Looking For Something Real (Sword Art Online)

10. A Final Preparation

Chapter 10- November 6th 2024 – "A Final Preparation"

48th floor- Lindarth

I had decided to head back to Liz for some maintenance on my equipment and in the hopes that it would help me clear my mind. However no matter what I did I couldn't shake the feeling that the situation on the frontlines was becoming dangerous. Not just with Heathcliff's decision, but since I saw that boss room door I've had a feeling of dread looming over me.

I entered into the familiar sight of Liz's shop and was greeted by Hanna, the NPC assistant that Liz had hired.

"Where is Liz?" I asked.

"I'm sorry Lisbeth is out right now but I'm sure that I can help you" the NPC said with a smile. It was always eerie how the NPC's could act so human at times. More than once I had forgotten that they were just computer programs.

"That's ok I'll just wait for her" I leant back against a wall and let out a long sigh. When I looked back up Hanna was just standing behind the counter watching me with a smile on her face.

After an hour or so Liz came in through the door with a box in her arms and upon seeing me said "Oh hey how long have you been here?"

I was still deep in my own thoughts so just shrugged my shoulders.

"Well are you here for repairs then?"

"Yeah just a simple patch up this time."

"Cool lets go the workshop" she said with a smile. Normally that beautiful smile would wipe away any doubts or fears that I had. But this time it seemed to have little effect. We entered the workshop and I placed my damaged items on the table as usual. Liz inspected each one.

"This all seems in better condition then what you usually bring back. I take it there is a boss fight coming up?" Liz said while picking up Whirlwind.

"Yeah I found it yesterday."

"Oh so whens the raid?"

Again I just shrugged my shoulders in response. Liz slowly walked around the table until she was directly in front of me, positioned just right to be between me and the patch of floor I had been staring at. She looked up at me with concern in her eyes.

"What's up?" she asked in a calm and caring voice. To my surprise this helped to calm my nerves slightly.

"I'm... I'm not sure this boss fight is going to go well."

"What makes you say that?"

"I dunno... just a vibe I have. I can't shake the feeling that this is going to go badly. And no one on the assault team seems to want to listen."

"Because you are a solo player?"

"Probably." We both stood in silence for a while. Liz was the first to speak up again.

"Have you spoken to Kirito or Asuna yet?"

"No, they're still away but I have no doubt they will be back when the fighting starts."

I had shifted my gaze to the floor just off to the side of Liz, it felt like the only thing I could do to prevent myself bursting into tears. Liz raised a hand to my cheek and moved my face back to hers. Looking worried herself as she stared into my eyes she spoke in a quiet voice.

"You need to talk to them when you see them, explain to them everything you told me. Tell them that I want you three to watch out for each other, now more than ever." Tears began to form in Lisbeth's eyes as she spoke. "I want to see all three of you after the fight, you hear?"

All I could do was nod in response. I knew that if I tried to speak Liz would hear the crack in my voice.

"Good now let's get this gear fixed up" she said.