Chapter 47: Descent

2023 July 28. Aincrad, Floor 32, Labyrinth, 02:51, Aincrad Standard Time

"GYAGGHHHH!" Kirito let out a scream, of both power and pain, as he delivered a final, brutalizing blow to his opponent. He would be granted a brief moment of respite, as his next enemy approached him.

The creature's footsteps were nearly silent to him. His mind was hyper-focused on the subtle alarm chime of his health. The pulsating tone was constant and unwavering in transmitting its message that Kirito's health was critically low. He barely shifted his eyes to glance at his meter.

"HP: 9%"

Reading his status, Kirito felt another surge of adrenaline begin pumping through his blood. Stronger than the hit he got when he first initiated combat, he used this rush to sprint forward, queuing up an ability before unleashing it into the final Greater Earth Elemental before him. Several strikes later, the creature had fallen. The amalgamation of rocks compiling its body dropped unceremoniously to the ground, and the polygonal ash could be seen dissipating into the air.

Kirito, panting, spun around to face behind him as he readied another skill. His vision scanned...nothing. The blue glow around his sword to indicate ability activation faded away. His breathing began to slow down as he realized he was once again alone, and under no (visible) threat.

He reached back to put away his sword. The hilt making a markable *clink* as it hit his sheathe. Suddenly Kirito's breathing rapidly increased. Feeling lightheaded, he stumbled backwards, before clumsily collapsing to sit down, landing partially on his hands that had reached behind to catch his fall.

His breathing continued uncontrollably. Images began flooding his mind. The red tinted mist. The Miners and Elementals all around him, no, everyone. His ears were flooded with the sound of weapons clanging and clashing. This horrific slideshow and accompanying sadistic soundtrack continued for what felt like an eternity for Kirito, but was around a minute in actuality.

The event concluded with one final image and sound: as though she were in front of him, Kirito saw Sachi as he had remembered her. Sachi turned around and faced him, a wide smile adorned her. Despite only seeing her Kirito knew where she...they were. She walked past him and down the front steps of the log cabin. Just like when he had sheathed his sword moments prior, he could hear a loud *clink*, and just as quickly as she had appeared, Sachi snapped from existence.

Regaining his senses, Kirito slowly calmed down as he felt something running down his face. He noticed his arm was outreached in front of him, as if he were trying to grab something. He took his sleeves and dried his eyes and cheeks, before getting to his feet.

His mind was saturated with one thought: "I killed you…".

2023 August 04. Aincrad, Floor 25, Boundless Overlook, 18:23, Aincrad Standard Time

The crowd gathering around the Boundless Overlook was not unexpected by Kirito. The outdoor cafe provided a view that was yet to be rivaled by any other establishment in Aincrad.

Discreteness would be the objective here. He didn't want to create an evening show.

Kirito slowly made his way to the edge of the balcony extended over the sky. He naturally drifted to the location Keita had arriving, he took one last glimpse at the sky. The boundless abyss before him radiated pastel-like colors as the sun began to set. He leaned over the edge, both feet still planted firmly on the ground.

One final internal debate began. Memories of his mom, dad, sister, began flooding his mind. Would they blame him for succumbing to the fate of SAO? How proud they would be if he survived...would they want to meet the person he had become after the fact? Would they want to meet the person that had been molded by months of this imprisoning death game...the killer who had failed to protect those he cared about? Those he loved?

"No…" Kirito thought. He couldn't begin to imagine the disappointment they would feel for his failures.

Kirito stepped one foot up to the top of the railing, shifting his weight and momentum, he brought his other foot up as well. Balancing with the arches of his feet, he stood motionless on the railing. His breathing was concentrated, to keep balance before the final leap.

Kirito entered a trance like state. The outside world became numb to him. No matter the crowd of gawkers gathering to watch him take the leap, Kirito paid no notice. The ghastly picture-show from the Labyrinth began to once again play in his mind.

"I'm so sorry...I killed you...I let you die...I wasn't strong enough." Tears began to well in Kirito's eyes, as the guilt began to fester. He couldn't let anyone he knew see him in this pitiful state. Mom, Dad, Suguha...Asuna. The onlookers be damned.

"KIRITO!" Cried a voice from the crowd.