Swords of the Soul

Just Like Him

The days passed slowly as I readjusted to my old life. But it wasn't my old life anymore - it was my NEW life. A new life which would never be the same.

It's March 29th, and I've been home for a long time. I remember the warm welcome I'd recieved when I finally escaped Alfheim.

The night crawled by slowly as I lay in my bed, awake. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes to the familiar hospital roof I'd known for many years. Slowly, I reached my right hand up and looked at it carefully in the dull moonlight.

Some of my first thoughts were if I was home. Alive in the real world.

Slowly, I sat up, eyes looking around the pale and empty room. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. "I'm.... home?"

"Shira!!" Someone yelled.

My eyes snapped open to find Lewin pressing his face against the TV screen from the inside, across from me on the wall. "Shira- Shira! You're awake!!"

I stared at him blankly, eyes wide.

I thought you hated me.

Markal ran behind him. "There's our strongest remaining member!"

"Still holding strong, Shira! I can see that!" Alixen clenched his fist with a grin.

"Happy late birthday!" Chimed Treice.

Diabel smiled at me. "I'm sorry once more, Shira."

I looked at all of them inside the screen. "I thought you all... you all... I don't understand...!" I thought they hated me. They blamed me for it all...

"Remember what you found out about Sugou's plan?" Diabel said. "You were number 301 he just decided to keep. After taking you, anyways," he explained.

I felt rage begin to boil deep down, but smothered it's flame and looked to the door as it opened. "Ms. Kayaba," a voice said. The nurse smiled at me sweetly. "... I'm happy to see you awake. I'll get you something and call your mother," she hurried off.

My mother...

Mary's smiling face came to mind, as well as Mako's. Mary's face was clear and sunny, Mako's was fuzzed slightly, like an old fading photograph holding strong memories.

I opened my eyes and looked at the boys on the screen. It took me a while to notice I was crying. ".... hi guys." I smiled.

Soon enough, Mary rushed in as the sun began to rise. Her arms wrapped around my slightly frail body. She was crying, shouting things at me out of concern and worry. I simply smiled and hugged her back.

I was happy.

Now things were quite different.

For one, I finally changed schools. There's only one difference that really matters.

"There she is!" A boy yelled.

"It's Kayaba!' Another shouted.

I turned and bolted down the hall, taking a sharp right as a group of angry students chased after me.

I'm going to tell you now, my last name will never change.

My foot slipped and someone caught me while another yelled at the group.

"Again?! Guys, this is the third time this week! Knock it the f*** off!" The group stared and the person took a sharp step forward. They flinched and left, grumbling to themselves.

I looked at the one who yelled. "... thanks, Kirito."

Kazuto grinned at me. "No problem."

"Thanks for catching me, Liz."

She smiled at me. "Meh. Sure thing."

I stood up straight as another person slowly walked over. Their red hair swayed as they bowed, being themselves.

Trying to make others laugh.

I sighed, but actually got embarrassed. "Dealan," I said but he didn't move. "... Takara," I said.

He looked up with a grin. "Yes, Shira?"

I punched his arm playfully. "Knock it off. We've got to get to history."

He stood up. "Alright," we turned and walked off. He looked over his shoulder to Kazuto. "Hey Kazuto, thanks for taking care of my girlfriend," he called.

I felt my face burn as he called back "sure thing."

My mother had put me into a waiting list to see someone. A councilor, or something. Whoever they are and whatever it is they do, she feels they can help.

For once in my life, walking home never felt... totally lonely. My Guild as well as Diabel and Triece chirped to us through the fun, Takara walked on my right as we walked in a big group of us. Slowly, we started branching off and drifting to our houses. Takara waved me goodbye as we stopped at my house. A kiss on the cheek made me feel flustered somehow.

"Thanks mom," I yelled from my room. "I'll be down in a few!"

"It'll get cold fast, Shirali," Mary's sweet and soft voice called back up the stairs.

I got to my feet and hopped happily down the stairs like a child. Which I was.

As I sat eating with my mother, smiling, my thoughts began to touch on things I'd left alone for a while.

Mainly my father.

I glanced at Mary sitting on my left, on the end of the table. She seemed to be thinking about her day.

I caught my reflection in my spoon, looking exactly like Akihiko. Whenever I looked in a mirror, I would be reminded of him. But I was okay with that.

Even if nothing worked out... even though I missed him... it would be okay.

After dinner I gave Mary a quick hug and told her I would be upstairs playing some games. She gave me a look and I said the Nerv Gear was officially now inactive due to the Alfhiem scandal too. I would need a new system eventually.

I sat on my bed blankly, watching my feet swing back and forth off my bed for a while. When I glanced up, there was my Nerv Gear. Thoughts silently flooded my mind, but I didn't grasp any of them. It confused ne as to why I chose to not think long on one, but I stood up and walked over to the system. I picked it up in my small hands and turned to my window, staring outside as I took a deep breath and put it on my head, clipping the strap. I slowly walked to my bed and lay down. No games were in the system, the system wasn't plugged in. I took a deep breath. "... alright. Link..." I hesitated. Should I really do it? Courage filled my heart. "Start!"

Colors flooded my vision as I was sucked away. My vision once again caught something in front of me.

Father's Gift.

I opened it up once more and something different happened.

I wasn't surrounded by code or glitched away into the world of another game.

Instead, I stood in a flowery green field surrounded by mountains, petals blowing in the wind. It reminded me of somewhere, only it wasn't the place.

I saw something that made my heart skip a beat, and a smile come to my face.

"Hello, Shirali," Akihiko Kayaba said.

End.

Thank you all for reading book one of Swords of the Soul. Now to find a plotline for the second.

Thank you for staying with me all this time! o(^▽^)o