Sword Art Online: The Mighty Rio Grande
Prologue:
Gamers, everyone is one to some extent, since the day they were born they played. But there's more to being a gamer then just play. For instance why is it they play the games they do? Is it for the experience, the gear you get, or is it for the stories they share, the adventures they have. There is more to gamming then just grinding away every hour to get the best gear or to win at a competition between friends and/or enemies. I'd like to think of the journey we all have, the friends we meet, the rivals we make, and the new landscapes we find as we explore worlds only found by the thought of imagination. Some use gamming as an escape from reality but personally I use gamming as a way to have an adventure with friends and with the development of VRMMORPG gaming in 2022, not only are those stories going to be more realistic but boy are they going to make the adventure one of a lifetime. But it doesn't always start that way and not every story begins at the dead start of their journey, sometimes a story starts more in the middle with a lone wolf on his lone journey, yet even the lone wolf finds his pack.
Chapter 1: Here We GO! SAO Day 1
It was the day everyone had waited for all over the world. The world's first VRMMORPG! Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. Now the idea had been toyed around with before in other games such as Minecraft, Elder Scrolls Online, and other various games but none had originally been built for Virtual Reality devices like the Oculus Rift, Gear VR, Playstation VR, or the HTC Vive. But here we are at the start where we find a group of young men running through a forest.
"Oh man I told you guys this was a bad Idea!" A boy yelled as he ran and struggled to keep his glasses on.
"Fives would you just shut up." Another yelled. He too struggled to keep his balance as he ran.
"Who put you in charge Gill?" Fives asked.
"Would both of you just shut the hell up, god stop being butt hurt all the time all of you." The boy up front yelled back. That's when one of the unnamed boys stopped and turned around.
"AJ what are you doing?" Fives called out as the rest of them stopped. The boy known as AJ just turned around as he drew his sword with his right hand.
"Buying you guys some time, Death get them to the town's safe area, if I'm not back tell Mark he sucks for me." AJ called out as he turned back towards what was chasing them and held his sword in front of him while he held back his empty hand behind him while putting his right foot up front and his left foot stayed in place.
"Alright fine by me." The boy up front now known as Death said before turning to run.
"Guys we can't just leave him." Fives contradicted as Gill started to pull him away.
"AJ has more experience with real sword combat than any of us he'll be fine." Gill stated as he dragged Fives away.
AJ just waited for whatever was chasing them to come out and fight him. What Gill said wasn't a lie, in the real world AJ has had more practice and training than the rest of them because of sports like the SCA and BOTN (Society of Creative Anachronism and Battle of Nations), and he has also been to some Underground Ultrasaber fights just because he wanted to be more involved with sword play. Ever since he was a child he was fascinated by the stories of knights in shining armor saving the princess and slaying dragoons. It was because of his passion he got the game from the start and now here he is a noob in starter gear with the rest of his friends. Slowly three Dire Wolves came from the bushes as their Health Bars shown green above their heads and next to it a number ten, indicating what their level was. As the first wolf charged him he swung at it once, he missed as it backed away, and stepped forward as he twisted his wrist and swung a second time, watching as the blade grazed the wolf's hide and its blood splattered across the blade and his face. The attack proved weak as barely any of its health was brought down but enough to where AJ could see he made a hit. The second wolf that was to the first's left now charged with the third. In order to avoid any damage to himself, AJ had to jump over the wolves as they ran past him. As the wolves circled around him AJ quickly ran to the injured one and put all of his stamina and magicka into his sword while he ran and swung from above his head at the wolf's head. This attack proved to be more affective as the wolf's head lopped off and shattered into a million pieces. He himself glowed in a magnificent light shooting up to the sky indicating he had leveled up. He now turned to the other two wolves and watched as they both ran up to him. Quickly he sidestepped to the left and swung under the second wolf's legs as he knelt to the ground and watched as the wolf fell to the ground. The third wolf circled around AJ before jumped at him and as it did AJ rolled under it and stabbed it in its belly. As it shattered the second wolf recovered and charged at AJ and pinned him to the ground. AJ didn't react; his face hadn't changed from the beginning of the encounter, even when the wolf had been barking in his face he just looked at it with fire in his eyes. As the wolf pulled its head back and opened its mouth, AJ pulled up his sword and sent it done the wolf's throat and watched as it shattered in front of him. Finally AJ let out a deep breath as he exhaled dramatically.
"God that was a close one." AJ said as his health bar showed just little bit of red health. Quickly he pulled out a health potion and drank it as a small white board popped out in front of him saying quest completed and under it was the items he earned listed. 200 gold, 2 wolf meat, and 3 wolf pelts.
"Well it's not much but at least it's a start." AJ said to himself as he walked back to town.
The walk back wasn't as troubling as AJ thought at first, sure there were some more wolves to deal with and a demonic rabbit or two but other than that it was all good. But that wasn't the least he had to worry about, no sir because when he returned to the Town of Beginnings he saw his whole gang waiting for him at the edge. AJ just gulped as his faced turned to one of worry.
"Let me guess you guys were monitoring my status the whole time?" AJ asked. Everyone just nodded with faces of disappointment.
"You do realize you're not Kirito right?" Fives asked.
"Yeah I do and I know I almost died twice on the way back." AJ stated.
"So stop trying to be him, when we say run we all mean run idiot." Fives ordered. That statement put some anger into AJ as he clenched his fist.
"Whoa Fives, he's not you're bitch and neither are the rest of us so we don't have to do as you say." Gill stated. This cooled off AJ a bit.
"Yeah but-" this time Death cut off Fives.
"Uh no butts bitch so stop being so butt hurt about it." Death stated. Now AJ was confused at this conversation, normally everyone just tells Fives to shut up but this, this was different.
"Guy's I thought we all agreed that I was the brains of this group." Fives questioned, clearly he was taking it a little too seriously.
"We didn't agree on nothing bitch." A new voice stated as a shorter man with brown skin and black hair walked up to the group. "So again stop being so butt hurt about it." Now AJ was a little pissed at everyone, first Fives was trying to tell him what to do now everyone was just hating on Fives.
"Mark." Fives stated coldly to the new man in starter gear just like the rest of them.
"AJ here is now stronger than the rest of us after leveling up so many times on his walk back so no one, especially you Fives, can tell him what to do right AJ?" Mark asked. AJ just had his head down during the whole conversation.
"AJ?" Gill asked. Now AJ shot his head up.
"You know Mark you're right, now that I'm level 9 and the rest of you are still level 2 none of you can tell me what to do, like say leave this group." AJ said as he started scrolling through the menus and tapped on the party button.
"Come on AJ don't be like that, it's just a game." Death stated with a smile while everyone else was shocked. AJ just shot him an angered glared.
"Well that maybe to the rest of you but clearly nothing has changed in the past six years, if you're still treating Fives like this." AJ stated as he hit the blue button and started walking away towards the forest. "Six years and you all still don't understand."
"Anton!" Fives called out as he chased him. AJ stopped and held a hand out and Fives stopped.
"First never call me by my real name in this world and second stop trying to control everything; you can't always have it your way so stop acting like it'll always go your way." AJ explained before he continued to walk away.
After that day AJ went on a constant grind and he didn't stop. Day and night he was plugged in, for three days straight. He had been fighting Kobolds, Dire Wolves, Drakes, the occasional Demonic Bunny, and anything else that got him EXP and Gold. He did Quests, Farming, and Mini-Bosses. When he did finally decide to take a break it certainly didn't feel like it.
"AJ!" Fives had called out as he ran up to him. AJ turned from the shop keeper he was talking to, to see Fives trip and fall. AJ sighed before he helped him up.
"Fives, what happened this time?" AJ asked. Before Fives could answer NPCs and other Players could been seen clearing the street as a stampede of bulls ran in their specific direction. Fives was already worried and terrified but AJ just looked shocked. "You didn't?" AJ asked.
"Uh maybe?" Fives stated before they both turned and ran away from the stampede.
"WHY just why would you do that quest?!" AJ questioned as he slid under a cabbage wagon. As the bulls ran it over and stomped it into the ground an NPC could be heard yelling with grief and shock "MY CABBAGES!"
"Well it all started when Gill and I needed more money because Mark and Death spent it all on drinks at the bar last night." Fives stated as he hoped over a table.
"So this quest, what we just run from the bulls and wreck the town?" AJ asked. Fives smiled as he shook his head.
"Nope, we have to lead them out of town using this, it's why they were chasing me." Fives stated as he pulled out a red flag. AJ looked a little annoyed.
"What's the catch?" AJ asked know that couldn't have just been it.
"Take no damage what so ever." Fives stated as he pointed to all the obstacles a head of them.
Annoyed AJ and Fives continued to run while jumping over tables, sliding under moving wagons, and side stepping past stands. The more they ran the more obstacles appeared in front of them.
"Don't slow down!" AJ called out.
"I know!" Fives called back.
They could feel their blood rushing and their hearts pounding as they ran Had this not been an augmented world they would've given up by now. It would have seemed endless had they not seen the edge of town coming closer and closer with each step.
"Wait I just remembered something." Fives said as he continued to run.
"And what's that?" AJ asked. Fives turned to his friend with a look that spelled out 'Opps'.
"How do we get out of the way when we do reach the end?" Fives questioned as a sweat dropped from his forehead.
AJ just looked annoyed as he quickly scanned the road ahead. Ahead of the were more tables and wagons and a head of those was the town's entrance and exit arch where the wall opened for those leaving and coming back.
"I have an idea just keep running." AJ stated and they did. They continued to run through and past obstacles as the bulls destroyed what was behind them. When they came to the arch AJ quickly jumped to his left tackling Fives to the side as the bulls ran past them.
"Ouch." Fives said as AJ got off of him and stood just a ways from the stampede of the bulls running off and shattering as they left the town. As Fives stood a white board popped up in front of him saying quest completed and under earned it stated he earned 1000 gold.
"Awesome, finally got that one done, hey we made a good team huh?" Fives asked. AJ simply walked away without saying a word. "Huh AJ?" AJ didn't stop he just kept walking.
AJ found himself sitting at the local bar of the Town of Beginnings where players were either having a party, drinking contest, or dancing on tables.
"Bar tender bourbon on the rocks please." AJ ordered and a drink slide his way. He could feel the back of his throat burn as he took the first sip of his drink.
"Can I get you anything else?" A young female voice called out. AJ turned to the woman as he set his drink down. Her blue eyes and blonde hair normally could catch any man's eyes, clearly given by long line of drooling drinkers next to AJ, hell even he was slightly dazzled by her looks and maiden outfit. Not even going to mention her bosom size but it was big. But he did his best to fight whatever urges he had.
"I didn't know a lady was working in the bar?" AJ asked. The lady looked slightly offended as she got the other boys drinks.
"I'll have you know I own this bar thank you very much." She stated. AJ took another sip from his drink.
"I'm sorry I meant no offense, just simply stating something I didn't know." AJ stated sadly as he set his drink down. The lady noticed the sound in his voice as she walked up to him.
"You're a solo player aren't you?" she asked. AJ chugged the rest of his drink after she said that and tapped his glass.
"Yup." AJ stated as the lady refilled his drink.
"Might I ask why?" she asked. Just as she handed him his drink the doors opened to some uninvited guests that AJ knew all too well.
"WHOA!" Mark yelled as he jumped on top of a table. "I'm back everyone!"
"Yo Mark knock it off, you're going to get us kicked out of here like last time." Death stated as he followed behind Mark.
"Who cares Death, it's not like anyone can do anything about it." Just as Mark said that a white board that said Duel Challenger: AJ Wolf with a blue and red button popped up in front of him.
"I can and I do care." AJ stated as he walked up to him. Mark smiled at this.
"Oh so the bitch wants to fight, news flash, I've beaten you in every game we've played, and since we are in the game world I'm still going to beat you." Mark challenged.
"News flash to your Mark, this is Augmented Reality, this is as close to reality gaming is going to get so I'd say given your reasoning it's a fifty-fifty chance that it can go either way." AJ contested.
"Alright I'll give you that, let's do this bitch." Mark said as he hit the blue button and a ten second timer started.
As it counted down people began to move out of the way and formed a circle around them as they drew their starter swords. When the timer hit zero they both stood there waiting for the other to strike first. AJ stood still as Mark began to walk around him. AJ examined every step Mark took until he grew impatient and swung first. AJ just stepped out of the way and watched as Mark's sword got stuck in the wooden floor. Everyone in the room laughed as Mark tried to pull his sword out of the ground. Even AJ slowly clapped for him when he finally did. Angered Mark began to swing wildly at AJ who in turn just dodged or blocked every attack. Mark just kept going and didn't stop until all of a sudden he felt very tired and the weight of his sword seemed to get heavier as he dropped his arm.
"What the Hell?" Mark questioned in between breaths. AJ just laughed.
"Well you're right this is a game, so it has to follow game rules and limits, but this is also Augmented Reality, so those rule and limits are closer to reality, therefore following some of the same basic rules and limits." AJ explained as he knelt down to his opponent. Mark just stared at him with fire in his eyes.
"The Hell does that mean?" Mark asked. AJ just smiled as he got up and got in a battle stance before his sword started to glow.
"That means you lost." AJ said as he swung at Mark.
Quickly Mark tried to doge but as he slowly got up and jumped out of the way he felt a weight lift from his right arm. Mark smiled as he thought that meant his Stamina was recharged but when he turned around for another swing the first thing he noticed was the attack make contact as he watched AJ sheath his sword and second was his arm and sword were on the floor. Not a second later the Winner indication showed up above them with AJ's name on it.
"What the Hell?" Mark asked as he knelt to the ground. AJ just shook his head as he walked up to him.
"You may have called yourself a God in other games and who knows maybe you were, but in this game, this world, I will always be better than you." AJ stated
"What just because you've had real sword training?" Mark asked. AJ shook his head.
"Wrong again, now I believe you owe the bar tender an apology and everyone here for what happened last night." He demanded. Mark laughed.
"You can't be serious." Mark stated. AJ just held the tip of Mark's sword at his throat striking fear into the boy.
"Oh I'm dead serious." AJ stated as he stared Mark down the eye with fire in his.
"I-I'm sorry … everyone." Mark said. AJ put a little pressure with the blade against his throat.
"For?" AJ asked. Mark's sweat would've said it all had he not needed to verbally say anything.
"F-for ruining the party last night." AJ smiled as he removed the blade from Mark's neck.
"See now that wasn't so bad, so here's what happens next, you're going to leave this place alone and never come back or ha, ha, else you might just lose more than just an arm got it?" AJ asked nicely as he wrapped an arm around Mark's neck and walked him out the door and tossed him out before closing the doors behind him.
"Great now we don't have to deal with him anymore." AJ said right before everyone began cheering. As they did that he walked back to his seat where his drink and the lady were waiting for him.
"Hey thanks for that; that was really cool what you did, did you know that guy?" She asked.
"He was just an average asshole who thinks he's the boss. Isn't he Death?" AJ asked as he turned around to face his old friend.
"Yeah pretty much, besides he's more of a bitch then anyone which is why he calls everyone one." Death explained as he sat next to AJ.
"Well that makes sense, can I get you anything?" The lady asked Death.
"Whiskey, double." Death said, the lady nodded and left to get his drink.
"Yo who's the hottie?" Death asked as AJ took a sip of his drink.
"Cloud Storm, started playing on day one and took a job as a bar tender in the game to pay for better gear." AJ explained.
"Hmm Cloud Storm, not very original." Death stated.
"Oh and Deathgrip is?" AJ added.
"Ok you got me there, wait how did you know who she is?" Death asked.
"The detection skill, it really is handy the more you level it up." AJ said as Cloud returned with his drink.
"Never expected a Solo Player to have friends." Cloud said as she handed Death his drink.
"Touche." AJ stated before he got up and started to leave.
"Does he always do that?" Cloud asked. Death just chuckled to himself.
"He wasn't always this way, but you know lone wolves eventually they always leave the pack." Death said as he left some gold on the table and left with his drink. He looked to his left and saw AJ run off into the forest. At first it seemed like Death was just going to leave him be as he swiped down with his right hand and pulled up the menus. Only instead of logging out he called Gill and Fives.
"What's up Death, we gonna raid or something?" Gill asked through the line as a screen with his face came up.
"Nope, I just saw AJ run into the forest alone again; I think we need to talk to him." Death said as Fives face appeared as well.
"Say no more, will be there asap." Fives said as he ended the call and both faces disappeared.
Going in the forest alone is normally a bad idea in general, but going alone at night that may as well be suicide if this was a death game. Thankfully it wasn't, but it was still dangerous none the less. That's when the stats of monsters, Kolbolds especially, get a boost.
"Heya!" But that won't stop some from trying.
AJ jumped over a Kobold that swung at him before he swung at it mid jump. AJ watched as the blade made contact and sliced the enemy in half, shattering it into a million pieces. AJ decided to take a breath before moving on to the next group of enemies as he sat down on a tree stump. He thought he was done for now but when he heard clapping behind him he immediately got up and into a fighting stance as he turned to see who it was.
"Well I gotta say, you've definitely gotten better these past few days." Death said as he, Gill, and Fives came from the bushes.
"Oh it's you guys." AJ said as he got out of his battle stance and rested.
"So this is where you go every night when we're away, so you can level up on your solo quest?" Gill asked as they all sat down together.
"Yeah pretty much, why is it wrong for me to go solo?" AJ asked.
"Yes." Fives said.
"NO!" Gill and Death stated over Fives.
"It's just we worry man, you've been acting like this is the death game we've all heard about." Death explained.
"I know this isn't the death game." AJ replied.
"We know you know, but still, you haven't logged out since yesterday and you don't normally do that." Gill added.
"Yeah normally you're off before any of us and you say we should get our sleep." Fives also added. AJ just stood up.
"Look guys I appreciate the concern but I haven't logged out because, I love this world, I actually feel alive now that I'm here. So if you guys don't mind I'd like to be alone for a while." AJ stated as he started walking off.
"Ok now hold it." Death exclaimed as he got up and pointed at AJ who stopped when he called.
"If this is about what happened on day one I get it, and we all made our apologies so why can't you?" Death asked.
"I'm sorry but for the past six years it's been like this, one of us tries to take control and we all agree until the last minute and then we just stab them in the back. I'm sorry but unless you guys can promise me that no matter what no one is in charge and that we all share responsibility and rewards fairly. Then I can't come back." AJ explained. Gill, Death, and Fives all looked down to the ground.
"That's what I thought." AJ stated as he started walking again.
"We may not be able to promise that no one will be in charge, but what we can promise is that we all help each other." Death said and stopped AJ from leaving.
"And I can promise that we'll continue to help each other until we reach the final floor together and beat this game." Death said. AJ turned around and faced them as they all got up and placed their hands in the middle of each other. AJ smiled as he walked up to them.
"Now that I can live with." AJ stated as he placed his fist with the others. "Let's beat this game together."
Epilogue:
It's not the smartest of us, or the strongest, or the fastest, or the bravest, it's all of us who tell histories tales as we all make our own journeys in life. We define our own adventures, no matter how exaggerated they may be there is always some truth to them. So we tread on as best we can, no matter how dark our days get, we will always believe there is a light somewhere in the maze to lead us home or to something greater. There are those who will find love along the way and that's great for them but there are those will grow to remember the regret they have and when they do it will be our jobs to help them. When our leaders can no longer handle the strain of responsibility we have to be the ones who will take the stand and make the hard choices for them. But every time we must ask ourselves, when our time comes are we going to commit to it with everything we have, or will we run from everything. This story is long from being done, in fact we just got started and on our journey we will learn a lot and in the end history may not remember us as legends, but we'll remember everything we did together, and that will be legends enough.