A/N: Hey everyone, hope you enjoy this newest chapter!

NetherOrbit: Yeah, I admit my writing could be better. I'll have to consider better ways to deliver emotional punches!
Den3424: Oh don't worry, Taiyama isn't out of this fight yet!

Enjoy!

January 8th, 2023

-Taiyama

It was noon by the time we showed up, man was I liking the climate. Fog everywhere, cool temperatures, made me wanna move our whole kingdom here. Oh yeah, that kingdom. Left PoH to watch over it while Wick, Yuuki, and I recovered our lost friends. Seeing that "Welcome to Floor 4" sign sent shivers over us, this was where they fell. Would've wanted Asuna along, but there's no way I could bring her back, not so soon.

"Pretty place," Yuuki said with a weak smile, "so much green, plants everywhere."

"Yeah," Wick said, watching as she ran up a hill. "if only."

I put a hand gently on his shoulder, the gray mist keeping us out of sight. While Wick wouldn't resist, an almost physical distance was growing in him. He looked up at me, forcing a small, momentary smile.

"Sorry for dragging you."

"Dude, no." I said softly, "I chose this, you're good."

His gaze averted, watching as birds flocked west overhead.

"You know she was always happy with you, right?" I asked.

"I guess," Wick said meekly, "wish I had more time. Seems to be a trend with me, never enough time."

"Do you blame yourself?"

Wick wouldn't answer this, blinking quicker as he watched Yuuki dance in mist, going whatever direction the wind guided in an almost aimless glee. Felt pretty cold seeing all this, Wick's answer reminding me of my own choices leading to this. How much could I have prevented if I hadn't challenged Garr? What would've happened if he won?

"l don't," Wick said, "but..."

"But?"

"Hey guys!" Yuuki said, "town's over here!"

She pointed north, little to the west in excitement. I looked to Wick again, my question remaining.

"Wherever he went," he said, "know what I mean?"

I stared blankly into empty brush, thinking what to tell him. Wick would need a lot more time fighting if he saw things this way, but I knew the feeling. It'd be so easy to say something dumb, about how he'd do just fine, but I'd have to lie to make it work.

"Could you bring Yuuki back home/"

"Why?"

"I don't want her to see this. Keep it happy while I can."

"Bro, you know how she is. She's not bad with a sword either."

"True," Wick's head lowered, "but that's the thing, bro. If I go alone, it's not gonna go well."

"Then why go alone?"

"Cause I can't stand the thought of her dying. Dying for my decisions."

A harsh wind blew in, bringing to bear a spiteful cold out of place in such an arguably calm floor. It scratched at us, shoving at our backs before dropping a second later. Wick cupped his ears, riding the force with an extra step.

"Stupid as it is, I won't sit back for this." Wick said.

"You know I'm sticking with you, right?" I asked.

Wick's gaze fixated on me.

"But the guys back home," he said faintly, "they need you. "

"I've got replacements," I said, "we're all coming with you, Asuna too. I've...learned the price of losing friends. For me to lose you, all because I didn't stand up, it's not gonna happen."

While Wick's lips didn't move, a glow in his eyes returned. While it was as dim as a dying lamp, it was still something. We needed hope for a better day, I had to put my interests aside if it's to happen. Climbing that hill together, we stood by a still cheerful Yuuki, looking down at a bright pearl in the lake, Rovia. Clouds washed over a massive mountain range northwest of it, leaving its white stone structures almost glowing in sunlight. Place reminded me of Venice, canals and everything.

"We're moving," Yuuki said, "sorry Wicky, I'm doing it."

"Not exactly my first thought," Wick said, "but if you want to."

She looked at him with those same bright expressions, was like she forgot why we showed up here.

"Why are you so sad?"

"How can he not be?" I asked, "Leafa was our friend."

"She still is," she said, "you know she's not gone, right? My mother used to always tell me that."

As much as I disagreed with sentiment, Wick needed this sort of boost. I looked east while they spoke, noticing this patch of grass near Floor Three's border. A splotch of burnt Earth, an island of brown in an otherwise sea of green. Must've been some special event, fire never burned that far if left alone in this game.

"If only I could say goodbye," Wick said with a sniff.

"You'll understand someday," Yuuki said, "He loves you, Wick. Just as He loves me."

Wolves bit are our heels as we marched to town, nothing a good [Spear] couldn't handle. Wick fought with great hardship, his swings reckless and strong with grief. Thankfully Yuuki was there to help, keeping strays off his back while I struck their main force. Admittedly, I was thinking about that last bit she mentioned, of being loved regardless. Wasn't sure whether to dismiss it as complete patronage, or as legit. My father had never been particularly happy with me, mother never stuck around for long. And sure, Asuna was present, but the word love was still weird to me. Closest I could come to defining it was recognition.

Hours in, we arrived at Rovia's edge, a southern aimed bridge linking us to its stone hearth. We stepped lightly, but quickened our pace as its surface proved sturdy. These waters were thick with green, its surface barely broken by sun.

"By his hand, the machine revved to life." Yuuki said, "little would he know, that which might outlive him."

"What?" Wick asked.

"Don't know," Yuuki said with a toss of her hair, "sounded better in my head though."

Upon reaching Rovia's entrance, a figure in black could be seen in a distant corner, sulking around an eastern building. NPCs, however, swarmed us on our approach. Goddamn were they starved, could count their ribs one by one. Their smiles, however, were near infectious.

"W-Welcome," a guard said excitedly, "surely, you are friends with Lord Garr...yes?"

"You can say that," Yuuki said before me, "you...okay not gonna lie, you look awful."

"Yuuki," Wick said in alarm.

"We've been worse," the guard said, "but then he brought it, whole animals. Asked nothing in return!

"Have you seen him?" I asked, "I'm a friend of his."

They looked to each other, with ever increasing number shaking heads and replying no. By the looks shared among them, nobody had a clue. The noon sun peaked over the lake surrounding us, though dark clouds closed in from the mountains, shrouding the land steadily in a smothering barrier. When asked of his previous spot they led us to this house to their far east perimeter, the same spot that shady individual patrolled. There we found who Yuuki identified as Kirito, rambling to himself, sniffling and gibbering to himself as he paced corners. When called by name, his eyes spoke without words, of pain and horror.

"What happened here?" Yuuki asked, her voice heightened. "your clothes."

"He got away," Kirito said with a shake of his head, "why didn't I check first..."

"We know who killed Leafa, man." I said, "we're on the same boat. If we get her weapon soon, we can catch them."

"Them?" Kirito asked with sudden focus, "it's just one guy. One goddamn liar, murderous..."

"Asuna told us everything," Wick said, "I feel your pain."

"Then maybe you should come with me," Kirito looked to him, "we can catch him before it's too late...but it'll take all of us."

"Hold on," Yuuki said with feet planting, "are we talking about the same person?"

"Don't know," Kirito said, "what were you told?"

"Bunch of bots working for the Church," I said, "came by and said they'd kill everyone if they didn't say where Lis went."

"At least that's consistent, but I feel you've missed something."

"Like?"

"The part where Garr sacrificed them."

Wick's head craned back, glancing to Yuuki and I briefly. My eyebrow raised, looking to Kirito with great disturbance.

"Yeah," kirito said, "all so Garr could defend what's his."

"Hold up," I said, "everybody? That couldn't be true, Asuna said Garr spared her."

"Oh really?" Kirito asked with a cold laugh, "so that's what I was lacking, influence. Killing my cousin's cool, but killing the queen? Nah, gotta think about tomorrow, huh?!"

His laughter broke into tearful groans, lurching as Yuuki approached, putting an arm around him for comfort. Had to admit, something wasn't adding up. Was told that Garr could only spare one, not that he voluntarily sold everyone like that. Wick eyed the window to the house behind our friend, his gaze fixating on something.

"What happened here?" Wick asked.

"Go in," Kirito said half choked, "I doubt any of you have a clue what it means...but I can try."

He stumbled towards its front door, shoving it open before making a slowed pace around that which Wick had seen. Marble walls cracked, as if hit by a sledge, leaving chunks scattered all over. Along deep red floorboards resided freshly etched burns, whose curvilinear shape bore...alarming resemblance to characters written on old cave walls three floors behind. Strange, irregular glowing symbols sparked with a fading resilience, flickering in unison across five corners of an unseen shape. Within this whipping vortex of scalding green pattern, a fine, dust-like layer of silver laid. A thick, sweat-like odor was heavy, hinting at worse things if we stepped closer.

"What kind of jacked up shit is this?" I asked, looking around.

"Best ritual I had," Kirito said, "you guys know magic's a thing here, right?"

"Vaguely," Wick said.

Yuuki bent forward, scooping some powder in her hands. Staring at this ruined interior, cracks and gouges marred walls around around us. Was like someone took a wrecking ball and spun.

"Think necromancy," Kirito swept his hand over these forms, "monster got what he wanted...and more."

"What did you do?" Wick said, keeping fair distance from the site, "Yuuki, don't touch that."

"It won't hurt her," Kirito said assuredly, "it's like resurrection, but worse than I imagined. "

"So what, a zombie?" I asked, "vampire?"

"Worse. A Grave Knight. A zombie by all toughness standards, but thinking."

"You zombified him?!" I exclaimed, "how could he agree to that?"

"Was the only way he'd get to Lisbeth. Acherres has her right now, the one that taught me the spell."

"And why is Lis there?"

"Our plan was to destroy the mage-boss from within, he wanted her to join him. Both Garr and her agreed, as she could disrupt whatever he's doing while Garr storms in."

"Sounds like you've been hiding a'lot," Yuuki said while gathering silver dust, "can I keep this?"

"Sure, whatever." Kirito sighed while looking east, "can't believe Garr would do this. He gave up my cousin's life to protect her."

"I'm guessing you fought," Wick said with a nod to Kirito's tattered gear.

Kirito nodded, his head hanging low afterwards. This all struck me like a train, left me pacing around trying to form a message for Garr. Was it true? I was pissed, but from a sense of being misled, startled by what I would see if I met him. I was beating myself up so bad for what I did back there, thinking I did the wrong thing, then I learn more. What else was Garr hiding from us?

"I can't say this surprises me," I said with masked disbelief, "when I moved into his old home, Garr had these books. Said stuff about magic n' dimensions."

"That's how he knew," Kirito said weakly, "well...what little he did."

[To Garr: Dude, we need to talk this over. I've got a guy thinking you killed those people. Answer, quick]

[ERROR]

I stood there, blinking and shaking. Of course this stupid game would glitch out on me, what else would it do? The guy I wanted to be friends with, zombified and possibly unable to communicate.

"What's wrong?" Wick asked, "what'd he say?"

"Nothing," Kirito said, "watched Garr try before."

"Game's fucked," I said, "did you know this would happen?"

"Wouldn't have done it," Kirito said, "this was supposed to be my protection plan. My cousin was always bold, but I had...to ensure she wouldn't die."

"Then why didn't you?" Yuuki asked, "you had the materials."

"I had to be sure it worked as intended. The guy that taught this spell wasn't trustworthy and I knew it."

"So wait," I said with a raised hand, "so you just used him? Is that what you're saying?"

"No," Kirito said, "it was his choice and he wanted it. I told you why!"

"Let's just take this slow," Wick said with a softer voice, "a lot's happened."

Sitting among ourselves, we tried our best to raise spirits. I doubt anyone knew this would happen, but...I had to make due with what I had. Part of me was cheering Garr on, hoping he could save Lis, get away from all of this. It would've been impossible for me to explain to Kirito exactly how it seemed to me, but I could relate to this too. I would've done anything to protect Asuna, was ready to do some messed up stuff too. At that moment, Garr was just like me. Protecting his special someone.

Truth be told, we still had to dive down for what's left, no matter how bad we felt. The air remained frigid, despite how warm it had been outside. Huddled together, Yuuki let our friend cry on her shoulder, Wick keeping close tabs as I looked eastward. Somehow, I doubted the burning patch and this ritual were unrelated.

"Worst part?" Kirito asked rhetorically, "I have no idea where she died."

"I was given some idea," I said, "we can head down whenever you're ready."

He nodded, though rejected any sort of help from either of us getting up. Intercepting me on our way out and towards Rovia's sunbathed docks, Wick swiftly cupped to my ear.

"There's something...wrong about that site."

"It's supposed to give that feeling."

"I've played plenty of games before, my gut's only reacted this way once before."

"You're just emotionally invested," I said calmly, "I don't see it, man. I'm sorry."

Looking down from wooden planks, a mostly submerged tunnel lingered. Water was so dark, I could've seen anyone mistaking it for ink, much like the tattoos my brother would get. They'd be references to phrases he learned growing up, kept them small as to remind only himself. While I'd love to brag and say I followed him, I was never crazy about needles.

"Down there?" Wick said with a frown.

"It's just a little water," Yuuki said, lowering herself to its depths, "you should've gone first."

"Why?"

"I don't like guys looking up my skirt."

Kirito and I exchanged looks, her tone-deafness choking out whatever sensible response we could deliver. Wick was red, but was quick to jump in, clearly disinterested in appearing perverted. After some minutes, Kirito went next. Frothing bubbles scattered about like cats, much like the rest of us it seemed.

We found it buried under a bit of plant matter, the sword's edge slightly chipped, as if having encountered armor. Wick's knees soaked against soggy floor, staring down from where it rested. Digging around further, it would be a [Spadone] that drove away my glance. Kuradeel, of all people.

"What am I supposed to say?" Wick asked, "Leafa, I can't."

Kirito shook, with veins eagerly surfacing from bony pockets as he stared at his fallen cousin's means of defense. With a flexed neck and near baring teeth, he snatched the fallen [Katana] from Wick's hands.

"I should keep this," Kirito said, "it's only right if I take him with it."

Wick looked up to him, frowning as I stared away, barely aware of Yuuki's presence as she passed by.

"I don't think she'd want that," Wick said before rising.

"Really?" Kirito challenged, turning to Wick. "Who's family was she?"

"Yours," Wick said, "and Leafa would never raise her weapon like you are."

"You don't even know her real name!"

"Does it matter? Kirito, she'd want this to go peacefully. For us to team up, make things right."

"We've gotta stop him," Kirito said in a low growl, "she was family."

"Wick's right," I said without looking, "we gotta honor her wishes."

"Are you not listening to me?" Kirito asked, "do what's right? He killed her!"

"Hey guys?" Yuuki asked, "someone else was here too...Haru."

Wick swiftly turned towards Yuuki, near sprinting to her side. Sure enough, a soggy potion belt was found. How Yuuki caught it, I'll never know. There's a maze's worth of tunnels in this place, the idea that she so quickly discovered what remained of a lone player baffled me. Who was she? Seriously, everything around her glares of unnatural, like the world seems to bend to her whim. Always with that smile though, like this was all a good time.

"Haru," Wick said with a wince, "I gotta go, I'll never leave if I think any longer."

He stumbled back, eyes fixated on Kirito with an unmoving gaze.

"I'm sorry," Wick said, "the sword, I...I need it."

"No," Kirito said with a cold tone, "I'm going to find him...and I don't care how."

"Guys," I said, "this isn't sane."

"None of it is!" Kirito said with a shout, pointing his newly acquired weapon at me, "you gonna stop me? Huh?"

This [Katana] lacked the range oh my [Yuri], these closed off tunnels wouldn't help him either. Fire burned in my gut, this challenge curling fingers to fists, with a rising chest. I had to step back, however, this wasn't worth it. Kirito lowered his weapon shakily, quick to sheath it before walking past me.

"Smart," he said, walking on into darkness.

"Wish we could help him," Yuuki said with a pout, "he's really hurt."

"Still can," Wick said, "but it'll take time. I just hope he doesn't hurt anyone till the chance comes."

"In reality," I said with a sigh, "that's not on us. We've got our job, he's got his."

"You okay, Tai?" Wick asked, "he really pushed you."

"Yes, actually." I said hoarsely, "I...feel better in some ways."

His eyes showed how little he understood, but this was fine. I resisted that urge to fight, at least recklessly. Whether my friends knew it or not, I did. Little steps at a time, towards becoming someone my brother would be proud of.

Sun Dancer

Garr - Hours earlier

They kept calling to me, their soggy eyes peering past wall and reed. They wanted in, thrashing against the door without moving it. Wouldn't dare open the blinds, they'd surely get in. Speaking to each by name, silence was my only rebuke. God, they hated it when I stopped talking to them.

No sheet could comfort me, my feet cold against a bed's fabric. I knew Oran had left with Hunt, this home's door creaked shortly after dusk. Morning crept in like a serpent, its light ready to expose, prepped to bring out what things I held behind a frail mask. If there was any solace to be had, they were retreating, away from earshot.

I had a choice, I wasn't helpless...but they were. My eyes hadn't shut before or after dusk, fearing what questions a well-meaning soul would bring. Why would I do this, why not compromise? Why'd I only think of myself? What gave me the right to choose their fate?

They would be back again, I had to make it count.

A single virtue left me shirking from what initially gave me such comfort, honesty. I knew my answer, but no nobility would be granted by it. The cold feeling bit as it did before, but it had grown inside. At least before I could've repelled it, a warm heart bold in its limited aspirations. Today, this shield had been breached. This cold couldn't be ignored, but I had to delay it.

Only one job remained. My love was in enemy territory, she needed to be extracted. Whatever lurked in the place, facing it was a must. To even imagine the hands of another forcing her, it brought some heat back in there. Like a shivering urchin, I huddled around this fire, letting it inspire. There would be no surrender, no retreat...but this time, absolutely no mercy.

My ticket to the devil's hotel was coming in the mail, in a suit of blackened leather and well trained eyes. It arrived shortly past sunrise, with shoulders drooped, but passive in the face. He entered, my invitation swift as I shut ourselves away.

"How is Lis?" I asked, "is she safe?"

"Last I saw her," he shrugged, "yeah. Acherres' definitely content."

"I'm ready," I said, "tell me what you need."

"It'll be a minute," Kirito said, "ritual's slow."

I followed him closely, coveting what I had long awaited from volumes of knowledge untouched. Across wooden planks he stained with chalk and sediment, an ashen powder filling spiraling symbols. Its odorless waft turned yellow in air, a gas of unknown composition flooding corners.

"So one thing before we begin," Kirito said, glancing up as he drew, "the amount of silver I asked? It was a bit, inaccurate."

"Do I need more?" I asked.

"No, no, it's simple. I needed extra silver for a new weapon."

"Ah," I said with a nod, "that's fine, gotta get something out of it."

"It's no-," he said with a slight stammer, "nothing serious. Just wanted to make sure we're cool."

Something in his tone hinted faintly of vague sin, of a familiar breed that I had up until then had shunned as wholly apart from me. Dishonesty, that's what it smelled of. A rolling set of tools, sharper than a tiger's claws laid out beside this altar of soft stone and tainted wood.

"And this is where it gets uh, iffy." he said, "this, plus no pain blockers."

Those sharp edges grew in size the longer I stared. My mouth's cheeks burned, a metallic taste lingering on an otherwise famished tongue. What ghastly procedures awaited me in a world without anesthesia horrified me, knowing well how painful a simple poke could be. But if it meant saving her, then my feeble self could drown in it. Stepping forward, I presented.

"You sure?"

I nodded, proceeding to tie a worn leather belt, its tasteless constitution locked between teeth. It would only distract, perhaps it would leave me unconscious, but God was I afraid. His menu opened, a list emerging as he drew his first tool, a scalpel of bone and iron. At first it was easy to ignore, keeping my eyes focused on the contours of a earthy ceiling. Air would enter a widening gap, birthing fire at its opening, my breath softening with forced restraint. Parts of me were moved, pushed aside as gently as a narrow finger eased in.

"I'm not gonna lie," Kirito said with notable weakness, "this is messed up."

"Mm," I said, having no room in my jaw to articulate.

[Aethereal Nodes] of a dark purple coloration flowed forth as his hands drew metal, this burn worsening as more and more of me was set aside. None of it would be done in silence. Pulsations occurred, my arm shaking without tact as I cried out, biting a belt with cumulative strength.

"I'm sorry, man." Kirito stammered, "trying what I can!"

Writhing under his scalding touch, my teeth ached against leather, a 'tink' of metal exchanged with the creak of a bucket's handle. Without any further warning, a heated liquid crashed against my exposed elbow, its heat bursting my tissue to flames with a malicious hiss. My screams had to be audible throughout town, my diaphragm straining as my stomach churned.

All thoughts scrambled away, flocks of rabbits fleeing the jaws of an encroaching hound. All I could register was heat, its immolating touch leaving me wriggling like a diseased animal, thrashing and bashing, clawing at wood for even the slightest distraction. It was only with another, colder liquid's splash did I stop, by wills apart from my own.

"I don't like paralyzing people," Kirito said, "it's cheating. But it's the only way I can finish this."

A dog would've sounded like me for what seemed endless, my cries turning to yelps and howls as more was torn away. My elbows and knees were cut away, iron teeth chewing their way to bones, whose exterior throbbed with not so much a sharp pain, but a dull. It lingered, its impression deeper than skin. I spat and I cursed, my throat hoarse long before.

At some point, I couldn't take it anymore. I awoke without knowing I slept, a horrible shiver rattling me against powdered wood. Rolling my head across sides I found only this fine metal dust, like sand. My joints dragged with newfound weight as I tried reigning them in, a numbness I had never experienced prior remaining. My grim-clad surgeon sat by the table, staring into his menu with a vigor-less pause.

I tried sounding off, but only a grunt could escape as I attempted rising. A wholly unnatural indifference had taken hold of my body, I couldn't smell anything. If anything, my whole head left a submerged impression, every sound muffled and every motion dragging, as if I had adorn a soaked wool jacket. Kirito turned to me, looking genuinely concerned as he stepped over.

"Can you hear me, man?"

"Yes," I said, "but my head, got some...congestion thing going on."

He offered a hand, aiding me as I rocked to my feet. Every limb on me dragged, as if I had dipped into a tub of wet cement. Dusting me off a bit, he stepped back with a long face.

"Talk to me," Kirito said, "any topic at all."

"How do I activate this?" I asked, "you know what, no. Got any fruit juice?"

A sigh of relief left him, wasn't terribly sure why. He nodded, passing along a bottle with purple contents. I poured its contents, eager for what elating sense could relieve me. Down it went, without so much as a passing taste. Even water had a slight flavor to it, more than this. What I had consumed, was as empty as air.

"Well," I said with a shrug, "there goes my reason to keep this."

"Huh?"

"Can't taste a thing, or feel. Already bugging me."

"Oh," Kirito said with a steadily depressing look, "I'm sorry, I just...got horrible news."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I had a cousin trapped here, it's a long story. She's..."

I was revealed a friends list, a quaking finger pointing a name faded to gravestone shade, Leafa. My heart ran in terror, cramming itself in the gaps of my spine as I stood in place, staring at what would surely break out, if I wasn't careful.

"I don't know what to say," I said morosely, "do you...know why, or where?"

"No," Kirito said with a weakening tone, "I just found out. God, what am I gonna do?"

He turned away, rubbing his face harshly as he paced this lonely home, stepping over what surface he marred without care. Watching him, I could only stand in silent sympathy and horror. Not from what might happen, but what would happen should I tell him. I had a bloodied choice, to walk away from it all, leaving him without a clue how it happened. Or I could explain it all, and trust in his desire for peace to win over.

Honesty and pain, or dishonesty and comfort? What would be better for him, how could I know which was safer for his mind? Would it pull us apart, how would that result? If I walked away first, I'd have to live with knowing I lied to him...lied by omission. If I told, he'd know I was personally responsible for what hurt spawned in him.

My heel turned, repelled only by tightened muscle, and a cemented partner. If I was in his shoes, what would I want? Then it all flooded in, a fleeting clarity that parted cold lips.

"Do you want to know?"

My explanation was slow, lumbering and hesitant. Kirito's eyes, they hardened the longer I spoke, veins swelling as shoulders rose. I stepped away, raising a gentle hand as his dived for a hilt.

"I'm...sorry for your-"

"Shut up!"

This wasn't a simple shout, this was unhinged, uncontrolled by one's sense of self image. My arm lowered, but the hand remained cocked, his hand gripped a sword.

"You...you did this."

"I had no option," I said while slowly backing, "I will not entrust her life with strangers."

"How long have you even known her?! A couple months?!" Kirito's voice turned delirious as he pointed with his off hand, "that was my family!"

"I'm sorry," I said with a dry throat, "every...one of them was someone's family."

"So you knowingly gave them up?!"

Staring him in the eyes was so painful, as no judge in either world would dare disagree. Most hurtful of all, would come down to my answer, my only answer.

"Yes."

His face lowered, his breath shaking as metal was drawn, silent and slow from a rigid hip.

"I'm saving Lisbeth," I said before stepping towards the door.

"I don't...know how long you've spent, being this obsessed with her." he said before aiming a glowing blade, "but for everyone else's sake...I have to end this."

"Acherres threatens all of us," I said, "I'm trying to stop him, as are you."

"That didn't work! And like literally every goddamn time before, I have to fix it."

His sword rose, pointing like a spear towards my face.

"I can't see us winning, not with you."

"My ability doesn't require your faith."

A flick of my wrist brought all seven feet of bronze forward, its thin blade nearly reaching him without force. Bending clumsy knees, arms flexed in prep.

"You really think you'll win?" Kirito asked, "I solo'd a third of this game's levels. All you've done is get bots to serve you."

"That's a bit self loathing, isn't it?"

His eyes flared up, my question drawing him out.

"May I atleast message a friend before I die?" I asked, "I wouldn't want this to go unnoticed."

Kirito said nothing, glaring as I opened options.

[To Taiyama: We really need a restart between us, but right now I'm going to get Lis. If I fail, let her know I was a coward and should've said it]

[ERROR]

A/N: Thanks for reading my humble fiction, be sure to put a review down and let me know what you think!