Under the Warm Sky
"It's gorgeous, isn't it?"
He glanced toward her. "I guess. Whatever you're referring to, anyway."
"The sunset, I mean."
He gazed up at it. Even he had to admit that it was impressive. "I've never been one for small details."
She reached out toward it, stretching as she did so. "It's a shame it's just pixels. Constructs of this world. No real beauty in it…not like the real sky."
He leaned back, returning his gaze to her. He wasn't fazed by the gentle breeze that blew his hair into his face. "Who said there was beauty in the old sky to begin with?"
"I dunno. Maybe it's because the old sky wasn't created by a single man. It has a bit more mystery to it than a program. Not that the parallels aren't there, but…" She shrugged. "This world does weird things to the mind. Makes you question what you know."
He grunted and replied, "If this place has taught me anything, it's that the old sky is an illusion. An illusion of God, a game master, I don't know. But Sword Art Online is a world, an ugly reality made by an asshole that toys with his 'creations.' It's made me second-guess myself. This place is only different from our world in that the creator intervenes and makes himself known…"
"If you put it that way, then yes, perhaps all things are just an illusion. But I like to view it a tad differently. Sometimes the difference between seeing beauty in things and finding them repulsive is only your mindset." She beamed and chuckled to herself. "Would make me quite the hypocrite, what with the sunset example and all."
He pondered it. "Do you really think the mind makes such a difference? If that's the case, then aren't you lying to yourself? The world's no different whether you like it or hate it; it's merely a construct that confines us."
"Doesn't mean we have to be pixels as well. Just because I don't agree with you on this world and ours being the same doesn't mean we have to change ourselves inside it. We should be holding on to our humanity, not casting it aside." She sat up and yawned. "Even if Kabaya failed to create a true world, I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit that he created an opportunity to channel ourselves wholeheartedly into it."
He closed his eyes. "I'm channeling all my energy into escaping. You realize we're probably hooked up in a hospital bed right now, right? Barely kept alive like vegetables."
She smiled. "You're just full of ugly metaphors tonight, huh?" Standing up, she stretched again. "Keeps you in the real world, I suppose."
"I will get back. I've never been immersed in this world for a minute…my family must be worried sick."
A grin. "Maybe we're both hypocrites then." Taking a few steps away from him she added, "If you need me, I'll be doing some side quests. There's this lady who needs me to hunt some animals for a special dinner. If you come along I'll share the reward with you. Would be nice to have a partner along the way."
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to decline. I'd rather go train and get money to upgrade my equipment. I'll join up with you afterward."
"Suit yourself." With that she wore a passive expression and walked off, obscuring the light of the sun from his vision as she did so.