Chapter Two: Flying through Nightmares

The hybrid aircraft flew towards the Midlands and Birmingham International Airport.

On-board Kirito, Asuna and Yui had been trying unsuccessfully to sift through the news, fake news, opinion pieces and speculation had been generated about what was now being called "The Grandstand Disappearances".

Otherwise the news was mostly focused on the preparations were taking place for the 2030 World Cup which would be held across the British Isles with reports about stadiums being prepared for the Confederations Cup. But there were also reports of skirmishes in the Home Counties with tens of people being injured in the most recent one which had taken place in the market square of a town in Surrey. No deaths had been reported but there were worries that violence could escalate after a relative lull.

Kirito winced as he read the reports with Asuna

"Sad isn't it?"

Asuna nodded and sighed

"When I was a kid the biggest headaches about sports were over whether Great Britain and Northern Ireland should field a unified soccer team for the Olympics. Not about whether people who live on the same island can travel across it safely."

I was four when London 2012 took place.

Too young to remember it but Oni-Chan told me he saw people on television looking relaxed and happy. He loved that Britain was a picture of a diverse country at ease with and one that could laugh at itself. Yet in under a decade people were right at each other's throats because of welfare reform, Brexit and the referendums that took place because of it!

But why are rugby players going missing? The next rugby world cup for the men is being held in 2031 in the USA! That's nowhere near the British Isles. Although the Women's Rugby World Cup is taking place in Italy later this year. Too late for Rika to take part in… although she was a possible reserve and could play in Japan four years from now…

Anyway, I should try and get some rest.

But as Asuna slept she was pulled into an all too familiar place.

You shouldn't be in this position…

A fifteen-year-old Asuna was waiting to take a penalty kick.

You're not ready… but you're here.

Are you?

Hai just about.

She was wearing the red and white stripes of Japan with the Sakura on her chest. Behind the goal posts players all wearing black stared at her. In front of her was a white rugby ball perched on its kicking tee.

Don't look behind you!

But Asuna could feel the eyes of her teammates boring on to her shoulders. The weight of expectations beginning to build on her.

She stared at the white goal posts with their black or were they white and red barriers. Pain was starting to shooting through her non-kicking leg only kept at bay by adrenalin. Gritting her teeth as those posts grew in height until they were leering over her.

Focus!

Get the angle right!

In front of her she could see her mother and father in those sky-blue seats around her as her leg ached and the weight of anticipation continued to grow. Her mother looked on with disapproval. Her father was staring a thousand miles ahead.

Kick it now!

She struck the ball. Seconds later a groan rose from the crowd and the weight on her shoulders grew to crushing levels.

"What do we do now Team Leader?"

Suddenly she wasn't looking at goal posts. She was facing a floor boss with her subordinates from the Knights of the Blood Earth looking on nervously.

Can't breathe…

But the ever-increasing weight kept driving her downwards until something no someone pushed on her arm.

"Mama-chan?"

Asunas eyes snapped open as Yui gripped her arm in the cold of the aircraft cabin.

Beside her Kirito offered her some water as Yui stared at her eyes wide open.

"Why were you grabbing your shoulders Mama-chan?"

Kazuto knew better.

"That nightmare again?"

Asuna nodded and sipped the water.

It doesn't get any easier to deal with.

"I haven't had it for some time now."

Kirito looked at her still holding her hand

"No, you haven't."

It's been almost two years since you've had it just after Unital Ring when we went for some time away together. You've had a rough time in those committee hearings with those lawmakers asking questions about how you led people to that final battle. But you've never had that nightmare after them.

Kirito closed his eyes

I hate what that nightmare does to you Asuna, how it makes you shake.

You've been totally open with me about what happened ever since I saw you wake up from it sweating during the death game. I just wish I knew how to help you get over it! It was the one thing I couldn't help you with in Aincrad and given my track record when it comes to team sports I still can't!

All I can do is hold you close when it happens and that's when we're at home….

Asuna's hand caressed his hair as she moved out of her seat

"You do enough Kazuto, I'll be back shortly."

Yui looked at her father as Asuna walked away.

"Why did mama-chan have a nightmare?"

Kazutos eyes were narrowed.

"Because we're going to a place where she suffered her worst ever defeat before Sword Art Online."

Yui was about to ask something but caught the even although not stern expression from her dad as he raised a hand.

"Let Mama-chan tell you herself Yui-chan. Besides she's not the only one who I'm worried about."

Yui stared at her father.

"Papa-chan?"

Kirito gave her a sad look.

"I heard you repeating what that foolsaid to you just after you arrived in the real world."

Yui's voice was a whisper as she looked out of the cabin window with her head bowed.

"You bastard, you cheated death."

Kirito gave her a head pat

"But you didn't cheat death in any way did you Yui-chan?"

The young girl shook her head.

"No but I can't blame them for being angry at me. When I was part of The Seed I caused so much pain for people. I was part of the very thing that trapped and killed some of them."

That's maturity well beyond your years Yui-chan but...

"Even though you couldn't control yourself?"

Yui nodded and bowed her head

Kirito shook his head.

"Mama-chan would say you're that being way too hard on yourself, particularly after what you went through in coming here and she's right. So would Rika too. "

Yui nodded

"Mama-chan is just happy I'm alive."

She is although she knows you're still trying to find your place in this world.

"Remember what she said to you when you first arrived in the real world. When you asked her what you were?"

Yui smiled as she remembered Asuna scooping her up into her arms after she'd found Yui in a foetal position, disorientated and overwhelmed after being violently ejected from the virtual world into the real world wearing a hospital gown.

"I don't care. You're here and that's all that matters."

Rika despite being in utter agony had been relieved to see her god daughter in her new body. However not all of the survivors from Unital Ring had been so positive. At a ceremony one of the second assault team had had pointed at her and uttered THOSE words before leaving the ballroom where it was being held. A furious Rika chased him outside, followed by Asuna who had lightning almost literally crackling through her eyes.

Seconds later a roar of thunder echoed across Tokyo.

"I can imagine what pain you're going through but don't you EVER make my daughter feel guilty about living again!"

There was only going to be one winner and the person had apologised to Yui afterwards. Other survivors like Rika helped her adjust where others had been more ambivalent, about who she was what she was. Just like the rest of the world.

Kazuto shook his head

"No but you can't blame yourself either Yui."

Yui looked up

Asuna and I had each other to help us through the aftermath and we had you. We know beyond doubt now that whatever challenges there are for us in life, we'll face them together and emerge from each one stronger than before.

That's what true love is for us.

Other people didn't get to that same place and for Rika, Yui's been one of the things that's been keeping her going over these past few years.

She's tried to put on a brave face but with Silica gone, Sinon away and Klein in a coma Alfheim Online became really painful for her to be in. So apart from spending time with Yui when she was in Japan, Rika only had study and visiting Klein in hospital when she had some free time and rugby.

In fact, it was Asuna who suggested that Rika should try out for her university team given she was part of the Survivor School seven a side one along with Reiko. Anyway…

"Besides you didn't cheat death, no matter what anyone says. You chose to live just as I did and we're both sitting here with Mama-chan because of the decisions we made."

Both of them bumped fists and Yui smiled as Asuna re-joined them.

"Feeling better Asuna?"

She nodded and sat down as the fasten seatbelts sign came on giving Yui a squeeze of her hand.

"Hai, it could have been far worse. Anyway, we're coming into land so let's be ready for that."

Yui nodded and tightened her seat belt. Kirito smiled and then grimaced.

After all, given what we've got to do there are other nightmares to think about.