Ch. 1: Beginning of the partnership

I don't own Sword Art Online or any of the characters

My name Is Gabriel Rian. I live in Denver, Colorado. The year is 2022. The date is November 6th 2022. I am 13 years old and I just graduated from middle school. I have just purchased the new video game technology, Full Dive for the new Sword Art Online. I will enter the world of Sword Art Online, the world of Aincrad.

"Link Start!" I yelled after the full dive helmet turned on. I went through the basic creation of my avatar as well as choosing my username, Gabriel. My avatar had dark brown skin, long silky hair that was tied in a ponytail and reached the low of my back. I had cerulean blue eyes. I was about 6'1". I wore a black long sleeve shirt and grey jeans as well as black shoes. The fighting style I have decided on is a speed based, one handed sword, nom shield style. My starting sword is called ice blade for it's ice like color.. The extra skills I have are tracking, parry, speed, acrobatics, one-handed sword, night vision, and battle healing.

|Town of Beginning: November 6th 2022 :1:00 p.m.|

I appeared in the town of beginning before going to browse in the gift shop for anything useful. I did get a notebook for free, which contained all the information that the Beta Testers compiled. As I was browsing I saw a kid in black running with an actual sense of direction and not just exploring. I ran while yelling, "Hey you!"

The kid slowed down and turned around to look at me.

"Hi, my name is Gabriel. You were one of the beta testers for this game right?" I asked

"Yeah. My name is Kirito. What of it?"

"Could you show me the ropes. I know absolutely nothing about this game. Could just give me a few pointers or something?" I pleaded.

"Sigh. Sure, I can. Let's go to a hunting ground. What kind of fighting style are you using?"

"A one handed sword style without a shield. You?"

"Same. What made you choose that?" asked Kirito as we walked to one of the nearby hunting grounds.

"Well, I wanted to go for speed. A shield would just slow me down. The way I figure it, if you can't get hit, you'll have a better chance at surviving in this game."

"Heh. So I'm not the only one who came to that conclusion," said Kirito as we arrived at the hunting grounds.

"Okay, Gabriel, the first things you need to remember is that you feel no pain. Even if you instinctually think there is pain, there really isn't any pain at all. Now trying killing one of those boars," said Kirito while pointing at one of the many boars in the area. I nodded and drew my sword from my back. I then charged the boar with my sword and took a swipe at it. The boar just dodged it.

"Gabriel, you have to use your sword skills. Choose which one you want to use, get into position, before letting it explode."

"Ok. Let me try again. Focus on the skill I want to use. Forward stab. Grab hold of it. Get into position. Then let it Explode!" I said as my blade glowed dark purple and rushed forward at the boar and then killing it.

"YOSH! See that Kirito, I just killed a boar. What level was that?"

"Gabriel, that was like a slime. Not even recognizable. Want to continue?"

"Yeah. But what level are you?"

"Same as you, level1."

"Oh, right. But I am almost level 2, yes!" I exclaimed. Kirito and I then continued to go hunting throughout the hunting grounds near the town of beginning. At 5:30, I said, "Kirito, I have to log out. My family is making some miso ramen for me. Let's party sometime. Friend?" I asked as I held out my hand to Kirito. Kirito smiled and took my hand and said, "Friend." I then pulled up my menu screen before looking confused.

"Kirito," I asked, "how do you log out?"

"There should be a log out button on the bottom of your menu screen."

"There isn't one. I also already called the game master, but they're not replying. What do I do? IS there some other way of logging out?"

"No. There isn't said Kirito," before we were surrounded by a blue light and deposited in the plaza at the Town of Beginning.

"Ne, Kirito, what was that?" I asked.

"That was a forced teleport. But why-" asked Kirito before the sky turned red and a game master appeared in the sky.

"Players of SAO, I am the sole game master. My name is Kabaya Akihiko. You all have noticed by now that there is no log out option. This is not a bug. That is the intended option. You may be wondering why would I do this. It is so that I can control what goes on in this world. A world where I am a god. But I do have a gift for all you." I checked my items lists, and there was a new item. I took out the item, Mirror. After I looked at it the mirror shattered. When I looked at Kirito, someone vastly different stood in his place.

"Kirito?" I asked tentatively.

"Gabriel," Kirito asked.

"Yes." My appearance to had changed. I know had Neck length, thick hair, and brown eyes. Other than that, I looked the same.

"Now you look the same," said Akihiko. "But there is something else yu should now. 200 people have already died and when you die here, it's permanent. They died because their helmets were removed. Hope that no one does that to you or you will die. The only way for you to escape this world and return to the real world is to get to the top of Aincrad. You must defeat all 100 floors and bosses. That is all. Good luck," said Akihiko before disappearing. I was going into shock before Kirito grabbed my arm and ran into an alley.

"Listen, Gabriel, let's go. I know where we can get a lot of good quests and hunting grounds. But it can only be us two. Anymore would slow us down," said Kirito.

"Meh. Why not? Not like I know anyone else. Let's go," I said. We then ran out of town. As we ran, two wolves came at us. We both activated our sword skill and killed one of the wolves. Right then, I made up my mind. I would clear this game and go back to the world of the living. I will survive and return home to all my friends, aunts, and uncles.

A/N

Sorry everyone if the speech by Akihiko is too short. Anyways, here is the first chapter of Tales of SAO. Hopefully I can make this story good enough. This will have a pairing, though I'm not sure who to have. I'm leaning towards either Silica or Lisabeth. Tell me what you think. Read and Review. ARIGATO.

~Sorry for changing it again, realized that I had the year wrong 2023 instead of 2022~

~Thank you to chippermovie for pointing out that I made my OC like Klein. Can't have that happening. Cake to you~