Ok so this is my second story. I altered how I wrote it so it's first person all the way. I'm putting the name of the character that I'm writing as so that, I hope, there will be no confusion. You may also see small parts as if there is narration going on, well there is. They will be italicized and in smaller print. Enjoy!

Kirito and Asuna are trapped yet again, only this time it's not a game...or is it? We get to see some old friends, but what will this mean for the world of magic when the future and the past collide?

Japan- Kirito

"Are you sure about this?" Asuna asked. She was holding up the new game that we just got, it was called AWLT: Inner Doors. The AWLT stands for Assemble Within the Lost Tomb. It boasts to be the first game that if you can find the hidden Easter egg then you can be transported into a completely different game. "I still think that we should wait until the others have a chance to get their copies before we go in."

"I'm not saying that we should play, I just want to go in and take a look around. See if we can find any Easter eggs. I just want to see if it's true and what the other game is like." I said. I was setting up my new AmuSphere. Thanks to several well-paying jobs from the MOD I was able to afford to upgrade my VR equipment.

"Alright. But only for a little while. And if we find the second game, we come back immediately to tell everyone." Smiling a bit, she continued, "You know that Suguha will be disappointed if we do this without her, right?"

Frowning I say, "Damn. I didn't think about that." I'm not sure what to do so I think for a minute. An idea forms, "Ok so we go in and map out what we can find. That way we can have a jump start for all of us when they get here." Feeling somewhat proud of my idea I continue to hook up the equipment.

Shrugging Asuna helps me to hook up our gear. "They should start arriving in about an hour." Finishing up we looked over at each other and smiled. Ever since getting out of SAO and Alfheim, and the danger from GGO, we can't seem to be apart for long.

Seeing Asuna begin to blush I ask jokingly, "What are you thinking about?"

Squirming a little under my scrutiny she replies, "Just that I love that we are spending a lot of time together. I love you Kazuto."

Stepping up to her I give her a soft kiss and say, "Wow, you must really mean it since you used my real name." Grunting from the not so light punch she gave me I smile and continue, "I love you too Asuna." Wrapping her up in my arms I bury my face in her neck, loving the feel of her holding on to me so tightly.

Pulling back a little, Asuna says, "Well we better get to it if we want to map out as much as possible before everyone shows up." Giving me one more kiss, she turns and climbs onto my bed and puts on her AmuSphere. Waiting as I do the same, she lays back and holds out her hand.

Intertwining our fingers, we said at the same time, "Link Start!"

And they began their start-up and character builds for a game that they didn't realize would change their lives even more. Finishing up they were transported to a world not too different than the real world.

"Where are we?" Asuna asked.

Scrolling down my controls, I see our location and am surprised. "We're in London, England!" Looking around I see other players looking just as shocked as us. The description for the game never had any kind of location mentioned. The mystery of the game contributed to its popularity, they didn't release any in depth descriptions and even the creator was unknown. Another VR child of The Seed. You only knew that you had to find the Lost Tomb, and that there were hidden Easter eggs that could lead you to another world.

Spinning slowly, Asuna and I saw Big Ben to our left, and we could see The London Eye farther right. "This is amazing! I've always wanted to come here, and this is just like being there!" Asuna sounded shocked. "I've played a lot of VRMMORPG's but this was incredible!"

I was amazed as well, but I was more curious as to why London? Why not Japan? That's where the game had been first released. Worldwide distribution would happen next week. Searching through the controls I wanted to see exactly what I had. We both transferred our stats to this game so we had all our weapons, all my strength and special skills were intact. "I wonder..." I said, looking in my item storage I give a little smile. Pressing the button, a small flash of light happens and Yui appears.

"Daddy!" Yui exclaims. Looking around she seems as amazed as Asuna was. "Is this real?"

With a small laugh I say, "No Yui, we're not in the real world but this is based on a real place. What do you think?"

Looking around herself Yui doesn't answer me immediately. I know that she's assessing the program and finding out where she fits in with all of this. After a couple of minutes, she replies, "Daddy this place is strange. I have no technical function here." Turning to me fully, she looks at me questioningly.

I was even more curious now. "I don't know what's happening Yui. You can't see anything about the game?" I asked her.

Closing her eyes, she seems to be concentrating very hard. After a few minutes she looks up at me as tears form in her eyes. "Daddy, I... I can't find anything! I have no function here! What am I going to do?" She asks me worriedly. I look to Asuna and see that she also looks upset.

"It'll be alright," I tell them. "It's a new game. I'm sure that with all the problems from the past games that the security is super tight and that it doesn't recognized Yui so it's blocking her."

Gathering up a crying Yui, Asuna nods her head to me. Not knowing what else to do I start checking out our surroundings and other players. Everyone seemed normal, other than our location everything seemed fine. But I couldn't shake this feeling that there was so much more to this place than we can expect. Seeing an NPC holding out papers I said to Asuna and Yui, "I'll be right back, I'm just going to see what that guy has over there." I pointed to the NPC and they both nodded and continued to speak softly to each other.

Walking up to the man I heard him saying, "Map of the palace here! Free for all explorers!"

"Hey, what's that?" I asked him.

"Hello young man! I have maps here for all brave explorers who wish to try and find their way through the palace. Would you care for one?" He asked with a grin.

"Yes, I would thank you. Could I get two more for my companions?" I asked pointing over to Asuna and Yui.

"Of course! Of course! Here you go and I wish you all the very best of luck!" He said jovially. Turning away slightly he dismisses me and continues to try and distribute his maps.

Starting to walk back to the girls I hear him call out to me.

"Young man! I almost forgot to tell you this!" He rushed up to me and leaned in as if to impart a secret. "There is a poem that tells of the secrets in the palace. It goes-

To set the course

You must be able

To know your mind

And fact from fable.

Ensnared in light

Then find the eye

Behold the past

And say goodbye.

Death to one

Tears to flow

Stay the course

And time will show.

Find his love

Keep your head

Know the curse

Be not mislead.

Shake your fears

Conquer the foe

Save your friend

And time will flow."

I looked at him as he recited the poem. It sounded like gibberish but he looked so serious as he said it. I asked him to repeat it and I wrote it down to remember it. "Thank you for that. I'm sure it will come in handy." Not really believing that I turned away and headed back to the girls.

"Oh, it will come in very handy Kirito." Said the man with the maps softly.

Stepping back up to Asuna and Yui I asked, "How are you doing Yui?"

"I'm ok Daddy. I guess that you were right about the game not recognizing me. I just wish that I could help you both with the game." She said dejectedly.

"Well how about you help us out by reading the map I got from the man over there." I go to point to him and he was gone, another strange feeling comes over me. Where did he go?

"Daddy?" Yui says.

"Yes Yui?" I ask, facing her again.

"Are you alright?" She asks me, leaning sideways to see where I was pointing.

"I'm ok." I say and I tell them about the man and read them the poem and had them write it on their maps as well. Looking at the time I saw that we only have about a half an hour to begin our own mapping. I suggested we start at the palace and they both agreed.

As we walked along the street we could see other NPC's selling their wares and I didn't see other players with the maps we had. "Strange..." I mused aloud. I kept my concerns to myself and we came to the front of the palace. I didn't even think about what palace he was talking about. Of course, it was Buckingham Palace. Shaking my head with a small laugh I take Asuna and Yui's hands and lead them up to the palace doors.

As I put a hand on the door, I had the strongest urge to run. Turning to Asuna I said, "Take Yui and step back."

Cocking her head and looking at me strangely she nodded and took Yui's hand and stepped back and to the side a few feet. Letting out a breath I unsheathed one of my swords and pushed open the door.

Nothing happened.

Hearing a giggle behind me I saw both girls hiding their mouths trying to keep in their laughter. Smiling I said, "OK fine I'm a little paranoid. Let's go in then." turning back we walked into the palace and jumped as the door slammed behind us. Shaking it off I pulled out the map and marked where we were. Looking around I turned to Yui and asked, "So where would you like to start?"

She looked so excited that she got to pick where we go. Pointing left she said "That way daddy!"

Looking at Asuna, she nodded and off we went. This place looked a bit too run down and too cramped to be the true interior of Buckingham Palace. I guess it would be difficult to get the blueprints for a place like that. Heading down some stairs we see a light up ahead. As we go towards it, it begins to blink faster and faster. It starts to change color the faster it blinks, I can't stop staring at it, I can't stop moving towards it. As soon as we get in front of it, it stops.

Shaking my head, I look around and say, "How did we get down here?"

Looking as confused as me Asuna says, "I don't know Kirito. Maybe we should turn back, it's getting close to when everyone will show up."

"But Mommy the way we came is gone." Yui says.

Looking back, I can see that the corridor we were in is blocked off by a brick wall that sure wasn't there before. Looking around I see a hallway to my right with a number of doors down it. "Maybe we can get out through there." Looking at the map I can't find where we are. "Some help you were." I can't help but mutter to the piece of paper.

As we walked down the hallway, I saw that each door had a different object on it. There was a bird on one, a sun on another, and a hand next to that. "I remember the poem talking about an eye." I say to the girls, as I continue down the hall, looking at all the doors for an eye. I hear Asuna call out to me after a few minutes.

"Kirito, over here!"

"What's up?" I say as I walk towards her. She's in front of a door a little down from where I was. She points up to it and I look and see an eye on it. Smiling I turn to her and say, "You are awesome." Smiling back at me she turns and opens the door.

As we walk in I see one wall is lined with books, and another is lined with mirrors. A desk sits against another, and the one with the door we came through has several other doors on it as well. "Well this is weird." I say aloud. Walking into the room causes all the candles and wall sconces to light up. I look up to the ceiling and call out, "Look at that!"

Painted on the ceiling is a great battle between what looks like a small army and a demon. I can see men and women in armor with swords, a giant woman with a hammer and a... pig? "What the hell?" I say. There is a lot of strange things happening in this beautiful scene. And then an even stranger thing happens. It all starts to move. The figures begin to fight the demon, throwing spells at him, fire and rocks, lightning and a giant sunflower shooting light? It's then I notice what looks like a young boy fighting the demon with his own hands. He's getting bombarded with the attacks the others are using, but he refuses to back down. Damn, this is amazing to watch! Looking back down I see that Asuna and Yui are looking at me strangely. "What? Isn't that awesome!" I say.

"What are you talking about Kirito?" Asuna asks.

"The ceiling! The painting coming alive and showing the battle between the army and the demon!" Pointing to the ceiling I look back up but there is nothing there. "But... there was a painting on the ceiling and a battle and a young boy fighting the demon face to face. There was a giant woman and a huge sunflower and a pig-"

Laughing Asuna interrupts me saying, "Kirito! There's nothing there. Come on we're going to be late if we don't log out now." Turning to Yui she says, "We'll be back real soon and everyone else will be with us too alright?"

"OK mommy! I can't wait to come back and see everyone again!" Yui says.

Looking away from the blank ceiling I say, "We'll be back soon Yui." And as I go to bring up my controls, I see a book fall from the shelf. "Hang on." I say to Asuna. Walking over I pick up the book and see the title. Old Britannia. I bring it over to Asuna and show it to her. "It just fell off the shelf like it wanted to be seen. What do you think?" I hold it out for her and Yui comes and tries to see it too. Asuna opens it and as I put my hand on it a bright flash of light happens and I feel like I'm falling.

"Asuna! Yui!" I yell out into the brightness.

"Kirito!"

"Daddy!"

Knowing they are with me but I can't get to them is torture. I have to protect them, they are my family. All of a sudden everything goes black and I feel grass beneath me. Opening my eyes, I see the sky above me, clear and cloudless. Sitting up I look around me and call out, "Asuna! Where are you?"

Hearing a soft groan from behind me I turn and see her lying about two feet from me. As I crawl over she wakes up more. Pushing the hair from her face I see her open her eyes, "Thank God! Are you hurt?" I ask hurriedly.

"No, I'm alright. Are you ok? Where's Yui?" She asks anxiously.

Before I can open my mouth to call out for her, I hear Yui come up to us, "I'm ok Mommy. Where are we?"

Looking around it looks like we're in a meadow. Trees are everywhere, it almost looks like the gardens I took Asuna to, except there were no people or benches. Looking around more I noticed that there was no sign of anybody or anything other than nature. "This is weird." I said. "Do you think that this is the other game?" I asked them.

Standing up, Asuna said, "I don't know. It certainly looks very different from where we were. Yui can you tell where we are?"

Closing her eyes, Yui shakes her head after a few moments, "No mommy I can't tell where we are. I still can't access any kind of data. It's strange..."

"What do you mean? You can't see anything?" I asked.

"No, nothing daddy. It's like there's no system to access." Yui said quietly.

I looked over to Asuna, from the look on her face I knew she was thinking the same thing as me. I swipe my hand to bring up my controls but it's not there. The logout button is gone. "Not again." I say aloud. Looking through the controls all I see are my weapons and skills. Looking back at Asuna I say softly, "I am so sorry. This is all my fault. We're trapped again and it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't wanted to get into the game so badly-"

Asuna placed her hand over my mouth and said, "Kirito, stop. This is not your fault. I agreed to go with you so don't blame yourself." Moving her hand to my cheek she gives me a soft kiss and a small smile. "Now we just have to figure out where we are and what we have to do to get out." Giving a sharp nod she turns to Yui and asks, "Are you alright honey? Scared?"

Smiling Yui says, "I'm not scared Mommy! You and Daddy are with me."

We both hug her and then turn in a circle looking for anything, a road or any sign of civilization. After a minute I begin to feel a slight vibration in the ground. Turning to Asuna I ask, "Do you feel that?"

Nodding she kneels down and puts her hands to the ground. Mirroring her I close my eyes and try to tell where it's coming from. As it begins to get heavier I feel it stronger to my right. Before I can say anything, it stops and a stronger vibration happens for a few seconds and then it stops again.

Looking at Asuna again I say, "It felt stronger to my right how about you?"

"Same. Should we head it that direction you think?" She asked me.

Thinking for a moment I nod my head and take Yui's and her hand and we head out towards what will hopefully be something helpful.

Brittania- Meliodas

Feeling Mama Hawk stop and dig in I pause outside my bedroom door and put an ear to it. I can hear Elizabeth up and moving around so I go back down to the bar and continue stocking and doing inventory. I can't seem to shake the feeling that something is going to happen. But it doesn't feel like how it felt months ago when Estarossa was terrorizing Elizabeth.

"Meliodas tell me what's wrong?" I jump at Elizabeth's voice. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear her. Looking at her brings a big smile to my face. My wife. The mother of my child. Seeing her belly grow with life just makes me feel so very happy, and so very scared. I don't know how to be a father. I didn't exactly have the best role model with mine. All I can do is hope is that I don't screw them up too bad.

Shaking my head, I say, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Crossing her arms, her expression changes from loving worry to annoyance quickly.

"Meliodas, just tell me. I want to help and I can't do that if you keep secrets from me." She said to me.

Since becoming pregnant and having her memories come back, Elizabeth had become quite assertive. I actually find it quite sexy, but right now I'm slightly scared. I want to tell her, I really do, but I also don't want to make her worried right now. She could pop any day and I am terrified of that. As I open my mouth to tell her again that it's nothing, she takes a step towards me and gets an even scarier look in her eyes. I wouldn't put it past her to arc me.

"It's just this feeling I have. It's not like last time, with him, it feels different. Not bad but not good. Maybe it's just first-time dad nerves or something. I'll get over it don't worry." Stepping up to her I grab her face and give her a slow, deep kiss. Nothing in the world is as sweet tasting as my Elizabeth.

Pulling back from the kiss Elizabeth says, "Meliodas I appreciate the fact that you want to keep me safe, even from worry. But you need to remember that I am stronger than you think. Alright?"

Giving her a smile and another quick kiss, I say, "I will I promise." Putting my hands on her belly I ask, "How are you feeling?" Her morning sickness had passed two months ago, but she still gets nauseous from time to time.

Smiling and putting her hands over mine she says, "I feel good. The baby is moving around a lot and kicking me." She laughs when I lay my face on her belly and move my hands to her ass. After a few seconds I feel the baby kicking. Turning my head, I kiss her belly and say, "I love you baby." Looking up I stare into Elizabeth's eyes and say, "I love you so much. Thank you for this. For everything."

Just as she leans down to kiss me there's a knock at the door. Both of us turn and she says, "I wonder who that could be?"

The feeling in my gut intensifies. "Elizabeth, I want you to go to the kitchen." She looks at me and starts to protest but I cut her off. "That feeling is getting stronger and I want you safe. Please."

With a nod she turns and goes into the kitchen, locking the swinging door.

As I walk up to the door there's another knock and I hear a woman speak.

"Don't be so impatient Kirito!"

A man answers.

"Sorry Asuna. I just have a feeling about all of this. It's not bad but not good either. I don't know what to do and I don't like that."

I hear a young girl speak up.

"It's ok Daddy. I think that everything will be fine and that the nice people here will help us."

Keeping my sword sheathed for now I open the door partway and say, "I'm sorry we're not open yet." Looking out I see two young people and a little girl who look a little desperate.

"Hey buddy, sorry about that. Are your parents home?" The young man says to me.

Stepping outside I shut the door behind me and cross my arms as I stare up at the man. He looks like he's a teenager and he's dressed oddly. All in black with a long coat and two swords on his back. Looking over at the young woman she's dressed somewhat like Elizabeth dresses when she waitressed for me, but more modest. And the little girl was just in a simple blue dress, but had no shoes.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I asked.

"We were wondering where we are? Last thing we saw was the library in the palace and then a flash of light and we ended up here." The young woman said.

Cocking my head to the side I stared at them trying to figure out what the hell they were talking about. All of a sudden the door opens behind me and Elizabeth says, "Meliodas! Why don't you invite them in?" She turns to the strangers and says, "Welcome to the Boar Hat, please come in and have a seat." Looking back at me with squinted eyes she walks back into the tavern. With a sigh I wave my arm and say, "Please come in and welcome to my tavern."

"Thank you!" The little girl chirps as she hops past me.

"Yui! Wait for us please?" The young woman says.

"Yes Mommy."

"This is your tavern?" The young man asks.

"Yeah. I've had it for about... oh I can't even remember." Sticking my hand out I say, "I'm Meliodas by the way."

Shaking my hand, he answers, "I'm Kirito. That's my wife Asuna and our daughter Yui."

Smiling I turn to walk back to the bar and I put my arm around Elizabeth. "This is my wife Elizabeth." Putting my other hand on her belly, "Can I get you all anything? Aside from food which I am terrible at making." I say with a laugh.

Kirito looks over his family and with their nods he says, "A drink would be nice thank you." Directing them to the nearest table they sit and I go behind the bar and gather two ales and a mug of juice for the child. "Here you go. So where are you from? I've never seen you around and your names are not common to this country." Feeling a sharp pain in my ankle I turn to see Elizabeth had kicked me.

"Meliodas! Don't be rude! I swear 3,000 years and you still have not learned manners!" Elizabeth turned away from me and went into the kitchen.

Sighing I look back at the strangers and shrug.

Looking at each other the young couple both nod and Asuna says, "We're from Japan. We were playing a game and we were in London at the palace there. We opened a book and it's like I said before. There was a flash of light, we fell and woke up here. Please, where are we?"

I could see no trick or lie in her eyes. All of them had the same look of confusion and anxiety in their expressions. "I had heard of Japan. Never been there though. This is Brittania-"

Asuna gasped and covered her mouth. Looking over at Kirito he nodded at her as if he was agreeing with something.

"What is it?" I asked.

Clearing his throat Kirito said, "The book we held. It was called Old Brittania." Staring at his wife Kirito said to her, "This must be the other game. There's no other explanation."

"What do you mean 'other game'?" I hear behind me.

Turning I see my fellow Seven Deadly Sin Merlin standing with Elizabeth.

"Merlin this is-" I start.

Walking past me, Merlin leans down and stares into Kirito's eyes. "What do you mean 'other game'?" She asks again.

"Look lady I don't know who you are but I need you to back up." Kirito says through gritted teeth.

Laying her hand on his arm Asuna attempts to calm Kirito. "It's alright Kirito." Turning to Merlin she says, "We were playing AWLT and we got transported to this place. I think this is the hidden world within the game that the designer said could be found. Only it's like SAO and we can't log out."

Now I'm confused. "What in the hell is going on here? Merlin?" I ask.

Merlin is still looking at Kirito. After a few more tense seconds she stands straight and without looking away says, "Gowther? Do it."

Three small beams of light come shooting out of the doorway to the kitchen and hit two of the three targets. Kirito somehow deflects it with his sword. I didn't even see him move! "Elizabeth..." I say lowly.

She doesn't even say anything, she turns and runs (waddles) up the stairs.

"What the hell did you do to them? Asuna! Yui! Wake up!" Kirito yells as he takes out his other sword and stands to defend himself. Gowther sends out a few more beams but they are all deflected.

"Gowther you can stop." Merlin says with a small grin. "I assure you they are unharmed. I merely wished for my comrade to ascertain if you all were telling the truth or not."

"Fix them now or die." Kirito says.

Shaking my head, I sigh again, I seem to be doing that a lot today. "Kirito, I understand your anger. I'm a bit angry at Merlin myself. But I cannot allow you to harm her, she is my friend."

"Kirito, I want to ask you one question and then I will release them." I hear Gowther come up behind me as he talks to Kirito.

"What?" Kirito growls.

"What year is it?" Gowther asks.

"What does that matter? Let them go now!" Kirito demands.

"It matters because the answer will determine your fate." Merlin says.

Startled Kirito looks at each of us and says, "2026."

"As I thought." Gowther says. "I think you should put away your swords and sit back down. I would like to not upset your family by waking them up to seeing you moved from where you were before I froze them."

"Just do it. I don't trust you not to try and get me again." Kirito says angrily.

With a shrug Gowther releases Asuna and Yui from his Jack and they rightfully freak out a bit.

"What happened? Kirito?" Asuna rushes to say as she grabs Yui and draws her own sword to stand next to Kirito. They actually remind me a lot of me and Elizabeth...

"I don't know but that one somehow froze you two and tried to do it to me." Kirito says pointing to Gowther. "Let's go." And as one they all back up towards the door.

"I'm afraid you're going to need our help to get back to your time." Merlin states as she pops up behind them, leaning back on the door.

Looking over at me Kirito says, "Just what the hell are you? What do you people want from us?"

Rubbing the back of my head I say, "Well to answer your first question I'm a demon. As for your second, all I wanted was a peaceful day with my wife. You're better off asking her the last one." I answer pointing to Merlin.

"Enough. Merlin, Gowther I think you should explain yourselves. Kirito, Asuna, Yui I must apologize for my friends. They don't have any manners and very little in the way of social skills. But I hope you won't hold it against them. When they do something it's almost always for a good reason. Meliodas, why don't you wake up Ban and let's have some lunch." Elizabeth states as she heads over to the family.

I hang my head as my wife delivers her commands to our friends. I wish that I had never answered the door.

Well, well, well. Looks like our Heroes are going to have a hell of a time figuring this one out. Interesting... Chapter 2 will be along shortly I believe. Hang tight.