Chapter 8

Reveal.

Clink! Clink!

The little girl's dagger was small but swift and efficient. Even though it lacked reach, she complemented with her agility; yet she didn't fight with a clear mind of the target, but the slightly opposite; a somewhat controlled rage was present in her eyes.

"Alright…you've progressed…"

Clank!

Standing at around 1.50 m, Ange wasn't your typical strong opponent. However, her sweet looks deceived the enemy, as she was a raging warrior in any fight. But still, the shining hazel eyes filled with courage and bits of anger were even far more menacing than her weapon; the small cheerful young girl traded in for a battle-hardened warrior at will whenever a fight was brewing.

Yes, she had potential, but like the others, including myself, needed even more practice. They all had similar goals to reach, one of them being surviving this world; but I had much more darker purposes, and no one whom to share them with, as they would be my burden until I fulfilled them.

"Ok…that's enough for today; you can go rest now…well follow up tomorrow"

"…Ok…but you should also get some rest…"

"I'm fine; besides, Ray wanted to practice with me…"

"Well, be careful…"

"Alright"

Time. It had gone by quickly. For the first time since the start of the game, I had felt it go by so fast. And now, two months have passed since my comrade's demise, and I still haven't been able to find the ones responsible. Despite my efforts, he hasn't shown himself; not even a single clue of where he might be.

However, finding him wasn't my only goal, no; preventing him from finding us was just as important. A Xenophobic murderer after me for some reason, and taking those close without mercy, I still couldn't understand his intentions.

"You're up so early…"

The large figure meters away, cutting at the wind, was my trusted ally. Having been with me almost all the way up to here, sharing the grief of losing those close to us and after many battles, he had my total trust. Strong and valiant, I looked up to him as much as he looked up to me.

"Well…you ready? Or are you too tired!?"

Unsheathing my Nightfall Shade, our weapons soon met with crying steel. Upgrading to a trident-like spear, [Equalizer], Ray initiated the attack; we battled in order to strengthen our skills. With quite fierce thrusts from both sides, it reminded me of gladiator fights in ancient Rome; like the famous Secutor vs. Retiarius.

"Any luck? …"

Clank!

"…No…but at least Agil is safe…somehow, he's stayed off the radar…"

"…Good…so how do you see them? …"

Swish!

"…They've progressed greatly…yet I still fear for them…"

"Yeah…It's evident in your look…"

Staring at him, his dark eyes showed sympathy and compassion; a dark, yet radiant tone of brown, they welcomed everyone. He had finally revealed himself, even taking me by surprise. His outstanding brown olive skin and short almost curly black hair gave off an aura of kindness; exactly the type of person he was.

Clang!

Fighting with great style and conviction, he was an outstanding warrior. And he has been, as I could tell he had gone thru many hardships and battles; it was evident, as I also had the same feature.

Klunk!

But still, he was quite reckless. After all, he was the one I shared my thoughts openly with. Quite the contrary to Axel, as with him I would show my more rational side; things one of them couldn't understand, the other would. They both had become my trusted allies, helping me ensure the rest's safety.

Slash!

His blows were powerful, but not compared to Axels two-handed sword's thrusts. Each had their own technique, and they were proficient at it. Axel focused heavily on STR, while Ray on both STR and AGI.

Thung!

With a fierce thrust, the tip of my sword scarcely blocked his horizontal strike; getting caught between two of its blades.

"Maybe surrender?"

"Not by chance!"

With a sneer on my face, I released strength from my arms and let the thrusting force of his weapon expel my sword downward; and with a rapid move, it swayed upward once more, towards his throat.

"How bout' it?"

With a deep breath, he exhaled his contempt.

"…Fine…"

Storing his weapon into his inventory, we began to walk towards the front door. Sheathing my sword and storing it as well, we prepared to head back, as it was almost lunchtime; but not before evaluating out progress.

"Don't just use the tip of your weapon; it is a whole, use every inch of it, slash it around, maximize and get as much gain from it…"

Slapping him on the back, he too stated his thoughts.

"Alright…but you should also "maximize"; and get more STR points, you know everyone focuses heavily on that…"

"Well I try to be balanced, and in my own way, it's not that bad…"

"…Suit yourself; it was a good duel anyways…"

With a greeting smile, he stated his acceptance. And with the same posture, I too smiled, thanking his company.

"Come on; let's get something to eat…"

May 7, 2023

Night. Not my best friend, but in these moments it shrouded my thoughts and embraced my body in a chill atmosphere. Despite the upper floor blocking most of the view of the celestial bodies, the moon was still visible. Its light dimly shining down and covering me in a melancholic feel, it was the perfect time to reminisce.

I would often stay up late, fighting mobs and arduously gain levels, but tonight was not intended for such. Once every now and then, I would sit around and gaze at the sky, setting my mind free and letting it wander through out my memories.

It had been some long months, almost feeling eternal as I searched without gain for a single player; yearning for revenge. Finding that one player was just as important as protecting five.

I had become what I somewhat feared: overprotective. I didn't hesitate to try to keep them safe by insisting they live in my home. It wasn't something I would normally do, but due to the circumstances, I couldn't take risks.

What am I doing? Was it the right choice?

They had saved my life and I owed them deeply; yet they had been dragged into a conflict because of me. A murderous game which even I didn't understand, as for some reason, I had been spared by the killer that took my friends lives. It was clear he wanted me dead, but he wanted it to be slowly, and it wasn't clear why; it was also clear he had a grudge for "outsiders", forcing me to take measures. But what was even more clear was the fact that he would go to any length to see me suffer, taking with him the lives of my friends, regardless of origin.

I will protect you, all of you…Axel, Krakov, Ray, Ange…Layla…I would give up my life to see you live, that I swear!

"You're quite lonely…"

A sudden mellifluent voice sprung from my back just as I came back from my traveling thoughts. Turning to face the known source, a smile flourished on my lips.

"Oh, hey…yeah, well, I always come here to wander off; contemplate the landscape…"

"…That explains a lot…but I also meant that literally…you are pretty lonely, aren't you?"

Lonely…yes…that's just what I am…

"…Y-yeah…since I can remember…"

"…M-may I know why? …never mind…sorry…"

She…actually cares…

With silence, I struggled to give an answer, as it had been long since anyone asked that same question; even I forgot once in a while. But I just could not give her a no, as it had become impossible for me; and with a low voice, I answered.

"It's alright…I guess I just couldn't help getting close to people, as they would always get hurt because of me. Even before the twenty-fifth boss battle, and before SAO, I…lost many…"

The pain-filled memories returned to me as I recited. A small fear reached me as a lump formed in my throat. Stopping to regain myself, all I could do was embrace the silence.

"You don't have to continue…I…"

"N-no, it's something I've been meaning to do. You all saved my life; the least you deserve is to know who I am…"

"Well, in that case, it'll be better if you told us all now…everyone is out back…you could…"

I…could reveal who I am…

"…O-ok…"

Fire. A warm process of combustion providing warmth and light; yet it was different in this world. The crackling sound of the fuel being consumed was soothing, and the dancing flames were marvelous as ever, but only light flushed out. The warmth brought by it wasn't really felt, it was somehow different, and I couldn't help but notice the change.

However, the absence of heat provided by the campfire was replaced by an inconspicuous, yet comforting warmth of human presence. Gathered around the flames were those people dear to me. Accepting to stay in my residence because of my insisting, once strangers, they had become real close.

"Hey Chris, get over here…we were just talking about you…"

"Hope they were good things…Haha…"

"Of course! I was telling everyone how you saved me in the Sunshine Forest…"

Speaking with enthusiasm, something that characterized him, Krakov was quite a cheerful kid. Young and brave, he had endured hardships since the beginning of the game. But I still didn't understand why and how he ended up here.

"Say, you never told me why you were up there…it was a dangerous dungeon and still is, even more for someone your age…and speaking of age, may I ask how you joined SAO? I mean, the minimum age was fourteen wasn't it?"

With a short silence, I could tell he had become embarrassed; after all, only I knew why he was there that day.

"Yeah K…How were you able to log in?"

Also curious to know the reason, Ange spoke up. Finding quite an interest in something wasn't Ange's forte, which made me wonder further about everyone else's reasons for login in to SAO.

"W-well…I…I really like videogames. I played them all day, to shut away my parent's fights…when we came from Russia, we were happy, but things…went wrong…so I played all day. It was then that I met a friend that also played with me online. When SAO came out, he was able to get me a copy and all the gear. He…was my best friend, and he wanted to meet me, so…so I escaped from my parents' house in Kyoto and came all the way to Tokyo. I was really happy to meet him, but when we logged in and found out that we had to beat the game to get out…I locked myself up…but [Viton] helped me up, and we survived together…but one day, when we went out to hunt, a strong monster attacked us…we tried to escape it but its…its last attack was going to kill me…it was then that he…he shielded me…he…died protecting me…"

A tear; transparent and innocent, it rolled down his cheek. With sadness in his voice, there was no more to tell us; his sorrow said it all. So small and yet witnessing his best friend give his life for him was a heavy burden he carried. I understood his pain.

"I'm sorry…you must have grieved so much; yet you carried on…YOU are strong and you must stay alive to cherish the gift your friend gave you…"

Embracing him like he always did, Axel's words were not only his own, they were a response from all of us. We all felt his pain and we couldn't have said more caring words.

Drying his eyes, Krakov thanked Axel for his caregiving words, as the moment of sadness vanished when he spoke.

"…A-axel…thanks…so…so how about you? …"

"Who, me? …well…I'm just a simple student…But if you really want to know, it's simple…I got a scholarship to study here. So I took the opportunity and came all the way from my country, Germany…I was studying medicine, and when looking for a new hobby, I found gaming to be fun; so I immersed myself a bit…I was going good at my studies so I guessed a little distraction wouldn't harm. So when SAO came out, I was eager to play, because of all the wonderful things people would say…But when it began, I didn't run but nor did I fight…I just…thought…until I decided to become the strongest…time passed and I thought I was the strongest, until a reckless fool beat me and showed me not everything is about "becoming stronger"…and so, here I am now…"

Slapping me on the back, it was the first time I heard Axel speak so naturally.

Ow! So now I'm a reckless fool!? Ha! …well…he does have a point…

"Anyways…enough about me…how about…Ray, what's your story?"

"Come on man! Mine isn't as interesting as yours…how about you skip me…"

"Oooh…the "Unfearing One" is scared, is that it?"

"Hey! Its…it's not that…it's just that, well… it's kind of hard. You know…It was hard growing up…my parents wanted what everyone wants: a better life. So my family ventured to a new country; it was then that we came to Japan from Brazil. It was hard at first, but we managed. I studied and worked part time…time went on and then my dad passed away…We were left unprotected, but somehow, we still managed. But I was still…shocked…and when SAO came out, I thought I could escape my troubles by going to a virtual world; man was I wrong…I didn't know much about videogames, but I still learned to survive, and with the ALS, a certain someone put me on my feet, and I began to actually live. Together with our squad, I passed memorable moments and…well…the worst also…but I don't regret anything…"

Taking me by the neck, his voice sounding a bit frail yet with a tinge of hope, he really opened up. I didn't get the chance to hear my men's thoughts when in the ALS, so it shocked me; after all the pain, he still cherished memories in the ALS. So I could just stay quiet, I had to express my gratitude.

"…I'm…sorry…you've also gone thru a lot…and…thank you, for…everything…"

"It's not your fault…remember that…so, no…thank you…"

"Come on now…we don't want to get too intimate here…Haha…now, we seemed to have made a mistake…we spoke up and didn't let the girls go first…that wasn't vey gentleman like…"

"Oh you're right Axel…sorry…so why don't you go now, Ange"

"Well…ok…it's going to long, so keep up…"

Ooh! Not this…man, when she talks…she TALKS! …

"So…my parents moved to Japan because my dad had become the CEO of the Asian branch of a very important tech company. They moved from France all the way over here, and when they settled, they had me…not long after, my dad became interested in Virtual Reality and the uses it could have in everyday life…I guess he also wanted me to get to know the technology, so when SAO came out, he bought it. Fortunately he only got one copy of the game, and at very high price, but after all, it was no problem for my dad…"

Lucky little rich girl…

"Anyways, he already had a Nerve Gear, but when the day came, he had an important meeting to attend. I was curious to play the game, so I took it and logged in. it soon turned out to be like hell, and…well I didn't come out of my room for a whole week, just crying… It was then that I met Layla. She helped me so much, that I couldn't allow myself to be far from her. I owe her a lot…"

"Aww…thanks Ange; I also owe you a lot as well…"

"Thanks…so…I guess it's your turn…"

"Very well…here goes…I…I'm actually a gamer myself…I've needed to be, because…well, I was a gaming show host…"

Whoa! How come I never saw her? …well…No wonder…she's so…beautiful…

"So you're like a…model or something?"

Speaking out, it was like if Ray took the words out of my mouth. But it wasn't necessary for me, as model or not, there was no denying the beauty.

"Heh…well…not really…I was just host at a show in the US. We broadcasted the latest stuff in gaming, especially games from Japan. It wasn't easy learning the language, but it was also part of the job…I was then sent with a broadcast group to cover the release of SAO; but the crew only managed to get their hands on just one copy…I now think it was a good thing…anyways, I was picked to be the first to try it out on the inauguration day, after all, I had to review it. I was really excited, and when I logged in…it felt fantastic. It was just amazingly beautiful…But it soon came down when we got trapped… I admit, I was scared at first, but my gaming instincts kicked in, and well, I began to play…Anyways…I soon joined MMO Today, as we had, well, the same purpose. It was then that I met Ange…scared as a little kitten…I helped as much as I could and soon she also joined MMO Today…we then met all of you, and well, you know the rest…"

The moonlight dispersing as she finished, it didn't take with it the rejoicing spirit of the gathering. On the contrary, it set the mood as everyone told their origin. But, like always, there was a problem: me.

"Aright, alright…last but not least, its Chris' turn…"

Turning towards me, Ray encouraged me to tell my story. Everyone facing me, it was as if they had waited for it to be the last one.

"I…I can't…I don't want to deepen the mood…it's too boring anyways…and too"

"Relax; you're among friends…go on…"

With her always soothing sweet voice, she dispelled my fears. Her eyes filled with light enlivened my spirits; and like other times, I just couldn't say no.

"Alright…"

Gathering strength to proceed, I became prepared to reveal myself for the first time; as it was the least I could do for them, like I promised.

"I figure you all wanted to know where I was from…it hasn't been easy for me keeping this…"

"Well, I grew up in a land not many would think, colorful and friendly. Due to hardships, my father returned to the US, due to fights with my mother. They divorced and well…I didn't grow up so well. My mother soon fell ill, and I was desperate to get money to cure her…My best friend and I set out to get that money, but not in the right way. We then came across a car accident, it was horrible, but we found a strange case next to the road. We decided to take it and inside we found lots of cash. Sharing it, I was able to cure my mother's cancer…But they soon found us, mysterious mercenaries who wanted the case back. My friend refused and they…they…killed him…in front of me…we were only kids…I…snapped and blacked out…but somehow I survived. I then went to the US, as I knew they would chase me. My father, well, he rejected me and I had to live alone. Life on the streets was not easy…but one day I saved a little girl from a car accident. Her grandfather took me in. A kind Japanese man, he began to teach me; but I was still too rebellious…he was…also killed…by gunmen searching…for…me…"

More tears. The sparkling light of a single one racing out of my eye prevented me from continuing. Not even the wake of time could take the pain away.

"…Y-you don't have continue…"

"…No. Its ok…it's just…well…long story short…Escaping, I turned to Japan where the old man had family. He begged to me to escape and take refuge with his family, even on…his dying bed. I took his word…and well, now I'm here…"

"So…you're not American?"

"Well, not…really…I was born in Mexico, but since my father was American, I have double nationality…"

Relieved from the quick ending of my life story, as I still hid other things, my nervousness calmed. But the questions weren't over, as Layla still had doubts.

"Well…That explains it…"

"Explains what?"

"Your avatars name…it really complicated, we couldn't figure it out…"

"…Oh…yeah, the name…it's hard to explain why, but I liked it. It's [Cuautzin]"

"CU-a-UT-ZIN?"

"Yeah! It's an Aztec word…"

"…And what exactly does it mean?"

Meaning…yes, meaning…It has…a powerful meaning I haven't exactly lived by…

"It means… [Venerable Eagle]"