"...The Game Has Been Cleared"
Where am I? What happened? Did I die?
Is she really gone?
The ground below seemed to be nonexistent, I was standing on the sky. Perched above an endless horizon a metal castle stood alone. The world where I lived for three years was in front of me. The world where thousands of players lost their lives. The world where I met my wife. The world where I belonged. Suddenly it all seemed so insignificant and small. It's hundred intimidating floors obscured by a shell. The skybox around surrounding me completely open, Aincrad but a cage in this world.
The ghastly sound of twisted metal erupted, desecrating the faultless sky. The floating castle began to visibly crumble. Floors fell in large pieces, towns split in two, lakes spilled and walls collapsed, all descending down into the heavens. Each floor a memory, each town filled with people, each lake a retreat from the front lines. My whole world was disappearing. My house, my friends, my wife.
My life was gone.
As Aincrad fell I could only think of her. Her face, her voice, Asuna. She was gone. The only person I truly had. Even if the game is over, was it worth losing her? Could I live in the other world without her?
I collapsed and cried, three years of suppressed emotions realized. Having to maintain a stoic resolve as a frontline clearer had been too much. It always had.I just wanted the game to end, to get out, to get Asuna out and to see her with my own eyes. I failed, I couldn't protect her. I couldn't protect anyone. Levels pointless as it wasn't enough. It's all my fault. She's gone and it's my fault.
"Ki...rito-Kun?"