Survive or Die

Kirito's POV

I looked around to see who could have killed Yolko right now.A far in to the distance I see a hooded figure running.

''Asuna, you handle the rest.You too Ava.''I said before jumping out of the window.

''Kirito!''I hear Ava call out.

I try to catch up to the hooded figure and take out my sword, but before I could do that, the person takes out a transporting crystal.

Why would a ghost need a transporting crystal?I thought.

''Damn it!''I said knowing he was going to get away.I threw knifes at him but something blocked them.

Where is he transporting too?I asked myself.

Before I could do anything, I tripped.Before falling into the window I feel someone pull me up.I turned to see Ava pulling me up before I fell.

''I told you to stay back.''I tell her.

''Your welcome.''She rolled her eyes.I looked up and saw that the person was transporting to who knows where.

-----BACK AT SCHMITT'S PLACE-----

Me and Ava entered the room again to find Asuna, yelling at us.

''Idiot Kirito!Don't be so reckless!You too Ava, who do you think you are?!Batman?!''She yelled dramatically.

''Yes Asuna I do, but sadly we didn't catch him this time.''She rolled her eyes sarcastically.

''Really?I figured some random perv would be no match for the world's greatest detective,''She spat.''Oh wait no, that's for the REAL batman!And your not batman are you?You will never be batman!''

''Hey, fuck you!''Ava screamed as she punched the wall.Then, she took a deep breath.

"Well that cut surprisingly deep!Well played.''She sighed.

''So anyways, what happened?''Asuna asked us.

''Unfortunately, he mangled to teleport away.I thought this system would keep us safe in this inn.I really did.Damn it!''I cursed under my breath.

''She was right!Grisalda's ghost is really coming for us!That robe belonged to her!She's here to take revenge on all of us!A ghost could really PK at the inner area!''Schmitt yelled and then started sobbing.

''All aboard the crazy train!Choo-choo!''Ava commented.

''That wasn't a ghost thought,''I said which got Asuna's attention.''There's got to be a system-related explantion for the two inner area murders, there has too be.''

-----AT THE PUBIC AREA-----

Ava's POV

''Is that black-robed figure really Grisalda's ghost?I'm starting to belive it now, now that I saw it twice.''Asuna asked, not really sure who she was aiming at with that question.

''No, that can't possible be it.''I said disagreeing with Asuna.

''Ava's right, if that was a ghost it wouldn't need a transporting crystal, wait transporting crystal?''Kirito asked himself at the last moment.My eyes widened.

''A transporting crystal.''I say under my breath.

''What is it?''Asuna asked us both.

''It's nothing.''Kirito cut her down.Asuna looked down for a bit and then started thinking.I did too.

A transporting crystal...

The armor the man was where last murders scene....

It all has to tie up...

''Here.''Asuna said cutting me off of my thoughts.She passed both me and Kirito a sandwich.

''Is that for me?''I asked her.

''What do you think I'm doing?Do you think I'm playing with you?''She asked seriously.

''A little.At first I thought it was a bomb but uh...thank you.''I mumbled the last part.

''What was that?''I could feel that she smirked as she asked me that question.

''Thank you, I said.''I huffed as I heard her laugh a bit.

''Thank you Asuna.''Kirito smiled towards her.I looked down.

Why is there this pain in my chest when he smiles at other girls?

Why do I feel this way?

''You guys might want to eat it already, it'll run out of durability and disappear soon.''As soon as she said that I started to chow down, but I quickly stopped as I took the first bite.

''This is actually really good..''I mumbled to myself.

''Yeah, it is.''Kirito said who heard me.

D-Does he think there better than mine?

SHUT UP AVA, STOP DOING THIS TO YOURSELF!

''Ava, you okay?''Kirito asked.I smiled at him.

''Perfect,''

''Where did you buy these?''I asked Asuna.

''I didn't buy them.''

''Huh?''I said as I looked at the sandwich.

''They didn't come from the store, I can cook you know.''She said.

''Uh-I don't know what to say,''I looked towards the sandwich again.''You could probably earn big cash if you sell these.''I said as I chuckled.Kirito agreed as well.Then Asuna stomped her foot making me drop my sandwich.

''I'm not give you another one.''She told me.

''My sandwich!''I yelled.''It was innocent!''I dropped to my hands and knees.That's when I realized something.

''Ava, what's wrong-''I cut Asuna off by putting my hand up.

''Shh, I must grieve and think.''I say.

Then, it hit me.

''Kirito!''I say and turn to him, he already seemed to catch on.

''I see!So that's what happened!''He said.

''Huh?What did you two figure out?''

''We really didn't see anything,''Kirito started.

''We just thought we saw something, but we were looking at something entirely different!''I said excitedly.

''The inner area murders, the weapons and methods to carry those out never existed in the first place!''

-----FLOOR 19:CROSS HILL, GRISELDA GRAVE-----

SCHMITT'S POV

''Griselda, your forgiveness is my only salvation,''I stood at the foot of her grave.''I'm sorry!It's all my fault!Forgive me Griselda!''I screamed and bowed my head as I closed my eyes.

''I had no idea things would turn out this way!''

''Really?''I hear and my head bolts right up.

''Really?Really?''I look around trying to find who said that, I sat there, frozen in fear.I felt something creep up behind me but when I turned it was just an animal.

I sighed in relief and turned back to Griselda's grave.

There was someone in front of me.

''Oh really?''I hear it say.I shrieked like a little girl.''What did you do?''It asked.''What did you do to me?Schmitt.''The feminine voice called out to me, it pulled out a sword.

''It's just....it's just that..''I suttered to get the words out.''I found a note and crystal in my belt pouch the day we agreed to sell the ring, with instructions...''I fade off.

''Whose was it Schmitt?''I hear a manly voice say.''Whose instructions were they?''

I looked up to see another ghost.

''Grimlock?''I say in a gaze.''Are you dead too?''

''Who?Who made you do it?''He asked.

''I-I don't know!I swear!''I stuttered.''The note only said to sneak into Griselda's room, save the gateway destination and put it in the guild's shared inventory.''

''And then?''The male ghost asked.

''That's all I did!''I said.''I didn't mean to help with the murder!Believe me, I beg you!''I say closing my eyes, waiting for what will come next.

''Really?That's all you did?I kinda expected more.''I hear.

Huh?

''Shh!''I hear the female one say.''We've recorded everything you said, Schmitt.''I look up to see Yolko and Canyz still alive.

AVA'S POV

''Th-They're alive?!''Asuna gasped in disbelief.

Yeah, there alive.''Kirito nodded.''Both Yolko and Canyz are alive.''

''There's the plot twist to the story.''I commented.

''B-But...''Asuna stuttered.Kirito cut her off.

''Players can not lose their HP at in inner area, but an object can still lose durability.Just like Ava's sandwich.''He said look towards me.

''I'm still hungry..''I whined putting my hand on my stomach.''But anyway, Canzy armor was pierced by a spear, but the spear was chipping away at the armor's durability not Canyz's HP.''I sighed patting my stomach.

''S-So the thing that burst into little pieces was..''Asuna started.

''Yes, it was he's armor.''Kirito answered for me.''Which means Canyz used his crystal to teleport away the moment his armor broke.As a result, we saw something that just looked like a player's death animation but was something else.''

''B-But Yolko..''I cut her off this time.

''The dagger was inside her back the whole time she was talking to us.''I sighed, kinda in a relief.I'm kinda glad she didn't die, when I thought about it, I was glad.Don't want anyone else dying.

''The whole time?''Asuna asked.

''Think about it.''I told her.''She never actually turned her back to us in that room.She talked to us while keeping an eye on her clothes durability as it decreased.Then she timed the whole thing to make it looked like she'd been stabbed by a dagger flying in from the outside.''

''So the man in the robe was..''Asuna caught on.

''I'm almost sure it was it was Canyz not Grimlock.''Kirito said.''Yolko and Canyz figured they could use that trick to fake their deaths and they used it something bigger-inner area murders.''

''And the purpose of that was to ferret out the culprit behind the ring 'accident'.''I finished.''They conjured up a phantom avenger by acting out their murders.''

''They must have suspected Schmitt from the start.''Asuna said, catching up.

''Hey, you still have Yolko on your friend's list, right?''Kirito asked.

''I bet it's small..''I mumbled earning a hit on my head from Asuna.Then, she looked on her friend's list to see that Yolko was still on there.

''She's out on the field on floor 19.''She informed us.

''I see.Anyways, let them settle this themselves first.We've already fulfilled our obligations in this accident.''Kirito told us.

''Okay.''Asuna nodded.''I still can't believe you guys figured this out by yourselves.''She chuckled.

''I told you,''I smiled proudly.''Me and Kirito are gods.''

That earned me a smack on the head.

SCHMITT'S POV

''Yolko and Canyz?''I mumbled.

''Yeah, it's us you idiot!''

''Ohhh, so r-recorded?''I stuttered.''So that's what it was.You guys would go that far for Griselda.''I sighed.

''You didn't hate her, did you?''Canyz asked me.

''O-Of course not!Believe me!''I begged.Then, I felt myself go down face first.Yolko and Canyz gasped, I looked at my HP bar.

''Paralysis?!''I gasped.

Suddenly, a hooded man came in front of me.

''One down!''He laughed.

I saw that another man hand a sword pointed at Yolko and Canyz.

''Don't tell me they're...''I cut myself off.

''He's certainly quite the catch.''I hear another hooded man say from my right side.''Isn't he one of the Divine Dragons commander?''My eye widen.He knows me.I realized he was holding an axe.

''The PK guild.Laughing Coffin.''I finished.He picked up his axe a little more.

''Now, what game should we make them play?''He asked.

''How about that one game boss?''The one next to 'the boss' asked excitedly.''A deathmatch were we spare the winner!''

''But you ended up killing the winner last time we played that.'''The Boss' said.

''It won't be a game if you ruin the suprise boss!''He whined.I panicked.

''So then,''He started.''Let's begin.''He walked slowly towards me, stopped right in front of me ready to strike but he stopped himself.Then, I noticed why.I hear a horse running towards us.The hooded men back up.

''Oh thank goddness we're-''Canyz said but was cut off

Suddenly a girl fell off the horse saying some colorful vocabulary.

AVA'S POV

''Fuck!''I said as I fell off the horse landing on my butt.''Ow!Kirito!You pushed me off!''

''Sorry.''Kirito said and helped me up by grabbing my hand, I made sure I hid my blush.

''Saved?''I hear someone say.

''Y-Yay?''I hear Yolko question.

''Dang it!That entrance was almost perfect.''I whined.

''I thought you looked really cool Ava.''Yolko said.

''Don't patronize me Yoga Pants!''I huff.

''Yoga Pants?''She questioned.

''Anyways, looks like we made it here on time.''Kirito sighed and slapped the horse, it ran off.

''So what'll be?My allies will be arriving any moment, are you going to be taking 30 front-liners?''Kirito asked the guild, telling by there outfits, there from the guild Laughing Coffin.

Me and Kirito both took out our swords, I stared at them intensly.If they were going to kill anyone, they have to go through me.

Since when do I care about other people's lives?

No time to be asking yourself Ava, focus.

''Detective Ava and Kirito, the Dark Angel and Black Swordsman, I'm going to need you to put down your weapons.''I spat.''Or things will get ugly.''I glared.

The middle man snapped his fingers and the rest put their weapons away.''Let's go.''

I could see Yolko fall to her knees as Laughing Coffin walks away.Me and Kirito both put our weapons away.

''Good to see you again Yolko.''Kirito greeted.Yolko bowed her head down.

''I was going to apologize after all this was over but you guys probably don't believe me anyway.''I smiled towards her.

''Kirito!Ava!''I hear Schmitt say.''You guys have my thanks for saving us, but how did you two know those three men were attacking us here?''

''We didn't actually know.''He said.''I only inferred that possibility.''

I turned to the rest.''Canyz, Yolko.''I called out.''Your two got Grimlock to make those weapons for you, didn't you?''

''He was relactant about it at first,''Yolko said.''He wanted Griselda to rest in peace.''

''Unfortunately, that's not the real reason.''I sighed moving a piece of hair away from my hair.''Kirito only figured it out half an hour ago.''

-----FLASHBACK-----TO THE RESTRANT-----

''I completely fell for Yolko's scheme, but I'm not mad about it at all.''Kirito said.Me and Asuna both agreed.

''Hey Ava, Kirito.''She said getting our attention.''If you were in their positions and a super rare item dropped, what would you do?''

''Let's see,''Kirito started thinking.''One reason for it being only me and Ava is to avoid those squabble.''

''I would give it all to Kirito,''I say.''Money isn't everything, it's the root of all evil.You don't need money to lead a rich life, good friends and a loving family are worth their weight in gold.''I quoted.Asuna stared at us and then looked down.

''We give it to whoever first received the dropped.''She said.We both look at her.''We stick to that rule.In SAO, you don't know what items were dropped intil the players declare them, right?That rule is the only way to avoid problems like players hiding their drops.Also, that system is why marriages in this world have siginificance.''She stopped for a bit.''If you marry someone, you share your inventory with them, right?So if you marry someone, you can no longer hide anything from them.''

I wondered why she was bringing this up.She put her hands on the table.

''This inventory sharing is a very pragmatic system, but it's very romantic.''She smiled.

''Marriage is something...important in life.It's finding your imperfect other.A perfect marriage is two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.A couple that are meant to be are the ones who go through everything that's designed to tear them apart and come out even stronger.''I say.Kirito smiles at me while Asuna looks down.

''Say Asuna?''Kirito asks her as the waiter brings us our food.

''Yes?''

''Have you ever married someone?''He asked.She suddenly grabbed her fork and pointed to Kirito, I did the same thing to her but with a butter knife.I could tell she was shocked that I did that but she didn't move.

''No!No!No!That's not what I meant!Ava you can but the knife down.''Kirito says.Asuna didn't move so I didn't either.

''You were say how marriage was romantic and stuff like that!''Kirito protest.

''That's not what I said!''She said as she kicked him.She sat down and so did I putting my knife down.

''I said it was romantic and praqmatic!''She corrected him.''And by praqmatic, I meant practical, by the way!''

''Practical?SAO marriage?''I asked.

''That's right!And what's up with you protecting Kirito all of a sudden?Do you like him or something?''My face turned red when she asked that.

How do I answer this?!

''N-No, w-were j-just friends and we're just fighting together to see our families again.''I say kinda holding my breath.Asuna just huffed.I turned to Kirito, he seemed to be deep in thought.I tugged at his shirt.

''Kirito?''I said getting his attention.

''Shared inventories.''He told me.I tilt my head, what was he talking about?

''If your spouse dies, what happens to the item?''He asked.

My eyes widen.

''The item goes to the other one.''I gasped.''That means the rare item in Griselda's inventory would got to Grimlock's.So the ring wasn't stolen.''

''No that's not it, it was stolen.''Kirito says.He turned to Asuna who was listening the whole time.''Grimlock took the ring from his inventory.''He said ans Asuna eyes widen.

-----FLASHBACK ENDING-----

''Grimlock?''Schmitt gasped.''So he gave me the note and killed Griselda?''

''Nope,''I say.''He wouldn't dirty his hands like that.He proabably hired someone to do the killing part.''

''He couldn't..''Yolko mumbled.''Why would he help us on our plan?''

''Yeah, I mean why would a killer EVER want to force someone else to confess to his crime?''I say sarcasticly.

''Oh my god, Schmitts not the killer.''Canyz gasps.

''Grimlock could have waited to get all of you together and could have killed you in one visit.''I say.

''I see...''Schmitt said.''So that's why those PK players were here.He hired them to kill Griselda.''

''Here he is.''Asuna says coming out of the woods and fog with Grimlock.

''You can ask him the details.''Kirito glared.They stopped when they were close enough.

''Hey guys, long time no see.''Grimlock greeted.

''Well aren't you just casual as fudge!''I commented as I glared toward Grimlock.

''Grimlock..''Yolko started.''Are you really a..''She cut herself off.''Why Grimlock?!''She screamed.''Why did you kill Griselda, your wife, and steal the ring for money?!''Yolko started to sob after she asked that question.

''Money?''Grimlock mumbled and then started to laugh.

''Bastard..''I mumbled making sure no one heard me.

Grimlock suddenly turned serious after laugh a bit.''It wasn't for the money, I, I had to kill her no matter what, while she was still my wife.''

We all gave him a confused look.

''She was also my wife in the real world,''He started.Everyone gasped.

W-Why would you kill her?I thought.

''She was the ideal wife in every way,''He kept going.''She was cute, she was docile, we never fought once.But after we were imprisoned in this world, she changed.''

I hugged myself.Have I changed?What has this world done to me?

Ava focus.

''I was the only one who feared and cowered from this game of death that we were forced into.But she seemed more vibrant and fulfilled here than in the real world.I had no choice to accept the fact that the Yuuko I loved no longer existed.Given that, how could you blame me?!Griselda changed, that was no longer her, I didn't kill her, I killed the thing that took her place.''

''Alright let me see if I got this,''I say cutting in.''So you killed you wife because SHE WAS TRYING TO SURVIVE IN THIS DEATH GAME?!''I screamed at him.

''And what man would blame me?Canyz?Schmitt?You know what I'm talking about.''He said.

''Don't talk to us man.''Canyz said cold-heartedly.

''I can't believe you,''I spat walking over to him and slapping him.''You had something special.Something most people spend their whole lives looking for.And you just threw it away like it was some piece of trash!And for what?Because she wanted to see the real world again?You disgust me in every way!''

''You'll understand one day girl,''He told me.

What did he just call me?

''When you're about to lose the one you love that you found.''He smiled towards me.My hands turned into fist, wanting to punch his stupid face, but Kirito grabbed my shoulder, telling me to calm down.

''Your the one who's wrong Grimlock,''Asuna said coming in front of Grimlock.''It wasn't love that you felt for Griselda, it was just desire to possess her!''

Grimlock fell to his knees, probably thinking about how Asuna was right.Kirito walked to Grimlock only to be stopped by Canyz and Schmitt.They turned to Kirito.

''Kirito, could you let us take care of him?''Canyz asked.

''Alright.''Kirito nodded.They walked of out of the woods but before they were completely gone, Yolko turned around and bowed, we all bowed back.

The sun started to rise making the forest a little less dark and depressing.

I stretched out my hands.''Well that was an interesting diverison.We should probably be getting to the front lines soon.''

''Hey,''Asuna said getting my attention.''This goes for the both of you, let's say you marry someone and later discover a hidden side to them, what would you think?''She turned to us.

''I'd consider myself lucky, I guess.''Kirito said.I turned towards him.''I mean if I marry someone, it means I already love the side she's beening showing right?So if I find out later she has another side to her and grow to love it too.It'd be double the experience...''His words shocked me but also made me think, he's a great guy.

''Well aren't you a love expert Kirito.''I teased him as I saw him blush.

''Well what about you?That stuff you said about finding someone special?It was......nice, to see you have a sensitive side.''He said to me.

My face grew hot.''T-Thanks.''I said looking down, making sure he didn't see my blush.

''Aw, is Ava blushing?"Asuna teased.

''S-SHUT UP!And keep your voice down someone might hear you!''I stuttered.''More importantly, I'm hungry.We didn't eat before coming here.''

''Your right.''Kirito agreed.

''I love it when you say that.''I laughed.

''We've been away from the front lines for two day now, we need to make up for that starting tomorrow.''Asuna told us.

''Yeah,''I agreed.''I'd like to clear the current floor within the week.''I say and start walking away with my hands to my head.Kirito grabbed my arm, getting my attention.

''What is it?''I say and turned, he was pointing at something, it was...a ghost.She was staring at us giving us a smile.Her gaze turned to me and then Kirito.My eyes turned to him and then back at her, she gave me a nod and then dissapeared.I smiled knowing what kind of sign she gave me.

''Hey Asuna,''I say getting her attention.''Let's become friends.''I smiled.

She looked kinda shocked at first but then nodded.''Sure.''She smiled.

''Anyways, you need friends.''She told me.

''What?!What do you mean?!I have Kirito.''I tell her.

''I don't think he'll be your friend for long...''She mumbled and started walking away.

''WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"

''Yeah Asuna, I'll always be by her side!''

Kirito said as we both ran after her.

I'll always be by her side.

I smiled.

How weird is this feeling, but I love it.