Shadows of Tragedy a SAO Alternate Universe Story
Authors Notes: First and foremost, let me get a few things out of the way. This will be my first fanfiction of any kind, I have been an amateur Poet and Recipe writer. I have been a lover of Anime and Manga for a long time, there was something about Sword Art On-Line that spoke to me. I have been a fan of Fanfiction for many years and enjoy reading what many writers come up with. I find that there are pretty talented individuals out there who write better then I. Nonetheless as I said there is something about S.A.O. that made me want to go off on an alternative story branch. Fanfiction is an exercise in imagination and writing style and skill. I'm going to use this fanfiction to exercise my imagination muscle and help me become a better writer. I'm going to use the S.A.O. Universe to create my own story, but most of all to make situations that are new and exciting things that fans may not expect. I will respect the source materials be it the Manga or the Anime Series and I will try to do it justice, hopefully making a few people enjoy the S.A.O. universe a bit more. My Story seed is simple, that Kazuto Kirigaya's family has a much stronger bound with him in everyday life. That he has grown up knowing all along that he is adopted and it doesn't really matter to him! Suguha Kirigaya sees Kazuto as her spiritual older brother and Midori Kirigaya his adopted Mother sees him as her only true son. Furthermore, I feel if I had someone I loved and cared for deeply with all my heart in a god forsaken VR death game created by a Mad Man. Well let's just say I would do the exact same thing I'm laying out in this story. One thing is for certain I have dipped my proverbial toe into the MMORPG realm and have an understanding how they work mechanically and story wise. Also, if anyone is interested I could use someone knowledgeable in S.A.O. lore and the universe to proof read my future chapters. So that being all said and over with, enjoy and let me know what you think.
Remembering
Asuna looked into Kirito's black eyes and lightly clenched his shoulder. Then she took her fingers with a light touch placed them on his forehead parting his hair that was as black as onyx. "We all miss our Family's Kirito-kun, you always tell me to be strong and your support and love has always been my anchor. If you want to talk about it or if you just want to vent go ahead." She saw his pain, his despair and the look of utter defeat in his face. She then rubbed Kirito's neck gently, leaning in to him as if she was going to hug him. Asuna brought her head up to his neck and in her loving melodic voice whisper in his ear "She'll turn up, you did help her train after all! Don't despair my Love. I know what will cheer you up! How about we talk about the good memories that have made you such a strong person." Kirito's looked into Asuna's Hazel eyes and held her hand, he thought to himself how this woman knew him so well it was almost as if she was psychic, he smiled and fell back into the big sofa. "Asuna-kun maybe your right…. But where do I start?" leaning further back into the sofa he looking up into the rafters of the cabin he shared with Asuna. Then took his left hand and as if trying to grab an invisible rope. Asuna then leaned into him with part of her body and took Kirito's hand and held it between hers. As She tilted her head her long chestnut hair with orange-brown highlight fell on his forearm and chest. Looking deeply into his soulful eyes. "Damn it all to hell! Asuna-kun I'm utterly helpless when you look at me like that! It's like you have some kind of strange in game power!" Kirito knew he was defeated there was no alternative she would most probably deny him her cooking. It's not like she was going to tell anyone, maybe she was right and I should let this heavy emotional weight go. As he started to tell her his memories she looked up at him giving him a smile that totally disarmed him.
Well some of my fondest memories are of my Hiiobaa-chan's (Great Grandmother) smile and how she loved me and would make me Yakitori (Japanese Kabobs) after Martial Arts Training in the Kirigaya Family Dojo. Unfortunately, Great Grandmother left me when I was around Ten years old, she was the first person I remember giving me unquestionable love and affection. What I recall most about my Hiiobaa-chan was her heartbreak when she would reminisce about my Paternal Mother her oldest Granddaughter and my Paternal Father. It always made her wince when she spoke about the tragic highway accident that took their lives. She would always tell me that I was her Little Boseiai (Mother's love), basically I was the apple of her eye because I was her first Great Grandchild and I had a special place in her heart. That being said as my Hiiobaa-chan was the Kirigaya family Matriarch she insisted that Uncle Minetaka take on the Kirigaya Family name. Her Son, my Grandfather and Kendo Teacher was the last male heir to the Kirigaya Family name and fortune. Grandfather only had two daughters my Paternal Mother and my adopted Mother; Aunt Midori.
It's not uncommon in Samurai Families such as ours that the family, adopts a Son called a "Mukoyoshi". Basically, inheritance in a Samurai family is typically a form of primogeniture, the eldest son inherits the family property etcetera. If a family has only daughters, then the family can adopt a man to marry one of their daughters, or in this case Midori's husband. Minetaka would take the Kirigaya family surname, and he would inherit the property, family history and everything that came with being a Kirigaya. Essentially, my Hiiobaa-chan wanted to make sure that I was being taken care of when she died and that meant that the family needed Minetaka to become a Mukoyoshi.
Hearing Midori explain it to me as a boy: my Hiiobaa-chan Insisted that Uncle and Auntie officially adopt me in a Family ceremony. It wasn't enough that Uncle Minetaka and Aunt Midori had gone to city hall and had officially signed the paper work. I guess Hiiobaa-chan knew her time on this earth was short with me, because she always looked out for my future and my happiness. I was really too young to remember my Paternal Father & Mother but I do know that I am loved from my adopted Mother Midori and Father Minetaka. It's not like it's uncommon to be adopted by people that love you, for me my Uncle and Auntie became my beloved and honored Otousan (Father) and Okaasan (Mother). I really didn't feel like I missed out on anything, Minetaka & Midori became my Mother & Father in every sense of the word.
Then my baby Sister Sugu-chan was born when I was about three years old, I wasn't alone anymore in the world. What I really remember is being so happy and looking at the old digital photos Mom has in the hallway. As they cycle through the digital picture frames I see them and they make me recall faintly of the joy I felt of not being alone. One of the few things I clearly remember as a child is hugging my Mother's belly and hearing the thump-thump of my Sister's heartbeat. Hiiobaa-chan was overjoyed with the birth of Suguha as she now knew that I would not be alone in this world. Great Grandmother fostered our relationship, she would always encourage us to get along. She would always say "Kazuto hold your Sisters hand, be there for each other, you have each other to lean on and never forget that you are a Kirigaya."
As Sugu and I got older we became inseparable, I remember holding her small hand as we walked to school. Mom has a picture of us with me dragging Sugu down the hill to the train stop. Memories of our times spent at the Kirigaya Family Dojo sweating in the summer heat practicing with Grandfather. How Suguha would just lose herself in her Kata (Sword Form) in the dojo and how Hiiobaa-chan would stand in the doorway in her Blue White and Black Yukata with the Kirigaya Herron embroidered on the Chest. She would always be smiling at us and bring us cold watermelon. My sister Sugu was my partner in crime we did everything together. Not to say that we did not fight and squabble about stupid stuff like who's turn was it to toss the garbage and load the dishwasher.
I recall the day we went to the local waterpark when Sugu was thirteen going on fourteen and I was fifteen. This is before we got stuck in this damn death game. I remember it like it was yesterday, oh my god it was such a hot summer day and Grandfather said it was way too hot to practice. Beside that Sugu had just won the Junior Girls Kendo Competition in Tokyo and as a Reward Grandfather dropped us off at the waterpark. We were having a wonderful time of it and Sugu was getting thirsty and she left to grab some cold water. There was a group of five older boys about my age and they were teasing and harassing Sugu. They were making fun of her chest and hitting on her, I heard her scream leave me alone jerks. Admittedly she is kind of developed because what came to mind at that moment was Mom quarreling with her about getting her a sports bra for Kendo. Saguha was all ways fighting with Mom saying she didn't need a sports bra that the traditional juban (under garment) was fine.
Anyhow the boys that where teasing Sugu just pissed me off! One of them said something really crass about what he wanted to do to her and that was the last straw and it pushed me off the edge, it just set me off! I never felt so enraged and I lost it, totally kicked their asses all over the place. I broke one of the boy's noses and fractured the others leg and breaking one boy's wrist. I knocked out one boy and he hit the ground with a sickening thud and then Sugu grabbed my wrist and we ran out of the waterpark, running to the bus terminal then jumping on to the bus heading home. As we stood in the cold air-conditioned bus I remember feeling her hot tears on my chest through my t-shirt "Onii-sama please don't ever scare me like that again! What would Hiiobaa-sama say?" I could smell the sunscreen coming off Sugu and I put my hand-on top of her damp head and looked into her tear covered face "Sugu-chan I would never let anyone purposely hurt you, Hiiobaa-sama would probably haunt my dream if I let those boys hurt you." From that day on Sugu and I never argued about anything again. We had this respectful back and forth that Grandfather took note of, he said that we were in harmony.
As a well-off Family Suguha and I never really wanted for anything but then again, we never asked for much. We were always submerged in Martial Arts, Kendo and School. Our Grandfather would always say "Your job is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it." Mom said that Grandfather would always spout his Buddhist scriptures. "Ojii-chan (Grandfather) just wants you to find what makes you happy and enjoy it."
Well Sugu and I we have our separate interests, Sagu has a love of Kendo, Aikido and she loses herself in the Katas that Grandfather has taught us. She was working on her first Black Belt before this god forsaken death game. I would always support her and I would spend time sparring with her and to be honest she is a better hand to hand practitioner then me. I did Practice the two-handed Kirigaya sword Style with Grandfather but I never really broke ground like Sugu did. Grandfather would call her his White Huron Sword Maiden. She would go to Competitions in her Blue White and Black Yukata with the Kirigaya Huron embroidered on the back. I have always been proud of Sugu and that's why I have always supported her in her Martial Arts studies and I would practice with her hours on end. I would always remember Hiiobaa-chan's words "Kazuto hold your sisters hand, be there for each other, you have each other to lean on!"
As for me I loved Gaming, at home we had a crazy home system, Mom was a former VR-MMORPG Pro Player in College and played for a Pro team in Korea for two years. She was ranked number 3 in the world as one of the most accomplished women players. Because of Moms fame and knowledge, she works for a Tokyo based Gaming House that makes next Gen Games. Gaming was one of the subject Mom and I would really connect on she even taught me coding so I could make my own custom Interfaces. Mom's enthusiasm is infectious and she even got Sugu into games. Sugu loved Mom's designed dating Sims and Mom's Puzzle games where always a hit during long road trips. Admittedly Sugu always cheer me on during my Tournaments as I would support her in her Kendo Competitions. When I needed help she would admittedly assist me in whatever game at the moment I was playing. I made it to the Junior RTS (Real Time Strategy Gaming) Tournament in Tokyo, I came in fourth place respectably in the junior Pro division.
Mom being a Huge E-Sport Celebrity and game Designer we always get free swag. Cool T-Shirts, backpacks, limited edition controllers even the latest big name Home Systems. One day after Kendo Practice we came home to find our Doorway Blocked. On the porch, next to our front door was a big box labeled RATH industries in Bold black letters, it was the size of a mini fridge. It was addressed to me, I never got anything this big in the mail before. Sugu said that maybe I got noticed at the Junior RTS Tournament in Tokyo and I'm getting free swag to try out. I looked at the side of the box and found the packing slip and letter.
Dear Mr. Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya We would like your opinion on the fourth Gen Nerve Gear System. The Company will be introducing it to the public this Fall during the Tokyo Gaming Expo. We know you are the Son of the famous ESports Player and game designer Doctor Midori Kirigaya. We are aware that you are an up in coming ESports champion and Designer of VR-MMORPG interfaces. We took Note that your RTS Interface is Ranked Number one on the free User Interface share site. We would be honored if we could get your Opinions and if possible would you care to demonstrate the Gear to your Mother. We are looking for Developers to Make Next Gen Games for our System. You will find in the box four Systems with included Nerve Gear and Four Computer Terminals along with Four Beta Copies of Sword Art On-line. We provided three extra terminals feel free to invite other gamers to join in the experience. After you have completed playing please take a moment and fill out the user survey your opinions will be kept private and will only be shared with in our Company. Many Regards Doctor Sato Munenori.
Mom Was pulling up the drive way in her car, I was just finishing reading the letter and Sugu waved her down. "How is your Ojii-chan doing today is he still spouting his Buddhist Teachings?" Mom Had a big grin on her face as she gave Sugu a big bear Hug and a Kiss on the forehead. "Kazuto what the heck is that box, did you order a fridge finely from Amazon for your room? Got to keep those power drinks cold for your RTS Tournaments!" She began to ruffle my hair, I was kind of taken back and I would never order something like that unless I asked permission for it. But knowing Mom she was teasing me so I handed her the letter and she read it.
"Wow Doctor Sato Munenori got his eye on you! Hum?" Sugu looked sideways at Mom and asked "Who is this Doctor Sato Munenori, someone famous from your VR-MMORPG days Mom?" Mom looked nonplused for a moment and had that deer in the headlights look. "Well… let's see Doctor Sato Munenori is a well know Hardware designer and well…" She paused and folded her arms and then started to tap her chin with her finger. "Let's just say he has a reputation for making hardware that all ways seem to end up in some kind of Weapons system. His latest H.U.D. System can be found in the latest United States A2-B Abrams Tank, just to name a few of his Hardware systems, but then again, he did perfected Auto Drive in the latest Generation of Autonomous Cars for the Japanese public. Anyhow Kids let's start dinner and we can open this box tonight and see what it's all about. How's that sound to you two?" Mom just open the front door and instructed me to bring in the box.
Mom was always a great cook, she made Beef Shabu-Shabu that night and we did what any normal family does and we talked about our day. I was telling Mom how I was doing in Computer Lab and that I was working on a Model Artificial Intelligence Project. Sugu spoke about the troubles she was having with one of the Girls at School and she was almost tempted to beat her up but invited her to lunch instead. Mom was telling Sugu that she was the most social of Us Kirigaya she took after Hiiobaa-sama. It's been over six years and I still missed her and Mom pointed out we never forget the ones we love. They live throughout memories and actions, even if Great Grandmother was not here we remember our elders because they sowed the seeds of our future. I looked at Mom and chuckled she was starting to sound like Grandfather. She gave me a side way glance just like Grandfather does and I started to laugh so hard I fell off the kitchen stool and Sugu joined in my laughter, then Mom couldn't hold it in any longer and began to laugh with a side splitting wale!
The Vid Phone on the refrigerator door chimed and the A.I. said incoming call from Minetaka Kirigaya. Mom Stop Laughing and told the A.I. to answer the call. Dad's face was on the refrigerator door and he was smiling and his eyes looked tired and he had that visible five o'clock shadow look to him. Dad just wanted to Check in and say everything was going well during his trip to Taipei. Dad works for a construction firm and there trying to get funding for the Okinawa Train System to connect to Taiwan and the United States of Korea. Now that the Communist Party System was destroyed in Korea it was time to unite Japan, Korea and Taiwan with the new underwater Train System a real ambitious project but that was Dad for you a real Dreamer. These are the moments I miss the most of everyday life, the banter over dinner. The taste and smell of Moms cooking, Laughing and joking with family. This is what this damn death game has taken away from me my everyday life. I swear I'm going to get it all back even if I have to recode the damn game.
Asuna rubbed Kirito's neck again and gave him a peck on the cheek. With her lovely honey coated voice whisper in his ear "Kirito-kun I'm still hear and I'm listening and from what you say your Hiiobaa-sama sounds like a strong Woman and Suguha is so lucky to have such a devoted older brother." Kirito shrugged his shoulders and let out a deep timbered sigh. "I really appreciate it my Love that your willing to let me get this all off my chest." With that Kirito leaned in and gave Asuna an emotional kiss on her lips. Asuna always feels special when Kirito calls her "My Love" then with a tender and firm hand she gave Kirito a warm loving hug. "So, what happened after your Dad Called?"
Well Dad hung up and then Mom told us to clean up the dishes after dinner. The goal is always to meet in the dining room like we always do so game night can start. Like clockwork Fridays is always game night, we always gather as a family and sit around the dining room table and play some game like Koi Koi or Flower Cards. Sometimes we would play board games like Monopoly or Clue. As usual Sugu always has first Choice of what game we start our evenings out with. Mom said we went in order of age youngest to oldest. Well it sort of surprised Mom and I when Saguha said she wanted to try out the NEW Nerve Gear System. To be honest I never seen Sugu so excited and pumped up about a Video Game System before, My Sister squealed out "It would be kind of cool to see how good Mom really is in an actual VR-MMORPG game." I had totally forgotten about the Nerve Gear System in the hallway of our home. Sugu was ecstatic for some reason, she really wanted to see Mom in Game.
Well I have seen the old online footage of Mom's Avatars before. There is a reason why Mom was called Lady Snow Queen in VR-MMORPG's. Her Avatars where always Swords Women or Female Healers, and she was inhuman when it came to reaction times. I saw some old footage from World of Battel Age when she was on the Korean team "Death Saints". I believe at the time they were the number one Asian Guild and number two in points in the world. She was crazy skilled She was the only healer in a fifty-man raid group going up against a World Boss that took two hours to take down. Only two people died and they were revived before the Boss was killed. Sugu never really watched the old videos of Mom so she had no real clue. Moms name was Lady Heal when she played a healer and when she played Damage dealers she was Queen of Death. It was the Manager Sung Sue of the Korean team "Death Saints" that combined her Avatars names and started calling her Lady Snow Queen. In an interview with VR-RPG magazine Sung said he never saw in his career a player as skilled as Midori Kirigaya in both Damage Dealing and Healing Classes. He went on to explain that her name Came from Lady Heal and Queen of Death but the Snow came from her Teammates because she was like snow coming down on the battle field, she could cover everything in her field of view. He went on to say She has this uncanny ability to change classes in a split second. It's not an easy task to switch from one style of play to the other so seamlessly and on top of that be in the top ten in both classes. I can't imagine switching from Damage Class to a Healing class in a matter of seconds, the balance you need to strike with your skill chart, secondary skills and not just equipment. The amount of stat's you need to sift through to get that balance is not easy. Can you imagine the grind for gear and the amount of skill it takes to be a master of two styles? Consider my mind blown Mom was a bad ass VR-MMORPG player. But like I said Sugu didn't really have a clue.
Asuna straightened up so quickly she startled Kirito. He felt the air chill him where Asunas body was partially laying on his chest. "Hold on Kirito-kun let me get this straight, how come I'm just hearing that your Mother is the infamous Beta Tester Lady Snow Queen? No wonder you're so good at all this!" Kirito just shrugged his shoulders and eased back into the sofa. "Mom was a pretty good beta play but she was lucky I guess as she didn't get trapped in S.A.O.!" Asuna was still quite stunned and gave Kirito a stern look. "Your Mother I mean Lady Snow Queen was the author of the original Player Mechanics handbook and she was the one who Developed Custom User Interfaces a month before launch. Not to mention she was one of the only Duel Class users. She's a legend in this game!" Kirito got up from the sofa and walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, he then looked out the window and gripped the counter as Asuna came up behind him placing her arms around him, then planting her cheek on his lower shoulder. "Yeah, a few people who jumped on the game did downloaded the UI my Mom created. I believe at last count it was about a hundred or so but unfortunately a lot of those players are either dead or just not willing to help go to the Front Lines. I think maybe four players really use it and I think I'm one of the few who knows how to use it to its fullest potential. I wish there was a way to share the UI because Mom made Mods that helped with Boss fights and Raid Monitoring. As for her being the only player to have Duel Class that was a total fluke the Nerve Gear let her access her old VR-MMORPG information. Like Stats, special skills even old avatar information along with unique skills sets." Asuna then made her way around the counter and pulled out her cooking tools, cutting board, and her treasured Japanese Santoku Chef Knife. "Any request for Lunch Kiri-kun, how about a cured wild boar cold cut sandwich?" Kirito gave her an excepting nod with a loving smile. He then stepped over to the kitchen counter and pulled out a stool and sat down. As he sipped his water he went on with his reminiscing.
Let's see I went to the kitchen to get a utility knife to open the box. As always, that stupid popcorn, I just hate packing foam it gets everywhere! Gets on your shirt and somehow, you're still picking it out of your bed two days later. The round Vacuum bot was just stuck in a back and forth pattern trying to suck up the foam popcorn. Sugu brought the recycling bin for the popcorn and Mom brought the vacuum and we unpacked everything. I got to say the packaging was really cool and the boxes where white with black lettering and on the side of the boxes, was a scan code. Mom activated her scanner on her wrist and told her Personal AI to display the video on the living room wall projector. The logo of RATH industries was displayed, then we saw the intro for the Nerve Gear System with the mandatory visuals in any high-tech graphics interface game. Then Doctor Sato Munenori came on and gave his welcome speech and thanking everyone for helping with the beta testing of the fourth Gen Nerve Gear System. He went into detail about the Nerve Gear's high-density microwave transceivers are capable of accessing the user's brain, allowing it to send fake signals to the five senses of the user. The transceivers are not only capable of inducing fake sensory signals but can also block every movement command from the brain to the body, preventing the player from moving their body while in Full VR Dive to avoid injuries. The micro transceivers are also capable of blocking sensory information from the body to the brain, thus, while using it, the player is completely unconscious of the physical world. The Nerve Gear is able to emit high-powered microwaves, for games such as Sword Art On-line's operating system and has been programmed to work with the new generation of diamond semiconductor central processors. Then he spoke about upcoming games and that the system was backward compatible with many second & Third Gen games. Then the Doctor introduced Kayaba Akihiko the development Director of Sword Art On-Line and the Chief Designer of the interface of the fourth Gen Nerve Gear System.
Thank you Doctor Munenori, we at ARGUS Software have united with RATH industries to develop one of the most exciting gaming systems in recent memory. In this Demo Pack, you will find one Nerve Gear Head-set and one Computer Terminal along with a Beta Copy of Sword Art On-Line. With the Beta copy, one can explore the world of Aincard and its one hundred floors. Unfortunately, During the three-month beta period, you can access only fifty floors. Each Floor is its own world and theme. You will also have access to all classes from Ranger to Paladin etcetera. Our Terminals are basic but if you own a custom Terminal the Nerve Gear Head-set is compatible with most standard connections and will read older data from user preferences to give you a seamless gaming experience. This includes the use of custom User Interfaces and Customized game stats transfers from other VR-MMORPGs. Moms ears perked up with that last statement as Mom has over three years' plus in VR worlds like Battel Age and Sword Champions. One of Moms main character in Sword Champions was one of the most notorious and lethal Player versus Play Combatants. Well the rest of it was pretty standard stuff: like how to set up an account and how the system worked and the Nerve Gear had the ability to run a week without power because of the powerful battery used as redundancy so players would not get accidently disconnected and boosted signal so LAG was not an issue. The Basic advice given was to lay in bed and connect using a fiber Optic line or if possible a high capacity wireless receiver. Mom then stated she thought that the House server and the high-speed router should be able to handle our data load. Also, we would not be needing the computer Terminals as we had a high end custom system for the house that she used for her gaming research & development. It was settled then, we all finish cleaning up the boxes and headed to our rooms to make our first Dive into S.A.O.
Sugu and I were already Level two by the time Mom Joined us. Of cores Mom picked her moniker Lady Snow Queen and Sagu picked the name Leafa. Mom transferred one of her Characters from her E-Sport days, to be honest I almost didn't recognize Mom as Lady Snow Queen. She still had the same build as I remember in real life and she looked like she was in her late thirties. She was wearing a pure white, ankle-length kimono with off white lined patterns. Her robe had an attached ornate off white collar, edges, and shoulder design with long, wide sleeves with snow flake patterns. There was long off white flowing ribbons tied at her back of the kimono that formed numerous large loops. She had a small flower brooch made of snow at the center of her chest, and in her long Black hair that was in the style of a Geisha, she had a tiara made of crystal with a snowflake pattern, with small icicles running down the sides, it extended around the back of her head from ear to ear. In her sash with the snowflake patterns she had a long white fan with a white jade handle on the right. She had two white swords a shot and a long in the samurai sword maiden style on her left. One was a wakizashi short sword in a white scabbard with off white trim and her other sword was a Kissaki double sided blade in an off-white scabbard with white trim. When she used her custom sword skill Snow Field her hair turned white, and her blade became ice. She was already level five and had already unlocked her Sword Skill Tree called Snow Mountain Dancer. Mom said to Call her Lady Snow or Just Snow in game. I never knew Mom could look so elegant and deadly, she walked with a warrior's stride, it was something to behold because you could feel her presence like a lethal White Snow Tiger. That was it, Sugu eyes glazed over and she gasped and became a teenaged groupie in less than a second, she was fawning over Lady Snow. Well next thing you know I was really feeling outnumbered and out matched, Lady Snow was admiring Leafa's Avatar. Sugu picked bright green eyes and wore white and green armor with matching clothes. She also had a white and green collar on her neck. She picked long blond hair, and tied it up with a flower like hairband and her bangs where lose. I chuckled because I was reminded of when Mom and Sugu go shopping and I'm stuck on the sofa of the department store holding all the shopping bags waiting on them to stop peacocking so we can go to the next store.
Anyhow Leafa Gave herself a much older look Like I did. My look hasn't changed that much from Beta. My clothes in the game consisted of black pants with a black belt and I had a large silver buckle, a black V-necked shirt that was worn underneath a black trench-coat with gray lining going down the sleeves, and black boots with silver plates to protect my shins. I had a silver plate worn on my left side of my coat, and a pair of black fingerless gloves. I wore a strap that went over my right shoulder and under it to wrap around my left side. At first, I was only armed with a Basic Sword. Finally, after twenty minutes of comparing our equipment and Armor, we all decided to level and find the beginner Dungeon on the First Floor.
It's one of my most memorable S.A.O. experiences that I ever had during the beta. Our small group showed up at the outdoor Dungeon. Even at a low-level Lady Snow was so precise and a lethal player. At some point during the Dungeon we got a bit overwhelmed, Lady Snow took two fingers from her left hand then traced them over her long sword. Quickly transforming the sword into a wand, she provided Leafa and I heals as we fought the Monsters before us. Then Lady Snow transformed her wand back into a Sword just as quickly. We were almost over run by the number of dangerous Mobs, she used her custom sword skill Snow Field. Lady Snow's hair turned white, and her blade became ice, she pointed her sword to the ground. Then in a graceful motion she did a turn, knelt down on one knee and stabbed the ground with her blade. The ground and the whole path before us turned to ice and snow and every Monster exploded into bursts of light. Leafa was giggling like a little Fan Girl she was jumping up and down saying that's so cool. I could not help but laugh at the way Leafa was acting and the straight face of Lady Snow was priceless.
During beta testing, Leafa and I played here and there together and we made some great progress in a matter of a few months. We had an advantage over most other players because we knew each other, we have real team work from our Kendo sparring. Without words spoken she knew how to switch with me, we always have each other's back from Defensive to Offensive attacks. It's like putting on a pair of your favorite shoes or like stepping into that perfect temperature swimming pool, it was comfortable and fluid. We made it all the way to the middle floors of the game with Lady Snow's help from time to time. In all honesty Leafa became a Master of hand to hand with a confidence that was uncanny and with her Short Sword she was unstoppable. Lady Snow was always taking Leafa on expeditions into dungeons for Materials, Gear and mapping information. I'm pretty sure Lady Snow was writing her player handbook and tinkering with her custom user interface. Leafa was such a fan-girl and was like a puppy following her around trying to learn everything she could about the game and pick up on Lady Snow's play style. Well the truly fun times ended a month before the official release date of the game, it did turn into a life or death game after all. Of course, all three of us filled out the user survey and comment cards after our Beta test phase. As our reward, we got four copies of the official game and Sugu was so ecstatic about the Game Master fixes and updates from the Beta. She went so far as to pre-load Mom's UI and Mods on my terminal and hers. Sugu was chomping at the bit to have another crack at S.A.O. and I'll be honest her attitude was infectious and I found myself getting really pumped up too.
That Saturday the day of Launch, the server system would go live at noon. Sugu was in her room getting ready and I was in the kitchen cleaning up from our late Saturday morning breakfast. I called Mom and asked her if she was going to join us in S.A.O. and she was bummed out. I asked her to join us but She had a deadline at work and berated me "Kazuto, honey… I'm an adult I have responsibilities and you and your sister are one of them but I also have work. I'm spending the night at my office, please understand I'll join you and Sugu on Sunday Night after I hand in my project. Now Dinner is in the kitchen refrigerator, I made you cold marinated soba with your favorite Dipping sauce and tell Sugu I said to have fun. I got to go sweetheart. Behave and no wild parties while I'm gone." Mom's teasing me with her all-knowing wink. as if I would through a party. Yet those are the last words that she spoke to me. In a way, I'm happy that Mom didn't get stuck in here. That's why I continue to fight! To see my beloved Otousan (Father) and Okaasan (Mother) again. All I can think of is the faded memory of the "Thump-Thump" of Suguha's heart beat in Moms belly! It's all lost: the game nights, Moms cooking, Grandfathers lessons on Kendo and his crazy Buddhist scriptures, Sugu and Mom fawning over girly things, Dad dreams of building great national projects! ITS All GONE, destroyed by a mad man who wants to control us like a hamster in a terrarium. It's all a shadow of tragedy that has come for me and the ones I love, why? WHY me?
Asuna looked at Kirito and knew he was going to lose himself sooner, rather than later. He was such a loyal and loving person, whose emotional filter was breaking down. She reached out over the kitchen counter and clung to Kirito in a death grip holding on for dear life. Looking into his pain stricken eyes, trying to be there for him like he was there for her this past year. "Kirito she's alive, Leafa is still on my friend list, don't lose yourself to despair my Love." He lifted his head and looked at her. "Asuna, it's been a year and all I know is we have made it to the thirtieth floor but it just feels like we have stalled. It took me two months to get through to Leafa's depression, I still don't see the fun-loving sister from Beta. Now she's been gone for five days without me knowing where she is! It's ripping me apart and I'm feeling lost and helpless. Where can she be for so long! She won't answer my in-game mail nor can I see her when I ping her on the world map!" Kirito still holding on to Asuna's hand, slumped to one side burying himself into his folded free arm and trying to grasp for air. Almost sounding like a wounded animal gasping for his last breath.
Out of no ware the front door to the cabin burst open! Asuna Jumped and Kirito Drew a dagger ready to defend himself and Asuna. Leafa burst through the threshold and called out in a deafening yell "Onii-sama!" Kirito dropped his dagger and it fell with a twang as the steal hit the floor. He ran to Leafa scooping her up in his arms crying "Imouto-chan!" (Baby Sister) into Leafas ear. Asuna almost screamed out as she put her hand over her mouth to muffle her cries as tears of joy came out covering her shocked face. "Stop Kirito-kun your choking me I can't breathe, let go of me Onii-sama!" Kirito let go and Leafa seemed different somehow, it was a strange change, she seemed lighter in spirit. With a big smiling face, she grabbed Kirito by the hand and wrist. "Come on Kirito-kun, come on, come with me out side. I have someone who wants to see you. She's come a long way to see us!" Leafa would not take no for an answer as she forcibly dragged her brother out of the log cabin. "Hold on Leafa… what's so important?" that's all he could muster as Leafa pulled him out the front door. In the cool fall air, the sun fell through the trees as orange and red leaves fell. The wind was carrying them in swirls. The dead leaves where falling all around the small pathway, blowing back and forth in the wind, from the log cabin's porch to the picket fence. Impossible but there stood a woman who looked just like Lady Snow Queen!... "That's not possible, no… how is it possible? No… No…!" Kirito couldn't feel his feet under him, all his energy was sapped from him in a split second. All he could feel was a sense of free fall, as he collapsed to his knees unable to move. Was the Nerve Gear System finely breaking down his brain and making him hallucinate? Kneeling on the grass & stone path, all he could see was the orange, red and light green leaves fall on to the path and through them the white Kimono of his beloved Okaa-sama! "It's Impossible!" She was walking toward him and Kirito was in utter shock, was it really her? This woman who was walking towards him was so elegant! That scary deadly aura, that warrior's stride just like his Okaa-sama: Lady Snow Queen, he could feel her presence, just like a lethal White Snow Tiger! Like the first time he saw her in beta! He knew at that moment… yes, it was Mom! But how is it even possible?
Leafa stood next to Asuna and had a huge smile from ear to ear and she was holding onto her brothers Girlfriend. Asuna was mesmerized by this woman utter beauty and deadly aura. It wasn't lost on Asuna this woman was Kirito & Leafas Mother, she must have sacrificed something to come into the game. Leafa ushered Asuna off the porch and back into the log cabin so that her Mom and Brother could reunite in private.
Lady Snow took her jade handled fan and tapped her Son on the head "Kirito-kun are you not going to properly welcome your beloved Okaa-sama to your home?" Yup it was Mom, the teasing already started! The playful ways she jabbed him. But Kirito didn't have the strength. The five days of worrying over Leafa and now this. He could not hold back the tears and he Grabbed his mother's white sash and cried "I don't understand Mom! How?... Why?... how is it even possible?" His Mother looked into his eyes and smiled and cupped his face in her hand and wiped his tears away with her thumbs. "It took me some time to get here! I just couldn't let my babies fight a death game alone. When I could do something about it. So… Kirito-kun you better get off your knees and give me a hug or I'm going to get cross with you." With what remaining strength Kirito had left he got up and gave his mom a hug. Somehow it felt so good, inviting like being in his bed at home and his Mother whispered into his ear "I could not stand it any longer, being separated from you and your sister, knowing that you could die from the whims of a Mad man. I had to come, I would rather spend a few hours with my children then out live them. But I did not come empty handed nor will I let a Mad Man dictate how my beloved children will die! Your Father sends his best and know that he is working diligently in the Real World to find a solution. Now, do you think you have the strength to stand on your own and escort me into this beautiful Home? We have a lot to discuss and don't think your sister hasn't told me about that young Lady Asuna!" oh boy it was mom alright she was going to relentless teas him about having a Girlfriend. Oh, boy his dead meet, wait till she finds out that Asuna and he are Married, not even Leafa knew that secret. I'm dead! No, I'm going to get in such trouble when she finds out Asuna and I have a Child. I'll Have to tell her about Yui, more like explain what she is.
Lady Snow turned and saw on the porch a small little girl with long dark hair, bright black eyes. She had a one-piece white dress with a ribbon tied around her waist and a long-sleeved pink sweater with brown boots. Lady Snow gracefully bent down "Hello little one, you must be Yui-chan! Leafa spoke to me about you, aren't you adorable!" Lady Snow extended out her hand to Yui to give her a handshake. Yui turned her head sideways and had a huge smile on her small face. She returned the handshake and bowed "Hello Bā-chan (Grandma) nice to meet you." Lady Snow just warmly smiled back to this curious child. Yui disengaged Lady Snow and pointed out to the dirt Road past the picket fence. "Bā-chan you were followed here! There five or more RED Players out there." Lady Snow stood up and gave out a sigh. "Well Yui-chan it can't be helped, fools will do foolish things! Can you take care of Kirito-kun for me? Don't let him fight ok!" Then Lady Snow gave Yui a warm smile and patted Yui on the head. "I'll be right back, please Kirito don't get involved, you're in no state of mind to fight! It's written all over your face." With a flowing grace of a Geisha, Lady Snow stoically walked down the stone path past the picket fence. With a frightening elegance, Lady Snow Drew her swords the wakizashi short sword from its white scabbard with the off-white trim. She then drew her other sword the Kissaki double sided blade from the off-white scabbard with the white trim.
Well no better time to use "Sword" magic in S.A.O.! She and Doctor Sato Munenori discussed the payment and consequences of using magic in this VR-MMORPG before she came back to this world. The Doctor told her "Your pain threshold will be lowered and the feedback will be almost twenty percent more than a standard player. The use of magic will drain your life bar, but knowing how you play you will find balance in healing yourself if it goes too far. Nonetheless there is no avoiding it, the more you use magic during a fight the more life it takes from you and the pain will be constant. I'm afraid the only way to activate Magic is the use of Blood or taking damage that is painful."
Well this was the very first conscious test of her powers in this world. From her left hand, she stabbed the ground with her Wakizashi short sword in a fluid motion. Activating her magical power: snow field, turning the ground to snow. She then took her left hand and squeezed the center of her Kissaki double sided blade. As her hand blead, her hand felt like it was in scolding hot water. Her health bar barely registered the damage. Under her health bar a New second gage appeared in blue, marked Sword Essence. Her determination was apparent in her face, yes this was an adequate payment. I am ready for this road of Death & Destruction, anything for my Children, for my Father who trained me to be a White Huron Sword Maiden, for the Kirigaya family honor, for my beloved Husband who I promised to see again in the Real World. This was absolutely, the Kirigaya resolve she was feeling, this is what her Father instilled in her. I will walk the road to Destruction Father! She smirked for a moment Damn it, your teachings have really infected me Otousan! No doubting this was sufficient payment to use the group of spells she was ready to unleash on these poor pathetic RED Players. The essence gage was now full and she yelled out loud in a commanding voice, "Come out Player Killing Scum! Come face your demise at the hands of Lady Snow Queen a daughter of the White Huron Clan! Come face me, your just filth, resolve yourselves for your swift death!"
The leader of the group step forward. "I got to say lady you got some pretty big balls! I don't think a bitch like you can take on ten members of Laughing Coffin. No one here's ever heard of you, but we're being paid pretty serous coin to kill you!" More Player Killers stepped out of the shadows, one shouted "I say we have some fun with her! Looks like she has some fine tits under that fancy dress of hers." Another shouted "Let's cut off her nipples and ears and fuck her! Like we did that one bitch on the sixteenth floor, now that was fun." The leader then twirled his sword in his hand "After we fuck you up we'll have our way with that Lightning Flash Bitch and her boyfriend that bastard black swordsman, maybe will crucify him before we kill him as we fuck his woman in front of him!" Lady Snows face was like ice with no emotion visible. "Do not let it be said That I Lady Snow Queen am not merciful, run now you fools!" The Laughing Coffin members just all chuckled and mocked her. One of the attackers disrespectfully licking his dagger with his tong in a bazaar sexual manor.
"I really don't think you understand who you truly face! You are unworthy, know that you step onto my battle field you scum!" With her right hand, she gracefully waved her sword over the snow as her blade turned to ice. "I own all that the mountain snow touches and the cold northern Artic Wind caresses! Come let's see your skills in dying like wild dogs for your Master, who annoyingly hounds me where I walk in this world! Come let us begin this fatal dance of Death & Destruction. Your resolution to die at my blades brings me no joy!" With that being said Lady snow flicked the last of her blood payment on to the snow and gracefully crouched down with her left hand to retrieve her short sword.
Now wielding the Kissaki long ice sword and Wakizashi short ice sword she began to conduct her skill "Snow Mountain Dancer". Now this is what she truly missed in VR the since of utter power the freedom to let go and let her natural spirit free. Such immense power that the Nerve Gear could tap into, this is what Doctor Sato Munenori spoke of the connection speed was liberating. As she waved her swords the blood in the snow began to turn to ice and started to produce a whirling snow tornado that started to surround her making the ribbons in the back of her Kimono flutter. Her hair turned white and her dark brown eyes turned to glowing Blue orbs of ice. Like a fire breathing dragon Her breath was coming out of her mouth. In an inhuman loud voice, she shouted "You have been warned fools! Now Die where you stand!" The sheer terror in The Laughing Coffin members realizing that they could not move in the snow and wind. No offense or defense could be done under this powerful magic. Like a white linen sheet, Lady Snow Queen washed over her Battlefield covering it in white snow. Such grace and beauty in bringing about Death & Destruction, how utterly frightening!
She stopped before the tenth Assassin and behind her nine players lay dead in red ice and snow as they drifted away like ash in her artic wind. With such effective speed, she cut the tenth Assassin's weapon arm off. "Get up fool! Go tell your Master what has transpired here and bother me no more! Spread the word with that disgusting mouth of yours, that if a Player Killer so much as look's in my direction or looks at anyone I know they will know a snowy grave at my hands. Now go Dog, do as your told or die in the snow like your foolish Guild mates! To think I had to sully my PVP blades on such scum, it makes me sick.' With a graceful flourish, she sheath her swords. She then took her jade handled Fan, opening it then fanning her battlefield of snow. With one smooth motion of the fan the snow was gone with the wind and retrieving the magical essence that she spent. She then slowly walked up to the log cabin.
Yui was looking at Lady Snow with a worried look. "Bā-chan you're pretty scary when you're mad!" Lady Snow scooped Yui up in her arms in a motherly manor and took a finger and playfully poked Yui's tiny nose "I wasn't mad little one!" Yui had a puzzled face and place her left hand on Lady Snow's cheek. "Is it really ok to kill Bā-chan?" Lady Snow looked at Yui with a smile. "Let's see how do I explain it? Well once an animal has tasted human flesh the only humane thing is to put that animal down. In this case, they were living people who had choice, it had to be done so that those animals couldn't kill anyone ever again!" Yui still was mystified as to why it was necessary. Lady Snow saw Yui's distress and tried to explain it further. "My Father raised me to protect the weak and kill if it's necessary! As a White Huron Sword Maiden of the Kirigaya Household I could not let Justice go unanswered! The bile and Hatred that they spewed was so overwhelming!" Yui face started to register understanding. "So Bā-chan, served them there just rewards by killing them." Lady Snow readjusted Yui in her arms with a jump "Yui you're a smart one! You are correct they got there just rewards for their actions." Yui then asked the hard question. "Bā-chan is it really ok to kill others like that, even though they were bad men?" Lady Snow sighed. "How can one not pluck the weeds out of the garden of life without getting one's knees and hands dirty? The answer is simple, It's not possible little one! I am prepared to carry their deaths on my soul, because when I eventually die I know in my heart that whoever judges me, I did what was moral and correct for the good of the garden." Yui understood the truth that evil needed to be answered. Lady Snow just looked past Yui to the path where she had just taken the lives of those evil soulless men. "I know when I am judged, that the Buddha will help me wash my hands for the dirt that I carry. But right now, my conscience is clear."
This act of beautiful violence only took moments. Unfortunately, Leafa had never seen her Mother use her sword skills in that manor before. To say she was stunned would only scratch the surface. Is that what it meant to be a White Huron Sword Maiden of the Kirigaya Household? Is that why she trained so much with Grandfather in the Real World? She quietly listened to her Mother as she explained it to Yui. Yes, Mom was right, Justice needed to be served, but it left a sour taste in Leafa's mouth. Leafa herd Yui "Bā-chan can I become a White Huron Sword Maiden of the Kirigaya Household, so I can protect the weak and serve justice to evil men?" Lady Snow walked into the log cabin with Yui in her Arm and as she walk through the threshold she told Yui and all who were listening. "The pathway of the Samurai is not always easy, Bushido is not an easy code to follow." She giggled for a moment and gave Yui a big smile. "Look at me! I'm sounding like my Father more and more every day." It dawned on Leafa exactly what her beloved Okaa-sama was willing to sacrifice for her and Kirito. Mother stepped in this death game to help get them out. With that Leafa grasped at her Mother Kimono as she walked past her. Lady Snow stopped and with her free arm hugged her daughter. With tears, almost ready to over whelm her she whimpered. "I love you Mom!" Lady Snow patted Leafa on her back. "Now… Now... Leafa-chan no need to get so dramatic… silly girl. Let's go into the House and have a cup of tea and calm down." Absolutely, that was a good idea have some tea with Mom and calm down. Leafa walked into the house with her Mother and Yui Leaving Kirito with Asuna on the porch.
Did that just really happen? Did she just wipe the floor with Laughing Coffin? Did his Mom really come from the Real World to save him and Leafa? Kiritos mind was run a million miles a second. He too needed a moment to process what just happen. Asuna reach out to him. "Kirito-kun are you ok? You look out of it!" Kirito was lost in his thoughts. "Hello, Aincard to Kirito! Hello Black swordsman!" Kirito came out of his train of thought. "Glad you're still with me my love! Now what are we going to do about your Mother? She kind of scares me, no… she frightens me!" Kirito hugged Asuna whispered into her ear. "You have nothing to worry about from my Mom! I'm the one who is dead meat when she finds out were Married." Asuna stiffened in Kiritos arms. "You think she'll like me? I mean I am a year older then you and she might kill me for taking away her only son." Well like anything else this Death Game that has tossed his way he would face it! Kirito grasped Asunas hand. "In the end, I guess it doesn't matter, as long as I have you by my side." Kirito found his footing again somehow, he found that courage he always has deep within himself that this beautiful woman always seems to pull out of him. He stepped into the cabins door way. The day seemed brighter all of a sudden holding Asunas hand. Whatever he had to face he knew in that moment he was not alone. "Ok, let's go have a cup of tea like my Mom suggested and talk about what's next."
Hope you enjoyed this chapter it took me sometime to really flesh out Kirito's Mother Lady Snow Queen. I hope that you like the way I handled the Mechanics of Magic, as S.A.O. did not have any real magic in the first original Manga arc or the first season of the Anime. I'm going to have Lady Snow Queen tell her story about how she came to find herself in the Death Game. I really don't think that it needs to be explained why she went into the Game and her motivations, I made it clear in this chapter. Maybe I made her look to Over Powered and a Marry Sue but I wanted Kirito's Mother to effect other characters in a profound way. Maybe I should just explain away how Laughing Coffin just sent weak Low level assassins during the next chapter. I'm hoping that I made some of you get lost in the story. Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated and I'm not opposed to requests of bring in characters or situations from the Manga.