Sword Art Online: Aincrad's Hollow Fragment

October 25, 2024

Floor 61: Selmburg

Keita- You bastard! You're nothing but a murderer! You'll be the death of yourself and everyone you love!

Rosalia- You think you're better than us? Better than me? Take a good look at yourself you hypocrite! You sent us all here to die!

Kuradeel- You are nothing but a stone-cold killer. I'm dead because of you...

Kayaba- If you would've joined me, I could've saved you from all of this pain and suffering. Instead, you chose to bear my burdens like some sort of messiah... this is on you Kazzu!

Sachi- I hope you burn in the depths of hell along with your father! As far as I can tell, you two are one in the same!

Keita- Murderer...

Rosalia- Murderer...

Kuradeel- Murderer...

Kayaba- Murderer...

Sachi- Murderer!

Their voices surrounding my head, echoing in my mind. I wanted it to end, wanted the voices to stop. I looked up and saw the image of Kiyo and Ashtry. I sprinted towards them in an attempt to hold onto the only two people keeping me sane in this world. My eyes widened as I saw a shadow image walk up to them both and cut them down without a single regret. I slowed down and collapsed to the ground.

"No... please... not them... anyone but them..."

Kirito- Murderer...

Asuna- Murderer...

Silica- Murderer...

Lizbeth- Murderer...

"Stop..."

Diavel- Murderer...

Kibaou- Murderer...

Sasha- Murderer...

"Stop it...!"

Kiyo- Why did you kill us Papa?

Ashtry- I thought you loved us!

"I do... I would never..."

Kiyo- Murderer...

Ashtry- Murderer...

Their voices repeating the word over and over, drowning out my pleas which turned to screams of agony. When I thought it was never going to end, the voices stopped. They were replaced by the mortified, mangled and bloody corpses of my friends. Everyone I knew dead on the ground in front of me, even Kiyo and Ashtry.

"No... please... not them... take me instead... just please... don't take my family away..."

My cries and whimpers were responded to everyone dead in front of me fading into dust. I was alone, silent in the dark. For what seemed like an eternity, not a sound was heard. Then the red cloaked figure from the beginning of the game floated down in front of me, pulling out a black scythe and removing its hood, revealing my father underneath.

Kayaba- MURDERER!

My father charged at me and slashed through me with his scythe, ripping my soul out of its body and leaving me a lifeless husk.

"GAH!!!"

My heavy pants and fastened heartbeat confirmed to me that what I had just gone through... was a dream. A horrible nightmare. Cold sweat started to drip down my body as I clenched my heart, checking to see if I was truly alive.

"It wasn't real... it's... just a nightmare..."

I wiped my forehead as my breathing soothed itself. I turned my head slightly to see Ashtry, still lying naked underneath the covers in a peaceful sleep.

"Ashtry... she's still here..."

I smiled as I leaned forward and kissed the top of her forehead, which caused her to shift slightly. I scooted towards the edge of the bed, picking my clothes up from off the floor and putting them back on. Looking outside, the moon still shined down upon the town. Opening my menu, I noticed it was four in the morning.

"Damn it... no way am I sleeping after a dream like that..."

Standing up from the bed, I quietly made my way out of Ashtry's bedroom, closing the door behind me. Looking at the couch, Kiyo was still fast sleep, holding onto her pillow like it was a stuffed animal.

"Kiyo..."

I walked over to her and knelt down beside her, stroking her hair and humming her lullaby. A slight flash of her bloody corpse hit my head. I gasped and moved my hand back; afraid she was hurt even though she was in no danger.

"I'm... not... a murderer..."

Flashes of the encounter with Kuradeel slithered into my memory. The poison, the screams of pain from Kiyo... Kuradeel's death... his final words etched in my mind like a tattoo.

Kuradeel- Damn you... both... you... murdered me...

"You gave us no choice... but yet... I feel sick to my stomach..."

My goal was to save people in this game, never to take someone's life. I rubbed my temple as I shook my head in disbelief. I stood up and walked over to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and downing it in one go.

"How am I any better if I kill a player... regardless of cursor color?"

Ashtry- Kazzu...?

My gaze shot over at the sweet female, who came out of the bedroom wearing a robe which barely covered her chest. She had to use one of her hands to keep the rob from showing off her cleavage. She also looked worried, almost as if I had left her.

Ashtry- Are you ok? It's four in the morning.

"I'm aware Ash... but... I'm fine. Just had a nightmare."

She walked closer to me and wrapped me in a hug, which I reciprocated. She nuzzled her head deeper into my chest as I rubbed her back.

Ashtry- Wanna talk about it...?

"I... dreamt that everyone I grew close to died. You, Kiyo, Kirito, everyone. All the while, all of you were repeating the word "Murderer" and casting it towards me. I even had both Kuradeel and my father mocking me and telling me how similar I am to the both of them."

Ashtry- Hey... look at me...

She lowered my head to meet her eyes, her gaze calming me down even though she had a serious glare.

Ashtry- No matter what anyone tells you, you are nothing like your father. You are strong, kind, compassionate and a very outgoing man Kazzu. As for Kuradeel, what happened to him wasn't your fault. He attacked us and would have killed us if you and I didn't take him out.

I stayed quiet as she tried to convince me. Her words were true when it came to Kuradeel. If he had his way, we would all be dead, and no one would be the wiser. I smiled and slowly nodded my head. Ashtry responded by scuffing up my hair and walking into the kitchen.

Ashtry- It might be super early, but I'll make you some breakfast. Are eggs ok?

"Sounds good... thanks..."

She nodded as she started making eggs. I returned to Kiyo, noticing she flipped over where her back was now facing me. I sat down on the floor next to her and started to rub her back.

Kiyo- Papa...

"Good morning sweetheart... sorry if I woke you up."

Kiyo- It's ok... I was awake a few minutes ago... I also heard what you and Mama were talking about.

"Oh..."

Kiyo- Mama is right Papa. You are nothing like your Papa. I know that you wouldn't hurt a hair on me or Mama.

She hugged me tightly which I responded with a hug of my own, kissing her cheek.

Kiyo- I know it's not how it works but... don't have those nightmares anymore ok?

"I'll try my best little pup."

Ashtry- Breakfast you two!

Kiyo- Oh yum!

Kiyo jumped off the couch and ran to the kitchen. I smiled and followed her shortly after, only to be met with a whole bowl of scrambled eggs waiting for me on the table.

Ashtry- I decided to just put it all in the bowl and have us just go for it.

Kiyo- Thank you Mama.

"Thanks Ash."

I kissed her cheek, grabbed some plates and sat next to Kiyo. Kiyo immediately started piling eggs onto her plate and dug in.

Ashtry- Hungry are we sweetheart?

Kiyo nodded her head and continued to eat. I served myself and dug in. The eggs tasted divine. I instantly melted into the food.

"Beautifully prepared my princess."

Ashtry- Thank you my prince.

Ashtry leaned over to me and kissed me quickly. Kiyo smiled as she continued to eat.

Kiyo- You and Mama look so happy...

Ashtry started to blush while I gave my daughter a smile.

"Of course we are happy. We both love each other as much as we love you."

Ashtry- Agreed. Although I may be new to this mothering thing, I'm going to try my best to be a good mom for you Kiyo.

She kissed Kiyo on the forehead and went to wash her dishes. As me and Kiyo finished our food, we both got up and helped her clean up. After a while, a notification popped up in my menu. Someone had sent a message.

"Excuse me ladies."

I left the kitchen and opened my messages. A new message was sent...

From Heathcliff.

"What the hell? What does he want?"

Opening my messages, my question was answered. The message read: "I understand that you, your daughter and Ashtry are on leave of absence, but I need you three to report in. It's an emergency and I can't get in contact with Kirito and Asuna. Please report to me as soon as possible."

"Fucking hell..."

Kiyo- What is it Papa?

Ashtry- Everything ok?

"It's your boss. He's calling us in."

October 25, 2024

Floor 55: Grandzam

Heathcliff- Thank you three for coming in on such short notice.

"It's not like we wanted to. But if there is an emergency, I would like to know what it is."

Heathcliff- Fair enough. Kazzu, aside from Kuradeel, have you or Kiyo had any run ins with Laughing Coffin?

"Not in some time. There was one situation where we had to stop them from killing the survivors of a guild back on Floor 19. Other than that, I've only heard whispers about them."

Heathcliff- In order to establish a truce between the Assault Team and Laughing Coffin, I have been sending messenger scouts to meet with their leader and discuss a ceasefire. Unfortunately, the result every time has been the deaths of those messengers.

My eyes widened at his statement. He sent messengers to talk with the most dangerous murder guild? Not only did he send one, but multiple?

"You dumbass! You sent them to their deaths!"

Heathcliff- I was hoping they would be more civil Kazzu! I made an error in judgement...

Ashtry- It doesn't change the fact that you sent people to talk with Laughing Coffin.

Heathcliff- I understand my mistake Ashtry. That's why I called you here. I need you three for this.

"For what exactly?"

Heathcliff- We have discovered where Laughing Coffins base of operations is located: a safe zone hidden in a small cave down on the lower floors. Ashtry has been a great help in assisting us there.

"I would hope so. She didn't earn the title of "Red Hunter" for no reason."

Heathcliff- Well there is a reason behind it. She just hasn't told you.

"What?"

Ashtry- Sorry my prince... I was planning on telling you.

Heathcliff- Before she ran into you during your whole spout with Rosalia and Titan's Hand, Ashtry had presented us with her own unique skill: "Crimson Vision". This skill allowed her to identify players with murderous intentions by scanning their cursors. If a player was clean, the cursor would stay green. If a player intended on murdering anyone, their cursor, whether or not it was green, would turn orange. This is how she has been able to capture as many player killers as possible.

"One hell of a skill. No wonder you kept it secret; player killers would find a way to manipulate that system."

Ashtry- Have you noticed how my eyes sometimes shift into an icy blue? That's my skill being activated.

"Could've used that against Kuradeel. Would've made everything a whole lot easier."

Kiyo- Getting stabbed in the hands hurt a lot...

Ashtry- Trust me I did, multiple times. The only reason I didn't see it before you got attacked by him was because I was unaware that he was in your scouting party.

"Fair enough."

Heathcliff- Back to the topic at hand. One of her prisoners finally broke and told us about their location in exchange for his freedom. We assured him that if he was telling the truth, he would be set free.

"So, what now? You and rest of the Knights going to go there and wipe them out?"

Heathcliff- As much as it pains me to say it, that wouldn't be effective. We are running shorter on numbers as we climb higher and higher in the game. Hence why you three are here. I have gathered fifty of the games top players and have them waiting in the courtyard outside. We are planning a small operation to head to Laughing Coffin's base and neutralize them once and for all.

"Hell no!"

Heathcliff- I beg your pardon?

"It's one thing to rope me and Ashtry into this mess, but I am not sending my daughter and 50 others to go and fight a guild of player killers!"

Kiyo- But Papa...

"No Kiyo. I refuse to let you participate in this mission."

Heathcliff- If I may interject for a moment?

Heathcliff walked toward us while opening his menu, he pulled up the players list and scrolled all the way to the top. Ranked at number one was Heathcliff himself. Me and Ashtry were ranked number two and three while number four... was Kiyo. My eyes widened.

Heathcliff- Believe it or not, Kiyo is ranked in the top five strongest players of this game. What surprised me even further is that she even outranked Kirito and Asuna.

Kiyo- Whoa... I had... no idea...

"Me neither little cub. But I still..."

Heathcliff- Kazzu, I understand that you fear losing your child. But I promise you, I won't allow a single player killer to get close to her without some backup to protect her. Even if that means I have to take a few hits for her, then so be it.

I was shocked. Heathcliff had offered his own life to protect my daughter, despite the fact that this was a serious operation. He needed to focus on taking down Laughing Coffin.

"I..."

Ashtry- Kazzu... as much as I understand your fears... I believe that Kiyo will be ok. We'll be there to protect her...

Kiyo- Please Papa? I want to fight with you and Mama.

"But what about what happened with Kuradeel? These guys are going to be worse Kiyo... I don't want to put you through that..."

Kiyo- I know... but... I was scared because I thought I was going to lose you... I don't want you and Mama to go only to have only one or none of you come back at all...

Deciding against my better judgement, I sighed and looked her dead in the eyes.

"You are to stick by me or Ashtry at all times no matter what anyone says. Do you understand?"

Kiyo- I promise.

"You are also going to back away if either your health or their health goes red got it?"

Kiyo- Why should I back off if their health...?

"Because the last thing that I want from you is to turn you into a killer. I know that you know better than to take someone's life in this game."

Kiyo- Understood Papa.

Standing up and looking at Heathcliff, I extended my hand towards him. He gladly took it as we shook.

"If one player killer gets their hands on her, I'll make sure it's your head Commander Heathcliff."

Heathcliff- You have my word, Dark Prince.

After our meeting with Heathcliff, we gathered in the courtyard which was surrounded by members of both Holy Dragon Alliance and Knights of the Blood Oath.

Ashtry- This is serious...

Kiyo- I've seen most of these people do some deadly damage.

"Damage wouldn't mean much if they can't get close to their target. Laughing Coffin is no joke."

Ashtry- Kazzu... we'll be ok...

"That's not what I'm getting at. Most of these players haven't been in battle with player killers. These guys aren't part of a code with predictable attack patterns. Laughing Coffin will throw anything and everything at these guys. I want to make sure they are prepared to face real killers."

?- No way! Is that Kazzu I see? Ashtry and Kiyo too!?

The three of us turned our heads and took a step back as Schmitt, the ex-Golden Apple member, approached us with a smile.

"Schmitt? The hell are you doing here?"

Schmitt- Oh I was called on by the leader of the Holy Dragon Alliance to come and help take Laughing Coffin down. I was a little skeptical at first but when he confirmed you three would be here, I couldn't pass the opportunity."

Ashtry- What about Yolko and Caynz? Aren't they worried?

Schmitt- Of course they are. They would've been more worried if Kazzu wasn't here.

"I don't see why they think that. I'm not invincible."

Schmitt- You might as well be. Anyways, I'll consider this repayment for saving me and my friends from Laughing Coffin that day.

"You don't have to put your life on the line for my sake."

Schmitt- I know I don't have to, but I want to. See you on the battlefield!

With that, the pumped-up knight left me to think for a moment.

Ashtry- You ok?

"It's still hard to accept that people don't see me as a monster anymore... I've been so used to being called a monster that I never thought redemption was possible."

Ashtry- Well you're not a monster to me my prince.

Kiyo- Me neither Papa!

My small chuckle quickly fell as Heathcliff walked out to the courtyard and presented himself in front of the crowd.

Heathcliff- Today is the day where we stand against a major threat that has shrouded itself over us for far too long. The murder guild, Laughing Coffin, shall now face justice as we march into their base and stop them once and for all!

The crowd started to cheer, praising the commander. The three of us stayed quiet, pondering the possibilities of events going wrong.

If worse comes to worse... I might need to use my secret skill...

Heathcliff- Unfortunately, Kirito and Asuna could not join us for this raid. Luckily for us, we have three players who have faced Laughing Coffin before and stood victorious. The Dark Prince, the Red Hunter and the Devil Daughter have been kind enough to lend us their assistance.

A majority of the crowd looked towards us and cheered. I noticed a few players whispering and giving us dirty glares.

Looks like I still have a few haters.

Heathcliff- Now as for our enemy, we have no idea what to expect so keep your guard up and watch each other's backs.

The crowd prepared for a fight as everyone started to draw their weapons. If there was ever a force to go against Laughing Coffin, it was this group.

Heathcliff- Let's move out!

Lower Floor Safe Zone

Laughing Coffin Headquarters

The small cave we entered was surrounded by illuminating blue light, small square platforms hovering in the air moving from sides to side.

Heathcliff- Stay sharp everyone...

Kiyo- Papa... I don't like this...

"I don't either little cub... it's too quiet... the environment is changing... it spells ambush..."

Ashtry- Don't worry sweetheart. Just stick next to mommy and daddy and you'll be fine.

Kiyo- Ok Mama...

We continued on slowly and steadily. Any chance for an ambush making itself known by the second.

"I don't like this at all... it's too quiet... even with my listening skill, I can't hear anything off putting."

Heathcliff- Hold...

We all froze on the spot. Multiple floating platforms made themselves known as they swayed in the air from side to side. I held my sword and shield tightly, ready for anything. My eyes widened as I saw the glint of someone's weapon on one of the platforms.

"Above us!"

Right on cue, Laughing Coffin members descended down on us like wildfire, thirty members in total. Me and Ashtry instinctively moved next to Kiyo, ready to protect her.

Heathcliff- Commence the attack!

The battle had begun. Fifty of us vs. thirty of them in a battle more dangerous than any boss fight.

"Kiyo, stick close to me and Ashtry ok?"

Kiyo- Yes sir!

Ashtry- Let's do this my prince!

I nodded at her as the three of us charged into battle. A few members of Laughing Coffin splitting off to deal with us.

Two members. Both with small axes. Defend against both attackers, have Ashtry and Kiyo switch. Restrain if possible.

Laughing Coffin Member #1- Well look here, the Dark Prince and the Red Hunter, both here in one place.

Laughing Coffin Member #2- Not only them, but the Devil Daughter too.

I stood in front of Kiyo with my shield raised. My teeth clenched and my grip tightened.

"You won't go anywhere near her you psychotic assholes."

Without wasting a second, both player killers charged at us. Me and Ashtry took to the defensive while keeping Kiyo as close to us as possible without her getting hurt. Their axes clashing against my shield while Ashtry got a few good jabs in with her rapier. Due to us being a bit higher level than both attackers, we were able to get them down to the red quickly. I charged both red players and knocked them unconscious with a bash of my shield.

"Two down..."

Ashtry- Only twenty-eight to go...

We looked back at the rest of the attacking party and were stunned to see most of Laughing Coffin being killed by the Assault Team.

Ashtry- How many of them do you count?

"Besides these two... I count eleven Laughing Coffin members..."

Ashtry- How many of us?

"Roughly around forty..."

A tight grasp wrapped around my neck as I dropped my sword and shield, trying to pry the assailants off of me. Ashtry tried to release me but was captured by another assailant, leaving Kiyo unguarded.

Kiyo- Mama! Papa!

Laughing Coffin Member #1- Mama? Papa?

Laughing Coffin Member #2- It seems these two are this little girl's parents! Who would've thought!?

A third Laughing Coffin Member dropped down and chuckled. His tattoo emblazoned on his hand and his weapon displayed in front of Kiyo.

Wait... that weapon...

Laughing Coffin Member #3- So... we meet again... Dark Prince...

"You... you were the ones who attacked Schmitt, Caynz and Yolko!"

Laughing Coffin Member #1- Aww he remembers us!

Laughing Coffin Member #3- But not our names... the one holding you Prince is Johnny Black. The one holding your woman is XaXa. And me... you can call me PoH.

I grunted as he started walking closer to Kiyo, who had her dagger at the ready. PoH held his hand up to halt her.

PoH- I wouldn't do that if I were you brat. Make any motion against me...

He snapped his fingers, and my eyes widened as a dagger pierced through Ashtry's digital stomach. My body filled with so much rage that I didn't notice the blade impaling my own body.

Kiyo- MAMA! PAPA!

"You bastard! I'll kill you where you stand!"

PoH- Ah, and there are the magic words.

"What!?"

PoH- See Kazzu, while Laughing Coffins goal is to kill as many players as possible and to destroy that prison that the Knights have made, I have my own personal goal.

He kicked Kiyo at the bridge of her nose, sending her flying backwards and landing on her back. My rage only building as he placed his weapon at my throat.

PoH- To prove that you are no better than us.

He walked away from me and towards Kiyo again, who got up and looked at me and Ashtry with concern. I knew what she was thinking, and I would've done the same in her shoes. I had to think of a solution fast.

PoH- And to prove it... I'm going to take the one thing you love more in this world... not your woman... not your daughter... but the hope you have.

PoH lunged towards my daughter again, who retaliated by blocking his blade with her own. A chuckle escaped from the player killer as he snapped his fingers again, causing Johnny Black and XaXa to stab both me and Ashtry once again in the back.

Kiyo- No!

Her panic left her blind as PoH punched her across the jaw and kicked her while she was down. She struggled to get up as PoH held his blade against her head. He turned back to me, and I noticed a small smirk underneath his hood. He raised his blade up high.

Ashtry- I am not going to die, ok?

Kiyo- Why did you kill us?

Ashtry- Murderer...

Kiyo- Murderer...

Ashtry- MURDERER!

Kiyo- MURDERER!

My eyes shot open. My anger boiling up to the point where I couldn't take it anymore. Kiyo... Ashtry... I didn't care what they thought of me. As long as they were safe...

"Let them go..."

Johnny Black- What was that pretty boy? I couldn't hear you...

"Let... them... go!"

I moved my head forward and bashed the back of my skull against Johnny Blacks nose, releasing his grip on me. I quickly equipped a dagger and stabbed him in the gut, causing him to stumble back and fall down. Turning towards XaXa, two other Laughing Coffin members took hold of Ashtry as he charged at me. Looking at the other two unknown members, they were forcing Ashtry to her knees and preparing to decapitate her.

"ASHTRY!"

I bolted towards XaXa with my shield, my speed and force being too much for him this knocking him away from me and over towards Johnny Black. I then pulled out my sword and slashed at the two unknown player killers. My blind rage only subsiding when I noticed their digital bodies cut in half, shattering instantly.

I had killed two players...

I had murdered two players...

Ashtry- Kazzu...

The weight of that realization dropped down on me like bricks. I fell to my knees and started to tremble. My throat dry and my stomach lurched. If there was a way to vomit in this game, I would've done it by now. A sick maniacal laugh inched itself closer to me.

PoH- Simply splendid Kazzu! That's the aggression I've been craving from you. Pure, unbridled rage! The intention to kill your enemy without a second thought! I've done it! I've proven that you are no better!

His laughter echoed throughout the cave as the remaining Laughing Coffin members were knocked out and restrained.

Heathcliff- It's over. Surrender now and we won't harm you any further.

PoH- Oh my dear Heathcliff... I already have what I came for. Surrendering now would be a waste of my time. Besides, now that I've proven that your Dark Prince is just as much of a killer as I am, I have a new goal in mind. Corrupt him to the point where he ends this game through mass genocide!

An explosion of smoke surrounded the player killer as his laugh faded into silent echoes. As the smoke cleared, PoH was gone without a trace.

Heathcliff- Spread out! Find him and capture him!

Most of the assault team split up in search for the final member of Laughing Coffin. I couldn't be bothered to follow Heathcliff's command. I had killed two players, two living breathing people.

Ashtry- Kazzu...

"Stay back... I'm... I..."

Kiyo- Papa? Are you ok? Look at me, see? I'm fine. He didn't do that much to me. It's ok...

"It's not ok Kiyo!"

My daughter jumped back into Ashtry's arms as I screamed. Ashtry tried to reach out to me, but something held her back. She looked up and saw Heathcliff, a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.

"I killed them... I didn't hold back... didn't try to restrain myself... I just..."

Ashtry and Kiyo looked at me in silence as I rambled to myself. Kiyo holding Ashtry tighter as tears started to fall down my face.

"He's right... how am I any better than them...?"

A small weight was felt on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Heathcliff standing above me. His face full of remorse upon seeing me. He motioned me to stand up.

Heathcliff- Kazzu... allow me to show you and your friends something...

I said nothing as I slowly raised myself up and followed Heathcliff to a nearby town outside of the caves, Ashtry and Kiyo following quietly behind us. As we approached the teleport gate, our destination surprised me.

Heathcliff- Teleport: Town of Beginnings, Black Iron Palace.

As we were transported to this "Black Iron Palace", I decided to speak.

"Where are you taking me?"

Heathcliff- I assume you know what the Black Iron Palace is?

"Yes. It's where Sword Art Online keeps its jail. Players who commit crimes are taken there if they are caught in towns."

Heathcliff- That's true... but it's not the only thing the Palace has...

"What?"

Heathcliff- You'll see...

October 25, 2024

Floor 1: Black Iron Palace

We spawned inside the Black Iron Palace, the room completely empty aside from one giant monument in the center.

"What is...?"

Heathcliff- Take a look for yourself...

I slowly walked forward towards the monument with Ashtry holding Kiyo and following a distance behind me. Reaching the base of the monument, I looked at its contents and gasped. Inscribed on the monument was the names of all ten thousand players who had entered Sword Art Online.

"This is..."

Heathcliff- It's called the "Monument of Life". Each player in the game is written on here, once a player dies however, their name is crossed off.

Panicking, I looked at the names. Diavel was alive. Keita and Sachi were alive. Silica and Liz were alive. Kirito and Asuna were alive. A small smile that appeared quickly faded when I saw the names that were crossed off. Tetsuo, Ducker, Sasamaru... their names were struck through with a small straight line.

"How many...?"

Heathcliff- Hm?

"How many players are dead?"

Heathcliff- Roughly around four thousand...

My eyes widened as I fell to my knees again. Ashtry and Kiyo both rushing to my side and hugging me tightly.

Heathcliff- If I may say something?

None of us responded. Heathcliff stood next to me and took a deep breath.

Heathcliff- When I first heard about you Kazzu, I wanted to hunt you down and kill you myself. I spent a long time tracking your movements and planning for the right moment to take you out. But as time progressed, I noticed something that made me change my mind.

"And that was?"

Heathcliff- Your drive. Your determination. Your will to not only fight for the right cause, but your sacrifices.

"My sacrifices?"

Heathcliff- I'm pretty up to date with you Kazzu. Your declaration of the Dark Prince back on Floor 1, the Moonlit Black Cats, Titan's Hand, Golden Apple, helping that blacksmith friend of yours and even your heroism on Floor 74 against the boss. You have shown time and time again that you are willing to sacrifice everything, even your life, to keep just one person safe.

"And yet despite that... I helped make this virtual hell scape... I helped kill these people by not stopping him... by not stopping my father..."

Heathcliff- Why do you believe that?

"Shouldn't the one who helped take some responsibility!? If I just did something I could've..."

Heathcliff- And what could you have done Kazzu?

"I... I don't..."

Heathcliff- You don't what? You don't know? Surely if you could have stopped your father you would've figured out how by now. So, what could you have done!?

"I couldn't..."

Heathcliff- You were there when he pulled the switch weren't you!? So, tell me! Why didn't you stop him!? What could you have done!?

"Nothing!"

The room fell silent, only being broken by the soft whispers in my voice.

"I couldn't do anything to stop him... anything I could've done he would've already prepared for..."

Heathcliff- So you couldn't stop him?

"No... no I couldn't have..."

Heathcliff- Then why are you blaming yourself?

"What...?"

Heathcliff- From what I can understand, you tried to fight back against him and ultimately it led you to come in here to save as many people as possible. If you weren't here, how many people would've died instead? Five thousand? Eight thousand? Having you in this game has saved more lives than if you were to sit it out.

Kiyo- I would've been stuck at the orphanage... bullied by the other kids until I ran away and met my fate at the fangs of a monster... you saved me Papa...

Ashtry- I wouldn't know where I would be if I didn't meet you... I hate the feeling of losing you... if you weren't here... I would lose myself...

Heathcliff- So please Kazzu...

He knelt down and grabbed my shoulder once again, looking me in the eyes. I looked back up at his as he smiled.

Heathcliff- Stop blaming yourself. What you had to do was out of self-defense. If you didn't do what you did, Kiyo and Ashtry would be dead. Do you understand?

It took me a while to respond to his words. It felt as if he had experienced this type of thing before. I nodded silently, him nodding back and standing up.

Heathcliff- I am extending your leave of absence. Hell, I might even take one myself after this.

Ashtry- Thank you Commander.

Kiyo- Thank you Mister Heathcliff.

Heathcliff- Of course. Enjoy yourselves. And Kazzu?

"Yea...?"

Heathcliff- Don't stop fighting. Change the world.

He left us in the Black Iron Palace. Ashtry and Kiyo helped me back on my feet as I wiped the dried tears away from my eyes.

Ashtry- I think I'm ready to just crash on my bed. How about you two?

Kiyo- I'm exhausted...

"Same here."

Ashtry- Then it's decided! Comfy clothes and family snuggles back at my place!

Kiyo- Yay!

I smiled as we walked away from the Monument of Life. It would take some time, maybe even a long time, but I knew that I would eventually forgive myself for everything that's happened from lying to the Moonlit Black Cats to killing two people in self-defense. The only thing that I could think of was Heathcliff's final words to me.

"Change the world..."

I shuddered as an old, yet familiar chill ran down my spine.