Hey guys, this is the prologue of a series that I will be starting. It basically depicts how PoH created the Laughing Coffin Guild; the infamous red guild. The prologue can be very slow (not even in SAO yet) as I wanted to develop the character of PoH more because we have little to none information about him. So for the sake of this fanfiction PoH's real name would be Vusago Casals. Something I got from the sword art online wikia. Hope you guys enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to the creators of Sword Art Online.
10th April 2020
"V-Vusa-ggo Ka-zar-rusuu, Nationality: United States," a customs officer read out loud my passport. "That's a strange name for an American?"
"I have a Hispanic origin that's why," I replied in an annoyed tone. It was extremely rude of him to ask that question, he even pronounced it wrong. My last name is Casals not Kazarusu.
"Ohhh I see, well err…Welcome to Japan then!"
Snatching the passport back from his hands, I walk past him without even a single acknowledgement of his words. The officer just shook his head at my behavior.
The walk to the baggage claim was pretty short from here. Once arriving, I had the pleasure of witnessing several men arguing over the same luggage. However much to my discomfort, it was quickly resolved after they had checked its contents. So I returned to finding my own luggage.
It was a long wait before I saw my small leathered bag appear. Dragging out of the belt, I carefully placed it on the floor before unzipping it to ensure my ownership.
Suits, belt, trousers and my meat cleaver were in the bag. I would recognize my cleaver a mile away; it was a gift from my late grandfather who used to be a butcher. It was strange gift to give, but he said it was this blade that fed his family for years. So ever since I kept the cleaver, soon I found myself attached to it for some reason. Certain that the luggage was mine I zipped it back up before proceeding to the exit.
I had immediately ordered a cab the moment I took a step out of the airport. I sniffed the air before getting in the car. It smelled damp. I stared out the windows of the cab I was in. It was raining heavily, umbrellas was out, people running for shelters.
Bitches. The word came randomly to thought. Whether it was directed to the Japanese, I don't know. I don't know a lot about myself.
I reminiscent the time I learnt the word, I had shocked my grandmother with the used. Chuckling softly to myself, I recall being forced to eat soaps for the rest of the week.
As the cab continued its journey, I wondered how long would I stay in Japan? My family had grown fed up with my stagnant behavior. So they had bought a flat for me here in Japan and had literally kicked me out of the house. They thought that a change in environment would ignite something within me.
How ignorant. I feel no need for other things to do in life. All we humans ever need is to eat, sleep and breathe. How boring. That's how this world is.
The rain had stopped by the time my cab had arrived at the hotel I would be staying for the time being. My flat was still undergoing ownership change.
I reached for my wallet that was placed in my back pocket. The tightness of my trousers squeezed my large hand as I shoved my hand down my pocket. It took a moment or two before I had managed to pulled it out. I thrust the yen notes into the driver's hands before opening the door widely and jumping out.
The driver had gone to get my bag from the boot; it was just a small bag so I didn't think it was necessary to help. He returned soon with my luggage in his hand. I thanked him after he had given me my bag.
I stared up in the sky. The clouds were clearing after the rain, while the sun crept up from behind. The street was quiet as most had gone within shelter and only started to walk the streets again.
Shangri-La hotel was a large building, with fabulous designs. Flowers lined up beautiful around the front gates. However these things never seemed to amaze me. Nothing does now.
"Sorry,"
I apologize after bumping into a young teenager around the age of 12.
"I-It's okay" he replied as he picked up his fallen bike before quickly riding off. I watched the black hair kid ride off before entering the hotel.
1th November 2022
It has been two years since I came to Tokyo.
Life has been steady. I have a part time job as a bartender in a bar on the street next to my flat. The money wasn't much but it enough for me to get on since I wasn't much of a materialistic guy.
I could have easily applied for a full time office job. I have the necessary accounting degree, but however there was a hole in my heart. It was a deep and bottomless hole filled with emptiness.
In my opinion, dreams and goals are pointless. This world dictates your future and there is nothing that can be done against it. So that's why I stopped struggling and just gave up.
It was already 8:00PM. Time for work.
I pulled a hoodie over my uniform and stuffed my keys down my pockets before exiting my house. Shoving my hands in the pockets, I trudge along the damped street.
The cold wind brushed past my cheeks as I pulled my hood over my head to cover. The people here are usually quiet, so besides the speeding cars racing past us, splashing puddles over the pavements, it was pretty peaceful.
8:07PM. I had plenty of time before my shift, but I might as well get down there early considering I had nothing better to do. I shoved past some people, while they stared at me, I paid no attention. The bar was just a few blocks away.
Arriving at my destination, I pushed open the doors. Roaring and cheering could be heard from the outside. The smell of alcohol was strong. Obviously.
The place was packed more than usual. Men pouring liquor down their throats, some flirting with the waitress and I could even see some obvious first time drinkers choke as they gulped down.
I shuffled past people on the way to the bar counter.
"Vusago, you're early today," the bartender said. I just nodded. "Want me get you a glass of whiskey?" he suggested.
"Ya, sure,"
He turned to face the bar stool, with the myriad of bottles lined up meticulously. He moved to the left side, where the whiskey were kept and picked one. Also grabbing a glass cup and placing on the table, he poured the brown liquid.
Thanking him, I raised the fragile cup. The smokey scent filled my nose as I gulped down the cup's content. It had a very earthly flavor.
The noise had intensified as I was finishing my drink. Suddenly voices were raised and chairs falling over were heard. I turned my head to feed my curiosity.
Massive shoving had occurred between groups of men. Each pushes getting harder. Voices were getting louder, soon there was yelling. The situation was much tensed; it was on the tip of a balanced. Getting much more tensed by the second.
A man had grabbed the shirt of another and was right in his face; spitting directly into his eyes. Whipping out a pocket knife, the other man waved it in front of the man's face. Feeling threatened, the man immediately twisted his arm and snapped his wrist.
That was when all hell was loose…
Chairs were thrown. Tables flipped over. Punches thrown. Kicks. There was no definite target, but the person next to you.
A man had charged towards me and tackled me to the ground. Struggling on the floor, I quickly kneed him in the stomach. He howled in torment and jump away, clutching his stomach. I pulled myself up and followed up my attacks. I threw a right hook towards his face, but he easily ducked and did a short jab at my ribs. Yelling in pain, I grabbed his head and smashed it against mine. He immediately fell onto the floor with his forehead bleeding and so was mine.
I wiped the thick blood off my forehead as I dodge the incoming assaults. I sprinted for the door, kicking aside those in the way.
"AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed in agony as a large piece of glass cut deeply into my right cheek. It had pierced to the inside of my mouth. Blood was literally falling onto my tongue to taste. My sight became blurry as I fell flat onto the ground in great pain. It was as if the sun itself had scorched my face.
Feeling the edge of the shard stuck in my face, I yanked it out. Then it was all dark…
I groggily opened my eyes; red flashing beams covered my sight. A siren moaned throughout my ears. It was the police.
The smell of blood mingled in my nose. I glanced at the floor; it was filled with my blood which was seeping out from my wound.
I looked around the room, there was no one else.
Pulling myself to my knees, I crawled slowly towards the window. I had moved extra slow so as not to draw attention when I peeked through the window.
Glancing outside the window, I could see that the police had arrested a few men. Judging from the emptiness of the room, I guess everyone had attempted to escape when the police arrived, leaving me behind.
I have to get out of here soon too. It is only a matter of time before the cops search the room.
I hastily crept toward the backdoor, stepping on the occasional broken glass. Luckily they didn't make a loud enough cracking noise to alert my presence.
I quickly busted out the backdoor and made a b-line towards the alleys.
"Hey what was that? Someone go check it out!" I heard and immediately double my pace, while clutching onto my wounded cheek. I had no sense of direction, just made quick sharp turns.
My eyesight was still blurry, but I could make out the obstacles in my path as I leap over them.
I didn't know how long I was running for or if anyone was chasing me. It didn't matter. Run, run, and run was I all I thought.
The rough motion of getting away rocked my head up and down, providing me an immense amount of pain. However, I gritted my teeth together to shut me up.
Entering a remote back alley, I saw a lone door. Instantaneously bulldozing the door open, I rushed right in and silently shut the door.
I lied down on the floor to allow myself to catch my breath. Taking in a deep breath, I exhale a sigh of relieve. It's over.
I took off my hoodie to soak in the blood that was still flowing. The pain had not eased, but my mind is now numbed to the point where it didn't matter.
I relaxed my head and laid it on the floor. My arms collapsed as well. My hoodie slowly fell to the side of my head. I let out large, heavy breaths.
What now? I can probably go back to my house easily and pretend this night never happened. I could apply for another job somewhere else. Then life would return to normal. However the normal is meaningless. Pointless. Maybe I should have died back there?
This world has no place for me. Why am I here? The things people do with their lives all will be for naught. How boring.
These thoughts replayed in my mind for next few hours as I just laid there. The bleeding had stopped long ago. I guess it was time to go home.
I sat myself up before pushing my body off the ground. I glanced around the room I was in.
There was barely any light except the moonlight which was entering from a window on the ceiling of the room. The door which I had entered was located to my right while I was in a corner of the room.
There were boxes everywhere in this room. I guess this is probably a warehouse for storage. I walked around the room checking out various boxes' labels. Most of them were electrical appliances.
I continued around the room until I came over this particular box. The label read: 'Nerve Gear'.
Wasn't this the gaming console that simulates virtual gaming? Virtual gaming, huh… Basically it creates an alternate world for users, to live, play and enjoy. I chuckled a bit at the thought.
Wait. I paused. An alternate world to live. A different world. A world where one fate can be created by one's own hands. A world where it depends on the actions of the users to make it go round. I can forge my own world; I will make my own utopia. How Intriguing.
I grinned to myself. This is it.
6th November 2022
"It's time for this week's MMO Stream!"
"Was this the day of last week's launch? What were all these people waiting in line for?"
"Sword Art Online!" The voice of a female T.V presenter came out of the television.
It's starting. I can't wait.
Excitement builds up within me as I continued to watch the lines of people that had been waiting to buy the game. The servers would be up in a few minutes.
My heart beats faster as the seconds goes down. Three. Two. One.
It is time.
I plugged the cable into the Nerve Gear helmet and slipped it over my head. I waited a few moments while I hop onto my bed before uttering the words: 'Link Start'.
A white flash of light appeared before my eyes. Sword Art Online.
I smiled within me.
It's Showtime.
That's it guys for the prologue. Hope you guys have enjoyed it so far. It may have been slow but next chapter will be in SAO so I try my best to add lots of action in there. There are more chapters to come in this series. Please comment on what I could do to improve my writing.