Hello all! Sorry, I've been a bit delayed I was having trouble with some of the writing. So, I have had the request that at the beginning of each new chapter to post the ending of the previous chapter to serve as a reminder of what has happened. I will absolutely do that! The story is really coming along in my head and soon we will get into the action of the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter because the next one will be out very soon.

Previously on My Last Hope:

As he started walking towards the door back to the seventy-fourth floor he heard something.

"Kirito." Looking around, Kirito noticed a member of The Knights of the Blood Oath running towards him. "Hey, Kirito! I need to talk to you before you go."

"What's up?" asked Kirito, flatly.

"I'm really sorry about what happened," said the knight. "but I think I know a way to get her back."

Chapter 3:

"Hogwarts?" Argo asked looking at Kirito for confirmation that she had heard him correctly. "No, sorry, Kiri, I've never heard of it." She saw his shoulders slump before continuing. "However," he looked up, hopeful. "Some rumors have been spread around that a new revival item called the Resurrection Stone has surfaced but as far as everyone else is concerned, it's just that. A rumor."
"Any idea where it's supposed to drop?" asked Kirito, thoughtfully.
Argo shook her head. "Not a clue." She saw the look of determine she had seen so many times after she had given him information on quests. However, this time was different, somehow. "Kirito." She said softly and his attention was brought back to their conversation by the use of his full avatar name. "I know you're in a bad place right now but do you really want to spend your time chasing after something that is just a rumor?"
Kirito's look of determination was back on his face as he began to walk slowly away. "I have to. If there is even the slightest chance that I can revive her, I have to search for it even if I die trying." He paused, realizing he had forgotten something. Pulling up his menu, he looked back at Argo. "How much for the info, Argo?"
Again, Argo shook her head. "This one is on the house. Just promise me something."
"What's that?" he asked.
"Find the item and bring her back, Ki-boy. We all miss her." she said, tears starting to well up in her eyes. Asuna had always been particularly kind to her when she found out that, like Kirito, she was a beta tester. Always welcome for information from the broker, Asuna paid very well for anything that Argo had on clearing the levels. But her liking of the vice commander went deeper than that. She never once looked down on her for being a beta tester the way the rest did and for that she would always be grateful. Anything she could do to help bring her back to the world of the living she would do without question or payment.

Kirito looked up at the place where he and Asuna had built a life inside of this death game. Their log cabin on the twenty-second floor that would normally be so warm and inviting now looked cold and unwelcoming. He had not been back here since they were on their honeymoon and as he looked up to the front door he felt his heart break . Defeated, he walked up the porch to the door and hesitated for a moment before finally opening it.
Walking into the house he could feel the emptiness that surrounded him. This was not a home without Asuna. With each room he entered, the feeling of loneliness enveloped him more. He, finally, had reached the bedroom and saw the cork board that had pictures tacked onto it of the two of them on their honeymoon. Kirito looked at her beautiful face in each one, smiling as if she were living a normal life and totally unaware that they were inside a game. He took a picture from the board that had always been his favorite.
The picture was of the two of them and he could remember the day they took it as if it were yesterday.

Kirito stood by the lake in front of the log cabin looking out at the clear water reflecting the sun on it's surface. A slight breeze was in the air and he took a deep breath when Klein walked up next to him.

"Hey, man." Klein said with that goofy grin on his face that he normally had. "Everyone's waiting. Are you ready?"

Kirito nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready. I just-" He cut his sentence short and looked back at the water.

"What is it, Kirito?" asked Klein, the smile from his face fading slightly.

Kirito sighed. "I just don't know if I can do it. Everyone expects me to save them from this world and it's not like I am not going to try but it's a lot easier to tell people you don't know that they can count on you." He looked at Klein. "It feels different when its for someone you really care about. This whole time we've been in this game I've always tried to help people but mostly I've been selfish and I know it. I had been really looking out for myself. Looking for ways that I was going to survive. Am I really committed enough to do anything I can for just a single person?"

There was silence from the two men for a moment when Klein began to start laughing. Kirito looked at him, affronted.

"Dude, you are the least selfish person I know." He stopped laughing and instead wore a solemn look as he glanced out at the lake. "To be honest, I don't think there is a person in this game who didn't think the same as you. When your life is on the line, it's only natural to think about yourself. But when you find out others around you are in the same situation most people I think would still feel that sort of selfishness. You're not like that though. Even if it means going out of your way, you help people, even if you don't realize you are doing it." Klein looked back at Kirito with his usual grin. "You didn't have to help me learn how to play, you didn't have to help spread the word about Agil's shop, or gather materials for a weapon for Liz to make, or help Silica level up. But you did anyway. That's just the kind of guy you are. And as for you and Asuna. I can't think of a better couple than the two of you. You can tell by the way you look at each other. I hope I can have that someday." Klein clapped a hand on Kirito's shoulder. "Now, come on. We don't want to be late."

Kirito nodded. "Yeah. Hey, Klein. Thanks."

Klein sniggered. "Hey, what are best men for?"

The two walked together back to the log cabin where the rest of their friends were waiting except for Lisbeth. Even though they knew that the marriage was just a setting that would take about two seconds to finish the girls had insisted on using it as an excuse to celebrate a real wedding. He could not blame them either. They had very little to celebrate about since they entered this game and this seemed like a good time. Just close friends. Although this was a virtual world and he knew that in the real world this marriage would not amount to anything, it did not stop his feelings for Asuna. In his heart it did not matter if this was real or virtual, he would make this happen in the real world someday as well.

When Liz came out of the house a few minutes after Kirito and Klein had arrived, she had a broad smile on her face. "Just wait till you guys see her." She held the door open and Asuna stepped on to the porch.

Kirito's heart skipped a beat.

Asuna was wearing a white floor length A-line dress made entirely of lace. The dress was strapless and shaped her body wonderfully while the bodice was a basic design with ruby and diamond studs wrapping around her waist in a belt. The dress was very simple but it was perfect for her.

"Hi." said Asuna as she made her way down the steps.

Kirito snapped out of his reverie. "Asuna, you look beautiful."

She blushed as she stood next to him. "Thank you. Kirito, are you ready?"

Kirito took her hand in his and nodded. "I am. Let's go get married."

Asuna smiled as they made their way to their friends. When they had started they realized it was a bit awkward without an officiant of some sort leading them through vows. They wanted this occasion to be more than just pressing a button. So, instead, they looked at one another and decided on the spot that they would perform their own vows.

"Kirito," she looked into his eyes. "Ever since we first met, I knew you were someone I could trust with my life. Even when I joined the Knights of the Blood Oath and was so cold to you, you saw the true me. You showed me that our lives in here were more than just leveling and strategies. That, even though we were in this life and death situation, it didn't mean that we could not forge bonds with the people we were close to. I had forgotten that until you came along. You gave me something to fight for. I love you, Kirito." She finished her vows with tears streaming down her face. Kirito reached up to touch her face and wipe away the tears but kept his hand on her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

"Asuna," he said gently, "You've always had my heart. Even back on that first day that we teamed up. I didn't want to leave you but I knew you had to be your own person. You make me see the beauty in this world and I will always love you for that. You are everything I want to be. Strong, confident, compassionate. I promise you that I will always take care of you. I will always protect you, Asuna. I love you." With his hand still on the side of her face, he pulled her face to his and kissed her.

Kirito looked at the picture of him carrying Asuna over the threshold of the very cabin he was in now. Their faces smiling broadly and love in their eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the picture for what seemed like hours. Putting his head in his hands, he began to cry, a stabbing feeling in his chest. He had failed his vows. He had promised to always protected her and now she was gone forever.

"Asuna," he sobbed. "I'm so sorry. I promised you. What have I done?"

Kirito had laid down on their bed, clutching their wedding picture in his hand until he, finally, began drifted off to sleep.

When his breathing had steadied, he had one last thought before falling asleep.

I'll find the stone, Asuna. You will be back in my arms and we can be together again. I love you.