Sword Art Online: Aincrad's Hollow Fragment

December 16, 2024

Floor 76: Arc Sophia

After tucking Kiyo into bed, I decided to use the rest of the night to take a stroll around Arc Sophia. Changing out of my armor and putting on my normal clothes, I walked out of Agil's shop and started walking around. I took a deep breath, relieved that there was no more work to do for the day. No monsters, no bosses, no quests, just me and the starry night above my head. Something told me that I would be able to...

"Ooof!"

?- Ah!

Not paying attention due to my thoughts, me and another person ran into each other. As I rubbed my head, I looked up to see Lisbeth holding a package.

"Sorry Liz, I wasn't paying attention."

Lisbeth- No, it's ok Kazzu. I was at fault as well. What brings you out here at this time of night?

"I was just talking a nightly stroll. How about yourself? What's in the box?"

Lisbeth- Just something I wanted to... actually... now that you're here... mind doing me a favor Kazzu?

"Depends on the favor."

Lisbeth- Could you hand this to Ashtry?

As she was handing the package over to me, I could smell the peculiar aroma. Hanging around Ashtry for a while, I was able to determine the contents inside.

"Herbal tea?"

Lisbeth- Yes sir! I was on a quest in town and got a hold of it.

"Quests in town huh? It's nice to see you and Silica doing quests inside of a safe zone. I'm sorry I haven't had time to help you level up. I know you guys want to help me and the others out on the field."

Lisbeth- It's ok Kazzu. Silica and I understand. We just want to be able to join you and help you stand against your father when the time comes. If that means we have to miss out on a few adventures and focus on leveling up, then so be it.

"I promise you; I want everyone there with me at the end. You, Ashtry, Kiyo, Kirito, everyone. Thank you for doing all that you can to be able to reach that goal."

Lisbeth- Not a problem!

"So... what's the tea for?"

Lisbeth- Oh right! It's good for recovering fatigue. Ashtry seems to be tired more often than she should.

"Fatigue? What has Ashtry been doing?"

Lisbeth- A lot... she's been commanding the Aincrad Assault Army while you are away, taking care of Kiyo and taking her own free time to go out and level herself up. It's no wonder why you two love each other, you both do a lot of things similarly.

I felt guilty as I looked down at the package. Everyone was trying their hardest to beat the game while I'm mostly focusing on the Hollow Area and having my own adventures. I take a deep breath and sigh.

"I'm sorry that 've left you all with so many responsibilities. I feel like I'm not doing enough to help."

Lisbeth- Hey, don't say that! You're out there on the field like the rest of the Aincrad Assault Army. Just because you pop out of the front lines to do your own thing, doesn't mean you aren't doing anything to help. I understand how much burden you carry and know that you deserve a break like the rest of us. Plus, if you feel that bad about it, why don't you deliver it to Ashtry? Who knows, she might even give you a reward.

She gave me a smug smirk and nudged me suggestively. I rolled my eyes and gently pushed her off me.

"I suppose... I haven't had a nice moment with Ashtry in a while... alright. I'll bring it to her."

Lisbeth- That's the spirit! Now I gotta run and shut the smithy down for the night. See you around Kazzu!

As she ran away with a smile on her face, I looked down at the package with a smirk of my own.

"A reward huh...?"

Floor 76: Arc Sophia

Agil's Shop

Out in the hallway, I was about to enter Ashtry's room until I heard her speaking to herself inside.

Ashtry- Hm... ok... if that item's drop rate is bad, I'm sure the drops on the fifty-sixth floor would work as substitutes. Alright, message sent. And that's the end of that.

Floor 56? What would she need from there?

Ashtry- Now, what next?

Deciding to catch her before she got busier, I knocked on the door.

"Hey Ashtry? It's Kazzu. I have something for you."

Ashtry- Oh! Kazzu! Come in!

I opened the door and took a step inside, seeing her look at me with a smile on her face.

"Are you sure I'm not interrupting anything important? I can leave and come back if you want?"

Ashtry- No! I mean... no, it's ok. I was just catching up on some communications. We still have players on the lower floors, and I wanted to make sure materials were being transported. But never mind that, what brings you here?

I let out a chuckle and decided to tease her a bit.

"What? I can't come to visit the woman I love?"

She started to blush and fidget with her hair.

Ashtry- No, you can but... you've just been so busy with other things and I... I thought you were too busy to care about me...

I felt guilt rush into my heart. I didn't want to give her that mentality. I set the package down and gently grabbed her cheek.

"Now don't you ever think that I don't care about you Ash... I may be busy with a lot of things but no matter what happens, I will always care about you, Kiyo as well..."

She blushed harder but nuzzled into my hand, a small smile on her face.

Ashtry- I'm sorry... I was just scared... I'm glad you said that because I didn't want to lose the only person that I love with every atom in my body...

It was my turn to blush as I moved my hand away from her cheek. I got so flustered, that I grabbed the package and gave it to her while telling her the truth.

"Lisbeth wanted me to give this to you... that's why I'm here..."

Her eyes went wide as she snagged the package and took a deep breath, smelling the contents inside. Stars appeared in her eyes.

Ashtry- My chamomile! Yes! Take a seat Kazzu and I'll make you a cup!

Not having a chance to speak as she bolted to her teapot, I smiled and took a seat on the couch. As she was making tea, I couldn't help but stare at her. She was wearing her battle attire but instead of having her hood up, it was down and exposing her flowing blonde hair. I was starstruck as I was reminded just how beautiful she was.

She's the most beautiful creature I have ever seen...

Lost in my trance, I was unaware that she was trying to hand me a cup of my own.

Ashtry- Kazzu? Are you ok?

"What? Oh! Yes! Sorry..."

I grabbed my cub and started to take small sips. Ashtry smiled and sat next to me, a cup in her hand as well. As she raised the cup to her lips, I heard a breath of satisfaction.

Ashtry- This is delicious.

"Lisbeth told me that it's supposed to help with fatigue... is everything going ok with you? You know that if there's anything I can do for you, you can let me know?"

Ashtry- Yea... I know... I just don't want to bother you with everything else that you have on your plate.

She let out a chuckle while taking another sip of her drink.

Ashtry- If you really want to help out, you could take over my job as vice commander.

I let out a chuckle of my own while shaking my head.

"Well, last I checked, I declined that position. Besides, being the leader of the Aincrad Assault Team is hard, even if I'm not paying attention to every little detail... I know I've been focused on other things, but I really am trying to beat this game."

Ashtry- And I have never doubted that. The fact that we have made it this far under your leadership speaks numbers. Heathcliff was the strongest player in the game and yet during the boss on Floor 75, he had lost a substantial number of players. You, on the other hand, have been able to face the bosses with a level head, skill and, best of all, haven't lost a single person. It's not just me who sees it. Everyone on the team respects you. Without you, we wouldn't have made it to the 76th floor.

I shake my head and set my cup down on a nearby table.

"That's not true. If I were to do all of this by myself, I would've faced my end on Floor 75 during the fight with my father. It's because of you, Kiyo and the others that I was able to have a chance to beat this game. Without you guys, I'm nothing more than another player."

Ashtry- No... you really aren't... you have the weight of burden on your shoulders ever since this game launched. Even now, you have the weight of expectations and our problems. I haven't asked you to do anything to help me because I didn't want to add onto your burdens. I didn't want to pressure you like that...

My heartbeat increased as she said that. She had been worried about me this whole time.

Ashtry- I'm sorry... I didn't mean...

I cut her off as I decided to be bold. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to me. Her back was resting on my chest as I rested my head on her shoulder. I held her tighter in a warm embrace.

"Thank you for worrying about my state of being Ash... it means a lot to know that you still care for me enough to do that for me."

Ashtry- Of course I still care about you, you dork. I haven't stopped...

I let out a chuckle as I kissed her neck.

"If you really want me to Ashtry... I can handle a few tasks or take the role of vice commander for a while. I can't begin to understand how stressed you've been worrying about me."

Ashtry- No... it's ok... I was teasing you when I said that. I was more worried about you than I was the job anyway. I can handle it, don't worry your pretty face about it.

"Pretty face huh? Well, if I'm pretty, you are stunning."

Ashtry- Flatterer...

"Besides, I don't know how you've set things up. I would hate to ruin everything you have built up and face the wrath of the Red Hunter."

Ashtry- And what's that supposed to mean!?

"It means you're scary as shit when you have to get serious. It's different from when you're pissed. You give off a crazed smile when you start to get serious."

Ashtry- I... I do?

"No, I was just teasing."

Ashtry- You jerk!

We both started laughing as she playfully started hitting my chest. The playful fight turned into us shoving each other. After a while of roughhousing, we sat back down. Ashtry kept her smile as she rested her head on my shoulder.

Ashtry- Well, the tea might not have healed my aches and pains, but I'm glad you were here to give me a proper treatment. I feel a lot better now.

"Anytime you need me Ashtry, I'll be there for you. Just try not to push yourself too hard."

Ashtry- I'll try to keep that in mind...

We both went silent for a while, just staring into each other's eyes. Eventually, we both moved closer to each other and connected lips. Her kiss was still as soft and innocent as when we first shared one. She brushed my cheek with her hands while I held her tightly by her hips. We deepened the kiss, exploring each other's mouths with our tongues until we finally pulled back for air. We both looked at each other shocked for a moment before our eyes filled themselves with love and a slight lust.

Ashtry- Almost forgot how good you were at kissing Kazzu...

"Strange... because I always knew you were a great kisser..."

Ashtry- Want more, my prince?

"I..."

Before I could answer her, there was another knock at her door. Kiyo entered the room with tired eyes and a scared expression. Me and Ashtry both rushed over to her worried, our parental instincts kicking in.

"Kiyo? Everything ok?"

Ashtry- What's wrong sweetheart?

Kiyo- I had a nightmare, and I can't fall back to sleep... can I please sleep with you guys tonight?

Ashtry- Of course you can... come on... you hop in bed while I change, ok?

Kiyo- Ok...

Ashtry helped Kiyo into her bed and tucked her back in. I got into bed to the left of Kiyo as Ashtry changed her clothes and got in on her right. Kiyo snuggled up to the both of us as her eyes slowly closed. Before me and Ashtry fell asleep with Kiyo, we had both reached for each other's hands. we smiled as we drifted to sleep, our hand intertwined with one another.