Sword Art Online DLC

Chapter 4: The Real World and Kirito

Kirito's heart sank. He froze still, the only thing moving was his shaking hand holding the news pad. The headline on the September addition of MMO today read something he'd only see in his nightmares:

"VRMMORGP Sword Art Online will be launching a DLC and re-opening it's servers on the 6 anniversary of the game."

Memories began flooding through Kirito's mind. Visions of players being killed, enemies being slaughtered and the worst thing by far, players killing players. The thing that would bring Kirito back to his senses was a text from Klein, he'd also read the article and said the group should meet up in ALO to discuss the situation. The wooden house that the gang used for meetings often had a happy and joyful aura but that day it was only filled with dread. Asuna slammed her hand on the table that everyone was sitting around.

"We can't let this happen! There's no way!" She shouted angrily.

"What do we do then?" asked Klein.

"We spread the word, let people know that this game is a death trap that should have been destroyed roughly 6 years ago!"

"Look, I agree with you but this is a multi million dollar organisation we'd be taking on. Plus we don't actually know who's running it yet so what do we do then?" Kirito said putting one hand on Asuna's shoulder.

"The most effective thing we can do for now is warn everyone by spreading the message online, we aren't the only ones who feel this way so we should get some support." Silica added.

"Your right, I can't just sit back and let people walk into that death trap again" agreed Lisbeth.

"All of this happens however cause we assume it'll be the same as last time though right?" commented Kirito.

"What do you mean?" Asked Asuna.

"What I'm trying to say is that the game could be completely safe this time." the group gave him a confused look. "It makes sense to be cautious, I get that. When I first saw the article I thought the same way as you guys, but Kayaba is long gone." Kirito looked down at he ground and clenched his fists. "I know I have no right to think this way, but SAO was made to be a fun, revolutionary game in the VRMMORPG genre, now that Kayaba isn't hear to live out his sick fantasy we can give this game a chance." Kirito looked up to see his friends looking back at him. Klein sighed, shuffled over next to Kirito and put his arm around his shoulder.

"Your one crazy bastard you know that Kirito?" he said condescendingly. "But, if you want to give it a second chance than I'll go to!" he said confidently.

"Klein..." Kirito said looking beside him.

"I'll go a ell." Said Asuna with a more serious confidence. "As if I'd let you go alone into something that could be dangerous when I can help."

"Asuna..." Kirito said looking at Asuna this time.

"I'm in too!" 

"Me as well"

"I won't miss out if all of you are going!" Lisbeth, Silica and Leafa all said.

"All of you... okay! we'll check it out together!" Kirito said with a smile on his face. "Although, we should still tell people to enter with caution. As survivors of this game previously we owe it to everyone else so more people don't end up like we did." 

In the months leading up to the eventual return of SAO, the group spread the word online about the dangers of th game and received a significant following. One mystery remained however, no one knew who was behind the games return. 12am November 6th 2028, the group had done all they could for the last 2 months and now it was time, time to return to SAO. Kirito lay on his bed and looked into the visor on his NerveGear, as he did memories came flooding back in his mind, ones of murder, death and destruction. "Maybe this isn't a good idea" hesitated Kirito but then he remembered all the good things he found in SAO, his friends, Asuna, the fun they had despite the situation they were in. Kirito closed his eyes and took a deep breathe in and out, then placed the NerveGear on his head. The start-up command was one that Kirito could never forget, he relaxed his body and uttered the start-up phrase.