Chapter 19: Depths of Dusk
Flashback:
Deku stood in Heathcliff's office, the quiet ticking of the clock marking the passing of each agonizing second. He stared ahead, his expression cold, detached, while Heathcliff regarded him from behind his desk, hands clasped together as if in thought. The silence between them was thick with tension, neither man willing to break it for what seemed like an eternity.
"I don't like this," Deku finally said, his voice low but firm. "But I'll join the Knights of the Blood Oath… on one condition."
Heathcliff raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "And that would be?"
Deku's gaze hardened, and there was no hesitation in his next words. "I want to work alone. Or at least in a smaller group. I refuse to be paired with Asuna or Mito. Unless it's for a boss fight, I don't want them anywhere near me."
Heathcliff's expression didn't change, though something flickered in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps. "A strange condition, considering your history with them."
"It's not up for negotiation," Deku said flatly. "If you want me in the guild, that's the way it's going to be."
The silence returned, stretching out between them as Heathcliff leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of his face. He watched Deku for a long moment, weighing his options, before finally nodding.
"Very well," he said calmly. "You'll work alone, as you wish. But I expect you to follow orders when the time comes. If I call upon you for a larger mission, I trust you'll cooperate."
Deku's eyes remained emotionless, and he gave a brief nod. "Fine."
The air between them felt heavy with the weight of unspoken words, but neither man pursued it further. Deku turned to leave without another word, his footsteps echoing through the quiet office as he exited the room. Heathcliff watched him go, his face impassive, though a small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Present:
The streets of Aincrad were quiet that morning, the low hum of activity still building as players prepared for another day of quests and exploration. Deku moved through the alleyways and shortcuts with practiced precision, making his way to the designated meeting spot for his assignment. Godfree and Kuradeel would be waiting for him, two senior members of the Knights of the Blood Oath who were tasked with accompanying him on his latest mission.
As he rounded a corner, lost in his thoughts, a voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Deku?"
He froze, the sound of her voice immediately recognizable. Slowly, he turned to see Asuna standing there, her face full of concern and uncertainty. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped toward him.
"Deku, can we—"
Before she could finish, Deku turned away, continuing his path without uttering a single word. His steps quickened, and the distance between them grew with every second. Asuna stood there, stunned, her heart sinking as he passed her by. She lifted her hand, as if to reach out to him, to stop him, but the words never came. Her hand fell back to her side, and she stood frozen in place, watching him disappear into the streets.
Flashback:
Asuna had been standing in Heathcliff's office only moments ago, her breath shaky as she tried to plead her case. "I want to be assigned to Deku's team. Wherever he's sent, I'll go with him. I can't leave him like this, Heathcliff. You know he's shutting himself off."
Heathcliff had regarded her with his usual calm, his eyes piercing through her with that unreadable gaze. "I understand your concern, Asuna. However, that decision is not mine to make."
"What do you mean?" Asuna had asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Heathcliff stood, walking around his desk to face her directly. "Deku has requested not to be placed on the same team as you or Mito. He insists that he will only work with either of you during boss fights. Otherwise, he has chosen to fight alone."
Asuna's breath caught in her throat, her heart sinking at his words. "He… requested that?"
"I'm afraid so," Heathcliff had said quietly. "I'm honoring his wishes."
Asuna had left the room shortly after, the weight of the revelation pressing down on her like a heavy stone. She hadn't expected that. Deep down, she knew it had been a long shot that Deku would change his mind after joining the guild. But to refuse to work with her—it felt like she was being thrown away. No, it was worse than that. Deku was throwing himself away. He had turned into someone so empty, so hollow, that she barely recognized him. He wasn't just pulling away; he was disappearing into a void she couldn't reach. She had seen him fight his way out of the shadows before, but this time was different. This time, he was surrendering to it, letting the darkness consume him, and it broke her heart in a way she hadn't known was possible.
Present:
Asuna stood in the street, watching Deku's figure vanish around the corner. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of frustration and helplessness filling her. She had come to speak to him, to try and reach him before he could shut her out completely. But she had been too late. Again.
Her hand remained clenched at her side, trembling slightly as she fought back the urge to run after him. She wanted to shake him, to scream at him, to make him see what he was doing to himself—what he was doing to all of them. But no matter how hard she tried, he kept slipping further and further away.
Asuna let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of it all settle into her chest as she was left standing there, alone.
Deku walked through the familiar halls of the Knights of the Blood Oath headquarters, his mind as cold and distant as the stone walls that surrounded him. His footsteps echoed softly, barely noticeable against the weight of his thoughts. There was no hesitation in his stride, no faltering in his movements. He was a man on a mission, but the fire that once fueled him had dimmed, replaced by something darker, more hollow. His destination was clear: meet with his new team for the upcoming mission. But just as he reached the exit doors, a figure stepped into his path.
Mito.
She stood there, her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and concern. She had clearly been waiting for him, and by the look on her face, she wasn't about to let him pass without a confrontation. For a moment, Deku's cold eyes flickered to hers, but there was no recognition, no warmth.
"Deku, what are you doing?" Mito asked, her voice almost pleading. "You've been shutting everyone out, and now this? You can't keep doing this. You're ripping her apart."
Deku didn't respond, his gaze fixed ahead as if he hadn't even heard her. But Mito wasn't one to back down easily. She took a step forward, her frustration bubbling over.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing to Asuna?" she shouted, her voice filled with anger now. "She's falling apart because of you! She's worried sick, and you just keep pushing her away. This isn't you!"
For a moment, there was silence. The air between them felt heavy, charged with all the emotions Mito had unleashed. But Deku's expression remained unchanged. Finally, without even looking at her, he spoke.
"Are you done?"
The words were like ice, sharp and emotionless, cutting through the air and silencing Mito's outburst. She stared at him, stunned by the coldness in his tone. This wasn't the Deku she had known. Not even in the early days, when he had been distant and reserved, had he been this cold. This was something else entirely—something far darker.
Deku didn't wait for a response. He turned, his gaze fixed once again on the doors ahead. As he took a step forward, he spoke again, his voice low and devoid of feeling.
"Just forget about me, Mito. I'm not worth your time. Eventually, you'll all move on, and you'll be better off for it."
Mito's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing as she tried to process his words. For a moment, she was frozen in place, a mixture of horror and fear gripping her. This wasn't just about him shutting them out—he was distancing himself completely, trying to erase himself from their lives.
As Deku walked past her, his hand reaching for the door, Mito finally found her voice.
"Do you really think we could just forget about you?" she called after him, her voice trembling with a mix of desperation and anger. "Do you really think Asuna will just leave you behind?"
Deku didn't stop. He didn't even turn to acknowledge her words. With a final, deliberate step, he pushed open the doors and walked out into the sunlight, leaving Mito standing in the cold, empty hall. She could only watch as he disappeared, her heart pounding in her chest, a mixture of fear and helplessness washing over her.
As he stepped outside, Deku's expression remained blank, his mind focused solely on the mission ahead. Godfree and Kuradeel, his new team, were waiting for him. There was no hesitation in his stride as he approached them. The mission was all that mattered now.
He couldn't afford to think about anything else.
The mission seemed straightforward enough—basic training, strengthening camaraderie, and improving combat techniques. But for Deku, the tension that simmered between him and Kuradeel was palpable from the start. Kuradeel had been Asuna's bodyguard, and though they had barely interacted before, the hostility in Kuradeel's eyes told Deku everything he needed to know: this man despised him.
"Alright, men!" Godfree's voice boomed, breaking through the tension. His large frame led the group as they made their way through the dense woods. "Today's all about teamwork! We're part of the same guild now, which means we need to trust each other. That starts with clearing up any bad blood between you two."
Deku remained silent, his eyes focused on the path ahead. The last thing he wanted was to "make up" with Kuradeel. Something about the man had always felt off—his sneering, arrogant demeanor, the way he carried himself like he was above everyone else. Deku had sensed it since the first time they met, and now that they were on the same mission, that feeling only intensified.
Kuradeel, walking alongside Deku, wore his usual smug expression, seemingly unbothered by the tension. He hadn't spoken much during the journey, which only added to the unease brewing in the air.
Godfree, oblivious to the underlying malice, turned and clapped his hands together. "Come on now, we're all in the same guild! We can't have any animosity between comrades. Deku, Kuradeel—apologize to each other, and let's move forward as a team!"
Deku clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to argue. Apologies wouldn't change anything. Still, if it would get Godfree off his back, he'd comply. "Fine," Deku muttered, his voice devoid of emotion. "Let's get this over with."
Kuradeel's smirk deepened, his voice dripping with insincerity. "Apologies, Deku," he said, clearly mocking the situation. "It's good to know we can trust each other now, isn't it?"
The coldness in Kuradeel's words did little to soothe the tension. Deku didn't bother responding, knowing any further interaction would be pointless. Godfree, however, seemed satisfied with the exchange and gave a hearty laugh.
"Good, good! See? That wasn't so hard!" he said cheerfully. "Now, as a further exercise in trust, I need you both to hand over your teleport crystals."
Deku's eyes narrowed slightly at the request. Teleport crystals were the only guaranteed way to escape a dangerous situation, and giving them up left them vulnerable. Still, Godfree insisted it was a trust-building exercise. Reluctantly, Deku pulled his crystal from his inventory and handed it over. Kuradeel did the same, though with a sly grin that set Deku further on edge.
"Alright then! No teleporting out if things get tough. Just good old-fashioned teamwork! remember we've all got each others 6." Godfree declared with enthusiasm.
By midday, the sun was high in the sky, and Godfree called for a break. They found a small clearing where they could rest, and Godfree quickly passed out rations and water to everyone.
Deku sat with his back against a tree, taking small sips from his cup, his mind constantly on alert. Something didn't feel right. His instincts were screaming at him to stay vigilant, but with no teleport crystal and no immediate threat, there wasn't much he could do but stay on guard.
Godfree, however, was as carefree as ever, gulping down his drink and chatting away. "Here's to a good training day! You two are learning to get along, right?"
Deku gave a noncommittal grunt, while Kuradeel's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Suddenly, a strange numbness began to creep over Deku's body. His limbs felt heavy, his muscles refusing to respond. His heart raced as he realized what was happening—paralysis.
Godfree, too, dropped his cup, his eyes wide in confusion. "Wha… what's going on? I can't move!" he exclaimed, panic rising in his voice.
Kuradeel stood up, his smile twisting into something far darker. "Oh, Godfree, you really are clueless, aren't you?" he said, drawing his sword with a slow, deliberate motion. "It was all too easy to slip the paralysis potion into your drinks."
Deku's eyes narrowed as he struggled to move, his muscles completely locked. He tried to summon any strength he had left, but the paralysis was too strong. Helpless, he watched as Kuradeel advanced toward Godfree.
"W-what are you doing?" Godfree stammered, his voice filled with disbelief.
Kuradeel's grin widened as he raised his sword. "Ending this little charade," he sneered. "You walk around with your military persona, acting like some noble protector, but all you ever did in the real world was guard the rich and powerful. You're a joke."
With a swift motion, Kuradeel plunged the blade into Godfree's chest. The man gasped in shock, his health bar dropping significantly as the system registered the blow, lighting up a bright red gash.
"Kuradeel… why?" Godfree whispered, his voice trembling with pain.
Kuradeel laughed, pulling the sword free and stabbing him again. "Why not? In the real world, I had to follow orders, and obey the rules. But here, in this game? I get to live how I want. FREELY!."
Deku watched, his heart pounding as Godfree's health bar continued to drop. Despite the terror in his eyes, Godfree managed to speak again. "How… how did you know what I did in the real world?" he asked, his voice faint.
Kuradeel tilted his head mockingly. "Oh, we know plenty of things. You Knights are all so high and mighty, but you're not that hard to figure out."
Before Godfree could ask anything else, his health bar hit zero, and his body began to glow. His final words came out as a desperate plea. "No… please, not like this…"
And then he shattered into countless shards of light, disappearing from the world forever.
Deku gritted his teeth, fury bubbling up inside him. "How did you know that?" he growled, his voice filled with rage. "Why would a player like you join the Knights of the Blood Oath? You seem more suited for a killer guild."
Kuradeel's eyes gleamed with twisted amusement as he removed the armor around his wrist, revealing a dark tattoo. It was unmistakable—the emblem of Laughing Coffin.
"I've been a spy since the beginning," Kuradeel said with a wicked grin. "Even though you and the others may have taken down our guild, I'll keep living my life how I want!"
Deku's heart raced as the truth sank in. Kuradeel wasn't just a traitor—he was a member of Laughing Coffin..
"Honestly, I always knew something was off about you," Deku spat, his fury barely contained. "Your creepy obsession with Asuna, your arrogance, it all makes sense now."
Kuradeel's grin widened as he stalked closer, his sword gleaming in the light. "Oh, Asuna… sweet, beautiful Asuna. She was always so oblivious, wasn't she? Playing the role of the noble warrior, trusting her loyal bodyguard. But she'll learn soon enough. Once you're gone, she'll finally be mine."
Deku's blood boiled at the implication, his muscles straining against the paralysis. He had to stop this. He had to protect her.
"You're disgusting," Deku growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you can just do whatever you want, but you're no different from the rest of Laughing Coffin. You're just another coward, hiding behind lies and deceit."
Kuradeel's eyes flashed with fury at the insult, but his grin remained intact. "Call me whatever you want, but in the end, I'll be the one standing. And you? You'll be nothing more than a memory."
With that, Kuradeel plunged his sword into Deku's stomach, the red wound glowing brightly as Deku's health bar took a massive hit. Kuradeel twisted the blade, laughing maniacally as he watched Deku writhe in pain.
"You think you're a hero, don't you?" Kuradeel sneered. "But look at you now. Helpless. Powerless. Just like all the others you've failed to save."
Deku's vision blurred as the pain intensified, his health bar continuing to drop. He could feel the life draining out of him with every passing second. But through the haze of agony, one thought remained clear in his mind: he couldn't let this be the end. He couldn't die like this. Not here. Not now.
With every ounce of strength he had left, Deku gritted his teeth and forced his hand to move. Slowly, agonizingly, he reached up and grabbed hold of Kuradeel's sword, trying to pull it free from his stomach. The effort made him dizzy, his head swimming as his health bar continued to plummet. But he refused to give in. He had to keep fighting.
Kuradeel's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but then he laughed, a cold, heartless sound. "Oh, still got some fight left, do you?" He shoved the blade further into Deku, sending another wave of excruciating pain through his body.
Deku's grip faltered, his vision dimming. His health bar was dangerously low now, only a sliver of life left. He could feel it—his body was beginning to give up. But the moment Kuradeel mentioned Asuna's name, his resolve snapped back, and with a desperate burst of energy, he tugged at the sword again.
Kuradeel, frustrated, slammed his foot down on Deku's arm, pinning it to the ground. "Just die already!" he snarled, pushing the blade deeper.
Deku's health bar dipped into the critical red zone, his body growing weaker by the second. His vision blurred, the world around him becoming nothing more than a haze of light and shadow. As he felt the darkness closing in, he let go of the sword, his hand falling limply to his side.
"I'm sorry… Mom, Asuna… Melissa," he thought, accepting his fate.
But just as his health bar was about to hit zero, a brilliant flash of light erupted from the side, slamming into Kuradeel and knocking him off of Deku. The sudden force sent Kuradeel crashing into the ground a few feet away.
Asuna appeared, her face contorted with a mixture of fury and desperation. She quickly ran to Deku's side, her hands shaking as she pulled out a health crystal. "Heal!" she cried, activating the crystal's power. A soft glow enveloped Deku's body, his health bar rapidly filling back up to full.
Panting, Asuna knelt over him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I made it… I made it," she whispered breathlessly, her voice trembling. "He's alive."
Deku blinked, his vision clearing as the pain slowly subsided. He stared up at her in disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper. "How… why?"
Asuna wiped her eyes, her hands still shaking. "You… you never removed me from your friend list," she explained between ragged breaths. "When I saw Godfree's marker disappear from the map, I got worried… I rushed here as fast as I could."
Asuna's breath came in quick, sharp bursts, her eyes never leaving Kuradeel as he staggered to his feet. He swayed slightly, but there was still a twisted grin on his face, his eyes gleaming with a wild, deranged light. Asuna knew she couldn't afford to give him any openings.
Her rapier twirled in her hand, the tip glowing faintly as she prepared for the next move. The speed and precision of her blade had already overwhelmed him once, but she couldn't let her guard down. Not yet.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Kuradeel sneered, his voice dripping with venom. He took a step forward, his sword trembling in his hand. "But you'll regret pushing me this far."
Asuna didn't respond. Instead, she launched forward with a blinding burst of speed, her rapier cutting through the air like a blur of light. Kuradeel barely managed to raise his sword in time to block, but her assault was relentless. Each strike was precise, calculated, and designed to break through his weakening defenses.
Kuradeel's feet slid back as Asuna pressed her attack, her rapier dancing around his clumsy parries. She struck low, then high, her blade finding the gaps in his armor with deadly accuracy. Sparks flew from each impact, and with every hit, Kuradeel's health bar dropped lower and lower.
He was losing ground fast.
With one final, powerful thrust, Asuna knocked Kuradeel's sword from his hand, sending it clattering to the ground. Her blade hovered just inches from his throat, the glow from the rapier casting an ominous light on his face. His health bar was now barely a sliver, teetering at the edge of defeat.
Kuradeel dropped to his knees, gasping for breath, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and desperation. "Please…" he choked out, holding his hands up in surrender. "Please… don't kill me. I never wanted this. I was just… following orders."
For a moment, Asuna hesitated. Her heart pounded in her chest, and the grip on her rapier loosened ever so slightly. Could she really take his life now? His health was nearly gone. He was pleading for mercy, and she—
Suddenly, Kuradeel's hand darted to his side, pulling out a small, hidden blade from his armor. His lips twisted into a wicked grin as he lunged forward, knocking Asuna's rapier aside with a vicious swipe.
Asuna staggered backward, her sword flying from her hand. Panic surged through her as Kuradeel's hidden blade came straight for her chest. She stumbled, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the deadly glint of the blade aimed at her.
In that instant, Deku's heart nearly stopped. He saw the attack unfolding in front of him, his mind racing as his eyes locked onto Asuna. Everything around him seemed to freeze. His chest tightened, his pulse quickened. There wasn't time to think. There wasn't time to hesitate.
He couldn't lose her… No, he wouldn't lose her.
With a surge of adrenaline, Deku sprang into action. His legs carried him forward before he even realized what he was doing, his body moving on instinct alone. He lunged, shoving Asuna out of harm's way just as Kuradeel's blade came down, slicing through Deku's left arm.
The blow shattered his arm into bright red fragments, the shimmering pieces dissolving as they scattered into the air. Deku gritted his teeth, the pain barely registering as his focus zeroed in on Kuradeel.
Without hesitation, Deku's remaining hand glowed, a faint light surrounding his fist as he activated a sword skill, though without a weapon in hand. He didn't need one. His hand shot forward, driving straight into Kuradeel's chest. The impact knocked the breath out of Kuradeel, his eyes wide with shock as Deku's hand remained lodged in his chest, glowing faintly.
Kuradeel gasped, coughing as he struggled to grasp at Deku's arm, his fingers trembling as they weakly clawed at the arm that had pierced him. His grip was desperate, but it couldn't break Deku's resolve.
The two stood there, frozen in that moment, their gazes locked. Kuradeel's once confident and twisted grin faded into shock, then slowly morphed into something more wicked, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
"You're... just like us," Kuradeel wheezed through ragged breaths, his eyes glinting with malicious satisfaction. "Oh... how the hero... has fallen."
Kuradeel's body began to glow as his health bar dropped to zero. He continued chuckling weakly until his form shattered into countless fragments of light, scattering and vanishing into the air. His final laugh lingered in the air, echoing hauntingly as his presence disappeared from the game forever.
Deku stood frozen for a moment, his breathing ragged, his right hand still raised where Kuradeel had been. His mind was reeling, but the only thing he could focus on was the sound of Asuna's voice.
Asuna rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she reached out for him. Her voice was shaky, thick with emotion as tears streamed down her face. "Deku… Deku, I…"
She couldn't find the words. Her heart felt like it was shattering. If she had just listened to him—if she had stayed away like he'd wanted—none of this would've happened. He wouldn't have killed those Laughing Coffin members. He wouldn't have had to join the Knights. And now… now he had killed Kuradeel.
Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she looked at him, her chest tight with guilt. "It's my fault," Asuna whispered, her voice barely audible. "I should've listened to you… I should've stayed away. Maybe then…"
Deku couldn't bear to hear her blame herself. Her words, filled with so much pain and guilt, tore at him, but he couldn't let her carry that burden. Not when he was the one responsible for all of this. Without thinking, his body moved on instinct, driven by an overwhelming urge to stop her from hurting.
Before he realized what he was doing, Deku turned and pulled Asuna into a kiss.
For a moment, the world around them disappeared. Asuna's eyes widened in shock, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. But before either of them could react, they quickly pulled back, both of them staring at each other in stunned silence, their faces flushed.
Deku's face turned bright red as the reality of what he had done hit him. His mouth opened, and words spilled out in a frantic rush. "I—I didn't mean to—I'm sorry, I—"
But before he could finish, Asuna leaned forward, silencing him with another kiss. This time, there was no hesitation, no uncertainty—only the raw emotion that had been building between them for so long, finally coming to the surface.
As their lips parted, the quiet between them stretched for just a moment, both of them catching their breath, hearts racing. Asuna broke the silence with a soft chuckle, her voice filled with a mix of warmth and relief. "You know, I didn't think I was ever going to hear those mutters from you again."
Deku's cheeks flushed red as the weight of the moment settled over him. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he let his body move, his head leaning forward until it rested gently against Asuna's chest. His hand, still trembling, grasped the fabric of her cloak as if it were the only thing tethering him to the world at that moment.
"I'm sorry," Deku whispered, his voice small but heavy with emotion. "I'm sorry for everything." His grip tightened, the apology coming from deep within him. "All I care about… all that matters now… is getting you out of this game. Alive."
That word lingered between them, carrying with it the weight of all the losses they had seen, all the lives that had been shattered. Deku could feel the guilt rising again, gnawing at him. He thought about everything that had led them to this moment—the bloodshed, the sacrifices, the lives lost under his watch. He couldn't bring himself to shake the doubt that lingered in his heart, the same doubt that had been growing ever since he stepped into Aincrad.
"I just want to stay with you," he continued, his voice breaking slightly, "until the end."
The silence that followed was no longer heavy but filled with a kind of comfort as if they both understood the unspoken weight of his words. The wind rustled gently around them, and for a brief moment, they allowed themselves to just be—to sit together, holding onto the only constant they had left: each other.
As Deku's gaze lowered to his left sleeve, now empty, the memories of his last conversation with his mother crept back into his mind. He could still hear her voice, gentle and reassuring. "Remember, sweetie… don't forget who you are inside there."
But who was he now? He had entered this game as a kid with a dream—someone who wanted nothing more than to be like the heroes he admired. But here, in this world, that dream felt distant, almost out of reach. He had changed so much, and the choices he had made… the lives he had taken… could he ever still dream of being a hero?
Maybe I can't be a hero, he thought, his chest tightening with the weight of that realization. I can't go back to the kid I was… but I can't stay like this either.
Before he could sink further into that spiraling doubt, Asuna's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Deku…" she whispered, her hand resting on his shoulder. "Do you really mean that? Are you really done going it alone?"
Deku pulled back slightly from her, wiping away the remaining tears from his face. The uncertainty that had plagued him moments before began to fade, replaced by a quiet, firm resolve. He looked at her, his voice steady but softer now, with a clarity he hadn't felt in days.
"I promise," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. "I'm done."
They sat in silence for a moment, but it wasn't the kind of silence that felt lonely or uncertain. It was filled with an understanding—a shared recognition that they could face the unknown together. Asuna's smile returned, this time wider, more genuine than he had seen it in what felt like forever.
Deku hesitated for a second, then softly asked, "Can I stay with you tonight?"
Asuna's eyes sparkled, and her smile grew even warmer. She didn't need to say anything; the answer was already clear in her expression. Together, they would take on whatever came next, not as individuals but as partners. For now, in this moment, they had each other. And that was enough.
Later that night, Asuna stirred from her sleep, her eyes fluttering open as she noticed an empty space beside her. Instinctively, she glanced around the room, her gaze landing on the window where a faint light from the moon illuminated the small patio outside. Through the glass, she spotted Deku standing there, his back facing her as he gazed out into the night. There was something different about him in that moment—he looked so at ease, so at peace. It was a side of him she hadn't seen before, and it warmed her heart, bringing a soft smile to her face.
Quietly, Asuna slipped out of bed and made her way to the door, her bare feet padding softly across the floor. She gently opened the door and stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against her skin.
Deku heard the door creak open and turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of her smile as she approached. "Did I wake you?" he asked softly.
Asuna shook her head, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight. "No," she whispered as she walked in front of him, gently taking his arms and wrapping them around her shoulders, leaning back against his chest. They stood like that, facing the same direction, holding each other as they gazed out at the serene night sky.
For a while, neither of them spoke, content to just enjoy the peaceful moment together. The silence between them wasn't heavy or awkward—it was comforting, as if they were both finding solace in each other's presence. But, as was often the case, Asuna couldn't help but break the silence.
"Deku?" she asked softly, her voice curious.
"Hmm?" he responded, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"Can I know your real name?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to glance at him. "During the ambush, I heard WaveKing call you... Midoru?"
Deku chuckled softly, a smile playing on his lips. "Close," he said with a warm tone. "It's Izuku. Izuku Midoriya."
"Izuku..." Asuna repeated, almost in wonder, the name rolling off her tongue as if she were savoring its sound. She turned around slowly, still in his embrace, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was slightly taller than him, and for a brief moment, she leaned in, their lips meeting in a soft, lingering kiss.
When they pulled away, Asuna rested her head on Deku's shoulder, her breath still slightly uneven. The warmth of the night surrounded them, but as they held each other, something nagged at Deku's curiosity.
"You know," he began softly, "I told you my real name… but you never told me yours."
Asuna tensed slightly in his arms, her face flushing as she turned her head away, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "I... it's not that interesting," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Deku raised an eyebrow, his curiosity only growing. "Come on," he pressed gently, leaning closer. "It can't be that bad. Please?"
Asuna bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before sighing in defeat. "It's... Yuuki," she admitted quietly. "Asuna Yuuki."
Deku blinked, processing the name before a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Wait... you used your real name for your username?"
Asuna's face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and she immediately pouted, crossing her arms in mock annoyance. "I knew you'd laugh!" she muttered, turning her face away from him. "I didn't think anyone would notice…"
"And besides," she added, her voice quieter now, "I've never played many video games before... Mito had to convince me to try SAO."
Deku couldn't help but smile at her response, gently squeezing his arms around her. "I'm not laughing at you," he reassured her, his voice tender. "I'm just... glad."
"Glad?" Asuna echoed, glancing up at him, her curiosity piqued.
"Yeah," Deku said with a smile. "I wouldn't want to change your name. I like it just the way it is."
Asuna's pout slowly melted into a smile, her heart swelling at his words. But before she could respond, Deku's face turned bright red, and he started muttering under his breath.
"I-I mean… it's just… you're Asuna, and changing your name wouldn't feel right, b-because you're already perfect as you are, and I—uh—I didn't mean to say it like that, I just… I mean, not that I don't like the name, it's just…"
Asuna blinked, a soft chuckle escaping her as she listened to his rambling. The muttering continued, his words tumbling over each other in a flustered rush.
"I-I just… your name, it suits you and—uh—I didn't mean to make it sound weird, it's just—"
"Deku," Asuna interrupted softly, her smile growing wider as she watched him trip over his words.
Deku froze, his eyes wide as he looked at her, his muttering coming to an abrupt stop.
Before he could say anything else, Asuna wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a warm, affectionate kiss.
When they finally pulled away, Asuna rested her head on Deku's shoulder once again, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "So, what's next for us, Izuku?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a sense of hope and anticipation.
Deku looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkling brightly, the moon casting a gentle glow over the landscape. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "For as long as I can remember, I've always just kept moving forward. If I didn't… well, I guess I never had a reason to stop before."
Asuna turned her head slightly, looking at him with a soft smile. "Why don't we take a break?" she suggested, her voice gentle but filled with hope. "We've both been fighting on the front lines since the beginning. After everything that's happened recently… I think the guild would allow us to take some time off."
Deku nodded slowly, the idea beginning to take shape in his mind. "That sounds nice," he said softly, his gaze still fixed on the stars.
A silence fell between them again, but this time it was filled with a playful curiosity that tugged at Deku. Just then, a shooting star streaked across the sky, disappearing over the horizon of a distant forest. His breath caught for a brief moment, the sight of it stirring a bittersweet memory.
It reminded him of something he had once told Melissa, back when they had talked about dreams and hopes for after they cleared the game. He had promised her that they would visit Floor 22 together—a beautiful place he had discovered as a beta tester, one she would have loved. But she never got the chance to see it. The thought saddened him, the familiar pang of grief settling in his chest.
But then, as he held Asuna in his arms, another thought followed. Melissa would've wanted him to go, especially now. She would've wanted him to go there with someone he cared about, someone he loved.
But as the words "someone he loved" echoed in his mind, Deku's heart nearly stopped. Wait… did I just say that? Loved? His mind went into overdrive, panic bubbling up. I don't even know the first thing about love! I've never been in a relationship! What if this is all too fast? His face flushed, his thoughts spiraling out of control. What am I even supposed to do in a relationship? What if I mess everything up?
For a brief moment, the weight of it all threatened to overwhelm him. But then, as he looked down at Asuna, her head resting peacefully against his chest, all of the worry, all of the fear, just washed away. In that quiet moment, holding her close, everything felt right.
That's when the idea formed in his mind.
"How about Floor 22?" Deku said softly, his smile returning, though now tinged with a mix of sorrow and hope.
Asuna tilted her head in curiosity. "Floor 22? What's there?"
Deku's smile grew as he thought back to the peaceful forest and the hidden lake that felt like a world away from the chaos of Aincrad. "There's this place," he began, his voice filled with quiet excitement. "It's unbelievable… peaceful, beautiful… I want to take you there."
Asuna's eyes softened as she saw the warmth in his expression. She didn't press him for more details, trusting him completely. "Okay," she said, her voice full of quiet affection.
They remained there on the patio, holding each other close as the night stretched on, both feeling a sense of peace they hadn't experienced since getting trapped in the game. The weight of the world seemed to lift, if only for this fleeting moment. For the first time in what felt like forever, Deku would truly, not be alone anymore.
As they stood in each other's embrace, Asuna whispered softly, "Promise me… we'll always be together like this, no matter what happens."
Deku tightened his hold on her, his heart swelling with a warmth he hadn't felt in so long. "Always," he murmured back, the word carrying more weight than he could have ever imagined.
And at that moment, there were no fears, no walls, only the two of them, standing together under the night sky, their futures uncertain but intertwined.
AUTHOR NOTES:So it FINALLY happened. Deku has finally accepted Asuna into his life. Now it's not to say that everything is going to be easier for him. SAO has changed him, and although he's finally taken his first big step toward healing, there's still so much he has to deal with. But we at least will get to see parts of the old Deku again, which are some of my favorite moments. So for now, I'm going to begin the last chapter of this arc. I'm not going to look at the word count until I've finished. If my gut is right I'm going to have to break it up into two chapters, but they'll be posted at the same time or within a day of each other, so long as work doesn't keep me to busy. Hope y'all enjoyed this one. As always, have a good one! :)