AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sword Art Online and Mass Effect is not my property. Hopefully this will be a better variant than the one I read. To start with, are the ages of Kirito's group as of this chapter.
Kirito (Kazuto Kirigaya) – 25
Asuna (Asuna Yuuki) – 26
Agil (Andrew Gilbert Mills) – 39
Klein (Ryoutarou Tsuboi)– 34
Sinon (Shino Asada) – 24
Argo (?) – 25
Leafa (Suguha Kirigaya) – 25
Lisbeth (Rika Shinozaki) – 27
Silica (Keiko Ayano) – 23
Kathy (Kathy Mills) – 38
Sidenotes: I won't be using the real names of some of the characters (since for some, I can't find out) also, since it will be featured in the Mass Effect universe, it will be assumed that Kirito's group are fluent in English (while the game itself will remove any accent they might have). One particular shortcoming I have is the communication between characters, so I apologize in advance. The first few chapters will be the build up to their entrance to the Mass Effect universe, in particular a new galaxy. Details will be in the next chapter but I am hoping to incorporate several animes into the story itself, but not to the extent of a complete story cross-over.
ALfheim Online, Floor 22 of New Aincrad, Kirito and Asuna's House
4:00 PM Japan Time, May 24, 2034
Kirigaya Kazuto has done well for himself since his entry into the VR industry, his experience as a veteran in VR games as well as his intelligence coupled with hard work, led to a decent amount of prestige to his name as well as providing him with the means to support his family. Despite keeping in touch with his old friends and making new ones at work, Kazuto was still considered as antisocial to the extent that not many of his new coworkers knew him outside of work with the exception of his fiancée, Yuuki Asuna and their "daughter", Yui. So it was a surprise for Kazuto when he received an email while he was enjoying time with his loved ones at their home in ALfheim Online.
*EMAIL ALERT*
Kirito opened his eyes in surprise as he woke up from his nap when he was informed about an incoming email to his personal account. Kirito made to move from the chair he was on when he realized that he was joined by Yui while he was "asleep". Smiling to himself, Kirito gently lifted Yui off of him and laid her down on the nearby sofa. Over the years, Yui was able to 'age' herself to accommodate her growth over the years but still shifted to the form she had when she first met her parents all those years ago whenever they stayed at their home. No one knew the exact method of how she was able to achieve this and she wasn't telling any of them, despite being asked repeatedly.
Asuna walked in from the kitchen where she was making burgers and was surprised to see Kirito awake already.
"Something wrong, Kirito?" Asuna asked as she made her way to the sofa to join her daughter after she placed the plate full of burgers on the table.
"Not really, just received a notification from my personal account about an email." Kirito answered before taking a burger for himself and sat back down on the chair. Kirito took a bite out of the burger as he accessed his personal account to read the message.
"I see. So what's the message about?"
"…"
"Kirito?"
"Kirito?" Asuna called out again when her fiancée didn't answer her. Getting worried, Asuna stood up and leaned down beside him
"Huh? Oh sorry about that Asuna." Kirito apologized when he noticed Asuna was beside him, looking at him with worry, "I was just surprised by the message I received, that's all."
"Really? What could be surprising about your message?"
"Here Asuna, read this." Kirito said as he showed her the message.
Dear Mr. Kirigaya,
As one of the leading experts in the field of VR Technology and Development as well as being an accomplished VR player. Your opinion and experiences are invaluable to the community at large.
So it is with great pleasure that we invite you to a momentous event. Over the years, BioWare and our company have dedicated a considerable amount of our time and effort in creating a new VRMMORPG that will soon be released. With the beta version soon to be made available to the public, it was decided that we would invite a select number of individuals to test the new game for insights and issues that might come up.
With your experiences and insight into the VR industry at large, your opinion carries a lot of weight for the future of the game that we have developed, should you be interested in taking part of this event. Furthermore, if you are interested in participating in the testing, we are encouraging the invited participants to bring at least four to six individuals to join them in the testing.
Bear in mind that secrecy is vital for the success of our venture and would appreciate it if you did not inform the media about the pending release of our game.
Again thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Kyle Jenkins Fowler
Marketing Director, BioWare Corp.
Asuna looked at Kirito after she finished reading the message and could tell that he was intrigued about the offer.
"It seems as though they are stoking your ego with all the praise about your accomplishments, Kirito." Asuna answered slyly.
Kirito just chucked in response, "Well, you have to admit. I have been working hard lately."
"I know, but at least you still find time for us and our friends."
"Of course, I will always be here for you and my friends, Asuna." Kirito answered solemnly before yelping when he felt something tackle him.
"I love you so much Daddy. Thank you for being there." Yui cried out in happiness as she hugged her father.
Kirito fondly looked at his daughter, Yui before engulfing her in a hug, "I love you too Yui, I will always be there for you."
Asuna smiled at the sight between father and daughter before moving to join them with a hug as well.
After a moment, they broke off the hug and continued off their discussion, while Yui got off Kirito's lap before shifting into the adult version of herself.
"Yui? Why the change?" Kirito asked in surprise.
"No particular reason, but I prefer this form when talking about anything outside family issues." Yui replied before smirking evilly and taking a pose, "Why daddy, are you admiring your beautiful daughter?"
Kirito face-palmed and muttered, "I blame Argo for this."
Asuna just laughed at what Yui was doing and Kirito's reaction to her teasing, "Yui, stop teasing your dad."
"Yes, Momma" Yui answered demurely, while Kirito gaped in bewilderment at her sudden 180 degree turn in behavior.
"Kirito, I'm guessing that you're interested in this VRMMORPG?" Asuna asked her fiancée.
"To be honest, Asuna, I am interested about this VRMMORPG." Kirito answered excitedly, "Ever since it was announced that several prominent Western companies were negotiating with Japan in porting their bestselling games for VR, I've taken the time to keep in touch with any available news about these games being released."
"Are these games really that good, Kirito?"
"Yes, momma. They are that good. Some of them even won international awards." Yui answered her instead, surprising both of them.
"Yui? How did you kno…" Kirito was about to ask before being interrupted by Yui.
"Well papa, there's not a lot that I want to do when you and momma and the others aren't here. Although I was created as an AI to monitor Aincrad and the players themselves, but over the years, I guess you could say I've evolved beyond my core programming. Enough that I'm able to explore wherever I want to go." Yui answered before grinning mischievously, "Also it's because I got bored on my own."
Asuna nodded in understanding before realizing what Yui had just revealed and started to ask before Kirito suddenly covered her mouth, "Yui… you haven't…"
Asuna was about to glare at Kirito when she noticed him vehemently shaking his head and mouthing the words, "I don't want to know."
Yui tilted her head in confusion at what her parents are doing, "What was that, momma?
"It's nothing Yui." Kirito answered hastily, "Why don't you tell Asuna about the games?"
"Okay papa." Yui answered happily before looking at Asuna with a pout on her face, "Don't worry momma, I haven't gone anywhere where I shouldn't go to so you don't have to worry about me."
Kirito sweat dropped as Asuna broke free from his hand and gave an awkward smile, "It's okay, Yui. I know that I can trust you. I know that you would never do anything bad. Although I'm sorry that I'm not always here for you, Yui."
"I'm sorry that I'm not always here too, Yui."
Yui stared at her parents before moving towards them and giving them both a big hug, "I understand that momma and papa are both very busy. You don't have to worry about me but I'm so happy that you care so much about me."
Asuna and Kirito just smiled as they returned the hug their daughter gave them.
Yui broke the hug and stepped back with a smile, "That was nice, but Momma should really know about these games. Don't you think papa?"
Kirito nodded in agreement with Yui's suggestion, "That's right. I won't bore you with the details but suffice to say BioWare is known as a leading company for video games but I believe that this VRMMORPG game is their first foray into the VR industry."
"I see… so are you going?" Asuna asked with a smirk, already knowing the answer.
"I believe I will accept their offer. This sounds like it could be fun." Kirito answered, "You are coming with me right? They did say I could bring companions with me."
"Of course but who else will come with us?"
"I'm also coming, right papa?" Yui asked with a pout.
"Of course you are coming with us, Yui." Kirito answered, "In fact, I'll see if I can convince them to let you join us in testing the game itself."
"If that's the case, Kirito, you should reply your consent now to Mr. Fowler while I contact the others, so we can meet up later and talk about who might join us." Asuna pointed out before asking as an afterthought, "By the way, do we know which game they are having you test out?"
"Unfortunately because of their success in majority of their games, I'm not sure which game that they have been developing for VR use. Speculations from online are that it's either the Mass Effect series or the Dragon Age series either of which are different from each other." Kirito answered as he started typing up a response to the Marketing Director, "Although I'm sure I'll be informed about what the game is once they receive my response."
"That is true", Asuna conceded, "Anyway, I've already contacted the others to meet us in the Dicey Café later at 7."
"That's fine with me. Unfortunately, I have to log out now, I still have work to do back at the office." Kirito told them before asking, "What will you two be doing while I'm at work?"
"I'll be leaving as well. I have to meet with my mom and your aunt about the wedding plans so I might be late in getting to the meeting." Asuna answered before sighing, "Who knew planning a wedding between those two would feel like managing a meeting before a boss battle?"
Kirito just chuckled, "I have faith that you can handle them just as well as you handled those meetings from before. What about you, Yui, what will you be doing?"
"I think I'll go exploring, papa." Yui answered.
"Is that so, anywhere in particular, Yui?" Asuna asked in surprise because Yui would usually stay in after they left.
"I'm thinking of exploring the sites in Canada." Yui answered with a mischievous smile.
"I see… well just be careful, okay Yui?" Kirito calmly answered before loooking at Asuna, his eyes widening slightly in surprise as if to ask, "She wouldn't dare hack into the BioWare company. Would she?"
"Your papa is right, do be careful in your exploring. We don't want anything bad to happen to you." Asuna said while looking back at Kirito, with a resigned expression "You know she would…"
"Don't worry mama, papa. I would never do anything bad that could hurt me." Yui answered sincerely.
"That's good… Sorry Asuna, but I really have to go. I'll see you later, Yui be safe." Kirito said to them before logging out.
"Goodbye Yui, I'll see you later okay?" Asuna said as well before logging out.
Yui just stood there with a wistful expression as she softly whispered, "Goodbye too mama… papa… Wish I could spend more time with you…"
Yui shook her head briefly before making her way to the door and locking it, ensuring the security features were in place.
"Now then, I wonder what I'll find in Canada." Yui smirked before disappearing from the room.
Dicey Café, Tokyo, Japan
7:10 PM Japan Time, May 24, 2034
Kazuto entered the Dicey Café and slowly made his way to the table where his friends were sitting at, while he read the message that he received from Mr. Fowler as well as the attachments that were forwarded to him.
"Hey Kazuto, what's this I hear about you being invited by a western company to test out their new game? Ryoutarou asked as soon as Kazuto sat down with them.
"Well, to be honest, they didn't just invite me, they invited several players. About 20,000 individuals all over the world was invited as well, although the actual numbers of players will be more than 20,000 since each of them are allowed to bring at least six companions with them." Kirito answered with a grin.
"What? Then that would mean there would be over…" Keiko started to say before quieting down as she started to mentally count the number of players involved.
"At least 120,000 players will be involved for the test itself." Argo pointed out before musing, "Why such an abnormally large amount of players for just testing a game?"
"It's because the game that we'll be testing if we go, is Mass Effect Online." Kirito answered before continuing, "I just received a message from Mr. Fowler on my way here and it provided the answers to most of our questions. He was also kind enough to send me the details about the game itself but more importantly, he sent me a video file that he indicated would be the trailer for the new game once the initial testing is completed."
"Can we see it?" Suguha asked her brother.
"Of course, I'll send the video file to you, Andrew but please delete it after or we'll be violating the terms set by the company."
"No problem, Kirito." Andrew answered easily, as he played the video file on the screen behind the counter.
The screen showed different alien species were working quickly to ready the space ship that they were currently on for their voyage into space. Humans, Asari, Turians, Krogan, Quarians and other races hastily made their way around the corridors as they went about on the course of their work. The screen then shifted to the bridge, where the captain made the order for the ship to leave port.
Out in space, a large space ship the size of a large metropolis could be seen leaving an equally large space station before it suddenly accelerating forward until it disappeared. The screen shifted to show a tunnel made of light where the ship was travelling forward until suddenly until the end of the tunnel was encased in swirling blackness. The ship ploughed through the swirling darkness before being released into the void that was space.
Words suddenly appeared on screen.
"A hundred years have passed since the Tempest was able to contact the United Council Federation about the existence of the Andromeda Galaxy. Since then, the Galactic Council has sent out hundreds of colonists and ships to the Andromeda Galaxy with the understanding that for most, it would truly be a one-way trip. Still there was no shortage of volunteers who wanted to brave a whole new galaxy. One particular ship of particular note is the UCF Unity. The first of its kind, the purpose of the ship was to serve as both a United Council Federation presence in the Andromeda Galaxy as well as provide further colonists… Unfortunately, something happened that was unexpected. After receiving no word from their Andromeda counterpart about the arrival of the UCF Unity, questions were asked but the most pressing was, "Where are they now?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: And CUT! Not much to go on in this chapter but I am setting up the background. Next chapter will focus on the game itself, their reactions, who MIGHT go, their preparations and *gasp* the wedding ceremony of Kirito and Asuna… in the VR world. I'm not that good or patient enough to research wedding customs in Japan :) Anyway Read and Review… Also for any suggestions on what anime/book/game that does not involve Earth in anyway can be added, leave a message or a review. With that, the next chapter could be up in a week or so… depending on what happens…