Sword Art Online: Sealed Sentiment

I don't own Sword Art Online or any of its characters. The series is solely the property of Reki Kawahara and his publishers.

Author's Note

This is my first ever fanfiction and I'm glad I started my fanfiction journey with writing a story for Sword Art Online. The idea for this story started with me wanting to find a way to get Kirito and Sinon to become a couple and a whole stream of ideas came out as a result. I have tried to remain faithful to the universe of Sword Art Online while writing this fanfiction. Every Sword Art Online volume until the end of Mother's Rosario is canon for this story. If this fanficiton goes well, I plan to write my take on the Alicization Arc based on what happens in this story.

I wrote the first chapter of the fanfiction and plan to complete the story that I summarized earlier. I believe by the end of the story, I will have justified a Sinon and Kirito pairing with Kirito and Asuna inevitably breaking up. You'll have to stick around to see how it happens!

The title for this story is "Sealed Sentiment" meaning "feelings that are locked away." This is a theme that will be present throughout the story. Without further ado, we'll begin a new/alternative story in the world of Sword Art Online.

April 11, 2026

Nerzan Mining Cave

Chapter 1

I let out a battle cry as I parried the downward swing of the adamantium mining pick of a «Nerzan Orc Miner» in front of me with my black sword. Our weapons met with a clang as the sound reverberated off the walls of the mining cave. The humanoid monster grunted in dissatisfaction and raised its mining pick once more with its muscular ashen gray arm. Given this opening, I leaned my body and arm into the motion to activate my signature Sword Skill, «Vorpal Strike». A survivor of SAO would be able to recognize me as «The Black Swordsman» even in my Spriggan form if they saw me using my favored Sword Skill.

In Alfheim Online, elemental attributes were added into the damage from Sword Skills. For example, the Sword Skill, «Savage Fulcrum», a three-hit combo skill, would deal a certain amount of damage based on where it hit a monster, how hard it was swung, and numerous other factors. Once the base damage is calculated the amount is divided so that fifty percent of the damage is Physical and the other fifty is ice. From there, based on the target's weaknesses and resistances, the overall damage would be adjusted accordingly.

My blade glowed a dark purple and became smothered in white and violet flames. The Sword Skill, «Vorpal Strike», did both fire and dark damage in addition to the normal physical damage of a regular attack. The skill system guided my body, lunging me towards the vulnerable left side of the orc. The tip of my sword sank into the monster's virtual flesh, leaving a glowing red holographic pattern at the point of entry in place of gore. The flames from my blade burned the surrounding area of the flesh that I struck turning it black. The slight smell of burnt flesh flowed into my nose. Shortly afterwards, the HP bar on the side of the monster's head became empty, leaving the defeated enemy to disintegrate into a shimmering mass of glasslike polygons which floated upward, fading away in the dim interior of the cave my party and I were in.

The use of the Sword Skill left my body in a stunned state, the drawback to using such powerful techniques. As I stood in the middle of the cave, another orc came running towards me with its pick held high over its head.

I was surprised to see the monster because my party and I were currently exiting the cave, having met our material quota. The previous orc was one we skipped in order to reach the deep part of the cave which was one of the best farming spots for killing these monsters. That was where we started our competition to see who could kill the most orcs. This particular one must have just respawned.

With the Sword Skill Delay still being in effect, I was in no position to react to the orc that was using both its huge arms to swing down its pick towards my head at full force. More than likely, a blow from a monster of its strength would leave me at critically low health.

My party members would probably take care of my Remain Light if my HP did hit zero, but that would be an all too embarrassing scenario because I ended up running ahead to increase my kill count.

The black sword in my right hand shook as I tried to fight through the delay, but to no avail. The head of the mining pick was mere inches from my head when I heard a swoosh fly past my head.

It seems she made it after all. The orc which previously tried to attack me was flat on its back from falling backwards, resulting in a thud. I saw an arrow lodged in between its eyes, a critical area. The same glass polygon effect from earlier also appeared from this orc's defeated form.

A white transparent notification window popped up in my view half a meter from my face. It indicated that the loot the defeated monster dropped was given to Sinon. Well there was no surprise there. The arrow that killed the orc and saved me from a critical situation could only have been fired from Sinon, the cool Cait Sith sharpshooting archer.

Sinon was an irreplaceable ally and close friend that I made last December. We met after Kikuoka, a supposed member of Japan's Virtual Divison, asked me to investigate the murders that took place due to the «Death Gun» incident. By working together, Sinon and I took down «Death Gun» during the «Bullet of Bullets» tournament in Gun Gale Online, linking him to the PKing guild from Sword Art Online, «Laughing Coffin».

The leader of this guild was a player by the name of «PoH». He argued that because the system in SAO allowed other players to harm each other, it was acceptable to do so. If players really died after the game was over, then the killings would just be blamed on the person who trapped us in that death game, Kayaba Akihiko. There was no way I agreed to such a ludicrous statement. Even if Kayaba Akihiko was responsible for the real world deaths of players that did not excuse the fact that «Laughing Coffin» and other PKers made a conscious decision to kill fellow players.

That guild of murderers became such a problem in SAO that the Clearers, including myself, Asuna, and Klein, held a raid on the «Laughing Coffin» hideout. This was a battle where over thirty players between the Clearers and «Laughing Coffin» actually died, two of which were slain by my own hand. The raid resulted in the imprisonment of the remaining «Laughing Coffin» members, among those were two of the people responsible for the murders associated with «Death Gun», Shoichi Shinkawa, player name «XaXa» and Atushi Kanemoto, player name «Johnny Black». Those two met in real life and worked with Sinon's former friend, Kyouji Shinkawa also Shoichi's brother and planned out the «Death Gun» murders.

Sinon and I met on bad terms in Gun Gale Online but she agreed to partner up with me during the final round of the «Bullet of Bullets». Together we solved the mystery of «Death Gun» and the murders. The Shinkawa brothers were arrested and «Johnny Black» is still in hiding, but shouldn't be a bother anymore according to Kikuoka.

The «Death Gun» incident has since been put behind us while Sinon and I have become very good friends. It was partly due to her that I was able to accept my actions of killing three «Laughing Coffin» members.

Before our final battle against «Death Gun», she told me that she had killed a person who tried to rob a bank in her defense of her mother. She killed someone at the age of eleven, an age much younger than when I took lives of three people with my sword in that death game.

Having similar experiences, I could relate to her traumatic experience of killing someone. She wanted to move past that moment in her life by finding a strength she believed I had. I told her it wasn't strength that made me move forward, but the fact that there were people I had to protect despite being afraid of what I've done.

If anything, Sinon was the strong one. She had the strength to keep going despite her past experiences and she was able to move past being betrayed by Kyouji Shinkawa, her former friend who tried to kill her during the «Death Gun» incident. Yes, Sinon was one of the most strong-minded people that I've had the pleasure of knowing.

With the «Death Gun» incident being behind all of us, I've been hoping that would be the last we see of «Laughing Coffin». I've been feeling a bit of unease that «Johnny Black» still hasn't been found, but Kikuoka has assured me that there is nothing to worry about and that he won't be able to hide forever. However, there would always be the question of what the former leader of that guild «PoH», could be plotting. , ,

Thunk!

I felt a hit to the back of my head. Due to the pain absorption system in ALO, it was only a slight irritation, but the unexpected sensation combined with my head being pushed down surprised me.

"Ouch!" I let out.

"Hey, Kirito," that cool and harsh voice came from Sinon, the Cait Sith Archer's mouth.

"Don't go ahead of us like that. You almost got yourself killed. Becoming a Remain Light would be a huge inconvenience to Asuna since the revival spell incantation is a pain to recite."

She would not be merciful in response to my reckless behavior, but I had a way of countering her.

Yank!

I reached my hand around her back and took a hold of her blue slim and silky tail, giving it a firm pull.

"Ah!" she let out an unexpected soft moan while turning red in her cheeks. This was a far more extreme reaction than usual. Perhaps I pulled too hard? Part of me actually wanted to see what would happen if I kept pulling, but I restrained myself because she would definitely punish me severely if I did anything more. Also, I don't want to imagine what Asuna's reaction would be if I continued to tease Sinon in this manner.

"I thought I told you to stop messing around!" Sinon, who was still red in the face, raised her hand again, preparing to smack me on the head once more. I jumped forward to dodge her hand, but she continued to pursue me leading us to running around in small circles as I tried to outrun her strikes. The final member of our three-person party arrived to witness this comedic scene in its full glory.

"Kirito-kun," Asuna slowly started with a hint of anger, "what exactly are you doing with Sinonon?"

Sinon finally stopped chasing me and I faced Asuna, the blue-haired Undine who was nicknamed the «Berserk Healer». She had quite the murderous look on her eyes for someone who was my girlfriend. Asuna would act this way when I get too friendly with the girls among our group. For the most part, she has used these performances as ways to keep me in line.

"It's just his typical teasing," Sinon calmly stated.

"Yeah, nothing more than the usual," I laughed as I scratched the back of my head.

Asuna sighed and continued, "Speaking of the usual, when are you going to stop going ahead of us? You were almost killed here. Luckily for you, Sinonon boosted herself with Speed Magic to catch up and save you. Actually, Sinonon, why didn't you boost me too?"

"Well," Sinon started to brush the back of one of her cat ears located at the top of her head, "I figured Kirito was looking for monsters to kill by himself because we were tied in our contest for the most kills. Speaking of which," the archer shot me a devilish grin, "That last kill means we're tied again. And I can bet you that if another shows up, I'll shoot it before you can kill it with your sword."

"Oh yeah," I could sense a challenge from Sinon. True, if we spot the next monster at the same time, she would more than likely get the kill before me. However, there was only one more monster spawn point left in this cave before we would reach the exit. If I could just reach that point, I would be able to defeat newly spawned orc miner before Sinon had a chance to respond.

"We'll see about that Sinon. It's a challenge!" With that said, I started sprinting towards the spawn point fifty meters ahead of us, sword in hand, Sinon and Asuna following behind.

"Geez, Kirito-kun!"

"Oi, hold up, you'll end up blocking my line of sight!"

I looked behind me and taunted Sinon with my free left hand by holding up a victory sign. As I turned my face forward again—

"Kirito-kun, watch out!" shouted Asuna.

What materialized in front of me was not the standard «Nerzan Orc Miner», but «Ro'Gall the Chief-Inspector». Significantly bigger than a normal orc miner, it was two and a half meters tall. In ALO, which used the Cardinal System, rare monster spawns would be generated which were considerably stronger than the normal monsters in the area. However, if a rare spawn such as this one was defeated, our party would be rewarded with high quality drops and in our party's case that would be an extremely rare metal.

The monster was a mere two meters away from me and I could make out that its weapons were orichalcum knuckles meaning that the orc would be using martial art type abilities. However, to my dismay it quickly fired a huge chunk of earth towards me as a spell. It would be pointless to roll out of the way because this was likely a homing spell that would follow me regardless. I had to use a Sword Skill to cut through the spell, in other words, the Outside System Skill, «Spell Blast».

My sword bursted out fire-red flames and I swung my sword straight through the middle of the chunk of earth using the «Vertical» Sword Skill. The delay for this skill wasn't as significant as the previous Sword Skill I used, but the orc came rushing at me right after the spell was fired, its right arm thrusting towards my head.

A thin silver rapier, which appeared from my right, glowed blue from the water type «Linear» Sword Skill and stabbed through the monster's left abdomen, causing the orc to end its swing and backpedal a few steps to recover its footing. Even though Asuna hit the enemy in what seemed to be a vital spot, the monster's HP was reduced to only ninety percent.

"We weren't expecting this, but as long as you get the last hit you'll win, right Kirito?"

I turned to Asuna, grateful that she was supporting me in the kill count contest and replied, "Yeah, thanks for the backup, Asuna."

Two arrows of ice were fired from our right towards the orc. Sinon probably moved to the side of the cave knowing that I would try to blind side her aim. The monster moved its head at an inhuman speed to evade the two arrows from the «Ice Volley» skill that was aimed at its face. One arrow completely passed by the orc, while the other lightly grazed its cheek. The foe had about seventy-three percent HP.

The orc looked in the direction the arrows were fired from, Sinon's location. She was a mere twelve meters away at the edge of the cave. I predicted that the monster was probably planning to dash towards Sinon using a Martial Arts skill to take advantage of the delay caused by her Skill. However, both of the orc's fist weapons began to glow a light brown as runic characters surrounded the beast's hands. It was using another spell.

"Asuna, let's go!"

"All right!"

We both dashed forward, surrounding the orc with Asuna on its left and me to its right. As we both swung our swords in unison at the monster's arms, it quickly jumped backwards and slammed both its fists into the ground, creating a fissure in the floor of the cave which reached Asuna and me.

From the cracks in the ground arose pillars of rock, which twisted and turned, wrapping Asuna and I into cages of earth that rendered us immovable. A rare spawn was capable of possessing this much of a overpowered spell? The Cardinal System integrated with the magic system of ALO was frightening indeed.

"Damn, I didn't think monsters could have this type of crowd-control ability," I said as I was struggling through the rocky restraints around me.

"It's too bad Yui-chan isn't here," remarked Asuna. Yui probably would have been able to warn us about what the spell was as soon as the orc's fists were glowing, but she was probably playing with Silica's pet dragon, Pina, at our Log House on Floor 22 of New Aincrad.

"Sinon, it's up to you now!" I yelled out.

The orc returned its attention to Sinon who switched to firing plain arrows, realizing that we would no longer be of use. While attempting to dodge the arrows, the monster ran towards Sinon at a frightening speed. During its run, the orc was hit on both legs and its side. The monster's health was reduced to forty percent.

When the orc was a mere meter away from Sinon she did something Asuna and I would never have expected. She wouldn't be able run away from the fast monster and "kite" it, shooting arrows while gaining distance from her foe. Recognizing this, she used a system in ALO known as «Quick-Switch» allowing her to switch out her bow for a sword with the simple motion of pretending to hold a sword with her right hand.

Her bow disappeared and went into her inventory while a dull gray sword appeared in her hand. As the orc approached her at the edge of the cave, its left hand glowed brown, starting another skill. The skill was aimed at Sinon's right, which Sinon evaded by kicking off the wall behind her and using the momentum to launch her body to the monster's wounded right side.

As she passed the side of the orc, she also swung the sword in her right hand across the beast's side, dealing more damage than usual due to the arrow grazing the same spot earlier. Thirty percent HP.

The orc turned around after it recovered from impacting the wall of the cave with its skill, leaving behind an imprint of its fist weapon into the cave wall. Its right hand started to glow and a chunk of earth materialized in front of it and was fired straight towards Sinon. That was the same earth type homing spell the orc used against me. Even though she surprised us with displaying that she possessed a one-handed sword, it was probably only used for situations like this one where she had no choice but to fight within melee distance. The only way to block a magic missile would be to use a high-level counterspell or to use a Sword Skill to cut the spell, with the Outside System Skill «Spell Blast». More than likely, she was going to get hit by the spell which would decrease her HP and cause her to stagger and become vulnerable to additional attacks.

However, I could make out a small smile on Sinon's face, akin to the expression she makes right before she snipes an enemy, knowing that her shot will end in a kill. I began to notice that her sword glowed a bright icy blue. She was going to use a «Sword Skill»? Wasn't this «Vertical Square»?

"Sinonon's able to?" Asuna said being unable to finish her question as she was struck speechless.

Sinon let the Sword Skill take control of her actions and the first slash of the four-hit combo sliced right through the chunk of earth that was launched at her. The split remains of the earth became encased in ice and fell to the ground. She's capable of performing «Spell Blast»? Even Asuna and Leafa had a hard time getting the timing down.

The second strike was a left to right swing which hit the orc's right leg, causing the monster to kneel on its left leg and bend forward. The third strike, went across the beast's chest, leaving behind ice crystals in on its torso. The final blow slashed through its face, gouging out its right eye and a crystallized frozen lump formed as an aftermath on the orc's face. An afterimage of a dazzling square of ice was left where the sword was swung during the skill while the monster's HP became zero. Glittering shards of glass-like polygons dissolved into the air in place of the orc due to its death.

"Sinonon, that was amazing!" Asuna said as our earthy restraints faded away, releasing us and enabling us to once again move freely. Indeed, what just transpired couldn't be described any other way. Sinon's display of swordplay was truly amazing. Not only has she mastered the use of the bow, but she's starting to get the hang of the sword. She's able to use two different weapon-types with their respective Skills and capable of casting Magic such as Speed Boost. A part of me felt threatened by Sinon's quick adaptability, but I was glad to have a partner with such strength. I'll have to think twice before teasing her again.

"Nice job, Sinon, you really surprised us there. You never told us that you were practicing with the one-handed sword." I said, sheathing my sword.

"There was never a need for me to use it previously. Also, I wanted to surprise everyone by entering the next ALO dueling tournament. BoB's not the only tournament I want to compete in." Sinon said with a wink while re-equipping her bow.

The deceased «Absolute Sword», Konno Yuuki, was enough of a surprise at the last one. If Sinon enters this time, that will be another tough opponent for me to fight. A part of me is nervous at the opportunity but also very excited to see how tough an opponent she'll be.

"Also," started Sinon, "that last orc brings me ahead by one in kills, which means I won our contest." The Cait Sith archer closed one eye and smirked. That's true, we were very close to the exit of the cave meaning that the previous rare spawn was indeed the last monster. Slowly my gamer pride was being taken away by Sinon who not only beat me in kills, but also displayed skill in «Spell Blast» which previously only I've been able to use with successful results. I was taken aback and choked up as I admitted my defeat.

"Heheheh," Asuna started to laugh, "Good job beating Kirito-kun, Sinonon. Kirito-kun and I had contests like that in SAO. He always ended up paying for my dessert as a result."

"Uoh, I guess he isn't as skilled as bearing the title of «The Black Swordsman» implies," Sinon remarked. Wanting to stop the teasing before it gets out of hand, I conceded.

"I concede. It's your win this time Sinon. However, if you're serious about entering the next dueling tournament, I'll be waiting." I pointed to my chest with my thumb and winked.

"Kirito-kun, don't make it sound like you're guaranteed to be in the finals. Yuuki-chan taught me «Mother's Rosario» which defeated you. Also, Leafa and Eugene aren't any laughing matters." Asuna responded.

"Then it seems I'll have to face a lot of strong opponents too," Sinon replied as she smiled.

Knowing Sinon, she'll take the dueling tournament as seriously as the BoB which meant I have to be on my guard. And as Asuna said, there will be many strong duelists there. The gamer in me was quivering in excitement, eagerly awaiting the dueling tournament that would take place during Golden Week.

Sinon started interacting with the monster drop window. "Oh, Sinonon! Did that rare spawn drop anything good?" Asuna asked.

"Yes, along with the high amount of gold I got a good amount of the adamantite we were farming earlier. Also, it dropped a high quality ore. It's named Oricalcum."

"Oricalcum?! Kirito, isn't that one of the materials that your current sword is made from?" Asuna questioned.

My current black sword was indeed from the same metal along with other materials to focus on my fondness for the Strength attribute my preference for a heavy sword. Actually, Liz would be able to make a sword that would rival mine with the ore Sinon acquired.

"Sinon, what are you planning to do with the metal? Liz could probably make that into a sword on par with my current one. Not Excaliber of course."

Excaliber was the strongest legendary sword in the game and currently in my possession. By mere coincidence the reason that our group of friends was able to obtain the sword is because while it was falling down into the depths of the dungeon, Sinon fired a returning arrow to retrieve the sword when we thought it was lost to us. Ever since then, I made a vow to never use Excaliber for personal gain. I still feel as though I owe Sinon a debt for retrieving the sword that I thought had fell out of my reach.

"If that's the case, then I'd like to have a better sword. It was tough hiding my sword skills and having to settle for low quality swords from quests and shops." Somehow her words reminded me of when I was trying to keep my «Dual Blades» skill hidden in SAO. The reason why she kept her skill hidden wasn't anywhere near as serious as when I hid mine though. No longer being in the death game that was SAO, my friends and I could focus on having fun while playing rather than trying to do everything possible to survive in an MMO turned into a survival game.

"Then it's settled!" exclaimed Asuna, grabbing Sinon's hand. "We'll give Liz the materials we gathered for her and ask her to make you a new sword with the Oricalcum."

Asuna started walking out of the cave while pulling along Sinon who looked back at me with her cat ears lowered, seeming slightly nervous. She was still a little shy from Asuna's outgoing personality. I could only smile back and started walking myself.

"Catch up, Kirito-kun!" Asuna shouted to me as she glanced back while running with Sinon in hand.

"Don't worry, I'm right behind you!" I replied as I broke into a sprint in order to start a race back to Liz's shop.

Ending Note

Thank you for taking the time to read my first chapter in this fanfiction. I plan to update this story at least once a week so if you liked what you have read so far, know that there is more to come. Also, if would like to take the time to leave a review and give me feedback on the chapter, please do so. I want to keep improving as a writer and any criticism is welcomed. Please look forward to the next chapter!