Weeks past by as the team made their way up and through the boss's chamber in floor 99. Many challenges faced them, but, through perseverance and strength, they overcame what laid in their path. New bonds were formed as people started to see the ever-shinning hope of getting out of the death trap they knew as "Sword Art Online." It was something they had looked forward ever since the dreaded announcement came to them at the town of beginnings back on the first floor. Kayaba knew exactly how to make some people go insane and, unfortunately, most of them did; but not the people next to Kage. They were sane, just, understanding, and good-willed. Friends, actual friends to him. It was something different and a little odd to him.
Waiting for their next advancement, they started to gather leaked information about the 100th floor boss, Akahiko Kayaba, and the Ruby Palace. It was rumored to be one of the most dazzling places within the entire game, surpassing that of many of the locations on the lower floors by a long shot. The detail was extreme, placements were perfect, and layout was something to talk about even after they left the game. No two wings of the palace were the same, each had their own layout with a different purpose within it. Whether it was for relaxing, watching the final fight, or grinding for a better weapon, the Ruby Palace had it - you just had to find it.
"So what of the boss room?" Kirito asked, "It doesn't seem to be anywhere near the center."
"On the contrary, there is more than just one level here." Kahā'awi stated as she pulled up a diagram of the large structure. "Within the lower parts, there is another room. Larger, yes, and made to look like it was outside of the Palace. This was meant as a distraction and somewhat of a psychological tactic to discourage those not willing to endure his challenges."
"Okay, so then we just have to find the hole and follow through? Simple enough..." Haru commented.
"Actually, no. This is just one of the many times you have to do that. There are a total of 28 chambers within that bottom room, and all but one of them will take you back to the top. However, you'll be put outside again, so many would go insane if they didn't know this."
The awe-stricken crowd looked at the holographic diagram of the enormous place. This was definitely not something for the former guilds to handle, even with this information. Frustration could easily occur at any of the points within the entire structure. Doors and puzzles and darkened tunnels gave less and less confidence to them as they stared at it. This wasn't a normal boss chamber and with good reason. This was where everything would finally end. It was understandably the most challenging out of all of the other floors.
Egao stepped in, "I'm finally back. Closed up my trail and am now off the grid."
"Welcome back." Haru welcomed.
"Wait, he was gone?" Kage looked a bit worried.
"Yea, but I'm back now." He looked at the diagram that Kahā'awi pulled up, "Oh, Kayaba's room?"
Kirito nodded, "We're trying to find our way around before we head into that mess."
"Easy, take the route to the second floor then go into the following doors: 1, 5, 3, 2. Don't worry, they will bring you back to the room. Press the plate in the middle of the room and then go into the 7th. That was a hidden puzzle that I actually modified due to Buro's hacking."
"Wait, my data was outdated?!" Buro yelled from across the room.
"So, is that it?" Kage was slightly shocked.
"Yea, the other code would be 3431, then 7, but that brings you to another long puzzle."
"Is NO ONE going to answer me?!" Buro shouted again.
YOU ARE READING
The Path Unknown
FantasyThroughout this game, there have been losses, lessons, and much more. To Kirito, however, there were now friends that he could look after. This final stretch to floor 100 would be the hardest and most complicated yet, with new challenges and new peo...
