Chapter 3: Red-Nosed Reindeer
Hey everyone! It's me, sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! Okay, I know, I've been AWOL for a while, but it's not my fault. Family issues and stuff like that kept popping up, so I've honestly had little time to work on fanfics. Anyways, enough with the talking for me. It's time for the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. I also do not own Blade. He belongs to my boyfriend Detroid434.
Link Start!
Today's May 9th, 2023. It's only been a few days since I turned 19, but Blade, Asuna, and I weren't resting anytime soon. We were fighting a monster on the 20th floor, in the Sunlit Forest.
"Blade! Switch!" I exclaimed as I dodged the monster's attacks like a pro gymnast
"I'm on it!" Blade exclaimed as he charged up a Sword Skill
When the Sword Skill finished charging, he let the skill fly into the monster's stomach, effectively turning it into digital crystals.
"Nice job." Said Asuna
"You can say that again. That's another win for our guild." I said while raising my hand for a high-five
Both Blade and Asuna raised their hands as well, effectively creating a three-way high five. After finding the safe zone in the dungeon, I pulled out the lunch Asuna and I packed earlier.
"So, how far do you think we can go?" asked Asuna
"As our guild, Moonlit Avengers or just as us in general?" I asked
"Both." Said Asuna
"Don't doubt yourself. Back when this was all a Beta Test, the one thing I couldn't stop thinking about when I was playing SAO was how far a simple sword could take you in this world. I never stopped believing that we would get back into the real world. I mean, we're almost halfway there. We're all going to make it out alive." Said Blade
I smiled as I put my head on his shoulder.
"That's a reason why I love you Blade." I said while smiling
"You two really love each other, don't you?" asked Asuna
"So much." Blade said as he gently put his head on top of mine, effectively making me blush
"How did you two meet?" asked Asuna
"Well, back in the real world, I wrote for this blog. It wasn't a job, per say, but I did spend quite a bit of time on it. One day, when I came back from school, I saw that Blade had messaged me via the private messaging system on the site. At the time, I was with my ex-boyfriend though, so when we first started talking, it wasn't anything big. Over time, I started thinking to myself 'there's more to him than meets the eye. I want to know him better' and after a while, I realized that I had fallen in love with Blade." I said
"But what about your ex?" asked Asuna
"He and I were drifting apart as is. I later found out that he was planning on breaking up with me to be with another girl." I said
"I'm glad you dumped him first then." Asuna said with her cheeks puffed
"Yeah, I suppose you could say that." I said
"Uh, Blade? Sakura? I was wondering, what separates us from the lead groups?" asked Asuna
"The lead groups know how to collect EXP and Col effectively and in large quantities, and because of that, they're not willing to share with the other players. They just want to be the ones to boast that they're the ones who defeated the final boss. We're stuck in a death game, and yet some people aren't taking it seriously." Said Blade
"Hey, we'll make it up there. Sure, we're a small guild now, but we'll make it through. I know it. Sure, we keep coming back to the lower floors to collect EXP and stuff, but eventually, we'll make it up there. We'll get out of this place alive. I guess in a sense, we just need to spread our wings and fly." I said while looking up at the sky
That evening, Blade's P.O.V.
Asuna and Sakura were asleep at the moment, so I snuck out to the 22nd floor to meet up with Kirito. I sent him a message earlier, asking if it was okay for us to talk. I was waiting by the teleport gate when it started to glow, and he appeared.
"Thanks for coming Kirito." I said
"So, why did you send me that message? Is this about the times we spent partying up during the Beta Test?" asked Kirito
"Yeah. I know that you're a solo player, but answer me this. Why be a solo player when you could instead be in a party all the time? We used to have each other's backs in the beta, but now… it's like I don't even know the Kirito I worked with in the beta." I said
I must've touched a nerve because Kirito's bangs were shading his eyes, as if he were upset. Maybe I should just stop talking then.
"Kirito… there's just something I need you to know. In the real world… my mom has a boyfriend, and when he kept coming over… it just felt like I was drifting away from them since I didn't like doing what they wanted to do. That's why I got into online gaming, so in a sense, I know what you were going through when you found out that you weren't your sister's brother, but instead, you were her cousin." I said
"Thanks. It's just… there are some players who would just call any random Beta Tester a 'beater' out there. The reason I coined the term, thanks to the first floor boss fight, was because I didn't want any other people like you to be indiscriminately branded like that." Said Kirito
"Oh… Kirito, the reason I'm in SAO now… it's because of a game I used to play before now. It's a game called Warframe. It's similar to SAO, with there being no magic, but just skills that your in-game avatar has, and the majority of the game supports gun usage. When I heard about SAO needing Beta Testers, I signed up right away. Kirito, just remember, if you ever need someone to team up with, you have me, like old times in the Beta. I got your back if you got mine." I said while holding out my right hand
Kirito just looked at me with a shocked look on his face before he said:
"You got it." While accepting my handshake
"So don't think you're alone, because you're not." I said while smiling
Kirito smiled as well before I got a message from Asuna. Oh man, she must be wondering where I am along with Sakura.
"Guess our guilds will be worried about us." I said while scratching the back of my head
"Yeah. Keep in touch, okay?" asked Kirito
"Okay!" I exclaimed
Kirito walked through the teleport gate while I opened the message. Asuna told me that Sakura's gone missing from the Inn, and that she's worried that she's in the dungeon. I hurried back to the floor we were staying at and activated the tracking skill to find her. She's still somewhere nearby! I ran to find her, only to see her on one of the bridges in town looking over her reflection.
"Babe?" I asked
She looked surprised then turned to see me.
"You startled me. Sorry." Said Sakura
"It's fine, but what are you doing out here? Asuna's worried about you." I said
"Couldn't sleep to be honest. It's just… right now in the real world… I wonder how my family's doing. My mom's probably worried out of her mind for my well-being. My dad and his side of the family probably don't know that I'm inside a video game. My mom's side probably does. Sorry, I'm just blabbing, aren't I?" asked Sakura
"Actually, I know what you mean." I said as I walked next to her
"Blade…" Sakura started to say
"Yeah?" I asked
"It's just… I'm afraid to die. If this were any old RPG, I could just be a mage or an archer because I'm more of a far-range person. I just hate this feeling of being useless. I thought if I chose a role that was the opposite of who I am, I could face anything, but inside, I'm still afraid. In Warframe, you were always the one to save me when my Mag was dying, but this isn't Warframe, it's real. If I die here, what do I leave behind? A family in mourning, and a boyfriend with a broken heart. That's why… that's why I'm afraid." Sakura said while she began crying
I quickly pulled Sakura into a hug, and judging by her stiffness, she was caught off guard when I did that.
"You don't have to be afraid my sweet angel. We'll go back to reality someday. We'll find a way for your mom's side of the family to accept me. You need to be strong. I don't want to lose you." I said as I felt my tears begin to spill over
I was now the one caught off guard when Sakura returned my hug, and leaned upwards to reach my lips.
"Okay, you win. I'll always trust your word my heart. I love you." Sakura said while smiling
"Love you too. Forever, and ever. It's pretty late too. Do you want to get some sleep at the inn?" I asked
"Yeah. That'll be great." Said Sakura
We both walked back to the inn, where I spent the next half hour or so looking through my inventory because I couldn't get to sleep when I heard a knock on my door.
"It's open." I called out
The opened to see Sakura holding her pillow from her room.
"Sorry. I couldn't sleep." Sakura admitted while blushing cherry pink
I smiled as I turned off the lights in the room as I helped Sakura make some room in my bed. I blushed as I saw her sleeping face when she finally fell asleep. She really looked cute when she was asleep. Babe… I promise I'll protect you, so we can make it back to the real world. Someday.
June 12, 2023…
"We've almost made enough money for a Guild HQ guys!" I exclaimed while smiling
"In that case, why don't we try the dungeon to make some more?" asked Asuna
"That's a good idea, but I'd want to be the one to play it safe. Once we make enough, we're outta there. The last thing I want is a monster to sneak up behind me." Said Sakura
I nodded my head in agreement as we headed for the dungeon. Even though we were only about halfway into the dungeon, we needed to make just a little more.
"So, how far are we into the dungeon?" asked Asuna
"Based on the mapping data we made so far, we've mapped out about 75 percent of the dungeon, and we still haven't found the boss room. I'll take that as a good thing for now." Said Sakura
"You bet. If we found the boss room, it would've gotten messy really quick." I said
That got the girls to laugh at what I said before Asuna just paused mid-laugh.
"Say, isn't that Kirito?" asked Asuna
"Huh?" I wondered
He appeared to be with his guild when they went into a hidden door. Oh no! Those kinds of doors usually have traps!
"Kirito! Stop!" I exclaimed
Before I could stop them, a door closed in front of me.
"A trap room!" exclaimed Sakura
"Can we get them out?" asked Asuna
"We'll have to try!" Sakura exclaimed as she accessed her skills menu
"How high is your picking skill?" I asked
"Hopefully high enough to get this stupid door unlocked." Sakura said as she began picking the lock
We watched with anticipation as Sakura picked the lock, but… suddenly the door opened itself, and Kirito was the only one standing. He was breathing heavily while holding his sword in his hand while I could visibly see the tears running down his face. He just started walking past us out of the hidden room. I held him by his shoulder before whispering into his ear, saying:
"Kirito, remember what I said to you the other day about if you wanted to team up with someone. You have me. You're not alone."
"Please leave me alone." Kirito said while shaking me away before walking out of the dungeon
I just watched as he started walking away and out of the dungeon. Before the others could stop me, I grabbed a teleport crystal and whispered my destination. I just sat alone in the inn that we had booked for the last few days when I heard a knock on my door and Sakura entered the room.
"Please… leave me alone…" I said while assuming the fetal position
"Is it wrong to worry about my boyfriend?" Sakura asked me as she sat next to me
"I thought I got through to Kirito…" I said in a sad tone
I then saw my message screen popping up, seeing that I had received a message. It's from… Kirito. I quickly opened it and read his message. It read: I'm sorry that I blew you off like that. The guild I joined just died everyone except for me. I'm still considering your offer Blade. For now, I just need some time to myself. I sent him a message back saying: Okay. If you need someone to talk to, you still have me.
December 24, 2023…
I just got out of Lindas with my girlfriend's Christmas gift. We were all going to meet up in Myugen when I got a message from Kirito. It told me about an event boss that was appearing under a fir tree and he wanted me to check it out with him. Sounds like a plan to me. I went to Myugen and found Kirito waiting outside one of the inns in the town.
"Kirito." I said
"You made it." Said Kirito
"So, what's this about? You've been soloing since I last saw you, at least, that's the rumor I've been hearing." I said
"Yeah. In this world, the dead don't come back to life. I also know that you care for Sakura more than anything in the world. There's a rumor that Nicolas the Renegade, the event boss, drops a revival item." Said Kirito
"You're trying to bring back one of your guild members, aren't you? Sachi was it?" I asked
Kirito looked shocked as I tossed him what looked like a necklace.
"In the beta, there was this skill I had that was based off Warframe's revival slot should one of your teammates fall in battle. I tried using it on her… but the new death game rules made it impossible for me to do so. The best I could do was a few strands of her hair. I'm sorry I couldn't bring her back." I said
"Once we get the revival item, her soul will return." Kirito said before walking towards the teleport gate
Kirito led me to the 35th floor, where we saw the forest maze. We both made a break for it towards the only fir tree in the forest when Kirito suddenly stopped in his tracks as another guild showed up.
"Yo." The guild leader said
"You followed us?" asked Kirito
"Yeah. You're after the revival item?" the guild leader asked
"Yeah." Said Kirito
"Don't risk your life on a stupid rumor. If you die in the game, you die for real. The moment our HP drops to zero, our brains…" the guy started before Kirito said:
"Shut up."
"Fighting solo is crazy. Cut it out! Join us Kirito… whoever gets the revival item drop keeps it, without hard feelings either way. That's fair, right?" asked the guild leader
"Then there'd be no point. We have to do it ourselves." Kirito said as he began to draw his sword
The other guild looked ready for a fight when the leader held out his hand, as if he was saying 'don't'.
"I can't let you die here. Kirito!" exclaimed the guild leader
Kirito drew his sword, and my detection skill sensed someone else heading into the area. When I first saw the player, all I saw was a flash of pink and blue. When the player finally stopped in her tracks, I was shocked. It was Sakura!
"Babe! What are you doing here? This is personal business that I have to do with Kirito. Please, trust me." I said in a pleading tone
"Is it wrong to worry about you? I saw you leaving town earlier with Kirito. I slowly followed behind you two to see where you were going." Said Sakura
Teleportation lights surrounded us, and it was the Holy Dragon Alliance! What are they doing here?!
"You were followed too, Klein." Said Kirito
"Looks that way." Klein said as he held onto his weapon
"The Holy Dragon Alliance?!" one of Klein's guild members exclaimed
"They'll do anything for a rare item. Believe me, I nearly got knocked down a few pegs in my last duel against one of these guys." Said Sakura
"What do we do?" another one of Klein's guild members asked
"I…" started Kirito
"Damn it. Go you two!" exclaimed Klein
"Klein…" started Kirito
"Go! We'll hold them off!" exclaimed Klein
"Blade, I'm coming with you." Sakura said
"No. Please, just trust me on this one. Kirito and I will have each other's backs. Help Klein's guild." I said in a pleading tone
It wasn't that I didn't trust her level and skills, but it was that we didn't know the boss' strategy and battle algorithm. If she got killed while we were fighting… I could never forgive myself. I was surprised when she kissed me on the lips before she said:
"You win."
I smiled as I kissed her back on the lips before saying:
"I'll come back in one piece. I promise." I said before Kirito and I raced for the fir tree
When Kirito and I finally made it to the fir tree, we heard what sounded like sleigh bells in the air before the event boss dropped in front of us. It was called 'Nicholas the Renegade' and it had four bars of health.
"Shut up." Kirito said as we both drew our swords
We both fought with tooth and nail against the boss, and it was worth it. We both got the revival item that Nicholas was supposed to drop. Kirito opened his inventory and was about to use it, until he read the item description, causing his face to fall.
"She won't come back after all…" Kirito said with his bangs hiding his eyes
I quickly put my hand on his shoulder, causing him to look shocked.
"You were hoping that this would bring her back, weren't you?" I asked
"Yeah." Kirito said with the same sad look on his face
"Remember the hair I gave you earlier? At least you have that. I'm sorry that I couldn't bring her back Kirito, but you have me, Asuna, and Sakura. We're your friends after all." I said
"Thanks Blade. You should hold onto this." Kirito said while handing me the revival item
"I already got the item in my inventory. I guess the boss gives it out for everyone who fought against it." I said
"I insist. I know how much you care about Sakura and how much you don't want to lose her. I bet she feels the same way. Consider it a Christmas present from me to you." Said Kirito
"Thanks. If you want, we could party up together from time to time. How does three days a week sound? That is, if you're up for it?" I asked
"It's a deal." Kirito said before he and I fist-bumped
Sakura's P.O.V.
Klein's guild and I were catching our breath. Man, who knew that fending off a top guild was so hard?! Just then, I heard the portal for the fir tree activating, and I saw Blade! But… where's Kirito?
"Blade!" I exclaimed as I ran up to him and hugged him
"Told you that I would return in one piece." Said Blade
"Yes, yes you did." I said while smiling
"Klein, coming here was a big waste of time." Said Blade
"Huh?" asked Klein
"The item revives the target player within 10 seconds of death." Said Blade
"What?! Within ten seconds?! Then… Kirito…" started Klein
"He used a teleport crystal to go back to Myugen. He's alive." Blade said before he began walking
"Hey! Wait for me!" I exclaimed as I ran after him
We both headed back for our guild headquarters, which doubled as a house, since we were a small guild at the moment. I was sitting on my bed in my room, looking over the gifts I got for our anniversary-slash-Christmas. I can remember the look on Lizbeth's face when I brought the metals and the item request I had for her. Still… will he like it? Not only that, but this limited-edition item as well? I can only hope that he will. I heard a knock on my door, and I quickly put the items away in my inventory.
"It's open." I said
The door opened to reveal my boyfriend.
"Blade." I said
"It's midnight right now." Said Blade
"Is it? I didn't even notice." I said as he sat next to me
"What were you thinking about?" asked Blade
"Who said that I was thinking about anything?" I asked
"I figured. I love you." Blade said as he held my hand
"Love you too." I said while smiling
"I got something for you for Christmas." Said Blade
"I did too, well… two things actually." I said
"Yours first." Said Blade
"Close your eyes first. I didn't have time to wrap them." I said
Blade closed his eyes as I opened my inventory and not only pulled out the sword, but the limited edition necklace. I put the necklace around his neck while I put the sword in his hands. He promptly opened his eyes and saw both of the items.
"The item you're wearing right now is called 'Star of Christmas' and the sword is called 'Starry Night'. I'm kinda broke since the necklace was pretty expensive, but well, it was worth it." I said
"Isn't this the special edition item that restores some of you and your party's health in battle?" asked Blade
"Yep." I said
"Nice. I got three things for you, but I want you to see this one first. Close your eyes." Said Blade
I promptly closed my eyes as I soon felt a new sword being placed in my hands. When I opened my eyes, I saw that it was a brand new rapier!
"I had a friend make that rapier for me. I hope you like it." Said Blade
"Blade, I don't like it. I love it!" I exclaimed while smiling
"I knew you would. Happy anniversary my sweet angel." Said Blade
"Happy anniversary my heart, and Merry Christmas." I said before kissing him on the lips
"Merry Christmas as well." Blade said as he kissed me back on the lips while blushing
That got me blushing as well. I have a feeling that next year, everything's gonna change.
What will happen to Blade's guild and how does Blade know Kirito from the Beta Version of SAO? That's for us to know and for you to find out.
Blade: I'm Blade
Sakura: And I'm Sakura
Both: Logging out for now! Kan dao ni!