off. As I slept, I woke up within the same dark void I have been waking up to. I stood up and patted my clothes, making sure there wasn't any dust.

"I'm...deeply sorry..."

The voice said as I turned around and saw my other self, the one from the outside world. He's thinner than the last time I saw him, with another IV pack and a heart monitor hooked up. "You don't need to be sorry, the faster we get out the better we can be one again.." I said to him as he sighed.

"You should take some more thought into what you're saying, You had a girl that followed you around, married even."

He said to me, I sighed and said "I...don't think that I'm capable of keeping a stable relationship.." doubting myself. He softly smiled, although unable to physically touch me, he then said "At least you have someone, Please keep it close to you.". I turned around to look at him, I asked him "Why is that?" as he replied "Just trust yourself...you're my polar opposite. Confident, Headstrong, Reliable...". He then faded off into the void as I looked around.

"You're my polar opposite..."

I muttered trying to understand the meaning under it. I sighed, I wasn't able to figure it out. I woke up and looked at the ceiling, got up from the bed and walked out of the Inn. I put my hood over my head, walking out into the market to buy more things for the day.

I then overheard a conversation, hearing a rumored coliseum fight. I got a message from Heathcliff as the message read,

"Kirin, The Reapers Horseman, I humbly give a request to you. Please show up at the KoB guild war room. I would like to ask you a couple things from you."

I looked at it and sighed, replying to the message "I'll show up, give me the teleport location". I then walked out of the market and towards the teleportation platform. I waited for the message reply as I heard a ding, a reply was sent as I checked and manually inputted the location.

I then teleported right outside of the KoB Guild doors, looking up, I see the scale of it. The walls were enormous, along with the gate being twice the height and size of me.

"Let me through!"

I shouted trying to get their attention as I took my hood off. "OPEN THE DOORS!" someone shouted as the gate doors opened up. I walked right in as I saw the grass and the fountain that was ahead of me. "Kirin, correct?" One KoB member asked me as I nodded, they then said "follow me" as they turned around and began heading on their way.

I followed behind silently as our footsteps were loud and clear, walking through the hallway and towards the War room. Once we made it to the front doors I opened it and walked in, seeing Kirito and Asuna in the room as well.

"Kirito? Asuna??"

I said with confusion as Kirito and Asuna looked over at me, both of them saying "Kirin?? What are you doing here?".

"Now, let's get down to business"

Healthcliff said, leaning in as I closed the door behind me and walked up, being shoulder to shoulder by Kirito. "Now, I've called you three up here because two of you have a Unique skill and Asuna here is a bargaining chip in this". Asuna obviously felt offended by this angrily shouting "EXCUSE ME COMMANDER?!!!" as Kirito replied "Asuna calm down, I'm sure he didn't mean it".

Heathcliff quickly responded saying "Oh I'm dead serious, she's a bargain chip here." as Kirito and I replied simultaneously "Oh you are one fucked up person Heathcliff.". He replied saying "Oh I know, I take that as a compliment. Anyways.." as he reassures himself and sits up.

"Kirito, also known as the Black Swordsman, I'm sure we've all seen the video by now as you and Kirin here have a very unique skill at your disposal." I was very confused at this as I said "Video? What video?".

"You haven't seen the video Kirin?"

Asuna said confused as I shook my head, She then showed me the video on AINCRAD HIGHLIGHTS. I felt very embarrassed hearing myself shout "Starburst Oblivion" as Kirito then said "Alright alright, what about it?".

"Well you see, that unique skill is Dual Wield correct?"

Heathcliff said as Kirito and I both looked at each other and looked at him, I then said "Where is this going?" as Heathcliff responded rather quickly, saying,

"Well I humbly ask of you two to join KoB, We need people to be inspired to help us finish the game, we're nearing the finishing line as we are reaching the floor boss. The Inspiration that you both carry as much as your reputation is immeasurable, Now, Do you accept this invitation from the Guild Leader Heathcliff?"

Both Kirito and I looked at each other as Asuna was just waiting patiently beside Kirito. We then opened our mouths as we both said "No". "Pardon?" Heathcliff said as Asuna said "What?", "I said No, I don't want to join KoB" Kirito said to Heathcliff as he shrugged.

"Figures, so what is your reasoning Kirin?"

Heathcliff said with a bit of loss in pride from the answers, I replied "Well, my reputation as the Reapers Horseman and PK Killer is enormous inside and outside of the guild system. If I join KoB, KoB will be a target for every PKer group. and considering I've returned your stuff already, You're guild is going to lose quickly.".

"At least yours makes sense..."

Heathcliff muttered as he rubbed his eyes a bit. He said "how about this, You two will choose your conditions and I will try to appeal to them" as I nodded saying "Alright, here are my conditions... I want to fight you" as everyone in the room just looked confused at me.

"Pardon..?"

Heathcliff said with confusion as I explained, "I said I want to fight you, the only person who's given me a hard time was a man named Raven. but since he's not here at the moment and I'm in the KoB guild, I want to fight you, the strongest player."

Heathcliff then said after hearing this, "Interesting... What about you Kirito?" as Kirito then said "I would like to fight you as well..". Heathcliff then sighed saying "Right...Alright then, those are your conditions." as he leaned back onto his chair.

"The Black Swordsman, The Reapers Horseman, and The Holy Blade, will have a tournament-like match in the coliseum on floor 55. The first fight will be between the Black Swordsman and The Reaper, and then the winner will fight Me. But if both of you lose, then you will both join KoB. Do you accept these conditions?"

Heathcliff said with confidence, I looked at Kirito as I put my hand out to him saying "Good Luck" as he smiled, shaking my hand. Heathcliff smirked before saying "Then it is official! Our fight will take place on floor 55, two days from now." as he slams his hammer down saying "Everyone is Dismissed for today!".