Her Mission To Save Them All || Sword Art Online Fanfic

Chapter 25

POV: Kayoko

The inn is like all other inns in this part of the game map; a few people dotted on the benched wooden tables, casting darkened shadows from the yellow pale lighting.

As soon as we enter, I head straight for the table jammed right into the corner, ignoring all the stares aimed into my back; glaring into my tattoo like it's made of blood.

I take the seat closest to the window and Asuna takes the one furthest away from me on the opposite side. We gaze into the walls as we wait for the boys to arrive.

The air feels heavy with tension, and I don't feel in the mood to lighten it. I twist the ring in my finger. Around. Around. Around.

"That's Asuna from the Knights of the Blood Oath."

"Really?"

"Yeah, they call her the lightning flash."

"Who's the girl sitting next to her?"

"Are you kidding!? That's Kira Crimson, the solo player who teams up with the black swordsman; she's thought to be one of the highest level players in the game. People often debate what her tattoo means, but some actually think it's the number of people she's killed!"

I grimace at the murmurs, knowing that for once, some of them aren't wrong at all.

Luckily, they shut up when Kyo and Kirito stride past, knowing wisely that messing with them- with us- wouldn't end up with them walking away without a beating.

As the two of them sit down, Kirito next to me and Kyo opposite, Asuna shoves the food menu at us. I order hot chocolate with all the cream and marshmallows.

It really hasn't been a good day.

After the food and drinks appear, smelling amazing as always, Asuna thumbs the edges of her steaming teacup

"Well, anyway, thank you for today. For keeping an eye on me. The towns are supposed to be safe zones; you can't be killed unless you duel someone. But when you're asleep, you're vulnerable."

"Yeah, it's horrible how some players use the duel system after all your HP still goes down while you fight. So someone could manipulate you into pushing except and then attack and kill you." Kirito explains, hands knit tight together.

I skin off the cream with my spoon, trying to ignore Asuna's fearful glances and the fact that the marshmallows melting in between my teeth aren't real.

My uncle has created something magnificent, the ability to taste, experience, feel everything in a virtual environment.

But he also brought real-world corruption into this world; killings, stealing, hatred. Even something this amazing has been tainted; I don't think the players will remain untainted either.

"So anyway, thank you." Asuna concludes, unsmiling.

"It's fine Asuna-san, I am sure you would do the same fo-"

I am cut off mid-sentence by a loud, blood clenching scream. I don't care who follows, I bolt up from my chair and rush towards the sound.

In the square, a cluster of players just stand, gazing upwards towards a player, hanging by his throat, lips and limbs failing as he tries to dislodge the rope and the blade speared through his chest.

"Hurry, pull it out!" I recognize the voice. Kirito.

"I'll cut him down, you catch him." Asuna.

I don't hear what she says. I am climbing up the stairs two steps at a time, breath coming quickly from my lungs.

I unsheath a small knife; it shakes as I run. When I reach the top, I slice the rope, but it is too late. It looks a little like beautiful snow as the blue crystals floated to the ground.