Hell yeah! My last chapter came out with no mistakes! Now... we are entering the final stages of the story! The Underworld! (You can probably guess since Alice and Kirito are my main characters as to who Kikuoka will want extracted.) (Also, if you are wondering, Selko looks a lot like Minato with his hairstyle and color.)

As always,

Enjoy!

~Kyvena

~5: Wonderland Of The Underworld~

With her memory completely returned, Kazuto finally met Alice's parents and they actually approved of this young man once he bravely asked for Alice's hand in marriage. Once they went to see the meteor shower, Kazuto smiled as he placed her engagement ring on her finger. It was a custom ring that was a white gold wedding band that held embedded diamonds inside to create an osmanthus flower, which after placed on her finger, she then scolded that this must have costed a fortune.

Yuna's program had been returned to her... okay, no, Kazuto and her had broken in and took the program back with Eiji's help. However, she did leave a copied version so that Yuna's disappearance wouldn't make everyone panic. Therefore, the "mascot" Yuna was still up and running in the real world and even held concerts due to her still using the changed program of Yuna once she gave that program to the new head of Toto Tech after telling them that she had been given her program.

Once Alice opened up the original coding, her eye began to twitch rapidly, only to become so furious that she smacked Eiji upside the head roughly, making him wince in pain as she yelled at him angrily, "What in the hell is wrong with you?! I had made Yuna the exact way she was in real life! Yes, Yuna wanted to become a singer, but, she was shy about actually becoming one until I told her that she needed to find her confidence! She was one of my best friends in real life too, you know!"

That was right, Alice had known Yuna in real life as well, so when she had realized that Yuna's coding was all sorts of messed up due to being tampered with... yeah... she was absolutely furious. With now holding the task of recreating Yuna exactly as she was, Alice grumbled to Eiji, "What were you even attempting to accomplish by doing all of this?! An AI, no matter how much alike, is not a substitute for the real Yuna! You cannot exactly have children with a walking and talking AI."

He felt so guilty for everything that he had put Alice through, so he slammed his tear-filled orbs shut as he placed his hands over his face to literally cry out, "I... I'm so sorry Alice. He made an offer that I couldn't resist! He said that Yuna and I could be together forever!" Alice supposed she could understand that line of thought, but, at the same time... she wouldn't be able to do it. Peering down as she fixed the coding, Alice sighed sadly, "Eiji, let me tell you something important..."

Looking over through his tears, the golden-haired teen then stopped fixing the coding momentarily as she leaned back in her chair to speak the truth, "If Kazuto were to pass away right before my very eyes, my heart would no-doubt break. However, after time and many tears shed, I would have to move on. Kazuto would not wish for me to simply mope around for the rest of my life. He would wish for me to find love again so that I could live my life to the fullest with no regrets."

Eiji then cried softly, "How... How would you be able to move on after someone you love is taken from you?!" Humming over how to reply, Alice then found the way to put it, "Even if I hold his replicated soul already, an LI could never replace the man that I love so much, even if the soul is completely his to begin with. I want to wed him, not an LI. I wish to have children with him, which would be impossible with an LI. I suppose an easy way to put it is... I want him with me in the flesh."

Continuing to fix the coding at that point, Alice then continued, "Even if I made Kazuto into an LI with his actual soul lingering inside of his body, it would feel different in a sense of holding an endearing relationship that I would treasure for the rest of my life. No... for me... it would feel as if a ghost of the past has come back to haunt me. Never finding peace, nor redemption for allowing his death. So, honestly, I wonder as to how you stay sane with little Yuna around haunting you."

It took until mid-June to correct the coding, but, as a punishment to Eiji, Yuna was given to Selko temporarily while Sassa was temporarily given to Eiji. There was no shortage of sassing from little miss Sassa either. The little LI constantly gave Eiji a hard time for changing one of her pixie best friends in the form of Yuna, making him feel even more guilty than he had already felt. After weeks, Sassa was returned to Selko, considering Eiji began spoiling her with sweets to make her behave.

Eiji had grown so attached to Sassa, and vice versa, that little miss Sassa actually threw a fit once it was time for her to return to Selko. Now, she constantly pouted and wouldn't help Selko, even when he promised her sweets. This became so problematic that Alice had to scold her mini-self. However, Selko laughed and let Eiji hold onto the sassy lass for a bit longer. When Sassa realized that Yuna was gaining more attention than her, she happily returned to Selko's side and apologized.

Once Kikuoka called Alice and informed her of the part-time job, she hastily accepted due to Kazuto already accepting it, which he just about threw a fuming fest over. With it now being June twenty-sixth, it was now time for their part-time job. Walking inside of where they would be diving, they were given a rather brief explanation over everything until Alice took an angered step forward, "You will tell us everything that we wish to know, whether you wish to tell us or not! Now explain!"

A sassy and furious little lady was exactly what he needed, hence the sarcasm. However, since they wouldn't remember anything other than the name and what it accessed, the two were sat down and spoken to by Kikuoka, "The STL... it is short for the soul translator. Alice, you are used to working with your SS, the Soul Scanner, to duplicate the souls of the dying so that they may live on. However, we have made something that actually allows access to that soul to make a true full-dive."

The two holding hands then nodded at the explanation before Kikuoka continued, "When your soul is connected with the STL, you will fully dive into a place called Rulid Village. Everyone there is alive, in a sense." Alice looked shocked at this, "Wait one moment, what do you mean that everyone is alive?!" Holding his hand up, Kikuoka continued, "Now, hold on Alice. I'm getting to that. Now, there is the human empire and the dark territory. You both will be going to the human empire."

Feeling uneasy, the two nodded quietly, making Kikuoka grateful, "Both of you will be nothing more than small children that had been "born" in that world. When I say this, that is because you will hold the belief that you were born there. You will even hold parents in this world, and, possibly even siblings that are alive and well. Everyone there holds the belief that they were born with the Stacia Window and Sacred Arts. In other words, they are born believing they hold magical powers."

Folding his arms, he soldiered on, "The human empire is peaceful, far too peaceful for human nature. Now, its ruler, the pontifex, created a set of laws for everyone to follow almost religiously. It's something called a "taboo index", and that "taboo index" is something that cannot be questioned or judged by anyone else. Time is progressed there, so, you will mature in the blink of an eye. However, since you will only be there for three days, you will only reach the age of either ten or eleven."

Sighing, he then answered that question, "Now, per your earlier question, everyone in this world has a living soul, we call them Fluctlights. What we are attempting to do is find someone who is willing to overstep those sets of laws and believe that we have found one. That's where the two of you come in." Alice then nodded at this as if understanding, "Oh, I get it. So, they are just like Yuuki, and, partially like Akihiko... since I only held a fragment of his soul at the time of creation."

Snapping his fingers with a bright smile, he knew Alice would understand, so he nodded, "Precisely! Now, the longer we wait, the longer it will take. You will know absolutely nothing of the world you originate from upon your arrival inside of the game." Kazuto then looked at Kikuoka, "One last question. What is the name of this game?" Kikuoka then chuckled as he looked at Alice, "It will fit Miss Alice here perfectly. It's called... The Underworld." The three then stood and began walking.

Going over the name over and over again, Alice suddenly blinked rapidly once she figured it out, "Hold on, you mean like the Alice In Wonderland series?" Kikuoka then turned away as the two removed their attires, yet, Alice was stubborn, left her underwear and bra on, only to end up pulling Kazuto's shirt over her body before she sat on one of the STL machines as Kazuto sat in his pants as they were hooked up to IVs to remain hydrated before Kazuto held Alice's left hand gently.

"Good luck you two," he spoke as they both nodded and laid back as Alice chuckled, "Do not worry so much! You will see us in three days!" The both of them then had the STL brought down over their faces to connect them to the Underworld. Right as a nurse walked in, he smiled sadly once he shifted his eyes to see Kazuto's fingers laced through Alice's that now held an engagement ring, "Watch over them both with diligence, respect, and care. Hopefully nothing goes wrong in there."

Taking in a deep breath, he then turned and began to walk away with a pit of unease churning in his stomach as if he knew that something might go wrong during that three days dive, but, quickly brushed it away. All he could do was monitor their progress while diving in the Underworld. If something went wrong with one person while they were unconscious, he knew that he would have hell to pay from one of the two that were currently diving the moment that they woke up to reality.

Inside of the Underworld with no memories concerning her real life, Alice jumped up in a panic as her young tone squeaked, "Oh no, how could I have fallen asleep?!" Placing a baby blue summer dress on with a white sash tied around her hips, she rushed out barefoot while holding a basket carrying lunch for two boys. Nearing the Gigas Cedar, Alice slowed with her loose long locks fluttering behind her as the two boys sparred with wooden swords, making her smile softly at the two.

A boy with short blonde hair and green eyes that still held a family clashed his wooden blade against the wooden blade of a grinning boy with short black hair and sparkling gray eyes that was of the same age that had all but lost his family. Both were smiling at one another and making bets with one another who would win. Eugeo then huffed, "I'll bet if I win, Alice will notice me more than you!" This made Kirito grin further at the comment, "Yeah right, keep on dreaming Eugeo!"

Hearing these comments over herself coming from the bickering little boys made the golden-haired little girl place a hand over her mouth and release an inaudible giggle as she continued watching for the time being. Kirito then switched the subject, making Alice slightly tilt her head and blink rapidly, "Once we finally get this huge tree cut down, I think that I'm going to change my calling to be a swordsman so that I can become an integrity knight! That seems like such a cool calling!"

Eugeo then nodded at this with agreeance while holding a bright smile, "Yeah! I want to do the same thing so that we will always be the best of friends!" Kirito then grinned cheekily at this, "You dork, we will always be best friends! It doesn't matter where we go!" Huffing at the name calling, Eugeo then slowly stopped, "Yeah... but... no one has ever cut this tree down. There have been generations of people that have tried to cut this thing down and they didn't make much progress."

As optimistic as always, Kirito continued to grin like a fool as he claimed, "Maybe so, but I think they gave us this wimpy axe on purpose so that we never find a new calling! I think if we found something strong enough, then we will be able to cut the tree down with no problem!" Eugeo then tilted his head at this as if confused, "Really? You think that it will be that easy?" Roughly flicking the blonde-haired little boy's forehead, he then snickered, "Of course I think that it will be that easy!"

Approaching, Alice then lightly tapped Kirito's shoulder, making him turn his head towards her, "Hey Alice! Did you get done with your sacred arts training for the day?" Alice then nodded before giggling, "I wouldn't have been let out if I hadn't! What are you two doing? Finished with your daily quota so early?" The two then nodded as Eugeo spoke up, "We figured that if we piled all of our quota into one session, then we could have time to play for a bit!" Alice blinked at this, "I see."

After they hung out for a bit with Alice watching the two and applauding brightly, she noticed the sun going down and sighed as she stood up and brushed her dress off, "I have to go home now. See you two tomorrow." Eugeo then watched as Kirito confidently walked forward and held his hand out to Alice, "Come on Alice, I'll walk you home!" Smiling brightly, Alice then placed her small hand in his, "Are you sure though?" He gave a nod before waving, "See you tomorrow Eugeo!"

The day following, Alice carried a basket with lunch for the two boys in a rush due to the heat outside rapidly draining the durability of the meal she had made. Long golden locks chased after their owner as she ran barefoot towards the two boys that were trying their hardest to cut the massive tree down, only to barely place a dent in that tough bark as she used one hand to wave as the other holding the basket half-cupped around her mouth to call out, "Kirito, Eugeo! Lunch time!"

The only problem was that one boy huffed and sat down with his hands laced behind his head to not fill his quota, making Alice lean forward with a scolding look on her face as she shook a stubborn finger at him, "Honestly Kirito?! Why aren't you filling your quota?! You will be scolded if you don't get it done!" Yawning heavily, Kirito then rolled his eyes, "Get off of my back, would ya? This is the most boring calling! Why couldn't I have been made a swordsman? Now that sounds exciting!"

Scowling at Alice and huffing, Kirito glared at the tree, "Man, why do we have to waste our lives away trying to cut this thing down! Especially when it's so hot!" Eugeo chuckled at him and picked up some of the lunch before handing it to Kirito, only for both boys to draw an 'S' in the air before tapping it, "The durability is almost gone... so we'd better hurry up and eat." Eugeo then nodded at this, "It's really such a shame that we have to rush to eat Alice's amazing cooking each day."

Alice then sighed and placed her hand over her eyes as she looked up, "Yeah, I'm sorry about that... You'd better eat while there is still some durability left." Kirito, as grumpy as ever, then grumbled out with a mouth full of food, "If only we had some ice so that the durability wouldn't deplete as fast. Then we could, for once, take our time to enjoy our lunch." Eugeo then frowned and nodded, "Yeah, that would be nice. Oh, I heard that the End Mountains actually have ice inside of them."

Sitting up, Kirito's gray eyes sparkled as he chirped out brightly, "Seriously?! Like... real ice?! All we would have to do is take a couple of baskets up there, snag some ice, and come back! Then we could take as long as we wanted to eat our lunches! Man Eugeo, why didn't you tell us about this rumor sooner?! Wait... were you going to try to go with Alice so that you would have alone time with her?!" Blushing, he then fanned his hands in front of his face, "No! I swear I wasn't!"

Snapping her head down, Alice smiled brightly, "That's a great idea Kirito!" Eugeo then looked nervous, "But... what about the taboo index?" Alice then draped over Kirito's shoulders as she spoke, "We aren't supposed to go passed the End Mountains. We wouldn't be going passed it! We'd be going inside!" Eugeo then nodded his head as he looked at the two that were basically cuddling and laughed brightly, "Alice, I swear! You've loved Kirito for as long as I can remember!"

Blushing deeply, Alice then gave a cat-like smirk before pressing her cheek to Kirito's, making him close that eye as she giggled adorably, "What? Are you jealous Eugeo?" The blonde-haired boy then blushed furiously, making her giggle before releasing a soft hum, "That ice wouldn't just help your lunches though." Eugeo then nodded as Kirito munched away, "That's right! If we got enough, it would benefit everyone in the village!" Kirito then snickered, "You're just now realizing this?"

Standing and brushing her clothing off, Alice then picked the basket up, "It's settled then! Tomorrow we will head to the End Mountains to gather a ton of ice! I will bring some extra baskets for you guys too! We will make everyone in the village super happy if the durability of all of our food is lasting that much longer!" Kirito then stood with a smile before walking to her, "Let me walk you back home Alice!" Eugeo then rushed forward out of jealousy, "No! I will walk her home this time!"

Kirito then scowled at his male friend, "Want to pass that by me again Eugeo?!" Eugeo then took a step closer to Kirito before verbally challenging, "You heard me! I said that I will walk Alice home!" Alice then sighed heavily and had already begun walking away at that point before waving, "Don't forget! We are going to the End Mountains tomorrow! It's our day of rest, so we can spend it how we choose! Be ready to go once solace has risen high enough!" Both then called out, "Right!"

As the next day was upon them, Alice ran out and grabbed both Kirito and Eugeo's arms before noticing that neither of the boys would speak to one another or look at each other, making the golden child lift a brow at the two, "Hey, did you guys have a fight or something?" Both grumbled something inaudible beneath their breaths, making Alice puff her cheeks up adorably, "Fine! I'll go by myself since you both are being far too stubborn!" Both grumbled until looking up and blushing.

Alice was dressed as adorable as she always did, but, instead of being barefoot as she normally was, she wore knee high brown boots. Walking forward now, completely enchanted, Alice then handed each boy a basket, "There!" Kirito began to speak to Alice with a joyous smile, only for her to giggle over something that he said. Eugeo then walked on her other side, making her smile brightly before tapping her chin, "I wonder if it's going to be dark in there!" - "Well look in front of you."

Snapping out of it, Alice then nodded and giggled, "Yup, it's pretty dark! Remember, we're just here to get ice and then leave!" Leaning down, she picked a plant with her right hand before closing her eyes, "System call. Generate luminous element. Adhere," with that, her left pointer finger then tapped the plant for it to begin glowing brightly. Entering the cave, Kirito then sighed, "Are we even sure that there really is any ice in here?" Right then, Alice slipped to be caught by Kirito.

"Guess that answers my question," he snickered teasingly as he placed Alice back on her feet. Entering the ice cavern, they all began piling ice into the baskets as Eugeo chirped, "This will be great!" Once their baskets were full, they then found the skeleton of the guardian dragon that had once lived here, making Alice stumble back a bit, "It... It's dead! Who would kill the protector?!" Eugeo then shook his head, "That's a good question that at least two of us would like to know."

Shifting her head to Kirito, who was fawning over a sword, Alice could only giggle before blinking rapidly, "I... I uh... don't want to make anyone panic or anything... but do either of you remember which way we came in from?" Eugeo then sighed, "Well we have to pick one of the tunnels. Maybe it's this one?" The other two nodded and began following until stopping with wide eyes, "It... It's the dark territory." Kirito instantly grabbed her hand and tugged, "Come on! We have to leave now!"

Eugeo then pointed, "Look! It's an Integrity Knight!" Both looked before a dark knight and his dragon slammed to the ground. Turning his head, he weakly held his hand out to them, only for Kirito to take a step forward before Alice noticed, "Kirito, no!" Shocked, he then tripped and fell forward for the tips of his fingers to touch the dark territory. Right then, a terrifying white head popped up and reported the incident before he was helped up. Running out of the cave, Kirito trembled.

"They... They are going to come for you," the golden child burst into tears against Kirito, making him frown, "Let's just go home... it was just the tips of my fingers, plus it was an accident, so maybe they will forgive me." Making it back to Rulid as the sun began to set, Alice turned to the two worried boys, only to smile weakly, "I'll place all of the ice in my basement. I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?" Both nodded at her with deep frowns plastered on their faces as she entered her home.

With the day following in-game, there was a massive crowd gathered in the plaza as Alice and Eugeo rushed forward to see Kirito being chained up, making Alice yell in a panic, "Kirito!" Turning his head, Kirito then gave a saddened smile as he was chained to the dragon. Both Alice and Eugeo pleaded with the Integrity Knight, "Please sir, it was an accident! Only the tips of his fingers touched the ground!" The only thing that he spoke in return to the two was, "The law is the law."

On the outside, Kikuoka frantically panicked, "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! LOG KIRITO OUT NOW!" - "We've been trying! No matter what we do, he isn't waking up! It's almost as if his soul is stuck!" - "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR EXCUSES! UNPLUG IT, NOW!" - "Sir, we tried that! For some reason, it continues to function!" - "REMOVE HIM FROM THE STL COMPLETELY!" They nodded and he watched the screen in a panic as the dragon took off with Kirito, yet, nothing worked in the slightest.

Alice then shot awake with tears sliding down her face to notice that Kazuto was no longer beside her, "What... happened?" Gaining a panicked call from Kikuoka, she then answered, "Hell..." - "Alice! We don't know what happened, but, we tried logging Kirito out before he could be taken away! I don't know how, but, his account got frozen in the Underworld! The situation has changed! This has now turned into a desperate rescue operation! His Fluctlight is being altered as we speak!"

Continuing, he spastically spoke, "The only way you can log him out of the Underworld now is by finding a system console in-game to manually log him out. Now, we have moved him to a secure location. Head to Minato ward, there is a helicopter on standby waiting for you. Go now!" Alice then scowled deeply as she seethed, "Kikuoka, you bastard! I expect for the both of us to be paid four times the amount for the trouble you constantly put us through." - "Fine! Just go right now!"

Dashing outside once wearing pants, Alice had tears streaming down her face as she placed her Augma on, "Akihiko! Yui! Sassa! Yuna! Yuuki!" All pixies popped up to be given the rundown as she sped off to Minato ward, only to park and hastily speak, "Just let everyone know!" Removing her Augma, Alice then jumped into the helicopter and sat there with widened eyes as her hands trembled uncontrollably while they flew off to head towards RATH's main headquarters, the Ocean Turtle.

Completely bypassing all of the security checkpoints, Alice dashed towards Kikuoka with tears streaming down her cheeks as she punched him across the face, "Was being stuck in one game where you can die not enough for you?!" Ignoring the outburst, he then fanned his hand swiftly to the side at all of his team, "Upload all of Alice's ridiculous stats from SAO and ALO and be sure to give her gear to her! There is an Osmanthus Blade and Aurora Blade in the game, so get it done!"

They all nodded, but, one man then hummed before sighing, "I'm not questioning your orders or judgement, but, the pontifex will notice her stats instantly and take her into custody as well. Her gear should be fine though. However she won't be able to use her swords until her object control authority is high enough." Grudgingly, he accepted this and sighed, "We can't have both you and Kirito going MIA from the real world, now let's go. Miss Aki will be watching over both of your bodies."

Rushing with him down the steps, she then questioned, "How many years has it been in the Underworld now?!" He then flinched slightly at this before answering, "His Fluctlight didn't begin changing until he reached his regular real world age. I know that you're a solo player... but... be sure that you make some allies. You will need them when the time truly calls for it." Hastily removing her pants, she then raised Kazuto's shirt to have electrodes placed on her chest for her heart rate.

Before she could begin cursing his very existence, Kikuoka then gave her one hell of a secret, "Alice, in the game, there is something called "perfect weapon control". There are two stages that you can use to your advantage. First, there is "enhance armament" and the second is "release recollection". I'm only telling you all of this because you have been with those blades for an extremely long time now, especially the Osmanthus Blade. So raise your stats quickly to use them."

Lying down, she then growled out, "Mark my words Kikuoka, you will pay for this. If not in this life, then you will pay in the next." Having the STL lowered over her face as he walked back out, he then sighed, "Higa, did you get all of her gear loaded in?" This made Higa turn towards Kikuoka and nod, "Sure did boss, but her swords won't appear until she holds enough object control authority. Like I said, she holds basic stats, so to protect her, I sent her in with a gift to protect her."

Nodding and sighing, he then peered at the screen, "We will just have to keep faith in Alice. She has never once let us down in the past. So, where did you set her designation to log in?" Higa then smirked at this, "I think you will like where I have dropped our little Alice in Wonderland. She's right where she needs to be for us to gain two mission accomplished. Alice was placed right back in Rulid, or, very close to Rulid at least. The only problem is... she won't remember how to do anything."

Higa then leaned back and released a rather dramatic sigh, "Hey, boss, I'm not passing judgement, or, telling you what to do or anything, but, don't you think it was wrong for you to not tell Kirigaya and Zuberg that the Artificial Fluctlight that we are initially after was created by using both of their own Fluctlights? That does technically make that Artificial Fluctlight their kid... if you get what I mean." Kikuoka then released a heavy breath, "We'll cross that bridge when the time comes."

Slowly, Alice groggily opened her eyes as she laid on the grassy ground of a forest. She knew where she was... in a sense. That sense of knowing where she was only applied to knowing that she was in the Underworld. Standing up, her attire was that from SAO and ALO, being a sleeveless, high-collared, and form fitting overcoat that was royal blue with gold outlining that held a loose tail that reached her ankles and held cutouts on her hips while her hands held golden fingerless gloves.

Below the golden belt she wore, her attire was open to show a pair of form fitting white shorts and her pair of thigh high golden boots that held royal blue gems in the pattern of an osmanthus flower. Feeling behind her, she panicked. Where in the hell were her blades?! Oh well, she would figure that out at a later date. Aimlessly wandering about as her long locks fluttered behind her, Alice kneeled down at a river and scooped up some water to take a drink until hearing a loud slam.

Walking towards the slams that continued to echo out, she then entered the clearing to witness a massive tree. "That happens to be one large tree," she mumbled to herself until walking a bit forward to see a blonde teen with green eyes swinging an axe while counting his strikes. Shifting her head a bit further as he sat down, she noticed that this boy looked a lot like a blonde-haired Kirito. Shaking the thought from her mind, Alice then held a single hand up, "Pardon my intrusion."

The teen then stood up to look at the beautiful blonde that was right before his very eyes, only to ask in a confused tone, "Who are you? You don't seem to be from around here." Alice then pointed to the forest, "My name is Alice, and, you are correct. I exited from the forest not too long ago due to hearing the ruckus." Various questions were then asked until Alice sighed, "I cannot seem to remember anything, please forgive me. Do you have a place that I can rest at for the night?"

Seeing that "present" that Higa had spoken of; the teen gained a nervous facial expression, "You... Are you an Integrity Knight Alice?!" Turning her head, she then gaped, "Amayori?!" It was Amayori, but, this dragon was no bigger than Pina right now. Laughing and holding her arms out, Amayori then flew into those inviting arms to be held tenderly as Alice stroked her gently while mumbling softly, "Well, I suppose they needed a way to keep me safe since my blades did not appear."

Tilting her head up, Alice then questioned as a reply, considering she had no clue as to what he was even talking about, "An Integrity Knight? Well... I am unsure as to what that even is. I simply found her injured while in the woods and nursed her back to health before naming her Amayori." This made him nod and grasp his chin in a thought-filled manner as he thought about all of the stories, "I have heard all of the stories, but, I never thought that I'd meet a real lost child of Vecta!"

"A lost child of who?" Alice spoke, only to be given an explanation over what he was talking about, "Well, I will agree that this makes sense. That must have been what happened, I suppose." He then pointed to his village as he spoke, "Well, that right there is my village." Alice nodded as a thanks, "I thank you, I shall head down there now." He then held his hand out frantically, "Hold on! You can't just go down there! The gate guards might not let you in, but, if I go with you, they might."

He then continued speaking once he released a breath, "We don't have an inn, but, if I explain your situation to the church, they just might be able to make room for you. However, I can't go yet. I have four more hours of work before I can head back." Nodding her head as she stroked Amayori, Alice then obliged, "Waiting shall not be a problem." Motioning down, she sat down beside him before the teen offered half of his lunch to the beauty, "It's not much, but, you must be hungry."

Taking the bread, she then peered over to see him using his index and middle finger to create an 'S' in the air before tapping it as her eyes shifted over to witness as to what he had just done, only to think, 'Very well, let me try the same.' Once he noticed her doing the same as if unsure, he questioned, "Alice, you didn't forget how to use your Stacia window too, did you?" Turning bright red, she then shook her head, "No, I did not simply forget! How dare you insinuate such nonsense!"

Once she took an embarrassed and furious bite, her eyes widened at how awful it tasted, "Honestly, are you attempting to choke me?! If you would be so kind, hand me your water." Handed his water, she made the bread a bit moist, only to be asked, "You don't remember how to use the Sacred Arts either?" Releasing a heavy breath, Alice then scowled, "I did not know that you were going to interrogate me!" Taking a bite, she then picked a piece of bread, only to hand it to Amayori.

Right before the teen got back to work, he then smiled, "Oh, I forgot to tell you my name! My name is Eugeo!" She could have sworn that she had heard this name before, but, nodded, "Right. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Eugeo." After he hit five-hundred swings, Alice figured how to raise her object control authority and pointed, "Would you mind terribly if I tried?" He then handed her the axe and rammed right into it over and over again until the end of the day.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she then checked her object control authority and scowled slightly, 'They made this so that someone's stats wouldn't go up?!' - "Alice? You ready to go?" Eugeo questioned as she asked, "Tell me, Eugeo, you have a daily quota, but, does it forbid it in the taboo index to continue working?" Shaking his head, he then hummed, "Huh... I never thought of it that way. No, it doesn't." Her eyes then narrowed, "Do you have anything stronger than this axe?"

Laughing softly, Eugeo then motioned for her to follow, "Come on, it will take a while to get to the church." Grudgingly accepting this answer, she walked by his side once Amayori was in her arms again, only for him to shift his gaze over to her while thinking, 'She... She's so pretty.' Making it to the gate, the two were stopped and spoken to in a mocking tone, "Well, well, Eugeo you're back from your pathetic calling of failing to chop down the demon tree!" This made Eugeo look away.

Bragging about himself was all this man could do, "Unlike me who holds the calling to guard the gate. Now, explain yourself, who is she?" Eugeo then sighed, "Hey Jink, this is Alice. She's a lost child of Vecta." Jink then snorted, "Is this true? You hold no memories at all? I'll bet your calling was just as pathetic as Eugeo's." Alice then scowled deeply at this man, "For one who merely sits at a gate doing nothing all day, you seem pretty full of yourself. I, in fact, am a swordswoman."

Laughing at her, he then took them to a training ground before handing his sword over, "Then let's see what you can do, o' great swordswoman." Before taking the sword, she then smiled at Amayori, "Amayori, stay with Eugeo for a moment please." The baby appearing dragon then flew into Eugeo's arms as Alice grabbed that blade with focused orbs. Taking in a deep breath and getting into an odd stance, Alice activated a sword skill before slashing the post diagonally.

As the wood began to slide away, Alice used her foot to kick it into the air before another sword skill was used and moved so fast that both Jink and Eugeo's eyes widened immensely, only to hand the sword back as all of the blocks of wood fell to the ground, "Are you satisfied now, or, have I damaged your ego? That blade is quite light compared to what I am used to. Now, Amayori, come to me." Amayori then flew back into the golden-haired lass's arms as they were let inside the village.

At the church now, Alice sat in a room being given the rules by a girl named... Selka. This made Alice think about her little brother, Selko. "Now, here is a shirt that you can sleep in. You do know how to turn the light off, right?" Selka asked, only for Alice to nod as she took the shirt, "Yes, of course. Thank you for everything Selka." Selka then smiled softly at Alice, "Don't mention it Alice. Have a good night." Once the door closed, Alice removed her attire and placed the shirt on.

Pacing around the room completely barefoot, she then hummed her song for Kazuto, which made her eyes fill with tears. Stopping her hum, Alice walked up to the light and tapped it, only for nothing to happen. Tapping again and nothing happening, she then lowered her head to see a dial. Turning her light off, she then got into bed and placed her hand over her eyes miserably, "Ka... Kazuto..." Rolling to her side, her eyes then began to droop, "I will... save you... Kazuto."

Waking up on time the next morning, she could only internally chuckle, 'If our roles had been swapped, Kazuto would have slept in.' Peering at Selka, Alice then questioned, "Selka, might I ask a question?" Selka was growing highly attached to this girl, so she nodded, "Of course!" Alice smiled softly as she confidently asked, "Might you teach me some of the Sacred Arts before you head to your lessons and I head to keep Eugeo company?" This made Selka's eyes sparkle, "Of course!"

As shocking as it was to Selka, Alice picked up on the Sacred Arts rather quickly, considering she noticed one of the many children fall and scrape his knee to the point that he bled. Rushing forward in her regular attire again, Alice knelt down and smiled as she held her hand out, "System call. Generate luminous element." Stopping the bleeding, Alice chuckled, "Do not be in such a rush, you might end up hurt again." The little boy laughed and nodded, "Okay! Thanks so much Alice!"

Looking at Selka, Alice then smiled, "Thank you for your help Selka. I must return the favor somehow." Selka then blushed softly before releasing a gentle breath, "Well, I don't particularly need anything material in return, but, there is some information that I would like for you to give me later tonight. Also, if you do not remember, tomorrow is our day of rest! I will see you at supper Alice!" Nodding at the request, Alice then left to jog up to Eugeo, "Well, good morning Eugeo!"

Walking and talking all the way to the Gigas Cedar, Eugeo then got to work until it was lunch time and he sat down beside Alice as she hummed in a thought-filled manner, which caught Eugeo's attention, "Alice? Is something wrong?" Shaking her head lightly, she then spoke, "Selka helped me gain the basics of the Sacred Arts this morning, which I happened to pick up quickly. But, when I asked her what she wished for in return... she simply asked for information as a sorts of payment."

This made Eugeo shift his gaze down, "I see... it must be about him then since I continue to refuse to tell her." This made Alice curious as she questioned, "Him? Meaning?" Humming softly, Eugeo then replied, "Well, there used to be two of us that worked on the Gigas Cedar. He was my best friend... His name was Kirito. The two of us used to periodically and ruthlessly bicker, banter, and argue like lovesick children over who would marry a single girl that was a good friend of ours as well."

Looking down, he continued, "About six years ago on my eleventh summer, we decided to go to the End Mountains to gather ice for the good of the village so that food would last much longer." He then peered down and bit his lip as tears filled his eyes over the matter, "However, when it was time for us to leave, we became lost due to not remembering which tunnel we had taken to get to the ice cavern and I ended up leading us down the wrong tunnel that led us to the dark territory."

As hard as this was for her to listen to, she merely nodded as if she had no clue of who he was even speaking about, "I had been so careless. He had wanted to leave almost instantly, but, I pointed out an Integrity Knight that was fighting against a Dark Knight on their dragons since we both wanted to become one after our calling. When the Dark Knight was defeated, he had reached out to us, only for Kirito to take a step and fall so that the tips of his fingers touched the dark territory."

Wiping tears from his eyes, he then pushed forward, "The next day, an Integrity Knight showed up and took Kirito to Centoria to be executed for his crimes. However, I still believe that he is alive and well. I would go to Centoria, but, my calling prohibits me from leaving due to the taboo index. There have been so many times that I have wanted to pack a bag and travel to Centoria, but, I can't until the Gigas Cedar is chopped down for good." Well, now she had to wait for Eugeo.

Standing up after his lunch break, he smiled, "That reminds me! Yesterday, you asked if there was anything stronger to use! The answer is yes. I already brought it... it's over there, but, be careful when you try to pick it up." Walking over to the covered item, she could already tell that it was a sword as she unraveled it. Her eyes sparkled at it, "It's so pretty!" Checking its stats through the Stacia window, she then sighed. Unsheathing it, she stumbled a bit until she found her balance.

Activating a sword skill, Alice took a step forward and slashed it perfectly, only for Eugeo to check the life, "Look! Its life went down by two-hundred points!" Setting the blade down, Alice sighed. She liked heavy blades, but, she didn't like it when it felt as if her arms were going to be ripped off from using it. Eugeo then picked it up to try, only for two points to go down, making him smile, "It looks like your intuition about needing something stronger wasn't wrong Alice! Good call!"

Once the day was over with and she returned to the church, Alice told Selka everything that she wished to know. The next day, she was asked if she knew where Selka was... and that made the color from her face drain, "No, I do not know. I will look around for her." Given thanks, Alice calmly walked out before darting to Eugeo and taking his hand, "We have to go to the End Mountains now! I think Selka went there after I told her the story that you told me yesterday! Now, hurry!"

Both rushed to the mountains for both to pick up a plant and call out, "System call. Generate luminous element. Adhere," with that the plants were tapped and both began to walk inside until hearing voices. Both hid before Alice looked around the corner to see Selka unconscious on a cart while tied up. Eugeo almost yelled, but, Alice covered his mouth find a weapon. Finding two swords, she picked them up and tossed one to Eugeo, making him fumble, "Alice, I don't know how to use this!"

Narrowing her eyes at the goblins, she then whispered, "Do not think! Just swing the sword to survive! Now, go!" Dropping her plant, Alice darted out and began to hack and slash her enemies, "Eugeo!" He rushed out shakily while holding his plant still, only to notice... they were scared of the light. Turning his head towards Alice, he witnessed her slashing straight up, flipping while cutting another diagonally, landing and twirling around to cut a few in-half, only for them to back away.

When their boss came lumbering out he spoke, "You look like tasty meat! I eat you all up!" Darting forward, she began to clash her blade to this lumbering idiot's blade, only for her to press off of the ground to shift her body to the side to cut his arm off, making him yowl, "You messed with the wrong person! System call! Generate luminous element! Burst element!" The light was enough to terrify most of the goblins, but, right as Alice dashed forward, the boss gashed her shoulder open.

'VR never hurt quite like this before!' Her thoughts screamed as her shoulder bled, only for her to be kicked into a massive ice cluster with fear filled orbs until Eugeo dashed in front of her to block the blade as she healed, "System call! Generate luminous element!" Right as she looked up, her eyes became horrified once Eugeo had his stomach cut open, making her furious and slam her blade against the boss's blade and drag it up with dangerous eyes before decapitating him and landing.

Giving a warning to the goblins, they ran before she rushed to Selka and cut her bindings, picked her up, and rushed over to Eugeo, "Eugeo needs your help! Do whatever you can!" Taking Eugeo and Alice's hand, she explained to Alice that this was her first time trying this... and should she fail, they could both die. Nodding at Selka, she started, "System call. Transfer human unit durability - right to left." The healing started and it was an agonizing pressure to be feeling through her body.

The pain she was now enduring was nothing compared to what Eugeo had endured and she would save his life to repay him for saving her life when she was in desperate need of his aid. The longer this went on, the groggier she became until she heard Kazuto's voice. "Alice, I'm at the top of the central cathedral. I'll be waiting for you there baby," he spoke out and pressed his lips to her cheek as he held her gently around the chest from behind. Right then, Alice collapsed onto Eugeo.

After a few days of rest and recovery, Alice now sat there as she stared at her Stacia window before looking up as Eugeo used that worthless axe, "Eugeo, are you feeling all better?" He then turned and nodded, "Yeah, all I needed was a couple days of rest. I feel good as new!" Standing up after closing her Stacia window, she then picked up the Blue Rose Sword with relative ease, "I would take a step back if I were you." Her blades had appeared now, but, she kept them in her room.

Narrowing her orbs with deadly intent, one of her many sword skills activated before cutting the tree's health in half. Eugeo then checked the tree's health for his mouth to drop wide open due to the numbers still going down before she handed the blade to him, "I bet you can do just as good!" After almost cutting it down, he then snapped his head towards her, "Alice! Will you please teach me how to fight with a blade?!" Nodding her head, she then replied, "I will warn you now, I am strict."

After months of teaching Eugeo, Alice was sure that he now had it down, only for him to ask, "By the way... you never told me the name of your sword style. Does it have a name?" Eugeo curiously spoke, making Alice hum softly as if thinking long and hard over the situation before giving her sword style the most perfect name due to this being the initial place she had taught herself the same style, only to smirk, "Yes, it indeed does carry a specific name title. It is called the Aincrad style."

With now being proficient at the so called "Aincrad Style" of swordsmanship, Alice folded her arms and peered at the tree that was so close to being knocked over, only for her to motion towards it, "Here is your final test Eugeo. Use your sword to knock that tree down for good so you can change your calling to the one you wish to hold. You do still wish to find your friend, Kirito, so that you can bring him home for good, do you not? So, right here and now, show me your determination!"

Determined eyes sparkled brilliantly as he then finished the deed and felled the tree for good, making everyone in the village of Rulid point as they gawked. That night a great festival was held in Eugeo's honor for demolishing that tree, only for the village elder to call out, "In compliance with the law, when one's calling is completed, they are given the choice to pick another. Now, Eugeo?" He then placed his hand over the hilt of his blade and smirked, "I will become a swordsman!"

Leaving Rulid now, they stopped and looked back one last time before Alice snickered, "Last chance to turn back now." Eugeo then shook his head at her, "No way. We are going to Centoria to enter the swordcraft academy! Our journey awaits us Alice, so let's go!" Laughing playfully, she couldn't help but feel proud of Eugeo. When she had first met him, he seemed so timid and acted as if he could never accomplish anything on his own, but, here he was now... standing tall and proud.

Making it into the swordcraft academy with ease, the choices of given mentors began to look over their candidates for who their page would be. Alice gained the mentor Sortiliena Serlut due to the second highest ranking seat taking a great interest in her as a whole, even though the first seat had wanted Alice as his page as well, but, the final choice came down to Alice. She could tell that the first seat was far beyond the point of arrogant, to which she even pointed out in annoyance.

With it being their first week, everyone was handed a uniform, which made Alice become pale, "You expect for me to fight or focus while in a miniskirt?!" Told it was the school rules, she huffed and placed the uniform on, only to groan once her roommates gawked at her. Exiting the room, her eyes shifted down. She was so used to rooming with Eugeo that it felt odd to not be rooming with him. After the initial school day, to which she already knew all of the laws, history, and sacred arts.

Once three in the afternoon rolled around, she made it to Liena's room and placed her clenched fist over her heart, "Primary trainee, Alice Zuberg, here for your instructions!" Liena chuckled softly at this gorgeous girl before smiling, "I do not hold any tasks for you. But, since you are my page, I wish for us to be familiar with one another, so, let us get to know each other. Is it fine with you if I call you Alice?" Alice then nodded with a smile, "Yes ma'am, nothing would make me happier."

Fanning her hand, Sortiliena then laughed softly and offered for Alice to take a seat, to which she did, "As you know, my name is Sortiliena Serlut, but, you may simply call me Liena. When I watched your battle to enter the academy, I could sense a sort of... connection... with your style of fighting. You were the only student that was allowed to bring in two blades due to the way you fight. From what your instructors have informed me of so far, you seem to grasp everything quite quickly."

Blushing at this, Alice gave a chipper laugh as she rubbed the back of her head, "Oh, well, I just seem to soak in knowledge very quickly." Liena then chuckled softly at this and nodded before adding in, "Your instructors have also told me that you feel highly uncomfortable in the uniform. I asked them why and all they could seem to muster was that it was the skirt that makes you embarrassed. So, I pulled some strings. You are now free to wear what you feel the most comfortable in."

Alice's face then brightened up immensely at this, "Really?!" Liena then nodded at her page before adding in, "Also, you will never have to run errands for me or do cleaning for me. From this day forth from three until four, you and I will be sparring partners. Will you let me know as to what your style of fighting is called?" Alice then nodded at her mentor, "Of course Liena. My style of combat is called the "Aincrad Style". For me, at least, it holds the meaning... freedom fighting."

Nodding her head at this, Liena then chuckled, "Well, against my Serlut Style, I wish to know what your Aincrad Style of fighting is actually capable of doing. Oh, that is right... I have also been told that you are highly uncomfortable in your dorm. Is there a specific reason as to why?" Peering down, Alice nodded slightly, "Yes. I will not overstep the rules by asking to room with a male, but, it is hard for me to gain any rest while in a room filled to the brim with people that I do not know."

Liena then nodded at her page before chuckling softly and giving a gentle smile, "Well then, this will come by as a shock to you then. They are issuing you a room that they issue to mentors. One of the mentors dropped out on purpose, so the room is free to take." With that, Liena handed the key over to Alice before chuckling, "It is right next to my room, so, you may go and pack your things before moving in. That also means that you may come to me anytime you might need."

Looking at this key with widened eyes, not sure if she should take it or not, only made Liena chuckle, "It is not a one-sided deal, I assure you. Since you are so knowledgeable, you are to help any of the other struggling primary trainees as a form of payment for that room." Alice then took the key and nodded brightly, "Yes ma'am! I will not let you down, I promise you!" Liena then smiled softly before shaking her head, "Just become an Integrity Knight and you will have done me proud."

Walking out of Liena's room and giving a gentle wave, Alice then rushed to her dorm before gathering all of her things, only to rush to the room right next to her mentor's room. Putting everything away, Alice then changed back into her normal attire from her "other worlds", she then walked back out and knocked on her mentor's door before she was given permission to enter. Walking inside of the room, Liena clapped her hands, "You look marvelous Alice! That attire suits you very well!"

Peering at the time that literally seemed to fly by, Liena then chuckled, "Um... Alice? You might want to hurry to the dining hall. You might have been given a mentor's room, but, you are still technically a trainee. If you miss the dinner prayer, you know that Miss Azurica will not be too happy if you are tardy. She has already been made aware of your attire dilemma and knows that you will be wearing what you wish for henceforth, but, she still will not be happy about you missing prayer."

Rushing out of her room with her golden boots lightly tapping against the ground, everyone who was a noble that had to wear the uniform felt as if this were a clear insult directed towards them as she jogged inside of the dining hall to drape over Eugeo's shoulders before chirping out, "Hey Eugeo!" Turning his head towards her and about to answer, he then noticed her attire and gaped, "Where is your uniform?!" Sitting beside him, Alice snickered and kissed his cheek, "You look so cute!"

Puffing his cheeks up at her, he then questioned after the prayer, "Hey Alice? Since we have free time after the evening meal, do you think that you can train me a bit more?" Alice nodded her head innocently at this, "I do not see as to why not!" Nobles that were male absolutely detested Eugeo's very existence as the two behind them began to mock him, "Did you hear that lord Raios? A commoner is asking another commoner for more training! He should be asking for our help!"

Eugeo then shifted his head back, just about to lose all of his composure until Alice took his hand and whispered, "Eugeo... they are trying to get a rise out of you. They are simply jealous of your abilities. You just have to stay cool!" Eugeo was used to hearing odd expressions coming from Alice by now, but, this was a new one. Blinking rapidly, he then questioned in a baffled manner, "Stay... cool? Alice I have never heard you say that before, so what does this little phrase mean?!"

Giggling at him, Alice then flicked his nose playfully while winking teasingly, "It means to stay calm. So, stay cool. However... that is not the only thing that they are jealous of." This made Eugeo peer towards her with clear confusion, "What else could they possibly be jealous of concerning me?" This made Alice give a cat-like smirk as she replied, "Would you like for me to show you, or, tell you?" She had already noticed that the both of them were now looking back with clear jealousy.

"What would be the difference," the blonde male asked in a confused tone. Alice then giggled further before leaning forward. Showing him it was. Internally asking for Kirito's forgiveness, Alice then pressed her lips to one shocked Eugeo's lips. Leaning away to notice that his green orbs now twinkled as if he were now starstruck, the golden-haired lass then winked at him playfully, "Now, stay cool, my darling." He then gave a rather enchanted nod while replying, "Right... I'll stay cool."

With dinner now complete, Alice and Eugeo now stood in the training arena with wooden blades as Alice slid her foot back to get in her perfect stance, "Be on your guard Eugeo! Show me what you have got!" Pressing off of the ground with immense pressure to shoot forward, only to see his wooden blade going for the most obvious attack, causing for her feet to skid and press upward to land on his blade before grabbing his shoulder with her free hand to flip over him swiftly.

Landing behind him and snapping her blade around to hold it to his throat, she scowled, "Eugeo, never go for the most obvious strike! The Aincrad Style is a sword style that is more or less about one's freedom that has been finely polished to fit your own style of fighting. It also is about one's agility and the strength to back those attacks up." Right as Eugeo went to answer, another cocky voice then spoke up, "Lord Raios, you must be as baffled as I am over such a novice technique!"

Alice's deadly orbs then snapped towards the jester before lowering the wooden blade she now held as she spoke, "Then perhaps you would be gracious enough to lend me your wisdom by holding a duel with me, lord Humbert?" Smirking at Alice, he then nodded, "But of course! I cannot simply tell such a lovely lady no! Lord Raios, would you be so kind to start our match?" Eugeo then tossed his wooden blade over for Humbert to catch before jogging to the side to watch Alice fight.

A hand was then held up, "The match between lord Humbert versus Alice Zuberg begins now!" Alice could only smirk while sliding her foot back as she thought, 'Alright... let us see how far your arrogance can take you when against the likes of me...' With him dashing towards her, she then sighed at how it had just started... and she was already bored. Eugeo was way more entertaining and agile to fight compared to this fool. These idiots had merely walked in during the end of training.

Merely side-stepping, holding a golden boot out, and tripping this man so that he fell face forward, Alice then held her wooden blade to this joker's throat as she spoke, "Did you not hear me when I was fighting Eugeo? Never go for the most obvious strike against me. I thought that you were going to correct my swordplay. However, from where I stand, it seems that you are the one in need of revision. You would not stand five minutes against me during a real duel with real blades."

Watching him grit his teeth, Alice then smiled brightly and held her hand out to help him up, "We can go again if you want!" Nodding his head, the match was then called to start, only for him to wait for her to dart towards him as her eyes gained a deep level of deadliness before darting forward. The moment she was right in front of him, she knew what he was going to do, so she twirled around his back, making him bring his blade down as she countered with a blank facial expression.

Tired of waiting, she brought her fist up and slammed it into his gut before grabbing the back of his head and swiftly connected his face with her knee, only to then vanish and appear above him to snarl out, "Never make fun of Eugeo, you low life trash!" Humbert went to block, but, her own wooden blade slammed down so intensely that it snapped the wooden blade in half before she kicked him to his backside and held her own blade of wood to his throat, making the match be called.

Raios clapped his hands at Alice before she dropped the wooden blade and kneeled down, "System call. Generate luminous element." Healing Humbert with a smile, she then chuckled, "No hard feelings, right? I was just, you know, using battle trash talk. I assure you that I meant none of it as an actual insult towards you or your noble lineage!" Eugeo then sweat dropped as he thought, 'Alice... you are one glorified sweet-talker. You meant every word you said... and you know it.'

It was so close for the second school year to be over, and to be honest, while she was going to miss Liena dearly due to looking at her as if she were her older sister, she was psyched to finally become an upperclassman to hold a page of her own that she could personally mentor all on her own. With it being a day of rest, Eugeo and Alice walked through town as the golden-haired lass happily bought a treat from a vendor that was spicy before taking a bite, only to offer a bite to Eugeo.

Chuckling at little miss Alice, Eugeo leaned forward a bit and took a bite to happily munch away. Once he swallowed, he smiled brightly, "Whoa! That's the best one that you've bought so far!" Smiling brightly at him with a bit of the flaky crust on her face, Eugeo then snickered at her and wiped her face clean. Peering over at what Alice was wearing with a dry expression, he released a rather dramatic sigh at her, "Honestly Alice, why are you still not wearing your school issued uniform?!"

Blinking softly at this rather comical display, Alice then laughed playfully, "Well, for one, it is our day of rest! Also, it is because they do not make me wear that uniform at all! That is why! I have taken all three classes and have mastered everything that they have to offer, so, the classes have become quite boring to even attend in the first place. I do not enjoy the title, but, the instructors all call me a prodigy that is assured to be next in line to become an Integrity Knight."

Sighing heavily at his best friend, Eugeo then ruffled his blonde locks, "You're leaving me behind Alice! It's seriously not fair!" Laughing brightly, the golden-haired lass wiped a tear from her eyes over sheer entertainment as he puffed his cheeks up at her. Shifting her head over, Alice's eyes brightened before she jogged over, "Miss Liena! Allow for me to help you carry some of that!" Sortiliena then smiled softly, "Alice, it is always wonderful to see you. Thank you for helping your mentor."

Helping her mentor carry items, she then waved, "Head on back without me Eugeo!" He then nodded and held a hand up, "Don't be late again Alice... not like they even scold you for being late anyway..." Sortiliena then smiled at her page, "I actually received a letter for you. Tomorrow, an Integrity Knight will be coming by to test your skills so that you can skip right to the top!" Alice blinked rapidly and rubbed the back of her head, "They are not giving me a choice, now are they?"

She then laughed brightly at her page, "Alice, you should be honored that they noticed you while you are still a page! This has never happened to my knowledge! I mean, even I cannot beat my own page in a duel! You are far too quick, smart, adjustable, and confident! However, what I truly admire is how you do not brag about your abilities to fight in the slightest. You almost seem to detest any sorts of praises for your accomplishments! Everyone will be there to watch the duel too!"

Gaining a dreaded face over that last piece of information, Alice sighed, "When you say everyone, who does that entail?" Snickering at her page, Liena then hummed to think, "All of your class, all of the upperclassmen, all of the teachers that have spoken your praise, all of the Integrity Knights, and..." Hearing the pause, Alice blinked rapidly, "And?" Liena then gained a serious facial expression at this, "It is said that even the Pontifex will be there, but, that is just a rumor going around."

Reaching Liena's home, Alice sighed, "Is there any way that I can possibly decline the match?" Liena then shook her head slightly, "Unfortunately for you, no. Why are you so adamant about passing up such a golden opportunity?" Alice shifted a frown from side to side before answering softly, "Well... I wanted to finish this year out, become a mentor to someone else, and graduate normally. If I have no say in the matter, then I guess that I will just forfeit as soon as the duel begins!"

Setting her mentor's bought items down, she then looked down and whispered, "Depending on who I am fighting... that is." Liena then looked at her page with confusion, "What was that?" Snapping out of it and smiling brightly, Alice turned and waved, "It was nothing! I am going to be late for the evening meal if I do not hurry! I will see you tomorrow Miss Sortiliena!" Smiling, Liena then waved as she gave an 'oh, good grief' sigh, "Do be safe on your way back to the dormitory, Alice!"

Making it back to the dormitory right on time, Alice stretched as the headmaster handed her the same letter that was given to her mentor. Chewing on her lip as she entered the cafeteria, the stuck-up nobles, Raios Antinous and Humbert Zizek, scowled at her... only to be ignored as she picked up her meal for the night and sat down before they spoke, "Can you believe the nerve of these commoners lord Raios? They get to dine in the cafeteria that we worked so hard to make spotless!"

It was so obvious that they were furious that Alice was going to go up against an Integrity Knight to see if she would make the cut. Turning her head towards them without either seeing, she then sneezed in their hair before gasping, "Oh my goodness! Please forgive me! However, I know that the both of you are rather kind individuals and will forgive me without punishing me for such a thing as an accident." Everyone that had witnessed this now held their breaths to not laugh.

Finishing her meal and standing up while releasing a dejected sigh, Alice then looked at Eugeo and took his hand before lowering her head, "Eugeo... I need to talk to you." He knew that she held her own room as if she were already an upperclassman, so he nodded, "Yeah, of course." Following her, he then entered her room and laid back on her bed, "What's up Alice? Is something troubling you?" Not knowing what to say in return, she laid beside him and took his hand.

Smiling at her, Eugeo began to stroke her hair, "Is this about the rumor about an Integrity Knight coming to duel you tomorrow? I think you should do it Alice!" Shocked that he had figured it out so fast, Alice slowly sat up to gaze into his eyes, "Are... Are you sure that is what you truly wish for though?" Humming, he then reached up and tucked some of her hair behind her ear, "I won't lie and say that I don't envy you for leaving me behind, but, at the same time... I'm happy for you."

Elsewhere inside of the Central Cathedral, the commander of the Integrity Knights, Bercouli, entered the gardens due to being given orders to find Kirito to give him some important information. Sighing softly, he then mumbled, "Of all days to fly solo, today was not the best day to do so kid. I can't ever find you when you are needing your alone time." Rubbing the back of his head as he continued his search, he then shifted his pale light blue eyes around to find the missing teenager.

The Pontifex used this teenager's body quite often due to the distant appearing look held within his silverish-gray orbs. It almost made him feel bad for the kid due to the fact that it never seemed as if he wanted to do it, nor did he enjoy the skin-to-skin contact. More than anything, that left him with the splitting migraine in the form of the prime minister, Chudelkin. Everyone knew that he spied on the Pontifex each time she took advantage of Kirito's handsome and youthful appearance.

Bercouli had been sent by the pouting and screeching clown of a high senator to fetch Kirito per the Pontifex's request for two reasons. One, he needed to inform the kid over certain matters that were bound to take place the next day. Second, the Pontifex wished for him to join her in bed for some playtime. Looking around the gardens where he normally found the bland appearing teen, Bercouli released a massive sigh until going down the hill to witness the young man sitting all alone.

Kirito sat beside the banks of the shallow river while humming the song that Alice had made for him without knowing that it had even been made by her any longer... it was just a song that was etched into his very soul at this point. Listening to the tone of the song, Bercouli stopped approaching to soak in the sound of this soft, sad, yet loving sounding song. The longer that he listened to those gentle emitted hums, the more that he could tell that this tune in particular was a love song.

Approaching after a bit, he then ruffled Kirito's hair and gave him a smile as he spoke, "Hey kiddo, that was a pretty song. Did you make it up yourself? I'd be shocked if you made a song that pretty." Shifting his eyes upwards a bit to peer at the commander, Kirito then released a breath before shaking his head, "No, I didn't make it up by myself." This made Bercouli extremely curious, considering he sat down to be right next to the lost appearing teenager, "Oh? Did a girl make it for you?"

Almost nodding, Kirito then winced and grasped his head for a moment before merely pressing his fingertips against his forehead, "No... I... I must have heard one of the priests sing it, or, maybe I heard someone else singing it while out on patrol." Bercouli then laughed at this explanation, "You expect for me to believe that you actually heard someone singing that song while riding your dragon of all things?!" Kirito gained an annoyed face at that moment, "Why are you even here?!"

Releasing a heavy breath, Bercouli then folded his arms, "What? I can't come and talk to my favorite student?" Kirito almost instantly gave the commander a lazy facial expression over that exclamation, which made Bercouli laugh before sighing as he rubbed the back of his head, "Well the truth is, I came to speak to you about two things." Nodding his head that he was listening, Bercouli continued, "Well, tomorrow, you are going to be testing out a prodigy that is still a primary trainee."

Nodding his head at this, Kirito then released an annoyed breath over this, "That's fine. Is it a male or a female, and what's his or her name?" Bercouli then folded his arms as he answered the question that had initially been asked, "It is a female. Her name is Alice Zuberg." Nodding his head at this as if accepting, the commander was happy enough that, that had gone over smoothly... but now came the part that he didn't want to tell Kirito, "The second topic I must bring up is... well..."

Right then, Chudelkin came rolling out to the two like a clown before barking out with a clear pout, "Commander! You are taking so long that the Pontifex sent me as well! She wishes for Kirito to head to her chambers for the entire night, so get a move on, you brat!" Sighing heavily, Kirito then nodded slightly before standing up, "I understand Chudelkin... Lead the way." Kirito could only oblige as he began walking away with the prime minister in his black long-tailed coat, pants, and boots.

Taken all the way to the hundredth floor, the door was then opened before Kirito slowly walked inside of the room while humming that special song softly. The door was then hastily closed and Chudelkin hurriedly went to his room to watch through his little crystal ball so that he could end up squealing out his displeasures over what was now transpiring like a pig. He was often so loud that all of the Integrity Knights that were still conscious could hear his ridiculous rambling over the matters.

Soft purple locks spilled over her shoulders the moment she sat up to witnessed the black swordsman, only to hold her arms out to him from behind the drapes hiding her body, "Kirito, come to me..." Nodding his head blandly, he stepped forward, "You wished to see me?" Hearing her soft chuckles, a single hand reached out from the drapes to brush against Kirito's lips, "There's no reason to be so shy. Get into bed with me." Removing his boots, he then did as he was told and climbed in.

Removing his top and pants, she then removed her attire and wrapped her arms around his neck before falling to her back while tugging him along for the ride, "Kirito, satisfy both of our needs." He had no idea what she meant, considering her body never got him worked up. With the Pontifex always having to manually work the bland teen up to get what she wanted, she rolled him to his back and first began to stroke his shaft until realizing that it wasn't working as it normally did.

"I will give you a special gift on this day," she spoke with a smile that was more than just a little fake. Watching her lean her face down, he inwardly sighed and didn't even seem to care when her mouth was graciously being used to work him up. It took a long time of bobbing her head up and down to even get him a fraction of being hard enough for him to be capable of entering her. Finally leaning away, she then rolled the two over so that he now hovered above her unenthusiastically.

Pressing inside of her while holding her hip, Kirito began to thrust to make her moan out instantly. Kirito couldn't even hear her moans due to that song Alice had made for him still echoing inside of his mind, only to rattle and reverberate within his soul continuously, to which kept him surprisingly calm during this entire transaction of unwanted contact. He gave her the pleasure that she desired from his body, yet, he never desired her in the same manner, so he never met his release.

By the end, he laid in her bed with his hands laced behind his head as he hummed the song that Alice had made for him, making her shift her head to peer at him as he hummed that gentle tune and rolled over to face him while tracing his chest, "My, what a beautiful melody. Where did you pick up such a song?" Kirito could only shrug honestly at this given statement before replying, "I'm not sure where I got it from. That being said... there's never a moment that it isn't on my mind..."

With the next day coming upon them, Alice leaned against Sortiliena's chest nervously, "I have never been so nervous for a duel, it is rather baffling." This made Liena laugh hysterically while stroking her hair, "Oh, do not be nervous. Out of all of the students, only you were allowed to bring in two blades. Once you showed how promising and threatening you were while dual-wielding, that was most likely your first miss-step to becoming an Integrity Knight far quicker than intended."

Eugeo then walked up as the stands began to fill up, only to hand her both of her blades, "Do your best Alice. I'll be rooting for you!" Alice then bit her lip and groaned, "Please do not! I hope to be overshadowed!" Feeling a nudge to her side, Liena then pointed in the stands, "Look, the other Integrity Knights. Your opponent must be here, so go on and be the best that I know that you can be. You have hidden most of your power from me, so here and now, unleash it to the full extent."

Hearing the steps of armor entering while Eugeo, who was now in the stands with widened eyes. Black armor that shined with the white Integrity Knight symbol gleamed before he came to a stop. Liena then turned Alice around for her eyes to widen to witness those shortened raven locks, black armor, a single black blade, and cold gray orbs before she walked forward on shaky legs as he spoke in a monotone voice, "Kirito Synthesis Thirty here to test the primary trainee, Alice Zuberg."

Rolling her shoulders with darkened orbs, Alice then growled out, "How dare you Kirito." Pulling both of her blades out and giving them a sharp twirl, even Liena could tell that Alice was finally taking a match seriously. Another Integrity Knight that didn't seem like the rest then entered to hold his hand up, "By accepting, you consented to real blades. Both ready? When I say both, I'm talking to you, pretty missy." Her eyes appeared beyond deadly as Kirito nodded, "Yes commander."

This commander noticed the killer intent held in her eyes as she nodded, "Yes. Do not distract me again... am I understood..." Yikes. The commander then chuckled, "Well, now that both parties have agreed to this duel with their real blades, both may begin now!" The commander then jumped back due to both of the "pretty missy's" blades already in perfect weapon control. Vanishing as Kirito drew his blade, Alice appeared right in front of him with a look that promised to kill this man.

'His... His blade is in perfect control already?!' Her mind shouted, but, before he could use it, Alice's foot slammed into his gut so harsh that it sent him flying into the wall, making the commander's eyes widen due to the fact that Alice held her Osmanthus Blade to the side once Kirito rushed towards her, only for that blade, minus the hilt, to turn into a storm of osmanthus flowers to hit Kirito before reconstructing into the blade, only to dash forward at such a speed that it was terrifying.

Right as she went in for her fifty-hit combination, Eugeo yelled, "Alice, stop!" Skidding to a halt, Kirito's Blade of Shadows caught her to freeze her into place as he walked forward, "My Night Sky Blade can halt anyone in their tracks... and harm them as well." Alice then smirked with a level of darkness that even scared the commander as she spoke, "Oh, very informative. However..." Her Aurora Blade's northern lights then appeared and slammed against him, "It's ineffective against me!"

Walking forward with her head lowered, tears dripped to the ground as she spoke, "You are merely a shell of the man that I became engaged to." Kirito's bland eyes then stared at this miserable woman as he spoke something that froze her in place, but, not from his shadows, "I do not know what you speak of. I was summoned from the heavens to fight all of the injustice in this world by the Pontifex." Even the commander could see how much pain that comment had caused her.

What Kirito had outspoken to her had cut deeply into her fragile heart and inflicted far more damage than any knife, sword, spear, axe, throwing blades, or arrows could achieve. Lowering her head further, she had to keep her emotions in check as she took a deep breath and shot her head up with tears flowing down her face as she spat out, "If you are some divine being, then let us see how long you can last! How dare you have the gall to forget me! Once done, I demand an apology!"

Darting forward, that fifty-hit combo began for the osmanthus bloom to bud after ten strikes, only for each additional strike to make that flower begin blooming until she yelled, "That makes fifty! Bloom Goddess Osmanthus!" That golden osmanthus flower fully bloomed before popping to rain down shimmering golden particles. Was she done? Her Aurora Blade then began to glow as that forty-eight consecutive hit combination completed, "Now, Illuminate Northern Lights!"

Kirito's eyes narrowed until Alice snapped her fingers, shattering Kirito's armor entirely as she spoke tearfully, "I would gladly take your spot as long as they released you from whatever treacherous curse they have placed you under! I would throw away my freedom for your own!" Kirito appeared shocked as he coughed up blood, only for him to begin dashing forward until she swiftly dodged his strike, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips tightly to his own.

Placing her hand against his cheek, she then stroked the soft skin tenderly while whispering something that began unlocking his memories, "Do not forget the love that we hold for one another... Kazuto. If I lose your love, I might as well be dead." The moment the commander noticed the triangular module beginning to escape from Kirito's forehead, he swiftly held his hand up, "And the winner of the duel is Alice Zuberg!" Turning his head towards her, he then sighed softly, "Alice, come."

Shifting her gaze towards the commander, she nodded and whispered, "I will take his spot... please, you have to let him go." Ruffling the back of his hair, he then sighed, "That's something you will have to speak to the Pontifex about. I'm telling you now kiddo... you are about to be put through hell and back for the man you love." Alice then turned her head and whistled, "Amayori, come!" Amayori then flew up and landed in her arms as she spoke, "I will become Alice... Synthesis Thirty."

Once outside where all of the dragon mounts were, Alice's hips were then gently grasped by Bercouli to lift her onto his dragon, only for him to then hoist himself up to be sitting behind her before taking the reins and lightly snapping them, "Return back to the Central Cathedral now." The blonde tenderly held onto Amayori with trembling hands as they began to take flight, causing for the baby dragon to make the attempts to calm her as they made it back to the Central Cathedral.

With that, she was then taken all the way up the remaining floors of the Central Cathedral slowly and silently by Bercouli and Kirito. Making it in front of her door, Bercouli turned towards Alice, "I forgot to tell you, my name is Bercouli Synthesis One. Now, I am going to head in first and make my report to the Pontifex while also making your wishes to speak to her known. Until I come and get you, wait here for me." All she could do was nervously nod at him before he smiled and entered.

"Madam Pontifex, the duel was decided fairly quick," the commander explained as she then spoke in return, "My, my, that was quick Bercouli. So, did our cute little Kirito win the duel?" The commander, Bercouli, then shook his head, "No, madam Pontifex. The winner was Alice Zuberg." The Pontifex's eyes then lifted in surprise at this, "Oh my. Kirito is a rather tough opponent. If she can beat him, then she must be quite skilled." Nodding his head, Bercouli then sighed softly at this, "Yes..."

Blinking softly, the Pontifex then noticed Bercouli's rather saddened expression, "Bercouli? What is troubling you? Also, did you bring her?" The commander then nodded at this, "Yes, I have brought her. However, she wishes to have a word with you." Appearing amused, she then nodded, "Very well, bring her in so that I may meet her." Alice was then brought in to see this woman, but, almost began feeling anxiety flooding her system once the Pontifex spoke, "You wished to speak?"

Thinking about Kazuto's happiness, Alice then released a breath, "Madam Pontifex, I will only agree to become one of your Integrity Knights under two conditions. One, you release Kirito from whatever hex or curse you have placed on him. Two, you swear on the thing that you love the most... which presumably is yourself... that you will never do whatever you have done to him ever again, no matter what. I have already agreed to become Alice Synthesis Thirty to take his place."

"Interesting... what connection do you hold to that boy," she asked in an almost puzzled manner, making Alice scowl furiously, "That BOY is the man that I love the most in this world! Not only that, but, he is also my fiancé!" Bercouli then cleared his throat softly, "Madam Pontifex, if I may be so bold, her suggestion to take his place is at least worth considering. I mean, she did defeat Kirito rather easily. It literally only took her a matter of minutes to accomplish the task of subduing Kirito."

The Pontifex then nodded to Alice, "Very well Alice, I will do as you have asked. Are there any other... conditions... so to speak of?" Alice then nodded before boldly speaking, "I want to bear witness to you keeping your end of our deal. However, before you do anything to me... I wish to sing Kirito a single song once he has been returned to normal." The Pontifex then nodded, "Bercouli, bring Kirito in." Raising her hand, a crystal was then removed from the ceiling to hover in her hands.

Kirito was then brought in, only for Alice to watch as the module was removed from his forehead for the opposing module to be placed back in his head, making the Pontifex almost glare at this girl that was now taking her source of pleasure. With his memories returned, even memories of the real world were gifted back to him, making Kirito blink harshly before his eyes gained a horrified expression over all of the transgressions he had made. Unintentional or not, he had still done them.

Shifting his gaze to the side, that's when he witnessed Alice standing there, making her hold her hand up to silence him. The Pontifex was actually curious to hear this song of Alice's, but, before she sang, Alice narrowed her eyes, "Kirito, enable your core protection." Doing what was asked of him, Alice then began to sing her song for him beautifully. Everyone in the room held widened eyes over such a beautiful voice being emitted until her eyes peered down with tears, "Smile for you..."

Bercouli and the Pontifex's eyes widened immensely at this, considering this had been the very same song that they had always heard him humming to himself. Alice then smiled sadly before she softly spoke, "Remove... core... protection." The Pontifex then walked forward, not realizing that Alice had not said "system call" as Alice smiled at Kirito, "Logout Kirito..." He almost ran forward, but, Bercouli realized this and took hold of him to speak softly, "Kirito, she never said system call."

Right as the Pontifex went to place the module in her head, Alice smirked darkly, "You are quite the idiot." Pulling her blade out, she swiftly cut the Pontifex's arm off, making her sigh and grumble out, "Well, that was quite unexpected." Raising her hand and stopping the bleeding, she then walked to her arm and picked it up as she lazily spoke, "Bercouli, release Kirito from the Central Cathedral and place him back in the academy, per my agreement to Alice's wishes and demands."

Bercouli was just about to argue until the Pontifex snapped her orbs towards him while growling, "You'd better hurry before I change my mind and force a synthesis on both Alice and Kirito to be my guardian angels." In all honesty, she wasn't too happy over the fact that Alice was more beautiful than she was, nor was she too keen over the idea of someone else holding Kirito's affection as she snarled out, "Bercouli, go now! This is not my first time dealing with unruly angels, you know!"

Finally, the commander tossed Kirito over his shoulder before dashing out of the room, only for the Pontifex to question, "Now, I will ask before I use more drastic measures. Alice, will you be replacing Kirito or not?" Alice scowled deeply, which was enough of an answer for the Pontifex before she yelled out, "Chudelkin!" Chudelkin bounced inside of the room before bowing, "How might I be of service to you, madam? Anything you wish and command will be done without question!"

The Pontifex then glared at Alice spitefully as she spoke in a darkened tone, "Take Alice, Synthesis Thirty, to undergo the forced synthesis ritual. She will be replacing Kirito Synthesis Thirty." This single comment made Chudelkin ecstatic as he tightly grasped the little lady while smirking darkly, "Come along Alice Synthesis Thirty! Do not make me drag you the whole way there!" With the breaks on the whole way there, Chudelkin literally dragged her all the way to all of the senators.

"Stop it, you freak! I demand that you release me this instant," she yelled with hatred blazing in her oceanic bright blue eyes. Stopping inside of the room holding all of the senators, Alice's eyes widened immensely, "What... What in the world?!" Chudelkin then smirked darkly and sadistically towards the little lady, "All of those memories that you hold precious and dear to your heart will now become lost. Tears instantly filled her eyes, "No! Please, do not take my memories from me!"

The same Sacred Art was then used on her by all of the senators, causing for her to scream in agony before glaring with tears streaming down her face, "I refuse to forget any of it! None of it will be gone!" With how stubborn this golden-haired lass truly was, it was taking days of the same repeated Sacred Arts used on her over and over again. Feeling it finally taking effect on her, she stood inside of her mind to see all of her friends on her left rushing towards her while yelling in a panic.

Turning towards them while holding her hand out, she watched as a mental block stopped them from growing any closer. Turning her head to her right, Eugeo and Selko both then ran forward, "Alice!" Reaching out to them as well, another mental block was made to separate her connection with them. With her list of allies growing thin at this point, those who were already cut off were now banging on the mental block within her mind while yelling frantically and crying to not be forgotten.

The one voice that had her sobbing in the real world and inside of her mind... was Kazuto, "Alice! Don't cut me out! You are much stronger than this! Our love is not something that can be erased or replaced! Don't give in!" Snapping around internally with widened and panicked eyes, Alice bolted, "No… Kazuto! Please do not make me forget him! He means everything to me!" The last internal block then divided the two, making Alice slide to her knees while sobbing hysterically.

With the blue crystal emerging from her forehead as her eyes went out of focus, Alice then collapsed to the ground completely unconscious with newfound data planted inside of her memory. Taken to the Pontifex's room, she finally came to wearing a white outlined in gold and blue attire that matched her prior attire, white shorts, her gold boots, and white fingerless gloves that held gold and blue lines around the wrist to make it believable that she was a summoned divine angel.

"Welcome to the land of us inferior humans, I am the Pontifex... I am the one who has summoned you. Now rise my divine warrior, I would like to ask your name," the Pontifex spoke to Alice, making her stand, "My name... is Alice Synthesis Thirty, madam Pontifex." It had worked... good. The Pontifex looked at the beautiful blue crystal Alice had produced before looking up to see a bluebird with a missing eye, only to place Alice's stolen memories right there, "Bercouli, come."

Bercouli entered the room to witness Alice's face and internally frowned before speaking, "Yes madam Pontifex?" Pointing towards Bercouli, the Pontifex then smiled, "Alice, this is Bercouli Synthesis One. He was summoned here by me, the same as you. He is the commander of the rest of my summoned angels that you will shadow. He will be your mentor." Alice then bowed towards her gently, "As you wish madam Pontifex." With that, little miss Alice walked out of the room with Bercouli.

In the real world, everyone witnessed when Kazuto's soul returned to what it once was and cheered until Higa began freaking out, "No! No, no, no! Kirigaya's Fluctlight returned to normal... but... Alice's has now changed dramatically! What in the hell happened?!" Kikuoka shot his head forward to look at Alice's Fluctlight with widened eyes that held the same patterns as Kazuto's Fluctlight had held prior to being returned back to normal, making his mouth drop wide open, "A Fluctlight..."

This made Higa peer towards Kikuoka, "What about a Fluctlight, boss?" Kikuoka then shook his head as a means of trying to finish as to what he was saying, "This is the doing of another Fluctlight! The Pontifex is overriding our authority and has made herself the Administrator to change the Fluctlights of others! That's how Kazuto's must have changed so dramatically! We have been scammed by a damned artificial life! It was almost like we were set up to send Alice in there on purpose!"

Higa then questioned, "Yeah, maybe, but... boss? There's no way for anyone to really access that information unless we have been hacked, got passed our firewalls, or gained entrance inside of our secure network; which I highly doubt that anyone has the knowledge to do any of that in the slightest due to everything being my coding." Kikuoka's eyes then narrowed slightly, "Not necessarily, Higa. There are a few more facts you need to consider." Higa then tilted his head, "Such as?"

With darkened eyes, Kikuoka then growled out softly, "Think about it Higa... exactly why has it taken us so long to locate a Fluctlight that holds the mannerisms that we have looked for? We have watched over this world for the longest time and the one thing I remember hearing many talking about is a seal on the right eye. That seal on the eye has made everyone act more like an AI than a Fluctlight. However... we never placed such a seal on the Fluctlights' right eye to begin with Higa!"

Feeling highly confused and about to question further, Kikuoka answered without a single other person, except for Higa, hearing him, "Another thing you have to question is how did Kirito and Alice become trapped...? Recently, I was told that Alice's character was now stuck as well. This makes both Alice and Kirito actual residences of the Underworld. So... someone who knows your coding had to have done this. In other words, it was someone on the inside that has done it all."

Shocked, Higa then shifted his eyes around suspiciously before whispering a shout that only Kikuoka heard, "I don't think anyone knows my coding that well boss!" Tapping his finger against his arm with narrowed eyes, Kikuoka's orbs then further darkened, "I know of only a small handful of people who can change your coding... I'll be back." Higa then nodded his head as Kikuoka then snapped away and began to walk to a specific room before picking up a phone to make a call for aid.

"This is Rinko Koujiro speaking," the female voice on the other end of the line spoke before Kikuoka sighed, "Rinko, I'm in desperate need of your help." A long pause was heard before a rather heavy sigh was released, "What are you needing this time? Look, if you're trying to locate Akihiko, then all I can tell you is for the last time, I honestly have no clue." Shaking his head as if she could see it, he then whispered softly, "Rinko, I honestly wouldn't call you unless it was an emergency."

"An emergency? Can you elaborate what is so urgent," she questioned, only for him to answer quickly as he texted Yuuki's program to give Rinko's email address and phone number, "Listen, I don't know if we're being listened to, so, I'm having someone contact you. They will be capable of informing you of the entire situation. Also, don't be too shocked if you look this person up... and they are dead." - "Kikuoka, you're not making any damn sense." - "You'll understand. Just trust me."

Hanging his phone up, he then pressed send on the message to Yuuki. Once she skimmed over the message, her mouth dropped wide open before she took her humanoid form and rushed away from anyone, including her brother and sister. Making the call, Yuuki nervously tapped her foot against the ground for her boot to begin making rapid soft thuds against the ground until she finally heard, "This is Rinko Koujiro speaking." - "Miss Rinko Koujiro, my former name is Yuuki Konno."

That name sounded very familiar for some reason until she remembered what Kikuoka had said and looked up the name Yuuki Konno to see 'deceased'. Confused, she then spoke, "What do you mean your former name?" - "These days I go by either Yuuki Kirigaya or Zuberg, whichever one I want to use for the day, ya know? Mostly, I go by Yuuki Kirigaya since my mom and dad are engaged to be married." - "Alright Miss Kirigaya, you have my attention - wait... Kirigaya, as in Kazuto?!"

Pointing her finger as if she could be seen, Yuuki then nodded, "Exactly! Now, what I'm gonna tell ya is gonna sound pretty crazy. My dad and mom... Kazuto and Alice... they are stuck in a game called the Underworld. Mister Shady Kikuoka sent me the details and to be honest, that's somethin' he would never joke about. He says that he fears all of this is the doin' of someone inside of RATH." - "How can I tell that you aren't an AI made by Kikuoka to say everything that he tells you?"

"Because I'm not an AI at all! I'm an LI, ya know... Living Intelligence! My mom used her SS, the Soul Scanner, to copy my soul and place it inside of the body of an AI. That's what really separates us. I have my own process of thought, my own personal image, my own speech patterns, my own quirks and kinks, and how the world is witnessed through my eyes is my own opinion! Ya gotta trust me! If I were Mister Shady Kikuoka's AI, I wouldn't be so worried," she pleaded frantically.

A long pause was then heard before Rinko replied, "Alright Yuuki, I will help. Can you give me the specifics now?" Just about to give the full details to Rinko, Yuuki was then interrupted by someone Rinko hadn't heard the voice of in forever, "Sis, why are you all the way out here in the woods? Who are you even talking to?" - "Big brother, shut up!" - "Yuuki, tell me!" - "Ugh, the minute I tell you... you will wish you hadn't come searching for me!" - "Sis, tell me!" - "Ya really wanna know?"

Akihiko then huffed dramatically... for him, "I wouldn't have asked if I hadn't wanted to know!" - "Rinko Koujiro," she dryly retorted with an annoyed face, making Akihiko almost instantly zip his lips. "Miss... Miss Kirigaya? Who was that?" - "Ya see what ya did big brother?!" Yuuki furiously fumed before hurling a rock to clobber him upside the head, only to sigh before answering her, "Yeah, sorry about that Miss Rinko! That was just my big brother... uh... oh to hell with it... it's Akihiko."

"Miss Zuberg actually created an AI of Akihiko Kayaba?!" Rinko spastically asked, only for Yuuki to rub the back of her head sheepishly, "Uh... big brother! Ya made this awkward for me! Come and answer!" Letting his shoulders fall in defeat, he then approached before speaking, "Hello Rinko. No, mother did not make an AI of me. I am, but, am not an AI. A small portion of my soul is in this AI, so, much like my little sister, Yuuki, I'm a Living Intelligence. The only AI in the family is Yui."

Tears filled Rinko's eyes before quickly shaking the tears away to blurt out, "Akihiko, where in the hell is your body?!" - "Yeah, no. If I won't even tell mother that information, what gives you the belief that I will tell you? The answer to that is... I won't tell you," he explained to her with a lazy-fared tone. - "Wait, you call Miss Zuberg your MOTHER?!" Akihiko then released a heavy sigh, "She was in a hurry when she saved the portion of my soul and accidentally input 'siblings' into my AI."

Yuuki then sighed heavily and let Akihiko stay for the debriefing of what he already knew for certain reasons, considering she explained it all right then and there before speaking one last thing, "So, ya see Miss Rinko, we really could use your help! I'm beggin' ya!" Rinko then released a gentle sigh, awaiting for what Akihiko would say, only for him to speak, "Please Rinko, it isn't the same without mother and father around." Finally, she buckled, "Alright, I will go help Kazuto and Alice."

Told where to go while also told that Selko Zuberg would be joining her, she then hung up and got packed before heading to her destination after swapping out a picture of one of her assistant's with Selko's picture. Reaching her destination, she then smiled at Selko, "Are you ready to go?" Nodding his head, Selko then looked out at the ocean with a gentle frown as he spoke, "Even if I am only there for motivational support, I want to be there for sis when she needs me the most."

With a long helicopter flight, the pilot finally pointed out their destination, "There it is, that's the Ocean Turtle." Rinko then hummed as she spoke to Selko, "It kind of does look like a turtle, don't you agree?" Selko put two and two together pretty fast... RATH, the Underworld, the Ocean Turtle... they were all Alice In Wonderland references. He then sighed, "Except for the fact that Jabberwocky would have made a cooler name. That's what the Ocean Turtle is referring to. The Jabberwocky."

Rinko then peered at Selko in a puzzled manner, "What do you mean?" Shifting his head to look at Rinko, Selko then explained, "RATH, the Underworld, the Ocean Turtle - each name is a reference to the books Alice In Wonderland. However, not just any of the Alice In Wonderland books..." This made her even more puzzled, "Then which book do you speak of in particular?" Selko's eyes then narrowed at the Ocean Turtle's landing platform before he swiftly placed in colored contacts.

Releasing a breath, he then finally answered after blinking a few times to let those amber colored contacts settle in, "That should be fairly obvious to anyone who is even familiar with the books. It was one of Alice's favorite books to read while growing up before the Nerve Gear was created. She found a deep connection to that book in particular out of all of them." Rinko then gained a puzzled expression until Selko continued, "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There..."

"How strange... why would she find such a deep connection to that one in particular?" Rinko questioned out curiously, only for Selko to shift his gaze down as he answered, "Alice never wanted to be living in the reality she was truly in. She detested at how she was never praised for a single thing that she accomplished, or, what she might accomplish in the future. She was always told how to dress, was told how she was expected to behave, and was even told how to speak."

Frowning as they began to land, he then continued, "When she would read that book, she wrote each odd word down, including the names of monsters. She found out that almost all of the words and monsters used... meant absolutely nothing." - "Well, sure. They aren't real words," she replied with, making Selko lightly shake his head, "No, not the words as a whole. I am speaking of the meanings held behind them and what they represented. They literally amount to absolutely nothing."

With the helicopter landing, Selko placed a wig on before the two picked up their belongings and got out, only for the two to then be led inside of the structure. Passing plenty of checkpoints with no issue to be found, both entered the main room with widened eyes at the massive monitor showing the most lifelike video game they had ever witnessed in their entire lives. Kikuoka then approached them, welcomed them, and explained as to what the two were now witnessing on the screen.

Kikuoka then spoke, "So, as you can assume, what you both are now looking at is the Under..." - "We are peering through the looking-glass to see what Alice can find there." Selko replied softly before becoming so enraged at this man that he ripped the wig off of his head before pulling the contacts out, only to snarl out, "So, I can assume that we are looking at a whole bunch of lives holding no meaning, no true definition, no true existence, nor any true forms to call their own!"

Holding widened eyes at noticing Selko's rare furious form, Kikuoka tried explaining himself... but was most certainly cut off by the pissed off teenager, "However, through your looking-glass, you are attempting to find one "Alice"! I suppose another way of putting it would be... You are attempting to find the one person who noticeably stands out from the rest of the absolute nothing that you have created! What's the point in attempting to locate an NPC that acts so much differently?!"

Now he explained completely, "In a sense, you are correct. However... what you are looking at is a world filled to the brim with real souls. We started this world with two men and two women. Both women gave birth to a total of eight children each. From there, we waited for the population to grow a substantial amount to find the perfect, as you called it, "Alice". I'm actually impressed that you figured out that all of RATH's ideology came from Alice In Wonderland. A bit ironic, isn't it?"

Selko then folded his arms before rolling his eyes at this, "You made it a bit more than obvious with how you named everything from my sister's favorite book 'Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There'. Now, if you hold another STL, I will log in to help Kazuto and Alice." That made Kikuoka frown slightly, "That might be a task that is easier said than done as of now. But, if you wish to go to the Underworld, then by all means, have at it. We hold two more STL's, so go ahead."

Higa swiftly held his hand out, only for Kikuoka to clear his throat, "Oh, that's right. Higa, this is Selko Zuberg." Nodding his head, Higa then began to also debrief the teen, "Alright Selko, I will explain this as fast as I can. In the Underworld, time has been sped up dramatically compared to our world. I will drop you with all of your converted gear to be as close to Kazuto and Alice as possible and we will give you just enough stats. How that world works is different than any other game."

Remaining quiet to listen, Selko then nodded as Higa continued, "Now, there are only three stats in your Stacia window. How to access your Stacia window, you use your index and pointer finger to draw an 'S' in the air before tapping it. Kazuto is currently attending the Swordcraft Academy. Like I said, we are giving you just enough stats to not be considered as a threat to the human empire's ruler, the Pontifex. Don't be too good or you will be snatched up by the Pontifex as a whole."

Sighing, the blonde tech then pushed his glasses up, "But this is what you will need to look out for the most." Higa then pulled up Alice's Fluctlight from before and after, making Selko question, "What in the hell is that thing?" Higa then got to explaining this sticky mess, "These are both of Alice's Fluctlights from before and after her change. We aren't sure as to what happened to her because once we were notified of the change, we haven't been able to locate her in the Underworld."

Folding his arms, Higa then looked into Selko's eyes, "For your safety, I'm not giving you the option to dual-wield. That was one of the reasons Alice was noticed so quickly. You honestly don't even have an inventory in the game. It's more realistic than you think. So, I'm sending you in with the blade that takes the most strength stats, your Moonflower Blade. That might give you a sliver of hope against Alice should you need it. I'm also going to insert all data concerning the human empire."

Kikuoka then turned away, "Come on Selko, follow me. I already had a third STL placed in the same room as Alice and Kirito's room." Nodding, he then followed as Rinko followed to make sure no funny business happened. Walking down the steps and making it in front of the room, Selko peered inside to see an empty STL, only for the three to enter before Kikuoka added in one more bit of information, "There is one more thing that I should make you aware of before you get started."

Nodding his head that he was listening, Selko then stared straight into this man's eyes, "Well?" Kikuoka then nodded and took a deep breath before explaining completely, "This game is unlike any other game you have ever played. Even Sword Art Online is considered as a joke compared to this. When I say that, I mean that any pain you feel in the Underworld will make you feel as if your real body is being harmed. If an arm is chopped off, you'd better believe it's going to hurt like hell."

Holding his hand out to the young man, Selko took it firmly as Kikuoka spoke sternly, "Selko... be careful of what you say, I mean we aren't exactly blocking your memories. Now, in the game, there is something called "perfect weapon control". There are two stages that you can use to your advantage. First, there is "enhance armament" and the second is "release recollection". Please, just be careful. People might become suspicious due to how much you and Alice look the exact same."

Looking at the nurse, Selko gained a look of slight surprise, "Miss Aki?!" Aki winked at the handsome teen and chuckled, "Hey there handsome! I'll be sure to take extra good care of your body as you head into the Underworld! So I need you to strip for me!" This made Selko blush furiously and remove his top before Aki snickered and hooked him up to heart monitors before he laid down and held his sister's right hand as Aki lowered the top of the STL over his face for him to begin.

"Hey there kiddo," the commander of the troops smiled as he spoke. Good lord did he love and adore Alice to the moon and back as if she were his daughter and he parented her as often as he could to show her fatherly love. Turning her head towards him, Alice smiled brightly and jumped up to rush to him, "Commander!" Her training was long since over due to her skill level, so she had been gifted golden Integrity Knight armor to go over her regular blue, gold, and white attire.

Crashing against his chest with a bright smile, Alice then peered at him, "I have a question." Bercouli then lifted his brows curiously at this, "Well, let's hear it then." Blushing, Alice then mumbled out, "Would you mind if I called you father or uncle?" Oh damn, she was too cute to say no to, so he snickered to show her that he was about to tease her, "Hmm... I dunno about that one. I'm too damn old to be a father to such a precious little missy. But, call me what you want kiddo."

Smiling brightly and hugging him around the neck, he could only chuckle until hearing, "Well, if you are too old to be my father, then I will say this... Thank you, uncle." Oh, that did it. His eyes filled with tears before he lifted her into his arms to squish her against his rock-hard chest, making her squeak in surprise before sat on her feet before he placed a hand on his hip, "Alright little missy, you are being sent on patrol with the new kid that you're mentoring... Eldrie. So get a move on."

Nodding her head, she walked to her room and placed on her golden armor over her attire and snapped it into place so that only her white shorts and the tail of her overcoat could be witnessed, removed her golden fingerless gloves to place on the skin-tight blue sleeves on before tugging up her golden armored gauntlets, removed her thigh high leather golden boots to replace them with golden armored boots, only to finish with the golden shoulder plates and a detachable blue cape.

Snapping her blue belt with a golden clasp over her waist, Alice then grabbed only her Osmanthus Blade and slipped it snuggly behind her belt. Walking out of her room after placing her white headband that held the cutouts of an osmanthus flower that the Pontifex had gifted her, Alice quickly found Eldrie before speaking, "Eldrie, we are in need of going on patrol now, let us be off now." He swiftly bowed to her, "Of course ma'am." The two then entered the landing strip for dragons.

Walking towards the fully matured Amayori now, Alice smiled softly and stroked her head before jumping on the back of the saddle. Easing Amayori forward, Alice then gave a light snap of her reins, "Go Amayori!" Eldrie then snapped his reins as well to Amayori's big brother in this world, "Go Takiguri!" The two dragons then took flight to head towards the border. As they flew, someone on the ground who hadn't made it to Centoria yet noticed the two, only to yell out in a panic, "Alice!"

Selko had been mindlessly walking towards this place called "Centoria" in a bored fashion, only to groan heavily. Tilting his head up in a bored fashion, he then noticed Amayori an Alice, making his blue eyes widen immensely, "Alice..." Shaking his head, he then yelled frantically, "Alice!" However, he should have known that much wind pressure in her ears would drown his voice out rather easily. Huffing, he then continued on his merry-way to Centoria in the hopes to meet up with Kirito.

Getting into the swordcraft academy was rather easy for the likes of him, so once he was handed a school issued uniform, he internally gagged at it. With Eugeo and Kirito now being upperclassmen, they sighed as they began going over the lists of pages to choose from. Kirito had almost picked a girl that showed some promise until he finished the list to see... "No way... Selko..." Eugeo then looked up with a puzzled face, "What was that Kirito? Is something the matter with your list?"

Shaking his head, he then held Selko's paper tightly as he stood up, "Nope! Not at all! I just made my selection is all!" Eugeo then laughed and nodded, "Yeah, me too. You know, I still find it weird that you were an Integrity Knight and they demoted you for losing to Alice, only to send you back to the academy of all things. So, what's it like being an Integrity Knight, you have to tell me!" Kirito's head then shifted down slightly as they began to walk to turn their choices in.

Taking a deep breath after a moment or two, he then answered, "To be honest... I can't remember at all." Eugeo looked baffled at this, "Wait, what? Really?!" Nodding his head, Kirito then sighed heavily, "Yeah, really. I can't even tell you if I ever arrested someone... and if I did... I couldn't tell you as to how many, nor could I tell you their names, or what they even looked like." This made Eugeo's mouth gape immensely, "How is that even possible?! You aren't the type that forgets!"

Shrugging as they walked to hand in their choices, Kirito began to hum his song from Alice, making Eugeo peer over, "Hey, Alice used to hum that song all the time... but, unless you or her sing it, I can honestly say that I've never heard it before." This made the black swordsman chuckle softly as they neared their destination. "Well, that doesn't surprise me," was all he was willing to say as he handed his choice of a page over to Miss Azurica with a smile, "Thanks a lot Miss Azurica."

Walking back to his room with Eugeo following once he handed his choice of a page over as well, he then released a heavy breath, "The whole reason I even came here was to bring you back home. I have you back... but none of it would have been made possible without Alice, so I will continue to work hard to catch up to her!" Right before they entered their lounging area, Kirito then shifted his head down to whisper, "If I were you, I wouldn't pursue that goal to catch up to Alice."

Right then the two noblemen that had been jealous of Eugeo due to always having Alice around, then made a snarky comment, "Can you believe it lord Raios? An Integrity Knight kicked from his throne to mingle with us commoners again! Now, he's absolute garbage!" Right as Eugeo went to snap at the two, Kirito lightly tapped his fist to the furious blonde's shoulder, "Hey man, they're right, so don't sweat it. Just stay cool." Eugeo then tilted his head, "Hey, Alice used to tell that to me."

The next day, Selko entered Kirito's room before placing his fist over his heart, "Primary Trainee Selko Zuberg is here at your request." The damn fact that he used Alice's last name already spelled damn trouble, making Kirito sigh heavily, "Selko, why did you use the same last name as Alice?! The Integrity Knights will come after you for sure! I'm going to have to change as to how you spell your name... I'll make it Schuberg." Writing down the different spelling, he then stood, "Come on."

Blinking rapidly, Selko then followed after his mentor, only to peer at Kirito, "Kirito, why is it such a big deal?" Sighing, Kirito then walked forward while speaking softly, "It doesn't help that you look almost identical to her... but maybe this will help a bit. With that insanely golden hair and blue eyes, you might already be done for. I can only remember one thing from my time when I was an Integrity Knight... they seal away your most precious memories so that you become a blank slate."

Walking to Miss Azurica, Kirito then smiled, "Hey Miss Azurica, Selko pointed out a flaw in his paperwork to me when he joined the swordcraft academy. When he told his name they spelled his last name wrong. It's spelled S-C-H-U-B-E-R-G. I'm glad he pointed it out to me, or I would seriously be thinking that he was Alice's brother!" This made Miss Azurica nod her head and chuckle softly, "I can see as to how that could become a major problem! They almost look identical as well!"

Fixing Selko's paperwork, Miss Azurica then sighed, "You're lucky that you caught me when you did. I was about to go and give my files to one of the Integrity Knights that have come to collect this year's files." - 'Shit that was too close,' was all he could think as he replied, "Well, thanks Miss Azurica!" Selko then followed Kirito back to his room, only to get his forehead flicked, "For that screw-up, you get to clean the dining hall all by yourself before the evening meal begins. However..."

Confused at the sudden pause, Selko then asked, "However?" Ruffling his hand through his raven locks, Kirito huffed, "You're about as crafty as your sister... and just as hot-tempered. Listen to my advice about the Underworld Selko, you would benefit from it. No matter how much the nobles bully or antagonize you, don't do a thing in return." The blonde male then folded his arms, "Hey, Kazuto?" Shifting his gray orbs to those blue eyes he then answered, "Yeah? Something the matter?"

Selko then hummed as a way of thinking how to put this, "Well... I was wondering, how long have you and Alice been in here?" Folding his arms Kazuto sighed heavily, "For me, it's been longer than Alice. I would say that I've been in here for a max of six days, real world time." His eyes then widened, "That... That's it?! It's been years though!" Kirito then snickered, "That's true. Didn't Kikuoka, or as Yuuki calls him, Mister Shady Kikuoka, tell you that the time here runs faster?"

"Oh yeah..." the blonde male mumbled before asking one more question, "Last question. Why does that Eugeo dude look so much like a mixture of you and Alice?" Kirito shrugged heavily as he answered, "I have no damn clue. Now go." Nodding, Selko exited his mentor's room and chewed on his bottom lip as he walked towards the dining hall. As he cleaned, he then mumbled, "It's not just their looks that is so similar... they act the same too. It's on the borderline of being freaky."

Half of a year passed in the blink of an eye and here Selko stood in his future brother-in-law's room being scolded, "Dammit all to hell Selko! Why can't you behave so that I'm not the one yelled at as if it were initially all my fault?! You even had the gall to drag Tiese into all of your nonsense as well?! Go and clean the dining hall, dammit!" So, here he was again, cleaning the dining hall over not just himself getting into trouble, but Tiese as well. Which she was given the same punishment.

Thinking, he hadn't even realized that Eugeo's page, Tiese, had been attempting to gain his attention. Feeling his muscular arm poked, Selko finally turned his head and placed a hand on his hip, "Tiese, you got my punishment!" Most people loved and adored Selko's bright nature that was so vibrant, full of life, and filled to the brim with love and compassion. This also made him a massive thorn in all of the snobby noble's sides that believed that they were the best, like Raios and Humbert.

Speak of the devils... "Lord Raios, I am not sure if I can eat in a dining hall this filthy!" Known for having his sister's sassy streak, Selko lazily turned his head and spoke in one hell of a dry tone, "That's because the trash just walked in..." Tiese was hiding behind Selko with her hand over her mouth as she snickered quietly. Well, it had been quiet until Selko reached his hand back and lightly poked her side while brightly chirping out, "Poke!" Tiese was so done that she began laughing.

Right then Kirito and Eugeo walked in to see the dining hall that was basically sparkling, only for Kirito to laugh softly, "Well done you two! I don't think I've ever seen this place sparkle to this extent before!" Raios and Humbert hated Kirito for one reason... and one reason alone. He was the first seat without holding a shred of noble blood within his idiotic body. Miss Azurica then walked in the dining hall with widened eyes, "My goodness... This is the cleanest the dining hall has ever been!"

As the dining hall began to fill up with hungry students, the prayer was spoken by all, only for Selko to turn the tables on the snobby nobles as he spoke to Kirito, Eugeo, Tiese, and Ronye - Tiese's best friend and Kirito's first choice before he had found Selko's file, "Can you guys believe it? Those nobles just get to ruin all of our hard work at making this place literally sparkle." Humbert then snapped around and spitefully growled towards Selko, "What did you just say, you commoner?!"

Ignoring this man proved to be a mistake... on the noble's part, considering he called Selko out, "It seems that I am in my rights to punish you!" Selko then shifted his head back with a smirk, "Is that so? Well, I suppose that I've got no choice!" Kazuto watched Selko stand up and sweat dropped before mumbling out to him, "Try not teasing him too much Selko." Snickering, Selko nodded at his future brother-in-law and current mentor, "I'll do my best. I can't promise anything though."

Entering the training arena with a lazy expression, Selko then chuckled, "Are we using real blades, or wooden? I'll let you decide since I am the one being punished." Humbert then took his real blade, making Selko internally laugh and pull out his finely polished blade before Kirito held his hand up due to this being his page, "When both are ready... you may begin!" - "Right! Now let the show begin!" Selko shouted with his blade held to the side, his blade, already in perfect weapon control.

The match was over with so fast that it was almost perplexing. Selko was the one being punished, yet, he had just shamelessly given Humbert a royal beatdown. Raios now had to force Humbert to calm down as they left, only for Eugeo to walk up beside Kirito, "I didn't know that more people knew the Aincrad Style. Anyway, Kirito, remember that we promised to treat Selko, Tiese, and Ronye to a picnic the day after tomorrow at nine." Kirito then nodded tiredly, "How could I ever forget?"

Before night could fully settle in for the curfew to be put into play for all to have to retreat to their rooms for exhaustion from the day's events to envelope them all so that sleep would overcome them, Eugeo stood in the training hall to practice his moves against a sparring log, only for Humbert to then challenge him to a duel as well. Remembering as to how Alice had so easily overcome this man, he did the same, only for Raios to hastily call a draw so that neither nobles were embarrassed.

With fury completely engulfing the noble, they then left whilst Humbert thought about as to how he could blow off all of his pent up rage while also scheming as to how he could subtly get back at Eugeo for bringing his family shame. Raios then shifted his gaze towards Humbert to smirk, "Humbert, how is your page... progressing?" That's when Humbert remembered one fact that he had forgotten. His page, Frenica, roomed with Eugeo's page, Tiese, along with her best friend, Ronye.

As the next day hit them, it blew over rather quickly as Eugeo sat in his room with Tiese standing there with Selko, "Reporting sir! All of the cleaning has been completed for the day!" Smiling gratefully, Eugeo nodded, "Good work Tiese." Shifting his gaze towards Selko, Eugeo laughed softly, "I'm sorry Selko. I don't know how many times I have to tell him to be here when you complete your chores." Selko then lifted a brow, only to purse his lips since Kirito was outside of the window.

Opening the window and climbing inside of the room, Kirito teased, "I knew it, you guys were talking about me again." Eugeo gained a dreaded facial expression before scolding, "How many times do I have to tell you to stop using the window as a way to get here?! It's bad manners!" Lifting a brow, Kirito then snickered before winking in a far too teasing manner, "It's the fastest way here! Besides, if we are going to talk about manners, it's rude to be sitting there with a rumbling stomach."

Handing food over to Eugeo, he chuckled, "Besides, I wouldn't have had the time to pick up enough for everyone without its life depleting if I had taken the conventional way!" Kazuto then peered at Selko with a cat-like smirk, "Great job with your cleaning," he then tossed food to him as well, only for him to catch it with a grin, making Tiese look at the food before Kirito chuckled and handed the rest over to Selko, "Selko, carry that for Tiese so she can share the rest with her roommates."

About to leave, Tiese then gained a worried face before stating and questioning, "Thank you for such generosity elite disciple Kirito. I do have a question for you both though. However, I would like to ask you tomorrow when Ronye is around to speak her concerns as well." Both then nodded before Eugeo shifted his eyes back to Kirito before sighing, "Kirito, don't tell me that you have already forgotten that promised picnic for Selko, Tiese, and Ronye tomorrow morning! Go to bed now."

Shaking his head with a dry expression, Kirito then yawned, "Yes sir, I'll be up at eight sharp tomorrow morning. Goodnight." Eugeo then huffed as Kirito began to walk to bed, making him clasp his hands around his mouth to scold further, only making Kirito snicker at the scold, "Eight is too late Kirito! You take forever to wake up! I want you up and ready to go by seven thirty, do you hear me?! Seven thirty! Not eight! Be showered, dressed, and ready to go by SEVEN THIRTY, clear?!"

Hearing Alice's sass coming from a completely different individual that was a male was shocking to say the least, "I mean it Kirito! Be up by seven thirty! I expect for you to be up and ready to go!" Selko gained an adorable confused puppy head-tilt at this while blinking rapidly as he thought to himself, 'Seriously, why does Eugeo act so much like my sister? Maybe it's because he spent so much time with her? That really doesn't seem logical though. This is going to drive me insane.'

Shaking his head to rid his mind of all of these aggravating thoughts that he could never seem to figure out no matter how hard he were to initially think them over, he then glanced towards Tiese before swooping the red-head up in his arms bridal style, "Tiese! I'll walk you back to your room!" Tiese giggled at Selko and nodded with a bright smile, "Alright, carry me there since you won't exactly let me go!" Both mentors chuckled softly and shook their heads at this before heading to bed.

The day following, Eugeo entered Kirito's room not appearing too thrilled over what he was now seeing. There Kirito was... still curled up messily in the warmth of his blankets at seven thirty. Huffing, Eugeo then scolded heavily while yanking the blankets off of the lazy teen, "Kirito, get up! I told you to be awake and ready to go by seven thirty! Selko, Tiese, and Ronye are all downstairs waiting for us! Now get up!" Rolling out of bed, Kirito groaned and quickly showered before dressing.

Walking to a park, the five individuals then sat beneath a tree for them to be given shade by one of "mother nature's" creations. A red fox hunting for her kits then looked at the group, only for its ear to flick until hearing Tiese, "Eugeo, did you even hear a word that I just said?" Eugeo jolted a bit before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "Oh, forgive me Tiese, I've lived here for years now and am still rather baffled by everything that I see. Like that," he then pointed to the fox.

Tiese then looked over and blinked rapidly, "Eugeo, that's just a Red Flying Fox. They are in just about every tree in Centoria!" This made Eugeo chuckle softly, "That's right, you live in one of the districts, so you're probably used to seeing these kinds of creatures." The red-head then smiled and gave a gentle nod as she replied, "I suppose your right." Eugeo then peered over to Kirito, who was now speaking colorfully and elaborately about how to defeat an opponent to Selko and Ronye.

Once the picnic was finished, Kirito stood and stretched, "Oh man, I feel like I'm going to explode!" That's when Tiese and Ronye spoke softly, "Hey, remember how I wanted to talk to you two about something last night...?" Eugeo then nodded and adjusted, "Oh, that's right. Yes, I remember. What's the matter?" Tiese then frowned deeply, "Well... it's about our roommate... Frenica. Last night, by the time we got back to our room, Frenica was sobbing over what her mentor did to her."

Frowning over that, the blonde-haired elite disciple then sighed softly as he folded his arms, "If Frenica is being mistreated, she will need her elite disciple's permission to get a new one. Who exactly is her mentor? Maybe we can speak to them." Ronye then nodded at this, "Yeah, we know that... and we have urged her to get that permission." Tiese then clutched her miniskirt tightly, "The tasks that he forces her to do are vulgar and insulting for a man to be asking a lady to do."

The red-head then continued, "Her mentor is elite disciple Humbert Zizek." This made Eugeo frown deeply, "I fear that everything Frenica is now going through is most likely my fault. I almost beat him in a duel, so he probably was not too happy about that. I will go speak with him later." Tiese then clenched her fists tightly, "All of this... is over a duel that he almost lost?! What he is doing is absolutely atrocious! I feel so weak and useless to make it stop while my friend suffers!"

Out of nowhere, Kirito's tone jingled out as he stared at the osmanthus tree in front of him, "When a friend is suffering, I believe that it is better to look at all of your options. Should I step in? Should I do something that could possibly better the outcome? Or, would it be better if I simply standby and do nothing? What would benefit my cause to aid someone that is precious to me? Would my actions only do harm, or could they possibly help better the life of someone that I hold dear?"

As he listened to this, Selko knew he was crying over his sister not being around without him even having the choice of doing a single thing since he remembered absolutely nothing from when he was an Integrity Knight. Taking a deep breath, Kirito continued, "If it were me, I don't think that I could just stand idly by as a friend was mistreated. If I had the power to do something... anything, I would in a heartbeat. You see, regrets are only there if we take that step to make an action."

Ronye then hummed in a thought-filled manner before speaking aloud, "So, what you're trying to say is that we should think for ourselves and come to a decision based on what we believe to be the right thing to do? However, you are also saying that whatever choice we decide to make, we must live with whatever consequences may come to follow, right?" Selko then smiled and nodded, "That's exactly what Kirito is saying to the both of you. In short, do what you believe to be correct."

The next day, both Kirito and Eugeo were polishing their blades before Eugeo looked up at the time, "That's odd... normally Tiese and Selko would be here by now." Sheathing his sword, Kirito looked outside as a downpour of rain tapped against the window, "Hey, I got a bad feeling. Wait here just in case they come." Eugeo then freaked out, "Hey wait, where are you going?!" Kirito then looked forward, "I'm just going to go check their rooms to see if they are in there and haven't left."

Standing, Eugeo then sighed and closed the window, "I really wish he'd stop using the window." A knock then came to the door, making him release a breath and jog forward. Opening the doors with his eyes closed, he spoke, "There you two are, we were starting to get worried!" Opening his eyes, he realized that it was Tiese and Ronye's roommate, Frenica, "I... I'm sorry to disturb you so late elite disciple Eugeo, but, earlier Tiese and Ronye went to my mentor's room to speak to him..."

Pausing, she then looked up in a panic, "However, they haven't come back and it's been a long time! I saw Selko rushing after Tiese on my way here due to how close they are, but... he hasn't come out either!" This made Eugeo's eyes widen immensely before grabbing his sword, "Stay in here for your own safety! I'm going to get all three of them!" Rushing out, Eugeo bolted down the hallway while thinking angrily, 'So this is how they are wanting to get back at me, Selko, and Kirito!'

Skidding to a grinding halt once he arrived, Eugeo began to bang on the door, until hearing a muffled, "Yes, you may enter." Walking inside and shifting his eyes from side to side, Eugeo then took a deep breath, "I'm sorry for interrupting your evening, but, I was informed that my page, Tiese, her friend, and Kirito's page, Selko, all came here tonight to have a word with you. Might you know where they are?" Sadistic smiles were all he witnessed before both stood up and began walking.

Reaching their bedroom door, they opened it and motioned Eugeo to follow. When he did, he witnessed Tiese and Ronye tied up appearing terrified, only for Selko to be tied up right in-between the two girls with a highly annoyed facade due to having to play his skill down by a massive landslide. After gaining an explanation over what was going on due to asking, both men catapulted themselves on the bed for Tiese's attire to be ripped open as... oddly... Selko's top was ripped open.

Even men could and would admit that Selko was gorgeous while having the body of a god. Having his gag pulled down, he had already dislocated his wrist to free one hand before popping it back into place, only to swiftly grab the back of Humbert's head to slam his forehead against the mirroring male's. Cringing, Selko softly swore out profanities before completely untying himself and rolling off of the bed with no top on, "Release Tiese and Ronye this instant! I will not ask again!"

Right as Eugeo and Selko went to bolt forward, both instantly froze the moment Raios yelled out, "Hold your ground! Take so much as one more step forward and I will execute you both! This has nothing to do with school rules... oh no, it's something far grander... you know it, HIGHER LAW! These lesser nobles had the gall to mock us higher ranking nobles, even saying that I was just as guilty for even letting it happen while asking me such things as where was my honor!"

Once Raios continued his thwarts of raping Tiese, she sobbed out in fear, "Sel... Selko, help me!" Selko was struggling to stand as he thought through pure anger, 'If I am striving to protect laws such as these... then I... I...' Reaching over and taking hold of Eugeo's blade, a red code popped up in his right eye while thinking, 'A barcode?! Code: eight-seven-one? What in the hell does that mean?!' Pushing through the struggle, his right eye exploded before he dashed forward furiously.

Raios noticed right on time as Selko furiously swung Eugeo's blade to detach Humbert's arm to make him scream in mortification. Selko then dropped to his knee while breathing heavily as blood slid down his cheek, only for Eugeo to internally scream, 'Move! If Selko can push through that agony, so can I!' Reaching over and gripping his blade, his eye then exploded as well to block the first strike before falling to his knee as well. Right as the blade came down again, Kirito darted in.

Blocking the blade, the same damn code appeared in his right eye, "I won't let you hurt either of them!" Breaking his own seal, he refused to fall to his knee out of sheer stubbornness, only for them to clash their blades together again until Kirito sliced through Raios's blade, twirled around, and then cut both of the snarky noble's arms off. Three men with blood sliding down their cheeks then sighed before Kirito grumbled out as Raios freaked out, "I'll tie your arms off, don't worry."

Scoffing, Selko then snorted out, "Yeah, I'd let him die. That's just me though... wait... what in god's name?" As Kirito held rope and walked back, he froze to see what Selko had meant when he had spoken that last comment, considering the fact that Raios's Fluctlight was completely and utterly spazzing out until he became limp due to dying, making Humbert scream, "You... You... Murderers!" Selko then walked forward with darkened orbs before ripping Kirito's blade out of his hand.

Holding that blade to the one-armed male's throat, Selko then gave a deadly one-eyed gleam, "You tried to rape me before you even went for Ronye, you sick bastard! Don't worry, you'll be seeing your dead buddy real soon in HELL!" Slitting his throat before he could run away squealing like a pig, Selko then walked towards Tiese and cut her bindings before Eugeo cut Ronye's bindings. There were three one-eyed teens now in the room as Tiese crashed against Selko's chest while crying.

Stroking the back of her head as Ronye cried against Kirito's chest, the three men looked up for their one eye to widen dramatically once they witnessed a white head making three reports, only for Kirito to shout out, "Quick! Don't let either of them see!" Once it vanished after their three IDs were now locked onto and being traced, Tiese frantically apologized and made Selko an eyepatch, "This is all my fault, I'm so sorry Selko." Selko then smiled at her cheekily, "Your fault? Nah!"

Arguing with him that it was her fault, Selko then sighed softly, "Do you not remember what Kirito said? I made an executive decision of my own volition and my own free-will, therefore, I must also live with the consequences that are to surely follow with those choices made." Leaning down, he then kissed the top of her red hair before he then turned away from her, only to then shift his face back for his singular sparkling blue eye to peer at her, "Later Tiese... do take care of yourself."

The three guilty teens then walked away together, only to be stopped by Miss Azurica due to already being notified. Seeing all three teenaged boys wearing eye patches over their right eyes, she then led them to a holding cell, making Selko brightly chirp out, "Who knew that we even had holding cells!" Miss Azurica absolutely adored these three boys, especially Selko... but now... this was most likely going to be the last time that she ever witnessed them, making her sigh, "Rest up."

Alice was now being approached by Bercouli, making her smile brightly, "Uncle!" Smiling and laughing at her, Bercouli then ruffled the back of his hair almost dramatically, "I wish I'd come to just say hi kiddo. I know that you just got back from an extended patrol, but, you are being sent to the swordcraft academy." This made her tilt her head, "For what?" He then frowned deeply as he spoke, "There were two murders committed by three students last night and we need you to grab them."

Nodding her head, Alice geared up and placed the three holding carriers on Amayori before jumping on the saddle, "Alright Amayori, head to the swordcraft academy." Amayori took flight and shortly reached her destination. Once Amayori landed, Alice jumped down and walked forward to enter the school, only to stop at Miss Azurica, "My name is Alice Synthesis Thirty and I have come to apprehend the three students. In accordance to the law, they will be taken to be executed at once."

Bowing her head, Miss Azurica then nodded, "Yes, of course lady knight. Please wait here for one moment while I go and collect them." Nodding her head, Alice then placed the tip of her sheathed blade on the ground with each hand resting over the hilt as Miss Azurica walked to the cell, only to hear Selko brightly complain at how bored he was, making her inwardly chuckle as she unlocked the doors, making all three one-eyed individuals peer over, "Come on boys, it's time to go."

All three nodded and stood up before she stopped them and rebuilt each of their eyes, "You three did the one thing that I could never bring myself to do... break the seal in the right eye. Now, we mustn't keep the Integrity Knight waiting. Follow me." All three boys nodded and began to follow after Miss Azurica in complete silence until she stopped and motioned them forward. Selko and Kirito's breaths hitched within their throats the minute they witnessed her sparkling eyes slowly open.

Eugeo then held his hand out to her and took shaky steps forward, making her turn her head towards him as he stuttered out through tears, "Al... Alice." Once he attempted to touch her, that sheathed blade came up swiftly and slammed against his skull to hurl him to the ground, "Do not touch me, you filthy criminal. My name is Alice Synthesis Thirty. I have come to detain all three of you before you are sentenced for your crimes and most likely executed as your punishment."

Selko's mouth dropped wide open and accidentally blurted out, "What in the HELL sis?! Did you have to hit Eugeo that damn hard?!" Looking at this boy that looked exactly like her, she then scowled, "Try to touch me again and I will not refrain from removing your head from your shoulders. Also, I do not have any siblings, for I was summoned from the heavens by the Pontifex to carry out the law. Now, come. It is time for all of you common criminals to face your punishments."

All three then nodded and quietly followed as Selko cried softly with his head lowered. This was his big sister, his reason for becoming a gamer, his role model, and more than anything… this was his hero. Making it outside to see Amayori, she gave a soft whine when she witnessed Selko and Kazuto in this mixture. Alice then grabbed each secure leather strapping before turning to all three. All three of them frowned and Kazuto shifted his eyes towards Selko as he slid to the ground sobbing.

Securely strapping Eugeo in first, she then moved to Kazuto... who smiled tenderly at her as she strapped him in. Turning to the crying younger brother that she didn't even know that she held any longer, Alice scowled, "On your feet! Do not make me tell you again you criminal!" Standing on shaky legs, Amayori then moved her head to him and gave soothing rumbles to calm him down, making Alice slightly tilt her head before placing the male's arms behind his back, only to strap him in.

Walking to the saddle and jumping on, two girls then rushed out as fast as they could with three heavy blades, "Please wait lady knight!" Alice then jumped down as they explained that they brought their blades and extra things. Alice then nodded towards them, "They may not have their blades, therefore, I will keep hold of them. I will give you both a minute to speak to them." They quickly gave their thanks before rushing to the three. Ronye gave all three lunch and Tiese hugged them.

With that literal minute up, Alice sternly spoke up, "Please back away now, we must be off." Both girls backed away with tears filling their eyes once Alice snapped the reins gently for Amayori to begin taking flight. Once they were in the sky and being flown to the prison, Tiese and Ronye ran after them until slumping to their knees while crying. Reaching the landing platform, the chains were unclasped from Amayori before Alice moved the chains to the front of their body to lead them.

"Follow me, you criminals," she explained with a scowl laced across her face. Kirito, Eugeo, and Selko then began to follow after Alice until they felt lost. On the first floor of the Cathedral, Alice opened a cell holding three beds, only to unchain all three to place them in a chained shackle that were connected to the walls. Turning away, Alice then exited the room before closing and locking the door. Walking out, she then searched for Eldrie until finding him to begin speaking her suspicions.

Once the day passed for the moon to now be high within the sky, all three used one another's chains to break free from their confinements. With chains wrapped around their forearms, all three rushed out of the Central Cathedral to run into Eldrie who claimed, "I can't say that I saw this coming, but, my mentor, lady Alice, claimed that you would most likely escape. My name is Eldrie Synthesis Thirty-One. Now, show me as to how wicked all three of your minds are by the way you fight!"

After pondering the name for a bit, Eugeo figured it out and began to speak to Eldrie over who he actually was. By the time that module was almost out, all three became shocked when arrows flew towards them to cut them off. Rushing to get away, they were given a hint as to where to go, only for them to see a hand waving them inside of a door that had just magically appeared. All three teenaged boys flew through the door in a hurry, only to meet the one known as Cardinal.

Given a meal, information about the Pontifex, told how to obtain perfect weapon control - which two already knew, and three daggers by Cardinal, Selko then questioned, "Excuse me, Cardinal? Do you think you can somehow retrieve my old attire?" She then nodded and transported his attire, that was from ALO, to him. Giving her his quick thanks and changing, she then hurriedly sent the boys on their merry way to defeat Cardinal's "elder twin sister", the Administrator... Quinella.

Released inside of the armory to retrieve their weapons, they quickly found their swords and the two who had yet to change hastily placed new attire on. Kirito placed black on and Eugeo placed blue on. Finding their weapons, all three laced them behind their belts before Eugeo exclaimed that this whole armory could be used to make an army. That's when both Kirito and Selko both exclaimed, "Except for the fact that Administrator wouldn't want for there to be an army in the slightest."

Exiting the armory, all three of them were almost instantly under attack by exploding arrows coming from Deusolbert Synthesis Seven. Kirito instantly jumped to the side, forcing Selko to hurriedly grab Eugeo to jump to the other side. With two blades in perfect weapon control already, the Integrity Knight didn't stand so much as a hope against them... especially when one of those blades was essentially the exact same as Alice's blade, which was technically an immortal divine object.

Upon defeating Deusolbert, they began to climb, climb, and climb more stairs. Coming to a stop for a moment to take a breather, the two began to speak to one another until stopping and turning their heads to see two young girls. Kirito then gained a dry tone, "We see you... come out." Once they came out, both Kirito and Selko noticed their scabbards and knew that they were for holding poisonous objects. Both gave Eugeo the job of speaking to them and casted a detoxifying spell.

Once all three were stabbed, three male teens were being dragged up the stairs, yet, Kirito had to wonder as to how in the hell they were lugging Selko's beyond muscular physique up all of these flights of stairs. For someone who rarely logged out of ALO it was almost unfair... and defied all logic... as to how his muscles never atrophied. After being explained to that they had to die for them to finally earn their dragons, they then hurled the doors open to see a group of Integrity Knights.

"Well, if it isn't vice commander Fanatio. If they sent you all the way down here, then these three are really giving the Integrity Knights some trouble," one spoke before the other spoke, "We found and captured them, so once we execute them, you'd better not take our credit. That would be dishonorable for a knight," the other glared as she spoke, only for Kirito and Selko to grow sick of these two slandering these knights' good names and grabbed those daggers to slash them.

Standing up, Kirito spoke to Fanatio and lowered his head in respect as Selko growled out, "How dare you two little twerps mock these knights that carry nothing except honor within their hearts and souls! You two need to be taught a lesson!" Both flinched, but, the only thing he did was slam their daggers in the ground, "You are probably wondering how we are even moving. Well, you two clearly gave yourselves away. The first indication was your bogus story, the second, your blades."

Smirking, Selko then kneeled in front of them and stole their antidotes before placing it in Eugeo's mouth, "Hang in there Eugeo, the poison should wear off soon enough. I would love to have a duel with these guys." Turning his head back, he then snickered playfully at the knuckleheads, "If all of the nuns, priests, and trainees were told to stay in their rooms, then you wouldn't have violated the rules. The wood of those scabbards is also known to keep poisonous blades from rusting."

Turning towards the group of Integrity Knights to notice their well-composed stature's that told him just about everything he needed to know, at least when it came to their levels of pride for being accomplished warriors that were well-versed with the art of combat, causing for his serious tone that was rarely ever heard to roll out, "Even if I know none of them personally, I can tell by the way that they carry themselves that they hold nothing except honor and pride for the skills they wield."

He then shifted those sparkling blue eyes towards the paralyzed dummies, "They hold something you two don't." The two then looked up at Selko's gentle smile as he spoke, "They, unlike you, battle honorably... that much is easy to notice. As for you two, you resort to underhanded tricks to win your battles, whilst these knights would never dream of tarnishing their good names by dishonoring a duel. Now, the two of you will watch how true honorable knights carry out their noble battles!"

Bowing politely, Selko then spoke to those said knights that were all blushing beneath their armor over how this handsome teen had just spoken their praises of valor whilst on the battlefield, "Pardon my rudeness for speaking as if I know any of you. Forgive me, but, if I may be so bold, I have a request. Just don't hurt the dummies." Selko couldn't tell if this vice commander was a girl or boy due to the helmet muffling the tone completely, "You two... what might both of your names be?"

Kirito and Selko blinked softly before both placed their fists over their heart, "My name is Kirito." Selko then winked playfully while holding a bright smile, "My name is Selko! It's nice to meet you vice commander Fanatio!" Behind the helmet, a pair of painted lips smiled tenderly at how bright this teen was and honestly didn't wish to harm him, so the vice commander spoke the moment Kirito dashed forward, "This one's mine. You four take the other one standing down." - "As you wish!"

Kneeling to Eugeo, Selko then mumbled out, "Eugeo, I am going to borrow your blade. I don't want to be accused of stealing sis's blade." Swapping their blades, he then placed Eugeo's blade in perfect weapon control the moment he was surrounded, only for his nose to tingle, "Oh, no way! You four are girls!" Before they could yell at him for such disrespect, he continued brightly, "Man, I love fighting women who are not only strong with a blade, but, hold a strong spirit as well!"

Grinning playfully, Selko then admitted, "I've had my ass handed to me plenty of times by women that are strong and find no shame in those losses! It taught me that no matter the gender, one can be strong!" He had talked for so long that Kirito had unmasked that the vice commander was a female, making Selko blink rapidly and speak aloud, "Whoa... she's... really pretty." Far too suddenly, a bright beam of light appeared high within the air, making him shield his sparkling blue eyes.

When he noticed what it was going to do and a beam of light shot straight towards one of the girls that had her back turned, Selko dashed forward in a panic, "Dear god... Shit! Watch out!" Rushing forward, he tackled her to safety, making her helmet fall off to see how pretty she was. Sitting up as those rays continued to shoot out, he jumped to his feet, grabbed all four girls, and rushed them behind a pillar before releasing a heavy breath of relief, "Thank goodness you're all safe..."

Noticing that the one he had initially called pretty had been hit on the shoulder and was now bleeding, made Selko gasp and hold his hand out, "System call! Generate luminous element!" Pushing that healing to the girl's shoulder and stopping the bleeding and pain, she then relaxed and smiled, "Thank you Selko." This made him blush and huff, "I'm not showing pity on you because you're a girl, or anything! You're just too pretty!" That made him slap his open palm to his burning face.

His head then popped up the moment he heard Kirito yelling, "Selko, help!" Dashing around the corner, his eyes then widened and he rushed forward as Eugeo also lent his aid. Hearing Kirito crying that she couldn't die, Selko then snapped his fingers and pulled out one of the three daggers that had been gifted to them, only to poke her palm lightly as he spoke, "Sorry Cardinal, but, she needs your help." Cardinal's voice then echoed out, "Good grief. I witnessed what happened."

Selko then frantically yelled, "And?!" Cardinal's gentle tone then rang out, "Worry not, she will make a full recovery. For that to happen though, I will have to bring Fanatio Synthesis Two to my current location. However, shouldn't you and Kirito be more worried about all of your injuries?" He hadn't even realized that he had been pierced multiple times due to carrying four fully armored women to safety, which Cardinal chuckled out and teleported three potions, "Drink these and be safe."

Smiling as Fanatio was lifted into the air before vanishing, Selko smiled, "Thank you Cardinal, make sure she lives." The three then drank the gifted potions for even their clothing to rebuild. Turning to the four ladies, Selko smiled brightly, "You four mind giving those two some of their antidotes?" They then shook their heads with a smile as they graciously spoke, "Of course we will help them. However, thank you for saving lady Fanatio. We will be forever grateful for that act of kindness."

"Gah! There are no more stairs you guys," the blonde-haired and blue-eyed dummy freaked out until his head tilted like a puzzled puppy to add in, "What in the hell is that?" Kirito looked and noticed the elevator coming down before shrugging his shoulders. Asking her if it bothered her that they, criminals, were on her elevator, they were all then effectively shocked the moment they were told that she didn't mind, for whoever wanted to use the elevator, could, because it was her calling.

The three most definitely took advantage of this given chance as Kirito smiled, "Well then, take us as high as you can!" The three teens then took this opportunity to sit down and rest their legs that currently felt like jelly from how much climbing, running, and fighting they had been doing. This game was seriously too life-like... hell, your legs even got tired if you stood up for an extended period of time without gaining any rest. As they rested, the three began to strategize over Alice.

It was safe to assume that if she hadn't shown yet, then she was even tougher than the vice commander... which didn't really shock them in the slightest at this point. No matter where Alice went, she was one tough and terrifyingly strong opponent to be facing off against. Eugeo was resting, but, he wasn't really too focused on what his Fluctlight father and uncle were even speaking about, considering he now spoke to the elevator clerk to ask her what she really wanted to do.

By the end of their elevator ride that had literally taken a long time, all felt well-rested as they exited. Standing in front of a massive door, Selko then lifted a brow, "Damn! Do you think that they made this door big enough?" Kirito then took hold of one handle as Selko took hold of the other. Pushing the doors open they all appeared amazed at the beautiful terrain, only for Kirito to shift his head to the stream before a searing migraine hit his brain, making him clutch the sides of his head.

Eugeo then hastily took hold of Kirito in a panic, "Kirito?! Are you alright?!" Lifting his head slightly with sweat dripping down his face, he then commented, "I... I think that I've been here before." Selko then folded his arms while blinking softly, "Maybe it was when you were an Integrity Knight, who's to say?" Continuing to walk once the pain subsided in the black swordsman's head, Selko then chirped out, "Oh whoa, look at that pretty osmanthus tree! I mean, talk about beautiful!"

Once they climbed the hill enough, their eyes widened to see Alice sitting there in her clothing that originated from SAO, making Eugeo take a step towards his Fluctlight mother, "Alice!" Watching her fingerless golden gloved hand being held up with her eyes closed, her almost bland tone rang out, "Please wait. I want to let her soak in the sun. Not for long... a few more moments will do." With that said, Alice then turned her head towards the three teenaged boys to peer at them.

Noticing Kirito's heartbroken façade, Selko then frowned, "Kirito, let me do the fighting. You just be ready with the dagger. I'll charge sis, take the hit, and pin her down. Then you stick her with the dagger, ya got it?" Kirito then shook his head and handed his dagger to Selko, "No... I do appreciate the suggestion, but, she's my responsibility from start to finish." Alice then stood in those thigh high golden boots holding royal blue gems on the front in the form of an osmanthus before turning.

Peering those beautiful blue eyes towards them, Alice then spoke in that same tone, "Against all of the odds... you have made it all the way up here. I anticipated that you would escape from the prison, but I did not anticipate what happened next. You should have been captured by Eldrie yet you defeated him, then Deusolbert... I have no idea how, and then you defeated Fanatio as well. And now, you have set foot here... it is shocking. Where do you get the power to defeat such knights?"

Closing her eyes for only a moment as she gained no answer, she then spoke again, "Very well, I will just have to figure it out myself." Placing her hand against the tree, there it was... her blade. Drawing the Osmanthus Blade, she then held it to the side as all of its limiters were released. Kirito internally swore, considering the fact that her blade was already in perfect weapon control as he rushed forward, only to not draw his own blade due to not wishing to do his fiancée any harm.

Rearing her arm back, she then acted as if she were cracking a whip as her arm shot forward for her flower petals to first hit Kirito, then Eugeo, then Selko. Standing there with a bland expression on her face, she spoke as her flowers circled her, "Why did you not draw your swords? If you were mocking me, know this, I held back on that strike just now as a warning. The next one will eliminate your lives entirely. For the knights you have defeated, I insist that you attack me in earnest."

Trying to not cry, Kirito took in a deep breath as Selko and Eugeo gave him a worried expression once he stood calmly to shift his head up and drew his blade, "My name is Kirito and I wish to duel with you, lady Alice!" Alice then stared at this teen before replying without skipping a beat, "Very well. Let us see how wicked you are by the quality of your swordsmanship," with it spoken, her blade then reformed for that golden blade to shine and gleam brightly against the rays of the sun.

Rushing forward, Kirito then internally spoke, 'Please remember me from the way I wield my blade!' Bringing his blade down, Alice's blade came up to guard... and once his blade clashed against her own, he gained a shocked expression as he was pushed back to slam and roll against the ground simply from her solid guard. Rushing after his form, Alice did an underhanded swing to clash against his blade to send him flying into the air, only for her to appear above his beyond widened eyes.

Doing a mid-air backflip to land in the stream as their blades continued to clash, Eugeo then rushed forward, 'I can't let Kirito do this all on his own!' Kirito's back then slammed against the wall and swiftly pulled up his blade to counter so her blade became lodged before he grabbed her arms to hold her in place as Eugeo slammed his blade into the ground and called out, "Enhance armament!" Selko noticed as to how her blade had not been encased in ice as well, making him nervous.

Once the two were encased in ice, Eugeo pulled out his dagger and began to walk forward until her blade shifted to become those lethal flower petals, only to shatter the ice completely before pushing Kirito to the ground, "Well, now that was amusing and quite futile. Your ice cannot withstand my flowers. I shall fight you next, so be patient and wait your turn." This made Selko internally sweat drop, 'Oh geez... The Underworld made her even more proper than she already was!'

Kirito was going to get her back no matter what, so, his eyes darkened as he yelled out, "Enhance armament!" Snapping her head back towards the black swordsman, their attacks then clashed until he rushed forward and hit her blade with such a force that she was thrown off balance as she angrily thought, 'He went for my sword?!' Kirito, noticing this, then yelled out, "Now Eugeo!" Alice and Kirito's head then turned towards the wall the moment they both heard the sound of air suction.

Just as he took off the dagger and was about to rush forward, the wall of the Central Cathedral burst open and sucked the two individuals out. Selko's eyes became massive almost instantly as the wall reformed, only to run forward and slam his fists against the wall, forgetting his cover as he slammed his fist against the wall, "No... Sis! Kazuto!" This made Eugeo peer over and question out, "Kazuto? Who is that?" Rolling his eyes, Selko scoffed, "I said Kirito. Get your ears cleaned out."

Outside of the walls, Kazuto had swiftly took Alice's bare hip and rammed his blade into the wall, "Well this is just perfect," he groaned heavily as Alice blushed furiously before struggling, "Unhand me this instant, you criminal!" She wiggled so much, that she actually slipped, forcing for him to swiftly catch her hand with a face full of worry before scowling at the fact that she was now scolding him now of all times while trying to wiggle her hand free from his hold, "Don't you idiot!"

Continuing the attempts to free her hand, he became furious, "What in the hell is suicide going to do?! Nothing, that's what! So suck it up, act like a knight, and quit being a damned idiot!" These two loved to call one another idiots. Shooting her head up, she began to nag at him, "How dare you, a common criminal, insult me! I demand an apology!" This time, it was his turn to call her an idiot many, many times, "Oh, shut up! I called ya an idiot because you're acting like an idiot, idiot!"

He then continued his fuming, "Listen, if I let go and you die, then what?! Eugeo and Selko are both still inside of the Cathedral and they're on their way to the Pontifex and it's your job to stop them, ya idiot! Instead of checking out, an Integrity Knight should be thinking about how to get back in, but not you! You're so dumb that you forgot your priorities! That's why you're an idiot!" Alice then scowled at him deeply, "Look here, I won't allow a rogue like you to insult me any further!"

Relaxing slightly and taking hold of his hand with a hand that felt so small in his own, she continued in her annoyed, but understanding tone, "That said... you do make a perfectly valid explanation." Gripping her hand a bit tighter, a small smile then graced his lips until feeling his sword becoming loose, "Oh crap! My sword is coming loose!" Pulling her up with all of the power that he could muster, she peered in amazement at him until he strained out, "Hurry, stick your sword in!"

Snapping out of it, she flipped her blade around and rammed her blade into the crevasse of the wall as his blade slipped, only for him to fall. Alice then snagged the back of his attire while blushing heavily, only to bring him up and hold him in place so that he could stick his sword in the wall as she explained in a rather flustered tone of voice, that in his eyes... was adorable as hell, "I did not catch you because I wanted to. I just did not wish to be indebted to the likes of a criminal."

Sighing, he then chuckled due to remembering the time she had been highly embarrassed over not wanting to tell him that she held sexual dreams about him, only for him to figure it out and question her, causing her to go on a ranting fest to call him an idiot multiple times while in SAO, only to admit through a breathy chuckle, "Well, it guess this makes us even now." This made her turn her head towards him questioningly, making him chuckle, "Hey, why don't we call a truce for now?"

As they, you know, hung out, Alice gave a reply, "A truce, you say?" He watched those golden locks that were currently held in her old braid, making him imagine her with her long golden locks free until she looked up the tower so that he could secretively free those long locks as he spoke, "Yeah, we can't stay like this forever. Our arms will get tired." Alice, not noticing that he now stashed her ribbon in his coat pocket, then asked curiously, "Well, what are you suggesting that we do?"

Shaking his head, he then smiled, "Nothing. All I'm saying is that if one of us begins to fall, then the other will stop them from falling. If we had a rope, I would use that... but I didn't bring any." She then nodded her head at this, "That sounds acceptable. Now, you said we needed rope?" She then pulled out one of her gauntlets that she had masterfully stashed behind the dip of her back so that it was hidden by the tail of her overcoat, "System call. Form object, change shape."

"Was that the matter conversion art," he questioned in a shocked tone as she held a chain with two clasps on them, only to snap at him, "Did you not hear what I just said?! I changed the shape of an object! Only the Pontifex can use the formal arts to change an item's properties, you dolt!" Looking up and then down he then sighed as he clipped part of the chain tether onto his belt, only for her to do the same, "The question now is... do we go up or down? Are there any openings?"

Alice then nodded, "There is. The Morningstar lookout is on the ninety-fifth floor." Kirito then sighed, "Up it is then." Alice then sternly questioned, "How exactly do you plan to go up?" Holding his hand out, Kirito then called out, "System call. Generate metallic element - wedge shape." Slamming the wedge into the wall, he then swung his body back and forth before landing in a stiffened up handstand once he was above the bar, only to then land on it and find his balance with the wall.

This had Alice panicking, "Is that even safe?" He looked down and nodded, "Seems to be... for now at least." Alice then nodded and held her hand out, "System call. Generate metallic object - wedge shape." Once it appeared, she did the same as him before nodding, "I believe making them uneven and much closer would be more beneficial. That way, should we fall, we can take hold of the other's placed wedge." Both then tested the theory, only for the two to end up face-to-face.

Blushing deeply, Alice turned her head away, only to slip and catch his bar before pulling herself back up to her prior bar like a gymnast. With both now basically making steps that they could use, considering she stuck her own in before flipping up and bouncing up to his to place another, making Kirito understand how much faster that would be. Jumping to her prior one, he then jammed one much higher after she had placed her own, only to jump to hers and then to his own higher one.

After a while, both weren't too keen about the fact that they weren't actually sure how much longer that they could keep this up, making Alice think, "Kirito, be ready, I am going to jump down and collect many that we have already produced thus far." Nodding his head, he balanced himself and held the chain as she dropped to yank out many of the rods that they had made before looking up, "Alright, please pull me back up." Pulling her back up to him, he held the dip of her back securely.

Smashed to his chest, Alice blushed deeply before clearing her throat. Kirito then looked up, "Hey, look, there's a ledge we can rest on for a bit. I even have a snack that the Cardinal gave me that we can both eat. Once they were closer to the ledge, Kirito narrowed his eyes, "Oh my god, those are some ugly statues." Right as Alice looked up, that so-called ugly statue came to life, making her freeze in place out of complete fear before slipping, forcing Kirito to quickly grasp the chain.

Noticing her terrified face, he yelled out, "Alice! Hold on tight!" Looking up at him, she then shakily questioned as she hung in open air, "Now just one moment! What are you thinking of doing?!" Gripping that chain tighter, he spoke quickly, "I'll apologize later!" With all of his strength, he then hurled Alice onto that ledge, making him smile before slipping and hurling the blonde to the ground before she grabbed the chain and hurled him up to slam face-first against the Cathedral's wall.

Unclipping from each other and setting the chain down, Alice drew her blade after explaining as to what they were before two out of the three came towards her, only for her to hit a homerun, per say. Sheathing her blade and glancing over, she then dryly questioned, "Do you require assistance?" Once Kirito finished his off, a comment about how odd his moves were then made, along with the jab that he would attract quite a crowd at the mid-summer festival, making him puzzled.

Pointing to his cheek, Alice then claimed out, "Minion blood carries disease. You might want to wipe it off." Raising his sleeve to his cheek, Alice then fumed and stormed forward, "Not like that! Honestly, are you so uncouth that you do not even have a handkerchief?!" Stiffening up, Kirito sweat dropped, "Um... no, sorry." He should have known that she would have scolded him about that of all things, for she did it in the real world too. Pulling out her own, she huffed, "Here, use mine."

Smiling softly at her, all he could think about was below all of that tough front and lost memories... she was still the same Alice that he loved dearly. Placing his hand over her own to take the small cloth, he then chuckled, "Thanks a bunch Alice." Blushing out of embarrassment, she then snapped away, "I would like it washed and returned to me before I slay you." Her words were beginning to sound unsure if she even wanted to do so in the first place, making him nod, "I will, so thanks."

Once all was said and done with, the two sat down and Kirito pulled out the gifted snacks only to attempt to warm them up with only fire, making Alice yell, "Not like that! You will burn them!" Taking them from him, she then held her fingers up, "System call. Generate thermal element. Aqueous element. Aerial element. Vortex shape. Burst." He looked adorable with how those silverish-gray orbs sparkled brilliantly, "That was awesome Alice! I didn't know that you could cook like that!"

Now she had to tease him by pretending to eat both, making him frantically hold his hand out, "No, no, no!" She then gave a breathy chuckle and handed one over, "I am only joking." She watched as to how that one small treat had made him so joyous, so she placed the other one in his hand with a smile, "You seem far hungrier than I, so eat." Patting his coat, he realized that he had actually taken a bunch, only to pull them out before she cooked them for him and the both of them ate.

With them now fed and the moon high in the sky, Alice held her knees to her chest in an exhausted fashion as Kirito shifted his gaze towards her subtly while thinking, 'The minute I say this, those boots and gloves are goners.' - "Alice, you should try to get a bit of sleep." Nodding her head, he inwardly laughed the moment she took her boots off before removing her gloves and setting both to the side. Attempting to get comfortable was easier said than done, to which made her huff.

Shifting his eyes to her attempting to get comfortable, Kirito then spoke softly to not startle her frustrated form, "Alice, don't panic, okay?" Looking at him, she had no choice but to trust him, so she nodded. Scooping the golden-haired lass up into his arms, he then spread his legs and placed her in between them before tiredly mumbling, "Forget manners and properness for now... just get comfortable and go to sleep." Shifting to her side slightly, she then rested her head against his chest.

Alice knew she needed to ask, so she sat up, "How?" Cracking a single orb open, he then answered her question with another question, "How what?" - "How do you know so much about me?" This made his eyes fully open before he bit his lip, "I don't think you'd believe me even if I told you nothing except the truth." This made Alice sit up slightly, "Tell me how you know me!" Shifting his head down with saddened eyes, he then answered, "Are you sure that you want for me to tell you?"

Nodding her head at this, Alice then scowled softly, "Now tell me everything that you know!" Obliging, Kirito then stroked her hair lightly, "My real name is Kazuto Kirigaya and you... well... you, Alice, are my fiancée. We first met in the game Sword Art Online and were stuck in there for two years. We first became married in that game. We were both so distant from other people that when we finally opened up to one another... love was quick to follow. You mean so much to me that it hurts."

Hearing the name "Kazuto Kirigaya" had her eyes widening as he told her the full story of their love before he raised his hand and lightly knocked on the Central Cathedral's wall, "Selko is your little brother. You didn't find it strange or suspicious that you two look almost exactly the same as one another? I mean, you two could almost be labeled as twins." She listened to his whole story until finished, only to clasp her face tenderly in his palms, "Don't be scared or fear the love we hold."

Leaning his face down, his lips pressed to her own for that red code to pop up in her eye. Flinching at the pain, Kazuto attempted to calm her down, yet, she violently shook her head, "If you are my fiancé, then I wish to remember you more than anything! Kazuto, please... hold me... I am going to break this godforsaken hex placed upon me!" That Code: eight-seven-one continued to blaze like an inferno in her right eye as she yelled, "I am not a toy to be played with! I reject this world!"

With that, her eye exploded before she passed out in Kazuto's arms. Making an eyepatch for her with what little he had on him, Kazuto then lifted the precious golden-haired lass onto his back after resting for a bit, only to then carry her up the remainder of the wall that they had left to go. Placing her on the ground of the open area with sweat dripping down his face as the sun began to rise, Alice's eye finally fluttered open before she sat up and touched the black cloth, "You did this?"

He then nodded to her before she looked around to take in her surroundings, "My depth perception is a bit off, but, I wish to feel this agonizing pain. It lets me know that I am actually a living and breathing person. I am no divine angel that upholds law and order within these lands. No... I am just an ordinary girl that is not only stuck in a game, but, I am also a big sister, I have plenty of friends in the real world... and... I am in love. I will no longer do this wicked woman's bidding!"

Holding his hand out to her, he then smiled, "Come on baby." Sadly, she still did not remember him before all of her memories were forcefully stolen from her, but she would make the best with what she did currently have. What she now held was faith and trust in the man that she was supposedly engaged to. Taking his hand, Kazuto then tracked the Blue Rose Sword and the Moonflower Blade, to which both were just beneath them. Nodding to one another, they rushed down the stairs.

Hand-in-hand, they entered the massive bathing room to see neither Eugeo nor Selko. However, they did find someone else encased within all of this ice that made Alice panic frantically, "Uncle! Uncle hold on!" Attempting to move for her, Bercouli smiled softly, "Hey there kiddo. You did the one thing that I could never do. That seal is hard to break... good job. I'm proud of you." Alice could only frantically shake her head at him, "No uncle, do not attempt to talk or move right now!"

Shifting his gaze towards Kirito, he then frowned, "Kid, our prime minister took the two blondies. You need to hurry so that they aren't changed as well." Alice hastily snapped around, now knowing that one of those "blondies" was her beloved little brother. Bolting in the direction of the Pontifex's room, she then skidded to a stop the moment Eugeo and Selko came down the elevator with dulled and bland eyes, only for a pair of green and blue eyes to gaze almost lifelessly at her.

Alice teared up at this due to knowing that what had happened to her had just happened to her little brother and Eugeo alike, making her call out to her little brother, even if she currently held no memories of him at all, "Sel... Selko!" This made her wonder... how could so much wrong be done in such a small amount of a time span of her absence as a whole. Kazuto then bolted inside of the room while holding both blades, making both of their eyes sharply snap in his direction.

Kazuto insisted on fighting both teens, making her nod and stand back as he fought a long and hard battle in a two versus one battle. The forced synthesis had unknowingly been broken as both Kirito and Alice had been trapped in ice, only for both bland appearing male blonde's to return to the Pontifex. With the two holding the daggers once their modules were removed from their foreheads, both then furiously attempted an assault on the Administrator for even doing this to them.

Once they were all present in Administrator's chambers, Alice felt completely useless as she stood back and did absolutely nothing as the battle began between everyone except her. She was one of the toughest Integrity Knights, but, now she felt no stronger than a mere commoner that did little to nothing in the grand scheme of the entire world. Clenching her fists tightly when even Cardinal joined the fray, she then heard a voice coming from nowhere that made her head snap around.

"Hey now, there is absolutely no reason to appear so sad! We have strength where it matters the most... and trust me, that power will be needed when the time absolutely calls for it. We are not worthless, not at all, so do not believe or think such nonsense. The more you tell yourself such things, the more that you will believe it, so clear the thought from your mind this very instance! We hold plenty of power!" the voice of herself spoke as her very own crystal lowered from the ceiling.

Hell, it didn't make sense in the slightest, but, she listened as her voice continued to speak, "We hold the power where it counts the most! Even should we feel weak, our hearts let us know that we hold the power needed to protect everything that we hold dear to us within this whole entire world! So never forget, our love is not a hinder! Our love is something that makes us incredibly strong to not only stand up for ourselves and the people we hold dearest in our lives! Remember, we are..."

With her own memory crystal being absorbed, Alice then scowled deeply, "I am... Osmanthus Alice! The top player of Sword Art Online! So do not underestimate me in the slightest!" Kazuto's head snapped around the moment he heard this... she was finally back and ready for action and she was plenty ready for all hell to break loose on her own accord. Dashing forward with impeccable speed, Alice called out furiously, "Aurora Blade, come to me!" With that, her blade flew into her grasp.

A battle that long and hard would have been far easier with wings, but, there was nothing that she could do about that. Kazuto rushed to the administrator console before making a swift call to hear the sounds of gunshots, "Kikuoka?!" There was silence for the longest time as Higa panicked, "Boss, we need to hurry and get Kirigaya, Zuberg number one, and Zuberg number two downstairs as fast as we possibly... HOLY! Boss! It's Kirigaya contacting us from the Underworld right now!"

"You'd better be joking with me Higa," Kikuoka spoke in a hurried tone before Higa spoke again, "No boss, look! It says 'Caller, Kazuto Kirigaya'! Check it out!" Rushing over, Kikuoka spoke hurriedly, "Kirito! All of your accounts have finally unlocked! Tell me that Alice, Selko, yourself, and Eugeo are safe!" Huh...? Why did Eugeo matter? Shaking his head abruptly, Kazuto hurriedly answered, "Yeah! Log Selko and Alice out now!" Alice then shook her head, "No Kazuto!"

All it took was the press of a button for Alice and Selko to vanish from the Underworld before Kikuoka spoke in a hurried tone, "Kirito, listen to me closely because I can only say this once! Take Eugeo to the World's End Alter, you got that?!" - "Boss, this is horrible! They are about to shut down the main power while Kirigaya is still connected to the STL!" - "Shit! Hurry and move him to the backup generators!" - "There's no time! They're cutting the power now!" - "Dammit! Kirito, go!"

As confused as he was, Kikuoka then spoke one last hurried thing that ended up being cut off at the end, "Kirito, I have one last piece of information to tell you! Eugeo is your own and Alice's..." Right then, the power was cut and something horrible happened to Kazuto, causing a short circuit of sorts before he came crashing to the ground, making Eugeo rush to him, lift him, and begin lightly shaking him in the hopes to awaken him, "Kirito! Kirito, wake up! Kirito, no, no, no! Kirito!"