It is a beautiful day in Rulid Village, months after the defeat of the pontifex. At a house just outside, Alice's dragon, Amayori is asleep while she and Eugeo were picking turnips and Tails and Knuckles were chopping wood.
Eugeo: I think that should do.
Alice: I think so too.
?: Big Sister! Eugeo!
Then came Alice's younger sister, Selka Schuberg.
Selka: Good morning everyone.
Eugeo: Good morning, Selka.
Alice: Welcome, Selka.
Tails and Knuckles wave hello to her.
Knuckles: Everything ok Selka?
Selka: Yes.
Tails: That's good.
Alice: What brings you here today?
Selka: Since it's so nice out, I wanted us to go down the eastern hill.
Eugeo: That would be great.
Tails: Yeah.
Selka: Can Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray come as well?
They look at their house where Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray are in comas.
Tails: Well, we can't just leave them here. So why not?
Alice: It really is a lovely day. It wouldn't be right if the four of them spent it inside.
Alice puts a jacket and scarf on Kirito, and Eugeo puts scarves on Sonic, Mighty, and Ray.
Eugeo: There. Are you sure you both do not need to wear something warm?
Tails: It's fine.
Knuckles: We're used to this kind of condition.
Eugeo: Alright then.
Kirito raises his hand out to his sword.
Eugeo: Oh sure. I'll grab it for you.
They head out with the guys currently in comas on wheelchairs. Eugeo brings his Blue Rose Sword with him and hands Kirito his Night Sky Blade. They head to the eastern hill, taking in the view of the lake with the ducks floating.
Alice: It's as beautiful as I remember it. More beautiful than the paintings on the Cathedral walls. It's the world you four have saved. Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray.
A few months before, when Sonic and the others were contacting Kikuoka...
Higa: This is bad! If they sever the power line, it'll cause a surge! The Lightcube Cluster is protected, but the surge will hit Kirito and the others STL's in Subcon! Their Fluctlights will get fried!
Everybody gasps.
Ruby: I'll stop them!
Eugeo: Just what exactly is...
Tails: Can you log us out?!
Kikuoka: There's no time! I'll handle the lockdown procedure. Higa, take Asuna and Dr. Kojirou and evacuate to the upper shaft!
Kirito: Asuna!
Ruby: I'm too late! They're inside already!
Higa: They're cutting the power! The screw propellers are going to stop!
Suddenly, a huge blast comes flying down from the sky, into the Cathedral, hitting Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Mighty, Ray, and Kirito!
Eugeo and Alice: No!
Cardinal: They've cut the power.
Eugeo and Alice look with horror, seeing their friends on the ground unconscious. Tails and Knuckles however, get up in good condition.
Knuckles: Man. I got a huge headache.
Tails: Sonic! Mighty! Ray!
Eugeo: Kirito! Please! This is no place to fall!
Alice: You and Eugeo saved me! You have to see things through!
From the hole in the floor comes Bercouli, the leader of the Integrity Knights.
Bercouli: Little one.
They look to the commander.
Alice: Uncle.
Eugeo: Bercouli.
Tails: You're ok?
Bercouli: What happened here?
Cardinal: I will explain. After all, I am the true pontifex.
The next day, a meeting with the Integrity Knights is set up. While Tails, Knuckles, Eugeo, and Alice were looking after Sonic, Mighty, Ray, and Kirito, the knights, Bercouli, Duesolbert, Fanatio, the Four Whirling Blades, Fizel, and Linel and Cardinal gather at a hallway that is disheveled.
Bercouli: This is the gravest emergency the Axiom Church has found. The pontifex has been defeated by 7 rebels and has left the human empire.
Everyone gasps.
Fanatio: What?!
Eldrie: How is that possible?
Bercouli: That's not all. Prime Senator Chudelkin has also been defeated, and the Senate has ceased to function.
Eldrie: Why did those rebels even tempt the wrath of the gods by doing such a thing?
Cardinal: Because they were doing the right thing. The pontifex was trying to turn just about the whole population into monstrous sword-shape weapons.
Eldrie: Her Eminence had such a heinous scheme in motion?
Fanatio: I knew it. I knew something was wrong about the Axiom Church.
Cardinal: That is why I am taking her place as pontifex.
Duesolbert: You? But you're just a child.
Bercouli: Cardinal might look like a child, but she has been living for hundreds of years so she could try and stop Administrator from doing a horrible deed.
Eldrie: Where are the rebels? They must be captured and interrogated!
Cardinal: Why should they? When they have gone so far as to protect the whole empire?
Bercouli: Not to mention the battles with those rebels and the Dark Territory have only halved the Integrity Knights ranks. Just know that fighting against the forces of darkness now would only become a problem.
Fanatio: What should we do then?
Bercouli: First, we need to restore the destroyed order of the Integrity Knights. Next, we'll rebuild the Imperial Knights of the Four Empires. We have to retrain them since there's not enough knights.
Cardinal: I understand some of you may be unhappy about this, but saving the people is our top priority right now. So we ask you to please lend us your strength.
Everyone: Sir!
Later on, Duesolbert is training the new knights while Alice flies Amayori to the landing zone. Eugeo, Tails, and Knuckles greet her and head down the hallway inside the cathedral.
Alice: Are the others alright?
Eugeo: They seem to be in comas.
Tails: Come to think of it. How come me and Knuckles aren't in comas when we were hit by that beam of light?
Knuckles: That's a good question.
Alice: I wonder if they're hungry.
?: Hey. Is it true that those rebels are still alive?
They look in a room where two guys were chatting about them.
Guy 2: Yeah, but 4 of them are in comas right now.
Guy 1: I know we should prepare for the Dark Territory invasion, but shouldn't we execute those rebels who defied the Axiom Church?
Guy 2: What are the commander and that little pontifex thinking?
Alice just walks forward.
Eugeo: W-Wait!
Tails: Where are you going?
Alice: Sonic, Mighty, Ray, and Kirito aren't safe here. Neither are you.
Eugeo: But...
Alice: We should go somewhere that's not here.
At night, Alice readies Amayori. She takes her, Eugeo, Tails, Knuckles, Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray with her and they take off into the sky. They bring the Night Sky Blade, Blue Rose Sword, Fragrant Olive Sword, and the 7 Chaos Emeralds with them. Alice takes one last look at the Central Cathedral and Centoria, and keeps moving ahead.
Tails: So where are we going?
Eugeo: I think I know where we should go.
Alice: Yeah. Let's go home Kirito, Eugeo. To Rulid Village. I believe they will accept us since it is the place me and Eugeo were born.
Tails: Then Rulid Village it is.
Knuckles: Man. This feels like a ride on the Tornado, don't you think Tails?
Tails: Yeah. Except it's a dragon we're on.
Eugeo: Did you both say something?
Tails: Uh. Never mind.
At sunrise, they arrive at Rulid Village. They land Amayori nearby and carry the 4 in comas with them to the entrance. Just as the guard, Zink was reading his book, he looks to them and runs out with his sword.
Zink: Hey! Outsiders aren't allowed inside the village! Wha... Eugeo? You're back?
Eugeo: Zink?
Zink: Isn't that...
He looks at Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray, and Alice faces at him.
Zink: It can't be! A-Alice?!
Alice: Where is my father?
At the square, a group of people gather with the 8 rebels at the center. Alice's father, Gasfut Schuberg arrives and looks with shock. After a brief moment staring at each other...
Gasfut: Is that really you, Alice?
Alice: It is.
Tails: So that's her father?
Eugeo: Yes.
Gasfut: Why are you here? I thought you were absolved of your crime.
Alice: My punishment for my crime was losing all memory of living in this village. I'm not sure if my crime has been absolved. But right now, there is no where else to go but here.
Gasfut: Leave.
Eugeo, Alice, Tails, and Knuckles: What?!
Gasfut: We can't allow a criminal to live here.
Eugeo: But she...
Gasfut: I've heard enough! All of you leave!
The flashback ends.
Selka: Alice?
Alice: Hmm?
Tails: Everything ok?
Alice: Yes. Shall we head back?
Selka: Ok.
They start walking back. Selka is in the back with a not so happy face. The rebels in front stop first and then Selka.
Eugeo: Selka?
Selka: Hmm?
Alice: We know that something is troubling you. What's the matter?
Selka: Well you see, Mr. Barbossa wants to ask you all to help remove another tree from that clearing.
Alice: Is that all?
Knuckles: Hey. That's not a problem at all.
Selka: But those people are selfish! Mr. Barbossa and Mr. Ridack won't even let you two live in the village, but they don't hesitate to ask you for help when they're in trouble.
Alice and Eugeo walk up to her.
Eugeo: It's alright.
Alice: We're just glad they're letting us live near the village.
Selka: I will complete my training period next year, and though it won't be much, I'll start earning a wage. When that happens, you won't have to help those people anymore, ok?
You, Eugeo, Kirito, all of you. I'll always.
Alice hugs her sister.
Alice: Thank you. But just having you nearby is enough to make us happy, Selka.
Tails, Knuckles, and Eugeo smile, looking at the two siblings hugging each other.
Eugeo: I'm glad that we made it back safe.
Tails: No place like home, right?
After Selka leaves, the others head down a crop field. Seeing a group of people chopping away at a tree.
Barbossa: Why is this taking so long? While you've been wasting your time here, Riddack's men expanded his land 20 mels in all directions!
Eugeo: Mr. Barbossa?
Barbossa: Ah! Eugeo, Alice, Tails, and Knuckles. So good of you both to come.
Alice: We heard that you wished to see us.
Barbossa points at the red tree.
Barbossa: We've been toiling over that pesky platinum oak since yesterday morning. Even with 10 grown men hacking at it, it's still not enough to make a dent! And so, I know we have a once-a-month agreement, but I wonder if you could do me a favor just this once.
Eugeo: I'd be happy to help. If it's just this once.
Alice: Aren't you a little too tired of woodcutting? Even after the Gigas Cedar has fallen two years ago?
Eugeo: Well this is nothing compared to that massive tree. Plus I have the Blue Rose Sword, so one strike should be enough.
Barbossa: Why thank you so much!
He raises his hand forward and Eugeo shakes it.
Barbossa: Good luck.
Eugeo: Thank you.
Eugeo walks up to the tree and opens up the Stacia Window to check its durability, showing 19,132/19,600. He gets a flashback of the Gigas Cedar which was a complete nightmare to him. He was glad that he had Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray helping him out.
Eugeo: I'm glad Kirito taught me his sword skills. Otherwise I never would have been able to cut down that Demon Tree.
Eugeo unsheathes the Blue Rose Sword, facing the tree. He takes one look at Kirito and they both nod their heads.
Woodcutter 1: Really now? You think you can cut down a platinum oak tree with that fancy sword?
Woodcutter 2: That sword's going to snap in two!
The others laugh at him.
Tails: You just watch! Look how awesome he is!
Eugeo's sword glows blue as he unleashes the Aincrad Style sword skill, Horizontal, getting a flashback of that one last strike when the Gigas Cedar fell. With that, the tree falls down and the other woodcutters look with shock.
Barbossa: Magnificent! What splendid skills you have! That was completely divine! What do you say, Eugeo? I'll double your fee! Instead of once a month, you could help out once a week! Actually, once a day!
Eugeo: Sorry. I think the amount you're paying us now is sufficient.
Barbossa: Grr.
Eugeo: Now my payment.
Barbossa: Oh yes! Yes!
Eugeo raises his hand forward, and Barbossa hands him 1 coin.
Eugeo: Thank you very much.
Suddenly, they notice that Kirito fell out of his wheelchair.
Eugeo, Alice, Tails, and Knuckles: Kirito!
They run up to him.
He reaches out to his sword which was taken by some of the woodcutters.
Woodcutter 1: Man! This is really heavy!
Woodcutter 2: No wonder why a man like that can fell a platinum oak tree with one blow, right?
Woodcutter 3: Let me see that.
One of the woodcutters try to unsheathe the Night Sky Blade.
Eugeo: HEY!
Alice dashes up to them really fast.
Alice: That sword belongs to Kirito. Give it back to him now.
Woodcutter 3: But we did ask that guy to lend us his sword!
Woodcutter 1: And he was generous enough to agree. Going ah. Ah. You know.
Alice looks at them furious and makes a gust of wind blow.
Woodcutter 3: Alright fine! No need to look so angry!
They lay down the sword and walk away. Alice picks it up and looks at the other woodcutters with unhappy faces.
Eugeo: We should go now.
Alice: Yes.
They head back to the house. As soon as they arrive, Amayori flies down to them.
Alice: You've gained a bit of weight, Amayori. You shouldn't gobble down too many fish at the lake.
Tails: It's bad for your health you know.
Amayori walks back to her spot underneath the tree lays down asleep.
Alice: Goodnight, Amayori.
A while later, Alice takes Eugeo somewhere private.
Eugeo: Is there something you would like to talk about?
Alice: Listen, Eugeo. What do you think we have fought for? To suffer such agonizing pain?
Eugeo: What we fought for? Well, we did protect the realm from Administrator, have we?
Alice: But what can we do now? Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray have lost their ability to speak. And you all couldn't stay in the Central Cathedral because...
Eugeo: Alice. We went all the way there just to save you. And we did. And now we're back together. Me, you and Kirito are together again.
Alice: This is all my fault that we're in this situation. Because if I hadn't touched the ground on the Dark Territory way back, then...
Eugeo starts hugging Alice.
Eugeo: The only thing that matters now is that you're here. That's the only thing I'm satisfied about.
Alice: Oh Eugeo.
They both hug each other for a moment.
Alice: You have both gone through great lengths to bring me back home. I do not even know what to thank you for. But there is something that I wanted to...
Eugeo: Hmm?
Alice: I... I... I can't explain it in words but...
Alice goes up to Eugeo and kisses him with her eyes closed. Eugeo's were wide open, but after a few seconds they were closed.
Alice: Thank you, very much.
Eugeo: You're welcome.
After sunset, Alice finishes up dinner. She feeds the 4 heroes in comas.
Alice: Take your time eating.
Tails: Your cooking is really delicious.
Knuckles: You'd make a perfect rival for Asuna you know.
Eugeo: I never met Asuna, but I bet her cooking is just as good as Alice.
Alice: You think so? I wonder if we'll ever meet Kirito's family. Her wife and daughter.
They the hear the sound of a dragon howl. It was Amayori. They quickly head outside and notice another dragon coming down from the sky.
Knuckles: Is that an Integrity Knight?
Tails: How did they know we were here?
Alice: That's Amayori's elder brother, Takiguri. Which means...
The Integrity Knight hopping off the dragon is none other than Alice's apprentice.
Alice: I am impressed that you have found us all the way here. Now tell us what you want, Eldrie Synthesis 31.
Eldrie: It's been quite a while my mentor, Lady Alice. The same goes for you rebels.
While Amayori and Takiguri sleep together, the others head inside and talk.
Alice: So how did you know we were here? Surely the Order cannot send dragons all over the land just to track me down.
Eldrie: I followed the bond between our souls. Or so I'd like to say. But it was unfortunately a complete coincidence.
Eugeo: What's going on?
Eldrie: We have recently learned that goblins and orcs have been mobilizing in the north.
Everyone gasps.
Tails: We've gotta do something about this!
Eldrie: It's alright. Under the commander's orders, we've collapsed caves to the north, south, and west, but I've come to make sure they don't dig them out again.
Alice: Were you able to determine their actions?
Eldrie: I've spent a full day patrolling the perimeters of the cave, but I haven't spotted a single goblin or orc. The interior of the cave was filled with rocks to the ceiling. After that, when I mounted and returned to the capital, Takiguri has been acting strange. When I allowed him to go where he wished, we arrived here.
Knuckles: That explains a lot.
Eldrie: Now that I'm here, it is my obligation to ask you this.
Number 31 rises from his seat.
Eldrie: Lady Alice! Please return to the knights! We need your sword more than we need an army of thousands!
Alice: I can't.
Eldrie: But why not? Is it because of these rebels? The ones that broke out of the prison at the cathedral and raised their swords against so many knights and senators, not to mention the pontifex herself? They're still leading your hear astray? If that's so, then let me eliminate the source of your confusion right this instant!
Knuckles: Where is your head right now you idiot?!
Alice: Enough!
Eldrie gasps.
Alice: Two of them are my childhood friends. All of them too fought for justice. If they didn't, how could we, the mighty Integrity Knights, even the commander himself all have been defeated, one after another? You also fought them too. Surely you have sensed their strengths.
Eldrie: If that's true, then why won't four of them fight now?! Why would they allow themselves to be reduced to such a pathetic state, and shackle you, Lady Alice, to these hinterlands? If it's true that they defeated Administrator for the sake of everyone, then isn't it their duty to go to the eastern gate this moment?
Alice: I'm sorry, Eldrie. I cannot go with you. It's not because of these rebels and the condition four of them are in. I can no longer wield my sword. That's all there is to it. If we both crossed swords now, I probably won't last very long.
Eugeo: Alice...
Eldrie: Is that so? Then I won't press you further.
The mentor bows his head and heads to the door.
Eldrie: I bid you farewell, my mentor. I will never forget all the sword skills and techniques you have taught me for as long as I live.
Alice: Take care. I pray that you'll be safe.
Eldrie nods and leaves with Takiguri.
Tails: Are you sure about this, Alice? It's not too late to go back.
Alice: As I said to Eldrie. I have lost all my strength.
She heads up to Kirito, Sonic, Mighty, and Ray.
Alice: You must be tired.
Everyone goes to bed.
Tails: Good night Sonic. You too Mighty and Ray.
Eugeo: Good night, Kirito.
Kirito, Alice, and Eugeo sleep together with Alice in the middle.
Alice: What should I do? Just what should I do?
Eugeo: It's all up to you to decide, Alice.
Alice: Huh?
Eugeo: You made the decision to leave the knights. It's up to you know to decide what to do next.
Alice: You're right.
They all fall asleep. A while later, Kirito suddenly gasps.
Alice: Kirito?
Kirito: Ah! Ah! Ah!
Eugeo: What's going on?
They hear noise coming from outside. Tails and Knuckles come rushing in their room.
Tails: Eugeo! Alice! Come outside quick!
They rush outside and see Amayori looking above the trees. They notice that there is fire past them right at the direction of Rulid Village.
Alice: Is it an attack from the Dark Territory?
Eugeo: It's happening now?!
Tails: This can't be good.
Eugeo and Alice: SELKAAAAAAAA!