Broken. (SAO fanfiction)

Chapter Nine

   I felt a little hesitant to let another night pass. We had little time before we needed to defeat the virus, but Asuna insisted on it, saying if we were continue for the next three miles successfully, we needed every bar filled, and everything ready for when we approached the dungeon. Haruto was very generous about it and lead us up the stairs to a one room second floor where there were two beds and a simple bedside table in between them. As much as I was grateful, I could barely sleep again. I was nervous and jittery, not able to push thoughts out of my head that I needed to to be confident. It really was my greatest weakness. I didn't know what I would do alone, so I was relieved I had Asuna at my side, and finally people who supported us...uh...slightly. For hours, I stared at the ceiling, sometimes tossing and turning to see Asuna fast asleep. I don't remember when I finally let my stress exit my mind, but I stayed up long enough to see both our numbers fade and imagined Sachi's doing the same.

In the later morning Asuna woke me up from my only four hour sleep, her armor on and making clinking noises as she walked. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, turning to face the small window that was letting sprinkles of light shimmer in over me.
"Kirito, get ready, we should get going now." Asuna said softly. I yawned.
"S-sure...yeah...you're right." I mumbled.
"Did you have a good sleep?" Asuna made sure. I instantly felt a bead of sweat run down my forehead and I gulped away the truth.
"Oh-er...yeah..." I said, looking down. I knew it though, I was a terrible liar, as Asuna tended to inform me.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, perfect." I said unconvincingly, as I sat on the edge of the bed and opened my inventory to get my black cloak and swords equipped. Asuna sat down by me, making the old bed creak.
        "Kirito." She gave me her glare.
        "I'm sorry..." I felt another lump in my throat.
          "No, don't be sorry, honey, I just wanna know if you're Okay." She said soothingly.
          "I'm not."
           "I knew, you're terrible at hiding things." Asuna smirked a little. "What's the matter?"
"I..." I couldn't exactly find what I wanted to say. It was more than just an I'm scared, and I didn't know what words to use to explain what I was feeling.
"I'm frightened, and stressed out..." I started. "I actually only slept a little bit last night...everyone's life depends on us. Sachi is counting on me, and if I die, who else will want to save her? Who will be able to do it in time?"
Asuna lay a hand on my shoulder gently and looked straight into my eyes.
           "Kirito...I'm scared too..." she started softly "but...we will get through this...I'm here, okay? Don't worry." I took a breath and Asuna smiled at me.
            "I'll be downstairs waiting for you, alright?"
I nodded and sighed as I equipped my armor and swords and looked out over the land through the glass pane of the window. I inhaled and exhaled three times before heading downstairs to see Asuna and Haruto sitting at the table. Asuna beamed when she saw me and  Haruto got up to give something to her.
        "In case of emergency." I heard him say seriously. Asuna grinned and shook Haruto's hand gratefully, while beckoning me down the steps with her other hand. I obeyed and as Haruto turned to me, he smiled.
          "I wish you both the best of luck." He said supportively. "I hope I was of help to you both."
           "You were more than that, thank you." I said, bowing respectfully. Asuna hurried and stood up next to me. Haruto did a quick salute.
           "Aye! Keep a goin'!"
           "Goodbye!" Asuna grinned "thanks for everything!" We both hurried up the grassy hill and watched as Haruto waved us off. I felt a slight warmth in my heart. One that comforted me as I thought of what was to come.

    We followed the map for the next few miles we had to gruelingly walk, rarely ever stopping.  We walked under the blue sky, through a few more forests, and swamps and we finally approached a rocky, mountain terrain. I had no idea what to expect when we finally reached the dungeon, but I felt my heart pound speedily as we approached our amazing destination. Asuna and I looked at each other and grinned. She jumped up excitedly and hugged me tight.
         "We made it!" She beamed. I smiled back at her and took a deep breath in and then pushed it out.
          "Y-yeah... one more hurdle..." I said.
We looked up at a stony sharp edge of land that stuck out of the earth. It loomed above us, casting shadows across the barren land. I walked forward first, and Asuna followed, her hand in mine.  We approached an opening steadily and as soon as I stepped one foot in I felt a chill run down my spine. Was I ready for this? I didn't know... but as I looked through the dark path ahead I felt the need to turn back, but the desire to be able to push forward. Asuna gave me a reassuring look as we stepped cautiously in the cave that we had now entered. I felt a bead of sweat run down my forehead smoothly and my whole body shook. I heard what sounded like little whispers as we walked through. I finally armed myself with my sword, ready for any opposing monsters to pop out and attack us at any moment. Asuna did the same, pulling out her rapier and getting into fighting stance. The noises got louder and louder and eeeier and eerier as we walked through this dark maze of a cave. I strained my vision as far as I could see and couldn't spot the  realm where the virus was supposed to appear.
Our footsteps echoed in the cavern and I heard Asuna gasp. We both felt nervous and uneasy, and we weren't bothering to hide it.
  C'mon I told myself you can do this. Do it for Sachi...for Asuna...for Silica, Klein, Lizbeth, Your sister, Sugu...even the people like Garin...Haruto... you have to do this for them. You can do it.

You're not alone