SAO: Beyond the Digital Sea // A Sword Art Online Fanfiction

Aincrad Arc: Start

October of 2023

A few months have passed since the day one of the most anticipated video games of the decade has turned into the worst nightmare of its player base. By now, the names Sword Art Online and Kayaba Akihiko have been imprinted in most people's minds, whether they like it not. Among those people are those who wake up each morning ever since to be reminded that their friend, their sibling, their lover or even spouse is subjected to imprisonment in a virtual world, with chances of never returning back stacked on top. As you imagine, without the game's creator and mastermind whereabouts being known, therefore no way of prosecuting him, the rage and agony of these people had to surface somewhere.

With a hastened pace and a backpack swinging forcefully on their back, a young and pale blond 16 years old boy was making his way between the rows of other students just freed from school by the bell. But he didn't have as satisfied an expression as his peers. No. His gaze was cast slightly downward, his sea-blue eyes tired and sluggish, but with a scowl on his visage. This boy had waited hours to finally leave school for he had some business to take care off... business not so pleasuring to say the least. 

Constantly checking out the unknown alleyways he ventured into, with an eye keeping track of the GPS app on his phone, he navigated the neighborhood. It was his first time there, without a doubt, but confidence of being sure what he's looking for is here would have you fooled. For the past 2 months he made investigations, talked to a lot of people and ran background checks in hopes of finding one single person, a peer of his age apparently. His search was fruitful in the end, but the sight of his discovery wasn't what he expected.

With a loud thud, the back of a raven haired highschool student hit the brick wall behind him, his school supplies poking him even from inside his backpack. At least it cushioned some of the force from the shove. He didn't retaliate on his aggressors, as much as he wanted to, but he understood their reasons. He understood why his fellow schoolmates would seek him out to scoff and scowl at him, even go as far as give him bruises during PE classes so long the teacher wasn't watching. He...understood why he was bullied. If only he was entirely at fault for it though. 

"What are you putting on a brave act for?!", a brown haired classmate of his lashed out, shoving his leg in the boy's stomach, making him gasp for a moment. 

But he remained silent. He's tried fighting back in the past, and all it earned him was a higher crowd the next time and, subsequently, more bruises later on. Having the means to fight back, in his case, a lean but tall and slightly muscular build, doesn't always mean it's good to be put to use. There were higher chances of him getting charged for assault than the issue being solved. Seeing as his aggressor had other boys and girls from school there to vouch for him, it's clear he was in a sore spot. 

"SAY SOMETHING!", his opponent raged once more, pinning the boy to the wall, pressing his arm against his neck. The saving grace was that he lacked muscle mass to seriously cause any breathing issues. Of course, that's not to say he didn't try. 

The victim stayed quiet. He didn't avert eye contact, but didn't taunt his opponent further. At least, he didn't intend to, but the brown haired one had little to no patience at this point, and went it for a direct punch to the face, with gritted teeth. 

The raven one gritted his as well and braced for impact, already coming up with some excuse to his teachers next time they meet and ask what happened to his face. But the impact never hit its mark.

"The hell is your  problem?!"

Hearing the confused tone of his aggressor the raven opened his eyes to see someone has come to his aid, catching the fist that was aimed for his head. His helper's back was turned, but the yellow strands of hair were obvious at first glance. He stood maybe 2 inches above the raven, but otherwise their height and over all build seemed similar. Considering how easy he stepped in, it wouldn't be far fetched to assume the new guy had experience with fist fights before.