Sword Art Online ~ Destinies

Don't Leave Us In The Dark

I laid in Yuna and Riku's extra bed at their place. It was pretty comfortable, yet I couldn't fall asleep. I tossed and turned, coming to a stop on my side. I looked at the other two beds. Yuna slept like a princess, her hair sprawled out across her pillow. Riku on the other hand just looked like any other person while sleeping. I finally sat up and checked the time. 2 am. I sighed.

I slowly stood up and stretched my toes across their beige carpet. They lived in a condo type building. Honestly, I wanted to buy a place around here too. I walked over to the balcony and crept out. I let the wind blow through my hair. My white nightgown hovered. I scanned the area. 

It was... quiet. The streetlights flickered, no one except myself in sight. Everything looked real.

"How can all this just be a game..? A death game..? It's so beautiful, it almost seems real. I mean, if you think about it, in real life we only have one life as well. Our worlds aren't so different." I whispered and lifted my hand, reaching for nothing. I shut my eyes, taking in the air. My fingers  twitched, becoming cold. But suddenly, it felt as if someone put their hand against mine. I squeezed my eyes shut even tighter. "What...?" I murmured. 

I slowly lifted my other arm out. I felt someone's hand on that one too. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I couldn't believe my eyes. I rapidly jumped off the balcony and was caught. I drifted through the air until I landed on the rooftop. "Emiko... Diavel..." My eyes watered. I couldn't tell if it was because I was happy, or because the images of them dying appeared in my head. 

"Tae.." Emiko floated down onto the roof, taking hold of my hands. She was a... ghost? She was transparent, with pastel pink mist glowing around her. "I'm so proud of you." Her voice cracked, "You are surviving through this hell..." Her eyes watered. Before I knew it, she was weeping into my arms. I slowly fell to the ground, cradling her. 

"I'm sorry I left you... I'm so, so sorry." Her tears hit my arm and dissolved. 

I saw a blue hand appear next to mine. Diavel. I took my free hand and pulled him into a hug. "I never thought I'd see you two again... I can't believe my eyes..." Diavel caressed my cheek, comforting me. Tears erupted from my eyes. "I missed you guys so much... even if I only knew you two for hardly even a day or two..." I stroked Emiko's soft hair as I looked at Diavel.

He knelt down on one knee, like a real knight in shining armor. "We both missed you too." He sighed. Emiko nodded. "I see you got my gift." I glanced down and Diavel was reaching out to hold his armor piece.

Emiko looked up and stared at it. "How did his armor stay behind, even when he died?" 

"The real question really is: how are you two here?" It hit me. "Kayaba said when this death game started, if you die, you get erased from the game, and the real world." 

Emiko and Diavel looked at each other, they both grew a smile. Emiko sat up and Diavel sat down next to me. He took my hand. "Yes, we are erased from this game... and the real world." His eyes were full of sorrow. I tightened my grip on his hand. "But... Kayaba never said we were erased from your memory." My breath cut short. 

"My... memory..?" I looked at him, somewhat shocked. 

Emiko twirled my brunette hair. "Yes, your memory. You cared so much for us that we couldn't and can't be erased from it. Therefore, we still exist, at least in your mind." She wiped her tears. 

"So... me mourning helped keep your- spirits alive?" I looked at Emiko, confused. She looked to Diavel, then nodded. I stared down at my hand being held by Diavel. His blue mist encased it. 

"Tae?" I looked up at him. "Did you realize, whenever you felt weak, or sad, you thought of us?" 

I gulped. "I- I- I guess I... did-" I hesitated. "Thinking of you guys made me feel stronger, as if I had to survive for you two." A tear rolled down my face, bouncing down onto Diavel's glove. He smiled. "Exactly." I stared at him, looking for an explanation.