Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online in any such way or form.
In a Better Place
Chapter One - A Sleeping Knight?
No one's P.O.V
December 27, 2025
12:35 a.m
"Man, I wish Kirito would do all of our homeworks." said the pink-haired blacksmith as she complained and let out a sigh.
"I know right, he did all his homework at school, plus he used his extra time to play ALfheim Online to wander off some dungeons while we're here stuck in this homework torture." said the «Cait Sith Beast Tamer».
The two girls plus sat in the log sofa in the Log House. Across them, we're a blonde fairy and a blue-haired four were doing their homeworks. As they watched «The Black Swordsman» taking a nap in a small chair with Yui, the «Artificial Intelligence» pixie and the in-game daughter of Kirito and Asuna, they couldn't help thinking about how strong and intelligent Kirito is.
"I wish I was smart and strong like Kazuto, he really can make a machine in less than a day." said the blonde fairy who is seemed to be the cousin of Kirigaya Kazuto.
"Come on you three, cheer up. If you're gonna be like Kirito, then finish your homeworks like the way he did it." said the blue-haired swordswoman with confidence.
They sighed as they agreed to Asuna.
Silence replaced their conversations as they focused on their homeworks. Silica's homework was just some basic Algebra, but it was not basic to her. It was like torture to her. Lisbeth was answering a homework test about Japanese weapons in the year 2001. Lisbeth sure is interested and confident to answer this test. Leafa was studying about Motion and Gravity. Her project was to make a working flying machine on her own to be passed next week, but she doesn't know how to build or basically what to build. Asuna's homework was the same as Silica but harder. For us, we're irritated what's x's any y's, but for Asuna, she answered it like a boss. She's a total nerd for math and she's a tutor for Silica if she's having trouble dealing with Algebra. After a few minutes, Lisbeth was first to break the silence.
"Hey Asuna, do you think Kirito can beat «Zekken»?" Lisbeth catching the attention of all the girls.
"I don't know, that player was quite faster than me." Asuna responded.
"Maybe he can, if he has a way to avoid the 11-hit combo sword skill." Leafa joined in as she looked above and put her finger on her mouth.
"I believe he can, I mean h-he's the strongest swordsman I k-know." Silica responded while resisting to blush harder.
"Who is this special player you girls talking about?" A familiar voice joined the four girls' conversation.
Kirito's P.O.V
The girls we're surprised that I have woken up. I smiled as got up on my chair waking Yui up and heading to the girls territory. I sense that Lisbeth had a feeling that she has something to say about a playe-.
"Glad you're awake, Kirito. Could you do me a favor for a bit?" Lisbeth asking in the cutest and innocent way while putting her finger on her mouth. "Do you know where was Chokutō originated from?" I knew that she was changing the topic. It was so obvious for her to do this. Right now, I get a feeling that I should first answer his question because I knew Japanese swords lately. Wait did she just made a cute fac-?
"It originated from Ancient China and was brought to Japan by the way of Korea in the 3rd centuries." I began my answer. "It was created before the development of differential te…"
"Never mind that! I only asked the place where it was originated from." Lisbeth cut my statement with a sigh after.
"Well, you're welcome and thanks for saying 'thank you'." I teased in a sarcastic tone.
Lisbeth stood up and punched me in the upper-right arm. "I'm not done yet, you know," Lisbeth responded with slight annoyance. "Thank you very much, Kirigaya Kazuto." Lisbeth winked her left eye with a smile and sat down with the rest of the girls.
"Don't call me that. It's kinda annoying if you say my real name. So back to the subject before, who is this player you're talking about?"
"Well, tomorrow. You are about to face the biggest challenge in your life." Leafa responded.
"Wait, do you mean that I'm going to battle alone the «New Year's Eve Event Boss»? Come on, it will be easy as pie."
"Wait, what? Not that silly, I'm talking about the player in the 24th Floor."
"Oh, that player. I've heard rumors about that player, is it true that she has 67 consecutive duels?"
"Positive," Leafa answered with a smile.
I heard about this player. He or she, never mind the gender, is a player who had 67 street duels under the three of an island in the 24th Floor, as I have heard from the rumors. It also said that this player had a unique sword skill that can damage and end your avatar's life if his or her health bar reaches to the yellow portion or when she's out of luck. I've also heard that the player comes out at 3:00 in the afternoon until 4:00. The internet never mentioned his or her name so I think it's time to ask the girls about it.
"So, about the player, what was the player's name again? I think you've mentioned 'second', or something?" I asked with confusion.
"The name is «Zekken», also known as «Absolute Sword». She is the 2nd leader of the guild, «Sleeping Knights». The player's race is an Imp, so I assume the player can use «Dark Magic»." Asuna suddenly answered my question.
"Huh, «Zekken»…" I picture my mind focusing a knight on a shining armor, a purple one, and in his hands was a giant purple sword even bigger than mine. Majority of knights are men, so the player's gender must be a guy. He has giant wings, maybe? I don't know. And I think he has a mysterious presence that he doesn't talk until the end of the battle, that kind of things, you know what I mean?
"So we talked about it, and we think that you can beat «Zekken»." Lisbeth said.
"Eh? «Zekken» beat 67 players in a street duel! How can I even beat «Zekken»?" I complained.
"We are quite sure that you can evade her original sword skill, we didn't go too well." Asuna said.
"Wait, you all have fought «Zekken»? How did it go?"
"Like I said, it didn't go too well. she blocked all my sword skills.
"I can't even match her agility and speed, «Zekken» is like the speed of a lightning." Silica added.
Lisbeth sighed and said, "Talk about the one who uses a hammer…"
"Her blocking skills we're unbelievable, she blocked my attacks like there some kind of prediction lines that are providing the player, or something." Leafa said
As they were complaining about their failures and losses, Suguha mentioned about the prediction lines. Sinon... About a week ago, Sinon had made a promise that every time I swing and slash the «Excaliber», I will remember her with all my heart and soul. Gah, why am I even thinking about her right now? I should focus about this player, «Zekken», right now.
"Well," Lisbeth ending the case, "That settles then, Kirito's gonna fight with «Zekken» with any sword except «Excaliber»."
"Wait, what?! After all I've been through, I can't even use the sword?"
Lisbeth stood up and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Kirito, can't you see? That sword is the most OP weapon we've ever seen! And if you're gonna use it to fight «Zekken»," Lisbeth then changed her look from 'serious look' to a smirk, "we won't have the chance to see you lose."
"Ha ha ha, very funny, Lisbeth. I'll just use in case when things get complicated, alright?" I removed her hand from my shoulder as I let out a yawn. "Anyway I'm going to log out now. It's umm, 12:53 a.m, midnight, well I think that counts as morning, so good morning everyone." I waved my hand as a gesture of 'goodbye' followed by a group of slight laughter.
"Good morning too, Kirito!" said everyone.
-click sound-
Logging Out..
I logged out and felt the 'real world' air again. I stare at the ceiling for few minutes as I picture on our battle between Kirito, my ALO avatar and Zekken, the mysterious player who fought 67 players. I'm so ready tomorrow for sure! Wait did I take off the NerveGear?
No one's P.O.V
Silica gasped. "Oh no, I forgot to ask Kirito something!" Silica shouted as her voice echoed in the living room.
"What is it?" asked everyone.
Silica sighed. "I don't know what's the 'x' and 'm' in this math problem."
Everyone facepalmed and so Asuna helped Silica's math problem while Leafa and Lisbeth continued sipping their teas.
Author Notes: So basically, this is my first SAO fanfiction and my first ever fanfiction in , wait correct that- first fanfiction to share it to public. I am very welcome to receive positive and negative reviews from anyone reading this. I really don't have anything to say now so~ bye!
-stirife-