When a Monster Becomes a Demon chapter 12

Tyler walked out to see Asuna, Sakura, Yuka, Lorg, and Burke with their crews. Kirito looked at the people.

"Something wrong?"

Asuna looked at Tyler, noting the look of frustrated anger.

"The other survivors were sent to the prison. We're going to rest for a bit at the Hut."

Tyler nodded, as he felt just HOW tired he was. Yuka looked at Asuna.

"I'll make the report to Heathcliff."

Lorg and Burke nodded as well.

"we'll get back to it."

The friends jumped. Tyler walked to the cabin to see Sachi with a look of nerves on her face as she saw him. They all swapped to swimsuits as he smiled.

"Sorry about that Sachi. Kinda had to focus a bit."

She nodded.

"I know. Just a little intense."

He walked over and laid on couch.

"I'll be right back after this black out."

Sachi just watched as he did indeed black out on the couch. She looked at Sakura as she climbed up onto his chest.

"Is he okay now?"

Sakura yawned as she curled up like a cat on his chest.

"He's fine. Just remember, THAT'S what happens when you ROYALLY piss him off."

Asuna and Kirito had claimed spots of their own as the red head spoke up.

"And here I thought that time with the other guild was bad."

Sakura sighed.

"They weren't a challenge. NOR did they actually touch him. PoH is just like Tyler. Plus is every bit as heartlessly merciless. We get out, be careful. If Tyler sees that guy on the street he is going to do everything in his power to KILL him. We're looking at that kinda hatred."

Kirito gulped.

"I just hope he wins."

Sakura smiled as Sachi cuddled up beside the unconscious boy.

"He'll win kiri."

"ugh."

Sakura looked at her brother.

"Big Brother ALWAYS wins."

2 days later.

Tyler was back to full strength and was back on floor 66 with Sakura, Kirito, Asuna, and Sachi. The five of them working to find the floor boss sooner rather then later.

"Heads up."

Tyler planted his foot to smash a large orc in the face shattering it with a broadsword. The party were near a small lake on the 66th floor and were making steady progress with levels and exploring. Once the thing was gone they all took a potion break by the water as they relaxed a bit. Tyler had Sachi under his arm. The girl how a happy snuggly girl like Sakura.

"Always easy to relax with Sachi under my arm."

"Eep!"

She blushed as she usually did when flattered by her dream boyfriend. HE smiled as he laid in the grass watching the clouds go by. Sachi rested her head on his chest smiling and he stroked her warm back. Tyler smiled as heard Sakura splashing water.

"Make sure you don't fall in Sakura."

"I can swim ya know!"

"You can. Yet what about that gator ten feet from you?"

"Eep!"

There was indeed a gator ten feet from Sakura's splashing spot. Sakura backed away as the leathery monster sank into the depths as the pink haired cutie rested by Tyler now.

"Thanks Big brother."

He patted her, seeing Kirito and Asuna resting on the grass nearby. Sachi was nearly asleep right there on his chest and Sakura was about to fall asleep beside him from the warm day. Asuna smiled at Kirito when she pinged. Tyler looked over as she opened her messenger. She sighed and came over.

"We got a problem."

He sat up and Sachi grumbled as he looked at it. Soon as he did, he laughed.

"Heathcliff is saying your LEAVE IS UP? Who the hell does he think he is? Ignore it."

she sighed and pointed to the last bit.

"Says here if I don't at least make the formal abandonment he'll a bounty on the heads of our friends."

Tyler smiled a nasty smile.

"Oh. He's plays like that. Alright. Let's go give some fresh nightmares."

The party made the jump to the Bloodoath HQ. They walked right up to the gates and Tyler booted then door in to see Heathcliff with a ring of his fellow leaders of the guild waiting for them. Asuna smiled.

"I'm leaving the guild. Goodbye."

They turned around and went to walk out the door.

"I'd like to say something before you just leave."

Tyler looked at him with a bored expression.

"and we should care WHY?"

Yuka was walked out by the other knights. Tyler looked at Heathcliff. And smiled. Just. Smiled. Yuka was quick.

"I'm not hurt! I'm just here by request! That's it!"

Tyler was still smiling that blood chilling smile as Heathcliff looked at him.

"If you want Asuna use those dual blades to take her from us."

"Or?"

"Yuka spends the rest of SaS in a cell."

"You DO-here."

Tyler moved like chained lightning to shatter the three knights around Yuka and had her in his party center faster then most could see. Even Heathcliff was taken aback by that display. Yuka sighed now.

"I TOLD you, Commander that would happen. Gore's answer to a threat of violence or anything? You get dragged to hell."

Asuna just busted up laughing.

"And THAT'S why I left. Goreleech doesn't play by ANY rules. PERIOD. Why the hell do you think he was able to fight PoH to a draw?"

The other knights were backing away as Heathcliff regained himself.

"Okay, Demon. I challenge you to a duel."

"Again. WHY SHOULD I CARE? You have nothing I want nor need."

Heathcliff scrambled after that.

"You are called the strongest player in the game. Yet you don't seem to really care."

"I don't. I really don't. Dude. LOOK at me. Do I REALLY look like I give a fuck?"

The others in his party were laughing as Heathcliff was caught by surprise by Tyler's attitude.

"Okay. Let me make the Duel worth your while."

"What could YOU possible have that I want? I already got Asuna. Yuka's stronger then your entire guild and has ME looming behind her. Our friends as well."

Heathcliff clenched his fist now.

"we found the 66th floor boss. We'll give you the location."

"Dude. Ya got nothing. That boss we'll find sooner or later on our own. Or if not the next one. Have you FORGOTTEN who has more boss kills in this game then nearly EVERYONE ELSE? Combined?"

Sakura sighed.

"Just kick his ass, Big brother."

Tyler looked at her.

"You know I hate this shit."

She sighed as she shrugged.

"I want to see you show off."

"Oh. I can do that."

Tyler looked at Heathcliff.

"Alright. I win you leave us the fuck alone and don't slaughter your guild. You win, WE don't slaughter your guild."

The man agreed on reflex.

"Accepted. Wait. Dammit."

Tyler grinned as the Duel terms were set. WITH witnesses.

"And that, ladies and Kirito, is how you hustle somebody."

Kakashi was laughing hard as he saw Tyler manipulate Heathcliff into agreeing to a stakeless duel.

"That was beautiful! He just fast talked that idiot in circles!"

Arthur was also impressed.

"That was slick. Well played, Tyler. Well played."

Tyler was enjoying the look of frustration as Tyler played the fast one.

"So. When are we doing this?"

Heathcliff just accepted his defeat in the verbal duel.

"In two hours. It's that kinda big deal."

"Wow. You want an audience to your humiliation. Oh. A point."

Tyler smiled darkly.

"Are you aware of the former guild leader, Mirackle?"

Heathcliff blinked.

"I am. I took over after him."

Tyler's dark light got darker.

"Remember that rumor about his health bar never hitting yellow?"

Heathcliff was suddenly on edge.

"I do."

Tyler chuckled.

"Good. So you know that I know that you know that I know."

Heathcliff blinked at THAT coded message. Tyler left him with a final thought.

"Oh. I was the one that outted the last guy. I wonder. Are YOU like him? Guess I'll find out."

Tyler and his friends headed for Yuka's room as Heathcliff went to prepare as Kakashi laughed again.

"Oh he's inside his head now!"

Arthur looked at him confused.

"I'm lost on this one."

The Yakuza boss laughed as he explained.

"Tyler knows Heathcliff has a cheat like the other guy. And is letting him know, IN FRONT of others he knows. That, plus that point about him outing the last cheater? Tyler's just thrown the first shots of the fight, Arthur. If you want to beat your opponent properly, get inside their head. It also seems that Heathcliff is someone rather…..important out here. I wonder."

Tyler just shut the door before Yuka rounded on him.

"WHY did you kill those knights? They were just doing their job!"

Tyler sighed.

"To prove a point, Yuka. Heathcliff was about to throw you in jail. I'd have had to rescue you from it and I'm just not in that kinda mood. So, sit down, shut up, and relax."

Asuna looked at Tyler now.

"You mentioned Mirackle."

Tyler sighed now.

"I'm betting money Heathcliff IS Mirackle. As a rebuilt character to avoid his due shiving. Or, is another dev entirely."

Kirito frowned.

"You think that cause of the rumor?"

He nodded.

"I'll be able to drive him into the red easily. My blades are BUILT for this shit. I can cut through the metal in the Minotaurs swords on floor 66 with ease. If I CAN'T cut through, I have my answer."

Asuna looked at Kirito.

"This fight is going to be a big one Kirito. If the Demon wins, we've got a normal guild leader in Heathcliff."

Tyler frowned.

"if I lose, we got a hardcore cheater."

Yuka just sat down as Tyler leaned on the door in case of eavesdropper. The two hours passed and Tyler was teleported to a large arena now packed with roaring fans. The Demon walked out in his flashy red coat as Heathcliff walked out in his red armor. His weapon being a flower shaped kite shield and longsword. With an extremely bored expression on his face Tyler met the man in the middle of the arena. The crowd was going wild as the timer started from 20. Tyler sighed as he pulled his broadswords to start.

"I REALLY have better shit to do then entertain an old man with a superiority complex."

Heathcliff frowned as Tyler's legendary jabs started. Lorg smiled as she watched from the stands.

"Oh he's gonna tear him apart with the jabs alone."

Tyler looked at the man as the timer counted down from 10.

"So. How's it feel knowing a mere BOY has more fame then YOU do? Eh? Ya worthless knock off Akaharaba Kayaba!"

The timer dinged and the fight was on as Heathcliff, incensed by the Demon's taunt, launched the first attack. Tyler's grin died and he jumped back as the man reached him faster then he should've been able to. Tyler gritted his teeth and deflected the shot and planted a foot on the shield to launch into a massive backflip to put no less then ten yards between them.

"Okay. Now I'm pissed."

The broadswords were gripped in white hands as the grin was seen. Asuna and Kirito looked at each other.

"Yup."

"He was right."

Tyler's grin became sadistic and he was off to attack the man on the defensive. Tyler swung his blades in a savage arc with his ferocious strength behind the, and Heathcliff was able to deflect them, only for Tyler to kick him in the stomach with a vicious force from the most unlikely of postures as his body was nearly sideways. Heathcliff was knocked back two yards as Tyler righted himself to attack even faster. Heathcliff's shield always seemed to be there to take savage shot after savage shot. Tyler's eyes were crazed and his grin unnerving. Heathcliff shuddered at the look on the boy's face as he moved for the next attack. Their health bars were hovering at the yellow line as both just could not get a distinct advantage over the other. Then Tyler dropped back and started laughing like a demented hyena as he stabbed his larger blades in the dirt to pull the smaller, faster ones from his back. Heathcliff took another stance as Tyler surged forward twice as fast leaving the other two blades standing point down in the dirt. The armored man was now caught trying to fend off Tyler's fast as lightning attacks and other unorthodox methods. Tyler locked his weapons against Heathcliff's shield and sword and they were in a test of strength. Tyler just grinned the wider. And laughed his cackling, evil laugh before spitting in Heathcliff's eye. The man was blinded for a moment and Tyler used the sudden loss of focus to twist his blades, shattered the arm of the man and tearing his shield away. Tyler threw the shield away as the now one armed man readied his sword, only to lose the arm. His health bar dropped to the yellow and hovered over the red. Tyler kicked him in the chest hard and it launched him into a wall. His health turned red ever so slightly. Just enough to declare TYLER the winner. The smile faded and Tyler had to spend a moment panting to recover as Heathcliff used potions to regrow his severed arms. The now shaken man looked at the getting to his feet Demon.

"You're not a person."

Tyler laughed at him.

"I never said I was. I said I was a Demon."

The man walked off the field as Tyler gave a last jab.

"That trick with the shield? That's useless against me! Since it was MY idea!"

The now haunted man was lost to sight as Tyler Retrieved his twin broadswords. His friends came running and he got a hug from Asuna.

"Thank you."

He just chuckled.

"Ah come on. You REALLY thought that idiot had a shot?"

The red head looked at Kirito. Then to Tyler.

"I'd like….to travel with Kirito for a while."

"Hey. Like I said before, Asuna. We got a place for our second in command."

He got a hug from Asuna and a fist bump from Kirito before the pair jumped off to somewhere. Tyler looked at the girls.

"Let's head back up."

They nodded at that.

TWO WEEKS LATER.

Tyler, Sachi and Sakura were walking along a wooden walkway on the 20th floor as a break from the hardcore upper floors. The assault force had made a forced rampage and broken through to floor 74. In two weeks. Tyler and the girls hadn't helped out nor had Asuna or Kirito as the farce with the Bloodoath had left a bad taste in their mouths. Sachi was holding Tyler's hand as Sakura bounced along beside the happily strolling couple. He and Sachi's relationship had more of less plateaued for the last couple months as they were both comfortable at their level. She was still shy and Tyler loved that about her. Sakura was still a bundle of joy to all. The trio were more exploring the floors now and Tyler had picked 20 as the others below he'd seen most of from his first go through with the girls.

"Hey. Is that a cabin?"

Tyler looked in the direction of Sakura's point.

"Wow. It is. Let's check it out."

The party headed up to get a better look as none could remember a cabin BEING there. The trio advanced cautiously to the front door and Tyler looked in the window.

"Well someone lives there."

Sakura and Sachi poked their heads in the window.

"Wow. Whoever it is has great taste."

"It kinda reminds me of our place on 45."

Tyler looked around the area now.

"Yeah. I'm getting that vibe as well."

Sakura looked away as the trio shrugged.

"eh. Come on."

They were walking back to the path when a loud squeal was heard behind them. They turned just in time to see a small girl half a head shorter than Sakura come tumbling down the small hill. She was a pretty girl with long black hair, fair skin, bright brown eyes and was dressed in a long white gown with no shoes. She landed at their feet and rubbed her head.

"Owwie!"

Tyler and the two girls just looked at the sudden arrival. Then Sakura reacted.

"Eee! You're sooo cute! Hug!"

Tyler and Sachi laughed as Sakura nearly throttled the small girl with a hug. The girl looked up with huge scared eyes at the imposing boy in the red coat. Tyler crouched with a kind smile.

"Hi. I'm Goreleech. That's Sachi and this here cutie is Sakura. We won't hurt you. What's your name miss?"

She blinked.

"Yui."

Her voice was soft and light. Sakura hugged her again as Tyler looked at her.

"Okay, Yui. Pretty name. where's your parents?"

She pointed back up to the cabin.

"Mommy and Daddy are in there. I snuck out."

He chuckled.

"Well. I wouldn't recommend doing that again, Little Yui. This place isn't nice to cute girls like you."

She blinked as Tyler reached out to her.

"Here. We'll bring you back."

She nodded and he lifted her up like a mere flower. Yui was so small he could carry her in one arm as Sakura just gushed over the new girl.

"She SOOO cute!"

Sachi just smiled as the Demon carried the girl the size of his leg with such gentleness. They walked onto the porch of the cabin in time to see the door fly open and Asuna and Kirito come racing out with scared looks on their faces. Yui bawled as she saw them.

"Mommy! Daddy! I found a new friend!"

The group just looked at each other in utter shock. Tyler saw the rings on Kirito's and Asuna's hands, then looked at Yui calling them mommy and daddy, to the cabin, then back to the couple.

"Okay. Waiter. 1 explanation please."

They sighed and smiled ruefully.

"Sure."

"I guess we forgot."

Tyler walked into the small cabin and set Yui in Asuna's arms. Then they sat on a set of couches as Kirito explained.

"Me and Asuna got married in game about a week and a half back. We bought this cabin and been living here since. We found Yui in the woods about three days ago. Says she doesn't remember where she came from or who her parents are. So we've been taking care of her."

Tyler nodded.

"Okay. You married my sister. And I didn't get an invite or even a heads up. Fuck you. Now. I'm an uncle. Again. No heads up. Again. FUCK YOU. And third? FUCK YOU."

Sakura and Sachi just laughed at Tyler's offendedly exasperated tone before he looked at the girl.

"So. What's the long term here? Oh, and Asuna?"

The red head looked at him curiously.

"Yeah?"

"Congrats. And you rock the housewife thing"

She smiled proudly.

"Thanks. I found mine. And I'll ignore the housewife statement."

Tyler smiled as he put his arm around Sachi. Yui hopped down from Asuna's hug to climb up onto Tyler's lap. She looked at him curiously.

"You're Mommy's brother?"

He patted her gently.

"Yup. Guess I'm your uncle or some such bullshit."

She smiled and looked at Sakura.

"Sister?"

The pink haired cutie squealed as she hugged her.

"SISTER!"

Tyler looked at the smiling parents.

"GOOD LUCK getting her back."

Asuna smiled as Kirito looked at the girl.

"Our long term was taking her to the church in the town of beginnings. They look after children that lost their parents or were abandoned."

Sakura scowled hard now.

"They're mean. They hit you with rulers if you don't listen to them."

Asuna and Kirito looked at each other.

"See? I TOLD you they do that."

Kirito just looked at his wife.

"And what else can we do, Asuna? We can't take her raiding with us."

Tyler had Yui in a warm hug and she promptly fell asleep on his chest.

"wow. She's like a better version of a cat. We'll take a look at the church. See just WHAT it's like. If it's a hellhole we say no and tear it down. If not, well."

He looked at the small girl.

"I can teach her how to be like Sakura."

Asuna gulped as Kirito looked at the sleeping girl.

"As long as she's safe."

Tyler smiled.

"Kirito. You DO remember who I am, right?"

They smiled at that as Yui slumbered on the chest of the Demon. Tyler looked out the window.

"We'll head out in the morning. Plus she's comfy."

Sakura huffed.

"That's MY bed dammit."

Tyler looked at her.

"You sleep there all the damn time, Sakura. Share it."

She grumbled as Sachi smiled.

"She looked so cute like that, Tyler."

He smiled as he stroked the sleeping girl's hair.

"Almost as cute as Sakura when she's there."

"Yay."

Asuna and Kirito smiled at that. Tyler looked at them,

"So. You've been here nearly two weeks eh?"

Asuna nodded smiling.

"we're taking a break from the fighting. Actually."

She had a nervous look now as Kirito took it up.

"We're considering just staying here. In SaS."

Tyler and Sakura looked at each other shocked before looking at Asuna.

"Wow. The Asuna I met at Ilfang would have gone off on us for that."

"Assy? You feeling okay?"

Asuna sighed as she looked at Yui.

"I'm just not sure if getting out is worth it. You know?"

Tyler blinked.

"I get it. You're starting to see just how much this world has to offer."

She nodded.

"Yeah. In here we can't get sick, all our lives are ruled by our own skills and politics mean nothing."

Kirito smiled.

"Plus in here? WE set our lives."

Sachi looked at Tyler now.

"Do YOU want to get out, Tyler?"

He shrugged.

"Honestly? Not really. I HATED the real world, Sachi. Here? All I need to survive is my sword. I got a problem with someone? Shatter and move on. Out there? The rules and regulations ruin the lives of those that get hurt."

The blue haired girl looked at her legs.

"I'd like to get out. I….miss the outside world."

He hugged her smiling.

"We'll still get out Sachi. These worlds will still be here as Deep dive is that kinda big deal. I may not really want to leave, but I also want to hug you and Sakura with MY arms. Yui here too. right ya sneaker?"

"Eep!"

The small girl lifted her head sheepishly.

"How'd you know?"

He patted her small head.

"Yer too cute for sneaky shit, Yui. Plus I'm the Demon. Ya can't fool me."

She nodded.

"Okay. Uncle Demon."

Tyler just smiled at that one as Asuna and Kirito looked at each other.

"That was quick."

"I guess Yui is just the next-"

"Sakura's newest sister."

Asuna blinked as she saw what she nearly said and breathed with relief as Tyler had a thought.

"Ya tell em?"

Asuna and Kirito looked at each other. Then went white as they remembered their eyes were shared.

"Oh SHIT."

"Ummm, I don't think getting out would be a good idea."

Tyler smiled as he pulled a mirror out. Asuna gulped.

"Oh come on. FINE. Let's get the suffering over with."

Kirito was shaking as Tyler set up the thing and the inside of the hospital room was seen with Kakashi, Arthur, Sakura's godparents, and a taller lady with black hair and black eyes with a decent bust plus fair skin. Beside her was a shorter girl about Sachi's height with shoulder length black hair, gentle grey eyes with a fire in them and a moderate bust. Tyler saw the newcomers and chuckled.

"Well. So YOU'RE that guy's family. Poor bastards."

That jab cut the tension like a knife as the two ladies smiled. Then the shorted girl smirked.

"Thanks for babysitting my brother."

Tyler sighed.

"SOMEONE has to pretend to like him. Asuna is trying a bit TOO hard."

The red head just groaned as Kirito kept his mouth shut. Tyler smiled as Yui poked her head up to look at the screen.

"Uncle Demon, who are they?"

Tyler patted her soft hair.

"That's our families from the real world, Yui. Busted aren't they?"

Kirito's sister blinked.

"You do remember I'm in the same room as your body. Right?"

Tyler and Sakura looked at each other, mildly shocked.

"Wow. Girl plays like THAT."

"Kiri could learn a thing or two from her."

The poor girl blushed.

"What the hell? I am NOT like that!"

They looked at her confused.

"Like what?"

"Context people, context."

Sachi just smiled as the girl started shaking from both fury AND embarrassment as her mother got an icy look in her eyes.

"I do hope you're not insinuating she'd attack you in your sleep."

The siblings were even MORE confused.

"We didn't say anything about a sleep attack, miss."

"All we said was she played like that. Way to impose your OWN ideas."

Now it was HER turn for the fury as the siblings git her in a verbal trap. Yui was resting comfortably on Tyler's chest like a cat when she yawned again. Arthur came over now.

"So, Asuna. The ceremony was nice."

Tyler frowned.

"Fuck YOU."

They laughed at his irritation as Asuna looked at her father nervously.

"Are you mad, daddy?"

He smiled.

"I'm happy you learned to make your own choice Asuna. HIM I don't like outta principle."

"He's on my permanent shitlist for just that reason."

Kirito just stayed quiet as to speak was to invite his own death. Arthur looked at Yui now.

"So, an adoptive granddaughter already?"

Kirito's mother and sister smiled.

"She's cute."

"She's screwed with HIM as her adoptive father."

Tyler rubbed the comfy girl's hair affectionately.

"He's got Asuna to prevent any and all fuckups."

That got him a warm hug as Arthur smiled proudly.

"Well said."

Then Tyler grinned.

"And me looming up behind them to keep the predators at bay."

The two new ladies shuddered at that one as Yui giggled.

"Teehee! Yer scary Uncle Demon!"

He hugged her as Sakura sat there offended.

"and you a cutie, Yui. Fairies always have need of a Demon to keep the monsters off. Ask Sakura."

Sakura glared at him in a fury.

"I am NOT a damned fairy!"

Yui laughed.

"No Big Sister Sakura! You're more Imp!"

Sakura nodded fiercely.

"And don't you forget it Little Sister Yui!"

They all laughed at that cuteness of Yui and Sakura. Yui looked at Tyler now.

"I'm a fairy?"

He patted her warmly.

"Well. I'm a Demon, Sakura's an Imp, Kirito's the Blacks Swordsmen, Asuna's the Lightning Flash, Sachi's the Demon's Girlfriend, so what else WOULD the niece of a Demon be, eh Yui?"

She blinked as she thought it over.

"What about a Devil?"

Tyler and Sachi looked at each other as Asuna blinked.

"With her frame,"

"That hair,"

"And her sweetness."

"A black haired Asia."

The three looked at the now nervous girl and smiled,

"Devil works. Yui the Devilgirl."

She smiled widely at that before settling back down as Asuna smiled.

"Oh she likes you, Tyler."

He shrugged,

"That's Sakura's favorite mattress for a reason."

They laughed at that as Tyler rubbed the girl's hair affectionately. Arthur looked at Kirito.

"She's so lucky you found her."

Tyler smiled.

"How DID you trip over her?"

Asuna and Kirito crossed their arms as Yui fell asleep on Tyler again.

"We were just walking along the wooden path not far from here when we see her walking through the woods in a confused daze."

Kirito nodded.

"She said she didn't know how she got there or where her parents were. She looks like a tall 9 year old so to sign into SaS you need a parent or someone over the age of 16."

Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"No you don't. just put the right age in and it takes it. SaS had about the same amount of age verification as a porn site. And in case you forgot? It kinda is. Right, Kirito?"

The boy just looked away as the others just gave strained smiles.

"I want another spa day big brother."

Tyler busted up laughing at Sakura's cute.

"we'll head to the hut. Oh. There's a thought."

HE looked at Yui and then to Asuna.

"We should show her the hut and hideout."

The pair smiled widely at that.

"She'd LOSE it!"

"Oh the hut would blow her freaking mind!"

Tyler smiled then he looked at Kakashi.

"Does SHE have a stream?"

The yakuza boss blinked.

"No. We looked and found nothing. From what the reps said after we showed the photo, she hasn't popped up in ANY streams of anyone."

Tyler frowned now as he looked at the sleeping girl.

"Okay that's just not possible. Not for this game."

He looked at her as she lifted her head again.

"We'll take her to the town of beginnings. Start there with the memory loss."

They nodded as Kakashi looked at the Demon.

"PoH has disappeared."

Tyler chuckled.

"He's gone underground Kakashi. That is all."

They nodded and the thing ended. Tyler looked at Kirito.

"You either found a ghost in the machine, or we have a damn good hacker."

Asuna looked at the small girl concerned.

"If she's a ghost in the machine, if we get out,"

Tyler smiled.

"if we find a dev hub and I can get a keyboard to appear I know enough about the system to have her data, memories, personality, HER, uploaded into my helmet. Then it's a simple matter to reconstruct her in my rig back on earth. Then she's a phone app or a plug in for your next deep dive gimmick."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank god. Okay, Tyler. I need sleep right now."

The party nodded and Tyler swung unto the couch to lay flat out without waking the small girl. Asuna and Kirito went to their room, Sakura imposing on them cause,

"MY bed got stolen."

Sachi laid beside him as Yui rolled into the space between them. The red clad Demon pressed into the back of the cushion as Sachi pulled a thick blanket from their inven for them. He smiled at the blue haired girl.

"Hey. Sachi."

She smiled as she moved closer.

"Yeah, Tyler?"

He had a warm smile in his eyes.

"I kinda like Asuna and Kirito's play."

She blushed at that as she saw his meaning. Then she smiled widely.

"I like it too."

He took her hand as they cradled the sleeping girl between them.

"Maybe?"

She squeezed his hand as her blush and nerves returned.

"Maybe."

He pulled her hand up and kissed it, making her gasp at the contact.

"I'll be waiting. Sachi."

She smiled.

"I'll be right here."

Yui squeaked in her sleep and they smiled at the cute before closing their eyes. Tyler opened them again to see Yui's small head close to his with Sachi's just over her. The blue haired girl was still was still asleep as was the smaller girl in her arms. Yui is so sweet. If she turns out to be a mere AI, I will NOT let her be lost. The smaller girl sneezed and opened her eyes sleepily. He chuckled softly.

"Morning Sparkles. Sleep well?"

She smiled and hugged her uncle.

"Very well, Uncle Demon. You're very warm! Auntie Sachi's comfy too!"

He smiled at that one.

"She is little Devil. She's very comfy and cuddly."

Yui giggled softly.

"Plus is great to lay on!"

"Eep!"

"wow. Cute."

"She is, Yui. She really is."

Sachi was red faced with a happy smile as she opened her blue eyes and got a hug from Yui.

"Morning Auntie Sachi!"

Sachi blinked in shock, then hugged the smaller girl tightly.

"Morning Yui."

The couple got up as Asuna came out with a yawning Kirito. Sakura bounced along behind the couple and got a hug from her sister. The friends all ate a breakfast cooked by Asuna and Sachi, and the eaters LOVED it. Kirito and Asuna donned their gear and Yui sat on Tyler's shoulder as that was just THE safest place in SaS. They jumped to the town of beginnings and Tyler chuckled.

"I ain't seen this plaza since that idiot's speech."

They laughed and headed for the church of orphans. Tyler's flashy red coat making people go white with fear.

"What the hell is the Demon doing down here?"

"whatever it is I do NOT want to know!"

"I heard he killed like 25 people in that raid on Laughing Coffin! Alone!"

"I heard he fought the leader to a draw!"

"Let's just get the fuck outta here."

Tyler looked at that guy.

"Usually the best call when WE roll into town. Oh. Neat sword."

The guy gulped,

"Thanks."

Tyler walked off as the singled out guy just dropped to the ground hyperventilating at the fact the Demon at spoken to him. Asuna laughed once they were far enough away.

"That poor guy probably pissed himself!"

Tyler laughed as Yui swung her legs in the air as she enjoyed being tall.

"Part of the charm of scaring people."

Sakura was skipping along when they came into an alley to see a group of armored men harassing a young lady with a group of children behind her.

"Alright lady. PAY up."

She had a pleading tone in her voice,

"We already paid this month's Droy. Please, Sir, the children are barely getting enough as it is!"

The men laughed.

"Well. They look big enough to hold-"

"You idiots can leave now."

They looked behind them,

"And just who the HELL- Oh SHIT."

The speaker had seen Tyler's signature red coat at the last second and then his smile. The Demon chuckled.

"Oh now I'm curious. Please by all means finish the writing on your death certificate."

Yui looked at him,

"Wow, Uncle Demon. That sounded cool."

Sakura looked up at the girl,

"Big brother has a few good ones every now and then, Yui."

The men were shaking so badly in their armor it sounded like a rattling kitchen! Tyler looked at the lady, who was also shaking,

"Who are these tin cans?"

She gulped as the children behind her were also terrified.

"The town guard Sir. They're the local guild that's meant to protect us."

He nodded.

"Riiiight. Now I remember. These are the idiots that gave up the fight about….floor 2. You. Tin can number 1. What's this about money?"

The lady answered again.

"The orphanage pays them for protection since the church doesn't belong to us."

"Who is belong to?"

"We're trying to buy it from the system. So for now we're using it as a temporary quarters. But the safezone isn't active."

Tyler just smacked the knight.

"Okay. YOUR guild just made my shitlist. Piss off. NOW."

They took off running leaving the lady alone with the Demon and the party. The woman was a slender thing in a nun outfit and blue eyes. Her eyes went wide now as she saw her and the children were alone in the alley with the Heavenly Demons. Or. More the Demon himself. Tyler smiled at her.

"So. This church."

The children behind her were shaking in fear as Tyler looked at them curiously.

"What? You all look like you've seen Asuna angry."

The red head just groaned.

"I hate you-oh. That wasn't a jab. I think."

Sakura giggled.

"Assy's easy to confuse."

"I wonder, does she still like strawberries?"

"Eep!"

"Eep!"

Tyler looked at Sachi.

"Wow. Double cute."

The blue haired girl smiled as Sakura and Asuna now had a NEW war raging behind their eyes. Tyler looked at the nun.

"Look, lady. I'm not here for blood. I'm wondering if any of you know this cutie here. Oh. And to see if he rumor of you hitting kids with rulers is true."

A few kids rubbed their hands on reflex and the nun blinked.

"The ruler thing was. The last matron was a shrew that just beat the kids. The church is this way."

Now having no choice she led the Demon along the alley to the church as the kids all gaped at the legend in their midst. Tyler smiled as they went.

"Boo."

They jumped at the word as Asuna smacked him.

"No pranking them."

"Why? I prank everyone what makes them so special?"

Sachi laughed at THAT logic as one girl looked at her with huge green eyes.

"Wow, Miss. You're REALLY pretty."

Sachi blushed at that.

"Aww, thank you! I'm Sachi."

The girl gasped.

"The Demoness?"

Tyler blinked and looked at Sachi in shock.

"Damn. Sachi the Demoness. That's freakin metal. Okay. I'm keeping that."

She smiled as Sakura gave out near death by hug at will. Yui was happily humming as she watched the goings on as Kirito watched the rear. The church was a stereotypical thing as they walked up. The Nun opened the door and Tyler glared at one lady his eyes landed on.

"Miss. That whale in the outfit. Who is she?"

The nun looked and became angry.

"That's the first matron. Her name was…."

"It's Felicia. MY sister. I'll deal with her."

His eyes were enraged as his friends all became nervous. Then Sakura blinked.

"Oh FUCK. Asuna. That's THAT SISTER."

The party just grabbed the children as Tyler surged forward to grab the now screaming heffer by her neck.

"Hello. SISTER."

The girl panicked as the Demon dragged her into a room and shut the door with a slam. Not a sound was heard from inside as his friends shuddered at what was taking place inside. The nuns were about to open it..

"DON'T TOUCH THAT DOOR!"

Asuna's yell made then jump back like they scalded themselves. Then a tall lady in a black and white habit came over.

"Lady Lightning Flash, what is he doing to her?"

Another party wide shudder.

"You really don't wanna know. The girl was his IRL sister that drugged him and did things to him for years miss. If you like sleep, DO NOT OPEN THAT DOOR."

Sakura nodded.

"Big Brother's making her scream like she made him scream. Only she WON'T live through it."

Kirito looked around and noted the rundown nature of the church as Sachi looked at Sakura.

"Gore will be okay after, right?"

Sakura smiled.

"He'll most likely be in a VERY good mood."

They waited for three hours before the door opened and Tyler walked out as the last pixels of the shatter faded. He had a beatific smile on his face as he dusted off his hands.

"Ahhh I feel better. Okay. Pain in the ass number 1. The church."

The head nun approached the smiling Demon with concern.

"Please don't take this place from the children. They have no other place."

Tyler chuckled.

"Not where I was going. Okay. How much is the outright cost?"

She blinked.

"About 450,000 Droy for what we need."

"450,000,000 Droy. Gotchya. Think fast."

She got a gift orb with that exact amount and just dropped to her knees in shock. She looked up at the Demon with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you. I only have my body to repay you."

He patted her.

"Fun as that sounds, I got a girl. And no offense she's got the better everything."

Sachi glowed at that as the lady was helped to her feet. She added the new Droy to her account before using an interface to buy the church, upgrade it to the max, outfit it to the max, FILL the larders to bursting, and fill the dressers to bursting. All told? 550,000 Droy. Out of 450,000,000. Tyler chuckled as Asuna looked at Sachi.

"When I first met Gore, Sachi? He'd have rather rob the place then walk out. Or. He'd have taken that lady's body payment."

Sachi smiled proudly.

"And I'm HIS Demoness!"

Tyler smiled at her.

"And I'm your Demon."

Then he looked at the lady.

"Okay. Pain in the ass number 2."

She looked at him as he picked up Yui again.

"We're looking for anyone that knows this kid."

Yui looked at him miffed.

"Are you saying I'm a pain in the ass, Uncle Demon?"

He looked at her.

"You? Eh. More cuter parrot."

They smiled at that one as Sakura scowled.

"First my bed now my seat? Ooooh you better WATCH it!"

They lost it at that one as Yui looked at Sakura.

"He's got another shoulder, big sister Sakura."

She squeaked.

"Oh. I forgot. You're smart Yui."

The room was losing it at the cute as Sakura jumped up to claim his other shoulder. Tyler looked at her.

"Wow, Sakura. Jealous much?"

Sakura huffed.

"Humph! She's cute. So I'll let it go."

Tyler just smiled as he looked at the nun. She looked at Yui's face and pulled up a UI.

"We made a UI to keep track of missing kids in here. Let me look."

Tyler smiled as the other children came from their exploration of their new home and saw the red coated Demon. They gasped in shock before crowding the tall guy. Tyler looked at the many eyed gaze as they gaped at him.

"Ooooookay. Hi."

They looked at him in awe. Then a girl hugged him.

"You're my hero, Demon!"

That did it and Tyler was swamped by hugs from the kids as they met the Demon they all heard of. The others all laughed until Asuna was spotted.

"Omygod! It's the Lightning Flash!"

Then she was getting crowded.

"Eeeeee! The Black Swordsmen!"

Kirito got swamped.

"Hey! It's the Demoness!"

Sachi got mobbed.

"It's the Cutie in Pink!"

Sakura was treated to a mass hug as the head nun frowned.

"She's not in the list of missing children."

Tyler sighed.

"Thanks miss. Okay. Plan B."

Yui was watching the goings on as a lady in armor with black hair walked in.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for the Heavenly Demons."

Tyler looked over.

"You found them."

She breathed a massive sigh of relief as she walked over to look the Demon in the eye.

"Please. I need your help."

Tyler narrowed his eyes.

"Okay. The hell?"

She sighed.

"I'm a Lieutenant in the people's liberation army. Our guild leader was set up and is trapped in the dungeon under the town of beginnings. Please. I need your help to rescue him!"

Tyler and Kirito looked at each other.

"The dungeon under the city?"

Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"A massive secret area. Reason I never got higher in the floors in the beta was I got lost in it. Like legit lost. The monsters down there do NOT show a health bar. Plus there's the reaper that roams the halls as a mobile miniboss. It finds you instant boss fight WITHOUT health bars. The thing has about 9. And it took me over NINE hours to kill it….I'm in. that thing might have my old coat."

His party laughed as Sachi looked at him curiously.

"What's special about it?"

Tyler smiled.

"That coat, my dear Sachi, is unique to MY playstyle. Think this one, but FAR better and better looking. Plus a bit of code in it that will upload the thing to my helmet. My staffsword already was, same with Sakura's Wolf fur scarf. They'll be converted to plugins for any other game we play. Kinda is MY hidden ace."

Kirito laughed at that.

"Okay. I forgot you had scary computer skills."

Tyler looked at the lady.

"Okay. Where in there is he?"

She smiled.

"I'll go with you as I have him in my friends list."

"Just try an keep up. Yui."

She blinked.

"Yeah?"

"Do NOT leave my shoulder. A monster appears get down."

She nodded as Asuna became concerned.

"Is it REALLY a good idea, Gore?"

He sighed as he hugged the girl.

"Name a safer place then beside me, Asuna."

She smiled ruefully at that one.

"Right. I forgot."

They formed the party and took off for the Crypt with their tagalong struggling to keep up with them. They jumped into the stairway and Tyler took the lead.

"keep close everyone. That place is next to impossible to escape once lost without a guide."

The lady led them through pillared corridors and hallways as the party kept heads on a swivel. The woman pulled them along a new hall and Tyler spotted a white room ahead. A man was standing inside and became panicked when he saw them.

"Get out! It's still here!"

Tyler grabbed the lady and Yui as a 12 foot tall Grim reaper dropped behind them. He dropped both ladies in the white room,

"We'll be right back after this rampage."

Tyler and the party launched the assault as the man, woman and Yui watched. Tyler smiled as he deflected the massive 10 foot scythe as Sakura lit it up from the back, Asuna and Sachi stabbed it full a holes, and Kirito landed a massive attack combo. The reaper jumped back on a floating torso and Tyler launched his own multihit attack. The twin broadswords carving yellows lines as it tried to counterattack. Tyler jumped back as Yui was heard gasping hard. Her eyes flashed as something clicked,

"Yui, we got this! Trust us!"

She nodded with a fearful look on her small face. Tyler nodded at the party and they attacked again. The battle took a good 4 hours before the miniboss shattered. Tyler smiled as it did.

"Gotchya. Fucker made my life HELL in the beta."

The others all drank potions as Tyler looked at the loot.

"oh FUCK yeah."

He hit a button and his blood red coat became an open front, vivid red coat with a hood, black flames around the bottom, on his cuffs, and a large set of flaming demon wings on his back. Soon as it finished appearing he glowed a moment as a small ring of force exploded outward. He laughed.

"The Demon is complete. This is my Demon Hunter coat. Boosts my stats equal to my level. ALL my stats. It's a set too. when paired with my staffsword I get the Demon's Persona gear set boost. As long as I wield these two together, the gear will autoupgrade as my level increases. Plus the gear bonus from the other coat merged. So yeah."

He pulled the hood up and smiled.

"Now I feel properly dressed."

the others gaped at the imposing sight he made with his new coat. He let them bask a moment longer before putting his hood down and looking to the others inside the room.

"Alright. Let's get this done."

Yui was sitting on a black slab with a sad look in her eyes as Tyler approached her.

"So, Yui. Your memory returned."

She looked at him sadly.

"It did. I'm the emotional support AI designed for SaS's player base. If a player became emotionally distressed I'd appear as what would make them feel better. Once Vonderland played his hand, I lost all my abilities to interfere. I could feel the suffering, the pain, the anger and was helpless to do anything. At some point it went dark and I was floating in the pain and misery all alone. Well, then I felt a warmth that hadn't been there previously. I opened my eyes to look for the source."

She looked at Kirito and Asuna.

"I found them. Mommy and Daddy. They were so happy and full of love. I wanted to meet them."

Here she looked at Tyler.

"and I met you too, Uncle Demon. YOUR pain was the last thing I remember before it went dark. Now I feel a darkness in you still. But a warmth that drowns out all others."

Tyler patted her head as he placed a hand on the slab. A keyboard appeared as Yui looked at it sadly.

"You can't force a logout from here. This is merely an editor's hub."

She looked at the man and woman.

"You can jump from here."

they nodded.

"Thank you."

They jumped as Tyler started typing.

"So since you've become self-aware Yui, it's only a matter of time before the cleaner protocols kick in to remove a rouge program, right?"

Asuna and Kirito jumped at her.

"No! Not Yui!"

They hugged her as Tyler was still typing with a smile on his face. She smiled.

"It's okay, Mommy, Daddy. Uncle Demon's got it under control. The cleaner WAS his own code ya know."

Asuna looked at him with a desperate hope.

"Can you save her, Tyler?"

He chuckled.

"Just did. She can't stay in her human form as every anti-cheat system in SaS will try to erase her. That said, she's been installed on my Helmet as a base program. Think the AI from halo. We won't be able to hug her for a while, but we'll be able to HEAR her."

They all gave her a warm hug as Yui hugged the still typing Demon.

"Thank you."

He patted her as he typed with one hand.

"Pff. We're family Yui. Like I'd let my niece get derezzed by this shithead."

he hit another button and pressed enter. Yui glowed before merging with their bodies. He smiled as her voice was heard.

"Wow, Uncle Demon. Your shows are awesome."

Asuna and Sachi looked at each other concerned.

"Tyler?"

He chuckled.

"enjoy Yui. The others in the real world can see your cute on the screen."

"I'll be their cute guide!"

"Have fun. And STAY AWAY from the hentai."

"Uncle Demon, what the FUCK is wrong with you? TOO LATE."

Kirito sighed.

"AI speed. Great."

Tyler looked at the hub.

"I wonder."

He pulled the keyboard up and was typing again. After about five minutes he chuckled.

"wow. They never got around to upgrading their security. Okay."

Kirito looked at the screen with arms crossed.

"Can you force a logout?"

The Demon shook his head.

"Not from this thing. What I CAN do is get a look at the next nine bosses. Ya know, weaknesses, traits, looks the works. We'd still have to find them and all but no biggee."

Asuna was concerned again.

"Won't that trigger something?"

Tyler chuckled.

"Normally yes. But the devs didn't upgrade the security protocols from the beta. I TOLD them hundreds of times too. Hey, Kirito, remember that one time the entire world did a somersault?"

Kirito rubbed his belly with a pained grimace.

"That was freaking weird man! Was walking along the 5th floor on a beach when the freakin ground dropped out from under me! I shit you not I shit myself! I was looking down at a 9,000,000 foot drop at one point as the ground legit flipped around me like I was in a damned ride at the fair. Then it went back to where it had been and I was dumped on my face! Everyone was freakin terrified!"

Tyler laughed.

"I get a dev keyboard to appear I'm doing that to you."

He got a whack from him.

"You BASTARD! That was you? I had to take a thirty minute shower after that! IRL! The ENTIRE beta base had freakin stomach problems for a week!"

Tyler was laughing hard as the others smiled at the image.

"That was freakin hilarious. Hey. What about that time when every girl would kill something and the thing would fart?"

He busted up laughing at that one!

"Jesus that was a fun week! The girls got a kill, only to be humiliated by the sound of a wet fart! Ohmygod that was freakin hilarious! I heard a mass creature trap got trigger and all that was heard, was farts from as the party of girls killed them all."

The girls in the party smacked Tyler AND Kirito hard for that. Tyler just laughed.

"Hey, remember the time that whenever something died, they got a middle finger to the face instead of a shatter?"

Kirito busted up again.

"Oh that's a classic! I remember I killed a rabbit and got this ten foot hand flipping me off for some odd reason. I've never felt more offended in my life."

"I got a video of it somewhere. Oh! The classic! That time when a monster died a sarcastic handclap was heard?"

Kirito glared at him.

"You bastard! I got that from a freakin mouse! I have never felt so utterly worthless then when the middle finger AND the sarcastic clap got me from a freakin wood mouse!"

Tyler just laughed.

"Good times."

He made set of books appear on the next 9 bosses and the hub died.

"All I got for this one."

He hit it again and the board didn't appear.

"Yup. That's all folks. Come on. Oh. Asuna. Kirito."

Tyler tossed them each a necklace. They looked at it and gasped. Asuna smiled as she hugged him.

"Yui heart."

He hugged her as Yui's giggle was heard.

"Wow, mommy. You're show collection is nice too. Uncle Demon's better."

She went red at that as Tyler chuckled.

"Can you get into other tech, little devil?"

"Sadly not. I need you to upload me into your main computer before I can."

"well, Kirito. Sounds like we've got a new goal."

The black haired boy nodded.

"We'll set her up right."

The friends jumped as the families watched as they wiped tears from the hilarious imagery. Kakashi looked at the screen where Yui was sitting as if on a cushion watching with them. He smiled

"Those two will find a way to hug you again Little Yui."

She looked over smiling.

"I know they will, grandpa. Uncle Demon's a tech genius and Daddy's a computer genius. Plus Uncle Demon will just make me a base plugin for his helmet. Like a background app."

Arthur smiled at that.

"We just found a fully functional AI with authentic human emotions and thought, Kakashi."

The yakuza boss glared at the man.

"And we will pretend she does NOT exist outside of closed doors Arthur. Are we clear?"

The man bowed.

"Crystal sir."

Yui laughed.

"It better be. If Tyler ever suspects you of endangering his new niece, well. You saw what he did to his sister, right?"

Everyone, including Kakashi, shuddered at the memory. Yui smiled sweetly.

"That. To you. WITHOUT a pain absorber. But far worse. For far longer."

They shuddered at that.

THREE DAYS LATER.

Tyler, Sachi and Sakura were exploring a heavily forested area on 34. Kirito and Asuna had gone back to their cabin after the mess and the trio got back to exploring. Yui's voice was heard every now and then as the AI girl would jump between their group and Kirito and Asuna. Tyler and the girls were in no rush to return to the front lines. The line having stalled at 80 as the forces had to do heavy grinding due to the monsters up there. Today the trio were just taking a leisurely stroll through the forested section killing monsters in one hit for kicks. Sachi was holding his hand as usual as Sakura skipped along beside them. Tyler and Sachi were happy with their relationship's state. Neither really in a hurry to move ahead.

"Hey. What's that thing?"

Tyler looked up at Sakura's pointed finger to see a small blue dragon flying over the tops of the trees. Tyler tilted his head.

"Looks like a dragon Sakura. Not sure why one's out here though."

The pink haired girl looked at her brother.

"Do I kill it?"

He shrugged.

"something that small? Nah. Looks oddly familiar for SOME freakin reason."

The dragon gave a low squall before diving into the forest.

"Let's check it out."

The curious party walked into the indicated direction the dragon had dove in. they came out into a clearing to see a small girl with orange pigtails, freckles, in rogue armor petting the blue dragon like a pet. Tyler got it then.

"Ahhhh. A dragon tamer."

The girl looked up at the sound of voices, only to go white as she saw Tyler's red coat.

"Oh no. Please."

She fell over in fear as her dragon friend squealed at them. Tyler smiled at the terrified girl.

"Look. We're not going to hurt you, miss. Was just curious what that blue thing was."

She was shaking as Tyler sat across from her, with Sachi and Sakura on either side. The girl's bright green eyes were wide with fright as Sakura squealed.

"Eeee! She's cute too!"

The affectionate cutie lunged and hugged the scared girl in a near death hug. She snuggled her like a cat as the blue dragon hovered in front of Tyler curiously. It was about the size of a house cat with light blue scales that matched Sachi's hair to perfection. Tyler saw this, and smiled.

"Hey, buddy. Land on her head a sec."

"Eep!"

Sachi squeaked as the blue dragon did as asked, and nearly vanished entirely as his scales matched that well. The girl missed this and noticed her friend was gone.

"Piri! Were are you?"

The dragon squeaked from his perch and she blinked.

"Wow, Miss. You have really pretty hair. I didn't see Piri at all."

Tyler chuckled.

"Sachi's gorgeous period."

The girl blushed as the girl looked at Tyler.

"You're the Demon, right?"

He nodded smiling.

"I'm Goreleech. But call me Gore. That's my girlfriend Sachi, and that girl that nearly killed you with a hug is my sister, Sakura. What's your name?"

She became shy now in the face of the legend.

"Siri. I'm called Siri. That's my dragon, Piri."

The dragon spread his wings in a obvious flaunt as Tyler chuckled.

"Nice to meetchya Siri. So. You're a dragon tamer?"

Sakura was cuddling the dragon as Siri replied with a blush.

"Yeah. I got lucky on floor 4 with a dragon egg. Piri's been my friend since then."

Tyler smiled as the small dragon landed on his shoulder and snuggled him.

"Wow, Siri. His scales feel rather nice. I tried the tamer crap but failed miserably. Which was odd since animals usually like me IRL."

The dragon settled on his shoulder like a parrot as Siri blushed again.

"I guess the skill didn't carry. Can I ask why you're all down here on 34 and not up on the front?"

He shrugged.

"Taking a breather. We've been at the front since the damn doors shut. Plus I'm just not feeling a hardcore fight right now. You? You seem tough."

she looked down shyly as Piri snuggled Sachi next.

"I'm just revisiting the spot I got to pretend I had a big brother is all."

He looked at her.

"Pretend?"

She nodded.

"Piri was killed by some monsters and I was next. I'd just got dumped by my party that wanted me as their mascot. I was about to die as well when he showed up. He killed the monsters and saved me. Then he even helped me revive him!"

Tyler chuckled.

"The Hill of Memories up on 45. Sachi. Sakura. We have our next visit."

They nodded curious as Siri continued her tale.

"He gave me a bunch of high level gear and helped me clear the dungeon and get the flower. On the way back we got attacked by some Pkers, but he stood his ground! They all but pissed themselves when they saw it was the Black Swordsmen himself!"

"Kirito?"

Siri got a dreamy look on her face at the name.

"Kirito. Yeah. I heard you're friends with him."

Tyler patted her fondly now.

"Any friend of that asshat is a friend of mine Siri. Ya got lucky there."

She blushed hard at that one as they all added each other. Tyler smiled as he rose.

"well, Siri. We'll let you get back to it. We more were curious about the dragon. Nice to make a new friend as a bonus."

She got a warm hug from each.

"nice to meet you, Gore! Sakura! Sachi! Bye!"

They waved as they moved to an open area. Tyler smiled now.

"Okay. I got something to show you two. Teleport to the Hill of Memories."

They jumped and once they saw it they gasped. For as far as the eye could see was masses and masses of flower beds of every color and variety. Roses, marigolds, violets, sunflowers, orchids, and everything else. Tyler took Sachi's hand as Sakura gaped at the colors. Then she rounded on her brother in a fury.

"WHY didn't we come here?"

He chuckled.

"Because we were on 44 when 46 opened up and we just jumped right to 46. That's why."

Sakura just sighed as they walked along the brick pathways not really doing anything and more enjoying the moment. Sakura was in heaven as she'd stop to smell the flowers or roll in them as Tyler and Sachi strolled. The couple loving their impromptu date immensely. Tyler smiled as he spotted a large sakura tree in full bloom with a small bench under it. The couple walked over as Sakura gazed in awe at the tree she was named after. Tyler and Sachi sat on the bench and cuddled up as Sakura played in the field in front of them. He smiled and noticed another couple standing together under a large pillared arch. The boy in the red and white armor of the Bloodoath knights, his companion in a white and blue outfit with mushroom hat. He looked at Sachi and she smiled.

"This place is beautiful."

He smiled at her.

"So are you."

She blushed as usual and looked at her boyfriend. They looked into each other's eyes and their hearts pounded as Sachi leaned in slowly with her blue eyes closing. He mirrored her motion as Sakura watched from a nearby mass of pink tulips with rapt attention. Tyler could feel her breath on his face right before their lips made contact in their first kiss. Sakura clapped a little at the sight.

"Bout time."

Tyler and Sachi's first kiss lasted mere moments, but felt like lifetimes until they pulled back. She blushed and started shaking as he smiled at her. She looked at him,

"Was that…okay?"

He smiled wider.

"It was. Can I get another?"

She went red as a tomato, but leaned in for another kiss. She smiled with pride as she settled into his chest and he held her.

"I love you, Tyler."

He blinked as she froze, as if that wasn't what she had meant to say. Then she shot up to look him in the stunned eye. She saw his mind blown expression and waited for it to process. Tyler just blinked at her. Wow. Okay. He smiled.

"I love YOU, Sachi."

She gasped in sweet shock as he said it back, and MEANT it. Then her face broke into a proud smile as she kissed him again.

"I love you, Tyler!"

He hugged her to him tightly.

"I love you, too, Sachi."

She snuggled him as he had a thought.

"Hey. Wanna take a page from Kirito and Asuna's book?"

She looked at him curiously until it clicked. Then she smiled so hard it hurt.

"I'd love to be your wife!"

He hugged her hard.

"I WANT to be your husband, Sachi. Come on then. I know the place."

Sakura giggled as Yui's voice popped into her UI.

"Hiya! Miss me?"

"They're getting married Yui!"

The AI gasped in happy shock.

"I'll tell mommy and daddy!"

Sakura giggled as Yui was gone.

"Bout time big brother got his head outta his ass."

Tyler and the two girls jumped to the town of beginnings and headed for the chapel that did player marriages. Sakura giggling like he was tickling her then entire time as the couple did the agreements and UIs until the rings were made. He smiled.

"I love you, Sachi."

He placed her ring on her,

"I love you, Tyler."

She placed his ring as a round of applause startled the couple. They looked to see Kirito, Asuna, Lorg, Gabol, Burke, even Yuka in the church. They blinked until Tyler remembered.

"Sakura. What did you do?"

She giggled.

"I did NOTHING!"

Yui's happy giggle was heard then.

"Yay!"

Tyler and Sachi just went with it as they got hugs and hi fives from all. Though it was rather tense when Yuka met Sachi. The purple haired busty girl looked at Sachi's blue haired, BUSTIER form before looking at Tyler.

"Wow. She's stacked."

Sachi gulped at meeting her new ingame husband's first flame.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sachi. His wife."

Tyler smiled.

"Nice flex."

She blushed at that and Yuka lifted an eyebrow.

"Okay. He likes em shy."

Sachi gulped as Tyler came up and hugged her from behind.

"Yup. Sachi's sweet, gorgeous, STACKED, an otaku, and MINE."

Sachi went tomato before smiling with pride as Lorg looked at Svenity.

"If you'd told me at that tavern we met Sakura at we'd be at the wedding of GORELEECH, I'd have asked for your dealer."

Svenity smiled as she saw the light in Tyler's eyes as he stole a kiss off Sachi's lips in front of everyone. Making the poor girl nearly faint.

"Gore's become as human as he can become, Lorg. He started with Sakura. Now he has so many that are precious to him. Which means he'll fight that much harder and more ferociously to defend them. Not even god can save the one that hurts them."

Lorg smiled at that as she saw Tyler get smacked by Asuna for almost having the wedding WITHOUT them.

"He still scares me."

Tyler smiled as he looked at Kirito.

"So, get this. We met this adorable dragon tamer down on 34. Guess she got rescued by her dream big brother."

Kirito chuckled.

"Siri and Piri."

Tyler hugged Sachi.

"She's a cutie too, Kirito. Those bastards live?"

He sighed.

"They killed a guild with one survivor that was pleading for them to spend the rest of their days in SaS in the prison. So, I helped out."

Tyler nodded.

"Good."

Asuna came up and hugged her brother.

"Okay. Fair enough."

He stroked her warm hair.

"Still? FUCK you."

She smiled then looked at him.

"If yer bored, could you head up to the 60th? My friend Lizbeth asked me to bring these to her and I just haven't been able to."

He sighed as Sachi came over.

"I was waiting for you to have me play pack mule."

Asuna laughed as Sachi felt the need.

"Hey, Tyler?"

He looked at his new gamer wife.

"What up?"

she leaned into his ear for a whisper.

"I'm not ready for….consummation…. if you get my meaning."

He hugged her tightly as Asuna smiled, having caught it.

"Sure, Sachi. I love you."

She smiled at that and nestled into his hug.

"I love you too."

Sakura was also getting hugs from all when Tyler chuckled.

"Okay. Let's head up to the 60th."

They all laughed as the trio headed out. The jumped and landed in the small town before heading to the shop Asuna had in the directions. Tyler and the two girls walked in to see a spunky girl in a smith apron with short, maroon hair with a freckled face behind the counter. She smiled as the door opened.

"Welcome cu-Demon!"

She was instantly shakin as the Demon approached her, and her ice blue eyes were wide with frightened surprise. He smiled.

"You Lizbeth?"

Now on the verge of a panic attack she nodded.

"Y-y-y-yes Sir! I'm Lizbeth!"

He placed Asuna's bag of ore on her counter.

"my sister, Asuna, asked me to drop this off. Guess she wanted me to give you a heart attack."

Lizbeth blinked as her shaking stopped.

"Asuna's YOUR SISTER?"

He laughed.

"Oh. Scratch that. she wanted to send a long distance brag. Yeah. That fiery red head's my sister."

Lizbeth just slumped on the counter.

"Asuna I am going to hit you with a hammer. I nearly had a freaking heart attack!"

Tyler patted her.

"Hey. Call her Assy. Watch the reaction."

She snorted,

"Ha! That's it. Her names Assy."

Sachi came over with a spear.

"Hey, Gore. Look."

Tyler took it and whistled.

"Damn. That's a freaking hardcore spear. And that's coming from ME. Hey, Lizbeth, what's your smithing?"

She blinked.

"It just clear 889."

"HOLY SHIT."

Tyler just gaped at her.

"Jesus lady. MINE just barely hit 669 last WEEK! And I make everything we use! How the hell you get that high?"

She blushed at his awe.

"I like making things. I'm good with a mace but my plan from the time I first put the helmet on was to open my shop. By the time the doors shut I was already maybe 65 smithing. I'd buy ore off other players and just work it and sell it back to the players in exchange for ore and crafting mats and droy sometimes."

Tyler smiled.

"That'll do it. Never underestimate a smith with a passion for her craft. Here. These are useless to us."

He sent over several million crafting mats the party had no use for and she gasped.

"Are you sure? That's enough to get me to max out!"

He patted her.

"I want to see at least ONE person max out before the game's cleared."

She hugged him now, Sakura just happy to poke around her shop.

"Thank you, Gore. I guess the stories of you being a dark hearted asshole are only PART of the story."

He hugged her back as she let go.

"Kinda curious what you can come up with. Oh and enjoy the max out surprise, Lizbeth."

She smiled.

"Why I've been working it so hard. I heard it's epic!"

He chuckled.

"Oh it'll blow your freakin mind!"

Sakura smiled as she knew what it was. The blue eyed smith smiled.

"I'll get to it. I should have it maxed out in a few hours."

"We'll hit the road. Have fun Lizbeth."

They left as the eager girl closed up to practice her craft. Soon as the door shut Sakura and Tyler busted up laughing as they walked off. Sachi was confused.

"What's so funny?"

Tyler smiled at his wife.

"when Lizbeth maxes her smithing out, there's a massive bit of fanfare, flashing lights and a large mini celebration with a podium that rises up. Once it appears fully a sign will appear that will say: for the extraordinary feat of maxing out your skill we humble [present you this cape! The cape looks cool and has the anvil on it. Once she takes it, the sign says: now go get a life."

Sachi busted up laughing now herself.

"That's just mean!"

Sakura giggled.

"Hilarious though!"

They laughed as they went to a fancy restaurant for Tyler and Sachi's first meal as ingame husband and wife. They were eating when a message orb came in. Curious Tyler poked it.

"I HATE YOU!"

Lizbeth's incensed voice was heard and they all busted up laughing as Lizbeth held the light blue cape she'd gotten from the podium. The sign read,

"Enjoy the Smithing cape of no lifeing! If ya got this far, ya need friends and a serious look in the mirror. Signed, GORELEECH."

Lizbeth was shaking with rage while smiling at the same time.

"I hate that guy! This is hilarious! But FUCK that guy!"

1 week later.

Tyler and the two girls were back on the front lines exploring. Tyler had heard the call of battle and answered. The players were still stuck on floor 80 as the boss had yet to be found. They were hunting the boss in a deep dungeon alone as usual. The monster making even Tyler have to work for it now as they were that strong. They made short work as most required a second shot and that was all. Tyler smiled.

"We'll one shot these things soon enough as well."

They reached the end of the dungeon and no boss. They left and were looking over loot when Tyler pinged. He looked and smiled.

"Looks like Assy misses us."

He opened it and frowned.

"the boss got found. Heathcliff sent out a mass call and I'm calling you. He said he'll be at this one."

Tyler nodded.

"Okay. Sack up."

They jumped and headed for the rally point. There they found Asuna and Kirito talking with Lorg, Burke, Gabol, and their crews. Tyler smiled as he snuck up behind Asuna and grabbed her shoulders.

"BOO!"

"EEEEEE!"

Asuna jumped a good 6 feet in the air as she screamed in shock, making everyone look at her curiously, and as she came down, Kirito, having seen Tyler's wink was ready with a princess cradle. Tyler smiled at that sight.

"Wow, Asuna. Good for you."

She was breathing hard from her fright as their friends all laughed hard at her look of bewildered rage and happy bliss at getting caught by Kirito. Gabol smiled as he stood beside Gore.

"Okay. Well played."

Tyler hugged Sachi one armed.

"I got a few tricks. I can teach ya so your wife can PRETEND to like you."

Gabol's smile died as he once again felt his wife's humor.

"I pray to god you two never meet."

"Now I'm gonna just to piss you off."

Gabol groaned hard at that. Tyler and his friends got hugs and he tapped Burke's red armor.

"So ah Kenshin knock off. You still dating the blonde sword swallower?"

Lorg had TWO veins bulge at that one! Burke just held up his finger and Tyler saw the ring. He rounded on Lorg.

"The FUCK? WHY are WE always getting left out? Okay fuck you. Fuck YOU. And fuck YOU."

Lorg just busted up laughing.

"we kinda did it spur of the moment."

Tyler nodded sagely.

"Most shotgun weddings happen like that. So, when's the due date?"

Lorg broke FOUR maces over his body in a full blacked out rage! Svenity had then in her hand and would hand to the enraged blonde as she broke one. Burke just watched as his new wife nearly committed murder. Lorg was breathing hard as the last broke. Tyler patted her patronizingly with a sympathetic look on his face.

"There, there, Lorg. At least the money went through."

She drew her katana when she pinged. She looked at it, only to find a mass gift of several million droy from Goreleech as a "wedding present" Lorg, now nursing a pounding headache smiled.

"Thanks Gore. So. How's yours?"

He smiled as Sachi came over as if on cue.

"Happy, Lorg. And so am I."

Sachi smiled as they kissed and Lorg got a kiss as well. Then he looked at Asuna.

"How bad?"

She sighed as Kirito came over.

"Heathcliff went off on me for calling you. Says we don't need a monster like you on our raid."

The boy in black had a different thought.

"Your duel. The way his shield was moving."

Tyler chuckled.

"You noticed too?"

He nodded.

"So I WASN'T imagining it. There was no way he shoulda been able to keep up with you. Especially when you wield that smaller blade."

Tyler sighed as he spotted the man on a raised section talking to the other players.

"Okay, Kirito. I'm gonna level with you. I think that guy's Vonderland."

He gasped and so did their friends. Then Kirito's black eyes narrowed.

"Because there's nothing more boring than watching others play an RPG. Okay. If he's Vonderland,"

"Than HE'S the final boss of SaS. I won in that duel because I overloaded his cheats with natural ferocity. That is all. He KNOWS I can beat him at the drop of a hat. Plus he knows I know who he is. Those two facts are why he doesn't want me near him."

Kirito nodded.

"Because if you spill the beans early"

"His world goes up in flames before the big reveal. Sadly, I'm a purist like that where I Want to BEAT the game the right way or I'd have called him out then and there. Plus? Well I was having fun."

They chuckled, as Kirito looked at the man.

"I'd like to test this, Gore. Just to put the doubt to bed."

Tyler nodded.

"Agreed. Let's kill the boss first. That way we can play the battle rush thing. I'm such a freakin psychopath they'd buy it. You're a beater so they'd buy it."

Kirito chuckled.

"Hey. Like you said in the cave. WE bare it so THEY don't have to."

The warriors fist bumped at that. Kirito looked at Sachi.

"I'm sorry about your friends, Sachi. And I'm sorry I hide my level."

She just hugged him.

"It's okay. I never blamed you, Kirito. If not for you, I'd never have got to be with Gore."

He smiled at that. Tyler smiled as well.

"Okay, Kirito. If we're right about that guy, I am betting money he plays some kind of admin bullshit."

Yui's voice chimed in.

"If he tries, I can screw it up."

Tyler looked at the man now glaring daggers at him. With a knowing grin, Tyler flipped him off.

"If we die, Yui, can you screw with the system enough to keep us FROM dying?"

She giggled.

"I can keep the helmets from killing you, AND, so long as your wills are strong enough, keep fighting. He can't detect me since I'm hidden in your helmet, Uncle Demon."

Tyler smiled as the door to the dungeon opened.

"Heavenly Demons. MOVE OUT!"

They ALL, Kirito, Asuna, Lorg and her friends, Burke and his, and Gabol all joined the guild. Tyler sent out invites to Lizbeth, Siri, and Yuka under the message Heavenly Demons and friends. They ALL accepted. The guild looked at the dungeon as Tyler drew his swords.

"If we're right, we can END this game. If not, we'll end it together anyway. For when the Demons spread their wings, even Heaven weeps in fear and envy."

The friends banged fists at that as they took off running to the front of the raid group, Tyler in the lead with Sachi at his right, Kirito, his left with Asuna at Kirito's right, Sakura behind Tyler, Lorg and Burke on the flanks with their friends, and Gabol in the center with Sakura. Yuka joined the rush as Heathcliff just frowned at the reckless smiles on the faces of the friends. Tyler led the attack on the monsters shattering them with Kirito keeping pace as Asuna and Sachi laying waste to any not a friend. The raid party trailed behind the whooping demons,

"I got two, Gore!"

"How cute! That's five in one!"

"Fuck man!"

"Keep up Gaby!"

"Ah come on! Hey! Watch it!"

"Ahhh! Look! Gaby's shy to be near the ladies!"

"How the hell he get a wife then?"

Heathcliff just gritted his teeth at party having such a good time as they left shattered pixels everywhere from monsters. They reached the boss floor and Tyler groaned.

"Aw COME ON. That is just not fair."

The arena was on a massive set of floating steps 75 by 75 feet. Tyler looked up and just sighed.

"Watch your asses people. I am not liking this already."

Heathcliff snorted as he drew his sword.

"Scared, Demon?"

Tyler chuckled as he twirled his staffsword.

"Yup. But not for me. Sakura. This is a distance fight. I want you as far from that thing as possible. I'm betting money it's that damned bone centipede I heard of back in the beta from lark."

They nodded as Heathcliff's eyes narrowed at that one. Tyler smiled.

"Alright ladies and whatever Gabol pretends to be,"

"I will shove this axe so far up your ass you can be used to split trees."

"Let's get this done. Kiri, watch Assy."

They both smacked him as the others laughed. Tyler led the way as usual and the massive bone centipede appeared. Tyler smiled.

"Called it. You owe me ten bucks."

Sakura stomped her foot.

"Fuck!"

They laughed at her cute as the massive, 150 foot long creature dropped. Tyler looked at the human headed thing,

"this is gonna suck. Demons! Kill it!"

The party moved to it as Heathcliff gave the charge order. Tyler and Kirito went right for a leg and began hacking as Gabol, Lorg and Burke all took a leg between them, Sakura was firing arrows from afar into the eyeless sockets, as Yuka, Sachi and Asuna worked in tandem for massive damage combos. Heathcliff was tanking for his party and Tyler saw his health drop a few times as the battle raged. Players died in that fight as the beast's health bars were depleted and it was beaten. Tyler dropped, he in the red as the entire battle he was in the thing face distracting it and dealing heavy damage. He'd gotten the final kill bonus and was drinking a potion. His friends were okay as the healing went on. Tyler looked over as his bar refilled to see Heathcliff's was STILL GREEN even though he hadn't taken a potion AT ALL in the fight. Tyler saw Kirito's eyes on the other side of the armored man and nodded. The two players launched a sneak attack on the utterly unaware man. Tyler's blades hitting hard and so did Kirito's. only for the purple shield of an immortal object to appear under their hits. They jumped back as the man looked at them disappointed as he was outed in front of the assault force. Tyler just laughed.

"I fucking right all the time. What up Vonderland?"

The other players all gasped at the name. Heathcliff sighed as Kirito stood beside Tyler.

"you just couldn't play the game the way it was meant, could you?"

Tyler chuckled as he leaned on his staffsword.

"Oh on the contrary. I knew back in the duel. I just didn't care. Kill you here or 150. I'm loving life in here so whatever."

Heathcliff blinked in shock.

"If you knew that early, why didn't you say anything?"

Tyler smiled.

"I knew when I hit Mirackle. That was you alt account, right?"

That one stunned Heathcliff.

"again, WHY? You had the power to set them all free yet didn't?"

Tyler shrugged.

"I love this world. Really I do. Rules are simple, works easy, politics mean nothing and all you need to get rich and famous is a sword and some skill. Plus I met Sakura, Asuna, THAT guy, THIS THING, IT, Sachi, AND WHATEVER THAT IS. I fell in love with Sachi, gained the best sisters ya can ask for, and these idiots as friends. Plus. Well. I'm the old fashioned gamer. If I don't clear the game the RIGHT way it's a hollow victory."

Heathcliff dropped his sword.

"Then why attack me?"

Kirito chuckled.

"To be sure. Best we had was guesses and Gore's scary intuition. I just needed a bit more proof. Somehow I'm not surprised he figured you out so early and didn't say anything. Guy LIVES for SaS."

Tyler smiled as sachi got under his arm.

"Adventure of a lifetime. Only WE got to tell it OUR way."

Asuna just sighed.

"of course. NOW he plays the romantic poet."

"Love you too Sis."

""yeah, yeah."

Tyler looked at Heathcliff.

"So now Vonderland. Since you've been outed AGAIN. I trust you know what this means."

He sighed.

"I do. And it's oddly reassuring to hear of how much you loved my world. And a shame you won't get to see the final floor."

Tyler chuckled.

"I'm sure we will. Someday. As I'm betting money ya got a backup for this place SOMEWHERE. And so you know? I want it."

Heathcliff tilted his head.

"To delete it?"

"No."

Tyler smiled.

"To come back home."

His friends all smiled at that one and so did Heathcliff.

"So you ARE like me after all."

Kirito smiled as well.

"I'm right there with you Gore. Just make sure the revives work next time."

The Demons laughed at that as Heathcliff had a relieved smile.

"I was afraid you were just a crazed killer without appreciation for my vision. I see now I was mistaken. You love this world so much, and even see it as I do."

"I'm a crazed killer. Never you doubt that, Vonderland. I've killed 100 people remember? All my strength came from this game. So yeah. I love it."

The grey haired man nodded.

"Alright then, Goreleech. Kirito. I'd like to know the names of the ones that see my world so clearly."

"I'm Kirihito."

Tyler looked at him,

"wow. Kinda metal."

Then he sighed.

"I'm Tyler. Yes, I know it's lame."

The man chuckled.

"Tyler. Kirihito. Okay. Let's proceed. If you two beat me, I'll release them all."

The other players were dropped to the ground under a mass paralysis and moved out of the way. Tyler looked at the drop.

"Just make sure they can't get knocked off the edge by a bad fall. I do get wild you know."

A barrier rose up around the3 step.

"Neat trick. Kinda wish I'd had that. Coulda fucked with people royally. Walking a trail, BOOM, invisible wall! Turn around BOOM! Another invisible wall! And when you go to place you hand on the other wall it's gone. Same with the other. And just sit back, and watch the mind fuck!"

That got a laugh from the man.

"And that's why YOU Goreleech were my favorite tester. The pranks you pulled with that hacked dev hub were freakin hilarious!"

Tyler and Kirito laughed.

"I was kinda looking forward to screwing with the player base a bit with them. Ahh. Wasted."

Vonderland sighed sadly as he took up a stance.

"Sadly it was. All my enhancements and privileges are disabled."

Tyler sighed deeply.

"we fall here, make sure our friends can't kill themselves."

That got a loud round of denials as they glowed.

"It is done."

"Alright then. LET'S GO TO HELL TOGETHER!"

Tyler surged forward with Kirito right beside him. Tyler had his staffsword in one piece to start as Kirito wielded his dual blades. Vonderland deflected each shot with his shield and took shots of his own the Demon and the Black swordsmen dodged as the feeling out ended. Tyler smiled. Then his grin became that unnerving sadistic grin and Kirito's eyes lit up with a blazing fire as the two warriors surged ahead. Their blades were glowing from skill, after skill after skill as the health bars dropped from the three fighters. Tyler was smiling as he scored a good hit, only to get a nasty shield slash that dropped him into the red and so did Kirito. They dropped back and panted as Vonderland was in the upper red. Tyler just started laughing, and so did Kirito.

"I have LONGED for a fight like this!"

"So have I!"

Sakura screamed,

"Drink a potion Big brother! Don't leave me!"

He looked at her smiling.

"You know I'm not going anywhere. Besides, potions were disabled for this fight."

Asuna had tears in her eyes,

"Kirito! Please!"

He just smiled at her. And Tyler looked at a tearful Sachi.

"I love you, Asuna."

"I love you, Sachi."

Tyler looked at Vonderland and tapped knuckles with Kirito as they surged forward. Kirito led this time,

"Starburst Stream!"

His black and blue blades slamming into Vonderland's shield with savage force, when his blue sword broke. Kirito gaped as he was left wide open and Tyler rolled into the breach to deflect the death blow,

"Demon Barrage!"

His twin broadswords slammed into the man's shield with bone crunching force, as Kirito dropped his ruined weapon, then Tyler's blades broke, and Kirito was there for the breach as Tyler threw the ruined weapons aside. He pulled his original staffsword and was right there as Kirito was hit once more. The boy looked at Tyler and smiled as he faded into gold flecks.

"Take it from here."

"I got you brother."

Asuna was silent as Kirito was lost to sight as Tyler slammed into Vonderland with all the force of a freight train. Tyler was smiling widely as Vonderland's health dropped to the lower red as well. Tyler was smiling when his left sword broke over Vonderland's shield, and he got hit in the chest. He sighed at that as he grabbed the man's shield and twisted, shattering his arm as Tyler looked at Sakura.

"Sorry, Sakura."

The small girl watched as Tyler also faded into golden flecks. Leaving only Vonderland standing. The small girl went berserk as she wildly fought to reach the man that had killed her brother. Asuna was just heartbroken as Sachi too struggled with a ferocious light in her blue eyes as Sakura screamed,

"Big brother's going to kill you!"

Vonderland just looked at her.

"He's dead, child. He's not coming back."

Sakura grinned.

"You forgot something."

He looked at her sadly.

"and what is that?"

Sakura busted up laughing before she screamed with all her faith in her big brother.

"TYLER DOESN'T FIGHT FAIR!"

There was a laugh and the prone friends gasped as Tyler AND Kirito appeared encased in a golden haze.

"I couldn't have said it better myself."

Tyler and Kirito's weapons reappeared as Vonderland gasped.

"How?"

Tyler and Kirito surged forward.

"I'm the DEMON. That's how!"

Both boys pinned the man between them and the now caught off guard final boss was stabbed from both sides and ran through with four blades. Tyler smiled as Vonderland died.

"I made a friend."

That was when he noticed the AI plugin hidden in his helmet. The fading man laughed.

"Well played Demon. Kirito."

The room started shaking as the other players all vanished. Except for Kirito, Tyler, Asuna, Sakura, and Sachi. They were blinded by a flash of light before finding themselves on a floating platform looking out as the egg of SaS crumbled. Tyler was hugged hard by Sakura and kissed by Sachi as Kirito got the same from Asuna. Tyler and the girls sat on the edge as Vonderland appeared in his labcoat. Tyler smiled sadly as he saw the hut fall into the ocean.

"I'm gonna miss that place."

Kirito was saddened as his and Asuna's cabin split in two.

"That one too."

Sachi nodded at the hideout.

"That one most of all."

sakura was under Tyler's arm and so was Sachi. Vonderland smiled.

"Well. There goes my lifes work. AND my life."

Tyler looked at him,

"Thanks for bringing us all together Vonderland. Best game ever. 10/10 would play again."

He smiled at that as Kirito looked at the top of the egg as the red palace atop it shattered.

"I still want to know what was up there."

Vonderland sighed as he lit a cigarette.

"I wanted the world to see it. I wanted the world to have a place to escape to."

Tyler patted him.

"You achieved this goal. Vonder. You gave US a home. And the chance to be something more. We found friends the likes of which I had long given up on finding. I was able to become a person again. I can LOVE again. We walked into SaS alone."

He looked at the others on the platform with him.

"Now we leave as a family. A FUCKED UP family, but a family nonetheless."

Tyler and Kirito got up and shook the man's hand.

"Thank you for Asuna."

"Thank you for Sakura and Sachi."

Sachi and sakura hugged Tyler and he kissed Sachi, Kirito kissed Asuna as a blinding light. The next thing Tyler knew, he was looking at a tiled ceiling with a most uncomfortable feeling on his head. He felt EXTREMELY weak, but as he blinked, he felt some of his strength return. He sat up and pulled the helmet off. He was so thin his arms were mere bones, and he had a mane of hair that hung to his back. He looked over and saw Sachi take her helmet off, and frowned as he saw her glorious Ds had shrunk. We need food. That is just wrong. He looked to his left and saw Sakura take off her helmet. Asuna, however DID NOT. He frowned at that, but he looked around to see the room was still asleep. He looked at his friends and they smiled. He took in a breath.

"HEY! PULL YA PANTS UP!"

The room exploded as they all looked at the screen. Tyler and his friends hung their heads.

"Idiots. Behind you."

That was the day Swords and Shields was cleared. Close to 2 and a half years after the launch of the game, Tyler the Demon and Kirihito the black swordsmen cleared the game and set the players free. Out of the 40,000 original players that had started the game, 10,000 died. Tyler and Kirito were called the heroes of SaS. But all they were concerned with was why Asuna had yet to regain consciousness.