Chapter 17: Back to the Hollow

Two more weeks had passed, and the weight of their ongoing mission was becoming a palpable presence in the air. Another victim had been saved, another player who had come dangerously close to uncovering Laughing Coffin's headquarters. Tensions were high, and the stakes even higher as Deku, Asuna, Mito, and Klein gathered with Heathcliff in the grand meeting room of the Knights of the Blood Oath.

Heathcliff's imposing figure stood at the head of the table, his crimson cape flowing behind him. His face, as always, was composed, his voice calm as he addressed the group. "It seems we're on the cusp of something significant. However, I believe it's important to maintain a defensive position as well. Laughing Coffin is dangerous and cunning. An invasion from them is not out of the question."

Deku shifted in his seat, an uneasy feeling tugging at him as he listened to Heathcliff's words. Something about it felt... off. The leader of the most powerful guild in Aincrad not wanting to lead the charge against the greatest threat they had faced yet. Deku couldn't place it, but the doubt gnawed at the back of his mind.

"That's why," Heathcliff continued, his gaze shifting directly to Deku, "I believe it should be you, Deku, to lead the assault."

Deku's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. "Me? But—"

Heathcliff raised a hand, cutting him off. "You've been the one calling most of the shots. Isn't that right? The group trusts you, and your strategy has been crucial up to this point. It only makes sense for you to continue in that role."

Reluctantly, Deku nodded, his fists clenching under the table. He didn't want to lead the assault—he wasn't sure if he was ready. But there was little room for hesitation. "Alright," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "I'll lead."

Heathcliff gave a small, approving nod, as if the decision had been inevitable. "We'll finalize the strategy tomorrow. In the meantime, make sure everyone is prepared."

The meeting came to a close with Klein standing up and stretching. "Alright, I'll go update my guild. We'll meet back here tomorrow to iron out the final details." With a wave, Klein excused himself, leaving the room with a confident grin. "Don't let the stress get to you, Deku."

As the room began to empty, Deku's menu blinked with a notification—an incoming voice message. He frowned slightly, excusing himself to the balcony as Asuna and Mito resumed their conversation behind him. The cool evening air greeted him as he stepped outside, the sky painted with the warm colors of the setting sun. He leaned against the railing, staring out at the horizon as he accessed the message.

Inside the room, Asuna and Mito's conversation continued, though there was a noticeable tension lingering beneath the surface of their words. Mito chuckled lightly, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. "So, Asuna, what's in store for you after this investigation is finally over?"

Asuna glanced over at her friend, her expression thoughtful. "Well, assuming I'll be allowed to leave the guild, I suppose I might be able to convince Deku to take just a little time off before going back to the front lines."

Mito let out a laugh. "The only break that boy knows how to take is a nap! Otherwise, he's always working on something to help clear the game."

Asuna sighed wistfully, her mind drifting for a moment. "Yeah, I know. But... god, could I use a good bath from one of the upper floors after all of this." She leaned back in her chair, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "But I guess it's probably not meant to be."

Mito grinned, her teasing tone cutting through the tension. "Oh, you could get him to do anything you wanted. All you'd have to do is give him that death glare you do so well!"

Asuna couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know about that..."

The lighthearted moment lingered for a beat longer, but then Asuna's gaze drifted toward the window. Her eyes softened as she saw Deku, standing on the balcony, lost in thought. He was staring out over the sunset, his mind clearly elsewhere as the soft glow of the evening sky bathed him in golden light.

Mito noticed Asuna's distraction and nudged her gently. "Go on. He could probably use someone to talk to."

Asuna smiled at her friend, not needing to say anything more. She stood up, giving Mito a grateful nod before walking toward the balcony, ready to join Deku as the next phase of their mission loomed over them both.

Asuna took a deep breath to compose herself, her heart racing as she stood before the door to the balcony. She wasn't exactly sure what she was going to say, but something inside her told her that Deku needed someone by his side right now. Steeling her nerves, she pushed open the door quietly, stepping outside into the cool evening air.

Deku was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Asuna come from behind him until she broke the silence with a soft voice, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Snapping out of his reverie, Deku blinked and turned around, visibly startled. "Oh, Asuna... I didn't hear you come out." He let out a nervous laugh before rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm probably just overthinking like I always do."

The two stood side by side, their eyes drawn to the sunset as it cast vibrant shades of orange and pink across the sky. The warmth of the fading sunlight washed over them in comfortable silence, and a small grin crept onto Deku's face as a thought drifted into his mind. He couldn't help but think about Melissa—how much she would've loved this view, how she had always been captivated by beautiful scenes like this.

Asuna noticed the grin and raised an eyebrow, teasing lightly, "What's with the grin? I thought you'd be going over every possible complication right about now."

Deku chuckled softly. "I guess I'm just thinking about old times," he admitted. There was a fondness in his voice, but it was tinged with the weight of memories that ran much deeper.

For a few moments, they stood in silence, but it didn't feel awkward. It was a shared, reflective quiet. Then, Asuna hesitated, gathering her courage before finally asking the question that had been on her mind for a long time. "Deku? Why, umm… why don't you ever talk about yourself?"

Deku froze, his smile fading as he leaned on the railing of the balcony, his eyes distant once again. He stared out at the horizon, contemplating whether he could—or should—tell her. The words danced on the edge of his tongue, but every time he tried to speak, nothing came out. His shoulders tensed, and it was clear he was beginning to retreat into himself, closing off like he always did when things became too personal.

But Asuna, noticing this, reached over and placed her hand gently on his, which still rested on the railing. The warmth of her touch brought him back to the moment, grounding him. "It's okay," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding. "I don't know what you've been through… but I just, well… I don't know. I guess I just want to be there, you know, in case you ever decide it's too much."

Her words, so simple yet sincere, melted the walls Deku had built around himself. The comfort and warmth radiating off of her was enough to give him the strength he needed to finally open up.

"There was someone…" Deku began, his voice quiet but steady. "Her name was Melissa." He paused, glancing at Asuna to gauge her reaction before continuing. "We met on the first day, before… everything changed. She was the first real friend I'd made… well— in a long time, and we stuck together after that."

He swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the ground. "We… we both grew up in similar situations. Neither of us had much… and we were both bullied. We came to SAO because we wanted to feel like we could make a difference, like we could be something more in a world where quirks didn't matter."

Asuna's heart tightened in her chest. She could hear the pain in his voice, feel the weight of what he was saying. Deku had been carrying this burden for so long, and now, as he opened up to her, she felt the cracks in his armor beginning to show.

Deku continued, his voice growing softer as he recounted the events. "We fought together, helped each other survive, and for a while, it felt like… maybe we could do it. Maybe we could win." His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he fought to continue.

"It happened when we were deep in a dungeon… There was a chest—Melissa opened it, thinking it was a reward, but it was a trap. Before we knew it, we were surrounded and outnumbered." He paused, gripping the railing tighter, the weight of the memory heavy in his chest. "I tried… I tried so hard to fight them off, but I wasn't fast enough. I couldn't get to her in time. I couldn't save her."

The pain in his voice was unbearable, and Asuna felt like her heart was being ripped out. She could picture the scene in her mind—the loss, the heartbreak, the guilt Deku had carried all this time.

Deku clenched his fists, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. "She told me to become a hero… to save the people of Aincrad… but I couldn't even save her."

Before he could say anything more, Asuna stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him, pulling him into a protective embrace. The sudden warmth and comfort broke something inside Deku, and the tears he had been holding back for so long finally came pouring out.

Asuna held him close, gently rubbing the back of his head as he sobbed into her shoulder. "Shhh, shhh," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "It's okay… I'm not going anywhere. I won't die, Deku. I can't, because otherwise… who's going to look after you?"

Deku, his face still buried in her shoulder, looked up slightly and saw that Asuna, too, was welling up with tears. Her words and her unwavering presence cut through the darkness that had weighed on him for so long. Slowly, he wiped away his tears, though his voice still trembled with emotion.

"I'll protect you," he said, his voice quiet but filled with determination. "No matter what happens… I swear, I'll protect you."

Asuna smiled warmly at him, her heart swelling with affection and gratitude. She chuckled softly, shaking her head as she wiped her own tears. "Always acting like a hero," she teased lightly, her voice soft with affection. "Some things never change." The two laughed softly while still holding one another.

Asuna's words hung in the air, both of them realizing just how close they were. Their eyes met for a brief second before the reality of the situation hit them—standing so close, still holding hands. Immediately, they both flushed a deep shade of red and stepped back in a flustered hurry, stumbling over their own apologies.

"S-Sorry!" Deku stammered, scratching the back of his head, avoiding eye contact.

"N-No, it's fine!" Asuna replied quickly, her face equally as red, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she tried to compose herself.

As they pulled apart, Deku's mind was racing, and before he could stop himself, a single thought echoed loudly in his head: "I just held hands with a girl!"

He nearly panicked again, his thoughts spiraling for a moment. "And not just any girl—Asuna!"

They stood there in an awkward silence for a moment, both avoiding looking directly at each other. Slowly, though, their attention was drawn back to the fading sunset in the distance. The calm, gentle colors seemed to ease the tension between them, and the quiet that followed wasn't so uncomfortable anymore.

As they watched, the last remnants of sunlight disappeared, replaced by the dark hues of night. The stars began to dot the sky, a blanket of darkness slowly overtaking the warmth of the day. The quiet between them deepened, and the peaceful atmosphere from moments ago seemed to shift as the coolness of the night set in.

The contrast was subtle, but it felt heavier now—like the night ahead of the storm.

After a while, Deku finally broke the silence, his voice softer, more serious. "I… I have a plan for tomorrow."

Asuna turned to him, her curiosity piqued, but the weight in his voice made her pause. "A plan?" she asked, her gaze searching his face, though Deku didn't elaborate. He simply gave her a small, determined nod.

The warmth of their conversation, the closeness they had shared, was now overshadowed by the impending darkness—both of the night and the battle to come. The stars shone bright above them, but there was an undeniable tension in the air. The calm before the storm.

The next day dawned with a heavy air of anticipation. The group had gathered, fully prepared to take down Laughing Coffin once and for all. Tensions were high, but Deku's calm, focused demeanor seemed to steady everyone. He had just finished outlining the details of the plan to the assembled party—though what exactly that plan entailed remained a mystery for now. Each member of the group nodded, their expressions grim and determined.

As Deku spoke, Klein couldn't help but notice the way Deku's eyes flickered toward Asuna whenever he wasn't checking his messages. It wasn't overt, but Klein had known Deku long enough to pick up on the small tells. Something was weighing on the green-haired swordsman, but it wasn't just the battle ahead.

The group dispersed briefly to make their final preparations, and Klein took the opportunity to sidle up to Deku, nudging him with a grin. "You keep looking over there like she's going to disappear if you blink."

Deku stiffened slightly, blinking as if pulled from his thoughts. "What? No, I'm just… making sure everything's in place."

Klein chuckled, his voice teasing but soft. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, man. But you know, it's okay to be worried about more than just the fight."

Deku sighed, glancing away as he crossed his arms. "I'm just trying to make sure everything goes according to plan. I can't afford to make any mistakes."

"Hey," Klein said, his tone suddenly more serious as he placed a hand on Deku's shoulder. "You're not in this alone, Deku. We've all got your back."

As they shared that moment, Asuna watched from a distance, her eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity. It was rare to see Deku open up, and she couldn't help but be intrigued by the way he seemed to relax around Klein. She hadn't seen this side of Deku often, the side that allowed himself to rely on others, even if only for a brief moment.

Klein, noticing Deku was still a little tense, nudged him playfully once more, this time with a wider grin. "Hey, by the way… Is she your girlfriend or something? The way you keep glancing at her, I mean."

Deku immediately flushed, his eyes widening as he nearly tripped over his own words. "W-What?! No! It's not like that!"

Klein burst into laughter, clearly enjoying Deku's panicked reaction. "Relax, man, I'm just teasing! But seriously, you two are closer than you think, you know?"

Deku, still flustered, glanced briefly in Asuna's direction before looking away, mumbling under his breath. "It's not… I mean, we're just… friends."

Klein smirked, patting him on the back. "Sure, whatever you say, buddy."

Their laughter echoed softly across the camp, and Mito wandered over to Asuna's side with a curious look. "What do you think those two are laughing about?" she asked with a sly grin, nodding in the direction of Deku and Klein.

Asuna tilted her head, still watching them, her lips pursing slightly. "I don't know. But it's nice to see him laugh… it's been a while." Her voice was soft, contemplative.

Mito chuckled, crossing her arms. "Yeah, they look like two kids trying to keep a secret. I guess it's good that they're getting along, though. Those two could use a little lightheartedness before all this gets serious."

Asuna nodded, her gaze still fixed on Deku as he exchanged a few more words with Klein. The momentary ease that came over him when he was with his friend didn't escape her notice. She hadn't seen that side of Deku very often, but it warmed her to know that he had people who supported him, even in moments like these.

Their conversation was cut short when one of the Knights of the Blood Oath stepped forward, interrupting their thoughts. "Excuse me, Deku," the knight said, bowing his head slightly in respect. "Everything is ready for the assault. We're just waiting on your signal."

Deku's expression hardened instantly, the relaxed demeanor from his moment with Klein slipping away as the weight of the mission settled over him once again. He straightened up, nodding firmly. "Right. Let's do this."

The group began their final preparations, assembling into formation as they prepared to head toward the cave where Laughing Coffin was said to be hiding. The air was thick with tension, and Deku felt the pressure of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders.

As they reached the entrance to the cave, Deku hesitated for a brief moment, feeling the weight of the mission pressing down harder than ever. The stakes were high, and he knew that leading the charge meant putting everyone's lives on the line.

Just as doubt began to creep in, he felt a gentle squeeze on his hand. He glanced down to see Asuna's fingers intertwined with his, her touch soft but steady. When he looked up, her expression was calm, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Everything will be alright," she whispered, her voice quiet but filled with certainty.

Deku felt the tension in his chest loosen slightly, her words grounding him in the moment. He nodded, taking a deep breath as he steadied himself. "Thanks," he murmured, squeezing her hand back gently before letting go.

He turned to face the rest of the group, his voice clear and confident as he spoke. "Alright, everyone. Stay on guard and follow my lead. We've come this far, and we're going to see this through."

Deku stood at the entrance of the cave, unsheathing just one of his swords, the familiar weight of it in his hand, ready for the first phase of the plan. He felt Asuna's eyes on him and turned to see her worried expression.

"Be careful," she said softly, her voice tinged with concern. Then, she quickly switched to a more stern look, her eyes narrowing as she added, "And don't do anything stupid in there."

Deku grinned, a small glint of mischief in his eyes. "I won't," he said confidently before taking off into the shadows.

Inside the cave, Deku moved swiftly but quietly, blending into the darkness. His goal was clear—take out as many members of Laughing Coffin as possible before the real fight started. Each time he silently dispatched a player, he used the teleport crystal to send them straight to Aincrad's jails. His movements were calculated, precise, and ruthless.

As he ventured deeper into the base, the noise grew louder. The sound of laughter, weapons clashing, and voices filled the cavern, growing in intensity. He could hear hundreds of players—this wasn't just a hideout; it was a stronghold. As he laid low, keeping to the shadows, Deku scanned the cave. His eyes widened slightly. There must've been around 400 players in this space.

Deku's heart raced, but he stayed calm. This was more than he anticipated, but there was no turning back. His eyes locked onto his target—the dark, hooded player leading the guild. The one with the backwards sword grip.

With a calculated breath, Deku began to move, throwing his paralysis needles into the crowd, taking down players in bursts of speed. His stealth shifted into a mix of speed and misdirection, moving like a shadow between attacks. The panic was starting to spread among Laughing Coffin's members, their confusion growing.

Finally, after disabling several players, Deku spotted his opening. He lunged out of the shadows directly at the leader. Their swords met in a rapid series of parries, the sound of steel ringing through the cave. Strike after strike, their blades clashed two, three times before locking in a deadlock. The hooded figure's backwards fighting style was still as unconventional as ever, forcing Deku to stay on his toes.

Deku glanced around, noticing more of Laughing Coffin's members rushing to their leader's aid. With a swift movement, he pulled out his second sword, breaking the deadlock and forcing the hooded figure backward. Without hesitation, Deku spun on his heel and sprinted toward one of the cave's exits, trying to lure them out.

The hooded figure growled in frustration, chasing after Deku with a group of his men. "Coward! A wanna-be hero who runs away the second he realizes he's in over his head!" he taunted, his voice echoing through the cave.

But as they rounded the corner in pursuit, the scene before them made the members of Laughing Coffin freeze in shock. Deku had led them straight into an ambush.

A group of about 100 fighters stood there, weapons drawn, crystals ready. Deku now stood at the front of his group, his sword pointed directly at the hooded figure.

"Group A, now!" Deku shouted, his voice full of command.

The ambush group charged forward, engaging Laughing Coffin's forces. A large-scale battle was about to erupt.

The hooded figure sneered, laughing darkly as he watched the scene unfold. "So this... this is your army? Pathetic." He turned to his men. "Kill them all, but leave the Black Swordsman for me."

Laughing Coffin rushed forward with deadly intent, their red markers flashing like warnings. But just as the two groups were about to collide, Deku's voice rang out again.

"Group B!"

Suddenly, a portion of the cave's ceiling crumbled, light streaming down as Asuna, Mito, and Klein's guild members descended from above. Mito, at the forefront, activated her scythe's special skill. The handle extended, becoming almost rope-like, wrapping around a nearby pillar, allowing her to swing the group with precision. The scythe also latched onto the members of Group B, guiding them through the air.

In one smooth, acrobatic motion, Mito released the skill just as the group closed in on the ground, their momentum launching them behind Laughing Coffin's forces.

With this, Laughing Coffin was now completely surrounded.

Deku turned back to the hooded figure, his eyes burning with determination. The battle had begun.

The hooded figure growled in frustration, scratching the side of his neck with a sneer. He let out a long sigh, as if bored by the situation. "Well, might as well have my fun while I still can," he said, his eyes locking onto Deku's as they resumed their fierce fight.

Swords clashed in a symphony of violence, but Deku was determined. His mind was sharper than ever, his body moving with purpose. He saw each of the hooded figure's moves, dodging and countering with precision. For once, it felt like Deku was a step ahead. With a grin, he taunted, "You know, you were always one step ahead of me... until now."

The hooded figure's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his backward-held sword.

"So after we got the intel on your headquarters, I thought of every possible way to defeat you," Deku continued, his voice steady. "And you know what?" His grin widened. "I actually got the idea for this plan from you. Direct the fight, lead your opponent onto your terms, and then.. unlike you, we'll deal the finishing blow and finish this!"

The hooded figure smirked. "Ohhh, is that right?" His smile twisted into something more sinister. "Let me ask you something—how did we first meet again?"

He scratched his neck again, grinning maniacally. "Oh, wait, that's right! I stayed behind while my group was out doing my dirty work. Then I killed those wanna-be-hero's right? What makes you think I still wouldn't have someone on standby?"

Just then, the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoed from the cave's entrance. A new wave of Laughing Coffin members flooded into view, their red markers glowing ominously in the dim light.

Deku's heart sank. They were about to be outnumbered again, but this time, they didn't have the element of surprise.

"So, Black Swordsman," the hooded figure mocked, his voice dripping with malice. "Will you stand by your word and deal the finishing blow? Or will you do what's right..." He made air quotes around the word right, his grin wide. "...and watch your friends fall? HERO!"

Gritting his teeth, Deku met the hooded figure's blade again. They crossed swords, the force of the blows reverberating through the cave. Deku was determined to finish this—he wouldn't let anyone else die.

But just as Deku gained the upper hand, ready to strike the final blow, one of the hooded figure's henchmen barreled into him, throwing him off balance and shoving him away from the crowd. Deku stumbled back, yelling, "Get back here!"

He desperately searched for the hooded figure through the chaos but saw something even worse happening around him. Two of his squad members were cut down by Laughing Coffin members, their bodies dissolving into pixels as their killers reveled in the bloodshed.

Deku's heart pounded in his chest, a fury like none he had ever felt before rising within him. His anger exploded in a battle cry as he charged to their aid. But just as he was about to reach them, something caught his eye—something that stopped him cold.

Asuna.

She was cornered, taking hit after hit. Klein and Mito were nearby but overwhelmed, unable to get to her in time. Without hesitation, Deku sprinted toward her, his mind blank but for one thought: Save her.

He reached Asuna just as the three Laughing Coffin members closed in. With both swords glowing—a deep green in one hand, teal in the other—Deku roared, "Starburst Stream!"

In a blur of motion, the three Laughing Coffin players flashed white before breaking into pieces of pixels. They were dead.

Asuna collapsed to the ground, breathless and in shock. When she looked up at Deku, what she saw wasn't just anger. There was rage in his eyes, yes—but something deeper. His teeth were gritted, his chest heaving, and behind the fury… tears. He was fighting back tears.

Before she could speak, the hooded figure appeared again, slashing at Deku with his signature reverse grip. Deku barely managed to block the first two strikes, but something was off. The hooded figure switched his grip mid-combat, suddenly using a forward grip. This was new. Deku had never seen him fight like this before. The figure's movements were more unpredictable now, and Deku struggled to keep up.

The hooded figure pressed forward, his strikes fast and relentless. Deku's instincts kicked in, but he couldn't find a rhythm to this new fighting style. With a heavy overhead strike, the figure slammed his sword down on Deku's, sending him to one knee.

Laughing in triumph, the figure looked down at Deku, listening to the echoes of his comrades from around the cave. "There are no heroes in this world!" "You're just as bad as the rest of us!" "Killers!" The words taunted Deku, echoing in his mind.

Deku, his body battered, thought to himself, They're right… I'm no better than them. A murderer. A killer. But I can still save them. I can give them enough time to escape.

Slowly, Deku rose to his feet, his face emotionless, his eyes locked on the hooded figure. Then, with a final battle cry, he charged forward, determined to end it all, no matter the cost.

Asuna, seeing him stand alone against the figure, screamed, "Deku!" She tried to rush toward him, but Klein held her back, his voice just as desperate. "Get out of there!"

Deku, on the verge of pushing himself beyond his limits, heard a loud, familiar voice echoing through the cave.

"YOOO, Midoriya! Sorry we're late! Looks like you could use some backup!" WaveKing's unmistakable voice rang out from the ceiling's opening.

Shocked, Deku looked up to see Present Mic standing there, and behind him... what looked like hundreds of men. No—it had to be more than 500, an army of players from the Aincrad Liberation Force.

Still in disbelief, Deku caught a blur that zipped by him, a pair of distinct bunny ears leading the charge as the figure darted into the fray, clashing with Laughing Coffin members. "Hey kid, take a break... we'll take it from here," Mirko called out mid-battle, her movements precise and deadly.

As the ALF surged forward, the cave became a battlefield lit by blue teleport crystals, flickering as one after another of Laughing Coffin's members were sent away. The chaos of the fight began to die down, leaving only one man kneeling in defeat—the hooded figure.

WaveKing approached the hooded man, his sword leveled at his head. "You say there are no heroes here... Hmph." WaveKing looked over at Deku, still standing emotionless. "Heroes can be born anywhere. Even here."

With that, one of the ALF members reached down and ripped off the hood, revealing the face of Johnny Black. Johnny laughed maniacally, his voice echoing through the cavern.

"This isn't the end of Laughing Coffin... no," he hissed, his eyes gleaming with malice. "It's just the beginning. We will change the WORLD!"

With those final words, Johnny Black was teleported away, leaving only his haunting laughter behind.

The battle was over, but as the dust settled, Asuna slowly approached Deku, her steps hesitant. She had seen that look before—the same emptiness in his eyes he once had on the early floors, back when he was still struggling with his pain.

Asuna gasped softly, her breath catching as she saw his face. His expression was blank, but his tears, the ones he was fighting so hard to suppress, were starting to well up.

Taking a few cautious steps forward, she reached out and, with a weak voice, called, "D-Deku?"

She moved closer, gently placing her hands on either side of his face, her touch soft and comforting. "It—it's okay... it's over," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm here... I'm still here."

With that, Deku's resolve crumbled, and the tears began to stream uncontrollably. He collapsed to his knees, sobbing as the weight of the battle, the losses, and the guilt washed over him. Asuna knelt down beside him, pulling his head into her chest as he cried, offering him whatever comfort she could.

Klein and the others stood nearby, watching the scene in silence. They had won the battle, but as they looked on at Deku, they couldn't help but wonder... at what cost?

AUTHOR NOTES:Just thought I'd add a few of my thoughts while writing this chapter. We can clearly see that Deku's walls are starting to come down, especially around Asuna. However, I'm sure a few of you probably noticed I didn't have Deku tell Asuna that he's quirkless, although Deku has told others inside SAO, I feel like now that he's finally letting someone in and doesn't want them to go he would become self-conscious about telling Asuna. Other than Melissa, Bakugo was Izuku's one real friend, at least until he found out Izuku was quirkless. This reminder is still causing Deku to revert in on himself from the fear of losing anyone else... Let alone losing Asuna. Now about the remaining chapter of the SAO arc. I haven't decided whether I'm going to stretch it out into 2 more chapter or put it all in one. There's some new things I've decided to put in so I may break it up so it works better together. Be on the lookout for at least chapter 18 by Tuesday/Wednesday. Put any theories you have down below in the comments, I'd love to hear them!

Have a good one! :)