November 1, 2024
Floor 61: Selmburg
It's been a few days since the assault on Laughing Coffin. With Heathcliff extending our leave of absence, it was a perfect opportunity to enjoy some quality time with Kiyo and Ashtry. We were currently playing truth or dare, Kiyo asking the question.
Kiyo- Truth or dare Papa?
"Hm, I'll go with dare."
Kiyo- Ok! I dare you to do a handstand with only one hand.
"Seems easy enough."
I stood up and positioned myself into a handstand. After adjusting my balance, I slowly moved one hand up and balanced myself on one hand. Before I knew it, both girls rushed over to me and started to tickle my sides.
Kiyo- Got you Papa!
Ashtry- You left yourself wide open!
I started laughing as my balance was destroyed, causing me to fall on both of them. Looking at them, their smiles were wider, and we all shared a laugh.
Kiyo- That was funny.
Ashtry- You should've seen the look on your face.
"Brats... the both of you..."
They responded by sticking out their tongues as we moved on to the next person.
"My turn. Umm Kiyo, truth or dare?"
Kiyo- Truth please.
"When you made your character, did you use your real-world name? Or is Kiyo short for something?"
Ashtry- I'm curious too.
Kiyo- It's not a big difference. I only took the last two letters out of my name when I made this character. My real name first name is Kiyomi.
"That's a beautiful name Kiyo. Both names suit you."
Kiyo- What about you Papa? What's your first name?
"Kazzu is just a nickname that people call me because it's easier to pronounce. My real name is Kazuhito."
Kiyo- Kazu...hito
Ashtry- It's a nice name. Looks like I'm the weird one here.
"How's that?"
Ashtry- I kept my real world name the same as my avatar's name.
"Your real name is Ashtry?"
Ashtry- Yep.
Kiyo- Well that will be easier to remember right Papa?
"Yea but it's risky to play virtual games with your real-life name. People can track you down easier."
Ashtry- Well there's nothing I can really do about it now.
"I suppose."
Kiyo- Mamas turn!
Ashtry- Ok. Kazzu, truth or dare?
"I'll do truth this time. God know what you would make me do if I picked dare."
Ashtry- Well this one is an easy one. I never asked you but... how old are you?
"I turn eighteen on the 30th of this month. Kiyo's birthday is on March 2nd."
Kiyo- I'm nine years old! I can't wait to be in the double digits!
Ashtry- Can't wait to be a grown up huh?
Kiyo- Well... I want to be just like you Mama... you're strong, brave and very caring...
Ashtry let out a small hiccup as she pulled Kiyo close to her as her eyes started to water.
Ashtry- You are precious, and I hope you stay that way forever!
That earned a chuckle from me as Kiyo hugged Ashtry as tight as she could.
"How about you Ash? When's your birthday?"
Ashtry- December 18. I'm the same age as you.
Probably something I should've asked before we made love that night...
We continued to play our game for a few more minutes until a notification appeared in my menu. Someone had sent me a message.
Ashtry- Everything ok Kazzu?
"Yea, just received a message."
Kiyo- Is it from Heathcliff again...? If so, I don't want to!
Ashtry- I agree with the cub.
I looked in my message box and was surprised to see Sasha, the orphanage owner, was the sender.
"No actually. It's from Sasha."
Ashtry- Who?
Kiyo- Wait! Miss Sasha from the orphanage?
"The very same."
Kiyo- It's been so long since we've seen her Papa!
Ashtry- What does the message say?
"It's asking us to meet her at the orphanage. She says she has something she wishes to discuss with me."
Kiyo- Can we go back please? I want to show Miss Sasha just how much I've grown!
"Of course we can. Whatever she wants to talk about could be important if she's messaging me out of the blue."
Ashtry- I've always wanted to see the orphanage where Kiyo came from.
"Then let's get going."
November 1, 2024
Floor 1: Town of Beginnings
Kiyo- Wow... it's been so long since we've been here Papa...
"I know... the town seems so... empty now."
Ashtry- It's been about two years since the creepy red cloaked figure announced the launch of the game.
"Two years... and four thousand plus people are dead..."
Kiyo- Papa...
Ashtry- Don't go blaming yourself again. It's not your fault my prince.
"I still feel guilty about it. "
Ashtry- Changing the subject, I wonder how many people live here. What do you two think?
Kiyo- Well... there are about six thousand players currently alive in Sword Art Online...
"And about thirty percent of them live in town so I would have to say a little under two thousand."
As we started wandering around town, we heard echoed screaming down an alleyway. The sounds of a woman and a man arguing.
Woman- Leave those children alone!
Man- Hey look, it's that daycare bitch! We've been waiting for you!
"Sasha..."
Kiyo- Miss Sasha...
Me and Kiyo both bolted down the alleyway, leaving Ashtry behind unintentionally.
Ashtry- Hey! Wait for me!
As we got closer, the argument continued. Sasha sounded like she was standing her ground.
Sasha- You leave them alone and let them go!
Man- You make it sound like we are doing something illegal baby cakes. We are just teaching them how things work around here, making them pay their way. It's all part of the army's job ma'am.
The army? The Aincrad Liberation Force? The hell are they doing messing with the orphanage?
A new voice entered the conversation. The first man wasn't alone.
Man #2- That's right. Everyone's got to pay taxes around here.
The men hassling her then started to laugh. I poked my head around the corner and assessed the situation. Sasha by herself, four Liberation Force members blocking her off from getting to three kids, two boys and one girl. Ashtry caught up to us a second later.
Ashtry- How's it looking here?
Sasha- Yin? Cain? Mina? Are you three ok?
The little girl, Yin, called out to her as the guards tightened their defense.
Yin- Help Miss Sasha! Please, save us!
I looked over at Kiyo as her face went deadpan, almost revengeful.
"Kiyo...?"
Kiyo- Those were the kids who bullied me back at the orphanage... they get what they deserve...
Ashtry- Kiyo, that is not acceptable.
Kiyo- But they deserve to be bullied like they did to me.
"As much as they deserve to be bullied Kiyo, we can't just sit around and let them. Even though they bullied you, the right thing to do is be the bigger person and stand up for them."
Kiyo looked back at the Liberation Force members and growled.
Sasha- They just want your money, so give it to them and it'll be ok!
"I don't think that will be necessary Sasha..."
I stood up from where I was hiding and made myself known to everyone. The kids started cheering upon seeing me, the Liberation Force took a step back and Sasha glared at me with stars in her eyes.
Sasha- Kazzu...?
"The very same. Plus, I brought some friends of my own."
Ashtry and Kiyo both jumped over the Liberation Force barricade, landing in front of the children and blocking them off. The kids looked at Kiyo and were awestruck.
Yin- Kiyo...?
Cain- No way...
Mina- That's Kiyo...?
Ashtry turned over to the kids and handed them their equipment which was lying on the ground.
Ashtry- These guys won't be bullying you three anymore. Here, take your stuff back.
Cain- Um... ok...
Liberation Force Member #1- Hey! Whoa, whoa, whoa who the hell are you!?
Liberation Force Member #2- This is Army business so get the hell out of the way!
Liberation Force Member #3- I guess the three of you are new in town. We are the Liberation Force and you do not mess with us!
The Force member pulled out his sword and started swinging it around, scaring the children that Kiyo and Ashtry were protecting. Kiyo looked at me and I just gave her a nod, she turned her focus towards the Force member.
Kiyo- You sure you know how to use that thing? Because by the looks of it, your sword skills seem pretty low.
Liberation Force Member #3- What did you say to me you little brat!?
The Force member started walking towards her, ready to attack her but Kiyo quickly activated a sword skill and knocked the Force member down to the ground. Before he could recover, Kiyo used another sword skill and pushed him back towards his teammates.
Yin- Whoa...
Cain- Awesome...
Mina- So cool...
Sasha- Amazing...
Liberation Force Member #3- What the hell is this kid?
Kiyo- Oh don't worry sir, it's a safe zone. Your HP will stay the same no matter what I do. I could keep knocking you down all day and you'll be totally fine. Besides, I'll give you all a chance to walk away because if a small little thing like me can knock you down in one swing, just imagine what the rest of my family could do to you.
Liberation Force Member #3- Family...?
Kiyo- Yep! My mama over there is the Red Hunter and my Papa is called the Dark Prince.
Liberation Force Member #1- Red Hunter!?
Liberation Force Member #2- Dark Prince!?
Kiyo- That's right! They call me the "Devil Daughter" although I never really understood as to why. But if you take one step closer towards these kids, I'll show you just how much of a little devil I can really be.
Kiyo gave the Force members an innocent smile while twirling her dagger in her hand. The Army members went towards their weapons but when Kiyo stopped twirling her dagger and let out a small giggle, they all turned their backs and ran away in fear.
Kiyo- Hm... looks like I scared them off...
Ashtry- That's my girl!
Kiyo laughed as Ashtry started petting her hair. The other kids came running up to Kiyo with smiles on their faces, although Kiyo responded with unapproving glares at each of them. I walked up to Sasha and put a hand on her shoulder.
"They won't be bothering you anymore. If they come back, they'll have to deal with us."
Sasha- Thank you so much Kazzu. You, Kiyo and Ashtry came just in time.
"If I may ask, how much money have you given them?"
Sasha- Roughly around one hundred thousand Col, they have been taking it easy on us since we are just an orphanage. It was only just recently that they raised the taxes on us.
Suddenly, a trade menu appeared in front of Sasha along with an offer of two hundred thousand col. She looked over at me and I gave her a smile.
"I picked up some more funds a while ago. Take it, it's yours."
Sasha- Kazzu... I... I couldn't...
"You can..."
I gently grabbed her hand and pressed the accept button on the trade menu. Two hundred thousand col was transferred out of my inventory and into hers.
"And you will."
Sasha- Thank you so much.
She looked over at Kiyo, who was still looking at the children praising her with an angry glare.
Sasha- She still holds that over them, does she?
"I would understand why. They bullied her about being an orphan in real life. I would be mad at them too. However..."
Kiyo looked over at me with a confused face, motioning towards the children who bullied her. I smiled and gave her a nod. I walked Sasha over to the children and held Kiyo close.
Sasha- Now kids, what do you say to these three who helped us out?
Mina- Thank you!
Yin- Yea, thank you!
Cain- You guys are awesome!
Sasha- Good, but not good enough.
The children looked back at Sasha confused. Sasha motioned towards Kiyo and gave the children a strict face.
Sasha- You three never apologized for bullying Kiyo all those years ago. There are other children who need to apologize but we can start with you three. Now go and apologize.
The three kids came up to Kiyo, looking very guilty. They rubbed their arms and looked up at her, meeting her icy gaze with their own.
Cain- I'm sorry Kiyo...
Yin- Yea... I'm sorry too...
Mina- We were all just jealous of you... we're sorry...
I looked down at Kiyo to see what she would do. She walked towards the three children and as the children were about to flee in fear, Kiyo extended her hand out towards them and gave them a smile.
Kiyo- I forgive you.
The children smiled as they all took turns shaking her hand, my daughters smile turning into laughter.
Sasha- Kiyo has really grown up during her time with you.
"I wanted to give her a normal life but in this game it's life or death. I couldn't keep her secluded to the dangers of this world."
Sasha- I wasn't meaning it in a bad way. You are a great father Kazzu.
Ashtry came up from behind me and wrapped her arms around my stomach, pulling me into a hug.
Ashtry- He really is...
Even as a small blush made its way onto my cheeks, I gently pried myself free from Ashtry's grip and faced Sasha.
"As much as I enjoy the compliments, you sent a message to me asking to meet. Besides the Liberation Force being idiots, was there something you needed?"
Sasha- Oh! Yes, my apologies. There was someone wanting to meet you. She called you three out by name. Says she knows a couple of your friends and that they are in trouble.
My friends? Klein? Silica? Lisbeth? Sachi...?
"Then we shouldn't waste any more time. Please, take us to her."
Sasha nodded and led us inside the orphanage. As we entered, me and Kiyo took a little trip down memory lane as the children inside looked and acted exactly the same as when I first met Kiyo. They were laughing, playing, enjoying food and even bickering about who's food was who's. Kiyo let out a small giggle as she held my hand.
Kiyo- Great memories huh Papa?
"Met one of the most important people in my life here."
I knelt down and gave Kiyo a kiss on the cheek, which she responded with her own. Ashtry smiled as I picked my daughter up and placed her on my shoulder. Catching up to Sasha, we met the person she was informing us about: A woman with silver hair and a short black overcoat along with a deep green tunic.
Sasha- I've brought them as you requested. Hopefully they can help you.
Silver Haired Woman- Thank you Miss Sasha.
Sasha left the room and closed the door behind her. Sasha then bowed her head to us.
Silver Haired Woman- Thank you three for coming on such short notice. My name is Yulier.
"Yulier. You're the second in command of the Aincrad Liberation Force."
Ashtry- I'm guessing that you'll get on our ass for beating your men not a moment ago?
Yulier- No, I won't. I saw what your daughter did. I believe them getting punished by a child is exactly what they deserved. Good job kid.
Kiyo- Thank you Miss Yulier.
Yulier- Now, as you've probably been told, I need both of you to help me with a situation. A situation that involves your friends.
"Who exactly are we talking about? I may not have a lot of friends, but I would know if they were in trouble."
Yulier- Apologies but I think it would be best if I informed you of the entire situation first. If I may?
"Go ahead."
Yulier- Thank you. It starts with the Liberation Force itself. When the guild was formed, we... no... it was Thinker... we never wanted it to become the dictatorial organization that it is now. At first, the objective of the guild was to share information and food equally among as many players as possible.
Ashtry- We heard this whole schtick with Kobatz...
"Before he tried sending his soldiers to death."
Yulier- He told me about that. Thank you for rescuing him. Regardless, once the guild became larger in numbers and infighting started taking place, one man became very powerful: Kibaou.
All of our eyes widened a bit as we remembered the short spiky orange haired beta tester hater that we had met on the first floor.
Kibaou- The name's Kibaou got that?
Kibaou- The beta testers left all of us behind!
Kibaou- You're a god damn cheater!
I shook my head as Yulier continued.
Yulier- Kibaou and his group became stronger and stronger, monopolizing all of the best monster spots.
"Hypocrite..."
Yulier- You've met him?
"He called beta testers out for doing the same thing. He's no better than the people he despised back then."
Yulier- They are out of control now, extorting players under the pretext of collecting taxes. It was obvious that Kibaou didn't care about clearing the game and that made a lot of people mad. He had to do something to get back into their graces, so he sent the highest leveled player he had to the front lines.
Ashtry- Kobatz...
Yulier- Kibaou was denounced after spearheading that attack. If not for you three, they would've been dead. That's when we started seriously considering kicking him out of the guild for good. Now that he's scared and desperate, he's planning on getting rid of Thinker.
"What?"
Ashtry- Did he turn into a Player Killer?
Yulier- He might as well have. He set a trap and stranded Thinker deep inside a dungeon.
"Can't they teleport out? Or is my father playing another sick joke with another no crystal area?"
Yulier- No... he can't teleport out. None of them can.
Ashtry- At least tell me that they are armed.
Yulier- Thinker didn't bring anything with him. Kibaou said he wanted to talk, unarmed. Thinker believed him. This was three days ago.
"How long was it when you met up with my friends?"
Yulier- About two hours before you arrived.
Ashtry- Is there an exit from this dungeon? Could they use that?
Yulier- This is the highest leveled dungeon that we have seen so far. They won't be able to get out of there on their own. My own level isn't high enough to reach him.
I slammed my hand down on a nearby table and looked the Liberation Force woman in the eyes.
"Sorry for the hostilities but we are running out of time. You told us the story, you know where to go, now I need to know who all is down there. You keep saying "They". Who is "They"? Who went with Thinker?"
Yulier- Right, sorry. I insisted that Thinker not go alone in meeting Kibaou so, for safety, I had a man named Diavel join him in his meeting.
"Diavel!?"
Kiyo- Mister Knight is in danger?
Yulier- Yes. After your self denouncement after defeating the first boss, Diavel swore to do everything in his power to keep beta testers and new players from ripping each other's throats out. He would stay behind and help people overcome their fear of fighting monsters, even going as far as to train a few of them to go beyond Floor 1.
"Diavel... you did that... for me?"
Yulier- He was inspired by you. Hence why he took the mission without a second thought.
"And the friends you keep mentioning? Who are they?"
Yulier- One of them was a boy wearing all black clothing and the other looked like she was wearing the same armor from the Knights of the Blood Oath.
"Kirito!"
Ashtry- Asuna!
Kiyo- We have to help them!
Yulier- But there was one more player... a small female... a little older than your kid. She was wearing the same style of clothes as your kid only color swap the shirt and skirt.
"What?"
Ashtry- They had a kid with them?
"What was her name?"
Yulier- That's the weird thing. I never noticed a player name above their avatar.
"No player name? Was it an NPC?"
Yulier- I'm not sure... all I know was the girl's name, according to your friends, was Yui.
My eyes widened as my body froze. I stumbled back, Ashtry and Kiyo grabbing hold of me.
Ashtry- Kazzu?
Kiyo- What's wrong Papa?
"What was her name again?"
Yulier- Yui... That's what they called her.
No player name... calling themselves Yui... there's no way... she was destroyed before the launch...
"We have to find them... Now!"
Ashtry- What's going on Kazzu?
"If it is who I think it is... They could potentially give me access to the game's core system and free us all..."
Ashtry and Kiyo's eyes widened as the quickly equipped their gear and nodded their heads in determination. I responded in the same manner while looking at Yulier.
"Lead the way, Yulier."
November 1, 2024
Floor 1: Black Iron Castle
"What the hell? First there's a monument to fallen players and now there's a hidden dungeon? Damn it Argo, where were you with this information?"
Kiyo- To be fair Papa, most of the information she gives you is for free. It's only fair that she keeps something like this a secret.
"Ok but still..."
Ashtry- Aw, is someone upset that they would've beaten the game without seeing this one dungeon?
"No, but I want to find as much as I can in Aincrad. Anything, even the tiniest crack that could help me break the rest of you out of here. Plus, this wasn't here in the beta test."
Yulier- I think that this dungeon opens up more as the floors get cleared. I don't think you would've one hundred percent cleared this game without first coming here and clearing it. I bet Kibaou was planning on keeping this place to himself.
"Don't worry. Once our leave of absence is done, we can have Ashtry here locate Kibaou and bring him to the prison. This does seem like Player Killer behavior."
Ashtry- Without a doubt. I didn't like him before, I definitely don't now.
Yulier- It's not like he could do much in this dungeon. The monsters that spawn are around level sixty.
We were suddenly stopped by multiple red eyes glowing, staring at us. Around two dozen toad like monsters started hopping down the hallway.
"Rock, paper, scissors to see who fights them?"
Ashtry- You're on!
Kiyo- Me too!
We did a three count, and I was unfortunate to be beaten by both Ashtry and Kiyo as they beat me with paper.
"Damn it..."
Ashtry- Time for some mother daughter bonding!
Kiyo- Let's croak some toads!
Ashtry and Kiyo leapt straight into the fray, slashing and piercing through the amphibian monsters before them. I stood back and chuckled at the scene.
Yulier- I feel bad, they are doing most of the work.
"It's fine. Besides, Ashtry and Kiyo haven't had much bonding time. It'll be good for them to build up a rapport."
Yulier- I suppose... So... um...
"Hm?"
Yulier- You freaked out when I mentioned the kid your friends had with them, Yui. Why is that?
"Yui is... she's not... well... it's difficult to explain..."
Yulier- Try me.
"Yui is an A.I. program that I made to help players with emotional problems in Sword Art Online. She was meant to be a mental health counseling program to assist players who were stressed out in both the virtual world and the real one. Before the servers launched my father, Kayaba, destroyed all mental health programs and replaced them all with the code causing this game to kill players should their health hit zero."
Yulier- Oh... I'm so sorry... I didn't know she meant that much to you...
"If she is who she says she is, and "Yui" really found a way out... it could help us out tremendously..."
Yulier- How so?
"Once we find her, I'll let you know..."
Ashtry and Kiyo walked back to us with big loads of frog legs.
Ashtry- Whew... there was a lot of croakers...
Kiyo- Ribbit ribbit!
Yulier- I should've helped you...
Ashtry- It's ok, we had a blast.
"I'm assuming you plan on cooking these legs? I didn't take you for the type of girl to eat weird shit."
Ashtry- I won't knock it until I try it. Asuna, on the other hand, would freak out and waste all of this meat if she saw it.
Kiyo- She does seem picky about the food she eats. Is she on a diet?
Ashtry- Not that I have heard of.
"I can see it now: Kirito and Asuna having an argument over toad meat and it resolving itself with Asuna throwing away the produce, only to have Kirito have tons more hidden in his inventory."
The three of us shared a laugh, which caused Yulier to give a small smile. A smile that went noticed by Kiyo.
Kiyo- At least we are putting Miss Yulier in a good mood.
Yulier- You are... thank you three...
"Don't thank us yet."
Ashtry- We still have to save our friends.
As we continued down the hallway, we noticed an entryway with a shiny bright light.
"Well, there's the safe zone."
Ashtry- Is anyone inside?
I activated my search skill and noticed two player outlines inside.
"Yep, two players. Looks like both of them are male players."
Yulier- That must be Thinker and Diavel!
Something is up... it's too quiet...
Thinker- Yulier! Stay back the corridor is rigged!
A new name appeared at the top right of my eyesight: The Fatal Scythe.
"Yulier get down!"
I ran forward and tackled her to the ground, quickly enough to dodge a swipe attack from a giant scythe weapon. Jumping back and getting Yulier to a safe distance, I saw the monster before us. As the name would imply, the monster looked like the interpretation of death itself.
"How clique to have a grim reaper monster under the Monument of Life."
Ashtry- Less smartass, more focus.
"Tell me I'm wrong!"
Ashtry- How about you tell me how strong it is!?
"As much as I would love to do that, I can't. Even at my skill level, it can't get a read on its data I.D. It looks like it could be as strong as something from Floor 90."
Ashtry- Are you serious!?
Kiyo- No way...
Suddenly, the Fatal Scythe was attacked from behind by two assailants. They both landed in front of us and gave us a smile.
Kirito- Be it Floor 1 or 90, we can beat it.
Asuna- We won't leave anyone behind. Especially not you three.
"Nice of you to show up. Where's Yui?"
Kirito- She's in the safe zone with Thinker.
Ashtry- Yulier, you should head there as well. Let us handle this thing.
Yulier nodded her head and ran towards the safe zone. Wanting to focus on the battle, the thought of Yui went to the back of my mind as I drew out my sword and shield. The Fatal Scythe prepared to swipe at us. Kirito and Asuna took to the defensive and readied their weapons for a parry. Unfortunately, the strength of the monster was too strong, and it sent them flying into the walls around us.
"Kirito!"
Ashtry- Asuna!
Kiyo- Mama! Papa! Look out!
We turned back just in time to prepared for another attack. Ashtry and Kiyo held their blades in front of my shield as I rose it up high to defend. Again, the strength knocked all of us off of our feet and crashing into the walls. We all struggled to get up, with our health dropping down to yellow with just one swing.
"Damn... it...."
Thinker- What are you doing!?
Yulier- It's too dangerous!
As both players teleported away, the small sounds of footsteps appeared in front of us. There stood a small girl, with the same clothes as Kiyo only color swapped shirt and skirt. This was her...
"Yui..."
Kirito- What are you doing? Get away from it!"
Asuna- Yui!
Yui turned back and looked at me. Her eyes watering as she nodded her head. Kirito and Asuna looked back at me as I slowly got up and walked towards the girl. The Fatal Scythe slowly raising its weapon to attack us both.
Kirito- Kazzu, please, get her away from it!
Asuna- Save our daughter!
I reached the girl and knelt down to her. She gave me a smile as her hand held my cheek. The tears started to fall from my eyes as I smiled back.
"I thought you were gone Yui"
Yui- Kazzu... I'll explain everything... but please... help me save my family...
I looked inside the safe zone and noticed an out of place rectangular counter, which had computer keys attached to it. Realizing what it was, I looked at Yui one more time. She only responded with a nod. I knew what I had to do.
"Yui initiate protocol: 1.M.M.0.R.T.4.L. H.3.4.L.T.H."
The Fatal Scythe swung at us with full force only to have it stop right in front of Yui's eyes. Purple hexagons surrounded Yui as she took one step forward and knocked the monster back. The hexagons read: Immortal Object.
Asuna- Immortal object?
Kirito- Kazzu, what did you do?
"Gave Yui a protocol..."
Yui started to float in the air. She extended her hand as flames started to surround her, burning her dress and leaving her in the snow-white dress underneath. As the flames subsided, a giant sword appeared in her hand. She held the blade with little to no effort as she raised the blade and slammed it into the monster, breaking its scythe and engulfing it in a sphere of blazing fire.
Yui- Delete...
The monster did exactly that. In seconds, the flame erased all trace of the grim reaper monster and vanished. The hallway went dark, the only light coming from the safe zone room. The rest of my group struggled to get up as they looked at me and Yui shocked and confused.
Asuna- Yui?
Ashtry- Kazzu?
Kirito- Yui...
Kiyo- Papa...
Yui- Daddy... Mommy... everyone... it's ok... I remember everything.
I motioned Yui to the computerized counter and sat her down on top of it. I then took a step back as I let the materialized A.I. take lead on the explanation.
Yui- Kirito... Asuna... Ashtry... Kiyo... Kazzu... everything in the world of Sword Art Online is controlled by a single massive system.
"The Cardinal System..."
Yui- Correct. A system you and your father made. A system designed to operate entirely on its own without human intervention.
"A system I was led to believe destroyed you."
Yui- Somehow, when Cardinal absorbed me, I was not destroyed. I even kept my original coding. "Mental Health Counseling Program Prototype One." Codename: Yui.
"So it really is you..."
Asuna- So she is a program? An A.I.?
Yui- I was designed by Kazzu to help players be at ease with me. That's why he gave me the ability to emulate complex emotions. Nothing about me is real... Nothing...
"Don't say that Yui! You might have been ones and zeroes before the launch, but I knew that underneath all of that code, you were more real than anyone else in this game."
Asuna- But then... what about your amnesia?
"Amnesia?"
Kirito- We found her in the forest where we have been spending our leave of absence. She had no idea who she was which led us to explore the Town of Beginnings.
Ashtry- A.I. shouldn't be able to get amnesia, it doesn't make sense.
Yui- Two years ago, on the day of the official launch and for reasons I never understood, the Cardinal program banned me from interacting from any of the players.
"That must have happened as soon as my father threw the kill switch. Not only did it absorb Yui and the rest of the M.H.C.P's but it got rid of another A.I. named Strea. She was going to be the basis for a companion type A.I. that would assist you on quests. Both of them were swallowed in the Cardinal System before anyone logged on."
Yui- Correct. I wasn't allowed to assist the players. I could do nothing except monitor their mental states. Their situation, in a word, was horrible. Terror, despair, rage. People were overcome by negative feelings. Some of them couldn't take it and went insane.
"Yui..."
Yui- Under normal circumstances, my function would've been to go to those players immediately, but I wasn't permitted any contact with them. Little by little, errors began popping up inside of me and I fell hard. Then, one day, I saw five players. Their mental parameters were vastly different from anything I've seen from the other players. There was joy and peace.
Ashtry- You mean...
Yui- Kazuto Kirigaya A.K.A. Kirito, The Black Swordsman. Asuna Yuuki A.K.A. Asuna, The Lightning Flash. Kiyomi Akihiko A.K.A. Kiyo, The Devil Daughter. Ashtry Watanabe A.K.A. Ashtry, The Red Hunter and Kazuhito Akihiko A.K.A. Kazzu, The Dark Prince. I wanted to get as close to any of you as I possibly could.
Asuna- That's why you were in the forest...
Yui- Yes. I've wanted to meet the five of you for so long. Strange, isn't it? It should be impossible for me to think things like that. I'm not human, I'm a program after all.
"Yui, stop saying that!"
Asuna- Maybe what you're feeling is real human emotions.
Yui- I don't know. I'm confused. Nothing makes sense. I don't know what's happened to me.
Kirito took a step forward and knelt down in front of Yui.
Kirito- You aren't just some program anymore. The system can't control you. Listen, if you want something, all you have to do is say it. Go ahead. Tell us what you want.
Yui- What I want... I want...
Yui extended both of her hands to Asuna and Kirito. Her tears flowing like rivers as she smiled full of glee.
Yui- I want to stay with you two forever! Daddy! Mommy!
Asuna lunged forward and wrapped her arms around the small girl, smiling and crying along with her.
Asuna- You will... we'll be together forever Yui...
Kirito- Yea... remember you're our child...
Yui- It's too late...
Kirito- For what?
Yui placed her hands on the counter, the small computer keys appearing once again.
Yui- This is actually a terminal the GM can use to gain emergency access to the system. I used it to get my memories back and delete the monster in the hallway. And now, since I disobeyed the Cardinal's directive, the system is running a check on my program. It thinks I'm a foreign object now. I'll probably be deleted at once.
Asuna- Oh no!
Kirito- There's got to be a way around it! Kazzu, tell me that there is!
"I'm sorry Kirito. But she's right. The system will see that she disobeyed and will reset or delete her. Even if there was a way around it there's nothing I can do. My admin access was deleted when the server launched."
Asuna- No! I don't want that!
Ashtry- Kazzu... there has to be a way...
Kiyo- Can't you at least try?
"I don't know what I can do..."
Kirito- Try anything! I beg you!
Yui's body started to glow and fade out. The scared everyone to the point where we all reached out and grabbed her hands, praying she wouldn't disappear on us.
Kirito- Yui don't go!
Yui- Whenever the five of you are around, you have a way of making people smile. From now on, and for me, please continue my work. Keep helping people. Share your happiness with all of them.
"Yui..."
The small girl looked down at me and saw the tears forming in my eyes. She lowered her hand and wiped the tears away.
Yui- Kazzu... the one who created me... you should be called my father as well...
"No Yui... I may have created you but these two have taken care of you... As of this moment, I fully hand the custody to them. Yui, Kirito and Asuna are your mother and father."
Yui- But then... what will you be?
"I always saw you as a friend Yui... even when you couldn't talk back to me... that's what you'll always be to be... one of my best friends..."
Yui- Kazzu...
It was her turn to cry. As her body slowly faded away, the last words I heard from her shocked me.
Yui- Stop him Kazzu... Stop...
"Yui..."
Ducker.
Tetsuo.
Sasamaru.
Griselda.
Godfree.
The four thousand people who have died in this game.
And now Yui...
It has to stop...
"No... more..."
Kirito- Kazzu?
"No more!"
I jumped to my feet and started typing on the console. Within seconds, a screen with sprawled code appeared in front of me. I pressed two fingers to the console and slid a copy of the keyboard over to Kirito.
Kirito- What are you...?
"If we can bypass the systems coding, we could pull Yui away from the Cardinal scan altogether and make her an entity that resembles an NPC. The system wouldn't be able to delete her then."
Not wasting any time after my explanation, Kirito hopped on the second keyboard and started to assist me. A small progress bar appeared on the screen.
Ashtry- What is that Kazzu?
"Deletion. We only have a few seconds. Kirito, give me everything you've got!"
We kept typing away, trying to break the system and pull Yui back. The progress bar was filling up faster than I could type. Knowing that saving Yui was an unfortunate bust, I settled for the next best thing. When the bar filled up, it threw me, and Kirito back then shut itself down permanently.
Asuna- Kirito!
Ashtry- Kazzu!
Kiyo- Papa!
Ashtry- Are you two ok?
Kirito- Did we do it in time!?
I slowly sat up and started to softly cry. I held something close to my chest and then extended it towards Asuna. She looked at the object confused as a crystalized teardrop with wings was now sitting in the palm of her hand.
Asuna- What is this?
"The system... was about to reject Yui's admin credentials. The only thing I could do was take her code and reprogram it into a game object."
Asuna- So this is...?
"I'm sorry Asuna... but that's the best I could do... you're holding... Yui's heart."
Asuna started to cry once again. We took a moment longer to let the new couple mourn the loss of their child. I stood up and left the room, Ashtry and Kiyo following behind.
Ashtry- I'm so sorry that you found your A.I. only to lose her again.
Kiyo- She seemed very nice Papa.
"She's not my A.I. Not anymore. She is more than that now. To them, she was their child. To me, she was my best friend. And now, because of her... I got what I needed..."
Ashtry- And what was that?
"The end to Sword Art Online."