Hi, everyone! This is your author ArtLotus. I'm sorry, if I updated late. I'm on vacation in my hometown. And my siblings are fighting for the Ipad, so I can't update fast enough. But I hope you still like this chapter.
The only thing I can tell you about this chapter is, someone is going to get a kiss. And who do you guess will it be? Let's find out, shall we?
I don't know if it's too romantic, or too 'much'. But I hope you still like it!
It took a while but nevertheless, let me present the new chapter of Alfheim Online: The Shinigami. I hope you enjoy it! I'm gonna go, Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 4: To the World Tree
Suguha's Room
"I want to see virtual reality for myself. When did I first think that to myself?" Suguha thought, laying on her bed while staring off into her thoughts.
"At first, virtual reality was just an awful thing that had taken Onii-chan and... Izayoi away. But soon, I wanted to see... To know with my own eyes the world my brother, and Izayoi loved." Suguha thought as she closed her eyes, drifting to her thoughts.
"And I was surprised to find myself enchanted by Alfheim Online. The joy of flying through the sky on your own wings... If I could fly as far and high as I wanted, I'd be willing to give up anything for that. I think I understand now why my brother and Izayoi loved this world so much!" Suguha thought with a smile.
Suguha's Highschool
Suguha was walking through her school, with her shinai packed in her kendo bag, a charm could be seen, tying together with the string that ties the bag together.
My Precious Girl
- Izayoi
The charm displayed, as it was written by a marker pen, that Izayoi had, as he wrote the words on the charm. It was a long time ago, before the SAO incident. It was after she'd won a kendo tournament in her school.
She was delighted, to be handed the charm by her secret crush, and kept the charm ever since.
Flashback...
A younger Izayoi was sitting in his chair, in his room, in Kazuto's house. He wore a short-sleeved white shirt, and black pants. And around his waist was his hoodie which he tied around him. He looked down at the charm he wrote, in his hand, as he glance at Suguha who sat on his bed, staring curiously at him.
Izayoi then turns towards a younger Suguha, "Stand up, I've got something for you." Izayoi said with a smile, as Suguha blushed and obeyed, standing up from the bed to face him.
Izayoi then stood up, as he extended his hand to grad a hold of Suguha's hand. "Since you've won a kendo tournament in your school earlier. Here." Izayoi stated as he dropped the charm on her hand, with his other hand.
Suguha stared at it with a raised brow, but when she turns it around, her eyes widen.
My Precious Girl
- Izayoi
It says in front of charm, as Suguha look up at Izayoi, with teary eyes.
"Congratulati-" Izayoi was cut off as Suguha suddenly hugged him.
"Thank you, Izayoi." Suguha whispered with a smile, as Izayoi smiled too.
"You deserved it. I've train you long enough, and this is your gift for winning, and being my student. Also, you're my precious girl." Izayoi whispered as he too hugged back, wrapping his hands around Suguha.
Present...
"Leafa-chan!" A student said, appearing in front of Suguha, as she stopped walking.
Suguha sighs, "I told you not to call me that at school, Nagata-kun!" She scolded, as the boy who was called Nagata, bowed his head in apology.
"S-Sorry, Suguha-chan..." He said.
"Idiot!" Suguha said grabbing a hold of her shinai.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Kirigaya-san!" Nagata said waving his hands furiously, as he doesn't want to get hit with the shinai.
"You need something? And you don't have to take the high school entrance exams, so why are you even at school? You don't have to attend, right?" Suguha asked.
"Sugu..." Nagata was cut off as Suguha narrows her in annoyance.
"I needed to talk to you, Kirigaya-san, so I've been waiting here since morning." Nagata said as Suguha grabbed a hold of her shinai again.
"You aren't taking the exams, either." Nagata stated.
"The kendo club adviser asked me to come in. So what did you need?" Suguha asked.
"Sigurd and the others wanted to go hunting again this afternoon." Nagata informed her.
"Sorry, I won't be joining them for a while." Suguha replied.
"Ehh? Why not?" Nagata asked in surprised.
"I'm heading to Arun." Suguha said.
"Arun? At the base of the World Tree?" Nagata asked as he hold his spectacles. "Y-You can't mean to go with that Spriggan from yesterday..." He said as Suguha blushed, recalling the peck from Izayoi, all of a sudden.
"Yeah... Well, I guess so. I'm going to show him the way." Suguha said while scratching her cheek with her finger.
"Wh-What are you thinking, Leaf-" Nagata was cut off by Suguha narrowing her eyes in annoyance again. Nagata hold up his hands, as he then coughed to regain his composure.
"Kirigaya-san. You'll be going so far, overnight, with a shady guy like that?" He said as Suguha blushed, for Nagata to be suggesting something embarrassing like that.
Suguha reached for her shinai, "Don't get any weird ideas!" She said to him as she trust her shinai up to Nagata's stomach, knocking the air out of him.
"Anyway, that's how it is. Tell Sigurd and the gang 'hello.' " Suguha said as she put her shinai over her shoulder. She then walked pass Nagata, who was laying on the ground, clutching his stomach in pain.
"Bye!" Suguha said waving him goodbye as she went home.
Suguha's Room
Suguha strip off her school uniform, leaving her with only her pink bra and panties. She glance at her Amusphere, on the rack over her front bed post.
"I'm just showing him the way." Suguha said putting her hands on top of each other, and putting it over her chest.
"That's all." She said as she shook her head of any thoughts she might have concerning Izayoi.
"Izayoi..." She whispered, but she wasn't aware of her door slowly opening.
"Sugu, do you want some-" Izayoi said coming into her room, to see if she wants some of his chocolate cake that he made. But he stop in his track, as in front of him was a half naked Suguha.
"First it was Asuna, and then Sugu..." Izayoi thought as he sighs, but then he look over her body.
"You've improved over the years, Sugu. I'm impressed." Izayoi commented as he put his hand under his chin, while he look over her body.
Suguha turns to him, not noticing the door opened, as she look at him with a surprised look. Then she suddenly realized that she was half naked, as her face turn red.
"I-Izayoi-kun?!" Suguha said as she search for something to cover herself up.
"Sugu, Sugu. Don't worry. I was just about to leave anyway. I'll ask you later." He said as he turns around to leave.
But just as he was about to leave, "Wait," Suguha whispered as she hugged Izayoi from behind, wrapping her hands around his chest.
"Don't leave." Suguha stated, her chest pressing up against Izayoi's back.
Izayoi stopped for a moment, as the two were in a silence situation. The two just stayed in the position they were in. Then, Izayoi put his hands onto Suguha's.
"So? What's the matter?" Izayoi asked as Suguha bit her lips, deciding if she should ask and be brave for once. She gulped the down the fear she had, as she breath a deep breath.
"Am I really your precious girl?" She asked as a smile slowly made its way onto Izayoi's face.
"Because... You have Asuna-san and I thought if you have her then you wouldn't have to called me your precious girl anymore." Suguha asked asking the question that's been bugging her over the week, beside finding out if Izayoi played ALfheim Online.
"Well, to answer something like that..." Izayoi said as he let Suguha's hands off of him, as he turns to face her.
"I wouldn't have..." Izayoi whispered as he lean in towards Suguha's lips. He simply peck her lips, as he then pulled back to look at her. "Done that, would I? Sugu, you'll always be my precious girl and student. And... To tell you the truth..." Izayoi leans in closer beside Suguha's ear.
"I might have feelings for you." Izayoi whispered as he then look at her with a smile. Meanwhile, Sugu stared at him with a blush on her face, while her head was in a bit of a daze, after feeling Izayoi's lips on her for a moment.
"I won't ever forget about you, Sugu. Ever. So, don't worry about it, alright?" Izayoi asked as he can't decide but look at Suguha up close, with her pink bra and pink panties.
"You know..." Izayoi said as Suguha raised an eyebrow. Izayoi then goes to Suguha's drawer and pulled out a white shirt. He came back to Suguha, "You should wear something, or not someone will see you." Izayoi said putting the shirt onto a blushing Suguha.
"T-Thank you, Izayoi-kun." Suguha said as Izayoi waved his hand im dismissal. "We don't want anyone to think something else was going in here, right? Including Kazuto and your aunt." Izayoi stated, as a sly smirk made its way to his lips.
"Now that I think about it..." Izayoi said thinking up a plan. "You can only show your body only to me, and nobody else, okay?" Izayoi exclaimed with a sly smirk, while Suguha blushed crimson at Izayoi request.
"B-Baka, Izayoi-kun." Suguha said she turns her head away in embarrassment.
"I'm just kidding. But if you want to... Call me, alright?" Izayoi said as Suguha timidly nodded, and then she look down.
"Um... Izayoi-kun?" She asked, as Izayoi look at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?" He asked
"Can we k-kiss again? B-But, l-like a-a c-couple." Suguha asked closing her eyes for the rejection. She was supposed to keep her mouth shut, but when she tasted Izayoi lips on hers. She couldn't keep it any longer, she wanted to feel his lips on her again.
Izayoi smiled a soft smile, as he lifted Suguha's chin with his hand.
"All you have to do was just ask, Sugu." He said as he leans his head towards Suguha, to which Suguha followed, by leaning closer to Izayoi. The two of them slowly felt their lips touched, as they feel each other lips against each other, to which they kissed in total bliss.
Suguha smiled under the kiss, as tears were registered from her eyes, she couldn't believe that she was here with Izayoi, kissing him right now. The thought made her happy, and she could feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach, because she had been crushing on Izayoi since he taught her kendo, and when she entered middle school she finally realized her love and picked up the pieces of truly loving him, even if it's a secret crush on him.
Suguha could feel and taste Izayoi's lips, as it was like eating a sweet chocolate that you cant never forget, the first time you eat it. But now she was tasting it now, and slowly she was being engulfed by the kiss, as she wrapped her hands around Izayoi neck, while Izayoi wrapped his arms around Suguha.
"So I love her, huh?" Izayoi asked in his thoughts, as he stifle a laugh mentally.
"Never expected it. But how can I? When she have a soft spot on me, all those years ago?" Izayoi said truthfully, as ever since he taught her kendo, and training her. He was developing the kind of always wanting to protect her, and she kind of always had a soft spot in his heart. And now, they were kissing under the orange sunlight shining down on them through the window.
Izayoi felt Suguha's tender and sweet lips on him, and he was beginning to love her more, but he decided to end the kiss, as he pulled back from the kiss, and laid his forehead against Suguha's. He looked down at Suguha who had tears running down her cheeks, but with a smile on her face, as she look up at him.
"Do you like it? Your first kiss?" Izayoi asked with a smile, looking down the tears of joy streaming down her cheeks and dripping it down towards the floor.
"I... Love it very much. Thank you... Izayoi-kun." Suguha exclaimed tearfully, as Izayoi wiped her tears with his thumb. "Don't worry, I love it too." Izayoi said as he closed his eyes, and breath in Suguha's scent, enjoying the smell that Suguha gave off.
Suguha then closed her eyes too, recalling the times with Izayoi long ago, and to say that the time right now spending with him, was the best romantic time ever, compared to the times she spent with him over the years.
With the two foreheads laid against each other, the two enjoyed each other companies, as silence engulfed them.
Izayoi turns to Suguha who was about to climb up the stairs as he smiled at her, to which Suguha blushed and replied him with a smile too, as she continued her way upstairs and into her bedroom.
She laid on the bed, with only a white shirt, and pink panties on. She smiled recalling the time earlier with Izayoi in the room. After a while, they let go off each other as the two climbed downstairs, and ate Izayoi's chocolate cake, that he baked.
When Izayoi left the room, he didn't noticed the Amusphere and the poster of Leafa in the room, because he was preoccupied with handing Suguha some chocolate cake.
Suguha then put on her Amusphere, as she smiles, "Link Start!" She said as she enters Alfheim Online.
Sylvein, Sylph Terrritory, January 21, 2025
Leafa entered the tavern, where she and Izayoi talked about going to the World Tree together.
When she enters, she looked around for Izayoi, to which she spotted him, sitting in a chair, scrolling down his menu, checking something from it.
Leafa smiled and slightly blushed, recalling again about the kiss earlier, but she shook it out of her thoughts, trying not to catch weird attention from other players. She then walked towards Izayoi, to which Izayoi noticed but he continued checking his menu.
Izayoi sighs, as he closed his menu and look up, "You're early." Izayoi exclaimed.
"No, I just got here. I was out shopping." Leafa said deciding to ask later about Izayoi checking his menu earlier.
"Shopping?" Izayoi asked raising an eyebrow.
Leafa nodded, as Izayoi look down, "I need to get ready, too..." Izayoi said as he held up his hand, to which his daito appear in his hand.
"This is good enough for me, but I think I need to buy some better equipment for my friend." Izayoi said as Leafa raised an eyebrow.
"Friend? What friend?" She asked.
"A dear friend, that is going to join us in our journey." Izayoi answered as his daito disappear from his hand, while Leafa nodded.
"Then let's go to the weapons shop." Leafa said as Izayoi nodded.
"How much money do you have?" Leafa asked as Izayoi opened his menu.
"Is this 'Yuld' stuff money?" Izayoi asked.
"Yeah." Leafa answered with a nod.
Izayoi smirked, as he turns to Leafa. "I got plenty of it." He said as he shook his jacket.
"We're leaving, Yui." He stated as Yui came out from his pocket, and stretched herself.
"Okay." Yui said stretching.
Izayoi examined a sword that was a little shorter than him, as he twirled it.
"So how is it?" Leafa asked.
"This is okay. I think this will suit him just fine." Izayoi said as he purchase the sword from the sword vendor.
"Where is your friend?" Leafa asked as the two stopped at a Sylph tower.
"He'll be here." Izayoi said as he look around for his friend.
"Is that you, Izayoi?" A voice called out as Izayoi and Leafa turns to the owner of the voice.
"Yeah." Izayoi smiled as in front of him, was Kirito.
Kirito was a Spriggan like Izayoi, he chose Spriggan because of the race's black-themed equipment. Instead of the normal black forelocks hanging from his head, his black hair stood in natural spikes. His large eyes appeared mischievous, and he had pointy ears and dark grey-ish blue wings.
Kirito wore his SAO uniform, but with a little different touches. But all in all, the clothes were still black.
"Kirito. Tell me how did you get here?" Izayoi teased with a mischievous smirk, as Kirito glared at him for the question.
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Kirito said as Izayoi laugh, while Leafa watches as she stifle a laugh.
"Trying to get here was hard, okay? You're all alone and no one is going to give you some guide on how to fly with these wings." Kirito stated annoyingly as Izayoi and Leafa laughed.
"But if it wasn't for Izayoi, I would be arriving longer than you expected." Kirito comment as Izayoi nods in appreciation.
"How?" Leafa asked.
"Well, me and Kirito are best friends from the real life. So, I gave him some guide on how to fly better in the real life, without using the guide." Izayoi answered as Leafa nodded in understanding.
"Kirito," Izayoi called as Kirito turns to him.
"What?" He asked in confusion.
"Here's your sword." Izayoi said opening his menu, and clicked the weapon in the item storage. The big sword appear in Izayoi's hand, as he twirled it.
"I thought you want some new weapon, than to used that weapon." Izayoi said pointing with the big sword, to the sword strapped to Kirito's back.
"I guess you're right." Kirito said as he open his menu and un-equipped his novice sword. Izayoi then put the big sword away for a bit, as he then transfer the sword to Kirito via transfer menu.
A menu appear in front of Kirito, as he accept the item given from Izayoi. He then search through his item storage, to find the sword in question. After he found it, he immediately equipped it.
The big sword was as tall as him, as Leafa stifle a laugh, as she saw the sword was the same size as Kirito.
"How is it?" Izayoi asked covering his mouth from laughing as he too laugh from seeing the sword was the same size as Kirito.
"So how's your flying coming on?" Izayoi asked with a teasing smirk.
Kirito glared at him in annoyance, "It's okay. But I have to learn how to properly land next time. I've hit a tower, trying to get here, to find you, okay?" He said as Izayoi laugh.
Izayoi then stopped laughing, as he held up his hand towards Leafa. "Well, this is Leafa." He said introducing her to Kirito. Izayoi held up his hand next to Kirito, as he look at Leafa.
"This is Kirito. A dear friend of mine. He's the one that I told you about." He said as Leafa extend her hand at Kirito.
"Nice to meet you, Kirito. If your a friend of Izayoi, then it's alright." Leafa smiled as Kirito shook his hand with Leafa.
"Nice to meet you too, Leafa-san." Kirito said letting go of his hand from the shake.
"Just call me Leafa." Leafa said as Kirito nodded.
"Can anyone can tell me, why are going to the tower?" Kirito asked as Izayoi and Leafa look up towards the giant tower in front of them.
"Oh, when flying long distances, you start from the top of the tower. It gives you extra altitude." She answered.
"I get it." Kirito said while Izayoi nodded in understanding.
Izayoi was then pushed by Leafa, "Let's get going! I want to make it through the forest by night." Leafa said pushing Izayoi towards the tower, while Kirito just look at them, as he then followed behind.
"This way!" Leafa said grabbing Izayoi's hand, as she led him to the top, with Kirito followed closely behind.
But before they could get to the top, "Leafa!" A voice called out to Leafa.
Leafa, Izayoi and Kirito, turns around to find a Sylph, walking towards them with two slyphs behind him.
"Hello, Sigurd." Leafa greeted.
"You're leaving the party, Leafa?" Sigurd said as he was taller than an average Sylph, has dark green hair with green clothes to match and heavy silver armor with a huge broad sword hung at his waist. He also wears a circlet with an amethyst on his forehead.
"Yeah, I guess so." Leafa answered.
"Don't you understand how that will inconvenience the other members?" Sigurd asked.
"You promised I could join only when I had time, and that I could leave whenever I wanted." Leafa stated to him, remembering her deal with him.
"But you're already a well-known member of our party. If you leave without a reason, it will damage our reputation." Sigurd exclaimed as Leafa looked worried.
"Your party member aren't items." Izayoi said looking at him.
"What was that?" Sigurd asked as Izayoi walked towards Sigurd and stopped in front of him.
"You can't keep other players equipped all the time, as if they were your armor or sword." Izayoi said angering Sigurd.
"You..." Sigurd said clutching his sword.
"Youre just another Spriggan who likes to rummage through trash! You're probably a renegade who was kicked out of his own territory." Sigurd said.
"Don't be rude. Izayoi-kun is my new partner!" Leafa said to which Sigurd raised his eyebrow in surprise. "What? Leafa! Are you abandoning your territory and becoming a renegade, too?" Sigurd questioned.
"Yes, I am. I'm leaving this place." Leafa said to him, as Sigurd unsheathed his sword from its sheath.
"As long as you just buzzed around, I didn't plan to concern myself with you. But if you're going to be a thief, that's a different matter. If you're here, in another species' territory, you can't complain if you get killed, right?" Sigurd asked.
"Depends, who's going to attack first?" Izayoi joked clenching his fists, making Sigurd girtted his teeth in frustration, as he grip his sword tightly.
"This isn't the time, Sigurd-san. If we kill someone who can't fight back in front of all these people..." A Sylph beside Sigurd reasoned as Sigurd widen his eyes, finally realized it.
Sigurd looked around at all the people, who was looking at them.
"Tch..." Sigurd sheath his sword, "Once you're outside, run and hide, Leafa. If you betray me, it won't be long before you regret it." Sigurd said as Leafa just listened.
"You know," Izayoi said as he vanished and reappear in front of a surprised Sigurd. "I hate people like you." He said punching Sigurd's face, as he was blown back by the force of Izayoi's punch. Kirito winced, knowing that punch could break a giant stone to oblivion.
"Let's get out of here!" Izayoi said with a smile, as he grabbed Leafa's hand and went to the elevator, with Kirito following them.
"Sorry for getting you involved in that." Leafa said as Izayoi smiled, as he waved his hand in dismissal.
"It's fine. I need a good punching bag for once." Izayoi said as Leafa smiled.
"But are you sure about this?" Kirito asked as Leafa look down her hair shadowing her face.
"It's okay." Izayoi said as Leafa look up at him.
"You have us, right? So don't worry too much." Izayoi stated with a smile, as Leafa response was a smile.
"This is an amazing view. We're so close to the sky. It's like I can reach out and touch it." Kirito said looking up at the sky that was so close to him.
"Isn't it? Whenever I see this sky, it makes everything else feel small." Leafa said as she held out her hand towards the sky, and then let it down towards her side.
"This was a good opportunity. I always meant to leave this place." Leafa said standing next to Izayoi, who nodded at her. Kirito was standing beside Izayoi, making Izayoi in the middle.
"Are you sure about this?" Izayoi asked turning towards Leafa. "It feels like I made you leave on bad terms." Izayoi stated.
"There wasn't any other way I could have left." Leafa said.
"What's a renegade?" Kirito asked.
"A player who abandons their territory is a renegade. And other players look down on them." Leafa answered.
"Are you certain about this?" Izayoi asked again.
"Yeah, I am. But why do they want to tie each other down like that? We all have these wings..." Leafa wondered.
"Humans are complicated. I can't understand the psychology that causes the desire to seek others to manifest in such odd ways." Yui said flying out of Izayoi's pocket, and standing on top of Izayoi's shoulder, while beside Izayoi, Kirito stared curiously at Yui, never seen a tiny fairy like her before.
"Seek others?" Leafa asked turning towards Yui.
"This is what... I'd do." Yui said kissing Izayoi's cheek.
"It's simply and unmistakable." Yui stated with a smile.
"Th-That's an amazing, Al. Are all Private Pixies like that?" Leafa asked as inside she was slightly jealous that Yui kissed his cheek. But she held it in, as she doesn't to blow her identity to Izayoi.
"She's weirder than most..." Izayoi exclaimed as he grabbed Yui, who was smiling, and shoved her inside his pocket.
"O-Oh. The desire to seek others..." Leafa mutters looking down.
"Leafa-chan!" A voice called out as Izayoi, Leafa and Kirito look towards the elevator, that opens to reveal Recon.
"Oh, Recon." Leafa said.
"I can't believe you!" Recon said as he runs towards the three.
"You could've at least said something before you left!" Recon exclaimed with heavy breathing from running.
"Sorry, I forgot." Leafa said as Recon deflated on her excuse.
Recon look up towards Leafa, "Leafa-chan, they said you quit the party." He stated.
Recon then look at Izayoi, "And they said you're Spriggan friend, had hurt Sigurd." Recon informed as Leafa look at him with raised eyebrows.
"Hurt? How can he be hurt? Aren't other species can't hurt species if they're in their own territory?" Leafa questioned as she look over to Izayoi, who innocently whistled.
"It isn't my fault. I just don't like his attitude towards you." Izayoi reasoned with a smile, as Leafa smiled, grateful that he stood up for her and greet her with his comforting words.
Leafa look up with her finger held out beside her. "But on your first question, Recon. We're at least halfway on the spur of the moment..." She said as she turns to Recon.
"What will you do?" Leafa asked.
"What else can I do?" Recon said clutching his dagger, as he unsheath it and thrust it up to the sky. "My sword belongs to you alone!" He exclaimed triumphantly.
"I don't really need it, though." Leafa said breaking his spirit, as Recon deflated again. Recon then look up towards her and the two Spriggans.
"W-Well, so I'll be going with you. Or I'd like to. But something's bothering me." Recon stated.
"What is it?" Leafa asked while Izayoi and Kirito just stood by the sidelines watching them.
"I can't proved anything yet, but I want to look into some things, so I'll stay in Sigurd's party." Recon said as he then turns to Izayoi.
"Izayoi-san." He said as Izayoi raised an eyebrow, on what he was going to say.
"She has a habit of flying into trouble, so be careful." He exclaimed as Izayoi smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, I got it. Don't worry." Izayoi said.
"And just so we're clear, she's my-" Recon said as he walked towards Izayoi, but before he could get to Izayoi, Leafa step on his foot. Recon jumped back as he held his foot in pain while jumping around.
"We'll probably be in the neutral zone for a while. Send me a message if you need anything!" Leafa said to Recon, while Kirito sweatdrop and Izayoi just looked on with a playful smile.
Leafa then turns around from them, as her wings appear on her back. She then flew ahead, leaving Izayoi and Kirito behind. Recon just looked at Leafa as she left, while still holding his foot in pain.
Izayoi then flew to catch up to Leafa, with Kirito flying close by him. When Izayoi catches up to Leafa, as he flies beside her, "You said he's a friend from real life, right?" Izayoi questioned.
"I guess." Leafa answered as Izayoi nods in understanding.
"What does that mean?" Leafa asked.
"Nothing. Just that you know him from real life." Izayoi said as Leafa turns to him in confusion.
Yui then came out of Izayoi's pocket, "I can understand how he feels. He likes you, Leafa-san. What about you?" Yui asked.
Leafa blushed in embarrassment. "I-I don't know!" She said as she flew ahead of them. She then turns her head back to the Slyph territory, she was somewhat doubted about leaving her own territory and becoming a renegade.
"Hey, what are you looking at? Cheer up! You have me, right? There's a new world waiting for us." Izayoi said with a smile, as he flew into Leafa's line of sight. When Leafa look at him, a smile formed onto her face, as she pushed all the doubts away from her head.
"Yeah." Leafa said with a nod.
"Now let's go! We'll get to that lake before we land." Leafa exclaimed as she flew ahead with Izayoi following beside her, and Kirito flying next to Izayoi.
"Yeah!" Kirito said.
"Whatever paths to reach to the World Tree." Izayoi said smirking.
World Tree, January 21, 2025
At the top of the World Tree, Sugou touched Asuna's arm, which Asuna find it uncomfortable. Sugou then reached towards the ribbon where her chest was. Asuna closed her eyes, but before Sugou could even get to her ribbon, he was blown back by the barrier, as he collided with the cage.
Asuna was again glowing with yellow energy surrounding her. "This system again. Who put this system on you?" Sugou asked with gritted teeth, as he already checked the system of the game, to identified the object, or the user that made the incomprehensible system on Asuna. But all he got was none, not a single information about it, or how to get it off of Asuna.
"You're such a cold woman. It's just a fake body. It won't hurt anything. Don't you want to enjoy yourself a little?" Sugou asked standing up after being blasted. He then climb up towards the bed and lay his body on it, his back against the bed.
"You wouldn't understand. It doesn't matter whether your body is real or virtual. Not to me, anyway." Asuna said turning her head away from Sugou.
"You're trying to say it damages your mind?" He said as he laugh, "I think it'd be a good idea to learn to enjoy yourself while you can." He said with a smirk.
"I won't be here forever. He'll come to save me..." Asuna mutters, which got Sugou's attention.
"Who will? Your boyfriend, maybe? The hero, Izayoi-kun." Sugou said under his breath, as Asuna heard and turns to him in surprise.
"Wasn't his real name Sakamaki-kun? But he certainly put his real name in SAO, Izayoi. And I know from his experience, that he did it purposely." Sugou said as he stood up from the bed. "I met him yesterday, on the other side." Sugou said while Asuna just stare in shock.
"I couldn't believe that 'boy' could be that strong." Sugou said with a menacing voice. "He broke my wrist on purpose, when he doesn't want me to touch you, while you were just laying in your bed." He stated.
"The famous Sakamaki Izayoi-kun, a athlete of our country." Sugou said in mocking tone. "We all should praise him for his success, against winning other countries." He mocked as Asuna glared at him for mocking her Izayoi-kun. She watched every tournament that he appear, and to say that Izayoi deserved to won, was his hardwork on winning it.
"I believe that someone like him would be the hero who beat SAO. Where do you think I met him? Your hospital room. While you lay there, I told him I'd be marrying you next week, and the look on his face..." Sugou exclaimed as he slightly flinched remembering Izayoi's cold face and cold voice towards him.
Asuna look at him, noticing that he flinched after she guessed that he recalled the look on Izayoi's face.
"You're scared of him. You're scared of Izayoi." Asuna stated as Sugou look at her.
"No! Wh-Who would be scared by him! I'm the Fairy King Oberon!" Sugou exclaimed with a laugh, masking it from hia fear of Izayoi.
"I'd bet anything that boy won't have the guts to put on a NerveGear again." He said with a crazed look on his face, as Asuna turn away from him.
"That's right... I have to send him a wedding invitation. I'm sure he'll come to see you wearing your wedding dress. I have to make sure the hero gets to enjoy that much." He said as he maniacally laugh.
"Then, I'll see you soon, Titania. I'm sure you'll be lonely, but you have to endure it." Sugou said as he moved towards the locked gate to leave. Asuna who was looking at a mirror watched Sugou moving closer to the locked gate.
"Izayoi-kun... Izayoi-kun is alive!" She stated with a happy smile. Sugou then punch in the combination of the locked gate, while Asuna watches him from the mirror. When the locked gate opens Sugou took a last glance at Asuna, as he then left.
As Nobuyuki left the cage, Asuna watched the mirror, which was reflecting the image of the gate, "8...11...3...2...9." Asuna said as she successfully memorized the code that was typed in.
Neutral Area, Ancient Forest, January 21, 2025
"Why isn't this hard?" Izayoi said under his scarf, with a sigh, as he slashed a few Evil Glancers with a single slash, killing them instantly.
On their way to their journey, Izayoi, Leafa and Kirito encountered five Evil Glancers In the skies.
Evil Glancers are winged lizards with a single green eye, purple bodies and tails. The lizards have blue snake-like tongues and yellow stomachs.
While Leafa was acting as a support role to help counter the lizards' curse magic, Izayoi killed off four of them with ease, with ignoring their attacks by evading every single one of the attacks.
Izayoi then turns to his right, "Kirito, heads up!" Izayoi said as he dodged to the left, evading a Evil Glancer to crash into him. He then appear behind it, as he kicked the monster towards Kirito, who held his big sword to the side, as he slash at the Evil Glancer, slicing it in half, as it explode into polygons.
"Thanks Izayoi." Kirito said with a smile as a menu appear in front of him.
Izayoi waved his hand in dismissal, but he glanced behind him as he dodged to the side, dodging a Evil Glancer from flying in his way.
The last remaining lizard with 20% of its HP attempted to run away, after its failed attempt to attacked Izayoi. But just as he was escaping, Leafa flew up beside Izayoi, and activate a spell, which shoots out 5 boomerang-like blades of green light at the Evil Glancer.
The 5 boomerang-like blades of green light instantly catches up to the Evil Glancer, as it instantly sliced down the monster.
"Good work." Leafa said looking at Izayoi and Kirito.
"Thanks for the backup." Kirito said to Leafa.
"Good shot." Izayoi said to Leafa as he held up his hand, to which Leafa smiled and high fived him.
Leafa then noticed her wings were slightly dimming. "Our wings aren't gonna last much longer. Let's land soon." Leafa informed the two, as Kirito nodded while Izayoi gave her a smile and a nod, making her blushed but she look down as she slowly flew down.
As the three landed, Leafa stretched herself, while Kirito stretched his right arm, and Izayoi just yawn out of boredom.
"Tired?" Leafa asked Izayoi.
"Barely." Izayoi replied.
"You're pretty tough. But our journey in the sky is at an end for a while." Leafa informed him, as Izayoi nodded while Kirito raised an eyebrow.
"Huh, why?" Kirito asked.
"You see that mountain, right?" Leafa said pointing her finger towards the big mountain.
"It's above the altitude limit, so to pass it, you have to go through the caves. It's the toughest part of the trip between Sylph territory And Arun, or so I've heard. I've never been past this point, either." Leafa explained.
"Really..." Kirito stated looking up at the mountains.
"Caves, huh? Are they long?" Izayoi questioned.
"Yeah. Supposedly, we can rest at a neutral mining town midway." Leafa said as she then turns to Izayoi.
"Izayoi-kun, do you still have time today?" She asked
"It's 7:00 PM in the real world, right? I can keep going for a while." Izayoi said to her.
"Okay... Then we can keep going for a while. We can rotate out here." Leafa said as Kirito look at her confused.
"R-Rotate?" Kirito asked.
"We each log out and rest, while the other watches. You can't log out instantly in the neutral area. So you log out in turn, while the other guards your empty avatar." Leafa explained as Kirito nodded in understanding.
"I see... Got it." Kirito said.
You can go first, Leafa." Izayoi said
"Okay, thanks. See you in twenty minutes." Leafa said as she menu and tap the Log Out button, as she saw Izayoi waved goodbye.
Real World
Suguha then opens her eyes to the real world, as she stood the bed and proceeded to get out. Just as she gets out she rush back in, as she remembered that she only had her panties and shirt to cover herself.
"Onii-chan. What are you doing for dinner?" Suguha said knocking on Kazuto's door.
"Is he asleep?" Suguha wondered, as no one seems to answer the door.
She then turns to Izayoi's door, and held out her hand to knock but she let it down.
"Should I?" She questioned herself as she wanted to peek inside his room, to see if it was true that he played inside the game.
Suguha then recalled their kiss, as she shook her head, blushing. She then went downstairs and prepared food for Izayoi. She already knows that Kazuto had eaten the letfover chocolate cake on the dinner table, she and Izayoi put.
Suguha then went to the bathroom, and prepare to bath.
"I'm excited." Suguha said recalling her high five with Izayoi.
Suguha held up her hand, to high five like she did with Izayoi in the game. But she closed her hand, after high fiving thin air.
She wiped the mirror with her hand, in front of her, seeing her reflection.
She closed her eyes, "Izayoi-kun..." She said a smile formed on her face. "I have you, right? A new world is waiting for us..." She mused with a smile as she stood up from her chair and put the shower hose into where it kept, and left the bathroom.
In Alfheim Online
Leafa lift up her head, "I'm back. See any monsters?" Leafa said as she saw that Izayoi laid on the ground with his eyes closed.
Izayoi opens one of his eyes, "Welcome back. It was pretty quiet, and boring." Izayoi said with a yawn.
"What's that?" Leafa asked pointing to the straw that Izayoi was eating.
"I bought this from an item shop before we left Sylvein. An NPC said it's only made there." Izayoi said with a straw in his mouth.
"I've never heard of it." Leafa exclaimed.
"Have one." Izayoi exclaimed as he toss one of the straw to Leafa.
Leafa caught it with her hand, as she stares at it, whether it is good and tasty as Izayoi said it is.
Leafa decided to taste it, as she opens up her mouth and put the straw in her mouth. Her eyes widen, as she pulled out the straw from her mouth.
"I-It's tasty!" Leafa said with a smile, as she turns to Izayoi.
"It's sweet, right?" Izayoi stated as Leafa nodded at him, and put the straw inside her mouth again.
"I think it's my turn now." Izayoi said as Leafa nodded, but then she notices Kirito sleeping beside Izayoi.
"Don't worry. After you were gone, I've decided to stay watch over you two. So, I told Kirito to log out after you were gone for a few minutes." Izayoi said as Leafa nodded in understanding.
"Keep me safe, alright?" Izayoi said with a two finger salute at Leafa, as he open his menu and tap the Log Out button. Leafa waves him goodbye, to which he replies with a smile, before he stood still with his eyes closed, indicating that he was logged out of the game.
Leafa stood up from her spot and sit down next to Izayoi, who was sitting.
Leafa saw Yui came out of Izayoi's pocket, as she back away in surprise.
"You can move without your master here?" Leafa asked surprised.
"Of course! I'm my own person. And he's not my master. He's my papa." Yui stated taking a place to sit on Izayoi's shoulder.
"Come to think of it, why do you call Izayoi-kun your papa?" Leafa said as she leans in closer to Yui.
"Did he, um, set it that way?" Leafa asked.
"He saved me. He said I was his daughter. So he's my papa." Yui explained.
"I-I see..." Leafa said.
"Do you like him?" Leafa asked as Yui crank her head to the side.
"Leafa-san, what does it mean to like someone?" Yui asked as the question took Leafa off guard.
"What does it mean?" Leafa stated as she turns her head to the other side, while she scratches her cheek with her finger.
"You want to be with them all the time. You get excited when you're together. Something like that?" Leafa said as a blush adorned her cheeks, and her face turns red all of a sudden, as she shook out of her thoughts about Izayoi.
"What's wrong, Leafa-san?" Yui asked.
"Nothing!" Leafa said waving her hand in dismissal at Yui.
"What's nothing, Leafa?" Izayoi asked surprising Leafa, as Izayoi look at her.
"I'm back. What are you two talking about?" Izayoi asked.
"Welcome back, papa. I was just talking with Leafa-san. About what it means to-" Yui was cut off as Leafa waved her hands furiously in dismissal at her.
"It's nothing!" She said to Yui.
"Th-That was fast. Did you get to eat?" Leafa asked Izayoi.
"Yeah. One of my friends left me something. It's delicious." Izayoi said with a smile as Leafa nods.
"I see..." She said as a smile formed on her face, as Izayoi said that her cooking was delicious.
"Then let's get going." Leafa said standing up, followed by Izayoi.
"Wait." Izayoi stated as he look down at Kirito.
"When is he gonna wake up?" Izayoi asked with a annoyed tone. Then, a mischievous smirk formed on Izayoi's face.
"This will teach him how to wake up early." He exclaimed with a smirk, as Leafa stared at him in confusion.
"Are you sure about this?" Leafa asked with a sweatdrop, watching Izayoi positioned Kirito on top of a tree branch.
"As I said this will teach him how to wake up early. Don't you agree? We're getting a bit late because of him." Izayoi reasoned as Leafa realizes his statement, as an evil grin crossed her face.
"Well, this is a lesson for teaching him, right?" Leafa asked as Izayoi nodded, glad that she had joined in on the fun.
The two then turns to Kirito who was beginning to open his eyes.
"What are you two doing down there?" Kirito asked without noticing that he was on top of a tree branch. He then extend his hand to touch the ground, to which it was replace by thin air.
"Wha?!" Kirito stated as he fell head first from the tree branch, then to the ground.
"Now, let's go." Izayoi said with a pleased smile, but he glanced behind him, sensing something out of the ordinary.
Izayoi then picked up a stone, and aimed it behind him. He narrows his eyes, as he throws it deep in the forest, a small blast of wind was left when he threw it, blowing Leafa's hair away.
"Is something wrong?" Leafa asked.
"I think someone was watching us." Izayoi stated with narrow eyes.
"Yui, are there any players nearby?" Izayoi asked looking down at Yui.
"No, I don't see anything." Yui informed him.
"Maybe there's a tracer on us." Leafa exclaimed as Izayoi look at her.
"Tracer? Is that some kind of magic?" Izayoi guessed as Leafa nodded.
"It's a kind of magic. It takes the form of a small animal or insect, and tells the caster the target's position." Leafa explained.
"Can't you get rid of it?" Izayoi asked.
"If you can find it, you can. But if the caster's magic skill is high, it can be farther from the target. It'd be nearly impossible to find in a field like this." Leafa explained.
"I see... Let's hurry." Izayoi stated as Leafa followed by Kirito who nodded, after he shakes his head of the dirt that was stuck in his hair.
"Yeah." Leafa said as she took off flying, followed by Izayoi and then Kirito.
However, right after Leafa, Izayoi and Kirito fly off, a tracer in the form of a hurt bat, followed the duo as they took off, and, on the ground, a hidden group of Salamanders started moving.
To Be Continued...
Hello, everyone! So, how was the chapter? Good? Great? Amazing? Or Awesome? Tell me what you think below in the review box. And tell me what you think about the romantic scene. I really like to know from all of you.
Well, since i'm in hometown right now. And the internet is a bit slow, I can't update faster. So, I'd hope you all will be patient for my next chapter.
And so, i bid you all farewell, Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!