Chapter One: Akio

Shortly after SAO had been put to an end, Akio became skeptical every time he even looked at his NerveGear rig. He picked up his NerveGear, sending chills down his spine.

"It's safe now," his conscious told him.

It felt as the first time he placed it on. His excitement for SAO and the fear of death once he learned of what he had gotten himself into once inside the game. He sat on the edge of his bed, adjusting the air controls to his air unit in his room. The air conditioner began to rattle, then air began to flood from the overhead vent. With the NerveGear still in his hand, shortly after turning the air on by his window, and the recent rumors of people being killed around Japan, he closed the curtains.

Akio stepped back as fear flowed through his body, shaking, he sat down back on the bed. He looked away from the window and down at his NerveGear. He let out a large sigh as he began placing it over his head. His hands reached up as he buckled in the lower strap; he laid back, positioning himself comfortably.

The lights powered on, he checked through the Internet searching for surviving SAO players. One in particular stood out, almost as if he knew that character. He looked in the top right character see his battery meter charging. He glanced at the time, 7:06 PM, he took a deep breath, resting momentarily.

He laid there nearly motionless as he said the words, "Link start!" A bunch of multicolored lights shown around his sight. The first few looked as they were shaped like a depository. As the colors blended, circling, he felt almost sick as if he had tunnel vision. A few seconds passed, he found himself waking out of a virtual bed.

He swiped down, greeted by a large white menu. He had the feeling as if someone stole something from him, but this was only a game, yet it felt so real. He closed the menu, placing on red tarnished armor as "casual" armor that he wears around cities. As he moved downstairs, heading towards the main door, he looked back at the inn; he was stopped.

It took him a few seconds to process what had happened. He bumped into a shady looking character with long purple hair wearing a blindfold of sort. He had two small daggers at his side, no shirt, and black pants as well as leather boots.

Akio stepped back, stuttering, "I'm.. I'm sorry, sir!"

The man seemed to have quirked an eyebrow from what Akio could tell.

He scratched his head, "No worries!" He appeared somehow behind Akio from what he could tell, "The name's Raiden!"

Akio veered behind him, "Ra… Raiden?" He caught a small glimpse of Raiden circling around to the front, "You mean… the Imp fairy rogue? The one who is part of the top PvP bracket?"

Raiden met him face to face, "That's me! Who might you be, Salamander?"

Akio stepped back, "I'm… I'm Akio."

Raiden moved to his side, as he placed a hand on Akio's shoulder. Akio remained still, not entirety sure if he was actually blind.

"Akio! The 'glorious hero', eh? You don't seem to live up to your title. How about a short duel, then let's say, a few drinks?" Raiden proceeded with excitement as he opened up the menu, requesting a duel.

The white menu popped up; everything seemed so rushed. Without hesitation, Akio accepted as other players gathered.

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