((A/N: This is my first Sword Art Online Fanfic. Where Kayaba introduces himself to the players and discusses their situation - that's exactly how it went down in the ENG DUB.
Today was the official release of the game – Sword Art Online and it was going to the best VRMMORPG. There were going to be a limit number of people who were going to be in the game. The game was going to only have 10,000 players in total, and out of those 10,000 there were going to be 1,000 BETA players who were going to be going over. So in total, there were only going to be 9,000 copies of SAO out there in the stores. According to News Stations, people were outside the stores for more than three days to get their hands on the VRMMORPG.
One of those 1,000 BETA players is Kisa Nakazawa, who's avatar is named, Katsumi. When school was on break she was on the game once it released for a BETA, she was one that got a slot in the BETA. During the break, she was non-stop on the game. She only logged out to go to the bathroom or to eat. Though she was going to swear to become a top player when the game was going to be officially released. The BETA was only available for the summer time, by the end of August it would be taken off the BETA program. For Kisa this was the best thing that has ever happened to her. She was happy, and she felt safe and free from her illness.
Her illness was that she was diagnosed with Throat Cancer that was on her vocal cords. At time she would be stricken to ever speak, but when she was up to it, she would talk. She wouldn't be able to sing – and it was her dream to sing for everyone. In SAO she was able to sing and talk without her throat hurting. If she could, she would stay forever in the VRMMO. Though no one could really live in a game, their real bodies would be stricken of the natural nutrients that it would need. While in SAO she met someone who would become her best friend – and would be someone would didn't live far from her. His user name was Kirito. At that time she didn't know who he was – but they would be close for the rest of their lives. Kirito became like an older brother to her – as she didn't have any siblings. He didn't mind that at all, which he was happy about.
During the BETA the two of them met on floor three, where she was trapped between a few monsters in the field as she was traveling from one part of the floor to the other, as there was town at the other end that she wanted to get to so it would be easier for her to log out of. Save zones would become everyone's friends when they were running close to HP.
Kisa/Katsumi was fighting off a few wolves on Floor Three, As she held her sword, ready to lay an attack, or even block an attack, she was running low on HP and she didn't even have a heal crystal at the ready. As she was about to accept her fate, someone came over and attacked the last of the wolves.
"Oh! Thank you!" She smiles at him, "I'm Katsumi," She had to remember – Avatar names only no real life names.
He turned to look at her, smiling, "Kirito."
Just then Kirito held out his hand. At first Katsumi was a bit weary of if she should grab it or not. When she looked again, she saw that it was a healing crystal, something she needed so badly. Se took it, and used it on herself. She felt so much better with her HP healed.
"Do you want to team up – We don't have to form a party, but just like…walk around and what not. Maybe we could look for the next boss." Katsumi said as she looked at him and smiled.
"Sure, we would have to look for the dungeon. But I've been hearing people talk that that they have found it. They would be meeting up soon." Kirito said as he looked at her.
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's go!" Katsumi smiled.
The two started to walk forward, looking for the search group, Katsumi looked up at the sky and wondered – what would it be like to always feel like this. Being free. Free. She shook her head and looked at her new friend – the first one she met during the BETA trials. She wanted to get to know him better.
"So, Kirito what school do you go out in the real world?" Katsumi automatically asked.
"Should we really be telling each other about who we are in the real life?" Kirito asked as he stared at her, wondering why she was being so foreword.
"I suppose not…We have just met. Maybe one day! We could tell each other about who we really are!"
It's been a few weeks since that time they met. The BETA was flying by so fast, soon it would be over. In the end, Kirito told her where he went – and she knew – they were in the same area, as she went to the same school as him. Though she knew that he might not know who she is. This is the best month of her life. The doctors have been working hard on scheduling her for surgery – and it was going to happen right before the end of the BETA, though her mom told her that the doctors had to have her rest her voice, before she would speak.
Towards the last week of the BETA, it was her, Kirito and their friend Argo. The three were inseparable despite that they would hold back on the battles. They wanted to relax before the BETA closed. Katsumi looked at them,
"I – I won't be on for the rest of the BETA, today is my last day." She said as she looked at her hands.
"Why?" Argo asked as she was curious, with her whiskers showing – the whiskers that showed that she failed at a quest.
"I don't think I should say. It deals with the Real Life. Just know that I'll be here when the game is up for real!" Katsumi smiles brightly.
"You can have your secret!" Argo hugs her. "But know, I'll pray for you."
"Why can't you tell us?" Kirito spoke up.
"I don't want to worry you! Please understand Kirito." Katsumi sighed,
"Kirito! You shouldn't be so foreword." Argo demanded.
"Alright! Geeze you girls will be the death of me." Kirito rolled his eyes.
"You know, I bet you and Katsumi would be able to clear the game, you guys are so good at your sword skills." Argo changed the subject.
"Do you wonder, if there would be changes?" Katsumi asked.
"Why would there be changes?" Kirito asked.
"I heard that there might be. We could also change the way our characters look when the release happens. There's also talk about us being back to level one, so that we are the same level as the newbies." Argo spoke.
"Leave it Argo, the Infobroker." Katsumi joked.
"Infobroker," Argo hummed, "Maybe I'll be one!"
"Why the hell would you want that?" Kirito asked.
"Someone should help the newbies, and I know for a fact that you would want to get to the top floor, the Ruby Palace." Katsumi chimed in. "Besides! We should look for each other, even if we have new characters, I know for a fact, I'll keep the same name."
"I will too." Argo smiled
"Same" Kirito agreed.
"Oh! Look at the time, I need to get some sleep." Argo said, "I'll see you two on the official release!"
And like that Kirito and Katsumi were left alone, as Argo had departed to the real world. Katsumi knew she would have to leave as well, tomorrow morning, she would head the hospital to get ready for surgery. Should she really tell Kirito? Would he freak out? Would there be a chance that they would meet in the world?! Katsumi mentally shook her head as she was ready for that – just yet. Sure it has been three long months, but it was too soon for her to meet him. Of course they would look different from their avatar forms, but she still didn't want to meet him yet.
"I'll meet you in the field on floor one, right outside the Town of Beginnings," Kirito said all of a sudden. "It's where I first saw you, you were having such fun, just looking at the flowers."
"You are such a creep!" Katsumi looked at him, shaking her head.
"Am-Am NOT!" Kirito stuttered.
"I should log out now." Katsumi smiled.
"Yeah. See you around."
Both of them had log out that day. Inside Kisa's room, she took off the NerveGear, she blonde hair was a bit messed up for having the helmet on. She got out of bed and looked at her duffle bag, as she had to spend three nights in the hospital. To make sure that she was completely healed up, and that there was no serve damage. She was scared as she didn't want it – but she knew that if she waited, it would get worse.
There was a knock at her door.
"Kisa, honey, we should get going to the hospital, the doctor called and he wants you there tonight." Her mom, Irisa said.
"Yes mom." Kisa called to her. She grabbed the duffle bag and took a deep breath. This was it. In a few hours, she would be cancer free – and she would be able to talk and sing.
Sing.
Her one dream was to become the best singer in Japan. Though with her being diagnosed with the cancer, it made it difficult for her to become a singer. Kisa, Irisa and her father, Toshiharu got into the car to head to the hospital. Once they arrived at the hospital, Kisa was taken straight to her room where she would wait for her doctor to come in and get her ready to go into surgery that day. She would take a week to recover in the hospital and then once she was out, she would get to go home and wait for the release of SAO.
"Ah, there's my favorite girl" The doctor, who is really her uncle. Uncle Ryoko.
"Uncle Ryoko!" Kisa smiled.
"I see that today is her good day." Ryoko noticed as he looked at his niece – this was going to be hard for him. This was his niece for crying out loud. One slip.
One slip and it could be the end of everything. Her future career, he would have to bear the weight of knowing that he has done this. Of course, this surgery was well known in America, and there have been successful cases all across Europe as well. Some of them in Japan. Kisa smiled as she couldn't wait to be able to sing and talk – like she never had the cancer before.
"Ryoko, are you sure that it's going to be safe for her?" Toshiharu asked his brother.
"Yes. There have been other cases. Of course, just because you'll be here for a week during recovery, I want you to remember, just because you aren't here, you should steady yourself while you are at home too." Ryoko looked at his niece – who had a habit of not listening to doctor orders.
"Yeah, Yeah." She nodded her head.
It was getting close to the surgery time and she was going to have to get changed into the gown and she was sure that some part of her was going to die – what part of her would die. Something told her that it might come back once she was healed up. Her parents would wait for her while she was in surgery.
While in the operating room, Kisa was dreaming about Aincrad. The floating Castle. She was fighting along Kirito and Argo. Just like old times. Was this a dream? Was this real – was she wearing the NerveGear? What was going on – soon enough the monster came at her as she was slashed – her HP was dropping.
"Katsumi!" Argo shouted.
Kisa woke up and she was in the hospital room. She turned over and she looked out the window. It was dark – she made it out of the surgery alive. She didn't doubt her uncle, but it was a risky surgery and she was terrified. Her parents weren't in the room. She frowned a bit, but figured that they had gone to get some food, as it was dinner time – she looked at the clock to check the time. Kisa moved to sit up – her uncle walked into the room as she was moving to sit up.
"Kisa, you woke up earlier than expected." Ryoko said as he walked over to her. He started to check her vitals and wondered if everything was going to be alright from here on out.
"…" Kisa knew that she shouldn't speak yet. She grabbed her board and started to write down what she wanted to say.
Uncle Ryoko, did it go as plan?
"Of course it did Kisa. You should be okay, but still be weary when you talk. You might be sore." Ryoko stated as he didn't want to tell her the truth.
The truth.
He remembered when he told his brother and sister-in-law. It was after the surgery, he came out to the hallway where they would be waiting. He looked exhausted as the surgery was longer than they expected for something so small.
"Ryo…." Toshiharu started to say.
"I'm sorry it took longer than expected. The cancer had spread more than what we originally saw last week." Ryoko started to say.
"What happened to her?" Irisa asked.
"Don't worry, everything went to plan. Though the healing process will be much rougher than normal. The cancer was also a lot tougher. It was stubborn, but we were able to get rid of all the cancer, and the damage nerves that were attached the cords have been removed and replaced." Ryoko said as he looked at his family. "Don't worry everything will be good from here on out. In a few weeks, she'll be talking and singing without the pain."
With the end of the memory, Ryoko looked at his niece and sat on her bed as she decided to color a picture from one of her coloring books she had. He deiced to stay with her until her parents got back from getting their dinner. It was that late. She went into surgery at noon, and it was already seven at night. She was only resting in her room for an hour. Kisa looked at her uncle as he had a weird look as he was helping her color in a tiger – though she didn't pay attention to that.
Soon enough her parents came in and looked at them.
"Ryo, were you waiting long?" Irisa asked as she looked at him.
"Nah, I came to look up on Kisa, and I stayed so she wasn't lonely, though I should get back to work. I'll check up on you tomorrow." Ryoko kissed Kisa's forehead and left the room.
During her week at the hospital all she could do was stare out the window as she was bored out of her mind. She wondered what she was missing the last week of the BETA. She wrote in her journal. About how she couldn't wait to be back in SAO when the official release came out. She was stuck at the hospital another week, because her uncle wanted her to speak before she left – just in case something has happened, and instead of her going home, just to be rushed back. It was going to be a pain. Ryo was also worried that something could've gone wrong during the surgery, but all of her scans have came back clean, and he just needed her to speak. Everyone was just as worried as Ryo. Kisa knows about all the nurses and doctors by name. And some of them would be bring her little gifJust then she stopped writing, as she had a classmate come see her – it was Kazuto. He was one of her few friends in the real world.
"Hey Kisa, your parents told me it alright to see you." He smiled.
"His voice. It was familiar. Where have I heard it before…." Kisa thought as she looked at him.
I'm happy you stopped by. The doctor said that I should try speaking today, but I'm scared too.
Kazuto looked at her and then saw what she wrote. "You shouldn't be scared – come on, I know you can do it." He smiled.
"He's right. I shouldn't be scared. But what if it hurts when I speak? I've been stuck here longer than expected. It's already been two full weeks. I should've been home a few days ago. Why am I staying here?" Kisa thought. "Maybe Uncle Ryo won't send me home until I've spoken…."
"I know you can do, you should try." Kazuto looked at her.
"…" Kisa closed her eyes and took a deep breath in and letting it out slowly. "Ok…" She said – it was a bit of a whisper, as she was doing it on her won, and she was a little hoarse from not speaking for two months straight.
"What was that, I couldn't hear you." He joked.
"You know full well what I said." Kisa said a bit louder. "I- I'm doing it.." She smiled as she hugged him. "Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me, it was all you." Kazuto said as he hugged her back.
"Well, I'm thanking you for coming here." She smiled at him, as she pulled away from the hug.
"Kisa, how are you doing?" Ryoko asked as he walked into the room. "Oh! I didn't know you had a visitor…"
"It's okay." Kisa said.
"Alright, I hop – wait what?" Ryoko looked up at her.
"I said, it's okay."
"YOU SPOKE!"
"Why is he so surprised…." Kisa and Kazuto thought.
"I'll go get your parents." Ryoko said as he took out his phone and called up her parents, of course, he walked outside so that the two kids didn't hear.
"Why did he seem surprised?" Kazuto asked.
"I don't know. He's the weird person of the family." Kisa laughed.
Soon enough her parents were happy that she was speaking – and it was all thanks to Kazuto. He gave her the courage to speak. The two didn't live far from each other, so they offered to take him home, as soon as Kisa was released from the hospital. It was a bit of a shock to find out that she was going home today – and in a few months the final release of SAO would be available. And she was going to get herself a copy – and of course, Kazuto was thinking the same thing. Even though – neither one of them knew that each other played.
Soon the date was going to be released on when SAO would come out – November 5th, 2022. Kisa and Kazuto were both happy that they didn't have to wait in line – any BETA didn't have to wait, as they would be able to access the full game from the game they already have – all they had to do was download the update. The clock was ticking down – and she couldn't wait.
"Kisa, are you going to be okay by yourself?" Irisa asked as she didn't want to leave her daughter home alone for too long.
"Yes mother." Kisa called down to her.
"I'll be back in two hours."
With that the door was closed and Kisa laid in bed as she read a book – waiting for the time to started. 13:00 was the time the game would be open. Kisa couldn't wait to get back out there and level back up to her normal level, and buy all the weapons she had in the BETA. She also couldn't wait to see Kirito and Argo again.
12:58
Kisa took the NerveGear. Closed her eyes, and laid in bed as she looked at the time 12:59.
"Link Start" Kisa said.
"Link Start" Kazuto said.
Both of them were transported into the same world. They were getting ready to start their game. They were going to have the best day ever. The time to figure out everything was now. See what has changed from the BETA in August – to November. There had to be some changes. Kisa – Katsumi was ready to fight. Her avatar looked the same as the BETA. Kazuto – Kirito was ready to charge into the field as he wanted to start leveling up right away. Kirito bolted through the town, catching the eye of one of the new players – who ran after him.
"Hey! Wait!" The guy said.
"Huh?"
"You were BETA player and I was hoping that you could teach me a few things."
"Uh, sure."
The two of them headed out to the field where Kirito said he would meet Katsumi. The guy – who he later found out was named Klein, had said that this was his first VRMMO. Of course, the training session was a bit harder, than normal. Katsumi finally made it through the crowd of people, and she was already tired. She made a promise to meet Kirito – she had to meet him. She knew that he was going to be here, and Argo was going to be somewhere around here too. Though she knew that she would meet up with Argo another day. Finally Katsumi made it to the part of the field she saw two people. One was Kirito and one was –
"Kirito who is your friend?" Katsumi said as she looked at him.
"I-I'm Klein." The guy said.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Katsumi." She said.
"Did you know – all three of us picked users with the letter K?" Klein asked.
"Oh?" Katsumi said. "Not really." Kirito said at the same time.
This was something Kirito and Katsumi laughed about on the second day of meeting.
"So were you a BETA player too?" Klein asked her.
"Yeah, only for three weeks." Katsumi admitted. "I wasn't login of the last week of the BETA. I had something going on in the real world."
Katsumi watched Kirito show Klein how the game worked. Then the time came close to five thirty.
"Well, I better log out." Klein said as he opened the menu – "huh. Where did the log out button go?" He asked.
Now that question stunned both Kirito and Katsumi as neither one had this issue before.
"It should be at the bottom…" Katsumi said.
Kirito opened his menu, "It's not…" Kirito agreed with Klein.
This was strange. How the hell did that even happen! Where did it go? Was it a glitch?! What was going on. This can't be happening. Katsumi was scared. Of course, Klein just thinks it was a glitch – because it was the first day out the BETA.
"There has to be bound some kind of bug that happen." Klein said as he looked at the two of them. "The server people are probably freaking out by now."
Just then Kirito pointed out the time to Klein about his pizza delivery, and then Katsumi chimed in about contacting the Game Master – but of course, there was no answer from him. Which was strange. This was something that was difficult. What was going on in this game? Of course, Klein was freaking out about missing his pizza and ginger ale. Of course, there was only one way to log out – the log out button. Katsumi bit her lip to hold back her laughter as Klein was trying every way to log out of the game.
Of course, nothing was working. They were stuck until the Game Master would answer the call – or until – Kirito started talking about the NerveGear and how there was no way to pull it off in game – as there was no movement in the real world.
"We would have to wait for them to fix the bug, or someone would have to pull off the NerveGear.." Katsumi hummed.
"I live by myself –" Klein stated.
"How old is he?" Katsumi wondered.
"I have a sister – and a mother" Kirito stated.
"A sister?" Katsumi looked at him. "You never said you had any siblings."
The two boys interacted and Kirito looked at Klein and rolled his eyes.
"This is serious you two!" Katsumi demanded. "We can't sit around and do nothing."
"It's just a bug, they would have to get around to fixing it." Klein said as he looked at her,
When he looked at her, she could feel her virtual heart skip a beat.
"This isn't just a bug. This is going to cause some serious problems for the game." Kirito said looking at the horizon. "I wonder if the developers know what's going on,"
"You mean like shutting down the servers to log everyone out…" Katsumi looked at him.
"Yeah," Kirito nodded his head. "But there has been an announcement made about it yet…"
Just then there was bell toll. It could be heard from the field – it was coming from the Town of Beginnings. This was strange. What was happening. Katsumi held on to Klein's arm – as he was the closet person to her. Something about the bell toll scared her. Why – why was there a bell toll now? It was late, and what if it was a system announcement? Kirito had the same scared look on his face. Just then there was a bright light – and they were in the Town Square. There was a mass teleportation. Katsumi stayed attached to Klein as she didn't know what was happening. She had to breath – but she couldn't. Kirito was just as scared – of course, everyone who was playing the game was worried. Why were they all teleported back to the square? Did anyone try to clear the first floor? The bell was still tolling as players were gathering around. There were people chattering about what was going on.
The bell toll stopped, and there was noise everywhere. A single noise was picked up by Katsumi's ears as she looked up at the sky. There – there was a sign in the sky. A symbol – Warning and System Announcement was across the sky. What – what was dripping from the sky?!
"Is that blood!" Someone shouted.
The blood dripped down and it formed a body of some sorts. It was the Game Master.
"What the hell is that thing?" Klein asked as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.
The Game Master rose up and looked at all the trapped players. Under that hood, hiding his face – someone could wonder if he was smirking or not. Was this some sick joke to him!? He looked at everyone. People were talking, murmuring, wondering what was going on.
"Is that the Gamer Master?"
"Why doesn't he have a face?"
"Is this some kind of event?"
"I'm scared"
"Don't worry, it's just part of the opening ceremony."
The Game Master rose up his arms, taking a deep breath, "Attention players, I welcome you to my world."
"What's he mean by that?" Kirito asked.
"Kirito, I'm getting a bad feeling about this." Katsumi turned to her friend. "What is going on here?" She started shaking.
"I – I don't know…" Kirito said, a bit scared himself.
The Game Master started speaking again, "My name is Akihiko Kayaba. And as of this moment, I am in control of this world."
Kirito was shocked, and he looked at Katsumi and Klein. Katsumi was shaking even more, as this was impossible. What was he talking about? What is happening to this fun game? Of course people started talking even more.
"Seriously?"
"Is that really him?"
"Wow."
And more people talking over one another.
"That's some entrance"
"I'm sure most of you have already noticed an item, missing from main menus. The log out button." Kayaba started to say, as he rose his hand to show everyone that the log out button was indeed missing. "Let me assure you, this is not a defect in the game. I repeat this is not a defect. This is how Sword Art Online was designed to be."
"What!" Katsumi shouted. "This….This can't be true."
"He's kidding, right?" Klein asked.
"You can not log yourselves out of SAO. And no one from the outside will be able to shut down or remove the NerveGear from your head. If anyone attempts to do so, a transmitter inside the NerveGear will discharge a microwave signal into your skull destroying your brain and ending your life." Kayaba continued on saying.
Everyone started to panic now.
"What are you saying?"
"Come on such BS!"
"This game sucks"
"Let's get out of here." Two players started to walk towards the invisible barrier. And one of them walks right into the barrier. "Hey! I can't get out."
Katsumi was just staring at the Kayaba, wondering what the hell is going on through his head. What brought her out her thoughts was Klein talking to Kirito.
"Hn, Are you listening to this crap?" Klein asked. "He's gotta be nuts, right. Right, Kirito?"
"He's not…The transmitter signal in the headgear work just like Microwaves. If the safty is disabled it could fry your brain." Kirito started to say.
"Couldn't someone cut the p0wer or…" Klein drifted off.
Katsumi remembered reading the same article about it and added to the conversation, "That won't work. The NerveGears got an internal battery." Katsumi bit her lip.
Klein started making noises, "This is crazy. It's totally crazy!"
Kayaba started talking again, "Despite my warning, The family and friends of some of the players have attempted removing the NerveGear. An unfortunate decision, to say the least. As a result, the game now has 213 less players than when it began. They've been deleted from both Anicrad and the real world."
"213!" Katsumi and Kirito both said.
"No way…I don't believe it." Klein said.
Soon enough, Kayaba started to display some screens. News stations covering Sword Art Online and the situation they were in. To say the least, now even more people were scared to keep playing the game. What was going to happen to them now that there was no way out of the game! They were going to be scared. Are they going to be stuck living in this game their whole lives?
"As you can see, international media outlets have round the clock coverage on everything. Including the deaths." There was a screen that showed two faces – two of the 213 people who have died. "At this point it is safe to assume the likely hood of a NerveGear being removed is minimal at best. I hope this brings you a little comfort as you try to clear the game."
There was a look of shock across Kirito's face. Katsumi looked at him, he was staring at the screen that had a mother and sister crying. Something that could bring himself to tears. Katsumi bit her lip. Here she was, trapped in this game, and she wondered how her parents were doing – Kazuto, his sister, and his mother. She was close to the family, as she was treated just like family.
"It's important to remember the following, there is no longer any way to revive someone within the game. If your HP drops to zero, your avatar will be deleted from the System forever." Kayaba started to say, as he speaking, the windows of the news outlets started to disappear. "And the NerveGear will simultaneously destroy your brain"
"Either way, we will have our brain destroyed…" Katsumi said, "If someone pulls it off of us, or if our HP drops to zero."
"There's only one way for a player to escape now, you must clear the game. Right now you are gathered on floor one. The lowest level of Anicrad. If you can get through dungeons and defeat the boss, you may advanced to the next floor. Defeat the boss on floor 100 and you will clear the game."
"What's he talking about?"
"Clear?"
"Why should we believe any of the crap you're saying?" The player who ran himself into the barrier shouted.
"We can't clear all 100 floors." Klein started to say.
"That's fucking impossible." Katsumi said as she started shaking her head,
"Even the BETA testers never made it that high." Klein said as he was getting pissed.
"Last but not least, I have placed a little present in the item storage of every player. Please have a look." Kayaba said – as he didn't hear anything what the players were saying.
Kirito was the first to open in menu, followed by other players. Katsumi was the last one to open her menu. Both her and Kirito were staring at the item –
"A mirror?" Katsumi asked as she was confused.
Selecting on the only item, everyone was holding onto this mirror. Soon enough people were engulfed in a bright white light. Klein was the first to be engulfed.
"Klein!" Katsumi said as she looked at him.
Soon enough, there was a bright white everywhere. Katsumi, never pressed on the item, she wasn't sure what was happening.
"Kirito! Klein!" She called out as the white lights were too bright for her to see. Soon enough she sighed, and she pressed on the mirror, holding it in her hand, as she was surrounded by the white light herself. Her avatar appearance was gone.
"You okay, Kirito, Katsumi?" Klein asked.
"Yeah. Wait, who are you?" Kirito asked.
"I'm me, who are you?" Klein responded.
Katsumi looked at the mirror, she was herself – her…She looked over and saw that Kirito was –
And of course, everyone was looking at all the players – those men/boys who wanted to play as girls, are now themselves – in the girls uniforms. Katsumi couldn't help but laugh at that – who knew that there people who wanted to play as girls.
"Son of a – You're a guy!"
"You're not seventeen."
Those two statements were made by the two characters by the barrier.
Of course, Klein and Kirito were just staring at each other for a second. "Is that you, Klein?" "Is that you, Kirito?" Both of them said it at the same time.
"But how?" Klein said.
"Kazuto!" Katsumi said,
"Kisa!" Kirito said as he looked at her. "What are you –"
"Were you playing this whole time?" She asked,
"I'm so confused…" Klein sad.
"Ah, Kirito and I know each other in real life – we're actually neighbors," Katsumi said as she rolled her eyes. "Though back to your question, Klein, the scan. There's a high density signal device inside the NerveGear rig, it can see what your face looks like."
"But how does it know our body types and height?" Kirito wondered.
And for once, Klein had the answer, "When you first the NerveGear on, it had you do this calibration thing. It asked you to touch your body all over like this –" As he started to pat his arms. "Remember?"
"Yeah, but that was so long ago…" Katsumi nodded.
"That's where it got our physical data." Kirito said.
"But, this is – What's the point. Why would anyone do this to us." Klein responded.
Katsumi looked at Kayaba, "You guys, I think he's about to tell us."
Klein and Kirito both looked at Kayaba as well. Wondering what could this guy say…
"Right now, you're probably wondering – 'Why. Why would Akihiko Kayaba developer of Sword Art Online and NerveGear do this?' Ultimately. My goal was a simple one. The reason I created Sword Art Online was to control the fate of a world of my design" Kayaba said
"Kayaba…." Kirito growled.
"As you can see, I have achieved my goal. This marks the end of the tutorial. And the official launch of Sword Art Online. Players, I wish you the best of luck." Kayaba said as he started disappearing.
The red blood that had formed the body, had disappeared and went back into the sky. The Warning/System Announcements hexagons, have disappeared as well, showing the sky once more. Everyone stood there, their faces full of shock and disbelief. There was no way to defeat the game!
"It's not a game. It's real." Katsumi thought.
Akihiko Kayaba…he created a virtual world. HE designed the NerveGear rig. The man is a genius, to the standard, but trapping all of the people inside the game, has made him on the level of insane! There was only one way out – defeat all 100 floors. That's what they had to do. Either form parties, guilds, be solo players. If you were solo, you were walking the death game by yourself. There was no way in hell someone would do that.
"Everything he just said….is the truth.." Kirito muttered.
"How –" Katsumi said.
"I've been a fan of his…so I just know that this- this is real." Kirito said as he shook his head.
There was a shattered of a mirror, and someone spoke –
"Oh my god. AHHH" A girl screamed.
The realization hit everyone.
"Let me out! Let me out!" Someone screamed.
"I can't stay in here I have a meeting!" Another said.
Everyone was screaming over each other, so it was hard to know what everyone was saying. Katsumi was scared for her life. She was just released from the hospital a day ago, and now here she was trapped in a death game! This was a joke – but according to Kirito it wasn't. Katsumi could believe him – she knew he was a big fan. More people were shouting over each other, as the barrier disappeared.
"Come on Katsumi, Klein." Kirito grabbed their arms and ran towards an alleyway.
Once they were out of the way, Kirito spoke again, "Okay, Listen, I'm heading out right now for the next village. I want you two to come."
"Huh?"
"If what he said is true, and I think it is, the only way we're going to survive in here is by making ourselves as strong as possible." Kirito pulled up the floor map, "In an MMORPG the money you can earn, the XP, once the game starts up, there is only so much of that stuff to go around. Look the fields around the Town of Beginnings are going to be hunted clean soon. If we head to the next village now we'll have an easier time collecting cash and points. Don't worry I know all the paths and places we should avoid. Even if I'm a level one, I can get there easy." Kirito got rid of his map.
"Wah – Thanks. But you know, those friends of mine I was telling you about, we stood in line for a whole night to buy this and their back at the plaza – somewhere. And I can't leave them." Klein shook his head.
Katsumi looked at Kirito, she wondered about him. If she went with him, she would know that he was safe. Though she could stay back and help the other players – she was torn on where she should go. She knew she had to level up. She knew that she had to protect everyone. She knew that here in this game, she had to help the new players. She could help them level up. Just like Kirito, she knew where to go as well. So did a lot of other BETA players who were in the Plaza, ready to take off and fight there way to get all the cheap hunting spots, leaving the dangerous ones for the newbies. Her heart started to shatter at the thought of the game – becoming more dangerous than it already was. She had to do something.
"Sorry. Can't ask a guy, I just met, risk his life for a bunch of strangers, can I?" Klein said.
That brought both Katsumi and Kirito out of their personal thoughts.
"So don't worry about me. Get your ass to the next village. I'll be fine. Last game I played, I ran a guild. So, I'm more than prepared. And with all the stuff you taught me I'll get by, no sweat." Klein smiled brightly.
Katsumi bit her lip as she didn't know what to say at this point. She just watched the exchange happen between Kirito and Klein.
"Okay…If that's what you want. I'll get going." Kirito turned his back and started walking down the alleyway. "But if your in a jam, message me, either one of you." Kirito said, as he could guess that Katsumi was going to stay behind. "Okay?"
"Sure Kirito." Katsumi nodded.
"Sure."Klein said.
"I'll be seeing you two around. Take care!" Kirito turned his back.
"Kirito! I –" But Katsumi was loss at words.
Klein could see that she wanted to say something, so he chimed in, "Hey, Kirito, you look better like this, way cooler than your avatar." He stated.
Kirito turned around, and looked at the two of them, "And I think that scruffy face suites you ten times better too." He looked at his best friend in the real world, feeling sad of having her trapped in here. "Kisa….please becareful." He said to Katsumi.
"You too….Kazuto." She muttered.
Kirito walked away from them. Katsumi looked up at Klein, "Let's go look for your friends."
"You would help?" Klein asked.
"Sure, I'm going to help everyone."
The two of them walked back towards the plaza where there were still a lot of people out there. Katsumi, started to walk around and saw little kids, who were way too young to be playing the game. She started to gather them, one by one, and headed to one place that would be big enough to host them. The Church, along with another player who helped Katsumi, her name was Sasha. The two became close due to collecting all the kids, before anyone of them wondered off out of the town to try and level up. This was not something that they should have to follow through. There were some characters who didn't leave the town either – too afraid to leave and be killed by the outside forces. There was one thing that Katsumi could do in here, that she couldn't do outside in the real world – yet.
Sing.
Katsumi, took a deep breath as she walked to the fountain where there was still a lot of players. She took a deep breath and started singing a song.
"I wish to numb my heart, to numb my heart.
Against the pain and take it away
Because there must be more than this
Those countless times I gave up all hope
Because I couldn't change what's behind me
I hid inside my shell from the world
Out of sight, tucked away so that no one could see"
There were people who started to gather around the fountain hearing her singing.
"Once again I feel all the pain rise inside
Rushing back to me like an unstoppable tide
I don't need the warmth, and no, I don't need the pain
I'm find without this thing called "Love"
I wish to number my heart, to numb my heart
Against the pain and take it awaySo I can overcome the dark
Just like a shooting star in the sky
Into the deep, I sink, nearing the brink
My heart and soul succumb to the fall
I try to scream but there's no sound
So I accept I won't be found
But then I hear your voice calling
I'm no longer falling but rising upAs you pull me to the light."
Soon enough there were more people gathered around, and Katsumi looked at everyone who has gathered around. She prayed for all the other players who were out there in the fields who were already out there leveling up. Katsumi here was giving them the strength to go out there and level up.
"The world I knew, once quiet and grey
Began to change when you looked my way
I thought sure my heart wouldn't heal|
But I guess, you have made the impossible real
Look me in the eyes and make my heart skip a beat
Fill my world with my world with color and set my spirit free
I was never falling – I was swept off feet
The very moment you reached me
I wish to numb my heart, to numb my heart
And find the strength to heal what's inside
So I can overcome the dark
Just like a shooting star in the sky
Into the deep, I sink, nearing the brink
But now I know you're there if I fall
I'll show the darkness I can fight
And when I'm lost, you'll be the light
So now there's no hesitating
I'm tired of waiting to turn the page
And to find out what's to come
I always treasure our time together, these golden memories
When I was falling and you were calling, I heard a knock on the door
Through all the pain I've overcome
I'll take a step out of my shell
I've waited all this time to turn the page
And now I'll finally blink away what held me back in the past, I swear!
I wish to numb my heart, to numb my heart
Against the pain and take it away
So I can overcome the dark
Just like a shooting star in the sky
This oath will never die, my tears have dried
I'll never let my life slip on by
Because I know there's more than this
And if I only have one wish
I pray the chapter that follows will lead to tomorrow
So I will see what the future holds for me."
Katsumi ended her song, and everyone clapped. Her face turned red, as she got off the fountain. She looked and saw that Klein was with his friends, he made his way over to where she was.
"Katsumi! I want to introduce to my friends." Klein said as he pointed to everyone, "There's Dale, Dyanmm Harry One, Issin, Kunimittz."
"Nice to meet all of you." She smiles.
Of course, they were all talking at once, and Klein shut them up. "How about you come with us and level up?" He asked
"I would like to, but I'm meeting up with someone, I promised her that I would help her." Kastumi said. She sent him and a friend request, "Add me and I'll send you a message when I'm done." She smiles.
"Sure." Klein nodded his head as he accepted it. "Well, you guys, let's head out there and level up." Klein said. "Bye Katsumi!" he said.
"Kisa." She responded.
"Huh?" He stopped and turned to look at her.
"Call me, Kisa." She smiles. "It's my real name."
"If that's what you want."
She nodded and he took his leave. Kisa watched him leave as she headed to go look for Argo. There she spotted her friend – as she could see the User.
"Argo…" She called out.
The girl looked up and raised an eyebrow, "Do I know you –"
"It's me, Katsumi."
"Katsumi…"
Argo jumped on her, tackling her to the ground. Happy to see a friend. "Help me out,"
"Sure, what do you need help with?"
"Making a guide book, for the new players."
"Sure!" Katsumi nodded, "But, look, we should say that this was due to the experience in the BETA, and that some of the things could have changed and that they should have watch out."
"I was also thinking that any of the BETA players have to pay for it, since that some of these should be able to remember these."
"I agree. Let's get to work!"
The two of them worked hard on the guide book, and once it was completed the two grabbed a lot of copies, handing them out to players, and placing them on a booths everywhere. Katsumi especially made sure to hand them off to players to make sure that they stayed safe, though some told her that they didn't need it. Kisa was worried about what could happen in the next few months. She shook her head as it didn't pertain to her…She tried to help them but in the end they didn't want the help.
"Hey, how did it go?" Argo asked when they met back up at the meeting spot.
"It went well." Katsumi sighed as she looked at the sky.
"You know, your song, really gave everyone the spirits to go out there and help clear the game."
"I'll try anything."
"You know, I want to help you as much as I can. So just for you – I'll trade info with you for free."
"You better! We've been friends since the BETA, and I hope we stay that way…"
Katsumi hugged Argo as she was afraid of losing a friend – she was even scared of losing Kirito and her new friend she made. Klein and his group. She looked at Argo,
"Hey, I met Kirito earlier today, and it's weird because we know each other in the real world."
"Are you worried that you might – "
"Lose him? Yeah, and I'm sure he feels the same as well."
"This is Kirito we're talking about. He's strong and he'll be fine."
"I'm more worried about him getting enemies and them trying to kill him off…"
"Well, he does have that issue about talking…..and not shutting up."
"Argo, let me know if you find out where he is."
"Sure."
The two re-traded information, so they were back on each other friends list. This was something that she was sure that was going to hurt them in the end. Katsumi got up from their spot and hugged Argo one last time before leaving the Town of Beginnings and headed to the next Village over to level up as fast as she could. She knew that the hunting grounds would be safe with all the players hunting in the fields. Katsumi made her way as she sent a message to Kirito.
~Message System~
To: Kirito
From: Katsumi
Hey Kirito! I hope you made it to the next village alright! I met up with Argo today, and we created Guide books for everyone today. I also helped Klein find his friends, and they seem pretty chill. I'm on way to the village that is a bit further from yours. Becareful, there are going to be a lot of players out Bin the field. I hope everything goes well for you! I just wanted to send you a heads up. Not like you need it or anything, but I feel like it would be nice if we kept in touch just to make sure that neither of us have died.
~End of Message System~
Katsumi sent her message and headed off towards the village, slaughtering the animals that came into her path. She was worried about dying but she knew she would be fine if she made it there before the sun set for good, marking the end of Day one in the game.
On the other side – Kirito was making it into the village, when he got a notification that someone sent a message. He opened is messages and saw it was from Katsumi. He was happy to know that she was alright and that she was going to be okay – he knew she would be. She was great with her weapon. Once he was completely sure that he was alright, he sent a reply to her message.
~Message System~
To: Katsumi
From: Kirito
I made it safe to the village I was headed to. I hope you make it safe to your own as well. I wouldn't like it if you disappeared, Kisa. I would hate the idea of you not being around when I needed you. We were each other's best of friends. Knowing that you are safe and alive will always have me fight my way through this game. Be safe as well.
~End of Message System~
Kirito sent his message and took a deep breath as he was worried about her since he just saw her in the hospital as she was recovering from her surgery. He also wanted to fight to get back to the real world because he had to make it back to his sister - no – his cousin and his aunt. He remembered when he was younger, he hacked his way into the locked file about himself. His aunt adopted him after his parents had died and he was raised as her own, even after learning the truth – it was hard to really connect with Suguha as she wasn't his real sister. He remembered telling Kisa about it –
~FlashBack~
"What do you mean you aren't her brother?" A younger Kisa asked as they were in the library. Today was her good day, so she was able to go to school and talk.
"I mean what I meant. I found out I'm adopted…So she's really my cousin." Kazuto frowned. "My aunt kept it from me."
"Look – " Kisa let out a harsh cough.
"Kisa!"
"I'm fine." She waved a hand at him. "As I was saying. She might be your aunt, but in all honestly, she raised you more than you birth mother. She may not be your real mother – but she is your mother."
Kisa tried to explain to him. It was hard for her to really understand the situation. She wasn't that smart like Kirito. Though both of them had their strengths and weaknesses and they made a great pair. Kazuto looked at her. He worried more about her health than his own personal issue. It was hard for him, the two of them grew up together, and he was watching her suffer as she had her good days and her bad days. She was his only true friend. He would help her when it she needed it because she missed so many days of school, due to going into the hospital – and going to the doctors for testing.
Kisa's blonde hair was pulled back into a braid as her pinkish red eyes were looking at Kazuto as he looked back at her. The two of them changed the subject as he didn't want to talk about his problems anymore.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine Kazuto."
"Are you sure –"
"Geeze, you are sounding like a big brother I never wanted."
"Hey, that's not a bad thing. I care about you –"
"I know you do."
She started laughing – and that's when it started – her coughing fits that she would have.
"Kisa!" Kazuto went to her and was getting worried. "I need to get you to the nurses office." He started to help her out of her chair, but she shook her head – "Don't you dare say no. You have to go."
"I.." She let out a rough cough, "I'm fine…" Her voice was hoarse – as she was in pain.
"No! I was given orders to take you to the nurses office if you started coughing."
~End of Flashback~
Katsumi was wondering around the village she was stopped in and saw that a lot of people were in the village already. She quickly made her way to the Inn to see if there were any rooms available. And she was in luck as there was one room left – she of course took it and went to her room to settle down and look over her leveling up – as she did defeat a couple of boar and wolves on way to the village. She got up and looked out the window – wondering if she should've stopped. Should she get out there and get to the next village? Should she rest? They had to rest. Even if in a virtual world, you would need sleep.
Katsumi rested her head against the window pane as she was wondering about what she should really be doing. What is she going to be doing in this world? She only used SAO as an escape from being sick and here she was able to sing and talk as much as she wanted without pain. It made her happy. Though Katsumi was going to leave bright and early to head to Horunka village to get her hands on a quest. She had the Anneal Blade during the BETA and it was an amazing weapon. Though her mind wondered to -
~Message System~
To: Katsumi
From: Klein
Hey! This is probably weird, but I just wanted to check on you, to make sure you are okay.
~End of Message System~
Katsumi opened her message and smiled a bit as she read the message from Klein. Was it weird as she thought about how he was doing – that he would send her a message?
~Message System~
To: Klein
From: Katsumi
Hey there, yeah I'm doing okay, I'm in a village right now, about to get some rest. It's been a long day and there's so much to take in. I'll be alright. There's a quest I'm going after tomorrow bright and early.
~End of Message System~
Klein and his friends stayed in the Town of Beginnings for the first day as he didn't want to get separated in the mass of people running out the town to head to the other towns and villages. Once he was in a Inn, he sent a message to Katsumi – no Kisa. She told him to call her Kisa. She had a beautiful name. She was on his mind, wondering about her age. Would it be weird? He sighed as se looked up at the ceiling and read her message that she sent back. He should ask her – right? Or would that ruin everything? He groaned. He just met her and now he's going to sound creepy if he starts hitting on her on the first. Kisa.
Kisa. He was going to take it slow. He had to, she was different and that was amazing. Kisa. Her blonde hair and pink-red eyes were memorizing.
~Message System~
To: Katsumi
From: Klein
Well, I hope you do great on your quest! It's going to be a busy day for everyone as there was a lot for the newbies to get used to. I'm sure your book that you and your friend worked on – will help a lot. Though you do have a great singing voice.
~End of Message System~