Chapter – 1
A new world – SAO Fragment of Factors
Recent event on SAO Rise of the Integral Factor
"Siren… Siren"
Announcer: Error! Sword Art Online processing issue detected! Error level: Mayor. Immediate measures required. Administrative right removed from username Heathcliff. User will be imprisoned in special region of Black Iron Palace. Current processing state appears to be arbitrary decision by former administrator. Initiating required rollback to amend affects.
With that, Kayaba and Asuna return to life as their body's reaper right in front of the room.
Asuna: Wh-what?
Kayaba: What is…? This wasn't what we agreed on! You all are really going into heavy minded methods! Not only are you objecting my conclusion, your trying to make it as if it had never happened…?! *he begins shining bright* (You)! Listen to me, this world is about to change and, cruel as it sounds, you are to blame for this, now you must remedy it!
You: Wh-what?! Me? How?
Kayaba: it's the power you are wielding in your heart, it causes strange reactions with the object surrounding this world, so much so, that the world itself is actually changing. Listen to me, in order to clear the game now, you must reach the 100th floor and defeat the final boss, they system will overwrite my existence. Whatever you do, remember what happened back at Rath, recall the bonds you have forged there and be sure to remember the power of your former self… you are the only one who can change the fate of this world… *he shines brightly* also… I should mention… there are dangerous people both inside… and outside of this world, wanting to take you away… be cautious of your next actions, one mistake could be your last. *he disappears from the room*
As Kayaba disappears from the room… everything falls silent and the players get up as the paralysis icon disappears from their cursors.
Sanya: Igh! *she gets up* it looks like the effects had wear off.
Asuna: is everyone okay?
Assault team and NPC's: Yeah.
Erassa: The system is running a check on every being in this world.
Kizmel: it would seem that the system is willing to re-form this world on its own vision.
You: Y-You? How do you know that?
Kizmel: We are no longer under the enslavement of the ID name, Heathcliff. As such—
Edis: we have the access to backup privileges we had no original access at the beginning.
As she says that, all the NPC's begin to glow bright light.
You: WH-what is going on?
Edis: it appears we are going to be transported to our original locations.
Kizmel: this is goodbye for now, but if you all continue to follow this path—
Erassa: we are certain we will meet again.
With that, all the NPC's vanish into thin air with no explanation as to what exactly happened.
Yuna: what was all that about?
Leafa: No clue, all of them starting behaving strangely once they realized Heathcliff was Kayaba.
You: No… if I am right about this… they might have known for quite some time… I think I may need to pay a visit to the black iron palace very soon… but before that… *I approach my little sister*
Kota, AKA: Twilight, was lying on the ground with her body shaking and her eyes shut. I could tell she was unconscious.
You: she passed out because of shock…
Koharu: she must have been really scared of losing you…
Asuna: you can tell just how scared she was…
You: Geez… *I carry her on my back* up we go. I'll take her back to our place, she needs to rest.
Yuuki: guess this is still not the end, huh?
Mito: it appears so. But… why doesn't things feel the same?
Asuna: what do you mean?
Mito: I don't know how to describe it… it's like… everything seems normal but it doesn't feel normal.
Klein: Hmm… yeah, I know how you feel.
Kibaou: Who cares about dat crap! We still need to clear this game so stop chatting and start fighting. We'll be waiting on the next floor so you all better hurry it up!
Yulier: we will be waiting for you all, please be safe.
You: We will, and thank you all for coming to our rescue.
Thinker: think of it as our way of repaying you for all you have done for us.
You: Aww, shucks. Thank you too Diabel.
Diabel: Heh, I do owe you for saving my life, this was merely my way of repaying you.
You: Are you coming back to the Assault team?
Diabel: Time will only tell, for now, all I can say to you… is to be safe.
Diabel then begins to leave the room with a few of low level players following him… it appears he has been busy after all… hopefully he can make another come back one day. For now, all we can do is head to the 76th floor and get some rest… this boss battle was crazy.
Present moment
My name is (You)... (You) Takayama... although those weren't actually my first and last names at the start... I didn't mention my real names in my last diary and I still don't plan to do so anytime soon, as it only brings back dark memories from my past, if you want to know what happened I suggest you read my previous diary… until then, I will continue with the rest of the story of my crazy adventure in this other world.
After defeating the 75th floor boss, The Skull Reaper, the Assault team has been resetting some of their guilds and guild members to start adding new strategies for their combat battles. KoB has been struggling the most with Heathcliff gone, Asuna has been taking charge of pretty much everything. I actually couldn't decide whether to rejoin so I could lend her a hand. Actually, I did ask her if she wanted me to rejoin but she said that it would only create conflict between the other guilds and honestly, she was right. All we could do was support the guilds from the sidelines.
On another note, before I headed to the 76th floor. I visited a little someone in jail…
Floor 1: Black iron palace
Argo: And after scouting out this last part of the castle, I came across this weird door and found him.
You: And you're certain it is him.
Argo: My Intel is never wrong.
You: Alright then… I'm going in.
Argo: are you sure you won't need backup?
You: He's behind bars, what else could he do? Erase my mind? I'll be alright.
Argo: alright den… be safe. *she opens the door*
As I step inside the room, I see Heathcliff or rather Kayaba sitting inside a cell with a red glowing like handcuff that hold him tight behind the cell. He seemed really calm in there.
You: Well, well…
Kayaba: Hmm… *he stares at the ground with a smile*
You: Kayaba… I see you're… doing well.
Kayaba: Well, I do get a three square meals a day from the system… and I do have a bed.
You: And you're the only one… better then a IRL prison… * I sit down and sigh* why did you do this Kayaba? Why would you trap all of these people against their will?
Kayaba: I… don't know… isn't that funny? It's been quite some time I have already forgotten why…
You: Hmm… you mentioned something that caught my attention back on the boss raid… you said that you used to work with my parents… you wouldn't have known that if you'd haven't seen my face before or even know about my past name.
Kayaba: Oh believe me, I had no idea of whom you were at the start but I had a recent encounter of a few people who have history with you.
You: Wait, but if you know who these people are… then maybe you know who the traitor in my group is!
Kayaba: that I do.
You: You need to tell me *I grab on to the bars* I need to know who it is.
Kayaba: I am sorry… but I gave them my word that I wouldn't speak about it. Besides, if I tell you now… then you won't come to the power you need to defeat them.
You: Okay, what is this power everyone is talking about?
Kayaba: Surely you must have already been aware about the changes that are happening around SAO. The NPC's, the monster algorithms, the movement of objects… it's all due to an incredible power that is held within you, one that exceeded even my expectations… I may even come to believe that science cannot explain what is happening within that heart of yours. It would seem that your parents have really outdone themselves.
You: How do you know about them?
Kayaba: we met a few years ago when I was part of a project known as "Project Alicization", I helped design an incredible mechanic known as the Soul Translators which was actually invented by Higa Takeru who happens to be an employee at the secret government facility as well. Your parents, mostly your father, was a very dedicated man who was really into researching the meaning behind the human soul, he stayed up for days and nights trying to figure out the location of the human soul as well.
You: the location?
Kayaba: have you ever stopped to wonder just where exactly could the human soul be?
You: Well… it's a non-physical object… you cant see it or touch it. Not unless if you have a special gift or so.
Kayaba: Correct. That's what he came into conclusion, since the property of the human soul is not physical than it is something that cannot be seen or touched by man itself… therefore, the only way to see a humans heart is through the process high moving technology, if we cannot see or touch a human soul then its just possible to capture its light… also known as a, Fluctlight.
You: Hmm…
Kayaba: using that, it is possible to recreat a human soul.
You: that's… pretty twisted.
Kayaba: I prefer to think of it as… a new companion.
You: companion?
Kayaba: sometimes the soul evokes illusions that we want to see the biggest. Surely you may have had strange dreams in which you meet someone or some people you didn't know you knew, and yet they claim they've known you forever.
You: Hmm…
Kayaba: These are of course a source of mere conscious that only appear in the physical form of the person you greatly desired to see, help or even love.
You: (I don't know what the me in underworld actually had in mind of Quinella but I do know that she and him, or rather, "Me", were very close with her, almost like best friends… what did the me in that world had in mind?)
Kayaba: this is all hard to process by normal words, so instead, I will leave it to your eyes. Which brings us back to the topic, you are responsible for the many changes in SAO. The NPC's are not only behaving strangely, they are becoming strangely.
You: How so?
Kayaba: remember when I said that the essence of the human soul is nothing that could not be touched or seen physically? Well, the soul you are holding is somehow binding itself within the system and is creating a new version of the world. To put it simply… Aincrad is coming to life.
You: What?
Kayaba: Yes. The secondary soul you possess seems to retain an enormous amount of feelings that is overwriting the system. It's an unnatural phenomenon is caused by the unnatural aura surrounding your heart, the source is your heart (You).
You: Hmm… I see… and there is no way to stop it?
Kayaba: the only way to stop it, is for you to leave SAO… but that is not possible at the moment.
You: Alright then… *I get up* if you're not going to answer my questions then I guess I will search for them myself. *I begin heading out*
Kayaba: Also…
You: *I stop in my tracks*
Kayaba: I wouldn't get too attached with the people in your group… one of them is trying to kill you. I'm a man of my word, so I cannot tell you who it is… but I can say that your traitor is closer to you than you think… be sharp.
You: …right…
With all that being settled, Kayaba seemed to know who the traitor was, and although I was desperate into knowing who it was, I was also appreciated by him since he kept his promise on not telling… that I can certainly appreciate since I am a man of my word as well… but if interrogating Kayaba wasn't weird enough… things are about to get even weirder.
It happened a few days after we defeated the 75th floor boss, I was outside the cabin that Koharu and I bought when we were looking for a home, I was feeding my horse Prada some food when…
Floor 76: (Yours) and Koharu's Cabin
Prada: "Munch"… "Munch"
You: that's it girl, eat all your apples. They are not cheap after all…
"Swoosh…"
You: Hmm?
I heard a strange sound just outside Prada's hut and decided to head out to investigate the sound.
You: Hmm… *I take a look around* what was that noise?
"Jingle…"
You: Hmm? What the—?
"SWOOSH!"
Just like that… I was teleported… somewhere… When I opened my eyes, I was somewhere… with a lot of plants.
Floor: ?
You: Wha-what? Where am I…?
As I look around, I see that most of the area surrounding the place is made up of forests, but it's been quite a while since I've been in such a thick forest. The last time I was in a place like this, it was on the 35th floor in the forest of wondering.
You: is this the 35th floor? No, it can't be… if it were, the place would be shining with a unique set of glow from the sun… but then… where am I? Maybe I should take a look around…
As I begin walking around, I see that there is no map data registered… which means that I have never been in this area before… but what is this place anyway?
You: Hmm… this place definetly seems odd… just what in the—
?: Orgghh…
You: Hmm?
Just as I was walking, a large orc like monster appeared right in front of me wearing grey armor and a sturdy one-handed axe.
You: Whoa! Enemies in the house! *I unsheathe Esper* Hmph! *I slash through the enemy*
While although I made a clear strike, the enemy was still standing.
You: Whoa! What the?! How is it so strong?!
Orc crusher: GRROU! *the boss smashes the ground*
Using my martial arts techniques that I got from Koharu's training, I was able to dodge its attacks very athletically, as I did, I studied its attack patterns and figured out a way to defeat it.
You: alright, let's test this out.
Orc Crusher: GROOOU! *it swings its axe*
As the mob swung its axe up wards, it gave me the chance to attack directly.
You: Alright, here we go!
Using the opportunity, I swung my blade and landed a six hit combo on the mob and it finally went down.
You: Whew… that was odd… how was it so strong? The mobs I normally faced were actually easy to defeat, one swing and they were done… but this one required sixteen hits… this place might be more dangerous then I thought, I don't even want to begin imagining the bosses lurking around here… I should find a way to get out of this place as soon as possible, in the meantime I should probably avoid fighting any mobs.
With that, I began walking the same path I was originally walking, I literally had no idea where I was going, everywhere I went was just trees and more trees, no signs of any players either, my messages didn't seem to be going through either.
You: What is this place? I hope I am not trapped, but lost… that is one hundred percent confirmed.
"Clank…!"
You: Hmm?
"Clank-Clank!"
You: it sounds like sword fighting, and it doesn't seem that far!
Using the sounds of sword clashing with one another, I begin following them so I could find the source of the sound.
You: "Pant-Pant" there it is… wait, what?
As I see ahead just a few feet where I was standing, I see that two players were fighting, but not just any players… it was Kirito fighting another figure, the figure seemed to be a female, blond hair, blue armor, slight green eyes and a one-handed dagger as her main blade. Wait… there was something else… her cursor… its orange!
You: a red player! I gotta help him!
Kirito: HRR!
?: IGH!
"CLANK!"
?: Igh… who are you?
Kirito: I should be the one asking you that!
You: Kirito!
Kirito: (You?)
?: Another one? What are you two intending?!
You: Us?
"SWOOOOSH!"
You: WHAT THE?!
?: Ghiighh…
As the dust cleared out, we were able to see the figure that just landed before us… I was incredibly shock to see what it was…
You: Igh…The Skull Reaper…
Kirito: what's it doing here?!
You: Well… on the bright side, it doesn't seem to be all that powerful, if we were able to sense its presence and manage to dodge its attack very easily, maybe it's not so powerful.
Kirito: Yeah, maybe you're right…
?: Damn… I thought I'd given that thing the slip… guess I've got no choice but to take it down.
You: Whoa there sweet heart, you take that on by yourself and there is a good chance you might not make it.
Kirito: He's right… we might stand a better chance if we fight it together.
?: I have no need of any help from the likes of you two.
You: (Geez, I thought Sanya was back in the safe zone)
The Skull Reaper: AAAAARGH! *the boss prepares a scythe attack*
Kirito: Watch out! *he pushes her away*
You: transform! Mace shape!
As my sword transforms into a mace, I swing the mace directly at the boss's chest which makes it flinch and step back.
You: Yup, it's definitely weaker, there is no way the actual skull reaper could have backed away from that attack.
?: why are you two…?
Kirito: Listen, it seems like your able to fight a bit… how about we set aside our differences and take that thing down together so we can get out of here?
?: why would I join forces from the likes of—
You: Oh for crying out loud, stop being self-righteous and accept the offer!
?: Uh…!
Kirito: Look, we can deal with the scythe attacks, then you can switch out and deal heavy damage.
?: But why would you two help me…? How do you guys know I won't stab you in the back?
You: If you do, then we'll deal with you.
Kirito: besides, we know you don't want to die. So, what do you think?
?: Mm… alright… let's do this.
The Skull Reaper: AAAARGH! *the boss jumps to the other side*
You: Whoa! The boss didn't manage to jump that high in the boss fight!
Kirito: Actually, now that I take a closer look at it, it looks different too. It has four scythes, its body is shorter and its tail is longer.
You: and it only has three health bars, I am sure we can handle it…
The Skull Reaper: AAARRGGH! *the boss smash attacks us*
You: WHOAA! *I land on two legs* it might not be as strong as the actual skull reaper but its still pretty tough.
The Skull Reaper: AAAARGH! *the boss attacks*
Kirito: Hup! *he parries the attack* switch out!
?: HRREAAA! *he slashes the boss eight times*
With overpowered sword skills, the girl manages to deal decent damage and the skull reaper begins backing away.
You: Whoa, she's good.
The Skull Reaper: AAAAARRRGHH! *the boss stands up*
You: but I can do better, transform! Two-handed axe!
As the mace I had earlier transforms into a two-handed axe, I begin grabing momentum as I use the rock in the area to jump over the over the boss and begin powering up the axe.
You: Here we go!
"SWOOOOOOSH!"
When I launch my attack at the boss, I deal a large amount of damage as two and a half bars of health drop.
?: Whoa… *she says in amazement*
You: Switch out!
Kirito: *his blades begin shining brightly* Starburst stream!
Kirito begins landing heavy damage as his blades swing with amazing speeds and land the finishing blow to the boss.
The Skull Reaper: GAAARGHHHAAAAAAA! *the boss explodes into polygons*
You: Whew… *my blade transforms back into a sword* that was close.
?: You two are really strong.
You: Yeah well, we are part of the Assault team.
?: Your levels are not important to me, what I want to know most is what a floor boss is doing here in this area.
You: You tell me, all I know is that I was forcibly teleported here by an unknown reason.
Kirito: You too?
You: yeah.
?: Hmm…
Kirito: Hey, listen… I know we didn't meet eye to eye at firdt, but I'd really prefer not to fight you if possible.
You: I already had my fair share of weirdness, I would prefer it as well.
?: Hmm… you two are not one of them? Are you?
You: Hmm? One of who?
?: I guess you cant be… you can see though, right? My cursor?
Kirito: Yeah, its orange.
?: that's right... Doesn't that mean anything to you two? How can you be so casual?
Kirito: well I did notice it right away but it didn't seem like the right moment to bring it up.
You: I honestly had my fair share of player killers in this game, you don't give that kind of aura. But if we ask you right now about that.
?: you don't need to, I'll tell you. I killed someone…
You and Kirito: …!
?: you cannot get involved with me… so I guess this is goodbye, thanks for helping me back there.
You: I killed someone too…
?: Mm!
You: Well… a few of them actually… you and I have something similar into that regard, I would at least appreciate if you can answer me some questions.
?: Mm… what is it?
You: where exactly are we?
?: I don't know where we are, I got thrown in here about a month ago.
You and Kirito: A month ago?!
Kirito: wait, does this mean we are in an anti-crystal area?
You: I was just outside my cabin, I had no items with me to begin with.
?: As far as I know, we can use our items and messages here like normal but you need to be near a safe area.
Kirito: do you not have a teleport crytal? Here, I can give you one.
?: that wont be necessary since—
System: Hollow area data access restrictions have been lifted.
Kirito: what? What was that?
You: Whoa! Kirito, your hand!
Kirito: Huh?
Kirito's hand was glowing with a strange symbol on his palm,
Kirito: wh-when did this happen? It wasn't there a moment ago! Does it have something to do with that announcement?
?: Just who are you two…?
Kirito: huh? What does that mean? I think the most obvious question is where the heck are we? Just what is this place?
You: I am not sure if you'd notice, but the monsters in here are incredibly strong, I had to fight a few of them to get my way over here.
?: Hey… can I take a closer look at your palm.
Kirito: Huh? U-Uh, s-sure— Gagh!
She seemed eager to check it out, she was examining it very closely.
?: I've seen that symbol before.
Kirito: then can you take us? Maybe it can give us a clue as to where we are, we have nowhere else to go anyway.
?: I guess I don't mind, but are you two really willing to trust an orange… no, a red player?
You: Mm… I trusted a serial killer once… the only difference now is that you are being honest with me… so I guess I can trust you.
Kirito: Besides, you helped us out with that Skull Reaper fight, think of it as our way of thanking you. Besides, we need to help one another in SAO. My name is Kirito and this guy here is (You).
?: My name is Philia.
You: Alright then Philia, welcome to the team.
Philia: Heh…
Kirito: what?
Philia: I just can't work out if you two are wither too kind… or too stupid.
You: heh, funny, I thought the same thing when I first met this guy.
Kirito: I prefer to think of me as a pretty good judge of character.
Philia: I suppose I shall be flattered then. Come, I'll lead the way.
With that, Philia began guiding us through this mysterious area, a lot of the mobs here we incredibly strong, never have I seen such strength from ordinary mobs. As we pressed on we eventually made it to an open area where most of the place was shown, right in the center of the area was a large floating ball that seemed to have yellow cracks at the bottom with a few objects that seemed to floating under the ball.
You: what is that?
Philia: that's where we need to go, come on, if we head down this hill we should reach it.
Eventually we began heading down the hill and also kept our eyes on that giant floating ball, I had no idea that such thing was in Aincrad.
Kirito: just what is this place exactly?
Philia: apparently it's called, the Hollow area.
Kirito: Hollow area…?
Philia: do you two remember how you got here?
Kirito: Yeah… I was exploring a dungeon and then this light began surrounding me and I was suddenly transported here.
You: I was just feeding my horse when the same thing happened to me.
Philia: I see… that's pretty much the same thing that's happened to me, there's one thing that's different though… unlike you two, I haven't seen anyone around but you two.
You: Really? So there are no other players besides us?
Philia: Well… not exactly… there are other players but… they are rather strange… it's hard to explain, it's best if you two see them for yourselves.
You: hey, that's weird floating ball thing is where were heading, right?
Philia: yes. I haven't been able to gain access to it but maybe I will be able to with Kirito's help. The entrance has the same symbol Kirito has on his hand.
You: do you think it has something to do with him defeating the Skull reaper?
Philia: there is a chance but I can't say for certain.
You: Well, I guess we might get some answers as soon as we get to that giant floating object, let us see what's it about.
After some time, we finally made it to the entrance of the giant ball thingy… it took quite some time since the Hollow area provided more challenges then it originally showed. First of all, before we could proceed any further, there were apparently other trials we had to overcome, a test and a verification test. First we needed to defeat a few minions of the boss we were supposed to defeat and then the boss itself, and each of them were challenging but with the three of us fighting together, we stood a chance against it.
You: Phew, we actually made it.
Philia: I've been investigating this place for ages and I still don't understand anything and the fact that you two just showed up out of nowhere and began solving these mysteries… its kind of annoying if I am being honest.
You: Oh, I still haven't figured anything out… besides the fact that this place seems to be an area that is filled with trials and tests.
Philia: Well if you keep this up, I don't think I can keep calling myself a treasure hunter.
You: Treasure hunter?
Philia: at least that's what I consider myself. You see, I don't consider myself a fighter or a quest clearer, I prefer scouting out dungeons and search for treasure.
You: Wow, you remind me of Kirito, just scouting out dangerous areas without anyone else helping them.
Philia: its fine, I know it is dangerous, that's why I keep my treasure hunting skills and trap-disarming skill to the max.
You: Man that must have taken a long time to max out.
Kirito: Wow, that's pretty amazing.
Philia: As long as I use my invisibility ability and avoid making so much noise, I can sneak past any monster and open any treasure no matter how high the security level is.
You: Nice, I am pretty sure you'd be wanted on a lot of guilds.
Philia: Oh believe me, you have no idea. One look at my skills and there all goo-goo ah for me to join.
Kirito: we'll we ever have a chance to see your skills in action?
Philia: Mm… depends on how much time we spent together and if I decide to trust you… although, there is something different about you.
You: Hmm? Me?
Philia: yeah… I can't put into words but… there is this feeling I have whenever I am around you… it's hard to describe but… I feel like… things will be okay.
You: Hmm… (Could this be that strange reaction?) Well, what can I say? I'm a pretty lovable guy.
Kirito: Yeah, since there are like seven girls fighting over you.
You: Wh-what?! There are five of them and what about you? I know about your little sisters feelings, not to mention my second little sister who actually admires you on a very deep level, oh! And let us not forget about Alice. She seemed to have deep connections with you. Also, not to mention Sachi, she may not show it, but she has deep feelings for you ever since you joined the Moonlit Black cats.
Kirito: did she?
Philia: it seems like you two are popular.
You: Yeah, and it's a real pain in the ass, I don't understand why so many guys would want this kind of life, its nothing but stress.
Philia: Hmm… is that so… *she says with a smirk*
Kirito: Hey, look at that.
Kirito then points to a strange object that seemed to have the same symbol as his palm.
You: that must be it, look its reacting!
Kirito: looks like your theory was right Philia.
You: try touching it and see what happens…
Kirito: alright… here we go… *he touches the object*
As Kirito touches the unknown object, we are then transported somewhere else…
"Swooooosh"
Area: ?
You: Hmm… what is this place?
Scanning the area, I could see that was made entirely out digital codes and high technological equipment. In front there was a console with a panel that showed the entire castle of Aincrad, from the rare view of the room, I could see the land formalizing with the digit codes and a teleport gate right behind us.
Philia: yes, just as I thought.
Kirito: whoa, so this is what was inside that giant floating ball.
You: Hey… *I touch the console* doesn't this look like the secondary console the GM uses for emergency protocols Yui showed us in that cave?
Kirito: Yeah, you're right… it is the same actually.
You: Lets check this out… *I begin tapping away* Alright… not that much information, but check this out.
As I begin clicking a few folders, I see that the place we are currently in is a place called the administration area. A few clicks at the folder and a map is displayed on the panels.
You: Hey, check it out. It's a map of the area.
Kirito: Yeah, and look, there are red spots on the maps, those must be the teleport objects we've seen to get here.
You: Yeah, and apparently they're called teleport stones.
Philia: Not only that, check it out. *she points at the teleport gate* that must be a teleport gate.
Kirito: Sweet, we can use this to get back home.
Philia: go back… that would be nice.
You: You say it like as if there were a problem.
Philia: there is… I am not going with you two. You two can go, it has been fun meeting you.
Kirito: A-Alright then, I guess we'll be going then.
You: However, if you ever need our help again, we can come back.
Philia: you guys are coming back?
Kirito: this place has captured our interests, there are so many unanswered questions from this place.
You: Plus, this place is crawling with high level monsters, we can use this opportunity to get stronger and then we'll have even better chances on surviving the floor bosses.
Kirito: who knows what kind of skills and rewards we could receive in this area.
Philia: Hmm… *she smiles* you two are just my type of people, I think we are going to get along well.
You: that's what we'd hope for.
Philia: Also… you mentioned that you have killed people before… how is that?
You: Um… I'll tell you some other time, for now just bear with it.
Philia: fine then, keeping it suspense is more fun anyway. Here *she sends friend requests* if you guys ever come back, please let me know.
You: *I press accept* will do.
Kirito: alright then, we'll come back soon.
Philia: Good, but I am not getting my hopes up on you two ever beating most of the bosses here.
You: Heh, I like a good challenge.
Kirito: haha! Yeah, we'll be back soon. *he gets teleported away*
You: My turn *I step inside* well, see you soon! *I get teleported away*
Philia: See you soon, huh…
Floor: 76 Arc Sophia
You: Hmm… *I take a look around* it worked, were back in Arc Sophia.
Kirito: thank goodness, I was pretty worried we'd never come back. Oh, let's check the teleport gate to see if we can go back. *he taps the gate* yes, it seems like we can.
You: that place was very interesting, I mean I didn't know such place existed and that girl was in there for a whole month! I've never seen her on the front lines, I guess she does things by herself. Not to mention that her cursor was orange… but she gives another vibe then those from the player killer guilds, she… kind of reminds me of myself.
Kirito: Hmm…
?: (You!) Kirito!
You: Hmm? Leafa? Silica?
Leafa: you guys are alright!
Silica: you guys are really alive?! I'm not imagining things, am I?!
Kirito: whoa, whoa there, why are you guys so jumpy?
Silica: we lost both of your location information! We've all been worried sick about you two!
Leafa: *she hugs Kirito* Kazuto… I am so glad your alive… I couldn't bear the thought of you… of you…
Kirito: Sugu… but didn't you all know we were alive? The monument of life would have told you about that…
You: That thing hasn't been working ever since we got to floor 76.
Kirito: Oh right, I forgot about that. Well, were here right now. Were alive and well.
At that exact time, I see Asuna rushing over.
You: Asuna?
Asuna: "Pant-pant" K-Kirito…! (You)…!
Kirito: Asuna? Your here too?
Asuna: where have you two been?!
Asuna seemed to be more worried about us than Leafa and Silica, it seems like she's been crying a lot, and her tone sounded exhausted.
Asuna: you two are alright… I… are you two alright?!
Kirito: Whoa hey, Asuna calm down… it looks like you haven't slept in days.
Asuna: Well you two have been gone for such a long time, we had no idea where—
?: (YOU!)
You: I know that scream anywhere, that's Koharu.
Koharu: "Pant-Pant-Pant" you're alive! *she jumps through some pillars* YOU'RE ALIVE!
You: Whoa! WATCH OUT—Gaaagh!
To my absolute surprise, Koharu jumped in mid-air and just tackled me to the ground like as if she was a wrestler making its finishing move.
You: Augh… you're lucky I can't feel any pain.
Koharu: Your alive… you're alive…
Koharu didn't seem to be listening to me, she just kept repeating "You're alive, you're alive", she even sobbed as she said it.
You: Seriously, how long were we gone?
Asuna: you guys were gone for a whole day.
You: A WHOLE DAY?! It only felt like hours!
Kirito: Maybe the transportation kept us unconscious for quite some time.
Asuna: you guys could have send us a message!
You: Well, I totally forgot to do so and I didn't know we were gone that long.
Kirito: Still, we are truly sorry for worrying you.
Asuna: Augh! You two are such idiots! *she hugs Kirito and begins sobbing* I was so worried!
Kirito: Asuna… don't cry, it's okay.
Yui: Hrrm! *she punts her hands on her hips*
Kirito: Y-Yui! Can you tell your mommy to calm down?
Yui: DADDY! UNCLE (YOU!)
You and Kirito: Y-Yes?!
Yui: you two were very naughty! Mommy and Auntie Koharu were worried sick about you two! The least you can do is hold them!
You: Heh, scolded by a child… but I guess she's right.
Kirito: Yeah… *he holds Asuna* I'm sorry for worrying you, I promise it won't happen again.
You: Me too, Koharu *I say as I hold her* but, we should probably get up because you lying on top of me in the middle of the streets is pretty… embarrassing.
Koharu: "Sniff" right, im sorry… *she gets up* but the moment you disappeared from our house… I was so devastated… I thought you might have died.
You: in our house? I doubt that could have actually happened.
Koharu: I know… but I didn't know what else to think. Still though… you two owe us an explanation, where were you?
As they say that, Kirito and I look at each other in a bit of puzzlement because how do we explain what exactly happened? I mean we both barely understand what exactly happened.
You: Well… its kind of a long story… did Agil open his new shop already?
Asuna: Yeah, he did.
You: Okay, call everyone. We'll explain everything there.
A few hours later
With that, everyone called all of our friends and told them to meet us at Agil's new shop. Now, if you're wondering, why a new shop? Well, ever since we got to floor 76, the access to enter previous floor has been… disabled for some reason, although… if you ask me, I think it has something to do with the NPC's from previous floors using the teleport gates to enter other floors, of course that is just my own theory. Anwyays, since we cannot go back to the previous floors, a lot of Blacksmiths, shop workers and other employment players had to get new locals for their shops, the town of Arc Sophia was just as big as the town of beginnings, so it wasn't so bad from the start, but the question still remained as to why the previous floors were blocked.
Floor 76: Agil's shop
Agil: Yo, glad to see you two are still in top shape, you really had us worried there.
Klein: Yeah, one second you're here and then the other you're out.
Lisbeth: Yeah, you both had us all worried sick!
Sinon: would you all calm down? I knew they were alive this whole time, thye were just messing around as usual.
You: Uh, I never recall to have ever "Mess around" in a death game. And anyways, it wasn't our fault.
Lisbeth: even so, did you apologize to your girlfriends?
Kirito: W-we did, its all good.
Sanya: Still, you owe us an explanation. Where were the two of you? And don't think you can lie, I'll know.
You: How? You can predict the future? *I jokingly say* Look, we don't exactly know what happened ourselves.
Kirito: all we know is that we were forcibly transported.
Leafa: forcfullly transported… that sound an awful lot like what happened to me, Sinon and Yuuki.
You: we were teleported to a place called, "The Hollow area" and this area seems to be hidden, no other players from the front lines have gained access to it. As far as we know.
Sinon: Hidden area? Is that even possible here?
Yui: It is, actually. There are definitely areas in SAO that, for various reasons, regular players have not been able to access. However, some area were actually sealed off when the game started, so that no one could access them.
Kirito: players have no way of accessing the non-public area, right?
Yui: Yes. But the cardinal system is still unstable ever since uncle (You) displayed his true power against Akihiko Kayaba, it would seem that it is trying to fix itself after all that damage. So, in that regard, the two of them getting forcefully transported there under behalf of the cardinal systems directive doesn't seem all that impossible. Especially since daddy has a unique skill and uncle (You) is a lost player.
Asuna: I see… thank you for that explanation, Yui.
Yui: Oh, I've barely done anything. I am only speaking from the little information I still have access through the cardinal system. I wish I knew about the systems current operational status.
Kirito: that's alright, you told us exactly what we needed to know.
Yui: Okay then, as long as I can help everybody, I am more than happy.
You: that place is crawling with high level monsters, even we had a bit of a hard time holding them off.
Mito: is that so?
You: Yes, and since its an area where no regular player has entered, it could be a place filled with rare treasures and items. That's why I want to go back.
Kirito: so am I. With a place that challenging, we will surely have a better chance on taking the floor bosses. We have already reached a breaker point ever since Heathcliff left, this could be our only chance to turn the tides, even if it isn't everyone.
Lisbeth: Well… since it is a place filled with rare items.
Sinon: and a place to get better weapons.
Leafa: and a good place to get new skills. Then were in game.
Sanya: speak for yourselves, I only wish to know what you two did in there.
You: Well, we basically tried to find a way to get back… but before that, we met someone there.
Asuna and Koharu: "Someone…?"
Silica: …
Sinon: …
Sanya: …
Leafa: …
Mito: …
Yui: …
You: Hmm? What?
Sinon: this "Someone…" it was a girl, wasn't it?
Kirito: yeah, how did you know? Her name was Philia and apparently she has been stuck in there for the past month.
You: We still don't know abything about her, but—
Asuna: I knew it!
Koharu: so while we were her worried sick about you two, bulging our eyes out! You were actually with another girl!
Sinon: you said that you weren't messing around but I bet you two must have sweet talked her.
Kirito: W-we didn't sweet talk anybody!
SInon: Oh yeah, then do the words, "I'll do whatever I can to help you" ring a bell?
You: Err…
Kirito: Hrmm…
Klein: so while we were trying to find you guys, you two were out currousing with another girl, huh? You two are lucky son of a— I mean, for shame Kirito and (You), you have ladies friends who care about you and you worry them, show some respect.
Asuna: I can't believe you'd do this to me, Kirito!
Kirito: i-I didn't do anything, I just showed up there and then this skull reaper boss appeared and then we had to take it down wich then lead to us completing quests of the gods, a-and…
You: Kirito, I think you're just making it worse…
Kirito: W-well, you were there! You tell them!
You: Well… what he said is true, and—
Koharu: Honestly, I can't believe you.
You: Oh come on! Give me a break! How could you all think we would cheat on you?! Do you really have so little faith in us! God!
Kirito: seriously… give us a break…
Seriously, guys who wish this kind of life… don't.
You: Well, the point is that girl needs our help. She is a new ally and I don't plan on leaving her.
Koharu: and you're not flirting with her.
You: NOOO! *I yell frustratingly*
Koharu: Hmph, then I guess I'll help as well.
Lisbeth: if they are going out to do some level grinding, then count me in!
Sinon: I agree, I don't plan on staying here.
Sanya: as long as I can get stronger, you will have my aid.
You: Great, then were all in this together.
Kirito: Yeah, so let's go back and—
Asuna: Hold it right there!
Koharu: you two aren't going anywhere.
You: Huh? How come?
Asuna: Why?! You two have been gone for a whole day, you need some rest. You two said that you fought a skull reaper, didn't you?
Koharu: the last time we fought it, it literally drained us, you need some rest.
You: (Oh, so now they believe it)
Kirito: Rest? But I feel perfectly fine—
Yui: Daddy, uncle (You), listen to them. You two need to make up to them after worrying them, they are only looking out for you.
You: (More like keeping an eye on us…) *I sigh* fine, but I can I at least take a walk.
Koharu: *she sighs* fine, but make sure you come back in two hours, and no leaving the safe zone.
You: alright mom, but can we at least make it three hours?
Koharu: I am not your mom, and no we may not! Two hours or none at all.
You: Augh, fine…
Geez, what has gotten into her lately? She's not the same timid, innocent girl I who would fall on her butt every time she attacked an enemy I once met, that's for sure… I can't say if I either feel proud… or controlled at this point.
76th floor: Arc Sophia, Shopping district
Like I said, this new town literally has stalls that were once in the town of beginnings, even Liz had open up a new blacksmith shop in this town, I was honestly surprised.
You: Seriously, this is my fourth walk around this town and there are still new things to see. Mm… *I get a weird feeling* Hmm? That's weird… I got this weird feeling like as if I am being watched… *I keep walking*
As I walk through the stalls, I see merchants selling power, level or healing enhancement charms. I also see another merchant that was selling all kinds of items that could be needed for our future adventures.
You: Hmm… geez, these crystals cost how much? I better get some more items I can get Agil to buy me... *I get another weird feeling* (Okay, I am not crazy, I know when my instincts are lying to me.) Hmm… *I begin walking down the halls*
The feeling wasn't lying to me, but if I just kept walking and looking back, there is no way my stalker will show his or herself. I need to corner him or her.
You: Hmm… *I walk around an ally*
Using the alley, I pretend to keep walking as the footsteps get closer and closer.
You: whoever you are, come out now.
The footsteps backed up a bit, as if it was surprised to hear my voice, which meant that I was right. The sound seemed to be high-heeled boots, at least, that's how I heard it.
?: Oh… you caught me after all.
The voiced appeared to be a female. As she also spoke, she began walking out of the other side of the alley. The girl appeared to have lavender hair which went down to the base of her neck with two long strands on both sides of her head. She was also wearing a lilac-color, strapless dress with a black piece of fabric going across her breasts and down to her stomach, below an intricate coat. Above that she was also wearing a collar of the same violet color of her coat, outlined in lavender with a red jewel securing the collar in place. Her eyes were red violate and she seemed to have a smile on her face as she saw me.
?: Hello.
You: Hmm… we've never met before… have we?
?: Nope, this is the first time we have met. My name is Strea, nice to meet you. *she says with a smile*
To be continued…