Hiya guys.

Hope you guys are still enjoying this story, and still want to keep looking at what's gonna happen.

Disclaimer: Reki Kawahara is the author/owner of SAO and all its content. I own nothing aside from this idea.

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Chapter 31:

Strongest Swordsman

Inside the massive room they arrived in on the 80th floor was a massive garden. Despite still being inside, the floor went from stone tile to grass, a creek flowing through a part of it, and a hill in the center. The room was bright from the light coming from Solus, shining down on the top of the hill. At said hill, sitting cross-legged with his sword in his lap, was the Integrity Knight they ran across with Eldrie when they first arrived: Eiji Synthesis Thirty-Five.

Hearing and seeing him was more of a shock for Alice and the others. They hadn't been away for that long while in Cardinal's library. How could he have gotten up to the 80th floor before them? Either way, they had another obstacle to overcome. And one that was worrisome after what happened at the entrance.

Looking down at them, Eiji regarded, "I'm pretty surprised you three were able to take down those failures of Integrity Knights. Then again, not as much. They weren't anything too special after all."

"And what gives you the right to claim such?" Alice demanded. "Fanatio and Desuolbert have been protecting the Human Empire for far longer than you have."

"So what?" Eiji dismissed. "They are nothing anymore. The Pontifex has made sure I was the epitome of all Integrity Knights."

"Why you?" Kirito questioned. "What makes you so special compared to the other knights?"

Getting to his feet, the brash knight replied, "You'll never find out. You probably heard that we're all here to kill you if you try getting any closer to Administrator. Well, I'm going to make sure that you never go further than this."

"Like we're going to let you stop us," Kirito challenged.

Eiji smirked, then replied, "And who's going to stop me? You? Last time we fought, I wiped the floor with you. You couldn't even touch me." That remark seemed to make Kirito scowl, which made sense to Alice. Someone being that flagrant with his power was someone Kirito could never stand. Which is why she knew she had to step back and let him tackle this battle on his own.

Drawing the Night Sky Blade, Kirito strode over the bridge of the creek to confront the Integrity Knight. The girls stayed on the edge, but they made sure they were ready in case they needed to intervene.

Suddenly, Eiji called out, "Ordinal Scale, Activate!" A flash of light surrounded him, power overflowing from him in a way none of them could have predicted before. Was this the source of his power?

Kirito braced himself for the storm about to come with this battle. Last time he fought Eiji, he seemed inhumanely fast and strong. He thought this was the same with all the Integrity Knights aside from Alice and Asuna. But after going through Deusolbert and Fanatio, he saw that this wasn't the case. Even Bercouli, Renly, and Sheyta weren't like Eiji at all. He had to figure out what gave the guy his strength. But he had to play it smarter this time.

He wasn't given much room for caution when Eiji rushed at him at blistering speed. He ducked to the side before bringing his blade to block a pair of strikes that followed up. To retaliate, Kirito tried to do a slash to the side, but Eiji spun around with ease. The knight's sword then glowed blue as he charged for a Sonic Leap. This was too soon to use sword skills, but Kirito had to counter. He brought his sword around for a Vertical to knock the blade out of the way. But just as soon as the glow from Eiji's blade vanished, it glowed orange right after. How? Kayaba always said sword skills leave you vulnerable after using them.

Regardless of the mechanics, Eiji brought his strike down, nailing Kirito in the chest. He was lucky the wyrm scales in his outfit offered protection, but the slash still did damage under his shirt. Eiji's sword quickly followed up with the purple glow of the Vorpal Strike. Kirito couldn't risk using another sword skill to counter, so he swung upward to parry as the guy charged. Thankfully, the tactic threw Eiji off-balance, allowing Kirito to retreat and use light elements to heal his injury in his chest. But even after he recovered, Eiji was rushing up to him and went for a stab. Kirito brought his sword up and locked their blades.

As they struggled, Eiji goaded, "What a waste. The Pontifex seems to worry over nothing. You might have been something back in Aincrad, but you're nothing in Underworld."

"At least I am more human than you," Kirito returned. "And I'm not a slave to someone who would enslave the world."

"Enslave? Seriously?" Eiji said with a laugh. "She wants to free the world. Being her Integrity Knight is liberating. Haven't you seen what it can do to your little girlfriend? That power, that dedication. That's humanity at the highest peak."

Rather than retort, Kirito shoved Eiji off with all his strength and went for a stab of his own. But Eiji grabbed his wrist and tossed him into the water.

He heard Asuna call out his name, but he barked, "Stay back! I've got this."

"Please, you couldn't handle me before," Eiji pointed out. Leveling his sword to Kirito's face, he added, "You couldn't even defeat the other Integrity Knights without those two behind you. You can't do anything. On your own, you are worthless."

Struck by something, Kirito allowed a smile to grace his face. "I can't do anything on my own?" he inquired. "That's rich, coming from the guy who needed two other Integrity Knights to soften me up before facing me. You say I can't fight you solo, but you can't bother to fight me at my full strength. So who's worthless now?"

That seemed to have hit a nerve, as Eiji's smugness vanished in an instant. Instead, his face contorted in rage. He tried to stab at the boy, but Kirito rolled out of the way and brought his sword around to strike at Eiji's shoulder. The knight blocked easily before sliding and going for a slash under the boy's guard. But Kirito adjusted his grip, bringing the sword close to him to prevent the attack from going through. Eiji unleashed several more slashes that Kirito blocked, each one pushing him back. On the last one, Kirito punched the Integrity Knight in the abdomen, winding him. He leaped back after doing some damage, sword in front for the next ploy.

Having recovered, Eiji said in a growl, "Don't think you stand any chance against me after a cheap shot like that."

"It's called fighting for survival," Kirito retorted. "Something you would learn if you had been in Aincrad."

Chuckling, the knight returned, "Funny, because that's where I was myself. For five years. Where else did you think I learned those sword skills?"

That gave Kirito pause. The sword skills he used were taught by Kayaba when he and Eugeo were still cutting at the Gigas Cedar. He said that style had only been taught by him to them. Was it really so exclusive, or did Aincrad teach people how to use them from all the monsters they fought? And if Eiji really had been in Aincrad, why hadn't he seen the guy before?

"You think you are something else just because you fought on the front lines?" the Integrity Knight continued. "Well tough, because you weren't the only people. After all, you always neglect the ghosts left behind."

Before Kirito could ask what he was talking about, he had to block another slash coming at him from the right. He tried to return the favor by slicing down, but he was met with steel that was moved effortlessly into his path. He couldn't read how Eiji was going to attack or what kind of strike he would employ. The guy was impossible to predict, fast as lightning, and powerful too. Kirito was being backed into a corner without finding any chance of breaking out.

As Kirito went for a slash, Eiji grabbed his wrist and began swinging him around. But as he did, the boy saw something on his opponent. On the back of his neck, between the shoulders, looked to be a stone with strange markings, almost like numbers. They were glowing purple, but the stone seemed to mesh with the rest of his garb, which explained why he hadn't seen it before. This must have been the source of his power. But he didn't get longer to look at it, as he was thrown across the way, landing hard on the ground. Dazed, he was wrestling to get back on his feet, but Eiji would not wait. Kirito saw through his blurred vision of Eiji charging down to finish him. But then a golden blade blocked his sword, and something blue caught Kirito's eye.

Alice shoved Eiji back with all her strength, doing her best to protect her friend. Holding her sword, she willed herself not to show any signs of weakness. But deep inside, after seeing him fight Kirito, she was scared. She had never seen someone move as fast or as strong as he did. Not to mention using sword skills consecutively as he did should have been impossible. That kind of skill only affirmed her fears about the kind of Integrity Knight he was.

But it was his attitude that also got on her nerves. Dismissing Deusolbert and Fanatio like they were just refuse made her blood boil. Especially because Kirito had a point. If they had fought Eiji first, they wouldn't be struggling as much. Sure, they would have trouble with the other knights, but they would get the most difficult opponent out of the way. He seemed too comfortable with the kind of power he wielded, which told Alice he relied on it.

Glaring at him, Alice told him, "Do not think I will let one of my friends perish by your hand."

Seeming to not have been affected by her intrusion, Eiji replied, "You can have all the allies you want. They won't make a difference against someone like me. Especially a failure like you, Alice Synthesis Thirty. Then again, you prefer Alice Zuberg, don't you? Not much of an improvement in naming."

"Certainly better than you, Eiji Synthesis Thirty-Five," Alice countered. "Though I must question the number you earned as well as your boasts. If you really are so powerful, I must wonder why you aren't made the commander of the Integrity Knights. Perhaps Administrator doesn't feel you are worthy enough to lead. Or perhaps Uncle has remained your superior despite your power."

Once more, Eiji seemed to become enraged at the mention of his power being anything but superior. A fatal flaw in any fighter, but especially in him it seemed. Eiji zipped over, and Alice barely had time to block with the Osmanthus Blade. The strength behind the attack pushed her back into the creek, and she was met with another strike coming at her left side. Unable to bring her sword across to block, she had to rely on her gauntlet to absorb the blow. When it hit, she could feel the metal buckle under his might, beginning to press into her arm. It might slow her down, but she still had one arm that was functioning well. She tried a diagonal slash at his arm, but Eiji batted it away without any noticeable effort.

Back and forth they went, but it was clear who had the upper hand. His sword work was too fast at times, and Alice's armor took a beating once or twice. Her other gauntlet received a similar dent to her left, pressing into her arm and making swinging her sword more painful to do. But she wasn't going to be stopped, this she knew. She had too much at stake to lose to this knight who seemed to think he was untouchable.

But another swipe across ended up sending her sailing across the garden towards the wall. She crashed against it, the wind leaving her from the immense blow. She struggled to breathe, gasping desperately for air. As she lay there, she saw Kirito rejoin the fray and unleash a furious frenzy of sword strikes that seemed to match Eiji's own sword work. Asuna knelt next to her, trying to calm her down so she could regain her breath. Eventually, she recovered from the blow and was breathing normally, albeit with some pain.

Kirito, during his exchange, was pushed back towards them by Eiji's power. He panted from the skirmish, eyes set on his opponent. The Integrity Knight himself simply walked over to them, almost self-assured of his victory. He merely smirked, seeing them in such a sorry state, before he rushed forward, sacred energy radiating off him.

What happened next was so fast, Alice wasn't sure what went on. But she rose up and shoved Asuna out of the way, preparing to do a rising slash on Eiji as he approached. Kirito brought up his sword from the other side to meet the blow coming towards them. The three blades clashed, creating an explosion. The last thing Alice saw in that moment was the room seeming to rise as she felt herself go backwards, then everything went black.

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"Alice? Alice!" Kirito's voice called out, though sounding distant. But it was enough to stir Alice at last. She felt someone holding her hand, but nothing else. Merely the wind whipping by. She opened her eyes, noticing they were outside somewhere. What surprised her was nearly seeing the tops of the End Mountains way off in the distance. That was when she looked down, and all was made clear.

Miles below her was Centoria, looking almost miniature. Beyond that, nothing but clouds were below her dangling feet. Not wanting to look down any longer, she looked up to see Kirito hanging onto his sword, which he had stabbed into the side of the Cathedral walls. But he was straining to hold her up.

Thus, she told him, "Kirito, you need to let me go."

"Like hell I will!" he exclaimed.

"I'm not saying to drop me," she clarified. "If I can stab my sword into the wall, I can relieve you of the burden so we can figure out a plan to get out of this predicament."

Kirito didn't think long on that matter. Using what strength he had, he swung Alice a bit before hefting her up. When she was level with him, she stabbed her held Osmanthus Blade into a groove in the wall. And there she dangled alongside her friend.

"Well, now what?" she asked him.

"I was thinking we climb back up to the hole we got blasted out of," Kirito answered. Looking up, he then mentioned, "But, for whatever reason, the area where the wall exploded repaired itself. The hole's not there anymore."

"No surprise. The Cathedral was built with powerful Sacred Arts," Alice figured. "Cardinal and Yui may not have mentioned it, but I bet Administrator was the one who built this place as part of her rule, like Kayaba did with Aincrad and Oberon with the World Tree. I doubt we'll have the strength needed to break through if we tried."

Looking back at his friend, Kirito voiced, "I'm worried about Asuna. That guy Eiji is supposed to kill us. I can't afford to lose her."

"Asuna won't go down easily, Kirito," she assured him. "She lasted against Oberon and fought back against the Pontifex. I bet she'll hold off Eiji long enough to figure out a plan to get away. Or, she might even be skilled enough to overcome his immense power."

Though even as she said that, she wasn't so sure. Asuna may indeed be a strong and agile fighter, but the way Eiji fought was anything but human. Sure, some Integrity Knights were bolstered by Sacred Arts. But that boy, his power wasn't like the usual ways of strengthening oneself. She didn't know what made him so mighty and speedy, but it was worrisome.

Then she heard Kirito say, "Well, if we want to help Asuna, we'll need to get back inside. Know where we can get in aside from going down?"

Mulling it over, Alice recalled, "There is an opening near the top. Should be the 95th floor. The Morning Star Lookout. That'll be where we have to climb to."

Thinking on the matter, Kirito muttered, "We fell quite a bit before I bailed us out. We are probably down five floors or so. That means we have to climb at least twenty to get there."

"That would be my question," Alice pointed out. "Unless I use Eugeo's sword, neither of us will be ascending."

"I think I might have a solution," Kirito told her, smirking. Holding out his free hand, he chanted, "System Call. Generate Metallic Object. Wedge Shape." A glowing light manifested before it elongated into a foot-long metal pike. After it formed, he thrust it into the wall before removing his sword and sheathing it.

Before he did anything else, Alice called, "Wait!" She held out her left hand and instructed, "Remove the fastener on my gauntlet." Kirito raised an eyebrow, but did as he was instructed. With some difficulty, he was able to remove the gauntlet. She then chanted, "System Call. Reconfigure Object." In an instant, the metal gauntlet changed into a length of chain. Kirito tested its strength by tugging with his teeth. Seeming satisfied, he fed one end to Alice while he fastened another on his side to his belt. Alice fastened her end to the metal band around her waist.

Now assured they would act as the other's fail-safe, Kirito flipped onto the wedge he made. He created another pike and thrust it a little higher above him before beginning to climb. While he was on this one, he grabbed the chain with one hand while resting the other on the Cathedral wall.

"Alright Alice, I'm going to hold the rope while you climb onto that wedge," he told her. But she didn't move. In fact, Alice had tightened her grip on her sword. So Kirito called, "Alice, come on. We need to climb if we're to help Asuna."

Despite his urgings, she was frozen. She was used to many impossible things. The monsters in Aincrad, the fairies of Alfheim, even someone like Cardinal. But this? Climbing the outside of the Central Cathedral on small hooks? Her nerve left her at this challenge she found for herself.

As Kirito continued calling to her, she said in an inaudible whisper, "I can't." Kirito stopped calling to her, but she didn't want to repeat her sentence.

"Alice, what's wrong?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Alice confessed, "I can't! I can't do what you did. I just… can't." She felt foolish admitting this, especially to Kirito. They had been through much worse than this, and here she was acting like a scared little girl. But even thinking about trying to climb like Kirito did made her tense up. She couldn't replicate what her friend was capable of. It just wasn't possible.

That was when she felt the slack from the rope be picked up. Looking up, she saw Kirito pulling up the slack and appeared to be bracing himself. "I'm going to lift you up onto the hook," he told her. "Get ready."

Alice said nothing in reply, she just braced for him to lift her up. She felt the chain pull her by her waist, and pulled her sword out. As she sheathed her sword, she felt Kirito lift her up. But she also heard him straining to pull her up. She couldn't blame him with all her armor adding to the weight he had to lift. Still, he succeeded in getting her on the first hook.

"Place your hands on the wall to steady yourself," Kirito instructed. She did so, hugging close to it as she felt how narrow the hook was for a foothold. If she moved her feet even a micro mel forward or backward, she feared she would make herself and Kirito plummet to Centoria. She heard Kirito summon a third pike and resume climbing, but she just rested against the wall while he continued to bring them up the Cathedral walls.

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Back inside, shortly after the wall rebuilt itself, Asuna stood opposed to Eiji. He looked smug once again now that Kirito and Alice had disappeared outside. She didn't even want to imagine what happened to them. They were eighty floors up, so there was no way they would survive such a fall. She could feel her heart stop as she feared the two fell to their demise.

But a small part of her remained hopeful. Kirito was a survivor, and he wasn't one to let himself die. There was still the chance he found some way to keep himself and Alice alive out there. That meant, for her part, she had to get to the Morning Star Lookout. And she had to get past Eiji to do just that.

Turning to face her, Eiji said maliciously, "Two down, one to go." He levelled his sword to her, claiming, "You don't stand a chance against me, Lightning Flash."

Ignoring the title, Asuna returned, "Don't underestimate my friends and I. We've gotten this far for a reason."

"And this will be as far as you go," he taunted. "After all, you're no match for me."

Drawing Lambent Light, she replied, "We shall see." Looking over the Integrity Knight, something about his appearance gave Asuna pause. He looked familiar somehow. There was a memory of someone looking just like this guy in the Knights of the Blood Oath. But it was too blurry and vague. Who was he? She knew him, but who was he in the KoB?

She wasn't given anymore time to think before Eiji zipped over. She just ducked to the side, feeling the wind from the strike. She went for a stab, and Eiji barely blocked her attack. Something felt off about his reaction. Against Kirito, he had almost been too fast to block all of Kirito's attacks. Not to mention his strength didn't seem the same from earlier.

But she readjusted and went for another series of quick stabs. Eiji blocked maybe half of her stabs, but had to dodge most of the others. She swiped upward from the side, and Eiji blocked that as well. It was starting to become clear that perhaps Asuna overestimated his abilities before. That sacred art he called out, the 'Ordinal Scale', must be more of a temporary boon. If so, she could turn this into a battle of attrition between their sword skills.

Asuna struck with a spinning swipe followed by a stab to his chest, to which Eiji blocked before dodging out of the way. She quickly followed up with a swipe outward, slash down, and an upward stab. These three strikes he parried as well. Her gaze was cold as steel, her movements swift as ever. She wasn't going to let some rookie Integrity Knight defeat her after what he did to her friends.

But Eiji wouldn't allow her to be on the offensive forever. He tried for a quick slash to her wrist that she caught using the guard of her rapier. He tried swinging around to the other side, but she moved her sword just enough to block this strike too. His swordsmanship was unrefined, basic even. It wasn't polished like Kirito's or Eugeo's was from the academy. Heck, it wasn't even on the same level as Alice's. Eiji, somehow, wasn't using techniques any good swordsman or woman would know from study or practice.

She was careful not to voice this aloud as she exchanged a couple blows going to the legs. When Kirito and Alice taunted him about it, he seemed to go manic. While that may offset a normal opponent, it was risky all the same. But she filed it away for future reference. After all, knowing one's opponent was key in battles such as these.

Deciding to disengage, Asuna skirted around at the edge of the creek. Eiji followed her, but noticeably slower than before. She turned around and used a Linear sword skill to catch him off guard, shooting back in his direction with her rapier thrust forward. Lambent Light met his blade, but she used the momentum to go past him a little bit. This gave her time to recover as Eiji tried once more to strike at her. She whirled around and locked blades. He grit his teeth as he tried to overpower her, but Asuna betrayed no other emotion but determination. Suddenly, he groaned as Asuna socked him in the gut to wind him. With the opening given, Asuna's rapier glowed light-blue for the sword skill Quadruple Pain. This attack would be too fast for anyone to block. She could end this fight with this one skill and move on to the Morning Star Lookout.

Sadly, her blade never met his torso, as he called out, "Ordinal Scale!" That burst of energy resumed from the start, and he deflected all her strikes and knocked her guard up, exposing herself to his sword. Not even bothering to use a sword skill, he cut across and dealt a devastating blow to her side. Even with her uniform's innate defense, her side became red with blood. She staggered while holding her side with her other hand, but could quickly feel herself getting weaker.

Lowering his blade, Eiji spoke, "You know, I think that's one of the few times someone has been on par from me aside from that stupid commander. If you could do that, I really question why we need to kill someone we could just turn to our side."

Asuna's strength was leaving her. It was difficult just holding on to Lambent Light. Before she could register it, the Integrity Knight dealt a heavy blow to her abdomen, robbing her of breath. She crumpled to the ground, her sword falling at her side. She struggled to stay awake, but was finding it difficult.

Kneeling beside her, Eiji assured, "Don't worry. I won't kill you. My lady has something else in mind for you. And you will appreciate it once you're back to who you were in Aincrad."

Losing her grip on staying conscious, Asuna's only response was to cry out softly, "Kirito." And then, her world went black.

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Alice heard Kirito grunt as he stuck another pike into the walls. It had been a considerable amount of time since they started climbing, and the sun was hanging low enough that the sky was titian as dusk approached. This she feared, as they only had so much sacred energy to expend making these pikes to ascend the exterior. When Solus descended for the night, they might be hard pressed to continue until the full moon shone to provide for their Sacred Arts.

Just as she thought this, Kirito grunted out of anger rather than effort. Looking up, she saw the last vestiges of his summoning art dwindle to nothingness before her. It seems they had just run out, and they were so close to a ledge only a little above them. They could have made it if they still had the ability to generate more pikes.

After assessing their situation, Kirito called out, "If I had three more of those pikes, we should be able to make it to the ledge above us. I don't want us resting on these things if I can help it."

Alice began to have an idea on how to resolve their current issue. She called out to him, "Kirito, I might be able to generate more pikes for you. I had been hoping to save this for an emergency, but I suppose we have no choice right now." She held out her right hand with her last gauntlet, and chanted, "System Call. Reconfigure Object." Her gauntlet turned to light before morphing into three more pikes. Once formed, she handed them up to Kirito so he could get them the rest of the way.

Once he got onto the first of her pikes after jamming it into the wall, he began lifting her up using their chain. As he did, they heard a horrible sound coming from above them. They both looked up to see something strange. They hadn't noticed the statues that were mounted on the ledge above them while they were ascending, but they were grotesque. Their heads looked almost worm-like with gaping maws, wings like bats on their back, and limbs that were extremely thin. But that wasn't the worrisome part. What was more concerning in all this was that a few of these statues were changing from a polished white to earthly black. The stone seemed to turn to flesh, and they gurgled hungrily and inhumanely. Two of them let out a screech before soaring off and circling around.

"That can't be!" Alice exclaimed. "What are minions of the Dark Territory doing here?"

Kirito gave no response. He got Alice onto the pike at last, seeing how the minions were about to descend upon them. Alice saw he was so close to the ledge too. If these minions would let them be for just a little longer, they could get on a better platform to confront these creatures. But one of them began to dive for Kirito. Taking one of the two pikes he had left, he thrust it at the minion, nailing it straight through the center. But as it swerved from the hit, its tail nicked Kirito's face with a blade on the end. Alice saw Kirito regain his balance after the throw, but they were still in no shape to fight in their current predicament.

He then called, "Alice, hold on and don't get mad!"

Just as she was about to say something in return, she felt the chain yank her off the hook she was on and hurl her over Kirito. She had been given enough upward momentum to clear the lip of the ledge and land unceremoniously against the wall. But she heard Kirito cry out as he was about to fall off his only foothold, and she braced herself while pulling on the chain.

Giving it every ounce of strength she had, she cried out, "Why you!" And with a mighty pull she drew Kirito up to her. He landed rather hard and ended up rolling into the wall with his back, but at least he was up with her. He recovered rapidly as they both drew their swords to meet the minions about to pounce on them from the air.

Despite knowing the answer, Alice couldn't help but question why creatures from the Dark Territory were here. Was Quinella so distrustful that she would need minions here? They served no purpose if that were true. No one would think to scale the Central Cathedral anyway. And nothing flew this high regardless. But it hardly mattered, only cementing her conviction further to eliminate the Pontifex and free her home.

The one with the golden pike went for Kirito, claws bared as it went to strike him. She was met with the other two. Letting her sword glow blue, she swiped across in a single stroke once they were within range. Her cold expression never faltered, especially when the limbs were severed, and their chests were cut in half. Black blood spurted from the wounds she had made, but none landed on her. She looked to the side to see Kirito wrestling briefly before pushing it away. He too used Horizontal, sending its cut parts careening down to Terreria. Unlike her, he had a smudge of minion blood on his cheek. She fished in her outfit and found a handkerchief that she then held out to him.

"Don't let the minion blood remain, lest you be poisoned," she advised. He took it gratefully and wiped it off. He then swiped his sword left and right before sheathing it behind him. Alice did the same, but at her side.

Now given time to rest, the two sat against the wall to catch their breath and strategize what to do from here. Though it was more of them resting than strategizing. Between the fight with Eiji, the climb along the wall, and fending off those minions, neither member wanted to discuss anything else at present. And it was during this rest that Alice let her mind wander.

She looked at the ring Eugeo gave her, then his sword strapped to her side. Even though she had spent all her tears over the last few days since he was taken, Alice was still saddened by their circumstances. She recalled how much joy she had being with Eugeo while they were in Aincrad. She remembered fussing over him when they were in their house before they were engaged, stealing little moments with him while exploring dungeons, then she recalled the times they spent after the union ceremony. How she would always take comfort resting in his arms, how he diligently did all he could for the four of them in their cabin in the woods.

As she thought these things, she thought she heard Eugeo's voice say, "Don't give up Alice. I know you'll come for me." Whether it was her mind playing tricks or something akin to what she attempted to reach him back in Rulid, she didn't know. Nor did she linger on the thought.

Kirito then told her, "Get some rest. We'll pick up the pace once enough sacred energy replenishes. Might be an hour or so before we can continue our climb."

"I would think you need to rest more than I," Alice pointed out to him. "I doubt fighting Eiji and climbing this tower has been easy for you."

Rotating his shoulder, he replied, "I'll get by. But you need to sleep."

Adamant, Alice instructed, "Take a short rest. I'll be watching out for any more of Administrator's surprises. And don't try to argue."

Kirito relented and adjusted his position to rest more comfortably. But before he nodded off, he asked, "Why do you keep calling her those things? Pontifex and Administrator, I mean. You know what Quinella is."

Clenching her left hand, she answered, "I suppose I want to discard her title standing before her. I want to make it plain she has no hold over me. I simply use the titles right now out of habit, waiting for my chance to stand against her."

"That doesn't seem like something you would do," Kirito mentioned. But he didn't press the topic further as he conked out.

Alice really had to question how Asuna fell for him when they were kids, but she did see there was merit to the boy. To be frank, her infatuation with Eugeo could be equally called into question. Her betrothed was indeed a bit more soft-spoken, obedient, and timid. But perhaps that was why. It was because he held traits most people would take advantage of that she became more than a little interested in him. To protect him, she supposed. But now, after nine years, he had changed. He was more confident, a deep thinker, and someone who valued true justice. And he was devoted enough to go with Kirito to Centoria to find her and Asuna. That kind of loyalty was hard to ignore.

While Kirito rested, she veered her thoughts back to Asuna's predicament. Eiji would no doubt have tried to kill her by now. She held out hope her friend was still alive, but his power alone made that a thin hope. After all, Kirito was the only one to go toe-to-toe with the Integrity Knight and last against him. But Asuna was a smart fighter, likely knowing she wouldn't be winning easily. She probably had found a way to bypass him and ascend. But if Bercouli was where he would be at a time like this, there was still an obstacle for her to circumvent. And yet, the four of them had gotten this far by holding to their oath. They just needed to pull through for each other again here.

After about an hour of rest for each of them, the two looked up to figure out how to finish their climb. Kirito tried using the summoning art for the metal pikes, but he seemed to strain to generate it.

"I don't think we'll be able to climb like we did getting here, not until Solus returns," Kirito told her.

Mulling over an idea, Alice suggested, "If we can generate at least a couple more of these spears, perhaps we can use them to climb. Jabbing them into the wall and going up that way."

Pulling out the gold pike she had made with her gauntlet, Kirito figured, "They won't last long if we do that. Roughly a dozen minutes. We'll only have that long before they fail."

Looking up to their destination, Alice said, "Then we better move with all haste if we are to make it."