Disclaimer:
I do not own Sword Art Online or any of its associated storylines, games, concepts or characters. They belong to Reki Kawahara, Yen Press and Aniplex.
Summary:
One last level, one final dungeon, one ultimate boss. As enjoyable as the journey is, all good things must come to an end. Or do they? Rated PG just to be on the safe side for some action violence and exceedingly mild cursing.
Floor One Hundred.
For two years it had been an impossible quest, an unreachable dream that had spurred on thousands of trapped lives to work hard, train, fight, and live. Then an unexpected twist of fate had broken the destined chain of events, as well as broken Akihiko Kayaba's hold over Sword Art Online, and everyone still alive had been freed. The castle in the sky had crumbled into virtual ash and dust, blown away by the breeze and lost amidst the turmoil of the web.
Then, to everyone's surprise, less than a year ago it had returned.
Reborn from the World Seed gifted to Kirito by none other than Kayaba himself, it had blossomed back into being floating high above the World Tree of Alfheim Online, seamlessly fitting into the new game and it's mechanics as if it had always been there. Knowing deep in his virtual bones just what to, Kirito had declared that he was going to take it on again. And this time, finally clear every last floor. Others had swiftly taken up the challenge as their own and joined him in his quest. The former Sword Art Online players amongst them, and many new friends from Alfheim, and later Gun Gale. Some days they numbered as many as a hundred players clearing away levels and finishing off bosses.
Aincrad wasn't the same as it had once been. The shift to Alfheim had altered the fundamental nature of its innermost mechanics. Levels and skills, swords and sorcery, all were different. The World Seed had seen fit to boost some foes and weaken others. Alter traps and item drops to more appropriately fit the world of faeries they played in. But even so, they were determined, they were experienced, and they were many. More importantly, defeat and death were a great hindrance now, but no longer the feared endgame it had once been. Slowly but surely they climbed ever higher, striving towards the one hundredth floor.
And now, finally, they'd reached it.
On the night of July the Third, in the year 2027, at eleven o'clock in the evening, the game was set. Participants had already begun to arrive.
A column of light faded away as another player finished logging in, blinking his dark eyes open. A Spriggan Fairy with the standard pointed ears, this player was dressed wholly in black from his boots to his duster, complimenting the mane of ebony spikes atop of his head. A massive broadsword, more suitable to a giant than a fairy, hung across his back, the tip almost dragging against the ground but somehow miraculously never did.
His name was Kirito, also known in certain circles as the Black Swordsman.
Smiling to himself as he beheld the large crowd gathered in the courtyard, Kirito placed his hands behind his head and stretched, settling into his virtual avatar comfortably as he beheld those already here. Many he knew, some he didn't quite as well. It seemed despite his best efforts to get to the party on time he'd arrived late yet again.
"Kirito! Hey Kirito!"
He smiled as he turned to the one calling his name, watching as the blue-haired faerie woman closed the distance between them. She was dressed in a white dress with pale azure stripes that perfectly set off her powder-blue strands of hair, and she also bore the pointy ears almost all races of Alfheim Online sported. This was not unusual, since she was an Undine Fairy. But far more important than what she was, was who she was.
She was Kirito's wife.
The blue-haired fairy flew through the air the last few feet and easily into his arms. He caught her and held her close, inhaling the virtual scent of her lilac perfume. They hadn't seen each other for quite a while due to time constraints in the real world, so they savored this moment for as long as they could.
Asuna held onto him tightly for a moment or two longer before she let go and gently said, "You're late."
"Would you believe I got lost on the way here?" he asked with a laugh, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"No," Asuna replied deadpan. "Where's...?"
"Mama!"
Little Yui had popped into being and immediately flew over to Asuna, reaching for her shoulder to cling to her, her diminutive form shining with pixie dust as her pale dress swished around her. An Artificial Intelligence they'd adopted as their daughter, Yui looked a great deal like her adopted parents, sharing Kirito's dark hair and eyes while favoring the soft features of her new mother. Whether this was coincidence or her own code having altered prior to meeting them, none could say, and fewer cared. She loved them and they loved her, no matter her origins or her appearance.
"Is everyone here?" he asked, as Asuna hugged Yui in her hands then gently handed her back to Kirito. She settled comfortably on his shoulder, feet swinging back and forth. Although she loved both her parents equally, and they her, her data was technically tied to Kirito's account, hidden amongst the code as a Nav-Fairy program. So she tended to stay closer to him most times, especially during the thick of combat.
"I think so," Asuna replied. "We'll have to check and see, we've still got a few minutes before we were set to begin."
The two of them stepped into the throng of people, who parted to let them pass, everyone by now recognizing the Black Swordsman and his wife, Flash Asuna (also known as the Berserk Healer, a title she did not care for in the slightest). Some still stood in awe of their achievements and their reputation, never recognizing that for all their greatness, they were still just a pair of high school students. Still just a boy and a girl barely on the cusp of adulthood.
Two players approached them, however, completely at ease. A Salamander of average height with spiky auburn hair drawn back by an ever-present headband, wearing a grin on his face, and a towering Gnome with dark skin and a bald head, smiling jovially. Both were outfitted with armor, the Salamander's a red cuirass befitting a Ronin, while the Gnome wore a chest plate and gauntlet that seemed more appropriate for a European Knight. Klein and Agil were their names, and they were two of Kirito's closest friends, both in this world and the real one.
"Well well, good to see you again Kirito," said Agil, patting him on the shoulder. "Almost thought you'd miss out on this."
"Not a chance," Kirito retorted, grinning. "No way I'm missing the end to this after all we've been through. And I'm definitely glad the two of you could make it as well."
"A few of the Fuurinkazan showed up too," Klein said, beaming with understandable pride. "Not everyone unfortunately, but totally solid players, every last one. They're mingling right now with the others."
"We're here too! We're here too!"
They all turned as a pair of Faerie girls approaching, a pink-haired Leprechaun Fairy in a red dress and apron, and a petite Cait-Sith with a pair of pigtails and very large cat-like ears, dressed in navy blue robes. A pint-sized feathered drake of a baby blue hovered in the air near the smaller girl.
"Lisbeth! Silica! Glad you could make it!" said Asuna, throwing her arms around the older girl and squeezing her close. Lisbeth returned the favor, patting her on the back.
"Sinon's here too," Agil reported, indicating with a thumb over his shoulder. Kirito followed his gaze over to another Cait-Sith he indicated with short cyan locks, dressed in pale green robes and light armor. She was working to adjust the string on her golden composite bow, tightening it up to ensure it functioned at maximum efficiency. She paused in her work long enough to look up and nod in Kirito's direction, then went back to reviewing her inventory of arrow types. Probably setting them up for quick re-loading. Oh yeah, she was ready.
"Then I think we're just waiting for Leafa," Asuna mused aloud. "Has anyone seen her?"
"She should have logged on shortly after I did," Kirito said.
Yui, perched on Kirito's shoulder, pointed. "There, Mama. She's over that way."
"I don't see her," said the blue-haired girl, standing on her tiptoes and holding a hand to her forehead, scanning familiar and unfamiliar faces amidst the crowd for a flash of green and blonde. "Are you sure?"
"Mhm!"
Kirito patted the little fairy on his shoulder atop of her adorably tiny head. "Well if Yui thinks she is, she must be. Let's go take a look."
Kirito almost wished he'd taken to the sky to look for Leafa, given how many other players were obstructing his view. Despite his almost legendary reputation, his fairy avatar still wasn't the tallest of races by a long shot, and thus plenty of others kept obscuring his vision as he tried vainly to peer around and over them. There could easily have been over a hundred people here, if not far more. Almost double what they'd had the first time they'd reached floor seventy-five and met The Skull Reaper.
They continued the search. Along the way, they also spotted Thinker and Yulier speaking with Sasha, the three giving a wave as Kirito and his company passed by. He smiled, not having fully expected them to show up. They weren't hardcore gamers like most of them, they had real lives out in the real world that were much more meaningful. Thinker and Yulier were just getting back from a romantic vacation in Europe, and Sasha was starting her career as a medical student. Yet here they were because they were still good friends with all of them.
Yolko and Caynz also made an appearance as they flitted past on purple wings, chatting about strategies. The former Golden Apple Guild did not have nearly as much experience with the game as the other players, but upon hearing about Kirito's quest and how far it had advanced, decided to join Alfheim for the first time and take part in it. It would give a measure of closure for them.
Even Argo was here, the information broker having created a Cait-Sith to join in the fun. Or, more likely, record the event to sell the information. She politely nodded to the others as they passed her.
Finally, they caught sight of Leafa, who seemed to be chewing out poor Recon. Both Fairies were Slyphs, with predominantly green clothing. Recon even had his bob cut hair a shade of lime, whereas Leafa's was a startlingly gold shade of blonde. His ears continued to droop lower as she scolded him for something or other.
Shaking his head at his little sisters antics, Kirito called out to her. "Leafa! Hey Leafa! Over here!"
"Kirito!"
The young woman's face lit up like a sun as she spotted her big brother making his way towards her.
"You're late!" she declared, finger immediately in his face, pointing accusingly.
He gently batted it away, laughing. "Oh man, is no one going to let me live that down?"
"No."
"No."
"Nu-uh."
"Not a chance."
"No."
"Nope."
"No way."
"No how."
"No."
Heaving an overly dramatic sigh and immediately smiling afterwards, Kirito and Leafa shared a fist-bump.
"We ready?" he asked her, gauging his sisters avatar and trying to determine just how prepped she was.
"Oh yeah," she replied, determination lining her features. She gave Recon a slap on the back as he nervously twiddled his fingers. "Recon's ready too."
Leafa and Recon had been playing the game of Alfheim for a long while now, and been with Kirito since the very beginning. It came as no surprise to anyone they'd both be here today. Recon wasn't the bravest of players, but there was no questioning his loyalty, especially to Leafa. He'd follow her anywhere.
"Yeah, we're with you," the younger boy confirmed, tossing up a salute that just made you want to laugh at how comically serious he was.
"Sounds good," Kirito said, smiling. "We'll just-"
"Hail, Kirito!"
A Sylph and a Cait-Sith stepped forward, both accompanied by armored guards of their respective fashions. The Sylph was a taller woman with impossibly long, forest green hair and loose, flowing kimono. The Cait-Sith was a much smaller, blonde woman in a yellow cape and leather armor, with a bell hanging from her throat. These were not just any Fairy, however. They were the respective leaders of their Fairy factions. Lady Sakuya of the Sylph and Silica Rue of the Cait-Sith.
"It is good to see you again, Kirito. Asuna," she added, noticing the blue-haired girl at his side. They exchanged pleasant bows.
"Likewise," Kirito replied, also bowing. "I guess I don't need to ask if you two are set."
"Oh yeah, we're totally ready!" replied Alicia, pumping her fist enthusiastically. "Just say the word, Kirito!"
Lady Sakuya stepped forward. "Unfortunately several of our knights had to back out at the last minute, apparently due to a storm in their region of the world. I apologize on their behalf, but believe we should proceed anyway. Also, we have several representatives of the Nine Fairy Kingdoms who also wish to speak to you," she said, gesturing towards a number of Faeries to her right.
In front was a truly towering Salamander with rust-red hair and heavy plate armor trimmed in gold, accompanied by a slightly smaller, slightly older fellow in similar attire of a slightly cheaper appearance. Eugene and Kagemune, both former adversaries and now allies. The other Salamanders he did not know, and the other races represented were even less familiar to him. None-the-less, Kirito stepped forward to accept them, offering a kind word of thanks for their support and shaking the hands of all of them as they were added to the party.
Checking the time, Kirito saw it was almost time to get going, and everyone seemed to be accounted for, whether they'd be able to make it or not. He was about to get going when a Salamander woman came sauntering up to him, a long gray cloak swishing around her shoulders.
"Excuse me, Kirito. Do you have a moment? I'd like to join your party."
He glanced at her curiously, noting her name: Liosara. Not one he recognized, but something about it seemed familiar. So did the woman, for that matter. A slim Salamander Fairy with flame-red hair in wild curls, dressed in a startling black dress instead of the traditional red armor most of her race were equipped with. A spear rested under her arm, the tip pointed skywards behind her. For a moment, Kirito couldn't place her face, and didn't recognize her name.
And then he recognized that saucy smile.
"Wait a minute, you're-!"
"Hello again, Black Swordsman," the woman said. A quick flick of her wrist, a cursor menu appeared, and she de-activated the Masking Cloak, letting it vanish from her shoulders. Instantly the name above her corrected itself, letters sliding in place until Liosara had become something else entirely:
Rosalia.
Silica, the only other one present who recognized the former lure of Titan's Hand, gasped in outright shock.
"What are you doing here?" Kirito demanded, reaching for his sword.
Rosalia quickly threw up her hands, leaning her spear against her shoulder so it wouldn't fall over, but showing she meant no harm. "I just want to help," she protested. "I've changed."
He eyed her suspiciously. She couldn't possibly have been here for revenge, he was surrounded by dozens of players who'd tear her apart before she could scratch him. Then he remembered why she'd had her run in with him in the first place.
"You're not here to try and steal rare drops?" Kirito asked.
"No, really! Any loot you find is yours."
"I find that hard to believe," he said. "Last time I saw you, you were about to assault a little girl and steal everything she held dear. To say nothing of having me killed."
"I know... I'm sorry about that. I had a lot of time to think about things while I was stuck in that dungeon. Which was a very long time, you know."
"It's no less than you deserved!" said Asuna defensively.
"Can any of you honestly claim you were truly seen at your best in that game of kill or be killed?!"
"Their deaths were still on your head," said Asuna, arms folded across her chest.
"I've made up for that! I even turned myself in to the police in the real-world... they said my crimes were null and void, everything that went wrong with Sword Art Online was pinned solely on Kayaba."
That much was true, at least, Kirito mused. Which was how Laughing Coffin got involved in that Gun Gale fiasco he'd been asked to investigate a while back.
"I even committed a few petty crimes like shoplifting so I could be sent to jail, instead I got psychiatric aid that kept telling me it wasn't my fault! It was maddening!"
"So at first I just tried to forget the whole thing, move on with my life, you know? But the guilt just kept gnawing at the back of my mind. I couldn't sleep, I had nightmares. Most of them involving those I'd killed. Maybe not directly but... I'd had a hand in it. And I wasn't even properly punished for it. Even the brief time in that dungeon was too nice. So, I got back into the game. Tried to help players. I'm still trying to help. I go out of my way to visit the lower levels and the beginner towns, ask anybody."
Kirito glanced over at Lady Sakuya, Lady Alicia, and General Eugene to confirm her story. They'd been playing in Alfheim Online the longest, and had the strongest networks of informants.
"I can vouch for that much," Eugene said, his tone and expression neutral. "The rest of this is new to me, and unpleasant information to find out to be sure. But never has Rosalia been anything but a helping hand to the players in all the time she's been with us."
Lady Sakuya stepped forward to add her opinion as well. "It sounds to me she has been a victim of circumstance as much as you all were," she said softly. "No one can truly predict how they will go to pieces in such extraordinary circumstances."
"I won't make excuses. I know what I did was wrong. Let me make up for it. Please."
He considered this very carefully. The faction leaders seemed to content to let the decision be his, as head of the raid party, and one of the few who seemed to truly know Rosalia on a personal basis. Silica was offering no protest, though she did not seem very happy about it either. But then, had either of them really known Rosalia? They'd met so briefly, and hardly under the best of circumstances. Nor was she the only one who'd succumbed to killing in Sword Art Online, Titan's Hand had been full of people who were broken, threatened, or forced into joining. She could have easily been the same way. And right now, she was harmless to them, and seemed genuine in her desire to help. In the end, he couldn't really think of any reason to deny her, or any danger she could conceivably be to them.
Ultimately, Kirito trusted his gut, and nodded. "Welcome to the party," he said, flicking open an screen and inviting her. She accepted eagerly, the look of relief on her face left little doubt to her sincerity.
Kirito politely turned back to finish ensuring everyone was here, and Rosalia took a moment to ensure she was ready. As she glanced up, however, she spotted a tiny drake glaring down at her, hovering just over Silica's head.
Wincing, since this was likely to go even less smoothly than with Kirito, Rosalia made her apologies.
"I know I wronged you as much as I wronged Kirito," she said. "If not more so. I'll do my best to make up for such."
Silica retorted with a huff and turned up her nose. Comically, Pina did almost exactly the same as beast tamer and pet strolled away from Rosalia as quickly as they could.
The red-haired Salamander sighed, ears drooping. This may have been a horrible idea after all, she decided. But she resolved to press on with it, for their sake if no other reason. Maybe she could be of some use, she liked to think of herself as still fairly strong. And maybe, just maybe she could finally earn some peace of mind from all this.
Authors Notes:
For those who've only seen the Anime, Sinon may not be a character you're familiar with. She comes from the next arc and game, Gun Gale Online, which I hear will be animated very soon.
The re-appearance of Rosalia, one of the minor antagonists of Sword Art Online, is due to personal preference. I felt her story was cut short before it could be properly explored, and wanted to give her a measure of redemption. Plus, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy that hot design of hers.