Here we go. War of Underworld. Enjoy the first chapter.

Chapter 33

The Coming Storm

I walked down the dirt road, kicking stones across the floor, watching the world around me. Birds were singing in the trees, leaves dancing in the wind, and rabbits chasing each other in the overgrowth. It was nice to have a break from the chaos of Centoria and the Central Cathedral, even if it was only temporary, experience this part of another life again.

Vetal was visible on the skyline, which meant I was almost completed my task of escorting Myne back home. Bercouli had agreed that she didn't belong there, and requested I took her home. After all, if she had stuck around, she'd eventually become an Integrity Knight. But with Quinella missing, the Synthesis Ritual couldn't be performed, nor could the other Knight's memories of Myne be removed. Should there be any questions of where she's been, Kirito fortunately came up with a rather convincing story. It was kind of funny how simple it was when he said it out loud that I was surprised how easily he came up with it.

"Are you okay?" The kind voice at my side asked. I looked to her, smiling slightly to try and reassure her that I was fine. "You've been very quiet."

"It's just a little surreal, experiencing something that I experienced, yet I haven't." I answered her the best I could. "I just can't seem to believe those memories now I have my old memories again…like they belong to a different person…"

"You still can't tell me about them?" She asked cautiously.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry…I'd rather you remembered me as the Light without memories. I don't want to taint what you had with him because of these memories."

She let a small smile slip. "What's so different between you two?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know some of the things I've done…" I thought back to the memory trapped inside the Night Shadow Blade.

Myne just shook her head. "You don't seem that different to me."

I turned my attention back to my surroundings. The Light I was before…he was better. Being kind of…reset to before everything happened, in an environment where I couldn't be driven to murder…it was nice to be back there. Before The Land Beyond, before Crystal…before Leon… I shook my head and pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. Otherwise I might punish myself more…

Instead, I looked forward to seeing Vetal again. It was kind of hard to believe two years had passed since I had been there. Returning to the beginning of my- I mean the other Light's journey, it was kind of poetic. The last bit of peace I'd get for a while, considering what was coming. Even in the brightest moments since the Administrator's defeat, the looming shadow of the coming war was hanging over us all. The Eastern Gate was already showing signs of crumbling. Now it was only a matter of waiting for it to fall. In a few weeks, either the Dark Territory or Human Empire would be wiped out.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Myne's voice brought me out of my thoughts again.

I nodded. "I won't let the Human Empire fall."

She shook her head. "I asked if you were going to be okay, not if the Human Empire will be. I…I want you to live more than anything…"

She still has feelings for the other Light it seems… "I'll always be okay. I'll never stop fighting, no matter what. I want to protect the Human Empire…including everyone in it… And for that reason alone, I'll never stop fighting."

As long as I have something to protect, I'll never fall.

Myne took a deep breath. "Okay…" She smiled brightly. "When this war is over, I'll see you again, right?"

"Of course."

She nodded as we reached the gates of Vetal.

"Myne!?" A familiar voice came from the front gate. "And Light!?"

Killian ran forward, a look of disbelief on his face. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of the guy. Especially as his disbelief turned to pure joy as he embraced us both. Myne wrapped her arms around him while I just patted him on the shoulder.

Killian took a step back and placed both hands on Myne's shoulders. "Oh Stacia…we thought you were dead Myne. Where have you been?"

"I was…working in the Central Cathedral…" She looked to me to see if she could divulge any more details.

I took over her story from there. "Killian, all you need to know is-"

"Well, looks like my wife has finally returned home safely."

That disgustingly snobby voice…I remembered it very well. I looked up to see Karma, his smug face looking straight at me. He walked down towards Myne, before I quickly stepped in his way, shielding her from him.

"Captain, arrest this man." Karma looked towards Killian for a moment, before turning his gaze to me.

Killian grimaced. "On what charge?"

"Kidnapping of course." The noble gripped his sword hilt, as if preparing to make the arrest himself. "My wife to be suddenly disappears after being in Centoria, a place where he is, and a year later, he turns up with her." He drew his blade, pointing it at my throat. "Either arrest him, or I'll cut him down where he stands for breaking the Taboo Index."

The people in the market had stopped to watch this spectacle. Myne tried to intervene. "Karma, stop it, he-"

"Hush you." Karma glared at Myne, which made her shrink away. "He stole away my chance of being an Integrity Knight just as he stole you away. I won't let him steal anything else from me."

I smiled. "That's all she is to you…a tool."

"Quiet…or I'll cut out your tongue criminal scum." He wore a disgusting smile on his face filled with satisfaction at being in control of this situation. "Oh what horrible things you must've done to my poor wife to make her defend you… Now Captain, arrest this man, and call the Integrity Knights." I couldn't help but chuckle. "What's so funny?"

I spread my arms out. "You want an Integrity Knight? There's one right here."

The entire market square froze in shock. It was so satisfying to see the rug get pulled out from under Karma's feet. His smug smile of control melted into one of horror and denial. "No…that's impossible."

I did a small bow. "Light Synthesis Thirty-Two at your service."

Karma backed away, seemingly unable to decide between his own hatred of me and following the law. Eventually though, he lowed his sword. "I…I can't believe it…"

"Myne was taken into custody by the Axiom Church, and her sentence has been served. She is free to live her life however she wants. And all previous arrangements have been deemed void, as she that has been punished by the Church enough to settle any debts." I gave a silent thanks to Kirito for coming up with that story, and to Bercouli for agreeing to it.

Karma looked to Myne, a look full of hurt and disappointment. He slowly took a few steps back and then retreated into his home. I let out a deep sigh of relief, turning around to Myne. "Light…you didn't have to…"

I took her hand in my own. "It's the least I could do…as thanks. I wouldn't have found my path back to myself if it wasn't for you… Now you get to choose a new path for yourself."

Myne began to tear up. "Light…if I could choose a path, it would be at your side…" She quickly wiped her eyes. "I want you to be safe…that's all I've ever wanted ever since we saw each other in Centoria…"

"I will be. I promise you. I'll come see you after this war has ended." I gave her hand a light kiss. She took in a deep breath, before smiling brightly. She ran past me, heading up to the church that we both once called home. Before heading in, she looked back at me and waved. Not a wave of farewell. She genuinely believed my promise.

I looked to Killian, who was saluting. "I'm relieved to hear you completed your journey Sir Light."

"Please drop the formalities Killian. We've known each other long enough." Well, you know the other me.

"Of course Sir- I mean Light." He stopped his salute. "I'm glad the Captain gave the sword to someone who completed their journey."

My eyes moved to the side of my head, sensing the Night Shadow Blade on my back. "I'm glad he's resting in peace…"

"Me too." Killian gave me a short bow. "I'm sure you have many important duties to attend to. I'll let you get to them."

"Actually…one last thing I want to do while I'm here."

Killian produced a key and slowly opened the door. I took a few steps inside, looking around the abandoned blacksmith. The forge had been dead for such a long time, the coals had long since lost their glow, not expecting their master to return. Tools lay across the workbenches, looking lonely without their wielder. Iron bars were rusting in a pile, not taken care of in the slightest.

I went over to the workbench and picked up a hammer, twirling it in my fingers. "She lost her passion for blacksmithing when she came back…kept crying but wouldn't tell anyone why, just cradling a piece of metal. Then…one day, she left, leaving behind a small note, just saying she was going to Centoria to find a new Calling."

My grip tightened on the hammer. "No one's seen her in Centoria…" I placed it down, fearing I might snap the hammer in two. I took a deep breath. "How was she?"

Killian shook his head. "I don't know. A few times, she would be visited by someone from the Central Cathedral, but otherwise, she just stayed inside. A girl would often visit to feed her, her mentor from the Swordcraft Academy." He looked down. "I'm sorry…"

"It's not your fault." I looked at the wall to see her scarlet Swordcraft Academy uniform. I picked it up, sighing slightly. I turned back to him. "If there's nothing to find here, then there's no point in staying much longer."

"Take that with you…give it back to her when you find her." Killian suggested. "She always looked happier with a sword in her hand than a hammer. And that can remind her of better days."

I looked at the uniform and nodded, rolling it up and putting it in a bag on my side. If I can find her. I took another moment to take one last look around the place before heading out.

Killian led me to the main gate. "I'm guessing we won't be seeing you for a while, huh?"

I shook my head. "No. The Invasion of the Dark Territory is coming."

He offered his hand. "I wish I could be there, but just in case the slim chance of the Dark Territory gets through, I'll defend this place with my life."

I nodded, taking his hand. "Take care of Myne Killian…and yourself."

"Always."

I began walking back the way I came. I looked back at the town I once called home. It was sad to leave it behind again…especially not gaining any new information as to where Kimiko was. But at least Myne was safe.

As soon as I was away from Vetal, took a deep breath and whistled loudly. A dragon cry came from the forest, and soon, a dragon landed next to me. I petted his snout for a few moments. "Hello Jocund." I whispered to him before jumping on his back. Jocund beat his wings against the wind, and I rose into the air, holding onto the saddle for dear life.

An hour later, I had arrived at the Eastern Gate. The once smooth marble now had deep cracks in its surface. It honestly seemed like it could crumble at any moment. The text on the gate was in perfect English, something I sometimes struggled to read thanks to this auto translation technology that Rath had kindly installed into my Soul Translator, making my brain translate Japanese to English and vice versa.

Jocund cried a little worried, to which I answered with a pat on his neck. "Don't worry, everything will be okay." He was a young dragon, often worrying about me whenever I started to think. I liked him though.

He begun to take me down to the ground. We landed with a small thud, which never failed to make my stomach drop, in the middle of the tan coloured tents. Several people clad in armour jumped in surprise upon seeing the massive creature suddenly appear from above. I carefully slid off the dragon's saddle, letting him go off to the feeding area. He quickly stomped over there, tackling Amayori who was lazily chopping away at some food. They both started tumbling across the ground.

"Light! Control your dragon, or we risk the whole camp being trampled!"

My laughter ceased immediately and I whistled. Jocund stopped his small playfight with Amayori and went to eating. I turned to Deusolbert, who was glaring sternly. "Apologies Sir Deusolbert, it won't happen again."

The furious blaze in his eyes calmed a little. "You are supposed to be an Integrity Knight, setting an example to our new soldiers."

"Calm down Deusolbert, it lightens the grim mood." Fanatio appeared from behind a tent. She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Welcome back Light. I trust your errand was successful?"

"Yes Lady Fanatio." I bowed to her. Even if we were all Integrity Knights, her and Deusolbert's experience exceeded my own, and they were older, so I kind of resigned myself to being their pupil of sorts. "Myne is safely back home."

"Good. We don't want more people getting hurt." She walked towards the main tent and entered. Inside I caught a glimpse of Bercouli talking with Kirito.

I sighed inwardly. I still had so many questions for Kirito, yet I never seemed to find him alone. He was always either with Eugeo, Bercouli, or nowhere to be found. I wanted to know why I was here, why I was allowed to escape from Infinity and arrive in this world without my memories. Sean was pretty sincere when he said I would likely be trapped forever if I should fail. Even then…would Kirito have the answers I was seeking? Or was he too just dumped into this world without a clue of why he was here?

A few carriages rolled past me, voices coming from within. I looked at them curiously. "Where is this lot from?"

Deusolbert came to stand on the same side of the road I was. "Reinforcements. Some from Centoria, others from Norlangarth and Wesdarath." He looked around. "Soon we won't have enough tents to house everyone."

"At least we're getting the help we need." I leaned against flagpole.

From the carriages emerged a few people I recognised. I smiled as I saw the girl with golden hair and Eugeo, who refused to leave her side. She immediately ran over, her sapphire eyes gleaming with joy. "Light! It's been so long!"

"It's only been a few weeks." I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

Eugeo came over with two other girls, one with long, scarlet hair and the other with dark brown, partly tied in a side ponytail, both clad in the trainee uniform of the Norlangarth Sword Mastery Academy. The girl with scarlet hair was gripping Eugeo's arm, which led me to believe she might've been his page while he was at Norlangarth. "Where's Kirito?"

I pointed towards Bercouli's tent. "He was in there. How was the trip to Rulid?"

"It was great to see Selka all grown up!" Alice said excitedly. "Eugeo showed me how much had changed. It was so nice to look up at the sky and not see the Gigas Cedar looming overhead. Luckily thanks to Kirito's story, I was welcomed in. How did Myne go?"

I nodded, feeling glad Alice managed to see her family. "It went well. She's home now."

A small crowd began forming from the carriages, waiting for some sort of direction. Deusolbert sighed before heading over to them to start organising them all.

It was then I saw them…

It's always amazing when the words just flow onto the page. That sudden burst of motivation is incredible. And now, it's time for War of Underworld.

It was a short return to Vetal, but necessary. Light was only going there to give Myne her home back. But he was also planning on checking up on Kimiko, who had returned to Vetal after failing in the Four Empire Unification Tournament. That person from the Central Cathedral was indeed checking on her memories, just as Quinella had promised. And Lilith was making sure she was alive. But by the time Light arrived, she was gone again. I admit, I probably had a little bit of fun imagining Karma's face when he realised Light was an Integrity Knight. If you're wondering why he buckled so quickly, it's because the Taboo Index prevents people from impersonating a Knight, and he didn't know Light had broken it already.

Reviews:

blackbutterfly1313: I'm so glad you liked it again sweetheart. I would've loved to wipe those tears away. And it makes me really happy you enjoyed Kirito's moment too. I hope I can do all the SAO cast justice in this story, not just my own characters, giving everyone amazing moments. I'll do my best to develop Light's relationship with the Rulid Trio to make up for that rushed ending.

Guest/kazukimirato: I'm happy you enjoyed. The idea of bringing back Alice Zuberg was always the plan, so I hope it paid off. I have to admit, it was pretty amusing to hear everyone saying "Well it's not like Light killed Alice S30" back during the chapter where he poisoned her.

Next chapter, to add a little spoiler, is called "Familiar Faces". You can speculate who those familiar faces are. Next few chapters will probably be just the calm before the storm.

Thank you as always for reading, reviewing, favouriting etc. Until next time, Stay Cool.