Sword Art Online: Hollow Fable

Prologue

drip...drip...drip

The boy glanced down at the crimson stain on his coat where he had been struck in the stomach. A puddle began to form beneath him due to drops of blood leaking out of the wound and falling to the ground.

drip...drip...drip

He tried to ignore the throbbing pain that kept pulsating near the wound. In his head he knew that what he was feeling wasn't real, yet that didn't make it hurt any less.

He limped over to one of the walls in the chamber and slumped down. A sigh escaped his lips as he gazed up at the colored glass ceiling.

"This is it huh?" He croaked

"I really am going to die."

It wasn't death that he was afraid of. Even if he did die in the Underworld, he would just wake back up in the RATH laboratory. But leaving the Underworld as it was right now, would only lead to new problems sprouting up. The Administrator was defeated, yes, but the Final Load Test was still inevitable. Without a leader, the Human Territory would be running around like chickens without heads.

The boy cursed himself inwardly. If only he wasn't so rash in his decisions, if only he was stronger, if only he could just tough it out until help arrived, maybe things would have been different.

If only...

He glanced at the Blue Rose Sword that was still clenched tightly in his hand. A faint grin tugged at the side of his mouth. Eugeo hadn't come out from his transformation yet, no doubt he was still exhausted from the whole exchange from before.

But...at least he was safe.

Fond memories of their journey wandered back into his mind. Who would've thought two peasant boys from the country side would end up fighting the Administrator of all people?

"Damn we're crazy huh?" He muttered, bringing the sword closer to his chest "Going through all of this...just to save a girl?"

His eyes shifted to the sleeping knight who was laying on the other side of the room. Strands of Alice's hair hung messily over her face while shards of her armor were strewn all around her. Her expression was peaceful, unaware of what was going on.

"Then again, I guess she's not just any girl." The boy added

He loved them both dearly, like a brother would to his siblings. He would never forget his first meeting with Eugeo under the Gigas Cedar tree. Or when he told Alice everything about her past life as Alice Zuberg as they huddled together for warmth on the side of the Central Cathedral.

If he was being completely honest, he found it strange that he had grown so attached to AI generated by some supercomputer. But he couldn't help it. It was a feeling he couldn't explain. They were just that damn lovely.

A glow emanated from his coat pocket, as if to gently remind him that something was still there.

"Oh right," The boy said softly, fishing the object out "Sorry for leaving you in there for so long."

In his hand he held an aqua blue crystal, no bigger than a regular sized candy bar. Alice Zuberg's memories.

She was finally home.

"Welcome back Alice," The boy greeted "It's been awhile."

The crystal's glow grew brighter in response.

"I'd love to catch up with you and tell you how things have been with Eugeo and me," He continued "But I won't be here for long, so just listen what to I have to say."

"I'm not sure how to get you back into your original body. Cardinal might have known...but you know asking her isn't an option. Maybe if you can get into the Great Library you'll find something,"

"If you ever do find a way, take care of other Alice. I don't know what's going to happen to her when you transfer back but she probably won't be able to stay once you return. So...just make sure she's comfortable when that time does come."

The boy leaned his head back and let the words hang in the air. His body felt so weak and his breathing was only getting more ragged and tired. He knew that he would have to finish up soon, yet he desperately yearned to stay for even a few moments more.

"I'm sorry for abandoning you guys like this," He whispered, his voice breaking slightly "I can only imagine what you guys will have to go through from here."

A tear rolled down his cheek, "I-I...really am the worst."

Kirito sat there, too exhausted to speak anymore. In those last embers of his life, he just wished he could have done something different.

"You mustn't be too hard on yourself," A voice said out of nowhere "You've already done so much."

Before the boy could respond, a thread of osmanthus and the figure of a small girl flashed before him. Warm arms wrapped around his chilly body in a comforting embrace.

"A-Alice..."

"Don't worry about us hero," The girl assured him "We're not some weaklings you need to look after. Our paths may separate for now, but we'll meet again some day."

She gave him a bright smile and lowered his hand to the ground.

"Until then though..."

"Goodnight, Kirito."