SAO: Council of Blood

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Mya nodded and was about to lead her back until a man ran into her...literally. "Ah Star! You alright?" She knelt down to help Star get back on her feet. She then heard her name and turned to the man approaching the group. "Ah yes that would be me. Unfortunately, all of this caused a big mumbo jumbo mess. If you can wait a little longer, I can help you out once I get everything settled alright?" She turned back to Star. All these random events are really taking a toll on her mind. ​

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Yoku yawned as we wandered around the first floor. That damn game maker teleported him to the first floor, just when he ran out of teleport crystals too. "Dammit. At least he could've gave one out to the players in case they were in a situation LIKE THIS. Ugh whatever." He then spotted Masamune as well as Inferna with some people. "Hmm? What could be going on? This looks particularly interesting..." He slid behind a tree and decided to listen on them.​

 

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Masamune sighed when he heard the least wanted voice in the virtual world. Parrying a frantic strike from his opponent, he lobbed off his hand at the wrist and shrugged, "I do wish you'd stop calling me handsome. I don't like you...you're not my type. Waaaay too over confident...and red hair is a complete turn off for me." The rest of what Inferna said caught his attention more. "Hmm, and what PoH likes...I love. Isn't that the rule?" Dispatching his opponent, Masamune turned a bored gaze to the rest. Bandits always traveled in groups... Rubbing the back of his head, Masamune made a habitual flick of his tongue across his lips and his hand wandered down to his pocket. "Your boss is that Alpha fella, isn't it? Not a very subtle fellow. But, heh, I'm not either. Sure, let's go...in three seconds." Red-brown eyes glinted as he smiled at the remaining three men, "You guys...are so lucky you don't even know how lucky you are." One... He vanished, putting his maxed out speed to the limit and impaled the first man on his sword. Two... Disappearing before the man could drop to the ground, he sliced through the second man's chest. Three... He shifted only slightly and decapitated the third man in the blink of an eye. As all three of them shattered into pixels, his habit returned and his hand touched his back pocket again. "Let's go. I don't have all the time in the world. There are seven more of these lug heads that I need to eliminate before the day is over. So let's move, girly."



"I'm sorry... Oh! You're..." With a single flick of his fingers, his outfit changed to a pure black outfit with a string of yellow daggers latched onto a small belt on his pocket. "Miss Star, I'm so glad I found you. Not that I was purposefully looking for you specifically... I need to know if you've seen a man named Masamune." He pulled up a message sent to him and flipped the screen to show the small group gathered in front of him, "Masamune is a wanted man. The Knights of Blood have requested I, specifically, find him." The message consisted of exactly what he said but left out whether or not to take him in or kill him on sight. "I've read you have had contact with him in the past. You, your husband and Miss Mya here. You know him quite well, if I'm not mistaken."

 

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Masaru sw his wife beign unceremionously fall tot he floor on her rear and the man who noen other than the one they saw in ehr Weapons Store as he shown the wanted image of Masamune and that the Knights of Blood requested that this man search for him. "Somehow, I should not be surprised the KoB have their sights set on him and others in that regard." He thought before a question, ro rather oen directed at them as they asked if they had contact with him,, knowing him quite weel so he said.

"I'd rather wish to forget our history surroudning him." he stared at him. "But if you wish to pursue him along with his fellow members, good luck, Laughing Coffin is a Guild that hides itself very well, I'm just a Clearer taking a break from what I do to celebrate my marriage." he crossed his arms. "Right now, I'm more focused on beimg with Star than pursue a Pker at this moment." he finished.

 

Inferna smirked at Masamune. She loved to irritate him. The two had a past. Once they worked together and had equal ties to PoH, but she had to leave for assassination attempts on the both of them. "You may have to wait a tad. The leader is having some fun with some Dragon Tamer. Apparently she is a threat to us." She picked up her spear and let it warp back into her inventory. She grabbed Masamune's hand and held the crystal up to the virtual sun. Within seconds, the two warped to the 0 Floor.

"I understand you have never come here. Usually players who have never entered before begin to sweat as well as feel bitter cold. I guess that is what the dark aroma does. I know little of this place. Alpha only states that it is the place where the beginning ends and the finale starts. A place where life and death mean nothing. PvP in this world is not allowed. Alpha cannot kill here even." She walked over to a black wall and slid her finger on it. A door opened for the two to enter. "This is where we will wait while Alpha takes care of business."


Star looked at Minato. Disgust hit her mind. Things right after another. It was as if Aincrad was out to get her and Masaru. She only wanted to spend some time with him. No one else. She stood up and looked at Minato. She walked over to him and grabbed his shirt. "Look. I want nothing to do with this. That guild, that man, these past events: None of these I want to be a part of. I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave me and my husband alone." She released him and looked at the newcomer who tried to be friendly. "I apologize that you are getting to see the bad side of me. I am just so stressed from today's events."

Turning to Mya she sighed. "I'm sorry, Mya. Can we please go inside now. I think I should sit down for a second." She grabbed onto Masaru and started to head in. Her movements were a lot less controlled. It was as if she could barely walk in a straight line. Before reaching the door, Star fell to the ground and became unconscious.


Alpha stood on top of a pedestal in the Hill of Memories where a single flower stood along with a girl and her dragon monster. He looked down on the girl and smiled. With a quick leap he jumped down to greet her. "Silica the Dragon Tamer. You have become well known since your encounter with the Black Swordsman. You have also reached a remarkable feat in strength."
The girl known as Silica looked at him with confusion. This man was a mysterious one to her. Was he another one who wished to marry her? She would only reject him if her were. But her eyes noticed the floating red icon on top of his head. He was a PKer. "Who are you!?" She said readying her sword.
"Ah. you noticed my mark. The mark of a player killer. I am the one who will gain revenge on Kayaba for creating this game. I will show him no player is worthy of making it to the end. I am the beginning. I am the Alpha." He grabbed his sword and charged the young girl.

With quick reflexes the girl countered him with her blade in hand. "You're the one who Kayaba warned the players about. You are the hacker." She jumped back as Pina, her dragon, released a fury of bubbles.
Alpha jumped back. "Ah. Kayaba has referred to me as a hacker now. Most unappealing. I am no such hacker. I am more than just that." He smiled. Charging her once more he jumped and began to combo her slightly cutting her and Pina. Both Silica and Pina's HP were slowly going down until Silica found a point and stabbed Alpha. Alpha's HP went down as he jumped back from the girl. 'Most impressive. You managed to watch my movements and deliver a hit on me. But I promise you-" A light began to shine off Alpha. "Dammit. Now of all times. Count yourself lucky, Dragon Tamer." He grabbed a warp crystal and warped back to the O Floor where Masamune and Inferna would be waiting.

"Masamune, it is good to see you again. Let's begin the council. PoH should be coming as well."

 

Minato sighed, it seemed neither of them were going to talk to him. Star grabbed his shirt and he receded into his head, reflecting on their words earlier. They do know him then...they have a history...they must know him well not to want to have anything to do with him. Blinking back to reality, he watched Star leave and collapse. The newcomer was oddly concerned. Minato followed, edging his way past her protective husband and touched a hand to Star's cheek and opened a small window filled with ones and zeros. After watching the numbers fly past, he sighed again and stood, "Your friend is fine... Her mind is over-taxed giving the illusion that she's ill. It's a symptom that normal gamers display when they've been playing too long. The condition is significantly delayed when using NerveGear. Let her rest, give her some water when she wakes and pray someone on the outside is paying attention to the level of water in her blood and adjusting accordingly."

Masamune took in the new area and upon her mention of weird side effects of arriving, donned a coat. "I don't believe in areas affecting my mind... I'll choose to believe what's real and what's not." He ignored her insistent chatter and waited until Alpha appeared. Masamune's red-brown eyes caught on his health bar, "I see our friend, Miss Silica didn't take well to you trying to eliminate her." A smirk flashed across his lips before disappearing at the mention of PoH. "Great...everyone knows how I love to be around PoH."

 

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Mya gave Minato a suspicious glance. She knew Star and he didn't have such good of a connection. As Star collapsed, she felt even more uncomfortable with him around now looking out for her...or at least acting like it. She looked back to Louvel. "I-It's fine. Prop open the door to my place will you? I'll take her there since it's the closest place for her to rest in." She propped Star into a laying position. "Masaru, help me bring her into the store will you?"​

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He cursed as they all teleported away. "Well...so much for that plan..." He decided to go back into town to buy some warp crystals.​

 

Masaru was concerned abotu Star who fell unconcious and Minato had approached and touched her to see the cause of her concern and he grabbed his wrist as he stood up. "Touch my wife again without permission and I promise you, Masamune will be the least of your worries." he said with a stern glare to the man before lifting Star up into his arms to carry her and continued on to Mya's store, not bothering to look back at Minato or wait for a reply.

 

Minato lifted a blond eyebrow at Masaru's hostility. He simply couldn't understand the deal with these people... Sighing, Minato ran a hand through his hair, "Children...I'll never understand them. Keep in mind my advice.... I'll be back at another hour with more questions. Mya...keep in mind that I'm not giving up on finding him. If I find you've been involved with him and withheld information...I can't be responsible for what happens to you. The Knights of Blood don't request me because I'm easy to get along with." Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Minato walked away from the group and a series of windows opened all around him. His heart gave a familiar tug, I don't understand children...but I understand love. That woman... Anna...help me find him.

"I know you adore me, Masamune, but please...try to keep your excitement contained." A familiar figure materialized beside Masamune. Underneath that hood, the same old grin spread across his face. "I hope I didn't keep everyone waiting long." Masamune growled inwardly and felt PoH nudge his side. "I'm not excited about anything, sir. Let's just get this over with...I've got things to do." "Oh? Then by all means...let's do this quickly," he slapped the back of Masamune's head, "Shut the hell up and get moving, boy." Masamune hung his head, he was defiant not stupid.

 

Alpha sat in his share prepared to give the new man the abilities he desired. "Welcome, Masamune. It is an honor to have such a well known PKer among us." Alpha said strongly. He really did not care either way if Masamune was well known or not or even if he was strong, the point was, he could kill. Alpha waved his hand at Masamune and created an X. It slowly moved its way to Masamune and with a loud ring, attached itself to him. "As of now, you have been give the X seal. This means you can kill 3 players a day within any zone excluding the 0 floor."

Alpha got out of his seat and began to look over to PoH. "PoH, your guild is well known for being PKers. I need your assistance in something. It would be of great help too if you, Masamune, would assist. Because you are well known for what you do best, I want you to declare war on the players. We need a battle to make it appear that your guild is responsible and that the players have won. When they believe to be given their freedom again, we strike them down with full force and force them to beg Kayaba for freedom out of the game."

 

Masamune frowned at the X on him. But he wasn't given much time to formulate a snappy response to Alpha's words when he started to address PoH.

"You state the obvious but do continue... I hope you have a plan that comes with these orders. Laughing Coffin isn't much good for declaring outright war." He grinned under his hood, "Slaughter is our name but playing in the shadows is our game. If it's war you want...maybe we should just hit those nasty law-enforcing Knights of Blood and their beloved city. I'll need a few days to retrieve those of my men that aren't complete morons....but..." he drew in a breath, "What is the purpose of making them beg the creator of this game for their freedom? They've done that before...you really think he'll show his face again and say, 'here's your ticket out'?"

 

Alpha smiled at the man in darkness. His idea for attacking the knights was bold, yet intellectual. He admired that. "This is why I like you, PoH. You think strategically. Go forth with your plan." It seemed as if Alpha ignored PoH's other questions. The reason for not answering him was simple: The idea need not be known by him or the others. "I'm heading out to meet a blacksmith for a better sword. Message me if something comes up. Oh, and Inferna, help your old lover PoH with this will you."

 

PoH stood, he wasted no time in his actions. Opening a window, he sent out a message to other members in his guild. Closing the window, he glanced over his shoulder at them, "Well then...I'll be taking my leave." His eyes rested on Inferna for a second, but he chose not to show any emotion. "I don't need you two just yet. I'll call you when it's time. Oh...Masamune...do keep this to yourself. I know you have a habit of talking to that little tailor girl of yours. I'd rather she not warn the head-hunter out after you. On that matter..." He turned and pulled back his fist, throwing it forwards as if to hit Masamune in the face. Stopping short just inches from Masamune's nose, he held up a playing card. It was specifically made with Laughing Coffin's mark on it instead of normal numbers, "Since I know you so well...and since I just told you...give this to him. I wouldn't recommend killing him just yet. A gift...from the dear leader of Laughing Coffin for your head-hunter." "Why would I want to give him a gift? This looks like..." "Ah...details, details. Do as I say, boy, and that kid will leave you alone. I wouldn't want some murderous head-hunter hanging around a girl I fancy...so we'll issue a warning." Confused, Masamune took the card. "Alright...but why do you even care?" "No one said I cared." PoH grinned from ear to ear under his hood. He would enjoy this game.... Pulling a teleportation crystal from his pockets, "I'll call you when you're needed. In the mean-time, if you need me, Alpha, I'll be at my headquarters. Please don't visit." Disappearing, he returned to Laughing Coffin to await those he'd messaged.

Masamune frowned at the card. It was a typical greeting card they gave to those who would actually use their position as PKers. Players who didn't want to kill using their own hands but still wanted someone dead all the same. Give it...to a head-hunter after me? And this guy is around Mya... He didn't like the thoughts drifting around and liked Alpha's relationship with PoH even less. They got along far too well. Getting along with someone as messed up as PoH only meant trouble. "Understood, sir..." he mumbled after PoH had left. Making the card vanish into his inventory, he looked up at Inferna, "I thought you wanted to kill him...why so buddy buddy with your ex?"

 

She walked over to Masamune and placed her hand on his cheek. "Let's just say Alpha has a promising proposition for me, handsome. Besides, PoH can make any killer girl fall for him. Don't be getting jealous Masamune." Inferna looked over to her fox, Kurama and called it. The little beast came scurrying over and climbed up onto her arm. "This is the first he has mentioned war. I wonder what his goal is? I may look into it. For now though, if you'll excuse me, I have some killing to attend to." She grabbed a warp crystal and warped out to an unknown location.


And so the stage was set for Alpha, leader of the Council of Blood, to gain control of one of the most powerful guilds in SAO. Several months would go by before the war between players and and the Laughing Coffin Guild. If successful, the Laughing Coffin would be destroyed and peace would return to the minds of players until Alpha's next step was revealed.

Star had awoken several days later after her collapse in front of Mya's shop. The reason for such is unknown.

Within the months, more people and floors were destroyed by the unknown guild. Most cases that were claimed were of that of members of the Laughing Coffin guild. This created tension with the players to the point of hunting the members with red.

CHAPTER 1 COMPLETE - TIMESKIP INITIATED - MOVING TO THE DATE JULY 31ST 2024

CHAPTER 2 - THE LAUGHING COFFIN WAR - START
(Just a side note, this event actually happens within SAO but is briefly mentioned by Kirito. The timeline IS prevalent)

 

Location: Floor 55 Grandum

Standing before Grandum, PoH had drawn a huge butcher knife. His Mate Chopper, glinted in the sunlight off the blade as he grinned at the nervous Knights of the Blood Oath members standing out in front of their fortress. Lifting his hand, fingers poised, he spoke, "It's show time." Snapping his fingers, dozens of members of Laughing Coffin dropped or slithered out of the darkness to stand beside him. "This is war, boys. Take no prisoners." Red players cheered and drew weapons and Knights of the Blood tensed, unsure of anything that was happening. Even Masamune stood beside him. "Just go." "Slaughter is our name, war is our game." Smiling, PoH and the rest of Laughing Coffin charged on the members of the Knights of the Blood Oath.