Kazuto's motorcycle ran out of gas, so they had to it behind. They trudged through the bush for what seemed like forever.

Varina held herself tightly, as if she was moments away from falling apart.

"What is this supposed to accomplish, anyways?" Asuna dreaded the possible answer.

Kazuto and Varina remained silent. They didn't have the answer to that either.

They made a campfire and chose to rest for the night. They didn't bring anything to sleep in, so they slept directly on the cold earth. But before they slept, they sat around the fire.

"Isn't the fire going to give us away?" Vari asked a perfectly reasonable question.

"Who's watching? Everyone is logged into SG. Besides, they are a great distance away." Kazuto assured her.

"Guess, you're right." Vari looked with envious eyes, at Asuna cuddling Kazuto, like a Sweet Little KITTEN! A sigh escaped her lips. 'I'll leave it for now… We have too much to think about.'

Kazuto slid his head down onto his fist, with a downcast expression. "...Sugu…"

"I can't believe we just left them there…" Asuna felt the same way.

"We didn't have a choice. You know that." Vari could understand how they must be feeling, but now wasn't the time to think about it.

"Doesn't make it any easier…" Asuna leaned her head on Kazuto's shoulder.

"What happened to them, anyways? They were acting so weird." Vari had to ask, didn't she. No one had the answer, nor did they want to think about it.

She was greeted with silence.

"We will be back for them… so don't worry." Vari felt really awkward, because she was usually the one that was comforted, not the one doing the comforting. She was a little bit rusty.

They still remained silent.

Vari wanted to fix it, which frustrated her, because she knew, she couldn't.

After a while, they went to sleep.

A few days went by, same old, same old. They hadn't seen kept trekking through the forest, until, something moved in the bushes.

Asuna and Varina grabbed one of Kazuto's arms, to shelter them from their unexpected guest. How that was suppose to help Kazuto protect them, he would never understand. His arms were restrained, that doesn't provide him with much movability.

Then a few men came out from the bushes, with guns trained on them. "Don't move! Kirito! Shoot him! Let his legacy die with him!"

Kazuto froze in fear.

"NO!" The girls formed a barrier in front of Kazuto. "He was a victim, just like the rest of us!"

The man lowered his weapon. "We shall see about that." He ordered his men, "Take him! The girls too!"

Before they knew it, they were being shoved around with their hands tied behind their backs. They were taken deep into the forest and then inside a rather large cave. As they entered, they notice that it had been fortified. They saw women and children… families. The men were stationed everywhere, like a security team. As they walked past these people, they heard gossip, that mostly was about Kirito, when their eyes met his.

Asuna felt Kazuto's pain, or at least shared in it.

Kazuto felt like the whole world saw him as an enemy. He had never felt so alone and betrayed.

They were ushered into a room deep in the hideout. It was a conference setting. They saw a man and woman, sitting on the other side of the conference table.

The woman had long, platinum blonde hair, and violet eyes, around 30 years of age. "You may leave." She ordered the guards.

They quickly obliged and then it was just the five of them left in the large, empty room.

The man was the same age and had short honey locks and emerald green eyes.

"Kirito. I am a bit surprised to see you here. To what do we owe the pleasure?" The woman asked in a demeaning tone.

"Kirito isn't the enemy!" Asuna roared in his defence.

"You're certain of this?" The man turned to Kazuto. "What do you say, Kirito?"

"I-I don't want to fight you. I just want things back to the way, they were." Kazuto explained.

"Then it appears, we share the same goal." The woman responded on a more inviting level.

"What is this place?" Vari enquired.

"This is sanctuary for anyone, who is against alternate realities. When we were informed that this infernal device was going to be forced on us, we fled here, taking all those who believed as we do, with us." The woman continued. "We refused to be subjected to that vile piece of technology."

"If you are going to be staying with us, perhaps it would be best, if we are formally introduced." The man bowed slightly out of respect. "I am Hyme. And this is my wife, Lazzari. Founders and current leaders of the resistance."

Lazzari bowed too.

"I am Kazuto. This is Asuna and that is Varina." Kazuto introduced with a bow, with their own to follow. "We appreciate your assistance. Tell me… have you found a way to put a stop to all of this?"

"I'm afraid, we haven't. Being the sort to despise this type of technology, it goes without saying, no one is sure how to fight it." Lazzari approached them. "You are welcome to stay. You must be tired and hungry." She pressed a big button, under the table, followed by a man, entering the room. "Please show them around. They are our guests."

"As you wish." The man welcomed Kazuto and the others, to follow him.

They were shown around and then to their sleeping quarters. They each took a shower and put on some new clothes. When I say new, I mean they all looked the same. Gray outfits with a neon blue stripe down the side, for the boys and green neon stripe, for the girls. It was form fitting, like workout clothes, with a slightly futuristic style. But with everyone wearing them, it gave a depressing look on things and reminded them, just how desperate things had gotten. Kazuto left his SAO gear, under his bed, for the time being.

They then found themselves in the mess hall. They sat down and a man came around and placed a plate on their table. The food wasn't special, but given that they were starving hungry, anything would do.

Asuna watched Kazuto's bland expression. "Maybe, I could help out with the cooking."

"I guess, they won't accommodate freeloaders. I should probably find something to do, as well." Kazuto sighed.

"What am I supposed to do? I am completely useless." Vari complained.

"You'll think of something." Asuna smiled.

"Kirigaya?!" An older woman approached them at their table.

Kazuto's eyes grew wide. "Kariza?"

"Thank goodness! Seijirou got you out here safely." Kariza smiled sweetly.

Asuna looked back at Kazuto and then to the woman. "Kikuoka didn't make it…"

Kariza's smile slid from her face. "Good heavens no… Oh dear... I am glad you were able to be here."

"Kikuoka didn't make it?" Kazuto couldn't bare any more losses. Family, friends… What was next? He didn't want to find out.

"Sorry…" Asuna reflected his gloomy expression.

The TV suddenly broke them from their thoughts and conversation. "... The game has finally been cleared. The player responsible, is going by the name of Rosalia. Our misery is over! We've won this war! Now it is time, to come together, as a people and rebuild this world. In other news, we are still looking for the young man responsible, Kirito. He is still at large."

Kazuto's face drained of all it's blood at seeing his picture on the screen (SAO avatar) and hearing his name.

"... If anyone has seen him or has any information on his whereabouts, please contact this number. 1-888-549-6699…"

Kazuto and the others, whipped their head around, looking for anyone, who might be calling him in.

An uproar started. People were yelling at Kazuto and getting up to accuse him of all kinds of things, even world hunger, while they were at it.

The guards flooded in and settled the mob.

Just in case, Kazuto kept his head down. He was public enemy 'NUMBER ONE'!

Kariza looked at him. "Are you really responsible?"

Kazuto stared at her, with fear and self doubt, in his eyes. " . I don't know-maybe."

"No." Asuna stood up firmly. "He didn't do this."

"I know dear. I just wanted to hear him say it." Kariza smiled reassuringly.

"How do you know, that I'm not?" Kazuto was confused. "You don't even know me."

"I can tell. You are a good person, Kirigaya. Don't sell yourself short!" Kariza explained. "I suppose, we'll be seeing more of each other, now that you're here. Don't worry about the others, either. They will come around." Kariza gave him a wink, but Kazuto didn't know what she was implying. When her eyes trailed to Asuna, her smile grew. "Before I go, is this the special lady, I heard so much about?"

'Heard so much about? I mentioned her once… Oh nevermind.' Kazuto gestured to Asuna. "This is Asuna. She's the girl I mentioned, earlier." Kazuto turned to Vari. "And this is Vari."

"I am so pleased to finally meet you. I am Kariza. I helped with Kirigaya's security and rehabilitation." Kariza smiled at Asuna. "You are a very lucky lady. He's a keeper."

Asuna should have been happy to hear that, only it reminded her of Rika. 'He might be a little weird, but he's not such a bad guy. Don't screw this up, Asuna! He's a keeper.' LizBeth whispered in Asuna's ear.' Tears welled up in her eyes and she tried her best to wipe them away.

"Oh dear… I don't mean to… Oh my…" Kariza looked like she shared in Asuna's pain.

"I'm sorry… It's just… a friend said that to me once… I don't know if I-I…" Asuna cried.

Kazuto placed his arm around her shoulder.

"I lost my…" Kariza felt the tears in her own eyes run down her face. "I know what you must be feeling, but you can still have hope for them. This isn't over yet."

"You lost someone in this, too?" Kazuto shouldn't be surprised. Everyone here, has suffered a tremendous loss, as a result of SG.

"I told you about my grandson… Nagata Shinichi." Kariza wiped her tears away. "He was into playing those VRMMOs too."

"Which one, did he play?" Vari asked, simply for conversation purposes.

"ALO. That was his favorite." Kariza smiled as if in a dream. "Well, I should let you kids eat. If you need anything, my door is always open. I'll be seeing you, dear. Don't be a stranger!" Kariza waved and made her way, disappearing down the hall.

Kazuto turned back to his plate and continued to eat.

That night, Kazuto made his way to the boys' bunkers. He found his empty bed and lay out the pillow and sheets, he was given. A pillow unsuspectedly, hit him in the head, from behind. Kazuto froze.

"Go back to SAO, where you belong! You don't deserve to be here!" The young man, that Kazuto suspected to be the assaulter, yelled.

Kazuto chose to ignore him and continued to set up his bed, when another young man grabbed him by the collar, forcing Kazuto to look at him.

"Something wrong with your mouth?! Eisan was talking to you! You better listen, boy!"

Kazuto gave him a glare. "And risk having to beat your ass, I don't think so."

Eisan clenched his fists. "What did you say, boy?!"

"Something wrong with your ears?" Kazuto mocked back.

"That's it! Hold him up!" Eisan ordered the others.

The two men pulled Kazuto off of his feet and slammed him against the wall. Then they held him towards Eisan.

"You can't even fight me, fair and square. And they call me a coward." Kazuto retorted.

"You punk!" Eisan punched Kazuto in the gut and then in the face. He lay some more punches to Kazuto's chest, till he was writhing in pain. Then Eisan threw him on his bed. "Sleep well." He toyed.

"Y-ou...t-oo…" Kazuto tried not to show weakness to these bastards.

Eisan was still infuriated by him. He wanted to pound that smug grin off of Kazuto's face. Eisan pulled Kazuto to his feet, again.

Kazuto had enough and something in him snapped. He was trying to control himself, but it couldn't be helped. Out of reflex, Kazuto landed one good punch against Eisan's face and he fell towards another bed.

Eisan was furious and jumped to his feet.

A guard stepped in. "What is going on, in this room?!"

Eisan stared at Kazuto. "He started it. And he also finished it. Why does Hyme expect us to live with him, anyway?!"

"That is none of your concern. Kirigaya, please come with me." The guard lead Kirigaya to the conference room.

Lazzari took one look at Kazuto. "This is my fault. I should have been more aware of the negative attention, you would receive. I think it would be best, for you to have your own room. Saki. See to it, please!"

"As you wish." The guard led him to a secluded part of the facility. No one would bother him here. There was no one around.

The next day, Asuna was in the kitchen, when she overheard a commotion. She looked to see what it was and saw that there were a bunch of guys, surrounding Kazuto, in the mess hall.

She overheard them saying, "This is all your fault! Why are you even here?! Are you trying to insult us?! You brought this on yourself! Go back to SAO!"

Asuna's eyes glazed over with a fresh set of tears. She saw that Kazuto was still trying his best to eat, without losing it. His face was hidden in the shadows of his hair.

She couldn't take it any longer and was ready to beat up those bullies. Then Kariza stopped her. "This is something he must do for himself. You can't always fight his battles for him."

"You don't understand, Kariza. We look out for each other." Asuna's eyes migrated back to Kazuto.

Kazuto believed these people were right about him, which made him resist them less. Maybe this was what he deserves. He will take it. In a weird way, it felt like he was paying for it. He had no right to refuse judgement.

Asuna watched as Kazuto stood up.

Kazuto remembered the things Asuna had said to him. He was being used… just like everyone else. "You want to mock me! Fine! I can take it! But I wasn't the one who did all of this! I am here for the same reason as you! I lost my sister and my mother, but you don't see me whining!"

A silence took over the mob.

"You want to do something about it, get your heads out of the dirt!" Kazuto turned to leave, but Asuna reached out to him and grabbed his wrist, before he could leave.

"Kazuto. Don't listen to them! You have every right, to eat here." Asuna tugged on his arm, but she couldn't understand why he wouldn't face her.

After another tug, he finally obliged and sat back down, to finish his food. He didn't look at her and it made her very upset.

"Can you please stop avoiding me!" Asuna noticed the angry eyes over their shoulders.

"I'm not avoiding you."

"Then can you please look at me." Asuna stared at him, waiting for him to do something!

Kazuto reluctantly turned to face her.

The horror struck her, when she saw that he had been beaten. He had a black eye too. Asuna glared at the people gathered around. "Did they do this to you?!"

"We were just getting acquainted. Don't worry about it." Kazuto assured her.

The people went back to their own thing.

"Kazuto! You were beaten. How can I not? Did you tell Hyme?" Asuna wasn't about to let this go.

"No. I can handle it. They are right, anyway. I was so excited about Augmented Reality coming out, I ignored the signs, all around me. You even tried to tell me… but I didn't-"

Asuna pulled his face to look into her eyes. "You couldn't have done anything about that."

"If I had just accepted that I wasn't in control, I could have fought it, sooner. Even now, I am tempted to trust that lunatic. If I saw him now… I don't know if I have the strength to resist. You don't know what it is like, Asuna. No matter what I think or feel, my thoughts are overpowered. It takes all my focus, just to stay away from Yui."

"You mean, you're still wanting to… harm her?"

"I'm sorry… I don't want to, but the thoughts won't leave. That's why… you've got to promise me, to keep her away from me."

"Okay."

The next while, Kazuto spent practicing his swords skills IRL. Asuna was helping in the kitchen, which everyone had come to appreciate her cooking, above the former cooks. Vari helped with the children. She had no idea, how fun it could be.

Kazuto heard a knock on his door, so he opened it.

"I hear you were the boy, who had been taking VRMMO studies, am I correct?" Saki asked.

"Yes… That's true. What of it?" Kazuto grew impatient, because he was worried that they would just find another reason to not trust him. Everyone said they were trying to help, but secretly, they were judging him. Everyone, except for Kariza.

"Then I need you to come with me. Don't bother changing. Come as you are!" Saki turned and led Kazuto back to the conference room.

Hyme and Lazzari were in the room, awaiting his arrival.

"You wanted to see me?" Kazuto entered, then the door shut behind him.

"That's right. You need to be straight with us. You worked for the company who created the Augma, am I wrong?" Hyme interrogated.

Kazuto felt his tongue get tied in knots." …Y-yes…"

"And am I correct in assuming, that you understand how they work?" Hyme pressed.

"Y-ya…"

A smile curved onto Lazzari's lips. "Good. You are going to be assigned to the Technological Advances Division. Any concerns, before we proceed?"

"Not-no…"

"Is that what you looked like in the game? Very interesting. I assume, you still have your Augma in possession, despite the lack of reception?" Lazzari enquired.

"It's not a crime, is it?" Kazuto retorted.

"It is no use to you nor a threat to us. But I want you tell us everything you know. We need to take this company down. First, we need to know who they are."

Kazuto started the debriefing of the past events and his involvement, not leaving anything out. If he can't trust them, then there is no hope left in this world.

When he said everything, Hyme clicked a button on a small device. "I have it all recorded. I would rather not have this conversation over again, if we missed an important detail."

Saki entered with Varina in tow.

"Thank you for bringing her here. You may go." Hyme excused the guard. He then turned to Varina. "I hear you have access to the system admin, is this true?"

"No…" Vari spoke hesitantly.

"Kazuto disagrees. He says you have access." Hyme made Kazuto sound more harsh than he was, about it.

Vari turned to Kazuto. "I have been meaning to tell you… I-I gave Rosalia the access to system admin."

Kazuto's eyes grew wide. "What?! What were you thinking?! Why do you continue to trust that woman?!"

Varina grew up in a world where money bought everything. Even loyalty. "She is on our side! She is our only hope of stopping this madness! To help us more efficiently, she needed the system admin."

"Now, everything makes sense. Everyone changed, because they now have access to the main frame! They can do whatever they want!" Kazuto bawled his fists, as the leaders just stood by and watched.

"She gave me, her word!"

"Her 'word' amounts to nothing! Rosalia is a vulture! She doesn't care about anyone but herself!" Kazuto continued to lose his patience.

"I-I'm sorry… I was just trying to help." Vari thought she might cry. Did she really betray everyone?

"You said you possess it, as well, Kazuto?" Hyme piped in.

"Yes." Kazuto answered.

Varina's eyes went wide this time. "You mean… you have it too?" She felt like some hope, might be restored.

"We would like you to upload it to the system, so we can analyze it. We might be able to connect it from here." Lazzari suggested. "We might just have what it takes, to put things back in order."