Sword Art Online: Another Story.

Chapter 4: Unforgivable Death

January 16, 2024

Floor 35: Lost Forest

It had been over a year since Xero abandoned Alicia and Asuku to become a soloist. Today things were going to change, forever. 

Xero held his sword in his hand, on guard at all times as he traveled through a forest. This forest wasn't any forest, it was built like a maze. It had plenty of traps players could accidentally activate and it was swarming with high level monsters. A place someone shouldn't be in alone, or at least without potions.  

Traveling through the forest for several hours already, Xero had decided to stop against a tree and  take a quick rest. His eyes slowly began to close as he laid his back against the tree. It was a sunny day with plenty of breeze, the perfect weather to fall asleep to. As he closed his eyes he could hear what sounded like monsters beginning to spawn around him.

Jumping up and opening his eyes, a startled Xero quickly grabbed his sword off the ground, holding it in front of him, preparing for a surprise attack. From what though? A monster? Another player? It could be anything coming his way.  

Focusing his eyes on a few tall trees surrounded by bushes, he quickly used his sword to block as a gigantic bug that looked somewhat like a mutated grass hopper with blades for legs came running at him. The creature leaped forward as it tried to throw itself onto him. Next thing he knew the creature was on the floor screeching with a dagger stabbed through its chest. Its health bar draining down to yellow.

Without thinking of what exactly had happened, Xero quickly got into attack position. Running to the mutated creature as it tried to stand back up. He stabbed his blade deep into its chest. The creature screeching out loud as he kept his blade inside it, waiting for its health to drain to red and die. 

"Whew..." He took a deep breath as he wiped his forehead, the creature shattering into pixels below him. "Wait.. Who did that..?" Xero quickly turned around, blade in his hand, as he looked in the direction of the dagger that saved him.

"Well, Well. If it isn't Xero!" A voice that sounded soft and happily came from behind a trees. Slowly a mysterious person, wearing dark hunting boots with a fully black cloak that covered his or her face walked out from behind two trees. "Who.. Who are you?" Xero said in a startled voice as he pointed his blade towards the mysterious person.

"Oh come on Xero! Don't you remember me?" A small smile appeared across the person's face as they went up to remove the hood that covered his or her face. It was a female, she had black hair that barely went passed her shoulders, big browns eyes and very light skin. 

"A-Alicia...?" Xero stood in shocked as she walked up to him, placing her hands on her hips, smiling brightly. "That's me!" She said happily. "It's been a long time! I see you're still having trouble being a solo player?" She giggled lightly."

"I don't understand..." He shook his head still in shock. "How'd you find me? What are you doing here?"

Without warning, Alicia ran up to Xero, throwing her arms over his neck, hugging him tightly. "I decided to do a little loot hunting while Asuku went to go buy more food. It's so great to see you!" She hugged him tightly then quickly backed away with a bright smile.

"Oh, yeah.. It's great to see you too." He said in somewhat of an awkward voice, placing his sword back in its sheath as he kept his eyes on her. "But, why isn't Asuku with you? It's dangerous to be out here alone."

She nodded in agreement, grabbing Xero's hand, holding it in hers. "I know silly head, but that's why I didn't go that far into the forest! Plus, I have my teleport crystal!"