~Eleventh Floor~

The tenth floor boss fight went by...surprisingly fast. Even without Ana directly leading the raid, the battle went so smoothly and quickly, the raid closed in a little under an hour. Exactly as she had directed the battle to go as far as the participants and the way the monsters would act or react, everything went exactly as expected.

Everything went as expected and most of the raid party were excited and ready to journey up to the eleventh floor, but the main leaders of the raid were different. Asuna and Kirizu were nervous about what was to come, in the afternoon with the appointment they were to have. The conversation with Asuna's birth parents.

Beta didn't all know about the appointment being that day, so when Asuna and Kirizu tried to hide it, they were inclined to start making guesses without assuming any kind of answer as to what was going on with them. Some guesses were directed toward there being some kind of trouble in their relationship. There wasn't much though toward other possibilities.

Everyone moved upward to the next floor together, and Beta made their way to the teleport plaza, so to welcome the rest of their guild to the new floor. For the first time, lunch hadn't been prepared for them ahead of time, since Ana wanted to surprise Kirizu and Asuna with a recipe that was special to Ryra, to check if they would like it. The instant the teleport gate was unlocked, Ana, Anabelle and Agil appeared. Ana led the way away, but it was mostly because of her anxiety since Beta had grown to have so many people and everyone crowding around the teleport gate wouldn't be good for her. Ana became a little sick.

After a little walking and finding a park, Beta finally took in the sights of the eleventh floor. It was a very nice environment. Warm, with a cozy feeling with the same structures as the previous floors, having wooden buildings for the most part, then having some stone structures for design purpose mostly. The overall feel of the town was just...cozy. As far as outside of the town, they wanted to go exploring. Everyone else from the raid had decided to do that right away, but Beta were always reminded by Ana to make sure they were remembering to eat.

Outside of the town, when they made it outside, it was the first most normal looking environment for the warm weather they had seen. Of course parts of the environment felt natural, but otherwise, it felt supernatural with some kind of floating islands, large crystals around in the fields, plenty of fantasy elements to remind them they were indeed inside of a game. The scenery on the eleventh floor was a wonderful farm land kind of environment with a lake outside of the northern exit, with very little for monster presence, and those monster which were around, were passive.

Finding a good spot along the shore of the lake north of the town, Ana began setting out everyone's meals, and sat down with Anabelle. Asuna and Kirizu sat right next to them on their left side, and everyone else spaced themselves out a bit for consideration toward Ana's health and her anxiety. Still, Ana hadn't discovered how to cure her anxiety. So still, everyone was considerate of her condition and did what they could to make things a little easier for her to be with them. It wasn't possible to be that considerate during a large battle like the raid before, but everyone wished that she could go along. They would feel all the more safe to have her directly influencing the battle after all.

The lunch that Ana had prepared for everyone, was a different variation on the stuffed bread sandwich. This time, however, the insides were far more strong in their scent and taste. The mixture of a strong meat with strong seasoning prepared just right, with some softened cooked vegetables just sweet enough to calm down the intensity of the meat taste, along with a cool mayonnaise kind of dressing and a sweet cream flavouring to the bread, everyone was able to understand what Ana meant by it being Ryra's favourite. It was beyond delicious. Anabelle, Asuna and Kirizu all leaned on Ana. They were feeling very cuddly...which was an effect that the food also had on Ryra.

After the lunch, Ana sent another food item to everyone, and whispered what the second part of the meal was.

"I finally discovered a crepe recipe I'm completely proud of. Tell me what you think."

Hearing Ana's whisper tensed everyone up. They couldn't help it. Ana used her voice so rarely, that they had become used to hearing her voice as something only to hear when something was intense.

Everyone held the crepes sent to them in their hands, and they couldn't stop themselves as soon as they held them. The crepes were so fluffy and sparkled with seasoning, so well shaped and the bit of filling that could be seen at the top with the creme, that it practically in scent and visuals, begged for everyone to eat the crepes. The first bite from everyone drove everyone into silence. The utter quiet was intense, but everyone had tears in their eyes. Smiles brightened their expressions and they all collectively sighed happily when they finally swallowed down the first bite.

"Best. Crepe. Ever. Teach me!"

Kirizu was very vocal about her approval of the crepe. Ana had used a sort of secret recipe for the pancake mixture the base of the crepes were made of, so she wasn't going to teach it so easily. More likely to Anabelle and to Asuna...but Anabelle already knew since Ana had been testing it with her while the rest made their way to the dungeon and through the boss of the dungeon.

Everyone else were also very vocal about how much they enjoyed it. Agil didn't express a like for sweets often at all, so it was a surprise at how strongly he was enjoying the taste of the crepe. Everyone was fit to burst with how full they were between the primary meal of the stuffed bread and the crepe, both being a very filling type of food.

Ana turned to Asuna after everyone finished eating their crepes, knowing that the conversation would be on her mind. It would only be in ten minutes from the time they were currently at. Ana had chosen their current location initially in hope it would help Asuna calm down for it, but she was still very nervous. As everyone else finished thanking Ana for the food, starting to stand up and make their way away, Kirizu and Anabelle focused their attention on Asuna as well. They were all going to be there for the conversation, to back Asuna up.

"Onee-chan, hold hands with me."

Anabelle's gesture immediately caught Asuna and Kirizu off guard. Anabelle positioned herself right in front of Asuna, and she grabbed Asuna's hands even though she was being hesitant.

"See, me and a friend back in Canada, Katie, did this when we had to be strong for something. Give some of our strength to each other in a way. Even though we'll really be here for this, I couldn't always be there to help Katie out, so I'm giving you some of my strength. You need it more than me for this. Be strong. You have all of us here, so there's nothing to worry about. We have Mama with us, so there's already nothing to worry about. We even have Kirizu. You should be showing how amazing you are to her now, Onee-chan."

Anabelle was genuine with everything she told Asuna, and Asuna had tears form at the corners of her eyes. They didn't spill over, and a smile filled her expression. She nodded her head.

"Right! I also have to show you how strong I can be. I'm supposed to be the elder sister after all. Thank you, Anabelle."

Anabelle grinned happily and let go of Asuna's hands. She motioned to her mother, and Ana followed suit, doing the same, holding Asuna's hands, and conveying a feeling of sharing her strength. Kirizu followed as well, finishing off with a kiss before letting go. Everyone moved into different places so they would be ready for the conversation, and all be in the view around Asuna for the other side. Ana sat on Asuna's right side, with Anabelle on her lap, and Kirizu sat on Asuna's left side. Ana and Kirizu both held one of her hands. When the call came, Asuna answered right away and returned her right hand to Ana's, to continue feeling her strength, her presence in the stressful situation. Asuna would rather be fighting a floor boss than speak to the parents who raised her.

The sight on the other side of the video was grim. Ryra was sitting a little behind, not so in the frame, which made Anabelle pout immediately. In the middle was Kyouko, Asuna's mother, to her left was the younger, but still older than Ana and Ryra in comparison, Sugou Noboyuki. To the right of Kyouko, was Asuna's birth father, Shouzou. The sight of the three people in business suits was intimidating to those who saw them, except for Anabelle. She, like her mother who couldn't see them, were only waiting for their personalities to be revealed.

"Who are those other people, Asuna?"

The question from Shouzou was direct and snappy. Asuna's first reaction to that, was a deep breath, and to steel herself after glancing at Anabelle and Ana, then Kirizu, then looking back at the video feed.

"These people are my new family, along with the doctor in the room you're in. They're wonderful, supportive and they've made me feel more alive than I've felt in my entire life. My little sister, Anabelle is amazing in so many wonderful ways from how talented she is to how intelligent. Mom, Ana, has been the person who has supported me the most out of every adult I've met, and she takes care of me. She encourages me to learn more about myself, and teaches me things that you nor school ever taught me. Kirizu, is the person I want to marry in the future. I love her even a little more than I love Ana and Anabelle, Ryra as well. They've all been so important to me, and so supportive, and I want to stay with them after we get out of here."

The other side of the conversation was unmoving aside Ryra in the background who was smiling as she heard Asuna tell her feelings about the people she was with. That Asuna even mentioned Ryra as one of those people important to her, that she loved.

Kyouko sighed as she heard Asuna explain how she really felt. She had been anticipating the conversation more than the rest. She had intended because of her past to push Asuna to a bright and wealthy future, but she couldn't do that without becoming less of a parent to Asuna. She had refused to talk more to Sugou after she had talked with Ryra the second time. She had initially been the one to have the idea of pairing him with Asuna. Thinking about it after the talks with Ryra, not only did she not like Sugou's personality, he was also much older than her. Even older than the new parents taking care of her. Kyouko had to admit, she was happy to hear so much energy in Asuna's voice, she nearly broke her complexion to smile in response, but she needed to have some kind of likewise reaction from Shouzou before making her response to Asuna.

"Do you realize how irresponsible you are being? Think about this rationally. You are in a situation where you could die at any moment, yet you're being so close with these people. They're only slowing you down from getting out of there and getting on with your life. Get your head out of the clouds and get back to working your way out of there!"

Shouzou made Kyouko feel sick to her stomach. How could he be so dismissive and angry at the first time their daughter had been truly happy with her life. The person to counter his words, was Ana. Her whispered voice was strong, resolute and honestly furious with Shouzou.

"Yuuki-san, or should I call you Shouzou-kun? Either way, You should listen carefully, because it seems you know not the first thing of the situation here. This is not a one person experience. It takes many people to progress, and our group are the strongest here. Sadly, we do not have enough people in our group to run through floor after floor. Otherwise, we might have the chance to be out in a few months if it were easy to keep up with certain aspects such as levels and equipment. You have to remember, this is a game, where it doesn't matter how strong or skilled you are, you have to work with others to progress. With your attitude toward Asuna, I am glad I'm recording this conversation. Ryra can present this to court and have you tried for child abuse. Then you won't have any claim on her as a parent. It's very easy to tell from the energy around you that your wife Kyouko doesn't approve of your treatment of her. You also had the nerve to go behind her back and continue conversations with the other man with you. In our home country of Canada, you setting up to marry Asuna with that man in his thirties, is illegal, and would put all those involved in trafficking her off to him, including himself, in prison for a minimum of ten years. Remember she is your child, not your property. She's another human being who has a life of her own to live, and controlling her life as you have is slavery, which is still illegal here in Japan, and would put you in prison for five years. Continue giving me more reasons to have this sent to the government, if you have the arrogance thinking you're above the law. Canada would intervene even if the Japanese government would go easy on you since you're in their pockets."

Shouzou was shaken more and more as Ana continued to talk. He seemed to have some kind of backup for Ana being so prepared for the conversation.

"Oh? And why would Canada intervene?"

Ana sighed a little bit and caught her breath. She wasn't used to saying so much without a large pause.

"That would be because we have Asuna's adoption papers and they're filled out. It would only take a minute to confirm what we need to in order to have Asuna considered an international citizen as our daughter. As well, and I suppose this would be the stronger case against you. Without my involvement in their lessons, and my work toward virtual technology, Sugou wouldn't have a job at all right now, likely in jail because of his line of work, Kayaba might have finished the NerveGear on time but still be struggling in development, and of course, the Medicuboid you're also invested in wouldn't exist yet. Did you know that the Medicuboid project is now working in other hospitals in other parts of the world, such as Canada? It's already saved three dozen lives...plus the medical discovery of some medicines on my part. You would also do well to remember that Ryra's word is far stronger than yours right now with over nine thousand lives in Japan depending on her as the head doctor in this incident. My word only grows stronger, even if outside of this, it's far more difficult to speak like this. Others here get text windows for conversation who are less like family to me, otherwise, you should know how outmatched you are in any conversation."

Ana turned her attention to Sugou who realized who she was.

"Y-you're...!"

His stutter and inability to continue the thought, told everyone that she spoke the truth about him. Kyouko sighed, already knowing because of Ryra telling her more about him after learning of him from Ana. Looking into his line of work was very easy to do. It was also very easy to overlook his line of work because of the investments from illegal pockets toward his control work. The money was a blinding thing for most people in the world, since the modern world equated money to power.

"Don't you say another word...!"

Shouzou sighed and shook his head before telling Sugou to sit down.

"Return to your seat. I already knew what kind of work you were doing. You were making us money so I said nothing. You would bankrupt us though if we allowed you to stay tied with us in any way with the strength and pulls Ana-san and Ryra-san have in the world. We are thoroughly outmatched. Quite amazing the blind woman is the one who influenced the biggest advances in virtual technology. It would be more intelligent in our case to invest in her and Ryra than into your illegal actions. Since you have contributed to our growth, I will not turn you into the authorities on your work. It is quite tempting to do so with the...other work and ambitions you had. We will no longer invest or associate in your work."

Kyouko smiled and looked at him with a large feeling of respect and happiness that he was considering things rationally. Listening to Ana tell him how in trouble he was if he were to keep up as things were, she was a little frightened of Ana herself. She was also jealous. Ana had the real feel of a mother who fiercely defends her children. She wished she had been more like that in the past. Meeting Ana and Ryra made her realize how badly she went about trying to raise Asuna. Just because she was born into a poor family, didn't mean she had to force Asuna into another rich family like she was fortunate in marrying Shouzou. Asuna being supported by such powerful and influential people who truly cared for and supported her...made her feel regretful and inferior because of how she'd been. Want for another chance.

"Now, let's hear a little more about Kirizu. It feels a little strange still to comprehend not only Ana-san and Ryra-san as a couple as both being women, but for Kirizu who is also a woman to be in a relationship with you, Asuna, did their relationship influence this relationship?"

Asuna shook her head.

"It didn't. Well, the smallest bit maybe. Hearing that it would be possible for us to have children naturally some time in the future even with both of us as girls since they have a pregnancy right now made it feel more encouraging, but I confessed my feelings to her because of the genuine feelings we share. I love her. From her personality, to her determination, the way she's so protective and always doing her best for us...there's so many things I might lose control of how much I talk about it. I love her immeasurably. Kirizu...Kazu has really helped me the most at figuring out who I really am, and Mom really taught me how to start looking. Anabelle has been the best younger sister I could imagine, and she looks forward to us being a proper family in the future. Kirizu is so supportive and strong, even though this has all been so difficult for her as well. She and Mom are the people I respect the most, and I love all of them. They make me the happiest I've been, and I can't imagine being happier. Maybe they'll make me even happier, and I only look forward to it."

Shouzou nodded his head, eyes closed as he listened to Asuna continue on. Kyouko felt stabs of jealousy every time she heard Asuna refer to Ana as her mother as being so influential and important to her. She had to smile though, hearing how genuinely happy Asuna really was. That was her daughter's voice for sure. Her real genuine smile she hadn't seen with her grown face and expressions. It was happiness that Asuna had, which she had imagined a long time would come from pushing her into a wealthy family alone. The new regard for Asuna, she wanted desperately for another chance. It was...so daunting though. Since she had such a tight schedule for work and it would be so difficult to change even if her feelings had changed. She knew in her heart that a person like Ana, who would always be there when Asuna needed her, was someone who was far more suited to being her mother.

Sugou was distressed that he might be in serious trouble, and he was eager to get away from the conversation. He was disgusted to hear Asuna speaking so lovingly about someone else. She had never talked such a way to or about him, but he liked to imagine it, and apply his work to her to make it happen...he needed to get away, so that he could preserve his mental state.

"It sounds you have found someone truly incredible. If someone as capable as Ana is fine with your relationship, then I have no argument. I feel quite disappointed in our choice for you. I'd be glad if you never find out what kind of work he does, but I imagine you already know with how you looked at the beginning of this conversation. I fully support in Ana-san and Ryra-san adopting you, and supporting you as you deserve. I would like to still have updates on your situation, and I assume from Kyouko's reactions here, that she would also like to keep updated on your situation. I would also like to have the chance to meet your new family in person when you make it out, and the newer family members at the same time since you had mentioned their pregnancy. I support more, that your relationship can be fully recognized with your new family as a marriage in your other home country after this. I'm proud of you. And I'm happy that you found such a capable person to guide you along. I will never doubt the capabilities of a blind person again. I would like to see however, a small show of her capability. Just out of curiosity how unbelievably talented she really is. I'd checked her records and apparently she had been in archery in the past, so that could be more than proof enough in my opinion."

Asuna Kirizu, Anabelle and Ryra all smiled when they heard him going on, especially when he mentioned seeing how capable Ana was with her archery. Anabelle moved off from her lap, and Ana stood up with a slight sigh, a little annoyed at the notion of her need to prove her capability with the tie to the word blind again.

After standing up, Ana drew her bow from her inventory, readied it immediately, and without so much as taking a second to aim, she loosed an arrow into the distance, striking an antelope through the neck. She sat back down and faced the camera.

"Enough?"

The text window told them the conversation was over. Shouzou and Kyouko were stunned stiff at the shot she had made. Even many professional archers with great vision and control wouldn't be able to make such a shot, and Ana did it effortlessly. Sugou scoffed visibly but not vocally, afraid of backlash, but confident he could do better than her. The monster had even died in the one shot Ana had made. Sugou wanted to go in there, and mess Ana up as much as he could. Even though she had her own incomparable beauty he enjoyed seeing more than Asuna, she enraged every bit of him. Thoughts danced in his mind around the idea of having his way with her...

The room on the other end was eventually cleared to only have Ryra, and she brightened up as soon as the sound of the door closing was heard. She looked through to the other side and she wished she could dive right through the screen and hug Ana. She had been hoping she had taken in some of her ability to cast a strong sense of intimidation and authority like Ana did naturally, but again she realized she wasn't even close. She was just happy that she had something she was professionally recognized for and regarded and important because of it. At times she thought of competing with Ana, but knowing her stopped her from doing such a thing.

"I'll have Sugou followed. He was very upset with how everything went here, and it's possible he might try and do something despicable. For now...I'm so glad things went so well for you. I'm proud of you for being so strong, Asuna. You were all amazing!"

Ryra's words were refreshing to them. They didn't hear her praises so much recently.

"Thank you, Mama Ryra."

Asuna smiled widely as she responded to Ryra. Anabelle followed it up.

"It's because we were all here together!"

Ana and Asuna pet her head in response to her enthusiasm. Kirizu nodded her head happily.

"Really though...I didn't know you had that much on them to make it go so smoothly. How did you get all of that information?"

"Through Mai and some of her colleagues. Also, I had been researching some developments and companies involved in virtual technology after I stopped investing in it. I knew about Asuna's original family through that research since her father was so involved. I knew about Sugou because he had always been horrible at hiding what kind of work he's doing. Was always the type to jump at the idea of being able to force other people to do what he wanted them to, and he worked toward that through virtual technology, not for the sake of developing a safe device to allow people to do this without the current circumstances. I've had information the whole time, just needed to tell you to access my computer and tell you where to find it. As for everything else...yes, there is plenty of development of the Medicuboid in other parts of the world. Very impressive really. I hadn't just been gaming and writing while you were at work. I progressed and made a safe one, which is being used in other parts of the world. The devices here in Japan are mostly unsafe...excluding the one on my head. The device on my head which is actually doing work is underneath the NerveGear. It was a little work hollowing it out. It just had to do what I could to help with this, and my anxiety and nerves stopped me from being as trapped as everyone else. Allow me this though, Ryra. To continue protecting and helping everyone here. You could check on the truth of my words by twisting the small dial on the seam of the NerveGear at the back. Pull me out, and I won't be considered a patient anymore. I won't be able to continue helping as I have. I'm being selfish and stupid, but especially after Anabelle did something so reckless, and with the connections we've developed here, I have to continue here. By any means, check. But don't do it while anyone can investigate on this. If you or someone else does pull me out, officials will push for me to force the end of this, when I can't. I need the server, and unfortunately hiding it was the only intelligent thing Kayaba Akihiko managed to do in the end. They would push...and eventually try to convict me as an accomplice to his crime, because that's how the government here works. Blame those who can't fight back and punish them. Sorry, Ryra. For being so selfish."

Ryra was heavy in tears by the time Ana finished. Everyone was in tears. Ana risked her health regardless. She was pregnant...she should be considering that above everything else, but medically there was no issue with it. She already knew, she could go through it again after getting out.