World of the Living
November 6, 2022
Town of Beginnings/Starting City
Satoru (Saito) Narita
Man, this was nuts. This was genuinely nuts! These people were saddled up, ready to throw their lives away, only because of the mere and-might I say-very slim chance that what Royce said was true.
Ah, yes.
Royce was the name of the man standing on top of those stacks of boxes, preaching the "word" to whoever was compelled listen. And oh, there were quite a few who were, quite a few. Call it grasping at straws, but these people-considering the events that'd just conspired-would listen to anyone who promised them even a glimpse of hope.
Under different circumstances, this would be somewhat of a good thing, wouldn't it? Yet, it wasn't. Because a group suicide mission was something of cults and crazies. Nevertheless, people jumping to their deaths wasn't something I could just stand by and watch happen. So, the plan so far was to, first, get these people sane, then, work on gathering some sort of order within the city. Who knew how many others like Royce were out there.
This was going to be tough, especially with me being only one person, one who knew as much about this game as a toddler knows how to do a backflip...
Not so much.
Though, I've seen one do it before! He almost broke his neck mind you but flipped like none before him-or at all. It was glorious!
He even landed on all fours!
Sorta!
So maybe I have a chance, no matter how minuscule it might be.
Currently, I was politely shoving my way through the crowd of people who'd bunched together to hear Royce speak about how, and I quote:
"I, Royce, swear on my life that my words are true!"
I really hoped the man was willing to keep that word of his. Because I literally saw no way in which this could work. How in the God-given world would falling off the edge of town and killing yourself in here, magically bring you back in the real world?
The mechanics seemed so off...
Ren (a sore subject right now) and that other guy from before had said that everything Kayaba told us seemed to be true. I happened to bump into another beta tester who confirmed my thoughts once again. They aren't bad guys really, don't know why everyone hates them. Guess people just needed someone else they could pin the blame on besides, you know, the big, floaty, hooded demon in the sky, roaring his guiltiness for all of Aincrad to hear!
But anyway, back on topic.
Argus was a huge company, I mean billions of dollars to the name. So the fact that their CEO, and the very creator of Sword Art Online-the game in which we were imprisoned-told us about the sheer reality of all of this, and even provided stone cold evidence to back it up...
There was no other reason for anyone to listen to this guy but fear. They were scared. I could tell, seeing that crazed light in the eyes of almost every person I passed on the way to the front. These people needed someone who could tell them what to do, and the person who sounded the most convincing at the time, was this guy.
I needed to change that.
"Excuse me. 'Scuse me. Just tryna get through here." I apologized as I managed my way through the crowd. It'd take a few moments but I'd finally reach the front.
And to my utter relief, I found that I wasn't the only one trying to talk some sense into Royce. There, right in front of the collection of boxes, stood a girl, about my age.
She had lush, indigo hair that flowed down her back and over her shoulders. The girl wore a red long-sleeved shirt, underneath a leather breastplate, a black skirt, and black leggings. At her hip hung a simple straight sword. She had the normal civilian leather boots. The thing was, she didn't look Japanese at all. American was the first thing that came to mind, though I could definitely see her being a European. She had a European nose.
Nonetheless, her Japanese was flawless.
She seemed to be trying to calm Royce down like he was off his meds or something. I caught her tone as she spoke and quickly noticed its surprising gracefulness, and the calmness it exuded. In the midst of all of the chaos happening around the city, it was one thing I felt myself gravitate towards.
"Royce, please stop this," She said, gesturing with her hands to the ten players who'd joined him atop the boxes. "This isn't the way we should be dealing with things right now. These people are scared, and so are you. Are you really going to put a child's life in danger because of what you think to be true?"
'Preach.' I thought, smirking to myself as I neared the situation. 'I think I just found ally number one.'
"Hey." I said, making my presence known to the girl. She turned at the sound of my voice, greeting me with soft, dark blue eyes. The orbs peered at me curiously.
She gave me a cautious smile, tugging lightly at the tips of her shirt's sleeves. "Ah, hello," she said, tilting her head ever so slightly.
"Forgive me for being blunt, but, who are you?"
I was eyeing Royce wearily, before my gaze would travel across the line of players behind him, landing on the mother and her little girl. Sighing, I returned to the conversation, letting a disarming smile flow onto my visage.
"My name's Saito," I said, reaching out my hand to greet her. "Nice to meet you."
She eyed me for a moment, then my hand, before-reluctantly-taking and shaking it. "I'm Holi. Nice to meet you too." She smiled, albeit somewhat warily. I couldn't blame her. This wasn't really an opportune time to be happy-go-lucky and welcoming. Yet, she extended that courtesy anyways.
So her name was Holi. Short, to the point, and easy to remember.
I smiled.
Though, Royce's barking from above returned me to the task at hand. We dropped the shake and I took a few quick steps back to see the full picture, my hands subconsciously finding their way into my pants pockets. "This doesn't look good," I said, a pout forming at the edges of my lips. I gave Holi a quick glance.
"He doesn't seem to be listening to you."
She shook her head. "I've been trying for a while now, but he's hellbent on this. He's been ignoring me for some time." She sighed, rubbing one of her temples. "This is absolutely absurd. I can't allow these people to do this..."
I nodded and took my hands from my pockets, walking towards the boxes. A baby plan had just birthed to mind as I'd eyed the situation.
"Neither can I, Holi. Neither can I."
The girl looked at me weirdly. Maybe it was my tone, but that was deliberated. I raised my hand high, high in the air. And suddenly, the most innocent, heartfelt smile sprung to life along my countenance. I mentally pictured Theodore from Alvin and the Chipmunks.
I looked much, much less cute, more like a fish, on its first date with dry land...
...
Anyways, I decided that if speaking wouldn't work, I'd just yell.
"HEY! Royce! HEYYY! Hey! Hey! Hey! Me! Pick me!"
Oh, that got his attention. The man stopped his ranting and looked down at me. The height difference suddenly irked me, just a smudge. Though I kept my calm and smiled the sweet smile, continuing with the charade.
"I believe! Please, oh please let me jump with you!" I pleaded, fluttering my lashes and everything. Oh, this was so left field!
I tried my best not to laugh as I channelled my inner "crazy devotee". There were other ways to get on top that stage. I could by force, I could join Holi and argue with him from below until I was blue in the face.
However, this option was one he wouldn't see coming. One that I could take advantage of, not only to knock some sense into him but to also take charge of the crowd.
And so, I played crazy.
"I want to be free!"
I didn't even need to turn to picture Holi's expression. I could feel her eyes staring lasers at the back of my head as Royce's face lit up with enthusiasm.
"Ah, another believer! Well, step on up here, young man!" He proclaimed, reaching down with his hand as I took it and hefted myself up onto the boxes.
"Osu."
My hands found themselves back into their pockets while I waddled my way over to the 10 others lined up behind him. I don't know why they didn't just group together. This thing was really rickety.
It felt as if it could fall at any moment.
As I turned to face the crowd, my eyes fell upon Holi. Her mouth was ever open and her eyebrows shot into her hairline.
Her expression was screaming "What The Hell?!"
I simply winked at her, a wolfish smile slipping onto my features. My eyes glanced over at the mother and child, the former giving me a reassuring nod. Though I could see the desperation in her eyes. She wanted to get out of here, not for her, but for her daughter. Kayaba scared her to her very core, and she was just about ready to try anything to save her child's life. She was a good mother, but she was being led by the wrong person. I looked at the child, who seemed confused and scared. The little girl stayed close to her mother, clutching her like a lifeline.
I sighed. She didn't even know what in the world was going on... Whatever her mother did, she'd soon follow suit. That, I couldn't let happen. And so my backup plan continued to form. I tapped the box I was standing on to check its safety. It wobbled unsteadily.
'Nice.'
My gaze then traversed over to Royce, who was once again preaching his beliefs and ideals in the form of "truth". I would've glared if I wasn't in character. Instead, I would let him continue with his speech for at least another minute or two, solidifying my plan quietly.
As I did so, I also silently swore to myself that if I didn't do anything else to help this city, I would save these 10 players from jumping off that railing, no matter what.
And with that goal in mind, I took a deep breath.
It was time to get to work.
Tohru (Tokage) Takagi
"Ugh..."
My head hurt, and my body ached every time I moved it. My eyes slowly fluttered open to tiredly reveal to me my surroundings.
Where was I? What was going on? Last time I remember I was running away from those boys, then I... I collapsed I think.
I turned my body, squinting around. Seriously, where in the world was I? Everything was a blur... Man... is this what people with hangovers feel like?
I shifted my body just a little and instantly noticed it. Whatever I was resting on... It was really soft.
Like really soft.
I slowly pushed up from the surface and gently shook my head, blinking my eyes a few times before my vision cleared itself.
There, under me, laid one of the most beautifully sculpted pair of legs I'd ever seen in my life. My mouth gaped as I stared dumbly at the pair of thighs under me. My eyes then slowly trailed down the line as I followed the appendages all the way to black boots.
Wait, those boots...
Those were the ones I saw before I passed out! I quickly pushed myself away and scrambled backwards against the ground, the movement coincidentally rewarding me a full look at the owner of such cautious footwear.
Staring back at me, head slightly tilted, sat a girl. Light blonde hair flowed down the sides of her face, looking pretty frazzled and frayed, yet oddly complimented her red-orange eyes, which blinked owlishly in my direction. The pupils had a sort of feline feel to them. I don't know what it was, maybe it was the way she looked at me or... I don't know. She looked pretty dirtied though like she'd been rolling around on the ground or something.
She wore a brown poncho - which covered most of her attire - over what looked like a black long-sleeved shirt. She had on dark green shorts that stopped mid-thigh, leaving those nicely shaped legs to strut their stuff, all the way down to black boots.
Though, again, she looked pretty dirty, and tired. I watched as she sighed, closing her eyes and rubbing them wearily.
"Thank God. I thought you died or something." She said, her voice had a hint of raspiness to it, but it also sounded young and chipper. It reminded me of my sister's a bit.
Probably seeing my wariness, the girl quickly put on a smile and shot her hands up. "Ah, I'm not going to hurt you, 'kay?" She said, pointing into the fields a mile or two ahead, within a clearing. I could see the Town of Beginnings in the distance.
"I saved you from some roaming Boar. They were coming to get you." She said, looking around. "So I brought you to this forest to lose them. Seems like we did."
At that, my eyes scanned the area, just now taking in my surroundings. We were in a forest of some kind, it was far away from the city. There was just a big stretch of thick trees between the Starting City, and the other village, Horunka, minus the large prairie right outside the city.
"Ah, okay..." I said, albeit with some loose form of caution in my voice. I returned to the conversation with a nod in the blonde's direction, apologizing for my discretion.
"Thank you for saving me, miss. "
"Kirie." The girl smiled. "It's Kirie and no problem." She said with a grunt, standing to her feet and patting off her backside.
"Now. Are you gonna tell me your name? Or.."
"Ah, right. Sorry." I said as I stood up as well, noticing Kirie's height. She was a pretty short girl. My sister was taller than her by at least a few inches. I think even I may have been.
"I'm Toh- kage. Right, Tokage. Nice to meet you." I managed out.
Kirie raised a well-done eyebrow, tilting her head ever so slightly as she crossed her arms, cocking out her right hip. "Well, nice to meet you Tokage."
The blonde smirked before transferring her eyes deeper into the forest. "Say, there's supposed to be a village near here. Right?"
"Oh, Horunka? Yeah, it's the second settlement on Floor 1."
Kirie's eyes shot back over to me as both eyebrows raised this time. "Wow, alright then. Thanks." She laughed, before raising her arms in the air, stretching her limbs.
"Welp!" She groaned in satisfaction at the pops of relief her body created. "I think we should head there. The Town of Beginnings is filled with a bunch of crazies right now. Maybe Horunka won't be as bad. Then we could get an in-"
"Wait." I stopped her, shaking my head and waving my arms in front of me. "With all due respect, Miss Kirie. Why're you so immediately on board with me tagging along? To be honest, you barely know me, and, vice-versa..."
I noticed her shrug and heard her say:
"I just like kids."
My gaze narrowed slightly at those four words and I slowly inched away from the female. "Oh..."
Kirie must've noticed this, because she flew to correct her words, swiftly waving her hands in front of her face.
"No no no! Not like that." She sighed. "I'm not a paedophile or anything."
"Mhm."
"I'm serious, Tokage."
I squinted at her, mouth puckering up in thought. I nodded slowly as I crossed my arms. "Of course you're not..." That was exactly what a paedophile would say.
Kirie sighed and shrugged. "Fine, go." She said, throwing her hands in the air, grumbling to herself in frustration.
"You try to do one good thing..."
I dropped my facade, and my arms, sighing and shaking my head. "I'm sorry," I started, rubbing the back of my head, giving her a weary smirk.
"It's just been a rough day..."
The blonde looked at me as she sat back down, then nodded and closed her eyes. "You're telling me..." She said, before tucking her mouth under the cover of her poncho as she settled back against the tree she was situated against before.
I watched her for a few moments before the thought of my sister quickly shot me back to reality. I was about to open my messenger and tell her where I was before the most ear-splitting, gut-wrenching sound pierced my ears.
GRUUUUOOOOHHHH!
Both of our eyes snapped towards the source of the sound, still as deer in headlights.
"What was that?" I gulped, eyes wide as a shiver ran up my spine.
"I dunno," Kirie said, her eyes equally enlarged, with a hint of terror. She, unlike me, bolted to her feet and rushed over, grabbing my hand. "But we have to get out of here..."
"Wai-"
"No time. Move! Go!" She yelled.
GRRRRRRUUUOOOOAHHH!
And we were off, hauling our butts through the forest and away from whatever produced that ungodly sound. Whatever it was, it sounded huge. I could hear trees crashing and birds flapping away from the wild disturbance. I stole a glance at Kirie after - conveniently - almost tripping over an uprooted vine.
She looked scared, horrified even. Had she ever fought, well, anything in this game before?! The thought soared through my brain. Then, realization struck me. It probably was an inopportune time to ask, but I did anyway.
"Kirie!"
After about the fourth call, she screamed back in aggravation. "What?!" And I winced. However, I wouldn't even get to ask, for the beast crashed right into the pile of trees behind us, sending everything around us skyward, dirt, trees and all. I felt the air around me as my body lifted off the ground, and right out of the lengthy expanse of the plains.
I turned my head to see Kirie wailing like a crazy woman. "Kyahhh!" She squealed. I felt the odd urge to laugh at her expression, before my body felt the harsh arrival of the ground, slamming against it with a resounding:
WHAM!
"Oof!"
As soon as I hit dirt, I instinctively rolled back up on all fours, like a cat who'd been sprinkled with water. I darted my eyes over to Kirie to see if she was okay.
"Kirie!"
"I'm fine! I'm good!" She groaned, sitting up with a grunt and rubbing her head.
"Ow..."
I steadily stood to my feet, eyeing the ravaged forest before me. It was completely decimated. I could see the system start to repair itself, however, the destruction was astonishing. But what took my literal breath away was what had made that mess. I had to crank my head all the way back as I stared in awe at the large creature looming over us. Red eyes gleamed like only a predator would.
And we, unfortunately, were its prey...
"What the..."
"Holy..."
Kirie had gotten to her feet as well, mouth ajar as she stood beside me. Her pupils shrank within the whites of her eyes as she eyed the ghastly creature before us. I could see her shivering through my peripheral vision, though was too engulfed in my own fear to say anything.
There, growling and snapping rabidly, stood a beast of a monster. It was covered in bristled fur, and its fangs were at least a foot long- well, at least the canines. Its claws snaked into the grass as it neared us ever slowly.
That's when I took a glimpse of its name, hovering above its head.
The Alpha.
The name brought back a flood of memories. My sister had told me about this creature. It was a field boss. One that was very tough to beat according to her. It appeared right after the initiation ceremony in the closed beta.
There was a game-wide announcement about it and nee-san said thousands of people flooded the forests of Floor 1 to find it. She said once it was defeated, the drops were really good, for the first floor at least. I mean, it was the first field boss introduced in SAO, ever. It was bound to drop some top-tier stuff.
However, she never told me how exactly they beat it, and that was one piece of information I could really use right about now. I was scared out of my mind. This was not what I signed up for! Fighting a field boss not even 4 hours after I started the game?
Some pissed off deity above must've had it out for me... I'm willing to bet it's Nemesis. You cruel mistress!
As it laid eyes on its new prey, the super-sized beast prowled around us, snapping its jaws as drool slopped from the sides of its mouth. I soon noticed something while it stalked, taking a moment to analyze it's darkened, rough fur.
There were red gashes all over his body, digital gashes. At first, I thought that was just the aesthetics of its appearance, but then I realized.
It was hurt, maybe attacked by some other group of players.
Kirie soon fumbled around and drew something from her waist. The metallic sound alerted me as I turned to see it was a dagger. That's when I pieced it all together. The poncho, the black clothing, the dagger, either she was an assassin or a thief. Though, didn't assassin's start off with curved swords?
Yeah, she was a thief.
"You save one kid... Tokage!" The blonde said, raising her guard. I'd previously opened my menu and hastily clicked on the only weapons I had, Rusty Gauntlets. Though they'd take 10 seconds to materialize.
10 seconds I didn't-
"Move!"
I felt myself being barrelled into by the teen, hitting the ground with a harsh thud as a huge claw ripped viciously at the place I was just standing. My eyes widened as I heard the sound of decreasing health, looking up to see Kirie's bar, now down to 92%.
"Kirie!" I cried out frantically, staring the huge set of claw marks on her back. She winced, yet flashed a small smile. "You okay?" She managed to ask, lifting herself off of me and turning to face the creature, brandishing her dagger.
I just stared at her, frozen in place. I couldn't speak, I couldn't move. All I could do was watch as this blonde-whom I'd just met-stood in between me and the monstrosity of a wolf before us.
"Listen to me, Tokage. I need you to run as fast as you can, okay?" She asked, eyeing the stalking creature carefully. The wolf snapped its jaws, eyeing us hungrily. I knew, the slightest chance it got, it'd pounce.
She must've known this too, for she kept waving the dagger around threateningly. It seemed to keep the wolf at bay, for now.
"No, I'm not just gonna leave you to fight that thing alone!" I yelled at her, rushing to my feet. The gauntlets had materialized, and I clenched them hard. "I can fight too! We can beat this thing. It's already been wounded!"
"No!" Kirie snapped. "I am not putting your life in danger over some stupid theory! I need you to run, now! Get out of here! I'll gather enough aggro to keep it focused on me!"
"But, Kirie!"
The blonde shot a pleading yet angered look my way. "Listen to me, Tokage!"
GRUOOOAHHHH!
The beast lunged, almost faster than my eyes could follow. Kirie had looked away, she'd shown a weak spot. I yelled at the top of my lungs, my right fist, sparking to life with a vivacious red light. "Kirie, behind you!"
She crossed her arms in front of her face and shut her eyes tight, screaming in frustration, yet she didn't move.
"RUN!" She roared.
Suddenly, in that split second of a moment, I could see her fear. It seemed as though everything had slowed down as if Father Time was giving us an HD, 1080p front seat look at our climatic deaths. Her arms were shaking, and tears were forming at the edge of her eyes... Part of it wasn't that she wouldn't move. She couldn't. She was frozen, just like I was before.
She was scared.
I screamed at the top of my lungs, about to ignore Kirie's orders, launch myself forward, and sink my fist right into this stupid wolf's snout, when suddenly.
"RAGGGGGHHHH!"
Fweeeen!
BANG!
GRUOAHHH!
An explosion of light erupted, an airborne object slamming right into the side of the wolf's nasty face. The air expanded and convulsed, erupting and knocking everyone within its vicinity away. Kirie fell back into me as we both tumbled to the grassy ground.
We rolled a few meters back, before finally coming to a stop. I was frazzled and confused. What in the world had just happened? I rubbed my eyes, suddenly feeling how weary I actually was. I blinked a few times, before noticing that Kirie was still in front of me. Her arms were spread wide and her back pressed against my knees. She covered me, protected me, even when we were blown away.
Man, she was one tough cookie.
"HEY! BUTTMUNCH!"
The voice, that tone, the familiar, dry huskiness. Raising my head from behind Kirie, I widened my eyes at the sight before me. Standing with a single, longsword, red hair tied up in a bun, and a vicious expression, my elder sister growled.
"R-REN!" I shouted, almost crying at the sight. Maybe that accursed goddess was finally giving me a break today. I salute you!
Though I soon realized how stupid I was, having garnered the attention of the Alpha once again, Almost everything on the left side of the mob's face was cleaved clean off. It snarled and snapped, it's already pretty low health dipping deeper into the yellow region.
Kirie instinctively backed up against me shielding me once again. "Stay behind me!" She said, stealing a glance at Ren, before returning her attention to the beast. However, she managed to ask:
"You know that girl?"
"OI!" Ren crouched and slipped into a pre-motion stance, narrowing her eyes which focused solely on the beast. She rested her blade against her right shoulder. "When I say run, you run! Got it?!"
The beast slowly stalked to its feet, growling lowly and flicking it's one glowing eye between Kirie and I. I instinctively backed up, tugging on Kirie's sleeve. "That girl's my sister, Kirie," I said. Before she could turn her head and look back at me in surprise, I warned her.
"Wait, stay focused! Remember what happened last time! This thing is tricky!"
Kirie grunted, yet, kept her eyes on the beast. "Why the hell didn't you tell me you had an elder sister in here with you, Tokage?!"
"I was trying to tell you, but there was the small, minute problem of us running for our lives!" I said with a frown. Kirie groaned in annoyance. Her health was pretty low as well, and she looked even more beat up than when we first met, with due reason. She had about 79% of health left.
"Come on, Kirie! We have to run this time! Not just me! Ren can handle this guy. She was in the beta, she knows how to beat it!"
"Tch!" Kirie sucked her teeth, as if she was torn between helping my sister out, or saving me. Did this woman just not give a care about her own safety?! "Kirie! Come on! This is no time to be stubborn!"
"Oh look who's talking Mr. 'We can defeat it together!'"
The wolf pounced, baring its fangs as it barrelled towards us
"MOVE IT!" Ren roared as she launched from the spot she was standing, flying towards the beast with almost blinding speed. Her body lit up in a white glow before she soared off even faster than the skill she used was taking her.
I, now pulling on Kirie's poncho, ran back. "Kirie!"
"Okay, okay!" She turned and took my hand in hers, darting off in the opposite direction whilst looking back. I did the same, watching as the beast bounded after us hungrily. I was scared, but, at the same time, I wasn't.
Why would I be? Ren was here.
WHAM!
My sister slammed her body diagonally into the beast, having reached it in time. Her following skill finally sprung into action. The blue glowing sword seemed to gut and entrap the beast as it ripped around its body before Ren finished with a harsh downward slash, that sent the Alpha crashing to the ground.
"RAAGH!"
BOOM!
Dust went airborne instantly, the skill detonating the earth itself,
Kirie had gone wide-eyed at the display of skill. I only grinned. I knew how strong my sis was, especially in this game. She was a pro and definitely knew how to hold her own.
Ren messily rolled out of the fray, red bun and all. She sprung to her feet and quickly followed us. "Move! Move! Move!" She screamed at us.
That's when we refocused and revved our afterburners.
In no time at all, Ren had caught up with us, sprinting down the prairie and back onto the path towards. "Come on! If we make it a bit farther, we'll be out of its aggro range, no matter how vicious a monster is, it always has a range of attack!"
"Right, damn it!" Kirie managed to say. I could tell the girl must've been beyond tired. But she kept pushing. "To-... Tokage, stay in front okay?!"
I gulped while running. Her voice exuded weariness. "R-Right!" I stuttered. Though, my mind floated back to the Alpha, wondering what exactly had happened to it. I turned, only to find that it was actually battling someone else.
A black-haired player, with a one-handed longsword. The boy stood in between us and the beast, fending it off with almost expert skill. As it clawed for him, he'd parry expertly before dishing out a strong counter in return. Falling into a roll, the boy hopped back up and caught my stare. He bared his teeth and readied a sword skill.
"KEEP RUNNING! I GOT THIS!" He yelled, before flashing right back into the heat of battle once again.
That's when it hit me... The marks all over the Alpha's body, how low it's health was when it attacked us. Those weren't just aesthetics. He was the one. But to bring the Alpha's health down so much all on his own...
I eyed the black-haired player hard. 'Beta testers.' I thought, turning to stare at my sister. I swallowed my admiration. These people were no joke...
Soon Ren snapped her hand out and grabbed mine. "Less gawking more running you two!"
Both Kirie and I flopped with our words as we stumbled to keep up.
"R-Right!"
"Got it!"
It'd take only a few more minutes before we'd arrive at the entrance of the Starting City, panting and heaving for breath. At least Kirie and I were. Ren looked fairly unaffected by the almost mile long run back.
She crouched down, yanking and tapping me as she checked me over. "No bruises, do you hurt anywhere? Feel woozy?" She asked, shooting a glare at my health bar as if tempting fate to try it's luck.
Fortunately, it didn't. "No, no, I'm fine. I am, really. Kirie are you-"
"Yup," Kirie said through a series of wheezes. "Peachy..."
Ren gave her a quick once over, her eyes shooting from her clothing to weaponry, then back to her face in mere seconds. "So you're a thief?" She asked, rising up again and walking over to her.
Kirie plopped down on her butt with a sigh and nod. "Yup. Don't worry, I won't steal your valuables."
Ren snorted. "Like you could."
Kirie groaned and fell back against the floor. "Right?"
That surprised my sister, eyebrows raised and everything, and I knew why. Usually, when she said something along those lines, people retaliated or got angry. Kirie just let the comment breeze by like a passing thought.
I laughed. Maybe it was the weariness or just her reaction. But the whole situation was just hilarious to me. Kirie seemed to think so too, joining in as well.
"Ohh my god, we almost died!" She cried through fits of laughter as if just noticing. Ren couldn't help but giggle and rest back against the wall west to the entrance. We weren't actually situated right outside it. We'd decided to move a good bit over, in case any overzealous players decided to pick on us.
"Geez, you both are idiots you know... I was worried sick about you idiot!" She groaned, sliding down the wall as if letting all the stress evaporate out of her. She brought her knees to her chest and rested her head against them. "I even left-"
She stopped as if just realizing what she'd done. I knew exactly who she was about to say next. I did a head check. "Where's Saito?" I asked, eyeing my sister again. She didn't respond. Kirie sat up and looked at Ren, before eyeing me.
"Who?"
"Saito, he's a friend of ours," I replied before turning to Ren. "You left him? W-why?!" I stammered, throwing my hands in the air.
"Because he wanted to play hero, Tohru!" She raised her head and frowned. "And I needed to find you. I wasn't going to wait around as he helped every single person in the city."
"Okay but still, you can just leave him in a city this wild, Ren! He could be robbed or beaten up!"
"I'm sure he's fine."
"Ren, he doesn't know anything about this game!" I growled with exasperation. "I mean-"
"You were in danger, Tohru!"
"I had it under control!"
"Oh did you now?! Because the two-ton pound demon puppy would like a second opinion!"
"Gah! Ren!"
"GUYS!"
Kirie's voice cut through our argument like a knife. We both fell silent. She huffed. "Jesus, do you two go at it like this every day?! Calm down! What happened, happened! It's done with, spilt milk. You're both right."
She turned to Ren. "He's your brother, you weren't going to wait around for someone you barely even knew while he was in danger."
She then looked my way. "He's your friend. Maybe your sister was a bit impulsive in just leaving him like that. But considering what just happened, I'm sure that was the sisterly thing to do, don't you?"
I stared at her weirdly, feeling like I'd just gotten a life lesson from a parent. I opened my mouth, but no words came out, instead, I nodded.
Ren brought her head back and chuckled dryly. "Oh god, you sound like mom..." She said. I watched as she looked up at the sky, pupils shaking with underlying worry.
"You're right." She muttered, moving to stand on her feet. "...we need to find him."
I let out a with relief, running a hand through my hair.
"Yeah."
Kirie smirked, seeing us die down and resolve our issues. "Well come on then." She said, nodding to the both of us as she slipped her dagger back into its sheath.
"We have a player to find."
Ren nodded and stepped up to take lead. "I know where I last saw him, come on, and stay close. These streets are dangerous."
The two of us agreed and followed after. I ventured further up and nudged my sister lightly. She looked over and I hugged her tight.
"Thanks," I said. "For being there."
She was quiet for a beat, before pushing me off. "Alright, alright, lemme go." She said, though the red tinge of her cheeks and averting of her gaze was enough to make my heart warm.
I duly nodded with a grin as Kirie stepped up beside us. With our goal in mind, the three of us entered back into the city, focused on finding our lost friend.
Hopefully, he'd fared better than us...
Satoru (Saito) Narita
Things were coming to a close here. Royce was wrapping up, managing to add two new additions to his suicide squad (pun most definitely intended). I could tell he really believed in what he said. A part of me felt sorry for him. He was a victim just like every other player, trapped within a game of death, with an impossible goal ahead.
Compared to fighting through 100 whole floors of deadly monsters with his life on the line, simply falling off the edge of the world with fingers crossed didn't seem like such a bad idea.
My mind floated over to Tohru. I hoped he was safe, that Ren had found him... In hindsight, I looked very insensitive dropping finding her brother to help with this "lost cause". I literally kicked him to the curve, and the thought itself made my stomach turn.
I'd probably never see the two of them again. Knowing Ren, she most likely found him by now, and the two were on their way to Horunka if they weren't there already. I sighed. Maybe this was a lost cause. I barely knew anything about this game, and the odds were stacked so high against me. Who knew if my crazy plan would even work? I should've just went with Ren, found Tohru, and kept it moving.
I shouldn't have played hero... right?
A simple glance at the child to his right would set me straight. The little girl whimpered as she hugged her mother like a vice. The lady kept protective arms around her daughter, though looked as if she was in a daze. I could tell some part of her knew this was completely crazy. But just looking at her, I knew she was battling with her desperation. She needed help. She wanted her and her daughter to live, and she'd do anything to make sure they did, no matter how wayward...
"ANYONE ELSE?!" Royce boomed. I eyed him carefully. His speech had gone on for a good 15 more minutes. He didn't seem to be getting any more volunteers. The crowd was beginning to size him up, wondering if he was all talk or action.
The scary thing was, I really didn't know. But I wasn't planning on finding out. Checking the stability of the boxes, I nodded at the creaks and groans.
'Good, good.' I thought, looking at the back of Royce's head. 'Just have to wait for an opening.'
"I will show you all," Royce said with a confident - yet slightly mad - smile. "I will show each and every one of you the trickery of Argus. And we will see our families and friends again! I will lead you back to the world of the living!"
The crowd was swirled into an uproar. This was it. With a hard step of my left, I brought myself forward.
"WOAH! WOAH!" I roared as loud as I could, waving my hands wildly around in front of me.
The swarm of players managed to hush themselves at the new arrival. Their eyes fixated themselves on me. Some faces were confused, others were shocked at the outburst. Only Royce's expression was different. It held a degree of agitation. As if to ask "What the hell are you doing?!"
I forced myself to keep in character, placing a hand delicately across my chest. I reared back dramatically and spoke loud and clear. "Royce, what'd you just say?"
The slinky man frowned. "Excuse me?" He asked, wrinkling his brow. "What do you-"
"About bringing us to the world of the living, Royce," I said, eyeing him with caution. "Are you saying we're dead already? Are saying that we're that weak? That as soon as someone challenges us that we should simply kick the bucket?"
My words were clear and concise and the questions hung in the air as Royce searched for an answer. I wouldn't give him a chance.
"Royce, we're Japanese."
The statement was simple, yet I could feel the power behind them. The crowd was quiet as if wondering as to where I was going with this.
"We don't buckle under pressure. We don't falter at a challenge. Royce, we've made technological advances that have had the world drooling at our feet. We've changed the world as we know it many times over. We are one of the strongest nations in the world!" I spread my arms, gesturing to everyone in the crowd.
Royce quickly rebutted. "What does that have to do with us being trapped within a death game, boy?" What does us being a strong people contribute to the fact that we do not know HOW TO GET OUT OF HERE?!"
I internally smiled.
'Oh Royce, my man...' I thought, taking another step forward.
"I thought you swore that your words were true?" I asked, staring at him blankly. I tilted my head.
"I thought you promised this crowd of believers that this plan of yours would work without a hitch? That they'd be brought back to the world of the living. Because," I threw my hands around
"We're obviously dead, are we not?!" I crowed, emotion spurring back into my expression.
I took a beat to glance at Holi. Her mouth was slightly ajar. She stroked her chin, eyebrows furrowed. She was still wondering where I was going with this, her indigo eyes switching between Royce and I.
Royce growled, muttering under his breath. I brought my hand to my ear.
"What was that?!" I yelled. "I can't hear you, Royce!"
"I SAID WE MIGHT AS WELL BE!"
The crowd - which had grown noticeably larger in the past few minutes - gasped. I did the same, stumbling back, making sure to take exceptionally hard steps.
The players behind me rocked with the unstable boxes, looking at each other warily. They started to take notice of how dangerous this makeshift podium really was.
"NO!" I yelled, staring at Royce incredulously. "Are you CRAZY?! WE ARE NOT DEAD!"
Holi shot her fist into the sky.
"Yeah!" She screamed in agreement. Others stared at her briefly, before beginning to look at each other. I could almost see their trust in Royce slip away. I took another step forward.
"Royce, we will not succumb to Kayaba's petty game of life. We can survive!" I said, taking yet another step. "But I will not let you, or anyone else throw their lives away on some stupid hunch that might just get a mother and her young child killed!" I turned, gesturing back at the woman and her daughter.
The mother had tears streaming down her cheeks, crouching down and hugging her daughter close. I could tell now. Royce's brainwash was broken. She finally let reasoning sink in. She wasn't going to jump. The child had her arms around her mother, crying in relief, or weariness. I couldn't tell.
But I smiled.
I returned to Royce, the whole crowd breaking into mutters and whispers. He scowled at me, fists balled so tight, his knuckles had turned white. He growled almost wildly and I gave him a sorrowful look.
"Royce, we can't drive these people to do this. You know that." I said, this time speaking personally towards him. "You have to help me. This crowd needs some real hope. Something solid and rational, something that can guarantee their survival. Not throwing themselves over a railing and hoping for the best."
Though I spoke with conviction, Royce wasn't having any of it. His face was beet red as he took an exceptionally hard step towards me.
"You...!"
"Royce-"
"YOU!" He screamed.
I watched as he lunged, the large crowd gasping behind him. I narrowed my eyes, slipping back and solidifying my footing. I knew one way or another, he wasn't going to take this sitting down. But hey, no harm in trying.
If he'd thrown a normal punch, he would've still held a shred of dignity. But drawing his weapon - a one-handed dagger, that was where I knew the crowd had lost all faith in him. Ren's words sparked into memory.
Put that sword away! We're still civil here!
He swung with ferocity for someone of his size, though in a wide and predictable arc. In comparison to Ren's sword swings, it wasn't anything special. I took a step forward, remembering an old self-defence lesson my mother once taught me.
"Remember Satoru." She said, taking a step forward as she mimicked swinging a knife, aimed at my face. The swing was wildy and careless. "Force yourself into their line of attack."
Shove.
"The initial movement will confuse them. Why the hell are ya running towards the attack? That's when you snap your hands out!"
Lock.
"And with all your strength, pull on their attacking arm-"
"Slide yourself back!" I said, doing exactly that.
"And!"
Flip.
"Aghh!"
Royce when airborne. My hands were locked on his sword arm and my body was directly under him. With a hard crash, I flung him into the boxes below, the force of impact sending him right through the unstable flooring.
No one spoke. No one breathed. Everyone simply watched as I raised my body, let out a defiant breath, and blew my hair out of my face.
I turned and glared at the crowd, anger spiking within me. However, I channelled it properly, roaring at the top of my lungs.
"WE WILL SURVIVE! WE WILL BEAT KAYABA, AND WE WILL LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY!"
Holi stared at me in complete awe, before her mouth split into a bright grin. She raised both fists this time and yelled at the top of her lungs.
"THAT'S RIGHT!"
The crowd, considering and weighing what'd just happened, began to scream and yell in agreement. I watched silently as within minutes the crowd, was whipped up into a frenzy of cheering and acclaim.
My heart soared. I looked back at the players behind me, specifically the mother and her child. The woman gave me a bright, tear-filled smile.
"Thank you." She mouthed quietly.
I couldn't help but smile back, giving her a silent nod in reply.
'Your welcome.'
I motioned with my head for them and the rest of players to get off the platform. It was unsafe, as they'd just seen, and I didn't want them getting hurt. Soon enough, when everyone was off, I hopped down as well, and the crowd surrounded me. Geez, there must've been at least 100 of 'em crammed up in this little street.
I was swiftly greeted by a hug from my blue-haired cheerleader, laughing happily.
"Oh my god you were awesome, Saito!" Holi cried.
I chuckled, returning the hug. As we let go she sighed.
"Man, first Raiden, now you..."
I tilted my head to the right with a confused frown. "Who's that?"
She shook her head and laughed. "Nevermind. What're you gonna do with this crowd you've pulled together?" She asked, looking around.
I did as well, seeing everyone cheering and applauding. "Well, not just me..." I said, turning to the collapsed boxes. Royce was gone, probably slinked off somewhere after my little spiel.
I sighed.
"I have a plan, would've liked his help though." I said.
Holi poked my cheek and I turned to see her cheerful smile. "Isn't that why you have all of us?" She asked.
I eyed her with surprise. "You're gonna help out?"
"Yup," She said, patting the fanny pack attached to the small of her back. "Plus, you might need a medic close by in case things get crazy."
I couldn't help but grin, nodding. "Alright then! Nice to meet ya, partner." I said, offering my hand. She laughed and took it in hers with a shake.
"Same, come on," Holi said, using our linked hands to guide me. "I have some friends I want you to meet. They've already started to help out within the city, bringing a hundred plus supporters would be a godsend."
I nodded understandingly, turning to the crowd as I motioned them with a welcoming hand.
"Come on everyone!" I said, watching as the filled street of players, players of all different sizes and ages, genders, and even nationalities - not just Japanese, began to follow the two of us.
Holi and I made our way towards the centre of town, where we'd meet allies that would help us bring order to the city once more.
My mind floated back to Ren and Tohru, wondering just what exactly they were doing. Hopefully, Tohru was safe. Hopefully, they'd made it to Horunka safely. That's all I could do really.
Hope for the best.
That's all any of us could do. Hope and pray. This game would be crazy. People would get hurt. Others, might even die. But if I continued to hold onto that hope, onto that faith that had been spurred into our very hearts...
Then I had no doubt in my mind that together, we'd be able to see the sun of the real world once more...
And, like Royce had said, we would see our friends and family again.
No doubt.
Letting the group of many leave, two players stayed behind.
They watched the brown-haired player march along with his new group of allies. One of the duo, a male, smiled noticeably, looking on as the crowd moved along down the street.
His black hair billowed lightly with the slightest gust, equally black eyes glistening with intrigue.
"Interesting."
His mouth curved upwards even more so as he waited until the mob was completely gone, before turning and placing a hand atop his partner's head. The girl watched on in silence, giving the whole situation a stoic expression.
"Come, Hyper-chan," The male turned, the movement graceful and smooth in its execution. "We have much work to do."
The girl nodded and accompanied her taller partner.
"Yeah."
Womph!
"Ack!" The man keeled to the side, clutching his ribs.
The girl retracted her elbow with a sigh.
"And don't call me that."
(Disclaimer: Sword Art Online (Novel) is owned by Reki Kawahara, abec, ACII Media Works and Yen Press. I only own my characters and concepts.)