A/N: Can the Forgotten really be trusted? Lightning doesn't seem to. You can't blame her, since they were once part of the vile scourge. I just hope I'm not bad-mouthing the Forsaken in WOW since that is who the Forgotten are. Sylvanas is too cool to be known as evil, even though she does have emotional problems sometimes. especially towards Arthas even if it's understandable
JULY 5TH, 2023. FLOOR 22, SNOW STREAM
It took us about three weeks to get everyone strong and geared enough to take on the floor boss. I'm only level 110 and that fight was as damned as well.
We've lost about eight players from the boss fight against Prince Vengeance.
It's only one floor of this Death King arc and most of the players are afraid to press on. I understand how they feel, well not so much directed to my own life but I'm worried that Hope would have been one of the dead players in that boss fight, Rokel as well. But it's still no reason to chicken out like that. Bunch of cowards I might say. Hopefully, they'll get over their worries and will be willing to continue on in this death game.
How much longer are we gonna be trapped in here?
I'm just spending my day laying by the river in the southern area of floor 22. Floor 22 is similar to the 21st floor, but all the grass is either green or covered by snow. And the rivers are streaming in trenches.
Anyways, this floor is crowded with players. I can hardly get the chance to make any kills or do some quests myself. And Hope is still resting from the previous floor boss.
I'm just gonna relax while time is flying by. I have no fear in any field monsters finding me since the players are handling them. And the Murder Guilds wouldn't think of attacking me in a public area with the countless players covering the wide-open area.
Next, I am greeted by another high-level player. He sits right next to me and lays down, exhaling in exhaustion. "Surprise to see you here," Kirito says.
"Not like I had a choice," I say. "What about you?"
"Eh. I've already made a ton of kills. I'm just taking a breather." Kirito says.
"You do that and you'll lose your place in the mob farm," I say.
Kirito just shrugs his shoulders. "Eh, you win some you lose some." What an idiot. "I almost can't believe we're nearly halfway through the Aincrad."
I look at the river, following the stream to the end. "Yeah. And after all that, we've lost around 2,000 players. We've come this far. We cannot let their deaths be in vain." On saying that, I remember the time the Lunar Twilight died. Murdered by Laughing Coffin.
Rokel and I are the only survivors.
"You are right," Kirito says. "Kayaba must pay for his crimes of trapping 10,000 innocent players in this death game."
While we're both sitting down discussing, we hear the sound of a girl screaming. Kirito and I dive into action. We reach the destination. There's a single female Swordsman surrounded by monsters. She's standing there with a fearful expression. Even as the monsters approach, she backs away from them.
"Hang on! We're coming!" Kirito draws out his sword and, with a yell, charges into action. I do the same with my Gunblade.
Kirito focuses on blocking attacks between the monsters and the girl in danger. I focus on attacking the monsters, one by one. The monsters focus their attacks on Kirito, but the ones I focus on attacking turn their attention to me.
After we defeat the monsters, we check on the swordsman that was under attack. "You okay?" Kirito asks.
The girl looks up at us. It's surprising. To me, she looks like Leafa, but her facials older, like Leafa, looks like a kid while this one looks like a teenager. She also has a beauty mark underneath her right eye. Kind of like Fang.
The girl smiles at us. "Yeah...I am now, thanks to the two of you."
Kirito helps her stand up. "Can you tell us your name?"
The girl nods. "My name is Sachi. And you are?"
"Kirito. Solo." Kirito looks at me as he explains. "This is Lightning."
I only give Sachi a single nod. "What are you doing out here on your own?"
Sachi looks down with a frown. It's almost like what we said made her sad. "I'm just...trying to become stronger."
Sachi tells us about her.
Apparently, she is a shy girl who can barely be strong enough to fight. When this game started, she joined Warlords Wrath Online with a group of friends of hers from the real world. Once the announcement of the game's true nature is revealed, Sachi is overwhelmed in fear, eventually losing her will to fight.
The only thing that kept her going was her guild. Because of them, she felt safe. Until one day they were ambushed by the murder guild, Laughing Coffin. They were outnumbered three to one and the guild was destroyed. The murder guild had Sachi cornered, but one of the high guilds, the Holy Dragon Alliance, ambushed the guild and drove them off.
Ever since then, Sachi never left the town.
Eventually, she lost all food and money over time due to a lack of questing and hunting. She started fighting off creatures thirty levels below her, and she is currently level 60. But she wasn't making enough cash. So she started risking her life and hunting at one of the higher floors.
"I aimed for the 22nd floor because it's overwhelming with players. I just thought I could earn some credit if I attack one of the monsters that are fighting against a high-level player." Sachi says.
"That's a really stupid move," I say.
"I understand what you're going through, but you really shouldn't risk your life like that." Kirito looks away and whispers to himself. But I can still hear it. "Even if it is a clever trick."
Sachi looks down with a sorrowful look. "I-I'm...sorry."
This girl sure is sensitive. I let a sigh before speaking. "We should we do about her?"
Kirito puts his fingers on his chin and thinks. "Well, we don't have anything to do on this floor. I say we should help her earn some Krystals. I know just the dungeon for this."
FLOOR 17, AUCHINDOOM.
Kirito and I are escorting Sachi through one of the dungeons of the lower floors. Even though we're both powerful, Sachi is going to be having a death warrant once any enemies make contact with her.
Kirito focuses on fighting the monsters while I serve as Sachi's bodyguard. Any monsters that come near us, I cut them down. Any spells or ranged attacks that aim directly at her, I deflect them. So far, we have done a fine job. Not only is Sachi earning some Krystals, she's also gaining some experience. We've already cleared the first floor of Auchindoom and she's gained two levels.
We walk down the stairs to the next floor. Kirito takes the lead on this dungeon. I speak to Sachi while nothing is going on. "I understand what you are going through, but have you ever considered returning to the field of battle? On your own?"
Sachi is a bit shocked by my question. "Uh...No. I'm not even sure if...I'll have the courage to continue to fight."
"Anyone can fight. It's not a matter of courage, but a matter of will." I say. "Everyone just needs to find their purpose. A reason to fight."
"I had one. To help and protect my friends." Sachi looks down in depression. "But now...they are dead."
"You guild isn't the only people you can protect. There are thousands of players in this game who need protection." I say. "Besides. There's one thing you can fight for: Returning to the Real World. Don't you have a family, or friends from the other side who are worrying about you?" Fighting to return to the real world is what everyone is doing in this virtual world.
"Hmm...I do have a family. But I don't have very many friends. In fact, those in my old guild were the only friends I could make." Sachi says. In some ways, I can relate. When my parents died I put walls around me, shutting everyone out of my life. Everyone other than my sister Serah, and Hope shortly afterward. "What about you?"
"Me?" I didn't think Sachi would ask me that. "Well...I have a younger sister back in the real world. And I'm leaving her with some idiot who's her boyfriend."
"She didn't play this game with you?" Sachi asks.
"No...actually, I'm not really a Video Gamer. The whole reason I came here is cause someone close to me became a victim." I can't tell Sachi the truth about players dying in the real world when they die or when the helmets are removed. That'll worry her even more. As far as anyone knows in this death game, we can't actually tell if players die in the real world. Some believe that Kayaba is bluffing, but doesn't want to take the risk. "I couldn't find a way to free him, and I couldn't just sit around and do nothing while he's risking his life. So I came here to help him out."
"That sounds very sweet. Self-sacrifice to help someone you care about." Sachi says. "I just wish I was that brave."
"More enemies approaching," Kirito warns us.
We both draw out our weapons and attack. Kirito dives in attacking against the enemies out there. Kirito faces and holds off six of them, each of them destroyed with nearly every swing of his swords. The rest runs past Kirito and towards us. I stand in front of Sachi and slash any enemies that make contact with me, displaying my powerful Sword Skills.
The enemies are defeated. Not a single scratch on Sachi. Kirito and I hardly suffered much damage either.
Kirito and I focus on defeating all the enemies on the second floor. I continue my role in protecting Sachi.
After defeating the enemies, we walk down the stairs towards the final floor. Sachi has gained three levels from the previous floor.
"You feeling okay?" I ask her.
Sachi nods. "I'm still a little shaken."
"You're gonna have to learn to fight again," I say.
"I don't think I can. I mean...Every time I try, I keep thinking about my friends. Who all died right before my very eyes, trying to protect me." Sachi says.
"I know it's hard, but you have to. Your friends died trying to save you. They would want you to live on and fight for your life." I say. Sachi looks at me like what I say is surprising. I guess it's probably because she's never thought of anything like that.
"Well...maybe you're right. But...I'm afraid to fight. What if I'll end up dying?" Sachi says. "I just don't see why our life's are on the line when this is all just a game?"
I honestly don't see why we have to. Why Kayaba would even put everyone through this fearsome torture. "You won't die." Sachi and I look at Kirito once he says that. "The Assault Team are strong players. We all seek to clear this game and free everyone. We also seek to protect everyone."
"So...I really don't die?" Sachi asks, with hope. "I'll be able to return to the real world one day?"
"Yeah. We'll make sure you'll live." Kirito says.
"He's right. You'll be safe, no matter what." I say.
Sachi says nothing. But after a while, she smiles.
FLOOR 17, TELEPORT GATE.
We cleared the dungeon, but the final boss was pretty hard with just an Assassin and a Swordsman while protecting a low-level player. But in the end, we made it through.
The dungeon wasn't so bad. Sachi manages to get the cash she needs to get through a few weeks.
Now we take Sachi to the Teleport Gate so she can send herself back to her hometown on the first floor.
"Thanks for the run," Sachi says.
"It's no problem. If you need any more help, just send us a message." Kirito says.
Sachi nods. She looks down, a hand on her heart. She's quiet. I have a feeling she wants to tell us something but is trying to summon the words to say it.
"Actually...I have thought...about what you both said." Sachi says. After a pause, she continues. "Well...I'm still afraid of fighting and...I don't think that I'll ever be able to fight on my own but...I'm gonna try. I-I'll try...for the sake of the Moonlit Black Cats."
Kirito and I smile. "That's good to hear," I say. "If you ever need any help building some confidence, let us know."
Sachi agrees. After she wishes us goodbye, she teleports back to her hometown.
Kirito and I activate the gate and set it to Eastguard on the 22nd Floor. "Do you think she'll be all right?" Kirito asks.
Sachi does seem pretty frightened, especially when it comes to fighting. Living in fear inside a death, afraid of dying. Living with the guilt and despair of losing those important to her. "Who knows. It'll be difficult to say. All we can do is stay close and keep an eye on her."
I activate the Teleport Gate and Kirito and I being to teleport to the 22nd Floor town. "You think she knows anything about the riddle of Kayaba?" I ask Kirito.
"I doubt it. She doesn't seem like the puzzling type." Kirito says. "What is the message Kayaba is trying to make?"
We both return to Eastguard.
FLOOR 22, NORTHERN FIELD
It's late at night. The crowd on the fields has finally died down. I am able to continue making kills and doing quests. I'm able to complete them all. I now walk my way back to turn in the quests, then turn in myself for the night.
I walk down the path heading towards Eastguard. Suddenly, my search skill detects something. Hostile. About three of them. They move on their own pattern instead of the game pattern. Red Players. I use hidden skills to hide in the bushes. I don't have the time or energy to fight Murders.
Two players some in one direction and the one from the other. They are wearing ragged gray capes with their faces covered.
Laughing Coffin.
I can feel my blood boiling. I grab hold of the Gunblade hilt, preparing for combat. "Are you certain of this?" XaXa asks.
"Indeed. It's her. The lone survivor of the Moonlit Black Cats." One of the members says.
My eyes shot open hearing that. They're talking about Sachi. Perhaps are they the ones that attacked Sachi and her guild long ago.
"Why didn't you finish her off?" XaXa asks. "There are no survivors from Laughing Coffin."
"She's with the Black Swordsman and the Stormrose." The second member says. That's Kirito and I.
"So, the little girl is now with members of the Assault Team? This is going to be difficult." XaXa says. "Keep a close eye on the girl. Try to lure her into a trap once she is alone on the field, and finish her off."
"Yes, XaXa." They both say, and they all disperse.
Laughing Coffin is after Sachi? Even after all this time? I get they would go after her guild long ago and would be upset she's survived. But this is just cruel to hold such a grudge and want to put out the final light of the Moonlit Black Cats. Kirito and I have a purpose:
Protect Sachi and put an end to Laughing Coffin.
