Noxium

Seeing the so-called Emperor appear before him made Noxium nauseated. Having the blasphemer approach them alone made Noxium sick to his core. Hearing the otherworlder cockily call out to him and Stella enraged him like no other. He hadn't forgotten the threat Jaymes made before his mind was freed.

So he unleashed every art he could project at once and fired them in a continuous barrage at Jaymes. Red debris coats the air as spherical blasts, arrows, swords, spikes, and any of the like are thrown in the otherworlder's direction. He doesn't want a single piece of cloth remaining in his father's realm of remaining. He keeps on summoning and firing on and on and on.

"That's enough, Noxium... Enough." Stella grabs his hand and stops him, ceasing the barrage. She lets him go and takes a step forward, looking at the dust cloud. She rubs her temples and turns back to Noxium. "You think you got him?"

"..."

"Urgh. Now we can finish this. No doubt that Integrity Knight and the Orthinanos girl are here as well. Full assault on the...the..." Stella's eyes widen as she looks toward the city. No, her head is angled down, right where... Noxium steps up beside her, his jaw hanging like a loose door when he spots the Emperor of the Dark Territory still alive. Not just alive, but sitting down and yawning. Did the barrage have no effect on him? He didn't use a barrier like he's seen before with Kirito.

Still, it's good to know that Jaymes will be tougher than this. Despite his earlier emotions, Noxium's entertained by the thought of doing battle. Smirking under his hood, he addresses his sister. "Allow me to handle things here. You finish off his little army."

Stella shrugs and steps aside, forming a gate in her path. "Do be careful. Stronger you may or may not be, but he fought Father to a standstill. As my brother said, do not underestimate the otherworlders."

"I won't. If anyone knows not to take the boy lightly, it is the one who saw his every feat. At the same time, I know exactly how to hurt his soul.."

Jaymes

Noxium leaps down from the cliff, landing a few meters in front of my sitting avatar. He rises from his knees, his body completely covered in a dark cloak. If this was any other game, any other part of my history, I believe I'm facing off against a member of Laughing Coffin, and subconsciously I turn my head to the southwest where PoH's tree hopefully still remains.

Above us, the army of minions begins their flight towards Obsidia. I wish I could wipe them out as Commander Bercouli did during the war, but I must spare my sacred art use here. Even though Alfheim, a part of my Incarnation that allows me to use arts in resource-depleted areas like the Dark Territory, comes at the expense of my stamina. It's the first reason I couldn't defeat Subtilizer in our second fight. When he captured Alice, I flew for miles, then aided Bercouli and Sinon in fighting Subtilizer, then flew some more before teleporting to the World's End Altar to fight Subtilizer again. By that time, I was mostly fighting and expending my energy to the point I used up all my power. If my life points were affected (which I hypothesize that if I went too far, it would) I probably would've died in my desperate final attack.

I have no idea how strong Noxium is, nor how the dark realm affects him. His previous attack may have been his full strength, and if it was, I'm in trouble. My plan with Mia is on a time constraint, with two options; either I beat him alone, or Mia and I fight together. My mindset now could betray me once the fighting begins, so for now, I steel my inner resolve and hold my anger back for the moment as I continue my playful manner. "You're the youngest of sixteen fluctlights, huh? I haven't seen Primus and Eva, and Stella looks mighty fine. You must be the ugly duckling wearing that hood."

Noxium smirks underneath his hood and removes it. Eh, still ugly... He isn't bothered in the slightest about my insult-as a matter of fact, he looks amused. "Trying to play around, huh? I know you as well as you know yourself. Your entire fighting style is based on being defensive. Throwing these insults, coming here alone, you must be an idiot! You're letting Stella attack the city you're supposed to be protecting because...ah, you really trust the Orthinanos whelp, huh?"

"Of course."

"Yet you'd do everything to hurt her in the end. One day, she will die. One day, you'll leave Eydis behind, no real promise you'll return and she'll be here. And in your past, how many have you let down. Let's start with your beloved partner-" He's cut off as I hurl a chunk of the earth in his direction and he dodges. He's humored by my reaction. "What? I was going to speak of the sniper! 'Oh, please, Jaymes, look at me.' Seeing the begging in her eyes tickled me-Woah!" He leans back as another chunk, larger than the first, and this one is aimed directly at his chest. He continues laughing as I hold my hand up.

"Say another word about Sinon, and I'll make your life hell."

"Hahaha, I didn't think she would easily trigger you! Given your suffering, I expected Koharu or Lisbeth, maybe touch on Kureha or Asuna." The brown-haired man exhales and points at me. "What was it you said to Father. 'Get your hands off my Sinon!' Oh, it was an amazing moment. Just as amazing as those red eyes."

I forgo holding back now. I close my eyes, snap my fingers and right in Noxium's face a light element suddenly appears and bursts like a flashbang. I hear his shout, open my eyes, and project the metal element to my right fist, enhancing its strength as it collides with his left jaw. I let him roll on the dry soil, reining in my anger. Unfortunately, I think it's too late for that now.

Noxium rubs his tanned jaw as he gets up. "Hehe, come on. I'm just messing around. So protective of those you're going to hurt when you go home. You seem indecisive, but we know the truth. You've made your choice. You want to make the decision that keeps the peace, but in the end, you'll cause misery for everyone. In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually, they'll turn on you. Look no further than Lisbeth." He lifts his hand, and from the ground appears an earth and dark element created figure made in the form of the SAO version of Lisbeth. "Saved her life while risking yours, she falls in love. Go to save another, she hates you. Sinon has you close in your despair, and had you gone inside her home instead of run to Kirito and Asuna like the dependent freak you are, you could be home, happy, loved."

He snaps his fingers, forming a third and fourth figure, that of Asuna and Kirito. "Why so dependent to be one of them? Your feats surpass theirs. You did the most to save 6,000 people trapped souls in that castle. You were there on every floor, fighting to the death against those monstrosities. You gave your life more times than they did. You lost more than they did. You had them right where you wanted them. You could have proven you're superior to them both! Why limit yourself to being at their side? After all, you finally got her back."

My eyes linger on the SAO form of Koharu, then I force myself to blink away from it and face Noxium. "...You, of all people, don't know?"

He looks at me with disappointment, as if my reaction was less than he wanted. "I don't understand?"

"I thought you would understand why. If everything you say is true, that I don't need them...then it's not because I need them. I don't need to be one of them. I want to be with them. I want to be with Kirito and Asuna. He's...like a brother to me, and Asuna is my sister. And if what you say is true, that I know what I'm going to do when I go home and it's going to hurt others, then that's okay, because they won't be alone in that pain. But furthermore, nothing will separate them from me and vice versa. We've been through too much to let superficial things ruin our bonds. But when it counts...we come together, we go to each other, and we lift each other up. Liz, Silica, Philia, Rain, Agil, Klein, Strea, Yui, Sinon, Leafa, Koharu... You should know the lengths family will go for one another."

He scoffs. "Family?"

"That's right. That's my family. Not an ounce of blood is shared with them, but many ounces of blood, sweat, and tears were spilled with them. I love each and every one of them...and you made the ultimate mistake, Noxium. Four of them, in fact." I take hold of the wrapped sword and start to undo the wrappings. "One, you convinced me I killed my family, people I'd never betray. Two, you made me fight the two people I respect and care for the most, forcing me to nearly break the two of three bonds I hold dearest in my heart. Three is that you picked Koharu, the girl I love more than any other I believe, to make me fight them. Just on those three things, I'll make you wish you never did what you've done, but the last is purely personal. You tread on my father's dream, and as his son, I cannot allow that."

I toss aside the wrapping and hold up the sword that once did something impossible. Noxium seems to recognize it, but I explain the identity of the sword anyway. "This weapon is the Time-Piercing Sword, given by Administrator to the most powerful swordsman in the world, someone even I'd have a hard time beating if I was serious. His name was Bercouli Synthesis One. He did the impossible by defeating someone who was meant to be immortal. Vecta's life points weren't supposed to go any lower than one, yet the commander did something that maybe I couldn't do with Falchion. His final words to me were to protect the girl he loved as a daughter, to protect the woman he loved as a lover, to protect the son that woman would one day bear, and to ensure the Dark Territory and the Human Empire achieve peace. I'll honor those dying words of someone who held my respect." I gaze at Noxium and point the sword at him in my fighting stance. "Noxium! You want revenge for your father, right? I'll do you another favor. With the very blade that fell him, I'll send you to the same depth of hell he's at!"

Noxium glares at the Time-Piercing Sword then reach for his waist, where two daggers rest. If that's the same pair Ronie spoke of when she fought his copy, one of them is laced with poison. For as bold as I talk, Noxium still has the advantage, for, without the ability to use Perfect Weapon Control, the Time-Piercing Sword is nothing but a sword in my hands. Whether my enemy knows that or not, he admits nothing of it as he gets into a stance of his own. "Fine, then. I'll have my revenge on both the usurper and the blade that slew Father. When I'm done with you, I'll make slaves of the Orthinanos girl and your apprentices. Their every breathing moment will be hell, all because of you...and that's if Stella doesn't kill them first."

"You underestimate them."

"Heh. You put too much faith in them. I'll show you their folly with the power given to me by my father, Vecta!" A familiar pressure envelopes Noxium as the air around him becomes dark and violent. I shield my eyes from the debris that kicks up while holding Bercouli's sword steady. I launch myself at him, ready to put an end to this once and for all. Our weapons spark against one another. He smiles in glee while I put on a face of rage.

"Then I'll honor my own father as well."

I believe Noxium's power works like Medina's and he's creating and controlling the minions. His defeat will destroy them. Either I end this myself, or I'll have to drag my apprentice into this fight. And if we can't beat him... No. No, Mia and I will beat Noxium to protect our home and my father's dream.

Asuna

When Kirito, Asuna, Ronie, and Tiese arrived in Centoria minutes ago, Kirito wasted no time having the pair use their authority as knights to order the Human Guardian Army to evacuate the civilians of Norlangarth and to send that same message to the three other cities that compose the capital, and a second message to the Integrity Knights, that the enemy has invaded Central Cathedral. With all forces spread around the city looking for the lost goblins, it'll be a while before the entire city gets that message, which is why Kirito wants to get rid of Primus and his family as quickly as possible.

Now Asuna and the others are at the entrance to the cathedral, within the surrounding gardens. Kirito steps closer to the structure, his eyes ascending the hundred-floor cathedral for its peak. Asuna assumes he's looking for Primus and waits for him to finish when the swordsman's shoulders fall. "I can't sense him."

"You said he'd be here."

"Yes, but...something is strange. There's many floors where I can't sense anyone, all near the top."

Asuna feels her fist tighten. "Of course. It's Eva's barrier. If she's got one, Primus is definitely there... I know this is a deviation of the plan, but now that she's separated him from us, it is best you go on ahead to him." Kirito turns his eyes down to Asuna, and she knows those dark eyes well. There's a concern in there, not for himself but for what she left unsaid. It need not be said that they'll have to search for Eva, else they'll most likely never get to Primus, and one of them should be up there. They know the First Children may be stronger in a one-on-one duel, but they cannot avoid such encounters forever...and she'll be fine. To emphasize it, she smiles warmly and walks up to Kirito, holding a hand to his face. "Back on Aincrad, on that last day, you told Jaymes and me to stay back. That you were scared that something would happen, with plenty of other excuses, and didn't want anything to happen to you. Is that what you're feeling now?"

"...Yeah. Knowing what will happen if we die... I want to ask you to take the girls and get somewhere away from the city. I know what you'll say, that you'll be more worried about me coming back, and you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if I didn't. Yet..."

"Kirito. Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Do you love me?"

"Forever."

"Then we'll be fine, as we always have." She steps back and eyes the top of the cathedral, "You really think he'll honor his promise?"

Kirito scoffs while joining her in raising his head. "No, but if he wanted to break it, he's had plenty of opportunities to do so by now. In that regard... Ronie, Tiese, follow Asuna's directions. Whatever she says goes, got it?"

From their distant position, Ronie nods. "Of course."

Kirito nods back and then face Asuna once more. "When you finish with Eva, join up with me. In no case should we take on Primus alone. With that said, I'm leaving it all to you, Asuna." Kirito creates his wings from his clothes and flies up towards the cathedral, leaving the women behind. He disappears at the balcony outside the thirtieth level, and her eyes drop down to the two apprentices. She has a mind to ask them to prepare themselves against Eva, but Asuna already has cooked up a plan against the first daughter. All that's needed now is-

"There you are, Lady Asuna."

-is for Eva to make her appearance. A huge impact is heard behind Asuna and the apprentices, resulting in a veil of loose debris that doesn't hide the silver-armored woman. Flipping her dark hair back, her dark eyes are glued to Asuna, and Asuna does the same. She must've dropped from the highest parts of the cathedral, and it freaked out the younger girls. Asuna, however, stands firm and walks herself between them and Eva as the first daughter rises off her knees. "Girls, get inside the cathedral. Evacuate it as much as possible. Leave Eva to me." Asuna steps forward, her eyes set on the silver-armored knight in front of her, her hand stuck to the rapier at her side. She hears them run away towards the entrance to the cathedral, and once their presences are far enough, Asuna starts to pace, keeping her fixation on Eva.

For some reason, Eva looks awfully familiar. Her black hair waves in the nightly breeze, her dark orbs filled with curiosity and animosity, her smile ironically warming...like Yui's. If Yui was grown up, Asuna bets she'd look like Eva, and that disgusts her that her daughter could wear the face of a vile woman...or vice versa.

"You think you can take me alone, Asuna Yuuki?"

"I don't need to beat you. I just have to buy a little time, that's all."

"Time? It's already too late. The world is doomed. The Human Empire and the Dark Territory will fall at once along with the otherworlders who claim themselves the rulers."

"No claim has not been made."

"But if you kill the previous ruler, doesn't that, by right, make you the next one?" Eva taps her temple and snidely laughs. "And I thought you were the smart one. So I ask again, are you sure you want to fight me alone? I can see you're angry about what we did to Jaymes. You saved him, congratulations. You have your friends back. Now let my family take its rightful place as overseers of the Underworld. You heard what Primus said. As long as you three surrender, the world will be safe."

"No," Asuna replies sharply. She draws her rapier and points it at Eva's head. "Create your barrier."

"Huh? You want me to create a barrier for us? Do you know what you're asking me? I do that, no one, not Kirito, not Jaymes, no one can come to save you."

"I said to create the barrier. I want no one to interfere. Jaymes has his kingdom to protect, and Kirito will deal with Primus. As for you and me... I'll deal with you myself. You speak of family, yet you bastardize every meaning of the word! In order to accomplish your family's goals, you tried breaking mine apart."

Eva raises an eyebrow. "Yours? Those two twerps?"

"On a day when the world around me was full of hopelessness, when all I wanted to do was to die at least on my feet, a boy in a blue shirt dragged my body to safety and gave me a piece of bread with cream on it. Not many hours later, another boy in a red shirt and his girl partner gave me an invitation to join them. Along the way, I met many people and lost just as many, but those two boys have stayed by my side... I love Kirito, no, Kazuto Kirigaya with all my heart, and Joshua Hardin is the sibling I never had. As long as the three of us are together, I know things will be okay, no matter the trouble...and you tried to rip us apart. You used Koharu against us. You used our friends against us. You used ourselves against each other. Not one part of that is forgivable, so to avenge my family, I'll destroy yours. So, Eva, I say this to you once more, raise a barrier around us!"

Eva clicks her tongue. "...So be it, girl." Eva draws her rapier and points it skyward. After a yellow light covers the thin blade from tip to hilt, she swings it in front of her in a horizontal arc. A faint barrier surrounds them, about fifteen mels across. She can see the outside world, but Asuna and Eva are separated from it for the time being. The first daughter of the Underworld lowers her rapier and gets into the same fencer stance as Asuna. "You were once called Lightning Flash. I am the daughter of Solus, and her very light gives power. You speak of love, Asuna Yuuki? Then as the love of my life and my brother erases yours from existence, I will do the same of you, for, in the name of my mother, my light is faster than your lightning!"

Asuna scoffs. "We shall see. I also understand wanting to please one's mother. After this is over, you can ask Solus yourself how proud she is..."