Summary = The regret is still there, countless times trying to undo what's already done, all end up in failure. Sometimes, heroes do need to be saved too.


Date Posted = 2017/12/16

Last Edited = 2018/10/17


CAST

Kirigaya Shirou (IGN = Shirou) [Former Heroic Spirit EMIYA / ARCHER]

Kirigaya Kazuha (IGN = Kazuya) [Female Kirigaya Kazuto, GGO appearance]

Kirigaya Suguha

Kirigaya Midori (Mother)


This rated T to M (So I decided to put it at M rating for safety)

If any of the characters in this fic will be OOC, I must say, please don't read this fic, because it will disappoint you

I Own Nothing!


"Speaking"

"Speaking in Thought"

["Talking on the phone"]

["Private Message in Game"]

[System]

[*Items*]

[Boss / Monster Name]

[[Weapons Skills Name]]

[[Skills Name]]


Aincrad Arc, Chapter 1 = Welcome to The Sword Art Online


Year 2022, Month November, Days 6

The sun that shining through the only window of a simple bedroom awoke a person from Morpheus realm. Shielding his eyes to block the sun while adjusting with the sudden brightness entering his vision. Sitting up from his slumber, a white-haired teenager slowly opened his eyes to revealed steel grey colored.

Then he feels something warm wrapped around his waist. He opened his blanket and looked down to the source of the warmth.

A teenage girl with luscious long black hair sprawled around with the owner sound asleep with cute snores could be heard.

This is Kirigaya Kazuha, one of his (self-proclaimed) step little sisters.

She's sneaking inside his room

Again.

Shirou giving a blank stare at Kazuha sleeping form, "I know you're awake." Opening her eyes, Kazuha pouted at him. "Mou, how do you know Onii-chan?"

"Besides there are movements in your eyelids?" He asked flatly, "Your breathing is not calm enough for someone who falls asleep."

Kazuha pouted more then she sat up and stretching. Giving Shirou full body view at her appearance as a slender teenager which matched with her height and slight curve, that could be called Slender Beauty.

Kazuha caught her brother staring at her, "Enjoying the view Onii-chan?" She asked teasingly.

"Oh, two can play this game girl." Shirou smirked then he pulls her closer making her sitting on his lap and whispering hotly to her ear, "Indeed I do, and can I expect more than this?" Then blew hot breath at her ear.

The results, Kazuha's breath hitched and her face becomes tomato as she started stuttering nonsense.

Suddenly his door is opened by another teenage girl wearing school uniform. She had short black hair with 4 hairpins, 2 on each side of her head. She is Kirigaya Suguha, his other (self-proclaimed) stepsisters.

"Onii-Sama, I'm going to practice, do you want to come with me?" Suguha said cheerily then frozen as eyes turned blank at the sight. Kazuha is still sitting on Shirou's laps didn't help with the situation. For almost a minute, mount Suguha erupted.

"What the hell are you doing to Onii-Sama?!"

Kazuha smiled impishly at Suguha, "Can't you see? We're having a moment here, would you please to knocked next time?" She asked teasingly while looping her arms around Shirou's neck.

"I…! you…! Whatever!" Suguha threw her arms in the air, "Food is on the table Onii-Sama, I'm going to practice." She gave Kazuha stink look then closed the door.

"Must you have antagonized your sister every time you both is in the same room?" Shirou asked exasperatedly.

"I don't know what you're talking about Onii-chan," Kazuha replied. "Now, can we continue from before?" she grinds her hips at this. But Shirou stood abruptly ignoring Kazuha yelp falling from his laps, then chase Suguha before she's leaving the house.

Kazuha looked sadly at the door, "In the end, you're always favoring Suguha over me…." She looked at the clock that shows 12:55 then getting out of the room.

"Sugu!" the girl was just about leaving the house when Shirou is able to catch her. "I'm sorry you have to see that," he apologized.

"No need, Onii-Sama," Suguha's back still on him, "I have to go, I'm already late for practice." With that, she left the house without looking back.

"How did it come like this." Shirou pondered of what is he going to do with both of them.

"Kazuha," he walked to her room to check on her. Knocking on the door he called again, "Kazuha, I have part-time works until late night, I will be joining yo-" He opened the door and stop to see her already laying in bed with a helm-like contraption on her head.

A NerveGear

When it was announced in 2021, people all around the world is on the race to get one of it. The advancement of VR, or Virtual Reality technology has reached its peak when it said you can feel all of 5 sensories when inside of it.

Kazuha as a tech geek, she wanted to try it so bad. She's also participating at the Beta Test, even dragged him alongside with her to participate on Beta Testing.

When they released it on the market last May, all sold out in mere hours. Kazuha looked devastated when she can't get one of it. She's been brooding on her room, never interacted with anyone, even not even arguing with Suguha for almost 5 months.

On Kazuha birthday last October, Shirou surprised her with a NerveGear as a birthday present. When she asked how he gets it, Shirou explained to her that participating on Beta Test you automatically get a NerveGear as the prize.

He also mentioned to the Argus company to send it to him at a specific day, which is her birthday. This earned Shirou a slap, then hugs with many kisses from Kazuha (on the cheek) and… Suguha death glares, which Shirou didn't know is it for the kisses or not giving her the present that she wanted.

And today at 13:00 the server for Sword Art Online, a VRMMORPG which using the Nerve Gear is running for the first time.

Knowing that she cannot respond, Shirou closed the door and went to his part-time work.


Aincrad 1st Floor - Town of Beginning, Teleport Gate Plaza

Kazuha opened her eyes to see the Town of Beginning is still the same as in Beta Test. Clenching her hands to test her avatar is moving as she wished. "I'm back in this world." Feeling satisfied, she started running through the crowds to the destination in mind.

When she turned at some alleyway, someone is calling for her.

"Hey there man," Kazuha almost laughed at this. Because she's using a male avatar to avoid being flirted by any random male players here. Only her Onii-chan has privilege on that. (Kirito First Appearance in Town of Beginning)

"Me?" Kazuha pointed at herself as the male player with red hair running at her.

"Yes," He panted, "The way you move, it seems like you know the way around here. Are you in the Beta Test?" he stated.

"You can say that," Kazuha replied, "Got to give this man a credit for deducing that from his observation." She thought.

"It's my first time here, do you mind showing me the rope?" he asked but getting too close for her comforts and pats her shoulder. Her face twitched and chanted, "Must not slap this man, must not slap this man."

Thankfully he backed away and put his palm together, "Please man, help me out." He pleaded. Then he pointed his thumb to himself, "My name is Klein, nice to meet you," he introduced.

"At least he's polite," Kazuha thought and put her arms on her waist, "I'm Kazuya"


Aincrad 1st Floor - Town of Beginning, West Field

"Argh!" With pained sound, Klein fell after being rammed by Frenzy Boar

"Right in the nuts…" Said Klein, holding his crotch.

"Pfft" Kazuya tried to hold her laughter at Klein suffering. At his request, they went for the West Field to show Klein some basic about this game.

"Give me a break Klein," Kazuya shakes her head, "you don't feel any pain, right?"

Klein stops squirming at this, and realized he didn't feel any pain, "Oh yeah, it was an instinct."

"Can't blame him for that, all males will do that on instinct." Kazuya sweatdropped at this, "I told you, what's important is your initial [Motion Input]." She explained again.

"Yeah, yeah." Klein waved dismissingly at her, "But he keeps moving around." He whined.

Kazuya sighed, "If you get the motion input right," she picked up a rock and doing a stance. The rock glows at this, "And activate a sword skill," Then threw the rock at [Frenzy Boar] right in the ass to taunted it. "The system will ensure that the technique connects." She finished.

"Motion Input… Motion Input…" Klein pondered.

"How should I explain this," Kazuha evade the charging monster, as it turns back and charges again, she holds it from moving with her sword blocking its path, "Stop for a moment, and when you feel the skill begin to activate, let it explode." She explained again as she's holding it back from moving around.

"Explode?" Klein look puzzled at this, then widened his eyes for realizing something.

Taking a stance, Klein put his sword on the shoulder.

When Kazuha saw that the sword in his hand is glowing, she smiled that Klein gets it right this time.

She kicked the [Frenzy Boar] to make it charge at Klein as he's already activating the [[Sword Skill]] and charge at the monster. When the monster burst into millions of pixels Klein expression turned to joy and cheered, "Alright!"

"Congratulations," said Kazuya. But confused when Klein held out his palm open to her as he wiggled his eyebrows. She smiled then high-five him.

"However, that boar is equivalent of slime in any other games," informed Kazuya

"Seriously?" Klein shocked at this, "I thought it was a mid-level boss or something like that" he whined.

"Of course, not" Kazuya snorted. Then she watched Klein do some swings with his sword. "Exciting? Isn't it? Rather than playing a game with a controller, this time you play it with your own body experiencing it."

"Hell yeah," Klein grinned. "Say, there is another set of skills, right? Like Blacksmithing and other?" He asked while doing another swing.

"Yes, I heard there is an unlimited number of skills." Kazuya nodded, "However, there is no magic."

"An RPG without magic" Klein squinted his eyes, "That's pretty bold decision."

Kazuya turned to see another [Frenzy Boar] is spawned. "Let's just go to the next one."


Real World

Shirou wipes his sweat on his forehead after finished fixing a laptop. Sometimes he missed how convenient of having Magecraft at his disposal for doing the task like this. Structural Grasping sure is a handy skill for a technician job.[G53] [G54] [G55]

But no more, he's no longer a Magus.

When he tried chanting the first line of his Aria, he can't feel anything change within his soul. Maybe because of his Magic Circuits being stripped off from him? After all, Magic Circuits is the extension of the soul. He doesn't know any technicalities of Magecraft that much, even after becoming Alaya's Beast he's still a third-rate Magus. Only being overspecialized.

At least his [[Eye of The Mind (True)]]. A danger-avoidance ability from his heightened capacity for observation, that refined through sheer of overwhelming amount of combat experience. But having to implements it is not as easy as it sounds. This body can't keep up with his [[Eye of The Mind (True)]]

He learned a hard way. When Kazuha decides to quit kendo and embracing technology, Sousuke is enraged then proceed to beat Kazuha. Before Sousuke started beating Kazuha, he challenged Sousuke for Kazuha's freedom.

And he won, with many bruises. Both literally and figuratively.

Yes, the lesson is learned. Hard. Very Hard and so much Pain.

When Shirou is about to talk to his manager to ask if he had anything else to do, he looked at many other mechanics is gathering near a tv, who paying attention to the headlines news.

213 Sword Art Online players death is confirmed after playing the games

"Today, one of the Argus Company scientist who developed this device, Kayaba Akihiko, stated from his own private social media account that Sword Art Online is now a death game. He admitted himself that he's the one who trapped the players inside the game, saying that the players must finish it or they can't log out from the game." Said the news announcer.

"The NerveGear is using High-density Microwave Transceivers are capable of accessing the user's brain, if anything happens to the NerveGear. The device will trigger to destroy the person's brain by emitting high-powered microwaves, shutting down one's vital processes. Even removing the NerveGear is not recommended..."

Shirou paid no mind at the news announcer after that. Because Kazuha is now trapped inside the death game. "No…" Suddenly his phone rang stopping him from his distress, looking at the caller ID he pressed the answer button, he can hear his mother panicked voice.

["Shirou you need-"] He cut her sentence, "Mother, is Kazuha-" but being cut again with his mother. ["She's fine, we're already moving her to the hospital"] he sighed in relieved, "I will be there shortly," he closed the call.

"ROOT DAMN IT!" Shirou slammed his hand at the nearby wall which is cracking a bit from the force if [G66] his blow. Stunning the others who are also watching the news.

"Sir, I need to get back early." He asked his manager.

The manager after looking Shirou's reaction just nodded, he can assume it's because of the news. "Go on, I'll have someone filling your shift,"

"Thank you, sir." Then Shirou ran as fast as possible to the parking lot for his. Starting the engine, he sped to the limit to the hospital.


Arriving at the hospital, Shirou rushed to the front desk with the lady behind it greets him, "Welcome sir, how can I-"

"Kirigaya Kazuha, female, Sword Art Online victims." Shirou cold voice cuts the lady before she finished.

The lady shivered then using the computer, "T-t-third f-f-floor s-s-ir, r-r-room 321" he nodded then ran upstairs using the staircase, not wasting more seconds waiting for the elevator.

Finding the room number, Shirou slammed opened the door and finding that Kazuha is on the bed, with Suguha and his mother sitting near her bedside.

"Onii-Sama!" Suguha lunged and cried in his chest.

Shirou pats her head to comfort her. Even when they're always at each other throats, the fact that they're still sisters who always still cared for each other, relieved him.

Looking at his mother with her eyes still red after crying, he asked. "How is she?"

"We manage to move her without any difficulties," Midori hold Kazuha arm, "The doctor said she's still alive, only asleep like in coma," her tears started falling, "They can't do anything because the NerveGear is blocking the 5 sensory and any stimuli from outside cannot help."

Shirou breaks away from Suguha's hug, walking to Kazuha's bed, took a knee, then holding Kazuha's other hand tightly until silence engulfed the room. "Mother, where is my NerveGear?" Shirou question breaking the silence.

Midori puzzled at this, "It's over there," she pointed at the box at the corner of the room, "We're going to give it to authorities after we head back from here."

"No need," Shirou released Kazuha's hand, then he pushed the nurse button near Kazuha's bed. Not long enough, a nurse came. "I'm going in," reaching the box to open it, Shirou pulled out his NerveGear. "Prepared another room for me," he ordered the nurse with a tone that leaves no arguments, she nodded shakily then left the room.

"NO!" Suguha ran at him then hugged him more tightly from behind and started sobbing again.

"Please be reasonable Shirou, you don't have to do this. You could also get killed in there!" Midori pleaded.

The doors open and the nurse earlier came back with a doctor and 2 people wearing suits with her.

"My name is Kikuoka Seijirou, a volunteer from SAO Incident Victims Rescue Force, nice to meet you." The man with glasses and a green suit introduced himself.[G79]

"My name is Yuuki Shouzou, CEO of the RECT." The man with brown hair and suit introduce curtly.

Shirou widened his eyes and quickly released himself from Suguha and bow to the brown-haired man, "President."

Shouzou saw Shirou's uniform then nodded back, "It's nice to meet you…" then squinted his eyes at the name tag, "Shirou"

Shirou raised his head, "May I asked why are you here sir?"

"I'm visiting all my employees or their families, to ensure that they're already moved to the hospital because of this incident. And I happened to meet with Kikuoka in this hospital," said Shouzou.

"When we saw a nurse that looks like she's been seeing a ghost," Kikuoka pointed at the nurse, "She said a person is asking for a room here and that same person is also pulled out a NerveGear."

"What are you intended to do, son?" Shouzou asked

"I'm going in," Shirou answered bluntly and feel Suguha hugging him again from behind. "My sister is in there," he turns his head to see Kazuha's sleeping form in the hospital bed.

"Even the risk of getting yourself killed?" Shouzou asked further.

"I once had a dream to become a Hero of Justice," Everyone in the room is silent now, "Who saved everyone, to make them happy." He clenched his fist, "But it was a foolish dream. No matter what, you can't save everyone." Shirou chuckled bitterly.

"That's why," he gently released himself from Suguha, "I will start saving the one who is close to me first."

"I will bring her back… No." Shirou shook his head, "I will try to bring everyone who's trapped in there if I can," he looked again at Kazuha, "Starting with my sister first."

Shouzou smiled at his employee then turned at the nurse, "Prepare a room for him and send all the bill for his stay in this hospital to me," the nurse nodded and left again.[G83]

Shirou confused by Shouzou action, "What do you mean by bill, sir? I thought the government is paying the hospital bill?" Shouzou chuckled at this.

"The government is only paying for the victims of SAO incident," Kikuoka explained, "Since you intentionally getting in there, the government will not pay for your stay."

Shirou blushed at this then turned his head away in embarrassment.

"The room is ready," said the nurse as she opened the door.

All of them leave the room and follow the nurse which surprisingly is only across Kazuha's room.

When they entered the room, the nurse gave Shirou the hospital gown and told him to change in the bathroom.

As Shirou is changing in the bathroom, Shouzou looked at the mother and asked, "Excuse me Mrs.…"

"Kirigaya Midori," the woman smiled.

"Ah, my name is Kirigaya Suguha, forgive me for my bad manner," Suguha bowed.

"It's alright," Shouzou waved his hand, "Sorry if I'm rude for asking this, but are you both blood related with Shirou?" Shouzou asked because he didn't see any resemble from his employee appearance with the 3 females.

"No, we're not," Midori shook her head, "My late father-in-law took him in after a traffic accident 8 years ago."

"So, he's adopted?" Kikuoka asked from his position near the bed, preparing the NerveGear.

Again, Midori shook her head, "No, he's never registered as one of my children," as she looked sad at this.

Before anyone asked again, Shirou came out from the bathroom wearing a hospital gown and gave his clothes to his mother. Walking to the bed, Kikuoka gave the NerveGear to Shirou only to be stopped by his boss.

"Before you go Shirou, I wanted you to do something for me when you were there," Said Shouzou.

"I'm feeling Déjà vu here," Thought Shirou, "What do you want sir?" he asked. Knowing that his boss is paying all his bill for staying here, there's no way his boss did this for him out of charity.

"I know your sister is your first priority, but please if you find my daughter there, please look after her." Shouzou bows his head low at this point.

"Definitely Déjà vu" Shirou sweatdropped, "I will, I promised you that. May I know her name?"

Shouzou looked up at Shirou with hope in his eyes, "Thank you, son. I don't know what name or her appearance she will be using inside the game, but her name is Yuuki Asuna." Shouzou informed, "If you mentioned my name, she will understand."

"Understood sir," Shirou nodded.

Shouzou then looks at his watch, "I have an appointment after this, Godspeed son," He left the room.

"I will leave you with your family now, I'm going to check other SAO victims condition, especially you," Kikuoka said as he already finished preparing NerveGear and give it to Shirou then leave as well.

"Well…" Shirou said awkwardly but suddenly being hug by his mother.

"No matter what, I always see you as my son," Midori started rubbing Shirou's hair as he returned the hug.

"I will," then he backed away, "Thank you, Mom."

"Onii-Sama," Suguha called in a whisper with hair shadowing her eyes.

"Sugu?"

Suddenly Suguha leaps forward and kissed him in the mouth. Shirou widened his eyes in shocked at Suguha bold move. For few seconds he froze, then slowly Suguha broke the kiss.

"Aishiteru yo Onii-Sama," Suguha shook her head, "No, Shirou" and blushed, "Please return to us, to me."

Shirou just speechless with blush in his face and nodded his head slowly, "I will return, with Kazuha with me." Shirou put on the NerveGear and lay down on the bed, "Link Start!" with that his eyes are closing.

When Suguha realized that she's not alone, she turned her head to see her mother and the nurse, the former raised her eyebrows at her and the latter giving her a knowing smile. Embarrassed by this, Suguha buried her face in her hands.

"umu" is the word she could only mutter.


Aincrad - ?

When his sight returns, Shirou finds himself at some white open space. Looking down, he noticed that his outfit is no different than from his Beta Testing with Kazuha, standard leather armor for starter players.

"Hello there." A voice startled him.

Startled, Shirou turned around to find himself face to face with the man he least expected to see here. "Kayaba Akihiko…" he murmured. "I didn't expect that you were in here of all places."

"And you are?" Kayaba asked curiously.

Shirou still feeling wary of the man before him, decided to answer, "Shirou." He decided to use his real name since he didn't know what name to use since EMIYA or ARCHER is out of the question. Because he didn't want any reminder of his old life. He is Kirigaya Shirou now.

Even Kazuha is still berating him about not using your real name inside an MMORPG, ever.

"Oh, using your real name inside MMORPG?" Kayaba joked, earning dry chuckles from Shirou. "Well, then Shirou. Can I assume you already know about this game from the news on the Real Word?" he asked.

"Yes, I do." Shirou gaze turned cold right now.

"And yet, you still coming here," Kayaba stated, not even fazed a bit, "Is the government send you?"

"No," Shirou shakes his head, keeping his gaze at Kayaba. "I come here on my own volition."

"I see," Kayaba swipe down with his hand, showing a menu console. "You can still log out, this place is like boundaries between Real World and Aincrad, the system will allow it." Shirou stunned at this.

Shaking his head and clenched his fists, "Not a chance, I have promises to keep, and I intend to fulfill it."

Kayaba is the one who stunned this time, "Promises huh?" Kayaba smiled bitterly, "I don't know if I should pity you, for risking your life for a mere hollow word." Pushing more button on his menu console then close it.

"For that, I will respect you, let's put your willingness to keep your promises to the test," Kayaba stated.

Slowly Kayaba's body starts to fade feet first, "If you can survive this dungeon, there is a door that will take you straight to the central plaza at [Town of Beginning] and do be careful the [Boss] in here is always roaming, best of luck." Before Shirou could ask anything, Kayaba already disappeared, "Oh, keep this to yourself that I am also inside of this place as well, or there will be consequences for all the players in here." Is Kayaba's only last words.

Suddenly, the white space turned into the dark hallway, the walls are made of black stones and lined with columns.

Feeling something behind him, he turned to see a floating massive, leg-less skeleton, clad in a tattered black robe and carrying a large silver scythe that is as big as the figure itself. The name on its figure is labeled [Unknown]

"Fuck you Kayaba"


Aincrad 1st Floor - Town of Beginning, Teleport Gate Plaza

Disoriented and confused plastered Kazuya's face after the forced teleportation. She looked around and found the other players are also showing one by one with bluish flash, meaning she and Klein are not the only one who is forced to teleport here.

"Up there," someone voice indicating something is in the sky.

A single hexagonal plate is flashing with [Warning] sign on it. Suddenly it spread out with [System Announcement] sign and multiplied until it encasing the entire sky in a red dome.

From the cracks of said dome, a red liquid like blood is oozing out from it and converging on a focal point, giving rise to a crimson-cloaked, gold-trimmed figure whose face was blacked out by the shadow of his hood. There were no body parts, just more shadows as the ghostly-apparition floated before them all like an important figure.

Kazuya quickly picked up on the comments being made around her.

"A Game Master?"

"Why doesn't he have a face?"

"Is this an event?"

"Attention players. Welcome to my world." The figure spread out its arms speaking in a deep voice, which gained the attention of all the people standing in the middle of the plaza.

"My world…?" Kazuya murmured.

"My name is Kayaba Akihiko. As of this moment, I am the sole person who can control this world." The figure introduces itself.

"Is that really him?"

"He must've spent a lot of time on this!"

Kazuya then widened her eyes in shocked, recognized this man is the one who invented NerveGear.

"I am sure many of you have noticed that the Log Out button is missing from the main menu." The figure swipes down its hand, showing the menu console, "But this is not a defect in the game," the figure then showing the place where the Log Out button where it should be, "I repeat, this is not a defect in the game."

"It is a feature of Sword Art Online." Kazuya felt something isn't right with the way it spoke.

"A f-f-eature?" Klein stuttered in panic.

"You cannot log out of Sword Art Online by yourselves. And no-one on the outside can shut down or remove the NerveGear devices you are all currently wearing." The figure let the people absorbed the information before continuing, "Should this be attempted, the transmitter inside the NerveGear will emit a powerful microwave and destroying your brain, thus, immediately ending your life."

Mixed murmurs began spreading throughout the crowd as everyone seemed to be split into disbelief, annoyance, and worry.

Klein looked worriedly at Kazuya, "He can't be serious, right? He's gotta be nuts," Klein asked, wanting some self-assurance.

"It's possible." Kazuya gritted her teeth, "The transmitter signal work just like the microwave if the limiter is removed it could fry your brain." Kirito replied tightly.

"This is crazy! What if we cut the power-" Klein began before Kazuya cut him again.

"Doesn't work, each NerveGear has an internal battery in cases of electrical blackouts, so it doesn't abruptly cut you from the game while you're still connected to the calibrations. Our body situation now is like in brain-dead state." Kazuya explained.

"But that's crazy!" Klein shouted, "What the hell is going on here?!"

"Unfortunately, several players' friends and families have chosen to ignore this warning, and have attempted to remove the NerveGears. Because of this, two-hundred and thirteen players have now been left from Aincrad and the real world, forever."

"Two hundred and thirteen dead" Kazuya put her hand at her mouth in horror.

"No way…" Klein also lost at words.

Then pop-up screens began appearing around the figure's frame and circling around like there is a centrifugal force of gravity. "As you can see, news organizations around the world are reporting all of this, including the deaths." Some screen showing name of the victims, "Thus, you can rest assured that the danger of your NerveGear being removed is now minimal." Another screen showing a crying family, "I hope you all will relaxed and attempt to clear the game."

Kazuya heart sank as she had no doubt that her mother and Suguha must already know about this. Then she remembered Shirou, who has not logged in yet because of his part-time works, which gives her some piece of mind. But doesn't making her trapped here any better.

"But I want you all to remember this clearly." The figure continued, "There is no longer any method to revive someone within the game. Once your HP hits zero, your Avatar will be forever lost," one by one the pop-up screens disappeared, "And simultaneously…" the figure paused, "…The NerveGear will destroy your brain."

All players in the plaza were stunned to silence at the situation they're in now. Trapped within a game where death was not an option. If they died here, then they would die in the real world.

Kazuya just imagined her death and shivered uncontrollably with her tears already threatening to fall from her eyes. Klein was looking worried at her reaction.

"There is only one means to escape. To complete the game." The figure now showing the holographic figure of Aincrad, "You are presently on the lowest floor of Aincrad, Floor one." As he began, the holographic figure of Aincrad began to expand large enough for everyone to see it clearly. "By making your way through the dungeons and defeating the Floor, you may advance to the next level. Defeat the final Boss on Floor 100, and you will clear the game."

"Clear?"

"What's he talking about?"

"Y-You're just making all this up!"

"Clear all one-hundred floors? That's impossible!" Klein shouted up toward the figure. "Not even any Beta Testers never made it anywhere near that high!"

"Finally, I've added a present from me to your item storage. Please see for yourselves." The figure is unfazed by all the insults and questions being thrown at.

One by one, players checked their inventory spaces and noticed an item that had not been there before, a [*Mirror*].

Kazuya looked at her own male avatar reflection on the mirror. A sudden cry makes her looked around and saw many players are being engulfed by bluish flame.

"Woah!" Kazuya turned at Klein who are already engulfed by it. Before she can even ask him, blue light covering her vision.

When her vision returned, she heard a puzzled voice of someone is calling out to her name. "Kazuya?" She turned around to the one who's calling out to her.

"Y-yeah," Kazuya answered, her voice sounded feminine, "Why my voice sounds so feminine? Ugh, I can't breathe." She also feels her outfit is a little bit tighter on her chest area. Then Kazuya looked closely at the one who's calling her, to find a messy red-haired man with a goatee. "Who are you?" She asked confusedly.

"And who are you?" the man asked back.

Kazuya then looked again at the mirror and shocked, to see her very own real-world appearance in the mirror reflection. Then she looked back at the man outfit which is very similar like Klein just used, "Are you, Klein?"

"Kazuya? You're a girl? How?" asked Klein.

"The scan," Kazuya speak, seems to ignore Klein first two questions, "NerveGear cover your entire head with a high-density signaling device, so that's why it can know what our face looks like." She explained. "But our height and body shape…"

"When we first use it, we need to calibrate it right? With us touching all over our body," Klein moving his hands touching his own.

"So that's how they get the data," Kazuya concluded.

"More importantly, you're a girl? Why did you use a male avatar?" Asked Klein bewildered.[G144]

"Hmph!" Kazuya crossed her arms under her chest, "In old MMORPG maybe I will use a female avatar, but this is VRMMORPG. I don't like the fact that any men trying to hit on me when I'm playing this game, so I use a male avatar."

"R-right" is Klein only answer, the fact that he also trying to hit several female players he came across before asking Kazuya for help is not making him more comfortable from Kazuya accusation.

"Right now, you're all probably wondering, Why? Why would Kayaba Akihiko, developer of Sword Art Online and the NerveGears, do this?" the floating figure continued, ignoring the silence, "My goal has already been achieved. I created Sword Art Online for one reason... to create this world and control it."

"Kayaba..." Kazuya hissed lowly.

"Now it is complete. But before I take my leave. Out of 200,000 NerveGears, only 199,999 that is online including those who died until now." Kazuya looked up by this, her body is rigid. "It seems we have the last player deliberately joining us here on his own will, albeit knowing about the news that I already spread across the world. Even Refusing my offer to log out before it's too late."

"No, no, no, no, no" Kazuya chanted madly like a prayer, feeling dread building up in her stomach.

"He said he's going to fulfill his promises to someone, even knowing the risk of dying here." The figure continued, "And I give him my respect to that. So as a reward for his bravery. Instead of bringing him here, I've sent him to the dungeon beneath [Black Iron Palace] to test his will, with a [Boss] that move freely inside the dungeon, instead of staying on the boss room."

"NOOOO!" Kazuya shouts could be heard by all players in the plaza. "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO HIM?!" She almost took off to the floating figure, but Klein is holding her in place, "GIVE HIM BACK! DON'T YOU DARE TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME!" her voice becomes more hysterical now.

"This ends the tutorial for the Official Sword Art Online launch. Good luck, players."

"KAYABA!" Kazuya shouted at the floating figure that now already dissolving back into a red liquid then vanished into nothingness. She slumped in Klein's arms and started sobbing.

"C'mon, let's get you out of here" Klein now looking at the girl he's holding condition, decided they need to get away from the plaza with so many players looking at them now.

Finding an empty alleyway, Klein set Kazuya down and waiting for her crying to calm down. When he saw her shoulder stopped shaking he started asking, "Are you calm now?" her answer is only nod, "May I asked why are you becoming hysterical like that?"

"When Kayaba said there is only one player who didn't online today, I immediately know it was Onii-chan is the one he mentioned," Klein just keep silent urging Kazuya to tell him more about it.

"I never mentioned about Onii-chan to you, didn't I?" Kazuya wipes her tears. "He's always looking out for me and my Imouto…" Kazuya remembered her jealousy at Suguha because today accident before she came here.

"He's always spoiled us, even getting into troubles and getting hurts for us, that's why we love him so much. I love him so much" Kazuya smiled in serene.

"Sounds like he's a great man to me," Said Klein.

"Then Kayaba sent him to the dungeon immediately," Kazuya hair shadowed her eyes. "I know the dungeon he mentioned. It is a sub-dungeon that you can enter it when your level is high enough or reaching a certain floor in Aincrad to unlocked it." Her voice becoming more croaked as she explained it further.

Klein looked lost now, he didn't know what to say, since he didn't do any Beta Test. Suddenly an idea comes to him, "Say, Kazuya," gaining her attention, "There is friend list right?" she nodded, "Let's say, you didn't need to be closed enough to add someone on the friend list right?" Kazuya nodded again.

"If you can get their IGN right, you don't need to get close to them to add it, but most players like to do it up close so they didn't have the hassle typing some names," suddenly she widened her eyes in realization, "In friend list you can also know where they are and send messages to them."

"That's what I thought," Klein nodded and see Kazuya already opened her menu and sending a friend request, "Do you know his IGN?"

"Knowing Onii-chan, he must be using his real name here," Kazuya mumbled, after few seconds a window pop out saying Friend Request Accepted. She smiled widely, opening the PM windows she started sending a short message.

Waiting for a minute in anxiety, another window popped out for PM. Klein moved behind Kazuya so he can read it too.

["I'm glad you're okay.

I can't contact you frequently, because the Boss here is always lurking around the dungeon.

This is now a death game, get stronger, use any means at your knowledge as Beta Tester.

Whatever happens, you must survive until we can meet face to face"]

Closing the PM window, Kazuya looked at Klein, "I'm heading to the next village."

"Just like Onii-chan said, the only way to survive in this world is getting yourself as strong as possible," Said Kazuya. "The resources, which mean money and EXP we can earn are limited. Nearby hunting area will be packed with players, for that, I will head to the next village right now." She explained.

"All alone?" asked Klein, "That's dangerous, come with me. I was a guild master from my last game. There's also my friends from my last game is playing here, they're out there in the plaza. We can go together." Klein tried to persuade her.

"By dangerous, you mean me as a girl?" Kazuya narrowed her eyes, "Don't insult me, I know all the paths and dangerous areas. At my current level, I can get there safely," She huffed.

"W-well…" is Klein only can answer.

Kazuya smiled at him, "I guess this is goodbye then, send me messages if you need anything." Then she started running toward her designated place.

"Kazuya!" Klein called out to her, "You're pretty cute, just like my type." He said with a blush on his face.

Kazuya stopped abruptly, "Sorry, Klein." She turned around and send him cocky smirk, "I already set my eyes on someone." Then she took off.

When Kazuya is out from the town, she kept running while remembering those times she spent with her family. She saw a monster spawning on her path. "Mom… Sugu…" She slashed the monster and killing it, "Onii-chan… I'm going to survive in this world"

"I will be waiting for our reunion Onii-chan!"


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