Unending - a Sword Art Online Fanfic (being rewritten)

Chapter 2: Last Good Hope

I'm back. Now let's get to it. Enjoy!

Asuna's POV:

After walking for essentially the entire night, the players were starting to feel the effects of exhaustion, coupled with the fact that they had skipped out on their sleep. This meant that, by morning, the group was sleeping on its feet. Fortunately, before anyone actually collapsed from exhaustion, Asuna heard Kirito call out, "Look, a town. Come on Asuna, we're almost there."

Kirito began moving towards the town, if you could call it a town, in the distance. The buildings were small single-story sandstone structures, and most looked like they had seen better days. Several buildings on the edge of the settlement looked abandoned. Asuna looked inside the window of a nearby building, expecting to find it empty, only to see a woman huddled in a corner with two small children crouched with her. Asuna could see the fear in their eyes, and turned to look at where Kirito was standing in what looked like the town square. In the middle of the square was a well, from which Kirito was pulling a bucket full of water and filling his water pouches.

Asuna called out to him. "Hey Kirito. Something's wrong, it's far too quiet here, even if it's a small town, their would still be some NPCs wandering about."

"You've noticed it too. I think that we have something to do with this." Kirito said. By this time, the rest of the players had finally arrived and rushed over to the well, laughing with joy and congratulating each other on making it back to civilization.

"Don't celebrate just yet." Kirito's voice said. Asuna looked over to see Kirito seeming to carefully look in every open doorway and window.

"Spread out. Let's try to find out why this town is deserted." Kirito said as he took a step towards the nearest building, only for a NPC with a pitchfork to come running out screaming and charging Kirito. Kirito smoothly sidestepped the charging NPC and tripped him with his sword as he passed. The NPC went tumbling over and ended up on his back. He acted as if to get up and try again, but stopped when he felt the tip of Kirito's sword prick his neck.

"Relax." Kirito said. "Were not here to hurt you."

The NPC got to its feet and gave a sarcastic reply. "Oh sure, of course your not. Your just here on behalf of those who do, am I right?"

Asuna stepped forward and spoke before Kirito could reply. "No, we aren't. And we don't know anybody who would want to hurt you. Now tell us why you are hiding and what is going on and where the heck we are."

The NPC looked at her strangely before turning to Kirito. "Who is she?"

"I can answer myself." Asuna said. Annoyance creeping into her voice.

Kirito answered the NPC cooly. "She's my wife."

The NPC did a double take as he looked back and forth at both Kirito and Asuna. "Your his wife?" It asked.

Asuna nodded.

"Well, it seems I was wrong to attack you. If you were who we thought you were, then you certainly wouldn't have brought your wife along."

"I'm glad we could come to an understanding." Kirito said. He held out his hand, which the NPC shakes after a moment. "My name is Kirito. My wife's name is Asuna."

"The names Stone, John Stone. I'm the leader of sorts around here. Come on inside and take dinner with me and my family." The NPC replied.

"Alright John. I accept on behalf of my fellow players."

Asuna watched as other NPCs began to emerge after seeing Kirito and John shake hands.

"Come on Asuna." Kirito said, waving to her as he was led inside.