Chapter – 13
Hollow shadows – SAO Integral fragments
Continuing where I left off in my previous chapter, I wrote down the few little things I remember about the fight. The four of us arrived at the portal entrance and began preparing for battle.
Kirito: I have a feeling that there's an enemy waiting up ahead that will make the ones up until now feel like a walk in the park. Is everyone okay? We can still head back.
Philia: thanks but no, I am fine.
You: so am I. This is our only chance.
Koharu: agreed, we must strike while the irons hot.
Philia: Also, if we don't stop the update, it won't just be us. A lot of people are going to be in trouble.
Kirito: Yeah, we'd better hurry. The lives of a lot of people hang in the balance.
You: Yeah… so lets go beat this thing!
Everyone: Yeah!
Feeling determined, we all step inside the portal and then are teleported to a different area. The place, oddly enough, reminded me of the space where I always meet Quinella. It had a large transparent, circular floor. The entire sky was made of stars and we seemed to be the only ones.
Kirito: there is no console or anything here…
"Swoooosh!"
You: Whoa! What was that?! *I say as I prepare for battle*
Koharu: Up there!
"SWOOOOSH!"
Just then, a massive boss comes flying down massive claws and two massive blades. The boss is pretty tricky to describe but I will try my best. The boss seemed to represent the body of like a demon lord. It had two claws and two blades connected to its body. Its armor was mostly white with yellow lines curved within it and red like symbols were on its back and a long sharp blade like tail was on its end. I describe the boss as best as I could, the rest I will leave it to your imagination. Anyways, the boss kind of reminded me of the boss Koharu and I faced when we were completing the trials of confession back with Kizmel, the only difference was that it seemed to be a lot stronger than the other.
You: occlusion the eclipse.
Kirito: I guess this is the last boss, then…
Philia: are we really going to fight this thing?!
Occlusion: RAAAAAAAAAAAH!
The boss massive roar echoed throughout the room as its three health bars showed up.
Kirito: we are the intruders, it's the only way to get out of here alive. There is no telling what kind of attacks it might throw at us. Be careful!
Philia: don't worry, you two have done so much for me. I won't let anything happen to you. That goes for you as well, Koharu.
Koharu: Hm *she smiles* let's see how well you handle that dagger.
You: Come on, lets go!
The four of us begin running in the direction of the boss but the boss lowers its head and smoke begins to emerge from it.
You: Igh! Fire breath attack! Move out of the way!
Occlusion: RAAAAAAAAH!
The boss then fires a massive eye blinding blast that covers almost half of the room.
Koharu: its attacks are crazily dangerous!
You: not if we can outsmart it! *I run in direction of the boss*
The boss moved a claw near its shoulder, letting me know that it was preparing to scratch me with it. Using that, I prepared my counterattack.
You: Transform! Shield shape!
My sword, now transformed into a shield, I prepare to block the attack as the boss brings its claw down.
"CAAAACHING!"
You: Ghigh…!
The boss and I struggled with each other as my shield and its claw sparked with power.
Koharu: Get away from him! *she stabs the boss*
Occlusion: RAAAH! *the boss smacks Koharu away*
Koharu: AAAH!
Kirito: Koharu! *he catches her* you okay?
Koharu: Yeah… I didn't expect it to have a shield.
Philia: that shield will block any attack we throw at it, we need to break it.
You: I'll… t-take care of that…!
Stil struggling with the boss, I begin to walk forward as the boss and I attempt to push each other away. Eventually, I manage to reach its face.
You: Alright… it took sometime but it's ready. Activate sabotage orb!
With the yellow orb shining in my shield, yellow light begins to surge through the boss's claw and body as its shield and buffs begin to weaken out.
You: Quick! One of you break the shield!
Philia: I got this!
Philia, running while unsheathing her dagger, runs at full speed through the room and reaches the boss with her dagger glowing bright green.
Philia: Take THIIIIIIS!
Philia then smashes the boss with her dagger and after that-
"KUURPOOOOOW!"
The boss's shield breaks into pieces and the boss falls down in a weakened state.
You: Now is our chance! Attack!
Kirito, Philia and Koharu: HREAAAA!
The four of us begin landing attacks that landed in sync. With our attacks lining up, along with the chain combos we were unleashing, the boss's first HP bar went down by half.
Occlusion: RAAAAH! *it begins flying away*
Koharu: Okay, so far so good!
Philia: but where is it going?!
Kirito: it's going to the other side!
The boss flew underneath the floor and reached the opposite side of the room. With it settled in, it prepared another attack.
You: Another fire breathe attack!
Kirito: you all know what to do! Move out of the way!
With all of us running towards the edge, the same eye blinding blast was fired in the center of the room.
Koharu: the boss is preparing another attack!
The boss then holds both of its claws together and a black like plasma ball is then summoned on its hands and is then thrown in the center of the room.
You: Watch out!
What I thought to be a plasmatic explosion, turned out to be a multiple area attack. The plasma ball appeared and reappeared from multiple spots all throughout the room.
Kirito: Keep moving! Don't let yourself get sucked in!
Koharu: Aah! *she gets sucked in*
You: Koharu!
Koharu is then sucked out but with a paralysis icon.
Koharu: Ig-g-gh…
You: Koharu! Kirito, you keep an eye on her! Philia, you and I need to keep the boss busy!
Philia: right!
You: follow me!
Philia and I begin running towards the boss as it prepares a claw and a blade to attack.
You: Philia, you go for the claw, I'll go to the blade!
Philia: right!
Philia and I begin to separate as we begin to prepare to block its attack.
Occlusion: RAAAAAH! "SMAAASH!"
Philia: Hup! *she dodges the attack* Hmph! *she stabs its claw*
With Philia's dagger now stabbing the boss's claw on the ground, the boss stays stuck as it tries to break free.
Philia: no your not! *she holds on to her dagger*
Philia struggles to hold the boss back as the boss slowly drags Philia with its strength.
You: My turn!
The blade comes swinging down on me but luckily enough.
You: HEAA! "CACHING!"
I deflect its attack. As the attack gets deflected, the blade swings downwards faster and stronger and eventually.
Occlusion: RAAAAAAUUUUUU!
The blade stabs the boss and lowers down its remaining HP of the first bar, now only two were left.
Philia: Whoa! *she gets slapped away* Pugh!
You: Philia! *I run towards her* are you okay?!
Philia: Yeah, it just knocked me off, didn't caused any damage.
Koharu: Igh, I'm back on my feet.
Kirito: Good, cause its preparing its next attack!
Occlusion: RAAAAAAAH!
The boss then moves its body underneath the floor and from there, proceeds to move its tail upwards.
You: it's going to unleash an underground attack! Take cover!
"SWOOOOOOSH!"
As the boss's tail stabs the underside of the floor, its tail unleashes a four slash attack on each corner of the floor.
Kirito: Gagh!
You: Augh!
Kirito and I get slashed but Koharu and Philia go unscathed.
Philia: Are you guys okay?
You: Yeah, it only knocked down a quarter down of my HP.
Occlusion: RAAAAAAAH! *the boss turns red*
You: it changed appearance, that's never a good sign!
Occlusion: GRAAAAAAAH!
The boss then summons three red symbols in front of its face.
You: Uh-oh…
Koharu: that attack will definitely hit all of us!
You: Quick! Get behind me!
Everyone begins to get behind me as I shout.
You: Transform! Shield shape!
With my blade now turned into a shield, I power my shield up with a tank skill and following that.
You: Activate defense orb!
The blue orb begins to shine brightly and my shield begins to shine blue colors and begins to cover the area behind me.
You: hang on!
Occlusion: GRAAAAAAH!
The boss then fires its laser beams.
"SWOOOOSH-SWOOOOOSH!"
Everyone: AAAAAH!
The wind and strength from the blast blow directly to our faces and I struggle to stay on one place as the blast pushes me and my shield.
You: Igh… I cant hold out for much longer!
Kirito: We need to create an opening!
Philia: how are we going to do that?!
Koharu: leave it to me!
Kirito: what are you—?
Koharu: Hup!
Koharu leaps to the other side of the room, barely dodging the blast and leaping high to mid air.
Koharu: take this! *she throws her dagger*
Koharu then throws the red curved dagger into the boss's face, thus causing this boss to step back and cancel its attack.
You: Augh… "Pant" "Pant" Koharu?
Koharu: Alright, you and me ugly!
Koharu begins running towards the boss with only one dagger at hand. The boss also regains concsiosness and roars at Koharu as she grows near.
Koharu: Rrr…
Occlusion: RAAAAAH!
The boss then rapid fires multiple lasers towards Koharu.
Koharu: Hrr… Shadow walk!
Koharu then leaps from one area to another, creating clones of herself that jump simultaneously and block every single laser the boss fired.
Kirito: Whoa!
Koharu: Hrrr! *she jumps on the boss's face*
As Koharu lands on the boss's face.
Koharu: Hmph!
Occlusion: AAAAAAAAAAH!
She stabs the boss and manages to retrieve her secondary dagger.
Koharu: HEAAAAAAAAA!
Koharu attacks the boss over and over again with amazing speed and movement, almost like a wild cat clawing at a person's face. Both of her daggers displayed amazing light shows and her strength reduced the boss's HP, Koharu was really showing the boss who was boss.
Occlusion: RAAAAAH!
Koharu: WH-whooa!
The boss was beginning to gain its strength and Koharu was dangling from its front.
You: Koharu! *I jump on the boss's face*
As I land on the boss's face, I hold Koharu as we both readjust our positions.
You: Koharu, your being reckless. Have you forgotten what we are?
Koharu: what do you…? Oh…
You: that's right… *I extend my hand* let's do this together. As always.
Koharu stared at me with wide eyes. It was like she remembered a sudden memory that has forgotten but finally recalled it.
Koharu: right… *she grabs my hand* because im your partner.
You: Lets…
You and Koharu: DO THIS!
As we shout, our weapons shine brightly and within seconds, we are moving and slashing every part of the boss's body, leaving no area unscathed. Our movements were invisible and as soon as we reaced the floor.
You and Koharu: …Hmph! *we swings our blades*
"KuuurrpOOOOOWWW!"
Occlusion: AAAAAAAAAARRRHHH!
The slashes detonate from within the boss and colored like smoke emerges from the scratches. The blast was devastating enough to drain the entire second HP bar, leaving only one left.
Kirito: the pure combination of sword skills!
Philia: a fusion skill?! But I thought that was impossible!
Kirito: I said the same thing.
Occlusion: RAAAAAH! *the boss falls on the floor*
You: Kirito, Philia! The boss is weakened out, this is all on you two!
Kirito: alright, come on Philia!
Philia; right behind you!
Kirito and Philia then run at high speeds with their weapons charging up.
You and Koharu: Switch!
Kirito and Philia: HEAAAAA!
Kirito and Philia then begin to land precise attacks as the boss's HP begins to lower down, bit by bit.
Kirito: HRAAAA!
Kirito lands the first two hits and then proceeds to land a total of 25 hits at high speeds.
Kirito: HEAAAAA! "KURPOOOOOW!"
Kiritio's attack finishes with a detonation blast and as a result, a combo chain skill is activated and proceeds to lower down the boss's HP down to a quarter.
You: We made it to the red zone!
Occlusion: RAAAAAAAH! *the boss turns red*
The boss's body goes red once again and then prepares the second black plasma blast attack.
You: Here we go again!
Philia: We need to cancel that attack!
You: Koharu!
Koharu: right!
You and Koharu: HEAAAAAA!
"SMAAAAASH!"
Koharu and I both punch the boss on its chest, which sends the boss flying backwards as it also lands confused.
Philia: That must have hurt…
Kirito: but it worked, now we just need to keep landing our attacks before it has a chance to charge it again!
You: Igh… *I land on the floor* then we must strike now! Everyone attack!
The boss holds its claws and blades together as it begins to charge its laser beam attack, knowing that we had little time to defeat it, we gathered together and began to land our attacks as fast as we could.
Philia: REAAA!
Kirito: HEAAA!
You: HREAAA!
Koharu: YEAAA!
"CHIIING-! CACHIIING-! SHWIIIING!"
Each of our attacks lowered the boss's HP but the boss was already beginning to launch its attack.
Koharu: were not gonna make it!
Kirito: Starburst stream!
Before the boss can attack, Kirito launches his unique ability and lands a 16 hit combo with blue lights. Each attack not only lowered the boss's HP, it also canceled the boss's attack.
Occlusion: REAAAAAAAARRRGH!
You: ITS NOW OR NEVER! ATTAAAACK!
Everyone: AAAAAAAAAAAH!
"SWOOOOSH!"
The four of us cross slash the boss, landing the final blow and lowering the boss's HP to zero. By some miracle, we defeated the boss.
Occlusion: GRAAAAAAAUUUUUUuuuuuuu…! "Poof!" *the boss burst into polygons*
You: "Pant" "Pant"
Koharu: "Pant" I forgot how strong the boss's in this area is.
Kirito: is it… over?
Announcer: System guardian suppression confirmed. Activating final sequence.
Kirito: final… sequence?
"Swooosh"
Koharu and Philia: Igh… what?
Koharu and Philia both fall down with a paralysis icon.
You: What?
Kirito: Philia, Koharu, what happened?!
"Swooosh"
You: Kirito, look!
Kirito: What the—?!
In the center of the room, a black plasma ball that looked similar to the plasma attack the boss wielded, spawned in the middle of the room and began to take two forms.
Kirito: what… in the world…?!
In that moment, two enemies that had Kiritos appearance along with mine appear right in front of us with soulless eyes and motion.
Announcer: Hollow area implementation test. Launching final sequence.
You: Hollow Kirito and Hollow (you).
Koharu: what is…?
Philia: what is going on? There are two of you.
Kirito: this was always the plan, don't you see?
You: the real final bosses… are us. Against our hollows selves.
Philia: does this mean this thing's as powerful as the two of you?!
Aunnouncer: the hollow data update will take place once the test has been completed.
You: so we must fight our hollow selves to continue on. Looks like each of us will haft to focus on our own hollow self.
Kirito: it seems so, and only one of us can survive…
Hollow Kirito: …
Hollow (You): …
You: Well then… Kirito.
Kirito: yeah… let's do this.
Hollow (You) and Kirito: Hrmm…
The two of our hollows selves leap towards us.
You and Kirito: Hup! *we dodge the attack*
Each of us focused on our own hollow self, so only I know what happened with myself. As expected, the me in hollow data seemed to be just as strong as I was but what was really grabbing my curiosity, was if it had my abilities, like mimicry or the rush recollection, which by the way, it was not ready to be of use yet.
You: Alright… guess this me fighting against my own shadows, huh?
Hollow (You): Hmm…
You: Hup! "CACHIIING!" Igh! "CHIIING!
The hollow me seemed to not hold back, which doesn't surprise me because I wouldn't have done it either.
You: Igh… *I leap away*
With me and my hollow self, attempting to slash at me, I dodge and block every attack it displays. Because of its pattern and body display, I was able to see what it was going to do before it even attacked which gave me the opportunity to stay one step ahead of it.
Hollow (You): Hmm… *I attempts to slash me*
You: Hup!
While its sword is pointed directly at me, I push him with my own blade, slashing his chest, and then kicking one of his legs, tripping him and causing him to fall.
Hollow (You): Hmm… *it gets up*
As my hollow self gets up, he attempts to stab me but I manage to move out of the way as the blades passes underneath my arm, I then parry the sword, slash its head and then stab its chest.
Hollow (You): Augh…
My hollow self manages to stay in its feet but its HP has already lowered down to a quarter.
You: HREAAA! *I leap towards my hollow self*
"CACHIIIING!"
My hollow self and I struggle without blades as bright sparks shine in between our blades.
You: Igh… Gighgighigh… y-you might know what I am going to do, but that does not help you since I know everything your going to do! Strange isn't it?! GIIIIIIIGH-GHAAAAAAAA!
"BOOOOOOOM!"
You: GAAAAGH! *I fall down*
A shockwave from our blades is blasted in front of our faces and it sends both of us rolling on the ground.
You: Igh… *I look up*
As I look up, I see that my hollow self is lying on the floor.
You: Igh! This is my chance! Activate umbra orb!
Black hands start to emerge from my sword and then grab my hollow self, while gripping it tightly, I swing my hollow self towards the ground again and again, lowering its HP little by little.
You: Hup!
I throw my hollow self in midair and then I leap towards it with my blade glowing yellow.
You: HrreeaAAAAAAAAH! *I slash through it*
With a single slash, I send my hollow self landing to the ground with a lot of force and a cloud of dust erupts on the ground.
You: did that do it?
Trying to see through the dust, I see that my hollow self is glowing red.
You: Uh! Rush recollection!
Hollow (You): Hmm… *it disappears into black stripes*
You: Whoa!
In a matter of close calls, I manage to dodge all of its attacks but it wasn't making the damage it threw any less affective.
You: So it can use those abilities as well… but… *I see its blade* it doesn't have these… *I look at the orbs*… let's see how you can handle this… full armaments!
The 7 orbs begin to glow brightly and then emerge with myself as my body begins to glow with rainbow colors.
You: Hmph! *I shove its blade aside* HEAAA! *I slash my hollow self*
As my hollow self gets slashed, all of the debuffs that orbs provide get inflicted on my hollow self and then drains a bit of its energy.
You: Alright, let's finish, wont we… transform! Dual blades!
My sword then summons a secondary sword with its same appearance and I now have the ability to dual two blades, just not its sword skills.
You: HREAAAAA!
I begin to wield both of my blades and manage to double my attacks as my hollow self loses its balance and power.
You: Like I said, I know everything you're going to do! HREAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! *I slash through its torso*
"SHWIIIIING!"
Landing my final blow, I slash through its torso and manage to lower my hollows self's entire bar of HP.
Hollow (You): … "Poof" *it disappears into blue trickling polygons*
You: "Pant" "Pant" it's over…
My second sword disappears and I am only left with my main sword.
Kirito: you okay?
You: I will be… never fought with someone who was just as strong as me…
Announcer: Removing lock for other players.
"Swoosh"
Koharu: Uh… I can move again.
Philia: me too.
Announcer: The hollow data update has been canceled by high-level user and lost player protocols.
Kirito: that must mean… we put a stop to PoH's update.
Philia: Yeah… it looks like it.
Kirito: I have to admit, there were a lot of close shaves back there.
You: no kidding, especially with our boss selves. I didn't expect it to have the same ability as us.
Kirito: well they were data copies from our avatars, I say it's only natural.
Philia: Yeah, but you two made it through unscathed. That why you're the black swordsmen and you're the Integral Factor.
Koharu: that must have been why your hollow selves were so powerful.
Philia: But… your cursors… they're orange.
You: Hmm? *I look up*
Surely enough, it is orange.
You: You know… I think it kind of suits me… for what I have done, I say I deserve it.
Koharu: No… don't say that…
Philia: it doesn't matter what color your cursor are, I am just glad you two are okay. Aren't you Koharu?
Koharu: Mm… yeah, orange or not, your still my partner.
Philia: Besides… I am happier that I can spend more time with you two… *she says with a smile*
Kirito: Hmm? You saud something?
Philia: Oh, nothing…
Koharu: Hmm…
You: Well anyways, let us not waste time. Let's head inside, that's bound to be where the console is.
Philia: I think so too.
Koharu: it has to be.
A while later and the four of us spawn in a different area, with a console that was larger than any other console I have seen in my time here.
You: this must be it.
Kirito: yeah… "Click-Click"
Announcer: the error has been resolved. The error was caused by duplication data.
"Swoosh"
With a bright light, our cursor turn back to green.
Philia: Oh…
Kirito: there! Our orange cursors are gone!
Philia: Oh… it's over already…? I-I mean, thank you… (You), Kirito.
Kirito: See, you never did anything bad. In fact, I feel like making a complaint.
You: Yeah, you won't be the only one when we get back.
Kirito: Well, anyways… let's head back.
Philia: to the administration area, right?
You: Ha! We are going there, but that's not where were "going.
Philia: Huh?
Koharu: were taking you back to Aincrad.
Philia: Aincrad…? Right… that's where I used to be right? Before this all happened… but, are you srue its okay for me to come with you?
Kirito: seriously, you can stop asking me stuff like that, Philia. Of course its okay.
You: all of our friends are willing to take you in.
Philia: Right, right… sorry.
Koharu: Well, let's go.
Kirito: Wait, I need to do something "Click-click".
Philia: what are you doing Kirito?
Kirito: it will just take a second… there… and there. Alright let's go.
Later
A while later, and we all made it back to the administration area.
Administration area
Kirito: Well Philia, its about time we go back to Aincrad.
Philia: Yeah… it feels kind of strange though… like going back to a house you've moved out.
You: don't worry about it. We already told our friends that we are coming back, I am sure you will get used to it in no time.
Philia: Right… you know, I haven't thought about the real world for a long time… I was in such a pit of despair until you two lifted me out of there….
Kirito: oh come on, we didn't do anything special.
You: that's right Philia. You're the one who saved yourself because you are too strong to lose yourself.
Kirito: let us not forget, we got a lot of items and skills in this place and it is still not a hundred percent scouted. We might find new things in here and we can use them to clear SAO. Then we can go back to our real homes.
You: Come on, our friends are probably waiting.
Philia: you introduced me to a few people when you guys came to the hollow area once.
Koharu: those were only a part, we got other you haven't met.
You: We can intrude them to you if you want.
Philia: Yes, I would love to see your friends. Besides, my feelings might be mixed up and I know I haft to choose one but for the time being, I want to be close to you two…
You: What was that?
Philia: *she smiles and runs to the gate* oh nothing! Come on, let us get going!
You: Hmm, well someone's a little excited.
Koharu: you two are so dense…
You: Hmm? What?
Koharu: Nothing… *she smiles and heads to the gate* let's just go!
Kirito: that's the spirit! Let's find ourselves some new quests!
Everyone: YEAAAH!
Later
The four of us are then teleported to the 76th floor, Arc Sophia.
Philia: where are we…?
Kirito: this is Arc Sophia. It's a town on the 76th floor. No doubt about it, we in Aincrad.
Philia: Aincrad… I really made it back…
Lisbeth: hey! What are you blabbering about over there?!
Philia: Huh?
Silica: Over here, Philia!
Lisbeth: so we finally get to meet in Aincrad.
Leafa: Philia, welcome back!
Sinon: it's such a relief, knowing that you all made it back safely.
Klein: man, you must have been through some pretty dark times over there… still, you're here now and that's all that matters.
Yui: I always believed that you, daddy, uncle and auntie would make it back
Asuna: now were all together at last. Welcome, philia.
Philia: Oh… uhh…
Kirito: Well, philia.
You: go ahead, don't be shy.
Philia: Ummm… its, uh… its… it's good to be back. *she says with a smile and tears*
Everyone: it's good to have you!
Everyone welcomed Philia with open arms and with smiles on their faces. Needless to say, Philia got a little emotional. At long last, Philia was back in Aincrad and she no longer had to fear for monsters attacking her while she sleeps and I wouldn't haft to worry about her being alright or not. We were all together and it was all that mattered. We all head over to Agils to celebrate, we went on and on about the crazy adventure we had into getting the console. Things looked like it went back to normal… but unfortunately, I knew it was not over.
Agil's shop
You: And that's pretty much what happened.
Klein: Wow, to think that the real final bosses were yourselves! Talk about a mere protagonists fight.
Sinon: at least you were able to defeat it, what better challenge could there be besides challenging yourself with your own strength and skills.
Silica: I am more surprised to know that Koharu has a unique skill. What was it called again? Crimson diet?
Koharu: Pfft! Crimson Diesis. Its kind of like dual wielding but with daggers.
Silica: Liz, did you know about this?
Lisbeth: I did know that she had the spare dagger but I didn't know anything about this.
You: Well, in any case. Philia is back, our cursors are back and everything can back to normal Aincrad.
Sanya: I just hope there won't be any more surprises.
You: Uhh…
Sanya: *she glares at me annoyed* what now?
You: Well… things might be okay in Aincrad… but I still need to go and search for my other missing piece. *I grab the cube* I have no idea what kind of information is being held in this thing and I also have no idea of what could happen if it end up in the wrong hands. When it comes to that strange man in the real world, well… I'll cross that bridge later, right now I need to get my fluctlight back into one before it's too late.
Koharu: but how do you plan to do so?
You: isn't it obvious? I am going to use the gates to get to the other piece.
Asuna: but where do they even take you? Are you even sure it's safe?
You: Won't know until we try, right?
Koharu: you fought too much for today. Deal with it tomorrow.
You: Heh, you're always going on with that, aren't you?
Koharu: Well, someone's gotta take care of you.
You: Ha! What are you, my mother?
Agil: She does have a point though, you and Kirito look very exhausted, I say you two should first get some rest before you take on whatever it is that you have to take care of.
Kirito: yeah, yeah… for now, let us enjoy this. We'll talk more in the morning.
Philia: I am just so thankful for the two of you. Whatever it is that you need, just let me know. It's the least I can do to make it for you.
You: there is no need for that Philia, just make sure you stay safe. Its going to be a long journey, but as long as we stick together, I am sure we can overcome it, right guys?
Everyone: Right!
And so, we all went back to our houses and waited for the next day, which took everyone by surprise, but no one was more devastated than Kirito by what happened.
The next day
As the next day arrived, everyone in our group followed me to the center of the teleport gate, where the other teleport gates where waiting.
Kirito: So, what do we do here?
You: I think we need to insert the cube into that space we saw when we first inspect it.
Sanya: which one will you chose?
You: I guess I'll chose the west one.
We all then headed to the west side gate, where the dancing fairy was in craved in it.
You: Okay… lets see what happens… *I insert the cube in the space*
As I insert the cube, light energy begins to power up the gate. The gate glows with yellow stripes and from there, a yellow portal is activated.
You: Whoa…
Sinon: Guess that did the trick.
Argo: So what now?
Asuna: How do we even know if—?
"swooosh…"
Asuna: Huh?
"vroooo-vrooOOOOOOO!"
Asuna: AAAAAAAAAH!
The portal begins to act like a black hole as it sucks in air and objects.
Asuna: AAAAH!
Kirito: Asuna!
Asuna: Kirito!
Asuna and Kirito both reach out to each other but the portal was too strong and Asuna is sucked inside the portal.
Asuna: AAAA- *she gets sucked in*
Everyone: Asuna!
Yui: Mommy!
Kirito: ASUNAAAAAAAA!
To be continued…