SAO: in your time.
Hello welcome to my first chapter and side project right now another SAO story about Kazuto time traveling back in time to stop as many deaths as possible… enjoy.
Before we begin I want to thank those who reviewed the last chapter
lilLJBeacon and ArtyRave27 thank you I normally don't call out reviewers because I'm so focused on writing but with such a fledgling work I'm glad you enjoy the work
With that enjoy this new chapter.
Start chapter:
( floor 2)
Kirito was the first to make it to floor two as expected. As he climbed up he reached the teleporter opening access to the town of beginnings to the this one.
And then he waited.
He didn't know what the reaction would be to his revelation but knowing how Klien reacted he could reason about the same.
Heck with Diabel alive he had to pull that stop out to prevent the beta testers from being persecuted
Of course he expected a much harsher crackdown on him, he might even be openly attacked now too.
He watched as the rest of the players charged out with Diabel and Kibaou leading the front arguing about something As they faded into the horizon of the second floor,
Of course among them Kirito noticed Argo who was fleeing from a pair of ninjas.
Kirito rolled his eyes 'right have to save Argo again,' he thought
He found them in a back alley
"Look, just give us the data and we will go." One of the ninjas said
"No."
"You really shouldn't bother." Kirito said as he leaned against a building arms crossed looking down Coolly the other three looked at him stunned as he held an arrogant smirk on his face.
"If she's hiding information from you she's doing it for a reason, most likely your safety…" Kirito said
The ninjas growled and snarled at him about being a beater and worse than Kayaba, before they stormed off.
Kirito sighed as much as he hated to admit it being called worse than Kayaba stung.
Argo stepped forward
"Thanks for that Kii-bou." She said
Kirito scoffed as he scrolled through his inventory
"I didn't do it for you." He said ' I did it because of you…' he finished mentally.
Argo smile never faltered "I'm not talking of just that, I mean the first floor boss room, you took the fire right from under Kibaou's rhetoric. Even with that crazy lie you made up on the spot." She said
Kirito huffed closing the menu as he turned away
"But I didn't…" he said walking away
Argo's smile finally faltered
"Didn't what?" She asked making him stop
"Didn't lie… none of that speech was a lie."
Argo laughed "oh please don't joke about that." She laughed hesitantly. Not liking that Kirito was actually sticking to the bit.
However that laugh died and turned to horror when Kirito turned around and looked at her.
He was deadly serious,
He fucking knew…
Argo shivered
"I-if you knew t-then why the hell didn't you do something?" She asked
Kirito shook his head and didn't answer. As he stood up
"I know this revelation will change our relationship Argo… but if you ever need information or want stuff confirmed you can come to me." Kirito said as he walked away.
Argo was stunned a slight akin to fear on her face…
He fucking knew…
As one of the best info brokers in the game her job was to know everything about the game. And seeing as it's now become there fucking life she took her work deadly serious.
The fact that someone else could or even would know more about the game than her was laughable…
Argo would believe it to be a joke…if she couldn't tell the truth she hear from the horses mouth.
Which only made her head spin. How…how could it be that Kirito knew more…
She could think of so many variables. They had to be narrowed down first before they could be considered.
One of them she absolutely refused to believe was that Kirito was Kayaba…
Only time would tell if she was right…
And help her if she was wrong…
Kirito was walking in the forest heading over the Martial arts quest. When he stopped hearing a twig snap
He reached for his sword on his back as he looked around and saw a single green cursor in a bush
Asuna.
Kirito sighed
"You might as well come out." He said
And suddenly Asuna walked out of the bush
"You've been following me…" Kirito said as he put his sword away.
Asuna nodded
"Even after what I said, after everything I revealed that I'm worse than Kayaba?" Kirito asked as he gripped his arm
Asuna nodded
"Why?" He asked fearful whisper. The possibility of the fact that the love of his life might hate him permeated his mind. Cursed him,
He had to shut his eyes as the Vocal screams of anger echoed in his mind of her visceral and albeit deserved reaction as he tried to focus on the present.
Asuns bless her heart seemed to take the time to let him calm down only giving him an disarming smile
"Because we're friends." Asuna said. In her soft heart smoothing voice that could lift him up to the high heavens from the deepest parts of hell or suicidal depression…
Kirito looked at her stunned unable to process that she heard him correctly.
"F-Firends?" He asked
Asuna looked shocked, "you don't want to be?"
Kkrito shook his head "no no it's just that…" he bent his head before his knees gave out and shoulders slumped.
He felt Asuna's grip wrap around his shoulders as he sighed.
"I'd thought many people including you would find me irredeemable…"
"Why?" Asuna's voice asked him as hr looked up hopeful
"Because you knew? Because you used your knowledge to save as many people as you could?"
Kirito blinked
Asuna smiled at him.
"It took me a bit and a little help from a Rat of ours. But I was able to compile a report of all those saved in the last month before the boss was cleared. Do you know what I found to be the overwhelming majority of reasons that they are alive?"
Kirito gulped
"You." She finished
"Don't get me wrong, you hid your identity well and it was only because of Argo that I knew it was actually you. But it was clear it was only one guy doing it." Asuna stood up
"So how could I be angry at a self sacrificing idiot like you." She said holding her hand out to him
Kirito accepted it allowing Asuna to pull him up.
"Well I didn't exactly boast that this was a death game. I didn't exactly try to expose it before it went live."
Asuna turned away and weither or not she did so out of anger or something else he didn't know. But Kirito gulped anyway
"I have a feeling there's another reason for that though, something I might never understand…but perhaps sometime you will tell me." Asuna said looking to the top of the trees
"Until then I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt…you did save me after all." Asuna said as she
Put her hand on the hilt of her rapier before realizing it was nothing and lowering it.
"So where are we going anyways?" She asked
"A few ways from here is a quest that will allow you to make unarmed Strikes, martial arts. Having that firepower for emergencies in case of a broken weapon could be a lifesaver." Kirito explained.
Asuna nodded and said nothing.
Finally they reached the entrance of the hermit's shack where the Marshal arts quest began.
Kirito held his hand up.
"Asuna." Kirito said 'god just saying her name again lightens me.' He thought
"Hmm." She humed in response
"Let me go in first…I want to make sure there's no issue. Or that something changed from the beta…" Kirito said
Asuna tried to argue he could see that but Kirito turned and had a look in his eyes
'I just wanna keep you safe.' He thought
As the two made eye contact Asuna's argument died as she nodded
"Very well but if something changed come back out immediately." She said
Kirito nodded as he walked in.
Siting in the middle of the floor was a stereotypical Asian wiseman tea drinking and all,
Kirito bowed "hello mentor."
"Please young one sit down and join me…" the wiseman said
Kirito did so
"What can I help you with?" The wiseman said
"I wish to learn your secret arts." Kirito said with a respectful bow.
The wise man smiled "my friend there is nothing more I can teach you."
Kirito looked up shocked but that's not.
Confused Kirito opened his menu and checked his skills
'No way!' Kirito thought
All of his skills were there.
'Every skill I ever aquired in Arncrad is here except duel blades all at the level they were at on the 75th boss fight…what is going on?' Kirito asked
He closed his menu and bowed to the man
"Thank you mentor." He stood up and walked away.
"Good luck on your travels Kirito." The NPC said
Except this time it had the voice of the one that sent him back.
Kirito snapped a look back and found that the NPC had gone back to his natrural loop
Kirito sighed as he left the dojo. He also took a bit of black smudge and put whiskers on his face as he walked out
"Well.."
"It's there go get the quest I'll meet you around back…" Kirito said as Asuna stepped in.
Kirito had to step out back and began to punch the boulder that was the item quest for the marshal arts quest he at least had to pretend he was doing it with Asuna around or else she'd figure out something was off.
'One rule of time travel no one else can know you time traveled…' Kirito thought. As he slammed his fist against the stone.
Kirito looked behind him and saw Asuna step out. Whiskers present on her face too.
Kirito smiled as they both began to punch the stone.
Eventually 3 days later the boulder broke knowing it marked the end of the quest Kirito pretended to get a pop up window and notice Asuna had done the same as went to close the non existence window both headed out towards the next city.
They arrived at the next village and found a place to stay this time they decided to use two different rooms
Kirito was getting ready for bed laying his sword out so if he needed to he could quickly draw it.
While many inns were safe zones and Kirito doubted anyone had a lockpocking skill high enough to get into the rooms just yet if anyone could do it so quickly it would be LC.
Oh right them.
Of all the players he chose not to save Kirito admited that anyone he remembered that was affiliated with Laughting coffin by choice ( important distinction) was sentenced to die. Unless they allowed themselves to be arrested.
he was not going to take a chance and possibly allow another massacre to occur,
First though he needed to sleep.
Kirito laid down and set his alarm before drifting off
Kirito…
Kirito!
Kirito opened his eyes to find himself in the white void again.
Kirito looked around "hello?"
Hello Kirito. Kazuto.
Kirito turned around to see the outline of a figure but that's it.
Clearly the figure who sent him back here.
"I assume this is not normal." He said
You would be right Kazuto this is not how I tend to fix things. Unfortunately in my attempt to correct the timeline several other aspects of the game has changed, as such you can't completely rely on all your knowledge of the previous life. However the major event will remain unchanged. And I've given you a boost as well. The voice said
Kazuto gasped as he realized it was him the reason he had all his skills from the other games. Even though that have yet to come out yet.
Kazuto nodded "ok I understand, question do the points that are not changed need to be kept the same.
Unfortunately yes.
Kazuto sighed he assumed he knew one point but he had to be sure.
"Is the death of Kayaba one such point?" He asked
The figure hummed and tilted back and forth trying to figure out the best way to word it
"Yes and no…yes Kayaba dies either on or after the 75th floor…as for what one it is no. Just so long as he dies after the 75th floor boss is defeated."
Kazuto sighed
"Thank you. For all of this." Kirito said
Think nothing of it. Im just trying to fix an error I created. The voice said
Kazuto could faintly hear the sound of beeping conning from his ear.
We won't be seeing each other again unless stuff gets really dire. So I'll give you this one warning. Try to enjoy the world. Your alive here not dying…
Then suddenly kazuto was thrown out of the white void.
Kirito sat up as he grabbed his head
He looked at his HUD and noticed the time.
His alarm just went off.
He got up and got dressed as he looked out the window to the digitizal sun he remembered the voices words left to him
'Not everything is as you previously remembered it.'
Kirito clenched his fist he still had to fight. No he needed to, to save Asuna. To save everyone.
Kirito walked down the inn and found Asuna waiting outside for him.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Kirito asked
Asuna nodded
"Yeah I wanna try to upgrade my Wind Fleuret." Asuna said tapping the hilt of her rapier
Kirito nodded "ok the best bet for that would be Windwasps." Kirito said
Asuna nodded as Kirito looked around "do you want me to join you?" He asked
Asuna looked over at him.
"Do you have something you need to do?" She asked
"I'd like to but if you want me to accompany you I can do it later." Kirito said
"We know how much health the other is at because we are in the same party right? So if you keep an eye on that and if I drop to yellow that should work." Asuna said
Kirito's face soured he hated to see Asuna put in danger like that however the threat of things to come should Kirito not do something was also important.
Finally Kirito agreed
"Ok well do that I'll meet you there when I'm finished, remember don't take on at least more than 3 any more than that and get out of there." Kirito said
Asuna nodded and walked off.
Kirito winced he hated to do this as he vowed himself that if Asuna is seen to lose ¼ of her health before she gets to yellow he would run after her.
With that he made his way to find Argo.
He sent a message to Argo telling her to make at the clock tower of the city.
There he stood looking out like a game character from one of Ubisoft's flagship games series.
Fortunately he also spotted Argo coming from a mile away.
As he noticed Argo waiting for him Kirito smiled finally he'd get the drop on her.
He made his way down the stairs to the door
He heard Argo mutter on the otherside
"Damn it kii-bou this better be worth it."
"Oh I assure you it is. Not now but in the future." Kirito said walking to stand next to her.
Kirito thought he'd seen everything
Until Argo acted like a goddamn cartoon charater jumping out of her skin jumping 3 feet in the air before crashing down unceremoniously on the ground clutching her heart.
"Koi-bou! W-where did you come from?!" She asked
Kirito smiled "consider that payback for all the time's you did it to me in the beta." He said with a smile before he turned away.
"Follow." He said simply.
After going around to make sure there was no one tracking them Kirito and Argo were back at the tower looking out at the people below.
"Wow talk about secluded." Argo said with a teasing smile
However Kirito bluntly denied that saying "this isn't a date."
Argo sighed "ok so what did you want to talk to me about?" She asked
"You need to make sure that this is not discussed." Several guilds you need to keep your eye on." Kirito said
Argo looked at him confused
"Why?"
"Because this isn't a game…no matter what anyone says." Kirito said
"Wait do you mean?"
Kirito said nothing but Argo knew what he was referring to.
"What guilds?" Argo asked opening up her menu to find the option for taking notes.
"Titian's Hand." Kirito said
Argo nodded as Kirito listed off others
"And finally most importantly, Laughing coffin." Kirito said
"You will never find Laughing coffin registered, but whenever you find any and I mean any information about them, tell them to me immediately." Kirito said
"What sort of money are you willing to charge for this info?" Argo teased
She expected him to grumble or groan. Heck if this was a serious as he made it out to be maybe an exuberant price.
Anything but what he actually did
Kirito spun around and threw Argo against the wall hard
"Ow hey-!" She groaned
Suddenly Kirito was ontop on her nose against nose on on either side of her Kirito pressed his hands to the wall.
And Argo could see right into his eyes.
Hardened steel.
His voice confirmed this as he growled out.
"This is no laughing matter Argo these people are The most sick twisted players in the game. The manic, the crazy. They kill not because they want rewards or could be reasoned with but because they enjoy it. They love to see there victims squirm and beg. Before silencing them…forever." Kirito said his voice never rising above a whisper but it boomed in Argo's ears like strikes of thunder.
It seemed like an hour but it was only a few seconds
The only reason she knew it was the Anti Harassment block up appeared before he once she finished
Argo gulped as she realized the situation she was in
Kirito pushed off the wall. And adjusted his coat. And started down the stairs
"We will discuss the price of information on any other orange guild you come across later. For now I'm keeping you in the know." Kirito said
Argo tried to recover her breathing as she looked around to see Kirito had left.
"Wait what about payment for this then?" She asked
Only she got no response
"Damn it." She hissed as she made her way back down the tower
On one of the landings she found a coin purse. With 500 cor and a paper message
'If you need information confirmed message me I'll reply Simply as y or n
Y is yes the information is true N is it's false.
Pleasure doing business with you Rat-
"The Beater-
Argo folded the letter and looked out the window on the landing
"Kii-bou…why?" She asked concerned
Out on another building Kirito watched the Tower as Argo exited it.
He looked past his Translucent Screen to see Argo fleeting before turning back to his map.
It was if Asuna.
He looked at her HP and found her safe having only lost 10 HP.
Still he'd rather be there for her.
Kirito closed the menu and strode off hoping from rooftop to rooftop for the quickest way to the Gate where Asuns was.
On the field Asuna was cutting apart wind wasps with ease.
Almost too much ease as her mind began to wander.
'What is Kirito doing?' Being mainly on her mind.
She heard a buzzing behind her indicating that a mob was started to attack her from behind
As Asuna turned to intercept it a streak of red shot past her eyes as the mob shattered.
Looking to where the streak had come from she noticed that Kirito stood nearby tossing a stone in his palm.
"Sorry I'm late." He said as he strode forward drawing his sword and effectively slicing the Wasps in half almost as if he was dragging his sword through the air before he reached Asuna.
"How many do you have?" He asked her.
Asuns finally understood he was talking about the stingers as she opened up her inventory and counted
"About 30." She said
Kirito nodded "that should be enough. Let's go." He said as he lead her back to the city.
"What happened that caused you to be unable to join me." Asuna asked once they reached the city
Kirito looked over to her "don't worry about it. If All goes well it should never be a problem for you." He said as they made there way to a street blacksmith Nezha
Kirito looked at his inventory and noticed he too had 30 stingers just so Asuna could get the upgrade for if he was piling his scam and if not we'll then Asuna had enough to get another upgrade.
Indeed Nezha was infact pulling his scam as the rapier shattered Prompting the duo to leave and find another blacksmith.
Kirito grabbed Asuna and told her to open her menu while they walked
From that she pulled out the unbroken weapon I upgraded as Kirito revealed the scam.
Asuna huffed "still that means I wasted 30 stingers." She said
"Fortunately I happen to find 30 myself." Kirito said
Asuna looked at him stunned as he smiled and handed them to her.
"Come on, I think I know someone who we can talk to for the real upgrade. I'll worry about Nezha later." Kirito said
They found another stall that had a blacksmith this time a women however she had no people around her asking for upgrades
Kirito approched
"Excuse me." He said
The women looked up
"Oh hi! I'm Lisbeth! H-how can I help you today?" She asked
Kirito turned to Asuna
"I'll go get us a room for the night." He said as he walked away.
Asuna and Lisbeth conversed as Kirito made his way back to the legend's Braves and Nezha.
Kirito helped uncover the Scam and bust them and told them he would give them a weapon for him to use such as throwing picks and a Chakram so he could get around the non conformity.
The Legend Braves looked at Kirito stunned and asked how they could repay him Kirito simply said return all the items that were stolen and they would be even.
With that Kirito left.
He found Asuna in the inn room he had rented out and paused "crap." He thought
Asuna looked at him confused "what is it?" She asked
"I Um…may have only gotten the one room." He said
Asuna blinked at him before sighing "oh well. It's too late now for what I hear the rest of the rooms are booked. So tonight as punishment you get the couch." Aruna said
Kirito looked at her confused
"Wait, punishment? What am I a dog?" Kirito asked
Asuna smerked at him "unless you want to cook dinner tonight." She said
Kirito gulped "I'll sleep on the cough Madam." Kirito wisely said
"Good." Asuna said as she walked off
Kirito slumped down in thought
'Shit it happened again, I've gotten so use to my Asuna that I nearly had an interaction like when we were dating.' Kirito thought…
Just thinking about it made him menencoly as he sighed
'I miss you Asuna…' he thought…
"Kirito?" Asuna's voice pulled him from his thoughts as he looked over to see her looking at him concerned
'Crap did I say that out loud?' He thought
However as Asuna approached him he figured out that no she didn't.
"Are you okay? you look concerned." She said
Kirito sighed as he tried to relax his shoulders
"It's just…there so much I want to say to people…how much I want them to know they mean to me." He said
Asuna nodded "I know, but soon will be another day. Another day we get closer to getting out of here," she said
Kirito nodded
"Yeah…by the way what is for supper?" Kirito asked
Asuna smiled "you'll see." As she gave him a teasing wink before heading back glad he was doing better
Kirito averted his eyes to avoid looking at her behind as it made its way to the kitchen
'Damn my wife… she can do so much to me with just a glance…she doesn't even know she's doing it.' He thought as he looked at his hand he opened his menu to at least pretend his focus was on something else besides melancholy,
Soon Dinner was served as Kirito and Asuna ate it quietly
Kirito and Asuna kept stealing glances at each other as if they wanted to say something but was waiting for the other to start first.
Finally having enough Asuna spoke up "so what is the plan for tomorrow?" She asked
Kirito sighed "tomorrow I wanna level up my weapon and probably see if there's any information about the Field Boss." He said
They went to bed and Kirito was glad that he didn't have a visit from the voice. Nor did he even have a nightmare either.
As Kirito opened his eyes he felt his body heavy as he laid on the couch
He looked over to see what the heavy weight was and gasped as he relized it was Asuna.
'What the-?! Oh right nightmares.' Kirito thought
He remembered that Asuna once told him in confidence that during the first year of SAO she would have extreme nightmares. And the only thing that would make them go away was either her sleeping next to him or her thinking of him.
He remembered in the moment as a point to tease her that perhaps that it was her mind telling her she had feelings for him before she knew it.
He expected her to slap him and moan that it wasn't funny. He remembered anxiously waiting the slap and being told that he had to sleep on the couch for the night.
However it didn't come. As he looked at her who spoke that perhaps it was…
'I knew I had feelings for you long long before we actually started dating it's one of the reasons I stuck around you for as long as I did on the first few floors.' He remembered her saying.
Back in the present Kirito sighed knowing that he couldn't move or risk waking Asuna up and judging from her position and reaction not only was it a bad dream but even his presence wasn't doing much as he could note bags under her eyes.
'She barely slept a wink last night.' He thought.
Later on Asuna woke up and tried to save face with the fact she was laying with him. Which ending up with her on the ground holding the blanket covering herself.
"I Um-um-ah!" She stammered face red in embarrassment, it was honestly cute if it hadn't reminded him of the past.
Both waking up next to her and the stammering
Honestly he knew he shouldn't mind it it's as if his wife was alive again…
But it wasn't…
Not her
Just someone wearing her face.
He wanted to scream, rage or shout, how unfair it was
But it wasn't unfair
What was unfair is that type of treatment. So he didn't
He just looked blankly at the menu
"It's ok…" he said dully making Asuna snap out of her embarrassment as Kirito stood up
"If you need to sleep next to me, if it helps you to sleep, do so." He said "just next time let's not do it on the couch." He said as he walked away
He honestly didn't mean the innuendo as he left but Asuna's scream notified him of it
"YOU PERV!"
Kkrito sighed as he pulled out items from his inventory "Honestly that was accidental." He said dully as he began working on breakfast
'Now how did Asuna say to do this?' He thought as he tried to remember how she taught him how to make breakfast one day when they were living together.
He was so engrossed he didn't notice the look of sadness cross Asuna's face.
Asuna noted the entire morning Kirito seemed to look as if he had woken from the dead. Cold emotionless eyes.
As they ate Asuna noticed how good these eggs were. Who knew he could cook
When prompted who taught him Kirito seemed to wither and just say
"A friend."
Asuna felt saddened as Kirito left half the food on the plate
"If you want to finish it, go ahead." He said
"Where are you going?" She asked
"I'm going to level and grind for upgrade materials." He said as he left.
He upgrade his Blade to the best he could before he got the message from Argo that the clearers were taking on the field boss.
He sighed as he approached to watch them
After the aftermath of the first floor boss the Clearers shattered forming two different factions: a Pro-Beta tester faction and an Anti-beta tester faction.
Those who thought that the insight the Beta testers brought were good for them to help clear the game faster were bunched up around Diavel being a beta tester himself gave the faction a unity and a figure to stand behind.
Among them Kirito noticed the one who would've taken his place should Diavel had fallen in the first floor boss fight Lind. Beside him several other's wearing heavy plate armor.
'Looks like the Divine Dragon Brigade has been formed.' He thought
The other faction was less unsurprisingly by Kibaou and it being basically the Aincrad Liberation Squad. However they were much smaller than the DDB due to only having the extremest vocal members who rage against Beta testers.
Unfortunately Kirito noted that he spotted Furrenkazen standing alongside Kibaou as an independent group but still aligned with the same ideas.
It dug deep to know how much Klein felt of him.
Of course it get worse for him for while the idea of Beta testers as a whole was a solved issue between the two groups.
However Beaters were a different story.
As he figured out when he tried to enter the boss meeting along with Asuna
Asuna and Kirito wore cloaks to hide their identity
Kibaou was the first to notice them, and even draw his sword on him too
"Who are you?" He asked
"Here to help." Kirito said simply hoping that would cover it.
Unfortunately it would not as they were ordered to unveil there hoods
Asuna did so and the group relaxed knowing it was here.
However when she tried to vouge for him the same hostility came back in full.
"Unless he reveals his identity we can't let him in." Kibaou said
"Why not?" Asuna asked
"Because he might be a Beater! Lind said
Kibaou slammed on the table "yeah if that prick Beater was here who knows what could happen he might sabotage the boss as a way to silence us!" He said
"Do you really think he would do that?" Klein asked Kibaou who turned to him
"You said so yourself he led you to train you he could have easily left you to die there." Kibaou said
Klein sighed "that's not-." He sighed shaking his head as his words were taken out of context again.
"I'll only verify my identity In Front of one person. Someone you trust." Kirito said still hidden by his hood.
Immediately Diabel stepped forward
"Let's go outside…" Kirito said as he left.
Diabel and Kirito appeared outside the cave and out of sight form the rest of the assembled Raid group.
Kirito lowered his hood as Diabel sighed
"I'm sorry you had to see that." He said
"It's fine, I kinda expected it. I'm honestly surprised no one outright attacked me the first time I came in." Kirito said
"Let me tell you they were about to." Diabel said "what's the idea about this boss?" He asked
"Argo's manual has it right no second form just basically a giant Boar hunt but instead a bull." He said
Diabel nodded "very well. Put your hood up again and let me do the talking." Diabel said
Kirito did as he was told as they walked in.
"He's clear. He's not the Beater." He said
Kibaou grumbled and Kirito noticed that Klein looked almost disappointed
'Did Klein want to kill him?'
From behind Agil stepped forward and sighed "well without the extra firepower the fight is going to be tough do you have any suggestions?" Agil asked
"We stick to the guidebook and it's recommended strategy. Anyone who falls out of position the nearest person pick them up and drag them in the back before someone else plugs the hole." Diabel said
"Any question's?" He asked
Kibaou raised his hand "yeah I got one. Who is he partying up with?" Kibaou asked Kirito
"I'm going to remain in reserve to take over any gap that appears. If this field boss summons adds I'll deal with them as well." Kirito said
"You and Asuna right?" Agil asked
Kirito nodded
"Do you need help with that?" Klein asked stepping forward
Honestly Kirito was considering taking up that suggestion however with Klein's motives unknown he had to regrettably keep him at an arm's distance.
"We should be good." He said
Klien nodded as the rest of his guild called him over.
It was decided that Kirito, Asuna, Agil and his other firends would make up group 3 while the two major guilds the DDB and ALS will deal with the boss.
Then came the all important moment
The raid itself.
Kirito was impressed he would have expected that due to the fact no one died during the first floor boss fight the raid for the field boss would be eager and dangerous due to arrogance,
However Diabel probably because he was a beta tester kept everyone in line and no one over extended
There was only one point
Which is the reason he was fleeing for his life in the woods while 20 or so Clearers chased after him wielding torches and demanding his head.
Kirito looked over to see the boss the bulbous bow reeled as he tried to clash against the DDB and ALS.
However the lines held firm.
All but one group on the ALS side
Fuurinkazan
The boss roared and charged straight for Dale which knocked him down as Harry one tried to grab him and pull him up
Kirito noticed Klein charge and prepared to slash the boss and draw aggro away from his guild.
A good strategy however he was bashed aside and discarded like a Leaf as the boss charged at the rest of the guild.
The guild watched helplessly knowing if they didn't move they would die
However Kirito landed before the boss and leveled his sword out against his arm and halted the charging bull dead.
Everyone was stunned as Kirito went on the offensive as he without using a sword skill slashed at the boss repeatedly not giving it a chance to counter
A 26 hit combo later it was slain.
Kirito sighed… no one had died
"Kirito…" he heard Asuna say only to be cut out by a snarl
"BEATER!"
Kirito turned around and realized what happened
When he halted the attack the force of the attack had knocked away his cloak revealing his identity to all
And the group looked pissed
"You son of a bitch!" He heard Klein roar as he lunged at him with his weapon
Kirito sidestepped it making him fall on his face as he looked back
Then he ran.
Klein snarled as he picked himself up from the ground he didn't know why he attacked Kirito. Back in the boss meeting he actually was thinking of the idea of actually being civil to the man…
Until he saw his face again
Until he saw red.
Klein sat up as his ears were still ringing from the rage but he saw Asuna, Agil and Diabel yelling at Kibaou for being an idiot as he ordered a group to hunt down Kirito.
Klein panted as the last of his anger died down
He looked back at his guild to see everyone ok.
He gave a thumbs up as he walked over
"Are you guys ok?" He asked
The others nodded Klein looked to the 4 arguing as Kibaou turned towards Asuna
"How dare you bring him here do you want him to kill us all?!" Kibaou asked
"Kibaou he's done no such thing!" Diabel argued
"He's in kahoots with Kayaba!" Kibaou roared
"No he's not he's saved this group not once but twice!" Agil said
"We'd not need him to if he'd just give us everything he knew about the boss the first time without pulling teeth!" Kibaou said
Klein scoffed and turned away
"Damn Beater." He muttered as he looked at Dale and Harry one were behind helped up by Issin and Dyamm.
"Boss, he saved our lives." Dale said
"Yeah man I don't think he's actually that bad of a guy." Issin said
Klein stumbled back and rubbed the back of his head
"Y-yeah I guess I mean he did train us. And now this it's just…from what I saw that day."
"Boss we're not saying you have to forgive him immediately…but at least try to talk to him. If nothing else we can use the training if this boss showed us." Harry one said
Klein sighed
"Yeah…if the ALS leave any pieces of him…" Klein said as he watched the direction Kirito ran off into.
Kirito watched from the trees as the ALS surrounded him looking around
"Damn it he couldn't have gone far! fan out!" One ordered as the players searched the location for him.
Kirito tried to move so he could get back on track.
Unfortunately as he was about to leap to another branch he snapped a twig making everyone look up to him
"Above us!" The leader roared
"Shit!" Kirito hissed as he made a leap of faith to the next tree and began to jump from tree to tree to get away from them.
"Someone get me some rope!" The leader yelled
Kirito dared not look back for fear of missing the next jump. He just had to hope that he could get a way.
'Damn my heart! I'm going to die because of it!' Kirito thought
Suddenly he felt something snag his ankle and he fell off the tree and crashed on the ground
He tried to move his leg but he could tell from the way it was twisted it was broken
He was helpless.
He forced himself to roll over to see the squad of guys who held him.
"Alright boys…let's bring him back to Kibaou…" the leader said as he slammed his foot into Kirito's face.
While he was knocked out Kirito began to dream.
Well dream was too nice to put it more like nightmare.
(Play Song: Against the wind: by bob seger)
Kirito was back in his old life out of college sitting on the couch with the love of his life the sun had long set and the only light coming from the TV as they laid with each other.
Kirito and Asuna reminisced about there previous adventures clearing SAO. Him diving into ALO to find her, there shared adventures in the underworld. They holding hands as they finally had been given Permission from there parents to be able to marry.
Kirito remembered Asuna standing next to her overlooking a vast area of who knows where… as she promised him she would love him forever.
Then a smash cut to Asuna laying on the ground blood everywhere her eyes dazed as she tried to stay awake Kazuto holding her hand. Her hand holding just as much. Before she let go falling limp.
Kazuto stood infront of a lone grave as flashes of the Burial echoed in his mind. Overlayed that of the two sometimes with Yui smiling.
As Kazuto is holding one such photo it slips from his fingers flying away as he watched it go too tired to run after it. Eyes bloodshot
Years later kazuto with Stubble sat at the Dicy cafe ordering beer after beer.
He looked around behind him to see all his friends looking at him in pity. Even his cousin Suguha none wanted to approach him…He just wanted some comfort
Kazuto looked around the apartment each and every item reminded him of Asuna. As he let his rage out and destroyed the place the sofa unstuffed the bed flipped the tv smashed. The photos shattered several glass shards covered in blood, the nervegear broken in half…
Kirito sold the apartment and began to search for a new place. Not that he stayed there long as he would always go back to the dicey cafe and spend what money he could on booze before getting throw out unable to pay rent he was forced to live on the street. Until he got enough money to do it all over again.
Kazuto sat in an alley using his jacket to buff away the wind, the hero of Arncrad a broken husk of what he had been.
Later Kirito is working in an office late at night filling out reports. As he finished the last reports for the week despite it being only money he look at the time 3:00 am
Next to it the family he once had. Kirito clenched his fist as he pulled out another stack of papers and began to fill those out.
Kirito dragged his pen across the paper his hand shaking like a Leaf as he felt an ethereal force stop himself
He looked up to see Asuna and Yui smiling at him.
Kazuto felt his eyes water as he dropped his pen and began to sob.
Kazuto felt his vision fade from overworking, stress, and a broken heart, his mind only thinking one thing 'soon Asuna…wait for me…' as his eyes closed
Kazuto dreamed of Asuna and yui waiting for him in the afterlife as he began to ran after them after so long without contact he craved them now.
Soon Kazuto held Yui on his back giving her a piggy back ride as they ran into the distance. As they got farther and farther Yui cheered happier and happier louder and louder "faster, faster, papa!" K…ito…
Irito…
Kirito….
Kirito!
(End song)
Kirito sat up groggy as he found himself bound to a tree the raid group around him looking in distain.
"Did you have to do that to him?" Diabel asked
"He was resisting!" The leader who caught him argued back
"He's talking about the black eye!" Kibaou snarled clearly even he thought his subordinate had used excessive force against him.
"Well he's here and he's alive." The man said
Kibaou snarled before looking to Asuna
"Yo go heal him bitch!" He said
Asuna looked affronted "excuse me?!" She asked
"You're his teammate besides I'm not heartless enough to force him to give up his stuff in this condition." Kibaou said as he looked to Kirito who could barely keep his own head up
"Besides, he's not going anywhere." Kibaou said as he looked to his broken leg.
Asuna winced at the injury as she walked forward she could feel the predatory eyes on her.
Asuna even heard some lewd comments coming from the crowd at her expense
Agil. Diabel, and surprisingly even Kibaou cut into the rude comments and dissuaded them from thinking it.
However it was one voice that fully solidified it.
"You do that and it will be the last thing you do." From the voice before everyone
Kirito who was still bound to the tree face puffed up as if a thousand bees stung him. Helpless, unarmed.
Still looked ready to declare war on anyone who touched Asuna.
That wisely made everyone shut up. As Asuna knelt down to him.
"H-hey how are you doing?" She asked
Kazuto huffed and tossed his head around
"N-not good…I can barely think I hurt too much. I'm too close to blacking out right now." He said as he shut his eyes for a moment before opening them.
Asuna looked at Kiritos leg.
"I need to ask. If your healed to full health but your body doesn't move."
Kirito grunted "you'd have to rebreak the limb again to fix it." Kirito said
Asuna sighed "I understand forgive me." She said as she readjusted the leg into position
Not without screaming of bloody murder from Kirito.
With that done Asuna pulled out a healing crystal
"Heal!" She yelled as the hen shattered and all the injuries vanished from his avatar.
Kirito fell limp against the tree the pain being enough to knock him out.
Klein had to look at Kirito in pity. Seeing him being dragged into clearing being tied up then having to watch his own party member be harassed by the larger group while he sat helpless that just wasn't right.
If to top it all off Kirito still had the fucking balls to threaten then afterwards.
He was a wounded and cornered beast.
But Klein had to admit Kirito was still a badass.
But the one thing that actually snapped him out of his anger he had towards Kirito was his eyes and conviction.
Everyone else missed it
Everyone but Klein. But he could tell. If someone had started to do unsavory things to Asuna back there game system or not Kirito would have beaten them to a pulp.
Why?
Because love.
Sure Klein might be a helpless single for the rest of his life but he could identify love.
Somehow those kids loved each other.
And Klein could also tell he was hurt by love too. To the point where he'd do just about anything for one good happy day.
Klein stood watch over Kirito in the night as the rest of the Raid group chose what to do with Kirito in the morning.
Klein sighed as he approached Kirito
Kirito's head was propted up against the shoulder and tree as he was startled awake by Klein who put a finger to his lips and held out a bowl.
Klein looked around and noticed no one was looking
"Listen you owe me an explanation later. But for now call ourselves even." Klein said as he cut Kirito's ropes
Kirito looked at Klein in shock before thanking him, sending him a quick friend request before sneaking away into the woods.
Klein sighed knowing what else he had to do.
He started yelling.
(Eoc)
Here's chapter two I didn't expect it out so soon but eh I got lucky… keep reading Bankerrtx01