November 5th 2pm

Chapter 1

"Hey there Reese!"

Reese looked up from her smartphone, and gave a small smile, her cigarette in her mouth.

"Hey there Mack. How's it going? Got anything other than bills for me today?" She exhaled her smoke and flicked the ashes into the cool autumn wind.

Mack, an older gentleman with a warm smile, walked over at his usual pace. The local mailman was in an exceptionally chipper mood today it seemed. Reese sat there on her porch steps, noting his expression she raised her brow, apparently bills were something to be excited over, since that was all she seemed to get these days.

"as a matter of fact I do Miss. Reese. You got a package today!"

Reese inhaled her cig."A package for me? I'm not expecting anything for at least another week."

Mack reached the porch. Reese stood up as he rummaged through his little push cart of letters, magazines and adds.

"hmm, let me see here...ah! Here it is! I think its that game you were talking about the other day. The one with the nerves and swords thingy." He pulled out two boxes and a paper and pen. Reese inhaled once more her cig before flicking it out and into the street. Walking towards Mack she eyed the packages. One was smaller than the other. The larger one looked like it could hold what she ordered but she wasn't sure till she was able to see the label. At a glance she saw it was all in Japanese. Both boxes. Excitement began to build up inside her.

Could this realm be it? But, I didn't expect to get it for another week. If it is, it couldn't have come at a better time!

"well, I figured this was that game you were all excited about, seeing as the only time you get anything with this weird writings on them is when you get your new video games. So if you could please sign here for me I will let you get to it" he chuckled a bit and smiled.

Reese, laughed as she signed the papers. "its Japanese Mack, and yes it probably is my new game and system. I just wasn't expecting it for another week or two. But if it is I sure am excited. I'm on vacation for the next two weeks and with my girl out of town I figured I was going to be doing alot of sleeping. Well, thanks Mack, you have a good day alright?"

Mack began to walk off and laughed as he called out over his shoulder. "just remember to eat something other than chips and candy. See you tomarrow!"

Reese waved and looked at her packages as she walked back into her apartment. She grabbed her pocket knife and began to cut open the tape. She set the box down on the table and stared in shock. Indeed it was her new NerveGear system and the other box must hold her new game, Sword Art Online.

"YESS!" She yelled and began to do her pathetic victory dance. Once done, she quickly took everything out and found a single piece of paper. It read Launch begins at 1pm JST. Congratulations on winning a copy of the console and game. We look forward to your review. Thank you for your purchase.

Sincerely

Kayaba Akihido Contest Staff

Contest? She didn't remember entering a contest when she reserved the game and console. Reese threw away the boxes and didn't bother to look for directions. Systems were usually the same hook up. After setting up the game in her room she looked at her clock.

Well, looks like I've got time to call my girl and take a nap before logging in.

November 6th 12:55am

Reese laid in her bed, feeling relaxed after a warm bath and a good dinner. She grabbed the head set of the NerveGear and put it on. She turned it on and double checked it was connected to the outlet and that everything was set up.

Exhaling she laid her head down and looked through the visor. Her stomach felt full of butterflies.

"Link Start!" She said into the night and was nearly blinded by the white start up screen.

She completed the character creation and smiled as the game's logo popped up. After that she no longer felt like she was in the real world. Now all she saw was a large black obelisk type structure ahead of her.

Looking down she saw her hands in their gown tattered gloves, and she looked around, left to right as other people were all logging in. She smiled.

This is it, I am going to have the adventure of a life time. This is going to be the best vacation ever.

This began the day, which many would never forget, and some, would never live again.

Hello readers!

thank you for taking the time to read this story. Its something new for me, trying a new hobby lol. Anyways, disclaimer, I don't own Sao or its characters. My characters are mg own and I thank the author of Sao for letting us use the story for our own I will update as often as I can, I currently work 2 full time jobs so please bare with me. I hope you enjoy it so far. Please feel free to comment, review, etc. Have a wonderful day!