After I revealed just who Heathcliff really is, the players here all stared at him. Whispering could be heard all around me.

Kayaba: Just for my curiosity's sake, would you mind telling me how you figured it out?

U/n: Our battle, that was when I noticed something was up. Remember how you turned the tables against me? You moved way to quickly and blocked my attack.

He nods.

Kayaba: Yes, I thought so. It was a mistake to think that would go unnoticed by you. But you were so strong and so fast, the only choice I had was to engage the system's assist mode.

Kirito: I noticed it to, but paid no attention to it.

People all around gasp once more, the man who was responsible for trapping us here for two years, was right before me. Hiding amongst us.

Kayaba: Yes, I am Akihiko Kayaba. And that my identity's been revealed, it should come as no surprise that I am the final boss on the top floor.

Once more people gasp. Asuna got closer to me and held onto my arm. Sachi did the same with Kirito.

U/n: So, the strongest player in the whole game ends up being the final boss. Cliché, if you ask me.

Kayaba: I like that angle. One thing's for sure-- I always thought you'd be the one standing before me at the very end. You know, dual-wielding is a rare skill-- the kind that's only given to the player with the fastest reaction time. He is the hero of this story-- the one who rises up to challenge the Demon King.

U/n: A Hero, huh? I guess that I like that angle as well.

Kayaba: I bet you do. Imagine my surprise that the skill was gifted to you and Kirto. I know you both had the fastest reaction speed here, so my guess that you two had the same reaction time when the system was granting it and resulted in the two of you getting it. But I'm sure we all know who the rightful owner is, you U/n. The White Devil. You possess strength that exceeded my expectations. I guess these unexpected twists and turns are what makes MMORPGs so thrilling to play.

I clenched my fist in anger.

U/n: Is this what is it to you, a game? Bastard.

One of his lieutenants stood up and glared at him.

Lieutenant: Our loyalty... our hope... how dare you? How dare you?!

He jumps in the air and went to attack Kayaba.

Lieutenant: HOW DARE YOU?!!

Kayaba went to his menu quickly and pressed a button. Whatever it was, static surrounded the player's body and he fell straight to the ground. A paralysis icon appeared right beside his HP meter.

U/n: Paralysis?

Before I knew it, one by one, everyone in the room all started to fall.

Asuna: U/n.

Before Asuna could fall, I caught her. I had my hand behind her back as my knee helped keep her upright. The only person that was not paralyzed, was me. Everyone else laid on the ground, unable to move.

U/n: What are you thinking right now? Kill us and cover up the whole thing? No, if that was the case, you would've paralyzed me as well, which means you have something planned.

Kayaba: How right you are. You see, I have been keeping a watchful eye on you, U/n. I see how you try and help many people as you could. Like that son who lost his mother and wanted her back. You risked your life over a revival item, but it wasn't what you expected it to be.

I remember that well, his smile when he saw me come back. I brought hope to him, but it was all false. That smile haunted me forever, I failed him and so many others. That's when I realized I can't save everyone, no matter how hard I try, it's not enough.

Kayaba: Killing you all here, wouldn't be sporting of me. No, I'm gonna head to the top floor and wait for you all there. I'll be inside the Ruby Place. It's a shame that I have to leave you all so soon. I've spent lots of time developing the Knights of the Blood Oath and the elite players. Oh, well.

He chuckled.

Kayaba: You're all strong, so I'm sure you'll reach me-- eventually. But before I go...

He slams the bottom of his shield on the stone floor.

Kayaba: U/n, I believe you deserve a reward for uncovering my identity. I'll give you two choices here, fight me here and if win, you'll clear the game. All the players here in SAO will be logged out, no strings attached. My Immortality will be off, of course.

U/n: And the other?

Kayaba: Decline my offer and I'll do what I said I would and go to the Ruby Place. I'll await you there, Hero. The choice is yours.

A chance to end all this is within my reach.

Asuna: Don't do it, U/n. I don't like it. We should fall back.

I have to agree with her, all of this is to good to be true. Allowing me to end all of this, what exactly is his plan here? But, if it really is true, then I have to try, right?

I looked down at Asuna, the girl I had met here and fallen in love with, has an opportunity to leave, if I do this. All the death, pain, and suffering we all endured here will be over.

U/n: What's you're angle here? What do you benefit from this?

He shakes his head.

Kayaba: I have nothing to gain nor lose from this, all I want is another battle battle between us. No holding back, I want you to use all your skills. "Omnia Vanitas", "Over Drive" and "Dual-wielding." Use them and defeat me, if you can. I expect a good fight out of you.

U/n: You must be pretty confident in your abilities if you think you could win.

Kayaba: Actually, I'm not.

My eyes widened.

Kayaba: This battle and people's fate, all hinges on you. You could say their lives, are in your hands.

I tighten the grip on my sword. This was my chance. I'd be a fool if I didn't take it. I looked down at Asuna.

U/n: I'm sorry, but I gotta. I can't miss an opportunity like this.

Asuna just stares at me, like she knew I was gonna say this.

Asuna: I had a feeling you were gonna say that, but please, be careful. For me.

U/n: Will do. I'll put an end to this world.

Asuna: Okay. I believe in you, U/n.

I let go of my sword and it dropped to the ground with a loud clank. I brought my hand to the side of her face and gently caressed her cheek lovingly.

I know what I have to do, even if it means my death. I'll save everyone. Or die trying.

I gently put Asuna down and reached over to grab my sword off the ground. Coming to a stand, I grabbed "Light Repulsor" from its sheath and walked towards Kayaba.

Agil: U/n! Don't!

Klein: U/n!

Kirito: Back down!

Stopping just a few meters away from Kayaba, I turned around to face, Kirito, Klien and Agil.

U/n: Agil. Thanks for supporting all the players in the game. Since the very beginning. Don't act surprised, I knew from the start. Acting like it was all about the money, but you spent every last dime to help the intermediate players level up.

Agil was shocked and speechless. His eyes trembled as he stares at me in silence.

U/n: Klein. I like to apologize. On that day, I left you, it wrong of me to do so. I always thought about it, every day.

Tears swells up in his eyes and he closes them.

Klien: D-Damnit, U/n! Don't you apologize! Don't you are dare apologize now! I won't accept it! I'll never accept it until we're on the other side and you're buying me diner, god damn it!

U/n: I hear you. Until then.

Then it was Kirito, my first friend I made here. My best friend.

U/n: You know, I was quite jealous of you, believe it or not. I may be a higher level than you, but you knew this game by heart. I remember when I first started to play on the Beta, you were the only one who helped me. I'll never forget the fun memories we had together, hunting, eating, heck even fishing. You were a true friend, Kirito.

Kirito was silent, then tears came down the sides of his face. And he managed to slam his first on stone floor.

Kirito: It's not gonna be the end! You hear me?! You'll beat him and you'll save everyone! We'll met each other in the real world! Make more of those memories! So don't lose, don't let him beat you here!

I smiled at him.

U/n: You got it, brother.

I found myself looking back at Asuna. She stares at me, her eyes trembling, worriedness present on her face. Hands shaking. I could tell, she was scared. Not of the situation, but from the possibility of losing me. What she said to me before this raid, if I die, she'd kill herself. That is something I don't want happening.

I brought my attention on Kayaba, my sight on him.

U/n: If it's alright with you, I got two requests to make.

Kayaba: What is it?

U/n: I want you to put our health back to full.

Kayaba's widened, but he simply closed them and lowered his head.

Kayaba: And why would you want that?

U/n: Didn't you say you want a good fight from me. It'll be a shame if a battle like this, ended to quickly, wouldn't you agree?

He smirked at me and opened his eyes.

Kayaba: Yes, that would be a shame. So be it, it is your request.

U/n: Good, and now for my last one. I don't plan on going down easy. But, if I do die here, and I want your word, that you'll make it so Asuna can't kill herself.

Kayaba was surprised by my request, but he calmly nodded his head.

Kayaba: As you wish.

Asuna: No, U/n! That's not fair! You can't do that! It's not fair! No!

I watched, as Kayaba deactivated his Immortal Object and restored our health back to full.

U/n: I know it isn't fair, Asuna. But this is the only way I can think of. I don't want you to die because of me, I want you to live. Before I met you, I was on an endless crusade, I did everything in my power to try and save many players as I can, but their needs before my own. I was a selfless person.

I reversed the grip on "Light Repulsor", and turned my head around to face her.

U/n: But you came into my life, you laughed with me. You didn't even care what others said about me. I just wish we got to spend more time together. In our little cabin. Happily together. You're the best that could've happened to me.

Tears fell down her face, I watched as her face falls. My heart ache just from seeing this. But I made my choice.

Getting into a stance, I glared at Kayaba. He grabbed his sword from his cross shape shield. This isn't a duel. No, it's a battle to the death. Tightening my grip on my swords I slowly crouched down, ready to leap forward.

I will defeat him.

Save everyone from this nightmare.

PROTECT ASUNA!

Take him down!

I yelled loud as I can and charged at Kayaba. I slashed forward with "Unity Fox" but Kayaba blocked it with his sword, seeing this I tried to hit him with "Light Repulsor", he blocked that one with his shield.

I used "Omnia Vanitas" and jumped away from him, gaining some distance away from him.

I can't risk using the sword skills, he knows all of its combos, because he's the one who designed them. Only thing he can't predict, is "Omnia Vanitas" and "Over Drive." I have to utilize them if I'm able to win. Overwhelm his defense.

I ran towards Kayaba and he did the same, keeping his shield while he does it. My head tingled, I know what he's gonna do, and it won't work this time!

We close the distance between us and I was quick to notice that Kayaba pointed out the end of his shield thrusted it forward, like he did on our first battle. Only this time, I was ready.

Before the shield could find its mark, I quickly slid underneath it on my knees while leaning back. The shield sailed right over me. Doing a quick spin, I slashed Kayaba's back when I got behind him, lowering his HP.

I placed a hand on the ground and slowly started to slow down until my body lost its momentum and came to a stop.

Kayaba: I'm impressed, seems that you have learned from our last encounter.

U/n: Of course I did, but so did you. It's all in the way you fight, you're waiting for me to use a sword skill so that you can counter it.

Kayaba: You are correct, and am I to assume you won't?

U/n: Who knows, I just might. After I break through your defense that is. I can't afford to lose here, there's too much riding on this.

I glared at Kayaba, only way back home, is beating him. But that means that I would have to kill him. Is this the only way to go home? Do I really have to?

Kayaba: This is quite thrilling, isn't U/n?

U/n: That's not a word I'd say. Is this all a game to you? Do you not care whether or not you might die here? Do you care that little of your own life?

He was silent, like his thinking of his choice for a brief second, before returning back to his usual look.

Kayaba: Does it matter?

U/n: Yes. Cause I wanna if I'd regret killing you. Am I killing a man who's playing god, or am I just killing a plain old man?

Kayaba: What I say doesn't matter, I choose this path and there's no going back. No other way to end this.

I was afraid that might be the case, I guess... deep down. I knew this was the only way, but I just didn't wanna accept it.

U/n: I just hoped, we could've just settled this another way. I've already killed enough players here, I don't want another death on my conscience. Even if you are responsible for this, you must have your reasons.

Kayaba: As I said, it's too late. Don't bother in trying to appeal to me, I'm too far deep in this to back out now.

He gets into a stance, keeping his shield in front of him while raising his sword above his head. It was worth a shot I guess.

I jumped high in the air, having both my sides raised to my side, I used "Over Drive" on both of them and spun down towards him.

Both my swords hits his shield, sending two identical slashes on impact. The slashes pushes Kayaba away, he dug his heels on the ground as he skidded backwards.

Using "Omnia Vanitas" I quickly closed the distance between us, he gasps when he saw me in front of him instantly.

Only thing he could do was block my onslaught of slashes. My blades slashed his shield, creating sparks whenever my blades connect with the shield.

Kayaba's teeth gritted, telling me he can't hold out much longer against my assault.

At the last second, he went for a shield bash, my sixth sense tingled, but I wasn't quick enough to avoid it. The shield smacks me in the center of my face, making me falter just for a second. But that's what Kayaba needed, an opening.

He charges a sword skill, his blade glowing red and thrusts it towards me. I quickly crossed my swords in front of me. The tip of his sword hits my joint swords, pushing me away.

I dug my heels on the ground as I skidded back. Then, my head tingled. Looking forward, Kayaba came rushing at me, his shield raised in front of him.

He rams into me, my swords still crossed in front of me, I started to slide back. Kayaba keeps pushing forward, resulting in me slowly getting pushed back. Getting my footing, I finally came to a stop as I began to push against Kayaba's shield.

My head tingled and I saw Kayaba raise his sword in the air. My body reacted to this, I quickly ducked down and sweeped his legs, making him fall backwards and hit the ground.

Reserving my grip on both my swords, I brought them down to Kayaba, who blocked them. I added more pressure to the swords, in hope of breaking his defense.

Kayaba with his sword, stabbed me in the leg, I gritted my teeth as I fell down to one knee. Kayaba shield bashed me away, I hit the ground.

Now on his feet, Kayaba went to thrust his sword down on me. I quickly rolled out of the way and got up on my feet.

Kayaba: You're quite fast. Where was all this during our first duel?

U/n: You haven't seen nothing yet, I'm just getting started.

I looked at my HP, seeing that I'm missing a sliver of it. If this would've been anything like the real world, I wouldn't be standing right now.

His defense is on a whole another level, no matter the attacks I unleash on him, it's not enough to break through. My swords will shatter before I even beat him.

Wait a minute. Durability. That's it! I'll just wear his shield down until it's durability is used up. I'll have to use "Over Drive", my swords will break before I even get the chance to shatter his shield.

I could always get around his defense, use "Omnia Vanitas" to get behind him, but he'll eventually find a way to counter it. I can do three, maybe four. But anything beyond that and my body will lock up, a penalty for using it to much. I'll be vulnerable.

There's another way. I could power through it, use "Eclipse" and "Over Drive" at the same time. One of my swords might shatter from usingthis, but so will his shield. But it's always risky. Never did a sword skill with "Over Drive." Don't know what will happen, but I know it won't be good.

Kayaba: You're awfully quiet over there. Coming up with a plan are you?

I was silent, trying to decide what my approach is and which one is best for my current situation.

Asuna: U/n.

I heard Asuna's voice, I turned to look at her, her eyes trembling. My attention was set on everyone else on the ground, all of them staring at me. I could see Kirito and Sachi trying to reach for each other. Agil and Klein attempting to try and come to a stand and failing.

Everything is all on me. The weight, I've endured it before. But this time it feels different.

Using "Omnia Vanitas" I blitzed right in front him and thrust "Light Repulsor" forward. As expected, he blocked it. But what I wasn't expecting was him to quickly take a step to the side, making me fall forward and nearly topple over.

Managing to catch myself before I hit the ground, I felt my head tingled. Instinctively, I placed "Unity Fox" on my back, blocking Kayaba's sword. I turned my head to look at him. We stood there for a moment, just staring at each other.

I swung "Light Repulsor" back, managing to slash Kayaba's cheek. He backs up from me while holding his shield in front of him.

We both backed away from each other.

Kayaba: Tell me, U/n. What's you're real reason for fighting? Everyone here has one. Driven by one thing. Fear. But I've never seen you falter, always having a smile on your face, cracking jokes here and there. Do you ever fear death?

I was silent. I always asked myself that, but never knew the answer to it. For so long, I have just been fighting without a clear reason. Just doing what I think is right, but I've found it. My reason. Why I fight.

I turned my head to look at Asuna, her eyes never leaving me. I stared at my reason, my reality.

U/n: Yes. I did fear it. Death. Everyone does, I'm not an expectation. I hid it well right behind a smile. Everyone had their reasons of fighting, some even the same. Clear this game. That's what I believed I was fighting for, to clear this game. But now, I couldn't care if I die right now, at this moment. I don't fear death. I fear losing the one person I truly love. Asuna. She's my reason, she's why I fight and why I'm gonna beat you.

Kayaba: Love? You fight for love? I expected something else. Like, clearing the game or protecting the people. But love, I wasn't expecting that. But one I respect.

U/n: That's right, Kayaba. I'm doing this for love. Kinda cringy when I saw it out loud, but it's the truth.