Author's Notes

I highly suggest checking out the 'Sachi Event' in SAO: Infinity Moment/Hollow Fragment video game and/or the short story 'The Day After' to get an idea of what I'm trying to go along in this story.

Thanks and enjoy!

X

Sachi's Forgiveness

Three years have passed since Sachi's untimely death, and to this day it still haunts Kirito. On June 22nd, 2026, Kirito goes to the 27th floor dungeon and into the very room of which the guild members of the Moonlit Black Cats, and Sachi, ultimately died. Even years later, the guilt of her death on his shoulders hadn't passed. During his moment of grief and weakness, Kirito is met with Kayaba to try and let go of the past, as well as someone who tells him to look toward the future with a smile.

X

June 21st, 2026, near twilight…

Although it was late in the evening, it's never too late to hold a celebration party. The large group of friends held their glasses high as they ate and drank to their victory today over the 45th Floor Boss of New Aincrad. The players of today weren't moving as fast as they clearers and the players of the Assault Team back then. However, today New Aincrad was truly a game. Something to be enjoyed and take your time with, to log in and out whenever you pleased. Not a twisted world where life and death was around every corner.

They drank and ate and talked freely about, as many people had gathered together in the home that Kirito and Asuna shared on the 22nd floor. Everyone from the main group was there, as well as close associates and acquaintances who worked hard to defeat the Floor Boss today. For many of players, it was a time of celebration and cheer. But for one particular player, it was a time of grieving, deep thought, the seeking of forgiveness, and even broadening on a type of clairvoyance.

"It's funny." Klein paused as he gathered the attention of his friends, holding his drink as his cheeks heated from the alcohol. Even in the game, you had your own tolerance to the alcoholic drinks that wasn't like your tolerance in the real world, but he still felt the same buzz. "We're partying harder than we ever did before when we were clearing to win the game. We can leave whenever we want! Back then, we had reason to cheer since it was a step closer to getting out of there!"

"That's true." Lisbeth replied. Even if it was a virtual world, she still didn't wish to have any ale so she wouldn't become intoxicated, due to being underage even if it was just a game. "We were fighting for our lives, but that doesn't mean we can kick back and express our awesomeness!"

"Oh that reminds me!" Klein put down his drink and flicked down with his right hand, bringing up the system command window. After skillfully navigating his inventory, a large gray box appeared in his arms. "I got this one from a doozy of a quest a while back; I've been waiting for the rest time to bust it out."

"No way…is that-"Sinon didn't get to finish her sentence, but she was still just as pleased.

"Whose up for a little karaoke?" Klein placed the machine on the living room coffee table, and many of the party goers were excited to give karaoke a try, some more than others due to their intoxication. However as Lisbeth bent down reaching for a microphone, she couldn't help but notice a figure in the back corner of the room had barely spoken, let alone moved the entire life of the party. She looked over toward Kirito, who sat in his usual rocking chair but had shifted its positioning to look outside the darkened windows of the log cabin.

He was just alone, not sitting beside anyone, or even talking with anyone. He was completely detached from everyone and everything going on in the party. That wasn't like him at all, while Kirito didn't live to be the life of any party, he always put some effort to be a part of the group. She looked toward Asuna, who hadn't even noticed considering she was fetching refreshments and entertaining other party guests, as well as partying up with Sinon for karaoke. The blacksmith took it upon herself to go see what had Kirito in such a bummed mood.

"What's going on with you?" She reached Kirito's side as he still looked out toward the darkened window. "You got the Last Attack Bonus this raid, not to mention the last few raids, and did the most damage in the entire group. You don't have any reason to be zoning out on us!" Lisbeth was trying to egg him on to get some kind of reaction, but she was surprised and questioned why it didn't work. She just studied his gaze; his eyes were so dull, empty of any interest of what was going on around him. Clearly he was lost in thought, but what could have him so distracted from his friends?

"Kirito!" She called out to him a bit louder than she meant to, having to talk over rowdy party guests. The Spriggan jolted up in his chair, now aware of what was taking place and the fact that Lisbeth was only a few inches away from his face, leaning over to talk to him.

"Oh Liz! What's wrong?" He was startled at first, but his heart rate began to climb down.

"Kirito what's with you? You shouldn't be this dense, we're celebrating!" She tried to be cheerful with him, truth be told she hated seeing him down. Though she knew it was Asuna's place to console him and not herself.

"Oh I just…Have a lot on my mind." Kirito slumped back into his chair, going back toward his deep thinking. Lisbeth tried to get him involved, yanking on his arms to get the Spriggan to stand upward.

"Come on you can't be depressed being with as many pretty girls as there is in your house! Do you want to dance or maybe team up for some karaoke?" Lisbeth successfully got Kirito to stand up; however after a moment's pause he looked to her with a small smile.

"No thanks, actually I think I'm gonna go out right now, be alone for a while."

"Wait what?" Is all she got out before Kirito headed for the door, swiftly equipping his gear as it materialized over his avatar. This caught Asuna's attention as he stood in the opened doorway toward the night sky.

"Kirito where are you going!?" She ran toward him as he turned and looked toward her, the Undine letting out a small gasp only audible to herself. His fake smile, his empty eyes and act of an expression, she had forgotten about what this time signified for Kirito.

"I'm just going out for some night air, don't worry I'll be back soon." Is all he gave her as he stepped outside, standing on the porch as his black wings materialized and started to flutter.

"Sure…Be safe." She let out quietly as Asuna watched the Spriggan disappear into the black sky, like a ghost fading from the natural world crossing the realms. Or perhaps the shadow of guilt and fear lingering to hold on. The young woman turned around to see the worried expression on all her friends. None of them know what was going on with Kirito, and they all look worried and had completely halted the party mood.

"Oh I'm so sorry everyone!" Asuna tried to get them back in the party spirit. "Why don't we make teams for karaoke and get started?"

"Asuna, what's wrong with Kirito?" Sinon asked for the rest of the group. They were worried that perhaps their relationship wasn't working, or another serious matter was consuming the Black Swordsman. Asuna and Klein looked toward one another he too had forgotten the significance of this date meant for Kirito, and both confirmed what the other was thinking with small nods. Of the large group of friends, they knew him the best.

"Kirito hasn't talked much about his past has he?" Klein stepped away from the group, and joined Asuna on the other side looking toward their friends. "Around this time of the year, Kirito prefers to be alone for a while."

"How come?" Silica asked for the rest of them. Klein looked for the words to tell their friends, though it was Kirito's private business. He didn't want to give away too much without his friend's consent, if they were to know about what was troubling him, he should be the one to tell them.

"I can't say too much about it. It's just…Around this time of the year, Kirito is reminded by something that still haunts him from Sword Art, and is reminded of something that he failed to do."

X

The Black Swordsman flew as fast as he could through the darkened skies of Alfheim, racing for New Aincrad. Many thoughts raced through his mind as fast as he was flying through the night sky, thinking of a life that seemed so long ago. He was so lost in thought, wearing his gloomy expression he nearly past the humongous structure before halting his flight. Kirito stared at the massive floating castle of Aincrad, slowly flying back toward the center of the structure. He slowly lifted his gaze toward the spot he assumed he once stood before, many years ago to the moment that had forever changed him.

The Spriggan hovered over the spot he assumed was on the 27th floor labyrinth, reminded of his failures as his fist shook uncontrollably, and punched the outside of the castle with all his might. He couldn't bear to lift his face, letting the world witness the few tears that flowed down his face, flickering into the darkened night. In this world he couldn't bleed, yet could still feel pain. It would never be enough; it could never atone for the sins of his past.

As the clock struck midnight, the new date now June 22nd, 2026 did something strange happen. For a slight moment, Kirito's interface, display, and system settings were going haywire. Everything was turning a blinding white. It was so quiet, as if he was alone on a distant plane of space and time, and in the center, he relived the most painful memory of his life.

She floated there in empty space, looking straight toward him as he shed a few tears. She reached out to him, as he desperately reached for her hand. Her life bar had been depleted, and now disappeared completely, signifying her impending doom. The young girl looked sad, though she had accepted her fate with a small smile and a strange look to Kirito. She used the last few seconds of what she would know of her life to say goodbye to a dear friend.

"Thank you…Goodbye."

Kirito was rudely awakened back to his reality, as the Spriggan was falling out of the sky before he realized he was freefalling for the earth. The Spriggan used the momentum to push himself back, flipping in the air as his wings spread and halted falling a few hundred feet down. Even through all of that, the tears still clung to his guilty face and sorrowful expression.

"Sachi…" Kirito said quietly to himself, he had never forgotten her, for even a day. While he was confused and scared from the sudden phenomenon, it wasn't enough to deter his attention away from the spot he had been floating at just a few moments ago. The sins of the past continued to haunt Kirito, as he blamed himself for her death, along with the rest of his old guild. He needed to find a way to receive closure.

However, Kirito believed no amount of repentance would be enough to allow himself forgiveness for what took place, why Sachi wasn't with him anymore. He failed to protect her; even after he gave his promise that she would live. An idea came to Kirito, as he flicked his hand down going through his contacts. It was late in the night, but he was driven to get through. This year, he would ask her personally for her forgiveness.

X

He made sure to get here early in the afternoon, so he would have plenty of time for his next destination afterwards, if he would be able to leave soon after. Kazuto Kirigaya stood in the cemetery only a few miles down from his own home. It's funny, he never bothered to ask which school she and her guild was from, it's very well possible they may have crossed each other's paths in the real world when walking to and from school. Perhaps she went to a neighboring school, or even his own. If they had been a bit closer together, then perhaps they would be in the same class. Perhaps he would have joined the technology club as well, and perhaps he could have been with her from the beginning. And then…maybe so, she would still be alive today.

"Sachiya Okubyon." Kazuto read the grave out loud to himself, kneeling down to place the bouquet of roses he had brought to her resting place. This must have been where she got the name 'Sachi' for her in-game avatar. He tried to be hopeful and optimistic, but it was hard to do so. He believed fate was cruel, and taunted him in the most painful way.

Roughly translated, her name meant 'timid, fortunate, child of joy'. He wondered what point of her life could possibly be that way. He questioned why she was given such a beautiful meaning of a name, but it ended so opposite to its scripture. If she was truly fortunate, he would have kept his promise, and Sachi would still be alive. Fate was cruel to her, and to him. Constantly demeaning them both in such a cruel way.

She told him to live, live for the both of them if she had died, and he had survived. She told him to be happy, and be happy knowing she was joyful of their meeting even if it meant she wouldn't survive to meet the end of the game. But it was such a painful promise to keep. Kazuto may have been alive, but part of him felt like he died with her. He had never been truly the same since Sachi was taken away. He tried to find the words to say to her, now that they had been reunited again after so long. However, it was a one-sided conversation, as Kazuto showed a small smile, and let the tears flow down.

"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to visit you Sachi." He started slowly, not sure what to say to the girl now passed. He had reached out to Seijirou for a few favors, and found Sachi's residence, as well as her real name and where she was burred. Now that he was here, Kazuto wasn't sure what to say. What could he say to ask for her forgiveness? The breeze picked up through the trees, as cherry blossoms floated in the sky. He seeked closure, and forgiveness, but Kazuto wasn't sure if this visit would grant him that.

"A lot's happened since then. I beat the game, defeated the final boss. I saved thousands of people, but I wasn't able to save you. I'm sorry…I wasn't able to keep my promise. I wasn't able to protect you. I also never found out why you and I met. I'm not sure if this was always our fate, to go our separate ways. Or…" Kazuto stopped himself trying to hold back his tears. The burden of her death, the blood on his hands had not been washed away. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, but would never be able to truly speak.

A fist suddenly flew into Kazuto's face from out of nowhere, as he picked himself back up to see a middle-aged couple looking down upon him. The man held such an intense look of hatred and sorrow for the young man, while his wife desperately tried to hold him back, tears escaping her own eyes.

"I know you!" He yelled to Kazuto as he picked himself back up. "You're Kirito! You beat the game and saved all the remaining players, but tell me why! Why weren't you able to save my daughter!? Why did I have to bury my own child!?" He broke down to his knees crying in his eyes, Kazuto's own eyes going wide as realized flooded his mind and senses.

He came here for closure, yet received nothing but more guilt, and a heavier burden on his mind. Sachi's parents had come to visit her on the anniversary of her death. He was asking for forgiveness, but he would never be forgiven from her parents for what he did. He failed to keep his promise to always be by her side and protect her. And she paid for it with her life.

Kazuto stood back up with his back toward the grieving parents. There wasn't much to say, he believed he was responsible for Sachi's death as much as they must have. He came here looking for repentance, but would leave with a wound in his heart that could never be healed. A scar that would never fade from his mind or his heart.

"I'm sorry…You're right…I failed to protect her." His voice may have sounded confident, but what they didn't see is the tears escaping his own eyes. Kazuto walked away from the grave as the cherry blossoms had stopped falling, and left the parents to grieve for their child in peace.

X

5:50 PM, June 22nd, 2026…

Kirito walked through the 27th floor labyrinth on his own, looking for a very particular room to be in the next few minutes. At his current level, the monsters in the dungeon were child's play, however back then these monsters were extremely dangerous if you weren't careful. After all, that's how all of this started…His carelessness and dishonesty got them all killed. He was in here looking for atonement, he only hoped it wouldn't end the same way as it did in the graveyard.

Kirito finally approached the room of his journey. As he touched the glyph, the door opened up to what seemed like an empty room, with nothing but a treasure chest in the center. Kirito entered the room, and stared at the chest for a few moments. Before kneeling down to open the chest, springing the once deadly trap that had turn him asunder years ago.

With the alarms set and the mood of the room drastically changing to a blood red color on the walls, Kirito drew his blades as the monsters swarmed him. Within a minute's time, he slew all the opposing threats. However that minute seemed like an eternity, a moment so similar to the changing moment years ago. Back then his face held such intensity, such ferocity because he fought to protect someone he cared for so deeply. Now, his face held such hatred, and such pain of his past sins. The monsters fell one after another, until the room was completely cleared, and the atmosphere had went back to its original turquoise color.

The Spriggan didn't even bother to view his rewards tab, as he dismissed it and sheathed his blades. Kirito sat in the center of the room, the treasure chest now de-materializing as he took its empty place, waiting for the time to pass. He looked at the internal clock, it was now 5:52 PM on June 22nd, 2026. Exactly three years since Sachi's death.

He waited for what seemed like many moments for some type of sign, some kind of signal that she was still with him. He had returned to the place of his greatest sin, hoping to find redemption and forgiveness for his failures that cost such young lives. This room held his greatest failure, and cost a piece of himself three years ago today.

After a few moments had passed, Kirito let go of his held breath, and stood back up. He was now convinced that nothing would ever rid him of this guilt. Nothing would ever cleanse the sins of his past. As he headed for the exit, a voice called out to him.

"Why do you hold on to such pain?" The voice called out to Kirito as he looked back toward the center spot, to see Kayaba floating in place of the chest. Kirito took on a defensive stance, reaching for his blades. Of the people he was hoping to see again, this was not one of them.

"Change is a painful process Kirito. But you once defied the systems of a god, you proved that human spirit could overcome any obstacle. So if that's the case, why do you hold such painful memories of your past instead of embracing the future in front of you?" The consciousness of Kayaba taunted Kirito. Ironically, Kayaba could understand Kirito's torment, yet would fail to accept responsibility for his sins as well.

"To let go of my past is to let go of her, of my memory of her." Kirito answered, turning his back on the creator of this game. The game that took Sachi's life. "Tell me Kayaba, how did you get over the fact that you're responsible for everyone who died in this game. How did you live riddance of such guilt for the deaths of so many innocents?"

"I never truly got over the burden of all who perished in this world. All I could do was look back on my past, accept what was and what is, and move on."

"You bastard!" Kirito believed that was no answer, the answer of one who refuses to accept responsibility as he turned to face Kayaba with an angered, and hurtful expression as a single tear escaped his eye. The Spriggan was drawing for his blade, when he froze in his tracks as if a deer in headlights.

Now in place of Kayaba, a lone girl smiled to him as they stood on equal ground again. He had changed so much, and she hadn't changed at all. How could she have? After all, she wasn't with him anymore. Or so he thought…

"Sachi…" He called out quietly, releasing his blade as he stood up straight. After three long years, the two had been reunited again.

"Kirito." She let out quietly, as the Spriggan walked toward her as they met in the center. So much was racing through the young man's mind. She was here with him again. However right away something wasn't right. Sachi had just suddenly appeared out of nowhere, however her body was already beginning to de-materialize into the air around them. Slowly, but surely they would go their separate ways again…

"How…How is this possible?" He asked with tears running down his face. This couldn't have been the real Sachi…She was…This had to have been some kind of copy of her, an AI or a piece of her memory like the gift box. However instead of Sachi answering his question, the voice of Kayaba echoed through the room.

"This one also possessed such strong human spirit. Refusing to let go of the past and move on with her fate. However, she did so for the sake of yourself, not her own. I was able to round up and structure together bits and pieces of her memories and experiences into a state of her consciousness, like myself. However…the data is scattering, and her consciousness will not be intact much longer…She has been waiting for you before vanishing from this world forever."

With the explanation in hand, there was no stopping the tears now. Kirito and Sachi had been reunited, for the first time in many years. However their reunion would be a cruel teasing from those above.

"Kirito." She started slowly, continuing to smile despite her body slowly dissipating. "I'm not to certain about a lot of things. Who I am and why I'm here. Three years have passed since I died, yet I'm still here, the same while you've grown and changed. I know I'm not the real Sachi, I'm sorry for deceiving you…But hopefully I can help you move on like she wanted you to." This Sachi began to cry virtual tears that were fading from existence before they even pelted the floor.

Kirito quickly brought the girl into his arms, as he cried letting out a steady stream of tears, the space around them glistening with Sachi's fading existence. Even through her own sadness, she continued on consoling the once she had left behind.

"Kirito…I'm happy we met, and that you were able to find another to love. But you have to let go, let go of what happened three years ago, and let go of me." Kirito didn't even try to hold back his tears now; finally he was getting the closure he so desperately needed from what happened. To be told it wasn't his fault from the same person he had failed, even if he never believed it himself.

"What happened wasn't your fault. Let go of the burden you've placed on yourself. Let go of the sin's you believed to have committed. All we can do…Is accept what is, and move on." However, the coin was the same on both sides. This image of Sachi may have been her consciousness, but it still held the same feelings inherited from the real Sachi. She couldn't help but wonder how their lives may have played out if she had lived. She wanted many things, such selfish desires from someone whose past. This sudden meeting and tearful goodbye was just as hard on the image of Sachi as it was on Kirito.

"I want you to live with no regrets. You saved many lives, and lived to fight another day. Fight for your future, fight for my memory. If you can do that, to live without any regrets…I can be happy." Sachi let her own tears fall freely as her body was beginning to dissipate more, not much left but the color of her armor and the outline of the bottom half of her figurative body.

"Sachi…" He couldn't let her go, not after this goodbye, not after being together again after so long. "I-I want to be with you…I…I l-"His words were suddenly cut off by her hand, as the colors from her skin and armor began to fade in Kirito's face. She was smiling, happily, as the tears streamed down and their faces brought close. For the first and last time, they were able to share their close feelings with each other.

"I know what you want to say. Although it makes me happy, you can't say it." It pained Sachi to admit those words. As desperately as she wanted to hear the words from Kirito, she could never allow him to say it. If he did, he would perhaps never move on from her memory. Perhaps may never truly move on to love another to his fullest ability and heart's content. Sachi removed her hand from his lips, and replaced it with her own as she closed her eyes, the tears disappearing as they fell.

He only felt the embrace for a single moment, but it was real. The warmth lingered like a flickering flame, however was snuffed out within an instant. As she pulled away from Kirito, thinking how handsome he looked a bit older, it was time for her to go.

"I may have only been an image of the real Sachi, but I received her feelings within my heart…Kirito…I'm so glad to have met you. Live on without regrets. Without any burdens that were your own. I'll always be watching over you, no matter what world you're in." Her body was almost nearly gone, disappearing into the air without a trace. A small part of her remained as Kirito stood back up looking up toward the ceiling. As if an angel departing from the world, the two looked at each other for the final time.

"Thank you…Goodbye."

With Sachi's final words, her body disappeared completely in an ethereal glistening. Her consciousness in this world now gone. Kirito was now all alone, looking up to where she had disappeared as he wiped away most of his tears. For the first time in years, Kirito felt as though he finally had closure. The weight of two worlds was now lifted from his shoulder, as he gave a small smile.

"Kirito." He turned toward the calling of his voice, to see Asuna standing outside the entrance to the room, looking concerned as she leaned against the doorframe. "Did you…see her?"

"I did." Kirito gave a small nod, as let the last of his tears drop freely. He walked over toward Asuna, who only looked at each other with small smiles. "She said she…would watch over us."

"Let's go." Asuna reached out her hand to the Spriggan, as he only nodded and placed his hand within her own.

"Okay." As the two walked out of the room that had tortured Kirito for so long, he felt as though an eternity has passed since then. But he would never forget her, for as long as he lived. Knowing now it wasn't his fault, and that she was happy despite her fate, Kirito could move on knowing that she wanted him to live guilt free for her death, and would look after them both. He had lost a piece of himself here on the 27th floor labyrinth, as well as someone very dear to him. But with Asuna, he would be able to heal the scar, slowly but surely.

Kirito looked back toward the center of the room, where he wasn't sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him or not, but could swore he saw a faint outline of Sachi standing there. Their fates had made them go separate ways, as Sachi would forever be here in Aincrad. He had lost a piece of himself here in this room, but he would learn to live on without it, and without her. As the trick of his mind waved goodbye, Kirito let his final tear stroll down his face, as he gave a small smile back to her.

"Thank you…Sachi."