Shadow stood stoically at the highest point of the academy, his gaze piercing through the chaos below as flames licked at the structure around him. He looked coldly upon the scene, seemingly unaffected by the turmoil.
A smirk played across his lips as he observed the pandemonium unfolding before him. "This was one hell of a side event," he muttered under his breath, the corners of his mouth turning up in amusement at the chaos surrounding him.
Just then, Gamma materialized behind him, bowing on one knee with utmost reverence. "We have taken care of everything, Lord Shadow," she declared, her voice unwavering despite the chaos. "Shadow Garden emerges victorious once again."
Shadow, lost in his own world of mischief and chaos, completely ignored Gamma's presence as he sensed Kirito's unmistakable aura within the academy.
"He's here," Shadow announced with a dramatic flourish, still not bothering to acknowledge Gamma there. "Ah, Kirito, always showing up at the most inconvenient times."
Gamma, startled by the sudden revelation, lifted her head in confusion. "You mean Kirito Kuroha, my lord?"
Ignoring her once again, Shadow continued his monologue, gazing off into the distance with exaggerated seriousness. "Kirito, my good friend! It seems he isn't the type to cower in the face of chaos just like all these NPC!"
"Indeed, my lord," Gamma interjected, her tone respectful yet firm. "Kirito Kuroha has been aiding us in our endeavors. His loyalty to Shadow Garden remains steadfast."
As Gamma spoke, she observed Shadow's distant demeanor and realized his attention was elsewhere. With a bow, she gracefully excused herself. "I shall take my leave, Lord Shadow, to attend to other matters. May your plans unfold as desired."
"What a splendid opportunity!" Shadow exclaimed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Why, it's the perfect time to relieve the academy of some of its burdensome wealth and settle my debt with Kirito once and for all!"
With a sly grin, he nodded to himself, thoroughly pleased with the prospect. "A wonderful idea indeed," he declared triumphantly, his mind already concocting the details of his daring heist.
Suddenly, a girl's voice pierced through the chaos, filled with hatred and determination. "Shadow!" she shouted, her tone laced with venom as she charged toward him.
With swift reflexes, Shadow drew his sword and effortlessly intercepted the incoming attack from Iris herself, his movements fluid and precise.
Iris, her eyes blazing with anger, glared at Shadow with unwavering resolve. "You aren't getting away with all you've done," she spat, her voice trembling with emotion.
In his typical apathetic manner, Shadow shrugged nonchalantly, his expression unchanged. "Attacking someone head-on can either be a display of overconfidence in one's abilities or blindly following principles no one gives a damn about," he remarked, his tone detached as he regarded Iris with a cool gaze.
"I'll be the one to bring you down, Shadow!" Iris seethed, her fists clenched in rage as she glared at him with fiery determination.
Shadow, unfazed by her threat, smirked and opened his arms in a mocking welcome. "Oh, really? Well, by all means, get it done then," he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Bastard!" Iris spat, her fury boiling over as she lunged forward, intent on delivering justice with her own hands.
As Iris lunged forward with a furious battle cry, Shadow effortlessly sidestepped her attack, his movements elegant and precise. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected her strike with his sword, the clash of metal echoing through the chaos around them.
"Is that the best you can do, little girl?" Shadow taunted, his voice dripping with mockery as he danced effortlessly out of her reach. "I expected more from someone so full of righteous fury."
Iris gritted her teeth, frustration evident in her expression as she renewed her assault with renewed determination. Yet each strike was effortlessly parried by Shadow, his movements fluid and seemingly effortless.
"You fight like a petulant child throwing a tantrum," Shadow sneered, his tone condescending as he toyed with Iris, easily dodging her attacks. "Perhaps you should rethink your strategy before challenging someone of my caliber."
With a sly grin, Shadow vanished into the shadows, only to instantly reappear behind Iris, who gasped in shock at his sudden appearance. Before she could react, Shadow swung his sword with deadly precision.
But just as the blade was about to strike, Kirito appeared out of nowhere, his own sword intercepting Shadow's with impeccable timing. The clash of metal rang out as Kirito stood between Shadow and Iris, his gaze steely and determined.
Iris, stunned by Kirito's intervention, stumbled back, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and gratitude as she watched Kirito face off against Shadow, ready to defend her.
"Kir-" Iris began, her voice choked with emotion as she turned to Kirito, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Why did you come? Shadow is too dangerous."
Kirito met her gaze with unwavering determination, his expression resolute. "Princess Iris, Shadow is my opponent tonight," he declared firmly, his grip tightening on his sword as he prepared to face off against his longtime adversary.
As Kirito squared off against Shadow, the enigmatic figure regarded him with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. (Kirito... once again, you surpass my expectations,) Shadow thought to himself, a hint of admiration in his voice. (You've outgrown your role as a mere background character and become a formidable side character.)
Yet, despite his internal musings, Shadow couldn't shake the feeling of unease at the prospect of facing off against his friend. (It doesn't feel right to fight someone I consider a friend,) he thought, his mind conflicted as he debated his next move. (But perhaps I should just play along for now.)
Before Shadow could make a decision, Kirito interrupted his thoughts, his voice cutting through the chaos with unwavering resolve. "I don't know your goals or the methods you plan to use to achieve them," Kirito stated, his sword pointed directly at Shadow. "But if our paths cross, I will not stand by and let you continue unchecked."
Shadow's gaze narrowed as he regarded Kirito with a mixture of respect and wariness. "So be it," he muttered to himself, his resolve hardening as he prepared to face off against his own friend.
The clash between Kirito and Shadow was intense, their swords dancing with precision and speed as they exchanged blows. Kirito's skill was undeniable, slightly matching Shadow moves, much to Shadow's surprise.
"You're quite good, Kirito," Shadow admitted under his breath, a flicker of admiration in his eyes as he deflected another strike.
Shadow, impressed by Kirito's prowess, found himself being slightly more serious as he parried Kirito's attacks. (This guy... his swordsmanship is truly remarkable,) Shadow thought to himself, a hint of admiration in his voice. (It's on par with mine, to be honest.)
As they continued to exchange blows, Shadow felt a surge of power coursing through him. With a sudden burst of energy, he delivered a powerful blow that sent shockwaves rippling through the academy, causing a nearby building to crumble in its wake.
But even as the dust settled, Shadow couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. (Impressive, Kirito, but your swordsmanship lacks the power to back it up,) Shadow mused to himself.
Kirito glanced down at the wound in his leg, his brows furrowing in determination. With a whispered incantation, he cast a healing spell, watching as the wound closed before his eyes. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze never leaving Shadow's form.
(I knew this was nothing more than a suicide mission,) Kirito thought to himself, a grim expression crossing his face. (But I couldn't stand by and let Shadow continue his rampage unchecked.)
As Shadow began to approach him, Kirito steeled himself for the inevitable confrontation. (I can afford to fight this lunatic as the Dark Swordsman,) he thought to himself, his grip tightening on his sword. (But as Kirito... my chances are pretty slim.)
As Kirito stood locked in combat with Shadow, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind, gentle yet determined. "Let me fight alongside you, Kirito," the voice pleaded, its familiarity stirring a sense of longing within him.
For a fleeting moment, Kirito's heart skipped a beat as he thought he heard Asuna's voice, his mind flooded with memories of their countless battles side by side. Their chemistry, their perfect synchronization in combat-it was a bond forged through countless trials and triumphs.
With a sense of hope rising within him, Kirito turned to look behind him, expecting to see Asuna standing there, ready to join him in battle once more. But to his surprise, it wasn't Asuna who stood before him-it was Iris, her eyes filled with determination and a hint of desperation.
The realization hit Kirito like a wave crashing over him, and a pang of sadness washed over him as he remembered just how much he missed Asuna's presence by his side. Despite Iris's bravery and determination, she couldn't replace the bond he shared with Asuna-one of the people who had always been there for him, no matter what.
"KIRITO!" As Iris shouted Kirito's name and pushed him aside, Kirito stumbled back, momentarily caught off guard by her unexpected action. Before he could fully regain his composure, he felt a sharp sting as a strand of his hair was sliced through the air, severed by Shadow's sudden attack.
Turning to face Shadow, Kirito's eyes widened in shock as he realized the extent of the danger they were facing. But as he prepared to retaliate, his attention was drawn to Iris, who now stood before him, her arm bloodied and mangled from protecting him.
"Iris..." Kirito whispered, his voice filled with concern and guilt as he took in the sight of her injuries. "You... why did you..."
But before he could finish his sentence, Shadow's mocking voice cut through the chaos, his words dripping with disdain. "Daydreaming in the middle of a battle, Kirito? How noble of you," Shadow taunted, his smirk widening as he observed Kirito's conflicted expression.
Kirito's gaze hardened as he turned to face Shadow, his resolve strengthening despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them.
As Shadow prepared to cast a healing spell on Iris, he looked down at her bloodied arm, ready to mend the damage he had inflicted for the sake of adding dramatic tension to the fight. But before he could utter an incantation, he was surprised as he saw Kirito already healing Iris's arm with his own magic.
A flicker of irritation crossed Shadow's face as he realized his attempt to add flair to the battle had been thwarted by Kirito's quick actions. With a resigned sigh, he withdrew his hand, his gaze narrowing as he refocused on Kirito, who now imbued his sword with magic and charged at him with renewed determination.
Shadow grinned in anticipation, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he welcomed Kirito's aggressive approach. "Getting angry, aren't we?" he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he prepared to meet Kirito's attack head-on.
As Kirito closed the distance between them, Shadow readied himself to deliver a powerful stab, intending to intimidate his opponent with a close call. But to his shock, Kirito didn't flinch or attempt to block the attack. Instead, Shadow's sword went straight through Kirito, leaving Shadow completely bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
"Why...?" Shadow muttered in disbelief, his voice tinged with confusion as he watched Kirito's unmoving form, his mind racing to comprehend the implications of Kirito's actions.
Kirito raised his head, blood trickling down his chin as he locked eyes with Shadow. With a faint smirk playing on his lips, he spoke in a hoarse whisper, "Surprised, Shadow?"
Shadow's expression morphed from confusion to shock as he couldn't understand Kirito's actions. "What... how...?" he stammered, his mind reeling with disbelief at Kirito's unexpected resilience.
As Shadow attempted to pull his sword out of Kirito's body, he found himself unable to move it, his muscles straining against an unseen force.
"You... you clever bastard," Shadow muttered through gritted teeth, as he struggled against Kirito's grip. "Clenching your abdominal muscles to hold onto the sword... it's a clever move."
With a sly grin, Shadow chuckled darkly and retorted, "Ah, but you see, Kirito, unfortunately for you, my sword isn't made of steel. It's made of slime!" With a swift motion, Shadow concentrated, and his sword began to liquefy, turning into a gooey mass that slipped through Kirito's grasp.
As Shadow prepared to taunt Kirito further, he suddenly felt a firm grip on both of his hands. Startled, he looked up to see Kirito smirking back at him, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Now, now, Shadow," Kirito teased, his voice laced with amusement. "The trick isn't over yet."
As Shadow struggled against Kirito's unexpected grip, Kirito's smirk widened into a confident grin. With a twinkle in his eye, he began to chant a teleportation incantation under his breath, his voice steady and sure despite the chaos surrounding them.
"By the power of the ancient runes, by the threads of fate woven tight, transport us now from this place, beyond the reach of day or night."
Shadow's confusion only deepened as he watched Kirito's movements, his mind racing to comprehend what was happening. Before he could react, a blinding flash of light enveloped them both, and in an instant, they vanished from the chaos of the academy, leaving behind nothing but echoes of their clash.
Shadow's eyes widened in genuine surprise as he took in his surroundings, the chaos of the academy replaced by a serene and unfamiliar place. Blinking in disbelief, he turned to Kirito, his expression a mixture of confusion and intrigue.
"Was that... actual teleportation?" Shadow questioned, his voice laced with disbelief as he struggled to comprehend the sudden change in scenery. "I thought it was just one of those high-speed maneuvers."
But as he observed Kirito's calm demeanor and the lingering traces of magic in the air, realization dawned on Shadow, his smirk returning in full force.
"Well played, Kirito," Shadow chuckled, his tone filled with admiration and amusement.
Kirito grimaced as he focused his magic on healing the wound in his side, his breath ragged with exertion. With a whispered incantation, he channeled his energy into the injury, feeling the familiar warmth of healing magic enveloping him.
"There," Kirito muttered to himself, his voice tinged with relief as he felt the wound mend itself under his ministrations. "That should do it."
But as he took a moment to catch his breath, a realization dawned on Kirito, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself.
"Well, that was unexpected," Kirito mused, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Looks like I just used Sherry's experimental teleportation magic."
He shook his head in amusement, knowing full well the risks associated with Sherry's untested spells. But despite the inherent danger, Kirito couldn't deny the convenience of their sudden relocation.
"At least we're no longer in the academy," Kirito thought to himself, his gaze drifting to the serene surroundings around them. "Even if it's a random destination, it's better than facing off against Shadow amidst all that chaos."
As Kirito took a moment to assess their new surroundings, his eyes widened in disbelief as he realized where they were. "No way..." he muttered to himself, his mind racing to comprehend the unexpected twist of fate. "This... this is the ancient dungeon Sherry and I explored!"
"I never thought we'd end up here of all places," he mused, a faint smile playing on his lips as he glanced around at the towering walls and ancient architecture surrounding them.
But as his gaze settled on the looming clock tower in the distance, Kirito's curiosity was piqued. "The mysterious clock tower Sherry mentioned..." he thought to himself, his heart racing with anticipation as he turned his head to get a clear look at the towering structure.
The clock tower was adorned with intricate carvings and symbols, but what caught Kirito's attention were the two large arrows protruding from the clock face. One arrow bore a striking resemblance to his Elucidator, while the other mirrored his Dark Repulser with uncanny accuracy.
"It can't be..." Kirito murmured in disbelief, his heart racing as he took in the intricate design of the clock face.
Kirito's eyes widened in shock as he watched both replicas of his swords, used as arrows, unexpectedly begin to move. The Elucidator and Dark Repulser shifted position simultaneously, pointing towards different sections of the clock face with eerie precision.
As Kirito and Shadow had bewildered glances while looking at the clock, a brilliant light emanated from the clock tower, bathing the ancient dungeon in an ethereal glow. The intensity of the light intensified as the clock began to chime, its resonant tones echoing through the cavernous chamber.
As the clock struck eleven, Kirito felt a strange pressure building in his head, an overwhelming force compelling him to turn and look behind him. With a sense of dread creeping over him, Kirito slowly turned his head, only to be met with a horrifying sight.
To his horror, Kirito saw his own body lying lifeless on the ground, his head gruesomely decapitated from his shoulders. Shock and disbelief coursed through him as he realized the gravity of the situation-he had been decapitated without even realizing it, his body and head separated by Shadow.
Teleportation Magic:
Teleportation magic is an ancient and elusive form of magic, long lost to the annals of history until Sherry stumbled upon ancient documents detailing its secrets during a dungeon exploration with Kirito. To wield teleportation magic, one must possess either a powerful artefact capable of channelling its energies or a naturally high affinity for magic. Furthermore, teleportation requires physical contact with the caster for successful transportation to occur.
A Dramatic Play:
Shadow, ever the theatrical soul, would go to great lengths to add a touch of drama to any situation, whether it's a heated battle or a casual tea party. From crafting elaborate monologues mid-fight to orchestrating dramatic entrances and exits, Shadow's flair for the dramatic knows no bounds.
Quick Note:
Apologies for leaving you hanging off the edge of that cliffhanger, but I assure you, it's all in the name of keeping the story spicy for the next chapter.