I turned around facing the other red player and I was smiling.
Y/n: who's up next?
Seeing the opening I leaped twords the red player and sliced through them while jumping over them. I landed and looked at the one still flying.
Y/n: how about you big red? You want some too?
Red: I'll pass. My magic skill will reach 900 soon. I don't want a death penalty.
Y/n: at least you have honesty... you wanna go at it, Miss?
Green: I'm good too. Next time, I'll win.
Red: I'd prefer not to fight you one-on-one.
The red player left and I was looking at the red flame confused.
Y/n: what are those flames?
Green: shh... Remain Lights. Their minds are still there.
The light of the flames died down and disappeared.
Green: so, what should I do now? Thank you? Run away? Or should I fight?
She pointed her sword up and I put mine back in its scabbard.
Y/n: in my opinion, this was the moment a knight in shining armor saved the princess. Then the princess crys and runs into the knights arms.
Green: are you an idiot?
Y/n: it was just a joke! Hahaha!
Kirito: you can't do that!
Y/n: hey, you better stay out of sight mister...
Kirito then flew out of my pocket and onto my shoulder.
Kirito: only Mommy and I can hug Daddy!
Green: D-Daddy?
I then grabbed him so he couldn't cause a bigger scene.
Y/n: uh... Actually, this is...
The player got closer and stopped infront of me.
Green: hey, is that a private pixie?
Y/n: s-something like that.
Green: fine, but why is a Spriggan wandering around here?
Y/n: I kinda got lost...
She walked to side and started laughing out loud.
Green: your territory is way to the east! How can you be that lost? You're so weird.
She stopped and put her sword away.
Green: anyway, I should thank you. Thanks for saving me. My name's Leafa.
Y/n: name's Y/n. The pixie is Kirito.
He levitated off my hand and sat on my shoulder.
Leafa: so, Y/n... What'll you do now? If you'd like, I could buy you a drink as thanks. Well?
Y/n: that actually sounds nice. In reality, I'm looking for someone who can explain some stuff to me.
Leafa: like what?
Y/n: I'm talking about the rest of this world, but I'm more focused on that big tree.
Leafa: that big tree? The World Tree? Sure. I may not look like one, but I'm quite a veteran. Okay, it's a bit far, but there's a natural village up north. Let's fly there.
Y/n: wait? Isn't the closest town called Sylvain?
Leafa: you really are clueless. That's Sylph territory.
Y/n: so what?
Leafa: you can't attack Sylphs in their territory, but they can attack you.
Y/n: that wouldn't matter if I don't bother them. Besides I have a fellow Sylph with me, Miss Leafa.
Leafa: call me Leafa. If you insist, it's fine. But I can't guarantee you'll survive. All right, let's fly then.
Green transparent wings then appeared on Leafa's back without the help of a controller.
Y/n: hold on a minute? You don't need that controller to fly?
Leafa: well, yeah. What about you?
Y/n: I just got the hang of using it...
Leafa: there's a trick to manual flying. Turn around and don't use the controller.
Y/n: a-alright.
I turned around and my wings appeared. I then felt someone touching me.
Leafa: can you feel where I'm touching?
Y/n: yeah.
Leafa: imagine virtual bones and muscles spreading from here and move them.
Y/n: Virtual bones and muscle...
I followed the instructions and my wings started flapping.
Leafa: that's right! Keep that up.
I did and then stopped.
Leafa: try the same movement again, but stronger.
I tried doing it and I kept forcing them. Leafa pushed me and I rocketed into the air. I flew through the tree line and I started flying around uncontrollably.
Y/n: make this stop!
~timeskip~
I finally got the hang of it and we were flying through the night sky.
Y/n: this fells great.
Leafa: it is, isn't it? You've got good instincts. Now, follow me.
Y/n: alright.
We then started flying north and I was getting ready to see how fast these can go.
Leafa: you can take it slow at first.
Y/n: don't worry about me. Let's go faster!
She then blazed off and I followed not to close behind.
Y/n: this is your speed limit? Let's go full speed ahead!
Leafa: don't blame me for whatever happens.
She got faster and I easily followed behind her.
Kirito: I can't go on...
He then flew into my pocket and closed it. I then looked up and I was equal to Leafa's speed.
Leafa: you might be the only other person who can handle this speed.
I then looked infront of me and saw a buttifuly green lit city.
~Sylph Territory, Sylvain January 20, 2025~
Y/n: we made it.
Leafa: we'll land at the base of the central tower. Wait, Y/n, do you know how to land?
Y/n: not a clue...
Leafa: um... Sorry! It's too late. Good luck!
She then started floating down and I kept going forward.
Y/n: y-you've gotta be kidding me!
I hit the building and I fell down to the ground landing on my back while the other Sylphs watched.
Y/n: man, that wasn't cool, Leafa.
Leafa: it's okay. I'll heal you.
She held her hand out and started chanting while runes showed up. I was then surrounded by a green glow and started to be healed.
Y/n: awesome, so this is what magic looks like?
Leafa: only Undines can use high-level healing magic, but this one's an important spell, so you should learn it too.
Y/n: different races get different advantages? What's my race good at?
Leafa: treasure hunting and illusion magic, I guess. Neither of those is much use in battle.
I then jumped up and started looking around me.
Y/n: so, this is the Sylph's town? It's surprisingly pretty.
Leafa: isn't it?
???: Leafa!
We looked over to the voice and saw a small guy with lime green hair.
???: you're okay!
He then stopped infront of us exhausted like he ran for hours.
Leafa: oh, Recon.
Recon: I knew you'd survive.
He then looked at me and jumped back.
Recon: a Spriggan?
He then reached behind him and grabbed the handle of his dagger.
Leafa: it's okay. He saved me. This is Recon, my friend.
Y/n: heya Recon, I'm Y/n.
We then started shaking each other's hand.
Recon: nice to meet you. No...
He then jumped back and grabbed the handle of his dagger again.
Recon: no no no! I take that back! Are you sure about this? He's not some spy, is he?
Leafa: it's fine. He's a little too dim to be a spy.
Y/n: watch it.
Recon: Sigurd and the rest saved us seats at our usual bar.
Leafa: okay.
She then thought for a little bit.
Leafa: I'll pass today.
Recon: huh? You're not coming?
Leafa: no, I promised Y/n a drink for saving me. See you later!
She then started dragging me away with her.
Y/n: h-hold on a minute...
Recon: Leafa...
Y/n mind: man, now I feel like a dick.
~timeskip~
We were in the tavern and got our drinks.
Y/n: was that guy your boyfriend or something?
Kirito: your lover?
Leafa: n-no! He's a party member. That's all.
Y/n: maybe, but you two look pretty close.
Leafa: I know him in real life. He's my classmate. But that's all it is!
Y/n: if you say so.
She then cleared her throat and grabbed my attention.
Leafa: anyway, once again, thanks for saving me!
We then claped cups and started drinking.
Y/n: those guys were pretty aggressive... Is PKing in a group common here?
Leafa: Salamanders and Sylphs are opposed by nature. But an organized PK like that is pretty new. I'm sure they'll start trying to clear the World Tree soon.
Y/n: can you please explain the World Tree to me.
Leafa: right, you did mention that. But why?
Y/n: I wanna get to the top of the World Tree.
Leafa: I think that's true for all the players. Actually, that's ALO's Grand Quest.
Y/n: what do you mean by that?
Leafa: you know about the limit on flight time. And no race can fly continuously for more than 10 minutes. But the first race to reach the Floating City atop the World Tree and hold audience with the fairy King Oberon will be reborn as an advanced class called Alfs. And they'll be able to fly as much as they like.
I then ate a piece of fruit pie.
Y/n: I see. That does sound pretty cool. So, how do players get all the way up?
Leafa: the base is a big dome. You can reach the Floating City from there. But the NPC guardians that defend the dome are really powerful.
Y/n: that strong, huh?
Leafa: the game's a year old. Would you believe no one's beaten the quest?
Y/n: maybe their skipping over an important quest. Or... maybe a certain race can't complete it by themselves.
Leafa: you have good instincts. Everyone's searching like mad now for a missed quest. But if it's the latter, no one will clear it.
Y/n: why not?
Leafa: because it makes no sense. If only one race can clear it, why would you help another race?
Y/n: does that mean reaching the top of the World Tree is impossible?
Leafa: I think so. But you can't just give it up. Not once you see how fun flying is. Even if it takes years, I'm sure...
Y/n: I don't have time to wait that long!
Kirito then flew onto my shoulder and touched my face.
Kirito: Daddy?
I started calming down realizing I snapped.
Y/n: sorry about that. I really need to get up the World Tree as soon as possible.
Leafa: why is it so important?
Y/n: the person I'm looking for is at the top of it.
Leafa: what do you mean?
Y/n: it's hard to explain. But thanks for the info, Leafa. It helps me out a lot.
I then got up and started walking off but stopped when someone grabbed my arm. I looked back and it was Leafa.
Leafa: wait. Are you going to the World Tree?
Y/n: yeah, I need to check it out myself.
Leafa: but that's crazy.
I then started walking away and she let go of my arm.
Leafa: it's really far, and there are a lot of strong monsters. Sure, you're strong, but... All right, I'll take you there!
I then stopped at the door and looked back, but looked down.
Y/n: I don't want you to do that considering we've just met.
Leafa: do you know how to get there? What'll you do about the guardians?
Y/n: I'll think of something while I'm at it.
Leafa: it's fine. I've already made up my mind!
Y/n: you're really stubborn.
Leafa: um... Can you log in tomorrow?
Y/n: n-no. I've got something important coming up.
Leafa: then be here at 3:00 PM the day after tomorrow. I have to log off. Use the rooms upstairs to log out. We'll, till tomorrow...
She opened up her minu and was about to logout.
Y/n: hold up. Thanks Leafa.
She then logged out and I headed into one of the rooms upstairs. I then layed down in the bed with the blanket on my legs. I looked to my side and saw Kirito was at his full size again.
Kirito: it's goodbye till Tuesday, Daddy.
Y/n: I'll be back before you know it bud.
Kirito: um... Can I sleep next to you until you logout, Daddy?
Y/n: sure thing, little man.
I scooted over and he layed down.
Y/n: how about we save Asuna and buy a house here?
Kirito: that sounds like a dream, living with you and Mommy again.
Y/n: I promise we'll find her. Now wish me luck tomorrow.