It's been a few weeks since Kirito and I split up but it was for the better since I didn't want to drag him into the whole beater thing. I was lounging in the town square when a familiar face came up to me.
Maverick: Klein?
Klein: Maverick?! Dude it's been forever! How ya been man?!
Maverick: It's been eventful. You're looking pretty good samurai boy.
Klein: I could say the same ninja boy.
We both laughed and headed to the local tavern. By the time we got out it was nighttime.
Klein:Yo Maverick, me and my friends are going to be doing some leveling on most of the trash mobs,want to come with?
Maverick:Sure i'll tag along but I won't be doing anything since killing anything on this floor will barely give me anything.And I can probably one shot most mobs here.
Klein:Okay well i'm the highest in the group of my friends so we can talk more so you ready to head out?
Maverick:Yep let's go.
........
Me and Klein were talking while his friends were talking behind us.
Maverick:I'm telling you Klein even though we're stuck in a VRMMORPG I think a VR game with guns would be amazing.
Klein:I hear you but i'm more of a fantasy kinda guy.
Maverick:I feel you,but, I still have a shred of hope that this doesn't soil VR games making them despised and never made again.I mean,even though we're trapped in the game i've been having fun.
Klein:I guess you're right it is kinda fun now that I think about it.Oh yeah,so are you and Kirito gonna group up again?I kinda got the gist of what was going on.
Maverick:I intend to. I feel my little speech has died down but I checked his profile and saw he joined a guild.
Klein:He joined a guild?!
Maverick:Yeah looks like their name is......The Moonlit Black Cats?
Klein:That's quite the name, but it's unique.
I looked into the distance and saw a group of people with a person with a familiar trench coat.
Maverick:Yo Kirito!
Kirito:Oh,hey Maverick. Klein?
Klein:What's up Kirito?
Guys:Sure!
Klein:Man,it's been a while since I've seen you.What? You doing some night leveling or something?
Kirito:You could say that....
Guys:It's all clear we can move on!
Maverick:Looks like it's time to split.When you're not with your guild,message me.We'll party up again just like we used to.
Kirito:Yeah,See you then.
Kirito walked off.Am I the only one who found that he was acting awkward?
Klein:Maverick come on let's go!
Maverick:Yeah....
I watched Kirito walk off with his guild as I rejoined Klein's group.
.........
After parting ways with Klein a few days back I was heading to get some info outta Argo even though I hate buying info.
Maverick:Argo.
Argo:Heya Mavy.What brings ya round these parts?
Maverick:I need some info on what happened to Kirito's guild since he was no longer in one.
Argo:Ooo,ya know,personal info is gonna cost ya extra so I hope yer packin some good Col on ya.
Maverick:Uh-huh.How much?
Argo:I'll charge ya bout,let's say 10,000 Col?
Maverick:Deal.
I transferred Argo the money.
Argo:Thanks fer ya patronage.So bout Kii-boy ,he actually came to talk to me bout items that can resurrect people.
Maverick:Resurrection items?
Argo:Yep.And were talkin bout people resurrection item,not beast resurrection items.Here.
Argo pulled out her menu and gave me a trade request.I accepted it and she gave me a video.
Argo:One of ma sources gave some vidyas from cameras from within the game and I reckon this one ill explain what happened.I'll put this one on tha house since I like ya,Mavy boy.
Maverick:Thanks,here, you take this as an extra.
I gave her an extra 5,000 col.
Argo:Ya sure know how to treat a lady.
Maverick:Heh,I try. I'll see you later Argo.
Argo:See ya later,boyo!
I left Argo and sat down at a bench when no one was around and played the video.It appeared to be Kirito and his guild.Looks like they're on a higher level floor. The video had audio recording as well
Sasamaru:You see,I told you guys this was gonna be a piece of cake!We might even be able to reach the front lines sooner.
Ducker:That's what i'm talking about.Look!
Then a secret door opened with a treasure chest in the middle. It was an obvious trap.
Kirito:No way!A hidden door?
Ducker:A treasure chest!Woohoo!
Ducker ran in and everyone followed while Kirito tried to warn them.
Kirito:No!Wait!It's a trap guys!Hurry!Let's get out of here!
The door was closed and I could only hear their voices since the camera couldn't see through the closed door.
Ducker:Teleport:Taft!Ah....Teleport:Taft!
Sachi:We can't use our crystals!
Kirito:They're probably being blocked by the walls!
Ducker:Ahhh!
Tetsuo:Ahhh!
Sasamaru:Tetsuo!Damn you!Ahhh!
Kirito:Sachi!
Sachi:Kirito!
Kirito:SACHI!!!!!
After that I could only hear a metal clashing until everything was silent.Then the door opened and I saw Kirito walk out with his head down and slumped shoulders.
Maverick:.......
........
It was Christmas Eve as I was walking through the forest in the snow trying to find this hidden tree to fight Nicholas.
Keita:It's all your fault!You had no right to be with us!
That's Right....It's my fault.My arrogance killed you, all of you. If only I hadn't kept my true level as a player a secret from everyone.I have to figure out a way to beat Nicholas,then I can revive Sachi.And then,I'll find out what she was trying to tell me.And if it's turns out she was cursing me,fine.I accept it!I saw a group warp across from me showing Klein and his group.
Klein: What's up?
Kirito: You followed me?
Klein:Of course...You're after the revival item,aren't you?
Kirito:Yeah.
Klein:Don't be risking your life for some rumor that could turn out to be bogus. Man,you can't be messing around in this death game.Once your HP hits zero,that's it. In the real world,your brain gets fried and it's-
Kirito:Shut up...
Klein:Huh?
Kirito:I SAID SHUT UP!!!!
Klein:Hey man stop with your soloing! Come on, join up with us or even Maverick. Whoever gets it to drop the revival item keeps it,no hard feelings? Hey,that's fair isn't it? There's no point in getting killed for this!
Kirito:But then there'd be no point.I have to do this. Alone.....
Klein:Think about what you're doing,Kirito!It's suicide,and I can't let you die like that!
Kirito:I guess you were being followed too,
huh Klein.
There were several people coming out of the forest with their weapons drawn.
Klein:Uh-huh.It sure looks that way.
Guy:It's the Holy Dragon Alliance!
Guy2:They'll do anything for a rare item,no matter how shady. What do we do?!
Kirito:You bastards.....
Klein:Screw these guys! Get out of here, Kirito!
Kirito:No way.
Klein:Leave em to us. We'll hold them off. Get going!
I ran off and found the hidden boss Nicholas and charged at him.
Kirito:Let's do this!
......
We were fighting HDA and things weren't looking good. But then, a flash of smoke appeared in front of us and
Maverick was there.
Klein:Maverick?
Maverick:Hey Klein.
Maverick turned towards the Holy Dragon Alliance as he pulled up his mask.
Maverick:Now I don't appreciate you guy's trying to kill my friends so I'll give you one chance right now to leave. Or else I'll have to get serious. And I'd honestly not prefer that.
HDA guy:You think you're tough then try th-
Before he could finish his sentence and draw his weapon he disappeared.
I looked and Maverick was were that guy was. Did he just kill someone?!
Maverick: See? So, who else wants to take a stab? Anyone? No takers? Guess I'll have to pick some volunteers!
The HDA ran away as fast as they could and me and my team fell to the ground in tiredness.
Klein:Did you just kill someone?
Maverick:Yep.
Klein:I see........Well,thanks for saving us.
Maverick:No problem, i'm guessing Kirito is doing the boss fight by himself?
Klein:Yeah, you should go help him.
Maverick: No,he can handle it. Plus,i'll help him later. Anyways,I gotta go I see you later.
Klein:See you.
As soon as Maverick left I saw Kirito come back.
Kirito Pov:
I walked out and saw Klein's team on the floor.I thought I saw someone disappear but at this point,I didn't care.
Klein:Huh?Kirito,hey!
I tossed him the revive item.
Kirito:There...that's the revival item.
Klein:Let's see....It says you must administer to the affected player...WITHIN TEN SECONDS!!!!
Kirito:If someone dies in front of you someday,make sure you use it.
Klein:Kirito...Listen.Stay alive,you hear?I don't care how you do it.Just stay alive to the end!
I was barely listening as I was walking away.Was this how those people who have nothing to live for feel?I felt like a husk.Devoid of emotion and drive.
Kirito:See you.
I got a room in a local tavern and didn't even lock the door in my room I just sat down by the desk.The silence felt nice.Maybe I should end it all.......No,that's too drastic....but it wouldn't be all bad.The clock striked 12 Christmas Day.I looked amd saw I had a gift from......Sachi?!I quickly opened it and it was a crystal.
Sachi: Merry Christmas,Kirito! By the time you hear this,I'll probably be dead. How can I explain this,let's see....To tell you truth,I never really wanted to leave the Town of Beginnings. And I knew if I fought with an attitude like that, I would end up dying someday. But that's not anyone's fault.That's something I need to deal with. Kirito,ever since that night you found me,you kept telling me I wasn't going to die,no matter what. But what if I got killed anyway? I knew that if I died,you'd blame yourself. That's why I decided to record this for you. By the way,I know how powerful you really are. Sorry, I sorta peeked when you weren't looking. I wondered why you weren't telling the truth about what level player you are. I wondered why you decided to fight with us. I never figured it out though. You know what? When I found out how
strong you were....I don't know, it made me so happy. I was so relieved. So even if I die,promise me you'll go on living....okay, Kirito? Stay Alive,so you can see the end of this world, and find out why it was created. Find out why a weakling like me ended up here. Find out the reason you and I met. Please,That's what I wish. Looks like I still have time,so.....Seeing how it's Christmas and everything. I'll sing you a song.
Sachi started to sing while I started to feel tears run down my face.I clenched my fists in anger.Why?Why couldn't do more?!That's when I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.I looked up and saw Maverick with his mask down he had a concerned look on his face.By that time the song ended and Sachi spoke again
Sachi:Anyways,Kirito.I'm so glad that I met you,and that I could be with you...even for a little while.Thank you.Goodbye.
I felt a hand on my shoulder seeing my old partner Maverick again. He had a serious expression on his face.
Maverick: Nice song.
Kirito:*sniff*Y-yeah, it was......Why are you here?
Maverick:Even after that message you still blame yourself huh
Kirito:I.....tried to save them......I wanted to protect them......
I felt myself tense up as my breathing became harder with a mixture of sadness and anger.I began to loudly ventilate as everything began swelling up.
Kirito:BUT I COULDN'T!THEY'RE DEAD BECAUSE OF ME!!!IT'S ALL MY FAULT!!!Why...?WHY AM I SO WEAK?!
Maverick: You gotta let it go. Live on, for her,for Sachi, and for the most importantly, yourself.
Kirito:I.......
I looked down not sure what to do and then I saw I got a party invite and I looked up and he smiled at me before sitting down on the bed.
Maverick: I'm not gonna get all inspirational or anything but I'll say this: Mistakes are a part of life, Kirito. Once you learn to accept that, you'll sleep better. It fucking sucks, believe me. But, you gotta know that you did the best you could. Anyways, I think it's about time we travelled together again.
Maverick crouched down next to me so our faces were at the same level.
Maverick:If you feel that you can't protect anyone, cover my back.
I gave him a weak smile and accepted the invite and we were a group again.
Maverick:By the way, don't expect a Christmas present or anything, I need my money.
Kirito:Hehe,that's because your a stingy bastard.
Maverick:Not today though. C'mon, let's get a good Christmas dinner at the tavern! Hold on because the dynamic duo is back everyone!
I nodded as Maverick slung one arm over my shoulder and led me out of the room as he began telling me what he's been up to since we split. I couldn't help but get a warm feeling from him like.....everything was gonna be okay.