Hello everyone! Glad to see everyone is still enjoying this little fic. Also, wanting to wish everyone happy holidays!

Before we get started, I want to address a couple things from the last couple of reviews:

First off is that there will be some things I won't bring in to this story from the original canon. Why? Mainly due to constraints with working in this. I'm following most rules set during the Alicization arc, such as Sacred Arts, Life, etc. This means certain parts may or may not be translated in. This would include some items from SAO proper, such as the Elucidator.

Second is that I do want to thank one of my reviewers for bringing to my attention about how Eugeo seems like a side character for some parts. Hopefully this chapter rectifies that a bit.

Alright, with that out of the way, let's get to the next chapter of SAO Parallel.

But first, disclaimer: SAO and all its content is the property of Reki Kawahara, the author and creator of this franchise. All rights to him.

Now then,

LINK START!

Chapter 12:

Black, White, Blue and Gold

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Five months passed after the raid on Laughing Coffin. The Assault Team renewed their efforts in clearing the castle with all haste, spurred further by the lack of the murder guild being present among the populace. In this time, the front lines advanced to the 74th floor. In addition, the four friends of Kirito, Eugeo, Alice and Asuna became closer than ever. Every chance they got, the four spent time together either enjoying some peace or clearing dungeons. Asuna still hadn't recovered all her memories, much less her original self, but Kirito had convinced Eugeo and Alice to no longer seek out those memories if they were not coming. He insisted that they make new memories now that they were together. Of course, Asuna insisted they help her remember more despite that, but all progress in recovering her past had stalled. All that remained was clearing this floor and getting to Kayaba.

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On his way back from exploring the dungeon on Floor 74, Kirito strolled through the dense forest on his way back to town. It had been another long attempt at clearing that dungeon, but it had been two weeks since they began looking for the Dungeon Master's room. They needed to at least scout this Dungeon Master so they could get a plan together on how to tackle it and make it to the next floor. They had come so far in such a short amount of time. He could almost see the top of the castle behind the next door.

In his thoughts, Kirito heard a disturbance nearby. He saw a small creature with long ears, almost rabbit-like. He couldn't believe his luck at what he had found. One of the rarest creatures in all of Aincrad right there in front of him. Pulling out some darts he had bought at a shop, he threw one with splendid accuracy into a nearby log to startle the creature. It jumped, right into his crosshairs. Its last act was a cry as it was snuffed of its Life.

"N-No way," Agil exclaimed as Kirito presented the kill he got in his hunter's sack. "You actually got one of these things?!" He then looked up at the black swordsman, who had Eugeo and Alice beside him on one side. "Are you sure you wanna sell it?" the shopkeeper questioned. "I mean, shouldn't you cook it before its Life expires and it spoils."

"There's no point," Kirito said with a moan. "Eugeo and I aren't great cooks, and Alice burns anything she sets on a pan." Alice seemed a bit upset at the comment but said nothing otherwise while Eugeo comforted her on the matter.

"Well okay, but it seems like a waste to just have me buy the damn thing," Agil commented.

"Well, we could still do with the money to pay this month's bills anyway," Kirito pointed out. "So it works out." Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

He turned to see Asuna, who greeted, "Hey, Kirito. So this is where you have been." The boy noticed a strange man standing behind her, looking rather suspicious by his appearance and garb. But that didn't matter as an idea struck him, remembering details from their childhood.

Striking on his idea, Kirito asked, "Hey Asuna, do you cook at all?"

"Well that was a random question," Asuna commented, giving him a sidelong glance. But she answered, "Yeah, I cook when I can. It's how I made those sandwiches before, remember?" And that settled it.

Taking her hand in his, Kirito claimed, "I think I just found our chef."

While Asuna questioned what he meant, Eugeo explained, "Kirito went out on a solo expedition today and came across one of those rare Ragout Rabbits. He bagged the kill, but we can't cook it. So we decided to sell it to Agil at the very least."

"Doesn't that seem like a waste?" Asuna posed the question. "And you know how hard Ragout Rabbit is to find. Its Life doesn't last long after it's killed, so selling it kinda ruins whoever buys it anyway."

"Finally, someone is speaking sense among us here," Alice griped aloud.

With that out of the way, Kirito asked, "So, could you cook it then? We'd give you a portion of it." Asuna got up close to Kirito, glaring at him condescendingly.

"Equal portions among the four of us," she grilled. "Deal?"

Not having much choice, Kirito answered, "Sure. Equal fourths." With that, Asuna cheered at her good fortune. The group said farewell to Agil, who seemed upset about being left out of trying the Ragout Rabbit himself. The group headed for the Teleport Gate to go home.

On the way back, Asuna asked, "So, where shall we make the meal?" To which neither of the boys answered her while they pondered what to suggest.

Thankfully, Alice intervened by requesting, "We haven't had time to buy basic cookware. Would we be alright cooking at your residence?"

"Only because you asked Alice," Asuna returned. "And because the meal is so special. This time." She then turned to the man accompanying her and instructed, "You can return to headquarters for the day Kuradeel. I will be fine on my own."

"I must protest miss," the knight named Kuradeel responded, "my orders are to remain with you as your bodyguard."

"Kuradeel, I will be alright on my own. I am an Integrity Knight, and I am in the company of another who is very trustworthy," Asuna argued calmly.

"Perhaps so, but orders are orders," Kuradeel persisted. Asuna was about to use more of her authority when Kirito stepped forward.

"We can take over for her safety," he tried to reason. "You can at least tell your Commander that she is in good hands." However, rather than be assured, Kuradeel seemed peeved.

"Do not speak so casually to me, you miscreant," he spat. "I am a member of the glorious Knights of the Blood Oath."

"Flashy titles don't mean anything," Kirito returned passively. "I knew two nobles who flaunted their prestige everywhere they went. Now one's dead and another lost an arm." This seemed to anger Kuradeel further as he reached for his sword. At the same time, Alice grabbed hers in preparation for a confrontation. The people around them even began to whisper as things looked to escalate.

Deciding that enough was enough, Asuna stepped in and ordered, "Kuradeel, you are to return to headquarters and inform the Commander that I am in good company. You will await further orders after that." Without another word, Asuna grabbed Kirito by his coat and dragged him away, much to his protest. Alice and Eugeo followed shortly after, leaving Kuradeel fuming.

In Selmburg, the three left the Teleport Gate and began to head to another section of the residential district. The three were still a little tense from their exchange with Kuradeel.

"Hey, are you sure you're going to be alright with that?" Kirito asked Asuna.

To which she responded, "Of course. The guild has been making these new rules for higher ups. Now we need a bodyguard everywhere we go."

"Seems kind of pointless if you are already so strong," Eugeo debated. "I mean, what's even the point?"

"You do remember there are some people who can usurp strength with trickery and subterfuge," Alice pointed out. "That must be why Commander Heathcliff has the new rules."

"Yeah, but the guild was never like this," Asuna told them. "The Commander never believed in having this kind of hierarchy or dynamic. But then again, our guild is so big it must have been inevitable."

"Guess being Vice Commander has its downsides as much as its benefits," Kirito commented. And they left the conversation at that.

Not too long after, as dusk began to settle, the four arrived at Asuna's abode. Compared to Bercouli's home with little to nothing in it, Asuna's place was decked out with lamps, furniture, plants, and decorations. It reminded the two boys of Sortiliena's home a bit. Though considering Asuna's family history, this seemed likely to be the case for her to live. She was a noble, in a sense.

Still, Kirito couldn't help but ask, "How much did this whole place cost?"

Asuna looked around the place for a bit before revealing, "I think the room and furniture cost maybe four million shia."

"F-Four million?!" Eugeo exclaimed. But he was silenced by Alice shortly after.

Ignoring his remark, Asuna requested, "Make sure to take off your armor and gear. You can set them on the wall over there." She indicated a dresser near the entryway where they could put their belongings. She went into a separate room as the three shed their heavier gear and set their swords in a stand next to the dresser.

Kirito then went to a nearby armchair and marveled, "Four million shia for this place. I doubt I'd have gotten so much money even if I worked 50 years on the Gigas Cedar."

"You and me both," Eugeo remarked. "I can't imagine anyone getting so much money. And I thought nobles like Liena were as rich as they got."

"Admittedly, I was the same way while stationed in Centoria," Alice revealed. "I couldn't believe the opulence I saw with the nobles in the capital. Not to mention the earnings Asuna and I got during training were staggering. We almost gave our money back to the priest in fear we had been given too much." The two boys continued to marvel at everything around them as they waited for Asuna.

She came out a few minutes later in a different attire. It looked like a white blouse over a green shirt and short blue bottoms. The boys went a little red seeing her in such a unique outfit, but a glare from Alice made them turn away so they didn't stare.

Asuna noticed their expressions before that, and teased, "It's alright. This outfit is very different from everything in Centoria." Regardless, the four went to the kitchen, which was just as fancy-looking as the living and dining room. Kirito brought up the Ragout Rabbit and set it in a pan Asuna set out for it. "So this is a Ragout Rabbit. I can't wait to try it out." She then looked to the black-haired boy and inquired, "How do you want this cooked?"

But Kirito told her, "I'm going to let the chef herself decide what's best. You have more experience with this stuff than any of us."

Pondering for a moment, she decided, "In that case, why not make it into a stew." Then she asked, "But first, could you and Eugeo help skin and cut it so I can work with the meat properly? Make sure to drain the blood too." The two boys agreed, having had experiences doing hunting trips as pages. As they went outside to do the work, she then requested of Alice, "Help me get the broth and everything set up. It'll go much faster with the two of us." Alice didn't object and followed Asuna's instructions on the preparation.

It took the boys a good half hour to get the meat prepared, but it gave the girls plenty of time to get the broth ready. They all saw how Asuna really came into her own with all the cooking, directing them however she needed to get the meal prepped. She had Kirito help her load the prepared stew into the oven while directing Eugeo and Alice to make a salad for the side dish. She even helped make the tea to finish the ensemble. About an hour later, everything was finished, and they were chowing down on stew, salad, and tea.

When everything was polished off and the four had stuffed bellies, they relaxed as the food digested. "I'm so glad I got to eat such an amazing meal," Kirito said with a content sigh. "This puts everything else to shame." The others agreed with him, voicing their thoughts on how wonderful the meal was.

Then, Eugeo brought up, "Having a meal like this feels strangely comfortable, doesn't it? Just the four of us having a meal and living together."

"It's weird to admit, but you're right Eugeo," Alice replied. "This almost feels like the perfect setting. No monsters, no Axiom Church, nothing but the four of us. It feels like a dream."

Glancing down and setting her cup on its coaster, Asuna reminded, "It may be nice, but don't forget we are all still prisoners here. Because of that, we can never see people outside again." This brought everyone's attention to her, and the mood dropped.

"You're right," Kirito spoke up. "There are people we know back home we may not see ever again because of this castle. Tiese, Ronie, Selka, Suguha, Soritliena, Lisbeth, Sili—"

"Lisbeth…" Asuna muttered, interrupting Kirito. He looked up as she mentioned, "I know you told me about her before. She was the blacksmith that made your sword. I remember the name, but I can't remember the face. And there was something else tied to her too. Someone important. But what?" The three were silent as they contemplated this. They had mentioned Lisbeth before, but she was one memory Asuna couldn't recall quite as easily as she did the stuff in Rulid. Perhaps because she met Lisbeth and Silica later in her life they weren't as strong as her time with the three of them.

So Kirito reminded, "Don't force yourself, remember. The memory won't come if you wrestle it. You'll remember her someday. Maybe when we get out of here. I bet right now, she's already making a name for herself with all those weapons she's been forging for the Serlut family."

Picking up, Eugeo added, "Yeah, no doubt. She might even be making swords for Ronie and Tiese too. And Silica and Pina might be preparing to enter the academy. Well, maybe not Pina, but you know what I mean."

"You both mentioned before that Pina was a dragon Silica cared for," Alice recalled. "But how has a dragon like that gotten to someone like her? The Axiom Church is the only place I know where dragons exist nowadays." It was a good question that they never had an answer to. Not even Silica could tell them at the time. It was just one more mystery to add about the Axiom Church and its dealings.

Changing topics, Asuna informed, "Tomorrow, how about the four of us explore the dungeon on floor 74 and try to find the Dungeon Master's room in the process." This caught Kirito unawares, though the other two seemed unaffected by the idea.

"Wait, don't you have duties to do for your guild?" Kirito tried to argue. "You can't just ditch them."

"There's nothing more we need to do for the guild anyway," Asuna returned coolly. "Besides, this is still one of my duties."

"Well what about your bodyguard?" Kirito brought up.

"I'll just ditch him, it's no big deal," she answered without missing a step.

"Kirito, why are you suddenly against Asuna teaming up with us?" Alice questioned with suspicion.

To that, Kirito tried to say, "Well, it's not like I don't want Asuna to come. I just, um…"

"You just what?" Alice asked further. The three then stared at Kirito, making him squirm and sweat under their combined gazes. So Alice continued, "You keep mentioning stuff about the Knights of the Blood Oath, but Asuna keeps assuring you she can handle them."

"Well, yeah, but…" Kirito tried to voice a rebuttal.

"Kirito, you were the one who wanted Asuna to join us on expeditions one of these days," Eugeo pointed out. "So, why not have that be now?"

So he was forced to relent and say, "Alright, she can come. Hard to argue with everyone."

"That's what we thought," the three replied at his answer.

With the meal done and the plan for tomorrow set, the trio were outside at Asuna's doorstep giving their final goodbyes for the day. "Thanks for cooking that meal for us Asuna," Kirito told her.

"No problem," she said in reply. "Hope I get another chance at it."

"Fat chance of that," Eugeo said with a groan. "That's probably the only Ragout Rabbit we'll ever have in our lifetime." Saying farewell, the three headed for home. Asuna watched them go for a little while, her eyes fixed mostly on the boy in black.

The next day in Ozmalt on the 74th floor, the trio were waiting in front of the Teleport Gate for Asuna. But she was late getting there, and it was almost midday. They needed to get moving if they were to make any progress on the dungeon.

"What could be taking her so long?" Eugeo said while he paced back and forth.

"Asuna has never been late for anything," Alice recalled to the others. "Even when she became an Integrity Knight, her punctuality was one of the things she retained."

"Maybe she got held up or something," Kirito suggested. "I figured Heathcliff had something going on she couldn't walk away from."

Halting his pacing, Eugeo questioned, "Kirito, why are you so reluctant to have Asuna be around us? Nine months ago, you were the one pestering us to keep trying to help her remember. Well she's beginning to recall her past, and you just want to abandon the whole thing altogether. What gives?"

"I'm not wanting to give up on Asuna, okay," Kirito snapped at his friend. Resting his arm on his knee, Kirito slouched a bit and admitted, "I'm worried what the Asuna I know will think of me now. I mean, I used to do harmless pranks back in Rulid. Now I've got blood on my hands. First Raios, then Laughing Coffin. What would Asuna think if she knew I became a murderer."

Aggravated, Alice scolded, "Honestly, I am sick and tired of your 'woe is me' routine. So what if you killed people. You aren't the only one. We Knights have taken more lives than you could begin to imagine."

"But those are people from the Dark Territory," Kirito argued. "They are meant to be killed. Same with the monsters and Dungeon Masters. But people here or in Centoria are meant to be protected."

Being done with his pitiful behavior, Alice sternly addressed, "Not everyone. And it's not like you just went and killed anyone you pleased because you didn't like them. You had no choice but to take their lives. If it wasn't them, it would have been you." Coming down to his level, she added, "And so what? Asuna wouldn't give a damn about it all. Being at the church, yearning for you to come, that was far worse than any crime. Do you know how many times she cried herself to sleep, calling out to you day and night? How broken she was from training or the ritual? She didn't care what you did or how you came. All she cared about was that you came for her. She prayed every night that Stacia would bring you to Centoria to take her away. Rulid or anywhere else, she didn't care. She wanted you." She stood up, and muttered, "But if this is who she was going to get, a swordsman who would rather die than keep his loved ones safe, then maybe you should have just stayed home and chopped your Life away like you did with the Gigas Cedar."

"Alice, that's not—" Eugeo began to say. But then the Teleport Gate activated. Without any warning, Asuna came out and the two tumbled to the ground. Kirito and Alice went over to try and help, but something happened that made the two blanch. When he got his bearings, Eugeo noticed his hand was on something soft. He quickly realized what it was and froze. Alice got Asuna up, and the two glared at the boy while the Vice Commander covered her chest out of embarrassment. But they didn't have time to dwell on it as the gate activated again. Asuna hid behind Kirito as the man Kuradeel appeared and looked around.

Spotting Asuna, he called out, "There you are miss. It is time we return to headquarters."

"I already told you a thousand times I am not going back right now," Asuna argued. "I am undergoing my mission with my friends."

"Miss, you are making things harder than they need to be," Kuradeel reasoned. "My orders are to watch over and supervise your well-being. And this duty I will fulfill to my utmost ability."

"Standing outside my home is supervision? What the hell kind of reasoning is that?!" Asuna accused. This shocked the three friends as they took positions to guard her.

"Sir Kuradeel, the Taboo Index may not have much sway here in Aincrad," Alice declared, "but it must still be obeyed for the sake of our humanity. Your actions go beyond a simple bodyguard's duty, not to mention they breach common decency."

"I am merely carrying out my role as bodyguard to the Vice Commander, per my orders from the Commander," the knight replied.

"There's no way the Commander told you to do anything like that," Asuna shouted.

Coming over to her, Kuradeel addressed, "You are making a scene miss. Let us return." But he was stopped when Kirito barred his way. The young man gave a cold glare at the intruder, challenging him.

"Sorry, but we'll be taking responsibility for your Vice Commander's well-being," he stated plainly. "You can go back to Heathcliff and let him know we have the situation covered." His intervention seemed to drive Kuradeel up the wall.

Glaring back, Kuradeel spoke with venom in his voice, "You think just because you accompany an Integrity Knight that you are above me? I will show you such arrogance will not go unpunished." He drew his sword and pointed it at the black swordsman, eliciting shocked reactions from onlookers.

Kirito moved to draw his sword, but then Eugeo pulled his out and held it before him. "My friends and I have done nothing to warrant your animosity, Sir Kuradeel," he spoke with an even tone. "We have fought alongside you in raids, cleared numerous floors, and protected the people of Aincrad. And all you have shown us is contempt. I fail to see the reason why this is. We want to get out of Aincrad as much as anyone attempting to reach the 100th floor. But if words won't convince you, my sword will."

"Are you challenging me to a duel boy?" Kuradeel questioned viciously.

Taking his stance, Eugeo replied, "I am accepting your challenge. Let me show you the power my friends and I wield." The other three moved out of the way as a circle formed around the two fighters. Alice went to the side to act as witness to this duel.

"This duel between sir Kuradeel of the Knights of the Blood Oath and Eugeo, Swordsman of Rulid Village, shall now commence," she announced. "This duel will be a stop-short match. When your opponent is at your mercy, the match is over. Ready? Begin!" At her call, both swordsmen activated sword skills: Kuradeel's sword glowed orange for Avalanche, and Eugeo's glowed light blue for Slant. The two charged at each other, bringing their swords around to strike their opponent. Kuradeel thought he had the edge, as it would take too long for Eugeo to bring his sword up as compared to him bringing his sword down. But Eugeo was faster, willing his sword to swing not at the knight, but a point on his sword. Just like before against Zink, he went for the sword and struck with all his might. The two passed by each other, with Eugeo in the carry through position of the skill. His Blue Rose Sword rang as a piece of steel clattered nearby the two duelists. All Kuradeel had now was a stump of a hilt.

"This cannot be," he muttered in shock as the item shattered into light from being destroyed. But he wasn't willing to give up and drew a dagger from his belt. He charged with a roar at the flaxen-haired youth, but his second blade was knocked out of his hands by a gold one. Alice stood there, lowering her blade from the intervention she had to do. But when she opened her eyes, Eugeo noticed something right away. They were purple. For all his life, he knew her eyes had always been blue. Even further, her aura was different from before. Her presence exuded command, and he felt his brain struggle to create coherent thoughts. What was going on?

Gazing at the disgraced knight, Alice spoke in a voice that sounded like two people speaking at once, "Kuradeel of the Knights of the Blood Oath, I command you to return to your leader and receive punishment for your cowardly attempt. Inform your Commander Heathcliff of these events without deceit. And tell him a message for me: 'Quinella is watching at last.'" Her tone, words, and even address sent a murmur of distress among everyone gathered. Not least of all the three from Rulid. What was happening with Alice? And who was this 'Quinella' she mentioned?

Whatever the case, Kuradell obeyed and teleported to Grandzam. Once he disappeared, Alice swooned and began to collapse before Eugeo caught her. Kirito and Asuna went to check on them, still rattled by what the heck just happened. Alice opened her eyes, showing they were her normal blue. Looking up to her friends, she was perplexed by the concern they showed.

"What is the matter?" she asked.

"Alice, what was that?" Asuna inquired worriedly. "The way you spoke to Kuradeel, it was like… her."

"What do you mean? What did I say?" Alice replied, still not catching on.

"Do you not know?" Kirito questioned. Then he explained, "You rushed in to help Eugeo before Kuradeel got in a sneak attack. Then you spoke in some weird voice that gave me the creeps."

"I did what?" Alice responded, growing concerned at what her friends told her. "All I remember is seeing Kuradeel going for Eugeo, then my mind went blank for a moment there." Recalling that, she looked at Eugeo desperately and checked all over him for wounds or anything.

But Eugeo took her hands and assured, "Alice, it's alright. I'm safe."

"But that snake, he—" Alice began. But she relented on the matter. Though the other three were still concerned about what happened to Alice just then. Most of all Eugeo. Her change wasn't like how Asuna changed when she became an Integrity Knight. It was more like someone else was speaking through Alice. That scared him more than anything.

But after Alice assured them she was fine, she urged, "We need to make up for lost time. Let us hurry to the dungeon and begin our search." No one bothered to argue, leaving them all to head for the dungeon on this floor.

Once inside the dungeon, things began moving rapidly. The four of them made great strides against the monsters here. Including some lizardmen they encountered along with skeletal warriors. Kirito and Eugeo took the forward position most times with their synchronized movements, slashing and cutting down droves of enemies with expertise. Alice had to remark how impressed she was at the two. They had furthered their training from the academy and learned to really work as a unit. She even admitted to being jealous at how they worked together, much to Eugeo's embarrassment. But they kept onward regardless. Eugeo took on the role of cartographer while they were in the lull between fights, mapping their path as best as he could.

Then, after many winding paths and battles, the three arrived at a massive door. There was no doubt this was the door to the next Dungeon Master. And based on inscriptions other front-line fighters encountered on quests here, this one was called the Gleam Eyes. What kind of monster that would be, none of them knew.

Looking at his companions, Kirito advised, "Get your Teleport Crystals ready. Who knows what we'll encounter once we go in." Everyone pulled out said crystal, and the four placed their hands on the doors with the swords at the ready. With a mighty heave, they pushed in and entered. The chamber was dark at first, with no sign of any monster around. Kirito took a couple steps in, thinking about luring it out by coming in more.

"Kirito!" Asuna began to protest. But she was stopped when the torches ignited with blue fire. And at the far end of the chamber lay the Gleam Eyes: a mammoth, humanoid creature with the head of a ram and legs of a goat. Its tail looked like a snake's head. But what was even scarier was the massive sword in its right hand. Its eyes glowed bright red when they entered, and it let out a terrifying roar.

Without hesitation, the four ran out of that room screaming their lungs out.