Kazaro easily sheathed his blade as they finished off the floor of the castle, his breathing had barely faltered once since they began. The discipline was incredible, but not surprising. He seemed almost bored in a [I]business as usual[/i] sort of way as he looked to Suto and quirked an eyebrow. "Uh... Whenever you want, I guess. I figured we were all watching each other's backs, but you're right in a way... In case things do get out of hand, it'd be good to have somebody specific watching over you..." He trailed off slightly, finally seeing Suto's predicament. He would certainly be with Nero and Alphard with Jason... leaving Suto and Kimi, who, at this point, had slipped into the conversation. Being the only solo player there had made it obvious that very few of them even shot her a glance during the fighting, but if they were going to find a mini-boss on this floor she'd need somebody watching out. The topic was barely up for debate before she cleared her throat and tapped Suto's shoulder from behind. "You're with me," She said matter-of-factly, her gaze [i]daring[/i] him to argue. "Those two," She started, pointing to Alphard and Jason, "Clearly aren't going to be running with anybody but each other. And these two are so self-absorbed that they're unlikely to even watch anybody else. Leaves us. Was the question even necessary?" She asked with a roll of her eyes, knowing precisely why he had asked about partnering up; he didn't want to pair up with her. It was likely that he didn't want to pair up with anybody here, but having a partner was better than not having one. After that point, the three pairs seemed to split up, and Kimi was rather impressed with Suto's power - there were almost no unarmed fighters left in Aincrad by now, let alone clearers who used the skill. It didn't deal a lot of damage, but he definitely kept enemies busy and stunned enough for her. His combos lasted long enough too that she could get in with even two skills of her own before the opponent could retaliate. It took a little while, but they finally found their rhythm. "I don't know if I ever got a chance..." She said a bit awkwardly as they made their way from one floor to another, "To thank you properly... Back when we first met, I was a bit out of sorts. It's no excuse for how I acted, but I just wanted to apologize seriously and say thanks - since then, I've been working really hard to get along on my own." The girl took a deep breath and let it out, "I was hoping to talk to those two over there... Uh... Jason? And Alphard? Might not be the best at pronouncing it, but I mean them... See if I could join 'em - I heard quite a bit about them over the past few weeks and I wanted to see how they worked in combat... Wondering if they'll let me join 'em," She muse, finding herself talking on without actually realizing it. --- On the penultimate floor, they all watched with bated breath as the two sarcophogi opened, and Nero looked at the two emerging figures in absolute horror. Would it ever stop chasing him..? It could have been anybody... He was sure that these two weren't the only two lost for the few people around them... So why them? Why not any other figure but those two? They haunted him every night... every time he closed his eyes... And now here they were, physically facing him. The entire group mobilized, it seemed. Alphard was unexpectedly ready for the fight, but it wasn't something to question now. Kimi didn't know Yari at all, nor did Kazaro, and they both moved in simultaneously for her. Nero didn't see Suto at all, but that's because he started to spots. Of course, he was the one targeted... right away. The spear used slipped beyond the incoming attackers and made a move for Nero, who took the pointed staff straight through his heart as he met the dilapidated figure's eyes. "I won't..." He growled, his brow furrowing violently through the tears as he let his blade fall to the floor and took a slash to the abdomen, his health dropping off significantly as blow after blow was delivered mercilessly to his non-resisting form. It [i]wanted[/i] him to fight? The thing couldn't speak... couldn't feel... It was just a shadow of what he saw in it, but the feeling was so real. "I'm not... going to... kill you again," He gasped as his breathing grew more and more difficult. He was knocked to his ass as the reflection of Yari was attacked by multiple blades from different directions. Kazaro shouted something to the boy who stared up at Yari without so much as a flinch, simply refusing to fight back. The boy blinked and glanced over to Kazaro... His lips were moving... But everything sounded like it was underwater and his ears rang. No... that wasn't ringing - itw as the warning sound for his quickly depleting health. Hmph... He always pictured his death more dramatic... The shattering sound filled the room and he looked around. No, it wasn't him... But Yari was gone. And Kazaro looked furious. Nero didn't sob or make a single sound... or even move for that matter. For some reason, however, he couldn't stop the tears that fell over his face as he tried his very best to shove the thoughts of guilt and blame from his head. He pinched the bridge of his nose silently, shut his eyes, and looked down, hiding his face... What the fuck just happened..?