As the floating castle, Aincrad, slowly floats down, the inhabitants were excited to see their families back. All the people present varied from different timelines. As they excitedly wait, non of them noticed the disparity of how some of them won't be able to see their families again. As many of them came from many years ago, and it made one wonder what is their current time. Is it in the future? Is it in the past? Is it present? No one knows this, in fact no one even noticed this fact, all but one noticed this.
A boy about 16 years of age was standing in front of what seems to be a grave. He has black hair with a pair of black eyes. His attire is also based on the color black covered by a black overcoat. He has two swords sheathed on his back, one is black while the other is greenish-blue.
He stands there mourning for the death. He has already put a lot of offerings on it. The boy is named Kazuto, Kirigaya Kazuto. He was a normal Japanese junior high schooler before he was transferred to this world. After many years of fighting, he's now ine of the strongest swordsman in Aincrad. In fact, he is non other than the hero who defeated the lord of the floating castle, Aincrad itself. Although the people called him a hero, he's still nothing more than a mercenary, at least that's what he thought. The hero soon walks away, in hopes he would find a better future, though he already knows that hope will not come.
—XXXXX—
Most people are waiting at the exit in hope to see their families quickly. As Aincrad descended, all the people present despaired at witnessing their home. The scene around them was not how they remembered it. Their clear blue skies are gone, the lush green lands are gone, unknown entities roams the wasteland. It's a scene straight out of a post-apocalyptic world. Everyone despaired at this unreasonableness, but one individual is unfazed at this.
Kazuto walks away from the entrance of Aincrad. He enters the now new world as if he already accepted such outcome. As he walks in the wasteland, all the mutant entities in the surroundings tried attacking him. However, Kazuto simply summons a big sword as he swings it around annihilating the approaching enemies in one swing. As a reward for defeating Aincrad, he was given eternal youth, as well as a very powerful sword. Although the sword is powerful, it consumes a lot of energy and thus aren't meant for repeated use.
After he killed most of the threat in the wasteland, he puts away the sword and cautiously walks into the distance, leaving everyone else behind. Although the place is still dangerous, it's nothing he can't handle with his skill. While Kazuto decided to venture out into the world, only few from the inhabitants of Aincrad are brave enough to do so. Since all the monsters in Aincrad, except for the non-active ones, have disappeared following the fall of Aincrad, the people is not brave enough to move into another land filled with unknown threats.
—XXXXX—
Elsewhere.
As the day of the convergence slowly approaches, all nine realms, except for Midgard, have prepared themselves. Although non of their inhabitants wishes for war, it's not like war is impossible. That's why it is better to be prepared for a possible outcome than to be unprepared.
In one particular realm, named Alfheim, a Spriggan mercenary is currently at the foot of the world tree, Yggdrasil, located in the center of Alfheim. The Spriggan has black spiky hair with a black pair of eyes, just like all Spriggans are. He is wearing an outfit based on the color black, which emphasizes stealth. He also has long pair of ears, evident that he is a fairy. He wields a black great sword, sheathed on his back.
The Spriggan's name is Kirito. Just like most Spriggan, he is a mercenary. Spriggan is a race of fairies that inhabits Alfheim. Their race is specialized in stealth, tracking, and illusions. They are known to be great at treasure hunting. Though since there's not a lot ruins that has been discovered that haven't been looted yet, most Spriggans find money by the act of mercenary. This is the same for Kirito. After he finished pillaging the ruin that he recently discovered, he has nothing else to do. As he was contemplating whether he would take a quest from a client or not, he's reminded that in a few days, the third convergence is taking place. And that's why he is currently at the foot of the world tree, a place where the convergence is largely influenced.
Kirito decided to be the first to made contact with other worlds. Though, many others have apparently thought of the same thing, as the town at the foot of Yggdrasil is very crowded. Kirito already booked a lodging here, and all he has to do is wait. As he idled in his room, he dreamed of having an encounter with otherworlders.
—XXXXX—
Back at Midgard, aka Earth.
After experiencing nuclear war, the earth's topography changed. Not only that, but other things as well such as; mutated organisms, malfunctioning robotics, as well as environmental pollution. These factors caused danger to the population of humankind. And so, they decided to flee by the planet using advanced technology.
After 500 years, most of them return in hopes to see that their ones beloved home is back to normal. However, the only thing that changed is the fact that most harmful radiations were already gone, and so are still habitable.
After 100 years, the planet's civilization is slowly building back up. They planted floras in specialized facilities to prevent any pollution. Any animals that are still edible is also being kept in specialized facilities, albeit a bit expensive. Waters are slowly being processed. And through advanced technology, synthetic foods are available for people who doesn't have a lot of money. Although this is still not enough to change the earth back, due to the dangers spread around the globe. This is still somewhat manageable with high weaponry.
And in this god forsaken world, lived a girl named K1M70. Her name is more like a serial number instead, considering she's an artificial life form. She has long black hair with a pair of black colored eyes.
K1M70 is an experimental subject for the birth of artificial humans, due to the fact that the human population is about 45% of it ones was. However, she's the only one who succeeds after 2,070 results, while the rest dies in failure. The scientists were thrilled and assigned K1M70 to combat practice. Forgetting their original purpose to repopulate mankind, the scientists thought of turning her into a living weapon. Her treatments became worse and worse. The more time passed, the stronger K1M70 becomes. And eventually, she became stronger than the scientists could predict. And just like karma, K1M70 retaliated and annihilated the project and killed everyone involved.
Years after that, K1M70 noticed a few things. One, she had no lifespan which means, she won't age. Two, in order to survive, she must fight. And three, money is needed for any necessities. And so, she decided to live her life as a mercenary.
—XXXXX—
As each individuals proceed with their life, the day of the convergence is getting closer and closer.