Chapter 7: Origin: POV-York

We're going to have a celebration for the guild later today, and I'd like to get to know everybody a bit better, but I'm not sure if they really need to know me. I hate getting close to people because every time I do, bad times ensue. I might be beautiful, intelligent, and charming, but I really never needed friends or allies, but it's different in now. I have the power now to make a difference, a real difference. This is what I've wanted my entire life, a chance to be the hero everyone needed. I still try and get over my parent's death, and most of the time, I can push through the pain, but lately I've been thinking about how weak I really am. I always thought that the reason I pushed people away from me was because I didn't need them, but the truth is, I've always been afraid of having my compassion and love for other people being turned against me and used to ridicule me. In the real world: I was a perfect student, a talented boxer, and obviously a narcissist, but now, I'm the same as everyone else. A level one noob who's trying to get his bearings in this game. My friend Virgil always told me about how I had the potential to be a great person or the worst one in existence. I actually miss Virgil, he was my only friend throughout my entire life. He was almost like a bigger brother to me. He's the one who told me about SAO, thanks Virgil. He was the one who kept me out of trouble in school, always telling me to mind my temper when someone was lacking respect for their teacher or classmate. Looking back at it, I realize how much he has done for me, and that gives me one more reason to get out of this game alive, to thank Virgil for everything.

I'm not the type to try to be philosophical. I see things for how they plainly are, and that's why I don't care if I'm "boring." My life is mine, and I won't let anyone try to change that. People always told me that I was, condescending, self-righteous, and shallow, but there is more depth to me than there appears to be. My in-game player name was a reflection of that. Although I generally went by my actual name "York," a stranger would only know me as "Hierophant."

I'm dropping all of my negativity now. This world of Swords needs a leader, and I will be damned if I let someone lesser than me take power over others. We need people that will go to every length to protect the innocent and for right now the only person I know that will do so with absolute certainty is me. I trust the others of Tarot, but I'm not certain of their ability yet.

Seth continues to astonish me, he's both goofy, but highly intelligent. I like him, it's a pleasure to have someone like him helping me manage this group. I really feel that together, we can free these 10,000 players.

I enjoy Sara's company. She's a quiet girl, but when it comes down to it, she voices her opinions. She's already made it clear that for right now, she doesn't want to have a combat role, which is fine, because we will eventually need an enchanter/blacksmith.

Alex seems like an asshole, so I like him. He's cynical, untrusting of others, but intensely serious. I know he dislikes me, but I don't hold anything against him. I know what it's like to be in his shoes.

Sven is one amazing dude. He's a hulking giant, but he knows more about SAO than anyone. He was a beta tester for SAO and was one of the highest levels then. He's really nice too, and we've already decided that we will be hunting together tomorrow.

Rose is a beautiful girl. She reminds me a lot of a girl I once knew. The only difference is, Rose hasn't broke my heart. Yet. She's very witty and sarcastic, and extremely verbal with her beliefs, a complete contrast to Sara's personality. I helped her out on day one and since then, she's treated me with nothing but respect, so it's only natural for me to look out for the black-haired angel.

When everyone wakes up, I suppose I'll open up to them. It's only fair since they're trusting me to manage their guild, I should be more than willing to let them know who I really am. Maybe things can be different now. Maybe I can be the person I always aspired to be. A hero.