Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara and ASCII Media Works.

The background music was a celebrating one, fitting well with the Congratulations floating high above their heads, displayed to anyone that was willing to look at it. Large white letters illuminated the darkness with a victorious glory. It was the sign players were fighting for, every new victorious display another raise in morale and another step closer to the end.

If that sign had to raise someone's morale, then why did it not do that? Why was there such happy background music on when eyes looked lifeless in front of them, silent tears rolling down dead-white jowls as players could not even mutter a single word? Why was there a Congratulations message displayed while there was nothing to celebrate for?

The truth about this world was always present but deeply hidden in the back of everyone's mind. Hidden under the covers of quests, fighting virtual monsters and other stuff that was assumed to be important. It had been long since the true nature of Aincrad came on the foreground. Long, but not everlasting.

Today was a reminder of that nature. The day happiness and hope were pulverized and shattered as if it was never there, just as the first day had been. This was a reminder Aincrad was not a world that would show mercy to the weak. This is a universe where mistakes wouldn't be forgiven. This is not a place for the weak-minded. This is a game of death. This is the Iron floating castle Aincrad.

This is Sword Art Online.

17:36, 02-06-2023. Forest Maze.

The sky was illuminated with orange-colored sunlight, hardly visible through the dense forest four guilds were walking though, Eight parties strong. The mysterious fog of previous days began to make its appearance again, warning ever wandering player what was coming their way; nightfall.

As that group kept the pace on a near jogging speed - the only reason not to sprint making sure there were no second troublesome spawns-, Klein stated, ''We don't have much time left, Kirito. We hitting the nightshift any time now.''

''I know,'' the leader answered, a complicated expression on his face as his eyes were switching between the Tracking branch skill and normal Searching skill. ''But we don't have much of choice, do we?'' There were other choices, sure, but those choices would not have brought the same outcome, or chances far too low to even consider worth trying. For Kirito, that chance of success had to be as large as possible, for it was not a simple quest that needed to be completed. It was a player's life and a close friend on top of all.

Scrolling thought his guild's menu, he could pinpoint Ojima's location not too far away from him, and a healthbar that had not moved in an hour. Worriedly, for the officer's healthbar was in the red, any attack the end of his life and turning his selfless action into a painful sacrifice. And since that healthbar was the only thing he had access to, worse scenarios roamed in Kirito's mind.

A calming touch on his shoulder pulled him out of those scenarios, and with confused eyes, he shifted his attention to Ren. ''Calm down, Kirito. If Ojima survived thus far, we have no reason to believe he can't hold out until we get there. He is a front-liner for a reason.'' he said with reassuring confidence.

''And don't go worrying about those nightly monsters. If we can't handle them with this many strong and reliable players, we might as well call it quits.'' Aiko added, her young grin radiating a naiëve confidence.

''Let's hope we don't have to put those words into practice,'' Heathcliff responded seriously, his eyes illustrating the sudden awareness of danger residing in these troublesome lands. Four parties led by four from the six guild leaders of the front-line stood in the position of front guard, a sight that was anything but trivial. From the ninth floor and upwards, it were these players who burdened everyone's hope.

Although it wouldn't feel like the most important role in Aincrad, a leader was the cornerstone of an effective team. Since soloing was something done by the few, most players already had forsaken their solo days and continued in parties. Thus, the role of a leader, even as small as a party leader, was tested. To call a situation safe enough to continue or rest. To oversee the battles and use every member to the best of their capabilities, each misstep a responsibility they had to bear. Although leadership sounded nice on paper, the real thing was more stressful than rewarding.

Just like every aspect of life, leadership too came in various ways. From the preferred democratic leadership, where subordinates' voices were heard and used in the decision-making, to the much more centered and selfish style of autocratic leadership. Sometimes, there was a demand for a leader who could easily switch tactics and strategy if the situation called so. Other times, leaders tried to motivate their followers to do more then what they intended to. One leader could follow multiple ways of leadership. There was nothing wrong with that. The determining factor, after all, wasn't the way of leadership, but the leader himself and the players who decided to follow him/her.

*Sniff, Sniff* ''Does anybody smell that?'' Packer asked, cathing a strange scent in the air.

''No time for fart jokes, Packer,'' Niaf responded in utmost seriousness. Some people chuckled to that immediate retort, others were too focussed on the lands surrounding them.

''I am serious. Doesn't anyone smell it?'' he repeatedly asked, pushing a hanging branch out of the way with his arm.

Klein was about to respond he would not fall to the joke a second time, yet stopped when he saw Packer's serious and most questionable gaze. ''Guys. I think he is telling the truth. See if you can catch the scent.''

More players shifted their attention to Packer and Klein, read both expressions carefully, and soon followed sniffing their surrounding air for themselves. It was a comical sight, yet the truth behind it was anything but funny. Asuna was the first to speak as she said, ''I smell something. It smells like... something just burned?''

Five players turned backward before letting out soft sighs and confirming, ''No fires behind us.''

''None on the sides either,'' Four other players added almost immediately after.

''It smells more like something has burned out. Does that make any sense?'' Issin asked as he was already trying to look past the deep-grown vegetation that blocked the players from looking at the sky.

''It absolutely does not,'' Kizmel responded. Her iliac eyes scanned the area with an intense gaze, her pointy ears reacting to every unusual sound. The hold around her scimitar and shield tightened, memories of a similar smell reminding her of the Duke's fortress and the forsaken 20th pillar fight.

*Sniff, Sniff.* ''It's coming from further up ahead. No monsters in the area?'' Yuuki asked on guard.

''None. This place is deserted.'' Kirito answered on point.

''No traps either.'' Merida added.'' Not sure what is going on though. Shouldn't we be encountering those mobs by now?''

Uneasy eyes shifted to each other, Kirito keeping his attention divided between the healthbar in his menu and the area around him. Seeing Ojima's location almost to the point of plain sight, Kirito's steady walk turned to a quick pace. ''Stay sharp.'' He commanded, hold around his Blade of Dark Valor tightening as his quickstep turned to a jogging tempo.

Branches dangled irritatingly in the way of his destination but were swept away just as quickly. Moss and other soft and unstable underground was his footpath, but they continued either way. The clock in his HUD almost 17:50, but he couldn't care about it. Don't let this be in vain.

*Ching* A notification in his HUD clung, his Searching skill picking up on a figure not to far away, but still hidden by deep vegetation of the labyrinth. ''He is alive,'' he said, fear and uncertainty dropping instantly from his shoulders.

However, something else was roaming through his mind when he pushed through a deep-grown bush...and witnessed a wasteland of burned nature, the whereabouts of the forest's labyrinth burned to crisps. ''What the...?'' Eugene mumbled in clear shock.

''What happened here?'' Asuna asked, her eyes spectating the brown-dead grass before she noticed a figure with familiar short-black hair laying motionless on the ground. ''Ojima-san!'' She let out, nearly wanting to run towards him, but just quick enough to stop herself. With cautions eyes, she looked at Kirito and Merida.

''No monsters in the area,'' Kirito confirmed a slight shock and confoundment in his voice.

''No traps again,'' Merida answered a bit confused. ''Kirito-san, wasn't there supposed to be an enormous group of monsters?''

''I'll answer that later.'' If I can find an answer, he added in his thoughts, confusing adding up to many emotions in his head.''Let's get Ojima safe and return before we find ourselves on the short stick,'' he added, jogging his way to his officer to see what was going on.

However, no matter how much he shook the player around, reacting was the last thing Ojima did. ''Is he asleep?'' Asuna asked.

''He got guts, I tell you that much,'' Mitchos said grinningly before picking him and laying him on his shoulder. ''But we got no time for that. Let's get the hell out of here while we still can.''

''Heal him first, you brute!'' Rain said angrily, materializing a potion before jamming it into Ojima's mouth. ''That should get him close to full health.''

''Now, let's get the move on,'' Heathcliff said worriedly, his eyes once again checking their surroundings, or what was left of it. What could have done this? He asked himself as he walked past his retreating comrades, worriedness suddenly taking a whole other turn.

~35 Minutes later.~

''He sure as hell is a deep sleeper,'' Packer commented, walking alongside the Mohican tank just when two parties had taken care off of the four Spearman Centaurs. ''You would almost say he is unconscious.''

''To be fair, it does sound more logical than falling asleep in the middle of the field,'' Riku said, his eyes checking the surroundings with a careful green-scanning eye. ''It does explain why he doesn't wake up.''

''He doesn't wake up because you are too soft! Here, I show you how it is done!'' Helios said as he was prepared to lift Ojima from Mitchos shoulders.

Remembering how the unconscious NPC on the 19th floor had been treated, Jun & Tecchi decided that idea would be horrendous for multiple reasons. ''Is that really a good idea?'' the red-haired asked with a dubious tone.

''Why wouldn't it be?''

''Because you are a worse brute!'' Mai answered truthfully, many players nodding to that statement.

A discussion began to burn again, easing the tension that was in the air, mainly from the darkness of the evening. Yet, apart from a few additional spawns, nothing seems out of the ordinary, making the players' worries only stronger. There had to be something that was demanding their lives. The only question was what.

A low mysterious fog hung in the air, yet not enough to mark another problem for the players' sight. The monsters were strong, but the combination of teamwork, three divine overpowered sword sets, and the overall carefulness made sure that too was not a problem. The traps were strong, but Merida, Darius, and Olivia made sure those would not be the end for them.

If those troubles were tackled as well as they were, then why couldn't Heathcliff stop his hands from trembling? Why were Kirito's eyes so thoughtfully scanning his surroundings, as if a monster could ambush them anytime, despite the Searching skills not warning him off any? Why did Kizmel's skin hair alarmingly show goosebumps if there were no dangers?

The unexpected loss of a close one gave the mind an everlasting reminder something was never what it was supposed to be. Whatever it was a cave full of resources, a boss fight with over a hundred players, or a supposed-to-be innocent forest, for them, their minds only rested if everyone was safe. Thus, when the first movement of a suspicious mist began to approach the players from behind in a threating matter, slowly but surely moving to catch up crawling from the ground, Heathcliff whispered, ''Warn everybody as calmly as possible. We will make a run to Llyne in a couple of seconds.''

Whispers echoed through the air, spreading from one ear to another and silencing the air with sudden tension. Perhaps only a few seconds past by, but in the players' eyes, the time took forever to pass. Ojima was already passed to Klein, making sure the tank was able to keep up with the rest of the agile players.

No words were spoken, nor no commands were given, but just before the mist could touch Packer's heel, the four leaders began their sprint, the other players following right in their footsteps.

They did not look back, but they did keep track of the healthbars in their HUDs. They did not want to know what was lurking behind them, and it wasn't planning to catch them in their run anyway. It was not a monster that was lurking in the darkness of the night. It was something far worse.

Only when the players entered Llyne safe zone, panting heavily, they dared to look behind. As the long-waiting players were checking Ojima's vitals, worriedness and fear suddenly bursting by an explosion of tears, the leaders shifted their eyes on the wildlands. A gloomy mist like most days before existed the dungeon, and although it looked small in comparison to the many monsters and traps of the floor, the two leaders couldn't help but think that phenomenon was the most threating thing the players could encounter in the night.

As Mortimer let out an approved sigh of relief, Asuna and Klein acknowledging his count with a sigh of their own, they shifted their attention on two lingering questions hanging in the air. ''Argo.'' Kirito whispered, the rat joining at his side as she gazed towards the dungeon's entrance.

''What's the matter?'' she asked, no need to pretend that she didn't feel the same discomfort from the thick white cloud.

''Warn the frontline not to explore past the afternoon mark. That mist is dangerous,'' he whispered alarmingly.

''Gotcha, Kii-bou. Any specifics I should add?'' she asked, although she could understand by their eyes alone they had no answer for that.

''No. Just tell them to avoid it all costs,'' Heathcliff answered before turning his head back to the safe town of Llyne. His shoulders dropped, as his eyes lost the fearsome concern he had shown before. With an honest concern, he shifted his eyes on the Bo Staff wielder and asked the players around him, ''How is he doing?''

Adrenaline. A natural process used to increase physical performance under heavy stress management. Due to sophisticated physiological process hormones would increase the potential of one's body to the upper limit. An increase in breathing and heart rate, a rise in alertness, coming together with a better sight thanks to widened pupils. However, when the adrenaline was no longer needed or had reached its limit, what was left was in a severe condition that could barely do a thing. Both body and mind had to recover from the flight/fight reaction that was the cause for this necessary process.

The players walking back after their rescue mission assumed this was the reason Ojima would not wake up. Tobe carried the guy on his shoulder and acknowledged that the sleeping player did not wake up when he walked 'accidentally' a little too close to the wall, resulting in the Crime Prevention Code appearing on Ojima's head.

It was a joke that lightened the spirits of the many involved, but when they had returned Ojima to his room -Leaving Yuna in care for the unconscious player-, they realized they too had taken it to the max today. Even the cooking skills of both Asuna and Kirito had to succumb to their tiredness, and none could blame or could care about it at all. Despite the time not even being worthy of a being called 'late', the players involved already found their way into their beds. Some fell asleep on the first try, the nightly ritual one without company a boring one. For others who had that company, the prospect of the world of dreams had to wait.

''That was reckless, Kii-bou,'' Argo whispered, her head laying on his chest. His heartbeat was raised, and although she liked to believe it was from her presence, she knew better just from looking at his face.

''I know, but I had no choice,'' he responded in kind.

Argo knew there were multiple choices at the time, yet she wasn't planning to start the discussion here. Not while she could understand his feelings at that moment, and would have been glad for the choice if she had been in Ojima's position. But thinking back, what if he hadn't returned with all of the members? What would happen if the Sleeping Knights or Wyvern Infernos had lost a member along the way? Would they be mad at him? Would the players still trust him if he acted so selfishly, or would they see the good of his actions? Argo wanted to believe she didn't have to worry about any of that, but the lack of experience nor energy didn't help to cease her worries.

Luckily, there were other subjects she could fall back on. Nuzzling her head on her boyfriend's chest, she asked, ''Any luck with those quests? I haven't any luck with the rest of the front-line, so I was wondering if you had any more news for me.''

''Me neither. I am not sure what Ojima picked up after everything he had gone through, but we haven't encountered a single item that the broker needs. And we haven't found any connection to the Master's book either.'' Kirito whispered tiredly.

As Argo lay her eyes on Asuna, who was lying in a motherly protective way around Suka, she mumbled, ''Perhaps it is better if we skip these quests for now.'' She smiled as she felt Kirito moving a bit, and did not have to look to see he was waiting for an explanation. ''We have lost way too many people already on this floor, and we haven't even seen the field boss yet. Is it strange for me to say I want to skip the quests so that we challenge the bosses as quickly as possible and leave this floor for what it is?'' she asked, a desperate tone in her voice that was rare for Argo. Extremely rare, for Argo always had known the dangers of the front-line, and was one of the few who took most of the risks to get the information first. But not on this floor.

Since the first day, after the death of nine players, her time inside the safe zones overruled her time outside them. Even when the mist was right in front of her this evening, and none had checked the details what it could cause, she didn't even want to know. The most important detail, however, was that Argo knew the importance of quests. To find a secret in defeating the bosses, just to make sure no more would die in vain.

Before Kirito could respond with anything, Argo's arms moved tightly around his body. Something's wrong. he realized, the strength in that hug stronger and firmer than it normally was. ''Argo? What's wrong?'' he asked, not sure how to respond to this sudden development.

A pinch at his side that was anything but playful warned him something was terribly off. When Argo began to snicker as well, a slightly trembling in her hold feelable, Kirito sat up, one hand on the bed for support, one hand supporting her from her back and asked again, ''Argo?''

That slight movement was enough to wake Asuna and Liz at his sides, and with confused and tired expressions, they shifted their eyes to the snickering girl. Their eyes opened fully once realizing her fingertips shone brightly purple. ''Please...'' she whispered in a painful matter, her face buried in his chest.

Kirito stayed as silent, eyes gazing with unearthly patience to his girlfriend. He had to stop himself from reacting, but one of the lessons -he had shared with Klein of all things- from Ojima had been how to react in these situations. Giving emotions the time to breakthrough, and be there to catch them. Asuna and Liz didn't know what to do and hoped their shared boyfriend could handle this situation.

Kirito's arm embracing Argo with a slight bit more of gentle strength was the last straw, and the rat's complete boundaries of emotions broke. ''It isn't fair!'' Argo shouted. Although she knew better, this very moment, her throat felt swollen, and the sound passing through it just hurt as much as these emotions. ''Why?!'' she cried out, lips trembling from sheer emotion. ''Why do we have to calculate every step just to stay alive? Why would someone make a floor as difficult as this in a death game? What's so funny about playing with people's lives like this?!''

She breathed quickly and shallowly, only to continue, ''Why do I have to be afraid to travel outside the safe zones? Why do I have to be afraid to lose my loved ones every single moment? It isn't fair!'' This wasn't the regret she felt when she couldn't help someone. This wasn't the responsibility of Argo the Rat taking its toll. She is afraid, Kirito answered for himself, not sure how to respond to that feeling.

The fear of every-possible minute being a moment that could be his last had never left Kirito's side, yet he learned to live with it as time passed by. The shock of losing health was no longer something that made his heart beat rapidly. The loss of a limb was no longer something he thought was catastrophic and the fear of failure was no longer something that broke him down to pieces. No, perhaps it was better said he was already starting to fall into pieces.

''Please. I don't want to lose any more friends,'' she begged. Her embrace tightened, meant to hold Kirito on the spot and to never let him go again. ''I don't wanna lose you,'' She whispered painfully.

Thus, answering without a spoken word, he embraced her with that one hand just as tightly and pulled her as close as possible to him. No words were spoken, for he could not make a promise that difficult nor knew words to ease her pain. If he was so certain, he would barge straight to the bosses and handle them solely. However, the way he was now, that would be only good if he wanted to commit suicide, and was too afraid to do it by his own hands. He still wasn't strong enough.

Only the snickering of a young maiden's heart could be heard in the darkly room, and none was planning to interrupt the surrendering to one's most painful burdens. Asuna and Liz continued to look silently at Argo, in their hearts understanding the fear their companion held. It was fear Asuna grew adjusted too, and a fear Liz endured for a long time. At weapons and equipment alone, she could see the hardships of the travels of her customers, each scratch another reminder why her work was so important. The fear she wouldn't see them again was a worry of everyday life and she hoped it always was because they didn't need her. But she could never believe those words completely and she still could not get used to that uncertainty.

Eventually, still, no words spoken, Argo's grip lessened while her hold did not. In a careful tone, she whispered, ''Kii-bou?''

''Yes?'' Kirito answered calmly, his hand still supporting Argo's back.

''Can you do me a favor? For one day, just for one, can you stay in Llyne for me? Whatever it is to try to solve the quests, or just get everything straight. Just don't map tomorrow, please.''

Kirito wanted to respond to how he couldn't let the others out on their own without being at their side when Asuna answered for him. ''Sounds like a wonderful idea. I guess after what happened the past days, a break is what is best.''

As Argo looked at Asuna with a questionable gaze, Asuna answered her with a beautiful one, closing her eyes as she softly pressed her forehead against Argo's. ''I understand,'' She whispered, a smile on her lips that was as entrusting as that is was comforting. It was far from reading minds, but the old dark elf ritual still had a calming effect on Argo's state. As Asuna calmed Argo down, Liz lay her head on Kirito's shoulder and thought, So this is what you meant when we are in this together, Ojima.

In another part of the 25th-floor, in the wildlands near the third town to be precise, the ALS players wished they had listened to the Argo's manual. However, why did they had to fear a strange mist? Compared to the monsters or traps, what could such a thing possibly do?

The number one guild of the front-line -taken on size alone- was nearly a hundred players big, but that meant little in Aincrad's hands. ''Fucking goddammit shit!'' Melommask thundered, punching his hands broken on a stoned wall if it wasn't for the Crime Prevention Code to stop him. In his HUD, five of the seven healthbars had remained, two taking away by what they all thought was just an innocent cloud. Ralo and Fainn weren't the only casualties of the approximately ninety-member group, as Schickenspeck too had lost two associates to the dangers of the night.

The only thing holding Kibaou together after another loss was the fact he was the leader of the biggest guild. If it wasn't him and his companions, who else could possibly accomplish the liberation of this near-impossible floor? Although the lingering feeling of regret tried to pull him down to the abyss of depression, Kibaou stayed stubborn to himself and shouted with a raised head, ''Good job, lads! Only a few more days, and we will have conquered the floor! Let's continue to show everyone the strength of the Aincrad Liberation Squad!''

The days had been hard and tiresome, and the ALS was only able to overcome the stress because of Kibaou's words and lead. But his words were not magical and could only heal the damage that was mentally present. For instance, the hearts of his followers could set aside the losses because of Kibaou, but the unnoticed starting tear in the pole of Flag of Valor, despite showing no durability loss, could not be healed.

As the sun broke through the darkness of the night, signaling the start of the morning, a certain player tried to open his eyes. Tried to, as the minimal movement of just opening his lids and keeping them open required more energy than he wanted to believe.

As his body began to register the sensations of his surroundings, he could conclude he was no longer on the field somewhere in the Forest Maze. However, with the lack of his eyes working as they should and the fact his surroundings were over-stimulating his every fiber, he couldn't tell where he was. His fingers and toes felt like logs, stiff and heavy. The heaviness in his arms and legs reminded him of a marathon course, although then without the training. His body felt to be pulled by ten times the gravitation and his forehead was about to explode any second judging from the bursting.

''Where am I?'' he asked, every word spoken loudly a task in his own right. The information in his HUD at least told him he was still in Aincrad and had not made the journey towards heaven or hell. If he did, either hell was already starting with him, or heaven was not as pleasant as he would like to believe.

His over-stimulated senses did not fail him catching a slight movement on his side, and seconds later his ears rang from a familiar cry of his name, ''Ojima!''

''Morning, Yuna. Can you talk a bit softer?'' he asked tiredly, his head still bursting due to unknown reasons.

''No! It is your fault for worrying everyone, idiot!'' she responded, no mercy in her voice at all.

''Sounds like everything turned out right in the end,'' he whispered smilingly, immediately being reminded his brains were about to explode. ''Could have done without the headache though...'' he added mumblingly.

''Oh, you have a headache. Let me help you with that,'' Yuna replied terrifying calm before he heard the sound of materialization and feared what was going to happen next.

''Wait, Yuna! I am sorry, I am sorry! Have mercy!'' the Bo Staff wielder begged in vain.

The door opened up just that moment, Tobe and Darius stepping into the room as the dagger user asked, ''How is mister sleepyhead doing? Hope you haven't...'' Without any context, the situation was as followed; Yuna sat nearly fully on top of Ojima, her nightgown not covering much of her legs or her underwear, while Ojima was squeaking from underneath, his hands hanging in the air near Yuna's not-so-shy hills of love. ''We will come back later,'' Darius said as he closed the door.

''Good to see you awake, buddy!'' Tobe commented lastly before the door locked behind them.

Yuna's face turned bright red as she quickly stepped away from her position, pulled her nightgown right and covered herself with the blankets. Ojima just sighed as he whispered, ''Thank god. Anyway, I am not sure what the hell happened, but I am in no condition to explore today...''

''Lucky for you, Kirito-san announced a rest day for today,'' Yuna responded irritatedly.

Ojima sighed as he mumbled, ''I am sorry. I know you are mad at me, but I have no energy to ask you about it. What happened yesterday?'' he asked tiredly.

Yuna let out an angry sigh for herself before she turned around, and irritatedly retorted, ''Why don't you tell me? One moment you are exploring with the rest. The next moment you become the bait against fifty monsters and survive above all.'' In a quick move, she pressed her thumb against his eyes, pulled his lids harshly up to see they were blue and returned to her previous position.

''What was that for?'' Ojima asked, rubbing his eyes in irritation.

''You tell me. They said you had grey eyes yesterday, so I checked for myself.'' Yuna responded honestly, yet irritatedly.

''Gray eyes? I see. Gray eyes, completely dried-up from any energy in my body and a half-day unconscious with memory loss. To think it has so many drawbacks.'' he mumbled, Yuna's eyes speaking bookmarks.

''What has?'' she asked slightly less irritated.

''I am not sure what to call it, but it has something to do with a rage meter. Confusing stuff,'' Ojima responded as his arms found the strength to push him in sitting position.

''Rage meter? What do you mean, rage meter?'' Yuna asked again, her own rage meter replaced by a confuse meter.

''What do you mean? I thought your Chant skill was higher than mine.''

Raising an eyebrow, Yuna asked, ''What has that to do with it?''

''The Chant skill has a branching skill called Aggressive Chant. It should raise the rage meter by a bit, although the game doesn't tell you how much,'' he explained tiredly.

Now, the question marks completely were visible on Yuna's face. With a bit of her previous anger returning, she asked, ''Are you taking me for an idiot?''

Checking Yuna's expression, his eyes caught the glimpse of irritation and confusion in her eyes. His eyes suddenly shot open by a realization, only to be reminded by a bursting headache that was the stupidest thing to do. ''Wait a second. To get things clear, your Aggresive Chant branch skill doesn't warn you about raising your rage meter?'' he asked, trying to understand the current situation.

''I haven't even heard about a rage meter before you brought it up,'' Yuna responded. Seeing Ojima stand up as if he was an old man, she asked, ''What are you doing? Take some more rest. You need it.''

''What I need is an aspirin...or five,'' he mumbled as his normal resting clothes materialized around him. ''And I need to speak to Argo and Kirito.''

''I said take some rest!'' she yelled as he grabbed the back of his shirt and threw him back in the bed. ''And stay. I'll tell everyone you are awake, so don't you dare stand up!'' she commanded before the door fell back into the lock.

Head bursting for two different reasons, he couldn't help but smile -only to regret it again- and thought, Damn. The boy that ends up with her is one lucky bastard. If only she could cook and had a nursing outfit, He thought before his head exploded once again. I get it, I get it! Whoever is watching, I am sorry! Sighing in the hope his headache would lessen, he thought, Wasn't pain supposed to be non-existing in Aincrad? What a time to prove me wrong. Looking around, his eyes finally got used to the light of the room. To think this rage meter was exclusive to me... what a drag.

Yuna's words weren't just mere words as the door opened with a tremendous slam, activating the Crime Prevention Code once again. ''Ojima-sensei!'' Seven loudly spoke, followed by many others who could not wait to see Ojima's awakening.

''We brought you something to eat,'' Kizmel commented, her smile showing the gratitude of her teacher being safe. That smile turned to giggle as she couldn't help to see the perplexed emotion in his eyes by the many players who wanted to visit him.

''We thought you could use it after everything that happened,'' Darius spoke, a cheeky grin visible as the words did not only refer to yesterday's events.

''Thanks,'' he replied short, taking the plate worthy of being called breakfast in his hands. ''About that, does anyone know what happened yesterday?''

''We hoped you knew,'' another familiar voice echoed, the other players quickly stepping aside for Heathcliff to step forward. ''But take a rest first. We will speak later today about what happened.''

As players hugged the officer and returned to their usual routines, he couldn't help but wonder how much had happened that he couldn't remember. Seeing the notifications still popping in the corner of his eye, he decided he was awake enough to give a look at them. A message from Kirito. Oh, this one is about the day off. What about that second one? Seeing the next twenty pop-ups, he realized how much he had worried everyone. Private messages with the names of his guild and alliance nearly broke his inbox, a number Argo was used to on a busy day.

However, the last pop-up broke his sanity. [Last Attack Item: Fragment of the Chimera.] What the?! How did I get a Last Attack Item? When was there a boss...?''

That moment, he scrolled through his menu, looked at the Aggression Chant in his chant Skillset, stared at the warning underneath, and realized something important. Whatever this is, it is too OP! I can't trust this information to just anyone!

The officer believed that was everything Aincrad had in store for him today, but little did he knew there was one more thing that crossed his path.

A couple of days to get used to. That was what Yui called the past days, emotions gathering and bursting through her database. Her influences of goodwill were nullified against the many obstacles of the floor that caused sorrow and fear in the eyes of the players.

Although everything changed with the introduction of Alice, the new AI has surprisingly little time invested in the strengthing of the monsters. Her objective was not set to make the game impossible, but to level the plain field with tactics of their own. Attacking an important asset of the group; using her power to control the Mists of Death instead of letting it uncontrolled - making it less dangerous no less -. She didn't have to do much to make this floor a challenging one for the players, and she wasn't planning to do such a thing either.

The strength levels of the 25th floor had taken an enormous leap from the rest of Aincrad's floors, and both Alice and Yui witnessed that firsthand. Many feared the field boss and its unknown strength, yet they had not realized something more important. If this floor was so different in comparison to other floors, why would that mechanic stay the same?

Videos in different angles taken floated just before the AI's, a horrifyingly chimera boss fighting one-on-one against a figure resembling the Bo Staff officer. Resembling, for his eyes had turned gray. Resembling, for his hair had turned almost pitch black-dark with a mixture of grey and red, and was dancing to an unknown force. Resembling, for his strength and agility were, to put it mildly, monstrous.

Strea, Yui, Alice, and Eugeo could not stop watching the video of that fight, a fight between equals despite what should have been a near-impossible obstacle. A charge with a lion's fury was blocked by the player's hands, an upper and lower jaw blocked from closing by his monstrous hold. His feet were pushed back, leaving a trail of plowed grass behind, but his body did not flinch. Even when the beast fired a flame of intense heat straight on target, the figure shook it off as if nothing happened.

With a loud slam, the lion head landed on the ground, the Martial Art quasi skill Shoulder Throw strengthened by the power of a full Negative Meter. There was a reason it took so long for the meter to be full, and for the aftereffects to be as severe as they were. And although it was mistranslated in Ojima's menu, he was the first to bring it out.

The snakehead of the chimera, its tail to precise, lashed out with intend to paralyze and poison, but it did not succeed despite its poison entering Ojima's body. A second bite was dodged, and the gray-haired figure didn't waste the opportunity to severe the connection between tail and body. Enraged, the Chimera stood up and turned around, only for knee harder than metal to connect with his visage, a followed Handpalm Strike downing him once again.

There was no tactic that Alice could have used back then. The Mist of Death could only be activated at night, and she wondered if that was enough to break the monstrous duel of death. Ads were in vain, the example of the skirmish before the battle at the start of his transformation a clear indication for that. But again, even if those options would have been possible, she wasn't planning to use them in the fight.

Monster vs monster, one vs one. It couldn't be fairer in the eyes of a warrior. Another clash showed how matched they were as claws tried to break through a crossed block. A quick low dodge followed before a roundhouse kick connected to the beast's side, and it was launched flying. The beast did not waver though, the second healthbar of six healthbars shattered as dragon wings emerged from its back.

For any who wondered, this wasn't Ojima's natural movement against the boss. This was his subconscious fighting, the many repeatings of his moves against elves, goblins, wolves, monsters, and training remembered by the system and strengthening by an unknown power to many.

Each collision between claw and punch creating a wind pressure any player would flinch from if not pushed backward immediately. Each connected hit was enough to kill a normal player or monster, yet not for these two. Another low percentage of health dropped so now and then from Ojima's healthbar and another healthbar shattered from The Wandering Chimera just as equally.

The Chimera roared on his last healthbar, tail and wings regrowing as its mane caught fire, turning it into an unstoppable beast. That roar was answered with a monstrous roar from the gray-haired Ojima, eyes turning pitch-black, meaning the time on his 'mode' was nearing its end.

The lion's teeth tried to sink into Ojima's body, yet failed to do so. Instead, the Chimera received damage biting an even tougher surface, and a right uppercut piercing through an inner mouth completely immobilized it.

Even with its wings trying desperately to gain distance, and a tail that tried to kill while a burning mane inflicted damage, it was not enough to stop the gray-haired monster from breaking it apart. Each punch hit with the strength of ten swords skills. Each kick felt like its entire body shattered under the pressure of a giant's foot. Each shredding of its body a force he couldn't resist.

With Ojima's fist pinning the Chimera to the ground with a tremendous slam, shaking the battlefield itself, the beast shattered into oblivion. The winner stood up one last time before he turned to normal and fell face-forward into the grass, both body and mind pushed to the very limit.

Forsaken for a long time, I did not dare to speak about thy impossible being possible. An endless dream, a dream where everlasting peace was an option. Yet, here I stand, with still many things to learn, following the journey that will seak thy possible. I'll finish what I started. May whoever reads this find themselves in the results that I have sought. If not, I hope you can finish this journey to reach thy dream that I could not.

A simple note, a start of a quest none had figured out how to complete yet. Reasonable, since the quest did not give more information than that but not very useful. ''Could it be a quest spread through multiple floors?'' Kirito asked, taking part in the discussion of the quests meet-up. ''Perhaps we have to keep an eye out on other notes to see if that journey succeded.''

''That only works if the other notes are in the open. If they are hidden just like this one, or even better, we will miss one for certain.'' Isabella responded.

''I have already sent the twins to double-check every corner of that house, but I doubt there is something else in that house,'' Argo commented, not sure how to proceed further on the topic.

A possible solution came from an unexpected side, Kizmel suggesting, ''Perhaps I am looking wrongly at this, but if it is manpower you miss, could the alliance be a solution? With the help of our entrusted Dire Wolves allies, we should be able to find a lead quickly enough.''

Heathcliff looked intrigued, yet also held a critical expression as he responded, ''Perhaps, but that does mean we have to momentarily drawback from the front-line to establish three more bases. I am not sure we can afford that with the field boss about to be found.''

A sound of footsteps on a wooden staircase rang in the air, followed by a response they were not expecting. ''We can cross that one from our list,'' Ojima responded, leaning on the handrail. ''Anyone got an aspirin or something that can ease a headache?'' he added jokingly, although he hoped one had something for his bursting head.

Argo and Kirito looked at each other with a questionable gaze before Argo turned back and answered, ''Perhaps I do have something, but I need to check your menu settings. Can you set them on visible?''

''Yeah, just a moment. This should do it,'' he responded, Argo standing at his side to help him. However, she couldn't comprehend the words, thus she opened her own menu and guided Ojima through the menu towards the setting she believed was involved. When she was finally at the Ethics Code, she asked, ''That option. Is it turned on or off?''

''You mean the Ethics code? It is turned off,'' he responded, not sure what Argo was trying to do.

''Turn it on. That should help with the pain,'' she answered, walking back to the table as her job was done.

It was as if heaven itself began to shine its protective wings over Ojima's body when he pressed the button, the pain evaporating as snow for the sun. Although the tiredness and heaviness of his limbs still existed, his presence was suddenly less dooming. ''I should remember that setting. It is a bit strange that I never had trouble like this before, but I am not complaining now.''

Many questions kept Heathcliff's mind busy, but those last words instantly warned the programmer in him. ''Wait, you have never heard about the Ethics Code before?'' He asked confused.

''Can you blame me? It is like seven steps to get to that option and as I see it, it only brings pain.'' Ojima answered, not sure why the tank was looking at him with one of the most terrifying confused faces Aincrad could create. ''Did I say something wrong?'' he asked uncertainly.

''No, you said something confusing,'' Isabella answered, her eyes trying to be gentle although her head was assaulted by hundred possibilities at the same time. ''If you have never heard about the Ethics Code, then how did you turn it off? I have never met a player before who started with that option turned off.''

''And you said you have never felt pain, but pain had been a factor since the 20th floor when that option is turned on,'' Kirito answered, a very painful moment flashing in his mind. ''I know you took damage at least once between these floors, so I assume you must have felt pain or something similar. If you hadn't, it means something turned that code off without your knowledge the past days.''

Ojima looked deep in thought before he mumbled, ''To think a unique skill would be such a pain in the ass. A deep respect for holding onto it, Heathcliff-san.'' The awkward smile on his face turned to another confused expression as everyone's eyes suddenly shot open, especially Isabella and Heathcliff's. ''Hm... this is going to be a long morning.''

Heathcliff deeply breathed before he replied, ''Yes, it is going to be. So why won't you make yourself comfortable, sit with us and explain what's lingering in our heads right now?'' the paladin suggested.

And thus a long explanation began, where Ojima caused again more questions to form than answers given. The memory loss, the discovery of the Rage Meter, the apparent defeat of a boss at his hands -although he wasn't sure if it was the field boss- and his latest discovery. ''So apparently, yesterday's loot has something to do with that mysterious ingrediënts that NPC broker asked for. I got a pop-up about it just this morning. Well, that is about everything I know,'' he finished.

Shaking her head, for the bomb of information wasn't particularly small, Asuna set her eyes on Ojima and said, ''That is a bit too much to work with. Can you tell us about that Rage meter first? When was the first time you noticed it?''

Ojima leaned in his chair as he thought for a moment, and answered, ''One day after the festival of the 20th floor I began to feel something was going on.''

''How did you learn what was going on?'' Argo asked this time, only too see to a glimpse of complicated emotion in his expression.

''Let's just say negative emotions can activate it, even if they have nothing to do with Rage. I rather do not go into the specifics,'' He answered, a seriousness in his eyes that meant he would not speak about the cause no matter how much they would push.

Argo nodded as she continued, ''So negative emotions can activate it? Can you clarify that more specifically?''

Ojima held a hand behind his head as he let out a deep breath and answered, ''Let's see. Any forms of anger can cause it, as well as high amounts of stress. Fear and sadness aren't included and I have the feeling they even empty the Rage meter.'' Raising a finger, he added, ''There are some skills though that can raise the rage meter, namely the Aggression Chant skill and Neck-Snap from the Hand-to-Hand Combat skill. Again, I believe the Blessing Chant can empty it again.''

As Argo wrote everything down with the precision and speed of a professional, Kirito asked the next question. ''Okay, that answers the how. Now only the what. What do you still remember about yesterday after we separated?''

''To be frank, not much. My mind just became overwhelmed by those emotions. One moment you are standing in the field, the next you are in a sort of trance.'' Closing his eyes, he continued, ''It is as if you are in a different dimension. It is dark, and everything seems more simple.''

''Simple?'' Kizmel asked curiously.

Ojima nodded, ''As if something took so many details away from my surroundings and replaced it with the most necessary things. I can't see if this was just this once or this always goes this way I don't know though. It's all is still vague and dreamy.''

''Let's say that dream was the real deal. What happened in it?'' Mortimer asked this time.

Ojima gave a rare blush as he said, ''I doubt it helps, but if you really want to know, I was sort of dancing.''

''Dancing?'' Most repeated incompressible.

Ojima nodded as he added, ''Yeah, I know. It sounds so ridiculous, but I had to follow certain steps given indicated by the system. Next thing I know, I woke up in bed this morning. Sounds so vague, right?''

There was a unison nod to that answer, yet they also agreed on something else. ''Whatever it was vague or not, to think you would be able to defeat those mobs and a boss above all else. I am kind of afraid for what more this 'Rage Meter' is hiding.'' Heathcliff said.

''What do you mean?'' Kirito asked, many baring the same question.

Heathcliff looked momentarily inflicted to speak, for Kizmel was still there, yet decided to continue either way. '' I think these forms of us, our avatars so to speak, are meant to experience the world in this light. Changing one full's vision, surroundings, subconscious and what more this all represents is more than our transport should be able to handle. The Ethics Code is a mechanic designed to strengthen the information we receive. In other words, in order to get that mode active and make possible what you just described, the Nervegear turned off your Ethics Code to extract every inch of what it is capable of.'' He explained. Looking as serious as one could be, he added, ''The headache you just experienced must have been the aftereffects of the Nervegear trying to do that.'' Apart from Kizmel, every last one of them understood what those words meant. Every inch of a device capable to fry one's brain to smithereens was exceeding its limits and hurting its user that badly, he felt it in-game. ''If I may be so rude, I like to ask you not to rely on that Rage Meter again. If you do, you might not see the end of it.'' He warned.

It took a moment to take in, but Ojima finally answered, ''I understand.'' A few seconds past by before he continued,'' That's everything I know about the Rage Meter business. For the quest and supposed-boss I was talking about; I woke up with a Last attack item called Fragment of the Chimera, which is needed for the quest. Now we can find out what this Legend of Tilbonera is all about and we can discuss the Master's Fall quest when we have finished this one.''

''Sounds like a plan! Anyone against it?'' Klein asked, his eyes meeting the others with a newfound determination.

~Five minutes later.~

Llyne wasn't spectacular in the slightest but compared to other towns, it wasn't the worst one either. It held a sort of resemblance to the land that it was inspired to. The old mythology of Centaurs, Labyrinths, Chimera's and more monsters were a reach for the experienced player and the small routes and beautiful marble-white houses quickly read the idea of Greek influence. If Greece really looked like this, the players did not know nor did they really cared at the moment.

Although it was just one day away from the fields, Argo was glad Kirito had listened to her advice. It meant she could truly enjoy her surroundings as her companions walked safely alongside her, her shoulders relaxed as her hand was entwined in Kirito's.

She couldn't care what others thought about the act, nor what the people in the real world thought about the act of holding hands. It was a show of affection Japanese people used to frown upon, as emotional reservation was prized in her culture. But again, never had those people stood in her shoes, any moment the last time you could show that emotional bond.

As Argo showed a sad smile, she thought back on the time her mother used to tell her that stuff, together with the fact she had to dress more feminine. Despite not particularly willing to listen to her regarding that advice, she had a close relationship with her parents. She couldn't help but wonder how they would react to the fact she had a boyfriend, and she internally grinned at the moment Kirito would meet her parents IRL. She could totally see him freak out and mess things up, or play it surprisingly well. She also could see her father play protectively over her, only to joke it off a moment later. But if that was a future possible, it was future far far away.

As some of the unranked players joined the march to the quest's location as well, resulting in the group becoming quite noisy, Argo couldn't help but think about how long it would take for them to reach that point. More than a half year had passed and they were only on the 25th floor. The achievements did make things easier, but there would come a time they would no longer be able to finish a floor in a week or less. Even if they could keep up the current pace, that would mean they would still stay one-and-half years in this world. That was if they could keep the pace going and would not die along the way, which always had been a factor Argo had to take account. Normally, it was on the background but she had to admit fear was pulling her strings.

Her thoughts grew grayer and grayer, only to be snapped out of them by a soft squeeze from Kirito's fingers. ''It's going to be alright,'' he whispered for her ears alone, her thoughts momentarily blank as she stared at Kirito's trustworthy gaze. Her own mind reset as she grinned and thought, Not if. You are definitely going to meet my parents.

''My favorite Greek dish? Definitely Gyros,'' Argo heard Liz answer, holding herself back to chuckle to the fact another topic was about food again.

''What's that?'' Silica asked curiously, hearing various things she had never heard about. Pina was resting on her shoulder, nibbling on a nut.

''Pita bread filled with a specially spiced pork served with tomato, onion, yogurt or Tzatziki.'' the blacksmith answered, holding a hand in front of her mouth just to make sure no one saw her drooling.

''I am more of a Calamari fan,'' Heathcliff commented. His shield, sword, and armor had been stored for another time, and his cautious gaze had been stored alongside it. Although he would have been the last to admit it, he was glad this was a day off.

He had made a name on the frontline ever since the ninth floor. He was the strongest tank of the frontline, the Paladin of Aincrad. People thought the uniforms were a bit too much, but they served their purpose well. Of course, he gave his members the freedom to design them the way they wanted, if they had the color and the symbol attached to it, which helped greatly in the decision of joining.

Not that uniforms were that uncommon on the frontline. The ALS and DKB both had their respective colors of green and blue, and even the inferno members began to use the colors black and red as their own. Although Kirito hadn't said anything about uniforms, the other players sort of less had decided to follow his black & white attire, with a personal touch.

Heathcliff believed the uniforms made the guild members more connected to one another, thus hoping it would raise morale and influence teamwork for the better. It required training and trust as well, but it were those first steps that were important to make sure the rest would flow fluently.

''Enough about the food topic. It is making me hungry,'' Klein said. ''Besides, shouldn't we be near that mysterious broker by now?''

''Here to the left,'' Argo answered before softly elbowing the bo staff officer. ''You're up, Oji-bou.''

''Yeah, yeah, got it,'' Ojima answered, materializing the mysterious Fragment in his hands before walking to the mysterious broker. His tired expressions changed to an almost devious one as he came close to the NPC and whispered in secrecy, ''I got the stuff you need.''

A long moment of hesitating silence followed, yet Ojima was sure the NPC understood him perfectly. He was just spoiled the NPCs around him knew how to respond quickly, and that was something that he could not take for granted. The broker finally leaned forward, a perplexed expression visible as he whispered, ''You actually did it. You have defeated the fearsome Chimera of the Forest Labyrinth. I thank you in the name of the citizens of Llyne and Haphos. However, I do ask if you can stay silent about this until you have found the other fragments as well.'' The NPC spoke with a programmed shock and amazement.

The NPC carefully looked around to see if there were any peekers around, leaned closer to Ojima and the group and whispered, ''Stay quiet and follow me.''

Author Notes:

This was it for chapter 50.

We are midway to two-thirds on the 25th floor, so there is still many more to come. Apart from the very late Happy New Year, and my wish for you all keep enjoying the story as much as I like writing it, I have nothing more to say. Hope to see you legends in the next one! Beyor out.