Chapter – 22

Need of answers – SAO Integral fragments

Previously on SAO Integral fragments

Kikuoka: for now, we will maintain the ALO server down for maintenance. In the meantime, I say that you should rest up before heading out to search for the next piece. It will take some time to connect the next game server to SAO. Focus on any task that you might need or have to complete in SAO for the time being. I will let you know when it is ready to search for the next piece.

You: Alright, focus on SAO before heading to the next piece. Got it.

Kikuoka: Be careful. Signing off. *the call ends*

Koharu: guess we'll haft to stay in SAO for a while.

Kirito: I think its perfect. Since we didn't help out on the last few raids, we should do all we can to make up for it. With Asuna back, things should settle down.

Asuna: Yeah, with everything that has been going on, the players must be really confused and even angry. We better get back to the frontlines as soon as possible.

Klein: what are you guys gonna do? *he says looking at me and Koharu*

You: Koharu and I will do what we always do. Scout out the next floor and gather information. The next floor is floor 81, right?

Agil: that's right.

You: Guess it's time to make up for the time we were absent.

Silica: You guys really have your work cut out for you.

You: Yeah, well, an adventure isn't fun if it's too easy. Also, I'm starting to learn to control my fluctlight, in time, it could do many things that can help us on our adventures.

Kirito: then I guess for now, all we can do is focus on clearing SAO until the next portal is ready.

Twilight: I am curious, if the last portal toke us to a world of fairies…

What will the next world be like?

Now on SAO Integral fragments

Koharu: Phew… were almost there. I knew we'd be cliff climbing, but I never imagined it'd be this grueling.

You: I just didn't think it'd be this high up…

Koharu: Yeah. But at least we didn't run into too many tough monsters. You won't fall as long as you're paying attention…. Just gotta past this, and… a little further…! Mmng!

With the last bit of our strength, we pull ourselves up and make it to the top of the mountain.

Koharu: Whoa… its beautiful. Look at the clear blue sky that was waiting for us up here!

You: Yeah. It nothing but pitch grey and heavy wind blowing at our faces. But now, with the mist cleared out… the view is incredible…

Koharu and I were doing our usual clearing work for the 81st floor. We managed to get to the highest point of the mountains and spot a village we were told to scout out.

Koharu: hey look, couldn't that village be the one Argo was talking about? Al Tu-Ra?

A few hours ago

Koharu and I were called in by Asuna and Lind just a litte after Asuna was all filled up with the previous boss raids we were not present in. Argo, needless to say, was thrilled to see us. Her face was of that of a whimpering little kitten waiting for her owner to come home. Koharu and I were both summoned due to a problem the guilds were having with the 81st floor raid.

Asuna: Thanks for making it, you two. Sorry to call you out just when things finally settled down.

Lind: we called you here due to an issue that the major guilds are having trouble with. Could you fill them in, Argo?

Argo: sure thing. That's what an info broker does, after all. Okay, let's get straight to it. Both KoB 'n' HDA asked me for a priority scoutin' report while the assault team were levlin' and gatherin' 'round the settlement. Guess ya could say that led me to a useful tip. Follow me so far?

You: Huh, a joint request? That's rare.

Asuna: the… former commander was hands off about it, so we members made decisions on our own. Especially after… you know, about what happened. But… considering his goals, it's possible he lead us into them. In a way so clever that we didn't even realize it at the time. Now that he's unexpectedly gone, I thought we should be concerned about the possibility that KoB's information gathering needs work. That's why I asked Argo to bring KoB's Survey unit with her to get some practical training. But of course… doing that could be seen as trying to get a head start, and as an attempt to monopolize information.

Lind: which is why Asuna approached me prior to the survey. I agreed on the condition that HDA's unit is present as well to quell any fears.

Argo: Mm-Hm. So ya could say it's just a buncha annoying politics, but I did have more hands to work with. Info gatherin' went surpassingly well. But that's not really what we're here to talk about. Pretty far off from the settlement we're in, there's an area o' high ground. Climb the steep cliffs 'n' you'll find an isolated village. Apparently, there's a big, deep forest just past it, and the labyrinth towers buried away back in there. What's more, it seems really likely that there's a campaign quest waitin' for us there, or a quest just as long as one.

You: and because HDA and KoB are so busy leveling and gathering items for future raids, you want me and Koharu to check it out and bring back any kind of information we can gather. Such as event details, monster details and map data.

Argo: You are my top informant. *she says with a proud grin* think ya can handle it?

You: After all the crap I had to deal with previously. I think this could be a much needed rest.

Koharu: not to mention that we've gotten even stronger thanks to our scouts in the hollow area. Leave it to us.

Argo: it's good to have the Phoenix duo back.

Asuna: We know that you two are more adaptable when it comes to these things, that's why we thought of you two and decided to let you two handle this. Plus, you two have history with NPC's. We know you can do it.

Koharu: Leave it to us. You guys focus on helping your guilds get stronger, we'll scout the 81st floor.

Present moment

Thus, here we are. Back to our usual info gathering quests. Koharu and I managed to reach the top of the "Climb the steep cliffs" and spot the small village. As we made our way over there, we researched all kinds of plants and areas that were either dangerous or good to collect. Writing things down, mapping out the area, it was just like old times. We have been so focus on this whole fluctlight, evil parents scheming thing plot that we have almost forgotten the reason we were in SAO in the first place. Get to the 100th floor and help everyone escape.

It was nice getting back to our usual task… but… everyone once in a while, I think back to everything that has happened and… I can't help but think that it has all been to much of a coincidence. I mean think about it, I arrive to this game where I end up being trapped without anyway to log out, other than clear the game, but then through halfway of the game, I get introduced with things and people I have never met and yet they claim they have always known me.

I have no recollection of any of them and now it turns out that there people both in game and outside the game trying to get me? I find it very hard to believe that it was all just a coincidence, sometimes…. I even think… that it has all been planned… but how?

You: Hmm…

Koharu: what's wrong? Are you getting tired?

You: H-Huh? O-Oh, no it's not that, it's just… I've been thinking. Don't you think everything that has happened seems so coincidental?

Koharu: what do you mean?

You: Well, you know the story about me and my parents and sister, right? So, I begin getting all this knowledge about they're schemes and projects that "I" apparently had no knowledge about. Then it also turns out that there was a piece of object that was placed inside my heart without my knowledge and apparently a second mind has been living inside me for almost ten years. I am starting to believe that my life was planned out.

Koharu: You know… if I haven't witness all the things that I have seen during my time with you, I'd say that you are crazy.

You: But?

Koharu: But… I get what you mean. All of our lives have changed ever since we got trapped here. I thought I was just going to play a game where I could grow stronger from that weak defenseless girl I was back in the real world. But instead, I grow to be a top ranking member of the Assault team *she twirls her daggers* a master of daggers and got to meet someone I have fallen in love with. I didn't expect for any of this to happen.

You: Yeah but… *I stop in my tracks* what if all this is not a coincidence?

Koharu: Mm… *she stops a few feet ahead of me*

You: what if… all this has been planned out? But by who? And why?

Koharu: Hmm…?

You: this all falls in too perfectly. Me knowing that I have a second soul within my heart, meeting an old acquaintance of my dad, getting to know Alice, Eydis, this other Kirito and Eugeo? Getting to know Quinella and Underworld and a whole bunch of other things?! This whole thing seems too well placed to be a coincidence.

Koharu just stayed in one place as the wind blew her long silky black hair. She seemed deep in thought, but about what? I didn't know.

Koharu: *she turns around*

As Koharu turned around, I saw a smile on her face.

Koharu: I think its because you care so much about what happened with your past.

You: Uh…

Koharu: you said it yourself, you did what you did and you can't change it. Like what happened with this Sugou person. You think too much about what happened and what "Will" happen. You just need to focus on what is going on now, and then the answers will come. There is no point on thinking about the past and looking into the future when you are not taking care of what is happening around you right here and now.

You: Mm…

Koharu grabbed my hands and made me stare at her bright green eyes.

Koharu: our friends need us. We need to get things settled with SAO before heading down a new path. I am sure, that if we continue on our journey, our answers will come.

You: Hmm… maybe you're right.

Koharu: I am right. *she kisses me* So come on, let's head down to the village and see what information we can gather. And you know something? I feel a lot safer knowing that Laughing coffin is no longer in existence, sure there might be one or more Pkillers out there, but they aren't as dangerous as LafCof. So as long as there is no PoH or any other member, I am sure we can handle anything.

You: Yeah… about that… I am not entirely sure if they are really gone.

Koharu: what makes you say that? You got rid of them, didn't you?

You: Well…

Recalling back on the event

You: HREAAAAAGH!

PoH: GAAAGH! Damn it… *he burst into polygons*

Present moment

You: while although he DID disappear into polygons and his HP did reach zero… I don't think it necessarily meant he died.

Koharu: Why?

You: don't you remember? He was immortal… even if I did slash his final points of HP, he could have easily regenerated… but yet he didn't…

Koharu: so what do you think happened?

You: Well, you know how when we drop something or break something in SAO, they all disappear the same way a mob or player does when they're HP reaches zero. They burst into polygons, but that doesn't necessarily mean they died. Like when we get teleported, we disappear almost the same way… who's to say that the same thing didn't happen to PoH or his colleagues… they could still be alive for all we know…

Koharu: geez, thanks for ruining my calm mood.

You: Sorry. Would you mind if I tell you more things that get me curious.

Koharu: if you want me to get wrinkles at such an early age…

You: Its about Sugou…

Koharu: what about him?

You: Well… I am curios… remember when I turned mortal in this game?

Koharu: Yeah.

You: Well, the only reason I became mortal in this world was due to my fluctlight fusing itself within the Cardinal system and my avatar… but why did he turned mortal?

Koharu: Hmm…

You: I mean, the more you think about it, the more insane all of this sounds. I mean how is that even remotely possible? How is it possible to turn mortal within a game? And how is it that all of this is happening? This sounds like some sort of wacky sci-fi movie or story.

Koharu: Like I said, if I wasn't a witness to everything that has happened, I would say that you escaped from a local mental institution.

You: Honestly… I think that's where I belong now…

Koharu: *she sighs* Yup… so do I… with everything that's happened, I feel like I've gone crazy. Well, we'll talk about this later, let's get to the village for now.

You: right.

Some time later

After a while of walking, we eventually made it to the village in where we saw someone we have not seen in a long while.

?: Ah, so you've come here as well? Then we must be at the peak of this tale, the stage of its summit!

You: That pretentious phrasing…!

Koharu: Lueur!

Lueur: Good day, hero and consort. What joy it brings me to be a witness once more to the tale you spin.

You: and as always, I have no idea what you're talking about.

Koharu: Hahahahahahahaha…!

You: Okay, someone either needs to go to the wacky shack or her record is broken.

Lueur: I'm sorry, could I be mistaken?

Koharu: N-No! I mean, we are technically lovers but… we haven't exactly…

Lueur: Oh? I heard some tails that the two of you got engaged on the 61 floor.

You: Well, technically we did have a wedding but it was more like a play then the actual thing. We have thought about getting married though.

Lueur: then what are you two waiting for? Life is too short and you must not waste a second of it!

Koharu: I really don't see how any of this is your business… can we please change the subject before my face burns of embarrassment.

Stilla: Ugh, Lueur! What did we say about lowering your tone?

Lueur: Apologies but my mouth runs like the narrator of the story. Whatever the paragraph says, I must display it.

Stilla: Seriously… we are sorry for any kind of trouble he might given you. Since we cant keep up with the big guilds or Assault teamers, we have been going at our own pace.

Typhoon: Truth be told though. The monsters are getting pretty dangerous. A lot of players aren't able to keep up with they're algorithms. Us included, we would really appreciate it if you could help us.

Mater: Will you?

You: Hmm… (I haven't seen them in a long while now and now they wish to team up with us rather then ask what has been going on?) Hmm…

Mater: Well?

Koharu: Sure! We'd love to.

You: (And of course, she made the decision…) Sure.

Mater: glad to have you.

Koharu: Okay, so as far as we know, you can accept a long quest in this village… have you seen any promising NPC's?

Lueur: So the fist page of the tale begins.

You: what do you mean by—?

?: you detestible humans are not welcome here!

As we all turned around, we saw multiple talking animals walking towards us.

Horned beast: your wicked tribe shall atone with your blood. While I loathe sullying this pure land. Bloodshed is the only way to rid you from it.

Talking boar: humans… humans are enemy! Destroy them!

Fallen girl: AAAH! No stay away from me! MOMMY!

A little girl in the distance also seemed to have been spotted and the beast were getting ready to attack her.

You: Koharu!

Koharu: right!

Grabbing our weapons as we dash out, we head towards the girl as the pack of beast also aim towards us.

Wolves: ROUUUURRR! *they leap*

Boars: GROUUU! *they dash*

You and Koharu: out of our way!

"Swooosh!"

Wolves and Boars: GRIIIIIIGH!

Like a sonic boom, we dash through the mobs and they all get shoved to the side with they're HP lowering down.

Lueur: Incredible! They didn't even slashed through any enemy.

Mater: they just dashed through and pushed them aside.

Typhoon: whatever it is they have been doing, it certainly made them stronger.

Stilla: We could handle this monsters one at a time but for them, it was just a matter of working together.

Talking wolf: Garrr! These humans possess strength beyond ours, we must retreat and gather the intel we got! *it howls*

As the wolf howls, they all begin retreating and the village is safe.

Little girl: "Sniff"

Koharu: are you okay?

Little girl: Y-Yes, thank you. You saved us, you're really strong!

Koharu: Oh, it was nothing *she says with a smile*

After that, a man comes running from the village along with several armed soldiers behind him.

Man: My goodness, what happened here?

Little girl: Ch-Chief! This two fought the beast and saved us.

Chief: Is that so? Well then, thank you for coming to our assistance. I don't know how to express my gratitude for fighting off those frenzied beasts.

Koharu: it was our pleasure. But any chance, are you this village chief?

Chief: how could I have been so rude? I am Pierce, chief of all who live in AI Tu-Ra. Might I ask for your names mighty travelers?

You: I am (You).

Koharu: I am Koharu.

Pierce: Koharu and (You). Thank you so much for saving our village. Please come and rest in our village. We would be so happy to host you alongside your companions. *he says looking at the Lueur and the rest*

After that, the chief welcomed us into his village with everyone smiling and waving at us. It was like seeing the villagers back in floor 47. The chief welcomed us to his home and began giving us important details.

You: So these beast we just fought are called Millennial beast's?

Pierce: that's right. They are a group of wolves, boars, horses, bears, even snakes, bugs and fishes. Though they may be intelligent, they still possess they're beastly instincts. As such, they often fight for territory or to prove their dominance. It's said they rarely survive a full thousand years

Lueur: so now we know our foes. But why is it that they attack you, surely they must have more of a reason other than territory domain.

Pierce: very perceptive Lueur. Yes, it is just a theory of mine but I believe the constant attack are driven in order to destroy the ambient crystal here in AI Tu-Ra. As creatures who live in nature, the beasts must see this crystal, left behind by our pioneering ancestor Vient. As desecration.

You: what is this ambient crystal?

Pierce: an implement used to make the barren land here suitable for human life. These highlands once had sterile, soil, clouded water, and thin air. A land a bit too harsh for human habitation. Vient changed all of that using the ambient crystal created using magical technology.

You: Hmm… I think this might have happened during the great separation.

Lueur: indeed. Such technology doesn't exist anymore.

Pierce: that is correct. It's said that our battle against the millennial beasts has raged ever since those days.

Koharu: But… I can't think of a reason as to why they would want to get rid of it if it benefits the forest.

Pierce: They must see the crystal as a blasphemy against nature and its avatar. This is the situation we find ourselves embroiled in… hmm… (You). May I ask a favor of you?

You: What is it?

Pierce: I don't know what it is, but something about you brings me to believe that you can help us… if its not too much to ask… would you mind lending us your strength during your stay here? *he bows his head* I would love to bring an end to this devastating war between ourselves and the millennia's… so many lives have been taken from them and from us… I can't stand to see any more good souls get taken… will you please help us?

You: Please sir, stop bowing. I was going to help either way.

Peirce: you will?! Oh thank goodness! Now this meaningless war can end! Thank you so much (You)!

You: Hmm…

Another quest, another adventure... and yet all I can feel is... apathy. In all these years I've spent in SAO, things have changed in a dramatic way and not even in the way I thought they could happen. Its like, the more I stay here, the more my past comes back to the present… they say that we must let go of the past to create our own future… but how can I let go of the past if the past keeps following me from behind?

Pierce: Allow me to introduce *he shows the crystal* the ambient crystal.

The crystal was giving beautiful shining lights as the rays of the sun shined through it. It was like a teleport crystal but a bit more… rusty.

Koharu: Wow… it's so pretty…

Pierce: this crystal was forged with technology long before the great separation. Such thing cannot be remade or even re-built anymore. That's why we must keep it safe from those millennial beasts.

Lueur: Hmm…

Pierce: Well, it's getting dark already. You all should head back and rest.

Koharu: Okay. Thank you so much for letting us stay.

Pierce: It was my pleasure. Call me if you need anything.

With that, everyone got inside they're rooms and eventually drifted off to sleep… except me, who was doing something I have not done in a while… I thank while I stared at the ceiling… just kept thinking and thinking on what to do next. We already made past a lot but I still cant shake what Quinella said that time when those dark territory invaders came to our world…

Event taken place in SAO Rise of the Integral factor

Quinella: They're powers are weak here, it costs them to travel through the barrier… but they have ways in regaining they're powers.

You: is that what happened to Alice and Eydis? They're powers got zapped a bit and its slowly coming back?

Quinella: they're natural flutclight energy is protected… there are… other forces that can bind these forces… this was the first…

Present moment

If that was the first force that was binding the barriers between worlds… then whats next? And do I haft to do with any of this? Quinella also mentioned that her job was to see through the promise I appearently made to the original Quinella, the one from underworld…. But what promise? I don't remember making a promise…

You: Hmm… *I tilt my head*

As I tilted my head, I saw Koharu… sleeping peacefully in the other bed… we both have been hrough a lot together… we argued, we laughed and we cried… I promised her that I would protect her but in all honesty… does she need my protection anymore? She has become the most powerful dagger user in all of Aincrad, heck she even got a unique skill, a skill that is almost similar to Kirito, I still even remember her goal…

Way back when SAO was starting

Koharu: "Pant" "Pant" I can't… I can't do this…

You: Koharu…

Koharu: what do you expect me to do? I am too scared to be fighting out in the frontlines! I couldn't even kill a boar on the beta test… I am just slowing you down…

You: that is not true! You will get stronger.

Koharu: how can you have such faith in me?

You: because… you remind me of how I was a few years back… it's a long personal story…

Koharu: Hmm?

You: Look Koharu, I don't know what's going to happen… but I do know that we have each other and quite frankly, we are the only ones we have at the moment… this world has gone to hell ever since Kayaba said that we couldn't log out… players turning against each other, mobs killing a player after another… this world is scary… honestly, I can't see it as any different than how the real world is… but I do know that we haft to trust each other if we are going to make it… *I extend my hand* so let's get stronger together!

Koharu hesitated at first… but eventually… she grabbed my hand.

Koharu: Okay then… I will get stronger… strong enough to face this world… and just you wait *she grasps her dagger* one day I will be stronger then you! *she says with a face full of determination*

Present moment

She is definitely getting stronger, so strong in fact, she might actually become stronger than me…

You: *I sigh* honestly… I can't take this, I need to go for a walk… and maybe clear some mobs.

Getting out of bed, switching gears, I head outside where the moon was shining so bright, it was working as a light throughout the forest.

You: The moon… reminds me of Lunaria… I wonder what's the deal with her…?

?: My, My. What brings out here during this late hours dear hero?

You: Gaaah! Dude, you gave me a heart attack!

Lueur: Apologies. I was out for a midnight stroll and couldn't help but notice you.

You: Well, the same thing as you I guess…

Lueur: cant slepp either?

You: Nope… a lot of things you don't know about has happened and… I need to clear my mind. I will back, don't worry. I won't be gone too long.

Lueur: Before you do… might I ask a few questions?

You: Questions? What is it?

Lueur: I've been brainstorming the upcoming events for this quest and my suspicion leads to believe that in the script of the quest, one or even both sides of this conflict are meant to perish. Though many sides with the humans, some may learn interesting details about the beasts and side with them instead. With such tactics forming along, a war could be unleash against the beasts and the humans.

You: Hmm…

Lueur: Whichever the case, it is clearly a quest with great freedom, respecting the will of players and a diversity of values. However free this quest may be, is it not a bit too reckless to try to resolve it without any bloodshed at all, hero?

You: first of all, quite calling me hero. I don't even understand the meaning or reason as to why you call me that. Second… I don't know how this quest will progress but whatever the case… I will make sure that nobody gets hurt… I won't allow to those who are in power take advantage of the weak, ever again.

Lueur: A noble act for peace keeping, really. It makes your quest for peace all the more uneconomical. Especially when you must put your life in danger in the process. And not just your own, but the life of those who believe in you. As well as the life of a very special woman you love…

You: Even so, I still haft to try… because all lives in this world matter… humans and NPC's are both alive in this world.

Lueur: you only say that because you are trapped, but once you complete the hundredth floor, you will return to your body and all the lives in this world will be nothing but a thing from the past. You probably won't even remember their names or existence.

You: I am sorry, but who the hell are you?

Lueur: Hmm?

You: *I face him* you and your friends have been gone for god knows how long and then you all just come back when Koharu and I just so happened to get back to the frontlines and now you are judging my way of thinking?

Lueur: I didn't mean anything by it, I just—

You: No, look… I don't know who you are, or who Mater, Stilla or Typhoon are, but I do know that we are not exactly friends. I already have so much going on in my mind right now, so please leave me alone for the rest of the night. *I begin walking away*

Lueur: Dear me, I guess the others are right. Maybe it's best if I watch from a distance instead of asking the protagonist himself. You know what they say, the anticipation of the end is worse than the end itself. After all…

The truth is about to come out… *he says with a smirk*

To be continued…