No one's POV

It was January 6, 2026, and currently, Asuna, Silica, Liz and Leafa are in Kirito and Asuna's house on floor 22 doing homework and Silica started to fall asleep on Asuna's shoulder.

Asuna: Wake up. If you start napping now, its gonna be hard to get to sleep tonight! There's 3 days of winter break left, and your homework won't finish itself. Sinon and Philia already finished theirs.

Liz: That's because those two have Zora to helped them out.

Leafa: Yeah, we should ask him to help us too.

Silica: I'm so sleepy.

Asuna: Poor thing, it's probably because the room is to warm. You want me to turn down the heat?

Leafa: Hehehe...It's not the heat. It's the masters of the sleep skill over there.

Asuna: Huh? Oh that's figures...

Asuna then looked and saw Kirito in his chair asleep with Yui and Pina on his lap,

and Zora and Philia were asleep next to the fire with Rio on the middle with her human form.

Asuna: The two of them have been working hard on their project ever since they got back from GGO.

Liz: You mean that Gizmo for Yui and Rio?

Leafa: Oh...the Mechaphonics?

Asuna,and Liz: No it's call Mechatronics.

Leafa: Yeah that...Anyway, the two of them are napping like there is no tomorrow, and I bet Zora here is napping peacefully with Philia and daughter by his side. Look at those two, they're making me feel sleepy.

Liz then yawn and both Asuna and Leafa laugh at her.

(Timeskip)

Leafa was seriously studying and saw that everyone fell asleep.

Leafa: O my God, seriously?

Philia: Do you have to be so loud?

Leafa saw that Philia was awake and she was rubbing her eyes adjusting to the light.

Philia: And I was having such a good nap too.

Leafa: Yeah, I bet you do with that boyfriend of yours...

Philia just blushed and smile at her and saw that the rest is asleep.

Philia: Aren't you guys suppose to be doing your homework.

Leafa: Yeah, but they fell asleep.

Philia: Well, let's wake them up.

Philia then went to Asuna and shook her body.

Philia: Hey Asuna wake up!

Leafa: That goes for you two!

Everyone then woke up and looked at Kirito and Zora who was still asleep.

Liz: God would you look at that! It's like they are daring us to stay awake.

Asuna: I'll make some more tea, and it will wake us right up.

Asuna then made some tea for everyone and they walked outside.

Silica: Hey, I guess it stop snowing when we were sleeping!

Liz: Oh, have you heard the news? About Zekken?

Asuna and Philia then looked confused.

Philia: Zek...who?

Asuna: Is that a new rare item or something?

Liz: Wrong. Its a name of a player. Actually more of a nickname...or should I say an alias? Anyway, this player is so bad ass someone called them Zekken. The name caught on and there you go. It means Absolute Blade, Ultimate Swords better though. Either way, this player is tough.

Asuna: Really?

Philia: When did you first hear it about this Zekken?

Liz: I didn't start hearing all these rumor's till around New Year's, so... maybe a weak or so ago? Oh right, Well, it's no wonder you haven't heard of him, Asuna. After all, you were back home in Kyoto since the end of the year.

Asuna: I was having a good time but you have to bring that up. But what about you Philia?

Philia: I was visiting my grandparents along with Zora. They invited him over and want to get to know him.

Liz: Ohh...already asking for their blessing eh. Not bad...

Philia: Don't make it sound so annoying... So anyway... is this tough new player a Pk or something?

Liz: Nope, just a duel list.

Asuna: Did he take part in tournaments?

Liz: Nope, as far as I know, this players are total newb. But since his skills stats are apparently through the roof, I'm guessing that he might have converted from another game. You know that small island tourist trap with the huge tree, somewhat north of the main district of floor 24? He shows up under that tree, everyday at 3 o'clock, and takes on any challenger, one by one. At first, he'd post "Wanted: Opponent" notices on MMO Tomorrow bulletin board. Folks wanted to teach this cocky ALO newb a lesson, so on the first day, about 30 players showed up, it didn't go so well for them though...

Asuna: What they lost...?

Liz: All of them...One after the other. And get this, not one of them managed to chip off more than 30% of Zekken's HP.

Silica: I can't believe how good Zekken is? Who thought a newbie who just converted could fly as good as that! It took me at least 6 moths to learn how to fly and fight at the same time. And I'm still learning stuff!

Asuna: Did you fight Zekken too, Silica?

Silica:Not even! I'm no dummy, I watch one duel and I knew I didn't stand a chance. You want to know what it's like, why don't you ask Liz and Leafa? They took on Zekken yesterday, they fought and lost like a couple of champs.

Liz: Please don't remind me.

Leafa: Good learning experience though...

Asuna and Philia just giggled and it started to snow again and they all went back inside and sat on the couch.

Philia: So anyway...back to Zekken. If this player is as strong as you say, it's only a matter of time before there are no more challengers to face.

Silica: I don't know about that. There's a pretty cool price on the line.

Asuna: Really? What is it? Some kind of rare item or something?

Silica: Nope, nothing like that. Whoever beat Zekken will get an Original Sword Skill! It's a special move that suppose to be super strong!

Asuna: An Original Sword Skill? What type? How many hits?

Silica: Well...it's a general skill for a one-handed sword! But here is the thing...It's a 11 hit combo!

Philia: No way, 11?!

Liz: How many hits does the most powerful Original Sword Skill have right now?

Leafa: That would be Zora's. He has 3 Original Sword Skill, that he recreated from SAO. "Starburst Stream" which is a 16 hit dual wielding combo. "The Eclipse" which is a 27 dual wielding combo. And finally his strongest Original Sword Skill "The Twilight Eclipse" which is a 38 hit. But no one can really learn it due to not being able to Triple Wield. I mean, he is the only Triple wielding swordsman in ALO.

Philia: I guess that explain why so many players keep lining up to challenge Zekken.

Asuna: Have any of you seen this Sword Skill in action?

Liz: Nope, I heard Zekken demo it on the first day of the duels though. Apparently it blew minds left and right. But since then, it hasn't been used in any of the fights. Maybe the reason fro that because there hasn't been anyone tough enough for Zekken to use it. Whoever does, has my respect.

Philia: Leafa, what happen when you fought Zekken?

Leafa: Besides losing, it was going good till our HP drop below 60%. But, in the end Zekken beat me using nothing but default skill.

Asuna: What is Zekken's race and weapon of choice?

Leafa: An Imp. The main weapon is a one-handed sword. It's about as skinny as your rapier, Asuna. And Zekken is super fast too. I couldn't even see the attack coming towards me. I only seen one person who is as fast as Zekken.

Leafa then glance at Zora who was sleeping and just smile.

Philia: A speed type huh? If you have a hard time tracking Zekken I doubt I'll be able to.

Asuna: I know someone who might though. Those two sleepy head is the fastest player I've seen. What do you guys think? Would Kirito and Zora go for that kind of challenge?

Everyone other than Philia smirked at Asuna.

Asuna: What? What I say?

Leafa: Nothing, is just Kazuto already tried it. And boy does he lose spectacularly.

Asuna and Philia looked at Leafa surprised.

Philia: I don't believe it. If Kirito lost, what about Zora?

Liz then sat back and crossed her arm.

Liz: Well kind hard for me to say, but Zora didn't fight him. But I'm not sure he'd be interested. Zekken always going for a serious fight, but Zora wouldn't fight serious in a normal game at least. Zora rarely used his Triple Wielding Skill... no wait I take that back, he rarely used Dual Wielding Skill, so in that sense, I guess he wouldn't firing on all cylinders. But you know what...that kinda make sense, I mean it's a duel in a normal game. There's no reason for Zora to fight like his life depended on it anymore.

Liz: The only time he'll take a fight seriously now is the game stop's being a game. When the virtual world becomes the real world. In a way, I hope he never goes full at a battle ever again. He's kinda had enough of that. As it is, he always find a way to get himself dragged into trouble!

Philia: Yeah I guess your right.

Asuna: Hey Liz...a little while ago, you say Zekken converted over to ALO. The way you describe the duels got me thinking. Could Zekken be a SOA survivor.

Liz: That's the impression I got after my duel. I wanted a second opinion, so after Kirito lost his, I asked him what he thought.

Asuna: So what did Kirito have to say?

Liz: He said that even though the skill were through the roof, Zekken definitely not a player from SAO. That's not all Kirito also said if Zekken really was from SAO, the dual wielding skill wouldn't gone to him, it would have gone to Zekken.

Asuna and Philia then looked completely shocked.

Philia: Your joking?!

Liz: No not at all. He also said that Zekken speed is on par with Zora, and if Zora did went and fought Zekken, it would go either way.

Asuna and Philia looked at Liz again completely shocked.

Asuna: Even against Zora, Zekken would still be a match?!

Liz: Yeah...

Leafa: That's why I wanted to see them go all out.

Asuna: Do you think he would though. You said that he might not be interested.

Philia: I think he would. I mean, he do like the challenge.

Liz: Then let's go ask him, shall we?

Liz then walked to Zora who was still sleeping and picked up Rio and gave her to Philia and splashed Zora with hot water on his face and he quickly stood up.

Zora: HOOOOT!!!!

Everyone just laugh and Zora looked at Liz annoyed.

Zora: Why the hell would you do that for?!

Liz: At least your awake now!

Zora: Could you at least wake me up like a normal person would?!

Liz: Nope, but we have a question for you.

Zora: Go ahead...

Leafa: Have you heard of Zekken?

Zora looked confused and stood up and did a stretch and sat next to Leafa.

Zora: Zekken? Whose that? Is it some kind of rare sword or something?

Silica: Zekken, it's a player that have been beating everyone in a duel.

Liz: It appeared around a weak ago.

Zora: Of course I haven't heard about it. I was with Philia last weak and we met her grandparents.

Liz: I know, you girlfriends told us. About you guys having their blessing...

Zora: Zip it! Anyway, this Zekken has been beating everyone in a duel?

Liz: Yeah, they beat me, Leafa, and even Kirito.

Zora then looked surprised.

Zora: Your joking? If Kirito lost that means he really must be strong.

Philia: He also said that if you fought Zekken, it would still be a close fight.

Zora: You don't say...

Leafa: So would you take him on?

Zora: Yeah I'm always up for a challenge. I guess the only way to find out how good he really is, is to face him myself.

Liz: You think your up to the challenge?

Zora: Of course I am!

Asuna: So that's that, so 3pm on that island on floor 24, right?

Leafa: You got it!

Asuna: Then if we meet tomorrow at 2;30 we can...

Asuna then looked at the time and saw that it was passed 6pm and she panicked.

Asuna: Oh no...it's already 6 o'clock?! I'll be late for dinner!

Philia: I guess me might just call it a day and log out.

Liz: Rich girl and her problem, am I right?

Asuna then looked sown saddened and Zora noticed it, but just shook it off. And Leafa and Silica played with Kirito and the rest just smile.

Zora: Well see you guys tomorrow!

Girls: Yeah...see you tomorrow, Zora!