No one's POV

Asuna was currently on her room sulking after she had an argument with her mother, and she look at her phone and look at the picture of her and Kirito during their date at the Imperial Palace, and also remembered talking about their future and also remembering his word from SAO.

(Flashback)

Kirito: Asuna... you sure are strong. Way stronger than me...

(Present)

Asuna: I'm not strong at all. In that world, I was a warrior. But here, "Lightning Flash Asuna" of the Knight of the Blood Oath is gone. In the real world, I don't have any real power.

Asuna then let out a drop of tears, when she suddenly heard a voice.

???: You got strength, Asuna...

Asuna's eyes then widened as she heard a voice as it was saying inside her head, and finally realized that it was none other than Sora and she remember one of her conversation she had with him in SAO.

(Flashback)

Asuna was currently on her own searching for Zora and saw that he was sleeping under a tree and she couldn't help but smile.

Asuna(mind): It's just like when me and Kirito took a nap together.

Asuna then tapped his shoulder and shook his body a bit to wake him up and Zora slowly opened his eyes as his blue eyes seemed to glow under the tress's shadow and Zora noticed Asuna standing in front of him and he sat up.

Zora: *Yawn* Asuna? Do you need something?

Asuna: Hey Zora. Is Kirito with you right now?

Zora: He's off to the dungeon grinding! As for me, I'm taking a break and rest myself under the sun! You should find him if you head towards the 60th floor!

Asuna: Actually, I came here to talk to you... alone...

Zora just looked at her confused.

Zora: Sure, what's up?

Asuna then sat next to him and look towards the scenery, enjoying the wind breeze. There was an awkward moment of silent when Asuna broke it.

Asuna: Can I ask some advice about, Kirito?

Zora: Huh? What's this all of a sudden...?

Zora then look at her face and saw that she was blushing and Zora just chuckles a bit.

Zora: I see... so that's it...

Asuna: What?

Zora: You're in love with him! That face shows it all!

Asuna could feel her face heating up and Zora just smirked at her.

Zora: Oh man! I'm so gonna tell him now!

Zora went to stand up when Asuna quickly grabbed his hand preventing him from standing up.

Asuna: NOOOO! Don't!!!

Zora: I'm just kidding!

Zora just laugh a bit and sat back down and look at her.

Zora: So, what kind of advice do you need?

Asuna: Just how do you express... your feelings? I'm scared that he will reject me! So I need you to tell me all about him, since your always besides him.

Zora: If I were you, I would go straight towards him and tell him exactly how I feel.

Asuna: No! There's no way I could say something like that!

Zora: Asuna, it's called a confession for a reason. It's risky, and it takes courage. Unless, you're waiting for him to make the first move, then be my guest. But I'll tell you one thing, he likes you as well.

Asuna looked at Zora surprised and Zora just leaned back on the tree and look towards the sky.

Zora: You don't want to know how much he talks about you when I made dinner. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I only exist to him for a conversation about you. But I guess, that's the kind of strength you have, that got him to notice you.

Asuna: Strength?

Zora: Yeah, you have the strength that inspire others, including me. It's the hope that you give other players when we get to the next floor. A lot of players look up to you. You got strength, Asuna.

Asuna looked at Zora surprised and shocked by his words and smiled at him.

Zora: Listen, this strength you had, will always be inside of you. Even if when you started to stumble on the road, thinking probably that you couldn't walk anymore, I'll be there behind you and push you forwards.

Zora gave Asuna a heart warming smile and she couldn't help but let down a drop of tear and smile at him.

Asuna: Thank you, Zora! Even though you are in pain right now, after losing your sister, you continue to cheer me up!

Zora: So hit me up if you need a talk about your problem. I'll be there.

(Present)

Asuna then opened her eyes and saw that she was still in her bed.

Asuna: It was just a dream...

Asuna couldn't help but smile and she search through her call history and dialed Sora's number and after a few minutes, Sora picked up.

Sora(on phone): *Yawn* Hello!

Asuna: Sora!

Sora(on phone): Asuna? Isn't this a bit late to be calling me?

Asuna: Sorry. I should have guessed you'd be asleep.

Sora(on phone): It's fine. Do you need something?

Asuna: I just need someone to talk to about my problems.

Sora(on phone): Sure... go on ahead...

(Timeskip)

It's the next day, and Zora had logged into ALO and on his way towards the 24th floor and Asuna called out to him.

Asuna: Zora!

Zora: Hey Asuna, are you feeling better?

Asuna: Yeah...thank you, for listening to me.

Zora: No problem. I used to butted head with my dad a few times. I may not know exactly where your coming from, but at least I could help you out.

Asuna: Heh, thanks.

The two of them smile at one another and as they continue to made their way towards the 24th floor and they saw Kirito sleeping on the grass and they approached him.

Zora: Yo!

Kirito: Hey!

Asuna: It's so unusual for you to be here first.

Kirito: It happens sometimes.

Both Zora and Asuna then sat next to Kirito, and Asuna laid her head on his shoulder.

Zora: Okay guys! Please don't act so lovey dovey when I'm here!

Kirito and Asuna: 😅 Uhh...

The three of them then heard a rustling behind them and saw a black rabbit and they look surprised.

Zora: Would you look at that!

Asuna: I remember Kirito got a raggout rabbit and ask me to cook it for him!

Kirito: That was some tasty meat... I'm never gonna forget that day!

Asuna then look at him annoyed and pot and jabbed his shoulder.

Asuna: You don't remember anything except that stupid dinner?

Zora: Hey! That reminds me! You guys never did save some for me!

Kirito and Asuna: Oops, sorry!

The three of them then saw multiple fairies flying towards the 24th floor.

Asuna: It's almost time!

Zora: I better get over there!

Kirito: Bro, be careful with Zekken! Zekken's really strong!

Zora: Yeah, so I've heard! And I still can't believe that you lost! And Leafa said that if I go against Zekken it will still go either way, why is that?

Kirito: Well... Something was bugging me, see...

Asuna: What about?

Kirito: I got a weird vibe, so I ask "You're full time on this world, aren't you, Zekken?" And then, for an answer, I got a wordless smile and a blistering charge attack. That speed... It broke all the limits... And you are the person I know that also broke all limits... Zora...

Zora: What do you mean by full time in this world? The same thing as a heavy user?

Kirito: No, not that. I think it's better you experience it when you fight, Zekken later on.

Zora: What does that mean?

As The three of them continue to talk, everyone else walked up to them.

Liz: So this is where you guys are! There is a duel that was suppose to be happening!

Philia: Stop sitting there and let's go already!

Zora: Okay! Okay! Let's get moving!

Zora and the others then headed towards the island on floor 24th and as they got there, they saw that a duel was already takin progress and a Salamander player fell from the sky and hit the ground and he got up and held his hand up.

Player: I yield! I quit! Resign!

The Player resigned from the duel and everyone started cheering and Zora, Philia, and Asuna looked up and saw a little girl in purple outfits, and a purple hair and red eyes as she landed on the ground and made a peace sign.

???: V!

As Zekken landed from the air, Zora, Philia and Asuna looked surprised to see that Zekken is a little girl.

Zora: You have got to be kidding me!

Philia: Excuse me, Liz.

Liz: What?

Philia and Asuna then grabbed her shoulder and look at her.

Philia and Asuna: You didn't say, Zekken's a girl!

Liz: I didn't? I could have sworn a I did?

Philia: You didn't!

Asuna then glared at Kirito.

Asuna: And you! I have a feeling I know why you lost now... *STAREEEEEEE*

Kirito looked at her terrified and quickly denied it.

Kirito: No, you're wrong! I didn't go easy on her because she's a girl! I was going full out, I swear! Half way through our duel anyway!

Zora: -_- Oh that is so convincing...

Philia: I don't know about that!

Asuna: Whatever!

???: So... Is there anyone else out there, want to take me on today?

Liz then smirked at Zora.

Liz: That's your queue! Get her!

Zora: Wait! I think I need to study her move first!

Liz: Oh please! The you I know would never cower down before a challenge! Now get in there!

Liz then pushed Zora into the arena and Zora just look back at her annoyed and he look back at the girl and she looked at him and smile.

???: Oh, Big Brother, wanna fight?

Zora: I guess I am.

The girl then snapped her finger and motion Zora towards her.

???: Okay!

Zora: So about the rules... anything goes, right?

???: Of course. You can use magic, items, whatever you want! I'm only gonna use my sword though. Also, do you prefer battling on the ground or in the air?

Zora: Then a ground battle!

???: Okay! Jumping's allowed. But no using your wings okay?

The girl then sent Zora a duel request and Zora looked at the duel list and saw that her name is Yuuki.

Zora(mind): Yuuki...

Zora then accepted her request and Zora pulled out one of his swords and Yuuki pulled out hers and the two of them stare at one another and as the countdown reaches zero, Zora rushed towards Yuuki and went to slashed her, and the two of them lock blade,

and Zora broke the lock and went to slashed her, but she easily dodge and parried his attack and Zora look at her surprised.

Zora(mind): She's strong...

As Zora continued and tried to slashed Yuuki, but she continued to parried his attack and Yuuki parries one of his strike and slashed Zora's face and he jumped back,

and everyone was surprised to see that Yuuki made the first hit and Yuuki just smile at him.

Zora(mind): She really is no joke. With those slashes, it's understandable why Kirito would lose... but...

Zora then twirl his sword to the ground, and put one of his foot back, changing his fighting style and gaze at her and Kirito noticed it.

Zora(mind): I won't go down that easy!

Kirito: He changed!

The rest look at Kirito confused.

Asuna: What do you mean?!

Kirito: That stance he's in right now, he lower his strength of attack to increase his speed! You guys better brace yourself! He's gonna become one with the wind!

Everyone then looked back at the duel and Yuuki saw Zora's gaze and could automatically tell that he wasn't playing around anymore and she got ready for him and the two stood off for a few second and Yuuki was about to rushed forwards when Zora speed blitzed at an unimaginable speed releasing a gush of wind surprising everyone

and Zora went to slashed Yuuki, who barely managed to blocked it in time and was pushed back and Yuuki looked at him shocked.

Yuuki: So fast! I barely able to block that!

Both Zora and Yuuki then started to trade blows at high speed and Zora broke the clash and went to slash her,

but Yuuki jumped back and everyone looked at them shocked.

Leafa: Holy... Look at them go...

Philia: She's keeping up with Zora no problem!

Silica: Their so fast I could barely keep up with them...

Asuna: And these battle is getting more intense...

Kirito: Neither of them is giving an inch...

Zora and Yuuki continues to clash at high speeds, chipping away at each other's HP, leaving each other in the yellow,

and the two of them continued to speed around the area, clashing and trading blows with one another, and Zora parried one of her attack and saw an opening.

Zora: Got you!

Zora then used the Sword Skill "Deadly Sins" and went to hit Yuuki, but she parried all 7 hits and Zora looked at her completely shocked.

Zora(mind): No way! She can see and countered "Deadly Sins"?!

Zora then saw Yuuki charge up a Sword Skill that he didn't recognize and he looked at her surprised.

Zora(mind): She's got an Original Sword Skill?!

Yuuki then started hitting Zora with her Original Sword Skill pushing Zora back and Yuuki still rushed towards him chopping his HP.

Zora(mind): She's good. She's better then good..she's amazing! She's matched all of my attacks, blow for blow. I guess I have to draw it...

Yuuki then hit him with her last hit and cause an explosion and everyone looked completely shocked and as the smoke cleared out Yuuki saw that Zora's HP was just about to hit the red and she was shocked that he withstood her OSS and saw that Zora managed to blocked her last attack with his second sword.

Zora: I'm not going down that easy!

Everyone saw that Zora drew his second sword and started dual wielding and they all looked completely shocked.

Leafa: Big Brother Zora drew his second sword!

Silica: Incredible...

Asuna: That girl push Zora to this extent...

Philia: She really is crazy strong...

Liz: This is going to be an exciting match!!

Kirito: Let's see how Zekken respond to him...

Yuuki continue to look at Zora surprised to see him dual wielding and saw that he was smiling at him and she smiled back and the two of them once again rushed down at one another and Yuuki did an over head swing, but Zora blocked her, and break the lock and started trading blows,

and Zora continued to dodge and parried her attack and continued to trade blows with one another and the two of them jumped back and smile.

Zora: To think you still can keep up with me! You really are strong!

Yuuki: I could say the same to you!

Both Zora and Yuuki continued to stare at one another before rushing towards one another again and continue to clash blade,

creating massive shockwave throughout the entire battlefield and everyone just continued to watched them fight to the finish with no one daring to blink.

Zora: This was fun, but it's time to end this!

Yuuki: Couldn't agree more!

Zora's sword started to glow blue as he used one of his Original Sword Skill "Starburst Stream" and Yuuki once again used her Original Sword Skill and they rushed at one another and both sword skill hit one another,

but Zora managed to overpower Yuuki's Original Sword Skill creating a massive explosion, and as the dust cleared, everyone saw that Zora had his sword inches away from Yuuki's face as both players smile at one another.

Yuuki: That was an awesome fight, Mister! You're definitely the one!

Zora just looked at her confused.

Zorea: Huh? The one?

Yuuki: You really got what it takes! I've been looking for someone who could go the distance. At last I found you!

Zora then sheathed his swords and Yuuki held her hand to Zora and he grabbed it and Yuuki activates her wings and started fly up with Zora and he looked at her confused and looked back at the others who were just as confused.

Rio: Papa?

Yui: Uncle?

Asuna then notice that Zora glance at her for a moment and she activated her wings and follow them and everyone looked at Asuna confused, and back with Yuuki and Zora, Yuuki brought and flew Zora out of New Aincrad and she turned around and look at him.

Yuuki: I'm asking you....

Asuna: Asking him what?

Both Zora and Yuuki looked behind and saw Asuna.

Yuuki: Who are you?

Zora: Sorry, Asuna here is my Sis! And she's a bit of a worrywart... So you were saying...?

Yuuki: That's right, you're the only one that can help us! Please lend us your strength!

Yuuki bowed down her head and both Zora and Asuna looked confused.

Zora: Help you...?