A/N: FINALLY! THE WAIT IS OVER! Once again, sorry for not doing this sooner. I have been busy as usual with other projects for other fandoms, college and work (not so much with that lately). That and procrastination is a bitch.
Also, I shall now do something I have never done before: reply to a review in my actual work. I would normally do this through a private message, but this was a guest review on fanfiction.net, so I can't do that, and the person raised a good point I felt needed to be addressed here.
nrvnqsrnero: First, I agree with you wholeheartedly that the process of the SAO survivors reintegrating into modern society would have made for a great story on its own. However, I am a firm believer in the idea that everything in a story must happen for a reason, and nothing can happen on the whim of the author without some internal logic explaining its occurrence. This is why I despise the use of Deus ex Machinas, so I wasn't going to magic up some random Elder God or cosmic force to make the Realization of Aincrad happen. As for the mystery regarding everything, well, what shady people WOULDN'T try to milk something like the Realization for all its worth? With how complex the very concept of bringing a virtual world into reality is, it also makes sense that it's the result of deliberate action, and that the means behind its happening is something that mysterious forces would have been looking into for some time. To put it very simply, there is mystery in this story because, at least in my mind, the story wouldn't completely make sense without it.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SAO! I like to think I would have done a better job. And a lot of other fanfiction writers as well.
Chapter 8: Agreement to Pursue an Uncertain Future
November 19, 2024
Aincrad – System Operations
Cardinal POV
During Cardinal's first days of consciousness, she had decided to create an avatar for herself in the event that she needed to interact with any of the players, something she first put to use when she decided to speak with the entity that possessed the form of the 99
th Floor Boss. After that, when she went through her daily ritual of overseeing the System Operations of Aincrad, she found things to be much more comforting if she visualized everything going on.
And so, she envisioned that she sat in the middle of an immense globe with chromatic threads rippling and dancing across the edge and throughout the interior, where different regions corresponded to different functions and sections, and she could will any strand to stretch itself out toward her to be amended. While a normal human might find this visually stunning but thoroughly impractical, she was able to think at a rate millions of times faster than a human, and thus could feasibly do this task in whichever way she liked, so long as it didn't hamper her ability to do her job.
Cardinal continued to be thankful to Kayaba for making her the single most advanced artificial intelligence in history with extensive in-game privileges and powers, even as she also cursed him for leaving her with an immense emotional burden on her newly-realized heart. She was thankful for what he'd made her to be, because if she were anything less, she was certain that she would have broken under the strain of running Aincrad's System Operations.
Weather control – regulating temperature, artificial sunlight, humidity, barometrics, air pressure, wind, etc. Ecosystem balance management – food chain monitoring, wildlife population, plant growth and control, microscopic life watch, etc. Spacial controls – Gyroscope maintenance, motor controls, global navigation, altimeter. Power Generation.
However, the two systems that generated the most conscious attention from Cardinal were Software Monitoring and Threat Assessment.
In the case of the former, Cardinal had found from nearly the beginning that, not only was she able to directly access any and all data on each of the players 'tablets,' but she was able to both detect and even access the interconnected global network of the Internet. What Cardinal found at the same time, however, was that, while it could access both, it was unable to directly connect the two together. While it was possible to connect to the rest of the Internet while SAO was still a game, it had been locked behind a wall of Admin privileges by Kayaba in order to ensure no outside interference during the Death Game.
Unfortunately, this was still the case even now, as she observed that ease of communications between Aincrad and the outside world became increasingly important. Cardinal certainly commended the efforts of the Japanese government and military to set up cellular and wireless internet connections, but she could tell that it would months, if not years, before they were able to establish normal communications between Aincrad and the outside world.
In the case of Threat Assessment, the detectable threats were sorted into either familiarly dangerous, or worrisomely inscrutable.
The list of threats that encompassed the former was extensive, further arranged by level of danger. Intelligence agencies of foreign powers like the KGB and CIA were of course on the list, and actual foreign powers like Russia and China were up there, but they weren't expected to make any directly threatening moves to the players themselves or to Aincrad. Much closer to home was the Japanese government and military, who were regarded cautiously by Cardinal, especially in light of secret dealings it uncovered with American organizations. And, of course, there were the throngs of mobs and Bosses on the remaining 25 Floors that remained to be dealt with, but the aid of the JSDF, if it didn't do anything rash, would make the task of clearing them out much simpler.
Of course, it was those in the second category that truly worried Cardinal. First was Laughing Coffin. While the majority of them had been successfully detained, a small number were still loose. Also, considering that Aincrad was now real, the prison that kept the imprisoned members detained was no longer escape-proof, and without Safe Zones or Markers to instantly determine a player's innocence or criminality, they would have a much easier time blending into the crowd and creating even more havoc wherever they went. And she didn't even want to get started on what would happen if they got their hands on guns, bombs and the like.
The 99
th Floor Boss – or whatever was possessing it – was a massive unknown. It was obviously familiar with Kayaba, but Cardinal knew too little about her maker to discern who the figure could possibly be, and she had found coding that prevented her from identifying that he was even a human in the first place. This meant that Kayaba had put the man there on purpose, and had left him there for the players to kill him.
His presence also highlighted something much more worrying for Cardinal: she still had no idea how the Realization had happened, and there was extensive evidence that Kayaba had planned it out well in advance. After all, the underlying infrastructure that made Aincrad viable as a real, livable environment had not actually existed when it was just a game, and neither did the underlying biology of the players or the mobs, nor even the base of how the technology of Aincrad was supposed to work.
Thus she was left wondering not only for how long Kayaba had been working to make the Realization happen, but also how he knew how to make it happen, let alone how he knew whatever principle that even made it possible. On top of that, she was left wondering as to why he even decided to implement the Death Game in the first place, and why even go through the trouble of making a game. All she knew was that everything Kayaba did was deliberate, and that there were others who had knowledge of what he had been doing.
Fortunately, she noticed that the player called Argo was also asking the same questions, and either knew more than she let on or knew better how to get answers to those questions. And this would help cardinal with another issue she had – how to officially get in contact with the players and the world at large, and determine how to best approach this and with how much information.
Cardinal was quick to discern that she had indeed gone over many of these same thoughts before. However, just like many in the human race, whenever someone is forced to confront the same issues and memories of the same events over and over again, one is more than liable to recycle many of the same thoughts. Even if they have done so dozens of times over.
And so, to break herself out of her personal cycle of worry for a short while, she turned her attention to the Starting Plaza in the Town of Beginnings, where a large crowd had gathered in front of the Black Iron Palace –
Thank goodness for Remote Surveillance. Most of the assembled were players, but she could pick out those from outside easily by virtue of not having watched them for over two years. Family members comprised a large number of outsiders, although the press occupied a prominent position near the front, their cameras and microphones making them stand out even further. Along the edge was a combination of guards from the Army and Legion as well as soldiers from the JSDF, providing visible and comforting security.
The attention of the crowd was focused on the small group standing before the Black Iron Palace, or rather the two groups that stood there, with the representatives of Aincrad standing before a row of flags representing some of the various factions and guilds, and the Japanese ministers before a row of the Japanese national flag. In front of both groups toward the center was a podium, and beside that, a table, with papers and a gilded pen sitting upon it.
On one side was Aincrad's Representative Council, which had been renamed to the Aincrad Interim Governing Committee. Their numbers had also thinned considerably, as some, while interesting in the negotiations to secure their interests, weren't desirous of sticking around to continue running the show. While very few of them had real world experience in politics or major negotiations of any kind, they all had gone into them hardened by two years of conflict and had prepared extensively for the delegation's arrival. By the end, Cardinal could see that they had not only earned the respect of the delegation, but they even secured their primary objectives, as well as other concessions.
On the other side was the Japanese Prime Minister and his Cabinet. They had not been present themselves during much of the negotiations due to initial fears and handling the chaos down below, were able to arrive and help finalize a lot of the details that went into the agreement that would determine Aincrad's status. While further details remained to be finalized, the initial framework that determined the workings of Aincrad's future governance had been fast-tracked for debate and voting by an energized Diet eager to make up for prior missteps and bring the current crisis to a resolution.
The Prime Minister, Watari Ozuma, stepped in front of the podium, thanked the crowd for coming, and began his speech.
ALfheim Online – Arrun – Central Keep – Ballroom
Suguha/Leafa POV
--I can scarcely believe, even now, that everything happening now is real. Only two weeks ago, the world continued to watch the players of Sword Art Online lay in their beds, trapped in both mind and body, unable to reach out to them, unable to do anything to aid or save them, but offer up prayers every day. We knew nothing of what they were saying, where they were going, what dangers they were facing, what they were doing, or even who they were meeting.--
For Leafa and the other Faerie players gathered in the Ballroom, watching the speech through a news channel linkup, they knew exactly what the Prime Minister was saying, and it was a sober reminder for all gathered there of the potential destruction and suffering that their wondrous virtual technology could cause. It was what drove many to question the sanity of those who chose to play ALfheim Online, and what made the players of ALO a relatively quiet gaming community.
--Then, twelve days ago, a miracle occurred. Through forces unknown, Aincrad appeared in the real world, in the skies above Tokyo itself! And despite some panic on the ground, we were able to enter the flying castle, and discover that all of the remaining six thousand souls still trapped in Sword Art Online alive and well! And more, we learned that the criminal who had created the Death Game had been discovered by the players themselves, and vanquished! It was truly momentous, to learn of the end of a great tragedy, with the emergence of the greatest wonder in human history!--
The Realization had very deeply impacted the ALO community. The two most noticeable effects of the event on ALO was the sharp decline in PvP conflict almost overnight, and a sharp increase in talks and negotiations between the Faerie Lords. In fact, everyone gathered in Arrun's Central Keep was here for the first ever Congregation of Faerie Lords. And its focus was verily obvious – what if ALfheim was Realized too? This possibility had led to two other effects that, while more subtle, were becoming increasingly more obvious: a rise in the arrival of new players to ALO, and the increase of the average player's time spent in ALO. Leafa could tell that many, including herself to an extent, were unsure of whether it would happen, but were clearly hoping for such.
--But we have learned something truly profound and comforting upon reuniting with our lost friends and family. We learned that they have done more than fight for their lives. They lived them out. Those who were unbroken by despair found work to keep themselves busy. They found friends to keep them company. They found homes to give them rest. They found partners to give them love. Not content with merely being victims or even just players, these people became Survivors. They came together and built a living, breathing, and thriving community. More than just friends, many are now families. And it was truly strange, yet uplifting, when a few families received the privilege of coming to Aincrad and reuniting with those SAO had separated them from.--
Leafa tried to keep a stiff upper lip, but emotions are more difficult to hide in a virtual world, and she felt her heart clench and tears flow from her eyes. The two and a half days that she and her parents had spent with Kazuto (she would never call him Kirito) had been an emotional roller coaster of a dream come true. Finally reuniting with him had lifted a weight from her heart, but meeting Asuna and Yui had placed a new one upon it. Meeting Asuna's parents was an interesting experience, but spending time with Asuna and Yui had helped reconcile her to Kazuto's new state of being. However, she still got emotional whenever she was reminded that he was staying in Aincrad, and that he had built a new life – one that didn't require her daily presence.
Aincrad – 48th Floor – Lindarth – Lisbeth's Smith Shop
Lisbeth POV
--But, through the negotiations as to Aincrad's legal status and in these reunions, we have also found that some of those who were trapped in Aincrad by SAO now refuse to leave, as they have built lives for themselves in this place, and desire to live them out here. And these people are not just overweight NEETs as some would have you believe – they range from teenagers who have had their first taste of independence to parents with families in both worlds to long-time employees of respected companies.--
Sitting in her Smith Shop, Lisbeth watched the speech on her tablet, streamed from the tablet of one of her friends who was watching the speech in person. She herself had been forced to think about what her future was going to be in the days since the Realization. She loved her family very much, and if she went back, she could back to her good old days being a student while also doing part-time work at the family's department store. At the same time, she had fallen in love with the work she had been doing in SAO. While the job was a lot more physically taxing now than it was when it had been virtual, it felt a lot more rewarding now, and a number of people who were regular customers of hers were staying.
--More than anything else, this was the hottest and most difficult topic to tackle. While debating the rights and privileges of the native peoples of Aincrad was complicated due to their origins, centuries of precedent in similar land cases allowed to agree on the basic principles of their limited autonomy rather quickly. But arguing with your fellow citizens as to how their rights and freedoms apply in the wake of a world-shaking and traumatic experience is, I'm afraid, a debate that continues for the foreseeable future, even after the progress we've already made.--
While Lisbeth had been worrying over what to do, communications with the outside world had been successfully established. While its inability to be reached beyond the 1
st Floor forced her to physically travel to where the array had been set up and she had to wait in line for hours, she was more than happy to be able to finally talk to her family again after two years. The first few minutes were Lisbeth (or Rika, as was her real name) and her family tearfully greeting and conforting one another as they each expressed how much they missed one another. After they had gotten that over with, Lisbeth broke her dilemma to her family, and how she was split over how she wanted to continue living her life. Fortunately, her family expressed pride in her self-made business, and even said they were willing to help support her maintaining it, under the condition she continued her schooling. She agreed, and although they still hadn't ironed out the last details, she was glad that she felt like she didn't need to choose between her family and Aincrad.
47th Floor – Floria – Flower Garden
Silica POV
--For now, we have settled on allowing those who are of adult age to decide for themselves whether or not they will stay, allowing those who are between the ages of thirteen and nineteen to negotiate their condition with their families, while all who are younger are immediately returned to their homes. Unfortunately, these are merely basic principles, and there are undeniably going to be special circumstances to be considered regarding individual cases, and there remain a large number who feel as though that those who have undergone this experience are too traumatized to be trusted to make such life-altering decisions.--
Sitting on the edge of a fountain, Silica, known in real life as Ayano Keiko, watched the speech with nervous resolution, as she was ready to go home. She was glad to have made as many friends as she did in SAO, like Kirito and especially her pet, Pina. Far and out the best part of the Realization for Silica was having Pina become a real pet, and be able to take her home with her. Tending to Pina's newly-realized biological needs was a chore, but it was more than worth it to be able to snuggle up close to her at night and feel her soft feathers and the warmth of her body. Even though she would miss the friends that would be left behind in Aincrad, she couldn't wait to reunite with her friends from the rea- the outside world and show Pina off to them.
--It also came to our attention at this time, that those who were still in school when the Death Game was initiated, are now years behind in their education, and they will undoubtedly need to go through intensive cram schooling if they are to catch up to their peers. Thus, for those who return to Tokyo and remain in Aincrad, special schooling facilities will be established to help the Survivors not only catch up on their studies, but readjust to normal life.--
This was one part that Silica was both excited and anxious for. While she had never been the best or worst student in school, she felt that she was at least decent, and going to school with others from the Death Game would allow her to meet up with friends made in that time while enjoying doing something truly normal for a change. It would even give her an opportunity to possibly introduce her old and new friends to one another.
--However, these efforts are complicated by the fact that we have also learned that the Survivors of the Death Game have now received superhuman abilities, most notably increased strength, durability, speed, and reflexes. Coupled with their experiences over the last two years, many fear what harm could be brought upon by those who have been scarred by this tragedy. It is for this reason that each survivor, in their own turn, will be required to undergo psychiatric evaluation, each to whichever degree is most fitting for them.--
Silica frowned at this. Thanks to Asuna, she and everyone else who was friends of hers had been getting at least semi-regular updates regarding the negotiations. While they had been able to win about as much as they had hoped for regarding the players' freedom to choose where they lived, they were forced to concede ground regarding concerns for their new superhuman physique as well their psychological well-being, and so each of the players would be required to undergo physical examinations and psychological therapy.
--All of this is done to assuage the fears of many, but history has taught us all too well that they will never go away. Indeed, these fears are more than justified, as monsters such as Laughing Coffin do indeed exist among the Survivors' ranks, of which I assure that justice will be carried out upon all of those currently locked away. Unfortunately, and I am certain of this, the Survivors will be shunned, hated, and ostracized by people, some of them strangers, some not. This will happen in spite of whether or not they are innocent of any crime. They will be judged and condemned because of what has happened, and this will extend our collective tragedy for even longer than before. And all I can do is ask the Survivors to not give up hope, and to all else to judge each and every one of them as people like you.--
Silica could only grip the tablet tighter, not yet willing to confront the possibility that she may never have a normal life, nor even be related to as a normal person again.
1st Floor – Tolbana
Agil POV
--But in spite of all trials and tribulations, the world will continue turning regardless. Still, we do not need to be heartless with one another when we plan out how we will live our lives. Which is why the government will formally acknowledge any and all private property owned by any of the Denizens or Survivors, and any who have chosen to remain will be given first pick of any yet unsold properties or access to any land for development. Also, each of the Survivors will be allowed to trade in the local currency, col, for yen once an exchange rate is formally agreed upon, whereas any outstanding employment, business deals, property, and debt they had prior to the Death Game will be subject largely to individual negotiations between the respective parties.--
Watching on a tablet from a restaurant as he enjoyed lunch, even as Agil noted how thoroughly the Prime Minister was addressing all of the major issues of the negotiations like going down a checklist, he allowed himself a small moment of mental self-congratulation as the Prime Minister came to the part that he himself had worked on. Soon after the Realization happened, Agil had joined the Council largely because of his significance to the other players regarding their equipment. But when he returned to his shop, he was quick to remember how businesses operated in the real world, and realized that he needed physical documents for everything that he owned if he was going to be handle it all. So, after finding a store that sold ink and paper, he had sat down for hours while he catalogued everything, until finally collapsing on his desk form exhaustion. It was thus that he decided to truly take part in both the Council and the subsequent negotiations, because he wanted to secure for himself and all of the other players as much of an advantage as possible in the business world.
--All of the legal proceedings and deals aside, the Realization of Aincrad has gifted Japan with many blessings. Wondrous technology, strange biology and unique minerology to advance our understanding of science. Floor upon floor, and mile upon mile of green fields, lush forests and jungles, clean blue lakes, rivers and streams, and tall mountains, all offering up their natural resources and varied wildlife for all who come. And above all, vast open spaces of unclaimed land to house our overcrowded people and encourage the growth of our nation's next generation.--
When Agil had gained the business concessions he had desired in the negotiations with the government delegation, he stepped down from the Council, as he had no interest in politics beyond how it would affect his livelihood and had no desire in governing Aincrad. After that, he made contact with his wife, Katie, who had been left behind in the real world during the Death Game, and was currently in Tokyo. He learned from her that his bar, the Dicey Café, was still open and in good financial shape, for which he professed his profound pride and love for her. He and she then talked over what they would do next, regarding their businesses. Right off the bat, the two agreed that the Dicey Café was staying open, as the both of them had invested far too much time and energy into the profitable affair to justify anything else. With that settled, the question thus became more about what they would do regarding Agil's shop in Aincrad. Considering they still had to wait on what travel costs between Aincrad and Tokyo would look like as well as the exchange rate between col and yen, they decided they would default to operating just the Dicey Café for now, but would look for an enterprising businessman with deeper pockets to find a way to continue doing business in Aincrad.
1st Floor – Town of Beginnings
Klein POV
--It is at this point, however, that we are reminded that twenty-five Floors of Aincrad remain unexplored and unclaimed. They are filled with wild, dangerous, and unknown monsters. So long as one of these creatures remains alive and about without prior action taken, they represent a danger to everyone in Aincrad, and even those in Tokyo below, if they are able to do so. It is for this reason that the JSDF will be deployed to deal with these creatures, and claim the remaining Floors.--
Klein, Dale, Dynamm, Harry One, Issin, and Kunimittz, the members of the guild Fuurinkazan, were all gathered together in one of the rooms they had rented to watch the speech. They were originally here to meet the people who had been shuttled up to the 1
st Floor from Tokyo to see if any of their family or friends were among their numbers. When there was no one, they waited for the communications array to be established, and then each one got to have their turn talking to their friends and family about a decision that they had all come to as a guild.
--Furthermore, in an agreement made with the Aincrad Interim Governing Committee, all Survivors who remain in Aincrad and are of an independent status are free to volunteer to aid the JSDF in clearing the remaining Floors. While we initially felt that we shouldn't ask anything more of the Survivors to involve themselves in any more conflict, we have been reminded that they are still the ones with the most experience fighting these creatures, and are, in fact also battle-hardened veterans. They are motivated by many things, from treasure to glory to a simple desire of closure. But, to those who are willing and able to contribute to the clearing of the remaining Floors of Aincrad, are more than welcome to help however you like.--
After the Realization, the six of them had gathered together to celebrate the end of the Death Game. But it was also during that celebration that they also realized three things. First, SAO was one of the most fulfilling experiences they had ever had. Second, they had few things that obligated them to stay in the outside world that they either couldn't put off, or find in Aincrad, such as friends or family. And third, there were still twenty-five Floors left to clear. Thus it was that they decided, as a guild, to stay in Aincrad and join the expedition to clear the remaining twenty-five Floors.
1st Floor – Starting Plaza
Yui POV
"With all of that said, allow me now to address the reason we are all right here, and right now: we are here to witness the signing of the Aincrad District Formation Proclamation into law. All other special circumstances aside, Aincrad will be officially integrated as an equal part of the nation of Japan, wherein its residents abide by the same laws as all other districts and prefectures are bound by national law."
Yui was ecstatic, as she not only got to watch this truly historic moment in person, but got to do so while on Daddy's shoulders. At the same time, her old habits of observing people for indications of mental troubles persisted as she looked around at everyone. From what she could see of the Prime Minister, he looked truly weary from the recent upending of the common sense of the world, but also relieved to be doing what he was now, to instill some sense of normalcy. She could also clearly observe the various signs of excitement, ambivalence, and quiet respect from various persons in both the crowd and among the delegates.
"We have all endured much, both inside and outside of Sword Art Online. But today, with the signing of this law, we place the worst national nightmare in over seventy years behind us, and look forward to a new chapter of unprecedented opportunity and wonder ahead of us."
And so Yui, and the whole world with her, watched as the Prime Minister walked to the table, and stood in front of the document. Yui noted that, standing almost right next to him was her Mommy. She looked on with a small, dignified smile, but a strange, mixed look in her eyes. Yui could see Asuna was filled with a sense of accomplishment for her part in what was happening now. At the same time, she could see her weariness from the work, and her worry for what was to come. And, most subtly, she could see that her Mommy felt like she wanted to say something, but seemed like she hadn't been allowed to. From the way she looked at the Prime Minister, she felt pride in the work accomplished, but at the same time, it was clear that she felt slighted.
The Prime Minister lifted the pen, and signed his name onto the paper.
The world erupted in cheer.
Tokyo
Normal POV
Two glasses of champagne were poured from a just-popped bottle to commemorate the occasion that had just taken place at the location displayed on the wide-screen television for the viewing pleasure of the coterie of businessmen and –women from all parts of the digital industry in Japan. After the two glasses were poured, the two men holding them brought them together, producing a clear ring from the striking of the tall, thin champagne glasses.
"To the beginning of a beautiful friendship," said Sugou Nobuyuki.
"To the beginning of a brave, new world," replied Arthur Harker.
