Kazuto paced back and forth, in the waiting room, after being bandaged. 'I could have died! She could have killed us both! I could never have imagined the conflicts between both worlds. I never thought the system would be used like that. That woman said she could control both worlds. Is she really Varina's mother? I can't see that being the case. What do they intend to do? Anyone could be fighting dirty and we would never be the wiser. How many have to die? This was supposed to be a great break through. I was supposed to be able to see that Yui came to our world. People always have a way of taking a good thing and making it terrible. If we don't play, what happens to all the victims of SAO? We can't just abandon them! If our gear can turn itself on then…' His mind kept on the loop for hours.

Vari came over to him, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Kazuto…"

He turned to face her. "Are you okay?"

"I think so... "

"Come, let's get something to eat. Without our Augmas, this time."

She nodded slightly.

Kazuto couldn't remember a time, when he saw her, this disheartened.

"The cut on my shoulder… it was inflicted by a sword from the game… how is that even…"

"I don't know. But I think they are using real world objects…" Kazuto didn't know what to say to cheer her up, so he just remained silent.

"No one has access to this game… How could they… I mean…" Vari started to cry, despite her best efforts to stay strong. "What is going to happen to daddy… and Renri…?"

"We will just have to rescue them." Kazuto extended his hand.

She stared at him in a bliss.

Kazuto placed his hand on her shoulder. "We'll stop them, okay."

She leaned herself against his chest and cried. "Okay…"

Kazuto and Varina followed the only clue, they had. Her Father's office building.

Kazuto entered it first, allowing Vari to follow, close behind. "It's better if we scope things out without using our Augmas."

"But how will we know when we see Renri?"

"I doubt he will be here. We are looking for your father. Augma or not, he should be clearly visible." They continued down the desolate halls, but found nothing. They heard sirens coming from the driveway. Before they knew it, they were surrounded by police.

"Put your hands in the air!" The officer warned, with their guns trained on Kazuto and Varina.

Varina didn't move, due to shock. Kazuto immediately raised them and turned around when ordered to do so.

"Both of you!" The officer continued.

Varina had a fresh layer of tears in her eyes, as she finally did what she was told.

"You are under arrest for breaking and entering!"

Their faces froze in horror.

Kazuto quickly declared, "We aren't trespassing. We were here, looking for someone, who might be in mortal danger."

"Get down on your knees! Now!"

Things happened so fast and before they knew it, they were shoved into cop cars and taken down to the station.

Kazuto and Varina sat in silence awaiting their release… hopefully. They could hear the tick of every minute go by on the clock. If they left, they would surely be thrown in jail. But every minute they stay, was another minute counting against Vari's family. They watched the police pass them by. They were clearly, not the men coming to let them go.

An officer finally approached them. "You're free to go."

Kazuto and Vari shot up from their seats, hoping to leave before he could change his mind. They didn't want to spend another minute in the dull waiting room, let alone, a jail cell.

Turns out, he wasn't finished, but they didn't stick around to find out.

Kazuto and Varina felt the stones in their throat, knowing full well, they didn't have any other leads.

"What do we do now?" Vari hoped that Kazuto had some kind of plan.

"I wish we weren't the only players… We could ask around, but right now, it won't do any good."

"We need backup…" Vari knew she couldn't wait until the official release.

"There isn't any time. It is inevitable. We should just put the Augmas back on. We won't figure anything out, just sitting here."

"Right…" She reluctantly placed her Augma back on and Kazuto did the same.

As per usual, everything around them changed to the futuristic settings.

Something changed in Kirito, almost immediately. "Where would you like to go first, my princess?" He bowed in respect.

Divinity just gave him a dumb stare. "You don't need to talk so formal. My handle might say I am a princess, but I am still Varina."

"I appreciate the gesture. But I must decline, my princess. My duty is to stay by your side. I will do anything for you." Kirito still remained bowed.

"Wha…? You're kidding, right? Please tell me, you're kidding!" Divinity pleaded.

"If that is what you ask of me, then it would be my honor."

Divinity grabbed Kirito by the shoulders and thrashed him around. "Is Kazuto in there?"

"I am."

"Why so proper?" She realized that his slight normalness, disappeared again.

"To show my respect, Your Highness."

"Can you please stop!" Divinity released him from her grip.

"That would be unethical, princess." The whole time, Kirito was composed like a real royal guard.

"I DON'T CARE!"

"As you wish, Your Highness."

"I have waited my whole life to be addressed like that, but now, it's a total bummer." She said to herself. She turned to him, with a little more aggression. "You don't talk like that. Something is wrong with you." She sighed. 'I bet Asuna could help him.'

"What is it, that you ask of me?" He toned his droneness down a bit.

"That is still… oh nevermind. We need to find my brother, remember?"

"Of course, we shall go to him, immediately. Where might he be?"

"KAZUTO!" She balled her fists. "I don't know, do you?"

"Not at this time." He continued, so innocently.

Divinity found a pole and beat her head against it, hoping it was just a dream. She went for another pound and found her body being held firmly away from it.

"Why would you bring on so much torment?"

She smacked his arms away. "If you don't stop, I will leave you behind!"

"I cannot allow you to go alone." Kirito seemed unfazed by her gesture.

"Whatever…" She started to walk in any direction, just to get away from him. She was so distracted she didn't see the warning symbol. She was pulled out of the way, by a strong hand and fell backwards. "What was that for?!"

Kirito stared at her with concern. "You should watch where you are going, my princess. We are on a busy street, IRL."

"Y-you saved me-again. Thank you."

Kirito helped her to her feet. "It is my duty to protect you."

"Duty…?" She wasn't pleased to hear that. She had to admire how cute he was, when he was being so chivalrous, but that was nothing in comparison, to how cute he was, when she got him frustrated. At this moment, she didn't think she would ever have that pleasure, again.

For the first time in forever, she wished things were back to the way they were. She missed the old Kazuto. She had no idea, why he would change. 'Asuna had mentioned experiments… Was this a result of that? If so, what kind of experiments were they?'

After some time, she finally accepted the 'new' Kirito for now. She had to find her brother.

They stumbled across a big monster and they fought it, until it turned into codes. After it disappeared another hologram appeared, with the same woman as the last couple.

"What did you do with Valour?!" Divinity didn't wait for the sinister woman to get the first word.

"I assure you, he is quite safe, for now. Where is my Quantum Planetary Eradication Module?"

"Tarien, I will give it to you, in trade for my brother. Meet me at the center square in one hour!"

"Very well. Have it your way. If you're late, you can forget about, your dear sweet brother." Tarien disappeared from their sights.

Kirito stood next to her. "What is your plan? You don't have the item in question. She will kill you and your brother next, if you don't."

"Then I guess I am counting on you to uphold your promise." She gave him a wink.

"I may have made you a promise, but I won't allow you to succumb to these trials in the first place."

"I don't think you have a choice." She said it playfully, but her expression turned dark, when she realized, how right, she might be.

"I will do, whatever you ask of me."

"How about a plan? You always come up with the right stuff."

Kirito stared at her in confusion. "Your Highness. I don't understand. You will of it. I will see that it is done."

She didn't know how much more of this, she could take "Well, then I 'will' that you stop talking like that and make a plan!"

"Very well. I believe that, I should go alone. If there are real world objects(RWO) in play, then I can't allow you to go in, blindly. I will not risk the safety of our princess. I will do everything in my power to see to it, that Prince Valour is returned safely."

"Kazuto! I meant a plan that involves me! You can't expect me to just sit there! I would feel so useless."

"I must insist, princess."

"No! I have already made up my mind. This is happening! Deal with it!" She hoped that she would finally, out stubborn him.

He finally agreed to a plan that involved both of them. Once they went over the details, thoroughly, they prepared themselves and headed towards the center square.

The center square resembled a huge metropolis, with a big fountain in the middle. There were people around, but suddenly the people froze in time. They took that as their cue to get to their positions.

A ship came from overhead, above the buildings and then Tarien and Valour teleported to the middle of the square. Tarien pointed her sword at Valour. "Come out! I know you are here, Princess Divinity!"

Divinity did as she was directed and saw her brother, in Tarien's grasp. "Let him go, Tarien!"

"I want to see the module first! Then we can talk."

"Fine. Lower your weapon, so I may give it to you." Divinity drew closer with shadow striker in her hand.

"Let's be reasonable, dear. We shall lower our weapons together." Tarien suggested.

Divinity agreed. She put her weapon away at the same time as Tarien. Divinity was suddenly alerted to many figures that appeared from thin air, probably hidden behind some kind of cloaking mechanism. She was surrounded.

Valour took that brief moment and knocked Tarien over and he quickly took his place next to his sister. "Do you have a plan?"

"Of course, I do." Divinity fended off the men, that engaged them.

Valour equipped his sword and fought too.

"Take cover!" She yelled to Valour.

As soon as they did, Kirito jumped down off a building to gain momentum. Not too high, for he would die, but high enough to do the trick. He slammed his sword into the middle of the center square and an explosion sent all the men flying through the air and landed hard on the ground. While they were scrambling to their feet, Divinity and Valour joined Kirito, to finish them off. They noticed shortly after, that Tarien was nowhere to be seen.

"How did you do that?!" Valour stared in amazement.

"It is a bit difficult to master, my prince. I believe in time, we will learn more, as this game progresses."

"Why are you talking like that?" Valour stared at Divinity, when he got no response from Kirito.

"Don't ask!" Divinity shrugged her shoulders. "I think we should go to Tokyo. We might find some answers."

The game had finally been released to the public and everyone was buying it. Starfield Glade.

Asuna and her friends wasted no time and bought their copies. They went online immediately. After getting used to the new features and styles of game play, they started to hone their skills.

A few months passed. Everyone had school and work, so they would play it outside of school hours. Once again, wishing Kirito could play with them, it just didn't seem right.

One day, they found a huge boss in the heart of Tokyo. They couldn't take it down. It was a giant transforming robot. Everyone was wiped and the boss came closer, to finish them off.

Asuna tried to stand, but Liz and Silica were down for sure. Klein came over to help Griselda up, when three figures passed him by, quickly.

They saw the three players on the scene and recognised two of them, immediately.

"Divinty! Take the left! Valour! Take right! I've got front!" Kirito ran at it with great speed and used his customized sword skill, right off the bat, taking it head on. He sprung up and engaged a magic skill, to cause an exploding effect. The bot slammed its fist in Kirito's direction in a form of reflex. Kirito managed to spring himself off the back hand of the boss and land on his feet, perfectly. He clearly had a lot more practice.

Divinity got in behind and used a heating magic skill, combine with her sword skill. She knocked it back a few feet.

Valour slammed his sword up its side and took the hit from the boss' backhanded attack.

Kirito then used ice magic and slammed his sword into the ground, turning their surroundings into ice.

The boss could no longer get footing.

"NOW'S OUR CHANCE!" Divinity ordered the others.

They combined their attacks and destroyed the boss.

Kirito, Divinity and Valour stood in front of everyone, confidently.

Everyone noticed that not only was their equipment more advanced, but they had better gear. Kirito was killing the black motif. Divinity had a more formal, royal gear on. Valour likewise.

Divinity decided to play it up. She was the princess, afterall. "Citizens of Vesiquin, I have come to spare you, from the devastation, that looms over these urban jungles, we call home. Together we can strive to make ourselves a better future. I am Princess Divinity and my brother, Prince Valour. We come to bring peace! I hope you will welcome us in your homeland!"

The group of friends approached the 'royals', as soon as they had their strength return.

Kirito immediately jumped down from the roof of a futuristic bus, he had been standing on, cutting them off. He drew his sword. "No one may go near the princess, unless they have permission from the princess herself."

Asuna looked into his eyes. They seemed distant and hostile. "Kirito?!"

"Asuna." Kirito acted with distaste towards her.

Divinity wrapped her arms around Asuna. "It's so great to see you! I didn't know what happened to you. I was so worried."

"I could say the same thing!" Asuna was so mad, but it wasn't directed towards them.

Divinity turned to Kirito. "It's okay. Stand down!"

Kirito put his sword away and gave a bow. "As you wish, my princess."

Asuna became even more frustrated. "What's going on? Kirito?!"

Divinity gave Asuna a sad look. "I-I don't know what to do… He has been acting like this for a while now. I have tried to talk him down, but…"

Something changed in Kirito, after a red flash in his eyes. He turned to Asuna, drawing his sword, once again. "Have I not been clear? I never want to see you again!"

"KIRITO!" Divinity shrieked. "I order you to stand down!"

"Princess? They are trouble." Kirito persisted.

"I am princess. I will determine that for myself."

Kirito's hand slid to his side, slowly. "One move. I won't hesitate." He warned.

"Enough of that." Divinity turned back to Asuna. "Sorry… They have done something, I just don't know what… I came here, because I need your help, Asuna."

"You mean to tell me, we came all this way for her?" Kirito seemed surprised.

"Yes." Divinity answered bluntly.

"Thank you for coming, Vari. I want to know everything that happened."

"A-all of it…? I was unconscious for a while. But I suddenly noticed Kirito was acting really strange. My Father told me to look out for him..." Divinity didn't want to go into the other details, because it still pained her.

"Who are you calling strange?" Kirito didn't understand, why she had such a difficult time with him.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Princess, we really must be going now. The talks aren't going to wait. Need I remind you, you have a duty to your people." Kirito urged.

Valour stood next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I have that covered. You should go hang with your friends."

Kirito accepted it, but reluctantly.

Valour left them standing there, to 'talk'.

"What should we do, Asuna?"

"I think we should take him to the hospital."

"Why? Is he sick?"

"I assure you, I'm fine. Princess, you're worrying for nothing."

Asuna chose to ignore him. "They will find it, with a ct scan, like last time." She didn't like the idea of having him go through another surgery though.

"Find what?"

"The transmitter. It is what they are using to control him." Asuna explained.

Kirito grunted. "No way!"

"If you want to protect me, you'll just have to come along." Divinity taunted Kirito, with her witt.

"You won't find anything."

"Then you don't mind, if we prove it?" Asuna grabbed his wrist.

"Knock yourselves out." Kirito gave in. What did he care? They would soon see for themselves that he was telling the truth.

The nurse approached them in the waiting room, with Kazuto in tow. "There doesn't appear to be anything of the likes you speak of. He is perfectly healthy. As far as brain function, it is impossible to tell, if thoughts are his or not."

"Thank you… for trying…" Asuna couldn't believe it. How were they controlling him then? He was not himself, so what other explanation is there?

"Now, will you believe me?" Kazuto asked in a agitated voice.

"No. Because you aren't yourself. How could I accept that? I won't give up!" Asuna held him at shoulder length.

"Asu-na…" Kazuto stared at her with a solemn expression. "I-I.."

Asuna noticed more sincerity in his eyes.

The nurse came over to them. "Kirigaya. You forgot this." She handed him his Augma.

"Thanks…" He put it back on and all that sincerity washed away, in an instant.

They ventured outside of the hospital and headed towards the park, where the others were waiting for them. But as soon as they arrived, Kazuto' and Varina's Augma booted the game, without their approval. Everyone watched in concern, when they noticed their friends didn't even acknowledge their presence at all.

"Kazuto?! Hey! I'm talking to you!" Sugu and the others were losing patience, knowing full well, that they hadn't activated their Augmas, that they could see.

"They have come for me, Kirito."

Kazuto stood protectively in front of Varina. "Don't worry. I won't let them get you, promise." He performed a drawing sword action, while his focus darted in a couple directions, like he was following a monster.

The gang activated their Augmas to see what the fuss was about and came face to face with a boss level monster.

Kirito darted towards the beast. "Princess! Flank it! I will take it from the left!"

Divinity darted towards the beast, but it turned around swiftly, reaching to grab her.

It had large claws and a giant mouth full of teeth. It was alien to this world. It towered them and it's tail stretched as far as a buss.

"PRINCESS!" Kirito flanked it instead, causing it to lose its balance and it came crashing down on the trees. He managed to once again stand by her, helping her to her feet.

The friends saw all this happen and quickly joined in the fight.

Kirito and Divinity started to appreciate having the back up, the luxury of having more players in their party. They suddenly, noticed a large group of people join the fight.

The monster didn't stand a chance. Kirito and Divinity weren't going to stand there and let the other players have all the fun. They rejoined the fight. Kirito performed a combination attack, consisting of a ice magic skill and a custom swords skill. The monster was then frozen like an icicle and then shattered by Kirito's sword.

Divinity took her place by his side. "Take that!"

The others were about to rejoin their friends, until a hologram appeared in the sky above them.

Kirito narrowed his eyes, in anger.

Tarien laughed evilly. "Princess Divinity. You may have your Valour back, but don't think that I won't get what I want. You can't hide forever! I have the cities overrun with monsters. They are attacking your people. Unless you would like to stop them and hand it over, I will continue to wipe them all out."

"You will never get away with this! I will stop you, if it is the last thing I do!" Divinity roared.

Kirito took his place in front of Divinity.

"Kirito? How long do you think you can protect her? That mouth of hers, is going to get her in a lot of trouble someday." Tarien gloated.

"We shall see about that!" Kirito challenged.

"Always the hero. If you give her up, I might let you live." Tarien negotiated.

"Not a chance! I would rather die, than see you rule over us!" Kirito refused her 'generous' offer.

"That could be arranged."

"Kirito?" Divinity cowered as she pointed to the woman that was standing behind Tarien in the hologram. "It's her…"

Kirito's eyes grew wide in fear. "No… It can't be. What is going on? Does she use RWO, too?!"

"I will see you in the stars, old friends. You won't be able to resist for long!" Tarien disappeared from their site, with the hologram expiring before them.

Kirito tried to relax. "Citizens of Vesiquin! Your princess has need of you! Take up your arms and fight the enemy in our midst! Take courage in these final hours, for I fear what might come to pass, is going to be the end of everything!"

Divinity stared down the streets and watched, as they were overrun with monsters.

The players became uneasy at Kirito's tone and intensity. "This is just a game… We can't really be in danger…. Can we?"

Asuna stood next to Kirito. "We have to protect Vesiquin! Join us in our fight!" She was role playing, because she wasn't aware of the truth, behind these attacks.

Kirito gave her a glare, like all the many that mocked him in UW, some time ago. "You have no idea, what is really at stake, do you?"

"What?" Asuna turned to him in disbelief. "It is just a game, don't be silly. We aren't in any real danger, right."

"Wrong. They are using RWO. Many people are at risk. I don't want to start a panic, but they need to know what they are really dealing with." Divinity explained. She had become accustomed to referring to real world objects as RWO, so she didn't give it a second thought.

"RWO?" Asuna asked, but her friends had already left, to prepare for the big war on Vesiquin.

After fighting tons of monsters, it was getting late. Everyone of the players they came across, pledged their loyalties to the princess. Especially, after Kirito and Divinity showed off their amazing skills.

Kirito and Divinity led their friends to a hotel. They removed their Augmas and wanted to get a room. No one knew what to say to Kazuto, so they left the talking up to Asuna and Klein. Good thing Suguha wasn't here, or there would be a scene.

"A room with two beds, please?" Kazuto asked the clerk.

"You are staying in the same room?!" Asuna was furious.

Kazuto turned to Asuna. "I won't let the princess out of my sight, while she is in danger."

"You aren't even playing the game anymore! She won't be in any danger!" Asuna roared.

Vari turned to Asuna. "Welcome to my world. He won't let me go anywhere in game or IRL, without him." Vari handed the clerk her visa.

"That's because she tried to kill you! Honestly princess, you are being too reckless."

"You are IRL. You don't need to refer to her by that title." Asuna was almost hurt, feeling like Kazuto would rather spend his time protecting Varina, than spend it with her. Her hopes were fading away. She started to feel like she may never get the real Kazuto back. The only comfort she had, was seeing how frustrated Vari was over the ordeal. But Kazuto was her boyfriend/husband. It still made her incredibly uneasy.

"Don't even bother, Asuna. I have told him that like a hundred times."

"It has declined, ma'am." The clerk handed her card back to her.

"WHAT! It can't be empty already!" Vari nearly choked.

"The way you spend money, I'm not surprised." Kazuto teased.

"Is that your dad's visa?" Asuna asked.

"No. I transferred all the funds from my trust fund to a prepaid visa. So I could avoid anyone tracking me here." Vari explained.

"You can't stay here, why not come over to my place?" Klein offered.

They stared blankly at Klein, thinking it through.

Vari turned to Kazuto. "I am worried about Renri. He has been gone awhile. Last time, Tarien took him hostage."

"We will locate him first. Thanks for the offer, Klein." Kazuto turned towards the others. "I would assume that he will be at the state center. The talks shouldn't be over yet."

Asada finally chose to ask the question everyone else was thinking, but forgot to ask. "What item is Tarien after?"

Vari gave her a sad look. "Quanitary diction module…"

Kazuto chose to correct her. "I believe she called it a Quantum Planetary Eradication Module. I think she intends to destroy the galaxy or something like that."

"You have an item that fits that description?" Keiko asked.

"No. But she doesn't know that." Vari explained.

"Actually…. Nevermind." Kazuto stopped himself, before he told her that they were given system admin privileges. If Tarien knew that they both had them, he would be a target as well.

"What were you going to say, Kazuto? Spill!" Vari got in his face.

"I-It's nothing…"

"Didn't sound like nothing." Rika placed her hands on her hips.

"Vari's father was the creator of this game-right. He would have been able to access the main controls at all times. But if he hasn't intervened then… Maybe he has it." Kazuto flustered like he always does, when he is hiding something.

"Yeah, I guess. But if Tarien has my father, then why is she after me?" Vari had a feeling Kazuto might have the answer, considering how he was acting.

"To make him talk." Kazuto dodged the question, with no hint of the real answer. He had a pretty good idea, why Tarien was after her now. Renri is an AI. Maybe he doesn't have access to the system. Only Divinity and Kirito have that privilege.

"No… I know he has done some bad things… but…" Vari stared at the floor.

Asuna answered her. "He is still your father. We understand. It is still hard for us to accept him, after what he did."

"I am not asking you to. My father wasn't always like this. He was a good man. My mother was his entire life. He was required to leave America and hated himself for not being there for her, when she was murdered."

"MURDERED! You never told me she was-"

Vari decided it would be pointless to hold it in any longer. "I didn't want anyone to worry. My family has been targeted for years. I still don't know why. My father drew into himself and became obsessed with trying to protect us. My brother died in that death game… and even while I was trapped inside… He became angry with the system that took us away. I just wanted things back the way they were."

"...Vari…"