Another day, another chapter. Hopefully a worthwhile chapter. After all, we get to see someone we haven't seen in a while. Anyway, see you at the bottom.

Chapter 28

A Knight Reborn

"Hush…it'll be alright…"

A rush of vomit almost threatened to hit the top of my throat. Everything was dark. White dots danced in front of my eyes. All the muscles in my body screamed out in agony.

"Now try it."

I took in a deep breath. "System Call…Generate Thermal Element…Discharge…"

Five glowing balls of flame erupted from my fingers. I panted as I collapsed to the ground, the pieces of metal armour clattering together as they hugged my body.

Two arms held my head as they lifted my eyes from the ground to look into her brown eyes. I forced a smile to not worry her. I'd done that enough to her… Myne stood up and looked at the Administrator. "He needs some rest."

We were on the ninety-fifth floor, the highest floor that regular members of the Church were allowed to go, and the lowest I was permitted to be. It had been a few months since I had entered the Central Cathedral. And every moment had been agony…

The one, small solstice I had found was one day when the Administrator was sorting through her memory, permitting me to go to the lowest point I could, when I saw her, talking with one of the other priests of the Church. She hadn't changed in the year she had been missing. Well, except her hair had grown a little longer. Myne tearfully told me the tale of how an Integrity Knight took her from her carriage, saying she was at risk of violating the Taboo Index. She was brought here to study where the Administrator was able to keep a watchful eye over her.

I wish seeing her was cause for celebration, but in my current state, it wasn't exactly great news. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say I was the Administrator's pet. Every day, she performed cruel experiments on me, trying to dig into memories that I didn't even know exist. Sometimes, I wanted her to stop…but then her promise rings in my head.

"Your friend's memories will be saved…"

That promise was the only thing keeping me going through all the pain. The idea of Kimiko being saved.

"The experiment was finally a success it seems." Administrator smiled, though there was no happiness behind it. "You can now break through the translation software that was installed upon entering Underworld and use Sacred Arts." She walked over to me, placing a hand on top of my head and muttered a healing art. Instantly, all the nausea was gone. "Relax for a moment my child."

I took a few deep breaths, making sure the sickness had gone. I looked up at her from my kneeling position. "So what next?" I couldn't help but lace my words with spite. "You going to-"

My words were cut off by the sound of armour clunking up the stairs. The Administrator looked over as a girl with golden hair and clad in white and bronze armour climbed to the top and stopped. "Apologies Your Eminence, Pontifex, I wouldn't want to interrupt you."

"It's okay Alice, we were almost done here." Administrator gave Alice a soft smile. If I remembered correctly, she was Synthesis Thirty, but despite her being new to the order, she was definitely one of the most powerful knights. Her golden blade that rested at her side was definitely a force to be reckoned. According to the few knights I'd seen, she even gave Bercouli a tough time.

"I've just come to report that the rebels have been locked up in the underground prison." Alice bowed her head.

"I see. Thank you." Administrator raised a hand to her chin as she began to think. I could never guess what she was thinking, no matter how much time I'd spent with her. "Alice dear, that armour isn't exactly suited for you. Come here for a moment." Alice looked confused as she looked down at the white armour, but nonetheless, obeyed. "System Call…" The next few words were inaudible, but the white of the armour suddenly flashed, transforming it to a bright golden colour, matching her sword. "There we go. A small reward for completing your task."

"Th-thank you Your Eminence." Alice examined her new look in shock and surprise. I couldn't help but feel disgusted at her manipulation. It's not like Alice could disobey her even if she wanted to.

Part of me wanted to offer a small congratulations though, but I knew Alice would just throw it back in my face. Most of the knights knew I was here now, as Light Synthesis Thirty-Two, but didn't want to accept me as an Integrity Knight. Not only because I was constantly on the upper floors where they couldn't be, but because I apparently broke the rules of being an Integrity Knight. According to them, the knights were summoned from the heavens, where Stacia resided, and Bercouli brought me here, which kind of ruined the narrative. After all, Zenith and Eldrie was here, last year's champion of the Four Empire Tournament, and the kind stranger that I had met on the journey from Vetal to Centoria. Which…also meant Kimiko had lost…

Luckily Bercouli was kind to me, the two times I had seen him since. Not that he seemed like the man who could hate someone. Deusolbert Synthesis Seven seemed indifferent. But other than them, it's basically hatred all around.

"Light, come." Administrator said simply. I slowly rose to my feet, reaching my arm out and the Night Shadow Blade zipping through the air into my palm. I gave Myne an apologetic smile as I walked back up the stairs towards the hundredth floor.

I stayed silent as I walked past the Senate, not wanting to disturb them. The zombie like people inside didn't exactly care either way, as they were used to Chudelkin's shrill cries, but I wanted them to get some kind of respect, at least for the lives they lost to be here.

"You're making remarkable progress Light." Administrator said calmly she walked through the chamber. "Very soon, I'd like to see if you can access your Perfect Weapon Control."

"Yes Administrator." I answered her bluntly.

"All of this is for your benefit Light. Have you not wondered why you couldn't speak the Sacred Tongue before?" She wasn't wrong. "In truth, you've been speaking the Sacred Tongue this entire time. Something inside your throat has been taking it and transforming it into the common language here."

That doesn't make any sense… But it would explain a lot…

"The other Integrity Knights, they believe the lie that they come from the heavens, sent by Stacia to help protect the Human Empire. But you have come from the Real World, the true Sacred Realm. A gift from the real Gods of this world."

My face twitched in anger as she said it again. The 'Real World'. I finally asked the question that had been annoying me this whole time. "What makes that world real and this one not?"

Administrator only looked amused at my question. "Everything in this world isn't real. They were made by a man. A man from your world. This body…" She ran her hand up her body to emphasise her point. "…it isn't real. Only my Fluctlight is."

"And what makes that world 'real'?"

Administrator turned to me. "Isn't that the question?" She looked at me curiously. "Maybe I should talk about this stuff with you more Light. You offer some interesting conversation."

"Even if the world is fake, the encounters you have, they're real." It didn't even sound like I was speaking…or at least, the current me. Something deep inside me was repeating those words to me. Like a memory was begging to crawl its way out. "The people that die here experience death. The people that live feel alive. That's what matters…"

"No. They experience what they think is death. True death…that's only something you can experience, as well as others from your world." She looked sad, almost jealous. "Your world is more real than mine."

I shook my head, confused. "If I came here, then why can't you go to the 'Real World' you love so much?"

That sadness disappeared into a look of pure glee, but she didn't answer my question. Instead, she walked over to the platform that lead to the hundredth floor. "I require sleep for the rest of today. You may roam the upper floors as per usual." The platform began to rise. "Tomorrow, let's find out who installed the Code 871 onto your memory." She disappeared into the ceiling, leaving me alone.

I sighed, looking down at the metal armour. It was made from dark steel, making it a dull grey colour. Part of me was tempted to take it off, to just wear the purple uniform underneath. But I was too tired from my daily experiments. I just sat on the floor, sleep becoming a much more tempting idea as time went on. Down below, I could hear the drones of the Senate very faintly, their humming offering some white noise to this otherwise empty chamber.

I took the Night Shadow Blade from my back and smiled as I wiped the blade with my fingers. At least you're still with me. The sword that had stayed by my side this whole journey. Myne's sword was left at the Academy, something I missed immensely, especially when I saw the person it belonged to. But the dark purple blade had remained with me.

My mind was cast back to the days at the academy. The memories I had with Lord Grant, Kimiko and Luna. I wonder if Kimiko and Luna had ever found the gifts I had for them… For Kimiko, I had found a small amount of Orichalcum, a material that I knew she had wanted for a long time to make a sword. It wasn't enough to make one, but it was a start. And for Luna, I had left a silver locket with a small message inside. But because I was expecting to go back to the dorm, I had left them there.

I miss them…

"Thirty-two, wake up! Wake up!"

I murmured a few choice words as I opened my eyes to the shrill voice of Chudelkin. He was stood in front of me. I could see a body behind him, clad in a blue uniform, the same one that Integrity Knights wore under their armour.

"What do you want?" I frowned as I looked at the body. The rise and fall of his chest suggested he was still alive.

"While you've been sleeping, the rebels Thirty brought in escaped. They've climbed the tower all the way up here!" Chudelkin began kicking my knee. "Get up! Stand up! Go and take out the other rebel!"

I sighed as I stood up groggily. How did they get all the way up here? Bercouli, Eldrie and Alice are all here. Whoever these rebels were, they must be trouble… I looked down at the body, seeing the flaxen hair and frowning. "Hang on, isn't that-"

"Don't ask questions! Just get after the other rebel!" Chudelkin screamed at me.

I called my sword to me and began making my way lower. If the other rebel was who I thought it was, this could be it. The final piece to the puzzle. Someone else from the Real World.

My heart pounded as I began to descend the steps to the ninety-fifth floor, where I could hear voices. "So a little appreciation- What are you doing?"

"Oh no! You're drenched in sweat! And my clothes are stained! Get away from me right now!"

The two voices. One I recognised as Alice. I was confused why she sounded so friendly despite her anger. I had never heard her speak beyond the official sounding tone her voice usually had. The other…that naïve tinge to his voice while also seeming too friendly, it was definitely the guy I thought it was.

I took a deep breath before starting to descend the steps. The two voices were immediately on alert as my metal boots clinked against the stone ground. I made sure to brush the loose strands of hair our of my face before reaching the bottom of the stairs.

Near the edge of the floor stood the two. Alice, clad in her golden armour and her blade drawn ready. However, I wasn't expecting the black cloth over her right eye. She looked determined and confident, almost like she was walking into fight she knew she could win.

And him…all in black, with the sword that reflected nothing, not even the light from the lanterns. He looked slightly more worried, obviously knowing what I was capable of. After all, he'd only seen me fight a few months ago.

Out of everyone to rebel in the whole of the Human Empire, somehow it was him and his partner. It was almost fate.

I've finally found you…

"Kirito."

"Light."

And this is where the two timelines converge.

Kirito and Light finally meeting on the 95th Floor of the Central Cathedral. This is the point where the original Alicization timeline with Kirito and Eugeo, and the Nightshade timeline with Light finally come together. Next chapter: Light vs Kirito and Alice.

But before we talk too much about next chapter, this chapter was...weird to write. I don't know. I'm happy with the contents, but the pacing feels off. It's the first time I've felt like that since Chapter 5. But either way, I loved writing Myne into it. I always wanted her to return during this part of the story. Ever since she disappeared, I've been waiting to answer the question. Her violation? She considered running off with Light, betraying her groom to be. And she got her wish, to never marry him, but in the cruellest way possible. Being unable to see Light.

Reviews:

blackbutterfly1313: I'll hug you if you cry any more...though I can't promise that everything will go well...

Welp, here we are. Light vs Kirito. I'll see you next chapter. As always, Stay Cool.