Chapter 7

Relieve.

Eyes opening with some difficulty, light flushed in.

The bright morning sunlight bathing me, I tried closing my eyes once more; yet a heavenly sight made me do otherwise.

A beatific face lay resplendent on the bed to my right; the angelic figure overwhelming with gorgeousness as she slept, it was almost a dream. Her pearly-white skin became embellished with the solar shine and a pair of scarlet-pink lips complemented beautifully, sending chills thru my body; meliorating my soul.

Blinking thrice, I was beginning to think it was just a dream; after everything that happened, I might as well be in heaven; yet in a trice, I couldn't fool myself, because I finally realized I was back in hell: in the floating castle Aincrad.

Checking my surroundings, I noticed another figure next to the radiant sleeping beauty; not needing to think about it, I knew who it was; the long auburn hair said it all, it was Ange. Slowly lifting myself, I felt weak; and with my recovering perception, all I could do was sit on the bed, as another figure was partially on it as well. A childish, almost girlish looking face popped up; yet innocent as ever, it was Krakov. Still fully asleep, he sat on a chair, with his head on the bed. Confounded by the situation, as I could not recall the events that led me to here, I opened my window and revised the time. It all came back in that instant.

February 25, 6:35 a.m.

Noo! …they're….

Thump!

My fist gathered, it hit the wall, causing a light sound and an immediate purple icon. A tear dropping from my face, the mourning took over. Restraining myself from shedding more tears, I covered my face, but soon my sight quickly turned towards my hands, then my whole self.

Where the hell am I!? …Why is everyone here? …And why am I almost naked!? …

Questions rising, I felt the need to run away. With no one awake, it was my chance. Struggling to move, I lifted the cover and grabbed the edge of the bed. Feeling my heartbeat rising, I decided to raise my body in one go. Gathering strength, I put it all into my legs; but it was useless, as all they did was hit the ground.

Boom!

What… the hell is wrong with me!?

"…Argh…"

Slightly rising once more, all I could muster was to stand on my knees. My semi-athletic figure wasn't even enough to lift my own virtual body. Pitying myself for the state I was in, a pair of feet reached my vision.

"…Let me…"

Silk-soft delicate hands reached my arms, lifting them. Seeming impossible in this world, as we were merely made up of millions of ones and ceros, I felt her warmth. A heartwarming sensation, beyond anything I had felt, enough to alleviate any pain; even making me forget mine for some time.

"I'm sorry…for…you seeing me…like this…"

"…Its ok…I…you need to rest…"

My straining self once more on the mattress, I couldn't help but to deliver my doubts and questions to the young damsel.

"…Where…"

"…You…"

Speaking at the same time, our voices interacted with one another. Nodding for her to take the word, I became quiet. With a dazzling smile, she spoke up.

"…Sorry…anyways, you might want to equip some clothes, after what you've been thru, it wouldn't be strange if you also caught a cold…"

Nodding my head, I slowly moved my hand and materialized my window, equipping my most simple clothing; a gray pair of trousers and a simple white shirt, intended for household use.

"W-where am I? And how did I end up here?"

Not even waiting for my clothing to materialize, I jumped out with my questions. Turning from a radiant smile to a more serious tone, she hesitated before speaking.

"…W-we found you inside the forest, close to the road; you were unconscious. We tried to wake you, but it was useless. Your friends say they saw some figures close to your avatar, but they couldn't see who they were. We then brought you here. This…this is your house"

…S-some figures? Who brought me here? …

"W-wait…if this is my house, how exactly did you bring me here? And who brought me? And why is everyone here?"

My inquiry was satisfied, as I needed to know more, but it soon woke someone up, as another voice dissipated my fist question.

"…I… I found out that this house is not within the Inner Area of the town, but rather some type of Safe Zone…"

The gentle voice didn't come from the maiden in front of me, but instead from my back; Krakov had woken up.

…A Safe Zone? …But…how?

Turning with a doubtful face, he smiled and greeted me.

"Great to have you back…you were gone for almost…"

"You were out a whole day! "

Yet another voice ringing out, this one came from my front; it was Ange. Also waking up, she quickly finished the sentence. With the chat we had waking them and now with my questioning, it was hard to keep track of who was talking. But swiftly putting order, the young maiden spoke up.

"Let me explain from the start. I know…it might be hard for you…but you need to know…"

Pausing for a second, everyone turned to look at her, awaiting the explanation.

"Krakov led us to the twenty-fifth floor because he feared you were in danger. He also asked an acquaintance of yours to help us out. When we arrived, Ange and I stayed in Carac when he asked us to; they joined up with the full clearing force in order to go fight the boss. By then it was clear that the ALS was being killed off. When Krakov and Axel didn't come back, we began to worry so Ange and I ventured towards the boss room, but at the middle of the road…we found you"

"Axel and Ray helped us carry you, and we brought you here…"

"….S-so I was unconscious, but…but how?'

"…Maybe Axel can explain that…"

Two tall figures now in front of me, I hadn't noticed when they entered the room. With a somewhat soft, yet masculine voice, my once arena rival stood before me. With the first time seeing him without his helmet and with most of his armor unequipped, it took me a few seconds to finally realize it was him. But his pale white skin, light blue eyes and vibrant red hair weren't quite a surprise to me, as I had already speculated about that possibility. And with no interruptions, he spoke out.

"When we brought you here, I thought it was just a syncope; that you just passed out. But with the hours passing, you didn't wake up. Your body began to heat up, so all I could think of was to strip you and dampen you with water in order to keep the temperature normal. I don't know how to explain your coma, it should be almost impossible in this world; yet it happened to you"

Sounding like a true doctor, I took in his words, but as soon as I heard it, I couldn't help but to interrupt.

"Wait…everyone saw me half naked! …"

"Eeeww, no! Of course not! Only the grown-ups did!"

S-she…she saw like that?

Screaming out, Ange answered my question in her unique way. Ignoring her first words, I had her last ones very present, as I slightly blushed. But soon enough, Axel continued with his explanation.

"It was a necessary procedure…Now in order to find the cause of whatever happened to you, you must tell me what you remember, what could've led to your condition"

"…I…"

Looking towards the floor, I couldn't bear to once more recall those events.

"M-maybe tomorrow, I think he needs to rest now"

Speaking up, Ray interceded for me; pain also present in his voice, he kept it together. His friend gone because of me, I couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

"Alright, it'll be better if we let him rest. We all need rest as well"

Footsteps sounding as everyone began to walk out of the room; I felt some guilt from something I hadn't done. Raising my voice, I pronounced my gratitude.

"T-thank…thank you, all of you. If you hadn't come to my rescue and cured me, well, I would've been dead. I also wouldn't have forgiven myself for a promise I once made. You saved my life, and…and I owe it all to everyone, thanks"

With smiles on their faces, everyone stepped out of the room, but not before some words were whispered.

"You should rest now…"

Swish!

The bright blue trail of light shining and trailing after, my weapon cut thru the air. Executing the sword skill, I made my mind up to perfect my abilities; the only thing that would keep my mind off my thoughts, I hurried out of bed and quietly ran outside. Everyone wanted me to rest, but even if I wanted to, I couldn't; as past memories would still haunt me.

Even while in the ALS and in the arena duels, I still hadn't gotten to the level of strength I wanted. The skill system implemented in SAO was hard to level, with constant training needed.

And just like me, I figured everyone had gotten used to swinging blades around, even if they had never lifted one before in the real world; it was essential to the survival in this one. However, not everyone used them to keep their lives, no, others used them to take them.

To relieve my soul, I HAD to become stronger, and every minute would count. I had to become stronger to do one thing and one thing only: avenge my friend's deaths.

I was fully responsible for their passing, and I couldn't permit myself from not doing something about it. It is the least I could do, and I would only accomplish it by seeing that the ones that caused their demise pay for their actions; and pay with the ultimate price.

Swish! Swish!

My sword keeping track of my movements, it swayed with some difficulty; proof that I indeed needed more rehearsal.

However, with my new sole purpose now implanted in my mind, I also had another duty. Finding out the dark motives that drive my comrade's murderer, it was imperative that I also protect those still close to me; the ones that saved my life.

After all, we all had the particular feature the killer was looking for.

You will pay! You and the rest! ….

"…Arrghh! …"

Screaming out and letting my anger flow, my sword cut thru a nearby branch. But without care, I continued with my exercises, as I was already too pumped to stop.

With the past four months, 111 days to be exact, swinging my weapon had become something ordinary. Not just that, it also became a means to purge the occasional stress; and just like other times, today was no exception. Yet this time was quite different, as my rampaging also had unexpected spectator.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing!? You're supposed to be resting…"

"…I…"

Stopping to hear her out, all I could do was mumble a single word in my defense. But without warning, she walked up, a speck of anger in her eyes.

"Don't make me force you back to your bed!"

Unsheathing her weapon, it quickly rained down, with not a single trace of fear of slicing me.

His presence didn't intimidate her; on the contrary, it somehow attracted her. The young man in front of her was someone she saw almost every day, and she, for a reason even she didn't know, awaited those particular days. He wasn't an in-game friend, as he never sent her a friend request; he was mysterious and with a threatening look, but she felt he was the opposite.

Clank!

Her long dagger [Dark Spectrum] exchanged blows with his sword; however, they weren't violent thrusts, but rather soft repelled hits.

His light amber eyes contrasted heavily, but somehow really fit together, with his black extra-short hair. Along with his light-brown skin, they were an obvious sight. Not deep like dark voids, on the contrary, they were pools of golden light making anyone want to admire.

With their weapons closed in at minimum range and locked in combat, she couldn't help but to gaze; the specks of gold and orange absorbing her.

She felt an intermixture of feelings. Anger for his disobedience, fear that something would happen to him, sadness and few others she could not describe. The overwhelming wave of emotions almost burst out in form of a tear, yet she grasped for control and took it.

With her thoughts on so many things, she even began to question herself about how she got herself in this situation. Not only fighting the player in front of her, but deeper; why was she even in this death game.

…Maybe the answer is right in front of me…

Shaking off her doubts, she continued throwing blows at the now-well player, the mysterious swordsman: Christopher.

Giving out his real-world name in a world ruled by character nicknames and such, she wondered why. But even she couldn't, as she also hid her own name.

Swoosh!

What is wrong with her!?

Parrying her incoming blows without difficulty, I couldn't help but to enjoy the moment. Easily dodging her blade, it became easy to take the opportunity: contemplating her beauty from close up.

Her long wavy hair flowed thru the wind, ready to strike me down for my disobedience. In her eyes was a tinge of anger, but looking closer, it was clear it was something else; like a worried look.

"Understand that I can't rest now, there's too much work I have to do…"

"You can do it later, right now you must heal. Even though it might look like you're all recovered, I know it's the opposite"

Swoosh!

My weapon repelling hers with total efficiency, it was clear she needed practice, and a lot; yet her technique wasn't a total flaw, as it also had much potential; especially her defense.

Clink!

Her blade intertwined with mine, giving me a chance to explain.

"I'm grateful for the concern of my health, but it's just that I can't close my eyes once more; knowing I could be getting stronger, strong enough to sanction those responsible"

"So you want to give up your life searching for a ghost?"

…She knows…

"If it comes to that, yes"

"But it wasn't your! …"

Bam!

Our swords rejecting each other, we were pushed a few meters back.

"It wasn't my what? Understand…They're DEAD! It was MY fault!"

Screaming with a firm voice and with my head down, all I could think about was them. My mind was already set and trying to get her to understand was useless. Breathing heavily, I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

And the least I could do for them is to avenge their souls….

"…I…I'm…sorry…"

With a sweet voice, she pronounced a pardon that didn't correspond to her.

"…No…Forgive me, I…I shouldn't have screamed at you…it's just that it's been a rough week, please forgive me"

"…I…yeah…don't worry"

With a long silence, the scene was dispelled from a heavy atmosphere to a more delightful one. Our eyes meeting, hers had purged the slight anger inside and became engulfed in radiance once more.

"It was good fight…but…you could use a little more practice…just a little…"

Sheathing my sword, my thoughts came out into words. Trying to change the mood and hide my thoughts, I said the first thing that came to mind.

"Yes, yes I could…you know, my weapon of choice wasn't included in this world, but I guess this will have to do…. But it looks like you've had quite the experience with these…that's why…may I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead…"

"C-could, could you teach me?"

Dumfounded by her request, all I could do was stand. I had always been a follower, and with tragedy, I failed to be a leader. Negative thoughts reached me, as I was also always a student, never venturing into teaching others.

"Y-you want me, to teach you?"

"Yes! …would you?"

Striking me like a curse, almost everyone close to me had died painfully. From the beginning it seemed to be like that, I could not stand to have someone else taken from me the moment I get close.

I…I couldn't bear to lose you…not you…

"…I-it's just that…people…that get close to me, well, it just doesn't…"

"…Its ok…I know it's been hard for you, but…we'll be alright…remember, nothing can happen to us when we're in here…"

With a long pause, my mind speculated about all the possible probabilities; but my heart said something much more different. Her soothing voice calmed my inner fears. It was impossible for my heart to neglect her.

"…Alright…but I must ask something from you? …"

"…What?"

"…Your name…you never gave it to me…"

Gazing at her for a moment, a short silence moved in. but soon her beautiful voice spoke once more, relieving me completely.

"… [Layla], its Layla…."