Chapter 9: Shadows of the Past
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After defeating Loxian, there was an uneasy silence. The cities started talking about our triumph—Ren, Kirito, and Asuna became names that were pronounced with respect... and fear. We stopped one of the leaders of the Blood Rapiers, but deep down I knew that this was just the tip of the iceberg.
We were sitting in a tavern on the 35th floor, where there was a cozy view of the lake. Kirito remained silent, staring into his cup of tea. Asuna was sorting through the menu and seemed calm. And I could feel the anxiety growing inside.
"Is something wrong?" Asuna asked without taking her eyes off the interface.
"He knew me,— I said at last.
Kirito was surprised.
— Loxian. When he appeared, he said, "I've been waiting for you to show up... ghost of the past. I slowly looked up. — I didn't tell anyone, but before the game started, I participated in a closed test. Back then, I had already encountered one player... his nickname was Loxian. He was ruthless. I wasn't playing, I was hunting. I thought at the time that he had just been banned.
Kirito frowned.
"So he knew you before all this hell started."
I nodded.
— And now I understand: he's not alone. There are still those who came to this game not for the sake of adventure, but for the sake of power and fear. He mentioned someone… someone stronger.
Asuna put down the menu.
"We need to find the others. Until they started the next wave.
At that moment, a system message came to our interface.
[New location unlocked: Shelter of the Forgotten.]
[Danger level: High.]
[Warning: This area belongs to an unknown faction.]
"They're moving,— Kirito said. — So the war is just beginning.
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That evening, I went out alone. The wind stirred the virtual trees, and the stars overhead seemed almost real. And then I heard:
"You've changed, Ren.
I whirled around. A man in a black raincoat stood in front of me. His face was hidden by a mask, but his voice... was familiar to me.
"Who are you?"
"One of the people you left behind in the past. We were a team once. You were just like me once. And now you're fighting on the side of the light?
I tensed up. My back was sweating.
— That was before the game. Everything has changed.
"No,— he said coldly. — You just chose to play the hero. But don't forget: You were born with a sword... and blood. We'll meet again, old friend.
He disappeared into the flames of teleportation, leaving me alone. And inside there was a familiar whisper.:
"You can't escape from your shadow..."
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I returned to the tavern, trying not to show how my hands were shaking. Kirito was writing something on the interface. Asuna looked up at me.
"Is everything okay?"
—No,— I replied. — Everything is just beginning.