Sword Art Online: A New Beginning

[Mega90]

The blade dug into the side of the tree behind Eve, splintering it and sending wood flying everywhere. A grimace came over the greyed face and he sliced downward with the blade, carving effortlessly through the tree. It snapped and began to fall.

The next attack was almost instant. Allowing his weapon to continue on the arc that it was on, Drexor grabbed the young girl by her throat and lifted her into the air. His iron grip cut off the air from her lungs, and as his sword reached the end of its swing, he brought it back up, slicing directly towards her.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve's eyes widened as the large man caught hold of her throat but she quickly recovered her composer. Even as the blade rose toward her, she brought her arm up, slicing into the mans wrist in an attempt to remove the hand and blade. As she did this she brought her feet up and slammed her heels into the mans face.

"Let me go!" She yelled.  

[Mega90]

The blade pierced through his arm, though there wasn’t sufficient enough strength in the blow to sever the arm completely. As such, it only served enough to throw him slightly off balance and cause the sword to miss Eve. It sailed past her head, missing her face by only a few centimeters. As she kicked him in the face, his neck bent under the pressure, but he was otherwise unphased.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve tried to push off the giant mans face as she looked back, aiming another precise strike at the mans wrist in attempt to remove his hand and the deadly blade that it held.  

[Mega90]

As the blade entered his flesh time after time, it seemed to have no effect on the lumbering man before her. His grip tightened around her throat and he lifted the sword once again to attack.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve let a silent curse run through her head before she looked down and, in a last desperate attempt, plunged her sword into the mans face as he held her.
As she did she couldn't help noticing that her HP was beginning to tick down due to the damage being dealt by the force of the mans crushing grip.  

[Mega90]

Drexor teetered backwards as the sword pierced his head. His grip did not loosen on her throat, though his right arm did drop the sword. Using his now free hand, he reached up and placed his massive palm over Eve’s face. She felt him begin to squeeze for a moment before he finally dropped first to his knees, and then finally fully to the ground.

His grip relaxed and after taking one final breath, his body vanished into thousands of light shards.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve crashed to the ground, moaning as she impacted. Her head shot up, half expecting the large man to rise again. After seeing him explode into light fragments she let her head return to the earth floor, sighing with exhaustion.

"There.." Eve muttered.

The blonde girl laid on the forests floor for a few minutes longer before she slowly rose to her feet and began the journey back toward the town in silence.  

[Mega90]

When Eve returned to town, she again found Kaigaya sitting in the bar, listening to the live music that was being performed and nursing a draught of ale.

He looked up when she entered and gave a short wave. There was a devious smile on his lips and he beckoned her over.

“Eve, you’re back. How was your test?”  

[Zarkon90]

Eve walked into the bar making her way to Kaigaya's table. Her expression was partially irritated partially tired. She hesitated for a moment before lowering herself into the chair.

"Might I ask why you are inquiring? I was under the impression that you would be watching me as I completed each of your tests. If my understanding is indeed correct, then you are already aware how it went, are you not?"  

[Mega90]

Kaiyaga gave a devious smirk and nodded his head slightly. “Well, well, my little spitfire. I know how I thought you did. I want to know how you thought you did.”  

[Zarkon90]

Eve brushed a strand of hair out of her face before responding.

"I completed the mission as you requested. There were some unforeseen complications but I overcame them as any good member of Caveat would."

Eves words and toned were carefully controlled as she spoke.  

[Mega90]

Kaiyaga leaned back in his chair and the corners of his mouth curved ever so slightly upwards.

“Is that right? Well, in that case, are you ready to move on to your next test?”  

[Zarkon90]

The young girl looked up, her eyes and expression now full of determination.

"Yes sir. I am ready to continue to serve caveat however you deem best for my trial."

Eve's tone was ambitious but respectful as she spoke.  

[Mega90]

“Alright, the next test is one that we can do right here. This is a test that is going to test your wit and resourcefulness. I’m going to ask you a series of riddles, and I want you to answer them. Easy, right?” He sat forward again and took another large drink of ale. “Alright, the first riddle goes like this. ‘What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on?’ The goal here is to solve the riddle with the correct answer as quickly as possible. You can answer when you are ready.”