Path to Divergence 1

Kirigaya Kazuto was dreaming. It was a recurring dream. A memory of the moment his life would change forever. It was a memory he always repressed. Within this dream he remembered images of a car crash, a bridge under the moon light and a battle the likes of which had never seen. In that dream he was in a wrecked car, the drivers and front passengers seat seating the bloodied bodies of two of his parents. Outside the car there were three mysterious figures. A boy a little older then him with silver hair, a mysterious blond girl who seemed to be a perfect beauty in the young man's mind and a monster that was composed of darkness. He was helpless in that dream, being unable to do anything but watch the scene unfold from the back seat. The silver haired boy was speaking to the the blond women. Kazuto couldn't hear what they were saying. However, after he was done speaking, the silver haired young boys eyes glowed, the blond girl turned its fully attention on the shadow monster. She extended her arm and the arm morphed into a gun. The gun was fired and the dream ended right then and there.

"Why don't we call on Kirigaya-kun!"

Kirigaya Kazuto woke up from the dream to find himself in a large class room with all of the students of that class staring at him with a rather expectant look. The teacher: a grey haired bespectacled man glared at him.

"Well Kiragaya-kun? Can you answer my question?" The grey haired teacher added in a clearly irritated by his young student."

For a moment it took Kazuto a moment to gather his wits. His vision still blurry, his body aching; He was careful not to yawn. He was also confused since he didn't hear the question that was posed to him. Lucky for him, the answer to said question came in the form of a a certain red head girl who is sitting behind him.
"Psst Mount Olympus is the highest mountain." The red haired girl whispered.

Kazuto smiled as he gave the answer the red haired girl gave him. The teacher was slightly taken aback. Some of students were very surprised as well.

"It seems you were paying attention. Mister Kirigaya here is correct. Mount Olympus or Olympus mons is the highest mountain..."

As the teacher went on with his explanation. Kazuto turned to the red head, whispering as the teacher went on with his lecture.

"Yuzu you are a lifesaver!"

The red head girl known as Yuzu went red before quickly regaining her composure. Her expression became just as stern as the teachers though.

"I wouldn't need to help you out like that if you actually stayed awake."

"Sorry. Tell you what. Atsuro, Daisuke and I are heading over to Naoya's to pick up that new game and new Nerve Gear. On the way, I can buy you something to eat as a thank you. What do you say?"

Yuzu frowned in deep thought before shooting a smile at her friend. "Sounds good to me. No club meeting today so I'm free."

The dark haired teen nodded and turned back to the teacher taking in some notes. The rest of the school day past as it always had. Boring, peaceful and dull. Kazuto hated the monotony.

After school

It was warm and sunny out by the time the final bell rang and Kazuto along with Yuzu approached the gate. Awaiting them at the gate was Atsuro who wore a white hat and a blue jacket and Daisuke another teen blond hair, grey jacket, dark shirt and a blue and white stripe tie.

"Atsuro! Daisuke!" Kazuto waved at his two friends. Both of them smiled as he and Yuzu walked over to them.

"Yo Kazuto. Yuzu what's up." Daisuke called out as the two approached.

"Yuzu, here helped me out at class today. So I've got to get her buy her something at Hagakure. Do you mind if we get to Naoya's late? I know he'll still be busy putting the finishing touches to our nerve gear if we arrive now."

"That depends on Atsuro here. He really wants to sink his teeth on DAO. I'm a little eager to play it myself truth be told. I can wait though. Actually, I haven't even eaten lunch today. I'm really hungry. " The three turned their attention to the teen in the blue jacket looking at him expectantly. Atsuro in return let out a sigh.

"I've waited two years since that game and that new Nerve Gear was announced. I think I can wait a little longer." Atsuro conceded. The three let out cheers.

Hagakure Ramen Shop

"Here you go. two beef bowls, one chicken, and one vegetable." The chef said as he slid a bowl of ramen to each of his customers. "Enjoy."

The Ramen shop was a cozy little place that resembled a mixture of a cafe and an actually restaurant. It had a red motif going to it and it was a place where the four friends have always frequented whenever any of them had the time to get together.

"So what exactly is DAO?" Yuzu asked as she dug into her Vegetable Ramen. Atsuro gave his friend an exasperated look.

"All the times you've been hanging out with us and you still don't know? It's Devil Arts Online! A game created by Akahiko Kayaba. You know. The father of the new age of gaming. Inventor of the Nerve Gear. Creator of all sorts of other tech such as those augmented reality glasses. The Pioneer for the new age of technology." The young man gushed as he quoted what several of the technology magazines were saying about the inventor.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Yuzu replied in a sarcastic. manner "I suppose I should have come here ready with an encyclopedia of facts of a man that-"

"He's no man. Yuzu." Atsuro interrupted. His voice and expression deathly serious. "He is a God!"

A moment of silence fell on the group as Atsuro spoke those words; Kazuto and Daisuke then broke out into laughter. Yuzu simply rolled her eyes and Atsuro blushed and diverted his eyes to his own bowl of ramen.

"You should already know that Atsuro is a big Kayaba fan boy." Daisuke said finishing his laugh. "Second biggest would be Kazuto here." Kazuto shrugged as he slipped a piece of beef in his mouth and swallowed it.

"I'm planning to be a researcher and developer. I'm going to go to college for it. Of course I'd know a lot about the "Father of the Next Age of Technology"" Kazuto responded imitating Atsuro voice. Atsuro glared at him, Yuzu giggled but Daisuke let out a sigh at the mention of college.

"Don't remind me of college. Or anything related to the future for that matter. I still don't know what I plan to do after I finish school. I know I definitely don't want to be a salary man. "

"I'm surprised your not entering in the same field as these two. You love talking about games and Tech." Yuzu added.

"I'm more into playing games then making them. Just like I'm more interested in using tech like those new augmented reality specs. Learning how to make them seems like a pain in the ass. No offense you two." Daisuke added. The two other boys shrugged. Daisuke's expression grew even more tired. "Eugh! Why did you guys have to mention college. It brings back horrible memories of that awkward career talk I had with my Miss Mina"

"What happened? Yuzu asked "When I went to see Mina-sensei after you, she looked ultra pissed.".

"You really don't want to know." Daisuke responded in a warning tone. From the look hin his eyes Yuzu decided to drop the subject. The rest of the group continued on their meal, chatting idly about other things.

Naoya's Apartment.

"Oh did you guys read Yosuke's text?" Daisuke spoke as they were getting closer and closer to Naoya's apartment.

"Oh yeah. He's going to be getting his motorcycle license in a couple of days" Kazuto responded. Yosuke was another friend of theirs that moved away last year. His father was a manager of Junes Department store and the company had transferred him over to a small town in Inaba. Though the group kept in contact with him through texts and emails. Kazuto was the one to seem him frequently. It helps that his uncle Dojima and cousin Nanako also live there and he and his his family would often take trips to Inaba during vacations to see them. Kazuto however suspected the main reason his Aunt Midori and Uncle Minetake were so eager to visit Inaba was because of the Amagi Inn hot springs and not to visit their cute cousin or gruff detective of an uncle. His sister Sugouha had different reason though. She had become close friends with the daughter and heiress of the inn and her friend that lived in town.

"When's he coming over to visit?" Atsuro asked curiously. "Seems a little unfair that Kazuto here is the only one that gets to see him often. The last time he was here was during golden week."

"He says he's been too busy helping out his family." Kazuto responded as he pushed the button on the speaker for Naoya. "Naoya. We're here. Can you let us in?" The door buzzed allowing Kazuto and rest of his friends to pull it open and go up his apartment. They took an elevator to the top floor where it was located. When it opened the group stepped out, and approached Naoya's door. The door opened and a women with dark short hair, yellow skirt, a black jacket, and long white boots stepped out. She looked furious. She also looked about ready to punch something. She turned to the opened door and spoke:

"Narukumi-san, Mister Hotsuin is not going to be happy with your decision. You don't know what he and the rest of the Hotsuin family can do to you."

"You act like I should be frightened of your organization. If they have done any research on me then they already know its actually the other way around Sako-san." The voice behind the door responded a casual tone. The words were a subtle threat as opposed to Sako-san's own blatant threat. Despite how he said it, Kazuto knew the man behind the voice long enough to know that he will act when threatened or attacked. "I've made my choice, the Hotsuin brat will have to deal with not getting what he wants for once." Sako glared at him.

"How dare you call Hotsuin-sama a..."

"Kazuto! You're finally here! Where were you?" The man interrupted the women named Sako and stepped out of his room. He had silver hair, red eyes and he was sporting a button down shirt and a cloak. Kazuto quickly beckoned the group to come to the apartment. As they complied and went in, he turned to the girl called Sako and spoke one last time

"Now. If you excuse me Sako-san. I have to catch up with my little brother. So leave now and make sure your brat of a boss understands that my mind is made up." The dark haired women glared at him and turned around to leave.

Naoya's apartment was messy. Inside was a lot junk consisting on machines and devices he had been working on. The things that caught Kazuto's eyes though were a silver armband with a small scren and a cell phone that looked about ten years old though. It appeared Naoya was in the process of modifying them.

"Do any of you want tea?" Naoya called from the kitchen. The group nodded in unison as he went to the kitchen to boil some water.

"So what was that all about?" Atsuro asked as he assumed a seat on the couch.

"Just a representative from another company complaining about my not giving the rights use a new application I created."

"Why didn't you?"

"Lets just say that they would be using the application for some things less then noble." Naoya winked as he poured tea in all of their cups. He assumed a seat next to Kazuto, taking a sip form his own cup. "So have you thought about my offer?"

"What offer?" Yuzu and Atsuro asked in unison. Kazuto sighed. He has had this conversation one to many times. He wished Naoya would give him more time to mull it over.

"I'm offering my brother here a free ticket into MIT. Fully paid scholarship plus flight. Maybe you three can convince him. He's been hesitant."

"Why are you hesitating?" Atsuro asked giving his friend a wide I look. "A free ride into university? A trip overseas. I thought you'd be jumping at the chance for it. Hell. I would?" Kazuto shifted uncomfortably in his seat as Naoya laughed. Yuzu however, remained silent though. She looked slightly depressed.

"Even if you get into to Tokyo U, I doubt they'll be able to give you the same resources you can get over the states." His brother added. Kazuto was unusually focused on the tea while he was speaking.

"It's a nice offer. But I prefer to to stay in Japan if possible..." Kazuto quietly replied.

"Come on bro..."

"Lets talk about this later. I'd like to see that new nerve gear. If possible." Yuzu spoke up, a forced smile plastered on her face. Daisuke, who was sitting next to her looked at her bewildered.

"Hey! I thought you were even interested in playing video ga-" Yuzu shoved her elbow against Daisuke. "Ouch what that was that for?!"

Naoya gave Yuzu a rather knowing look before standing up "Well that is why you three came up here. Wait here. I have it at the workroom." While Naoya was getting their equipment, Kazuto looked at his own drink, wearing a frown.

"I'm surprised." Daisuke spoke up. "You talk a lot about how the Americans are always developing all sorts of new toys. You even said that you plan to study there for a semester."

"I'm excited. Don't get me wrong. The thing is though. " Kazuto paused trying to find the right words to say. " Naoya seems a little too eager to send me overseas. Just last year, he keeps saying that I should move in with him. Saying that brothers should stick together. Now though. He really wants me out of the country."

"What about your aunt and uncle." Yuzu inquired, a look of concern on her face. "They're his family too."

"He never really got along with them. Especially Aunt Midori. They've always been getting into arguments. Those got especially bad when he was still living with us." Kazuto replied, his eyes now looking over at the window. "He's always been hiding something from me. I didn't mind because well, I've always trusted him. He's always looked out for me. After he moved out and got a job, he goes to the trouble of hanging out with me on his free time. Even when he's tired from work. Now though, I just wonder." He trailed off.

"What happened?"

"He's been acting really strange. Well. Stranger then usual. He hasn't called me in the past weeks and if he doesn't normally texts me a response when he's too busy to return my calls. Whenever we do go out, he gets really agitated for no reason." Before he could continue Naoya called out:

"Here we go!" Naoya called out. In arms were three small boxes. "Three next generation nerve gears special ordered from Argus."

"Awesome!" All three boys cheered. As Naoya handed each of them a box with their Nerve Gear.

"Wonder what they changed from the Beta test..." Kazuto commented as he was looking over his own box.

"Might have modified one or two bosses to better balance out the battles." Naoya shrugged as he assumed a seat on his reclining chair yawning. "I didn't have chance to look over the final game. Kayaba-san wanted to oversee last phase by himself."

"Can't believe you get to work with the legend himself." Atsuro added.

"Not as great as many make him out to be." Naoya replied stretching out his arms. "You know what they say about meeting your idols. I don't recommend it." Atsuro scoffed. Naoya chuckled. A chuckle which was followed by a beeping noise. His hands reached into his pocket and he pulled out his cellphone. He frowned at the sight of the screen.

"Hello..." Naoya said. " Yes. Hmm. Alright, I'll meet you soon." He stood up and turned to his four friends. "Afraid Atsuro's god needs me..."

"Hey!"

"I need to check up on the servers. I'm afraid I'll have to cut your visit short." The four students nodded and got up to leave. "Oh Kazuto. Can I talk to you quickly?" Kazuto turned to the three.

"I'll meet you guys outside." Yuzu, Atsuro, and Daisuke nodded and left. With the two brothers alone, Naoya was the first to speak

"Listen. I'm sorry for how I've been lately."

"Take it you overheard us?" Kazuto said.

"Got another job with a security company. They've been having me develop new cameras. Been setting up some camera's around here as a test run. Those test cameras are currently streaming to my monitors in the work room when I was there to retrieve the nerve gears. They're always on. Its a little hard not to catch your conversation. I'm sorry."

"Its okay. Since the cat is out of the bag, are you going to tell me what's going on?" Naoya hesitated. Kazuto found it a little strange. Naoya wasn't always one to hesitate when he had something on his mind to say. This time was completely different. He was actually considering his words carefully. After long pause, Naoya finally spoke.

"Its about the night our parents died." Images of the dream appeared in Kazuto's mind. " I know it's a touchy subject but-" His cellphone rang again. Naoya glared at it. "Listen I have to get to the office, and what I have to tell you will take far more then five minutes anyway. Tomorrow, I'll tell you all about it."

"Alright, see you around." Kazuto said. He wanted to press further but it looked like Naoya couldn't be interrupted.

Kirigaya Household

"I'm home." Kazuto called out as he stepped into the house. He knew Suguha was still at Kendo practice and his aunt always came home a little bit late. His uncle; Unusually enough. Wasn't at home. The reason came in the form of a note on the fridge.

Kazu-kun. Suguha-chan. Got called into a meeting. Be back by elven.-Papa

Seems like everybody has an urgent meeting today. Kazuto thought as he looked through the fridge. Maybe I should go to the store before I log in. His eyes trailed over to the clock. It was Six at night. It was still sunny out and he had a enough time to get to the store and back before it went completely dark. Of course, he could log out later and get something to eat but there had been reported serial killings by a cult that attacks at night and his aunt and uncle made absolute sure he and his sister stayed in at night. A cult called the Order of Gaia if Kazuto remembered from the news reports. Still, he was torn. He did promise Atsuro and Daisuke that he'd meet both of them online right now. He didn't really want to be late. After much deliberation, Kazuto finally made a decision. He took the box to his room and removed the helmet.

"Please fill in your information to create an account." The robotic female voice called as Kazuto entered the empty black space that is the VR interface. Text appeared in the middle of the air, as well as a keyboard at the bottom of the text. The text itself showed all the relevant information Kazuto had fill in. The process was tedious but after entering the last bit of info and customizing his avatar he finished the entire process by entering his screen name: Kirito.