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Warning Spoiler Alert: This article or section contains details about plotlines not covered in the anime. Do not proceed unless you wish to be spoiled.

Merida (メリダ, Merida?) was one of the founding members of the Sleeping Knights, a group of terminally ill patients who played VRMMO games, and one of the three members of the guild that passed away before the guild came to ALfheim Online. Merida was a beta tester for Sword Art Online, but was unable to play it on its official release. She later registered for Serene Garden after a tumour was discovered in her brain[1], though she also played virtual reality games like Asuka Empire, where she played as a ninja[2].

Appearance[]

Real Life Appearance[]

In the real world, Merida had to ride in a wheelchair, as her legs had been paralysed due to the effects of the tumour.[3] She had also suffered hair loss due to anticancer drugs.[3]

Serene Garden Avatar[]

In Serene Garden, Merida's appearance was very similar to her real self due to her avatar being based on a real photo of her.[4] However, Merida customised her hair to be green and done up in a ponytail.[4] She wore a tawny, camo-patterened T-shirt and cargo pants with many pockets.[4]

Asuka Empire Avatar[]

In Asuka Empire, Merida wore a bright green ninja outfit.[2] Like in Serene Garden, Merida had her hair styled into a ponytail.[2]

Personality[]

After a tumour was found in Merida's brain, she began feeling a lack of purpose in life. This was worsened by her guilt that her tumour saved her from being trapped in Sword Art Online with her guildmates to the extent that Merida desired to be trapped in Sword Art Online to be able to support her friends, and was even about to use Aiko's modified NerveGear to do so.

Background[]

Merida was one of the thousand players who were invited to play Sword Art Online during its beta test. Merida was in a medium-size guild during the beta test and vowed to meet her guildmates in the official release of the game. However, shortly after the beta, a tumour was found in Merida's brain, and thus her parents forbade her from using the NerveGear. Because of that, Merida was saved from being trapped in the official service of Sword Art Online along with her former guild.[1]

Chronology[]

Sisters' Prayer[]

On May 11, 2024, Merida discovered a very rare Royal Triton Stag Beetle in Serene Garden. Although she spent an hour trying to catch it to no avail, she was shocked to discover that another girl had caught it. She immediately expressed her frustration at someone else catching the bug that she had been hoping to catch ever since she registered for Serene Garden. However, to her surprise, the girl named Yuuki who caught the bug offered it to her without asking for anything in return. Merida was dejected at how she could not offer anything to trade for the beetle, but immediately beamed when Yuuki's sister Ran offered to let Yuuki name the beetle instead of trading something. After storing the beetle in her inventory, Merida thanked Yuuki for letting her have the beetle, and introduced herself to the twins, but then suddenly fainted.

Once Merida recovered, she apologised for worrying the twins, and insisted that she was fine. She then asked how Yuuki caught the beetle without scaring it with her footsteps and was told that Yuuki had jumped accross narrow posts to get to the beetle. Thinking that Yuuki had a high compatibility with virtual worlds, Merida asked her to stand on one leg and was surprised that Yuuki and her sister could do so for longer periods than anyone else she knew. After conversing a bit more, Merida offered to continue their conversation over tea in the village.

In the village, Merida took the sisters to a hard to find store in the village and insisted on treating them to some crepes. During their meal, Meridal told the girls about having been a Sword Art Online beta tester and how a discovered brain tumour prevented her from playing the game on its official release. Merida then shared how she felt that she would have rather been trapped in the game, but Yuuki asked her not to think like that, as she would not be able to meet her parents then.

Changing the topic, Merida asked if the sisters were playing any other virtual reality games and was disappointed that Serene Garden was the only virtual world that they had been to. Since the sisters were worried about the price of virtual reality games, Merida recommended a free-to-play game called Asuka Empire to them, and offered to guide them in the game. Since the twins accepted her invitation, they agreed to meet in the game the next day.

The next day, Merida met the sisters in Asuka Empire with a flashy entrance. After demonstrating one of her skills as a ninja, Merida explained about the life and soul point bars in their field of vision, and about the classes in the game, and then guided the sisters to the capital city for the initiation quest. With Yuuki and Ran having completed their initiation quests within two hours thanks to Merida's help, Merida invited the two to a restaurant to celebrate.

During the next few days, Merida spents several hours a day helping the sisters in Asuka Empire. On May 16, 2024, Merida helped Yuuki and Aiko complete their class advancement quests and invited them to a restaurant to celebrate their class change. After they had finished their meal, Merida complemented how well the two sisters worked together and told them more about Sword Art Online. During the conversation, Yuuki unintentionally revealed that she was not using an AmuSphere, but since she could not tell Merida that she was a Medicuboid tester, Aiko claimed that they were both using modified NerveGears.

The three girls continued playing Asuka Empire, occasionally returning to Serene Garden to check on Merida's beetle and to eat crepes. Two days before the twins' birthday, Merida expressed her desire to visit the twins in real life on their birthday to celebrate.

On May 23, 2024, Merida arrived at the Yokohama General Hospital, but while Aiko was using the restroom, Merida put on Aiko's NerveGear, leaving a handwritten letter to Aiko that she was planning on using the NerveGear to log into Sword Art Online. However, Merida first logged into Serene Garden to release her beetle Roy, in hopes that Yuuki would catch it again some day. Predicting this, Aiko took Yuuki to Serene Garden, and they found Merida at the place where they first met her.

The sisters attempted to persuade Merida not to proceed with her plan, but since Merida persisted that she needed a purpose to live for, Yuuki declared that she would find one for her and challenged her to a duel in Asuka Empire. Some time later, all three met in Asuka Empire and Yuuki had her duel against Merida. Although Yuuki felt reluctant to strike Merida at first, she eventually won the duel.

In the aftermath of the duel, Merida stated that Yuuki's feelings had reached her through their swords. Suddenly, Ran shared her desire to form a guild with the three of them, making new friends over time. Merida resigned and accepted Ran's invitation and was invited to visit Yuuki in the hospital. During the meeting, Merida destroyed her copy of Sword Art Online, promising that she would never say that she wanted to go to that world again.

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Characters
Major Characters
Alice Zuberg - Asada Shino (Sinon) - Ayano Keiko (Silica) - Eugeo - Kayaba Akihiko - Kikuoka Seijirou - Kirigaya Kazuto (Kirito) - Kirigaya Suguha (Leafa) - Shinozaki Rika (Lisbeth) - Tsuboi Ryoutarou (Klein) - Yui - Yuuki Asuna (Asuna)
SAO Players
Aincrad Liberation Force/ALS Hokkaiikura - Joe - Kibaou - Kobatz - Liten - Melonmask - Okotan - Schinkenspeck - Thinker - Yulier - Yakumo
Divine Dragon Alliance/DKB Buxum - Hafner - Lind - Morte - Schmitt - Shivata - Yamata
Fuumaningun Isuke - Kotaru
Fuurinkazan Dale - Dynamm - Harry One - Issin - Klein - Kunimttz
Golden Apple Caynz - Grimlock - Griselda - Schmitt - Yolko
Knights of the Blood Asuna - Daizen - Godfree - Heathcliff - Kirito - Kuradeel - Nautilus
Laughing Coffin Johnny Black - Kuradeel - Kuro - PoH - XaXa
Legend Braves Beowulf - Cu Chulainn - Enkidu - Gilgamesh - Nezha - Orlando
Moonlit Black Cats Ducker - Keita - Kirito - Sachi - Sasamaru - Tetsuo
Titan's Hand Rosalia
Two-Handed Builders Agil - Lowbacca - Naijan - Wolfgang
Others Argo - Ashley - Ceba - Coper - Diavel - Gin - Gwen - Kein - Lisbeth - Lux - Mina - Mito - Nishida - Rossa - Ryufior - Sasha - Silica - Yuna
Beta Testers Argo - Coper - Diavel - Isuke - Kirito - Kotaru - Mito - Morte
NPC Angel - Kizmel - Leyshren Zed Yofilis - Lion - Myia - NPC Orchestra - Pina - Ruru - Scarecrow - Theano - Tilnel - Tin - Toto - Yui
Non-Canon Aaaa - Ado - Alberich - Alice Zuberg - Ceniza - Clumy - Cocoa - D.I.L - Eugeo - Fer - Fuego - Garcia - Idhrendis - Knakia - Koharu - Lapis - Leafa - Leuer - Linhua - Mariah - Mater - Mikiha - Miyurin - Notte - Oculus - Philia - Protagonist (Integral Factor) - Rain - Rano - Sanya - Seeda - Sinon - Stilla - Strea - Typhon - Ulrik - Vela - Vecta - Wendelin - Yuuki
ALO Players
Cait Sith Adie - Alicia Rue - Silica - Sinon
Gnome Agil - Tecchi
Imp Yuuki
Leprechaun Ceba - Granze - Lisbeth - Talken
Pooka Sasha
Salamander Eugene - fastuosa - Gtacs - Jun - Kagemune - Klein - Mortimer - UxperXJ
Spriggan Kirito - Kuro - Nori
Sylph Erika - Fukaziroh - Leafa - Lux - Recon - Sakuya - Sigurd
Undine Asuna - Chrysheight - Siune - Thinker - Yulier
NPC/Navigation Pixie Angel - Emely - Hraesvelg - Leviathan - Nerakk - NPC Orchestra - Pina - Skuld - Thiazi - Thor - Thrym - Tonky - Urðr - Verðandi - Yui
Others/Unknown Ashley - Fairy King Oberon - Garnet - Gwen - Marinca - Saitou Shouichi - Slug Researchers
Non-Canon Alice Zuberg - Argo - Black Lotus - Eugeo - Heathcliff - Persona Vabel - Philia - Rain - Sachi - Seven - Strea - Sumeragi - Yuna
GGO Players
Dyne's Squadron Arashi - Dyne - Ginrou - Jin - Miso - Sinon
BoB Participants Blackwood - Colonel Liberty - DA*LU - Dyne - E.J. - Fernil - Garrett - huuka - Jack Reacher - JIGEN - Kakouton - kaeeeede - Kakameposu the II - Keith - Kirito - Lion King Richie - Masaya - Musketeer X - No-No - Pale Rider - Pancho - Raiden - Licoco - Setsugekka - Shishigane - Sinon - Sterben - Stinger - Subtilizer - Ten-Q - Uemaru - Usujio Tarako - Yamikaze - XeXeeD - XYZ
Death Gun Victims Garrett - Pale Rider - Usujio Tarako - XeXeeD
Squad Jam Participants KKHC Shirley
LPFM Fukaziroh - LLENN - M - Pitohui
MMTM Bold - David - Jake - Kenta - Lax - Summon
Narrow Dashin - Hidehide - Nagama - Nobu - Saika - Yasu
SHINC Anna - Eva - Rosa - Sophie - Tanya - Tohma
ZAT Benjamin - Casa - Frost - Koenig - Yamada - Let's Play Host
ZEMAL Heuy - Max - Peter - Shinohara - Tomtom
Others Clarence
Other main series characters Behemoth - Spiegel
AGGO manga original characters Batian - Boss - Costa - Lorosae - Panama - Rio
Non-Canon Afasys - Agil - Alice Zuberg - Argo - Asuna - Bazalt Joe - Daisy - Eiji - Eugeo - Itsuki - Klein - Kureha - Leafa - Lievre - Lisbeth - Philia - Premiere - Protagonist (Fatal Bullet) - Rain - Sachi - Seven - Silica - Strea - Yui - YUNA - Yuuki - Zeliska
Underworld Resident
Human Empire Rulid Village Algu - Alice Zuberg - Bercouli - Donetti - Doyke - Eugeo - Garitta - Gasupht Zuberg - Ivenda - Jaina - Jink - Kirito - Nigel Balbossa - Orick - Ridack - Sadina Zuberg - Selka Zuberg - Sister Azalia - Sulinea
Zakkaria Banou Wolde - Egome Zakkarite - Kelgam Zakkarite - Telin Wolde - Telulu Wolde - Toriza Wolde
Centoria Azurica - Cardinal - Quinella - Sadore - Yazen
Sword Mastery Academy Azurica - Eugeo - Frenica Szeski - Golgorosso Balto - Humbert Zizek - Kirito - Raios Antinous - Ronye Arabel - Sortiliena Serlut - Tiese Shtolienen - Volo Levantein - Zobun
Central Cathedral Ayuha Furia - Berche - Cardinal - Charlotte - Chudelkin - Elevating Operator - Fizel - Hainag - Hana - Linel - Quinella - Soness Furia - Xiao Choucas
Integrity Knight Alice Zuberg - Bercouli - Dakira - Deusolbert - Eldrie Woolsburg - Entokia - Eugeo - Fanatio - Fizel - Giro - Hobren - Jeis - Linel - Nergius - Renly - Scheta
Dragons Amayori - Himawari - Hinageshi - Hoshigami - Kazenui - Shimosaki - Takiguri - Tsukigake - Yoiyobi
Others Alderes Wesdarath V - Almera Woolsburg - Cruiga Norlangarth VI - Eolyne Herlentz - Eschdol Woolsburg - Hozaika Eastavarieth - Zeppos
Dark Territory Black Iums D.I.L - Dampe - Fu Za - Iskahn - K.U.V - Leazetta - Lengil Gira Scobo - Lipia Zancale - Vixur Ul Shasta - Yotte
Orcs Moricca - Renju - Rilpirin
Ogres Furgr
Giants Sigurosig
Goblins Aburi - Hagashi - Kosogi - Kubiri - Oroi - Shibori - Ugachi
Non-Canon Aleo - Cardo - Carver - Dorothy Isaiah Elisheva - Edith - Elcar Marscull - Fazahd - Hektor Ul Günther - Hersyrian - Jared - Kainan - Kayode Norlangarth - Kirimai - Lushe - Mary - Medieta - Medina Orthinanos - Momento - Paulie Aurimas - Phinea Suvale - Proxy - Rogu - Round Robin - Sarai - Shirley - Somelier - Sylvie - Tolgash Southacroith III - Vallenthor - Wegin Sorby - Zacza - Zappas - Ziczi
Underworld Visitors
Agil - Alicia Rue - Asuna - Eiji - Eugene - Gabriel Miller - Hirono Takashi - Jun - Kirito - Klein - Leafa - Lisbeth - Moonphase - Nori - Sakuya - Silica - Sinon - Siune - Tecchi - Vassago - YUNA
Non-Canon Argo - Ceba - Itsuki - Kureha - Mito - Philia - Premiere - Rain - ReoNa - Seven - Strea - Tia - Yui - Yuuki - Zeliska
Asuka Empire
Players Clevel - Koyomi - Merida - Nayuta - Ran - Yanagi - Yuuki
NPC Clovis (AI)
Staff Torao
Reality/Other Games
Rath Aki Natsuki - Higa Takeru - Hiraki - Ichiemom - Kikuoka Seijirou - Koujiro Rinko - Nakanishi - Niemom - Yanai
Others Alicia Klingerman - Cel - Clovis - Critter - Doctor Kurahashi - Eiji - Endou - Fujita Shin - Kirigaya Midori - Kirigaya Minetaka - Okano Kouji - Oosawa Mizue - Oosawa Sachie - Sada Akiyo - Satou Rei - Shigemura Tetsuhiro - Yuna - Yuuki Kouichirou - Yuuki Kyouko - Yuuki Shouzou
Non-Canon Es - Gattas - Genesis - Goliath - Kaede - Laraiah - Layla - Michael - PoH (Variant Showdown) - Premiere - Richter - Sigil - Teria - Tia
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