Sword Art Online: Aincrad's Hollow Fragment

January 25, 2023

Floor 8: Forest of Eternal Snow

It's been little over a month since I had announced myself as the Dark Prince of Aincrad and it didn't take long for people to react. Players would try to run me out of town to the point where me and Kiyo would have to sleep outside of safe zones near monster infested areas. Even on this floor where the weather is always freezing, we weren't even allowed into town. The only exception for me to stay in town was when we were about to fight a floor boss. The newly formed Aincrad Assault Team made it clear that despite the fact that I had 'ill intentions', I was one of their best hopes to clearing the game. Most people reluctantly agreed but still wished for my death. It didn't matter to me. What did pique my interest recently, was the fact that Kiyo had been distancing herself from me slightly ever since the first floor. I understood her motives, but I still wish she would talk to me about it. I don't want her to feel trapped into my adoption if she no longer felt safe around me. If she was scared of me, I wanted to know so I can prove to her that there was nothing to be afraid of. These thoughts rushed through my head as I was walking deeper into the snow-covered forest in the middle of the night. Me and Kiyo found a small patch of the woods that had no monsters and was hard to spot by the human eye. I was walking back from gathering some firewood and spotted her gnawing down on some strips of jerky we had made. I smiled and walked past her, setting the firewood down in front of her.

"I think this should be enough to last the night. If we need more, I could always chop down one of these trees. Sound like a good idea little pup?"

She didn't verbally respond, only nodding her head while eating her food. Her face looked disheartened, sad even. I frowned slightly and thought nothing of it. It was her recent behavior; I had grown accustomed to it. At least that's what I thought. In reality, I was scared. Scared that I had put her in danger, scared that I made her a target to use against me, but most importantly, I was scared that she hated me for what I had done. Admitting on the first floor that I was the son of Kayaba gave me more enemies than friends, and Kiyo could possibly turn out to be an enemy. I didn't want that. I didn't want a child that had so much hope in me to suddenly hate me because of what I was. I want to clear the air with her, but she won't even speak.

"Right... I'll just start the..."

Kiyo- I want to know...

This shocked me. I shot my head towards her, surprised. It took me a moment to snap out of my self-inflicted freeze and turn to face her.

"Know? Know what?"

Kiyo- You said that you would explain everything to me in due time, it's been one month, and you haven't said anything. I want to know everything, but you won't give me the time of day.

Was that why she wasn't talking to me? Because I haven't told her everything like I said I would? I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose.

Of course she's mad at you idiot. You promised to be truthful yet brush it aside like nothing's happening.

"Oh Kiyo, I did say that didn't I? I'm sorry. I just... don't want you to think I'm a monster based on what I say."

Kiyo- I would rather know the truth than have it be ignored Papa... I promise not to be angry at you for telling the truth.

"I know Kiyo... I just don't know if you can handle it."

Kiyo shifted towards me and lit a spark, lighting up the firewood. The small fire started to illuminate the area around us, giving me a better look of Kiyo's face. She was looking at me with a serious and determined look.

Kiyo- Papa... Please?

I couldn't say no to that face. She had a right to know the truth. With a heavy sigh, I sat next to her near the newly lit fire and rested my hands next to the virtual flame. The sense of warmth grasped my fingertips and soon surrounded my body. I looked at Kiyo and nodded.

"Whatever you want to know, I'll answer truthfully."

She wasted no time with the questions. She sat up straight and talked as if she was in a formal interview.

Kiyo- Alright. I suppose my first question would be about you. Are you who you say you are? Are you really Kazzu Akihiko?

I knew a simple yes wouldn't suffice with her newly found standards. Mimicking her posture, I looked down at her and nodded.

"Yes. My father is Kayaba Akihiko, who created Sword Art Online. I had helped him make this creation as his co-creator. We both worked on this project together, hoping to change the world and give people the experience of living in a whole new world. Sadly, my father decided to do something really bad and turn our dream into a nightmare."

Kiyo- So your Papa did something really bad to the game. If that was the case, then why didn't you stop him?

"I tried. Before the game launched, I tried to reverse what my father had done. He allowed a very dangerous system to overtake the one we had originally planned for the game; the result is the NerveGear being able to kill a player if they try to remove the device or die in the game. It also deleted two programs that I worked hard on to make."

Kiyo- Who were they Papa?

"They were meant to help a player both emotionally and mentally should they ever wanted the assistance. Without those systems, players are truly abandoned by the company behind the game and from ever receiving other forms of help besides each other. While this may be an advantage to some players, most players can't depend on others to burden their problems."

Kiyo- That makes sense. Make programs to be there when a real-life person couldn't be. I wish I could've seen them; they sound nice.

"I wish I could've seen them too. In a way, those two programs were also my children in a way. It... devastated me when they were deleted."

A short silence fell upon us before she scooted closer to me, nestling herself into my sides. I smiled as I figured that she must be cold. I pulled her in closer and pulled a small thick blanket from my inventory. She smiled as I wrapped it around her.

Kiyo- Thanks Papa.

"No problem sweetheart. Now was that the only question you had for me?"

Kiyo- Why did you make yourself the bad guy back on the first floor? People didn't like you for being a beta tester before but now they are targeting you for being Kayaba's son. Why put yourself in risk like that?

"Because if I didn't, those players would continue to suspect and distrust one another just because of the beta testers. I threw myself in the fire so that they could throw all their hatred towards me and learn to work together."

Kiyo- But doesn't it worry you that no one will even let you sleep in town?

"Not in the slightest. I've rather enjoyed being outside the safe zone, regardless of the dangers."

Kiyo- But what about your friends? What about those players you were telling me about on the first floor? Aren't they worried about you?

"Probably not. News has spread around all the floors so it's most likely they don't care about me."

Kiyo- But Papa, that means you're fighting a battle by yourself. You're all alone. Does that not upset you?

"Not at all. People are out of the way for me to do my thing and I'm mostly out of their way so they can focus on clearing this game. Making myself known is not only a danger to us but a danger for them. If they were to attack me or you, I don't know how much I can hold back before I had to hurt someone."

Kiyo- That makes sense...

She went quiet again. Her body curled up into a small ball as she gripped the thick blanket tighter and shivered. I look down at her, taking note that her shivering turned into trembling. My worries kicked into overdrive as I moved in front of her.

"Kiyo? Are you ok? What's wrong?"

Kiyo- I'm sorry Papa... I'm just... I'm scared to ask my next question. I don't... want the answer that I'm expecting... I don't want to be hurt again...

Kiyo started to cry. Tears streamed down her face and landed into the frozen terrain beneath her. Her sobs followed by hiccups and stuttering breaths. I quickly wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.

"Kiyo, I promise that whatever question you have that is causing you this much fear, this much pain, I will answer it truthfully. If that answer hurts you then I will do everything in my power to burden your pain. Please, don't be afraid. What is your question?"

It took Kiyo a moment to cease her whimpers and look me with so much hope in her eyes, she could implode from its pressure.

Kiyo- Did you adopt me just to make you look good? Did you adopt me to use me as a weapon? Do you... really care about what happens to me? Do you... even... love me?

Her questions kept pounding harder and harder against my heart. Each thunderous knock slowly filled my tear ducts. As that last question left her lips, it was my turn to hold her tight and let a few tears fall.

"Kiyo, of course I love you! I don't know why you think I wouldn't but I'm telling you the truth. Ever since we fought those monsters in the cave, I saw something in you that I wish to protect, something that I want to never leave my side."

Kiyo- What's that Papa?

I pulled away from her for only a second to give her a tearful smile.

"Hope, sweetheart. You gave me hope."

We both started crying and embracing each other through our sobs. Even though tears were falling down our faces, I could tell that both she and I were happy. A few minutes passed and she laid her head down on my lap. I gently started stroking her hair as she started to drift off to sleep. She turned her head to face me one more time and with a tired smile.

Kiyo- Papa... I... I want to see you in the real world. I want to live long enough to beat this game and reunite with you. If that happens..., do you think you could... adopt me in real life?

I continued to pet her head with a small smile. If we did live long enough to see past this game, I would be faced with a lot of problems. The public would see me as a terrorist and an accomplice to murder, the police would arrest me on the spot and the law would more than likely press all blame on me. Even if we did escape, there was a very slim chance of me being able to grant her request.

"Kiyo, I promise that no matter what happens, no matter if we are in this world or the real world, I will stop for nothing just to be your father in real life. I swear to you, I will find you in the real world and be your father."

Her exhausted smile grew a bit wider as her eyes started to close. I decided to help her sleep by singing a soft tune.

"The timid past that I admitted

I was scared without knowing

The self behind me reflects the reality now

I'm sure this place where I drew many skies

Fleeting disturbed

The body that jumped high in a dream

I will shake off any anxiety

The small feelings of sleeping spread out

I'm weak to notice, if you are

I put in a dark world strongly

The long dreaming heart is so eternal

I want to always be with you,

I'll give you everything I have."

Kiyo's smile remained plastered on her face as she shut her eyes. Her slow breaths confirmed that she had fallen asleep. I didn't have the heart to move her, so I planted a few logs of wood behind me and laid down. I may have made a big mistake promising her that I would find her in the real world, but I meant it. It may be difficult to adopt her due to the law wanting my father's head, but I meant it. I looked back at Kiyo, seeing the small glimmer of my reignited hope sleeping on my leg. With a deep breath, I knew the next words that fell out of my mouth were true. I meant it when I whispered in her ear.

"I love you, my precious daughter."