<blockquote>
  <p>Divine Stone of Returning Soul (還魂【かんこん】の聖晶石【せいしょうせき】, Kankon no Seishōseki) is a unique rare item found in «Sword Art Online» that can be used to revive a recently fallen player. The only known way to obtain it was to defeat Nicholas The Renegade, the Christmas event
  boss, during the Christmas Event.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/4bwSi.png" alt="Divine Stone of Returning Soul"></p>

<p><sup><em>Item description and image source: <a href="http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/Divine_Stone_of_Returning_Soul" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sword Art Wiki</a></em></sup></p>

<p>I remembered this item was mentioned to have existed within Sword Art Online and that it was hypothesized that it must obey the laws of the game. Part of the reason for the delay between a player dying within the game and being killed by their Nerve Gear in real life, was because there is a chance for them to be revived within the game. To me this explains why Asuna was able to live, because the world was 'saved' very soon after her avatar's HP hit zero.</p>

<p>While this could explain why Kirito didn't immediately die after his HP was zero, it doesn't explain why his avatar was still able to last hit the world boss after receiving a death blow. I have a hypothesis for this, but this one is even a larger leap. In Sword Art Online, there are skills known as <em>Unique Skills</em> which are rewarded to players who satisfy certain conditions. Kirito had the Dual Swords skill (rewarded to the player with the fastest reaction time). My hypothesis is that this unique skill could also have a "last stand" or "last resort" type of skill to get that last hit in or increase DPS for the user in their final throws which makes sense for a player with the quickest reaction time in the game. </p>

<p>Another possibility is that Kirito could have earned more than one unique skill which allowed for his final thrust. The creator of the game stated that there are 10 unique skills and each one is awarded to the player who satisfies the condition best in all of SAO. He stated that the 10 unique skills are awarded to only one player each, but did not say that a single player couldn't obtain more than one unique skill. Out of the 10 unique skills we know of these six:</p>

<ul>
<li>«Dual Blades» - given to the player with the fastest reaction time</li>
<li>«Holy Sword» - given to the strongest player.</li>
<li>«Darkness Blade» (暗黒剣, Ankoku Ken)</li>
<li>«Battoujutsu» (抜刀術, lit. "The art of drawing one's sword")</li>
<li>«Shurikenjutsu» (手裏剣術, lit. "The art of using a throwing star")</li>
<li>«Infinite Spear» (無限槍, Mugen Yari)</li>
</ul>

<p>This means that there are still 4 unique skills that we don't know the abilities for, of which one could explain Kirito's ability to briefly withstand a killing blow.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-25T08:01:19.533Z
I gotta say I disagree. Kayaba himself was surprised to see Asuna moving to protect Kirito despite being paralyzed by the system.
絢瀬絵里
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-25T08:01:50.333Z
Well the rest is correct, though.
絢瀬絵里
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-07T19:17:10.513Z
Just an FYI for everyone...Kirito gave that stone away after he saw it only worked a few seconds after a death.....
Dupree3
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-28T09:02:38.340Z
@Dupree3 We know, that's not the point why the stone was mentioned though.
FatalSleep
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-28T09:03:47.333Z
I am going to completely disregard this answer for multiple reasons. Look here: http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/19173/3034 Here I explained why Asuna and Kirito both do not actually die after fighting Kayaba. This line, "He stated that the 10 unique skills are awarded to only one player each," means that Kirito could only obtain one unique skill, no more. Your statement is contradictory to this.
FatalSleep
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-28T09:08:35.047Z
So more than an answer this is all speculation.
FatalSleep
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-24T05:28:07.503Z
But the argument of why Kirito was able to go on even after his HP hit zero does kind of make sense. I myself think that could be the case. Such abilities aren't uncommon in RPGs.
Alchemist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-24T10:37:30.093Z
@Alchemist: The concept of human willpower overriding the limit of the system is prominent in SAO (if you keep reading) and Accel World. It is reasserted in ALO arc, when Kayaba appears before Kirito near the end of ALO arc, and acknowledged the fact that he overcame the limit of the system.
nhahtdh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-24T03:26:48.733Z
2015-04-22T20:47:49.457Z
2015-04-22T20:47:49.457Z
Disgaea
<h2>Asuna</h2>

<h3>Theory 1: Kayaba kept his words to prevent Asuna from comitting suicide</h3>

<p>Before the fight, Kirito had requested Kayaba to prevent from Asuna taking her own life if he was to die, as Asuna threatened to commit suicide if that happened. Quite possibly, Kayaba had set thing up to ensure that if Asuna went to kill herself, she wouldn't actually die, confident that he would win (as he was supposed to be the last boss on the 100th floor).</p>

<p>Otherwise, in <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/13007/how-does-kirito-come-back-to-life-when-hes-fighting-heathcliff/13009#13009">my answer</a> to the <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/14035/how-did-asuna-survived#comment18023_14035">question</a> Mysticial linked to, I explain there is a time delay before the NervGear kills Kirito in the real world. Seeing as Asuna had in a way killed herself, Kayaba at that point might have prevented Asuna from dying in the real world and put her in the holding area where she met with Kirito later. After all, Kayaba was show to have a level of <a href="http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/Heathcliff#Personality" rel="nofollow noreferrer">honor and fairness</a> and probably wanted to hold up his end of the deal. Remember that he paralyzed everyone so no one would get in the duel between him and Kirito, yet he was surprised to see that Asuna was still able to move.</p>

<h3>Theory 2: Sugou had been keeping Asuna alive</h3>

<p>Another possibility is Sugou Nobuyuki. Asuna being in the holding area may have been a stroke of luck, and Kayaba didn't notice that after SAO was cleared, Sugou prevented 300 players from waking up for his experiments. However, this runs off the theory that Asuna was not <em>just</em> one of the 300, and she was targeted to be isolated and trapped separately. </p>

<p>This is slightly backed up by 2 points:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Sugou did say <strong>he</strong> was keeping Asuna alive, rather than her father who owned the company, and were more likely to use it to look after his daughter</p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/RECT_Inc.#Background" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The wiki</a> about RECT Progress's background says</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>RECT Progress Inc. had set the 1st main goal of ALfheim Online to reach the top of the World Tree, but was later found to be impossible to complete. It was revealed that the World Tree's actual purpose was to hold the remaining 300 prisoners from SAO as test subjects in inhumane experiments.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This would indicate that since the release of ALO, Sugou was waiting for SAO to be cleared.</p></li>
</ol>

<h2>Kirito</h2>

<p>As for how Kirito survived, please refer to my answer <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/13007/how-does-kirito-come-back-to-life-when-hes-fighting-heathcliff/13009#13009">here</a>. (Originally, this question only addressed Asuna, and I have only noticed that it's been edited to address Kirito as well).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T01:34:27.780Z
So there's no actual text written by the author on how they survived?
NatsuDragneel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T02:22:39.297Z
@NatsuDragneel i haven't actually read the light novels so i'm not sure, my answers in Sword Art Online are mainly from the anime as i'm trying to avoid the Wikia so not to spoil Sword Art Online 2 and Yen press's English Releases of the Light Novel.
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T02:44:56.597Z
Its okay I'm updated in SAO just curious about that part.
NatsuDragneel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T23:38:48.157Z
It's never explained in the novels either. At most you can infer based on information you have, and there's maybe 2 or 3 possible explanations that use information from the series, and all make sense in their own right. But over all, a definite answer is never given. In fact, I think the author at one point said not to dwell too much on the events toward the end of the first book (End of the "Aincrad arc") Even Kayaba's word choice about human will could infer either Kirito's drive to not give up, or his ability to overcome the system, seeing as the latter only happens once through-out SAO.
TUSF
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-02T11:56:18.807Z
As a note, it's impossible who Sugou does anything for stop something getting their brain fried. If you think on that, if they can do it, then they will do it already at the start of ALO server (One year after SAO start) for their experiments. More than this, if RECTO can stop this function for one player, can do it for all of them, and then, they can stop the server running.
Sakura Kinomoto
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-21T22:47:59.167Z
@SakuraKinomoto if suddenly players died in SAO but didn't die in real life but remained in comas *after* ALO went live i think you could be a bit suspicious. remember that what Sugou did in experimenting on 300 SAO players was highly illegal. as i said however this is a possibility and as i have shown there are logical points of evidence which could back this up
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-25T16:36:02.300Z
As you can view on the anime, when Sugou explain how they got the 300 players, they told: "there are no difficult to send 300 players to ALO when they're disconnecting" (or something similar). They told, too, "I've completed a lot of investigation on the last month (since SAO end)".
Also, I think the more valid "theory" for keeping Asuna alive, are the delay. If there's a item who can revive a player who dies on the last 10 seconds, there's a delay programmed on the core between dying ingame and IRL. And light novel or anime doesn't tell time passed since asuna dies, until game being cleared.
Sakura Kinomoto
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T01:23:53.540Z
2015-05-24T05:20:04.330Z
2017-04-13T12:54:48.953Z
Memor-X
<p>This is quite well-explained in the manga.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/6CyPM.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/6CyPM.png" width="320"></a> <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/bS3NJ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/bS3NJ.png" width="320"></a></p>

<p>As he was dying, he said to himself "The system might be telling me to get lost, but <strong>I'm not listening! I'm still here! I'm still alive!</strong>", denying the system's control over his existence, and more or less breaking the limitation imposed on him.</p>

<p>Also, in the first season episode 24 <em>Gilded Hero</em>, at the end of ALfheim arc, the gravity magic used on Kirito didn't end, but like he did in the battle against Heathcliff, he again denied the system and stood up with his willpower.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-24T05:37:27.550Z
hmmm this answer is interesting. he was able to deny the system. what about asuna? did she deny the system too when she was able to move despite her paralysis?
Alchemist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-20T16:15:14.443Z
There was no reviving stone in this scene, Kirito brakes the rules all the time, there are many examples and this is what this anime is all about. Kind of reminds of Neo. Its a "never give up" genre with a deep meaning that you can brake the system with your own will. It may have been a good story if  both of them didnt wake up, but it just wouldn't be profitable so just stop searching for a logic, because there is non.
Alexandr
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-23T22:32:59.780Z
2015-05-24T10:16:03.247Z
2015-05-24T10:16:03.247Z
Trentlox
<p>Kirito and Asuna didn't immediately die because the system, Cardinal, was designed that way. That's why they have the resurrection item like Disgaea mentioned. There is a delay before the player is killed in the real world, following his avatar's death.</p>

<p>As to how Kirito can still move after his HP reached 0, it was because of the Cardinal system's artificial intelligence. Seeing that Kayaba himself was surprised that Asuna can still move despite being under paralysis status applied by Kayaba, the GM, thru the system, it is safe to assume that that is not planned by Kayaba. Being an artificial intelligence system, Cardinal reacted to Asuna's strong will to protect Kirito.</p>

<p>Now, the same can be said about Kirito killing Kayaba. It was because in his final moments, Kirito suddenly showed a burst of emotion, strong enough for the Cardinal to approve that it is of higher priority than his death.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-25T08:09:08.507Z
2015-03-16T17:43:37.820Z
2015-03-16T17:43:37.820Z
絢瀬絵里
<p>Do you guys know accel world? It's from the same author as Sao. In the accel world series threre appears something called incarnation System. It means that if you can imagine something hard enough, the system will accept this image has reality instead of what really happend. So in my opinion kirito used some Kind of incarnation System, with what he just overpowered the Kardinal System in the case that he kinda revives himself</p>

<p>Btw accel world and Sao play in the same Universe, so this should be possible, right? :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-26T05:03:02.457Z
from my understanding the only links Accel World and SAO had is that something that looks like the Nerv Gear appears as the basis of the technology used in Accel World, a non-canon cross over special where Kirito is in Accel World and that it's the same author. i don't remember see any citation that they are, without a doubt, the same universe
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-25T21:49:40.393Z
2016-05-25T21:49:40.393Z
user24303
<p>Sugou released Asuna from paralysis in the final moments so she would run to Kirito, as he knew she would.  Sugou lifted his sword in anticipation as Asuna darted to Kirito, then struck her dead.  Kirito was killed, however I think Klein used the revival item on him, but also, Kirito used Asuna's sword for the kill, so perhaps Asuna's sword became Kirito's and gave him some sort of ability.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-30T07:12:27.050Z
Since when was Sugou trapped in SAO? how can he be trapped in SAO but also be the game master of ALO?
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-29T18:08:24.720Z
2016-04-29T18:08:24.720Z
Houston P.
<p>There are no theories, because there is a real explanation for this topic. Although, I suppose you remember he bears the "Divine Stone of Returning Soul," yes? The item may be used to resurrect yourself during the 10 second delay before the system has told you "You Have Died." An explanation for his awesome matrix-like ability to come back and see Heathcliff's face for the last time would be the usage of the own human will. Yes, it may sound stupid, but really. It says in the manga. Kirito has so determined to end the virtual world of SAO, that he had to destroy the system to revive himself.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-10T03:19:39.033Z
He gave that stone away way before he died..
giraffesyo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-29T12:36:21.990Z
`it says in the manga`, could you provide the chapter where this is said?
Dimitri mx
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-29T11:10:48.380Z
2017-02-19T22:10:02.637Z
2017-02-19T22:10:02.637Z
user20057
<p>The reason they didn't die is because it takes some time between the moment you die in game and the moment your brain is fried in real life. If you recall the scene where Kirito looked at the menu to find "[Executing the Final Phase, 54% completed]", the "Final Phase" was meant to be death in real life.</p>

<p>From <em>Volume 1 - Chapter 24</em>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>But the window contained neither an avatar nor a menu list. The
  blank screen showed only the message [Executing the Final Phase,
  54% completed]. As I stared at it, the number went up to 55%. I had
  originally thought that my mind would die alongside the destruction of
  my body, but what was going on here?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But of course, he cleared the game in time to be logged out before the Final Phase was complete.</p>

<p>The item Kirito got from the Christmas Event was the 10 Second Revival Item, which also backs up why it took time before dying. The delay gave them a chance to be revived, and the Nerve Gear had to charge up to fry the brain.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-27T21:42:46.840Z
The OP apparently didn't remember any of these events, so it might be helpful if you pointed out more clearly when they happened (episode, chapter) and whether it was in the anime or was light novel-only.
Torisuda
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-22T08:14:18.313Z
Final Phase scene is after Kirito has defeated Kayaba and reappeared on the sky. This is irrelevant, since Final Phase here should refer to the destruction of Aincrad after the game is over.
nhahtdh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-27T21:14:39.993Z
2015-03-22T08:01:35.943Z
2015-03-22T08:01:35.943Z
Budgie Way
<p>My theory is a mixture of a lot of the popular ones, but I think what happened is that, first, Kirito gave the Divine Stone of Returning Soul to Klein. Kirito said to use it on the first person he saw die, and either that first person was Kirito, (Can't remember the order of the episodes) or he saved it, and used it on Kirito, bringing him back to give the final blow.</p>

<p>As for Asuna, I think that Sugou prevented her death. We know that he said that he was keeping her alive, and that she was one of the 300 that didn't wake up. Sugou must have stopped her NerveGear from killing her somehow, but how he did is unknown to me. We know that he planned to marry her without her consent, while she was trapped in the game, and that he works at RECT, so, after saving her from dying, he trapped her in a separate game, ALO. That way, Asuna is still alive, and still asleep. </p>

<p>To me, this makes the most sense, but if there is something I'm missing, please tell me.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-09T17:39:29.733Z
Klein was paralyzed during the fight with Kayaba, and if Klein does something, he would have bragged all about it. And Kayaba has promised to keep Asuna alive in case she attempts suicide when Kirito dies, so I think Sugou has nothing to do with her here.
nhahtdh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-09T16:55:43.800Z
2015-01-09T16:55:43.800Z
BetaVersion
<p>In the last episode of Aincrad arc of Sword Art Online, how did Asuna survive even though her avatar disintegrated after being attacked by Kayaba? Also Kirito was stabbed by Kayaba as well. How did he survive?</p>

<p>Was it in the novel on how they really survived?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T00:51:14.280Z
Related: http://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/13007/how-does-kirito-come-back-to-life-when-hes-fighting-heathcliff
Mysticial
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-18T00:53:57.503Z
@Mysticial So there's really no actual text written on how they survived?
NatsuDragneel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-28T09:07:15.377Z
None at all on how Kirito survived, however it's easily explained why Asuna survived, see here: http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/19173/3034
FatalSleep
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-24T05:31:05.727Z
@NatsuDragneel your [current accepted answer](http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/14144/63) has a problem -- it's almost entirely based on conjecture and cites not canonical sources to back itself up. Please take a look at the comments provided to review the accuracy of your accepted answer to determine if it truly provides an answer to your question.
кяαzєя
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-19T04:51:17.127Z
BY THE POWER OF LOOOOOVE~
Tanya von Degurechaff
<sword-art-online>
How did Asuna and Kirito survive?
# How did Asuna and Kirito survive?
Posted by: username_0 on 2014-09-18
In the last episode of Aincrad arc of Sword Art Online, how did Asuna survive even though her avatar disintegrated after being attacked by Kayaba? Also Kirito was stabbed by Kayaba as well. How did he survive?

Was it in the novel on how they really survived?
**Tags:** sword-art-online
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Related: http://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/13007/how-does-kirito-come-back-to-life-when-hes-fighting-heathcliff  
> **username_0**: @Mysticial So there's really no actual text written on how they survived?  
> **username_2**: None at all on how Kirito survived, however it's easily explained why Asuna survived, see here: http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/19173/3034  
> **username_3**: @NatsuDragneel your [current accepted answer](http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/14144/63) has a problem -- it's almost entirely based on conjecture and cites not canonical sources to back itself up. Please take a look at the comments provided to review the accuracy of your accepted answer to determine if it truly provides an answer to your question.  
> **username_4**: BY THE POWER OF LOOOOOVE~  
---
## 9 answers
### Answer by username_5 on 2014-09-24. Score: 1 | Accepted answer
> Divine Stone of Returning Soul (還魂【かんこん】の聖晶石【せいしょうせき】, Kankon no Seishōseki) is a unique rare item found in «Sword Art Online» that can be used to revive a recently fallen player. The only known way to obtain it was to defeat Nicholas The Renegade, the Christmas event
> boss, during the Christmas Event.

![Divine Stone of Returning Soul](https://i.sstatic.net/4bwSi.png)

*Item description and image source: [Sword Art Wiki](http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/Divine_Stone_of_Returning_Soul)*

I remembered this item was mentioned to have existed within Sword Art Online and that it was hypothesized that it must obey the laws of the game. Part of the reason for the delay between a player dying within the game and being killed by their Nerve Gear in real life, was because there is a chance for them to be revived within the game. To me this explains why Asuna was able to live, because the world was 'saved' very soon after her avatar's HP hit zero.

While this could explain why Kirito didn't immediately die after his HP was zero, it doesn't explain why his avatar was still able to last hit the world boss after receiving a death blow. I have a hypothesis for this, but this one is even a larger leap. In Sword Art Online, there are skills known as *Unique Skills* which are rewarded to players who satisfy certain conditions. Kirito had the Dual Swords skill (rewarded to the player with the fastest reaction time). My hypothesis is that this unique skill could also have a "last stand" or "last resort" type of skill to get that last hit in or increase DPS for the user in their final throws which makes sense for a player with the quickest reaction time in the game.

Another possibility is that Kirito could have earned more than one unique skill which allowed for his final thrust. The creator of the game stated that there are 10 unique skills and each one is awarded to the player who satisfies the condition best in all of SAO. He stated that the 10 unique skills are awarded to only one player each, but did not say that a single player couldn't obtain more than one unique skill. Out of the 10 unique skills we know of these six:

* «Dual Blades» - given to the player with the fastest reaction time
* «Holy Sword» - given to the strongest player.
* «Darkness Blade» (暗黒剣, Ankoku Ken)
* «Battoujutsu» (抜刀術, lit. "The art of drawing one's sword")
* «Shurikenjutsu» (手裏剣術, lit. "The art of using a throwing star")
* «Infinite Spear» (無限槍, Mugen Yari)

This means that there are still 4 unique skills that we don't know the abilities for, of which one could explain Kirito's ability to briefly withstand a killing blow.
> **Comments:**
> **username_6** (2014-09-25): I gotta say I disagree. Kayaba himself was surprised to see Asuna moving to protect Kirito despite being paralyzed by the system.  
> **username_6** (2014-09-25): Well the rest is correct, though.  
> **username_7** (2014-10-07): Just an FYI for everyone...Kirito gave that stone away after he saw it only worked a few seconds after a death.....  
> **username_2** (2015-02-28): @Dupree3 We know, that's not the point why the stone was mentioned though.  
> **username_2** (2015-02-28): I am going to completely disregard this answer for multiple reasons. Look here: http://anime.stackexchange.com/a/19173/3034 Here I explained why Asuna and Kirito both do not actually die after fighting Kayaba. This line, "He stated that the 10 unique skills are awarded to only one player each," means that Kirito could only obtain one unique skill, no more. Your statement is contradictory to this.  
> **username_2** (2015-02-28): So more than an answer this is all speculation.  
> **username_8** (2015-05-24): But the argument of why Kirito was able to go on even after his HP hit zero does kind of make sense. I myself think that could be the case. Such abilities aren't uncommon in RPGs.  
> **username_9** (2015-05-24): @Alchemist: The concept of human willpower overriding the limit of the system is prominent in SAO (if you keep reading) and Accel World. It is reasserted in ALO arc, when Kayaba appears before Kirito near the end of ALO arc, and acknowledged the fact that he overcame the limit of the system.  
---
### Answer by username_10 on 2014-09-18. Score: 9
## Asuna

### Theory 1: Kayaba kept his words to prevent Asuna from comitting suicide

Before the fight, Kirito had requested Kayaba to prevent from Asuna taking her own life if he was to die, as Asuna threatened to commit suicide if that happened. Quite possibly, Kayaba had set thing up to ensure that if Asuna went to kill herself, she wouldn't actually die, confident that he would win (as he was supposed to be the last boss on the 100th floor).

Otherwise, in [my answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/13007/how-does-kirito-come-back-to-life-when-hes-fighting-heathcliff/13009#13009) to the [question](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/14035/how-did-asuna-survived#comment18023_14035) Mysticial linked to, I explain there is a time delay before the NervGear kills Kirito in the real world. Seeing as Asuna had in a way killed herself, Kayaba at that point might have prevented Asuna from dying in the real world and put her in the holding area where she met with Kirito later. After all, Kayaba was show to have a level of [honor and fairness](http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/Heathcliff#Personality) and probably wanted to hold up his end of the deal. Remember that he paralyzed everyone so no one would get in the duel between him and Kirito, yet he was surprised to see that Asuna was still able to move.

### Theory 2: Sugou had been keeping Asuna alive

Another possibility is Sugou Nobuyuki. Asuna being in the holding area may have been a stroke of luck, and Kayaba didn't notice that after SAO was cleared, Sugou prevented 300 players from waking up for his experiments. However, this runs off the theory that Asuna was not *just* one of the 300, and she was targeted to be isolated and trapped separately.

This is slightly backed up by 2 points:

1. Sugou did say **he** was keeping Asuna alive, rather than her father who owned the company, and were more likely to use it to look after his daughter
2. [The wiki](http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/RECT_Inc.#Background) about RECT Progress's background says

   > RECT Progress Inc. had set the 1st main goal of ALfheim Online to reach the top of the World Tree, but was later found to be impossible to complete. It was revealed that the World Tree's actual purpose was to hold the remaining 300 prisoners from SAO as test subjects in inhumane experiments.

   This would indicate that since the release of ALO, Sugou was waiting for SAO to be cleared.

## Kirito

As for how Kirito survived, please refer to my answer [here](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/13007/how-does-kirito-come-back-to-life-when-hes-fighting-heathcliff/13009#13009). (Originally, this question only addressed Asuna, and I have only noticed that it's been edited to address Kirito as well).
> **Comments:**
> **username_0** (2014-09-18): So there's no actual text written by the author on how they survived?  
> **username_10** (2014-09-18): @NatsuDragneel i haven't actually read the light novels so i'm not sure, my answers in Sword Art Online are mainly from the anime as i'm trying to avoid the Wikia so not to spoil Sword Art Online 2 and Yen press's English Releases of the Light Novel.  
> **username_0** (2014-09-18): Its okay I'm updated in SAO just curious about that part.  
> **username_11** (2014-09-18): It's never explained in the novels either. At most you can infer based on information you have, and there's maybe 2 or 3 possible explanations that use information from the series, and all make sense in their own right. But over all, a definite answer is never given. In fact, I think the author at one point said not to dwell too much on the events toward the end of the first book (End of the "Aincrad arc") Even Kayaba's word choice about human will could infer either Kirito's drive to not give up, or his ability to overcome the system, seeing as the latter only happens once through-out SAO.  
> **username_12** (2015-03-02): As a note, it's impossible who Sugou does anything for stop something getting their brain fried. If you think on that, if they can do it, then they will do it already at the start of ALO server (One year after SAO start) for their experiments. More than this, if RECTO can stop this function for one player, can do it for all of them, and then, they can stop the server running.  
> **username_10** (2015-04-21): @SakuraKinomoto if suddenly players died in SAO but didn't die in real life but remained in comas *after* ALO went live i think you could be a bit suspicious. remember that what Sugou did in experimenting on 300 SAO players was highly illegal. as i said however this is a possibility and as i have shown there are logical points of evidence which could back this up  
> **username_12** (2017-05-25): As you can view on the anime, when Sugou explain how they got the 300 players, they told: "there are no difficult to send 300 players to ALO when they're disconnecting" (or something similar). They told, too, "I've completed a lot of investigation on the last month (since SAO end)".
Also, I think the more valid "theory" for keeping Asuna alive, are the delay. If there's a item who can revive a player who dies on the last 10 seconds, there's a delay programmed on the core between dying ingame and IRL. And light novel or anime doesn't tell time passed since asuna dies, until game being cleared.  
---
### Answer by username_13 on 2015-05-23. Score: 1
This is quite well-explained in the manga.

[![](https://i.sstatic.net/6CyPM.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/6CyPM.png) [![](https://i.sstatic.net/bS3NJ.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/bS3NJ.png)

As he was dying, he said to himself "The system might be telling me to get lost, but **I'm not listening! I'm still here! I'm still alive!**", denying the system's control over his existence, and more or less breaking the limitation imposed on him.

Also, in the first season episode 24 *Gilded Hero*, at the end of ALfheim arc, the gravity magic used on Kirito didn't end, but like he did in the battle against Heathcliff, he again denied the system and stood up with his willpower.
> **Comments:**
> **username_8** (2015-05-24): hmmm this answer is interesting. he was able to deny the system. what about asuna? did she deny the system too when she was able to move despite her paralysis?  
> **username_14** (2018-04-20): There was no reviving stone in this scene, Kirito brakes the rules all the time, there are many examples and this is what this anime is all about. Kind of reminds of Neo. Its a "never give up" genre with a deep meaning that you can brake the system with your own will. It may have been a good story if  both of them didnt wake up, but it just wouldn't be profitable so just stop searching for a logic, because there is non.  
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### Answer by username_6 on 2014-09-25. Score: 0
Kirito and Asuna didn't immediately die because the system, Cardinal, was designed that way. That's why they have the resurrection item like Disgaea mentioned. There is a delay before the player is killed in the real world, following his avatar's death.

As to how Kirito can still move after his HP reached 0, it was because of the Cardinal system's artificial intelligence. Seeing that Kayaba himself was surprised that Asuna can still move despite being under paralysis status applied by Kayaba, the GM, thru the system, it is safe to assume that that is not planned by Kayaba. Being an artificial intelligence system, Cardinal reacted to Asuna's strong will to protect Kirito.

Now, the same can be said about Kirito killing Kayaba. It was because in his final moments, Kirito suddenly showed a burst of emotion, strong enough for the Cardinal to approve that it is of higher priority than his death.
---
### Answer by username_15 on 2016-05-25. Score: -1
Do you guys know accel world? It's from the same author as Sao. In the accel world series threre appears something called incarnation System. It means that if you can imagine something hard enough, the system will accept this image has reality instead of what really happend. So in my opinion kirito used some Kind of incarnation System, with what he just overpowered the Kardinal System in the case that he kinda revives himself

Btw accel world and Sao play in the same Universe, so this should be possible, right? :)
> **Comments:**
> **username_10** (2016-05-26): from my understanding the only links Accel World and SAO had is that something that looks like the Nerv Gear appears as the basis of the technology used in Accel World, a non-canon cross over special where Kirito is in Accel World and that it's the same author. i don't remember see any citation that they are, without a doubt, the same universe  
---
### Answer by username_16 on 2016-04-29. Score: -2
Sugou released Asuna from paralysis in the final moments so she would run to Kirito, as he knew she would. Sugou lifted his sword in anticipation as Asuna darted to Kirito, then struck her dead. Kirito was killed, however I think Klein used the revival item on him, but also, Kirito used Asuna's sword for the kill, so perhaps Asuna's sword became Kirito's and gave him some sort of ability.
> **Comments:**
> **username_10** (2016-04-30): Since when was Sugou trapped in SAO? how can he be trapped in SAO but also be the game master of ALO?  
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### Answer by username_17 on 2015-12-29. Score: -2
There are no theories, because there is a real explanation for this topic. Although, I suppose you remember he bears the "Divine Stone of Returning Soul," yes? The item may be used to resurrect yourself during the 10 second delay before the system has told you "You Have Died." An explanation for his awesome matrix-like ability to come back and see Heathcliff's face for the last time would be the usage of the own human will. Yes, it may sound stupid, but really. It says in the manga. Kirito has so determined to end the virtual world of SAO, that he had to destroy the system to revive himself.
> **Comments:**
> **username_19** (2015-12-29): `it says in the manga`, could you provide the chapter where this is said?  
> **username_18** (2016-02-10): He gave that stone away way before he died..  
---
### Answer by username_20 on 2015-02-27. Score: -3
The reason they didn't die is because it takes some time between the moment you die in game and the moment your brain is fried in real life. If you recall the scene where Kirito looked at the menu to find "[Executing the Final Phase, 54% completed]", the "Final Phase" was meant to be death in real life.

From *Volume 1 - Chapter 24*:

> But the window contained neither an avatar nor a menu list. The
> blank screen showed only the message [Executing the Final Phase,
> 54% completed]. As I stared at it, the number went up to 55%. I had
> originally thought that my mind would die alongside the destruction of
> my body, but what was going on here?

But of course, he cleared the game in time to be logged out before the Final Phase was complete.

The item Kirito got from the Christmas Event was the 10 Second Revival Item, which also backs up why it took time before dying. The delay gave them a chance to be revived, and the Nerve Gear had to charge up to fry the brain.
> **Comments:**
> **username_21** (2015-02-27): The OP apparently didn't remember any of these events, so it might be helpful if you pointed out more clearly when they happened (episode, chapter) and whether it was in the anime or was light novel-only.  
> **username_9** (2015-03-22): Final Phase scene is after Kirito has defeated Kayaba and reappeared on the sky. This is irrelevant, since Final Phase here should refer to the destruction of Aincrad after the game is over.  
---
### Answer by username_22 on 2015-01-09. Score: -3
My theory is a mixture of a lot of the popular ones, but I think what happened is that, first, Kirito gave the Divine Stone of Returning Soul to Klein. Kirito said to use it on the first person he saw die, and either that first person was Kirito, (Can't remember the order of the episodes) or he saved it, and used it on Kirito, bringing him back to give the final blow.

As for Asuna, I think that Sugou prevented her death. We know that he said that he was keeping her alive, and that she was one of the 300 that didn't wake up. Sugou must have stopped her NerveGear from killing her somehow, but how he did is unknown to me. We know that he planned to marry her without her consent, while she was trapped in the game, and that he works at RECT, so, after saving her from dying, he trapped her in a separate game, ALO. That way, Asuna is still alive, and still asleep.

To me, this makes the most sense, but if there is something I'm missing, please tell me.
> **Comments:**
> **username_9** (2015-01-09): Klein was paralyzed during the fight with Kayaba, and if Klein does something, he would have bragged all about it. And Kayaba has promised to keep Asuna alive in case she attempts suicide when Kirito dies, so I think Sugou has nothing to do with her here.  
---
