Survive or Die

Ava's POV

"Let's settle it with a duel."

I smirked.

I hope Chief knows what he's getting into.

-----TIME LAPSE-----

"Kirito please~"I cried, practically begging him to let me fight Heathcliff.

"No Ava.I already said I'm going to fight him."

"Alright."I sighed, finally giving after an hour of begging.

"You both are idiots!Why would you guys say that?!"Asuna screamed at us while Kirito got ready for the battle.

"Sorry Asuna, we weren't thinking."Kirito calmed her.

"Speak for yourself, I actually really want to knock his virtually teeth out."I mumbled rolling my eyes.

Asuna sighed before talking."When I saw your guy's skill back there, I thought your strength was on a whole other level.But the commander has a unique skill too."

"Asuna, we've seen it several times,"I spoke."Divine Blades. A skill that maximizes both attack and defense power.The attack is strong, but the defense is fantastic."

"No one has ever seen his HP bar fall into the yellow zone,"Asuna remarked."It's completely overpowering."

"I know."Kirito cut in.

"What are you going to do?"She asked."Not only if you lose I will not be able to leave, but you'll have to join the guild."

"Asuna, calm down."I huffed, rolling my eyes at the drama queen."Kirito is amazing when it comes to skill, have faith in him.I bet everything that he'll give it his all."

"Yeah, I don't plan to lose easily."He smirked standing up from where he was sitting.

-----TIME SKIP TO THE BATTLE-----

The stadium was packed and I knew many people made bets with this fight.It was almost like a football or soccer game was going to play out, but instead, SAO got dueling.

Heathcliff and Kirito were already in the middle of the arena, ready to fight.

Heathcliff sent him a battle request and Kirito accepted.

"KICK HIS ASS KIRITO!"I encouraged earning a glare and comment from Asuna.

"Ava!"

"What?"

"Shut the hell up!"

"Fine.."I mumbled playing with my hair.

Both opponents drew their swords and positioned themselves to fight.

3...

2...

1!

Kirito instantly lunged towards Heathcliff, sending the first blow.Wave after wave after wave, Kirito attacked, head completely in the duel.Heathcliff only blocked his attacks with his shield before finally hitting him, sending he flying.

"The hell?!"I thought out loud, griping my hands around the bars, tighter.

The crowd was getting over excited as the duel kept going.Especially when Kirito managed to cut Heathcliff cheek.

"Go Kirito~!"I cheered.

Asuna only stood back, and watched.

His moves were similar to when he fought the boss but it didn't worry me.Kirito wouldn't die in this duel, that was for sure.

Increasing his speed, Kirito kept striking at Heathcliff only to be blocked by his shield.Then, seeing an entrance, Kirito attacked.

But then Heathcliff...

Blocked it.

At inhuman speed.

Stabbing at Kirito, making his HP fall into yellow.

It was way to fast to be even seen if you weren't playing attention.

"That was,"I gasped."Way to fast."

The crowd burst into cheers as Heathcliff walked away from the fight.

-----TIME LAPSE TO ÁGIL'S SHOP-----

"Damn.This is gonna get annoying fast."I mumbled to myself making sure no one heard me as I tried on the Knight's uniform.

"D-Didn't we request the less flashy ones?"Kirito forced out as he tried his uniform on.

"It's one of the far less flashy ones."Asuna spoke."You both look great!"

Kirito suddenly collapsed onto the bed.

"Kirito?"I asked curiously, sitting by his side.

"I'm sorry Ava,"He sighed."I didn't mean to get you into the guild."

"Don't sweat Kirito,"I assured him."I'm actually starting to like this uniform."

He tried really hard.

I can't get him even more depressed.

"I'm sorry for dragging you both into this,"Asuna apologized.

"It's fine Asuna,"I assured her as well."It was about time we joined a guild anyways."I shrugged.

"Hey, you two,"She said making us both turn to her."I want you to tell me why you've been avoiding guilds and other people.It isn't just because you both are beta testers or have unique skills, right?"

I looked away from her.

It was all my fault.

That's why.

My fault.

"It was a long time ago,"I mumbled."The game had just barely started and I was walking around the forest when I saw a guild in trouble, so I helped and they invited me for a drink.I declined but being the stubborn pricks they were, they practically forced me.Same with joining the guild, I felt like I was forced.After a while, I started to feel at home with the team, enjoying the time I spent with them, and Hiroki...oh my gosh, Hiroki."I laughed shutting my eyes tightly so I wouldn't shed a tear."He was amazing, he talked to me, helped me, asked me for advice and supported me like none of the other guild members did.He was my bud.Until, we were in the dungeon.We were looking for some extra money to collect and our leader thought it was a good idea to earn some there.My teammates entered a room and opened the single box sitting right in the middle.Stupid bastards, didn't think twice, the room was filled with monsters.The teleport crystals didn't work in that room forcing us to fight our way out.I was...the only survivor. After finding my guild leader and telling her, she committed suicide in front of my eyes.I had killed them all even after I told Hiroki I would protect him.That day I was about to do the same, kill myself.But Kirito managed to knock on my door at the right time and save me, I own him a lot more than you think Asuna."I finished seeing Asuna's eyes were getting teary.

"I'm so sorry.."

"Not just me Asuna, as well as Kirito.He suffered almost the exact same shit as me."

"You see why now Asuna?"Kirito spoke.Her face was grim and emotionless.She suddenly stood up and gave us a group hug.

It was awhile after she spoke."I'm not going to die.Because, I'm going to be the one, protecting both of you."

Stab.

That's how it felt.

It felt like someone had just stabbed me in heart with a knife.

Because I had a bad feeling something bad was gonna happen.

I would feel helpless and weak.

I wanted to cry, but didn't allow myself to do it.

-----TIME LAPSE-----

"Huh?!Training?"I sulked as I heard those very words.

"That's right."Godfree told us, someone we had just meet two seconds ago.

"That's a pain in the ass.."I sighed, sulking even more.

"Both of you will be doing it separately as well."

That fucking set me off.

"What?!Your insane if you thinking I'm going to be doing that!"

"Not my orders Ms.Ava, Chief Heathcliff."

"Heathcliff can go suck-"

"Ava!"

"Whatever."I scowled.

"Kirito, you,me and one more will be forming a party and clearing the dungeon on floor 55, right here.Right now."He informed him.

"Wait Godfree.Kirito,Ava and I-"Asuna protest.

"Even as second-in-command, you can not ignore the rules Asuna.If they will be joining, then as the forward commander, I must evaluate their skills myself."He completely cut her off.

"Their far stronger than you!"

I faceplamed at her childish behavior.

"Then we'll meet at the western gate, in thirty minutes!"He laughed and walked off.

"BS!"I mumbled."Why are we being separated?"

"I don't know, but I don't like it."Kirito sighed, agreeing with me.

I faced my head down.

I finally could have spent time with him.

I felt a light tap hit my head."Don't worry.I'll come back soon."

"Okay."I nodded.His hand still on my head."Be careful."

"I know."He smiled.

-----TIME LAPSE-----

"Ava, you could have stayed."

"I know I just wanted to walk you there."

"I'm not in kindergarten."

"I know that dummy."I huffed as we both walked to the western gate.

I was only trying to be nice.I sulked.

"Hey!Over here!"Godfree called out as he dragged someone along with him.

Voldemort.

"Hell to the no!"I screamed as soon as I saw him."You're going training, with him?!"

"Ava, from now on, we'll be on the same guild.I thought it would be a good time to move past this."Godfree spoke.

"I kicked his ass though!"I yelled."No offense."

"None taken."Kuradeel sighed.He suddenly bowed towards us."I'm sorry.I shouldn't have acted that way.I will never do to again."

"Okay.."I said, unsure of his apology.

"Then that's, that.Today I'd like assess how you will react to dangerous situations.."I blocked him out by then.

Kuradeel giving me a bad vibe.

Almost..

Sadist.

"We'll be off!"Godfree shouted.

"Kirito,"I say getting his attention."Please be careful and don't forget to eat or forget your attacks or-"

"Ava, I'll be fine don't worry."He smiled, giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"O-Okay.."I forced out.My face as steaming hot and blushing a whole ton.

I was back with Asuna, staring right at the map keeping my eyes on the dot that was Kirito.

"Ava, you need to eat."

"Na."

"Get your eyes away from that map!"

"Na."

"Your so stubborn."She huffed eating the sandwich that she had in her hands.

"Ava, he's not going to disappear.Just calm down."

"Na."I shook my head.

What if he gets hungry?

What if he dies from hunger?!

"Asuna, did they take food?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Good."I nodded and turned my eyes back on the map.

"Ava, would you like to go shopping again soon?"I turned towards her and nodded.

"Yeah, when were you thinking?"

"At least after Kirito proposes to you, then I can help you with the wedding!"

"Damn you Asuna!"I shouted feeling my face grow hot.

"Your too funny."She laughed, clearly amused.

I turned my attention to the map again and only see two dot this time.

Kirito..

What's..

Happening?!

I suddenly rushed to my feet and ran outside.

"Ava wait!"

I took out my teleport crystal, yelling out these words,

"Teleport:Floor 55 dungeon!"

-----TIME LAPSE-----

Kirito's POV

Am I going to die here?

"Come on now, say something.You really are gonna die!"Kuradeel screamed as he jabbed the sword into me once more.

I screamed in pain, still paralyzed.

My HP was in red now and I had to face the truth.

I was going to die.

I relaxed and closed my eyes, accepting my fate.

"Kirito."I hear and snap my eyes open.

Ava.

I can't leave you,

All alone.

My hand reached for the sword digging into me and I tried pulling it out.

"So you're afraid of dying, after all?"He teased, only pushing in harder.

"That's right,"I forced."I can't die yet!"

"Really?"He laughed coldly."That's just the way I like it!"He screamed stabbing more into me.I struggled to keep up with his strength.

"Die, die, die!"He yelled as I let go of the sword.

I'm sorry Ava.

A flash suddenly sent Kuradeel flying backwards.

"You fucking bastard!"I hear.I smiled knowing who's voice that was."Heal!"She said increasing my HP.

"I made it in time!"She spoke in relief."Jesus, I made it!"

She turned to stare at me."I was watching you from the map, when I saw Godfree disappear.I thought something happened to you!Your alive!"

"Yeah, I'm alive."I smiled.

I heard Kuradeel from the distance."Just hold on."Ava mumbled and walked out to him, Katana in her hands.

Ava.

Stop.

I don't want your hands dirty!

"Ava, this was just training.Yeah, training accident.."

Slash.

"Damn it!"

Slash!

"You bastard thought you could get away with this so easy."I hear Ava say darkly.I stood up and saw Kuradeel trying to block her with his sword only to get cut at.Again and again and again.

"F-Fine!I surrender!"He cried, falling onto his knees."I don't wanna die!"

She hesitated, stopping right at his back.He grabbed his sword and sent her's flying somewhere.

"You're pretty gullible Dark Angel!"He laughed getting ready to attack her.

I dare you.

I thought running up to him and blocking his slice, only to get my arm cut clean off.I let out a battle cry before punching him, losing his HP, killing him.

"You murder.."He mumbled into my ear before exploding into crystals.

I hear steps behind me as I fell to my knees.

"I'm sorry."I hear and a faint thud."I should have been faster.."

"Ava.."

"I should have never agreed to train separately, I shouldn't have been so stupid."She cried actually letting tears escape her eyes.

Ava.

I didn't hesitate.I grabbed her arm, gently kissing her lips with mine.

"Hump!"She let out in shock.After, she kissed me back full force.

We broke apart, and put my head on her chest.

"I've always liked you Ava, I just never had the guts to tell you.My life belongs to you, Ava."I start."So I will use it for you.Let's stay together until the end."

"And I'll protect you too.We'll fight by each other's side."

"I'll see to it that you can go back to the other world, no matter what happens!"I look up at her once again."Ava, today you'll be mine, forever."

She smiled and nodded."Okay."

-----TIME LAPSE-----

Ava's POV

I drank my tea, relaxed, enjoying the end of the day eating here with Kirito.

I've made up my mind.

(I APOLOGIZE TO EVERYONE BUT I DONT REALLY WANT TO TYPE THE OTHER WORDS CUZ ITS SUPER AWKWARD, I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND!!!)

I felt a poke to my cheek as I stirred.

"Ava?"

"Sorry, I was dreaming a little."I mumbled rubbing my eyes, tiredly.

"What did you dream about?"

"The real world, I was with my sister and I was heading to school.I'm actually glad that wasn't real, you weren't in it."

"Your so strange, don't you wanna go back?"

"I do, but with you."I smiled making sure the blanket covered me."Hey Kirito, do you think it would be okay if we left the front lines for a bit?I'm tired."

He nodded."Yeah, I'm tired too."

"In the southwest part of floor 22, there's a small village covered in forest and lakes."He turned to me."Let's move there, and.."He added.

"And?"I repeat.

"Let's.."He turned to look at me completely, dead serious."Let's get married."

My eyes widen as I smiled warmly.

Married.

"Okay."I nodded."Let's get married."

"And be together, forever."