Chapter 7:- Testers.. To Your Starting Cities Please!

It had been 2 days, 7 hours and 27 minutes since Kayaba had made his announcement, another 300-and-something more people had died. Most of this number had ended their own lives. According to the advertisement the servers were large enough to hold around 500,000 players, but only 25,000 copies were released (10% of these were reserved for testers that pre ordered the game), a further 15,000 downloadable versions were available. Making AFF's starting population 40,000, meaning that 40,000 people have been trapped inside this game of death, seeing as all the copies sold out nearly instantly. Raz'a rubbed his eyes as he looked at the clock in the corner of his vision. 8:28PM. "Okay guys, it's getting late.. We should head back to the Coffer and Coffin, have something to eat, then rest" Raz'a was taken back by Klein's words for a moment before smiling at the red-haired man to his right. "Klein's right, we need to rest or the DeBuffs will hinder our progress" Stated Loke as he placed his sword back into it's sheath on his hip. "Looks like someone's changed their mood" Teased Yeul, "Mister 'I don't need food, it's just a game.. I don't need sleep, it's just a game'" Yeul spoke, attempting to mock Loke's voice. "Well I didn't realise I was going to get penalties.. Anyway.. I don't sound like that!" Defended the gladiator, as everyone bursts out laughing. "Okay, let's head back.. Tomorrow we'll head back into Ul'Dah.." Stated Raz'a as he started in the direction of the inn. "A-Are you sure that's a good idea boss?.." Questioned Loke as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We all need to progress our class quests to unlock new skills, and to access new things we're going to need to do some main-storyline quests" "Oh oh oh.. I can't wait to fly again!" Shouted an excited Yeul. "Fly?" Klein enquired. "Yeah on the airsh-" Loke's hand muffled the rest of Yeul's sentence. "I was wondering how you guys knew so much about this area.. You're testers?" "Yes Klein, we tested this game hence why we have knowledge of most of the maps, monsters, FATE's, quests, NPC's, towns, markets and cla-" Raz'a was interrupted by a sort of squeal sound, turning to find Klein holding his mouth. "So I'm friends with some of the 'best chance to beat the game' players!.. This is so cool!.." Shouted Klein as he pumped his fist in the air. ".. Let's get back so I can get a round of drinks in to thank you guys" "Klein.. You brought the drinks and food last night" Reminded Yeul quietly as she played with a stray piece of her black hair. This comment made the man stop, open his menu and gawk at the fact that his money was only in the hundreds. "I.." "Shut up man, we're friends so stop being dumb.. You don't have to buy us stuff to be our friend" Loke spoke as he placed a hand on Klein's shoulder. "For once I'm going to have to agree with Loke" Stated Raz'a with a smile. "I'll buy tonight" "Really boss?.. In that case I'll have four meals" Joked Loke as the group walked back. "Well.. That went better than I thought it would" Mumbled Raz'a. "I agree" Replied Yeul with a smile.


Leafa let out a long yawn as the Stagnant Water Sprite began to disappear, a message popped up [FATE Completed 900exp and 200gil have been awarded for your contribution]. [Congratulations, you have reached level 8. You have earned the [Protect] skill] "Congratulations on the level up!" Shouted another participant of the FATE. "Thanks" Replied Leafa. "Hey, haven't you been grinding FATE's all day?" Asked the third participant. "Yes" Replied Leafa. "Well how about joining me and Asuna?" "I.." "It's easy.." Started Asuna as she opened her menu, sending Leafa a party invite. ".. Oh" "Oh?" Repeated Leafa confused. "Well the system says you're already in a party" "I am? Oh.. Yes I am" Leafa smiled as she opened her menu to type a message to Kirito. [Brother, I've found some people who are doing FATE's, they're going to invite me to their party. When we're done I'll party back up with you.. How are you?] finishing her message and hitting send before disbanding the party. "Okay try now" Stated Leafa as she returned her attention to the two other characters in front of her. "Okay.. Sent" With Asuna's words a message appeared in front of Leafa. [Asuna has invited you to her party]. Upon clicking yes party information became visible in the top left corner of her vision. 'Asuna lv9 CNJ HP 203/203 MP 135/208' 'S'inon lv10 ARC HP 176/268 MP 190/190' Then her own 'Leafa lv8 CNJ HP 187/187 MP 92/184' "Asuna and S'inon" Read Leafa out loud. The two girls in question turned their heads to look at Leafa at the sound of their names. "Sorry I was just reading the party stats" "Okay.. So seeing as we all know each other's names can we get back to grinding?" Asked S'inon in a cold tone as she headed in the direction of the next FATE. "Don't worry Leafa, it's taken a day and a half for her to warm up to me, she's nice when she's out of battle though.. Anyway let's go before she gets to far ahead" Asuna spoke as she started off in the direction of the archer. Leafa quickly followed suit and headed after her new party members.


It had been nearly 3 days since everyone had been told that they were now trapped here, in this 'game'.. Lisbeth looked down at the brown haired girl sleeping with her head resting on her lap. S'ilica had fallen asleep while Liz was stroking her head, after finding out that it had quiet the calming effect on the distraught girl. They were on a bench near the aetheryte plaza, it was as far away from that crystal as Liz could get S'ilica before she broke down again. The more Lisbeth watched her sleep, the cuter she became, at some point or the other S'ilica had pulled her thumb into her mouth. It might have been the ears or the tail but Liz couldn't help but find the girl adorable. The pink haired marauder looked up at the star-filled sky lost deep in thought. 'I know this place.. I know this sky.. I know this world.. This prison.. This death game..' The more Lisbeth thought about it the more it began to hurt, she would never see anyone again, her friends at school, her parents.. A lone tear fell from her dark pink eyes.. Landing on the sleeping Miqo'te underneath her. S'ilica stirred as the tear splashed on her nose, opening her sleepy eyes slowly. Her pinky-red cat eyes shone as the moonlight fell on them, stealing all of Lisbeth's concentration. "I'm so-" Lisbeth's sentence was cut short as S'ilica yawned. "Yuauhhhhh" S'ilica rubbed her eyes as she slowly sat up. "Good morning" Mumbled the Miqo'te as she looked around.. Upon realising that she was still in the game tears began to for in her eyes. Liz thinking fast, pulls S'ilica into an embrace, both girls wrapping their arms around each other. "It's okay S'ilica, I'm here" Cooed Liz as she softly rubbed S'ilica's back. "I-I don't want to die" Cried the Miqo'te as tears stung her eyes. "S'ilica.. You're not going to die.." Cooed Liz once more. "B-But I.. I'm w-weak.. Just.. Look at m-me.. Crying all th-the time.. Like a baby" S'ilica stuttered her sentence in-between tears and snivelling. Liz moved her lips to the girl's cat-like ears and whispered in a soft voice. "I will protect you, I will keep you safe.. I promise" To those words Liz felt S'ilica tighten her grip around her. "Y-You promise?" mumbled S'ilica into her protector's chest. "I promise.. Now come on, let's go get something to eat" At the mention of food both of the girl's stomachs grumbled, even though food wasn't necessary for surviving much like most basic needs of a human weren't inside the game.. But food sounded like a good idea. "I'm sure Baderon at the drowning wench serves food" Stated Lisbeth as she, and S'ilica, got up. "Okay" Replied S'ilica as she wiped her nose. As the two began to walk Liz extended a hand, which to her, pleasant, surprise S'ilica quickly took a hold of.


J'enova smiled as a message popped up for the third time that day [Congratulations, you have reach level 12. You have earned the [Blizzard II] skill]. "Right.. Now I guess it's time to go back.." "Go back?.." Repeated a voice. Startled J'enova turned on her heels, two orbs of fire still circling around her body, it was a buff called [Astral Fire] that was granted whenever a thaumaturge used a fire spell. ".. But I just got here" Finished the voice belonging to a male Hyur. "If you're here for the mobs, you're out of luck.. That was the last one, so you'll have to wait until they re-spawn" Dismissed J'enova as she threw her thumb over her shoulder towards the fading lizard-like monster behind her. The man didn't seem to take in the information and began reaching for his sword, slowly drawing his weapon the man looked at J'enova with dead eyes. Then out of nowhere he charged. The man reached her before she could even prepare a spell, his blade stopped as it slid into her avatar's body. J'enova's mouth opened to scream but the man's fist found her chest, turning her scream into nothing more than a release of air. Looking at her HP she relaxed a little, noticing the incredibly low amount of damage the attacks had done. 'That sword.. Those clothes.. Their starter items.. I.. I don't get it.. Why is he attacking me?.. What have I done to him?' J'enova racked her mind for an answer, only to have the man scream at her. "Kill me!.. Kill.. Me!.. KILL!.. ME!" The man's voice broke as the words escaped him. "No" J'enova's voice was hollow as she looked down at the blade still sunk deep into her chest, looking up to see the man's face, his expressions changed from fear to hatred in a moment. The man simply froze to the words "I deserve to die.." He began as he took a step back, his eyes looking at his hands in horror. ".. I killed them.." Finally he broke down, falling to his knees wailing. J'enova found herself sympathising with the man that had two-moments ago been trying to kill her. ".. We thought it was a game.. But.. I.. I didn't know!.. Why!?.. Why did we duel each other?!.." The man's hands were now pushed into his face as his screams echoed through the near-empty area. "I.. I killed them.. My friends.. F-Five of them.. Died at my hands.. I'm a murderer.. I deserve to die.." At this the man looked up at the Miqo'te, she was pulling the sword from her chest, holding it in her free hand she walked closer. ".. Please.. Kill me" Begged the man as he looked up at the sky awaiting death. "No" Repeated J'enova as she threw the man's sword to the ground in front of him. "I will not kill you.." She started as the man looked at her, anger and weakness filling his eyes. "I.. I.. I'm too weak.. Too weak to do it myself" Cried the man as he began to cry again. "You're not weak, being unable to take your own life proves you are strong, you can't give up, you have to live on, if not for yourself, then for your friends.. Live through this nightmare.. For them.. And if you manage to get back to reality, you should tell them.." "Tell who?" ".. Their families.. Tell them what happened.. Then accept the punishment that they chose.." J'enova spoke as she walked away, leaving the man to think over her words alone.


Behind him Kirito heard someone call out as the FATE monster began it's charge. "Dodge to the left, I'll take the agro man!" Kirito did as the voice commanded and rolled to his left, gaining a view of two other players, both wielding axes. "Vik! Now switch with me dude!" Shouted the Hyur as a blue skinned Roegadyn charged into the FATE monster. Padfoot was a giant wolf that had, according to the FATE details, been scaring away merchants from the area. During his time soloing Kirito hadn't seen anything like these two marauders, or their 'switching' techniques. "Hey! Get your head in the game man! You're suposed to be a DPS after all ain't you?" The Hyur's voice snapped Kirito back to reality, quickly taking in the situation, and noticing Padfoot's frontal AoE attacks, he darted to the rear of the wolf and began his onslaught of quick attacks. "Ax! Switch!" Shouted the Roegadyn as he stunned Padfoot and took a few paces back, allowing his partner to begin his attacks on the beast while he rested, letting his [TP] restore. [TP], also known as Tactical Points, being the equivalent to [Stamina] in most other games, would be consumed when using sword skills and abilities, much like [MP] being used by mages for spells. Kirito watched as the pair 'switched' whenever, he believed, that their [TP] went below 50% or so. The FATE was over quickly and the two axe wielders waved to Kirito as they walked away. "Thanks for the help! Buddy" Shouted the Hyur as Kirito stood trying to get his head around their fighting style.


"Watch what your doing you stupid girl, don't you understand what's at stake here!" Shouted a tall man with pointed ears as he waved his lance in her face. "Point that at her again.. Go on.." Another man spoke as he stepped between the black haired girl and the angry Elezen. "Wasting my time with trash like you.. Ha!.. You're all alive because of me!" Shouted Vincent as he pushed the man out of the way and slapped the girl. Slowly Vincent walked over to her as she lay on the floor sobbing, apologising between each sob. "I'll teach you to listen to orders!" His foot found the girl, her body warping around his leg due to the amount of force he'd put behind the kick. "Get away from my sister.. Now Vincent!" Shouted another as he pushed him away. Regaining his balance Vincent turned on the one who'd just pushed him, only to be met with two lances pointing at him. "Fine, go die for all I care.. Consider yourselves relieved of your positions within [The Archangels]!" He spoke while turning to leave. "Pathetic pieces of trash" Could be heard as he walked away mumbling under his breath. "Sachi! A-are you okay?" Questioned the boy with brown hair as he examined the girl. "Th-thank you.. Both of you.. I-I'm sorry.. I'm not very good at all this.." Stumbled Sachi as her breathing slowly returned to normal. "Keita, thank you.. I came as soon as I heard Vincent's shouting, I knew after Kaine challenged him, and everything else, that he'd break soon.. But I didn't think he'd go for my sister.. I.. I'll.." Anger seethed out of Tetsuo's voice as his fists clenched. "Lets just get out of here, we can talk about revenge and everything else while we're in the safety of the starting city" Keita spoke as he and Tetsuo helped Sachi back on her feet.


"Should we help them?" Questioned Florence as he put away his bow, that had previously been aiming at the man he and Kaizer had met before. "No, if we leave them to it they'll become stronger.. As much as it pains me to see people in trouble, at least he didn't hurt the girl too much.." "But sir.." "No 'but's Flor.. We have our own problems" "Of course" Florence replied with a small bow. "Now let us get going.. And let's hope we don't run into more people.. I'm surprised that after only four.. or is it five.. Days since the announcement and people are already venturing out of the city.. Interesting.. I would have thought that they'd of stayed in the city for at least two weeks before they would've settled down enough" Stated Kaizer talking his mind. "I agree.. Maybe we should go back to Gridania and see what's going on.. We need to sort out our main quests anyway" "Your completely right my friend.. Is there anything from Viktor or Alicia?" "Viktor found himself a friend who is proficient at switching and seems to be doing well.. As for Alicia.. Wait.. Sh-She's online.." Florence looked at his friend-list in shock refreshing it twice. "Yeah there she is.. But.. She.. I.. How?" "Send her a message.. Tell her we'll be in Ul'Dah in a couple of days.. It shouldn't take more than four to get our airship passes.." Replied the Lalafell as his pace nearly doubled, now heading the same way that the three Hyurs had, a few moments ago.


A/N: Ah yes, yes.. It's another chapter.. Wooo.. I don't know why but I'm loving writing this story.. I thought I'd hate not planning and all that.. But Pfft.. I think it's going quite well.. Do you? Yes? No? Maybe-so? Hmm.. Well tell me what you think my dear readers! I would love to hear from y'all.. Even if you want to tell me that you don't like something.. Go ahead, either PM me or write a Review.. :D Thanks.

Okay so this chapter.. Yes I have brought 3 of the 5 (4 of the 6 {if your being picky and want to include Kirito}) of MoonlitBlackCats into this.. No I will not include Ducker or Sasamaru, as much as I liked Ducker.. I don't want to have him running into a treasure room and getting everyone killed, no offence Ducker!.. I'm sorry but you are just too damn reckless.. Anywhoo, yes.. We have our main 'heroes', a possible 'villain'.. A few foundations for love stories.. Gah.. My pairing ideas my annoy/anger some people but hey if you don't like them just tell me.. Maybe if you give a good enough reason I'll rethink it and change it.. If you don't tell me I don't know.. Unfortunately my mind-reading powers are a little rusty.. (Wow.. Talk about getting myself side-tracked).. But yes I have plans for some people who I haven't introduced yet.. There's three or four SAO characters still to come (maybe more, depending on how many SYOC's I get).. But yeah I have a few ideas flying around.. But only time will tell if they go any further than ideas.. Oh yeah.. I chose not to do a huge time gap.. and instead only did a couple of days, in which our main characters would've been fighting mobs to level up to their current levels.. Alicia?.. What's up with her?.. Is she glitching?.. Hmm?.. Maybe..

Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as it was another nice long one.. Thought I'd thank you all, seeing as the story just hit it's 100th view (By the time I publish this one, I know someone will have read another chapter making this statement invalid but meh) So yeah..

Thank you all my lovely readers! And..

As always have a great day!

01L