Chapter Text
Asuna blinked, dully registering the orange rays seeping through her windows.
Slowly, she took the NerveGear off her head and stood up, blinking blearily as her eyes adjusted to the new brightness of her new surroundings.
Swallowing back her cries of frustration, she numbly pulled a parka over her t-shirt and sweatpants before leaving the house, uncaring if she was going out in public wearing such a sloppy outfit lazily put together.
As she sat beside Kirito, words lodged in her throat, joining the bottleneck of frustration.
Should she apologize? Should she just cry and wail and leave? Should she even say anything? What good would words do?
The door opened and she tensed. Instinctively, she felt her hand wrap around the umbrella she brought- why did she even bring that? It’s becoming a new habit it seems- as she whipped around to face-
Suguha.
A very startled Suguha who was going cross-eyed from staring at the umbrella brandished before her face.
Asuna relaxed, letting the umbrella drop before she skewered one of the poor girl’s eyes.
“Hey, Asuna.” Suguha said awkwardly.
“Hi, Suguha.” Asuna said, giving her a smile but it was evidently forced.
After rescuing her from near death in ALfheim, Asuna had thanked Leafa before turning around and promptly logging out lest she breaks down in front of the girl. The weight of her failure had cast a veil over her like a storm cloud, making her ignore Leafa’s calls as she focused on simply getting away from the metaphorical cloud before lighting struck her.
Rather redundant considering the position they were in now, she realized with wry irony.
Suguha said nothing and busied herself with refilling the vase of tulips with fresh water- maybe Asuna should bring lilies next time. Those were pretty.
Asuna turned around and clasped Kirito’s hand, the pulse on his wrist a small solace that anchored her for the moment.
“..................he’s trapped on top of Yggdrasil.” Suguha said, no longer beating around the bush.
“Yes.” Asuna replied without turning around.
Suguha placed the vase down and finally turned around to face Asuna.
“So, you wanted to play the valiant heroine and rescue him by yourself?” she asked.
“I’m not doing this for glory-” Asuna defended but Suguha cut her off.
“That’s not what this is about!” Suguha snapped. “This-you-I- Urrrrrgh! God! You’re just like him!”
Asuna blinked, unsure who Suguha was comparing her to.
“Onii-chan you.....you’re just like him. Always pushing others away, always trying to do everything on your own, always bottling it all up inside......” Suguha trailed off as her eyes filled with tears she tried to rapidly blink away.
She looked so vulnerable.....so young. Asuna hesitated, contemplating placing a hand on Suguha’s shoulder for comfort but decided against it. She....she doesn’t want to cross anymore boundaries.
“I...I knew he was adopted before he did a-and even after he found out and tried to push me away I.....I still.....he was still my brother and I loved him. But then the whole SAO Incident happened and.......”
With a start, Asuna saw a glistening stream trail down Suguha’s face as the younger girl’s shoulders trembled, fists clenched.
“I cried....I c-cried for the first time in years but I didn’t care because I was terrified. I didn’t want to lose him. I didn’t want him to die thinking I... thinking I didn’t care about him just because we weren’t blood-related!
“I miss my onii-chan. I just want my brother back but I don’t know what to do. I want to help. You know what to do but you still keep pushing me away and keeping secrets so....so.......”
She glared at Asuna but they weren’t aimed at her with hatred, rather it was laden with frustration.
“So why do you keep doing this alone?! Why do you act as though you’re the only one who wants to save him? As though you’re the only one who cares?! As though.....” her voice hiccupped. “As though you’re the only one who thinks he’s your family.....”
But did onii-chan consider her family really? Or did he simply tolerate her out of obligation? After all, her family was the one who gave him a roof over his head, clothes on his back and food on the table.
‘Who is she really?’ ‘Do I really know her?’
She may have been younger but she wasn’t blind. She knew those were the unsettling thoughts running in his head.
She saw the insecure glances Kirito shot her when he thought she wasn’t looking, she saw how he’d gaze longingly from the window of his room when he thought she was focused on kendo katas, his heart lost before turning back to online gaming for security.
“Suguha......” this time, Asuna did put a hand on her shoulder. “Kirito does love you.”
“How would you know?” Suguha asked, harsher than she intended.
“Because Kirito is a caring person like that.” Asuna said. “I know, he doesn’t show it. But deep down, he’s always been an accepting person.
“I think.....I understand why Kirito loves gaming. I was never passionate about it and....” her eyes drifted down, ashamed as she remembered the negative mindset she had at the start of the whole nightmare.
“I didn’t care. I didn’t care if I died in the game. I didn’t care about the risks. I just....gave up. In my eyes, what did it matter? It was just a fabricated world where no one knew each other.
“But then.....” she looked at Suguha straight in the eye. “I met your brother. And after spending 2 years in SAO, I discovered that the virtual world and the real world weren’t that different.
“You meet anyone and everyone yet, at times you know no one. The world is vast, yet it’s also suffocating. I learned.....that even in a fabricated world of all things, you can meet people.” She gave Kirito’s hand a heartfelt squeeze. “You can meet people who care.”
She turned back to Suguha. “It’s pointless to ask who someone truly is. Kirito taught me that by simply accepting and believing, the way you perceive others defines their true self.”
“What’s your point?” Suguha asked, voice soft.
“I’ve seen your brother accept numerous people in a virtual world and come to care for them like family. You were his family long before any of us came into the picture. So, what right do we have to have something you don’t as his sibling?” Asuna pointed out.
Suguha bit her lip and Asuna decided to drive the point home.
“He mentioned you before. He mentioned how he did have regrets before getting trapped in SAO....and mentioned how his biggest regret was the fact that he never got a chance to close the gap between the two of you.” Asuna said gently.
Suguha’s head snapped up. Her eyes narrowed, wondering if Asuna was using honeyed words to give false pity but saw only open honesty shining in Asuna’s hazel eyes.
“You’re his sister, Suguha. I can see that now, regardless of bloodlines.” Asuna said, gently patting her head like how Kirito used to when they were closer.
“Let’s rescue him together, okay?”
Suguha blinked. She fumbled before finding the words.
“You’ll let me help?” she asked.
Asuna nodded, expression contrite.
“It was stupid of me to rush in head-first and it was selfish of me not to include you. You’re his sister, if there’s anyone who should help me save him, it’s you. It took you saving me to see that I can’t do this alone.
“And....you’re my friend. I shouldn’t have betrayed your trust like that.” Asuna looked back at her, eyes expressing earnest remorse. “Can you forgive me?”
Suguha smiled and grasped her hand. She nodded and Asuna right then and there that the simple gesture alone already told her the words left unspoken.
“Let’s go save onii-chan.”
“Leafa-chan! Asuna! I’ve been looking everywhere for you two.”
Leafa startled as she came face-to-face with an enthusiastic Recon. Behind her Asuna blinked, surprised that Leafa’s friend/classmate/in-game mentor was here. Wasn’t he captured by Salamanders?
“Re-recon? Weren’t you captured by Salamanders?” Leafa asked. Leave it to her to ask their questions aloud.
“I poisoned them all and escaped.” Recon revealed, looking rather proud of himself.
“Anyways, what have you two been up to?” he asked.
Asuna and Leafa glanced at one another, a silent message passing through.
“We’re going to clear Yggdrasil.” Both girls revealed.
For a moment, Recon could’ve sworn his AmuSphere glitched alongside his brain as the audacity of what they said registered.
“WHAT?!” he asked, positive he actually blurted that out in the real world too.
Leafa nodded. “With the three of us. Her, you and me.” She added.
“I-I see.” He did a double-take when he realized she included him. “EH?!”
Asuna knew she should feel guilty for dragging him into this as an unwilling accomplice........but then again, they needed all the help they could get.
She’s pragmatic like that.
And hey, he's still standing there instead of running away so that counts as something.
“Yui.” Asuna called, summoning her pixie daughter.
“What is it Mama?” she asked from her shoulder.
“During the fight, did you figure anything out about the guardians?” Asuna asked.
“Individually their stats aren’t that high but their sheer numbers are overwhelming. It’s almost as if the area is designed to be impossible to overcome.” Yui explained.
“So, they use quantity to make up for quality. When one goes against them all, it’s like one massive invincible boss.” Asuna mused.
“However, with mama’s skill proficiency, it may be possible to break through momentarily.” Yui said.
It wasn’t naïve belief or empty reassurance, Yui stated them as facts. Asuna knew Yui was right. She may not brag about it but she was <<The Flash>> in SAO for a reason.
Nodding, Asuna turned to look at the two Slyphs, expression grim but resolved to see this through.
“You guys, I’m sorry, but can you put up with my selfishness this time? We’re running out of time.” Asuna said.
“One week, Asuna.”
She shoved her disdain for Sugou aside. Like hell she’s going to waste her focus on him of all things.
“If there’s something I can do, you can count on me.” Leafa said without hesitation. “And that goes for him too.” She added, playfully nudging Leafa.
“Eeeh?” Recon sighed, seemingly accepting the wagon he’s been dumped on. “Alright. Leafa-chan and I are one in body and soul after all.”
He received a punch to the back of his head for that.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself!” Leafa warned.
“Sorry.” Recon hurriedly placated before he faced more of her fury.
“Let’s do our best.” Leafa said, stretching an arm out.
Recon was quick to placed his own two hands on top of hers.
Asuna smiled, grateful to not be alone in this. Nostalgia sparked in her as she recalled a similar camaraderie with her SAO friends.
She placed her hand on top of theirs and Yui added her tiny one to the top as well.
“Thanks, you two.” Asuna thanked.
With that said, she turned serious. The time for sentiments was over. They had a Grand Quest to conquer.
“I’ll deal with the guardians. Stayin back and healing me shouldn’t make them target you.” Asuna said.
Each of them nodded, understanding the role they had to play.
“Let’s go.”
With that said, she once again stepped through the ivory marbled doors. Only this time, she no longer did so alone.
Leafa and Recon’s chants rang alongside the ring of her blade against guardians. It was a morbid dance that resonated through her core as she soared, spun, swirled, stabbed and slashed.
One guardian after another fell before her. Her health bar depleted and extended, moving forward and backward like waves. Arms and legs delivered punches, blocks and kicks respectively; speed and instincts were push to the limit to stay one step ahead and every fiber of strength was unleashed without limits.
“Wow....” Recon breathed, in awe of the tenacious Undine. She was ruthless but graceful, relentless but precise.
“But there’s too many!” Leafa said, sweat dripping down her brow.
Sure enough, the moment Asuna blinked, 4 guardians became 400 and barely a second later, 4000.
They stood together, forming a wall that blocked out the light from atop the dome, shrouding Asuna, Leafa and Recon like an ominous storm cloud.
Asuna simply gritted her teeth and pushed forward.
It didn’t matter if she stabbed or slashed, if she nicked or skewered, if she punched or kicked or threw- they just. Kept. Coming.
‘There’s no end to them!’
Her eyes widened as multiple guardians barreled towards her. She blocked the first two and narrowly avoided the third, only for the fourth and many others behind it to knock her back, pain flaring as blades left their mark.
“Recon!” Leafa alerted.
He nodded and both unleashed healing magic. Combined with Asuna’s own magic, the Undine was far from dying just yet.
Recon’s relief was short-lived when he noticed with horror that the Guardian Knights’ attention was now on him and Leafa.
“Why are they targeting us?” he asked.
“Their AIs probably run on different algorithms than other monsters.” Leafa deduced. “In that case, it’s pointless to divide roles.”
She turned around, fingers wrapped around the hilt of her sword, ready to assist Asuna in direct combat-
Only for Recon’s hand to grasped hers urgently, stopping her.
“Leafa-chan, I don’t really understand but this is important, right?” Recon asked.
“That’s right. It’s not just a game. Not now that is.” She confirmed grimly.
His ears twitched back, his unsure face steeled with resolve and he turned around, eyes more serious than she’s ever seen.
“I’ll do something about it!” he swore.
Before she could ask further, he took off.
“R-recon?!” Leafa asked.
He ignored her and focused on chanting, using his magic to get rid of the guardians in front of him, gradually making his way towards the main horde.
“You idiot!” Leafa yelled. She turned to check on Asuna and realized she had other priorities. “Oh no!”
She healed Asuna just in time for her to narrowly dodge another two guardians. Missing their target, they turned their sights towards Leafa but were swiftly dealt with by Recon.
“Recon, that’s enough! Run outside, get out of here!” Leafa pleaded, trying to get through to him. What was he planning?!
All she got in reply was a smile. Reassuring but apologetic.
“Ek kalla svartr tjúgari, hverfa himni....”
Leafa’s eyes widened. “That’s....dark magic?!”
“Brott regin, gapa.....NIÕAFJOLL!”
The result was as bright as the sun with the power of a nuclear explosion.
A gap formed in the seemingly impregnable horde of guardians, a flickering green, yellow and purple Remain Light in the middle of it.
“Self-destruction magic? The death penalty for that is pretty serious.....” her lip quivered and she shut her eyes to hold back tears.
“You really are an idiot!” she wailed.
Unfortunately, Asuna had no time to despair. She couldn’t let Recon’s sacrifice be in vain.
‘Almost....almost....almost-!’
Pressing themselves shoulder to shoulder, the guardians efficiently blocked her off, knocking her back in the process like a battering ram.
The force of impact from that alone made her health bar deplete to yellow. She opened her mouth to chant a healing spell, only for her words to be cut off by a cry of pain as multiple blades plunged themselves into her torso and arm.
Leafa gasped at the gruesome sight. The guardians coldly kicked Asuna down and the Slyph despaired further as the gap Recon sacrificed himself to make sealed itself.
‘That’s too much this.....’ despite her despair, she forced herself to heal Asuna still.
‘This is just.....’ Asuna’s bar was still red and barely extending despite her efforts.
Two guardians surrounded her, blades poised for execution. Leafa could defend herself.....but that would mean leaving Asuna vulnerable.
She stood her ground, unflinching as she glared at the emotionless NPCs. She steeled herself, ready to feel those blades hack off her limbs-
A battle cry roared nearby, spilled from the throats of hundreds.
Asuna and Leafa’s heads whipped around to see the Slyphs, green wings glittering soaring towards their aid.
“Why?” Leafa asked no one in particular.
The guttural growl of beasts, mighty wings flapping came next.
“The Cait Sith’s dragoons?” Asuna noticed. But why were they-?
“Sorry we’re late.” Sakuya, Lord of the Slyph race said.
“Sorry~! It took some time to get our gear ready.” Alicia, Lord of the Caith Sith race piped in.
With their greetings and apologies made, both lords joined in the battle, relaying their orders to their respective troops.
“Dragoons! Breath attack at the ready!” “Slyphs, subsequent attack at the ready!”
Blazing infernos poured from the mouths of dragoons and the Slyph’s Fenrir Storm came upon the guardians like a rain-full of shooting stars.
With the combined efforts of both the Slyphs and Caith Siths, they utterly decimated the Guardian Knights’ force.
“Thank you! Thank you, both of you so much!” Leafa thanked the two leaders profusely.
“No need. We’re indebted to that Undine after all.” Sakuya said diplomatically.
“And arming this raid party was only possible with his huge donation.” Alicia added cheekily but no less sincere.
Sakuya snapped her fan closed and raised it high.
“All units, charge!”
Asuna couldn’t deny that it was a glorious sight. To see the Slyphs and Cait Siths fight side by side, both working in tune despite their vast differences.
She parried a guardian and was surprised to see Leafa appear behind her as the Slyph dealt with another guardian that tried to sneak up on her.
Asuna smirked, Leafa smirked back as the two girls stood back to back, green wings hovering with blue.
“Watch my back!” Asuna said.
“Leave it to me.” Leafa replied with assertive support.
Sure enough, Asuna realized her instincts no longer told her to look over her shoulder for she didn’t need to. If she moved left, Leafe would move right; if she moved up, she moved down.
Being able to dance the song of battle with someone else, side by side with this level of natural trust and camaraderie, it was as though Kirito was beside her once more.
‘Your brother would be proud of you, Suguha. I know it.’ Asuna thought fondly.
As another wave was decimated by the dragoons’ flames, hope surged as a gap revealed itself once more.
Pushing her wings to the limit, Asuna charged towards it.
She was going to make it this time.
She had to make it.
The Guardian Knights tried the same tactic as before, pressing themselves shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to ram her back.
“ASUNA!” Noticing this, Leafa tossed her sword towards Asuna.
Asuna caught it, pressing both blades together.
A roar of raw resolve burst forth from her throat, challenging the obstacle before her as every drop of magic and every ounce of strength was poured into this attack.
“Go.....go, Asuna.” Leafa whispered.
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Asuna pushed through wave after waves of guardians like a harpoon thrusting through the body of schools of fish.
Finally, she burst through them all. Gone was the dimness the bodies of guardians had shrouded her in as the light at the top of the dome shone upon her. Both blades, that of a rapier and katana, buried themselves into the bud-like center of the entrance.
Down below, Sakuya smiled, relieved that the Undine succeeded and that she herself managed to repay the debt she owed her.
“All units, fall back! We’re withdrawing!” she ordered.
Leafa smiled, her heart soaring as high as Yggdrasil itself.
‘Fly.
‘No matter the distance......
‘No matter the distance, fly through the skies....to the core of this world.’
Asuna injected her rapier into the slight gap, trying to force it to open to no avail.
She panted, her chest still heaving with exertion from her fight with the Guardian Knights.
She’s made it, didn’t she? She’s gotten past the guardians, she fought her way through with her own two hands, she was standing here, both feet planted on the entrance, so why wasn’t anything happened? Was there a lag? Another glitch? Oh god, please not a virus.
“Yui!” she called.
“On it, mama.” Yui said, placing both hands on the entrance.
Seconds barely passed but to Asuna, they felt like hours stretching. It stretched on like a bowstring, taut and ready to snap at any moment.
“Mama, this door isn’t locked by a quest flag. It’s under the authority of system administrators.” Yui revealed, a tremor in her voice.
Asuna felt a pit form in her stomach.
“What do you mean?” she asked, hearing her own voice waver.
No....it couldn’t be. After all that, all the blood, sweat and tears, all the pain and violence, don’t tell her-
“This door was never intended to be accessible to players!” Yui confirmed, just as distraught.
Asuna’s eyes widened, her knees growing weak. She collapsed to her knees, unsure whether to laugh, cry, scream, pull her hair out or all of the above.
The ‘Grand Quest’ was nothing but a farce all this time.
And she played along without knowing it, falling hook, line and sinker. She soared onwards, thinking she’s reached the sky Kirito was caged in only to hit rock-bottom.
“Mama!”
Yui’s distressed cry snapped her out of her despair. Shooting up to her feet, she tensed upon seeing the Guardian Knights surrounding them.
So this was it? This was how her ‘quest’ will end?
She’s come this far, she’s fought this hard, only to be stopped by a damn gate that’s only accessible to bloody system administra-
‘No, wait......’
Sheathing her rapier, she cupped her hands and a..... card fell into her grasp.
Yui flew up and grasped the card in both of her tiny hands.
“This......” she gasped upon realizing what it truly was. “This contains an access code for System Administrators.”
‘That’s it!’
Quickly, she whipped the card out, passing it to her daughter.
“Yui, use this.” She said.
Yui nodded, wasting no time in transferring the code from the card into the entrance. Asuna’s eyes darted between Yui, the entrance and the guardians, well aware everything was hanging on a fickle tightrope.
Ivory marble rumbled under her feet. She spread her wings as the bud-like entrance unfolded before them, pure blinding light seeping from the widening gaps.
“We’ll be teleported. Mama! Your hand!” Yui said.
Asuna reached out, her hand gargantuan in her daughter’s tiny hands that barely wrapped around her fingers.
A light blue hue enveloped them.
Like an exploding star, the same glow encompassed the confines of Yggdrasil as Yui and Asuna were teleported away.