*Kirito's POV*
It's been 6 months since the death of Administrator and the Underworld was at peace but I knew that the peace would not last long, during those 6 months I have been recovering from my injuries that I got from the fight. Every day I have been using my incarnation to bring back my arm that was cut off in the fight, also during these 6 months I have been living with Alice and Eugeo and they have been helping me get back to normal so that I can draw my sword for the upcoming war that Cardinal and Administrator were talking about. But lately, I have been thinking about my friends and Asuna, every time I think about her I start to cry and when I'm in a fight and I think of her, she gives me the strength to keep going. I keep wondering how she and Yui are doing and I miss them dearly, I never told anyone that I have met here in the Underworld about my life outside of that world.
Currently, I am sitting in my chair inside a log house on the outskirts of Rulid. I sighed since the house reminded me of the house me and Asuna bought back in Aincrad, Eugeo looked up at me from the other side of the room. "You ok Kirito?" I shook my head since I wasn't really myself, "Mind telling me what's on your mind?" He asked, "I guess so you see I've been thinking about what you told me back when we first met about me not having any memory of before I entered Rulid forest but now I remember. Actually, I've always known that they were there I was just scared to tell anyone." I could see that Eugeo looked sad when I mentioned that even though I had no intentions of leaving since after the fight I sprained my ankle and since I had no arm at the moment I had to be in a wheelchair.
"Eugeo I get that your upset about what I am saying but please hear me out." I told him and I guess I got his attention now, "Alright, talk to me." I nodded, "Well you see before I entered the Underworld I was in a place called Tokyo in a country called Japan. I have friends over there that I wished that I could see right now, not that I don't want to be here it's just I wanted them here with me." He nodded at my statement, "I see," Then I went back to daydreaming about Asuna and how happy she will be to see me since my arm is almost fully healed if she ever comes to the Underworld I could hug her, I want to hug her and tell her that I am ok. As I was in my thoughts Alice walks into the room wearing her normal dark blue long sleeved dress that stopped at her ankles, a pair of brown boots, and a cloth wrapped around her head. It reminded me of that time back in SAO were Asuna did something similar since she was so popular in the game she decided to keep her identity a secret by wearing a cloth around her head like a farmer's wife. Alice also had an eye patch around her right eye since she broke the seal and she was waiting for her eye to heal.
"Hi, Alice where are you going?" Eugeo asked, "I am heading into the garden to pick some vegetables," she answered then she looked at me, "Kirito how is your arm?" she asked, "It's getting better." I replied she nodded before picking up a basket and leaving the house to the garden. "Man when was the last time I had a sandwich," I asked myself but then another thought came through my head. "When was the last time I saw my family?" My mind went back to my parents and sister then it went to Asuna and Yui, I guess that it was all too much for me to handle that I started to cry. I was happy that nobody saw me cry, I would be so embarrassed if they see me crying like this.
Every time I think of the times I have spent with Asuna and Yui I feel happy inside but then I remembered that I have been doing all of these dives for the Japanese government under Kekouka. I have no idea what runs through that man's head, all I ever wanted since SAO was to be with Asuna and Yui in the real world as a real family without having to worry about all of these VR problems and just be happy. 'After this and I get out of here I am telling Kekouka that if he ever needed me again he will have to take both me and Asuna and not just me because we both have a lot of experience in VR since we were inside it for years.' I thought to myself, I sighed and I was happy that Eugeo did not hear me that time because this was something that I could not have him get into. I won't tell him until the time is right because if I told him now then he would want to look for my beloved Asuna but I have to do it myself because something inside of me tells me that Asuna would be coming soon.
*No one's POV; With Alice*
The blond integrity knight was on her knees in the garden on the side of the house, she was picking vegetables from the ground and placing them into a tan basket. As she was doing this a thought crossed her mind, 'Why did Kirito look so sad earlier?' for the 6 months she has known the black haired boy she has never seen him like that ever, besides a few times but never during their fight with Quinilla he was so strong but something must have happened to get him that upset. Alice sighed, she stood up after placing the final turnip into the basket, unnoticed to Alice her little sister Selka was coming to pay her and the boys a visit.
The wind blew through her hair and it was definitely a nice day outside the sun was shining and the breeze was not hard, it was the perfect Autumn day. "Alice!" A voice called, the blond turned around to see her orange haired sister running towards her with a smile on her face as she waved. "Good morning," Alice smiled as Selka, the young sacred arts user reached her blond haired sister and brought her into a hug. "Morning Selka, may I ask what brings you here this morning?" Alice asked, Selka looked up at her sister and broke the hug. "It's so nice out I was thinking that we could go walking together with the boys to the north hill." Alice thought for a moment before saying, "Yes it is a nice day and it will do Kirito some good to get out since he has been stuck inside for 6 months." With that Alice picked up the basket and walked with Selka back to the house so that they can get the boys ready to leave.
Back inside the house, Kirito was still thinking about his beloved Asuna but he was not wanting to worry his new friends about his real world problems, so he kept them to himself. Alice walked in with Selka, Eugeo was the first to notice the girls since Kirito was deep in thought about Asuna. "Hey Alice, Hi Selka." He said as he got up from his spot and passed his black haired friend who was in front of the fireplace since he got cold and he did not have his coat. "Hey, Eugeo," Selka said, Alice went into the coat closet by the door and got Kirito's grey coat along with his black scarf.
Alice walked over to Kirito and moved the wheelchair so that he was facing her, "Kirito may I?" Kirito looked up at her and nodded, she placed it behind him and he was able to put his left arm in the sleeve. Alice helped him place his right arm into the right side of his coat since Kirito's right arm was almost back; he was able to use his incarnation hand to put it in fully. "Wow dude, you were able to put your arm in while using incarnation, that is so cool," Eugeo said, Kirito smiled but then he started being upset since he missed Asuna a little too much.
Alice started to leave but Kirito wanted to be armed in case they ran into trouble and he gets his arm back, "Eugeo could I have my sword?" The blond haired male looked at his black haired friend a little confused until he could see what Kirito meant. The boy nodded and walked over to the wall where their swords were hanging up, Eugeo grabbed the Night Sky Blade and his blade Blue Rose. Eugeo walked back over to Kirito and handed him his blade, "Alright I am good." Kirito said then the trio joined Selka outside, they then started to walk.
As they walked Kirito was thinking of all the walks he went on with Asuna and Yui in VR and with Asuna IRL, Kirito tried to hide his emotions but then he remembered a time back in the sword craft academy while he was training under Lina and another time when he was an Elite Disciple.
*Flashback to the sword craft academy; sharing with Lina*
*Kirito's POV*
It was an off day from training and I was walking around the grounds of the Sword craft academy since I needed some time to myself. I have been thinking about my friends, my family, and my girlfriend Asuna. I did not want to break down in front of Eugeo so I snuck out, as I walked I saw Lina talking with the headmistress so I turned around and headed to the back of the school and into the forest. I sat up against a tree and started to cry since I missed Asuna way too much. Without knowing it Lina found me and she sat down next to me, "Kirito tell me what's wrong," I did not know how to tell her this but I had to try. "I have a feeling that you might not understand what I am about to tell you but I have to tell someone about this before I get too sad about it." Lina looked at me and nodded, "You see I'm not from here, I'm from an outside world, and in that world, I have friends and family waiting for me I also have a girlfriend. Her name is Asuna, in my world I met her 4/2 years ago even though we have been through things that try to tear us apart. It never did, but one day I was attacked and before I knew it I woke up here…" Lina did not know how to react but she pulled me into a hug, "I have no doubt in my mind that one day the one you love will come to this world to see you and be with you once again." I nodded, "Thanks a lot Lina," I said as I dried my eyes before we both got up and went back to the academy.
*The Elite Disciple dorm; Flashback #2*
No matter how hard I tried to hide my emotions I could never do it since I keep thinking about Asuna, she gives me the strength to move on and to stand back up ever since SAO she has been there for me even when she was a Solo Player like I was she was my strength and I was hers.
Eugeo was finishing his homework since I was already done. I decided to hide in my room and drown in my sadness since the feeling of not having Asuna around made me sad and I wanted to find a way to leave this place. But I knew that I had to help Eugeo find Alice and bring her back home to Rulid, but for now, I am going to think about Asuna and hopefully, I will dream about her tonight and feel better in the morning. It's just so hard to be in another place without her like it was during GGO and having to deal with Sinon being an idiot. While I was thinking about Asuna I did not notice but I ended up falling asleep, and I had pleasant dreams that night and who knew I might be able to get back to her or she would come to me.
*End of the Flashbacks*
*No one's POV*
The group and reached the North Hill and Alice was deep in thought along with Eugeo they were thinking about what happened after they came to after the fight with Administrator, they had no idea who Kirito was talking to or who Asuna was so they never asked him even though Eugeo did at one point since It really bugged him that his buddy could not see his other friends since he figured out after Administrator called Kirito the boy from the outside world. While the two blonds were lost in thought Selka also had her own thoughts and worries it was about one of the villagers who has Eugeo and Alice cut down trees once a month and pays them so that they can get the stuff that they need.
*Back to the Central Cathedral after the fight with Quinilla*
"Alright, once we're off the line I'll crank the FLA to 1000 and then take Alice to the World End's Alter." Said Kekouka, "I've never heard of that place!" Kirito cried, and he failed to notice that Alice and Eugeo were coming to from being knocked out, they looked in front of them to see Kirito standing in front of a console but the two blonds did not know what it was. They saw that Kirito was missing an arm and that he was not happy, "That's ok once you go out the eastern gate the alter is due south." Kekouka said but the blonds did not know his name, "Sir, 2 of them are heading down the corridor toward electric." Said another voice, "What?!" Kekouka asked, "Oh no, if they cut the power it will cause a surge, the Light Cub Cluster should be safe, but the sub-computer where Kirigaya's STL is won't be. The surge could cook his Flucklight," Higa said, "Ok, Higa take Dr. Koujiro and Asuna and take them to the upper shaft." Kekouka said Kirito was shocked the woman he loved was at RATH.
"A...su..na?" He said softly, 'What in the world is she doing at RATH?' Kirito asked himself, "They're cutting the power, the screw propellers are going down!" Higa screamed then all of a sudden a beam of white light came in through the roof and it hit Kirito and he started to fall backward which made the two blonds worry about the black haired boy. "Kirito, Kirito!" A female voice called out to the boy, Kirito saw an image of his beloved Asuna coming towards him and she was reaching out to him. "Asuna," he said weakly as he tried to reach for her but then he landed onto the floor and passed out.
"Kirito!" Eugeo and Alice cried as they got up and ran to their friend, Eugeo automatically got down to his knees and checked Kirito's pulse and was relieved that he was alive. "He's ok, But who in the world was he talking to?" Eugeo said, Alice, shook her head. "I have no idea, but we should get him out of here," Alice said but unnoticed by them Commander Bercoali Synthesis 1 walked into the room. "Hey," he said, the two blonds looked up at him. "Uncle," Alice said, Eugeo did not know how to react to the Integrity Knight Commander, "Don't worry he will wake up, but is it true did he really take out the Pontifex and Chedelken?" The two blonds nodded, "Dang I did not know that he had it in him, but I guess he does. I will get the order together and you 2 take him somewhere safe until he wakes up." Bercoali said, Alice nodded at him before picking up Kirito and walking out with Eugeo following but before he left the room, he picked up his sword Blue Rose and his best friend's sword Night Sky. Bercoali watched as the three of them left the room, 'Dang that kid is full of surprises.' thought before leaving to find the other knights.
Alice had the two boys stay in her room that she was given when she first became an integrity knight and she did her duties like normal, Alice was returning one day from patrol, "I wonder if the boys are hungry," she said to herself when she passed the mass hall and she heard voices coming from the inside. "Hey did you hear that the boys who escaped from prison took out the Pontifex and the prime senator?" said one of the boys, "Yeah I did but what are sinners like them still doing here?" said the other and that statement got Alice mad because she was having second thoughts about why the boys were arrested in the first place and she knew that if she was going to keep Eugeo and Kirito safe that they needed to leave. 'It's not safe for those boys anymore.' Alice thought and then she turned around and went in the direction of her room so that she could get the boys ready to leave. Once Alice opened the door she saw Eugeo observing Kirito and making sure that he is ok, "How is he?" Alice asked, "He's doing better but he still hasn't woken up yet Alice." Eugeo replied the blond knight nodded, "Eugeo we need to leave it's not safe here anymore." The blond haired boy looked at her in confusion, "May I ask why?" Alice nodded, "I overheard two boys in the mass hall and they were saying how you and Kirito shouldn't be here and I'm sort of scared since the two of you put a lot of things on the line to save this world from the Pontifex and I need to make sure that you and Kirito can recover the proper way and not be scared that someone might harm you or Kirito." Eugeo nodded and he put the two swords in a bag and he tied the string before handing the bag to Alice, Eugeo then picked up Kirito who was still passed out. They left the room and went to the Dragon loading zone, when they entered Alice's dragon Amayodie greeted her.
Alice saddled up Amayodie getting her ready to depart from the Cathedral, once her dragon was ready to go Alice got on and looked to Eugeo. "Hand me Kirito, I already have your swords in the satchel on the right side of Amayodie." Eugeo nodded and handed Alice Kirito before getting on the dragon himself.
Once Amayodie was out of the Cathedral and in the air, Eugeo asked Alice, "Where are we going?" Alice thought for a moment, "Back to Rulid where we grew up that's the only place I had in mind." Even though Eugeo did not like the sound of heading back to the village he knew that it was their only option. Alice did not know how her father was going to react to seeing her again so when they were far enough yet close enough to the village Alice landed Amayodie in a clearing before getting off with the unconscious Kirito.
Eugeo followed Alice to the entrance to the village since Alice was wearing a cloak so one would know that it was her. They tried to sneak past Zink who was the man at arms of the village, Eugeo knew that they had to get through him in order to get inside so he tried to be quick but he ended up seeing them. "Eugeo welcome back did you fulfill your new calling?" He asked, Eugeo shook his head. "No I haven't and neither has Kirito but he needs help and we have nowhere else to go." Zink nodded but when he saw Alice he froze, "Eugeo you know that we can't just let anyone in our village especially sinners like her." He said as he pointed at Alice, Eugeo sighed since he had no other choice. "Please get the village elder I need to speak with him." Zink nodded and left while Eugeo led Alice who was carrying a passed out Kirito on her back to the middle of the village as they waited for the village elder.
When he arrived a small smile was on his face when he saw Eugeo, "Welcome back Eugeo, where is your friend?" He asked, "He's with me but I need your help, Kirito was injured in the battle we were in and he needs a safe place to recover." Eugeo was hoping that if he didn't mention Alice they would be able to stay in the village but sadly the elder saw Alice. "Wait is that, Alice?" Eugeo nodded and that is when the elder's face changed. "Eugeo she can't be here." That was when Eugeo shot a look at the elder, "I hope that one day you understand what really happened that day and the events after." Eugeo walked in the direction of the entrance with Alice following as they walked Eugeo got an idea since she saw a cabin on the outskirts near where the Gigies Cedar used to be.
So he showed Alice where it was and there was also a tree big enough for Amayodie to sleep in, "This will keep us hidden and the only one I will tell within the village is Selka." Alice nodded and Eugeo bought the house, they moved in and they got Kirito a chair so that when he woke up he wouldn't be on Alice's back.
2 hours after they settled into the fully furnished house Kirito started to stir from being unconscious for so long. "Uggh, how long was I out?" He asked, "At least 3 or 4 hours buddy how are you feeling?" Eugeo asked, "I'm ok it's just my arm hurts and so does my foot but other than that I'm fine. Eugeo where are we?" Kirito said as he looked around in confusion about where he was. "I bought a place for us to live so that you can heal properly since the cathedral wasn't safe anymore." Kirito nodded and then he remembered that he heard Asuna's voice before he passed out in the cathedral, 'I will get out of here to see her again.' Kirito vowed to himself.
*End of Flashback*
Alice was lost in thought but was pulled out of it when Eugeo said, "You ok Alice?" she nodded then saw that Selka was looking down, "What's wrong Selka?" Alice asked her sister, "Well it's Mr. Barbosa he asked if you and Eugeo could help him cut another tree down, I can't help but wonder why you even help him. Why can't people accept you in the village? I finished my training in a few years and they are paying me a lot of money. Maybe I could lend you some." Alice smiled as she walked over to Selka, she brought the orange haired girl into a hug. "It will be ok Selka," Alice said before she and Eugeo parted ways with Selka so that they could help Mr. Barbosa.
"I don't get it, why do you both have to cut down trees for this guy when you both are swordsmen, not woodcutters," Kirito said annoyed since he did not understand why the idiot wanted Eugeo and Alice to cut down trees. "I have no idea buddy," Eugeo said, once they made it to a clearing filled with Oak Trees and a chubby man was watching over the men who were hacking away at one of the trees. "Come on men we need to get this thing down before the other group does!" He cried, Kirito never liked this guy and he was going to show him that he can do anything. "Good day Mr. Barbosa." Said Alice as she walked up to him, "Oh Alice, Eugeo you came," He said as he turned to them, "Yes what seems to be the problem?" Eugeo asked, "Ever since yesterday morning we have been hacking away at this darn oak tree, and if we don't get it down then the other group will beat us." He said a little concerned, Kirito really wanted to draw his sword so without anyone looking he placed his sword on his waist. "I know that our deal was once a month but I really do need your guy's help." Alice looked at Eugeo who nodded she then looked back at Barbosa. "Yes, we will do it," Alice said but when they turned so that they could get to Kirito he was already on his feet and he looked at the two childhood friends with a smirk on his face. "Let me handle these two." He said getting into position, since his hand wasn't fully healed yet Kirito had to use an incarnation hand to pull his blade.
When he did that Kirito then heard the voice of his beloved Asuna, "I know that you can do it Kirito." She said that made Kirito happy to know that he had her support, 'Thanks for the strength my love, I won't let you down.' Kirito thought, "Are you sure about this Kirito? Your arm is not fully healed yet!" Cried Eugeo, Kirito did not listen; he wanted to help others, once his arm connected with the incarnation hand that was on his sword's handle. Once connected Kirito had his right arm back and he pulled the Night Sky Blade out of its holder.
Some people thought that Kirito was crazy to be cutting down a tree with a sword when he's done it before. Kirito held his position before swinging his sword and cutting right through the tree, "Oh look he missed," Said one of the men, "Hey I would move if I were you." Kirito said, the two men looked at each other before they heard a crack, they looked to see that tree coming down towards them. They moved out of the way as Kirito put his sword away and the tree hit the ground, "Oh my, that was fantastic!" Barbosa said as he walked to Kirito and the two blonds, "I never knew that you could do that, I know that we agreed with once a month but hear me out, maybe once a week oh no once a day!" Barbosa said with excitement, "I'm sorry to disappoint you buddy but they agreed to once a month and a deal is a deal, so since I helped them I'm splitting my reward with them so pay up." Kirito said as he extended his hand, Barbosa gave up and went into the pouch on his belt and brought out 3 100 silver coins, then he placed them into Kirito's hand. "Thank you now we should get going, and try to do things yourselves and stop relying on Alice and Eugeo so much," Kirito said as he started to walk away leaving the wheelchair since they won't be needing it since Kirito's sprained foot was healed, Alice and Eugeo followed him and they were shocked at what Kirito just did.
"Wow, Kirito you did it and brought back your arm, what made you do this?" Alice asked, "Well I've always helped my friends when they needed me." Kirito replied, then Eugeo asked, "You took out that tree without leaving any wood behind, how did you do it?" Kirito wanted to reply but he did not know how to so he said, "That is a secret that I will share when I am ready." The two blonds nodded and they kept walking back in the direction of the cabin.
When they arrived back at the cabin Amayodie was there to greet them mainly Alice, the blond Integrity Knight went to her dragon and stroked underneath Amaydoie's chin. The dragon was enjoying the attention from her owner, "Amayodie, I can see that you have gained some weight. Have you been snacking on a little too much fish from the lake?" Alice asked her dragon before it went to lay down in her tree and Alice walked into the house with the boys.
Kirito and Eugeo were sitting at the table while Alice made stew, Kirito was too deep in thought about all the times he had home cooked meals made by Asuna and his mother. Alice walked into the dining room with 3 bowls, she set one of them in front of Eugeo and another in front of Kirito then she went to her seat next to Eugeo. As they ate Kirito kept recalling what happened before he ended up in the Underworld, he had protected Asuna from a crazy person who used to be a member of the murder guild back in Sword Art Online known as Laughing Coffen. 'She must be so worried about me and for her to go all the way to RATH just to find me. Well I'd do the same for her. I'm just happy that she is ok but why can't she dive in and help me?' Kirito asked himself, Eugeo and Alice noticed that Kirito was deep in thought but they did not want to disturb him that was until a loud roar caught their attention, Alice sprang to her feet and ran out the door to see Amayodie out of her tree looking into the sky it looked like she was happy to see someone. Alice looked a little closer at where her dragon was looking to see someone on the back of the dragon coming their way, Eugeo walked up to Alice and asked. "Alice who is that?" The blond knight sighed, "That's Takigodie, Amayodie's older brother." Right as she said that Takigodie landed and a light purple haired knight got off, he was Alice's disciple and the 31st knight his name was Eldrie Synthesis thirty-one. "Lady Alice," he said with a small smile.
*Eldrie's Flashback; Back at the cathedral after Alice left*
Bercoali, Fanatio, Deosouldbert, and Eldrie were in the hall on the 50th floor and some of them still had some evidence that they were taken out by Kirito and Eugeo even though their wounds were healed. "The Pontifex and the Prime Senator were taken out," Bercoali said, shocking everyone in the room, "What those two boys took out the Chedelken and the Pontifex?!" Asked Eldrie, Bercoali nodded, "Yes they did and soon the eastern gate will crumble, and the Dark Territory will invade our side. We need to get ready for them so I'm bringing back the order of the integrity knights." Everyone was ready to get ready for this war but Eldrie was not happy that Kirito and Eugeo were still out there.
*End of the flashback*
Eldrie, Alice, and Eugeo sat around the table with some tea while Kirito was sitting by the fire in order to try and clear his mind and to not get on Eldrie's nerves. "I'm surprised that you found us Eldrie, so did Uncle send you here?" Alice asked, "No he didn't I was up by the end mountains doing a lookout, but on my way back to Centoria when Takigodie started acting weird I let him take the lead and he led me here." Eldrie replied, "How are preparations coming along for the war?" Alice asked, Eldrie sighed. "They're coming along. The Dark Territory has 30,000 we have but 3,000 I do not know if we will be ready in time." Alice looked away from Eldrie to think for a moment before Kirito stepped in. "I have a question for you, How many Integrity Knights are training soldiers?" Eldrie did no like the idea of answering the question but he did, "We have 13 currently on duty 3 of them are in Centoria and are going to be patrolling there, while more than I know of are still under deep freeze. I heard from the commander that Edith should be joining the fight but I don't know for sure." Kirito nodded before going on, "So I'm guessing you want Alice to head back with you to the camp so that she can also get ready for the war?" Eldrie nodded,
"Oh ok but she hasn't touched her sword since the fight with Queenilla, so you need to give her time and also I'm now able to use my sword so if I were you I would not make me mad or I will go banki on you," Kirito said and he made Eldrie a little mad so before he exploded the light purple haired knight left. Kirito sighed he did not expect that idiot to be so stupid when it came to using a sword that has high priority levels. "Alright, it's late let's get to bed," Alice said, the two boys nodded and they went into the bedroom that has two beds. Kirito decided to sleep alone while the two blonds shared the other since he had another person that he wanted to cuddle with, they weren't even asleep when Amayodie made noises outside Alice shot up and so did the boys. "What was that?" Eugeo asked, Kirito sprang out of bed and grabbed the outfit that he wore in the Central Cathedral, when he came out Kirito went straight to the wall where his sword was and he took it off the holder.
As he was doing that Alice and Eugeo emerged from the bedroom, Eugeo also changed into the outfit he wore when they were in the cathedral. Alice ran outside to see smoke and red someone was putting Rulid on fire only one person came to her mind, "SELKA!" Alice screamed before running back into the house and heading to find her Integrity knight gold armor, when she came back out Eugeo just finished putting Blue Rose on his waist and Kirito was already outside. "We need to hurry Selka is in danger someone has set Rulid on fire but I do not think that they are at the square though but still we need to hurry," Alice said as she placed her Outmanthus blade on her waist, Eugeo nodded and the two blonds joined Kirito outside.
Alice grabbed Amayodie's saddle and rains then ran over and got Amayodie ready to fly, once she was ready Alice got on Amayodie's back and the boys soon followed. "Alright, Amayodie let's do this." She said as the dragon took to the sky, 'Hang on Selka I'm coming.' Alice thought, Eugeo not knowing how the villagers would react to Alice being a knight so he draped the brown cloak around Alice. She smiled at him and snapped the cloak in place.