Hello everyone! Welcome back for another chapter of this Sword Art Online Story! I apologize for leaving for a while but not I'm back with another chapter that should've came out this past weekend but I forgot cause I was in a food coma. But now I'm back with the beginning of the third and final part of this story, ACT III - KNIGHT.

The last time I saw you guys, the Dark Territory finally made their first move and attacked the town of Arbane. Thankfully they had a knight and what a spectacle it was to see Adam rid the town of the monsters that plagued it. However with the battle won, the war has only just begun as we see this story now begin to line itself up with the anime. Okay before I spoil anything, let's begin!

CHAPTER 9: Night Has Fallen

The warmth of the sun could be felt on this crisp morning. Drops of water dripped off burnt wood and rubble that were set ablaze by the monsters of the dark territory. With the sun reflecting off each drop it was as if every drop shined was as bright as a small crystal. Small puddles of water formed in small crevasses of the stone roads that ran throughout the town of Arbane. Their reflections of the clear blue skies almost resembled mirrors laid out across the streets. But those reflections were shattered when a boot walked across the puddles. With the sun rising to its peak, the people of Arable walked across the streets of their burnt down, rebuilding their homes.

After the attack on Arbane, with the power of his divine object, Adam was able to reduce the blazing fires to smoldering embers. Despite the fires no longer a threat, the town was still riddled with countless corpses of goblins, ogres, and a single giant. To spend the night in a town that smelled appalling would be hazardous for the towns people. It was decided that the people of Arbane would spend the night in the fields that surrounded the town. Fearing that there would be another attack, Adam and Hiroshi spent the entire night on watch duty while Hannah and the rest of the town slept on the wet ground.

With the sun shinning on this new day, the knight and dragon slept under a tree while the townsfolk reclaimed their homes. Wagons carrying piles of rotting monster corpses were being loaded by several strong men before these bodies were escorted far from the town to be burned. Trails of blood could be seen spread throughout the roads as some bodies were too large to carry. But while some of the men dragged the bodies of ogres and goblins to several wagons, some of the women did their best to wash away the blood off the streets. It was a system that was being proven effective as the monsters that plagued this town were being washed away.

While some of the people helped with removing the bodies, others helped with removing the rubble from the previous night. Large beams of burnt wood were seen being loaded on carriages while large stones were being removed. Because some of these homes were exposed to the elements of fire and water, the wooden structures that held up the roofs and walls were weak enough to come crumbling down. With a night to lose their integrity, these homes that had this wooden skeleton structure as the foundation, most homes that were caught in the fires had fallen while everyone slept through the night. Knowing that it was safe to return back to their homes, the people of Arbane were able to safely remove the destroyed rubble that littered their town.

At the same time, while the town was being cleaned up, the remaining men and women were tasked with searching for survivors. To their surprise, several men, women, and children who were unable to escape the town had found refuge in their homes that were touched by the fires. But because the fires were quickly doused with pure rain water, none of the survivors were harmed. The sound of joyful crying could be heard as several friends and family were reunited.

Seeing several children run back to their families brought a smile on Henry's face. It made him relieved to know how Adam's actions made a difference in reducing the amount of casualties. He remembers hearing Adam ordering his dragon to not reign fire upon the beasts that were running amuck in Arbane. While it would have been a much easy way to deal with the monsters of the Dark Territory, it would have been the most dangerous. Had Adam unleashed the full power of Hiroshi onto the town, not only would have the monsters have perished, but several human lives would have been lost. Upon seeing that several townsfolk were able to take refuge during the chaos that ran rampant throughout the town, it justified Adam's decisions and made the farmer had a much higher respect for the Integrity Knight.

With the town being cleaned up, and survivors being rescued amongst the rubble and corpses, Hannah watched her father help several men repair their homes while her younger brother and sister were left to play with the other children. To her surprise neither James or Freya wanted to run off with their friends. After their near death experience, it awoken something within them. For Freya, she no longer wanted to be seen as the helpless little girl, instead she wanted to be strong so that she could not rely on her brother. For James, after watching Adam protect him and his family, the knight had shown this farmer boy what it means to be strong. Even though they had a strong sense of spirit their bodies were still small but that didn't stop them from helping.

While their father helped with repairing the town, and their older sister carrying for the wounded, both James and Freya did their part in restoring Arbane. For Freya, the young girl would run to the creak to provide fresh water to the survivors while James would run across town providing tools and other materials to help rebuild several homes. The entire family worked throughout the day in order to repay Adam for his noble acts. But while Henry and James were on the other side of town, Hannah and Freya were at the school tending to the wounded.

With other women helping along side them, the two had decided to step outside their little school as they saw a messenger ride into town on his brown horse. The look on the poor boy's face was beyond confusion as he saw his home almost reduced to ash and rubble. While several towns people gladly informed the young man of what had happened the night before, other towns folk helped with distributing the mail while the messenger held a sealed letter in his hand. "Has anyone seen the Integrity Knight?"

"If that letter is for him, then I will see to it that he receives this note." Hannah said as she wiped her hands that filled with blood. She took the letter and saw that it was marked with the seal of the Axiom Church. This was the letter that Adam had waited weeks. The young school teacher looked at her little sister with a smile. "Do you want to help me deliver this to him?"

"Yes!"

"Great! Let's also get him some food. I'm sure he's hungry don't you think?"

Freya responded to this suggestion with a quick simple nod and a smile on her face as the two girls walked toward a group of people that were lined up for breakfast. With everyone working very hard on this morning, meals were needed for the hard workers repairing their homes. The two girls waited in line while Hannah held the letter in her hands and Freya was itching to get to the front. The scent of well cooked eggs filled the air and sound of joyful laughter can be heard from the townspeople receiving their breakfast. As they got closer to the front of the line, both girls can feel the heat coming from the grills that were cooking various cuts of meat. While some chefs were preparing thin strips of bacon, others were cooking nicely rolled sausages to go along with the eggs.

After waiting in line for only a short amount of time, both girls had managed to get to the front of the line where they were each given a single plate. From there it was a buffet of various foods that would serve well for a good balanced breakfast. At the start of the assortment were fruits of all kinds. Hannah reaches for an apple and placed in on her plate while Freya reached for a small band of grapes and threw it on hers as well. From there, the two sisters saw several bakers lay out freshly baked goods before them. Delicious pastries such as bagels, croissants, and even muffins were placed for all to see and smell. Both Hannah and Freya reached for the muffins and quickly placed them onto their plates before moving onto the main course.

Feeling the immense heat coming from the freshly lit grills, both sisters watched the cooks prepare fresh scrambled eggs and well cooked meats. Hannah allowed her sister to go first and watched Freya hold her plate as close as she could to the tall gentlemen cooking breakfast. Her small plate soon began to grow heavy as scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage were given to the young lady. With her sister taken care of, Hannah was next and was not sure as to what Adam would want, knowing that he needed his strength, the young girl asked for every meat these cooks could offer.

The look on their faces were ones of a bit confused as they were wondering how a young woman was going to eat so much she mentioned that this was for the Integrity Knight that defended the town, the cooks were eager to offer more knowing that this food was going to the hero of Arbane. Freya grew excited when she saw how the cooks were praising her big brother for his heroic acts.

With their plates full, both sisters reached for two cups that were filled with orange juice. The cups were kept cool so that the juice could keep its rich flavor under the morning sun. Knowing that they were carrying more food than with what they had before, the girls needed a tray to carry their breakfast. With their food now being held on strong wooden trays, both Freya and readied themselves for their little journey to wake up the sleeping knight.

As the sun peaked through the leaves of the tree above him, Adam slowly began to wake up from his long slumber. He opened his eyes slowly and saw the sunlight shine bright through the branches and onto his face. He lifted his hand to cover his eyes and smiled at the fact that he woke up to see another day. There were many times he had seen combat, but this was the first time he felt truly afraid. He did not fear death, only failure. He feared failing to protect the people he deemed close and failing to protect the innocent lives who were being tormented by the monsters of the Dark Territory. But those fears were laid to rest, knowing that he did his job and saved Hannah and her family.

With his strength returning the young knight looked beside him and saw that his dragon was just starting to wake up. Adam rubbed his hand on the top of Hiroshi's head and felt the large animal purr like a large kitten. If it were not for his dragon, the knight wasn't sure how he would have been able to protect the survivors of Arbane. The fact that Adam could rely on his friend meant that these two had a bond unlike any other. Adam continued to rub Hiroshi along his snout. "You did a good job."

"Big Brother!" Adam looked across from him and saw both Hannah and Freya walking over to his tree. The look on Freya's face was priceless as she was very eager to eat breakfast with her new big brother. Hearing those words being excitedly shouted across the grass field brought a warm smile on the knight's face for it reminded him that he was now a part of this family. It was the first moment in a long time that Adam felt like he truly belonged somewhere. He watched as the two sisters approached him and Hiroshi. "Good morning!"

"Good morning Freya!" Adam responded with the same enthusiasm as the little girl. He noticed how the two girls were carrying large trays of food and in a jokingly manner, the knight pointed at Freya's tray. "You plan on sharing that with me?"

"Nope!"

"No?"

"This is for Hiroshi!" Freya said as she placed the large tray of food in front of the dragon who perked up when he saw the little girl approach him with breakfast.

"Okay, just be careful when you feed him." Adam said who was a bit concerned on Freya feeding a full grown dragon. But under his watchful eye, he would make sure that his friend would behave in a well manner. As the large animal had breakfast, Adam turned around and saw Hannah present him with breakfast. The knight could not believe that all this was for him as it reminded him of his days eating at the Axiom Church. Before he lost his train of thought, he saw that it was just Hannah and Freya eating with them. "Thank you very much Hannah. Where are James and Henry?"

"James and Papa are busy with restoring some of the houses that were destroyed last night." Hannah said. "Knowing how stubborn they can be, they'll probably eat once they finish their job."

"Well take it from me, one can understand a man's sense of duty after watching a knight crash through a roof." Adam jokingly said with a small laugh, remembering that some of damage that was brought onto the town was caused by him. Such as the moment of when the giant sent him flying into a house.

"I'm sure you didn't cause that much damage." Hannah said with a small laugh before she remembered watching Adam call fourth the power of his divine object. "But still, it was amazing to see. What did it feel like?"

Adam took a bite out of his apple and remembered what it first felt like to use his sword. "When I first used my sword I was brash, arrogant, and unworthy. I had never felt so much power and I paid a heavy price. When your family took me in I was afraid and I thought I'd never use that power ever again. But when I saw that your family was in danger, all those fears went away and it felt as if my sword knew that it was time. Perhaps it knew that I was afraid but your family gave me courage."

"I can't imagine going through something like that."

"Believe it or not, that wasn't even my strongest attack."

"Really?"

"Yes, had I unleashed this sword's true nature, the damage would have been far greater."

"Well it's good to know that you had our town's best interest in mind." Adam and Hannah turned their heads and saw Henry standing in front of them. Beside the old farmer was James and the rest of the towns people who all had plates with their breakfast at hand. It seemed that once word had spread that their hero was walking up, everyone wanted to dine with the Integrity Knight.

"Henry!" Adam responded with a smile.

"Good morning Big Bro!" James said as he ran over to Adam's side and sat next to the night.

"Good morning Little Man!" Adam said to James while the knight messed with the farmer boy's hair. "I heard you have been working hard."

"I sure am!"

"He's been running all over town making sure that everyone has the right tool for the right job." Henry said as he took a knee to rest under the shade of the tree. "How he has so much energy, I do not know."

"It seems the whole town has decided to take a break."

"Once they found out you were having breakfast, everyone decided to eat their meal with you."

"I am honored."

"You've really made a difference in this town." Henry said to the knight as he looked out to the crowd of people who were eating in the grass. "Before, everyone kept to themselves and even though we were a well known community, there never came a time to where we all came together."

"I'm sure that I was not the cause of this." Adam added, trying to be humble. "Anyone would have done the same thing if their families were in danger."

"Adam, what you did for this town, no one will ever forget." Henry said while several people in the field look toward the knight and nodded their heads showing Adam that these people are forever in debt to him. "We are eternally grateful."

"It is I who should be grateful." Adam said. "Your family showed me what a peaceful life looks like, and it is something worth fighting for."

After a moment of brief silence the two men nodded at one another, showing each other how they both had a respect towards each other. For Henry, after watching Adam not only protect his family but also the entire town of Arbane, it was something that he would never forget for the rest of his life. For Adam, this farmer showed this knight what it means to live a life of peace which was something he never expected in all his years of service as an Integrity Knight.

All his life, Adam never had one moment of peace. Everyday his life revolved around war. His hands were once bred for battle, but now they were humble tools for peace. For the first time, he had finally found true balance in his life.

While everyone enjoyed their meal, Hannah had almost forgotten about the letter she received, were it not for when she looked amongst all the townsfolk and saw the messenger catching up with his friends who were gatekeepers. She soon reached for one of her pockets in her clothes and pulled out the sealed letter. "Adam, before I forget, a message was sent to you. It's from the Axiom Church."

Adam's eyes widened when he saw Hannah hold the letter in front of him. It had been many weeks since he sent his first letter to Deusolbert, and while he knew that it would take time to get a response, he was still surprised to see that his mentor had written to him. Hannah and her family watched Adam read through the single piece of paper. The knight's curiosity soon brought fear in his eyes as he read the letter, over and over, and word for word. He could not believe what was written before his eyes.

To My Disciple,

I regret to inform you that upon writing this letter, night has fallen. I would have sent this message to you sooner or perhaps would have retrieved you myself, but I was needed to entertain two guests. Now I write to you for we are in need of your services. As of this moment, you are to return to the Axiom Church. The time has come for the final test.

Deusolbert Synthesis 7

Adam's mouth began to hang open for he found it hard to grasp onto the reality of the situation. Every word in this letter rattled in his head while his hands began to shake. After all his talk about overcoming his fears, he was not prepared to receive these news. His stomach was turned into a knot while he felt all the blood rush out of his head. What was once a strong knight was now a ghost of a man who could not grasp any sense of reality. Oh no.

"What is it?" Hannah asked as she stood up from the grass and looked at the letter before looking back at her friend. "Adam what's going on?"

"Night has fallen." Adam said with a voice that was soulless. For a moment he felt as if his entire world had crumbled right beneath him as he fell into darkness. Hearing Hannah's voice brought the knight back to reality before he turned to face the young woman he loved. "The Pontifex is dead."

The eyes of Hannah and Henry widened as their mouths hung open in disbelief. The farmer and his daughter were caught off guard by Adam's words. Henry stands beside the knight with a look of concern for his friend. "What? How can this be?"

"I'm not sure how, but the note must be true. Quinella is dead." Those final three words echoed across the people of Arbane as they spat out their food in disbelief and rushed toward the knight for more information. In a matter of moments, Adam was surrounded by dozens of people looking for answers to his words.

"Adam how can you be so sure?" Hannah asked.

"The letter was written with coded messages that only Integrity Knights understand." Adam said. "'Night has fallen' is a code phrase used to state only one thing - the Pontifex is dead."

"Does this letter say how she died."

"The letter states that my mentor, Duesolbert Synthesis 7, was entertaining two guests." Adam says. "It's safe to assume that two criminals from the Dark Territory made their way into the Central Cathedral and successfully assassinated Quinella. One thing's for sure though, these must have been strong criminals."

"How do you know?"

"Because no one is that stupid enough to storm the head quarters of the Integrity Knights." Adam said. "If my mentor was able to send this message, he must have somehow survived the attack."

"The letter mentions something about a 'Final Test', do you happen to know anything about this?" Henry asked.

"If anything it probably refers to the prophecy."

"Prophecy?" Hannah asked. "What kind of prophecy?"

A group of began asking the same question as they swarmed around the knight for answers. Adam did what he could to silence the crowd by holding his hands up to try to ease their concerns. He cleared his throat before speaking to his audience. "There are several knights, including me, who believe in an ancient prophecy. It states that during the final days of the Human Empire, the Eastern gates will fall, signaling the final war between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory. The death of the Pontifex is an omen that leads to this event. Soon, or probably right now as we speak, the Dark Territory will hear word about Quinella's demise and will rally their armies. What we experienced last night was probably their first act of war."

"First act?" Henry asked. "Are you saying that more attacks are coming?"

"Yes." Adam said which rattled the crowd for they believed that the worse was over. To hear that more attacks could occur in the coming days, it brought fear into their hearts. Adam tried to think of something to calm the crowd. "But knowing that the Eastern Gate will fall, they'll probably focus all of their forces on that front."

"But you can't be sure?" A voice from the crowd spoke out. Adam turned around and saw that it was the young man who aided him last knight.

Adam took a moment to try to put his gatekeeper's mind at ease. "All we can do is pray that last night was enough to ward off any monsters from this region."

With those final words, Adam turned toward Hiroshi who lifted his head above the crowd to look directly at his human friend. Hannah watched her knight ready a saddle on top of his dragon's back before she walked up behind him. "What are you doing?"

"You read what the letter said." Adam said while he secured the straps of his saddle. "With the Pontifex gone, the Dark Territory will grow bold and the empire is going to need every Integrity Knight to secure the Eastern Gate."

"And what about us? We barely survived last night. Who's to say that that the Dark Territory won't try to attack again? This time with a larger army."

The crowd gathered behind Hannah and began to plead for the knight to stay. There was some truth in her words for there was no way to determine when the next attack will occur. An attack may not even come to pass but there was not certainty of that in the future. If the Dark Territory wanted to, they could attack the empire from two fronts - the East and West. If they wanted to the Dark Territory could launch a secret assault to catch the Human Empire off guard. But after what happened last knight, Adam knew for sure that any creatures that were able to escape now knew that an Integrity Knight made his hand in this western town. It was possible that the monsters would focus all their forces at the Eastern Gate.

"Adam we need you, now more than ever." Hannah begged.

"Hannah, you are my world and I would do anything to keep you safe." Adam said as he held the young girls hands. Without his gauntlets he could feel the warmth in her delicate hands as he stared into her eyes. "If I don't go, more people will die. These monsters will raid villages, they'll slaughter the men, and take the women and children as slaves, and that will be a fate worse than death. I refuse to stand by and watch it happen from here."

There was truth to Adam's words as Hannah reflected on what her knight had told her. If Adam stood in Arbane where there would be no attack, the Integrity Knights would have few strength and may not prevail against the beasts. Hearing that she and her family could suffer a cruel fate should Adam stay, made her see that the knight could be right about his intentions. A stream of tears formed in her eyes as they trailed down the side of her face.

"Hannah, I promise you, once this is over I will return." Adam said as he wiped away the tears off the young girl.

"And what about us?" The young gatekeeper asked. "If another attack is imminent, how are we going to defend our town. We have no knights."

"Do you now?" Adam asked as he turned to the gatekeeper who looked no older than eighteen. He was young, but the knight could see that there was potential in him. "What is your name?"

"I am Gabriel." The gatekeeper responded.

"Gabriel, kneel." Adam said which made the young man a bit confused before he kneeled before the Integrity Knight. As he watched Gabriel kneel before him, the knight looked out at the crowd of people with a stern look. "I want any man who is able to wield a sword, or is strong enough to carry one, to step forward and kneel."

After hearing a strong voice speak out to them, several men walked through the crowd and kneeled before the knight. Adam watched all different kinds of men step towards him. While some were young men in their prime, there were others who had seen too many winters. Some looked towards their families before they stepped forward while some showed no hesitation in kneeling beside their fellow men. In a matter of moments Adam watched this crowd of men grow larger and stronger. To his surprise several young women had also stepped forward to his call.

With a large crowd kneeling before him the young knight was satisfied as he drew out his sword. Gabriel watched as he felt the weight of the Integrity Knight's sword hover above his shoulder. Adam took a deep breath for what he was about to do and held his sword steady.

"In times of uncertainty, be just. In times of sorrow, be strong. In times of crisis, be brave. Defend the innocent, even if it leads to your death. That is your duty!" Without warning Adam slapped Gabriel across the face with the back of his hand, catching the young boy off guard. Blood dripped from the boy's nose as he stared up at the knight. "That is so you remember it. Gabriel, rise a knight. All of you, rise a knight!"

Hannah cold not believe what was unfolding before her as she watched Adam knight a crowd of brave men and women. Henry was at a loss for words for nothing could explain how much respect he had for this knight. Even James and Freya were surprised to see their big brother rally an army of knights to defend their home. The entire family watched their brave heroic knight turn a small band of gatekeepers, farmers, bakers, and even teachers into a company of knights.

"In time I will teach you all of my secrets, but for now all you need is the will to act." Adam said to his new knights. "To my more experienced sword wielders, you are going to train your new brothers and sisters. You will all train together and work with one another to keep this town from falling into enemy hands. From this moment on Arbane will be the great town of the West."

The newly formed knights rallied and cheered beside one another as Gabriel and several other gatekeepers led their brothers and sisters in arms back to town to get to work. With Arbane secured, Adam looked back to Hannah and her family who were standing by Hiroshi, ready to say goodbye to their friend. The knight first looked to both James and Freya as he bent down to look directly in their eyes. "Alright kids, time for your Big Brother to go to work."

"Will we ever see you again?" Freya asked.

"What does your heart tell you?"

"Yes."

"Than we will see each other soon. Make sure everyone does their job." Freya giggled before Adam turned his attention to James. The young boy stood tall and tried to look as strong as he could in front of the knight before him. "Alright James, you ready to be the man of the house?"

"I am."

"Good, because when I get back I'll teach you how to carry a real sword."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Henry jokingly said which made both boys laugh together.

"Alright then, do you promise to keep your sisters safe for me?" Adam asked the young boy.

"I will Adam." James responded. "I'll make sure they're safe."

"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that." Adam said to the boy before the two fist bumped each other. The young knight stands up and looks to Henry before looking over to Hannah. "Henry, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Yes?"

"Sir, I love Hannah, and with your permission I would love to marry your daughter." Adam said with his heart racing as fast as horse.

"You have my blessing." Henry said as a warm smile grew on his face. "I always saw you as a son, and I would be proud to have you marry Hannah."

Hearing Henry's approval made Adam's spirit soar while a fire grew within him. Now, he was more determined to make it back to his fiancé. Whatever hell that waited for him at the Eastern Gate, this knight was ready to fight the devil and his armies if it meant coming back to his soon to be wife. Adam looks Henry with a strong look of determination. "Thank you Henry. I'll make sure your daughter is safe."

"I know you will." The farmer said as he placed his hand on Adam's shoulder and smiled before they both turned to Hannah.

Tears of joy fell beside the young woman's face for Hannah felt her heart beating loud. After hearing her father's approval, the school teacher could not believe that she now had Henry's blessing to merry the Integrity Knight. If this was a dream, she did not want to wake up from it. But if this was real, she wanted this moment to last forever. She watched as her fiancé approached her before she could no longer contain her happiness and lunged towards Adam.

The knight caught the young woman who leaped I front of him and spun her around as Adam's cape intertwined with Hannah dress. The two smiled and kissed one another in front of Henry who had James and Freya standing beside him, for their family just got bigger.

"I love you." Adam said as he kissed his fiancé once more upon her lips.

"I know." Hannah responded as she returned the favor and kissed the lips of her brave knight.

"Hannah I promise you, when this is over, I will come home." Adam said.

"I'll be standing under this tree when you return." Hannah said before she placed her hands behind her neck to undo the necklace that was tied under her long hair. "Until then, I want you to carry this, so that you remember the love I have for you."

Adam took the necklace from the young woman and looked at how its silver chain twinkled bright from the midday sun. The centerpiece of this jewelry was a small blue stone gem that was cut in the shape of a heart. Adam looked at how it reminded him a lot of Hannah's eyes and the knight was hesitant on accepting this gift. "Are you sure?"

"I am." Hannah calmly said.

"Then I promise, I will keep this safe." Adam said before he placed the necklace around his strong neck while looking into the eyes of his bride. "And when I finally return home, I will marry you."

"Than I will pray that you come home soon." Hannah said before she wrapped her arms around her to be husband. "Be safe."

"I will." Adam said for he wished that this moment could last forever, but with time of the essence, the knight turned to his dragon and soon climbed aboard the large animal. Everyone stood clear as they all watched Hiroshi flap his large wings under the tree. Leaves fluttered in the wind while small branches cracked from the sheer winds coming from the Hiroshi's wings. With the flick of his wrist, Adam watched the reins snap against his dragon's cheeks, signaling the creature to lunge forward.

All the towns people watched a large majestic creature take flight right before them and were in awe. Hiroshi glided across the large field of grass before the dragon began to flap his wings even more to get more elevation. Soon enough, the dragon was starting to soar above the town.

Hannah, feeling her heart race within her, felt the need to chase after Adam and without warning, she ran as fast as she could across the grass fields. Freya and James followed their sister while all three siblings cheerfully shouted and waved goodbye to the newest member of their family. Their joyful screams were heard as they watched Adam turn around to face them. With a smile on his face, the knight waved goodbye to the family he had come to know and love before Hiroshi briefly looked back at his human companions to give a loud roar.

Goodbye my love. Those words echoed in the knight's head as Adam watched Hannah and her family shrink off into the distance. He turns back to Hiroshi and flicks the reins once more before the dragon flapped his wings faster to pick up speed. It had been far too long since these two have flown together at such great speed. When Adam took Hannah for her first flight, he knew that speeds such as this would surely frighten her. Feeling the wind rush past Adam's face made him feel the thrill of flying. His cape flapped like the wings of a bird while his hair blew wildly. He looked down and saw many towns and villages pass beneath him in the blink of an eye. If he had the fastest horse, it would take him weeks to get to the Central Cathedral. Now that Hiroshi was at his full strength, the two could make the journey in only a few hours.

As the two soar through the skies, Adam and Hiroshi looked ahead and saw a familiar structure in the distance. The two realized that it was the Axiom Church and they couldn't believe their eyes that they had finally made it back. Memories began to flood Adam's mind as he and his dragon began to approach the city of Centoria.

The last time he saw this great city, it was under a full moon where he and Eydis were given assignments to patrol the western and eastern territories of the empire. That would be the last time he would see everyone he knew, for it was that very night where Adam lost control of his divine object and was nearly killed by his own sword. Memories of lightning dancing across his body raced through his head before he remembered his time with Hannah and her family. Before the knight could get lost in his memories, he soon realized that knowing the church was attacked he needed to be on his guard upon his arrival.

While the two friends flew above the city, Adam pulled the reins and directed Hiroshi to the thirtieth floor of the cathedral where he saw the landing platform where most dragons enter. The two glided toward the entrance before Hiroshi began to flap his wings to slow down his speed. Adam braced. Himself as he held tight onto his dragon while the large animal made his landing as gentle as possible.

After a successful landing, the young knight climbs off his dragon before guiding him back to the stables where most of the dragons were kept. As the two made their way, they came to a long hallway where the two noticed that most of the stables were empty. While Adam would gladly put Hiroshi into any one of these enclosures, he knew that his dragon needed to go to his stable that he was originally given. The two reach their location and Adam unhooks the reins and saddle on top of his dragon before guiding the animal into his room.

As the knight watched his dragon settle in he realized that this stable was not as comfortable as it was in Henry's barn. Back at the farm, Hiroshi had plenty of room to roam around and become quite comfortable as opposed to these stables which felt like prison cells. Hiroshi tried to get as comfortable as possible as the dragon spun his body around in circles before finally settling into his old stable. "I know it's not the barn, but I'll bring you some food after I take a look around the church."

Hiroshi gave a small shuffling sound before the dragon closed his eyes to get some rest. Adam soon found the stairs and made his way out of the thirtieth floor.

Alright, where do I even start? The knight thought to himself as he climbed the stairs up the church. Knowing that Quinella was killed by the intruders, Adam began to narrow down on where he should start. I'll work my way up to the hundredth floor and see if I run into anyone.

The young knight soon began his journey across the Axiom Church as he started from the thirtieth floor to search for anyone he knew. While walking up the stairs of the church, Adam began to see the damage that took place during his time in Arbane. He placed his hand on the rails and saw how the wood was burned to a crips while there were scorch marks across each step. Bits of broken tile could be seen scattered across this stairway while the knight noticed several arrows lodged into the floor and walls.

This is where Deusolbert made his stand. He must have held a strong position here to keep the intruders from going further. Adam thought as he continued to walk up the stairs. Out of all the integrity knights of the Axiom Church, only one carried a bow. The arrows and scorch marks were all too familiar for it was then Adam realized that his mentor must have used his divine object to war off the intruders. However, his attempt was in vein for Adam soon came to a wall and noticed dry blood stains that were splattered in a diagonal slash. But it looks like they were able to get past his arrows.

The knight continued on with his journey, walking up several flights of stairs before he came across a large door that severed as the gateway to the fiftieth floor. Adam could not believe that in under an hour, the knight had managed to travel up twenty flights of stairs. He opened the door and his mind is shattered by the destruction that sat before him. This large room which once held the most beautiful glass paintings of the cathedral was in utter ruin.

Shards of broken glass were scattered across the floor while several slash marks could be seen on the stone pillars that supported this circular room. Adam looks closely at the scene of destruction and noticed how there were several unusual burn marks spread throughout the room. These mars were much different from Deusolbert's bow as they were precise and too small for any flame. Only beams of light could have caused this destruction.

The knight looks all around and noticed that all across the room were the same burnt marks. He looked at several marks and tried to pinpoint the origin from when they were fired until he walked towards the center of the room and stared all around him.

Lady Fanatio, is this where you fell? Adam thought for he had come to the conclusion that these marks could only be made by Fanatio Synthesis 2's divine object. Her heaven piercing blade was the only divine object that had such precise power, more precise than his mentor's arrows. Adam had never seen Fanatio's divine object in person, but he had heard rumors that she only released its power under the most dire circumstances. If this room was in ruin then this must have been where the second integrity knight fell.

As Adam looked up and saw how the dome roof, which once had glass painted by some of the most talented artists, was shattered, he heard a familiar voice call out to him. "Adam?"

The young knight turned around and saw Deusolbert standing on the other side of the room. Words could not express how much he missed his old mentor. The last time the two saw each other, they had a bitter argument before Adam was sent off to patrol the western territories. Only one word came out of the knights mouth as he quickly ran to his old friend. "Master!"

Deusolbert stood at the doorway before he felt his young disciple run towards him. The crimson knight opens his arms and embraced Adam with a welcoming hug. It had been too long since these two have seen one another and it had been far too long since they both expressed kindness towards each other. Feeling the warmth of their hugs made these two knights realize how much their friendship meant.

"I thought I lost you." Deusolbert said as he broke up the hug and stared at his disciple. "Until I received your letter weeks before the attack, I feared the worst."

"You know me, I'm too stubborn to die." Adam replied with a slight laugh.

"So it would seem." Deusolbert responded before he noticed how his student was wearing glasses. "You've got glasses?"

"It's a long story." Adam mentioned, not wanting to ramble given their current situation. "But I received your letter and I was glad to know that you survived the attack."

"Barely." Deusolbert said. "The gods must have a sick sense of humor if they decided to keep me alive."

"I feel the same." Adam said, as he was reminded of just how lucky he was to survive his incident in Arbane. After a small moment of silence Adam looked around the area and needed answers for all this destruction. "What happened?"

"Not too long after you left the church, Alice Synthesis 30 apprehended two criminals from the Swordsman Academy. They were charged with murder and brought here, but somehow managed to escape." Deusolbert said as he remembered the day his home was under attack. "I and several other knights were stationed to various parts of the cathedral to stop them."

"Were you stationed at the stairway leading to this floor?"

"I was."

"I thought so, given how the stairs were nearly brunt to a crisp and how there were arrows scattered across the stairway."

"I believed that by holding the higher ground, I would have a distinct advantage over the two criminals. I was wrong."

"These criminals, what did they look like?"

"They were both boys, no older than you but were very capable in wielding a sword. One of them had had black hair and black eyes as he moved as swift as the night while the other was a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes who fought with grace."

"How poetic."

"Yes. They both fought in a manner that I had never seen before as I was bested by the boy with blonde hair. His sword unleashed a chilling power I had never seen before."

"So how did you survive."

"Despite how I wronged this boy at some point in his life, through his good grace I was spared and left to reflect upon my actions as they reached the fiftieth floor."

"You let them go?"

"I could see in their eyes how they were not a threat for they had helped me see how I was a puppet for a corrupt system."

"Master, what are you talking about?"

"He's saying that everything we were told was a lie." Adam turned around and saw General Bercouli dressed in his armor while he carried his legendary sword behind his back. "How you doing kid?"

"General, it has been far too long!" Adam said in excitement, thrilled to see that the leader of the Integrity Knights was still alive. However there were still questions that needed to be answered. "What lies do you speak of?"

"The Pontifex was planning something horrific, something that would change the lives of the empire." Bercouli said. "The Integrity Knights were just the first step into helping her secure absolute power. She planned on turning half of the human population in giant sword gollums."

"What?" Adam said in utter shock. All his life he devoted his sword and body to making sure that Quinella's rule left a long lasting peace. "How could she do something so heinous?"

"That was the same reaction we all had when Bercouli told us this piece of information." Deusolbert said.

"It also get's worse kid."

"Worse?" Adam thought. "How could it get any worse?"

"As you are aware from Deuosolbert, Quinella was killed by the two swordsmen who bested the Integrity Knights." Bercouli stated. "But it also turns out that Prime Senator Chudelkin was killed off, and the entire Senate has ceased to function."

A big chill went down Adam's spine as he realized what kind of state the Axiom Church was in right now. "Then that would mean - "

"The Human Empire is at its most weakest state." Deosulbert said to his young disciple.

"That is correct." Bercouli added. "Soon word will spread and the Dark Territory will rally their forces upon the Eastern Gate. Which is why, we are gathering every Integrity Knight to help protect the people, as well as rallying every Imperial Knight from the four regions of the empire. But that won't be enough."

"You're right, which is why before I came here I established a secure post in the town I was staying in during my recovery." Adam said as he stood straight to inform this report to his superiors.

"You set up a base all on your own?" Deosolbert asked, shocked to hear how his student undertook such a large task.

Adam needed to clarify about what happened in Arbane. "More like secured a small town. It was attacked just recently but the people was able to hold off the attack. Before I left I knighted a large number of farmers, gatekeepers, cooks, and teachers to hold the western region. They may not be fully trained knights, but they'll fight to protect their homes."

"Well at least that takes care of the western region." Bercouli said. "I gotta say I'm impressed kid. You sure have changed since the last time I saw you. Now about the attack you mentioned."

"Yes, last night there was a raid on the town of Arbane." Adam said as he began to recall the events that unfolded last night. "A pack of ogres and goblins were led by a single giant who launched an attack on the town. I was able to protect and rescue the people with no casualties reported before I repelled the beasts from their lands. After I received Deusolbert's letter, I knew I couldn't leave them without any defense so I performed a ceremony and knighted a group of volunteers to protect the town."

"Normally I would be upset that you established a new base without my permission but given our current situation, I'll allow it." Bercouli said. "We'll have to oversee their training in the future but for now, I'll settle with what we have."

"Thank you General." Adam said as he bowed before his superiors, relieved that he would not face any sort of penalty. To establish a base without the General's consort would be seen as an act of treason for if any knight were to establish a base on their own, it would look as if Adam was raising an army of his own to overthrow the empire from within. Thankfully he had no such intentions.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to present this to Fanatio." Bercouli mentioned as he turned away from the two knights. "This piece of information will put some of her fears to rest."

"Fanatio is alive?" Adam asked shocked to hear that the second in command had survived the attack.

"She sure is kid." Bercouli said with a smile on his face as he turned around to look back at Adam. "And she is itching for round two with one of the intruders."

"Round two?" Adam asked while he looked at Deusolbert.

"It would seem that Lady Fanatio lost against the boy with black hair but was also saved by him." Deusolbert mentioned as he began to reflect on how Adam spoke to both him and Bercouli. "Bercouli was right, you have changed."

"I have." Adam said as he looked to his mentor. "I now understand the lessons you taught me. I can't always rely on strength to overcome my obstacles. I can't always have a narrow mind on things. I need to be smarter and more grateful for the gifts that I have been given. I hope someday I will make you proud."

"Adam, I have trained you ever since you were a young boy." Deusolbert said as he placed his hand on his student's shoulder. "All your life I have been a cruel teacher to you because I saw you as an undisciplined student. I was wrong. Some of the blame falls onto me. I was clouded by corruption that I allowed it to poison your thoughts, and for that I am truly sorry."

"It looks like we both have a journey of redemption a head." Adam said as he acknowledged both his and his master's mistakes.

"I agree." Deusolbert said as he offered an open hand to Adam. "Then let us go on this journey together."

Adam accepted his gesture and strongly shook hands with his mentor, relieved that he had finally made amends with someone he constantly argued with. This moment came to an abrupt when he suddenly remembered that he had a disciple of his own. "Fizel? Have you seen her? Is she alright?"

Deusolbert looked past Adam before looking back at his student. "See for yourself."

Adam noticed how his mentor gestured his hand to look behind him as the young knight turned around and noticed how Fizel was talking to several guards. Adam felt his heart fill with utter relief as he saw his student still breathing. He turned his full body to face her as he called out her name. "Fizel!"

The young girl turned around and was in disbelief as she saw her teacher run towards her. Words could not express how she felt as she saw her master approach her. But her emotions were locked away as she swept her feet under one of Adam's legs, causing him to lose his balance and fall flat on his back. The knight felt the wind get knocked out of him as watched his student get a smirk on her face before she placed her boot on top of Adam's chest plate. "What took you so long?"

"Nice to see you too, my young apprentice." Adam responded with a small laugh that was masked by a subtle groan. "Glad to see that you still kept up with your training."

"Which is more than I could say for you." Fizel commented as she watched her tired master get up from off the ground.

Adam was not going to take this witty banter without retaliating as he wiped off the dust from his armor and stood in front of his young student. "Well at least I wasn't bested inside my very own house by two burglars."

"How did you find out about that?" Fizel asked as she blushed in embarrassment.

"You just did with your tense body posture." Adam stated as he was able to learn about the truth one way or another. "Let me guess you were playing with your food like always."

"Sort of."

"Fizel…"

"If you must know, Linel and I had the situation under control until that boy with black hair ruined our attempt."

"Sounds to me that this boy was able to get the best of us."

"You are correct."

"In that case, I suggest we pick up your training from where we left off. With war now inevitable, you're going to need all the training you can get if you're going to face the Dark Territory." Adam said as he watched his young student stand firm and tall before him with a look of determination on her face. With the Integrity Knights broken, the Axiom Church in ruins, and the Human Empire in a state of crisis, Adam would need to gather all his strength for the coming battle. However he would not face it alone. With the help of his master and student, this knight was ready for the coming war that was soon approaching.

Alright that's gonna be it for this chapter, I promise you that the next chapter will be uploaded sooner in the month of December. What did you guys think? With the Pontifex gone, we are now getting ready for war just like in the anime. Armies will march, swords will be drawn, and heroes will be called to action as we see the beginning of the War Of Underworld arc from the eyes of Adam! If you liked what you saw please fave/follow this story and leave a comment! See you guys in a couple of weeks!