The Path Unknown

11. A Deeper Connection

      Mobs started moving out of the shadowy sides and into the room. Kage  looked at how many there were, counting as many as he could. 50...  125... 275... There were increasing at a pace he couldn't fathom.  Filling the floor, they started to attack Michiko's pets. They fought  back without problem, but the numbers were still growing. Michiko fell  back to Shika and Zagu, helping them clear the mobs. Kage knew he had to  use his skill. It was a risk, but it wouldn't harm any players or their  companions, whether it be a mob or another player. There was only one  shot at it.

     "Michiko!!!" Kage called out to her, "Stay back! I'm going to end this!!!"

     "Wait, what are you-"

      Kage took off, running towards the beast. He was charging a skill,  but not a sword-skill. He was glowing a light blue color, with a bright  gold center that shimmered. Running up the boss's body, he dodged its  quick defensive maneuvers and got up to the hight of his head. The beast  tried to retaliate, but missed every attempt. Leaping off of the beast  and towards the center of the room, performed a potentially  life-threatening player ability.

      "THUNDEROUS LIGHT!!!" Kage shouted, hovering in the air.

       The golden ember shone brighter and expanded - filling the room  with an unbearably bright light. Michiko blocked the light with her  arms. Her beasts did likewise, closing their eyes to shut out the light.  The enemies stopped their attack, immediately disintegrating without  the normal shattering animation. The boss did not emit a cry as it died,  only a small ember stood where he once was. Kage dropped down - not on  his feet. His body, almost drained of energy, did not want to move. He  was not only struck with paralysis, but also with only 1 hp left on his  health bar. He was still lucky to be alive.

      "What the hell was that?! You nearly DIED!" Michiko came up to him.

       "I felt the need to use it. They were going to counter our attacks  by drowning us in the enemies, then finish us with only a few needed  hits from the boss." He said, barely able to move. "Now can you pass me a  potion before you kicking me kills me?"

      She handed him a  potion that would get rid of his paralysis and start his regeneration.  Drinking the potion, he dropped the empty bottle. It shattered and the  polygons flew away. Shika and Zagu made their way to Kage as well. They  seemed to be worried for him. It was odd, especially for the fact that,  normally, they only cared for their master - Michiko. It was unlike them  to show compassion for another player even though it was the person she  loved.

     "Wow, this is new. What did you give them when I was gone?" Michiko said sarcastically, putting a hand on her hip.

     "Nah, wasn't anything I gave them. Just scratched an itch on this guy." He sat up and pet Shika.

     "It's a girl, babe. I thought you knew that by now you idiot." She nudged him in the shoulder.

     "Careful, you could have killed me." He grinned.

     "You know what? How about we just unlock floor 78, alright. Then after that we can do whatever we want after."

     "Did you say 'anything', babe?"

     "No"

     "But I swear I heard-"

     "No. No 'buts'. No nothing. Just stop it right there."

      Kage took her hand as they went towards the room's exit. They worked  well as a team, fighting unbelievably in unison. They barely needed to  communicate. Just by looking at each other, they could share information  just like one mind. Now, though, came the normalities of everyday life  again. With sarcasm abound in their language, it was hard to get a  straight answer from one another. It felt as if they were not the same  people that they were in battle. Kage felt as if he could agree with  people who thought that about them. They really weren't the same people  on and off the battlefield. They were different, both in personality and  ability.

     "So, would you buy your own house in here at all?" He nudged Michiko.

      "And waste thousands of Col on something so temporary? Why would I  do something like that when I could use if for better armor or a weapon  or-"

     "But where we will live if we get married?" Kage interrupted, immediately regretting his decision to ask.

     "Wait... What did you say?" She raised an eyebrow.

     "Never mind, I'm just-"

     "No, there's no such thing as 'never mind'. Tell me." She now interrupted him.

     "I just... Wondered were we would live if we got married..."

      "Oh, that's what you said." She smiled, "well, the answer to that  question is a house across the lake from Asuna. I saw it and looked it  up. It's vacant, and pretty cheap. And the answer to your other  question, just take it as a 'yes'." She winked at Kage.

     "Wait, you just said-"

     "You heard what I said, stop playing dumb!"

      Kage held his breath. It never ended up this way for him. Asking a  girl out would result in a slap to the face, but with her it was  different. Whatever she saw in him, he didn't mind. This was like a life  for them, so getting married was pretty significant.

     The two  started their way toward the social area to finish the unlocking of the  78th floor. They were proud of themselves for doing what they did. On  top of that, Kage was beaming with joy of her answers. They went into  the boss room as two people and left, together, as one. A new journey  could begin for them. A journey that would last a lifetime and more.

*Back on floor 22*

      Asuna, Kirito, and Yui were on their way back from the carnival.  They loved the time together. The whole day felt just like if it were a  real-life family. The three, hand in hand, moved down the lane. Asuna  and Kirito were on either side of Yui, swinging her up and down. They  wore smiles that could shine forever.

     Getting to the cabin, they  put Yui down. She ran inside to look for Shika and Zagu, but,  unfortunately, they weren't there. Kirito was now worried. Maybe they  didn't finish they boss like he thought they would. Getiing inside and  lighting the fire, he pulled up a PM designated to Kage. It's been a  couple of days without much communication. Just wondering if you guys  are ok. The message sent. They were alive and well with some reason for  ignoring communications.

     "Kirito, what's wrong? Are they in trouble?" Asuna's smile started to fade.

     "I don't know. They haven't replied for a while. Might be something wrong."

     "Did the message send?"

     "Yea, I don't know why they would neglect to reply though."

     "Mommy, daddy, they're fine. They're just taking money out of the virtual bank." Yui said smiling, "They're fine."

      "Hmm, well, I guess that settles it. We shouldn't be worrying about  them. How about we get you to sleep, you've had a long day!"

      Kirito grabbed Yui and carried her to the bedroom. It was a long day,  but it was one spent with family - not killing. In fact, that was the  farthest thing from their minds. They've accepted this world like their  own. They had a family, a house, and many friends that they've met along  the way. Though it was a virtual fantasy, it was one that was worth  living. Nothing grew old, nothing wilted, and everything seemed  flawless. It was a place of dreams that became a reality.