Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story beside my original characters and these respective characters plot arcs. All rights of SAO belongs to Reki Kawahara.

Ilsamor ran the whole way until he reached temple and found a total chaos when he reached there.

There were tens of players who was keep screaming and talking nervously. Some were trying to prepare something that resembles a fighting force but with such a chaos it wouldn't be enough. Without losing time his eyes searched the crowd, looking for a specific person or rather people.

An instance later he found them, standing near the main gate of temple, they were trying to calm an angry crowd. He held Asemi's hand "Come, they are by the gate."

Asemi simply nodded and followed him.

They tried to open a road in the crowd but panic and fear were definitely powerful blinders, and Ilsamor felt like he was trying to cut through a block of rock to open his way. His rage was growing, they were definitely losing precious time here.

Finally, unable the hold his rage any longer he screamed "EVERYONE SHUT THE HELL UP FOR A SECOND!"

His scream managed to create a silence window briefly, which Ilsamor exploited quickly. "Everyone without a proper training move to teleportation gate right now and go to first floor, take shelter in Sasha-san! Don't even think to go to temple in fourth floor! Rest of you, start to prepare defensive measures for now and wait for further orders after I talk with staff, alright? Now, move move move!"

His words finally managed to create a spark of movement in the crowd, some of the senior members took command of the situation and began to lead people to teleportation point while rest of the gears of military finally began to turn. Guild members donned their real equipment and spread to surrounding area.

Ilsamor finally reached his target, four people standing in front of the gate. These four people were Argo, Rider, Hikari and Eudard, first player who defected to Ilsamor's side after 25th floor's boss battle. He approached them "Okay, Rider what's all this? Really we have coalition against us?"

Rider looked desperately to Argo who understood and filled Ilsamor "After our meeting with Lisbeth, I went to meet one of my informants and he filled me about a major orange guild movement. Which was very interesting to think but he didn't have any information on their target. But my gut telling me something was definitely wrong, so I began gathering info from all my possible orange guild informants and managed to narrow target floor to somewhere between twenty and twenty-six, which left us with their possible target. Swords of Mercy Guild HQ."

Rider turned to Ilsamor with an expression of rage mixed with fear. "But senpai, this doesn't make any sense! You told me that we were not that much of threat to orange guilds right now, just a thorn on their side! Why… Why would they make such an attempt to suppress us?" Ilsamor smiled bitterly "Rider… We may be not much of a thorn, but we are the only thorn on their side. Other guilds only do something when they stumble upon it. Furthermore, we are the only guild who gives basic combat training to everyone who wants, which make their prey stronger."

After his comment he looked to sky and sighed "The day I lecture about it we got attacked. Oh, the bitter irony!" Then he lowered his head "Okay so what is our current situation?"

Eudard answered his question "We got around 70-80 people from our own sir. But I highly doubt this number will stay same once the engagement starts. These people are gamers, not soldiers." Ilsamor nodded bitterly and returned to Rider "Rider, send the signal to all who volunteered for orange missions. Argo, you do the same to solo players you know from the front lines, you don't have to convince them if they don't want it. I will do the same to Heathcliff and DDA commander. Eudard gather the men in front of temple in 40 minutes. And Hikari…" he returned to her "Please prepare potions with high healing ability and poison resistance as much as you can. And… What's this?"

Ilsamor saw the book glowed in Hikari's belt. Hikari noticed his reaction and saw the book too. She opened the glowing page, which interestingly wasn't a page at the end. At one glance she paled "Sensei… It is that verse. My warriors, ease your fears born from the upcoming battle. If you return to my side in death, you will know no fears forevermore. And if you return to my side alive with a clean victory, then you will be even more rewarded. But even at your war against darkness do not exceed your limits, don't kill needlessly, don't kill the ones without sin and the ones don't resist for if you do my curse will be upon you forevermore, the ones who repent are the exceptions."

Ilsamor closed his eyes for a minute before he steeled himself. "Alright, you know what to do, now move!"

Everything continued in almost a demonic rush.

Hikari and her disciples grabbed one of the training rooms besides their usual alchemy laboratory and started work as fast as they can. Rider and Eudard opened the emergency maps that prepared for such a situation and worked their tactics. Since they were expecting an orange invasion, they would probably avoid using teleportation, but then they may use their green agents to infiltrate Mercy's ranks.

Some measurements were taken, announcing he incoming attack, Guild wanted inhabitants to don't leave the safe region's borders and spend the night on a different floor if it is possible. Few members with a few points in blacksmith to repair immediately get to work. Traps at hand laid in the predetermined areas and guild's members with high camouflage and search skill went ahead as sentries.

Ilsamor looked all these preparations and murmured "These will not be enough."

Argo knew what he meant. Sword Art Online was an RPG game in the end, while there were definitely some things to prepare for a PvP battle, you cannot build castles, fortresses or any kind of defensive structure. Swords were definitely sitting ducks on the field. Ilsamor looked to Argo with a nervous expression "What's the situation on your end? Guild leaders still didn't answer."

Argo sighed "I got a few positive answers, but mostly negative. Only Kirito and Moonlit Black Cats have arrived as soon as possible. Rest says they will come eventually." Ilsamor looked to horizon "Once I heard an idiom, it said 'No good deed goes unpunished.' I refused to believe it when I was young, perhaps I am not that wise after all." He unsheathed his sword and opened the skills in his menu. Argo saw him to equip a skill she hasn't seen before which was probably his unique skill. She looked to him with an expression mixed awe and sorry. Seeing her expression Ilsamor smiled bitterly "Well after all I was right. You finally learned the name of my unique skill and once again we are at the edge of a cliff."

For the first time Argo didn't teased him back, looking at her feet she murmured "Wish I'd never seen it then." She unsheathed her dagger. "Well I know you said without hope, without witness and without reward, but… If I do not fight in here, then I cannot believe in anything, not ever."

Ilsamor's smile turned into a genuine one "I know Argo-san, I am lucky to have a friend like you." Not noticing Argo's little jump Ilsamor stood up "Okay, it is time to rally the men. Wish me luck."

By these words he headed down and stood in front of the guild members waiting in line. Standing in front of them he saw fear and panic in many eyes.

It was natural. This was not a boss raid, not a sparring match and SAO was not a game. All of this was very real. These men have found themselves in a situation that requires them to kill another human being. Ilsamor called to them "Swords of Mercy!"

Murmurs inside the crowd stopped. He continued with a clear voice:

"Today I am here with a heavy heart, knowing that in a few hours this place we called home will be attacked by the very people we are trying to rescue from this game. I see you are afraid, since this is a real battlefield now. The enemy you kill or want to kill you is not a mindless program but a human whose real body is laying on a bed right now."

He stopped and looked to the eyes of his men. Then he did something unexpected "If you want to leave now, I won't blame you or criticize you."

Certain gasps were heard from crowd.

"It was my intention to never force anyone who don't want to fight human beings to PvP, that's why I formed patrols just from volunteers. And you are already stretched thin with a lot of thing going around you, so if you don't want to fight or have doubts about fighting please leave this floor. You won't be thrown from the guild; I just want to protect those who don't want to fight. You are gamers, not soldiers and you didn't want to be here. So please before skirmish starts leave because I will not tolerate any treason or hesitance during it. I will give you 40 minutes to make your decision, please just listen to yourself."

Then he prepared to retreat just before a guild member stepped in front "What about you sir? Will you stay or retreat?"

Suddenly all eyes turned on Ilsamor while his gaze turned to member who asked the question. "If I ever take a single step out of this floor before we repel this attack, you can kill me at that instant!"

Member nodded to his sentiment and declared "Then sir, I would ask you the same. If I ever dare to step another floor take everything I have even my very life!"

His declaration caused ripples in the hearts of his comrades. They all started to scream randomly.

"We will not leave you sir!"

"You are our teacher!"

"LET'S SEND THOSE ORANGE BASTARDS TO THEIR MAKER!"

"LEAD US TO VICTORY!"

Ilsamor raised his hands to calm them. "It is almost like a cliché scene from military films. Not that I am going to complain." he thought but he forced himself to call to them again. "I am really happy to see you all depend on me like that. But I don't want to be unjust to you. While they are afraid to say, some people among you have very good reasons to avoid this fight. So please, think this through. If you are still here after that forty minutes… Then we will no longer be just guild mates. We will be brothers-in-arms, in its real meaning, ones you have to trust with the deepest part of your beings. If you have even the slightest doubt that whether you can carry this load or not, please take up my offer. See you in forty minutes, dismissed!"

Crowd slowly disappeared and Ilsamor turned towards to temple gates. Then…

"Sir, can I have a moment?"

His gaze turned towards to owner of shy voice which was a boy with decaying-leaf colored hair. His expression softened with a smile "Of course. You'd like a cup of tea? Let's go upstairs. With a nervous nod member followed him to his upstairs office.

Temple of the twenty-second floor was very similar with its design to one in fourth floor, with bigger in size. In its back it was including dorms for guild members that constantly remain in HQ and occasionally players that do not have somewhere to stay. Upper floor was including six rooms, five for commanding staff and one for occasional guests (In other words mostly for Argo). He slowly led the young boy to his personal room at the end of corridor.

Inside, despite being a commander's room was very simple. Sole window of the room was on the opposite wall from the door, at the right corner of the room. Ilsamor's bed was below the window. Beyond that only two furniture inside were a desk and a bookcase, which was interestingly full of books. Ilsamor looked to the boy's face who was still looking dumbstruck from seeing such a plain room that belongs to commander. Ilsamor chuckled "You can pick up your jaw and enter the room. Please make yourself at home."

Boy listened but he couldn't help to ask "Sir, can I ask something? Why do you need a book case when you can read everything by using functions at your menu?" Ilsamor looked to him "Well you see, I really like the sensation of books texture at my hands, feeling the pages… Besides, for some reason I cannot change the background color of menu, which is not suitable to eyes in long period, I mean reading something from white background."

Boy slowly nodded "I suppose but why bookcase though?" Ilsamor explained him while heating the tea "It just looks like a bookcase. In reality it is just a storage item for my books. You need open its menu and choose your book to access it. Here, let me show you." By saying this he opened the bookcase's menu and materialized a book. "See?" Then he handed the book to boy. Boy read the heading "Time Wars 3: Fellowship of Jedi?"

"Well, I have to tell you not one of the best jobs of the system. You see, all these books are written by game's system and by written, I mean mostly by gathered data from different sources. Pretty handy if you are working on a scientific or philosophical topic but it really sucks at fiction. This one is the worst by far."

Boy smiled "How much?" Ilsamor chuckled "To the point that Obi-wan Kenobi standing at high ground on Mustafar with Glamdring in his hand and shouting the Anakin "I am the Oncoming Storm!" Boy laughed to description of the book. Ilsamor took the book from him and handed him a cup of tea. "Oh sorry, I forgot to ask your name?"

"It is Nautilus sir."

"Okay then Nautilus-san. What is it you want to talk about?"

Nautilus looked downward for a few seconds. Then he talked in a low voice "Sir, I-I want to be a part of the people you will call 'brothers-in-arms' and some of my friends are staying but I… I have problem you see, they call it Full-Dive Nonconformity, which-"

"Your movements and control of your avatar is impaired under certain conditions, right?"

"Yes sir, especially when I fear for my life."

Ilsamor took a sip from his tea. "If you would be just a scared man you would already went to another floor, instead you came to me meaning you are searching a solution to your condition, not using it as an escape route." He put his cup back to saucer "While I really suggest you to let this one go, if you are that determined I will not order this. Because I know you will come back here somehow, and it could be a greater danger for you. But I want you to stand at my side through the battle."

Nautilus's eyes shined. Then he hesitantly asked "Then, can you give some advice about my condition too?"

Ilsamor sighed "Nautilus, I can certainly try but know that I am no expert as you expect. I myself didn't see any war before coming here and have fought for my life only since we trapped. Only thing I can offer is, that if you accept, is the results I come through after read and watched countless things about this topic."

Nautilus nodded "Please sir, anything."

Ilsamor closed his eyes "Very well…" then he entered into 'sensei' mod "First thing you need to know is the fact that fear is not a defeatable emotion. I think you can call it the Emotional Doomsday."

Nautilus gave him a confused look "Doomsday?"

Ilsamor looked to young boy with as apologizing for his nerdiness "Sorry, let me explain. Doomsday is a villain from Superman comics and what made it truly stand out is the fact that you can't kill it by using the same method twice. It gains immunity to that method of killing. Fear is like that. Even if you beat it for a specific subject for a time it doesn't mean that you won't fell fear for that thing forever. It is like vigilant enemy, always searching for weaknesses, backdoors… So that's why fear cannot be defeated can only be driven back. About how you drive it in this situation…"

His eyes looked directly inside the Nautilus's eyes "From what I learned from all these things I have seen survival in battle is partly luck and partly your abilities. Luck is a factor that is out of our hands but in abilities part we still have two topics at hand: Your training and your standing at love of life or death. About training part, I hope you listened my lessons well."

Nautilus gave him a shy smile.

"About the second one. You must be standing in that very tight spot that you are neither a suicider nor runner. And this can be accomplished by finding reasons both for loving the life and embracing the death."

Nautilus waited Ilsamor to elaborate, seeing this Ilsamor continued "People bind life by the bonds they are formed with other people or emotions. I advise you to pick these out from battlefield, from a place where such a dirt can't touch. It can be loved ones, your friends, your family maybe. About embracing the death…You must believe that death will not bring you pain. As you may know in many cultures and beliefs dying in battlefield or a dying for a cause usually rewarded by Heaven. If you put two sides in a scale you will keep yourself from taking risks mean certain death and also you will not be afraid if you find yourself in a hopeless situation."

Nautilus looked a bit despaired on these words. "Sir I… I didn't believe anything like that in real world. And still here…"

Ilsamor smiled "I won't press you, but I want to ask, have you ever heard a verse from the Book?"

Nautilus shook his head and seeing that Ilsamor pulled the book from his belt and opened a certain page, then pointed a verse to Nautilus. "Can you read it please?" Nautilus reluctantly took the book and started to read:

"Then the martyrs of the Dark Heart War arrived to Lady's presence, all bowed their head in the halls of First Light…"

Nautilus then raised his head and jumped in surprise. Because he was no longer sitting in Ilsamor's room. Room was replaced by a chamber, supported by pillars made from white marble. He looked around and saw two other people beside him. One of them was Ilsamor, standing right beside him. The other person was standing three meters front of them, sitting on a throne with three fulcrums.

Without a doubt it was one of the most beautiful woman Nautilus ever seen. Her wavy hair was chocolate-brown color with a length to her back. Her eyes was green, and they were shining with a genuine calmness and compassion. She was smiling, one that can make man do anything to just see it in her face.

He looked Ilsamor with surprise then woman spoke with a gentle voice "Please continue Nautilus."

While dumbfounded Nautilus looked to the book once again "Warriors on her presence was carrying grim expressions, their steps were heavy, their armors were pulling them down. Seeing them like that Lady asked them-"

"Why my blessed heroes, why you come to my presence with such sadness? Rejoice, you have completed your objectives, you will not know fear forevermore."

Nautilus raised his head to see Lady reading her line from the book. Sensing a push to continue he read "Our brilliant mistress, we are sad because we couldn't return to you with our great victories. We are sad because we know that while we will receive beautiful rewards from you, we will never reach the degree of our brothers who will eventually come here with great victories for your favor.

Lady heard the sadness from their voice and saw the despair in their figure, shed a tear from her right eye. Then she gracefully approached to the captain of her heroes…"

Nautilus then noticed a shadow was covering the book. He raised his head to see Lady was standing right before him smiling. "Then let it be known that if you want my favor, in your afterlife I will give you a choice. You can choose for peace which no one will ever accuse you for anything and I will keep my promise about the peace you will find. But if you truly desire highest of favors then you can continue to serve me by being my eternal champions, until you rightfully claim the reward you really wanted. Now please look at me."

Nautilus's eyes were filled with tears and he was looking at the Lady with an unexplainable peace and longing. Lady slowly caressed his cheek and talked to him looking directly in his eye "You had and will always have a place at my side… Eiji. As long as you stand straight."

A drop of tear fell from Nautilus's eye. Then with a blink they have returned to Ilsamor's room. He turned to Ilsamor still dumbstruck and asked "Sir… W-what was that? Who was she?"

Ilsamor slowly smiled and took his book back from Nautilus "That Nautilus was a reason enough to embrace death itself. I played a very dangerous hand to tell you the truth, I hope you love life enough to not fall in it right now."

After that he rose and prepared to left room until Nautilus's voice stopped him. "Sir, if that book has such a power, why don't you use it to gather whole guild?"

Ilsamor looked him with a wry smile. "Nautilus, you actually wanted to believe such a thing but before that you had no reason to cling such a thing. It cannot help people who don't want to be rescued. No one is blinder than the man who don't want to see. Besides… I am not a tyrant, who would use that power to force them to fight. I just gave you a little push to find the courage you are looking for." After that he left the room, leaving Nautilus in confused and thoughtful state.

Forty minutes had passed.

Ilsamor stood before the remaining force of the Swords, about 40 men were standing before him. Except these forty men he, Asemi, Rider, Argo, Moonlit Black Cats and few volunteers from assault team were with them. In total the force that Ilsamor had was around 75 people. He still didn't know the exact number of orange guilds forces.

Finally realizing the time, Ilsamor stepped forward. His eyes briefly scanned the ranks then he spoke with a clear voice: "My friends! From the deepest part of my heart, I thank you for staying by my side during this unfortunate event.

I have never lied to you before, and I will not lie right now. There is no possibility except orange guilds simply abandoning the attack to end this without any bloodshed. Some of us definitely won't survive after this encounter.

If I die during this encounter, please forgive me. If I had done something to hurt, you please come forth and resolve it with me right now. If I live it through, I promise to those who will give their lives I will never allow your sacrifice to go astray, in both the problem of orange guilds and clearing the game. If I manage to survive this, I promise I will survive through game and make them both pay for all the lives lost, the madman who trapped us in this game and the ones who turned their blades on us when we should have stayed united.

I cannot call this guild as an army, but I will call you as the name you deserve.

MY BROTHERS-IN-ARMS!

Let's defend our home, our lives and everything we believe, whatever the cost may be!

May Lady's blessing shine upon us!"

Swords raised their weapons and shouted "YEAH!"

Nobody noticed the swift hand movement Ilsamor did to wipe the tear from his face in that moment. After sounds diminished Ilsamor pulled his sword from its sheath and shouted "Commanders! You know where to go. March!"

They heard the sound of the oncoming enemy before they have seen it.

While it would be really efficient to hide themselves and approach Swords of Mercy under camouflage they were too trusting in their strength and in their numbers, which were not a bad idea to be honest, against the approximately 350 men of orange guilds Swords was around 75 people. Thinking about it, Ilsamor implemented a strategy about the situation he read from history books. However, he wasn't sure about the efficiency of it.

Primarily because one thing tactic relied on, range fighters weren't present in this game. Beside that their numbers were too thin, but if any tactic would be useful this was it. And if things come to a very dire stage, Ilsamor had a trump card for such a situation that comes with his unique skill but he really wanted to avoid that because every time he uses his unique skill or anything that Lady provided only to him, Administrator would receive a signal. If he passes a certain threshold before Lady become strong enough to challenge the power of Administrator, then it would be game over for him. And with it, Lady's plan and an easy victory for players would be gone.

However, if things would really gone sour, then he would have no choice.

Temple was in open area; a forest was covering the east of it. Beyond that remaining directions were open field. He was expecting the attack would come from one of these three directions.

An old-fashioned battle in open area.

Then slowly…

"It seems you are right boss! They are idiot enough to try and fight with us!"

First enemy in their line of sight looked to the lines of Swords and Mercy and called out to its friend with a laughing voice. Several other laughters heard after that. Slowly their 350 soldiers slowly came into sight.

Two armies looked each other for a few minutes. Ilsamor sensed that even they were attacking, they were just hoping that such a force would win the war before it began. Unfortunately, they didn't know Ilsamor well enough.

His next action could be called either a last grant of mercy or complete audacity. Because he slowly stepped forward:

"Members of the Orange Guilds, I am Ilsamor, leader of the Swords of Mercy. Before you pass the final line, I want to make a final warning to those who would listen."

He heard a few sarcastic replies, but he continued "If you leave now, we will give those who leave a chance to return into normal players by providing them Karma Quests. If not, know that I will not accept this as an official war, if by any chance you lose, remaining members will be judged by being a red player, and under any circumstance I won't compromise from this."

Finally, a green, woman player stepped forward from orange lines. "You think yourself so strong aren't you Ilsamor? You talk big for a combat medic, with only ability to heal-"

"You should check that fact again because I can assure you my unique skill is nowhere near a healer. I am more of a… antibiotic, I think."

Despite several grimaces orange players just laughed. Ilsamor made a last attempt "Will you really fight with us? We are gamers in our cores, not soldiers. When you get out of this game, will your conscience carry all the misdeeds you have done during the game?"

"Aww, common there is no evidence that the ones die in this game dies also in the real life. Beside that it is just a game, and we have a right to entertain ourselves, right?! And there are forty idiots right in front of us waiting for smacked!"

Ilsamor just shook his head, situation will not be solved without a show of force. He reached to his sword in its scabbard and unsheathed it and slowly directed it to enemy while slowly whispering himself "You are neither responsible nor burdened with the evil that sinners commit."

And by that first battle of Aincrad began between two opposing sides.

His brothers-in-arms stood in his side immediately, taking a defensive stance as orange players rained on them with unorganized, brute force. While taking his stance for a move that will fill his blade with holy power, Ilsamor just hesitated once.

Then his blade shone with Weight of Redemption sword skill and he swung it to activate five-hit sword skill.

Then they fought. They fought for a battle that seemed eternal to them, they fought against enemies that wanted to snuff their newborn flame.

In that battlefield later named as the 'Holy Three' lead a seemingly desperate defense for not just the existence of their guild, but for the protection of many things.

Players who trapped in this game yet trying to live a normal life.

Players who wanted to become strong to help the Assault Team.

For above all a reason for their mind, which was shouldering the already heavy burden of trapping inside a game that you can die with a single mistake which must not be burdened with a possible dagger at their back.

And after ten minutes of battle's start, orange guilds have understood that while they held a significant advantage at numbers, things were not easy at they seemed. These guys had some serious training about hand-to-hand combat.

A part of their problem was Rider. Muscular guy was using his white greatsword with an unbelievable agility and strength, and to top that with sword skills they had not seen before. His presence alone was like making surrounding allies more resistant to damages. Thus, it was really hard for them to keep him contained.

Another problem was Asemi, who was almost everywhere in battle, jumping around with a katana set ablaze, it was almost impossible to follow her. She was attacking from most unexpected flanks, and in most unexpected times.

And of course, there was Ilsamor, who was protecting the center of their ranks, holding himself strongly against a multiple number of opponents at the same time.

And while that was happening, he was watching, surveying the battlefield. He saw that the people he trained was killed by the blades of orange- no red players. He saw how perfectly Asemi and Rider utilized almost every technique he taught them since their meeting. He saw that frightened boy, Nautilus was now wielding a high-level sword and shield, and was still fighting despite his comrades was falling around him.

It was sadly like a lyric from one of his favorite songs of Sabaton "Let them fall face down, if they must die,

It will make it easier to say goodbye."

Battle continued to rage on.

Finally, the woman in the lead of orange guilds saw that Swords were slowly but surely retreating towards their temple. She shouted, "They are falling, keep up the pressure!"

That shout seemed to be restored the spirit of orange players. They were feeling like not making any progress against the stubborn defense of Swords. They continued to fight even harder than before.

40 Swords fell to 30. Then 20 and 15.

It seemed like the situation is hopeless. But…

Ilsamor looked at Argo. "Ready?" Argo the Rat nodded to his statement after checking her mailbox quickly. Then Ilsamor did something that neither side had witnessed before in this game. He raised his sword and spoke with a voice that can easily be heard by everyone:

"I am Ilsamor, the first champion of Brilliant Mistress! By the right my unique skill, Bastion of Justice, I imbue weapons of every green player in this area with holy damage!"

Several code lines appeared around Ilsamor under the surprised gazes of players and swords weapons shone with a white light. But what was more concerning for orange players is that the surrounding area around them was also lit with scattered lights. Then Ilsamor shouted again: "KIRITO, NOW!"

Just as he finished his sentence ground around them filled with thirty-five players forming a circle around the orange guild army. Rosalia looked towards to Ilsamor with a great fury and shock. Ilsamor returned it by a composed look "You fell the most basic type of trap Rosalia. Tactic I have used was one of the most known one. It is widely known as Pincer movement but for the people in Middle Asia it carries another name, which I think it suits. They call it either 'Crescent Tactic' or more accurately 'Wolf Trap'."

Rosalia was still looking like dumbstruck. Then Ilsamor activated something else, for most people it didn't changed anything.

But for members of guild and Argo…

The scene they saw changed. They were in a wasteland, wearing silver armor and carrying silver weapons that shone in the darkness. Just Argo seemed to be same as her normal self. That change in scenery wasn't limited them, their enemies turned into abominable beasts right before their eyes, except for a few.

This was interesting and confusing enough, then Ilsamor stepped forward. His appearance were much more brighter and seemed like from another world…

"No…Not yet at least" Argo thought. He was still human.

And under the determined gazes of guildmates Ilsamor ordered "You know what to do!"

With a battle cry last offense from swords started. Orange players were in shock against the determination of Swords and the strength of their weapons who were tearing down large chunks of health from them at every strike. And as a last nail to their coffin…

"HERE THEY COME! KNIGHTS OF THE BLOOD OATH HAS ARRIVED!"

Orange players lost every little hope they held with the entrance of one of the strongest guilds into the fray.

When remnants of orange players came to themselves their hands and feet were tied. From their 350 people force only 50 people managed to survive the initial skirmish and onslaught at the end.

However, Ilsamor didn't see this situation as a victory. Despite they won the battle, they had lost 25 good men to the vile orange players. Beside that they lost a significant force and they were forced to withdraw from active participation to front line activities. And last, now he owed one to Heathcliff.

Only gain of the battle was a major uproot of orange guilds throughout the Aincrad. But to ensure it…

"Why have you tied us like this?"

Leader of the orange guild finally came to her senses after staying unconscious for hours. It was still dark but time of dawn was approaching.

Standing before the 50 convicts were the 14 members of the Sword of Mercy that survived the battle, other reinforcements, even Argo weren't present. Ilsamor was standing near her with his sword in his hand.

It was total silence.

"ANSWER ME DAMM-"

SLAP!

Ilsamor's reaction was fast. After Rosalia got the message, he spoke with a voice cold as the depths of darkness "You have a right to remain silent, or anything you say might return to you with appropriate punishment."

"Punishment?"

Ilsamor took a few steps before answering "I told you, didn't I? In case of our victory I will treat you not as POWs but the murderers who attacked like animals to their fellow players. Even then Lady was merciful enough to leave you a door for your salvation, so I advise you to stay silent and try to give a good impression."

Rosalia got the message and shut her mouth tight. Ilsamor stood before his brothers-in-arms, which were looked like mostly crying or looking to the ground with grim expressions. He sighed, knowing it was now the hardest time of all process. "My friends, while our loss is certainly heavy in my heart seeing you alive before me is giving me a small comfort. I am grateful to all of our friends who gave their lives in our defense. I hope they will want for nothing in the next life.

In this case what stand before us is this: 50 criminals charged with one of the biggest crimes in human history, murder of our fellow brethren. There is no doubt that they are guilty but what about their punishment?"

Rosalia and other few orange players asked in horror "W-what punishment? Don't you just hand us to the Blackiron Palace?"

Ilsamor answered their question without looking to them "No, we won't. At least some of you. You will be judged by us, the people you have hurt. Normally if even one of us wanted the death of guilty, it is entirely within his/her right. But for this time, I will make an example." Target of his speech slowly turned towards to guildmates "Some of you may find the punishment method cruel. Therefore, I will allow for something.

In the book, each and everyone of these criminals' fate is handed to you. I want you to look them in the eye and if you find even a shred of decency please opt for their survival, I will listen to you. However, if you do not then I will execute the criminal on the spot."

"WHAT?! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOU-"

SLAP!

Ilsamor once more shut down Rosalia. Still carrying anger mixed with fear in her eyes Rosalia asked "You guys call yourself Sword of Mercy. Is it a punishment worthy of your name?"

Ilsamor sighed "This action is worthy of our name."

Rosalia's eyes widened.

"Our guild is not just wielding the mercy as a sword, it also wields justice as a mean to properly use it. People can say all kinds of things about justice, all kinds of definitions but to me it has a very simple meaning: Granting the mercy whoever deserves first. So, answer me Rosalia-san, the leader of the orange guild Titan's Hand, who should I grant the right of mercy? To my brethren whose family, friends have mercilessly killed by an unprovoked assault, or to you, the agressors themselves?"

"Unprovoked? You attacked us first!"

"First? Do tell me, am I the one who put a blade on your throat and forced you to rob and murder innocent players? Or am I the one who made you do this by robbing you of your own free will? How long would it take you to become strong and start directly attacking our people?"

Rosalia couldn't answer his claims. Ilsamor turned his back to her "I thought so." Then he joined his people before they started to search some signs in the eyes of orange players. By his signal players approached and their search began.

Minutes passed before all of the players passed their judgement on guilty. When it ended, Ilsamor first approached Rosalia with his sword unsheathed "Are there anyone who thinks that this player has a chance of redemption if it is allowed?"

To Rosalia's horror not one player raised voice against. With seeing the approaching death, she shouted "NO, YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I DON'T WANNA DIE!"

Ilsamor spoke with a cold voice "What are you talking about? There is no evidence that players die in here dies in real world too." After that he raised his sword and as system recognized his stance sword glowed with orange color.

It was the last thing Rosalia saw before her health bar hit zero.

Surviving members of the Sword of Mercy gathered in the hall of the temple, Remaining members would come in the morning.

Despite the victory none was in an air of celebration. Ilsamor knew that if he don't do something, he may lose these men, whom were mostly children to the clutch of sadness and despair. Therefore, he stood up and called to them "Brothers-in-arms, kneel in front of the statue."

Disruption of silence created a momentary confusion in guild members, but they did what Ilsamor told to them. Rider approached Ilsamor "Boss, what are you doing?" Ilsamor replied in a bitter tone "If I don't do something we will lose them forever."

Then for the first time he stood in the dais behind the statue. Looking to his guildmates he thought for a few seconds what to told. Then he held the sides of dais for support:

"Today, we were forced into a battle, a battle which forced us to stand our ground, forced us to sacrifice our friends, our guildmates more importantly our family. Surely there is any scale in any of the worlds that can measure the pain and sadness in our hearts.

I know you want me to say something to ease your pain, maybe some of you are praying the Lady to the make the pain go away. Unfortunately, what I want you to do with that pain is 'hold it tight!'"

Guildmates raised their heads in confusion. Ilsamor continued:

"To quote a certain man 'You hold it tight, till it burns your hand, and you say this, no one else will ever have to live like this no one else will ever have to feel this pain… Not on my watch!*' By saying this, I will still give you a choice as I had before."

Ilsamor watched as the eyes of survivors started to harden with his words.

"You are by now the one of the rare veterans in Aincrad who had actually seen a real battle. You know the pain of losing your friend more than anyone. If you want, if you are willing, I want to harden this experience of yours with training I will personally give to each and everyone of you, which will not only be of use to you in here but on the other side as well, to forge your ultimate weapons, in other words your minds. Of course, if you don't, you are in every right to seek peace after such an atrocity."

None answered to him, none dared for a few seconds. Then Eurard stood "Sir… Will this training be hard?"

"Yes, it will."

Then Artemis rose up "Will it be painful?"

"Mentally yes, I will force you. I am sorry but I have to."

Then finally Nautilus rose up and asked, "Will you still be with us after it?"

Ilsamor nodded "If you'll have me, until the very end."

His answer was enough, soon remaining members rose. Nautius took a step forward "Sir I know you make all these references from the real world, but this time let me make this one, I believe this will voice all of my friend's opinions."

Then he looked to statue "Only easy day was yesterday. Let's get to work." Survivors nodded firmly and Rider asked the final question "Boss, what will you call us?"

Ilsamor smiled, first smile since the beginning of battle "I will call you what you are. Eternal Champions of the Mistress."

Rest of the day is passed in the chaos.

Ilsamor went to clearers gathering and accepted their 'condolences' while informing them his guild's temporary withdrawal from front lines. Also, there was the issue of his handling of remaining orange players (it disturbed most of the frontliners) but Ilsamor told them to discuss this topic another time. He promised that he will address these issues but right now he was too emotionally tangled to them. It would take time to approach this topic logically.

Battle caused fear for many players and pushed them to think Sword of Mercy as trouble magnets. He knew that it was still too early to try and correct this assumption, and honestly, he wasn't sure if he wanted to correct it.

No good deeds ever go unpunished, as told to him before.

When you shine long enough, there will always people around you to shut that light, because it doesn't allow them to fall back to their peaceful sleep. While he wanted to help people and encourage the people share his wish, he also didn't want to fool them.

Perhaps if this reputation stays, it would be the best.

Brothers-in-arms new role was recognized officially in front of the remaining guild members. Ilsamor also used the weapons of the fallen to mark a cemetery for them behind the temple grounds with other veterans attending the funeral. He personally vowed that these weapons will never run out of durability and serve as a remainder of these players courage and determination.

While he was doing all those things, he was observing the sad and afraid face of Nautilus also. Despite his determination to join the Champions Ilsamor felt that Nautilus was still very much afraid after witnessing actual combat. He was about the fall into the ones who love life too much.

He nodded to himself thinking the only think he can do to prevent boy from wasting himself.

It was a rather long day for Nautilus.

He felt tired, like he never felt before. His mind went numb and despite Ilsamor told them to get some sleep he couldn't.

He was keep seeing the flashes of war.

Ilsamor's guidance really helped him through the war, he really didn't freeze up whole time. And yet he kept remembering the faces of his fallen friends, friends that even couldn't leave a body behind after their decease.

It was all too cruel for him.

Will his end be like this? Not leaving even a body to his friends, just erased into nothing?

This question and its different variations were keep eating his mind. Despite the show he put in front of Ilsamor, he was very afraid.

"Coming from a night walk Nautilus?"

He raised his head and reached the hilt of his sword before seeing the face of his commander. His tense body relaxed "Yeah, I think so sir. Sorry about-"

"Don't think about it, I get you." Ilsamor answered to him. Looking from temple gates "It is really hard to let go of that reflexes after such an occurrence, right?" Nautilus bowed his head "No sir. I… I have never felt death so close before."

Ilsamor looked to face of young boy, then started walking "Please come with me, I want to show you something." Nautilus nodded and followed him to the grounds at the back of temple.

Ilsamor slowly asked him "I see that your newfound determination wavered after the things you witnessed in the war, am I right?" Nautilus slowly nodded and Ilsamor continued "Can I ask why?"

Nautilus sighed "I think when you first showed me the Lady, I get that feeling that that if it was like this then death is not such a bad thing. But I noticed that this was a game, and that image, I don't know how you created it, was fake. And then I couldn't bring myself…"

Ilsamor listened without interfering, and spoke with a calm voice "I see… That is why I have brought you here."

They stopped in front of cemetery. Ilsamor looked to the clock at the corner of his view. "Any minute now…"

Nautilus was confused "Any minute to what exactly?"

Suddenly his question answered.

From the representational graves of players bodies arouse, bodies that covered with blue light. One by one all of the people died in the war stood up and gave confused glances to Ilsamor until a portal made of blue light appeared. Ilsamor spoke "Swords, at ease! Your mission is completed! I am honored to serve with you, may you find the peace you seek at the merciful bosom of our Lady!"

Ghosts of the Swords gave him a salute then proceeded towards to portal. Nautilus watched the entire series of events with open mouth until he finally thought of asking this to Ilsamor and he answered Nautilus with a hoarse voice "They had and always will have a place near the Brilliant Mistress. I cannot know the fate of their soul or their real body. But what remained from their minds will find the peace they seek in this world as this is her promise."

Nautilus stood still while his brain was processing this idea, then he knelt and leaned to his sword. "May Lady forgive my doubts, as from today I believe each and everyone of her words and miracles without a doubt."

Ilsamor finished his pray "Until the day we join them."

"Until the day we join them."

* : Doctor Who Zygon Inversion Speech (Season 9 Episode 8)

Lyrics belong to Sabaton's "To Hell and Back" song