POV: Synthia, age 23, Guild Leader

I looked back at my guild. They all gave me nods and I turned back around to face the entrance to the boss room. At the top of my lungs, I shouted a cry.

"MAY YOUR BLADES STAY SHARP AND THE SAPPHIRE STAR LIGHT YOUR WAY!"

My voice echoed through the empty halls. My warriors all raised their weapons and cried out their response.

"AD VICTORIAM!!!"

We bursted into the boss room and engaged the highly overpowered boss. Kirito, Asuna, Silica, Sinon, Leafa and Yui watched in awe as I led the charge, deflecting a blow from the boss with ease. I hurdled their cover and ran straight for the legs of the boss. My fellow guild members knew what I was about to do. I had drawn my second blade.

Hana pulled Kirito and Asuna to their feet. "Everyone! Fall back! Blade'll take care of it!"

I smiled, then deflected several blows. With my eyes closed, I leapt into the air, sucking air into my lungs. With a shout, I unleashed the ultimate Sword Skill.

"MASTER!"

I unleashed hell upon the boss. Its hundreds of thousands of health bars slowly disappeared, one by one. I laughed. I managed to lag ALO out!

As soon as I finished my Sword Skill, the game sped up and the remaining health bars vanished in an instant. I was given a notification that my name, as well as Kirito, Asuna, Yui, Silica, Leafa and Sinon's was engraved on the Monument of Swordsmen. With a twirl, I sheathed my blades.

Kirito was gaping. "What the-?"

I gave him a sly smile. Thinking back, I looked kinda bewitching back then. "What? Never seen a girl take out an OP boss before?"

With a giggle, I teleported away, but not before giving him an offer. "Meet me at the base of the Word Tree, okay? I'll be waiting."

When I materialized in my guild's HQ, I wiped away the grin on my lips and got to work. The smiths repaired my cloak and the warriors challenged me to a battle.

I bested every challenger with ease and then sent Kirito a message.

"Tomorrow, at dawn, okay?"

"Where? World Tree?"

"Yep. See you there!"

I laid down in my bed and closed my eyes. Fluff woke me up well past dawn and I scarfed down breakfast. With Fluff clinging to my neck, I took to the skies.

I landed at the base of the tree and waited. I eventually spotted a convoy of multi coloured wings.

"That's Kirito, alright."

He landed and I drew my blades. "I hope you came prepared for a fight."

Kirito looked at his friends, then drew his blades. "Bring it."

He sent me a duel request and I set it to "Total Victory". Without a moment's hesitation, we clashed blades.

Sparks flew and somehow, our battle took to the skies. We battled for hours, our HP on one ever since the beginning. I managed to pin Kirito and held my blade to his neck.

"Submit!"

"Never!"

"Submit!"

Kirito growled at me, then threw me off. He threw several stones at me, which I deflected, an I slid up to a pile of rocks. I loaded one into my Slinger and charged Kirito.

We clashed blades again, but this time, I unleashed my billion hit-combo Sword Skill, <Master>. Only a true master could use it. You have to be in total harmony in order to see it through to the end.

Kirito somehow blocked all my blows, then unleashed his own OSS, but I stopped this with <Oblivion>, which I designed to break even the strongest of defences. Kirito leaped back, but I tackled him, putting all my weight onto his body.

"SUBMIT!"

He sighed, then resigned from the duel. I pulled him up, then shook his hand.

"Good fight."

He sighed. "Oh well. I lost."

No, you didn't.

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't beat yourself up. You fought well."

He flashed me a fake smile, then walked away with his friends. At least, all of his friends except Lizabeth.

"Hana, bring me Liz, will you?"

Hana dragged the bound blacksmith to me. Liz growled at me.

"What the heck?! What have I done to you?"

"Liz, relax. We're not kidnapping you. I wanted to make sure you had a chance to join the Hunters. Remember our last battle?"

"Yeah, I do. Why?"

I gave Hana a nod and she cut her loose. "After it, I realized that most smiths don't focus on combat, they focus on creating. I had Hana grab you so we could talk and me repent for my mistake."

Liz calmed down. "What do you have in mind?"

"Here, hold my hand. I like to save crystals, when possible."

Liz cautiously took my hand and I pulled out a Teleport Crystal. I warped us to my HQ, then led her to the newly built Smith Challenge room. My best smith was already here.

"Hey Steel. New candidate."

"Hmph. We'll see what you're made of."

The rules were said and I stood in the training field, awaiting the delivery of the blades. The first pair I tried, they broke one eighth of the way through <Master>. The second pair, which looked like <Elucidator>, made it all the way through the intense OSS.

When I checked the durability, I was shocked to find that it took only a sixteenth of the durability!

I grabbed the swords by their blades and turned around. With the hilts hovering before Liz, I chuckled.

"You made these, didn't you?"

"Uh, yeah. I did. How'd I do?"

"See for yourself."

Liz took her blades and gasped. "How-?!"

Steel and I laughed. Steel gave Liz a playful punch, which accidentally took half of her HP.

"Woops. But c'mon! Are you tellin' us you didn't know you could make something so powerful?"

Liz laughed. "I didn't! This is awesome!"

I smiled, then gave Liz one of my prized invites. If you get one, you know you had caught my eye and exceeded my expectations.

Liz looked at me, stunned. "R-really?"

"You earned it. Oh, that reminds me. A friend of yours deserves one, too."

I sent Kirito a guild invite as Liz accepted hers. She then began to bounce with joy. She had been trying to get in ever since she heard of the skill of our blacksmiths.

Steel placed his hand on her shoulder, grounding her. "Relax. I've got one thing to say about us Hunters."

"What's that?"

"We care about results, then looks."

"Got it. Make the best sword in the history of gaming, then decorate. Now I understand why your blade was so bland."

I smiled, and drifted back to my menu. Kirito still hasn't checked his messages.

He must be crying. He probably thinks he lost the duel, when in all reality, he won it a minute in, right when he got me down to three fourths.

A tiny plink pulled me from my thoughts. Kirito just checked his messages.

"...." was what he sent.

I waited. I waited for a long time.

Muttering to myself, I complained. "C'mon Kazuto, do something."

Checkmark. He accepted. I smiled, then glanced at Liz, who was getting a run down of the rules by Steel.

"Sorry for interrupting, Steel, but you know how we always have the smiths give a new recruit some kinda gift?"

"Yeah? What about it? Did Kirito accept?"

"He did, and I think he would love it if you give him those blade, Liz."

She smiled. "Of course! I'll even keep them damaged, so he can see how strong it is!"

I gave her a slap on the back, knocking her to red. "Uh oh. Here." I gave her a potion, then walked away.

Several guild members gave me nods and sloppy salutes as they headed to their homes. I gave them all words of encouragement and found myself a balcony. Keith joined me.

"Something on your mind?"

"I guess you can say that. I just can't get over the fact that these death games keep popping up!"

Keith wrapped an arm around me. "Relax. We'll get to the bottom of this, don't you worry. I mean, the guild spans dozens of games!"

I chuckled. "Right. Anyways, care to watch over my avatar as I get some food? This is an unprotected area, after all."

"Fine, fine, whatever. Just hurry it up, okay?"

I smiled, then logged out. I got out of bed and walked over to the cantina.

"What do you want?"

"Chef's Choice."

I placed the money on the counter and waited. My food swiftly came and I ate every last bit.

"Thanks. Your food is always the best."

The chef snorted. "Thanks. It could be better with more ingredients."

I smiled, then walked back to my dorm. Keith was still laying in his bed, eyes closed. As soon as I put on my AmuSphere, I logged back in.

Keith was talking to someone behind me.

"Glad to see you accepted, Kirito. Midnight's currently getting food."

I turned around. "Actually, I just logged on."

Keith chuckled. "Oh, hey Mid. Was the food good?"

"It always is."

Kirito shifted. Something's on his mind.

"Kirito, what's wrong?"

He closed his eyes and sighed. "I've been receiving reports of someone trapped at the top of the World Tree."

My smile vanished and I was standing up straight. "Do you know them?"

"I don't know. All I do is that some players hit the barrier and spotted someone walking around in the birdcage that Asuna had been trapped in."

I closed my eyes. "Keith. Kirito. We're going to do the Grand Quest. Keith, you grab several Hunters and wait for Kirito and I at the World Tree, understood?"

"Yes ma'am." He sprinted off.

I looked Kirito in the eye. "I've got something to teach you. Come with me."

I led Kirito over to the training arena. I drew my blades as did he.

"What do you want to teach me?"

"I want to teach you two of my OSSs. One is <Oblivion>, a Sword Skill designed to destroy defences and kill Titans. The other one is <Master>, a Sword Skill only a true master can learn. You'll need this." I gave him a Slinger.

"What's this?"

"It's called a Slinger. Put it on your left arm."

He did and I readied myself. I closed my eyes and took a long breath. With dancing blades, I preformed <Oblivion> and a scroll materialized before me. I gave that to Kirito, then I did <Master>, successfully creating another scroll.

"Practice hard and long, for these two Sword Skill may save your life one day."

Kirito read the two scrolls, then managed to execute my two OSSs. He gave me a nod and we were off.

We landed at the World Tree. Our team was tiny, but strong. I stood on the step leading towards the inside of the tree.

"Hunters! We're doing this to free a trapped player! Fight long and hard and may the Sapphire Star light your way!"

My Hunters cheered and we sprinted into the Tree, activating the Grand Quest. We rushed the Quest, flashing past dozens of Guardians. We slammed into the top and I slammed my foot into the gate.

"The hell! Why is this Admin locked?"

My Hunters cursed, but kept fighting. I opened my menu, then messaged an Admin.

"Unlock the gate!"

"Which one?"

"The one in the World Tree! I've got a party that's being swarmed here!"

"Wait, what? It's locked by someone higher than me! I can't do anything, but this card might."

I received a card and transferred the code to the gate. We all got teleported and stood face-to-face with a woman, chained to the floor and roof. She looked like she had been abused. Kirito gasped.

"Leafa!"

I peered closer at the woman. Her name popped up. "Leafa."

I cursed, then walked up to her. She had been forced into a very exposing ensemble. I drew my blade, but was suddenly pushed back. My rapier clattered out of my hand, and an Admin appeared.

"Teeheehee. Looks like I get to kill you and your friends, then torcher Kirito!"

He stabbed me with my rapier, and I was given a glitched out death screen. I heard Kirito begging the man to stop, and I heard Leafa cry out in agony.

I. Will. Not. DIE!

With unyielding Determination, I revived myself. I hovered in the air, my wings glowing with pride. A red aura surrounded me and I gently touched the ground. I snapped my eyes open and saw Leafa bleeding and the Admin standing behind her. He still had my blade in his hand, but not for long.

"How did you-?!"

I looked him right in the eye. "Determination bests all."

I summoned my rapier back to my hand, then drew Dianite's blade. With a twirl, I readied myself.

"Bring it."

The Admin summon <Holy Sword Calibur>, then charged me. I threw him to the ground, then waited for him to get up.

Akihiko Kayaba whispered in my ear. "Use my Administrator username and password. You already know it, Midnight Blade."

I was stabbed, but I didn't die. Instead, I simply walked off of the player's sword. I activated Akihiko's account and spoke several voice commands.

"Revoke Admin privileges. Set Pain Absorption to 0. Set simulated wounds to true."

I slashed the player across his stomach, making him bleed. He tried to hit me, but I simply twirled my blade, deflecting the blow.

" The Human Will will always beats the system." Akihiko sounded sure of himself.

"I know, Akihiko. I know."

I toyed with the player a bit more before pressing him against a wall. I lifted him up with Chaos, then pulled him close.

"You stand no chance against me."

I drew Mianite's rapier and slashed Leafa, healing her. Kirito gasped.

"What? How did you do that?"

Without looking away from the player in my grasp, I responded. "Karmic retribution."

I stabbed the player and his avatar fizzled away. I then spun around and cut Leafa free.

She fell onto her hands and knees and Kirito was immediately by her side.

"Leafa! Are you okay?"

She gasped for breath. I knelt besides her, and using the Heathcliff account, forcefully disconnected her.

Kirito looked at me in shock. "Why did you do that?!"

"She was stuck. Her real body was failing without her mind and a forced disconnect was necessary. She'll be okay. She just needs some time to recuperate."

Kirito slowly nodded. "I understand. Thank you."

I smiled, then stood up. "You're welcome, Hunter. It's time to take our leave."

He stood up, then walked to the edge. I walked to the edge as well and was about to jump off when something hit me in the back.

I almost fell off, but in the nick of time, I leaped backwards, soaring over the heads of my Hunters. The Admin had managed to revive himself. He thrusted Calibur into my avatar's heart and I felt a sharp pain in my actual heart.

He wants to kill me IRL.

I felt pain dance around my brain, but I forced myself to fight. I pushed the player off the World Tree and dove after him. We fought in the air and I eventually won, only to partially faint.

I slammed into the ground and Admins flocked around me.

"Oh my god! Her AmuSphere is malfunctioning! What do we do?"

Alfheim began to mix with the real world. I closed my eyes, clenched my teeth, and with great Determination, I moved my real hands.

They brushed against my AmuSphere and I grasped it. I forced the brace up, then pulled the device off.

My hand fell over the side of the bed, my broken AmuSphere hanging by its cord. I passed out, but not before marking my would-be-assassin for death with Chaos.

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I woke up to the sound of beeping. Fluff was by my side, as was a woman who had her face covered by a hood.

"Oh. You're awake. The name's Argo. Kazuto asked me to check up on you."

I smiled, then forced myself to sit up. "He did? Was it because of Yui's pressing?"

Argo smiled. "Dunno. But if you're able to talk and sit up without falling down, you might as well as be runnin' around."

I ran my fingers through Fluff's fur, causing him to purr. I spotted something under Argo's cloak and pointed it out.

"Hey, Argo, is that a knife?"

She seemed taken aback. "How'd you know?!"

I smiled. "I'm trained in scouting out hostile lines. I can spot a knife or some other tiny weapon from miles away."

Argo regained her professionalism. "Good to know. Let's get you on your feet."

She helped me up and I rolled my shoulders, trying to work out the kinks that had built up. I walked out of my hospital room and found my way outside. The sun was setting.

"Hey, Argo, how long was I out?"

"An entire week. Yui has been driving herself crazy."

I suddenly remembered something. "What about Sugu?"

"Oh, Kazuto's sister? She's been doing okay. She had experienced some insane stuff up there. Asuna's helping her along."

I smiled, but then swiftly threw Fluff, Argo and I to the ground. A sniper round flew past my head and I rolled, dodging another round.

Argh! Where are they?

Another shot dodged, and then two to my knees. As I fell to the floor, I knew what was up.

With my hand on my ear, I sent out a broadcast.

"This is Synthia Everlasting, requesting immediate support! I am pinned down by hidden snipers outside of a hospital! I've got FLuff with me, as well as a woman named Argo!"

The Marine dispatcher asked a question. "What are your statuses?"

"I've been hit. Both knees. Hurry it up!"

"Understood. Standby for Titanfall."

I pulled Fluff and Argo over to the side of a van and covered my ears. Titans landed feet before us and their impacts cracked the concrete and threw chunks of concrete into the air. They threw up their defencive abilities and soon enough, the shooting stopped.

I closed my eyes and mended my wounds. With my newfound strength, I stood up.

I walked to Kazuto's home and knocked on the door. He opened it and immediately pulled me in.

"Synthia! You're okay!"

I sat down on the couch and closed my eyes. "I haven't had the best of wakeups. Snipers tried to flippin' kill me. Titans took care of them, though."

I laid down and felt sleep hover over me. It closed my eyes and I dreamt I was in Leafa's place. I imagined myself throwing out a random spell, causing the destruction of the World Tree.

I sat up with a start. Sweat dripped down my forehead and I took a deep breath. I glanced around and saw that the living room was partially illuminated by an orange glow. I turned my arm around and saw that my watch was glowing.

I got up and pulled out my phone. "Agent Synthia. I've received the call."

The president's voice answered. "You've been activated to help teach those at the SAO Survivor School. It's been rebranded to 'Death Game Survivor School' now. We've already registered you as a certified teacher."

"Understood. What'll be my first act as teacher?"

"One: lead your class to the assembly tomorrow. Two: Teach them about Reach. Uncensored."

"Understood. I'll get ready."

He ended the call and I packed my bags. I put my laptop on its charger and shouldered my Go-Bag. Without a sound, I slipped out of the house.

I made my way to the school and met up with several other Agents, my mom included. We exchanged nods, then entered the silent building.

Too quiet.

We found our way to the Principal's Office and knocked. The door clicked, then we were faced with a fear stricken janitor.

"What happened?" Firefly was straight to the punch.

"M-m-m-monster!" The janitor was trembling.

Mom and I drew our blades. We could smell the Chaos swirling around.

Chaos Spawn charged us and we swiftly dispatched them. The shadow that had been hanging over the entire school lifted in an instant.

The principal walked over. "Oh. There you are. Come with me."

He led us to the Teacher's Lounge and gave us the rundown. I left the meeting and found my classroom.

Might as well get this set up.