New World, New Reality

#28: Memories

HOME- 2 weeks after
Council's Headquarters
They were able to create camps on the camps they were able to win over. Some players above 50 started to live there in order to prevent monsters from respawning. In the end, the Game Master cannot be found.
Saruhiko and Shiro met at the Council's coridor. "Were you able to contact where Shira was?", Saruhiko asked. "I havent yet contacted her but I'm asking for a leave in this place so I can locate her", Shiro answered."You cannot leave. Your playing an important role", Saruhiko grabbed Shiro's sleeves. "Then. I'll stay here and leave my guild member?! One of my guild members already died! What else could I do?! Stay here. Sit still?!!!", Shiro shouted. "If you leave this time, we would have no chance of defeating the the boss", Saruhiko reminded. Reishi and the rest of the Council walked along the coridor and heard them. Reishi punched Shiro. "Calm down", Reishi stood mightily in front of the two. Saruhiko and Shiro bowed. "Sorry", they both apologized. Shiro held his tears and went outside the building. Fye, Akame, Aika, and Rin are waiting outside. "Master", Akame gave a worried look. "Ah, I already made my resignation. Let's look for Shira", Shiro faked a smile.

Shiro prepared to walk away when Fye grabbed his shoulders. Shiro's tears already falling on his cheeks. "We're all saddened. We all had fun with him. We all shared memories with him. You're free to grieve with us", Fye tighten his grip. Shiro fell on his knees. "Sorry, if only I was there. I could have...could have saved....", Shiro wiped his eyes. "But you werent there", one voice spoke. "Dont blame yourself for not being there!!!" Aris lectured. "We cant afford to loose one more. Leader! Get up!" Aris supported him to get up. "Naru was smilling when he gave his last goodbye", Aris smiled.

Log Horizon...
Guild House

Aika and Rin are packing their things for the expedition. Fye is cooking a lot for their travel. Akame went to buy a new weapon. Aris was looking at the horizon from the terrace. Shiro saw him and stood beside him. "Among us, you were the closest to Naru even if you were the one who hated him", Shiro opened. "Yeah! I did admit that I hated his mediocrity level of thinking but he started to change when we reached out to him. But then, I'm still so happy to meet him. When C.C was finally loosing her HP. Naru and C.C smiled at me and had a suicide attack. The game master designed the quest to be dreadful. No one should be helping?! Bastard ", Aris punched the wall. Shiro patted his shoulders. "I cant say that it was the right thing to die for you or what. We just have to pay forward. Remember, it's not the first time. Miura and the others also did it for us. Let's pay it forward", Shiro tried to lift the guy.

Underground....

Shira and Akashi looked behind and saw that they're party is already tired. "Let's take a break", Akashi announced. "Shira, I will be heading deeper. You stay here and protect them", Akashi started to walk. Shira grabbed on his sleeves. "No", Shira bit her lips. Akashi felt her hands are trembling. "Right, it's your first time to have no communication with Shiro", Akashi sighed. "Is my presence not good enough for you?", Akashi asked. Shira's eyes widened. "No! I'm just scared, again. Akashi, dont you die.", Shira grabbed him closer. Akashi was startled. He sighed and pulled Shira closer to hug her tight. "Inspite of your abilities, your just a girl", Akashi smiled.
They rested for the night.

Outside HOME
The guild started to have investigation. They went back at the camp and noticed that a large hole was dugged in. It was pitch black with no signs of life. Aika held on to Fye. "You can stay here if you want", Fye suggested. Aika shook her head. "We have to save Shira", Aika said with a trembling voice. They were about to jump in when a barrier was created for the six of them. "Who gave you the permission to enter that hole?", Reishi spoke. The rest of the Council appeared in front of them. Kanda, Archer, Esdeath and Saruhiko surrounded them. "You're not going to stop us", Shiro said. "We're not", Kanda threw a sword to Akame. Esdeath whispered something to Rin. Saruhiko gave a high classed staff to Aika. "Go save Shira for me", Saruhiko bowed. "We're here to support you. We cannot leave the upper land", Reishi explained.

Underground

Shira woke up with the sound of grumbling floor. She looked beside her and saw Akashi lying next to her. I slept with a man?!!! Shira stood up and checked on the party. They were all sleeping soundly. "Can I tell Shiro again that I was anticipating for him to rescue us?", Shira sighed and opened her line. There were still no signal and no map to follow. She let out a scroll and starting drafting the maze like underground. "You're pretty good", a voice made her stop drawing. "Akashi, you should be resting. We'd be looking for an exit again tomorrow", Shira felt ackward. "Did Shiro taught you how?", Akashi asked. Shira nodded. "Do you know why?", Akashi asked. Shira was curioused so she faced the guy. "What are you saying? It's natural to teach someone", Shira tilted her head. "The stronger a person is, the more valuable he is, the more possibility he'll be taken away", Akashi informed. "I was always taken care by our Commander. I was always the person who was at the back of the formation. I wasnt in the position to complain since I am a strategist. You can see clearer in that position. It's just that there are times when it becomes annoying. It becomes a nightmare when everyone have to protect you", Akashi sighed deeply. "It's so painful to see someone dying and still there words would be to protect me", Akashi clenched his fist. Shira went closer to Akashi and had his head rest on her shoulder. "Uhmmm.... it's okay Akashi. It's just you and me now", Shira patted his back. The red head had tears flowing on his cheeks. "It's so pathetic to see me like this right? When I was with Phantom... I experienced being saved in the expense of people dying. Now... I am also experiencing it again", Akashi chuckled. Shira bit her lips. "I wont die. I wont die for you... I wont die so you wont feel guilty. We will leave this place together", Shira said with red taint on her cheeks.

Author's Note:

Will Akashi die?

Or

Nah?