Suguha: I wanted to see virtual reality for myself. When was it that I first thought that? At first, I saw virtual reality games only as hateful things that took my brother away. But I wanted to see the world my brother loved with my own eyes, no matter what. I wnated to knkw. And I was surprised how enchanted I became with ALfheim Online. The joy of flying through out the sky with your own wings. If I could keep flying as far and as high as my heart desired, I'd be willing to give up anything. I think i understand now. The reason my brother was so captivated by this world.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Suguha who walking towards her school as a boy was behind a wall as he jumps in front of her.

????: Leafa!!

Suguha: I told you not to call me that at School, Nagata.

Nagata: s-sorry Suguha.

Suguha: why you!!

Nagata: -I-I-I'm sorry!! Miss Kirigaya!!

Suguha: Need something? And you got early admission into high school, so why are you at school? You're not required to attend.

Nagata: Sugu...

Suguha:*glares*

Nagata: I need to talk to you, Miss Kirigaya, so I've been waiting since morning. You got admitted early too.

Suguha: Kendo club adviser asked me to come in. So what do you need?

Nagata: Sigurd and the others will be hunting again this afternoon.

Suguha: sorry, I won't be joining them for a while.

Nagata: why not?

Suguha: I'm heading ti Arun.

Nagata: Arun? At the base of the World Tree? Don't tell me you're going with that Spriggan and person from yesterday?

Suguha: yeah...I guess so. I'm going to show them the way.

Nagata: wh-what are you thinking Leaf—

Suguha:*glares*

Nagata: Miss Kirigaya. you'll be going so far, overnight, with those two shady dudes like that?

Suguha:*blush* don't get any weird ideas!!

She hits him on his stomach.

Suguha: anyway, that's how it is. Give Sigurd and the others my regards. Bye!!

(Sylvain, Sylph Territory January 21, 2025)

Leafa who arrived in the bar as she sees Kirito logging in while Kitsune who standing waiting for them.

Kirito: you're here early.

Leafa: No, I just got here. I was out shopping but Kitsune was already here.

Kirito: that was very quick!!

Kitsune: I have my ways.

Kirito: oh right. I need to get ready too... This one probably won't be too reliable.

Leafa: yeah. Then let's go to the weapon shop to get you ready. How much money do you have?

Kirito: umm yuld stuff money?

Leafa: yes it's the currency in the game Kirito.

Kirito:*gulps*

Kitsune: hey, we're leaving Yui.

Yui:*yawns*

They left as went on shopping for new armor for Kirito to wear and a new weapon to use. He gotten a black claymore and puts it behind his back as Leafa giggles while Kitsune chuckles. They were walking around as Leafa gives them informations about the game. They arrived at the tower.

Kirito: why are we going to the tower?

Leafa: when flying long distances, you start from the top of the tower. It gives you extra altitude.

Kirito and Kitsune remember last night that Kirito crashed on the tower as he couldn't land properly as Leafa pushes Kirito while Kitsune follows.

Leafa: come on, let's get going. I want to make it through the forest by night.

They were in the tower's lobby as they going they heard a voice.

????: Leafa!!

Leafa: Hello, Sigurd.

Sigurd: you're leaving the party, Leafa?

Leafa: I guess so.

Sigurd: don't you think that will inconvenience the other members?

Leafa: you promised I could join only when I had time and leave whatever I wanted.

Sigurd: But you're already a well known member of our party, Leafa. If you leave without reason, it will damage our reputation.

Kitsune: your party members aren't items to use.

Sigurd: what was that?

Kitsune walked towards Sigurd and stopped in front of the party.

Kitsune: you can't keep other players equipped all the time, as if they're your armor or sword.

Sigurd: you...Don't get so cocky, whoever you are and that bottom feeding Spriggan!! You're both probably exiled renegade!!

Leafa: don't be rude!! Kirito, Kitsune are my new partners!!

Sigurd: what? Leafa!! Are you abandoning your territory and becoming a renegade too?

Leafa: Yes, I am. I'm leaving this place.

Sigurd then pulls out his sword but Kitsune didn't even flinch at all.

Sigurd: I wasn't concerned if you just buzzed around. But acting like a thief is different. If you're in another races' territory, you can't complain if you get killed, right?

Kitsune:*sigh* you're really not making yourself looking better. Killing someone who can't fight back in front of these people.

He looks around as other people were giving stares. He puts away his sword.

Sigurd: once you're outside, you'd better run and hide, Leafa. If you betray me now, you'll surely regret it before long.

They were going to leave as Kitsune chuckles.

Sigurd: what's so funny?

Kitsune: you forgotten that you have deal with Kirito even if you get past him you have to deal with me.

Sigurd: you're nothing.

Kitsune: oh really back then I was called the "The Soul Reaper, the Devil Hunter, The Devil Summoner, The Dark Slayer, The Player in Red Coat." I'm more than you can ever even understand. I'm a half demon I'm more stronger than you can not that I'll beat you without breaking a sweat. Come on Leafa, Kirito we're leaving.

Then they followed him up to the higher levels. As Kirito was amazed by the view.

Kirito: this is an amazing view. The sky's so close. Like my hand can touch it.

Leafa: Isn't it? Whenever I see this sky, it makes everything else feel small.

She reached out to the sky and lowers her arms.

Leafa: this was a good opportunity. I always meant to leave this place.

Kirito: I see. But it feels like we made you leave on bad terms.

Leafa: Yeah, well I don't think it could've happened in any other way.

Kirito: also what is a renegade?

Kitsune: A renegade is a person who has deserted their cause or defied convention; they're rebels and sometimes outlaws, or even traitors. It might sound kind of cool to be a renegade, like some rogue action hero. But in general, renegade actions are frowned, not smiled, upon.

Kirito: oh...you're cool with that?

Leafa: yeah I don't really cared. But why do they want to tie each other down like that? When we all have wings...

Then Yui came out of Kitsune's pocket.

Yui: humans are complex. I can't understand the mentality that causes the desire to seek others to be expressed so oddly.

Leafa: seek others?

Yui: if it were me*kisses Kitsune's cheek* I'd do this. It's simple and unmistakable.

Leafa: th-that's an amazing AI. Are all private pixies like that?

Kitsune: she's weirder than most...*puts her back in the pocket*

Leafa: O-Oh, I see. Desire to seek others...

Then the elevator door was opened and they heard Recon's voice.

Recon: Leafa!!

Leafa: Oh, Recon.

Recon: I don't believe you!! Say something before you leave!!

Leafa: Sorry, I forgot.

Recom: are you really leaving the party?

Leafa: it was halfway on the spur of the moment. What are you gonna do?

Recon: do you even need to ask? My sword belongs to you alone!!

Leafa: I don't really need it, though.

Recon: w-well, that's how it is. So I'll still be going with you, of course. Or at least I'd like to. But something's bothering me.

Leafa: what?

Recon: I can't prove anything yet, but I want to investigate a bit, so I'm going to stay in Sigurd's party a little longer. Kirito, Kitsune. She has a habit of diving into trouble, so be careful.

Kitsune: yep, I'll stop her if somehow she past Kirito, I'll deal with her my way.

Recon: and just so we're clear, she's my-

Then she steps on his feet.

Leafa: I think we'll be in the neutral zone awhile. Send a message if you need anything.

Her wings appeared and she files away as Kitsune and Kirito catches up to her.

Kirito: you said he's your friend in real life?

Leafa: more or less. What's up with that?

Kitsune: nothing I just think it's nice.

Yui: I can understand his feelings. He likes you, doesn't he, Leafa? How do you feel about him?

Leafa: I-I don't know!!

She flies faster as she looked back at the territory. Then Kitsune and Kirito fly in as smiled as she smiles back.

Leafa: come on, hurry up! We're making it to that lake in a single flight!!

Them: alright!!

(World Tree, January 21 2025)

Back the Cage, Sugou who was rubbing Asuna's arm as she was uncomfortable, be frowns and stops and lays down on the bed.

Sugou: my, my...you're such a stubborn woman. It's just a fake body. I'm not going to hurt you in anyway. Don't you want to enjoy yourself a little?

Asuna: you wouldn't even understand that. It doesn't matter whether your body is real or virtual. Not to me anyway.

Sugou: you're trying to say that it'll taint your mind?*chuckles* I think it's be wise to learn to enjoy yourself while you still can.

Asuna: I won't be here forever. I'm sure...they'll come to save me.

Sugou: who will? Your boyfriend maybe? The hero Yami and that boy Kirito? Isn't their real names Minamoto and Kirigaya. I met them the other day, on the other side.

Asuna: they've met?

Sugou: I really couldn't believe those weak boys mostly to Yami was the hero who beaten SAO. Where do you think I met them? Your hospital room!! As you slept. I told them I'd be marrying you next week, and the look on their faces...it was priceless. I felt like bursting into laughter. But your boyfriend Yami gotten aggressive and nearly broken my wrist.

Asuna: that means he'll make you suffer. I know him and his ability. He defeated Kayaba and he barely broken a sweat. He's more powerful than you can ever imagine. I hope he breaks you...

Sugou: Like he'll defeat me!! A ruler of ALO!! I'll make him feel pain.

Asuna: No, You're below him. You're a coward and a weakling.

Sugou: tch!! I'll show him that he's a weakling same with Kirito!!

He leaves and inputs the codes. As he did Asuna uses the bed's mirror to look up the codes and gotten the code.

Asuna: 8... 11... 3... 2... 9.

(Neutral Territory, Ancient Forest, January 21, 2025)

Small one eye dragons were flying away as Kitsune and Kirito were chasing them. They turned around to attack but Kitsune and Kirito taken out Rebellion and the large sword and slice them in one slice. One was flying away but Leafa uses her magic to take down the last enemy.

Leafa: good work, you two.

Kirito: thanks for the backup.

They gave each other high fives, then their wings were getting transparent for a bit.

Kitsune: your wings won't last much more longer. Let's land for a bit and recharge.

They landed and stretched around.

Leafa: tired?

Kirito: nope, not yet.

Kitsune: naw I'm good.

Leafa: you hung in there. I'd like to say that, but our trop through the sky is over for now.

Kirito: why?

Kitsune: see the moutain? It's above the altitude limit, so you have to go through caves to pass it.

Leafa: I've never been past here.

Kirito: I see...caves, huh? Is it long?

Kitsune: fairly, we'll have to rest at a neutral mining town half way.

Leafa: Kirito, Kitsune, do you still have time today?

Kirito: it's 7:00 PM in the real world, huh? I'm okay for a while.

Kitsune: well time to rotate.

Kirito: rotate?

Leafa: logging out and resting while others keep watch. You can't log out instantly here. So you log out in turn while who's left guards your empty avatar.

Kitsune: how about you go first while we guard you.

Leafa: okay, don't mind if I do. See you in about in 20 minutes.

She opens her menu and logs out. She opened her eyes, takes off the system. She puts on some shorts and her jacket. She went towards Yami's room but stopped as she remembers 2 nights ago. She went down stairs and made two sandwiches for Kazuto and Yami. She takes a shower.
(IDK why but hey)

Suguha: I'm excited...Kistune...Something about you. I feeling that I know you but I can't. The second time I've been kissed on the cheek, I feel happy around you. I'm looking forward to journeying to a new world.

(Back in ALO)

Leafa logs back in and open her eyes.

Leafa: I'm back. See any monsters?

Kitsune: welcome back, no monsters.

Kirito: it was quiet.

Leafa: what's that in your mouth?

Kirito: I bought some at an item shop before we left. An NPC said it was Sylvain's specialty.

Leafa: never heard of them before.

Kirito throws her one, she catches it, she hesitated for a bit and take bite of it. She felt the heat coming out of her mouth.

Kirito: Okay, it's my turn now. Keep me safe.

Leafa: okay bye!!

Kirito opens up his menu, finds the log out button and leaves the game

Kitsune: I'm gonna meditate here. I got my team with me, come on out!!

He takes out the pokeballs and Star, Darkrai, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Regigigas and Cressilia were out.

Leafa: oh my god...

Kitsune: well I going to meditate, now!! Bye!!

Then he starts to meditate, Leafa sat next him as Yui got out of the pocket from Kitsune's coat which freaks out Leafa.

Leafa: y-you can move without your master here?

Yui: of course I can! I'm mg own person. And he's not my master. He's my papa!!

Leafa: come to think of it, why did you call Kitsune your papa? Did he, um set it up that way?

Yui: no, he saved me. He said I was his daughter. So he's my papa.

Leafa: I-I see...Do you like him?

Yui: Leafa, what does it mean to like someone?

Leafa: what does it mean?

Darkrai: "Like" can be used to express a feeling of attraction between two people that is weaker than love. It does not necessarily imply a romantic attraction.

Regirock: huh!?

Darkrai; what? I maybe the nightmare pokemon but that's true.

Leafa: yeah something like that?

She gets flashes of Yami and his smiles. Her face turned red as she shakes her head.

Yui: something wrong, Leafa?

Leafa: n-nothing!!

Them: what's nothing? We're back did something happened while we were away?

Yui: welcome back papa and uncle. I was talking with Leafa, about what-

Leafa: I said it's nothing!! That was fast. Did you get to eat?

Kitsune: yeah, someone left us something.

Leafa: I see....then let's get going.

Kirito: yeah let's go then.

They had their wings up, Kitsune returned his pokemon in their pokeballs, but Kirito hesitated.

Leafa: something wrong, Kirito?

Kirito: well...It felt like someone is watching is.

Kitsune: Yui, are there any players nearby?

Yui: no, I don't detect anything.

Leafa: there might be a tracer on us.

Kirito: what's that?

Kitsune: tracking magic.

Leafa: A small animal or insect tells the caster the target's position.

Kirito: can't you get rid of it?

Leafa: you can if you can find the tracer. But if the caster's magic skill is high, it can be farther away. It's be futile to search in this field.

Kirito: I see. Well it could be just my imagination. Anyways, let's get going.

They fly up to the sky and went towards the mountains as a bat was flying while a group in red robes gotten up while the caster command the bat to follow them.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

End of Volume