Chapter 2: A Bad Memory
Floor 1: forest outside starting city (2 months after the start of the game)
A boy of 15 walked along with three friends foraging for food to eat and sell. They prayed they wouldn't run into any monsters here, they didn't want to die. One of the friends shouted that he was going farther into the forest to search. The others shouted their encouragement as the girl headed further in. 10 minutes later they heard a bloodcurdling scream and rushed to investigate. The 15 year old boy followed them. What they saw was a man, an insane grin on his face and the tattoo of a coffin on his arm. The friends watched horror-struck as the man spoke.
"One little piggy"
He said, and with a swift swing of his sword one of the group screamed, and burst into fragments of light.
"Two little piggy's."
The 15 year old and last remaining friend drew their swords. The last friend charged and released a sword skill towards the murderer. However, the killer's parry skill kicked in and he effortlessly blocked the blade and counterattacked. Once again the 15 year old saw one of his friends scream and disappear in a flash of light and heard the man laugh his insane laugh and say
"Three little piggy's".
Finally the man turned to the 15 year old and spoke.
"Hey brat. When you see your buddies on the other side, tell them Grexal, field commander of the guild Grave Keepers Coffin was their killer. Goodbye."
The 15 year old closed his eyes and prepared for oblivion. However, as the man raised the sword over his head, footsteps sounded nearby and a voice soon followed.
"Get away from him you bastard!"
The voice said. Hearing this, the man cursed and pulled out a teleport crystal, said:
"I'll see you again, brat"
and warped away. The 15 year old dropped to his knees and everything started to go black. But before he blacked out he caught a glimpse of his saviour. A swordsman dressed in black. With a sudden jolt Raiki Onigami, Head Jailer of Aincrad, woke up. Sweat covering his body.
"Just a dream huh? Still, thanks Kirito."
With this he got out of bed and equipped his clothes. Ready to meet with the same person who had saved his life nearly two years ago. He also owed that person another debt. Without him, he would have never had the courage to level up and rise to become the leader of the Jailers. In the end, fate was a funny thing. His friends had lost their lives to give him the power to save and avenge others.
