Sword Art Online Episode 14

The End of the World (世界の終焉) is the fourteenth episode of the Sword Art Online and the last episode of the Aincrad Arc. It aired on October 6, 2012.

Plot
Kirito and the others continue fighting, until Heathcliff notices that the boss' life is about to extinguish, so he tells everyone to attack, and after a fierce battle, they finally defeat The Skull Reaper.

Everyone is exhausted from the battle, Kirito informs Klein that 14 players died. The players begins to have doubts about completing the remaining 25 floors. That's when Kirito notices that Heathcliff is standing without any sign of fatigue from the battle, he recalls their duel, and suddenly attacks Heathcliff, but the sword is blocked and an Immortal Object sign appear like when Yui is attacked. Everyone is shocked and confused. Kirito explains that the game ensures that Healthcliff's HP will never fall into yellow zone, and since the game started Kirito wonder where was "he" while watching the players and adjusting the world. Realizing that there's nothing as boring as watching someone else play RPG, leading Kirito to conclude that Heathcliff is in fact, Kayaba Akihiko.

Heathcliff admits that he is Kayaba causing one of the Knight of the Blood to attack him in frustration, but the player is stopped when Kayaba paralyzes him and eventually paralyzes everyone except for Kirito. Kirito asks if he is going to kill everyone in order to cover up the fact that Heathcliff is Kayaba. Kayaba answer, saying it wouldn't be fair, instead he being the last boss will wait for the players on the top floor at the Ruby Palace.

As a reward for revealing Heathcliff's true identity, he offers Kirito a chance to fight him on a one-to-one battle also he will deactivating his immortal status. If Kirito can defeat Kayaba, all of the players will be able to log out. Asuna pleaded Kirito to not accept the challenge and to fall back. Kirito has flashbacks of all of those who have died leading him to accept the wager. Kirito apologies to Asuna that he will not run away and reassure her that he will win and end the game. Agil and Klein beg Kirito for to not battle. Kirito thanks Agil for helping the swordman to level up, and apologies to Klein for leaving him on the first day. Klein retaliates that he will not forgive Kirito until he buys him a meal in the real world. Before the start of the duel, Kirito ask that if he does die, he wants Kayaba to make sure that Asuna can't kill herself. Kayaba smiles and accepts the request. Asuna cries out for Kirito.

The Start of the duel, both fight at extreme speed, knowing that Kayaba designed the Dual Blades skill, he will be able to block the pre-programmed combos. Kirito tries to use his own skills without using the system sword skills. Kirito starts to corner Kayaba, but in a moment he loses focus and activates The Eclipse, Kayaba easily blocks each and every strike. His shield broke the Dark Repulser and when he's about to give the finishing blow, Asuna jumps between them, receiving the final blow, facing her demise. Kayaba is suprised that Asuna was able to neutralize the paralysis on her own.

In Disbelief of losing Asuna, Kirito swings his sword with little effort, Kayaba easily sends his Elucidator flying and stabs Kirito, but in the moment his life drops to zero he stabs Kayaba with Asuna's Lambent Light, killing him. Kirito asks "if it was good enough" before he and Kayaba shatter into thousand of pieces. A voice of the system announed, "As of 14:55, November 7, the game has been cleared"

Kirito open his eyes and find himself in the sky outside of Aincrad. Kirito is shock to see Asuna, and tells her that he is sorry for dying before they hug and share a kiss. While watching the destruction of Aincrad. Kayaba appears and tells them that in 10 mins or so, Aincrad will vanish and that the remaining 6147 players were logged out and those who have died are in fact gone. Kayaba cannot remember why he created Aincrad but recalls his desire to create a castle, a world that surpassed all laws and restrictions for a long time. He congratulates Kirito and Asuna for clearing the game and disappears.

Kirito and Asuna spend their last moments togerher, telling each other their real names as they see the last of Aincrad disappear, It also reveals that Kirito is 16 and Asuna being 17. Kirito cries and is sorry that he was unable to send Asuna back to the other world. Asuna tells him that it's ok and tells him that meeting and living with him was the happiest moment in her life and that she loved him. Kirito and Asuna hug each other, waiting for the final moment. Both disappear along with Aincrad.

Kirito wakes up and finds himself in the hospital bedroom, while trying to make sense of where he is, he remembers Asuna, bringing tears and life back in his eyes. He takes off the NerveGear and grabs the IV drip stand for support and slowly walks out of his room to find Asuna while calling her name.

Inventory

 * Kirito
 * BlackWyrm Coat
 * Elucidator
 * Dark Repulser
 * Asuna
 * Lambent Light
 * Heathcliff
 * Liberator

Known Sword Skills

 * Kirito
 * The Eclipse

Adaptation Notes

 * Adapted Sword Art Online Light Novel Volume 01 Ch22-25