Hi all, this is my first fanfic. I just suddenly got hit by this idea one day so I decided to note it down and the story just developed from there. Feel free to leave reviews, criticism and ideas if you want to, I know where I want to take the story but its always nice to have new inspiration.

Just a few notes on where the this AUish story fits into the SAO timeline:

-The Prologue is set during the boss battle on the 74th floor in the anime episode: The Blue Eyed Demon, whereas the rest of the story takes place roughly a month or two before The Sword Dance of Black and White episode, so possible spoilers as to episodes 1-9 of the anime.

-I have broken the canon behind Kirito's second sword, which is no longer made by Lisbeth. You will see why by the end of the story.

-I will be including the SAO Progressive series as canon (mainly the Elf War arc as the elves will be appearing later in the story)

Plot Summary: Kirito disappeared for a while after the events with the Moonlit Black Cats. Now, a dangerous in-game event brings the paths of many players together, as a new type of enemy hunts down a lone warrior.

Prologue / All Paths Led to This:

Chaos. That was the only word Asuna could find that was applicable to the situation at hand as she continued to drag the terrified player out of harms way. She was in the boss room of the 74th floor of Aincrad, helping Klein to get the panic-stricken members of the Aincrad Liberation Army (those that were left at least) to the rooms exit, as the legendary Black Swordsman distracted the floors boss: the Gleam Eyes.

Kirito was locked in a loosing battle, unable to escape. Backing down wasn't an option for him, Asuna knew that. He was too used to playing solo, tackling all of his problems alone instead of letting others help, which is why she was so surprised when he suddenly cried out: "HEY KLEIN, ASUNA…LISTEN…I NEED TEN SECONDS, KEEP HIM OFF ME!"

If the lone player Kirito was actually asking for help, then there was no way that Asuna could decline. She and Klein rushed forward to distract the Gleam Eyes as Kirito pulled back. Asuna was too focused on the fight at hand to take notice to what Kirito was doing, but she had fought alongside him enough times for a deep layer of trust to have formed. She got a clean hit on the boss's sword, forcing it away as Kirito shouted behind her: "OKAY I'M READY…SWITCH OUT!"

She jumped back and out of the way as he barrelled past her, deflecting the boss's attack with his sword whilst reaching his other hand to his shoulder. Asuna knew him well enough to know that he had something planned, but she was not prepared for the sight of a second sword materialising on his back. As Kirito drew the new sword, she was struck by a sudden sense of familiarity…she had seen that sword before…