2 | The World Of Swords |
Today marked the day of S.A.O 's official release I stood there in line at the gaming center waiting for it for what seemed like hours and hours just to get my hands on a copy of the game.
But just when it looked like the doors were about to fling open, people started rushing towards the doors, in some shape or form I managed to slip by a couple of people just as the doors opened.
???: ALMOST THERE DAMN IT!!!!!
I reached as far as my arm could stretch and grabbed hold of a copy of the game.
The young man slammed the copy of the game onto the countertop with a very exhausted and frightening expression causing the cashier to freeze up a bit.
???:...p-please....this...copy..must..pay
Cashier:..um y.. yeah sure thing pal...
The poor woman looked like she was about to cry out of fear. But managed to get the payment and send the young man on his way.
???: YES!!, got me a copy of the game! now or head home and get straight back into it!
If I remover correctly so or more of the top players who made it to flood 10 during the beta were near level 20 to 30+ or higher, all that info during the beta test will surely come in handy.
The young man rushed home as fast as he could but during his rush to make it to his room he meet some obstacles along the way.
While making his way up the stairs he was met with a familiar face, she smiled brightly and had a bit of an annoyed look in her eyes.
???: ..what the..hey let me through Mya!, you know how long I've waited for this! no one gonna get in my way!
Mya: in your way huh?...
She angrily responded, while clenching her oh-so-ready fist.
She suddenly took a few steps down the stairs and grabbed hold of the young man's collar and yanked him close.
Mya: You jerk! you do realize we have kendo practice! don't you dare tell me you've forgotten all about it!
???: .. what...oh crap your right..listen how about I do it after when I get off?, you know how long I waited in line for...
Mya: Ughh..fine..but if uncle doesn't see you in the dojo in a couple of hours he's gonna flip out on you...
She begrudgingly lets go of his shirt collar and walks past him down the stairs into the kitchen.
The very aggressive and responsible woman who just seemingly assaulted the young man was his sister Mya Yamada.
The young man then makes his way up the stairs to his room to get everything set up including his new NervGear.
???:..here we go..back into the world of virtual reality...
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous but who am I kidding I'm excited to get straight back into this masterpiece.
The young man would put on the NerveGear and hook up the gear properly to the game readying himself in a comfortable position on his bed slowly realizing himself and his muscles.
Slowly but surely he took small and easy breaths and said the keywords to activate the gear.
???: [Link Start!]
Suddenly he opened his eyes slowly gazing at his hands and all around him players from old to new all around him.
The young man smirked and clench his virtual fist excitedly.
???: heh., hello SAO, I'M BACK!!
[FLOOR 1: Town Of Beginnings]
The young man can be seen running fast past many other players towards the fields of the many mobs.
???: (Okay first things first, I gotta start by farming in some spots most new players might not know about grinding spots to get some levels)
I should take the alleyways that way I can get to the fields faster
While making his way through the allies he ran into a long black haired man about the same size as him
They both stood there looking at one another noticing some familiar features about each other.
???: Hey Do I Know You-
???: Hey Do I Know You-
But before they could finish their sentences they were both interrupted by a long red-haired man.
???: Hey Dudes!, Got a second?!
Both: Huh?
The two of them looked back down the alleyway as the man approached them
But at the same time, the man stopped to catch his breath
???: Friend of Yours?
???: Huh- oh no don't know the guy
Both: need something?
The man finally catches his breath and is ready to speak what's on his mind.
???: You both look like you know your way around here right?, You two must've been in the beta test right?
This came as a surprise to the two young men while looking at one another and back at the man.
???: yeah I guess we are
The man smiled with glee and stood up straight
???: cool! Today is my first day, so do you two think you could lend me some tips on the lower floors?
The man put both of his arms over the two young men's shoulders causing them to feel a bit uncomfortable
One of the two young men the one with the black hair spoke up for both of them
???: look man I'm not sure if we-
???: OH PLEASE IM BEGGIN' YA, look my mames Klein good to meet ya both
The two young men stared at each other for a moment then smiled to look back at Klein
Kirito: Alright, I'm Kirito
Mikoto: And I'm Mikoto
[TRANSITION THE WEST FIELDS]
Klein can be seen getting knocked back hard by a boar pretty hard, and he'd roll around on the ground seemingly in pain
But both Mikoto & Kirito look on kinda dumbfounded
Kirito: Oh c'mon seriously you can't feel any pain
Klein: ...Oh yeah your right...
Mikoto: (Sigh) drama queen...
Klein would get up finding his balance once more
Klein: Sorry....habit
Kirito: Remember what I & Mikoto said the first move is the most important
Klein begrudgingly looked on at the boar and back at Kirino & Mikoto
Klein: well that's easy for you two to say..but it won't stand still!
Mikoto would smile and pick up a pebble tossing it over to kirito
Then he'd go on to explain the mechanics of the game to Klein while Kirito demonstrates
Mikoto: If you do your initial motion right
Kirito would ready himself in a stance, and the pebble would glow
He'd then chuck the pebble at the boar gaining its agro on him
Mikoto: And if you activate a sword skill at the right time
Kirito would maneuver his way around the boar as it charged at him guiding it to Klein to try for himself
Kirito: The system sorta always guarantees you'll hit your target!
Klein:..initial..motion?..
Klein readied his sword
Mikoto would shout as the boar shared at Klein
Mikoto: here's an easier way of looking at it! right after you start your move wait for a little bit, once you feel the skill start to activate. Drive it Home!
Klein is still a bit confused
Klein: drive it home?..
Klein gasped and got his stance ready understanding what to do next as his sword began to glow, his skill finally activating
Mikoto & kirito smirked as Klein let out a war cry and with a swift motion took down the boar and having Exp and a level
Klein: Ahah...Huehue!!!..YEAH!!
Kirito: Congratulations
Mikoto: your first kill and your first start
Klein smiled and gave both kirito & Mikoto a high five all three of them smiling
Kirito: that was nice
He'd remark as he sheath his sword
Mikoto: hah, not bad at all Klein
Also Sheathing his sword
Klein would grin with a smug face
Mikoto & Kirito would both look at each other sighing and smirking
Kirito: but, that boar was as weak as slimes in another game are
This info caught Klein off guard and took his confidence down a peg or two
Klein: wha- Holy crap you outta be kiddin' I thought that thing was a mid-level boss!..
Mikoto would grin and chuckle
Mikoto: heh, yeah as if
All three would gaze over at the field as more boars would appear
Klein would also be testing out his sword skill by swinging his blade around as it activates
Klein: Whooaa~~!
Kirito: Addictive isn't it?
Klein would look at both kirito and Mikoto smiling
Klein: I'll say~
He'd say as he thrust his blade
Klein: so these skills there's atone of them like blacksmithing and stuff, RIGHT
He'd talk as he swings his sword
Mikoto: Uh-huh I heard the game has. An unlimited number of them. All except for magic though
Klein would get in the same stance once more finally getting his sword skill to activate again
Klein: An RPG without Magic? That's a bold decision Maaan!
Klein would swing his sword once more
Klein would also giggle and laugh as he managed to do the sword skill once more excitedly
Kirito: so what do you think? it's kinda fun to move your body as you fight, isn't it?
Klein turning to kirito happily
Klein: hue, Ah hells Yeah!
Mikoto and Kirito nod their heads at both Klein and turn to one another smirking
Then they'd turn back to Klein
Mikoto: so you ready to move on?
Klein: yeah Guys, let's keep going
[Time would fly by As both Mikoto & Kirito taught Klein the basics of the game soon it would get late not only in the virtual world but as well in the real world]
[SCENCE CHANGE]
[WEST FIELD, SUNSET]
All around you can truly see the beauty of the world as the three sit and stand gazing around at the virtual reality they are in
Klein: You know, when I look around I can't believe it, we're inside a game dudes!
Both Mikoto & Kirito look forward with Klein still gazing at the world smiling
Klein: whoever made this is a genius, for real this thing is amazing. Makes me half I was born when I was you know?
Kirito: it's not THAT big of a deal
Mikoto: (Laughs)
Klein: Cut me some slack it's my first full dive
This catches Both Mikoto & Kirito off guard
Kirito: You've never used a nerve gear before today huh?
Mikoto: This is your first time?
Klein: Uh Huh, as soon as I got the money to buy the nerve gear I rushed out to buy all the hardware to play SAO
Klein would smirk
Klein: stood in line and scored one of the hard copies. Guess you could say I was pretty lucky
Klein, Kirito, & Mikoto would continue smiling at the story
Klein: Although, Your two gentlemen were ten times as lucky getting to play the beta tested. Dudes only a thousand people got the chance
Mikoto & Kirito would look at one another and look over at Klein rubbing their heads anxiously
Kirito: Yea, Guess we were lucky
Klein would smile at the two
Klein: Hey, mind if I ask how far you two go in the beta?
Both Kirito and Mikoto would both stand in silence for a bit then they'd answer Klein giving the same answer
Mikoto: only 2 months, couldn't even get past floor 8...
Kirito: Heh I feel ya on that, but now I think I can get there within a month easy
Mikoto and Kirito would look on out at the scenery with competitive looks on their faces
Klein however would look at the two worried and kind of amazed but sorta more surprised at how similar the two are
Klein: sounds to me like you two are really into this
Kirito: Yeah you could say that
He'd unsheathed his blade
Mikoto: Likewise, I mean, honestly during the beta test SAO was the only thing on my mind
Kirito: Heh yeah same here, day and night in this world a single blade can take you anywhere you wanna go. And even though it's a virtual world, I feel more alive here than I ever did in the real world
He'd raise his blade high
Mikoto: no kidding
Klein would look at the two once more surprised and still a tad bit worried
Mikoto would look back at Klein
Mikoto: anyways, you guys wanna go do some more hunting?
Kirito: sure I'm down for it
Klein: Oh!, You Know It!,...but the thing is
Klein would hold his stomach as a low growl could be heard
Klein; I'm Real hungry...I have to log out
This makes Mikoto and kirito look on not too surprised
Mikoto: Too bad the food here only satisfies your hunger virtually
Klein: Yeah!, for reals, That's why I ordered a pizza for 5:30!
Kirito would chuckle
Kirito: wow you're so prepared
Klein: you know it!, besides the game can wait till I get my pizza on!
Mikoto: Yeah, I guess...
Klein would stand up off the ground
Klein: hey, I was gonna go meet up with some other people I know from another game. I don't know what you two are up to after this, so if uh..you know if you two want you could friend them and hang with us
Kirito and Mikoto would look at each other and they'd look away for a second from each other and Klein
Klein: oh no, it's cool if you two don't want to, no pressure I could always introduce you guys to them another time or something
Kirito and Mikoto would look at Klein and respond
Mikoto: Yeah sorry...
Kirito: ...thanks anyways
Klein would look at the two and try to lighten the now dull atmosphere
Klein: No way you two, I should be doing all the thanking! Hey one of these days I'll pay you two back for all your guy's help
Grabbing onto both of their shoulders and then giving them a thumbs up
Klein: Virtually that is
Mikoto and Kirito look at Klein and then at each other
Kirito: Heh, yeah right
Mikoto: you might just forget
Klein: Hey! C'mon have a little faith in me, but anyways thanks for everything guys. Really
Mikoto and Kirito would stand there a bit taken back by Klein wanting to shake both their hands
Klein: Guess I'll see you both around then?
Both Mikoto and kirito cave in and shake his hand anyways
Kirito: if there is anything else you wanna know...
Mikoto: message us
All three shake their hands forming what would seem to be a good friendship
Klein: Aw Sweet!, I'll do that
[Time would pass as all three would go on to say their goodbyes to one another, both Mikoto Klein & Kirito heading off in separate directions]
[Although Before Mikoto or Kirito managed to get to a certain distance Klein would stop them from asking about the Log Out Button Missing From His Menu]
[As time passed they'd both try to explain to Klein that the log-out function should be there but as they try to demonstrate, they too were baffled at the sight of the log-out button missing]
[They'd all try to shove it off as some bug in the system and wait for the devs to try and fix it, although both Mikoto and kirito have their doubts and suspicions, while Klein is going insane at the thought of cold pizza]
[Klein questions the two of theirs another way to log out, but they both respond with bad news. There is no alternative to log out of SAO except for the log-out setting]
[Klein still in denial over a bug in the game tries to remove the NerveGear but to no avail, Kirito & Mikoto would go on to explain how the gear works to Klein]
[How the gear uses an interface built into the rig cutting all of your real-life body commands to move in reality]
[Mikoto would also note that theirs a chance that someone else could manually remove the NerveGear from them instead that would be their only alternative]
—————————————————
Klein: oh, I live alone what about you two?
Kirito: I got a mom and a sister
Mikoto: I got my little sister and uncle
Klein would jump from the words "sister", clutching onto both kirito and Mikoto
Klein: y-You two got sisters?!, How old are they? what do they like
[Unfortunately for Klein this would lead both Mikoto and kirito to knee Klein in the crotch sending him flying alongside his Persistent questions]
[Even so, he'd remember getting kicked in the groins wouldn't give him any game or pain but this did help bring him back to his senses]
Mikoto: get serious...
Klein: hm?
Kirito l: I mean don't you think this is weird?
Klein: I mean yeah totally, but it's just a bug
Mikoto: this isn't just a bug if we can't log out...
Kirito: it's gonna cause some serious problems for the game...
Klein: yeah...I guess your right
All three would look around and about still coming to terms with everything
Kirito: I wonder if the developers even know what's happening. Cause they could just shut down the server and log everyone out
Mikoto: But why haven't they made an announcement?
[Before they could gather themselves, a bell would ring across the area for all to hear catching all three of them off guard]
[Suddenly they were all teleported to the town of beginnings, alongside every player inside the game]
[Everyone in the center was very confused and some wondered if it was an event taking place, while others had their suspicions]
[The bell kept on ringing for what seemed like hours, until it finally stopped letting Mikoto, Kirito, and Klein gather their thoughts on the situation]
Kirito: Someone forced a teleport...
Kirito said anxiously
Mikoto: guys look above us...
Klein & Kirito: huh?
[Everyone would stare above witnessing a hexagon appear with the word warning across it soon more would begin to appear spreading across the sky]
Mikoto: No what...
[Shortly afterward, an oz of blood would come streaming out of the sky with it turning into someone cloaked in all red]
Kayaba: Attention players, I am Akihiko Kayaba and I welcome You to my World
Kirito: what's he mean by that?
Kayaba Would Continue
Kayaba: And as of this moment. I am in control of this world
Mikoto & Kirito: !!!
Both would realize who the man is
[Every player would be baffled and in awe to be meeting the man first hand]
Kayaba: I'm sure most of you have already noticed an item missing from your main menu. The log-out button
He'd demonstrate by opening up his menu and revealing
Kayaba: Let me assure you this is not a defect in the game. I Repeat This Is Not A Defect, this was how Sword Art Online was Designed to be
Klein: ... He's kidding right?...
Klein would have his mouth opened a bit in disbelief
Kayaba: You cannot Log Yourselves Out Of SAO, and no one from the outside can shut down or remove the nerve gear from your head. If anyone attempts to do so, a transmitter inside the nerve-gear would discharge a microwave signal inside your skull. Destroying your brain and ending your life
[Everyone is in shock and disbelief some would start to panic and others are still confused as to what he means by all of this, while the majority could only sit and listen to the madman behind this game]
[Others tried to leave the area thinking it was all but nonsense but a barrier would be placed to keep everyone inside, to listen to what Kayaba had to say next]
Klein: huh, are you guys listening to this crap? he's gotta be nuts right? Right?, Mikoto?, Kirito?
Kirito: ....he's not...
Mikoto: The transmitters signals, in the headgear, work just like microwaves
Kirito: yeah, and if the safety is disabled then it could fry your brain
Klein: huh?!, couldn't someone cut the power or-
Mikoto: that won't work the NerveGear has an internal battery
Slowly it dawned on Klein
Klein: Gah!, this is crazy! it's crazy!
Suddenly the game master would continue his explanation
Kayaba: Despite my warnings, the family and friends of some of the players have attempted to remove the nerve gear. An unfortunate decision to say the least. As a result the game now has 2013 fewer players than it originally did when it began
They've been deleted from both Aincrad and the real world.
Mikoto: Two-hundred thirteenth?!
Kirito: No way...
Klein: Ngh!, I don't Believe It!
The game master would continue his explanation by displaying real-world news reports live broadcasts and all about what's happening in the real world to prove his words to be correct and all the more true
Kayaba: As you can see, International media has round-the-clock coverage of everything, including the deaths. At this point, it's safe to assume the likely hood of nerve gear being removed is minimal at best
I hope that this brings you a little comfort as you try to clear the game.
[Both Mikoto & Kirito seeing that everything he saying and showing is all true gritting their teeth to only listen to what he has to say]
Kayaba: It's important to remember the following., There is no longer a way to revive someone in the game. If your HP drops to zero, your avatar will be deleted from the system Forever
And the nerve gear will simultaneously destroy your brain.
[Both Mikoto and Kirito gasp almost simultaneously envisioning their deaths in their heads as their avatar's HP hit zero ending their lives]
[They were both brought back down to their sense clenching their fists, almost signifying their acceptance of this new world]
[All the more, the game master would continue his explanation to all the remaining players within SAO]
Kayaba: there's only one way for a player to escape now. You must clear the game.
He'd open a small mini-map of the castle Aincrad showing all 100 floors
Kayaba: Right now, you gathered on floor 1, the lowest level of Ainecrad. If you can get through the dungeon and defeat the boss, you may advance to the next floor
Defeat the boss on floor 100 and you will clear the game
[Everyone speaks amongst themselves gathering the information, some still are in disbelief some still try to make sense of it all, while all the more for others to listen]
Klein: we can't clear all one hundred floors..that's freakin' impossible...EVEN THE BETA TESTER NEVER MADE IT THAT HIGH!
Mikoto & Kirito:...
The game master would continue his explanation
Kayaba: And last but not least, I've placed a little item in the storage of every player. Please, Have a Look
[As every player opened their menus to their storage to get the item it would be a small mirror]
Mikoto & Kirito: A mirror....?
[It would show nothing but their reflections at first but suddenly everyone would be affected by it one after another revealing what they all truly looked like beneath their avatars]
Klein: Hey you two okay? Kirito?, Mikoto?
Mikoto: yeah- wait what the ?..
Kirito: Huh wait?.. you can't be.. who are you two?
Klein: I'm me..who are you two?..
[Both Mikoto & Kirito we're taken back by their appearances, it would be their actual faces of what they look like in the real world rather than the avatars they made]
Mikoto & Kirito: !!!
[Everyone would begin to be confused, shocked, panicked, and very frightened at this unexpected moment, some revealed to be who they are not]
[Then it dawned on the two]
Mikoto: Wait for a second-
Kirito: Wait for a second-
They'd point at each other than at Klein
Kirito: Is that you, Mikoto, Klein?
Mikoto: Is that You, Kirito, Klein?
Klein: Is that You, Kirito, or Mikoto?
Klein shocked at this sudden realization slowly baffled and confused
Klein: Eh? what- but how
Kirito: ! the scan, there's a high-density signal device inside the nerve gear rig
Mikoto: ! oh right it can see what our faces look like,
(Wait but how does it know our height and body type?)
Klein: When you first put the nerve gear on. It has to do this calibration thing, it asks you to touch your body all over like this remember?
Klein demonstrating
Kirito: oh yeah, your right, that's where it got our physical data
Klein: but, this is- what's the point why would anyone do this to us?
Mikoto would point up to kayaba
Mikoto: I think he's about to tell us
Kayaba: right now, you're probably wondering. Why?, why would Akihiko Kayaba develop sword art online and nerve gear? Do this?
Ultimately my goal was a simple one, the reason I created sword art online, was to control the fate of a world with my design.
Both Mikoto & Kirito Grit their teeth once more in disgust and anger
Mikoto & Kirito: Tch, (Kayaba!)
Kayaba: As you can see, I have achieved my goal.
Mikoto: ...
Kirito:...
Kayaba: this makes the end of the tutorial. And the official launch of Sword art Online, players, I wish you the best of luck
[Just then kayaba would begin to vanish as his avatar began to slowly diminish into a thick dark red smoke]
[And the dome around them turned back into the sunset sky, leaving everyone in a state of panic and fear, some screamed for answers others begging to go back to the real world]
[A small vacuum of silence filled the area around Mikoto and Kirito, both feeling as if blood was dripping from their hands]
[ They both started to come to terms that if they died in the game, They would die for real, finally accepting this new reality of theirs, a game of life and death]
Mikoto: ( It's not a game....)
Kirito: (....It's Real)
They both slowly get a whole of the situation
Mikoto: (Akihiko Kayaba Created a Virtual World..)
Kirito: (...HE designed the nerve gear rig)
Mikoto: ( The man is a genius...)
Kirito: (...I've Been a fan of his for a long time)
Mikoto would look down at the ground while kirito gazed over the sea of people
Mikoto & Kirito: (So I Know...everything he JUST said...is the truth..if I die in the game...I'll die in real life!)
Girl: My god...NOOOO!
[Just then all around people began to panic man become disoriented, all begging for Kayaba to come back and release them from this nightmare]
Guy #1: Let Me Out!, LET ME OUTTA HERE!!
Guy #2: YOU CAN'T KEEP ME HER EI HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW!!!
Girl: What did we ever do to you!!
Guy #4: YEAH WE JUST WANTED TO PLAY A STUPID GAME THAT'S ALL!!
Mikoto & Kirito:...
Mikoto: Hey kirito... I'm gonna go on ahead to the next village over you coming?...
Kirito: ...guess we both have the same plan huh?...you go on ahead I wanna talk with Klein...
[Mikoto nodded his head as he rushed through the crowd of people making his way through the shopping district to the west field]
Mikoto: .....
He'd have suddenly flashbacks to the argument he had with his sister as he dashed forward toward a mob
Mikoto: OUTTA MY WAYYY!!!
He'd quickly activate a sword skill killing the boar instantly moving forward none stop slightly smiling while cutting down boar after boar with one thing on his mind
Mikoto: I Won't Die here..NOT LIKE THIS NOT WHILE I STILL HAVE PEOPLE BACK IN THE RESL WORKD!!
Like hell I'll let you win..you hear me?...KAYABAAA!!!
Within the Game's First Month, 2,000 have Died.
Floor 1 Has yet to be cleared
December 2, 2022
