War For Underworld

Stringendo of Black, White, and Red

Asuna

The fight against the Gleam Eyes went very bad all too quickly.

As soon as Primus gave the command, the large minotaur swung its giant blade while Asuna and Kirito were processing Primus' speech. It hit them both hard, and since the Soul Translators don't mask pain, she felt every firing nociceptor as she flew from the ninety-fifth floor to Centoria. The only reason she's alive is that she used the force of wind elements against the ground to change her trajectory and land on her feet and knees.

She's either in the western or northern city, and she has no idea where Kirito is, only that he was hit in a different direction...and now that she has some time to reflect on Primus' words...the Integrity Knights were just turned into minions, and on both sides of the Eastern Gate. She knows the Dark Territory is under attack, and now the new development is chaotic on both sides. How is Jaymes acting? Will he protect his new home or join Asuna and Kirito against Primus?

The dimness of the candlelit street darkens as a shadow covers her, leading to an unnatural crash a few mels in front of her. Hearing the screams of civilians and the few soldiers that direct them, Asuna looks up and straightens up while the snarling bull-human hybrid flashes its blue eyes down on her. "...The one time Kirito isn't chased down, it's now." Asuna points her sword at the ground, using the goddess's ability to manipulate the earth to split the ground underneath Gleam Eyes' feet. With a confused grunt and wail, the monster slips into the gap. Feeling relieved, she waves her sword again to close the gap and crush the beast.

For a moment, she believed she felt some resistance but chalked it up to the slight headache she was experiencing. But as she continues, the strain doesn't increase-but the gap isn't closing as smoothly as it should. "Ughhhh...come onnnn!"

"GRAAAAARGHHHH!"

Is... Is Gleam Eyes still alive, not descending into the depths, and pushing against the closure? Yes, it is, reappearing with a great leap into the air. As it flies, it eyes Asuna and twirls, swinging its huge sword in a spin. She backsteps in time to avoid the sword's sharp edge but not the flying debris. Dropping back farther to get some breathing room, the young woman cycles through memories of her battle with Kirito, Jaymes, Fuurinkazan, and the Aincrad Liberation Army against the monster.

None of them are helpful.

Meanwhile, she hears a few more distance roars...those have to be the minions and other apostles. Those are more important and vastly more dangerous than The Gleam Eyes. One, the minotaur is focused solely on Asuna, and the Guardian Army could assist her if need be. The minions will hunt down all humans they encounter, and no one except those without the Seal of the Right Eye can fight them. That's not even one percent of the population of Centoria. She has to inform the soldiers. "Hey! Spread the word across any soldiers you find! Do not try to fight the minions. The Integrity Knights are inside! Defend if you must, but do not attack! Ignore all other monsters as well! Continue evacuation efforts!"

The soldiers didn't need any other explanation. They understand the Taboo Index forbids hurting another human without just cause. She doesn't know if defending oneself is just cause in Administrator's system, but if a duel doesn't disobey the Index, defending one's life shouldn't either. They receive her orders well and continue evacuation efforts with haste.

"Now, as for you... You're mine, Gleam Eyes." Gleam Eyes responds with a snarl and charges Asuna. She lowers her stance and parries the monster's slice with the sword skill Linear. Her opponent stumbles slightly, enough for Asuna to strafe to her left and stab at the level of Gleam Eyes' right knee. It roars in pain, swiping its clawed off-hand at her. She leans back, low enough to avoid the pointed ends of the fingers, and in the same motion, rises back up and slashes the hand.