Well, here it is folks' chapter 5 of a lost soul rescued, this chapter does develop the other characters a little more since Kirito and Sinon have been developed in the earlier chapters I do hope you all enjoy this chapter it is far from the last I promise that.
A/N 07/09/2021 chapter 5 revised and ready to read
Disclaimer I do not own Sword Art Online Reki Kawahara does.
: November 2nd, 2024, Floor 22:
Shino and Kazuto had married in game, they had also decided to finally officially join the moonlit black cats which had become one of the top clearing guilds alongside the Knights of the blood, Divine dragon alliance and Fuurinkazan.
In September Kazuto and Shino had found a small girl in the woods of floor 22 while enjoying a day off from grinding.
The little girl had turned out to be a top down A.I. that was very advanced, she had defied the cardinal system and was almost deleted if not for Kazuto's elite computer skills, he was able to recover her core program and store it in his nerve gear.
At first all that remained was an in-game object called Yui's heart but Kazuto with help from Keita was able to reconstruct her.
She now lived in the Black Cates Guild house with her in game parents and what she saw as her older sister in Silica.
The clearers had gotten finally gotten to floor 75 and were about to have the meeting on the boss encounter in 3 days' time.
Today the large group of friends decided a large-scale picnic and swimming day was in order.
They had all met at the lake on floor 22 Shino and Kazuto arriving with Yui a little later than the others walked over to the rest of the group.
Asuna and Argo were sitting on the blanket next to each other, while Agil was working with Sachi to get drinks and food out for everyone.
The rest of the moonlit black cats were swimming around in the lake, Kazuto looked around and noticed Klein sitting on a lounge chair under an umbrella with a drink by his hand.
He decides to walk over to him. "Hey Klein, where is Liz?" Kazuto asks.
"Oh, she is in the water with the others I think she was having a water fight with Silica." He says smiling.
"Papa can I go in the water with the others?" Yui asks him as she runs over to him.
He looks over to Shino who nods yes, and he agrees Yui runs towards the water changing her skirt and t-shirt to a one piece.
She jumps in landing with a huge splash between Silica and Liz frightening Liz and causing her to fall on her butt.
Everyone started laughing as she sat there looking a little defeated.
After about a half hour or so everyone had come out of the water and sat down to enjoy the food prepared by Asuna, Sinon and Sachi.
"Wow this food is so good I think I can die happy now." Agil said having a small ragout rabbit sandwich that was made for him using leftovers from the S-class meat Kazuto and Shino had gotten.
"All I ask is that when we beat this game you girls get to keep these cooking skills, I have never had better sandwich's ever." Kazuto said as the girls were glaring at him.
"Kirito-Kun is that the only reason you keep us all around because of our cooking?" Asuna says.
Kirito just glances over at them and smile. "Not really, only sometimes though." He says earning a sandwich to the face as everyone laughed.
Kazuto after getting knocked over by the surprise sandwich attack looks up to see a fuming Asuna, Sachi and Shino.
"Um Gomen'nasai ladies." He says fearing for his life with them not actually being in a safe zone.
Klein was just shaking his. "Kaz old buddy you really don't know how to treat a lady do you?" He asks.
Agil glares at him. "Like you would know hell from what I have gathered Rika is your first serious girlfriend, now Kazuto if you want real advice, I will be happy to help being I'm the only one in this group that is married outside of the game." Agil said as Klein was looking at him with his jaw hanging open.
Liza walks over to him and places her fingers under his chin and closes his mouth. "Klein don't worry if I'm your first girlfriend you were my first kiss." She said as she kissed his cheeks which caused Klein to turn bright red.
Argo was the next one to speak up. "So, Rika-Chan tell me has he figured out how to turn the moral ethics code off yet?" Argo asked her with a devious smile on her face.
Rika turned bright, bright red. "That is none of your business Kana ok and you should talk from what I knew your wife spent the day before the first-floor boss raid buying underwear instead of armor." Liz said back.
At this point everyone was looking at Asuna who was now blushing so brightly they could have used her as a flashlight in a cave.
Kazuto decided to speak up next. "So, hey guys how about that duel I had with Heathcliff?" he said trying to change the subject.
Everyone turned to look at him. "Ki-Bo my only question is how in all that is holy did he block that last strike it was almost like the shield teleported in front of you?" Argo asked.
"Tell me about it I am still not even sure how he did it, but he did and to be honest it brought a lot more high-level players to the assault team so that is a plus." Kazuto said.
"What do you guys think the next boss is going to be like?" Asuna asked.
"No idea but if the fights on the 25th and 50th floor are any indications these quarterly floor bosses are a handful, the only thing we can hope for is that we don't lose anyone." Klein brings up.
"Well Heathcliff and Lind have sent in boss scouts to check it out so I guess we will find out at the boss fight meeting in three days, until then let us enjoy this vacation shall we." Asuna replies in which everyone agrees.
: November 5th, 2024, Knights of the Blood HQ:
The entire assault team is in the main meeting room to discuss the 75th floor boss once everyone gets settled Heathcliff motions to speak.
"2 Days ago, we sent in scouts to gauge the boss there were 20 scouts when they got to the boss room door the first ten to enter and scout had the doors seal right behind them, after about 20 minutes the doors reopened and there was nothing left in the room." He explained.
Everyone was looking at each other when Keita finally spoke up. "Wait commander you mean to tell me that this boss can't be scouted what about teleport crystals how come they did not work?" He asked.
"This happened before when the army foolishly attacked the Gleam eyes boss on the 74th floor they could not get out via crystal either, but the doors remained open which is how when me, Asuna and Sinon engaged the boss Klein, and his guild mates were able to get the survivors out." Kirito stated.
"We have always known that this boss would be very different seeing as it is like that at every 25th floor, but if we ever want to get out of here, we need to press on, since we have no Intel on this boss at all only its location, we will meet in the town square of the 75th floor tomorrow at 2:00 P.M. and proceed." Heathcliff stated to which everyone agreed.
: Moonlit Black Cats guild house:
Kirito and the entire gang had decided that they would all stay at the guild headquarters the night before the raid.
Kirito and Sinon were sitting on one couch while Klein and Lisbeth were on the one across from them, Asuna was sitting on the big chair in between the two couches with Argo on her lap.
"Guy's I'm going to be honest I am really afraid for all of you tomorrow with this boss fight it is giving me a really, really bad feeling." Silica said from where she was sitting on the floor.
"Yea me too I mean this thing took out a scout force of ten people in less than 20 minutes." Argo stated.
Yui who was coming into the parlor area from the kitchen after getting a snack walks over to her parents.
"Mama Papa you are going to be ok right I can feel the fear everyone has, and it is scaring me." Yui states.
Sinon wraps her daughter into a hug. "Don't worry Yui-Chan we will be ok." Sinon says as Yui nestles onto her lap.
"No, I have to agree with Yui on this I am scared half to death that you guys might not come back from this one." Silica said while wrapping her arms around herself.
"Then we make a promise right here right now that we will come back from this raid." Agil stated.
Everyone looked at him.
"Andrew's right we make this promise we look out for each other tomorrow and everyone else we all come back when that fight is over." Keita states.
"I want to agree Ryu, but this is a quarter floor boss what do we do if one of us does not make it back." Klein says.
This cause Rika to latch on to him. "No Ryutaro you will not leave me promise me you will come back please." Rika says with tears coming down her eyes.
He looks over at her. "Rika, I don't know if I can make that promise." He replies to her causing her tears to flow more.
"Ryutaro please if I lose you if I lose any of you I don't what I will do you guys are my family." She says crying.
Klein goes to respond when Kazuto stands up and looks at everyone.
"Rika is right we are family and tomorrow we will watch each other's back no matter what, so I'm going to form up a strategy for us." Kazuto said.
Everyone was now looking towards him.
"First off we know Heathcliff will be up front like always Tensou you and Dynaman we need you two to run as tanks for us you guys work great together, Klein you and Agil handle attacking together and Agil you back up tank." Kazuto was explaining as everyone was listening.
"Sinon you will of course be firing arrows at range Keita, and Sachi I will need you two to protect her from any danger with your halberds." He explained as they nodded.
"What about you Ki-Bo, I assume you will front line with Asu-Chan like always with Sinon blasting away at the boss you two can speed in and hit it you three when working in unison like that look like you're working with one mind." Argo asked.
Kirito, Asuna and Sinon looked at each other and nodded.
"This is going to be the best chance of success for us to be honest." Kirito said as they all agreed.
Rika looked over at Ryutaro and asked him to come outside so she could talk to him alone he nodded, and they walked outside.
They got outside and Rika turned to Ryutaro. "What's up Rika are you ok?" He asked her
She was standing with her back to him and was trembling a little he walked over to her. "Rika?" He asked again.
She spun around and enveloped him in a hug crying into his shirt. "Ryutaro I can't hold this in any longer, we are stuck in a death game and almost three quarters of the way done." She started saying.
"For the longest time I was so scared I stayed in my shop almost all the time only going out to level slightly and to get mats always afraid, then I met Asuna then Kazuto and they both made the game less scary for me." She said while he just stood there holding her and listening.
"Then I met you I thought you were a weirdo, but you always came to my shop for anything you needed, and you always talked about life outside on the frontlines, I started to like you because you like Asuna and Kazuto treated me like a friend even though I kind of treated you rudely." She spoke.
"Rika." He started to say.
"No let me finish then when I got here that day and you pulled the same stunt you did when you first met me, I thought oh my god he has not changed at all, but then you realized it was me and apologized profusely, I thought I would give us a shot you seemed really happy." She spoke.
She then looked into his eyes. "Ryutaro, I think that was the best decision I ever made in this game and in my life because then I got to know the real you, the caring loyal and faithful man you are. You are a person that would give the shirt off his back to a stranger even if you would freeze if you did." She continued.
"Ryou then tonight you tell me you don't know if you can promise me that you would return to me tomorrow, made me realize that I need to tell you this to give you a reason to come back tomorrow." She said still staring him in the eyes with tears coming down hers.
"Ryutaro, I don't want you going into battle tomorrow without you knowing how I truly feel the more I got to know you the more I liked you what I mean to say is I love you Ryou, and I don't want to lose you." She said waiting for a response.
Klein just looked at her with a surprised look on his face, Rika thought he was going to walk away and not say anything, but he did the one thing she was not expecting he kissed her more deeply than he ever has.
When the kiss broke, he looked her in the eyes and smiled.
"Thank you for telling me that Rika, which made me happier than I have been since I finished my two years in university, I love you too." He said as they went in for a second kiss.
"Just promise me you will try your hardest not to die tomorrow, I can't lose one of the greatest things to happen to me in a few years." She spoke.
He nodded. "For you Rika yes I will try my hardest to come back tomorrow, and I will try my hardest to make sure we all come back tomorrow." He said as she hugged him.
They walked back into the house not realizing that most of them were listening in on what was said.
They both sat down and noticed everyone looking rather strangely at them.
"Ok who was listening in and what did you hear?" Rika asked.
Asuna blushed a little but spoke up. "Only the confession and the promise that is all Rika I'm sorry I did not mean to eavesdrop like that, but what did you mean the greatest thing to happen to you from everything you ever told me since we met you had a great life out of the game." Asuna said confused.
Rika sighed looked over at Klein then at Asuna. "Well since Shino and Kazuto came out with their secrets and we don't know what tomorrow will brings maybe everything should be laid out we do consider ourselves a family." She spoke.
She took another deep breath. "My life has not been great since I was 13 my mother died in a work accident and my father blamed himself took to heavy drinking, it had caused a big issue with us to the point all he cared about was his booze and memories of my mother." She said as Klein hugged her.
"I honestly thought he would remove my nerve gear while drunk but I guess that did not happen, though it's not like he was abusive he has never laid a hand on me and when he is sober, he is a great dad it's just that he drinks all the time and ignores that I even exist most of the time." She spoke.
Klein was the next to speak up. "Well, me I grew up with an older sister and my parents nothing to dramatic, other than my dad thinking I was a failure of a son half the time telling me I spent too much time helping people instead of focusing on my studies and doing more than 2 years in university." Klein explained.
"My mom does reassure me, and my sister has always had my side but my dad he wanted me to be this big business owner or something like that, I took business management in university but decided to work for an insurance company so I could help people he did not approve." Klein said.
"To be honest I am happy with my life so far and even happier with Rika now just not sure I have a job when we get out of here." He said as Rika cuddled up next to him.
"Not sure what I can say I mean I'm an only child my parents love me and all that I do ok in school and I have a pet cat named Pina, but growing up I always wanted a brother or sister but my mom could not have any more children after me, so when I met you all and you all took me in and became my friends it felt nice and it felt even better when you all considered me family cause now I know how it feels to have a sibling in Kazuto and Shino and all of you and how to be a big sister with Yui-Chan." Keiko said as Yui smiled at her.
Agil sighed a little. "Well me most would think growing up was hard for me being a African-American living in Japan but to be honest it hasn't I was born here I consider myself a African-Japanese not African-American, even though my parents are from America, I met my wife in game of a older mmorpg and we are happy with each other the one main thing I am worried about is how she is handling this with me in here and how our Café is doing." He spoke.
Everyone then looked over at Asuna and Argo, Asuna sighed and then started to speak. "I come from a very wealthy family, my mother always tries to arrange for me to be married when I am 18 and sets up suitors, my father while he is loving when he is around is always busy at his company, my brother though he is the one I always felt comfortable with, he knows about me being gay and he encourages me to follow my heart, I have always wanted to tell my parents I'm sure my father would be ok with it, it is my mother that I am afraid will be very angry about it, I don't know how to tell her or deal with It." Asuna says while clinging to Argo.
"My uncle on my mother's side came out 10 years ago my mother will not even speak to him at all and I am afraid she will disown me and throw me aside when she finds out, it was that fear that held me back form telling anyone about it till I met you Sinonon and you Kana, you guys made me feel welcome and never treated me differently when you found out, that is why I love you all." She said as Kana and Shino smiled.
"Me I'm the younger of two I have an older sister my family knows about me being gay and are ok with it so on that note Asu-Chan if your mom tosses you out you can live with me and my family, we would love to have you." Argo stated which caused Asuna to smile then kiss her wife.
"That is why I love you Kana." She said as they stayed cuddling.
Everyone talked about their lives outside of the game as the night went on feeling like they were now even closer together than they were before.
By the time it was almost midnight they realized they needed to get to sleep, and everyone was getting ready to get to their rooms.
They went to sleep that night feeling better than they were after the boss fight meeting.
: November 6th, 2024, Teleport gate in Coral:
Everyone was standing by the gate everyone but Lisbeth, Silica, Ducker, Argo and Yui were preparing to leave for the boss battle.
Yui was hugging her parents and refusing to let go till they promised her they would be all right.
Klein was standing with Lisbeth and went to hand her something. "Rika about 2 weeks ago I went and found a player that took up the jewel crafting skill and had this made for you, I have been waiting for the right time to give it to you." He said as he handed her a ring.
The ring had a white gold band with a pink gem on the center.
She looked at it and smiled she looked up at Ryutaro. "Oh my god it is so beautiful Ryou." She spoke.
"That is my promise to come back, you hold off on wearing it till we all get back later." He said she agreed as she held it close to her chest.
"Asu-Chan you better come back from this fight." Argo said to her as they hugged.
They then teleported to the 75th floor.
: Floor 75 town square:
The whole group was standing together waiting for Heathcliff to arrive.
"Listen guys I want to get this out before we go, you are the best friends I could have ever asked for, let's just promise no matter what happens today we will never abandon what we have made here." Sinon says as everyone nods.
She walks over to her husband. "I love you Kazuto promise me that you will never abandon me, I know you have before, but it makes me feel better to hear it from you." She speaks.
He looks at her. "I love you too Shino and we will stay together forever I give you my word on that." He said as he kissed her then Tensou made everyone group hug.
Heathcliff then arrived and activated a corridor crystal to get them right to the boss room door.
Once there Heathcliff spoke up. "Are you all ready?" he asked.
"The knights of the blood oath will hold the boss with our vanguard while the rest of you discern his attack patterns." He spoke.
"TILL THE DAY OF OUR LIBERATION!" He yelled out to which everyone cheered.
Kirito looked at everyone in his group. "Don't go dying in there." He speaks.
"Heh same to you." Klein replied.
Sinon leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before they all ran into the boss room.
Once they got in there the doors closed behind them and there was nothing everyone was looking around for the boss but did not see anything.
"Above us!" Asuna yelled out as she looked up after hearing skittering noises.
Everyone looked up at this massive creature it was a centipede skeleton with two massive scythes on its forelimbs.
Kirito looked at it as it was identified. "The Skull, Reaper." Kirito started and Klein finished.
"Scatter!" Heathcliff yelled out as the monster landed on the ground it caused a huge red circle to form on the ground.
Kirito and his group noticed two players that seemed frozen in fear, and they started to yell for them to run away towards them.
The two players started to when the monster swung its scythes at them and sliced into them sending them flying towards Kirito and his group, they tried to catch them, but they shattered into polygons dying from one hit.
This surprised everyone to be killed by a floor boss in one hit was almost unheard of with the assault team.
The monster was skittering all around the floor trying to kill as many players as it could It took out about three more players, it then locked on to another player and went to kill him when its scythe was blocked by Heathcliff.
The monster was stunned for a second but then swung its other scythe killing the player and pushing Heathcliff back.
It then went for another player till Kirito jumped in using his dual blades to try and block it, it worked mostly but the creature was pushing its scythe down and piercing Kirito's shoulder.
It went to swing it is other one at him, but it was blocked by Heathcliff, Asuna came in and pushed her rapier between Kirito's swords knocking the scythe up and Sinon fired an arrow at its head disorienting the beast.
"We will deal with the scythes the rest of you all attack from the side!" Asuna yelled out.
The assault team started to attack one player pierced it on the side causing the monster to swing his tail towards him.
This also happened to go towards Agil and two other players as they charged in to attack.
The three players were killed while Agil was able to get his axe up in time to block most of the hit taking damage only to his arm.
Kirito, Asuna and Sinon went into what everyone called their one mind mode moving so fluently you would swear it was one person there was no talking, no orders going out just the three of them moving and attacking as one.
Sinon would fire three arrows at the monster that would always blind it to Asuna and Kirito rushing in moving their swords in perfect synch.
At this point the beast was too focused on the four in the front that it did not notice Klein getting under it and unleashing a 12-hit sword combo or Agil jumping up and coming down with a devastating axe attack.
The monster however changed his attack patter a little once he got to one health bar and went straight for Sinon only to have his attacks blocked by two halberds.
Sinon looked up to see Sachi and Keita standing there smiling at her.
"Fire away Sinon we can block the scythes from hitting you." Keita said
This continued for at least ten more minutes till the boss hit 20 percent health in his final bar and just collapsed to the ground.
"Everyone hit it with everything you got." Heathcliff ordered as the whole assault team just laid into it till it died.
Everyone cheered once it did die then collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
Kirito was looking around as he asked how many died.
Klein had answered with 14 and then people started to have fears of being unable to clear the game.
Kirito in the meantime was looking around and noticed that Heathcliff was standing there looking over everyone while his health and his alone was still in the green.
Sinon was leaning with her back against Kirito's, while Asuna was using their left side as a cushion.
Kirito started thinking he looks like a leader looking over his troops, but then remembers the duel he had with him then realized something, Heathcliff was not a general looking over his troops but a god looking down at the world he created.
He got up. "Kirito?" Sinon asked.
Kirito then started to dash at Heathcliff and jump towards him sword in front of him in a stabbing motion trying to hit Heathcliff only to get the bang and ping of hitting an immortal object.
"Kirito what are you doing, wait immortal object what the?" Sinon asked.
Heathcliff was silent as Kirito stood straight up.
"That is why the commanders hp never goes into the yellow because he is protected by the system, isn't that right Akihiko, Kayaba?" Kirito said which caused a lot to gasp.
Heathcliff laughed and looked at him. "Please do tell me how you came to that conclusion Kirito-Kun?" He asked him.
"My first time suspecting something was up at our duel that shield moved way too fast." He explained.
Heathcliff laughed a little. "Yeah, your speed surprised me and caught me off guard I had no choice but to use the system assist to block you." Heathcliff said.
"Also, I have been wondering since day 1 where was he hiding while watching his little world unfold here, then I remember one thing my mother once told me that there is nothing more boring than watching someone else play a rpgs." Kirito explained.
Heathcliff sighed again. "Yes, that is true Kirito-Kun and yes, I am Kayaba, Akihiko and it should be no surprise that I am the final boss in the ruby palace on the 100th floor." He spoke.
"I had planned to tell you all after the boss fight on the 95th floor but kudos to you Kirito-Kun to figure it out, though I am honestly not surprised you being the one with dual blades and all, I figured you would be the one to face me in that final battle." He spoke.
A random Knights of blood member starts to get up grabbing his sword. "WE TRUSTED YOU AND YOU BETRAYED US!" He yelled as he ran to attack Kayaba, Kayaba opened his menu and hit a button the player fell to the ground paralyzed.
Kayaba then started doing that to all players as they all fell to the ground one by one all except Kirito.
He was there hold Sinon on his lap glaring at Kayaba. "So, what's your plan kill us all and keep it a secret, I have a recording crystal going right now Kayaba and if we die it goes right to our other guild members and gets out to the whole of Aincrad." Kirito stated.
Kayaba laughs. "No Kirito-Kun I am not even that cruel no I will take my leave from you all rather earlier than I planned but I am sure that Asuna and Godfree can keep the Knights in shape till you reach me at the ruby palace." He stated.
Kayaba goes to leave but then stops and turns back around slamming his shield into the ground. "You know what Kirito-Kun I think I should reward you for figuring out my identity so soon, what do you say a 1 on 1 fight to the death no system assist for me, if you win the game will be cleared and everyone here will be logged out." Kayaba proposed to him.
"Kazuto we should fall back regroup take him on together this just does not feel right." Shino says.
Kirito started to remember when this all started how scared he was to lose her, how he almost lost her to Laughing Coffin and to the promise he made saying he would beat this game and get them all home.
He lays her down next to Asuna and glares at Kayaba. "No Shino I need to do this I need to end this nightmare for everyone here and everyone that has not made it." He says as he starts to walk towards Kayaba.
"I accept your challenge, but I have one request, I don't plan on losing but in the off chance I do I want your word that you will do everything you can do to make sure Sinon, and the others can't hurt themselves or kill themselves." He spoke.
Kayaba smiles and nods. "Very well I can accommodate that request for you." He stated.
He turns and look over at Agil, Klein, Keita, Asuna and Sinon. "Listen guys no matter what happens here, just know I am doing this for all of you I know I am not the greatest at showing my feelings, but I love you guys you made being stuck here so much better, look out for each other if I don't make it." He spoke.
Klein screamed at him. "Damn its Kirito no we all gave our word to come out of this alive damn you." He said as tears started to flow.
"Kirito-Kun no don't do this think of Sinon think of your family back in the real world think about us you brought all of us together you made us this family, please you're my best friend don't do this." Asuna said with tears in her eyes.
"Kirito." Was all Sinon said with tears in her eyes.
"I will see you all on the other side ok." He said with a smile as he gave them all a thumbs up.
He then turned to Kayaba his two swords drawn, Kayaba opened his menu and lowered his health to Kirito's level and changed to a mortal object and shutting down the system over assist.
Kirito tightened the grip on his swords and launched at Kayaba unleashing swing after swing, only to have them blocked by Kayaba.
"I have to do this I have to go faster I can't use the sword skills he designed them and knows all their combos; I have used all the training grandfather gave me and the training Sugu gave me to win this." Kirito thought to himself as he kept swinging trying to get Kayaba off balance again.
Kayaba realizing that Kirito was not using the sword skills but natural sword fighting skills, thought to himself that he needed to get him to make a mistake and use a skill.
Kayaba just smirked at Kirito as he kept blocking his attacks, he muttered something along the lines that he was disappointing him with his attacks.
This had the desired effect as Kirito unleashed a sword skill that was a 45-hit combo as the swords were hitting Kayaba's shield Kirito was trying hard to drop out of the system assist that all sword skills used.
By the time he got to the 45th hit which was a direct stab with the dark Repulsor Kayaba blocked it again causing it to snap in two.
This had the desired effect that Kayaba had wanted it caused Kirito to freeze up for a few seconds for the skill cool down period.
He smiled as he raised his sword into the air it started to glow red. "You gave a valiant effort Kirito-Kun but in this world I am the best." He stated as he started to bring the sword down with a hit that would surely kill Kirito.
Kirito stood there as the sword was coming for him when a shadow was cast over him, he looked up to see Asuna jumping in front of the blade taking the hit for him she fell, and he caught her.
"Asuna why, why did you do that." He asked as her HP was reaching zero.
She just looked up at him and smiled. "Tell Kana Gomen'nasai and tell her I love her." Asuna squeaked out.
Kirito looked at her with tears in his eyes as he watched his best friend die in his arms.
Her HP hit zero and there was the little beep that alerted that they were about to die.
"No Asuna no." He spoke.
She smiled one last time. "Live on Kirito-Kun live for Sinonon sayonara." She said as she disappeared into little pixels of light.
He tried to reach out to grab one and revive her in vain the only thing left of her was the Lambert light her trusted rapier.
He heard a scream and turned around to see Shino shaking and turning white she had gone catatonic at the loss of someone as special to her as Kazuto was.
Kirito picked up Asuna's weapon and started to swing at Kayaba again though this time his swings where halfhearted one piece of his heart was dead his best friend was dead and the other the woman, he loved was catatonic, he thought there was nothing left anymore.
Kayaba sighed and just knocked his black sword away, Kirito took a weak swing with the rapier, Kayaba then just stabbed him in the chest.
Kirito looked up and saw his HP draining away content that at least Shino would live at least the rest of his family would live.
He had all but given up when he heard someone scream his real name.
"KAZUTO DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULD BE THERE FOR ME FOREVER, DAMNIT KAZUTO DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP!" He heard Shino yell to him.
"You can do it Papa, I know you can, you can do anything." He swore he heard Yui's voice in his head say.
He tightened his grip on the Lambert Light as his HP hit zero, he saw the words you are dead in front of him, and he started to fade away and was about to burst when suddenly, his eyes glowed yellow and he roared as he stabbed Kayaba in the chest running his HP to zero as well.
Kayaba just smiled at him. "Arigatō Kirito-Kun." Kayaba said as they both burst into polygons.
"KAZUTO!" He swore he heard Shino shout as he disappeared from the world.
Almost immediately the paralyzing effect wore off and Klein ran to Sinon as he got to her, and she grabbed onto him crying they all heard the announcement.
"On November 6th, 2024, at 4:15 P.M. the game has been cleared, repeat the game has been cleared all players will be logged out in 60 seconds thank you for playing sword art online." The announcement said.
This was announced all over Aincrad as people started to celebrate the coming freedom, they all were about to get.
At the guild house on the 22nd floor Argo and Silica noticed Yui crying just after the announcement.
"It is done you all are free, but Papa and Aunt Asuna I can't feel them anymore in the system they are gone Papa is gone." Yui said with tears coming out of her eyes Silica went immediately to comfort her before she logged out, they had 45 seconds left.
Silica then heard another sob and looked over to see Argo on her knees crying from Yui saying she could not sense Asuna in the system anymore.
"No Asu-Chan, you promised me." She said as Lisbeth enveloped her in a hug.
"I'm so sorry Kana." Was all Liz could say as the countdown finished and they disappeared into a light blue light.
: A strange platform overlooking a sunset like setting:
Kirito opened his eyes to see what appeared to be a sunset he was still in his gear from SAO he then tried to open his menu which it did.
There was a timer that said final shutdown 45% he looked around when suddenly, he heard a voice that he thought was gone.
"Kirito-Kun?" The voice said.
Kirito eyes went wide as he turned around and saw Asuna she ran up to him and embraced him in a hug.
"I's sorry Asuna it looks like I died too." He spoke.
She hit his chest with a fist. "You idiot you were to live to be there for Sinonon I did that so you both would survive." She said as they hugged.
"Where are we?" He asked all Asuna did was point and he turned around to see Aincrad falling apart.
"Amazing isn't it right now in the 5th subbasement of ARGUS the servers are deleting everything." The new voice states.
Both Asuna and Kirito turn and look to see Kayaba in his turn form.
"Kayaba, Akihiko." Kirito says.
Kayaba just smiles.
"45 seconds ago, 6,138 surviving players were logged out of SAO." Kayaba said.
"What about the almost 4,000 that were killed in game?" Kirito asked.
"Gone Kirito-Kun when you die you die that is it, no do overs." Kayaba said.
"Why Kayaba why did you do all this trap us in this death game?" Kirito asked.
Kayaba just looked at him. "To be honest Kirito, when I was a child, I used to dream of having my own floating castle, a castle where I was the ruler and to be a loved ruler, I made Sword Art Online on that dream thinking that in my world my will would be absolute." He said as they listened to him.
"But you Kirito-Kun you proved to me that no matter what even a god can be overcome and defeated by the human will, thank you for showing me that there is something so strong out there Kirito-Kun, I guess a new reward should be given to you, you who surpassed me in my own world both you and Asuna using nothing but the will to protect those you love." Kayaba said as this caught both by surprised.
"This here is where everyone who dies in the game come to for 20 seconds before the kill command is sent to their nerve gear, I however have stopped the kill command so you both will wake up when the shutdown is complete." Kayaba stated.
"However, I want to tell you something this is for you Asuna, I had a partner that was working with me in development of the game that was also designing his own game, he works for your father and yes I know who you really are would not be much of a god if I did not know." Kayaba said catching Asuna by surprise.
"He tried to grab as many players logging out as he could and transfer their minds to his server for experiments in mind control, I blocked as many as I could I never wished to subvert your free will ever just run my own world, he has tried to get your mind as well Asuna, but I am blocking him." Kayaba said.
Asuna angry and only having a few seconds left before she and Kirito are logged out.
"Who is it Kayaba?" She snarls.
"Nobuyuki, Sugou and he has manipulated your mother into working with him on this project." Kayaba said.
He started to walk away as Kirito and Asuna started to see the blue light of them logging out envelop them.
"Oh, one more thing Kirito-Kun that AI you saved Yui-MHCP001 her whole program has been stored into your nerve gears core memory and will not be deleted here I made sure of it, all I ask is that you treat her well please she was modeled after my baby sister who died when she was very young." Kayaba said as he vanished.
The whole world went dark for both Kirito and Asuna, after a few seconds Kirito opened his eyes and saw the white ceiling of a hospital room.
He could hear voices he did not recognize. "These two have woken up as well inform both the Yukki and Kirigaya family that they have awoken, it seems like all the players are waking up." He heard a female voice saying.
He tried to get up but had no strength in his body at all he lifted his hand to see it, it was very thin and bony like it has not been used for a long time.
"We still have 300 not waking up the other doctors and nurses are reporting including two in this room." He heard another voice speaking.
Suddenly, he saw a female looking over him shining a light in his eyes.
"It is ok you're in a hospital in downtown Tokyo we are taking care of you all, do you know who you are?" The woman asked him.
"Kirigaya, Kazuto." Kazuto said weakly as they finally helped him sit up and took the nerve gear off his head.
As they did long black hair flowed out and hit his back, he looked around he saw all of them Klein, Liz, Argo all of them.
"Yeah, we were informed by someone from Rect Progress to put you all in the same room together so when you all woke up you would see familiar faces." The woman said again.
Klein was trying to look around for his guild mates. "Dynaman where are my friends did, they make it out?" he asked.
The nurse looked at him. "Dynaman hmm ah yes the list of game names we got from Rect Progress yes he is ok and has awaken sorry we were pushing it putting you thirteen in here together." She spoke.
The doctors and nurses were looking over them Kazuto looked to his left and saw Asuna awake but she had a sad look on her face.
He then looked to his right and saw Shino still asleep with her nerve gear still on and looked across the room both Keiko and Saori were still asleep.
"Why are they not awake?" he asked.
The nurse looked at him. "We are not sure Asada, Shino, Ayano, Keiko and Hayami, Saori have yet to awaken they are still connected but they are not awake yet." She explained.
Kazuto looked over at Shino worried that she might have been one of the ones that this Nobuyuki guy kidnapped as they logged out.
After a few more checkups from the doctors everyone's family started to arrive Midori and Sugu had gotten there for both Kazuto and Shino.
Klein's mother and sister had come to see him, Agil's wife arrived as well, for Asuna only her brother and father came not her mother, though the one thing that seemed to have hurt Klein a little was no one showed up for Rika she just sat there with a fake smile on her face.
Klein decided to introduce his mother and sister to Rika which seemed to cheer her up better.
As most of the families were leaving only the Kirigaya's and Yukki's were still there.
"Oni-Chan thank god you're ok we have been so worried about you and Shino." Sugu stated.
Kazuto smiled at the worry his family was having for both him and Shino.
Asuna then introduced Kazuto to both her father and brother.
Oto-San Oni-Chan this is Kazuto he helped me in the game and ended up freeing us, but I guess not all of us." She said with a sad look on her face.
She looked up around the room as most of the others had drifted off to sleep once their families left knowing that they were in for a long rehab having to gain muscle and learn to walk all over again.
Her eyes rested on one girl with mousy brown hair who smiled over to her, this was not missed by either her father or brother.
Her father took a deep breath and looked at Asuna. "Asuna is there something you need to tell me at all about yourself?" he asked her with a smile on his face.
She gasped a little at the question having a fear if what it might be when her brother gently touched her shoulder, she looked up at him and he smile.
"It's ok Asuna they know." Her brother said.
She took in a ragged but deep breath. "Oto-San I'm so sorry I have not said anything before I was so afraid of how you and Ka-San would react, but Oto-San I am gay and that girl over there Izawa, Kana we were married in game." Asuna said and then clamped her eyes closed expecting something negative to come from her father, but he said nothing.
He then turned and walked over to Kana, as he got to her, he looked at her like he was inspecting her. "So, you are the girl that has captured my daughters' heart." He said more than questions.
Kana just nodded not sure what to expect.
"Hmm do you love her?" He asked.
"Yes Yukki-San I do very much so." Kana responded.
He then took in a deep breath this seemed to worry Asuna he then let it out.
"Izawa-Chan no need to stand on formalities you may call me Shouzou if you like, Asuna if this is how you truly feel who am I to stand in your way." He said with a big smile on his face.
Asuna seemed to release the breath she did not she was holding at her father being so receptive of her choice in lovers.
"Oto-San you are ok with this?" She asked him.
"Asuna you are my daughter I will love you no matter what always remember that." He said as Asuna and Kana both smiled.
Her brother walked over to Kana's bed to introduce himself. "Izawa-San I am Yukki, Kouichirou I am Asuna's older brother it is a pleasure to meet you." He spoke.
Asuna was so happy with what she was seeing but she was still afraid of how her mother would react to all this she was not an accepting person.
That was when both Kazuto and Asuna remembered what Kayaba had told them.
"Um Yukki-San there is something you should know." Kazuto said.
The older Yukki man just laughed a little.
"Kirigaya-Kun was it listen from what we gathered from here you guys all formed your own little family to protect each other in the game, so there is no need to stand on formality, but what is it you need to tell us." Shouzou asked.
Asuna was the one to speak up. "Kayaba had a partner Oto-San a partner that breeched the terms with Kayaba and might be the one responsible for the reason for the 300 not awake yet." She spoke.
This caught her brother's attention now as well.
"It is Nobuyuki, Sugou Oto-San and Kayaba says he might be manipulating Ka-San as well." Asuna said.
There was a bang as Asuna's brother punched a wall away from them.
"I knew it Oto-San I told both you and Ka-San not to trust him, but she was so bullheaded that she blindly trusted him." Kouichirou said.
Her father put his hand under his chin.
"I have taken what you have told me about him son and I thought putting him in charge of the new ALO game design and maintenance would keep him occupied and would allow me to keep a better eye on him, it appears though that has not worked as I had hoped he still got into the SAO servers after we took over after ARGUS went bankrupt." Her father said.
He then looked and nodded his head to his son who picked up his phone and made a call out of ear shot of the others.
Everyone who was out of the game was now awake from the banging noise and paying attention.
After a half hour the door to their room opened and in walked a man in a dark colored suit walked in, and Asuna's brother introduced him to everyone.
"Guy's this is Kikuoka, Seijiro he is in charge of the task force investigating the SAO incident, Asuna, Kirigaya-San I believe you should tell him what you told us." He spoke.
After Asuna and Kazuto explained everything to him he pondered for a moment.
"Hmm well we will need more evidence in order to move forward, Yukki-San can you look into anything he might be doing from within your company?" he asked Shouzou.
"Yes, we can Kikuoka-San me and my son will on that front." Was the reply.
"Now if he grabbed these people while they were logging out of SAO then he would need to move them to another VR in order to do these experiments you said Kayaba warned you about, since he is the main administrator of Rect Progress game Alfheim online we will need people to dive in there and investigate it." He stated.
Midori and Sugu still sitting with Kazuto popped their heads up. "Um sir I play ALO I can help if need be." Sugu said.
This caught Kazuto by surprise. "Wait Sugu you play a VRMMO even after what happened to us?" He asked.
"Yes Oni-Chan though we do not use a nerve gear we use a very safer device called a Amushpere." She explained.
Seijiro looked at Kazuto and Asuna. "If we provided you both with the game and Amushpere, could you assist in helping?" He asked.
Before they could answer there was a loud response from the other side of the room.
"We all can this does not end till our whole family is back here in the real world safe." Andrew stated from his hospital bed.
Everyone in the room all nodded that they would help.
The nurse who had been checking on them since they woke up was still in the room.
"Well then I will be helping you guys with your rehab while you are helping Kikuoka-San, I am nurse Aki." She said and then went on to explain that she would provide them with Amusphere's for them to dive in and that they would be on a strict schedule for their rehab as well.
Sugu spoke up as well. "Shino is my friend I am going to help Oni-Chan and the others here find her and stop this monster." Sugu stated.
Kazuto went to object when she stopped him. "Oni-Chan this game is different from SAO there is no leveling system, and you can fly in this game you need me to teach you guys how to play, just look for Leefa when you log in." She said not giving them any choice they all nodded.
Kazuto interrupted again. "If it ok with you all I would rather use my nerve gear I have my own reasons for this, but I will not help unless I can." He stated.
They all agreed Kazuto looked over at Shino. "I'm coming Shino please hold on a little longer for me." He said as he reached a hand over to her bed and was able to touch her hand.
Well there you have it folks I have changed up the fairy dance arc a bit and I do hope you all enjoy the development I did with Klein and Lisbeth and I delved a little more into Asuna and Argo's relationship more and hope I did write them in a way that you can enjoy them and now Sugu can aid in the rescue I always felt Kirito not knowing Leefa was his sister was stupid so that was why I made it that she told him about it before they dive in to save the 300.
Till next chapter catch ya on the flip side