Chapter 8: Under the Yoke
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The alliance with Asuna turned out to be more than just beneficial. We started doing quests together, exploring dungeons, and helping newbies. The atmosphere in our team was completely different: We have become a real force. I no longer felt like a loner, and Kirito, it seemed to me, also gained confidence in this new collaboration.
But one thing was unchanged — the world around us continued to be dangerous and cruel. The strange rumors about assassins in the shadows grew louder, and the more we came across the Bloody Rapiers, the more we felt their growing influence.
Today we had to meet with another group of these criminals. They decided to set up an ambush on one of the popular routes for farming. Once we were among the high walls of the dungeon, we began to move towards the goal. The mobile table indicated that we needed to explore the third sector. I see two objects that are out of place.
"It's them,— Kirito said softly, stopping me with a gesture. —It's a trap. We're caught.
I looked around. Two men with red markers were hiding in one of the dark corners. They stood there, waiting for their target. I went a little ahead so as not to give us away right away, and then there was a crash.
A light flashed right in front of us, and three Rapier attackers jumped out, pinning us in a circle. I felt the tension rising again. This was no ordinary ambush. They were obviously preparing.
"Oh, what stars we have here," one of them said, laughing. — Kirito and his brother, the same Ren who taught these weaklings how to die.
"We won't give up,— Kirito replied, his face still and his voice firm.
One of the attackers smiled and, without hesitation, pointed his sword straight at me. I saw his movements and instinctively dodged, using the moment to kick him in the side. But the second one shot an arrow from his bow, which took me by surprise. The arrow pierced through my shield, and I felt pain shoot through my arm.
Asuna, who was fighting next to us, immediately took the initiative. She easily deflected attacks, her sword was as fast and accurate as lightning. Every blow was thought out to the smallest detail. She fought not just to survive, but to win. Behind her back, I noticed flashes of pain from the opponents. She was the one who could lead us to victory.
But at this moment, another player appeared on the battlefield — strong and confident in his abilities. He was wearing black armor and carrying a huge two-handed sword. We didn't expect him, and his appearance was crucial.
"You can't get away," he said. It was the leader of the Blood Rapiers, Loxian.
His voice sounded like crackling fire, his eyes were burning with a crazy light. He raised his sword, and the air around him froze. And then I realized that we were on the verge of another decisive battle.
Kirito leaned towards us.
"Be ready," he told me. — We need to work together. This guy is not just another player. This is the one behind all of this.
I nodded, feeling my heart speed up its rhythm. We're not just hunters anymore. We became part of something bigger-and perhaps the fate of this world depended on this opponent.
We huddled together, preparing for the final showdown.
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The fight was fierce. We attacked together, understanding each other better each time. Asuna quickly moved around the field, looking for the weak points of the enemies, Kirito fought like a true swordsman, and I supported them with my attacks and defense. It was a real team.
But Loxian was stronger than we thought. His blows shook the ground, and his sword seemed to absorb light, destroying any defenses.
"I'll tear you up,— he said, as his punch nearly knocked me off my feet. "Do you think you can stop us?"
But we didn't give up. We held on. And at that moment, when everything seemed almost lost, Asuna took a decisive step. She lunged forward, her sword glinting in the light, and like lightning, she pierced through Loxian's defenses.
He fell. His body disappeared into the digital light, leaving only a void.
We won.
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Standing in the shadow of the ruined arena, I looked around. Time has passed, and a new path stood before us. We defeated Loxian, but it doesn't end there. This world continues to dictate its own rules.
We can be strong, but we are not alone.
And there are many more challenges ahead of us. And perhaps we ourselves will become the force that will change this world.