Sword Art Online: Aincrad's Hollow Fragment

December 15, 2024

Floor 76: Arc Sophia

I received a trade message from Ashtry early in the morning, the message filled with weapons and upgrade materials. She requested that I take the items over to Lizbeth and have the weapons upgraded for future boss raids. Understanding that stronger weapons mean easier boss fights, I accepted her request and made my way towards Lisbeth's Smithy. On my way there, I decided to check on the weapons. 

Spears, spears and more spears. Very little to no close-range weaponry. I guess I can't blame anyone for wanting to put as much distance between themselves and the enemy as possible, but this is insane... Sachi must be having a grand time training all of the spear users...

After a while, I made it to Lisbeth's. Exiting out of the message, I put on a friendly smile and knocked on the door, opening it and slowly walking inside.

"Liz? Are you home? I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Lisbeth- Ah! Kazzu! Ashtry told me you were on your way. Could you hang on for a second?

"Not a problem. Take your time. If you want, I could kill some time outside. You appear to be busy with something else."

Lisbeth- N-No, I'm not busy with anything. Look, just wait a second, ok?

"Alright, alright, relax..."

I closed the door leading out of her shop and stood near a corner, hearing her fidget through what sounded like scattered metal. I chuckled to myself as I waited.

She seems kind of high strung. Is it because of the weapon order? Or is there something else on her mind?

A few more minutes of waiting and I was presented on what the fuss was about. Lisbeth walked up to me with a tray full of tea bags, a hot kettle and a few teacups. I looked up as she smiled.

Lisbeth- Sorry to keep you waiting! I made us some tea! I've learned from my terrible hosting skills last time. 

"Tea? You were making tea for me? Liz... you didn't have to do that."

Lisbeth- Why are you giving me a concerned look? It's not like I've laced it with poison or anything.

"I know that. The fact that you had to clarify that to me only makes you look stupid..."

Lisbeth- Well if you're just going to call me names, you might as well...!

I calm her down by grabbing the tray, setting it down on the table and giving her a small hug. She jumped a bit at the motion but ended up hugging me back.

"It was just a joke Liz... thank you..."

Lisbeth- You're lucky I like you...

"I bet I am. I'm sorry. I'm just not used to you making me tea, is all."

Lisbeth- Well, it's only natural, right? I mean, you've been helping me out so now I'm returning the favor by making you tea and taking care of this order for you. But, since I've made you tea and you called me stupid, I'm going make you work for it. You owe me!

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Seriously!?"

Lisbeth- Yes! Seriously!

I let out a sigh as I rubbed my eyes. I looked back at Lisbeth to see her cocky grin and both hands on her hips. There was no way I could get out of this one.

"Fine... whatever..."

Lisbeth started giggling to herself upon looking at my expression. Deciding to cause more trouble, I gave her a stern glare.

"What? What are you laughing about?"

Asking that question caused Lisbeth to suddenly go silent in fear. Her face turning red as she patted her cheeks to calm herself down.

Lisbeth- Oh... nothing... I was just... thinking about how fun it would be to spend every day like this.

"Oh?"

Lisbeth- Never mind. First things first! We've got a big order to fill and I'm in the mood for some practice. While we do this order, you are going to help me raise my skill level.

"I see nothing wrong with that. Let's take this order down to your forge."

We both gave each other a slight smirk and proceeded down to the forge. I opened the message Ashtry send and placed both weapons and materials in separate piles from each other.

"Alright, so how did you want to do this? We have a majority of our weapons being spears. Did we want to improve those first and work from there?"

Lisbeth- Sure! Let me heat up the forge. 

Lisbeth started to place coal and fuel into a smelter and the steam immediately filled the room, making us both hot and sweaty.

"Thank god we don't pass out from steam... because it is hotter than fire in here..."

I wiped the sweat from my brow and started to pick a handful of spears to upgrade. Lisbeth got the same idea ash she collected her own pile and we got to work. With a smile on her face, she immediately started upgrading the weapons in rapid succession. Her grin grew wider as her pile of completed and upgraded weaponry started to stack.

Lisbeth- I have a good feeling about today!

"Wow Lizzie... just like the steamy room surrounding us, your smithing skills are smoking hot!"

Lisbeth- While I appreciate the compliment Kazzu, I've still got a long way to go. Back on floor forty-eight, I wouldn't have considered selling the weapons we are improving...

"Well, the soldiers did grab these weapons from shops. It's not like they custom ordered them from you or another smith. Your work isn't that bad."

Lisbeth- So would you use this spear? You would wield this spear in a life-or-death situation? 

"Well, depends on the situation. If I had my current gear, then no, I wouldn't. However, if this was the only thing keeping me from dying, then yes. It might not be life-or-death worth to me because of my gear, but it's all those soldiers have."

Lisbeth- I understand what you're saying... But I still feel like I'm not good enough. Not only do I want to make weapons so I can save lives... but... I want to make a weapon that's worthy of your skills. May that be a sword, a shield or another set of gauntlets...

"Liz, you know you don't have to go to such lengths for me. I feel bad that you're doing so on my behalf."

Lisbeth- I... um... I just want to improve your battle skills so you can beat the game faster. That's all. It's not just about you or me. It's about the surviving players left in Aincrad. 

"Well, if you're going to put yourself through that pressure, I'll do the same. I'll try my hardest for you to live up to it. So, to help us both, we gotta boost your skills as soon as possible!"

Lisbeth- Yes! That's right! That's the first step!

We continued to pound away at the weapons, Lisbeth's confidence fading as she got nervous fast.

Lisbeth- Oh... why did it turn out like this... I know Ashtry is ok with this but... is it really ok with him...

As if we were on the same wavelength, my ears caught what she was saying. I smiled and responded.

"If Ashtry agreed to it, I'm fine with it as well. There's nothing for you to be worried about Lizzie..."

Lisbeth- I know... but this is Ashtry we are talking about. I'm just worried that she'll think we are taking it too far and hate us both. I don't want you or her to have to go through that heartbreak just because I wanted to share my feelings with you...

"I know... and I promise, if me or Ashtry aren't comfortable with letting you do something, we will let you know. Plus, it's the same with you. If you don't want me doing something, you need to let me know so I don't make you uncomfortable... ok...?"

Lisbeth- Ok... sorry...

A small silence filled the room as the clanging of metal rang throughout the workshop. Liz was once again the one to break the silence.

Lisbeth- Speaking of Ashtry... are you two getting along? And Kiyo, is she ok?

"All three of us have our disagreements, but we work well as a unit both in and out of the battlefield, why?"

Lisbeth- I was asking because you seem to be a popular hit with the ladies Kazzu. I just wanted to make sure she was ok with that.

"I am? I mean, I suppose Silica has been asking to hang around me recently... and Leafa and Sinon want me to train them up on everything in Aincrad... and I've noticed Sachi glace at me a few times... and Strea finds every open opportunity to cling onto me... shit... you might be right..."

Lisbeth- It might be your undoing my fellow swordsman...

"We'll see..."

Lisbeth- Changing the subject... do you remember when we first started adventuring? Back in that dragon's nest?

"A very fond memory of mine. One I won't forget. What brought this on?"

Lisbeth- It was tough, but I enjoyed it. If it weren't for that adventure, we wouldn't be as close as we are now...

"I would like to think our friendship sparked when I met you on the first floor. But that adventure was definitely a steppingstone towards present day. One adventure I'll never regret."

Lisbeth got nervous as she stopped working on the weapons and fidgeted with her thumbs. 

Lisbeth- If I could ask for a favor? I would like to go back to that night... just for one day...

"Well... I don't know about time travelling back to that night but... if you'll let me, I can try to recreate the memory."

Lisbeth- You think you can do that?

"I would like to try..."

Lisbeth looked down at the ground for a moment, her blush hidden by the steam. She placed her tools down and took a deep breath.

Lisbeth- Ok... go ahead...

I set my own tools down and walked over to Lisbeth. I gently placed my hands around her waist and wrapped them around her stomach, pulling her close to me in a warm embrace as I rested my head on her shoulder. Lisbeth let out a shaky breath as she slowly grabbed one of my hands and gripped it tightly, enjoying my touch as her smile widened.

Lisbeth- Mind if I do something? It's a little spell so that your sword won't suffer any injury...

"Sure... go ahead..."

Lisbeth started to trace my hand with her fingers, grazing each inch of my palm and the back of my hand. Each time she went over my hand's details, I felt a slight shiver, despite the heat emitting from the steam. 

Lisbeth- Not only will this spell protect your sword arm, but it will make sure your hand never loses its warmth...

"Liz..."

She slowly lifted my hand up to her lips, giving the palm of my hand a soft and calming kiss as she moved my arms away and turned to face me, a small blush and smile on her face.

Lisbeth- There you are... that's my secret spell...

"I might be asking for that spell more often, it felt really nice..."

Lisbeth- Well then, in that case... I'll grant you the spell whenever you so desire...

"I think I'd like that..."

We both gave each other a nod and resumed our work, both with huge blushes on our faces. 

Slowly but surely Lizzie... I'll be able to return your feelings... just give me a little more time...