— IX —
Meanwhile, Mito and Asuna were at a standstill.
Both didn't avoid the other one's sight, but as time passed, the Scythe user started to feel the meaning behind Asuna's look.
I'm the worst human being on earth… Mito bit her lower lip in a signal of pain and distress. However…if it is for Asuna's safety, then…
The truth is that Mito felt indecisive too. She was willing to put up with whatever plan Neo designed as long as the risk didn't go over the roof.
Now, not only things went south, but also the American doesn't seem to be favorited by the Goddess of Luck. In games, fortune is a skill too.
"Are you serious?..." Asuna spoke in a more collected tone. Her eyes searched for something more beneath the suggestion to betray their party.
When Mito mentioned the holes, she was already finding ways to pull back with Asuna. Away from them…from their screams. Probably the last ones.
"...Yes," Mito struggled, but could reply. "...I-I know…this is messed up…"
"But we are not soldiers." She found herself arguing. "Doesn't matter how talented and knowledgeable, we aren't a special squad to rescue all!"
"Please understand…this is for you, Asuna." She trembled at the end. "I don't wanna lose you like that." She recalled the wolves engulfing a desperate Asuna, back near the village.
"In the end, we only have ourselves to look out for!"
An uncomfortable silence settled between them.
"...I see," Asuna broke the standstill. "This is how you truly feel…" She put her sight into the holes on the wall. The path that 'should' lead them towards their trapped group.
Asuna's eyes bounced back at her friend. "Do you know that Lisbeth wants to be a mechanical engineer?"
Mito's eyes grew up "T-that is…" until she looked to the side in guilt. Mito didn't pay her too much attention back in the inn because of all the 'Death Game' stuff drilling into her brain. That wouldn't be possib–
"She is weird, isn't?" The fencer interrupted Mito's train of thought and put on a small smile. "Even when we aren't out, and there doesn't seem to be close to being out yet, she talks like something set in stone."
"It's really telling…some would put it as a delusional hope, but I see how much faith she has…in that closet pervert partner of hers."
She let out a chuckle, which disconcerted the beta tester. "Asuna…"
"I find myself envious of that." Asuna's right hand tapped her weapon scabbard lightly. "And I also want to know why. What makes you so sure you are gonna make it out, that you haven't given up on your dreams? What did you see or know that makes you think that the world isn't over…that where this nightmare may be over soon or not, you will still make it to the end?"
"I didn't dare to ask." The tapping became a full grab over the rapier. A very noticeable trembling grip on it. "But I don't need to do it, because I wanna see it for myself."
"And if I don't go back for them, I will never know!"
"!"
"That's why-" The chestnut-haired girl took a serious look. "I have to get them. It's my own selfishness in play, and there's nothing you can do or say to stop that!"
"I know you are afraid too…even with all your knowledge and talent, everyone would be." Asuna paused for a moment. "But as long as we are together, as long as we search for the other one's hand, we will have way more chances to make it than not. That's what you taught me back on the road here…when I almost lost myself too…"
Asuna recalled when Mito made her promise to her. To protect her, to make it back alive together.
That's how it is…huh, Mito thought dejectedly. Trusting your instincts above all…
The scythe user wanted to object; that her friend has no proof of anything she is saying. That all her logic was wishful thinking.
That she made that promise as the only way to keep Asuna together…and even herself. For her own sanity at being responsible for trapping her dear friend inside a war zone.
However, saying that might mean the end of them as "friends" pretty much…or at least that's how the young student, Tozawa Misumi, saw it.
So, she held it. With all her might, she held her dark truth inside her throat. And heart.
"...Alright," Mito nodded, finding herself respecting her friend's desires…at least for now. "We shall be going by now then, shall we?"
"Nn!"
As she turned and chose one of the holes that was most likely to get them inside the chamber that Liz and Neo were trapped in, Mito found herself thinking:
Lisbeth was following her heart.
Asuna followed her instincts.
And Mito…her fear. Of rejection.
The only real thing she cannot shake away, being in real life or in SAO…
— X —
Redfang's neck contorted toward the ceiling after taking the heavy impact of his skill. A torrent of saliva with blood flew towards that same direction.
I didn't finish it! Neo noted one-eighth of the health bar remained. C'mon Neo, adjust and repeat!
Using [Minimal side Step Defense], the American adjusted his feet position to repeat [Smash] with his other arm, when he felt a heavy tug on that same shoulder.
The next second a very familiar arm was…right in front of him?
HOW?
A breaking sound followed.
On top of that, one of the Troopers had sneaked behind, backhanded him, sending the American's back crashing against pure rock.
Tha fuck…? He coughed, his virtual body responding to the impact. Now the saliva escaped from his mouth. His butt bounced a couple of times before staying on the floor.
The distance he crossed –after that last strike– gave him a few precious seconds to process what just happened without getting his game ending…yet.
Neo's eyes went to his left. Instead of an arm, a glowing, jagged red virtual polygon gash appeared at the point where it should begin.
His eyes redirected to his status and HP: the [Amputation] debuff blinking brightly while his already red bar was in its last health chunk.
It was obvious.
One the Kobolds cutted his left arm clean. The severed part instantly became bright dust before making the 'glass-like' sound and disappeared. The other mob sent him to fly and meet the walls.
Well Shit… Neo coughed. For the first time –after more than 24 hrs inside the death game– his expression expelled nothing but distress.
I tunnel vision myself…fuck!
From the other side, Lisbeth had a meltdown. She started screaming unintelligible things –from the perspective of a dazed Neo– while sprinting at his side, only to have her career stopped by one of those damned minions.
The remaining free Trooper made its way at Neo's direction with caution. Its prey was on its last legs, yet it didn't rush for the kill.
Even after processing the events, Neo's head was buzzing, all sound muted. His body failed to respond to his survival instincts.
It's the end of the line… The American resigned himself, closing his eyes. If there's a God out there…please, let me see her again…
After 14 years without a peek at her one-and-only female, his mind cannot help but drift toward her 3/4 image…
TRINITY.
"GET UP AND FIGHT!" Suddenly, that image became alive. Her tone commanding but with a bit of plea at the end.
Like being hit in the balls, Neo instantly snapped out of his trance. Eyes wide and full alert directed towards his soon-to-be executor.
The mob was already in the middle of sword skill, a horizontal slash, when the American –from a sitting position– threw himself against the floor.
The axe of the beast made a screech by the contact with the walls.
Neo immediately retaliated with a [Counter] low kick from the ground, destabilized his foe, followed with another one into the chest.
Another screech came out, this time from the monster, as its health bar hit 0.
Keep going…! He told himself, pushing with one arm his body up to help Lisbeth. By now, her movements and timing became clumsy due to the stress of a prolonged battle. Seeing him almost die did not help, either.
A big cub came into view, going dangerously at his head.
Neo ducked again. His attention diverted towards his old target.
«Redfang» was in action again, free from the [Staggered] status.
I can't catch a break, Neo clicked his tongue. How are we-
Neo's train of thought stopped as his [Detection] flared up, tracking an entity from above.
The American looked up, as a purple ponytail swayed violently downward. Like a guillotine, descended in front of Neo as a shining purple scythe embedded in the skull of the «Ruin Kobold Guardian».
The reddish aura banished, before the mini-boss itself followed.
Immediately, a chestnut-hair descended from the skies too. Like an arrow, delivered a shining thrust in the back of the «Ruin Kobold Trooper» fighting with Lisbeth.
The surprise attack got the same effect as before, converting the last enemy into stardust.
For a few seconds, silence reigned. As if everyone was expecting more surprises.
With the coast clear, red eyes collided with dark brown ones.
"You okay?" Mito approached the American with concern, her eyes stuck on his missing arm.
Neo gave a deep sigh, with the urge to say 'I wasn't expecting you back…', but held his tongue before the act.
"Yeah…I think I am."