Disclaimer: I do now own Sword Art Online. Sword Art Online is owned by Reki Kawahara and ASCII Media Works.
Giltstein, 06:30 AM, 04-08-2023.
A mellow light shone through the room, the transparent curtains doing little to hinder it. The transparent curtains were Asuna's idea, and although Kirito at first wondered why she wouldn't prefer light-blocking curtains, he understood it quickly after a few nights.
Aincrad's in-build alarm was an easy way to wake up, but it wasn't one of the gentlest ways to leave the world of dreams. The sunlight that softly shone through the window on Kirito's face was. Thanks to the slight blocking of brightness from the curtains, Kirito's eyes could easily handle it.
As his eyes got used to his wake-up light, Kirito became aware of his surroundings again. The stoned walls witch various decorations. His king-size bed, that was just enough for its users for the night. Lastly, his three wives, who all had fallen asleep on at least one part of his body.
Asuna had fallen asleep on top of him, her head nestled in his right jugular. Kirito could barely move his head because of it, but that was a sacrifice he was willing to give to have her so close to him. Her long chestnut-brown hair fell past her slender shoulders onto his stomach. Her soft breathing tickled his chest as his nose picked up her familiar scent. Sometimes, he wondered how much it resembled her real scent, but he was not planning to ask that out loud.
On his left lay Liz with her face towards him, her arms softly wrapped around his arm. She smiled cutely as her head softly leaned against his shoulder. Her short pink hair shone beautifully in the mellow sunshine of the morning sun. But more importantly, his arm was embraced by her soft and beautiful hills of love. He occasionally wondered if they were bigger than Asuna's but Kirito was wise enough also never to ask that.
On his right, in the shadows of Asuna, lay Argo. She was laying on his supporting arm, an arm he would have lost all feeling in if it wasn't for the virtual world. She had a cute sleeping face, and she looked extremely innocent with those whiskers, even though she was the wickedest of them all. She was the absolute extreme, and it required Kirito quite much to keep up with her. Yet, despite giving away the possibility to turn around in his sleep, he couldn't feel more blessed with them to wake up to. Three wives who all supported him differently.
But he did not have much time to enjoy the privilege of staring at them in their sleep. Many NPCs synchronized with him and they would require guidance from their Papa. Luckily, not all of them synchronized with him, but eight was quite the number.
He slowly pulled his arm from under Argo's head as he tried to lay her head on a pillow. He slowly pulled his arm back from Liz's lovely hold and moved so that he could lay Asuna on the bed without waking her up. Miraculously, he succeeded in getting out without waking one of them up. While putting on some casual clothes, he wondered how he did it and he honestly had no answer. At least he was certain he would not able to do it again.
By the time he was downstairs and in the open kitchen, he could hear the footsteps from the staircase quickly getting louder. The first one to arrive was a teenager with waving long red hair. Two red bangs fell over her shoulders and her red eyes looked at Kirito. ''Good morning, Papa.'' Suka greeted with a smile.
''Good morning, Suka,'' Kirito greeted back. ''Have you slept well?''
''Like a bud. When is breakfast ready?'' She asked. Despite her level growing steadily to level 32, her AI still wasn't able to keep a conversation topic up for long.
''We have to wait for everyone to be here. Just wait a little longer, okay.'' Kirito answered in his fatherly voice.
''How much longer? We are hungry.'' Nigi asked.
''Patience, Nigi. You know Papa's food is worth waiting for.'' Accomo responded, his black eyes staring strictly at the younger AI. ''I will keep Nigi under control, father.''
''Thanks, Accomo. Do you perhaps know where Belco is?'' Kirito asked.
''He is trying to wake up Ban. It might take a while.'' I see. Asuna is not awake yet. Kirito internally reasoned as he knew Asuna was synchronized with the reincarnation with the Bulbonous bow. Originally, Lind had been the last attack dealer, but Diavel wasn't interested in the entire theory behind the reincarnated bosses. Before Kirito could say something else, a young green-haired girl with leafgreen eyes stepped through the door, whispered, ''Good morning.'' and walked to the backdoor. Does she still need to recharge from the festival? I thought the past three days would have been enough. Kirito wondered as he continued to prepare breakfast.
Grova was an introvert, and she frequently retreated to the green to relax. If there was no green nearby, Kirito and Liz made qualified substitutes, but Argo and Asuna were still too much for her, let alone the others of their alliance. It was kind of expected from Nerius's reincarnation but it had been tough to train her due to those circumstances.
Kirito expected the following footsteps to be another one of his 'children'. Instead, the newest face of his guild stepped out of the door. ''Morning, Kirito-san. As expected, you are up early,'' Rechka greeted grinningly.
''I kinda have to,'' Kirito responded as he stared at the three NPCs, who were just enjoying themselves. ''I am responsible for a good start of the day, after all.'' He added smilingly.
''Indeed.'' Rechka smiled as she materialized a simple cooking skirt. ''But I could never call myself a teacher if I let my student carry that burden alone.'' Normally, Kirito would have made breakfast together with Asuna, but the longer their vacation lasted, the more he realized his chestnut-brown fencer was not a morning person. Not that he minded, for her smile for a surprising breakfast more than made up for the fact she did not cook beside him. Besides, Rechka was good company.
Without a care in the world, she sang a popular song while cutting the ingrediënts automatically. By the time the next player came down the stairs with two little NPCs in each of his hands, the solo had turned into a duet. While the two chefs continued their horrible duet while cooking, more and more people showed their morning faces on ground level.
Most players joined in on the fun while waiting for their breakfast. The players who did not do well in the morning retreated back to their chambers, or to the rear garden. It was a peaceful morning.
The four-week break had a been blessing for the front players. Thanks to Aincrad Today, the players waiting for the liberation of their prison could understand the reasoning for the halt in progress, and because of some great wordplay from certain individuals, the player database was united like never before.
Skills that seemed useless up until today were leveled to reliable heights, and players who were soloing or alone in Aincrad started to unite under banners. Crafters, miners, blacksmiths, grinders, chefs, artists, and many more specialists all worked under the same banner. Buildings in the town of beginnings were designed for the sole purpose of creating places where players with the same skills and interests could meet and work together.
Further, the bases all the way up to the 27th floor were done, and the resources available in the bases continued to stack with each passing day. Lastly, the 18th-floor storage was refilled with resources, weapons, and potions. It had been a successful break.
''I wish we had some coffee...'' Mortimer complained as the players were enjoying their breakfast under the beautiful sound of Seven's chanting and Yuna's flute play. ''I have ten months to catch up to.''
''If Aincrad does not kill you, the coffee will,'' Eugene commented grinningly.
''It is a sacrifice worth taking.'' the vice-leader responded as he took a bite from the special flavored bread Rechka made. ''I swear, if we ever get out of here and play another game where we have to lead, you take the morning shift.''
''Of course. Besides, if we ever lead another new group again, I rather have them not see your morning face.'' Eugene joked.
''Fair enough,'' Mortimer mumbled before he focused on the food in front of him while the feast continued around him.
Asuna tried to keep the small NPC kids under control, while the older ones dug in like they hadn't eaten in years. Liz ate just as quickly, while Argo had just some roasted toast while reading Aincrad Today. There was not much news in there that she didn't know already, but the newspaper had a few things in it that made it worth more than a memory recap for Aincrad's best information broker. Her Eavesdropping was active solely for the purpose to shut down everything around her except the few people she had to hear at all times.
*Ding-Dong!* The doorbell echoed through the dining room, silencing every player for approximately three seconds. ''Was someone expecting visitors today?'' Agil asked confused.
''Probably a customer of yours. They must have realized what a shady business they have traded with,'' Wolfgang joked.
''You are the last guy who can judge someone's business for shady,'' Agil retorted as he grabbed another bottle of Athi's fruit juice and poured it into his buddy's glass.
*Ding-Dong!* ''Is somebody going to check who that is?'' Alice Rue asked as a second rang through the air.
''Leave it to me,'' Darius answered as he walked towards the door with a toast in his hand.
''I'll walk with him. The next thing we want is another angry spiky boy bouncing in front of her base.'' Ojima complained as he followed his longest partner.
Opening the door to the front garden, the morning sun welcomed Ojima and Darius in a tender heat. ''When was the last time we had this weather? Feels like it had been forever.'' Darius commented as they walked to the front gate.
''Probably has been. We have been switching floors so much that it has been difficult to tell what is normal weather like.'' Ojima complained as they reached the door. ''You wanna do the honors?''
''Always.'' Darius grinned as he pulled the handle of the vassi to the side and asked the stranger, ''Password?''
Darius's stare was met by greenish feminine eyes with the face of a teenage girl. Long blond hair fell past her face, and although the girl was in the simplest starting gear the game had to offer, her expression was strangely not one of fear. She looked a little nervous, but there was something else in that expression he could not explain.
''Uh... chickenpie,'' The girl answered, a clear nervousness hearable in her voice.
It remained silent for a few seconds before Ojima whispered, ''Wait, did she actually bluff to your little game?''
Darius grinned as he answered, ''Yep, she did. That's it! I don't care what she is here for. She gets a chance!'' He exclaimed as he opened the door. ''Welcome, miss. What can we help you with?'' He asked, only to realize his eyes were already focused on another part of her body than her face. In fact, he was so distracted, that he never heard the materialization sound from behind him.
''I like to speak to your leaders,'' She answered as she ignored the stare and not much later the bonk from Ojima's staff on Darius's head.
''Right. Please come with me'' Ojima responded kindly as he let her in, closed the door, and ignored the complaining dagger-user.
Opening the door to the mansion again, the sound that was blocked from the outside assaulted their ears again. ''Who was it? Do we need to hide Agil?'' A voice shouted jokingly to them.
''Nah, just someone that wants to speak to Heathcliff, Ren, and Kirito. She bluffed her way through Darius's password game, so she at least gets a chance.'' The bo staff wielder shouted back before he turned his face to his companion and whispered, ''Sorry about this. I want to say we are normally not like this, but I would be lying.''
The blond girl looked shocked, but at the same time looked strangely happy as she responded, ''No need to apologize.''
Ojima wanted to ask more, but he couldn't read the guest at all. She looked nervous, yet determined at the same time, unlike any of the visitors they had the past weeks. Whatever she requested from the alliance, it was something important to her.
As he came closer to the dining room, he announced, ''Kirito, Heathcliff, Ren, this girl wants to talk to you. Mind if I led her in?''
''No problem with that,'' Heathcliff answered before Ojima guided their guest into the dining room.
At least 112 players and fifteen NPCs were sitting in the dining room, spread over four big tables. The walls were beautifully decorated, and there were several exotic plants standing in the corners for more than decoration alone. It was exceptional in every way.
Three players from three tables came over as the rest continued to eat. A pony-gray-haired man, a young man with short brown hair, and a teenager with spikey black hair. The three leaders of the Alliance.
It wasn't the first time a player had come by in the past weeks. To unite the front line and the casual player, the alliance took on small jobs to strengthen the connection between those two groups. The players who led the designed 'guilds' as early mentioned occasionally asked for help from their senior members.
Everyone thought this was the same thing today, but something unusual happened this time none of them saw coming. All the reincarnated bosses who were synchronized with Kirito abruptly stopped what they did and stared at the door. It was enough for Argo to look up, and Liz and Asuna to stop for a second, only for them to realize something was wrong. ''What's going...Kirito-kun?'' Asuna asked worriedly as she saw her leader frozen staring at the door.
''...?''
The other players stopped as well to that gasp and warning question and completely fell silent after seeing Kirito's face. Silent tears fell down Kirito's cheeks as his expression was one of utter disbelief. ''Kirito? What's wrong, man?'' Klein asked worried as he stepped alongside his leader. Kirito paid no attention to his vice-leader or anyone else except the girl in front of him.
Blond long hair. Green eyes. A simple teenage girl in starting gear, almost nothing left of an image of old. And yet. Kirito couldn't explain it. He just felt it. Those eyes stared further than Aincrad. There was an emotion in them he could clearly pick out. Was it that he had become so aware of his surroundings? He didn't know how, but he knew his instincts were right.
''Sugu? Is that you?''
Town of Beginnings. 01:00 AM, 02-08-2023.
A lonely blue light shone in the streets of the first town. It was the light of teleportation, or in this case, the light of a player entering the game. Leafa, as Suguha Kirigaya's character was called, didn't waste a single second, and immediately moved to the first store. She needed information.
''Good evening, adventurer. What can I help you with?'' The merchant of the first store asked as a window popped up. Only a few stores had a twenty-four service, although these shops did not sell many useful items.
''I need information,'' Leafa responded immediately.
Just as the inspectors had informed her, it took a few seconds before the NPC responded. She had been told that NPCs took a longer time than players in decision-making since it had to be in their program to be able to respond. Surprisingly, the lessons and theory she received from the Virtual Division had bared their fruit quite quickly. There was still a lot to learn from the game, but she would discover that all in due time.
''The misses wants some information? Got just the thing for you.'' The NPC answered as he walked to the back and picked up several manuals from the shelf. ''We have a bunch of Guiding Books that should help you. These are on the house. Anything else?''
''No, that was all. thank you,'' Leafa answered before she walked away.
She headed towards the first inn, paid for a one-man room, and read the manuals quickly but thoroughly the rest of the night. Sword skills, boss fights, skill sets, guilds, quests, monsters, and player options. She was planning to read them all.
Three hours later, she had only read two of them and she felt like her brain could burst at any moment. ''There is so much information. How does somebody keep this all organized? To think this is all from one person. Shiori is amazing.'' She said to herself in her room. ''Gotta report this back as quickly as I can.'' She concluded as she opened one of her notes, and began to type.
The medicuboid that was originally from Yuuki Aiko had been taken back to the Virtual Division department, and slightly modified to make it easier from the outside to get the information from the player. Thus, when Leafa made the notes, the virtual division members who guarded Suguha's body received those notes with just a few minutes notice.
As her task for the night was done, she lay down on the bed and just let her train of thoughts run through. Thoughts about the sudden idea to send a person to help the players. Thoughts about how she volunteered for the job, and the time it took to convince her parents. Coming here was her decision, even if she was getting paid for it. Now that she was here, she was not certain how she was supposed to feel.
She wanted to help her brother but why was she so nervous about meeting him? Was she afraid that he would not recognize her, or that he would have changed too much? There were so many uncertainties and she wouldn't get a clear answer until everything was already on the table. She had to prepare herself better.
Leafa spent the next day investigating the rest of Aincrad within the safe borders of its capitals. Only after walking, running, and reading for half a day, did she realize how big that task was. Just how big is this world... There seems to be no end to all the skills, quests, and events. If it wasn't for these manuals, I would have been lost. She thought as she had to thank Argo for the information. She wore a deadpan expression as she thought about the recent news she had heard before she entered the game. Her brother had married three women, and the Rat was one of them. Be glad mom and dad didn't hear about that, oni-chan. How am I supposed to explain that you are dating three girls? Suguha internally complained. She opened her menu as she prepared another message. {Conducting analysis of Aincrad capitals. Gathering intel for first contact with Warriors of a New Hope.}
Suguha chuckled when she typed that. She had read those words in a book once and those words had intrigued her so much she had remembered the sentence. Also, she was ordered to try not to be too serious in the game, as it would draw a lot of attention. As she continued to walk through the city of Celes, she typed, {The game has manuals made by a player named Argo. She is known as the Rat here. In these free manuals, players can read all sorts of information variegating from weapons, monsters, experience and Col revenue, and skill sets. If it was not for these manuals, the information about this place would be overwhelming. Further, there seems to be a newspaper called Aincrad Today going around made by other players that has interviews with frontline players and puzzles in it. I am not sure of its purpose, but it is a popular item. I report when I have more information.}
When she was done typing, she couldn't help but chuckle again. Suguha the secret agent. Who would have thought that I could call myself that? Isn't this a thing you usually see in those movies? I wonder what Kazuto's reaction would be when I would say that? Well, we find out soon enough. I hope he isn't too mad at me.
Leafa looked forward to seeing her brother again, but she was afraid of their long-awaited meeting as well. Her brother had never shouted at her, but she knew he could become very angry. She couldn't predict what he would do to what she had to tell him. However, she had the obligation to tell him, so that he knew who he fought alongside.
While preparing how to introduce herself for that moment, she continued her exploration through Aincrad floors. From the desert on the 7th floor to the strong winds of the 13th floor, she witnessed them all firsthand. The more she adventured through them, the more she realized why her brother had been so attracted to this world. Aincrad, for all its horrors as a death game, was a beautiful world.
Leafa could clearly feel the difference between the game and real life. She couldn't explain it, but the warmth of the sun, the sense of smell, or the most basic things such as the touch of her boots walking on the stone ground felt different. Like she missed something. Yet, she was also amazed by those aspects of the game, since she was very aware of those things. Creating those basic aspects you normally don't notice had to be difficult. Even a novice like Leafa understood that.
After exploring all the floors while reading the manual information, which took all morning and the afternoon, Leafa could finally focus on finding an excuse to contact her brother's guild. But first, she had to find it. That proved easier than first thought. ''You mean the Warriors of a New Hope residence? Let me guess, you are someone from those new specialized groups?'' An older player asked while looking away. She did not have to guess why. ''Yeesh, what are you they teaching you guys there? If you ask someone for help, know where to find them. Go to the 25th floor, take the main road to the west all the way to the outskirts and you see a big ass building on your left. Can't miss it really.''
''Thank you,'' Leafa thanked before she made her way to the teleporter. After traveling for the whole day, the teleportation effects didn't even face her anymore, and without wasting another moment, she followed the man's directions. It was clear to her that she stuck out like a sore thumb, especially since all the players that walked past her had equipment that easily surpassed her starting gear a hundredfold. She wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible and call it day. Even if she wanted to see her brother, she did not have the mental energy to start the difficult topic of why she was there.
After finding and admiring her brother's guild building, she retreated to an inn in the town of Beginnings. There, she reported her findings and her plan for the next day through her menu before she took another manual about the newly created groups the older player talked about.
The names of the groups were something even a toddler could come up with, but what Leafa was shocked about was the number of various groups. Crafting, different kinds of forging, tailoring, agility-increasing skills, carpeting, etc. There was even a group for meditation. How is everything so well organized? This level of organization is just terrifying. She thought as she was once again impressed by the collaboration of the player database.
The day had been exhausting. Constantly being on the move, acquiring information, and reporting it back. It had been a strain on Leafa's mental capabilities. So when darkness fell, so did her eyes.
The next day started, and Leafa didn't waste a single second when she woke up. She nearly ran out of her room, stepped out of the inn, and made a beeline to the teleporter. She felt momentarily dizzy when she stepped out of the teleporter, and she couldn't really tell if it was because of her nervousness, the light effect, or the fact that she had not eaten anything yet.
After buying some food from a nearby store, she continued her way to the residence. It was still only 7:00 AM, meaning the streets were deserted except for a few stragglers. That was for the better because the closer Leafa came to her destination, the more nervous she became.
As she stood in front of the gates of the residence, part of her wanted to walk away. Knowing that was not an option, she slapped her cheeks and psyched herself up. You can do it, Suguha! You have prepared this moment a thousand times. Don't worry about it now. Just do it!
With that determination, she pressed the bell. *{Ringbell is ringing. Please wait.} She heard an AI say. It didn't take long before she heard a door open and two voices. A second later, a small square hole opened up. ''Password?''
There is a password?! Just say something! ''Uh... Chickenpie.''
It remained silent for a good five seconds before she heard someone loudly exclaim, ''That's it! I don't care what she is here for. She gets a chance!'' The door swung open, revealing the faces of two players she knew. ''Welcome, miss. What can we help you with?'' The blue-haired player asked as his eyes quickly descended. Leafa saw just in time the materialization of a Bo staff. *Bonk.*
''I like to speak to your leaders,'' She answered.
''Right. Please come with me,'' The other player said as he let her in, and guided her further into the residence.
This was it. The moment Suguha had waited for. The complaining of the blue-haired player, or decoration of the residence. Nothing seemed to stick to Leafa's mind anymore as she felt her heartbeat skyrocket to dangerous heights. Her breath was shallow and quick, and she felt the virtual sweat dripping down her back. She entered the dining room.
Her gaze counted at least a hundred players, and several NPCs that walked over the place. From little ones to a dark elf that seemed to join in the crowd like nothing else. But her eyes stopped scanning as three players stood up from the table and walked towards her. A dark-haired young man she knew nothing about, a gray-haired ponytailed player she had to forgive in the past months, and her brother. As he shifted his eyes towards her, she couldn't help but feel hopeful.
Something in Kirito's eyes changed as if the gears in his head began to work. His expression changed with each passing second until tears appeared in his eyes. As the room turned silent, he asked in an almost broken voice. ''Sugu, is that really you?''
Leafa's anxiety and nervousness crumbled away as tears appeared in her eyes. With a smile, she softly answered, ''It is good to see you, Oni-chan.''
A holiday. That's how the players called their retreat from the frontline so far. A moment of time where the players didn't have to fight for their lives just to gain a bit of process.
With her weekly analysis, Yui had concluded that time off had been successful. The overall depression and anxiety levels had been lowered considerably. Even the former leader of the disbanded Aincrad Liberation Squad had seen the outside of his room again. Yui had been very happy with those results. The memories of the festival and the updates of Aincrad Today helped to keep those negative levels stable.
This meant the scenarios where depression, anxiety or other negative came to play decreased tremendously. It had been rare for Yui and Strea to get a warning message of extreme emotional moments where their intervention was required. Thus, when those messages came into play again, it was no wonder both AI's looked surprised.
{Warning! Warning! Unusual emotions detected! Analysis required!} The system repeatedly warned as the window showed both the leader of the Warriors of a New Hope and an unknown face Yui did not recognize. ''Player name: Leafa. Login date: 2 days...'' she read out loud. Curiosity took over immediately. ''MCHOOP 002, Set audio on open.''
''Aye, aye!'' Strea responded as she opened the settings, and changed it so that they could hear the conversation.
''ABGD 001, give me a report on the NPCs connecting to subject Kirito,'' Yui ordered Eugeo.
Eugeo looked at his screen as he responded, ''All NPCs have been acting strange the last five minutes. Worry, Disbelief, Fear, and Hope.''
What is going on here? Yui wondered as she listened to the conversation.
''I have so many questions right now...'' Kirito brooded as he paced from left to right.
''And I will explain it all, so can you please breath and stand still a second?'' Leafa asked. The two of them were standing in a room alone at her request. She hoped it would ease the conversation.
''I am not sure if I can... What are you even doing here?'' He asked to try to get an answer to those many questions.
''It is a long story, so stop moving before you walk a hole in the ground.'' She joked, trying to break the awkward feeling she felt.
Kirito stopped his pacing, tried to calm down which took a full minute, turned to her, and asked, ''Okay, I am calm. My first question; What are you doing here?''
Leafa took a deep breath, looked at Kirito's confusing gaze, and answered in one breath, ''I am part of the organization that investigates the Sword Art Online incident called the Virtual Division. After several events, I was sent here to gather information and inform you.''
Kirito looked dumbfounded almost to the point it was comical. ''That explains nothing.''
''How does it not? I mentioned all the important points.'' Leafa replied awkwardly. ''I told you, it is a long story.''
He looked troubled before he shook his head, took a deep breath again, and asked, ''Can you at least start at the beginning?''
Leafa nodded. ''A few weeks after the SAO incident started, mom told me that you are not my real brother. That you were adopted by my aunt and uncle after they died. She also told me you knew quite a while ago. Despite that, you have always been there and you have acted as if you were my real brother. I wanted to do something in return.''
The awkwardness in her voice changed to excitement over the course of her story. ''While I visited you in the hospital, I met one of the lead investigators who is investigating the Sword Art Online incident. That organization is called the Virtual Division. Since I wanted to help you, I decided to find your friends in the real world, so that you could be together when you would wake up.'' Leafa confessed. ''Even after finding all your friends, it still felt as if I could do nothing, so I decided to search for Kayaba Akhikho myself. After finding his vacation house, the same investigator from the Virtual Division was waiting for me and I was brought to the bureau. I thought I was in trouble, but they were so impressed with my investigation that they recruited me.''
Leafa said it as if it was nothing, but Kirito was stunned. He wanted to step into the conversation, only to be stopped by her next words. ''After recruiting me, they told me Kayaba was innocent and they even showed me he was trapped in the game as well.'' She blurted out without thinking about it. She realized her mistake when she saw her brother's face. His eyes were wide open, and the corners of his mouth were trembling. {Unusual emotions detected. Cannot identify. Analysis required.} The system in front of Yui alerted.
''Wh...what... did you just... say?'' Kirito stuttered overwhelmed. Leafa could see the gears moving on his visage.
''Increase of Confusion and Disbelief. Turn background music to Calming music.'' Yui ordered. Almost immediately, the background Kirito heard turned into a soothing calming music. ''Set sensory input to 85%,'' Yui ordered. Those changes slowly softened Kirito's emotions to a stable amount.
''Can you stop worrying me for five minutes? I get that you are confused, but you haven't even hugged me since you saw me,'' Leafa commented, feeling kinda awkward for having to say that. Her brother always hugged her when she needed it, and she never had to ask. ''Are you not happy to see me?''
''I am happy to see you! It is just... Did you really think I wouldn't be shocked after hearing all this and seeing you here? And then you just drop this bombshell. How am I supposed to react to all that?''
Leafa looked awkwardly as she mumbled, ''I don't know. I didn't think that far yet.'' She sighed as she added, ''At least, your reaction is better than mine was. They had to calm me down for hours after I learned the truth.''
Kirito smiled wryly. ''I can imagine that. You could never handle bad news well.''
''Apparently, it runs in the family!'' Leafa snapped.
The siblings stared each other in the eyes for a few seconds. It didn't last long, but it felt so familiar. Both players let out a chuckle. ''I am really glad to see you again, oni-chan. I missed this.''
''So did I,'' Kirito smiled as he held his arms open. Leafa eagerly answered his gesture. ''But you still have a lot to explain to me.'' He whispered as he held her in his embrace.
''I was afraid you would say that,'' Leafa smiled as she savored the long-awaited feeling of her brother's hug a bit longer.
A slight breeze blew through giltstein as the bright sun of this gentle morning radiated the city in its warm light. It was another one of those days where the motivation to venture deep into the wilderness was long gone. That was a blessing in disguise, for the newcomer had created distress within the alliance.
''What is taking them so long?'' Asuna asked worriedly as she paced in the garden. Like most of her other guild members, she was waiting for Kirito and the newcomer to get out of the room.
''Would you stop pacing around, please? I have enough on my hands to calm Kirito's NPCs down. If yours are going to be annoying as well, it is your responsibility.'' Liz complained, sitting on the edge of the planter in the sun. She caressed Suka who was lying on her legs to calm her down.
''Sorry,'' Asuna apologized as she stopped, looked at the two little NPCs, and noticed them looking worried at her. She crouched down in front of them, petted both their heads, and whispered, ''It is alright. Mama is just a little concerned about papa. That's all.''
''What do you think she came here for? Kirito seemed to know her well,'' Agil asked as he was watching his NPC kid staring at the plants. Billy always seemed to do that when he needed to calm down, so Agil knew he too was fazed by the sudden development.
''Ask Argo. If anyone should know who she is, it is her.'' Dynamm answered as he furrowed his mustache in nervousness. ''It already looked like she had a clue who she was.''
''Right? She was grinning so excitedly, it was almost frightening.'' Kunimitzz responded disturbed.
''Well, if you think she knows, why didn't you ask her who the stranger is?'' Nezha asked. To that question, most of the players chuckled.
''No chance, pipsqueak. She had Col signs in her eyes. If you want that information, you will probably have to sell your life,'' Helios answered. Despite his choice of words, his expression was serious.
''I keep forgetting it, but she is actually the scariest player in Aincrad. That information network is no joke,'' Klein commented while practicing his sword skills.
''Why do you think Marcel was so frightened. One wrong move and your darkest secret are public.'' Alice Rue responded as she too was experimenting with her new claw skill. She smiled devilishly as she added, ''Maybe I should ask her what she got on you, honey.''
''Please don't,'' Klein pleaded, hoping he was spared from any secret Argo had from him. Although he didn't have any serious secrets, he knew Argo had at least one ace on her sleeve on him. ''Where is Argo anyway?''
Oni-chan. A single word Argo could hear above the noise, only hearable thanks to her eavesdropping skill. It was a word that intrigued her. Another hint of information that could prove to be significant to her information network and another possibility for blackmail material on her husband. The fact that was the first Argo thought about scared her a bit, but she couldn't help it. Information gathering was second nature for her, and embarrassing her darling certainly was a third. Thus, when she was called into the room, she was eager to ask about every juice detail of her boyfriend's life from the newcomer.
It was quiet in the office. Three players, two veterans, and one nervously-looking rookie were in the room. Eventually, Argo raised her head a bit to stare face-to-face with Leafa and asked, ''Are you certain?''
''100%. I saw it with my own eyes.'' Leafa answered a little overwhelmed. She was confused about how Argo the Rat was a small girl who didn't look threatening at all, nor how she was the information network that she found so impressive. With one question, all Leafa's doubts were gone.
''And how am I supposed to trust you?'' Argo asked.
Leafa switched her eyes on her brother, and asked, ''Oni-chan, can you cover your ears, please?''
As Kirito did what was instructed, Leafa shifted to Argo and answered, ''Your real name is Hosaka Carina Tomo. You live in northern Saitama with your mother, father, and younger sister. You are afraid of dogs, and...''
''I got it, I got it. I believe you.'' Argo complained as she signaled Kirito to join the conversation again. ''You are the real deal. Which means our situation got a lot complicated all of a sudden.''
''Yeah,'' Kirito mumbled, trying to keep his judgment under control. His eyes had flickered from gray to black earlier, indicating the news his sister brought was as disturbing as it was important. ''I am not sure how to break this news to the rest.''
''Do you think you can still trust him?'' Argo asked, trying to find an answer to that question herself.
''I will give you an answer when I know it myself,'' he answered as he walked towards the door. Her unspoken question was as clear as day. ''I have questions and I need answers.''
Before he could walk through the door, she grabbed his hand, and whispered, ''Take Asuna or Klein with you.''
Kirito wasn't too keen on the idea, but seeing Argo's pleading eyes, he acknowledged her request. ''Fine.'' He switched his gaze on Leafa and said, ''Please keep what you have told me within these walls. I am going to see if I can bring this news to the rest without causing too much chaos.''
As Kirito closed the door behind him, Argo's devilish grin returned. ''Shouldn't we follow him?'' Leafa asked worriedly.
''Nah. You can trust Kii-bou with that.'' Argo answered before she slid to Leafa and whispered, ''Now, since you know so much about me, it would be only fair if I learned a bit about you, don't ya think?''
Her eyes were like a hungry predator ready for the hunt, and Leafa's first reaction was to take a step back. ''Uhh...Sure, I guess? What do you want to know?'' She asked. Little did she know how much she would regret those words.
It was warm outside. If Klein had to guess, it was around nineteen degrees Celcius with a cloudless sky. It was one of those almost perfect days they used to enjoy in their breaks.
If the weather was so perfect, why did Klein have such an unsettling feeling as he followed Heathcliff, Isabella, Mortimer, and Kirito into the mansion? As if his body tried to recreate goosebumps, but just couldn't reproduce them. Looking to his right, he concluded Asuna had to feel the same way judging from her expression. They both knew the source of their uneasiness, as they both could see their friend's fist tighten. What had caused so much anger in their friend that he couldn't control his anger?
Kirito opened a door and let the others in the room. As Klein walked past him, he could see the purple immortal window on the handle. Just what has gotten into him? He wondered as he searched for a spot in the smaller office room. Whatever Kirito called them for, this was going to be an intense conversation.
As everybody had entered the room and the meeting was about to begin, he closed the door. As he did so, his eyes began to color from his trustworthy onyx to a sinister gray. He turned around, closed his eyes as he took a deep breath, slowly opened them again, and turned to Heathcliff. ''Are you going to tell them, or should I?'' he growled, trying to keep himself calm. Tried, as the color in his eyes continued to switch alongside murderous glare.
The suspension that came after that question was almost unbearable. Isabella looked frightened, and Heathcliff did not look healthy himself. Mortimer tried to step in, but Heathcliff stopped him just before he could say anything. ''How much do you know?'' Heathcliff asked nervously.
''Enough to have questions. Not enough to know the answers,'' Kirito answered coldly. If it wasn't for his better judgment, he would have drawn his blade. Heathcliff looked uncertain in Kirito's eyes before he sighed. ''Very well. I will give you those answers if I can, but please listen to us first before doing anything reckless.''
Mortimer, Asuna, and Klein agreed. Kirito didn't respond but instead kept his ice-cold glare on the paladin.
Nine months in the world of Sword Art Online. Nine months of constant survival with nothing but your friends and your skills to survive and break free from this endless prison. Nine months holding a secret that had yet to be revealed. A secret that could change the fate of the game forever. That fate, for better or for worse, would be decided today with the following words.
''My name is Kayaba Akhikho.''