Sword Art Online: Alicization

Truce

*May 25, 380 HE*

Kirito slammed his sword in the wall of the Church while holding on to Alice. Sonic was dangling as well beside him.

"Enough! Let go of my hand! I don't intend to live with the shame of being saved by a sinner like you!"

Alice try's removing herself.

"Stay still you idiot! If you're an Integrity Knight, then realize that despair's not going to get you anywhere! Idiot!"

"Y-You insulted me yet again! Take that back, criminal!"

"If I was Kirito, I would've let go of her by now." Sonic thought

"Shut up! I called you an idiot because you're an idiot, idiot! Idiot! Listen! If you fall to your death now, Eugeo, who's still inside the tower, will go to where the pontifex is! Isn't it your job to stop that? So you'd think your too priority as an Integrity Knighy would be to survive no matter what! You're an idiot who's too dumb to understand, so I'm calling you an idiot!"

"Th-That's eight times you spoke of me that way. I see. What you're saying does make sense. And yet, if that's true, then why won't you let go of my hand? Can you prove that I won't find the reason to be less tolerable than death?"

"I... Eugeo, Sonic, and I didn't climb this high in the Cathedral to destroy the Axiom Church. We also want to protect the Human Empire from the Dark Territory's invasion. That's why we can't let you, one of the most powerful Integrity Knights, die now. Because you and Sonic are valuable assets."

"Then why did you wield your sword against another and cause bloodshed, violating the gravest taboo of all?"

"I... The reason Eugeo, Sonic, and I slashed Raios and Humbert at the Academy was because the Axiom Church and the Taboo Index are both wrong. Just because something's not prohibited by the Taboo Index, that gives high-ranking nobles the right to have their wat with girls like Ronie and Tiese. Is that what you believe? Well? Answer me, Integrity Knight!"

"The law is the law. A crime is a crime. If the people are allowed to judge arbitrarily, then how are we to maintain order?"

"Who decides whether the pontifex, Administrator, who created those laws, is right or wrong? The gods frim the heavens? Then why aren't they immediately striking us with lighting as divine punishment and burning us?"

"The will of the gods... of Stacia, is revealed in duo course through the actions of us, her servants."

"Sonic, Eugeo, and I climbed all this way to make that clear! To defeat Administrator, and prove it's wrong! And for that exact same reason..."

Kirito's sowrd slowly started it's grip.

"Oh no..."

"...I can't let you die right now!"

Kirito pull's up Alice next to him.

"Stick your sword in the seam of the wall! Mine won't last much longer. Please!"

Alice hit's her sword the wall which made Kirito's sword pull out as he start's falling.

"Kirito!"

Sonic let's go of his sword and try's grabbing Kirito. Alice then grab's Sonic's hand and Sonic grab's Kirito by the hand. Alice pull's up both of them. Sonic then pull's up Kirito as he put's his sword back inside. Sonic then put's his feet on the wall as he jump's toward's sword and grab's on to it again.

"It's not as if I saved you. I simply returned the favor. Besides, our duel has yet to be decided."

"I see. I guess this means we're all even. Especially you and Sonic... I have an idea. Right now, we need to somehow get back inside the tower. So why don't we call a truce till that happens?"

"A truce seems fair enough for me." Sonic said

"A truce?"

"Yeah. Out odds of survival should go up if we work together, rather than alone."

"What exactly do you mean by "work together"?" Alice said

"To save each other if one of us starts to fall, that's all. It would be more certain if we had a rope, but I guess that's asking too much."

"That is a logical proposal. I have to admit that. It can't be helped. However, the instant we set foot inside the tower again, I shall slay you both. Do not forget that, even for a moment."

"Will keep that in mind."

"Sounds good to me."

"Now then, you needed a rope? System Call. Form Object. Change Shape."

Alice summons a chain-like rope.

"Cool." Sonic impressed

"A matter-transformation art?"

"What were you listening to. All I did was change its shape. No one can use the command to convert an object's properties but the pontifex herself." Alice said

"Sorry about that.

Later, Kirito put's the chain on his belt and secures it. Alice then put's the chains on and secures it.

"Sorry, I don't need that." Sonic said

"W-What do you mean?" Kirito said

Sonic take's his sword out of the wall as he start's falling down to his death.

"Sonic!" Kirito shouted

Moments later, Sonic start's flying back toward's them. He quickly come's back towards the,

"Did you forget that I could fly? Pretty impressive, huh?" Sonic said

Alice and Kirito looked at him unimpressed and didn't say a word.

"What? Did I do something wrong?"

"(Sigh's) All right."

Kirito look's down and gulp's.

"U-Um, let me ask you, just to be sure..."

"What is it?"

"Are you abke to summon that giant dragon you dangled me from on the way here?"

"Dragins can approach no closer than the landing platform on the thirtieth floor. Not even Uncle... no, the commander himself can get any higher on a dragon. Even the birds can't reach the upper floors of the Cathedral. I don't know the details, but I've heard that a special command casy by the pontifex is in effect."

"I see. So that leaves us with three options. Descend, ascend, of break through the wall again."

"The third option will be difficult. Because the outer Cathedral wall is endowed with nearly infinite life and regenrative abilities." Alice said

"Is that so? If we did head up from here, is there anywhere we could reenter the tower?" Kirito said

"Yes, there is. There's a place called the Morning Star Lookout, which has pillars on all four sides and is open to the air. If we can make it there, we should be able to reenter easily. That said, even if we do manage to reach the ninety-fifth floor, I shall have to slay you both there."

"Right, that was the promise. So it's fine to climb the wall?"

"It's fine. Still, you make it sound so easy, but how are you going to climb up this wall?"

"System Call. Generate Metallic Element Wedge Shape."

Kirito summon's a wedge shaped object and slam's it in the wall. Kirito put's his sword away as he start's moving back and fourth until he spuned on top of the object and stand's on it.

"A-Are you all right?"

"I'm fine... at least I think so. System Call. Generate Matallic Element."

Kirito summon's the same object and slam's it in the wall. He does the same to stand on top of it.

"Okay. I think this will work! Do the same thing I did and climb up to the first rod."

"That's impossible."

"What was that?"

"I said that's impossible!"

"B-But hey, I wouldn't say it's impossible. It would be easy for anyone with your power to hoist her own body up-"

"That's not what I mean! This is the first time I've found myself in a situation like this, and I-I may be embarrassing myself, but... it's all I can do to hang like this. I can't possibly climb to such a narrow foothold." Alice admitting

"All right! Then I'll pull on thos chain and hoist you up!"

"And if you fall or slip. I'll be here to catch you." Sonic said

"I would both appreciate that."

"Okay, I'm going to pull you up slowly. Here goes! (Grab's the chain and pull's Alice) Okay, you can pull your sword out now!"

Alice nod's and take's out her sword off the wall. Soon, Kirito started pulling Alice up with his strength. She put's her feet on the rod but couldn't stand on it.

"Place both hands against the wall!"

She put her hands on the wall as she standed on the rod now.

"All right, I'm going to climb higher. I'll give you signal again, so be ready."

"Please be careful."

"Roger."

*Monday, July 6, 2026*

Dr. Rinko and Asuna were eating together.

"Ms. Asuna? Do you think they caught this fish from the Ocean Turtle?"

"I-I'm not sure. I see something over there."

Asuna and Dr. Rinko looked and noticed a big ship in the distances.

"It doesn't look like a fishing boat. It has a huge array of antennas."

"A warship?"

"That's a Japanese ship. There are no warships in Japan. Good morning, Dr. Kojiro, Ms. Yuuki."

"Good morning!"

"Good morning, Mr. Nakanishi. If it's not a warship, then is it an SDF vessel?"

"Close. The !SDF vessels are called escort ships. And that vessel is a five-ton, general-purpose escort ship, the DD119 Asahi. It's the lead ship of the second-generation Asahi-type escort ships, the second vessel being the Shiranui. These two are the only ships in the Asahi line."

"Huh! Isn't the ship moving away?"

The three looked as the ship was slowly moving away.

"Excuse me. (Walk's away) Lt. Colonel Kikuoka. Nakanishi here. I just observed the Asahi changing course to the west. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it supposed to escort us until 1200 hours the day-after tomorrow? Yes sir, I'll be right there. (Hang's up phone) I apologize, but please excuse me."

"I wonder what's going on?"

"I don't know."

*Back With Kirito, Alice, and Sonic*

It was evening time as the three continued to climb slowly on top of the Church.

"System Call. Generate Metallic Element."

"The sun..."

Kirito try's summoning a rod but doesn't work.

"Generating containers does signficantly deplete spatial resources. Only Souls sets, we might be lucky to create one every hour. How high have we climbed so far?"

"Let's see. I think we've passed the eighty-fifth floor by now."

"The ninety-fifth floor is still quite a long way off."

"Yeah. Either way, it will be too dangerous to climb once it's completely dark. Hey, do you see something up there?"

"Could they be statues or something? But why in such a high place?"

"Does it matter? As long as we can sit on them and rest. But they're at lest six meters... six mels away. I'm going to need twi more rods at least."

"Two rods, huh? Understood. I was saving this for an emergency, but apparently, now is the time. Form Object. Wedge Shape. (A rod appear's on Alice hand) Please use these."

"Thanks! That helps."

Alice give's Kirito the rod and slam's it in the wall. He then flip's and stand's on the rod.

"Ready? I'm going to pull you up."

"Okay."

Alice jump's on the rod and stands.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Alice noticed the statue.

"That's..."

"That is one creepy design, huh?"

"Eh... it's nothing." Sonic said

All of a sudden the statue turned into the real monster.

"It's from the Dark Territory!"

Sonic fly's pass Kirito and Alice and charges at the monster. Sonic try's swinging at the monster but it goes under Sonic.

"Dang it" Sonic said

Sonic start's chasing down the monster

"Alice!"

Alice just starred at the monster flying.

"Alice!"

The other statues turned into real monsters as well. One of monsters try's attacking Kirito but Sonic stab's his sword threw the monster's stomach as it spewed out black blood. Kirito throw's a rod at the monster as well and pierce it stomach as well.

"Alice! Draw your sword! Those monsters are coming for you!"

The two other monsters were heading towards Alice. Alice take's one step back but slip's and almost fall's.

"Alice!"

Sonic fly's toward's Alice and grab's on to her.

"Don't worry, I got you." Sonic said

The three monsters were flying in circles around the three of them.

"It'll be bad if they attack us all at once. For me, anyway, but Alice and Sonic... Alice! Alice! Hold onto the chain as tight as you can! Sonic has you."

"You're not going to..."

"If we survive... I'll apologize as much as you want later! Sonic, help me!"

"Got it!"

Sonic let's go Alice and grab's the chains.

"Here goes! One! Two! Three!"

The two both pulled the chains hard sending Alice up in the air while screaming. She then land's on the platform and Sonic land's on the platform as well. But Kirito trip's and fall's, taking Alice as well.

"No!" Sonic yelled

Alice then grab's the chain.

"Sonic!"

Sonic grab's on the chains as the two pulled.

"Why, you!"

Alice and Sonic pulled up Kirito, sending him flying and hitting the wall in the process.

"Wh-What were you thinking, you complete idiot!"

"It couldn't be helped, what else could I have... We'll talk later! Here they come!"

The monsters were heading towards the three of them.

"There's no doubt. What are they doing here?" Alice said

"What's been bothering you? Domyou know what those monsters are?"

"Yes. I know. They're soulless, evil familiars controlled by dark art users from the Dark Territory, who created them out of lumps of soil. Following their lead, we call them minions." Alice said

"Minions?"

"I heard that phrase before."Sonic said

"Why would we find a horde of those things lined up on the wall of the most sacred place in the Human Empire?" Kirito said

"I want to know that as well! Without you having to tell me, I know this is something that shouldn't be. I simply cannot believe that minions could slip past the Integrity Knigts' watch amd infiltrate all the way to the Central Cathedral. Not to mention..."

"Not to mention that someone of high authority within the Chruch might have deliberately placed them there. Such a thing could never be. Here they come! Watch out you two! Two are heading your way!"

"Who do you think I am?" Alice said

"That's Kirito for you." Sonic said

Two of the monsters were heading towards Alice and Sonic. The two then swunged as they slices both monsters in half. Kirito was fighting with the third monster.

"Do you need our assistances?" Alice said

"We can help you if you want." Sonic said

"No thanks!"

The monster and Kirito continued to attack each other. Kirito charges up his sword and swing's at the monster, cutting in into pieces. Alice was impressed while Sonic was clapping for Kirito.

"Nice job, Kirito." Sonic said

"Thanks... What is it, Alice?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking how strange your moves are. If you were to perform them on a stage during the summer solstice festival, you'd gather quite an audience, no?"

"Thanks for that. Wait, have you been to the Centoria summer solstice festival, then? I mean, that's a festival for the commoners, and even at the Academy, almost all of the students from high-ranking noble families didn't go." Kirito said

"Please don't think that I'm the same as those arrogant nobles! Of course I've seen- it before."

"Alice?"

"Something wrong?"

"No. I heard there was such a festival from one of the monks. We Integrity Knights are prohibited from mingling with the townsfolm expect in the line of duty. Minion blood will bring about illness. Make sure you wipe it off."

Kirito look's and was about to wipe it off.

"Hey! Really, why are men all so... Do you not have even a single handkerchief?" Alice said

"N-No, I don't."

"It's fine. Just use this." Alice taking out a napkin for Kirito

"Thank you very much."

Alice quickly turn's around.

"Return it to me washed, before I slay you."

"You heard her. Wash." Sonic said

Alice look's at Sonic wearing his shiny gold armor still and holding his sword as well.

"Sonic, mind telling me a little about you're sword and armor. Basically you're last worss before I slay you." Alice asked

"U-Um... sure. I'll tell you a little bit about it." Sonic responded

*Inside*

Eugeo was walking up the stairs alone while quietly as he can.

"Come to think of it, since we met two years ago, Kirito and Sonic have always been by my side. This might be the first time I've even been on my own. Kirito... Sonic... No, both should already be... I'm sure they started climbing the tower on the outside. And Alice, too."

Eugeo made it to the next door

"The nintieth floor, huh? There has to be an Integrity Knighy inside. Here goes."

Eugeo open's the door and enter's inside. He walked threw a hallway with hot water at each side.

"Is this a bath?"

Eugeo noticed a person relaxing in the water. Eugeo quickly grab's his sword.

"Sorry, but would you wait a little longer? I only just arrived in the capital, and my whole body is stiff from riding on that dragon for so long."

To Be Continue...

"Next Time: The Legendary Hero." Sonic and Kirito as narrtors