I don't own anything except my OC
Chapter 15:
I didn't know half of the people I was fighting with, but as each person died, more determination stirred in my heart.
The fighting lasted for more than an hour, the sound of death being heard at a steady pace.
Everyone collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion as it ended, not even bothering to celebrate. All except Heathcliff, who still stood tall.
Me and Kirito sat down leaning on each-other for support trying to catch our breath. We all drank potions to replenish our health.
I'm still alive. We're still alive.
But there were others that weren't so lucky.
"How many did we lose?" Asuna managed to ask in a tired voice.
Kirito opened the map, counting the remaining players and calculating it in his head.
"Fourteen people"
No way. Even when we made our battle strategy focusing on survival, we still lost that many players...
"Impossible" Agil muttered.
The air around us was full of completely negative emotions.
"We've still got 25 floors left"
"Will we even be able to reach the top?"
I just watched on as they all doubted themselves, when I felt Kirito trying to move stealthily changing his position.
"Kirito?"
He already had one sword in his hand, and when he launched off the ground, he closed the gap between us and Heathcliff instantly.
My leader had a shocked look, but still tried to block it with his shield. It was a movement that he has done many times before, and that's probably why Kirito could predict it and still hit him.
Although, something like an invisible wall prevented this.
[Immortal Object]
What's... going on here?
The sign faded away as silence filled the room.
"H-Hey, is this a joke?" I asked in a dry voice standing up.
"The game's system ensures that his HP will never turn yellow, no matter what happens" Kirito explained. "I've been wondering about something ever since I came to this world. About from where that man is observing us and administrating this world. However, I had forgotten a simple truth. It's something any kid knows. There's nothing more boring than watching someone else play an RPG."
"Isn't that right... Kayaba Akihiko?"
"Y-You're kidding Kirito! Are you sick or something? There's no wa-"
"Are you trying to turn a blind eye? Kayaba Rin" My leader said cutting in. His voice was different now, it was exactly the same as the one I used to hear everyday outside this game.
"Kayaba Rin?" "Is he talking about Saki-san?" "No way! Doesn't that mean she helped out as well?" "So she's also a traitor?"
W-Wait! It isn't like that!
"I'm am very interested in how you figured it out. Could you tell me?" My father asked calmly.
"I first became suspicious when we had that duel. You were impossibly fast in that last moment." Kirito answered.
He nodded. "I should have known. I deeply regret having done that. I was overwhelmed by your attacks, so I used the system's over-assist mode"
"Yes, I am Kayaba Akihiko. I was supposed to be the final boss, the one waiting for you on the top floor"
Shock ran through the crowd as he confirmed it.
"You've got some strange tastes. To think that the strongest player would suddenly become the big, bad final boss" Kirito said hatefully.
"Don't you think that it's a great scenario? Although I am quite disappointed that my own daughter couldn't figure this out. In fact, my expectations were that she would find out the second she saw me"
He sighed as I held onto Kirito for support.
All this time. I've met him countless times, but I didn't even think that he could be my father. Ah I'm so stupid.
"The Dual Wield skill would be given only to the player with the fastest reaction time. That player was supposed to be the hero who faces the demon king. But your strength surpassed my expectations. Well, I guess unexpected developments like these are why we play MMORPGs" He said to Kirito.
A KoB leader behind father tried to stand up with the help of his sword. "You took our loyalty, our hopes, and... How dare you?!"
He tried attacking but father just pressed a few buttons on his window to make him stop moving, HP bar indicating paralysis. However, it didn't stop there, players dropped to the ground slowly. I felt pain in my body before I too lost my balance, Kirito quickly sheathing his sword to catch me as I fell.
Kirito and Heathcliff were the only ones that could move freely. "Are you planning on killing everyone here to hide the truth?"
"Of course not, I'd never do something so unreasonable" The man in red shook his head. "Since it has come to this, I'll be waiting for you all in the Ruby Palace on the top floor. I hate to part with my well-trained Knights of Blood and the other front-liners this early, but I'm sure you will all manage to reach me"
"But before that"
He suddenly stopped talking, piercing the sword into the ground he turned his eyes towards Kirito.
"Kirito-kun, since you figured out my true identity, I will reward you with an opportunity: you can have a one-on-one duel with me, right here and right now. Of course, I will negate my immortality status. If you win, then the game will be cleared immediately, and all players will be able to log out. What do you say...?"
"Refuse" I whispered. That would be the best course of action, we should retreat and then come up with a countermeasure together.
But when I saw that expression Kirito made, I knew he wasn't going to back down, not even if I begged.
"What a load of crap... Fine. Let's settle this"
"You can't die on me" I said as he gently laid me on the obsidian floor.
"I'll definitely win. I'll win and put an end to this world" He promised.
"Yeah"
He stood back up, unsheathing both swords with a sharp sound.
"Kirito! Stop!"
"Kirito!"
Those voices... Agil and Klein.
Kirito turned slightly towards Agil first. "Agil, thanks for supporting the warrior class players up till now. I know that you spent most of the money you had earned to help the players on the middle floors."
He smiled before shifting his gaze again, towards Klein.
"Klein. That time... I'm really sorry... about leaving you. I've always regretted it" I could hear his voice falter.
The next thing I knew, Klein had tears rolling down his face. "Damn it! Kirito! Why the hell are you apologizing! Don't apologize for anything right now! I won't forgive you if you don't treat me to a meal in the real world!"
"I got it" Kirito nodded, giving him a thumbs up.
As this was happening, I slowly but surely grabbed onto my sword that was just in my reach. The only body part I moved was my arm, which is why that was the only body part that hurt.
A system message appeared above father [Changed Into Mortal Object]
He pulled out the sword that was dug into the ground and raised it behind his shield.
You could feel the killing intent both radiated, they were going to fight to the death after all.
Kirito acted first, dashing and swinging his sword horizontally. It was easily blocked though.
The sound of that clash, was like a signal to start their duel. Their speed instantly accelerated, being too quick for most to see.
Again, I began trying to move. Getting into a position as if I was ready to launch off the ground, right leg in front. My body's aching all over, but I felt as if I needed to help Kirito.
"Saki?" I heard Asuna's soft voice.
"Just in case something happens" I told her, trying to explain.
When Kirito activated a skill, I caught father giving that smirk of confidence. A smirk of someone certain of his victory.
Why? Because Kirito relied on the system to make a move. My father's smart enough to remember all the moves created in SAO, which means he can defend against them as well.
One of Kirito's attacks hit the middle of father's shield, and Liz's strongest sword broke.
"Farewell, Kirito-kun"
Now.
Despite all the pain I felt, I pushed myself to get in front of Kirito. Swinging my sword at the last moment to defend.
"Oh? Rin, what a nice surprise. There shouldn't be a way to negate paralysis on your own. Is your body hurting?" His voice didn't have any worry for my well-being at all though.
I felt a little sad but, what was I expecting? This man mercilessly killed over four thousand people. Me being his daughter didn't make me any different in his eyes. In fact, did he even love my mother?
Oh well, this isn't the time to think about that.
He jumped back, manipulating his window again and all the pain I felt disappeared. My paralysis was gone.
"It'd just be too sad if I fought you while you had a disadvantage" Father said.
"Shut up old man" I replied readying my stance.
Sighing, he talked while defending all of my attacks.
"Really? You think you can defeat me with just one sword? Kirito-kun is much better than you"
"I said shut up!"
"And you're movements right now aren't even half as quick as usual. Ah don't tell me, you can't kill me because I'm your father?" He practically laughed at me.
"Even though I put you through so much sorrow"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" All my attacks were in vain.
If the past me saw me now. She'd also laugh at me. No, not laugh, she'd pity me, because right now, I'm currently one of those emotional people she found so annoying.
"Ah so what if you're right?! I don't have the heart to kill you! But there's nothing I can do right now except fight!"
He looked at me pitifully at my outburst.
And then his sword pierced me right in the chest. As he removed it, I fell backwards into Kirito's arms.
This is the end.
My own father really did kill me, I didn't want to see his expression at the moment, because I was concentrated on Kirito. The person I loved.
He had a shocked look. But I wonder why, I'm sure he knew I would get defeated.
"No... No way"
A golden light engulfed me slowly. It was like I had a special death, slower than that of others.
I should reassure him, tell him that everything was going to be alright.
But I didn't do that, instead I got out of Kirito's gentle hold, lifting my sword and forcing it into his hands.
I then smiled happily, saying my last words.
"I'm so glad I met you"
After that, I closed my eyes hearing him scream my real name in desperation.
My eyes opened, and I found myself above the clouds, standing on a transparent platform. The endless sky was dyed orange by the sunset.
"...Am I in heaven?"
"No, shouldn't I be in hell?" I quietly laughed to myself.
Turning around I saw the person I farewelled just a moment ago.
"Kirito?" I called out to him.
Please don't be an illusion.
I couldn't express my joy when he turned around and smiled.
"Rin"
I ran towards him and held his hand just to make sure he was real.
"Sorry, I died as well"
"You did good" I smiled softly.
He gave me a light kiss on the lips.
We looked down below at Aincrad, crumbling to pieces slowly, watching sadly as our home on the 22nd Floor collapsed. I spent who knows how long helping to create that game, then two years fighting in that same floating castle, and now it was being destroyed right before my eyes.
We sat down on the edge of the platform, my heart was content. I don't know exactly what happened, or what's going to happen from now, but just being with Kirito. My heart was content.
"Quite the view, isn't it?" Someone interrupted the silence.
We turned to my father. He appeared not as Heathcliff, but as Kayaba Akihiko.
Unlike before, I don't feel any anger. His eyes were the only thing that was the same as 'Heathcliff' but they held a gentle light as he looked upon the disappearing castle.
"Right now, at the SAO mainframe located five floors below Argus's corporate headquarters, all the data is being erased from the memory drives"
"And the people?" I asked.
"There's no need to worry. Just a moment ago-"
Father moved his right hand and glanced at the window that appeared. "All the remaining 6,147 players have successfully logged out"
I'm glad. Asuna, Liz, and everybody else had managed to return safely.
"...What about those who died?" Kirito inquired. "Me and Rin should be dead, but we're still here. So can't you return the other four thousand dead?"
Father closed the window putting his hands into his pockets.
"They will never regain consciousness. The dead disappear, no matter what world"
"Why- did you do this?"
Kirito asked the question that anyone involved with game would have asked. It was a question I thought about for a long time, but could never answer.
My father smiled bitterly.
"Why-? I had forgotten a long time ago. Just why did I do it? Ever since I found out that a FullDive system was being created- No, even before that, I had wanted to build that castle, a place that exceeded the limits set upon the real world. Then, in those final moments... I saw even the rules of my world being surpassed as well..."
He turned his peaceful eyes towards us.
"I wonder how young I was when I started obsessing over a steel castle floating in the sky. I wanted to fly up and reach that castle. That was all I desired for the longest time. You know, I still believe that the castle exists in some other world"
I thought about it, as if I was born in that world. A girl always fighting, one day meets a boy. They fall in love, get married and live happily ever after in a small house in the middle of the forest.
"Yeah, that would be nice" Kirito murmured and I nodded as well.
Silence returned as other part of the castle began to collapse.
"Ah, I forgot to mention this. Kirito-kun, Rin... Congratulations on clearing the game"
He turned his back on us.
"Rin."
"Yes?" I answered.
"You've certainly changed, and it's probably for the better. I should apologize for involving you this much in my own obsession shouldn't I? Well, good luck in the real world"
"It's time for me to go"
"W-Wait!" I reached out.
The wind blew and seemingly swept away his figure, I blinked just once, but that was all it took for him to vanish.
What's with that sudden personality change?! Just before... Just before he killed me with eyes of pity, and then just now, he had the loving eyes of a normal parent.
Kirito hugged me as the top levels of Aincrad broke apart.
"I met such nice people there" I spoke. "Asuna, who's been with me since that very first boss fight. She's stayed with me all this time, protecting me"
"Then there's Liz, who can cheer me up any-time. I don't know what happened between you two that day, but I do know that she fell in love with you"
Kirito wasn't dense, so I was positive he already knew that.
"But you know? When I told her we were officially dating, she still gave me her brightest smile, wishing for my happiness. 'It'll be nice if I could smile like that' is what I thought"
"I've still got a long way to go though" I quietly laughed.
"You're smile, is what I love the best" Kirito said kissing me on the cheek.
"And meeting you, can be considered the best thing that's happened in my life" I admitted.
"Hey, can you tell me your real name?" I asked.
"Kirigaya... Kirigaya Kazuto. I should have turned sixteen last month" He replied.
"Kirigaya, Kazuto" I engraved that name into my heart.
"I'm Kayaba Rin, I think I turned sixteen yesterday" I introduced myself properly.
That's right, SAO started on November 6, 2022. Today it's November 7, 2024.
It been nearly exactly two years.
"Kayaba Rin.."
"I'm sorry... I said I'd bring you back to the real world but..." He cried.
"It's okay" I said, tears falling down as well. "I'm happy already"
"I love you Kirito"
"I love you too" He said as we embraced each other. The light consuming us, and we finally disappeared.
This smell... is the smell of a hospital.
Slowly I opened my eyes. Is this the real world? But how?
I spotted an air conditioner. Did I ever program any air conditioners in SAO? It shouldn't be possible to make one either, high skill or not. That was all it took to convince me, that I've returned.
Then I remembered something.
"Good luck in the real world"
Father said that before he went. Is this the prize for completing the game? That must mean... Kirito!
I need to see Kirito.
"Ki-"
My throat, which I haven't used in two years, strained to even say a short word.
"Ki... ri... to"
I tried getting up, but that was when I noticed, I could barely move. Holding my arm in front of my eyes, I saw how skinny and weak I've gotten. Reaching up, I used all my power, to take off the nerve gear that trapped me.
SAO players came from all over Japan, there's little chance that Kirito's in this particular hospital. But I'm sure I'll find him somehow.
My muscles were screaming in pain as I stood up, when I reached the door, I came face-to-face with the maid I used to live with.
"Rin-sama!" She hugged me gently. That's strange... I don't ever recall being this close to her?
Was she taking care of me this whole time?
"You must be feeling weak, so go back in and take a rest" She said helping me walk back into my hospital room.
"N..o.. Kiri...to.." I muttered.
"Hm?"
As she laid me back down I requested something.
"L..Lap..top"
"You really like your games don't you? Even though you were just trapped in one" She said sadly.
She was wrong though. I'm not going to play games. I was going to hack into all the hospital databases in the area, finding out which had a patient name Kirigaya Kazuto. I would go through all hospitals in Japan if I had to.
Hitomi, my maid, bent down to the suitcase beside my bed. I was shocked when she opened it, it was full of my hand-held consoles, and my laptop.
"I kept you company nearly everyday, playing your games that were in your room. I even went and got some new games" She laughed sheepishly.
Nearly everyday she had visited me. I had someone that cared about me this much all this time, I wanted to laugh at myself, but I my throat couldn't handle something as simple as that.
"Tha...nk.. you" I managed.
She passed me my laptop, and I began my long search.
Four months have passed.
A lot has happened but mostly everything has settled down.
For the first month of recovery, doctors and nurses were able to hold them off but after that... I was bombarded with reporters plus the angry family members and friends of the ones who couldn't return.
I went on national television just to apologize about my involvement in this game. But still, that wasn't enough and I knew it. I endured it all when they came up to me, angry and crying for their lost ones. Cursing me, wishing for my death, all because I was the only one they could relieve their anger to, and then after that, they could at least have a chance of moving on.
I'm still quite skinny, but I'm healthy now, I can move around freely and speak. My mansion was sold after I was well again, and I now have an apartment close to Kazuto.
My guardian is now Hitomi, who lives with me and is no longer my maid. It's kind of funny, since she now addresses me as 'Rin-chan' and not 'Rin-sama'.
There's also a special school for those that were trapped in SAO. But I can't attend, even if I did, there'd be tension wherever I'd go.
The government, said that as punishment, I would work for the police in catching hackers and help in anyway I can using my computing skills. After I become an adult, I would be given the option to quit, or continue, getting paid as well.
I met all my friends in the real world a week after I started searching for Kazuto, after much persuading to the doctors. As expected, Asuna was just as pretty as she was in-game. Liz actually had brown hair and her real name was Shinozaki Rika, it was a nice reunion.
And.. I cried of happiness when I met 'Kirito'.
Before my home was sold though, I visited. I went straight into father's room, towards the expensive computer where everything began. Plugging a USB in that contained a special program, I hacked and went through all his files. One in particular caught my eye.
It was called 'The Seed'. A program that allows anyone with a big enough server to create their own VRMMORPG easily.
Using that same computer, I uploaded it to the Internet. Sword Art Online, shouldn't mark the end of the VRMMORPG genre.
ALfheim Online was a game we all chose to play together, and that's where we revived Yui.
What am I doing right at this moment?
Sneaking into school.
It was a day off for me, so I got a little bored.
Luckily, Kazuto was currently in a classroom on the 1st floor. I was just tall enough to peak through the window.
He spotted me straight away and looked at me in disbelief when I grinned and gave a peace sign.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" Kazuto asked at lunchtime.
We were at a quiet place sitting on a bench.
"It was a day off, so I came to visit" I replied. "I even made you my special bento!"
His eyes lit up. "Finally, you'll make me food that isn't poisonous!"
"I-I'll take that as a compliment... for your own good"
He dug in, starting with the egg.
*Cough* *Cough* *Cough*
Ah~ This scene is quite familiar~
"I get it now... your cooking, even the game couldn't give you good skills in that area" He choked out.
"How rude"
There's no way that could happen. It was just a simple bug. But I do remember that one time I tried cooking for father, maybe-
No. That's not possible.
He didn't care for me... But what about that time right before I logged into SAO? He said 'be careful' that time... didn't he?
I seriously can't understand him at all, my father!
By the time I snapped out of my thoughts, Kazuto had already eaten all of his lunch. Is that his soul coming out of him...?
He gave me a thumbs up. "I-It was delicious"
I laughed happily.
"But is it seriously alright for you to skip your school life?" He asked curiously.
"Ah I never told you? I've finished the high-school curriculum already" I answered.
"Oh~ As expected of the great prodigy" He teased.
"But... It would've been nice if I could go to school with you" I said looking away embarrassed.
The main reason being that... It seems like Liz hasn't completely given up on you!
Plus, the female uniform looks nice~
"Oh yeah, what happened to your father?"
"He died, they say it was suicide"
"Suicide?"
"When SAO collapsed, he performed a high-output scan on himself, I'm sure he copied his consciousness onto the Internet" I explained.
"Eh? Wouldn't his chances of success be fewer than one in a thousand?" Kazuto doubted.
"Hohoho! You shouldn't underestimate my father's powers!" I laughed.
He just sweatdropped.
I wonder, if I'll meet him again one day. Apparently, he was living in some cottage hidden in the mountains, with a woman named Koujiro Rinko, who took care of him in the course of Sword Art Online.
I knew this because I met her in person, I also found out that she held feelings towards my father.
It seems that she also assisted in the SAO project. Father had implanted a fake long-distance micro bomb to the left of her sternum to make the world think that she was forced to help him during the incident.
Although... Would it have hurt you to help me as well?!
"There's an offline meeting today right?" Kirito asked. "Are you going?"
"Of course I am" I smiled.
We were walking towards a café owned by Agil. Real name: Andrew Gilbert Mills.
Suguha was also walking along with us, Kazuto's adoptive little sister. To be honest, the first thing I noticed about her was her chest... She's... younger than me right?
But she was such a sweet girl~ Her name is Leafa in ALO, and she taught me everything I needed to know when I started the game myself.
The bells on the door chimed as we opened it. A sign saying 'reserved for today' was hung up on it as well.
"Hey, now... We aren't late" Kirito said.
Rika came up to us. "The stars of the show always turn up last" She laughed. "So we told you a slightly later time, come on in~"
She dragged us in, bringing Kazuto to the back where there was a tiny stage.
"Let's have a cheer, everyone. Ready!" Rika shouted into the microphone.
"""""Kirito, congratulations on clearing SAO!"""""
Everyone chorused. Loud sounds of crackers. Applause.
And he just stood there with a dumbfounded look.
"So how's work?" Silica, real name: Ayano Keiko, asked me.
"It's good, but a little boring" I admitted.
"Ah? But school gives me waay too much homework!" Rika complained.
"That's just because you're always leaving it to the last minute!" Asuna scolded while we laughed.
"Hey, are you going to the after-party, Suguha?" I asked.
She nodded "Yes!"
"Eleven tonight, Yggdrasil City" I said happily.
I was still using that old nerve gear, not bothering to buy a new one. I mean, it still works fine.
When everyone arrived, we flew up into the sky. A huge chime rang through the area, signalling that it was eleven.
After Argus went bankrupt, its servers and data were acquired by RECTO Progress Inc, which then created ALO. In the game data that was transferred, there was character data from the old SAO. So, people had a choice on whether or not to use their old characters in ALO, including appearance.
I kept my old avatar, and I was now part of the Imp race. My username was still Saki.
Today, something special is going to happen. The new administrators personally requested me to help with a patch that was being implanted today.
I was finally going to get a rematch. Around me, there were many other groups of players, divided by races. Looks like they've all heard of the announcement.
A shadow descended, covering the moon for a bit, it was a cone-shaped object. The same one I saw in front of my computer screen for years, and the same one I saw before I thought I was finally going to disappear.
Suddenly, the suspended object began to shine, a bright yellow light emitted in all directions. Floors were stacked on top of each-other.
"Ah... No way... No way, that is..." I heard Leafa say in shock.
"Yes. That is, the floating castle Aincrad" I continued for her.
"Why is it here?" She asked.
"It's for a rematch" Kirito said in a quiet voice.
Everybody else around us began flying up towards the castle, and so did we.
"Hurry, Saki!" Asuna said. "This time, it's not going to be just us partying together. Liz, Kirito-kun, Leafa-chan, Silica-chan, Klein-san, Agil-san, even Yui-chan will be joining us as well! I'm sure it'll be way more fun!"
"Yeah!" I agreed.
Kirito held out a hand for me. "This time, we'll go through all floors, one to one hundred"
"Be prepared! It's been programmed to be much harder than before!" I grinned as I grabbed his hand.
"Let's go!" Yui shouted on my shoulder.
With that, we spread our wings wide aiming for the sky in front.
This world I assisted with, I'm glad that it now, it won't bring that same sadness as it did two years ago. I hope, that people playing in Aincrad, can find people who are precious to them just like I have, and that they can enjoy Sword Art Online to its fullest.
From now on, I'll step forward with all I've got, because I have my friends right here beside me.
-The End-
Thank you for reading/following/reviewing this story.
So this story has come to an end. The ending probably isn't that satisfying though is it.
Again, thank you for reading this story.
May we meet again.