"Wow...so this is what a virtual world looks like." Kasumi said.
"Yeah...it's breathtaking." Theo said.
"Hmm...looks like we all...wait...we're missing one person." Ethox said.
"Missing? Who could be…." Ichiro said before realizing. "Of course...Zoro."
"He got lost already? We haven't even been here a day." Cobalt said.
"That has got to be a new record at this point…" David said.
"Why is it so bad?" Ayase asked.
"Simply put, his sense of direction...is completely terrible." Cheetah said.
"Yeah. Even if the destination was down a straight path, he'd still get lost." Asta said.
"Well, he'll be fine. He's no stranger to defending himself. Though we should probably get going." Terra said.
"To where, exactly?" Gemini asked.
"If I were Kirito and trying to find Alice...I'd go to this empire's capital. Centoria." Terra said.
"That does seem like something he'd do." Ivy said as they headed off.
"I must admit, the air of this place is...different." Miriam said.
"It is a virtual world. Not exactly a normal place." Subaru said.
"Well it is the first time I've experienced something like this." Miriam said. "Being asleep for ten years can affect your view of the world around you."
After travelling for about a day, the group soon found themselves in North Centoria where the people were thriving.
'It...really does seem perfect here." Theo said.
"Or a little too perfect." Roy said.
"I don't know… The people seem really lively here." Eri said.
"Of course they are. They are pretty much like programs. They follow the orders they're given. While they have souls and emotions, they don't exactly have any free will to disobey their own logic." Leopardmon said.
"They're essentially NPCs, is what you're saying." Tsubaki said.
"If you want to put it in a gamer's perspective then...yes." Leopardmon said.
"Programs or not, they're still people." Selena said.
"Not really." Tsubaki said. "The only real people in here are us and Kiri...to." she said.
"Why did you…" Flamberge said as they spotted two boys walking around town. "There he is."
"Hey, Kirito!" Asta called out.
"Do you know them?" the boy next to him asked.
"Never seen them before in my life." Kirito said.
"Hmm… This is quite a predicament." David muttered. "D-don't mind us! We got you mixed up with someone else."
"Maybe it's the effect of this world?" Ace asked.
"I don't know. Hyperion said that his brain was damaged, quite possibly from the poison. Chances are, it might have affected his memory." Cheetah said.
"So you're sayin' that weird heart poison gave him amnesia?" Gemini asked.
"Well, temporary paralysis was a side effect, as Shuichi stated before." David said.
"And that boy next to him, doesn't he look just like Kirito?" Roy asked.
"What are you talking about? They look nothing alike." Cheetah said.
"While he may not remember us...we should keep close to him...just to make sure he stays alive." Erza said.
"Agreed. Never know when someone is going to try and pull something." Naofumi said.
And so, the group managed to get a building close to the Swordcraft Academy where Kirito and the boy known as Eugeo were training to become Integrity Knights, the defenders of the entire human empire.
"This should serve as our base for now." Terra said. "We can make money and keep them both safe."
"...I want to check something." Goblin Slayer said. "Has the Virtual world affected anyone's use of abilities?"
"Not me." Naofumi said. "I can still see my stats."
"But that's normal for you for any world." Theo said. "Let me try. Aquarius Mode!" he said gaining the usual Aquarius Pistols. "Nope, mine still work the same."
"Hmm." Miriam said, summoning Blue Rose before swapping with Gae Assail, her strongest spear. "My Shardbinder abilities seem to be unaffected as well."
David unleashed his Ice Reaper Claw before retracting. "Me too. Yep, we're fine."
"Maybe it's cause we went through the Digimon Storage instead of using the STL." Ayase said.
"Which is why we're still in our physical bodies." Miriam said.
"We're not exactly physical. Our bodies were just converted into data to allow us to fully integrate into this environment." Crusadermon said. "Though me and Leopardmon are an exception 'cause we were already data to begin with."
"Really?" Flamberge said.
"Don't get any ideas. While we are data, we can still feel pain and die in this world." Leopardmon said.
"Oh…" Flamberge said.
"Yeah, this isn't like Lyoko. We don't just get sent back to the Digimon Storage upon dying." Sachiko said.
"Right, so we have to be careful and not get overconfident." Ethox said.
"You know what I was thinking? We've come a long way to get here, haven't we?" Flamberge asked. "I mean, when it all started, I don't think any one of us would think we would be in such a big group like this."
"What, are we reminiscing now?" Seiya asked.
"Sorry, I can't help it. This whole adventure and this concept between Theo and Etho is just really a lot to take in." Flamberge said.
"Yeah, I feel you there." Subaru said. "I mean, I couldn't believe it myself when I was told I was one of the ten isekai heroes."
"Besides, it's gonna take time before Kirito and Eugeo become knights. We have to spend our time doing something." Theo said. "But yeah...Ehto has been on my mind too."
"Like what you'll do after it's all done?" Asta asked.
"No, that's easy. Back to guild business as usual, having adventures with all my friends." Theo said.
"Then...what is it?" Eri asked.
"This whole time, he's being this prophesied big bad that I have to kill. But...I also feel like he's...trapped somehow." Theo said.
"I feel you there. Like Kitsuna said, he was an innocent young man before all this hubbub. Seems like a dark force encroached him one day and poof! Instant villain. He's not part of this whole thing because he wants to be." David said.
"Now that you mention it… While we were traveling with Inari, she said something about that too." Kasumi said.
"Hmm, do you think that mysterious person Kitsuna mentioned had something to do with it?" Roy asked.
"Hmm… Quite possibly. She did say that someone came to him one day and he disappeared later that night." Cheetah said.
"Yeah...that is a little fishy." Cobalt said. "Either way...why bring this up now, Theo?"
"Because...unlike that prophecy...I'm not one to follow the script. I'm not going to kill him...I'm going to save him." Theo said.
"Quite an admirable goal." Selena said.
"I second that notion, one hundred percent!" Ethox agreed.
"Thanks." Theo said. "Glad to have everyone's support."
"C'mon, you know we'd support you to the end." Ultra mentioned.
"Yeah...hey...Ethox...do you have any plans after this is all over? I mean, your group was formed just to help end this." Theo said.
"Well, that's a good question." Ethox admitted. "Right now, I'm torn between joining your guild, or keep us separate and become sorta-rivals or something like that. However, there is one major thing I plan to do: learn the Power of Waking, so that I can use it to help someone I met during my travels."
"Well...here's my compromise…" Theo said. "You join my guild AND be my rival!"
"...Hey, that's a great idea!" Ethox smiled.
"You're Theo's brother alright." Ace smiled. "I think it's a good idea too."
"It's perfect. We can compete, you get payment for jobs and you'll be able to learn that power in your spare time too. Sounds perfect to me." Theo said.
"Yeah, me too! Thanks, bro!" Ethox said, hugging Theo.
"Just be sure to use that power wisely when you learn it." Selena said.
"Don't worry, I will." Ethox assured.
"It's kind of like how Cheetah and my groups operate. Well… Sort of." David said.
"Yeah, we tend to always find a way to each other when stuff like this happens, but we both still do our own things every now and then." Agito said.
"It's true, Cheetah's group and mine teamed up one time and helped the X-Men defeat Apocalypse." Ace said.
"Not to mention that Cheetah here managed to catch the eye of a certain wolverine." Belladonna said.
"Come on, Belladonna, you know she doesn't like being teased about that kind of stuff." Riesz said.
"I-it's fine." Cheetah said with a sudden blush.
"Still, wow. I mean, I will admit, with a form like yours, you can pretty much nab any guy that comes to mind, but Wolverine of all people? That's quite a match there." David said.
"Sh-shut it…!" Cheetah said.
"Relax, relax. I'm happy for you, you know. After everything that's gone on with you, it's nice to know that you found someone like Logan that can accept both sides of you for who you are, you know?" David asked.
"I… I suppose so. Besides, Wolverine has been through quite a troubled life himself as it is. And when we fought together against Apocalypse, it was kind of like… How do I describe it…?" Cheetah asked.
"Like when Sectonia came in and rescued me back when Tokyo was in tatters and we eventually grew into a relationship? Mm-hmm… I can see that." David said.
"Y'know that's the thing. Lots of people can find others who relate to each other so much and just have some great fight connection with." Ultra said.
"Yeah, you're right. Yknow, I think Naofumi and Ty have a connection like that." Gemini said. "I mean, both of em kinda had it rough."
"What do they have in common? Ty wasn't betrayed and deemed a menace." Subaru said.
"But he did lose everything and almost gave up, surrendering to hatred, but bounced back." Gemini said. "Naofumi, ain't your Wrath Shield some sorta special item that was drawn from your hatred against Melomarc or something?"
"Yeah...I think you're thinking of AJ. Ty wasn't betrayed." Asta said.
"Huh...oh...right." Gemini said. "Sorry."
"By Mammon no less." Selena said.
"What does that have to do with…" Law said.
"Look, Cheetah, what they're trying to say is that you and Wolverine are practically made for each other. You two make a good match, so you shouldn't be afraid of expressing your true feelings." David said.
"That's right, I've seen it for myself during our adventure together. Just follow your heart." Ace said.
"Seems like you've had quite a lot of adventures out there if you're able to give her advice like that." Kasumi said.
"Yeah...and you'll be sharing in that craziness too." Law said.
"Yeah, but in a way… We kind of want to free this Ehto guy too. We owed Inari at least that much." Kasumi said.
"Well, let's hope for the best." Theo said.
And so, they spent the next year watching over Kirito and Eugeo as they advanced through the Swordcraft Academy, soon taking on pages of their own. However, one night...things were destined to take a very drastic change.
"Hmm…" Tatsuya asked.
"Something wrong, man?" Asta asked.
"I just got this really bad feeling." Tatsuya said.
"A bad feeling? What do you mean, Tatsuya?" Sachiko asked.
"Huh...wait...isn't that?" Erza said as they saw Zoro wandering into the academy. "It took him a year and he goes there?"
"He has no sense of direction after all." Roy sweatdropped.
"Or maybe...he has a good idea what's going on too." Tatsuya said. "We should go over there."
They hurried over to the dorm where they saw Eugeo standing in the doorway as two men inside were beating up the two young pages.
"What the hell?!" Mark exclaimed in shock before his expression darkened. "Those two men… c'mon, we have to stop them, now!"
"Eugeo...why are you just standing there?" Duran asked.
"He can't do anything. There must be some program that's forbidding him from...the Taboo Index." Ayase realized.
"Taboo Index?" Luke asked.
"Those laws Hyperion mentioned. It's more than just a set of laws, it's how all of these people are forced to live, least they suffer divine wrath." Ayase said.
"And these laws are not to be disobeyed, under any circumstances." Leopardmon said.
"So what, the Index allows what those two idiots are doing, but what it won't let Eugeo stop it?!" Mark asked. "What kind of messed up rule book is this?!"
"Ah…" Eugeo cried in pain as one of his eyes flashed red as he was trying to draw his blade.
"What the… Is… Is he actually going to resist?" David asked.
"Looks that way." Ace said.
"Ha….Aaaaahhhhh!" Eugeo called out as his right eye exploded as he drew his sword, slicing off the arm of the silver haired man, causing him to cry out in pain.
"My arm...my arm is bleeding. My life is decreasing. Lord Raios. You have to use the sacred arts." the man said. "Share your life energy with me."
"Ha…" Raios said. "What a thrill. Never before I have seen someone commit such a heinous crime." he laughed.
"You're no better!" Duran called out before getting stabbed by Raios.
"Oh shut up, you filthy commoner." Raios said.
"Commoner? Eugeo was just defending his pages. You saying that's a crime around here now?" David asked.
"Hahaha. Of course it is. As nobles, we were simply behaving in ways that are allowed in our authority. But...causing one's life to decrease is a violation of the Taboo Index. One...that I can gladly exploit by executing this poor boy!" Raios said.
"You cruddy nobles are alike in my eyes. Always turning a blind eye to suffering just for the sake of maintaining your own position." David said.
"Ha...the empty words of commoners. No worries. You'll die after I execute this criminal!" Raios said swinging his sword down before he was quickly stopped.
"Hey...no way...you're gonna hurt him." Mark said quietly.
"You best move out of the way so I can separate his head from his neck." Raios said.
"How about we separate yours instead?" David asked.
"Oh, by all means… allow me." Mark growled as he grabbed Raois' head and twisted it with a snap.
"Huh...ah! Ah!" the other noble said as he ran out of the room frightened.
"Yeah, you better run, you strung up coward!" David called out.
"Duran, are you alright?" Roy asked.
"He...missed the vital organs so I am thankful for that." Duran said weakly.
"Oooh, yeah, but he still got you pretty bad." Leopardmon said. "Still, I guess this makes us fugitives now."
"Not exactly news for a lot of us here." Cheetah said.
"I can heal him." Ayase said.
"Hmm." Theo said before he looked over to Mark. "Hey...you okay?"
"Yeah, Markie. When we confronted that guy, you… You kind of flipped out." David said.
"Oh, I'm just fine." Mark said, chuckling as he turned to the others, his eyes having the faintest color of red.
"You sure don't look fine to us." Cheetah said. "I know those eyes very well."
"S-Sorry, it's just… did you see his face?" Mark chuckled. "Hilarious!"
"Mark, what's with you? You're even worse than when we had to defend Felix before." Gemini said.
Just then, Mark's eyes faded back to their regular blue color. "H-Huh? Oh, uh… sorry, I just… got angry for a second." Mark said, shaking his head.
"Angry? You were like a completely different person. It was just like back in Paris." Ichiro said.
"I-It's… it's nothing." Mark said quickly, turning away.
"Trust me… It's not nothing." Cheetah said. "Someone like me would know those eyes all too well."
"I said it's fine! Just… it's fine." Mark said, running away. "Forget about it!"
"Mark!" Ace called.
"Give him some space. Whatever that was, he's rattled about it." DJ said.
"Yeah but...I doubt he's going to get far." Kirito said arriving as several swordsmen had him and the others surrounded.
"What's going on?" Terra asked.
"Because of the rules of this world, Eugeo and Mark are criminals and we're their accomplices." Kirito said.
"Wait...you know his name? Then...you do remember us?" Asta asked.
"Of course I do. I pretended not to know you so you couldn't try and get too involved." Kirito said.
"Damn it, don't scare us like that, man. Do you know how worried we were?" David asked.
"What are you talking about? I still don't know how I got here." Kirito said.
"Wait...you mean you don't…" Sir Saiyan said.
"Don't what?" Kirito asked.
"Never mind, we'll discuss theories later." Sachiko said.
"At least you're alright." Miriam said.
"Uh...sure. We'll go with that." Cobalt said.
"Well, not how I planned to get into the pontifex but...guess being criminals works too." Kirito said.
The next morning, the group was soon being escorted by some men after Eugeo's eye had been restored.
"Huh...never thought we'd end up getting caught this quick. Guess this means things are getting good in this place." Zoro said.
"Yeah...of course you'd say that." Subaru said.
"Can't we just fight our way out?" Flamberge asked.
"No, fighting them will likely just make matters worse. We'll just go along and hope for the best." Ichiro said.
"Hey, Mark...you feeling better, other than the fact we're getting arrested?" Connie asked.
"Uh… yeah, I'm fine." Mark said. "Besides, this isn't the first time we've been caught. We'll just go along with it until… we…" Mark trailed off, looking straight ahead, eyes wide.
Standing there was a girl dressed in gold and blue armor. "Greetings. I am the Integrity Knight who watches over the capitol of Centoria." she said as she turned around. "My name is Alice Synthesis Thirty."
"Bingo… We finally found her." Eri said.
"So she's…" Ace trailed off.
"The final Isekai hero…" Theo said.