Saturday, August 1st, 2026

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules. Today, our organizations are announcing the birth of the world's first true artificial general intelligence. And now, allow me to introduce...Alice!"

Alice, dressed in a blue and white outfit that Rinko calls a school uniform, joins her and a man in a suit on the stage of this 'press conference'. Standing before the crowd, she places her right hand on her chest, her left instinctively reaching for the hilt of her invisible sword as she bows to the audience. "People of the real world, I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Alice. Alice Synthesis Thirty."

"We may start with a question and answer session," the man in the suit says. Alice glances at him for a moment. She has only seen him once or twice in the last month, and from what Rinko tells her, this is Jaymes' father. She really doesn't see the similarities, except for maybe their hairstyle, hair color, and body height.

One man stands up in the crowd. "Let's start with the basics. What makes Ms. Alice different from existing programmable robots?"

Jaymes' father answers that. "Her brain, or what we're calling her brain. The consciousness that exists in the photonic brain stored within her skull is not a program that can be rewritten with binary code. It's essentially no different from our human brains. That's what makes her categorically different from existing robots."

"Then we'd like you to demonstrate that in a way that would make it clear for us and our viewers."

Rinko speaks up. "You have her Turing test results in your handouts."

"No, that's not what I mean. If you could open up her skull, and show us what your call the photonic brain inside--"

"Yes," Alice interrupts before any of the adults beside her can answer. "I don't mind. But first, would you prove that you yourself are not a robot?"

"What? I'm a human. How could I prove that--"

"It's simple. Please open up your skull and show us your brain."

Mr. Hardin chuckles as the crowd goes into slight discourse. "I see my son's biting sarcasm has gotten to you." Alice only smiles as another reporter stands up.

"This question is for Dr. Kojiro. Some labor unions are already raising concerns about the industrial use of advanced artificial intelligence causing a further rise in unemployment."

"Those concerns are unfounded. Neither organization has intentions of deploying true AI into the unskilled labor force."

"However, the financial world has high hopes that they can be used as industrial robots. Do you have any comments?"

"True AIs, what we call artificial Fluctlights, cannot be mass-produced in a short time. Like us, they're born as infants and raised by their families from childhood to adulthood and they mature while developing their own unique personalities. In our opinion, to load such an intelligence into industrial robots and force them into labor shouldn't be allowed to happen."

"In other words, are you saying that you acknowledge this AI's human rights?"

"At this moment, I'm sure that many of you would feel uncomfortable to acknowledge artificial Fluctlights as humans and to grant them human rights. But in another century, or perhaps two centuries, we'll be living in the same society as them, as a matter of course. interacting with them without discrimination, even marrying and starting families with them. That's what I firmly believe. And if that's the case, shouldn't we shy away from treating them as objects and abusing them?"

"But, Doctor, their existence is too different from ours! Can we possibly acknowledge man-made machines as being the same as humankind?"

Alice takes the microphone again. "I acknowledge and accept the fact of you real-worlders as our creators. I am grateful to you for creating us. But as another person born in my world once said, 'What if the real world is also a world created by others? What if there were even more creators outside it?' If, one day, your own creators appeared before you and ordered you into slavery, what would you do? Would you grovel on the ground, pledge your loyalty, and beg for mercy?" Alice drops her frown and makes a remembering smile. "I have already had many interactions with real-worlders. I am all alone in a strange world, but they've encouraged and supported me. They've taught me many things and taken me to many places. I am very fond of them. And that's not all. I even love one of these real-worlders. Whenever I think of this person, whom I'm unable to see now… Even this steel chest of mine feels like it's about to burst… I have a right hand that I will extend to the people of the real world. But I will not fall on my knees or grind my forehead in the dirt. That's because I am a human."

"RoboTelligence's partner, the organization known as the Oceanic Resource Exploration and Research Institution, is widely reported to have been involved in the raid and occupation incident on the self-propelled mega-float, the Ocean Turtle, correct?"

"Yes. According to one theory, the goal of that raid might have been the seizure of this artificial intelligence. Another problem is that a JSDF officer perished…"

"I never thought that you'd end up being the lone casualty, Mr. Kiku."

"You're right, who knew? But this was for the best, Higa. Seriously, they would've pinned the blame on me, so I could've actually been eliminated. And because of the pressure from that fatality, our opposition in Japan was driven into a corner. Well, even I was shocked to learn it was the vice minister of defense leading them."

Higa shrugs. "Seems like the vice minister was getting a hefty payoff from those American weapon manufacturers. But are you sure you're okay with going public about the artificial Fluctlights? I mean, besides RoboTelligence's part in this research, that's going to derail Rath's ultimate goal, the autonomous weapons loading project."

"It's fine. As long as the Americans know we can do it. Now their weapon manufacturers can't force us to go public under the pretext of joint development. After all, we've already perfected the artificial Fluctlight. After watching this press conference, they'll have to give up."

"That's right...and we have them to thank for all that, right?" Higa bows his head. It's been almost a month since the incident, and the three kids left behind in Underworld, while logged out, have not awakened yet. Currently with them in the STL Bay is a fourth kid, granted permission by Kikuoka to be on the Ocean Turtle since she's still under Rath's care.

"Hey, Higa. Look. Look at that!"

"What is it, Mr. Kiku? The press conference should be almost over by now, right?" Kikuoka directs Higa's eyes to the leftmost portion of the monitor, where Kazuto Kirigaya's Fluctlight emits a small burst of activity…

"M-Mr. Kiku!"

"Kirito!"

"Alice!"

It is the latter being his blurry eyes catch as they open for the first time in...how long did Joshua say he was in the STL? A week? She looks the same, but with a school uniform instead of her gold armor. Feeling like crap, he forces a smile as he gazes up at her. "Hey, Alice. Long time no see."

"Kirito!"

As she weeps, Kazuto continues to speak. "Alice. Your little sister, Selka, chose to go into Deep Freeze to wait for your return. On the eightieth floor of the Central Cathedral, she's still asleep even now on top of that hill." Alice's weeping intensifies as she lays on Kirito's chest. Meanwhile, he looks up to Higa. "All right, Mr. Higa. Go ahead and delete the memories of the last two hundred years since the start of the maximum acceleration phase. My, the queen, and the emperor's roles are done."

"Jaymes." Koharu takes Jaymes' hand but doesn't look at him as she hides her face behind her hair. "What… What are you going to do?"

"...We both know."

"...But if you do…"

"I know. I think even Kirito knows right now…" His hand tightens around hers as Kirito strikes with Starburst Stream. "I missed you, and I want to make up for all the time we've missed. But… You told me to protect others. So I… I can't do what I want to do, not like this. They may not be human in our definition, and this world is to end one day. But this is my world, and they are my people."

Koharu watches as he holds Falchion up, the beautiful sword radiating in the dark sky. He won't be convinced...and as hard as she fought, she won't sway him. "Joshua… Save the Underworld. Do whatever it takes. And when you wake up, I'll be there."

In the last two hours, Koharu has watched Kazuto and Asuna wake from their slumbers, but Joshua still sleeps. Occasionally, he'll make a subconscious noise, but nothing significant enough. She smiles, though, seeing it as a perfect revenge for her being away from him for two years.

For the first time since she's known him, he looks peaceful. She's seen him sleep an embarrassing number of times, but none has looked so...happy. Or, if not happy, he's definitely clear-minded.

In the last month, Koharu Hanao has returned to the world. Her first course of action was reuniting with her family since that got overtaken with her friends back in the Underworld. But once she completed that goal, she officially met with the real-life counterparts of her friends. Finally, she made her way to the Ocean Turtle just days ago, wanting to wait on the awakening of Kazuto, Asuna, and Joshua with her own eyes.

She hears him stir momentarily before going quiet as she lays on his chest, and this time, she's slightly annoyed. "If you're going to do all that, wake up."

"...Ko?"

"I mean, everyone else is… Huh?" Koharu lifts her head, gasping as she looks to the brown eyes of Joshua. Her frustration is instantly washed away by happiness as tears well up. For the first time, they look at each other as Koharu Hanao and Joshua Hardin, fulfilling a promise made between them long ago. "Hello, Joshua. Welcome back to the real world."

"Ugh… Wait, how are you...how long were we out?"

"About a month. Kazuto and Asuna woke up hours ago."

"M-M-Month?" Joshua groans and closes his eyes again. "Not again… Where's Higa?"

"Upstairs. I'll let him know you're up so he can delete the memories."

"Wait," Joshua grasps her hand and stops her from fully getting up. "Two things. One, get a pen and paper. I don't want to totally forget everything I've done down there. Oh. And tell Higa, privately, he can use mine. Delete Kazuto and Asuna's data, if he hasn't already. He knows what I'm talking about."

"Your Fluctlight memories, right?"

"Mhm. I bet there are problems with Alice and the Underworld, aren't there? Even so… This is my father's dream, Kikuoka's dream, and now even my own. The Underworld… I've gone by many names there. Lord of Knights, Hero-King, Dark Territory Representative, Red Emperor, Mr. Mage Knight, Blade of Orthinanos, Idiot… All proof that I must protect it."

"How?"

Joshua frowns, knowing the name of the one man, or being, that can save the Underworld. "The three of us already talked about who we'd need… Kayaba." Koharu tightens her lips at the mentioning of the creator of the NerveGear and Sword Art Online, Akihiko Kayaba. However, her lack of surprise somewhat stuns Joshua as if he was expecting her to be fearful of hearing that name. "Kayabaaaa... Heathcliff. C'mon Ko, you aren't making a face. Oh, now you're making a face, that mean face."

"I am aware of his virtual existence. He saved you guys, after all."

"Huh?"

"From what I know, the invaders went on an 'if we can't have it, no one can' type of plan and almost set off the nuclear core of the Ocean Turtle. Kikuoka and the Defense Force tried to get to the core, but it was at hazardous levels, even with a protective suit. Kayaba somehow possessed Niemon and took the matters into his robotic hands." Koharu lowers her head, but holds a melancholic smile. "I don't understand him, Kayaba. He was the man who trapped us in SAO, yet he was also the guy who helped us progress so much. Without the KoB, nay, without Heathcliff, we would have had trouble beyond Floor 10. He's responsible for the creation of the Seed, right? I wonder why he did it, all of it. Maybe one day we'll find out."

"Maybe we'll find out." Joshua crosses his arms and closes his eyes. "But I'll thank him the next time he crosses my path."

"Mhm... Oh, you remember saying how you wanted to punch Kikuoka? He did get shot, so..."

"Yeah. Yeah, that'll do."

Kazuto stares out to the open sea, the world lit only by the moon and stars in the sky. All his memories of Underworld from around the beginning of the maximum acceleration to the end are gone, and no matter how much he forces it, he cannot draw them out. He may have a few flashes in the future, but there's no way to completely remember what he's lost. To make some things worse, his real body is still recovering, so he's stuck to a wheelchair while Asuna and Joshua are back on their two feet like nothing ever happened. Somehow, she believes this is the latter's fault, or he'll just blame him for it anyway.

"Brooding only looks good on one of us." Kazuto turns to see Joshua walk out to the outside platform, placing his hands on the guardrail. "That answer is me."

"I agree. I kinda got tired of all of it down in Underworld." Kazuto smirks as Joshua rolls his eyes. "Yeah, I heard everything, even though I couldn't answer."

"Oh, so you were ignoring me."

"Pretty much. I did get some enjoyment seeing you get mad at my reactions of everyone but you."

"Keep talking and you'll be stuck to that wheelchair, and just to be petty, you won't be known as the Black Swordsman anymore. You and Asuna will never do it in real life ever again."

Kazuto narrows his eyes. "That's cold, man. At least leave that part of me be. Don't be mad at me because you're single."

"Well then... What's your opinion?"

Kazuto returns his eyes to the sea. The answer is fairly simple to him. "You... You got what you wanted. I'm not an expert on girls, but you told me multiple times, in many ways, that Asuna is the one for me back then. I told you once that I didn't think Rika was your best complement. I said Kotone for a reason back then. I mean, you and Rika were good together and all, I'll admit... Maybe there is some bias there, but I know you. As Asuna is my other half, Koharu is yours."

"Is that so? I'm somewhat inclined to agree. Sounds But the final choice is mine, isn't it?"

"Yeah. So what does the Crimson Warrior want?"

Joshua faces Kazuto and shrugs. "The same as the Black Swordsman. Isn't that why we stayed behind in Underworld, done all we have the last couple of years from SAO to today? To find out what he wanted?"

"Indeed. Who is your best path to that goal? That's how you choose, Joshua." Kazuto pats Joshua's back and then smacks him on the back of the head three times "That's for believing you did me and Asuna wrong when I got attacked. That's for pissing Asuna off and even looking at her the wrong way."

"Hey, that was her fault she came to me like that!"

"Keep your opinion to yourself. And that last one... That's just me hitting you."

"Oh?" Joshua raises his hand and bonks Kazuto on his head three times. "That's for worrying me and Asuna. That's for making me clean up your mess with Administrator. And that last one... I had Subtilizer right where I wanted him, you show-stealer."

"What? You were clearly getting your ass beat!"

"Oh? Says you, who barely had a body left! And if I remember correctly, you--Ow ow ow!" Joshua and Kazuto hiss as Koharu and Asuna respectively tugs on one of the boys' ear. As they hold the aching organ, Asuna "smiles" at them.

"I may not have my memories, but since it is the only reason I'm annoyed now, you must have spent the last 200 years arguing. Get along for once!"

Kazuto and Joshua glance at each other and nod. "Y-Yes, Asuna."

"Right."

Asuna drops the false smile for a genuine one at Koharu. "See. The smile still works to this day. Just flash it and they fold." She takes hold of Kazuto's wheelchair and rubs his head, then glances at Koharu as she stands between the boys. She makes a short snort, one that causes Koharu to jump in place. "Ko, don't you have something to tell the boys?"

Koharu's face flushes as she faces Kazuto first. "...Kazuto... Thank you for saving everyone in SAO. And Joshua..." She glances up at him and the words get stuck. She could say lots of things, they both know that, and the words that come out represent all of it. "I got stronger, just as you said you would."

Something in Joshua cracks as he reaches for Koharu, holding her against his chest. "I know. Asuna told me." As the pair hug, Asuna reaches around both of them. After a moment, the three of them look at Kazuto, who has an unhappy face. "Aww, Kazuto feeling left out?"

"You know, you did leave us three hanging a lot back then."

"This is our payback, Black Swordsman." Koharu moves aside to create some space between her and Asuna. "Come on, roll over."

Although he does feel left out, Kazuto scoffs and glances back at the ocean. "I can do the group hug thing later when I can stand. You all enjoy it."

Two weeks later

"No need to worry, Doctor Rinko, Alice has been found. Showed up at Kirigaya's door, so you may want to talk to him."

"Yeah… Are you sure it's a good idea for her…"

I smirk in my attempt to hold in my laughter. "Oh yes. There'll be no problems with Kazuto and Alice… Anyway, we can talk later. See ya!" Hanging up on the new head of ORERI, I look up to the outside of the train station and walk towards a seating area. I figured Alice will be fine as long as she's with Kazuto and his family (of course I suggested it to her at a party the real world had for her), so this is one less thing I can worry about. I look up to the sun, smiling as I think of the two people I can recall clear as day from the Underworld. "She'll be fine here, Eydis and Medina. I'll continue watching over her, as promised."

As I approach, a girl stands up, and I don't have to immediately see her face to know her mood. "You're late, Joshua, making us both late. Asuna's already there!"

I smile and roll my eyes at the girl, wearing a red shoulder-exposing shirt and a green skirt. "And you're early, for once, Koharu." She scowls again as she grabs her purse and walks with me along the sidewalk.

"You look like you've just caused some discourse."

"Hehehe, I expect a phone call from Kazuto any moment now. But for Alice, I believe it is for the best."

She sighs. "Lived 200 years and you still act like the childish boy I met four years ago."

"Haha, well… I think it'll be good for him. He's not going to America anymore, but to Toto Institute of Technology with me after graduating, then hopefully work at ORERI. So this is something necessary, after all. I live with Rei and Strea, so he better get used to it."

"Didn't Momiji move out?"

"...Yes, yes she did... Are you saying something, Ko?"

Koharu smirks as she hooks her arm around mine. "Just saying it is good for you two and Asuna. Nothing will break you three apart, not even dreams. Speaking of which… Have you talked to everyone else? You haven't been online much since waking up."

"A little. Klein and the gang seem okay, Crimson Squad seems to be doing well… Actually, Momiji's pissed at me, as always, and Lievre being her Arfa-Sys is troublesome for me and Rei. I was happy to see Integral Factor back together, can't believe I missed the actual reunion back in Underworld. So I've seen almost everyone."

"Except for?"

"Rika. She's with her family on a trip, but I've seen her status online. I want to thank her and everyone else properly, so I'll have to wait until she returns. Asuna's really fidgety over not having a real-world party yet."

"I'm sure, the ALO one was fun. Oh, we're here." Koharu points to a restaurant and we walk towards it. Bypassing the waiting area, we spot our friend who waves us over

"Someone is late for once."

I grunt as I sit on one side of the booth, the girls on the other. "Since when have I been known for punctuality, Asuna?"

Asuna taps her chin. "Hmm, usually when Kazuto is concerned. You leave us girls out to dry. Isn't that right, Koharu?"

Koharu smiles and winks. "Yep."

"That's...kinda mean, coming from you, Ko, considering what happened...and as if I have a reason to be on time for you, Asuna."

"Just saying, where food is concerned, you're first right beside Kazuto." Asuna sighs as she looks at the two of us. I recognize that smile. It's up to no good. "So I hear you've going to your family in Kyoto, Koharu. That sucks."

"Yeah," Koharu says. "Not yet, at least. I want to get reacquainted with the world and get comfortable with everyone before that happens. After all, I only know you guys as Jaymes and Asuna, not Joshua and Asuna. Once that happens, then…"

"I see. Doesn't sound like the Joshua I know, to take things slow. I thought he would have caught you up in the world."

"Says the girl who probably spent two hundred years doing one thing with her boyfriend. Oh, first night as a couple too."

Asuna's smile drops as she glares at me. "I'm going to shove my foot up your butt."

"Oh yeah? Not if I do it first! Kazuto isn't here to stop me!"

"You two." Koharu sighs as she pinches my ear and stomps on Asuna's foot while smiling happily. "You haven't changed a bit from the first day we all met and formed a party. I wish we could go back to those days in SAO. Just the four of us, progressively climbing up the floors of Aincrad. Oh, I guess that's ALO nowadays, huh?"

I smile and look to the space beside Asuna. Kazuto's absence is such a huge void. "You're right. Maybe I shouldn't have played the Alice prank today."

Asuna gasps and picks up her phone. "Speaking of SAO, maybe we can officially reunite in Ainground. Joshua, some news from Origin. From Argo." Asuna hands me her phone and I scan over it.

"About time the Rat came with good news."

Koharu looks at us in confusion. "What is it?"

"Sword Art: Origin just got a huge update on Aincrad, and… Argo has a possible lead on Premiere's sister, Tia. We should check this out soon, then."

Asuna agrees. "I'll send word to the others, we can get on it tomorrow. What do you say, Koharu?"

Koharu nods and holds her fist up. "I'm good to go! Another adventure awaits us on Aincrad."

I chuckle as I hand Asuna her phone. "Oh, how joyful that is."

The next day, Roppongi Branch of Rath/ORERI

"Yui, did you find out anything about that address?"

"I got as far as the server's relay point, but it has such a robust firewall that I can't dig any deeper."

"I see. Thanks. Well, we're heading out. We won't be in any danger this time… I think."

"If something happens, I'll come to save you right away!"

"I'm counting on you. All right, see you later." Kirito hangs up and turns to the two girls and boy behind him. "Remember, it's been 200 years. There's no telling what's become of the Human Empire and the land of darkness. Be on your guard."

"Administrator ruled over the Human Empire for three hundred years, didn't she? It hasn't been as long. I bet it hasn't changed that much."

Joshua shrugs. "Well, for them, it has been. And we don't exactly remember it ourselves. Might be surprising to see what we've done."

Asuna agrees and faces Alice. "Once we're back, let's go wake up Selka first, okay?"

"Then maybe we'll find that other sister of yours so she doesn't kill me."

Selka and Eydis… Alice smiles and nods to her friends. "Thank you, Kirito, Asuna, Jaymes."

Minutes later, the three humans are loaded into STLs, and the four connect to the IP address Kazuto received the night prior. Believing it to be the work of Joshua's Fluctlight and the virtual consciousness of Akihiko Kayaba, they connect and dive back into the Underworld.

Or so they thought.

There's no land around them, nor sky or sun. Instead, a never-ending sea of darkness surrounds them, the only light being the small bits that cover the darkness. "Wh-What is this?"

"Outer space?"

"K-Kirito, look there." The three humans follow Alice's lead and turn around to see a large, spherical object in the darkness. Their jaws drop astronomically at the sight.

"What's that?"

Jaymes draws an 'S' and pops open a window. "It's… Star World, in the year 582… This is the Underworld from outer space..."

"O World," Alice shouts towards a group of lights on the planet's surface as she takes two eggs in hand. "Underworld where I was born and which I love! Can you hear me? I have returned. I...am here!" Nothing much happens, except for the explosions between them and the planet. Upon a closer look, it looks like...a dogfight between three fighters and a monster in space?

"What the hell… Let's go!" Jaymes leads the charge to the fight, followed by Kirito. As the fighters ward off the monster's explosive attack, the duo float between them and the monster. Gaining its attention, the monster's toothed tentacles shoot dark energy as Jaymes holds Vindica up on his left arm. "Enhance Armament." The blast is completely blocked by the yellow wall-like projection, leaving the pair and the three starfighters unharmed as they pass above them. Jaymes lowers the shield and stares at the monster in its central yellow eye. "All right, your turn."

"So nice." Kirito draws both swords on his back, pointing the Blue Rose at the monster. "Release Recollection!" Ice vines wrap around the monster, freezing it solid. Eventually, it breaks out, attempting to strike the boys. Kirito raises the Night-Sky Sword. "Release Recollection!" The blade of the Night-Sky extends exponentially, and Kirito flies down and slash the beast away from the pair.

Jaymes holds Falchion and Vindica forward. "Koharu's Fire!" He darts down, slashing and severing the tentacles with his fiery Falchion, then thrusts his shield at the main body to push it away. With its primary form of attack gone, it is defenseless as Asuna raises her arms, using the power of Stacia to drop a huge blast right through its eye.

Though it looks far from done as the remains look to escape the battlefield, but one knight stands between it and freedom. Alice draws the Osmanthus Sword and holds it up. "Release Recollection." Petals form and she directs them at the remains, causing an enormous explosion that destroys every remaining cell there is. After confirming the enemy is gone, the four reunite and wave over to the fighters they rescued.

"I know this swordswoman...no, this knight."

"So do I."

"Lady...Alice?"

"Sti, Matt, I know the one in black. I know who that person is."

"Yes, Laura, So do I. So do I!"

"And the one in red… I know that sword as much as I know my family… Lady Eydis will be happy to hear of this..."

Uetra Valley, Norlangarth

"It's still here," I say happily as the two of us appear in the red field of flowers. My memories of the last two centuries are limited, even though I marked them, but time continued in the Underworld. Kirito, Asuna, Alice, and I met the descendants (and damn near clones) of Ronie Arabel, Tiese Schtrinen, and Medina Orthinanos, the latter line I partially remember. The three of them are Integrity Pilots, and the spacecrafts they pilot are called Dragoncrafts.

Thirty years has passed since the Star King and Queen of the Human Empire 'died'. No one can tell us how they came to that conclusion, but the Human Empire has a history of rulers in place for centuries, seemingly immortal, then suddenly dying. While I do have some concern over the realm I saved twice, my mind is drawn to the much larger realm that surrounds the Empire. At the same time the Star King and Queen vanished, so did the Red Emperor of the Dark Territory. However, if I remember correctly, I did set an heir to my throne before my reign ended, so everything should be fine. She, of all people, wouldn't fail me.

"Yes," my companion says. "The lycoris garden has been here since the fifth-generation head and has persisted for the last 300 years. I suspect it will persist long after I, the future twenty-first head of House Orthinanos, dies."

I nod and bend down, picking up a flower and, with a Sacred Art, pin it to my tunic right over my heart, the same place I put the flower Medina gave me before I asked Cardinal to convert it to the sword she wielded for the rest of her life. Content, I turn to the Orthinanos with me. For the second time, I'm meeting with a male Orthinanos, name's Mathias, called Matt by the Arabel and Schtrinen girls (Laurannei and Stica, respectively). He looks just like the two ancestors I clearly remember, though, from his personality, I'm glad Matthew's laid-back demeanor was passed down, not Medina's stubbornness. Or maybe it is there, just hidden for now.

"I'm happy to see it. Medina, she loved this garden. She brought me here and I was mesmerized. I knew the lycoris was the family symbol, but to see it literally as the symbol of the family's hope shocked me."

"What was the ninth-head like?"

"She was...one of the strongest, smartest, and stubborn women I knew. If she wasn't beautiful, I doubt I would have entertained her for as long as I did." I look at Mathias to read his look. His confusion unconsciously brings a smirk to my face. "Relax, I'm joking. Honestly, she was my best friend in this world. You wouldn't be able to tell if you didn't know her, but she was a girly girl at times. She loved sweets and those damned cats. She hated being vulnerable, but it was easy to tell when she was hurt, she'll just be unreasonably angry. She was easy to talk to, and I believe she found me to be the same for her. Her greatest quality was her love for her family. I'm sure you know the story, possibly exaggerated, but Medina Orthinanos is every bit the heroine her legend should speak of. She's someone who… Who I'll remember and honor for the rest of my life."

Taking another breath, I feel a slight change in the wind and instinctively draw Falchion, leaning my head to the left as a pitch-black blade appears right over my shoulder. In the same motion, I pick my sword up and hold it above my attacker's left shoulder, the edge slightly against the neck just as hers move to my neck. Her eyes burn with rage, which I can understand given I left her three decades ago (a month and some days for us since the end of the maximum-acceleration ended plus the time we were unconsciously attached to the STL due to it), but there are some traces of happiness, such as the smirk on her face as she lowers the Dark Slash Sword. I don't know too much about what she may have worn in the last two centuries, but to see her in the grey armor again is nostalgic.

"I have many insults I brewed over the last thirty years, from a collection of being with you for 200 years, but I think I'll stick with the simplest one. Hello again, Mr. Mage Knight."

I smile and hold Falchion downward. "Hello again, Knight of the Abyss."

"Well, what brings you back? You left me quite busy."

"Something you've waited a long time for. I told you I'd pay you back." I channel and surround my power over the three of us, pinpointing our destination as the Arabel mansion across the northern empire, where Asuna, Kirito, and Alice are still being treated by Laurannei and Stica. "I'm only here for a short time...but I kept my promise, Eydis."

Eydis' jaw drops as she realizes what I mean. "You mean… Alice is here?"

"Yes. Alice is back." I extend my arm out to the girl who I loved for the last 200 years and pat her grey hair. "Let's tell her how good a job you've done as my Abyss Queen of the Dark Territory." She takes my hand, Mathias my shoulder, and we return to the Arabel home in seconds. Upon our arrival, Alice and the others are already outside. Stica and Laurannei bow upon seeing Eydis, but she ignores them in place of Alice, who turns around and, for the first time since they left camp prior to the War of Underworld's beginning, Integrity Knights Ten and Thirty lock eyes.

"Alice… AIice, I--"

"Eydis, I've heard what you've accomplished in my absence. For Eldrie, the Knight Commander, and for the two empires." Alice walks toward Eydis and envelops her in a hug that even surprises the older knight. "Good job, and thank you, Eydis, my big sister."

I walk over to Kirito and Asuna's side, gazing at the reunion of Eydis and Alice happily. Asuna tries to hold her composure, but I can see the single trail of a tear slid down her face. I wonder which 'sister' of hers she's thinking about now, or if Koharu and Yuuki are both on her mind. Before I can ask, Kirito then looks at us. "Now to reunite another pair of siblings. Premiere and Tia await us."

I nod. "Right, unless Koharu and the others already beat us to it."

Asuna smiles as she reaches for our hands and holds them. "Then we shouldn't be any later than we are. And when we do log on, let's form our party once again. Kirito, Asuna, Jaymes, and Koharu."

Kirito smiles and glances at me. "Well, what do you say?"

I look forward to Alice and her fellow Underworlders. Our time here, for now, is done, my lasting promise to Eydis fulfilled. The work of the Star King, the Star Queen, and the Red Emperor has come to an end. But the work of the Black Swordsman, Lightning Flash, and the Crimson Warrior continues...and we now have our Kindred Assassin with us. My first and my true partner...and that makes my heart feel warm for the first time since she's returned.

But she is not the only one it longs for. It yearns for another adventure with my friends, desires good times and bad, and longs for thrill and excitement. All that and more to be found on Sword Art: Origin's version of Aincrad.

"Another troublesome adventure awaits. Let's not keep them waiting."

Goodbye, Underworld. Until we meet again...

And scene. Thank you all for reading through this story. This is number six in this series, just a few weeks after writing my first SAO fanfict a year ago and ten months since I began this series. I didn't think I'd enjoy it this much, but here we are. And we're not done.

As stated in the previous chapter, the story in the Underworld continues with a Moon Cradle Alicization Lycoris DLC story later this year. Fairy Dance is still being worked on, I probably should devote time to it. It should have been done... Oh well. To continue the storyline forward is the return to Ainground in Hollow Realization's DLC story, Abyss of the Shrine Maiden. I want to play through it first, so it'll be a while, probably a month or so before I start uploading that story or I may publish the prologue to it since that's almost finished. Of course, there's The Troubles of Kirito and Jaymes, if you prefer to read the shenanigans our girls get the boys into with tales from the Gameverse. Lost Song content is coming soon.

But much sooner, probably within the next two weeks, I'm starting with my Progressive/Integral Factor story. It's...complicated to write so far. I'll explain more in that story, but when you got three sources (five, if I account for the anime and IF's prologue manga, but I'm not using them) and have to decide which to follow when, it gets crazy. The manga has the pictures, the light novel has the details, and the game has Koharu and the player character. They're all different even on the same events too. But so far, it's working, and I hope you'll enjoy it.

I'm working on an AU, not sure when I want to upload it, but its kind of a SAO/Persona mixup. It seems interesting to me, but I want to work on it a little more.

Anyway, there's a little left, a small tidbit of what to expect in Abyss of the Shrine Maiden. After all, love is war...and Jaymes did nothing to impede it between the two girls closest to his heart.

Town of Beginnings, Sword Art: Origins

"One brand new, Lisbeth-forged dagger, order up." Lisbeth smiles at her handiwork, letting the small blade glisten in the sunlight. She faces her customer, the dark-haired swordswoman, and initiates the exchange. "Going to meet Argo after this?"

"Yeah. She was shocked to hear that I am alive. Jaymes says he pulled a huge amount of Col from her just to exchange that information. I see those two haven't changed... How much I owe you?"

"Nothing," Liz says as she closes up shop. "Count this as our welcome back gift. The girls gathered the mats, I upgraded it to the max, and even set some agility and dexterity attributes. I still remember how you like it."

Koharu equips the dagger and gives it a few test swings. Yes, it is just how she likes it. "Thanks, Liz. Still the best blacksmith I know."

"Yes ma'am." Lisbeth walks away from her stall and equips her field gear. Rolling her shoulders, she glances at Koharu. "The girls and I will wait at the new terminal to Aincrad."

"Okay. See you there." Koharu holsters her new blade and walks away, her mind switching to how much Col the Rat is going to steal from her. Considering how valuable the information is... She'll have to thank Asuna for the extra Col.

"Koharu." The dagger wielder looks over her shoulder at the blacksmith, the other girl staring ahead in the opposing direction. "Before we head out, let's get the elephant out of the room. I don't know what you're thinking, but I know you still love him. So do I. I spent two years partially feeling guilty that I had him in your place, feeling that I stole a right that was yours. Maybe that was true, maybe it wasn't. But the fact of the matter is that you're alive now, so the only thing that held me back is gone." Lisbeth turns around, her blue eyes lit like a newly ignited flame. "I'll let you have your little honeymoon phase, but when that settles, I don't plan on losing."

Koharu closes her eyes and sighs. "You're right, we should clear the air. I'm thankful for all you've done for him. It's a debt I can never repay... But you are right. My feelings haven't changed."

As Koharu proceeds to walk away, Lisbeth narrows her eyes. "That's all you have to say?"

"What more needs to be said, Liz? He's my partner."