“Hello and welcome to our little slice of MMO, as most of you know the sensation that is sweeping every nation virtual MMO” the news reporter spoke on the screen large smile on her face “it has been three years to this very day that the program Seed was launched onto worldwide servers generously given from two of the gaming worlds most famous faces Kirito” a picture of a young man appeared onto the screen<br/>| +<br/>Kirigaya hung his head and placed his hand over his face as the reported continued to speak “and Agil”<br/>| +<br/>“both could have profited from the program to no end, yet they both released the program incognito allowing players all over the world to enjoy Virtual MMO for free, three years ago to this day the last three-handed players captured by the insane genius Kayaba Akihiko were set free allowing them to re join society and attempt to live normal lives, but now over one billion players have joined the ranks announcements have been seen all over fourms saying something big will happen for this anniversary yet no spoilers have found the net but we are all very excited to see what happens that’s all from us”.<br/><br/><br/>Kirigaya switched off the TV and finished his sandwich looking around his home he smiled at Asuna “well shall we” she smiled back moving over to lightly kiss his forehead “well we can’t keep everyone waiting can we” she said brushing past him, getting up to follow her he found her laying on the bed the nerve gear over her head Kirigaya lay next to her lifting his own he placed it on and connected the high speed Lan cable a small smile crossed his lips as he felt Asunas fingers link with his before they both spoke “Link Start” The words welcome to Sword Art Online flashed in front of their eyes before Kirigaya found himself blinking the sun out of his eyes and sitting up to find Asuna already up and sheathing her sword “Kirito come on we’re gonna be late” Kirigaya now in his avatar only responded to the name Kirito as only a few select people knew his real name and most still called him Kirito.<br/><br/>Kirito hopped out of bed lifting his large broadsword and placed it on his back with a smile flexing his hands the leather fingerless gloves made a small squeak “well let’s get going” he said with a smile, they both left their house and made for the teleportation stone they both spoke at the same time “Land of Beginnings” the level one plaza a place that had the most players and the largest tavern, Asuna had taken the mantel as leader of the Knights of Blood and was currently talking a treaty with the Aincrad Liberation Force easily the largest guild in Sword art online but all lower levels.<br/><br/>Kirito walked into the bar to see Agil and Klein waving at him pointing at two chairs Kirito and Asuna sat taking a glass of mead with smiles as they spoke “so what do you guys think this big surprise is going to be” they both shrugged, Kirito scratched his head “hmm how can none of us know what’s going on” he shrugged and drank some mead “so what shall we do today raid level 95 dungeon again see if we can get Klein the gilded Katana again” Klein made a noise in his throat “na I’m sick of the disappointment my drop rate is so poor it’s unreal” as soon as the words left Kleins lips they all started to glow blue, one by one they all vanished. Kirito blinked rapidly trying to force his eyes in focus, they had all been teleported out into the plaza, Kirito looked around and his mouth fell open, not just his group everyone who was online was here the entire population of Sword art Online Kirito frowned and Klein punched his shoulder “well looks like we are about to find out this big news, probably a subscription price ahhh it was too good to be true, a mean really a huge server company taking the liberty of supporting us to play free all this time” Klein said looking annoyed, as was usual for all system alerts a small section of the sky went red and spread across all the visible sky an almost blood like substance fell from the sky and formed a ball turning into a GM Kirito found himself having vivid flashbacks from when they were all trapped in Sword Art Online the GM spread his arms.<br/><br/><br/>“Welcome brothers and sisters, as you all know today is a monumental day, today is the day the hero Kirito defeated Kayaba Akihiko aka Heathcliff in a tremendous battle the likes this word had never seen nor I doubt shall see again, I am sure you are all very excited to hear the big news that has spread all over the forums for weeks now? Well here it is” the GM pulled back it’s hood and revealed the face of Heathcliff<br/>| +<br/>The old leader of The Knights of Blood and the Avatar of Kayaba Akihiko “as you all know my real life self died three years ago but my subconscious remained in this game and thanks to Kirito and Agil I have spread around the world, so I hear you ask what is my plan well isn’t it obvious those then thousand stuck in this world three years ago, they were mealy beta testers this is the real game, I’m sure as soon as some of you recognised me you checked your log out button and swiftly found it was once again gone, for those who did not experience the beta test the rules are simple, your avatar has one life only difference is you die here you die in real life, I have reset the levels so you are all stuck on level one, and once again the only way to get your freedom is to clear the game, I know what you are all thinking, the nerve gear no longer use micro emitters so you cannot be killed like last time, this is of course true, yet what I do have access too is the pain regulator so as soon as your hp hit’s zero a pain simulator will be activated that will be so intense your brain will shut down and no longer function effectively turning you into vegetables, I personally would rather be dead.<br/><br/>Heathcliff looked around with a smile “my, my so many angry faces I am not unreasonable all those who were in the Beta test shall be allowed to log out, I promised you all your freedom if you cleared the game, but remember if you leave these people here many more will die than would if you remained, yet I cannot let all of you go Kirito, Asuna, Agil and Klein shall all remain, Kirito the fabled Black swordsman greatest player of all time the man who defeated me, Asuna the leader of my precious Knights of Blood” Kirito looked at Asuna from the corners of his eyes “told you keeping them was a bad idea” Asuna elbowed him in the ribs and he hit the floor Heathcliff continued to talk “Agil the man who devoted all to training members and keeping trade alive in the game and lastly Klein you remain because, well I see you all as a group and it would be a shame to split you all up”.<br/><br/><br/>Heathcliff looked up once again “this will be nothing like last time, the challenge will be much harder you will all be here much longer, but worry not about your bodys I pumped my entire wealth into a company that researched pills to maintain the human body while comatose, you could all live one hundred years like this, would that not be glorious, well that is all I shall await you in the golden castle at level one hundred” Heathcliff turned his back, rage boiled up in Kirito yanking his huge sword from the sheath he flung himself upwards bringing the sword down the path leading directly to Heathcliff's skull slamming to a halt the banner stating Immortal Object appearing as Kirito was flung back a loud bang echo’d from the force of the blow “Ah Kirito impulsive as ever and that speed amazing, amazing I meant to talk to you before I left I will be allowing you your dual wield ability back, after all it’s the least I can do for forcing you to stay with me once more” Heathcliff brought his sword down Kirito blocked it but was forced flying down crashing into the floor creating a large crater yet his HP didn't drop he mumbled “you cannot be killed in a neutral zone” suddenly his side hurt “Idiot what would we have done if you died!” Kirito looked up to see Asuna with her shoe flying away from his ribs “sorry, sorry”, after that Heathcliff vanished a banner spread across the sky reading “Everyone the town is locked for tonight, please rest, drink and eat for the game begins tomorrow”.