This is the new version of the first chapter. It's written in a style closer to that seen in chapter 2. And, I also completely changed the scene between Asuna and Peter. Hope you enjoy it more this time around.
Disclaimer: HnKnA and Sword Art Online are not mine. (I wish…)
*Unless otherwise noted, any sections written in 1st person are from Asuna's POV. Also, anything in italics are their thoughts*
Chapter 1: Dreamlike Reality
"We're meeting again tomorrow, right? 3 o'clock?"
"Yep. But remember that we're going to meet at my favorite café. They've added a new dessert that's to die for. And it has strawberries in it, which makes it even better! You have to try it!" says Lizbeth with a dreamy look on her face.
"Okay Lizbeth. I won't forget," I say with a chuckle, loving the way her eyes light up at the mention of anything strawberry.
"Yeah, I know Mama won't forget but I'll probably have to remind Papa again," says Yui with a serious look on her face.
"Hey, come on guys. I was stuck in a fight. And it wasn't even my fault- not much anyway. It's not like I meant to be late…" Kirito tried defending himself.
"So you say," I tell him. "But you won't be late or forget this time, okay?"
"Now I can see where Yui gets it from. Like mother like daughter…Well I won't forget. So ease up already."
"Alright" Yui and I say in sync, causing all of us to laugh.
"Well bye everyone."
"Bye Asuna. Bye Kirito. Bye Yui. Take care!" our friends call out.
"Bye! We will! See you soon!" We call as they head off to their respective rooms in the inn so they can log out, leaving the three of us standing together. We then head into or own room of the inn.
"Well I guess I should log out too. I'll miss you Yui," I say hugging her tightly, Kirito joining in, our little family.
"Bye Mama. Bye Papa. Please come back really soon." Says Yui, looking up at us as we embrace.
"We will. I couldn't stay possibly stay away. You're our precious daughter." I call as Kirito and I logout, still connected in a hug. After logging out, I remove my helmet and lay in bed, just thinking about my family and how much fun today was. However, after only a few minutes I decide to go for a walk. Even though it's fall, I change into a white tank top, a red skirt, white knee-high socks and white ankle boots.
I casually walk through the forest, enjoying the cool autumn breeze blowing through the trees. I watch as the wind catches the leaves and send them spinning lazily floating to the ground. Ever since Kirito has rescued me from Aincrad and Alfheim, I have been spending more of my afternoons roaming the forest's tranquil peacefulness.
As I walk, I think about my recent excursions into Alfheim with Kirito, Yui, and all of our friends. And the thought saddens me because of all the pain I keep going through as I struggle to reconcile my "realities". I belong in the real world and I know that. But, I also have another world within Alfheim- a world with my family of Kirito and Yui. I mean, of course Kirito is real, but Yui is an AI and only exists in the game…and our hearts. I still haven't been able to fully come to terms with the fact that Yui is not truly or daughter, because it feels real in my heart. I know that this bothers Kirito as well because he never stops trying to come up with ways for Yui to be able to experience this world that she is not a part of. It just isn't fair.
For some reason, this reminds me of some of my favorite stories: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. In these stories, Alice gets the chance to meld together reality and fantasy only to wake up and realize that it was only a dream- a falsely perceived reality. And she left no worse for wear. In fact, Alice doesn't even seem to mind ending the dreams because she knows that it's time to say goodbye and return to reality.
"Why can't that happen in real life?" I mumble sadly, as I feel tears gathering in my eyes-tears that I don't want to shed. But the bitterness cuts too deep and I can't hold back the tears any longer. I slide down to sit beneath one of the trees and sob in the quiet solitude that is my refuge. Nothing seems to matter anymore. But eventually my tears subside and I'm left with that quiet stillness and odd sense of peace that I've found can practically can't be attained any other way.
It's too early to turn back so I decide to keep walking. I start singing a song that's stuck in my head and just seem right somehow…
Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don't try to figure it out
Just listen to what I'm whispering to your heart
'Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it's just not true
There's so much of the story that's still yet to unfold
And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You've just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding
God's plan from the start
For this world and your heart
Has been to show His glory and His grace
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of
His unfailing Love
And the story has only begun
And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
We've just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding
We were made to run through fields of forever
Singing songs to our Savior and King
So let us remember this life we're living
Is just the beginning of the beginning
Of this glorious unfolding
We will watch and see and we will be amazed
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over
And hold on to every promise God has made to us
We'll see the glorious unfolding
Just watch and see (unfolding)
This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)
I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I don't realize how far I've gone until I come to what looks like a huge crater. On second thought, make that a giant hole I decide upon further examination.
"I wonder how this got here. Or what it leads to?" I murmur, walking closer. But the sound of a snapping twig behind me startles me and I spin around, feeling like I might get into trouble for being here- wherever here is. At first, I don't see anyone- until I look down. And there, less than 6 feet from me is a white rabbit wearing glasses and a vest with a pocket watch.
Oh, it's just a rabbit…wait, what?! I watch in stunned disbelief as the bunny hops closer. Don't you just love irony? I turn back around and decide to walk closer to the pit until I'm standing right next to it. I can't resist turning back towards the bunny and asking
"Well now, I suppose you must be late for a very important date?"
"Well no not quite, but I think I might be able to help with your plight."
Even though I am positive that I just heard the rabbit talk, I'm insisting that I just imagined it or that I'm hallucinating. At least that's what I'm trying to convince myself of as I turn around to walk home and sleep to try to end this hallucinogenic dream. But when I turn around, I find an albino who is dressed exactly like the bunny was with fluffy, realistic-looking bunny ears on his head. I'm now thoroughly convinced that I am dreaming. But, dream or not, I did the only thing that made sense. I screamed.
"Kyaaa! Who are you? What do you want from me?"
He bowed his head apologetically, which didn't make sense…at first. "I'm sorry for doing this, but I hope it will help you get your wish," he said before closing the distance between us and pushing me so I fell backwards into the hole. He then jumps in after me.
At first, I'm too stunned to do anything. But then I find my voice and start screaming bloody murder.
"My goal was to help, not to make you yelp. By the way, my name is Peter White. And I hope you soon can see me in a better light." He says, bunny ears drooping.
"Well my name is Asuna but you won't get a chance to use it. If I ever see you again you're dead," I say, trying to sound threatening even as I'm scared.
"Alright I'll let you be. Please reconsider and come to see me. But first please take this, to help you reach bliss" he says, holding out a glass vial.
"If I take it will you finally leave me alone?" I don't really want to take it but I really don't want him to keep bothering me... And I cannot take any more rhyming sentences. I mean, who does that? It's stupid, annoying, and a complete waste of time.
He nods yes so I reach out and grab the vial. "Now leave me alone." I say a bit venomously, but can you really blame me? He turns back into a rabbit and bounds along the outside of the hole until he's out of sight.
Well now, one problem is gone, but I'm still falling down a never-ending pit that rabbit so kindly dropped me down. I just hope I can wake up before I hit the bottom or that it won't hurt since it's a dream. With nothing better to do, I examine the vial, which is filled with some sort of liquid. It's probably poisoned. I had just vowed not to drink it when I hit the ground and blacked out, the vial falling from my hand.
The song I used is "Glorious Unfolding" by Steven Curtis Chapman, in case you're interested. It's a song that I would recommend listening to if you've never heard it before.
If you have re-read this, please review and tell me how you like this new version. Thanks a lot!