[Sword Art Online Arc]: The Month of Death Saga

Several months had passed in Sword Art Online, and the floors up until 79 were unlocked. Kane opened the front door of The Eternal Keeper's home on floor 35, later that day, they were going to head with the Aincrad Liberation Force to clear out the 79th floor and head onto the 80th floor. It was November.

Akimoto walked through the house, he was giddy. "We're nearly there. Twenty more floors then we can see how bad we smell." He grinned, walking past Kane.

Kane nodded, he walked into the living room. "What will happen to.. us though?" Kane asked. "Every single one of us would lose connection to one another." He sat on the couch.

"Well. My grandma should still be in contact with your parents. Madison lives down the street from me. And, as for the others. We'll meet up with them. We have to." He said, shrugging.

"The thing that troubles me almost as much as that, if not more, is what will happen to Azami?" Kane opened his menu and put on the Coat of the Midnight Swordsman, the coat Maeko made for him.

"I. I uh. Uh." Akimoto was at a loss of words, he hadn't thought about this. He sat down on a chair and let his chin rest in his hand. "Hm. There's gotta be a way you can, save her to your hard drive or something. Right?"

"I don't know." Kane replied. He stood up from the couch. "Oh yeah, the others are waiting outside, we're going to head up the floors to meet up with the Liberation Force and hopefully we'll be able to clear the boss and open up the 80th floor." Kane lifted a thumbs up and started heading out the door until Azami stepped downstairs.

"Daddy can I come with you guys?" Azami asked.

Kane turned around and looked at Azami. He looked at Akimoto and then to her again. "I'm sorry honey, I don't think you're old enough to go to dangerous places such as the 80th floor." Kane bent down in front of her and set his hand on her head.

"Kane, can I speak to you a moment?" Akimoto asked, after he had equipped his trench coat that Maeko had made him. Once Kane was off to the side he said. " The AI's in this game are basically invincible. And remember when we checked her health stats? It's extremely high. Plus, she can stay outside if needed. I'd let her come, but still. It's your choice."

Kane lifted his hand up to his chin. "We could get Maeko, Rose, or even Kiyoko to watch after her and make sure she doesn't get hurt." He replied. "Fine, we'll let her come, what's the big deal?"

Kane and Akimoto started heading out the door. Kane allowed Azami onto his back. "We're actually changing our minds. You can come with us." He let out a laugh.

"Yay!" Azami shouted. "Thanks, Uncle Akimoto for convincing him to let me go." She let out a warm smile.

"Anytime kid." Akimoto said and laughed, they caught up to the others and began their way to the teleportation gate.

Once at the teleport gate, all of the 10 Eternal Keepers were geared up and ready to go. They all reached in their pouches and pulled out the teleporter crystal, where they then teleported to the gate on Floor 79, a huge dungeon.

Akimoto equipped his mithrodian sword and looked around. "Hm. We haven't encountered something like this yet. This should be interesting." He said, to himself but it echoed off the walls.

Maeko pulled her sword out of it's holster and held it at her side, looking around.

Kane lowered Azami off his back, he opened his menu and equipped the Illuminator and the Manipulator. "Azami, stay in the back with Maeko and Rose." He looked forward down the long, and small corridor of the dungeon. "The Liberation Force told us to meet them at the door leading into the boss. Let's get there quick as we can." He slowly took the lead and walked forward.

Akimoto nodded and followed Kane. They eventually got to the door.

Kane was surprised to only see 8 soldiers of the Aincrad Liberation Forces waiting around at the gate. They all had helmets on, one of which stood up, it appeared as though he had a cape that covered his right arm. He walked over to the 10 and held his hand out to Kane, who shook it.

"Good to get you here Midnight Swordsman." He looked at the others. "You as well, Eternal Keepers." This man was a Colonel in the Aincrad Liberation Forces. He was named Masahido.

Kane stepped forward to the boss door. "So, are there only 8 of you that are going to come here?" He asked.

Masahido nodded. "Indeed."

"They seem pretty tired.." Akimoto said looking at the 8.

Masahido shook his hand. "In no way are my men tired. We were waiting for your arrival."

Kane lifted his finger up and pinched his nose, letting out a sigh. "Let's just try and get this over with." He looked at the door with his swords in his hands. "Is everyone ready to enter?"

"As ready as ever." Akimoto said, everyone else nodded in agreement.

Masahido started speaking. "As always, sir." He saluted and his men stood up and saluted to Kane as well.

Kane looked to the back where Azami, Maeko, Yang, Kiyoko, and Rose all stood. They were behind the others and the soldiers. Kane gave a node back to Akimoto and pushed open the doors with the butt of his sword. They all stepped in.

It was just another long corridor.

" We need four of your men on each side Masahido, Kane you get the front, Kisho you get the middle and I'll get the rear, we're going to form a circle of sorts." Akimoto said calmly, looking at everyone as he spoke. "Ladies, you all get towards the middle."