[A/N] RedAce16- I appreciate your feedback! Please continue reading my upcoming chapters. :) As for your questions, I will remember to place POV points throughout chapters so you will have a better understanding of who's thoughts are playing out. As for the Asuna and Kirito's connection, I will not automatically put them together. Chemistry plays a big part in stories and I would like to have them gradually build their relationship in a way that leaves the reader satisfied. The whole sword art online arc will somewhat play out the same way in my story, but it'll mostly be acted out differently since it's not intriguing to see the same scene played out in writing IMO. Plus I would like to stay original as I can. I will also be sure to give character development to the characters you do not recognize. I want each of my characters to relate with my audience in some way.

Chapter 2

Is it Fate?

Asuna's POV

Sometimes... I wonder why things had to end up the way they did.. was it simply punishment for being selfish for wanting to have a taste of freedom? Was it the fact I persisted my cousin to join without any regards to how she felt? It was probably both.

I lay in bed against the cold sheets that wrapped around my delicate skin. I feel movement a few inches away from me, it was of course Aki trying to find the comfortable position to sleep in.

Tomorrow would be the day we both finally join a raid group. Though, I am concerned for my partner. Compared to all the NPC's we've fought so far in this hellhole of a game, I've been the one on offense for most battles.

"Asuna..?"

I turn over to see blue ocean hues staring at me with such intensity, yearning for comfort. The corners of my mouth shifted upwards forming an assuring smile. It was the least I could do for her in our darkest time.

"It's going to be okay, I won't let anything happen to you. We are strongest when fighting alongside each other, just remember that, Aki." Consoling her with such gentleness was enough for her to succumb to peaceful slumber.

I shift my body towards the ceiling, closing my eyes as I try to achieve that same peace as my cousin. It wasn't long before I was able to follow after; needing all my energy for what tomorrow had to offer.

'I smell something burning..'

I jolt awake, quickly glancing at the side of the bed, no Aki in sight. Placing on my slippers, I ran downstairs to see what was on fire.

"Ehh.." I was left stumped, seeing Aki attempting to make breakfast. She looked a bit embarrassed, judging by her facial expression and the way she failed to comprehend what was cooking on the stove. I giggled at the result of her cooking. My glossy dark hues saw what looked to be overcooked bacon and pancakes that were either burnt or underdone.

"Would you like some help there champ?" I made my why towards the girl who attempted to cook.

"I-I.. hm.. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast since you've been cooking all our meals ever since we've been trapped in this virtual world." The flushed ravenette was pouting, looking a bit upset for the mess she made. It swelled me up with happiness that my cousin would try so hard as to surprise me.

"Here. I shall show you how it's done." With a teasing grin, I twirled a butter knife between my index finger and thumb, resulting in Aki looking at me dumbfounded.

A half hour later the both of us were now in the middle of eating breakfast. "Some people are just ridiculous, no one understand the definition of respect anymore. I left that spot for two seconds because I forgot to get the cheese." My partner was in the middle of telling a story of a bad experience that happened to her a few days ago.

Come to think of it.. did I even ask her how she was all those years we've been separated? Regarding the boyfriend she mentioned.. I wasn't even aware of the rest of the information she failed to mention. Staring at the uneaten eggs on my plate, a pang or guilt ran through my system.

"Asuna..?" How could I have been so dense.. "Asuna!"

I jumped a bit, now my attention shifted back to the petite girl in front of me.

"Are you okay?" Aki's voice held concern as her face showed curiosity. Blinking a few times, my lips parted wanting to say the words that were never spoken. Suddenly, I received a message when my inbox showed up in front of me. Clicking, I noticed it was a reminder that the raid meeting was going to assemble soon.

"We should get going." The words I didn't want to say instead left my lips.

Aki's POV

How does it feel to be in a world we're you don't really fit in no matter how hard you try? It wasn't a pleasant feeling I can tell you that much. I've never really been a gamer myself, and I certainly didn't know how to use a sword against enemies or other NPC's. Back at the plains when me and Asuna were just starting was only a rare moment, something I'll probably never feel again.

Sometimes I feel like a burden to her.. I haven't been much help at all and that was an automatic decrease in my self-esteem.

Trapped in my own thoughts has cause me to bump into a mysterious man with a dark forest green cloak. "Oh! Sorry about that sir.." I stared at the gent apologetically, bowing slightly. All that man did was turn around, without saying another words.

"See?! What did I tell you. People just don't understand what kindness is anymore, they think they're all high and mighty above others." It felt like steam was blowing out of my ears, irritating now overcoming the prior feelings I felt.

"Come on. It's okay, there's no chance we're going to run into him again." That cheerful tone was what kept me in control. Asuna always knew what to say when the situation didn't go the way I believed. Grabbing my wrist, the chestnut brown haired girl led me to our destination.

We arrived a little bit early, so this was an opportunity to pick our seats a far distance away from the main crowd. A man with sky blue hair walked towards the crowd, raising his left hand as an indication everyone needed to quiet down.

"Hello to all my fellow members I am Diavel. I applaud to all of you for fighting through your fears and devoting yourself to the cause. Now all of you are aware of why we're here and I have some news that you could or to your own benefit when fighting." He held up a guidebook, causing everyone to look confused.

"This is no ordinary guidebook. This is one the beta testers were willing to share, applying all the knowledge they knew when dealing with Illfang the Kobold Lord." The players all gasped in shock, some of them ranting, expressing their dislike for the beta testers.

I began to feel a bit uncomfortable staying here. Scanning the arena, my set sight on the same man wearing that cloak. 'If only Asuna's words were true.'

The same unwanted feelings beginning to return until Diavel silenced everyone once more once the heated conflict finally resolved.

"Try to act like rational people, this is probably our only ticket to defeating this boss now all of you, get into groups of two or more and then I'll go over the rest of the information."

Everyone immediately began walking around.. it seemed players here already had buddies to pair up with.

Looking towards my cousin, her eyes seemed to be targeting the unknown man that upsetted me before coming here.

"Asuna.. no.." I had my doubts, he was the last man I would have picked to join our group.

"Don't be so pessimistic, Aki I know what he did was a bit rude but no one deserves to be alone.. not in this world."

Once again Asuna has outsmarted me with her words of wisdom.

Walking along with my partner, we said a reasonable distance between us and the man.

"Hey.. would you like to join our group? It seems no one else has given you an offer and I believe that bigger is better." Asuna tried to persuade him to join.

"Yeah.. sure." The young boy nodded, still not taking off his cloak. When Asuna sent him a request, his avatar name popped up. "Kirito." Both me and my cousin stated. With one final nod from the mute player, all of us became quiet.

The meeting went on as planned, having a set time to meet before starting the raid tomorrow. We all are suppose to meet outside the boss room around 7PM sharp.

That nervous feeling never left my stomach after the whole raid discussion.

Asuna and I were now sitting on the edge of a fountain placed in the Town of Beginnings. My head placed in my lap as I thought about the people back in the real world, specifically Makabe.

"I can tell you miss him."

I quickly rose my head, gazing upon the girl who seemed to read every emotion I was feeling at that moment.

"It's okay to tell me how you feel, I'm always here for you when doubts start to take affect. I never knew how it felt to miss a loved one in a romantic sense. I'm sure he's missing you just as much as you're missing him." Assuring words reached the darkest depths of my heart and produced light that never shined.

I scooted closer and gave the angel next to me a gentle hug relishing in this moment before getting up.

"Hold on. I'll go get us some food, we haven't eaten anything all day and we're gonna need strength for tomorrow."

With that, I left for a nearby food tavern.

A half hour later I returned with a few grocery bags, but what I saw when I got back had me completely speechless.

That same boy from the arena was talking to Asuna. Sadly, his face has yet to be revealed.

"What happened?" I asked once our fellow party member finally left.

"Oh. He ran into me while taking a walk around town. We just discussed a few things before he finally left."

A few specific words popped into my head, saying them without hesitation.

"Was it fate?" Her half lidded eyes widened once I stated this. Her lips curved into that cheerful smile I've always grown to adore... but the words she said next didn't quite match up with it.

"Don't be ridiculous, I don't believe in fate." She quickly turned to me and continued.

"Plus, we're in a group now remember? He can easily track our locations."

I don't even think the man cared enough to check where we were, but I decided to just let the conversation slide.

"Right. Let's go home."

Asuna's POV

I was waiting patiently for my cousin to get back from the tavern, softly humming a cheerful tune to pass the time.

"Why are you out here so late?"

I jerked my head to the side and realized it was Kirito, still wearing that same cloak that hid his own identity.

"We decided to take a rest stop here and my friend offered to get us food." I said casually, tapping my fingers against the cold stone I sat on.

"Why are you out here so late?" I retorted, frowning slightly finding it odd to have bumped into this man the second time today. 'If this boy tries anything, just remember to kick'

I thought to myself as he sat a few feet away from me.

"I usually come here to gaze at the night sky, and see the lights adorn the city streets. Even if this is a virtual world, the views hold an exact replica of sceneries that are also held in the real world." Kirito replies casually.

I..never thought about it that way. I guess being in here for this long makes it seem like normal reality.

I open the palms of my hand and squeeze them, the sense of touch less greater in a world such as this.

"I better get going. You and your friend should get to training early in the morning. Diavel is holding practice sessions on the plains around then just to let you know."

With that, the unknown player took off without another word.

"What happened?" Aki finally caught up, holding the bags of food.

I explained what happened, not really finding any meaning behind it until my partner said this.

"Was it fate..?" That was preposterous, that word was something I never believed in the first place. If fate really did exist it would've happened for me years ago. That word just gives false sense of hope to people who are desperate.

I smiled at my own thoughts, turning to face the ravenette, I finally spoke. "Don't be ridiculous, I don't believe in fate." I didn't sugarcoat my words, I would never for such a childish word.

Makabe's POV

I knocked on the door of the Yuuki residence, hoping someone would answer. Aki has been missing for days on end and I still hadn't managed to find a single lead on what's been going on.

I wasn't going to rest until I had Aki safe in my arms again. After years of confusing emotions with this girl, I refuse to have it all wash away like it was nothing.

The door finally opened, a man seeming to be in his middle age answered.

"Listen, you have to know something about these nervegears, I'm Masamune Makabe and I'm Aki Adagaki's boyfriend. She came here to visit your daughter Asuna and hasn't been back since."

The man at the door gave an irritated sigh and frowned at the young man. "I only work for the software company who built the nerve gears. We are all just as scared as you but I have no intentions on giving out confidential information to anybody about our progress with trying to free the captives."

He was about to shut the door, but this muscular man caught the door with his foot before it was about to shut.

"Listen wise guy, this is my business just as it's everyone else's who's family members have been taken by these machines. I want to help in any way I can, no matter what. I'm not going to stop until I know for sure Aki gets back to the real world safety." His dark blue hues showed courage, persistence and most importantly, longing.

With a sigh, the man opened the door for Masamune to enter, leaving him to gaze upon the unique furniture the Yuuki family owned.

"I'm going to make a phone call, I'll be right back." Mr.

Yuuki stated, leaving the visitor to his own thoughts as he sat on a white, leather textured couch.

Slowly closing his eyes, he thought back to when he first encountered Aki Adagaki.

"Hey, stop making a scene." A young angel came walking over with her arms crossed and a stern look on her visage.

Back then.. I used to be chubby and every guy I knew had made fun of me for it. I didn't have any one to actual call a true friend, most of them just used me because I was rich. Then, a dark haired girl who I saw as my savior came and rescued me.

"You need to be more confident in yourself and stand up to those bullies! Dry those tears away and show the world how strong you are!" She always told me, her words always seemed to affect me more than I can imagine. The only person I had around back then. The one I'll only need in this lifetime.

"Masamune!" A deep voice called out, pulling me out of my train of thoughts.

"I need to know right now, how dedicated you are to saving thousands of people. We need you're full cooperation and commitment. If you decline know, you may leave with no strings attached, but if you accept then I shall take you to the FullDive company headquarters and explain more with you there. You, my boy, will be our official guinea pig."

He.. didn't really have to say it like that, and there really want much choice either way so I went with the obvious answer. "Yes, Mr. Yuuki. I humbly accept the offer."

An hour later we arrived at the headquarters of one of the most famous software companies in Japan.

"Hello, Masamune Makabe. We've been expecting you, please follow and I'll explain why we have agreed to call you in here. I am Hayato Karibara and I'm the co development developer of the nervegears and sword art online."

I gulped nervously, seeing what looked like to be an MRI scanner from one of the hospitals but I was far from what it actually was.

"This a more technology advanced machine, much like the nervegears these things will also transmit your nerves into a virtual reality. We call these things the MNT's modified nerve transmissions. These will allow you to fully enter sword online without any dysfunction and you will be able to exit the game whenever deemed necessary. If you choose to follow through then you will have around the clock watch just in case there are any problems." Hayato seemed to be normal in height, little on the skinny side with light golden brown hair.

Each word that came out of this developers mouth just made my anxiety grow a little more worse, but I refuse to show it.

"I will still go through with your plan, please tell me when you are ready to proceed." My family instantly came into my mind.

"But I need to—" The older citizen cut him short of his sentence.

"We will order someone to discuss the situation with your legal guardian and assure them you will have all the care you need." Instant relief washed over, but that uncomfortable feeling still didn't leave knowing I would have to face danger sooner than I thought. "I have much more information I must share with you."

Being strapped in, the machine slowly pulled me into the MNT scanner and quickly placed the headgear on.

"Okay. Just say when you're ready."

"I'm ready." I said with such determination, knowing there was someone awaiting me in the other world.

Asuna's POV

"H-how was that..?" I panted softly, just getting through another NPC for like the 20th time this morning.

"Just as good as the last." Aki gave me a thumbs up, walking over to give me some water to drink.

"It was a great thing you knew Diavel was holding practice for us this morning. I really notice improvement when I go one on one with enemies my level." A smile took over my expression. Aki was right, she has been increasing in her skill set, now being more frequent with her fighting.

"Asuna why don't we go take a break. You shouldn't overwork yourself or you'll end up tired for the boss fight." I could hear the concern within my cousins tone, and she was right. I've been going at it nonstop without any rest and the practice session has been over for over 3 hours.

"Yeah. Yeah. Let's go back and prepare for our fight. I'll help you with the gearset." Placing my rapier back, I used a teleport crystal with Aki and we both ended up back in the Town of Beginnings.

"You know what.. I find it rather odd that Kirito guy didn't show up. He was nowhere to be found during the practice run." My partner suddenly stated, walking into our home.

She was right.. and he was the one who suggested we go there in the first place.

"I guess he likes to be independent. Maybe he found a better spot to work with." Looking at Aki, she stared back with those crystal blue hues of hers.

"I suppose. He's certainly a strange guy." This was probably the first time.. I felt like disagreeing.. he seemed to be an intriguing person in my opinion, hes still like everyone else and—

My eyes widened, what was I doing.. I shouldn't be overthinking at a time like this. What shocked me the most wasn't the fact that I was looking way into what she said.. it was the fact I.. felt the need to go against her statement.

We were all cranky, waiting here for the leader to show up but no one has seen him ever sense the practice session. Suddenly a man with poofy orange hair came running up, panting trying to catch his breath.

"He's dead!!!!" He yelled, suddenly getting all dramatic as he fell to the floor.

Everyone was shocked and confused as whispers made their way around the cave.

"Diavel is dead!!! I just got the news from the people from the Town of Beginnings.

"How could this be? That's impossible! Why would anyone kill him? Now what do we do?!" People began panicking, suddenly a whistle could be heard form a far. It was.. Kirito.

"Now look. I don't know why this happened, it could be that someone didn't want us to move on from the first floor. We cannot worry about that right now, our priorities right now is to take down Illfang and we cannot do it with all of you screaming." He said in a stern tone, slowly taking off his green cloak, revealing what was underneath there all along. He had flesh colored skin, gray mysterious hues, and coal black hair. He.. definitely wasn't the man I imagined in my head.. he looked entirely different appearance wise.

"M-makabe?.." The ravenette choked out beside me, her blue hues scanning the man in front of her.

"Eh?!" I softly emitted.

"What are you talking about?" Kirito looked a bit confused, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry.. you look a lot like my boyfriend who's still in the real world." My cousin lowered her head and sighed.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not. I'm Kirito. I haven't even seen you before in my life." He said as more of a common sense type deal. Not really trying to come off as rude.

"Alright. Don't have to push more into it." Aki pouted, crossing her arms as she got a bit defensive.

"Alright everyone, we didn't train for nothing so let's all get in there and fight!! I know we all can win this! let it be known if we don't do this now, we'll never be able to get pass this dungeon. I don't know about you guys but I'm tired of waiting.. so let's go!" He roared out, everyone else joining in for a cheer as they all rushed through the door.

"Asuna..? Are you ready?" I looked over to see Aki looking at me with an expression of slight doubt.

"We can do this. As long as we have each other, we can conquer anything." With that, me and Aki entered into a battle we both knew that meant either life or death.

End of Chapter 2

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