Author's Note:
Hey folks, my sincerest apologies for ghosting on the chapter updates lately. I've been too busy these weeks, but I promise I'm back on track now. Thanks for bearing with me!
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Kirito's eyes widened in complete shock as he gazed at Kurumi, struggling to find his words. "Y-you... you are the one who sent me here?" he managed to stammer out.
Kurumi nodded casually, a smirk playing on her lips. "Of course. And I'm the one who altered your body's age too and gave you a mission in order for us to finally meet each other."
His mind reeling, Kirito managed to stammer, "But... but why? Why me?"
Kurumi's smirk widened into a mischievous grin as she replied, "Because you are my Knight."
Kirito clenched his teeth, his frustration boiling over. "Enough! Stop calling me that!" he shouted, his voice laced with anger and defiance.
Taking a step forward, he locked eyes with Kurumi, determination burning in his gaze. "I don't want to be a pawn in your sick games anymore," he declared firmly, his tone unwavering.
Kurumi chuckled softly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Who said you were my pawn?" she countered, her tone teasing. "Pawns are meant to be created, not chosen."
With a flick of her wrist, Kurumi made her pistol disappear, and she extended her hand towards Kirito from afar. "You and I stand on equal grounds," she stated, her smirk growing wider as she observed his reaction.
"But," she added, her tone turning slightly taunting, "it seems your side is unfortunate to have little to no awareness of what is truly going on."
Kirito glared at Kurumi, his anger evident in his voice. "Then what the hell is going on?" he demanded, his frustration mounting.
In response, Kurumi's pistol reappeared in her hand, and she held it casually as she began to speak. "A great calamity," she explained, her tone serious. "The murals you and that pink-haired girl saw in the ancient dungeon weren't just depictions of the past. They were a prophecy."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in before continuing. "A prophecy foretelling of a great war, not confined to the annals of history, but rather looming on the horizon."
Kirito's eyes widened in realization as he processed her words. "So, this isn't just some game?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Kurumi shook her head, her expression grave. "No. This is far from a simple game. And you and I, we're players in a much larger, much more dangerous game than you could ever imagine."
Kirito's brows furrowed as he recalled the intricate murals from the dungeon. "If I remember correctly," he began, his voice thoughtful, "those murals depicted people arriving through portals, just like I did."
He turned to Kurumi, a questioning look in his eyes. "Did those people come here like me?"
Kurumi met his gaze with a solemn expression. "You, my dear Knight, are just a bit different," she explained, her tone firm. "You came here through my interference."
A heavy silence hung between them before Kurumi continued, her voice tinged with gravity. "And the others," she paused, her eyes scanning Kirito's face, "They are abnormalities. Beings that don't belong here, flaws to this universe's laws."
She took a step closer to Kirito, her expression serious. "They are meant to be eradicated. And that's why both of us are here, foreigners from different universes but bound by the same fate."
Confused, Kirito furrowed his brows. "Eradication? What do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Before Kirito could ask more, Kurumi interrupted him with a cryptic statement while her pistol appeared again in her hand.
"Tick tock, my Knight," she said, her tone ominous yet playful.
Kirito looked at her, perplexed by her words.
Kurumi's smirk returned as she continued, "You should know by now that I treasure every yoctosecond, being the greedy person I am."
Feeling a sense of unease, Kirito watched as Kurumi pointed her pistol at him. His heart raced with a mixture of fear and anticipation as he braced himself for what would come next.
"Let's focus on the matter at hand first," Kurumi declared, her voice commanding. "We can chit-chat later."
Kirito's hand instinctively reached for his sword, his fingers curling around the hilt as he thought to himself, (Everything's a mess right now.)
With a determined exhale, he shifted into a stance, his grip tightening on the sword's handle. "If Kurumi truly foresaw the future," he whispered to himself, his voice edged with frustration, "this battle is already lost."
His eyes scanned the crowd, their gazes fixed on him and Kurumi, though they couldn't hear their conversation. "What should I do?" he murmured, a sense of desperation creeping into his voice. "Even though they can't hear us, everyone here is witnessing everything."
In the crowd...
Alexia watched from the crowd, her brows furrowed in concern as she observed Kirito's tense exchange with Kurumi. The woman exuded an aura of power and manipulation that sent shivers down Alexia's spine. It was clear that Kirito was having a difficult time dealing with her, struggling to maintain his composure
As she watched Kirito's struggle, her gaze drifted to the ring The Dark Swordsman(Kirito) had given her. Frowning slightly, she wondered why Kirito wasn't utilizing his full power if he felt cornered. "Why should he make things hard for himself?" she pondered, her mind racing with questions and concern for her friend.
Alexia reached out and lightly touched the ring, expecting nothing more than the usual smooth metal beneath her fingertips. But as her touch grazed the ring's surface, she felt a faint tingling sensation, a subtle release of magic that seemed to pulse through her veins.
In that moment, next to Alexia, Beta was filled with dread as she froze in place, her eyes widening in realization. She struggled to form the words, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. "Is this the Dark..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper, unable to finish her sentence.
As Beta hesitated, her gaze flickered to Alexia, who seemed lost in thought. Panic gripped Beta as she realized the source of the magic could be from Alexia, her heart pounding with dread.
Turning to Alexia, Beta's expression turned grave, her eyes wide with fear. "Did you... did you do something?" she asked, her voice trembling with apprehension.
Alexia looked at Beta, confusion evident in her expression as she furrowed her brows. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. But before Beta could respond, a deafening explosion echoed from the large area where Kirito and Kurumi stood, cutting through the air with a forceful blast.
In the area...
Kurumi smirked devilishly as she aimed her pistol at Kirito, her finger lightly caressing the trigger. With a swift motion, she pulled it, sending a barrage of bullets hurtling towards him. As the echoes of gunfire filled the air, she seamlessly transitioned, wielding her musket with practised precision, sending another volley of bullets towards him.
"Why make things harder for yourself, my dear Knight?" she taunted, her voice dripping with amusement as she watched Kirito dodge and weave through the onslaught of bullets.
His movements were swift and fluid as he danced between the projectiles, his sword becoming an extension of his will as he deflected some of the bullets with precise strikes.
"I've already made things harder for myself," Kirito retorted, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.
Kirito looked at Kurumi with a smirk, determination burning in his eyes. "I guess it's better to lose while giving your best than doing nothing at all," he declared confidently.
With a swift motion, he rushed towards Kurumi, his sword flashing as he deftly blocked the bullets raining down upon him.
"Fair enough," Kurumi responded with a grin as she watched Kirito's advance.
Suddenly, Kurumi appeared right behind Kirito, her pistol pointed at him as she grinned mischievously. "Bet," she whispered, her voice echoing in the chaos of the moment.
As Kurumi fired her pistol, Kirito gritted his teeth, expecting the impact of the bullet. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath, bracing for the pain.
However, to his surprise, he felt no wound. Confusion clouded his thoughts for a moment before realization dawned upon him. "One of her abilities," he muttered to himself, his mind racing as he processed the revelation.
Before he could react, Kurumi appeared in front of him, her pistol aimed at his forehead. Kirito's muscles tensed as he instinctively raised his sword to strike, but Kurumi effortlessly evaded his attack with a graceful step to the side.
"How unchivalrous of you," Kurumi teased.
"Whoa, she's too fast!" Kirito exclaimed as he narrowly avoided Kurumi's bullets once again. But before he could launch another attack, he stopped abruptly, holding up a hand. "Wait."
He focused on both of his hands, feeling the energy coursing through him. "You slowed me down with your bullet this time," he realized, his eyes narrowing in determination.
As Kurumi fired more bullets at him, Kirito released more of his magic, channelling it to enhance his agility and speed. His movements became even swifter as he dodged and weaved through the barrage of bullets, matching Kurumi's pace with precision.
Kirito shifted into a defensive stance, his focus solely on blocking Kurumi's relentless barrage of bullets.
Gritting his teeth, Kirito glanced at his sword, a flicker of determination igniting in his eyes. "Even if she can predict my moves, it's worth a shot," he muttered to himself, his grip tightening on the hilt.
As he prepared to make his move, Kurumi's voice cut through the chaos. "Futile," she declared with a smirk, her eyes gleaming with confidence.
Undeterred, Kirito channelled a large amount of magic into his sword, causing it to crackle with energy. His gaze locked onto Kurumi as he focused his intent.
"In games, we test new moves on weak opponents," Kirito said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "But we refine them in boss battles."
With a swift motion, Kirito built momentum and hurled his crackling sword towards Kurumi. "Let's see how you handle this," he challenged, his voice tinged with determination.
As Kirito's crackling sword hurtled towards Kurumi, its magical energy surged to its limits, unable to contain the immense power channelled into it. With a deafening explosion, the sword detonated mid-air, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.
Kurumi emerged from the explosion unscathed, her smirk widening as she observed the chaos around her. "Impressive," she remarked.
"Let's go for a little trip, shall we?" Kurumi suggested casually, her gaze flickering to the ground below Kirito.
Confused, Kirito followed her gaze, his eyes widening in shock as he beheld a massive dark portal looming beneath him. "What are you trying to say?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Before Kurumi could respond, Kirito felt a chill run down his spine as shadowy hands emerged from the portal, reaching out towards him with a sinister intent. Despite his efforts to resist, the long white hands with a red outline ensnared him, dragging him inexorably into the depths of the yawning abyss.
Kirito's eyes snapped open, only to find himself in a place shrouded in dark crimson hues, stretching endlessly in every direction. His heart raced as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.
"This... this place," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "is this where she's been hiding all this time?"
Before he could process his thoughts any further, a chorus of laughter echoed around him, reverberating through the eerie expanse. The laughter seemed to come from all directions, as if there were multiple versions of Kurumi surrounding him.
His gaze darted around, searching for the source of the laughter, his senses on high alert. Then, to his horror, he looked up and saw countless clones of Kurumi floating above him, each one wearing a twisted grin that sent shivers down his spine.
"Welcome to my little garden, Kirito," they chimed in unison, their voices blending into a cacophony of sinister amusement. Kirito's heart sank as he realized the extent of Kurumi's power and deception.
With a steely resolve, Kirito focused his thoughts amidst the chaos, his mind racing with a mixture of fear and determination. Ignoring the unsettling laughter echoing around him, he clenched his teeth and forced himself to grin defiantly.
"So, trying to kill me didn't please you enough," he began, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at him. "Now you're resorting to butchering me instead?"
But the clones of Kurumi only chuckled in response, their twisted grins widening as they hovered above him.
"Oh, Kirito," they chimed in unison, their voices dripping with mock sympathy. "We just want to play a little, you see. This place can be so boring and lonely."
Kirito's eyes narrowed as he focused his will, summoning the dark slime from his uniform. With a swift motion, the slime coalesced into the form of his Elucidator, its dark blade pulsating with an ominous energy.
"Seems like just one of you wasn't enough," Kirito remarked, his voice tinged with determination as he shifted into a defensive stance, his grip tightening on his sword.
As the clones of Kurumi rushed at him with a flurry of bullets, Kirito gritted his teeth, his instincts kicking into overdrive as he deflected the incoming projectiles with precise strikes of his blade.
Despite his best efforts, Kirito soon found himself overwhelmed by the sheer number of clones and bullets.
Then, amidst the chaos, a thought flashed through Kirito's mind. "Since there are no witnesses here," he muttered to himself, "it's safe to use more of my power, isn't it?"
With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Kirito unleashed a torrent of magic, causing the clones of Kurumi to stagger back in surprise. His Elucidator gleamed with an ominous aura as he channelled his power into the blade, ready to unleash its full potential.
"Now, it's more fair," Kirito declared confidently, his voice echoing through the crimson expanse. With a swift motion, he swung his sword in a wide arc, releasing a massive slash that cut through the air with unparalleled force.
The clones of Kurumi struggled to evade the attack, their twisted grins faltering as they realized the extent of Kirito's power. But before they could react, Kirito appeared right in front of them, his presence now more formidable than ever.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Kirito engaged the clones in a relentless battle, his Elucidator flashing with each strike as he fought with unparalleled skill and determination.
Kirito's senses were on high alert as he felt the presence of a clone right behind him. With lightning-fast reflexes, he spun around, his Elucidator poised to strike. But to his surprise, his sword stopped just a mere inch away from touching her neck.
His breath caught in his throat as he beheld the clone, her appearance strikingly similar to Kurumi, yet different in subtle ways. She wore a school uniform, and her expression was one of a terrified girl on the verge of tears.
For a moment, Kirito was taken aback by the stark contrast between the confident, manipulative Kurumi he knew and this frightened, vulnerable clone before him.
"Who... who are you?" Kirito asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he studied the clone's face.
As Kirito stood there, bewildered by the sudden appearance of the vulnerable clone, he felt a faint whisper in his ear. "She is me," the clone murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Startled, Kirito turned to look at the clone who had spoken, only to find her staring back at him with an expression of sorrow and resignation. Before he could react, a cold sensation pressed against his temple, and he froze in place.
Slowly, Kirito turned his gaze to the clone in the school uniform, her eyes gleaming with a cold determination that sent shivers down his spine.
"Zayin," she uttered his name with an icy tone, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife.
Kirito's movements came to a sudden halt as he felt time freeze around him, his body unable to respond to his commands. Panic surged through him as he realized he was trapped, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
As he stood frozen in place, one of the clones of Kurumi approached him with an eerie calmness, her hand outstretched. With a gentle touch, she cupped his cheek, her eyes locking onto his with an unsettling intensity.
"You're even more adorable up close," she remarked, her voice soft yet filled with a hint of amusement.
As the ground shook beneath them and a palpable tension filled the air, the clones of Kurumi glanced around uneasily, their twisted grins faltering for the first time. Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, they exchanged wary glances, their movements becoming more cautious.
Suddenly, one of the clones noticed a faint shimmer emanating from one of Kirito's rings. Her eyes widened in recognition as she realized its significance, her expression morphing into one of uncertainty.
Backing away slowly, she gestured for the other clones to hold their fire, her gaze fixed on Kirito's still form. The air crackled with anticipation as they waited, and their pistols trained on him with unwavering focus.
Then, with a sudden burst of movement, one of the clones shouted, "Fire!" and the air was filled with a cacophony of gunfire.
In a split second, the clones of Kurumi unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire, their pistols flashing as bullets streaked through the air towards Kirito's frozen form. But before the bullets could reach him, Kirito disappeared in a blur of motion, leaving behind only wisps of lingering magic.
Confusion rippled through the clones as they frantically scanned their surroundings. Panic began to set in as they realized Kirito had outmanoeuvred them, his whereabouts unknown.
Then, without warning, Kirito reappeared amidst the chaos, his Elucidator flashing with deadly precision as he struck down one of the clones with a swift, decisive blow. The clone vanished in a burst of dark energy.
Before the other clones could react, Kirito swiftly moved to eliminate another one, his movements fluid and precise as he danced between them with effortless grace. With each strike of his blade, another clone fell, their forms dissipating into the crimson haze that surrounded them.
The remaining clones attempted to retaliate, their pistols aimed at Kirito with unwavering focus. But Kirito moved with astonishing speed and agility, zigzagging through the air in a blur of motion that made it nearly impossible for them to land a shot.
With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Kirito swiftly dispatched the remaining clones of Kurumi with calculated precision.
As the final clone stood before him, her expression faltering with fear, Kirito's grin widened into a smirk of triumph. With a swift motion, he appeared right in front of her, his presence now towering over her with an intimidating aura.
"Predict this," Kirito taunted, his voice dripping with confidence as he stared down the last remaining clone.
With a swift motion, Kirito swung his Elucidator in a wide arc, his blade flashing with an intensity that seemed to defy the very laws of reality. The clone's eyes widened in terror as she realized the futility of her resistance, but it was too late.
With a single strike, Kirito cleaved through the clone's form with unmatched precision, her twisted grin replaced by a look of shock and disbelief.
But his moment of triumph was short-lived, for he sensed Kurumi's presence stirring once again, her twisted laughter echoing in the distance. With a determined exhale, Kirito prepared himself for the next stage of their deadly game.
As the countless clones of Kurumi surrounded Kirito from all directions, he remained unfazed, his expression calm and collected. With a smirk, he casually remarked, "You know, I've got two other rings just in case, but this would go on forever if I used them."
One of the clones chuckled in response, acknowledging his wise choice. But Kirito's demeanour shifted as he looked around at the sea of Kurumi clones, his gaze serious and contemplative.
"I don't understand what you want from me," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "Maybe I've been manipulated by you all this time."
Despite his uncertainty, Kirito's resolve remained unwavering as he continued, "But one thing is for sure: my desire to go back to my world remains as strong as ever."
Kirito's gaze fell to the ground as memories of his dear ones flooded his mind. He remembered Asuna, his beloved partner who had always been by his side, supporting him through every trial and hardship. He remembered his friends, Klein, Agil, and the others, who had fought alongside him with unwavering loyalty and camaraderie. And he remembered Suguha, his sister, whose unwavering love and support had always been a source of strength for him.
With a heavy heart, Kirito looked up at Kurumi, his expression determined yet tinged with sadness. "You may not understand what I'm going through," he began, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling within him, "but I've never forgotten them."
He paused, his gaze locking onto Kurumi's, his resolve burning brighter than ever. "I've tried countless ways to get back to my own world," he admitted, his tone tinged with frustration. "But none of them have been successful."
As he spoke, Kirito's eyes narrowed, his gaze unwavering as he faced Kurumi head-on. "There's one last option I haven't tried," he declared, his voice firm with determination. "One last option to end this madness."
Kurumi's gaze hardened as she regarded Kirito, her expression serious and calculating. "And what may that last solution be, since you haven't tried it yet?" she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of anticipation.
Kirito met Kurumi's gaze with unwavering resolve, his eyes reflecting a sense of determination that seemed to defy the odds. With a steady hand, he slowly raised his Elucidator, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light.
"This is it," Kirito declared, his voice steady despite the gravity of his words. Without hesitation, he pressed the tip of his blade against his own neck, his movements deliberate and resolute.
Kurumi's smirk widened into a mocking grin as she observed Kirito's determined stance. "Oh, my dear Knight," she taunted, her voice dripping with amusement, "do you honestly think you have the guts to go through with it?"
But Kirito remained steadfast, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword as he stared into Kurumi's eyes with unwavering resolve. "If it means putting an end to this endless cycle of manipulation and deception," he stated firmly, "then yes, I would."
Kurumi's gaze turned cold as she locked eyes with Kirito, her expression unyielding. "Go on then," she said icily, her voice devoid of emotion.
Without hesitation, Kirito nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Farewell," he murmured, his voice tinged with determination as he prepared to carry out his plan.
As the blade of his Elucidator made contact with his neck, a single drop of blood trickled down, a testament to his unwavering resolve. But before he could complete his action, Kurumi's hand shot out with lightning speed, halting the blade in its tracks.
Kirito's eyes widened in surprise as Kurumi's hand intercepted his, her grip firm and unyielding. But instead of fear, a smirk spread across his lips as he stared directly into her eyes.
"In the end, it seems you were bluffing about predicting the future," he remarked coolly, his voice dripping with confidence.
The Worst Spirit:
Ah, let's clear the air, folks! This version of Kurumi isn't just your run-of-the-mill spirit; she's the post-Date a Live saga Kurumi, still kicking and scheming with a whole new purpose in mind. Think of her as the spirit who's moved on to bigger, badder goals after the credits rolled.