Chapter Twenty Three

When we arrived, everyone was already lining up, preparing to enter the room. The three of us hurried to move into place, the wolves following me. I couldn't see Kirito or Asuna anywhere, but I knew they where here somewhere.

I brought out my scythe, watching as Rikimaru began unraveling his chain and Katsu brought out his sword. The wolves crouched, ready to run into the room.

Heathcliff, the commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath, stood up front, informing everyone of what they are supposed to do. I gripped my scythe tighter, my adrenaline spiking.

Rikimaru turned to me, his face coated with nerves. I frowned. Rikimaru was never worried about a fight. It wasn't until I saw the way he was looking at me did I realize. He wasn't worried for himself, he was terrified for me.

I reached up without another thought and pulled him down to my level, kissing him. When I pulled away, I was slightly out of breath.

"Don't die." I whispered, resting my forehead against his.

"You wouldn't let me."

I smiled and pulled away, praying with all my might that this wouldn't be the last time I saw him.

I turned back to face the front, crouching low. The wolves were growling now, their teeth bared. Katsu was hopping from foot to foot, nervous about the oncoming fight.

Somehow, we all knew this one was different from the rest.

With tensions high, Heathcliff finally said the word everyone was waiting for: "Attack!!"

The doors slammed open and we all rushed forward. Battle cries rose up as we all raced into the room.

However when we entered the room, nothing happened. It was completely silent expect for the doors closing behind us. Everyone was tense, waiting for the appearance of the boss.

The wolves started making a racket, restless. I looked down at them, following their eyes up and up until I saw it.

"Above us!" I screeched, warning the others.

The beast waiting on the ceiling was the devil incarnate.

The boss had a centipede like body, it's joints clacking everytime it moved. It had no skin or organs, made completely from bones. As it stared down at us with blood red eyes, Rikimaru gasped.

"The Skull Reaper."

I didn't have time to question him. The beast started descending, coming at us in a terrifying drop.

"Spread out!" I heard someone yell.

I decided to listen, giving Rikimaru one last look before racing away, my wolves chasing after me.

"Run!" Someone screamed.

The beast landed and wih one hit, managed to kill a couple of our men. My mind reeled with shock. This thing managed to kill some of our best players with one strike.

This is impossible.

It seemed determined to prove me wrong, lunging forward, killing more of our men. Heathcliff someone managed to block it, as some of our players lunged.

I recognized Kirito as one of them.

I felt useless, watching helplessly as more and more of players were killed. There was a pause in which Kirito began yelling out instructions.

"We will deal with the scythes! Everyone else, attack from the sides."

As everyone rushed into motion, I couldn't help but join them, raising my scythe over my head. My wolves raced ahead, snapping their jaws at the boss's legs as they scurried past.

Then I attacked.

The battle proceeded, by far the hardest we'd ever had. My friends raced in and out of reach, hitting the beast wherever they could. More and more of our men were injured, forced to draw back.

I, myself, was hit a couple of times, but none of us dared let up on our attacks. Asuna and Kirito often attacked together, their strength unimaginable when put together. My wolves raced to and fro, fighting whenever they could and helping injured players get back.

I was full of emotions, but the most dominant one was fear. Fear for my friends, for my wolves, for Rikimaru; fear that I would die today, my life ending just like that.

We attacked. That's all any of us were aware of anymore. We just attacked. Finally, the beast was worn down and killed, the congratulations screen pulling up.

I had been near the tail end of the beast, so. I made my way up to the others. I paused, however, when I was in hearing distance.

"Commander Heathcliff, wh-what's going on?" Asuna asked, her face coated in confusion.

"I think I got the answer to that." Kirito announced, stepping forward. "The reason why the commander's HP never hits yellow, is 'cause he's protected by the system. You know, ever since day one, something's always bugging me about this whole thing. I was always wondering 'Where is he hiding while he watches us and controls everything in this world?'"

He paused, letting everything sink in. I felt dread fill my body as I saw where he was going with his speech.

"Well, the answer's pretty simple. It's basic psychology. In fact, it's so simple, every kid knows it. There's nothing more boring than watching someone else playing RPG... is there, Akihiko Kayaba?"

Everything seemed to freeze. Tensions were already high, and this news didn't help. However, nobody could deny the honesty in Kirito's words.

"Just for my curiosity's sake, would you mind telling me how you figured it out?" Heathcliff asked, a smile on his face.

"The first time I knew something was up was during the duel. Remember when you turned the tables on me, that move was way too fast."

"It was a mistake to think that it would go unnoticed by you. But you were so strong and so fast, the only choice I had was to engage the system's assist mode." He sighed, "Yes, I am Akihiko Kayaba. And now that my identity's been revealed, it should come with no surprise that I'm the final boss on the top floor."

I closed my eyes in horror. Kuro and Gurē pressed themselves up against me, making sure I knew they were there for me.

"So the strongest player in the whole game ends up being the final boss. Kind of cliche, isn't it?" Kirito said, his voice taking on a bitter tone.

"Our loyalty... Our hope!" Someone screamed from the crowd, lurching forward like a puppet with broken strings, "How dare you... How dare you! How dare you!"

Kayaba laughed, and the next thing I knew, bodies were dropping everywhere. As I collapsed, I felt the pull of paralysis holding me down. I screamed out in frustration, my eyes filling with unshed tears.

Everything was going to end today, and I didn't know if that meant the game ending, or our deaths.

"What's the plan now, huh?" Kirito demanded, who seemed unaffected by the paralysis. "You're gonna kill everyone here and cover it up or something?"

His eyes swept over us, pausing at each familiar face. When his eyes met mine, he seemed broken. He turned back to Kayaba, who had started talking.

"Oh, God no. That wouldn't be sporting of me. That wouldn't. No, I have a better idea." He grinned wickedly, "I'm going to head for the top floor and wait for all of you there. I'll be inside the Ruby Palace. It's a shame I have to leave you all so soon. I spent lots of time developing the Knights of the Blood Oath and other elite players. Oh well, you're all strong, so I'm sure you'll reach me... eventually. But before I go, Kirito, I feel you deserve some kind of reward for discovering my identity, so... I'll give you a chance."

"A chance for what?"

"To fight me one-on-one right here right now. Oh and, my immortality will be deactivated. Defeat me and you clear the game, and all of the players will be able to log out from this world, no-strings-attached. What do you say?"

"Don't do it, Kirito." Asuna begged from her spot on the floor, "I don't like it. We should fall back."

"I have to..." Kirito seemed to beg her silently for her to understand, before turning back to Kayaba, "Okay then, let's finish it."

"Kirito!" Asuna's scream was broken.

"If it's okay, I have a final request to make." Kirito said suddenly.

"What is it?" Kayaba asked skeptically.

"I'm not planing on going down easy. So, if I die today, I want your word that you'll fix it so Asuna doesn't kill herself."

"As you wish."

Asuna started screaming from the side, but Kirito ignored her. Without another word from either of them, the battle started between the two.

Right from the start, I could see it was a losing battle. I tried so hard to move, and help my friend, but the paralysis kept me still. I screamed in frustration, the tears now streaming down my face. I was going to lose my friend today.

I closed my eyes, unwilling to watch him die. Everything happened next in a whirlwind. I didn't even see it, but the next time I opened my eyes, Asuna was standing in front of Kirito, shielding him with her body.

Kirito screamed, watching his wife drop to the floor. Asuna had taken the blow for him.

When Asuna died, there was no sound. Everyone mourned the death of the second in command.

Suddenly Kirito stood, his eyes dead. He had given up on living. He would fight, but he had no plan on surviving.

I closed my eyes, knowing what he planned to do. I couldn't take anymore death today.

When I opened my eyes next, both Kirito and Kayaba were exploding into brilliant shards.

I felt the paralysis leave my body, and as I climbed to my feet, I heard the announcer's voice echo through the room.

"On November seventh, at 2:55 PM, the game has been cleared.Repeat: the game has been cleared."