AN: Sword Art Online and the characters therein are the property and creations of Reki Kawahara and abec. Publishing rights belong to ACSII Media Works, Yen Press, Dengeki Bunko, Madman Entertainment, A-1 Pictures, Tokyo MX, Aniplex, Manga Entertainment, and Adult Swim/Toonami. The World of Warcraft and the characters, lore, mechanics, etc are all the creations of Blizzard Entertainment. I hold no ownership rights to this title whatsoever, and I never will, sadly. I am simply writing this story as a leisurely past time, and because I am a humble fan of this title simply telling a story.

Okay, now that the legal bullsh!t is out of the way, it's time to move on and get the story rolling. My apologies for the late update, life's been kinda hectic on this end of things, and with classes having started up, these are going to be difficult to churn out at as quick a pace as before. However, I still plan on working on this story whenever I have the chance. That being said, on with AZO. When we last left our heroes, Kirito, Klein, and Suguha had been faced with the ultimatum of Kayaba and Sugou, along with the rest of the players alive to brave the terrors of AZO. Now trapped in the game, and fleeing for their lives in the Level 90 sub-zone of «The Vale of Eternal Blossoms», the trio have made for the Alliance safe-zone of «The Shrine of the Seven Stars» to await the arrival of Klein's guild-mates from the Fellowship of the Crimson Fang. Will any of the guild members survive the wilds of Pandaria? Read on and find out for yourself, my friends.

(Soundtrack Note: For the full effect, listen to "Shrine of the Seven Stars" from the Mists of Pandaria Soundtrack at (1). At (2), play "Friendship to Last" by Two Steps From Hell. Please forgive me if the music/sound doesn't mesh well with the actual text, it's hard to time this stuff just right and find the proper mood music. Lol)

Chapter Three: The Fellowship.

Time: Sunday, November 6th, 2022, 8:58pm.

Location: AZO, «The Golden Lantern».

The rooms at the inn were cozy to say the least.

(1) Two large beds with a desk and lamp between them, a table and chairs against the far wall, a large lamp hanging from the ceiling, and even a window to allow for a view that overlooked the full expanse of the Alliance safe-zone outside. Much of the interior decor mirrored the cultural influences of China that seemed to pervade Pandaren architecture and society, ornate and beautiful. Far overhead, the moon stood silhouetted against the still night sky, the mountain peaks in the distance breaking it's circular form near the bottom with their snow-covered caps. In the trees just outside the window, cicadas could be heard chirping out their shrill calls.

In contrast, just outside their door, sounds of busy NPCs milling about trickled in from all directions from every floor of the great «Shrine of the Seven Stars». Drums from «The Emperor's Step» balcony down the hall thumping out a steady beat to toll the hour as 9pm grew nearer, servants rushing to and fro on various errands, whispered gossip, vendors from the foyer and the terraces beyond peddling their wares, and the low, barely audible hum of the seven portals in «The Imperial Exchange». Every once in a while, they would see Klein's lupine ears prick up and swivel towards the door, just before hearing the voices of newly arrived players as an NPC ushered them past the trio's room, frightened and shell-shocked from the combination of Kayaba's ultimatum and their perilous flight from the palace through Pandaria's wilds. But, they were few and far between. For the most part, though, the chatter of the NPCs was all they could catch.

As if the whole of Pandaria were completely oblivious to the horror it had just bore witness to a scant few hours ago.

It had been three short hours since Kayaba and Sugou's "Tutorial," and already they knew the number of players had decreased dramatically. It sickened them to admit it, but their jailers had probably planned it that way. Only those skilled and cunning enough to survive would have managed to juke the mobs roaming the forests of the Level 90 sub-zone and make it to either of the Shrines in the Vale. Everyone else would have been one-shot by the creatures easily and without mercy, their mere presence and status as low-level players making them easy prey, too much to resist. It was as if Kayaba and Sugou had declared, "Only the strong are privileged to survive in our world."

From what they had picked up from passersby, the veteran players like Klein had the same idea and made for the either of the two Shrines as quickly as possible, many of them buddying up with less-experienced players to help them evade aggro from the mobs and at least have a chance at teleporting back to safer zones. Others weren't so lucky, or were completely lost in the pandemonium at the palace courtyard. Some were rioting, others simply broke down and slipped into madness, and even more chilling were the rumors floating around of those that outright committed suicide. Kirito didn't even want to think about how they had gone about that. There were an infinite number of ways to die in this zone, say nothing of the whole world!

However, there was still some faint glimmer of hope amid the gloom.

Word from «Matron Vi Vinh», the Lantern's Innkeeper, was that the arrival of Kayaba and Sugou in their land had been detected by Pandaria's guardians, an ancient order of warriors known as «The Shado-Pan». Apparently, the avatars Kayaba had chosen for himself and his associate exuded dark energies similar to those of the malevolent sha that the Shado-Pan had kept watch over for centuries, and the Pandaren warriors had moved to intercept them. However, they arrived only to find a crowd of frantic players, and shifted their focus to quelling the insanity. Their rescue by the civilian Brewmaster «Chen Stormstout», it seemed, was a shared experience, as gossip among passing players told of their own rescue from certain death by members of the enigmatic order, bringing a collective sigh of relief to the trio.

'At least now we have a better chance of beating these bastards,' thought Kirito thankfully, his ribs twinging from the blow he'd taken earlier. He touched the bandages gingerly, doing his best not to aggravate the wound Suguha had done her best to patch up. The poisoned blades had slowed a process that should've taken a rest or quick heal to resolve, but he'd be back in fighting shape by morning.

Even though her «First Aid» profession had not been leveled up as high, along with her «Herbalism» and «Alchemy», his sister had done what she could for the bruised ribs he'd sustained from their fight with the Hozen. Matron Vi was even kind enough to supply her with all the «Heavy Linen Bandages» she needed, insisting she didn't need to pay her for it this time. They'd had a hard enough day as it was, and the Pandaren lady even helped Suguha bandage him up, seeing as she wasn't learned enough to do it on her own.

He was lucky those damn monkeys hadn't killed him, something she and Sugu' especially had no problem holding over his head for the duration of this insane death game if she had to.

'Let's just hope we live long enough for that.' Kirito glanced at Klein out of the corner of his eye from the bed nearest the window, their worgen friend remaining in wolf-form as he leaned against the wall by the door.

The three of them had pooled their money to get this room, and even though there were only two beds, Klein insisted the younger players have them, while he slept on the floor. They could tell there was no budging on this point, so Suguha and Kirito opted to share one and leave the other open for one or two of their fellow guild-mates when they finally arrived. It felt weird to say that, even mentally, as Kirito was so used to being alone. Even IRL, he had very few friends, and spent most of his time with his nose in a computer manual or eyes glued to his monitor. Being able to rely on someone else, having to rely on someone else... It was completely new to him.

Still, it was oddly comforting. Even now, he could tell he had made the right choice as he watched Klein wait patiently by the door, twitchy with anticipation and worry at the thought of his friends still out there. From her cross-legged position atop the second bed, Suguha could see it too, and it brought her both ease and concern, pitying her new friend for his predicament. They knew Klein wanted nothing more than to charge out the door and tear Pandaria apart until he found his guild-mates, but stayed put because he knew the minute he left the safe zone, he would be the one torn to pieces instead.

The waiting was torture for all of them.

But, at long last, it paid off. There soon came rhythmic knocks at their door, and one by one, players with the Guild's tabard were ushered hurriedly and warmly into the room. The second a familiar face appeared, Klein's own lit up with a toothy smile and he clapped his hands on his comrades' shoulders, happy to see that they had survived. As they got settled, Kirito and Suguha were introduced to their new guild-mates and companions in the Fellowship of the Crimson Fang.

The first to arrive was a Blood Elf Rogue named Dale, a suave young man in his mid-twenties with a bandana tied over his head and a pencil-thin moustache to match the trim and pointy goatee on his chin. He was every bit the dashing swashbuckler of a class he had chosen, greeting Suguha in particular with a bow and a kiss of her hand that sent the Troll blushing a darker shade of green. Kirito had fought back a chuckle upon seeing his sister so flustered, only to completely swallow it once she glared at him in embarrassment. The next Fang to enter the room was a heavy-set Tushui Pandaren Monk with the moniker Isshin, who wore a braided cloth hachimaki that mirrored Klein's headband. If Kirito's instincts were correct, the jovial man-bear was the guild's resident tank, and would choose to spec as a Brewmaster once he reached Level 10, which he seemed very close to at this point as Level 7. After him came what looked to be an older version of Klein's human form, his bright red hair styled up into spikes, and his thicker bear marking him as a Dwarf. "Harry One," as the Death Knight called himself, was a mature man, and he regarded Kirito and his sister with eyes full of concern, saddened that players so young had to be trapped in this nightmare.

Kirito had his own concerns upon meeting Harry as well, primarily due to his class of choice. Death Knights had been a part of WoW ever since the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, and as Klein had explained, they were once the elite troops of the Arthas Menethil when he bore the title, a "right" now bestowed upon Kayaba by his own hand. After Arthas' defeat, the Knights were freed from his influence and accessible to players for character creation, though many in the community looked down on them because of their higher starting levels and seemingly overpowered abilities. When AZO was created, Death Knights were a special class available through the game's pre-order option, or to veteran players logging in with their battle-net account, as a reward of sorts for their transition to the virtual edition of WoW. However, like everyone else in the game, they started off at level one, breaking down the old arguments between players over rank and status.

What worried Kirito, however, was the lore behind the Death Knights, and how it factored in now that Kayaba had reinstated the Lich King as an active threat against Azeroth and the players. With Kayaba in command, were player-controlled DKs immune to his influence? Was there some way for him to hack their avatars and take control of them? Part of him said that, at least for the moment, no, there wasn't. Though it pained him greatly to admit it, Kayaba was giving them a fair shot at clearing AZO, and forcibly taking control of players against their will would defeat that purpose, even if he had the ability to do so in the argument of making the game more challenging.

'Still, better safe than sorry,' thought the young warrior warily as he eyed the guild's undead tank with veiled doubt. He would keep those possibilities in mind and watch Harry closely for the time being.

Though, the arrival of the fourth Fang moments later reinforced the fact that there were greater threats to fret over at the moment, greater worries to consider.

As before, Klein was the first to the door once the knocking started, all heads turning to see who had made it this time. However, their faces immediately fell in horror as the wounded figure stumbled in, his jewel-crowned staff clattering to the ground. The gaunt Forsaken Warlock nearly hit the floor before Klein caught him, supporting the young undead player against his shoulder. Behind him, a large, muscular black man stood with a young girl held easily in one arm, the petite redhead sobbing into the crook of his shoulder. The man's fanged under-bite and the battle-axe strapped to his back marked him as an Orc Warrior, and the girl's fluffy ears told Kirito she was a Pandaren. The musket strapped to her back and the «Dragon Turtle» pet shuffling idly by the Orc's feet indicated she was a Hunter. Not sure what to make of them, a nod from the Forsaken gave Klein all the information he need to allow the strangers entrance.

"Dynamm, what happened out there?" the fretful worgen urged slowly, laying his friend on nearest bed as Suguha leapt up to make room and call for more bandages and some warm water. Clutching a wound on his side, Dynamm chuckled weakly.

"Don't worry, man," he coughed, winching slightly as he forced a weak smile and cracked, "Tis only a flesh wound."

"I found him and this other guy trying to fight off a pack of «Quilen» on the road from the palace," explained the Orc solemnly as he carefully gave the crying girl to Suguha. Kirito watched as his sister took the Pandaren into her lap and hugged her tightly, rocking back and forth and rubbing her back to soothe the young Hunter's worry. "They were trying to protect her from those damn rock-heads." The Orc's fists trembled angrily at the memory, mouth twisting into an enraged snarl. "I tried to help, but I was too late."

"I'm sorry, Klein," Dynamm tried to say as Matron Vi returned with the bandages and started to patch him up. A warm wet towel laced with a healing salve was placed on his forehead as he stared up at them with a quivering lip, unable to cry with his sunken, undead eyes. "I couldn't save him... There were just too many of them."

Klein silenced his friend with a firm hand on his shoulder, eyes full of grief and face set in determination. "It's alright, bro. You and Kunimittz knew the risk, and yet you still stopped to give someone a fighting chance to make it out of this Hell. You did good work, I couldn't be more proud of both of you. You two have brought honor to our Fellowship." His head dipped in sadness, ears flat against his head and a mournful whimper in his throat. "We'll make sure to give Kunimittz a proper send off when we get back to Stormwind, I promise."

Everyone bowed their heads in respect for the Fang's sacrifice, a reminder of the fate that awaited all of them from here onwards should they falter in their resolve.

Rising to his feet, Klein offered a hand to the Orc Warrior in gratitude, which the big man accepted and shook firmly. "Thank you for saving my friend, I can't imagine what might have happened if you hadn't stepped in when you did. Name's Klein, GM for «The Fellowship of the Crimson Fang»."

The Orc nodded in understanding. "Agil, former tank for «The Barren Raiders»." He gave a nod to the Pandaren girl, whose sobbing had begun to subside as Suguha continued to comfort her as best she could. "The kid's name is Silica. Apparently, she's one of the newer players that got caught up in that craziness at the palace when those monsters finished their spiel."

"Former?" Klein raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "I thought the Raiders were still a pretty strong guild the last time I logged in on the PC version. Did they break up or something?"

Agil shook his head. "Nah, man, nothing like that. I'm just the only bastard from the guild unlucky enough to get his hands on a hard-copy of AZO before anyone else. Thought I could start laying the groundwork for us while Blizzard worked on getting more copies out there, make it so we had a good foothold here when the guys finally got to log in, you know?" A grimly sarcastic chuckle. "Guess that's not gonna be happening anytime soon, huh? Now, I'm just another player trying to make it outta this nightmare alive."

"Hey, man." A boney hand tugged at Agil's belt, turning his attentions back to Dynamm as the Forsaken rose wearily to a seated position in obvious discomfort. However, Dynamm grit his teeth as he bore through the pain, surprising Kirito with his tenacity. "You could've kept on going. You could've just left me and Kunimittz there to fend for ourselves, but you stopped to help us save her." Even though everything hurt, Dynamm did his best to give Agil a thankful smile. "You're not just another player here... You're a hero."

Agil didn't know what to say at first, but the approving looks he was getting from the gathered members of the Fellowship echoed Dynamm's sentiment unanimously.

Kirito and Suguha looked at one another with a simultaneous smile, a quiet understanding passing between the two that only siblings could share, even if through circumstance and not blood. Just from their interactions in this room, they had seen the Fellowship's compassion, loyalty, and the strong bond of friendship that they shared that was not so easily broken, even by the terrible tragedy of this cruel new world they had been thrust into. Even if he was only joining the guild out of his desire to protect his sister, Kirito knew that he'd made the right choice. Klein and the Fellowship were more than just fellow gamers trapped in this virtual prison like he and Sugu', they were more like... Well, like a family. One he actually felt glad to be a part of, which was big coming from a former solo-player like himself.

After a few minutes of catching up and further introductions for those who had just arrived, Klein clapped his hands in a call to shift focus to the matter at hand: their current predicament as unwilling players in Kayaba and Sugou's death-game.

"So..." Isshin nervously breathed out a long sigh before continuing, looking to Klein for an answer. "What're we gonna do, boss?"

"Do?" scoffed Dale indignantly as he leaned against the windowsill, twirling one of his daggers deftly before brandishing it in a reverse grip. "We put those two bastards in the ground, that's what we do. We beat 'em before in the vanilla WoW, we'll do it again here."

"Yeah," Dynamm chimed in from his spot on the second bed, lying on his back while his wounds healed, "but this time it's not that simple, Dale." His eyes lingered to his staff, leaning between the nightstand and bed by his head. "Here, the combat system's way different from just having attacks linked to hotkeys, or moving around with a mouse and button commands." He brushed his bandaged side gingerly, hissing in pain when it caused his wound to flare up again. Damn, that monster's poison was nasty. Still hadn't finished healing yet. "You have to do all the dodging and fighting yourself, and one wrong move..."

"So, we don't make the wrong moves," Klein postulated, placing a reassuring hand on the Warlock's own, moving it away from the wound so he could get some rest. "Like Dale said, we've beaten these guys before, and we've been all over Azeroth in the "vanilla", as Horde and Alliance alike, way before the devs were even talking about AZO. We know the best places to hunt and quest, the best dungeons for grinding, and we've had more than enough time to get our groove down as a raid party." Klein clenched his fist in determination, his maw grinning confidently. "We can do this, guys. We just have to do it a bit smarter than we did back in the day, that's all."

A few eyebrows quirked as Suguha raised her hand to ask a question, causing the Troll to blush again when everyone gave her their undivided attention. "Um... How are supposed to do that... 'Boss'?"

Klein smiled at that, before leaning against the wall opposite the beds in a similar pose to Dale, demeanor shifting to something close to serious, but not quite there yet. "Well, Suguha, since you're new to MMOs, that's going to mean going with your gut and picking your fights and rewards from quests carefully. It also means that, when you hit Levels 10 and 30, you're going to have to pick your «Talents» and «Specializations» wisely. Any gear you're offered by NPCs or drops that'll better boost your abilities and buff your defense and attack power than what you've already got will take precedent over style and appearance. But, thanks to the transmogrifiers," he gave the monk a teasing wink, "you can bet we're sure never to be outta style."

"Don't worry, Sugu'," Kirito reassured his sister, "I'll show you the ropes when we get back to one of the safe zones in the morning. After all, what're brothers for?"

Suguha smacked his hand away before he could place it on her shoulder, looking quite cross with him. "I appreciate it, but don't think this makes up for that stunt you pulled earlier, "Kirito"," she huffed in annoyance.

Though he wanted to say more, Kirito knew better than to argue with Sughua when she was mad and promptly dropped the subject. She would forgive him for that- admittedly- bullheaded move from before, it would just take time was all.

"As for the rest of us," Klein continued, undeterred by the siblings' spat as he eyed the guild with the steely gaze of a commander, "not only are we going to do the same, but we also can't let anything go to waste if we can spare the bag slots. If it'll net a fair price, loot it. If not, let it go. The more cash we can make selling items, the more skills we can afford to learn, the better gear we can buy, and the stronger we'll get by extension. We grind and farm where we can between dungeons and quests until we're strong enough to survive. We fight smarter, not harder, and we don't let our HP go below half if at all possible. This isn't just a game anymore, those bastards made it clear back there at the palace. If we die here, and we don't have a res' available from that bogus time-limit of theirs, there's no respawning at «The Graveyard» anymore. The next time you see a «Spirit Healer» is gonna be when she's standing there waiting for you in the afterlife for real this time."

Everyone nodded in understanding, the more seasoned players in the room thinking pretty much what Klein was laying out for them at the moment. Suguha and Silica, as the only two n00b players among them, deferred to their friends' judgment on the matter, knowing that they had been doing this for far longer and knew better. However, the two knew that just because they were greener than the others- quite literally in Suguha's case- it didn't mean that they couldn't pull their own weight in this fight. They weren't going to back down just because it was hard.

"I'm not going to lie to you guys, this isn't going to be easy." Klein looked around the room at his friends, both old and new alike, with a heavy heart that came from his position as Guild Master and comrade-in-arms. Kirito could see he was not happy about having to send his friends into battle, knowing they would face certain death at every turn. Kunimittz' passing was a harsh reminder of what awaited them outside those doors, and the heartbreak at the thought of them meeting the same fate weighed on his soul. "We're up against something the likes of which none of us ever dreamed of facing in our life time. I'm not going to ask you to stay on with the guild if you don't want to, both Kayaba and Sugou made it clear that we don't have to take part in the raids. If you want to act as our suppliers from somewhere like Stormwind or Orgrimmar, I'm not gonna stop you."

(2) "Dude, do you even have to say it?" joked Harry in his reverberating voice as he rose to his feet and laid his runesword across his shoulder. "You know we've got your back, bro."

Similar sentiments of brotherhood were echoed by the other longtime members of the guild as they stood to acknowledge their devotion to their friends, save Dynamm, who was kept from raising up again by Isshin. Kirito couldn't help but admire the Warlock's tenacity, even when seriously wounded. Everyone here was willing to lay down their lives for one another, to fight and survive as a team, regardless of the enormity of the obstacles they were facing. He hadn't spent a full day with them, and Kirito knew they were better equipped to face what awaited them than the bulk of the players out there. Smiling to himself, he rose to his feet, Suguha following suit.

"Count me in to," he affirmed sincerely, finally and openly accepting Klein's offer from before. "I know you don't have any reason to, especially after how bad I screwed up back there, but I want to help however I can." From the corner of his eye, Kirito stole a glance at his sister, reminding himself of what he was fighting for and just why he was doing this in the first place. "I know I'm not the first choice for the Fellowship, but Klein," he looked the worgen dead in the eyes as he spoke, "you were the first person I met today that legitimately wanted to help me out, and not just because I was in the beta and show you a way to cheat the system. You were the first person here to call me their "bro," and offer me a place with their friends, and even when I brushed it off, you still kept the offer on the table. You never gave up on me, even back in the forest with the Hozen when I acted like a complete asshole and nearly got us all killed." His fists clenched angrily at the memory, biting his lip to keep from crying out of hatred for his own weakness. "I know I haven't earned it, but if you'll have me, I'll do whatever it takes to help you guys beat this game."

"And wherever Kirito goes, I'll go too," Suguha interjected with an unwavering voice, surprising him by her use of his screen-name without a hint of annoyed sarcasm as she twined her fingers with his own. Her presence alone seemed to give him the strength and resolve to see this through. "Until Dynamm's well enough to fight again, you guys are going to need another healer in your party, right?" Now that surprised Kirito even more, but from the sound of things, she knew what she was talking about. "The specs for my class say I can be a healer and a fighter character when I get to a certain level, so I can give you guys the back-up you need when we're fighting as a team. Besides," she slid her fingers from Kirito's grasp and gave her brother a hug by the shoulder, "in case you haven't noticed, this knucklehead can't go two seconds without getting in some kinda trouble. You need someone to look out for him and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid again."

A much needed fit of laughter passed through the otherwise stone-cold serious atmosphere, people who hadn't laughed for hours since Kayaba's tutorial now holding their sides at the antics of the Kirigaya siblings. Face reddening, Kirito did his best to disentangle himself from Suguha's grasp, but was quickly subdued once more as she put him in a headlock until he would submit to her.

"Okay!" he squeaked pathetically, tapping his sister's arm as she tightened her grip to make sure he got the point. "Okay, Sugu' I get it!"

"Are you sure?" Klein teased in-between chuckles, finally starting to compose himself as the laughter in the room began to die down. "No more "Leeroy" from here on out?"

"Yes! Yes! No more Leeroy, I swear!" Satisfied he would stick to that promise, Suguha let go and her brother fell to the floor with a heavy thud! Propping himself up on his hands and knees, Kirito once more sucked in a lung-full of precious air- or at least what qualified as air in virtual reality. As he looked up to glare mockingly at his Troll of a sister, who stuck her tongue out at him while dusting her hands off, he felt another presence beside him and found Klein's hand waiting to pick him up when he turned his head.

"Good to hear it." As the worgen hoisted Kirito to his feet, his hand tightened around Kirito's, the young gamer doing the same to show he wouldn't budge in his resolve or break the promise. "There's no room for a lone wolf in our pack, now more than ever before. Rule #1 in the Fellowship: you don't die for your friends," Klein's eyes were set in a serious demeanor as he stared into Kirito's own, "you live for them. When you're a part of this guild, when you take the Oath of the Crimson Fang, your life and your comrades lives are intertwined. When everything seems like it lies with your sacrifice, remember that there is always a better way, you just have to find it. We clear?"

Kirito nodded as their handshake broke, and meant it with everything he had in him. "Crystal, bro."

A smile returning to the worgen's toothy maw, Klein turned to Agil and offered the Orc his hand. "That offer I gave Kirito is open for you guys as well, if you'd like," he proposed genuinely. "I know you're probably not all that keen on joining any guild other than the Raiders, but still…" Klein cast as sideways glance at Dynamm, currently being tended to by Suguha, who replaced the warm cloth on his head and patted his arm reassuringly. "You went out of your way to rescue one of our own, and protected another player from this nightmare. We already owe you one for the former, but the latter's got me convinced that you'd fit right in with the Fellowship. If you'd like, we definitely have room for another tank in the guild."

Agil was silent for a moment as he weighted Klein's offer, Kirito looking on with interest. However, the orc shook his head as he took the worgen's paw and gave it a firm shake. "Thanks, man, but I gotta pass. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm not flattered or anything, and I'd definitely be up for joinin' you guys sometime soon. It's just…"

The big man's voice trailed off for a second as his gaze settled on Silica, who was snoozing away on the bed opposite Dynamm's with her arm hanging over the side, her turtle lying beside her on the floor as her fingers barely brushed its shell. "There are a lot of kids like her out there," continued Agil heavy-heartedly, "people with no experience in WoW, or VMMOs for that matter. They're gonna need someone who can walk them through the basics if they're gonna survive, someone who knows what they're doing." The warrior rubbed the back of his neck anxiously, shifting his feet. "I know it's not my job to do be that guy, but I can't just walk away from this."

Klein gave an understanding nod, clapping the orc on the shoulder bracingly. "Don't sweat it, bro, I get it. We're gonna be doing pretty much the same thing, but it's cool if you want to help out on your own for a bit. Just, give us a call if you get in a tight spot. Until you're ready, we'll keep your spot in the roster warm for you. Deal?"

Agil smiled contentedly. "Deal."

Leaning against the wall by the window, Kirito surveyed the group before him with a discerning gaze, heart heavy when his eyes came to rest on Suguha. However, seeing her get along with the rest of the guild gave the warrior comfort, and just the fact that she could joke and laugh like she had when playfully abusing him earlier gave him a sliver of hope. The odds stacked against them looked insurmountable from the start. A world out to see them all dead, two psychotic digital demi-gods lording over it and egging them on for their amusement, a shaky time-table at best, and the future unsure. And yet, here, with Klein and Suguha? Among friends to stand by them against those odds?

Kirito felt something within him growing stronger by this action alone, as if the weight he had felt hours ago at Kayaba and Sugou's tutorial had been lightened. And indeed it had, as he was not left to shoulder the burden on his own. Now, it was shared by others, by people he felt and knew that he could trust with such a great responsibility, even having just met them as he had done. Klein, Sugu', Dynamm, Dale, Isshin, Harry, even Agil and Silica.

In just one night, the Fellowship had grown.

And come morning, all of Azeroth would know it.

AN: And so ends "The Tutorial Arc," the introduction to the new death game that is AZO. The gauntlet has been lain down by Kayaba and Sugou, the guilds are gathering and forming against their forces, the Fellowship of the Crimson Fang has gained two new members and suffered its first casualty, and Kirito's resolve has been strengthened. But, will it be enough to weather the coming storm of battle? Can the players survive in the harsh world of AZO? What challenges await them in their quest for freedom? And what of the Death Knight players as Kirito postulated? Can Kayaba and Sugou control them, or are they immune to the call of the Lich King? These questions and more shall be answered in the future, as we jump forward a month to the eve of the threat our heroes must face in the first Raid? Stay tuned to find out as the story develops! Please remember to leave a review if you feel so inclined (constructive criticism is welcome, flames are doused, and trolls are sacrificed to Bwonsamdi or cannibalized, lol), and I'll see you guys next time. Take care out there! EXCELSIOR!

Next Time, in AZO: Chapter 4- Silence Before The Storm.