Alpha Phase

Before I begin this story there are a couple things I need to clarify.

I do not own Sword Art Online (ソードアートオンライン), the characters, or the storyline. All rights belong to A-1 Pictures, Aniplex USA, and Reki Kawahara.

The events depicted in this story are not part of the official SAO canon.

I am not profiting from writing this story.

Some of the events or mentioned events are based on some of my real life experiences. If one or more of these events are similar to one of your own it is unintentional and coincidental.

Please support Sword Art Online and its affiliates.

Author's Note: Hi guys! My name is Thomas and this is my first fanfiction. I hope you like it. Now before you yell at me because my character's names suck or my title makes no sense or the story is boring, I will say that I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to writing. I have written a short story or two in my time but it still isn't enough for me to really qualify as an "author". So remember, this is my first story, I am more than aware that there are flaws, and I am open to suggestions. So please, feel free to tell me what you think.

Chapter XXVI

POV: Kiyomi

January 19, 2025

I remember the day Kimi locked herself in her room and presumably used the Nerve Gear. Later that day, an urgent news report aired:

"If you have a friend or loved one currently in possession of a Nerve Gear, it is imperative that you listen to this report. The only game compatible for the Nerve Gear at the moment is Sword Art Online, abbreviated SAO. Akihiko Kayaba, the game's creator, has confirmed that all ten thousand players that logged onto SAO today are unable to log out. If they die in the game, they will die in real life as well. Likewise, if you attempt to remove the Nerve Gear while it is in use, the person will also die. Kayaba is allowing a two hour window in which players may go offline safely. This period is when you should move the person to a hospital and put them on life support. This period begins at six o'clock tonight. Use it wisely. Lastly, Kayaba has gone missing, presumably in hiding. If you know anything as to his whereabouts, please contact the police as soon as possible. Best of luck to all of the SAO players."

Now, two years later, another news report was found urgent:

"We return to the case of Akihiko Kayaba's whereabouts. The VRMMORPG, Sword Art Online, was completed November 7, 2024. Kayaba was found dead shortly after this event in a bunker five floors below Argus headquarters with a Nerve Gear on his head. When the helmet was removed his brain had been destroyed by the Nerve Gear's microwave transmitter, but autopsy reports state that he was dead long before the police showed up. The running theory is that he committed suicide by commanded the Nerve Gear to kill him after SAO was completed, though we don't know what happened exactly."

That report aired yesterday. I thought about all this as I practiced at the Kendo Dojo I visit every other day. After about an hour I decided to finish up, but as I sheathed the shinai and walked out the door to the lobby, I was startled by someone sitting against the wall next to the door.

"Morning Kiyomi," he said. It was Mizuki Hatsumode. I heard that he often went by a different name, but I can't remember what what it was.

"Oh, Mizuki! What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"I was just watching you practice. You've gotten really good since the last time I saw you in a match."

"Well, unlike you, I have better things to do than sleep for two years while getting high on binary code. Don't even pretend like that's not what you were doing."

"I know that's what I was doing. I'm just glad you know what binary code is." Smartass.

"Anyway, why were you so interested in watching me practice? I thought you hated Kendo."

"I wanted to get out for a while. I have a lot of catching up to do with all my friends that weren't stuck in SAO with me."

"That makes sense… Hey, if you're not busy later, do you want to hang out and do some catching up with me?"

"That sounds nice, but I have to go somewhere today."

"Oh, okay. Maybe later?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." As I opened the door that led outside, I thought of another question.

"Where are you going later?"

"Oh, you know, the hospital."

"You go there a lot. Who are you visiting?"

"Your sister." When he said that, he looked down and shifted his head away from me.

"Right… Well if you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

"Yeah, I'll talk to you later."

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"I, umm… When you were in SAO, I really missed you…" Mizuki smiled at that.

"I missed you too." He got up and walked out of the building. "See you later, Kiyomi." With that, he walked down the sidewalk and turned right at the corner. Dammit, I screwed it up again…

POV: Hikaru

January 19, 2025

I entered the hospital and proceeded to the elevator. As it went up, I thought of the events causing me to visit the hospital every five minutes. After SAO was cleared most of the remaining players woke up normally. Unfortunately, due to causes unknown, about three hundred players, including Kimi, didn't wake up. They're all still alive though, we just don't know how to wake them up. I was sitting at the side of Kimi's hospital bed for about ten minutes before someone else walked in. It was a man carrying a vase of flowers, much like Kiyomi did the day I woke up. I recognized him as Kimi and Kiyomi's father, Shouzou Yuuki.

"Oh, Mizuki, good afternoon," he said.

"Afternoon, Mr. Yuuki," I replied, standing up.

"Thank you for visiting Kimi. She'll be glad to know you care about her so much."

"Your daughter and I spent a lot of time in SAO. Let's just say we grew pretty close." About ten seconds later I heard more footsteps behind me.

"Sir, there's something I need to discuss with you." One look at this new guy and I immediately decided I wasn't going to like him. His hair was slick and short. He wore glasses and a business suit with a red tie. He was dressed way too formally to not be up to something. If you think that's paranoia, wait a little bit.

"Oh, Mizuki, I'd like you to meet Sugou. He's a friend of my family and an entrepreneur." Mr. Yuuki said.

"I'm Nobuyuki Sugou. It's a pleasure," Sugou said.

"I'm Mizuki Hatsumode," I said.

"No way! You're Hikaru!"

"I'm sorry?"

"You single handedly cleared SAO and freed the remaining players from Kayaba's trap. You're a hero!"

"That's very flattering, but I didn't do it all by myself. I had help."

"Regardless, it's nice to meet you. Anyway, sir," he turned to Mr. Yuuki, "I'd like to make it official as soon as possible."

"Oh, right," Mr. Yuuki said, slightly looking down, "Are you sure you want to do this? You're both still young. You have your whole life ahead of you."

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life," Sugou replied, looking at Kimi, "I've always wanted to see her in that wedding dress." My heart skipped a beat and something snapped in my mind. Mr. Yuuki looked down at his watch.

"I have a meeting to go to. We'll discuss this later, Sugou. Mizuki, take care," he said. There were a couple seconds of awkward silence before Sugou said anything.

"I heard you and Kimi were lovers in the game…" he said.

"And?" I asked.

"I'd like to confirm it, so were you or not?"

"What if we were?"

"Ah, so it's true. Shame, that's going to make for a difficult relationship between you and me. If you didn't get it the first time, I plan on marrying-"

"I know… I'm a lot smarter than I look."

"That makes this a lot simpler." He walked over to the side of the bed opposite to me. "To tell you the truth, she's hated me ever since we were kids. In fact, if I were to ask her while she was conscious, I'm sure she'd say no and throw something in my face. By the way, did I mention that I work for a company where Kimi's father is the CEO? His partner is my father, and he considers me part of his family, to the point of considering adoption."

"Excuse my rudeness, Mr. Sugou, but to be honest I don't really care."

"I know you probably don't care, I'm just rubbing it in."

"You sadistic bastard…"

"What did you just call me?"

"I think you heard me, I said you were a sadistic bastard."

"You better watch your mouth, you little brat. You should really show more respect toward the one keeping your failed love alive."

"What are you talking about?"

"You remember Argus right?"

"That's the company that created Nerve Gear and SAO. I heard it was shut down."

"Good job. Truth is, the maintenance of the SAO servers was given to another company; RECT Progress. That, Mizuki, is the company I referred to earlier. I work in the full dive technology RND division. In other words, I'm the one keeping Kimi alive. Now, is it wrong for me to expect a little compensation for my trouble?" He walked to the curtain separating the door to the hallway and the bed. "I don't know what promises you two made in the game and I don't really care, but I don't ever want to see you here again. And from now on, stay away from the Yuuki family. The ceremony is on January 26, a week from now. Save the date. Even though you're not welcome here anymore you should come to the wedding. No need to thank me." He opened the door but didn't walk outside. "Well mister hero, you've got the room all to yourself now. Say goodbye and get out." With that, he walked out the door and closed it behind him. All I could think of to do was grasp Kimi's hand.

"I'm sorry…" I whispered.

END OF CHAPTER XXVI