Skoll, Yui, and Jin were at Horunka village, a small farming community on Floor 1. The town's primary purpose is for new players to gain experience, skill points, and equipment.
Currently, they are staying in the inn where Skoll brought them to rest as the shock of the announcement still heavily affected them.
Yui however is having the worse of it….
"Hey, Yui," Skoll called out.
He saw her again in her usual depressed state as she had for the past two days. Skoll sighed deeply. It seems she hasn't adapted very well since starting in Aincrad. Yes, it was a death game. Skoll himself had to adjust to a sudden mood change that sometimes led to an aggressive level of emotional instability from time to time, but Yui took her issues to heart and didn't respond well to talking about it.
Jin took things slightly better than Yui and was the main source of her comfort for most of the time, however, the girl's emotions were getting the better of her and it was getting harder to ignore.
Skoll decided he could no longer take this anymore and sat next to the girl and laid a hand on her shoulder, "Yui, we have a lot of work to do before we get to the second floor. I know you're still having trouble dealing with this."
"Skoll," Yui looked up."I know it's hard for you, but if you're going to survive this, you have to be stronger, not only for yourself but for all of us."
Yui was speechless, she hadn't realized that she was making the others worry about her.
"We're your friends, Yui," Jin spoke.
"Yes, we are." Skoll smiled.
Yui lowered her head, "Sorry."
"I know you are scared," Jin said, "We are, too. But, we'll make it through this, together. Right, Skoll?"
"That's right," Skoll agreed, "But, you can't go around feeling sorry for yourself. It's not gonna help us. Do you understand?"
Yui looked at her feet as tears started to form in her eyes, "I- I… Can't… I can't do this."
Skoll and Jin looked at each other with concern.
"This is a nightmare, an insane nightmare. I-I can't even look at a monster without thinking of you guys being killed, and the same for myself."
Skoll knew this feeling. She was afraid. No, she was terrified. It was something that he understood perfectly.
Jin couldn't just stand by and watch his childhood friend break down like this. He pulled her in onto his shoulders and hugged her tightly, "I know, Yui, I know. It's a scary thought."
Yui continued to cry on Jin's shoulder.
Skoll sighed deeply and moved closer. "Listen, I know it's tough, but you can't keep crying. It's not helping anybody."
"I just don't want to die..." Yui sobbed, "I-I don't want you and Jin to die."
Skoll sighed in defeat and sat back, "I understand." He took a moment to compose his thoughts, then spoke again, "I understand how you feel. I do. You've never been in this situation before. We're in a new environment, with new rules and a new way of life. You're scared. You're nervous. You're anxious."
"I'm terrified," Yui whispered.
"Me too," Skoll admitted.
"Really?" Jin asked, shocked.
"I've been playing MMORPGs since I was five," Skoll explained, "It was an escape from my father. When he started beating me, I'd retreat to my room and log in. The games kept me sane, I'd talk to the other players and we'd all bond. That's what I'm afraid of losing. Until I met you guys in high school, I was a loner. No friends, no family. Just a lonely boy. Now, I have something worth protecting. Something I can't afford to lose."
Skoll looked down at the ground. His gaze turned to the ceiling.
"That's why," Skoll began, "we're going to survive this, and we'll make sure no one dies. We'll get out of this, alive."
"How?" Yui asked.
"By working together. By supporting each other. By helping each other out." Skoll explained, "Together, we'll survive this."
Yui looked up at Skoll. Her eyes were still filled with tears. "But, I can't fight," She protested.
"Sure you can," Skoll retorted.
"But, I can't even look at a monster," Yui insisted.
"That's why we need to do the task, which involves levelling up, grinding and training," Skoll replied, "And that's where I come in. I can show you and teach you how to fight."
"But-"
"I'll protect you," Skoll interrupted.
"You will?"
"Yeah," Skoll nodded, "I promise, you'll be safe."
Yui was silent for a moment, then she smiled weakly.
"Can you give me some time?…I-I need to think."
"Sure, just let me know when you're ready." Skoll nodded.
Jin helped her stand and led her away from the group and to her room.
Once they were gone, Skoll was left alone. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. His mind was exhausted. It had been a long day and he'd had enough stress for one lifetime. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so drained.
"How can anyone cope with this?" He muttered to himself.
He leaned back against the chair and stared into the small window. It was getting late, but he didn't feel tired.
Skoll's mind was racing. He'd always considered himself a confident person. He didn't like to show his emotions. He didn't like to be vulnerable. But today had taken everything from him.
He couldn't hide the pain.
"Damnit," Skoll cursed.
The thought of dying made him sick. He hated it. It scared him.
Skoll shook his head. He wasn't going to die here. Not now. Not after all this.
"No, I refuse." Skoll declared.
He'd find a way. He had to.
'I'll find a way.'
___
"HAH!"
Akio hacked and slashed at the giant wasp, defeating them easily, 'Level 3 monsters are pretty easy', Akio thought as the wasp fell and faded into blue fragments.
Akio continued hacking and slashing away at the monsters, eventually defeating all the enemies in the area, Akio took a few moments to catch his breath and take in all of the events that had recently unfolded.
'This isn't a game anymore. This is a death trap', Akio thought with disgust.
All his years working with the development team, Akio thought they could make an amazing game that people would love.
Now, because of that man, Akihiko Kayaba, the entire thing is nothing but a twisted fantasy of murder and slaughter.
'Kayaba,' Akio's eyes darkened. 'I don't know how or why, but I will find a way to beat you, no matter what it takes'.
Akio can't even remember how long or how many monsters he had killed just to relieve some stress. Some part of his mind still trying to deny what was happening but his rational mind is trying to accept what was happening.
'damnit… damn it all...'
Suddenly, a message appeared in front of his vision.
Nomad: Level 5.
Akio looked at the message for a few seconds before letting out a sigh of relief.
'At least my level is high enough'
'But what about the other players?'
Akio felt his stomach clench as he realized how many people had probably died. He hadn't even seen any players around him.
'Is anyone else still alive?'
'Did they even survive the tutorial?'
'Are they even fighting?'
Akio had to fight back a wave of nausea. The thought of people dying made him sick. He knew he couldn't let this get to him, but it was difficult not to think about the situation.
'I need to keep my mind focused.'
Akio shook his head and kept walking. There would be plenty of time to worry later, right now he needed to focus on his survival. He wasn't going to die until he'd found a way to beat this damn game.
'Sword art online is also my game, too. It's not your place, Kayaba'
'Come after me, you bastard. Bring it.'
'I'll take you on.'
Akio stopped, taking a deep breath to calm himself. His anger wasn't doing him any good and it would only cloud his mind.
"You've gotta calm down, Akio. Get your thoughts together."
Akio let out a soft sigh and slowly exhaled. As much as he'd like to deny it, he couldn't ignore the reality of the situation. He had to face the facts: the players had been trapped in a world where their deaths meant real-world death.
It wasn't a fun experience and it was something no one wanted to face. But he couldn't let himself be overcome by the situation. He wasn't going to waste away in despair.
He was going to keep fighting, and he wasn't going to give up. He has a life still life unfulfilled, friends and other people waiting for him. And he would not lose it here.
Akio continues walking through the floor of the forest. His sense had become better to avoid getting ambushed by monsters thanks to the levelling system. Right now, Akio just wanted to find more monsters and gain more levels.
From what he could tell, there weren't many players still around. Akio suspected that most of the players had either given up and let themselves die, or gone off to safer areas to grind.
Either way, he didn't care. He wasn't planning on wandering into populated areas anytime soon.
Eventually, Akio reached the edge of the forest and looked up at the sky. The moonlight illuminated the gigantic pillar of the floor quite well, shining upon him and illuminating the way before him.
He knows eventually everyone who wants to leave the game must travel to the dungeons on that pillar. However, he also knows that anyone who goes into those dungeons is subject to death if they are not careful.
Everything from the previous generation of RPGs is included in that place. Monsters, traps, and all the rest. Most are modified to fit the theme of SAO but the core basics remain the same.
'Find the boss room, and beat it'
Akio sighs and continues his path through the forest.
Akio suddenly stops as he notices a shadow is coming closer, the shape makes him think it's one of the level three enemies he had recently been killing. He unsheathed his Sabre and it quickly configured to a generic two-sided blade.
Seconds passed, and Akio waited with his eyes piercing into the darkness. He looked ready to battle the enemy.
'Finally,' Akio thought, 'some target practice...'
Dire wolves. This should be simple, Akio thought as two wolves emerged from the darkness. They growled, saliva dripping from their fangs.
Akio smirked, his swords gripped tightly and prepared to fight the wolf.
One lunged, leaping at Akio, jaws snapping viciously. Akio ducked low, avoiding the attack. He straightened up and swung his blade upward, the blade slicing through the monster's abdomen, spilling blood over the ground.
The other attacked next, charging at Akio, aiming for his legs.
Akio sidestepped, moving faster than the Wolf and brought his sword down, slashing into the wolf's side. The beast whimpered and staggered, allowing Akio to strike again, slashing through the wolf's neck, and ending its life.
The two beasts erupted into blue fragments.
Not bad, Akio mused as he sheathed his swords, No damage whatsoever.
Before Akio could celebrate his victory, however, a larger wolf suddenly rushed from the bushes, charging directly towards him.
Akio barely had time to block the onslaught and was knocked back, his health bar being drained to amber as the wolf slammed him to the ground, large teeth snapping in front of his face.
'Level 8 dire wolf,' Akio thinks frantically, trying to avoid the angry wolf's attacks. 'Shit! I can't take this guy on alone.'
'Do I run?'
The lone swordsmen felt utterly defeated at the sight of the high-level beast. Despite his confidence earlier, he could not beat a monster like this on his own, not without fighting at his full strength, and not with another player.
There was no one.
'Just my luck,' Akio thinks bitterly, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.
All he can see is the monster getting close to biting him.
Akio clenched his fist. No, he was not going to die. Not like this.
He could almost hear Kayaba laughing at his death, his last words being, "Greetings and welcome, foolish student, to our sacred realm of 'Sword Art Online.' Here, in this world, death is eternal."
'Ha...shut up...,'
There is no way he will lose like that… not in this corner he put him into...
'...I'm not losing to my own game…'
Akio quickly raised his right hand, activating the sword skill he had used while he was working on the system of SAO
"Tri-dash!"
Swirls of blazing, white light followed his strike, illuminating the area as it sped directly towards the wolf's muzzle.
The monster fell, stunned by the attack.
Now, the battle was on.
Akio sprung forward, diving on top of the still-stunned wolf. He unleashed a fury of thrusts at the creature, striking it over and over, again and again.
He does not care what level it is, all he knows it will die eventually…
"Take that!", Akio yelled as he leapt back, giving the wolf room to move.
The wounded animal tried to scramble to its feet, but Akio slammed a foot down on the creature's spine and continued with his relentless rampage.
Akio leapt back, taking in the damage he had done with his blade. The entire side of the beast's torso was covered in crimson slashes.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
"I will not lose! Even if I have to cut through the pixels of the game..."
Akio began circling the fiend, slashing at any opening he saw.
The wolf's movements slowed as the health bar reached the red zone, Akio began to target the limbs knowing of the dismemberment effect from the game. Every slash he did is as furious as the previous one.
The wolf howls as its leg is severed, unable to stand on it as the bloody stump that was its leg hits the floor.
Akio breathed heavily, eyes wide open, focused on the level 8 boss.
The wolf let out a low growl, crimson pixels leaking from each cut.
Akio raised his arm, readying himself to perform his best skill.
One that would finish it off.
«Horizontal!»
A bright green light rushed forward, striking the dire wolf at lightning speed.
The boss began its roar. It was in immense pain, and with all of his remaining health, he aimed one last attack towards the swordsmen and lunged.
"Die!" Akio shouted, slicing into the wolf's neck, severing it clean from its body, the body then faded out of existence into the dust of blue glass.
The beast is dead.
Akio collapsed onto his knees and huffed in exhaustion, his breathing heavy. His mind was completely blank. And he felt complete ecstasy.
It had been a fierce battle, but Akio had emerged victorious. He had not lost.
He did not lose...
'I did not lose...I won. I survived.'
Akio smiled to himself, slowly standing back up, and taking a few deep breaths. The exhaustion of the intense fight was overwhelming.
He stared down at his hands, a look of complete astonishment etched across his face.
'I did it… I'm still alive.'
Akio grinned in triumph, raising his fist to the sky and shouting, "Huzzah!"
Maybe he can survive in this hell hole after all…. But what about the others?