RWBY: The Inter-War

by bankerrtx01

Sequel to Of Guts and Blood: Team RWBY Lost, the Gods have been corrupted leaving Remnant and the Multiverse on the brink of collapse, but that also leads an opening, now Team RWBY must chase after the Godhand and hopefully piece the universe back together before it's too late… (GutsXRubyXCasca) multiXover

10. Special Chapter 1: Death game End

Rwby: The Inter-War: Chapter 10: Special Chapter: Death game End!

Alt title : the forgotten year .

Hello and welcome to the next chapter of The Inter-War and the final chapter of the SAO arc (before Epilogue) After this will be different series so if you didn't like SAO please hang on it will get better. For now enjoy this special for the ones here.

Trigger warning Berserk this should not surprise you.

Key

Grimm-Apostle talk

Angry talk

Ozpin talk

{"Text Chat/ phone call"}

:System Notifications/Skills:

[Black Ink]

(Locations)

flashback/ memory/ dreamscape

"Skull knight talk"

Chapter start:

(November 7th, 2024, Floor 55 Grandzam)

Kirito and Asuna stood before Commander Heathcliff as he briefed them on what he knew

Kirito wore his best gear which consisted of black pants with a black belt that had a large silver buckle, a black V-necked shirt that was worn underneath a black trench-coat with gray lining going down the sleeves, and black boots with silver plates to protect his shins. He had a silver plate worn on the left side of his coat, and a pair of black fingerless gloves. He wore a strap that went over his right shoulder and under it to wrap around his left side.

Asuna wore her Knights uniform. Which consisted of a Red skirt. And a white jacket/dress hybrid which linked around her neck as a collar, it had no sleeves so she wore long gloves that went up past her elbow but not to her shoulder which were bare.

Her uniform also had a belt which she hung her Rapier off of.

"The recon team was wiped out?" Kirito asked stunned

Heathcliff nodded "We sent in a twenty-member party, taken from five different guilds, to prepare for the boss fight. However, when the first ten reached

the center of the room, and the boss appeared,

the entrance closed."

Asuna gasped

Kirito shuddered "An anti-crystal area."

Heathcliff nodded "And when it opened five minutes later, nothing remained in the room. Neither the ten… Nor the boss."

Kirito gasped "That's crazy…"

Heathcliff looked up determined "But we cannot give up on clearing the game. We'll have to attack with the largest group we can."

Kirito nodded "We'll help. However, I stress this, Asuna's safety is my highest priority. If things get bad, I will protect her over the rest of the party."

Heathcliff smiled "A person is very strong when he

seeks to protect something. I'll expect a good fight."

Later Kirito and Asuna stayed in the room alone Kirito leined against the window while Asuna was pacing.

"Three hours left, huh? What should we do?" She sighed and streached before looking at Kirito and noticed he was stressed only looking down at his feet in deep thought.

Asuna tilted her head "What's wrong?"

Kirito sighed knowing this wouldn't go over well but he had to ask he'd be too stressed if he didn't…and hate himself if something happened because of his inaction "Don't get mad when I say this. But today, would you stay here rather than go to the boss fight?"

Asuna went ridgid her tone dropping all cheer once present the conversation sat on a knifes edge, "Why would you ask that?"

Kirito sighed "We can't know what will happen when we can't use teleport crystals…I'm scared. If anything happened to you…"

Asuna stomped forward and shoved a finger in his face "So you want to go yourself, while I wait here, where it's safe? If you went and didn't come back do you know what I'd do?" She asked

Kirito didn't make eye contact…

"I would kill myself!" Asuna said making Kirito gasp at the length she would go.

Asuna turned around not wanting to face him "I'd have no reason to live anymore. And I wouldn't forgive myself for not going."

Kirito sighed it was stupid to ask that she was just in the same situation as he was, he relaxed his shoulders "I'm sorry...I'm panicking. Honestly, I'd rather run away with you. We don't have to return to the real world. We can just live in the house in the forest!" He said, sighing, thinking about an idyllic dream that he also knew was impossible.

Unfortunately Asuna stormed in on that parade "It'd be nice if we could… We could be together every day, forever."

Asuna sighed "Kirito I know we talked about it before but have youand I mean really, ever considered what's happening to our real bodies? When several weeks had passed, after the game began, there was a point when most players went offline for several hours, right?At that point, all the players were probably moved to hospitals. If our bodies are just barely being kept alive on hospital beds, I can't imagine that will work for too long."

Kirito sighed knowing that he said the same thing before it just hurt to admit it "Yeah I do in other words, whether we clear the game or not, there's a time limit before our bodies are unusable."

Asuna nodded, running to him and embracing him "I…I want to stay with you forever...I want us to date for real. To really get married...To get old together!"

Kirito snapped his eyes open and made eye contact with her for the first time in this conversation.

Asuna stuttered trying to find the words "So...So…"

Kirito cut her off with a kiss as he pulled away "For the moment, we have to fight, right?"

Asuna nodded "it seems so…"

Kirito hugged her

"Well I refuse to go in without the best of help with us." Kirito said

Asuna looked at him stunned "w-what do you mean Heathcliff has mobilized all of the Front liners for this assault there's no one else to call in…"

Kirito smiled

"Oh but there is…and only two people can get in contact with them…and we will need them more than ever."

Asuna gasped

"You mean?"

Kirito nodded "if ever they would be willing to make an appearance it would be for this… contact Ruby tell her the location we are going to be meeting at and stress the point of the urgency of how much we need her."

Asuna nodded "I'll be right back, make sure they don't leave without us." Asuna said, sprinting out of the room.

Kirito looked out the window as he pulled himself up and went to wait at the meeting point for the raid.

(2 hours later)

Asuna had a hard time getting into contact with Weiss but she was fortunate to be able to talk to her

Weiss was by a tree running drills with Mystnaster. As Asuna was running towards her at full sprint

"GALE!" Asuna screamed urgently.

Weiss turned around to see Asuna out of breath.

"Asuna what's happened?" She asked

"It's bad…very bad-we need.." Asuna panted try to catch her breath

"Hold on Woah explain the situation." Weiss said

Asuna sighed

"We've just got word from Heathcliff about the floor boss raid…however it's in an Anti-Crystal zone and we have no information about what the boss is." She said

Weiss nodded "I understand. I'll get the message to those who need to know…don't worry we will be there." She said

Asuna nodded greatful

"When's th raid?" Weiss asked

Asuna looked at the time "it's in. Yurinia on the 75th floor in… 30 minutes!" Asuna gasped not expecting the time to get away from her so fast.

Weiss hissed "ok there's no time you need to Run ahead and delay the raid for as long as possible. Go now!" Weiss said

Asuna nodded and used a teleport crystal and vanished

Weiss snapped a hand to ear "Gale to Team RWBY! It's time girls." She said

On the other end Ruby's voice called back {"do we have a location?"}

"75th floor… Yurinia in about 10 minutes."

{"Cutting it rather close Gale."} Yang said

{"Cut the chatter, Dragon! We move out! Mobilize all those not already mobilized to the front.} Ruby said

"Understood Reaper Gale out." Weiss said as she hung up

Weiss looked up at the sky and sighed.

(Floor 75: Yurinia Teleport Gate Plaza)

In the middle of the plaza leaning against the teleport gate was Kirito arms crossed he hadn't gotten any word from Asuna and he had a feeling the raid wouldn't be a success without the help of the Huntresses.

"Hey!" A voice said before him.

Kirito looked up to see Agil and Klein smiling decked out in battle gear

Kirito popped off the gate stunned "What? You guys are coming, too?" He asked embracing both of them in a hug

Agil pulled away and leined in "You should be happy to see me. I shut my shop down to come and help. You don't even understand my selfless desire to help?"

Kirito smiled smugly "Then, we'll remove you from item drop list." He said

Agil sweat dropped "I wouldn't take it that far."

Klein and Kirito laughed

Klein turned to Kirito "how are you feeling?" He asked seriously.

Kirito looked down "stressed…I mean I know we're strong but still…" he said

Klein grabbed his shoulder "we'll make it through." He said as he looked around

"Where's Asuna?" He asked

Suddenly the teleport gate activated and Asuna arrived alone

Kirito gulped ready for the worst news that the help he requested would not show.

Asuna just walked up to him and said "have faith…"

Kirito screwed his eyes shut, tears slipping past anyways 'easier said when you're not looking out for most of the party…'

Asuna walked forward and greeted Klein and Agil

"Hey Asuna how's it going?" Agil asked

Asuna shrugged "been better been worse… how's our numbers looking?" She asked

Agil looked around

"I count 50 heavy Knight members… at least 2 groups of 50 Heavy tanks from DDA. A third elite party with both Schmitt and Lund," Agil said

Klein stepped forward "my guild and Moonlit black cats are here too plus 40 people who don't count as lancers or tanks that's at least 200 of the top clearers.

Kirito slumped "it won't be enough…" he muttered

Agil and Klein looked at Kirito stunned

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing…" Kirito said as his head snapped up hearing the clanking of heavy armor, he looked up to see Heathcliff walking towards them with another Contingent of 7 of the knights Council.

Heathcliff turned around to address the group

"Is everyone ready? This is the largest raid group ever assembled…I'm proud that I can stand here and say that I've fought besides you. If there are no objections we shall bring the raid." He said as he raised the large teleport crystal above his head above to activate the portal.

"Wait!" A voice called

Heathcliff spun around shocked as everyone else did to see Asuna was the one who called it out

"Sub-Commander." Heathcliff said tersely

"C-commander, not everyone is here yet… Can we wait for five more minutes?" She asked

Heathcliff took steady breaths as he closed his eyes

One of the councilors whispered into his ear.

"Sir. We have 150 heavy tanks and shielders. I don't know what she plans to bring to the table but I doubt it will make a difference-."

However Heathcliff turned to cut him off

"I trust her judgment with my life we will wait five more minutes…" he said

Asuna sighed in relief

"However once that is up there will be no more waiting…"

Asuna nodded as she stood by Kirito now herself getting equally stressed out.

Only Klein and Agil noticed it.

With the commander he was very tense. He had a feeling he knew what the sub-commander was waiting for but hopefully he'd be able to get the raid group in before then so they wouldn't interfere…

Kirito and Asuna waited keeping an ear out for the last members to arrive while they also listened to the chatter of the rest of the clearers.

"Why are we still here?" A knight asked

"Who are we waiting for?" Someone from the DDA said

"Whatever it is, it better be worth it…" Keita said leaning against a wall.

Heathcliff sighed looking at the time 1 minute to go and they haven't shown up, he may have actually gotten away with it.

Suddenly a heavy thump made Heathcliff look up from his disguised Inventory

"What was that?" One of the elite members of the knights asked

While heathcliff looked around he heard chatter of the players grow louder

"What are they doing here?"

"Oh shit, what the hell are we facing?"

"Oh this must be bad, if they're here."

Heathcliff tensed as he looked over

And sure enough 5 figures were walking towards them

It was the Huntress's

In front was the Huntress wearing their signature Red hooded cloak.

The rest of the Clearers recognized their Patrons

They were here.

Heathcliff was about to draw his sword and rally the Raid group to attack them but another voice beat him to it.

"RUBY!"

Everyone looked over and they saw Kirito run over to the Red Hooded cloak and hug it

Ruby embraced Kirito and smiled at him

"Told you we'd be here." She said

Kirito smiled relieved they kept their word.

"Yeah you did."

After Kirito stepped away the rest of the players went to talk to their respective Patrons.

The only ones not were Heathcliff and the council

They were just glaring at Asuna who was blatantly ignoring them. And begun talking to Gale.

Heathcliff had to admit though that the idea of fighting with the huntress's had definitely boosted moral

Heathcliff seeing no choice had to go along with them now as he raised the crystal to the portal gate "Corridor open!" He commanded as a large portal shimmered into existence

Heathcliff turned around "Now, let's go." He said as he walked into the portal

They appered Infront of the boss door without encountering a single enemy.

Asuna looked around on edge "I don't like this place…" she said

Kirito nodded "Yeah."

He looked to Ruby and found that she was working the action of her scythe. As was the others

The only one not doing so was Guts who had his weapon strapped to his back still.

Heathcliff turned to face the assembled army "Are you ready?" He said getting the group's attention.

Heathcliff spoke out the formation "The Knights of the Blood Oath will take the majority of damage on the front line. While we do, I'd like the rest to discern its attack patterns, and prepare to change tactics as necessary. It will be a difficult battle, but I have faith that we can prevail. For our day of liberation!" He said

The knights cheered

Kirito didn't seem impressed by the speech as Asuna put a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be okay. I'll protect you. So you protect me, okay?"

Kirito sighed "Yeah, I will." He said he looked to Klein "Don't die." He said

Klein scoffed "Same to you!"

Agil gruffed and hefted his axe "I'm gonna make a fortune off today's drops. I have no intention of dying."

Heathcliff opened the door to a still room "Attack!" He yelled as he charged in the others following

Behind them Team RWBY and Guts stood still

"What's the plan Ruby?" Yang asked

"Protect the Party…and keep an eye on Heathcliff… if you catch any wiff of Godhand prepare to engage." Ruby said

The others nodded as they rushed in the last ones in before the doors shut.

Everyone looked around the dark room

"Nothing's happening…" one of the DDA heavy tanks said

"Keep your head up it could be anywhere!" Yang snapped

The DDA went ridged and followed orders this was the first time they were fighting alongside there patron and wanted to show that they had what it took.

Kirito was on edge usually the boss would've spawned by now. But it was silent besides a faint clicking that echoed around the room.

However something pulled his attention it was how uncomfortable Heathcliff was as he could see his shield was trembling

"The boss should've spawned by now…" Kirito caught him muttering…

Wait no that can't be right…

Suddenly Kirito realized the clicking was the boss. And looked up

"Oh shit…" he said as he saw the high ceiling.

Asuna followed his eyes and gasped

Asuna called out "Above us!" the boss Screeched as he flexed his body. Everyone stood frozen in horror

It was an amalgamation of Bones looking like a mix of a Snake and a scorpion fused together.

The clearers were stunned as it's health bars revealed in

Klein was stunned "The Skull...Reaper?" Kirito finished

Heathcliff snapped into action shouting out "Don't stay together! Stay away from it!" He yelled

The boss let go of the ceiling and started to fall towards the raid group

" its about to land everyone Scatter!" Ruby said as she jumped back as the others followed

Unfortunately two unlucky players seized up as the boss landed In Front of them.

Kirito saw them and called out to them, waving them down "This way! Run!"

As the players ran for it the monster roared causing the two to stumble as the floor Area lit up in red showing the players the way the boss will attack.

Unfortunately the players were in the attack range.

And a few seconds later they were hit sending them flying

Asuna and Kirito stood ready to catch them

Only to shatter before they could be caught.

Ruby grimaced clearly they were needed in this fight after all.

Klein was stunned "W-With one hit?"

Agil gasped "That's insane...We can't even get close to it!"

The boss roared and found other players it could attack as it lunged at them

Kirito called out a warning "Get back!"

The players tried to move but the attack range was too wide

Fortunately Ruby Appeared grabbing one of the then as the other's grabbed one each before evading the Bosses attack making the players a mix of the knights of the blood oath and DDA sigh in thanks.

Kirito grit his teeth "It's too strong…" he said as the skull reaper lunged again this time going after Kirito

Kirito gasped as he leveled his swords to block one of the scythes however from the corner he could see an the other going from a cut to him.

Kirito hitched a breath knowing he couldn't block the other and not get hit by the first

Fortunately he didn't need to as

Asuna stepped forward and parried the blade saving his life "If we block together, we can do this...We can do it!" She said invigorating the raid party

Kirito nodded as he address the rest of the raid "Okay...We'll deal with the scythes! Everyone else, attack from the sides!"

The boss roared and lunged again this time the team of Kirito and Asuna blocked one blade while Heathcliff blocked the other.

Agil seeing the iron defense nodded "Let's go!" He roared as he charged in. The sides

Klein and the others followed keeping away from the scythes and attacking the rib cage

"What do we do Ruby?" Yang asked

"We can either split up and help attack the sides or help protect Kirito and Asuna." Ruby said

"What about Hearhcliff?" Blake asked

Ruby just glaired at her as Blake remembered who they suspected.

"Right sorry." She said

Yang looked over "I'm going to help my guild." She said as she ran to the right side

"I'll do the same for me." Blake said as she ran to the left.

Weiss sighed "if you need me to I'll keep it distracted." Weiss said

"Not necessary Weiss I'll do that, just be prepared for a shield should we need it." Ruby said

Weiss nodded. As Ruby turned to Guts

"Guts stagger!" Ruby said before activating her semblance

Guts nodded as the boss Lunged

"EVERYBODY BRACE!" Guts roared as he swung dragonslayer at the Skull reapers head

The blade connected halting the massive boss cold as he collapsed stunned

One of the knights cheered "Okay! Let's go!" He said as he lead a group of five to attack the bosses sides

They got in there and started hacking and slashing

The beast roared and threw everyone back except those with a high enough strength stat leaving Asuna Kirito Heathcliff and the Huntress alone as the beast roared

Kirito grit his teeth!

"WE GOT TO GET BACK IN THERE!" One of the lancer's roared as he charged back in!

Agil called out on there stupidity as it was obvious the monster was reeling for another attack "Stay put!"

Unfortunately the idiot charged in alone and was hacked apart by the beast as everyone watched as yet another player died

Agil grit his teeth at the loss "Damn it!"

Asuna looked and noticed an opening "Kirito!"

Kirito nodded "Yeah. One last attack should do it!"

Unfortunately it appears the Boss wouldn't give it the chance as it attempted to run away. As it threw itself onto the wall and scurried up it to get away.

"Wait what is it running?!" Klein asked

"What the hell? how is that fair?!" A member of the DDA screamed

Heathcliff looked confused "the boss wasn't programmed to do that…" he said stunned

Kirito snapped a look over stunned at what he said it was as if he knew…but how could he…

Suddenly the cycling of a bolt was heard as everyone looked over to Ruby shouldering her scythe.

"Get ready team! Let's end this!"

(Play To Hell and Back by Sabaton)

Ruby took a deep breath and fired but not at the beast but at the wall.

The shot shuddered as everyone but the Huntresses held their ears, the wall cracked upon impact

The skull reaper lost its grip and fell screaming g at it crashed into the arena covering it with dirt and dust

Kirito couched as he looked around he saw nothing

Until he looked and saw a faint outline of Ruby standing proud

Suddenly the Skull reaper Lunged at the girl which was barely seen from the thick cloud but Ruby saw it and parried it perfectly before blasting off with great speed clearing the cloud in an instant.

Kirito was stunned as she saw 4 more blues fly after the red one.

Everyone stood shocked as they watched the Huntresses in action. Fully embracing how powerful they were.

The Boss landed on its back but that didn't stop Ruby from exploiting it as she appeared and ran a deep gash through its bones as it screamed and flipped over only to be met in the face By Yang who fired ember celica into its skull.

Sending it jolting upwards in a second from the whiplash.

Kirito gulped at how powerful these five were he even doubted he could do feats like they were

And then it hit him… if they hadn't been here they'd all be dead.

Kirito clenched his fist he and Asuna both…

He looked over to her and found her just as stunned

Kirito looked over as Weiss attacked

Using her glyphs as a jumping off point she disoriented the boss before landing In Front of it using her glyphs to bind the limbs and arms leaving it helpless

Guts and Ruby strode forward in sync as Blake jumped around the back and bound the tail with her ribbon.

Ruby and Guts cracked there necks and charged together.

They rushed at the sides cutting and cleaving every which way at the helpless boss. As it roared and thrashed but was unable to break free.

Weiss grit her teeth as she felt her connection loosen but she held on.

Ruby thought about all the death that occured

The ones she could've saved, the wronged ones…

Those who would miss them.

But for the rest the fact that death does wait pleases her. That she did something!

Ruby and Guts got to the End of the monster and jumped away as the beast lashed out again

As they jumped away Yang blitzed forward and slammed her fist into the skull physically cracking it.

As Yang used the recoil to land back away safely the others gasped as they saw the physical damage on it.

Kirito stood up looking down

He though of those he loss…those he Almost killed how he nearly died yet he was here.

Kirito sighed thinking harshly at least he didn't have to see the cruelty of their corpse…

Kirito roared and charged forward hitting right at the crack and Kirito gasped as he relized the would was physical…

The skull reaper thrashed his head upward sending Kirito flying

Asuna screamed "KIRITO!"

Ruby snapped a look behind her and blasted into rose petals climbing high into the air and picking him out of the air before slamming back into the ground holding him bridal style in her arms.

"Don't do something so stupid."

"I'm trying to help!" He argued

"You'll only get in the way." Ruby but back as she walked off.

The skull reaper screamed again this time it was clear it was terrified

The boss thrashed as Weiss Tried slamming her focus into the ground but the boss broke free.

Everyone screamed as the boss Lunged for Ruby in a thrust Ruby leaned away as everyone screamed

As a Line of blood scattered across the ground and a cut appered on her cheek yet Ruby was unphased.

Her teammates rangled the boss to restrain it again.

The players were stunned there was no blood in this game so how was it possible for someone like this to bleed.

Weiss grit her teeth as her glyphs wrapped around the Legs of the boss again but we're shattered instantly throwing her to the floor.

Blake was thrown off a second later. Yang tried to retaliate but was blocked by the boss much like Guts was

The players were in horror type huntresses were losing control of the situation. And they were helpless to do anything.

Agil growled it might be foolish and stupid but damn it he wasn't going to not help.

He stood up and roared charging with his battle ax towards the boss.

It was enough to encourage the rest to follow.

The huntresses watched as the players Crashed into the boss which was enough to stagger it allowing them time to catch their breath.

The boss was surrounded and couldn't focus to lash out.

But two were the focus Kiriti and Asuna

However the attack was stopped by one of its eyes being blown up

By the booming of thunder which made everybody turn as Ruby cycled a round.

Ruby leveled her gun behind her and fired propelling herself forward.

She twisted her scythe around and hooked around the eye hole and dragging it upwards

Weiss used the last bit of energy she had to bind the legs again

Kirito watched Ruby fire mutiple shots forcing the boss to look up

Guts took the opportunity to charge forward and slash at the beasts head.

As everyone watched as guts blurred in and out of reality carving up the boss. Ruby was thrown down when the boss lurched forward however she pivoted on the ground and sprang back up hooking her blade around the neck shattering the boss.

(End song)

The players slumped down exhausted.

"Oh man…" Agil gasped

"And that's just the 75th floor…only twenty five more of this torture.

"How many did we lose?" Klein asked

Kirito checked the numbers.

"Only 14 by some miracle."

"Not my some…" Asuna said looking to the slx people still standing

Team RWBY and Guts…And Heathcliff.

Heathcliff was staring off into space. While Guts and RWBY were talking among themselves.

"More would've died if not for them." Lund said looking to the Huntresses

"More like half." Klein said

"How are they still standing I don't know…" one of the knights said

"They must be angels…"

"You've played too much 40k." Someone commented

"Screw you, Space marine's are the best!"

"Well that explains why he's so good at battle plans…" a third one said

Kirito thought about everything that happened

But the thing that he clung onto was what Heathcliff said

'The boss should've attacked by now… The boss wasnt programmed to do that…'

That and the speed… plus how much he focused on Ruby someone not of this world… heck he targeted them with extreme prejudice…

Kirito gulped if he was right then…

He grabbed his sword

"Well he goes…" he muttered

Asuna who was leaning against his back looked back

"You say something?"

Suddenly Kirito charged off rushing straight at heathcliff who was just above Orange.

Heathcliff noticed his movement and went to raise his shield.

However he saw from the other side Ruby raising her scythe at him

Heathcliff had to make a choice

Block Ruby's attack or Kiritos

Heathcliff knew if he didn't block Ruby's he'd be impaled the system not detecting her had begun to change his status

He could rely on the system to protect him from Kirito but not Ruby.

So he began to shift his shield back

He blocked Ruby's strike but Kirito was able to slip past

Only to be blocked

Kirito paused

"Kirito what the-."

Asuna ran up to Kirito and froze

:Immortal object:

The system alert hung over Heathcliff who looked unphased by its presence.

"Well isn't this a stunning surprise…So Kirito…what gave me away?"

A few things… one the time you blocked me in the arena was way to fast, along with your insistence on hunting Ruby and the others.

"Yeah they really threw everything at risk… especially when they started to train you…" he said

"Enough of this! end this game Kayaba!" Kirito said

Kayaba laughed and shook his head "oh Kirito you act as if I'm actually in control of this dumpster fire." Once I logged in to actually help you all none the less I basically lost control of the game and is running all on its own." He said

Heathcliff gave a big smile

"My own fully functioning world…with its own economy…citizens and lore…"

"And you've all preformed perfectly to fit your rolls."

"Rolls… that's are we were to you?… Archetypes of figures for you… like characters of a book! We're people! damn it! DAMN YOU!" One of the knights roared as he drew his great sword and swung at Kayaba

Heathcliff just flicked his wrist no long hiding the fact he was admit and Paralyzed him

The body crashed into the ground..

Heathcliff sighed

"You know I really had fun playing with you all. You were a vallient force to be reckoned with. However due to this being the case I can't have my identity being leaked out now…so I guess I'm just going to have to let's say Clear the evidence…" heathcliff said as he reached for the instant kill buttion on his menu.

However a loud click was heard freezing is hand.

"Enough games Kayaba…you've done your ranting…" Ruby said

"Ah yes the Huntress's truly a paragon of the people…stepping in at the last second to save everyone…" heathcliff said with a sigh

"I don't do this for them…I do this for us!" Ruby said

The rest of the player's were stunned

"I just have one question, where is the Godhand?"

Everyone was stunned as Kayaba raised an eyebrow

"Who?" He asked

Ruby grit her teeth "don't tell me you don't know. We've found seeds planted in this system that has there signatures all over it you're in kahoots with them…aren't you?" Ruby said

Kayaba gasped

"I…inside the system?" He asked

"No no can't be I knew several things were off I knew it!" He said as suddenly hundreds of thousands of windows opened and closed at the same time as he scanned all throughout the game.

"Son of a bitch I was right." Heathcliff said as he looked at one last screen which made Ruby gasp.

It simply read

:Coronation of Doom 99% completed

Ruby grit her teeth

"What do the Godhand want!" Ruby said

Heathcliff closed the menu "honestly I have no idea…for a while now almost five years in fact I've had this prickling sensation in the back of my head that my thoughts have not been my own…"

"How that I have proof of that I will use all of my power to make sure it's cleaned… Thank you Ruby Rose for showing me the errors of my system.

As for the rest of you, take heed from this I have become Merciful and chose to spare you. Good by my subjects I-." Kayaba looked at the corner of his view to see the statue bar was completed he gasped

Suddenly a voice boomed over the room

"Heathcliff! The time is now! Activate the Coronation!" The voice of Void said

Heathcliff gaspsed and grabbed his chest as he started to dry heave.

Everyone watched helplessly as Kayaba fell to his knees coughing up blood.

"No…no please no!" He said shaking his head

Everyone watched as he reached back…

And pulled out a Red Stone with human features on it.

Ruby gasped

"Damn it! not this time!" She hissed

"ARGHHHHHHH!" Heathcliff screamed as the Beherit activated however instead of sending them to the Astral world and the interstice where the eclipse was Heathcliff just shattered as everyone faded to white.

"VOID!" Ruby screamed

Everyone awoke groaning in pain as they found themselves in an open field… inventory items scattered around the open field around the players who held them.

Someone sat up cluching his head Klein

"My head hurts…" he said before he snapped his eyes open and relized he was still in his SAO armor.

"My head hurts…I…I can feel pain!" He said in awe as if he was just told they had to go back to the first floor and start again…

"What the hell?" He asked

Ruby was the next one to Sit up as everyone looked around stunned

"IS EVERYONE OK?!" She called out!

"Never better other than the idea that our fucking commander was the goddamn asshole who locked us in here!" One of the knights said angryly

"Hey if your angry it means you're alive!" Asuna said

"Oh shut up commander!" He bit back making Asuna flinch as he stood up and walked over to her

"I bet you knew the whole time didn't you. After all you were the first one who he asked for you to join the guild!" He snapped

Suddenly one of the councilors stepped forward "That's enough Alexios!" He snapped pushing his aside

"You were the most in contact with him, how could you not know!" He asked as backhanded him making him grab his cheek

With the slap everyone stood up "Woah!"

"Too far man!"

"What the hell!"

The councilor fell to his knees looking at his hand stunned

"I…I can feel pain!" He said

"That's what I've been trying to tell you all!" Klein said

Everyone started talking and arguing about what the hell was going on.

Suddenly an angry roar cut them off

"Quiet!"

Everyone turned to see Ruby standing there hood up looking livid

"Now that you're finished pulling the sticks out of your asses we can focus!" She said clearly, taking command of the situation.

"As you've already known SAO has been turned into reality. Your physical bodies are here now. You can feel hunger, pain, touch, and everything else you could in the real world. Including Bleed." Ruby said

Everyone gasped

"It appears your inventories have been disabled fortunately all the items have landed around you. Gather your equipment and make sure you have everything." Ruby said

"I'm sorry but who put you in charge?" One of the knights asked, still salty from the betrayal of Heathcliff.

"Dude don't you remember what happened? Who they are?" Another asked

The man opened up one eye

And caught a glimps of his patron standing next to the Huntresses as one of them…

"Oh shit." He paled

Weiss stepped forward "I'll forgive you for that one this time because your all under sudden undue stress. But please understand we have your best intentions at heart." She said

"Gather your equipment while we think of a plan of attack! If I'm right it's not just the clearers that have become human and alive but all of SAO." Ruby said

As everyone moved out to gather there stuff Ruby and Weiss talked as the other three joined them

"What's the plan Ruby?" Weiss asked

"We need to confirm that everyone has turned human and what the status of everything is. And get the word out."

"Hand messengers will take too long…" Guts said

While that was happening Kirito was picking up his stuff

'Jeez I really need to sell shit.' As he started tossing shit into two piles Useful and needed and junk to sell.

However as Kirito brushed against the grass he noticed something that he had missed before

A small sapphire

Yui's heart.

"Yui!" Kirito said as he hugged the small sapphire when suddenly a bright light started to pulse out of it.

Asuna looked over to see Kirito in awe.

"K-Kirito!"

Kirito pulled the stone away from him as the gem lit up in a blinding light

"Argh!"

As the light faded standing there in her pure white dress…

Was Yui.

Kirito and Asuna were stunned "Y-Yui?"

Yui looked at them almost robotically for a moment before gasping as she cluched her head

"No! no! no!" She started to roll around on the grass

"No! no! no!"

Kirito and Asuna ran to there daughter

"Yui!"

"What's wrong honey?!" Asuna asked

Yui threw her head back and screamed blinding everyone in light

"Oh not again!" Klein grumbled as the entire party was engulfed in the light.

When they awoke they found themselves still feeling pain but now each had a system message infront of them.

"Huh?" The players asked

The system message changed and displayed a warning flashing in red

:System in critical condition!:

"Um guys!" Klein asked

Every player looked at the notification. Stunned

The only ones not were Kirito and Asuna who were looking after Yui

She opened her eyes {"momma? Papa?"} Yui asked

Kirito brushed her hair with a smile

"Hey darling… you ok?"

Yui sat up nodding.

"Do you mind explaining what you did back there?" Kirito asked

Yui nodded

{"The system had a user error in it, after The creator was relocated and you all began to inhabit physical bodies The Cardinal system registered the game as complete and had begun a system wide shutdown…"} Yui said

"So why we're we not logged out?" Klein asked standing up behind Asuna and Kirito

Yui looked down holding her legs {"You…have been…"} she said

"Klein scoffed "no where here! In Arncrad so that means-." He froze.

"That means the Nervegear has disconnected us from the interface…The only thing keeping us alive was the game."

Kirito gasped

"All across Japan, possibly the world… at least 5,000 people have just become vegetables…for no reason according to the outside world."

Asuna gasped, holding her mouth.

"The entire world…thinks we're dead…" Kirito said hollowly…

"Damn!" Klein said, turning away to hide his tears.

"So what did you do?" Kirito asked Yui

{"I forced the program to keep running…keeping Arncrad together for a limited time. This gave you access to your inventories and system chat again. Unfortunately item storage has been disabled as well as safe zones, it's just as Ms Rose said before, you are no longer a part of the digital world but the physical one…"} she said

Everyone was stunned

Ruby stepped forward "I'm sorry to be crass but I must know… when you said you gave us a limited time…how much?"

Yui held her head and calculated

{"31,536,000 Seconds otherwise one calander year…"} she said

"One year…one year to beat this game…" Agil said

Yui nodded {"yes…I wish it was longer but it's the best I could do"} she said

Kirito grabbed her shoulder "it's enough, Yui, thank you."

Yui nodded {"Thank you papa."}

"Yui is there anyway we can get back home?" Asuna asked

Yui nodded {"The system reads you as if you are not apart of the system and that no players exist therefore the game must be cleared, if you defeat the final boss the system will acknowledge the socket error and revert the players back to before the error occurred before logging you all out."} she said

Asuna nodded "so there is hope for returning." She sighed

Above them Ruby stepped forward looking down at the girl.

"Yui can you tell us where The creator was transported to?" Ruby asked

Yui scanned the remains of the system

{"He has set his place on the 100th floor, as the final boss…"}

Ruby nodded as she stood before addressing everyone "Alright you all heard that we got one calendar year to get to the 100 floor and defeat the final boss before the system destroys us all. There are no safe zones anymore, no System management. All you have is the interface. And your gear.

Spread the word everyone! I want a mass message pinged out that this is no longer a game!" Ruby snapped

{"Ms Rose allow me…"} Yui said as suddenly a mass ping addressed to all previous players of the game.

Ruby smiled

"Thank you Yui last question before I let you go with your parents… where are we?" She asked

Yui looked around and said {"You are on Floor 76. Right outside the teleport gate which has yet to be activated… the nearest city is due west of here."} Yui said

Ruby nodded "Alright we have our objective all clearers are to head west and locate the nearest town before nightfall! I need an ambassador to go to the lower floors to speak to the army about calming the people down. Right now anyone who can fight should! If not to clear the game then to keep those on lower floors alive as well.

"I'll go." Kirito said

"We happen to know the leader of the army. So we can get an audience with him."

Asuna and Yui nodded

Ruby nodded back

"Very well take a teleport Crystal so we know they still work. Klein, Activate the teleport gate here. The rest of you, let's move out!" Ruby said pointing due west. As they began their March.

Kirito, Yui and Asuna looked at each other

":Teleport: town of beginnings!" The three said as they vanished.

Ruby smiled 'at least those still work.'

On the first floor Kirito Yui and Asuna found themselves in the heavy crowded Plaza

"What the hell?" Kirito asked as he was bumped and nearly fell into Asuna nearly grabbing her boob again but caught himself

"Damn!" He hissed at how crowded it was

Asuna blushed at the fact he almost touched her boobs again.

Kirito sighed "alright let's go find thinker…" He said as he walked off Yui following on his shoulders

"Yui guide me through the crowd the fastest." He said

Yui gave him GPS direction {"left, Right, straight for 200 feet"}

Kirito scoffed "ok now your just playing."

Yui laughed {"Caught me."} She smiled

Eventually they were able to get out of the crowd and enter the Black Iron Palace.

However they were stopped by two soldiers guarding the door to Thinkers office looking almost red.

"Halt no presence allowed in at this time we are sorry for your inconvenience." One said

"I have urgent matters with Commander Thinker and Yulier." Kirito said

"Unfortunately they are busy at this time, give us a message and we'll pass it along." The second one said

"Listen I'm from the front lines and it can't wait, lives are in danger!" Kirito said as he barged through.

"Thinker! Yulier! I bring urgent news from the front that needs to be spread and-OH MY GOD!" Kirito said turning away and covering Yui's eyes.

{"you know I can still see them Daddy…it's not the worst I've seen either… my advice take notes for mommy."}

"YUI!"

On the desk with no crass whatsoever. Laid Yulier naked as Thinker who was dressed but his pants by his waist was too pounding Yulier on his desk.

Asuna gasped and looked away to the guards

The guards looked at them no longer hiding their blush "we warned you." They said as they shut the door with a loud slam.

Thinker and Yulier looked over at the noice and noticed they had guests

"Ah shit!" Thinker gasped as he quickly pulled up his clothes, Yulier doing the same grabbing her clothes and rushing into the other room.

Thinker laughed "well Um hehehe fancy seeing you here." He said

Kirito and Yui looked disappointed while Asuna looked Vivid

"If you scar my daughter with what you just did I'm cutting your dick off." She said

Yui looked over {"Momma I'm an AI I know what sex is…"} she said bluntly

Asuna looked up at Yui

"You are too young to sound that way, young lady."

Yui nodded {"Yes mommy"}

Thinker smiled "well it's good to see you Kirito…Asuna… um Yui… eh."

"We have urgent news to give you aside from your side activities which clearly you already know about, there is more to it." Kirito said as he nudged Yui

"Tell him." He said

Yui explaned the situation which made Thinker pale.

"So there are no more safe zones anymore." He said after she was finished

Yui nodded {"Correct the only Mobs that will not leave their area are the bosses and that's unless they spot a player."}

Thinker grit his teeth

"I understand. You have my force's support in whatever we can do." He said

Kirito nodded

"You can do several things first. One double the guard on the prison! We don't want anyone escaping now," he said

Thinker nodded as Yulier exited the Room to stand by the desk.

Kirito eyed the women but she had an air of professionalism now and was unreadable

"And the second Kirito?" Thinker asked

"Use the Army to patrol the lower cities and protect the towns from wandering mods. Without safe zones Monsters will wander in the cities and possibly kill people in there." Kiritio said

"And we don't want that…very well, I'll send out the message to my forces now… thank you Kirito for this warning." He said

Kirito nodded and turned away before looking over his shoulder

"Oh and Thinker…if Asuna's threat wasn't enough, I will Castrate you… both of you" he said

Yui blushed {"Papa!"}

"I'm just trying to protect you dear…" Kirito said

{"I know…"} Yui said

The three left leaving the two frozen

Yulier smiled after a bit "that man is the perfect father…" she said

"He's more a boy." Thinker argued

Yulier shook her head "no age doesn't matter what does is love."

Outside the three headed out to :Floor 76: to meet up with the rest of the clearers.

They entered the town of Steilrung just before dusk thankfully as they were pursued by a monster.

The city was more of a hamlet but was made of stone buildings and were well put together instead of lumber and thatch.

"Yui get to the city!" Kirito said as he drew his sword and turned to hold the beast off.

Only for a gunshot to blow its head apart

Kirito turned around and saw Ruby with her hood up by the gate, her gun barrel smoking.

"Welcome back you three." Ruby said as she walked away.

Kirito ran to catch up with her

"Any news?" He asked

"Many of your friends had gone back to their homes on the previous floors. Schmitt and Lund are holding down the base camp." Ruby reported

Kirito nodded "Thinker has agreed to spread the army to the first 25 floors and guard the towns there." He said

Ruby nodded "Very good. The DDA has chosen to take the floors 26-50 and the Knights have taken the rest." Ruby said

Asuna stepped up "do we have enough numbers for that?" She asked

Ruby nodded "Weiss ran the numbers were in the clear. You will be short staffed for the first few raids but I suspect you'll supplement your numbers somewhere." Ruby said

Asuna nodded "I guess we'll have to."

"In the meantime Asuna, Weiss has to talk to you about the guild." Ruby said as she turned to Kirito "I found the cheapest inn on this floor is the one that you just passed. Giving you a 50% discount if you mention your with me. Use it." She said as she walked away.

Asuna and Kirito looked to each other.

"I'll talk to Weiss." She said

"And I'll get the rooms set up." Kirito said

Asuna smiled "Room Kirito. I assume it's going to be yours now. I have one in Selmberg." She said

Kirito nodded "yeah fair I just…now that I know what's in danger I wanna stay closer to the front." He said

Asuna nodded.

"I can understand that." She said

"Take care of Yui until I get back and I'll make some supper ok?" Asuna said

Kirito nodded as the two parted

Kirito grabbed Yui's hand "come on let's go."

{"Okay daddy!"} Yui said

They entered the inn and found the place packed with clearers each one looking at Kirito enter as there conversation died down.

Yui clung to Kirito's leg,

Kirito walked to the counter and put a bag of col on it.

"I want a room to occupy." Kirito said

"For how long?" The gruff innkeeper said cleaning a mug.

"Till further notice." Kirito said

"You'll need more Col than just that…unless you plan to help out…" he said looking over the counter at Yui.

"I could always use another Server here…" he said almost nudgingly

Yui held on tighter having a bad feeling about this guy now.

Kirito however stepped in.

"Sorry but I have a feeling this will be enough." He said pushing it towards him

Intregued the innkeeper looked up

"Oh and why's that?" He asked looking ready to throw down with him as he exposed his big knife to Kirito.

Kirito just smiled

"I'm friends with The Reaper." He said

The innkeeper dropped his mug looking at him stunned

He grabbed the money and started counting "room 14." He said pointing to the stairs behind him.

Kirito nodded.

"If I owe you anything by the time I leave tell me…" he said as he started to climb the stairs.

Suddenly the innkeeper grabbed his ankle. Through the rungs of the stairs.

"I know I came off a little forward about your little girl but I'm serious about the help…if you lend me to her for the busy times of the day. I'll knock off the rest of the credit." He said looking a lot more cheerful and genuine.

Kirito looked at him thinking for a bit.

"That will be up to her." He said as he nudged Yui further up the stairs.

The innkeeper let go, allowing Kirito to pass.

He sighed as he picked up the mug and began wiping it clean again.

In the room Yui and Kirito sat on the bed. Once they finished setting up the room

{"I don't know how I feel about him."} Yui said shaking her head

Kirito put a hand on her shoulder "you don't have to choose now. I'll understand whatever you choose." He said

Yui nodded

{"You want me to thou… I understand why…it makes sense… your afraid I'm no longer a Immortal object and could easily be killed if I accompany you in a raid… which makes sense… and to be honest i don't know if I am either"}

"But you still don't know." Kirito said

Yui nodded {"It's just…he scares me…not like other NPC's that I can't feel…but it's more…"} Yui said

Kirito nodded before laying down on the bed hands behind his head "I understand. I'm serious about you having this choice Yui I have enough money that I can pay off the interest even if he spikes it 1000%." He said

Yui nodded {"Thank you papa."}

"Of course now come here while we wait for momma to come home."

Yui giggled and started to snuggle with Kirito {"Ok papa!"}

(Asuna)

Asuna found her way through the hamlet looking around for the area where The knights of the blood oath part of the location

It wasn't hard as several clearers were patrolling that part of the city and recognized Asuna

"Over here!" One knight waved Asuna over.

They pointed to another inn "the patron is expecting you, she's in there." They said before they went to finish their patrol.

Asuna entered the Inn and found it packed with Knights of the Blood oath members the only ones who weren't were the grizzled innkeeper and the waitress.

The innkeeper looked up first "well well well what have we here?" He gave Asuna a wolf whistle.

The other knights stopped talking and looked to him

He scoffed "jeez tough crowd." He said

Suddenly he heard steps on the stairs above as Weiss Schnee stood on the landing.

"Ah, Asuna up here." She said

Asuna nodded and went to head up the stairs

"Madam is she one of yours?" The innkeeper asked

Weiss looked at him

"Yes...they all are…" she said as she headed up

The innkeeper sighed

Weiss entered her room as Asuna followed instead of the nice neat Room with a bed and table. She found a explosion of papers scattered all over every hard surface. Even some fanned out on the bed.

Asuna whistled silently "you've been busy…" She said

Weiss nodded "indeed. Which leads me to my calling you here." She said as she sat down

Asuna remained standing.

Weiss sighed "all this has come about due to the information of Heathcliffs betrayal. Some resignations…" Weiss looked to the bed.

"Some rants…" she said looking at the mess of piles

And a slim few who are empowered by the news and vow to keep fighting to beat Heathcliff." Weiss said as she looked at some she held in her hands a slim 15…

"His news shook us hard not just the knights but the whole clearers…honestly if it wasn't for you we'd probably have to disband." Asuna said

Weiss smiled "give yourself a little credit… I was in the background most of the time. It was you doing most.

You see those letters there?" Weiss pointed to another pile of papers against the back wall.

There were two piles one up to the ceiling and one about 1" off the ground.

"I asked the knights for a poll as to who they would follow into battle should heathcliff fall. This was before floor 74…" Weiss said

"And the choices?" Asuna asked

"Myself…the Council…and you." Weiss said

She pulled out a stack of letters "these are the ones who voted for me…" she said

Asuna sighed " I assume the smaller one are those who voted for me…"

However Weiss dropped a bombshell

"Those are the council's votes."

Asuna spun around getting whiplash as she stared at Weiss.

Who nodded "that's right Asuna. 99% of the guild is willing to follow you. You've led them this far after all, not the Council, not Heathcliff, you." She said

"Heathcliff might have been the face of the organization, but he was not the one who lead it… infact I have a very special letter for you." Weiss said

Asuna looked as Weiss handed her an envelope.

She opened it and read it

"Dear Sub-Commander."

"It has come time to tell you the truth… frankly while I pen this letter I don't know whether it's my own mind in control at this moment or someone else. None the less I feel I have made the right choice… in the beginning I had felt something was wrong. So I had the knights formed to investigate it…however overtime I found I was not the one who led them…gave them there heart and soul, why they fight. So I had the one who did appointed to the front lines to lead in my stead and give orders as if they were my own.

And I wish to say you've performed most admirably…

There is only two ways this game will end… one is that I am defeated and killed and the system will pronounce all surviving players victorious and be logged out. Or the boss fight on the 100th floor fails and the Ruby King is victorious, trapping all those under his tyrannical rule…

You do not need to guess who the Ruby king is…

However the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change even from the unlikeliest of sources…

This is why I picked you that day to be my second in command…not because of your combat Prowess or your conviction to clear the game…

But because you lit that spark in me…that's why I'm penning this letter to you Asuna… as a thank you…and an apology…

Congratulations: Commander…

-Heathcliff/ Akihiko Kayaba-

Asuna dropped the letter.

Weiss gave her a sad smile

"He really did care, it seemed…not sure how far…but he did…" Weiss said

Asuna nodded

"So where do we go from here?" She asked

"Unfortunately I can longer be the patron of the Knights of the blood oath. Ruby has asked the rest of us to rally as many people as we can from the lower floors and teach them to fight and defend themselves. But I'll leave the best person suited to it to the task." Weiss said putting her hand on Asuna's Shoulder.

"Good luck Asuna… and I know it's just a formality but…congratulations. Commander…" Weiss said as she left the room.

Asuna sighed as she sat down suddenly a knight entered the room.

"Commander I've been assigned to you as your aid." He said

Asuna looked up to see someone around 25 enter he looked grizzled

Asuna looked at him "how are you at leading?" She asked

The man nodded "I was in the JDF sense I was 18 madam… I have my own squad…" he said

Asuna nodded "ok strip." She said

"Umm commander?" He looked confused

Asuna blushed "n-not like that I need to confirm that your not a Secret member of laughing coffin."

Oh the man nodded and did as was asked Asuna was pleased to find no tattoo on him.

"Ok put your armor back on. I need you to take these files to HQ. When you get there gather your 5 most trusted men and reform the council." Asuna said

"Commander?" The aid asked

"I'm not going to lie, my sole focus right now is to clear this game as fast as possible and I can't be dragged down by bureaucracy. So you will be doing that and allow me to focus on clearing the game." Asuna said

The aid nodded and left. As Asuna left giving the Knights in the inn there freedom and they were expected to be up at sunrise.

With that Asuna headed back to Kirito's inn.

As she entered the lively tavern she saw many of the clearers drinking. And having a good time. Asuna smiled at the lively atmosphere.

"Well hello young lady." The innkeeper said with a smug smile

Asuna smiled back

"Hello I'm looking for my friend about my height he was accompanied by a little girl?" Asuna said

The innkeeper looked at Asuna "your too pretty to be accompanying a lunk like him." He said

Asuna narrowed her eyes "just point me to his room."

The innkeeper sighed "your loss…room 14…" he said Asuna huffed and headed up the stairs

"Man what is it and women not wanting to join?" He asked himself.

Asuna got to the Floor and was outside the room when she heard giggling coming from inside.

Asuna smiled as she opened the door and found Kirito playing with Yui.

Kirito looked at the door.

"Hey Asuna." He said

"Hello Kirito." Asuna said as she looked around "well not like our place on floor 22 but it's good none the less." She said

Kirito nodded "not only that but it's also easily movable. All I need to do to us tell Yui the next floor is clear and she can put it in her inventory

"Really?" Asuna asked

Yui nodded {"I'm still registered in the system so i have access to the inventory completely"}

Asuna smiled "wow that's rather neat. Give me a sec to Change and I'll get supper going." She said

Asuna walked out in different clothes as she began to cook.

Kirito could smell it and sighed "oh god!" He said

Asuna looked up

"What is it?"

"Can't you smell it?" Kirito said

Asuna smiled "of course…oh I forgot we've never been able to actually smell my cooking… the sensors of the nervegear did that." She said

Kirito nodded.

"I knew before you were an amazing cook but now I know just how much." Kirito said

Asuna smiled "oh?"

Kirito nodded "back on floor 74 I said you could make a killing selling this…I was wrong…not because I want it all to myself I still do…"

Yui shook her head

"But you can make a five star restaurant with this."

Asuna blushed "really?"

Kirito nodded "yeah easily…in fact I'd go so far as to say you're an even better cook when you're not restrained by the system."

Asuna blushed " Aw thanks the Boar will be done in a minute okay?" Asuna said as she left the kitchen to let it roast.

Kirito looked up "where are you going?" He asked

"Some business with the guild I want to work on before supper Yui can you set an alarm for 5 minutes and call me when it's up?"

Yui's eyes flashed green :Timer Set: before she went back to normal and tackled Kirito on the couch

Asuna smiled

"As she headed to one of the side rooms

"Um Kirito what's this?" She asked

Kirito looked up

"Oh that's Yui's room…our room is next to it." Kirito said

Asuna peeked her head out the door "Yui are you sure?" She asked

Yui nodded "Don't worry mama If I need you at night for anything I'll come in."

Asuna nodded "ok Yui dear." Asuna said as she left.

The two stuck together playing in the living room.

When Yui called the timer Asuna came out of the room and served the Platter of the boar

"Woah so big!" Yui said

Kirito looked up at Asuna "um love I don't mean to be rude by asking this but um can we eat all of this?"

Asuna looked at him confused

"Why of course. Despite this being real food and prone to spoiling… it will be gone quicker than you know it." She said

Kirito shrugged "we'll let's dig in!" Kiritio said

As they ate Kirito noticed how good this was and sure enough they had the entire boar.

"Dang I did not expect that to be so good." He sighed

Asuna nodded

"First tine tasting real food in two years oh Im gonna feel it tomorrow.

Yui giggled "well don't worry momma it's not like it will all go to one place…or on second thought…

Asuna blinked at Yui trying to process what she said

"What did you say you little brat!?" Asuna said teasingly as she gave chase after Yui who ran around laughing.

For 15 minutes they ran around the couch before Asuna grabbed her and picked her up "ha I got you now!" As she began to tickle Yui who laughed and squirmed. Kirito smiling the entire time.

Finally Yui was tired enough that Asuna and Kirito put her to bed.

Kirito laid on the bed as Asuna changed into nightwear "hey Asuna?" He asked

"Yea Kirito?"

"Well…it's just…no I'll wait till you get here this is something we need to say face to face."

Asuna looked at Kirito and nodded as she finished and walked in the room.

She got in the bed.

"I'm not sure how often I'm going to stay here or use my place in Stranberg but honestly whenever it is I hope I'm with you the entire time." She said as she snuggled up to his chest pleased to feel his heart beat and his body warmth…

"Asuna…the thing is…" Kirito said making Asuna sit up

"What's up?"

"Do you feel that this is going to change our dynamic in the relationship? Now that we're…basically physical people again…" Kirito said

Asuna looked down, growing serious "do you want it to?"

Kirito sighed "I'm. No oh what am I saying of course not it's just. We always said we'd discuss our relationship In the outside world as real people when I happened but now here we are as real people…but still inside the game…" he said

Asuna nodded understanding what he was getting at

"I see your right…yes I do think it's time." She said

Asuna rolled into of Kirito wrapping the blanket around her waist as she put her hand to his cheek.

"For the last few months or so we've been unapologetically ourselves…not as the Beater and The Lighting Flash but as Kirito and Asuna." She said

"And I still love you. I don't think that's ever going to change. Unless you have something to say to me now?" She said pulling away pretending to be affronted

Kirito chortled Asuna laughed and fell back down on his chest sighing.

"I love you." She said

"I love you too." He said

"Hey…" Asuna said

"Yes?"

"Because you brought it up, mind telling me your real name?" She asked

"Kazuto Kirigaya." He said before looking down

"And yours?" He asked

"You know it." She said

"No, I mean your real name." Kirito said

"Asuna…Asuna Yuuki." She said

"You used your real name for your avatar?" Kirito asked

"To be fair it was my first time playing an MMO." Asuna said

Kirito and Asuna laid there. They were tired but they also knew they couldn't sleep.

"Hey Kirito?"

Kirito looked over

"Hmm?"

"Remember when we had that alone time…"

Kirito nodded "you said it felt unsatisfying due to not feeling physical contact…" he said

"And what about you? How did you feel about it?"

Kirito shrugged "about the same why?" He asked

"You…wanna change that?" She asked

Kirito looked at her stunned

"It's just that I've been feeling that… as you said before… with our new real bodies…"

Kirito brought his lips to her in a kiss that set fireworks off in Her head.

"Are you sure…that your willing?" Kirito asked

Asuna nodded "yes your the one, I give myself to…for real…" she said

Kirito leaned in and the two kisses as fireworks lit off in their heads.

In the other room Yui laid away able to hear the full conversation her parents were having as she shut her eyes and went into sleep mode to give her parents the privacy they deserved.

Asuna dragged her hand down towards Kiritos crotch. Kirito moaned as his lips met Asuna's…

"Before when we got married it felt like we were just playing…now…now it feels so much realer.

"Kirito smiled as he undid his clothes

"I've noticed you have been fiddling with your ring for a while." He said

Asuna blushed "it's…a reminder that it's there…"

Kirito nodded "then let this be another reminder…one that we will never forget…" Kirito said as Asuna stripped off her pants.

"Kirito I love you…" Asuna said

"And I you." He said brushing her cheek

Asuna had a look of determination on her face

"Show me." She said

And damn did he…

The next day they got up and headed out to get an idea about scouting for the mid-boss. As a family Kirito carried Yui on his shoulders as Asuna walked nearby.

"Yui do you have any idea where the mid boss could be?"

Yui shook her head :all mobs have become real thus have no pattern or movement all but the floor bosses which can't leave their rooms you can practically walk past it and not know…or you can be ambushed just as easily and die…" Yui said

Kirito nodded "I see…can you give me the list of all the SAO bosses located from floor 76 to 99?"

Kirito saw a screen appere in front of his face

"I see…thank you Yui." Kirito said as he opened his menu and sent out a mass text to the clearers about a meeting.

Asuna who saw the list as well sighed "what are we going to do?"

"What we always do." Kirito said

Later the clearers meet up in the town Everyone looked at him confused "what's the matter Kirito?" Klein asked

Kirito sighed "I found a list of the bosses…your not gonna like it…" he said

He opened it and it summoned a scroll which he laid out on the table.

The 50 last bosses they would have to beat had horrifying names

The first one the field boss being called :Wadjet the flaming Serpent:

I wondered why there were so many torched fields here…" Klein said

"Yea apparently it can also breath fire so Shields will be needed." Kirito said

"You'll need more than just shields." A voice said from behind them making them look up

"The boss is an apostle… like illfang…like everyone else… and you'll need to be able to cool down your gear…" Weiss said

"Gale…why are you here?" Asuna asked

Weiss stepped off the wall.

"Because like it or not I'm your best bet for surviving the boss…" She said

"Do we know where it is?" Weiss asked

Kirito shook his head "no…but it should be in the labyrinth as it is a floor boss.

"Don't trust that anymore this isn't a game, this is life…no sword skills but muscle memory."

"Weiss…" Klein said

Weiss looked at him

"Out of everyone here who is the most likely to survive?" Klein asked

Weiss looked down. Quitely finally the clearers had enough

"TELL US DAMN IT!" Klein said

Weiss sighed and raised her hand… then two fingers…

"Two?" Schmitt said

Weiss nodded

"Who?" Klein said

"Are you sure?" She asked

They all nodded "at least we can get an idea as to who we should strive for."

Weiss nodded "Kirito and Asuna." She revealed

Everyone even they were shocked

"They have the best chance to not only survive the entire ordeal but the game itself." Weiss said

Klein sighed "well we better get started." He said as he picked his gear up.

"We'll help." Kirito said following

However Klein shoved him aside. Putting an arm on his shoulder keeping him at a distance.

"We don't need your pity." He said

Asuna broke the grip "it's not pity its help!" She said

Klein scoffed

"Just like the first day…" Kirito said.

Klein sighed.

"Fine." He said as he left the town.

—line break—-

Everyone was in the west torched fields. Outside the town facing some Boars and other frenzied beasts.

Kline grunted as he was thrown aside.

"Klein remember the first day." Kirito said

Klein huffed as he picked himself up "how does that help Kirito?!" Klein said getting angry.

"Remember the skills you used before and while the System won't work now your muscles and memory will, follow the same actions." Kirito said as he fought his own boar with the Elucadator.

He wasn't using two sword because while he could run through the actions, he wasn't use to the timing so he was getting use to using a single sword first then he would use two again.

Klein sighed "follow the same actions."

A boar charged at Klein as he remained razor focused on it. And as the last second he sidestepped to the left tipping his blade parallel to the ground and slid it across the Boar's side cutting it open like a zipper as it's guts and Organs fell to the ground."

Klein stood shocked as he realized he was covered in blood.

The beast let out a painful wail.

Klein just realized he killed a living being.

Klein was focused on the boar dying in front of him he didn't see the other one charging.

"Look out!" Kirito said

He was too late as ge was slammed in the stomach and send flying landing on his back as the boar charged again.

"Damn it!" Klein roared as he spun around getting to his feet quickly and Sliced apart the other boar.

"These things might be alive. But they deserve no mercy…they won't give it back." Klein said now fully over his idea of killing the pig.

The others that joined him grinded the field until the night.

By that time all those who were there were much better in ideas of what they were doing.

While that was going on Asuna was doing the same with the Knights of the blood oath in a different field.

After that it became clear that the game would be actually almost easier without the restrictions of the system.

As everyone left the fields for the night to have dinner and other stuff. No one noticed that Kirito stayed out there. Looking at the moon holding both swords in hand…

He grit his teeth

"Damn it!" He yelled as he punched the grass crying.

"It's just not fair…it's just…not fair…" he said as wiped his eyes and headed back toward the town.

He wasn't hungry when he reached the inn and opened up

He found the place packed with front liners of all guilds. He looked around to see what everyone was looking at.

His eyes shot open as he saw Yui carrying a large batch of Platters from the other room with the attached kitchen and Kirito could see a glimpse of Chestnut hair working the stove and a smile on the ladies face

It brought a smile to his face, especially that smile.

Kirito looked around and saw that all the tables were taken the only place free was the bar.

Kirito sighed and good off his gear and leaned them against the bar.

"You seem to be busy." Kirito commented

The innkeeper smiled

"Yep! I can't tell if it's the cooking or the little bundle of joy serving. Ah, probably both." He said

"So what can I get you?" He said

"Whatevers cooking." Kirito said not wanting to make Asuna's life harder by forcing her to make another dish just for him.

However the bartender waved him off "bah it's fine on the house. Besides, it's the end of their shift anyways."

Kirito looked up

"Shift?" He asked

"Well honestly your little girl has been a big help everyone enjoys her. After you guys came back your sweetheart, decided to help out in the kitchen to keep her company."

Kirito smiled "yep that's Asuna…" he said proudly

"Anyways there's a lot she can do, she's made a killer stew. Ah here I'll give you a menu." He said

Kirito looked up

"There's a menu?" Shocked that the inn needed one.

When he looked his eyes bugged out

Most of these dishes were made of 2 or more S class ingredient's which were extremely difficult to do.

While the ragout rabbit stew they had was amazing it only had one S-Class ingredient.

S-classe's we're what they were because unlike the other ingredients styles, which were more like tofu and just took on the properties of the ingredient they were supposed to be and your brain filled in the rest S-Class ingredients were able to trigger the taste buds and Senses in your brain connected to flavor so the cooker had to take that into account whenever they prepared a dish so the flavors would synchronize, and be complementary to each other,

Some reasoned it was impossible to have more than 3 S-class ingredients in a dish otherwise you'll be unable to taste the flavor of at least one…

Yet here Asuna was making dishes of 5 or even 6 come are completely made from them entirely.

If Kirito was stunned before about how good Asuna's cooking was he was star struck now.

'Damn I think I just need to try something now just to see.'

After a while he took a sigh he noticed each one was named after a monster and used that type of meat too. "I'll have the Golden Minotaur's Breaded club, with a bit of Ape." He said

The innkeeper took the menu.

"Would you like soy sauce with that?" He said

Kirito sighed 'of course she would…'

"Soy sauce?" Kirito asked

"Hey I don't know but it's the special sauce that comes with it that All the other adventures's love. She chose the name."

Kirito nodded

"Yes please." He said

The innkeeper turned around "you got one last order!" He said to the open window.

"What is it?" Kirito heard Asuna call from the other side

"Top of the line hun." He said

Kirito winced as he heard Asuna sigh. But couldn't hear what she said to herself before answering "I'll see what we have." She said

The innkeeper nodded "after that feel free to sit down yourself. You and your daughter have earned it. Heaval will take care of the rest."

In the kitchen Asuna looked worried but the man just smiled "you've taught me so much madam I don't think I'll be able to ever seek to be as good as you." He said

Asuna smiled "how about this, this last dish is actually time sensitive how about you help me with it. Consider it a final test of sorts before I pass my teachings onto my student."

The Chief nodded eagerly. "Yes Madam!

Asuna pulled out the meat drawer and found they had a leg of Taurus meat. Which she took out and started to gather the ingredients to make the golden Sauce which would help boost the flavor and be used to help keep the breading stick to it.

Asuna looked around to grab the ingredients for the sauce which was an Amalgamation of what in the real world would be Sweet Mustard and BBQ sauce.

However as she took the ingredients off the shelf and realized she didn't have the ingredients to make it she was out of the premade stuff.

"Hey Heaval?" She said

"Yes?" He asked tuning around as Asuna was reaching the top shelf.

"Can you see if we have any more Ōhgong seeds?" She asked

"Yeah it's not many but it should be good for the dish." He said as he handed it to her

"Oh phew, I was afraid I was going to have to take a substitute." She said

She took a small handful of seeds from the jar and poured them into a mortar and peltle and began grinding…

"Heaval, get the spit roaster out and put the leg on careful not to break the bone." Asuna said

The Chief nodded as he grabbed the leg and turned on the Stove as the fire lit under it he mounted the Leg to the rack.

Back in the bar Kirito sighed as he looked around this was amazing, he expected something kinda like this but not, this this.

Kirito was lost in thought about maybe making a family business with Asuna about her cooking when he heard footsteps behind him

"Hey barkeep give a me an Ale!" He said as he sat down next to Kirito on the left side.

"You know it's not fun being alone at a bar usually like this." The man said with a red bandanna looking more of a Samurai or a Ronin than an adventurer.

"There weren't any free tables." Kirito said

He leaned over "Kirito we had a free seat waiting for you by our table." He said

Kirito looked over to see it was Klein and tried to look at the table but couldn't see over the crowd.

"Umm where?" He asked

Klein looked over and noticed he too lost the table.

"Oh hey I guess you can't see it, oops." He apologized.

Kirito sighed "it's no big deal." He said as he took a look and asked for a mug of something to drink.

"Look man I…" Klein sighed when he rubbed the back of his head

"I just…I wanted to apologize about before." He said

"Don't worry about it." Kirito shrugged him off, Klein looked over shocked Kirito was just looking at the Bar window

"I know you're all stressed, we got so close and then I blew it…you have a right to be angry at me." Kirito said

"What are you talking about buddy?" Klein said before it clicked as he sat stunned

"You…you were planning on facing Heathcliff again weren't you…" he said

Kirito nodded "in order to get us out faster…but I wasn't able to get my words out in time. Now we only have a year to reach the top and it's my fault." He said

Klein could tell Kirito was beating himself up over this. He reached around and grabbed his Shoulder shaking him

"I don't blame you for that, what happened then was out of your control. The thing is you've done more to us in helping us get out than many of the clearers have. Honestly it should be you leading us into the battles, you've got the skills." He said

Kirito looked up "I'm no leader." He said shaking his head.

"No but you can become one…and with Asuna…that's not a maybe." Klein said

Finally the food came out smoking hot with Yui walking towards the bar.

"Make way please!" She said as Kirito and Klein looked up

And noticed that Yui wasn't carrying the dish but the Chief herself.

Everyone was stunned as She walked over smiling and placed the food In Front of Kirito.

" I believe this is yours." She said

Kirito just looked dumbfounded and blinked, Asuna smiled.

Klein smiled and got up "I'll leave you to it." He said

Kirito enjoyed the food as Yui and Asuna Sat next to him while others talked about the three of them Kirito found he could care less right now. As he ate the breaded Leg while looking at Asuna causing him to drop some and making Asuna giggle.

What surprised him about the dish was the fact that the dish had been both filling and delicious, tasting all the S-class ingredients together in such a wonderful blend.

Kirito brushed Yui's hair.

"How are you doing Yui?" Kirito asked

Yui smiled "I'm good papa, everyone was so nice here." She said

Asuna smiled and looked to the innkeeper "thanks for doing this." She said

"Ah! the little squirt came down for me you've got nothing to thank for I should be thanking you." He said he looked over to Kirito "I had to kick a few people out of here because they were getting uncomfortably close to her if you know what I'm saying."

Kirito looked shocked at him who just smiled

"She's a dear…you've raised her well." He said

Kirito blushed at the compliment "well I mean." He rubbed the back of his head.

Suddenly the bell in the square rang signaling than the Sun had fully set.

"It seems like it's closing time." He said

Kirito nodded and paid as he brought Yui and Asuna upstairs before he stopped and asked Asuna

"Are you going to come with me or do you want to go to the guild?" He asked

Asuna shook her head "the Sub-commander's can handle the camp and as if I'd leave Yui." Asuna said

Yui threw herself at her mommy who picked her up and held her

Kirito smiled and headed up the stairs and unlocked the door.

"I think we should plan on heading to the next town in the next day or two." He said

Asuna nodded "yeah I was about to say the same thing."

Yui smiled the best time to start to head to the next town will be the day after tomorrow." Yui said

"Why?" Asuna asked

Yui sighed "the field boss is around the area and he won't hesitate to attack a large party if your all marching together." She explained

"From ambush to massacre." Kirito said

Yui nodded "your best bet is to fight him on your terms and near a body of water." She said

Asuna looked at Yui

"Is there one here it looks like this floor is having a drought." She said

Yui nodded "there is but the waterfall feeding it has been plugged, it was meant to be a quest location one of the only ways to hinder the boss was to use it the water to dive under the fire breath attack. And this water was designed to allow Players to swim in it." Yui said

Asuna and Kirito were stunned "woah!"

Yui shrugged "that's all I know unfortunately. I'm going to bed now mommy!" Yui said

Asuna nodded "night Yui." She said before looking to Kirito as he sat up in the bed.

"So we have a plan of attack now right." She said as she walked to get changed for bed

Kirito nodded as he took off his gear too having forgotten about it fortunately, Asuna was looking away so she couldn't see his blush "Yeah we make a beeline for whatever is plugging up the waterfall and destroy it, after that we can confront the field boss without too much risk." Kirito said as he changed into his sleepwear.

Suddenly he felt the bed shift as he looked over to see Asuna had jumped on the couch and went to Snuggle with him.

Asuna laid on the bed with her head on his lap allowing Kirito to naturally brush her hair. As she used the lap as a pillow.

Asuna sighed contently.

"Hey Kirito?" She asked

"Yes?" He asked her looking down at her

"Can you sing to me?" She asked

Kirito winced and blushed "well I mean?"

"Please?" Asuna asked, leaning in Kirito smiled at the puppy eyes she was giving him right now 'and she says she's not childish.' He thought

Kirito sighed, giving in.

"Ok what would you like me to sing you?"

Well what about the song that you sang to me on the last day of our honeymoon, before we had to go to the 75th floor the oldie but goodie."

Kirito shut his eyes 'of all the songs…' he thought.

He nodded as he took a deep breath to get focused began also sneakily opened his menu Fortunately Asuna had her eyes closed so she didn't see it. As he searched his inventory.

He sighed as he began to hum, an old classic rock love song by Aerosmith. Asuna readjusted her position to sit up higher on his chest.

While Kirito was unable to fully sing the song Asuna still liked it for the fact it was him .

Unknown to Asuna, Kirito found a crystal that would imitate instrument's so she could listen to how he song was supposed to sound, minus his terrible singing.

He put the crystal on the Table in front of him and hit play as the instruments came into the room. Asuna opened her eyes slowly as she heard the music that she knew Kirito couldn't produce. She liked to see the Recording Crystal playing the music, She didn't expect Kirito to go all out like this. Just for her.

'Of course Kirito would do this.' Asuna thought after all she told him this was her favorite song he sang to her.

(Start song: I don't want to miss a thing. By Aerosmith)

Kirito just rocked back and forth gently… he had his eyes shut not wanting to risk Asuna seeing him cry over nothing…

Because the fact was of course this song fully encapsulated how he was feeling right now…

He snaked an arm around her neck and held her arm as the two swayed in bed Asuna closed her eyes again as the Vocals started saving Kirito a bullet. As he felt Asuna take deep breaths as she listened to Kiritos voice.

Kirito sang to Asuna as best as he could while rocking back and forth. Asuna smiled contently. The smile never left his face as he watched Asuna sleep on him.

And she was so asleep dreaming about what they would do tomorrow.

Kirito didn't want this to stop, he didn't want the game to end. this at all, he just wanted to stay like this in this moment forever and be content.

The bridge to the chorus came as he squinted his eyes shut as he sung his heart

"Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure"

As the chorus hit Kirito began to brush Asuna's hair again.

As the chorus died down he finally began to open his eyes He just knew Asuna was feeling his heart beating.

Kirito smiled as he looked at his wife wondering exactly what she was dreaming about…

Kirito bent down and laid a kiss on the top of her head as he flexed his arm to make sure she wasn't a fake…

As the brige came up he took a deep breath. To prepare for the chorus,

As it hit he was unable to stop the tears as he questioned about the life after the game would be cleared if it would be cleared.

Kirito looked down at Asuna with a bright smile on his face as he could just see her beaming smile brighting his day.

He could kiss her right now but that would wake her up.

He was content to keep singing and rocking, just like this.

He slowly tightened his arms around Asuna as she could hear his heart

He wished he could stay here til he died.

Unfortunately he knew he could as he felt his throat tighten up making it harder to sing but he pushed forward otherwise Asuna would know something was wrong as the Chorus hit again. This one feeling his heart tear. With each time it hit

(End song)

Kirito sighed as the song ended he felt the glow of the crystal fade as he picked it back up and dropped it in his inventory.

After that he sighed as he slowly moved Asuna off him and get his gear back on as he headed outside.

He shut the door and began to walk out of the town.

Kirito looked around the open field and slowly drew his swords.

As in front of him he found several Monsters appear before him ready to attack around 15 armed skeletons with swords.

They began to attack Kirito in a swarm.

Kirito took a deep breath before letting out an angry battle cry and swung.

As one cleaved a skeleton in half the other blocked one of the attacks.

Kirito jumped as the rest fell on him as they all crashed together he fell upon them.

The skeletons kept attacking as more and more started to show up and attack him.

Kirito began to fight more and more ferociously as he started to get overwhelmed.

Kirito felt his heart rate spike as he let out an savage roar and actived something that was believed to now be impossible…

A sword skill.

By sheer will he activated Starburst stream and slaughtered all the skeletons.

Kirito sighed as a pop up window appears saying he beat back the night attack on the town but more will show up tomorrow… as it gave him some rewards.

Kirito panted as he sheathed his swords and began to head back into the town.

Off on another hill Ruby watched the entire fight worried.

She knew of the Waves attacking the village and was willing to step in as she had done last night, until Kirito showed up

The fact was he should be sleeping, and knew he shouldn't be leveling alone anymore, Asuna would flip on him…

Something was wrong…

And Ruby would find out what. As she turned and walked away.

The next Day Kirito and the others stayed inside the town getting ready to head out for their March to the next town.

(November 12, 2024)

Finally they reached the second village and the clearers began to spread out to comb for the boss.

Meanwhile Kirito and Asuna began to make there way to the dried up waterfall. With Yui

"Yui do you know which way the waterfall is?" Kirito asked

"It's north northeast daddy." Yui said

Kirito nodded "ok. And Yui?" He asked

"Yes daddy?"

"Please be safe, we don't know if you're an immortal object or not." He said

Yui nodded and drew a sword from her inventory "don't worry daddy I can defend myself. But I'll let you deal with the quest so I don't worry you."

Asuna knelt beside her digital-daughter. "It's not that we don't want you to fight Yui."

Yui smiled "it's ok Mommy I understand!" She laughed as they walked ahead.

Finally they arrived at the waterfall

It was by a sheer cliff where the water had pooled into a lake.

Kirito sighed as he knew the cliff was too high for him to climb he had to find another way to the top.

"Yui is there another way to reach the top of the cliff?" He asked

Yui grabbed her head then looked up "there's a hidden cave by the base of the river we can get in there." She said

Kirito nodded "let's go."

As they walked into the cave they noticed how dark it was

"I'm surprised it's so dark in here…" Kirito said

"Or the fact that no monsters have attacked us yet." Asuna said looking around unnerved.

Yui was also unnerved as she began to scan the system she gasped

Kirito and Asuna stopped "what Yui what's wrong?" She asked

"I'm sorry papa momma I should have looked more closely…." Yui apologized.

"Hey it's ok Yui." Kirito said as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"K-Kirito!" Asuna said making Kirito look up.

Suddenly a bright light was seen down the cave.

"See there's the exit…we're going to be ok…" he said

"That's not an exit…" Yui said

Kirito's smile dropped as he gulped looking down the tunnel "then in that case…" he said

Sudden a loud roar was heard as Wadjet the flaming serpent barreled down the tunnel

"RUN!" Kirito screamed as they made a mad dash back toward the exit!

"Crap crap! crap!" Kirito yelled as he looked back to see the boss gaining on them.

"ASUNA TAKE YUI AND RUN!" He yelled

Asuna gasped hearing the desperation in his voice she looked back "Kirito!" She screamed

"Mommy!" Yui called getting her attention "this way!" She said

Asuna and Yui ran off. Down a side tunnel to small for the boss.

"Kirito!" She yelled

Kirito looked over with his swords out ready to fight the boss and looked over to see the tunnel, as he ran for it.

As the serpent charged at him intent on not letting him get away Kirito leapt for the tunnel just in time as the beast flew past him and brushed the back of his jacket making him land on his stomach. And start to pat down the flames licking the back of his jacket.

"Ow ow ow!" He hissed

Asuna ran to him and helped put it out as well.

Kirito sighed "note that it's a bad idea to climb onto of that thing… for the boss meeting." He said

Asuna nodded. "We should carry on Yui?" She said looking back at there daughter.

"This way." She said as she lead them down the tunnel more

Eventually the tunnel turned upwards and eventually they found themselves on top of the cliff.

They arrived at the cliff around 8 in the morning. Now it was about noon.

Still it was beautiful.

"Oh wow!" Asuna gasped as she looked out in the distance

While they were close to the floor height the actual ceiling reflected a beautiful mid morning.

"Yeah if only the landscape would reflect that…" Kirito said commenting on the burn fields before them from the bosses wake.

"I suppose we could unblock the waterfall that would be a start…" she said

Kirito nodded

"It's too heavy to break it. We might as well try pushing it off." Kirito said

The three on in the lake where the large bolder was plugging the waterfall. All three braced againt the bolder

"Ready on three… 1…2…3!" He said as the three of them pushed hard against the stone he grit his teeth "come on we almost have it!" He said

Suddenly they felt the boulder start to roll up the lip of the lake

"Almost there a few more good pushes and it will be over!" He said

Suddenly there was a roar in the distance

"What was that?" Kirito looked to Asuna fearfully

"I'll go look!" Yui said, looking around the boulder before gasping. And hiding behind it.

"The boss is coming apparently it's angry about the water coming back!" Yui said

"If we knock the boulder over it won't be able to plug the hole again!" Kirito said

Asuna nodded "Yui help us!"

Yui nodded "Yes." She said as the three pushed

The roar got closer and they felt as if some other force was pushing back on them trying to stop them from sending the boulder over.

"Not this time!" Kirito yelled as he threw his back into it and sent the boulder down below where it cracked in half upon hitting the Lakebed.

And they stood confronting the large Flame serpent angered that his home had been ruined and the water which he hated had now been unleashed.

Kirito took his swords out.

"Quickly get back inside!" He yelled

"We can't the boulder plugged the entrance up!" Yui yelled

"Crap!" Kirito cursed knowing they were trapped

"Get inside we can at least be safe from the- oof!" Kirito grunted as the flame Serpent smacked Kirito with its tail

"Kirito!" Asuna yelled but due to him being in the water he wasn't as hurt.

Kirito looked up shocked "oh I see so that's why the boss hated this lake so much!" He said now confident

"Alright then let's go!" He yelled

He charged forward

"kirito!" Asuna yelled not knowing what he was doing. As he stopped and Swung one sword as hard as he could he dipped the tip into the water Splashing the serpent with the water.

The serpent screamed in pain for while the water was only a minor drop it had other properties that made it super effective against the boss. In other words that one drop was a critical hit in most RPG's.

It was so effective that it was enough to cause the boss to retreat.

Kirito panted as the serpent flew away. Leaving them to ponder over there victory.

"Kirito!" Asuna ran over to him and hugged him from behinf as he stood in the water swaying.

Asuna put an her head on his shoulder " how did you know that would work?"

"I didn't know it would work as effectively as it did, but it's basically science… so I had no doubt the beast wouldn't like it. Now how are we going to get down?" Kirito asked

Yui looked around

"The only way is to go through the cave again we'll have to push it out of our way but that should be easy." Yui said

The Kirito and Asuns nodded as they headed towards the cave.

Finally they pushed the boulder away and headed back towards the town.

They now just needed a way to fight the boss, and Kirito's encounter had given Asuna an idea.

(4 days later: November 16, 2024)

Everyone on the clearers had gathered in the 4th town on the floor which was notable for having the largest body of water that's connected to the waterfall. Perfect for a fight against the field boss.

"Let me get this straight? You want us to have a waterfight with a Boss?" Lund said

"Well when you say it like that it makes it seem childish." Asuna said

"I'm just not sure it's going to work that's all." Lund said

"It will. It drove the monster away from the three of us when it could have easily crushed us and that was a drop. If we have a whole huge host of people, probably just a galleon worth of water will be enough to kill it…" Kirito said

Klein sighed " look buddy not that I doubt you…I don't but I'd just like to know what the backup plan is?" He said

Kirito nodded "basically just stay in the water… it negates most of the bosses' attacks and damage." He said

Klein sighed "ok…what do we need?" He asked

"Everyone participating in the raid is to find a water bucket! I don't care how you get it, just get it by tomorrow. When it comes we will all be in the river." Asuna said

Klein sighed "fine ok let's go!" He said as he pushed off the wall.

"Klein." Kirito said, making the Ronin look back.

"If you need buckets I have a few, back at my place on floor 50." He said

Klein nodded "probably best to bring them, just in case people forget…" he said as he walked out.

By the time the meeting was finished it was mid afternoon as Kirito had headed to Agil's shop to check on how things were doing.

"Hey Agil." Kirito said

Agil looked back. "Hey man! What's this No Asuna?" He asked

Kirito shook his head "no she's too busy getting ready for the next field boss. Say so you have any buckets?" He asked

"If you asked a day ago I'd say I have tons but now my stocks are empty, what do so many players need buckets for?"

"The next field boss is a fire serpent which is weak to the local water so the best way to beat it is to splash it." Kirito said

Agil nodded "that makes sense… alright then we'll I'm out but I know a friend and fellow merchant that's a cobbler he might hook you up." He said

"Cobbler?" Kirito asked

Agil groaned "come on man don't you pay attention to history it's a person who makes barrels! We still need them you know we use them to age drinks all the time so they're still needed even if you can do it by machines. Making buckets is like half the job for him." Agil said

Kirito nodded "I see thanks man I'll go visit him now what's his name?" Kirito asked

"Kyle…and he's on this floor too. Careful Kirito if you think I'm stringent with cor he's a Penny pincher." He warned him

Kirito nodded thanks for the heads up." He said as he walked away.

In an small item shop a man was hammering away on a piece of wood…

He sat back and rubbed his brow. As he looked at the 5lb bucket he just made.

"Alright that's a piece of art." He said as he set it aside and began to make another grabbing his saw and began to cut into the piece of lumber that he used as stock.

He was cut off by the door opening and the bell.

"Be there in a minute…now where did I leave my pencil?" He said

Kirito leined against the wall of the workshop

"By all means take your time… but I'm little suggesting did you check your ear?" He asked

The cobbler reached up and felt the pencil "huh?" He said as he marked the wood before turning to the customers "Well I'll be if it isn't the infamous beater! What can I do for you today?" He asked

Kirito and the cobbler met in a firm handshake

"How many buckets can you make in a day?" He said

The cobbler thought "well back when I had the system, to help me I could pound out 30 in an hour. But now when I'm doing it by hand you should reverse the number." He said

Kirito gawked "one in 30 hours?" He asked

"Yeah that's about right. But it's the best you got other cobblers take a week to prepare a single bucket."

Kirito huffed "damn so much for fast service." He said

"What do you need with so many buckets anyways?" He asked

"We got a boss raid and we need to splash the boss with as much water as he can." Kirito said

"Hmm…we'll I got something but I'm not sure how well it will work. After all you don't look so tough." He said

Kirito stepped forward "for some reason my in-game strength transferred over once we began human I can take it." He said

The cobbler nodded "well if you insist." He said as he headed over to a large massive wooden pail

This is a 10 gallon bucket the original plan was to use it as a water well in the Town of Beginnings and that's what I made it for unfortunately the well was too small and it didn't fit. Not that it really mattered, some 200 iQ wizard was able to make an Archimedes screw work here and won the bid. Now it just collects dust here. Use that it will help. That is if you can lift it." He said

"May I give it a try?" Kirito asked

"Sure." The cobbler grinned

Kirito put the bucket down in the middle of the floor and grabbed the base.

Kirito grunted as he tried to lift it.

"Jeez…how heavy is this?" Heasked as he was unable to budge it

"In the game the system said it was 300lbs." The cobbler said

Kirito looked up "holy fuck how the hell? My strength stat only goes up to 150lbs!" Kirito said

Suddenly the door opened and Guts walked in.

"Oh…it's you?" Kirito said

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the boss fight?" Guts asked

"Yeah I am unfortunately I can't carry this massive bucket if I could I think one splash from this would kill it instantly." He said

"How heavy is it?"

"About 300 lbs." the cobbler said

Guts nodded and lifted it one handed "and how much full?" He asked

"About double the weight." The cobbler said

"Well my sword is 400lbs on a light day so if you need help I'll join for the boss fight." Guts said

"Wait what do you mean on a light day?" Kiritio asked as the two walked away.

The cobbler smiled and got back to work.

They arrived at the field and everyone had a bucket…and were shocked to see Guts carting the massive thing.

The boss was quiet easily as Kirito expected from the comforts of the water.

Everyone had a bucket and when it arrived they splashed at the boss which made it roar and blast them with fire but due to the water's properties it didn't effect anyone heck it didn't even feel warm

Guts filed the massive 10 gallon bucket and threw it at the boss as it shattered.

The boss roared and crashed into the ground as it changed into an apostle.

Everyone dropped there buckets and got there weapons out.

"You will pay for that?!" The boss roared

The boss looked almost like the snake nation now but had a headdress looking like a snake.

The boss looking more humanoid lunged

Guts drew dragonslayer and roll left

"Keep moving don't stand still!" He said

Unfortunately for most there clothing was waterlogged due to being in the water for so long so only Kirito had any sort of mobility.

"Damn it get out of the water it looks like it's just physical attacks now." Kirito said as he ran up to Guts "how can I help?" He asked

"Just keep moving…unfortunately there's not much we can do otherwise." Guts said

The two charges at the boss being the only ones that we're capable of doing so.

Everyone stood shocked as both were bashed back brutally

"Kirito!" Asuna screamed

Kirito looked up and Saw Guts rush past him in a fit of rage!

He gave a great cleave and forced the boss back.

Everyone was in shock while Guts single handedly beat the boss.

Even though Guts was thrown about like a rag doll he was still holding his own and even managed to Slam the boss into the ground as the final kill.

And from that the boss was defeated.

From the death of the boss everyone sighed in relief before they realized that it was getting dark and they headed back into town.

Fortunately with the defeat of the field boss the mobs spawning at night shrank showing the cleansing of God Hand control and once the floor was clear it would rid of it except the ones not killed leaving only the natural animals to wander.

That night there was a large party at the inn for the successful raid. Which Guts wasn't apart of which everyone found strange but didn't let it ruin the mood

As everyone headed to bed for the night. Kirito rocked and sung Asuna to sleep as he looked out the window at the inn not feeling tired…

However he looked out the window and saw Guts walking down the street to the town exit.

Kirito noticed him outside and went to talk to him.

"Hey where are you going?" He asked

"I need to keep moving… especially at night… especially now." He said

Kirito looked up at him

"Why?" He asked

Guts tapped his neck "because of this."

Kirito looked at the brand but had no idea what it was.

"Well the least I could do is walk you out." He said catching up with him.

"You don't need to." Guts said smiling at the gesture

"No but I want to, plus I'm going to do some night training anyway…" Kirito said

Guts looked at him "that's not healthy…"

Kirito shrugged "much like you and not sleeping." He quipped

Guts shrugged "fair, but I've been doing it for 7 or so years my body has gotten used to it… plus I sleep in the day." He said

Kirito sighed "come on." He said as he and Guts walked into the field

"So what is that anyways?" Kirito asked

"In all honesty it's a beacon for demons…" Guts said

"You mean?" Kirito asked

Guts nodded "the bosses are drawn to it…"

"Your life must have been hell." Kirito said

"You don't know the half of it…" he said as he started to walk down the hill and stopped halfway looking back

"Kirito…take care of yourself ok? I see a lot of myself in you so it would be a waste to lose such potential…"

Kirito closed his eyes and nodded "I understand…"

Guts smiled " good night Kirito…" he said as he walked away.

Once Kirito lost sight of him he headed back in deciding he would rather sleep and skip leveling tonight. As he got ready for bed with Asuna and fell asleep. Only to have a nightmare…

"How dare you…"

Kirito opened his eyes into a black void…he was floating.

"Look at you…enjoying your life here… you don't deserve this…"

Kirito looked around and saw Asuna and Yui looking at him with a cold dead stare on his face.

"Kirito! You could've done so much more! You could have gotten us out of the game so much sooner!" The voice of Asuna screamed at him hatefully.

"I hate you papa, you let everyone down! You let everyone die!"

"They're dead because of you Kirito what do you have to say!"

"N-no…" Kirito muttered weakly

"What do you have to say?"

"We're all trapped here because of you!" Asuna screamed at him

"I just wanna go home!"

"Send us home"

"Send us home!"

"Send us home!"

"I…I can't…" Kirito argued weakly

"Your weak!" Another voice yelled

"Your weak and it's your fault"

"It's your fault"

"It's your fault!"

"No…no"

"NO!"

With a last scream Kirito lurched up in a cold sweat holding his head shivering. Everywhere he looked he saw kabou and others who were so close to dying but didn't but they still blamed him

'How long until… until…' his mind swam

He tried to close his eyes to clear the guilt.

Only for his eyes to see a River of blood go across his sight.

Kirito snapped his eyes open and he realized he was holding a tuff of his hair… the ends were bleeding as he ripped them out of his scalp…

Kirito mashed his hair back down and got out of bed he had to calm his nerves somehow.

He carefully got out of bed to not wake Asuna and walked outside.

He looked down at his feet until he was outside the village and he looked up to the field

Skeletons we're rising from the ground and began hobbling towards the town

(Play Song Inyusha EST: Deep Forest)

Kirito grit his teeth as he counted those In the field the skeletons scrambled to life and hobbled towards the village. There must be about 30 or so.

However this time it was worse as they wore human faces and they were the ones Kirito saw in his dreams.

Blaming him…

Still blaming him.

They said nothing but there eyes said it all

"Your fault…"

Kirito grit his teeth

"SHUTUP!" He yelled at the top of his lungs and drew his sword and charged mowing down the monsters with ease as a stress relief.

Kirito just kept swinging as the horde got ever and ever closer. More and more faces that blamed him. Everything…

Sachi, Daviel, Asuna, Klein, Schmitt, Kuradeel, Godfree, Heathcliff,

Heathcliff

Heathcliff!"

Kirito roared and charged past the monsters solely focused on the man who created this as he missed the others around him.

He cut wildly as he flung himself at the smiling bastard…

Only to pass right through him as he was a hallucination…

But Kirito didn't see it like this…

'I failed…' Kirito thought to himself defeatedly…

As his body crashed into the ground limply.

Kirito pushed himself up and charged again at heathcliff cutting into a few skeletons on the way but intent to slay him.

'Another miss.' As he landed on his shoulder.

Once again he got up

'Miss.'

"ARGHHHH!" Kirito activated a sword skill as he handed before Heathcliff and cut away at him.

By the time he finished Kirito looked up Stunned…

No damage… and the prick was still smiling…

He was slicing at air…

Kiritos shoulders slumped defeated as he fell to his knees…

"Why…?"

Kirito pitched forward as he blacked out. around him Skeletons approached him all around.

Kirito woke up and saw things for what they really were

He was so weak…

One skeleton thrusted at him as his body screamed at him to move

In his mind he moved enough to loop his arm around the blade as he lobbed the head off…

In reality the sword impaled his shoulder blade…

Pinning him down

He didn't feel the pain at all

He was just so tired.

He forced his body to respond and cut the head off

But he dislocated his arm in the process…

Kirito felt his tiredness catching up with him…

His inadequacies…

His failures…

Suddenly a sonic boom was heard as Kirito looked up and saw the skeletons had been destroyed…

And the smell of roses filled his eyes…

'Ok now I wish I was dead…' he thought as he saw Ruby standing above him looking down disappointed. And he finally blacked out.

(End song)

When he came to it was still dark but he was on a crest of a hill with a lone tree overlooking the village.

He had a bandage on his shoulder and his arm was in a sling.

Ruby was watching the village like a silent protector.

Kirito sat up and grunted in the pain alerting Ruby that he was awake.

Ruby didn't turn around but didn't need to as he heard her voice well enough

"Do you have a death wish or something?" She asked him

Kirito remained silent

"How long until I heal?" He asked looking at his broken arm.

"If I told you, they're superficial, you'd just take them off and fight again tomorrow wouldn't you…" She said

Kirito said nothing but he didn't need to

Ruby sighed irritatedly

"A day." She said

Kirito looked up shocked

"Huh?"

"Your penance for risking your life so haphazardly…now you have to flaunt your injury." She said

Kirito gasped as he realized something as he looked down guiltily "Asuna's gonna kill me…" he said

"Probably…and to be frank you deserve it…" she scoffed looking back at him before looking back at the field

"You didn't answer my question…why do you do this every night?" Ruby asked

"I have my reasons…" Kirito said

"No, no, you don't!" Ruby growled. Turning back to him angrily

"All you're doing is throwing your life away for no good reason! Not only are you a beacon and a force of hope to others here, but you're the only chance of anybody making it out." She said

Kirito sighed as he leaned back against the tree.

"Others would take my place should I fall…"

"No you idiot, they can't!" Ruby screamed as she stormed up to him and shoved him in his good shoulder

"Well what the fuck else am I supposed to do?!" He snapped, jumping up and sliding his arm out of the sling.

Ruby gasped as she knew his shoulder was still healing. It was mostly healed but it would still be raw until tomorrow.

He must be in extraordinary pain.

Yet he didn't show it… he just looked… tired…

Kirito walked past her and stood on the hill. The breeze blew from behind them as their jackets and cloak caught the wind…

"I don't understand why I have to do this. Why does it have to be me?" He said sadly

Ruby said nothing as she let Kirito spill his heart out.

"Ever since the 75th floor… since we've become human…I've questioned whether it's better to actually leave or not…"

Ruby looked at Kirito in horror.

"For the first time since I actually came here, I'm happy…I have my Wife, my daughter, everything I could ever ask for… and we're not in some in-game engine while our bodies waste away. We're human. We're alive." He said

"But at the same time I know that what you say is true. All too true." He said as he grabbed his head.

"There are people counting on us…on me… to clear this game. To leave this happy life I've made and risk it all for their sake."

"And I don't wanna go… I wanna stop… live with the people I have and just enjoy life for what I can." Kirito said

Ruby stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder

"You'll allowed to…" she said

Kirito threw her off "no, that's just it, no I'm not! You just said so!" He said as he pushed himself forward…

"…That's why I come out here each night…to push myself forward…to clear a certain goal that for all honesty I've long since not cared for…" he said

He looked back to Ruby who gasped holding her hand to her mouth for the scene before her broke her heart…

Kirito was crying silently.

"Because I know… if I stop…I'll never go back to the front…" Kirito said

"Help me…" He said pleadingly

Ruby stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.

"I see you've found it…the curse of being a hero… I'm sorry…" Ruby said

Kirito said nothing and just cried

Eventually Ruby began to escort Kirito back to his inn room. Kirito had his arm back in the sling.

In the middle of the night Yui had gotten up and went to sit on the couch watching the door. She knew Kirito was out and was doing something mommy wouldn't like because he needed someone to talk to…despite being his daughter she was still a Mental Health Program.

She waited kicking her feet as the door open she looked up and Gasped

By the door Kirito and Ruby walked in, the first thing Yui saw was the sling on Kirito's arm

Kirito stood still noticing his daughter up and looked king at him he smiled sadly at her

"Daddy did a bad…" Yui said almost disapprovingly as if the situation's was reversed

It brought a smile to his face but the facts still lingered as he sighed and sat down next to her brushing her with his good hand "Yeah he did…" he said

Ruby smiled at the two of them. "Yui?" She said

Yui just nodded "I understand Ms Rose, let me do my job please…" Yui said

Ruby nodded "good night." Ruby said as she closed the door

Yui looked over to Kirito and it hit Kirito that she wasn't his daughter right now…but the Mental Health Counselor Program…

{"Is there any reason why you've been acting like this?"} Yui asked

Kirito nodded "Unfortunately…" he admitted

{"Mind telling me?"}

Kirito paused he knew he should but at the same time the words just wouldn't form…

{"I won't judge…"} Yui said as she put a hand on Kirito's leg.

Kirito sighed as he leined back

"Ever sense we've become human, it's harder for me to associate this as a game…instead it's just an extension of life…I mean why not, I can bleed, I can feel, I can touch, sure the monsters are real but-.

{"The value of being human is incomprehensible."} Yui said

Kirito nodded "but besides that I'm with you." He said

Yui tilted her head "papa?" Shifting back into his daughter

However Kirito opened the floodgates and hugged Yui tightly as he began to sob.

"Y-you and Asuna- mommy. being with you guys has become the best thing that ever could have happened to me…and I don't want to lose you. I don't want to leave you. And it feels this is become so insurmountable it hurts. I just wish that we could stay here forever and not have to worry about going back."

Kirito fell back shakily as he pulled away.

"But of course I can't…I can't be selfish now, not when too many are counting on us…on me…so rather than risk not wanting to get up in the morning and just being happy, every time I've had a nightmare I head out to train."

Suddenly he heard a gasp and a droping of a tea cup which shattered.

Kirito snapped a look over his shoulder "oh crap…"

In the kitchen Asuna was crying holding her hand to her mouth.

"Is…is this true Kirito? Is this how you've been feeling? What you've been doing lately?"

Kirito looked down guiltyly "yeah…" he said

"How long?" She asked anger rising in her voice

When Kirito said nothing she asked again louder

"How long?"

"Sense we first got to the floor…" he answered

"All that time…you been going out. Risking your life punishing yourself for something that no one blames you for…" she said

"Asuna…" he said as she suddenly sprinted over to him and threw herself into his arms.

"Dummy." She said as she cooed into the crook of his neck. Snuggling for warmth

"We're in this together." She said

Kirito just cried as Asuna started to rock back and forth and began to hum to him a soothing tune.

Kirito folded in Asuna's grip as the stress of the situation. The was enough to make him fold.

Asuna sighed as she noticed that's he was finally asleep peacefully.

Yui looked at Asuna "do you want to sleep mommy?"

Asuna shook her head "no it's fine…he deserves this…he finally deserves happiness after so long…"

As Asuna watched him in peace I didn't last for long as he started to struggle and twist and turn…

Asuna gasped

"Yui!"

Yui looked at Kirito "oh no it's a nightmare!"

Asuna gasped looking at him

{"all the trauma he's sustained from this world…no wonder he's had PTSD…"}

Asuna looked at Yui

"Is there anything we can do?" She asked hating being helpless.

{"Be there for him…"} she said

Kirito squinted his eyes and shook his head and grunted

{"he's waking up his behavior might be erratic!"} yui warned

Asuna nodded as she brushed his cheek

"Kirito…" she said

Kirito snapped his eyes open and lurched up screaming.

"It won't end! it just won't end!" He slammed his fist into the couch "damn it." He growled

Then he calmed down

"I can't be loud…can't wake Asuna…nor Yui…I have to be strong… for them…for us…for everyone." He said destraught as he pushed down his feelings clearly not recognizing the lights were on and both were awake.

That was until he felt Asuna snake an arm around behind him startling him as he spun around thinking it was an attacker and about to attack.

Only to look deeply into Asuna's eyes

Just seeing his lovers eyes calmed him down instantly and folded back into her arms shaking in tears

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry I'm so weak…" he said trying to pull away from her grip for some crazy reason.

Asuna however wouldn't let go.

"Your not weak love." She said

"I am…how can I do any of this…anything that's expected of me if I can't even push past my own will?" Kirito said

He tried to sit up again however this time Asuna pulled him down.

This time Kirito fought back like a savage animal intentionally elbowing Asuna in the face.

"Papa!" Yui screamed crying trying to psych himself out of his Crazed handling.

"Yui go to bed!" Asuna said strictly, still holding into Kirito as he thrashed about helplessly like a child…

Yui nodded and while unhappy did as she was told…hopefully mommy could set Kirito straight.

As Yui shut the door she could hear muttering on the other side but couldn't hear the exact words

Immediately after Yui left the room Kirito immediately stopped thrashing about and trying to look strong in front of Yui as his daughter… as he just broke down in his lovers arms.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to hurt you…" he sobbed

Asuna, who was wearing a black eye, just smiled and put a hand on his head "it's nothing a healing potion won't fix." She said

"S-still I hurt you… i really don't deserve you…" Kirito moaned

"What was the words you told me back on floor 55 after the death of kuradeel?" Asuna said making Kirito hitch a breath…

He shook his head feeling even more guilty.

"I'm just the worst partner aren't I?" He said

"No one's perfect…" Asuna said "but we do our best anyways."

Kirito sighed "I don't deserve you."

Asuna smiled "but you got me anyway's."

Kirito sighed giving up on the fact that he won't win this argument and went to sleep in his lovers arms.

This time there was no nightmare.

(Play song : I'd do anything for love, long version by meat loaf)

Kirito dry heaved with each breath sounding like a hum of a motorcycle, in and out,

It made Asuna wince each time how long had Kirito been suffering like this? How was she so blind?

She brought her hand up to pat his head which made him wince as Asuna thought she accidentally woke him up but after a second or two he fell back limp.

As they laid there thunderstruck across the night sky. Illuminating the room as they laid in each other's arms.

Asuna rocker Kirito back and forth swearing to be better for him…after all he's done not just for her but for everyone.

But that would start the day after tomorrow when they go back on the hunt.

They would get out of this game.

[montage of them climbing floors]

The next morning they got up and Kirito thanked Asuna and Yui perfusily,

All Asuna said was that Ruby's punishment still stood so that was a full day wearing the sling and no combat.

Kirito nodded, accepting his fate.

Asuna grabbed his cheeks and brought him into a kiss. The final caveat was that if this happens again they head out to fight together…

The next day they were back on the front lines together.

Kirito and Asuna entered the dungeon on the floor and they stuck together,

Everytime one got knocked aside the other would just go in even without having to call out to switch.

They were so in sync. It struck the others in awe.

Kirito sighed as he thought about Dying and abandoning Asuna if something tragic happened.

'No…no I won't let it happen I won't!' Kirito grit his teeth and charge past Asuna,

He clashed swords with a monster as Asuna ran up beside him and covered his flank.

Suddenly they broke apart and swapped to each others monsters knocking their monsters off side and killing them before moving on quickly, down the dungeon to another group way far behind them the rest of the clearing forces were in awe.

On the next floor they broke past the field and into the town.

That night Kirito rocked himself to bed to sleep Then Asuna Arrived and comforted him and laid him to sleep

The next night Kirito was already dead asleep with heavy bags under his eyes as Asuna draped her arm over him.

Then the next night Kirito and Asuna fought at night against a horde of monsters attacking the town until the sun rose.

Another night they stayed up all night with Kirito screaming his heart out with Asuna trying to calm him.

Another night Kirito is shivering from nightmares as Asuna clung to him to confront him.

And a third night Kirito and Asuna were fighting again in the forest outside the town going all out! Kirito duel wielding and Asuna using her best techniques to keep up

They stood outside the town in the middle of the night watching the village as it slept. As Kirito watched silently he was crying..

While Kirito watched the village Asuna came up behind him and held his hand making Kirito look over to her with a smile. As she wiped his tears away. As they both looked out

They both looked over to the village as the seasons past.

Kirito and Asuna fought on the front lines. Lit by torch fire as the boss took they fought in was slick with oil.

Asuna and Kirito were sitting in the rocking chair snuggling together.

Kirito and Asuna looked at each other. They kissed and they turned to see the floor boss. Crash before them

As they killed the boss Kirito carried Asuna up the stairs to the next floor. The rest of the cleansers clapping as if they were just married…

That night they stayed in the room and decided to have sex as a way to make sure they both remembered this night.

After the night Kirito and Asuna were swaying back and forth calming each other down.

Asuna the entire time was whispering in his ear that she would never leave him…

The next few days they threw themselves into clearing the floor. Savagely this time Asuna was the one screaming as she lunged

Asuna and Kirito were fighting back to back as they were surrounded on all sides. As the monsters lunged at them both stood calm as they swatted the attacks away.

Kirito and Asuna lunged savagely at the horde.

Kirito saw Asuna on the ground and he charged in recklessly to save her

Asuna watched in slow motion as he Jumped over her body and Hacked at the monster

Kirito landed and gave Asuna a lovely smile as she smiled back.

Again Kirito and Asuna went back to snuggling this time with Yui in between them.

Asuna and Kirito shared a meal as Asuna cooked as she lead it over to the table she dropped it making it spill as she found Kirito had vanished as she rushed around in panic only to find he was getting changed in the other making her laugh.

Once again they threw themselves savagery on another floor. As on lower floors Argo was publishing articles about there exploits {"floor 81 cleared!"}

Then another {"floor 83 cleared!"}

And a third {"dynamic duo. Clear floor 85"}

Out on the field Asuna and Kirito were training trying to perfect a new technique where one would throw the other to get into the boss quickly allowing the other to follow up with an attack allowing them to switch out.

A few days later Kirito laid on the grass Asuna next to him as he read a note from Argo. He blushed and looked to Asuna but she was asleep he sighed.

A few nights later Kirito was panting as he looked at his shoulder bleeding he didn't feel.

He snapped a look up and saw Asuna going flying as he screamed and charged

As thunder struck and rain started to pour they got in the comfortably position back to back as the monsters charged again.

Kirito sat in his room thinking on the bed, arms resting on his knees. He was thinking about him being a solo player and what he deserved for this…

He look up as Asuna walk in and on the bed across from him. No words were exchanged as Kirito lunged forward and hugged him as his chest rose and fell up and down rapidly.

Kirito and Asuna headed out to the floors dungeon a fire of determination burned in there eyes

On the lower floors Silica, Lis, and many other mid range players prayed for Kirito and Asuna's success.

In the dungeon Asuna stuck a beast but was open due to another flanking her suddenly.

However before the blade struck her Kirito jumped between it blocking it with his body.

Asuna grit her teeth and pivoted on her heel and Stabbed the monster killing both as she held Kirito on the dungeon floor.

She pulled a healing crystal as they embraced warmly glad they were safe.

Asuna looked over training of other people for joining the clearers and was there teammates. However each time she only saw Kirito beside her fighting.

Asuna looked at a hill and saw Kirito standing with Yui before turning and heading back.

Later that night Asuna smelled a Stew she made Kirito and Yui as she brought it over.

Kirito and Yui sat down eagerly waiting for Asuna as they ate together,

Kirito looked out to see the setting Sun urging him to go out and fight monsters

But he turned his head back to the meal content and happy.

Asuna wakes up in the middle of the night to see Kirito had vanished

On the field Kirito swung savagely alone. His blood pumping no longer seeing friend or foe but just himself and monsters.

Kirito jumped and landed on a mob killing it as he looked up and saw Asuna above him as she looked to see more mobs she vanished.

Kirito looked over as she attacked 3-5-10 mobs and killed them easily.

Kirito looked up as Asuna presented her hand to lift him up he accepted as they stood together as another group of monsters shambled their way.

They looked at each other as they lunged into the horde

As they fell in sync Kirito struck first followed by Asuna they fought in waves

As the sun rose they stood in the field of dead monsters and they kissed

The next day Argo posted an Article of them kissing under the sun. With a title of {"Arncrad cutest couple fighting till the end."}

A few weeks later Kirito and Asuna were racing together down the street of a town rushing to go on a date.

Asuna stuck her face in a window seeing beautiful sets of jewelry. But Kirito argued against it. However Asuna kissed him and dragged him in with a smile on his face.

Kirito sat in Ashley's Taylor shop as Asuna tried on different outfit's for which Kirito had different reactions

The last one was just her panties as Kirito was drinking a bit of water and had a spit take. As Ashley laughed in the background.

A few days later they stood facing another floor boss. As they acted in sync, and struck the boss about a thousand times

The boss was stunned as a group of the DDA finished the boss off.

Kirito and Asuna were grinding another floor and in the background Ruby and her team watched.

Klein and his guild waved them down,

Agil gave them cheaper prices,

Lisbeth repair's their equipment.

Kirito sighed as he returned home carrying all the stuff he got and Yui jumped into his arms making him chuckle.

Kirito and Asuna and Yui looked at the setting sun with a smile as Yui sat on Kirito's shoulders Asuna laughed as a breeze made Kirito swallow a leaf.

A few days later Kirito found Argo and paid her for information which she gave him as he left.

The next day Kirito took Asuna on a date during a special event for Valentine's Day with no boss but it was romantic. As they kissed under two cherbs

The next day they beat the boss of the floor and reached floor 89.

Asuna and Kirito laid together in bed a smile on there face as they dreamed of each other, what they would do when they escaped…the life they would live…together.

The next day Kirito and Asuna fought in the dungeon and due to being out of position it was the closest Asuna had come to death as he snapped in rage and charged.

Three cuts and tree monsters died.

After the threat was gone he fell to his knees dismayed he failed.

Asuna crawled over to him and Kirito helped her up and carried her out of the dungeon.

As they left Asuna questioned him about how much longer to expect this to go on…

"Not long…" he said

That night Asuna and Kirito comforted each other as Kirito had a panic attack of him being too slow and Asuna actually dying.

Asuba grabbed him and brought him back as they just embraced each other.

"Thank you…" Kirito said

"I love you Kirito." Asuna said

The next day Asuna made breakfast as Kirito and Yui slurped it up hungrily.

Later they went to look at the major town and saw an emerald tower.

Yui jumped in between them saying it was beautiful and it was there that Kirito promised that he would bring Yui to the real world and show her the real world. And went through all sorts of technical talk

Asuna was stunned saying he didn't have to, and he could just mount a camera to his shoulder.

However Kirito turned to her and explained " I'm not just bringing Yui to us…I'm bringing home our daughter…" he said

Asuna teared up and threw herself at Kirito saying he was the best. As all three embraced

Kirito pulled away and wiped her tears "only the best for my love."

Yui jumped up and down excited that she could explore the real world.

Asuna smiled as they headed back home as a family.

One night Asuna woke up and found Kirito no where to be found…

She looked around and found him slumped on the couch crying.

He let out an unbridled roar in anguish as Asuna jumped in to pin him down before he tried to do something drastic.

Kirito lurched trying to throw Asuna off him but she would let go.

Finally Kirito settled down

Asuna and Yui put Kirito to bed as they watched from the door as his chest rose and fell.

They looked at each other in concern.

A few nights later Kirito was Back at his dangerous solo slaughter protecting the town. Asuna in bed crying from how Kirito just reverted back…

Kirito stood in the empty field the Elucidator leveled by his side

Kirito looked at the sky crying he knew he was hurting Asuna by doing this but he had no idea what else to do.

Kirito screamed in anger into the night.

(End song)

Kirito entered the room and found Asuna sitting up waiting for him.

"Oh…hello…" he said as he guiltily took off his gear

"You were leveling again…" Asuna said

Kirito nodded.

"I could hear… you have a lot of anger in you Kirito."

He sighed as he laid down next to her.

"I know. The leveling helps…" he said as he pulled the blanket over him

Asuna looked over to him still sitting up.

"Kirito. I have a question." She said

Kirito looked at her and sat up "ok?" He asked

"Asuna took a deep breath, Kirito…if I were to die tomorrow…how would you react?" She asked

Kirito hitched a breath as Asuna sighed

"Would you act in rage or despair?" She said

Kirito looked at his lap his bags covering his eyes as his voice wavered "W-why would you ask me that?"

Asuna shivered "I…I need to know… rage or dispare?" She pushed

Kirito sighed knowing she wouldn't let this go.

"I want to say Despair but…" he said knowing how he would actually feel if he lost Asuna now with everything that has been built up by his emotions.

Asuba nodded knowingly and said deeply.

"I'm starting to be afraid of you Kirito…" she said as Kirito's eyes shot open

"…your anger, your starting to dip into it more and more… and it's getting harder and harder for me to pull you out…" Asuna said,

"How do I know that one day you won't…" she stopped refusing to say the possibility.

Kirito stayed looking down "I'm sorry…" he said

Asuna looked at him

"I never wanted you to be afraid of me… It's something that…" Kirito paused as he got out of the bed and got his gear.

"Where are you going?" Asuna asked

"You said it yourself, I'm dangerous, and I need to think about how I can deal with this anger safely. I refuse to put you in danger Asuna echelon if it's from me." He said

Asuna tossed off the blanket and stood up "Kirito that's not what I was saying and you know it!" She said

However Kirito was serious as he drew a teleport crystal from his pocket.

"I'll be back soon, I love you Asuna know I do this for you."

"Kirito stop!" Asuna screamed as she started to run at him

":Teleport: Town of Beginnings:" Kirito said as he vanished

"Noooooo!" Asuna screamed as she landed on the floor where Kirito last stood.

( floor 1: Town of beginnings)

Kirito walked the streets of the empty town alone he sighed as he approached the Black Iron palace.

He walked in and went to where the prison cells were.

"I'd like to request a stay…" Kirito said

The warden scoffed "buddy we're not an inn service." He said he looked up and stumbled back

Kirito looked at him with hollow eyes.

"I'm dangerous and I need time to think to myself, a two day stay should do…" Kirito said as he dropped a bag of money

The warden scoffed "Alright fine. I just happened to have one cell…" he said "put your weapons in the chest." He said

Kirito did so as the warden looked him over "follow me." He said as he lead Kirito to the cell he opened it up and Kirito looked back at the warden

"Oh and one last thing… I'm not to be disturbed unless it's meal time, no visitors please." Kirito said

"Fine by me." He said as he shut the cell

Kirito sat on the back of the cell looking at his feet. A dead cold look in his eyes…

(Floor 90)

Asuna sat on the bed distraught at the fact Kirito ran away from her like that. She didn't Want him to take such drastic action, just to be more aware of his flaws.

Asuna cried herself to sleep unable to deal with the fact that she caused this to occur.

The next day she refused to get out of bed Yui had to walk in and snuggle up with her to rouse her

Heavy heavy bags were under her eyes from the stress and lack of sleep.

Asuna didn't leave the apartment for the first day.

By 3 pm someone was pounding on the door.

Yui headed down to serve for the time knowing she couldn't do anything about Asuna right now.

Asuna slowly got up and made her way to the door in bare feet.

She opened the door and found Klein grumbling.

"Jeez Kirito can you even be-Wah A-Asuna?!" He stumbled as he realized he wasn't talking to Kirito.

Asuna had a dead look in her eyes.

"Hi Klein…come in I'll get some food for you…" she said as she turned away robotically

Klein gulped and stepped in looking around all the lights were off and he didn't seem at all homey anymore.

"What…is going on?" Klein asked

"Kirito and I went our separate ways…" Asuna said

Klein was stunned "what?! A-Asuna that makes no sense Kirito would give his life for you what do you mean you broke up with him!" He asked more angry at the fact Kirito would even abandon Asuna than anything else.

A butter knife landed next to his face as Klein looked to see Asuna was now livid.

And still wearing the ring… something that she would've just pitched if they broke up.

"Umm…"

Asuna stomped forward "we did not break up! It's he's got it in his stupid head to go into exile for some reason!" She huffed, ripping out the butter knife from the wall support.

"Exile?" Klein asked

Asuna huffed "yeah it pisses me off the more I think about it…" she said

Klein sat down with Asuna as she got her meal out.

As she ate it she realized it tasted more like cardboard without Kirito there to lather over it… Klein seemed to be enjoying it but it wasn't the same…

She gave up after 3 bites

"So…where is he?" Klein asked

Asuna scoffed "last night when he teleported away he went to floor 1… I refuse to check to see if he's still there." She said

Klein did so and sighed "yeah he is…he's sitting in the prison…" he said

Asuna clenched her fist "dumass." She huffed

"How about you explain to me what happened and what caused this and I'll see if I can help." Klein said

Asuna explained it and Klein found himself getting angrier and angrier.

"Damn it!" He said as he pounded on the table

"I kept telling him he didn't have to hold the entire weight of the world on his shoulders!" Klein hissed

"He says he's done this because he didn't want to lash out in anger." Asuna said

Klein looked up "I mean that makes sense…I mean not as drastic but sure I get where he's coming from. But the question is does he have anger?" Klein asked

Asuna nodded "he does…but it's either only if I'm in danger or something else is on the line." Asuna said

"Asuna has he ever lost control of his anger before?"

Asuna looked at her hands. "No…" she said

"What do you think Kirito would do if he found out he struck you?" Klein asked

Asuna gasped and began to cry.

"He'd…he'd cut his own hand off as penance." She said

Klein nodded "He knows that too, he doesn't want to hurt you, I just think he needs time."

Asuna nodded

Klein smiled "how about this… if you want to we can head out to the fields and level together until Kirito comes back." He said

Asuna nodded "ok…I'll get dressed." She said as she put on her uniform.

Asuna stepped out and Klein and his guild walked to the nearest field. To monster grind.

The next day Kirito left the cell much better than before

He unblocked his contacts and told Asuna he was on his way back.

He got a screaming comment rant by Klein a few seconds later that he and Asuna were in trouble grinding.

Kirito didn't hesitate as he ran to the Teleport gate "FLOOR 90!" He yelled as he charged in the open portal.

He found himself nearby the spawn fields Asuna and Klein were at and indeed they were in trouble.

Both were exhausted and they at least 25 more monsters around them.

Kirito let out a war cry and charged as he ran up to one and jumped on it digging his sword in its back before hopping on its back to begin riding it like a horse as he charged and cut down the others wolves.

Kirito jumped off and cut the head off his temporarily mount once the others were dead as he landed

"Are you guys ok?" He asked

Asuna flung herself at him.

"I was so worried!" She said "you blocked your contact's I couldn't even talk to you." She moaned.

"I'm sorry I just needed to think fortunately I've found my answer now and I'm no longer leaving your side again." Kirito said

Asuna looked up "promise?"

Kirito nodded "promise."

Klein looked beyond then getting terrified "um guys?" He asked

Kirito looked over to see a Minotaur field boss.

"Cute moment! Too bad I'm going to rip you apart!" The boss said as his crotch got bigger.

Asuna gagged Kirito looked livid

"You will not touch her." He said looking down

Asuna and Klein stumbled back

'What the hell is this Kirito's rage Asuna was talking about?!' Klein asked

"You think you can stop me little boy…go ahead-. What?" The boss was stunned as Kirito appeared on the bosses Shoulder and thrusted through his neck. As he landed Kirito stylishly collapsed his knees into a backroll as he ended standing up.

Klein gulped "remind me to not piss you off." He said

Kirito sighed "sorry I guess thawed is one or two triggers to my anger I need to be careful of." He said

Klein nodded "and knowing you it's all to do with Asuna right?"

Kirito nodded "more or less. Hey come on I'll buy dinner my treat for being away for so long." He said

Klein cheered as Asuna clung onto Kirito as they walked.

They picked up Yui before they ate and she could tell both Asuna and Kirito were much better.

As they ate dinner Kirito apologized about his actions and he explained why he did it. Asuna accepted his apology so long as she lets him know he's going to do something like that.

Kirito nodded and agreed it was kinda selfish of him not to, but he also said if he didn't then he knew Asuna would've convinced him to come home and the problem wouldn't have been resolved.

Asuna huffed but had to concede he was right.

Klein grabbed both of their shoulders hugging them tightly. "Hey now it's over lighten up. Also Kirito I told you before!" He said

Kirito huffed "yeah yeah don't let the entire world drag me down." He said

"Good now, listen to it!" Klein snapped as Asuna and Yui chuckled at him.

After food they went home and Klein said that now that all three of them were together perhaps they could go leveling tomorrow.

Kirito smiled liking the idea.

Asuna at the time was scrolling through her skills list. And while sword skills were weaker now while they are human they helped in a pinch.

Which is why it suprised Asuna she found a skill not before seen on her list.

{"Forward March- 0/1000"}

"W-what the heck?!" Asuna gasped

Kirito and Klein looked over "what what is it?" Kirito asked

Asuna showed her :unique skill: which made then stunned

"What does the skill do?" Klein asked

Asuna read it "Kaishingeki: March forward: skill type unique skill: Unlocked by accumulating a total of 10,000 True Critical Hits, Effects: if the user activated this skill and lands a critical hit…" she was stunned "…That player will not be effected by post motion delay." She said

Klein and Kirito were stunned that it was just a broken skill and if done correctly could lead into a very effective Combo chain of skills.

Kirito and Klen realized that Asuna just got even more dangerous

And then she screamed again.

"PASSIVE EFFECT?!"

They looked over "wait there's a passive effect too?" Klein asked

"No…that was the passive effect…" she explained

Klein was stunned but kirito caught her wording

"There's more?" He asked

Asuna nodded and read {"if the user lands a critical hit on any opponent, it automatically becomes a true critical hit, if a critical or true critical hit land on an opponent that opponent will be stunlocked for five seconds. And any sword skill's activitied at this time would be canceled."}

Kirito felt his jaw drop. The passive ability was busted but with the actual ability Asuna is a one trip Death stick.

"Holy crap!" Kirito said

"Way to go Asuna now you can stand beside Mr Black Swordsmen here together!" Klein cheered

Kirito elbowed him "cut it out, that's not my title." He said seriously

Klein rubbed the back of his head "right sorry." He apologized

Kirito nodded "we should head home for now tomorrow we will train your skill up Asuna." Kirito said

Asuna nodded excitedly

Klein waved them goodbye "well I got a head back…oh hey Asuna…now that you can…make sure to stand by Kirito till the end ok?" Klein said

Asuna nodded.

The next day Kirito, Asuna and Klein made there way to the field,

"You ready Asuna?" Kirito asked

Asuna drew Lambent Light.

Kirito and Klein got ready. "Ok here's the deal we will only let one mob in at a time allowing you to get use to the skill, once your confident in using and activating the skill well step away and let's see how large of a chain you can get going." He said

Asuna nodded as she got in a ready position

They were training on wolves so they were not that much of a threat. As Kirito and Klein held off most of the horde Kirito let one slip between the two of them

"Heads up Asuna!" Kirito said

Asuna caught the beast in her glare as she affixed herself in the fencer position Weiss taught her to.

"Kyaaaaaa!" Asuna roared as she lunged at the beast as it tried to hit her as she struck out with a :Linear:

She was able to disengage from an attack and strike her target true.

:Critical hit!:

As the beast landed Asuna stood up and attacked again this time not opting for the skill and just ending the beast.

Kirito looked back "how was that?" He asked her

"Amazing." She said as she got ready.

"Ok send the next one in." She said

Kirito nodded "Alright here we go!" He said as he let another two in.

Asuna stood up and swayed left then right before she struck landing a hit before they could even begin an attack.

She stunned the first beast without a sword skill before using it to land an attack on the second beast stunning that too as Asuna turned around and finished off the first beast before the 5 second timer went off. Before doing the same to the other.

Klein looked back before saying with a smile "Kirito I think she's ready." He said

Kirito looked back eagerly "what do you think Asuna? think you can go for a chain?" He asked her

Asuna smiled confidently "let them in boys!" She said

Kirito and Klein looked at each other "ok here we go!" They said as they disengage from the monsters they were fighting before jumping back behind Asuna as the monsters started to charge like a wave at her.

"Heahhhhhh!" Asuna roared as she charged forward, blitzing her arm out as she ran past the monsters striking each beast at least once. As she stood on the other side she turned around and charged again, killing the beasts on her second go around.

Klein and Kirito were stunned as they saw the numbers dwindling down

"Asuna is scary." They said together.

By the end Asuna was finishing up the last two Klein got excited as he sheathed his sword and smiled crouching low.

What he didn't see was that his sheath began to glow…

Kirito did however "um Klein?" Kirito asked

Heyyyahhhh!" Klein yelled as he charged at the last stunned beast drawing his blade from his sheath as he passed the beast killing it in a Quick draw Cut.

However this made so the beast Asuna was going for not there cutting her off from her chain.

"Damn it Klein that was my kill!" She said as she landed haphazardly on the grass.

Klein turned around rubbing his head apologetically "sorry Asuna I think I just got too excited." He said

Asuna huffed but forgave him when Kirito walked past her "forget that, what was that skill I don't remember you able to do that before." He said

Klein looked confused before he popped open his skill list "hey your right I got a new skill." He said

"What is it?" Asuna asked

{"Battoujutsu."} he said before he gasped "Battoujutsu! Yes!" Klein cheered

"Sword Draw cut for unique skill nice…" Kirito said with his hands on his hips and a smile.

Klein looked at Kirito confused "huh your right it is a Unique skill.

{"Battoujutsu: Quick Sword Draw: Skill type Unique: effect: If user has Sword in sheath before starting combat and uses this ability, 100% chance to stagger the opponent, 50% of instant kill. Opponent I staggered 0.5 times the amount of skill points in slot…"} Klein said

Asuna was shocked "holy crap that's just as busted as mine." She said

Klein said "yeah except I can only do it once at the start of the battle, still the possibility of an instant kill is sweet." Klein said

"Well I guess it's time for Klein to level up his skill." Kirito said

Asuna nodded

And just like that they swapped spots Asuna in Kleins spot and him in her's…

They repeated the same process and while Kleins skill wasn't as powerful as Asuna's it was pretty powerful in its own right.

Klein sheathed his sword and smiled

"Well thanks for that guys." He said

Asuna nodded "the floor should be cleared in 2 or so days…" she said

"Yeah…hey here's an idea Kirito how about a duel?" Asuna asked

Kirito looked up at her

"A duel?" He asked

"Yeah I wanna see who has the better skill." She said

Yeah sure but it's starting to get late." Kirito said

Asuna nodded "tomorrow then?" She asked

Kirito nodded

The next day Asuna and Kirito stood across from each other swords outs ready to duel.

Klein stood off to the side to watch

Kirito sent the Duel request to Asuna who looked at the request and triggered the half health Duel.

Kirito lowered himself into his stance. As Asuna narrowed her eyes.

"Good luck Kirito don't hold back because I won't…"

"Same to you…" Kirito said nodding

The duel began and they charged at each other

The clash gave off a shockwave so powerful that it blew Klein off his feet.

As they interlocked swords, Kirito still had one free.

Asuna didn't give him the chance to slash at Her as he disengaged however Kirito didn't take a swing.

Asuna narrowed her eyes "you could have easily cut at me. But you didn't, why?" Asuna asked

Kirito smiled "you'll never know" He said with a charming smile which irritated Asuna.

He surged forward and activated his dual swords.

Only to be intercepted by Asuna.

Once again he parried with one blade and this time took a sweep with the other

Asuna ducked under the blade and retreated stabbing Kirito in the stomach making him freeze up.

'Stun?!' He thought

Asuna landed on her feet and charged again

'Move…move…move!' Kirito screamed mentally

And at the last second he sidestepped the attack stunning Asuna as he raised both blades to wack her back.

Asuna flipped her sword across her spine and parried the attacks. As she stood up making Kirito at inclose and not hold an awkward pose.

Only to be forced to bend when Asuna planted a foot on his chest. Making him hit grass.

Kirito followed it up with a backroll as Asuna capitalized on the opening however she flew over him. Allowing Kirito to get up.

Asuna turned around and hissed

The duel kept going like this Asuba getting one hit but not enough to follow it up while dancing away from Kirito's powerful strikes.

And not for lack of trying either Kirito even activated Starburst stream to try to combo Asuna into giving him a hit.

He knew he only needed one.

However Asuna was able to keep up parrying both blades with her own rapier.

She was so fast! Kirito was stunned.

Kirito growled and with a roar he threw himself forward when there would have been post motion delay, except Kirito didn't activate Starburst stream by skill, just memory.

Ever sense they became human the clearers began to rely less and less on Skill attack's and more than actually cutting, Kirito was probably the only one to memorize the patterns of Starburst stream however. Giving him an advantage.

One he capitalized on as he dragged a cut across Asuna's chest

Asuna fell to her knees as the duel was over.

Kirito didn't hesitate; he dropped both his swords and ran to her.

He dug for a potion and healed her. Asuna gave him a smile "good match." Not angry at her loss.

Off to the side Ruby watched the bout farther away as she smerked "and I was told Arncrad had no magic…" she said as she walked away.

Klein came up to them and knelt beside them.

"You ok?" He asked

Asuna nodded "yeah…" she said as

Eventually they got back home and Kirito got a message from the Moonlit Black Cats asking if they could meet up with them. Apparently they had some sort of news.

Asuna and Klein refused to leave him however so they joined him.

They arrived and Sachi was sitting down looking at themselves. As sachi looked the most worried. Kaita was comforting Sachi.

"What's up?" Kirito asked, closing the door. As the others walked in

Sachi looked up happy then noticed Asuna and Klein where there.

"Well it's um…it's hard to talk about…" Sachi said

"We won't judge." Klein said

Sachi sighed "well…a few days ago I was going through my skills list to see what I needed to level up until the the next boss. And I found a skill I didn't know I had." She said

Klein, Asuna and Kirito shaired a look

"Go on…" Kirito said

"Well it looks to be a Unique skill, like that of Duel blades, it's called, Infinite Spear. And it allows me to when activated send out a rush of attacks in all directions ensuring the enemy can't block the attacks." She explained

"How long does it last?" Asuna asked

"Until I turn it off." Sachi said

"Wow that's powerful." Klein said

Sachi looked at the three confused "you seem to be taking this rather well." She said

Kirito smiled and thumbed the both of them "these two unlocked there own Unique skills as well. Welcome to the group Sachi." Kirito said

"Yeah were going to kick Kayaba's ass!" Klein said

Sachi laughed "yeah…you make it seem like it's a major thing." She said

"Well Kayaba said there were only 10 unique skills each handed out to one archetype. Asuna has Critical hits, and while isn't set to her weapon she has advantage in it. Then there's Klein with the Drawing Sword Cut." Kirito said

Klein smiled "that's right I'm a true samurai now." He said

"You don't have a dynamo…" Sachi said

Klein slumped "damn it…"

I have Duel blades, and Heathcliff had holy blade. So yeah. That's 4 against him as the final boss." Kirito said

"Wait are you saying…"

Kirito nodded "I'm saying we gather the players who have the Unique skills and form a party when it's time to face Heathcliff." He said

"It will be nine vs one are you sure?" Kaita asked

"More like 14 vs 1 if we're lucky. I have a feeling that anyone else would end up like the Skull reaper." Kirito said

"I'll do it." Sachi said as everyone looked over

"I'll join your party." She said determined

Kirito nodded "Good, for now we have time so we should look for who else has the Unique skill before the raid." He said

The Moonlit Black cats nodded

"Thanks for this guys." Sachi said

"Hey it's not like we're gonna curse you out or something, despite which someone thinks we would." Klein said

"Hey!" Kirito argued however Asuna stepped in "It literally nearly took us dying for you to reveal your dual blades. I'm sorry love you can't win this." Asuna said

Kirito huffed "ok fine…I guess I'm going to head back home and get some sleep." He said

Sachi nodded "goodnight Kirito." She said

"Oh Sachi… if you get in contact with Blake, let her know we'd never mind having them when it comes down to it." Kirito said as he left.

As they walked the street Kirito heard a wisper down the alley.

"Hey."

Kirito looked over, grabbing one of his sword's "who's there." He hissed

"Oh Kirito you know me. It's showtime…" he said

Kirito growled and drew his sword

"PoH what do you want?" He asked ready to charge in with Asuna and Klein ready to take out the Laughing Coffin leader for good.

"A truce." He said

Kirito stood up "what?" He asked

PoH stepped forward out of the shadows "I heard what you said about gathering players with unique skills well it just so happens I have one." He said as he revealed the skill to Kirito

"Darkness blade…" he read.

PoH smiled "I'm willing to join in the attack on the boss for a price." He said

"I'm not letting you kill me if that's what you're asking

PoH scoffed "no of course not that wouldn't be fun. No I want some far more simple. Immunity." He said

Asuna, Klein and Kirito grunted

"Immunity?" Kirito asked

"That's right, my cursor has been Red for quiet a while now so there will be no doubt as to who I am once I arrive for the boss meeting, I promise I will not kill anymore players so long as you keep the clearers from attacking me. And you will have full access to my skill in the final fight." PoH said

Kirito narrowed his eyes "what's the skill?" He asked

Asuna and Klein looked at him "Kirito you're not actually considering-." He said

PoH stepped forward "Darkness Blade allows me to negate defenses of an opponent, including other skills…in short…I can stop, halt and prevent Kayaba from using his Divine sword skill." He said

Kirito gasped

"I have to think about this…and I need more assurance that you will not attack anymore players." Kirito said

"How about my Mate chopper?" PoH said as he drew his cleaver. "Every single kill I've done has been done with this blade, and only this blade, and I'll give it to you so I will not kill anyone else. My only request is I have it for Heathcliff." He said

"Fine, drop the cleaver and kick it over." Kirito said

PoH did so as Kirito looked at it "well?" Klein asked

"It's real." He said

"It's unique as well, can't replicate that ever again." PoH said "I'll see you in the meeting."

"One last thing." Klein said

PoH turned "hmmm?"

"In the meeting, you can't wear your hood." He said

"Fair enough my amenity isn't that important." He said as he walked away.

Kirito sighed as the other two relaxed

"Ohhh koi-boi making deals with the devil huh?" A voice said behind them making them jump

And they saw Argo the Rat smirking.

What do you want, Argo?" Kirito asked

"Not much I was looking for a cool fight between the four of you but I'll accept this, also you have another person for the raid.

"Who?" Kirito asked

Argo pulled out an axe and chucked it at the making it stick

"Myself, my skill is Shurikenjutsu, I can take any object and throw it with enough force to do damage, the object just can't exceed my weight class and Strength." Argo said

Kirito nodded "i think that's the weakest of the Skils so far but it's good to have it." Kirito said Argo was stunned

"We will give you the rundown when we are ready." Kirito said as he walked away.

As a few more months pass they climbed up the floors finally reaching the 99th floor boss room

the date was November 7th 2025 the last possible day they could beat the game and have a chance to all survive.

And they threw everything they could at the boss. And the next one. Team RWBY was there, Guts was there. PoH was there anyone who chose to be there. By the end 400 new members came to the 99th floor boss fight.

The battle was hard but it was worth it as the cleaners destroyed the boss, a massive computer nexus which Yui believed to be connected to the internet.

Ruby and her team cheered as Kirito and Asuna smiled.

"Hey wait, who got the last attack bonus?" PoH asked

"You're asking about the last attack bonus now? When we're just about done?" Dryall asked one of the Knights from the blood oath, wielding his greatsword. One of the other people who would join in the attack Vs Heathcliff as he had the Unique Skill :Great Cleave: for two handed weapons. Allowing him to strike twice as fast if he used his attack to follow up on the hit afterwards, it also had a chance of Severing an opponent's limb and that could be used to disarm Heathcliff of his shield or sword in a pinch.

"Um I did, I found it strange." Klein said

"Why strange?" Asuna asked

Klein checked his inventory "because instead of an item I got a map from the boss." He said

Kirito gasped "a map show us?" He said

Klein rolled it out and everyone gasped

It was the floor plan of the Ruby castle.

"Well we got a battle strategy now." Ruby said

Kirito nodded "Schmitt Lund. Take the DDA and control the Left Wing of the castle. Capture the armory." Kirito said

Asuna looked to her Assistant "take the Knights of the blood oath and Cover the right wing. Make sure no ambush parties get through to us." Asuna said

"Understood Commander." The Assistant said

"The rest of us the 11 of us, will make a beeline for heathcliff here. Fuurinkazen and Moonlit Black Cats will act as escort for us and will peel off if we encounter any resistance. If we don't by the time we reach the throne room, Double back to the last location there was understand?" Kirito said

Everyone nodded

Alright let's go!" He said as he rolled up the map and pushed forward into the light

—-line break—-

Kirito and the others pushed up to the 100th floor with the rest of the clearers

Once they entered they looked around to see they were at the entryway of the Ruby palace. And they got a system message

:The final Dungeon has been entered:

Kirito looked around

"We stick to the plan from now on, no matter what no heroics" Kirito said

Suddenly Yui popped out of his coat pocket.

{"Papa no enemies are on this floor… it appears the wings are the only place they are."} Yui said

"Any idea as to what would trigger them?" Asuna asked

{"no idea Mommy,"} Yui apologized

Asuns nodded "same plan but now Black cats go with DDA and Fuurinkazen go with the knight's of the blood oath." Asuna said

Everyone nodded

Kirito checked the clock "it's about 12:00 now so we have about 2 hours to beat the boss." Kirito said

"Let's clear this game!" Kirito said as they roared and charged into the final dungeon.

They fanned out into the wings as the party of 11 entered the throne room

Outside the door they stood ready like a breaching team Kirito walked up to PoH and handed him Mate chopper back.

"Here use it only to hit Heathcliff." Kirito said

PoH said nothing as he took his trusty Cleaver back.

Kirito looked over to everyone

"Ok battle plan it's Heathcliff so we know what to expect. Klein, you start off with your skill. Keep Staggered off side, PoH see if you can't flank around him. And prevent him from using the Divine blade skill, Sachi, if we need to escape and regroup use Infinite spear to give us an opening. Myself and Asuna will hang back and looking for an opening. Where I will distract him and Asuna can use "Kaishingeki" to give us a larger opening. And Dryall if an opening is available chunk down his health, Argobi want you to keep range and pin it down. Ruby keep an eye out for minions and for anything we don't expect, pull out ass out of the fire if we get too hot ok?" Kirito asked

The red hooded girl nodded as they all drew their weapons.

Kirito nodded as he kicked the door in and they stormed in trying to rush the boss before it could react.

Only for an invisible barrier to block them a third of the way into the dark room.

"Oh great he's. Gonna monologue before he kills us." PoH said

Suddenly there was a loud ringing of laughter as the doors shut behind them filling them into pitch black

"A dream…a fallen dream…"

Off to the side the floating castle of Arncrad was floating. In an empty sky. A skylight shined on revealing Void standing at the other end of the room.

The group tended as Ruby grit her teeth "Void." Naming the speaker. Suddenly another light on the otherside revealing a Succubus with bat wings covering her naked form.

"A child…with no idea how to accomplish that dream. But willing to do anything to make it happen…" another voice said

"Slan…" Guts said Another light

"Blood, tears, sweat, torment, age, passion, all of these things and more fueled this land you call Arncrad." Ubik said

Another light.

"And now you plan to destroy it." Conrad said

"Before it destroys you…" The fallen God of Darkness said

"Arm up heros! Face your destiny!" The fallen God of Light said

Suddenly the lights turned on revealing The six Godhand standing on the other side of the room between them. The Ruby throne.

Sitting on the throne was Heathcliff wearing his armor he had before. On his head sat a crown with 4 Blood Red Rubies set into it

And Heathcliff looked like he was crying Blood.

Asuna looked horrified "w-what have you done to him?!" She asked

"He's been changed into a Beherit be careful any strong emotions can trigger the end of the world."

"You're shitting me!" PoH said

"As someone who survived it myself, the place is hell." Guts said

"My boy you've got demons trying to break your castle! What will you do?" Slan asked whispering to Heathcliff ear

"I will protect my Dream!" He said standing up before the throne as he drew his sword from his Towner shield

The 4 health bars of the boss appeared and its title.

:The Corrupted Dream:

Suddenly the barrier between the party and the boss Vanished and the battle began

Rahhhhhh!" The boss let out a massive Roar as he jumped into the Air.

"Scatter! Ruby the Godhand!" Kirito said before he and Asuna jumped one way Klein and PoH jumped another and Sachi, Dryall and Argo went another way.

Ruby nodded and her and Guts shot off to the back as Yang and Blake started attacking the Godhand From range

Yang fire a burst of 4 shells as Blake emptied a full magazine from Gambol shroud,

The Godhand twisted together into a large black sludge mess as looked more like a Ink worm.

"Ok that's terrifying." Yang said looking at the Godhand.

Blake looked over and gasped as she saw at the base of the work it split open and Several Beowulf packs poured out.

"Guts we got Grimm on alert!" Blake said

{"cover Kirito and the others, Keep the Grimm from getting past, it's up to them to actually take the boss out. We can't help because we're not apart of the system"} Ruby said as she zoomed off in rose petels to hack at the Grimm.

Yang and Blake cocked there weapons and rushed in

Weiss landed on a glyph and said "summon ready Ruby!"

—line Break (Kirito)—-

"Scatter!" Kirito yelled as Heathcliff fell on them as he and Asuna dove out of the way.

"Klein Stagger!" Kirito said

Klein nodded and tried to line up a good attack but grit his teeth

"He won't hold still!" He said

{"let me deal with that Klein!"} Argo said from the back as she sat on a rafter of the throne room, she tossed a Daggers in her palm before lining the shot. And throwing

The boss was taking a swing at Dryall allowing for the dagger to hit his side which was unprotected by the shield

"Argh!" The Corrupted Dream screamed as he stumbled back away from Dryall.

It was all Klein needed to attack as he unleashed his Unique Skill :Battoujutsu:

Klein dragged his sword across the chest of Heathcliff making his scream and sway as he was Staggered

Kirito rushed forward "Asuna attack now follow up!" He said

Asuna nodded as she used her Rapier skill to close the distance :Flashing Penetrator: and jabbed The boss in the gut. Stunning him

Asuna landed and pivoted before shooting behind him to Attack his open back as Kirito landed before him

Asuna pulled off a successful Shooting Star at his back landing 6 of 8 strikes as Critical hits staggering the boss for longer.

"I got it!" Dryall yelled as he charged forward and took a :Sonic Leap:

The boss snapped his eyes up and grit his teeth as he moved his shield to block the attack

However the blade glanced off the shield and struck his shoulder. As Dryall activated :Great Cleave:

Only to get the words :Targets limbs cannot be severed:

"Shit…" Dryall cursed

The Corrupted Dream kicked him away as he grunted using his sword to slow him down

"Well I'm useless here." He said Klein held his katana out "that's fine we'll do what we can, if we need too you be the heavy hitter!" Klein said as he performed a Sonic leap at The Corrupted Dream

The Corrupted Dream leveled his shield up and was about to activate the Holy Blade skill.

"Hey, behind you!" A voice said

The boss turned around

And got a cleaver to the Forehead!

PoH jumped away.

"There that should do it." He said

As the health of the boss went down they found that they only had gotten half of the first bar down to yellow.

The boss roared and his shield started to glow.

Asuna grit her teeth and lunged at The boss before he could activate it.

A blast reverberated across the Boss room as Asuna came from a dead stop her Shooting Star skill intrupted as a system alert appeared before her face.

:Sword Skills disabled:

Asuna looked stunned as she read the message only to see the shadow of the Corrupted Dream falling down upon her. About to kill her or at least try to.

Fortunately for her Kirito appeared and parried both the shield and the sword from the boss before being sent flying.

Kirito slid across the ground and charged again screaming

The boss turned his full attention to Kirito. As Asuna jumped away.

Kirito used his memory to activate Starburst Stream which caught the boss off guard as Kirito unleashed the 16 hit combo flawlessly. As the boss struggled to block it. Several hits got through putting the boss into the Red of his first bar.

Kirito growled as he wanted to attack back but the boss was going on the offensive against him and he was starting to get low. Fortunately Sachi stepped in using Ultimate spear from memory to allow Kirito to pull away.

Kirito growled as he examined the boss room and what they could use. To get back the offensive again. Sachi was one of the only reason they weren't destroyed yet.

But the boss was starting to set the attack pattern and began to block more and more strikes from Sachi,

—-(left Wing)—

(KBO)

The knights of the Blood oath walked the hall ways tense as statues lined the walls with all sorts of different weapondry

One of the squad leader of the knights stopped and looked around tense "damn i don't like this…"

"We got our orders." The assistant said

Suddenly there was a loud rumble which shook the castle and all the statues came to life.

"Well I guess these are the reinforcements Heathcliff wanted to use on the boss fight." One knight said

"Keep your guard up don't let any past you!" The assistant said

"CHARGE!" He roared as the knights of blood roared and charged into the frey.

—-(right flank)—

On the other side the DDA and Moonlit black cats were in the same issue.

"Damn it, hold the line!" Schmitt roared as he looked back to see another Person died "damn it! At this rate we won't be able to hold this position! Group two switch in! Group one heal!" Schmitt ordered as Lund stepped up to fill his place.

—(Rwby)—-

Ruby cut apart a Beowolf as Weiss cut at a creep.

Yang and Blake killed the horde at range to make sure the others fighting the boss didn't get overwhelmed.

However the horde was still massive.

Guts charged to attack the Godhand itself

Rby grit her teeth and used her silver eyes to purge the Grimm as the entire room was filled with silver light

The Grimm vanished and even the Godhand seemed slightly affected, no longer having the worm form but their normal ones.

Ruby charged forward to strike at the Godhand as Guts followed Suit.

"You cannot win!" Void said

"And you will be helpless to act when it comes time for this world…" Void said giving a cryptic warning. As they vanished

Ruby sighed and looked back at the boss fight.

Kirito grit his teeth as he tried to act on an opening to hit The boss.

However everytime he did so Heathcliff would block his attacks as if he was focusing on him.

No he was.

And Kirito knew why. He was the only one capable of actually ending it.

With sword skills disabled the others couldn't use there most powerful moves they could follow the combos but that's it.

Kirito however was unnerfed by the effect because his skill was passive only.

Kirito kept lashing out.

"Kirito!" He heard Asuna scream as he looked to see himself in the red.

'Crap!' Kirito grit his teeth as he pulled away

'Shit he's fully aggroed on me!' Kirito hissed

Suddenly PoH jumped in and blocked the boss giving Kirito time to get away

Kirito took out a Healing crystal and healed

"Guys I need an opening all of you draw aggro so I can get in there!" Kirito said

"Got it!" Klein said

"I'll cover you." Asuna said

Kirito nodded as he checked his health to see it full

"Yui." Kirito said

{"yes Papa?"} Yui asked

"Help me find an opening for the boss."

{"got it."} Yui said

The others sighed and charged forward each one letting out there best Sword skill from memory Asuna used :Flashing Penatrator: Argo used her claws, Dryall used :Cyclone:

PoH just kept wailing

And Sachi used :Ultimate Spear:

The boss was staggered as he was attacked from all sides.

{"Now daddy!"} Yui yelled,

Kirito surged forward dragging his swords behind him as he swung his body.

Asuna jumped aside allowing Kirito to switch in and attack.

Kirito blitz forward swinging at any and all openings as he could. As The Corrupted Dream parried each and every attack but it was clear he was frantic.

Kirito bound over him as an attempt to confuse the boss and hit him from behind.

Again Heathcliff was able to track him and keep him from landing a hit.

'Faster! I've gotta go faster!' Kirito said as he urged his body forward more.

The others watched as They saw the boss was down to his last health bar.

And that's when he started to use the Holy Blade skill.

Kirito grit his teeth as he urged his body faster.

'Come on! come on!' He thought

Everyone has to jump away as Kirito and the boss were a blur of motion not even Asuna could keep up

'Come on, come on!'

Kirito thrusted his arm out with a scream.

"I will not lose!"

However the boss responded "you have no choice!" He said as the boss activated the assist feature.

Kirito saw that and knew it was over. But he wouldn't allow it.

"No not yet…" he said as a black Aura covered him and his blades

The Elucadator hit the Tower shield…and for once the Holy blade Skill failed as Kirito destroyed the shield.

"Im-impossible!" The boss gasped

Everyone looked stunned even Team RWBY and Guts but for a different reason

"Ruby was that?" Yang asked

Ruby nodded "his Aura…"

Kirito activated his aura with no formal training, but sheer will.

Ruby knew she made the right choice.

Kirito drove his other sword into The bosses chest.

The boss gurgled and his eyes rolled back into his head and fell down

Kirito waited for the boss to shatter… he never did…

A long pause was around the room.

"Yui?" Kirito asked

{"I'm sorry daddy… it's 2:55 of November 7th. 2025 one full calendar year…"}

Kirito gasped in horror…

He failed…

He looked over to everyone and they were stunned…

Kirito turned to Asuna and dropped his swords embracing Asuna, in comfort crying on her shoulder.

"We're here together…that's all that matters."

"Wait!"

Everyone turned back to see a man with white hair and 14th century plate armor around a bunch of hawk feathers sitting on the throne.

"There is still one chance." The man said

"H-how?" Kirito asked

"This is not how it should have happened…due to there interference you were stuck here… with the Godhand gone. And the Latchkey of said disturbances gone, I can change that…if I remove all interference from the history…" he said

"When will we be going back to?" Kirito asked

"The divergence of the timeline…floor 75 boss room after its defeat." The man said

"If it's a chance to get Asuna and everyone else home I'll take it… but i just have to know will we remember this?" Kirito asked

The man shook his head "no…to your mind it will be as if we never existed…"

He looked to Rwby and Guts "you five best head back home now before I cut off the portal to here."

Ruby nodded and tuned to Kirito "one last thing." She said stepping forward as she put a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes

"Know that even if we are not there to guide you. We are there watching. In your heart. Just believe. And your strength will carry you." Ruby said as she turned away.

Ruby looked to the man on the throne "we're ready Griffith." She said

Griffith nodded "I'm opening a portal now…" he said as a portal appered before them as the five stepped away Ruby was the last to go. Turning back with her hood up

"Remember we're with you in our hearts." She said as she left.

The portal closed as Griffith looked at them.

"Get ready…good luck heros…" he said as he shut his eyes before they flashed in a blinding light.

—

(November 7th, 2024, Floor 75,)

The skull reaper had just been defeated as the clearers all sat down

All except one. Commander Heathcliff of the Knights of the blood oath.

"How many did we lose?" Klein asked

Kirito opened the menu and began counting those who were left "Fourteen died." He said

Agil laid on his back stunned "No way."

Klein looked depressed looking at his feet "We still have twenty-five floors."

"Will we really be able to reach the top?" Agil asked

While that was going on Kirito kept an eye out to Heathcliff something was bugging him… he saw strange shapes in his vision, he remembered seeing different things.

Heathcliff as he was.

Another being him but crying blood…

Why could he see a women in a red cloak?

"Do you feel as if we've been here before?" Kirito muttered to himself.

Asuna who was against his back looked at him

"You say something?" She asked

"No…just gotta…" Kirito said as rushed at Heathcliff.

Heathcliff turned and noticed his attack and went to block it but Kirito at the last minute had a white moment and angled his blade to glance off the shield and strike true.

It landed but didn't hit Heathcliff.

Asuna jumped up in panic "Kirito, what are you…" she asked him before she froze as she saw the tag above Heathcliff read

{"Immortal Object"}

Asuna gulped "Wh-What's going on, Commander?"

Kirito answered "The game ensures that his HP will never fall into the yellow zone. Something has always bothered me, ever since I arrived here. "Where does he hide while he watches us and adjusts the world?" But I'd forgotten a simple piece of psychology. Something any kid knows. There's nothing as boring as watching someone else play an RPG. Isn't that right, Kayaba Akihiko?"

There was a stunned silence. For a second clearly this was a sick joke right?

However The commander didn't argue the point just asking him.

"Would you be so kind as to tell me how you figured it out?"

Kirito looked around. "The first time I felt something was wrong was during the duel. In that last instant, you were far too fast." He said

The commander nodded "I suspected as much. That was an unfortunate mistake. You overpowered me to the point that I needed to engage the system's over-assist mode."

Heathcliff addressed the entire group stating "Yes, I am Kayaba Akihiko. And if I may add, it should be No super that I am the game's final boss, who would

have awaited you at the top floor."

Kirito scoffed "That's pretty bad. The strongest player betrays us to become the last boss?"

Heathcliff shrugged "Not a bad storyline, is it? I always thought that you would be the one to stand before me at the end. Dual-wielding is the skill given to the player with the fastest reaction time, who will then act out the part of the Hero that challenges the Demon King. But your power exceeded my expectations."

Heathcliff shrugged with a smile "Well, these unexpected events are part of the fun of an MMORPG." He said

Off to the side one of the members of the Knights of the Blood oath growled "Our loyalty... Our hope...How dare you... How dare you? How dare you?!" He roared as he flung himself at Kayaba

However with a flick of the wrist the player crashed unceremoniously to the ground frozen.

Kirito gasped "Paralysis?"

Suddenly every player got an alert above their head as they sank to the floor.

Asuna gasped as she felt her legs give out "Kirito…" she said as Kirito cradled her and lowered her down.

Kirito glared at Kayaba "What are you going to do? Kill us all, and cover it up?" He asked

Kayaba chuckled "Of course not. I wouldn't do anything so unfair. But Very well, then…I shall await you on the top floor, within the Ruby Palace." He said before sighing

"I've put a lot of time into developing the Knights of the Blood Oath and the other front line players, so it's a shame I have to leave them partway. However, I'm sure that with your power, you'll reach me eventually. But first…" Kayaba said as he slammed his tower shield down against the ground.

"Kirito, I must reward you for deducing my identity. I shall give you a chance." He said

Kirito looked confused "A chance?"

Kayaba nodded "The chance to fight me one-on-one. Naturally, I'll deactivate my immortal status. Defeat me, and you beat the game. And all the players will be able to log out. How about it?"

Kirito winced and started to stand up but Asuna pulled him away.

"No, Kirito! For now... For now, we should fall back." She said pleading him to take the safer option.

However Kirito didn't want to hear it "Don't insult me." He said making Asuna wince. Before he faced Kayaba again

"That's fine. Let's finish this." he said as he put Asuna down and started to stand up.

Asuna screamed desperately to change his mind. Kirito!"

Kirito stopped and looked down at her "I'm sorry. But I can't run away here." he said

Asuna looked at him and smiled knowing that she couldn't stop him and he was doing it out of love "You aren't going to die here, right?"

Kirito shook his head "No, I'm going to win. I'm going to win and end this game." He said

Asuna nodded "All right. I believe in you, Kirito."

Kirito nodded and stood up adjusting her so she was comfortable as he took a step in.

As he approached other members screamed at him to reconsider.

Agil cried out first "Kirito, don't!"

But Klein was the loudest "Kirito!"

Kirito paused and turned back "Agil…Thanks for helping to support the swordsman class. I know you spent nearly all the money you made helping the players during the middle zones to level."

Agil was stunned how the hell did he know that? But he had no time to ask as he moved on.

Kirito turned to Klein "Klein…I'm really am sorry for leaving you behind that day. It would probably have been a lot of fun. One I regret the most about." He said

Klein just started bawling "D-Damn it, Kirito! Don't apologize… Don't you dare apologize to me now! I won't forgive you… I won't forgive until you buy me a meal on the other side! God Damnit!"

Kirito waved sadly to him "Got it. See you on the other side." He said as he looked and in the corner of his eye he thought he saw the Red cloaked woman standing by the edge of the platform but when he shut his eyes it was gone probably just a trick of the light.

Kirito turned back to face Kayaba "I'm sorry, but I have a request."

Kayaba was intrigued "What is it?"

Kirito sighed he was going to get in alot of hot water if they both survived this "I don't plan on losing. But if I die here, I want you to make sure that Asuna can't kill herself, just for a little while." He said

Kayaba smiled "Very well."

Asuna's reaction was just as he expected and Kirito had to wince as she screamed at him "Kirito, no! You can't… You can't do that! It's not fair! Kirito!"

Kirito was focused on the duel before them just thinking 'This isn't a duel...We're fighting to kill.'

Kayaba drew his sword from his tower shield as they stood to face each other

Kirito nodded as he drew his swords 'That's right. I'm going to kill him!'

(Play song Long live the King: by Sabaton)

Kirito Rushed forward as Kayaba tensed and Kirito hit the shield. Before he could reach and counter swing Kirito was swinging again.

Kayaba's had to give up ground as Kirito kept pushing.

'He was the one who designed the dual-wielding skill. He'll be able to block all of the pre-programmed combos. I have to defeat him with my own power, without using the sword skills!' He thought as he charged again this time Kayaba took a swing.

Kirito was able to duck under it. And jump back before Kayaba could gain the initiative.

Kirito stepped in range as Kayaba lunged but Kirito parried it and rushed in

'Faster! I have to go faster!' He rushed forward

Kayaba gave up more ground but the smile was still plastered on his face as he took a huge Body swing Kirito limboed under it and sprung up like a spring board and lunged in the air. Falling down onto Kayaba

Kayaba took several steps back as the blades clashed.

The two panted and stopped there attacks, the probing phase of the duel was done…now came the real part.

Kayaba was the one who took action first lunging at Kirito who swatted it away before lashing out with Dark Repulsor which clashed on the shield.

Kirito growled and let out a warcry as he pushed past the defenses but was swatted by the large shield.

Kayaba's face was a shroud of mystery and it pissed Kirito off.

Kirito flipped his swords into an icepick grip as he rushed forward with no intention to block anymore; it was a fast barrage of strike after strike.

Kayaba took the first flurry of strikes before he lashed out Kirito grit his teeth as he took the damage and as Kayaba thrusted his shield out Kirito landed on said shield making him slam it into the ground Dented

Kirito acted as he lashed out for a thrust at Kayaba's head

However Kayaba swatted the attack away with his sword and the next one following it. As he went on the offensive.

Kirito was pushed back and knew he was getting low… he had to end this soon he thought of everyone counting on him, Klein, Liz, Silica, Asuna. That damned red cloaked women.

'For all the ones who couldn't be here' Kirito said as he shut his eyes as he gave one last suicidal charge.

Kirito lashed out like a monster forgoing any defense.

Giving out a continuous war cry he struck with both blades in a flurry of strikes that anyone else would have been unable to see let alone react to

Yet Kayaba was and still grinning like a fool. As Kirito made his mistake and activated the Sword skill.

He thrusted Dark Repulser out which hit the tower shield and the blade tip shattered.

Kirito was stunned as he realized he had lost

(Song end)

Kirito sighed to himself 'I'm sorry, Asuna… You, at least, need to live.'

Kayaba raised his blade glowing ready for the finishing blow "Farewell, Kirito."

As Kirito watched the blade fall on him he saw a shadow step into the view. He thought it might be the Red cloaked women…

No it was Asuna.

Kayaba slashed her across the chest as she let out a painful scream and fell into his arms

Kirito gasped "No, Asuna… This can't...This can't be…"

Asuna looked at him sadly as she dropped her rapier on the ground "I'm sorry. Goodbye." As she shattered into glass shards

Kirito reached out trying to clutch one or two as a last momento… but they All flew off leaving him alone as one shard shattered across the back of his hand.

Kayaba scoffed "That was a surprise. I don't believe I programmed a way to neutralize paralysis on your own. I guess these things happen sometimes."

Kirito grabbed Lambent light and Took a weak swing at Kayaba with Elucadator.

Kayaba wacked it aside disarming him. As he looked back saddened at Kayaba who had a look in his face pleading him to just end it.

Kirito felt the blade puncture his chest.

Kirito sighed 'It's over now…' he thought as he saw his health go down

But before he could cut to black he heard a voice in his head it was Asuna "I believe in you, Kirito."

Suddenly a bright light filled Kirito as his health stopped draining, now stable.

Kirito growled as he clenched Lambent light harder 'Not yet...Not yet!" He said yelled as he opened his eyes, being dark Onix to now Bright silver. as he thrusted forward at Kayaba who took it with a smile

"Magic…the one thing I excluded from SAO because I had no idea how to emulate it…and you got it to work out of spite… good job… for proving me wrong." Kayaba commented.

Kirito looked at the sword in his hand 'Is this good enough?' He asked and in response it seemed as if the jewel Gleemed. And then both players shattered

{:As of 14:55, November 7, 2024, the game has been cleared. The game has been cleared:} the Game announced

At a place above the clouds Kirito looked around "Where am I?" He asked as he looked down to see his menu was replace with

{"Initiating Final Phase"}

Kirito sighed disappointed that he was still alive but his other half wasn't.

Suddenly there was a gasp behind him as Kirito's eyes shot open and turned around to see Asuna standing there. "Kirito?" She asked

Kirito smiled warmly "Sorry. I died, too." He said

Asuna rubbed her eyes and smiled "Dummy…" she said as she ran at him they embraced and kissed, as a possible farewell to each other. As they broke apart they still held hands.

Kirito turned and looked around the empty platform they were on "Where are we?"

Asuna pointed with her free hand below.

And a vortex of clouds was the floating Castle of Arncrad crumbling apart.

Kirito had no feeling about it. Suddenly he heard a voice off to his side

"Quite a view."

Kirito looked over to see a man in a Lab coat and a long face looking out to the castle "Kayaba Akihiko…" Kirito said

"The SAO mainframe, within the fifth-level basement at my corporate headquarters, is deleting all data on its storage devices. In ten minutes or so, everything in this world will vanish." He said

Asuna looked at the man. "What about the people down there?" She asked

Kayaba scoffed at her selflessness "You needn't worry about them. Just a moment ago, the remaining 6,147 players were logged out." He said

Kirito sighed "What about the ones who died? What about the 4,000 who died?"

Heathcliff sighed "Their minds will never return. In every world, once you die, you're gone." He said

Kirito looked back at the castle "it's strange…it just…it seems like I'm missing something…" Kirito said

"I don't know why you think that…you've won." Kayaba said but narrowed his eyes quickly

Kirito looked over "what?" He asked as he looked at the castle and his breath hitched.

From what he could see a red Blur was dashing across each floor building up speed.

Starting at the lowest floor and climbing up higher and higher.

"Who is that?" Asuna asked

"It doesn't matter, they won't be able to reach us…" Kayaba said

Suddenly the Red blur burst out of the top of the Ruby Palace. And flew straight at them.

Fast.

Kirito narrowed his eyes like he should know them…

"Wait are those…rose petals?" He asked making Kayaba and Asuna turn to him. Then back at the blur.

As the Red blur got closer it suddenly started to become more clear as a 18 year old women with Black hair and red tips

And silver eyes.

Determined silver eyes.

The women reached out for the platform before she fell out of sight from.

As a hand appered on the edge of the platform and Ruby Rose pulled herself up

Kayaba looked at Ruby stunned "truly…your feats never fail to astound me."

Ruby glaired at Kayaba but her attention was cut off by a stuttering Kirito

"Y-your…"

Ruby smiled "I'm real kid, I'm not a dream." She said

Kirito sighed and panted gladly about the fact she was real and he wasn't crazy.

The three hugged as Kirito spoke to Kayaba

"Why...Why did you do this?"

Kayaba scoffed "Why, huh?" He said before chuckling "its funny I forgot a long time ago. But yet…it's strange every now and then would wake up late at night and see a note by me. Just saying "this is not my dream…" I've never figured out what that was about I wonder why."

Ruby just shut her eyes "you were just a puppet…I'm sorry." She said

"Don't be." Kayaba said "When I began developing the full-dive environment system...No, long before that, I dreamed of nothing but creating that castle, a world that surpassed all our laws and all our restrictions. And now I have seen someone surpass even my own world's laws...How old must I have been, when I was obsessed with the fantasy of a steel castle that floated in the sky?" He said

The three just stood there. "I wanted to leave the ground, to fly to that castle. For a long, long time,

that was my only desire…" he said before turning to face the three "You know, Kirito-kun, I still believe that in some other world, that castle truly exists."

"Your dream was corrupted. I pity you…" Ruby said

"Don't grieve a Dying old man who fulfilled his dream young lady Grieve those who die unfulfilled and pretend to be… I will find my castle again flying high in the sky." Kayaba said

Kirito nodded "Yeah, I hope it does."

Kayaba turned around then said "Oh I forgot to say this. Congratulations on winning the game, Kirito, Asuna. Now then, I must be going." He said as he walked off into the distance.

Ruby watched him go then turned to the two. "Time I go as well." She said

"Wait…what's your name…you've saved me so many times these past 2 years and I don't know your name…" Kirito said

"You do you just forgot it…but my names Ruby, Ruby Rose. Take care Kirito… I'll be watching you…" she said as she walked away into a portal. Leaving Asuna and Kirito alone who sat on the edge of the platform talking…

Kirito looked at Asuna "This is goodbye…"

Asuna shook her head "No…No, it isn't. We're going to disappear as one. So we'll be together forever." She said which made Kiritos heart flutter

Asuna asked "Before we do, tell me your name. Your real name."

"Kirigaya. Kirigaya Kazuto. I think I turned sixteen last month." He said

Asuna looked at her lover "Kirigaya Kazuto...You're younger than I am? My name is Yuuki Asuna. I'm seventeen."

Kazuto looked at Asuna "Yuuki Asuna...Yuuki Asuna. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I promised I'd send you back

to the other world…But I... I…"

Asuna smiled and leined on him "It's okay. I'm happy I was able to meet you, Kazuto...To live with you, It's the happiest I've ever been in my life… before we go can you sing to me?"

Kazuto nodded and laid her on his lap.

(Play Song Heaven can wait. By meatloaf)

As the song stopped Asuna smiled at him "Thank you. I love you." She said as Kirito's vision faded

He opened his eyes to see the piled ceiling of Tokyo hospital… as his nervegear powered off. He slowly took off his helmet and his now extra long hair flowed down his head as he looked at his body and found it actually seemed he had maintained all his muscles from 2 years ago. Surprisingly.

Kirito slowly took his stuff off the machine and grabbed the Heart monitor for support not trusting his feet at first.

He didn't fall but he didn't feel unstable either

Kirito started to walk the one name on his head as he walked "Asuna…"

(Eoc)

Here's Chapter 10. Very soon we will go into another universe so if anyone has a suggestion about what other universes you want to see please feel free to comment.

Keep reading. Bankerrtx01.