The Game of Fate - Sword Art Online

Chapter 2: The End

Looking back, I regret everything I have every done in that stupid game. It ruined me. It ruined my life. But we'll get into that later.....

It took me a brief moment to finally understand. The sick pleasure of killing people without actually doing it. And I wasn't the killer. The killer in this game was the creator. The creator of it all. Akihiko Kayaba. We all gripped each other's hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

The giant thing stood above everyone but we couldn't tell what he was looking at because he had no face. For a face he had nothing but darkness. Some people attempted to leave but he put up a force field to prevent that.

Then he began to speak, "Players, welcome to my world."

"I am Akihiko Kayaba. Only I control this world."

"He's gotta be joking." I muttered under my breath. I could feel Sora grip my hand tighter.

The man calling himself Akihiko Kayaba put up a hand to shush everyone so he could continue. "I'm sure most of you found that the logout button does not appear in your menus but I assure you all, this not a defect. This how Sword Art Online was made to be."

"Huh? What? W-we can't logout?" I said softly. I was having such a hard time to accept such a grim reality. He had to be pulling our strings. It was just something none of us could just simply accept.

"The only way, is to reach the topmost level of Aincrad and defeat the boss, therefore you can all logout."

"The top of the castle? That's impossible!" I heard Seiko say in a loud whisper. I gripped her hand.

"If someone from the outside world were to dismantle the NerveGear or pull the plug. It would result in...." He paused as if teasing us all.

"The signal sensors releasing an electromagnetic pulse destroying your brain, killing you."

I let go of Seiko and Sora's hands, took a step back trying to balance myself but fell to my knees. "Hey, Aya! You okay?" Sora said kneeling down next to me. I slowly pulled him in closer to me without saying a word and buried my face into the crook of his neck.

"It's okay, Aya." He said as he caressed my head.

"How? Sora. How is it okay? We're trapped. We can't get out."

Kayaba resumed talking as if he didn't care that no one could simply wrap their head around something this big.

"If anyone from the outside world would attempt to shut out the power connected to your NerveGear, unlock it, dismantle it or destroy it, if any of these conditions are met, the brain destruction sequence will begin. Disregarding my warnings, several relatives or friends have attempted either of these and as a result..."

He paused as if for dramatic effect. "213 players have left us and the real world."

My mind had already drawn to a blank....213 players....dead?! That's impossible! The game just started!

"Players, you don't need to worry about your bodies on the other side. The possibility of your NerveGears being taken off all but disappeared. In a moment, in the two hours I have instituted, you will all be transported to the hospital or similar institutions and will be given the best treatment possible. So you can relax....and concentrate on beating the game."

I stopped freaking out and sighed to calm myself down. I stood up and patted Sora on the shoulder. "I'm okay now."

"There is one more thing you all must know. Sword Art Online is no longer a simple game. It is now your second life. As in, any form of revival will no longer work, if your HP manages to hit zero, and again, your NerveGear will destroy your brain."