Chapter Text
A real table would've groaned under the weight of all the loot piled upon its surface, but, as this particular piece of furniture was composed entirely of polygons, it could only complain by spewing forth a barrage of "immortal object" windows when the swords, spears, and other lumps of shining metal appeared out of the digital ether and crashed to its surface. A series of clanking sounds followed as the overflow fell to the ground.
"This is an insane amount of loot!" Yuuki said happily, jumping into the air.
Philia scratched the back of her head. "I know I'm a treasure hunter, but this is nuts. I'd have to clear a hundred dungeons just to get this much stuff," she said.
"It's all because Yuuki here went on a rampage," Asuna said, patting the top of Yuuki's head. Having a front row seat to one of Yuuki's mob massacres never got old. Asuna always felt a thrill in her heart whenever she watched Yuuki lose herself in a sword dance. It reminded her of why she loves VRMMOs so much, and why she fell in love with Yuuki. But lately, it seemed like Yuuki only smiled in battle, and never while she and Asuna were alone together.
Yuuki grinned, white teeth sparkling. "I just got into a groove, that's all. And it's not my fault mobs keep spawning right in front of me!"
"You're more of a monster than they are," Philia said, hand on her hip. "It's gonna take forever just to get all this stuff appraised. And seriously, what even is this?" She held up a bizarre knife with three branching blades.
"It's yours, if you want it! It can be your reward!" Yuuki said. She picked up a one-handed sword with an ornate handguard and gave it a few practice swings.
"I already know what I want for my reward," Asuna said, walking behind Yuuki and kissing the top of her head. Yuuki froze, the tip of the sword pointed at the ground.
"Ah, I just remembered I had something to do today!" Philia said, her cheeks bright red. "I'll see you two around!" She tapped at a menu and quickly disappeared in a cloud of red pixels.
Asuna giggled. "Well, we're all alone, and that loot isn't going anywhere." She brushed Yuuki's hair to the side and planted a kiss on the back of her neck. "Let's give those mobs some time to respawn, hmm?" she whispered into Yuuki's pointy ear. The reddening tip brushed against Asuna's cheek as she leaned a bit of her weight onto the shorter girl.
"Ah, um, do you want to get that stuff appraised? There's probably a big line at the shop, and- ahh…" Yuuki's suggestion ended with a moan when Asuna swirled the tip of her tongue in the delicate whorl of Yuuki's ear. Asuna's hand slid up Yuuki's belly, and stopped when she felt the metal armor curve at the bottom of Yuuki's small breasts. Yuuki leaned back into Asuna's embrace, her chin tilted up. Despite Yuuki's bloodthirsty nature on the battlefield, she was always putty in Asuna's hands in the bedroom. The dichotomy of her nature always amused Asuna, but she felt privileged to see a side of the fearless clan leader that no one else ever got to see. And, she honestly didn't mind taking the lead in these kinds of situations.
"Let's get comfortable, shall we?" Asuna said. She gently took Yuuki's wrist and opened a status window. It was the only way to undress someone in the digital realm, since normally the buckles on Yuuki's armor would be as impenetrable as the door to an event-locked dungeon.
To Asuna's surprise, Yuuki shook off Asuna's grip and quickly scrolled over to the logout menu. "I'm getting a little tired today, Asuna. I think I overdid it a bit out there. I'm going to hang out in the Serene Garden for the rest of the day." She stepped forward, out of Asuna's embrace.
"Yuuki, I'm sorry-" Asuna began to say, but she could only watch the back of Yuuki's head dissolve into pixels as her weight suddenly disappeared from her arms. Now, her only companion was the pile of metal and leather on the table. Frowning, she grabbed the loot by the armload and dumped it into the chest, where it was swallowed up. Her mind was so clouded over that she didn't even bother to look for a new rapier among the weapons. Without Yuuki around to gush over enchantments with, it was all just icons and numbers on a screen to her. She sat down on the bed of their shared room with a sigh, then lazily laid down, her blue hair spread across the pillow like ocean waves. The soft orchestral BGM was her only companion. She opened the menu and swiped over to her friend list, then sighed again when she saw that she was the only one online. Even though ALO was still quite popular, the downtime between events could make it feel as empty as a ghost town. With nothing better to do, she hit the logout button with a closed fist.
The AmuSphere whirred softly as it powered down. Blinking away her drowsiness, Asuna unlatched the machine and slipped it off her head, causing her brown hair to spill out over the pillow. The familiar sight of her cream-colored bedroom ceiling replaced the wooden paneled one in her virtual room. She placed her AmuSphere on its charger on a shelf next to her bed, then rolled out of bed. Crimson sunlight filtered through the window curtains. It was, unfortunately, still too early for Asuna to just go straight to sleep. Her bare feet sank into the plush carpet as she padded over to her desk. She figured she could spend the rest of her evening reviewing her schoolwork. It's not as if her grades needed to improve, but her mother might get off her back for a little bit if she saw Asuna bent over a book once in a while. She sat at her chair and reached across the desk for a pen to twirl between her fingers, and her eyes fell upon a digital picture frame sitting on the corner, right next to a pile of books. The pixels showed a screen grab from ALO. Asuna and Yuuki, facing the camera, were in the stone-faced walls of a dungeon, with Asuna wrapping her arms around Yuuki from behind, their hands clasped on Yuuki's chest. They both wore huge smiles on their faces, and a window displaying the floor clear bonus was visible in the background. Asuna smiled to herself as she picked up the picture frame. Yuuki was overjoyed that day, since they were the first clan to clear yet another dungeon, and they got a legendary rapier as a drop as well. She was far happier that she was able to give Asuna a gift than she would be if she got a one-handed sword that she could use herself. Siune squealed in delight when Yuuki got down on one knee to present the rapier to Asuna, just like a squire would present a sword to her knight. In fact, when Asuna swiped her finger across the display, she saw that very scene, frozen in pixels. Indeed, most of the pictures in the album loaded onto the digital frame were Siune's screen grabs. Another photo showed Yuuki giving a bouquet of flowers to a heavily-blushing Asuna, and in the next one, Yuuki is in the middle of spilling digital jam all over Asuna's dress during a picnic. The once pure-white garment turned the same shade of purple as Yuuki's hair, and, despite Yuuki saying that their color schemes finally match, Asuna still stole Yuuki’s pudding. Sighing, Asuna replaced the picture frame and leaned back in her chair. They never got the chance to meet during SAO, but after they started playing ALO together, it felt like the chains came off their hearts. After they first kissed in a dungeon after beating a boss together in ALO, they became more comfortable with showing their affection in public. Well, among the digital public, Asuna reminded herself. It's not like they'd ever get the chance to have a picnic in the real world, or feel Yuuki’s warm palm against her own as they held hands. She gently traced a finger along the curve of her own lips, knowing she'd never taste Yuuki's upon them. Not for the first time, Asuna wondered if it was a mistake to kiss Yuuki on that fateful day and put action behind the feelings they both felt but left unsaid. She knew that, someday soon, the only place she could ever visit Yuuki in person would be the graveyard, and only the touch of cold marble would greet Asuna's lips. After having survived a death game, one would think she would be comfortable with death, but the opposite was true. She would trade places with Yuuki in a heartbeat, if it meant her girlfriend could unleash her boundless energy upon the real world. Someone as strong as Yuuki would mourn Asuna's loss, move through the stages of grief just as if it was one of the many dungeons they conquered together, and find love again with someone else. If only the AmuSphere could swap their minds. An entire virtual universe was created on a microchip, yet human suffering was still as vivid as ever. Asuna took a sip of lukewarm tea and swished it around her mouth before swallowing, then buried herself in a textbook.
Several days passed, and still no sign of Yuuki. Her fellow members of the Sleeping Knights haven't heard anything, but the looks of languid resignation on their faces spoke volumes. She decided to go farming to clear her mind. Asuna stunlocked a mob by repeatedly poking it in the eyeball with the tip of her rapier, oblivious to the whirlwind of chaos erupting around her. She stumbled forward a bit when the beast shattered into a cloud of red shards. A massive broadsword occupied the space where the wolf once stood, and it made a clunking noise when Asuna's rapier scraped against it.
"Whoa there! I almost got a PK!" Strea said.
"Sorry. I was on autopilot for a moment," Asuna said, rubbing the back of her neck.
With the battle now over, Strea rested her massive sword on her shoulder. "You've been out of it lately. Do you want to talk about it?"
In the past, the prickly Asuna would've shrugged off such suggestions, no matter how heartfelt. But ever since she met Yuuki, she was far more willing to open up her heart after Yuuki smashed through the walls surrounding it. Plus, Strea was a mental health AI, and Asuna could think of few people more appropriate to spill her troubles to; it's not like she could talk to her mom about her VRMMO girlfriend. Asuna holstered her rapier and smiled weakly. "Sure."
Strea extended a hand towards a nearby tree and led Asuna to a grassy area in the shade. "Here, have a seat," Strea said, slipping seamlessly from her role as a tank to a therapist. She sat down next to Asuna and opened a menu. "Want some tea?" she asked, summoning a thermos.
"Sure," Asuna said, gratefully accepting a steaming cup. Although the rich taste was delicious, it lacked the tactile sensation on her tongue of the real deal. Even the cup still on her desk in the real world had little bits of leaves floating around, a small detail of the type still missing in even the most detailed VR games.
Strea pulled her knees up to her chest and folded her arms over her knees. She rested her chin on her arms, a lock of cream-colored hair falling over her face. "Does this have anything to do with how we haven't seen Yuuki in a while?" she said.
Asuna felt heart skip a beat. No wonder she's a mental health AI, she thought. After she nodded, Asuna said, "I think I came onto her a little too strong when we were celebrating after a good farming session. I know this is my first serious relationship and all, but I felt like I understood our boundaries pretty well, and I would never do anything to hurt her or make her feel uncomfortable, but I'm really starting to get worried that I did something that I can't take back."
"What did Yuuki say?"
"Just that she wasn't feeling too well, and she was going to rest for a bit. But I haven't gone this long without her since we met."
Strea smiled. "Well, she is sick. Maybe she really did need some rest, it has nothing to do with what you did or didn't do, you know? I bet she wants nothing more than to see you, but she has her own things to deal with."
Asuna felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment. She looked down at her boots. Strea had a point; she was acting self-centered. Yuuki was so vivacious that it was easy to forget that the clock on her life was quickly winding down. To those that don't know the motivation driving the Sleeping Knights, they would just look like any other hardcore clearing guild. But, some of the names inscribed in the Monument of Swordsmen were duplicated on a gravestone in the real world. And, as much as Asuna tried not to think about it, Yuuki will someday join them.
Asuna's mouth felt dry. She licked her lips. "You're right, I shouldn't only be thinking of myself. Yuuki never ran from anything in her life, and I know she would never ghost me," she said. She traced a finger down the laces of her boot, then looked over at Strea. "Do you think it was a mistake to fall in love with a dying girl? Won't we both be hurt, in the end?"
"Oh, sweetie," Strea said. She moved closer and put an arm around Asuna's shoulders. "We don't get to choose who we fall in love with. It just sort of happens, you know?" Strea's normally cheery voice took on a softer, cottony tone. "And I don't think there's anything wrong with loving someone with a terminal illness. I think you've made each other's lives happier and richer. Even if the wick on the candle of her life is shorter than yours, that doesn't mean you shouldn't help it burn as brightly as possible, or shy away from the flame, right?" Strea said. She squeezed Asuna's shoulder.
Asuna leaned her head against Strea's warm shoulder. Strea would know a thing or two about death; after all, she was created to support the mental health of players in the early days of VR, when no one was quite sure how such an inversive experience would affect the mind. But, just like thousands of human players, she too was once stuck in the hell of SAO. She helped many players process the grief of losing a friend to such a pointless struggle. Many tears were shed into her arms, as Asuna found herself doing now.
"It just feels so unfair," Asuna said, as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. "I feel like I'm going to lose someone I love all over again, but in the real world, I can't even fight by her side."
Strea rubbed Asuna's arm, while holding her hand. "I know. But even if you can't help Yuuki fight the greatest battle of her life, just being by her side here will be proof enough of your love," Strea said.
Just then, a notification chime beeped, and a window opened. Blinking through her tears, Asuna read the blurry text. It said that Yuuki had just logged in, and her current location was listed as the World Tree. Asuna's heart jumped into her throat. She tried to stand up on wobbly legs, and was grateful for Strea's assistance. "I'm sorry, Strea, but I have to go!" Asuna said, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
"Don't be sorry! Go, be with your girlfriend!" Strea said, giving Asuna's back a gentle push. "And say hi to Yuuki for me!"
"I will! And thank you!" Asuna said. She summoned her wings, then Strea picked her up by the hips and launched into the blue sky. Sonic booms surrounded her body as she flew at max speed, nearly knocking several players out of the sky. Expletive-filled word bubbles formed in her wake like clouds. The massive, green bulk of the World Tree was visible halfway across the map, and Asuna didn't bother to reduce her speed. Her plan was to grit her teeth and crash into it, exchanging speed for pain. Like a blue missile, she aimed directly for the trunk. As expected, she experienced immediate deceleration. But instead of seeing the usual "immortal object" window, she heard a groaning noise, then the massive tree began to tilt over. Shocked, Asuna didn't summon her wings in time, and she crashed through the branches. She hit the ground and tumbled, finally rolling to a stop at Yuuki's feet just as the World Tree hit the ground with a deafening roar.
"Holy shit!" Yuuki said, staring slack-jawed at the upturned roots of the once-formidable tree, and the giant hole in the ground where it once stood.
"I swear, I didn't mean to do that! I didn't even know that was possible!" Asuna said, still dizzy from the impact. Yuuki reached down and lifted Asuna to her feet. Asuna very much wanted to hug Yuuki, but, not wanting to upset her again, kept her distance. Yuuki quickly tackled Yuuki into a hug.
"What's with you all of a sudden, acting like we're strangers?" Yuuki said, squeezing Asuna.
Asuna swallowed. "Well, I thought I went a little too far last time, and maybe you got a little scared."
Yuuki cocked an eyebrow. "Asuna, don't we know each other well enough by now that you know I would say something if you made me uncomfortable? I really wasn't feeling well that day. I am, you know, dying."
"Erm…" Asuna looked down at her shoes, at a loss for words. In her heart, she knew Yuuki was right. Yuuki had never turned tail from anything, and if Asuna had indeed crossed a line, Yuuki would certainly let her know. Asuna felt ashamed of herself for having such little faith in her partner.
"Besides," Yuuki said softly, her booted feet entering Asuna's field of view. She tilted Asuna's chin upwards until their eyes met. "I already beat you once in a duel. Don't get a big head and start thinking I'm afraid of you!"
"Ow!" Yuuki started pulling Asuna's cheeks. Windows requesting a duel kept popping open each time her cheeks reached full extension. "Yuuki, your icon, it's-" Asuna said, noticing the green crystal above Yuuki's head started flashing shades of yellow.
"Ack!" Yuuki took her hands off Asuna's face and started swatting at her own player icon. "Go back, you! I'm not a domestic abuser!" she said, as Asuna massaged her swollen cheeks. After batting it around for a bit, the crystal stayed a solid green color.
"Phew! That was close. Oh yeah, I wanted to talk to you," Yuuki said, eyebrows waggling. "Here, sit," she said, sitting down cross-legged and patting the grass next to her. Timidly, Asuna lowered herself to the ground, for the second time today. She wondered how many tears she would shed this time.
Yuuki licked her lips. "So, I know you know the meaning behind the Sleeping Knights, and what the only prerequisite is for joining? Well, what if I said I might have to resign from the guild?"
Asuna gasped. "Oh, Yuuki, I'm so sorry. I had no idea." She took Yuuki's hands in her own. "So, are you going to the hospice in the real world…?"
Yuuki blinked. "What? No, I'm not dying. I mean, I am, but- argh, I'm always so bad at things like this!" She squeezed her eyes shut, then squeezed Asuna's hands. After taking several deep breaths, Yuuki opened her eyes again, a shining determination in her red irises. "Okay, so, there's a new, experimental gene therapy out there, and my doctor said I would be a good candidate for the trials. It's something like, it uses a virus to replace my old, broken immune system genes with ones that work properly. But first, they have to blow up my old immune system, so that the new one can take root. My doctor said it's kinda like how you have to demolish an old building before you can put up a new one. Now, for a little while I won't have any immune system at all, so I'll be more vulnerable than a player at level one. Basically, even the common cold will kill me. My doctor puts my chance of survival at fifty-fifty, and that’s probably just to make me feel better," Yuuki said, wiggling her hand for emphasis. "Plus, I'll have to be disconnected from the Medicuboid. It's a choice between certain death later, or possible painful death sooner with a chance of leaving the hospital someday."
"Yuuki, that sounds like a really tough decision. I couldn't even imagine what must be going through your mind right now. But, no matter what you choose, I'll support you 100%."
Yuuki smiled bashfully. "Actually, I've already made up my mind. I'm going to get the treatment. Asuna, I love you so much that I want to take any chance to be with you for a little bit longer, even if the chance is fleeting. I don't want what we have here to stay here. I want to kiss you in real life, too. If you feel the same way, of course!"
Asuna laughed, happy that Yuuki was able to keep herself in good spirits at such a difficult time. "I do!" she said. "You give my life meaning, and I'll wait however long it takes until we can see each other."
Yuuki grinned, a beautiful smile that brushed away all of Asuna's worries. "Great! I know that I'll always feel you by my side, even when I'm alone in a hospital bed. I'll make sure to let you know how things work out, for better or for worse," Yuuki said. She stood up and stretched, her eyes gazing off at a distant horizon, then she turned her focus on Asuna. "Well, I should get going. I have appointments and stuff to get ready for the procedure. They took a sample of bone marrow from my leg yesterday, and it hurt so bad I thought I was going to pass out. But, when I thought about you, Asuna, it gave me the strength to push through. Just thinking about your face makes even the worst days bearable. I'm willing to roll the dice on my future, because I want to spend it with you. So, I'll see you soon!" Yuuki said. Asuna hugged her, squeezing Yuuki's small body. They kissed, and the warm, soft touch of Yuuki's lips flew away like a feather on the wind as she logged out. Asuna gently touched her own lips, trying to burn the sensation into her memory. She couldn't wait until the day when she could feel them in real life.