The Path Unknown

32. The Storm Before The Calm

The group stood at the entrance of the boss's layer of floor 98. They were here, they had made it; without a single casualty or close call. Kage was supposed to be here by now, though. He said he would meet them at floor 98, but currently he was nowhere to be found. Waiting was something they wanted to leave behind, but they apparently couldn't. This was a major deja vu for most of the players here and they started to become bored and drifted of into sleep, conversation, and, for some, meditation.

The echoes of mumbles resonated throughout the empty cavern. Everything could be heard, from the loudest of shouts for the abscent player to the tinniest of pebbles falling down the endless abyss. It filled the air with uneasy tension and anxiety. The atmosphere was dense, the air thin, and ground cold. Some huddled around lamps to keep warm from this artificial sensation and, though many thought of going home, they stayed loyal to their objective. That is, until Klien broke the silence.

"So, are we just like waiting around for him? This is getting to be pretty boring if you ask me."

"Yeah, that was the plan..." Kirito assured.

"Was? Are you saying we just go?" Chi sounded a bit inquisitive.

Kirito nodded, "I'm saying that waiting shouldn't be our only option. If you guys won't come with me, I'm going solo..."

"But you can't! You've tried before and remember how that turned out?!" Asuna pleaded.

He got up slowly and beckoned toward the door, "Then come with me. Let's do this."

One by one, they slowly made their way towards the door, drawing their respective weapons. As the last person joined Kirito, he reached to push the door open when suddenly he was stopped by a ghostly figure. The group moved back in a sudden shock, though did not turn their weapons to the new entity. As the teleportation commenced, her figure started to become clearer: a female figure with a digital matrix flowing down every side of her. She shone brightly as she appeared to finish transporting herself and as her feet touched the floor, a bubbly, yet urgent, voice spoke.

"You mustn't go! It's not safe! You'll surely die if you go through these doors!" She urged.

"Why are you stopping us now? You had over five hours to talk to us before." Haru questioned.

"No, I didn't..." She sighed, "Let me introduce myself and maybe you'll understand my situation better. My name is Kekanakahāʻawiʻokekukui, which translates to 'The Giver of Light'. You may call me, Kahā'awi for a quicker reference. My job was to guide a player on what he or she must do to complete the game. That was, until I was decommissioned by the GM. Kage recovered and repaired what was left of me and let me go free, so I now serve him. Though, he is in great trouble."

(Author's note: kekanakahāʻawiʻokekukui is pronounced "Ke-ka-na-ka-haa-a-vee-o-ke-ku-ku-ee" with the double vowels as a longer held sound and is a translation of her title in Hawaiian. "Kahā'awi" is slightly different due to the language rules.)

"Where is he? We can go help!" Buro suggested.

"Help is not needed, though he will run late. The item needed for this boss needed to be transferred to someone with tremendous strength and skill. And, though all of you have that, it may only go to the wielder it chooses. Kirito, please step forward."

Kirito stepped towards Kahā'awi, sheathing his swords.

"Accept the item, for it has chosen you. Please understand that and take care of it with your life." Kahā'awi handed him a necklace.

It gave off an aura that engulfed Kirito in a white and mysterious light. Increasing in brightness, it blinded the surrounding players before dying down to a slightly noticeable outline. Changing to a gold tone, Kirito examined himself from head to toe with the newly added light.