A/N
Well, here we are again for Chapter 2. Make sure to tell me what you think about the story so far, and if I need to make any changes to the character portrayal and such as I go along. Like I said before, I'm trying to get more into the characters emotions with this story, so any help would be appreciated. Anywasy, enjoy the chapter...
"Mmm…" Kirito slowly opened his eyes, a small groan escaping his lips as he stretched. A dazzling gold sky lay overhead, speckled with white, puffy clouds, extending into the infinite distance of space. Kirito felt at peace for the first time in ages. He let the warm wind wisp through his onyx locks, the gentle breeze soothing him back into slumber, if not for a familiar voice.
"Such a beautiful dream, don't you think?"
Kirito snapped his eyes opened and rolled his head to the right, only to be greeted with a man in his thirties, dressed in a lab coat and brown slacks, sitting cross-legged mere feet away. He had his arms behind him, propping him up, and his face aimed skywards, losing himself in the serenity of this paradise, or this death. This man… Kirito was certain that this man was Kayaba Akihiko.
It didn't matter anymore. The brief pulse of anger that had ignited his fury and power was lost in the light of victory that shined as Kirito pierced Heathcliff's heart, whisking them away to this far off land. Kirito no longer wished to fight. He didn't know what he wanted.
"Where are we?"
Kayaba looked to the Black Swordsman in fascination. The Conqueror of Aincrad made no move to sit up, but instead remained lying down, his eyes half opened looking blankly upwards.
"See for yourself, Kirito."
Kirito couldn't help but cringe as the voice of Kayaba uttered his name. Nevertheless, Kirito reluctantly sat up, letting the sparkling sunset warm his skin. There, in all its grandeur and majesty, was the only home Kirito had known for two years. The floating castle of Aincrad hovered amongst the soaring clouds, its strength and fortitude reflecting from its metal surface.
"We're still in SAO?"
"Where else would we be?"
"Then what happened to the rest of the players that were in the game?"
Kayaba detected a bit of an edge in Kirito's voice. He internally chuckled, finding it amusing that the moment Kirito would discover something amiss, he was prepared to fight to make it right. There was no doubt in Kayaba's mind that Kirito was working hard right now to formulate some plan in the case that Kayaba hadn't made good on his promise. Fortunately for Kirito, Kayaba had indeed kept his word.
"Don't worry… the remaining 6,146 players were logged out of the game, and should be safely waking up in their hospital beds as we speak." Kirito let out a relief filled sigh and fell back into his lying position, apparently unfazed by the fact that there was no floor beneath him. Kirito slid both arms underneath his head as a cushion before closing his eyes. It wasn't long before Kirito had another question, and cracked an eye open towards Kayaba.
"And what about the other players, the ones who… died?"
"Just as in the other world, Kirito, death is absolute. There is nothing I can do for them now. Although… Ah, never mind. It's of no importance at the moment."
Kirito had always suspected this to be the case, but he needed to hear the words. Logical reasoning was one thing, but actual confirmation left Kirito with the closure he needed, although in reality he had never wanted it.
"Why… why would you do something like this, Kayaba? Why couldn't this have just been a game? Why did people have to die?" Kirito asked in a whisper. He wondered whether the answer would provide him comfort, or would serve to further his anguish.
"Live to see why a weak girl like me ended up here… and the reason you and I met…"
"It was such a long time ago… I was so young and naïve. I wanted a new world, one untouched by the poison of society… a world where everyone had an equal chance at achieving greatness… a world where you would neither be born with wealth, nor in poverty. I wanted a world where everyone from the same point, level one… and your success and fame was delivered to you by your sword, your courage. I wanted a world where everyone would throw away their differences, for all their hatred to be directed at the same cause, for all their spirits to be intertwined in an understanding unlike no other, a bond that would stay with them faithfully throughout the rest of their lives. I built the iron castle, Aincrad, strong and steadfast, suspended in the air by the force of its own being, a home to the world of gilded heroes. I did this all to witness the makings of greatness, and the light of humanity, which in the real world could be snuffed out so easily."
Such a passionate speech had shown Kirito just how much passion Kayaba had for Aincrad, and momentarily had Kirito lost in thought. Finally, Kirito quietly spoke, with an inquisitive and genuinely curious tone, perhaps with a bit of sympathetic sadness.
"Was it worth it?"
"I don't know," he chuckled bitterly, his voice breaking, seemingly on the verge of tears, "you tell me." He whispered the last words solemnly, with a heartfelt sadness and longing for the answer. Kayaba's eyes were glistening with unspilled tears as the final sunset of Aincrad reflected in his eyes, and Kirito watched as the man removed his spectacles as if to take in the entirety of Aincrad in as purely as possible.
"Even though… I'll never agree with your methods… I'd someday like to see… the real Aincrad."
Both remained silent as they rested in the gentleness of a dying world. Kirito pondered over Kayaba's words, and in truth, if not for Kayaba, he never would have met his friends. Klein, his first friend and brother, who stood by him from the very beginning; Asuna, the girl with chestnut hair as bright and luminous as her charisma and fighting spirit; Agil, the humble shop merchant who had stuck up for him on many occasions, the soft hearted giant who would never turn a weaker player away; Silica, the beast tamer who became his little sister, if only for a short while; Lizbeth, the fiery blacksmith with a determination to match her personality. Although he hated the death and turmoil that had occurred in SAO… he could never wish his time here away.
Kirito looked to his other side, glancing toward the scabbard that lay beside him. The Dark Repulser, the sword that had survived his final battle with Kayaba. He remembered his Elucidator, his sleek black blade that had helped him single-handedly wipe out platoons of monsters unaided. That was until Kirito received the colorful Dark Repulser, the companion of his lone ebony blade. When the Elucidator weakened in durability, and even when it broke, the Dark Repulser was there to compensate for it, never failing to help out until the Elucidator could get back to its prime. The Elucidator was never alone, and with the Dark Repulser at its side, a force to be reckoned with was forged. Kirito snickered a bit sadly; was he really referring to the swords, or something else altogether? He had no time to worry about that, though, as Kayaba spoke.
"In a few minutes, this castle will start breaking down. I had designed this area as a place to watch the world I strived for crumble at my feet, literally. I always hated endings, but I believe that people should stay through to the end, in respect."
"Mmm…" Kirito hummed in response, impartial to the matter. The sky was turning a blazing orange-pink, signaling the sunset's near end. To think, he was making conversation with a man that turned the lives of ten thousand people upside down. It was funny when he thought about it; two dead men reminiscing about their lives in some corner of heaven. Unfortunately, that thought process had brought up a terrifying question into Kirito's mind.
"Kayaba…" At the use of his name, the older man turned his gaze from the sunset towards Kirito.
"Why am I still alive?" Kirito was sitting up now, both eyes locked on Kayaba, who looked downwards to the clouds below.
"Well, I'm not sure how to explain this…" Kayaba sounded unsure of himself, before he trailed off deep in thought. Kirito became worried at the older man's hesitance. Was there something wrong with the game? No, Kayaba was a genius, and the creator of SAO to boot. He had to know the ups and downs of this game better than the spelling of his own name.
"It seems…" Kayaba started, cautiously pronouncing each word with care, "… that I had certain 'elements' unaccounted for in my creation of the NerveGear…"
"What do you mean?"
"Kirito… surely you know that returning back to Aincrad after death isn't an option. It just doesn't happen… it's impossible." Kirito remained silent, letting Kayaba continue his explanation.
"I'm not sure that I totally understand the concept myself… but I think it was your willpower… no, better yet, your very being that caused your return to Aincrad. Your spirit, soul, whatever it is you call it… it was too strong for the NerveGear to handle, and somehow caused your avatar to regenerate in the form of your desire, your resolve. Perhaps my NerveGear can pick up more than just neural data, after all."
"I still don't understand… Why am I still in SAO?" Kayaba looked at Kirito with pitiful eyes. The Black Swordsman, for two years, had a goal and destination in his life; to clear SAO by making it to the very top. Now that he had done it though, it seems the warrior had lost his way. He had no more purpose, no goals to reach. He was but a boy in a life or death situation, and right now, he knew not where he stood, nor where he was going.
"Kirito… approximately ten minutes ago, the NerveGear sent out an electromagnetic pulse, rendering your brain 'dead' in the process. Ten minutes ago, the NerveGear ceased to provide data of your life functions, meaning that your heart rate hit zero."
Kirito couldn't believe what he was hearing. He jerked up suddenly, his breathing uneven as looked to Kayaba, who wouldn't return his gaze. The sunset around Kirito finally faded away, leaving the sky dark and the air chilly. The castle of Aincrad was now a haunting silhouette in the distance, shadows skimming about on its surface. Kayaba's face had darkened considerably as he turned to face the wide eyed boy.
"Ten minutes ago, you died."
A/N
Well then, that was interesting... I hope. A couple of things I'd like to address:
For one thing, I don't like how people portray Kayaba as a heartless tyrant ruling over Aincrad. I just feel like for him to go this far with his idea, he must have some serious passion for the world of SAO.
Another thing, to Delta Marauder... fire demon, huh. Not exactly the vibe I was going for, but hey, if it works, it works.
Mr. Miliardo, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that inspiration can strike people in odd ways. Don't worry though, I'm only interested in the concept of the Divine Comedy. It will play a role in the ideas of the story, not so much in the actual events and speech...
I hope I showed every character in a good way. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of this story. Anyways, thanks for reading!
