Jaymes, moments later

Back with the Ronie, Sortiliena, Tiese, Renly, and what remains of this contingent of the Human Empire Guardian Army, my attention is on the large tree that shades the earth. I saw it earlier when I came to say farewell to my friends, but now that I really look at it, I remember that such vegetation isn't normally possible in the Dark Territory. I could make it possible, but I didn't make this happen.

"Kirito did it," Sortiliena says as she walks to my side, one hand on my shoulder. "Asuna and Koharu fought well against him, but Kirito ended the fight. Said that this person will never leave the Underworld, though I guess that's true for you, Asuna. and Kirito."

"So this is PoH's fate...for now." I step forward, glaring at the tree with hate as I come up to its roots. With no rhyme or reason, I take Falchion in hand and thrust it into the trunk of the tree. "I wonder if you can feel that, PoH. I wonder how much you are feeling right now. Actually, let me help you out." I tighten my grip on Falchion and give it a little push. "Empowered Falchion." That 'little push' becomes a powerful thrust. I can hear the deeper parts of the trunk breaking within, strong enough to disrupt the tree but probably not enough to puncture the entire lower part. Just to be sure it doesn't, I project a healing spell on the tree to revert all damage done.

"That is how I felt when you and your damned guild stirred up trouble for the Advance Team. That's how I felt when I let Buxum beat the hell out of me to protect Liten, Koharu, and Sanya and almost killed Shivata and his people. That's how I felt when Morte paralyzed us, Silica, Asuna, and Lisbeth. That's how I felt when Annihilator attacked Lisbeth. That's how I felt when Kuradeel almost killed Kirito and Asuna. That's how I felt when XaXa and his brother came for Sinon and nearly my squad in GGO. That's how I felt when Johnny Black nearly killed Kirito this past month. But none compared to when you took Koharu away from me." I pull out my sword and let it glow again, but before I can make a puncture, a red glove grabs my wrist and an entire body drops on my body.

"Jaymes… It's over. Your fight...is over."

"Medina?" I look over my shoulder, seeing her tired face. She looks like the dictionary definition of exhausted, my back the only thing holding her up. Slowly I lower my blade and turn around, taking hold of Medina as she leans on my chest. I look around, seeing orcs and pugilists with Sheyta. I look back to the girl holding on to me, her blue eyes pleading words that my anger cannot agree with. "You don't understand. I have the one responsible for everything I've suffered right in front of me. How can I--"

"You've won. Your friends, here and in your world, are safe. Your dream came true, so...let's go home...together." Medina collapses right there. I hold her against me, picking her up bridal style. Turning back to the tree that is PoH, I wonder if he can see me now and if he has the ability to think. If he does… I threaten him all the same. "If by some twist of fate you escape this prison in the next 200 years, I swear on the thousands you've killed that I'll find you. Not the suffering of losing your senses for the remainder of the maximum acceleration phase, no. I'll make you wish for that every day. Neither Asuna nor Kirito will not save you, for that'll be my revenge for the hole you put in my heart. After all, Koharu says you call yourself 'Prince of Hell', so I'll welcome you back home."

Eydis, that evening

The sun sets along the horizon as what remains of the raiding force of the Human Empire Army returns to the canyon. It's barely enough to call a force, there's no more than thirty soldiers left. Among them are Sortiliena, Ronie, and Tiese, which Eydis is happy to see from her perch above the canyon floor. She doesn't see Medina, who hadn't returned from assisting another 'goddess'... No, there she is, being carried to the medical tent. Knowing the Orthinanos woman, she fought until she couldn't physically fight anymore. Such a stubborn fool.

But amongst them all, she doesn't see the one person she is looking for: Alice Synthesis Thirty.

Her eyes return to the setting sun as she catches a glimpse of a figure hovering in the air. He begins to fly in her direction, landing just a few short measurements away. His presence, and the lack of Alice's… "It's over…"

"Yes, the war is over. Everything is over."

"Where's Alice?"

"She went to our world, as planned. She's in good hands."

"Then why are you still here?"

Jaymes shrugs and looks down to the camp below. "I don't know. I thought someone would be unhappy if I left without saying goodbye, so why not stay a while longer?"

Eydis, while bearing a smile behind his back, crosses her arms and keeps her annoyed tone. "How long is that?"

"Let's see… 200 years."

T-Two hundred? That is far from a little while… Eydis sighs and rubs her temple. "Oh."

"I thought you'd be angry with me. Didn't you love Alice?"

"I do. I still do, but ever since meeting you… I felt something would happen, that this day would come that she'll go where I cannot."

"Oh."

"Also, you're suffering right now. Even I know how staying behind must make you feel."

"I… I tried telling myself all day that, in my world, that's only a few minutes, but… I'm going to live every moment here. Time...is relative to where you are. It might have been a full second in my world yet despite it being hours since…" Jaymes looks back to Eydis, forcing a smile. "I'll manage."

"What about Kirito? Did he…"

"He's up, but like me, he's stuck here too with his girlfriend. I left them behind, but they'll show up eventually. For now, Alice will have to wait on us. In the time between now and our return, she might learn how ugly our world is compared to this one, but I trust our friends will make sure she's fine."

Eydis nods. "That's good to hear." She then points a threatening finger at Jaymes, almost causing him to slip. "But you're still gonna pay for taking Alice away from me. Okay?"

"P-Pay for it? What do you mean?"

"Well, first, talk to me. Tell me more about your world. If your world is a horrible place, I'll kill you!"

Jaymes drops his shoulders and sighs. "Sure, that sounds reasonable. You probably could kill me now and I hear the effects of dying now are...horrendous. But are you sure you're okay with taking my word for it?"

"Well, yeah. You haven't lied to me yet. And even though you lied to Medina about the Pontifex and Alice about her fate, they trusted you. The Knight Commander trusted you, and so did Cardinal. I see no reason to not trust you now."

"...You're saying that as if we haven't known each other for six months. Alice must have found you to be a pain."

Eydis flicks Jaymes on his forehead. "Idiot. She loved me as much as I loved her."

"Ow… Well, where should I begin? There's much to be said of my world."

"How about that girl, this 'Asuna'? What is she really to Kirito? What does she have that Alice doesn't?"

Jaymes chuckles and scratches his head. "Well, uh, I mean… Asuna is good-looking, b-b-but Alice is too! But if we're talking physically, Asuna's...developed well as a woman… And so did Alice! So... There's history with Asuna and Kirito, heck even with me, so...history?"

"Alice fought the Pontifex with Kirito and tended to him for six months, is that not enough history?"

"...No. Not even close. Try the last four years in my world. Heck, he plans to marry her one day too. Well...they were married, but… They're in love, okay?"

Eydis cannot truly fight that one. "Hmph, fine, make sure to clarify that with Alice soon… But explain that Koharu girl, sir! What does she have that I-Medina doesn't? Don't say 'history,' that sounds like an excuse again."

Jaymes shrugs and looks away. "I can't explain that one right now, I'm still trying to process that she's alive--What does that have to do with Medina? Oh...yeah, that. Forgot all about the proposal and everything, but… I haven't told her my answer yet."

Eydis feels bad for her friend, but the selfish side of her is relieved to hear it. "Hmm, so I want to hear about the 'Lady Lunaria' one day. I also heard there are a few other girls who came here to help you, too."

"Kirito's sister, my childhood friend, my...ex-girlfriend, and some other friends. And there were guys too. Please don't make it sound like Kirito and I are womanizers."

"Ah, but you say that, but you're cozy with Kirito's mentor and his pages from the Academy."

"...You were with us in the ACTF. You know how I am with them! But backtrack, how do you know all of this? We just came back!"

Eydis smiles mischievously. "Don't underestimate the intel gathering powers of the Integrity Knights...is what I'd like to say. But I actually heard from Liena as they entered the canyon, then came here because I knew you'd look for me."

Jaymes groans. "Oh, so that's it…"

"Mhm. Why would any girl fall for a doof like you is beyond me?"

"Says the girl who got drunk and took most of her clothes off to lay in my bed, got alone and naked in front of me when we had to purify ourselves in the spring west of here, 'shared her body heat' with me in the cold cave, and kissed me on the cheek when I left with Medina and has acted since then as if none of it happened. Maybe you're the doof here."

Eydis is silenced with shock, but she shouldn't be surprised he remembers all of that. She hasn't forgotten, after all, But he doesn't need to bring it up. She pouts and punches him on the shoulder, causing him to yelp. "Idiot… I'll never see sweet Alice again because of this stupid man… What a tragedy."

"What do you mean? That's not the case."

Eydis blinks. "Huh? It isn't?"

"I mean, you Knights don't age, so...around the time I'm able to leave, Alice will be able to return. Assuming you'd be around, that is."

Eydis lets the snide comment pass as her hopes rise. "Huh? Really? I'll really see Alice again?"

Jaymes nods. "Yeah. As long as Underworld's existence continues, I'm sure Alice will return."

Happy to hear such news, Eydis throws a fist in the air. "So she really will come back? Yaaay!"

"But it will be centuries, and you know how that is, being alive for over a hundred years yourself. Technically, I'm older than you, so imagine how different this world is for me between 300 years."

"Yes, but we Integrity Knights aren't bound by those rules! Oh, Alice… I can't wait to see you again."

She hears Jaymes chuckle and point at her. "Aww, you look so happy with that stupid smile on your face."

"Hehehe. Well, how can I keep from smiling? I'll get to see my Alice again!" Happy with that knowledge, Eydis turns to the sunset. "Anyway, I'd better make sure I live a long time! What shall I do while she's away?"

"Is there anything you want to do?"

"Hmmm… Yeah, many things. But it won't be the same without Alice around. First, I want proper burials for Eldrie, the Commander, and all the fallen heroes. Speaking of which, I should bury Shasta and Lipia, too, in place of the others."

"Who are they?"

"They're Dark Knights. Vecta killed them before the war… I don't imagine anyone in the Dark Territory putting flowers on their graves, so I'll do it."

"You were friendly with them? Did you not kill some yesterday and months ago? What a surprise."

"Yeah, it might be surprising, but there are decent folk on the other side. The Commander thought of them as friends, I'm sure."

"You might be right, the pugilists and the orcs aided us. Heck, Sheyta got chummy with the pugilist leader…"

Eydis drops her jaw. "Sheyta? Our Sheyta? Miss Slash and Kill? Huh, that would have been interesting to see." Jaymes fails to respond to her. She faces him, seeing him deep in thought. "What's on your mind?"

"Hey, Eydis, do you think both sides can coexist?"

"Hmm, not anytime soon. We just finished a war. If the Commander was around, maybe it could be done. Most Knights see the Dark Territory as the enemy, and you can't blame them. But, as I said earlier, all sorts of people live in the Dark Territory. Like Lipia. She was spicy and scary like Medina, so if we talked more, we could have become friends."

"Huh? You're just like Bercouli and Sheyta, a weirdo."

Eydis growls. "How rude! I'm completely normal! Could you not compare me with them, please?"

Jaymes crosses his arms and laughs. "Oh, we're not going there… Anyway, if there's no reason for both sides to be against each other, at least I'd like to see them coexist amicably."

"Then I guess it could be worth the effort to be friends with the residents of the other side, especially the cute girls! So you're going to try to make friends with the Dark Territory?"

"Yes. I got nothing better, but fighting another war is out of the question. Until both sides can coexist somewhat, the current war is far from over. I'm sure both sides don't want more blood to be shed."

"I understand what you're saying, but I think it's a terribly difficult undertaking. Even for the man who defeated Administrator and Vecta."

"I know. And I'm not saying I'll work alone at it. I believe that once you and the Knights see the Dark Territory's true colors…"

Eydis raises her eyebrows. "You...sound weird talking about peace. You didn't think of this yourself, did you?"

"Haha, the old man made me promise to do this as well, and it's rude to say no to the dying. Besides, that's why we fought Quinella, to bring a free, peaceful world… It'll be hard, sure, and we can't start on it now. But that's why I'm asking you first."

"Me?"

"Yes. Don't you remember? I trust the person I meet first above all others. I work better with you anyways, and it's not like I want to get too involved. We can leave that to the leaders of both worlds, but I want to push it forward. And think of it: Seeing Alice one day is payment for your hard work. Or you can say having me to yourself for two centuries is good enough. Your choice."

"Both sound fine," Eydis says softly. She looks down to the camp, more specifically the medical tent where Medina surely lies now. Jaymes may know the truth but denied it for the current moment, yet… No, thinking she has the advantage of time and semi-immortality sounds cruel to say. Medina will die one day as her life runs its natural course, but Eydis and Jaymes won't age much if the latter does at all. If anything, Jaymes made the choice knowing that. Otherwise...he has no reason to deny Medina. He cares for her so much he did everything necessary to bring her family back to their honor, brought her back to life, and gave the Orthinanos land life of its own. Yet she doesn't want to fool herself either. Both girls may share the same feelings, and both girls may retain the same status in his heart.

"What are you thinking about, Eydis?"

She shakes her head. "How fun it'll be to check out the other side. Best to strike while the iron is hot! If we twiddle our thumbs, our opportunity might escape. Besides, there might be cute girls over there! Not for you to ogle, of course."

"Oh."

"And if those cuties are in trouble, I need to help them out! So we'll go right away."

Jaymes chuckles. "No rest for the weary… Fine, we'll make the arrangements. The pugilist leader should hear us out."

Eydis grins. "Okay, I'll talk to him first. Now I'm getting excited! Alice is doing her part to protect our world. I can't let her outshine me! I've gotta make her proud so she'll praise me when she comes back."

"I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

Eydis nods and takes a few steps away from Jaymes before pausing again. She turns her head back to him, seeing him unmoved on the cliff, facing the half-gone sun. Something tells her he's facing another reality now, one he doesn't want to. "Jaymes."

"Hmm?"

"Are you...happy with your choice? With Medina?"

"It's the right one. For her, it is the one that's best."

"But...one day, you'll leave anyway. Shouldn't you...let her be happy with the life she has?"

"Even though I'll outlive her… I don't want to outlive her on such a basis. And quite frankly, she made things between us clear when we left the capital."

Idiot… Or is she the idiot? Whether Jaymes is aware of Medina's true feelings or not is questionable, he can be a mystery sometimes. Yet if Medina said those words, she's aware of Eydis' feelings and letting her win. If Jaymes is respecting them...he must know his own as well.

Eydis still feels a ping of guilt, but… Nevermind, he's right. "Okay. Just… Be there when she wakes up."

"I will."

Medina groans as her body stir, though it feels like the weight of the world landed on her. The first thing her blue eyes catch on to is that she's in a bed, which means she must have returned to the Empire's camp. If she's alive...that must mean everyone else is too. Lilpilin and the orcs, Ishkan and the pugilists, Sheyta, Leafa… Ah, right, her memory catches up to her. When she passed out, she was with Jaymes as he was attacking a tree. Damn, she fought too hard.

"What's up, milady?" Medina turns and sees Jaymes sitting by the bed. She scowls at the sight of him, to which he chuckles. "Rude, and here I am concerned about you."

"Yeah, thanks… How is everything now?"

"Alice has gone to my world, Kirito is up and about. He's somewhere, you can yell at him another day. We'll be staying here a while longer. Actually, we're trapped here more than staying here, although it was our choice."

Medina smiles slightly. "How much longer?"

"Longer than you'll live. Another 200 years."

"Oh… Is that so?" Medina suddenly begins to laugh, shocking the boy at her side. "I think I get the best end of the deal. Poor Eydis, you're going to kill her while I'll get to die untied to you."

Jaymes frowns. "You sound half-thrilled about me denying your family's proposal even though I haven't said anything yet."

"I'm no idiot like you are. We had months to ourselves and did nothing with it. It's like I said, you're just the annoying best friend. I love it just like that." Medina sighs and sits up, then reaches for Jaymes' hand and takes it. "But I'm happy that our promise of staying together forever will be honored. More adventures await, right?"

With some hesitation, Jaymes nods. "Yeah. Hopefully, not another war, if our plans for peace between the Human Empire and Dark Territory work. The worst thing that can happen is… I don't know, monsters threatening the four empires. Anyway, I heard how you fought endlessly against those red soldiers with Kirito's sister."

"Oh, how is she? She disappeared last I saw her. Is she here too?"

"No, she's back in our world."

"Ah… I wish I could properly thank her. She fought with the same strength as Kirito, it made me want to continue fighting."

Jaymes smirks. "It runs in that family. But as foolish as it was, I'm proud you continued fighting...and thanks for rooting for me. That power of yours is quite handy."

"You actually heard? Scarlet is a powerful tool, isn't it? My blade, with the memories and power of my family... Well, you're welcome." Jaymes nods and lays his head on the bed, almost on her covered thighs. Medina sighs and pats him on his head. "Have you not rested, Jaymes?"

"No. Not since I left you and Eydis. I even ran out on my Incarnation. Seeing that you're fine has made everything catch up to me."

"Fine." Medina lifts his head and places it on her thighs. "This one time, dummy. Rest. That's an order." He says nothing back, and it isn't long before Medina hears his soft snores. Playing with his dark hair, she looks out to the dark world outside the tent quietly. Against the odds, they won the war. Against the odds for a second time, she, Jaymes, Eydis, and everyone has come out alive.

She feels a wet tear slide down her left cheek, softly gasping to find herself in sorrow...but she knows why. Together with Jaymes forever...how badly she truly wished that could be. So, for the rest of her second life, she'll have to make do with her choice, knowing that she could have had everything she wanted but she decided five months ago to push it away. "Idiot… You idiot..."

"You're not an idiot, Medina."

Her breath lodged in her throat, Medina chokes on her surprise. "You're still up?"

He ignores her question. "I know your feelings, Medina. I knew Eydis'. Until today, I disregarded them both because I believed it would be cruel to both of you to return them and then leave. But… When I do leave, 200 years from now, I will have my memories wiped of that time. I won't remember all those years, and knowing that… If I'm honest, I never thought I would have to choose, but the truth is that I do love Eydis. If I'm going to forget, I rather forget whatever I do with her, knowing she'll be here to remind me, than forget you and your descendants with no one to tell me who I was. But make no mistake… I'll always be whatever you need me to be. Falchion and Mirage are sisters, and we are the Blades of Orthinanos."

Medina smiles through the tears dripping out her eyes. How did he make a rejection sound so good? "You could at least not say that when you're laying on me."

"Well...no. I'm comfortable."

"Idiot… You owe me for the rest of my life! We'll make so many memories you'll never forget the name of Medina Orthinanos, got it?" Medina looks leans back on the bed, feeling tired all over again. Yawning, she finishes her statement. "And on top of that...you better make sure you keep Eydis happy and let her see Alice again, okay?"

Jaymes grumbles. "Got it, jeez."

"Now rest, Lord of Knights. When you wake up, we have work to do."

One chapter remains. I'll like to thank everyone for reading so far.

In Steel and Lycoris, it was hard to choose between Medina and Eydis. If you asked me back then, my answer would have been Medina easily. She's my second favorite Gameverse character, right behind Kureha, but just like all Gameverse girls...yeah. Eydis is my second favorite mobile Gameverse girl (IF, ARS, and Memory Defrag) after Koharu and...well, you see the pattern lol. I swear I don't try to do this.

Since this is the last chapter in pertaining to the Underworld, the story in this world is not done yet. With Alicization: Lycoris' big DLC story incoming, and the little it has now, I am going to write whatever comes of it. I'm also tying in Moon Cradle arc as well. I'm planning that for later on in the year, so stay tuned for the adventures of Disciple Kirito, Subdisciple Asuna, Representative Jaymes, and their Underworld friends.