Sword Art Online: A New Beginning

[Zarkon90]

A cold, almost cruel smile spread across her lips.

"Lets show these pompous fools the real power that Caveat holds in this world."

A twisted sneer played across her delicate lips and the effects that had been plaguing her moments before seemed to have vanished as her determination now gave her a single focus.

"Lets go show them what true strength looks like."  

[Mega90]

Just moments ago, Rin and Hiroku had been caught up in the stream of players that were all making their way towards the center of town. Pulled into the general assembly of players, they had heard the announcement of the Heaven Spire guild, and were only able to avoid being pulled out of town as the crowds flooded for the exits.

When at last there was a moment of peace, Rin looked to Hiroku with a curious stare.

“Do people usually get this excited about being able to join a guild?”  

[Zarkon90]

Hiroku stared at the two armored figures for a few moments longer, waiting for the plaza to almost empty before turning to answer Rin's question.

"For a guild like Heavens spire, yes. Promotions in the guild are day long events and they are certainly the most public of the guilds in the game. To most being in such a guild feeds their elite status."

Hiroky shook his head slightly.

"The guild operates efficiently and those two run things as they see fit. It has built them into one of, if not the biggest guild, member wise at least, in the game but..."

Hiroku's voice trailed off as he turned to glance back up at the stage where Alexander and Lian had been standing.

"I have to wonder how things are for it's members. If something seems to good to be true, it likely is."

Hiroku returned his attention to Rin.

"So what would you like to do? Go hunting for that monster or enjoy the festival more?" He asked with a soft smile.  

[Mega90]

Rin blushed slightly and looked away.

“W...well, I guess I don’t really see a point in fighting it. It’s not that I’m afraid of it, or anything, it’s just that I am already in a guild, and I wouldn’t join the Heaven Spire guild even if I did win. I’d rather leave it for someone who really wants it.” She paused for a moment and watched the last of the eager players flood into the fields outside of the town. “In any case, we can do whatever you’d like. I don’t really know what’s going on around here, so I wouldn’t be a good one to lead.” She gave a short laugh.  

[Zarkon90]

Hiroku offered a small smile.

"There are still plenty of games and I believe there is even a concert going on somewhere around here. We can do whatever you want. As for that monster, the boss fight is the easy part. It's the other players that will be the real competition."

Hiroku glanced once more to the stage, muttering to himself.

"Those two just incited a war, all for their own amusement."  

[Mega90]

A shiver ran down Rin’s spine at Hiroku’s words, and she looked up at the black haired teen.

“Why do you think they would do something like that? There have to be better ways for someone to prove that they are strong enough to join their guild.”  

[Zarkon90]

Hiroku nodded.

"There are. A tournament, or special quests. But it's about control. They enjoy the power that they have over the other players. To be able to, at a word, cause all out war simply for a chance, and that is all it is, a chance, to join their guild makes them feel powerful."

Hiroku sighed and shook his head.

"It's clear that they enjoy power. The influence they have with the devs and even over this game are proof of that and to most, the prospect of even being able to say they were considered as a potential brings a fair amount of respect."

"To them, the players are soldiers. Obey and your life in the guild will be a pleasant one with plenty of privilege and benefits. Ignore then, disrespect them, or disgrace the guild however and it isn't unlikely they will drive you from this world."

The tall black cloaked teen closed his eyes.

"That is the what power grants you. To be as strong as they are, give you control. Likely why the top three guilds don't get along all that well."  

[Mega90]

Rin looked repulsed.

“That’s awful.” She stammered, taking a step back. Even though she had played multiplayer games before, they were usually just local matches. When they ended, all players went their separate ways and likely never saw each other again.

“You don’t think Crestfallen is like that….do you?”  

[Zarkon90]

Hiroku shook his head.

"I can't even say for certain who the leader of Crestfallen is so no, I don't. Transvaal and Crestfallen each have their own way of running their respective guilds, just like Heavens spire. There are wars to join any of the three but I don't know as Crestfallen actively encourages them. They tend to test their members in different ways."

Hiroku paused for a moment, glancing tot he night sky.

"Though I could be wrong, as I said I have dealt with and fought with and against the members of your guild in the past but I don't know the leadership structure or the way things are run within the guild."  

[Mega90]

Rin looked to the side, rubbing her arm absently.

“I don’t either, to be honest. I’ve only been in it for a few days, and there are only a handful of members that I’ve even met.” She fell silent for a moment, thinking over what Hiroku had said. At length, she looked back up, attempting to appear cheery once again. “Well, in any case, let’s go and check out some of the other attractions that the festival has until the announcement is made, alright?”  

[Zarkon90]

Hiroku nodded, glancing back up at the pair on the stage one last time, locking eyes with Alexander for a brief moment before reaching out to place a hand on Rin's shoulder.

"Lead the way m'lady. It should be about an hour or so before anyone returns. Provided there isn't a really strong player or group of players that go after everyone else rather then the beast."  

[Mega90]

As Hiroku’s eyes met with Alexander’s, the Leader of Heaven Spire gave a dark smile. He knew Hiroku’s position on the way that he ran his guild, and the fact that the Reaper was against the way that he did things only made him love it more. He gave a short nod to the tall teen, and then turned his attention back to the beautiful girl beside him.

Rin smiled at Hiroku and then began to head deeper into the town.

§

“Hit him now, Eve!” Kaiyaga called as he shot an arrow at the feet of a tall player who had just finished off three others that were weaker than him. The man leaped backwards, avoiding the attack and landing hard on his right leg. His stance was compromised for no more than a second, but it was plenty of time for a counter attack. Kaiyaga took aim, but hesitated, waiting to see what Eve would do in response.  

[Zarkon90]

The words barely had left Kaiyaga's mouth when the blinding flash of Eve's form shot past him. 7 strikes from her dagger found their mark on the staggering mans chest and arms with an eighth slash carving it's way down his back as eves skill saw her flip around him.

The young girl twirled the blades in her hand twice before back stepping and burying them both in the players back, leaning up against him as she did.

"Hope you enjoyed the festival and that pking those newbs was worth it. Sleep well, loser."

With that, she brought her blades down the full length of his back, trusting that if her attack hadn't finished her target off, that Kaiyaga's arrow would.  

[Mega90]

Kaiyaga simply smiled as he lowered his bow. His aim was perfect; his path clear, but it was unnecessary. The barrage of strikes from Eve had been far past overkill, and the addition of another shot before the man’s body disappeared seemed like just another insult to his already grievous injuries.

As the body vanished, Kaiyaga walked up to Eve and placed a hand loosely on her shoulder, bending down closer to her level.

“Remind me not to make you angry.” There was a short laugh present in his tone, and he looked over to the violent battlefield that was unfolding in the field just beyond where they were standing. “That guild sure knows how to make a mess, don’t they? Hundreds of players murdering each other all for the right to be called a peon buy the people at the top. What a bunch of bull.” He shook his head as he spoke. Just then, another player rushed up beside them. He was clad in a long and flowing robe, and in his hands, he clutched two long, curved swords. They were almost Arabian in style, though Eve hadn’t seen many items like that in either SAO or ALO.

“So, you two are here to take the item as well, huh? Well, I’m afraid that you’re going to have to go through me to get it.” Kaiyaga eyed the man up and down and a dark smile came over him.

“Well, this is an interesting turn of events…” His voice was low and under his breath as he stepped back, allowing Eve to take center stage on this fight.  

[Zarkon90]

Eve looked up at the newcomer, her eyes a mix of boredom and disbelief.

"You really must be confident in your skills to think you stand against two of us at once, but then again, who am I to try and talk you our of dying? If you ran, it would only mean that I had to chase you and I already showered today and don't want to get all sweaty."

The young innocent looking girl readied her long daggers.

"However, if you want to beg for your life before we begin, I will gladly allow that."

Eves tone was far to dark to have come from such a young and pure face and though she held no real care for the man that stood before her, the prospect of a fight made her ruby eyes appear to almost glow in the pale moonlight.

"Well? What's it going to be?" Eve's tone was cold and calculating as she spoke the final sentence, a hunger for battle evident in her tone.