It was soon obvious that I was the only one even remotely close to being able to fight these things off. They were all knights, until the ninth floor, where I saw a lancer. I was level one-forty two now, and the second highest leveled player is one-eleven. I was the strongest, the fastest, but I wasn't good enough, I had to get better. I have to get everyone out. People learned soon that I used a single Sword Skill when fighting, it just lasted as long as I wanted. Every day, I walked into Liz's shop, with a beaten up sword, and every day she chastised me for it. Some days I beat my opponent, some I failed and walked out with one health point. Today, I was feeling invincible. I was looking at the heavily armored figure in front of me, holding a seven foot spear. That thing was barbed, and would hurt like hell if it hit me. The thing about [Lancer]s is that their health and def is off the charts! I used the same strategy I used against everything, I rushed at it screaming my ass off. I used my [Shining Sword]. My blade turned into a brilliant white, and I slashed, hacked, slice and stabbed to my heart's content. With enemies that actually are a challenge to beat the shit out of, I was less stressed and depressed. I took it out on the poor mobs who dared get into my way. I was merciless, and all my rage built up inside boiled over as I attacked. Always getting faster, always hitting harder. Nothing could stand up to this onslaught of strikes. The poor [Tower Lancer] was dead within ten minutes of my rage induced power hits. I waved to the onlookers, including the best Rat ever, and walked to the opposite side, where a red door was appearing. This went to the tenth, and final floor, where I will find a [Tower Mage], and will kill it, hopefully today, and then tackle Kayab tomorrow. We have been stuck in this blasted game for three years, tomorrow. I will be eighteen tomorrow. I will get out of here, tomorrow.

I walked up the spiral stone staircase, and reached another door. I opened it…..

What lay before me blew my mind. Even this game has no laws of physics. What I saw was an open grassy field. Open until it reached to horizon. Standing right in front of me, was a single black cloaked figure. At first, I thought it was Laughing Coffin, but when I drew my sword, it spoke with a familiar feminine voice, "There will be no bloodshed here, Swordsman." I sheathed my blade. I turned to see Argo standing behind me. Everyone else had gone home, knowing that I would clear this level, and tomorrow was the big day. She took my hand. I nodded to her, and the figure spoke again. "Here, not a test of strength, but a test of the brain. Here I will see if you deserve to fight the god of this land, and if your heart is pure enough."

"Yes ma'am." I said.

It took its hood off, to reveal Argo's face. I was startled. I looked beside me, but Argo wasn't there. What the…? "Where is Argo!" I demanded.

"You will get back to Aincrad if you pass. If you fail, you die. You are unable to get back to Aincrad until this assessment is complete"

I grunted.

"First question: Who matters most to you?"

"Argo" I said immediately.

"Would you kill the whole world, in order to save her?".

I hesitated…

"Would you, Swordsman?" She repeated.

"I do not know" she nodded, accepting my answer.

"Do you think you are strong?"

"Define strong" I said.

The figure shook its head.

"Do you think you are strong?" It repeated. Hrmph.

I thought for a moment. "I am really good at SAO, I am physically weak, emotionally unstable, mostly because of teen hormones." I said.

"But do you think you are strong?"

"No, I think I am weak. I haven't been able to protect anyone I care about. And they all died"

"What is your one wish?"

"For everyone I care about to be alive, and to be able to protect them".

"Have you killed anyone, in Aincrad?"

"I have"

"Does it haunt you?"

"Every day, every night, all the time. I see their faces even now"

"Do you think you can beat Kayaba"

"No" I said with certainty.

"Then why would you try?"

"Because of the small chance I have of beating him, and getting everyone out of this game"

"What matters to you most" this caught me off guard.

"Didn't you already ask that?"

"No, I asked who, not what"

I thought for a moment… "I… don't know." I realized that I didn't know if Argo was WHAT I cared about most. "I don't know" I repeated guiltily.

"Did you think you could make it this far? In Aincrad?"

"No, every day I woke up and thought I was going to die, that today would be the day Laughing Coffin slipped a knife in my ribs, or a boss killed me."

"Why do you continue?"

"Because I have to get Argo out of this hellhole. If I have the slightest chance at getting her back to her former life, I have to take it"

"Would you die for Argo?"

"Absolutely. I would die for her" I said this resolutely. Anything, I would do anything.

"If you could sacrifice yourself, to bring back everyone who has died, but not guarantee their safety would you?"

I thought about this one… "Yes, Alisha and Argo would do that for me"

"Would you change any of your answers if I told you that Argo was listening?"

I hesitated… "No, Argo would understand. I would not change anything"

"I have good news, and bad news. Good news, is that Argo was here the whole time. Behind you, I made her invisible with my magic" I turned to see the Rat standing behind me, looking scared. "Bad news, you get to proceed to fight Akihiko Kayaba, God of Aincrad." The figure disappeared, and I was forced teleported…..

When I opened my eyes, I was in a magnificent throne room. Deep crimson reds,and purples everywhere, and banners with the SAO symbol. I looked at the throne. On it was PoH, the LC leader.

"Let me change a bit."he said. He waved his hand, and turned into a new man. He wore a white coat, and had glasses. He had dancing brown eyes, and brown hair. He seemed like a good guy. "I, am Akihiko Kayaba"

I stood up, and drew Shadow Reaper. "I know who you are, I don't care to be honest, I just want you dead!"

"Calm down, rushing into battle is a stupid idea"

Too bad it's my style, but I waited.

"You have earned the right to fight me, and I will humor you. If you beat me, you beat Sword Art Online. If you lose, you die."

Easy enough. Gulp. He equipped a huge shield and broadsword. Damn, a def type, I am a agi type, and def types are my weakness. I heard a sound of someone teleporting, and then a gasp. I looked over my shoulder to see Argo, with her hand over her mouth. "Stay back! You don't stand a chance!"

She nodded. "Wup his ass!"